The First Degree

On August 22, 1992, a 40 year old woman and her 41 year old boyfriend are brutally attacked in a motel room in Tampa, Florida. The couple is beaten unconscious and hacked at with a knife before their attacker does something unimaginable to his male victim. The seeds of malevolence are sown in this perpetrator long before he gets to this point. But what was his ‘sliding doors’ moment? People don’t just evolve into criminals in a social and environmental vacuum. There’s a tipping point for everyone, a point of no return. When it comes to criminality, is there such a thing as genetic predetermination? When it seems like the world is against us from a young age is there truly hope for us to have the freedom to choose our own path? In episode 213, Jac and Alexis detail the incomprehensible case of Terry Barron, a serial abuser whose desire for control and vengeance knew no bounds. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the girls and the ginger discuss Dr. Phil, phones on silent, and loose change! Then, they dive in for a big heaping helping of history, as Alexis tries her best to teach us all about Joan of Arc! Plus, heresy! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On December 17, 1998, a 39 year old prominent clinical geneticist at the Baylor College of Medicine in West University Place, Texas, is raped, stabbed, and bludgeoned to death at her home by an intruder. When investigators find the victim’s Jeep Cherokee in San Antonio, a stranger’s fingerprints are on the steering column. It wouldn’t be until at least six month later, in June 1999, that law enforcement would apprehend the killer. Tragically, by this stage he’d killed another six people across two states. But the body count was far greater than anyone initially realised. In episode 212, Jac and Alexis detail the disturbing case of Angel Resendiz, a violent offender who became known as the Railroad Killer, and struck terror into the hearts of railroad communities across Florida, Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, IIlinois, and as far west as California. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the girls and the ginger go back to 1912 and learn all about the dark history of the Titanic. They debate cruises, singing in public, and whether you should sit next to or across from your partner at dinner. Plus, chats about immortal deep sea creatures!  🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On March 12, 2011, 29-year-old Brittany Norwood and 30-year-old Jayna Murray are discovered in the bloody backroom of a Lululemon Athletica store. Brittany is alive, but she is bound with zip-ties and injured. Jayna is dead. In interviews with law enforcement, Brittany explains that two masked men robbed the store, attacked the women, and fled the scene. But as police gather more and more evidence about this brutal crime, it's apparent that Brittany’s story doesn’t match reality. In episode 211, Jac and Alexis uncover the true events of Jayna Murray’s tragic murder. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the girls and the ginger follow the yellow brick road and learn all of the dark, twisted, messed up facts surrounding The Wizard of Oz. They debate yellow mustard, Dole Whip, and of course…deviled eggs. Plus, wanna know where Toto is buried? We got you! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today concludes Jennifer’s story of escaping Peter Paul, which will inspire you, haunt you, and make you truly believe in the power of karma. Jennifer never should have had to try so hard to escape an abusive relationship, because doing so almost cost her her life. Domestic violence is hidden in every crease and corner of so many people’s lives, and as a society, we need to do better. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the girls are graced with the presence of a very special guest: their bestie and celeb makeup artist Afton Williams for a very special makeup themed episode. They dive into different killers who incorporated makeup into their M.O. and debate fake freckles, bright eyeliner, and the Little Miss trend. Plus, makeup tips! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s story is one of the most harrowing we’ve ever told, and reveals the dark, and sometimes hopeless reality of being imprisoned by an abusive relationship. There are two key things we want listeners to take away from listening to Jennifer’s story. Number one. Never, ever ask a domestic abuse survivor why they didn’t “just leave?” Number two. Karma is REAL… and if you weren’t a believer before, you will be by the time you finish this story. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the girls and the ginger discuss different murderers whose narcissism and self obsession lead to their own demise. They debate ketchup on eggs, Judge Judy, and taking professional phone calls on the treadmill. Plus, a BTK shit talking sesh! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices