250 Years of Crime and Justice

Explore landmark American crimes over the past 250 years that fundamentally reshaped national consciousness and the legal landscape. From high-stakes historical trials to watershed cases the revolutionized forensic science, constitutional rights, and pubic safety, discover how these defining moments forever altered the course of justice in America.

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Chicago Mobsters and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

Learn about the rise of organized crime in Chicago, leading to the gangland killing in a Clark Street garage on February 14, 1929.

 

Chicago Murders

Chicago was once erroneously dubbed “Murder City.” Here’s a look at some of the Chicago-area’s most notorious cases, both solved and unsolved. Although only one program is listed, it can be adapted with new cases.

Program 1: Leopold & Loeb, the Grimes Sisters, Valerie Percy

Who else would you like to see profiled?

 

Chicago Serial Killers

A chilling presentation highlighting Chicagoland-based serials killers. Although only one program is listed, it can be adapted with new cases; or the information on Holmes and Gacy can be expanded into one or separate programs.

Program 1: H.H. Holmes, Larry Dean Bright, Ralph Harris, Milton Johnson, John Wayne Gacy

Who else would you like to see profiled?

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Till Death Did Them Part

Prepare for your next Un-Valentine’s Day celebration and take a look at some famous murder cases in which spouses decided to speed up the “until death do us part” section of their vows.

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Unsolved Hollywood Murders

Celebrities are always in the spotlight but, in these unsolved murders, their fame wasn’t enough to save them... or find their killer. These cases were stalled after years of searching fruitlessly for suspects or when the evidence and leads came to a dead end. Some of these cases remain open, however and, even decades after the murders, authorities are still attempting to determine whodunnit. Although programs can be scheduled as listed below, they can also be mixed up or new cases added.

Program 1: William Desmond Taylor, George Reeves, Natalie Wood

Program 2: Thelma Todd, Bob Crane, Bonny Lee Bakley/Robert Blake (some cases contain graphic content)

Program 3: Elizabeth Short, aka “The Black Dahlia” (contains graphic content)

Who else would you like to see profiled?