Sword and Scale • Incongruity LLC

In this episode of Sword and Scale, the harrowing story of sisters Jessica and Alexia's abuse is recounted. Jessica reveals how her math teacher helped uncover the horrific mistreatment she and Alexia endured, including being force-fed bleach by their mother Barbara and stepfather Larry.

The disturbing details of Alexia's murder and dismemberment are disclosed. Though lacking physical evidence, Jessica's powerful testimony at just 13 years old secured convictions against Barbara and Larry. Despite her traumatic childhood, Jessica has shown resilience, sharing her story through a memoir to aid her healing process.

The Sword and Scale episode covers the turbulent relationship between Danielle and Michael. Their relationship began inappropriately after Danielle's mother passed away, with Michael transitioning from her stepfather to her romantic partner. According to Danielle, Michael became physically abusive throughout their marriage. The blurb describes how Michael's aggression escalated to violent behavior like choking, along with controlling tactics like threats of isolation and financial ruin.

Ultimately, the episode summary recounts how, after decades of alleged abuse, Danielle fatally stabbed Michael during a confrontation where she believed he would kill her. While acknowledging her self-defense claim at trial, the summary outlines how her testimony of Michael's abusive history led to an acquittal of murder charges, but a guilty verdict for evidence tampering.

In this episode of Sword and Scale, the tragic case of Jessica Sacco and Matthew Puccio is explored. Jessica, struggling with bipolar disorder, stopped taking her medication after encouragement from Puccio. This caused her mental state to deteriorate, leading to the couple moving in with Puccio's friends into Jessica's cramped apartment.

As tensions mounted in the crowded living situation, jokes circulated about eliminating Jessica from the group. Ultimately, Puccio brutally murdered Jessica, with his friends assisting in the dismemberment and disposal of her remains. The episode details the harrowing events, the subsequent arrests, and the sentences received by those involved in this horrific crime.

In this episode of Sword and Scale, details emerge about a series of murders targeting elderly women in senior living facilities. Prosecutors allege an eerie similarity between the victims' deaths—each woman was smothered with a pillow and robbed of jewelry. The killings are linked through DNA evidence to a single suspect, the indicted Billie Shmiermier.

Families of the victims criticize lax security measures at senior residences that allowed easy access for the assailant and negligence in responding to reports of suspicious activity. The discussion covers the legal proceedings involving Shmiermier, including his conviction for one murder, subsequent life sentences, and the permanent incarceration intended with the dismissal of remaining cases.

Dive into the dark and intricate details of a meticulously orchestrated crime on "Sword and Scale," where hosts delve into the chilling Black Friday murder of Ashley Harris by her former colleagues, Carter Cervantes and David Mallory. This episode unravels a tale of calculated revenge, run amok when Harris is brutally murdered after being suspected of theft, leading to the dismissal of Cervantes and Mallory. The narrative weaves through their series of criminal endeavors, including a heist at an American Eagle store, as the speakers shed light on the planning and folly that marked their eventual downfall.

The episode paints a stark portrait of the perpetrators, especially Cervantes, who, despite her attempt to play the innocent card at her trial, was foiled by evidence of her deep-seated sociopathic traits. Mike Boudet and a cadre of voices from Ashlea's neighbor to her boss provide nuanced viewpoints that expose a sinister thrill in executing enterprise fraught with deception and betrayal. As the story of this heinous act unfolds, listeners are confronted with a gripping saga of crime and consequence, revealing the chilling depths of human duplicity and malice.