Beyond All Repair

Beyond All Repair

WBUR

Imagine you're accused of something horrific. You swear you didn't do it, but someone says they witnessed it: your own brother. Sophia Johnson was newly married with a baby on the way when she became the prime suspect in her mother-in-law's brutal murder. WBUR's Amory Sivertson reexamines a case unsolved, a family torn apart, and the woman who wasn't believed.

Introducing Serial Killers

Introducing Serial Killers

Beyond All Repair has mostly wrapped, but if there are updates in the story or the case, Amory will jump back in here to let you know, so keep following the show! In the meantime though, we wanted to introduce you to another show that helped get the word out for Beyond All Repair, called Serial Killers from Spotify Studios. In 1974, 17-year-old Carla Walker was abducted from a car in Fort Worth, Texas. Days later, her body was discovered in a remote culvert a few miles away. 46 years later, an

Jul 12, 2024 • 37:32

Introducing White Devil

Introducing White Devil

Beyond All Repair has mostly wrapped, but if there are updates in the story or the case, Amory will jump back in here to let you know, so keep following the show! In the meantime though, I wanted to introduce you to another show. It’s from Campside Media and it’s called White Devil. It’s a series that, at first, seems to be a crime story… but there are so many layers to this. It starts with a woman who’s a member of one of the most powerful families in Belize. She’s found on a pier late at nigh

Jul 5, 2024 • 39:06

Your questions... answered!

Your questions... answered!

What did Susie, Sean's girlfriend at the time of Marlyne Johnson's murder, tell detectives? Was a $10,000 stash of cash ever found in the Johnsons' home? Did Sophia have an alibi? These are just a few of the many questions listeners sent to the Beyond All Repair team. In this follow-up episode, Amory is joined by Beyond All Repair producer Sofie Kodner to answer these questions and more about the case, the story, and the making of the series. *** Come to our live event, Thursday, June 20th!

Jun 13, 2024 • 1:14:54

Beyond All Repair Ch. 10: Truth

Beyond All Repair Ch. 10: Truth

Amory talks to Shane about the 2010 report, along with the detective who wrote it and Rick Buckner, the lead detective on Sophia’s case 20 years ago. She explores what can legally happen from here, both with regards to Marlyne Johnson’s homicide case and with Sophia herself. Amory finally confronts Sophia about the 2010 report, and comes to a conclusion about the case. *** Consider becoming a "BEYOND" member today: This show is made at WBUR, a public radio station, which means we cannot make

May 2, 2024 • 59:02

Beyond All Repair Ch. 9: Someone Is Lying

Beyond All Repair Ch. 9: Someone Is Lying

After Sean’s conversation with Amory, he and his younger brother, Shane, talk to each other for the first time in two decades. Shane is open to hearing his brother out, until Sean denies a painful memory from their childhood. Their father, who has always defended Sean, starts sending aggressive voice messages to Sophia and Shane. Meanwhile, Amory has even more questions for Sophia just as Shane is coming to his own conclusion that she did not commit the murder. But shortly thereafter, Amory re

Apr 25, 2024 • 45:46

Beyond All Repair Ch. 8: Anthony Snow

Beyond All Repair Ch. 8: Anthony Snow

After disappearing before he was supposed to testify in Sophia's second trial, Sean reappears in Guyana under the name Anthony Snow. He has since launched various ventures, including a short-lived campaign for president of Guyana in 2011, a land development business that’s been the source of allegations of fraud, and a robust social media presence. Sophia and Sean hadn’t seen each other or spoken in 17 years when he video-called her in early 2023 upon hearing that she’s been talking to a repor

Apr 18, 2024 • 36:48

Beyond All Repair Ch. 7: Made Up

Beyond All Repair Ch. 7: Made Up

Amory meets Sophia in person for the first time with a sense of uneasiness. While in jail awaiting her second trial in 2005, Sophia made a friend who convinced her to testify in her own defense. Today, this friend, Morgen, is Sophia’s life partner. After getting ahold of the footage of Sophia’s second trial, Morgen and Amory discover that Sophia told a different story about the day of the murder on the stand — one that puts her at the scene. If you have questions about the case, the people

Apr 11, 2024 • 32:35

Beyond All Repair Ch. 6: Hope

Beyond All Repair Ch. 6: Hope

The jury has reached a verdict: Sophia is found guilty of first-degree murder. At sentencing, Sophia hears victim impact statements, including one delivered by the woman raising her son. She is sentenced to 43 years in prison, and just as she’s settling into that fate, she gets a call from her lawyer saying that she’s won the right to a new trial. If you have questions about the case, the people at the center of this story, or anything else about this series, we want to hear them. Email beyon

Apr 4, 2024 • 34:37

Beyond All Repair Ch. 5: The Motive

Beyond All Repair Ch. 5: The Motive

The prosecution in Sophia’s trial claims greed was her motive for killing Marlyne. Shortly after Sophia and Brad Johnson started dating, Sophia began stealing money from her employer. Sophia explains how the theft started and quickly spiraled out of control. By the time of the murder, Sophia was tens of thousands of dollars in debt, with a baby on the way. Was she desperate enough to commit murder? If you have questions about the case, the people at the center of this story, or anything else

Mar 28, 2024 • 35:51

Beyond All Repair Ch. 4: The Husband

Beyond All Repair Ch. 4: The Husband

Amory meets Lyn Page and Linda Dillard, friends of Marlyne Johnson and her husband Richard, who share more about the Johnson family. Richard struggled with alcohol abuse and gambled, and Marlyne had started saving money in case she needed to leave him.  Richard eventually agrees to talk to Amory and shares memories of his wife and the day she was killed. If you have questions about the case, the real people at the center of this story, or anything else about this series, we want to hear them.

Mar 21, 2024 • 35:14

Beyond All Repair Ch. 3: Bad Blood

Beyond All Repair Ch. 3: Bad Blood

Sean Correia's credibility is called into question as Sophia Johnson and Shane Correia tell Amory about his role in their upbringing. Amory learns how these three siblings ended up in Washington state after being raised in New York, and how Sophia became estranged from Shane and their mother, with whom she’d been incredibly close. Sophia finds a new family in the Johnsons — Brad, her husband, and Marlyne and Richard Johnson, Brad’s parents. At the time of the murder, Sophia is newly wedded to

Mar 14, 2024 • 44:25

Beyond All Repair Ch. 2: The Case

Beyond All Repair Ch. 2: The Case

Amory learns more about Marlyne Johnson, Sophia Johnson’s late mother-in-law, and her murder is explored through footage of Sophia’s 2003 trial. Clark County Detective Rick Buckner and his team narrowed the field of suspects to siblings Sophia and Sean Correia (Shane Correia's older brother and sister). Sean testified during Sophia’s 2003 murder trial that he saw his sister standing over Marlyne’s body, holding fireplace tongs. If you have questions about the case, the real people at the cent

Mar 7, 2024 • 31:39

Beyond All Repair Ch. 1: Boxes

Beyond All Repair Ch. 1: Boxes

Reporter Amory Sivertson has reopened a box that some members of the Correia family were hoping would stay shut forever. Amory first met the youngest Correia, Shane, in 2017 while interviewing him about his experience with homelessness. But there is another dark chapter of Shane's life: his older sister being accused of murdering her mother-in-law in 2002, when he was 13 years old. Now Shane wants to know, did his sister commit this brutal the crime? If you have questions about the case, the

Mar 7, 2024 • 23:52

Trailer: Beyond All Repair

Trailer: Beyond All Repair

Imagine if, one day, you are accused of something. Something horrible, violent, heinous. Something you swear you did not do, and nothing you say can convince anyone otherwise — even the people closest to you. That’s Sophia Johnson’s story. Sophia was starting fresh: A new life, a new husband, a baby on the way. But it all unraveled on January 10, 2002, when her mother-in-law Marlyne Johnson was found bludgeoned to death in her home. Days later, Sophia was charged with the murder. To this day,

Feb 22, 2024 • 3:20

What's next after Violation? Introducing a new murder mystery, "Beyond All Repair"

What's next after Violation? Introducing a new murder mystery, "Beyond All Repair"

If you loved Violation, host Beth Schwartzapfel has a new recommendation for you. Hosted by Beth's esteemed colleague, Amory Sivertson, Beyond All Repair is a new murder mystery podcast from WBUR & ZSP Media — launching March 7, right here in this feed.

Feb 15, 2024 • 9:39

Violation Ep 8: ‘The Fullness of Time’: Jacob Wideman’s Uncertain Future

Violation Ep 8: ‘The Fullness of Time’: Jacob Wideman’s Uncertain Future

Part eight of Violation explores what time means behind bars. And listeners respond to the question: Did Jake get what he deserves?

Feb 6, 2024 • 39:14

A message from Team Violation

A message from Team Violation

An update on what's next for Violation...and a new investigation from WBUR.

Jan 29, 2024 • 1:18

Violation Bonus: The Court Ruling Jacob Wideman Was Waiting For (Update)

Violation Bonus: The Court Ruling Jacob Wideman Was Waiting For (Update)

This “Violation” update brings listeners the latest news in Jacob Wideman’s case, including his reaction to a ruling that leaves him few paths to freedom.

Dec 11, 2023 • 13:39

Violation Bonus: Jacob Wideman Says 'Vindictive' Arizona Officials Violated His Rights (Update)

Violation Bonus: Jacob Wideman Says 'Vindictive' Arizona Officials Violated His Rights (Update)

In August, lawyers representing Jacob Wideman argued before a judge in Arizona that state officials treated him in a “constitutionally impermissible” way when they revoked his parole more than six years ago. Lawyers for the parole board and the state corrections department said Wideman was trying to avoid following directions and therefore could not be trusted to be free. In this update, we fill you in on the hearing and how it could set the stage for further legal action in Wideman’s case.

Sep 26, 2023 • 14:04

Violation Presents: Ear Hustle

Violation Presents: Ear Hustle

Thank you for listening to Violation. We thought you might like to hear about another podcast — Ear Hustle, a member of Radiotopia from PRX. Ear Hustle shares stories about what life is really like in prison, both inside and after you get out. Season 12 started on Sep. 6, and the show will also be marking its 100th episode in December. You can find Ear Hustle wherever you get your podcasts and at earhustlesq.com.

Sep 13, 2023 • 40:14

A message from Team Violation

A message from Team Violation

Thank you for listening and joining us on this incredible journey of exploring America’s opaque parole system through a terrible murder. We’re eager to know how this journey was for you.. because your feedback will help us serve you better. So… can you take a few minutes and fill out a survey for us? It would be a HUGE help. You can get it at wbur.org/survey. Thanks. We really appreciate it.

Jul 26, 2023 • 1:03

Violation Ep 7: No Safe Place

Violation Ep 7: No Safe Place

Two months after Jacob Wideman was arrested at work and brought back to prison — for failing to make an appointment with a psychologist on a particular day, as directed by his parole officer — he faced the Arizona parole board again. The board had to make a formal finding: Did Jake violate the conditions of his parole by not making that appointment? And, if so, should he stay in prison or be returned to the community? Parole revocation hearings tend to be routine affairs. But, as this episode

May 3, 2023 • 59:27

Violation Ep 6: 'Your Life Is About To Change'

Violation Ep 6: 'Your Life Is About To Change'

Six months after Jacob Wideman was released from prison on home arrest, he appeared before the parole board for a routine check-in hearing. His parole officer told the board that Jake was doing well: Jake’s employers and therapists gave him positive reviews, as did the director at his halfway house and the landlord at his apartment complex. But other people were coming to a different conclusion. About a week before the hearing, Jake’s parole officer had told him that he had received complaint

Apr 26, 2023 • 46:57

Violation Ep 5: Mass Supervision

Violation Ep 5: Mass Supervision

In 2016, after 30 years behind bars and seven hearings in front of the Arizona parole board, Jacob Wideman was released from prison. Being on parole is a strange hybrid between prison and freedom. You’re still technically serving your sentence, but in the community. When Jake first got out, he was on home arrest, a strict version of parole. He had to wear an ankle monitor so the state could track his whereabouts, and he couldn’t leave his house without permission. Jake also had to follow mor

Apr 19, 2023 • 38:02

Violation Ep 4: Heart Tests

Violation Ep 4: Heart Tests

How do you build a meaningful life in prison, knowing you might never be free? What if whether you might one day be free hinges on your ability to build a meaningful life in prison? In Part 4 of “Violation," we follow Jacob Wideman’s decades-long journey through the Arizona prison system and hear how he prepared to tell his life story to the parole board. Two years after he murdered Eric Kane, Jake was transferred from county jail to the Arizona Department of Corrections to begin serving a life

Apr 12, 2023 • 47:42

Violation Ep 3: Life Without Parole

Violation Ep 3: Life Without Parole

Imagine the worst day of your life, when you did the one thing you are most ashamed of. Now imagine having to convince a panel of strangers — who suspect you might be lying — how sorry you are. After years of preparing for this moment, you get only minutes to make your case. And the stakes couldn’t be higher: The rest of your life depends on whether or not the strangers believe you. This is how people seeking parole often describe the experience. Daniel Medwed, a law professor at Northeastern

Apr 5, 2023 • 35:15

Violation Ep 2: 'Bad Seed'

Violation Ep 2: 'Bad Seed'

Not long after Jacob Wideman murdered his summer camp roommate, Eric Kane, in 1986 — seemingly with no motive — a question emerged in the breathless news coverage of the tragedy: Was Jake a “bad seed”? It was no accident that some reporters latched onto the phrase. After all, it was plucked straight from perhaps the most famous book written by Jake’s own father, acclaimed author John Edgar Wideman, about his family’s experience with violence, trauma and incarceration. But John Wideman wasn’t

Mar 29, 2023 • 41:11

Violation Ep 1: Two Sons, Lost

Violation Ep 1: Two Sons, Lost

Why did Jacob Wideman murder Eric Kane? In 1986, the two 16-year-olds were rooming together on a summer camp trip to the Grand Canyon when Jacob fatally — and inexplicably — stabbed Eric. That night, Jacob went on the run, absconding with the camp’s rented Oldsmobile and thousands of dollars in traveler’s checks. Before long, he turned himself in and eventually confessed to the killing — although he couldn’t explain what drove him to do it. It would take years of therapy and medical treatm

Mar 22, 2023 • 34:20

Trailer: Introducing 'Violation'

Trailer: Introducing 'Violation'

In 1986, while on a summer camp trip to the Grand Canyon, 16-year-old Jacob Wideman fatally stabbed his roommate, Eric Kane. Jacob confessed to the murder, but couldn’t explain why he did it. The crime devastated both boys’ families. For the Widemans, it was also a haunting echo from their family history. Just two years earlier, Jacob’s father, acclaimed author John Edgar Wideman, had published "Brothers and Keepers," a memoir that grappled with how his brother, Jacob’s uncle Robby Wideman, wa

Mar 8, 2023 • 3:07

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