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Motive
WBEZ Chicago
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Exposing violence and cover ups, the new season of Motive investigates the hidden world of big prisons in small towns. Places where everyone knows each other and difficult truths get buried.
Play Trailer
'Motive' Season 1 Podcast Trailer
Sep 6 2019
1 min
'Motive' Season 1 Podcast Trailer
It’s a cruel sociological experiment. Lock up a 13-year-old boy for a murder that he swore he didn’t commit. Release him as a 30-year-old man. Then, give him $25 million. New from WBEZ Chicago, Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.Find via Apple Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS
Sep 6 2019
1 min
1: A Shooting From A Mercedes
While driving a Mercedes convertible, multi-millionaire T.J. Jimenez shoots a man in the legs. It's all captured on video. We begin our story outside the jail in downtown Chicago. See photos, video, court documents and more of the reporting behind this episode by visiting the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Sep 20 2019
32 mins
2: Violated Into The PeeWees
A fellow gang member and T.J.'s mom describe the young T.J. before the arrest that put him away for so long. And we hear T.J.'s version of the night of the murder.
Sep 27 2019
29 mins
3: A Boy Enters And A Man Leaves
T.J. is charged with murder and sent to juvenile jail. Although only 13 when arrested, he's prosecuted as an adult.For photos, video, court documents and more, visit the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Oct 4 2019
28 mins
4: What Really Happened At The Honey Baked Ham
In 1993, a young man was murdered in front of a Honey Baked Ham store on Belmont Avenue. We return to the scene of the crime to find out what happened on the night that put T.J. in prison for 16 years. For photos, video, court documents and more, visit the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Oct 11 2019
26 mins
5: The Fairytale Ending
After his conviction is overturned, T.J. leaves prison and begins enjoying his freedom. Meanwhile, Frank receives some emails from a mysterious man telling him he's got the story all wrong.For photos, video, court documents and more, visit the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Oct 18 2019
27 mins
6: Mousey Is Dead
Brian Nelson was the leader of T.J.'s gang: The Simon City Royals. Nelson spent almost thirty harrowing years in prison. What was left when he came out?For photos, video, court documents and more, visit the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Oct 25 2019
27 mins
7: Inmate K51114
In prison, T.J. becomes a part of the gang hierarchy and dives deep into religion. Not long after inmate number K51114 is released, cracks start to appear. For photos, video, court documents and more visit the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Nov 1 2019
24 mins
8: T.J. Versus The City Of Chicago
T.J. gets angry watching a heavyweight match between two persuasive Chicago lawyers. One side claims the police framed T.J. for a murder. The other side claims that T.J. is a murderer. For photos, video, court documents and more visit the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Nov 8 2019
31 mins
9: Batman On The West Side
Now a multi-millionaire, T.J. could have done anything. But he called himself Batman and started a violent gang war.For photos, video, court documents and more visit the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Nov 15 2019
33 mins
10: Mother's Day
The big question is ... why?For photos, video, court documents and more visit the Motive page at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Nov 22 2019
31 mins
'Motive' Season 2 Podcast Trailer
A story of years of silence, how it was broken, and the young women who are finally coming forward to seek justice. A preview of WBEZ’s new season of Motive, coming soon.
Jan 24 2020
2 mins
1: Lauren Bajorek
A college student dies on her 21st birthday in Spain. Authorities rule her death an accident. Years later, questions arise after a TV segment airs about someone she was with that night.
Feb 7 2020
34 mins
2: Gabrielle Vega
Gabrielle Vega alleges her tour guide raped her in 2013. Nearly five years later, she learns she’s not the only one and decides to do something about it.
Feb 7 2020
32 mins
3: Blackout
“If you’re robbed while you’re drunk everyone still understands that’s a robbery,” says a former prosecutor. “Or if you’re beaten up while you’re drunk, everyone still understands that’s an assault.”In today’s episode, we look at the double-standard often applied in cases of sexual assault.
Feb 14 2020
28 mins
4: Can’t Tell Anyone
Most of the women in this story did not go to the police. And while some told a friend, family member or therapist what happened, most say they tried to bury it and move on. Why? And what made these women decide to finally break their silence?
Feb 21 2020
27 mins
5: Did Anyone Know?
While studying abroad in Spain, Hayley McAleese and Carly Van Ostenbridge reported to both the police and their school that they had been sexually assaulted. It didn’t go as expected.
Feb 28 2020
35 mins
Preview: Season 2 Q&A
The powerful investigative work of the Motive podcast is directly supported by WBEZ members.Your donation today is critical to the future of Motive — and all of the investigative reporting that comes from WBEZ.Plus, when you donate, you’ll be invited to join us for a virtual Q&A after this season wraps. Submit your questions in advance and then join us live to get a behind the scenes look at Season 2 — along with updates on any new developments.Make your donation today and get all the details at wbez.org/support.
Mar 6 2020
2 mins
6: The Investigation
A Spanish prosecutor opened a criminal investigation in the spring of 2018. Almost two years have passed. We go to Spain to see what’s happening.
Mar 13 2020
35 mins
7: La Manada, The Wolfpack
The verdict in a 2016 gang rape case known as La Manada, or “The Wolfpack,” ignited mass protests across Spain. It kicked off Spain’s #MeToo movement and prompted a call for change to the country’s sexual assault laws.On today’s episode, the case and the fierce debate that followed.
Mar 20 2020
33 mins
