Blood Town

Penny Dearmin

In season two, we bring you coverage from the State of Georgia v. Marcus Lillard trial. He is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless conduct. From opening arguments to closing statements, the State contends that Marcus Lillard had a history of strangling women during sex and did strangle his girlfriend Marianne Shockley on Mother’s Day 2019, causing her death. They further argue that his conduct was reckless by not calling 911 for nearly two hours. The defense purports that there is no evidence that sex took place that night, and if it did, there is no evidence that it was caused by Marcus Lillard. Hear all of the evidence and testimony from the trial and decide for yourself if Marcus Lillard is guilty or not guilty. read less
True CrimeTrue Crime

Season 2

The Reckoning
May 10 2023
The Reckoning
For four years, we have covered the Mother’s Day murder of Marianne Shockley. In the season two finale, we discuss why Marcus Lillard was found not guilty, including DNA evidence not presented at trial and the defense naming Clark Heindel as an alternative suspect. In the most personal episode to date, host Penny Dearmin reckons with the challenges of covering true crime in real time, how she would change the way she told the story, when she should have stopped talking to Marcus Lillard, and why her belief in restorative justice is at odds with the justice system. Through a careful examination of the discord between the public, the police, and the press, we examine who the victims are and how they are treated. We initiate difficult conversations about who gets to control the way people think and feel about crime and what happens when individuals in the justice system don’t have accountability or are held to a different standard than the accused criminals. In a final takeaway, we break down what it’s like to be the person who lights up a room, and why they are in danger in a world of people who want to take from them. Editing and sound design by Engin Hassan. Please rate or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods. Join patreon.com/bloodtown for ad-free/early access and bonus content. Images and transcripts at https://www.bloodtownpodcast.com/ Follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/bloodtownpodcast https://www.instagram.com/bloodtownpodcast/ https://twitter.com/BloodTownPod

Season 1