Summary of "Criminal" Podcast Episode: "The Clock Starts Ticking"

Podcast Information
Title: Criminal
Host: Phoebe Judge
Episode: The Clock Starts Ticking
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Description: "Criminal" explores true stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge, this episode delves into the wrongful conviction of Edgar Barrientos Quintana, influenced by the televised portrayal of his investigation on "The First 48."

Introduction

In "The Clock Starts Ticking," Phoebe Judge examines a tragic case where media involvement potentially led to the wrongful conviction of an innocent man. The episode focuses on Jesse Michaelson's murder, the subsequent investigation televised by "The First 48," and the eventual exoneration of Edgar Barrientos Quintana after years of wrongful imprisonment.

Jesse Michaelson's Background

Who was Jesse Michaelson?
Reporter Jessica Lessenhop provides an overview of Jesse Michaelson:

"Jesse was an 18-year-old high school kid. He was an aspiring musician. He was kind of getting a little rap career off the ground. He was characterized by some of the detectives... as just a pretty good kid."
([01:07])

Jesse lived on the south side of Minneapolis with his family and was preparing for his cousin's 13th birthday party on October 11, 2008.

The Crime

Details of the Murder Event

On the day of the party, while children were playing football in the alley, Jesse encountered a high school classmate:

"He crosses the alley to go say hi."
([01:57])

Suddenly, a car turned into the alley, and a passenger began shooting indiscriminately. Jesse was fatally shot in the heart, and another person was injured ([02:02]).

The Investigation and "The First 48" Presence

Introducing "The First 48"

Homicide detectives from the Minneapolis Police Department arrived at the scene and were soon joined by a camera crew from "The First 48," a reality TV show that follows homicide investigations:

"Each episode typically centers around one or two homicide investigations... It's been on for 20 years."
([03:15])

The show provided unprecedented access to active crime scenes and police procedures, capturing the intense 48-hour window crucial for solving murders.

Portrayal on "The First 48"

Detectives in the Spotlight

Sergeant Robert Dale and Sergeant Christopher Gaiters, both new to the homicide division, were featured on the show:

Sergeant Dale: "This is my first homicide investigation in which I'm one of the lead investigators. Admittedly, I'm a bit anxious about it, but at the same time, I'm also eager to get started with the investigation."
([05:00])

The episode showcased their efforts to identify the shooter within the critical 48-hour timeframe, enhanced by a countdown clock that added dramatic tension.

Issues and Misrepresentation

Critical Analysis by Experts

Kerry Sperling, Assistant Attorney General, and Jessica Lessenhop highlight significant inaccuracies in the episode:

Premature Narrative Development

"The premise of the first 48 between the time that the crime occurred and when Barrientos was actually arrested was 10 days, not 48 hours."
([13:24])

Physical Description Discrepancies

Witnesses described the shooter as bald, while Edgar had dark hair. The lineup used a photo of Edgar with a shaved head, misleadingly fitting the witness description ([14:24]).

Omission of Key Details

The episode failed to mention the role of "Puppet," leader of the Southside Raza gang, whose testimonies were crucial in identifying the real shooter. Additionally, the investigators did not pursue Edgar’s alibi evidence during the initial portrayal ([17:08]).

Staged Investigative Actions

"They could not put on the lead detective... because he had staged certain things in the first 48 and had read a script that they provided him for part of it."
([25:15])

These discrepancies undermined the integrity of the investigation and contributed to Edgar's wrongful conviction.

Conviction Review Unit's Report and Exoneration

Uncovering the Flaws

The Conviction Review Unit conducted a comprehensive 180-page report revealing multiple flaws:

• Premature Media Influence: "The First 48" aired before Edgar's trial, forcing the prosecution to align their case with the show's narrative ([23:19]).

• Staged Scenes: Certain investigative actions were scripted, affecting the authenticity of Sergeant Dale’s involvement and portrayal on the show ([25:15]).

• Witness Intimidation: Potential witnesses were influenced or scared away by the show's publicity, impeding the investigation ([23:19]).

Exoneration Process

Kerry Sperling explains the significance of missing evidence:

"They didn't get the video until months later. And the video at Cub Foods is so essential because not only does it show him with Itzel and with a full set of hair, but just walking slowly, laughing, joking. It looks like, you know, just kind of walking out of the store with a bag of limes. And to think that he goes from there, changes clothes, dumps his girlfriend without a ride home, and takes off as fast as possible to south Minneapolis to carry out a shooting. It just doesn't fit the scene at all."
([18:28])

In 2024, County Attorney Mary Moriarty dismissed the charges, officially exonerating Edgar after nearly 16 years of wrongful imprisonment:

"We are sorry to both Mr. Barrientos Quintana and his family and to the family of Jesse Michelson. There was no physical evidence, no fingerprints, no DNA, no gun tying Mr. Barrientos."
([28:02])

Reactions and Impact

Familial and Legal Repercussions

Jesse’s sister, Tina Rosebear, initially struggled but eventually supported Edgar after reviewing the Conviction Review Unit’s findings:

"By the time she got to page 40, she was already thinking, I don't think Edgar did this."
([28:32])

The case led to widespread criticism of "The First 48," resulting in the show being dropped by multiple cities and legislative actions, such as Texas banning reality shows from collaborating with law enforcement:

"Once you ask the jury that question, one, you know everyone's going to rush home and try to watch it... it's dangerous."
([32:28])

Legal professionals expressed concerns over media interference with fair trials, highlighting the need for unbiased investigative practices.

Conclusion

"The Clock Starts Ticking" serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of media and law enforcement. It underscores the profound consequences that can arise when storytelling overshadows objective investigation, leading to the wrongful conviction of an innocent person. The episode calls for reassessment of how criminal cases are portrayed in the media and emphasizes the need for meticulous and unbiased investigative practices to ensure justice is served.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jessica Lessenhop on Jesse:

  "Jesse was an 18-year-old high school kid... just a pretty good kid."
  ([01:07])

• Sergeant Dale on Investigation:

  "This is my first homicide investigation in which I'm one of the lead investigators... eager to get started."
  ([05:00])

• Kerry Sperling on Investigation Flaws:

  "The premise... was 10 days, not 48 hours."
  ([13:24])

• Jessica Lessenhop on Video Evidence:

  "It just doesn't fit the scene at all."
  ([18:28])

• Mary Moriarty on Exoneration:

  "There was no physical evidence, no fingerprints, no DNA, no gun tying Mr. Barrientos."
  ([28:02])

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode "The Clock Starts Ticking," highlighting the key points, discussions, and conclusions drawn from the wrongful conviction and eventual exoneration of Edgar Barrientos Quintana. It includes notable quotes with speaker attribution and timestamps to enhance understanding for those who haven't listened to the episode.