[Bonus] The Verdict

Summary

Summary of "How I Died" - [Bonus] The Verdict (June 12, 2024)

Podcast Title: How I Died
Host/Author: Audiohm Media
Episode: [Bonus] The Verdict
Release Date: June 12, 2024

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Overview

In the bonus episode titled "The Verdict," How I Died delves into a pivotal courtroom confrontation involving forensic pathologist Jonathan Spacer. As Bodies accumulate in the enigmatic town of Springfield, Jon's unique ability to communicate with the deceased places him at the heart of both the investigation and his personal struggles. This episode captures the intense courtroom drama that not only seeks justice for past crimes but also unearths Jon's hidden vulnerabilities.

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The Courtroom Drama

The episode opens with the tense atmosphere of a courtroom in session:

• Judge: "Court is in session. What do you think?" [00:02]
• Mr. Spacer: "Honestly? It'll be okay." [00:08]

As the proceedings unfold, the jury delivers a complex verdict:

• Judge: "On the charge of first degree murder, we, the jury, find the defendant not guilty." [00:14]
• Judge: "On the charge of voluntary manslaughter under diminished capacity, we, the jury, find the defendant guilty." [00:30]

Mr. Spacer grapples with the outcome, expressing his disbelief and frustration:

• Mr. Spacer: "I'm not crazy. I told you we should have pled insanity. I'm not insane. I don't want to extend this more than need be." [00:20]
• Mr. Spacer: "I didn't do anything. I'm innocent." [01:00]

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Key Discussions

The Judge confronts Mr. Spacer about his past actions and the implications of his current sentencing:

• Judge: "You conducted an illegal autopsy almost two years ago. You filed a body protected by religious sanction. You were fired for it." [00:55]
• Judge: "With your license revoked, charges should have been filed. Then you came to our town, terrorized co-workers and killed a man with a scalpel deemed self-defense." [01:15]
• Judge: "Because of this, I'm invoking the maximum sentence of 10 years with mandatory psychiatric therapy." [01:45]

These exchanges highlight the Judge's frustration with Mr. Spacer's repeated transgressions and the inadequacies of Mr. Spacer's legal defenses.

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Character Insights

Mr. Jonathan Spacer emerges as a complex character battling his inner demons while trying to maintain his professional integrity. His interactions in the courtroom reveal a man desperate to prove his innocence and reclaim his life, yet continuously failing due to past actions.

The Judge serves as the moral compass of the episode, emphasizing the ripple effects of Mr. Spacer's actions on the community and the victims involved. His stern demeanor underscores the severity of Mr. Spacer's crimes and the necessity for accountability.

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Notable Quotes

• Judge: "You had better thank your attorney for even allowing this ruling, as I almost threw it out immediately." [01:10]
• Judge: "Those you've killed and those you've hurt would have been better off without you." [01:30]
• Mr. Spacer: "You should once again, consider yourself lucky." [01:50]

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Conclusion

"The Verdict" serves as a critical juncture in How I Died, encapsulating the intersection of justice, personal accountability, and the supernatural elements that define Jonathan Spacer's journey. This courtroom episode not only advances the narrative by addressing Mr. Spacer's legal battles but also deepens the audience's understanding of his internal conflicts and the broader implications of his abilities within the town of Springfield.

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For those who haven't listened to the episode, "The Verdict" provides a gripping portrayal of a man caught between his extraordinary talents and the consequences of his actions, set against the backdrop of a town riddled with unexplained deaths.

Transcript

[Judge]

How soon? Soon, I bet. Quiet. Court is in session. What do you think?

[Mr. Spacer]

Honestly? It'll be okay.

[Judge]

They're not making eye contact.

[Sarah Gabrielli]

No need to.

[Judge]

Either way, it's over. Has the jury reached a verdict? We have, you, Honor. Please rise at your leisure. On the charge of first degree murder, we, the jury find the defendant not guilty. Oh, thank God. Please remain quiet, Mr. Spacer. On the charge of voluntary manslaughter under diminished capacity, we, the jury, find the defendant. Guilty. What? Get your client in order, please. Diminished capacity? I'm not crazy. I told you we should have pled insanity. I'm not insane. I don't want to extend this more than need be. We've spoken in my chambers and have already come to an agreement on sentencing. Should this be the verdict? No. You agreed to this. Do something, Mr. Spacer. Frankly, with your actions over the past few years, it's a miracle you even skirted prison earlier. You had better thank your attorney for even allowing this ruling, as I almost threw it out immediately. Voluntary manslaughter, even under diminished capacity, is a lesser sentence than I feel you deserve. But I didn't do anything. I'm innocent. You conducted an illegal autopsy almost two years ago. You filed a body protected by religious sanction. You were fired for it. With your license revoked, charges should have been filed. Then you came to our town, terrorized co workers and killed a man with a scalpel deemed self defense. Charges should have still been filed then. Now, countless heinous crimes later, you are still skirting by. And I only wish someone would have noticed that you needed help sooner. Those you've killed and those you've hurt would have been better off without you. Because of this, I'm invoking the maximum sentence of 10 years with mandatory psychiatric therapy. You should once again, consider yourself lucky.

[Sarah Gabrielli]

Hi, I'm Sarah Gabrielli and I've traveled to every single lesbian bar in the country for my podcast, Cruising.

[Mr. Spacer]

Dancing was a. No, no, no. Women dancing. That would be something that, yes, the cops would grab you for. There were no black owned female gay bars. We needed a place to follow on in those days. We went to the bars to socialize because no other way. When you went to Brady's Bar, you knew you were safe.

[Sarah Gabrielli]

This is Cruising, a documentary podcast about queer spaces, history and culture. Each episode of Cruising features a different space and tells the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it home. You can listen to Cruising on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Season one and two are available now. So be sure to binge them before season three, which will go beyond the bars to queer bookstores, farms, peace encampments and more. Premiering February 4th.

[Mr. Spacer]

Hi, this is Rob Benedict and I am Richard Speight.

[Sarah Gabrielli]

We were both on a little show.

[Judge]

You might know called Supernatural.

[Mr. Spacer]

It had a pretty good run, 15 seasons, 327 episodes.

[Judge]

And though we have seen of course, every episode many times, we figured, hey, now that we're wrapped, let's watch it all again.

[Mr. Spacer]

And we can't do that alone. So we're inviting the cast and crew that made the show along for the ride. We've got writers, producers, composers, directors, and we'll of course have some actors on as well, including some certain guys that played some certain pretty iconic brothers.

[Judge]

It was kind of a little bit of a left field choice in the best way possible. The note from Kripke was he's great, we love him, but we're looking for like a really intelligent Duchovny type with.

[Mr. Spacer]

15 seasons to explore. It's going to be the road trip of several lifetimes. So please join us and subscribe to Supernatural then and now.