Juicy Crimes with Heather McDonald
Episode: True Crime, Bad Decisions & Worse Alibis with Brandy and Julie
Date: January 14, 2026
Guests: Brandy Howard, Julie Goldman
Host: Heather McDonald
Episode Overview
In this lively episode of “Juicy Crimes,” Heather McDonald is joined by comedians Brandy Howard and Julie Goldman. Together, they dive into infamous and recent true crime stories, dissecting the absurd, shocking, and juicy details with their signature humor and insight. The episode explores the lighter side of otherwise dark incidents, weaving in high-profile cases, celebrity scandals, and personal stories about crime, obsession, betrayal, and flawed alibis.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Disappointment in Crime Dramatizations
[00:39 – 06:43]
- Heather critiques the recent Lifetime movie about the Karen Read case, finding it confusing and lacking depth.
- The hosts discuss the need for multi-perspective storytelling, referencing the Showtime series “The Affair,” where narratives are shown from different character viewpoints.
- Heather pitches a Netflix adaptation that would present multiple theories of the crime, acting out various scenarios—emphasizing the value in seeing stories through the accused’s own perspective.
Memorable Quote:
"I want there to be a longer, better produced Netflix thing... acting out all those different theories..." – Heather [02:00]
2. Timothy Busfield Allegations & Melissa Gilbert’s Response
[06:43 – 15:01]
- Conversation shifts to actor/director Timothy Busfield, recently arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting twin boys on the set of a show.
- Discussion on Busfield’s history, past accusations, and his marriage to Melissa Gilbert, who’s come under scrutiny for her responses.
- Brandy and Julie examine the complexities of defending loved ones in the face of such accusations, referencing Busfield’s previous settlements over similar allegations and Gilbert’s background as a former child star.
Memorable Moments:
"My first thought was... giving him the benefit of the doubt, only because just because someone says something about you doesn’t mean it’s immediately true." – Brandy [08:51]
"But I just don’t know what man cares about having a children’s theater. Like, I’m a woman and I don’t even want one.” – Julie [12:24]
- Heather shares a personal story of inappropriate behavior by an acting teacher to highlight the culture of silence and the mixed emotions involved in reporting such incidents.
3. The Tepe Family Murders and Killer Exes
[20:03 – 30:50]
- The hosts discuss the tragic murder of Monique and Spencer Tepe in their home, emphasizing the senseless violence and the toll on their orphaned children.
- The ex-husband, McKee, a well-known surgeon, is arrested for the crime—despite years and distance since their divorce and no apparent motive.
- They dive into the phenomenon of killers resurfacing after long breaks in relationships; even decade-old connections can result in deadly obsession.
Insightful Comparison:
- The Tepe case is likened to the murder of Amy Harwick by her ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse, a story that illustrates how re-encounters with obsessive ex-partners can be fatal even after years of no contact.
“What if that night she got a cold and didn’t go to the expo? He wouldn’t have seen her. … Her giving him that hour of time to be nice is what then psychoed him out.” – Heather [28:48]
4. Entitlement, Obsession, and High-Profile Crimes
[30:50 – 41:47]
- The psychological underpinnings of various crimes are explored—obsession, entitlement, the desire to control or possess, and the lengths people will go to preserve their image or get revenge.
- Brandy mentions a “Venn diagram” of sociopaths, suggesting both surgeons and stand-up comedians often have obsessive, god-like personalities that, while not always criminal, can contribute to unbalanced behavior.
- The hosts reference the Betty Broderick and Candy Montgomery cases, discussing the theme of “crime after divorce” and the unpredictability of who might snap.
Notable Quote:
“If you have someone like that in your life, you should never let your guard down. You should never think they're over you.” – Heather [33:53]
5. Crime, Self-Defense, and the Justice System
[33:58 – 38:50]
- The story of Candy Montgomery is revisited to illustrate how context, self-defense, and public perception affect criminal trials—highlighting Candy’s acquittal after hacking her lover’s wife to death.
- The discussion underscores the blurred lines in self-defense cases and how courts and communities interpret extreme acts committed under duress.
Memorable Exchange:
“She hacked her up in the laundry room to the point where it’s hard to defend, because... did you really need to go that far?” – Julie [36:46]
“She did get off. They did convince – and you know how? Because they went into court and said... is there anyone else in the courtroom? Was this an affair of love?” – Heather [37:00]
6. Legal Representation & Moral Boundaries
[38:50 – 43:53]
- Alan Jackson, famed for defending Karen Read, initially steps in to defend Nick Reiner (accused of killing his parents) but drops out.
- The group speculates reasons: lack of payment, the strength of an insanity defense, and the risk to Jackson’s public image after a big career win.
Quote:
“I think the brother and sister are probably like, we hope that wherever he goes, it's a humane place. ... But we don't want to be part of getting him out.” – Heather [39:44]
- Heather provides clarifications on the Reiner case and details suggesting premeditation, not just a “crime of passion.”
7. The Devin Michaels/Robert Baker Crime Web
[43:17 – 49:46]
- A wild, convoluted saga involving Devin Michaels, who beheaded her ex (the father of her children) and was also entangled with her stepson.
- Her ex-husband, Robert Baker, a former porn star and racquetball instructor, is convicted of murder in a separate case involving a hairdresser (Fabio Santinelli).
- Both criminal cases involve incestuous-seeming step-relationships, murder for inheritance or custody, and Vegas/LA connections—the women are often as deeply involved as the men.
Memorable Reaction:
“God, some women that are just super sexual... can get away with murders in the court.” – Heather [38:16]
“That's the most shocking. The fact that they're both in porn... and she still managed to get a real estate license.” – Julie [49:46]
8. Lawsuits Against the University of Idaho
[50:10 – 52:38]
- The families of students murdered by Bryan Kohberger are suing the university, alleging it failed to act on warning signs.
- Julie and Brandy support the lawsuit, arguing that institutions should bear responsibility if employee behavior is problematic.
Quote:
“Every school should send the money, needs to be paying attention to all this. ... That story is so horrific and so sad.” – Julie [52:17]
9. The Impact of True Crime on Families
[52:45 – 56:14]
- Discussion shifts to the overlooked trauma experienced by the families of both victims and perpetrators.
- Heather brings up the rarely-discussed perspective of siblings of either murderers or victims, and the long-lasting damage crime does to entire family systems.
10. When Greed Trumps Blood: The Canero Family Murders
[55:44 – 61:26]
- The Paul Canero case: Paul murders his brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew over a combination of infidelity, fraud, and fear of exposure—then tries to stage the scene as if both families are under attack.
- The hosts are appalled by the escalation from personal shame to mass murder, noting the frequency with which men will destroy entire families rather than face consequences.
Quote:
“It’s amazing how many men have a slip of the dick and then cannot get out of the quicksand of hell.” – Heather [58:07]
- Discussion on how prison culture sometimes protects men like Paul from consequences due to solitary confinement, and references to how high-profile or heinous inmates are treated by others behind bars.
11. Personal Crime Anecdotes & Storage Unit Wisdom
[61:32 – 66:14]
- Julie shares a family story about her brother accidentally burning down their house, highlighting the enduring impact of traumatic events and how families cope or joke years later.
- The episode wraps with banter about storage units as a metaphor for letting go, decluttering, and the economic absurdity of holding on to physical reminders of the past.
“Storage units are the biggest waste of money... what do you need that stuff for, really?” – Heather [65:14]
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “I want there to be a longer, better produced Netflix thing...” – Heather [02:00]
- “I just don’t know what man cares about having a children’s theater. Like, I’m a woman and I don’t even want one.” – Julie [12:24]
- “If you have someone like that in your life, you should never let your guard down...” – Heather [33:53]
- “It’s amazing how many men have a slip of the dick and then cannot get out of the quicksand of hell.” – Heather [58:07]
- “Storage units are the biggest waste of money... what do you need that stuff for, really?” – Heather [65:14]
Conclusion
The episode balances comedic banter with sobering reflections on crime and human nature. The hosts never trivialize the suffering involved but instead highlight the bizarre, infuriating, and sometimes tragically preventable patterns that run through true crime—always with a sharp eye for hypocrisy and a keen ear for absurdity. Brandy and Julie bring a unique comedic perspective, and the exchange is fast-paced, genuine, and relatable for anyone who follows both headline-making crime and the human messiness behind the news.
Find Brandy & Julie
- @MrJulieGoldman
- @TheBrandyHoward
- Podcast: Dumb Gay Politics
- Live show: Nightmare & Strip Street at the Hollywood Theater, Minneapolis (Feb 24–Mar 22)
Note: Timestamps are approximate and refer to the main content, not counting ad breaks or intros/outros.