Rewind with Karen & Georgia - Episode 25: Twenty Knives

Podcast Information:

• Title: My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
• Host/Author: Exactly Right Media – the original true crime comedy network
• Description: My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast where Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark share compelling true crimes and personal stories from their lives and listeners.

Episode Overview

In Episode 25 of "Rewind with Karen & Georgia," titled "Twenty Knives," Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark revisit one of their early and impactful episodes from July 14, 2016. This episode delves deep into the chilling case of Christopher Dorner and the infamous Cheshire murders, providing both retrospective insights and recent updates.

Recapping Episode 25: Twenty Knives

The hosts begin by reminiscing about their early podcasting days, highlighting how "Twenty Knives" set the tone for their investigative and conversational style. Patrick Gibson opens the discussion with humor, referencing their unconventional episode title:

Patrick Gibson [02:01]: "20 knives. That doesn't make any sense."

Karen counters with her signature wit, emphasizing the playful nature of their episode naming conventions.

Christopher Dorner: A Deep Dive

One of the primary focuses of "Twenty Knives" is the case of Christopher Dorner, a former LAPD officer whose shooting spree in 2013 shook Southern California. The hosts provide a comprehensive timeline of Dorner's descent into violence:

• Background: Dorner served in the United States Navy Reserve, deployed to Bahrain, and was honorably discharged in 2013.

• Conflict with LAPD: In 2008, Dorner filed a report against his training officer, Teresa Evans, alleging excessive force. The LAPD fired him for making false statements, a decision that fueled his manifesto and desire for vengeance.

Patrick Gibson [22:03]: "So he went and killed that lawyer's daughter and fiancé because this guy went crazy."

The episode details Dorner's calculated attacks, including the murder of Monica Quan and Keith Lawrence in Irvine, and the subsequent police responses that tragically resulted in civilian casualties.

Karen Kilgariff [22:44]: "What you're doing is just killing them. Don't even think about it."

The hosts critique the LAPD's handling of the manhunt, highlighting critical errors such as the indiscriminate shooting of innocent civilians and the eventual culmination of Dorner's spree in a dramatic standoff.

Cheshire Murders: A Haunting Tale

Transitioning to another harrowing case, Karen recounts the Cheshire, Connecticut home invasion, where Joshua Komisarjevsky and Stephen Hayes brutally attacked the Pettit family. The episode offers a meticulous breakdown of the events:

• The Invasion: On July 22nd, Jennifer Holman-Pettit and her 11-year-old daughter Michaela were targeted by Joshua and Stephen. The assailants committed multiple murders and heinous acts of violence against the family.

Karen Kilgariff [51:13]: "It's super crazy because in the amount of time between when they went to the bank and came back is when all of the major crimes happened."

• Psychological Profiles: The hosts explore the psychological backgrounds of the perpetrators, discussing potential motives rooted in past abuse and emotional turmoil.

Patrick Gibson [70:00]: "He probably was correct in her using excessive force and he was probably."

• Law Enforcement Response: Critiquing the police response, Karen and Patrick highlight failed interventions and the overall inadequacy in handling such severe home invasions.

Karen Kilgariff [67:02]: "That was like our podcast version of…"

Case Updates and Reflections

Towards the latter part of the episode, the hosts provide updates on both cases:

• Christopher Dorner: The LAPD reopened the investigation into Dorner's termination but concluded that his firing was justified and did not find evidence supporting his claims of racism within the department.

Sarah Michelle Gellar [46:28]: "They found no basis for the allegations of racism that Dorner cited in his manifesto."

• Cheshire Murders: Updates reveal the abolition of the death penalty in Connecticut, resulting in life sentences for both Komisarjevsky and Hayes.

Sarah Michelle Gellar [75:00]: "The state of Connecticut abolished the death penalty... now they're serving life sentences."

Additionally, the hosts reflect on the evolution of their podcasting journey since 2016, acknowledging the growing awareness and scrutiny of police practices in recent years.

Michael C. Hall [76:10]: "It's really kind of crazy to listen to and kind of think about these early episodes again."

Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several poignant and memorable quotes underscore the gravity of the discussions:

• Karen Kilgariff [22:44]: "What you're doing is just killing them. Don't even think about it."

• Patrick Gibson [72:29]: "People don't strangle and rape people when they feel betrayed as a whole."

• Sarah Michelle Gellar [48:23]: "Between 2013 and 2021, there have been 154 killings by police based on population. A Black person was 4.4 times as likely and a Latinx person was 2.3 times as likely to be killed by police as a white person in Los Angeles."

Conclusions and Closing Thoughts

In wrapping up "Twenty Knives," Karen and Georgia emphasize the importance of understanding the multifaceted nature of true crime cases. They balance their discussions with analytical insights and heartfelt empathy for the victims, advocating for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Karen Kilgariff [41:58]: "Like, this snares you right into the Christopher Dorner story. SNARES. You into everything that's happening right now."

The episode serves as a reflective piece, celebrating the growth of the podcast while reaffirming their commitment to shedding light on dark and complex true crime stories.

Final Remarks

"Twenty Knives" stands as a testament to Karen and Georgia's dedication to true crime storytelling. By revisiting pivotal cases with new perspectives and updates, the episode offers both veterans and new listeners a comprehensive understanding of some of the most disturbing crimes in recent history.

For those interested in delving deeper, the hosts recommend documentaries like HBO's Cheshire Murders and encourage listeners to engage with their content through social media platforms.

Notable Timestamped Quotes:

• [22:03] Patrick Gibson: "So he went and killed that lawyer's daughter and fiancé because this guy went crazy."

• [51:13] Karen Kilgariff: "It's super crazy because in the amount of time between when they went to the bank and came back is when all of the major crimes happened."

• [46:28] Sarah Michelle Gellar: "They found no basis for the allegations of racism that Dorner cited in his manifesto."

• [75:00] Sarah Michelle Gellar: "The state of Connecticut abolished the death penalty... now they're serving life sentences."

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to encapsulate the essence of Episode 25: "Twenty Knives" from "Rewind with Karen & Georgia." For the most accurate and detailed information, please listen to the full episode.