Jocelyn and Wesley Earnest

About this episode

When Jocelyn Earnest was found dead on the floor of her Forest, Virginia home on December 20th, 2007, investigators saw what appeared to be a suicide — a typed note, a gun, a woman in the middle of a painful divorce. But the people who knew Jocelyn best refused to accept that explanation. She had just been offered a promotion at work. She was looking forward to the holidays. She was almost through the divorce. She was making plans.<br /><br />What followed was a years-long legal battle featuring a staged crime scene, forged documents, a critical error in the jury room, and a moment on the witness stand that stopped the courtroom cold — all centered on a single question: did Jocelyn Earnest take her own life, or did someone who knew her well go to great lengths to make it look that way?<br /><br />Today's snack: Baklava from <a href="https://bakery.stjohnmonastery.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St. John's Bakery</a> (thanks Jan!)<br /><br /><a href="https://patreon.com/lovemarrykill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Support us on Patreon</a><br /><br />Sources:<br /><ul><li>Fanning, Diane. Under Cover of the Night: A True Story of Sex, Greed, and Murder. Berkley Books, Penguin Group, 2014.</li><li>Crimesider Staff. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/83-words-and-20-questions-the-mysterious-suicide-note-in-the-jocelyn-branham-earnest-case-04-06-2012/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"83 words and 20 questions: The mysterious suicide note in the Jocelyn Branham Earnest case."</a> CBS News, 4 Jun. 2012.</li><li><a href="https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/Earnest-trial-focuses-on-frame-of-mind-During-the-third-day-of-the-murder-trial-a-175254" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Earnest trial focuses on frame of mind: During the third day of the murder trial of Wesley Earnest, friends of Jocelyn Earnest described her sunny personality. [The Roanoke Times, Va.]."</a> InsuranceNewsNet, 26 Mar. 2010.</li><li><a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/virginia/vawdce/7:2018cv00595/113539/29/?__cf_chl_f_tk=gXnCsiYoRZURTFib7y4Hbn8rGXldYxOkIeJxYHg8_Xo-1782781462-1.0.1.1-9bMBI.USLsp_Gi6k3mZFi517wMt6VN8SjTMhSAAyAww" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Earnest v. Davis et al, No. 7:2018cv00595 - Document 29 (W.D. Va. 2020)."</a> Justia Law.</li><li><a href="http://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/ex-chesapeake-school-official-found-guilty-a-second-time/291-375290732" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Ex-Chesapeake school official found guilty a second time."</a> 13newsnow.com - WVEC.</li><li><a href="http://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/landlords-convicted-wife-killer-violent-vindictive-years-before-murder/291-375340822" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Landlords: Convicted wife killer violent, vindictive years before murder."</a> 13newsnow.com.</li><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/browse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Marriage Secrets."</a> 48 Hours, Apple Podcasts, 19 Dec. 2024.</li><li>Spencer, Marcelena. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/murder-or-suicide-how-did-jocelyn-earnest-die/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Murder or suicide: How did Jocelyn Earnest die?"</a> CBS News, 2 Jun. 2012.</li><li>Earnest, Wesley Brian. <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20-7962/178625/20210510112902136_20210510-111331-00001084-00003545.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Petition for Writ of Certiorari</a>. Supreme Court of the United States, 29 Apr. 2021.</li><li><a href="https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/Testimony-continues-in-Earnest-trial-Evidence-presented-Friday-ruled-out-suicid-a-175471" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Testimony continues in Earnest trial: Evidence presented Friday ruled out suicide in the case of Jocelyn Earnest, prosecutors say. [The Roanoke Times, Va.]."</a> InsuranceNewsNet, 27 Mar. 2010.</li></ul>