When True Crime Gets It Right: Patrick McManus & Michael Chernus On Telling The Gacy Story

When pop artist D4vd transferred two Houston homes to his mother’s name in September 2025, just days after police searched his L.A. rental and as the Celeste Rivas Hernandez death investigation deepened, the internet exploded with theories. Some called it a cover-up. Others called it smart legal protection. So which is it? In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we break down exactly what happened with those deed transfers, why the timing matters, and what it could mean from a legal and financial perspective. This is not a “guilty or innocent” story — it’s a story about how high-profile figures protect their assets when crisis hits, and how the public often misreads what’s actually a routine (if strategically timed) legal move. Tony explains the concept of asset protection — the legal strategy celebrities and business owners use to move property or restructure trusts to shield family wealth from lawsuits or liability. We’ll also look at past examples: from R. Kelly’s property transfers to Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi’s legal fallout, and even Alec Baldwin’s estate planning after the Rust tragedy. The point isn’t that D4vd is hiding something — it’s that when you’re standing in the middle of a storm, timing your moves can mean the difference between losing everything or surviving intact. The LAPD has not charged anyone, and the coroner still lists Celeste’s cause of death as undetermined. But one thing is clear: legal maneuvering often speaks louder than words. Was this foresight, fear, or just financial defense? Let’s break it down.  Subscribe for more breakdowns on the intersection of crime, law, psychology, and the public narrative — new episodes daily. #D4vd #CelesteRivasHernandez #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #TonyBrueski #LAPDInvestigation #CelebrityLaw #AssetProtection #DeedTransfer #TrueCrimePodcast Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

The prosecution’s narrative in the Kouri Richins murder case is suddenly on shaky ground. A bombshell affidavit just dropped: Robert Crozier—once billed as the key to the state’s fentanyl chain theory—now says he never sold fentanyl to the housekeeper prosecutors claim passed it to Kouri. That breaks the chain. And when you consider that no fentanyl was ever recovered, and no forensic link directly ties Kouri to the drugs… the state’s case starts to look a whole lot less certain. But is it fatal? Joining us is former prosecutor and seasoned defense attorney Eric Faddis to break it all down. We dive deep into the implications of this recantation, how it affects the admissibility of testimony from Lauber (the housekeeper), and whether the state can pivot its sourcing theory midstream without torpedoing its credibility. We also look at the 5x lethal dose tox report, the Valentine’s Day sandwich allegation, the “Walk the Dog” jailhouse letter, suppression motions over seized notebooks and phones, and 11 terabytes of dumped discovery that may constitute its own Brady violation. This is no longer just about who gave who a pill. It’s about whether the legal system is equipped to handle contradictions, missing evidence, and high public scrutiny without crumbling under the weight of its own complexity. Don’t miss this legal autopsy of a case that could still go either way. 🔎 Keywords: Kouri Richins update, witness recants, fentanyl murder case, Robert Crozier affidavit, Utah murder trial, Eric Faddis legal analysis, true crime podcast, forensic gaps, digital evidence challenges, suppression motions #KouriRichins #EricFaddis #FentanylMurder #TrueCrimePodcast #BradyViolation #MurderTrialUpdate #HiddenKillers #LegalBreakdown #CriminalDefense #TrueCrimeCommunity   Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Imagine being told you resemble one of America’s most infamous serial killers—and then being asked to play him. That’s the exact crossroads actor Michael Chernus found himself at when he was cast in Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, Peacock’s powerful reimagining of a case we thought we knew. In this episode, Chernus opens up about the weight of portraying Gacy—not the tabloid version, but the eerily “normal” man who blended into his suburban community while carrying out unimaginable crimes. He listened to Gacy’s real voice on tapes passed down from attorney Bob Motta Sr., relayed through Bob Motta Jr., our guest and legal expert on the case. We talk about the toll this kind of character work takes, how the series avoids gratuitous violence, and why refusing to show murder on screen actually makes the series more disturbing—and more respectful. If you think you’ve seen every Gacy documentary, think again. This is the one that focuses not on the myth, but on the victims, the failures, and the masks we all miss.  #MichaelChernus #JohnWayneGacy #GacyTapes #DevilInDisguise #PeacockSeries #DefenseDiaries #TrueCrimeActing #PortrayingEvil #VictimFocusedTrueCrime #HiddenKillersPodcast Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

The state says it was political targeting. The defense says it’s not that simple. And now the clock is ticking on a death penalty case that could define how ideology, violence, and due process collide in America’s justice system. In this explosive breakdown, former prosecutor and current defense attorney Eric Faddis joins us to dissect the complex legal machinery behind the state of Utah’s capital case against Tyler James Robinson—the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk from a rooftop in a highly calculated public ambush. We’re digging into the forensic trail, jury strategy, premeditation thresholds, and that rare political-targeting enhancement the state added to elevate sentencing. Eric walks us through every layer—from the suppression motions expected to challenge key evidence, to the strategic gamble of not waiving the preliminary hearing, to the sheer legal weight that drops when prosecutors announce they’re going for death. We also explore whether this case could flip federal, how mental health could become a tool in mitigation even without an insanity plea, and what kind of jury selection nightmare awaits in a politically charged case of this magnitude. This is high-stakes legal war. If you want to understand how the justice system actually works when everything’s on the line—this one’s a must-watch. #TylerRobinson #CharlieKirk #DeathPenalty #TrueCrimeAnalysis #HiddenKillers #LegalBreakdown #EricFaddis #PoliticalViolence #CriminalDefense #TrueCrimePodcast Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

For decades, the story of John Wayne Gacy has been sensationalized, flattened into caricature, and spun into horror tropes. But in Peacock’s new limited series Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, that mask is coming off—and in this interview, we go behind the scenes with the team responsible for flipping the true crime genre on its head. Joining us are series showrunner and executive producer Patrick McManus, actor Michael Chernus—who portrays Gacy with terrifying subtlety—and criminal defense attorney Bob Motta, whose father was on Gacy’s original legal team. Together, we dissect how the show avoids glorifying the killer and instead places the focus exactly where it belongs: on the victims, their families, and the systemic failures that allowed Gacy to operate in plain sight. This isn’t a glorified biopic. There are no salacious murder scenes. No glamorizing evil. What you get is a chilling, grounded retelling that treats its subject matter—and its audience—with respect. We also dig into what it takes to play a predator without slipping into caricature, what it’s like to listen to Gacy’s original defense tapes, and why true crime needs to evolve beyond its fascination with monsters and lean into the wreckage they leave behind. If you care about accuracy, nuance, and storytelling with a conscience, this episode is essential.  #JohnWayneGacy #DevilInDisguise #PeacockOriginals #TrueCrimeSeries #MichaelChernus #BobMotta #HiddenKillersPodcast #TrueCrimeInterview #GacySeries #VictimCenteredStorytelling Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

A rooftop sniper and a poisoned cocktail. One case headed for the death penalty. Another hanging by a thread. In this special longform segment, criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Eric Faddis joins us for a double-case breakdown: the capital murder prosecution of Tyler James Robinson for the alleged politically motivated assassination of Charlie Kirk—and the bombshell developments in the Kouri Richins case, where the state’s star witness has just recanted. In the Robinson case, we explore how a note, a long gun, and alleged political targeting created one of the most watched capital “Political Assassination & Poison Plot Unraveling – Eric Faddis Breaks Down the Two Biggest Criminal Cases in America” Two of the most high-stakes criminal cases in America are barreling toward trial—and both could implode for very different reasons. First, there’s Tyler James Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk in a public, calculated ambush. A rooftop. A rifle. A note. A political-enhancement charge. And now, the state is seeking the death penalty. Eric Faddis, former prosecutor and current defense attorney, walks us through what happens when prosecutors go all-in on a capital case—from how the defense gears up, to the legal impact of charging political motivation, to the suppression wars coming around DNA, digital evidence, and jury selection. This is a legal war machine, slow by design and brutal in execution. We break it down from both sides. Then, we turn to the latest twist in the Kouri Richins case—where the state’s theory of how she got the fentanyl that allegedly killed her husband just took a major hit. The prosecution’s key witness, Robert Crozier, has now recanted—saying he never sold fentanyl to the housekeeper they claim passed it to Kouri. With no recovered drugs, a five-times-lethal tox report, and 11 terabytes of jumbled discovery, Faddis breaks down whether this case still has legs—or if it’s spiraling into Brady violation territory. What happens when a case built on motive and suspicion suddenly loses its foundation? From a possible death sentence to a crumbling narrative, this episode dives deep into what happens when courtroom drama meets real-world stakes. Justice isn’t just about guilt or innocence—it’s about what can be proven, what’s admissible, and what survives the gauntlet of American criminal procedure. If you want more than headlines—if you want to understand how this system actually works—this conversation is essential viewing. #TylerRobinson #KouriRichins #EricFaddis #TrueCrimePodcast #DeathPenalty #FentanylCase #CharlieKirk #LegalAnalysis #PoliticalTargeting #CriminalJustice Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we pull back the curtain on the most misleading—and most dangerous—phase of any major crime story: the first 72 hours. Using the Bryan Kohberger case as a case study, Tony dissects how the earliest reporting on the University of Idaho murders quickly spiraled into misinformation, emotional panic, and public certainty based on little more than vague police statements and internet rumor. From “no threat to the community” to “unconscious person” to the infamous white Hyundai ask—almost everything the public believed in the first three days either changed or was clarified later. But by then, the narrative had hardened. In this longform breakdown, we expose how the fog of breaking news forms, why the media often isn’t lying (even when the facts change), and how psychologically we cling to early stories even in the face of hard evidence. We explore the myths that formed—victims tied and gagged, the skinned dog rumor, the DoorDash driver, stalker theories—and show exactly what was reported when and why the facts didn’t stick. This is not a hit piece on the press. It’s a sharp, fact-driven guide to how public perception gets hijacked during active investigations, and why it matters—especially in a case as emotionally loaded and legally complex as the Kohberger trial. If you followed this case from the beginning, you need to hear this. Because chances are, some of what you still believe was never true to begin with. 🎧 Listen now for a reality check that’s long overdue—and a reminder that sometimes, certainty is the most dangerous lie of all. #Kohberger #IdahoMurders #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #MediaMisinformation #BryanKohberger #BreakingNews #PsychologyOfCrime #CriminalJustice #TrueCrimePodcast Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

What do you do when the monster lives next door? Between 1972 and 1978, John Wayne Gacy lured dozens of boys and young men into his suburban Chicago home under the guise of job offers, parties, and charm. He was a contractor. A volunteer. A political glad-hander. And at night, he was a killer—burying bodies under his house while waving to neighbors from the front yard. In this longform true crime deep dive, we unravel the full story of John Wayne Gacy—from his early life and chilling psychological profile, to the horrific details of how he targeted victims, how the system failed to stop him, and the legal process that finally brought him to justice. This isn’t just another “killer clown” story. This is a story about how evil wears a mask. How a man with a camera-ready smile, a Pogo the Clown costume, and a reputation for charity work got away with 33 murders while police looked the other way. We dig into the psychological red flags, the forensic evidence, the survivor testimony, and the court case that exposed one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. Based strictly on confirmed facts and trial records, this episode is designed for a true crime audience that values depth, accuracy, and emotional clarity. It’s a cautionary tale about power, manipulation, and what happens when predators know exactly how to blend in. This is the story of the man beneath the floorboards. This is the story of John Wayne Gacy. #TrueCrime #JohnWayneGacy #SerialKillers #GacyTrial #TrueCrimePodcast #CrawlSpace #ForensicPsychology #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimeYouTube #ColdCases Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

The warning signs were there. According to prosecutors, Tyler James Robinson—the man charged in the assassination of Charlie Kirk—left behind a note, sent texts before and after the shooting, and planned the act for over a week. Yet no one stopped it. In this episode of Hidden Killers, host Tony Brueski sits down with psychotherapist and forensic behavioral expert Shavaun Scott to dissect the psychology behind leakage, missed signals, and why families, friends, and institutions continue to fail at catching killers before they act. We’re asking the hard questions: Why do people hesitate to report concerning behavior—even when their gut says something’s wrong? What language patterns and behavior shifts should raise red flags in friends, classmates, or coworkers? What role does the internet play in radicalizing already isolated individuals? What can schools, campuses, and event organizers realistically do to stop this? This isn’t about panic. It’s about prevention. Because according to the Secret Service, most mass shooters display obvious warning signs in the days, weeks, and months before they act. This episode pulls back the curtain on the psychology of targeted violence—and why so many communities only connect the dots when it’s already too late. 🔔 Subscribe for more true crime interviews, forensic breakdowns, and expert-driven analysis from inside the nation’s most disturbing cases. #CharlieKirk #TylerRobinson #MassShooterWarningSigns #TrueCrimePsychology #ShavaunScott #Leakage #ForensicBehavioralAnalysis #HiddenKillersPodcast #PreventMassShootings #EarlyIntervention Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

A major shock just hit the Kouri Richins murder case—and it’s not coming from the defense. It’s coming from the prosecution’s own key witness, who now says he never sold fentanyl to anyone connected to Richins. That single statement might be enough to crack the entire case wide open. In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we dig into the explosive new affidavit from Robert Crozier, the alleged drug dealer the state claims supplied the fentanyl that killed Eric Richins. In newly filed court documents, Crozier swears under oath that he didn’t sell fentanyl—he sold oxycodone. And that one change blows a hole straight through the state’s carefully constructed narrative. The defense has now filed a motion to reconsider bail and another to compel evidence disclosure, claiming the prosecution knew about this change as far back as April 2025—and said nothing. If true, this isn’t just a twist. It could be a Brady violation—a failure to turn over exculpatory evidence—which would shake the case at its core. We break down everything: the potential legal fallout, the impact on the upcoming February 2026 trial, and whether prosecutors can still prove murder without being able to trace the weapon—fentanyl—back to the accused. And with no physical pills, no forensic link, and a recanted witness, the state may now be walking into court with a theory that’s missing its spine. Is this the beginning of the end for the prosecution’s case against Kouri Richins? Or will the state fight back with new evidence to keep their narrative alive? This one changes everything. #KouriRichins #TrueCrime #FentanylMurder #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #LegalDrama #CourtroomTwist #MurderTrial #BreakingNews #JusticeSystem Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872