🎙 Episode 92: Winnie Ruth Judd — “Trial by Reputation”
Part 3 of a multi-part series
She stood trial. But not just for murder.
For being herself—a woman, a mistress, an enigma.
In this chapter of the Winnie Ruth Judd story, host Sidney Smith examines a courtroom where justice took a backseat to perception.
The trial was swift. The defense was hollow.
The evidence? Incomplete.
And yet, the outcome was inevitable.
From the press spectacle to the silent protection of Jack Halloran, Part 3 explores the systems that failed—and the one card that changed everything.
Was she delusional?
Or discarded?
Was this justice served—or a reputation destroyed?
📍 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
📅 Key Dates: Early 1932 – Trial & Sentencing
👥 Central Figures: Winnie Ruth Judd, Jack Halloran, Judge Speakman, Dr. George B. Pratt
🧠 Themes: Misogyny, media bias, courtroom failures, public spectacle, the weaponization of “insanity”
📖 Next Episode: Part 4 – “Escape Attempts and Echoes”
Official Sources Used:
– The Trunk Murderess by Jana Bommersbach
– Arizona State Archives trial transcripts
– Phoenix PD case files
– Historical news coverage (1931–1933)
– Psychiatric and parole documents (AZ Historical Society)
– Halloran family archives
🎧 Murderess Podcast is written and hosted by Sidney Smith
🎙 Produced in partnership with Sidney Smith Cre8tiv, LLC and the You Hear Good Things podcast network
📅 New episodes every Thursday
🔗 Find past episodes, merch, and tour dates:
https://www.sidneysmithcre8tiv.com
🎧 Stream the show on your favorite platform:
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4e3ncIh
Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42A11UK
iHeart Radio – https://ihr.fm/3SRT7BS
📱 Follow Sidney on social:
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter → @sidneysmithcre8tiv
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