Book(s) I Haven't Read Yet: Brett Talley's Scary Stories (Go to google for titles)
Why I Haven't Read Them: The current season of his podcast, The Prosecutors, is enough of a Horror Show for me, and I will never pay him money.
Should You Read Them? No, not in my opinion. This man's voice drips with toxicity over the airwaves, so I'm inclined to think it would do the same on the written page.
Now, let's get to the real meat of why I'm here. When some Twitter users told me yesterday that Bob Ruff, host of the crowdsourcing Podcast Truth and Justice, is my "podcast daddy," I couldn't put my finger on why they would think that.
Then: ah, sweet realization. One (hi Nicole!) let me know it was because NINE MONTHS AGO I blogged about a Damien Echols (West Memphis Three) book and mentioned Bob Ruff. Nine months ago, incidentally, is funny - maybe Bob Ruff is instead my "baby daddy," and I'll be giving birth at any moment.
Read onward, as I tell you about the horrific human that is Brett Talley.
Actually, head to his Wikipedia Page instead, particularly the section on his failed Trump nomination to serve as a District Judge in 2017. Among other disturbing facts disclosed here, this is of particular concern:
"The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights sent a letter dated November 8, 2017 to the Judiciary Committee stating that Talley has 'demonstrated ideologically extreme views that call into question his temperament and ability to approach cases with the fairness and open-mindedness necessary to serve as a federal judge'..." (Bold mine, source - Wikipedia.)
So, we as listeners of his podcast should be quick to question Brett's motives and credibility when he is looking into any case, especially cases involving a defendant from a minority group.
Heree are some of my own issues with Brett:
The Prosecutors, Episode 197 - Adnan Syed and the Murder of Hae Min Lee Part 1 of 14 - Bad Dream
Brett starts the episode with an "aw shucks" vibe. Serial confused him, but he didn't give the whole thing much thought. Reading an entry from his own blog, titled "Serial: The Case Against Adnan Syed" specifically indicates otherwise. I mean, literally. Read it.
He didn't give Serial much thought?! Yeah, he did. On the first episode of his Adnan coverage, Brett lies to us RIGHT OUT THE GATE.
Brett's "4 points" tell us that Adnan is guilty if 4 things are true. Listen to the episode for those specific points. This argument tied with a bow just means that if Jay's final version of the story matches the cell records, then Adnan is guilty. However, there are so many logical fallacies in that argument that I'm seeing red.
On that blog post from 2014, Brett mentions the "time of death" issue, and writes that the prosecution seems to pull 2:36 out of thin air. But then, he goes on to say that the prosecution doesn't have to be correct about the time she died, but also - because they probably are wrong - Adnan's two best arguments (Asia alibi and getting out of the school parking lot on time) "fall away."
If the prosecution can't prosecute you accurately, how could you or your attorney argue an alibi defense or any defense at all? They wouldn't know what they are defending against! How can they claim you had "opportunity" when they can't tell you when she died? It's terrifying that anyone would think this is right or fair. But, the Prosectors Pod tells us they won't be diving into the fairness of Adnan's trial (though in a later episode, they will bash Adnan's Brady claims, so they actually do. They just indicate in episode one that they won't delve into Ineffective Assistance or Brady in any way that favors Adnan.)
For more insight into Brett's lies and misrepresentations, you can listen to my Podcast Daddy's "podcast about a podcast talking about another podcast."
Personally Victimized/ Gaslighting
Earlier this week, I made a semi-joke on Twitter about being personally victimized by Brett and Alice (don't worry - more on Alice in future posts.) While I was referencing Mean Girls and Regina George to be funny, I wasn't completely kidding. I've poured my heart and soul into this case, with empathy for Adnan, his family and his friends, and with the hope that we can get definitive justice for Hae.
When someone like Brett presents a factually inaccurate, one-sided narrative that belittles the good work that others have done for Adnan and Hae - it does bring up emotions in me. Choosing to cover this case at all during a time when Adnan's future hangs in the balance because of attorneys who behave just like him - it's just really low.
His podcast hits me as nothing more than a disgusting attempt to sway Adnan and Hae supporters into believing Adnan is not only guilty, but that you're an idiot if you ever believed otherwise.
And that's gaslighting. As soon as Brett shakes off his "aw shucks" vibe, he uses a well-rehearsed and measured approach throughout the pod to convince you that he is the informed authority, with the speech patterns of a condescending southern preacher, slowing down... as he ends his sentences... and drives his point home. (There's a special rhythm for this tactic. Listen to him. You'll hear it.)
I'll end on a positive note: Brett is master at rhetoric, speech writing, and - nope, I can't end on a positive note. Brett is a master of manipulation and deception.
Take care when listening to anyone who is purporting to preach the gospel truth.
*this is an opinion piece. all opinions are my own and do not reflect the feelings or beliefs of anyone else involved in media around the case against Adnan Syed, whether or not they are mentioned here by name*
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