Murder In The Black

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we unpack the heartbreaking story of Kim Groves—a Black woman, community advocate, and mother whose decision to report police misconduct in 1994 set off a chain of events that would change everything.
What began as one woman speaking up against abuse of power quickly revealed something much bigger: a deeply corrupted system inside the New Orleans Police Department, and a city already battling violence, fear, and broken trust.
Kim’s story forces us to confront the cost of courage, the danger Black communities face when they challenge authority, and the uncomfortable truth that corruption doesn’t always look like a stranger—it can wear a badge.
The violent reality of New Orleans in the 1990s and the systemic failures that shaped it

Corruption inside the NOPD, including the actions of Officer Len Davis

Kim Groves’ courage—and what happens when a Black woman refuses to stay silent

The long history of mistrust between Black communities and law enforcement in America

How race, power, and internal systems of oppression complicate “protection” and “justice”

The investigation, cooperation deals, and what accountability looks like in a corrupt system

Why police reform is still an urgent conversation—and why stories like Kim’s must be remembered

Timestamps

00:00 — Introduction + case overview
00:35 — New Orleans in the 1990s: context + tension
01:02 — Crime statistics + community impact
02:24 — Len Davis + Kim Groves background
03:42 — Misconduct culture inside the NOPD
05:59 — Operation Shattered Shield begins
08:11 — Kim files a misconduct complaint
09:33 — The danger of speaking out
11:05 — The legacy of racial oppression + policing
13:09 — Kim Groves’ murder + surveillance footage
14:57 — Trial tactics: discrediting the victim
16:37 — Witness testimony + plea deals
20:03 — Victim-blaming + “perfect victim” expectations
21:41 — Sentencing + why plea agreements matter
24:50 — Len Davis’ death + the lasting damage
25:45 — Corruption and community trauma
27:08 — Remembering Kim’s humanity
28:20 — Corruption involving Black officers
30:05 — Accountability: personal + systemic
31:26 — Closing reflection: race, policing, reform

Resources & Links
FBI: Operation Shattered Shield

Kim Groves case coverage + justice reporting

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In this episode of Murder in the Black, hosts Steph and Maia examine the heartbreaking case of Damilola Taylor, a 10-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short in London. What initially appeared to be an isolated act of violence revealed deep systemic failures within public housing, community safety, and institutional accountability.
Steph and Maia explore the investigation into Damilola’s death, the role of media narratives in shaping public perception, and how Black youth are often criminalized rather than protected. The episode also unpacks key differences between the UK and US legal systems—particularly the UK’s emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment when it comes to minors.
Finally, the hosts highlight how Damilola’s family transformed unimaginable grief into purpose through the Damilola Taylor Trust, an organization dedicated to education, community empowerment, and anti-knife crime initiatives.
This episode asks a critical question: What does justice truly look like—and how do we prevent the next tragedy?
Key Takeaways
Damilola Taylor’s case exposes long-standing systemic failures in public housing and youth safety

Media coverage often shifts blame onto Black youth instead of centering victims

The UK legal system emphasizes rehabilitation rather than retribution for minors

Legal inducements can complicate truth-seeking and justice

The Taylor family chose advocacy over bitterness

Community-driven efforts can lead to meaningful change

Justice should be measured by prevention, not punishment alone

Sound Bites
“Damilola was just 10 years old.”

“A system that failed him at every turn.”

“The media’s narrative shifted to criminalizing Black youth.”

“Rehabilitation, not retribution, is the priority.”

“Justice is measured by preventing the next child from dying.”

“Turning pain into purpose through advocacy.

Episode Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Damilola Taylor’s Story
05:12 — Systemic Failures & Public Housing
17:40 — Investigation & Media Portrayal
32:18 — Legal Proceedings & Cultural Differences
46:05 — The Damilola Taylor Trust & Lasting Advocacy

Summary
In this gripping episode of Murder in the Black, host Steph examines a devastating series of arson fires that shattered a neighborhood in Akron, Ohio. The story begins with a late-night blaze that claimed the lives of Gloria Hart and Lindell Lewis, quickly raising suspicions that the fire was anything but accidental. As investigators dig deeper, a troubling pattern emerges—earlier incidents, escalating tensions, and a neighbor, Stanley Ford, whose ongoing complaints and proximity to the victims place him under scrutiny.
The episode traces how arson often unfolds not as a single act, but as a progression—beginning with smaller fires and grievances that quietly escalate into catastrophic violence. The investigation takes a devastating turn with a second fire that kills seven people, including five children, intensifying the urgency to identify the person responsible. Steph explores the investigative challenges, the psychological dimensions of arson, and how distance and planning shape this form of violence.
As the case moves toward arrest and trial, Stanley Ford emerges as the central figure, forcing difficult questions about intent, accountability, and the calculated nature of harm carried out without direct confrontation. The episode closes with a powerful reflection on violence, control, and what it means when fire becomes a weapon designed to erase rather than confront.
arson, true crime, murder, Stanley Ford, Akron Ohio, arson investigation, criminal psychology, neighborhood conflict, victim impact
00:00 — The Early Hours of Tragedy
09:09 — The Investigation Begins
18:34 — Unraveling the Suspect’s Motives
25:42 — The Trial and Its Complications
31:41 — Reflections on Violence and Intention
KeywordsChapters

In this episode of Murder in the Black, hosts Steph and Maia tell the story of Erica Vassel, a vibrant 21-year-old from Clewiston, Florida, whose life was cut short just days after Super Bowl Sunday in February 2011.
Known as America’s Sweetest Town, Clewiston sits on the edge of the Everglades, surrounded by sugar cane fields and built on familiarity and trust. But when Erica failed to come home, that sense of safety quickly unraveled.
Steph and Maia walk listeners through who Erica was before she became a headline — a young woman full of color, ambition, and promise — and then carefully unfold the events surrounding her disappearance, the rumors that flooded her small community, and the investigation that followed. As detectives chased leads, a burner phone, and conflicting stories, the truth ultimately emerged through a shocking confession.
This episode also explores the cultural and spiritual concept of “root work”, how belief systems can be misunderstood or weaponized, and the dangerous consequences when fear overrides accountability.
Through reflection, this case challenges us to consider trust, vigilance, and how even familiar places can hold hidden dangers.
The life and legacy of Erica Vassel

Her disappearance and discovery in Clewiston, Florida

How rumors and community speculation can complicate investigations

The role of belief systems in criminal confessions

The dangers of misplaced fear and control

The importance of community awareness and accountability

A family’s fight for truth and justice

Missing persons • Community trust • Violence in familiar spaces • Cultural misunderstanding • Accountability • Vigilance • Justice
This episode invites listeners to reflect on personal safety, community responsibility, and how easily danger can be overlooked when it hides behind familiarity.
🕊️ What This Episode Explores🔎 Key Themes🎧 Listener Reflection

Summary

This conversation delves into the tragic story of Derwin Brown, a visionary police officer in DeKalb County, who was assassinated shortly after winning the sheriff election against Sydney Dorsey. The discussion covers the corruption within the police department, the election dynamics, the investigation into Brown's murder, and the subsequent trials of those involved. It highlights the impact of Brown's vision for change and the community's response to his untimely death.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to DeKalb County's Corruption Case
02:14 The Rise of Derwin Brown
06:09 The Election Showdown: Brown vs. Dorsey
09:00 Derwin Brown's Reform Agenda
12:29 The Assassination of Derwin Brown
15:58 The Investigation Begins
19:48 The Plot Unfolds: Cuffee's Confession
22:59 The Trials and Tribulations
25:46 Federal Charges and Final Sentences
30:13 trueCrime-outro-high-short.wav
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