Murder In The Black

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the devastating loss of LoLetha Hall — a woman simply doing her job who became entangled in a deadly situation fueled by fear, misinformation, and an AI-driven scam.
As technology evolves, so do the dangers surrounding it. Steph and Maia unpack how impersonation scams are changing the landscape of crime, the legal complexities of self-defense in Ohio, and the difficult questions surrounding “reasonable fear,” implicit bias, and accountability.
This conversation goes beyond one case. It asks how we protect our communities, our elders, and ourselves in a world where voices can be fabricated — and fear can be engineered.
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🔎 Key Topics Covered
The rise of AI-powered scam calls and impersonation tactics

How vulnerable populations — especially seniors — are targeted

The timeline leading to the fatal encounter between LoLetha Hall and William Brock

Ohio self-defense law and the question of proportional force

The difference between genuine fear and legally “reasonable” fear

How implicit bias can shape perceptions of danger

Public awareness, digital literacy, and family safety planning

Practical strategies for preventing scam-related harm
AI Impersonation Scam Resources

Time Stamps
00:00 — Why this case highlights the dangers of AI scams
00:29 — Who LoLetha Hall and William Brock were
01:48 — Inside the scam: impersonation and escalation
02:38 — The confrontation and fatal shooting
03:51 — Dashcam footage and police response
04:21 — Fear, perception, and Brock’s mindset
08:38 — AI’s growing role in modern scams
09:07 — Elder vulnerability and education gaps
11:37 — Breaking down Ohio self-defense law
16:24 — Fear, bias, and legal interpretation
19:07 — The impact on LoLetha’s family
20:50 — Community responsibility and awareness
23:18 — Practical scam-prevention tools
25:03 — Final reflections on bias, fear, and accountability

Understanding Deepfake Technology

Scam Awareness Tips (AARP)

Ohio Self-Defense Law Overview

Social Media & Digital Safety Tips

Resources & Education
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When Jermaine Ross stopped answering his phone and missed his barber appointments, concern quickly turned into something far more disturbing. On October 3, 2018, Jermaine was found dead inside his home on Elm Street in Cahokia, Illinois. At first, investigators believed his death may have been natural. But forensic findings, an autopsy, and unsettling details inside the home revealed the truth—Jermaine Ross had been murdered.
In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the homicide investigation from the inside out: the timeline shaped by decomposition evidence, rumors surrounding a recent insurance payout, shifting witness statements, and the chilling attempt to alter the crime scene after Jermaine’s death. As investigators worked to separate fact from fear in a close-knit community, the case exposed how desperation, access, and money can turn trust into a fatal vulnerability.
This is the story of a man known as “the people’s barber”—and how the people closest to him became central to solving his murder.
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🎥 YouTube: Murder in the Black👉⁠https://www.youtube.com/@www.youtube.com/@murderintheblack⁠
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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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👉 https://murderintheblack.substack.com/
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👉https://www.youtube.com/@www.youtube.com/@murderintheblack
🎵 TikTok: Murder in the Black / Story Time with Steph
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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
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