Cold Red Podcast

What is it like to defend one of America's most notorious serial killers? In this episode of *Cold Red**, former FBI profiler **Raymond J. Carr* and former FBI forensic linguist *James R. Fitzgerald (Fitz)* sit down with high-profile trial attorney and author **Karen Conti**, who represented convicted serial killer John Wayne Gacy during his final death row appeals. With nearly four decades of legal experience, Conti offers a rare, firsthand perspective on her interactions with Gacy, his behavior behind closed doors, and the psychological challenges of defending a man responsible for horrific crimes. Drawing from her book *Killing Time With John Wayne Gacy*, Conti discusses Gacy's manipulation tactics, his ability to compartmentalize his actions, and the complexities of representing someone facing execution. Ray and Fitz bring their expertise in behavioral profiling and forensic linguistics to the conversation, examining how Gacy's words, behavior, and psychological patterns compare with what investigators know about serial predators. *In this episode:*

What John Wayne Gacy was really like behind closed doors.

The manipulation tactics and psychological behaviors Conti witnessed firsthand.

Whether Gacy ever demonstrated genuine remorse.

How attorneys mentally navigate defending notorious killers.

The intersection of criminal defense, FBI behavioral profiling, and forensic linguistics.

The role of behavioral evidence in high-profile criminal trials.

How media coverage influences public perception and the pursuit of justice.

*Can you defend someone's constitutional rights without defending their crimes? And what can a defense attorney learn about a serial killer that investigators may never see?* Join Ray, Fitz, and Karen Conti for a compelling examination of criminal psychology, the justice system, and the disturbing reality of working face-to-face with one of America's most infamous killers. 📖 *Featured Book:* Killing Time With John Wayne Gacy by Karen Conti 🔴 *JOIN THE COLD RED COMMUNITY* Subscribe for expert analysis of true crime investigations, criminal behavior, forensic linguistics, and the stories behind some of the most complex cases. 🌐 Visit our website: https://coldredpodcast.com 💬 *JOIN THE CONVERSATION* Do you believe every criminal defendant deserves the strongest possible legal defense, regardless of the crime? Share your thoughts in the comments. 👍 Like this episode if you appreciate expert-driven true crime analysis. 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Cold Red. *#JohnWayneGacy #KarenConti #ColdRedPodcast #TrueCrime #FBIProfiler #SerialKillers #CriminalPsychology #ForensicLinguistics*

The Cold Red Mailbag is OPEN! Join former FBI profiler James R. Fitzgerald (Fitz) and Ray Carr as they answer YOUR questions about the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation, forensic evidence, suspicious ransom messages, and more. Was Nancy Guthrie originally targeted for a robbery? Could the phrase "buried in nature" hold a deeper meaning? And what can investigators learn from DNA evidence, jailhouse informants, and behavioral analysis? In today's LIVE episode, Fitz and Ray break down viewer theories, examine investigative possibilities, and separate speculation from evidence. *Topics include:*

Nancy Guthrie: Robbery gone wrong or planned kidnapping?

DNA evidence and the investigation

The mysterious "buried in nature" phrase

Possible connections to the 1989 Hearin kidnapping

Forensic evidence and investigative procedures

The O.J. Simpson glove controversy

LIVE questions from the Cold Red community

*YOUR QUESTIONS. THEIR EXPERT ANALYSIS.* Join the conversation in the live chat! Submit your questions, share your theories, and hear Fitz and Ray respond in real time. 🔴 *Subscribe to Cold Red* for expert criminal profiling, forensic analysis, and in-depth discussions of today's biggest criminal investigations. 🌐 Visit: https://coldredpodcast.com #NancyGuthrie #ColdRedPodcast #TrueCrime #JamesFitzgerald #FBIProfiler #CriminalInvestigation #TrueCrimeCommunity

What happens when the hits stop, but the damage remains?

In this powerful episode of Cold Red, hosts Ray Carr and Fitz sit down with five-time NHL All-Star Brian Propp to explore the hidden consequences of professional hockey, repeated head trauma, and the long-term neurological effects that can follow athletes long after retirement.

With more than 1,000 career points, five Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and 15 seasons in the NHL, Propp experienced hockey during an era when toughness was everything and playing through injuries was simply part of the game.

From the infamous 1989 playoff hit by Chris Chelios to surviving a life-altering stroke in 2015, Propp shares his remarkable journey through injury, recovery, rehabilitation, and survival.

Building on their recent conversation with renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Philip Stieg, Ray and Fitz examine the science behind Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES), exploring how repetitive brain trauma may affect memory, personality, emotional regulation, and behavior.

The conversation goes beyond professional sports, examining a fascinating intersection of neuroscience, behavioral analysis, and forensic linguistics: Can brain injuries change the way someone thinks, speaks, or behaves—and how do we recognize the difference between neurological damage and intentional behavior?

It's an eye-opening conversation about the price of greatness, the hidden battles athletes face, and the resilience required to rebuild a life after devastating neurological injury.

Subscribe to Cold Red on Apple Podcasts and follow us on social media for more conversations exploring criminal behavior, forensic science, neuroscience, and the human stories behind the headlines.

Visit coldredpodcast.com for more.

Stay safe and be aware of your surroundings. It just might save your life.

Can repeated head trauma change a person's behavior, destroy impulse control, or even contribute to violent actions?

In this episode of Cold Red, retired FBI agents Raymond Carr and James Fitzgerald sit down with renowned neurosurgeon, NFL consultant, and CTE researcher Dr. Philip Stieg to explore the disturbing relationship between Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), brain damage, aggression, and violent behavior.

From professional football players to individuals with a history of repetitive head injuries, Dr. Stieg breaks down what science reveals about the long-term consequences of brain trauma—and what researchers still don't know.

Together, Ray, Fitz, and Dr. Stieg examine how damage to the frontal and temporal lobes may affect emotional regulation, decision-making, and impulse control. They also explore a critical question for criminal investigators: How do you distinguish calculated criminal behavior from actions potentially influenced by neurological deterioration?

In this episode:

What CTE actually does to the brain and its four proposed stages

The potential connection between repeated head injuries, aggression, and impulsive behavior

Why some individuals experience personality changes while others develop cognitive decline

How brain trauma can complicate FBI behavioral analysis and criminal investigations

Whether neurological damage can influence speech, deception, and interrogation strategies

The limitations of current CTE research and the challenges of diagnosing the condition

How substance abuse, performance-enhancing drugs, and psychological stress may complicate the picture

Could brain scans eventually play a role in determining criminal responsibility?

Can brain damage help explain violent behavior—or are we at risk of confusing correlation with causation?

Join Ray, Fitz, and Dr. Stieg for a fascinating discussion at the intersection of neuroscience, forensic psychology, and criminal behavior.

🔴 SUBSCRIBE TO COLD RED for expert criminal analysis, true crime investigations, and exclusive conversations with leading experts in law enforcement, medicine, and forensic science.

🌐 Visit our website: https://coldredpodcast.com

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Do you believe a history of serious brain trauma should influence how violent offenders are evaluated in the criminal justice system? Share your thoughts in the comments.

#ColdRedPodcast #CTE #BrainInjury #TrueCrime #Neuroscience #FBI #JamesFitzgerald #PhilipStieg #CriminalPsychology #ForensicScience

Behind the Badge & Beyond the Case: Chief David Splain | Cold Red 1118

What happens when the realities of small-town policing meet the complexities of true crime? On this episode of Cold Red, Ray Carr and Fitz sit down with Chief David Splain of the Nether Providence Township Police Department to explore decades of law enforcement experience, historical homicide investigations, and his transition from police leadership to true crime author.

Chief Splain discusses his books, Blood on the Trolley and Secrets From the Closet, offering insight into the investigative details, hidden truths, and human stories behind real cases. Together, Ray and Fitz examine the unique challenges of investigating crimes in close-knit communities, why some cold cases remain unsolved for decades, and how behavioral profiling, forensic linguistics, and modern forensic technology can help uncover new leads.

Plus, the team tackles audience questions about protecting victims' families, avoiding critical mistakes during the first 48 hours of an investigation, and the evolving role of investigative genetic genealogy in cold cases.

Subscribe to Cold Red for more expert analysis, real-world investigations, and the psychology behind the cases that continue to raise questions.

Visit coldredpodcast.com for the blog and follow Cold Red on social media.

Stay safe, stay aware, and remember: it just might save your life.