Death Sentence: The Murder of Ruth Pelke & the Punishment of Paula Cooper Podcast
Podcast Episodes Shop the Brewery

Death Sentence: The Murder of Ruth Pelke & the Punishment of Paula Cooper

In Episode 542

On a weekday afternoon in 1985 in Gary, Indiana, fifteen-year-old Paula Cooper stabbed 78-year-old Ruth Pelke to death. In a city with a history of racism, Ruth was a white, beloved bible teacher who refused to move out of her overwhelmingly black neighborhood. When Paula and her friends showed up at Ruth’s door that day asking about bible studies, Ruth had happily invited them in.

Join us at the quiet end for Death Sentence: The Murder of Ruth Pelke & the Punishment of Paula Cooper. When Paula was sentenced to death, few argued against the state’s impending execution of a tenth grader. But when the victim’s grandson forgave the girl, the media brought the story to the forefront and millions signed petitions in support of Paula. This case raises questions about the value of a human life and whether our justice system is made for rehabilitation or retribution.

Subscribed with PayPal? Click here to update TCB Premium Payment info

Support the show for ad-free, early, bonus episodes and more!

Record a voicemail for a future show

Contact Us

Shop TCB Merch

Join our True Crime Brewery Fan Discussion Group

Sources

A Clear Scientific Consensus that the Death Penlty Does Not Deter, Amnesty International, retrieved 3/14/2024,

https://www.amnestyusa.org/updates/a-clear-scientific-consensus-that-the-death-penalty-does-not-deter/

Biden vowed to end the death penalty. Activists are demanding action as he nears the 100-day mark, CNN.com,  Christina Carrega, 4/25/2021

Do Executions Lower Homicide Rates: The Views of Leading Criminologists’ Michael L. Radelet Traci L. Lacock, Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, Winter 2009,

IndyStar Archives 1985-2017

Seventy Times Seven: A True Story of Murder and Mercy by Alex Mar, 2023

1:35:19
Mar 25 2024
True Crime
0
0
  • Podcast Archive

  • Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Subscribe Now

    Join Team Tiegrabber and subscribe to our premium podcasts


    You get access to our members-only True Crime Brewery Premium episodes and other members-only true crime content.


    In appreciation, Jill will send you a thank you gift of your choice.

    Pick from a True Crime Brewery beer snifter, a True Crime Brewery credit-card sized bottle opener, or a set of coasters!

    True Crime Newsletter

    Enjoying True Crime Brewery?


    Then you’ll want to receive our quarterly true crime podcast newsletter.


    The True Crime Brewery newsletter is just the thing to feed your true crime addiction. Packed with case updates, true crime show and book reviews, listener-contributed articles, craft beer news, meet up plans and contest announcements

    Get the latest from Tiegrabber Podcasts

    Listen

    You can listen to the True Crime Brewery podcast here on the site or on the podcast app of your choice