Suspect

5,873

Suspect is an investigative series about mislaid justice and the kinds of weighty decisions that detectives, lawyers, and jurors make every day - decisions that, once made, are almost impossible to reverse.

Season 3: Five Shots in the Dark follows Leon Benson, who spent 24 years in an Indiana state prison for the 1998 murder of a young man named Kasey Schoen. His conviction hinged on the testimony of two eyewitnesses – but what if their memories turned out to be wrong? And what if the people who knew what really happened had never been allowed to speak? Suspect Season 3: Five Shots in the Dark is the story of two victims: one murdered, one sentenced to life. Follow host Matt Shaer and attorney Lara Bazelon as they investigate how the justice system failed both Leon and Kasey, and who the real killer might be. Join this unprecedented look inside the attempt to overturn a wrongful conviction and find out if justice will finally be served.

Binge all episodes of Suspect exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/suspect/ now. 

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

iphonehassle

Frequently interrupted by ads

Too many ads. Can’t listen
astaire13

Why did season 1 downplay his rape?

Insulting to rape victims.
Dumpster Fire Podcast

Season 1

A Dumpster Fire. Season 1 of this podcast is truly a dumpster fire. Usually podcasts have some elements of personal biases, we all have them so it’s completely understandable if not even expected. This podcast is over the top. The entire podcast is far less factual than it is an opinion persuasion. It is blatantly and politically biased and nauseating to listen to. The narrator continues to ramble on and on about the police and their anecdotal approach to solving the crime…. While the podcast is applying their own anecdotal approach. Each time someone of the opposing opinion rendered their perspective it was immediately disagreed with. Those that supported the opinion of the podcast were treated as gospel. Don’t waste your time, there many better products available on Wondery and none of them are this blatantly biased.
Chefsar

Turned me off of Wondery for life

Had to turn season one off. It starts strong with the heartbreaking death of an enchanting and clever woman of color at a Halloween party, and descends into Wondery taking 6 episodes to defend the black man who probably did it. Extra vomit points for disregarding the fact that his stepsister, his first rape victim, insists to this day that she was raped, but Wondery quietly took the convicted rapist’s side who claims it was consensual. I can’t imagine how the victim’s family felt after cooperating with the journalist and listening to what was produced.
Chrissy2971

Voice trails off… can’t hear end of host’s sentences.

I don’t know if it’s a speech impediment, but I have to listen way too loud In order to hear the end of the host’s sentences. It’s difficult and frustrating to listen to someone who drops phrases like that. Otherwise it’s a great podcast. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Laleesha

Had to turn it off, overtly biased perspective.

Season 1 was a fascinating case, but the writers spend most of the time discussing their beliefs on racism, rather than just providing the facts of the case. This is not a true crime podcast.
LisshamiltonNj

Disappointed

Interesting contrast, but too political for my taste. I was hoping for a more balanced prospective. Disappointed.
miamomma3019

Too political

By episode 4 of season 1 I was so sick of the racial aspect being presented that I unfollowed the show and gave up on it. I prefer a podcast that sticks to facts and the law.
Hahafatherjoe

SMH

Another white liberal podcast using capitalism to capitalize off the suffrage of a black man. Only thing the podcast hosts were hoping is that it was a white woman killed and not a minority Indian woman.
Jyllchaz

All the feels

Finally! A true crime podcast with a happy ending! Great storytelling and the two main “characters” were so genuine and I loved Leon’s personality and his positive attitude even in the hardest of situations. Great listen . J-
bostonballer

To political

By episode 5 of season one I gave up on the show. All they do is continue to push their racial views on the listeners and i got fed up. Not worth my time
Joeymac83

Politically correct

Absolutely love season 3🤣 they make sure to address how they support the black struggle… all while being made fun of continuously by the people they interview
sparkyme

Vanished in the snow! Best so far

It’s been hard to find a true crime podcast that keeps me interested. The topic is never the problem, the way the story unfolds is. Ashley can tell a story like no other. True crime should never be taken lightly, but it deserves to be told in a way that keeps us interested & makes the victim memorable. That’s what this podcast does.
Bittah

Done with Wondrey

No more listing to this production companies shows if they continue to try and force people to pay $6 a month for Wondrey .
Montgomery J

Seems to have strong bias

Political/racial views are pretty strong. Glosses over past criminal history (rape of minor) as it pertains to a rape/murder case when law enforcement is attempting to create a fact pattern. Sloppy police work, yes. Racially motivated investigation… possibly; however the host attempts to focus on a singular aspect instead of providing an objective journalistic rendering encompassing the case in its entirety.
Joce3375

Awesome

Loved season 1 and I loved season 2 even more. Really well done. Update for Season 3- so well done. On both sides of this crime. Thank you for being sensitive to both families.
Idkyou91

Season 1

Was enjoying this podcast until it went completely WOKE. I’m so sick and tired of dishonest journalism!
Cdltrucker

I love it

My title says enough lol
NKC90

Excusing crime based on race

Currently on season 1 episode 6 and my husband and I feel flabbergasted that the host is excusing Immanuel’s CRIME of RAPING a minor and makes him some victim of race. He committed that crime and it’s utterly insulting to that young woman who was raped by him (seems also probably black) is nearly being dismissed by making him out to be a victim of the legal system because he is black. His DNA was on her neck and tape.. that isn’t racial discrimination, it’s facts. This would be a lot better if it was sent so annoyingly trying to be politically correct.
ACHAAK

Thank you

Thank you for seeking the truth in this case I went to school with Kasey. I hope the suspect in Florida is arrested. Not seeing the Police report I was wondering was Kasey robbed that night before he was shot?
misnight soaker

Perpetuates Rape Culture

The male journalist conveniently glosses over the fact that Emanuel is a convicted rapist of an underage girl. Fails to mention his warrant is for failing to register as a sex offender. Fails to mention the horrific details surrounding the rape conviction. He blames the conviction on race and provides details about racial inequality regarding policing. He states that a rape conviction should not be grounds for suspicion in another crime against women while failing to share the fact that most sex offenders reoffend. This is biased journalism that perpetuates rape culture by minimizing it.
Skcrooks

Ugh

It started out so good, then became so woke. So disappointing. Where is honest journalism anymore?
Reeeeebeecka

The host is very bias

The host is very bias and completely disregards that Emanuel is a felon. He’s so woke that he paints this picture that Emanuel is a saint and that because he’s black, they targeted him. Emanuel has a large rap sheet of crimes and one of them happens to be bc he’s a SEX OFFENDER and raped a child. He’s also not shy about hitting women either.. oh and don’t forget that he had a WARRANT because he violated his probation for not registering his address bc he’s a SEX OFFENDER!! Terrible journalism don’t bother with this B.S podcast
long ducka donger

Minimizes rape of a child

Listen to how they down play and down right ignore the significance of his child rape conviction and sexual offender status . In order to fit woke narrative, they convince you it’s all about race and has nothing to do with a rapist sex offender being a suspect in a case where there are signs of sexual perversions and his dna at the scene. The piss poor police work is what this should be about. Nothing about this podcast leaves you thinking he is innocent. All you know is a incompetent police investigation made solving this impossible. I wonder if the founders of this podcast would let this suspect baby sit their teenage daughters ?
Laur McG

Redhanded

I’m shocked to see you supporting redhanded who thinks the death and dying of indigenous women is funny. They openly ask their fans to cheat in order to receive podcasting awards and they don’t even know the names of their victims - and not just on one occasion. They are podcasting for money and take advantage of victims and exploit their families by any means necessary.
Amymaleigh

I’m CRYYYYYING!!

I finished Season 3 in 2 days and I legitimately cried when I heard Leon got out!! I feel so happy for him and y’all with all your hard work!!
Kingtytackett23

Shocked

Season 1 was a fantastic story, i am beyond amazed on how cameron just got off the hook with three dna samples that contained his in one. He needs checked again and pressured like emanuel was, but again great story telling can’t wait for season 2!😎
pete wheeler

You seem untrustworthy

I don’t care if you have a biased, just don’t say your unbiased right off the rip. Makes you untrustworthy.
Laresche

Great

Great podcast! Doesn’t do a lot of recapping which I really love
123yikesonbikes

Bawled

So good
USA Mknitter

Thanks for your completeness in this podcast

Thanks so much for being so thorough in your investigation, especially in your final episode with Leon and Casey’s sister reconciliation! Also, it was great to hear that you included your daughter so she could witness forgiveness at work!
Goldensnitch320

Great job Mabel

Wonderful work on this latest season. Touching as always. Great job Mabel on the credits in the bonus episode. You did a terrific job!
Hambungler404

Great case but ruined by annoying narrator

The authors do a great job on the content and make a really compelling case for the innocence of Leon. Such a travesty and I’m glad they brought this case to light. The only reason I gave it a lower rating is due to the annoying, grating inflection used by Matthew. I’m not sure why he chose this breathy, slow and condescending tone but it made it hard to get through the entire pod.
krismarieeee

Incredible work

Incredible! Words don’t justify. It’s a must listen, especially all the way up to the very end. 🩷 What a champ through those hard names.
victoriaschair

So well done, solid work and empathy

This podcast has become my daily listening. I moved away from sensationalized true crime content. This production is truly surrounded around the victims, all of them, and treats everyone with fairness. The investigative journalism work is top tier and the empathy of the whole team is palpable. Calling out inherent bias in the legal system and letting everyone tell their story really sets this show apart. I SOBBED at the end of season one, but like HAPPY SOBBED. This show convinced me to get the wondery+ subscription.
Paleo Jo

So good!

Thank you for the special episode this week! Love that they were able to meet and connect. Unrelated, but having your daughter read the closing credits was the cutest thing i’ve ever heard!
Rushisnumberone

Story or statement?

Story and production value are good, but then it became a diatribe about race. I’m lifelong democrat/progressive and even I found it to be exhausting. Too bad, it had the makings of a captivating story.
QUEENZBEES

Meh..

Started out great but… it ended up turning into a race issue. Kinda felt woke and the podcasters were trying to throw the police under the bus.. 🙄
flfl124

Highly Recommended!

I love this podcast. I cried so hard throughout the last episode of season 3!! The reporting is respectful, interesting, and those lawyers + PI in S3 were amazing. I love how they let us see their humanity and passion and I was so proud of them for how they stuck to the case. Despite S3 being my favorite season so far, I really recommend all the seasons, they are emotional to listen to like all TC stories but I think this team does a great job.
Rivn33

Great Podcast

So happy for Leon. While I understand this affects the victims families too. I got the sense from Coleen that she doesn’t care that Leon had 25 years taken from him and only wishes “somebody” be in prison for the murder, but not the “right” person. Leon’s case wasn’t dismissed because of just the detective, or they would have retried the case with all of the information available. He was exonerated because there was no longer a reasonable case against him. Kasey’s family’s unwillingness to understand this makes me sad and is the kind of behavior that leads to more wrongful convictions.
msT_73

Ashely is Bada**

All of you do amazing work and keep us so into each episode. Thank you for what you do!
danielmi

Very well done

Season 3 was very well done. We forget that for every person that gets exonerated for a murder they didn’t commit, there’s a family and loved ones of the person who was killed that has to comes to terms with it.
Willyzook

Great show!

Great work on helping this man!
Kml646

Great journalism

Thank you for your thoughtful telling of these stories.
Rosey in SD

Spoiler

You can’t listen to conclusion unless you pay. Is that made clear upfront?
jennjohns83

Get a grip.

Only racist person in this story is the narrator! It’s laughable how you continually talk about it as if you’re blank and going thru this. And you completely nauseate me how you glorify the rape of that 15 year old. So bc he is black they shouldn’t have looked into him? Weirdo.
Latiffany

Unhinged

The first two seasons are great, but season three is terrible. The guest host is unhinged.
Miss Tammy VL

My first time Bonaparte

Just binged Suspect the way I did Bonaparte. From the state of Iowa I feel Blessed to have found the host agian.Keep Keeping on.Lots of Love,Tammy
SoFloAC

Podcast

This podcast is certainly a product of the times. Rather than letting the facts speak for themselves, the podcast characterizes the facts positively or negatively, charitably or uncharitably, often based on the immutable characteristics of the parties involved, likely to imbue the podcast with a clumsy social commentary.
meg wm

Being black doesn’t make you guilty but being a child rapist does

It had potential. But I reaaaaally had a hard time continuing this podcast after he completely glossed over the armed rape of a 15 year old girl . This child testified and stood by her word and never backed down. He continues to point fingers saying that police and prosecutors targeted the suspect because he was black . NO! Stop the race crap. He was a suspect because his DNA is at the crime scene and I’m the body and he is a convicted child rapist and drug dealer !!! Truly disgusting