Aisha Roscoe

For the next seven years, Barbara dedicated herself to reporting on Ben Spencer's case. Now she's written a book about it, Bringing Ben Home, A Murder, A Conviction, and the Fight to Redeem American Justice. She joins us now. Welcome to the podcast.

For the next seven years, Barbara dedicated herself to reporting on Ben Spencer's case. Now she's written a book about it, Bringing Ben Home, A Murder, A Conviction, and the Fight to Redeem American Justice. She joins us now. Welcome to the podcast.

So I got a million questions, but I guess first, like, what was your frame of mind when you started your own reporting on this story? Did you believe that Ben was innocent or did you think that he might be guilty?

So I got a million questions, but I guess first, like, what was your frame of mind when you started your own reporting on this story? Did you believe that Ben was innocent or did you think that he might be guilty?

So I got a million questions, but I guess first, like, what was your frame of mind when you started your own reporting on this story? Did you believe that Ben was innocent or did you think that he might be guilty?

OK, well, before we kind of dive in deeper, can you tell me about Ben Spencer and how did he get charged with this crime?

OK, well, before we kind of dive in deeper, can you tell me about Ben Spencer and how did he get charged with this crime?

OK, well, before we kind of dive in deeper, can you tell me about Ben Spencer and how did he get charged with this crime?

Okay, so what happened on March 22nd?

Okay, so what happened on March 22nd?

Okay, so what happened on March 22nd?

Well, I mean, $25,000, that's a lot of money even today. And I mean, definitely a lot of money back in 1987. So who were these witnesses and what did they have to say?

Well, I mean, $25,000, that's a lot of money even today. And I mean, definitely a lot of money back in 1987. So who were these witnesses and what did they have to say?

Well, I mean, $25,000, that's a lot of money even today. And I mean, definitely a lot of money back in 1987. So who were these witnesses and what did they have to say?

I mean, I can't imagine waking up to that and being accused of murder. I know.

I mean, I can't imagine waking up to that and being accused of murder. I know.

I mean, I can't imagine waking up to that and being accused of murder. I know.

Yeah, so he was thinking that, well, if I had nothing to do with this, they would just realize they got the wrong person and, you know, things would go back to the way they were, right?

Yeah, so he was thinking that, well, if I had nothing to do with this, they would just realize they got the wrong person and, you know, things would go back to the way they were, right?

Yeah, so he was thinking that, well, if I had nothing to do with this, they would just realize they got the wrong person and, you know, things would go back to the way they were, right?