Overview of 516 - End Quote
This episode (My Favorite Murder — Episode 516, “End Quote”) mixes the hosts’ current events commentary, network and merch updates, sponsor reads, and two long-form stories: a classic Forensic Files–style cold case (the 1991 murder of Dorothy Donovan in Delaware) and the high-profile civil trial involving Gwyneth Paltrow’s 2016 ski-collision with a 72‑year‑old skier, Terry Sanderson. The hosts also discuss activism (ICE raids, Minneapolis protests), announce a charity donation, and promote a new bilingual Exactly Right limited series, Two‑Faced: John of God.
Main segments and topics discussed
Current events & social commentary
- Strong condemnation of recent ICE actions and praise for public protests in Minneapolis. Hosts urge listeners to pay attention, support affected communities, and consider donating / volunteering.
- Announcement of a $25,000 donation (from the show) to the ACLU in the name of their community.
Network news & launches
- Two‑Faced: John of God — a limited series from Exactly Right Media and Adonde Media, hosted by Martina Castro, examining the Brazilian spiritual healer João Teixeira de Faria (John of God). Premieres in English and Spanish (Dos Caras, Juan de Dios) starting February 4; episodes weekly.
- My Favorite Murder on Netflix — rollout timeline announced:
- Jan 26: six back catalog episodes available on the show's Netflix channel
- Jan 28: first new full episode on Netflix
- Jan 30: first new mini‑episode on Netflix
- Format will alternate full episodes and mini‑sodes.
- Merch update: 2025 tour merchandise now available at exactlyrightstore.com (hats, totes, apparel, pins/magnets, koozies, etc.).
True crime story — Dorothy Donovan (Harrington, Delaware)
- Date: Night of June 23, 1991. Victim: Dorothy Donovan, age 70, found brutally murdered in her farmhouse (stabbed over two dozen times).
- Initial suspect: Dorothy’s son, Charles Holden, who called 911 after seeing a man lurking and later reported a violent confrontation with a hitchhiker earlier that night. Motive suspicions included insurance (Dorothy had an accidental death policy naming Charles) and family tensions.
- Early forensic evidence: blood and prints not matching Dorothy; overkill suggested a personal attack. Charles refused a polygraph; investigators were suspicious.
- Breakthrough (2006): DNA uploaded to CODIS matched Gilbert Cannon, a man with a criminal history. Cannon confessed, corroborated Charles’s hitchhiker account, said he acted alone and chose the house at random while high. He pleaded guilty in 2007 and received life without parole.
- Outcome: Charles Holden effectively exonerated after 16 years of suspicion; family reconciliation efforts noted.
Civil trial recap — Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision (Deer Valley)
- Incident: February 26, 2016 on a green run (Bandana) at Deer Valley, Utah. Collision between Gwyneth Paltrow and 72‑year‑old Terry Sanderson.
- Conflicting accounts:
- Paltrow: skiing calmly downhill; another pair of skis/physical contact from behind caused both to fall.
- Sanderson: Paltrow skiing out of control, slammed into him, knocked him unconscious, broke four ribs; he later filed suit.
- Lawsuit timeline:
- Sanderson sued Deer Valley and Paltrow in early 2019 (originally for $3M, later reduced to $300k for procedural reasons).
- Paltrow counter‑sued for $1 and legal fees.
- Trial took place in March 2023, widely covered and live streamed — witnesses and ski‑instructor testimony conflicted.
- Verdict and aftermath:
- Jury sided with Paltrow; she was awarded $1 in damages.
- Afterward Paltrow leaned over and told Sanderson, “I wish you well.” Reporters captured the exchange; both parties reportedly left court amicably.
- Hosts’ perspective: they discuss public perceptions of celebrity, the plausibility of each account (focus on who was uphill vs. downhill), and the media spectacle of court TV.
Sponsors mentioned (major ad reads)
- Kleenex Lotion Tissues
- Bombas
- Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
- SimpliSafe Home Security
- Article (furniture)
- Cachava (nutrition shakes)
- Pandora Jewelry
- CheapCaribbean (These were presented as in-episode sponsor reads; the hosts also included promo details and personal anecdotes.)
Notable quotes & moments
- “It’s clearly… Fuck ICE. What is fucking happening? It’s the fucking Gestapo.” — strong, repeated sentiment in hosts’ ICE commentary.
- Forensic‑style line: FBI profiler (at the time) — “some stranger did not break into the house… This is someone who knows the victim.” (hosts highlight how the eventual DNA match overturned that presumption)
- Paltrow post‑verdict whisper: “I wish you well.” — moment widely discussed as sincere vs. petty.
Key takeaways
- Cold cases can remain unsolved for years until DNA databases (CODIS) provide matches; initial investigative assumptions (e.g., “this must be a known person”) are not always correct.
- Public perception and celebrity status shape coverage and public reaction to court cases; courtroom spectacle (live streaming, social media) amplifies small details into viral moments.
- The hosts blend activism, network promotion, and storytelling: urging listeners to support civil rights causes while promoting Exactly Right’s bilingual investigative series and Netflix rollout.
- Emotional complexity: the episode balances outrage at systemic issues (immigration enforcement) with lighter/tangential pop culture distraction (TV, merchandising), which the hosts acknowledge as a coping mechanism.
Action items & resources mentioned
- Two‑Faced: John of God — follow on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or where you get podcasts; Spanish version Dos Caras, Juan de Dios premieres Feb 4.
- My Favorite Murder video content — available on Netflix (dates as above).
- Exactly Right merch — exactlyrightstore.com (limited quantities).
- Support suggestions: donate to or volunteer with organizations assisting communities affected by ICE actions; hosts donated $25,000 to the ACLU and encouraged listeners to help.
- Further reading/viewing referenced: Forensic Files episode “Stranger in the Night” (Dorothy Donovan case); news coverage of the Paltrow trial.
If you want a one‑line recap: the episode mixes sharp political commentary and network news with two detailed stories — a solved 1991 cold case cleared through DNA and a modern, media‑fueled civil trial involving a celebrity — while asking listeners to channel outrage into action (ACLU donation) and to check out new bilingual reporting from the network.