Overview of Crying Wolf (Lava for Good Podcasts)
A trailer-style introduction to Crying Wolf, a true-crime podcast that follows the wrongful conviction of Lee Harris in Chicago, 1989. Harris, a Black man from the projects, becomes the prime suspect after volunteering information about the murder of a wealthy white woman. Sentenced to 90 years, he finds an unlikely ally in his cellmate Robert; together with an attorney they pursue a decades-long fight to clear his name against corrupt detectives, jailhouse informants, and a justice system driven to secure convictions.
Key facts
- Setting: Chicago, 1989 (murder of a white, wealthy woman)
- Protagonist: Lee Harris — Black man arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 90 years
- Ally: Robert — fellow inmate who becomes determined to expose the injustice
- Antagonists: Corrupt police detectives and jailhouse informants; a detective noted for torturous interrogation methods linked to Guantanamo Bay
- Core conflict: Wrongful conviction based on manipulated testimony/interrogation and systemic pressure for convictions
- Format: Serialized investigative/narrative true-crime podcast
- Where to listen: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms
Main themes and takeaways
- Racial and socioeconomic bias: The case foregrounds how a white victim/Black suspect narrative and class divides affect investigations and outcomes.
- Police corruption and coercion: Interrogation techniques, dirty cops, and jailhouse informants are presented as central to the conviction.
- Systemic failures: The legal system’s appetite for convictions can override truth and fairness.
- Friendship and persistence: A central emotional strand is the unlikely bond between Lee and Robert and their relentless pursuit of exoneration.
- Accountability and legacy: The story implicates specific law enforcement practices and a detective with a notorious reputation, raising questions about institutional responsibility.
Structure and storytelling elements
- Narrative hook: Starts with the murder and the immediate shock to the city, then follows the swift shift from witness to suspect.
- Character-driven: Focus on Lee’s experience and Robert’s transformation from cellmate to advocate.
- Investigative arc: Legal motions, late-night calls, and persistent efforts by Robert and the defense build the plot toward attempts to overturn the conviction.
- Tone: Tense, moral, and driven by injustice and redemption.
Notable lines / quotes from the trailer
- “I get 90 years for killing somebody I have never seen.”
- “There’s a list of police officers who deserve a special place in hell, and he's certainly in the top three.”
- “Together they wage a 20‑year war against Chicago’s darkest corners.”
Who should listen
- True-crime fans who prefer investigations with a social-justice lens
- Listeners interested in wrongful convictions, criminal justice reform, and police accountability
- People drawn to character-driven narratives about friendship, perseverance, and legal battles
Action / next steps
- Listen to the full Crying Wolf podcast on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.
- For deeper context while listening, consider reading about wrongful conviction cases in Chicago and documented interrogation abuses linked to certain law enforcement techniques.
Keywords: wrongful conviction, Chicago 1989, Lee Harris, police corruption, jailhouse informant, interrogation, true crime, exoneration, criminal justice reform, Lava for Good Podcasts.