About this episode

The episode explores the mysterious death of Jocelyn Earnest and the ensuing legal battle surrounding the case.

When Jocelyn Earnest was found dead on the floor of her Forest, Virginia home on December 20th, 2007, investigators saw what appeared to be a suicide — a typed note, a gun, a woman in the middle of a painful divorce. But the people who knew Jocelyn best refused to accept that explanation. She had just been offered a promotion at work. She was looking forward to the holidays. She was almost through the divorce. She was making plans. What followed was a years-long legal battle featuring a staged crime scene, forged documents, a critical error in the jury room, and a moment on the witness stand that stopped the courtroom cold — all centered on a single question: did Jocelyn Earnest take her own life, or did someone who knew her well go to great lengths to make it look that way? Support us on Patreon Sources: Fanning, Diane. Under Cover of the Night: A True Story of Sex, Greed, and Murder. Berkley Books, Penguin Group, 2014. Crimesider Staff. "83 words and 20 questions: The mysterious suicide note in the Jocelyn Branham Earnest case." CBS News, 4 Jun. 2012. "Earnest trial focuses on frame of mind: During the third day of the murder trial of Wesley Earnest, friends of Jocelyn Earnest…

People in this episode

Hosts: Tina, Rich

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CBS News, The Roanoke Times, Justia Law, 13newsnow.com - WVEC

Books & works: Under Cover of the Night: A True Story of Sex, Greed, and Murder

Places: Forest, Virginia

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