Ted Bundy for the Defense - Part Two: The Mask Cracks

About this episode

This episode follows Ted Bundy's journey from his first arrest through his conviction and the escalation of his violent crimes.

In Part Two of Ted Bundy for the Defense , we follow Ted Bundy from his first arrest in Utah through conviction, psychological evaluation, escalating murder charges, and the escape attempts that would ultimately unleash his most violent crimes. About This Series: Ted Bundy for the Defense examines Ted Bundy’s criminal cases through the lens of his courtroom behavior and his insistence on controlling his own fate. This series separates myth from fact, focusing on documented evidence, trial records, and survivor testimony. Next up in Part Three: The Chi Omega sorority house attacks, the assault on Cheryl Thomas, and the final unraveling of Ted Bundy’s carefully constructed persona. Sources:  The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History, Kevin M. Sullivan, McFarland and Company, 2020 (Second Edition). Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers, Caroline Fraser, Penguin Press, 2025.  The Devil’s Defender, John Henry Browne, Chicago Review Press, 2016. Sponsors:  Completing the Puzzle : Go to CompletingthePuzzle.com and use code OUAC for $10 off your first puzzle subscription box or gift card. Weight Loss by Hers: Visit ForHers.com/ONCE to get a…

People in this episode

Host: Esther Ludlow

Topics covered

• Ted Bundy
• true crime
• courtroom behavior
• psychological evaluation
• murder charges
• criminal cases

Keywords

• Ted Bundy
• true crime
• courtroom
• murder
• psychological evaluation
• criminal cases
• survivor testimony

Sponsors

Completing the Puzzle, Weight Loss by Hers, Talkiatry

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History, Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers, The Devil’s Defender

Places: Albuquerque, NM

More episodes of Once Upon A Crime

• Ted Bundy for the Defense - Part Four: Reckoning · March 3, 2026 · 29 min
• Ted Bundy for the Defense - Part Three: Unhinged · February 24, 2026 · 28 min
• The Other Ted Bundy: Suspicion, Denial, and the Warnings That Came Too Early · February 10, 2026 · 15 min
• Bonus Episode - Bill Mann - “The Black Dahlia” follow-up interview - The Suspect · January 27, 2026 · 42 min
• Ted Bundy for the Defense – Part One: Beginnings · January 20, 2026 · 25 min
• Ted Bundy for the Defense - The Myth on Trial · January 13, 2026 · 14 min