On today’s Sidebar, we talk to Eric Anderson, who was a college freshman when he was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree armed robbery, assault and illegal use of a weapon. Despite having an alibi—and video showing he was elsewhere at the time of the robbery—Eric was found guilty and sentenced to 15 to 22 years in prison. He fought to prove his innocence, and with the help of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, his conviction was overturned in 2019. Today, Eric works with the Organization of Exonerees, helping others who have faced similar injustices.
On Apple, Spotify, or wherever you pod.
#Sidebar #newepisode #truecrime #investigation #exoneree #wrongfullyaccused
Feeling sad that the weekend is winding down? We've got a special pick-me-up waiting on you tomorrow at 5 am EST.
#podcast #newepisode #Sidebar #truecrime #investigation
After 60+ years owning the Kalamazoo Bike Shop with his brother Johnny, Earl O'Byrne was murdered in the 1980's and the case went cold. Scott Baldwin was eventually arrested and imprisoned for more than 20 years, but PROOF season 3 makes the case that he was NOT the killer. O'Byrne was not married and had no children, so the shop where kids from Kalamazoo had bought bikes since the early part of the century was torn down.
Listen to PROOF Season 3, Murder at the Bike Shop now, wherever you pod. All episodes (so far!) available to binge.
#podcast #truecrime #investigation #wrongful conviction #kalamazoo
Recently we spoke to Michigan exoneree LaVone Hill, a friend of Scott's while the two were wrongfully incarcerated. Lavone's story demostrates how quickly a person can become a convicted criminal - without evidence. This week LaVone starts his new job after 22 years in prison for a double homicide he didn’t commit. (Photo from Michigan Innocence Clinic: Olivia Vigiletti, Jenna Cobb (co-director of the Michigan Innocence Clinic) an 4 former MIC students with Mr. Hill at his release.) Feel inspired? Donate to #michiganinnocenceclinic or to the #organizationofexonerees. And listen to Proof Season 3: Murder at the Bikeshop wherever you pod.
@michiganinnocenceclub@michiganinnocenceclinic
LaVone Hill spent 22 years in prison for a double murder he did not commit. While incarcerated, he met Scott Baldwin, and the two bonded over walks in the yard, sharing case law. In October 2024, LaVone was exonerated—his conviction vacated, and his freedom restored. On this week’s Sidebar, LaVone shares his story, reflects on his friendship with Scott, and describes what it meant to stand in the courtroom as an exoneree at Scott’s resentencing.
#truecrime #exoneration #innocent #podcast #investigation
@michiganinnocenceclinic@michiganinnocenceclub Kalamazoo Public Safety @organizationofexonerees
Were you crying in your coffee Monday after season three regular espisodes ended? Tomorrow morning, a new sidebar arrives to dry your tears and cheer your morning! Hooray for sidebar!
#sidebar #new #podcast #truecrime
Susan Simpson, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Lee Clark, Joey Watkins and Jacinda Davis at this year’s Innocence Conference. PROOF investigative journalism can make a difference. Hoping next year Jake Silva (PROOF season 2) will be able to join us and the Season 3 defendants still fighting to prove their innocence. #innocencenetworkconference2026 #wrongfulconviction #innocence #journalism
Looking for a great true crime podcast? Listen to PROOF Season 3 now for detailed investigation, unbelieveable revelations, a plethora of suspects, and interesting road trips with Kevin, Jacinda and Susan. #truecrime #podcast #investigation
There's a VERY interesting article in the Kalamazoo Gazette today... all about a billboard campaign promising "here's the PROOF." link in our bio, or you can just search for "Kalamazoo billboard proof" and find the article.
@kzoovalley@kalamazoogazette
Scott Baldwin knew he wasn’t alone—he believed there were others like him who had been wrongfully convicted. In this third season of Proof, we heard many of those stories, along with a shocking revelation about why a key witness never testified in one of Kalamazoo’s most horrific murder cases.
Now, as the season comes to a close, where does that leave the investigation—and what happens next? On this week’s Sidebar, Susan, Jacinda, and Kevin reflect on what they’ve uncovered, what still lies ahead, and why the story doesn’t end here.
#truecrime #podcast #justice #Michigan #innocence
@michiganinnocenceclub@michiganinnocenceclinic Kalamazoo Gazette @Michigan Innocence Clinic Kalamazoo Public Safety
In the final episode of Proof: Murder at the Bike Shop, the team uncovers letters and documents suggesting a conspiracy that may have reached the highest levels of Kalamazoo’s legal system—one aimed at preventing a key eyewitness from testifying in one of the county's most horrific murder trials. Nearly two decades later, what does this mean for the five Polderman defendants?
Scott Baldwin is gone, but his case isn’t the end of the story. As new evidence comes to light, it raises urgent questions about other cold case convictions—and for those still in prison who may have been wrongfully convicted, the story is far from over.
#truecrime #justice #WrongfulConviction #podcast #InvestigativeJournalism #michigan #kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Public Safety Western Michigan University @michiganinnocenceclinic@michiganinnocenceclub Kalamazoo Silent Observer Kalamazoo County Government
We are entering Scott Baldwin’s birthday week. We have investigated exhaustively and are convinced of his innocence. Though he isn’t here to celebrate, we can commemorate him and contemplate the state of criminal justice given all the information uncovered this season. Remember Scott’s birthday by sharing this video filled with images of him. When we spread the story we work together to start the change.#truecrime #podcast #investigation #kalamazoo #wrongfulconviction
