Cops and Writers Podcast

173 True Crime, Murder by Antifreeze, and Blending Fact and Fiction With Ken Humphrey!

Patrick O'Donnell / ken Humphrie Episode 173

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Today on the show we are going to blend true crime and fiction with Ken Humphrey who was the jury foreman for the longest trial in Wisconsin history (lucky him) who eventually turned his experience into a novel, The Breakfast Jury, that blends fact and fiction during this extraordinary event. 

Ken Humphrey is the author of nine novels, consisting of a middle grade trilogy, a pair of teen books, a thriller trilogy titled The Killing Arc and now The Breakfast Jury. This latest novel arose from a month-long trial in which the accused, Mark Jensen was charged with murdering his wife, Julie, by antifreeze poisoning. Ken found out along the way that the true story was hidden within the experiences of twelve strangers thrown together and charged with judging the fate of a man.

Ken also co-hosts the popular Midwest Writers Room Podcast with Wisconsin Writers Association President, Luella Schmidt! 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      The day he got his jury duty summons.

·      Deciding the fate of a man accused of 1st Degree Homicide.

·      The devastating results of antifreeze on the human body. 

·      The burden of proof the D.A. had to prove over the four-week trial. 

·      A killer's defense.

·      How Ken became the foreman of the jury. 

·      How Ken blended his experience from this extraordinary trial into a novel.

·      Ken co-hosting the Midwest Writers Room Podcast.

·      The Wisconsin Writers Association.

Check out Ken's
website to learn more about him and his books!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

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