The Confession

Premiering on November 4, the astonishing true story of how Melbourne homicide detectives broke all the rules in their quest to have Katia Pyliotis convicted for brutally murdering a dirty old man with a statue of the Virgin Mary. The Confession is a podcast where the justice system itself is on trial. At the centre of it all, is Katia Pyliotis, accused of bludgeoning a man to death. Four years of Katia’s life is spent behind bars, until the truth emerges because of a stroke of luck. When an item thought long lost is suddenly found and the spotlight is shifted from Katia to her accusers, the police. Richard Baker tells the story of a murder, a botched trial and the system that allowed it to happen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homicide detectives corner charity store volunteer Katia Pyliotis in an Adelaide laneway and arrest her for the brutal murder of an old man with a statue of the Virgin Mary more than a decade prior. She badly mishandles her first interview with police. But her nightmare is just beginning. Read more on our website: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/first-she-walks-now-she-talks-katia-pyliotis-on-facing-four-trials-for-the-same-murder-20221101-p5bula.html  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eliah Abdelmessih’s final day starts with his usual early morning breakfast at McDonalds. A creature of habit, staff would normally see him again for another meal within hours. But not today. Police talk to witnesses and two sides to Eliah emerge. Read more on our website: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/a-penchant-for-porn-and-mcdonald-s-the-final-lonely-days-of-eliah-abdelmessih-20221102-p5bv0l.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the space of a few hours, Susan Reddie goes from witness to prime suspect in Eliah’s murder after she reveals to police her unsettling transactional relationship with him. Years later, Sue reappears as Katia’s best hope for freedom because of what she represents: a reasonable doubt. Read more on our website: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/the-original-suspect-crazy-sue-from-kew-confesses-to-murder-20221103-p5bvdm.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under attack from inmates and guards, Katia contemplates ending it all after the lead detective in Eliah’s murder investigation drops a bombshell in court and causes yet another trial to be aborted. Read more on our website: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/fatal-recall-how-confession-confusion-put-an-accused-killer-in-a-quandary-20221103-p5bvgn.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When all hope appears lost, Katia gets a lucky break in an unrelated case before Australia’s highest court. Now it is time for her accusers, the police, to be put under the spotlight. Read more on our website: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/bombshell-backfires-a-long-lost-diary-is-found-and-the-fifth-murder-trial-of-katia-pyliotis-is-aborted-20221108-p5bwh0.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spectre of Sue Reddie returns in a most extraordinary cross examination. If the justice system has previously failed Katia, then this is it attempting to heal itself. Katia’s barrister and an inquisitive judge put highly experienced detectives to the test. Read more on our website: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5bwjw  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who bears the cost when a murder investigation fails to deliver an acceptable outcome for anyone and who is held to account? Katia talks about the damage done and her hopes for the future. Read more on our website: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/open-investigation-despite-trials-tribulations-there-s-still-no-justice-over-kew-killing-20221108-p5bwk0.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join John Silvester, Australia’s longest-serving crime reporter, as he talks to the cops and the crims in the sixth season of crime podcast Naked City. The new season will premiere on Wednesday, June 14, and new episodes will drop each Wednesday. Subscribe now and get all the episodes straight to your device.  For the latest news and views from John Silvester (aka Sly of the Underworld), subscribe to The Age  https://subscribe.theage.com.au or the Sydney Morning Herald  https://subscribe.smh.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.