In Her Defence: 50th Street

The 1987 case of Angelique Lavallee provides a roadmap for the “battered woman defence.” Canada’s first female Supreme Court justice, Bertha Wilson, attempts to expose systemic sexism in the justice system. Helen is charged with first-degree murder, and has to decide whether to accept a plea deal or go to trial.Elizabeth Sheehy’s book is Defending Battered Women on Trial: Lessons from the Transcripts.Theme song, “The Fighter,” by Jenn Grant.Learn more about this podcast and domestic violence in Canada, or sign up for our newsletter at tgam.ca/inherdefenceE-mail the reporter at jpruden@globeandmail.comIf you’re experiencing intimate partner violence and want to talk to someone, you can find resources and your nearest shelter at sheltersafe.caNew subscribers to The Globe and Mail get a deal at globeandmail.com/podcastdeal

Helen is sent to prison for the death of her husband. Around the country, people object to her sentence and the way she’s treated in court. In the isolation of prison, Helen wonders whether she’s done something wrong by accepting the deal, and has to consider what to do next.Theme song, “The Fighter,” by Jenn Grant.Learn more about this podcast and domestic violence in Canada, or sign up for our newsletter at tgam.ca/inherdefenceEmail the reporter at jpruden@globeandmail.comIf you’re experiencing intimate partner violence and want to talk to someone, you can find resources and your nearest shelter at sheltersafe.caNew subscribers to The Globe and Mail get a deal at globeandmail.com/podcastdeal

Appealing a plea deal is a long-shot, but defence lawyer Mona Duckett wants to take it on. The Crown says justice has been served. The Court of Appeal considers Helen’s future.Theme song, “The Fighter,” by Jenn Grant.Learn more about this podcast and domestic violence in Canada, or sign up for our newsletter at tgam.ca/inherdefenceE-mail the reporter at jpruden@globeandmail.comIf you’re experiencing intimate partner violence and want to talk to someone, you can find resources and your nearest shelter at sheltersafe.caNew subscribers to The Globe and Mail get a deal at globeandmail.com/podcastdeal

Did Helen really kill Miles? A burning question remains. As Helen works toward release from prison, we think about what made Miles who he was, and consider the legacy of his violence.Theme song, “The Fighter,” by Jenn Grant.Learn more about this podcast and domestic violence in Canada, or sign up for our newsletter at tgam.ca/inherdefenceE-mail the reporter at jpruden@globeandmail.comIf you’re experiencing intimate partner violence and want to talk to someone, you can find resources and your nearest shelter at sheltersafe.caNew subscribers to The Globe and Mail get a deal at globeandmail.com/podcastdeal

In this special bonus episode, our host Jana Pruden sits down with Crime Story’s Kathleen Goldhar to discuss the question, “How should we deal with women who kill their abusers?” You can listen to more incredible tales of true crime every week on Crime Story. Find them in your podcast app, or here: https://link.chtbl.com/DreYfAFBPlus, details of In Her Defence season 2 are coming soon!

Do you recognize this man’s voice?Coming this fall, In Her Defence: 50th Street investigates the unsolved murder of Amber Tuccaro, who disappeared from the Edmonton area in 2010. Amber left an important clue: A haunting recording of what appear to be the final moments of her life – and the voice of the man who may be her killer.Do you have information about Amber’s murder? Contact reporter Jana Pruden at jpruden@globeandmail.com or by phone/ text at 780-265-5262The portrait of Amber is by Lauren Crazybull. The show’s theme song is “No Surrender” by Ms.PAN!KResources for people affectedSupport for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society www.irsss.ca.The Indian Residential School Survivors Society also offers 24-hour support through the Lamathut crisis line toll-free at 1-800-721-0066.The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can also contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.Learn moreNational Centre for Truth and ReconciliationTruth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to ActionReclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Amber Tuccaro flies south to Edmonton with her baby and a new friend, and vanishes. Amber’s family doesn’t trust the police investigation, and her relatives and friends do everything they can to find her and bring attention to her case. Police find a stunning piece of evidence.E-mail the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.comLearn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.Individuals affected by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.Support for families affected by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.caIn Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.

Amber’s cousin gives us a tour of Fort Chipewyan, the northern Alberta community where Amber was raised. We learn about Amber’s life before she disappeared, and about the threats that were facing Indigenous women in Edmonton. The police investigation changes significantly after the discovery of a recorded phone call that seems to record the final moments of Amber’s life – and the voice of the man who may be her killer.E-mail the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.comLearn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.Individuals affected by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.Support for families affected by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.caIn Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.

Police decide to release the tape to the public, hoping someone will recognize the voice of the man who was with Amber when she disappeared. Amber’s remains are found in a field outside the city, close to where four other women have been found, raising the spectre of a serial killer. A raven visits.Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.comLearn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.caIn Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.

A notorious serial killer prompts a broad reckoning around the murder of Indigenous women and girls in Canada. Amber’s family files an official complaint around how her missing persons investigation was handled, and a review of the case forces a public apology — with an unexpected twist. Questions persist about Evangeline, the last person known to have seen Amber alive.Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.comLearn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca.In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.

The release of the voice brings out a flood of tips and suspects. Experts study the tape for clues about the voice, while police come to realize the recording doesn’t have the investigative value they once hoped. Amber’s biological brother says he knows who killed Amber.Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.comLearn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.caIn Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.

What was Amber doing when she disappeared? Police provide some new information about the rest of the phone call, and their investigation. Amber’s mother faces a serious new threat, but vows to keep fighting.Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.comLearn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca.In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.

In this bonus episode, we share Jana's interview with The Decibel's Menaka Raman-Wilms. Follow The Decibel for more stories from The Globe and Mail's newsroom, delivered to you every weekday morning.