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It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders
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It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders

Author: Los Angeles Times

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These were murders that would turn any town on its head, but La Jolla, Calif? That rich jewel by the sea? Thirty years ago, a man and his new wife were murdered in their bed. That’s a long time for a double homicide to stay in the public eye and imagination, but these were no ordinary murders. The killer was the man’s first wife, Betty Broderick. Betty and Dan Broderick had looked like the perfect couple, right up until they weren’t. After four children and nearly 15 years of marriage, after the riches they both worked for were finally within reach, he walked out and began having an affair with his assistant. But divorce ended the Brodericks’ marriage only on paper. “Till death do you part” turned out to be the way it would ultimately end: bitter, savage and fatal. It took two criminal trials to send Betty Broderick to prison, and we’ll hear not only from her divorce attorney, but also from the criminal defense attorney who argued for her in two murder trials, plus the foreman of the jury that convicted her. So many things burned this case into memory: The principals were rich. The jealous killer was, for a change, the woman, not the man. It’s been the subject of TV movies and books. It’s resonated with two generations of Americans -- deserted wives, unhappy husbands. And it’s raised some questions about how divorce laws may contribute to what’s called the feminization of poverty. All of these issues remain critical and controversial in contemporary America today. Thirty years after five bullets, two coffins and one California prison inmate No. W42477, why can’t we look away from Betty Broderick?
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Thirty years ago, a man and his new wife were murdered in their bed. That’s a long time for a double homicide to stay in the public eye and imagination, but these were no ordinary murders. The killer was the man’s first wife, Betty Broderick. Betty and Dan Broderick had looked like the perfect couple, right up until they weren’t. After four children and nearly 15 years of marriage, after the riches they both worked for were finally within reach, he walked out and began having an affair with his assistant. But divorce ended the Brodericks’ marriage only on paper. “Till death do you part” turned out to be the way it would ultimately end: bitter, savage and fatal. Thirty years after five bullets, two coffins and one California prison inmate No. W42477, why can’t we look away from Betty Broderick? Premiering May 26th, 2020.
A Fatal Shore | 1

A Fatal Shore | 1

2020-05-2628:243

Episode 1: On her wedding day, April 12, 1969, the newly minted Betty Broderick looked romantically toward a future as enchanting as the lace veil around her shoulders. It was all supposed to be so perfect. But then again, aren’t all marriages, at the start? In the first episode of our podcast, we follow Dan and Betty Broderick from their wedding day through their lean student years of hot-plate dinners, the pressures and strains of her nine pregnancies and his two Ivy League degrees, and their ill-fated move to the shores of La Jolla, Calif.
Bed, Wed and Dead | 2

Bed, Wed and Dead | 2

2020-05-2645:232

Episode 2: You could look at the story of the Brodericks as one beginning and ending in two marital beds. In 1969, it was Betty and Dan’s honeymoon bed. In 1989, it was Dan’s bed with Linda Kolkena, his new wife of not quite seven months. Betty — displaced, dispossessed Betty and her five-shot nickel-plated Smith & Wesson — saw to it that they would never live to share that bed again. In the second episode of our podcast, we chart the saga of betrayal, separation, divorce and murder.
You Got Me | 3

You Got Me | 3

2020-06-0236:571

Episode 3: Dan Broderick and his new wife, Linda, were killed in their bed. In jail, Betty behaved like you'd imagine someone would be after an exorcism — a bit giddy, a bit manic. She wasn’t sorry, not for a moment. In the third episode of our podcast, we hear why Betty’s first murder trial ended in a hung jury, learn more about Linda Broderick from a close friend, and begin Betty’s second murder trial.
Episode 4: One of the most sensational moments in Betty Broderick’s second murder trial was straight out of a TV courtroom drama. As Betty’s defense attorney Jack Earley was asking about her kids’ welfare, he dropped a bombshell: He had witnesses ready to testify that Dan Broderick had talked about hiring a hitman to kill Betty. In the final episode of our podcast, we hear from one man Earley wanted to call to the stand, from the foreman of the jury at the trial, and from fans lobbying for Betty’s release.
Hello, “It Was Simple” listeners. Up next, you’ll hear the first of three episodes of "Dirty John Season 2: The Podcast," a paid podcast from USA Network. This 3-episode series goes behind the scenes of the USA Network's new television series "Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story," a re-telling of the riveting and complex tale of Betty Broderick. Bonus Episode 1: To understand why the story of Betty Broderick endures, the creative minds behind the series – Executive Producer, Writer and Director Alexandra Cunningham, along with Executive Producer Jessica Rhoades – explain the importance of the cultural climate of the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as how they approached this complex case so many years later. Paid for by USA Network and produced by LA Times Studios; the Los Angeles Times Newsroom was not involved in the creation of this series.
Hello, “It Was Simple” listeners. Up next, you’ll hear the second of three episodes of "Dirty John Season 2: The Podcast," a paid podcast from USA Network. This 3-episode series goes behind the scenes of the USA Network's new television series "Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story," a re-telling of the riveting and complex tale of Betty Broderick. Bonus Episode 2: The creators of Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story share their insights on what it took to bring a fresh approach to this enduring story, including the role of female directors in the re-telling the infamous murder. Among the directors whose work shaped the series are Maggie Kiley and Series Director Alexandra Cunningham, who made her directorial debut.Paid for by USA Network and produced by LA Times Studios; the Los Angeles Times Newsroom was not involved in the creation of this series.
Hello, “It Was Simple” listeners. Up next, you’ll hear the last of three episodes of "Dirty John Season 2: The Podcast," a paid podcast from USA Network. This 3-episode series goes behind the scenes of the USA Network's new television series "Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story," a re-telling of the riveting and complex tale of Betty Broderick. Bonus Episode 3: In this episode, the actors from Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story talk about prepping for their roles – including the challenges of playing Betty Broderick herself, a character brought to life by Amanda Peet.Paid for by USA Network and produced by LA Times Studios; the Los Angeles Times Newsroom was not involved in the creation of this series.
Introducing Firebug

Introducing Firebug

2021-07-2107:191

For ten years, a fire bug terrorized Southern California, burning down businesses in broad daylight. Four people had died. Then a manuscript for a novel leads investigators to the last person they would have ever suspected. From Truth.Media, host Kary Antholis and executive producer Marc Smerling (The Jinx, Wilderness of Error, Crimetown) comes the true-crime series Firebug. The series launches July 21st. 
In Season 1 of “Binge Sesh,” co-hosts Matt Brennan and Kareem Maddox pull back the curtain on HBO’s “Winning Time” series about the L.A. Lakers of the 1980s, one of the sports’ most unforgettable dynasties. Every week, we bring you stories from the locker room, the soundstage, and the L.A. Times archives as we explore how “Showtime” transformed the NBA — and American culture.Enjoy this sneak peek, and be sure to listen and follow wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more at latimes.com/bingesesh. 
Border City is a new L.A. Times Presents podcast from the San Diego Union-Tribune. From Sandra Dibble, a journalist who spent more than 25 years covering the border, comes a story about beauty, violence and belonging in Tijuana, one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Enjoy this sneak peek, and be sure to listen and follow wherever you listen to podcasts.
Introducing 'Foretold'

Introducing 'Foretold'

2023-05-1809:08

"Foretold" is the newest podcast from the L.A. Times, and we're sharing a preview of the first episode with you here today. In the fall of 2019, reporter Faith E. Pinho received a tip from a woman named Paulina Stevens. Paulina claimed she had grown up in an insular Romani community in California, where she was raised to be a wife, mother and fortuneteller — until she decided to break away. That first call unraveled a story spanning multiple continents, hundreds of years, and complex metaphysical realities.  Follow "Foretold" to hear new episodes every Tuesday. 
Comments (28)

K C

Was too short but I liked it better than the TV show just released.

Jun 11th
Reply

Erin Peters

podcast has so much potential but this was a rushed series, lacking details and character development.

Aug 25th
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Erica Booth

I’m so sorry, I love this podcast, but honestly who’s daughter or niece got the ad job? “Omg like totally it’s so sad burying someone, try this but like omg these diamonds are like so cool” if she continues with the advertising please teach her how most people don’t uptalk and it’s not very appropriate when speaking on these topics

Aug 25th
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Hillary Brazell

Nothing to ruin what could be an interesting story with some sidelined political propaganda. Pretty sure I only learned that I shouldn't trust anyone born in 1947 lol. If your trying to use Hillary Clinton as a contrast to Betty, the biggest difference between them is that Betty couldn't afford the same lawyers.

Jul 24th
Reply (1)

Charlene Morgan

Such a one sided podcast...

Jul 24th
Reply

Cristina Corales

OMG! Quoting the man on the moon statement. Just filler. This podcast is all talk with no substance.

Jul 9th
Reply

Cristina Corales

And why is the podcast playing Hillary Clinton electioneering? Has nothing to do with the story.

Jul 9th
Reply (2)

Cristina Corales

I have listened to this and have no idea who is Betty and what the podcast is about. I think it's written only for people from USA.

Jul 9th
Reply (2)

Astrid Stansted

I love absolutely everything about the podcast. please make another story !

Jul 8th
Reply

Julia Higgins

I have trouble buying that a professional of Dan Brodericks caliber is talking about hiring a hitman in a bar within earshot of this ding dong. this guy sounds out of his gd mind.

Jul 1st
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Suzanne Hubbard Gerken

I love the content of this podcast but it jumps around like crazy. It gets a little confusing. I feel as if the podcaster forgets we don't know the content as well as she.

Jun 30th
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Laura Eckmann

Any woman who cheats knowingly with a married man has serious issues with their self esteem. It's incredibly selfish to have an affair. If you want a divorce get a divorce but what Dan and Linda did was selfish and destructive for everyone. Sad that Dan couldn't have just gotten divorced first without needing a woman to take care of him first. Betty clearly had serious mental health issues but if Dan was cold and calculated as he sounds he probably mentally abused Betty.

Jun 23rd
Reply

ADS

Is it true Dan and Linda had an affair while Dan and Betty were still married?

Jun 15th
Reply (1)

LittleMissPerfect ForYou

i cant believe she considers herself a battered woman

Jun 12th
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Evan Ferris

if it was a man committing the same crime people wouldn't care about him at all. the victims in this case were overshadowed by her insane actions blaming them.

Jun 9th
Reply (1)

Yoga Squirrel

great H to be6 by r you 4

Jun 6th
Reply (3)

Carol Shuemake Brinker

why is it so fast? it appears sped up.

May 28th
Reply (1)
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