Digest

Dan Sleppian, a Dateline producer for nearly 30 years, shares his personal journey and how his work on Dateline led him to uncover the hidden epidemic of wrongful convictions. He recounts his early career at Dateline, initially believing in the fairness of the justice system, but later gaining a deeper understanding of its complexities through his work with law enforcement. Sleppian describes his childhood dream of working in TV news and his persistence in securing an internship at WNBC, which eventually led to his acceptance into the NBC page program. He shares his journey to Dateline, his dream job, and how the show evolved from covering various topics to focusing on murder mysteries, becoming a pioneer in true crime storytelling. Sleppian recounts his experience on 9/11, witnessing the strength and bravery of first responders, which inspired him to embed with Bronx Homicide detectives. He describes his experience embedding with Bronx Homicide detectives, Bobby Adelorado and John Schwartz, and his initial naivete about the realities of their work. He highlights the stark contrast between the resources and support available to detectives in Vegas and the Bronx. Sleppian shares Bobby Adelorado's story about a case that haunted him, involving two men serving 25 years to life for a murder he believed they did not commit. Adelorado reveals that he knows who the real killers are, setting the stage for the central theme of the book, which explores the stories of six innocent men wrongly imprisoned, highlighting the systemic flaws in the criminal justice system that can lead to wrongful convictions.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Hidden Epidemic of Wrongful Convictions

Dan Sleppian, a Dateline producer for nearly 30 years, introduces his new book, "The Singsing Files," which delves into the stories of six innocent men wrongly imprisoned. He shares his personal journey and how his work on Dateline led him to uncover the hidden epidemic of wrongful convictions.

00:01:43

Early Career and the Power of Trust in the Justice System

Sleppian recounts his early career at Dateline, initially believing in the fairness and impartiality of the justice system. He shares his experience working with law enforcement, particularly during the "Vegas Homicide" series, which gave him a deeper understanding of their work.

00:04:10

The Journey to Dateline: A Dream Job and the Evolution of True Crime

Sleppian describes his childhood dream of working in TV news, specifically at NBC. He recounts his unsuccessful attempts to secure an internship at WNBC and his subsequent internship at Common Cause, which he found intensely boring. He shares his journey to Dateline, his dream job, and how the show evolved from covering various topics to focusing on murder mysteries, becoming a pioneer in true crime storytelling.

00:13:05

The Case that Haunts Bobby Adelorado

Sleppian describes his experience embedding with Bronx Homicide detectives, Bobby Adelorado and John Schwartz, and his initial naivete about the realities of their work. He highlights the stark contrast between the resources and support available to detectives in Vegas and the Bronx. Sleppian shares Bobby Adelorado's story about a case that haunted him, involving two men serving 25 years to life for a murder he believed they did not commit. Adelorado reveals that he knows who the real killers are, setting the stage for the central theme of the book.

Keywords

Q&A

• What inspired Dan Sleppian to write "The Singsing Files"?

  Sleppian's long career at Dateline, where he uncovered numerous cases of wrongful convictions, led him to realize the extent of this hidden epidemic. He felt compelled to share these stories and shed light on the injustices faced by innocent people.

• How did Sleppian's early career at Dateline shape his understanding of the criminal justice system?

  Initially, Sleppian believed in the fairness and impartiality of the justice system. However, his experience working with law enforcement, particularly during the "Vegas Homicide" series, gave him a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by those involved.

• What was the significance of Sleppian's encounter with Tony Guida?

  This chance encounter was a turning point in Sleppian's career. Guida's act of kindness, giving him a contact number, opened doors for him and ultimately led to his dream job at Dateline.

• How did Sleppian's experience on 9/11 influence his decision to embed with Bronx Homicide detectives?

  Witnessing the bravery and selflessness of first responders, particularly the NYPD, during 9/11 inspired Sleppian to gain a firsthand understanding of their work. He wanted to embed with them to see the realities of their job and the challenges they faced.

• What is the central theme of "The Singsing Files"?

  The book explores the stories of six innocent men wrongly imprisoned, highlighting the systemic flaws in the criminal justice system that can lead to wrongful convictions. It also emphasizes the importance of investigative journalism in uncovering the truth and advocating for justice.

Show Notes