Jocelyn and Wesley Earnest

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When Jocelyn Earnest was found dead on the floor of her Forest, Virginia home on December 20th, 2007, investigators saw what appeared to be a suicide — a typed note, a gun, a woman in the middle of a painful divorce. But the people who knew Jocelyn best refused to accept that explanation. She had just been offered a promotion at work. She was looking forward to the holidays. She was almost through the divorce. She was making plans.<br /><br />What followed was a years-long legal battle featuring a staged crime scene, forged documents, a critical error in the jury room, and a moment on the witness stand that stopped the courtroom cold — all centered on a single question: did Jocelyn Earnest take her own life, or did someone who knew her well go to great lengths to make it look that way?<br /><br />Today's snack: Baklava from <a href="https://bakery.stjohnmonastery.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St. John's Bakery</a> (thanks Jan!)<br /><br /><a href="https://patreon.com/lovemarrykill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Support us on Patreon</a><br /><br />Sources:<br /><ul><li>Fanning, Diane. Under Cover of the Night: A True Story of Sex, Greed, and Murder. Berkley Books, Penguin Group, 2014.</li><li>Crimesider Staff. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/83-words-and-20-questions-the-mysterious-suicide-note-in-the-jocelyn-branham-earnest-case-04-06-2012/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"83 words and 20 questions: The mysterious suicide note in the Jocelyn Branham Earnest case."</a> CBS News, 4 Jun. 2012.</li><li><a href="https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/Earnest-trial-focuses-on-frame-of-mind-During-the-third-day-of-the-murder-trial-a-175254" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Earnest trial focuses on frame of mind: During the third day of the murder trial of Wesley Earnest, friends of Jocelyn Earnest described her sunny personality. [The Roanoke Times, Va.]."</a> InsuranceNewsNet, 26 Mar. 2010.</li><li><a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/virginia/vawdce/7:2018cv00595/113539/29/?__cf_chl_f_tk=gXnCsiYoRZURTFib7y4Hbn8rGXldYxOkIeJxYHg8_Xo-1782781462-1.0.1.1-9bMBI.USLsp_Gi6k3mZFi517wMt6VN8SjTMhSAAyAww" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Earnest v. Davis et al, No. 7:2018cv00595 - Document 29 (W.D. Va. 2020)."</a> Justia Law.</li><li><a href="http://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/ex-chesapeake-school-official-found-guilty-a-second-time/291-375290732" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Ex-Chesapeake school official found guilty a second time."</a> 13newsnow.com - WVEC.</li><li><a href="http://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/landlords-convicted-wife-killer-violent-vindictive-years-before-murder/291-375340822" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Landlords: Convicted wife killer violent, vindictive years before murder."</a> 13newsnow.com.</li><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/browse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Marriage Secrets."</a> 48 Hours, Apple Podcasts, 19 Dec. 2024.</li><li>Spencer, Marcelena. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/murder-or-suicide-how-did-jocelyn-earnest-die/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Murder or suicide: How did Jocelyn Earnest die?"</a> CBS News, 2 Jun. 2012.</li><li>Earnest, Wesley Brian. <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20-7962/178625/20210510112902136_20210510-111331-00001084-00003545.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Petition for Writ of Certiorari</a>. Supreme Court of the United States, 29 Apr. 2021.</li><li><a href="https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/Testimony-continues-in-Earnest-trial-Evidence-presented-Friday-ruled-out-suicid-a-175471" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Testimony continues in Earnest trial: Evidence presented Friday ruled out suicide in the case of Jocelyn Earnest, prosecutors say. [The Roanoke Times, Va.]."</a> InsuranceNewsNet, 27 Mar. 2010.</li></ul>