10 episodes
Morally Indefensible truth.media
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- True Crime
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4.3 • 1.8K Ratings
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From Marc Smerling, the creator behind The Jinx and Crimetown, comes a story of murder, friendship and betrayal. In 1979, Ex-Green Beret Doctor Jeffrey MacDonald was convicted of the murders of his pregnant wife and two young daughters. When he meets a famous young journalist named Joe McGinniss, the two become fast friends. Joe agrees to write a book about Jeff’s case to finally reveal the truth. The book, Fatal Vision, became a smash bestseller and a TV limited series watched by millions of people. But the story it told wasn’t the story Jeff expected…And that sets off a series of events that ruins both their lives.
Morally Indefensible is a companion to the FX docuseries, A Wilderness of Error coming to FX September 25, and streaming next day on Hulu.
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Chapter One | February 17th, 1970
Jeffrey MacDonald was the all-American boy. A green beret doctor with the perfect family. Joe McGinniss was a literary sensation - the youngest journalist to ever make the New York Times bestseller’s list. A bloody night in 1970 would bring them together, and change both their lives forever…
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Chapter Two | The Trial
At Doctor Jeffrey MacDonald’s murder trial, journalist Joe McGinniss comes face to face with the evidence, and questions whether his new friend might be a murderer.
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Chapter Three | Pen Pals
Joe heads home to write his book about Jeff’s case while Jeff sits in prison serving three life sentences. But together, they figure out a way for Jeff to tell Joe his darkest secrets…
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Chapter Four | The Confessions
Jeffrey MacDonald’s new lawyers uncover some startling new evidence. Could the murderous hippies be real after all?
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Chapter Five | Friends Become Enemies
Joe McGinniss’s book finally comes out. It’s called Fatal Vision. Jeffrey MacDonald learns what his old friend wrote about him… on national television.
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Chapter Six | How Many Lies Would You Tell to Get to the Truth?
Jeffrey MacDonald finally gets his day in court…civil court, that is. He sues Joe McGinniss for betraying him and lying in his book.
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Customer Reviews
Fascinating True Crime Journalism
I just finished this excellent podcast, and I’m happy to recommend it to anyone who enjoys true crime stories well told, as well as intelligent discussions of journalistic ethics. Bravo!
Totally hooked!
I found myself offering to run errands just so I could get back in the car and listen to this series! I’ve followed the MacDonald case for decades but did not know of the story between him and Joe McGinnis. Fascinating listen. Keep ‘em coming!
Masterfully told
This story grabs you in chapter 1… and won’t let you go. Mark Smerling is amazing. His homework has been thoroughly researched. His team is spectacular. Whatever they do, is done well. Take a listen.