S5 E6: The Trial

In February 1980, John Wayne Gacy stood trial in Chicago on thirty-three murder charges — the largest number ever brought against one person in the United States. This episode follows the five-week trial: the families who testified, the insanity defence, the survivor who broke down on the stand, and the jury that took less than two hours to return guilty verdicts on every count. How did a respected neighbour, businessman and clown convince a courtroom he was insane — and why did the jury reject it so fast? Marcus traces the prosecution's case for planning and control, the battle of the psychiatrists, and the death sentence handed down on 13 March 1980. New episodes daily — one complete case every season. Music by SINIUS (Free Music Archive, CC-BY 4.0).