Under The Yellow Tape Podcast with Howard Ryan

Was it an uncontrollable psychotic break, or a calculated, deliberate act? In this episode of Under the Yellow Tape, retired homicide investigator Howard "Howie" Ryan sits down with veteran homicide prosecutor Michelle Miller (Essex County, NJ) to break down one of the most polarizing and emotionally charged legal battles in recent history: the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. Unlike typical cases where the physical evidence and the perpetrator’s identity are fiercely contested, Clancy admitted to strangling her three young children—Cora (5), Dawson (3), and 8-month-old Callan. The entire legal war centered squarely on her state of mind, the controversial defense of postpartum psychosis, and the claim of lack of criminal responsibility. Howie and Michelle step inside the courtroom well to analyze the real trial dynamics that mainstream headlines ignored: The 18-Minute Timeline: Why the defense’s claim of an acute psychotic episode clashes with the deliberate logistics—ordering takeout from an unfamiliar restaurant, checking driving distances, and sending her husband on calculated errands. The Legal Defense Masterclass: How defense attorney Kevin Reddington flipped the script to put the healthcare system on trial, framing Clancy as the victim rather than the perpetrator. Patrick Clancy’s Testimony: The heartbreaking balance between devastating loss, compassion, and the complex civil litigation running in parallel. The Fallout of a Mistrial: The dangerous precedent set by post-trial attacks on the holdout juror, juror doxxing, courtroom optics (including jurors wearing pink), and why the Commonwealth must retry this case. The Human Cost on Responders: The lasting trauma carried by the first responders, investigators, and paramedics who walked into the basement that evening. Special Guest: Michelle Miller is a career homicide trial attorney with over 25 years in one of the busiest prosecutorial jurisdictions in the Northeast, recognized for her relentless courtroom advocacy on behalf of victims and their families. Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Support the show and grab a bag of Sheepdog Java (Overwatch Blend): 👉 https://www.sheepdogjava.com Subscribe to Under the Yellow Tape for veteran, no-BS perspectives from investigators and prosecutors who have spent decades behind the police line and inside the courtroom.Lindsey

The death of John O’Keefe. The case against Karen Read. Compelling evidence, a mishandled crime scene, and an investigation that raised as many questions as it sought to answer.

In this episode of Under the Yellow Tape, Howard Ryan examines the case through the eyes of a career forensic investigator, separating the evidence from the speculation and the facts from the controversy. What evidence supported the prosecution? How were critical aspects of the crime scene handled, and what investigative missteps created opportunities for doubt? And when the integrity of an investigation comes into question, how does that affect the pursuit of justice?

Beyond the headlines, media narratives, and courtroom drama lies a deeper lesson about the importance of sound investigative practices, meticulous evidence collection, and accountability. Because in forensic investigations, it’s not just what the evidence reveals—it’s how that evidence is discovered, documented, preserved, and presented that can make all the difference.

Listen in as we discuss how investigators broke down the lack of safety procedures and oversight which led to the shooting death of Halyna Hutchins!

Join us as we take a detailed look at how law enforcement in Idaho responded to a horrific quadruple homicide, kept the investigation quiet, and hunted down a criminology graduate student as the alleged killer! A combination of new technology and old-fashioned police work brought this suspect back to Idaho to face justice after making a cross-country drive home for the holidays.

Two young women were sexually assaulted, strangled to death, and left on the side of the highway 30 years ago.  One in Texas and the other in California.  See how investigators used a popular genealogy DNA database to find the man responsible.  Investigators in Riverside, California, and the Texas Rangers never gave up hunting down the predator,  Douglas Thomas, for the 1992 murder of Shenda Denise Hayes and the 1993 murder of Sherri Herrera.

Victim of Politics?..... or just another entitled American athlete?

"Drop the taser!"

Drop the weapon, means drop the weapon!

From hitting rock bottom in a prison cell, to becoming a friend, a motivational speaker, and an advocate for change! Find out why his story is not only about healing other victims... but also the man who put him in jail!

How radical political agendas change the criminal justice system.