Sam Mandez was just 14 years old when his elderly neighbor, Frida Winter, was found murdered in her home, the same home Sam had painted with his grandfather just a few summers prior. It would be years before they set their eyes on Sam as their main suspect. And while he was just a kid when the crime took place, Sam was tried as an adult and eventually sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, he now faced a future behind bars. But what would that future *actually* look like? Today, we’re starting where a lot of other true crime stories end – in prison.
Please be aware that today’s episode discusses incarceration, solitary confinement, severe mental illness, suicide, and self-harm. Please take care while listening.
Action Items Related to Today’s Episode:
If you’re in the United States and you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or visit their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
To learn more about solitary confinement and the movement to end its practice, I highly recommend checking out Solitary Watch at https://solitarywatch.org/.
A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/sam-mandez.
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Culpable: Case Review Returns
Tamla Horsford
Mindy Dodd
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Season 1 Trailer
Introducing "Dear Alana,"
Relisha Rudd Remembrance Day (Republish)
*BONUS* The Real Impacts of True Crime Media w/ Sarah Turney
Special Announcement: Robin + Roiann
*BONUS* Womanhood + True Crime w/ Olivia Gatwood
Ep. 10: Joan Little Pt. 2
Ep. 09: My Story
Ep. 08: Joan Little Pt. 1
Ep. 07: Michael Johnson / Tiger Mandingo
Ep. 06: The Tulsa Race Massacre
Ep. 05: Relisha Rudd
Ep. 04: Josiah Sutton
Ep. 03: Jonestown
Ep. 02: The Botched Investigation of Samuel Little
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