Unabomber Look Back, Karen Read Trial, Zodiac Killer Deep Dive - Megyn's "True Crime" Mega-Episode - The Megyn Kelly Show Recap

Podcast: The Megyn Kelly Show

Published: 2026-03-15

Duration: 4 hr 11 min

Guests: Terry Turchi, Peter Tragos, Tom Colbert

Summary

The episode delves into three major true crime stories: the capture of the Unabomber, Karen Read's controversial trial, and the ongoing mystery of the Zodiac Killer.

What Happened

The episode opens with an in-depth examination of the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, focusing on his reign of terror and the investigation that led to his capture. Former FBI agent Terry Turchi discusses the meticulous work that went into identifying Kaczynski, highlighting the importance of language and psychological profiling in solving the case. Turchi reflects on how the Unabomber investigation taught law enforcement crucial lessons about handling lone wolf serial bombers.

The conversation shifts to the trial of Karen Read, who was accused of running over her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, and leaving him to die in the snow. Attorney Peter Tragos explores the complexities of the trial, including the prosecution's reliance on circumstantial evidence and the defense's claims of police misconduct. Tragos highlights the courtroom drama and public spectacle surrounding the trial, which resulted in a hung jury and later a not-guilty verdict.

Attention then turns to the infamous Zodiac Killer, a serial murderer who terrorized California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Investigative journalist Tom Colbert presents his theory that the Zodiac was Gary Francis Post, supported by new evidence and witness testimonies. Colbert's team believes they have uncovered significant clues that link Post to the murders, though the case remains officially unsolved.

Colbert discusses the challenges of bringing closure to cold cases, emphasizing the role of modern forensic techniques and persistent investigative work. He describes the evidence his team has gathered, including potential DNA matches and eyewitness accounts, to substantiate their claims about Post's involvement.

The episode also touches on the broader implications of these crime stories, such as the impact of media coverage on public perception and the legacy of high-profile criminal investigations. The conversation suggests that despite advances in technology, the human elements of tenacity and intuition remain vital in solving complex cases.

Finally, the episode questions the role of law enforcement and the justice system in handling high-stakes trials and cold cases. It raises ethical considerations about the balance between public interest and the rights of individuals, underscoring the ongoing fascination with true crime stories.

Key Insights

• The Unabomber case highlighted the use of language and psychological profiling as crucial tools in identifying lone wolf criminals, leading to Ted Kaczynski's capture after a 17-year manhunt.
• Karen Read's trial, which ended in a not-guilty verdict, was marked by a reliance on circumstantial evidence and allegations of police misconduct, demonstrating the complexities of legal proceedings in high-profile cases.
• Investigative journalist Tom Colbert's team has proposed that Gary Francis Post was the Zodiac Killer, citing new evidence such as potential DNA matches and eyewitness accounts, although the case remains officially unsolved.
• Despite advancements in forensic technology, solving complex cold cases still heavily relies on human tenacity and intuition, as demonstrated by ongoing investigations into historical crimes like those of the Zodiac Killer.