Accused Murderer Sam Haskell Trial Delay
Digest
This podcast episode delves into the disturbing case of Sam Haskell, the son of a famous Hollywood agent, who is accused of murdering his wife, May Haskell, and her parents. The episode begins with a brief introduction to the topic, mentioning a backpack containing a bomb at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and subsequent attacks on abortion clinics and a lesbian bar. The episode then focuses on the case of Sam Haskell, exploring the details of the crime, including the discovery of a female torso in a dumpster, the police investigation, and Haskell's court appearances. The episode discusses the delays in the case and the suspicions surrounding them, questioning why Haskell, a wealthy and privileged defendant, is receiving special treatment in court. The episode also explores the relationship between Haskell and his wife, May, and the role of her parents in their lives. The episode reveals the story of the day laborers who were hired by Haskell to dispose of trash bags from his garage and discovered body parts in the bags, reporting it to the police but being initially sent on a wild goose chase by the authorities. The episode features the testimony of a neighbor who heard a young boy calling for help and a car driving away from Haskell's house the night before the torso was found. The episode also explores the psychological profile of a person who commits murder and dismembers the body. The episode discusses Haskell's court appearances, where he has repeatedly appeared shirtless, and explores the reasons for the delay in the preliminary hearing and the potential consequences for Haskell if he is convicted.
Outlines
The Case of Sam Haskell
This episode delves into the disturbing case of Sam Haskell, the son of a famous Hollywood agent, who is accused of murdering his wife, May Haskell, and her parents. The episode explores the details of the crime, including the discovery of a female torso in a dumpster, the police investigation, and Haskell's court appearances.
Delays and Suspicions in the Case
The episode discusses the delays in the case and the suspicions surrounding them, questioning why Haskell, a wealthy and privileged defendant, is receiving special treatment in court. The episode also explores the relationship between Haskell and his wife, May, and the role of her parents in their lives.
The Day Laborers and the Discovery of the Body Parts
The episode reveals the story of the day laborers who were hired by Haskell to dispose of trash bags from his garage and discovered body parts in the bags, reporting it to the police but being initially sent on a wild goose chase by the authorities.
The Neighbor's Testimony and the Suspicious Events
The episode features the testimony of a neighbor who heard a young boy calling for help and a car driving away from Haskell's house the night before the torso was found. The episode also explores the psychological profile of a person who commits murder and dismembers the body.
Haskell's Court Appearances and the Delay in the Preliminary Hearing
The episode discusses Haskell's court appearances, where he has repeatedly appeared shirtless, and explores the reasons for the delay in the preliminary hearing and the potential consequences for Haskell if he is convicted.
Keywords
Sam Haskell
Sam Haskell is the son of a famous Hollywood agent who is accused of murdering his wife and her parents. He is a director and has posted several clips online of low budget videos he wrote and filmed.
May Haskell
May Haskell is the wife of Sam Haskell and the mother of their three children. She was a hardworking woman who supported her family while Sam Haskell was unemployed. She was described as a sweet, generous, and caring person by her friends and neighbors.
Tarzana
Tarzana is a neighborhood in Los Angeles County, California. It is known for its beautiful homes, lush green spaces, and good schools. Sam Haskell lived in a multi-million dollar home in Tarzana with his wife and children.
William Morris Agency
The William Morris Agency is a talent and entertainment agency based in Beverly Hills, California. Sam Haskell's father, Sam Haskell III, was a high-profile agent with the William Morris Agency, representing stars like George Clooney and Dolly Parton.
Dismemberment
Dismemberment is the act of destroying or removing a large part of the body, such as the torso, arms, hands, pelvis, legs, or feet. It is often done to dispose of a body and avoid detection.
Mass Murder
Mass murder is the killing of multiple people in a single event. It is often characterized by a lack of planning and a motive that is not immediately clear.
Preliminary Hearing
A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding where a judge determines whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. In Haskell's case, the preliminary hearing was delayed for 90 days, meaning that he will not face trial until 2025.
Q&A
What is the main focus of this episode?
The episode focuses on the case of Sam Haskell, who is accused of murdering his wife and her parents. The episode explores the details of the case, the police investigation, and the delays in the legal proceedings.
What are some of the suspicious circumstances surrounding the case?
The suspicious circumstances include the discovery of a female torso in a dumpster, the day laborers who were hired to dispose of trash bags containing body parts, and the neighbor's testimony about hearing a young boy calling for help.
What is the psychological profile of a person who commits murder and dismembers the body?
According to experts, dismemberment is often done to dispose of a body and avoid detection. It can also be a sign of a disturbed or unwell individual.
What are the potential consequences for Sam Haskell if he is convicted?
Haskell could face the death penalty if he is convicted of the murders. The episode also discusses the possibility of him being found guilty of lesser charges, such as manslaughter.
What is the significance of the delays in the preliminary hearing?
The delays in the preliminary hearing raise questions about whether Haskell is receiving special treatment due to his wealth and privilege. The delays also mean that the victims' families will have to wait longer for justice.
Show Notes
A group of day laborers is hired by Sam Haskell IV to remove three bags of what they are told, are rocks from his garage
The men described the bags as "soft and soggy," with each weighing about 50 pounds. A block away from Haskell's house, the workers opened up the bags and said they saw body parts. The men returned the bag to Haskell and returned his money. Haskell played it off, telling the workers what they actually saw were Halloween props. The men drove immediately to the police.
The men try to report what they have seen to police but they are turned away. The men went to the Highway Patrol station first but were told to go to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The LAPD Topanga Station tells the men to go back outside and call 911 from the courtyard. In the meantime, police receive another call about human remains, A homeless man, digging through the dumpster looking for recyclables, finds human remains.
Inside the dumpster, LAPD found a torso in a bag. The investigation provided detectives with enough information to lead them to Samuel Haskell IV's residence.
Sam Haskell's most recent court appearance has delayed the start of his trial.
Joining Nancy Grace Today:
- Elle Benami - -Friend and neighbor of Mei & Samuel Haskell IG: @ellebenami
- Troy Slaten – Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Slaten Lawyers, APC; Twitter @TroySlaten
- Dr. Gary Brucato – Clinical Psychologist and Author: “The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime”
- Chris McDonough – Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective; Host of YouTube channel: “The Interview Room”
- Dr. Michelle Dupre – Forensic Pathologist and former Medical Examiner, Author: “Homicide Investigation Field Guide” & “Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide”, Ret. Police Detective Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
- Dr. Trace Sargent- Search, Rescue & Recovery Expert, (Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus on victimology – criminal profiling – predator behaviors – crime scene analysis); Podcast: “The Seeker’s Quest;” Facebook: The Seeker’s Quest
- Alexis Tereszcuk – CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter, Writer/Fact Checker for Lead Stories; Twitter: @swimmie2009
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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