Today, we’re sharing the first episode of the 2025 Ambie Award-nominated investigative podcast The Burden from our friends at Orbit Media. The Burden tells the story of detective Louis Scarcella, once celebrated for his prowess in solving tough cases in 1990s New York City. Scarcella becomes embroiled in controversy as a group of convicted murderers uncover Scarcella’s involvement in dozens of cases, leading to the release of over 20 individuals he helped convict. But can these jailhouse lawyers get themselves out too? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Full Episode
Hi, listeners. It's Dugan. Today, we're sharing the first episode of the 2025 Ambie Award-nominated investigative podcast, The Burden, produced by our friends at Orbit Media. The Burden tells the story of decorated detective Luis Garcella, once celebrated for his prowess in solving tough cases in 1990s New York City.
Scarcella becomes embroiled in controversy as a group of convicted murderers turn jailhouse lawyers, who all claim to be innocent, uncover Scarcella's involvement in dozens of cases, leading to the release of over 20 individuals he helped convict. But can these jailhouse lawyers get themselves out too?
The government has paid out a record-breaking $150 million in wrongful conviction settlements, with more to come. Before we dive into the episode, be sure to follow The Burden on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Now, here's the episode.
Dax, this is the first story I ever heard Louis Scarcella tell. The legendary New York detective. Tell me more. So Detective Scarcella is with his partner. They're testifying in court one day. It's lunchtime. The court breaks, and Detective Scarcella and his partner decide that this is the moment to track down a murder suspect.
We park right here. right here there was an italian guy right here smoking a shoot i say venica venica and i showed him the picture he looked at the picture he backed up and he points to the white house lo and behold a man six foot 300 pounds comes out of the house i said that's him i said i'm gonna run him down I gun the car. Screech! Jump out. I run over him. I put the gun on him.
He's got a Sig Sauer in his waistband. A big Sig Sauer. I jump on him. He's going for the gun. I put my Glock to his head and pull the trigger. But the gun's no good. My gun's no good. I deal to my partner. Shoot him! He's bucking me. He's bucking me like a bronco. I grab him and I knock him to the ground.
Do you ever imagine that clock goes off?
I intended it to. I intended it to. What do you want me to do? He's got a six hour going for a six hour. Am I supposed to kiss him?
Welcome to Louie's Brooklyn, where bad guys were around every corner, and it was up to Detective Scarcella to protect the people. They needed me, and I loved doing it. Louie's heyday was the 80s and 90s, and back then, all New Yorkers, even the most liberal columnists, wanted law and order.
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