The Veritas 7 Podcast: Truly An Original True-Crime Podcast

 True-crime podcasts can -- and do -- offer us more of a Webb telescope view of our justice system than we've ever had before. Despite podcast networks cooking up as many true-crime podcasts as we can humanly stand, true-crime podcasts often provide several valuable services.

First, these podcasts continue to focus on the unacceptable number of innocent people serving sentences for crimes they did not commit.

Second, these podcasts remind us -- and we need the reminder -- that racism infects the core of our justice system, from police to prosecutors to penitentiaries.  

Third, these podcasts highlight how rich, powerful people (those traits tend to go together) can "game" the justice system due to money, influence, and authority.

Fourth, we have to be cautious about swooning over fictional and documentary-style forensics TV shows because they can -- and do -- position forensics as somehow beyond reproach and incontrovertible evidence.

Finally, unlike some TV "police" reality shows that overdramatize routine police work and reinforce racial and class stereotypes, true-crime podcasts have, for the most part, presented their audience a more balanced view of the criminal justice system

One of the unique true-crime podcasts is a show called Veritas 7. Here's why it's different, and we'll let Kevin Dillon, the creator and host explain: "First, our team doesn’t just report on the evidence and details of the cases we cover as most podcasts do. Instead, we scour dozens and sometimes hundreds of sources to gather all the evidence available regarding the cases we decide to cover, and instead of just reading that evidence to you, or ‘at you’ in myriad ways, we post all of that evidence right on our website, for you to be able to peruse at your convenience, even while you’re listening to the show."

"Second, because The Veritas 7 Unsolved True Crime Podcast only focuses on unsolved cases, we decided to present those cases to you from a prosecutorial perspective – similar to the way the television show Law and Order presents its cases, rather than as a police procedural as almost all other true-crime podcasts do."

"Third, we dedicate the last 30 minutes of every case, to conducting a LIVE round-table discussion and vote between our 7 judges, to ultimately narrow the field to one suspect, and to hand down a verdict of guilt, innocence, or mistrial if we don’t determine there is enough evidence to bring a case against any individual or individuals. And all of that happens with YOU, interacting with our staff LIVE and in real-time, weighing in on how you interpreted the evidence and what you think should be the resulting verdict."

You must credit creator / host Kevin Dillon. He's not in the business of producing and distributing a true-crime podcast. No, he's creating a true-crime podcast that is significantly different from the thousands of true-crime podcasts in the audio universe.

The podcast tackles unsolved cases, some of which are quite well-known, such as the Natalee Holloway case, the Alphabet Murders, and even the DB Cooper case from 1971.

I don't want to give away any more information on the cases in the episodes because the concept is that you are a sleuth on the case.

The concept of an expert cast of 7 host/judges, who will go live - interacting with listeners in real-time - as they cast their votes to either acquit or convict, seems messy and unwieldy. Yet, Dillon makes it work. He's like a maestro with a massive orchestra to guide so that only harmonious notes are played.

The mastermind of Veritas 7 is Kurt Dillon, who holds Master's degrees in Journalism and Forensic Psychology, with minors in Political Science and History. He is the Founder and CEO of WOMEN - Wild Orchid Media & Entertainment Network, Inc. The parent company of The Veracity Report global news network and The Veritas 7 - True Crime Podcast.

It takes a lot of moxie, intelligence, and charisma to pull off the expectations created by the mission statement of Veritas 7, and Dillon is definitely up to the task.

Here's what Dillon explains to listeners: "Hopefully, after learning what sets us apart, you will take our outstretched hands and let us guide you into a realm of completely encapsulating true-crime euphoria. Let us facilitate you as you engage your inner sleuths, stimulate your passion for that which is perplexing and, dare I say, slightly macabre, and put those hundreds (maybe thousands) of hours of true-crime absorption which we all have to good use, as we endeavor to answer the unanswerable."

Finally, Dillon has planted a fertile self-encapsulated universe with Veritas 7. His website is rich and luscious in its design and functionality. The site contains case materials, links to key government agencies, a calendar of upcoming episodes, a "submit a case to the podcast" option, a become a sponsor option, and you can even find out about internships.

Dillon offers club memberships, and sell merchandise on his site. He also has a robust Facebook discussion group.

It's safe to say not too many podcasts -- true-crime or other genre -- have a website and entire organizational structure so built out, and that includes podcasts from large networks like Spotify where money is more plentiful.

In a podcast universe where true-crime podcasts often follow a proven formula, Veritas 7 Unsolved True-Crime podcast gets high marks for originality, execution, and listener participation. 

I revel in Dillon's challenge to potential listeners about Veritas 7: "Now that you know what we’re all about, the only question remaining is….do YOU have what it takes to solve unsolvable cases?"