Crying Wolf Podcast: Inside Chicago’s Broken Justice System and a Friendship That Fought Back

In a world where the line between truth and justice often blurs, a new true crime podcast titled Crying Wolf has set out to peel back the layers of corruption, loyalty, and tragedy buried within Chicago’s justice system. Produced by iHeartPodcasts and Clockwork Films, with production support from Chalk + Blade, this 10-part investigative audio series delves into wrongful convictions, police misconduct, and an extraordinary friendship that defied the odds.

Podcast cover art for Crying Wolf podcast cover art

The Premise: A Justice System Built on Lies

At the heart of Crying Wolf lies the haunting story of Lee Harris, a man whose life was stolen by a justice system he once believed in. Convicted of murder and sentenced to 90 years in prison, Lee’s ordeal began with a coerced confession — a common but devastating tactic in Chicago’s history of police corruption.

The Man Behind the Mic

The podcast is hosted by Dax-Devlon Ross, an acclaimed journalist and author known for his powerful storytelling on race, justice, and social inequality. Ross brings both empathy and journalistic rigor to this deeply human tale — one that exposes not just a broken system, but also the resilience and redemption found within it.

“What drew me to this story wasn’t just the wrongful conviction or the corrupt detective,” Ross explains.
“It was the friendship — the relentless loyalty that refused to die, even behind prison walls.”


Inside the Walls: A Friendship Forged in Confinement

While serving his sentence, Lee Harris met Robert, another inmate whose intellect and tenacity stood out. Against the odds, the two developed a remarkable friendship — one that would ultimately lead to justice.

Robert’s Mission for the Truth

Robert, driven by loyalty and moral conviction, spent two decades studying legal documents, researching case files, and unearthing evidence of systemic misconduct. His investigation eventually revealed the flaws in Lee’s conviction and exposed a disturbing network of police corruption and fabricated confessions.

When Lee was finally released in 2023, the victory was bittersweet. Only months later, tragedy struck again — Lee died unexpectedly, leaving Robert to continue their shared mission for justice and truth.

“In prison, Lee showed him a simple kindness,” Ross recalls.
“In return, Robert spent twenty years fighting for his freedom. That kind of loyalty — that kind of empathy — is rare.”


Unmasking Chicago’s Dark Legacy

Chicago has long been a flashpoint in America’s conversation about law enforcement and justice. The Crying Wolf podcast boldly confronts the city’s tainted history of wrongful convictions, exposing how systemic rot continues to ruin lives.

The Shadow of Detective Richard Zuley

Central to the story is Detective Richard Zuley, a name infamous among those familiar with Chicago’s police scandals. Zuley’s interrogation methods — which included psychological manipulation and intimidation — resulted in multiple false confessions and overturned convictions.

The series exposes Zuley’s pattern of misconduct, revealing how he operated unchecked for years within a culture that rewarded “results” over truth.

Key revelations from the podcast include:


The Dana Feitler Case: Another Tragic Mystery

Beyond Lee Harris’s story, Crying Wolf revisits the unsolved 1989 murder of Dana Feitler, a Chicago graduate student whose death remains a dark stain on the city’s history.

The podcast explores how corruption and negligence derailed the original investigation, allowing the real perpetrator to go unpunished — and highlighting how justice, once compromised, leaves lasting scars on victims’ families.


Voices Behind the Mic: Collaboration and Creative Powerhouses

iHeartPodcasts x Clockwork Films

With Crying Wolf, iHeartPodcasts continues to expand its true crime empire, partnering with Clockwork Films — known for cinematic storytelling — and Chalk + Blade, specialists in high-quality audio production.

Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, praised the collaboration:

Crying Wolf is a powerful example of what makes investigative audio storytelling so compelling — gripping, eye-opening, and deeply human. We’re proud to partner with Clockwork Films to bring this story to life.”

Naomi Harvey, Executive Producer at Clockwork Films, echoed the sentiment:

“This is an extraordinary story of friendship and courage. Our goal was to create a narrative that’s both haunting and hopeful — a mirror reflecting what justice could and should be.”


A Rare Story of Loyalty and Humanity

In a genre often dominated by violence and mystery, Crying Wolf offers something different — a story about friendship, loyalty, and the human capacity for good, even in the darkest circumstances.
It’s a reminder that true crime isn’t always about the crime itself — sometimes it’s about what survives in its aftermath.

Ross sums it up best:

“No matter how bleak it got, Robert never quit.
My hope is that Crying Wolf reminds us of our deeper capacity to see and care for one another — despite our differences.”


What Listeners Can Expect from Crying Wolf

This isn’t just another true crime series — it’s a socio-political investigation wrapped in emotional storytelling. Each episode peels back another layer of the justice system, revealing how bureaucracy, bias, and corruption intertwine to destroy lives.

Episode Themes Include:

  1. The Confession That Wasn’t – How Lee Harris was pressured into admitting to a crime he didn’t commit.
  2. Inside the Interrogation Room – The psychological warfare behind coerced confessions.
  3. Robert’s Crusade – How one inmate became an accidental lawyer.
  4. The Dirty Detective – A deep dive into Richard Zuley’s notorious career.
  5. The Feitler Files – Unpacking another unsolved murder clouded by corruption.
  6. Freedom’s Cost – The aftermath of Lee’s release and the emotional toll of lost years.
  7. The System on Trial – Legal experts dissect how Chicago became ground zero for wrongful convictions.
  8. Echoes of Injustice – The ripple effects on families, communities, and public trust.
  9. Robert’s Reckoning – Continuing the mission after Lee’s death.
  10. Crying Wolf Revisited – A reflection on friendship, forgiveness, and reform.

Behind the Scenes: Crafting a Modern True Crime Masterpiece

Crying Wolf isn’t just an audio series — it’s an immersive storytelling experience.
The production team employed cinematic soundscapes, authentic recordings, and emotionally charged interviews to make listeners feel as though they’re walking the prison corridors and courtrooms alongside Lee and Robert.

Production Highlights:


A Mirror for Modern America

The release of Crying Wolf couldn’t be more timely. In 2025, the U.S. continues to grapple with issues of mass incarceration, racial bias, and institutional mistrust.
Chicago — long seen as both a symbol of urban resilience and systemic dysfunction — serves as the perfect backdrop for this cautionary tale.

The podcast forces listeners to confront difficult questions:


Bonus Content: The Anthony Garrett Case

In addition to the main 10 episodes, Crying Wolf includes two bonus installments focused on the Anthony Garrett case — another chilling example of wrongful conviction tied to corrupt investigative practices.
These episodes expand the podcast’s mission: to shed light on the hidden victims of injustice and challenge listeners to demand reform.


How to Listen

Crying Wolf launches October 22, 2025, on all major podcast platforms, including:

Each episode offers roughly 45–60 minutes of gripping, fact-based storytelling designed to keep listeners both engaged and enraged.


Why Crying Wolf Will Resonate with Audiences


Final Thoughts: Crying Wolf and the Power of Storytelling

At its core, Crying Wolf is more than a podcast — it’s a movement toward awareness and accountability.
By amplifying the voices of those silenced by corruption and betrayal, it challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about how justice really works — and who it fails.

The story of Lee and Robert stands as a modern parable of friendship, loyalty, and the moral courage to fight against impossible odds.
It reminds us that, even in a system designed to dehumanize, compassion can still thrive — and that one voice can change the course of another’s life.

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