Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Is Patricia Esparza Guilty of Murder?

    Almost two decades after the killing of a man who allegedly raped her, psychology professor Patricia Esparza is faced with murder charges. She says she had nothing to do with the revenge killing, but Orange County prosecutors say otherwise. We get the details of this complicated case from a reporter who’s been digging into the past.

    • rss
    • apple-podcasts
    • spotify
    • Share
    By Madeleine Brand • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Almost two decades after the killing of a man who allegedly raped her, psychology professor Patricia Esparza is faced with murder charges. She says she had nothing to do with the revenge killing, but Orange County prosecutors say otherwise. We get the details of this complicated case from a reporter who’s been digging into the past.

    The full episode

    4 of 5
    Presidents Day, Politics, and Pot Laws
    1. 0:00Why Presidents Day Isn't Really Presidents Day
    2. 6:54Racing to Replace Waxman
    3. 17:43Athletes, Sponsorships, and Rule 40
    4. 25:52Is Patricia Esparza Guilty of Murder?You’re reading this
    5. 39:39Banking on Pot
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Andrew Walsh

      Too Beautiful to Live

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Emily Bazelon

      Staff writer, New York Times; co-host, Slate Political Gabfest podcast

      News

    The full episode

    4 of 5
    Presidents Day, Politics, and Pot Laws
    1. 0:00Why Presidents Day Isn't Really Presidents Day
    2. 6:54Racing to Replace Waxman
    3. 17:43Athletes, Sponsorships, and Rule 40
    4. 25:52Is Patricia Esparza Guilty of Murder?You’re reading this
    5. 39:39Banking on Pot
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand