Untold Streets: America's Hidden Histories•September 21, 2025

The Vanished Witness: When Justice Disappeared in Harlem

In this episode, Marcus and Elena uncover the troubling case of Terrell Jackson, a young man convicted of a 1973 Harlem bodega robbery based solely on one eyewitness's testimony. When that witness, Mrs. Loretta Wilson, recants her identification and then mysteriously vanishes before she can testify, the case exposes the darker side of 1970s policing practices. Against the backdrop of a city in fiscal crisis, this forgotten injustice reveals how easily the scales of justice could be tipped in an era of unchecked police power.

About the Show

Untold Streets: America's Hidden Histories is a deep-dive narrative podcast that uncovers forgotten stories from America's urban past, focusing on cases of injustice, corruption, and the individuals caught in systems larger than themselves. Each episode blends atmospheric storytelling with meticulous historical research, transporting listeners to pivotal moments that shaped our cities but never made the history books.

Meet Your Hosts

Marcus Reynolds

Former investigative journalist with 15 years at the Chicago Tribune, Marcus Reynolds brings firsthand understanding of urban dynamics from his upbringing in the Bronx during the 1980s. With a master's degree in Criminal Justice and years interviewing witnesses and victims of wrongful convictions, Marcus left mainstream media to pursue stories that weren't getting attention, combining his journalist's eye for detail with a passion for uncovering hidden truths.

Dr. Elena Suarez

Cultural historian Dr. Elena Suarez specializes in 20th-century urban America with a focus on marginalized communities. After teaching at Columbia University for a decade, she joined the podcast full-time, bringing academic rigor and compassionate analysis. Her doctoral work focused on witness testimony reliability in high-profile cases from 1960-1990, and as a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Cuba, she offers unique perspectives on American urban history.