Her Own Witness: The Judy Malinowski Story

Episode 83

This week on Crime to Burn, we’re doing something a little different. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this episode honors the extraordinary courage of Judy Malinowski — a woman whose strength changed the law and gave victims of domestic violence a voice that could never again be silenced.

Judy was burned alive by her abuser and spent nearly two years in the hospital, fighting through unimaginable pain to testify against him. Her recorded testimony would later make history — becoming the first time in U.S. history that a victim testified at her own murder trial.

Originally aired on You Should Be Here — a collaborative podcast series where true crime creators donate episodes to support victim advocacy charities — this episode reminds us that justice isn’t just about the courtroom. It’s about courage, resilience, and the lives rebuilt in the aftermath of violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for confidential support.

Support Judy's Foundation Here: https://www.judysfoundation.org/

Listen to You Should Be Here on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The new season, Cases that Haunt us will be out October 25th. 

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Inner Sanctum Acknowledgments:
Eternal gratitude to our Inner Sanctum patrons, Jenny Mercer and Laura Pisciotta, for helping us bring light to the stories others would rather leave in the ashes.

Listener discretion is advised.

Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated 

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Sources: 

• The Judy Malinowski Foundation
  https://www.judysfoundation.org/

• People – “Judy Malinowski’s murderer Michael Slager pleads, sentenced”
  https://people.com/crime/judy-malinowski-murderer-michael-slager-pleads-sentenced/

• New York Post – “Woman testifies against her murderous ex in MTV doc”
  https://nypost.com/2023/05/23/woman-testifies-against-her-murderous-ex-in-mtv-doc/

• Medium – “From the Grave” (Good Vibes Club)
  https://medium.com/good-vibes-club/from-the-grave-aba57d485e0d

• 10TV – “13-year-old daughter of woman set on fire asks lawmakers to pass Judy’s Law”
  https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/13-year-old-daughter-woman-set-fire-asks-lawmakers-pass-judys-law/530-7c29c157-1024-4135-8960-2fe19af2d197

• 10TV – “Judy Malinowski, attack survivor who fought to change Ohio law, dies”
  https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/judy-malinowski-attack-survivor-who-fought-change-ohio-law-dies-33/530-1fe7ee85-aa78-499e-bad3-f065fae1bbcf

• Paramount Plus – “From the Grave” Documentary
  https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/ic8hltRIC14XlBHp1sJ_WHU3GgroSmdj/