{"podcast":{"title":"Crime Time Inc","slug":"crime-time-inc-6621363","podcast_index_feed_id":6621363,"rss_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/64f1fe0ba21165001136d51e","website_url":"https://shows.acast.com/crime-time-inc","image_url":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/64f1fe0ba21165001136d51e/1765290580602-b48cb264-c2f4-4936-85a7-2331ae4e7aae.jpeg","author":"Crime Time Inc","episode_count":292,"summary":"Crime Time Inc. brings real investigative experience to true crime storytelling. Hosted by former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean , the podcast blends authentic policing insight with gripping, long-form narratives. Tom brings decades of investigative leadership from some of Scotland’s most complex cases, while Simon draws on his background in the murder squad and undercover work. Together, they combine sharp analysis, wit, and classic East–West Scottish banter. Every week, Crime Time Inc. delivers: • Deep-dive Scottish and UK policing episodes , where Tom and Simon break down real investigations, procedure, decision-making, and lessons learned from inside the job. • Immersive long-form true crime documentary series , exploring major cases like Charles Manson and the Zodiac Killer, followed by exclusive detective commentary you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you’re here for the insider knowledge or the cinematic storytelling, Crime Time Inc. brings you true crime with the experience and perspective of people who have genuinely lived it. Both Simon and Tom are regular contributors to the American True Crime Podcast, Small Town Dicks hosted by Yardley Smith. Real cases. Real…","last_synced_at":"2026-06-09T14:21:52.721735+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/crime-time-inc-6621363"},"episode":{"title":"The Man With the Hammer: Gary Poste and the Zodiac Killer Theory Explained","slug":"the-man-with-the-hammer-gary-poste-and-the-zodiac-killer-theory-explained","published_at":"2026-04-08T04:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/crime-time-inc-6621363/the-man-with-the-hammer-gary-poste-and-the-zodiac-killer-theory-explained","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/crime-time-inc-6621363","url":"https://shows.acast.com/crime-time-inc/episodes/gary-poste","audio_url":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/64f1fe0ba21165001136d51e/e/69cac7e392d007a76519d40a/media.mp3","summary":"In this episode, Simon and Tom examine one of the most controversial modern Zodiac Killer suspects: Gary Francis Poste . The story begins with a chilling moment—an elderly man, a simple question, and a violent response with a hammer. That moment would later fuel a nationwide media storm and reignite interest in a case that has remained unsolved for over 50 years. We break down the claims made by the Case Breakers , a team of former law enforcement and intelligence professionals who publicly named Poste as the Zodiac in 2021. Key areas explored in this episode: The hammer incident and the credibility of the sole witness Poste’s background: Air Force service, cryptography training, and life in the Bay Area during the Zodiac murders His move to Groveland, California in 1970 —the same year the Zodiac killings stopped Allegations of violence, control, and disturbing behaviour reported by neighbours The forehead scars and how they compare to the Zodiac composite sketch The controversial cipher theory linking Poste’s name to the Zodiac’s coded messages The connection to the Cheri Jo Bates murder —and why police dispute it Claims of hidden weapons caches and a possible trained group of followers The ongoing mystery surrounding DNA evidence —and why it has never been conclusively compared We also examine strong criticism from leading Zodiac researchers, including Tom Voigt, and explore whether the Case Breakers’ evidence holds up under scrutiny. With no confirmed forensic link—no definitive DNA, fingerprints, or handwriting match—the case against Gary Poste remains entirely circumstantial . So why hasn’t law enforcement fully addressed it? And what happens when a suspect dies before answers are found? The Zodiac case remains officially open. And the question still stands: Was G…","meta_description":"In this episode, Simon and Tom examine one of the most controversial modern Zodiac Killer suspects: Gary Francis Poste . The story begins with a chilling…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":999,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/crime-time-inc-6621363/episodes/the-man-with-the-hammer-gary-poste-and-the-zodiac-killer-theory-explained/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/crime-time-inc-6621363/the-man-with-the-hammer-gary-poste-and-the-zodiac-killer-theory-explained.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}