Episode 7
The samantha runnion case, part 1
Behind the Crime Scene - A True Crime Podcast
Episode 7
It’s July 15, 2002.
Five year-old Samantha Runnion is playing with a friend in her front yard in Stanton, California. A man approached and asked the girls to help find his lost dog. He then grabbed Samantha and forced her into his car.
A day later, Samantha’s lifeless body was found by hang gliders in the Cleveland National Forest. She had been sexually assaulted, strangled and staged.
The Sheriff promised the perpetrator on national television, “you can’t run, you can’t hide, we’re going to find you.” They did just that.
Join Gina L Osborn and Tracy Miller Behind the Crime Scene with former Orange County District Attorney David Brent to learn about how he brought a child predator to justice in this three part series. We will also speak with Samantha's mother, Erin Runnion, about how she turned tragedy into helping others through creating the Joyful Child Foundation dedicated to protecting children from abuse, violence and exploitation. https://www.thejoyfulchild.org/
Special Guest
David brent, assistant district attorney
Assistant District Attorney David Brent began his career in the Orange County District Attorney's Office in 1991. He had an outstanding career prosecuting many high profile cases. He was assigned to several trial units including the sexual assault unit and the homicide unit.
One of the many notorious cases he prosecuted was Alexandro Avila who was convicted of first degree murder with special circumstances and sentenced to death for kidnapping, sexually assaulting and murdering five year old Samantha Runnion.
Mr. Brent finished his career in the Orange County District Attorney's Office as the supervisor of the homicide unit, where he taught trial skills to other prosecutors.