Barry Scheck is no stranger to long fights for justice. As the co-founder and Special Counsel at the Innocence Project, he played a key role in exposing police corruption in KCK and bringing Roc Nation and the United Justice Coalition into the fight. In this bonus episode, he reflects on the progress made and the battles ahead. Plus, major updates from KCK: new revelations about Roger Golubski’s death and a big shift in the civil case filed by five survivors of KCK police violence against the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS.

It Takes An Army

Roger Golubski will never face trial. But accountability and systemic change in KCK are still possible. In episode 8, we examine what justice might look like, and what you can do to help make it a reality. We hear from Tamika Mallory, and Mysonne Linen, two of the founding members of Until Freedom. We also hear from Carmen Perez Jordan, who runs The Gathering for Justice, an organization founded by Harry Belafonte; Peggy Lowe, a journalist at KCUR, Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Executive Director of the Midwest Innocence Project, and Managing Director of Roc Nation’s Team Roc, Dania Diaz.

Advocacy: A Force for Accountability

Davilyn Dobbs, a mother of three sons, reveals how her life took a dark turn after working at the Sheriff’s Department and hearing whispers of police corruption. Initially dismissing the rumors, everything changed when Detective Roger Golubski made an unthinkable proposition: sleep with him to protect her children. What followed was a chilling pattern of retaliation after Davilyn rejected his advances. In 2008, her son, Donnell Dobbs, was convicted of murder— a crime he insists he didn’t commit. Davilyn believes her refusal to comply with Golubski led to Donnell being framed for a crime he had no part in. Nearly two decades later, she’s still fighting for justice, sharing her painful story, and demanding accountability from those in power in Kansas City, Kansas. This episode also includes powerful insights from Dr. Nikia Smith Robert, Assistant Professor of Religious Ethics and Social Justice at the University of Kansas, and Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Executive Director of the Midwest Innocence Project, as they delve into the systemic issues of police misconduct, wrongful convictions, and the fight for justice.

The Cost of Saying No

Doniel Quinn was funny, and kind, and turning his life around. Until his gruesome 1994 murder, one that Roger Golubski allegedly pinned on the wrong man. His true killer was never charged, and the tragic impacts of Doniel's death have extended for generations.  In this episode, Doniel's mother Saundra Newsom remembers her son, and shares her quest for justice. And we talk to attorney Cheryl Pilate about the Blue Code of the KCKPD, and what, if anything, can happen to rebuild trust in a flawed system.

Our Sons: The Ones Killed and the Ones Wrongfully Convicted

Dorothy Cooper’s daughter Starr was only one when her mother went missing. Now, Starr is searching for answers from a police department that’s known for dismissing the cases of missing and murdered Black women, and treating their families with indifference. This episode features conversations with Starr Cooper, Michelle McCormick, the Executive Director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and attorney Cheryl Pilate.

Indifference: The Unsolved Murders of KCK

Violet Martin is still rebuilding from the things that happened to her family in 1997, when her brother and cousin were sentenced to 25 years to life for a crime they did not commit. They say KCKPD Detective Roger Golubski set them up for murder. In this episode, we sit with Violet Martin, and hear from Lora McDonald, Executive Director of MORE2, about how the harm from Roger Golubski’s actions is still being felt today. 

Time, Tears, Money

The scope and scale of what Roger Golubski is accused of doing is horrifying – and many in Kansas City, Kansas say it was an open secret.   In this episode, we unpack what Golubki’s acts did to people, men and women in KCK, and we begin to explore the culture of the KCKPD - with veteran public radio journalist, Peggy Lowe, and Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Executive Director of the Midwest Innocence Project.  

Open Secret

In 2022, Michelle Houcks finally spoke out. For 30 years, she’d been keeping a secret about the man she says raped her. Out of fear for herself and her family, she stayed quiet. Then she started seeing his face on the news, and someone leaked her name.  In this episode, we unpack the charges that KCKPD Detective Roger Golubski was scheduled to face, and hear Michelle’s story.

Who Would Believe Me?

The United Justice Coalition and Roc Nation are returning to New York City for the third UJC Summit, featuring Panel Discussions, Spotlight Conversations, Networking Opportunities, Local and National Charitable Organizations, and more! Convening leaders, advocates, and experts, the 2025 Summit will focus on identifying viable solutions to challenges within our criminal legal system and provide opportunities for attendees to take action. Join us on Friday, May 30, 2025, at The Shed in Hudson Yards (NYC) and stay tuned for more information!

SAVE THE DATE! The UJC Summit returns on May 30, 2025, at The Shed (NYC)!

Some say he met them through his job. Some say he came to their houses, or offered them a ride home. According to dozens of women, Roger Golubski, a detective with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, raped, assaulted and stalked them. Now, after decades of secrecy and fear, he stands trial in Federal Court. Golubski is charged with assault, rape and kidnapping. And he’s been accused of much more.   On Corruption Uncovered, we share stories of the women, the police department and Golubski himself; and we grapple with the questions left in the wake of it all. How could someone prey on so many people without consequence? Who else knew? And what will it take for the community to feel safe again?  Hosted by Josie Duffy Rice. From Roc Nation and its philanthropic and justice division, Team Roc.

Home

Discover

Sign up for free to listen for longer

Home

Discover

Sign up for free to listen for longer

It Takes An Army

Mark as played

Share

About the episode

View all episodes