A death row inmate’s version of the case—set against a victim’s stark view
This preview, based only on the published show notes, suggests an episode centered on the case prosecutors made against David Wood and his continued denial of that narrative. It also signals a contrasting perspective from a victim of his earlier crimes before the episode heads to death row to hear Wood speak for himself.
This is a preview based solely on the episode’s published notes, not a recap of the audio. Episode 4 appears to focus on the tension between two sharply different portrayals of David Wood. According to the notes, prosecutors justified seeking the death penalty by arguing that Wood was a convicted rapist who became a serial killer. The episode then seems to examine Wood’s long-standing insistence that this account is false. What makes this installment stand out, based on the description, is its structure. Before listeners hear from Wood on death row, the episode first makes room for a victim of his earlier crimes to describe the kind of person she believes he is. That setup suggests an episode interested not just in legal arguments, but in how character, violence, and credibility are understood from very different vantage points. If you’re deciding whether to listen, this sounds like an episode for people drawn to contested narratives in criminal cases—especially where the prosecution’s framing and the defendant’s own account are in direct conflict. The notes point to a serious, potentially unsettling listen that may offer both confrontation and contrast, rather than a simple retelling of charges or verdicts.
About this episode
<p>To justify sentencing David Wood to death, prosecutors argued that he was a convicted rapist turned serial killer. And yet, Wood has insisted all along that isn’t true. We head to death row to hear him tell us why. But not before a victim of his earlier crimes has her say about the kind of person she believes he is.<br><br> To find out about new shows from Serial Productions, and get a look behind the scenes, sign up for our newsletter at <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/serial" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nytimes.com/serialnewsletter.</a><br> Have a story pitch, a tip, or feedback on our shows? Email us at <a href="mailto:serialshows@nytimes.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">serialshows@nytimes.com</a></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>