Bone Valley season one was voted one of the best podcasts of 2022. It definitely made my top 5 list that year. So when I heard that season two was dropping in the spring of 2025, I was ready to listen no matter the story. But the story that is being told…. wow. And I do not think anyone other than Gilbert King could tell it in a true, authentic way. He is a masterful storyteller. Even though I had already started season two, I still listened to the review of the podcast on Crime Writers On. We don’t always agree on all things true crime, but I do rely on them for new content to check out.
Bone Valley season one told the story of the wrongfully convicted Leo Scholfield. He served 36 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Another man confessed to the crime but no one believed him. That person is the focus of Bone Valley season two. In one of the episodes in season one, a prosecutor is on tape taunting Jeremy Scott because he doesn’t even have enough money for toothpaste and how sad that was for him. Someone listening sent him $20 and a letter and that made a huge difference in Jeremy’s life. He not only got some toothpaste, but also a pen pal. And not a “I want to fall in love with a prisoner” pen pal, but an honest to goodness friend. Did Jeremy Scott commit terrible crimes? Absolutely. But does that mean he doesn’t deserve at least one person to be kind to him? Kindness doesn’t condone his crimes, but it does honor the fact that he is a human being with actual feelings.
So many people in prison started off with less than stellar life circumstances. Jermey Scott had a head injury as a child, which some think could be related to his volatile behavior. We need more of a focus on restorative justice so that peaceful acceptance can happen. Who does it help to hate and be angry? It should not take one kind person who listens to a podcast to bring some basic happiness to another human being.
Everyone has feelings.