The Arc Towards Justice

The Story of Alexander McClay Williams who was put to death by the state of Pennsylvania for the murder of Vida Robare.

Benjamin Meader 2/3/22 Benjamin Meader 2/3/22

Ep. #06, “You’ll Do.”

Follow Jack Pokorny as he investigates the life and death of Alexander Williams. This episode is the conclusion of a six part series in which we meet several other descendants of those involved.

Benjamin Meader 2/3/22 Benjamin Meader 2/3/22

Ep. #05, The Verdict

This episode continues to follow Jack Pokorny as he investigate the death and prosecution of Alexander Williams. In this episode we hear the jury's verdict.

Benjamin Meader 1/9/22 Benjamin Meader 1/9/22

Ep. #04, The Confessions

Swarthmore alumn Jack Pokorny investigates the records surrounding Alexander’s confessions to better understand his subsequent prosecution and death. In this episode we learn about the three separate and often conflicting statements he provided under pressure.

Benjamin Meader 12/2/21 Benjamin Meader 12/2/21

Ep. #03, The Trial

Swarthmore alumn Jack Pokorny investigates the trial’s transcript to better understand the prosecution and death of Alexander McClain Williams. In this episode we learn about the courtroom environment and Fred’s testimony.

Benjamin Meader 11/2/21 Benjamin Meader 11/2/21

Ep. #02, A Pleasure to Burn

Swarthmore alumn Jack Pokorny interviews Sam Lemon in his pursuit to understand the prosecution and death of Alexander McClain Williams. In this episode we learn about the incidents that lead to Alexander’s arrest.

Benjamin Meader 10/1/21 Benjamin Meader 10/1/21

Ep. #01, Mystery in a Murder

Swarthmore College Professor Keith Reeves and his former Swarthmore students, Jack Pokorny and Maggie O’Neil, investigate the prosecution and death of Alexander McClay Williams, the youngest person to be sentenced to death in Pennsylvania in the 20th century.

Podcast Copyright © 2021 by Keith Reeves, Jack Pokorny, and Margaret O’Neil. All Rights Reserved. Executive Producers: Keith Reeves and Maggie O’Neil. Producer: Jack Pokorny. Narrated and Written by Jack Pokorny. Original Music by Hee Won Park and Tommy Neil. Sandbox Atlas Blog Content Editors: Ben Meader and Emily Meader. Based on the meticulously researched book, The Case That Shocked the Country: The Unquiet Deaths of Vida Robare and Alexander McClay Williams by Samuel Michael Lemon, Ed.D. (2017). The podcast was generously supported by the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility and the Program on Urban Inequality and Incarceration, both at Swarthmore College; the Swarthmore Black Alumni Network (SBAN); Keller, Lisgar & Williams, LLP. The producers wish to especially acknowledge the invaluable contributions of: Mrs. Susie Carter (Alexander’s sole surviving sibling); Dr. Sam Lemon (the great-grandson of Alexander’s original attorney); Teresa Smithers (a descendant of Fred Robare, Vida Robare’s husband); Osceola Perdue (Alexander’s great-niece) and her family; Attorney Robert C. Keller; Chris Rhoads; Sean Kelley, Annie Anderson, and Sally Elk, all of Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site in Philadelphia.