Trial by Fire
9/27/2026 Shows ↗ (Jump To Original Content)
In 1977, Francine Hughes made a desperate decision that shocked Dansville, Michigan, and sparked a national debate about domestic violence. For thirteen years, she endured brutal abuse at the hands of her husband, James "Mickey" Hughes, while police visits, family pleas, and legal efforts failed to stop the violence. On March 9, one fire changed everything. Dawn Palumbo and Jonah Lantto of Midwest Murder examine the true crime case behind "The Burning Bed," the landmark murder trial that followed, and how Francine's story transformed how America views abuse, self-defense, justice, and survival when the systems meant to protect victims fail.
