Samantha Josephson
Ep 320: A woman’s phone showed she ordered an Uber. The app claimed the trip never happened. Somewhere in between those two facts a murder forced an entire industry to change
This is the Samantha Josephson story.
In March 2019, Samantha Josephson was a senior at the University of South Carolina celebrating a full scholarship to Drexel University law school with her sorority sisters in Columbia's Five Points nightlife district. Around 2 a.m., the Robbinsville, New Jersey native ordered a ride home, shared her location with her boyfriend, and stepped into a black Chevy Impala waiting at the curb. What happened over the next fourteen hours would reshape an entire industry.
Amy and Megan trace the frantic search, the CCTV footage outside the Bird Dog Pub, the traffic stop that put Nathaniel Rowland in handcuffs, and the investigation led by the Columbia Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division across 65 miles of rural road toward New Zion. Then they turn to the aftermath: the Passenger Protection Act, the state and federal versions of Sammy's Law, and the What's My Name Foundation created by Sammy's family.
The hosts also ask harder questions. And what do routine activities theory and rational choice tell us about how a system built entirely on trust can be exploited? A conversation about Uber safety, rideshare safety, and trusting your gut.
Sources for Today's Episode:
People.com
Law and crime
Medium.com
Wistv.com
Court Junkie podcast
Prosecutors podcast
Sponsors:
(using our promo codes, supports the show!)
Shopify - Start your business today with the industry’s best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing ’CHA CHING’ !
Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.com/crimewomen
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor,
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media
Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:
Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime/
Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple's podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership/
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is the Samantha Josephson story.
In March 2019, Samantha Josephson was a senior at the University of South Carolina celebrating a full scholarship to Drexel University law school with her sorority sisters in Columbia's Five Points nightlife district. Around 2 a.m., the Robbinsville, New Jersey native ordered a ride home, shared her location with her boyfriend, and stepped into a black Chevy Impala waiting at the curb. What happened over the next fourteen hours would reshape an entire industry.
Amy and Megan trace the frantic search, the CCTV footage outside the Bird Dog Pub, the traffic stop that put Nathaniel Rowland in handcuffs, and the investigation led by the Columbia Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division across 65 miles of rural road toward New Zion. Then they turn to the aftermath: the Passenger Protection Act, the state and federal versions of Sammy's Law, and the What's My Name Foundation created by Sammy's family.
The hosts also ask harder questions. And what do routine activities theory and rational choice tell us about how a system built entirely on trust can be exploited? A conversation about Uber safety, rideshare safety, and trusting your gut.
Sources for Today's Episode:
People.com
Law and crime
Medium.com
Wistv.com
Court Junkie podcast
Prosecutors podcast
Sponsors:
(using our promo codes, supports the show!)
Shopify - Start your business today with the industry’s best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing ’CHA CHING’ !
Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.com/crimewomen
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor,
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media
Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:
Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime/
Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple's podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership/
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices