Hello loves, We're back with a final limited Season three of “Us with Dr. Crystallee Crain.” This season is focused on the tools we have or have overlooked that we can tap into to change our lives and our communities.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to a remarkable leader in our community, City Council Member Leon El-Alamin, who embodies the principles of equity, collaboration, and empowerment. He, like myself, are proud Flint natives and have no shame in saying so!

Leon’s vision is rooted in a commitment to addressing the unique needs and aspirations of all Flint residents. At the heart of his mission is the revitalization of our neighborhoods. He is dedicated to creating safe, blight-free, and thriving environments where families can flourish.

He understands that access to affordable housing, employment opportunities, and vital mental health services is essential for reducing recidivism and ensuring the safety of our communities.Leon envisions well-maintained parks, vibrant community centers, and pedestrian-friendly streets that promote connectivity and social interaction.

Through strategic investments in infrastructure improvements and community programs, he works tirelessly to foster a strong sense of pride and belonging among residents, bridging economic and social divides.

His initiatives focus on workforce development, entrepreneurship, mentoring, urban farming, advocacy, and violence prevention.

Join me in welcoming a true champion for our community, City Council Member Leon El-Alamin!

Learn more at www.leonelalamin.com.

Obadyah Ben-Yisrayl, formerly known as Christopher Dwayne Peterson, has a complex and controversial story that revolves around a series of crimes committed in Indiana during a short period in 1990. Born on January 20, 1969, in Gary, Indiana, Obadyah later became known as the "Shotgun Killer" due to alleged involvement in a spree of murders involving a shotgun from October to December 1990.

Although originally described by a witness as a clean-shaven, slender, white man with long stringy brown hair, Obadyah, a Black man, was eventually linked to the crimes through nefarious means. He had initially confessed to the murders but later recanted his confession, claiming duress. The trials surrounding the "Shotgun Killer" spree involved multiple defendants, multiple murder charges, and multiple venues, which made the legal proceedings complex and contentious.

Throughout the trials, Obadyah was acquitted in some cases and found guilty in others. He was initially sentenced to death for the murders but had his sentence commuted to 120 years of imprisonment in 2004. Ronald J. Harris, another individual charged in connection with the murders, was found guilty in two cases and received a 90-year prison sentence.

The story surrounding Obadyah’s case is controversial for several reasons. From the discrepancy between the initial suspect description and Peterson's appearance to the illegal arrest that impacted the admissibility of evidence, there were several significant factors that influenced the trials. Additionally, the composition of all-white juries and the judge's decision to overrule a jury's decision not to impose the death penalty further added to the controversy surrounding the case.

The crimes allegedly committed by Obadyah involved the fatal shootings of seven individuals. The investigations led to his arrest, along with the arrest of his accomplices, based on information provided by witnesses and co-defendants. The trials that followed addressed the various charges and involved the presentation of evidence, including Peterson's confessions, witness testimonies, and firearm analysis.

Throughout the trials, there were inconsistencies and doubts raised regarding the evidence and the use of the confessions. Jurors expressed concerns about the reliability of the confessions and pointed out flaws in the investigation, such as the failure to collect fingerprints from the shotgun and the handling of the crime scene. These factors, among others, influenced the juries' decisions in Peterson's trials, resulting in both acquittals and convictions.

This case serves as a chilling reminder of the dehumanizing and corruptible system of justice we have and the nature of criminal cases and challenges faced in the system when attempting to arrive at a just verdict.

His story highlights the importance of thorough investigations, fair trials, and the diligent pursuit of justice for all parties involved.

Here today we have him on the line with us calling in from Pendleton Correctional Facility. Today we will hear his side of the story and what is needed to get justice for him and the victims families impacted by the murders.

Sign his petition linked here.

Episode was co-produced by 448 Productions.

Dr. Liza J. Rankow is an interfaith minister, educator, activist, and writer. Her lifework centers the deep healing that is essential to personal and social transformation. Liza is the founder and former executive director of OneLife Institute, a pioneering organization that served for 17 years to support the well-being of frontline activists, caregivers, and others working to lift up the community.

Liza has been a spiritual counselor and teacher for more than three decades. She works with individual clients, facilitates healing retreats, and offers classes and workshops in a variety of community and academic settings. Her topics include: Mysticism & Social Change, Sustaining the Soul of Activism, Deepening the Well (multifaith spiritual formation), and several courses on the life and work of Dr. Howard Thurman. She is the producer and co-editor of the six-CD audio collection, The Living Wisdom of Howard Thurman (Sounds True, 2010), and created Inner Oasis, a CD of her original guided meditations, in 2011.

Previously, Liza practiced as a clinical PA in pediatric hematology-oncology at Duke Hospital. From there she moved into public health research and education, particularly related to LGBTQ+ issues. Liza was the project director on one of the first three federal pilot grants awarded under the Women’s Health Initiative to study the health of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women. Her professional publications and resource materials contributed to defining this then-emerging field.

One of Liza’s most profound influences has been her decades-long journey with chronic life-threatening illness. It cultivated a spiritual wisdom within her that informs her work with others, and gave her life a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. Her intimacy with suffering allows her to engage the suffering of the world with a sacred tenderness.

Her publications include anthologized essays, creative nonfiction, and poetry, and academic articles in both theological and medical journals. She is currently completing her first full-length book.

Liza holds a B.A. in Human Development from Hampshire College, Bachelors and Masters degrees in Health Sciences from Duke University School of Medicine, and a Ph.D. in Religion and Social Transformation from Union Institute & University.

She lives in Oakland, CA, where she enjoys deep and wide community relationships, and spends as much time as possible in her wildly magical garden.

Website - www.lizarankow.org

Blog: Healing Conversations from the Front Lines of Activism - https://lizarankow.substack.com/

Guided Meditations on InsightTimer - https://insighttimer.com/lizarankow

LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/lizarankow