How to Tell a Dumb American Story

如何讲述一个愚蠢的美国故事

This American Life

社会与文化

2025-04-14

1 小时 6 分钟
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A couple devises a strategy to get their daughter's killer prosecuted and to get attention for other Native families.  Prologue: Mika Westwolf was killed in a hit-and-run on a Montana highway. Her parents thought the driver might get away with it. The driver was white. Mika was a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation. (1 minute) Act One: Mika’s parents, Carissa Heavy Runner and Kevin Howard, share recordings of their interactions with law enforcement. (8 minutes) Act Two: Carissa and Kevin take matters into their own hands. (20 minutes) Act Three: The county prosecutor explains why he let Mika’s killer out of jail. Will Carissa and Kevin's efforts pay off? Sierra follows them to court. (33 minutes)
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  • A quick warning, there are curse words that are un-beaped in today's episode of the show.

  • If you prefer a beeped version, you can find that at our website, thisamericanlife.org.

  • Sarah Crane Murdoch's been on our show before.

  • She reports on indigenous communities out west.

  • Back in 2023, she got a call from a man in Montana, Kevin Howard.

  • He said his daughter Micah had been killed in a hit and run.

  • Local police were dragging their feet.

  • He thought the driver might get away with it.

  • The driver was white, Micah was native, a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation.

  • Lots of native people are killed in hit and runs.

  • And the drivers are really brought to justice.

  • And Sarah thought she might be able to document why by diving into Micah's case.

  • Because Micah's parents had recordings of nearly all their interactions with law enforcement.

  • Micah's parents did some other things too.

  • They were very strategic.

  • They did some extraordinary things other families had not tried.

  • To make sure Micah's case was one that the authorities could not ignore.

  • That story and how it unfolded.

  • And what it's like to be a couple making that happen.

  • That's going to be a whole show today.