Episodes

  • Homicide at House of Bottles (5)
    Jan 30 2025
    In Episode 5, the case of Shawn Helmenstein moves toward resolution. After confessing to the murder of Robbie Rarich, Shawn participates in a videotaped walkthrough of the crime scene, calmly recounting his actions in stark contrast to the brutality of the crime. At trial, the prosecution systematically dismantles his defense of emotional duress, presenting his confessions, the murder weapon, and witness testimonies. The sentencing judge delivers a pointed verdict, describing the murder as premeditated and calculated. Shawn is sentenced to life in prison, with parole eligibility only after serving 85% of his life expectancy. The episode also brings us into the emotional heart of the story, as Robbie’s family and friends reflect on the pain of the trial and their enduring quest for justice. As we approach the series finale, we’ll delve into Shawn’s life behind bars, his efforts for sentence reduction, and a fuller portrait of Robbie Rarich as remembered by those who loved him. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: info@sixhorsemedia.com All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact info@sixhorsemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Homicide at House of Bottles (4)
    Jan 23 2025
    Episode 4: This episode intertwines poignant memories with pivotal investigative breakthroughs, pulling us deeper into a story marked by heartbreak, betrayal, and an unyielding quest for justice. In Clinton, Montana, Detectives Haas and Wooten close in on Shawn Helmenstein, the primary suspect in Robbie Rarich’s murder. We also step into the life of Robbie himself—a man whose vibrant energy, kindness, and big dreams left an indelible mark on those around him. Through touching interviews with his sister Casey and friends Angie and Mike, we gain insight into Robbie’s humor, warmth, and generosity. Their stories not only honor his memory but also reveal the devastating impact of his loss on those who loved him most. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: info@sixhorsemedia.com All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact info@sixhorsemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Mid-Season Update
    Jan 16 2025
    In this special mid-season update, James takes a moment to reflect on the progress of Season 11, Homicide at House of Bottles. With three episodes behind us and three more to go, listeners are treated to a sneak peek of Spotlight PLUS bonus material for episodes one and two. Discover exclusive materials, including photographs, videos, and behind-the-scenes details that bring the story to life. James also shares the many benefits of a Spotlight PLUS subscription, from ad-free bingeing of all episodes to access to bonus content and exclusive newsletters. Tune in to learn more and prepare for the exciting second half of the season! Season 11 Spotlight PLUS Bonus Material Free Preview https://dakotaspotlight.com/bottles Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: info@sixhorsemedia.com All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact info@sixhorsemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    15 mins
  • Homicide at House of Bottles (3)
    Jan 9 2025
    In Episode 3 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the investigation picks up steam as detectives chase leads stretching across North Dakota and Montana. Their relentless digging unearths a tangled web of connections surrounding The House of Bottles, including former employees with complicated histories. A mysterious 9mm pistol known as the "Baby Eagle" emerges as a key focus, while witnesses recount sightings of enigmatic figures, like a man in a FUBU jacket seen running near the crime scene. Suspicion deepens when detectives connect with Shawn, Travis’ freeloading tenant, who has suspiciously skipped town. With critical clues beginning to fall into place, this episode pulls back the curtain on the tireless work of investigators determined to solve a murder that left Robbie Rahrich’s friends and family shattered, their lives forever changed by heartbreak and loss. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: info@sixhorsemedia.com All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact info@sixhorsemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • Homicide at House of Bottles (2)
    Jan 2 2025
    In Episode 2 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the investigation into the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich at a Bismarck liquor store intensifies. Detectives arrive at the scene in the early hours of February 21, taking in the grim details and piecing together a picture of what happened. Was this a robbery gone wrong, a crime of opportunity, or something more personal? Through present-day interviews with retired officers and archival audio from the investigation, we retrace the steps of law enforcement as they separate witnesses, examine the crime scene, and grapple with one particularly puzzling detail: the missing shell casing. Was it an oversight, or something more sinister. You’ll also follow the victim’s fiancée, whose night takes a devastating turn, and Travis, a friend grappling with the unimaginable reality of the murder. Together, they muster the strength to write statements at Bismarck PD and also undergo gunshot residue testing. Meanwhile, detectives canvas the neighborhood, uncovering a connection to a mysterious figure who may hold the answers they’re desperately seeking. Trigger Warning: This episode includes content that may be disturbing, including a 911 call. Please listen with care. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: info@sixhorsemedia.com All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact info@sixhorsemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Homicide at House of Bottles (1)
    Dec 26 2024
    Welcome to Season 11 of Dakota Spotlight. This season, we uncover the haunting 1999 murder of a young man in Bismarck, North Dakota—a tragic event that reverberated through the community and left a lasting impact on everyone involved. In Episode 1, we set the stage during a bustling winter weekend in Bismarck, when the city was filled with out-of-town visitors attending the state wrestling tournament. Through vivid storytelling, you’ll ride along as the night unfolds, culminating in a harrowing discovery that ignites a high-stakes investigation. This season features firsthand accounts from detectives, loved ones, and even the convicted killer, as we unravel the complexities of this crime and explore deeper questions about memory, justice, and the enduring ripple effects of violence. Trigger Warning: This episode includes content that may be disturbing, including a 911 call. Please listen with care. Welcome to Homicide at House of Bottles. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: info@sixhorsemedia.com All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact info@sixhorsemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • Season 11 Official Trailer - Homicide at House of Bottles
    Dec 19 2024
    Dakota Spotlight’s six-part podcast series, Homicide at House of Bottles, delves into the 1999 murder of a promising young man, whose life was tragically cut short in Bismarck, North Dakota. Featuring immersive soundscapes and interviews with detectives, family, friends, and even the convicted killer, this season examines the layers of a crime that shook a community—and the enduring questions of justice, rehabilitation, and forgiveness. More than a true crime story, Homicide at House of Bottles is about the lives forever changed by it.Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and Porchlight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zorbe Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by Porchlight Podcast Network Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes info@sixhorsemedia.com All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Porchlight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Porchlight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact info@sixhorsemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    6 mins
  • Season 11 Teaser & Revisiting The Bowraville Murders
    Dec 5 2024
    Crime reporter Dan Box joins us to discuss Bowraville, his podcast about the tragic murders of three Aboriginal children in a small Australian town. Teaming up with The Australian, Dan investigates how all three vanished from the same street and searches for answers in this haunting case. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins