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HBO Doc Series Reopens Doubts Over 2002 Sisco Murders

9/9/2026

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Summary

Galkin Probes Killer Story

Filmmaker Matthew Galkin and producer Josh Levine are creating HBO’s three-part series “A Killer Story.”
The series investigates doubts about the legal outcomes of the 2002 Sisco-Harkness murders.
Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness were murdered in a Topeka, Kansas bedroom in 2002.
A prosecutor appointed after a 2009 CBS 48 Hours report pursued the case, described as politically motivated.

Summary

Kansas Court Reverses

Kansas Supreme Court reversed Chandler’s conviction after a 2016 appeal.
The Umbehr family mortgaged 200 acres to finance Chandler’s defense.
Prosecutors allegedly tipped Topeka reporters, aligning coverage with CBS 48 Hours.
Documentary crew said true-crime shows like 48 Hours amplified jurors’ confirmation bias.
Filmmakers argue Chandler’s self-representation likely doomed her despite her case knowledge.

Summary

Chandler Shoots

An intruder entered the Topeka bedroom undetected and fired a close-range gun.
Investigators identified the weapon as a subsonic machine gun issued to the Israeli military.
Police traced two spare fuel canisters bought with Chandler’s credit card at a local store.
Text messages showed Chandler’s exasperated tone toward husband Mike Sisco, with whom she shares two kids.
Chandler lived over 500 miles away in Denver, far from the Topeka bedroom.

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Galkin Probes Killer Story

Filmmaker Matthew Galkin and producer Josh Levine are creating HBO’s three-part series “A Killer Story.”
The series investigates doubts about the legal outcomes of the 2002 Sisco-Harkness murders.
Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness were murdered in a Topeka, Kansas bedroom in 2002.
A prosecutor appointed after a 2009 CBS 48 Hours report pursued the case, described as politically motivated.

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