A former high school valedictorian, Delpha Spunaugle was convicted of murder in 1993. According to police, Delpha had made two attempts to solicit help in murdering her fourth husband, Dennis Spunaugle. Then she found Edwin Woodward who, along with Delpha, beat, stabbed and strangled Dennis.

Delpha denies participating in his murder but does admit to helping to dispose of the body. She was charged with capital murder and given the death penalty. Two years later, in exchange for pleading guilty, she was given life without parole.

Carmen Ortiz grew up in a poor neighbourhood on the North side of Chicago. By the time she was in her mid-twenties, she was a single mom to a daughter and strung out on heroin.

In January 1998, Carmen met Oswaldo Gonzalez, a fellow drug user and Chicago gang member. Carmen became Oswaldo's lookout while he robbed and murdered Antoni Rafalo, a Polish immigrant, outside an off-licence.

When police questioned Carmen about a rash of burglaries in which Oswaldo was a suspect, she confessed to being present at the murder of Rafalo. She was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.