IN THIS EPISODE: In 1846, a 14-year-old peasant girl from rural France caught the attention of the country and eventually the world because of a strange current of electricity running through her. Angelique Cottin, a girl of small stature, was suddenly and uncontrollably moving furniture weighing hundreds of pounds across the room. In the end, over 2,000 witnesses saw the unexplainable phenomenon. Of the few recorded cases of psychokinesis throughout history, even fewer are as bizarre as the story of Angelique Cottin, AKA the Poltergeist Girl. (The Poltergeist Girl) *** The Codex Gigas... a colossal manuscript steeped in mystery. Not just in it’s pages, but in its origin. Is it true that a monk penned the pages after striking a deal with the devil in order to complete it? (Codex Gigas: The Devil’s Bible) *** When you think of people living in medieval times, what do you see? People with bad teeth and breath? Witches being burned? Women had no rights or jobs? People tossed their urine and feces in the street? They thought the earth was flat? Hold up… are you sure about that last one? (The Dark Ages And The Flat Earth) *** In 1941, in the quiet town of Media, Pennsylvania, a horrific crime shocked the community. Two elderly sisters, Elizabeth Watson and Belle Geary, were brutally attacked, leading to Elizabeth's death and Belle's prolonged suffering. As authorities honed in on a suspect, 14-year-old John Leeds emerged as the prime candidate. Despite his confession, his mother staunchly defended him, sparking a legal battle that gripped the nation. (The Octogenarian Murders) *** Are whales dangerous? Most would note that, given from the danger associated with such a large animal, there is a certain risk in getting close to one. But most would also note that whales have a curious, gentle temperament and physical violence from one is very unlikely. Unless, that is, you consider those times when they literally explode. (Exploding Whales)

SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“The Poltergeist Girl” by Liv Pasquarelli for Graveyard Shift: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ydvwhbsf
“Codex Gigas: The Devil’s Bible” by Mark Miller for Historic Mysteries.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4csh764d
“The Dark Ages And The Flat Earth” by Gemma Hollman for JustHistoryPosts.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/8bkkyyt3
“The Octogenarian Murders” by Robert A. Waters for Kidnapping, Murder and Mayhem: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/63wkx844
“Exploding Whales” by Bipin Dimri for HistoryMysteries.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4aaf6kmy
Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library.
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Originally aired: March 27, 2024

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT: https://weirddarkness.com/true-story-of-the-poltergeist-girl/