When power and vindictive behavior backfire

The LA Times published an intriguing six-part story of vindictiveness and pettiness, familiar themes for those who have been falsely accused and slandered, especially in political circles (see Framed: She was the PTA mom everyone knew. Who would want to harm her?). In this real-life who-done-it, the innocent victim, who lived in California, was set up, only to be cleared by a patient yet tenacious investigator who believed she had been framed, coupled with an investigative reporter who picked up on the case and brought the truth to light, writing:

… the power and pettiness of the defendants, combined with the harmlessness of their victim — engendered a depth of indignation few cases matched. “Pure wickedness,” said one online commentator. “One of the most malicious things I’ve ever heard,” said another.

Pull up the story and curl up for a curious mystery and all the intrigue that surrounds it.