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Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell continue sharing details from the Mica Francis Miller case that the new Netflix documentary "Death of the Pastor's Wife" didn't include. Part One of True Sunlight #165 looks at the friends, acquaintances and assets JP had in his apparent mission to punish Mica for trying to leave him on her terms … not his. When Mandy and Liz first reported on this case in 2024, they knew Horry County Police Department was — how do we put this? — not good. Police reports obtained through FOIA told the story of a woman repeatedly reaching out for help and being told there was nothing they could do. But after nearly two years covering the Scott Spivey case and HCPD's corrupt investigation, Mandy and Liz have a whole new perspective: it wasn't just bad policing … it was policing from an agency known for helping out their friends. Between church members in law enforcement and JP's employee Tricia Ross, Mica wasn't just up against her powerful pastor husband … she was up against his flock of wolves in police clothing. Let's Dive In…
Mica Francis' case is now receiving widespread attention following the Netflix documentary The Death of the Pastor's Wife. Laura analysed Mica's case as it unfolded, documenting the pattern of coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse Mica reported experiencing before her death. 30-year-old Mica Francis (Miller) was found dead from a gunshot wound at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, North Carolina, on April 27, 2024, two days after serving her husband, John Paul Miller, with divorce papers. John Paul Miller has since been federally indicted on charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators. In this remastered episode, Laura is joined by award-winning investigative journalist Mandy Matney and award-winning author Liz Farrell, co-hosts of True Sunlight, to analyse the federal indictment and break down the charges, timelines and alleged behaviours detailed within it. Together, they examine the alleged pattern of behaviour through the lens of coercive control and stalking, including how cyberstalking can be used as a tactic of control and why the post-separation period can be particularly dangerous. They also discuss an important question: why was Mica not better protected while she was alive? Understanding escalation and coercive control is lifesaving and life changing. Listen and share, you may save a life. You can also take action for change with our Mica Action Toolkit. Join the conversation on social media and in the Crime Analyst Squad www.patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst #MicaFrancis #MicaMiller #JusticeForMica #CrimeAnalyst #Expert #Analysis #TrueCrime #Podcast #Crime #CoerciveControl #Stalking #Expert #Cyberstalking #FBI #Investigation Clips https://youtu.be/3y7f9dciL0I?si=YUd8gS8OxTUTuSuG Sources https://www.abcnews4.com/newsletter-daily/mica-millers-family-press-conference-suicide-lumber-river-state-park-robeson-county-death-investigation-fbi-john-paul-pastor-solid-rock-church-estate-documents-abuse-hide-assets-sierra-nathaniel-francis-911-call-security-footage-timeline https://www.facebook.com/therobbieharvey/posts/heres-the-full-text-exchange-between-charlotte-mica-miller-and-john-paul-miller-/484282057505382/ Link to Cross Over episode with Mandy and Laura on Cup of Justice Ep #86: Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coj-86-crime-analyst-expert-laura-richards-joins-mandy/id1668668400?i=1000659373717 Spotify Link https://open.spotify.com/episode/10P6t5LmMxF3YHUdgxPcm9?si=e3832e105dc1430d Links to Episodes about Mica Francis Mica Francis separated from John Paul Miller. She was desperate for help.. Mica Francis: Have you heard the term coercive control? Ep 303: Mica Francis: Analyzing the Federal Charges Against John Paul Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Mica Francis: Breaking Down the Federal Charges Against JP Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Huge News in Mica Francis' Case. John Paul Miller Has Been Indicted Finally… Mandy and Liz: Mandy IG Mandy Website Murdaugh Murders Podcast Liz on Instagram Liz Website Liz on Cup of Justice 2026 Masterclasses and Crime Analyst Resources and Community For more insight and knowledge, advocacy and professional development join The Crime Analyst Squad. It's a growing and dynamic community offering expert insight, in-depth conversations, exclusive episodes and videos, and live events: www.Patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst www.dashriskchecklist.com www.thelaurarichards.com Subscribe to Crime Analyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst Facebook: Crime Analyst Podcast Instagram: @crimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 Threads: @crimeanalyst X (Twitter): @thecrimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 TikTok: @crimeanalystpod Website: www.crime-analyst.com If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a five star review wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mica Francis was taking steps to reclaim her life and freedom. Then, on April 27 2024, she was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. Since Mica's death, Laura has extensively analysed the pattern of coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse Mica reported experiencing, as well as the circumstances leading up to her death. Mica's story is the focus of the Netflix documentary The Death of The Pastor's Wife. Attorney Regina Ward was Mica's divorce lawyer, and she appears in the documentary. John Paul Miller called her repeatedly following Mica's death. Regina shares unique insight into John-Paul's behaviour around the time of Mica's death, the manipulation Mica was navigating and some of what did not make it into the Netflix documentary. Together, Laura and Regina unpack what was happening behind the scenes as Mica took steps to divorce from John-Paul Miller, the strategies used to manage his behaviour, Mica's mindset during those final months and what Regina witnessed as Mica worked to regain control of her life. Learn how women are further entrapped in South Carolina owing to archaic and dangerous patriarchal legal processes that intentionally prevent women from leaving men who abuse them, leaving them at high risk of suicide and femicide. It's by design and they are not even trying to change it. Laura and Regina share unique insights about: Mica's mindset leading up to her death John-Paul Miller's behaviour around the time of Mica's death How best to manage a coercive controller Post-separation abuse, sexual coercion, coercive control, stalking and economic abuse Archaic laws in South Carolina leading to it being one of the top 10 dangerous states in the US for women Problematic restraining orders and ‘orders of protection' in South Carolina Mica's List and the behaviours Mica documented Details and context that did not make it into The Death of the Pastor's Wife Why coercive control must be understood as a pattern of behaviour. Coercive control correlates significantly with femicide, homicide and suicide. Mica's List matters... Look at the pattern. Watch The Death of the Pastor's Wife More from Attorney Regina Ward Website YouTube TikTok Crime Analyst Coverage Crime Analyst: Mica Francis Series Mica Francis: Breaking Down the Federal Charges Against JP Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Huge News in Mica Francis' Case. John Paul Miller Has Been Indicted Finally… TAKE ACTION: Mica's Law: Coercive Control and Stalking Laws in South Carolina You can contact South Carolina state Senators and Representatives and ask them to support stronger legal recognition and protection for victims experiencing coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse. WRITE to South Carolina lawmakers and make your voice heard just below. There is a letter template and all links and addresses available in the Squad here. Find and contact South Carolina legislators: Official Legislature note Senator Luke A Rankin P.O. Box 142, Columbia, SC 29202 Official Sponsors: Senators Goldfinch and Grooms Senator Stephen Goldfinch P.O. Box 823 Murrells Inlet 29576 Senator Goldfinch Email form link Senator Larry Grooms 131 Indian Field Drive Bonneau 29431 Senator Larry Grooms email form link Additionally you can sign the petition. Enforce South Caroline Law #MicaFrancis #MicaMiller #JusticeForMica #CrimeAnalyst #CoerciveControl #Stalking #DomesticAbuse #PostSeparationAbuse #SexualCoercion #EconomicAbuse #MicasList #ThePreachersWife #ReginaWard #Femicide #DomesticViolence #PowerAndControl #AbuseIsAPattern #LauraRichards #BehaviouralAnalysis #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #ExpertAnalysis Join the conversation on social media and in the Crime Analyst Squad www.patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst #MicaFrancis #MicaMiller #JusticeForMica #CrimeAnalyst #CoerciveControl #Stalking #DomesticAbuse #PostSeparationAbuse #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #ExpertAnalysis Clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wgC1XVGolE Sources Watch The Death of the Pastor's Wife https://www.abcnews4.com/newsletter-daily/mica-millers-family-press-conference-suicide-lumber-river-state-park-robeson-county-death-investigation-fbi-john-paul-pastor-solid-rock-church-estate-documents-abuse-hide-assets-sierra-nathaniel-francis-911-call-security-footage-timeline https://www.facebook.com/therobbieharvey/posts/heres-the-full-text-exchange-between-charlotte-mica-miller-and-john-paul-miller-/484282057505382/ Link to Cross Over episode with Mandy and Laura on Cup of Justice Ep #86: Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coj-86-crime-analyst-expert-laura-richards-joins-mandy/id1668668400?i=1000659373717 Spotify Link https://open.spotify.com/episode/10P6t5LmMxF3YHUdgxPcm9?si=e3832e105dc1430d Links to Episodes about Mica Francis Mica Francis separated from John Paul Miller. She was desperate for help.. Mica Francis: Have you heard the term coercive control? Ep 303: Mica Francis: Analyzing the Federal Charges Against John Paul Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Thank You to Crime Analyst Sponsors Who Make the Show Possible. Support The Show Through the Sponsors: Visit TAKELEAN.com and enter CRIMEANALYST for your discount. 2026 Masterclasses and Crime Analyst Resources and Community For more insight and knowledge, advocacy and professional development join The Crime Analyst Squad. It's a growing and dynamic community offering expert insight, in-depth conversations, exclusive episodes and videos, and live events: www.Patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst www.dashriskchecklist.com www.thelaurarichards.com Subscribe to Crime Analyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst Facebook: Crime Analyst Podcast Instagram: @crimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 Threads: @crimeanalyst X (Twitter): @thecrimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 TikTok: @crimeanalystpod Website: www.crime-analyst.com If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a five star review wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In Part Two of Two, Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell go officer by officer through the allegations contained in the Spivey family's federal complaint against Horry County police. And through every level of the investigation, the alleged conspiracy comes sharply into focus. According to the lawsuit, the conspiracy to protect Weldon Boyd and Bradley Williams started immediately after they shot and killed Scott Spivey on Sept. 9, 2023, on an Horry County, SC, highway. And it continued through the power and influence of the now former Deputy Chief of Police Brandon Strickland, a close friend of Weldon, who allegedly directed the investigation in a direction favorable to his buddy. But Strickland isn't the only officer with dirt on his hands, according to the Spiveys.. Officer Daniel Spencer allegedly feeding investigation details to Weldon Boyd. Officer Kerry Higgs telling Weldon to stop talking. Damon Vescovi granting Weldon's attorney access to an unsecured scene. Lt. Doug Dishong allegedly ordering body cameras off while evidence was still being handled. And Scott's body left baking in his truck, towed 45 minutes to an impound lot, and an autopsy the coroner never recommended — allegedly pushed to inflate a blood alcohol reading. Plus a never-before-heard internal affairs interview, the September 11th "be nice to Weldon" meeting, and the phone download that allegedly hid 100-mph chase speeds from the case file. Are these just a series of failures and coincidences… or is this what a cover-up looks like when it's finally dragged into the sunlight? Let's Dive In…
Mica Francis' case is now being widely talked about due to the Netflix documentary, The Death of The Pastors Wife. Laura analysed Mica's case as it unfolded. In this episode Laura takes a more in-depth look at the available evidence of what life was like for Mica prior to her death using the lens and framework of coercive control and stalking. Importantly, Mica died trying to leave John Paul Miller. That is significant because leaving with finality the relationship is over is the most dangerous time for a woman. In this remastered series you will learn much more about what he did to Mica as well as what was left out of the documentary. All the evidence shows how Mica was failed when she was alive. Listen to this episode if you want to understand how and why and you want justice for Mica. Join the conversation on social media and in the Crime Analyst Squad www.patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst #MicaFrancis #MicaMiller #JusticeForMica #CrimeAnalyst #CoerciveControl #Stalking #DomesticAbuse #PostSeparationAbuse #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #ExpertAnalysis Clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsuI0VyRFPY Sources https://www.abcnews4.com/newsletter-daily/mica-millers-family-press-conference-suicide-lumber-river-state-park-robeson-county-death-investigation-fbi-john-paul-pastor-solid-rock-church-estate-documents-abuse-hide-assets-sierra-nathaniel-francis-911-call-security-footage-timeline https://www.facebook.com/therobbieharvey/posts/heres-the-full-text-exchange-between-charlotte-mica-miller-and-john-paul-miller-/484282057505382/ Link to Cross Over episode with Mandy and Laura on Cup of Justice Ep #86: Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coj-86-crime-analyst-expert-laura-richards-joins-mandy/id1668668400?i=1000659373717 Spotify Link https://open.spotify.com/episode/10P6t5LmMxF3YHUdgxPcm9?si=e3832e105dc1430d Links to Episodes about Mica Francis Mica Francis separated from John Paul Miller. She was desperate for help.. Mica Francis: Have you heard the term coercive control? Ep 303: Mica Francis: Analyzing the Federal Charges Against John Paul Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Mica Francis: Breaking Down the Federal Charges Against JP Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Huge News in Mica Francis' Case. John Paul Miller Has Been Indicted Finally… 2026 Masterclasses and Crime Analyst Resources and Community For more insight and knowledge, advocacy and professional development join The Crime Analyst Squad. It's a growing and dynamic community offering expert insight, in-depth conversations, exclusive episodes and videos, and live events: www.Patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst www.dashriskchecklist.com www.thelaurarichards.com Subscribe to Crime Analyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst Facebook: Crime Analyst Podcast Instagram: @crimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 Threads: @crimeanalyst X (Twitter): @thecrimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 TikTok: @crimeanalystpod Website: www.crime-analyst.com If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a five star review wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Turns out the internet is disgusted by ‘Pastor' JP Miller as a three-part documentary titled Death of a Pastor's Wife about Mica Francis Miller's case premiered on Netflix last Wednesday. Beyond the documentary and the additional reporting in this episode, you can get the whole story on COERCED, LUNASHARK's new Drop Feed about the devotion and death of Mica Francis… Follow and Rate 5 Stars on Apple to amplify our mission giving voice to victims. The documentary brings new attention to the intense abuse that Mica accused JP of in their marriage and the persistent harassment and stalking she accused him of in the lead-up to her death. Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell share everything the documentary didn't include… like JP's felonious father, Rev. Wayne Miller, and how the cycle of alleged abuse seems to have begun. Plus we're diving into JP's first marriage, the sinister details that emerged from their divorce and the harassment and stalking that JP's first wife reported to police. Listen to COERCED: The Devotion and Death of Mica Francis Miller on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Mica Francis' case is now being widely talked about due to the Netflix documentary, The Death of The Pastors Wife. Laura talked about Mica and all the red flags she saw in 2024. Mica died trying to leave John Paul Miller – a man who calls himself a Pastor. In this remastered series you will learn much more about what he did to Mica as well as what was left out of the documentary. Mica was failed when she was alive. She's been failed in death - up until now. Mica's case raises urgent questions about justice, accountability, lessons about intervention and prevention for future women and the urgent need for coercive control laws. ***************************************************************************************** Listen as Laura and award-winning journalist and creator and host of the True Sunlight and Cup of Justice podcasts, Mandy Matney unravel in granular detail the timeline leading up to 30-year-old Mica being found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in North Carolina's Lumber River State Park on April 27 2024. Mica's death came days after she told a police officer she was ‘scared for her life' after she found a GPS tracker on her car and razor blades in her tyre and just two days after John Paul Miller was served with divorce papers. Join the conversation on social media and in the Crime Analyst Squad www.patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst #MicaFrancis #MicaMiller #JusticeForMica #CrimeAnalyst #CoerciveControl #Stalking #DomesticAbuse #PostSeparationAbuse #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #ExpertAnalysis Clips https://www.tiktok.com/@therobbieharvey/video/7364765211661798702?lang=en https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYOjVP6uS8E Sources Link to Cross Over episode with Mandy and Laura on Cup of Justice Ep #86: Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coj-86-crime-analyst-expert-laura-richards-joins-mandy/id1668668400?i=1000659373717 Spotify Link https://open.spotify.com/episode/10P6t5LmMxF3YHUdgxPcm9?si=e3832e105dc1430d Links to Episodes about Mica Francis Mica Francis separated from John Paul Miller. She was desperate for help.. Mica Francis: Have you heard the term coercive control? Ep 303: Mica Francis: Analyzing the Federal Charges Against John Paul Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Mica Francis: Breaking Down the Federal Charges Against JP Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Huge News in Mica Francis' Case. John Paul Miller Has Been Indicted Finally… 2026 Masterclasses and Crime Analyst Resources and Community For more insight and knowledge, advocacy and professional development join The Crime Analyst Squad. It's a growing and dynamic community offering expert insight, in-depth conversations, exclusive episodes and videos, and live events: www.Patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst www.dashriskchecklist.com www.thelaurarichards.com Subscribe to Crime Analyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst Facebook: Crime Analyst Podcast Instagram: @crimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 Threads: @crimeanalyst X (Twitter): @thecrimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 TikTok: @crimeanalystpod Website: www.crime-analyst.com If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a five star review wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell welcome Nory Boulton — the Texas mom, public education advocate, and "accidental influencer" behind @CivicSage and who built over 350k+ followers from scratch — whose viral videos calling out billionaire Greg Parker reached Mandy at one of the loneliest moments of her legal battle.... all that and so much more. Nory shares how she went from PTA president to political powerhouse (fun fact: the video that got her pushed out of the PTA now has 4 million views), why she trusts her gut over a content calendar, and how she connects the dots legacy media won't. Together, the trio digs into the manufactured war between journalists and creators, the double standard women face for daring to monetize their work, and why the patriarchy fears nothing more than a woman who refuses to stay pleasant. Follow and support Nory Boulton on your favorite platform: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube
Follow The DROP FEED on Apple, Spotify or Ad-Free from LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon or Supercast COERCED: The Devotion & Death of Mica Francis Miller is a LUNASHARK® DROP-FEED from the award-winning team behind the Murdaugh Murders Podcast — investigative journalists Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Beth Braden — along with producers Kate Thomas, Grace Hills and David Moses. It's a remastered, chronological retelling of more than 2 years of original reporting from the True Sunlight Podcast, built for listeners who want to follow one case. On April 27, 2024, 30-year-old Mica Miller — wife of Myrtle Beach pastor John-Paul Miller — walked a mile into a North Carolina state park and made a 911 call that would be the last time the world heard her voice. Within days, her death was ruled a suicide — a ruling that would have ended the story for most true crime journalists. In the premiere of our remastered Drop-Feed series, Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell return to where their reporting began: the bizarre sermon Pastor JP Miller delivered the morning after his estranged wife's death. An obituary that reads like a taunt. A criminal history that includes running over a woman with a car — twice. And a stack of police reports showing Mica tracked, harassed, and hospitalized against her will in the months before she died. Police say that JP Miller didn't pull the trigger. But as Mandy and Liz explain — there's more than one way to end a life. COERCED takes a deeper look at JP Miller's dark past that includes rape allegations, alleged bestiality, an assault conviction and pardon, and a pattern of allegedly abusive behavior that can be traced back to his father — Rev. Wayne Miller. JP's felon father once owned a Christian complex in South Carolina called Gloryland… before it mysteriously burned down. Through exclusive interviews, 911 calls, court filings, and documents obtained through relentless FOIA requests, COERCED examines coercive control, medical and spiritual abuse, and the systems that dismissed a woman fighting for her life — and asks what accountability looks like. Mica couldn't save herself. But her story could save others. This series discusses domestic abuse, coercive control, and suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, please call or text 988 or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Support in South Carolina is also available through Liza's Lifeline. Stay tuned. Stay pesky. And Stay in the Sunlight. ☀️ Learn more about LUNASHARK Premium Membership on Patreon or at lunashark.supercast.com to get bonus episodes like our Premium Dives, Wherever It Leads..., Drop Feeds, Girl Talk, and Soundbites that help you Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight. Plus BTS content from Murdaugh: Death in the Family AND Mandy's book Blood On Their Hands. Support Our Show, Sponsors and Mission: https://lunasharkmedia.com/support/ Quince - Hungry Root - Bombas https://amzn.to/4cJ0eVn *** ALERT: If you ever notice audio errors in the pod, email info@lunasharkmedia.com and we'll send fun merch to the first listener that finds something that needs to be adjusted! *** For current & accurate updates: lunashark.supercast.com Instagram.com/mandy_matney | Instagram.com/elizfarrell bsky.app/profile/mandy-matney.com | bsky.app/profile/elizfarrell.com TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia tiktok.com/@lunasharkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell take a break from the Alex Murdaugh retrial drama this week to revisit one of the most devastating cases they've covered in their careers: the 2015 death of 38-year-old Sara Lynn Moore Colucci. Nine years after Sarah Lynn Colucci's mother Barbara Moore filed a wrongful death lawsuit, accused killer Michael Colucci finally sat for his deposition — after skipping two of them — and pleaded the Fifth roughly 100 times, refusing to answer everything from the color of his tie to his own birthday. We break down the devastating questions he wouldn't answer about the autopsy findings, his shifting stories, and his financial troubles — and why Barbara's new motion for summary judgment asks the judge to apply adverse inferences to 28 of them. They also expose the staggering double standard of South Carolina justice: Colucci was fined just $1,283.00 for blowing off two depositions, while Mandy was ordered to pay $176,500.00 in a case she isn't even a party to. Plus, an exciting announcement: COERCED: The Devotion & Death of Mica Francis Miller, the first LUNASHARK® “Drop-Feed”, launches Friday. Let's Dive In…
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell take a break from the Alex Murdaugh retrial drama this week to revisit one of the most devastating cases they've covered in their careers: the 2015 death of 38-year-old Sara Lynn Moore Colucci. Nine years after Sarah Lynn Colucci's mother Barbara Moore filed a wrongful death lawsuit, accused killer Michael Colucci finally sat for his deposition — after skipping two of them — and pleaded the Fifth roughly 100 times, refusing to answer everything from the color of his tie to his own birthday. We break down the devastating questions he wouldn't answer about the autopsy findings, his shifting stories, and his financial troubles — and why Barbara's new motion for summary judgment asks the judge to apply adverse inferences to 28 of them. They also expose the staggering double standard of South Carolina justice: Colucci was fined just $1,283.00 for blowing off two depositions, while Mandy was ordered to pay $176,500.00 in a case she isn't even a party to. Plus, an exciting announcement: COERCED: The Devotion & Death of Mica Francis Miller, the first LUNASHARK® “Drop-Feed”, launches Friday. Let's Dive In…
In this remastered episode, Laura continues to interview Nichole Schmidt, Gabby's mum. Laura and Nichole discuss the lawsuits and why new coercive control laws and training are important. In honour of Gabby, listen to the conversation and share the episodes with family and friends. It might just save a life. If you want more in-depth conversations and to join the Ringleader Happy Hour with Nichole, join the Crime Analyst Squad: www.patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst Wyoming Crime Scene Visit: Laura recently recorded an exclusive episode based in Wyoming where she retraces Gabby Petito's final footsteps, shares new crime scene observations and behavioural analysis, and compares Brian Laundrie's so-called confession letter with what most likely happened in Gabby's final days. Join the Crime Analyst Squad and Listen here. #GabbyPetito #DomesticAbuse #CoerciveControl #CrimeAnalyst #TrueCrime #Podcast #Prevention #Education #Awareness #SavingLives #MaleViolence #BrianLaundrie #GabbyPetitoFoundation #HerNameWasGabbyPetito Clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCQft-lvLIE Sources https://www.gabbypetitofoundation.org/ Policing Domestic Violence Book https://www.dashriskchecklist.com/resources/books Gabby Petito Facebook Virtual Run/walk page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Virtual-RunWalk-to-Change-the-World/61563612151243/ Sign the Petition to Criminalize Coercive Control in America and Complete the Victim's Voice Survey: https://www.laurarichards.co.uk/dv-law-reform/ Links to Episodes about Mica Francis Mica Francis separated from John Paul Miller. She was desperate for help.. Mica Francis: Have you heard the term coercive control? Ep 303: Mica Francis: Analyzing the Federal Charges Against John Paul Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Mica Francis: Breaking Down the Federal Charges Against JP Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Huge News in Mica Francis' Case. John Paul Miller Has Been Indicted Finally… Thank You to the Crime Analyst Sponsor Who Make the Show Possible. Support The Show Through the Sponsors: Amplify your fall look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/ANALYSTS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Find the fall pieces you'll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/CRIMEANALYST. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/crime to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. 2026 Masterclasses and Crime Analyst Resources and Community For more insight and knowledge, advocacy and professional development join The Crime Analyst Squad. It's a growing and dynamic community offering expert insight, in-depth conversations, exclusive episodes and videos, and live events: www.Patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst www.dashriskchecklist.com www.thelaurarichards.com Subscribe to Crime Analyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst Facebook: Crime Analyst Podcast Instagram: @crimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 Threads: @crimeanalyst X (Twitter): @thecrimeanalyst, @laurarichards999 TikTok: @crimeanalystpod Website: www.crime-analyst.com If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a five star review wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What happens when a high school sociology teacher hands his students a decades-old cold case instead of a textbook? Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sit down with Alex Campbell — the Elizabethton, Tennessee high school teacher behind the Prime Video docuseries Murder 101 — whose classes have spent eight years working the Redhead Murders, a string of killings of women found along Southern highways in the 1980s and written off for decades, along with other true crime cases. Campbell tells the story of the case that started it all, we get into the FOIA scene Mandy couldn't stop texting about, explore why teenagers can see things detectives can't, and what it means that Tracy Walker got her name back. ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Join LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon Support Our Legal Defense GoFundMe: Help Journalist Mandy Matney Fight $176,500 Contempt Order Or support our reporting: https://lunashark.supercast.com/donations/new Lawyers & Judges: Send legal suggestions or offers for Pro Hac / Pro Bono representation to legal@lunasharkmedia.com Episode References “‘Murder 101': Get to Know Alex Campbell, the Teacher Trying to Solve Serial Killer Case” - TV Insider, July 13, 2026
Part Two of Two There's a new Creighton Waters in town… In Part 2 of Episode 161, Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down the stunning filing in which the lead prosecutor formally corrected Dick Harpootlian's false claim that Alex Murdaugh passed a polygraph "with flying colors" — complete with a savage citation noting defense co-counsel's incredulous reactions in real time. Then, Joe McCullough pushes himself into the spotlight while pushing to unseal the Egg Lady records — conveniently trying to pull the in-camera transcripts from view that tell the real story. Dots Connected: Judge McCaslin's change-of-venue ruling leans on the Beach v. Parker venue order that bashes Liz and Mandy's opinions, the one built on months of purchased lawfare, harassment, and a landline survey of 333 people, and designed to blame journalists for publicity the villains created themselves. Shenanigans? Shenanigans AF… Vote for Laura Richards and Mandy Matney's SXSW Panel! Let's Dive In…
Part Two of Two There's a new Creighton Waters in town… In Part 2 of Episode 161, Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down the stunning filing in which the lead prosecutor formally corrected Dick Harpootlian's false claim that Alex Murdaugh passed a polygraph "with flying colors" — complete with a savage citation noting defense co-counsel's incredulous reactions in real time. Then, Joe McCullough pushes himself into the spotlight while pushing to unseal the Egg Lady records — conveniently trying to pull the in-camera transcripts from view that tell the real story. Dots Connected: Judge McCaslin's change-of-venue ruling leans on the Beach v. Parker venue order that bashes Liz and Mandy's opinions, the one built on months of purchased lawfare, harassment, and a landline survey of 333 people, and designed to blame journalists for publicity the villains created themselves. Shenanigans? Shenanigans AF… Vote for Laura Richards and Mandy Matney's SXSW Panel! Let's Dive In…
Part Two of Two There's a new Creighton Waters in town… In Part 2 of Episode 161, Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down the stunning filing in which the lead prosecutor formally corrected Dick Harpootlian's false claim that Alex Murdaugh passed a polygraph "with flying colors" — complete with a savage citation noting defense co-counsel's incredulous reactions in real time. Then, Joe McCullough pushes himself into the spotlight while pushing to unseal the Egg Lady records — conveniently trying to pull the in-camera transcripts from view that tell the real story. Dots Connected: Judge McCaslin's change-of-venue ruling leans on the Beach v. Parker venue order that bashes Liz and Mandy's opinions, the one built on months of purchased lawfare, harassment, and a landline survey of 333 people, and designed to blame journalists for publicity the villains created themselves. Shenanigans? Shenanigans AF… Vote for Laura Richards and Mandy Matney's SXSW Panel! Let's Dive In…
Part One of Two Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down everything that happened at Alex Murdaugh's most recent hearing.Team Murdaugh came to Friday's retrial hearing armed with a "bombshell" that turned out to be a dud… a rumor from fitsnews claiming Murdaugh murder weapons were tied to a recent Allendale County killing. However, no article existed, prosecutor Creighton Waters had never heard of it, and SLED debunked the claim within minutes.Mandy and Liz break down how the fumble unraveled in real time — and why so much of the media ran with it anyway. Then there's the venue circus: Dick Harpootlian putting his own associate on the stand to testify about budget hotels and Cracker Barrel commutes, insisting on Charleston-only... before pivoting to Richland County in a Monday letter to Judge McCaslin. Plus, the ruling that matters most: Alex's sworn testimony from the first trial — the lies, the kennel video admission, all of it — is allowed into the record in Murdaugh 2.0. Testifying has consequences. So does lying about where you were when your family was murdered.Vote for Laura Richards and Mandy Matney's SXSW Panel!Let's Dive In…
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sit down with bad-ass attorney Noah Pines for some much-needed grounding. Because things have been rough in these South Carolina legal streets lately, y'all!!! Noah — who is a longtime friend of LUNASHARK®— is a criminal defense attorney and partner at Ross and Pines LLC in Atlanta. He is perhaps best known for his work on the Joey Watkins case with The Georgia Innocence Project and as an on-air legal analyst for CourtTV. On today's episode of Cup of Justice, Mandy and Liz talk to Noah about the vast differences between the legal system in South Carolina and its neighbor state Georgia, where the bar isn't allowing the disciplinary process to be used as a tool of lawfare. Noah also offers his take of Alex Murdaugh's most recent hearing on Aug. 14. ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Join LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon Support Our Legal Defense GoFundMe: Help Journalist Mandy Matney Fight $176,500 Contempt Order Or support our reporting: https://lunashark.supercast.com/donations/new Lawyers & Judges: Send legal suggestions or offers for Pro Hac / Pro Bono representation to legal@lunasharkmedia.com Episode References Meet Noah Pines: “One of Atlanta's Best Criminal Lawyers”
Alex Murdaugh is due back in court for another hearing this week and investigative journalist Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell are more ready than ever. In today's episode Mandy and Liz share the highlights from the stack of filings made by Team Murdaugh and the prosecution ahead of the Aug. 14th hearing in front of Judge Debra McCaslin. Team Murdaugh's surprisingly polished 26-page motion to move the second murder trial of the century out of the 14th Circuit, and the state's pointed response asking what's so special about the Holy City top the list. The co-hosts also dig into the state's bombshell request for a never-before-seen extraction of Alex's phone data citing former clients' permission to waive privilege, the fight over the DNA under Maggie's fingernails, and so much more. Let's Dive In…
It was the hit DIY podcast that became the definitive telling of the crime of the decade. It was a true crime sensation — but was it any good? On this CWO Classic Rewind, we're going back to our October 18, 2021 review of the legendary podcast recorded at Mandy Matney's kitchen table, “Murdaugh Murders.” For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.This show was recorded in The Caitlin Rogers Project Studio. Click to find out more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Mandy and Liz sit down with attorney Bill Maurer of the Institute for Justice to talk about what happens when public officials forget that their job is to abide by the constitution. Is there anything people can do to reclaim their rights (and the rights of everyone else)? And is the fight worth it? Yes and Yes. Still reeling from the uprecedented $176,500 sanction for contempt of court that Judge R. Keith Kelly imposed on investigative journalist Mandy Matney last month, Mandy and journalist Liz Farrell are on a hunt for perspective. How does the government justify such a large payout over a disproportionate infraction? The answer turns out to be “easily.” That is, until citizens fight back. Political and judicial fiefdoms are born where those with no ethical boundaries destroy rights to maintain power and money… sound familiar? ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Join LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon Support Our Legal Defense GoFundMe: Help Journalist Mandy Matney Fight $176,500 Contempt Order Or support our reporting: https://lunashark.supercast.com/donations/new Lawyers & Judges: Send legal suggestions or offers for Pro Hac / Pro Bono representation to legal@lunasharkmedia.com Episode References Meet William R. Maurer of the Institute for Justice About the Institute for Justice What is Civil Forfeiture? - IJ overview The Fight for Braiding Freedom - IJ overview Jouppi v. Alaska docket history with SCOTUS “Police in this tiny Alabama town suck drivers into legal ‘black hole'” - AL.com, Jan 19, 2022 “This City Will Fine You for Mismatched Blinds” - Pagedale, MO case Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight...☀️ LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon get access to all new bonus episodes, video episodes, case files, live trial coverage and exclusive live experiences with our hosts. Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at lunasharkmerch.com/ Support Our Show, Sponsors and Mission: https://lunasharkmedia.com/support/ Quince - Hungry Root - Bombas Find us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/ | https://www.instagram.com/cojpod/ Mandy Matney on Instagram | Liz Farrell on Instagram | Eric Bland on Instagram YouTube | TIKTOK *** Alert: If you ever notice audio errors in the pod, email info@lunasharkmedia.com and we'll send fun merch to the first listener that finds something that needs to be adjusted! *** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Part Two of Two Some good news first: Judge Richard Gergel dismissed Alex Murdaugh's federal lawsuit demanding $600,000 from former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill, pointing to the "fatal flaw" sitting at the center of it.Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell explain why agreeing with the ruling isn't the same as defending Becky Hill — and why they always believed the suit was less about money than about spectacle, subpoena power, and keeping everyone's eyes off the double homicide case.Then, Gregg Roman. The Middle East Forum executive director hired by billionaire gas station owner Greg Parker now calls himself an investigative journalist in court filings, and the South Carolina Supreme Court has agreed to take his appeal to keep his bank records away from the Beach family. Mandy and Liz walk through South Carolina's autopsy photo laws, the Dale Earnhardt and Kobe Bryant precedents, and the one question buried under all the noise: who gave Gregg Roman photos of Mallory Beach's body?Let's Dive In…
[Part One of Two] Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell walk through the motion to reconsider filed by Mandy's attorneys to combat the unprecedented and arguably unconstitutional $176,500 civil contempt sanction. Mandy and Liz lay out how the process went sideways from the start: a rule to show cause with no verified petition, a hearing where her own compelled testimony was used to supply the missing foundation, and an order that cites her podcast and social media commentary as evidence against her — while conceding that speech was protected — it's a farce. Liz Farrell adds context on the five-star hotel bills, the fees no one gets to inspect, and the one person who predicted this outcome on the day of the deposition before any proceeding began. Let's Dive In…
In 1994, 17-year-old Lamonte McIntyre was arrested hours after a double homicide in Kansas City, Kansas — a crime he had nothing to do with. There was no physical evidence and no real investigation. What there was: a detective with a grudge against Lamonte's mother, a prosecutor who apparently knew her witnesses were lying, and a judge allegedly "involved" with that prosecutor. Undoing all those wrongs took 23 years. This week, Investigative Journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sit down with Miracle of Innocence co-founder Lamonte McIntyre to talk about being swallowed by a system built to protect itself — the moment two strangers pointed at him in a courtroom, the years he refused to wear a prison ID, and the day a prosecutor finally stood up and dropped every charge. But this isn't only a story about what was taken. Lamonte talks about what he built after: Kansas compensation law, legislation to prevent police from sexually assaulting citizens, and what he's asking the rest of us to do. Learn more about the Miracle of Innocence's 9th Annual Fundraising Gala, September 26, 2026 @ 5:00PM ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Join LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon Or support our reporting: https://lunashark.supercast.com/donations/new Lawyers & Judges: Send legal suggestions or offers for Pro Hac / Pro Bono representation to legal@lunasharkmedia.com Episode References 'Vengeance is his': Witness in Lamonte McIntyre's case reacts to Terra Morehead's disbarment - KSHB 41
Part Two of Two South Carolina fined journalist Mandy Matney $5,000 to “deter similar conduct in the future and promote respect for the law.” It fined Cory Fleming, $0. Becky Hill, $0. Alex Murdaugh — who stole more than $12 million from grieving clients — $0. Mandy opens Part Two of Episode 158 by laying that math out plainly, and asking what message it sends to every whistleblower in the state trying to change its broken systems. Then journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell turn to Murdaugh v. Hill, the federal suit in which Alex demands at least $600,000 from the former clerk of court for what his lawyers call “criminal jury tampering” — a charge prosecutors declined to bring, because the jurors telling the story couldn't keep it straight. Plus: Becky's motion to dismiss, Phil Barber's savage briefs, another sealed discovery order, and why a sourdough starter metaphor explains this entire mess. Join the LUNASHARK® Premium Community now on Patreon - Together we go further ☀️
Part Two of Two South Carolina fined journalist Mandy Matney $5,000 to “deter similar conduct in the future and promote respect for the law.” It fined Cory Fleming, $0. Becky Hill, $0. Alex Murdaugh — who stole more than $12 million from grieving clients — $0. Mandy opens Part Two of Episode 158 by laying that math out plainly, and asking what message it sends to every whistleblower in the state trying to change its broken systems. Then journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell turn to Murdaugh v. Hill, the federal suit in which Alex demands at least $600,000 from the former clerk of court for what his lawyers call “criminal jury tampering” — a charge prosecutors declined to bring, because the jurors telling the story couldn't keep it straight. Plus: Becky's motion to dismiss, Phil Barber's savage briefs, another sealed discovery order, and why a sourdough starter metaphor explains this entire mess. Join the LUNASHARK® Premium Community now on Patreon - Together we go further ☀️
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell have some questions about a Spartanburg County Police report… made by none other than Debbie Barbier… When Greg Parker's attorney Deborah Barbier told Spartanburg police she'd been “harassed” in a hotel lobby the morning of Mandy's contempt hearing on June 22, 2026, the department did something our team has never seen done so thoroughly for a harassment complaint made by a woman: it investigated. Multiple officers. Multiple weeks. Untold public monies. Search warrants signed by magistrate judges with no explanation of what probable cause existed — including a search of Mandy's Marriott room records and private guest information divulged over the phone. Hours of surveillance footage later, police could not locate the confrontation Barbier described, and the case is now listed as "inactive". We're revisiting what South Carolina's harassment statute actually says, and ask why protected first amendment activities keep getting recast as crimes… and why behavior matching the statute is disregarded. Then we relook at McClatchy reporter John Monk's coverage of Mandy's contempt proceedings through the prism of his 44 year old son's federal indictment on child sexual abuse material charges — to which Monk Jr. has pleaded not guilty. We have questions… Let's Dive In…
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and producer of journalism David Moses are recording near Washington, D.C. for a special episode on an explosive FOIA returned from Spartanburg PD. First, David opens with gratitude for the listeners who requested a GoFundMe and refused to let Mandy stand alone. Then we're examining the very relevant Spartanburg Police Report that Deborah Barbier filed claiming that a man stood up in the AC Hotel's lobby area, photographed her, “kept screaming her name” — and that “Mandy Matney” was somehow involved. The report on the June 22, 2026 incident was released after Mandy's contempt order was issued and it is stunning: a search warrant, a thumb drive, an IT department, roughly four hours of hotel video — and a police lieutenant who wrote that he was “unable to locate the confrontation Mrs. Barbier advised”. Mandy, Liz and David unpack what's in the report and what's very obviously not. Join LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon Support Our Legal Defense GoFundMe: Help Journalist Mandy Matney Fight $176,500 Contempt Order Or support our reporting: https://lunashark.supercast.com/donations/new ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Lawyers & Judges: Send legal suggestions or offers for Pro Hac / Pro Bono representation to legal@lunasharkmedia.com Episode References Mandy joins Laura Richards on Crime Analyst Ep #357
Investigative journalist Mandy Matney is best known for doggedly pursuing and unraveling Alex Murdaugh's financial crimes against his 100-year-old family law firm and its clients in the low country of South Carolina. Mandy's coverage of and in-depth investigation into Murdaugh's legal dynasty family began in 2019, when a boat crash involving 19-year-old Paul Murdaugh resulted in the death of 19 -year-old Mallory Beach. Mandy's relentless reporting continued through 2021 with the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh and extensive trial of former attorney Alex Murdaugh, who was eventually found guilty of their murders. However, in 2026 he was granted a new trial. Mandy told the story via the hugely successful "Murdaugh Murders Podcast" which led to the Hulu miniseries "Murdaugh: Death in the Family", on which Mandy served as executive producer. On 7/13/26, Judge R. Keith Kelly, Hampton County, SC, issued a contempt order against Mandy and ordered her to pay $176,500 in attorneys' fees and a fine for "wilfully" failing to appear for a deposition on March 27 2026 in the case of Beach v Parker, et al, in which she is a non-party. Of note is that the deposition did go ahead 11 days later. In this episode, Laura and Mandy carefully examine the timeline of events, the courtroom proceedings and the wider implications-not only for Mandy, but for investigative reporting more broadly. Laura also shares her analysis of patterns of behaviour of those who stalk and harass and how common it is for courts not to understand motivation, threats and the ‘dripping tap' power and control related intimidation tactics used by men against women. #MandyMatney #Murdaugh #PressFreedom #InvestigativeJournalism #CrimeAnalyst #Expert #Stalking #Fixation #Obsession #Analysis #Behaviour #TrueCrime #Podcast #Crime More from Mandy Matney and LunaShark Support Mandy directly: Go Fund Me LunaShark LunaShark Premium Links: Youtube https://youtube.com/channel/UC6t_kdvrDw2p1F79IBnnNWQ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/truesunlightpod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/109188244940222 Tiktok https://tiktok.com/@lunasharkmedia Clip https://www.youtube.com/live/0wmHESgSHSA?si=ASJBdEm_VAvkqGKI Sources https://www.fitsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Matney-Contempt-Order-13July2026.pdf S.C. Judge Finds Murdaugh Podcaster in Contempt of Court - FITSNews https://www.foxnews.com/us/judge-unloads-176k-penalty-murdaugh-podcaster-mandy-matney-finding-subpoena-defiance https://www.youtube.com/live/0wmHESgSHSA?si=slGeBV12-u6ZeV8M www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article277634293.html https://qcnerve.com/james-seidel-carolina-fish-market/ TSP #156 [Part One] - A Dark Day At The House Of True Sunlight After $176,500 Contempt Sanction TSP #156 [Part Two] - Reasonable Fear of an Unreasonable Justice System: More on Mandy's $176,500 Punishment Without Process TSP #155 [Part One] - Judge McCaslin Takes the Wheel: Murdaugh Retrial Hearing Recap TSP #155 [Part Two] - Pink in the Courtroom: Why Greg Parker Apparently Fears Free Speech Thank You to Crime Analyst Sponsors Who Make the Show Possible. Support The Show Through the Sponsors: Upgrade your everyday. Go to Quince.com/CRIMEANALYST for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Amplify your summer look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/ANALYSTS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Support Crime Analyst If you value these conversations, please follow, rate, and review Crime Analyst wherever you listen to podcasts. Sharing episodes helps us educate more people about coercive control, stalking, domestic abuse and homicide prevention. For exclusive episodes, live events and behind-the-scenes content, join the Crime Analyst Squad on Patreon. Laura's Resources and Training information: www.dashriskchecklist.com www.thelaurarichards.com Crime Analyst YouTube, Socials and Website YouTube @crimeanalyst Facebook Crime Analyst Podcast Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999 Threads @crimeanalyst X @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards999 TikTok @crimeanalystpod Website www.crime-analyst.com Leave a 5* Review https://www.crime-analyst.com/reviews/new/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ten days after an unprecedented contempt order shook South Carolina to its core, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell are still standing — and they've got a lot of ground to cover. First, Mandy updates listeners on jaw-dropping injustice as we dig our foxholes and announce a new addition to her growing legal team intent on defending the first amendment and due process. Then, things get a little... cinematic… because the Lee Gilley saga has officially crossed into foreign territory. Lee is still in Italy. The extradition fight is stalling. Harris County keeps fumbling the ball. And somehow, a man named Matthew Jackson managed to squat inside Christa Bauer's million-dollar Houston home while all of this was happening. It's the WILD WILD WEST. It's lawless. It's outrageous. It's a lot. Christa deserved better — and we're pressing on to uncover The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Let's Dive In…
After five amazing years in the fray together and 188 episodes, Eric Bland is stepping back from his role as Cup of Justice co-host — but don't call it goodbye. In this heartfelt and candid farewell, Eric explains his decision to refocus on his law practice, his public speaking career, and — most critically — his role as a legal advocate for Mandy as she navigates ongoing harassment and an outrageous sanction that denied her due process at every turn. Together, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland unpack the broken system that's allowed a convicted felon to weaponize the ODC against lawyers, and they celebrate the incredible journey that took them from late-night phone calls about the Murdaugh's financial crimes to back stage and on the mic with Sheryl Crow, and too many good times to count. Cups down for now — but the fight is far from over. ⚖️ ☀️ Join LUNASHARK Premium: https://www.patreon.com/c/lunashark Support Our Legal Defense GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-journalist-mandy-matney-fight-176500-contempt-order Or support our reporting: https://lunashark.supercast.com/donations/new ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Lawyers & Judges: Send legal suggestions or offers for Pro Hac / Pro Bono representation to legal@lunasharkmedia.com Episode References EB's Farewell Announcement
In this episode of Impact of Influence, The Professor joins Matt Harris and Seton Tucker to examine a recent contempt of court ruling involving journalist Mandy Matney. The court imposed significant monetary sanctions after finding Matney in contempt, and we break down the judge's order, the court's reasoning, and what could happen next as the legal process continues. Topics discussed include: The legal standards for contempt of court and the sanctions that may be imposed. The importance of complying with court orders and subpoenas. The potential consequences for journalists and other parties who fail to follow court directives. The court's analysis of Mandy Matney's arguments and defenses. What this ruling could mean moving forward and the possible next steps in the case. The Professor, Matt Siembieda, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a law professor at Temple University, bringing legal insight and analysis to the discussion. Seton Tucker and Matt Harris began the Impact of Influence podcast shortly after the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Now they cover true crime, past and present, from the southeast region of the U.S. Impact of Influence is part of the Evergreen Podcast Company. Look for Impact of Influence on Facebook and YouTube. Please support our sponsors Elevate your closet with Quince. Go to Quince dot com slash impact for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
[Part Two of Two] In Part Two, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down exactly how Parker's attorneys weaponized a judge's old-fashioned notions of what a scared woman looks like — and why South Carolina's appointed judiciary has no reason to care what you think about it… Demand better! Attorneys for a billionaire gas station owner allegedly billed $310,000 (allegedly because the invoices are secret) — the cost of approximately two murder defenses — in secret billings – to punish a journalist for wanting to feel safe at her own deposition. A deposition that was attempted in March and happened in April. Judge R. Keith Kelly obliged them, ordering Mandy to pay $171,500 in attorneys fees and a $5,000 fine to coerce a deposition that already happened back in April. We believe that Mandy's constitutional rights were violated and it makes us worry for all of us. The contempt charge brought by attorneys who represented Alex Murdaugh's convicted co-conspirators and decided by the same judge who lets Gregg Roman continue to dodge his deposition… the lesson is clear: EVADE SERVICE at all costs and skate free. Cooperate to your best ability: and they'll ruin your life in return. Let's Dive In…
[Part One of Two] Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell react to a stunning contempt ruling ordering Mandy to pay a $5,000 fine and $171,500 for billionaire Greg Parker's legal fees — a sum greater than what many murder defendants pay for their entire defense, and a penalty whose line-item breakdown has been sealed from Mandy and the public. Mandy argues the ruling has nothing to do with a missed deposition and everything to do with punishing a journalist who refused to stay quiet. David Moses reads directly from South Carolina contempt law to expose how the order may exceed its own legal authority. Then Liz breaks down the bigger picture: the evidence connecting Greg Parker to Gregg Roman, the photos of Mallory Beach's dead body, and the documentary that used them — a puzzle hiding in plain sight while Parker's attorneys keep everyone focused on Mandy. This is a fight for the First Amendment for a woman's safety. And it's just getting started. Let's Dive In…
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland discuss the extraordinary $171,500 in attorneys' fees and costs assessed against Mandy for contempt of court. Judge R. Keith Kelly has ordered journalist Mandy Matney to pay $171,500 in attorney's fees and a $5,000 fine — for missing a deposition she sat for just days later. Ahem… Where Is GREGG ROMAN!?!?!? On a raw, unfiltered episode, the team breaks down a ruling that Eric — in 38 years of practicing law — says he has never seen anything close to. What does it mean when a non-party journalist gets hit with fees that exceed most annual salaries? What due process rights seemed to be bypassed in this circus? And why does Eric believe the appellate court may actually look at this with fresh eyes? Jokes on J. Edgar Picklejuice (Mark Moore), Officer Swimsuit Patrol (Deborah B. Barbier), and Jim Whaaanister (Bannister), because Mandy isn't staying quiet and the Beach v. Parker trial is still scheduled for August 10, 2026. Support Our Legal Defense GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-journalist-mandy-matney-fight-176500-contempt-order Or support our reporting: https://lunashark.supercast.com/donations/new ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Lawyers & Judges: Send legal suggestions or offers for Pro Hac / Pro Bono representation to legal@lunasharkmedia.com Episode References COJ 107 with Amanda Knox
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland break down where the four-month contempt saga stands now that proposed orders are submitted and the decision rests with the judge. They unpack the bright spots: the deposition happened, it didn't delay the case, and how Greg Parker's team somehow claimed they needed two days for a deposition that was mostly Jim Bannister asking Mandy about things Liz allegedly said… And then they barely used any of Mandy and Liz deposition testimony in their own summary judgment motions to dismiss the case. The crew also digs into the latest venue change supplement — which now targets Cherokee County and tries to frame Mandy's pink-clad supporters as jury-tainting intimidation. The Beach family and Team Parker are at the Beaufort County Courthouse this week hearing motions: - Parker motion for changing venue - Parker motion to elect Tinsley as attorney or witness - Potentially a new Parker 'motion' for gag order on selected media - Parker motion to exclude Vicky Ward + Gregg Roman as witnesses - Parker motion for summary judgement (to dismiss) - Defendants Greco/D'Cruz motion for summary judgement (to dismiss) - Defendants from Private Investigator Services Group (PISG) Motion for Rule to Show Cause (RTSC) for Gregg Roman's deposition 'dodging' - PISG motion for summary judgement - Defendants motion to quash Plaintiff subpoena of Spartanburg PD and AC Hotel Spartanburg - Beach motion for RTSC on Truist Bank - Beach motion for RTSC on Parker and counsel (alleged discovery abuse) Plus, some Taylor Swift wedding news that has Mandy eating crow on her disbelief that Madison Square Garden rumors turned out to be true. ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Episode References “UPDATE: 7 shot at Coligny Beach on Hilton Head during July 4 fight” - WTOC, July 4, 2026
[Part Two of Two] Investigative journalist Mandy Matney is still processing — but she's not shrinking. In Part Two, Mandy begins the episode reflecting on how Greg Parker's scorched-earth legal campaign was supposed to scare her into silence and instead flipped a switch. Then David delivers a blistering First Amendment Moses Moment, calling out Parker's attorneys for using the court as a weapon against a non-party journalist — asking what she was wearing, how many Instagram followers she has, and why she dared to eat dinner in public. And Liz Farrell breaks down Parker's desperate venue transfer motion, which weaponizes LUNASHARK's own Crowd the Courthouse 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 posts as evidence of jury contamination. Then we roll the tape: Debbie B. Barbier's closing argument, Judge Kelly's bench remarks, and the moment the courtroom turned. The billionaire's lawyers claim billings in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for the failed deposition. But Parker still can't buy or force Mandy's silence. Let's Dive In…
[Part One of Two] The first hearing in Alex Murdaugh's retrial was supposed to signal a new era for Team Murdaugh. Dick Harpootlian promised bigger, bolder, different. What we got instead? Old Dick. Old Trick. Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down every move from the June 29 scheduling hearing before Judge Debra McCaslin — the no-nonsense judge who called the warden herself, set a firm April 5, 2027 trial date, and wasn't about to let Dick charm, delay, or bully his way through her courtroom. From the shackle saga to the laptop drama to Team Murdaugh's DNA boondoggle, it's all here. Plus: what Dick's courtroom behavior may reveal about his real strategy — and why the Becky Hill federal lawsuit might not be about the money at all. Let's Dive In…
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland analyze everything that went down when Mandy (and Eric) took the stand last week during the absurd contempt proceedings. Why did Parker's team show up with four partner-level attorneys, two binders, and zero affidavit? And why was Debbie Barbier demanding Luna Shark's private financials in open court — before any finding of contempt? Then... the Murdaugh retrial gets a no-nonsense new judge. Judge Debra McCaslin sets an April 5 trial date, shuts down the laptop request, and puts Dick Harpootlian on notice — continuances aren't on the menu. ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Episode References Mandy's reaction to her civil contempt hearing
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell dig into the spectacular self-destruction of Weldon Boyd's case against attorney Mark "the Tiger" Tinsley—the wannabe blueberry farmer who sued the lawyer representing the family of the man he killed. Spoiler: Judge Hyman tossed it. We walk through the June 10 hearing, Desa Ballard's baffling "declaratory judgment" demand, and the question nobody could answer: what exactly are we trying to remedy here?Then there's Ken Moss's bizarre motion to recuse Judge Eugene Bubba Griffith, built on a mysterious affidavit he refuses to produce—and a subpoena aimed straight at LUNASHARK®...?Plus: Mandy reports back from her Spartanburg contempt hearing, where Greg Parker's attorneys want her to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars - we think - to a gas-station billionaire. We're broadcasting all four hours Thursday, June 25th at noon on Facebook - watch it with us or catch the replay only on LUNASHARK® Premium afterward.Let's Dive In…
[Part Two of Two] Before we return to the Horry County internal affairs files, we have to talk about the civil contempt hearing on Monday June 22 at 9am in Spartanburg - see y'all there! In our opinion, team Greg Parker's last-minute attempt to bar LUNASHARK® from filming a public courtroom tells you everything about who fears the sunlight. Then investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell dig into CSI investigator Shellneil Tamasi, a by-the-books officer whose IA interview cuts through the spin. She didn't like towing Scott Spivey's truck with his body still inside. She questioned why guns went back untested. She noticed the rush to "self-defense" before the vehicles were even processed, and the people who didn't belong at the round table. Amid a department we've criticized hard, here's a rare bright spot: a cop who documents, and who says what too many wouldn't. Let's Dive In…
[Part One of Two] Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell dig into the Horry County Police Department's internal affairs investigation of the Scott Spivey case and the looming presence of former Deputy Chief Brandon Strickland throughout it. Strickland insists he "stayed out of it" and "distanced" himself — yet there he is on recorded calls with Weldon Boyd admitting he was "working in the shadows," and — according to his own colleagues — sitting in on a meeting about Weldon Boyd's phone, and walking into the evidence room to say "just give Weldon and Bradley their guns back." We break down the IA interviews and learn more about what went on in the investigation leading up to the decision not to charge Weldon and his co-shooter. The interviews shed light on why the guns weren't tested by SLED, how investigators determined the outcome before evidence was even collect and the odd emergence of the “steroid theory.” Plus: why we'll see you inside the Spartanburg County Courthouse (Courtroom 6d) on Monday, June 22 @ 9am (The 5 Year Anniversary of MMP #1). Wear pink. Let's Dive In…
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland unpack a stunning South Carolina primary: Jermaine Johnson's grassroots gubernatorial win, Nancy Mace's fifth-place collapse, Lindsey Graham's surprising vulnerability, and the AG race that exposed how trial lawyers really profit. Is Dick Harpootlian's reign as ‘kingmaker' finally over? Then the team turns to the courts: the shocking not-guilty verdict in the Rick Chow shooting, Netflix's rushed new Murdaugh "Insta-doc" recasting the Egg Lady juror as a victim, and what the soon-to-be-released juror files might (or might not) reveal. Plus, Judge Debbie McCaslin's appointment to the retrial raises fresh conflict questions, and attorney Desa Ballard's bizarre crusade against Mark Tinsley gets the scrutiny it deserves. ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Episode References “Judge stops $75 million South Carolina payment to private law firms for SRS settlement negotiations” - The Augusta Chronicle, Sept 30, 2020
[Part Two of Two] In Part Two of this two-part episode, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell share some big news that SLED teams searched the home, business and possibly farm of one of Scott's shooters, Weldon Boyd. Also in the civil wrongful death case against Weldon Boyd and Bradley Williams, Weldon filed a motion on Tuesday asking that Judge Eugene “Bubba” Griffith — who denied Stand Your Ground immunity to Weldon and Williams — recuse himself from the Spivey case altogether, claiming that Judge Griffith tried to get Bradley to lie in exchange for immunity. Weldon's attorney accuses Judge Griffith of violating the most technical rules on allowing the media to film court proceedings. We also share insights on the appointment of Judge Debbie McCaslin who will oversee all decisions in Alex Murdaugh's murder retrial. Plus a quick look at the Netflix Murdaugh 'Instadoc' and the unsealing of court records dealing with the dismissal of Murdaugh juror 785… Let's Dive In…
[Part One of Two] In Part One of this two-part episode, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell put it all on the table as the Beach family civil conspiracy case against billionaire gas station owner Greg Parker gets EVEN MORE CHAOTIC. Through motions filed Friday, the Beaches accuse Parker, his bank and his counsel of lying, hiding or not producing relevant records and telling a research company to willfully disobey a lawful subpoena. According to the filing, Greg Parker wired $383,000 to an Israeli defense contractor — Demoman International Ltd.— that, according to a 2023 news investigation, serves as a middle man for the sale of highly sophisticated bot-farm software (Advanced Impact Media Solutions) to unscrupulous politicians, governments, corporations and wealthy businessmen to manipulate public opinion using fake social media accounts. Parker unequivocally denies releasing photos of Mallory's dead body to the public, but this latest development raises serious questions about who else might have gotten the photos and why. Plus, why Greg Parker says he can't get a fair trial in Hampton County and says Judge Kelly needs to move the case to … Spartanburg? Let's Dive In…
Break out the tin foil hats, movie theater popcorn, and lots of pins — this one's a doozy. In Part Two, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down one of the strangest lawsuits they've ever seen: Weldon Boyd, the man who shot and killed Scott Spivey, is suing attorney Mark Tinsley. The claim? That Tinsley manufactured a "false narrative" and chased media attention for his own "celebrity status" and "self-aggrandizement" (a phrase used nine times, for the record). With a June 10 motions hearing looming, we unpack Tinsley's motion to dismiss, a bizarre Netflix subpoena for a documentary that doesn't exist, and a fishing-expedition motion to compel naming nineteen people — including the governor and… Mandy, Liz & Beth. Sound familiar? We connect the dots between this case and the coordinated legal war launched against LUNASHARK® in November 2025. Because if we've learned anything in five years, it's that there are no coincidences. Let's Dive In…
[Part One of Two] In Part One of this two-part episode, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell begin sharing their reporting on the Horry County Police Department's internal affairs investigation into the what went down during the (shockingly corrupt) Scott Spivey case. In September 2023, 33-year-old Scott Spivey was shot to death on Camp Swamp Road in Loris, South Carolina, by North Myrtle Beach business owner Weldon Boyd and Weldon's friend Bradley Williams. After calling his mama and his lawyer from the scene, Weldon made another call before police arrived: to Horry County Deputy Chief Brandon Strickland. On this episode, we break down the investigation within the investigation. It's not enough that Horry County police repeatedly broke protocol to help protect Weldon from being held accountable for Scott's death, seasoned investigators on the scene completely mismanaged one of the most basic things to an investigation: the crime scene log. Was it sloppy police work? Or was it yet another way to help a buddy? Let's Dive In…
[Part Two of Two] How does a pro–Alex Murdaugh troll theory end up in The New Yorker? In Part Two of Episode #150, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell trace exactly that. James Lasdun's May 26 New Yorker story leaned into a years-old lie: that LUNASHARK®, Clerk Becky Hill, and attorney Mark Tinsley conspired to plant an "anonymous" email and get the “Egg Lady” booted from Murdaugh's jury. None of it is true — and this week, the receipts come out. For the first time, Mandy and Liz reveal the full story of whistleblower Christine Avery: the real timeline, what the team actually told her, demonstrating how the "Plan A / Plan B" framing falls apart. They expose the "narrative washing" that smuggled Christine's name onto a “Beach v. Greg Parker” witness list, the felon's Ai-generated "slop" and the lazy reporting that let a manufactured theory go national. As South Carolina barrels toward Murdaugh 2.0, this is how disinformation gets dressed up as journalism — and how we plan to punch back. Let's dive in…
[Part One of Two] In Part One of this two-part episode, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down James Lasdun's Becky Hill piece and explain why it reads less like journalism and more like the latest brick in Team Murdaugh's three-year 'narrative-laundering' project. From the recycled "pizza conspiracy" to the false claim that Mark Tinsley has known Christine Avery since 2020, this is what happens when a writer for the New Yorker wanders onto a Murdaugh chessboard perhaps without realizing he's a playing piece. Mandy and Liz connect the dots between Dick Harpootlian's subpoena-power threats, Greg Parker's attorneys, the Egg Lady juror's book written with a convicted felon, and the recycled smears designed to discredit the credible voices standing between Alex Murdaugh and an acquittal at his retrial. Receipts are coming in Part Two — out Friday. Get your pins ready... Let's Dive in…
[Part Two of Two] Read this with a Film Noir voice in your head (Think Maltese Falcon or China Town)
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