COJ #132 - The Price of Protection: When Insurance Fails, Bonds Break & Justice Is a Joke

This week we're diving into some of the most frustrating systems many Americans face, starting with healthcare. Liz joins us from Rhode Island and shares a harrowing family emergency and the implications of her uncle’s hospital stay... The conversation pivots to the striking similarities between the healthcare system and the South Carolina bond system, highlighting the lack of uniformity and how the discretion involved feels like gambling. And consequently, the disturbing Nathan Cureton case, where a man with a violent history was released on bond to attend a graduation just days before an alleged kidnapping and murder-suicide… it all raises serious questions about public safety and the system's decision-making. We broaden our critique of the criminal justice system, discussing the frustration with police thoroughness and the feeling among the public that they have to be "part-time detectives". This includes a deep dive into the confusing circumstances of the Chris Skinner case, involving his drowning death, the police and coroner ruling it an accident despite video suggesting suicide, and baffling police interviews that seemed to lack interest or key questions. Finally, Mandy shares a personal update – she's been notified that Bill Padget wants to depose her in a long dead lawsuit that feels more like harassment. We discuss the process, the challenges for journalists facing legal action years after reporting a story, and Mandy's strong feelings about the lawyer and lawsuit… It's a raw look at confusing, costly, and sometimes dangerous systems that feel rigged against the average person… but that’s why we’re talking about it to educate and hopefully entertain! ☕ Cups Up! ⚖️ Episode References Katie Couric Gets A Colonoscopy on TODAY 🎞️ Mandy’s Facebook Post about Nathan Cureton 🌐 “SC Judge Alison Lee, ex-Obama nominee, retires from the bench” - The State, May 18, 2023 📰 Little River Victim’s Facebook Video 🌐 Upcoming Events Michael Colucci re-trial set to begin on June 16th, 2025 ⚖️ Walking With Stephen event on July 12th 💚 Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight...☀️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Members⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ also get access to episode videos, case files, live trial coverage and exclusive live experiences with our hosts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more and join with Promo Code "COJ25" for your first month free! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunasharkmerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What We're Buying... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/COJ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Here's a link to some of our favorite things: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4cJ0eVn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bsky.app/profile/mandy-matney.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bsky.app/profile/elizfarrell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bsky.app/profile/theericbland.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter.com/mandymatney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter.com/elizfarrell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter.com/theericbland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cojpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIKTOK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUNscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ free email list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get alerts on bonus episodes, calls to action, new shows and updates. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://bit.ly/3KBM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** 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! *** *The views expressed on the Cup of Justice episodes do not constitute legal advice. Listeners desiring legal advice for any particular legal matter are urged to consult an attorney of their choosing who can provide legal advice based upon a full understanding of the facts and circumstances of their claim. The views expressed on the Cup of Justice episodes also do not express the views or opinions of Bland Richter, LLP, or its attorneys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices