TSP #59 - 911 calls shed light on JP Miller’s True Colors And Cohort + Stephen Smith Officer Claps Back (Sort of)

After examining exclusive documents and videos from the early days of SLED’s case, True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell are wondering if there’s more to what happened after Maggie and Paul were killed”? As we watched certain videos appear on a November 2023 episode of Dateline, our reporter Beth Braden got right on that and FOIA’d for them. These videos are important because as much as the bad guys want us to move on from this investigation… There are a lot of unanswered questions about what happened in the immediate hours following Maggie and Paul Murdaugh’s murders.  We will be posting the full videos – and access to all reports we received in the FOIA request – to the Luna Shark Premium feed on January 4th for Soak Up the Sun members only and we’ll publish to all members later on.  The videos provide unmatched insight into the Murdaugh’s mysterious world and who these people really are – in the same way the jailhouse phone calls gave us a deeper understanding of the players involved and the games Alex plays with them. And we're breaking it all down here on the first episode of 2024. We plan to continue to grow Luna Shark Media through Membership because we believe in the future of journalism and the more members who join the more journalists we can hire to dig into new cases around the country where crime meets corruption. This year we have exciting plans for premium featuring fresh and exclusive content and access to our growing live event schedule.  In January we’re offering your first month of Soak Up The Sun membership for 50% off and our SUNscribers will get an email this Friday for 50% off their first three months of Soak Up The Sun Membership. So join our email list to get that special offer for first time members. Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. Or become a member on YouTube for exclusive videos and ad-free episodes. 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/3KBMJcP Visit our new events page Lunasharkmedia.com/events where you can learn about the upcoming in-person and virtual appearances from hosts! And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! *This episode contains strong language For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Jan 20241h 5min

True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell take a look back at 2023 and how the effort to convict Alex Murdaugh became the “trial of the century.” As they consider the highs and lows of this roller coaster of a year, they’ve gotten new perspective on how Alex was treated by South Carolina’s Justice system. Plus, an update on Becky Hill’s story plagiarism, her emails and the lie she told to the media. Visit our new events page Lunasharkmedia.com/events where you can learn about the upcoming in-person and virtual appearances from hosts! Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. Or become a member on YouTube for exclusive videos and ad-free episodes. 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/3KBMJcP And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Des 20231h 9min

First and foremost, we are announcing a new way to send tips and communications as we pursue answers in the death of Stephen Smith. It’s time to turn up the pressure and remind everyone that this is the case to close in 2024. If you feel comfortable to send tips straight to SLED, please do so at tips@SLED.SC.gov. If you want to send confidential tips to our team in coordination with Stephen's mom Sandy, you can now do so at AnswersForStephen.com. 2024 will mark 9 years since Stephen’s death and we’re going to do everything in our power so that Sandy doesn’t have to spend another year wondering what happened to her son. There is STILL HOPE THAT WE CAN SOLVE THIS CASE. And by the way, there is a $30,000 reward for anyone who gives information that leads to an arrest.  We refuse to let this case go cold, no matter how many distractions the Murdaugh mess throws our way. If you know something, say something. Please. For Sandy, for Stephen’s family. We are begging you. AnswersForStephen.com or tips@SLED.SC.gov. Now, in this 30th episode of True Sunlight, South Carolina's Supreme Court has finally assigned someone to take over for Judge Clifton Newman and hear Alex Murdaugh’s motion for a new murder trial. Who is former Chief Justice Jean Toal? And what could the appointment of this legal trailblazer mean for the future of Alex’s case? True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell discuss the latest development in the Murdaugh Murders Saga. Plus they answer listener questions about Becky Hill’s case and whose side they’re on. Visit our new events page Lunasharkmedia.com/events where you can learn about the upcoming in-person and virtual appearances from hosts! Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. 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/3KBMJcP And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Des 202359min

Are investigators getting closer to Alex Murdaugh’s missing millions? True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell discuss an under-the-radar disciplinary action issued this week by the South Carolina Supreme Court, suspending the license of a Hilton Head Island lawyer who might hold some answers as to where Alex stashed his stolen cash. Also on the show, why it’s now more important than ever for people to keep their eyes on the ball in the Becky Hill case.  In the new year, we're planning to create casual meet & greets, book signings, educational presentations, LIVE Q&A, university events, cocktail happy hours and more... And we want to source these ideas from the listeners and Premium Members. You spark the idea and we'll show up with the program, swag and the budget! Visit lunasharkmedia.com/newevents to submit your idea for consideration! Visit our new events page Lunasharkmedia.com/events where you can learn about the upcoming in-person and virtual appearances from hosts! Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. 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/3KBMJcP And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Des 202348min

True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down Alex Murdaugh’s 50-minute speech to the court during his sentencing Nov. 27 for his financial crimes. Though nauseating — and, frankly, inappropriate given that he directly addressed the victims — this unprecedented speech from a defendant provided the public with a bird’s eye view to the full spectrum of his narcissism and his criminality. Also on the show, the quest to get Alex a new trial in his murder case has taken an alarming turn. The focus now seems to be on ensuring that Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill’s credibility is worse than that of the Egg Lady Juror as Team Murdaugh continues its full-court press in getting just about everyone removed from the case.  In the new year, we're planning to create casual meet & greets, book signings, educational presentations, LIVE Q&A, university events, cocktail happy hours and more... And we want to source these ideas from the listeners and Premium Members with y’all connecting with venues where possible. Essentially, you gather the people and we'll show up and add to the experience with programming, swag and the budget! Visit lunasharkmedia.com/newevents to submit your idea for consideration! Visit our new events page Lunasharkmedia.com/events where you can learn about the upcoming in-person and virtual appearances from hosts! Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. 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/3KBMJcP And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Des 20231h 36min

True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell unpack everything that went down at what has to be the most bizarre court proceeding in South Carolina’s history: the sentencing of Alex Murdaugh. We are BACK! First of all, we want to say thank you to Eric Alan for his amazing work on Mountain Mystery Part Two, which gave our entire team a much needed break over Thanksgiving. Be sure to check out his YouTube channel here for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Eric-Alan  This week we'll start with some good news, an update on the Becky Hill drama, plus a puzzling situation in Duffie Stone's 14th Circuit. We'll also discuss the brighter moments of Murdaugh's sentencing, such as the bravery the victims showed as they confronted a monster and the grace they showed in forgiving him. We also delve into the plea agreement itself and what it might mean for Alex achieving his No. 1 goal: to be a free man again. This week focuses on the victims' grace, forgiveness, hope and bravery. Next week, we'll pick apart Alex's nonsense.  We are back on the Blood On Their Hands Book Promo Tour and Mandy is coming to Nashville this weekend. We can’t wait to meet you at The Co-Op Hillsboro village on Belcourt Ave At 1 pm for a book signing Sunday Dec 3. We hope to see you there! Visit our new events page Lunasharkmedia.com/events where you can learn about the upcoming in-person and virtual appearances from hosts! Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. 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/3KBMJcP And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 Des 20231h 28min

Luna Shark Productions continues its mission of getting the story straight and giving voice to victims by presenting part two of “A Mystery Mountain: What Happened to April Jones?” So much has happened in the Murdaugh case over the past week. It’s honestly mind-blowing the twists and turns this story continues to take. We’ll get into ALL of this very soon. However, in this special episode of True Sunlight Podcast, Eric Alan Daume reports from the Blue Ridge mountains of South Carolina and continues his investigation into April’s death, as well as the deaths of Kevin Craig and John Evans and the disappearance of Faith Roach. While in the middle of reporting on this compelling story — and as more and more doesn’t seem to add up — Eric finds himself caught off-guard by grim news, deepening the mystery of these Oconee County tragedies. Eric Alan’s reporting is not only thorough and fearless, it’s compelling and will have you on the edge of your seat as he grapples with the unexpected and confronts the challenges we’ve all experienced in our reporting on true crime stories. In this latest episode, he has invited all of us behind the scenes on his journey to get at the truth about these mysterious deaths and disappearances in Oconee County.  It’s been a while since we first introduced “A Mountain Mystery.” We invite you to return to True Sunlight Episode #15 to relisten to Part One. And find Eric Alan’s YouTube channel where he has published a number of video episodes on this spellbinding saga Thank you to ALL OF YOU for listening and for helping us shine the light on this important case.  Learn more about Eric Alan and his Compelling True Crime Documentaries here: https://www.youtube.com/@Eric-Alan Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. 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/3KBMJcP And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Nov 202356min

True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sort through the receipts that South Carolina Solicitor David Pascoe brought with him to the Statehouse this week as he went through a Who’s Who of Lawyer-Legislators getting preferential treatment. Plus, Alex Murdaugh’s legal team files a motion to get Alex’s financial crimes trial delayed and moved to a new county, saying they can’t get an impartial jury because of all the publicity surrounding their client … then Dick Harpootlian goes on Jim Griffin’s podcast to talk about Alex Murdaugh and give the case more publicity. Visit our new events page Lunasharkmedia.com/events where you can learn about the upcoming in-person and virtual appearances from hosts! And check out Mandy's new article in Newsweek where she talks about her journey and what's next. And please consider buying your copy of Blood On Their Hands this week - rave reviews so far!! Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. 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/3KBMJcP And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Nov 20231h 10min