MMP Remastered #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Lafitte’s Future

It’s FOIA around and find out time again on True Sunlight Podcast! True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell unpack the latest round of records reporter Beth Braden received from Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill’s emails. In the stack of documents, Beth found memos from SLED outlining interviews with Alex Murdaugh’s siblings after Alex was finally charged with Maggie’s and Paul’s murders in the summer of 2022. Turns out there was a bloody towel found in the house the morning after the murders that no one knew about. Sorry, no one other than Lynn Murdaugh, Alex’s older sister. I know, right? Also on today’s show, Mandy and Liz do a deeper dive on a piece of evidence in the Stephen Smith case — his little yellow car that was found on the side of the road. Plus an update on Peter J. Strauss, the suspended attorney we told you about in Season 2, Episode 29, who might hold answers to the big question: Did Alex stash stolen money off-shore? To listen to all of our episodes with information on Who Killed Stephen Smith, visit truesunlight.com or https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4GI4ezkrlQorzy2HuyiGsu ' As mentioned in this episode, we'll be sharing most of our recent FOIA responses, MOI's, case files and creepy messages to Alex with our Luna Shark Premium Members. In February we’re offering your first month of Soak Up The Sun membership for 50% off. 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 that special offer for first time members, receive 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! 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

15 Feb 20241h 2min

True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell are finally free from the constant noise of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh and ready to once again focus on the case that deserves all the sunshine: Who killed Stephen Smith? It’s been nearly nine years since Stephen — a teenager from Hampton County with high aspirations to become a doctor one day… ground zero of Murdaugh territory — was found dead in the road, less than a mile from his home. While the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh have brought a new focus to Stephen’s investigation — which had gone cold almost immediately — Stephen’s mother is no closer to getting the answers she so desperately wants. In the meantime, a number of people have come out of the woodwork with claims of wanting to help Sandy only to betray her in the end. In this episode Mandy and Liz talk about the red flags they keep seeing, as well as give an update on two people who have wrongly been identified by one media agency as people of interest. In February we’re offering your first month of Soak Up The Sun membership for 50% off. 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 that special offer for first time members, receive 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! 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

8 Feb 202455min

The Alex Murdaugh Rollercoaster (finally) comes to a stop. True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down everything that happened at the very weird and very wild evidentiary hearing where Justice Jean Toal brought much-needed sanity to the state of South Carolina. After nearly seven hours of hearing from the jurors who found Alex guilty of murder and other testimony, Justice Toal concluded that Colleton County Clerk Becky Hill made “fleeting and foolish” comments to people around her, including one or more jurors, in her quest for publicity but that she did not tamper with the jury.  In other news, Mandy is excited to go back to Columbia South Carolina as we celebrate justice at the Capital City Club Columbia, SC to bring a special evening event you won’t want to miss!! Luna Shark CEO and celebrated journalist Mandy Matney will be joined by Attorney and Legal Director of the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network, Sarah A. Ford, for an evening reception and examination of state government, true crime and media and of course the conclusion of this very long saga. This Exclusive In-Person Event is restricted to Invited Clubs Members and Luna Shark Premium Members Only – RSVP Today By Clicking the following link or visit lunasharkmedia.com/events to learn more. https://lunasharkmedia.com/event/capital-city-club-confidential/ In February we’re offering your first month of Soak Up The Sun membership for 50% off. 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 that special offer for first time members, receive 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! 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 Feb 20241h 33min

So while we have a bit of an Alex Murdaugh break this week, True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell wanted to talk about something really important that’s expected to happen the week after his evidentiary hearing. With South Carolina’s judicial elections on the horizon, today's episode revisits the Bowen Turner case and how his prosecutor’s 12-year journey to the judgeship continues to expose the darkest corners of legal power.  After reviewing hundreds of documents SC judicial selection, it seems like the Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC) has unspoken rules. They can’t - and don’t - talk about the thing that is central to their existence – those few people in our state with the power to elect our judges wield unspoken power from the statehouse to the courtroom. That power has tipped the scales of justice for far too long in South Carolina. This system makes legislator-lawyers’ private practices potentially more profitable. And it gives a certain class of attorneys in the state much more power in the courtroom — especially when their clients can afford to surreptitiously fund a judge’s upheaval. Its truly unreal to watch some of the most powerful people in our state operate as if they don’t have a clue – nor do they care – about the concerns of South Carolina citizens or public safety.... Catch up on previous episodes dealing with the JMSC and Bowen Turner debacle at lunasharkmedia.com/truesunlight. We'll also Premiere the November 8, 2023 JMSC hearing for Soak Up The Sun members near noon and for the public on Luna Shark's YouTube channel near 2pm ET on Thursday January 25th. In January we’re offering your first month of Soak Up The Sun membership for 50% off. 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 that special offer for first time members, receive 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! 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

25 Jan 20241h 8min

On today’s show, True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell finally see some hope after five months of Murdaugh chaos. This week, Justice Jean Toal sent a strong message to Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin that her courtroom will not be a place for them to put Colleton County Clerk Becky Hill on trial in their quest to get Alex Murdaugh a new trial. Left with their playbook ripped in shreds, what will Team Murdaugh’s next move be? Mandy and Liz discuss the highlights from this week’s status conference and what they think will happen in the lead up to Alex’s Jan. 29th hearing. The biggest question heading into Tuesday's hearing was how Justice Toal would interpret the law – if she will decide on Alex’s new trial based on evidence of Becky’s actions with the jurors affecting the verdict OR based on evidence showing that Becky’s communication with the jury COULD HAVE affected the verdict.  And it didn’t take long for Judge Toal to make a clear decision on that and set the tone for the hearing... Let's get into it... 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

18 Jan 20241h 3min

On today’s show, True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell discuss Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin’s latest filing with the court ahead of the Jan. 16 status conference in Columbia. Did Team Murdaugh just admit the evidence against Alex in the murder case was strong? Are they admitting they don’t have evidence of jury tampering? Also on today’s show, Mandy and Liz talk about a 1988 Cold Case and the man who served time for killing a 60-year-old Hilton Head Island woman. The case is one that is particularly frustrating because of how — after being given a chance to show that violence against women matters to them — the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office declined to further prosecute a man with a history of violence, killing and sexual assault. Let's get into it... 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

11 Jan 202458min

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 Dec 20231h 9min