Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell of True Sunlight Podcast sit down with Sarah Turney, the creator of “Voices for Justice” podcast, to talk about the latest in her sister’s case and Sarah’s fight for answers. In 2001, Alissa Turney was just 17 years old when she disappeared on her last day of junior year in Phoenix, Arizona. Sarah and Alissa’s father, Michael, told police that Alissa had run away from home. The police believed him — and for years, so did Sarah, who was only ...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 136
A week after the shocking dismissal of Michael Colucci’s 10-year-old murder charge because of prosecutorial misconduct on the behalf of SLED and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Bishop Venters — the daughter of Sara-Lynn Moore Colucci, whom Michael is accused of strangling to death in May 2015 — says she’s ready to fight for a new trial. Bishop, whose biological father died under tragic circumstances a few years earlier, was about 8 years old when Michael, her mother’s new husband, ...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 135
Investigative journalists and co-hosts of True Sunlight Podcast Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland discuss the heinous details contained in court documents about what suspended South Carolina Representative RJ May has been accused of doing and why it was important for the U.S. Attorney’s Office to get so graphic. Over the course of five days in 2024, RJ May is accused of sharing 220 different child-sex abuse videos — including videos of babies being raped, bestiality with child...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 134
Opening statements rock the courtroom as federal prosecutors accuse Sean “Diddy” Combs of running a decades-long criminal enterprise built on violence, sex trafficking, and power. The defense hits back hard, painting it all as a toxic relationship, not a RICO case. Then Cassie Ventura takes the stand, and everything changes. Her voice may be quiet. Her story is not. https://wondery.com/shows/the-rise-and-fall-of-diddy/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 17, 2025•10 min
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland —talk about the retrial of murder suspect Michael Colucci, who is accused of strangling his wife Sara-Lynn Moore Colucci 10 years ago in Summerville, South Carolina, and how the age and health of his high-profile (and high-cost) attorney contributed to the constant trial delays. Is this yet another trick of the defense attorney trade in South Carolina? Leveraging an attorney’s health in court to benefit defendants … a...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 133
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, wh...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 132
Join us for a very special episode of "Cup of Justice" as investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell chat with the incredibly talented actor, Valyn Hall, best known for her unforgettable role as Aunt Tiffany in HBO's The Righteous Gemstones. In this insightful and hilarious conversation, we dive deep into Valyn's experiences both on and off the screen. Learn how the show accurately, albeit exaggerated, portrays Southern culture and family loyalty, making the South itself a character....
May 27, 2025•57 min•Season 3Ep. 131
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland unpack the continued fallout from the Alex Murdaugh trial, and the four new felony charges for former Clerk of Court, Becky Hill. They dissect the charges against Hill, clarifying that she faces misconduct, obstruction and perjury allegations... but not for jury tampering, despite Team Murdaugh's narrative. The hosts reveal how Hill seemed to embrace the attention, and how 'Backstage' Becky's actions, like charging hi...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 130
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland pull back the curtain on disturbing issues in Horry County, South Carolina. Our team narrows focus to Weldon Boyd's troubling narrative, detailing how Boyd admittedly followed Scott Spivey before the fatal shooting. The hosts dissect the circumstances, questioning the application of "Stand Your Ground" given Weldon's decision to pursue Scott onto Camp Swamp Road. We’ll also lob criticisms at the press, particularly lo...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 129
In September 2023, highly connected North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, businessman Weldon Boyd and his friend Bradley Williams shot 33-year-old Scott Spivey to death on a rural road. From the very start, Horry County Police Department seemed to go to great lengths to paint Spivey as the aggressor and Boyd and Williams as merely victims who had no choice but to defend themselves. Months later — after an alleged investigation — Horry County Police, 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson, South C...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 128
As we are focused on hearings in Houston, TX and Franklin, TN plus tracking developments in Horry County, SC and supporting the scripted series in ATL this week... we're tabling COJ and bringing you a special LUNASHARK Premium Preview Bonus Episode! From David’s Corruption Watchlist, Beth’s Soundbites, Girl Talk with Liz and Mandy, and all the great Premium Dives with Beth, Kate, Sam and others... we keep Premium members engaged, informed, and entertained as we tackle tough topics. Today, we wan...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 128
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland cover a lot of ground in this latest episode, starting with the death of Pope Francis, a religious leader who routinely called for justice and spoke out against hypocrisy. What will the future of the church look like now? Also on the show, Alex Murdaugh’s co-conspirator Russell Laffitte appeared in court last week to finally admit his guilt. Is this the end of the road for the federal cases in the Murdaugh saga, or wi...
Apr 22, 2025•55 min•Season 3Ep. 127
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland get a dose of breaking news mid-episode when the warrant for Angie Solomon’s “murder for hire” arrest comes in, raising all-new questions. In 2020, Angie’s 18-year-old son Grant was killed in a strange set of circumstances while outside a gym while his father, Aaron Solomon, was present. Since then, Angie sought justice for her son — as well as for her young daughter, who has accused Aaron of sexual abuse. Was Angie r...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 126
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland — (3:21) talk about the big reveal this past week of A-List Hollywood actor Jason Clarke in full costume as Alex Murdaugh. Clarke, who stars in the upcoming Hulu production based on the Murdaugh Murders Podcast — now True Sunlight Podcast — was seen filming in Atlanta and … let’s just say he has more than just the LUNSHARK team excited for the series. It turns out the fake Alex Murdaugh wasn’t the only one getting hea...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 125
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland — think they know where the finale for the third season of “White Lotus” is headed … (01:42) let’s just say things are seeming mighty familiar there. (22:09) Speaking of the Murdaugh family … on today’s episode Mandy, Liz and Eric also dive into Buster Murdaugh’s latest filing in his federal defamation case — specifically, the part of the memo that indicates Buster has depositions from people who have personal knowled...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 124
In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Cup of Justice, journalist Mandy Matney and attorney Eric Bland sit down with Darryl Burton, a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent almost a lifetime – – in prison before finally being exonerated. Darryl shares his harrowing journey from a young man in inner-city St. Louis to facing a capital murder charge despite having a strong alibi – he was across the country in Washington state at the time of the crime. Darryl recounts the shocking...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 123
In this powerful episode, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sit down with the legendary investigative journalist Julie K. Brown, the reporter whose groundbreaking work exposed the horrific crimes of Jeffrey Epstein. Listen as Mandy and Liz recount their early inspiration from Julie's tenacious reporting on Epstein at a time before the Murdoch investigation. The trio delve into the difficulties of finding and working with victims of trauma, emphasizing the sensitivity and res...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 122
In this gripping episode of Cup of Justice... investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell, and attorney Eric Bland — dive deep into the second Jane Doe lawsuit against JP Miller, revealing shocking details of alleged sexual abuse in an unaccredited religious school. The lawsuit details how Miller's father, Wayne Miller, mishandled the initial report, placing the victim with the alleged assailant. The conversation also touched on the broader issues of church and school regulation, the ...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 121
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell, and attorney Eric Bland — talk about Mandy and David’s visit to the Hulu set of the Murdaugh TV show in Atlanta right as filming starts. Also on the show Myrtle Beach Pastor John-Paul Miller makes a mockery of the court system. Why isn’t anyone stopping him? Plus, Mandy and Liz talk about what went into their reporting of the Jane Doe No. 1 lawsuit that was filed last week, accusing JP Miller of raping a 15-year-old in 1998 and assaulting h...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 120
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell, and attorney Eric Bland — talk about Mandy and David’s trip to Charleston for yet another federal sentencing hearing of a rich South Carolina attorney. This time it was for Hilton Head attorney Peter Strauss, whose license to practice is on interim suspension... as of Monday, February 24, 2025.... Strauss pleaded guilty in fall 2023 to a single count of removal of property to prevent seizure to help his client — a man who later pleaded guil...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 119
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell, and attorney Eric Bland — talk about Bowen Turner’s return to jail after allegedly day-drinking at a public golf course last week. South Carolina’s thrice-accused rapist — and the crowned prince of trying to buy his way out of accountability — is once again being accused of violating the terms of parole … and breaking yet another promise to a justice system that continues to reward him with just one more chance. How many more times will we ...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 118
Get ready for a jam-packed episode where we dive deep into the ridiculous, the infuriating, and the downright fascinating! This week, we're covering it all, from the bizarre energy of the Super Bowl to the petty world of legal filings and everything in between. Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell, and attorney Eric Bland — talk about the latest filing from Alex Murdaugh’s twice-alleged co-conspirator Russell Laffitte as he seeks a jury pool that goes beyond the Lowcountry. Tur...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 117
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sat down with Mica Francis’ divorce attorney Regina Ward of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to talk about Mica’s case and the dozens of lawsuits JP Miller has now filed against protesters and content creators. In the interview, Regina talked about Mica’s request for a restraining order against JP and why it was dismissed — PLUS she revealed that at the time of Mica’s death Mica was awaiting her second restraining order hearing to stop JP from ...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 116
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell get a lesson in all things Magistrate Court from co-host attorney Eric Bland. After Myrtle Beach Pastor JP Miller files more than a dozen complaints against protesters and creators seeking Justice for Mica, we were left scratching our heads but not at all surprised. What is JP up to and why did he choose Magistrate Court, where the most damages he could win tops out at $7,500? How can the protesters/creators defend themselves? And will Judge...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 3Ep. 115
Just over a year ago, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell from “True Sunlight Podcast,” watched the hit Netflix documentary “American Nightmare” about Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, the California couple who were immediately dubbed “LIARS” by police — and the media — after reporting a home invasion and the subsequent kidnapping and rape of Denise in 2015. Mandy and Liz were blown away by the documentary, and especially by the work of a woman named Misty Carausu. After months ...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 114
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland talk about the horrors of the Los Angeles wildfires and how Big Insurance, as well as systemic failures in government preparation have made a catastrophic situation even worse. Closer to home, the three talk about the success of Luna Shark's billboard blitz in the hopes of seeking answers in the Stephen Smith case (not to mention Sandy Smith’s decision to increase the reward to $50,000 for information leading to arres...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 113
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and attorney Eric Bland — are BACK and ready to take on the New Year. This 112th episode of COJ covers a range of topics, starting with a look back at the holidays. Premium members get a special discussion on Liz's snow day adventures, Mandy's aversion to winter, and Eric's past commuting woes in Philadelphia…and we’ll touch on the dangers of public transportation in New York. This week Alex Murdaugh’s best friend and co-conspirator Cory F...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 112
We celebrate another year for the record books with excerpts from episodes throughout the year. Case highlights, amazing special guests and SOOO much insight from co-hosts Eric Bland, Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell . Investigative Journalist Mandy Matney, reporter Beth Braden, our resident librarian Kate Thomas and our producer David take a moment to reflect on 12 carefully selected segments as we review everything from the Murdaugh trial with Vinnie Politan to the Michelle Carter case with Erin L...
Dec 24, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 111
Live from Hollywood! This week attorney Eric Bland asks investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell about their visit to to 'La La Land' and the writers’ room of Hulu’s upcoming scripted series based on the Murdaugh Murders Podcast. As always, there was a lot to talk about (including Eric’s connection to the Luigi Mangione case?!). Last week, Alex Murdaugh filed a 132-page initial brief for his consolidated appeal in front of the South Carolina Supreme Court and … it’s A LOT. Team Mur...
Dec 17, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 110
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and attorney Eric Bland — discuss the first post-prison court appearance of Alex Murdaugh’s alleged co-conspirator Russell Laffitte. On Monday, Russell was looking like a different and defeated man when his whiny attorneys — Mark Moore and state Rep. Todd Rutherford — tried to postpone his state court date to “Never” and asked the court to unfreeze his $10 million to $12 million (!) fortune so they can get paid. The biggest news to come ou...
Dec 10, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 109
