In light of how a TikTok creator posts a video admitting she spent every penny she raised in the name of helping Mica Francis’ family on booze and her mortgage... investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and attorney Eric Bland talk about how the laws need to change to hold people accountable for this type of true crime fraud and how to protect yourself from getting scammed in these seemingly well-meaning fundraisers for victims of crime. We also talk about the release of Eric’s ...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 108
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sit down with Amanda Knox to talk about true crime, journalism, media ethics and finding clarity in a world where facts aren’t enough to persuade someone of the truth. In 2007, Seattle resident Amanda Knox was a 20-year-old studying abroad in Perugia, Italy, when the worst happened: A man broke into the apartment she shared with three other women and brutally raped and murdered her roommate: British student Meredith Kercher. The town’s unscr...
Nov 26, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 107
After Alex Murdaugh’s banker buddy Russell Laffitte was given a new trial, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and attorney Eric Bland — take a look at what went into the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to vacate the conviction of Alex Murdaugh’s banker buddy Russell Laffitte and discuss what they expect to see in the future. When will Russell’s retrial be held? Will Judge Richard Gergel — whose error led to this mess — still be the judge in the case? And what does...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 106
On today's episode, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and attorney Eric Bland — talk about yet another piece of good news in the Mica Francis case: Her husband JP Miller’s arrest... After months of squaring off with protesters outside his (now closed) church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina — and just one week after the FBI raided his house — JP Miller lost his cool in public and was arrested for third-degree assault and battery. Why? Because a woman said “Here, Kitty Kitty...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 105
Talk about great timing... Just as investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and attorney Eric Bland — were getting together Friday to record, the FBI was in the middle of raiding the home of Myrtle Beach Pastor JP Miller. Six months ago, JP’s wife, Mica Francis, was found dead in a North Carolina swamp, purportedly a victim of suicide. Since then Cup of Justice, True Sunlight Podcast and other news media have kept a steady spotlight on JP as the ugly truth emerged about what Mica...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 104
This week on “Cup of Justice” join investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell as they sit down with former OJ Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark, who is host of the “Informants: Lawyer X” podcast now on Wondery. “Informants: Lawyer X” tells the (unbelievably wild and very true) story of an Australian defense attorney — Nicola Gobbo — who played both sides of the criminal justice system. Gobbo represented some of Melbourne’s biggest (alleged) criminals while also serving as a top informa...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 103
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland — talk about Mandy’s wild encounter with an Uber driver who was a law enforcement officer in Marion, Kansas, and who … didn’t think the police raid on The Marion County Record and the related death of its editor’s 90-year-old mother were problematic or illegal? Good thing, quick-thinking David thought to record the conversation. Also on the show, the Diddy case keeps getting more twisted as more victims come forward. How...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 102
On our 101st Cup of Justice podcast episode we tackle how the insurance and legal systems are rigged against consumers in the wake of disaster, how this benefits certain parties (like insurance companies and lawyers), and how the Murdaugh family and their associates exploited these systems for their gain. Specifically, the case of Hampton County, South Carolina, and its reputation for large settlements and verdicts, potentially due to corruption and the influence of powerful figures like the Mur...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 101
It’s Cups Up for the 100th time with investigative journalists Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and of the True Sunlight Podcast and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland, who helped bring justice in the Alex Murdaugh saga. To celebrate this special occasion, Mandy, Liz and Eric got together for a live broadcast of this 100th recording to talk about the latest in the JP Miller case — including a defamation case he filed against a Myrtle Beach paralegal, an accusation of bestiality that Horry County P...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 100
Cup of Justice Co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — have returned to their respective studios for the latest episode of Cup of Justice in which there was A LOT to talk about. Over the past few weeks there have been several court filings, including in Alex Murdaugh’s murder conviction appeal. Dick Harpootlian suddenly has love for more sunlight in this case and is advocating for the South Carolina Supreme Court to unseal SLED’s investigation into Juror 785 … you know, the Egg Lady ...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 99
In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, chart-topping podcasters Tiffany Reese, Mandy Matney, and Liz Farrell open up about the personal and professional obstacles they've faced in creating impactful, victim-centered content. From dealing with online harassment and imposter syndrome, to the ethical dilemmas of amplifying survivors' stories, these trailblazing women pull back the curtain on the realities of working in independent media. They discuss the importance of building a supportive c...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 98
Investigative journalist Mandy Matney starts today's episode by sharing more on the newly announced Hulu series "untitled Murdaugh murders," starring Patricia Arquette, focusing on elevating female voices and corruption in South Carolina. So hooray for Hollywood! Then, Journalist Eric Meyer joins Mandy Matney and attorney Eric Bland to discuss the aftermath of a controversial raid on his Marion Kansas newspaper office and his home where his 98-year-old mother died following the raid. Led by disg...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 97
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland — have been thoroughly entertained by the latest phase of Alex Murdaugh’s over-the-top efforts to get his murder conviction reversed. Last week the public FINALLY got to meet the Egg Lady Juror (Myra Crosby) and her sidekick Juror Z (aka Juror 630, Mandy Pearce). Both women appeared in the latest episode of the Murdaugh-friendly documentary series on Fox Nation — and Juror Z made her first (and probably last) solo app...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 96
Investigative reporters Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sat down with South Carolina Senator Katrina Shealy who — in 2012 — was elected to the all-male Senate. Yes, it was all-male. And yes, it was 2012... For years, Sen. Shealy was either ignored by her colleagues or straight-up bullied and harassed — even evoking the infamous “Women are a lesser cut of meat” comment from another senator. Nevertheless, she got down to business and became a champion of speaking up for women and children — two popul...
Aug 27, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 95
Today, Cup of Justice Co-Hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — take a look at the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to hear Alex Murdaugh’s appeal in his quest for a new murder trial. The headlines say this is a BIG DEAL and a major win for Alex, but is that true? What does it mean that the Supreme Court is allowing him the opportunity to skip the line in his appeal? Is it a sign they’re ready to let him start over? Or is it their way of hastening the inevitable and sending Alex...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 94
On today's 93rd Cup of Justice episode, investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland — discuss the federal government’s response to Alex Murdaugh’s effort to appeal his 40-year sentence in the financial crimes. It seems like all the T’s were crossed and all the I’s dotted in Alex’s sentencing hearing, which means his sentence has very little chance of being overturned. So what’s going on? Is Alex Murdaugh finally preparing to turn on his te...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 93
Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland — give a recap of last week’s strange press conference after Myrtle Beach Pastor JP Miller settled with Mica Francis’ family in their ongoing disputes in Family and Probate courts. Eric breaks down what the family might have given up in agreeing to drop their fight against JP getting to be personal representative of Mica’s estate … but also what they might have gained by settling now. The three a...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 92
On today's 91st COJ episode, Mandy and Liz sat down with Karl Stoller, whose daughter Dallas died in 2021 while awaiting justice in her 2018 sexual assault. Since her death, Dallas’ accused rapist Bowen Turner has remained in the headlines, not only for the two other rapes he’s been accused of, but for the stunning failures perpetrated by the prosecution, who seemed to readily allow a high-priced legislator-lawyer dictate the terms of Bowen’s punishment. Also on the show, we talk about the big l...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 91
Cup of Justice co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — are still reeling from JP Miller’s utterly bizarre interview on Ashleigh Banfield’s show on NewsNation late Friday night. Pastor JP appears to be on some sort of public relations tour, claiming that his lawyer told him it would help with his future defamation cases. But so far? It’s not going well — starting with his vivid descriptions of a lost spaghetti dinner. In a manic sit-down with reporter Rich McHugh filled with inconsist...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 90
Last week marked the ninth anniversary of Stephen Smith’s death. Cup of Justice co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — talk about Mandy and Liz’s latest reporting in the case and the biggest mystery that exists in the original investigation. Also on the show, Mandy is dismissed from the frivolous defamation case filed against her by a former University of South Carolina professor, who was accused in multiple sexual harassment cases. Plus, why Alex Murdaugh’s latest filing to the Sou...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 89
Cup of Justice co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — listened to Dick Harpootlian’s (ridiculously long) farewell speech in the South Carolina Senate and needless to say, they have some thoughts on it. Especially when it comes to Dick’s tone-deaf defense of his own behavior defending Alex Murdaugh. Also on the show, several lawmakers around the country are seriously considering introducing legislation to end no-fault divorces. Mandy, Liz and Eric discuss the possible impacts that co...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 88
Cup of Justice co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — take a look at the lawsuit filed by Buster Murdaugh against documentary filmmakers and major networks, accusing them of defamation in their Stephen Smith reporting. Eric gives a quick primer about what defamation is and what Buster is going to have to prove in the courtroom. Mandy and Liz talk about their observations of how the media handled the mentions of the Murdaugh name in the Smith investigation and what things looked like...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 87
We are honored once again to welcome Laura Richards, world renowned and award-winning Criminal Behavioral Analyst, formerly of New Scotland Yard. Every week Laura profiles behaviors and identifies the red flags to prevent murders in slow motion on her groundbreaking and award winning podcast: Crime Analyst. Laura Richards and Mandy Matney discuss the prevalence and devastating consequences of coercive control in domestic abuse cases, emphasizing the need for legal changes and societal challenges...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 86
We all want to drink from the same Cup of Justice ... and it starts with learning about our legal system. With tales from the newsroom and the courtroom, co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland invite you to gain knowledge, insight, and tools to hold public agencies and officials accountable. Beginning as bonus episodes to the Murdaugh Murders Podcast with analysis of the trials of Alex Murdaugh and co-conspirators, Cup of Justice launched as its own show in January of 2023. Mandy Matn...
Jun 14, 2024•1 min
Cup of Justice co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — talk about the latest revelations in the Mica Miller case, which they’re now referring to as the Mica FRANCIS case (in honor of Mica’s attempt before her death to shed her married name and reclaim her identity). Last week, Mica’s family announced that they are determined to make sure there’s a law to protect victims of non-physical abuse in their relationships. In a press conference outside the Conway Courthouse in South Carolina...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 85
Cup of Justice co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — are back with their analysis of former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill’s enormous lineup of ethics charges. Last week Becky was charged with 76 violations of the state ethics code for giving herself around $10K in bonuses with Department of Social Services money along with a litany of allegedly unauthorized purchases for meals, parties and holiday celebrations. Were these charges directly related to Alex Murdaugh’s tria...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 84
Cup of Justice creator Mandy Matney welcomes filmmaker Erin Lee Carr to discuss high-profile cases involving suicide, online harassment, and domestic violence. They share personal experiences and insights into the legal and ethical questions surrounding these issues, emphasizing the importance of empathy and accountability. They also debate the shortcomings of the system in addressing these problems and the need for a comprehensive approach. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the psycho...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 83
Cup of Justice co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — talk about Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial convocation speech, in which he essentially told women graduates that they have been told a “diabolical lie” about pursuing an existence beyond being wives and mothers. These comments and those that support them add context to the Mica Miler case out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and shows the challenges of divorcing but also the dangers of divorce laws. Mandy, Liz and Er...
May 21, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 82
Investigative journalist Liz Farrell — and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland — sit down with lawyer (and journalist!) Julie Grant, host of Court TV’s “Opening Statements,” to talk about everything from Alex Murdaugh’s lies to Bill Cosby’s very worst behavior outside the courthouse to the emotional impact of the Colucci trial postponement. The three also discuss vicarious trauma and how that can affect reporters, what law school is REALLY like, as well as Julie’s unusual path to her well-de...
May 14, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 81
For starters, Cup of Justice has a new Instagram account @COJPOD so be sure to follow for all the updates on exciting new guests, the Colucci case, and more. Cup of Justice co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland — talk about what went down when Eric and Sandy Smith met with investigators to talk about where things stand in the Stephen Smith case. Also on the show, turns out accused killer Michael Colucci IS on an ankle monitor. Why is it so hard in South Carolina for victims to get a ...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 80
