In today’s episode True Sunlight Co-hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell— and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland — discuss a strange (and dangerous) Tik Tok about a possible person of interest “on the run” in the Stephen Smith case.
They also talk about the ongoing fight for justice in the Grant Solomon case in Tennessee, media’s role in challenging the system, the latest in the Bowen Turner case and why it’s important for victims to keep making noise.

For enhanced episodes with additional content, virtual happy hours with our hosts, articles, documents and more, consider joining our Luna Shark Premium Membership community to help us SHINE THE SUNLIGHT! CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. In the Premium version of this episode, we discuss the importance of contracts with those you’re closest with and some solutions to the growing problem of news deserts around the country. 

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

Find us on social media:
Twitter.com/mandymatney - Twitter.com/elizfarrell - Twitter.com/theericbland
https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/
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*The views expressed on the Cup of Justice bonus 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.
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COJ #36 - Latest on Stephen Smith Investigation Raises Questions, Justice for Grant Solomon + Bowen Turner Case

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, 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 Matney, Liz Farrell from the Murdaugh Murders Podcast and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland take a hard look at everything from the state of news to important cases around the world. INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM Mandy and Liz are two of the most driven and talented investigative journalists who are revolutionizing how news is derived and delivered. Join them as they pull at threads and chase down leads to get the story straight. THE LAW With the expertise of Eric Bland, we empower listeners to understand their legal system in an entertaining format while providing tools to hold agencies and public figures accountable in order to give voice to victims and change those systems for the better. JUSTICE SYSTEMS We know that our justice systems are intimidating, but we will all encounter it at one point. Together, our hosts create the perfect trifecta of legal expertise, journalistic integrity and a fire lit to expose the truth wherever it leads. Learn more about our hosts and mission at http://CupofJusticePod.com Support Our Podcast at: https://murdaughmurderspodcast.com/support-the-show Please consider sharing your support by leaving a review on Apple at the following link: *The views expressed on the Cup of Justice bonus 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.

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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 trial and getting publicity for Becky’s book? 

Also on the show, each day that passes since Mica Miller’s death, the more strange this case gets. Mandy, Liz and Eric talk about the FBI investigation and the latest filings they’ve uncovered on True Sunlight Podcast in what has become one of South Carolina’s most puzzling cases. Plus Dick Harpootlian gets endorsed by one of the state’s biggest newspapers. Why? 
 
Premium Members get extended discussions about the Mica Miller case that add significant context to the wild twists and turns here, plus a lively chat about trust and transparency in our public courts. 

Let’s get into it...

Episode Resources:
Dick Harpootlian's alleged photoshop of Russel Ott's hands
Harpootlian vs. Ott Post and Courier Article
Becky Hill's Ethics Complaint / Notice of Hearing

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. And we also offer access to exclusive video content through our new YouTube Premiere subscription.

Check out our new Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at lunasharkmerch.com/

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
JcP
*** 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! ***

Find us on social media:
Twitter.com/mandymatney - Twitter.com/elizfarrell - Twitter.com/theericbland
https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/ |  https://www.instagram.com/cojpod/
YouTube


*The views expressed on the Cup of Justice bonus 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

COJ #84 - Becky Hill’s ENORMOUS Lineup of Ethics Charges + Mica Miller Case Keeps Getting Stranger

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 psychological toll of working in true crime and the importance of ethics and empathy in documentary filmmaking.

Erin is amazingly brilliant and Mandy was a fan of Erin long before their worlds collided on the Murdaugh story in 2021. You may have heard of a deadline story about a project they are working on bringing to life… Erin has been a bright light in a dark world of true crime — an example of someone who can do good in the true crime world and succeed while sticking to their own ethics and values. Erin is also the author of a fabulous book: All that you leave behind: A Memoir... Click here to learn more.

Like Liz and Mandy, Erin gravitates toward complicated true crime stories and tells them in a way that is truthful, victim-focused, and thought-provoking. In fact, Erin created and directed of Mandy's favorite documentaries of all time — Mommy Dead And Dearest and I Love You Now Die. Both stories were complex and the documentaries taught me to approach storytelling differently.

In today’s episode, Erin Lee Carr and Mandy Matney chat about the Michelle Carter and Gypsy Rose cases as they relates to the latest case we’ve been working on for True Sunlight - The Mica Miller Case.

Reserved just for Luna Shark Premium Members, we also talk about what kinds of professionals ELC likes to work with and what we’d do for a living if we weren’t so entrenched in our current fields.

Let’s get into it.

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. And we also offer access to exclusive video content through our new YouTube Premiere subscription.

Check out our new Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at lunasharkmerch.com/

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
JcP
*** 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! ***

Find us on social media:
Twitter.com/mandymatney - Twitter.com/elizfarrell - Twitter.com/theericbland
https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/ |  https://www.instagram.com/cojpod/
YouTube
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COJ #83 - Filmmaker Erin Lee Carr on Michelle Carter, Gypsy Rose and Mica Miller Cases

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 Eric talk about all the ways women in abusive marriages are pummeled by the law — and the system. 

Premium Members get an extended conversation about Taylor Swift, the NFL and the pressure that still exists to be the kind of woman Harrison Butker says women should be.

Let’s get into it...

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. And we also offer access to exclusive video content through our new YouTube Premiere subscription.

Check out our new Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at lunasharkmerch.com/ or check out EB's new merch with a mission at theericbland.com.
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

*** 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! ***

Find us on social media:
Twitter.com/mandymatney - Twitter.com/elizfarrell - Twitter.com/theericbland
https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/ |  https://www.instagram.com/cojpod/
YouTube
*The views expressed on the Cup of Justice bonus 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

COJ #82 - How The Mica Miller Case Shows Dangers of Divorce Laws While Kicker's Comments Add Context

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-deserved career and what aspect of the justice system she’d change if she had a magic wand.
Julie is a journalist, a lawyer — and a trial court expert. Above all, she’s an advocate for victims. We really admire Julie’s work because of how she chooses to keep victims’ perspectives and their stories at the forefront of highly publicized national cases.
Julie is a big advocate of therapy for everyone — not just lawyers and journalists — and she was the perfect guest for us to have during Mental Health Awareness Month because that’s such an important message. 
Plus, Premium Members get an additional segment when Julie introduces her new French bulldog puppy to Liz and Eric…So pup’s up to Julie!

Let's get into it...

If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

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. And we also offer access to exclusive video content through our new YouTube Premiere subscription.

Check out our new Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at lunasharkmerch.com/
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

*** 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! ***

Find us on social media:
Twitter.com/mandymatney - Twitter.com/elizfarrell - Twitter.com/theericbland
https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/ |  https://www.instagram.com/cojpod/
YouTube
*The views expressed on the Cup of Justice bonus 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

COJ #81 - Special Guest: Court TV’s Julie Grant Talks Victims-First Journalism and What She’d Change About the Justice System

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 straight answer about a defendant’s bond conditions and whether they’re violating those terms? Also, on the show, the very strange death of 30-year-old Mica Miller. Was it a suicide? Or is there something else happening here altogether? In the weeks leading up to her death and in the wake of filing for divorce, Mica — whose husband John Paul Miller is pastor of a Myrtle Beach church — lived in fear of getting killed by John Paul. Now her family is fighting for law enforcement to listen.

Plus, Premium Members will get a primer on what it means to sign a liability waiver and whether they can cross off the parts they don’t want to agree to.

Let's get into it...

If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

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. And we also offer access to exclusive video content through our new YouTube Premiere subscription.

Check out our new Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at lunasharkmerch.com/
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

*** 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! ***

Find us on social media:
Twitter.com/mandymatney - Twitter.com/elizfarrell - Twitter.com/theericbland
https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/ |  https://www.instagram.com/cojpod/
YouTube
*The views expressed on the Cup of Justice bonus 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

COJ #36 - Latest on Stephen Smith Investigation Raises Questions, Justice for Grant Solomon + Bowen Turner Case

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