Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer dig into three high-profile legal cases making headlines this week on Crime Roundup. They break down the Donna Adelson murder-for-hire trial, where Sheryl calls out the “mob movie nonsense” as the defense scrambles to explain taped jail calls and handwritten notes.

They revisit Cardi B’s courtroom appearance, where her unfiltered language and direct delivery spark a sharp take on how juries respond when a witness owns exactly who they are. They also examine a case in Kentucky involving the death of a newborn and the legal questions still surrounding the investigation. Plus, Sheryl previews what she’s looking forward to at CrimeCon, including a live panel she’ll lead with Ed Newcomer, a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a recent Zone 7 guest.

 

Highlights:

• (00:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
• (00:30) Cardi B returns to court, and Sheryl breaks down why her delivery works
• (03:00) How attorney’s fees shape strategy in civil lawsuits
• (08:00) Donna Adelson’s trial gets messy: recorded jail calls, handwritten notes, and family fallout
• (16:45) Trial strategy: witness issues and what’s next for the Adelson case
• (21:45) CrimeCon preview: Sheryl shares what she’s looking forward to most
• (25:15) In Kentucky, the death of a newborn prompts legal questions and cautious speculation about what comes next
• (27:15) Wrapping up with CrimeCon: live panels and forensic favorites

 

About the Hosts

Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and a fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

 

🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She is joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage.

 

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Zone 7: Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case or topic you want discussed? Email [email protected] or connect with the hosts on social:

• Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

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