Luigi Mangione, 27, facing dual prosecutions in state and federal court. His defense attorneys tells judges their concerns about preparing for two trials simultaneously, asking for the federal trial day to be moved to January 2027.  The defense received some concessions from the judges.  US District Judge Margaret Garnett would not push the date into the new year , but pushed back the federal jury selection process to the Fall.   New York State Judge Gregory Carro issued  an order saying the state trial would start on September 8. Now Judge Garnett modifying the federal dates, with the start of jury selection - October 5.   Opening statements in the federal case scheduled for October 26 or November 2, 2026.    

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Author and investigative reporter Casey Sherman long believed his aunt, Mary Sullivan  was the final victim of the Boston Strangler.  Her death has had a long lasting impact on his family.

Today, Casey explains tp Sheryl McCollum why his family has long questioned the official story, pointing to evidence that, in his view, complicates what many people think they know about the case.

Their conversation touches on DNA analysis, missing confession tapes, and alternate suspects that Casey believes raise serious questions about Albert DeSalvo’s role in the murders.

Guest Bio

Casey Sherman is a New York Times bestselling-author and investigative reporter known for revisiting major crimes and historic tragedies.

He is the author of  "A Rose for Mary," which examines the murder of his aunt, Mary Sullivan, and the lingering questions surrounding the Boston Strangler case.

About the Host 

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.

Her work on high-profile case include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. McCollum’s work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for “CSI: Atlanta” and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

Social Links:

Email: [email protected]

X: @zone7squad

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.

Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.

Highlights:

(0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens with the DNA dispute at the center of the Boston Strangler case

(1:30) Sheryl welcomes Casey Sherman and explains why his work has changed how she views the case

(7:15) Casey explains how Mary Sullivan’s murder shaped his family for generations and why his mother never accepted the official story

(9:15) The missing confession tapes and the details that convinced Casey the official story didn’t hold up

(11:30) Missing evidence, stolen case materials, and the long-term damage they can do to a major investigation

(14:00) The DNA evidence Case says pointed to a prime suspect from 1964 and how that lead eventually took him to a golf course in northern New England

(16:30) Why Casey believes the Boston Strangler case was not the work of one man and that similar killings stretched across multiple states

(19:30) How sensational crime coverage in the 1960s may have helped shape false confessions

(21:15) Casey’s theory that George Nassar may have helped feed DeSalvo information and why DeSalvo was never charged with the murders he confessed to

(24:15) Casey on the pressure surrounding the case and why he believes too many important questions are still unanswered

(27:45) F. Lee Bailey’s role in the case and the unlikely friendship that followed years later

(31:30) The importance of revisiting evidence and challenging the accepted story

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Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert

Listen to some of our top stories this week. 

Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”

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Joseph Duggar, 31, one of the stars of  “19 Kids and Counting” has pleaded not guilty to molesting a 9-year-old girl in Florida. He posted a $600,000 bond and is barred from contact with anyone younger than 18. 

The accusations follow allegations made against of brother Josh Duggar, of “19 Kids and Counting.” He was arrested by federal agents on child pornography charges. He's now serving a 12.5-year federal prison sentence, followed by 20 years of supervised release after his conviction of two counts of receiving and possessing child pornography (specifically child sexual abuse material).

He is attempting to appeal his conviction, arguing he was denied a fair trial and that a witness manipulated forensic data. 

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

• Sara G. West, M.D., Forensic Psychiatrist, Specializing in Sexually Deviant Behavior, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, forensicpsychiatryMD.com
• Glenn Bard - Retired Pennsylvania State Trooper First Class, Computer Crime Investigations, U.S. Veteran of Operation Desert Storm, PATCtech Digital Forensics patctech.com

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6-year-old Joseph "Jo-Jo" King III dies under suspicious circumstances. His stepfather, Brandon Hale, claims Jo-Jo accidentally suffocated inside a toy chest, but investigations revealed inconsistencies in this story.

Brandon Hale calls 911 to report that he found Jo-Jo unconscious in a toy chest after waking up from a nap.  Jo-Jo was hospitalized with oxygen deprivation then days later  An autopsy later amended the cause of death to reflect "concern for possible homicidal drowning" because the toy chest was not airtight, and parts of the scene were wet. First responders and investigators noted the toy chest was dry and partially filled with toys, while Jo-Jo's clothes were damp and a wet towel was found nearby. 

Hale was previously convicted of abusing Jo-Jo with a belt in 2019, and sentenced to 10 years in prison for violating probation related to the case. He has not been charged with murdering Jo-Jo.   

Joining Nancy Grace today

• Joseph King, Jr. -  Father
• Philip Dubé  - Former Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy 
• Max Miner  -  President and CEO of Executive Treatment Solutions (ETS),  Website: ExecTreatmentSolutions.com
• Kat Schollenberger  - U.S. Head of Live New at Daily Mail dot com, website: DailyMail.com
• Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'

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Movement in two major cases.  The FBI now conducting advanced analysis on DNA evidence previously collected from Nancy Guthries' home,  including hair samples.   84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie missing 76 days.  We are also hearing that someone may have been detained. 

Singer/TikTok star d4vd (David Anthony Burke) arrested on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.  He is being held without bail. Celeste's body was discovered of the teen's body in a Tesla registered to him last September.   Attorneys for Burke declare his innocence.

Joining Nancy Grace today:  

• Brian Fitzgibbons  - Director of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security, website: www.uspasecurity.com, Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security, former Marine and Iraq war veteran 
• Tami Ballard -  DNA and Crime Scene Consultant, Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction, Former DNA Criminalist for the San Diego Police Dept. Crime Laboratory 
• Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' 

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An unsealed ATF report reveals a bullet fragment could not be conclusively matched to Tyler Robinson's gun due to damage sustained in Charlie Kirk's shooting. Athena Strand's mother took the stand in the second week of sentencing for FedEx driver who admitted to kidnapping and murdering the young girl. Ohio firefighter accused of responding to blaze he set to conceal the murder of a family friend. Sydney Silvagni reports.

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Britney Spears checked herself  into an out-of-state treatment facility following a DUI arrest in California. This after encouragement from her sons,Sean Preston and Jayden James.  Spears was taken into custody, handcuffed, booked and released. This is what's typically known as "cite and release"  Instead of being remainin in detention, the individual receives a written notice to appear in court on a specified date. Britney's date is  May 4, 2026. 

The 44-year-old singer entered the facility, with reports suggesting she may stay beyond the typical 30 days.  She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, after police received reports of erratic driving.  Police say a substance found in the car was sent in for toxicology. 

Joining Nancy Grace today:

• Philip Dubé -  Former Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy
• Max Miner -  President and CEO of Executive Treatment Solutions (ETS), a specialized pretrial mitigation and treatment support service, helping individuals in crisis avoid jail time through personalized treatment plans, legal collaboration and proactive court advocacy, website: ExecTreatmentSolutions.com
• Kat Schollenberger  -  U.S. Head of Live New at Daily.Mail.com, website: DailyMail.com 
• Rob Shuter - Host: Naughty But Nice Podcast, Author of Newly-released Novel, “It Started With A Whisper," and Former Publicist to the Stars (including Sean “Diddy” Combs); IG: @naughtygossip
• Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'

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In a move less surprising than one would think, Brian Hooker has fled the Bahamas after proclaiming dedication to finding overboard wife. 47-year-old charged in the fatal stabbing of a U.S. Marine in has a criminal history spanning more than three decades, including a prior conviction as a habitual felon. Sydney Silvagni reports. 

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Brian Hooker, husband of the Michigan woman who went missing in the Bahamas, says he will be staying in the country to search for his wife.  Hooker was held in jail for 5 days, but has now been released. His attorney says Hooker is free to leave any time he wishes.

Brian Hooker has repeatedly said he would never hurt his wife, Lynette. He also refused to discuss details about what happened with reporters saying he did not want to interfere with the search for Lynette. 

Joining Nancy Grace Today: 

• Randolph Rice  - Former Prosecutor and Current Criminal Defense & Civil Attorney at Rice Law, website: ricelawmd.com, IG, FB, X: @ricelawmd
• Ben Dobrin  - Boat Captain with  50-Ton Master license / Emergency Response Diving Instructor and Instructor Trainer, Police Diver,  Emergency Services Diver
• Scott Rouse  -  Body Language and Behavior Analyst, trains law enforcement and military interrogation and body language, Author of “Understanding Body Language,” on YouTube @ScottRouse with his channel “Behavior-X,” which focuses on body language and behavior of True Crime Stories, Pop Culture and Politics
• Vanessa Walsh - Host of the podcast, Unmasked True Crime, Facebook and YouTube: UnmaskedTrueCrime, X: CrimeUnmasked
• Sydney Silvagni - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'

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