A murder conviction in one of the most high-profile crimes of the past decade was overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court last week based on the meddling of a small-county court clerk. The decision was both evidence of a robust system designed to protect the rights of the accused and a glaring example of how our nation's jury system is vulnerable to the interference of even bit players. We ask two local trial attorneys, including one raised and schooled in South Carolina, whether the verdict reversal in the notorious Alex Murdaugh murder case suggests the need for changes in the criminal justice system.

Guests:

• Teri Sopp, assistant public defender, criminal defense attorney

• Lisa Varon, reference law librarian, adjunct professor of law, Jacksonville University College of Law

Trauma informed response

From the moment trauma strikes, be it a gunshot, a car crash or a stroke, a system of first responders clicks into motion, which, if successful, shuttles a patient from the precipice of death to physical stability and, eventually , recovery. The path from wreckage to rehab can involve dozens of EMTs, ER nurses and trauma surgeons, all of whom experience the stress and reward of working the space between life and death. We talk to two veteran trauma first responders about how they manage their daily exposure to things most would hope to never see, and how they pass that experience to others entering the field.

Guests:

• Dr. Shilpa Amin, chair of emergency medicine at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital

• Dr. Bradley Elias, medical director of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department 

Batter up

A new baseball league aims to get talented players off the bench and back in the game. The Jacksonville Competitive Baseball League was established to hone player skills and spotlight athletes who may have been overlooked due to injury, finances or lack of exposure. The 2026 season is underway and runs through July 12.

Guests:

• Jonathan Vazquez, founder, Jacksonville Competitive Baseball League

• John Peters, manager, The Muffin Freaks

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