Sara and Jim open today’s show with a conversation about a Murdaugh juror who was excused because of a non-existent Facebook post. They are later joined by attorney and friend Joe McCulloch, who was noticeably front and center throughout the Murdaugh trial. They discuss the intersection of a Defendant’s right to a fair trial and the press’ 1st Amendment rights in the context of a disturbing South Carolina case where a prosecutor and investigators secretly recorded a defendant’s privileged conversation with his attorney after allegedly failing a polygraph. The recording was later leaked to the media. Joe obtained a ruling from the SC Supreme Court prohibiting the media from publishing the recording. Joe also provides valuable tips on DUI stops and their defense. In the last part of the podcast, Sara and Jim discuss with Joe his representation of jurors in the Murdaugh case, as well as his in-the-works screenplay about that trial.

Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher

Recorded before a live audience at CrimeCon 2023 in Orlando, Sara and Jim discuss the top issues surrounding the defense of alleged murderer Bryan Kohberger, ranging from the biggest holes in the case, to the realities of DNA evidence, Kohberger’s bushy eyebrows, and beyond. They are also joined by a different Brian… Brian Entin, Senior National Correspondent and crime expert at News Nation. Brian engages the hosts with an audience-based Q&A, sprinkling in a few of his own questions.

Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher

To begin this week’s podcast, Jim and Sara review the letter that the South Carolina Ethics Commission sent to Clerk Becky Hill in response to her request for ethics guidance on writing a book about the trial process. Sara then welcomes Chief of Criminal Division for the U.S. Attorney’s Office (Central District of California), Mack Jenkins to discuss the DOJ’s ‘War on Fentanyl’. They also chat about their friendly rivalry as the prosecution vs. the defense, and go on to talk about why federal law treats both addicts and drug dealers in the same manner. Later, Sara and Mack discuss how task forces work, drug distribution vs. transaction, and how the government is dealing with the country’s—and perhaps global—fentanyl crisis.

Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher

Sara and Jim continue their conversation about the state’s response to alleged jury tampering by Clerk Becky Hill during the recent trial of Alex Murdaugh. They react to Dick Harpootlian’s advice for jurors to seek legal representation, focusing on the importance of having legal representation even for a potential witness. Later in the show, producer Matt Fondiler takes the reigns for a Q&A to Sara and Jim about what goes on behind the scenes of criminal defense. They tackle a wide range of topics including client management, dealing with the media, and the truth about polygraphs.

Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher

Sara and Jim start off by discussing the AG’s response to the defense’s recent motion for a new trial for Alex Murdaugh based on allegations of jury tampering by Clerk Becky Hill. They analyze the state’s technical argument, and also discuss the laws being used to support their position. Really? Murdaugh has to submit a declaration? Following the break, ‘The Presumption’ continues its look into the country’s fentanyl epidemic by chatting with Dave Aronberg, State Attorney for Palm Beach County who tells Sara and Jim about how Florida prosecutes fentanyl related crimes on a local level, his efforts to legalize fentanyl test strips, as well as the corruption and greed hiding within the system of rehabilitation.

Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher

Sara and Jim sit down with Peter Eliasberg of the ACLU. The conversation begins with a discussion about the nefarious conditions within the Los Angeles County jail system. They expose the flaws of running prisons for profits, and explore alleviating some of the burden by diverting detainees with mental illness into community facilities for care. Jim also asks Peter about how the ACLU is helping to reform our broken system, Sara breaks down the differences between ‘prison’ and ‘jail’, and Peter talks about the misconceptions of ‘bail’. As the conversation wraps, Peter talks about how differently things would be run if we could redo the entire American jail system.

Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher

Immediately following today’s press conference regarding the trial of Alex Murdaugh, Sara and Jim unpack the bombshell revelations that Clerk of the Court Becky Hill allegedly influenced multiple jurors. They get to the heart of why the media is once again to blame for perverting justice, and why it’s so important for jurors to remain impartial. Before signing off, Jim thanks his co-counsel Dick Harpootlian, and he tells Sara about what’s expected in the case following these jaw-dropping revelations.

Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher

This week, Sara and Jim break down the latest #BryanKohberger hearing and discuss why it’s so important for the defense to have access to, and challenge, the actual investigation. They are then joined by radio host and media analyst Mo’Kelly. The conversation kicks off with an analysis of Britney Spears’ ongoing legal woes and claims. They also talk about the concept of ‘Celebrity Justice’ vs ‘Injustice’ in cases ranging from Bill Cosby to Robert Kraft to Dana White. Mo explains with great clarity on how the worlds of politics, pop culture, entertainment have collided, and why it’s bad news for everyone. Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher

Sara and Jim begin today’s podcast with a breakdown of the latest developments in the Bryan Kohberger case, including the prosecution continuing to keep their latest IGG findings a secret and Kohberger’s alibi. From there, The Presumption begins its first exploration of the country’s current opioid crisis by sitting down with author and journalist Sam Quinones. Sam dives into the issues surrounding the global proliferation of Fentanyl; whether it’s coming illegally from across the border, or being overlooked by the greedy pharmaceutical industry. Together, they analyze the impact this dangerous drug is having on both habitual drug abusers, as well as ordinary citizens unaware of what drugs they’re really consuming.   Art – Simon & Associates Music – Caleb Fletcher

Actor Edward Furlong joins Sara, Jim, and Matt right at the top of the show. They talk about Eddie’s incredible debut performance as a child actor opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2, as well as some of the other legendary talents he’s worked with. They also chat about his spiral into addiction, his last run-in with the law, how Sara diverted away from a prison sentence and into treatment, and cleaning up the wreckage of his past. Eddie talks openly about overcoming some of his personal struggles, and the podcast wraps with a conversation about the country’s current fentanyl crisis.
Art – Simon & Associates

Music – Caleb Fletcher