Kevin Donovan - Apple Podcasts

Suspicion: Murder on Mount Olive

Suspicion: Murder on Mount Olive

Toronto Star

MAR 7

The Crime

On a hot, sunny day in August a man is shot three times. It happens outside a barbecue. Witnesses give different descriptions of the shooter; police flood the area looking for clues. What happens that day will end up putting a young soccer player turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn't commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice. Audio: CTV, Global, Doomstown movie trailer Suspicion Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn't commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice. Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes.

32 min
MAR 7

The Hunt

Homicide detectives get lucky. The best witness possible, and he's talking, and he's got a partial licence plate from a car that left the scene right after Kim Golaub was shot dead. But homicide cops are struggling for a motive. Did someone have a grudge against the victim? Was he in the wrong place at the wrong time? Just a few hours after the murder homicide detectives have two young men in separate interview rooms. Their tactics? Lying to get a confession. Audio sources: Global, Toronto Police, CTV Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders and Death in a Small Town, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn't commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice. Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes.

49 min
MAR 15

Gladiator School

Twelve years into his life sentence for murder, Chris Sheriffe is a model prisoner. He's doing all the courses available behind bars, plus weekly meetings of the prison public speaking club. He does conflict resolution, helping guards and prisoners get along. Which is intriguing, given that Toronto Police labelled him a hard knuckled killer. Also, he calls his Mom several times a day. In an interview at the notorious "Gladiator School" prison, Chris tells his side of the story. How his choice to stay out all night with a young woman, then drive a man home got him labelled a gangster. Suspicion Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn't commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice. Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes.

33 min
MAR 21

Where's The Gun?

The forensics. How three bullets killed a man. The gun shot residue. Where it landed and where it didn't land gives homicide detectives some help, but not much. It turns out the case against Chris Sheriffe and Awet Asfaha is weak. Plus, the police screwed up the evidence collection. Things come to a head at the preliminary hearing, where a judge must decide if the charge of first degree murder – a planned killing – is the correct one. Plus, since Chris was just driving the car, did he really know what was about to happen? A judge said no and the case fell apart. Enter a new prosecutor. It was time for a full court press. Audio sources: The science of gunshot residue analysis, The Royal Institution Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders and Death in a Small Town, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn't commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice. Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes.

42 min
MAY 2

Choices

It's now been 13 years. Chris reflects on decisions he made. The friends he had. Staying out that hot night in August instead of going home. And on what he would do if he is ever released. In the final episode of the series, we offer him a potential lifeline. Tell us what really happened between you and Awet, what he said, what he was planning to do that day. Surely this was a drug deal gone wrong.

31 min
APR 11

Two Down, One To Go

Chris is out on bail leading up to the trial. Toronto Police show up at his house one night. They end up assaulting his father, arresting his brother, and not long after Chris's bail is revoked when a new charge is laid against him. Marjorie, Chris's mom, overhears police officers give an ominous warning about the men in her family and she goes into high gear – she's in the fight of her life against Toronto's finest. Then comes another bombshell. That young police officer with the gang information says Chris is the leader of a dangerous gang called "The Hustle Squad." A gang so mysterious, no members of the elite police Guns and Gangs Squad has ever heard of them.

34 min
APR 4

Bodies To His Name

Bombshell. On the eve of the murder trial, a young Toronto police officer emerges with two confidential sources, one of them purporting to be a gang member, who tell a very different story about Chris Sheriffe. It throws Chris's defence team for a loop. And here's the problem. The judge won't let the lawyers attack this new information. Audio: NBC's Law and Order, CTV, Toronto Police Video

36 min
MAR 28

Playing For Your Country

Who is Chris Sheriffe? Elite soccer player. Aspiring carpenter. Good family. We hear from the people who knew him best, mother, sister, coach. We also learn about his experience growing up as a young Black teen in Toronto – the frequent police stops and his complaint about the most egregious one. He's in his Catholic school uniform, heading home from class at the end of the day and cops are tailing him for no reason at all. And that new prosecutor, she puts the first degree murder case back on track.

25 min
02/17/2023

S2 The Billionaire Murders | E2 The Bodies

After Honey and Barry Sherman are found hanging, police sources say it is a murder-suicide and cause outrage among Sherman friends who believe otherwise. Veteran investigative reporter Kevin Donovan cold calls sources and gets a promising lead. This is episode two of "The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman," a "Suspicion" podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, and wrote a book about it. Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to behind-the-scenes bonus episodes. If you are not a subscriber, use promo code PODCAST to save 10% on an annual subscription at thestar.com/subscribe. Audio sources: Washington Post, CTV, Canadian Press, Global, Toronto Police Services, CBS

40 min
APR 25

Trial and Error

A trial scheduled for one month becomes two. The Judge is not pleased. It's now down to 12 jurors to determine Chris and Awet's fate – but the lone Black juror gets sick so now it's 11. Among the evidence the jury hears: false DNA evidence that's not corrected; a transcription of Chris's own words that is incorrect and not corrected; and the recollections of two police officers whose notes are strikingly similar. And then the jury comes in. At the end of the day, Chris knows that if he had stepped up and said he was involved in the shooting he'd have gotten a deal and would be out of prison by now. But there's a reason he will never do that. Audio: CPAC, Ontario Jury Video, EatonCentreShooting, Global TV, Essex County News

53 min
06/06/2022

S1 Death in a Small Town | E4 The Daycare

As the tunnel vision of police and doctors narrows even further, we investigate. The daycare operator's media posts and interviews with locals help fill in some of the blanks in Nathaniel's story, while a court victory provides access to previously secret police notes. Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

41 min
05/23/2022

S1 Death in a Small Town | E2 Suspicion

Detectives zero in on parents Rose-Anne and Kent McLellan, while their son clings to life. While their every action is called into question, police conduct unauthorized searches and interview Nathaniel's three brothers in a basement room. Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

24 min
APR 18

The Third Man Theory Rocks Trial

The day of the murder from all sides. Chris, Awet Asfaha, two young women — each give a different perspective on the events leading up to Kim Golaub's brutal murder. What they did. What was said. You've heard Chris's story before, but now at trial Awet comes out with a stunning story. There was someone else that day. A mysterious third man who was the killer. And Chris was the getaway driver, with Awet just along for the ride. This made the case a "cutthroat" defence — fingers pointing in different decisions.

39 min
05/16/2022

S1 Death in a Small Town | E1 Just Another Day

Roll out of bed, get the kids to school, then off to work. Just before noon, disaster. A mysterious injury to young Nathaniel McLellan puzzles doctors at two hospitals and sparks what would become a six-year police investigation. Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

23 min
02/10/2023

S2 The Billionaire Murders | E1 The Man on the Inside

Where are Honey and Barry Sherman? It's a typical day for these eccentric billionaires but they're not answering the phone. After a gruesome discovery, the Sherman children decide to tear down the mansion where they grew up. Before wreckers arrive, a mysterious intruder discovers signs of an investigation gone wrong. This is episode one of "The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman," a "Suspicion" podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, Kevin Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Shermans and their estate, and wrote a book about it. Audio sources: CityNews, Global

27 min
05/30/2022

S1 Death in a Small Town | E3 The Case

Shortly after Nathaniel is buried, police use a ruse to bring his parents in for interrogation. Rose-Anne and Kent reveal new information and the mystery of what happened to their son deepens. Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

27 min
04/14/2023

S2 The Billionaire Murders | E3 The Day They Died

We follow the footsteps of Honey and Barry Sherman and the mysterious "Walking Man" as they converge on Old Colony Rd., in what became a horrible, murderous evening. But the day started with smiles and workouts. Hannukah had just begun. Honey had presents to buy for grandchildren and Barry had drug battles to fight. Audio Sources: Toronto Police Press Conferences, Sherman private investigation press conference

30 min
05/12/2023

S2 The Billionaire Murders | E7 Pointing Fingers

A long, winding road takes reporter Kevin Donovan to a most unusual meeting in a cold garage with Honey and Barry Sherman's only son, the man who calls himself the "heir apparent" and whose sister suspects he was involved in the murders. In a wide-ranging conversation, Jonathon says he is an open book. Ask me anything, he says, which Donovan does. Jonathon is voiced by an actor based on his interview with Kevin and email correspondence. This is episode seven of "The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman," a "Suspicion" podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, and wrote a book about it. Audio Sources: Fillerzine/YouTube, Sherman funeral

46 min
06/17/2024

S3 40 Years Cold | E1 The Victims

Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour were living separate lives. One, a newly divorced mom of four; the other, in her early 20s with a love of fashion and her life ahead of her. Then something horrific and fatal happened to both of them, something odd to unite them in their death. With no firm leads, the families were left to grieve in utter confusion. The cases went cold, for four decades. This episode discusses sexual assault and murder. If you're impacted by any of our themes, you can reach out to the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres at casac.ca to help you find a centre close to where you live. Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to all episodes on June 17. Non subscribers will get new episodes each Monday. If you are not a Star subscriber, please visit thestar.com/subscribe. Suspicion seasons 1 and 2, "Death in a Small Town" and "The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman," were hosted by Kevin Donovan and are available in this feed. Audio sources: CityTV, YouTube, Retro Ontario

34 min
06/13/2022

S1 Death in a Small Town | E5 A Mother Fights Back

What is normal behaviour when your child is dying? Rose-Anne and Kent confront doctors and learn what they were saying behind their back. Rose-Anne digs deeper and discovers missed clues. Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

40 min

Kevin Donovan on Apple