Debate The News: True Crime

Debate The News: True Crime
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  • True Crime
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Debate the News: True Crime brings listeners in-depth coverage of current and past true crime cases in an innovative, debate-style format. Each episode brings together a dynamic panel of sharp-witted community members to debate and dissect cases as they unfold – all in a bold, fact-driven style that pulls no punches. The show is recorded live on the Chatter Social app at 7PM (Eastern Time) every Thursday night. Listeners can join in on the conversation and listen to the live recording by downloading the Chatter Social app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store. Shows recorded on Thursday nights are released as a podcast episode on all platforms the following Thursday. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  1. 3d ago

    The Death of the Pastor's Wife: Mica Miller

    In April 2024, 30-year-old Mica Miller was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. In the months before she died, Mica had reported stalking, harassment, discovered GPS trackers on her vehicle, filed for separation and sought a restraining order against her husband, South Carolina pastor John-Paul “JP” Miller. Her death was officially ruled a suicide. Mica’s family, friends and divorce attorney have alleged that her marriage involved physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual and financial abuse, along with isolation, technological surveillance and the weaponization of her private medical information. JP Miller has denied abusing Mica and has not been charged in connection with her death. In December 2025, federal prosecutors charged JP Miller with cyberstalking Mica and making false statements to investigators. Prosecutors allege that he repeatedly contacted her against her wishes, arranged surveillance, interfered with her finances, intentionally damaged her tires and posted an intimate photograph of her online without her consent. He pleaded not guilty, remains presumed innocent, and is awaiting proceedings during the October 2026 federal court term. This episode follows Mica’s story from her teenage years at Solid Rock Church through her marriage, attempts to leave, death investigation and the federal case that followed. The hosts and live panel also examine the Netflix true crime limited documentary series "Death of the Pastor's Wife," "Mica’s Law" (South Carolina SB 702), the concept of coercive control, and whether the legal system adequately responds when prolonged psychological abuse is alleged to have contributed to a victim’s serious harm or death. What you’ll hear: → How Mica Francis met John-Paul Miller at Solid Rock Church and how their relationship developed → Allegations from Mica’s friends, relatives and attorney concerning physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual and financial abuse → Police reports involving tire damage, repeated unwanted contact, unauthorized account access and tracking devices → Mica’s request for a restraining order and her April 2024 separation filing → The April 27, 2024 timeline at Lumber River State Park, including Mica’s 911 call and the evidence cited by investigators → JP’s church announcement the morning after Mica’s death and the public reaction that followed → Why Mica’s death remains classified as suicide and why JP was charged with cyberstalking and false statements - not with causing her death → The Netflix docuseries, separate civil allegations and the continuing questions surrounding the Mica Miller case → Mica’s Law and the debate over coercive control, technological abuse, institutional response and accountability Subscribe to Debate The News: True Crime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Rating, reviewing and sharing the show helps more listeners discover these cases and become part of the conversation. Download the Chatter Social app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and join our next live recording, Thursdays at 7PM EST / 4PM PST on Chatter Social. Have a case suggestion? Email the hosts at info@dtntruecrime.com. Follow Debate The News: True Crime on TikTok: @debatethenewstruecrime Follow our friend and Debate The News founder Jonathan Bing on TikTok: @jonathanbingofficial ⚖️ Disclaimer: This episode includes discussions of self-harm, alleged domestic abuse, sexual coercion, stalking, nonconsensual intimate imagery and allegations of sexual abuse involving minors. Some details may be deeply disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support, help may be available by calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Anyone experiencing relationship abuse can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or chat online at thehotline.org The hosts and guest hosts are not attorneys, law-enforcement officials, physicians, psychologists or mental-health professionals. The show is recorded live with minimal editing, and any factual errors are unintentional. Any individual, business or organization that has not been convicted of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. John-Paul Miller has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges against him and has not been charged with causing Mica Miller’s death. Civil allegations and lawsuits are not criminal convictions. The opinions expressed by guest hosts and audience members are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or Debate The News: True Crime. Speakers: → Adrienne Barker - Host → Angiesworld - Guest contributor → Mariana Thomas - Guest contributor → Heather Ford - Guest contributor → Lisa - Guest contributor → Tammy - Guest contributor → Jessica - Guest contributor Credits: Debate The News: True Crime "The Death of the Pastor's Wife: Mica Miller" Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube 🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production Download the Chatter Social app: (for iOS / for Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    The Death of the Pastor's Wife: Mica Miller

  2. Aug 26

    True Crimes in the Troubled Teen Industry: Part 2 (with Heather Ford & Jessica)

    In Part 2 of this investigation into the troubled teen industry, the hosts and guest hosts Heather Ford and Jessica engage in a wider discussion about money, celebrity influence, family trust and the systems that can make it difficult to hold abusive youth residential programs accountable. Following Part 1’s examination of Lakeside Academy, Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and Provo Canyon School, the conversation begins with the staggering cost of youth residential placement. Jessica describes receiving an $11,000 bill for a single month of her daughter’s stay, while the panel discusses families taking out second mortgages, placements that may not be covered by medical insurance and whether some facilities are more interested in a parent’s ability to pay than in determining whether a child truly belongs there. The episode also examines Paris Hilton’s courageous advocacy against institutional abuse and whether Provo Canyon School would have faced the same level of scrutiny without her celebrity platform. The panel recognizes the survivors who had been speaking for years before Hilton publicly shared her own experiences, while exploring how social media can now help less-visible survivors challenge powerful institutions and find others with similar stories. A major portion of the conversation focuses on what parents should do when a child reports abuse inside a residential program. The guest hosts and speakers discuss why every report should be taken seriously, how monitored calls and restricted communication can prevent children from asking for help and how dismissing a child as dishonest or manipulative can permanently damage the relationship between that child and their family. The discussion then turns to television, marketing and the troubled teen industry’s carefully constructed public image. The panel examines Teen Torture Inc., Danielle Bregoli - also known as Bhad Bhabie - and her allegations about Turn-About Ranch, as well as the criticism directed at Dr. Phil and his television show for recommending youth residential programs. The speakers debate where responsibility belongs among parents, television producers, public figures and the facilities themselves - and when entertainment crosses the line into exploitation. What you’ll hear: → Jessica’s firsthand account of receiving an $11,000 bill for one month of her daughter’s residential placement → Why some families take out second mortgages or assume overwhelming financial obligations to pay for troubled teen programs → The panel’s debate over whether facilities adequately evaluate the parents, the child and the family situation before accepting a placement → Whether Provo Canyon School would have faced the same level of accountability without Paris Hilton’s public advocacy → How Paris Hilton used her celebrity platform to amplify survivors who had already been fighting to expose the troubled teen industry → Jessica’s warning that facilities with substantial financial resources may use legal pressure to discourage survivors, families, podcasters and other critics from speaking publicly → Why the panel believes parents should take every report of abuse seriously—even when facility employees claim that a child is lying or being manipulative → How monitored phone calls, restricted communication and institutional control can prevent children from safely reporting what is happening to them → The lasting guilt, anger, betrayal and estrangement that can affect families after a child says a parent failed to listen or protect them → How selective photographs, staged activities and carefully controlled marketing can give parents a misleading impression of daily life inside a residential program → The allegations made by Danielle Bregoli, also known as Bhad Bhabie, about her experience at Turn-About Ranch → The criticism surrounding the Dr. Phil show’s role in recommending residential programs to families appearing on television → The debate over whether parents should bear ultimate responsibility for researching a facility - or whether a trusted television personality and production team have an independent duty to properly vet every program they promote → The panel’s discussion of earlier lawsuits and violent incidents connected to Turn-About Ranch and whether those warning signs should have affected later recommendations → How reality television and other entertainment programs can turn the suffering of children, families and vulnerable adults into content → The Alabama Youth Residential Facility Abuse Prevention Act and the continued push for stronger disclosure requirements, oversight, video surveillance and civil penalties → Why survivors should not need fame, wealth or millions of social-media followers before adults take their reports seriously The hosts, guest hosts and live audience examine whether families can truly make informed decisions when residential programs and television productions control much of the information they receive. They also confront the larger question at the center of the troubled teen industry: why is the institution so often treated as more credible than the child asking to come home? Subscribe to Debate The News: True Crime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Rating, reviewing and sharing the show helps more listeners discover these cases and become part of the conversation. Download the Chatter Social app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and join the next live recording Thursday, August 27th at 7PM EST / 4PM PST. Have a case suggestion? Email the hosts at info@dtntruecrime.com. ⚖️ Disclaimer: This episode includes discussions of child abuse, alleged sexual assault, physical abuse, institutional neglect, coercive control and the death of a minor. Some details may be deeply disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. If someone is in need of support, help may be available by calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The hosts and guest hosts are not attorneys, law-enforcement officials, physicians, psychologists or mental-health professionals. The show is recorded live with minimal editing, and any factual errors are unintentional. Any individual, business or organization that has not been convicted of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Civil allegations, lawsuits and administrative findings are not criminal convictions. The opinions expressed by guest hosts and audience members are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or Debate The News: True Crime. Speakers: → Adrienne Barker - Co-Host → Heather Ford - Guest Host → Jessica - Guest Host → Angiesworld - Speaker → XG - Speaker → Yamila - Speaker Credits: Debate The News: True Crime "True Crimes in the Troubled Teen Industry: Part 2 (with Heather Ford & Jessica)" Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube 🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production Download the Chatter Social app: (for iOS / for Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    True Crimes in the Troubled Teen Industry: Part 2 (with Heather Ford & Jessica)

  3. Aug 20

    True Crimes in the Troubled Teen Industry: Part 1 (with Heather Ford & Jessica)

    What happens when institutions that promise to protect vulnerable teenagers are given the power to isolate them, control their communication and dismiss their reports of abuse? In Part 1 of this investigation into the troubled teen industry, the hosts are joined by guest hosts Heather Ford and Jessica to examine criminal convictions, survivor allegations and regulatory failures connected to Lakeside Academy, Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and Provo Canyon School. The episode also explores how limited oversight, monitored communication and the label “troubled teen” can make it dangerously difficult for young people to be heard. The episode begins with the death of 16-year-old Cornelius Fredericks, who lost consciousness after employees at Lakeside Academy restrained him on the floor for approximately 12 minutes. The hosts then examine the allegations exposed by former residents of Circle of Hope Girls Ranch, the criminal cases against Boyd and Stephanie Householder and the guilty plea that established crimes had been committed against children at the facility. The investigation concludes at Provo Canyon School, where Paris Hilton transformed her own allegations of abuse into a courageous national campaign for accountability. Her advocacy reached the Utah State Capitol and Congress, helped advance the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act and gave other survivors a powerful public ally as Utah regulators moved to revoke the licenses of both Provo Canyon School campuses. What you’ll hear:→ How the fatal restraint of Cornelius Fredericks led to the closure of Lakeside Academy and the convictions of three employees → Why none of the employees convicted in connection with Cornelius’s death served an active prison sentence → How former residents publicly exposed allegations of physical abuse, forced labor, food deprivation and other mistreatment at Circle of Hope Girls Ranch → The criminal charges against Boyd and Stephanie Householder, Boyd’s death before trial and Stephanie’s guilty plea to child-abuse, neglect and endangerment charges → Paris Hilton’s allegations about Provo Canyon School and her courageous fight to bring the troubled teen industry before lawmakers → The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act and the continued push for greater transparency in youth residential programs → The criminal conviction of a Provo Canyon School employee who punched a 15-year-old resident → The injuries, medical-care allegations and regulatory findings that preceded Utah’s 2026 license revocations → Jessica’s firsthand experience with her daughter’s court-ordered placement in an out-of-state residential program → How guardianship arrangements, monitored calls and restricted communication can prevent families from knowing what is happening to a child inside a facility → Heather Ford’s perspective on teenagers being sent away after attempting to report or expose abuse → The live discussion about weak oversight, institutional power, profit incentives and why children labeled “troubled” are not always believed The hosts, guest hosts and live audience examine whether the crimes connected to these facilities should be viewed as isolated acts by individual employees and owners—or as foreseeable consequences of a system that gives residential institutions extraordinary control while offering children too little independent protection. Subscribe to Debate The News: True Crime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Rating, reviewing and sharing the show helps more listeners discover these cases and become part of the conversation. Download the Chatter Social app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and join the next live recording Thursday, August 27th at 7PM EST / 4PM PST. Have a case suggestion? Email info@dtntruecrime.com. ⚖️ Disclaimer:This episode includes discussions of child abuse, alleged sexual assault, physical restraint, medical neglect and the death of a minor. Some details may be deeply disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. Anyone who needs immediate emotional support can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The hosts and guest hosts are not attorneys, law-enforcement officials, physicians, psychologists or mental-health professionals. The show is recorded live with minimal editing, and any factual errors are unintentional. Any individual, business or organization that has not been convicted of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Civil allegations and administrative findings are not criminal convictions. The opinions expressed by guest hosts and audience members are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or Debate The News: True Crime. Speakers:→ Heather Ford — Guest Host → Jessica — Guest Host → Angiesworld - Guest Contributor → Benjamin - Guest Contributor Credits: Debate The News: True Crime "True Crimes in the Troubled Teen Industry: Part 1 (with Heather Ford & Jessica)" Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube 🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production Download the Chatter Social app: (for iOS / for Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    True Crimes in the Troubled Teen Industry: Part 1 (with Heather Ford & Jessica)

  4. Aug 13

    The Crash: Mackenzie Shirilla

    Just before sunrise on July 31, 2022, 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla was behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry when it accelerated to approximately 97 miles per hour and slammed into a brick building in Strongsville, Ohio. Shirilla survived, but her boyfriend, 20-year-old Dominic Russo, and their 19-year-old friend, Davion Flanagan, were killed. What first appeared to be a horrific crash became a double-murder case after investigators examined the car's data recorder, Shirilla's turbulent relationship with Russo, and evidence prosecutors argued showed the crash was intentional. In this episode, we break down the crash, the murder trial, the controversial medical-emergency defense, Shirilla's 15-years-to-life sentence, the Netflix documentary The Crash, and her latest federal court challenge. What you'll hear: → The turbulent four-year relationship between Mackenzie Shirilla and Dominic Russo, including an earlier incident in which a witness testified that Shirilla threatened to wreck the car during an argument. → The final night Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan were alive and what witnesses said about the hours leading up to the crash. → How the Toyota Camry accelerated down Progress Drive at full throttle, reached approximately 97 miles per hour, crossed a T-intersection and struck the PLIDCO manufacturing building. → What investigators discovered in the Camry's event data recorder, including full acceleration, no braking, movement of the gearshift and a major steering input during the final seconds before impact. → Shirilla's claim that her vision faded to black and the defense theory that POTS, a seizure or another medical emergency may have contributed to the crash. → Why investigators ultimately treated the deaths as homicides and why prosecutors argued the Camry had been used as a weapon. → Shirilla's transfer from juvenile court, her 12-count adult indictment, the 2023 bench trial and Judge Nancy Margaret Russo's guilty verdicts. → The sentence of 15 years to life for each murder, ordered to run concurrently, and Shirilla's first parole eligibility in 2037. → The appeals that have upheld her convictions, including a post-conviction petition dismissed after it was filed one day beyond Ohio's deadline during a leap year. → The renewed attention surrounding Netflix's The Crash, the release of thousands of text messages and recorded jail calls, the proposed Dom and Davion's Law, and Shirilla's July 2026 federal habeas corpus petition. Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of a fatal motor-vehicle crash, catastrophic injuries, murder, substance use and the deaths of two young people. Listener discretion is advised. Debate The News: True Crime is presented for informational and discussion purposes only. Joseph Lobosco and Adrienne Barker are not attorneys, law-enforcement officials, medical professionals or forensic experts. We research each case carefully, but the show is recorded live with minimal editing and any factual errors are unintentional. Any individual discussed who has not been convicted of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The opinions of guests and audience members are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or or Debate The News. Guest Contributors: → Porsha Belle → Mariana Thomas → Danielle Paci → Too Bee → Shannon → Denise → Mama K → Benjamin → Lorenzo Credits: Debate The News: True Crime "The Crash: Mackenzie Shirilla" Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube 🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production Download the Chatter Social app: (for iOS / for Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    The Crash: Mackenzie Shirilla

  5. Jul 30

    The Death of Nolan Wells: Part 2

    In Part 2, we continue examining the unexplained death of the Ocean Springs, Mississippi, college football player Nolan Wells, whose body was found near Horn Island on July 6, 2026 - two days after the boat that brought him to the island returned without him. This episode focuses on the evidence and conflicting accounts at the center of the investigation. At the time of the July 23, 2026 recording, the official Mississippi autopsy and toxicology findings had not been publicly released. The family’s independent autopsy classified Nolan’s cause and manner of death as undetermined pending further investigation. No one had been arrested or charged in connection with his death, and the completed investigation was expected to be reviewed by a grand jury. ⚖️ Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of a possible drowning, possible physical trauma, and an active death investigation. Some details may be disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. If you need support, help may be available in the United States by dialing or texting 988. Debate The News: True Crime is presented for informational and discussion purposes only. The hosts are not attorneys, law-enforcement officials, medical professionals, forensic pathologists, or investigators. The show researches each case carefully but is recorded live with little to no editing, and any factual errors are unintentional. At the time of the July 23, 2026 recording, no one had been arrested or charged in connection with Nolan Wells’s death. The official Mississippi autopsy and toxicology findings had not been publicly released, and the family’s independent autopsy was preliminary and inconclusive. It did not establish homicide, accidental death, or drowning. All individuals discussed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Witness statements, family concerns, attorney representations, online theories, and social-media accusations should not be treated as proven facts. The opinions expressed by guests and audience members are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or Debate The News: True Crime. Guest Contributors: → DJ Rell → Leslie → Lorenzo → Sir Jude → Angiesworld → Benjamin → Debbie Dowling-Wahba Credits: Debate The News: True Crime "The Death of Nolan Wells: PART 2" Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube 🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production Download the Chatter Social app: (for iOS / for Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    The Death of Nolan Wells: Part 2

  6. Jul 28

    The Death of Nolan Wells: Part 1

    On July 4, 2026, 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, a college football player from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, traveled by boat with three friends to Horn Island for a crowded Independence Day celebration. By that evening, the boat and Nolan’s friends had returned to the mainland - but Nolan had not. Two mornings later, a National Park Service ranger found his body in the water near the island’s northwestern tip. What happened between Nolan’s last confirmed sighting and the discovery of his body remains unknown. In Part 1, we reconstruct the known timeline, examine the conflicting accounts of why Nolan allegedly remained on Horn Island, and break down the boat, phone, search, recovery, and preliminary autopsy evidence. They also discuss the involvement of attorney Ben Crump, the family’s independent investigation, and the theories surrounding Nolan’s death - from an accidental drowning to possible foul play or a concealed accident. At the time of the recording, none of those possibilities had been conclusively established. ⚖️ Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of a possible drowning, possible physical trauma, and an active death investigation. Some details may be disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. If you need support, help may be available in the United States by dialing or texting 988. Debate The News: True Crime is presented for informational and discussion purposes only. The hosts are not attorneys, law-enforcement officials, medical professionals, forensic pathologists, or investigators. The show researches each case carefully but is recorded live with little to no editing, and any factual errors are unintentional. At the time of the July 23, 2026 recording, no one had been arrested or charged in connection with Nolan Wells’s death. The official Mississippi autopsy and toxicology findings had not been publicly released, and the family’s independent autopsy was preliminary and inconclusive. It did not establish homicide, accidental death, or drowning. All individuals discussed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Witness statements, family concerns, attorney representations, online theories, and social-media accusations should not be treated as proven facts. The opinions expressed by guests and audience members are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or Debate The News: True Crime. Guest Contributors: → Debbie Dowling-Wahba → DJ Rell → Angiesworld → Sauvage → Niki Hammer → Tony Credits: Debate The News: True Crime "The Death of Nolan Wells: PART 1" Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube 🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production Download the Chatter Social app: (for iOS / for Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    The Death of Nolan Wells: Part 1

  7. Jul 23

    The Trials of Alex Murdaugh

    In this episode, we examine the rise and fall of Alex Murdaugh, the once-prominent South Carolina attorney whose wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and 22-year-old son, Paul Murdaugh, were shot and killed on June 7, 2021. Their bodies were found near the dog kennels at the Murdaugh family’s rural Colleton County property, known as Moselle. What followed became one of the most closely watched true crime cases in America: two missing murder weapons, no eyewitness, no confession, a video recorded on Paul’s phone that placed Alex near Maggie and Paul shortly before their deaths, and years of financial crimes that were beginning to close in around him. This episode traces the Murdaugh family’s generations of legal influence in South Carolina, Alex’s theft of millions of dollars from clients and settlement funds, the death of longtime housekeeper Gloria Satterfield, and the fatal boat crash that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach. It also follows the staged roadside shooting that Alex allegedly arranged, the financial prosecutions that destroyed his legal career, and the six-week murder trial that ended with his conviction in March 2023. Then the case took another extraordinary turn. In May 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court ordered a new murder trial after finding that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill improperly interfered with the jury and denied Alex a fair trial. The decision did not declare him innocent or erase the evidence presented against him. It returned the murder charges to the trial court for a new jury to decide. South Carolina prosecutors announced that they would try him again, and jury selection is currently scheduled to begin on April 5, 2027. Alex remains incarcerated for his separate state and federal financial-crime convictions. ⚖️ Disclaimer: Debate The News: True Crime is for informational and discussion purposes only. The hosts are not attorneys, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, or forensic experts. This episode includes discussion of murder, violence, substance abuse, and other disturbing subject matter. Listener discretion is advised. Any factual errors are unintentional. Any individual, business, or organization mentioned that has not been convicted of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Guest and audience opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or Debate The News: True Crime. Guest Contributors: → Angiesworld → Debbie Dowling-Wahba → Mariana Thomas → Danielle Paci → Leslie Credits: Debate The News: True Crime "The Trials of Alex Murdaugh" Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube 🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production Download the Chatter Social app: (for iOS / for Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    The Trials of Alex Murdaugh

  8. Jun 18

    The New Jersey Serial Killer: Robert Zarinsky

    In this episode of Debate The News: True Crime, we examine the chilling case of Robert Zarinsky, a convicted New Jersey murderer whose name became tied to some of the Garden State’s most disturbing cold cases. From the disappearance of 17-year-old Rosemary Calandriello, to the murders of Mary Agnes Klinsky and Jane Durrua, to the long-unsolved killing of Rahway police officer Charles Bernoskie, this case raises haunting questions about missed warnings, family secrecy, forensic limitations, and how many victims may never have received full justice. What you’ll hear: → How 18-year-old Mary Agnes Klinsky was found murdered near the Garden State Parkway in 1965 — and how DNA testing decades later linked her case to Robert Zarinsky. → The 1968 murder of 13-year-old Jane Durrua, a Monmouth County cold case that would later lead to a new indictment before Zarinsky died in prison. → The 1969 disappearance of Rosemary Calandriello from Atlantic Highlands after she left home to buy milk and ice pops and never returned. → The disturbing evidence investigators found inside the Zarinsky family car, including hair clips, women’s underwear, tools, blood evidence, and removed passenger-side handles. → How Zarinsky was convicted of Rosemary Calandriello’s murder even though her body was never found, making the case a landmark no-body homicide prosecution in New Jersey. → Why Zarinsky’s name later resurfaced in the 1958 murder of Rahway police officer Charles Bernoskie — and how that case ended in an acquittal. → The live discussion about whether Zarinsky should be called a serial killer, even though he was only convicted of one murder during his lifetime. → The debate over family secrecy, Zarinsky’s mother Veronica, and whether the people around him helped shield him from consequences. → Why older cold cases were so difficult to prosecute before modern DNA testing, digital fingerprint databases, and better communication between jurisdictions. → Why this case still haunts New Jersey true crime history decades after Zarinsky’s death. In the discussion portion of the episode, the hosts and the live audience debate how someone like Zarinsky could remain connected to so many disturbing cases without ever being fully held accountable for all of them. The conversation explores his alleged pattern of targeting vulnerable young girls, the role of his family, the limits of law enforcement in the 1960s and 1970s, and the difficult question of how to discuss crimes linked to a suspect who died before a jury could hear every case. This episode also looks at the cruelty of time. For Mary Agnes Klinsky’s family, answers came more than 50 years too late. For Jane Durrua’s family, the prosecution ended before trial. And for Rosemary Calandriello’s loved ones, Zarinsky died without ever revealing where her body was. ⚖️ Disclaimer: Debate The News: True Crime is for informational and discussion purposes only. The hosts are not attorneys, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, forensic experts, or mental health professionals. This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, murder, violence against minors, and other disturbing subject matter. Listener discretion is advised. Any factual errors are unintentional. Any individual, business, or organization not convicted of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Guest and audience opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Debate The News: True Crime. Guest Contributors: → Anne → Debbie Dowling-Wahba → Jessica → Momo Credits: Debate The News: True Crime "The New Jersey Serial Killer: Robert Zarinsky" Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube 🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production Download the Chatter Social app: (for iOS / for Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    The New Jersey Serial Killer: Robert Zarinsky
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About

Debate the News: True Crime brings listeners in-depth coverage of current and past true crime cases in an innovative, debate-style format. Each episode brings together a dynamic panel of sharp-witted community members to debate and dissect cases as they unfold – all in a bold, fact-driven style that pulls no punches. The show is recorded live on the Chatter Social app at 7PM (Eastern Time) every Thursday night. Listeners can join in on the conversation and listen to the live recording by downloading the Chatter Social app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store. Shows recorded on Thursday nights are released as a podcast episode on all platforms the following Thursday. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Information

  • Creator
    Debate The News: True Crime
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Debate The News: True Crime
  • Show Website
    Debate The News: True Crime