Crime Alert 07.11.24

A missing Virginia mom's remains have been found.. encased in a concrete slab... A house fire in Texas reveals a triple murder...and, one may plays dead in an effort to avoid paying child support.  Jennifer Gould reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a significant ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court will determine whether interference from a court clerk influenced the jury's decision to convict Alex Murdaugh of killing his wife, Maggie, and youngest son, Paul. Murdaugh's lawyers allege that Becky Hill, the court clerk, attempted to sway the jury to secure a conviction in order to promote a book she is writing about the case, particularly focusing on the trial. Concerns about potential jury tampering were raised during the trial. Trial Judge Clifton Newman addressed the issue in an in-chambers discussion with defense and prosecution attorneys, expressing concern that court clerk Becky Hill might have had inappropriate contact with at least one juror, who was later dismissed from the trial. Following the trial, Murdaugh's attorneys sought to have Newman barred from hearing any appeals in the case; however, Newman retired before a decision was made. His replacement, retired Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, Judge Jean Toal, ultimately rejected the claims of jury tampering. The South Carolina Supreme Court has now overturned Judge Toal's decision, meaning the state Supreme Court will consider whether Alex Murdaugh should be granted a retrial. Joining Nancy Grace Today:  Mark Peper – Criminal Defense Attorney, The Pepper Law Firm; X: @PeperLawFirm Dr. Bethany Marshall – Psychoanalyst; Instagram & TikTok: @drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive, Appearing in the latest season of “Paris in Love” on Peacock – BOOK: “Deal Breaker: When to work on a relationship and when to walk away” Chris McDonough – Director at the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective; Host of YouTube channel: “The Interview Room" Dr. Michelle DuPre  – Forensic Pathologist and former Medical Examiner, Author: “Homicide Investigation Field Guide” & “Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide”, Ret. Police Detective Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Jennifer Wood – Director of Research at FITSNews.com; X: @IndyJenn_ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mother helps discard her five-year-old's body after boyfriend beats him to death. Obscene offender racks up more than 18 months of prison time for contempt.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teenagers have been arrested in connection with the death of a mother of eight, who was gunned down after a confrontation with suspected drug dealers. Blanca Velasco noticed a blue Toyota sedan parked outside her home for an extended period. Feeling suspicious, her daughter Maria Ramos accompanied Velasco down the driveway to investigate the unfamiliar car. In the street, the men in the car claimed they had come to deliver an “order” to Velasco’s 16-year-old grandson and flashed a marijuana vape pen. The two women argued with the men, prompting the blue Toyota to speed away. Determined to keep the dealers from returning, the mother and grandmother got into their own car and followed the Toyota for two blocks. Suddenly, the Toyota screeched to a stop, and Blanca Velasco stopped just behind it. Maria got out to approach the car, and before retreating across the street, she pepper-sprayed the occupants. A man in the backseat, armed with a gun, got out and chased Maria down the street before opening fire. Blanca pulled closer to the Toyota in an attempt to shield her daughter, who was trying to take cover from the gunfire. As Blanca turned back toward the Toyota, the shooter re-entered the vehicle and aimed the loaded gun at her. Panicked, Blanca sped away with the blue Toyota in pursuit. Blanca eventually lost the Toyota in traffic and returned to search for Maria but couldn’t find her. Then, she spotted her daughter lying on the sidewalk in a pool of blood. Joining Nancy Grace today: Phillip Dubé  - Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy Dr. Jorey Krawczyn – Police Psychologist, Adjunct Faculty with Saint Leo University; Research Consultant with Blue Wall Institute, Author: Operation S.O.S. – Practical Recommendations to Help “Stop Officer Suicide”  Tom Smith – Former NYPD Detective, Co-Host of the “GOLD SHIELDS” Podcast; FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow Dr. Jan Gorniak – Medical Examiner, Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner (Las Vegas, NV), Board Certified Forensic Pathologist Rachel Swan - Staff Writer, San Francisco Chronicle; X: @RachelSwan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we bring you something new from The Prosecutors podcast. Join Brett and Alice as they delve into the death of Boston cop John O'Keefe, who tragically died during a blizzard, sparking accusations against his girlfriend, Karen Read. Was it a frame job or a romance gone wrong? This is Part 1 of a gripping 9-part series. Listen and follow The Prosecutors on all major audio platforms: https://podfollow.com/1513765512  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long-haul truck driver DNA match to three California cold cases. Guess Buc-ee's is good for more than just snacks! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wisconsin woman who says she was sex trafficked as a teen is sentenced for killing her alleged abuser...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zahriya Moreno and Angelito Olivas have been dating for over a year. During a heated argument, Zahriya climbs onto the trunk of Olivas’ car. Despite knowing she is on the car, Olivas floors it and drives off. He doesn't stop until he realizes Zahriya is no longer on the vehicle—she has been thrown off. Backtracking, Olivas finds Zahriya on the ground, completely unresponsive after being hurled from the moving vehicle. Angelito Olivas then loads his unresponsive girlfriend into his car and drives her to the Drexel Heights Fire Department in Tucson. The 22-year-old is unresponsive and in extremely critical condition. She is immediately transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Zahriya Moreno is kept alive artificially so her organs can be donated. Angelito Olivas is arrested on charges of felony domestic violence, aggravated assault, and felony endangerment. However, outrage erupts when Olivas is granted a $2,500 bond and walks free the same day he’s arrested. Joining Nancy Grace today: Robert Moreno - Father   Carmen Moreno - Mother  Prisella Frisby - Family Attorney  Kelsey McKay, J.D.– Former Prosecutor/Victims’ Rights Attorney, Founder of McKay Training & Consulting and Respond Against Violence (non-profit); IG& FB: Respond Against Violence Caryn L. Stark – Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych/FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Mary Coleman - 13 News Evening Anchor, Crime Files Investigator; FB: www.facebook.com/maryreports/ IG: @marycolemannews   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Dallas Driver sends three to the hospital in morning rush hour rampage. Illinois lunch lady lifts $1.5 million worth of chicken wings.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details being revealed after the arrest of 5 people in the death of actor Mathew Perry. Federal Prosecutors allege that Perry first obtains ketamine from an unscrupulous doctor aiming to take advantage of the actor’s addiction issues. Dr. Salvador Plasencia teaches Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa how to administer the drug, and provides ketamine to both Perry and Iwamasa at exorbitant prices. When the drugs become too expensive, Perry and Iwamasa turn to street dealers   Assistant Kenneth Iwamasa reaches out to several street dealers. Eric Fleming agrees to a deal, and turns to his supplier Jasveen Sangha, dubbed “The Ketamine Queen.”  Fleming pays Sangha for the drugs with cash from Iwamasa.  In two weeks, Sangha provides Fleming and Iwamasa 50 vials of ketamine to distribute to Perry for $11,000. When news of Perry’s death begins to circulate, Sangha texts Fleming, “Delete all of our messages.” Joining Nancy Grace Today: Neama Rahmani  - Former federal prosecutor turned trial attorney, President of West Coast Trial Lawyers, Author: “Harvard to Hashtag”, WestCoastTrialLawyers.com, INSTAGRAM: @Neamarahmani, TWITTER: @NeamaRahmani Dr. Bethany Marshall  -  Psychoanalyst , Author: "Deal Breaker: When to Work on a Relationship and When to Walk Away,”  featured in hit show: "Paris in Love" on Peacock https://www.drbethanymarshall.com/, Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter:@DrBethanyLive Mike McCormick - Owner and Lead Investigator of M.C.M. Investigations in Los Angeles, Ca, Fmr. LAPD, www.MCMInvestigations.com, Facebook: MCM Investigations, Dr. William Morrone - Medical Examiner, Toxicologist, Pathologist, opioid treatment expert, Author: “American Narcan: Naloxone & Heroin-Fentanyl associated mortality” Lauren Conlin \-Podcaster/Reporter/Host- Co-Host of Primetime Crime on YouTube. Website: www.popcrime.tv & primetimecrimeshow.com X- @Conlin_Lauren, Instagram- @LaurenEmilyConlin, YouTube: @PopCrimeTV  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.