New Trial for Convicted Double Killer Alex Murdaugh? | Crime Alert 05.05.26

Alex Murdaugh could be getting a new trial. FITSNews is reporting a "reliable source" as saying the five member South Carolina Supreme Court panel has voted unanimously in favor of granting Murdaugh a new trial.  The appeal filed by Murdaugh's attorneys heavily features allegations of improper influence by former Colleton County clerk of court Rebecca "Becky" Hill during the 2023 murder trial. The Supreme Court could uphold the convictions, send the case back to a lower court, or reverse the convictions and order a new trial. Even if a new murder trial is granted, Murdaugh is currently serving 40 years for federal financial crimes.  A decision could take several more months. Joining Nancy Grace today: Eric Bland  - Founder, Partner- Bland Richer, LLP Attorneys at Law, Twitter: @TheEricBland, blandrichter.com Dr. Rachel Toles - Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Author of book coming out in 2027 “Inventing the Psychopath: How a Convenient Myth Makes the World More Dangerous,” website: DrRachelToles.com, Instagram / YouTube: TolzHaus, Facebook: DrRachelToles,  Chris McDonough  - Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective, Host YouTube channel, "The Interview Room”, website: www.coldcasefoundation.org/chris-mcdonough   Dr. Michelle DuPre  - Forensic Pathologist and Former Medical Examiner,  also Former Detective: Lexington County Sheriff's Department, Author: “Money, Mischief, and Murder: The Murdaugh Dynasty...the Rest of the Story,"  "Homicide Investigation Field Guide" & "Child Abuse Investigation Field Guide", Forensic Consultant DMichelleDupreMD.com Jennifer Wood - Journalist, Director of research at FITSNews.com, Twitter: @IndyJenn_  Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britney Spears pleads guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving following a March DUI arrest in California.  She checked herself into rehab for 30 days. A judge sentenced her to 12 months probation avoid jail time,  but as part of the plea, Britney must complete a three-month substance abuse program, pay a fine ($571), and participate in mental health counseling.  Originally arrested on suspicion of DUI, her attorney entered a guilty plea for the reduced charge of "wet reckless".  She has also been ordered to meet with a psychologist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month, following her voluntary check-in to rehab prior to the plea.  Prosecutors cited her lack of prior DUI history, low blood alcohol level, and voluntary rehabilitation for the plea deal, Joining Nancy Grace: Troy Slaten  - Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Slaten Lawyers,  certified 'Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instructor,' Candidate for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge,  Twitter @TroySlaten Max Miner - President and CEO of Executive Treatment Solutions (ETS),   Website: ExecTreatmentSolutions.com  Sierra Fox  - Entertainment Host & Media Personality - Former TV Anchor  Fox 5 DC,  website: www.thesierrafox.com,  @thesierrafox (Insta, FB, TikTok, X) Dave Mack -  Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Texas jury handed down the death penalty for Tanner Horner, who pleaded guilty to killing Athena Strand after claiming hitting her with his delivery truck. A Florida mom ejected and arrested at son's football game for attacking his juvenile opponent! Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there a mystery connection between missing and dead scientists linked to top Nasa research? Approximately 14 cases have been identified.  NASA electrical engineer Joshua LeBlanc is now included in the list.   LeBlanc, 29, was pulled from the burnt wreckage of his Tesla. Reportedly, his car struck a guardrail and several trees before it burst into flames. When his family first reported him missing, they were afraid he had been kidnapped.  The White House and FBI are investigating this string of suspicious deaths and disappearances individuals involved in classified aerospace, nuclear, and defense research.  From deep research into anti-gravity jet propulsion, into special alloys made for high-intensity heat (Molybdenum) and so much more that that is outside the normal realm of expertise.   Joining Nancy Grace today:  Franc Milburn  -  Former British Intelligence Officer, friend of Amy Eskridge  John Nantz  -  Former Supervisory Special Agent FBI, Townhall columnistX, Truth Social, and Instagram: @theJohnnantz, LinkedIn and FB: @johnnantz Website: townhall.com/columnists/johnnantz  Stephanie Harlowe - Co-Host of 'Crime Weekly' podcast, Youtube: @StephanieHarlowe  Insta: @stephanieharlowe  Dave Mack -  Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three years after a guilty verdict, Alex Murdaugh may see his murder convictions vacated if the South Carolina Supreme Court finds former court clerk influenced members of his jury. Meth cook busted at Michigan State. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fallout continues for D4vd as we go through the prosecution documents line by line. We learn in the singer can be tracked to Santa Barbara county. This is the area where Celeste's passport card was found by Caltrans workers. The area is only open sunrise to sunset. Could this be where D4vd tried to get rid of evidence?  More late breaking info, video turns up in which D4vd passes off a stench from the rental home as a "bathroom" problem. Is he trying to pass of the smell of decomposing Celeste as a bodily function?  Joining Nancy Grace today: Jo-Anna Nieves  - Criminal defense attorney and Founder of The Nieves Law Firm, website: thenieveslawfirm.com, Instagram, Facebook and X: nieveslawfirm, YouTube and TikTok: thenieveslawfirm  Dr. Cheryl Arutt  - Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist specializing in Trauma Recovery, PTSD and EMDR,  website: askdrcheryl.com,  website: CreativeEMDR.com , IG: @askdrcheryl Tom Smith  -  Former NYPD Detective for 30 years - Narcotics, Robbery Squad, Gang Investigations - was also assigned to the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. Co-Host of the GOLD SHIELDS Podcast, thegoldshieldshow.com, FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow  Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Host of Podcast "Mayhem in the Morgue”, Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Caitlyn Becker - Senior National Correspondent at the New York Post ,  Host: ‘NYPostCast  Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'         See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two teenagers killed, 10 more injured when group turned away from party opens fire in an Amarillo apartment complex. Grandmother on trial after four-year-old dies of alcohol poisoning with .68 BAC. New York man break's into ex's home to kill her son. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents of a small rural Idaho town of turn out in force to join authorities searching for a 5-year-old boy reported missing. He was last seen in a field near his family home. Ultimately, tips lead police to the home of a neighbor, Sarah Wondra.  Police spent more than a week excavating the home's backyard. FPD Chief JD Huff says police believe Vaughan's body was buried in Wondra's backyard and then moved to another location.  All the cadaver dogs used in the search "alerted" in the yard. Ground penetrating radar also detected "anomalies." Additional evidence was found in the home. Now Sarah Wondra's husband, Stacey, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, destruction of evidence and more.   He pleaded not guilty to all counts.    In the last days,  the judge overseeing Wondra's preliminary hearing  found probable cause that he kidnapped and killed Michael Vaughan, then destroyed evidence.  During closing arguments the prosecution alleged Michael died by suffocation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra Birchmore, a 23-year-old teacher's aide and instructional assistant,  was found dead in her Canton, Massachusetts, home in February 2021. Sandra was known to many officers of the Stoughton Police department due to her involvement with an Explorer program as a teen. Her death, initially ruled a suicide, became the focus of a federal homicide investigation, leading to the 2024 arrest of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell, who was charged with her murder. Turns out Sandra had been groomed since age 10. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack update the case with additional forensic evidence that is just now coming to light.  Transcribe Highlights 00:06.64 Introduction - Basic Training 02:29.94 Murder of Sandra Birchmore 05:05.01 Explorer Post is extension of scouting 10:08.64 Sandra was a Teachers-Aide 15:09.02 Suicide investigations 20:16.88 Discovery of body 25:24.73 Sandra excited - 10 weeks pregnant 30:02.03 Death ruling changed after 3 plus years 35:25.69 Investigation revealed others involved  40:05.90 FBI investigation 41:53.69 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's Sydney Silvagni with some of our top stories this week: Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.