#033 – Elizabeth Kelley on Representing People with Mental Illness and Disabilities, & Addiction

In this continued conversation, Sara and Jim are up close and personal with Chris Cuomo who shares about his vast coverage of the Natalie Holloway murder and Van her Sloot; serial killers including Rifkin;  and the Menendez Brothers: did Chris change his mind about their defense or have the times changed? Chris dives deep into how the media chooses headline stories and the coverage of minority vs majority problems: why does Chris focus on a story about addiction that involves white vs black subjects? The hosts and Chris talk about Chris’ departure from CNN and his decision to join News Nation. And as it turns out Sara has a crush on Matt Lauer and doesn’t make the cut “bougie” fishing with Chris or Jim. Fun facts and good times with the Mo Man on this episode.   Art – Simon & Associates Music – Caleb Fletcher

Sara and Jim sit with veteran journalist, Chris Cuomo. Chris shares his vast experience covering crime stories over decades. He explains the fascination with crime, including with Murdaugh and the Gilgo killer, the need for transparency, the presumption in the court of law and public opinion, and so much more. Sara presses Chris on whether he really looks at the accused from the lens of presumption vs guilt, and Chris of course returns the favor. Sara and Chris talk about their friendship, personal struggles and mental illness, and Chris' dog, Eliza who deserves forgiveness. The conversation gets interesting! More with the Mo Man next week!  Photography - Catherine White Art – Simon & Associates Music – Caleb Fletcher  

This week Sara and Jim chat with lawyer, author, and political analyst Bakari Sellers. They dive into Bakari's high profile police brutality case, the case of Ricky Cobb, a Minnesota man who was unjustifiably shot to death by a state trooper. The hosts and Sellers take a close look at what the O.J. Simpson case would look like it if it was tried today, and overall how race plays in justice. The episode wraps with a discussion of the Mica Miller case in S. Carolina where Sellers and Jim practice law: was it really suicide?This week Sara and Jim chat with lawyer, author, and political analyst Bakari Sellers. They dive into Bakari's high profile police brutality case, the case of Ricky Cobb, a Minnesota man who was unjustifiably shot to death by a state trooper. The hosts and Sellers take a close look at what the O.J. Simpson case would look like it if it was tried today, and overall how race plays in justice. The episode wraps with a discussion of the Mica Miller case in S. Carolina where Sellers and Jim practice law: was it really suicide?

Sara and Jim sit with reproductive law guru Dean Masserman this week. Dean unpacks the latest IVF decision by the Alabama Supreme Court. The decision comes with a price which the hosts discuss at length with Dean. Should the rest of the country be worried? How do we balance unnecessary destruction of genetic tissue with the need for efficacy in a field that has helped millions of Americans have children? Decisions to restrict availability of IVF will impact traditional families, modern families, and all Americans irrespective of gender, race or age. Sara, Jim and Dean then take a deep dive into the state of abortion post overturning of Roe v. Wade. Should abortion rights be federalized? Jim then shares his experience representing doctors and hospitals in connection with legal exposure for performing abortions in his state. The episode ends with an interesting discussion about the role pro-life, pro-choice, and IVF issues will play in the upcoming elections.

On this week's show Sara and Jim sit with Will Folks. The irreverant founder and editor of Fits News shares about how the news operation started, his one too many kids, and his journey of sobriety. Up close and personal, talks openly about his relationship with newsmaker and politician Nikki Haley. Will also shares about his coverage of corruption S. Carolina,  the Murdaugh case, and life after Murdaugh. Sara, Jim and Will then take a deep dive into the case against Susan Smith and whether she deserves early parole. Does the woman Sara refers to as “Horny Susan” and a “sex machine” deserve freedom? What says Will? The hosts and Will then examine the Michigan cases against the Crumbley parents leading to guilty verdicts for the actions of their son who shot up his high school after a history of mental health struggles that went neglected by the Crumbleys.  Jim shares an interesting story about S. Carolina prisons for women, and Sara wraps the show by asking Will who he’d hire if he got into trouble.   Art – Simon & Associates Music – Caleb Fletcher 

Pat Harris, Scott Peterson’s attorney, sits down with Sara for an exclusive interview about shocking new evidence regarding the disappearance and murder of his wife Laci Peterson and son Connor, as well as Scott Peterson’s road to a possible new trial. Sara and Pat talk at length about the extensive defense investigation over the past two decades, and the Los Angeles Innocence Project’s recent motion dump. They also discuss the media firestorm that seems to follow the Scott Peterson case, prosecutorial misconduct, and the blatant and intentional withholding of evidence from the defense. Later, Pat shares about the case of Will Lynch, a vigilante who nearly killed a priest he accused of child abuse, as well as his experience defending Chris Brown. Before the conversation wraps, Sara grills Pat on his relationship with Susan McDougal: sex with a client, or was it a pre-existing relationship? Art – Simon & AssociatesMusic – Caleb Fletcher 

Elizabeth Kelley joins the show this week sharing her expertise representing people struggling with mental illnesses or mental disabilities. Elizabeth, Sara and Jim begin the show by discussing the difference between these two, “illness” and “disability”, and how those afflicted are treated in the criminal justice system. They also discuss more specifically about individuals on the autism spectrum and the misunderstandings of this diagnosis that are prevalent throughout the country and justice systems state by state. Later they talk about dementia, not guilty by reason of insanity defense, and how to best persuade judges and prosecutors that drug addiction is a symptom of mental illness and self-medication, and neither an excuse nor voluntary. Before wrapping, Sara and Jim ask Elizabeth about cases involving brain injuries, lack of suitable treatment and conditions in jails and prisons for the mentally ill, and how courts across the nation are educating themselves on this forgotten disease within the criminal justice system. Art – Simon & Associates Music – Caleb Fletcher

This week, criminal trial attorneys Sara Azari and Jim Griffin break down the conspiracy theories surrounding the death of legend and godfather of soul, James Brown. They also discuss the mysterious death of Brown’s son-in-law, and whether or not the two deaths are linked. Jim shares his experience representing two of Brown’s biological daughters in the ongoing litigation surrounding his estate. For more on this fascinating story, tune into the latest episode of Sara’s show ‘Death By Fame’, premiering February 12th on Investigation Discovery.Art – Simon & Associates Music – Caleb Fletcher

Jim and Sara continue their conversation with justice warrior, Savannah Chrisley. This week, the conversation is focused on the deplorable prison conditions that are impacting prisoners and families all across the nation, including Savannah’s father, Todd. They challenge prison policies that muzzle inmates and violate the 1st amendment. They also discuss the many double standards that are in place when it comes to defending a person accused of a crime, and how to fight against the perceived notion of ‘white privilege’. In closing, Sara asks Savannah about the role of faith in her new reality, the meaning of ‘pro-life’, and her thoughts on a possible pardon from former President Trump, should he get re-elected. Art – Simon & Associates Music – Caleb Fletcher

Savannah Chrisley has been advocating for criminal justice after her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were convicted of multiple counts of fraud in 2022. Today she joins Sara and Jim for a conversation about the way her family was treated in both the media and at trial, and how it led to a violation of not only their presumption of innocence, but multiple other constitutional rights. She says they were the target of celebrity injustice. Savannah makes her case about her parent’s wrongful conviction, the unfair punishment they both received as a result, and their pending appeal. Savannah will return next week to continue the conversation! Art – Simon & Associates Music – Caleb Fletcher