The Emily Show

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We break down the complex appellate status of Mackenzie Shirilla, who was convicted and sentenced to 15 years to life for the fatal 2022 crash that killed Russo and Flanagan. While Shirilla’s direct appeal on the merits was denied and her conviction affirmed in September 2024, the current legal battle focuses on a second round of appeals currently pending before the Ohio Supreme Court. The primary issue is a jurisdictional deadline; a lower court dismissed Shirilla’s petition for post-conviction relief as untimely because it was filed on the 366th day following the filing of her trial transcripts. The defense’s unique argument that a leap year should extend this 365-day statutory deadline to an "anniversary date," an argument already rejected by the appellate court due to the clear phrasing of Ohio law. In addition to providing an overview of the original 2023 bench trial and the evidence of intent, we discuss the potential future path for the case, including the possibility of an ineffective assistance of counsel claim if the Supreme Court upholds the current jurisdictional bar.

RESOURCES

Karen Read 2025 Trial Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gL3CbMJHvrKiAD1aDNcblnO 

Alex Murdaugh Trial Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gK8GOeWkGfi7acMnT-D0zaw
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Watch the full coverage of the live stream on The Emily D. Baker YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/aBJJaSNLrg0 

Following the May 13, 2026, unanimous decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court to overturn Alex Murdaugh’s double murder conviction due to improper jury influence by former clerk of court Rebecca "Becky" Hill, the legal battle has intensified with both a pending retrial and a new federal civil rights lawsuit. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on May 18, 2026, that his office will "aggressively seek to retry" Murdaugh and that all legal options, including the death penalty, are currently being considered. Simultaneously, Murdaugh’s defense team filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that Hill’s actions deprived Murdaugh of his constitutional right to a fair trial for her own personal financial gain, seeking at least $600,000 in compensatory damages to cover the costs of the original defense. While the defense remains optimistic about a future acquittal and intends to explore unexamined evidence—such as unknown male DNA found under Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails—they have clarified that a retrial is unlikely to occur before the end of 2025.

RESOURCES

Alex Murdaugh Trial - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gK8GOeWkGfi7acMnT-D0zaw

Karen Read Civil Lawsuits - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gKVEoBmOhzUprvqi3-_6JoZ
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In this episode of the Emily Show, we get into the latest in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie. The discussion covers significant developments such as the Pima County Board of Supervisors referring Sheriff Chris Nanos for a perjury investigation and reports of his friction with federal investigators. Additionally, the episode provides scheduling updates for the Singer David murder case, which involves over 10 terabytes of digital discovery, and covers the recent overturning of Alec Murdaugh's murder conviction due to the actions of a former clerk of court. Other topics include the sentencing of Brendan Banfield on June 5th, pending financial and civil matters for the recently convicted Kouri Richins, and the court's refusal of additional briefing in a case involving Blake Lively. 

RESOURCES

LA Magazine - https://lamag.com/crimeinla/d4vd-winks-at-blair-berk-as-judge-pushes-murder-preliminary-hearing-to-june-29/ 

AZ Central Article 1 - https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2026/05/12/pima-county-sheriff-chris-nanos-faces-board-scrutiny/90002443007/ 

AZ Central Article 2 - https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2026/05/12/pima-county-official-says-sheriff-nanos-scolded-her-heres-why/90029008007/ 

KOLD Article - https://www.kold.com/2026/05/12/pima-county-sheriff-nanos-gives-update-nancy-guthrie-investigation/ 

People Article - https://people.com/sheriff-nanos-recounts-nancy-guthrie-criminal-investigation-11974263 

Alex Murdaugh's Conviction Overturned - https://youtu.be/OJsFepBhw5E

d4vd Preliminary Hearing Memo - https://youtu.be/XnOP9hfjFpU

Donna Adelson Case - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gL0_OPy2AliqyEjGcI8QzBu

Bryan Kohberger Case - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gKASBczV3CsUx-t5oRAK0ca
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Watch the full coverage of the live stream on The Emily D. Baker YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/OJsFepBhw5E 

The South Carolina Supreme Court has officially overturned the murder convictions of Richard Alexander "Alex" Murdaugh and ordered a new trial. This decision stems from findings of egregious jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill during the 2023 trial. Despite this reversal, Murdaugh remains in prison serving a 40-year federal sentence and a 27-year state sentence for financial crimes. Stay informed on the latest developments in the Murdaugh case and other major legal battles.

RESOURCES

Murdaugh Trial - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gK8GOeWkGfi7acMnT-D0zaw

Courthouse Becky Testimony - https://youtu.be/vnUX0njyq4I
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Watch the full coverage of the live stream on The Emily D. Baker YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/BIAxKY5M8I8 

In this Case Brief, we head to court for the final sentencing hearing of Kouri Richins, who was convicted of the aggravated murder of her husband, Eric Richins. Facing two potential options—25 years to life or life in prison without the possibility of parole—the judge hears powerful and emotional impact statements from those closest to the case.

RESOURCES

Kouri Richins Trial Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gIKTiEBENmlYTBxjH_fbLUO 

Murdaugh Trial - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gK8GOeWkGfi7acMnT-D0zaw

Kouri Richins Sentencing Memo - https://youtu.be/-tjr1-GhvP8
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