Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Crime Roundup – Inside the Zone 7 Live 10-8 Event at Manuel’s Tavern

Date: March 8, 2026

Overview

This episode takes listeners inside the vibrant and emotionally charged "Zone 7 Live 10-8 Event" at Manuel’s Tavern, hosted by Cheryl McCollum with guests Joshua Schiffer, Franz Borghardt, and their true-crime colleagues. The episode celebrates the legacy of Zone 7—the legendary Atlanta gathering spot for legal professionals—and explores the camaraderie, storytelling, and life experiences of a community deeply involved in the justice system. The episode is rich with personal tales, lessons learned, and the power of in-person connection, featuring memorable moments with Nancy Grace herself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Manuel's Tavern Gathering – Community & Atmosphere

• Historic Venue: Manuel's is described as a “legendary political cop, protest bar for 50 years” (04:25), setting the ideal scene for an organic and authentic gathering.
• Event Approach: Unlike standard panels dissecting cases, the event focused on gathering in a single room to share meals, swap stories, and discuss backgrounds—just like old times at “the original Zone 7.”
• Diverse Attendance: Attendees came from multiple states and backgrounds: former/current prosecutors, defense attorneys, crime scene experts, and detectives.

2. Notable Stories from Legal Careers

Franz Borghardt’s Serial Killer Case

• Working With Serial Killers: Franz shares the story of defending Jeffrey Guillory, Baton Rouge’s third serial killer, and what it felt like prepping and trying a high-profile DNA case.
  • “I just told the story about what it was like to sit next to a serial killer for two weeks...” (08:32)
• On Witness Connections: Points out the tangled connections among victims and killers, with a defense that involved another serial killer, Sean Gillis.

The C Murder Representation

• Media Impact: Franz represented rapper C Murder, with legal strategies colored by the client’s reputation and public image.
  • “What do you do when your client’s on video with a gun...You lean into what you got.” (10:09)

Storytelling & Law—The Jerry Spence Trial Lawyers College

• Emotional Storytelling: Josh and Franz discuss how emotional storytelling, not technical prowess, is the bedrock of effective trial work.
  • “Stories are about feelings. And we have been conditioned by our culture, by our universe, to tamp down so much of our natural expressiveness...” (12:14)
• Psychodrama in Law: The college used “psychodrama” and group therapy-like methods for trial preparation and personal growth.
  • “If you can teach lawyers to...paint visceral pictures...it’s going to make them more effective trial lawyers.” (15:21)

3. Breaking Down Professional Barriers

• Importance of Cross-Field Friendships: The event’s inclusive spirit is highlighted—defense attorneys, cops, detectives, and prosecutors learning together.
  • “I hear rookies say, I would never be friends with a defense attorney...Baby, you’re gonna need one.” (22:41, Cheryl)
• Collaboration Over Adversarialism: “We’re on the same team, really. Because...Josh is going to keep me honest; he’s going to keep me doing my job the best I can.” (23:27)

4. Memorable Event Moments

Nancy Grace’s Audience Q&A

• Open Floor: Nancy Grace arrived, electrified the room, and took every audience question, rather than telling old stories.
  • “She must have taken a hundred questions. As long as you have questions, y’all...” (36:56, Cheryl)
  • “It was like you’re on the show. It was real Nancy. There was no gentle hand. No, it was the real Nancy.” (37:00, Josh; 37:10, Cheryl)

Gerion Shepherd’s Case Story

• Emotional Resonance: Detective Shepherd’s recounting of the Melissa Wolfenberger case—a professional low point for Cheryl—became a room highlight for its vulnerability and humility.
  • “To me, the Clark Kent Superman of that event was that detective.” (34:11, Franz)
• Audience Reaction: “He literally took about four steps back from that microphone.” (33:50, Cheryl)
  • “My daughter...thought he was the best speaker of everybody because he was so authentic and real.” (34:50, Josh)

Community Spirit & Fan Gratitude

• Gifts & Kindness: Stories of fan-made pins, gifts, and the gesture of Josh’s signature glasses distributed at CrimeCon in his absence.
  • “There’s 500 people in that room all wearing his glasses.” (30:31, Cheryl)

5. Reflections on the True Crime Community

• Not a Planned Career: Both Josh and Franz reflect on how they became fixtures of the true crime world by accident—drawn by genuine interest, not by design.
• Shared Purpose: The event’s emotional high points come from a sense of belonging among people who “care about the same stuff that you do.” (43:26, Josh)
• The “10-8” Tour Concept: The tour name symbolizes being “ready for the next call”—a metaphor for continuous curiosity and public service in crime work.
  • “I’m done with my last call. I’m ready for the next call. In other words, I’m open, I’m ready, I’m available. What’s next?” (41:07, Cheryl)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Manuel’s Tavern:

  • “You could not have picked a better spot. It was perfect for what we wanted.” – Cheryl (03:25)

• On the Value of Legal Friendships:

  • “If you are hanging out with people that do not have the best for you in mind...get rid of them. There are good people out there. You’re listening to two of them right now.” – Cheryl (45:20)

• On Professional Crossover:

  • “It doesn’t have to be in the courtroom. It’s war outside of the courtroom. It doesn’t have to be, and it shouldn’t be.” – Franz (23:50)

• On Nancy Grace:

  • “She walks in and it got popping. Like, people were really, really excited.” – Josh (37:25)
  • “That is—It is not an act.” – Franz (37:55)

Chronological Highlights with Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Event | Speaker | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------| | 02:38 | Welcome to Zone 7 at Manuel’s; overview of intent | Cheryl McCollum | | 04:25 | Venue history and atmosphere | Josh, Cheryl | | 07:38 | Franz’s Baton Rouge serial killer defense story | Franz Borghardt | | 10:09 | C Murder case: defense through media and promotion angles | Franz, Josh | | 12:14 | Storytelling and emotional connection in trial law | Josh | | 15:21 | Jerry Spence Trial Lawyers College & psychodrama in legal storytelling | Josh, Franz | | 22:41 | The necessity of cross-profession relationships in criminal justice | Cheryl | | 23:50 | Personal friendship & professional support—even among courtroom "opponents" | Franz | | 33:45 | Detective Shepherd’s moving story and audience reaction | Cheryl, Franz, Josh | | 36:56 | Nancy Grace’s open Q&A, audience engagement | Cheryl, Josh | | 41:07 | Introduction of the “10-8” (Ten Eight) tour and its meaning | Cheryl | | 42:12 | Franz’s closing reflections on the uniqueness and power of these live event gatherings | Franz | | 43:06 | Josh’s personal reflections on community, transformation, and the true crime world | Josh | | 45:20 | Cheryl’s closing advice on choosing your community wisely | Cheryl | | 45:34 | Episode closes with a quote on friendship and partnership | Cheryl |

Tone & Language

The language is warm, colloquial, and candid, infused with Southern humor and deep camaraderie. Speakers share openly, joke with one another, and move between laughter and poignant reflection. The tone is encouraging—emphasizing the importance of support, learning, and choosing your community.

Summary

This episode is a love letter to the true crime community's heart—its people, its stories, and the meaningful relationships that fuel a life in criminal justice. By giving listeners a seat at the Zone 7 table, it reveals that beneath every infamous case and TV moment are human connections—sometimes forged in adversity, always strengthened by honesty, storytelling, and shared purpose. The “10-8 Tour” is more than an event series; it’s a call to openness, resilience, and curiosity—inviting everyone to “be ready for the next call.”