MK True Crime – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Diddy’s Final Push Before Sentencing, Real “Alphabet Killer” Victim Count, Taylor Swift Depo Arrest
Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Ashley Merchant
Contributors: Matt Murphy (former homicide prosecutor, author of The Book of Murder), Dave Aronberg (former State Attorney, Palm Beach County, FL)

Overview

This episode dives deep into four headline-making true crime stories:

1. The legal maneuvers ahead of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ approaching sentencing, including arguments about the Mann Act and conditions of his confinement;
2. The expanded alleged victim count of the “Alphabet Killer” Joseph Naso, propelled by a new docuseries and jailhouse informant claims;
3. The bizarre and legally fraught attempt to serve Taylor Swift deposition papers (and broader issues with serving “dodging” celebrities);
4. The legal and ethical tangle around the DOJ’s public commentary in the Luigi Mangioni case—and the impact of high-profile discussions on fair trials.

Insights flow freely from three seasoned attorneys, offering clarity on the intersection of criminal law, celebrity, policy failures, and media influence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diddy’s Final Legal Push Before Sentencing

(01:04–13:44)

• Challenging the Mann Act:

  • Diddy’s legal team argued the Mann Act is unconstitutional and racially motivated, referencing its origins as the 1910 “White Slave Traffic Act.”
  • Dave Aronberg contextualizes: “It’s not your grandfather’s Mann Act anymore... [it] is used a lot when it comes to sex trafficking these days.” (02:42)
  • Matt Murphy and Ashley Merchant agree the argument is late and unlikely to succeed.
    • “They’re going through the motions at this point. I’d be shocked if the judge actually granted this.” —Matt Murphy (03:58)

• Sentencing Positioning:

  • Diddy’s defense seeks a ~14 month sentence (out by Christmas); prosecution wants at least 5 years, guidelines allow up to 7+ years.
  • Dave Aronberg: “The best argument for the prosecution will be the violence that you cannot ignore because it’s on video... The defense would be [that] these are just the least of the charges.” (05:30)
  • Conditions of jail—suicide watch, poor food, lack of sunlight—draw skepticism as mitigation.
    • “That comes off... as a guy who... doesn’t like the conditions of his confinement... I see that going nowhere with the court.” —Matt Murphy (06:47)
  • Mention of Diddy teaching business skills in jail—seen as a “Hail Mary.”
    • “Is this a formal thing... or is this him sitting at... the lunch table... hoping guys aren’t gonna... steal his food?... I’m not believing Diddy on anything.” —Matt Murphy (11:13)
  • Mother’s sentencing letter is viewed as heartfelt but ultimately unpersuasive.

• Civil Lawsuit Development:

  • Ex-stylist Deontay Nash’s late-stage civil suit against Diddy sparks skepticism; consensus is that such suits are often lawyer-driven with late-changing motives.

2. Taylor Swift’s Deposition Drama & Stalking Risks

(14:22–24:22)

• Process Server’s Arrest:
  • An ex-cop was arrested for jumping Taylor Swift’s fence to serve deposition papers in a lawsuit involving Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively.
  • Broad discussion about the outdated and unsafe practice of personal service for high-profile individuals, and the lack of a modern solution.
  • Dave Aronberg: “Don’t make it Taylor Swift... that’s gotta be the most guarded house in the world.” (15:48)
  • Matt Murphy highlights attorney liability for process servers’ misconduct.
• Legal Overreach:
  • Lawsuit is viewed as excessive—Swift “never on this movie set… [she] effectively has absolutely nothing to do with this.” —Matt Murphy (16:54)
• Stalking Cases:
  • Recent restraining orders and disturbing turning points in Taylor Swift’s ongoing stalker situation; one stalker redirected her mail and changed his driver’s license to her address, raising questions about law enforcement coordination and federal enforcement.
  • Matt Murphy: “She’s just as susceptible to physical harm as the rest of us if somebody actually gets to her. And this process server… is lucky he didn’t get shot.” (21:28)
• Broader Policy Questions:
  • Possibility of policy change for aggravated stalking and process serving.
  • Red flag laws and involuntary commitment discussed as potential legal tools for pre-empting violence.
  • “Celebrities... look like they have everything... but they also have stalkers, and it could lead to deadly consequences.” —Dave Aronberg (23:13)

3. The Real “Alphabet Killer”: New Victims and Jailhouse Informant Claims

(27:09–38:09)

• Recap:
  • Joseph Naso, convicted of four murders, may have killed dozens more.
  • New Oxygen docuseries “Death Row Secrets” highlights alleged confessions to a jailhouse informant and the discovery of a chilling “List of 10.”
    • “There were mannequins in the house with lingerie, lipstick… we called it the list of 10. Just a piece of scrap paper... number one through 10… It just lists locations… a list of murder victims.” —Matt Murphy (29:18)
• Parallels to Rodney Alcala:
  • Naso and Alcala: both active in 1970s California, photographers, necrophiliacs, self-represented at trial, with extensive photo evidence.
  • Extensive background and rare perspective from Murphy, who prosecuted Alcala.
• Jailhouse Snitch Issues:
  • Murphy’s mistrust of jailhouse informant Bill Nouguera:
    • “In my view? No [he’s not credible]... I never in a million years would I touch that guy with a ten foot pole... but I have no doubt Naso killed many more.” (37:04)
• Killer’s Lifestyle:
  • Naso’s narcissism, seeking attention even in media interviews.
  • Serial killer psychology dissected: power, narcissism, control.

4. Rex Heuermann and the Gilgo Beach Murders

(38:09–41:30)

• Trial Preparation:
  • Discussion of whether charges should be severed or tried together.
  • Heuermann’s psychology and dual life as articulated by Aronberg:
    • “He lived amongst us... [then] he was slaughtering innocent women for sport. Clearly a sick, deranged individual—allegedly.” (39:24)
  • Murphy details the evidence:
    • “He would take [victims’] phones… use those to call the family members… torture them... and they’re all pinging simultaneously as he’s moving around, which is incredibly compelling.” (40:18)

5. DOJ Leaks & Free Speech vs. Fair Trial: Luigi Mangioni

(44:20–47:58)

• Issue:
  • DOJ and White House comments about Mangioni (called him a “left wing assassin”) despite a gag order.
  • Can public figures like the President be gagged? Not really.
    • “The judge can put all the gag orders they want. They can't have any jurisdiction over someone who's not a party to the case... [for] the President... sorry.” —Dave Aronberg (45:22)
• Media Impact:
  • How high-profile commentary can impact jury pools and trial fairness.
  • Prosecutors and their teams must maintain ironclad discipline:
    • “It’s very, very important that the prosecutors or anybody involved... be very careful not to say anything.” —Matt Murphy (46:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

(Timestamps in MM:SS format)

• “People live. Video does not.” —Dave Aronberg on the Cassie assault video (05:30)
• “That comes off to me as a guy who... doesn’t like the conditions of his confinement... I see that going nowhere with the court.” —Matt Murphy on Diddy’s complaints (06:47)
• “I'm not believing Diddy on anything that he says... there’s a lot of that stuff that I think is client driven.” —Matt Murphy (11:13)
• “[Naso’s] house was more emotionally disturbing than most cases I’ve ever seen. There were mannequins... lipstick... strung up by their necks...” —Matt Murphy (29:18)
• “Each one of these guys... represented himself in court... It’s like the psychology of the serial killer — they can’t help themselves.” —Matt Murphy (31:14)
• “Do I believe this guy? I don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.” —Matt Murphy, on the informant (37:04)
• “Don’t make it Taylor Swift... that’s gotta be the most guarded house in the world.” —Dave Aronberg (15:48)
• “If Travis Kelce had shot him on his front lawn, who could have blamed him? ... not right... the responsibility of those lawyers not to increase the fear of a woman, famous or not, in my view.” —Matt Murphy (21:28)
• “The only thing predictable about juries is that they’re unpredictable.” —Dave Aronberg on legal process reality checks (48:47)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Diddy’s Legal Hail Mary & Sentencing Debate: 01:04–13:44
• Taylor Swift Subpoena Incident & Stalking Concerns: 14:22–24:22
• Joseph Naso, Serial Killer and New Allegations: 27:09–38:09
• Gilgo Beach Murders (Rex Heuermann) Updates: 38:09–41:30
• DOJ Leaks and Public Commentary, Luigi Mangioni: 44:20–47:58
• Listener Mailbag and Contributor Rants: 47:58–52:48

Mailbag & Listener Feedback

• Ricky, a long-time listener, thanks the hosts for their level-headed, entertaining, and professional approach, highlighting the respectful disagreement and camaraderie on the panel. (47:58)

Closing Arguments & Rants

• Dave Aronberg:
  Explains procedural safeguards against “out of control” prosecutions, using the impending James Comey indictment as a springboard to debunk the myth of unchecked prosecutor power.

  • “There are limits, there are guardrails in place... the only thing predictable about juries is that they’re unpredictable.” (48:47)

• Matt Murphy:
  Praises true crime media (e.g., Oxygen docuseries) for helping solve cold cases—even if media sometimes misfires—and asserts the public’s growing sophistication around true crime is a societal good. (51:13)

• Ashley Merchant:
  Recaps the Georgia Supreme Court’s rebuke of Fani Willis in the Trump/Fulton County prosecution, spelling out the sequence leading to a disqualification of the prosecution team for conflicts of interest. (52:48)

Episode Takeaway

This episode provided a comprehensive, expert-driven discussion of current high-profile cases, deftly balancing legal technicalities, policy implications, and real-world human impacts—from prison conditions to the ripple effects of celebrity, media coverage, and loophole-ridden criminal justice procedures. Rich analysis, memorable courtroom war stories, and a strong throughline of legal pragmatism make this a must-listen (and read) for anyone tracking U.S. crime and law—not just this week, but ongoing.