MK True Crime – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Shock Arrest in Dentist Double Murder, Nick Reiner’s Psychiatric Med Switch, and Kohberger’s Former College Sued, with Nancy Grace
Date: January 14, 2026
Host(s): Ashley Merchant, Phil Holloway
Guest: Nancy Grace

Overview

This episode delivers in-depth analysis of three high-profile cases:

• The arrest of Monique Tepe’s ex-husband for the double homicide of Tepe and her husband
• An insider look at the fallout for Diddy’s failed bid for a presidential pardon
• Legal and psychiatric disputes in the Nick Reiner double-parricide trial
• The wrongful death lawsuit against Washington State University related to Bryan Kohberger, with guest Nancy Grace weighing in
• Discussion of the recently unsealed court files in the Fulton County “electors case” linked to the 2020 election

The presenters blend legal insight, investigative observations, and courtroom experience, offering context for both legal experts and true crime fans.

1. Dentist Double Homicide: The Tepe Murders

Key Segment: 01:05–13:51

Background

• Spencer and Monique Tepe, a dentist couple from Columbus, OH, found shot dead Dec 30.
• Their two young children (ages 1 and 4) were present in the home but unharmed.

Suspect Arrested

• Monique's ex-husband, Dr. Michael McKee (vascular surgeon), arrested and charged with murder and aggravated murder the previous Saturday.
• McKee waived extradition and will face charges in Franklin County, Ohio within 30 days.

Legal Context

• Waiving extradition is common; fighting it only delays the inevitable, with little legal payoff.
• Phil Holloway (03:19): "I've been doing this a long time... I can't remember a case ... where anyone fought extradition and did so successfully."

Circumstantial Evidence

• No forced entry, no sign of robbery—a targeted attack by someone known to the victims is likely.
• Police claim video evidence and car tracking tie McKee to the scene.

Possible Motive

• Speculation about a “love triangle” (08:18–09:37); Monique’s family was not surprised by the arrest, fueling questions about possible stalking or unresolved jealousy.

Notable Quote

• Ashley Merchant (09:00): “Her family … said that this arrest did not surprise them … That's very telling. Has this guy been stalking her? Like, what is going on here?”

Death Penalty?

• Ohio allows the death penalty in double homicide cases, but this jurisdiction rarely seeks it.
• The motive remains a significant question as no current relationship or child tied McKee to Tepe.

2. Diddy’s Presidential Pardon Appeal and Legal Battles

Key Segment: 16:01–24:06

Failed Trump Pardon Bid

• Rap mogul Diddy attempted to secure a pardon via Mike Tyson, who personally delivered a plea-letter to President Trump. Trump declined.
• Phil Holloway (17:13): “I’m not surprised at all that Diddy would use another sex offender in Mike Tyson to try to deliver a personal appeal to the president.”

Sentencing and Appeal

• Diddy’s sentence was longer than anticipated but legally within range.
• Appeal filed Dec. 2025 claimed he was punished for acquitted actions and that alleged acts amounted to "choreographed performances" (pornography) rather than prostitution.
• Phil Holloway (19:46): "He’s saying he was paying essentially to watch the production of pornography, which falls outside of most definitions of prostitution... that's certainly an interesting read."

Jail Conduct and Asset Sale

• Diddy lost 'good time' for making "jail wine" (hooch), which extended his sentence.
• Sold his customized $15–30 million private jet, possibly to avoid government seizure amid mounting lawsuits.

Notable Quip

• Phil Holloway (22:09): "Even if I were in the market for this jet, ... I think that any buyer would have to basically tear it down to the studs and rebuild it just for disinfectant purposes ... you want to know, it’s like the Epstein plane. What happened in that plane?"

Rehab Efforts

• Enrolled in in-prison drug and alcohol rehab, which may reduce his remaining time, but will not suffice for a pardon.

3. Nick Reiner Double Murder – Psychiatric Defense and Meth Use?

With Guest Nancy Grace (26:31–38:38)

New Developments

• Theory surfaced: Reiner allegedly killed parents (Rob and Michelle Reiner) after psychiatric medication change, purportedly due to Hollywood weight concerns.
• Nancy Grace (27:01): "What they are saying is that Hollywood fears of gaining weight somehow triggered the double murders...The theory is ludicrous..."

Voluntary Drug Use Defense

• Grace argues that methamphetamine use mirrors schizophrenic symptoms, but doesn't excuse criminal behavior:
  "If it turns out that he ... was using meth, that equals voluntary use of drugs, which is not a defense under the law." (27:38)

Premeditation and Behavior

• Minutiae of Reiner’s post-murder actions—cleaning up, discarding the weapon, checking into a hotel, behaving calmly on surveillance—all evidence premeditation, not psychosis.

Notable Quote

• Nancy Grace (30:17): "He then leaves the home, packs his clothes to go to a hotel...gets rid of the murder weapon...checks in under his own name...All that shows intent."

Competency Claims

• Reports (leaked by defense, per Grace) say Reiner “knows he killed his parents but doesn’t understand why he’s in jail.” Grace calls this an attempt to “taint a jury pool” (33:11).
• Dismisses incompetence claims, highlighting Reiner's courtroom awareness:
  "He knows who his new lawyer is. He knows what's happening..." (33:44)

4. Bryan Kohberger/Washington State University Wrongful Death Suit

With Nancy Grace (35:51–38:38)

Lawsuit Details

• The victims’ families allege WSU is civilly liable for failing to act on repeated complaints about Kohberger’s troubling behavior.

• Nancy Grace:
  “WSU had 13 formal complaints by women about Kohberger’s behavior…Some of the women…wanted escorts to their cars they were so afraid of him.” (36:31)

• School is accused of firing Kohberger only after the murders, with failure to act cited as key to the wrongful death claim.

Plausibility & Legal Hurdles

• Ashley Merchant (39:26): “I think that's going to be their biggest issue, whether or not there is a causation link.”
• The case may win over jurors on emotion—especially parents fearful for college-aged children—but causation remains a challenge.

5. Inside the Fulton County “Electors Case”: Gag Order Lifted

Key Segment: 44:00–64:15

Context & Role

• Ashley Merchant represented Mike Roman, a Trump campaign worker and logistics coordinator, indicted in DA Fani Willis’s election interference RICO case.
• Merchant details extraordinary prosecutorial showmanship, from bond negotiations to a press conference-worthy atmosphere, and forced in-person signings (amidst advanced digital filing practices).

Notable Quotes

• Ashley Merchant (51:37): "There is swag...Fulton county spent a lot of money on things that said Fani Willis and integrity matters everywhere. Integrity matters everywhere."
• Ashley Merchant (52:43): “We finally have that gag order lifted … and you know what it is? It’s a whole lot of nothing.”

Dismissal Reason

• The special prosecutor concluded Republican “fake electors” had “no criminal intent” and acted to preserve options during pending election litigation.
• Merchant likens the paperwork to a mortgage application sans the all-important banker’s letter: “If I send in my application and I leave that paper blank … am I really trying to defraud anybody if it's blank?” (58:28)

Evidence—“Nothing Burger”

• The prosecution’s "discovery" is described as almost entirely news clips, publicly available documents, and “nothing that everybody doesn’t already know."
• The much-hyped protective order, Merchant says, created smoke and mirrors of investigation where there was none.

Listener Q&A

• Those who pleaded guilty in the case “are pretty much out of luck”—it’s nearly impossible to revoke a plea.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Ashley Merchant (09:00): “Her family said that this arrest did not surprise them… Has this guy been stalking her?”
• Phil Holloway (17:13): “[Diddy] would use another sex offender in Mike Tyson to try to deliver…a personal appeal.”
• Nancy Grace (30:17): “He then leaves the home, packs his clothes to go to a hotel…gets rid of the murder weapon. Checks in under his own name…All that shows intent.”
• Ashley Merchant (52:43): “We finally have that gag order lifted…you know what it is? It’s a whole lot of nothing.”
• Ashley Merchant (58:28): “If I took that approval letter from the bank and I forged it… I would have committed a crime. If I send in my application and I leave that paper blank… No. I’m doing what I was sworn to do.”

Key Timestamps

• 01:05: Start of Tepe murder case
• 09:00: Victim’s family reaction—“not surprised”
• 16:01: Diddy’s failed appeal/pardon segment
• 27:01: Nancy Grace on Nick Reiner case
• 35:51: Kohberger lawsuit discussion
• 44:00: Fulton County DA/Fani Willis “electors case” deep-dive
• 52:43: Gag order revelations (“nothing burger”)
• 58:28: Mortage analogy for elector documents

Tone & Style

The hosts blend courtroom professionalism with candid, sometimes biting commentary. Nancy Grace brings classic prosecutorial fire and skepticism to psycho-legal defenses and institutional lawsuits. Listener engagement and lively, unscripted exchanges create a conversational, accessible breakdown of otherwise complex legal developments.

Summary

This episode is a comprehensive journey through evolving true crime events and legal histories—balancing crime scene facts with courtroom realities, legal strategy, and public perception. It will appeal to those seeking not only the “what” but the vital “why” behind high-profile cases.