MK True Crime: Shock Murder Mystery of Dentist and Wife, Kohberger Sister Speaks, and Conflicts of Interest in Tyler Robinson Case — with Viva Frei

Podcast: MK True Crime
Host: Phil Holloway (B), with Dave Aronberg (C), and guest Viva Frei (D)
Date: January 7, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode marks the MK True Crime podcast’s first show of 2026. Host Phil Holloway and co-host Dave Aronberg delve into several gripping topics:

• The mysterious double homicide of dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique in Columbus, OH
• Updates on Nick Reiner’s status as he awaits arraignment amid mental health debates
• The first public statements from Bryan Kohberger’s sister following his conviction
• Special guest appearance by Canadian litigator and creator Viva Frei to discuss the legal ramifications of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s recent capture and prosecution
• Listener questions about alleged conflicts of interest in the Tyler Robinson murder case

The conversation blends detailed legal analysis, true crime discussion, and personal, sometimes emotional, reactions to recent events, maintaining the show’s signature frank and speculative tone.

1. The Tepe Double Murder Mystery

[01:04–13:18]

The Case

• Spencer and Monique Tepe, a respected Columbus, Ohio couple, found fatally shot in their home on December 30, with two children (ages 1 and 4) present but unharmed
• No sign of forced entry, no arrests yet, person of interest caught on video
• Shell casings left at the scene, no weapon found, valuables apparently untouched

Key Insights & Discussion

• Speculation about Motive:
  • Lack of forced entry suggests the killer was either known to the victims or had access (e.g., door code)
  • “This is one that really could wind up being a forever mystery or it could be one that breaks wide open pretty quickly depending on what police find, if they find good video and stuff.” — Phil Holloway [03:46]
• Professional Hit Theory:
  • Aronberg: “It looks almost like a professional hit. I don't have the answers. Now, I don't want to jump to conclusions … but I do believe the answers will be coming soon enough.” [08:57]
  • No forced entry, targeted nature (multiple shots to Spencer, one to Monique), and the killer left children unharmed
• Role of Technology:
  • Aronberg highlights the ubiquity of doorbell and surveillance footage, making it likely the perpetrator will be found eventually
  • “Now everyone seems to be walking around with a tracker. That's their cell phone. Everyone has a ring doorbell … So I think that it's just a matter of time.” — Dave Aronberg [05:23]

Notable Moments & Quotes

• 911 Call Playback:
  • Employer and a friend call 911 after Tepe misses work for the first time
  • “I just don’t know how to say this. Like, we're very, very concerned … this is very out of character and we can't get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.” — Excerpt from 911 call [06:57]
  • Holloway reacts: “Your heart breaks for the friend who has to go in and find that under those circumstances.” [07:36]
• Community Reactions:
  • “That neighborhood is a peaceful neighborhood and … these types of things don't happen a lot there.” — Dave Aronberg [11:30]
  • GoFundMe created for the surviving children: gofundme.com/supporting-spencer-and-monique's-children [46:45]

2. Nick Reiner: Mental Health, Arraignment, and Legal Strategy

[15:06–22:02]

Case Update

• Nick Reiner, accused of killing his parents, is removed from suicide watch as defense pursues incompetency to stand trial

Discussion Points

• Competency vs. Insanity Defenses:
  • Aronberg explains the difference: “An insanity defense… you have to establish that someone doesn't know the difference between right and wrong … [incompetency] is about understanding the proceedings before you and being able to assist in your defense.” [15:19]
• Past Wellness Checks:
  • Police had previously been called for mental health checks on Reiner at his parents’ home, suggestive of longstanding mental illness concerns

Notable Quotes

• “This guy was a ticking time bomb. And I do believe that's why you will see him charged with murder. But I don't think there'll be a death penalty here.” — Dave Aronberg [18:44]
• “Things in this case point to the fact that I think he knew right from wrong … taking measures, for example, to hide your identity or to conceal your involvement … shows you know right from wrong.” — Phil Holloway [19:46]

3. Bryan Kohberger: Sister Speaks Out

[22:02–26:45]

News Recap

• The New York Times publishes an interview with Bryan Kohberger’s sister, Mel, for the first time since his conviction in the Idaho quadruple murder case

Takeaways

• Family as Victims:
  • “In a way, [the family] should be seen as at least partly a victim here. Not, of course, anywhere near the true victims, but the family is destroyed because their name is. They should change their name.” — Dave Aronberg [24:03]
• Public and Media Reaction:
  • Megyn Kelly criticized the NYT piece as a “puff piece”; offered commentary on Mel's personal appearance
• Details on Family’s Experience:
  • Mel recounted warning Bryan to be careful with a “psycho killer on the loose,” not knowing her brother was the perpetrator
  • Debate about whether Kohberger’s mother knew more than she revealed during post-murder phone calls
  • The drawing found in court: explained by the sister to be a symbol of familial love [25:46]

4. Special Guest: Viva Frei on Maduro’s Capture and U.S. Prosecution

[30:07–47:05]

Background

• Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and wife Celia Flores captured in U.S. military operation and brought to New York to face major federal charges

Legal and Political Analysis

• Comparisons to Noriega & The Kerr-Frisbie Doctrine:
  • Holloway: “It doesn’t matter how a defendant is brought before the court… if they get there and there’s otherwise jurisdiction, how they got there is not really an issue.” [32:45]
  • Frei: “Under American law, it doesn't matter if they got jurisdiction illegally of the individual. Once he's in the jurisdiction … they don’t ask whether or not he was kidnapped by CIA at an airport.” [34:06]
• International Law & Precedent:
  • Aronberg: “Obama launched airstrikes on Libya without congressional authorization … Bill Clinton went 78 days of airstrikes on Kosovo, Serbia … so there is precedent.” [35:56]
• Selective Prosecution Arguments:
  • Aronberg: Points out prosecution complicated by apparent hypocrisy in pardoning Honduras’ ex-president for similar crimes while aggressively prosecuting Maduro [36:23]
  • Frei: Acknowledges that claims of political motivation may be made, but “this is a man, by all accounts, who was a gangster criminal… It’s not because you pardon another one… that you don’t prosecute this one.” [40:21]

Jury Issues and Venue

• Venue in SDNY:
  • Possible conversations about moving the case to Florida for a more neutral jury pool, but both guests think it’s unlikely [41:57–46:27]
  • Frei: “How do you even get a jury of your peers when you’re the imported president of a foreign country?” [44:01]

Notable Exchanges

• On arguments and motivation:
  • “Jury nullification is an improper argument. You’re not supposed to make that argument to a jury.” — Phil Holloway [39:18]
• On international law:
  • “The United Nations does not have veto power over the United States and we join the United Nations not to be part of a suicide pact.” — Dave Aronberg [35:56]

5. Listener Q&A: Alleged Conflict of Interest in Tyler Robinson Case

[47:05–51:08]

Listener’s Question

• Concern over a prosecutor’s relative being present near the victim during the Tyler Robinson murder and whether this constitutes a conflict of interest that might lead to disqualification or delay

Legal Analysis

• Aronberg:
  • “I think this is overplayed… We need more information… but in the end, it’s not going to bump the entire district attorney’s office off the case. It’s not going to lead to an acquittal. It’s just going to perhaps, at worst… delay matters a little bit.” [48:24]
• Frei:
  • “Prosecutors are not there to secure convictions. They’re there to pursue justice. … I don’t see any reasonable conflict. And it would work the other way around. … This sounds like too far removed and on the wrong side of the potential conflict.” [49:57]

6. Camera Coverage in Courtrooms: Lightning Round

[51:08–52:43]

Should Cameras Be Allowed?

• Frei:
  • “It should be the rule and not the exception. … There’s no downfall or pitfalls to having cameras in the courtroom.” [51:26]
• Aronberg:
  • “Let the sunshine in. … We do that here in Florida. … especially in this case where you have so many conspiracy theories … Cameras in the courtroom all day long.” [52:15]

7. Closing Arguments

[55:09–end]

Dave Aronberg

• Takes aim at New York’s new (socialist) mayor, Zohan Mamdani, for statements on Maduro’s capture and criticisms of U.S. foreign policy.
• “Why are you issuing guidance? You’re elected on affordability. Do something about that. … A little humility goes a long way. That should be his New Year’s resolution.” [56:57]

Phil Holloway

• Issues a rant about dysfunction in the Atlanta court system after a friend’s personal experience: docket crash, rescheduled hearings, no communication
• “We’ve got to have functioning court systems… When courts break down like this, the rule of law crumbles… more importantly, they uphold the rule of law itself, the principle that no one is above the law and everyone is entitled to fair treatment.” [57:24]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “We’re very good at speculating here at MK True Crime…” — Phil Holloway [09:48]
• “You don’t actually think your child, your brother, is a serial killer. Who does?” — Dave Aronberg on the Kohberger family [26:03]
• “In every case, [cameras] should be the rule and not the exception. Exceptions should be exceedingly exceptional.” — Viva Frei [51:26]

Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:04] — Intro to cases covered
• [03:46] — Tepe murder facts & early speculation
• [05:23] — Technology’s role in solving the case
• [06:40] — 911 audio playback
• [08:57] — Speculation on professional hit
• [15:06] — Nick Reiner status update
• [18:44] — Mental illness’ impact on prosecution
• [22:02] — Kohberger sister’s interview & family as victims
• [30:07] — Viva Frei joins for Maduro discussion
• [32:45] — Noriega precedent & Kerr-Frisbie doctrine
• [35:56] — Use of military force and legal precedent
• [41:57] — Venue, jury pool, and Florida connections
• [47:05] — Listener Q&A: Prosecutorial conflict of interest
• [51:08] — Cameras in the courtroom debate
• [55:09] — Closing arguments

Summary Takeaways

• The Tepe double murder is both tragic and shrouded in mystery, but technological advances may prevent this case from going unsolved.
• Mental health remains at the center of legal strategies in high-profile murder cases like Nick Reiner’s.
• Families of notorious criminals, such as Bryan Kohberger’s, face victimization in the public sphere, sparking new conversations around blame and sympathy.
• The capture and prosecution of Nicolas Maduro invokes hefty legal debate on jurisdiction, international law, and selective prosecution, illuminating both legal precedent and the politics involved.
• Listener questions raise important distinctions in legal ethics, particularly regarding conflicts of interest among prosecutors.
• Both guest and hosts advocate for transparency and public oversight via cameras in the courtroom.
• The show closes with sharp, personal commentaries on the pace and priorities of municipal government and systemic failures of the judicial system.

For questions or case suggestions, reach the team at mktruecrime@devilmaycaremedia.com.
GoFundMe for Tepe children: gofundme.com/supporting-spencer-and-monique's-children