Murder Sheet Episode Summary

The Cheat Sheet: Nods and Ne'er-do-wells

Original Air Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Áine Cain (journalist), Kevin Greenlee (attorney)

Episode Overview

This week’s “Cheat Sheet” episode features hosts Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee discussing recent developments in true crime and legal news from across the U.S. Major topics include two controversial overturned convictions (one involving juror conduct in New York, the other the reliability of ballistics in Oregon), two averted mass shootings (Indiana and Georgia), and a candid conversation about the recent Indiana University journalism controversy. The episode also features thoughtful banter and personal anecdotes, including an extended segment on the hosts’ varied experiences with THC edibles.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. New York: Overturned Conviction Over Juror "Nods"

Timestamp: 05:15 – 16:01

• Case Summary: The New York appellate court overturned a murder conviction for Miquin Cheese after jury selection irregularities. During voir dire, a potential juror admitted bias against a defendant not testifying but then simply nodded assent to the judge's group question about setting that bias aside.
• Legal Issue: Was a group nod sufficient or should the judge have removed that juror for cause? The defense had to use a peremptory strike, depleting their limited options.
  • Kevin explains: “When you're nodding as part of a group, the court found that individual is not making an unequivocal statement on his own.” (10:53)
  • The appellate court found this breached the defendant's right to a fair trial. Conviction was thrown out; Mr. Cheese is being retried.
• Áine’s Perspective:
  • "From an outsider perspective, it seems like...one of those, like egg-headed decisions...split hairs over stuff. But at the same time...they're trying to defend this guy's rights." (11:22)
  • She acknowledges the public may see this as silly, but affirms the principle of defendant’s rights.
• Kevin’s Perspective:
  • Uses an analogy: people might nod with a group without understanding, so individual clarity is vital.
  • “You want to err on the side of ensuring the defendant gets a fair trial.” (15:48)
• Both hosts express sympathy for the victim, Laquan Golden, and his family, noting the human cost of procedural missteps. (14:19)

2. Oregon: Ballistics Evidence Ruled "Unreliable"

Timestamp: 17:48 – 27:44

• Case Update: Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that conventional ballistics analysis is too subjective to be definitive evidence in court.
  • This follows the overturning of a murder conviction for Adams, largely based on ballistics.
  • Now, defendants like Reza Mardani are seeing convictions overturned or re-examined if verdicts relied heavily on ballistics.
  • The ruling could trigger re-examination of old cases and alter how prosecutors assemble cases.
• Hosts’ Perspectives:
  • Áine: “Personally, I think this seems like an overcorrection...when something's not perfect, that doesn't necessarily put it in a junk science category.” (22:43)
  • Kevin: Highlights the limits of judges in determining scientific reliability; suggests jury and cross-examination may be better solutions.
  • Notable exchange:
    • Kevin: “Having a legal background may not necessarily make you best qualified to evaluate science or mental health issues.” (24:18)
    • Áine: “I don't really know if...a group of judges in Oregon would be who I would trust to make this decision.” (24:40)
  • They reference the National Academy of Sciences' previous critical report on ballistics but caution against taking it as law.
• Listener Feedback: Hosts note they receive strong reactions from both sides whenever they cover ballistics.

3. Foiled Mass Shootings: Indiana & Georgia

Timestamp: 28:47 – 43:38

Indiana (Mooresville)

• Case: Trinity Shockley, a former student, plotted a mass shooting inspired by other shooters, but was reported by online tipsters.
• Developments: Shockley took a plea for conspiracy to commit murder—20 years, with time served and probation requirements, including therapy and bans on firearms and related content.
• Áine’s Reflection:
  • “What the heck is going on in these kids lives?...It’s becoming almost like a fandom but for murder.” (31:16)
  • Questions about root societal causes and parenting.
  • Supports sentence but hopeful for rehabilitation due to youth and no lives lost.

Georgia (Atlanta Airport)

• Case: Billy Joe Cagle, after reportedly skipping medication and experiencing hallucinations, live-streamed threats to shoot up Atlanta’s main airport. His family reported him to police, preventing tragedy.
• Áine’s Commentary:
  • “When things go right, we need to commend people...maybe make them feel like, oh, I’m betraying my son or brother...Ultimately, they saved his life, I think, as well as everyone else’s.” (41:01)
  • The family’s action is praised as courageous and life-saving, helping both the public and the perpetrator.
  • Police successfully intercepted him; guns and ammo found in his truck.

4. Indiana University Journalism Controversy

Timestamp: 43:38 – 53:20

• Issue: IU’s dean of journalism allegedly attempted to censor the student newspaper and fired the faculty advisor for not complying, causing alumni outrage and threats of withheld donations.
  • Kevin: “If a person is a doofus and doesn’t really know that much about the subject of the school he’s supposed to lead, it turns out there can be some consequences.” (45:42)
• Personal Connection: Kevin is an IU alum; both hosts attended a Carl Bernstein event, and Kevin details the dean’s incompetence at the event and in leadership.
• Highlight: Rival Purdue’s student paper reprinted the IU student newspaper in solidarity—"a class act" per Áine.
• Journalism Value: Áine, a former college newspaper editor, underscores the importance of editorial independence, referencing historical precedent (51:33).

5. Lighthearted Banter & Personal Tales

Timestamp: 53:20 – 71:46

• State Nicknames Running Joke: The hosts trade barbs about unusual state monikers (e.g., "Empire State of the South" for Georgia), providing comic relief.
  • “Is Oregon gonna come in and be, like, the Golden State, but maybe more like a bronze?” – Áine (37:32)
• THC Capsule Anecdote:
  • Kevin’s Experience: Tried legal marijuana edibles in Canada for pain—felt nothing despite high dosages.
  • Áine’s Experience: One low-dose capsule left her “high as a kite,” feeling epiphanic then sleeping for 36 hours.
    • “All I have to do is sort of like, cast my fishing net into the river and pull out the salmon of knowledge…” – Áine (67:57)
  • Both now avoid THC; Áine due to lack of control, Kevin due to lack of effect.
• Personal Note: Kevin discusses his chronic pain, clarifies public perception if seen standing or leaning.
  • “If you ever see me out in public...it’s not because I’m unpleasant or lazy. It’s because I’m probably having some pain issues.” (59:44)
  • Áine: “I thought you were trying to be like Fonzie. I was like, oh, that’s kind of interesting. And then later...oh, no, I’m just, like, dying...” (71:13)

Memorable Quotes

• Kevin: "If it's a close call, you want to err on the side of ensuring the defendant gets a fair trial." (15:48)
• Áine: “When things go right, we need to commend people for making these difficult decisions...Ultimately, they saved his life, I think, as well as everyone else's.” (41:01)
• Kevin: “Having a legal background may not necessarily make you best qualified to evaluate science...” (24:18)
• Áine: “It’s becoming almost like a fandom but for murder.” (31:16)
• Áine: "I'm just gonna be careful because I just don't know what the truth is, and I don't know what's going on." (29:20, on reporting suspects' pronouns)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Juror Nods and Overturned Verdict: 05:15 – 16:01
• Ballistics Science Ruled Unreliable: 17:48 – 27:44
• Indiana Foiled Mass Shooting: 28:47 – 36:03
• Georgia Foiled Mass Shooting: 36:03 – 43:38
• IU Journalism Controversy: 43:38 – 53:20
• THC Capsule Anecdotes & Chronic Pain: 59:16 – 71:46

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a conversational, witty, and self-aware style throughout, effortlessly blending sharp legal and journalistic analysis with personal vulnerability and humor. The episode provides a multi-faceted true crime experience—mixing court news, criminal psychology, and a peek behind the scenes of independent reporting.

Note: Advertisements and outro material have been omitted from this summary.