Murder Sheet Podcast Summary
Episode: The Cheat Sheet: Self-Publishing and Selfies
Release Date: April 4, 2025

Hosted by journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee, "Murder Sheet" delves into intriguing true crime cases with a journalistic lens. In this episode, titled "The Cheat Sheet: Self-Publishing and Selfies," the hosts explore four distinct cases spanning Missouri, Hawaii, Tennessee, and Indiana, highlighting unique legal and investigative challenges.

1. Missouri Case: Shockley vs. Vandegrift

Overview:
The episode opens with Kevin Greenlee introducing the case of Lance Shockley, who was involved in a severe drunk-driving accident resulting in the death of a relative. While under investigation for the accident and suspecting of leaving the scene, Shockley is charged with the murder of Sergeant Carl Dwayne Graham Jr., an investigator on the case.

Key Points:

• Self-Published Juror Influence: During jury selection, a juror mentions being a self-published author. Shockley's book, a "fictionalized autobiography," contains a character seeking revenge against drunk drivers. This raised concerns about the juror's potential bias.

  Anya Cain [11:25]: “It's intriguing.”

• Legal Proceedings and Appellate Challenges: After Shockley's conviction and death sentence, questions arose about the defense attorney's failure to address the potential bias introduced by the juror's book. Despite one appellate judge finding merit in the issue, the Missouri appellate courts upheld the conviction. Shockley's appeal to the Supreme Court was denied, as the Court deemed it an administrative matter not warranting intervention.

  Kevin Greenlee [15:20]: “...it makes me uncomfortable when there are situations where if I am in Indiana, I have a different set of rights than I have in Missouri than I have in California.”

Insights:

• Justice Consistency: The case underscores disparities in appellate standards across states and raises concerns about consistent application of justice nationwide.

  Anya Cain [17:15]: “No. Yeah. That seems bad. Like simply.”

• Defense Strategy Missteps: The defense attorney's choice not to contest the juror's potential bias is critiqued, emphasizing the importance of addressing all possible influences during trial.

2. Hawaii Case: Gerhardt Koenig’s Attempted Murder

Overview:
Shifting focus to Hawaii, the hosts discuss the case of Gerhardt Koenig, an anesthesiologist accused of attempting to murder his wife, AK. A detailed probable cause affidavit reveals a brutal attack involving physical assault and an attempted injection with syringes.

Key Points:

• Accused's Background: Koenig, a respected physician, exhibited sudden violent behavior when his wife declined to take a selfie near a trail's edge, leading to a violent altercation.

  Kevin Greenlee [28:33]: “Can't say enough about this poor woman in this situation...”

• Evidence and Investigation: Multiple witnesses reported the assault, and surveillance footage, along with physical evidence, supports the charges against Koenig. The affidavit meticulously outlines the event's sequence, highlighting Koenig's premeditated actions.

  Anya Cain [36:17]: “...this attack is witnessed by people. The victim survives and is able to recount what happened...”

Insights:

• Preparedness for Crime: Koenig's medical background suggests a calculated approach, utilizing his knowledge to attempt further harm.

  Kevin Greenlee [40:24]: “So far, it seems to be a pretty damning case.”

• Survival and Witness Intervention: The survival of the victim and the intervention of other hikers were pivotal in apprehending Koenig, showcasing the critical role of bystanders in violent crimes.

3. Tennessee Case: Darryl Roberts and Jury Bias

Overview:
In Tennessee, Darryl Roberts is set to stand trial for murder. However, during jury selection, the term "convicted felon" is mistakenly used when referring to Roberts, who indeed has a prior felony conviction unrelated to the current charge.

Key Points:

• Procedural Error: The inadvertent mention of Roberts as a "convicted felon" was intended for a different charge (firearm possession) but was improperly communicated to the jury pool.

  Kevin Greenlee [41:06]: “You can unring the bell because what it was, was one of the charges...”

• Impact on Trial: Such a misstep can irreparably taint jurors' perceptions, leading to potential biases that jeopardize a fair trial. To rectify this, the judge has ordered a retrial with a new jury.

  Anya Cain [44:50]: “Remember that time you guys called him a convicted felon? Yeah, I would imagine they would.”

Insights:

• Fair Trial Assurance: The decision to start the trial anew emphasizes the importance of impartiality in the judicial process, ensuring that past unrelated convictions do not influence current verdicts.

  Kevin Greenlee [45:34]: “Yeah, it's. It's frustrating, but it's necessary because, again, it's more than just guilt or innocence.”

• Appellate Considerations: Future appeals are likely, with lawyers poised to contest any prejudicial remarks made during initial proceedings.

4. Indiana Case: Xiaofeng Wang’s FBI Raid and Termination

Overview:
Returning to Indiana, the hosts examine the mysterious case of Xiaofeng Wang, an associate dean at Indiana University (IU), who was abruptly fired amidst FBI and Department of Homeland Security raids on his residences.

Key Points:

• Sudden Termination: Wang was dismissed concurrently with federal raids, raising questions about the underlying reasons, which remain undisclosed by both IU and federal authorities.

  Anya Cain [47:21]: “What happened with IU that made them like, no, he's fired. Don't worry about it. Like, why are they doing that? The whole thing is bizarre.”

• Legal and Academic Repercussions: The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) condemned IU's actions, highlighting violations of due process and emphasizing the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

  AAUP Letter [50:19]: “Termination of a tenured faculty member is an action that requires the highest level of scrutiny and due process...”

• Community and Institutional Response: Despite the lack of public information, lawyers for Wang assured that neither he nor his wife were arrested or faced pending charges, maintaining their safety and expressing gratitude for support.

  Kevin Greenlee [53:32]: “It's wild. You have to assume there's a lot going on here that we don't know about.”

Insights:

• Due Process in Academia: The case underscores the critical need for adhering to institutional policies and due process, especially concerning tenured faculty members, to protect academic freedom and prevent unwarranted terminations.

  Anya Cain [55:43]: “...it's up to proper procedures to protect individuals' rights and maintain trust in academic institutions.”

• Speculation and Impact: Without concrete information, the situation fosters speculation about potential espionage or severe misconduct, but remains unclear, leaving the community concerned and awaiting further developments.

5. Personal Reflections and Upcoming Events

Host Interactions:
Beyond the cases, Áine and Kevin engage in light-hearted banter, celebrating Áine's birthday and promoting an upcoming live appearance in Columbus, Indiana. They also discuss interactions with listeners and humorous anecdotes, adding a personal touch to the episode.

Quotes:

Kevin Greenlee [60:23]: “So I want to wish a happy birthday to her. She has really enriched my life...”

Anya Cain [62:31]: “True Crime Swine is my imagination's like, kind of catch all for like your typical, like, ridiculous bad YouTuber...”

6. Promotional Segments

While the episode primarily focuses on the discussed cases, it includes promotional segments for sponsors like Quince, Happy Mammoth, Greenlight, Mochi Health, and Audible. These segments are interspersed between the main content but are omitted from this summary as per instructions.

Conclusion:
In "The Cheat Sheet: Self-Publishing and Selfies," Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee navigate complex true crime narratives, emphasizing the nuances of legal processes, the impact of personal biases in judicial settings, and the significance of due process within academic institutions. Through detailed analysis and engaging discussions, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between law, justice, and human behavior.

For those interested in in-depth true crime coverage, "Murder Sheet" continues to deliver compelling stories and expert insights in each episode.