Murder Sheet Podcast: "The Cheat Sheet: Sneakers and Set-Ups"

Release date: January 16, 2026
Hosts: Áine Cain (journalist) and Kevin Greenlee (attorney)

Episode Overview

In this episode of "The Cheat Sheet," Áine and Kevin explore four recent, headline-making cases from Pennsylvania, Montana, Virginia, and Florida. Their journalistic discussion navigates heavy topics including parricide, police emergency entry, a murder-for-hire plot with a bizarre set-up, and a violent sneaker dispute. The hosts also bring their characteristic wit and warmth, balancing grave true-crime content with personal anecdotes and lighthearted asides.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Parental Shooting in Pennsylvania (Jared Noel Case)

[03:49–09:10]

• Case Details:

  • On December 26, 2025, 18-year-old Jared Noel allegedly shot both of his parents in New Freeport, Greene County, PA.
  • His mother, Mary Lynn, died; his father, James, survived despite a head wound.
  • The attack happened with two younger siblings inside the home (unharmed).
  • Jared fled to West Virginia, armed, where he was apprehended and confessed.
  • He is charged with homicide and attempted homicide; bail denied.
  • The case is handled by the Greene County District Attorney’s Office.

• Community Response:

  • Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Richard Sizer:

    “We thank the community. We kind of moved in here and we were walking their properties and taking over streets and things that we needed to do to successfully resolve the incident. We’re glad it’s over.” (08:21)

• Hosts' Reflection:

  • Áine notes the recurring pattern of troubled young men committing family violence (relates to the Reiner case discussed previously).
  • She highlights the need for better mental health resources and early intervention:

    “A family should not be consigned to having violence done against them or even being murdered just because they happen to be related to someone who’s struggling. We should provide further resources for people to get their loved ones the help they need before it becomes violent and before there is a crisis like this.” (08:57)

2. Supreme Court Ruling: Police Emergency Entry (Case v. Montana)

[13:16–25:30]

• Case Background:

  • Incident in Anaconda, MT involving William Case, who called his ex-girlfriend and threatened suicide.
  • He reportedly threatened to “shoot them all” if police showed up; popping noise on the call led her to fear he’d shot himself.
  • Police, after assessing the risk and seeing evidence through windows (beer cans, note pad, gun holster), entered the home to render aid.
  • Upon entry, Case emerged holding a black object; officers shot and wounded him. He was charged with assaulting police.

• Legal Debate:

  • Case argued police shouldn’t enter without "probable cause," just a "reasonable belief".
  • Supreme Court unanimously ruled that "reasonable belief" is sufficient for warrantless entry in emergencies.

• Key Quotes:

  • Áine:

    “If you took that away, would it basically render a lot of possible emergency responses from police, like, they’d be unable to do their jobs?” (21:37)

  • Kevin:

    “If agents of the government or agents of the police are entering our residences, there needs to be standards explaining why and justifying it. It can’t just be willy nilly.” (22:09)

  • Justice Sotomayor’s concurring opinion is referenced, highlighting the increased risks to those with mental health challenges and urging caution.

    “[Sotomayor] talked about how people who have mental health conditions are actually more likely to be injured or killed during police interactions... maybe police should use other methods before just going into the home.” (24:50–25:11)

3. Virginia “Set-Up” Murder Trial (The Banfield-Perez Magalhães Affair)

[25:41–34:18]

• Case Overview:

  • In Herndon, VA, an au pair (Juliana Perez Magalhães) and her employer Brendan Banfield allegedly plotted to murder Brendan’s wife, Christine, during an elaborate set-up involving a third party, Joseph Ryan.
  • Banfield, an IRS investigator, and Perez Magalhães began an affair in August 2022.
  • Allegedly, they lured Joseph Ryan via a fetish site by impersonating Christine, staging a supposed consensual encounter with a “rape fantasy” ruse.
  • Once Ryan arrived, Banfield shot him; then Christine was stabbed to death.
  • Initial reports painted Banfield as defending his home, but investigators revealed the murder plot.

• Legal Developments:

  • Perez Magalhães flipped and is testifying for the prosecution; she pled guilty to manslaughter in a plea deal.
  • The defense attacks her credibility, citing conflicting jail communications and money from media producers.

• Notable Quote:

  • Áine Cain:

    “If he is found guilty and if there is the evidence there, then it sounds like somebody way overthinking a murder plot almost to the point of Columbo villain-esque ridiculousness and just so horrifying to do something like that to the mother of your child.” (33:52)

4. Florida Five Guys Sneaker Feud Turned Attempted Murder

[34:24–43:15]

• Incident Summary:

  • At a Five Guys restaurant, Jose Leonardo Jacon Martinez accused a fellow patron’s Air Jordans of being fake.
  • He requested the shoes for inspection—remarkably, the young man obliged.
  • The encounter devolved: after a philosophical exchange ("We're all the same people. Since everyone is human." (40:03)), Jacon threatened to retrieve his gun. He left and returned with a knife, attempting to stab the patron.
  • The victim evaded the attack and filmed Jacon, who then fled. Video evidence led to his arrest for attempted murder.

• Host Commentary:

  • Áine:

    “This is just one of those, like, just walk away. Like it’s just an awkward conversation, you know, like, how does this go from that to stabbing someone?” (41:55)

  • Kevin, relaying a police detective’s remarks:

    “‘Given his violent nature regarding a trivial matter such as counterfeit shoes, he is an imminent risk to society.’” (42:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Áine’s Reflection on Family Violence (Pennsylvania case):

  “A family should not be consigned to having violence done against them or even being murdered just because they happen to be related to someone who’s struggling.” (08:57)

• Supreme Court Case Rationale:

  • Áine:

    “[If] you took that away, would it basically render a lot of possible emergency responses from police... they’d be unable to do their jobs?” (21:37)

  • Kevin:

    “Our homes are our castles. We deserve to have privacy. If agents of the government... are entering our residences, there needs to be standards explaining why and justifying it. It can’t just be willy nilly.” (22:09)

• Virginia Set-up Case Absurdity:

  • Áine:

    “This sounds like somebody way overthinking a murder plot almost to the point of Columbo villain-esque ridiculousness...” (33:52)

• Five Guys Shoe Debacle:

  • The comment from the victim, elevating the moment:

    "We're all the same people. Since everyone is human." (40:03)

  • Áine, on the escalation:

    “This is just one of those, like, just walk away...” (41:55)

  • Kevin recounts detective’s assessment:

    “[He] is an imminent risk to society.” (42:18)

• Humorous Shoe Puns & Banter:

  • Áine:

    "I would think something suspicious was afoot." (38:09)

  • Kevin:

    “He thinks he's the shoe police.” (42:46)

Additional Segments & Host Personalities

• Playful banter about U.S. states (Montana, Marion IN/OH):
  • Stressed the randomness of where significant cases begin and teased each other about their (lack of) visits to various states.
  • Áine humorously worries about Warren G. Harding fans avenging his honor in Marion, OH.
• Sneaker culture as viewed by “outsiders”:
  • The hosts, self-professed non-sneakerheads, marvel at the sneaker-trading world and reference their dog’s penchant for destroying shoes.
• Reflections on their new rescue dog, Nick:
  • The duo closes with affectionate stories and trials of puppy parenthood, tying back to themes of patience and unexpected challenges—carrying echoes of the episode’s true-crime themes in a lighthearted, domestic setting.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Case Summaries Begin: 03:49
• Pennsylvania Parricide (Jared Noel): 04:03–09:10
• Montana Supreme Court Case (Emergency Entry): 13:16–25:30
• Virginia Murder-for-Hire Scheme: 25:41–34:18
• Florida Sneaker Stabbing: 34:24–43:15
• Hosts’ Personal Anecdotes & Closing Banter: 43:21–54:31

Final Thoughts

This episode showcases the hosts’ ability to tackle complex legal, psychological, and social dimensions of new true-crime stories in a way that’s both accessible and insightful, blended with their signature humor and conversational warmth. The four cases provide shocking yet illuminating looks at American violence—from intimate family betrayal, through legal line-drawing on police power, to murder plots with bizarre sexual setups, and even a near-deadly dispute over authenticity in sneakers.

For listeners seeking both thoughtful crime analysis and moments of levity, this "Cheat Sheet" truly delivers.

Note: Sensitive content warnings apply (suicide, murder, sexual violence), as mentioned early in the episode [01:36].