Summary of "On the Media" Podcast Episode: "How to Report a Cold Case"

Release Date: July 15, 2022
Hosts: Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger (with contributions from Nancy Solomon)

Introduction to the Sheridan Case

In this gripping episode of "On the Media," hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger delve into the perplexing cold case of John and Joyce Sheridan, a prominent couple from Skillman, New Jersey. The investigation, spearheaded by reporter Nancy Solomon in her podcast "Dead End: A New Jersey Political Murder Mystery," uncovers layers of political intrigue and unanswered questions surrounding their deaths.

The Mysterious Deaths

On the morning of September 28, 2014, firefighters responding to a fire at the Sheridan residence discovered the bodies of John and Joyce Sheridan under suspicious circumstances.

• Brooke Gladstone [00:00]: “...following the trail of a grisly murder leads one reporter to an even more grisly story.”

• Nancy Solomon [01:34]: “The call came in just before sunrise on Sunday, September 28, 2014... something more sinister had happened inside.”

Details of the Crime Scene:

• John Sheridan was found stabbed and badly burned under an armoire that blocked the bedroom door.

• Joyce Sheridan had multiple knife wounds, suggesting a “rage type of attack” [Preet Bharara, [00:12]].

• The initial investigation labeled the incident a murder-suicide, a conclusion the Sheridan family vehemently disputes.

Key Observations:

• No forced entry was evident, and the presence of two different knives with distinct wound patterns raised doubts about the murder-suicide theory.

• The house remained orderly, with valuable items like $950 in cash undisturbed, suggesting robbery was not the motive [Nancy Solomon, [05:29]].

Questioning the Official Narrative

The Sheridan family, particularly their eldest son Mark Sheridan, found the initial investigation lacking and sought further answers.

• Mark Sheridan [06:19]: “We met with the prosecutor's office on Tuesday, and that's when things started to go off the rails.”

Discrepancies Identified:

• Differences in blood spatter patterns suggested the fire might not have been entirely accidental.

• The body of John Sheridan still had soot in his throat and lungs, indicating he was alive during the fire [Nancy Solomon, [04:13]].

• The presence of a bent fire poker in the debris raised questions about potential alternate weapons [Nancy Solomon, [18:47]].

Forensic Concerns:

• Barry Jansen, a retired forensic technician, highlighted inconsistencies in the blood spatter analysis [Preet Bharara, [11:02]].

• The family's independent medical examiner, Michael Bodden, discovered that the stab wounds were inconsistent with the knives found at the scene [Michael Bodden, [12:32]].

Quotes Highlighting Doubts:

• Preet Bharara [13:33]: “I can't imagine a circumstance in which someone kills themselves with a knife and the knife is not there.”

• Mark Sheridan [14:30]: “...blood spatter suggests that he was stabbed at the very top of the stairs.”

Political Entanglements and Real Estate Conflicts

As Nancy Solomon digs deeper, she uncovers a tangled web of political connections that may have influenced the investigation.

George Norcross and Cooper's Ferry Partnership:

• John Sheridan was deeply involved with Cooper's Ferry Partnership, a nonprofit aimed at urban redevelopment in Camden.

• The Sheridan family's struggle over the L3 real estate deal brought them into conflict with George Norcross, a powerful political figure in New Jersey.

Key Insights:

• George Norcross [24:44]: “But in the end, the McGreevys, the Corzines, they're all going to be with me...”

• Nancy Solomon [27:17]: “Micah Rasmussen is the director at a center for politics at Rider University...”

The L3 Real Estate Deal:

• Disputes over the sale of the L3 buildings on the Camden waterfront implicated significant political and financial interests.

• Emails and memos revealed attempts by the Norcross brothers to control the sale, leading to the exclusion of Cooper's Ferry Partnership from the lucrative deal [Nancy Solomon, [37:17]].

Quotes Illustrating Political Influence:

• Nancy Solomon [29:56]: “In 2010, Marilyn Torres became the first Latina to be elected to the Camden City Council...”

• Brooke Gladstone [30:09]: “...the octopus is pulling his strings.”

A Paper Trail to Corruption

The episode reveals how financial documents and email exchanges shed light on potential corruption and favoritism in Camden's redevelopment projects.

Financial Maneuvers:

• The Sheridan family's discovery of extensive documents related to the L3 deal suggested financial manipulation favoring Norcross-aligned entities [Nancy Solomon, [23:43]].

• The letters sent to Norcross brothers received evasive responses, further muddying the waters [Nancy Solomon, [38:37]].

Confrontations and Legal Threats:

• Nancy Solomon's attempts to question Norcross directly were met with legal threats, indicating a desire to suppress information [Preet Bharara, [43:14]].

Quotes Highlighting the Struggle:

• Nancy Solomon [44:29]: “I don't have any evidence that George Norcross had anything to do with the deaths of the Sheridans. Just as we were finishing the podcast...”

• Preet Bharara [47:43]: “When you have a situation like this, there's a right to some kind of hearing...”

Renewed Investigation and Ongoing Questions

After seven years of silence, the New Jersey Attorney General's office reopened the investigation into the Sheridans' deaths, spurred by the persistent efforts of the Sheridan family and investigative reporters.

New Developments:

• Friends and associates of the Sheridans were contacted by state investigators, indicating a fresh look into the case [Nancy Solomon, [45:31]].

• The family's push for justice highlights systemic issues within the local justice system, where influential figures can impede thorough investigations [Nancy Solomon, [48:45]].

Impact on the Family:

• The Sheridans' children, especially Mark Sheridan, continue to fight for their parents' exoneration and the correction of official records from murder-suicide to double homicide [Preet Bharara, [49:22]].

Final Reflections:

• The case underscores the challenges journalists face in uncovering truth amidst political pressure and corruption.

• It raises broader questions about the efficacy of the justice system in protecting the innocent, especially when powerful interests are involved.

Closing Quotes:

• Nancy Solomon [50:58]: “But when a well connected family has to fight for seven years to get the bare minimum in terms of justice, it raises questions about the justice system itself.”

• Brooke Gladstone [51:47]: “There’s much more reporting in the eight part series which you can find wherever you get your podcasts.”

Conclusion

This episode of "On the Media" masterfully intertwines the Sheridan cold case with the intricate dynamics of New Jersey politics, showcasing the vital role of investigative journalism in seeking truth and justice. Through detailed reporting and compelling narratives, Nancy Solomon's "Dead End" podcast serves as a beacon for uncovering hidden truths within powerful political machines.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Brooke Gladstone [00:00]: “...following the trail of a grisly murder leads one reporter to an even more grisly story.”

• Preet Bharara [00:12]: “The type of wounds that Mrs. Sheridan suffered were consistent with a rage type of attack.”

• Nancy Solomon [05:29]: “...it wasn't for the money. And very different stab wounds on each victim.”

• Preet Bharara [13:33]: “I can't imagine a circumstance in which someone kills themselves with a knife and the knife is not there.”

• Brooke Gladstone [30:09]: “...the octopus is pulling his strings.”

• Nancy Solomon [44:29]: “I don't have any evidence that George Norcross had anything to do with the deaths of the Sheridans.”

• Preet Bharara [47:43]: “When you have a situation like this, there's a right to some kind of hearing like they have in other jurisdictions...”

Further Listening:

For a comprehensive understanding of the Sheridan case and the political undercurrents in New Jersey, listeners are encouraged to explore the full eight-part series of Nancy Solomon's "Dead End: A New Jersey Political Murder Mystery" available on all major podcast platforms.