Summary of "Why Reporter Nancy Solomon Chose True Crime" from On the Media

Episode Title: Why Reporter Nancy Solomon Chose True Crime
Host/Author: WNYC Studios
Release Date: July 13, 2022
Guests: Nancy Solomon, Reporter at WNYC and Host of Dead End: A New Jersey Political Murder Mystery

Introduction to the Sheridan Case

The episode delves into the mysterious and brutal murders of John and Joyce Sheridan, a prominent New Jersey couple with influential connections, including ties to former Governor Chris Christie. Found stabbed and their home set ablaze in 2014, the case was initially closed with the assumption that John Sheridan killed his wife and then took his own life. However, eight years later, the New Jersey Attorney General has reopened the investigation, raising questions about the original findings.

Brooke Gladstone introduces the case:
[00:00] “Earlier this year, the New Jersey Attorney General opened up an investigation into the killings of John and Joyce Sheridan, a well-known couple with personal ties to three governors. In 2014, they were found stabbed to death and their home set on fire.”

Nancy Solomon emphasizes the growing mystery:
[00:17] “This morning, the mystery deepens over the death of John and Joyce Sheridan, a prominent New Jersey couple with powerful connections and close friends of Governor Chris Christie.”

Nancy Solomon's Investigation

Nancy Solomon, after 20 years of reporting on New Jersey politics, embarked on an investigation that uncovered significant corruption linked to the Sheridan murders. Her initial motivation stemmed from a 2019 project with ProPublica, where she exposed the exploitation of a tax break by a powerful Camden family. This led her to suspect that the Sheridan case was more complex than previously reported.

Brooke Gladstone explains Nancy's pivot to the murder mystery:
[00:32] “...this year our WNYC colleague Nancy Solomon released an investigation into their brutal deaths and found damning evidence of corruption at the highest levels in the Garden State.”

Nancy Solomon discusses her frustrations with traditional reporting methods:
[01:47] “I'd spent a whole year working on that reporting and it never really broke through. It never had, you know, what we call legs...those stories were just a bit dry and long and complicated. And so those stories were just a bit dry and long and complicated. And so those stories were just a bit dry and long and complicated. And so those stories were just a bit dry and long and complicated.”

Transitioning to True Crime

To effectively narrate the intertwined stories of political corruption and the Sheridan murders, Nancy opted for the true crime format—a genre she has long admired since her childhood fascination with Nancy Drew and her affinity for Scandinavian noir.

Nancy Solomon shares her inspiration:
[03:57] “I thought those books were written for me... I'm just a complete Scandinavian noir nerd. And I like in a true crime podcast.”

Brooke Gladstone highlights the strategic choice:
[03:45] “...you landed on a new format, true crime. And that was a conscious decision making, because you love true crime.”

Crafting the Narrative

Nancy strategically intertwined the political scandal with the murder mystery to captivate listeners. Initially, she feared that delving into the dry aspects of political corruption would cause audiences to disengage once the murder plot was resolved. However, her approach proved successful, garnering over three million listeners in just two months.

Nancy Solomon reflects on her fears:
[04:00] “I would lie awake in bed in the middle of the night, like, worrying that the audience was gonna drop off as soon as we left the murder mystery and tried to, you know, explain the political machine and the real estate deal and the tax breaks.”

Nancy Solomon celebrates the podcast's success:
[05:42] “Yeah, absolutely. I think it's...We're up over 3 million in two months... This has just been unreal.”

Ethical Considerations in True Crime

Acknowledging the sensitive nature of true crime, Nancy was mindful of not exploiting the Sheridan family’s tragedy. She maintained journalistic integrity by avoiding fabricated red herrings commonly found in mystery narratives, ensuring the story remained truthful and respectful.

Nancy Solomon on balancing suspense and truth:
[06:35] “I just couldn't live with that. So there were limits to how far we were willing to go.”

Brooke Gladstone probes the ethical boundaries:
[06:09] “But true crime can easily tilt closer to exploitation than justice...”

Challenges as an Investigative Reporter

Nancy candidly discusses the limitations she faced as a journalist compared to fictional amateur sleuths. Without subpoena power and access to investigative files, she reached a point of frustration, questioning why the Attorney General's office had not taken more decisive action.

Nancy Solomon expresses her realization:
[09:15] “But when you read those amateur sleuth stories or watch the series, you never see the brick walls that they come up against... But I certainly came up against them and at a certain point realized that there was only so much I could do.”

Nancy Solomon articulates the broader implications for New Jersey:
[10:03] “A real collapse in the function of the state that is so critical, which is to investigate and get to the bottom of the suspicious behavior...”

Impact and Reflection

Nancy's investigation not only shed light on the Sheridan murders but also exposed systemic failures within New Jersey's criminal justice system. Her work prompted the Attorney General to reopen the case, highlighting the essential role of investigative journalism in holding power accountable.

Brooke Gladstone acknowledges the effect of Nancy's work:
[12:18] “...it certainly seems clear that your investigation did prompt the state Attorney General to take over the case and open an investigation.”

Reflecting on her reporting approach, Nancy acknowledges growth in her narrative skills, emphasizing the importance of emotional depth and personal connection in storytelling.

Nancy Solomon on evolving as a storyteller:
[12:49] “I was working with two masters of the craft, Karen Frillman and Emily Bottin, and I feel like I really did learn a lot how to craft a stronger narrative...”

Nancy Solomon discusses the balance between personal involvement and journalistic objectivity:
[15:45] “I'm never comfortable calling attention to myself in that way... it really helped listeners attach to me as their narrator.”

Conclusion

Nancy Solomon's Dead End: A New Jersey Political Murder Mystery serves as a powerful example of how the true crime genre can be leveraged to uncover and illuminate political corruption. By weaving a compelling narrative around the unresolved Sheridan murders and the tangled web of New Jersey politics, Nancy not only captivated a massive audience but also catalyzed a critical investigation into systemic failures. Her journey underscores the evolving landscape of journalism, where storytelling and investigative rigor combine to seek truth and foster accountability.

Brooke Gladstone concludes the discussion:
[15:48] “...Dead End, a multi part series. It is really worth hearing all of.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Nancy Solomon on initial frustrations:
  “Those stories were just a bit dry and long and complicated.”
  [01:47]

• Nancy Solomon on integrating personal passion with journalism:
  “I realized that if I could hook an audience with a compelling murder mystery, then maybe they would stay along for the ride to understand the political corruption...”
  [04:00]

• Nancy Solomon on ethical storytelling:
  “I just couldn't live with that. So there were limits to how far we were willing to go.”
  [06:35]

• Nancy Solomon on systemic failures:
  “A real collapse in the function of the state that is so critical, which is to investigate and get to the bottom of the suspicious behavior...”
  [10:03]

• Nancy Solomon on personal growth in reporting:
  “...I really did learn a lot how to craft a stronger narrative.”
  [12:49]

This episode of On the Media offers a compelling narrative that not only explores a gripping true crime story but also highlights the vital intersection between investigative journalism and political accountability. Nancy Solomon's approach demonstrates the profound impact that dedicated reporting can have on uncovering truths and prompting institutional responses.