Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge

Episode: Legally Brunette: Ohio Dentist Murders & The Au Pair Affair
Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Emily Simpson & Shane Simpson

Overview

In this episode of Legally Brunette, Emily Simpson and her husband Shane take listeners on a deep dive into two major true crime cases currently making headlines: the Ohio Dentist Murders and the sensational Au Pair Affair. With their signature blend of legal analysis, pop culture references, and playful banter, the Simpsons dissect the facts, legal twists, and human stories behind each case.

I. Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Update (02:58 – 09:09)

Key Discussion Points:

• Blake Lively’s New Legal Representation:

  • Blake Lively has retained attorney Sigrid McCauley for her upcoming trial against Justin Baldoni.
  • McCauley is known for representing victims in high-profile cases and was previously involved with Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloan, who had faced (now dismissed) countersuit allegations.

• Background of the Dispute:

  • The legal feud began in December 2024 when Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment during the filming of It Ends With Us.
  • Baldoni countersued for defamation and extortion, claiming Lively was trying to wrest creative control—his counterclaim was dismissed in June 2025.
  • The trial is scheduled for May 2026.

• Deposition Highlights:

  • Baldoni alleges Lively referred to her home office as “Buckingham Palace,” underscoring her “ego.”
  • A confrontation involving Ryan Reynolds and alleged witness Taylor Swift escalated during a creative meeting at Lively’s home.

• The Weight Comment Incident:

  • Baldoni asked about Lively’s weight for supposed professional reasons (stage combat/lifting for back problems), a point now at the center of the harassment claims.

Memorable Quotes:

"My opinion of him and of Blake Lively has not changed at all... I think this man is being railroaded by someone who just wanted creative control of a film and has made sexual harassment claims against him without, from what I have seen, substantial evidence."
— Emily Simpson (06:09)

“Note, don’t ask Shane how tall he is.”
— Emily Simpson, after joking about being sued for personal questions (09:03)

II. The Ohio Dentist Murders (13:32 – 35:45)

Key Discussion Points:

• Case Overview:

  • Victims: Spencer Tepe, 37-year-old dentist, and his wife Monique, 39, found fatally shot in their Columbus, OH home on December 30, 2025.
  • Discovery: Prompted by employer noticing Spencer’s absence and failed contact with both spouses; children (ages 4 & 1) and dog left unharmed.
  • Welfare checks described as highly diligent and “caring”—contrasted with the Simpsons’ tongue-in-cheek self-disclosure about who’d notice if they disappeared.

• Suspect & Timeline:

  • Arrested: Dr. Michael McKee, 39, vascular surgeon and Monique’s ex-husband.

  • Motive unclear: McKee and Monique divorced in 2017 after less than two years of marriage, had no children, and reportedly no contact or ongoing disputes.

    "There couldn’t be any cleaner of a separation."
    — Shane (21:08)

• Distance & Planning:

  • McKee lived 500 miles away in Virginia, but drove to Columbus and was caught via surveillance and vehicle tracking.

  • Digital and forensic footprints: The Simpsons discuss the challenges of committing crimes in the age of omnipresent surveillance, digital records, and GPS.

    "If you’re going to commit a murder anymore…I know. Good luck. It’s difficult to get away with in present day."
    — Emily (28:12)

• Aggravating Circumstances:

  • Use of a silencer, premeditation, and entering a home at night contribute to “aggravated” charges (murder and burglary).
  • Firearm and silencer found at suspect’s home; surveillance places McKee at the scene.

• Psychological Angle & Motive Musings:

  • The hosts reflect on why successful, educated individuals like McKee (and referencing the “Christmas Eve Massacre” case) make “unthinkable” choices years after a divorce.

    "I’m talking about someone who spent a lot of time on education and building a career … then gets in a car and drives 500 miles and ruins it all. That doesn’t make any sense to me."
    — Emily (35:06)

III. The Au Pair Affair (35:45 – 54:43)

Key Discussion Points:

• Case Overview:

  • Players: Brendan Banfield (IRS officer), wife Christine Banfield, au pair Juliana Perez Magalhães (Brazilian, early-20s), and Joseph Ryan (the “outsider” victim).
  • Plot: Brendan and Juliana conspired to murder Christine (his wife) so they could be together; lured Joseph Ryan to their home via a fake fetish website profile for a staged “rape fantasy” scenario.

• Murder Details:

  • Joseph Ryan arrives at the Banfield home believing he’s enacting a consensual fantasy; instead, he is shot and killed, and Christine is stabbed to death.

  • Staging: Brendan positioned himself as the hero, claiming he interrupted an attack, but forensic evidence began to unravel their scheme.

    "This is a very elaborate...scheme."
    — Emily (41:36)

• Legal Developments:

  • Juliana took a plea deal, admitting to shooting Joseph Ryan but testifying that Brendan masterminded the plan. She claims power dynamics given her age, immigration status, and economic precarity.
  • Brendan faces charges of aggravated murder, weapon use, child abuse, and neglect.
  • Evidence includes photos of Juliana moving into the marital bedroom and quickly replacing family photos—signaling premeditation.

• The Defense:

  • Focuses on discrediting Juliana as the mastermind, highlighting her quick move-in and alleged intentions to sell her story.

  • The Simpsons discuss how juries may be swayed by portrayals of Juliana as manipulative or opportunistic.

    "The defense is really going to focus on her credibility."
    — Emily (53:33)

• Host Commentary:

  • Emily reflects on the trope of the “dangerous au pair,” teasing Shane about hiring an attractive young nanny:

    "From a wife point of view, there will be no 21-year-old Brazilian au pairs that live in our home."
    — Emily (38:01)

  • Shane turns it back:

    "What country can she come from?"
    — Shane (38:02)

  • Discussion on whether the age and attractiveness of an au pair should matter:

    "Men are attracted to things other than physical like physique."
    — Shane (38:45)
    "No, they’re not. Stop with that."
    — Emily (38:48)

• Legal System Moments:

  • Criticism of police for allowing Brendan to wash blood off his hands before collecting forensic evidence.

    "He has blood all over his hands and he’s crying...and the police officer at the hospital felt sorry for him and told him to go wash his hands before they took any blood sample analysis."
    — Emily (44:10)

IV. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On modern forensic evidence:

  "When people commit murders now in present day, you have to be way savvier... there’s a digital footprint, the surveillance cameras everywhere, Ring footage everywhere..."
  — Emily (27:13–27:32)

• On legal enhancements:

  "The reason it’s aggravated is because... of the premeditation involved in the actual planning, but also the use of the silencer."
  — Emily (31:03)

• On au pairs and married life:

  "I want to know with the women out there, what your thoughts are on hiring an au pair...a 21-year-old au pair that moves into your house and you know is Brazilian."
  — Emily (54:00)

V. Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------ |--------------| | Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Update| 02:58–09:09 | | Ohio Dentist Murders – Discovery & Arrest | 13:32–35:45 | | Au Pair Affair – Overview & Trial | 35:45–54:43 |

Skip segments before 02:58 and after 54:43 for main content; advertisements and other podcast cross-promotions are present outside this window.

VI. Tone and Style

The episode mixes serious legal analysis and true crime facts with the hosts’ characteristic humor and candid marital banter, including playful teasing and pop culture allusions (e.g., Taylor Swift, NASA school). The conversation remains accessible, skeptical yet empathetic, with both Emily and Shane bringing unique legal and personal perspectives.

For continued coverage: Emily promises to follow both cases as they develop, noting her particular fascination with the psychological and procedural twists in each story. Listeners are encouraged to send case suggestions and feedback via DM.