ZONE 7: Procedural Chaos: Inside the Mangione Hearing That’s Putting Police Training on Trial

In this week’s Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer Break down the federal hearing surrounding Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December of 2024.  What began as a five-day manhunt has become a master class in what not to do, with missed warrants, coached testimony, and evidence on the verge of being thrown out.

Sheryl and Joshua examine how procedural missteps could weaken a potential death penalty case and why “get a warrant” isn't just good advice; it's the foundation of justice. They then turned their attention to Massachusetts, where the trial of Brian Walshe, who is accused of killing and dismembering his wife, reveals how arrogance, lies, and a trail of Google searches can expose a killer's truth.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer

• (0:15) "99 percent of the time, you need a warrant... it won’t hurt your case if you get one and don’t need it.”

• (4:00) Coached testimony and the danger of tailoring officer statements for admissibility

• (7:30) What happens when training, procedure, and pressure collide in the courtroom

• (9:00) How early media leaks and “pre-trial publicity” can poison a case before it begins

• (10:30) The potential collapse of key evidence and its impact on death penalty eligibility

• (12:15) The rules of criminal procedure and what it means when they don’t apply equally

• (17:15) The defense’s dream scenario: getting the weapon suppressed because of a“bad stop”

• (17:45) The Brian Walshe trail and the anatomy of a cover-up

• (19:30) Walshe’s “woke up and she was dead” defense and why it’s collapsing in court

• (21:45) The digital trail: how Google searches reveal motive, method, and mindset

• (23:00) Closing thoughts: why “get a warrant” isn’t optional, it’s the rule of law

About the Hosts

Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and a fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, earned her an Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life,Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist, releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824

Stay Connected

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Email coldcase2004@gmail.com

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• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

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