48 Hours Defending Mrs. Shelton
Sep 24, 2025
Catherine Mahaffey Shelton, a criminal defense attorney, finds herself at the center of a tangled web of accusations and controversy. She discusses the 1999 shotgun ambush that left a couple dead, detailing her dramatic defense and the surviving victim's eye-witness identification. Shelton shares stories of past suspicious events surrounding men in her life, including a convoluted shooting case. Her battle to clear her name involves a multi-million dollar libel lawsuit, a struggle against disbarment, and a relentless quest to reclaim her reputation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Pattern Of Troubled Relationships
- Private investigator Kent Ferguson recounts Catherine Mahaffey's association with multiple men who suffered violent ends or mishaps.
- These patterns fueled her reputation and public suspicion over decades.
Reporter Shooting And Legal Reversal
- Gary Taylor describes being shot in the back after entering Catherine's home and later identifying her as the shooter.
- Catherine was convicted, had the conviction overturned, pled to aggravated assault, and got probation instead of prison.
How The Sheltons Met
- Clint Shelton met Catherine when she brought a shotgun for repair and they later married; he worked in his family's gun shop.
- Their marriage and Clint's character are central to the later murder investigation and suspicions.