This week on Crime Roundup, former Secret Service agent Jim Rathmann joins Sheryl McCollum to examine the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about growing security threats in the United States. Using his protection and weapons expertise, Rathmann walks through the timeline of the attack, analyzes the shooter’s behavior, and highlights security failures that left both the speaker and crowd exposed. Sheryl and Jim also discuss the rise of copycat violence, the role of online misinformation, and the ethical consequences of political extremism.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl opens with a breakdown of the Charlie Kirk assassination timeline
• (2:15) Jim Rathmann joins the show and discusses early video footage, crowd reactions, and the shot trajectory
• (6:30) Was it a professional hit or an untrained attack? Breaking down shot placement and rooftop tactics
• (8:30) Copycats and connections: what this attack has in common with others
• (14:15) "That guy looks like my doppelganger”: the suspect’s online posts and chat group confession
• (15:45) A father's choice to turn in his son and the aftermath for two families
• (19:30) Security failures, skipped steps, and countermeasures needed for the safety of future public events
• (21:45) Political differences, free speech, and finding a moral compass
• (25:45) Debunking conspiracy theories, online speculation, and viral misinformation
• (32:15) Sheryl commends law enforcement’s 16-minute response and coordinated effort
• (34:45) Future threats: desperation for attention and the risk of copycats
• (37:00) Sheryl wraps the show with some good news: Jim’s son Ethan’s baseball success

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every week on the Zone 7 podcast, where she hosts the main series on Wednesdays, Pathology with Dr. Priya on Mondays, and Crime Roundup each Friday alongside Joshua Schiffer.

📢 Stay Connected

Subscribe using your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show. Have a case or topic you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover?

Email coldcase2004@gmail.com

Follow the Hosts:

• Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 4 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Fallon Stubbs about her mother, Alice Hawthorne. Fallon recalls Alice’s influence as a devoted mother and businessperson, and the way she uplifted those around her. She shares memories of leaders who visited her in the hospital after the bombing and reflects on carrying Alice’s words, spirit, and legacy into her own life.

At just 14 years old, Fallon Stubbs was standing beside her mother, Alice Hawthorne, in Centennial Olympic Park when a bomb exploded during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She was injured by shrapnel and required surgery, while Alice lost her life in the blast. Today, Fallon honors her mother’s memory with deep respect and love, sharing her story of resilience, family, and purpose.

Missed the previous episodes?

• Listen to Part 1 with Irv Brandt
• Listen to Part 2 with Kent Alexander
• Listen to Part 3 with Dana Jewell

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes Fallon Stubbs and remembers Alice Hawthorne
• (5:00) Memories of Alice as a devoted mother and businessperson
• (9:45) Alice's influence in Albany and the community she uplifted
• (12:30) Ambassador Andrew Young, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Reverend Joseph E. Lowery visit Fallon in the hospital
• (22:00) Fallon recounts the bombing and her last moments with her mother
• (28:30) "Take the damn picture” — how Sheryl reframed Fallon’s last words into a message of love
• (30:15) Fallon reflects on carrying Alice’s memory and living with purpose
• (34:30) Sheryl closes with words from Andrew Young and Fallon Stubbs

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic discussion of sexual behavior, bodily insertions, foreign objects, and autoerotic asphyxiation. Listener discretion is advised.

Returning from CrimeCon 2025, Dr. Priya Banerjee and Sheryl McCollum open this episode with reflections on the people who moved them, the cold cases that stopped them in their tracks, and the power of connection in the world of true crime. Then, they pivot to a vastly different kind of casework: foreign objects found inside the human body. From surgical tools accidentally left behind to items inserted for sexual pleasure or criminal intent, Dr. Priya shares unforgettable autopsy findings and the often-overlooked forensic clues they offer. As always, it’s a blend of personal and professional, science and heart, in a conversation only these two could have.

Highlights

• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya open the week’s episode with reflections from CrimeCon 2025
• (9:30) The saying that starts it all: “If there’s an opening, you can put something in it”
• (11:15) A grocery store, a steak, and a choking death no one expected
• (15:00) What pathologists can infer from surgical tools left inside the body
• (17:00) Autoerotic asphyxiation, sex toys, and accidental death that look like something else
• (21:00) From lightbulbs to screwdrivers, bottles to vegetables: unexpected insertions and the injuries they cause
• (24:30) Forensic red flags: how Dr. Priya distinguishes between consent and crime
• (27:45) Final reflections on connection, continuing education, and the parents who turn tragedy into change

About the Hosts

Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣 If this episode surprised you, share it. Follow the show, tell a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps others discover the science, the stories, and the heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer use this week’s Crime Roundup to reflect on political violence, the First Amendment, and what it means to live in a divided country. The explore the power and limits of the First Amendment, the risks faced by judges and public figures, and how moments of unity like those following 9/11 have become harder to find. Sheryl also shares behind-the-scenes highlights from CrimeCon 2025, including a drink with Ice-T and a packed Zone 7 session where Joshua’s glasses stole the show.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
• (0:45) Charlie Kirk's assassination and what it says about political violence
• (2:45) Common ground, debate, and how to talk across divides
• (5:00) What makes the First Amendment uniquely American
• (9:00 Political threats, judicial safety, and national trauma
• (17:45) Remembering 9/11 and a moment of unity
• (20:00) CrimeCon recap: Ice-T, Marcia Clark, and unforgettable moments
• (22:30) Joshua’s surprise gift for Zone 7 fans
• (26:30) Final thoughts on free speech, differences, and dignity

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every week on the Zone 7 podcast, where she hosts the main series on Wednesdays, Pathology with Dr. Priya on Mondays, and Crime Roundup each Friday alongside Joshua Schiffer.

📢 Stay Connected

Subscribe using your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show. Have a case or topic you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover?

Email coldcase2004@gmail.com

Follow the Hosts:

• Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 3 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Dana Jewell about her husband’s life before, during, and after the bombing. Dana shares what Richard endured during “88 days of hell,” the paranoia and betrayal that followed, and how lawsuits, illness, and media attacks shaped his final years. She remembers his love of law enforcement, the toll of nightmares, and the injustice that haunted him. Dana also reflects on Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell and the lasting impact of her husband’s story.

Dana Jewell is the widow of Richard Jewell, the security guard who found the bomb at Centennial Olympic Park in 1996. Over 88 days, Richard lived under FBI suspicion and intense media scrutiny before being cleared. Dana continues to share Richard’s legacy, reminding the world of the cost of rushing to judgment.

Missed the first two episodes?

• Listen to Part 1 with Irv Brandt
• Listen to Part 2 with Kent Alexander

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes Dana Jewell and describes Richard spotting the suspicious backpack at Centennial Park
• (1:45) Dana shares Richard’s “88 days of hell” under FBI suspicion and media pressure, and how it damaged his health
• (5:15) “We met on a drug bust.” Dana remembers meeting Richard in Meriweather County
• (14:30) The lawsuit against the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the lasting damage of headlines
• (19:00) Kent Alexander approaches Dana about writing The Suspect
• (24:00) Richard Jewell's illness and final days
• (31:15) Dana reflects on Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell
• (34:45) Sheryl closes by quoting Richard Jewell: “The media can destroy lives faster than the criminal justice system can save them.”

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

---

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer dig into three high-profile legal cases making headlines this week on Crime Roundup. They break down the Donna Adelson murder-for-hire trial, where Sheryl calls out the “mob movie nonsense” as the defense scrambles to explain taped jail calls and handwritten notes.

They revisit Cardi B’s courtroom appearance, where her unfiltered language and direct delivery spark a sharp take on how juries respond when a witness owns exactly who they are. They also examine a case in Kentucky involving the death of a newborn and the legal questions still surrounding the investigation. Plus, Sheryl previews what she’s looking forward to at CrimeCon, including a live panel she’ll lead with Ed Newcomer, a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a recent Zone 7 guest.

Highlights:

• (00:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
• (00:30) Cardi B returns to court, and Sheryl breaks down why her delivery works
• (03:00) How attorney’s fees shape strategy in civil lawsuits
• (08:00) Donna Adelson’s trial gets messy: recorded jail calls, handwritten notes, and family fallout
• (16:45) Trial strategy: witness issues and what’s next for the Adelson case
• (21:45) CrimeCon preview: Sheryl shares what she’s looking forward to most
• (25:15) In Kentucky, the death of a newborn prompts legal questions and cautious speculation about what comes next
• (27:15) Wrapping up with CrimeCon: live panels and forensic favorites

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She is joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Zone 7: Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case or topic you want discussed? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

• Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Kent Alexander, who served as U.S. Attorney during the investigation. Alexander recalls the tense hours after the blast, the FBI and media’s rush to label Richard Jewell a suspect, and the non-target letter that cleared him. He also explains how Eric Rudolph became the focus, what investigators learned from the case, and how his book The Suspect grew into Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell.

Kent Alexander served as U.S. Attorney for Northern District of Georgia during the Olympic Park bombing investigation. He is the co-author of The Suspect, the book that became the basis for Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell.

To learn more about Kent Alexander, visit The Suspect

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl introduces guest Kent Alexander, former U.S. Attorney during the Olympic Park bombing
• (2:45) The 911 call and Alexander’s first moments of the investigation
• (5:30) Securing evidence and rebuilding the bomb
• (8:15) Remembering victims Alice Hawthorne and Melih Uzunyol
• (9:15) Media and FBI rush to judgment against Richard Jewell
• (12:30) The non-target letter that cleared Richard Jewell
• (17:30) Eric Rudolph emerges as the true bomber
• (22:00) Alexander start writing The Suspect, documenting the case
• (25:15) Understanding Eric Rudolph’s motives and methods
• (30:00) Sheryl recall firsthand stories of victims and media exposure
• (33:15) How The Suspect became the film Richard Jewell
• (37:00) “He was a hero. What he did saved a lot of lives.” - Kent Alexander on Richard Jewell

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

---

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of a recent school shooting involving children, including descriptions of trauma, autopsy procedures, and emotional reactions. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee and Sheryl McCollum respond to the devastating school shooting in Minneapolis that claimed the lives of two young students and injured many others. Speaking as both a forensic pathologist and a mother, Dr. Priya walks through the real-time impact of mass shootings, from the chaos at the scene to the procedures carried out in the morgue. She explains how that space becomes a place of both science and sorrow, and why every wound, detail, and decision plays a role in honoring the victims and supporting their families.

Highlights

• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya open the episode with initial reactions to the Minneapolis school shooting
• (1:30) Dr. Priya reflects on the events of that day through the eyes of both a mother and a doctor
• (4:00) Chaos, triage, and the painful task of confirming a child's identity
• (7:00) Why autopsies matter, even when there's no case to prosecute
• (8:00) Supporting survivors while documenting a chaotic, still-active crime scene
• (9:30) How emergency contact forms and school records aid in identifying victims
• (10:45) The external exam: wounds, measurements, and heartbreaking details
• (12:45) Photographing and documenting every wound in detail
• (14:15) Motherhood and the job: how parenting reshaped their work, their lens, and their limits
• (18:45) Sheryl and Dr. Priya close the episode with final thoughts on responsibility and resilience

About the Hosts

Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣 If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, share it with someone, and consider leaving us a review. Your support helps others discover the science, stories, and heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.