Guest Bio and Links:

Mary Beth O'Connor is a federal administrative law judge and the author of "From Junkie to Judge." She is a writer, speaker, trainer, and recovery advocate. Mary Beth’s journey from addiction to the bench is a powerful story of resilience and triumph over trauma.

Listeners can learn more about Mary Beth O’Connor at her website, or check out her book: From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, sits down with retired Judge, Mary Beth O’Connor whom opens up about her extraordinary path from a painful, abusive childhood to years of meth addiction, and ultimately, to finding sobriety and rising to become a federal judge. Mary Beth shares candidly about being introduced to drugs at a young age and how that set the stage for a 15-year struggle with addiction. She reflects on the turning points in her life, the strength it took to begin her recovery, and how she used a blend of academic insight and emotional support to rebuild.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum
• (0:15) Sheryl welcomes guest, retired judge, Mary Beth O’Connor
• (1:00) Early life struggles - a childhood of abuse and trauma
• (2:30) Positive school experiences
• (4:00) Violence beyond the home - sexual assault and relationships
• (7:30) Crafting a path to sobriety
• (9:00) “I always viewed myself as the decision maker, but also as a decision maker whose job was to keep her ears open, you know, and not just reject anything out of hand.”
• (12:30) The road to law school
• (14:30) Becoming a federal judge
• (15:00) A spark of idea - to write a memoir
• (19:00) Reflections on drug courts and recovery
• (22:30) Maintaining sobriety and relationships
• (30:45)  ”Sometimes you can only find heaven by slowly backing away from hell.” -C.F
• Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review!

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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 a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She 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, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

Social Links:

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

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcast Title: 5.02.25 CRU with Nancy Grace: Stabbed 20 Times: Ellen Greenberg’s Case, a Changed Ruling, and Sean Combs Rejected Plea

Today, Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum expose what they call one of the most disturbing miscarriages of justice in recent memory. Nancy details the tragic case of Ellen Greenberg, a young teacher found with 20 stab wounds, including 10 in her back; yet authorities labeled her death a suicide.The duo calls for the medical examiner to come forward following the pressure to change the opinion. Nancy and Sheryl discuss the parental lawsuits, alleged manipulation of medical findings, and secret meetings involving state officials. Last but not least, Nancy and Sheryl give the latest on the Sean Combs, a.k.a Diddy case. Following a rejected plea, they break down what trial stands to look like starting May 5th, 2025.

Nancy’s book: What Happened to Ellen?: An American Miscarriage of Justice is available now. All proceeds will go to  National Center Missing Exploited Children - NCMC

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome! Nancy and Sheryl introduce this week’s crime roundup
• (0:10) Latest in the courts
• (0:30) The Ellen Greenberg case
• (4:00) Nancy breaks down the legal injustice in the Ellen Greenberg case
• (4:45) The role of the medical examiner
• (6:00) Writing the book - twice, to gain awareness in Ellen’s case
• (7:30) Public awareness and media advocacy
• (11:00) The secret meeting and immunity
• (13:00) Medical examiner reverses ruling in Ellen Greenberg’s death
• (14:00) The New England serial killer
• (17:30) “Swans don’t swim in sewers.”
• (19:00) FOIA challenges
• (21:00) Sean Combs a.k.a Diddy rejects the plea deal
• (23:30) Sean Combs trial starts May 5th,2025
• (25:30) Predictions of the trial start
• (27:00) “C’s get degrees.”
• (27:30) Final thoughts

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Nancy Grace is an outspoken, tireless advocate for victims’ rights and one of television's most respected legal analysts. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor. She is the founder and publisher of CrimeOnline.com, a crime- fighting digital platform that investigates breaking crime news, spreads awareness of missing people and shines a light on cold cases.

In addition, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, a daily show hosted by Grace, airs on SIRIUS XM’s Triumph Channel 111 and is downloadable as a podcast on all audio platforms - https://www.crimeonline.com/

Connect with Nancy:

X: @nancygrace

Instagram: @thenancygrace

Facebook: @nancygrace

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 a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice.

Connect with Sheryl:

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

X: @ColdCaseTips

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest Bio and Links:

Victor Hill is the former Sheriff of Clayton County, Georgia, known for his tough-on-crime policies and bold leadership style. Despite facing multiple legal challenges, Hill remains a vocal critic of politicized justice and a passionate advocate for reform within the criminal justice system. He is the author of The Vigilante Sheriff and co-host of a podcast with his brother.

Vigilante Sheriff: The Truth about Corrupt Prosecutors Weaponizing the Legal System

Resources:

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum sits down with Victor Hill, former Sheriff of Clayton County, Georgia, for a powerful and personal Zone 7 episode. They look back on some unforgettable moments from Hill’s career, like a high-stakes bank robbery, and explore how his early love for Batman shaped his approach to justice. Hill opens up about his time as Clayton County Sheriff, the tough decisions he made, the legal battles he fought, and the 18 months he spent in federal prison. Through it all, he found a way to keep learning, keep growing, and keep showing up for people, even from behind prison walls.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum
• (0:30) Sheryl welcomes guest, Victor Hill to Zone 7
• (1:00) The memorable bank robbery
• (2:30) The significance of the Batman challenge coin
• (4:30)  ”You know, murder is the ultimate theft. It's a theft of which there can be no restitution.”
• (7:00) The sheriff's election and assassination of Derwin Brown on Dec. 15, 2000
• (12:30) The indictment and media portrayal
• (15:00) Indictments, grand juries & lawfare tactics
• (21:30) Facing a 37-count RICO indictment
• (24:00) Political indictments and election timing
• (25:00) Understanding the RICO charges
• (29:00) Thoughts on community policing - real talk from the front lines
• (34:00) The misunderstanding of officer demeanor & crime control
• (40:30) Federal prison - brotherhood, books, and becoming the student
• (43:00) “If you send sheep to a lion’s den, they’ll be devoured. If you send a lion - it’s a brotherhood.”
• (49:00) “ Save yourself. You don't owe these people anymore. You've given them everything.” -Catwoman, Batman, Dark Knight Rises
• Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review!

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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 a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She 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, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

Social Links:

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

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.