Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

In this week's Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer discuss one of the most urgent and misunderstood frontiers in criminal law: who owns your identity in the age of AI? From celebrities digitally resurrected without consent to student-athletes blocked from profiting off their own names, Sheryl and Joshua expose the legal chaos surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL). They share real cases involving image theft, fraud, and stalking to show just how deep this rabbit hole goes, including how NIL rights intersect with immigration law, gambling, and even organized crime. Whether it’s a deepfake of Robin Williams or a repurposed viral video, the message is clear: your face, your voice, and your story... they’re assets. And they’re up for grabs.   Highlights: * (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer * (1:00) The power of presence: from Michael Jackson to Jennifer Aniston * (3:30) Robin Williams’ image and the dangers of AI-generated deepfakes * (5:30) What is NIL, and why it matters in crime, sports, and identity * (9:00) Real-world image theft: fraud, fake agents, and misused images in advertising * (10:45) When student visas block NIL deals * (12:00) Who owns the school logos in NIL endorsements? * (14:30) Why you cannot always use your own sports photos * (17:00) Free speech vs. image rights: parody, politics, and the First Amendment * (18:30) Public figures and stalking: where the law draws the line * (24:45) Illegal gambling, NIL, and the risk of game-fixing * (29:30) Protecting yourself in the digital age * (34:45) This week’s message: “The capacity for love knows no bounds.”   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 [coldcase2004@gmail.com]   Follow the Hosts: * Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips [https://x.com/ColdCaseTips] * Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum [https://www.facebook.com/sheryl.mccollum/] * Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff [https://www.instagram.com/lawyerschiff/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes back Georgia Durante, whose remarkable life story took another unbelievable turn. While watching a true crime documentary, Georgia did not expect to see her photograph among evidence connected to convicted serial killer Joseph Naso. Sheryl and Georgia discuss how that moment unfolded, how it ties to the unsolved “Alphabet Killer” cases in Rochester, New York, and the shocking realization that Georgia once worked with a man who would later be convicted of multiple murders. Georgia also reflects on her plan to confront him in prison, and why she believes she might have been “the one who got away.” Guest Bio and Links: Georgia Durante is a former model, getaway driver for the mob, and author of The Company She Keeps. Her modeling career began at the age of 12, and by 17 she was one of America’s most recognizable faces as the "Kodak Girl.” After escaping an abusive marriage and a life tied to organized crime, Georgia rebuilt herself as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stunt drivers. Listeners can learn more about Georgia at her website https://www.georgiadurante.com/ [https://www.georgiadurante.com/,] or on Facebook @GeorgiaDurante. [https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaDurante]   The Company She Keeps by Georgia Durante [https://www.thecompanyshekeeps.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafMe1DPBDBp-4h9xEESldtqfHVAn-al2TWiTKhEV3hLZr8LbuTnUeQ3kMG6gA_aem_lb6W5GXn_AsNcCpyw2yikQ] Watch the 2025 docuseries Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer on Prime Video or Oxygen. Missed Georgia Durante’s first Zone 7 episode? The Company She Keeps | Georgia Durante [https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-company-she-keeps-georgia-durante/id1660041219?i=1000643656729]   Highlights: * (0:00) Sheryl welcomes back Georgia Durante to Zone 7 * (2:30) "They pulled this picture out of the ground that the serial killer had buried, and it was my picture.” Watching a documentary and realizing she is part of the case * (3:15) Modeling for a photographer who turned out to be serial killer Joseph Naso * (7:00) Potential links between Naso and the unsolved “Alphabet Killer” murders in Rochester, New York * (13:00) "I think it was chicken soup that saved my life.” * (18:45) The stunned detective’s reaction: “I’m so thankful you’re still living.” * (20:30) Planning a prison interview with Joseph Naso, and Sheryl shares that retired FBI agent and profiler Julia Cowley has agreed to help Georgia find answers * (26:15) Sheryl closes with a quote from Joseph Naso’s 2013 trial   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 [coldcase2004@gmail.com] * Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/coldcasetips@ColdCaseTips [https://mobile.twitter.com/coldcasetips] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheryl.mccollum/@sheryl.mccollum [https://www.facebook.com/sheryl.mccollum/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialzone7podcast/?img_index=1@officialzone7podcast [https://www.instagram.com/officialzone7podcast/?img_index=1] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In February 2017, teenagers Liberty German and Abigail Williams were murdered while walking in the woods near Delphi, Indiana. The next day, their bodies were discovered, and investigators revealed that Liberty had recorded a brief video of the suspect ordering the girls to “go down the hill.” After years of speculation, dead ends, and online conspiracy theories, the 2022 arrest of local resident Richard Allen threw the case into an even deeper firestorm of controversy. Guest Bio and Links: Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee Journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee are the husband-and-wife team behind The Murder Sheet, an investigative true-crime podcast that made national news with its reporting on the Delphi case. They recently co-authored "Shadow of the Bridge," the first book to chronicle the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams and the investigation that followed. The Murder Sheet Podcast [https://murdersheetpodcast.com/] Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders and the Dark Side of the American Heartland [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Shadow-of-the-Bridge/Aine-Cain/9781639369232] Missed their first Zone 7 episode? Behind the Scenes of the Delphi Trial: Haunting Truths, Unbreakable Community, and Justice in Focus [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/behind-the-scenes-of-the-delphi-trial/id1660041219?i=1000680818519] In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined once again by journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee, the duo behind The Murder Sheet podcast, to talk about their book, "Shadow of the Bridge," and what it took to cover the Delphi case. They describe the cramped courtroom and strict no reentry policy, the grind of working 17- to 18-hour days under a gag order, and how they decided what information to include in their book. They also explain why they approach the “Odinism” claims with a critical, evidence-based lens, and what it was like to finally reveal information the jury, and the public never saw. Highlights: * (0:00) Sheryl welcomes guests Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee to Zone 7 to talk about Shadow of the Bridge * (1:45) Áine describes the courtroom reality: small room, high tensions, the scramble for seats, and the no reentry rule * (8:30) Moving for the trial, 17- to 18-hours days, and typing notes late into the night * (11:00) Writing Shadow of the Bridge: swapping drafts, finding the balance, and the significance of the cover photo and title * (18:15) "The way we viewed Odinism is you can’t tell the story without getting into it on some level” — balancing coverage of Richard Allen’s defense strategy * (24:00 Gentle outreach and centering Abby and Libby * (25:45) Vetting information and sorting the relevant from the noise * (32:30) Favorite parts, hardest chapters, and Sheryl’s closing words   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 [coldcase2004@gmail.com] * Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/coldcasetips@ColdCaseTips [https://mobile.twitter.com/coldcasetips] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheryl.mccollum/@sheryl.mccollum [https://www.facebook.com/sheryl.mccollum/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialzone7podcast/?img_index=1@officialzone7podcast [https://www.instagram.com/officialzone7podcast/?img_index=1] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

This week’s episode of Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, is all about your questions on the science behind death investigation. Together, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee take on the topics that listeners are most curious about, from family rights and religious objections to what autopsies can and cannot reveal. They also dispel misconceptions about embalming, toxicology, and even what really happens at the funeral home. With clarity and respect, Dr. Priya and Sheryl break down the science, the law, and the realities behind the most-asked questions in forensic pathology.   Highlights * (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya: A Zone 7 series—Sheryl and Dr. Priya open with a discussion of the Celeste Rivas case * (6:45) The "CSI-effect": how media shapes public perception of forensic science, the risks of misinformation, and why caution is critical in cold case investigations * (8:45) Can a forensic pathologist always determine the cause and time of death? * (11:15) Can family members refuse an autopsy, and how do religious objections work? * (17:00) Can any family member request a private autopsy, or must it be the legal next of kin? * (19:00) Does an autopsy prevent an open-casket funeral? * (21:15) Do funeral homes use newspapers or sawdust to fill body cavities? * (23:15) Can an autopsy be performed after embalming, and how does that affect toxicology? * (25:30) The role of funeral directors and double-checks before cremation, catching missed injuries and ensuring nothing is overlooked     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 [coldcase2004@gmail.com]Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast   📣 If this episode answered one of your questions, 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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

On this episode of Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer return to break down the week’s most talked-about legal and criminal cases. They begin with new developments in the Celeste Revis investigation, where digital footprints, fake ID's, and silence from those who should have spoken up paint a grim picture of what may have happened. Sheryl and Joshua examine the forensic limitations, explore possible motives, and discuss the mounting pressure surrounding a key figure in the case. They then turned their attention to Sean “Diddy” Combs, as Joshua discusses Combs’ latest court appearance, the credibility of character letters, and the legal strategy behind his reported prison rehab efforts ahead of sentencing. Finally, Sheryl and Joshua revisit the Mann Act and its historical and modern application, including how it shaped the case of boxing legend Jack Johnson and the significance of the posthumous pardon Johnson received from President Trump.   Highlights: * (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer * (0:15) Celeste Rivas case update: fake IDs and the weight of silence * (5:15) Forensic challenges: decomposition, timeline gaps, and physical evidence * (17:15) Digital trails: social media, delivery records, and phone data, and why a canceled tour raises eyebrows * (19:45) What character letters really mean as Sean “Diddy” Combs appears in court * (21:15) Rehab educational opportunities: legal strategy or authentic program? * (22:45) The Mann Act: what it is, how it works, and how it has been applied * (22:15 The case of Jack Johnson, the Mann Act, and the significance of Trump’s posthumous pardon   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 [coldcase2004@gmail.com]   Follow the Hosts: * Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips [https://x.com/ColdCaseTips] * Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum [https://www.facebook.com/sheryl.mccollum/] * Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff [https://www.instagram.com/lawyerschiff/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.