Both Sides of the Bench

The DA's New Defense: "Drinking Makes You Make Bad Choices?"

The Jackson bribery trial is heating up, and one proposed expert witness may be the most unusual part yet: a psychologist set to testify about how alcohol affected the district attorney's judgment. As a former prosecutor, I've never seen this strategy before. Here's why I think the judge is likely to keep that testimony out and what it says about the defense's game plan.

You Can't Bring a Knife to a Push: The Karmelo Anthony Verdict Explained

Former prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney Shaun Yurtkuran breaks down the Karmelo Anthony verdict and explains why the jury reached its decision. From self-defense and proportionality to Batson challenges, imperfect self-defense, the Castle Doctrine, and whether defendants should ever testify, Shaun separates courtroom reality from social media narratives. He also discusses how online commentary can distort public perception of criminal cases and what jurors are actually asked to decide in the courtroom. Based on his experience on both sides of the aisle, Shaun examines the law, the strategy, and the facts behind one of the most talked-about trials in the country.

From Drug Dealer to Crawfish King: The Teddy McRaney Story

Former drug dealer turned successful entrepreneur Teddy McRaney joins Shaun Yurtkuran for a candid conversation about life in the drug trade, the money, the risks, and what it took to walk away from that world. Teddy shares how he went from selling dope to building Double Wide's Crawfish into a successful business and explains why many of the same skills that make someone successful on the streets can also lead to success in legitimate business. This is an honest discussion about crime, redemption, entrepreneurship, second chances, and the reality behind a life most people only hear about in stories.

"Don't Blow!" The Biggest DUI Myth Lawyers Keep Selling

For decades, people have heard the same advice after a DUI stop: "Don't blow." But is that actually good advice? In this episode of Both Sides of the Bench, former prosecutor and Mississippi criminal defense attorney Shaun Yurtkuran breaks down the reality behind refusing a breathalyzer. Learn the difference between roadside breath tests and the Intoxilyzer, why refusing can trigger a 90-day license suspension, and why the famous "I only had two drinks" explanation never seems to work. Shaun shares practical, real-world insight from both sides of the courtroom and explains why legal myths often sound better than they work in practice. If you've ever wondered whether refusing a breath test helps or hurts your case, this episode is for you.

The Crash: Did Mackenzie Shirilla's Defense Team Blow the Case?

Netflix's The Crash has reignited debate over one of the most controversial murder cases in recent memory. Did Mackenzie Shirilla intentionally drive her car into a building, killing her boyfriend Dominic Russo and friend Davion Flanagan, or was it a tragic act of reckless driving that prosecutors turned into a murder case? In this episode of Both Sides of the Bench, former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney Shaun Yurtkuran breaks down the evidence, the law, and the defense strategy that continues to divide lawyers across the country. Shaun explains the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence, how prosecutors prove intent, why Hollywood's version of premeditation is often wrong, and why he believes the decision to waive a jury trial may have been the defense's biggest mistake. Drawing on 21 years of courtroom experience and comparing the case to a fatal crash prosecution from his own career, Shaun examines the question at the heart of The Crash: When does reckless driving become murder? Was the evidence enough to prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt? And would twelve jurors have reached the same conclusion as the judge? Join the discussion.