Saturday Morning Briefing: No Plea Deals in the Jackson Bribery Case + Netflix's The Crash

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.

Saturday Morning Briefing: No Plea Deals in the Jackson Bribery Case + Netflix's The Crash

Good morning! A quick Saturday briefing before today's show. We'll discuss the latest development in the federal Jackson bribery case, where the plea deadline has come and gone with no notices filed indicating that any defendant intends to plead guilty. What does that mean for former Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, Hinds County DA Jody Owens, Aaron Banks, and the upcoming trial? Plus, a preview of today's 11 a.m. show on Netflix's The Crash. Did Mackenzie Shirilla's defense team make a critical mistake by waiving a jury trial? As a former prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer, I'll break down the strategy, the evidence, and why this case has lawyers debating it nationwide. Join me live this morning and again at 11 a.m. for the full show.

"Never Trust a Memorial Day BBQ" Episode 8

Memorial Day weekend in Mississippi means BBQs, alcohol, fireworks, family arguments, and sometimes criminal investigations. On this episode of Both Sides of the Bench, former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney Shaun Yurtkuran discusses how holiday weekends can quickly turn violent and how Mississippi self defense law actually works in the real world. Shaun breaks down common legal myths surrounding Castle Doctrine, Stand Your Ground, shootings inside the home, self defense involving vehicles, and what happens when police respond after a violent encounter. He also discusses how alcohol, ego, and firearms often collide in ways that lead to tragic outcomes and criminal charges. The episode also dives into some of the most common pieces of “legal bro science” people believe, including myths about Miranda rights, talking to police, warning shots, self defense law, and when force becomes retaliation. Using stories from years prosecuting violent crimes in Jackson and now defending clients charged with serious offenses, Shaun explains the difference between what people think the law is and what Mississippi law actually says.