Episode Details

Natalie Shirilla used a private coded language on recorded prison calls to communicate with her convicted daughter. Prosecutors decoded those calls and presented them as evidence at trial. In one exchange, Mackenzie allegedly asked if they could tell police she had a seizure. On a separate call, Natalie called the Russo family — the family of the man Mackenzie was convicted of killing — "evil people." Defense attorney Eric Faddis addresses whether any of this crosses a legal line.

Meanwhile, Steve Shirilla's teaching contract at Mary Queen of Peace School in Cleveland was not renewed by the Diocese after he appeared on The Crash, a Netflix documentary about Mackenzie's case. On camera, he defended his daughter, said he had no problem with her substance use, and challenged anyone to show him evidence of intent — while a judge's findings sit in the public record.

Mackenzie Shirilla is serving two concurrent sentences of fifteen years to life for killing Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan in a 2022 crash in Strongsville, Ohio. Her parole eligibility is September 2037.

Faddis, a criminal defense attorney and former felony prosecutor, examines what legal risks exist for a parent who coaches a convicted inmate on monitored calls. He explains whether Steve's very public campaign helps or damages the appeal. And he confronts the larger question: is this family so locked into protecting Mackenzie that they're building the case against her themselves?

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