Impact of Influence: The Murdaugh Family Murders and Other Cases

Journalist Mandy Matney, who has closely covered the Beach v. Parker’s “outrage” lawsuit, became part of the legal battle when attorneys for Parker’s Corporation subpoenaed her for a deposition. Matney did not appear at the location specified in the subpoena, citing safety concerns that she raised shortly before the deposition was scheduled to begin. According to court filings and testimony, Matne...

The next chapter in the Alex Murdaugh saga has begun. Alex Murdaugh returned to a Lexington courtroom as the judge set the stage for his upcoming murder retrial, establishing key deadlines and revealing what's next in one of the most closely watched true crime cases in America. In this episode of Impact of Influence, we take you inside the hearing, and give you our first takes on what happened, wh...

For this special Father's Day episode we hear from Seton's father, "the Professor" Matt Siembieda. Matt Siembieda is an attorney and law professor at Temple Law School. He was also involved in the civil rights movement and he gives us his firsthand account of his involvement. This interview with the Professor originally appeared on The Wicked South Podcast with Michael Dewitt. Seton Tucker and Mat...

In this episode, we explore the sentencing of Rex Heuermann, the Gilgo Beach serial killer. Part of this episode is a past Impact episode that dealt with Heuermann's connection to South Carolina. We also reflect on a past interview with FBI profiler Ann Burgess. Burgess was the inspiration for the character Dr. Wendy Carr on the Netflix series Mindhunter. She helped the FBI develop modern psycholo...

In this episode, Impact discusses the latest updates on the Murdaugh retrial. This includes the appointment of a new judge and the potential for a change of venue in the case. The " professor", Matt Siembieda, joins Impact to shed light on the legal strategies and potential outcomes involving the Beach V Parker Outrage Case. #Murdaughcase, #legalmotions, #venuechange, #evidencedisclosure, #socialm...

In this episode, Zach Merritt, a seasoned defense attorney, discusses the intricacies of South Carolina's stand your ground law, recent case examples, and legal strategies. Gain insights into self-defense laws, courtroom tactics, and the impact of legal decisions on real cases. Seton Tucker and Matt Harris began the Impact of Influence podcast shortly after the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh....

In the high-stakes world of legal drama, few cases have captured public attention like that of Alex Murdaugh. In this episode, Impact explores the crucial elements surrounding Alex Murdaugh’s situation, his lawsuit against Becky Hill, the implications of a potential death penalty, and the ongoing controversies related to the boat crash outrage lawsuit. Joining the podcast is the Professor. Matt Si...

James Lasdun, the author of The Family Man, Blood and Betrayal In The House of Murdaugh, joins Impact. At the heart of the Murdaugh case lies the shocking act of a father allegedly killing his son, Paul Murdaugh. This tragic narrative is not just about the crime itself but also about understanding the psychological and emotional landscape that leads to such an act. Lasdun highlights the rarity of...

The Supreme Court of South Carolina ruled that Alex Murdaugh is entitled to a new trial, citing improper influences on the jury. According to the court, Becky Hill's comments and actions compromised the integrity of the jury, violating Murdaugh’s right to a fair trial. The court emphasized that every defendant is entitled to an impartial jury, free from external influences.  The court found that H...

In this episode Impact dives into a lawsuit that relates to a 2019 boat crash that killed 19 year old Mallory Beach. The alleged driver of the boat was Paul Murdaugh. The lawsuit being discussed is the Renee Beach vs Gregory Parker, et al. Impact has referred to the Beach/Parker Outrage lawsuit. The Beach family alleges that Parkers ran a campaign to harass the family including releasing photos of...

In this episode Impact explores the controversial dismissal of juror Myra Crosby from the high-profile Alex Murdaugh trial, shedding light on the events that led to her removal and the questions surrounding the possibility of an orchestrated plot.. Seton Tucker and Matt Harris began the Impact of Influence podcast shortly after the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Now they cover true crime pas...

Discover how media distortion affects public perception of justice. Rob Rosen’s insights offer a deep dive into the realities behind media narratives and their societal impact. In today’s fast-paced media landscape, discerning the truth can be a daunting task. When I spoke with Rob Rosen, an award-winning investigative journalist, he shed light on the critical issue of media distortion, particular...

In the latest episode, Impacty dives into the chilling tale of Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr., whose alleged decade-long captivity of four individuals in Lancaster, South Carolina, has left the community reeling. What’s even more disturbing? The connections to his family and their church, raising questions about complicity and awareness. This is more than just a true crime story; it’s a deep dive into...

On July 23, 2021 in a bar located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Evan Hawthorne and Larry Vaughn, were involved in an altercation that seemed to stem from a disagreement over who had worse PTSD. The next day Hawthorne would be arrested for murdering retired Rock Hill police lieutenant Larry Vaughn. Evan Hawthorne would eventually be sentenced to life in prison. Pete Skidmore, a private investigator...

Years after Mallory Beach's tragic death in a boat crash, one lawsuit still lingers. It is the "Outrage" case against Parker's Corporation. Impact has done a few episodes on this case. In this episode the discussion revolves around attempts to get depositions that have been requested by both sides. Attorney, Matt Siembieda, joins Seton and Matt to discuss how depositions work and what bis going on...

Many cases Impact has covered have updates and listeners and they respond to listener and viewers comments on those episodes. Here are some of the things discussed in this episode. First up, Seton Tucker, Matt Harris and attorney Matt Siembieta address accusations made against Seton by a podcaster. Attorney Matt Siembieta and Impact discuss the importance of being present in the courtroom during a...

In the fall of 2015 4 people were found murdered in a mobile home. The victims, all from the same family, were stabbed to death and then shot. The scene was brutal. Amy Vilardi, a member of the same family, made the 911 call alerting authorities to the crime. No arrests were made. Almost eight years later, Amy and Ross Vilardi were arrested for the murders. February 27, 2026, Amy Vilardi was found...

Dec 30, Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead in their home. Their two young children were home but unharmed. There was no sign of a robbery or a break in. The Columbus Police Department was tight lipped and the speculation became intense. January 10, an arrest was made of Monique's ex-husband, Michael David McKee. McKee is a vascular surgeon near Chicago. Bo Barton joined Impact prior to the a...

In December of 2025, Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill pleaded guilty to multiple charges but avoided prison time.  Becky Hill admitted to obstruction of justice, perjury, and two counts of misconduct in office.  The Hill investigation was released and there are questions about the media and their relationship with Hill. In this in-depth interview, Will Folks from FITSNews discusses...

A judge has denied Weldon Boyd’s request for “stand your ground” immunity, clearing the way for Scott Spivey’s family to move forward with a wrongful death lawsuit against Boyd, who fatally shot Spivey in 2023. To hear complete breakdown of the case check out the Impact episode from 11/06/2025. The interview with WSJ reporter Valerie Bauerlein tells the story. Attorney, Matt Siembieda joined Impac...

The trial of the murder of Christina Parcell began on February 10, 2025.It concluded 2/21/2025 with Zachary Hughes being sentenced to life for the murder of Parcell.  www. Fitsnews.com⁠⁠ dubbed the homicide the Rose Petal Murder because rose petals were found scattered around Parcell’s body. This episode features a detailed discussion on the murder case, legal strategies, and the intricacies of cr...

Attorney, Matt Siembieda, joins Seton and Matt to delve into the oral argumenst of Alex Murdaugh's appeal before the South Carolina Supreme Court. They discuss the dynamics of judicial questioning, the significance of the egg juror's testimony, and the implications of financial evidence presented during the trial. The conversation highlights the credibility of witnesses, the strategies employed by...

Oral arguments on Alex Murdaugh's appeal are set for February 11, 2026. Seton and Matt bring back interviews with key players from the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. A legal saga that has captured national attention. This Impact episode provides listeners with a unique glimpse into the complexities of the legal battle, featuring insights from both the prosecution and defense. You will hear fro...

Oral arguments on Alex Murdaugh's appeal are set for February 11, 2026. = In the latest podcast episode, we dive deep into the complexities surrounding the Alex Murdaugh appeal, featuring insights from author Blanca Simpson and legal expert Joe McCulloch. Their perspectives shed light on the emotional toll of the trial and the intricacies of the appeals process. In the podcast, Blanca Simpson refl...

Impact updates you on two cases in this episode. First an update on Alex Murdaugh's appeal. Oral arguments are scheduled for February 11th, when the South Carolina Supreme Court will hear Murdaugh's appeal against his murder charges. Impact discusses the parameters for the Court set up for arguments. Next an update on the Tepe murders. Dec 30, Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead in their home...