Laffitte’s “Delay-cation” & Poolside ‘Prison’ Life… Plus What’s Ahead! ☀️ Soak Up The Sunday ⚖️
Happy Sunday!
We are heading into this week energized and excited for the second half of 2025 with y’all with us every step of the way.
We were up in Charleston this weekend in preparation for Russell Laffitte’s federal sentencing on July 24th in which he’s already plead guilty in exchange for a negotiated sentence of 60 months. But as these things go, the United State of America, our federal government, apparently consented to Russell’s motion to continue and now the sentencing is scheduled for September 29, 2025 according to PACER.
Meaning, that Russell continues to chip away at his federal prison sentence from the luxury of his vintage double wide domicile complete with swimming pool the government alleges he paid for with money defrauded from clients. Yes, he’ll likely get credit for his time on ‘house arrest’ removed from his federal sentence.
Russell also has state charges in similar allegations, but different instances and involving other client’s trust accounts. You can read the state indictments here, here, and here. Altogether these 21 state charges carry an aggregate maximum prison term of 180 years and potential fines of $165,000 plus restitution. Trial for these state charges is planned for October 21, 2025 unless a plea deal is struck prior.
Russell also faces a civil claim from our COJ Co-Host Eric Bland representing the Plyler sisters which is scheduled for October 21, 2025 (yes, same day as criminal trial) in Hampton County. As mentioned on Cup of Justice #137, these proceedings should last a week or so and both Alex and Russell (if he’s serving his sentence in a real prison yet) will be transferred to Hampton County to appear in court.
And in another blast from the past, Cory Fleming’s state appeal is percolating as he attempts to change his sentence of 13 years, 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to 23 financial crimes in September of 2023. An extension was recently granted resulting in the “initial brief of respondent and designation of matter” due date extended until August 13, 2025. Stay tuned for hopefully brief coverage on those proceedings as his appeal develops.
We are really excited to bring you a bonus episode on our Pesky Pick this month: The Woman They Could Not Silence: one woman, her incredible fight for freedom, and the men who tried to make her disappear by Kate Moore.
The Woman They Could Not Silence is from the internationally bestselling author of The Radium Girls comes a dark but ultimately uplifting tale of a woman whose incredible journey still resonates today. Stay tuned as we’re hoping to welcome Kate Moore as a special guest on Cup of Justice soon.
Please let us know at the link below what concepts you’d like us to discuss from the book, or ask us anything under the sun about the cases we’re covering and where we stand: From Sara Lynn Colucci to Mica Francis and Christa Bauer Gilley, Jane Doe #1 and #2’s cases against JP and Wayne Miller to Scott Spivey, Stephen Smith and beyond. We’re using this new AMA feature on feature to solicit your questions and deliver the best content possible.
** Click this link to add your questions and desired topics to the discussion **
We are also VERY excited to watch our friend Amanda Knox’s Hulu Original Series “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox” debuting August 20, 2025. I’m sure you know her name and hopefully listened to COJ #107, but we highly encourage you to get a copy of her new book Free: My Search for Meaning to get a fuller view of her reflections on becoming the definition of notorious, but now quietly returned to the matters of a normal life—seeking a life partner, finding a job, or even just going out in public.
And obviously we are getting excited about our own ‘Murdaugh’ Hulu Original Series release this fall. Y’all will be the first to know about local premieres, events, AND special bonus content we’re developing so you can get the deepest experience while watching each gripping episode. Plus, we’re working on an official companion podcast project which will be epic in itself. Stay Tuned… Lots to come.
As always, your support is immensely appreciated and keeps us motivated to expose the truth wherever it leads, give voice to victims and get the story straight.
Stay Tuned, 📺🎥🍿🎧
Stay pesky ⚖️🔥💁
and Stay In The Sunlight… 🌞
– Mandy
Please sign into your Premium account then refresh this page to view this content.