The Mark

The Mark

Author: Audio 99 April 17, 2026 Duration: 54:36

In 1994, wealthy Newport Beach businessman Bill McLaughlin is shot and killed in his own kitchen. His girlfriend Nanette Johnston and her secret boyfriend, ex-NFL player Eric Naposki, are immediately suspicious…but the stories don't hold and prosecutors can't make charges stick. The case goes cold, leaving Bill's family without justice for over a decade. Fifteen years later, Orange County DA Matt Murphy picks it up, determined to finally prove what really happened and who arranged it.

Matt Murphy is a legal analyst for ABC News and an attorney in private practice in Southern California.  He was a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Orange County California. Matt Murphy spent 21 years assigned to the sexual assault and homicide units where he prosecuted some of the most notorious murder cases in the state of California.  He completed 132 jury trials in his career as a prosecutor, including 52 while he was assigned to the homicide unit.  He worked as an adjunct professor of law for 7 years. 
 
In addition to his work for ABC news, Mr. Murphy is in private practice representing victims of sexual abuse and some select criminal defense cases. He's also been regularly appearing on NewsNation with Elizabeth Vargas, Chris Cuomo and Ashleigh Banfield providing analysis on Criminal cases in the news. He also one of the co-hosts on MK True Crime with Megyn Kelly and is kicking off a brand-new podcast In the Well with his longtime friend and colleague Mark Geragos. Matt published his first book, The Book of Murder - A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death, in 2024, which was an instant Best Seller, and he is currently drafting his second book.


There’s a certain texture to crime stories that unfold in close-knit communities, where everyone knows each other and the shock of a crime reverberates through every street and diner. Small Town Dicks, produced by Audio 99, explores exactly that terrain. This isn't a sensationalized look at crime; instead, it delves into the intricate, often overlooked investigations that happen in smaller municipalities. Each episode feels like sitting down with the detectives and officers who were there, hearing them walk through the details of a case from the first call to the final resolution. You’ll get a raw, ground-level view of police work, far from the glossy procedural dramas. The conversations naturally weave in elements of society and local history, showing how a community's culture and relationships can both complicate and aid an investigation. By focusing on true crime from a small-town perspective, the podcast reveals universal truths about human nature and justice. It’s a compelling listen for anyone curious about the real stories behind the headlines and the dedicated people who work to solve them. The depth of these firsthand accounts makes for a uniquely authentic and gripping experience every time you tune in.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Small Town Dicks
Podcast Episodes
Running to Ground - Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:34
The police are are called to investigate a disturbing incident involving a suspicious man at a grocery store. Later, the same man is spotted with a young girl. Detective Dave starts to investigate, and what he finds out…
Running to Ground - Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:47
The police are are called to investigate a disturbing incident involving a suspicious man at a grocery store. Later, the same man is spotted with a young girl. Detective Dave starts to investigate, and what he finds out…
Snakebit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:33
It is Prosecutor Kristin's first felony case and it’s a tricky one. The suspect is only 13 and is charged with murder. It's rare you hear from prosecutors on the show and in this episode you’ll follow Kristin’s journey a…
Dragnet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:49
A man wanted for murder in a neighboring state shows up in a coastal city and leads a team of law enforcement on a wild, twenty-mile vehicle pursuit. As Detective Robert explains, the suspect turns out to have excellent…
Retribution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:25
The puzzle pieces laid in front of Homicide Lt. John are daunting: A forlorn lover, a violent gang, a series of fire bomb attacks, and a shooting in the parking lot of a popular burger joint. His search for justice takes…
Superstar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:37
A girl finds herself at the mercy of the one man she's supposed to trust the most: her father. Detective Bre discovers the abuse and works to unravel the sinister mystery of the suspect's past, as well as the inner worki…
Small Town Dicks Returns Sept. 20 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12
Small Town Dicks Season 15 Starts Friday, September 20! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The World's End (Again) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:49
Today we bring you a replay of a case from Season 8. It's called The World's End and the detective who told us the story is Tom Wood. Tom was part of the investigation and recently wrote a book about it called, "The Worl…
A Vile Plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:07
As you know, we take pride in celebrating the diligent work law enforcement performs everyday on Small Town Dicks. But sometimes, it's the selfless act of a well-meaning citizen who saves the day. And that’s what happene…
You're It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:49
Detective Lindsey is back with a case she's called her "worst nightmare." An unknown man has committed a series of home break-ins that include terrorizing of victims and violent sexual assaults. Each time, the suspect on…