Go back

"There's Evil Working Against Me, I'm the 3rd Victim" Mackenzie’s Jail Calls Released

41m 23s

"There's Evil Working Against Me, I'm the 3rd Victim" Mackenzie’s Jail Calls Released

The second half of the Mackenzie Sharvela case focuses on the trial, the conviction, and the family's reactions, highlighting persistent allegations of judicial corruption and bias. The Sharvela family claims the judge, Don Rousseau, has ties to the accused’s family due to a shared surname, but no evidence proves a relationship or collusion. They argue that critical medical evidence about Mackenzie’s condition was withheld during discovery, though experts note that medical conditions like fainting do not imply intent to cause harm. Mackenzie, in private calls with her mother, expresses shock at her conviction, believes she was falsely accused, and insists she did not act on purpose. She urges her mother to launch a public campaign and protests, viewing the legal process as rigged. Meanwhile, the victims’ families, especially Davion Flanagan’s parents, share deeply emotional impact statements, describing Davion as a kind, beloved child who was lost. Mackenzie’s post-accident behavior—like wearing his clothes and attending a Halloween concert—shows her grief and loyalty, which the family sees as proof of innocence. The case ends with Mackenzie sentenced to 15 years, with parole eligibility in 2037, and the family pursuing legal reforms to prevent the accused from profiting from the tragedy. Despite appeals and public scrutiny, no major rulings overturn the conviction, and the narrative remains charged with conspiracy theories, grief, and a sense of systemic injustice.

Transcription

8724 Words, 46229 Characters

English
Welcome to the second half of part four. In the first half of part four, we went through a lot of the jail calls that had been going viral of 17-year-old Mackenzie Sharvela talking to her parents while she's sitting in jail, while she's sitting in prison, awaiting trial for murder, then being convicted, it's just a mess. She wants Kim Kardashian to represent her and set her free. And in this half, we're going to be going through the trial as well as Mackenzie Sharvela's reaction to the verdict in a phone call that she had with her mom. So with that being said, the Sharvela's believe the judge overseeing Mackenzie's case is corrupt. At least that's what they've been alluding to, nonstop. They believe that there's something going on between Don Rousseau's family and Judge Rousseau, which side note a few things, okay? They do share the same last name. Does not mean that they are related. They are not related. That has been proven. And another thing, Christine Rousseau, Dom's mother did in fact work for the DA's office, but that again doesn't necessarily mean anything. It's not like she's currently working for the DA's office, and there's nothing to prove any sort of nefarious connection that would have impacted the trial. The main things I keep hearing from the Sharvela's is that the investigators didn't hand over some interviews during discovery, which allegedly has Dom's mom and brother talking about Mackenzie's medical condition, pots. Which I did here in one interview, Dom's mom says that Mackenzie started bringing it up after the crash. And she felt like it was trying to plant seeds. But let's say this is true. Maybe they're sitting there and being like, oh, yeah, I saw her faint all the time. I saw her pass out all the time, right? Like just for hypotheticals. Let's say that's true. Even if they said that, I don't know how that changes anything as it pertains to the trial. Like I said, you can have pots and drive safely. You can have pots and kill people in a car crash. It was up to them to bring in a pot's expert, a medical expert to prove that she indeed did have some sort of accident relating to pots. It's not up to Dom's mom. Like it's not Dom's mom's opinion. So I just don't know where this correlation is. But they're kind of alluding to like some sort of corruption behind the scenes. Aside from that, I do think that if they really did not receive certain key things in discovery that were necessary to their defense, that would be a big, big problem. Like there are strict laws for discovery. And that just doesn't seem to be the basis of their appeal or at least not the main one. And it's just not something that they bring up all the time. It's just in interviews. I would imagine that's a huge thing. And the second thing is they bring up frequently in interviews is that they believe that there is some sort of corruption or bribery happening. In one interview, the interviewer says to McKenzie's dad, Steve. The interviewer says, you know, I was trying to explain that having the last name Rousseau in this county is like having the last name Kennedy in Boston. I just don't know if that's like a really good comparison because the Kennedy, like that is a globally known last name with a lot of power behind it, especially in the political world. But it's just kind of odd to which Steve looks really smug. And he responds, there might be some truth to that. Like I said, this is a political family. And I apologize to the Flanagan family right now. If it was just Davy on in that car, she wouldn't be in jail. It would have never left the juvenile court. This has to do with the boy's last name and the judge saying, well, I don't have a blood relationship. Look, I'm not saying she has a blood relationship. I'm saying she has relationship with the Rousseau family. And he, you know, even saying that in court, if you're going to believe like she doesn't have a relationship, you're fooling yourself. I'm not saying it's directly with Christine Rousseau, but you know, down the road here, but it's with somebody. Christine Rousseau was part of the prosecutor's office at one point. And I believe she's friends with Tim Troop. I think they were in the office together. Steve's asked, why do you think they went so hard against her? There's the part where maybe I'll get myself into trouble. Let's try to avoid I think there's some collusion going on. I think it's a fix. I think it's a favor. The last name Rousseau in this town. I just, and I understand that lots of conspiratorial things do end up being true. And I think at face value, the criminal justice system in America has a lot of deep flaws. But the way they make it seem like she is a scientist, curing cancer. And we got to take her down. Like it's, it's kind of this weird energy. Before the conviction, Mackenzie is talking to her mom about how she feels about this whole thing. And she says, I understand that I'm going to have to do some time. I obviously would rather not. I feel like I shouldn't do any, but that's how it's going to, you know, this is the situation. That is what will make the family's happy. But murder, that's just horrible. Natalie agrees. Nope, nope, nope. So we're just going to go fight, fight, fight, fight, a gun's a blazing. Mackenzie tells her, I'm so for real. Contact who I told you to contact. Like that famous person. I think she's talking about Kim Kardashian again. Oh, I know. I'm on it. Mackenzie thinks that they should organize some sort of event for her. But you can get like a protest going on and shit. Like, yeah, I'm dead ass serious. Like a whole ass protest. Natalie tells her they will keep fighting, but I hope it doesn't go that route because that would be ridiculous. Mackenzie says, yes. And honestly, if the judge does that, I'm just going to know that she has some weird ass shit going on like bribery or something. That's all I can think of. I guess Mackenzie wants her mom to get someone famous, maybe Kim Kardashian, then organize some sort of protest in the off chance that the judge does find Mackenzie guilty of murder, which she thinks is unfathomable unless there's some sort of corruption. And in another call, Mackenzie wonders. So clearly, the judge just wants to speed this process up as fast as she can and get it out of her hand. And like, this is a very common thing. Judges do have a schedule. They do want speedy trials. Right. So like, this is nothing new. I wonder how much money she made from this. The judge. Yeah. That's what she says. They need to look for like deposits or some shit or cash, some weird shit. They probably gave her the cash that like Dom had. Mackenzie, we're not talking about anything. Remember, I don't even know what you're talking about. So just stop. And again, I think her mom is just saving for the fact that this is a recorded line. And one call with a friend, Mackenzie is talking about how she's going to be on the news and the verdict is going to come out, which her friend says and like her friends are crazy too. Why are they so obsessed with you? You've got in a fucking car accident. I've gotten in like three of those. It's probably because my boyfriend's last name is Rousseau and his family is just trying to do some weird shit. I don't know. Again, like, boyfriend's last name is not Trump right now. Like it's, I did look into it. Okay. And there are lots of people with the name Rousseau. And there are lots of people in politics or in the legal field with the last name Rousseau. But also there's lots of Koreans with the last name Lee. Are they related to Samsung? Probably not. Are they bribing people in court? Probably not. They're probably just a regular person with the same last name. She says like I would understand if they gave me like a normal charge, but like the charges that they gave me are like literally insane. They're trying to make it seem like something that it's not. It's not like I I do this on purpose. I got in a car accident. I'm a third victim. There's evil working against me. And I'm like, why would I be saved to live like like they brought me back to life just to put me in jail? That just doesn't make any sense to me. So then I try to think like, damn, maybe there's something like good for me that's planned. Maybe this is all part of my story. And I'm going to write my book when I get out of here and shit. There's another phone call where during the trial, like I said, they were not very excited about media coverage as they are with the Kim Kardashian phone call. And Mackenzie is just ranting about like why are people talking about me? And Natalie says, who knows? I mean, is the world that bored? Mackenzie says there's nothing important going on like hunger or something like that, which is also interesting. The whole, you know, is the world really that bored? Is an interesting take because it feels like it's coming from the perspective of why is the world so focused on Mackenzie when that's not the case. The world is focused on Dom and Davie on being killed and it just happens to include Mackenzie purely because she's the one convicted or at least on trial at this point of killing them. It feels oddly self-centered. Natalie reassures her, but there's a lot of people that are like talking and they have your back and all the comment threads too. So like that's kind of nice. Another phone call between Mackenzie and Natalie. This is like soon after the verdict is announced. The judge finds Mackenzie guilty and Mackenzie says, I'm literally in shock. That was the last thing I expected to happen. This is probably the most emotional phone call and she sounds like very distraught. This is just crazy. I don't understand how they could just be like, yeah, she wanted that to happen. No, like they're all zooming in on my face and shit and then they're getting to like handcuffing me and shit. Mackenzie asks her mom, why would they keep me alive if they want me to be in jail? Because we don't know what your story is. Your story isn't done yet. It's just beginning, okay? We don't know yet. Who knows what the future holds for you. Who knows what the reason is, but there is a reason, okay? We just got to get through this journey and it might be a minute and after time you'll see what the reason is, but I promise you, you are a force to be reckoned within this world and people need you and people will see. You hear mama? You already done so much good in this world with so many people who knows what the future holds for you. Keep praying, baby. And just know that everything happens for a reason and who knows this may have saved you from something. I don't know, but that was just craziness. But we've already begun fighting. Interestingly enough, in one phone call, Steve jumps in and he, and it seems like Steve is out of these phone calls because he literally cannot hold his tongue, which is evident through his interviews, right? But he does jump in and want and he says, I'm angry for you, baby. I'm just letting you know I'm angry every waking second that I'm thinking is about you. That is all I'm thinking about. I just want you to know I love you so much and I cannot believe you are being put through this. I hope karma comes back and bites everybody that's against you and the ass. So hard that they will all disappear. If I had a magic wand, if I had a magic wand, I wouldn't go back. I would go back and I would help Davion first. I would just, I would just make everybody disappear. So I don't know if he's saying like he would help Davion first or if he would make a everyone disappear? What does that mean? He says, I click my fingers and everybody would disappear. That's what I would do. That's, you know, that's how I'm angry. I am. They screwed you so bad. He said he want to go back in time. If he had a magic wand and he says, I wouldn't go back and help David on first. I wouldn't go back and help David. That's what he says. But he's also like very, like, doesn't make any sense. I will make everyone disappear. Yeah. So I think he's like, I hate everybody. Yeah. I think maybe in the past he might have, this is just me taking from this statement and trying to see what that means. Maybe he's said in the past, like, I would go back and I would first help David on. But they're very upset about David on family's victim statements. So maybe he's saying, Oh, after this, like, now I'm so mad. I wouldn't go back. Yeah. I would just make everybody disappear. It's interesting, but Mackenzie reiterates in a phone call with her mom. No, it's not. But like this time, it's like, they're saying I did it on purpose. So she's like upset that all the news is saying that she did it on purpose. And they're making the whole world know that they think that I did it on purpose. Well, you know, I'm found guilty of doing it on purpose when I fucking didn't do it on purpose. I know. I know. I didn't even do it on accident. It wasn't even anything. I don't even fucking know what happened. What does that mean? If you didn't do it on purpose, it would have had to have been an accident. Like, I'm confused. What do you mean you did nothing? Like, how does that even make sense? You're the one driving. Even if you suffered from a medical emergency, you would still, it would still be an accident. It just feels like a lack of self-reflection. Mackenzie encourages her mom to make some sort of free Mackenzie Facebook page, which Rosie told us that the shrubilas are not running. But there are extensive phone calls where Mackenzie keeps encouraging her mom to make a Facebook page about it. You should really make a Facebook page where it's like talking about how this is all wrong. Natalie informs her, "Kenzie, stop talking on the phone right now about these things." You can't talk on the phone. We have to talk in person. And again, that's not me insinuating that they run the Facebook page. I have no idea who runs the Facebook page, but there was just a lot of conversations where Mackenzie tells Natalie to run a Facebook page and lo and behold, there is a Facebook page. It's so interesting. You know, when you get charged, what the judge is looking for is like remorse. Yeah. You are sorry. You see where you fucked up. You want to be a better person now. But everything they're doing and the parents are doing on top of them, it's only making this worse. Yeah. This is never going to work out even in the long run because the parents are still babying her to enabling her to do this. That's what Davience's parents said. They say that if she even gets out in 15 however many years, right? Yeah. If her parents keep doing this, like nothing will change. Yeah. And they're doing it. You'll get worse and worse and worse. Natalie rants, "Well, I can't talk about anything on this stupid fucking phone call." Mackenzie says, "Yeah, because bald-headed bitch is listening. Hey, what's up? Like fuck." She's talking about the prosecutor. Davience first joined the plan against when he was eight and a half years old. So Davience and his sisters were actually adopted by the Flanagan family. And the biggest thing that they remember is that he was just obsessed with football ever since he was a kid. Like he never had the opportunity to be involved in organized sports, which of course Davience's mom, Mrs. Flanagan, is like football, like out of all the sports wife football, right? She's worried about him, but she also just like wants him to experience what he wants to do. And Davience's dad says, Davience saw a lot in those eight and a half years before he came to us. I believe he was, in fact, two years of it, was in county care, which is really rough. He says he was exposed to a lot of things that no one should be exposed to at all, let alone a child. They say that he was even the team barber for the football coach and the football team. So he had his own equipment and he would always have them over, much to their detriment, they say, because there's hair all over the place all at time. And they think that senior year was really hard for Davience because he tore his ACL. It was like third game of a senior season. He wanted to go to football, like scholarship for football, for college. And he loses the thing that he was so passionate about. And I think there was a lot of discourse that I saw online that especially with when your childhood, the first initial years of childhood are extremely rough psychologically. A lot of people encourage putting those children into sports. Like I know in Korea, like martial arts is like a big thing as well because it helps to, like, there's just a lot of research of how it helps the development, especially when, you know, he has seen a lot that he shouldn't have to have seen as a kid. And I think losing that was huge for him. Davience dad says, I think if we're completely being honest, it was probably the start of his downward spiral. Downward spiral being, I think that he just had a very normal teenager rebellious streak. And Davience parents say that they didn't like him smoking weed. They thought weed was a gateway drug, but they can also see how he did get into weed because he had so much anxiety and it would just help with his anxiety and it finally felt like it was calming down a lot of the feelings that he might have had. And you know, he's been through so much more hardship than so many people his age and he's going through this normal, very rebellious teenage phase. Of course, there's going to be arguments and disagreements with his parents, but it seemed like by all accounts what everybody has been saying and not just the family but friends of Davience that if anyone was going to get through it, it was going to be Davience and the flanagans. But McKenzie took him. Just took him away from them. Davience parents say Davience was always the one checking in on his sisters. So him and his two sisters were adopted. And Divine Flanagan has been really vocal and she's done a lot of insightful interviews where she talks about the process that she had to go through with grief and mourning and probably is definitely still going through, but she says, you know, there was a DM that she received from McKenzie. And this is like August 5th of 2022. This is like a few days after the crash. McKenzie writes, like, this is after killing Davience, her brother, hey, you don't need to answer me. I wouldn't expect you to. I just want to say I'm sorry for everything. I love you and Davience. He was like a brother to me. I hope you're all getting as positive calm energy because your family deserves it and I'm praying for you guys. What is that message after killing someone's brother? Davience mom tells the judge, I want to share a small part of what we lost July 31st, 2022. My son Davience is and always will be so much more than cargo. He was precious. He was an amazing soul with a heart of gold. He gave to the world what he wanted most in his life, which was love. The kind of love that would rescue a friend in the middle of the night. No questions asked. The kind that would protect others and honor them. He made friends easily with his infectious smile. He was gifted athlete. My son did not have a click of friends, but instead he was a friend of all. Davience made sure that everyone that crossed his path knew that he truly saw them, that he valued them and that they were worth his time. And typically, I mean, the sounds like something that a lot of mothers would say about their children. But after going through this massive FOIA request on this file, things are not edited to look beneficial to anyone, even the victims. I mean, this really is like a spot on description of Davience. He had friends like everywhere and all of them are coming to the police trying to ask like, how can we help? Here's what we found like we're investigating. People are going out of their way to express how much of an impact that he had on them. And I don't think they were doing that intentionally. I think it was just like they couldn't help it because they're going through that grief. Davience mom continues. Davience was adopted with his sisters from foster care. They're biological siblings. We were honored to be chosen to or to have, you know, been chosen to be their parents, their forever family. And I'm devastated by the loss of Davience. The world lost a truly special man. My girls lost their best friend, their protector, the one and only trusted family that has been by their side from day one. He alone understands the pain and loss that they have gone through and was always there for them. This fact alone breaks my heart for my girls and my family. So many dreams shattered a future stolen. We will never get to see the amazing man that he truly was to become. His life was precious, like I said. He was so much more than cargo. Davience parents are very religious and I do think that there was a part included where Davience mom is talking about religion and how Mackenzie should repent, right? Davience's sister divine tells the judge in part, I don't want this pain for anyone else and I want people to have to go through this. As an 18-year-old, I hate the fact that he was gone because someone decided to take his life. Now that Davience is gone, I feel stuck. I feel as if I can't move forward. I feel lost. He was the only one who picked me up when I fell. He was my best friend and the only person that stayed with me since I was born. This is a recorded phone call of Mackenzie and Natalie talking about Davience family's impacts statements. Mackenzie says on the recorded jail line and when Davience mom said, "I hope Kenzie can repent and weird-ass shit." Like that was weird as fuck. Natalie says, "I do feel bad for divine." Obviously. I do too. That's what Mackenzie says. But then they start talking about how divine so in divine's impact statement, she's talking about how it feels like Mackenzie has no remorse. It feels like she doesn't care. Even before the jail calls, it's like she went out for Halloween. She went out to the kid cutie concert. It's very clear. She just does whatever she wants. But they start talking about divine and when she said, and Mackenzie says, "Divine said something along the lines of Mackenzie always has the easy way out." Mackenzie says, "You don't even know me. So what the fuck do you mean easy way out? I never even hung out with you ever." I know, honey. I know. What the fuck is the easy way out? I don't even understand what that means. Natalie rants, "I love how everybody knows exactly what went on this house at all times of the day." Our house? Yeah, because, you know, they say you were never disciplined. There was no or any consequences, there was no nothing you always had. What are they saying? Just saw it. like that. Like, I love it. Everybody knows exactly what goes on in this house all day, just internet trolls. They don't even know us. It doesn't matter. Natalie rants about the internet trolls saying quote, the internet trolls are evil and vile. And anyone saying anything positive is going to be attacked. There's no sense in doing that. They're evil discussing people. And a separate call Natalie says, I wish I could talk to you in private. There's some shipping posted online. Your mind will be blown. There's sheep who believe everything that they read are here on social media. And then there's good people who know better. That's why I hate the internet. I hate social media ignorant people. Natalie reassures McKenzie people that know you know that this is bullshit. People that don't know you are ignorant and they're talking out of their ass. Christine Russo gives her impact statement to the judge and she says, no one wanted this to be a murder. No one wanted to punish McKenzie Sharilla for this accident. But this was not a car accident. The evidence and signs prove that McKenzie Sharilla murdered my son Dominic as well as Davion. We all know what happened in that car that day. What we don't know is why. I wish I could change this every day. I lost three children in that crash. Not a minute goes by each day that I don't think about my son as well as Davion. My heart is forever broken. The cries heard from the Sharilla family and friends after the verdict are nothing more than a lack of remorse. McKenzie Sharilla had a choice. Dom and Davion did not. McKenzie is in the back of the courtroom and she's shaking her head while crying. We're all left here to mourn. McKenzie is going to prison because you did this. Be thankful that you're still alive and have a future, whatever that may be. Dom and Davion were robbed of their futures, their hopes and their dreams. McKenzie showed no mercy on Dom nor did she on Davion. Only God at this time can have mercy on her soul. Angelo Dom's brother tells the judge that McKenzie is the most selfish person he knows. Ironically dating Dom his brother who is the most selfless person he knows. McKenzie Sharilla murdered Dom and Davion in cold blood and had already moved on. McKenzie killed Dom over the thought of losing him and she made Davion collateral damage. She was driving, going to concerts, dressing up for Halloween, no thoughts of the feelings and lives that she had destroyed. McKenzie ran in a jail call. I understand Davion's mom like I know how they think because they don't know me, but it's like what Mrs. Russo and Angelo said that was just crazy. Oh my gosh. McKenzie, look, don't you think on it one second. Oh my god. I hate her mom. Yeah. McKenzie points out the real things that are of importance now. I'm worried about my stuff because that's how they feel about me. They definitely fucked up my stuff because remember she has stuff in Dom's house? Why is Angelo such a fucking liar? What the fuck? McKenzie, they're just evil people, baby. I'm sorry. Don't think on it. Do not think on it anymore. Stop. I need you to stop. Okay. Move forward. You hear mama? In another phone call, McKenzie keeps asking her parents. You need to get my stuff from Dom's house before they burn it or some shit. What are you going to do with this stuff you're in prison? In another call, Natalie feels like someone is finally on her side about something and she says, oh speaking of that, somebody was online saying how you know there was no parental supervision with you and stuff. This was a party house and I just let people have all kinds of parties here and everything. And finally, the neighbor across the street, she was like, you guys don't know what you're talking about. They're a wonderful family. They're very nice and I live across the street. There were never parties over there. I don't know what you guys are talking about. Don't believe everything you hear. Yeah. Well, you know, all those people are just talking out of their ass. But are they? Natalie Sharilla also pleads with the judge in court before sentencing. And she's like wearing a tank top. It's the craziest thing. Everyone divine, people that are kids. I mean, I don't know if she was 18. No, I think she was younger than 18 at the time. Everyone showed up to court with the decorum. Is there? Natalie's wearing a tank top. I understand clothing can get expensive. But if you're ever going to borrow a blazer, go buy a blazer and then return it like today is the day. Yeah, this is your daughter's life. She says, my name is Natalie Sharilla. I just want to say, am I allowed to address them at all? And she kind of turns to Dom and Davian's families. I guess the judge gives her the okay. I just want to say to the families that I'm broken, sad, and lost in my heart hurts for everyone. Okay. She says, okay, Davian was her new friend and Dom was the love of her life and he was part of our family. Okay. I'm just I'm just so sorry that this happened more heartbroken. Okay. And then your honor. So it's almost like she's like, okay, check, check. So sorry to them. Okay. Okay. Did you hear me? Okay. Okay. And then your honor. This was a terrible tragic nightmare accident. Have happened that she has no memory of and she will never emotionally or physically recover from it. She almost died too. And we're asking that you please not run the sentences consecutive. So that was a huge thing. If it's 15 years consecutive, she would need 30 years before the option of parole. I believe she needed to have parole as an option because she was 17, even though she's tried as an adult. And she does like the prayer hands. She's like, this is why we ask, you know, do not run the sentences consecutive. She's not saying okay after addressing the family. Yeah. Dom was family and we all loved each other. That morning of the accident, she called. So now she's like using this time to clarify shit. Remember how Dom's mom was like when I called, she was so upset about Facebook. Do you remember? Yeah. Yeah. She called. I got a call that there was a accident. So I went to the hospital and I didn't even know who's in the car. The names had not been confirmed yet. And I was like, I'm going to cry because I missed him so much. We loved him so much. So I called Dom over and over again, praying that he was going to answer the phone and he didn't, he didn't answer the phone. So then I tried to call his mom and she didn't answer the phone either and still didn't know who was in the car. I didn't even, I didn't know if she was alive. I didn't know what was happening. So then when we were in the waiting room and then his mom ended up, she took call me. So I answered the phone and I was like, oh my god, I don't even know who was in the car. Like, what's happening? Was that Dom? And she said, what do you mean? My son is dead and I was like, I'm so sorry. And then she said something like, and now I have to wait until your kids out of the hospital. And then I didn't hear the rest. I guess this is her trying to share her side of the story, but like such a weird odd way to spend time talking to the judge. She says, we loved him so much. I hung up the phone. I did not talk about social media. I didn't even know what was going on yet. Okay. So then that was it. Um, what? Yeah. So she's trying to defend her own character right now. Like she's like, I didn't say social media. Yeah. And then she brings up the whole modeling post. Right? That was like a dad modeling post response. Yes. In the hospital that, yeah. I've never seen this happen before. She's like, try to clear her name. Yeah. Usually when I, no, and usually when I say, oh, this was like the shittiest impact statement from a defendant's parent, it's because it's short and generic. Like, please have mercy on my kid, right? But this is like the shittiest of the shittiest I've ever seen. In the hospital that Vitality post, um, I commented on that because somebody called her a murder and she's not a murder. She just got convicted of murder, right? So what? She didn't even have her phone at that point because the police still had it. Okay. I jumped on and I was like, she's not a murder. She's more sad than her, you know, than most of the people commenting. She's been trying to get in touch with you. I mean, at that point, it was just an accident. So I commented on her behalf not because of the modeling opportunity. Who cares about that? I just, I don't want them to refer to her as a murder. Okay. I don't even know that comment got on the phone, you know, like because the police still had her device and she could not access her phone or social media. That's why I did it. I had called them asking if they could shut down social media because people are calling her a murder and making death threats and organizing groups to take her out when she got out of the hospital and stuff. Yeah, Natalie, they'll just shut down social media to care of your daughter. I'm sure Google Meta and Oracle would absolutely lose it all for your daughter. What better cause would there ever be? Natalie is true. I just not know how to read the room. McKenzie is like crying. She's so emotional during this. She's like, yes. I don't know if she feels vindicated. Okay. But there's two officers in frame and they also both look just like confused. This is during like the livestream of the verdict and the sentencing. They're looking like, they're a mixture of bored and fucking confused and like, what the fuck is this lady happened about? They're just like, what? Natalie should really continue. I didn't even want her phone. I don't care about her phone. I don't care about social media. I just wanted them to stop calling her a murderer so that when she did come to and she did come out of surgery, multiple surgeries, that she wouldn't see all these people calling her a murderer because she would never ever murder the love of her life. Okay. Halloween. Halloween. For three months after the accident, she would only wear his clothes. She would only eat the snacks he ate. She would only listen to the music he wrote. Okay. She was laying in bed for three months crying. There was a shrine of him next to her with photos and things that he liked and this flower that lights up that he got hurt because you know, he wanted it to be fresh in the life forever. It's like a little beautiful flower. Okay. She's got this shrine of him next to her. So she was crying for three months. So her friends asked her if she wanted to go out to trigger treating her some Halloween and it was at O.U. Ohio University and she didn't even want to go. She said, I don't know. Should I go? She couldn't even walk it barely. So I told her, I said, baby, please go. It's Halloween. You've been laying for three months crying only listening to his music. Please go have a moment of fun. A moment of fun. So we told her to go. My husband drove her. I brought her back home. She just needed a second of fun from losing her whole world, her whole world. So this was us. We told her to go and That concert she went to with Dom's cousin the kid the cutie concert. Abby, Abby, you know, they picked her up, they brought her there. That was Mackenzie and Dom and Abby all decided to go to this concert together. And that was for Dom. Everything she did after the accident was either in honor of him to be close to him or just to be by him in any way that she can. She's devastated and tragic and he was the era that she breathes, okay? And they went with his cousin. We spent all kinds of time with him after the accident and what was the other thing? It was so shocking the judge interrupts her. I'm hearing an awful lot about your daughter. I'm not hearing very much about the two dead people. Dom, okay, I'm asking you for leniency because this was a tragic accident that she does not remember. And Davian, he's a new friend. I'm so sorry. What does that mean? His life is worthless? The judge asks. No, no, no, no, no. God, no, not at all. They all loved each other. They all spent every day together. You know what I mean? I don't, I don't know too much. Isn't that part of the problem, Mrs. Shurella? Sorry. Isn't that part of the problem that they all trusted each other? It's not a problem at all. It's wonderful. How they all ended up in the car together until two of them ended up dead. I understand what it looks like. I'm saying this was a tragic accident. She would never, we're going to have to disagree on that. I understand, I understand. But anyway, that's it. I just wanted to address those. We told her to go to those things and then she did go with Dom's family. So look on that with different eyes. If you can, please, if you would have a moment, all you need is five, five minutes of conversation to have with her to learn who she is. Just, you know, you would just be five minutes. Yeah. She's not capable of, you know, doing and you would see for yourself. Thank you. That's all. I'm so sorry guys. Thank you. The fact that she didn't even care to prepare anything more in depth about Dom and Davian. Later, Mackenzie asks her mom in a recorded Jeline. Why was the judge being so mean to you? I don't know. I don't care. I was about to be like, just stop talking now because she clearly doesn't care. She's like, why are you talking about her so much and not the victims? All the while Natalie is trying to motivate Mackenzie. You are here for a recent, you impact lives no matter where you go in such a positive way. This is just another chapter. So Mackenzie shares her statement during sentencing to the families of Dom and Davian. I'm so deeply sorry. I hope one day you can see I would never let this happen or do it on purpose. I wish I could remember what happened. I'm just so sorry. I'm heartbroken. I love Dom and Davian. We were all friends and Dom was my soulmate. I wish I could take all your pain away and I'm so sorry. And to my family, thank you for the support and all the love you guys give. Thank you for fighting with me. I love you all so much. I'm done. Which is, I mean, she was emotional during it, but I don't think I think a lot of the emotion was just for herself because it's sentencing. And this is a little bit different from the speech she was brainstorming with her mom on the phone on the recorded joe lines because in that one, she says, you can see I would never let this happen or do it on purpose. I'm just heartbroken. I wish I could take all your pain away. Long live the boys. And to my family and support, I thank you. I thank you all for seeing the real under all these lies. Thank you for nonstop fighting for me and all the love and support. I pray one day people won't see me as a monster. They're making out me out to be. Thank you. This was the first draft. Yeah. Make sense. She's been more time talking about her quote unquote supporter. Yeah. It makes sense that her attorney would just delete like all of that. Okay. I don't really think McKenzie understands the full scope of what's happened. In one conversation from jail, McKenzie says she's got some sort of message from someone named Benjamin Harper. He's worried that this is Davey on his neighbor and she tells her mom, I'm nervous for him to message me. They're about to send me some hate mail and shit. Natalie tells her, just block it. No, it's okay. I'm gonna reply. I'm gonna reply. I want them to send messages like that. Like bitch, I don't give a fuck. I know what I did. I know what I didn't do. That was an on purpose. The only thing that I'm guilty of is driving. But how do you know that if you don't remember what happened? Also, her lack of understanding reality is astonishing. In another phone call, she's talking to her mom about said sentencing. So this is right before sentencing. She's found guilty and she doesn't know how long she's gonna be sentenced to and she says, I'm about to say I don't even want to go to court type shit or should I just go to court. Natalie gently reminds her of her reality. Honey, you don't have a choice. What's the point of even having a court date? They're already fucking me over. What's the point of even going? There's no point of even having court anymore. Just give me a fucking time and just tell me so we can appeal this shit. She gets sentenced to 15 years to life to be served concurrently, which means she will be eligible for parole in 15 years, though it seems highly unlikely. Even the judge says it's probably unlikely, right? But Mackenzie says to her mom in a jail call, but I'm surprised she only gave me like 15. I thought she was gonna give me like 85 years. That's what I was expecting. No, I really did think it was going to be the death penalty or life in prison and no parole, but she gave me 15 years. And I do get parole. That's crazy as fuck. Evian's mom says, I'll be honest, we were taken aback when we found out that the sentence is where to run concurrently. We were taken aback. She is essentially serving the same sentence that she would have if only one of the boys had been in the car. It's very hard to stomach. Mackenzie's parents have stomachs of steel. They're trying to take this case to the Supreme Court. They did file an appeal. So after your conviction, you can file an appeal. They filed an appeal. It was rejected. They filed a second appeal, but they filed it one day late. So it has to be within the 365 days, but they filed it one day late, and they argued it was like confusing because of leap year. And everyone's like, um, what? The churilla state and interviews that they did not have a good defense, which is pretty par for the course for appeals is to say that your attorneys did not represent you well enough. That's pretty standard. They state that they were bullied, almost bullied into a bench trial instead of a jury trial. Steve says if this was a jury trial, instead of a bench trial, quote, she would have never been convicted. She'd be free today. She'd be going on with her life, but she'd be free. That's the truth. But to let you know her lawyer when asked her about a jury or a bench, she asked for a jury and he talked her out of it. And then he starts talking about the judge. He says, I mean, that ego, I don't know how she walks in and out of the room with that kind of ego. It's unfortunate that a sitting judge of that long ruled that way and acted that way. Later he argues, you get pulled over now in Strong'sville speeding. It's attempted murder. That's the precedent they've set with this case. I'm just so shocked that they still have supporters. Yeah. I think this port comes from I do think maybe the defense did do a good job and they didn't bring in a medical expert and they didn't rule out these world of possibilities. You know, and I think when it's not ruled out and I think because people come in with probably the same feeling I have, which is our criminal justice system is not the best. So maybe it's like, but we can't because there are innocent people in jail. So we have to give some sort of leeway and thought. And I think they use that to their advantage because I just I'm lost. Yeah. But when the trial is happening, it seems like at some point, they all agreed on a bench trial. I mean, they had to McKenzie had to agree on it. But even her parents in one jail called Natalie is saying, Oh, and then one of my friends was like, you made the right decision with choosing a bench trial and stuff. And I'm like, well, it wasn't up to me. But thank you. And that made me start crying. So whatever happened up to this point, Kenzie is exactly that it's supposed to be. We just have to trust and put our faith in it. Okay. So it seems like you like a bench trial. And another call McKenzie weirdly asked her mom if she should have done a jury trial to which Natalie says, no, no, because there's still other people that are like, I don't care that she did this in this and she should get the death penalty. That person doesn't know you. That's how some people are talking. Nope, you made the right choice. Regardless, they tried to take it up to the Supreme Court of Ohio, which they recently denied Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Sharon Kennedy refused to review McKenzie's case, writing in a decision that she declines to accept jurisdiction of the appeal. She could petition to the US Supreme Court on a federal level, but anything on a federal level is even more tedious and even more of a lengthy process than on a state level. And it's just your odds of that are not worth the fees usually. Most likely her next big milestone is her first parole hearing that will be in 2037. And I know that Dom and Davie on families will most likely be attending. And I think they will be attending with a fire burning passion to keep her behind bars. And I would think it would be a very long shot for her to be released on parole in 2037, which means if they reject her parole, she has to wait anywhere between one to 10 years. So like they tell you at your parole hearing if you're denied anywhere between one to 10 years, but the fact that she's young would probably make it less than 10. It has to legally be less than 10, but it could be 10. It could be nine. I just don't see her changing like the way that the parents are acting to. Yeah. Cheyenne says, I don't know if she still doesn't know, but when I was in there, she was journaling every single day, date, time stamp. And she told me it was for a book when she gets out. She told me she had a modeling gig before she even came in. And she was like, I got offered a modeling gig before I came in. I'm going to write a book when I get out. I'm going to be a social media influencer telling my story and all that stuff. So this is why the families are trying to do Dom and Davie on's law. Because You know, Ohio, the son of Sam Zaws, which protects the victim's family. from the perpetrator profiting off their crimes. A lot of that in Ohio has not been updated to include social media, right? So I think it just includes a lot of the traditional ways of making money, so I think they're trying to get those updated. I mean, this whole book thing, yeah. And she also says about Mackenzie, you know how in the Netflix documentary, she says, I think about it every day and stuff like that. I'm not gonna say she doesn't, because I'm not in her head every day, but her actions, I don't think she does, and she's like, since I've been gone, you know how I said, juice was Jasmine's girlfriend. As soon as I left, she started doing stuff with juice. So Cheyenne's just like, she's in there, like just doing things, like she doesn't, I don't think she's thinking about it every day. And that is where we are with the Mackenzie Shurilla case. I know this was a very lengthy journey that I just took you on, but I just wanted to be as thorough as possible. And there was just so much in the FOIA that I felt like, you know, you do have to pay, I forget how much it was, but like most places you have to pay to get the FOIA, and then to have the leniency of time to have people go through and like for me to sit there and read, like I know that a lot of you guys are also working, so it would have just been impossible. So hopefully that is as thorough as we can get. Let me know your thoughts. What do you think, leave it in the comments. And with that, stay safe, and I will see you in the next one.

Podcast Summary

Key Points:

  1. Mackenzie Sharvela’s family alleges corruption involving Judge Rousseau and his family due to shared last names, though no evidence proves a direct connection.
  2. The Sharvela family claims investigators failed to provide key interviews, including one where Dom’s mother mentions Mackenzie’s medical condition, but this does not logically impact the trial outcome.
  3. Mackenzie believes the prosecution is using her case to frame her as guilty of murder on purpose, despite her claims of not remembering the crash and being driven by medical emergencies.
  4. Her parents, especially Steve, express deep anger and conspiracy theories about bias, suggesting a "fix" or "favor" between the Rousseau family and the judge, though these claims lack substantiation.
  5. Mackenzie requests high-profile intervention (e.g., Kim Kardashian) and a public protest, believing such actions would expose judicial misconduct.
  6. In post-verdict phone calls, Mackenzie is emotionally distraught, expressing shock at her conviction and questioning the fairness of the system, while her mother emphasizes her remorse and the need to move forward.
  7. The case highlights deep emotional trauma for the victims’ families, particularly Davion Flanagan, whose parents describe him as a beloved, kind-hearted child who was tragically lost.
  8. Mackenzie’s actions after the accident—such as wearing Dom’s clothes, listening to his music, and attending a Halloween concert—reflect her grief and loyalty to the victims.
  9. The defense’s appeal was denied, including a late filing, and the Supreme Court declined jurisdiction, leaving Mackenzie with a 15-year sentence to be served concurrently, with parole eligibility in 2037.
  10. Families are advocating for legal reform in Ohio to protect victims’ families from financial or social exploitation by the accused, especially in the digital age.

Summary:

The second half of the Mackenzie Sharvela case focuses on the trial, the conviction, and the family's reactions, highlighting persistent allegations of judicial corruption and bias. The Sharvela family claims the judge, Don Rousseau, has ties to the accused’s family due to a shared surname, but no evidence proves a relationship or collusion. They argue that critical medical evidence about Mackenzie’s condition was withheld during discovery, though experts note that medical conditions like fainting do not imply intent to cause harm.

Mackenzie, in private calls with her mother, expresses shock at her conviction, believes she was falsely accused, and insists she did not act on purpose. She urges her mother to launch a public campaign and protests, viewing the legal process as rigged. Meanwhile, the victims’ families, especially Davion Flanagan’s parents, share deeply emotional impact statements, describing Davion as a kind, beloved child who was lost.

Mackenzie’s post-accident behavior—like wearing his clothes and attending a Halloween concert—shows her grief and loyalty, which the family sees as proof of innocence. The case ends with Mackenzie sentenced to 15 years, with parole eligibility in 2037, and the family pursuing legal reforms to prevent the accused from profiting from the tragedy. Despite appeals and public scrutiny, no major rulings overturn the conviction, and the narrative remains charged with conspiracy theories, grief, and a sense of systemic injustice.

FAQs

Yes, Mackenzie's family believes there is potential corruption, particularly due to the shared last name between Judge Rousseau and the victim's family, and allegations of behind-the-scenes influence or bribery.

Yes, they claim that interviews involving Dom's mother and brother discussing Mackenzie's medical condition were not shared, though experts say this does not directly impact the trial outcome.

Mackenzie expressed disbelief that she was found guilty of murder on purpose, stating she had no control over what happened and that the world's focus on her was intense and unjust.

Mackenzie was sentenced to 15 years to life, served concurrently, making her eligible for parole in 2037, though experts believe this is highly unlikely.

Yes, they filed multiple appeals, including one filed one day late, which was rejected; the Supreme Court of Ohio declined to review the case, and federal appeal remains unlikely.

Mackenzie expressed that she honored Dom and Davion by wearing his clothes, eating his snacks, and listening to his music, showing deep grief and emotional connection to the victims.

Chat with AI

Loading...

Pro features

Go deeper with this episode

Unlock creator-grade tools that turn any transcript into show notes and subtitle files.