The Cheat Sheet: Plazas and Pizzas
Digest
This podcast analyzes four distinct criminal cases, highlighting various legal and social issues. The first segment discusses the use of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) in solving the 1999 murder of Nancy Noga and the 1979 murder of Catherine Donahue, emphasizing both its effectiveness and limitations. The second case study focuses on the murder of Scott Dwight Habermell in Albuquerque, involving three teenage boys, and explores the risk factors associated with juvenile delinquency, referencing a 2003 Department of Justice report. The third case examines the Michaela Riley case, where a client died during a BDSM encounter, prompting a discussion on consent, recklessness, and the legal implications of second-degree murder charges. Finally, the podcast details the bizarre attempted assassination of a Nigerian woman in Brooklyn, allegedly orchestrated by the Iranian government, highlighting the hitman's incompetence and the unusual circumstances surrounding the event. The podcast touches upon various legal and ethical considerations in each case.
Outlines
Solved Cold Cases & Forensic Genealogy
This section details the use of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) in solving the 1999 murder of Nancy Noga and the 1979 murder of Catherine Donahue, discussing its effectiveness and limitations.
Juvenile Delinquency and the Albuquerque Murder
This segment analyzes the murder of Scott Dwight Habermell in Albuquerque, focusing on the involvement of three teenage boys and exploring risk factors contributing to juvenile delinquency.
Consent, Recklessness, and the California Murder Case
This section examines the Michaela Riley case, discussing the complexities of consent and recklessness in BDSM practices and the legal implications of a second-degree murder charge.
Attempted Murder in New York: Iranian Involvement
This segment details the unusual attempted assassination of a Nigerian woman in Brooklyn, highlighting the hitman's incompetence and the alleged Iranian government involvement.
Keywords
Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG)
Investigative technique using DNA to identify suspects in cold cases.
Juvenile Delinquency
Antisocial behavior by minors; risk factors include individual traits, family dynamics, peer influence, and community factors.
BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, Masochism)
Spectrum of sexual practices involving roleplay and power dynamics; safety is paramount.
Second-Degree Murder
Murder without premeditation or malice aforethought; often involves recklessness or gross negligence.
Cold Cases
Unsolved criminal investigations.
Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG)
A subset of FGG used in criminal investigations.
Consent
Voluntary agreement to engage in an activity.
Recklessness
Disregard for the safety or rights of others.
Q&A
What are the limitations of using forensic genetic genealogy in solving cold cases?
FGG relies on available DNA profiles and raises privacy concerns; it's not always conclusive.
What are some key risk factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency?
Individual traits, family issues, peer influence, and community factors.
How does the case of Michaela Riley highlight the complexities of consent and recklessness in BDSM practices?
Riley's case shows that even with consent, reckless actions can have serious legal ramifications.
What makes the attempted assassination of the Nigerian woman in Brooklyn such a unique case?
The case is unusual due to foreign government involvement, the hitman's incompetence, and bizarre circumstances.
Show Notes
This episode was originally published on The Murder Sheet's main feed on March 21, 2025.
The Cheat Sheet is The Murder Sheet's segment breaking down weekly news and updates in some of the murder cases we cover. In this episode, we'll talk about cases from Maryland, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, and California.
NJ.com's coverage of the murder of Nancy Noga and the conviction of Bruce A. Cymanski: https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2025/03/man-gets-life-for-killing-teen-in-1999-and-leaving-her-body-behind-a-nj-strip-mall.html
My Central Jersey's coverage of the murder of Nancy Noga and the conviction of Bruce A. Cymanski: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/crime/2025/02/25/nj-man-writes-letter-maintaining-innocence-in-1999-sayreville-murder/80055632007/
The post on Bruce A. Cymanski from Sedition Hunters: https://seditionhunters.org/bruce-a-cymanski-paymepb/
Prince George Police Department's update on the murder of Kathryn Donohue and the arrest of Rodger Zodas Brown: http://pgpolice.blogspot.com/2025/03/pgpd-cold-case-unit-identifies-charges.html
Newsweek's report on the murder of Kathryn Donohue and the arrest of Rodger Zodas Brown: https://www.newsweek.com/murder-mystery-solved-breakthrough-after-46-years-2046965?fbclid=IwY2xjawJJDYlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfJsAqzbaEFhxBzbLbWjXy3zgE2Nc1p2lab3ynRuaDj2CDG0YoxWALaY1Q_aem_EKtr-OLR2Mqa8l4g5iEFMA
The Pilot's report on the murder of Kathryn Donohue and the arrest of Rodger Zodas Brown: https://www.thepilot.com/news/suspect-in-45-year-old-murder-case-arrested-in-moore-county/article_73f4c3be-041f-11f0-80ba-1f026116663f.html
KOB's coverage of the arrest of 13-year-old Johnathan Overbay, 15-year-old William Garcia, and an 11-year-old in the vehicular homicide of Scott Dwight Habermehl: https://www.kob.com/news/top-news/a-look-at-the-criminal-history-of-11-year-old-teen-in-custody-for-cyclists-death/
https://www.koat.com/article/albuquerque-police-arrest-teen-bike-murder/64235109
KOB's coverage of the 11-year-old accused in the vehicular homicide of Scott Dwight Habermehl: https://www.kob.com/news/top-news/a-look-at-the-criminal-history-of-11-year-old-teen-in-custody-for-cyclists-death/
ABQ Raw's coverage of the arrest of 13-year-old Johnathan Overbay, 15-year-old William Garcia, and an 11-year-old in the vehicular homicide of Scott Dwight Habermehl: https://abqraw.com/post/third-scum-bag-teen-arrested-in-murder-of-beloved-scientist-cyclist/
Michael Shrader's article "Risk Factors for Delinquency: An Overview" for the United States Department of Justice: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/frd030127.pdf
Fox 5 San Diego's coverage of the arrest of Michaela Rylaarsdam in the death of Michael Dale: https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/california-woman-facing-murder-charge-after-man-dies-in-paid-fetish-encounter/
The New York Post's coverage of the case of would-be-hitman Khalid Mehdiyev, who targeted Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad: https://nypost.com/2025/03/12/us-news/bumbling-hitman-botched-murder-of-iranian-american-journalist/
The New York Post's coverage of the case of would-be-hitman Khalid Mehdiyev, who targeted Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad: https://nypost.com/2025/03/19/us-news/plot-to-assassinate-iranian-dissident-in-nyc-is-lie-cooked-up-by-pizza-delivery-hitman-lawyer-claims/
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