The Dirty Verdict

In this gripping episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast, hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert take a deep dive into one of Houston’s most shocking criminal cases—the trial of Ryan Smith, accused and convicted of murdering his father. Joining the discussion are seasoned criminal defense attorneys Todd DuPont and Gianpaolo “GP” Macerola, who served as Smith’s defense team. Together, they unpack the twists and turns of the case—from Ryan’s sudden mental breakdown and bizarre behavior, to the role of Zoloft, conflicting psychiatric evaluations, and the legal battle over whether Smith was insane at the time of the killing. The conversation sheds light on the complexities of mental health in criminal law, the strategies behind defending high-stakes cases, and the challenges of presenting insanity defenses in Texas courts. With candid insight, Todd and GP reveal how they built their case, the uphill battle they faced against the prosecution, and what this trial says about the justice system. Whether you’re fascinated by true crime, mental health issues, or the inner workings of criminal defense, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, host Peter Taaffe sits down with attorney Steeves Hopson, founder of Hopson Injury Attorneys, to talk about his bold move from working at top firms to launching his own law practice. Steeves shares his path from growing up in a family full of lawyers, to prosecuting serious cases in Webb County, to landing multiple impressive verdicts just before and after starting his firm. They cover the realities of going solo—from financial preparation and building a personal brand, to grassroots marketing, mentorship, and standing out in a crowded personal injury market. Steeves also walks us through three recent trials, including a tough Texas Tort Claims Act case, a bench trial against a shady defendant, and a dog bite trial with pro se opponents—proving that even “impossible” cases can be worth fighting.

The devastating flash flood at Camp Mystic on July 4th weekend that claimed young lives has left families across Texas asking the same heartbreaking question: “How could this have been prevented?”As a personal injury attorney who has spent over a decade fighting for families devastated by preventable tragedies, I want to help parents understand their… Continue reading Camp Mystic Flood: What Parents Need to Know About Summer Camp Negligence

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with one of Texas’s most successful trial lawyers, Randy Sorrels. With over four decades of experience, Randy shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned from building his firm, serving the Texas legal community, and securing some of the biggest verdicts in the state. From his early days at Fulbright to leading the Sorrels Law firm to national recognition, this episode dives deep into trial strategy, damages innovation, mentorship, and the importance of giving back to the profession. Episode Highlights: • 🚀 Building a Legacy: How Randy launched his own firm and grew it to 28 lawyers across multiple cities in just five years. • ⚖️ Damages Innovation: The strategies behind his groundbreaking approach to arguing damages and why believing in your client’s story is key. • 🏆 Record-Breaking Verdicts: Inside the $352 million Cruz case and the Casey Clemens trial, plus lessons learned from high-stakes litigation. • 🎓 Mentorship & Service: Randy’s contributions to the State Bar of Texas and South Texas College of Law, including 23 clinics for aspiring lawyers. • 🌎 Diversity in Law: Building one of the most diverse law firms in the country and why it’s critical for connecting with juries. • 💡 Advice for Young Lawyers: Randy’s take on work ethic, branding, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to grow your career. • ⚽ From Soccer Field to Courtroom: How his time playing soccer at Houston Baptist shaped his competitive edge as a trial lawyer. • 🔥 Verdict Stories: Behind-the-scenes tales from legendary Texas cases, unexpected trial twists, and the mentors who shaped his path. This episode is packed with wisdom for trial lawyers, law students, and anyone interested in the art of advocacy.

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with Judge Bert Richardson of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals—Texas' highest criminal court—for a wide-ranging, insightful, and at times hilarious conversation. From the intricacies of writs and actual innocence rulings to statewide judicial campaigns and aerial photography, Judge Richardson shares a lifetime of experiences both inside and outside the courtroom. We explore the significance of wrongful convictions, the inner workings of Texas’ criminal appellate system, the impact of politicizing the judiciary, and what it really means to be a judge in Texas today. Plus—yes—there’s cake, gout, and an epic courtroom tour invite. Show Highlights: • 🎂 Amanda’s Birthday Cake Saga: Episode 2 of the dessert-fueled tribute (and Karl's 10% increase in diabetes risk) • ⚖️ What Is the Court of Criminal Appeals?: The true role of Texas’ highest criminal court and how it differs from the Supreme Court • 🧾 Judge vs. Justice: Clearing up the judicial terminology confusion • 📍 Life in the Court: Where the justices work, how they collaborate, and why some can’t visit each other's offices • ✍️ Writs 101: Understanding habeas corpus, actual innocence, and the real process behind high-profile exonerations • 📚 The Kerry Max Cook Case: A decades-long saga of wrongful conviction, misconduct, and eventual exoneration • 📷 Photography Hobby: Judge Richardson’s hidden life as a sports and aviation photographer • ✈️ Flying, Track Meets & Warbirds: How photography and the Air Force shaped his life and career • 🗳️ Elections vs. Appointments: A candid discussion about the pros and cons of electing judges in Texas • 🧠 A Day in the Life of a Judge: Monk-like solitude, Tuesday morning conferences, and behind-the-scenes court operations • 🏃‍♂️ The 100-Yard Dash Debate: Who’s faster—Peter or Karl? (The jury's still out) Final Thoughts:Judge Richardson reflects on decades of public service, the evolution of Texas’ courts, and the unexpected adventures that came from staying curious—and staying grounded. Whether you're a legal nerd or just here for the banter, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this high-powered episode of The Dirty Verdict, the guys welcome legal heavyweight Kyle Farrar, two-time National Trial Lawyer of the Year and appellate ace, for an in-depth look at two of the most talked-about product liability verdicts in the country — including a $31 million Miami verdict and a nearly $1 billion seatbelt defect case against Mitsubishi. From starting a boutique plaintiff’s firm with a loan and a tire case they swore they’d never take, to building a national litigation powerhouse, Kyle recounts his journey in candid, hilarious, and jaw-dropping detail. And yes — they even dive into lemur litigation. Highlights from the Show: • 🎯 $31 Million Miami Verdict: How a flying wheel assembly led to a tragic loss — and a high-stakes agency theory trial win. • 🏛️ The Mitsubishi Seatbelt Case: A 1992 sports car, rip-stitch seatbelt defect, and a billion-dollar judgment that changed lives. • 🧑‍⚖️ Trial Tactics & Jury Strategy: From unique jury selection in Florida to prepping witnesses with master consultants. • 🔧 Auto Products & Tire Litigation: How Kyle’s firm came to dominate the nation’s tire defect docket — by accident. • 🧠 Mentorship & Firm Building: Starting a firm on fumes, hiring their first lawyer the day Kyle’s son was born, and growing into a national presence. • 🐒 The Lemur Case: A surprise detour into Texas’s most unforgettable monkey-mauling mailman lawsuit. • 🙌 Faith, Mission Work & Client Humanity: Heartfelt moments from clients whose lives were changed — and how Kyle’s team helped them seek justice. • 🗣️ Lawyering in Loud Courtrooms: Miami lawyers, Zoom deposition brawls, and what not to do when pro hac vice. • 🎥 Alex Jones Trial Behind the Scenes: Kyle recalls the viral courtroom moment when Jones tried to confront him mid-trial. Bonus:Find out what happens when you tell opposing counsel to "shut your mouth" in a deposition — and why Wes Ball didn’t know he was trying the case until a week in. 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok & Instagram for clips and updates Let me know if you want a shorter version for podcast platforms or a caption for social media!