How a TikTok Discovery Sparked the Rise of CC News Network — South Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Independent News Source – Journalist James Seidel Pens 500th Article

By James Seidel | CC News Network

COLUMBIA, S.C., — In January 2023, James Seidel, a corporate executive and true crime enthusiast, posted his first TikTok video covering the unfolding Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. Like many in South Carolina and across the country, Seidel had been following the case through Mandy Matney’s popular podcast. But as the trial progressed, something didn’t sit right — the facts presented in court simply didn’t match the narrative Matney had been pushing.

That discovery was the spark that created Crime and Cask, the investigative platform that has since evolved into CC News Network — one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing independent news organizations.

When the Facts Don’t Match the Headlines

Frustrated by the disconnect between podcast speculation and courtroom facts, Seidel launched his own investigation into the case. By studying official case files, conducting his own timed trials, and digging deep into the evidence, Seidel concluded that the state’s timeline simply didn’t work — what they claimed Alex Murdaugh did was physically impossible in the window they laid out.

That investigation became the foundation of Seidel’s first book:
Defending Alex Murdaugh: Not Guilty by Reasonable Doubt

The timing of Seidel’s book release triggered a wave of online harassment from Mandy Matney’s followers — sometimes called the Mandy Army. Seidel was even placed on a “do not admit” list at a speaking event Matney hosted at the University of South Carolina — an event Seidel had no plans to attend and only learned about after a source leaked the list to him.

Turning Trolls and Cancer Into Fuel

Rather than backing down, James Seidel doubled down on the trolls. Even while battling Stage 4 cancer, Seidel completed his second book:
Because Enough is Enough, co-written with Juror 785, Myra Crosby, all while receiving radiation twice a day and chemotherapy.

The book exposed jury tampering allegations involving Becky Hill, the Colleton County Clerk of Court, adding another explosive chapter to the Murdaugh saga.

What started as frustration over biased coverage evolved into a mission — to build a fact-first news organization, free from corporate influence, political agendas, and social media mob rule. That mission became Crime and Cask News Network, now known as CC News Network — a platform committed to fact-based coverage of South Carolina crime, sports, weather, politics, and culture.

Expanding the Investigations

Seidel’s work didn’t stop at Murdaugh. In 2024, Erika Moses, the mother of Kaden Moses, reached out through TikTok, pleading for help investigating her son’s unsolved murder. That led to a hard-hitting investigative series that forced law enforcement to take action, bringing the case closer to an arrest and charges.

Seidel also secured an exclusive two-hour interview with prominent South Carolina attorney Regina Ward, delving deep into the suspicious death of Mica Miller, wife of Pastor JP Miller. Seidel’s investigation uncovered alarming religious dynamics and raised serious questions about whether Mica’s death was truly a suicide — or if something far darker happened.

History Matters Too

Crime and Cask also began covering South Carolina’s rich and often bloody history, telling the stories of forgotten battles, including:
✅ The Battle of Parker’s Ferry (1781), where Francis Marion, the legendary Swamp Fox, ambushed British troops in Colleton County.
✅ The Siege of Charleston, the largest battle fought in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War.
✅ Civil War clashes that shaped the state’s economy, politics, and culture for generations.

History, crime, and politics are often intertwined, especially in South Carolina — and CC News Network aims to connect those dots.

True Crime Radio, Music, and Sports

James Seidel also took to the airwaves with True Crime in the Lowcountry, a weekly show on 97.7 FM WVFF, co-hosted with Elaine Greenwood. The show dives deep into unsolved cases, government corruption, and South Carolina history, bringing stories to life for Lowcountry listeners.

In addition to crime, Seidel covers South Carolina sports from the Gamecocks to Clemson to Coastal Carolina, including on-the-ground coverage of bowl games like the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

And in a surprise twist, Crime and Cask even entered the country music world, releasing two songs:
“Heartbreak on Sandy Run,” a tribute to Stephen Smith
“Doctor Doctor Can’t You See,” a warning about obsessive media consumption

Both are now streaming on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.

Journalism Without the Hate

Through every challenge — from cancer to social media mobs — James Seidel has stayed true to his core mission:
Report the facts, no matter who it upsets.

“In today’s media, when you present both sides with integrity, one side will always be mad,” Seidel said. “That’s how you know you’re doing it right.”

With a third book in the works — this time telling the story of a January 6th defendant recently pardoned by President Trump — and plans to expand CC News Network’s national reach, Seidel’s dream of building a real independent news empire is quickly becoming reality.

Seidel’s next possible venture is a book on President Donald J. Trump, and his come back to the presidency. Communications with the White House have begun.

Featured In:

✅ Fox News
✅ Fox Nation
✅ Law & Crime
✅ Court TV
✅ Newsweek
✅ The Daily Mail
✅ FITSNews

Crime and Cask News Network: Real News. Real South Carolina. Real Journalism.

Major Investigations by James Seidel (Crime and Cask)

1️⃣ The Alex Murdaugh Murders (2021-Present)

Breaking the Narrative & Exposing Corruption

• James Seidel was one of the first independent journalists to question the state’s case against Alex Murdaugh.
• His investigation dug into missing evidence, timeline discrepancies, and potential misconduct by the prosecution, SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division), and Becky Hill, the Colleton County Clerk of Court.
• Seidel uncovered the “Egg Lady Email” and exposed a string of jury tampering allegations against Hill.
• He conducted exclusive interviews, including with juror 785 — who later wrote a book about the alleged manipulation during the trial.
• Seidel’s reporting has been credited with helping to bring to the attention of the South Carolina Attorney General to investigate Becky Hill for her role in the trial.

2️⃣ The Death of Stephen Smith (2015)

Uncovering a Murder in Murdaugh Territory

• Long before mainstream media took interest, Seidel was looking into Stephen Smith’s suspicious death.
• His work connected Smith’s death to the Murdaugh family’s influence in Hampton County.
• Through interviews with sources like Patrick Wilson (a key witness in the case), Seidel exposed how evidence was mishandled and how investigators looked the other way to protect powerful families.
• Seidel’s reporting played a role in renewed attention and official reinvestigation of Smith’s death as a homicide.

3️⃣ The Becky Hill Scandal (2023-Present)

Following the Money & the Power Plays

• When Becky Hill released her book about the Murdaugh trial, Seidel was the first journalist to uncover conflicts of interest, ethical violations, and jury tampering claims.
• His reporting revealed how Hill’s son, Jeffrey Hill, engaged in illegal wiretapping — intercepting phone calls to spy on county officials.
• Seidel also exposed financial misconduct, showing how Hill misused public funds — leading to ethics charges and a criminal probe.

4️⃣ The Mica Miller Death Investigation (2024-Present)

Challenging the Official Suicide Narrative

• After the shocking death of Mica Miller, wife of Pastor JP Miller, Seidel launched his own investigation.
• Through interviews and research, he’s raised serious doubts about whether Mica’s death was truly a suicide — uncovering evidence of domestic trouble, religious cult-like dynamics, and potential foul play.
• Seidel is collaborating with Mica’s family to tell her full story in an upcoming book and documentary.

5️⃣ The Kaden Moses Shooting (2023-2024)

Fighting for Justice for a Forgotten Victim

• Seidel helped amplify the story of Kaden Moses, a young boy shot in South Carolina.
• Through his platform, Seidel brought attention to law enforcement failures and community neglect in the case — helping the family get media coverage and legal assistance.

6️⃣ South Carolina Death Row & Execution Process (2024-2025)

Investigating the Broken System

• Seidel investigated the state’s death penalty process, particularly the planned execution of Richard Moore.
• His reporting highlighted botched policies, secrecy around lethal injection drugs, and the politics of capital punishment in South Carolina.

7️⃣ Insurance Crisis in South Carolina Hospitality Industry (2025)

Connecting the Dots Between Policy, Lawsuits, and Business Closures

• Seidel wrote a comprehensive investigative piece on how South Carolina’s dram shop liability laws (related to alcohol service) triggered skyrocketing insurance rates, causing bars and restaurants to close across the state.
• His work forced lawmakers to address the issue and opened the door for potential legislative reform.

8️⃣ Beaufort County’s Hidden Power Structures (Ongoing)

Exposing the Old Guard’s Grip on Local Government

• Seidel is currently investigating real estate deals, backroom politics, and law enforcement corruption in Beaufort County, showing how a handful of powerful families quietly control everything from development to criminal investigations.

Books & Exclusive Content

• Seidel has written several books based on his investigations, including:
  • “Defending Alex Murdaugh”
  • “Because Enough is Enough” (co-written with Myra Crosby)
  • Currently writing a third book for January 6th participant Josh Pruitt, giving an insider’s look at DOJ overreach.

Media Appearances & Impact

• Seidel’s work has been featured on:
  • Fox News, Law & Crime, Inside Edition, Court TV, Newsweek, FITSNews, and The Daily Mail.
• His TikTok account has over 100,000 followers, where he regularly breaks news before mainstream outlets.
• In South Carolina, many now refer to Seidel as the man who cracked the Murdaugh case wide open — often credited with solving it through his relentless investigation.

What Sets Him Apart?

✅ Independent & Unfiltered — Not tied to corporate media.
✅ Deep Local Ties — Sources inside law enforcement, court system, and local politics.
✅ Public Advocate — Uses his platform to give victims & families a voice.
✅ Investigator First — Combines journalism skills with forensic analysis and legal research.

Key Highlights

✔️ Founder of Crime and Cask News
✔️ Bestselling Author – Defending Alex Murdaugh & Because Enough is Enough
✔️ Investigative Journalist – Broke the Becky Hill jury tampering scandal
✔️ Crime Podcaster & Radio Host – Crime and Cask Radio, 97.7 WVFF
✔️ Media Features – Fox News, Law & Crime, Inside Edition, Court TV, FITSNews, Newsweek, The Daily Mail
✔️ 100,000+ Social Followers with Millions of Views – Breaking news directly to the public

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