The Crash, Netflix: Mackenzie Shirilla appeals, asks for conviction to be thrown out based on lack of evidence
The subject of the Netflix documentary The Crash is refusing to give up her fight for freedom, challenging key parts of the case that put her behind bars.
Convicted double murderer Mackenzie Shirilla has launched yet another appeal in an attempt to overturn her convictions.
The 22-year-old has challenged almost every part of the case against her in a new petition seen by TMZ.
Shirilla is serving two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life for the 2022 murders of her then-boyfriend Dominic Russo, 20, and his friend Davion Flanagan, 19. She was the sole survivor, and was 17 at the time.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.In 2023, she was found guilty of multiple charges including murder and aggravated vehicular homicide.
Prosecutors said she deliberately drove her Toyota Camry into a brick wall at speeds of up to 160km/h.
Interest in the case has surged since Netflix released a documentary titled The Crash earlier this year about Shirilla and her crime.
Shirilla’s attorney Steven Bradley has now claimed there was not enough evidence for the case to have been moved from a juvenile to adult court.
He also said the evidence was not sufficient for a conviction.
Mr Bradley claimed Shirilla’s trial attorneys failed to present evidence that her boyfriend, Mr Russo, grabbed the steering wheel.
He added that they also did not investigate Shirilla’s nervous system disorder and its potential involvement in the crash, adding that the condition could cause fainting and dizziness. He said an expert witness should have presented information about it to the court.
Additionally, the legal team is challenging changes made to coroner reports relating to the victims and testimony from a medical examiner who allegedly did not perform the autopsies.
The new petition comes after the Ohio Supreme Court rejected an appeal last month.
Following the decision, Mr Russo’s sister Christine took to Instagram to share her reaction.
Posting a screenshot of the rejected appeal, she wrote: “Appeal denied. #sorrynotsorry you are STILL a murderer. Not surprised at all.”
Christine has been an outspoken critic of coverage surrounding the case, previously calling out the “lies” in The Crash.
She has also launched a petition pushing for “Dom’s Law”, aimed at preventing convicted offenders from profiting off their crimes once released from prison.
In the Change.org petition, which has almost 200,000 signatures, Christine said the Netflix documentary had forced her family to relive the tragedy “again and again”.
“What hurts even more is seeing how modern social media culture allows violent offenders to gain attention, followers, donations, publicity, and influence from the crimes that destroyed families like mine,” she said.
“I started this petition to call on lawmakers to modernise these laws for the digital age and close the loopholes that allow convicted violent offenders to turn tragedy into personal gain.”
Shirilla’s legal team filed a motion earlier this month asking for the court to reconsider the rejection.
The petition had been dismissed by an appellate court because it was lodged 366 days after the trial transcript was filed, missing the deadline by a single day. Her lawyers now argue the timing rules were unclear, pointing to delays in related juvenile court transcripts and a miscalculation linked to a leap year.
The request to reconsider this decision is still pending.
Her first opportunity at parole is set for 2037.
