Mackenzie Shirilla’s father, Steve Shirilla, has spoken publicly for the first time since Netflix’s documentary The Crash.
Steve Shirilla appeared in the documentary about his daughter’s case and has now addressed both the backlash surrounding the series and his own suspension from work during an appearance on the True Crime This Week podcast hosted by James Renner.
Mackenzie Shirilla is currently serving a prison sentence of 15 years to life after being convicted over the 2022 crash that killed Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan.
Steve has continued to maintain his daughter’s innocence and has remained one of her most vocal supporters.
Mackenzie disliked one part of documentary
During the interview, Steve was asked what Mackenzie thought about The Crash. According to him, she was generally “okay with it,” but there was one scene she reportedly did not like.
The documentary reveals midway through that Mackenzie’s lawyer had been present during her interview. At one point, she turns to him and says:
“I don’t want to force anything and just say too much or sound crazy.”
Steve argued the moment created the wrong impression.
“Her lawyer was there with her when she did this and she turned to him and wanted to make sure she said what she wanted to say and that she didn’t sound like she’s just talking gibberish,” he said.
He claimed Netflix “ran with that” and made it appear as though the interview had been planned or performed.
“It wasn’t,” Steve said, adding that he believed his daughter came across as composed and more mature than before.
Makes controversial claim about case
The interview took a more explosive turn when Steve discussed why he believes Mackenzie ended up in prison.
Warning that his comments could “get him in trouble,” he suggested the outcome of the case had been influenced by Dominic Russo’s family name.
“I think there’s some collusion going on, I think there’s a fix, I think it’s a favour. That last name ‘Russo’ in this town,” Steve said.
He went on to claim that if Dominic Russo had not been involved, Mackenzie would not be serving time.
“Apologies to the Flanagan family right now, if it was just Davion in the car she wouldn’t be in jail,” he said.
Steve also repeated claims that Dominic sold marijuana and alleged Mackenzie had told him she was pressured into holding drugs for him. The allegations have been denied by Dominic’s family and Dominic’s sister, Christine Russo, has publicly defended her late brother.
Suspended after documentary
Steve also addressed the backlash surrounding his own appearance in The Crash.
Online criticism focused partly on a shirt he wore featuring the word “Boom,” which some viewers described as insensitive given the circumstances of the crash.
He dismissed the criticism, saying the shirt was merchandise from a YouTube creator supportive of Mackenzie’s innocence campaign.
When asked about being suspended from his teaching position, Steve said he remains uncertain about his future.
“I’m guessing that I’m not going to [have a job], my contract’s up in June,” he said.
He also criticized the school’s response and suggested the matter could have been resolved through conversation rather than an investigation.
READ MORE:
- Mackenzie Shirilla’s ‘sick’ texts sent to boyfriend before 100mph crash
- Ex-inmate reveals what Mackenzie Shirilla is really like in prison
