In this episode of Snapped: Behind Bars, we gain insight from a revealing jailhouse interview with Crystal Mangum, who shares her perspective on the events leading to the death of her boyfriend, Reginald Daye, and its lasting impact on her.
Crystal Gail Mangum, a former exotic dancer from Durham, North Carolina, has been incarcerated for murder since 2013. Mangum was convicted of second-degree murder for stabbing her boyfriend, an act she claimed was self-defence against an alleged assault by Daye. However, the prosecution’s case contradicted her account, citing forensic evidence and Daye’s dying statement.
The episode examines the legal proceedings that followed the tragic incident. Mangum was initially detained in jail under a $300,000 secured bail bond, which was set prior to Daye’s death. In November 2021, she was deemed fit to stand trial, and the case proceeded.
During the trial, Mangum presented her argument of self-defence, while the prosecution pointed to forensic evidence and Daye’s statement, indicating his attempt to escape from Mangum.
The trial concluded with a conviction for second-degree murder, decided by a jury comprising seven men and five women. As a result, Judge Paul Ridgeway sentenced Mangum to a substantial prison term of 14 years and two months to 17 years and nine months. According to projections by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, her release is anticipated in February 2026.
The program also covers Mangum’s post-conviction endeavours, including her 2015 appeal, which was based on trial testimony related to an argument from 2010.
Snapped: Behind Bars, Crystal Mangum airs on Oxygen True Crime, Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 7.00 p.m.
