Transcript
A (0:00)
This is Debra Roberts here with another weekly episode of our latest true crime series from 2020 and ABC Audio, Bridge of Lies. Remember, you can get new episodes early by following Bridge of Lies on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you're listening now. Now here's the next episode of Bridge of Lies. Tired of your car insurance rate going up? Even with a clean driving record, you're not alone. That's why there's Jerry, your proactive insurance assistant. Jerry compares rates side by side from over 50 top insurers and helps you switch with ease. Jerry even tracks market rates and alerts you when it's best to shop. No spam calls, no hidden fees. Drivers who save with Jerry could save over $1,300 a year. Switch with confidence, download the Jerry app or visit Jerry AI Libsyn today. That's J E R R Y AI Libsyn.
B (1:03)
Ladies and gentlemen, as you're aware, this is the trial in the matter of State of New Jersey versus Liam McAtasney. It's in date 17.
A (1:09)
It's January 2019, more than two years since Sarah Stern's car was found abandoned on the Belmar Bridge. Liam McAtasney is now standing trial on seven charges, including first degree murder, robbery and desecration. Human remains. He could face life in prison if he's convicted. The wood paneled courtroom fits a little over 50 people and today it's packed. Michael Stern and Sarah's friends and family are on one side, the McAtasney family on the other. Monmouth County Assistant prosecutor Megan Doyle takes the floor to give the state's opening statement. Ladies and gentlemen, Sarah Stern will not be walking through those doors into this
B (1:57)
courtroom at any point.
A (1:59)
She will never send her father another text. She will never hug him or tell him she loves him. Her friends and family will never get to enjoy her company, her smile, her laugh, or being with her. That's not because she drove to the top of the Route 35 bridge in Belmore. It's not because she disappeared to Canada, created some false identity and is living her best life. It's because this defendant murdered her. Doyle walks the court through the kind of evidence they should expect to see over the next few weeks of trial, including testimony from two close friends of Liam. One, she claims helped Liam plan Sarah's murder. The other, she says helped police record Liam describing how he did it. But Liam's attorney, Carlos Diaz Cobo urges the jury to be skeptical, to question the evidence and just how little of it he argues there actually is.
B (3:02)
Trials very much are like A puzzle, crossword puzzle, if you will. And there has to be pieces that fit in order for that puzzle to reveal itself to you. And in this case, throughout the entire trial, you will be asking yourselves, that doesn't fit. This doesn't fit. Something's not right. Something's missing.
