Transcript
A (0:04)
Hi there, everybody, and welcome to 2020 the After Show. I'm Deborah Roberts, and you may remember one of our recent episodes. We brought you the story of Sue Marcum, a beloved professor at American University who sadly was murdered in her own home. It's a story involving a man named Jorge Landeros, who authorities say sort of made his way into Sue Markham's life. He was a yoga instructor, her Spanish teacher. Police say, though he was also a manipul. Manipulator. Well, after 12 years, he was arrested and then eventually found guilty in a court of law for Sue's murder.
B (0:39)
And after sentencing, the big question is.
A (0:42)
Will justice finally be served for Sue Markham's family? Well, 2020 contributor Pat Lama joins us now. She has followed this case from the beginning, has big thoughts on what the warning signs are in a story like this for others. And, Pat, talk to me a little bit about the court case, because that's where you really, I think, you know, just do your thing. You know, you sit up, you take notice, and you report these stories in a way that nobody else does. Talk to us a little bit about the trial and what that was like for you. Witnessing was.
C (1:12)
It was quite interesting. The first observation I made as a longtime trial reporter was that everybody was female. The judge was female.
A (1:23)
Interesting.
C (1:23)
The two prosecutors were female. The two defense attorneys were female. The clerk was female. Even some of the bailiffs were female.
A (1:31)
Interesting.
C (1:32)
But you know what? In my mind, even though it was a nice observation to see women in powerful positions in the criminal justice arena, it was no different than any other trial because these were tough people. They sparred and argued as much as anyone else. And the judge was as stern as any that I had seen. But it was interesting because I wanted to see how the defense was going to play this whole issue of sue making her own choices and that she wasn't trapped.
A (2:01)
A woman who is a very. A smart, strong woman who by some people's accounts, should have been able to snip this out.
C (2:08)
Exactly. And that did ultimately become part of it. But the prosecution revealed some good evidence. I mentioned the screen that was pushed out and not in. I mentioned all the financials, even though he wasn't charged with financials. The. The emails. The judge told the jury, you're not looking at the emails for fact.