48 Hours: "My Mother's Murder Trials Part 2" – Detailed Summary

Episode Release Date: June 3, 2025
Host/Producer: CBS News

1. Introduction and Case Background

The episode delves into the harrowing case of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness, who were brutally murdered in their Kansas home on July 7, 2002. Haley Seal, the daughter of Mike Sisco, has long harbored suspicions that her own mother, Dana Chandler, was responsible for the murders. This two-part series meticulously examines the evidence, testimonies, and the tumultuous legal journey that followed.

2. Haley Seal’s Quest for Justice

Haley Seal recounts the personal anguish and determination driving her quest for the truth. At the age of 17, witnessing her father's and Karen's murders left her devastated and propelled her into activism against her mother's alleged crimes.

• Haley Seal (00:55): “My dad and his fiancée Karen were shot and killed in their beds. I was 17 and my brother was 15. And there was just shock.”

3. The Trials Against Dana Chandler

a. The Second Trial: A Divided Verdict

In the summer of 2022, Dana Chandler faced her second trial for the murders. Despite the lack of concrete evidence—no DNA, fingerprints, or weapon linking her to the crime—the prosecution relied heavily on behavioral evidence and recordings of Dana’s hostile interactions with the victims.

• Detective Volley (05:13): “No DNA, no fingerprints, no confession, no weapon. It's just an add up.”

• Charles Kitt (05:20): “Prosecutors presented evidence they say showed that obsession, including records of more than 600 phone calls Dana made to Karen and Mike in the six months before the murders.”

Haley Seal’s recordings of her mother revealed disturbing admissions and behaviors that further fueled suspicions.

• Haley Seal (06:27): “She would call my mom horrible names.”

During the trial, while some jurors were swayed by the behavioral evidence, the absence of physical proof led to a hung jury.

• Charles Kitt (20:29): “We did what we could with what we had. Ben Alford and Carrie Kimes were two members of the jury who voted to find Chandler not guilty.”

b. Release on Bond and Continued Fear

Following the deadlock, Dana Chandler was released on bond with stringent conditions, including GPS monitoring. This release exacerbated Haley’s fears for her and her children’s safety.

• Haley Seal (23:11): “I'm scared to death that she's going to hurt me or she's going to affect my kids in some way.”

Dana’s subsequent actions, such as intimidating Facebook posts, intensified Haley’s concerns.

• Haley Seal (23:46): “It was chilling and it was disturbing. I feel like it was a direct message to me.”

c. The Third Trial: Dana Represents Herself

In February 2025, Dana Chandler opted to represent herself in her third trial, abandoning her defense attorneys. This decision marked a pivotal moment in the case, shifting the courtroom dynamics significantly.

• Charles Kitt (25:31): “Charles Kitt was back retrying the case, joined by prosecutor Dan Dunbar. Judge Cheryl Rios again presided.”

Dana’s self-representation led to unorthodox courtroom strategies, including making herself the main witness.

• Dana Chandler (25:50): “My name is Dana Chandler.”

Throughout the trial, Dana attempted to undermine the prosecution’s case by highlighting inconsistencies in her testimonies and attacking the reliability of Haley's recordings.

• Haley Seal (38:12): “Ever think about killing him? No, But I did.”

4. Evidence and Testimonies

a. Behavioral Evidence and Recordings

The prosecution's case hinged on Dana’s obsessive behavior towards Mike and Karen, including over 600 harassing phone calls and derogatory communications.

• Haley Seal (09:11): “She told me that she knew nobody was in the house and that she went into Mike's home through the window.”

b. Inconsistencies in Alibis

Dana’s conflicting alibis—claiming to be in Colorado while police believed she could have traveled to Kansas—were scrutinized. Witnesses provided testimonies that both supported and contradicted her whereabouts during the time of the murders.

• Detective Volley (35:21): “She was 7 out of 10 that it was you.”

c. Physical Evidence Gaps

Despite extensive investigations, no physical evidence linked Dana to the crime scene. Fingerprints, DNA, and fibers from Dana were absent at the murders, a point vehemently emphasized by Dana’s defense team.

• Haley Seal (17:31): “I did not find any hairs that were consistent with the known samples coming from Ms. Chandler.”

d. Unusual Bullets

The prosecution introduced unusual bullets manufactured by Israel Military Industries, suggesting premeditation, though Dana’s defense challenged their relevance and connection to Dana.

• Mike Sisco (16:36): “In Israel Military Industries. That's the manufacturer.”

5. Verdict and Aftermath

After 18 days of intense testimony and deliberation, the jury reached a verdict.

• Judge (41:18): “We, the jury, find Dana Chandler guilty of murder in the first degree as charged in count one, verdict form.”

While seven jurors convicted Dana, five voted for acquittal, highlighting the lingering doubts due to the lack of physical evidence.

a. Reactions to the Verdict

Haley Seal expressed profound sorrow and devastation, grappling with the loss of both her father and, now, her mother.

• Haley Seal (41:41): “It is so much worse that my mom is the one behind these murders because we lost my dad and Karen.”

Dana’s supporters, like Darrell Burton from Miracle of Innocence, remained unconvinced by the verdict, advocating for her innocence based on the evidentiary shortcomings.

• Darrell Burton (41:56): “I don't believe that they have proved this case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

b. Ongoing Legal Battles

Dana Chandler filed motions for an appeal, seeking to overturn the conviction and asserting her innocence. The case remains a contentious and emotionally charged topic within the community.

6. Personal Reflections and Broader Implications

Haley Seal reflects on the personal toll the prolonged legal battle has taken on her life, her relationship with her siblings, and her mental well-being.

• Haley Seal (43:05): “I was trying to tell my daughter about who my dad is. And I said he was a really fun, supportive, encouraging guy who believed in me and my brother. And Karen was so kind, so accepting. I miss him a lot.”

The episode underscores the complexities of the justice system, especially in cases rife with emotional and familial entanglements, and highlights the enduring quest for truth and closure amidst profound personal loss.

7. Conclusion

"My Mother's Murder Trials Part 2" offers a gripping exploration of a deeply personal and legally intricate case. Through compelling narratives, firsthand testimonies, and critical examinations of evidence, the episode paints a vivid portrait of a family's struggle for justice against the backdrop of a contentious courtroom saga.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Haley Seal (00:55): “My dad and his fiancée Karen were shot and killed in their beds. I was 17 and my brother was 15. And there was just shock.”

• Detective Volley (05:13): “No DNA, no fingerprints, no confession, no weapon. It's just an add up.”

• Haley Seal (06:27): “She would call my mom horrible names.”

• Charles Kitt (20:29): “We did what we could with what we had. Ben Alford and Carrie Kimes were two members of the jury who voted to find Chandler not guilty.”

• Haley Seal (38:12): “Ever think about killing him? No, But I did.”

• Judge (41:18): “We, the jury, find Dana Chandler guilty of murder in the first degree as charged in count one, verdict form.”

• Darrell Burton (41:56): “I don't believe that they have proved this case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

• Haley Seal (43:05): “I was trying to tell my daughter about who my dad is. And I said he was a really fun, supportive, encouraging guy who believed in me and my brother. And Karen was so kind, so accepting. I miss him a lot.”

Note: This summary selectively omits promotional content and non-essential dialogues to focus on the core narrative and critical elements of the case.