Podcast Summary: Bridge of Lies – Episode 6: The Trial

Podcast: Bridge of Lies (ABC News & 20/20)
Episode Title: The Trial
Release Date: April 14, 2026
Host/Narrator: Juju Chang

Overview

In this gripping episode, the six-part series reaches its climax as listeners are taken inside the high-profile 2019 trial of Liam McAtasney for the murder of 19-year-old Sarah Stern. The prosecution and defense painstakingly present their cases in a packed New Jersey courtroom, weaving together evidence, confessions, and emotional testimonies. This episode details the process leading to the final verdict, the impact on Sarah's family (especially her father, Michael), and the lasting legacy left by the young artist whose life was tragically cut short.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Trial Opens

• [00:26] The trial against Liam McAtasney begins more than two years after Sarah’s disappearance, with charges including first-degree murder and desecration of human remains.
• Prosecution's Opening [01:14]: Megan Doyle asserts that Sarah could not have run away or committed suicide—"It's because this defendant murdered her."
• Defense's Opening [02:25]: Carlos Diaz Cobo encourages skepticism, framing the trial as an incomplete puzzle: "Something's not right, something's missing."

2. Testimony of Preston Taylor (Liam’s Roommate and Accomplice)

• [05:03] Preston Taylor, testifying against Liam for a lighter sentence, explains how the plan evolved from robbery to murder after learning Sarah had stashed significant money.
  • "That it was the type of money that somebody would kill for." — Preston, recalling Liam's words ([07:08])
• Failed Robbery Attempt: Their first plan was to get Sarah drunk and steal the money, but she had moved it.
• Murder Plot Forms [09:07]: Over time, the plan escalates from robbery to murder, leading to a chilling, methodical plot.
  • Preston describes the graphic details of Sarah’s death by strangulation and the subsequent disposal of her body at the Belmar Bridge ([10:25], [11:44]).
• Staged Suicide: They plan stories about Sarah running away and having issues at home to misdirect the investigation ([12:29]).
• Defense’s Counter [13:51]: Carlos Diaz Cobo tries to undermine Preston’s credibility, pointing out prior lies, including a false report of childhood sexual abuse.

3. Michael Stern’s Heartfelt Testimony (Sarah’s Father)

• [15:22] Michael describes a normal, close relationship with his daughter, pushing back against suggestions of family discord.
  • "Happy Thanksgiving, Sara Lee Stern and I love you. And there's a bunch of turkeys and farts and smiley faces." — Michael reading a text to Sarah ([18:45])
• [20:08] Michael held onto old phones to preserve Sarah’s last messages.
• Liam’s Lack of Concern: Michael states Liam never contacted him about Sarah’s disappearance ([21:33]).
• Emotional Impact: Michael leaves court after his testimony, unable to continue witnessing the proceedings.

4. Anthony Curry’s Undercover Sting (The Filmmaker)

• [25:26] Anthony Curry, an old friend and filmmaker, recorded Liam’s chilling confession in his car.
  • "My biggest problem was the dog. And her dog laid there and watched as I killed her." — Liam (caught on tape) ([28:03])
• Impact of the Video: The courtroom is visibly shaken as the video plays; Michael sobs, the gravity settling in on the jury and observers.
• Defense Response: Diaz Cobo asserts Liam was fabricating for attention, noting his tendency to tell tall tales, especially to impress Anthony, the filmmaker ([29:40], [31:31]).
  • "He tends to make up things in order to make himself be either tougher than he is or different than who he actually is." — Defense Attorney Diaz Cobo ([31:31])
• Absence of Physical Evidence: Defense stresses there’s no forensic evidence of violence or struggle in Sarah’s home or car ([32:00]).

5. Eyewitness Defense: Craig Hetzel

• [33:30] Craig Hetzel, a local contractor, claims to have seen Sarah alive the morning after her disappearance, casting doubt on the prosecution's timeline.
  • "That is an awfully good looking girl to be walking on the street at five o' clock in the morning. That girl did not want to be seen." — Craig Hetzel ([34:33])
• Under Cross: Prosecution undermines the credibility of Craig’s sighting: Sarah’s car had already been towed by the time he passed the bridge ([38:00]).

6. Closing Arguments

• Prosecution:
  • "The biggest mistake Sarah Stern ever made was telling this man about this." — Chris Decker, raising Sarah's stack of old bills ([41:23])
  • Decker details the betrayal and deliberate nature of the crime ([42:24]).
• Defense:
  • Argues reasonable doubt endures due to lack of physical evidence and the possibility Sarah is still alive ([42:59]).
• Michael Stern’s Reflections: He describes the ordeal as nerve-wracking, coping with grief and uncertainty, but needing to hear "guilty" ([44:13]).

7. The Verdict & Aftermath

• [45:44] The jury finds Liam guilty on all charges; he is sentenced to life in prison without parole and serves an additional 10 years for desecrating human remains.
  • “I just heard guilty voices talking, but guilty. It's all I needed to hear.” — Michael Stern ([45:49])
• Preston Taylor Sentencing: Preston receives 18 years, with parole possible after 15; he apologizes, but Michael, overcome, cannot bear to listen ([48:16]).
  • "I'm truly, from the bottom of my heart, sorry. ... Most importantly, to Sarah herself, who no doubt watches over us. I'm sorry." — Preston Taylor ([48:16])
• Legacy & Memorials: Sarah Stern’s memory is upheld: a scholarship for the arts, a memorial at the Belmar Bridge, and ongoing community remembrance ([49:43], [50:51]).
  • “She was a good kid. She was a talented artist. She was a rising star. Her life ended way too soon.” — Michael Stern ([49:14])

Memorable Quotes & Emotional Moments

• Prosecution’s Stark Opening:
  “Sarah Stern will not be walking through those doors ... That's not because she disappeared to Canada ... It's because this defendant murdered her.” — Megan Doyle, [01:14]

• Chilling Confession (Tape):
  "My biggest problem was the dog. And her dog laid there and watched as I killed her." — Liam McAtasney (on tape), [28:03]

• Father’s Love & Loss:
  “Happy Thanksgiving, Sara Lee Stern and I love you...” — Michael Stern, [18:45]
  “I will never be able to. Sarah. They tell her I love her.” — Michael Stern, [47:24]

• Community Mourning:
  “She was just a wonderful...child, you know, because becoming an adult and starting to do live her own life. It was ended by somebody. That's just the greed and the callousness of killing another human being. It just something I'll never understand.” — Michael Stern, [50:51]

Important Timestamps

• [01:14] Prosecution opening statement
• [05:03] Preston Taylor’s testimony begins
• [10:25] Graphic account of murder
• [15:22] Michael Stern testifies about his relationship with Sarah
• [25:26] Anthony Curry takes the stand; undercover tape played
• [33:30] Eyewitness Craig Hetzel claims a Sarah sighting
• [41:23] Closing arguments
• [45:44] Verdict delivered
• [46:41] Michael Stern’s victim impact statement at sentencing
• [48:16] Preston Taylor offers an apology
• [49:43] Sarah Stern's legacy—scholarship and memorial

Tone & Narrative

The episode combines procedural true-crime detail with deep emotional storytelling, maintaining a somber but steadfastly factual tone. Juju Chang’s narration is clear-eyed, empathetic, and respectful to the pain of survivors, interweaving courtroom drama, familial grief, and the solemn pursuit of justice.

Conclusion

The episode not only recounts the legal battle for justice in Sarah Stern's case but also meditates on trust, betrayal, and the ripple effects of violence in small communities. With the verdict now rendered and Liam sentenced, the Stern family and their town finally confront the lingering ache of unspeakable loss—credited, in large part, to the friend who bravely came forward, ensuring that Sarah’s story would not end in silence.