EP 7 - The Quarterback and the Con Artist: "A Little Chess Game"

Johnathan Walton Media | October 15, 2025
Host: Johnathan Walton

Episode Overview

This riveting episode delves deep into the heart of deception, manipulation, and the vulnerabilities of cognitive impairment through the ongoing saga of former NFL quarterback Eric Kramer and the woman who exploited his darkest moments: Courtney Baird. As suspicions crystallize into a fraud investigation and shocking secrets come to light, Jonathan Walton chronicles how a family's efforts to protect their loved one are repeatedly stymied by one woman's cunning—and even by unexpected allies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Courtney's Criminal Past & Manipulation

• Courtney Baird, posing as Eric’s caretaker, is revealed to have a criminal history—including a conviction for forging a prescription for drugs ([02:21] Anna Durgan).
• Detective Dave Lynxheit, who investigates Courtney, is unequivocal: “The evidence suggested that his finances had been compromised.” ([03:02] Detective Dave Lynxheit)
• Courtney’s manipulation extended to her own daughter, bragging that “Eric’s gonna buy me and my mom a house with a pool in it.” ([03:28] Anna Durgan)

2. Secret Marriage to Shield from Prosecution

• As authorities close in, Courtney orchestrates a secret wedding with Eric, hoping marriage will grant her legal immunity from prosecution ([03:56] Robert Espinosa (Espo)).

  “It would give her immunity from any type of criminal prosecution because they’re married. What’s his is hers.” – Robert Espinosa (Espo) [03:56]

• Eric’s son Dylan discovers the marriage on Christmas Eve; he’s shocked to spot a ring on his father’s finger ([06:25] Anna Durgan).

  “My dad was just repeating what Courtney said, and my dad obviously was not with it.” – Dylan (relayed by Anna Durgan) [06:31]

• Espo confronts Courtney, voicing the family’s suspicion:

  “I think we have some ideas that you’ve been taking money from him and now you’ve ran out of ways to take money from him, so you’re going to try to marry him so you can take everything else.” – Robert Espinosa (Espo) [07:23]

3. Eric’s Mental State and Memory Gaps

• Eric’s memories of the wedding are nearly nonexistent. He describes the experience as living “through a blurry and distorted lens” ([10:06] Jonathan Walton).

  “Not a whole bunch, actually... I remember standing outside of the courthouse on a step, and that’s about it. That’s about what I remember.” – Eric Kramer [09:31] “Did you love her?”
  “No. No. She just literally, like she was as much there as this cup is, that’s as much attention as I gave it.” – Eric Kramer [10:41–10:43]

4. Discovery of the Marriage and Heightening Suspicion

• Anna Durgan, monitoring Eric’s finances, detects payments for a marriage license and rings, confirming the secret wedding ([11:23] Anna Durgan).
• The stress of the ongoing criminal investigation motivates Courtney’s secret nuptials; she believes becoming Eric’s wife will halt prosecution ([13:24] Detective Dave Lynxheit).

5. Investigative and Legal Hurdles

• The DA hesitates to prosecute due to the marriage and because Courtney was also acting as Eric’s caretaker.

  “She was also acting as a caretaker… is she reimbursing herself for her services in that capacity, or is this a straight, you know, theft? These kinds of cases are very unique.” – Detective Dave Lynxheit [14:09]

• Detective Lynxheit reiterates his stance: Eric couldn’t consent due to diminished capacity, and the marriage was simply another manipulative move.

  “She was essentially stealing from someone who doesn’t have the capacity to give authorization or permission for the actions that she was doing.” – Detective Dave Lynxheit [16:56]

6. Courtney’s Attempts to Sabotage the Investigation

• At Courtney’s urging, Eric tries to convince the detective to drop the case, a common stumbling block in abuse investigations.

  “If a victim doesn’t want to file charges, there is no case and they let it go.” – Jonathan Walton [19:34]

• Detective Lynxheit presses on regardless, viewing Eric’s call as further evidence of Courtney’s manipulation ([20:42] Detective Dave Lynxheit).

7. Family and Friends Unite (and Go Undercover)

• Anna Durgan and Eric’s sister mobilize Eric’s circle. A meeting at the sheriff’s office exposes Courtney’s deception to all ([28:55] Anna Durgan).
• Marshawn, Eric’s ex-wife—and once a friend of Courtney—acts as a “double agent,” collecting incriminating text messages.

  “Marshawn was great in doing that… she got a lot of things in text messages that very clearly admitted Courtney admitting that they’re going to arrest her.” – Anna Durgan [32:49]

8. Courtney’s “Chess Game” and Isolation Tactics

• Courtney pits individuals against each other, spreading different stories to keep Anna, Marshawn, and Kelly (Eric’s sister) from comparing notes ([33:32–34:01]).

  “We’re all little pieces on a chessboard.” – Anna Durgan [33:32]

9. Unexpected Legal Obstacles

• Despite overwhelming evidence, the court-appointed attorney for Eric appears to take Courtney’s side, even encouraging Eric to sue Anna for accessing his accounts.

  “Eric actually went to an attorney to sue me… To sue me for what? Accessing his account.” – Anna Durgan [35:14–35:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It would give her immunity from any type of criminal prosecution because they’re married. What’s his is hers.” – Espo (Robert Espinosa) [03:56]
• “I can’t tell you what I wore. I can’t tell you what Courtney wore. I can’t tell you what we did beforehand or even afterward.” – Eric Kramer on the wedding [09:31]
• “She was essentially stealing from someone who doesn’t have the capacity to give authorization or permission for the actions that she was doing.” – Detective Dave Lynxheit [16:56]
• “We’re all little pieces on a chessboard.” – Anna Durgan [33:32]

Important Timestamps

• [02:21] – Anna Durgan introduces Courtney’s criminal history.
• [03:02] – Detective Lynxheit on Eric’s compromised finances.
• [03:56] – Espo explains Courtney’s marriage motive.
• [06:25] – Dylan notices Eric’s wedding ring.
• [09:31] – Eric’s memory of the wedding.
• [11:23] – Anna tracks marriage-related charges.
• [14:09] – Detective Lynxheit on legal ambiguity.
• [16:56] – Diminished capacity and manipulation.
• [20:42] – Detective Lynxheit on Courtney’s manipulation of Eric.
• [28:55] – Family/friend coalition activated.
• [31:35–32:49] – Marshawn collects incriminating texts.
• [33:32] – Anna on Courtney’s “chess game.”
• [35:14] – Anna: Eric’s lawyer turns on her.

Episode Tone and Presentation

The episode is investigative, urgent, emotional, and laced with both frustration and tenacity—from Anna’s vigilant sleuthing to Detective Lynxheit’s steadfastness. The discussions are open, direct, and often incredulous at the extreme manipulation Eric experiences while impaired. Narration and interviews flow naturally, with a mix of personal reflection (“I can’t even begin to imagine what that must feel like…”) and procedural clarity.

For listeners new to the story, this episode is a deep dive into the mechanics of trust, vulnerability, and how the criminal justice system sometimes struggles to protect those who need it most. The battle for Eric Kramer’s well-being is far from over—both on the chessboard of family protection and in the courtroom.