Crime House 24/7 – "The Trial That Put Sleepwalking on the Stand: Scott Falater (Part 2)"

Hosted by: Katie Ring (Night Watch)
Date: February 18, 2026
Episode Focus: The controversial trial of Scott Falater, accused of murdering his wife Yarmila while allegedly sleepwalking.

Overview

This episode continues a deep dive into the notorious “Sleepwalker Murder” case, dissecting the investigation, the evidence, and the headline-making trial of Scott Falater. Host Katie Ring leads listeners through conflicting expert testimonies, the family’s perspective, the prosecution’s narrative, and the defense’s unconventional argument: that Falater killed in a state of unconsciousness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime Scene and Initial Police Response

• Timestamp 02:57–04:45

  • On January 16, 1997, police responded to neighbor Greg Coons’ 911 call, claiming he saw Scott Falater drown his wife, Yarmila, after a violent altercation outside.
  • Officers found Yarmila dead in the pool with 44 stab wounds.
  • Evidence suggested a methodical post-crime cleanup: Scott’s blood-stained clothing and the murder weapon were hidden in his car.

• Scott’s Reaction:

  • He appeared confused and groggy, repeatedly asked, “What’s going on?” and was shocked to see police in his home.

  “He had a blank expression on his face, which quickly turned to surprise and then to fear... he seemed genuinely confused, which puzzled the officers.” (Narrator, 03:40)

2. Interrogation and Lack of Memory

• Timestamp 05:00–06:30

  • At the police station, Detective John Norman interrogated Scott.
  • Scott wept, claimed total amnesia after going to bed at 10pm, and insisted he loved his wife.

  “All Scott told him was how much he loved his wife over and over, which begged the question, was this an act or did Scott Falater truly not know how his wife died?” (Narrator, 06:23)

• Scott’s confusion deepened when confronted with his injuries, which he hadn’t noticed.

• The prosecution viewed his lack of blood on sleepwear as further evidence of deliberate cleanup.

3. The Community and Family Reaction

• Timestamp 09:20–10:22
  • The Falater children, Megan and Michael, maintained their father’s innocence and visited him regularly during his two-year pretrial detention.
  • Public opinion divided: Some found the sleepwalking defense preposterous, others saw Scott as a potential victim.

4. The Trial and the Sleepwalking Defense

• Timestamp 10:23–17:22

  • Prosecution Argument:
    • Prosecutor Juan Martinez presented Scott as a calculating killer, using neighbor Greg Coons’ eyewitness account and circumstantial evidence (changing clothes, hiding evidence).
    • Martinez attempted to suggest motive, highlighting the absence of Yarmila’s wedding ring and out-of-context remarks about her appearance.

  “Juan Martinez... believed Scott was wide awake when he killed his wife and that he was only pretending he didn’t remember it.” (Narrator, 10:32)

  • Eyewitness Testimony:
    • Greg Coons recounted seeing Scott holding Yarmila’s head underwater but admitted he did not intervene or yell, later explained as a “freeze response.”

• Timestamp 15:35–19:40

  • Forensic and Sleep Expert Battle:
    • Both sides called in sleep specialists.
    • Prosecution’s expert: Scott performed “at least 65 actions” requiring motor skills inconsistent with sleepwalking (e.g., silencing the dog, changing clothes, applying a bandaid).
    • Defense’s experts: Noted Scott’s long sleepwalking history—including violent, unremembered episodes witnessed by his family as a child.
    • Prominent psychologists, including Dr. Janet Tatman and Dr. Roger Broughton (noted for the Canadian "Kenneth Parks" sleepwalking case), argued Scott’s behavior could align with sleepwalking patterns.

  “Dr. Broughton said many sleepwalkers can indeed perform coordinated and complex actions... Scott commanding his dog also wasn’t unusual.” (Narrator, 18:48)

  • Defense highlighted Scott’s routine of storing clothes and tools in his car, mirroring the "evidence disposal."
  • Testimony from Scott’s cellmates described violent sleep behavior in jail, further supporting the defense.

• Scientific Dispute:

  • Despite similar credentials, expert witnesses disagreed sharply.
  • Sleep science was noted as evolving, creating jury confusion over dueling expert interpretations.

5. The Jury’s Challenge and Ongoing Questions

• The episode frames the upcoming conclusion as uncertain, stressing the “shocking outcome” and the difficult questions about guilt, intent, and the trustworthiness of sleepwalking defenses.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott Falater’s apparent confusion and emotional response:

  “He placed his head in his hands and began to cry.” (Narrator, 06:03)

• On the community’s reaction to the sleepwalking claim:

  “Some didn’t trust Scott and were bewildered at the thought that he would tell such an outrageous lie. Others were sympathetic and considered him a victim of the crime as well.” (Narrator, 10:14)

• On divided expert opinions:

  “Despite nearly identical credentials and access to the same evidence, they presented strikingly different interpretations of the science.” (Narrator, 16:18)

• On the sleepwalking defense’s precedent:

  “About 12 years later, in 1987, a Canadian man named Kenneth Parks had killed his mother-in-law and attacked his father-in-law while sleepwalking, then turned himself in... Parks was also eventually acquitted.” (Narrator/Kimmerer quoting Dr. Broughton, 18:05)

Segment Timestamps for Important Events

• 02:57 – Police describe the scene and initial encounter with Scott Falater.
• 05:00 – Interrogation highlights and Scott’s professed amnesia.
• 09:02 – Prosecutor confronts Scott with evidence and eyewitness account.
• 10:23 – Trial opens, prosecution’s narrative, and eyewitness Greg Coons’ testimony.
• 15:35 – Sleep experts debate the plausibility of Scott’s defense.
• 17:30 – Defense draws parallels to the Kenneth Parks case and routine behaviors.
• 19:30 – Cellmate testimony about Scott’s sleepwalking in jail.

Tone and Style

• Narrative Style: Immersive, detailed, and anchored in both factual reporting and emotional reactions.
• Language: Direct, accessible, but analytical—encouraging listeners to weigh the evidence themselves.

Conclusion

By the episode’s end, listeners are left with a complex portrait of Scott Falater: a man at the mercy of conflicting scientific testimony, family loyalty, and a fascinated public. The central question—can sleepwalking truly explain such a violent act?—remains unsolved, setting up high anticipation for part three. Listeners are invited to share theories and continue following this gripping court drama.