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Audio of a jailhouse sting. A woman's third murder trial in three decades. And the latest on a new texting scam.

Dateline NBC

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Published: Thu Feb 27 2025

Listen to this week's episode of the Dateline: True Crime Weekly podcast with Andrea Canning. An officer goes undercover with an alleged killer in the Hollywood hair stylist case. We're listening in. A woman's third murder trial in three decades is underway. This time, she's acting as attorney and defendant — and cross-examining her own children. We've got updates on Karen Read and Adnan Syed, and a verdict in Hawaii. Plus, the latest on a new texting scam targeting drivers. Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com

Summary

Dateline NBC Podcast Summary: February 27, 2025

Hosted by NBC News, the February 27, 2025, episode of Dateline NBC delves deep into compelling true-crime narratives, including a high-profile murder trial, chilling jailhouse stings, and critical updates on notorious cases. Additionally, the podcast offers vital consumer safety information regarding a burgeoning texting scam targeting drivers. This detailed summary captures the episode's key discussions, insights, and conclusions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for clarity.

1. Monica Se’s Murder Trial: A Complex Web Unraveled

The episode opens with an intense focus on Monica Se's fifth week in the Los Angeles courtroom. Monica, the widow of renowned hairstylist Fabio Se, stands accused of plotting her husband's murder alongside her lover, Robert Baker, to seize Fabio's substantial life insurance policy. The prosecution's narrative is meticulously constructed, presenting video evidence of Monica and Robert immediately after their arrest, showcasing the unraveling of their alleged scheme in real-time.

Key Developments:

  • Undercover Surveillance: Prosecutors introduced audio recordings captured during Monica and Robert's interaction in a patrol car (03:16). Detectives employed a sophisticated setup with hidden microphones and cameras to monitor their behavior post-arrest.

    • Monica expresses distress and implores Robert to seek legal counsel: “[04:26] Monica: Oh, my God. Please.”

  • Mysterious Third Suspect: The prosecution hints at a third accomplice, Christopher Austin, whose identity was long concealed. Monica reacts suspiciously to mentions of this individual, leading investigators to believe in a coordinated effort to implicate her further.

    • Monica reacts defensively to the mention of the third person: “[09:08] Monica: It’s about your kids and yourself, not whoever that guy is.”

  • Jailhouse Interactions: Additional audio from Monica's jail cell reveals conversations with an undercover agent posing as a cellmate. These interactions aim to elicit admissions of guilt, especially concerning her affair with Robert.

    • Monica covertly acknowledges her relationship with Robert: “[07:34] Monica: He must be hot. Is he hot? Is he sexy? Not really.”

Prosecution’s Strategy: Prosecutors emphasize Monica's suspicious actions post-arrest and the orchestrated evidence against her. The upcoming testimony from Christopher Austin (09:38) is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the trial.

2. Dana Chandler’s Third Murder Trial: Representing Herself

In a rare and bold move, Dana Chandler faces her third murder trial after her previous convictions were overturned and a subsequent trial ended in a hung jury. This time, Dana has decided to represent herself, asserting her innocence in the 2002 murders of Michael Sisco and Karen Harkness in Topeka, Kansas.

Case Background:

  • Initial Conviction and Appeals: Dana was first convicted in 2012 and sentenced to 100 years in prison. Her conviction was overturned by the Kansas Supreme Court in 2018 due to prosecutorial misconduct, leading to a second trial in 2022 that resulted in a hung jury (12:12).

  • Prosecution’s Argument: Prosecutors maintain that Dana meticulously planned the murders, highlighted by a 27-hour window where she left no digital trace, suggesting premeditation.

    • Prosecutors argue Dana avoided all digital footprints deliberately: “[13:49] Sergei Ivonin: ...she didn’t use her credit card. Prosecution said she did that deliberately, not to get any tracks or digital crumbs.”

  • Dana’s Self-Representation: Representing herself, Dana brings forth her own testimony (19:11), asserting her innocence and denying any motive linked to her bitter divorce and custody battle over her children.

    • Dana claims her actions were a result of personal turmoil, not malice: “[19:22] Dana: ...has been embarrassed... my team and I had no other option.”

Courtroom Dynamics:

  • Testimony from Dana’s Children: The prosecution calls Dana's own children, Hailey and Dustin, to the stand, revealing strained relationships and allegations of past abuse. Their testimonies (15:58) add emotional depth and complexity to the case.
    • Hailey exhibits discomfort while testifying against her mother: “[16:19] Hailey: Why don’t you ask him why he raped me? I could have taken the divorce, but no, he had to take it to an extreme.”
  • Dana’s Defense Tactics: By calling herself as a witness, Dana aims to personally vouch for her innocence, presenting herself as a victim of circumstance rather than a perpetrator (19:07).

Trial Outlook: With Dana planning to introduce a multitude of defense witnesses, the trial is expected to extend, promising further revelations and potential shifts in the narrative.

3. Adnan Syed Case Update: A Spiraling Legal Battle

The podcast provides a significant update on the Adnan Syed case, famously chronicled in the podcast "Serial." Syed, convicted in 2000 for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee, has long maintained his innocence.

Recent Developments:

  • Withdrawal of Vacate Motion: The Baltimore City State's Attorney has retracted the motion to vacate Syed’s conviction, citing false and misleading statements that threaten judicial integrity.

    • Prosecutor Lester Holt defends the decision: “[25:28] Monica: Our review of the motion to vacate was not whether or not we looked at his guilt or innocence.”

  • Future Prospects: With the motion to vacate dismissed, Syed’s immediate opportunity to overturn his conviction is diminished. However, his legal team has filed a motion in December seeking a sentence reduction to time served plus probation, aligning with Syed’s release from prison. This motion is awaiting a ruling, with the State’s Attorney’s Office expressing support (25:50).

4. Karen Reed Case Update: Judicial Scrutiny and Investigative Findings

Karen Reed, accused of fatally hitting her police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, with her SUV in 2022, is another focal point of the episode.

Case Progression:

  • Recent Hearing Challenges: The defense’s collaboration with crash reconstruction experts came under scrutiny, leading the judge to halt a hearing (22:34). Accusations arose that the defense had not disclosed payments exceeding $23,000 to expert witnesses, prompting concerns over potential ethical breaches.

    • Judge's reaction to defense's undisclosed payments: “[23:11] Sue Simpson: ...prosecution allege the defense collaborated with two expert witnesses... and paid them more than $23,000 without disclosing that to the prosecution.”

  • Federal Investigation Outcome: Allegations of local law enforcement corruption surfaced, suggesting that Karen might have been framed. However, the federal investigation concluded without any charges filed, dealing a significant blow to the defense’s claims (23:49).

    • Sue Simpson highlights the impact of the investigation's outcome: “[24:16] Andrea Canning: Definitely a hit to the defense.”

Trial Status: The retrial is set for April, with ongoing deliberations on the legitimacy of the defense’s previous actions. The absence of charges from the federal investigation casts doubt on the defense’s strategy moving forward.

5. New Texting Scam Targets Drivers: Consumer Safety Alert

Shifting focus from courtroom drama to consumer safety, the episode addresses a rising "smishing" scam targeting drivers through deceptive text messages claiming unpaid tolls.

Understanding the Scam:

  • Mechanism of Smishing: Scammers send texts masquerading as legitimate toll authorities, urging recipients to click on malicious links to settle alleged unpaid bills. These links aim to harvest personal information and install malware on devices.

    • Vicky Wynn explains the urgency tactics used: “[27:31] Vicky Wynn: ...they say you have unpaid tolls. You need to click here and pay your overdue bill.”

  • Preventive Measures: Vicky advises listeners to:

    • Avoid clicking on unsolicited links.

    • Verify toll claims by visiting official state websites or contacting toll authorities directly.

    • Report suspicious texts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).

    • Vicky emphasizes caution and verification: “[28:44] Vicky Wynn: ...pause before you click anything. Think to yourself, does this look legit?”

Responding to the Scam:

  • If Compromised: Should a listener fall victim, immediate steps include reporting to IC3, contacting credit card companies to halt transactions, and considering credit freezes or monitoring services to protect against identity theft.
    • Vicky outlines steps post-scam exposure: “[30:20] Vicky Wynn: ...report it immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center... put a freeze on your credit or maybe sign up for a credit monitoring system.”

6. Verdict in Hawaii Murder Trial and Other Updates

The episode briefly touches upon the verdict in Hawaii, where Eric Thompson was found guilty of second-degree murder and firearm possession related to the death of John Tokuhara. This conviction marks a crucial closure in a case previously marred by a hung jury.

  • Prosecutors reaffirm the strength of their evidence: “[25:47] Monica: Based on the evidence that we have today, yes, we would.”

Upcoming Stories: The podcast hints at forthcoming content, including updates on Karen Reed’s case and ongoing developments in other high-profile investigations.

Conclusion

The February 27, 2025, episode of Dateline NBC masterfully navigates through intricate legal battles, exposing the human emotions and strategic maneuvers within high-stakes trials. By intertwining profound courtroom revelations with essential consumer alerts, the podcast ensures listeners are both informed and safeguarded against emerging threats. Notable quotes and precise timestamps enhance the narrative, providing clarity and depth to each story discussed.

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