Bryan Kohberger's sentencing. Dentist's girlfriend takes the stand. And a Wisconsin 30-year old cold case.

Summary

Dateline NBC Episode Summary

Title: Bryan Kohberger's Sentencing. Dentist's Girlfriend Takes the Stand. And a Wisconsin 30-Year-Old Cold Case.
Host/Author: NBC News
Release Date: July 24, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Dateline NBC, host Shane Bishop and co-host Andrea Canning delve into three compelling true-crime stories that have captivated the nation. From the high-profile sentencing of Bryan Kohberger to the intense courtroom drama surrounding dentist James Craig, and a chilling 30-year-old cold case in Wisconsin, this episode offers a deep dive into the intricacies of each case, showcasing the emotional toll on those involved and the relentless pursuit of justice.

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Bryan Kohberger's Sentencing

Case Overview

The episode opens with the highly anticipated sentencing of Bryan Kohberger, who admitted guilt in the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Gonzalez, Madison Mogan, Ethan Chapin, and Zanna Kernodle—in 2022. Kohberger shocked the public by accepting a plea deal, thereby avoiding a lengthy trial, the possibility of the death penalty, and withholding any motive behind his heinous actions.

Courtroom Dynamics

During the sentencing on Wednesday, the courtroom was a "tinderbox" of emotions, as described by Shane Bishop (03:26). Families of the victims took the opportunity to confront Kohberger directly. Olivia Gonzalves, Kaylee's sister, delivered a powerful and heartfelt statement:

Olivia Gonsalves (02:48): "I won't stand here and give you what you want... Instead, I will call you what you are. Sociopath, psychopath, murderer."

Her words encapsulated the collective anguish and anger felt by the families, illustrating the deep personal losses endured.

Survivors' Testimonies

The two surviving roommates, Bethany Funk and Dylan Mortensen, shared their harrowing experiences. Bethany recounted the night of the murders, expressing profound regret and the lasting psychological impact:

Bethany Funk (04:08): "I was still out of it and still didn't know what happened... I still carry so much regret and guilt for not knowing what had happened and not calling right away."

Dylan Mortensen, visibly emotional, detailed the immediate aftermath and the ongoing trauma, highlighting the persistent fear and hypervigilance resulting from the ordeal.

Prosecutors' Argument and Kohberger's Response

Prosecutors emphasized Kohberger's emotional breakdown and intoxicated state as potential motives. However, Kohberger remained stoic throughout, declining to make any statement when prompted by the judge (09:14):

Kohberger: "I respectfully decline."

Judge Hippler acknowledged the incomprehensibility of the crimes but underscored the necessity of moving forward without granting Kohberger further control through explanations (10:49).

Conclusion of Sentencing

Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years for burglary, adhering to the plea agreement. The judge's remarks aimed to close this painful chapter, leaving families to focus on healing:

Olivia Gonzalves (11:30): "My true final act of love was to continue on without them."

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Dentist James Craig's Trial

Accusations and Evidence

Shifting focus, the episode explores the trial of James Craig, a Colorado dentist accused of murdering his wife, Angela Craig, in March 2023 by poisoning her protein shakes with potassium cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. Craig maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty, while the prosecution unveils a web of deceit and infidelity as potential motives.

Key Testimonies

Two of Craig's daughters testified, providing emotional and pivotal insights. The eldest daughter, visibly distressed, refuted the defense's claim that Angela was suicidal, emphasizing Angela's plans and desires for the future:

Craig's Oldest Daughter (15:30): "She wanted to become a grandmother... She really wanted to get out of the hospital, saying she needed to get back to her girls."

Michelle, the younger daughter, revealed a cryptic phone call from Craig, which led her to an attempted ploy to fabricate evidence against him. She detailed the request to create a deepfake video implicating Craig, highlighting the lengths they went to uncover the truth:

Michelle (16:13): "She didn't go forward with it, and she handed everything over to law enforcement."

Affair and Motive

Dr. Karen Cain, Craig's lover, took the stand, providing a timeline of their affair which began at a Las Vegas conference in February 2023. Her testimony suggested Craig's intent to be with her was a significant motive behind the alleged murder:

Dr. Karen Cain (18:26): "They didn't talk about logistics, but they did talk about their feelings."

The prosecution presented thousands of text messages between Craig and Cain, indicating Craig's awareness of Angela's suspicions and his resolve to deflect blame (20:18).

Defense's Counterarguments

The defense argued that Angela took her own life, dismissing Craig's involvement. They challenged the credibility of the testimonies and the forensic evidence, striving to cast doubt on the prosecution's narrative.

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Wisconsin 30-Year-Old Cold Case

Case Background

The final segment revisits a long-unsolved murder from 1992 in Royalton, Wisconsin, where Tana Togstead (23) and her boyfriend Tim Mumbrew (34) were found brutally stabbed to death in their farmhouse. Decades later, Tony Hayes was arrested and charged with the murders, reigniting the cold case with fresh DNA evidence.

Prosecution's Case

Prosecutors allege that Hayes, driven by emotional turmoil stemming from his father's death witnessed by Tana's father, committed the murders in a drunken rage. The DNA match between Hayes and the semen found on Tana's body was pivotal in forming their case (25:13).

Defense's Strategy

Hayes' defense contested the validity of the DNA evidence, arguing that the samples were compromised due to destructive testing over the years. They also claimed the DNA collection was unlawful, having been obtained without a warrant or consent (25:52). Furthermore, the defense introduced an alternative suspect—Hayes' uncle, who had a history of violence—though DNA tests later disproved this link.

Trial Developments

The trial, now underway, sees the defense suggesting coerced confessions and mishandled investigations, while the prosecution stands firm on the DNA evidence and Hayes' own contradictory statements. The case remains complex, with ongoing testimonies set to unravel more details (29:11).

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Conclusion

This episode of Dateline NBC masterfully interweaves the emotional narratives of victims' families, the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement, and the intricate legal battles that define these cases. Through poignant testimonies and expert analyses, listeners gain a profound understanding of the human cost behind each story and the enduring quest to uncover the truth.

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Notable Quotes

• Olivia Gonsalves (02:48): "Sociopath, psychopath, murderer."
• Bethany Funk (04:08): "I still carry so much regret and guilt for not knowing what had happened and not calling right away."
• Judge Hippler (10:49): "We're giving Coburger control and it's time to end that."
• Olivia Gonsalves (07:48): "If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your ass."

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Closing Remarks

For those who haven't listened to the episode, this detailed summary encapsulates the intense emotions, strategic legal maneuvers, and the relentless pursuit of truth that Dateline NBC is renowned for. Whether following the sentencing of a high-profile criminal, unraveling a meticulous court case, or revisiting a decades-old mystery, this episode offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of true crime.

Transcript

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[Andrea Canning]

Jane, it's your kind of day out there.

[Shane Bishop]

The DATELINE team is gathering.

[Michelle Madigan]

Really? Tell me.

[Andrea Canning]

Low humidity, totally sunny, glorious.

[Shane Bishop]

It's time for the morning meeting. They managed to get the daughter to basically turn against the mother.

[Michelle Madigan]

It does appear to be random from what we know, but they did have an arrest in that case.

[Andrea Canning]

I think it's a great idea. Thanks for being on top of it.

[Shane Bishop]

Welcome to DATELINE True Crime Weekly. I'm Andrea Canning. It's July 24th, and here's what's on our docket. In Colorado, surprising testimony at the trial of a dentist accused of poisoning his wife's protein shakes.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

James said he ordered the potassium cyanide as part of a game of chicken that he had with Angela.

[Shane Bishop]

And 30 years after a double murder in a Wisconsin farmhouse, investigators uncover a personal connection between the victims and their alleged killer.

[Michelle Madigan]

Prosecutors are saying that Tony killed Tana and her boyfriend Tim out of some kind of emotional breakdown that was brought on by this drunken rage.

[Shane Bishop]

But before all that, we're heading to a Boise courthouse for the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger and the culmination of a case that has gripped the nation. Earlier this month, Bryan Kohberger caught everyone off guard by taking a plea deal admitting his guilt in the Savage murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022. Kaylee Gonzalez, Madison Mogan, Ethan Chapin and Zanna Kernodle. The agreement allowed him to avoid a lengthy trial, the death penalty and any explanation of his motive.

[Andrea Canning]

All right, this is State of Idaho vs. Brian Kohberger.

[Al Roker]

Defendant is present in custody.

[Shane Bishop]

Kohberger's sentencing took place on Wednesday and it was the first time the families of the students Kohberger stabbed to death had a chance to speak directly to him. Their anguish and anger was on full display. This is Olivia, Kaylee Gonzalves's sister.

[Olivia Gonsalves]

I won't stand here and give you what you want. I won't offer you tears. I won't offer you trembling disappointments like you thrive on pain, on fear, and on the illusion of power. And I won't feed your beast. Instead, I will call you what you are. Sociopath, psychopath, murderer.

[Shane Bishop]

Dateline producer Shane Bishop, who has followed this case since day one, joins us now. Hey, Shane.

[Andrea Canning]

Hi, Andrea.

[Shane Bishop]

So Shane set the scene in the courtroom for us. Who was there, who was speaking? This was such a big day for so many people.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah, I think the word I'd use would be a tinderbox. I mean, there was high emotion everywhere. Obviously, after two and a half years of waiting for answers in this case, people started lining up the day before for a chance to wait through the night for one of the very limited seats in the courtroom.

[Shane Bishop]

The two roommates who survived were the first people to talk. One of them, Bethany Funk, asked a friend to read her statement for her.

[Bethany Funk]

I woke up around seven with a terrible toothache. So I called my dad, who is a dentist. He told me to take Advil. So I did and I went back to sleep.

[Andrea Canning]

This is the first time we've heard any explanation why the roommates didn't call 911 earlier. The murder took place around 4:20am The 911 call wasn't placed until noon.

[Bethany Funk]

I was still out of it and still didn't know what happened. If I had known, I of course would have called 911 right away. I still carry so much regret and guilt for not knowing what had happened and not calling right away, even though I understand it wouldn't have changed anything. Not even if the paramedics had been right outside the door.

[Andrea Canning]

And Bethany Funk talked about the lasting impact that night has had on her.

[Bethany Funk]

I slept in my parents room for almost a year. I made them double lock every door and still check everywhere in the room just in case someone was hiding. And I still check my room every night and I double lock it. I have not slept through a single night since this happened. I constantly wake up in panics, terrified someone is breaking in or someone is here to hurt me or I'm about to lose someone else that I love. The fear never really leaves.

[Shane Bishop]

All right, that is really hard to hear. We also heard Shane from the other roommate who survived next is Dylan Mortensen. She was in tears as she read her statement. She came face to face with Kohberger in that house, although she didn't mention that specifically, did she?

[Andrea Canning]

No, she didn't. And Dylan's probably had the hardest road to hove the two survivors. He actually spoke to her after the murders.

[Bethany Funk]

People call me strong. They say I'm a survivor.

[Shane Bishop]

But they don't see what my new reality looks like.

[Bethany Funk]

They don't see the panic attacks, the hypervigilance, the exhaustion, the way I scan every room I enter, the way I flinch at sudden sounds. They don't know how heavy it is to carry so much pain and still be expected to keep going. And that's because of him. He stole parts of me I may never get back. He stole that. He took the version of me who didn't constantly ask, what if it happens again? What if next time I don't survive?

[Andrea Canning]

It's just heartbreaking for a 19, 20 year old kid, you know?

[Shane Bishop]

Yeah. And we heard statement after statement from family members. You know, they had different things that they wanted to get across.

[Andrea Canning]

Steven Gonsalves, Kaylee's dad, is. Is a really intense human being. Anybody who's followed the case knows that. And throughout this case, he's been the most outspoken of all the victims parents. And so there was a lot of anticipation to see what he would do. And when his name was called, Steve got up and made what I thought was a real power move. He turned the podium away from facing the judge and turned it straight to face the defendant to address him directly.

[Al Roker]

Today we are here to finish what you started. Today. You've lost control. Today we are here to prove to the world that you picked the wrong families, the wrong state, the wrong police officers, the wrong community. In time, you will be nothing but two initials forgotten to the wind. No visitors. Nothing more than initials on an otherwise unmarked tombstone.

[Andrea Canning]

In addition to Steve, Olivia, Kaylee's big sister, called Kohberger a loser. Among a lot of other things, actually. And she did something brilliant and very calculated. I thought back when Coburger was a graduate student pursuing his master's degree at Desales University. Before he moved west to Washington State, he'd put out a research project asking criminals about their feelings and how they prepared for their crimes. And Olivia Gonsalves turned some of his own questions on Coburger.

[Olivia Gonsalves]

Where is the murder weapon? The clothes you wore that night? What did you bring into the house with you? What was the second weapon you used on Kaylee? What were Kaylee's last words. Please describe in detail the level of anxiety you must have felt when you heard the Bearcat pull up to your family home on on December 30, 2022. If you were really smart, do you think you'd be here right now? There is a name for your condition, though. Your inflated ego just didn't allow you to see it. Wannabe. You act like no one could ever understand your mind, but the truth is you're basic. No one is scared of you today. No one is intimidated by you. No one is impressed by you. No one thinks that you are important. You want the truth? Here's the one you'll hate the most. If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your ass. Thank you.

[Al Roker]

Thank you.

[Shane Bishop]

You know, Shane, at times there was applause in the courtroom.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Sobs.

[Shane Bishop]

Very emotional. But Kohberger, you know, didn't share seemingly in any of that emotion. Looking very blank, he looked directly at.

[Andrea Canning]

Those who were speaking. The only time I saw him look around the courtroom was when the gallery burst out in applause after Olivia Gonzalez's very pointed remarks to him. Otherwise, his eyes did not wander. And as far as speaking, when the judge asked him if he wanted to make any kind of statement, he said only three words. I respectfully decline.

[Shane Bishop]

There was no surprise when it came to the sentencing though, right? We knew what was going to happen.

[Andrea Canning]

There wasn't. I believe that although the judge wasn't bound by the plea deal, he did stick to it. And as part of that plea, Coburger agreed to four consecutive life sentences and 10 years for burglary.

[Shane Bishop]

So what happens to Brian Kohberger now? Does he stay in Idaho? He's such a high profile inmate.

[Andrea Canning]

Well, there's really little doubt that he'll be sent to Idaho's toughest prison. It's called the maximum security institution. It houses death row. There are 400 men there. It houses, you know, as the saying goes, those who don't play nice with others in prison. It's doubtful he'll have any contact with anyone but staff for months. I don't have any information about protective custody, but I'm sure he'll. He'll be pretty isolated.

[Shane Bishop]

Let's come back to the motive. You know, this is one of the most disappointing parts for people is that they, you know, they felt like if you're going to give him this plea agreement, he should have had to given some explanation of why he did what he did, which he didn't and he also didn't do it at the sentencing hearing. What are you hearing on that?

[Andrea Canning]

Well, Judge Hippler touched on this before he handed down the sentence. He said the crimes may just be unexplainable. And by insisting we understand why he did this, we're giving Coburger control and it's time to end that.

[Al Roker]

In my view, the time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger's 15 minutes of fame. It's time that he be consigned to the ignominy and isolation of perpetual incarceration.

[Andrea Canning]

I've been saying for a long time that we need to get comfortable with the idea that we'll never know exactly why Coburger committed these things, crimes. I do believe my sources who told me they believe Coburger wanted to be a famous serial killer. I mean, don't they all want to be famous or infamous?

[Shane Bishop]

The families, you know, they want to make sure that their loved ones are not lost in all the, you know, the circus of this and all the speculation.

[Andrea Canning]

So many of the families said their last act to honor the the victims they lost, the family members they lost, is simple just to live.

[Olivia Gonsalves]

My true final act of love was to continue on without them.

[Shane Bishop]

For them, of course, we wish all of the families and friends the best as they go forward and try to heal from this. Thank you, Shane.

[Andrea Canning]

Thanks, Andrea.

[Shane Bishop]

Coming up, it's week two in the murder trial of Colorado dentist James Craig. We'll tell you what his lover had to say when she took the stand.

[Andrea Canning]

Foreign.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Hey, everyone, I'm Jenna Bush Hager from the Today show and I'm excited to share my podcast Open Book with Jenna. It is back for season two. Each week, celebrities, experts, friends and authors will share candid stories with me about their lives and new projects. Guests like Rebecca Yarros, Kristin Hannah, Ego Wodem, and more. Like a good book, you'll leave feeling inspired and entertained. Join me for my podcast Open Book with Jenna. Listen now on Apple Podcasts.

[Al Roker]

Hey, everybody, I'm Al Roker from the Today show, here to tell you about our Jumpstart July event. The Start Today app has everything you need to get and stay motivated on your wellness journey all in one place. Like walking challenges for all levels to get you moving. Healthy recipes that are easy and delicious and so much more. And now when you subscribe for an annual plan, you'll get your first month completely free with promo code Jumpstart. Just download the Start Today app now to get started. Offer in 731 25. Must enter code at checkout must be 18 or up after first month. You'll be automatically charged $65.99 a year plus tax for an annual subscription until you cancel. Cancel anytime through your device settings under Apple Account. See website for full I'm Josh Mankiewicz, and I hope you'll join us for season four of dateline. Missing in America. In each episode of dateline's award winning series, we will focus on one missing persons case and hear from the families, the friends and the investigators, all desperate to find them. You will want to listen closely. Maybe you could help investigators solve a mystery. DATELINE Missing in America. All episodes available now, wherever you get your podcasts.

[Shane Bishop]

As the prosecution's case against dentist James Craig unfolds in an Arapahoe county courtroom, there has been no shortage of emotional witnesses and stunning details. Craig is accused of killing his wife Angela in March 2023 by poisoning her with potassium cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a common ingredient found in eye drops. The prosecution has been methodically laying out its case against Craig, who has pleaded not guilty, including blockbuster testimony from his former business partner, two of his six children, and a woman he was having an affair with. DATELINE producer Michelle Madigan has been in court and joins us with the latest. Michelle, welcome back.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Hi, Andrea.

[Shane Bishop]

Okay, so two of Craig's daughters have taken the stand. They are not being identified publicly because of an order from the judge, but you saw them really struggle during questioning when you were in the courtroom.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Michelle we did, Andrea. The first daughter to testify was James and Angela's oldest daughter. She recently graduated from college and she was tearful almost from the moment she took the stand. She choked up just at the question of what her mother's name was.

[Shane Bishop]

Michelle, you know, I know that sometimes when we do DATELINE interviews, friends and family, they, they choke up right out of the gate in the interview. It's hard.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

It, it is. And it's happened a number of times in this trial. You just can see the hurt and, and the reality that's setting in for these, these people who loved Angela.

[Shane Bishop]

Yeah, it shows how much they loved her. So the defense has contended that Angela was depressed when she died and took her own life. But the testimony from Craig's oldest daughter seemed to push back against that, right?

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Yes. She said that there were a lot of things that Angela was looking forward to. She wanted to become a grandmother. And she said the two had planned to fix up a house together and Angela would send her house listings. Her daughter also testified that when Angela became sick she didn't know what was wrong with her, and she really wanted to get out of the hospital, saying she needed to get back to her girls. And, you know, when the defense cross examined her about Angela's mental health, her daughter maintained that her mother struggled like anyone else, but she did not have a mental illness.

[Shane Bishop]

The other daughter who testified, Michelle, she was living at home at the time when Angela died. She was asked about a mysterious phone call between her and her dad.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

This was so interesting. She said that James calls after he's been arrested from jail, and he asked her to bail out another inmate, saying that this inmate would have important information. And she did it. She went to the jail, paid this inmate's bail, and he handed her a letter from her father. And the letter asked her to create a deep fake video of Angela saying she had asked James to order the poison. It gave her the directions to make the video, buy a burner laptop, adjust the metadata, and make these purchases on the Dark Web.

[Shane Bishop]

Unbelievable.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

And just to clarify, she didn't go forward with it, and she handed everything over to law enforcement.

[Shane Bishop]

Again, so strange. Michelle, we heard from James Craig's former business partner, who played a key role at the beginning of this case.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Yes, this Testimony was from Dr. Ryan Redfern. He was also a dentist. He met James during dental school. He and his wife Michelle, who also testified, were friends with James and Angela. And when Angela became ill, Ryan was on his way to visit her in the hospital. And he gets this call from the office manager that had discovered a cyanide package had been delivered to the office. And so he is the person who pulled a nurse aside to let them know about it. And he also told Angela's brother about the cyanide. So that set off alarm bells, obviously, in the hospital. Then he testified about a conversation that he and his wife had with James. And James was saying, ryan, what have you done? And. And Ryan eventually asked him, was it true? What it. What is this for? And James said he ordered the potassium cyanide as part of a game of chicken that he had with Angela, who he said was suicidal and unable to obtain it for herself, but that he had ordered the cyanide for her at her request.

[Shane Bishop]

Michelle, we talked last week about the fact that it was an open secret James Craig was cheating on his wife with multiple women. This week, we heard from one of the most anticipated witnesses in this trial, the woman James Craig was seeing when Angela died.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Yes, her name is Dr. Karen Cain. She's an orthodontist based in Texas. And the Prosecution had her, you know, lay out how she met James and how the affair started. They met in February 2023. So just about a month before angel, it was a conference in Las Vegas, and they struck up a conversation, waiting in line to go to dinner. And she said that as she was talking to him about her divorce and her faith, she really opened up to him because he also described himself as in the same situation at the end of a hard divorce.

[Shane Bishop]

And this relationship continued after the conference?

[Jenna Bush Hager]

That's right. She said they texted and had phone calls, and during those, he said Angela and he'd been separated. He was living in his own apartment. She said James also talked about Angela. And in March, Dr. Kane actually came to Colorado while Angela was ill. They had dinner a couple of times while she was in the hospital, and then even after she passed away, he came and took her to dinner. And in fact, he left her hotel at midnight. And two hours later, she gets a knock on the door from a detective telling her that James had been arrested.

[Shane Bishop]

Oh, my. That's a lot. So Karen was just completely in the dark about everything.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

She was. The prosecution is really pointing to her as motive. He was intending to be with her, and that's why he wanted to commit this alleged murder. Dr. Kane testified that she and James talked about being together in the long term. You know, they didn't talk about logistics, but they did talk about their feelings. And this was a very swift love affair.

[Michelle Madigan]

Yeah.

[Shane Bishop]

And the prosecution spent a lot of time reading through James Craig's and Dr. Kane's texts while she was on the stand. Was that to further bolster their idea of what the motive was?

[Jenna Bush Hager]

It was. I mean, they exchanged 4,000 text messages, and we got to hear some of them. And during the time that Angela was in the hospital, James is writing to Dr. Kane and texting and saying, quote, she still thinks I did this to her. And, quote, just for the record, I will never drug you in case that was something you were ever worried about.

[Shane Bishop]

Okay. It has been quite the interesting trial so far, and there's still more to come. Michelle and I know you'll be there, so we look forward to catching up with you again as this progresses. Thank you.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

My pleasure.

[Shane Bishop]

Coming up, a traffic stop cracks open a 30 year old cold case in Wisconsin. As the day wraps up, get the scoop on what's been happening with here's.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

The Scoop, a new podcast from NBC News.

[Shane Bishop]

With me, your host, Yasmin Vesugian, along with Morgan Chesky and Brian Chung.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

We'll take a deep dive into the day's top stories with NBC News's trusted journalists.

[Shane Bishop]

It's a fresh take that's sharp, thoughtful.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

And it's informative, bringing you closer to.

[Shane Bishop]

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[Jenna Bush Hager]

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[Shane Bishop]

All in 15 minutes or less.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Here's the scoop from NBC News.

[Shane Bishop]

Listen daily on Apple Podcasts it looked.

[Al Roker]

Like a pleasant summer day, but was was in fact, a spectacular summer day, perfect for lounging and listening to Dateline. Subscribe to Dateline Premium and get a free one month trial ad, free listening, bonus episodes and early access to new original series. This Special offer expires July 30, so subscribe now to Dateline Premium only on Apple Podcasts. You don't want to miss out, do you?

[Shane Bishop]

33 years ago, a Waupaca county sheriff's detective responded to a call at a house on Butternut Road in the small town of Royalton, Wisconsin. In the bedroom he found two people and a dog stabbed to death. But no one was arrested until three years ago. Tony Hayes, who lived just under two miles from that house on Butternut Road in 1992, was charged with two counts of first degree murder. But prosecutors say the connection between him and the victims was much deeper than how close they lived to each other. Hayes pleaded not guilty to the charges, and late last week a jury was seated in his trial. DATELINE producer Marissa Meyer is in the courtroom and she has stepped out to the parking lot to tell us how investigators say they cracked this case and what the defense is saying they got wrong. Marissa, welcome back to the podcast.

[Michelle Madigan]

Thank you so much for having me.

[Shane Bishop]

Marissa, first of all, tell us, who are these victims?

[Michelle Madigan]

So the victims in this case are Tana Togstead, who was 23 at the time, and her boyfriend, Tim Mumbrew. He was 34. And according to Tana's best friend, they had been dating for about six months.

[Shane Bishop]

So what is the prosecution alleging happened that night in March 1992?

[Michelle Madigan]

The prosecution is painting a picture of a pretty brutal murder. They haven't been clear on the exact sequence of events, but they're alleging that Tony Hayes showed up to Tana's house drunk, got into a scuffle with Tana's boyfriend. During that scuffle, he punched Hannah. She was knocked out, and he repeatedly stabbed Tim. And according to the investigator's complaint, once Tana came to Tony allegedly stabbed and killed her. Semen was found, like on top of her legs. And in the midst of this, Tana's dog scruffy was killed as well.

[Shane Bishop]

What is the prosecution saying is the motive here? Why would he do that?

[Michelle Madigan]

So they're saying that the motive in this case is a personal one, that Tony's dad died in a snowmobiling accident when Tony was about 7. So years and years before the murder, and Tana's father was there during this accident. So prosecutors are saying that Tony killed Tana and her boyfriend Tim out of anger and some kind of emotional breakdown that was brought on by this drunken rage.

[Shane Bishop]

What led investigators to Tony Hayes after all this time? Because, Marissa, so much time passed.

[Michelle Madigan]

So what we know so far is that the case got a fresh look in 2015 when a special agent with the Wisconsin DOJ was assigned to look into it. And a of the evidence from the scene was preserved. Even though back in 1992, no one was talking about DNA testing or DNA. And one of the key pieces that was preserved was semen that was collected from Tanna's body. So over the years, they would try to match this sample to codis. Didn't find a match. And then through a seven year investigation, law enforcement landed on Tony and they set up this traffic stop in 2022 to get a DNA sample from him. And according to prosecutors, they. That DNA sample was a match to the DNA that was found at the scene.

[Shane Bishop]

The defense has strongly criticized the traffic stop in all of this. Walk us through what they're alleging there. The defense.

[Michelle Madigan]

Right. So they're saying in July 2022, a state agent and a Wisconsin state trooper pulled Tony over for not having a front license plate on his truck. So then the trooper gives Tony a pen, a clipboard, and this warning ticket, and convinces Tony to sign this traffic graphic citation. The investigators say that they DNA tested the pen, the clipboard, and the ticket, and they say that it was a match to the semen that was found on Tana's body.

[Shane Bishop]

Wow. So this is like a twist on giving the suspect a water bottle or taking their McDonald's from them.

[Michelle Madigan]

Exactly. But when it comes to the DNA results, too, the defense is really saying not so fast with it. They're saying that these DNA results are unreliable, that most of the DNA evidence in the case was used up by the year 2000 from what they're saying is destructive testing. And so they're saying these DNA profiles that investigators came up with were, were created with insufficient evidence.

[Shane Bishop]

And they're, they're also saying that this DNA test should have had a warrant, right?

[Michelle Madigan]

Yes. Yes. They're saying that it's an illegal DNA test, as you said, conducted without a warrant and without consent.

[Shane Bishop]

There was a huge moment after Hayes was arrested in 2022, a month after that traffic stop, he ends up confessing to the murders.

[Michelle Madigan]

He does. He does. He says that he was blackout drunk the night of the murders. There's holes in his memory and holes in his story. You know, he doesn't remember if he brought a knife to Tana's house or if he picked up a knife at Tanna's house. During the interrogation, which is quite lengthy, investigators asked him, so why didn't you come forward after this brutal crime? And he said something along the lines of, I didn't want to make it seem like I had planned this. And that after, when he had seen these news reports about the murders, he said something along the lines of like, oh, my goodness, what did I do?

[Shane Bishop]

Yeah. Except he used some bad language.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Yes.

[Michelle Madigan]

Yes.

[Shane Bishop]

Some worse language than oh, my goodness. Yes. As we know, Marissa, though, he's now on trial saying he didn't do it. So why would he have confessed? What's the defense saying?

[Michelle Madigan]

The defense is saying that this is a coerced confession, that the investigators lied repeatedly to Tony, that they interrogated him for seven hours, that they used these techniques that really elicited a false confession.

[Shane Bishop]

In this case, the defense is saying jurors can't trust the DNA analysis or the confession. So what are they saying actually happened then? What is their theory?

[Michelle Madigan]

So they are saying that the person who perpetrated these murders is Tony's uncle, who actually passed away in 1995. But according to the defense, this uncle was psychotic, had been known to kill dogs. And even though this relative had been ruled out as a suspect early on, the defense is saying that investigators didn't take the evidence against him seriously enough.

[Shane Bishop]

This story takes yet another twist. They exhume the uncle's body back in June.

[Michelle Madigan]

Yes, they do. So the state exhumes the body. They DNA test the uncle's DNA against the DNA found on Tanna's body, and they say it is not a match. But the judge has said that the jury is not going to hear that the uncle's body was exhumed, that these DNA results did not match back to him. But it seems, at least for now, the uncle will be mentioned as an alternate suspect in this trial.

[Shane Bishop]

All right, so, Marissa, the trial is expected to take, what, another month or so?

[Michelle Madigan]

Yes. So there's lots of testimony, lots of witnesses to come.

[Shane Bishop]

Okay. Very interesting case. Marissa. Thank you so much.

[Michelle Madigan]

Thank you so much, Andrea.

[Shane Bishop]

That's it for this episode of DATELINE True Crime Weekly. To get ad free listening for all our podcasts, subscribe to DATELINE Premium. And if you want to send us a message about any of the cases we cover on the podcast or you have questions for the DATELINE team, you can reach us on social a. Call us at 212-413-5252. Coming up, this Friday on Dateline, Josh has a classic episode. A man dies mysteriously in his brand new apartment. His girlfriend says he shot himself. His parents refuse to believe it. I concluded that there must have been.

[Michelle Madigan]

An intruder in the house that shot Jonathan.

[Shane Bishop]

Watch Behind Door 813 this Friday on NBC at 9, 8 Central. Thanks for listening. DATELINE True Crime Weekly is produced by Franny Kelly, Katie Ferguson and Sue Simpson. Our associate producers are Carson Cummins, Caroline Casey and Kim Flores Gaynor. Our senior producer is Liz Brown Kurloff. Production and fact checking helped by Terry Dickerson. Veronica Mazeka is our digital producer. Rick Kwan is our sound designer. Original Music by Jesse McGinty. Bryson Barnes is head of audio production. Paul Ryan is executive producer and Liz Cole is senior executive producer of Dateline.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

See everybody as we go. Bye bye.

[Al Roker]

Friday night on Dateline.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Oh, my God.

[Shane Bishop]

Oh, my God.

[Al Roker]

When a young man dies in his apartment with his girlfriend by his side.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

They said it was called in as.

[Shane Bishop]

A suicide or was it murder?

[Al Roker]

What'd you observe?

[Shane Bishop]

A lot of weirdness.

[Al Roker]

Dateline Friday at 9, 8 Central, only on NBC.