Karen Read's retrial kicks off. A verdict in the "Mommy Doomsday" case. And Scott Peterson's blockbuster filing.

Summary

Dateline NBC – April 24, 2025 Episode Summary

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Dateline NBC, the hosts delve into a series of high-profile true-crime cases that have captivated audiences. The episode primarily focuses on Karen Reed's retrial, the verdict in Lori Valo Daybell's notorious "Mommy Doomsday" case, and significant developments in Scott Peterson's and Harvey Weinstein's legal battles. Additionally, the episode features an insightful interview with Sarah Reid, a former juror who shared her transformative experience.

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Karen Reed's Retrial: Opening Statements and Case Overview

The episode opens with an in-depth look at the retrial of Karen Reed in Dedham, Massachusetts. After a hung jury in her initial trial, Reed faces new charges including second-degree homicide, manslaughter while under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. Prosecutors accuse Reed of intentionally hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV, leading to his death in the snow.

Prosecution's Argument

Hired as a special prosecutor, Hank Brennan, known for representing infamous crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger, delivered a meticulous opening statement. He emphasized the technical and scientific evidence against Reed:

• Timestamp [06:40]: Brennan stated, "I simply ask you to follow the evidence, follow the science, follow the data, ignore speculation, surmise, conjecture. It will lead you to the truth."
• He highlighted critical evidence such as the temperature data from O'Keefe's cell phone found at the scene and information from the vehicle's black box, which had been retested for additional insights.

Defense's Standpoint

Alan Jackson, Reed's defense attorney, countered with a vigorous approach, challenging the integrity of the investigation:

• Timestamp [08:08]: Jackson asserted, "This case carries a malignancy, one that has spread through the investigation. It spread through the prosecution from the very start."
• He accused lead investigator Michael Proctor of bias, citing derogatory texts about Reed, and suggested a conspiracy among law enforcement to frame her.

Key Points and Strategies

The prosecution focused on establishing Reed's premeditation and intent, while the defense aimed to dismantle the prosecution's narrative by introducing doubts about the investigation's credibility and suggesting alternative suspects. Notably, the defense limited alternate suspect presentations due to pretrial constraints, yet implied coordinated efforts to implicate Reed unfairly.

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Verdict in Lori Valo Daybell's "Mommy Doomsday" Case

In a landmark verdict, Lori Valo Daybell, infamously known as "Mommy Doomsday," was found guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Valow. The trial, marked by intense media scrutiny and shocking revelations, concluded with a swift deliberation.

Trial Developments and Verdict

• Timestamp [13:15]: Nate Eaton reported, "Verdict was guilty. Lori Valo had no reaction. She kept a very serious face. She stood up, walked out of the courtroom, and that was that."
• During the trial, Valo argued self-defense, claiming her brother, Alex Cox, killed Charles to protect themselves. However, the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence pointing to Valo's motive for life insurance money and her relationship with her new husband, Chad Daybell.

Jury's Reaction and Aftermath

Jurors expressed surprise upon discovering Valo's extensive criminal history, including convictions for killing her children and her former husband's wife—details previously unknown to them:

• Timestamp [17:52]: Nate Eaton noted, "They didn't know that Dateline's done multiple episodes about this story."
• The swift guilty verdict has left Valo poised for another trial, as she seeks to overturn the current conviction.

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Scott Peterson's Blockbuster Filing for Retrial

After two decades of legal battles, Scott Peterson has filed a substantial petition for a retrial in his conviction for murdering his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Connor, in 2002.

New Evidence and Petition Highlights

• Timestamp [24:07]: Veronica Mazeka explained, "The LA Innocence Project says that they've been reinvestigating Peterson's case and they've found evidence that, quote, undermines the prosecution's entire circumstantial case."
• The petition introduces a new witness who overheard burglars mention a pregnant woman, and challenges the original expert's fetal biometry data, suggesting the actual date of death was January 2nd, not December 23rd. This discrepancy critically undermines the prosecution's timeline.

Prosecution's Response Pending

The Court of Appeal is expected to request a response from the prosecution, potentially leading to oral arguments or a dismissal of the petition. The outcome remains uncertain, adding another chapter to the enduring saga of Scott Peterson's quest for exoneration.

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Harvey Weinstein's Retrial: New Accusations

Dateline NBC also covers the retrial of Harvey Weinstein, a central figure in the MeToo movement. This time, Weinstein faces a new charge of first-degree criminal sexual act from an additional accuser, Kaya Sicola, a 16-year-old aspiring model.

Case Background and New Developments

• Timestamp [21:49]: Veronica Mazeka provided context, "In 2020, Weinstein was convicted in New York on two counts," and added that the appellate court ruled against the prosecution's use of prior allegations.
• The retrial includes this new charge, with Sicola alleging multiple assaults. Weinstein's defense claims their relationship was consensual, aiming to challenge the credibility of the accuser's statements.

Prosecution's Strategy

The prosecution appears poised to present a stronger, evidence-backed case, focusing on consistent patterns of behavior and new testimonies to reinforce their stance against Weinstein's innocent claims.

---

Sarah Reid's Insight: A Juror's Perspective

Adding a unique dimension to the episode, Dateline NBC features Sarah Reid, a former juror from the Jasmine Pace murder trial, who shares her transformative experience serving on the jury.

Experiencing Jury Duty

Sarah recounts the intense process of voir dire and the subsequent sequestration during the trial:

• Timestamp [28:44]: Sarah explains, "Think about it. You're completely cut off. So in some ways, it forces you to be really present, but it's also stifling."

Emotional and Psychological Impact

The emotional weight of the trial, particularly witnessing heartfelt testimonies, left a lasting impression:

• Timestamp [31:05]: Sarah admitted, "Those were the hardest parts, was seeing, honestly, both moms on the stand."

Creating "Sequestered" Podcast

Inspired by her juror experience, Sarah launched the podcast Sequestered to document and share the intricacies of jury life and the profound effects of participating in the justice system.

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Conclusion and Upcoming Stories

As the episode wraps up, hosts tease upcoming stories, including Michael Cochran's mysterious death and further developments in ongoing cases. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free and exclusive content.

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Notable Quotes from the Episode

1. Hank Brennan (Prosecutor) at [06:40]: "I simply ask you to follow the evidence, follow the science, follow the data, ignore speculation, surmise, conjecture. It will lead you to the truth."
2. Alan Jackson (Defense Attorney) at [08:06]: "This case carries a malignancy, one that has spread through the investigation. It spread through the prosecution from the very start."
3. Sarah Reid (Former Juror) at [30:19]: "It's almost like an emotional pressure cooker."

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Dateline NBC masterfully navigates through complex legal narratives, offering listeners a comprehensive and engaging exploration of some of the most gripping true-crime cases. With insightful interviews and detailed coverage, the episode stands as a testament to the enduring allure of uncovering truth in the realm of justice.

Transcript

[Andrea Canning]

DATELINE is sponsored by Capital One. Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One bank guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank capital1NA member FDIC Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona, believes that we're endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. GCU believes in equal opportunity in the American dream. Starts with purpose. Whether your pursuit involves a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, GCU provides a path.

[Veronica Mazeka]

To help you fulfill your dreams, offering.

[Andrea Canning]

340 academic programs as of September 2024. Find your purpose at Grand Canyon University. Private Christian affordable Visit gcu. Edu hey, good morning. It's time for dateline's morning meeting. So here we go. Let's do a fast meeting. I'm sure you guys have a really busy day. Our producers are swapping tips about breaking crime news around the country. This does feel like it's gone to trial very quickly. There's an actual real issue of a new charge that just came up. We'll see what happens with that. Welcome to DATELINE True Crime Weekly. Hi, I'm Andrea Canning. It's April 24th, and here's what's on our docket. There is a verdict in the Arizona murder trial of Lori Valo. Daybell, AKA Mommy Doomsday, did her high risk gamble to represent herself. Backfire.

[Nate Eaton]

Lori Valo had no reaction. She stood up, walked out of the courtroom, and that was that.

[Andrea Canning]

Other stories we've got our eyes on this week, a bombshell filing in Scott Peterson's case. Hannah. His defense team says they have evidence that proves his innocence. And testimony begins at the retrial of disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein.

[Veronica Mazeka]

The big difference is Weinstein is facing a new charge, an additional charge of first degree criminal sexual act against a new accuser.

[Andrea Canning]

Plus, we'll be talking to juror number 11, or Sarah Reid, as she's known in her daily life. She'll tell us about her experience as a juror on the Jasmine Pace murder trial. And her hit podcast sequestered all of.

[Sarah Reid]

The questions and emotions and details, you just carry them around in silence. It's almost like an emotional pressure cooker.

[Andrea Canning]

But before all that, we're heading to Dedham, Massachusetts, where Karen Reed's retrial has finally begun. On Tuesday morning, more than Nine months after her last trial ended with a hung jury, Karen Reid's case made its way back to court for opening statements for the Honorable Beverly Canoni, the justice of the Superior Court. This court is in session.

[Sarah Reid]

Please be seated.

[Andrea Canning]

Karen Reed is accused of the murder of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe. Prosecutors say Reed hit him with her SUV outside a party hosted by another Boston officer and left him to die in the snow. The charges Reid is facing in her second trial may sound familiar. They are the same as last time, second degree homicide, manslaughter while under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. Reid has pleaded not guilty to all charges and her defense has argued she's being framed for O'Keeffe's death. Now, with a new prosecutor, new witnesses, and months of media coverage, all eyes are on this second trial. DATELINE producer Sue Simpson is back to take us inside. Opening statements. Sue, thank you so much for joining us again.

[Sue Simpson]

Thank you, Andrea. It's great to be back. And I will tell you it's great to get this trial underway.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. So up first we had the prosecution's opening statement.

[Nate Eaton]

Good morning, you, Honor.

[Andrea Canning]

Hank Brennan for the Commonwealth.

[Sue Simpson]

Hank Brennan was hired by the Norfolk County DA's office as a special prosecutor to try the case. He is well known in Massachusetts because he represented notorious Boston crime boss James Whitey bulger during his 2013 trial. You probably remember that, Andrew.

[Andrea Canning]

Oh, yes.

[Sue Simpson]

Yeah. He was very calm, almost soft spoken, but he's also crisp. He goes through things very matter of factly, very straightfor.

[Andrea Canning]

He really started to get detailed with his opening statement for the jury.

[Nate Eaton]

At 6:04am on January 29, 2022, the alarm bell sounded in the Canton Fire Department. Firefighter paramedic Timothy Nuttall knew what that meant.

[Andrea Canning]

His heart skipped a beat.

[Nate Eaton]

He raced to his equipment and he.

[Andrea Canning]

Picked up his bag, which was meticulous.

[Sue Simpson]

He approached his opening remarks as if he were telling a story to the jury. You know, the time, the morning, the alarm bell were living in a certain pov, a perspective of a firefighter paramedic Timothy Nuttall, one of the first responders who came to the scene.

[Nate Eaton]

And he looked up at Ms. Reed.

[Andrea Canning]

And he said, what happened?

[Nate Eaton]

And you'll hear her words through firefighter Nuttall. She said, I hit him, I hit.

[Andrea Canning]

Him, I hit him.

[Sue Simpson]

He is important because he heard Karen say, I hit him, meaning I hit John. And the prosecution says Karen confessed at the scene by saying these words, I hit him, I hit him. I hit Him.

[Andrea Canning]

And the prosecution went on to play a clip of Karen's interview with Dateline correspondent Dennis Murphy, where she talks about that moment.

[Sue Simpson]

I mean, I didn't think I hit him, hit him, but could I have clipped him?

[Nate Eaton]

Could I have tagged him in the.

[Andrea Canning]

Knee and incapacitated him? He didn't look mortally wounded as far as I could see.

[Sue Simpson]

Or could I have done something that.

[Andrea Canning]

Knocked him out in drunkenness and in.

[Nate Eaton]

The cold, didn't come to again?

[Andrea Canning]

And this would have been the moment.

[Nate Eaton]

You dropped him off at the party?

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah, yeah.

[Nate Eaton]

Would have had to.

[Sue Simpson]

Karen contends that she phrased it as a question, not as a statement. Could I have hit him? So by playing it, the prosecution apparently wants to show jury that Karen in the moment was trying to work out how she could possibly have injured John with her car.

[Andrea Canning]

Do you feel like Hank Brennan gave an outline of how the state will proceed with their case? Sue?

[Sue Simpson]

What I think, Andrea, is that he focused on data. He focused on the technical aspects and the technology of the case. And he said all of those would show that Karen reed killed John O'Keefe.

[Nate Eaton]

I simply ask you to follow the evidence, follow the science, follow the data, ignore speculation, surmise, conjecture. It will lead you to the truth.

[Andrea Canning]

He also Talked about John O'Keeffe's cell phone at length, that it was found under John's body at the scene and that it had a lot to say.

[Sue Simpson]

He focused on location data, on health data, and interesting here, the temperature of the cell phone battery. You know, what he did was he picked plot points where John and Karen were and what the temperature was, you know, at certain points in their storyline that night. He also said there'd be evidence from the black box, he called it, from Karen's Lexus, her suv. And some of that evidence will be new because the prosecution retested her car after the first trial.

[Andrea Canning]

Now, Alan Jackson, who was on Karen's team for the first trial, he is back, and he delivered the opening statement for the defense. What did he have to say?

[Sue Simpson]

Well, Alan Jackson has such a different style in court than Hank Brennan. And you probably remember that, Andrea. I mean, Alan Jackson's style, right? He's more forceful and really understands the spectacle of a criminal trial.

[Andrea Canning]

There was no collision with John O'Keefe. There was no collision. There was no collision. John O'Keefe did not die from being.

[Nate Eaton]

Hit by a vehicle, period.

[Andrea Canning]

Alan Jackson said the investigation was riddled with errors and corrupted from the start.

[Sue Simpson]

Yes, he did. So right off the bat, Jackson focused on Michael Proctor who was the lead investigator in the case, who sent demeaning and derogatory text messages about Karen during the investigation.

[Andrea Canning]

This case carries a malignancy, one that has spread through the investigation. It spread through the prosecution from the very start, from the jump.

[Nate Eaton]

A cancer that cannot be cut out.

[Andrea Canning]

A cancer that cannot be cured. And that cancer has a name. His name is Michael Proctor. Also, sue, the defense has said that there was a coordinated effort among members of law enforcement and others to cover up John's death.

[Sue Simpson]

That's right. I mean, they say that the people who were at the house during this party at Boston Police Officer Brian Albert's home, that they all worked together to create a story and to conspire to make her what Alan Jackson calls the outsider as the killer.

[Andrea Canning]

In a pretrial decision, sue, the judge put some limits on who the defense could present as alternate suspects. Have we seen that playing out yet?

[Sue Simpson]

Well, so that constraint, Andrew, it's interesting, is really just for opening statements. So Jackson, in his opening, obviously didn't accuse anyone specifically, but he did draw the jury's attention to the behavior of some of the people who were at the party that night. You know, Brian Albert was the homeowner.

[Andrea Canning]

Picture the scene. Blood curdling screams, Ambulances, emergency lights on, Fire engines, ladder trucks, paramedics, patrol vehicles, patrol cruisers, police officers, first responders, firefighters, all swarming all over Brian Albert's lawn, literally feet under his bedroom window. Yet Brian Albert, a sworn peace officer, a first responder himself, never walked outside.

[Nate Eaton]

His house to see if he could.

[Andrea Canning]

Help a fallen fellow officer on his own front lawn. I remember during the first trial, Brian Albert testified that he was asleep and had his window curtains closed at the time. Okay, sue, there is so much to this story.

[Sue Simpson]

So much, so much. We'll get into all of it, too, Andy.

[Andrea Canning]

We will. And even though this is the second trial, somehow it feels just as interesting as the first one. Thank you, Sue. We'll be hearing from you a lot.

[Sue Simpson]

Thanks, Andrea. Can't wait.

[Andrea Canning]

Up next. Earlier this week, Lori Valo Daybell made a final plea to the jury at her Arizona murder trial before deliberations began. What did they decide? Businesswoman, entrepreneur and supermodel Cindy Crawford founded Meaningful Beauty with world renowned cosmetic specialist Dr. Sabah to share his age maintenance focused skin care treatments and formulas. After using meaningful beauty for eight weeks, 100% of women said their skin looks vibrant and bright. Tomorrow's gorgeous starts today. Go to meaningfulbeauty.com beauty to receive 25% off and get the targeted treatment duo gift set for free meaningfulbeauty.com beauty that's meaningfulbeauty.com beauty hi, we're Emoji Health, your long term weight loss solution. We'll connect you with a board certified provider to discuss your unique goals. Eligible patients can Access custom formulated GLP1 medications at an affordable fixed price delivered to their door monthly. Take our free eligibility [e-mail] and use code AUDIO40 at checkout for $40 off your first month of membership. That's join mochi.com results may vary. Eligible GMP1 patients typically lose one to two pounds per week in their first six months with Moji when combined with a healthy lifestyle. Create an oasis with Thuma, a modern design company that specializes in furniture and home goods by stripping away everything but the essential. Thuma makes elevated beds with premium materials and intentional details using the technique of Japanese joinery. Pieces are crafted from solid wood and precision cut for a silent stable foundation. Assembly takes just 5ish minutes with no tools required. To get $100 towards your first bed purchase, go to Thuma Co Pandora that's T H U M A Co Pandora Lori Valo Daybell, aka Mommy Doomsday, has spent the last few weeks on trial in Phoenix, Arizona for conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Valow. Lori has also spent the last few weeks serving as her own defense attorney, arguing that her brother Alex shot Charles in self defense. Did you see with your eyes or hear with your ears or personally witness me conspire with my brother Alex Cox to murder my husband Charles Vallo? No. On Monday, she left the jury with her closing arguments and deliberations began Tuesday. They came back with a verdict. Here to fill us in is Nate Eaton, news director at East Idaho News. Andy is also serving as an NBC News contributor on the case. Hi Nate. You're actually in Phoenix, away from home covering this.

[Nate Eaton]

Yeah, I've been here the past few weeks and what a ride it's been.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah, no kidding. So Nate, before we get into the verdict, the big question when we last checked in with you was whether or not Lori would take the stand in her own defense. What happened?

[Nate Eaton]

Well, it was a decision she made kind of at the last minute. Nobody knew if she was going to testify or not. The judge asked her when it came time for the defense to present their case if she planned to call any witnesses. She said no and then she said the defense rests.

[Andrea Canning]

That's. Wow, that. I mean that's jarring in itself just to have this buildup and then suddenly I'm Done.

[Nate Eaton]

I think a lot of people were caught off guard.

[Andrea Canning]

So that all happened last week. The jury took the weekend off, came back this week for closing Argum. Prosecutor Trina K. Went first. What were her main points?

[Nate Eaton]

Trina K. Really stressed that this was a premeditated execution of Lori Valo's fourth husband because Lori Valo thought she would be getting $1 million in life insurance money and she wanted to be with her new boyfriend, now husband, Chad Daybell.

[Andrea Canning]

Her words tell us that she was.

[Sue Simpson]

Involved in this killing. Her actions and her words tell us the motives behind this murder. Chad and money.

[Andrea Canning]

The prosecutor also highlighted a text from Lori to Chad, right?

[Nate Eaton]

Yes. She texted Chad something to the effect of bad news. I'm not the beneficiary.

[Sue Simpson]

So I talked to the insurance company. He changed it in March. Probably it was Ned before we got rid of him.

[Nate Eaton]

The prosecutor said Lori Valo and Chad Dabel believed that a spirit, a zombie, you could say, named Ned, had inhabited Charles's body. Chad then wrote back, I wonder if he made the change before he got two bullets to the chest.

[Andrea Canning]

That's a lot.

[Nate Eaton]

Pretty chilling evidence there.

[Andrea Canning]

The jury got to hear Laurie give her closing argument, and this was really the final test of her acting as her own attorney in this trial. How do you think she did?

[Nate Eaton]

Laurie prepared a passionate closing argument, and she really tried to stress that this was a family tragedy and not a crime.

[Andrea Canning]

This is an attempt by the state to try to retrofit a crime that doesn't exist. This event was not a crime. It was a tragedy. Don't let them turn my family tragedy into a crime.

[Nate Eaton]

She did try to testify a couple of times during that closing statement, which was not allowed. The prosecution objected to that.

[Andrea Canning]

A two minute period changed our lives forever. How are you supposed to choose between three people you love? Your husband, your daughter, your brother. All right.

[Veronica Mazeka]

I'll caution the defendant not to testify.

[Andrea Canning]

About things that were not entered into evidence. The jury got the case Monday. They went home, then started deliberating again Tuesday morning. How long would you say in total they were deliberating on this?

[Nate Eaton]

The first day. The jury deliberated about 17 minutes. That probably gave them enough time to pick a four person, and then they probably said, we're gonna go home and sleep on this. They came back the next day on Tuesday, and they total deliberated a little less than three hours.

[Andrea Canning]

All right, what was the verdict, Nate?

[Nate Eaton]

Verdict was guilty. Lori Valo had no reaction. She kept a very serious face. She stood up, walked out of the courtroom, and that was that.

[Andrea Canning]

Any reaction from the courtroom?

[Nate Eaton]

The family members who were there on behalf of Charles Valo were smiling, felt relief. You know, it was just a very memorable day that's been almost six years coming.

[Andrea Canning]

There was a lot the jurors didn't know about Lori Valo and her history. And they were surprised as they, you know, the trial was over and they were allowed to know these things about her.

[Nate Eaton]

Very surprised, Andrea. Shocked, you could say. They did not know anything about what happened in Idaho, that Lori Valo is a convicted killer for killing her two children and her new husband's wife. They didn't know any of this. They didn't know that dateline's done multiple episodes about this story. So as they were walking out of that deliberation room, somebody said, google Tyler Ryan, her daughter. And one of the jurors I spoke with said, they pulled it up right there and were stunned to see that Tyler was dead. And many of them said they were gonna go home and watch all the D and really get caught up to speed on this complicated, crazy case.

[Andrea Canning]

What else did you hear from jurors that really stood out to you?

[Nate Eaton]

Jurors really paid attention to Lori Valo Daybell's behavior during the trial.

[Andrea Canning]

Many days she just was, like, smiling and laughing and didn't seem to take anything very seriously. How much of that did that play.

[Nate Eaton]

Into a factor in your decision?

[Andrea Canning]

It did.

[Nate Eaton]

They were not impressed with her defense as she represented herself. When it came time for the defense, they were hoping to hear something. They were hoping she would testify. When she simply said that she was resting, a lot of them were disappointed. They wanted to hear more.

[Andrea Canning]

Do you think Laurie wants her money back for representing herself?

[Nate Eaton]

You know, that's the great question. I have a feeling she has one more trial, that she will try to do it again, and we will see what happens there.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. Tell us, what is the next one?

[Nate Eaton]

Yes, we have one more, and it is the final one. Lori Valo is charged with conspiracy to commit the murder of her former nephew. Brandon Boudreau is his name. He was married to Lori's niece, who was involved in their group. He was driving home from the gym one day when somebody shot at his window, nearly killed him. And that person, the shooter, police believe, is Alex Cox, who's Laurie's brother. So that trial is set to begin the beginning of June.

[Andrea Canning]

Nate, thank you so much for these updates all throughout the trial. For more of Nate's coverage of the trial and the case in General, check out EastIdahoNews.com and to learn more about Lori's story. Check out Keith's podcast series Mommy Doomsday, which is available wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks so much.

[Nate Eaton]

Thank you.

[Andrea Canning]

When we come back, it's time for DATELINE Roundup. We've got the latest twist in Scott Peterson's campaign to prove his innocence. And Harvey Weinstein faces a new accuser in court. Plus, a woman tells us how jury service changed her life and why she made a podcast about it. Hi, we're Emoji Health, your long term weight loss solution. We'll connect you with a board certified provider to discuss your unique goals. Eligible patients can Access custom formulated GLP1 medications at an affordable fixed price delivered to their door monthly. Take our free eligibility [e-mail] and use code AUDIO40 at checkout for $40 off your first month of membership. That's join mochi.com results may vary. Eligible GMP1 patients typically lose one to two pounds per week in their first six months with Mochi when combined with a healthy lifesty. Let's bogo the Hoppin Goods sale at Designer Shoe Warehouse is on. Buy any pair of shoes in store or online. Get a second qualifying pair 50% off.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Yep.

[Andrea Canning]

Must have sandals, sneakers and more from brands you love. Our buy one, get one 50% off at DSW, but only for a limited time. So hop to it, fill your basket and score BOGO 50% off at your DSW store or dsw.com this is an ad by BetterHelp. Let's talk numbers in person. Therapy can cost anywhere from 100 to $250 per session, which adds up. But with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save on average up to 50% per session. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp has served over 5 million people globally and helps you fit therapy into your busy life. Your well being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com today to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp. H E L p.com welcome back. Joining us for this week's roundup is DATELINE digital producer Veronica Mazeka. Hey, Veronica.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Hey.

[Andrea Canning]

So our first story comes out of New York, where opening statements began this week in the retrial of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. His first trial really was one of the defining moments of the MeToo movement. Veronica, just give us a refresher.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Yeah. So back in 2020, Weinstein was convicted in New York on two counts, the third degree rape of an aspiring actress and a Criminal sexual act against a production assistant. But last year, almost exactly a year ago, actually, a panel of appellate court judges ruled 4, 3, that the trial court had erred by allowing the prosecution to bring in evidence of prior acts that Weinste wasn't charged for. And what they're talking about is at the trial, the prosecution, in addition to calling the two women I just mentioned, called four additional women to the stand to describe their experiences with Weinstein.

[Andrea Canning]

Weinstein, who has maintained his innocence from the beginning, remained in prison this past year because New York isn't the only place where he's been convicted of a rape charge.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Right. He was convicted in California in 2022, and he's appealed that as well.

[Andrea Canning]

Do we know what the prosecution will do differently this time?

[Veronica Mazeka]

The big difference is Weinstein is facing a new charge, an additional charge of first degree criminal sexual act against a new accuser, a third woman. Her identity had been hidden until yesterday when it was revealed in opening statements. Now we know she's Kaya Sicola, and she was a 16 year old model, aspiring actress. When she says Weinstein assaulted her the first time, about four years later, she says he assaulted her again. In the defense's opening statement, Weinstein's attorney said that Kaya's relationship with him was consensual.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, we will keep an eye on the retrial. Speaking of overturning convictions, Scott Peterson, who has been fighting for 20 years to get his conviction overturned, just filed a blockbuster petition asking for a retrial. And to remind everyone about this case, Scott Peterson was charged with killing his wife Lacy and their unborn son Connor, just before Christmas in 2002. But the Los Angeles Innocence Project now says they found new evidence that Scott didn't do it and should get a new trial.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Yeah, so this filing is thousands of pages long. It was filed with the California Court of Appeals late on Friday. The LA Innocence Project says that they've been reinvestigating Peterson's case and they've found evidence that, quote, undermines the prosecution's entire circumstantial case.

[Andrea Canning]

Remind us what the prosecution's case was versus the defense's.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Yes. So the prosecution argued in court that Scott killed Laci sometime on the night of December 23. They said he then dumped her body in the San Francisco Bay from his fishing boat and went home and reported her missing. To cover his tracks, the defense said no, Lacey was alive when Scott left to go fishing on the morning of December 24th. And many neighbors saw her walking their golden retriever that morning. They say after she got back from that walk, Lacey saw people breaking into the house across the street and confronted them. And it was those burglars who abducted her, held her for a while, and then killed her.

[Andrea Canning]

And the burglary theory, that's not new. The defense used that at Scott Peterson's original trial.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Right. The prosecution said investigators tracked down the burglars, and they weren't connected to the murder.

[Andrea Canning]

So what is new? What is the LA Innocence Project saying that they have found to undermine the prosecution's theory with all these pages?

[Veronica Mazeka]

Yes, there's a lot. But two big things stood out to us in the petition. They say that they have a new witness who says she overheard one of the burglars say that a pregnant lady with a dog came over from across the street to confront them. The other thing is that during Peterson's trial, the prosecution relied on an expert in fetal biometry to give them a date of death for Lacey's unborn son, Connor. He used fetal growth data to come up with the estimate, which he said was Dec. 23. But Peterson's team says they recently asked the expert to take a second look at his findings in light of the latest science. And he now says that Connor's death was on January 2nd. That's huge, because by that time, Peterson was already under surveillance and his car and his boat had been impounded.

[Andrea Canning]

So what is next, then, with all of this?

[Veronica Mazeka]

So the Court of Appeal judges will probably ask for a response from the prosecution. They could ask to hear oral arguments, or they could just reject this petition entirely. Our NBC affiliate asked the Stanislaus County DA's office for comment, but they declined, saying it has yet to see the petition.

[Andrea Canning]

Must be so hard for Lacey's family and having this come up.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Absolutely.

[Andrea Canning]

Finally, there's been a development in a case I've been following for almost a decade that listeners might know from a recent Dateline episode called Poison Twist. It's the story of an upstate New York office manager, former office manager named Katie Conley, and she was convicted of killing her boss, Mary.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Right. So Mary Yoder was a chiropractor who also happened to be Katie's ex boyfriend's mother. And Katie actually went on trial twice.

[Andrea Canning]

I spoke to Katie before her first trial. Would you ever have any reason to do anything to Mary?

[Veronica Mazeka]

No. No reason, ever. We never had so much as a crossword with each other.

[Andrea Canning]

Did you poison Mary Yoder?

[Veronica Mazeka]

No. Mm. Yeah. So the first jury was hung, and after Katie's retrial, she was convicted of manslaughter. And sentenced to 23 years in prison. But her conviction was overturned a few months. And Katie Connelly has been home since February. But we just got some very big news in this case.

[Andrea Canning]

It's a bit of a jaw dropper. The Oneida county district attorney announced he's going back to a grand jury. He wants to try Katie Connelly for a third time.

[Veronica Mazeka]

That's a huge deal.

[Sarah Reid]

Yeah.

[Andrea Canning]

Veronica, thank you so much for all of this news and keeping us updated. Appreciate it.

[Veronica Mazeka]

Absolutely. Thank you.

[Andrea Canning]

For our final story, we are taking a look at a murder trial from an unusual perspective. The jury box. We talked so much on the show about jury selection and jury deliberations. We wanted to know what it feels like to experience a jury summons, sit through hours of testimony, and ultimately decide the fate of a person accused of an unthinkable crime. Our next guest, Sarah Reid, did just that earlier this year at a Tennessee murder trial. We followed closely here on dateline. For nine days in the Hamilton County Courthouse, Sarah was known as juror number 11 as she heard the evidence against Jason Chen, a college student who'd been charged with the first degree murder of Jasmine Pace, also known as Jazzy to her friends and family. And if you need a refresher on the case, you can check out Blaine's recent episode the pin at apartment 210, which dropped earlier this week. In the DATELINE feed, Sarah says her experience was so eye opening that she decided to document it and share what she learned in a podcast called Sequestered. Sarah, welcome to the show.

[Sarah Reid]

Thank you. I'm so happy to be here.

[Andrea Canning]

So take us back to the beginning of when you got the jury summons. You know, what are you thinking?

[Sarah Reid]

I'd never been called for jury duty before, so it was definitely intriguing and honestly, a little nerve wracking, just not knowing what to expect, you know, on.

[Andrea Canning]

The podcast, we've been talking a lot about voir dire these past few weeks in connection to the Karen Reed retrial. What is it like to experience jury selection firsthand?

[Sarah Reid]

I was seated in the gallery for like the majority of the voir process. It was definitely intense, though. They started out with basic information like.

[Sue Simpson]

What is your job?

[Sarah Reid]

Like, what's your profession? And are you married? And then it just goes into like, have you ever been arrested? How do you feel about police?

[Andrea Canning]

So we, we should be clear, you're not from the same county where Jazzy's murder happened. There was so much media attention around the case. The judge ordered jurors to be actually brought in from a Different county. So were you bused in every day? Were you in a hotel? How did that work?

[Sarah Reid]

Yeah. So after the jury selection in Davidson county, in Nashville, they said you could be gone 10 to 14 days, pack what you need for two weeks, meet back here at the courthouse on Sunday. And then they took our phones away at the beginning, right before we got in the vans. We put our luggage in and got in and drove to Chattanooga, and we were sequestered in a hotel for the whole trial. In the hotel that is, you don't have your tv. They've taken, like, the clock radio out of there. Of course, we don't have our phone or anything. It's just silence. It was wild.

[Andrea Canning]

You say on your podcast, you described it as grounding, yet suffocating, like an unexpected social experiment.

[Sarah Reid]

Yes. Yeah. Think about it. You're completely cut off. So in some ways, it forces you to be really present, but it's also stifling. Like, you're with strangers, and the only thing connecting you all is this one tragic event that you're not even allowed to talk about. So everything just kind of stays in your head. And at least that was the case for me. All of the questions and emotions and details, you just carry them around in silence. It's almost like an emotional pressure cooker.

[Andrea Canning]

And you had to sit through a lot of emotional testimony. Jazzy's mom, Katrina, testified. So you really have to separate the emotions you're feeling when you're listening to someone who's lost a child and you have to follow the law. How do you kind of separate all that while you're sitting there listening to all of this?

[Sarah Reid]

Right, Absolutely. Those were the hardest parts, was seeing, honestly, both moms on the stand, but Katrina being the first witness that we saw, I mean, it smacks you right in the face. Not only does she look just like Jazzy, but the emotions make you want to want justice. Right. And the facts and the details, they just. They have to be the things that guide you.

[Andrea Canning]

Describe the jury deliberations for us. Did you already feel like you knew walking into that deliberation?

[Sarah Reid]

I had a strong sense, but I stayed open. Like, we kind of, after choosing our four person, we put it to an initial vote, with the plan kind of being to begin discussions. If the vote was not unanimous, which it wasn't. There was two of us that, myself included, that were hesitant. And I think for me, it was me just really myself needing to understand the definition of what premeditation meant and how that applied to this case.

[Andrea Canning]

All right, so you all came up with your verdict in. Was it less than an hour?

[Sarah Reid]

Yeah, it was much quicker than I think anyone expected.

[Andrea Canning]

And so you started your podcast called Sequestered. Why did you decide to bring this to the masses, your experience?

[Sarah Reid]

Yeah, I mean, it didn't really hit me until about halfway through the trial. I just remember it just smacked me in the face like, oh my gosh. Like I could bring this unique perspective from sitting in the jury box and hearing this story unfold day after day. Just like as I heard it in the trial, I wanted listeners to kind of have that same experience.

[Andrea Canning]

I mean, I'm assuming this is the kind of experience that is now gonna stay with you forever.

[Sarah Reid]

Oh, yeah. This whole thing has changed me. I still haven't processed it all. I pretty much jumped right into telling this story. And yeah, it was just a very profound and life changing experience.

[Andrea Canning]

Well, you were a part of justice for Jazzy.

[Sarah Reid]

Yeah, I feel honored to be.

[Andrea Canning]

And Sarah, we're gonna include a link in our show description for listeners to check out. Thank you. Sarah, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.

[Sarah Reid]

Absolutely. It was so great to talk with you. Thank you again.

[Andrea Canning]

That's it for this episode of Dateline True Crime Weekly. To get ad free listening for all our podcasts, subscribe to DATELINE Premium. Coming up this Friday on dateline, I've got an all new two hour episode about Michael Cochran, a West Virginia dad and husband who died suddenly in his home in 2019. I recently met with his family and friends who told me they were stunned when they started to piece together the horrifying truth.

[Sarah Reid]

It moves from a mystery novel to a horror flick.

[Andrea Canning]

Watch the Devil's in the Details this Friday on NBC at 9, 8 Central or stream it on Peacock on Saturday. Thanks for listening. DATELINE True Crime Weekly is produced by Franny Kelly and Katie Ferguson. Our associate producers are Carson Cummins and Caroline Casey. Our senior producer is Liz Brown Kuriloff. 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. Anything else? All right, thanks very much. See you everyone. A true crime story never really ends. Even when a case is closed. The journey for those left behind is just beginning. Since our DATELINE story aired, Tracy has harnessed her outrage into a mission. I had no other option. I had to do something, catch up with families, friends and investigators on our bonus series after the Verdict. Ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances with strength and courage. It does just change your life. But speaking up for these issues helps me keep going. To listen to evidence after the verdict, subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, [e-mail].