Dateline NBC Podcast Summary: "Talking Dateline: The Man of Many Faces"

Episode Release Date: December 18, 2024

Introduction

In this special edition of "Talking Dateline," hosts Andrea Canning and producer Lynn Keller delve deep into one of Dateline NBC's most intriguing episodes, titled "The Man of Many Faces." This episode unravels the complex story of Nicholas Oliverdian, an American man accused of orchestrating an elaborate con to evade law enforcement by faking his own death and fleeing to Scotland.

The Story of Nicholas Oliverdian

Nicholas Oliverdian, also known as Arthur Knight, became the focus of a gripping true-crime investigation after he allegedly committed violent crimes, including rape, and subsequently attempted to disappear from the public eye. Andrea Canning introduces the story by highlighting Nicholas's daring escape: “... Nicholas Oliverdian, faked his own death and fled the country. Investigators and our DATELINE team tracked down the elusive fugitive to Scotland before he was extradited back to the United States to face justice...” [01:15].

Investigative Process

Lynn Keller recounts how the interest in Nicholas's case began: “I feel like you emailed me a link to the story... And we just kept talking about how crazy it was...” [02:13]. The team collaborated with reporters from Rhode Island and Scotland to piece together Nicholas's movements and motives. An important breakthrough occurred when investigators connected Nicholas to crimes through DNA evidence, ultimately confirming his identity upon his return to the U.S. Keller explains, “...the investigator testified that they did test his DNA and it was, in fact, Nicholas Rossi, Ale Verdean.” [20:25].

Victims' Perspectives

The episode gives a voice to the victims, particularly Mary and Katherine, who bravely came forward despite fear and adversity. Andrea Canning praises their strength: “... kudos to Mary, kudos to Katherine, who survived and is doing great.” [16:00]. Mary’s efforts to support other victims and her role in ensuring Nicholas became a registered sex offender underscore the impact of his actions on multiple lives.

Character Complexity

A central theme of the discussion is Nicholas's multifaceted personality, earning him the title "The Man of Many Faces." Andrea shares her perplexity: “...he is a kind of weird dichotomy. It's one of those ones you're sort of confused to how you should react to this man.” [08:51]. The hosts explore the dichotomy between Nicholas's manipulative behavior and the possibility of him being a victim of his own troubled past. Lynn adds, “...he really was trying to change the law because when he was in the foster care system...it was one of the things he was trying to change.” [22:58].

Legal Proceedings

Nicholas has pleaded not guilty to all charges and faces a maximum sentence of five years to life imprisonment. Frederic Canning discusses the legal strategies involved: “...this plea deal sounds like a no brainer unless he wants to roll the dice with a judge or a jury.” [23:34]. The potential for a trial versus accepting a plea deal remains a critical point of consideration as the case progresses.

Social Media Discussions

Listeners raised pertinent questions on social media, particularly regarding the necessity of DNA testing in confirming Nicholas's identity. Andrea addresses these concerns: “...will Miranda face any charges?... Until she says it, I mean.” [21:17]. Additionally, discussions touched on Miranda Oliverdian’s possible knowledge of her husband’s fugitive status, though no evidence currently suggests her involvement.

Notable Quotes

• Andrea Canning reflects on the victims' courage: “...these women said, look, we're speaking out because we wanna prevent this from happening to anybody else.” [03:48].
• Lynn Keller describes the investigative team's frustration: “...this was an extremely unusual circumstance to have somebody who was obviously faking...” [05:21].
• Andrea shares a candid moment during the interview: “...he stands up and falls over in that kind of, dare I say, iconic moment, that triggered me, you know, to start laughing.” [04:19].

Conclusion

Andrea and Lynn conclude the discussion by emphasizing the importance of bringing justice to the victims and the ongoing challenges in prosecuting such complex cases. They express hope for future interviews and continued investigation into Nicholas Oliverdian’s motives and actions. Andrea remarks, “...if he is convicted of these crimes, that that's what will give her some peace.” [16:00].

The hosts also highlight broader issues within the criminal justice system, such as the handling of untested rape kits, advocating for more rigorous testing to ensure that victims receive the justice they deserve.

Final Thoughts

"Talking Dateline: The Man of Many Faces" offers listeners an in-depth exploration of a captivating true-crime story, blending investigative journalism with personal insights from those directly involved in the case. This episode not only recounts Nicholas Oliverdian’s intricate web of deceit but also honors the resilience and bravery of his victims, making it a standout installment in the Dateline NBC podcast series.