Dateline NBC: Talking Dateline – "Under a Full Moon"
Host: Blaine Alexander
Guest: Keith Morrison
Date: September 3, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode of "Talking Dateline," host Blaine Alexander sits down with veteran correspondent Keith Morrison to discuss his latest episode, "Under a Full Moon." Together, they explore the murder of Shawna Tiafa in Las Vegas, initially thought to be a robbery or random act, but ultimately revealed to involve intimate betrayal and manipulation. The pair reflect on the city’s dual nature, dissect the investigation’s twists, analyze the trial’s complexities, and answer listener-submitted questions about this and other recent Dateline episodes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Las Vegas as a Character (02:08–03:47)
- Las Vegas’s Dual Nature
- Keith Morrison highlights the contrast between the city's tourist glamour and its everyday, working-class side:
“There is a kind of a work a day world of Las Vegas where, you know, good, hard working, honest people go into work every day... Vegas is, in many ways, a working class city.” (02:30) - Blaine remarks how in Vegas, cocktail waitressing is extremely lucrative—counter to outsiders’ assumptions:
“I think this episode really showed a lot of people how lucrative being a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas can be, right?” (03:32) - Keith encourages listeners to throw out stereotypes about the kind of life and earnings someone in Shawna's position might have.
- Keith Morrison highlights the contrast between the city's tourist glamour and its everyday, working-class side:
2. Initial Investigation and False Leads (04:02–06:47)
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Robbery or Random Attack?
- The murder’s circumstances—Shawna coming home late from shift with tip money—led police to suspect robbery or sexual assault as possible motives.
- The home’s prior burglary, and its unusual stolen items, proved a red herring.
- Police briefly pursued the theory that local kids might be involved but quickly abandoned it.
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George Tiafa’s ‘Ironclad’ Alibi
- George, Shawna’s husband, was initially above suspicion due to his respected status and his overnight shift at the fire station.
- Blaine confesses: “That was what sealed it for me. He was working overnight at the fire station... I was fooled. George had me fooled.” (06:21)
- Keith expands: “He was the all American... he wanted to help people. And that was just George. He was like that to the whole community.” (06:47)
3. Relationship Dynamics and Domestic Violence (07:26–09:13)
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Control and Escalating Abuse
- Morrison discusses how a partner’s strengths can devolve into harmful control, noting:
“Eventually... the grip tightens and the control tightens and you cease to become an independent person. That's when violence follows, and it often follows when the woman… decides she has had enough.” (07:30) - Blaine reflects on subtle signs of control, such as George’s behavior during a family video, as significant in hindsight.
- Morrison discusses how a partner’s strengths can devolve into harmful control, noting:
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Resources for Domestic Violence
- Blaine shares information for the National Domestic Violence Hotline: “800-799-SAFE,” text “BEGIN” to 88788, or visit thehotline.org. (09:27)
4. George’s Sister Maria: Loyalty and Denial (11:40–16:49)
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Family's Struggle with the Truth
- Keith notes Maria’s unwavering support for George—despite evidence:
“One of the tragic things about a story like this is… nobody really knows even those closest to them ... you recognize that... you put yourself out there for that person and then it turns out you, you are wrong.” (11:53) - Maria remembers George as devastated by his marriage’s end but never disparaging toward Shawna: “His characterization of her just never changed from when they were having, you know, a stable relationship to one that was ending.” (15:57)
- Keith notes Maria’s unwavering support for George—despite evidence:
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Keith’s Interviewing Approach
- He explains, “It's not up to us... to try to change somebody's mind. ...her point of view is a legitimate part of any story we're going to tell.” (13:27)
5. The “Greyhound” Factor: Manipulation of Vulnerable People (17:07–19:52)
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The Role of “Greyhound”
- Blaine and Keith discuss the tragic exploitation of “Greyhound,” a homeless, mentally ill man, by George: “The chances that Greyhound would have been a killer under any other circumstances... would be practically nil.” (17:42)
- Blaine underlines the broader lesson: “You can't automatically decide okay. You're not to be believed. You are to be believed just because of the types of roles you fit in society.” (18:05)
- Keith marvels that the jury believed Greyhound's testimony despite his reputation as a “known liar” and society’s biases:
“Greyhound told the story that made sense, even though he was a known liar, they could believe this from him.” (18:38)
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Trial Gamble with Witnesses
- Keith: “That took a lot of faith” for prosecutors to present Greyhound as a witness. (19:31)
6. Aftermath and Confession (19:52–21:03)
- George’s Post-Conviction Admission
- After his conviction, George claims mental illness drove him to murder, seeking possible sentence mitigation: “He chose that moment to say, okay, well, all right, I did it. But I did it because, you know, I had this mental problem, and it wasn't really my fault...” (20:04)
- This late admission forces Maria to finally reconsider her support.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Las Vegas's Reality
- “Vegas is, in many ways, a working class city. And then it's just got this very colorful strip down the middle of it…”
—Keith Morrison (02:30)
On the Allure of George
- “Every guy probably grows up thinking, I ought to be. If I were a better person, I'd be like George.”
—Keith Morrison (06:47)
The Dangers of Domestic Control
- “Eventually ... the grip tightens and the control tightens and you cease to become an independent person. That's when violence follows...”
—Keith Morrison (07:30)
Maria’s Inability to Believe
- “You want somehow for this not to be true. So she was able to take situations…[and say] there has to be [another explanation]. This isn’t him.”
—Keith Morrison (12:16)
On the Exploitation of “Greyhound”
- “He just wanted to be out there... out there and have enough money to be able to buy food. And so he thought these people were helping him by giving him odd jobs to do.”
—Keith Morrison (18:05)
The Jury's Choice
- “What I found fascinating, though, is that the jury believed him and they did not believe George because Greyhound told the story that made sense…”
—Keith Morrison (18:38)
On Journalistic Responsibility
- “It's not up to us... to try to change somebody's mind. ...her point of view is a legitimate part of any story we're going to tell.”
—Keith Morrison (14:13)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:08–03:47: The unique character of Las Vegas and the realities of working there
- 04:02–06:47: The crime investigation, George’s alibi, and police misdirection
- 07:26–09:13: Domestic control, warning signs, and abuse resources
- 11:40–16:49: Extended discussion with Maria (sister), family denial, and exclusive interview clip
- 17:07–19:52: The “Greyhound” witness; exploitation of vulnerable people and biases on the stand
- 19:52–21:03: George's confession and its impact on the family
- 24:21–24:50: Blaine’s personal moment about learning to swim, listener encouragement
- 25:05–26:08: Keith on wrongful convictions and the persistence needed to correct injustice
Listener Questions and Social Media Segment (21:44–25:05; 26:08–28:30)
- Wrongful Convictions: Keith has reported on at least a dozen cases where he believes the wrong person was convicted, citing the legal system’s resistance to correcting mistakes.
“It can take years and years and years to undo that mistake… Extremely difficult to overcome. But yes, that happens.” (25:05) - Favorite Part of Dateline: Blaine loves the depth of the interviews and connecting with victims’ families; Keith values the trust sources place in them.
- Fun and Personal Moments: Listeners reference Blaine’s effort to learn to swim; both share encouraging and humorous anecdotes.
- Nashville Live Event: Both show excitement (and nerves) for the upcoming Dateline Live in Nashville.
Tone & Conversation Style
- Conversational, empathetic, and candid: Both Blaine and Keith are warm and thoughtful, balancing journalistic rigor with personal reflections and occasional humor.
- Respect for sources and subjects: Particularly in discussing family members and vulnerable witnesses, there’s a clear commitment to telling the story with care.
Final Thoughts
This "Talking Dateline" episode offers deep insight into the "Under a Full Moon" case, while also reflecting on themes of trust, bias, and the hidden complexities in seemingly straightforward lives. Keith Morrison’s measured wisdom, paired with Blaine Alexander’s engaged and empathetic perspective, make for rich true-crime discussion that goes far beyond the headline. The listener questions broaden the discussion to Dateline’s impact and the humanity of both reporters and subjects.
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