Tech mogul's alleged killer takes the stand. Dentist's murder trial set to begin. Plus safety tips for holiday travel.

Summary

Dateline NBC - November 21, 2024 Episode Summary

---

Host: Andrea Canning
Producers: Brittany Tom, Stephanie Barber, Rachel White
Production Team: Franny Kelly, Katie Ferguson, Carson Cummins, Caroline Casey, Liz Brown Kuroloff, Sara Kadir, Veronica Mazeca, Rick Kwan
Guests: Brittany Tom, Stephanie Barber, Rachel White, Vicky Nguyen

---

1. Tech Mogul Bob Lee’s Murder Trial

Overview:
The episode delves into the high-profile trial of Nima Momenti, accused of murdering Bob Lee, the founder of Cash App. The trial has attracted significant attention due to Bob Lee's prominence in the tech industry and the dramatic circumstances surrounding his death.

Key Points:

• Incident Details:
  On April 4, 2023, Bob Lee was stabbed while visiting his children in the Bay Area. He called 911, was found unconscious near the Bay Bridge, and died shortly after in the hospital.

• Accused’s Arrest and Plea:
  Nima Momenti was arrested within days of the incident. He has pleaded not guilty, asserting that Bob Lee attacked him rather than the other way around.

• Defense Strategy:
  Momenti took the stand to present his side, claiming self-defense. He detailed the events leading up to the altercation, emphasizing that Bob Lee became aggressive following a joke he made about family priorities.

• Prosecution’s Case:
  Prosecutors argue that Momenti stabbed Bob Lee out of anger over suspicions that Lee's friend may have sexually assaulted Momenti’s sister. They contend that this motive led to the fatal attack.

Notable Quotes:

• James Craig (Prosecutor):
  "How could Bob, the successful tech businessman, lose his temper so quickly over a quote, unquote dumb joke and pull out a knife on Nima?"
  (Timestamp: 08:26)

• Nima Momenti (Accused):
  "I made a bad joke. If it was my last night in town, I'd hang out with my family instead of, you know, effing around in strip clubs."
  (Timestamp: 05:46)

Courtroom Dynamics:

• The defense and prosecution engaged in a tense exchange, with Momenti interrupting the prosecutor multiple times.
• Momenti introduced alternative theories, suggesting the possibility of another assailant, potentially a homeless individual, adding complexity to the case.

Conclusion:
The jury is tasked with unraveling the conflicting testimonies and evidence to determine the truth behind Bob Lee’s tragic death. The trial highlights issues of self-defense, motive, and the influence of personal relationships in criminal cases.

---

2. Dentist James Craig’s Murder Trial

Overview:
James Craig, a dentist from Aurora, Colorado, stands accused of murdering his wife, Angela Craig, by poisoning her protein shakes with potassium cyanide. The case is set to go to trial in December, following significant developments and evidence presented by prosecutors.

Key Points:

• Relationship Background:
  James and Angela Craig had a seemingly normal and loving relationship, evidenced by their joint Facebook page and active participation in their community. They had been married for 23 years and had six children.

• Incident Details:
  In March 2023, Angela Craig experienced mysterious symptoms, including nausea, loss of appetite, and seizures. She was hospitalized in grave condition and died three days later. Investigations revealed lethal amounts of potassium cyanide and a common ingredient in Visine eye drops in her system.

• Evidence Against James Craig:

  • Suspicious Purchase:
    James ordered potassium cyanide to his dental office, a substance with no legitimate use in dental practices.
    (Timestamp: 13:27)

  • Poison Delivery:
    Prosecutors assert that Craig used the poison to contaminate his wife’s protein shakes, leading to her fatal poisoning.

  • Affair and Divorce:
    James was discovered to be having an affair with a woman he met at a dental conference. He had communicated intentions of divorcing Angela, adding motive to the prosecution’s case.

• Autopsy Findings:
  Confirmed that Angela Craig died from ingesting lethal amounts of potassium cyanide and other substances, eliminating the possibility of natural causes.

• Defense’s Position:
  James Craig has pleaded not guilty. As his trial approaches, his defense team, which has changed recently, is yet to reveal its full strategy. The prosecution’s case heavily relies on the motive and the suspicious circumstances leading to Angela’s death.

Notable Quotes:

• James Craig (Accused):
  "I had an affair and was in the process of getting a divorce."
  (Timestamp: 15:22)

• Rachel White (Producer):
  "Angie had six children. She was very involved in her community, and she loved her family and her friends."
  (Timestamp: 15:05)

Conclusion:
With jury selection imminent and the trial set to begin in December, the case against James Craig remains under intense scrutiny. The prosecution aims to prove premeditation and motive, while Craig's defense seeks to introduce reasonable doubt about the circumstances of Angela's death.

---

3. Dateline Roundup

a. Susan Smith’s Parole Hearing

Overview:
Susan Smith, convicted 30 years ago for drowning her two sons, is up for parole. The hearing brought back memories of her initial lies and the tragic loss of her children.

Key Points:

• Original Crime:
  In 1995, Susan Smith was convicted of killing her two-year-old sons by drowning them in a lake. She initially fabricated a story about being carjacked by a black man to explain their disappearance.

• Parole Request:
  Smith appeared in a video hearing to request parole, expressing remorse and seeking mercy.

Notable Quotes:

• Susan Smith:
  "I know that what I did was horrible. I am a Christian and God has forgiven me. I just ask that you show that same kind of mercy as well."
  (Timestamp: 20:17)

• David Smith (Ex-Husband):
  "30 years to life is only 15 years. Her children, her own children, it's just not enough. So I'm asking that you please do."
  (Timestamp: 20:49)

Outcome:
The parole board unanimously denied Smith’s request, aligning with South Carolina’s stringent parole criteria.

b. Anna Koenzevich’s Case in Florida

Overview:
Anna Koenzevich, a Colombian American woman who went missing in Madrid, faces new charges as her estranged husband, David Kounkenovich, is now accused of her murder.

Key Points:

• Disappearance Details:
  Anna vanished in February from her Madrid apartment amidst a stressful divorce from David. Her body has yet to be found.

• Charges Against David:
  Initially charged with kidnapping in May, David has now been charged with Anna’s murder despite the absence of her body.

• Prosecution’s Evidence:
  Security camera footage shows a man resembling David spray-painting a security camera and leaving with a rolling suitcase the night before Anna disappeared.

• Defense’s Stance:
  David's legal team denies his guilt, claiming there is no new evidence to substantiate the murder charge.

Notable Quotes:

• Rachel White (Producer):
  "Prosecutors say that video from security cameras in the hallway of Ana's apartment shows a man who looks a lot like David entering the building the night before she disappeared."
  (Timestamp: 22:02)

c. Robert Roberson’s Execution in Texas

Overview:
Robert Roberson faces execution for the 2002 death of his daughter, Nikki Curtis. Recent legal maneuvers kept the execution on hold but now it is set to proceed.

Key Points:

• Conviction Details:
  Roberson was convicted in 2003 for fatally beating and shaking his two-year-old daughter, causing a severe brain injury.

• Defense’s Argument:
  His defense team asserts that Nikki died from natural causes—complications from pneumonia—not from abuse.

• Legal Developments:
  In October, Roberson was close to execution when lawmakers issued a subpoena for him to testify at the Texas Capitol, briefly halting the process. However, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that such a legislative subpoena cannot prevent an execution, thus reinstating the schedule.

Notable Quotes:

• Vicky Nguyen (Correspondent):
  "Roberson has garnered wide support."
  (Timestamp: 23:17)

---

4. Holiday Travel Safety Tips

Overview:
As the holiday season approaches, Dateline NBC provides essential safety tips for travelers, emphasizing both driving and flying precautions.

Key Points:

• Travel Statistics:

  • Driving:
    Over 50% of Americans plan to drive for holiday travel. However, it has the highest fatality rate per passenger mile among major transport modes.
    (Timestamp: 24:33)

  • Flying:
    Despite fears, flying remains statistically safer than driving. The rise in AI-enabled scams poses a significant risk during booking.

• Driving Safety Tips:

  • Plan Ahead:
    Leave earlier to avoid traffic stress.
    (Timestamp: 25:08)

  • Vehicle Preparedness:
    Ensure your car is in good condition, check spare tires, and have an emergency kit ready.
    (Timestamp: 25:08)

  • Essentials:
    Carry enough gas, medicines, snacks, and items for pets if applicable.
    (Timestamp: 25:08)

• Flying Safety Tips:

  • Avoid Scams:
    Be vigilant against phishing and fraudulent websites. Always verify the URL starts with HTTPS and avoid unconventional payment methods like Venmo or gift cards.
    (Timestamp: 26:13)

  • Use Trusted Sources:
    Book directly through official airline or hotel websites or consider using a reputable travel agent.
    (Timestamp: 26:13)

  • Security Advances:
    Familiarize yourself with new security measures like facial recognition technology and ensure your ID is updated to Real ID by May 7, 2025.
    (Timestamp: 27:46)

Notable Quotes:

• Rachel White:
  "Over the last 18 months, travel scams have gone up online 900% and that is due in large part to AI."
  (Timestamp: 26:13)

• Vicky Nguyen:
  "A big part of my life and I just ask that you show that same kind of mercy as well."
  (Timestamp: 20:34)

Conclusion:
Following these safety tips can help ensure a secure and enjoyable holiday travel experience, whether by road or air.

---

5. Upcoming Stories and Promotions

• Upcoming Trial:
  Next week’s episode will cover the chilling case of an Atlanta millionaire who was killed by a guest at his own birthday party.

• Promotions:

  • Dateline Premium: Offers ad-free listening and exclusive content. Subscribe at DatelinePremium.com.
  • Advertisements: Various sponsors promoted during the episode, including Nordstrom Rack, Progressive, Amazon Music Unlimited, Kia, Ford Pro, and Greenlight.

---

Final Notes:
This episode of Dateline NBC provided an insightful exploration of ongoing criminal cases, offering listeners a deep dive into judicial proceedings, investigative updates, and practical advice for holiday safety. The detailed coverage, combined with expert analysis from producers and correspondents, ensures that audiences are well-informed and engaged with the latest true-crime narratives.

Transcript

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[Andrea Canning]

Hi, everyone, it's Andrea Canning, back with the latest episode of DATELINE True Crime Weekly. Episodes drop first thing every Thursday morning and you can also find them by searching for the DATELINE True Crime Weekly feed. So give us a listen and follow the show wherever you get your podcasts and tell your friends.

[Brittany Tom]

Hey, good morning, everybody.

[Andrea Canning]

You're listening in to Dateline's morning meeting in 30 Rockefeller Center.

[Brittany Tom]

Okay, so this story is in Chicago.

[Vicky Nguyen]

It's breaking.

[Andrea Canning]

Our editorial team is catching up on breaking crime news around the country.

[Brittany Tom]

I'd like to be there for what.

[Andrea Canning]

I think will be the arrest.

[James Craig]

I think we should get a little.

[Andrea Canning]

More info on those other cases. She goes downstairs and she sees a.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Man in her kitchen and he's holding a knife.

[Andrea Canning]

Welcome to DATELINE True Crime Weekly. I'm Andrea Canning. It's November 21st, and here's what's on our docket. A dentist is heading to trial in a Colorado suburb. He's accused of spiking his wife's protein shakes with poison.

[Brittany Tom]

The cyanide had been delivered to his dental office.

[Andrea Canning]

In Dateline Roundup, Susan Smith, the South Carolina mom convicted 30 years ago of drowning her kids in a lake, is up for parole. Will she get it? And the Florida businessman at the heart of an international kidnapping case faces a new charge, murder.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Her body has never been found, but apparently prosecutors don't believe that she's alive.

[Andrea Canning]

Plus, if you're Traveling for Thanksgiving, NBC's senior consumer investigative correspondent Vicky Nguyen has some safety tips for you.

[Rachel White]

AI has made it so easy, easy for scammers. Make sure anytime you're booking with a site, you're looking in that little website address line for HTTPs s, as in security.

[Andrea Canning]

But before all that, we're heading to a San Francisco courtroom and three days of dramatic testimony in the trial of the man accused of stabbing tech exec Bob Lee to death in April 2023, Bob Lee, a founder of Cash App and a father of two, was visiting his kids in the Bay area. But at 2:30 on a Tuesday morning, he called 911. He said he'd been stabbed. When paramedics found him, Bob was unconscious on the sidewalk in front of an apartment building a block and a half from the Bay Bridge. He died in the hospital a few hours later. Our affiliate KNTV was on the scene.

[James Craig]

People who knew him and people who.

[Andrea Canning]

Live in this neighborhood are still stunned.

[James Craig]

That a leader in San Francisco's tech community was murdered here.

[Andrea Canning]

The hunt for his attacker began immediately. A man named Nima Momenti was arrested within days and his trial began last month. As we've talked about on the podcast before, Nima, who's pleaded not guilty, doesn't deny getting into a fight with Bob that night, but he is adamant Bob attacked him. And last week the jury got to see Nima reenact the altercation in the courtroom. As he testified in his own defense. DATELINE producer Brittany Tom was there and is here to fill us in on what she saw and how the prosecution reacted to Nima's explosive testimony. Hey, Brittany.

[James Craig]

Hi, Andrea.

[Andrea Canning]

Before we get to Nima's version of events, remind us what the prosecution is alleging.

[James Craig]

Prosecutors have been arguing that Nima stabbed Bob Lee because he was angry that his sister Kazar may have been sexually assaulted by one of Bob's friends. Bob met up with Kazar and Nima later that evening at her apartment. The prosecutor alleged that Nima took a paring knife from the kitchen. He then drove Bob to a secluded area underneath the Bay Bridge and stabbed him. And if that sounds confusing, it is. I mean, everyone was also drinking and doing drugs throughout the day.

[Andrea Canning]

We don't always see defendants take the stand, but in this case, clearly Nima's defense team thought it was important that he tell his own story in his own words.

[James Craig]

Yeah, it's interesting, Andrea, since his attorneys are arguing self defense and there are no other eyewitnesses to this incident, the only person who can explain what happened on April 4 is the defendant himself. And you've covered cases. So have I over my time at dateline. It's pretty rare for this to happen. In his telling, Nima decided to call people who had been with Gazar earlier. So Nima ended up calling Bob Lee and he told the jury the call actually calmed him down and he felt reassured. He was disappointed in his sister and he believed she was probably being dramatic to get attention so.

[Andrea Canning]

So Nima claims he wasn't angry at anybody.

[James Craig]

That's right. So on the stand, Nima talked through the videos of him and Bob leaving together, and he's explaining they were chummy that night. It isn't until Nima pulls over to that area under the Bay Bridge that they end up in a bit of a blind spot. And the cameras that catch them are not super high quality.

[Andrea Canning]

I'm sure Nima must have addressed why he pulled over while he was on the stand. What's his explanation for that?

[James Craig]

Yes, he says that Bob spilled a beer in the car and he wanted to clean it up, so he pulled over to that spot. And while he's doing that, Bob actually finds a bunch of nitrous that Kazar had left in the car. And according to Nima, Bob takes some hits of nitrous. Another word for it is whippets. So the defense is.

[Rachel White]

Yeah.

[James Craig]

Oh, yeah. The defense is trying to show Bob had several drugs in his system over the course of the evening.

[Andrea Canning]

And so is Nima getting angry at all with Bob as all this is happening? No.

[James Craig]

Nima says he was over it and wanted to call it a night. Not angry at Bob, he says, but Bob wanted to go back to his hotel to get more coke. And this is an important point in Nima's testimony. Nima says he made a bad joke. Nima tells Bob, if it was my last night in town, I'd hang out with my family instead of, you know, effing around in strip clubs.

[Andrea Canning]

Ooh, okay. So Nima says that to Bob.

[James Craig]

Yes, and this is what sets up Bob.

[Andrea Canning]

I see. So now Nima is explaining this is sort of the catalyst, I guess, for this self defense defense.

[James Craig]

Exactly. So Nima tells the jury that Bob went from zero to a hundred. He was offended, and he was cussing Nima out, circling around him. Nima claims Bob retorted back, you think I'm a bad effing dad? I'm going to eff you up. You don't think I can F you up? Right.

[Andrea Canning]

And they actually start physically fighting at this point.

[James Craig]

So Nima says that Bob chest bumps him, and then he saw Bob pulls out a knife from his coat pocket. That's when Nima grabs his wrist and deflects the knife. And this is kind of a big moment in court so far. Nima and his attorney start reenacting on the witness stand exactly what happened between him and Bob. They tussle with the knife, and Nima ends up pushing Bob forward. But then Bob backs away.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, so how Does Bob end up stabbed?

[James Craig]

Nima can't really explain how Bob was stabbed because he actually said he didn't know Bob was stabbed. He says after the whole altercation, Bob walked away, was on, his phone was silent, and he didn't think he was injured at all.

[Andrea Canning]

When does Nima say that he found out that Bob died?

[James Craig]

So Bob dies early Tuesday morning. And Nima says he learned about Bob's death through a text from his sister later that evening. He said he didn't really believe her at first and didn't understand what she was talking about. But on Wednesday morning, he saw the news, and he testified he was heartbroken. He said he attacked me, but he didn't deserve that.

[Andrea Canning]

So he's thinking, which is kind of what America thought when this story first came out, that it was possibly a homeless person.

[James Craig]

Yes. It's kind of almost a full circle of this story. In the first hours after Bob died, media outlets and even prominent people in the tech industry assumed Bob was killed by a stranger, probably somebody who is unhoused on the stand. Last week, Nima did tell jurors there were homeless people on the street. There's a homeless shelter right there. Kind of insinuating that even though he got in this altercation with Bob on the street, that possibly after he left, Bob was stabbed by somebody else.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, so this is a very different series of events than what the prosecution has presented. So what angle did the prosecutor take with Nima?

[James Craig]

Yeah, the prosecutor really came out swinging. The prosecutor tried to show Nima's story didn't make sense. And how. How could Bob, the successful tech businessman, lose his temper so quickly over a quote, unquote dumb joke and pull out a knife on Nima?

[Andrea Canning]

So the prosecutor and Nima got pretty contentious.

[James Craig]

Combative cross examination was pretty tense. Nima interrupted the prosecutor several times. In one exchange, the prosecutor said, I asked the questions. You answer the questions. The prosecutor also brought up the various texts between Nima and his sister Kazar that make him look pretty suspicious that he was angry at Bob. But Nima accused the prosecutor of pulling texts out of order and out of context, and you could tell that Nima was frustrated.

[Andrea Canning]

Don't envy the jury in this case. They have a lot to consider here.

[James Craig]

It's a very complicated case, and they have a lot of testimony they have to sift through.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay. I know that you and your team will be watching very closely for us. Britney, thank you so much for coming on the podcast.

[James Craig]

Yeah, thanks, Andrea.

[Andrea Canning]

Coming up, a dentist in Aurora, Colorado, is accused of murdering his wife by poisoning her protein shakes. We dig into the evidence prosecutors say proves his marriage had taken a dark turn.

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[Andrea Canning]

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[James Craig]

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[Andrea Canning]

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[James Craig]

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[Andrea Canning]

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[James Craig]

Honestly, there are things that everyone can do to help protect their sexual health. Talk to a healthcare provider to find out how you can take action. And find out [e-mail] sponsored by Gilead.

[Andrea Canning]

For our next story, we're heading to Colorado, and we're starting with the Tooth Fairy. And here's the Tooth Fairy ready to sit.

[James Craig]

Hi, I think you need a tooth extracted.

[Brittany Tom]

I'm here to do the work.

[Andrea Canning]

That is the voice of dentist James Craig, dressed up in a tutu as the Tooth Fairy in a video for his dental practice in suburban Denver. But when he wasn't visiting patients in costume, investigators say he was ordering potassium cyanide to the office and using it to poison his wife Angela's protein. Shakespeare In March 2023, Angela Craig was rushed to the hospital in grave condition. She suffered a seizure, was put on life support and died three days later. The following day, police arrested James and charged him with first degree murder. He's pleaded not guilty. This week, jury selection is set to get underway as the case gears up to go to trial at the beginning of December. Here to help us get up to speed is DATELINE producer Stephanie Barber. Stephanie, welcome to the podcast.

[Brittany Tom]

Thank you.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, so let's start with a little bit of background. What can you tell us about the relationship between James and Angela Craig?

[Brittany Tom]

Well, they seem to have a very normal and Loving relationship. They had a Facebook page that was jointly shared, and they had lots of pictures of them having fun with themselves and their six children. They'd been married for 23 years. And James had a dental practice called the Summer Brook Dental Group.

[Andrea Canning]

This dental practice just was really a family affair.

[Brittany Tom]

Yes, it was. Angela helped out as an office manager, and they also had a close friend who was his business partner. Ryan Redfern.

[Andrea Canning]

March 2023. Angela is feeling sick. She's been sick for several weeks. This is really a mystery condition. Right. They can't figure out what's wrong with her.

[Brittany Tom]

That's right. They can't figure it out. Her symptoms were very mysterious. She complained to her husband of feeling drugged, feeling nauseous, no appetite.

[Andrea Canning]

What's interesting is that Ryan, the business part partner, friend, he tells a nurse that he's suspicious Angela could be the victim of poisoning.

[Brittany Tom]

Yes. So this is where things really start to take a turn in this case. According to the arrest affidavit, Ryan Redfern had heard from one of the staffers at the dental practice that James Craig had received a suspicious delivery at the dental office. And she saw that it said cyanide, and she reported that to Ryan Redfern.

[Andrea Canning]

So this. This is potassium cyanide, to be specific. Correct. Is there any medical reason why they would need this coming to a dental practice?

[Brittany Tom]

Ryan Redfern said that there's no need for any dental practice to be using potassium cyanide and that there was no medical reason for him to be ordering it directly to the dental practice.

[Andrea Canning]

Did the autopsy show exactly what she died from?

[Brittany Tom]

The county coroner's autopsy report did show that Angela Craig died after ingesting lethal amounts of both potassium cyanide and the common ingredient in Visine eye drops.

[Andrea Canning]

So at this point, police are suspecting Angela's been poisoned. How do the investigators believe James got this poison into Angela?

[Brittany Tom]

Investigators say that James Craig was using the smoothies that he would make for his wife on a daily basis. According to the arrest affidavit, James Craig had an explanation for why he ordered the poison. And he says that Angela had been suicidal in the past, that the cyanide that he ordered was actually at her request.

[Andrea Canning]

And investigators obviously did not believe this story.

[Brittany Tom]

They don't believe it. And the family, of course, is very strongly saying that this woman was not suicidal. She had six children. She was very involved in her community, and she loved her family and her friends. And they are saying there's no way she would ever try to kill herself.

[Andrea Canning]

So a big bombshell. But we see this a lot in these types of stories. Police find out that James, the husband, was having an affair.

[Brittany Tom]

They find out that he had begun communicating with a woman that he met at a dental conference not long before Angela first becomes very ill. And she says that she didn't know obviously what he's allegedly doing at this time. She also said that he told her that he was in the process of getting a divorce from Angela.

[Andrea Canning]

Angela's sister told police that the marriage had always had problems. And this isn't the first time that James, according to her, had an affair.

[Brittany Tom]

Yes. And there was also in more recent filings in this case, another woman named in a relationship that potentially lasted longer than the first woman.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay. So we, we seem to know a lot about the prosecution's case from evidence that they've talked about. What do we know about what James Craig's defense is going to look like?

[Brittany Tom]

So at this stage, we still don't really know a whole lot about the defense's strategy. This is his second defense team, and they still very much have an uphill climb, having to get up to speed on what has transpired. And the second defense team is also just not making any comments at this time.

[Andrea Canning]

So ultimately, we'll just have to wait for the trial to begin. And it is set to begin December 2nd. And, Stephanie, I know you'll be watching this one. Thank you so much for joining us.

[Brittany Tom]

Thank you.

[Andrea Canning]

Up next, it's DATELINE roundup with news from inside the courtroom as convicted child murderer Susan Smith asks for parole. Plus, we've got some tips for you on how to stay safe traveling this holiday season.

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[Andrea Canning]

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[James Craig]

How to earn, save and invest wisely.

[Andrea Canning]

The earlier they learn, the better prepared they'll be to manage their money and build a financially secure life. Give your kids the financial edge they need. Sign up for Greenlight [e-mail] podcast. That's Greenlight.com podcast. Welcome back. Joining me for this week's DATELINE roundup is DATELINE producer Rachel White. Hey, Rachel.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Hi, Andrea.

[Andrea Canning]

So for our first story, we are off to South Carolina for an update in the case of Susan Smith, the woman who made headlines 30 years ago when she let her car roll into a lake, drowning her two young sons who were strapped inside.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Yes, this was big news. Remember, Smith initially told investigators that she was carjacked by a black man who then drove away with her son still in the car. She even appeared on national television pleading for the boys to be returned.

[Andrea Canning]

Whoever has them, I pray every day.

[James Craig]

That you're taking care of them and.

[Andrea Canning]

Know that we will do anything to.

[James Craig]

Get them home back to us.

[Vicky Nguyen]

But in reality, she had already killed them. It turned out that Smith was separated from her husband at the time and was having an affair with a man who didn't want kids.

[Andrea Canning]

Smith was found guilty of the drownings in 1995. She was sentenced to life in prison. She all these years later is now eligible to ask for parole, which is what brought her to court this week.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Yeah. So she was there in a video hearing where she presented her request for parole from prison. And this was all live streamed on Court tv.

[Andrea Canning]

First of all, I want to say how very sorry I am.

[James Craig]

I know that what I knew was horrible. I am a Christian and God is.

[Andrea Canning]

A big part of my life and.

[James Craig]

I know he has forgiven me.

[Andrea Canning]

And I just ask that you show.

[James Craig]

That same kind of mercy as well.

[Andrea Canning]

Do we know what her ex husband, David, the boy's father, wants to see happen?

[Vicky Nguyen]

He actually testified at Wednesday's hearing.

[Advertiser]

I understand back in 95 life imprisonment.

[Vicky Nguyen]

30 years to life.

[Advertiser]

But ultimately to me that's only 15 years. Her child, her own children, it's just not enough. So I'm asking that you please do.

[Andrea Canning]

Not heard parole today.

[Vicky Nguyen]

And the court decided not to give her parole. Ms. Susan Smith is denied parole. The vote is unanimous, which was unsurprising considering how low of percentage inmates get parole in South Carolina.

[Andrea Canning]

All right, next up, we're off to Florida, where there's a new charge in the case of Anna Koenzevich, the Colombian American woman who went missing in February from her apartment in Madrid.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Yeah. At the time, Ana was in the midst of a nasty divorce from her husband, David Koenezovich, and had moved from Florida to Spain for a fresh start. But in early February of this year, Ana stopped responding to her family and her friends, and so they actually got in contact with authorities in Madrid to report her missing.

[Andrea Canning]

That was just the beginning of what's become really an international investigation with Spanish and US Authorities working together to find her. They zeroed in pretty quickly, Rachel, on her estranged husband, David.

[Vicky Nguyen]

According to the prosecution, he was actually in Madrid at the time of Ana's disappearance. And prosecutors say that video from security cameras in the hallway of Ana's apartment shows a man who looks a lot like David entering the building the night before she disappeared, spray painting a security camera and then leaving the building about an hour later with a rolling suitcase.

[Andrea Canning]

Federal prosecutors charged him with Ana's kidnapping back in May. Do we have any idea if Ana is still alive?

[Vicky Nguyen]

Well, her body has never been found, but the big news last week was that David was charged with her murder as well. David's defense team has told NBC 6 in Miami that he is not guilty and that they're, quote, dumbfounded by the new charge because they say that there's no new evidence in the case.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, we'll keep watching that one. For our final story, we're off to Texas, where there was a consequential ruling in the case of Robert Roberson, a man who's facing execution for the 2002 death of his daughter, Nikki Curtis. What's going on with that?

[Vicky Nguyen]

Rachel Roberson was convicted in 2003 of beating and shaking his two year old daughter so violently that he induced a serious brain injury that led to her death.

[Andrea Canning]

But Roberson's defense team says that they have proof that Roberson's daughter actually died from natural causes. Complications from pneumonia.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Exactly. Roberson has garnered wide support.

[Andrea Canning]

So in October, Roberson was hours away from execution when Texas lawmakers issued a last minute subpoena summoning him to testify at the Texas Capitol on the day after he was scheduled to be executed.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Yeah, and you know, that stopped the execution in its tracks.

[Andrea Canning]

So this was all until last Friday.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Right.

[Andrea Canning]

And then there's more news.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Right. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that a legislative subpoena can't stop an execution. So Roberson's execution is back on.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay. Thank you, Rachel, so much for all of these updates.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Thank you, Andrea.

[Andrea Canning]

When it comes to holiday travel, the most wonderful time of the year can feel like the most stressful. And your safety might not be top of mind. So whether or not you're traveling this holiday season, we've got some travel safety tips you can use year round. From today's show, senior consumer investigative correspondent Vicki Winn. Hey, Vicki, Good to have you back.

[Rachel White]

Hey, Good morning.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay. Let's talk about travel trends. So most Americans say they're planning on driving instead of flying this holiday season.

[Rachel White]

Yeah. Motel 6 and Studio 6 just did a recent survey, Andrea, and they found 51% of those who were surveyed said that they do plan to drive, would rather drive compared to the 13% who are flying.

[Andrea Canning]

I agree. Like having six kids, you know, it's so much easier to just pile all the presents and the kids in the car versus trying to get to an airport. It's just easier to drive. But According to the U.S. department of Homeland Security, traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. So what can we all do to stay safe?

[Rachel White]

I know it's a really sobering statistic. So number one budget in extra time, even just leaving 15 minutes earlier than normal can take some of the stress out of driving in general. In that same vein, getting a nice night of sleep ahead of time and making sure that you've packed the the car. And finally, it is time to check what is in your trunk, what is in your emergency kit in the event you get stuck in something and it's weather related or you just can't get off the freeway to get food that you've got, your medicines, your snacks, and if you're traveling with pets, that you have something for them as well, as well as the important items like a portable power charger for your phone, jumper cables, you know, have you checked your car for a spare tire? But these are things that you should know in advance and you should know how to use them.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. And also that you always have enough gas. I've gotten caught in bumper to bumper traffic on the highway and you're just sitting there. It's not the time that you want to run out of gas.

[Rachel White]

Good point.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, so if you're flying, any tips on how to book holiday travel with regards to making sure everything goes smoothly, you're not scammed in some way.

[Rachel White]

It's funny because some people have this fear of flying, but statistically speaking, we know it is a very safe form of transportation. The most dangerous part of booking an air travel vacation or holiday is that scam that you mentioned, Andrea. There's a cybersecurity site called Guardio and they say that over the last 18 months, travel scams have gone up online 900% and that is due in large part to AI. AI has made it so easy for scammers to design really sophisticated looking websites that also show up in Google searches. Right. So you want to make sure anytime you're booking with a site that you've never used before that you've actually gone to the URL. You're looking in that little website address line for HTTPs S, as in security, to make sure it's a secure site. Don't just click on links that are sent to you via email, via social media. Go to the actual hotel or the airline that you are looking for and make sure that you always pay with a credit card. Not zelle, not Venmo, not crypto, not gift cards. Those are all red flags for scammer sites. And if the price is just too good to be true, that should also get your spidey senses going. My final tip here, Andrea, is consider working with a travel agent. That is a great way to protect yourself from scams.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. So we've all seen footage or we've been in airports during the holidays. It can be crazy. Have there been any security changes that people should be aware of? I know the driver's licenses, the real ID is going to be a mandatory soon, things like that.

[Vicky Nguyen]

Yeah.

[Rachel White]

If you haven't been to the airport recently, you might be surprised by all the facial recognition technology that is now being used by TSA as well as airlines like Delta where they ask if you want your face scanned so that they can recognize and verify who you are. It definitely speeds up the process of getting through those security lines. And here's my answer to folks who are worried about this idea that oh my gosh, my picture is being taken. What happens with all that data? Well, the companies say that they delete it, that it's just, you know, a taken, it's verifying your identity and that they get rid of it. I trust in the system, I understand people have hesitancy, but if efficiency is what you're after, this is a very fast way to get through those lines. And then to your question about the real ID, that new deadline is May 7, 2025. Basically, the government keeps saying we're going to require you to have this special driver's license that says real ID on it in order to travel domestically. So if you want to go ahead and make an appointment for the dmv, get your license updated. I did it a while ago because I kept thinking it was going to be anyway, the new deadline May 7, 2025.

[Andrea Canning]

Me too. Okay, thank you, Vicki. Everyone's getting excited for the holidays and these are amazing tips.

[Rachel White]

Always great to be with you.

[Andrea Canning]

That's it for this episode of DATELINE True Crime Weekly. Next week we'll be off for Thanksgiving. We hope you have a lovely time, whatever you're doing. And we'll be back on December 5th with the latest crime news. And coming up this Friday on dateline, an Atlanta millionaire threw a birthday bash. Four months later, one of the guests would become his killer. So chilling when you think that Lance was face to face with his killer at that birthday party.

[Brittany Tom]

Extremely chilling. Everybody happy he was in the limelight.

[James Craig]

And four months later, he's no longer with us.

[Andrea Canning]

Watch my new two hour mystery, the Killer Among Them, airing this Friday at 9, 8 Central on NBC or stream it starting Saturday on Peacock Talk. To get ad free listening for all our podcasts, subscribe to DATELINE Premium. 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 Kuroloff production and fact checking help by Sara Kadir. Veronica Mazeca 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. Bye bye bye everyone. The first ever Kia K4 seamlessly combines bold style and advanced tech. With striking star map, LED headlights and an available panoramic display, the Kia K4 delivers design and function. The available surround view and blind spot view monitors can help provide added confidence. Plus, SiriusXM comes standard, bringing you closer to what you love.

[James Craig]

The Kia K4 balances aesthetics and innovation.

[Andrea Canning]

Learn more at kia.com K4 surround view and Blind spot view monitors may not detect all objects around or behind the vehicle.