Dateline NBC: Murder & Magnolias – Ep. 6: Judgment Day

Release Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Keith Morrison

Episode Overview

The final installment of “Murder & Magnolias” examines the emotional and contentious final stages of the Chris Latham and Wendy Moore murder-for-hire case. This episode focuses on the jury’s deliberations, the verdict, aftermath for all involved—including rare, powerful moments of forgiveness—and updates on where the central figures are now. Featuring first-hand juror perspectives, courtroom drama, post-trial interviews, and personal reflections, the episode closes out the series with themes of justice, redemption, and new beginnings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jury Deliberations and the Weight of Judgment

[02:48–08:16]

• Deliberations began after nine days of testimony and over 100 exhibits.
• Initial vote focused on Chris Latham; discord quickly emerged.
• By contrast, Wendy Moore’s guilt felt clearer to jurors, citing physical demeanor and strong evidence.
• Notable evidence included: drop phones, moneygrams, hit packet printouts, testimony from Aaron Wilkinson (who claimed, “I’m a piece of [expletive], but I’m no murderer.” [05:10], Juror quoting Wilkinson).

Jurors Debate Chris Latham’s Role

• Three jurors, including Christina Weatherby, resisted convicting Latham for conspiracy, questioning whether Wendy could have acted alone or accessed his resources without his knowledge.
  • “I don’t think that he orchestrated it. I always thought that she did.” (Juror, [05:30])
  • “She had all the passwords to his computers, so she had full access to anything.” (Christina Weatherby, [07:01])

Compromise and Verdict

• The jury eventually found Chris Latham guilty of aiding and abetting, agreeing he wanted his wife dead and helped the conspirators, even if indirectly.
  • “Aiding and abetting, we were unanimous about right. Count three is what we got him on. He just didn’t get his hands dirty.” (Juror, [08:04])
• Wendy Moore was found guilty on all four counts.

Reactions in the Courtroom

[08:43–09:10]

• Nancy Latham waited anxiously for the verdict:

  • “The moment they said guilty, I felt like I could breathe for the first time. So it was like all of a sudden I was human again.” (Nancy, [08:43])

• Prosecutor Rhett DeHart described the outcome:

  • “If the defense would have offered us before trial that [Latham] would plead guilty to count three, which he was convicted of, we’d have taken that deal... it was a victory for the Justice Department.” ([09:10])

Jailhouse Redemption: Nancy & Aaron Wilkinson

[12:58–17:19]

• A filmed, emotional meeting between Nancy and Aaron Wilkinson (the would-be hitman who testified for the prosecution).
  • Nancy to Aaron: “I cannot possibly thank you enough... the outcome would have been very different were it not for you.” ([14:59])
  • Nancy expresses genuine forgiveness, and pledges to support Aaron during his sentencing: “Just like you had my back, tomorrow I’ll have yours.” ([16:19])
• Nancy advocates for leniency, and Aaron receives a reduced four-year sentence.

Chris Latham & Wendy Moore Speak Out

[18:06–21:47]

• Both defendants give jailhouse interviews denying guilt and maintaining innocence.
• Wendy Moore insists her ex-husband Sam Yenawine (deceased) would have exonerated her:
  • “I don’t think Sam would have let me go to jail for something I didn’t do.” (Wendy, [19:27])
• Chris Latham also rejects any role in a murder plot, describing shock and disbelief over events:
  • “I’m telling you the truth. I have no incentive to harm Nancy.” (Chris, [19:49])
• When confronted about contradictions in their stories:
  • “Think this thing through... Why would I do this?” (Chris, [21:01])
• Both profess their enduring love for each other, with Wendy calling Chris her soulmate.
  • “He is a good person and I love him. And he is... an innocent man.” (Wendy, [21:20])

Sentencing and Aftermath

[21:47–24:32]

• Chris Latham: Sentenced to 10 years for aiding and abetting, plus a fine and supervised release.
• Wendy Moore: Receives 15 years, serving sentences concurrently.
• Both serve about half their terms before early release.

Where Are They Now? Updates on Key Players

[25:00–33:45]

• Wendy Moore: Released in October 2021; reflects on her time in a relatively low-security facility.
• Chris Latham: Released January 2022 after serving around seven years.
• Questions linger about whether they would reconnect or rekindle their relationship following release.
  • “She’s a wonderful person. And I have... feelings for her, but... there are a lot of things up in the air.” (Chris, [27:22])
• Wendy describes Chris’ unconditional acceptance:
  • “He accepts every little thing about me as okay. It makes me comfortable with myself—and that makes me love him more.” (Wendy, [27:46])
• Both exchanged supportive jailhouse calls in the past, but later appeals indicated cracks in their solidarity.

Family Fallout

• Chris’ relationship with his daughters is fractured.
  • Daughter Madison (at trial): “I didn’t want to have to think someone who I lived with for 15 years or so was a monster.” ([30:10])
  • Madison eventually resumes communication with Chris; Emily remains estranged.

Nancy Latham (now Nancy Cannon): Reinvention & Recovery

• Nancy moves away from South Carolina, finds joy and value in a new job.
  • “The only person I have to make happy is me, and man, is that liberating.” ([31:31 & 02:39])
• Briefly pursues stand-up comedy, channeling her painful experience into humor.
  • “My divorce, like probably most of you, didn’t go the way I’d hoped it would go... but I do.” ([32:21])
• Feels secure and less compelled to retell her traumatic story, focusing on healing and the future.

Notable Quotes & Powerful Moments

• Nancy Latham on the verdict:
  “I felt like I could breathe for the first time. So it was like all of a sudden I was human again.” ([08:43])

• Juror Christina Weatherby on Chris Latham’s role:
  “She had all the passwords to his computers, so she had full access to anything... you don’t know who it was that was accessing those computers. It could have been her.” ([07:01])

• On forgiveness (Nancy to Aaron Wilkinson):
  “I cannot possibly thank you enough. I think we all completely understand that the outcome would have been very different were it not for you.” ([14:59])
  “Just like you had my back, tomorrow I’ll have yours.” ([16:19])

• Wendy Moore on her feelings for Chris:
  “He accepts every little thing about me as okay. It makes me comfortable with myself—and that makes me love him more.” ([27:46])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jury Reflections & Debates: [04:20–08:16]
• Courtroom Reactions / Prosecutor Remarks: [08:43–09:10]
• Nancy’s Forgiveness of Aaron Wilkinson: [12:58–17:19]
• Defendants’ Jailhouse Interviews: [18:06–21:47]
• Sentencing Recap: [21:47–24:32]
• Post-Prison Updates / Reflections: [25:00–33:45]
• Nancy’s New Beginnings & Stand-Up: [31:31–33:45]

Tone and Style

Keith Morrison delivers the narrative in his signature reflective, evocative style—balancing forensic detail with emotional nuance. Juror and participant quotes provide human perspectives and tension, while Nancy’s humor and personal resolve steer the episode toward closure and hope.

Conclusion

This final episode of “Murder & Magnolias” provides a thorough, sensitive rendering of both the judicial and personal resolution in a high-stakes true crime case. It shows the imperfections of justice, the depth of human forgiveness, and the resilience required to move forward—making for a resonant and memorable series finale.