Dateline Originals: "Deadly Engagement"

Episode 6: A Command Performance

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Josh Mankiewicz, NBC News

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the gripping murder trial of Shannon Crawley, accused of killing Danita Smith in a tangled web of jealousy, deceit, and betrayal. With competing claims, scarce physical evidence, and the pivotal role of testimony and courtroom drama, the podcast unpacks how the case unfolded, culminating in the jury’s verdict and the lasting impact on the families involved.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of the Case and Competing Narratives

• Lack of Direct Evidence:
  • The prosecution's case is largely circumstantial, with little physical evidence tying Shannon Crawley to the murder scene (01:44).
  • Crawley’s DNA and fingerprints are not found at the crime scene (01:51).
• Competing Accusations:
  • Both Shannon Crawley and Jermier Stroud accuse each other; both claim innocence regarding who fired the fatal shot (01:04-01:38).

2. Jury Perception and Pre-trial Concerns

• Jury Sympathy and Stereotypes:

  • Prosecutors worry about Crawley’s presentation—her credible story and allegations of domestic violence—which may resonate with some jurors (02:00).
  • Likewise, they’re concerned about their key witness, Stroud, whose own actions (cheating, double life) could undermine his credibility (02:14).

• Potential Plea Deal:

  • The prosecutor leaves the decision of offering a plea deal to Danita’s mother, Sharon Smith, who declines, saying, "My daughter didn't get to plea for her life that morning. So, no, no plea" (03:18).

3. Opening Arguments and Witness Testimony

• Central Motive: Jealousy/Envy
  • Prosecutor David Sacks frames envy as the deadly sin at the case's core—Crawley's envy of Danita's life and fiancé, Jermier Stroud (06:00).

Key Witnesses:

• Sharon Smith (Victim's Mother):

  • Shares the loss and hopes for her daughter:
    • “Yes, it was a tragedy... but my daughter still lives on. I knew what she stood for. I knew what her drive, her energy. I knew that she was going places.” (07:16)

• Edith Kearns (Friend):

  • Describes confronting Crawley in court, noting her cold stare and lack of emotion (08:09).

• Michael Hedgepeth (Maintenance Man):

  • Recalls seeing a woman matching Crawley’s description sobbing in a burgundy SUV, but can't positively identify her (08:33, 09:05).

• Jermier Stroud’s Testimony:

  • Admits to cheating, acknowledges his role as a “catalyst,” but denies violence (10:02-11:00).
  • Described as “squirrely” on the stand, under immense pressure (10:45).

4. The Contested Evidence and Recordings

• Shift in Crawley's Story:

  • Initially describes Stroud as incapable of violence; later, after charges, alleges threats and violence (12:38).

• Controversial Audio Recordings:

  • Key defense evidence: Recordings said to implicate Stroud, but their authenticity is questioned (20:12).

  • When played in court, the jury and onlookers laugh at the obviously fake, high-pitched, whispered "confession" (21:08-22:28).

    “Even Shannon’s attorney said, that sounds like Michael Jackson, that high pitched voice. Jamir does not have a high pitched voice.”
    —Sharon Smith, (22:28)

    “It just had the whole appearance or the whole sound that she just made this up and it just came across like that. It just came across like a production, a very bad one, I might add.”
    —Reporter John McCann, (21:48)

• Backfire:

  • The tapes, designed to exonerate Crawley, end up hurting her defense and casting doubt on her credibility (22:56-23:10).

5. Defense’s Version and Closing Arguments (Day 10)

• Shannon Crawley’s Defense:

  • Portrays herself as abused, coerced by Stroud; claims he threatened her and her children, forced her to Durham, and committed the shooting (17:33-19:13).

    “Either your children die or you die for your children.”
    —Crawley recounting Stroud's alleged threat, (18:07)

  • Her mother and defense team believe she made a credible case, but even supporters sense skepticism from the jury (19:21-19:39).

• Prosecution’s Closing Argument:

  • Focuses on motive, means, and opportunity, emphasizing Crawley’s lies, purchase of a .38 caliber pistol, matching vehicle and uniform, and repeated deceptions (24:22-25:53).

    “The means was that .38 caliber pistols Shannon had purchased… two months before the murder.”
    —Josh Mankiewicz, (24:26)

    “Those tapes, more than anything else, revealed what he said was an essential truth about Shannon Crawley... They're so comical. They're obviously phony.”
    —Prosecutor David Sacks, (26:24)

6. The Verdict and Aftermath

• Jury Deliberations:

  • Jurors request to review evidence, notably the audio tapes. After hearing all five, consensus is that they are fake and damaging to Crawley’s case (29:37-30:55).

    “It really hurts worse when you have to go to the point you start faking evidence.”
    —Detective Sean Pate, (30:48)

• Verdict Announcement:

  • The jury finds Shannon Crawley guilty of first-degree murder (31:37-31:51). Her reaction is described as devastated and nearly lifeless (32:10).

    “Like all the life just drained out of her. Like she'd seen a ghost.”
    —Ann Crawley (32:10)

• Sharon Smith’s Statement:

  • Speaks directly to Crawley at sentencing, expressing her loss and anger (33:04).

    “You took my baby away from me. If it wasn't your place to do that, because you didn't give it to me … right now, I hope you rob him. You took something from him.”
    —Sharon Smith, (33:04)

• Judge Stevens’ Commentary:

  • Censures Jermier Stroud for causing a "perfect storm"—the circumstances that enabled the tragedy—even though he is not legally culpable for murder (33:41).

    “Jermier Stroud caused a perfect storm to happen and then walked away from it.”
    —Judge Stevens, (33:41)

• Life Sentence:

  • Shannon Crawley is sentenced to life without parole (33:58).

7. The Ripple Effects and Reflection

• Impact on Both Families:

  • Acknowledgement of pain on both sides: Danita’s family loses a daughter; Shannon’s children lose their mother (34:41-35:08).

    “One selfish act destroyed two families.”
    —Detective Sean Pate, (35:08)

• On Blame and Lasting Guilt:

  • While the jury holds Crawley responsible, many believe Stroud bears deep moral responsibility; both families share resentment and sorrow (35:41-36:10).

    “My belief is that Jamir is going to pay for this one day, and he's probably paying for it now, but he's going to pay for it.”
    —Sharon Smith, (36:10)

• Final Reflections from Danita’s Mom:

  • Sharon Smith finds peace, believing her daughter’s spirit lives on and that justice, legal or cosmic, will run its course (37:35).

    “Danita wouldn't want me to be sitting and being bitter or sad … when I lay down at night, I get a peaceful sleep. I don't know if they do.”
    —Sharon Smith, (37:35)

Notable Quotes

| Time | Quote | Speaker | |--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------| | 03:18 | "My daughter didn't get to plea for her life that morning. So, no, no plea." | Sharon Smith | | 06:30 | "You can always kind of guess maybe what snapped in her mind or what happened in her head, you know, to make her want to do this." | David Sacks | | 07:16 | "Yes, it was a tragedy ... but my daughter still lives on. I knew what she stood for." | Sharon Smith | | 21:48 | "It just came across like a production, a very bad one, I might add." | John McCann (reporter)| | 22:28 | "Even Shannon's attorney said, that sounds like Michael Jackson, that high pitched voice. Jamir does not have a high pitched voice." | Sharon Smith | | 30:48 | "It really hurts worse when you have to go to the point you start faking evidence." | Sean Pate | | 32:10 | "Like all the life just drained out of her. Like she'd seen a ghost." | Ann Crawley (Shannon's mom)| | 33:04 | "You took my baby away from me ... you didn't give it to me ... you took something from him." | Sharon Smith | | 35:08 | "One selfish act destroyed two families." | Sean Pate | | 37:35 | "Danita wouldn't want me to be sitting and being bitter or sad ... when I lay down at night, I get a peaceful sleep. I don't know if they do." | Sharon Smith |

Important Timestamps

• 01:04-01:44 – Introduction of the circumstantial case and diverging narratives
• 03:15-03:27 – Sharon Smith on the plea deal
• 06:00-07:16 – Prosecutor’s opening: the role of envy and the victim's legacy
• 10:02-11:14 – Jermier Stroud testifies about his affair and its aftermath
• 17:33-19:13 – Shannon Crawley’s testimony describing Stroud’s alleged threats and the night of the murder
• 20:12-23:10 – Testimony and reaction to the audio tapes; the courtroom's disbelief and laughter
• 24:22-25:53 – Prosecution's closing focusing on lies, motive, means, and opportunity
• 29:37-30:55 – Jury reviews tapes, general agreement of hoax, hurt to defense
• 31:37-32:10 – Delivery of the verdict, emotional impact in the courtroom
• 33:04-33:41 – Sentencing: Sharon’s statement and the judge’s rebuke of Stroud
• 35:08-37:35 – Reflections on blame, the ripple effect, and moving toward peace

Conclusion

“A Command Performance” details how a complex murder case with limited physical evidence ultimately relied on the power of testimony, courtroom performance, and the believability—or lack thereof—of key evidence. The fallout from the crime leaves two families shattered and raises lingering questions about ultimate responsibility, consequences, and the lasting cost of one selfish act. The episode deftly illustrates the ripple effects of tragedy and the poignant search for closure.