A dentist on trial for poisoning his wife. And detectives' doubts about the case of a Virgina dad accused of conspiring with his au pair.

Summary

Dateline: True Crime Weekly - Episode Summary
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host: Andrea Canning, NBC News

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly, host Andrea Canning delves into two high-profile cases that have captivated true crime enthusiasts nationwide. The episode explores the unsettling trial of Dr. James Craig, a dentist accused of poisoning his wife, and the complex investigation surrounding Brendan Banfield, a Virginia father accused of conspiring with his au pair to murder his wife. Additionally, the episode features a roundup of recent verdicts and highlights a new scam targeting unsuspecting victims.

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Case 1: Dr. James Craig - Dentist on Trial for Poisoning His Wife

Background

Dr. James Craig, a family dentist from Aurora, Colorado, is on trial for the alleged murder of his wife, Angela Craig. The prosecution asserts that in March 2023, Dr. Craig poisoned Angela's protein shake with potassium cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, leading to her untimely death.

Prosecution's Case

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley presented a compelling timeline of events, highlighting Angela's repeated hospital visits and the mysterious worsening of her health. Crucial evidence includes:

• Surveillance Footage: [04:14] "We saw James Craig in the kitchen making a protein shake that he allegedly then gave to Angela to drink."
• Incriminating Google Searches: [05:28] “How to make murder look like a heart attack. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning. Lethal dose. Is arsenic detectable? Autopsy. 5 most dangerous chemicals on earth. Where to buy arsenic.”

Brackley also detailed the deterioration of James and Angela's 23-year marriage, citing his affairs and texts with Dr. Karen Kane as potential motives. [06:20] "James was having casual affairs with women over the course of their 23-year marriage."

Defense's Arguments

Dr. Craig's defense team contests the murder allegations, suggesting that Angela's death was a suicide. Key points include:

• Challenging Evidence Collection: [07:00] "They pointed out a lot of evidence that wasn't collected from the house in the initial investigation, including Angela's computer."
• Character Defense: Depicted Angela as a "broken person" who may have taken her own life. Surveillance videos showed conversations hinting at her mental state.

Additional Charges Against Dr. Craig

Prosecutors revealed that Dr. Craig, while awaiting trial, attempted to manipulate the case by:

• Fabricating Evidence: [06:34] "He was trying to fabricate evidence implying that his wife had taken her own life."
• Solicitation of Murder: Offering $20,000 to an inmate to kill the lead investigator, thereby adding charges of solicitation to commit murder and perjury.

Notable Quotes:

• [03:57] "There was just so much anticipation that this was actually finally happening."
• [07:00] "This is all according to prosecutors, so we'll see how they lay out that evidence."

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Case 2: Brendan Banfield - Virginia Dad Accused of Conspiring with His Au Pair

Background

In February 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, leading to the deaths of Christine Banfield, an ICU nurse and mother, and Joseph Ryan, a stranger. Initially, Brendan Banfield, Christine's husband, claimed self-defense, stating he shot Ryan after witnessing an attack on his wife. However, investigations took a dramatic turn when Christine's au pair, Juliana Perez Margulies, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Prosecution's Case

Prosecutors allege that Brendan Banfield conspired with Juliana to murder Christine and frame Joseph Ryan through an elaborate catfishing plot. Their claims include:

• Use of Fake Profiles: Crafting a deceptive online persona to lure Joseph Ryan under false pretenses.
• Orchestrated Violence: Creating a scenario where Ryan was killed in what appeared to be an act of self-defense.

Defense's Arguments and Doubts

During a pretrial hearing, significant doubts were raised about the prosecution's narrative:

• Conflicting Investigations: [16:05] "It wasn't her husband and au pair pretending to be her."
• Forensic Evidence Challenges: The lead digital forensics detective concluded that only Christine was interacting with Joseph Ryan, based on IP addresses and language analysis. [16:03] "It was Christine and Christine alone who likely set up the profile and was in contact with Joseph Ryan."

Moreover, internal conflicts within the investigative team surfaced:

• Detective Transfers: [18:04] "The deputy chief... transferred the digital forensics detective out of the unit."
• Peer Review Confirmation: An external review by the University of Alabama validated the detective's analysis, asserting the findings were "sound."

Recent Developments

The defense is actively questioning the integrity of the investigation, highlighting:

• Potential Bias and Pressure: The lead detective admitted to receiving pressure from higher-ups to conform to the prosecution's theory.
• Retirement of Deputy Chief: [18:04] The deputy chief has submitted his retirement papers amidst the controversy.
• Legal Maneuvers: The defense has requested full access to the paperwork surrounding the detective transfers to further challenge the prosecution's case.

Notable Quotes:

• [16:05] "If your lead forensics detective is saying, sorry, guys, I don't see proof of this anywhere in the data, your case falls apart."
• [17:54] "It's Albert. You're gonna get 12 people in a room and they're all gonna have their theories that that in itself was not unusual."

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DATELINE Roundup

Verdicts:

1. Dan Serafini:

   • Case Overview: Former Major League Baseball pitcher accused of murdering his father-in-law, Gary Spoor, in an execution-style killing at his Lake Tahoe home in 2021. Spoor's wife, Wendy Wood, was also shot but survived before dying by suicide.
   • Verdict: Guilty of first-degree murder. [22:55] "We the jury in the above-entitled action find the defendant, Daniel Joseph Serafini, guilty."
   • Reactions: Victim's family divided, with Erin Serafini showing support for her husband while their daughter Adrienne expressed grief and anger. [23:24] "It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot, and it's been four years of just hell."

2. Karina Cooper:

   • Case Overview: Accused of murdering her husband, Ryan Cooper, four years ago. The case hinged on incriminating Snapchat messages between Cooper and her alleged accomplice, Houston Danker.
   • Verdict: Guilty of murdering her husband. [25:28] "The jury found Karina Cooper guilty of murdering her husband."
   • Future Proceedings: Houston Danker is set to stand trial in August after pleading not guilty. [25:39] "Danker entered a plea of not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial August 12th."

Updates:

• Karen Reed Case:
  • Background: Acquitted of murder in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, but faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the victim's family.
  • Developments: Reed's new legal team is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed. Additionally, Reed and her attorney have signed a deal to develop a screen adaptation of her story. [26:35] "Reed and her attorney... have signed a deal to develop a screen adaptation of her story."

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Scam Alert: Impersonating Law Enforcement Officers

A concerning trend has emerged where scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to deceive individuals into paying large sums of money. Key characteristics of this scam include:

• Pseudo-Law Enforcement Tactics: Scammers present themselves as police officers, using spoofed numbers to appear legitimate.
• Demand for Immediate Payment: Victims are pressured to wire money, purchase gift cards, or use cryptocurrency to resolve alleged arrest warrants.
• Fake Bail Bond Procedures: In some cases, scammers require victims to interact with supposed bail bondsmen, even providing fake business cards to add credibility.

Expert Insights:

• Kristen Barnett, a former federal fraud investigator, advises:
  • [27:18] “If someone is calling you to say there is a warrant out for your arrest, it's more than likely a scam.”
  • [30:21] “If there's a sense of urgency and something like, you know, either do this or this will happen, that is a big red flag to look out for.”

Prevention Tips:

• Verification: Always ask for a badge number and confirm with local police departments.
• Use Common Sense: Reflect on whether any actions of yours would warrant legal action.
• Be Skeptical of Unusual Payment Methods: Legitimate law enforcement will not demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency.

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Conclusion

This episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly offers a deep dive into complex criminal cases, showcasing the intricate details and ongoing developments that keep true crime aficionados engaged. From the courtroom dramas of Dr. James Craig and Brendan Banfield to the recent verdicts and emerging scams, Andrea Canning provides listeners with comprehensive insights and expert analyses.

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Notable Quotes:

• [03:57] Michelle Madigan: "There was just so much anticipation that this was actually finally happening."
• [07:00] Andrea Canning: "This is all according to prosecutors, so we'll see how they lay out that evidence."
• [16:05] Marianne O'Donnell: "If your lead forensics detective is saying, sorry, guys, I don't see proof of this anywhere in the data, your case falls apart."
• [17:54] Marianne O'Donnell: "It's Albert. You're gonna get 12 people in a room and they're all gonna have their theories that that in itself was not unusual."
• [27:18] Kristen Barnett: “If someone is calling you to say there is a warrant out for your arrest, it's more than likely a scam.”
• [30:21] Kristen Barnett: “If there's a sense of urgency and something like, you know, either do this or this will happen, that is a big red flag to look out for.”

---

Stay Informed: For ad-free listening and exclusive content, consider subscribing to Dateline Premium.

Upcoming Episode: Tune in this Friday for a classic Keith Morrison mystery when a private investigator goes missing, leading detectives on a trail of broken relationships and financial intrigue.

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Produced by Franny Kelly, Katie Ferguson, and Sue Simpson

Transcript

[Josh Mankiewicz]

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[Andrea Canning]

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[Michelle Madigan]

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[Andrea Canning]

On sale for even less at Nordstrom Rack. Take an extra 25% off red tag clearance throughout the store from brands like Free People, Dolce Vita, Adidas and more. All sales final. The best stuff goes fast. So shop this sale at Nordstrom Rack today. Please see nordstromrack.com or ask a Soar associate for details.

[Michelle Madigan]

Good morning. Good morning.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Hey, good morning.

[Michelle Madigan]

You're listening in to the DATELINE morning meeting. All right, let's get going. Our producers are swapping tips on breaking crime news. According to these cops, this guy just loves attention. We've got religion. We've got a love triangle. We've got a basketball star.

[Andrea Canning]

They're trying to reclaim what has happened.

[Michelle Madigan]

And move on in the strongest way possible. Welcome to DATELINE True Crime Weekly. I'm Andrea Canning. It's July 17th and here's what's on our docket. In the D.C. suburbs, the man accused of orchestrating a double homicide, allegedly with the help of his 4 year old's AU pair, is back in court. His team has turned up evidence that they say could undermine the prosecution's case.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

It was like the whole top brass of police was in the courtroom and what was revealed was eye opening, to say the least.

[Michelle Madigan]

In DATELINE roundup, we've got two verdicts in two murder trials. Former major league baseball player Dan Serafini and Iowa farmers widow Karina Cooper both learned their fate this past week. And Karen Reed is back in the news.

[Sue Simpson]

Reed's attorneys, a whole new team, are asking the court to throw out the lawsuit.

[Michelle Madigan]

Plus, I'll be talking to a former Secret Service agent about a new scam to watch out for.

[Kristen Barnett]

If there's a sense of urgency, you know, either do this or this will happen. That is a big red flag.

[Michelle Madigan]

But before all that, we're off to the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, where a family dentist is on trial for spiking his wife's protein shakes with poison. In August 2017, the Summerbrook Dental Group in Aurora, Colorado, posted a video to its Facebook page. It shows Dr. James Craig, dressed in a white tutu, caring for one of his patients. And here's the tooth fairy.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Hi.

[Michelle Madigan]

I think you need a tooth extracted. I'm here to do the work. This week, almost eight years later, cameras in an Arapahoe county courthouse captured James Craig acting very differently, dressed in a business suit and wiping away tears as he went on trial for his wife Angela's murder. Prosecutors alleged that In March of 2023, Craig poisoned Angela's protein shake with potassium cyanide and tetrahydrosaline, an ingredient found in eyedrop drops. Craig has pleaded not guilty and says that his wife took her own life. This week, jurors heard opening statements, and the prosecution started laying out its case, including surveillance video that's never been seen by the public before. Here to bring us the latest is DATELINE producer Michelle Madigan, who was in court this week for trial and is in Colorado right now. Hey, Michelle.

[Andrea Canning]

Hi, Andrea.

[Michelle Madigan]

So, Michelle, it has taken years to get to this point. James Craig is on his fourth defense team. He's been accused of committing additional crimes while he's been awaiting trial, which we'll get to. What was the mood like in court?

[Andrea Canning]

There was just so much anticipation that this was actually finally happening. There was a big, long line outside the courtroom waiting to file in. Everyone wanted to get a spot ready to hear what the attorneys had to say.

[Michelle Madigan]

So, Michelle, what did we learn in the prosecution's opening statement?

[Andrea Canning]

The assistant da, Ryan Brackley, really laid it out like a timeline. He told the story of how Angela kept going back to the hospital. She went to urgent care. She just kept getting sicker and sicker and not understanding what was causing the symptoms. Then he talked about how James Craig had ordered potassium cyanide to his dental practice and kind of laid out how ultimately she did have potassium cyanide in her system. And this family had surveillance cameras inside their home. So the prosecutor in his opening actually showed photos from this surveillance footage. We saw James Craig in the kitchen making a protein shake that he allegedly then gave to Angela to drink.

[Michelle Madigan]

Michelle, one thing that always confuses me, gets me, you know, are these allegations of murder suspects that they do Google searches. And this is no different. James Craig, you know, was accused of making some pretty incriminating searches.

[Andrea Canning]

Yes. This is in the days leading up to Angela's death. They say he's doing them on a computer in the dental practice that's not in his office. He's using a computer in an exam room. And that's where they found the most incriminating of these Google searches.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

How to make murder look like a heart attack. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning. Lethal dose Is arsenic detectable and autopsy 5 most dangerous chemicals on earth. Where to buy arsenic.

[Michelle Madigan]

Ryan Brackley also talked about James and Angela's marriage, that it was deteriorating.

[Andrea Canning]

He did. James was having casual affairs with women over the course of their 23 year marriage. They said he met them on sugar daddy websites. He was having an affair with one woman who he actually met at a dental conference. Dr. Karen Kane. The prosecution said this affair was escalating.

[Michelle Madigan]

He.

[Andrea Canning]

They read text messages between them. And you can see he wants to plan a future with her and, you know, wants to. To no longer be with Angela. And he was even texting with Karen as Angela died.

[Michelle Madigan]

The prosecutor ended his opening statement referencing the additional charges against James that we mentioned off the top. What is he accused of doing since he's been behind bars? It's. It's pretty wild, right?

[Andrea Canning]

It is. I think prosecutors are. Are looking into what he was doing from behind bars. And they say he was trying to fabricate evidence implying that his wife had taken her own life. He started asking fellow inmates to plant fake letters around his home, making it seem that Angela was suicidal. He also offered a fellow inmate $20,000 to kill the lead investigator on the case.

[Michelle Madigan]

And these were inmates who were about to be. So in theory, they could go into the world and do this.

[Andrea Canning]

This is all according to prosecutors, so we'll see how they lay out that evidence. Asking the jury to convict Dr. Craig of solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury. In addition to the first degree murder charge, James has pleaded not guilty to all of them.

[Michelle Madigan]

How did Dr. Craig's attorney respond in her opening statement?

[Andrea Canning]

So his attorney isn't disputing that Angela was sick or that she had poison in her system. It's really coming down to how she died. And they're saying you can't prove that it was murder. She talked about this family being broken. The marriage was broken. Angela had worked hard to create this image of a beautiful family. But behind closed doors, James was having affairs. And they said Angela knew all along this wasn't anything new. So this intense, emotional affair that was leading up to this murder, they said it, it wasn't a spark, it wasn't a motive for murder. And the defense says this all comes down to tunnel vision that the investigators had blinders on. They pointed out a lot of evidence that wasn't collected from the house in the initial investigation, including Angela's computer. They had her phone so they could see what types of searches she was doing, you know, trying to solve the mystery of her own illness. But perhaps her laptop would have given them even more information about what Angela was doing in the days leading up to her death.

[Michelle Madigan]

The defense also called Angela a broken person. They played some home surveillance video after Angela's first visit to the hospital.

[Andrea Canning]

There was this conversation the defense played of the two of them in the kitchen, and they're saying that it was James Craig who actually asked for a toxicology screening in the hospital that didn't.

[Michelle Madigan]

Say, I'm afraid she did this to herself. I just said, are you going to do a drug now?

[Andrea Canning]

But at the same time, you know, as you're listening to the sound, it. It touches on something the prosecution mentioned, that her husband was trying to spin the narrative of her illness towards suicide.

[Michelle Madigan]

It's your fault they treated me differently. It's your fault they treated me like I was a suicide risk, Like I did it to myself, and like nothing I said could be believed.

[Andrea Canning]

So it'll be interesting to see how these conflicting stories play out in the trial.

[Michelle Madigan]

Okay, this is a very informative first step as we plan to have the team back to continue talking about this trial for us. Thank you so much, Michelle, for coming on the podcast.

[Andrea Canning]

My pleasure, Andrea.

[Michelle Madigan]

Coming up, the man accused of a catfishing plot that left his wife and another man dead says the prosecutions got the case all wrong.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In the summer, all of Oregon is our playground, thanks to our incredible park system. That's why it's so cool that Oregon lottery gameplay, like video lottery or cash pop, helps support tons of parks projects statewide, like accessible trails at Silver Falls state park or upgrades to your favorite dog park in Newburgh. It's just one way a little lottery play from many Oregonians can add up to a lot of good the Oregon Lottery. Together, we do good things. Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only. Must be 18 or older to play.

[Al Roker]

We all belong outside. We're drawn to nature. Whether it's the recorded sounds of the ocean we doze off to or the succulents that adorn our homes. Nature makes all of our lives, well, better. Despite all this, we often go about our busy lives removed from it. But the outdoors is closer than we realize with all trails. You can discover trails nearby and explore confidently with offline maps and on trail navigation. Download the free app today.

[Andrea Canning]

As the.

[Michelle Madigan]

Day wraps up, get the scoop on what's been happening with here's the Scoop, a new podcast from NBC News with Meet your host Yasmin Vasugian. Along with Morgan Chesky and Brian Chung. We'll take a deep dive into the day's top stories with NBC News's trusted journalists.

[Andrea Canning]

It's a fresh take that's sharp, thoughtful.

[Michelle Madigan]

And it's informative, bringing you closer to the headlines and conversations that are shaping our world.

[Andrea Canning]

From the front page to the zeitgeist.

[Michelle Madigan]

All in 15 minutes or less, here's.

[Andrea Canning]

The scoop from NBC News.

[Michelle Madigan]

Listen daily on Apple Podcasts. Back In February of 2023, a mysterious story hit the news in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. Police are still working to piece together.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

What exactly happened inside that home.

[Michelle Madigan]

We're just trying to work out the.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Details, the sequence of these violent acts.

[Michelle Madigan]

Christine Banfield, an ICU nurse and a mom to a 4 year old, was stabbed to death in her bedroom. And a man named Joseph Ryan was found shot to death just a few feet away. Christine's husband Brendan told 911 he'd shot Ryan, a total stranger, after walking in on him attacking his wife. But eight months later, there was a big twist in the case. Police arrested someone else for Christine's murder, the family au pair.

[Andrea Canning]

Through the great police work, they have.

[Michelle Madigan]

Been able to get to a point.

[Andrea Canning]

Where they have identified the au pair as Juliana Perez Margulies and they have charged her with second degree murder.

[Michelle Madigan]

Almost a year later, Brendan Banfield was arrested, too. Prosecutors accused him of scheming with Juliana, his alleged lover, to murder his wife and frame Joseph Ryan for it. They said it was an elaborate plot involving catfishing and a fetish website. Banfield pleaded not guilty. Then in a dramatic pretrial hearing late last week, Brendan's defense team revealed that two of the original detectives on the case harbored doubts about the prosecution's theory. DATELINE producer Marianne o' Donnell was in the courtroom and is here to tell us what happened. Hey, Marianne.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Hey, Andrea.

[Michelle Madigan]

Remind everyone first what the prosecution is alleging happened in this case.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Sure. So it is a bit complicated. Northern Virginia prosecutors are saying that Brendan Banfield, who is an IRS agent, and his au pair, Juliana Magules, pretended to be Brendan's wife Christine to lure someone named Joseph Ryan to her house with the promise of kinky sex is what I think we'd call it.

[Michelle Madigan]

Yeah, this Joseph is like just somebody on a website.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

He doesn't know these people exactly really, truly a random guy.

[Michelle Madigan]

So he arrives.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

He arrives at the house, and the prosecutors are saying that the object was this. Kill Christine, but make it look like this guy was the one who killed Christine and that they then shot Joseph Ryan in a case of self defense.

[Michelle Madigan]

Thank you. That is a complicated story. Brendan and Juliana, they get arrested and they are still behind bars now.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Yes. So Juliana Magules, the au pair, was charged with second degree murder based on statements she gave police, really just after the crime. However, Brendan Banfield, the husband, refused to talk to police that day, and since. And so they had a tougher time making a case against him. And it was more than a year later that Juliana offered a proffer where she said, yes, the state's case, the Commonwealth case, is correct. And they finally were able to arrest him.

[Michelle Madigan]

Yeah. So she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Yes. And in exchange, once the trial against Banfield is over, she is deported to her native country, Brazil.

[Michelle Madigan]

Okay, so her case is almost wrapped up. Brendan is marching toward trial in October. There was a hearing late last week in the. You thought it was gonna be pretty routine, right, Marianne?

[Marianne O'Donnell]

I would say so.

[Michelle Madigan]

It wasn't.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Yeah. When we got there, it was like the whole, like, top brass of police was in the courtroom. And it became clear very quickly that the defense was questioning this investigation. And what was revealed was eye opening, to say the least. First witness is the digital forensics detective who said he examined devices from the Banfields and the au pair, and he determined that it was Christine and Christine alone who likely set up the profile and was in contact with Joseph Ryan. And he says he bases this on the IP address, the home's WiFi and router, also on the language used that he said was really very specific to Christine and would have been hard for anyone else to duplicate.

[Michelle Madigan]

So there's no catfishing.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

That is essentially what the detective says. It wasn't her husband and aupair pretending to be her. And really what the defense was establishing in this hearing was reasonable doubt. I mean, if your lead forensics detective is saying, sorry, guys, I don't see proof of this anywhere in the data, your case falls apart, your case is gone. It's Christine who invited this man over to the home. The session turned especially violent. He kills her. The husband and the au pair run up the stairs to discover this happening, and they shoot and kill Joseph Ryan.

[Michelle Madigan]

So the defense team for Brendan, what.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

They'Re saying is au pair Juliana, she has been pressured into turning on Brendan Banfield, concocting this story so that she can get a ticket out of jail and be deported back to her home country.

[Michelle Madigan]

Did the prosecution push back on any of the naysayers?

[Marianne O'Donnell]

They tried to gingerly approach it and say it was sort of a, if you will, a difference of opinion and that it didn't affect the commonwealth's case.

[Michelle Madigan]

One of the prosecutors asked the homicide detective on the stand if all 12 Fairfax homicide detectives have different theories about the case.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Correct. And you know, he said yes. He couched it in such a way that you're gonna get 12 people in a room and they're all gonna have their theories that that in itself was not unusual. But on the stand, the lead detective in the case, Kyle Bryant, was asked by the defense, did you receive pressure from above regarding this investigation? And he said yes.

[Michelle Madigan]

Okay. And what is happening now with these members of the investigation team who are not agreeing with the prosecution theory?

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Real mess. And a lot of it is to be determined. But the deputy chief, one of the commanders over this case, essentially made sure that digital forensics detective was transferred out of the unit. And he said he'll never work another case in Major crimes under his watch again. That's how much he disagreed with what the digital forensics detective was saying in his report. However, that data and the detectives analysis was sent for peer review to the University of Alabama. And the review said no, this detective did everything right. He analyzed the data as he was supposed to, and his conclusion was sound. Now, the defense has asked for all the paperwork involved in the transfers. The lead detective was also transferred, and there were others on the case who were also transferred. And the judge essentially agreed to. Yes, the defense had the right to see what was involved in that transfer. What was the basis? What were the details? And then on Monday, we find out that the deputy chief handed in his retirement papers. So we really are sitting by waiting to see what other shoe is going to drop.

[Michelle Madigan]

Okay, well, Marianne, I know you'll be on top of all these pretrial hearings as we approach the fall. Thank you so much.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Always good to talk with you.

[Michelle Madigan]

Up next, it's time for DATELINE roundup. We've got verdicts in the murder trials of former major league baseball pitcher Dan Serafini and Iowa farmer's wife, Karina Cooper, whose Snapchat messages took center stage at her trial. Plus a new scam involving impersonating law enforcement officers. What you need to know.

[Al Roker]

We all belong outside. We're drawn to nature. Whether it's the recorded sounds of the ocean we doze off to or the succulents that adorn our homes. Nature makes all of our lives, well, better. Despite all this, we often go about our busy lives removed from it, but the outdoors is closer than we realize. With Alltrails, you can discover trails nearby and explore explore confidently with offline maps and on trail navigation. Download the free app today.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I'm Josh Mankiewicz and I hope you'll join us for season four of DATELINE Missing in America. In each episode of Dateline's award winning series, we will focus on one missing persons case and hear from the families, the friends and the investigators all desperate to find them. You will want to listen closely. Maybe you could help investigators solve a mystery. DATELINE Missing in America all episodes available now. Wherever you get your podcasts. Hey everybody, I'm Al Roker from the Today show, here to tell you about our Jumpstart July event. The Start Today app has everything you need to get and stay motivated on your wellness journey all in one place, like walking challenges for all levels to get you moving, healthy recipes that are easy and delicious and so much more. And now when you subscribe for an annual plan, you'll get your first month completely free with promo code Jumpstart. Just download the Start Today app now to get started. Offer in 73125 must enter code at.

[Michelle Madigan]

Checkout, must be 18 or up after first month. You will be automatically charged $65.99 a.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Year plus tax for an annual subscription until you cancel.

[Michelle Madigan]

Cancel anytime through your device settings under Apple account. See website for full terms. Welcome back. Joining me for this week's roundup is DATELINE producer Sue Simpson. Hey Sue.

[Sue Simpson]

Hey Andrea.

[Michelle Madigan]

So, sue, we're starting in California with a real blockbuster, a verdict in the high profile murder trial of former Major League baseball pitcher Dan Serafini. We've been covering it on the podcast for a while. Sue, remind us about the well, Andrea.

[Sue Simpson]

Prosecutors allege that Serafini shot and killed his father in law, Gary Spoor, in an execution style murder. That's what they called it at his home in Lake Tahoe in 2021. Spohr's wife, Wendy Wood, was also shot. She survived but later died by suicide. The woman that Serafini was having an affair with, Samantha Scott, has admitted driving him to his in law's home the day of the shooting. Scott took a plea deal and she's awaiting sentencing as an accessory to the crime.

[Michelle Madigan]

Okay, so Sue. Jurors reached a verdict after three days of deliberations. Let's take a listen to that.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

We the jury in the above entitled action find the defendant, Daniel Joseph Serafini, guilty. We further find the degree of murder to be that of murder in the first degree.

[Michelle Madigan]

Sue, how did Serafini react in the courtroom?

[Sue Simpson]

You know, Andrea, you never know how a defendant will react to you. So as the verdict was read, Serafini tipped his head back, looked up at the ceiling, and Adrian, the victim youngest daughter, burst into tears, and she actually spoke out after the verdict.

[Michelle Madigan]

It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot, and it's been four years of just hell.

[Sue Simpson]

This case really divided the victim's family. As you know, Andrea, Dan's wife, Erin, took her husband's side against her sister Adrienne. Even sitting on a different side of the courtroom during the closings after the verdict, Erin left the court without commenting.

[Michelle Madigan]

Erin, is there anything you'd like to say on this? No. Oh, thank you. So the former pitcher faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. He'll be sentenced later this summer, and we'll be sure to update you with that. Now onto another verdict in a case we've been watching. This one is in Iowa, where Karina Cooper was accused of murdering her husband Ryan, four years ago.

[Sue Simpson]

Andrea, let's note that Cooper did something relatively rare for a defendant. She took the stand in her own defense.

[Michelle Madigan]

I see Ryan, and then I see a large pool of blood. I shook his foot, and then I just started screaming.

[Sue Simpson]

Karina Cooper admitted that she lied to investigators initially about her affair with a former client, Houston Danker. She blamed Danker for the murder when she was on the stand.

[Michelle Madigan]

Did Houston talk about killing Ryan? Several times. Did you ever take him seriously? No. I thought he was full of crap.

[Sue Simpson]

Prosecutors argued that Snapchat messages between the two prove that they work together.

[Michelle Madigan]

You have a conversation with Agent Tabit. He tells you no detail is too small. Tell me everything. Correct. You never mentioned any of these texts or Snapchats that you sent? No. You never mentioned that at 3:31, you sent a heart emoji to Houston Denker? I did not mention that. 3:31am is right before the time prosecutors say the murder took place. So, sue, what did the jury decide?

[Sue Simpson]

The jury found Karina Cooper guilty of murdering her husband. Cooper faces a life sentence without parole, and Danker will stand trial later this year. We're going to keep an eye on that, of course.

[Michelle Madigan]

Danker entered a plea of not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial August 12th. And finally, the latest from Massachusetts on the Karen Reed case. Last month, a jury, of course, acquitted her of murder. And the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John o', Keefe, convicting her only of drunk driving. But the courts are not done with her yet, are they?

[Sue Simpson]

That's right. John o' Keefe's family has filed a wrongful death suit against Karen Reed. The suit seeks more than. And Reid was supposed to be deposed after her murder trial ended. Well, that time is now. Right. But Reid's attorneys, a whole new team, are asking the court to throw out the lawsuit. Andrea, you know I'm going to be watching this one. Also, a quick footnote. Reed and her attorney, Alan Jackson have signed a deal to develop a screen adaptation of her story. So it looks like we're all going to be living in Karen Reedland for a while longer.

[Michelle Madigan]

Yeah, no kidding. Sue, thank you so much for joining us this week.

[Sue Simpson]

Thank you, Andrea. Talk soon.

[Michelle Madigan]

We try to keep you up to date on the podcast about some of the latest ways scammers are going after your money. A few weeks ago, we told you about tariff scams. Before that it was bogus road tolls. You might think you'd never fall for any of these scams, but what would you do if you got a call from someone impersonating a police officer? In the past few months, NBC News affiliates in Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas have raised the alarm about a scam involving fake officers.

[Andrea Canning]

Have you gotten a call from law enforcement lately? In a new scam, subjects are calling you from fake numbers impersonating law enforcement.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In a post, the sheriff's office says.

[Michelle Madigan]

People are claiming to have an arrest.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Warrant on the person they've called.

[Sue Simpson]

A man we're calling John parked right here and handed over $8,000, convinced he.

[Marianne O'Donnell]

Was about to be arrested.

[Michelle Madigan]

My next guest, Kristen Barnett, conducted several fraud investigations during her career working for the federal government. She is here to tell us more about how this scam works and what to look out for. Great to have you on the show, Kristen.

[Kristen Barnett]

Thank you so much, Andrea. It's great to be here.

[Michelle Madigan]

Kristen, give us the basics of this new scam.

[Kristen Barnett]

Sure. So a worrisome current trend involves criminals presenting themselves as law enforcement officials, calling people to inform them that they have a warrant out for their arrest. And in order to make it go away, the victim is told he or she needs to wire large sums of money or purchase high value gift cards or even cryptocurrency in some cases. And they're presenting themselves as law enforcement officials very convincingly. What happens a lot is they will spoof their phone number to make it appear like a police officer is calling You.

[Michelle Madigan]

That's really scary to hear because that's kind of how we, you know, up to this point know that something's legitimate is by our caller id.

[Kristen Barnett]

Absolutely. And the way to verify by these things is when you get one of these calls, ask for their badge number, and you can call your local police department and provide that badge number. Just say, hey, is this person a legitimate police officer? I like to go a step further and request the name and phone number of their supervisor. But first and foremost, if someone is calling you to say there is a warrant out for your arrest, it's more than likely a scam, because there are very few instances, if any, that law enforcement will call and notify someone that there was an arrest warrant.

[Michelle Madigan]

So. True. Yeah. They're going to show up at your door, at your work, they're gonna pull you over.

[Kristen Barnett]

Right.

[Michelle Madigan]

And really, the other thing, too, is use common sense. Have you done anything in your life that would warrant you getting arrested?

[Kristen Barnett]

Exactly. Always think about is this, could this in any way be legitimate? And most likely it's not.

[Michelle Madigan]

I mean, there could be somebody who has unpaid parking tickets and suddenly, like, in their mind is freaking out because they're thinking maybe they do arrest people for, you know, for not paying tickets or whatever. So it's. It's possible that. That people can be manipulated in that way.

[Kristen Barnett]

Absolutely. And criminals know this and take advantage of this.

[Michelle Madigan]

Yeah. And, you know, in the heat of the moment, situations can feel real. According to an investigation by our NBC affiliate KPRC, one man in Texas lost $8,000. Scammers did more than just call him up. They took things a step further.

[Kristen Barnett]

So they required him to take out his surety bond, meet with a bail bondsman in a parking lot somewhere, and to present this bond when the individual showed up. This quote, unquote bail bondsman went as far as providing a business card with a actual bail bonds business in the area.

[Michelle Madigan]

It seems like one of the more silly parts of this is these gift cards. I mean, if law enforcement is asking you to pay them in gift cards, I mean, look, money's one thing, gift cards are another.

[Kristen Barnett]

Exactly.

[Michelle Madigan]

And you have some. A few other dead giveaways that it could be a scam.

[Kristen Barnett]

Absolutely. So if there's a sense of urgency and something like, you know, either do this or this will happen, that is a big red flag to look out for, because there's no instance where a law enforcement official will present you with a deal like that sort of thing.

[Michelle Madigan]

Yeah, for sure. Kristen, amazing tips. Thank you for joining us.

[Kristen Barnett]

Oh, thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it.

[Michelle Madigan]

That's it for this episode of Dateline True Crime Weekly. To get ad free listening for all our podcasts, subscribe to DATELINE Premium. And don't forget to check out Josh's new season of the Dateline Missing in America podcast. You can binge the whole series wherever you get your podcasts. Coming up this Friday on dateline, we've got a classic Keith mystery. When a private investigator goes missing, detectives follow a trail of broken relationships and money. But will it lead them to her killer? It's kind of like a roller coaster. You're just hanging over the edge and you're just waiting to drop. Watch the necklace this Friday at 9, 8 Central on NBC. Thanks for listening. DATELINE True Crime Weekly is produced by Franny Kelly, Katie Ferguson and Sue Simpson. Our associate producers are Carson Cummins, Caroline Casey and Kim Flores Gaynor. Our senior producer is Liz Brown Kurloff. Production and fact checking helped by Terry Dickerson. Veronica Mazeka 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.

[Andrea Canning]

All right, have a good day, everyone.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There's a time when a person goes missing. The brain says something bad is happening. The heart says, keep looking. Taylor Wright announced she was running an errand and she didn't come back. Started as a simple missing person case. Was she actually missing or had she simply left? Taylor's story would get a lot more complicated. Dateline Friday at 9, 8 Central, only on NBC.