A grandmother's trial is set to start. An international fugitive faces a jury. And digital go bags.

Summary

Dateline: True Crime Weekly – Episode Summary

Release Date: August 14, 2025

In this gripping episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly, host Andrea Canning and her team delve into three compelling true crime stories: the high-stakes trial of Donna Adelson, the courtroom drama surrounding international fugitive Nicholas Rossi, and riveting updates from cold cases in Wisconsin and Iowa. Additionally, listeners receive expert advice on preparing a digital go bag for emergencies. Below is a detailed summary of the episode’s key segments, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps.

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1. A Grandmother’s Trial: Donna Adelson Faces the Courtroom

The episode opens with a deep dive into the highly anticipated trial of Donna Adelson, a beloved matriarch accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against her former son-in-law, Dan Markell. The case has captivated Florida, given its intricate family dynamics and long-standing legal battles.

Background & Family Dynamics

At [02:16], producer Brad Davis introduces Lynn Keller, who provides a comprehensive overview of the Adelson family:

Lynn Keller ([02:24]): "The Adelsons were a wealthy family based in South Florida in the Miami area. The dad of the family, Harvey, was a successful dentist. He's married to Donna and she ran his office. They had three children, two sons, Charlie and Rob, and a daughter Wendy, who was a lawyer. Dan Markell was married to Wendy, and the couple had two children together."

Custody Battle as Motive

The custody battle between Donna and her former daughter-in-law becomes central to the prosecution’s case. At [03:02], Keller explains:

Lynn Keller ([03:02]): "Donna was determined to get those kids to live in Miami close to her, but Dan needed to stay in Tallahassee. She kept hammering Wendy to fight him using very harsh language."

Evidence Against Donna

Prosecutors rely heavily on circumstantial evidence, particularly an intercepted conversation between Donna and Charlie Adelson. At [04:41], Keller details:

Lynn Keller ([04:41]): "The FBI set up a sting operation where an undercover agent posed as a blackmailer threatening to expose Donna and Charlie's involvement in the murder. Right after this encounter, Donna called Charlie, implying their involvement."

Courtroom Developments

During a [07:09] pretrial hearing, Donna’s attorney attempted to exclude critical evidence. However, the judge allowed it, compelling the jury to consider the intercepted conversation:

Lynn Keller ([07:09]): "The judge said no, the jury can hear it and decide for themselves."

Potential Testimony

In a surprising turn, Donna’s defense plans to have her testify, focusing on her alleged fear of the Latin King gang:

Lynn Keller ([07:28]): "Her defense makes the case that her demeanor on the phone calls, especially after the FBI’s sting, shows she was very afraid due to connections with the Latin Kings."

Jury Selection & Anticipation

With broad jury selection commencing at [08:17], attention turns to the introduction of new witnesses, including Rob Adelson:

Lynn Keller ([08:32]): "This will be the first time we hear from Rob Adelson, who is estranged from the family. Charlie may also testify for the prosecution."

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2. International Fugitive on Trial: Nicholas Rossi’s Legal Battle

Nicholas Rossi, an American fugitive who faked his death in 2020, faces trial in Utah for serious sexual assault charges. His case has garnered international attention, especially following his dramatic arrest in Scotland.

Rossi’s Background and Arrest

At [10:14], Donna Adelson, mistakenly identified as Rossi, vehemently denies the allegations:

Donna Adelson ([10:14]): "I am not Nicholas Oliverdian. I do not know how to make this clear."

Extradition and Charges

Rossi was extradited from Scotland in January 2024 and is now standing trial for rape charges in Utah. Marissa Meyer provides a detailed background:

Marissa Meyer ([11:32]): "He was born Nicholas Oliverdian in Rhode Island, adopted by his stepfather, and later ended up in foster care where he claimed abuse."

Trial Proceedings and Evidence

During the trial, notable moments include Rossi’s refusal to remove his oxygen mask for identification, leading to critical interviews. At [10:35], Andrea Canning highlights:

Andrea Canning ([10:35]): "Nicholas refused to remove his oxygen mask, insisting he was Arthur Knight, an Irish citizen."

Prosecution’s Case

The prosecution presented evidence linking Rossi to the assaults, including DNA matches from untested rape kits:

Marissa Meyer ([13:05]): "The rape kit from 2008 matched his DNA in 2017, solidifying the connection to the Utah assaults."

Defense Strategy and Verdict

Rossi chose not to testify, and after less than a day of jury deliberation, he was found guilty of rape:

Marissa Meyer ([17:01]): "After less than a day of deliberation, they found him guilty of rape."

The case is set to continue with a second trial scheduled for September.

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3. Dateline Roundup: Verdicts and Trials in Wisconsin and Iowa

Wisconsin Case: Tony Hayes Acquitted

The segment begins with an update on a decades-old double murder case in Wisconsin. Tony Garrett Hayes was accused of killing neighbors Tana Togstead, Tim Mumbrew, and Tana’s dog in 1992. New DNA evidence led to his arrest in 2022.

• Prosecution’s Evidence: DNA matching Hayes to the crime scene.
• Defense’s Argument: Hayes’s confession was coerced, and they suggested an alternative suspect—Hayes’s uncle, who had died by suicide in 1995.

After four days of deliberation, the jury delivered a not guilty verdict:

Judge ([19:32]): "We, the jury, find the defendant, Tony Garrett Hayes, not guilty."

Iowa Case: Ryan Cooper’s Murder Trial

In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the trial of Ryan Cooper concluded abruptly when defendant Houston Danker pleaded guilty to spare his family the ordeal of trial. His accomplice, Karina Cooper, had already been found guilty the previous month. With first-degree murder carrying a mandatory life sentence without parole, Danker’s sentencing is imminent.

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4. Preparing for Emergencies: The Importance of a Digital Go Bag

In a departure from courtroom tales, the episode offers invaluable advice on emergency preparedness through the segment on digital go bags, featuring former Secret Service agent Evie Pompous.

Essential Documents to Include

At [24:09], Evie Pompous emphasizes the importance of carrying vital documents:

Evie Pompous ([24:09]): "You want to have these documents with you—birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, marriage certificate, Social Security card, wills, or deeds."

Storage Solutions

Evie recommends secure storage methods:

Evie Pompous ([24:09]): "You can scan them and keep physical copies, or store them on a flash drive to ensure accessibility during emergencies."

Additional Tips

She also advises documenting personal property through video for insurance claims and maintaining a written list of emergency contacts:

Evie Pompous ([25:01]): "Take video of things in your house because if you’re doing an insurance claim later, you have proof of what you had."

Security Considerations

Evie cautions against relying solely on cloud storage due to potential hacking risks:

Evie Pompous ([25:07]): "Having things on a cloud requires extremely strong passwords and security systems because clouds get hacked."

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5. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Stories and Events

The episode concludes with teasers for future content, including the highly anticipated continuation of the Kristen Smart case and an invitation to the upcoming DATELINE Live event in Nashville on September 28.

Teaser for Next Episode

Brad Davis ([28:05]): "Coming up this Friday on Dateline, Josh has a classic episode about Kristen Smart’s disappearance during Memorial Day weekend in 1996."

Event Announcement

Brad Davis ([28:09]): "DATELINE is hitting the road next month. Join us on Sunday, September 28, in Nashville for DATELINE Live, featuring onstage panels, audience Q&As, and a VIP reception."

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Conclusion

This episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly masterfully intertwines intense courtroom proceedings with expert advice on personal safety, offering listeners a comprehensive and engaging experience. From the intricate familial ties in Donna Adelson’s case to the international manhunt of Nicholas Rossi, and updates on long-standing cold cases, the episode underscores the relentless pursuit of justice and the importance of preparedness in the face of unforeseen emergencies.

For more in-depth discussions and updates on these cases, subscribe to Dateline Premium for an ad-free experience or visit Dateline Premium.

Transcript

[Andrea Canning]

Hey, good morning.

[Brad Davis]

It's the start of another workday here at 30 Rockefeller Center.

[Andrea Canning]

A few new updates in the investigation here.

[Brad Davis]

The DATELINE team is catching up on breaking crime news. Her other husband was accused of killing his first wife.

[Lynn Keller]

There's another trial too, right?

[Brad Davis]

He's been communicating with us sporadically from the jail. Welcome to Dateline, True Crime Weekly. I'm Andrea Canning. It's August 14th and here's what's on our docket. In Utah, the trial is underway of a man prosecutors say faked his own death and fled across the Atlantic Ocean to escape justice. He was in Scotland when I interviewed him in one of the more unusual interviews of my time here at dateline.

[Donna Adelson]

Andrea, I am not Nicholas Alan Rennie and I do not know how to make this clearer.

[Brad Davis]

In DATELINE roundup, the latest on Alec Murdoch's fight to overturn his conviction and dramatic endings for trials we've following in Wisconsin and Iowa.

[Andrea Canning]

The reading of any verdict. Everyone is on pins and needles and this courtroom was no different.

[Brad Davis]

Plus, staying safe in a natural disaster. We've got tips on how to make a digital go bag with everything you'd need in an emergency should something, let's.

[Evie Pompous]

Say, happen to your home and you can never go back. You want to have these documents with you.

[Brad Davis]

But before all that, we're taking you to a courthouse in Tallahassee where after more than a decade, the matriarch of a family of Florida dentists is about to go on trial for murder. In July 2014, respected FSU law professor Dan Markell was shot twice in the head as he pulled his car into the garage of his house. A years long investigation by police and the FBI uncovered a sprawling murder for hire plot which they say was orchestrated in part by none other than Dan's former mother in law, Donna Adelson. Next week, after several courtroom delays, Donna will finally face a jury. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation. DATELINE producer Brad Davis, who has been covering this case from the beginning, is here to tell us what to watch out for in the weeks ahead. Brad, thanks so much for joining us.

[Lynn Keller]

Glad to be here.

[Brad Davis]

Okay. So Brad, tell us about the Adelson family. Who are they and how did Dan Markell fit into the family?

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah, the Adelsons were a wealthy family based in South Florida in the Miami area. The dad of the family, Harvey, was a successful dentist. He's married to Donna and she ran his office. And then they had three kids, two sons, Charlie and Rob, and a daughter Wendy, who was a lawyer. Dan Markell was married to Wendy, and the couple had two children together. And they were living in Tallahassee, Florida, where he taught at FSU as a law professor. They got a divorce, and it turned into a really awful, gruesome custody battle.

[Brad Davis]

And so, according to prosecutors, Brad, Donna firmly took her daughter's side in this divorce, this custody battle.

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah. There are a number of emails between Donna and her daughter, Wendy, where Donna was saying, you know, you gotta fight this guy. Donna was determined to get those kids to live down there in Miami close to her. But Dan needed to stay in Tallahassee. So that was, you know, something the court was not gonna allow. And she just kept on hammering Wendy that she's gotta fight him and do everything she can and use very harsh language to do.

[Brad Davis]

Is the custody battle then what prosecutors are alleging was the motive behind this murder plot?

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah, it really revolves around that. And there are some other characters in this who are really key to it all. What we know from the investigation is that Charlie, the brother, enlisted the help of his girlfriend at the time, this woman named Catherine Magbanua, recruited two other men to do the hit. One was the father of her children, this man named Sigveda Garcia, and another man who was alleged to be a member of the Latin Kings, the gang. His name was Louis Rivera. They're all in prison now. Mcbanwa and one of the hitmen, Garcia, were both convicted of first degree murder at trial, and Rivera took a plea deal. And then the most recent trial was Charlie Adelson himself, who was convicted of murder along with solicitation and conspiracy to commit murder.

[Brad Davis]

Wow, this is so convoluted and unbelievable that all these people, you know, would be involved in this. And now it's Donna's turn. What evidence does the prosecution have against her?

[Lynn Keller]

The case is largely circumstantial. You know, she wasn't a hit person. But the real key to their case, or at least one of them, is this conversation that Donna had that was caught on tape. The prosecutors say this proves that she was involved and that there's consciousness of guilt here on her part.

[Brad Davis]

Rod, you mentioned the audio.

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah. The FBI, they set up this sting operation, they call it a bump, where the undercover agent comes in, he's like, you know, just in disguise, and he is posing as a blackmailer who claims to sort of know Luis Rivera, one of the guys who's in prison by that point for this crime. And he confronts Don on the street and threatens to expose her and Charlie as being involved in the murder. And the FBI by this point, were tapping Donna and charlie's phones. And so immediately after this bump, Donna calls charlie adelson, her son.

[Nicholas Rossi]

I got some. I got some paperwork hand delivered to me. You're being sued? No, that's what I thought it was. But I'm gonna need to talk to you. Okay. Does it involve me or other people? Well, probably the two of us. So you probably. General idea what I'm talking about.

[Lynn Keller]

The prosecution says that, you know, her saying that, it's like, okay, then you were involved. You were implicating yourself, you know.

[Brad Davis]

Yeah. That's tough though, you know, because to. To prove that, yes, they were absolutely talking about a murder. I mean, that's difficult.

[Lynn Keller]

It is. It is tough. And, yeah, the jury has to weigh that and decide.

[Brad Davis]

Investigators say there was another call between Donna and Charlie after charlie's conviction. That got their attention.

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah. One of the interesting things of this case is that Donna and charlie adelson speak a lot together on the phone. And when he was convicted, she got on the phone with him. She says, you know, that she and her husband had been looking to fleeing to a country without an extradition treaty, that they would be leaving the country.

[Nicholas Rossi]

We've looked at all the places. I mean, I could go to korea and China, but there's no extradition. But we're looking for places where there's no extradition.

[Lynn Keller]

So the prosecution looks at this and they say, hey, they're seriously talking about fleeing the country. And this could be our, you know, our last opportunity to arrest don adelson. And so they go to the Miami airport, the FBI and arrest her as her husband is standing there, While they're right about to get on a plane flying to initially Dubai and then eventually to vietnam. They had one way tickets, and she has said that they were going. This was a vacation and so forth. And it's like, well, maybe so. But that's gonna be a big hurdle for the defense.

[Brad Davis]

And donna's lawyer asked the judge to exclude it from the evidence the jury will hear at the trial. How did the judge rule on that?

[Lynn Keller]

On Friday, they had a final pretrial hearing in the case Where a number of logistical issues were settled. And he said, no, the jury can hear it and decide for themselves.

[Brad Davis]

Another piece of big news out of that hearing. The defense seems to be leaning toward Donna taking the stand just like her son Charlie did.

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah, I mean, that was certainly news. It looks like, I mean, unless something changes, which it could, that she will be testifying in her own Defense, which will be really interesting to watch.

[Brad Davis]

So Donna's lawyer says that she's planning to testify about her fear of the Latin King's gang.

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah, that's one of the things that she talks about. Her defense makes the case that her demeanor on the phone calls and especially after the bump, the FBI sting operation, that this is showing that she was very afraid because she knows that this man is connected to the Latin Kings. And that's been a big issue. The prosecution doesn't want the Latin Kings to be mentioned because they don't want it to be prejudicial against their witness Luis Rivera, who's going to testify.

[Brad Davis]

Okay, so broad jury selection is scheduled to start on Tuesday.

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah. The judge is saying, he said in this last hearing that There are about 300 prospective jurors. Could take two or three days. That's about how long it's taken for these previous trials.

[Brad Davis]

Brad, anything you expect to be different this time? I mean, this is now the fourth trial in this case.

[Lynn Keller]

Yeah. What's interesting, this will be the first time we hear from Rob Adelson, who is the other son, who is basically estranged from the family, from his. From his parents and his sister Wendy. Charlie is on the witness list, too. He may testify for the prosecution, which will be interesting if it happens. I'm skeptical if he will just because he's got an appeal pending still. So it'll be interesting to see what happens.

[Brad Davis]

Quite the saga. Brad, thank you for bringing us this story and we'll look forward to more updates once you get into the courtroom.

[Lynn Keller]

Yep. You'll be hearing from me.

[Brad Davis]

Coming up, after an international manhunt, Nicholas Rossi, aka Nicholas Oliverdian, aka Arthur Knight, stands trial in a Utah courtroom.

[Andrea Canning]

In.

[Brad Davis]

December 2021, Scottish authorities swarmed the intensive care unit of a Glasgow hospital. They were looking for a patient they suspected of being an American fugitive. Nicholas Rossi, also known as Nicholas Oliverdian, was wanted back in the United States on rape and fraud charges. The patient told authorities they had the wrong man. He spoke in a British accent and said he was an Irish citizen, a law abiding businessman named Arthur Knight. And that's what he told me in one of the most memorable interviews of my career. I asked if he wouldn't mind removing the oxygen mask he was wearing so I could see his face for myself. He refused. What do you say to someone who believes that you are Nicholas Oliverdean?

[Donna Adelson]

I am not Alexandria. I am not Nicholas Oliverdian. I do not know how to make this clear.

[Brad Davis]

Did you sexually assault anyone? Did you kidnap Anyone? Did you defraud anyone?

[Donna Adelson]

What? No, no, no, no.

[Brad Davis]

Investigators didn't buy it, and neither did a Scottish judge. In January 2024, he was extradited back to the US and this week, he appeared in court in Salt Lake City for the first of two sexual assault trials he's scheduled to face this year. DATELINE producer Lynn Keller and I have been tracking Nicholas Rossi for years, and she has the latest on the testimony heard so far. She joins us now to fill us in. Hey, Lynn.

[Marissa Meyer]

Hi, Andrea.

[Brad Davis]

So what is Nicholas Rossi going by for this trial as far as names go?

[Marissa Meyer]

Well, he tried to get the court to allow him to go by Arthur Knight, but the judge rules, no, you're going to have to go by Nicholas Rossi because that's how you were charged.

[Brad Davis]

Nicholas Rossi has pleaded not guilty to all the criminal charges against him. And before we get into the case he's on trial for currently. Remind everyone about Rossi's backstory land. Who is he and what we've uncovered, you know, reporting on him for the last five years.

[Marissa Meyer]

He was born Nicholas Oliverdian in a town outside of Providence, Rhode Island. Nicholas's mom remarried, and that man adopted Nicholas, and that's how he became Nicholas Rossi. His mom ended up putting him in foster care when he was 12. And when he was in foster care, he claimed that he had been assaulted and abused. But also he got a job as a page at the Rhode Island State House. And he was really good at it. Like, people thought he was super smart. He spent a lot of time, he knew the laws, and he then took it upon himself to start advocating for change in the foster care system.

[Brad Davis]

People were really impressed by him. But by the time Rossi was 21, he was getting into trouble with the law.

[Marissa Meyer]

Right. He moved to Ohio, and he was going to college, and he met a woman. He met her on the college campus, and then he said, well, can I just walk you to class? And she's like, okay. Her classroom was in the basement. And she said as they got to the bottom of the stairs, he sexually assaulted her.

[Brad Davis]

This was back in 2008. And Nicholas ended up getting convicted of public indecency and sexual imposition. He got a fine and was put on a sex offender registry A few months after that, according to prosecutors, they alleged that Rossi raped two women in Utah. And those rape accusations are why he's currently facing criminal charges in Utah.

[Andrea Canning]

Yes.

[Marissa Meyer]

Both women claim he raped them and both say that he took money from them.

[Brad Davis]

This has taken a really long time to go to trial. And, you know, We. We could talk for days on why it's taken so long to get to trial, but try to break it down for us as best you can.

[Marissa Meyer]

Lynn, both rape charges were filed recently, fairly recently. The alleged victim in the trial that's happening right now, she says she recognized Rossi as her attacker from a post on Facebook that a news outlet had put up in January of 2022. And the other victim, she did complete a rape kit the day after the assault in 2008. However, that rape kit wasn't tested until 2017 because of a backlog of testing rape kits. And then when they did that test, they got a match. Rossi's DNA from the sexual assault in Ohio at the college matched the woman in Utah. And by then he was living in.

[Brad Davis]

The UK let's not forget he also faked his own death in 2020. Prosecutors say that was an attempt to throw investigators off his trail, but Rossi says he did it because someone was threatening his life. So, Lynn, take us into the courtroom this week. How did he appear?

[Marissa Meyer]

He's always been a very dapper dresser, very fancy. He had on a black suit. It seemed understated. He was in a wheelchair, and instead of an oxygen mask, he had the oxygen that just goes into your nostri. And we heard him ask his defense attorney if she thought he'd lost weight. From all the people that we spoke to, he's always been concerned about his appearance.

[Brad Davis]

What were the main points of the prosecution's opening statement?

[Marissa Meyer]

They put it out there right from the start to let the jury know that, yes, we know that this is an old case, but this woman, she's never forgotten.

[Brad Davis]

What did the defense focus on in their opening statement?

[Marissa Meyer]

The defense opening was that, you know, you get an old puzzle, there are gonna be pieces missing. And she was saying that that's the same with this case, that there are pieces missing. She says that what really happened is that this woman, she sees Nick on the news and she's like, oh, that's that guy who ripped me off, who was terrible to me. And then she adds on the part about the rape.

[Brad Davis]

Lynn, the alleged victim, she testified, yes.

[Marissa Meyer]

And she was sick, and so her voice was very hoarse. But she was very clear in all her answers. She talked about how she decided to go on Craigslist, and that's how she met Nicholas Rossi. His ad said, a cultured artistic scarf wearing bibliophile seeks female counterpart. They'd only been dating for two weeks before he asked her to marry him, which Andrea, you know, when we interviewed his wife. Yeah, Remember the same thing?

[Brad Davis]

He's racing down the aisle to get married. Yes.

[Marissa Meyer]

And she said he was constantly borrowing money from her. She said he made her fill out a credit application to buy the wedding rings, one for each of them, which of course put her in debt. And then his behavior changed. She said he became controlling and critical. So two weeks after they got engaged, she told him she wanted to break up. He got angry and she says raped her at his apartment on his twin bed. She said she didn't file a police report. She tried to, in her words on the stand, wean nick off talking to her. But then she filed a claim in small claims court over the ring debt.

[Brad Davis]

Lynn what's so interesting is that the other alleged victim, whose trial has not started, the second trial, she actually testified in this alleged victim's trial.

[Marissa Meyer]

Yes. And what I find the most telling is how incredibly similar the cases are where they say he's taking money from them, they're gonna break up, he gets very angry, and that's when they say he rapes them.

[Brad Davis]

We didn't get to hear from Nicholas Rossi himself in this trial. He decided not to testify. And the jury came back with a verdict. After less than a day of deliberation, they found him guilty of rape. And we expect to see Rossi back in court. Lynn for his second rape trial.

[Marissa Meyer]

He is scheduled to begin in September. So we will be watching.

[Brad Davis]

Thank you, Lynn.

[Marissa Meyer]

Yes. And it continues.

[Brad Davis]

If you want to check out our episode on this story, the man of Many Faces, you can stream it on Peacock or listen to it at the link in our episode description. Up next, it's time for DATELINE Roundup, a verdict in the trial of the Wisconsin man accused of killing his neighbors and their dog 30 years ago. Plus, you've probably heard what to pack in a physical go bag when disaster strikes. But what about a digital go bag? Welcome back. Joining us for this week's roundup is DATELINE producer Marissa Meyer. Thanks for coming back on the show, Marissa.

[Andrea Canning]

Thank you for having me, Andrea.

[Brad Davis]

To kick off, we're headed to Wisconsin where we've got a huge update in a trial we first talked about a few weeks ago. Marissa, this is the case of Tony Hayes, who was on trial for an alleged 30 year old double murder. Give us first a quick recap.

[Andrea Canning]

So Hayes was accused of killing Tana Togstead and her boyfriend Tim Mumbrew, as well as Tana's dog by stabbing them in the middle of the night at Tana's house in 1992.

[Brad Davis]

This case went cold for Decades. What led police to make an arrest all these years later?

[Andrea Canning]

Well, when investigators picked the case back up, they zeroed in on Hayes as a possible suspect. They obtained his DNA at a traffic stop in 2022. That DNA sample ended up being a match to DNA found on Tanner's body. When police eventually questioned Hayes about the crime, he confessed.

[Brad Davis]

The defense pushed back hard on Hayes's alleged confession, saying it was false. They also questioned the reliability of the DNA evidence. Marissa, what else did they have to tell the jury to bolster their case?

[Andrea Canning]

They suggested an alternate suspect. And they pointed to Hayes uncle, who was investigated as part of the case but was never charged with the crime. And he died by suicide in 1995.

[Brad Davis]

The jury deliberated for four days. Here is the judge reading what the jury decided.

[Marissa Meyer]

We, the jury, find the defendant, Tony Garrett Hayes, not guilty.

[Brad Davis]

Describe the moment in court for us, Marissa.

[Andrea Canning]

The gallery was full of supporters for both victims, but Hayes had a lot of families sitting on his side of the aisle, too. And when the judge read the verdict, the victim side, it felt like they were struck with disbelief. Some of them were even sobbing. But on Hayes's side, his family was, of course, embracing over this verdict. And Hayes attorney spoke with our NBC affiliate WGBA after the verdict.

[Lynn Keller]

From the very moment that I met him and Nicole met him, and our team did, we were 100% convinced of his innocence. And that has never wavered.

[Brad Davis]

Our next story takes us to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where another murder trial we've been watching came to an abrupt end this week. Marissa, bring us up to speed on that.

[Andrea Canning]

So, Andrea, this is the case of Iowa farmer Ryan Cooper, who was shot at his house in 2021. Prosecutors accused his wife Karina and her then lover, Houston Danker, of plotting to murder him. Both of them were charged with first degree murder. Karina was found guilty at her trial last month, and then this week, Denker was set to go on trial.

[Brad Davis]

Okay, but that came to an abrupt halt.

[Andrea Canning]

Yes, it did. Denker decided to plead guilty. And according to a statement his defense attorney gave the local paper, he wanted to spare his family, the Cooper family and the community, the ordeal of a trial. Danker and Karina haven't been sentenced yet, but the judge won't have much discretion because first degree murder has a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in this state.

[Brad Davis]

Okay, for our final story, we've got an update in a case we haven't talked about in a while, the Alec Murdoch case. He is the former lawyer who was convicted of murdering his wife. Maggie and son Paul at a blockbuster trial in South Carolina two years ago. So what is new there, Marissa? Everyone always seems to be following this case.

[Andrea Canning]

Murdoch filed an appeal with the South Carolina Supreme Court in December 2024. This week, the Attorney General finally submitted his response, and Murdoch is claiming that he did not get a fair trial, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, because he believes the judge made a mistake by allowing prosecutors to present evidence of his financial crimes. And secondly, that improper comments were made by the Clerk of Court, Becky Hill, which might have swayed jurors to convict him. Hill is facing her own criminal charges for perjury and misconduct. For those allegations, we should say Hill.

[Brad Davis]

Has denied having any improper contact with the jury. But at least one juror told the judge during a fact checking hearing that Hill's alleged behavior did impact her.

[Donna Adelson]

Did you hear Ms. Becky Hill make any comment about this case before your verdict?

[Brad Davis]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Donna Adelson]

Was your verdict influenced in any way by the communications of the Clerk of Court in this case?

[Evie Pompous]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Brad Davis]

So, Marissa, what is the Attorney General saying in his response to Murdoch's appeal?

[Andrea Canning]

The Attorney General is really doubling down. They said that Murdoch is obviously guilty and that all of the evidence, including information about Murdoch's financial crimes, were properly admitted. As for Hill's comments to the jury, the AG says they were foolish and fleeting, but comments aren't the same as jury tampering.

[Brad Davis]

Now we just wait on the South Carolina Supreme Court's decision. Thank you for all this news, Marissa.

[Andrea Canning]

Thank you, Andrea.

[Brad Davis]

We talk a lot about staying safe on the podcast and what you can do to protect yourself from scammers or other kinds of criminals. But what can you do when you're at risk from Mother Nature? You've probably heard tips about packing food, water, medicine if you're forced to flee your home. But what about things that aren't so easy to grab, like documents, IDs, and personal information? My next guest, Evie Pompous, is a former Secret Service agent and personal safety expert. She's here to help us put together a digital go bag. Welcome back, Evie.

[Evie Pompous]

Hello.

[Brad Davis]

So, Evie, when we're thinking about preparing for an emergency, what kinds of documents should people be including to make sure that they are truly prepared?

[Evie Pompous]

There are certain things that you want to carry with you because they're vital documents. Should something, let's say, happen to your home and you can never go back, you want to have these documents with you. Birth certificate, driver's license, passport, a marriage license or marriage certificate, your Social Security card, wills or deeds. Now, you can't keep these documents in your go bag. So there's two things you can do. You can scan them, make a copy and keep physical copies. But the next best thing, you can store this on some type of flash drive. Usb, usb c, any type of drive. That way you can take it with you wherever you go and should you need those documents, because again, if you're an emergency, it's very likely you might need these documents as proof of who you are, your identity. If you're trying to access something, you have these with you. And even if you need to replace them, it's easier.

[Brad Davis]

And Abby, some people may not like this idea, but you can also take photos on your phone if you don't want to have that drive.

[Evie Pompous]

You know, it's interesting, when it's on your phone, sometimes it gets stored into a cloud or then it appears on other devices. Having things on a cloud, you just have to be extremely careful that you've got really strong passwords and security systems because clouds get hacked. So that's why I like this physical thing. You're also making an assumption that you'll have access to WI fi or Internet when you need the stuff. Meanwhile, you can just plug this in and it's there. Another great thing people can do is take video of things in your house because if you're doing an insurance claim later, one of the things you have to deal with is, well, how do we know you had that big screen tv? How do we know you had that stereo system? You could show them as proof because it's got the date and timestamp on it, right? It's got that metadata on it. I actually had to do that on 9 11. And I actually had an office in the World Trade center. So I had to make a list of all the items that I lost. I remember sitting, trying to remember, what did I have? What was it worth? So this is another great thing for you to have should the unthinkable happen.

[Brad Davis]

Yeah, absolutely. And something that is really critical is having a list of emergency contacts.

[Evie Pompous]

You know, this is where you go old school. You should write phone numbers down. Let's say you leave and you don't have your cell phone, right? How many of us memorize phone numbers right now? No, and it's really especially important for little kids too. Have them memorize phone numbers. You know, we always presume we will always be there with our family and loved ones, but what if we're not there? We're just being proactive. I have to tell you, being a former U.S. secret Service agent. The majority of what we did, it was all proactive security and protection. It's what you do before.

[Brad Davis]

Evie, this has been so incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for coming back on the podcast.

[Evie Pompous]

Thank you for having me.

[Brad Davis]

And for anyone who's ever wondered what they do in the event of a natural disaster or catastrophe, check out the new docuseries Survival Mode from our colleagues at NBC News Studios.

[Lynn Keller]

Everything I did was to stay alive.

[Donna Adelson]

This is a dangerous situation.

[Brad Davis]

Our house was gone.

[Marissa Meyer]

We gotta run.

[Lynn Keller]

I wanna say thank you for saving my life.

[Brad Davis]

The series shares harrowing stories from the perspective of those who took extreme measures to survive. Survival Mode airs on Monday nights at 10, 9 Central and begins streaming on Peacock the next day. That's it for this episode of Dateline True Crime Weekly. To get ad free listening for all of our podcasts, subscribe to DATELINE Premium. Coming up this Friday on Dateline, Josh has a classic episode. When Cal Poly freshman Kristen Smart vanished during Memorial day weekend in 1996. Her friends and family were left without answers or justice for over 25 years until a podcast brought Kristen's case back into the national spotlight.

[Lynn Keller]

You don't give up. You don't give up.

[Brad Davis]

No, you can't watch justice for Kristen Smart this Friday at 9, 8 Central. And one last thing we want to mention before we go. DATELINE is hitting the road next month and we want you to join us. On Sunday, September 28, the whole team will be in Nashville for DATELINE Live. It's a first of a kind event featuring onstage panels, audience Q&As and a VIP reception. Tickets are on sale now at datelinenbc.com you can also find a link in the description of this episode. 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 Kuriloff. Production and fact checking help by Georgina DiNardo, Terry Dickerson and Mackenzie Matwick. 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. Anything else?

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, see you soon.