
Families of slain Idaho students confront their killer in court. Surprising testimony at dentist's murder trial. And the unusual traffic stop at the heart of a Wisconsin murder trial.
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Andrea Canning
Now is your time to get into a new Dr. Horton home by taking advantage of their national red tag sales event, now extended through July 27. Stop by any of their participating communities and find select red tag homes at incredible pricing. So whether you're buying your first home or looking for an upgrade, you don't want to miss. The red tag sales event extended to July 27th. Discover the Dr. Horton Difference at drhorton.com Dr. Horton, America's builder and equal Housing opportunity builder. It looked like a pleasant summer day, but was was in fact a spectacular summer day. Perfect for lounging and listening to dateline. Subscribe to Dateline Premium and get a free one month trial ad, free listening bonus episodes and early access to new original series. This Special offer expires July 30, so.
Shane Bishop
Subscribe Dateline Premium only on Apple Podcasts.
Andrea Canning
You don't want to miss out, do you, Jane?
Olivia Gonsalves
It's your kind of day out there.
Andrea Canning
The DATELINE team is gathering.
Olivia Gonsalves
Really? Tell me. Low humidity, totally sunny, glorious.
Andrea Canning
It's time for the morning meeting. They managed to get the daughter to basically turn against the mother.
Olivia Gonsalves
It does appear to be random from what we know, but they did have an arrest in that case.
Shane Bishop
I think it's a great idea. Thanks for being on top of it.
Andrea Canning
Welcome to DATELINE True Crime Weekly. I'm Andrea Canning. It's July 24th, and here's what's on our docket. In Colorado, surprising testimony at the trial of a dentist accused of poisoning his wife's protein shakes.
Josh Mankiewicz
James said he ordered the potassium cyanide as part of a game of chicken that he had with Angela.
Andrea Canning
And 30 years after a double murder in a Wisconsin farmhouse, investigators uncover a personal connection between the victims and their alleged killer.
Olivia Gonsalves
Prosecutors are saying that Tony killed Tana and her boyfriend Tim out of some kind of emotional breakdown that was brought on by this drunken rage.
Andrea Canning
But before all that, we're heading to a Boise courthouse for the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger and the culmination of a case that has gripped the nation. Earlier this month, Bryan Kohberger caught everyone off guard by taking a plea deal admitting his guilt in the Savage murders of four University of Idaho students. In 2022, Kaylee Gonzalves met Madison Mogan, Ethan Chapin and Zanna Kernodle. The agreement allowed him to avoid a lengthy trial, the death penalty and any explanation of his motive.
Olivia Gonsalves
All right, this is State of Idaho vs. Brian Kohberger. Defendant is present in custody.
Andrea Canning
Kohberger's sentencing took place on Wednesday, and it was the first time the families of the students Kohberger stabbed to death had a chance to speak directly to him. Their anguish and anger was on full display. This is Olivia Kaylee Goncalves. Sister, I won't stand here and give.
Olivia Gonsalves
You what you want. I won't offer you tears. I won't offer you trembling disappointments like you thrive on pain, on fear, and on the illusion of power. And I won't feed your beast. Instead, I will call you what you are. Sociopath, Psychopath. Murderer.
Andrea Canning
DATELINE producer Shane Bishop, who has followed this case since day one, joins us now. Hey, Shane.
Shane Bishop
Hi, Andrea.
Andrea Canning
So Shane set the scene in the courtroom for us. Who was there, who was speaking? This was such a big day for so many people.
Shane Bishop
Yeah, I think the word I'd use would be a tinderbox. I mean, there was high emotion everywhere. Obviously, after two and a half years of waiting for answers in this case, people started lining up the day before for a chance to wait through the night for one of the very limited seats in the courtroom.
Andrea Canning
The two roommates who survived were the first people to talk. One of them, Bethany Funk, asked a friend to read her statement for her.
Olivia Gonsalves
I woke up around seven with a terrible toothache. So I called my dad who is a dentist. He told me to take Advil.
Andrea Canning
So I did and I went back to sleep.
Shane Bishop
This is the first time we've heard any explanation why the roommates didn't call 911 earlier. The murder took place around 4:20am The 911 call wasn't placed until noon.
Olivia Gonsalves
I was still out of it and.
Andrea Canning
Still didn't know what happened. If I had known, I of course.
Olivia Gonsalves
Would have called 911 right away. I still carry so much regret and.
Andrea Canning
Guilt for not knowing what had happened.
Olivia Gonsalves
And not calling right away, even though I understand it wouldn't have changed anything, not even if the paramedics had been right outside the door.
Shane Bishop
And Bethany Funk talked about the lasting impact that night has had on her.
Olivia Gonsalves
I slept in my parents room for almost a year.
Andrea Canning
I made them double lock every door.
Olivia Gonsalves
And still check everywhere in the room.
Andrea Canning
Just in case someone was hiding. And I still check my room every night and I double lock it. I have not slept through a single night since this happened. I constantly wake up in panics, terrified someone is breaking in or someone is here to hurt me or I'm about to lose someone else that I love. The fear never really leaves. All right, that is really hard to hear. We also heard Shane from the other roommate who survived. Next is Dylan Mortensen. She was in tears as she read her statement. She came face to face with Kohberger in that house, although she didn't mention that specifically, did she?
Shane Bishop
No, she didn't. And Dylan's probably had the hardest road to hove the two survivors. He actually spoke to her after the murders.
Andrea Canning
People call me strong. They say I'm a survivor. But I don't see what my new reality looks like. They don't see the panic attacks, the hypervigilance, the exhaustion, the way I scan every room I enter, the way I.
Olivia Gonsalves
Flinch at sudden sounds.
Andrea Canning
They don't know how heavy it is to carry so much pain and still be expected to keep going.
Olivia Gonsalves
And that's because of him. He still barts at me.
Andrea Canning
I may never get back. He took the version of me who.
Olivia Gonsalves
Didn'T constantly ask, what if it happens again?
Andrea Canning
What if next time I don't survive?
Shane Bishop
It's just heartbreaking for a 19, 20 year old kid, you know?
Andrea Canning
Yeah. And we heard statement after statement from family members. You know, they had different things that they wanted to get across.
Shane Bishop
Steven Gonsalves, Kaylee's dad, is a really intense human being. Anybody who's followed the case knows that. And throughout this case, he's been the most outspoken of all the victim's parents. And so there was a lot of anticipation to see what he would do. And when his name was called, Steve got up and made what I thought was a real power move. He turned the podium away from facing the judge and turned it straight to face the defendant to address him directly.
Olivia Gonsalves
Today we are here to finish what you started.
Josh Mankiewicz
Today you've lost control.
Olivia Gonsalves
Today we are here to prove to the world that you picked the wrong families, the wrong state, the wrong police officers, the wrong community. In time, you will be nothing but two initials forgotten to the wind.
Josh Mankiewicz
No visitors.
Olivia Gonsalves
Nothing more than initials on an otherwise unmarked tombstone.
Shane Bishop
In addition to Steve, Olivia, Kaylee's big sister, called Kohberger a loser. Among a lot of other things, actually. And she did something brilliant and very calculated. I thought back when Kohberger was a graduate student pursuing his master's degree at Desales University. Before he moved west to Washington State, he'd put out a research project asking criminals about their feelings and how they prepared for their crimes. And Olivia Gonsalves turned some of his own questions on Coburger.
Olivia Gonsalves
Where is the murder weapon? The clothes you wore that night? What did you bring into the house with you? What was the second weapon you used on Kaylee? What were Kaylee's last words? Please describe in Detail the level of anxiety you must have felt when you heard the Bearcat pull up to your family home on December 30, 2022. If you were really smart, do you think you'd be here right now? There is a name for your condition, though. Your inflated ego just didn't allow you to see it. Wannabe. You act like no one could ever understand your mind, but the truth is you're basic. No one is scared of you today. No one is intimidated by you. No one is impressed by you. No one thinks that you are important. You want the truth? Here's the one you'll hate the most. If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep in the middle of the night, like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your ass. Thank you. Thank you.
Andrea Canning
You know, Shane, at times there was applause in the courtroom. Sobs. Very emotional. But Kohberger, you know, didn't share seemingly in any of that emotion. Looking very blank, he looked directly at.
Shane Bishop
Those who were speaking. The only time I saw him look around the courtroom was when the gallery burst out in applause after Olivia Gonzalez's very pointed remarks to him. Otherwise, his eyes did not wander. And as far as speaking, when the judge asked him if he wanted to make any kind of statement, he said only three words. I respectfully decline.
Andrea Canning
There was no surprise when it came to the sentencing though, right? We knew what was going to happen.
Shane Bishop
There wasn't. I believe that although the judge wasn't bound by the plea deal, he did stick to it. And as part of that plea, Coburger agreed to four consecutive life sentences and 10 years for burglary.
Andrea Canning
So what happens to Brian Kohberger now? Does he stay in Idaho? He's such a high profile inmate.
Shane Bishop
Well, there's really little doubt that he'll be sent to Idaho's toughest prison. It's called the maximum security institution. It houses death row. There are 400 men there. It houses, you know, as the saying goes, those who don't play nice with others in prison. It's doubtful he'll have any contact with anyone but staff for months. I don't have any information about protective custody, but I'm sure he'll be pretty isolated.
Andrea Canning
Let's come back to the motive. This is one of the most disappointing parts for people is that they felt like if you're gonna give him this plea agreement, he should have had to given some explanation of why he did what he did, which he didn't. And he also didn't do it at the sentencing hearing. What are you hearing? On that.
Shane Bishop
Well, Judge Hippler touched on this before he handed down the sentence. He said the crimes may just be unexplainable. And by insisting we understand why he did this, we're giving Kohberger control and it's time to end that.
Olivia Gonsalves
In my view, the time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger's 15 minutes of fame. It's time that he be consigned to the ignominy and isolation of perpetual incarceration.
Shane Bishop
I've been saying for a long time that we need to get comfortable with the idea that we'll never know exactly why Kohberger committed these crimes. Crimes I do believe my sources who told me they believe Kohberger wanted to be a famous serial killer. I mean, don't they all want to be famous or infamous?
Andrea Canning
The families, you know, they want to make sure that their loved ones are not lost in all the, you know, the circus of this and all the speculation.
Shane Bishop
So many of the families said their last act to honor the, the victims they lost, the family members they lost, is simple just to live.
Olivia Gonsalves
My true final act of love was to continue on without them.
Andrea Canning
For them, of course, we wish all of the families and friends the best as they go forward and try to heal from this. Thank you, Shane.
Shane Bishop
Thanks, Andrea.
Andrea Canning
Coming up, it's week two in the murder trial of Colorado dentist James Craig. We'll tell you what his lover had to say when she took the stand.
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.
Andrea Canning
DATELINE Missing in America. All episodes available now wherever you get your podcasts. Taking over the helm of NBC Nightly News, a 75 year old broadcast, it's a great responsibility. Good evening. I'm Tom Yamas. You have to go out there to bring people at home closer to the store. Wildfires continue to be a threat.
Olivia Gonsalves
With that massive hurricane comes the massive response.
Andrea Canning
The best reporters in our business know how to listen. And when you listen, you get the truth. For NBC News, NBC News, I'm Tom Yamas. That's what we do every night. NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas, evenings on NBC. Hey, everybody, I'm Al Roker from the.
Shane Bishop
Today show, here to tell you about.
Andrea Canning
Our Jumpstart July event. The Start Today app has everything you.
Josh Mankiewicz
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.
Andrea Canning
And now when you subscribe for an.
Josh Mankiewicz
Annual plan, you'll get your first month completely free with promo code Jumpstart. Just download the Start Today app now.
Andrea Canning
To get started offering 731 25. Must enter code at checkout. Must be 18 or up after first month. You will be automatically charged $65.99 a.
Olivia Gonsalves
Year plus tax for an annual subscription until you cancel. Cancel anytime through your device settings under Apple Account.
Andrea Canning
See website terms. As the prosecution's case against dentist James Craig unfolds in an Arapahoe county courtroom, there has been no shortage of emotional witnesses and stunning details. Craig is accused of killing his wife Angela in March 2023 by poisoning her with potassium cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a common ingredient found in eye drops. The prosecution has been methodically laying out its case against Craig, who has pleaded not guilty, including blockbuster testimony from his former business partner, two of his six children, and a woman he was having an affair with. DATELINE producer Michelle Madigan has been in court and joins us with the latest. Michelle, welcome back.
Josh Mankiewicz
Hi, Andrea.
Andrea Canning
Okay, so two of Craig's daughters have taken the stand. They are not being identified publicly because of an order from the judge, but you saw them really struggle during questioning when you.
Josh Mankiewicz
Michelle we did, Andrea. The first daughter to testify was James and Angela's oldest daughter. She recently graduated from college and she was tearful almost from the moment she took the stand. She choked up just at the question of what her mother's name was.
Andrea Canning
Michelle, you and I know that sometimes when we do DATELINE interviews, friends and family, they, they choke up right out of the gate in the interview. It's hard. It.
Josh Mankiewicz
It is. And it's happened a number of times in this trial. You just can see the hurt and, and the reality. That's for these people who loved Angela.
Andrea Canning
Yeah. It shows how much they loved her. So the defense has contended that Angela was depressed when she died and took her own life. But the testimony from Craig's oldest daughter seemed to push back against that, right? Yes.
Josh Mankiewicz
She said that there were a lot of things that Angela was looking forward to. She wanted to become a grandmother. And she said the two had planned to fix up a house together and Angela would send her house listings. Her daughter also testified that when Angela became sick, she didn't know what was wrong with her and she really wanted to get out of the hospital, saying she needed to get back to her girls. And, you know, when the defense cross examined her about Angela's mental health, her daughter maintained that her mother struggled like anyone else, but she did not have a mental illness.
Andrea Canning
The other daughter who testified, Michelle, she was living at home at the time when Angela died. She was asked about a mysterious phone call between her and her dad.
Josh Mankiewicz
This was so interesting. She said that James calls after he's been arrested from jail, and he asked her to bail out another inmate, saying that this inmate would have important information. And she did it. She went to the jail, paid this inmate's bail, and he handed her a letter from her father. And the letter asked her to create a deep fake video of Angela saying she had asked James to order the poison. It gave her the directions to make the video, buy a burner laptop, adjust the metadata, and make these purchases on the dark web.
Andrea Canning
Unbelievable.
Josh Mankiewicz
And just to clarify, she didn't go forward with it, and she handed everything over to law enforcement.
Andrea Canning
Again, so strange. Michelle, we heard from James Craig's former business partner, who played a key role at the beginning of this case.
Josh Mankiewicz
Yes, this Testimony was from Dr. Ryan Redfern. He was also a dentist. He met James during dental school. He and his wife Michelle, who also testified, were friends with James and Angela. And when Angela became ill, Ryan was on his way to visit her in the hospital. And he gets this call from the office manager that had discovered a cyanide package had been delivered to the office. And so he is the person who pulled a nurse aside to let them know about it. And he also told Angela's brother about the cyanide. So that set off alarm bells, obviously, in the hospital. Then he testified about a conversation that he and his wife had with James. And James was saying, ryan, what have you done? And Ryan eventually asked him, was it true? What is this for? And James said he ordered the potassium cyanide as part of a game of chicken that he had with Angela, who he said was suicidal and unable to obtain it for herself, but that he had ordered the cyanide for her at her request.
Andrea Canning
Michelle, we talked last week about the fact that it was an open secret James Craig was cheating on his wife with multiple women. This week, we heard from one of the most anticipated witnesses in this trial. The woman James Craig was seeing when Angela died.
Josh Mankiewicz
Yes, her name is Dr. Karen Kane. She's an orthodontist based in Texas. And the prosecution, you know, lay out how she met James and how the affair started. They met in February 2023. So just about a month before Angela died, it was a conference in Las Vegas, and they struck up a conversation, waiting in line to go to dinner. And she said that as she was talking to him about her divorce and her faith, she really opened up to him because he also described himself as in the same situation at the end of a hard divorce.
Andrea Canning
And this relationship continued after the conference.
Josh Mankiewicz
That's right. She said they texted and had phone calls, and during those, he said Angela and he'd been separated. He was living in his own apartment. She said James also talked about Angela's illness. And in March, Dr. Kane actually came to Colorado while Angela was ill. They had dinner a couple of times while she was in the hospital, and then even after she passed away, he came and took her to dinner. And in fact, he left her hotel at midnight. And two hours later, she gets a knock on the door from a detective telling her that James had been arrested.
Andrea Canning
Oh, my. That's a lot. So Karen was just completely in the dark about everything.
Josh Mankiewicz
She was. The prosecution is really pointing to her as motive. He was intending to be with her, and that's why he wanted to commit this murder. Alleged murder. Dr. Kane testified that she and James talked about being together in the long term. You know, they didn't talk about logistics, but they did talk about their feelings. And this was a very swift love affair.
Andrea Canning
Yeah. And the. The prosecution spent a lot of time reading through James Craig's and. And Dr. Cain's texts while she was on the stand. Was that to further bolster their idea of what the motive was?
Josh Mankiewicz
It was. I mean, they exchanged 4,000 text messages, and we got to hear some of them. And during the time that Angela was in, James is writing to Dr. Kane and texting and saying, quote, she still thinks I did this to her. And, quote, just for the record, I will never drug you in case that was something you were ever worried about.
Andrea Canning
Okay. It has been quite the interesting trial so far, and there's still more to come. Michelle and I know you'll be there, so we look forward to catching up with you again as this progresses. Thank you.
Josh Mankiewicz
My pleasure.
Andrea Canning
Coming up, a traffic stop cracks open a 30 year old cold case in Wisconsin. As the day wraps up, get the scoop on what's been happening with. Here's the Scoop, a new podcast from NBC News. With me, your host, Yasmin Vesugian, along with Morgan Chesky and Brian Chung, we'll.
Josh Mankiewicz
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.
Josh Mankiewicz
And it's informative, bringing you closer to.
Andrea Canning
The headlines and conversations that are shaping our world.
Josh Mankiewicz
From the front page to the zeitgeist.
Andrea Canning
All in 15 minutes or less. Here's the scoop from NBC News. Listen daily on Apple Podcasts. 33 years ago, a Waupaca county sheriff's detective responded to a call at a house on Butternut Road in the small town of Royalton, Wisconsin. In the bedroom, he found two people and a dog stabbed to death. But no one was arrested until three years ago. Tony Hayes, who lived just under two miles from that house on Butternut Road in 1992, was charged with two counts of first degree murder. But prosecutors say the connection between him and the victims was much deeper than how close they lived to each other. Hayes pleaded not guilty to the charges, and late last week, a jury was seated in his trial. DATELINE producer Marissa Meyer is in the courtroom, and she has stepped out to the parking lot to tell us how investigators say they cracked this case and what the defense is saying they got wrong. Marissa, welcome back to the podcast.
Olivia Gonsalves
Thank you so much for having me.
Andrea Canning
Marissa, first of all, tell us, who are these victims?
Olivia Gonsalves
So the victims in this case are Tana Togstead, who was 23 at the time, and her boyfriend, Tim Mumbrew. He was 34. And according to Tana's best friend, they had been dating for about six months.
Andrea Canning
So what is the prosecution alleging happened that night in March 1992?
Olivia Gonsalves
The prosecution is painting a picture of a pretty brutal murder. They haven't been clear on the exact sequence of events, but they're alleging that Tony Hayes showed up to Tana's house drunk, got into a scuffle with Tana's boyfriend. During that scuffle, he punched Hannah. She was knocked out, and he repeatedly stabbed Tim. And according to the investigator's complaint, once Tana came to Toni, allegedly stabbed and killed her, semen was found, like on top of her legs. And in the midst of this, Tana's dog Scruffy was killed as well.
Andrea Canning
What is the prosecution saying is the motive here? Why would he do that?
Olivia Gonsalves
So they're saying that the motive in this case is a personal one, that Tony's dad died in a snowmobiling accident when Tony was about 7. So years and years before the murder. And Tanna's father was there during this accident. So prosecutors are saying that Tony killed Tana and her boyfriend Tim out of anger and some kind of emotional breakdown that was brought on by this drunken Rage.
Andrea Canning
What led investigators to Tony Hayes after all this time? Because, Marissa, so much time passed.
Olivia Gonsalves
So what we know so far is that the case got a fresh look in 2015 when a special agent with the Wisconsin DOJ was assigned to look into it. And a lot of the evidence from the scene was preserved, even though back in 1990, no one was talking about DNA testing or DNA. And one of the key pieces that was preserved was semen that was collected from Tanner's body. So over the years, they would try to match this sample to codis. Didn't find a match. And then through a seven year investigation, law enforcement landed on Tony and they set up this traffic stop in 2022 to get a DNA sample from him. And according to prosecutors, that DNA sample was matched the DNA that was found at the scene.
Andrea Canning
The defense has strongly criticized the traffic stop in all of this. Walk us through what they're alleging there. The defense.
Olivia Gonsalves
Right. So they're saying in July 2022, a state agent and a Wisconsin state trooper pulled Tony over for not having a front license plate on his truck. So then the trooper gives Tony a pen, a clipboard, and this warning ticket, and convinces Tony to sign this traffic graphic citation. The investigators say that they DNA tested the pen, the clipboard, and the ticket, and they say that it was a match to the semen that was found on Tana's body.
Andrea Canning
Wow. So this is like a twist on giving the suspect a water bottle or taking their McDonald's from them.
Olivia Gonsalves
Exactly. But when it comes to the DNA results, too, the defense is really saying not so fast with it. They're saying that these DNA results are unreliable, that most of the DNA evidence in the case was used up by the year 2000 from what they're saying is destructive testing. And so they're saying these DNA profiles that investigators came up with were created with insufficient evidence.
Andrea Canning
And they're also saying that this DNA test should have had a warrant, right?
Olivia Gonsalves
Yes. Yes, they're saying that it's an illegal DNA test, as you said, conducted without a warrant and without consent.
Andrea Canning
There was a huge moment after Hayes was arrested in 2022, a month after that traffic stop, he ends up confessing to the murders.
Olivia Gonsalves
He does. He does. He says that he was blackout drunk the night of the murders. There's holes in his memory and holes in his story. You know, he doesn't remember if he brought a knife to Tanna's house or if he picked up a knife at Tanna's house during the interrog, which is quite lengthy. Investigators asked him, so why didn't you come forward after this brutal crime? And he said something along the lines of, I didn't want to make it seem like I had planned this. And that after, when he had seen these news reports about the murders, he said something along the lines of like, oh, my goodness, what did I do?
Andrea Canning
Yeah. Except he used some bad language.
Olivia Gonsalves
Yes. Yes.
Andrea Canning
Some worse language than oh, my goodness. Yes. As we know, Marissa, though, he's now on trial saying he didn't do it. So why would he have confessed? What's the defense saying?
Olivia Gonsalves
The defense is saying that this is a coerced confession, that the investigators lied repeatedly to Tony, that they interrogated him for seven hours, that they used these techniques that really elicited a false confession.
Andrea Canning
In this case, the defense is saying jurors can't trust the DNA analysis or the confession. So what are they saying actually happened then? What is their theory?
Olivia Gonsalves
So they are saying that the person who perpetrated these murders is Tony's uncle, who actually passed away in 1995. But according to the defense, this uncle was psychotic, had been known to kill dogs. And even though this relative had been ruled out as a suspect early on, the defense is saying that investigators didn't take the evidence against him seriously enough.
Andrea Canning
This story takes yet another twist. They exhume the uncle's body back in June.
Olivia Gonsalves
Yes, they do. So the state exhumes the body. They DNA test the uncle's DNA against the DNA found on Tanna's body, and they say it is not a match. But the judge has said that the jury is not going to hear that the uncle's body was exhumed, that these DNA results did not match back to him. But it seems, at least for now, the uncle will be mentioned as an alternate suspect in this trial.
Andrea Canning
All right, so, Marissa, the trial is expected to take, what, another month or so?
Olivia Gonsalves
Yes. So there's lots of testimony, lots of witnesses to come.
Andrea Canning
Okay. Very interesting case, Marissa. Thank you so much.
Olivia Gonsalves
Thank you so much, Andrea.
Andrea Canning
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 if you want to send us a message about any of the cases we cover on the podcast or you have questions for the Dateline team, you can reach us on social at Dateline NBC. Or call us at 212-413-5252. Coming up this Friday on Dateline, Josh has a classic episode. A man dies mysteriously in his brand new apartment. His girlfriend says he shot himself. His parents refused to believe it. I concluded that there must have been.
Olivia Gonsalves
An intruder in the house that shot Jonathan.
Andrea Canning
Watch Behind Door. 8:13 this Friday on NBC at 9, 8 Central. 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. See everybody as we go.
Josh Mankiewicz
Bye Bye. Friday night on Dateline.
Andrea Canning
Oh, my God.
Olivia Gonsalves
Oh, my God.
Andrea Canning
When a young man dies in his.
Josh Mankiewicz
Apartment with his girlfriend by his side, they said it was called in as a suicide.
Andrea Canning
Or was it murder? What'd you observe?
Olivia Gonsalves
A lot of weirdness.
Andrea Canning
Dateline Friday at 9, 8 Central, only on NBC.
Dateline: True Crime Weekly – Detailed Summary
Episode Title: Bryan Kohberger's Sentencing. Dentist's Girlfriend Takes the Stand. And a Wisconsin 30-Year-Old Cold Case
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Andrea Canning, NBC News
Description: In this gripping episode, host Andrea Canning delves into three major true crime stories: the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger, the high-profile trial of dentist James Craig, and the revival of a cold case in Wisconsin. Each segment offers in-depth analysis, emotional testimonies, and behind-the-scenes insights from true crime experts and those directly involved.
Overview:
The episode opens with the highly anticipated sentencing of Bryan Kohberger in Boise, marking the culmination of a case that has captivated the nation. Kohberger previously took a plea deal, admitting guilt in the savage murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022. The plea agreement allowed him to avoid a lengthy trial, the death penalty, and the necessity to explain his motives.
Key Points & Discussions:
Emotional Testimonies from Victims' Families:
Family members of the victims delivered powerful statements expressing their anguish and anger towards Kohberger.
Olivia Gonsalves' Address to the Defendant ([02:44] – [03:22]):
"I won't stand here and give you what you want. I won't offer you tears. I won't offer you trembling disappointments like you thrive on pain, on fear, and on the illusion of power. And I won't feed your beast. Instead, I will call you what you are. Sociopath, Psychopath. Murderer."
Shane Bishop on Courtroom Atmosphere ([03:38] – [04:08]):
"I think the word I'd use would be a tinderbox. I mean, there was high emotion everywhere."
Bethany Funk's Statement on Lasting Impact ([04:06] – [04:52]):
Bethany described the profound and lingering fear resulting from the traumatic event, including actions like double-locking doors and experiencing panic attacks.
Prosecutors’ Expectations and Judge’s Rulings:
Judge Hippler adhered to the plea agreement, sentencing Kohberger to four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years for burglary. He emphasized the importance of not giving Kohberger control by seeking an explanation for his actions.
Kohberger’s Demeanor and Lack of Remorse:
Throughout the proceedings, Kohberger remained emotionally detached, declining to make any statement during sentencing.
Concluding Thoughts:
The families expressed a desire to move forward and honor the victims by living their lives, while emphasizing that Kohberger should remain isolated and forgotten.
Overview:
Shifting focus to Colorado, the episode examines the murder trial of dentist James Craig, accused of poisoning his wife Angela with potassium cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. The prosecution has presented substantial evidence, including testimonies from Craig’s former business partner, his children, and his lover.
Key Points & Discussions:
Daughters' Testimonies and Defense Claims:
Two of Craig’s daughters took the stand, challenging the defense's assertion that Angela took her own life due to depression.
Oldest Daughter’s Emotional Testimony ([15:00] – [16:15]):
She refuted claims of Angela's depression by highlighting Angela’s future plans and desires, emphasizing that Angela did not exhibit signs of mental illness.
Michelle Craig’s Testimony on Coerced Deep Fake Request ([16:15] – [17:11]):
Michelle recounted a suspicious phone call from her father, James Craig, asking her to create a deep fake video implicating himself in the murder, which she ultimately did not pursue and instead handed over to law enforcement.
Former Business Partner’s Testimony ([17:19] – [18:25]):
Dr. Ryan Redfern detailed discovering the cyanide package and Craig’s eventual admission during a conversation, where Craig admitted to ordering potassium cyanide as part of a "game of chicken" with Angela.
Affair as a Motive – Dr. Karen Kane’s Stand ([18:38] – [20:48]):
Dr. Kane, an orthodontist and James Craig’s lover, testified about their relationship, which began in February 2023. The prosecution suggests that Craig's desire to be with Kane was a significant motive for Angela’s murder.
Defense’s Counterarguments:
The defense alleges that Craig's confession was coerced, stemming from prolonged interrogation and deceptive practices by investigators. They also challenge the validity of DNA evidence, suggesting it was obtained without proper warrants and is unreliable.
Ongoing Trial Developments:
The trial is expected to continue for another month, with more testimonies and evidence to be presented.
Overview:
The episode transitions to a cold case from 1992 in Royalton, Wisconsin, where a traffic stop led to the arrest of Tony Hayes for the brutal murders of Tana Togstead and her boyfriend Tim Mumbrew. The case remained unsolved for over three decades until advances in DNA technology provided a breakthrough.
Key Points & Discussions:
Case Background and Prosecution’s Allegations ([22:35] – [23:37]):
In March 1992, Tana Togstead (23) and Tim Mumbrew (34) were found stabbed to death in their Royalton home. Prosecutors allege that Hayes, driven by personal vendettas stemming from his father's death witnessed by Togstead’s father, committed the murders in a drunken rage.
Breakthrough Through DNA Evidence ([24:09] – [25:31]):
A special agent revisited the case in 2015, preserving and reanalyzing evidence. Semen samples from the victims were eventually matched to Hayes via a DNA sample collected during a 2022 traffic stop for a missing front license plate. The prosecution asserts that items given to Hayes during the traffic stop (pen, clipboard, ticket) contained his DNA.
Defense’s Challenges to Evidence ([25:31] – [28:15]):
The defense contests the legitimacy of the DNA evidence, arguing it was obtained without a warrant and that previous DNA evidence had been compromised through "destructive testing." They propose that Hayes’ deceased uncle, previously dismissed as a suspect, might have been the true perpetrator, although recent DNA testing has excluded him.
Coerced Confession and Defense Claims ([26:28] – [28:15]):
Hayes initially confessed to the murders during a lengthy interrogation, claiming blackouts and memory gaps. The defense argues this confession was coerced and fabricated under duress.
Current Status and Future Proceedings ([28:15] – [29:00]):
With the trial ongoing, more testimonies and evidence are expected. The prosecution remains steadfast in its case against Hayes, while the defense continues to highlight inconsistencies and potential wrongful accusations.
This episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly offers a comprehensive exploration of three intricate cases, each highlighting the complexities of the criminal justice system, the emotional toll on victims' families, and the relentless pursuit of truth by investigators and prosecutors. Through detailed testimonies, expert analyses, and gripping narratives, Andrea Canning and her team provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of these true crime stories.
Notable Quotes:
Olivia Gonsalves on Bryan Kohberger ([03:01]):
"I won't offer you trembling disappointments like you thrive on pain, on fear, and on the illusion of power."
Shane Bishop on Courtroom Emotion ([03:38]):
"I mean, after two and a half years of waiting for answers in this case, people started lining up the day before for a chance to wait through the night for one of the very limited seats in the courtroom."
Olivia Gonsalves on Personal Impact ([05:30] – [05:54]):
"People don't see how heavy it is to carry so much pain and still be expected to keep going."
Dr. Karen Kane on Relationship with James Craig ([19:55] – [20:48]):
"James is writing to Dr. Kane and texting and saying, 'she still thinks I did this to her.' And, 'I will never drug you in case that was something you were ever worried about.'"
Stay Informed:
For those eager to delve deeper into these cases or stay updated on the latest developments, subscribing to Dateline: True Crime Weekly provides regular insights and comprehensive coverage of major true crime stories across the nation.