Dateline: True Crime Weekly

Episode Summary ― March 5, 2026

Main Theme:
This episode covers major developments in three high-profile crime cases: the Utah mom murder trial of Kouri Richins (with key testimony from her housekeeper), a sister’s fight for justice after a controversial fatal shooting in South Carolina, and new insights into the use and reliability of police photo lineups. Plus, updates from other notable trials across the country.

1. Kouri Richins Utah Murder Trial: Housekeeper Testifies

[Start: 01:20]

Background

• Kouri Richins, a Utah mother and author, is on trial for allegedly poisoning her husband, Eric, with fentanyl in 2022.
• Motive alleged: to cash in on life insurance and start a new life with her lover.
• Richins has pleaded not guilty.

Key Testimony: Carmen Lauber (Housekeeper)

• Connection: Former housekeeper, admitted past drug abuse, testifying under immunity.
• Her Role: Allegedly purchased fentanyl (at Kouri’s request) used in Eric's fatal overdose.
• Impression: "She stayed pretty calm and seemed confident. But she was also emotional...and clearly seemed disturbed by the possibility that she may have played a role in Eric's death." — Karen Israel, Dateline Producer [04:21]
• Notable Quote:

  “I needed to step up and take accountability of my part in this.” — Carmen Lauber [04:53]

Fentanyl Procurement Details

• Kouri requested pain meds “for an investor”; then requested “something stronger.”
• Lauber then sourced fentanyl pills via a contact named Robert Crozier:

  “I had text Corey back and told her that I had a friend that could get them, but they were fentanyl pills.” — Carmen Lauber [06:26]

• Pills were delivered directly or hidden at properties:

  “So I went to the fire pit and kind of dug a little hole and put the gravel back on top of it, and then kind of turned a brick to the side to kind of cover it up.” — Carmen Lauber [06:59]

Defense Strategy

• Attacked memory (due to Lauber’s drug use) and credibility (immunity deal).
• Pressed Lauber on inconsistencies and whether detectives introduced the idea of “fentanyl”:

  “The only person up to this point who has put the word fentanyl in your head. Are these detectives, correct?” — Jennifer Foley, defense [08:54]

• Lauber maintained:

  “I'm willing to go forward with the truth, yes.” — Carmen Lauber [09:31]

Additional Witnesses

• Robert Crozier: Initially corroborated Lauber’s claims in an affidavit, later recanted, introducing doubt, but prosecution argued users/dealers may be unaware of all substances.
• Marital and Financial Context: Testimony highlighted a troubled marriage and significant financial distress for Kouri before Eric’s death.

[Key Segment Timestamps]

• Lauber testimony: [03:35 – 09:33]
• Crozier and contextual witnesses: [09:44 – 11:05]

2. Sister Seeks Justice in South Carolina Roadside Shooting

[Start: 13:24]

Overview

• Victim: Scott Spivey, killed in September 2023.
• Shooters: Weldon Boyd & Kenneth Bradley Williams claimed self-defense; protected under Stand Your Ground law, never criminally charged.
• Sister’s Quest: Jennifer Foley, Spivey’s sister, launched a civil wrongful death lawsuit, uncovering new evidence.

Sequence of Events

• Spivey was reported driving erratically and waving a gun; multiple 911 calls made.
• Weldon Boyd’s 911 call, kept on speaker:

  “If this guy does not slow down and stop that he would put him down.” — Recap of Boyd's 911 call [16:12] “Listen, this dude shoots at me, we're going to put him down.” — Boyd [16:12]

• At encounter: Spivey, out of his truck, was shot in the back while turning away, after allegedly firing a shot into the ground.

Evidence Unearthed

• Boyd’s Phone Recordings: 90+ calls, including admissions after the shooting:

  “I had a blast.” / “I had a good time.” — Boyd, post-shooting calls [19:17]

• Police Misconduct Allegations: Calls with officers and a note ("act like a victim") led to resignations and firings.

Legal Developments

• Judge’s Finding:

  “It seems that driving over 100 miles an hour trying to keep up with the guy with a gun is foolish. I find that Mr. Boyd's request for immunity is denied.” — Judge (paraphrased) [22:14]

• Civil Suit Moves Forward: Boyd can now be sued; criminal charges still possible; Williams’ status pending.

• Jennifer Foley’s Reaction:

  “It's been a lot of no's in the last two and a half years and this is the first yes. This is just a start on the road to trying to get justice for him.” — Jennifer Foley [23:09]

[Key Segment Timestamps]

• Incident summary and evidence: [13:24 – 21:23]
• Judge’s decision and family response: [22:02 – 23:15]

3. DATELINE Roundup: Updates on Major Trials

[Start: 24:53]

Rashawn Jones Mistrial (Miami, FL)

• Case: Former University of Miami football player Rashawn Jones, accused of murdering teammate Brian Pata in 2006.
• Trial Result: Hung jury, mistrial declared.
• Family Reaction:

  "Like, there are some things that I heard throughout this trial that I've never even heard, and that gave us more confidence that he's the guy, he's the actual killer." — Edwin Pata, Brian’s brother [26:29]

• Jury Breakdown: 5-1 to acquit; single holdout led to deadlock.
• Retrial: Scheduled for May 18.

Dale Warner Trial (Michigan)

• Allegation: Farmer Dale Warner accused of murdering wife Dee and concealing her body.
• Key Events: Jury visited farm; defense tried to cast suspicion on Dee’s brother over a text exchange.
• Status: Case ongoing.

Dan Serafini Sentencing (California)

• Conviction: Ex-baseball pitcher Dan Serafini found guilty of murdering father-in-law, attempted murder of mother-in-law over inheritance motivations.
• Sentence: Life without parole.
• Victim Impact:

  “He is a monster that knows no moral boundaries...I am no murderer.” — Victim’s daughter and Serafini himself [29:40], [29:57]

• Judge’s Rebuke:

  "What I heard from you was all about you and not enough about the victims that died in this case." — Judge [30:10]

[Key Segment Timestamps]

• Miami: [25:00 – 27:19]
• Michigan: [27:52 – 28:38]
• California: [29:02 – 30:15]

4. How Photo Lineups Work: Law Enforcement Insights

[Start: 31:33]

Guest: Ken Wallentine

• Retired police chief, 40+ years experience, discusses the use and pitfalls of photo lineups in criminal investigations.

Best Practices

• Minimum of six photos: one suspect, at least five fillers.
• Fillers should resemble witness description, not the suspect.
• Key Instructions for Witness:
  • “The perpetrator may or may not be present.”
  • Do not look for cues from administrators.
• Blind Administration:

  “The best practice today...is a blind administration where the photo ID Lineup administrator doesn’t know the suspect’s identity.” — Ken Wallentine [31:43]

Evolution of Process

• Transitioned from live to photo lineups in late 20th century.
• Scientific understanding of memory and suggestibility has transformed protocols:

  “In the 80s and 90s, we move from assuming memory works like a video recording to understanding that it’s reconstructive and vulnerable to suggestions.” — Ken Wallentine [33:04]

Reliability & Impact

• Photo lineups mostly used in serious felonies, not minor crimes.
• Wrongful Convictions:

  “Mistaken eyewitness identifications have played a role in 75% of wrongful convictions.” — Lester Holt [34:45]

• Risk factors: Pressure to choose, bad instructions, overconfidence in memory.
• Importance of corroborating eyewitness IDs with additional evidence.

Notable Quotes

• “Eyewitness testimony can be powerful. It can also be vulnerable...simply another brick in the wall.” — Ken Wallentine [35:45]

[Key Segment Timestamp]

• Entire discussion: [31:33 – 36:17]

5. Why This Episode Matters

• Showcases the impact of credible witness testimony, not just on trials, but also in securing or denying justice for victims.
• Reveals the complexity of “stand your ground” laws and the role of family advocacy in reopening cases.
• Illuminates the perils and psychology of eyewitness identification, and how best practices are still evolving in American justice.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On confronting responsibility:

  “I needed to step up and take accountability of my part in this.” — Carmen Lauber [04:53]

• Family fuel for justice:

  "It's been a lot of no's in the last two and a half years and this is the first yes." — Jennifer Foley [23:09]

• On misguided confidence in IDs:

  "We all inflate our confidence in our memories...That’s a dangerous combination." — Ken Wallentine [35:02]

Episode Navigation

• [01:20] Utah mom murder trial
• [13:24] South Carolina shooting & aftermath
• [24:53] Case roundup: Miami, Michigan, California
• [31:33] Photo lineups: science, best practices, cautionary tales

Dateline True Crime Weekly remains a reliable deep dive for true crime enthusiasts, marrying court reporting, behind-the-scenes insights, and critical analysis of investigative techniques.