A Command Performance

Summary

Deadly Engagement – "A Command Performance" (NBC News, Oct 2, 2025)

Summary of Episode

Main Theme

This episode of Deadly Engagement, hosted by Dateline's Josh Mankiewicz, dissects the courtroom drama surrounding the murder trial of Shannon Crawley. Crawley stood accused of killing Denita Smith—a beloved, accomplished graduate student recently engaged to her college sweetheart. The case pits two narratives against each other: Crawley’s account of threat and manipulation versus the prosecution’s depiction of jealousy and deliberate action. The episode traces the shifting stories, trial strategies, pivotal evidence, and emotional toll on both families, raising questions of culpability, justice, and the far-reaching effects of one woman’s death.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Conflicting Stories and Lack of Physical Evidence (00:34–01:42)

• Investigators encountered conflicting accounts from Shannon Crawley and Jermir Stroud. Each blamed the other for Denita Smith’s murder.
• There was little physical evidence tying anyone to the crime, making the case heavily reliant on circumstantial testimony.
  • Notable quote: “It's all circumstantial.” – Family Member/Witness (01:31)

2. Plea Bargain Discussions (02:31–03:14)

• Shannon Crawley was offered a plea deal, with the prosecutor allowing Denita Smith’s mother to weigh in:
  • “My daughter didn’t get to plea for her life that morning. So, no, no plea.” – Sharon Smith (03:05)
• Ultimately, Shannon rejected the deal, instead opting for a jury trial.

3. The Courtroom Dynamics (05:21–06:16)

• Reporter John McCann painted the court atmosphere as “somber” and “tense,” with both families sitting opposite each other.
• The prosecution, led by David Sachs, framed the motive as envy—Crawley coveted Denita’s life and future.

4. Testimony Highlights

a. Danita’s Character and the Community’s Loss (07:03–08:20)

• Danita’s mother and friends testified to her ambitions and character.
  • “Yes, it was a tragedy. And, yes, I lost my daughter, but my daughter still lives on. I knew what she stood for.” – Sharon Smith (07:03)
• Danita’s best friend, Edith Kearns, described the pain and trauma of testifying with the accused present:
  • “I felt sad. I felt angry because I was looking at the face of the person who hurt my friend, and I just saw, like, a cold stare. Almost seemed like no emotion was behind it.” (08:00)

b. Eyewitness Testimony—Inconclusive but Suggestive (08:20–09:32)

• Maintenance man Michael Hedgepeth reported seeing a woman in a burgundy SUV, visibly upset, matching details tied to Shannon, but could not identify her explicitly.
• Prosecution leaned on details—a specific uniform, the SUV—but lacked a firm identification.

c. Key Witness: Jermir Stroud (09:48–11:23)

• Jermir, the man at the center of the love triangle, admitted to adultery and acknowledged his actions led indirectly to Denita’s death.
• The prosecution worried about his credibility; he was described as “squirrely” under pressure (10:29).

d. Detective Testimony—Shannon’s Shifting Story (11:25–12:46)

• Detective Sean Pate recounted how Shannon changed her description of Jermir over time.
• Detective Pam Zencon revealed the implausible circumstances of an alleged rape and strange behavior concerning a knife, undermining Shannon's credibility.

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5. Shannon Crawley Takes the Stand (16:20–19:59)

• Shannon testified that Jermir manipulated and threatened her, forcing her into proximity to the crime under threat to her children.
  • “Either your children die or you die for your children.” – (18:10)
• Her mother, Ann Crawley, believed her performance was convincing, but others, like Detective Pate, found her answers rehearsed.

6. The Audio Recordings and Their Impact (20:02–23:31)

• Shannon claimed she had recorded calls with Jermir where he confessed or appeared guilty.
• When played for the jury, the tapes backfired:
  • “It just came across like a production. A very bad one, I might add.” – John McCann (21:51)
  • The courtroom, including jurors, laughed at the recordings, unconvinced that the male voice was Jermir.
  • Even Shannon’s attorney joked it sounded like Michael Jackson.

7. Closing Arguments (23:22–26:49)

• The defense argued that Shannon was framed, authorities failed to adequately investigate Jermir, and relied on circumstantial evidence.
• The prosecutor emphasized Shannon’s motive (jealousy), means (.38 caliber pistol), opportunity, and her lies to police.
  • Highlighted the tapes’ inauthenticity as key evidence of Shannon’s dishonesty.

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The Verdict and Aftermath

8. Deliberation and Verdict (29:35–32:44)

• Jurors reviewed cell records, photos, and, crucially, all of Shannon’s tapes—which further weakened her case.
• Shannon was found guilty of first-degree murder; her family's devastation was palpable.
  • "Like all the life just drained out of her. Like she's seen a ghost." – Ann Crawley, on Shannon's reaction to the verdict (32:44)

9. Victim Impact and Sentencing (33:18–34:43)

• Sharon Smith addressed Shannon directly:
  • “And right now, I hope you rot in hell. You took something from me.” (33:39)
• Judge Stevens remarked that Jermir Stroud had "caused a perfect storm" but was not, legally, responsible—placing the ultimate responsibility on Shannon for pulling the trigger.

10. Reflections on Responsibility and Ripple Effects (34:56–38:45)

• Detective Pate and others observed the tragedy affecting both the Smith and Crawley families.
  • “One selfish act destroyed two families.” – Detective Sean Pate (35:42)
• The episode closes with reflections on “cosmic” or “moral” justice, with several—especially Sharon Smith—hoping that Jermir Stroud would one day “pay” in conscience or karma, if not in court.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• On the nature of the case:
  • “It's all circumstantial.” – Family Member/Witness (01:31)
• On plea deals:
  • “My daughter didn’t get to plea for her life that morning. So, no, no plea.” – Sharon Smith (03:05)
• On the impact of courtroom evidence:
  • “It just came across like a production. A very bad one, I might add.” – John McCann, on the audio tapes (21:51)
  • “Everybody laughed. Everybody laughed.” – Sharon Smith (22:24)
• On sentencing and aftermath:
  • “And right now, I hope you rot in hell. You took something from me.” – Sharon Smith to Shannon Crawley (33:39)
  • “One selfish act destroyed two families.” – Detective Sean Pate (35:42)
  • “I do know that...my belief is that Jamir is going to pay for this one day, and he's probably paying for it now.” – Sharon Smith (36:44)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trial setup and family perspectives: 00:34–04:17
• Opening statements and motives: 05:44–06:44
• Witness and friend testimonies: 07:03–08:20
• Eyewitness, forensics, Jermir’s testimony: 08:20–11:23
• Detective statements and history of case: 11:25–12:46
• Shannon’s testimony: 16:20–19:59
• Audio tape incident and jury reaction: 20:02–23:31
• Closing arguments: 23:22–26:49
• Jury deliberations and verdict: 29:35–32:44
• Sentencing and impact statements: 33:18–34:43
• Reflections on aftermath and justice: 34:56–38:45

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Tone and Language

The tone of the episode is somber, analytical, and emotionally raw. Testimonies switch between formal legal language and deeply personal expressions of grief and anger. The legal experts and detectives bring a measured approach, while family members voice their loss, pain, and lingering questions about true justice.

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Conclusion

“A Command Performance” provides a panoramic view of a murder trial shaped by circumstantial evidence, competing accusations, and the frailty of human relationships. The episode is as much about the court’s determination of legal guilt as it is about the enduring consequences for loved ones left behind—and the unresolved feelings towards those at the heart of the tragic story.

Transcript

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[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

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[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

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[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Finish and satin or what that clunking sound from your dryer is. With Thumbtack, you don't have to be a home pro. You just have to hire one. You can hire top rated pros, see price estimates and read reviews all on the app. Download today. Danita Smith had been in her grave more than three years by the time her accused killer finally won. During that time, investigators had heard several versions of a similar story. In all of them, Danita was murdered in the last act. Other than that, the stories of Shannon Crawley and Jermir Stroud diverged. Each said the other was to blame. Who pulled the trigger? That depends on who you ask. There were multiple theories, but little physical evidence explaining exactly what had happened.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

It's all circumstantial.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

All circumstance that of course worked to Shannon Crawley's advantage.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

My DNA is nowhere at the scene of the crime. Nowhere. There's no fingerprints.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That detail alone made some people very nervous.

[Detective Sean Pate]

She was a convincing speaker. And she was alleging some part of domestic violence. And if there was anyone on the jury that had any experience with domestic violence.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Believable.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

She didn't look the part.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

I mean, she tells a credible story. On top of that, prosecutors worried what a jury would think of their key witness. The two timing cop whose behavior felt like a catalyst for all of this. How would he perform on the stand and under pressure?

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

His facial expressions, the way he would say things, eye contact or lack thereof, the way he would shift. I would tell him he comes across squirrely sometimes.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

As a result, there was talk of a deal. If the case went to trial, Shannon risked a life sentence. A guilty plea to a lesser charge might allow the 30 year old mother of two to emerge from state prison in time to dance at her children's weddings. The prosecutor left that decision up to Danita's mom, Sharon Smith. Shannon was offered a plea deal at one point.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Mm hmm.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Were you consulted about that?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Mm hmm.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

What'd you say, no, don't let her off.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Uh, in fact, my words were, my daughter didn't get to plea for her life that morning. So, no, no plea.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Actually, it didn't matter because Shannon decided she'd rather take her chances in front of a jury.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

The truth is the truth, and I know I did not shoot and kill anyone.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

In this episode, you'll hear from people who witnessed the courtroom drama as it unfolded in February 2010.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

The whole trial was basically us saying that Shannon Crawley committed this murder and the defendant saying, Jermier Stroud did this murder.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

You'll hear what Shannon Crawley and Jermir Stroud said under oath while seated just feet from one another.

[Detective Sean Pate]

And one of the things that popped in my head was that maybe she had done something.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I didn't know what he had done, and I didn't know what he was going to do to me.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

You'll hear how those in the courtroom responded to one piece of evidence that some had thought unimpeachable.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Everybody laughed. Everybody laughed.

[Detective Sean Pate]

The jury laughed. It was so bad that her defense attorney had to bring up how bad it was.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

And we will take you to the trial's final seconds for the dramatic moment when jurors announced their verdict. I just remember sitting down. They had the doors of the courtroom locked, and I remember sitting down, my hands on my face. I'm Josh Mankiewicz, and this is Deadly Engagement, a podcast from Dateline. Episode six, a command performance. On the morning of February 10, 2010, 12 jurors and four alternates assembled in the Durham County Courthouse for the first day of Shannon Crawley's murder trial. In the front row, a few feet away from them, sat Danita Smith's family, each wearing a pin with Danita's picture on it. To their left, on an elevated perch, was a distinguished white haired man, Judge Ronald Stevens.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I was there from gavel to gavel.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That's the Voice of John McCann, who covered the trial for the Durham Herald.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Son, we're talking about a murder here. So the tone was definitely, you know, somber. Shannon's family here, and, you know, you got Danita's people on the other side. So it was, you know, tenses. A tense is a good word for it.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Shortly before noon, prosecutor David Sacks rose and walked to the center of the blonde wood paneled courtroom to begin his opening statement. He told the jury how one of the seven deadly sins was at the heart of this case. That sin, he said, was envy, because Shannon Crawley envied Danita's life. She envied Danita's future, and she wanted Danita's.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Man, you can always kind of guess maybe what snapped in her mind or what happened in, you know, in her head, you know, to make her want to do this.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That's prosecutor David Sacks.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

For whatever reason, she couldn't handle this situation between Jameer and Danita. And to resort to this just, to me, speaks of desperation. And whether that's against Danita or against Jameer or both, whatever way, she just couldn't handle it.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

The prosecutor called Danita's mom, Sharon Smith, as his first witness. Clasping a large photograph of her late daughter, Sharon told the jury who Danita was and what she'd planned to do with the life that was so suddenly cut short.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Yes, it was a tragedy. And, yes, I lost my daughter, but my daughter still lives on. I knew what she stood for. I knew what her drive, her energy. I knew that she was going places.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Next, several former NCCU students took the stand to talk about Danita and the day she died. Danita's best friend, Edith Kearns, was one of them.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

It was scary. It was unreal, because that's not something that I was expecting to be called about or participate in.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

And when you testify, Shannon Crawley's sitting right there.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Yes.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Now, you had to look at this woman. Yes.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Yes.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

What'd you see? What'd you think?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I felt sad. I felt angry because I was looking at the face of the person who hurt my friend, and I just saw, like, a cold stare. Almost seemed like no emotion was behind it. And that's what I saw when I looked at her.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

On the second day of the trial, the prosecution moved into the meat of its case. The next witness was Michael Hedgepeth. He's the apartment complex maintenance man who says he encountered a woman fitting Shannon Crawley's description driving a burgundy SUV in the area shortly after he heard a gunshot. No, lady that stays over here, she.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Hurts, too, and she's, like, upset and shaking and stuff like that. So, okay, we'll have someone out as soon as possible.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Though Hedgepeth testified how he remembered the woman in the SUV was sobbing when he saw her, he also said on the stand that he could not identify Shannon Crawley as the woman he'd seen either at the time or right then in the courtroom.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

You certainly want any piece of evidence you can get. And so I would have loved for him to say, yes, that's her. That's the lady I saw, you know, leaving.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Prosecutor David Sacks again.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

But what we liked was the stuff that he did remember. He was Very positive about the vehicle. He said, yep, that's the vehicle that I saw. And he remembers her wearing some kind of uniform, kind of shirt.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

After the state's forensic pathologist told the jury about her autopsy of Danita Smith body and the bullet recovered from her skull, the prosecutor called his key witness to the stand. And that was Jermier Stroud.

[Detective Sean Pate]

I kind of thought selfishly, Danita had some personal things going on.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Wearing a tan jacket, a white shirt, and a salmon colored tie, Jermier Stroud placed his hand on a Bible and swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, even if his mortifying truth was that he cheated on his fiance and that his cheating led directly to her murder.

[Detective Sean Pate]

And one of the things that popped in my head, based on my recent interactions with Shannon, was that maybe she.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Had done something Jameer did. Well, he did about as I expected.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Prosecutor David Sachs, again, go back to.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

That word I had used before, squirrely. You know, he kind of comes up. So part of it was I knew what to expect.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

I mean, this was really kind of a command performance for Jermir because although he's not on trial there, his sort of reputation and maybe his job and career are on trial. That's true.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

I think that's true. I think that is true. I do know that he was under a lot of pressure and a lot of stress.

[Detective Sean Pate]

It's possible, but I don't recall the amount of times I called. He did a lot better than I thought he was going to do.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That's lead detective Sean Pate.

[Detective Sean Pate]

He knew how important it was. We talked to him. There is no trying to save face here. The story is out. There's no way you come out looking good. They already think bad of you anyway.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Everybody already thinks you're a scoundrel who cheated on his fiance.

[Detective Sean Pate]

Leva actually told him there's no way that their opinion can get any worse.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Just do what's right and take the hit.

[Detective Sean Pate]

Take the hit.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

The prosecutor rounded out his case with a parade of investigators, Detective Pate chief among them. Pete told the court how Shannon had lied from day one of his investigation about never having been to Durham, about never having owned a gun, and about her shifting descriptions of Jermier Stroud. At first, he was someone she described as incapable of violence in that initial police interview. By the time of their last interview, Shannon described Jermir as someone who repeatedly threatened to kill Shannon and her children. What was that like?

[Detective Sean Pate]

It's not as nerve wracking as I really thought it was. Going to be because at that point I had asked and answered the questions so many times.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

The prosecutor's final witness was Charlotte Detective Pam Zencon. You'll remember she investigated the alleged rape in which Shannon accused Jermier.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Mr. Stroud, this is Detective Zencon with.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Strauss Bank Road Police Department.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Detective Zencon told the court she'd been on the rape investigation from the beginning. She talked with Shannon at the hospital soon after it was reported. And she later interviewed Jermir multiple times.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Hello. Hi, Jameer. Hi. Hi.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

This is Detective Zen Khan.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Pam Sen Khan, how you doing?

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

According to Zen Khan, both jmeer's work records and his cell phone records supported his alibi for that night. Then under further questioning, she related how the day after the alleged rape, Shannon had asked her if investigators had found the knife she claimed Jermir had used when raping her. When the detective told Shannon the knife had not been found, she said Shannon suggested the cops search Jermir's trash can. And before police could go looking for the knife, she said Jermier Stroud had called to tell her he just found a knife in his trash can. What kind of blade was it?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Can you describe the blade? It was, I don't know, it was at least like a 4 inch bleed.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

When the knife is found in his garbage can. That Shannon puts us onto the day after she's raped. I don't, I don't know that Jameer really had to say anything else. I mean, it seemed obvious not only who was stalking whom, but who was trying to frame who at that point.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

The prosecutor rested his case after that bit of testimony, perhaps with the intention of allowing the knife story to marinate in jurors minds overnight. Even so, prosecutor Sachs was far from done. The next day, Shannon Crawley was set to take the stand in her own defense. And Sachs had a surprise waiting for her.

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[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Stories of love and betrayal, of secrets.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Revealed of the men and women who.

[National Debt Relief Announcer / Yvette Gentile]

Stand between evil and justice. Every twist and turn can now be heard in Spanish, with new mysteries arriving every week. Just search Dateline en Espanyol wherever you.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Get your podcasts and start listening on day 10 of Shannon Crawley's murder trial, defense attorney C. Scott Holmes presented his case after questioning three witnesses who said they had heard Shannon complain about being harassed by Jermir Stroud. Holmes called his star witness and his best hope for an acquittal, his client, Shannon Crawley.

[Detective Sean Pate]

She presented herself well. She's a good looking lady. And when she spoke, she spoke to the jury.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That's Durham Detective Sean Pate.

[Detective Sean Pate]

When she was answering a question from a prosecutor or defense attorney, she looked toward the jury and spoke with them.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Open, demurely dressed in a white cable knit pullover, Shannon told the story she had first told Detective Pate three years earlier, the one that began on January 3rd, the day before Danita Smith's murder. That was the day she said Jermier Stroud entered her home uninvited and demanded Shannon take a ride with him.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I did not know where we were going at the time, though.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That road trip lasted several hours and included stops at an apartment complex and an office park in Durham, Shannon told the court Jermir never told her what that drive was all about. Later that day, at around midnight, Shannon said Jermir came to her house again. Again, he entered uninvited and insisted they once again rehash what had gone wrong with their love affair.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

We talked all night, about five in the morning or so he said that he again wanted me to go with him. And he said, I'll make it real simple. Either your children die or you Die for your children.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

According to Shannon, it was under that threat of death for her and her kids that she once again drove with J. Stroud to Durham. It was on this trip, she said, that Jermier Stroud got out of her car and ran up the stairs of one of the apartment buildings.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

And I heard him arguing, him yelling at someone. I couldn't really hear what was going on. Then I heard a woman arguing back.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

It was then Shannon said that she heard a gunshot.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Seconds later, he was running out past me from the breezeway and was shoving the gun down in his waist.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Did it seem odd or strange to you when he started climbing behind the backseat of the vehicle when you were leaving?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Yes. Okay.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

What were you thinking then?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I didn't know what he had done, and I didn't know what he was going to do to me.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

When she testified, how'd you think she did?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I think she did. Okay.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That's Shannon's mom, Ann Crawley. Did you look at the jury? I mean, did you. Could you tell whether the. Whether the testimony was working?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Yeah, you know, I. I. You know, you look, you. You don't. You. You can't tell.

[Detective Sean Pate]

I believe she thought that she could sell it. I was worried that she could sell it.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

And that's Detective Sean Pate.

[Detective Sean Pate]

She had an answer for almost every question. They were the same answers we've heard before, and they had to be, otherwise they would be pointed out.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

So the story that Shannon told about Jermir threatening her life, that's the story she told in court?

[Detective Sean Pate]

Exactly.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Under cross examination, Shannon mentioned, almost as an aside, that Jermir had called her while she was out on bond and awaiting trial.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

You called. I know.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

It was only a brief exchange, but in that moment, the prosecutor looked like a robin eyeing a worm. The defense had elected not to use the recordings Shannon had made. Now, by testifying that Jermir had called her, Shannon had opened the door for the prosecutor to play those recordings for the jury. Did you believe any of those tapes were legitimate?

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Not after I heard them.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Prosecutor David Sachs. You end up playing those tapes at trial even though they're a defense exhibit?

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Yes.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Because. Because why? They show her to be deceptive?

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Yes, I believe they do. I believe they do.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Remember, these are tapes that, if considered credible, would have been the smoking gun that implicated Jermir and exonerated Shannon.

[National Debt Relief Announcer / Yvette Gentile]

They found out I shot her, man.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That's life right there.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

What about me? I know, but you got a better shot than me. They already lied.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

For the sake of comparison, this is how Jermier Stroud sounded on the stand.

[Detective Sean Pate]

And one of the things that popped in my head was that maybe she had done something.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Now, I've heard Jameer speak. I've heard him testify. That ain't Jameer.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

For newspaper reporter John McCann, the airy whisper coming from that boombox made the voice he'd heard from Jameer days earlier seem as rich and resonant as a professional announcer.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I don't know who it was on those stables. It wasn't Jameer. It just had the whole appearance or the whole sound that she just. She just made this up. And it just came across like that. It just came across like a production. A very bad one, I might add.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

McCann was not the only one in court who thought so. Spectators in the gallery laughed. Jurors giggled. It was precisely the opposite reaction Shannon Crawley must have been hoping for.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Everybody laugh. Everybody laugh.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

That is Danita's mom, Sharon.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Even Shannon's attorney said, that sounds like Michael Jackson, that high pitched voice. Jermir does not have a high pitched voice.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

The only people in the courtroom who seemed to think the male voice on Shannon's recording sounded like Jermier Stroud were all named Crawley. Shannon's parents said they could not understand what it was that others found so amusing about a cop confessing to murder.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

The hardest thing for me is that knowing my child and knowing that no one believes her, that's difficult. It's difficult to accept.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Why doesn't that sound like Jameer on the tapes?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

He whispered. Yeah, I don't think he's dumb. He whispered.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

He's disguising his voice.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Disguising his voice? Yes.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

In closing arguments, Shannon's defense attorney asked jurors to put themselves in Shannon Crawley's shoes. A single mom who'd fallen into an abusive relationship with a conniving and manipulative man.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

It's important, I think, to try to.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

See the world from the eyes of Shannon.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

On the days that led up to and the day that this happened.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Holmes argued the prosecution's case against Shannon Crawley was the result of a rushed to judgment. Police, he said, did not do enough to investigate Jermere Stroud. They did not check his hands for gunshot residue on the day of the murder. They did not search his car or his home. When prosecutor David Sachs delivered his closing argument, he said only that Shannon had the motive, the means and the opportunity to murder Danita Smith.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

The defendant ends up coming up behind her and shaking her back.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

The motive, he said, was jealousy. The means was that.38 caliber pistols Shannon had purchased from a co worker two months before the murder. Shannon clearly had the opportunity, since even she admitted being at Danita Smith's apartment complex on the morning she died. And even though the maintenance man, Michael Hedgepeth, could not say Shannon Crawley was the woman he'd spoken with moments after hearing a gunshot, Sachs reminded the jury Hedgepeth had remembered the burgundy suv. He had remembered that the woman wore a grayish green uniform shirt with red in the patch on the sleeve. That description had matched a shirt later found in Shannon Crawley's closet. Then Sachs recounted the times Shannon had lied to police. The claim that she'd never been to Durham, never owned a firearm. The lie she told about being late to work that morning because she'd taken one of her children to a doctor's appointment. The prosecutor could have stopped there, except he couldn't resist circling back one last time to the evidence Shannon herself had brought to this case. Those audio recordings she had made, the ones that had made the jurors snicker.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

You heard Jameer testify, and you heard the tapes. Does anybody really believe that that's Jameer talking on these tapes? Does anybody truly believe that that makes any kind of sense? That somebody who did the things that she's saying Jameer did would call and say those kinds of things, basically just confess and admit to killing Danita?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

No.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

For the prosecutor, those tapes, more than anything else, revealed what he said was an essential truth about Shannon Crawley.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

What do you expect me to say, Jameer?

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

They're so comical. They're obviously phony. And I think it goes to show what was going on. This wasn't something that we intercepted on it. She brought to us saying, this shows that I'm telling you the truth. And I wanted them to hear it because hoping and believing they would have the same reaction I did when they hear it, that it was comical and obviously phony.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

A little after 3pm on a Friday afternoon, the jury got the case. All rise. They deliberated for two hours before the judge sent them home with instructions not to discuss the case, avoid all news reports about it, and to be back on Monday morning. For Shannon Crawley and her family, it was the beginning of an agonizing weekend of wondering if it would be the last they would spend together.

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[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

And I'm her sister Racha Pecorero. Every week on our podcast so Supernatural, we invite you to explore the unknown and to consider the many theories behind each unsolved mystery.

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We'll guide you as you question the world you think you know through investigations into spine chilling hauntings, unexplainable encounters, strange disappearances, and so much more.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

So if you're ready to be haunted by stories of the unsolved and of the unknown, listen if you dare to so Supernatural every Friday wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

It was clear once jurors gathered to deliberate on Monday, February 22, 2010, that most of them had spent the weekend thinking about the case. Late in the morning, they sent a note to the judge asking to review several pieces of evidence Shannon's cell phone records, photos of Shannon's home and suv. And they also wanted to hear more of Shannon's audio recordings, the ones she had purportedly recorded while talking with Jermier Stroud on the phone.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

You know, I already got away from murder once.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Think I can't do it again?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I'm sure you can. Someone like you, I'm sure.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Although only one of the recordings had been played during the trial, the judge granted the jury's request over the objection of Shannon's defense attorney. So after they retook their seats in the jury box, prosecutor David Sacks played the five audio tapes Shannon had turned over to him years earlier, tapes she had once believed would be the evidence that Would set her free.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

What about Thursday? I mean, I heard you arguing. What was that about? Me? What about me? She didn't even know me. I didn't know her. She found out about you. So that was the argument.

[Detective Sean Pate]

It sounded like she was more in charge of the conversation. And why is the other party whispering?

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Detective Sean Pate was in court when those recordings were played. You think Shannon faked those tapes?

[Detective Sean Pate]

I have no doubt everybody in that room thought it.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

She faked the tapes, and it didn't help her?

[Detective Sean Pate]

Not at all.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

In fact, it sounds like it probably hurt her.

[Detective Sean Pate]

That's what I was gonna say. It really hurts worse when you have to go to the point you start faking evidence.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

After breaking for lunch, the jury returned to the deliberation room and then sent word that they had reached a verdict. Once the jury had filed back into the courtroom and taken their seats, Judge Stevens accepted their verdict form without fanfare or ceremony. Shannon, wearing black on this day, remained seated. She did turn to the gallery, apparently looking for her mom's face.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I think my heart stopped.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Shannon's mom, Ann, before the verdict came.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

She turned around and she mouthed, I love you.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

And you said the same thing?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Did you have a sense of how it was going to go?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

No. I felt that she would be found not guilty. I believe that we. The jury returned the unanimous verdict as follows. Guilty of first degree murder.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

In her chair, Shannon Crawley swayed slightly, as if rocked by the words. She said nothing to her attorney, and when deputies led her from the courtroom, she looked straight ahead. How'd she look when that verdict came down?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Like all the life just drained out of her. Like she's seen a ghost.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

In that instant, Danita's mom, Sharon, realized a solemn truth. One the families of murder victims can only learn the hard way. You get any satisfaction watching her led away to prison?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

No. This is not bringing Danita back. I thought I would feel different. I didn't.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

All right, we're going to be in.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Recess for 15 minutes.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

During the short break, the judge thanked the jury for their service and dismissed them. Then Shannon was returned to the courtroom for formal sentencing. It was then that Sharon Smith was allowed to speak directly to the woman now convicted of murdering her daughter.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I take people away from me. And it wasn't your place to do that because you didn't give it to me. And right now, I hope you robbed hell. You took something from him.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

When offered a chance to speak, Shannon Crawley said nothing. Then, before announcing her sentence, Judge Stevens had this to say about the man at the center of this hurricane of passion and madness, a man who was not present in the courtroom that day. The judge said Jermier Stroud caused a perfect storm to happen and then walked away from it. With that said, the judge sentenced Shannon Crawley to life without parole. Moments later, the Crawley family spoke with reporters in a crowded hallway outside the courtroom.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

And now my daughter, who is the perfect victim, the perfect victim for someone like Jamir Stroud, has now been convicted for a murder he committed.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

The greatest crimes, it is said, are crimes of injustice, crimes where in the eyes of the beholder, at least, the guilty are excused and the innocent punished. In this case, there was plenty of pain to go around.

[Detective Sean Pate]

I mean, one mom's not going to see their child ever again, and this other mom loses her child, too.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Detective Sean Pate.

[Detective Sean Pate]

In Shannon's case, her family lost a daughter as well, and two kids lost a mom. So while I was pleased for Danita's family, you know, I still looked at Shannon's family and I felt their pain as well.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Murders don't happen in a vacuum.

[Detective Sean Pate]

No, they don't.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

There's always a big ripple effect.

[Detective Sean Pate]

One selfish act destroyed two families.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

And the guilty party in this morality play, a jury had said it was Shannon. And what about Jermir? If the Smiths and the Crawleys agree on anything, it's probably that both families would be whole today if not for the man they had in common, Jermier Stroud. The judge said Jermir created the perfect storm.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

There was right for this to happen.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

Right?

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Right, Right.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

That's right. And I remember having that thought, thinking.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Yes, but Prosecutor David Sacks.

[Legal Analyst / Commentator]

I agree with the judge that, yes, I think he did create the storm, and he created the circumstances that led to Danita's death. But he's not responsible. At the end, it comes down to the person who pulls that trigger.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

True enough. Perhaps in the eyes of the law, for Sharon Smith, there is still a cosmic account, one yet to be squared.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

I do know that. My belief is that Jamir is going to pay for this one day, and he's probably paying for it now, but he's going to pay for it.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Call it karma or conscience or the universal law of what goes around comes around. The idea is that the culpable must somehow bear the burden of their choices.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Well, I'm not gonna put it and say he'll be judged.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Danita Smith's friend, Edith Kearns.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

What I do believe is that when situations like that happen, your conscience or your mind and your heart, you're dealing with these things. So I feel like that's something that's always gonna be on the inside and that, you know, he will be dealing with. And so I can imagine that's a difficult burden to bear.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

Jermere Stroud now lives in another state and is the married father of two. He declined to speak with us for this podcast. Had she lived, Danita Smith would now be in her mid-40s. Who knows what kind of career she might have had, what kind of mother she might have become. Her mother, Sharon has made peace with all of that and moved on with her life. It's what she says Danita would have wanted her to do.

[Family Member / Witness (e.g., Sharon Smith or Ann Crawley)]

Danita wouldn't want me to be sitting and being bitter or sad. Danita's not with me physically, but she's with me spiritually. I don't have to worry about Shannon. I don't have to worry about you, Mayor, because when I lay down at night, I get a peaceful sleep. I don't know if they do.

[Narrator / Host (Josh Mankiewicz)]

This podcast is a production of Dateline and NBC News. Tim Beacham is the producer. Marshall Hausfeld, Brian Drew, Deb Brown and Billy Ray are audio editors. Kimberly Flores Gaynor is associate producer, Adam Gorfayne is co executive producer, Paul Ryan is executive producer, and Liz Cole is senior executive producer from NBC News. Audio sound mixing by Rich Cutler. Bryson Barnes is head of audio production.

[Tide Commercial Announcer]

Did you know? Tide has been upgraded to provide an even better clean in cold water. Tide is specifically designed to fight any stain you throw at it. Even in cold butter? Yep. Chocolate ice cream. Sure thing. Barbecue sauce. Tide's got you covered. You don't need to use warm water. Additionally, Tide pods let you confidently fight tough stains with new coldzyme technology. Just remember, if it's gotta be clean, it's gotta be Tide.