He Said, She Said

Summary

Deadly Mirage: Episode Summary – "He Said, She Said"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Deadly Mirage
• Host: Josh Mankiewicz, NBC News
• Description: Dateline’s newest podcast delves into the seemingly perfect life of Rob and Sabrina Limone in Silver Lakes, California. Their idyllic existence is shattered when Rob is found murdered, unveiling deep-seated secrets about sex, friendship, and religion.
• Episode: He Said, She Said
• Release Date: December 19, 2024

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1. Introduction to the Case

The podcast episode "He Said, She Said" opens by recounting the dramatic arrest of Sabrina Limone on January 6, 2017. Sabrina was unexpectedly detained by Homicide Detective Randall Meyer, accompanied by other officers who forcefully handcuffed her (01:04). Her attorney, Richard Terry, immediately advised her, saying, “Live your life, Brena. There's nothing. They don’t have anything. You didn’t do this” (01:47).

Notable Quote:

“Live your life, Brena. There's nothing. They don’t have anything. You didn’t do this.” – Richard Terry, Sabrina’s Attorney (01:47)

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2. The Murder and Investigation

The narrative swiftly moves to the crux of the case: the murder of Rob Limone. Sabrina's arrest coincided suspiciously with the trial of her former lover, Jonathan Hearn, who was accused of orchestrating Rob’s murder. Hearn later entered a plea deal, admitting guilt in exchange for his testimony against Sabrina (02:16).

Key Developments:

• Prosecution’s Claim: Sabrina conspired with Jonathan to murder Rob for financial gain, including life insurance and railroad benefits (05:18).
• Defense’s Argument: Richard Terry posited that Sabrina was innocent, portraying her as a devoted wife trapped in a loveless marriage, manipulated by Jonathan (06:09).

Notable Quote:

“Evidence will show that Robert Limone was killed to replace him as the father to Leanna and Robin. This was their plan. This was their purpose.” – Judge John R. Brownlee (05:39)

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3. The Trial: Key Testimonies and Strategies

Prosecution’s Case:

The prosecution presented a circumstantial case, emphasizing Sabrina's affair with Jonathan and their joint financial motives. Witnesses, including Sabrina’s friends Jason and Kelly Bernatine, testified about the intimate relationship between Sabrina and Jonathan (06:57).

Notable Quotes:

“Did Ms. Limone send you photographs where she was naked as well?” – Judge Brownlee to Sabrina (09:19)

“What did Sabrina tell you she wanted.” – Judge Brownlee to Sabrina (22:09)

Defense’s Strategy:

Richard Terry focused on discrediting the prosecution’s witnesses and highlighting the lack of direct evidence linking Sabrina to the murder. He emphasized Sabrina’s good character and her emotional unsatisfaction in her marriage, suggesting that Jonathan exploited her vulnerabilities (23:27).

Notable Quotes:

“She just doesn’t make waves, and she kind of goes with it.” – Eric Smith, Prosecutor (23:54)

“If you would like to assume that.” – Sabrina Limone (27:05)

Sabrina’s Testimony:

Ultimately, Sabrina took the stand to present her perspective. She admitted to lying about her affair but vehemently denied any involvement in her husband’s murder, asserting that Jonathan never discussed harming Rob (32:52).

Notable Quote:

“I never thought of it. And you can trust me on that.” – Sabrina Limone (33:11)

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4. The Verdict and Reactions

After three weeks of intense testimony and emotional testimonies, the jury deliberated briefly before reaching a verdict on October 3rd. Sabrina Limone was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, solicitation, poisoning (with the attempt on the pudding plot charge dismissed due to lack of evidence), and accessory after the fact (39:05).

Notable Quote:

“Received a Note yesterday at 4:10pm that we have completed all the verdict forms.” – Eric Smith, Prosecutor (39:19)

Family Reactions: Rob Limone’s family expressed relief and a sense of justice, though they acknowledged the irreparable loss. Sabrina’s family faced strained relationships, feeling that Rob’s family partly contributed to her conviction (40:51).

Notable Quote:

“It’ll never bring my brother back, but it’ll bring justice.” – Chris Wilson, Rob’s Sister (40:53)

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5. Sentencing and Aftermath

Jonathan Hearn’s Sentencing:

Jonathan was sentenced to 25 years and 4 months, with the possibility of early parole under a new California law for youthful offenders. His remorse was evident in his statement, where he apologized to all parties affected by his actions (43:15).

Notable Quote:

“I offer you my brokenhearted and genuine apology, knowing that it cannot compare to the grief that I've caused all of you.” – Jonathan Hearn (43:26)

Sabrina Limone’s Sentencing:

Sabrina received a sentence of 25 years to life. Her conviction was upheld by appellate courts, and her petition for review was denied by the California Supreme Court in 2023 (45:23).

Potential for Early Parole: Jonathan Hearn remains eligible for parole before his 40th birthday, given the new legislative changes aimed at youthful offenders who have demonstrated rehabilitation (44:49).

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6. Conclusion

The episode concludes by reflecting on the tragic convergence of Sabrina and Jonathan's lives, leading to Rob’s untimely death. The narrative underscores the destructive power of secrets and manipulation, likening the story to lessons from the Book of Hosea about reaping the consequences of past mistakes.

Final Reflection:

“If not for the unique makeup of those two people and the astounding number of bad choices they made, their story might well have ended right there.” – Josh Mankiewicz (45:23)

Production Credits: Deadly Mirage is a Dateline and NBC News production, with contributions from producer Tim Beacham, audio editors Brian Drew, Kelly Lawdine, and Marshall Housefeld, associate producer Carson Cummins, co-executive producer Adam Gorfayne, executive producer Paul Ryan, and senior executive producer Liz Cole. Audio mixing was handled by Katie Lau Bryson Barnes.

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Key Takeaways:

• Complex Relationships: The interplay between Sabrina’s loveless marriage and her affair with Jonathan Hearn was central to the case.
• Manipulation and Control: Jonathan’s alleged manipulation through religious rhetoric was a significant point of contention.
• Legal Strategies: The defense successfully highlighted the lack of direct evidence, while the prosecution relied heavily on circumstantial ties and character testimonies.
• Emotional Impact: The verdict brought a mixture of relief and sorrow to the families involved, illustrating the profound personal costs of the crime.

Deadly Mirage's "He Said, She Said" masterfully captures the intricate dynamics of love, betrayal, and justice, offering listeners a comprehensive insight into a riveting true crime saga.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Richard Terry: “Live your life, Brena. There's nothing. They don’t have anything. You didn’t do this.” (01:47)
• Judge John R. Brownlee: “Evidence will show that Robert Limone was killed to replace him as the father to Leanna and Robin. This was their plan. This was their purpose.” (05:39)
• Eric Smith: “Everything implicated him. All of his statement implicated him.” (06:00)
• Sabrina Limone: “I never thought of it. And you can trust me on that.” (33:11)
• Chris Wilson: “It’ll never bring my brother back, but it’ll bring justice.” (40:53)
• Jonathan Hearn: “I offer you my brokenhearted and genuine apology, knowing that it cannot compare to the grief that I've caused all of you.” (43:26)

---

Note: Time stamps correspond to the podcast transcript provided and are included for contextual reference.

Transcript

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

It was Friday, January 6, 2017, when Sabrina Limone heard the knock at her door. When she answered, she saw a group of men standing there. One had a familiar face. It was Homicide Detective Randall Meyer. Strong hands pulled Sabrina's arms behind her back and handcuffs were snapped onto her wrists. As soon as Sabrina's sister Julie saw Detective Meyer, she dialed Sabrina's attorney, Richard Terry, in Bakersfield. He had assured Sabrina she had nothing to worry about. Now the cops were at the door.

[Richard Terry]

Richard, her attorney, would tell her, live your life, Brena. There's nothing. They don't have anything. You didn't do this.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Just as Sabrina was being placed in a patrol car, Julie says she heard the lawyer on the phone say, don't say anything. Within hours, secrets from Sabrina's past life were once again leading local newscasts.

[Olivia Lavoise]

It is no coincidence that Sabrina Limone was arrested just days before her former lover was scheduled to go on trial for her husband's murder.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's right, Sybrina's lover had turned on her. The plea deal was announced in open court a few days later.

[Jonathan Hearn]

The defendant, Jonathan Heard, will endure, plead.

[Eric Smith]

Guilty in return for his full and truthful testimony in court proceedings involving Sabrina Limon.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In this episode, we'll take you inside the California courtroom where two ex lovers were brought together again for the first time in nearly three years, people called Jonathan. You'll hear what Sabrina and Jonathan had to say about each other and about the murder of Rob Lamone.

[Sabrina Limone]

I did express that I had done it and that everything was about to change.

[Richard Terry]

I never wanted to believe that Jonathan was the one that did this, ever.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Which one was telling the truth?

[Jonathan Hearn]

When you evaluate the witnesses statements, you are allowed to take into account if they lied about one thing, they might be lying about another thing.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Who manipulated who.

[Olivia Lavoise]

People thought she seduced him and used sex to make him kill her husband.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And you'll hear what a jury of nine women and three men decided.

[Olivia Lavoise]

The courtroom was absolutely packed. You have Rob's family and friends on one side, Sabrina's friends and family on the other side, and everyone, everyone in that room was very anxious.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I'm Josh Mankiewicz, and this is Deadly Mirage, a podcast from Dateline. Episode six he said, she said. On September 11, 2017, the trial of Sabrina Limone opened in the packed Bakersfield courtroom of Judge John R. Brownlee.

[Olivia Lavoise]

She was facing first degree murder, conspiracy, solicitation, the poisoning charge, attempted murder, and accessory after the fact.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's the voice of Olivia Lavoice. She covered the trial for NBC affiliate KGET in Bakersfield, which also livestreamed the trial online.

[Olivia Lavoise]

People could not get enough. As soon as we started livestreaming opening statements, I mean, we were blown away by literally thousands of people during the day. All day were just glued to it. I mean, they wanted to see every single second of this. People who were typically watching soap operas now were watching this trial.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Everyone, it seemed, wanted to see the two lovers face off in court to hear two versions of a story that had resulted in murder. For prosecutor Eric Smith, the case was about a conniving woman who conspired with her young lover to have her husband murdered in cold blood.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Evidence will show that Robert Limone was killed to replace him as the father to Leanna and Robin. This was their plan. This was their purpose.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

For defense attorney Richard Terry, the case was about a confessed killer who was willing to lie about his mistress in order to avoid life without parole.

[Eric Smith]

Everything implicated him. All of his statement implicated him. The only thing that made it now it's Sabrina is well, this was our plan.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In his opening statement, the prosecutor told the jury the circumstantial case they were about to hear would leave no doubt about Sybrina Limone's involvement in her husband's murder.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

She provided information about where the shop is located. She would also keep him informed of the days Robert worked in Tehachapi.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

According to prosecutor Smith, the plot to kill Rob Limone was about more than romantic bliss. It was also about money. Why?

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

So she could get in excess of $300,000 in life insurance money and also that she could get lifelong benefits from the railroad because Robert was killed while working at the railroad in Tehachapi.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

As with most murder trials, the prosecutor began his case with a series of foundational witnesses. Detectives and first responders described the crime scene and the evidence recovered. Other witnesses, such as Sabrina Limone's former friends Jason and Kelly Bernatine, told the jury what they knew about Sabrina's love affair with Jonathan Hearn.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

I told him to never contact the Lamones, stay away from Sabrina.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Yeah, I said a lot of things. Why did you speak with Detective Meyer?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Because someone killed my friend. They needed to pay for it. All of that, of course, was just the opening act. The main attraction, the reason why thousands were watching a live feed of the trial, was Jonathan Hearn, the confessed killer. Good morning, sir.

[Eric Smith]

Can you tell us your name and.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Spell your first and last name for the record?

[Sabrina Limone]

Yes, sir. My name is Jonathan Hearn. Last name spelled H, E, A, R.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

N. For a few moments, there was silence in the courtroom as Jonathan Hearn stared intently at a spot on the floor about six feet in front of him. Sitting a few feet away, Sabrina Limone's long blonde hair hid her face as she seemed to be studying the back of her hand.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

How old are you?

[Sabrina Limone]

27 years old.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

How old were you when you were arrested November 18, 2014?

[Sabrina Limone]

24 years old.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

How old were you when you met Sabrina Lamone?

[Sabrina Limone]

22 years old.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The jury was about to hear a story, the prosecutor implied, about a young man in the clutches of an older woman. In the prosecution's telling, Jonathan Hearn had been inexperienced in the ways of the world until he met Sabrina Limone.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

When you first met Ms. Limone, were you attracted to her? I was at that point. Had you had a steady girlfriend?

[Sabrina Limone]

No.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

According to Hearn, he and Sabrina met for trysts anywhere and anytime they could be together. And that wasn't all.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Did Ms. Limone send you photographs where she was naked as well? Through your phone or from her phone to your phone?

[Sabrina Limone]

Yes, sir.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

How regularly?

[Sabrina Limone]

I don't want to give exact approximation, but I have direct recollection of how. Of having many.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And so it went, month after month, the increasingly slippery slope of infidelity. When Rob Limone discovered the affair in the spring of 2013, Hearn said they broke it off. That Resolve did not last.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Now, how deep was Your relationship with Ms. Limone, your connection in 2014?

[Sabrina Limone]

Very deep. We were planning to marry. So very deep.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

For Christmas 2013, Sabrina gave Jonathan an engraved snow globe. It captured an idyllic scene, much like the future they had imagined together. In the first few months of 2014. Jonathan said they had talked about Sabrina possibly divorcing Rob, but she did not like that option.

[Sabrina Limone]

She expressed that the loyalty of her family and friends would most likely be with Rob and she would be seen as the bad guy. As sad as this sounds, for Rob's sake, she expressed that he would honestly rather be dead than divorced.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

According to Hearn, talk about Rob Limone's death had started in jest, as in, wouldn't our lives be simpler if Rob wasn't around then? By early 2014, he says those late night musings about Rob Lamone's demise had progressed from mere wishful thinking to a serious plan of action.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Did you settle on a method to kill Robert? Initially, yes, I did. What was the initial method that you decided upon poisoning?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Hearn testified he and Sabrina had first planned to kill Rob with arsenic laced banana pudding in April 2014. Jonathan said that attempt was called off when Sabrina began to fear their affair might be revealed if police retrieved her phone records.

[Sabrina Limone]

If the investigator was to query her phone records and and see sub a substantial amount of communication with someone else, that would obviously be something pretty suspicious.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

So he said they decided together it was better to wait and put some time between Rob's murder and all that activity on their phones. Hearn said he bought Sabrina a burner phone and kept it loaded with prepaid minutes. It was while waiting for his next opportunity that Hearn said he had second thoughts about the idea of poisoning Rob.

[Sabrina Limone]

Thought that it might be better to just approach him directly for the killing.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Few things are more direct than a.45 caliber slug at point blank range. That became Jonathan Hearn's plan. He says he spent the next few months prepping for murder. He cased the railroad shop where Rob worked in Tehachapi. He took photos and noted where the security cameras were located. He bought clothes and a mask to disguise himself and adhesive flashing to disguise his motorcycle. When Sabrina told him her husband would be working in Tehachapi on that Sunday in August 2014, Jonathan says he told her he was ready.

[Sabrina Limone]

She asked me if I could be detected and so I explained that I didn't think I would be recognized. She asked me about the motorcycle, if that would be noticeable because it did have custom lettering on it. And I explained that I was taking measures to. To disguise the motorcycle as well.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

On the day of the murder, Hearn said he arrived in Tehachapi around mid afternoon. After parking his motorcycle in a secluded spot. Hearn said he donned an old man mask and set out on foot, walking with a limp. He was looking for the unmarked shop where Rob Limone worked.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

And when you got off your bike, what items did you have with you?

[Sabrina Limone]

A backpack with a firearm.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Unable to determine exactly which building Rob Limone worked in, Jonathan said he was about to call it off and go home. Then he said he saw Rob Lamone pull up to one of those buildings in his service truck and open the garage door.

[Sabrina Limone]

I began walking back down towards where I had seen Robert park and where the garage door was still open.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Hearn said his mind was filled with conflicting thoughts at that moment. One of those thoughts, he said, was thou shalt not kill. And another, God's purpose. All that stuff he and Sabrina had been saying about God wanting them to be together.

[Sabrina Limone]

It was inevitable that Rob needed to die for Sabrina and I to move forward with our relationship.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And so just before he stepped into that shop to murder his romantic rival, Jonathan Hearn said he paused to pray.

[Sabrina Limone]

I remember sort of praying about the conflict that arose out of that purpose. But essentially it felt like I was approaching something that inevitably had to be done.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Rob Lamone was sitting in the office when Jonathan Hearn entered through the open garage door. Hearn told the court that when Rob Lamone saw him, he came out of the office to meet him.

[Sabrina Limone]

We briefly spoke. I don't have distinct recollection right now.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

What distance were you from Rob, when you spoke?

[Sabrina Limone]

Within 10ft.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Were you wearing the mask at that time?

[Sabrina Limone]

I was.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

What must Rob Limone have been thinking in that moment? A stranger standing in his railroad shop on a Sunday afternoon wearing an old man mask. And that voice. Did it sound familiar? Did Rob know who he was talking to? We will never know. Just as we may never know what those two men said to each other in those final seconds. According to Jonathan Hearn, Rob turned his back on the masked man and walked to the kitchenette area in the rear of the shop. He opened the fridge and grabbed a Gatorade. Hearn said he intended to shoot Rob then, but the silencer on his gun was wedged in the corner of his backpack and he could not get the gun out of the bag.

[Sabrina Limone]

At some point, he turned around. I fired the first shot from within the bag.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

At what angle did you fire the first shot?

[Sabrina Limone]

It was a very steep, upward directed shot, just because the trajectory was affected by the fact the end of the gun was still stuck in the corner of the bag that I was holding.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

After you fired the first shot, what happened to Robert?

[Sabrina Limone]

He fell, seemingly mortally wounded.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Hearn said he walked to the office and ransacked it. He also took a laptop in hopes of making investigators think Rob's death was the result of a robbery and that maybe Rob was collateral damage. As he was headed for the door, Hearn said an unsettling thought suddenly popped into his head. What if Rob Limone was not dead?

[Sabrina Limone]

I really didn't want to leave him if he wasn't entirely dead. So I went back around the backside of the truck and quickly fired one more shot at him and then closed the garage door behind me and ran from the facility.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

As soon as he could. Hearn said he found a place to change out of the clothes he'd been wearing and stripped the adhesive flashing from his motorcycle.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Were you feeling happiness? Elation, excitement?

[Sabrina Limone]

Immediately leaving? Probably fear, regret. Later on, I guess. A feeling of relief that what had been in the works for so long was finally done.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Hearn told the court that by the time he got to the Four Corners intersection at Cramers Junction, his motorcycle was running on fumes. He had to stop for gas. Of course, the prosecutor knew that part of the story. Well, he had it on video and played it for the jury.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Do you recognize the motorcycle entering to the gas pumps?

[Sabrina Limone]

I do.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Who's on the motorcycle?

[Sabrina Limone]

I am.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

What are you wearing?

[Sabrina Limone]

Shorts and sleeveless T shirt.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Jonathan Hearn said he hadn't taken his cell phone on that trip to Tehachapi because he didn't want investigators looking at the GPS tracking feature and learning where he'd gone. According to Hearn, he called Sabrina as soon as he got home.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

What did you tell her?

[Sabrina Limone]

She was worried. She hadn't heard from either of us and had been trying to call both of us and referring to both me and Robert. And she wanted to make sure I was okay. And I did express that I had done it and that everything was about to change.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Everything was about to change. That might very well have been the truest thing Jonathan Hearn has ever said. As the trial entered its third week, its focus changed as well. This would be Sabrina Limone's turn to take the stand.

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[Dateline Promo Voice]

Friday night.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

On Dateline, she'd been strangled and left here for dead.

[Dateline Promo Voice]

The story only she can tell.

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

For the better part of three weeks, defense attorney Richard Terry sat beside Sabrina Limone and listened to the prosecution's case. It had been brutal. Photos of his client hugging her now dead husband. Intimate details about their marriage. Hours of cringe worthy phone conversations between Sabrina and her lover.

[Sabrina Limone]

I love you.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I love you.

[Sabrina Limone]

I love you to the end of the world.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I love you, I love you back. All of it topped off by Jonathan Hearn's assertion that she had been his partner in crime.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

What did Sabrina tell you she wanted.

[Sabrina Limone]

You to do with respect to Rob? To kill him?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

When you hear Jonathan's statement, what do you think?

[Eric Smith]

Basically, it sounded like a load of crap, to put it mildly.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's Sabrina Limone's attorney, Richard Terry.

[Eric Smith]

She was nowhere involved in the murder of her husband. It was a deal that he cut to get himself out from underneath. Being convicted in life without the possibility of parole.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Terry saw it this way. Jonathan was at the rail yard. Jonathan had his hand on the gun. Jonathan's gun. Jonathan admits being the murderer. And there's absolutely nothing on the wiretaps where Sabrina admits to knowing about or taking part in Jonathan's plan to kill her husband. So then how does Jonathan get the deal and Sabrina is looking at maybe life in prison. The way attorney Terry saw it, Sabrina Limone was a victim of circumstance. A high school dropout who'd married young A people pleaser who went with the flow. And when her husband suggested sex with other couples? Well, she'd always been a team player.

[Eric Smith]

She just doesn't make waves, and she kind of goes with it. And I think with Jonathan, he fulfilled a need that was missing in her relationship with her husband.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In other words, it was fun to have this open marriage, but it was also nice to have somebody who was totally devoted to you and not dating anybody else. Right. In many ways, Richard Terry's defense began with his cross examination of those who had turned on Sabrina, like Jason and Kelly Bernatine.

[Eric Smith]

And when your husband, Jason was present.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

He got them to admit that, yes, they too, had had sex with Rob and Sabrina. Here's how Terry's cross examination of Kelly Bernatine went.

[Eric Smith]

Did you and Ms. Lamone and her husband and your husband engage in sexual activity together?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Yes, we did. Okay.

[Eric Smith]

Now, when your husband wasn't present, how often were you having sexual relations with Robert Lamone?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I was not.

[Eric Smith]

Did you ever have sexual relations with Robert Lamone where it was just the two of you?

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[Eric Smith]

Is there some reason in particular that you really want to get Sabrina because she killed Rob? Well, she didn't kill anyone, did she?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I believe she did.

[Eric Smith]

And because of that feeling, you want to get Sabrina?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I believe she should pay for his murder.

[Eric Smith]

Because you believe she was involved?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Yes.

[Eric Smith]

That's because you care about her husband so deeply, right?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I believe I cared about him more than she did. When cross examining Jonathan Hearn, Richard Terry questioned his religious sincerity.

[Eric Smith]

You previously testified that you didn't really believe or you really weren't a true Christian, is that right?

[Sabrina Limone]

Yes, sir.

[Eric Smith]

In other words, you mouthed the words, is that right?

[Sabrina Limone]

That would be a good characterization.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Was all that religiosity intended to fool Sabrina into thinking of him as more virtuous than her husband?

[Eric Smith]

With regards to your faith, were you using that to deceive Ms. Limone? Also?

[Sabrina Limone]

Ms. Limone had the distinction of knowing that I was involved in an extramarital affair, so perhaps she was less deceived.

[Eric Smith]

Well, the whole time during the course of your relationship, you were constantly making references, Biblical references, were you not, sir?

[Sabrina Limone]

In the. In the time that we've had, the. These wiretaps was a pretty narrow perspective of our relationship, which went all the way back to 2012. I think back in 2012 and 13, you would have heard less references to God.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Though Jonathan testified he and Sabrina had emailed with each other about their plan to kill Rob, Richard Terry questioned why investigators had found no evidence of that after all, they'd recovered his Internet searches on arsenic poisoning and on railroad death benefit payouts.

[Eric Smith]

I would assume since they did so much work to get those web searches, that they would have turned over these emails you deleted. Right?

[Sabrina Limone]

If you would like to assume that.

[Eric Smith]

Well, wouldn't that make sense to you.

[Sabrina Limone]

If they actually existed, that they would present them here?

[Eric Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Sabrina Limone]

That would seem reasonable.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

After calling several of her family members to vouch for Sabrina's good character, Richard Terry then made a bold but risky move.

[Eric Smith]

You are, at this time, got to call Sabrina Lamonda.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

To the standard, the defense attorney's gamble was that given the chance to compare Sabrina's story with Jonathan's, at least one juror might find Sybrina's version more credible, more sympathetic. So he called his client to the stand.

[Richard Terry]

He can solemnly state that the testimony.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

You shall be able to, madam, shall.

[Richard Terry]

Be the truth, the whole truth, and.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Nothing but the truth of helping out Richard Terry started by leading Sybrina through a brief review of her life with Rob Limone.

[Eric Smith]

Did you have a group of friends that you regularly partied with?

[Richard Terry]

Yes.

[Eric Smith]

Were these groups of friends that you went on adult only vacations with?

[Richard Terry]

Yes.

[Eric Smith]

Were Jason and Kelly Bernatine one of these couples?

[Richard Terry]

Yes.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

As the years passed, Sybrina said she felt less special to the man she'd married.

[Eric Smith]

Rob kind of got a hooked on watching porn on the computer.

[Richard Terry]

Yes.

[Eric Smith]

Did you feel like at that point in your marriage with Rob that had become kind of overly fixated with sex, in your opinion?

[Richard Terry]

Yes.

[Eric Smith]

Let me ask you this. Were you?

[Richard Terry]

Yes.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Nevertheless, Sabrina said she felt trapped and controlled by the swinging lifestyle. Her marriage, she said, had become emotionally unsatisfying. Then came Costco and the day she met Jonathan Hearn. Jonathan was something different, she said, a straight arrow type, smart and curious, the kind of guy who could talk about anything.

[Richard Terry]

He was like nobody I'd ever met before. He was very, very intelligent. I felt like I was with the human dictionary.

[Eric Smith]

Did he talk about his faith a lot to you during those time periods that you were talking to?

[Richard Terry]

You know, not in the beginning, no.

[Eric Smith]

Let me ask you this. Did you go to church on a regular basis?

[Richard Terry]

Not at that time, no.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

As the relationship progressed, becoming sexual, Sabrina said she and Jonathan also became more spiritual. They coped with their guilt over the cheating, she said with prayer. Jonathan quoted the Bible to her, encouraged her to memorize certain verses. Sabrina was all in with that, though in hindsight, she said Jonathan used religion to manipulate her.

[Richard Terry]

He knows what he's doing and everything that he does. Jonathan controlled me through carrying his Bible with him everywhere that he went and using that to guilt me, but also make me feel safe and secure and like I was doing, right, I guess. Even though I knew there were definite, definitely things I was doing wrong in my life.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

To hear Sabrina tell it, she was satisfied with the double life she was leading with two different men, and she saw no reason to change that.

[Eric Smith]

Did you and he discuss having a future together?

[Richard Terry]

Yes. I played into dreams and life with this guy, but had a life of my own as well, so. It's hard to explain today, that's for sure.

[Eric Smith]

In your mind, the best of both worlds?

[Richard Terry]

Yes, I had the best of both worlds, but not really.

[Eric Smith]

Did you discuss leaving Rob with Jonathan?

[Richard Terry]

Yes, I guess I did. Yes.

[Eric Smith]

Was that part of the playing into the fantasies?

[Richard Terry]

Yes.

[Eric Smith]

Were you at any time seriously, really considering leaving Rob?

[Richard Terry]

No.

[Eric Smith]

Why not?

[Richard Terry]

I couldn't imagine my life without Rob.

[Eric Smith]

Why?

[Richard Terry]

Because I loved him.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina said she'd been devastated when Rob died in those darkest of days. She said she felt Jonathan was her rock, somebody she could cling to, someone who would take care of her and the children.

[Eric Smith]

Now, when Detective Meyer contacted you, he asked you if you or Rob were involved in any extramarital affairs. Is that right?

[Richard Terry]

Yes, he did.

[Eric Smith]

And you told him no. Is that right?

[Richard Terry]

Yes.

[Eric Smith]

Why?

[Richard Terry]

Because I was embarrassed, and I just felt like that was a embarrassing, personal, private lifestyle that I didn't want known.

[Eric Smith]

Well, were you trying to protect your husband's reputation? Somewhat, yes. Why?

[Richard Terry]

Along with my own. Because that's not how I wanted Rob to be known at all.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina said she not only lied to investigators about her lifestyle, she said she had lied about her affair because Jonathan had told her they'd both be in for a world of hurt if investigators ever found out about it.

[Richard Terry]

He had told me that, you know, just the dangers of what could happen when an affair is exposed, how the police think and how they work. So he kind of. He just started scaring me, I guess, with how it could be portrayed, lead back to him.

[Eric Smith]

You?

[Richard Terry]

Yes, him and I.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

According to Sabrina, she never discussed killing Rob. With Jonathan, there'd never been any poison pudding plot, and she had never imagined Jonathan would ever want to harm Rob. Yes, she admitted she had told Jonathan where Rob worked, but only in passing, as a small part of a larger conversation. And yes, she had told Jonathan Rob would be working in Tehachapi that day, and that was only because Tehachapi days were long days for Rob, and typically a time when she and Jonathan could meet up. Her defense against all those accusations was a familiar one to any follower of True Crime. Yes, I lied to my husband about the affair. Yes, I lied to police about it, too. But murder? I never thought of it. And you can trust me on that. Even after investigators told her they suspected Jonathan of killing her husband, Sabrina said she didn't believe it.

[Eric Smith]

When you were talking to Detective Meyer, you still continued to not believe that Jonathan was the one who killed Robert. Why were you still denying that Jonathan could have done this?

[Richard Terry]

I guess my. My. My guilt of being in a relationship with him. I didn't want it to be him at all. I don't know.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

According to Sabrina, Jonathan Hearn had used the shame she'd felt for her days as a swinger to manipulate her. During his cross examination, prosecutor Eric Smith questioned that.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Jonathan Hearn controlled you. That was your testimony yesterday.

[Richard Terry]

No, Jonathan Hearn was controlling.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Okay, now your husband controls you. That's your testimony today.

[Richard Terry]

No, my husband was my husband.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Okay.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Do you make decisions on your own at any point?

[Richard Terry]

Um, yes, I sure do. Apparently, many bad ones.

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

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[Olivia Lavoise]

And I love the color.

[Richard Terry]

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

On the morning of October 3rd, the jury got the case. They had spent the better part of three weeks listening to testimony and they had heard the confessional testimony of Jonathan Hearn, the man who murdered Rob Lamone in cold blood. And they had seen the dead man's widow up close. At mid morning they sent a head scratching note to the judge. Jurors wanted to see that sparkling snow globe Sabrina had given Jonathan for Christmas nine months before Rob's murder.

[Jonathan Hearn]

It puzzled me then and puzzles me now. Except that clearly the jury saw the snow globe as a symbol.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's Michael Fleeman, the true crime reporter who would later write a book about the case titled Better Off Dead.

[Jonathan Hearn]

But the jury seemed to fix on the snow globes. Well, why would she give him this present? Why it was inscribed. It was a Christmas present. Sat at his house for months. If she was being played by him, you know, if she was the victim here, she was the damsel in distress and he was the puppet master, why would she give him this nice present? You know, that's all I can think.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

A few hours later, another note. This one asking if the attempted murder count in the list of charges pertained to the poison pudding plot. Yes, the judge replied it did. Then a little after 4pm the jury sent one last note. They had reached a verdict.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Yeah, I was surprised at how quick the verdict was. At the very least I would have thought the jury would have gone through the wiretaps a little more carefully. But no. It was essentially a one day deliberation.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Because it was late in the day, the judge delayed announcing the verdict until the next morning. Good morning everyone.

[Judge John R. Brownlee]

Good morning.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Nice to see you all back.

[Eric Smith]

Received a Note yesterday at 4:10pm that we have completed all the verdict forms. Madam Foreman, is that correct?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's correct. Bravery form does appear to be in order. Madam Clerk, please.

[Instacart Advertiser]

The people of the State of California, Plaintiff v. Sabrina Limon, defendant First count. We the jury find the defendant Sabrina Limon guilty of murder in the first degree.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina Limone dropped her head as the clerk read the remaining of the verdict form. Guilty of premeditation. Guilty of conspiracy. Guilty of accessory. But on the attempted murder charge in the poison pudding plot, the jury found her not guilty. There had been no physical evidence presented that would have supported Jonathan Hearn's claim that Sabrina Lamone had put Arson laced pudding in her husband's lunch. Madam Foreman, is that your true and.

[Eric Smith]

Correct vertigo SDH count? It is.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

After the jury was dismissed, Sabrina Limone cried softly as she was shackled and led away. Outside the courthouse, family and friends of Rob Lamone gathered and spoke with the assembled media.

[Olivia Lavoise]

I have to thank the 12 jurors.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

For listening to the evidence. That's Rob Lamone's sister, Chris Wilson. I'm excited. I'm relieved.

[Olivia Lavoise]

It's just been a long three years.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It'll never bring my brother back, but it'll bring justice. It was an emotional moment for the sisters, who had not only lost a brother and a sister in law, they had also lost contact with their niece and nephew, who were living with Sabrina's sister Julie. Here's Rob's sister, Lydia Marrero. I love my niece and nephew. I send out my love to them, hope to see them. We hope to see them one day and tell them all the great stories we have of their father.

[Olivia Lavoise]

I could not imagine Sybrina's family and Robert's family being on even remotely good terms.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's crime reporter Olivia Lavoise.

[Olivia Lavoise]

Again, I think so much of what went down in this case had to do with what Rob Lemone's family wanted. To them, Jonathan Hearn wasn't the one who betrayed them and Rob Lamone. Right. The betrayal for them was with Sabrina. So if you're Sabrina's family, you could imagine how they might look at Robert's family and think, yeah, you guys are a huge part of why she's in there.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

On November 16, 2017, almost two years to the day after he was arrested and charged with murder, Jonathan Hearn was back in court for his sentencing.

[Eric Smith]

The defendant does qualify for punishment in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

With Rob Lemon's sisters sitting just a few feet away, Hearn read a long statement he'd composed while waiting for his sentence to be handed down. The calm and unflappable demeanor he had worn like a coat of armor at trial was gone.

[Sabrina Limone]

I have evoked God's name and yet behaved exactly opposite of his dictates. I have sinned.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In comments addressed to the court, to Rob Lamone's family, to his own family, and also Sabrina's family, Jonathan Hearn begged for forgiveness.

[Sabrina Limone]

I am aware that for my crimes, anything short of death is really merciful. Yet for my sin, I truly do deserve much worse. I have wept and struggled, searching for adequate words to express my repentance. It seems like saying, I'm sorry to you all will never be enough. And so, speaking on borrowed and undeserved breath, I offer you my brokenhearted and genuine apology, knowing that it cannot compare to the grief that I've caused all of you. To Robert's family and his dear friends, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for stealing your brother, your friend, your beloved relative, and taking your joy from you.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

When all was said and done, the judge sentenced Jonathan Heard to The agreed upon 25 years and 4 months. However, not long after Jonathan began serving his sentence, the California legislature passed a new law giving youthful offenders the opportunity for early parole. In Jonathan Hearn's case, that means he could be released from prison before his 40th birthday.

[Olivia Lavoise]

Essentially, the law says if you are under the age of 26 at the time of your offense, you are eligible for parole after serving a full 14 years. Olivia Lavoise it's possible he'll be denied parole, but based on everything that we know about what they're looking for at parole hearings, he's checking all the boxes for being a model inmate.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In February 2018, Sabrina Limone was sentenced to 25 years to life for her role in her husband's murder. An appellate court upheld her conviction in 2022, and last year the California Supreme Court denied her petition for review of the case. Neither Sabrina nor Jonathan responded to our requests for an interview for this podcast. So ends a story that began more than a dozen years ago in a busy shopping aisle at Costco. An ordinary day except for the fateful meeting of two strangers. If not for the unique makeup of those two people people and the astounding number of bad choices they made, their story might well have ended right there. A closer reading of the Bible might have been useful back then. It's the Book of Hosea that talks about how mistakes from the past can cause those who made them to reap the whirlwind. Sometimes the lessons from scripture and from real life are one and the same. Deadly Mirage is a production of Dateline and NBC News. Tim Beacham is the producer, Brian Drew, Kelly Lawdine and Marshall Housefeld are audio editors. Carson Cummins 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 Katie Lau Bryson Barnes is head of audio production.

[Rice a Roni Advertiser]

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

The San Francisco treatment.