These are Yes or No Questions | EP 7

Summary

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Love Trapped – Ep 7: "These are Yes or No Questions"

Release Date: April 2, 2026
Podcast: Love Trapped (iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts)
Host: Stephanie Young

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Brief Overview

Episode 7 of "Love Trapped" dives into the pivotal paternity trial of Clayton Echard, former Bachelor, versus Laura Owens—a saga that’s gripped reality TV fans and a massive online audience. The episode gives a front-row seat to the courtroom showdown, revealing shocking testimony, admissions of document tampering, and wild inconsistencies in Laura’s story. At its core, it's a story about truth, manipulation, and the power dynamic between a reality star and an accuser. The legal and emotional stakes come to a head, pushing all players—on and off the witness stand—to their limits.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Courtroom Chaos & Psychological Maneuvers

• Opening Tension (02:29–04:46):

  • Laura's lawyer panics and calls 911 before the trial, claiming Laura is too scared to enter due to the presence of a subpoenaed witness.
  • Greg Woodnick (Clayton’s attorney) is baffled by Laura's efforts to avoid witness testimony about her past behavior.
    • Quote (03:21) Greg Woodnick: “He was like running back and forth … it was kind of frantic and we were just like standing there like, what the fuck? This is weird.”

• Social Media "Tailgate" (05:59–07:33):

  • The trial draws huge online attention; supporters and content creators like Dave Neal, Megan Fox, and Reality Steve gather in Phoenix to cover and livestream events.
  • Quote (06:11) Clayton Echard: “That’s when it hit me that I was like, wow, I have a tremendous amount of support.”
  • The digital community transitions into a physical presence, energizing Clayton and illustrating how public interest magnified the pressure and stakes of the trial.

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2. Laura Owens' Testimony: A Web of Contradictions

• Direct Examination & Key Admissions (12:24–16:52):

  • Laura, under oath, claims Clayton raped her—contradicting her previous written messages stating the encounter was consensual and non-penetrative.
    • Quote (13:36) Clayton Echard: “I remember when she said it, I just felt this massive wave of anger overtake my body … I just had to diffuse the anger.”
  • Laura denies tampering with pregnancy tests, but admits to altering an ultrasound using Adobe Acrobat, “to protect herself.”
    • Quote (15:12) Laura Owens: “I changed [the sonogram info] because Mr. Eckerd was being threatening towards me, and I didn’t want him to know where I had gone…”

• Pregnancy Timeline Inconsistencies:

  • Laura claims miscarriage on July 23, yet had told the court she was 24 weeks pregnant in November.
    • Her explanations for these discrepancies are vague and unconvincing.
    • Quote (16:40)–(16:49):
      • “Were you pregnant with Clayton? … Do you have any reason to think that you weren't when you filed this case?”
      • “No.” (Laura Owens)

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3. Cross Examination: Relentless Pressure & Unraveling Stories

• Deandra Arena's Cross Begins (17:03–32:28):

  • Methodically confronts Laura with prior statements, exposing contradictions about her miscarriage timing, pregnancy confirmations, and alleged doctor visits.
  • Laura admits to making, but not attending, multiple doctor appointments and falsely stating under oath that she was seen by OB/GYNs.
    • Quote (32:28) Deandra Arena: “So we would agree that you were dishonest when you said you were physically seen by Dr. Higley the Friday before the November 2nd hearing.”
    • Quote (32:32) Laura Owens: “Correct. That’s a very minor thing.” [(32:32)]
      • This minimizing of alleged medical fraud draws a horrified response from the gallery, highlighting Laura's detachment from the gravity of her actions.

• Document Tampering:

  • Confronted with evidence, Laura admits to altering multiple pregnancy-related documents (ultrasound images, HCG test results) with inconsistent dates and details.
  • She shifts explanations on the stand, for example, changing Planned Parenthood locations only when pressed about missing records.
    • Quote (25:12) Deandra Arena: “These are yes or no questions. This document states the ultrasound image you have claimed is from Planned Parenthood is not consistent with ultrasound images generated by their practice, right?”
    • Quote (25:25) Laura Owens: “By that practice. But as they said, I could have been seen by another, different entity.”

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4. Clayton Takes the Stand: Consistency Under Fire

• Clayton’s Testimony (39:46–44:34):
  • Clearly and consistently reiterates his account: no penetrative sex, only consensual oral sex.
  • Details the aftermath—hundreds of emails and text messages from Laura post-encounter, with some directly contradicting her present-day testimony.
    • Quote (40:09) Clayton: “Absolutely not. I’ve said time and time again, she performed oral on me twice. That’s it.”
    • Quote (41:50) Greg Woodnick: “Did your penis ever go inside or accidentally, inadvertently or anything like that?”
    • Quote (41:55) Clayton: “No.”
  • Reads an email where Laura references her “tight vagina,” which he argues is evidence against her rape claim.
    • Quote (43:32) Clayton Echard: “She’s stating that if I would have felt how tight her vagina was, I might change my mind. Which is her stating that I never penetrated her. We never had penetrative sex.”
  • Cites deep relief at finally having the opportunity to present his side before the judge and public.

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5. Expert Witnesses: Medical and Legal Realities

• Dr. Medchill, Laura’s Expert (38:21–38:45):

  • Explains that pregnancy is “possible in some cases of genital contact,” but contributes little to resolving factual disputes.

• Dr. Samantha Deans, Clayton’s Expert (39:07–39:26):

  • Refutes Laura’s claim that she could have obtained medical services at Planned Parenthood anonymously.
    • Quote (39:12) Dr. Deans: “Patients cannot be seen anonymously at Planned Parenthood. … [They] require identification at the time of a visit to confirm the identity of the patient.”

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6. The Judge’s Verdict: Strong Words, Landmark Consequences

• Ruling Announced (45:55–48:50):

  • Judge Motta's decision condemns Laura’s actions as “premature at best, at worst fraudulent,” and clearly for an improper purpose—to harass and manipulate Clayton.
    • Quote (45:55) Judge (Voice Actor): “The court finds the underlying petition premature at best, at worst fraudulent… made to incite communication, a relationship, or both with the respondent, Clayton Eckerd.”
  • Orders Laura to pay all of Clayton’s legal fees.
  • Refers Laura’s conduct for potential criminal investigation, citing a pattern of similar false claims and serious abuse of the legal system.
    • Quote (48:35) Judge (Voice Actor): “Referring this matter to the Maricopa County Attorney’s office for review of Laura Owens’ actions.”

• Aftermath:

  • Clayton expresses relief and validation; the long ordeal has a legal end but emotional scars linger.

    • Quote (46:36) Clayton: “I felt relief whenever Judge Motta made the ruling, because that’s all I wanted. … When I got it, it was just basically like the weight had lifted, and I could take a sigh of relief.”

  • Woodnick (Clayton’s attorney) notes how rare such judicial referrals are and underscores how Laura’s relentless lying forced the court’s hand.

    • Quote (49:17) Greg Woodnick: “You also don’t see people like Laura Owens abusing the court system the way she did.”

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7. Revelations About Laura’s Past Behavior (50:59–51:20):

• Laura admits on the stand she has alleged pregnancies by four different men between 2014 and the present, and three of them were present in the court as witnesses for Clayton.
  • Quote (51:01) Deandra Arena: “You have alleged that you were pregnant by four different men, correct?”
  • Quote (51:04) Laura Owens: “Correct.”
  • This revelation points to a pattern of behavior and hints at the larger web of manipulation finally being confronted in the legal system.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Deandra trapping Laura in cross-examination (18:38–19:20):

  • “You testified that you were 100% pregnant on November 2nd, correct?”
    • “Correct.”
  • “At this appointment, it was confirmed you were not pregnant, correct?”
    • “Correct.”

• Laura’s flippant attitude when caught (32:28):

  • “That’s a very minor thing.” – Laura, about lying over medical visits, triggering groans and reactions in the courtroom.

• Judge Motta’s stern intervention to maintain order (33:41):

  • “Keep your comments to a minimum or you will be asked to leave.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:29 – Courthouse drama: Laura’s lawyer calls 911
• 05:59–07:33 – “Parking Lot Tailgate”; online sleuths and YouTubers gather
• 12:24–16:56 – Laura’s direct testimony and key admissions/inconsistencies
• 17:03–32:28 – Arena’s cross-examination: document tampering, shifting stories, medical records exposed
• 39:46–44:34 – Clayton takes the stand: clear, concise, and consistent account
• 45:55–48:50 – Judge’s written ruling condemning Laura, awarding fees, and recommending criminal investigation
• 50:59–51:20 – Laura admits pattern of allegedly fabricated pregnancies

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Tone, Language, and Style

• The episode maintains a tense, dramatic, and investigative tone, with a strong sense of advocacy for truth-seeking.
• Host Stephanie Young narrates with urgency, clarity, and an undercurrent of disbelief about the audacity of Laura’s allegations and legal maneuvering.
• Attorneys and witnesses speak in plain, direct language—often clipped and pressing for “yes or no” answers, emphasizing the courtroom’s high stakes.

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For First-Time Listeners

This episode combines the gripping drama of a high-profile courtroom battle with gritty, at times shocking, revelations about the lengths someone will go to sustain a lie. The cross-examination scenes are particularly powerful, revealing how legal teams dismantle false claims through relentless focus on facts and consistency. Ultimately, the trial’s outcome signals not just vindication for Clayton, but also a judicial system pushed to take rare, decisive action against outright deception and weaponized falsehoods. Listeners are left with unresolved questions about criminal consequences—setting up the stage for the next episode’s deep dive into Laura’s wider history.

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Episode in a Nutshell

A dramatic, emotionally charged dissection of truth, lies, and public scrutiny as a reality star’s paternity nightmare finally reaches a legal crescendo. The definitive trial brings years of accusations to a head, with dogged cross-examination exposing fabrications and earning a powerful rebuke from the courts—while an internet-fueled support network watches, celebrates, and waits for final justice.

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Transcript

[Stephanie Young]

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[Deandra Arena]

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[Greg Woodnick]

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[Stephanie Young]

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[Greg Woodnick]

I told you it was amazing. A huge plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs is just six bucks.

[Laura Owens]

Wow.

[Greg Woodnick]

There's also French toast, a ham and cheese omelette, and. Oh, they got a BLT and fries now.

[Stephanie Young]

Okay, we're coming here every day.

[Greg Woodnick]

You don't have to tell me twice.

[Deandra Arena]

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[Stephanie Young]

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[Deandra Arena]

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[Stephanie Young]

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[Deandra Arena]

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[Clayton Eckerd]

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[Clayton Eckerd]

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[Deandra Arena]

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[Stephanie Young]

Hey, everyone. Before we start this episode, I want to let you know that this one includes some graphic descriptions of pregnancy loss, as well as allegations of sexual assault. On June 10, 2024, the Laura Owens and Clayton Eckerd paternity case finally went to trial. This was the definitive legal showdown everyone had been waiting for. But before Clayton's attorney, Greg Woodnick, could even walk into the courtroom, he was met with a surprise.

[Greg Woodnick]

We walked into the courthouse and my team was walking through security. I turned to my right and kind of right up next to me is Laura's attorney, and he says something to the extent is we need to talk now. I am calling the police now, at

[Stephanie Young]

first, Woodnick didn't understand what was going on. It appeared that Laura's attorney was calling the police.

[Greg Woodnick]

I felt my blood pressure racing that he was suggesting he was calling the police. In a courthouse, there were plenty of

[Stephanie Young]

police and security guards already present. It was a courthouse. But today seemed to be different. Maybe it's because their trial involved a high profile person or maybe something else was going on. Woodnick watched in confusion as Laura's attorney began to unravel right in front of him.

[Greg Woodnick]

He was like running back and forth. Like I remember seeing him go from the security station towards the courtroom and it was kind of frantic and we were just like standing there like, what the fuck? This is weird.

[Stephanie Young]

Woodnick stepped away from his team to investigate. It turned out Laura had a problem with someone who'd been subpoenaed to testify.

[Greg Woodnick]

If I recall correctly, her attorney said, I'm not sure if she's even going to go into the courtroom because she's so scared. And I think that he'd called 911.

[Stephanie Young]

Laura said she was too scared to enter the courtroom. She had a protective order against both Clayton and Greg Gillespie, who were already there. But her panic on the morning of the trial was about someone else, another man. She had a restraining order against someone she'd known for years before Clayton or Greg.

[Greg Woodnick]

I was confused. I said, what the hell are you talking about? They are subpoenaed. Judge Mata already granted their permission to testify.

[Stephanie Young]

Maybe Laura didn't actually expect this man to show up, but Woodnick had subpoenaed him for a reason.

[Greg Woodnick]

I think Laura had a problem with anyone coming in and sharing the fact that there were multiple prior victims who had very similar situations happen to him. I think she's doing everything she could to avoid the court hearing testimony from these individuals.

[Stephanie Young]

I'm Stephanie Young and this is love trapped.

[Deandra Arena]

There's no way out.

[Laura Owens]

You'd better believe

[Stephanie Young]

I'll be raising holy

[Deandra Arena]

hell my loves if you ever, ever, ever, ever

[Laura Owens]

try to leave.

[Stephanie Young]

On the morning of Clayton's paternity trial, Laura claimed she was too scared of one of the witnesses to go into the courtroom. She had her attorney call 91 1. But after a quick meeting in the judge's chambers, it was decided that the trial would move ahead. The energy in the courthouse was tense. Clayton felt it as soon as he arrived.

[Clayton Eckerd]

I had been to this court a couple times because Laura would bring me there for prior hearings. And this time I drive in and there's armed guards right when I'm driving in. And then I get out of my car and I see a couple more of them and I'm thinking, what is going on? Like, this feels too high profile.

[Stephanie Young]

That morning, the parking lot was buzzing. Many of the online detectives who'd been following every twist of this case had descended upon the courthouse in Phoenix, Arizona.

[Clayton Eckerd]

As far as people that had been covering the case, there was Dave Neal, there was Megan Fox. There was probably 50 people that were part of the justice for Clayton community that were there. And that's when it hit me that I was like, wow, I have a tremendous amount of support.

[Stephanie Young]

The virtual community had suddenly become an in person one. Many of them had been in the parking lot since 6am preparing for the trial day. It was basically a tailgate. Content creator Megan Fox is one of the many people who flew in.

[Deandra Arena]

We got up very early in the morning.

[Stephanie Young]

I think it started at 8 and we needed to be there to set

[Deandra Arena]

up our equipment, the camera and everything in the courtroom.

[Stephanie Young]

Dave beat me there. He was already there. Dave Neal was the unofficial leader of Clayton's supporters. He'd been following the story since the beginning.

[Greg Woodnick]

I knew I needed to be there to see this thing to the finish line. It wasn't a question.

[Stephanie Young]

On the day of the trial, Dave set up a tent in the parking lot where he had a livestream feed going, giving commentary and analysis. He also brought a media sprinter van. The whole scene had a major sporting event vibe. Dave was joined by his old friend Reality Steve, who'd also been covering the story since the beginning.

[Greg Woodnick]

It was something that had consumed a lot of my time From September of 2023 on. Went out there to support Dave because he was the champion of all this.

[Stephanie Young]

The court only allowed one camera to livestream the trial. A few months earlier, content creator Lauren Knighty had put her name on the list.

[Judge Mata]

I was wondering how people get access to stream court cases. So I just went to the website basically on Maricopa county for the family court, and there was a form you could fill out basically to stream it. And so I put in my information, but I wasn't expecting anything.

[Stephanie Young]

Lauren had no idea that by filling out that form, she was about to become the eyes and ears for the entire online community. It was a role she took seriously. She was personally offended by Laura's alleged lies and wanted everyone to know the truth.

[Judge Mata]

I wanted people to be able to see what their tax dollars were being used for, why this was such a big deal. And everyone who had blamed Clayton or said, why don't you just shut up about this? You've already got people to know that she lied. I wanted them to see the extent of it. I wanted them to see that in real time and to understand the gravity of what this woman is willing to do, the lengths that she's willing to go to, and the way she's willing to guilt people and confuse their emotions in order to get away with what she's doing. And so the court reached out to me and they said, would you like to stream it? And I said, yeah, because I was going to be there anyways.

[Stephanie Young]

So Lauren set up her camera on row one. She'd be recording everything and live streaming it to thousands of people. At 8:45am they opened the courtroom doors immediately. The room filled up with people there to support Clayton.

[Clayton Eckerd]

I think I realized this is more impactful than what I would have thought.

[Stephanie Young]

Clayton knew the trial was important, but it was another thing to see the room packed with his supporters, people who believed him. Laura's side of the room was noticeably sparse.

[Clayton Eckerd]

It was her mom and her medical expert. That was it. Dad wasn't there, Sister wasn't there, no friends. And I think that to me also spoke volumes. I know it did. I know when we walked into that courtroom and you had my side of the courtroom that was packed out, that had overflow, and then you had her side, which ended up being taken over by people that had came to support

[Stephanie Young]

me, Clayton felt the gravity of the moment.

[Clayton Eckerd]

I wasn't nervous because it's bigger than me. So I just needed to show up as me.

[Stephanie Young]

Surrounded by a packed room of supporters and spectators, the trial that everyone had been waiting for finally got underway.

[Judge Mata]

This is the time set in. FC2023 052114. Appearances, please, beginning first with petitioner's counsel.

[David Jingris]

Good morning, you, Honor. David Jingris on behalf of Laura Owens.

[Stephanie Young]

Just a few months earlier, Laura Owens brought a new attorney onto the case, David Jingris. You'll recognize him from earlier in our story. He's the lawyer who collaborated with Laura on a series of YouTube videos. Laura had gone through a few attorneys before she found Jingras. In fact, her previous counsel, the one who was with her at her deposition, dropped her as a client. That attorney went on to file a Notice of Candor, a formal truth correction used when a lawyer realizes the court has been misled. In it, he changed his stance on the truthfulness of Laura's claims and formally retracted his statement that Laura had not lied to the court. So for the trial, on June 10, Laura was joined by her new counsel, David Jingris. As for Clayton's team.

[Greg Woodnick]

Good morning, Judge Craig Woodnick. I'm here for Clayton Ecker and also with me is my co counsel, D' Angarina and Isabel Ranney.

[Judge Mata]

Each party will be given 50 minutes. We will take a 10 minute break roughly halfway through. I allow 10 minutes for technical difficulties because they just have happened to everybody.

[Stephanie Young]

It was a bench trial, meaning there was no jury. It was just the two opposing counsels presenting their cases to Judge Motta. And critically, the trial was timed. The judge put a two hour limit on the whole proceeding. These kind of time limits are standard in Arizona Family Court. It forces both sides to present their cases efficiently.

[Greg Woodnick]

You learn to get to the good stuff fast.

[Stephanie Young]

Woodnick had prepared Clayton to work within the time constraints.

[Clayton Eckerd]

He's like, we are going to have a time limit. He's like, you also talk a lot. I need you to give quick answers. Just like, snap, snap, snap, snap.

[Stephanie Young]

With the clock ticking, David Jingres called his first witness to the stand.

[David Jingris]

Your honor. Call Laura Owens.

[Stephanie Young]

This was her direct examination, her and her attorney's chance to tell her side of the story.

[David Jingris]

Laura, how are you feeling?

[Laura Owens]

Nervous.

[David Jingris]

Okay, just breathe and we'll get through this really quick, okay?

[Stephanie Young]

Laura's attorney started with the basic timeline of events, and right away, Laura made a staggering admission.

[David Jingris]

Let me go back to the night of May 20th. In your deposition, you said that Clayton actually had sexual intercourse with you. Do you recall that?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

And was that true?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

Did you tell him that night that you did not want to have sex?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

And did he honor that request?

[Stephanie Young]

Now, since the beginning, Clayton has told the same story about the night of May 20. He says that he invited her over, they both took an edible and they had consensual oral sex. Six days later, public records show that Laura messaged a pregnancy support line looking for plan B. Laura wrote, quote, this past week, I was consensually intimate with a partner, although we did not have intercourse. But now, a year later, Laura told the court that Clayton raped her.

[Clayton Eckerd]

I remember when she said it, I just felt this massive wave of anger overtake my body. And I remember clenching my fist and just closing my eyes because at that point I just had to diffuse the anger. I think I sat there for probably three or four minutes, but it was such a dump of adrenaline. I was fighting my body. In that moment.

[Stephanie Young]

The focus shifted right back to Laura and the pregnancy tests she took.

[David Jingris]

Those three tests, did you do anything at all to tamper with the results of those tests?

[Laura Owens]

No.

[David Jingris]

Did you take any drugs, hormones, or any substance at all to affect the outcome?

[Laura Owens]

No.

[David Jingris]

Did you use someone else's urine to change the outcome?

[Stephanie Young]

No. That was the moment Laura went on the record denying she had ever altered a pregnancy test during the time she claimed to be pregnant with Clayton's babies. Then her attorney, David Gingres, addressed the contradictions in Laura's deposition head on, the most glaring one being that she'd admitted under oath to altering a sonogram using Adobe Acrobat.

[David Jingris]

Did you have a sonogram done in California?

[Laura Owens]

Yes, I did.

[David Jingris]

And where was that done?

[Laura Owens]

Planned Parenthood.

[David Jingris]

And you understand, And I'm sure Mr. Wudnick will ask you about this. Planned Parent has not been able to verify that you were ever seen there. Do you understand that?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

Can you explain that?

[Laura Owens]

Yes. I went under a fake name when I went there.

[David Jingris]

Okay. And you had a sonogram done. Did you ever present that sonogram as evidence in any court proceeding anywhere?

[Deandra Arena]

No.

[David Jingris]

We have obviously presented it in this case. But you've admitted already that you changed the name at the top or the location. Did you change the name at the top of the sonogram?

[Laura Owens]

Of the location? Yes.

[David Jingris]

Why did you do that?

[Laura Owens]

I changed it because Mr. Eckerd was being threatening towards me, and I didn't want him to know where I had gone and try to track down my providers.

[Stephanie Young]

Laura's attorney then addressed the big question. What came of her pregnancy after the

[David Jingris]

sonogram In California around July 23, did something happen in terms of you passing tissue or anything like that?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

Can you explain briefly what happened on July 23rd?

[Judge Mata]

Yeah.

[Laura Owens]

I wasn't having any symptoms at all, but I did pass tissue that looked like it could have potentially been a miscarriage, but I. I wasn't sure.

[David Jingris]

Did you seek any medical care after July 23, after the tissue passed?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

Related to that?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

What did you do?

[Laura Owens]

I texted a hotline for pregnancy and miscarriage questions, and I also did an appointment with the telemedicine doctor as well.

[David Jingris]

Okay. And what information did they give you, if any?

[Laura Owens]

They told me that I needed to monitor myself, but that they felt like unless I had more symptoms, I didn't need to worry that it was a miscarriage.

[Stephanie Young]

On November 2, Laura had told the judge in Clayton's restraining order hearing that she was 24 weeks pregnant. But now she was claiming in court that she'd had a miscarriage on July 23rd. In the direct examination, neither Laura or her attorney addressed this massive inconsistency for the last time.

[David Jingris]

Were you pregnant with Clayton?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

Did you think that you were pregnant with Clayton?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[David Jingris]

Do you have any reason to think that you weren't when you filed this case?

[Laura Owens]

No.

[David Jingris]

Did you lie about being pregnant with Clayton?

[Laura Owens]

No.

[David Jingris]

No further questions, you, Honor.

[Stephanie Young]

With the direct questioning over the floor belonged to Deandra arena for the much anticipated cross examination.

[Deandra Arena]

Good morning, Ms. Owens.

[Laura Owens]

Good morning.

[Deandra Arena]

You understand that you're currently under oath and must testify truthfully today, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Corre?

[Deandra Arena]

Correct. And you understand the difference between the truth and a lie, right?

[Laura Owens]

Obviously, yes.

[Stephanie Young]

But Clayton's attorney, Greg Woodnick, didn't think that was so obvious.

[Greg Woodnick]

Laura is a tough witness. Laura has her own agenda when you ask her questions. And she's got a confidence about her, which is interesting because she can confidently answer a question with a completely bullshit answer.

[Stephanie Young]

The paternity trial on June 10 was just getting started. The courtroom was packed with spectators. Laura was the first on the stand. But her direct examination left quite a few unanswered questions. Clayton's attorney, Deandra arena, was eager to jump in. Deandra had cross examined Laura before at Clayton's restraining order hearing on November 2nd. In that one, Laura admitted under oath to being 24 weeks pregnant. This posed a big problem because now Laura told the court she miscarried back in July. Both couldn't be true. Before Deandra turned up the heat on Laura, she laid the groundwork, reminding Laura of what she said in previous hearings.

[Deandra Arena]

You testified that you were 100% pregnant on November 2nd, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

And you testified that you were 24 weeks pregnant. Specifically. Correct. I'd like you to take a look at your exhibit A11, please. Ms. Owens, this appointment that you attended at MOM document on November 14th of 2023 was 12 days after I cross examined you, right?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

And during that cross examination, I pointed out that you had no legitimate medical records to support the pregnancy. Right?

[Laura Owens]

I mean, you said that, but I don't agree with it. No.

[Deandra Arena]

At this appointment, Ms. Owens, it was confirmed that you were not pregnant, correct? Correct.

[Stephanie Young]

Deandra knew she wasn't going to get a straight answer out of Laura. But she could try to catch her in a lie. The courtroom fell silent as Deandra turned her attention to Laura's alleged miscarriage. The thing is, the medical records didn't match Laura's testimony.

[Deandra Arena]

In your deposition, page 151, line 24, you claim you passed the two sacks which appeared to have a membrane in September or October, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

But in the MOM doc records, you claim you passed the two sacks a few weeks after your alleged ultrasound at Planned Parenthood, Right?

[Laura Owens]

Several weeks after okay, well, you would

[Deandra Arena]

agree with me there's an inconsistency there, right?

[Laura Owens]

Right. I wasn't sure what the date was.

[Deandra Arena]

No OBGYN or qualified medical professional conducted an ultrasound, performed a physical examination, or perform. Perform a blood test to confirm your alleged pregnancy on or before August 1st of 2023, right?

[Laura Owens]

Wrong.

[Deandra Arena]

Okay, let's talk about that, because I suspected you would answer that this way. You claim that you had an alleged ultrasound at Planned Parenthood in Southern California, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

And you testified during your deposition that the alleged ultrasound with Planned Parenthood was in Mission Viejo, California, on July 6th 7th of 2023, right?

[Laura Owens]

I did say it was there. That's where I was staying at the time, in Mission Viejo.

[Deandra Arena]

And while being examined by your attorney, you said that you went to Planned Parenthood under a fake name, right?

[Laura Owens]

Right.

[Deandra Arena]

But you didn't bother to provide our office with the alleged name that you went to Planned Parenthood under, right?

[Laura Owens]

Right.

[Deandra Arena]

And you knew that we were seeking your records from Planned Parenthood, so specifically because of the alleged ultrasound that you had there, right?

[Laura Owens]

Right.

[Deandra Arena]

So wouldn't it have made sense for you to provide our office with a copy or the name that you allegedly went to Planned Parenthood under?

[Laura Owens]

I felt like the whole purpose of going to Planned Parenthood is to remain anonymous, and that that's one of my protections.

[Stephanie Young]

Just to be clear, Laura is testifying that she had an ultrasound at a Planned Parenthood in July which confirmed her pregnancy. But in their discovery, Woodnick and Deandra never received any records from that appointment. Laura says it's because she went to Planned Parenthood under an anonymous name. But Deandra doesn't let this go because she's trying to establish if there are any medical records at all that could prove Laura had an in person ultrasound exam with an OB GYN.

[Deandra Arena]

I want you to take a look at Exhibit 28. Is this a true and accurate picture of the ultrasound you claim you received at Planned Parenthood in California on July of 2023?

[Laura Owens]

That looks like it, yes.

[Deandra Arena]

And Ms. Owens, this ultrasound image does not say Planned Parenthood. It says smil, which I'll call Smile for purposes of court today, correct? Correct. And in your deposition, you admitted you altered this ultrasound picture to say Smile instead of Planned Parenthood, right?

[Stephanie Young]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

And you admitted in your deposition to altering this picture on the Adobe Acrobat program at your house, right? Correct. During the deposition, you testified that the date listed here of July 7th of 2023 was correct and hadn't been edited by you, right?

[Stephanie Young]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

But you later admit that you lied about this July 7th ultrasound date, right? Correct. And you executed an affidavit on April 16 of 2024, claiming the correct date for this already doctored ultrasound was actually July 2nd of 2023, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

So I want to get this straight, Ms. Owens. You initially claimed you had an ultrasound at planned parenthood on July 7, which you doctored to say it was from Smile, right? Correct. Then the story changes again. And you claim that the ultrasound image should actually be dangerous, dated July 2nd of 2023, right? Correct. So you changed the date on the ultrasound from July 2nd to July 7th, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

And you utilize this altered or fake ultrasound to try to convince Mr. Eckerd and the court and the media that you were pregnant with Mr. Eckard's twins.

[Laura Owens]

This was never submitted to the court.

[Deandra Arena]

You're aware that Planned Parents Parenthood has no record of an ultrasound for you, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Under my real name, yes. I'm Boy.

[Deandra Arena]

And again, we've established you didn't provide our office with the name that you allegedly went to Planned Parenthood under, correct? Correct. You never attended an appointment with Planned Parenthood in this case, Ms. Owens?

[Laura Owens]

Yes, I did.

[Stephanie Young]

The contradictions in Laura's story are maddening. If Laura had actually received an ultrasound at Planned Parenthood in July, those records would prove she was pregnant when she said she was. But Laura couldn't produce them for the courts, and she wouldn't give the courts the fake name she allegedly used at Planned Parenthood. The only thing Laura had was the ultrasound she admitted to altering on Adobe Acrobat.

[Deandra Arena]

Can you take a look at exhibit B29? This is a true and accurate copy of our request and the response from Planned Parenthood regarding your records dated April 26th of 2024, correct? Correct.

[Laura Owens]

I don't believe I've seen this, but I have no idea.

[Deandra Arena]

And while you've indicated today that you went to Planned Parenthood under a fake name, this letter actually indicates that you have scheduled an appointment for July 2, but that you failed to attend.

[Greg Woodnick]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

It also indicates that the ultrasound image that you claimed was from Planned Parenthood was not from Planned Parenthood because it was not consistent with ultrasound images generated by their practice. Right.

[Laura Owens]

Not by the one in mission viejo.

[Deandra Arena]

Correct. Ms. Owens, these are yes or no questions. This document states that the ultrasound image you have claimed is from Planned Parenthood is not consistent with ultrasound images generated by their practice. Right.

[Laura Owens]

By that practice. But as they said, I could have been seen by another, different entity.

[Deandra Arena]

You're well aware that this request covered all of Orange county and San Bernardino County.

[Laura Owens]

It didn't cover Los Angeles, though.

[Deandra Arena]

So now you're saying you went to Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[Deandra Arena]

So you're telling us you went to Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles on the day of trial today?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[Deandra Arena]

Okay. When did you go to Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles?

[Laura Owens]

Exactly? When I said I went.

[Deandra Arena]

When was that?

[Laura Owens]

July 2nd.

[Stephanie Young]

You can hear Deandra's frustration. She'd been preparing for this cross for months. But on the stand, Laura was introducing new information, shifting her testimony yet again. Like claiming she went to Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles, not Mission Viejo. That was a convenient correction because Clayton's attorneys hadn't subpoenaed records for the Planned Parenthoods in Los Angeles. Like we said earlier, the trial was timed. They only had two hours to get through everything. So Deandra moved on to another staggering admission of Laura's.

[Deandra Arena]

I'd like to go back to the two sacks you passed. So, again, in your deposition, you claimed you passed them in September or October, right?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[Deandra Arena]

But then you change the date and claim that you passed these two sacks on July 23rd of 2023. Right. And you actually had an appointment scheduled with Dr. McCool, who you've claimed is your high risk perinatologist for July 24th of 2023, right?

[Laura Owens]

Right. That I canceled days prior.

[Stephanie Young]

A perinatologist specializes in fetal medicine. Laura told the court she made an appointment with one because she had a history of multiple miscarriages.

[Deandra Arena]

So wouldn't you agree with me that for someone who has had miscarriages in the past and who has an alleged high risk pregnancy, it would be prudent to attend an in person appointment shortly after passing two sacks?

[Laura Owens]

Well, that's why I asked the doctors online.

[Deandra Arena]

These are yes or no questions. I see you're looking at your attorney, but you shaking the question for me.

[Laura Owens]

Okay. Can you ask the question again?

[Stephanie Young]

Laura seemed flustered. Deandra knows how to read a witness. And she told me she picked up on Laura's physical cues.

[Deandra Arena]

There was a point where I noticed when I was cross examining her, that I had completely lost her eye contact. And it was very apparent to me that she was looking behind me.

[Stephanie Young]

The vibe in the room shifted when people realized Laura wasn't even looking at the person questioning her. Instead, she was focused on her attorney, David Jingres, who appeared to be making gestures from the sidelines. Deandra decided to continue her cross examination because she couldn't afford to lose any more time. Instead of stopping the clock. She just moved positions.

[Deandra Arena]

Okay, I'm going to stand here because it seems like you're looking at Mr. Gingrich quite a bit for guidance.

[Laura Owens]

No, I don't need. I don't need guidance from my attorney. I know how to answer the questions.

[Stephanie Young]

Deandra had a whole stack of documents and exhibits she wanted to get to. Given the time limitations, she had to decide on the spot which ones to focus on. One of these exhibits was an HCG test Laura claimed to have taken at a doctor's office. HCG is a hormone your body produces during pregnancy. Anything above 25 indicates a pregnancy. And as a typical pregnancy progresses, HCG levels can rise to over 200,000.

[Deandra Arena]

You doctored this particular test twice, Ms. Owens, correct?

[Laura Owens]

I doctored the test once.

[Deandra Arena]

Okay, and when was that?

[Laura Owens]

When I tried to send it to Dave Neal to get him to stop creating harassing videos at me.

[Stephanie Young]

Let me explain. Months earlier, Laura had sent content creator Dave Neal a copy of her HCG test in an attempt to prove to him that she was actually pregnant. It looked like it came from a doctor's office. The thing is, Dave had already seen a copy of this same HCG test. It was publicly available on Laura's attorney's blog. But the test Dave had a copy of had a wildly different HCG level. The two tests had the same date on them. October 16, 2023. Dave sent the copy of the test he'd received to Clayton's attorneys.

[Deandra Arena]

And what amount did you document the HCG level to for that particular.

[Laura Owens]

It was like 102,000, I believe.

[Stephanie Young]

Here, Laura starts to get tripped up on her own story. She admits to altering the test and sending it to Dave, but she doesn't remember if she Photoshopped the level to be 102,000 or 131,902.

[Deandra Arena]

Ms. Owens, you'll recognize this as it looks like the Same Test from October 16, but it has an HCG level different than what you just indicated, and it says 131,000, 902.

[Laura Owens]

Okay, yes, that's.

[Deandra Arena]

So you also doctored this test?

[Laura Owens]

No, I didn't know what the number was that I had made it to.

[Deandra Arena]

As of October 17, 2023, when you received this test result, you had reason to believe you were not pregnant, right?

[Laura Owens]

Yes, after doing some research.

[Deandra Arena]

Okay, but then you proceeded to lie under oath at hearings before this court on October 24, October 25 and November 2, correct?

[Laura Owens]

That's not correct. No.

[Deandra Arena]

Instead of telling the truth, you tampered with this HCG test to Increase the level and offered that as support for

[Laura Owens]

a pregnancy to a content creator.

[Stephanie Young]

Not to the court on the standard. Laura's credibility was crumbling.

[Deandra Arena]

During the November 2nd hearing, you denied that the DNA test results came back with little to no fetal DNA. Right. What? During the November 2nd hearing, I said that the tester.

[Stephanie Young]

One of Deandra's next questions was a real simple one. Had Laura been seen in person by a doctor during this alleged pregnancy?

[Deandra Arena]

You also testified on November 2nd unequivocally that your OB GYNs were Dr. McCool and Dr. Higley. Right?

[Laura Owens]

Right.

[Deandra Arena]

In fact, you went so far as to state that your main obgyn is the perinatologist, Dr. McCool. Right?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

You further testified on November 2nd that you had last seen Dr. Higley on last Friday. Right?

[Laura Owens]

Right.

[Deandra Arena]

You lied to the court when you made those statements.

[Laura Owens]

I had the appointment scheduled, which you guys have. I know, but they. It needs to be answered. Correct? It needs to be answered. I had an appointment scheduled with him that I did not attend, but I did have an appointment scheduled.

[Deandra Arena]

Okay, so when you say you were seen by a doctor, that's not the same as having an appointment scheduled. Correct? Correct. So we would agree that you were dishonest when you said you were physically seen by Dr. Higley the Friday before the November 2nd hearing.

[Laura Owens]

Correct. That's a very minor thing.

[Stephanie Young]

You can hear. Hear the courtroom's audible reaction.

[Greg Woodnick]

Stop. Stop.

[Laura Owens]

Yeah. Really? You know, I mean, if this is good, I, I, I'm not comfortable if this, if the JFC crew is going to be having reactions, honestly.

[Stephanie Young]

JFC stands for justice for Clayton. It's a term that kind of became a calling card for the online detectives. Laura often refers to anyone who questions her as part of jfc. But on that day in court, the truth was Laura got caught in her own lies.

[Clayton Eckerd]

Deandra asked her about the medical fraud, and Laura says, well, it was just a little bit. And that's when you heard everyone just groan, like, oh, my God, I even did. I was like, oh, my gosh. Like a little bit of medical fraud. Like, as if we can downplay that.

[Stephanie Young]

Diandro remembers this moment well, she found Laura's answer very telling.

[Deandra Arena]

I think that response gave insight into how she views things and perhaps why we were in that situation, why the trial was happening.

[Stephanie Young]

Judge Mata stepped in to address the interruption.

[Judge Mata]

Okay, I'm going to stop the clock at this time. Counsel, you ask questions. Ma', am, you answer the questions. I could ask the gallery to please keep your. You know, I think I'm still talking, talking. Ma', am. Keep your comments to a minimum or you will be asked to leave. Go ahead, counsel.

[Deandra Arena]

Ms. Owens, you've never been seen by Dr. McCool or Dr. Higley for any medical appointment, correct?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

And the records from Dr. McCool's office indicate that you made four appointments that you never attended, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

And the records from Dr. Higley's office that we obtained indicate that they have never no records for you from August 2020 through the present. Right.

[Laura Owens]

I'm sorry, you said Dr. Higley or Dr. McCool. I'm. Can I like take a minute?

[David Jingris]

You know, can we have just a five minute recess?

[Stephanie Young]

Sure.

[Judge Mata]

At this time. No go. What were you gonna say, Council?

[Deandra Arena]

I. I'm just concerned about our time constraint, that's all, your honor. So?

[Judge Mata]

Well, we factored in a 10 minute break, so what we'll do is we'll take it now and then when we come back, there will be no further breaks. So that's just something for the parties to keep in mind.

[Deandra Arena]

All right?

[Stephanie Young]

Right. As things were falling apart, the court hit a pause. Once they resumed, Deandra didn't miss a beat. She picked up the questioning exactly where she left off. Had Laura actually attended the doctor's appointments? She claimed she had. And were there any records to prove it?

[Deandra Arena]

I want you to take a look at what's our exhibit 17, page 110. This is a picture you took of a portion of a page from Banner, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

Where is the rest of the document, Ms. Owens?

[Laura Owens]

Clayton had it.

[Deandra Arena]

I'm asking you, where is the rest of the document in this particular exhibit?

[Laura Owens]

I. I don't know. But there's nothing I was trying to find hide from it. Clayton got the entire thing.

[Deandra Arena]

Z, you recognize you've been accused of faking records in this case, right?

[Laura Owens]

Yes.

[Deandra Arena]

And you expect the court to accept a picture of a portion of an alleged record?

[Laura Owens]

You guys got the results yourselves.

[Deandra Arena]

So these are yes or no questions.

[Laura Owens]

That's not fair.

[Deandra Arena]

Opportunity to conduct redirect examination and you can elaborate.

[Laura Owens]

Then guys know that you have the results of this that show the same thing. So. I wasn't hiding anything here. That's not fair.

[Deandra Arena]

I have to move on. So I'd ask if the court find this non responsive.

[Judge Mata]

Court will designate it as non responsive.

[Deandra Arena]

For someone who's been involved in court cases non stop since at least 2016.

[Laura Owens]

You know what? That's not accurate. I have not been involved Non stop since 20.

[Judge Mata]

Stop the clock for a moment. And I'm going to remind the parties council you ask a question, ma', am, you answer the question. Otherwise we, we move into a different area that I don't think anyone wants to go into. Council resume.

[Deandra Arena]

Ms. Owens, you have been involved in court cases since at least 2016, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Non stop. Or are you saying since 2016? Can you just rephrase the question?

[Deandra Arena]

Please answer the question as I've asked it. You've been involved in court cases since 2016?

[Laura Owens]

No. Okay.

[Stephanie Young]

Deandra wanted to ask Laura about her case with Greg Gillespie, but her time was almost up. She concluded with a final, very memorable question.

[Deandra Arena]

Ms. Owens, I want to give you one more opportunity. The media is here. You know that this case has gone viral. You have an opportunity right now to come clean and start fresh. So I'm going to ask you one final, final time. You were never pregnant by Clayton Eckert, correct?

[Stephanie Young]

Clayton's attorney ended her cross examination of Laura Owens with a jaw dropping question.

[Deandra Arena]

When I asked that question at the end, like I really wanted to give her the chance to do the right thing, frankly, it might have been a waste of a cross examination question because I knew how she was going to most likely answer. I still wanted to give her a chance to see. So I'm going to ask you one final time. You were never pregnant by Clayton Eckert, correct?

[Laura Owens]

That is absolutely incorrect.

[Stephanie Young]

With Laura's testimony concluded, the trial shifted to a battle of the experts. Each side got to present expert witnesses. Laura's attorney started by calling retired OB GYN Dr. Michael Medchill.

[David Jingris]

Mr. Eckert has said that he doesn't believe that a pregnancy was possible here because there was no intercourse. Do you have an opinion about that? Regarding general. Not regarding him or her, but in general?

[Greg Woodnick]

Well, it's said that men are like basketball players.

[Stephanie Young]

They dribble before they shoot.

[Greg Woodnick]

They also dribble afterwards.

[David Jingris]

And if you are rubbing genitalia together, it is possible to get pregnant.

[Stephanie Young]

As you can imagine, this dribble before you shoot moment became instantly iconic in the online community. Clayton's side called Dr. Samantha Deans, a former associate medical director at Planned Parenthood. She was there to answer one question in particular. Could someone be seen by a doctor at Planned Parenthood anonymously?

[Greg Woodnick]

Laura claimed it was anonymous. And from Planned Parenthood. Any thoughts about that?

[Laura Owens]

Patients cannot be seen anonymously at Planned Parenthood.

[Deandra Arena]

Having been a former medical director of

[Laura Owens]

Planned Parenthood, ppfa, which is our national guidelines, require identification at the time of a visit to confirm the identity of the patient.

[Deandra Arena]

The patient can't be seen anonymously

[Stephanie Young]

after expert witnesses. It was finally time for Clayton to take the stand. You've heard him tell his side of the story in this podcast, but this was his chance to say it under oath. Despite the pressure of the courtroom, Clayton's story remained consistent.

[Greg Woodnick]

Clayton, I'm going to be lightning fast. State your name to the court.

[Clayton Eckerd]

Clayton Eckard.

[Stephanie Young]

Woodnick had prepared him well. Clayton was uncharacteristically concise.

[Greg Woodnick]

How did you meet Laura?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Laura targeted me on LinkedIn. She asked to do real estate. We ended up exchanging contact info. She became flirtatious, sent me a provocative photo. I told her to come over. And then we saw Holmes the next day.

[Greg Woodnick]

Did you have sex with Laura?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Absolutely not. I've said time and time again, she performed oral on me twice. That's it.

[Greg Woodnick]

Have you heard two other versions about what happened?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Absolutely. Many versions. She's claimed that she was raped by me. She also claims I was too high to remember what happened that day.

[Greg Woodnick]

I'm going to repeat what you just said. She claimed you were. She was raped by you and that you were too high to remember.

[Clayton Eckerd]

That's correct.

[Greg Woodnick]

Were you too high to remember?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Well, that's incorrect. I remember every single thing from that night.

[Greg Woodnick]

Did you rape her?

[Clayton Eckerd]

No, I did not.

[Stephanie Young]

Then Woodnick asked Clayton to describe some graphic details from the night of May 20th.

[Greg Woodnick]

You stated that she had gave you oral sex twice that evening. Is that correct?

[Clayton Eckerd]

That's correct.

[Greg Woodnick]

Where did you complete her mouth both times? What happened the second time?

[Clayton Eckerd]

She ran straight to the bathroom.

[Stephanie Young]

Woodnick says the reason he asked this question is because he always found it to be a suspicious detail in Clayton's story. He told me he's never ruled out a kind of spit maneuver. It was a possible way Laura could have impregnated herself while she was in the bathroom. Which is not to suggest he believes Laura was actually pregnant, but just that he believes anything is possible.

[Greg Woodnick]

Were your fluids ever down there as Laura has claimed? No. What happened the next days?

[Clayton Eckerd]

The next day we went and saw houses. I told her that I crossed the professional boundary. I told her that that was a one time thing, it would not happen again. She became very agitated at that point, was crying and asked for me to give her a chance.

[Greg Woodnick]

Wait, hang on for a second. She came over to your house, she gave you oral sex twice. The next day you told her you weren't interested in her.

[Clayton Eckerd]

That's correct. I returned, rejected her. Yes.

[Greg Woodnick]

And then four days later.

[Clayton Eckerd]

What happened four days later? She started making claims that she could possibly be pregnant.

[Greg Woodnick]

But hang on. Did your penis ever Go inside or accidentally, inadvertently or anything like that?

[Clayton Eckerd]

No.

[Stephanie Young]

Woodnick also took a minute to acknowledge the reason the courtroom was so packed.

[Greg Woodnick]

You're a public figure. You're the Bachelor. That's why everyone's watching today. Are you embarrassed to say who you've had sex with, Clayton?

[Clayton Eckerd]

I think I'm the last person to lie about who I've been intimate it with.

[Stephanie Young]

This is a reference to the rose ceremony from hell on the Bachelor when he told two women he'd had sex with both of them while they were both standing in front of him with cameras rolling. Clayton certainly wasn't afraid to go on the record about his sex life.

[Greg Woodnick]

Did you have penile vaginal sex whatsoever with Laura Owens?

[Clayton Eckerd]

No, absolutely not.

[Greg Woodnick]

Has that been your story since day one?

[Clayton Eckerd]

My story? My story's been consistent since day day one.

[Greg Woodnick]

I'm going to show you exhibit number three. Did Laura start communicating with you more after she said she thought she was pregnant at 4 days?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Yes, non stop. She sent me over 500 emails and text messages. 13 different phone numbers.

[Greg Woodnick]

13 phone numbers? How many messages?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Over 500.

[Stephanie Young]

Many of those emails and messages were admitted as evidence. Woodnick directed Clayton's attention to one email in particular. And it's one you've heard before.

[Greg Woodnick]

Specifically exhibit number seven. I think you stated that it was a true and accurate copy. I think the caption says the final opportunity to consider abortion. Do you remember getting this from Laura?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Yes.

[Greg Woodnick]

Further down in that email, Clayton, and this will get awkward, but further down in that email, on July 1, which was weeks after the alleged encounter, Laura references her tight vagina. Why is that both uncomfortable and relevant to the court today?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Because she's stating that if I would have felt how tight her vagina was, I might change my mind. Which is her stating that I never penetrated her. We never had penetrative sex.

[Judge Mata]

Wait.

[Greg Woodnick]

The exhibit that the court just received has Laura saying that her vagina was tight as if you hadn't been in there before.

[Clayton Eckerd]

That is correct.

[Greg Woodnick]

Well, had you been in there before?

[Clayton Eckerd]

I had not, no. All right.

[Greg Woodnick]

She also sent you communications in exhibit number seven talking about wanting to have sex with you during a week, a trial week. What was that about?

[Clayton Eckerd]

Yeah, she said that she would be the safest person to have sex with since she was already pregnant.

[Greg Woodnick]

Hang on for a second. She told you she wanted to have sex with you because she was already pregnant?

[Clayton Eckerd]

That's correct.

[Greg Woodnick]

How did you feel when you read that email, Clayton?

[Clayton Eckerd]

I've been sick to my stomach. All of this has made me sick.

[Stephanie Young]

Clayton sped through his testimony in 12 minutes. By contrast, Laura's had taken almost an hour. Her attorney already used his allotted time for questioning, so there wasn't a cross examination. After Clayton's testimony, the trial was over.

[Clayton Eckerd]

I felt like I had just basically ran for two hours straight, full sprints. I was running on adrenaline the entire time that I was in the courtroom, because for me, it was we were either gonna get the outcome we want or we're going to be silenced. My fear was, what happens if this judge just says, you know what? Let's just drop it all and just move on?

[Stephanie Young]

Before the trial adjourned, Judge Mata told the courtroom what to expect next.

[Judge Mata]

So at this time, what the court's going to do is, I'll take this under advisement. What that means is I'm going to go back, I'm going to review the notes that I took today. I'm going to review the evidence that was evident, admitted to the court, and then everyone will receive my order in writing.

[Stephanie Young]

Arizona law gives a judge up to 60 days to give their ruling. Now the record was closed, and Clayton was stuck in a holding pattern. His attorneys were cautiously optimistic.

[Greg Woodnick]

We definitely felt the trial went well. But listen, I have lost trials that I have thought I was going to win, and I have won trials that I thought I had lost. With a bench trial where the judge is acting as the judge and jury, you just never know.

[Stephanie Young]

A week later, Judge Motta released her ruling. It's 19 pages long and incredibly thorough. We've had a voice actor read some of the judge's decision.

[Voice Actor (Judge's Reading)]

The court finds that petitioner Laura Owens acted unreasonably when she initiated litigation without basis or merit, without an authentic ultrasound, sonogram, physical examination, and in conjunction with a belief she passed tissue in July 2023, the court finds the underlying petition premature at best, at worst fraudulent, and made to incite communication, a relationship, or both with the respondent, Clayton Eckert.

[Stephanie Young]

In other words, Clayton won. The judge granted his petition for non paternity.

[Clayton Eckerd]

I felt relief whenever Judge Motta made that ruling, because that's all I wanted. I knew my truth the entire time that I was fighting her, but I needed a legal document. Unfortunately, I'm like, it doesn't matter what I believe my truth to be. I need something to corroborate my story. And I got that. So when I got it, it was just basically like the weight had lifted, and I could take a sigh of relief. I'm like, okay, I won.

[Stephanie Young]

But Judge Motta didn't stop at the Non paternity ruling.

[Voice Actor (Judge's Reading)]

The court further finds the petition was filed for an improper purpose, such as to harass the other party to cause an unnecessary delay or to increase the cost of litigation to the other party. On the day of the trial, she testified that that she anonymously sought care at a Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles. This undoubtedly caused respondent to incur substantial legal fees attempting to locate records that may or may not exist in Los Angeles, but now appear to have never existed in Mission Viejo. Additionally, petitioner acknowledged she altered HCG test results, an ultrasound and sonogram. The court finds petitioner provided false testimony as to the viability of the pregnancy. In all three cases addressed in the procedural history, Laura Owens knowingly presented a false claim, knowingly violated a court order compelling disclosure or discovery such that an award of attorney fees and costs is appropriate.

[Stephanie Young]

Laura was ordered by the courts to pay Clayton's legal fees and costs. It's a hefty bill, and at the time I'm recording this, Laura still hasn't paid it. It's a steep consequence for her actions, but there's a chance it wouldn't be the only consequence she'd have to face.

[Voice Actor (Judge's Reading)]

It is further ordered, the court having determined that Laura Owens has a pattern of similar, if not identical behavior and court involvement, referring this matter to the Maricopa County Attorney's office for review of Laura Owens actions.

[Stephanie Young]

Judge Motta believed Laura's behavior warranted a criminal investigation. Woodnick was floored.

[Greg Woodnick]

You don't see that often, but you also don't see people like Laura Owens abusing the court system the way she did.

[Stephanie Young]

Referrals to the county attorney are not a common outcome in family court. They are a rare consequence for those who push the judicial system past its breaking point.

[Greg Woodnick]

And I think Judge Mata was rightfully concerned with what happened, rightfully troubled that someone would come to court and continue with what was so obviously a lie. I think Laura did herself absolutely no favor with the changing of the Planned Parenthood testing location on the standard. When someone is willing to do that and waste the time of the court, the resources of the court. And it wasn't just Judge Mata's courtroom. Remember, I think there were two or three prior judges just in Arizona who had dealt with Laura. There was one or two commissioners on the protective order matters, plus Judge Mata's time, plus judicial staff time, plus clerk time, plus security time dealing with it. And I think Judge Mata said, you know, know what? You deserve to have this matter referred to the county attorney. Remember, Judge Mata didn't decide to charge Laura, all Judge Mata did was say, you know, someone ought to take a look at what happened and do a deeper dive here to see if there's criminal ramifications. What she did was say, hey, look, county attorney's office, you all need to look at this.

[Stephanie Young]

The county attorney took her recommendation and started digging and what they would find could finally bring Laura's actions to a stop.

[Greg Woodnick]

I think it's extremely rare for people to go the distance that Laura did lying. Say what you want about Laura Owens, but she was all in. I think as I say this, she is still all in on her lie.

[Stephanie Young]

There's one more moment from the trial that you haven't heard yet.

[Deandra Arena]

Between 2014 and the present, you have alleged that you were pregnant by four different men, correct?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Deandra Arena]

And all four of those men told you one way or another that they believed you fabricated those pregnancies, Right?

[Laura Owens]

The first was not so specific about that.

[Deandra Arena]

And three of them are here today, right?

[Laura Owens]

Correct.

[Stephanie Young]

Remember at the beginning of the episode when Woodnick Rose arrived in court to find Laura's lawyer panicking and calling 911,

[Greg Woodnick]

her attorney said, I'm not sure if she's even going to go into the courtroom because she's so scared.

[Stephanie Young]

The person she was scared of, a witness Woodnick had subpoenaed someone who didn't have a chance to take the stand.

[Greg Woodnick]

My name is Mike Maracini.

[David Jingris]

I dated Laura from March 2016 through summer of 2017.

[Stephanie Young]

On the next episode of Love Trapped,

[Clayton Eckerd]

I remember in total she had told me she had two pregnancies and six abortion attempts were made.

[David Jingris]

I don't know how this is possible. He says to me, I promise I

[Clayton Eckerd]

will get you out of this relationship.

[Deandra Arena]

No way.

[David Jingris]

Her mom is gaslighting me right now about her daughter having cancer.

[Stephanie Young]

Thank you so much for listening. Please be sure to follow Love Trapped on Apple Podcasts, the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And please leave us a review. A five star rating helps others find this show. We're grateful for your support. If you would like to reach out to the Love Trapped team, email [e-mail] that's lovetrappedpodmail.com Love Trapped is a production of Glass Podcasts, a division of Glass Entertainment Group in partnership with iheart Podcasts. This show was executive produced by Nancy Glass, Andrea Gunning and Ben Federman. Written, produced and hosted by me, Stephanie Young. Our story editor is Monique Laborde. Producer on this episode is Sidney Gladue. Additional production support from Todd Ganz. Our Production manager is Kristin Melciri. For iHeart podcasts, Ali Perry was our executive producer. Audio editing and Mastering by Anna McLean. Additional editing support by Tanner Robbins and Matt Del Vecchio. A special thank you to our voice actor, Carrie Hartman. This podcast was developed in collaboration with Danny Passman and Leb Abramoff at Crybaby Media. The Love Trapped theme is composed by Oliver Baines Music Library, provided by My Music. A special thanks to Carrie Lieberman, Will Pearson, Jessica Kryncheck, Allie Kanter, and the entire iHeart podcast team. And for more podcasts from iHeart, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Wait. Everything on this IHOP Value menu is just six bucks.

[Greg Woodnick]

I told you it was amazing. A huge plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs is just six bucks.

[Laura Owens]

Wow.

[Greg Woodnick]

There's also French toast, a ham and cheese omelette, and. Oh, they got a BLT and fries now.

[Stephanie Young]

Okay, we're coming here every day.

[Greg Woodnick]

You don't have to tell me twice.

[Stephanie Young]

Feast for just six bucks with the IHOP value menu.

[Deandra Arena]

$7 in some locations.

[Stephanie Young]

Available every day for a limited time at participating restaurants in the U.S. hours may vary.

[Deandra Arena]

No substitute institutions.

[Stephanie Young]

Not valid.

[Deandra Arena]

With other discounts or promotions, prices may vary.

[Stephanie Young]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Deandra Arena]

Guaranteed Human.