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

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.

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.

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)

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

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

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.

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.

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.