Podcast Summary: Trace of Suspicion — Episode 6: Reversal of Fortune

Host: Josh Mankiewicz, NBC News
Date: March 26, 2026

Overview

The final episode of Trace of Suspicion concludes the harrowing saga of Cindy Sommer, a young Marine widow, who was accused and convicted of murdering her husband, Todd Sommer, through arsenic poisoning. After years of imprisonment, a stunning reversal occurs—her conviction is overturned when evidence exposes fundamental flaws in the case. This episode intimately explores the collapse of the prosecution, the missteps and possible misconduct by officials, Cindy’s release, and her ongoing struggle to reclaim her life and legacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Overturned Conviction and Immediate Impact

• Atmosphere of Relief: (01:03) Cindy and fellow inmates celebrate as her conviction is overturned, a rare moment of joy on a prison transport bus.
• Cindy's Shock: (02:42) Cindy recounts how surreal the moment was when she learned she was getting a new trial:

  “It still seems like a dream sometimes.” — Cindy Sommer (02:42)

2. The Core of the Case: Arsenic Testing Controversy

• Questionable Lab Results: Attorney Alan Bloom describes the unprecedented arsenic levels reported by the military lab, raising skepticism about reliability:

  “They came up with results to show arsenic in amounts that has never, ever been able to be found in the history of arsenical testing before.” — Alan Bloom (04:36)

• Lab Inexperience: The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), primarily familiar with environmental samples, may have mishandled human tissue.
• Retesting the Evidence: The defense pushes to test preserved paraffin tissue samples. Initially, prosecutors claim these are missing or destroyed.
• Discovery of the Tissues: Persistance pays off—paraffin tissue samples are found and ultimately tested by a Canadian lab, which finds no trace of arsenic.

  “Because there was no arsenic.” — Cindy Sommer (12:59)

3. Systemic Issues and Prosecutorial Conduct

• Prosecutorial Stonewalling: Alan Bloom accuses the DA’s office—especially prosecutor Laura Gunn—of withholding exculpatory evidence:

  “She, Gunn, is attempting to put Cindy Summer in prison for the rest of her life. Again, knowing that these tissues exist and she's covering it up…” — Alan Bloom (22:13)

• Legal Standards: Bloom references the Brady Supreme Court ruling, emphasizing the prosecution’s duty to share exculpatory evidence:

  “It's absolutely no justification. In fact, there's a US Supreme Court case called Brady...” — Alan Bloom (22:36)

• DA's Position: District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis maintains the system worked properly and that their conduct was justified:

  “Today, justice was done. This is how the system is supposed to work.” — Bonnie Dumanis (11:51)

4. Release and Life After Prison

• Cindy’s Release: (13:01) Media captures Cindy emerging from jail, shocked but vindicated by the new lab results.
• Lingering Injustice: Dismissal was “without prejudice,” meaning charges could technically be refiled if new evidence appears.

  “So it's not really being exonerated right?” — Cindy Sommer (36:37)

• No Apologies or Closure: Cindy never receives an apology from authorities; the DA's only comment was “justice was served.”

  “I think her idea of justice and mine are two different things.” — Cindy Sommer (36:08)

• Ongoing Effects: Cindy had to fight to regain custody of her children and lost much of her family’s resources fighting the charges.
• Personal Reflection: Despite everything, Cindy harbors little regret, maintaining some levity:

  [On prosecutors’ theory] “I killed Todd to get boobs.” — Cindy Sommer (30:05)

5. Attempts at Accountability and Exoneration

• Legal Battles Continue: Bloom’s efforts to have the case formally dismissed “with prejudice” fail; courts uphold the “without prejudice” status.
• Civil Suit: Cindy’s attempt to seek damages through a $20 million civil lawsuit is dismissed—no agent or official held liable.
• Lasting Damage: Todd Sommer’s death certificate still says homicide, and Cindy lives with the “trace of suspicion” the case title refers to.

6. Moving Forward

• A New Start: Cindy changes her name, remarries, and relocates to the Midwest.
• Family Reconciliation: She regains custody of her children, maintains strong ties with them, and celebrates new milestones.
• Enduring Shadow: Relationship with her youngest son is "complicated;" the case, and its notoriety, still hover in the background of her life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was a long shot. It was like going through a mouse hole with a Mack truck.”
  — Cindy Sommer on her retrial hopes (01:52)

• “Science just proved it.”
  — Cindy Sommer, affirming her innocence (13:58)

• “They wanted to do this without me being present at all. They waited till 4 o’clock, hoping I wouldn't even be found.”
  — Alan Bloom, on the prosecution’s maneuvering (11:23)

• “No one should ever, ever let this go — the word go out that the system worked in Cindy’s case.”
  — Alan Bloom (16:34)

• “She said, oh, I forgot. And it reminded me of Bart Simpson...I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. Can't prove a thing.”
  — Alan Bloom, on the prosecutor’s explanation for withholding crucial evidence (24:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:03] The transport bus: Cindy’s conviction overturned
• [04:36] Role of arsenic testing and lab doubts
• [06:05] Defense undermines prosecution’s expert testimony
• [09:27] Alan Bloom learns dismissal is imminent—dashes from golf course to courthouse
• [10:37] Dismissal of all charges: Canadian lab clears Cindy
• [12:11] Cindy learns she's being released
• [13:01] Cindy walks out free
• [14:28] Struggles adjusting to freedom—humorous story about being denied a celebratory drink due to lack of ID
• [15:44] DA defends her office’s conduct
• [20:39] Bloom’s trust in the system collapses
• [22:36] Legal requirement to share exculpatory evidence (Brady violation)
• [24:40] Prosecutor’s shifting story about the tissue evidence
• [29:51] Cindy reflects with humor on how the prosecution characterized her motives
• [33:43] Cindy has remarried, living quietly under a new name
• [35:59] Cindy never receives an apology
• [36:37] Last word on whether she feels exonerated

Conclusion

Reversal of Fortune is a searing indictment of the forensic and prosecutorial failings that can imperil lives. The episode exposes how confirmation bias, missing evidence, and a “win at all costs” mindset nearly cost Cindy Sommer her life and liberty. While she is now free, she remains indelibly marked by years of suspicion and loss—her experience a cautionary tale about the fallibility of the justice system and the costly elusiveness of true exoneration.