Podcast Summary: Trace of Suspicion – Episode 5, "The Big Reach"

Host: Josh Mankiewicz (Dateline/NBC News)
Date: March 24, 2026

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This gripping episode of Trace of Suspicion dives deep into the aftermath of Marine Todd Sommer's mysterious death, the ensuing trial of his widow Cindy Sommer on charges of arsenic poisoning for financial gain, and the astonishing, dramatic turns in the case. Through interviews with jurors, attorneys, and Cindy herself, host Josh Mankiewicz guides listeners through the tense verdict, the fallout, the judicial twists, and ultimately, a revelatory discovery that changes everything.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jury Deliberations and Verdict

• Atmosphere in the Jury Room ([00:49]–[02:52])

  • Jurors were intensely engaged, analyzING every witness and piece of testimony.
  • “We went through every single witness. I mean, we all had our notes. I mean, I had four notebooks.” — Juror Wendy Alton [02:32]
  • Central question: Did Todd Sommer die from arsenic poisoning? Jury unanimously agreed he did.

• Consideration of Evidence ([02:52]–[03:29])

  • Some expert testimony was liked, some dismissed.
  • Big issue was the lack of a definitive evidential link tying Cindy to arsenic.

• Cindy’s Behavior and Motive ([03:10]–[03:19])

  • Jurors scrutinized Cindy’s lifestyle changes post-Todd’s death, particularly finances and lavish spending.

• Verdict Announcement ([05:59]–[06:35])

  • The courtroom is described as tense and emotionally charged.
  • Judge reads: “We the jury find the defendant, Cynthia A. Sommer, guilty of the crime of murder of Todd Sommer... guilty of murder for financial gain. Guilty of murder by the administration of poison.” — Judge Peter Detta [06:19]

Reactions to the Verdict

• Cindy’s Immediate Response ([06:48]–[07:13])

  • Physically overwhelmed, describing tunnel vision, anxiety, and disbelief.
    • “When he read it, I just felt like I was going to pass out. A tunnel vision and I started sweating and anxiety attack.” — Cindy Sommer [06:48]

• Legal Teams’ Emotions

  • Prosecutor: Intense relief and satisfaction ([07:21]–[07:54])
    • “We were very relieved that the jury had done the right thing...” — Laura Gunn [07:21]
  • Defense: Shock and self-assessment. Bob Udell feels there was little else he could have done ([07:09])

Public and Jury Backlash

• Media and Social Media Impact ([10:26]–[11:12])

  • Jurors, especially Wendy Alton, faced public criticism, online backlash, and personal distress.
    • “It really makes me kind of sad the way that the jury’s been treated. So it’s kind of like I feel like we've been convicted and all we did was our best.” — Wendy Alton [11:02]
  • Some members of the public felt sympathy for Cindy.

• Judicial Reaction

  • Judge received numerous letters and emails urging various outcomes. ([11:54]–[12:14])

Cindy’s Fight for a New Trial

• Change in Defense Counsel ([12:14]–[13:12])

  • Six weeks post-conviction, Cindy fires Bob Udell and hires Alan Bloom, who questions whether the trial focused on facts or circumstantial conjecture.
    • “This case should be about evidence, and before you're going to send somebody to prison for the rest of their lives, you should have facts to support it.” — Alan Bloom [13:15]

• Alleged Legal and Jury Misconduct

  • Alan Bloom identifies holes in the prosecution’s case, notably the arsenic tests and evidence chain of custody ([13:36]–[13:55]).
  • Attorney Udell admits he operated from conviction in Cindy's innocence rather than strict legal analysis ([17:55]).

• Building a Case for Appeal

  • Bloom and Udell agree on a strategy focusing on ineffective assistance of counsel ([18:59]–[19:42]).
    • “Her first attorney was so convinced of her innocence ... he failed to do some of the things that should have been done.” — Alan Bloom [19:21]
    • Udell is willing to admit mistakes in court, risking his own reputation to help Cindy ([19:42])

Allegations of Jury Misconduct

• Potential Improper Deliberations and Outside Knowledge ([20:36]–[22:28])

  • Claims made that some jurors discussed the case before official deliberation and that a retired police officer on the jury considered information not introduced at trial (Cindy's extradition delays).
    • “If you were really innocent, then why wouldn't you have... come back to San Diego right away to fight the case?” — Reported statement, Alan Bloom [21:12]
  • Jurors interviewed deny any impropriety ([22:50]–[23:18]).

• Caught Between Accusations and Defense

  • Feelings of hurt and sadness among jurors about being accused of misconduct ([23:34]).

Courtroom Dramatics: The Motions for New Trial

• First Motion: Jury Misconduct Denied

  • Judge finds no evidence of jury wrongdoing, denying Bloom’s motion ([24:51]–[25:08]).

• Second Motion: Ineffective Counsel Succeeds Against All Odds

  • In a rare decision ([27:03]),
    • “If Cindy were guilty, it might be a different story. But she's not. She didn't kill Todd.” — Bob Udell [27:03]
  • Judge vacates Cindy's conviction and orders a new trial ([28:14]–[29:46])
  • The courtroom is shocked, prosecution stunned, defense elated.
    • “Their mouths were hanging open in literal astonishment, like someone who had won the lottery. Or... lost the ticket in a windstorm.” — Josh Mankiewitz [29:51]

Reflections from Key Players

• Udell’s Redemption

  • Confessional about his trial mistakes, feeling personally responsible, but also relieved by the new trial decision ([30:43]–[31:31]).
    • “Judge Stead, his decision may have restored my faith in the criminal justice system, and maybe I will continue practicing.” — Bob Udell [30:51]

• Alan Bloom’s Surprise and Satisfaction

  • Acknowledges the unique nature of the ruling ([30:30]–[30:43]).
    • “This just doesn’t happen... Not usually.” — Alan Bloom [30:32]

The Revelatory Twist

• Discovery of New Evidence ([32:06])
  • On the brink of the re-trial, both sides discover something astonishing about the original arsenic testing, setting the stage for a stunning new development.
    • “I knew all along that the testing was wrong, and I was just waiting for that to come out.” — Cindy Sommer [32:19]
    • “...when you're holding somebody's life in your hand, it's not about stealing a cookie.” — Alan Bloom [32:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Coping After Todd’s Death:
  “Until you’re in someone’s shoes, you don’t know how you would respond. I started drinking, and that was my priority...I didn't want to be in the house...and I didn't want to be sober. I don't want to be sober right now.” — Cindy Sommer [10:06]

• On Legal Regret and Professional Reflection:
  “They thought I was an animated jerk...Jury hated me. They didn’t want to hear a word that I had to say and blew us off.” — Bob Udell [17:21]

• On the Jury’s Responsibility:
  “It really makes me kind of sad the way that the jury’s been treated. So it’s kind of like I feel like we've been convicted and all we did was our best.” — Juror Wendy Alton [11:02]

• On the Importance of Evidence:
  "This case should be about evidence, and before you’re going to send somebody to prison for the rest of their lives, you should have facts to support it.” — Alan Bloom [13:15]

Important Timestamps

• 00:49 – Introduction to the jury’s dynamic, deliberations begin
• 02:32 – Jurors discuss arsenic question, evidence review
• 06:19 – Jury delivers guilty verdict
• 09:11 – Cindy’s first prison interview after conviction
• 13:08 – Alan Bloom enters the case
• 17:21 – Bob Udell reflects on jury’s perception of him
• 19:21 – Ineffective counsel as the grounds for appeal
• 24:07 – Testimony regarding jury conduct and extradition
• 25:08 – Judge denies motion for a new trial on misconduct
• 27:03 – Bob Udell admits to errors in open court
• 29:46 – Judge vacates conviction, orders new trial (shocking twist)
• 32:06 – Discovery of new evidence on the horizon

Tone & Narrative Flow

As told through the voices of those closest to the story—jurors, attorneys, Cindy herself, and Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz—the episode masterfully blends tension, personal introspection, and courtroom drama, maintaining a somber, contemplative tone. The intimate reflections and emotional toll on all parties are front and center, bringing depth to complex questions of justice, doubt, and redemption.

End Note:
Episode 5, “The Big Reach,” leaves listeners on the brink of another revelation, promising answers in the next chapter of Cindy Sommer’s remarkable legal saga.