pdlinda

She ruined the episode for me. The focus of the episode should be on the storytellers involved in the crime and the victim, not the host.

I also thought he would be ID'd as a "savant" like Forrest Gump! I guess a workup like that would have stressed the legal budget (apparently paid for by the dad??) beyond what was possible, so the lawyers did the best with what they had.

I hope the episode host refines her skills as I was distracted by her manner and style of conducting the interviews. Distractions ranged from the NUMEROUS hairstyles she showed at different times interviewing different people to the verbal cues she showed when responding to their remarks. I think this episode was in the works for a VERY LONG TIME so i'm glad the case finally ended with the verdict of 'not guilty" so Dateline could put this episode "to bed" without going through the appeals process.

Yes, BIZARRE is the proper term for the principals in this case. If it's any comfort, after doing criminal defense work for years, I can state that Zach Hughes WILL NOT HAVE AN EASY TIME IN PRISON...NOT AT ALL. Once he's placed in the prison's general population (after an initial orientation period because he's involved in a "high profile" case), he will have to be looking over his shoulder 24/7. Someone will offer to 'protect" him for a "price." Hopefully, the father who is "so proud" of his son, has enough cash to keep his son safe. It doesn't come 'cheap." Not at all!!

I agree with you regarding the verdict. I, also, would have voted "NOT GUILTY" as the State failed to prove their case "beyond a reasonable doubt." There WERE DOUBTS, as you point out. From my many years doing criminal defense work, when a jury acquits a defendant, the prosecutor and police dept. usually DO NOT PURSUE FINDING THE KILLER OF THE VICTIM OF A CRIME. HOWEVER, there is no statute of limitations for murder cases in my State, SO, IF IN THE FUTURE some new info surfaces that is reported to the police, the case may be referred for prosecution. Short of that, the case will remain unsolved in the eyes of the law.

Yes, I watched the new show and was very interested in the cases Dr. Lee treated. Overall, I thought the new show was GREAT!!

Yes, I was always taught and went on to promote the proposition (as you said): "IT'S BETTER TO BE WITH NO ONE THAN TO BE WITH THE WRONG ONE."

In my experience with criminal defense, the police don't read anyone their Miranda rights until they arrest you. Before that, if the person is not acquainted with their rights (like Ellie apparently wasn't) they will question you; however, if Ellie's subsequent lawyer chose to bring the issue of her being interviewed by the police without either her mother being there or the officers not alerting her to her rights, that would be another story. When she appeals her case, I bet that's what a judge might decide is reversable error.

Yes...very brazen and falsely "sanctimonious." We must remember...she had TWO parents...seems like the genetic "bond" is more closely aligned with the convicted felon father. Also, I wonder how many of Susan's "mental health issues" were caused by whatever severe "stress" she likely suffered in that marriage. From my lengthy experience in the field, a person doesn't become an obsessive cocaine addict to the extent he was overnight. It takes YEARS of trying to cope with life situations by using illegal stimulants (or prescription meds usually obtained illegally) to evolve to the point he was at after Susan's death. I would venture to guess that, as I heard many times from clients incarcerated due to illegal drug addiction: "My household growing up was DYSFUNCTION JUNCTION." In other words: A real "crazy house." That in spite of the financial wealth and his profession as a "psychologist."

I don't know who his lawyer was, but that was ONE SMOKIN' DEAL he obtained for his client! From my experience doing criminal defense work, I would say, if he behaves in prison (that one could assume would be the case), he's likely to spend a MINIMAL amount of time behind bars. That's because he's a first-time offender whose crime (in the eyes of the prison authorities) is very "run of the mill." Actually, as the toxicologist expert testified, Susan's death was one of excruciating cruelty and pain! I was surprised that the family, after investing what I think must have been MILLIONS of $$$ in pursuing the case, was OK with the plea deal. Of course, the prosecutors don't have to follow the family's wishes but it's usually an important component of its decision to offer an Alford plea. Also, he was held accountable for her death in civil court, so, probably like OJ, he's tie up his future earnings in various ways to avoid having to pay damages to the family he hates with avengence! Then, again, he has his daughters' love and support. Tough for the parents to accept but it's unlikely the daughters will "come around" to accept them into their lives anytime soon. All in all, I think he should have received at least 25 yrs in prison and that would have likely been the case if there was a trial. He DIDN'T GET AN APPROPRIATE SENTENCE FOR THE HEINOUS CRIME HE COMMITTED. Finally, he will still be considered a CONVICTED FELON for the rest of his life, so there's that...AND, his future earnings and reputation may be severely compromised by the fact that he's a confirmed ILLEGAL DRUG ADDICT. That's a felony offense in my state, SOOO if it's a crime in OKLAHOMA and he's ever charged with that crime (like OJ was put in prison for another crime), he's likely to have the "book thrown at him."

At this point, I AM CONVINCED that the legacy networks (ABC/NBC/CBS) are in revenue freefall...people simply are going to other forms of media...yes, i know each has a streaming venue but insofar as production costs for long-running shows like our favorite "true crime genre" are concerned, I see $$$ being cut bigtime. Therefore, what we're seeing are cases covered YEARS AGO being revisited as "new developments" like the actual trial occur. Much less expensive to cover. They have a time slot so that's why we're stuck with "stretching out" each episode. The thing that ALWAYS amazes me is how unfazed and "normal" the actual perpetrators of the crimes appear, regardless of the grisly facts that emerge regarding their PROVEN role in committing the crime. I always attribute that to their inner core of "denial" and the fact that jails/prisons have a robust program of "medication protocols" for 90% of inmates whom they deem to be "seriously mentally ill."

A few years ago, Molly was given a host job on one of FN Seasonal Baking Championships series. The series was seriously panned with her as a host. Of course, her "Girl Meets Farm" show was in full swing and continued. I don't think a spot appearance on another FN show would negate the status of her show. I never knew how strong the show's ratings were, or if her audience was growing or decreasing.

I watched the new episode on cable. Same. No "intro" with Nick and the kids. At the end I waited to see when the show was filmed. It was 2024. I watched a few "new" episodes last year and each seemed "dated" insofar as Molly's "look" and wardrobe style. I also waited until the end to see when those episodes were filmed. It was 2022. I'm guessing the show was not renewed and FN has these extra episodes "in the can" to show. I say that because I see Molly on Instagram. She has a new, very modern, short haircut and she looks very thin and "fresh". Her posts are mostly about different lunches she prepares for her girls, but there are other posts about different other food-related subjects. She has the restaurant and a new book and different other projects so I'm guessing she was ready to let the show go (whether or not the channel offered her renewal or not, we'll never know).

I remark about the same thing with every single episode. Every victim is described with the same glowing, remarkable terms. "Lights up a room", "a sparkling personality", "once you meet her/him you'll never forget him/her", " a smile that was unforgettable." The thought occurred to me that only the very best of humanity are crime victims according to the reality crime shows like Dateline. I worked in criminal defense for many years so I KNOW the truth. In many instances, the criminal behavior involves two individuals who were arguing or otherwise engaged in conflict. If a clock was used to monitor the ultimate event (the death of one) at one moment, one of the parties was the "victim"...10 minutes before, the OTHER PARTY was the victim of criminal behavior (but not killed), and so it goes...it's like a "dance of dysfunction" made up of many component pieces of a relationship puzzle. However, I admit that the surviving family members/friends must feel better remembering their deceased loved one in the terms mentioned, regardless of the truth...so there's that....

I completely agree with you! The mother looked very frail and it would be EXTREMELY RISKY (in my opinion) for mom to spend even ONE MINUTE in that house alone because "one false move" and she would be on the floor after a fall. That would be TERRIBLE. Yes, she would be fine living there with appropriate care, but, NO, not alone!