pdlinda

Murderers don't have the highest ethical standards...wonder what else he tried to hide using his son as a shield...

I think Heather might have cognitive issues or, possibly be "on the autism spectrum"...I'm not sure she has the ability to formulate concepts to the level that would be required to feel "guilt" about Bonnie's death anymore than she did making up the probably false claim about Bonnie's supposed "abuse."

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!

Well, she was convicted in the 2nd trial so, apparently, unless there's a 3rd trial, those facts would have no bearing on the outcome.

After reading subsequent posts on this board about that Hulu documentary that portrayed Katie as engaging in theft from the practice, I have changed my opinion about her. If those allegations are true (how will we ever know??), I think that Katie had the evil intent to kill Mary. I think if the State wants to develop these theories as to why Katie was motivated to kill Mary, they will retry her. If the State Atty chooses, instead, to consider the case "resolved" and not put the $$$ and resources into prosecuting her for the 3rd time, she will never be retried. Katie spent 7 yrs in prison...so there's that...chances are, she may re-offend in the future AND she's still a CONVICTED FELON for LIFE, so there's also that. There are MANY COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES to being a convicted felon.

How do you know that? Did I miss something??

I'm still mulling this one over. 20/20 had a similar scenario of false "suicide" cause of wife's death and family pursuing justice for their loved one no matter how long it took! In both cases, it turned out to be that the wife was murdered. Bob got that $400K inheritance from his parents and was a philanderer, but not a murderer, so I'm left with Adam as my most likely suspect. He had the computer skills and was smart. He also seemed like a skillful liar on the stand. Who knows about motive. The State doesn't have to present motive although juries like to hear one. Katie did not come across as the killer no matter how hard they tried to present her as having a "dark side."

I hope so because I loved the original show! I hope she has the same producers because I always thought the "back story" of the patients, including the follow ups, were very well done! Dr. Lee is a great doctor and I always enjoyed seeing how she did each procedure and her explanations for each one!

I would agree with the "unnatural" speculation. I worked in criminal defense for many years, and I can say, WITH THE UTMOST DEGREE OF CERTAINTY that once Lori lands in prison, her crimes against her children will result in her life being in extreme jeopardy by other inmates. Prisoners have a "code of conduct" where criminal behavior is concerned. Killing CHILDREN is absolutely condemned and looked upon as INEXCUSABLE (especially with a "special needs" child). That's in every prison in every state. When she arrives in Idaho,after extradition from AZ, she'll probably be placed in PC(protective custody) confinement that keeps her isolated from GP (general population) because she has a HIGH PROFILE CASE. However, it's more expensive to keep an inmate at this level of custody SO EVENTUALLY, (if she behaves) she'll be placed in GP. PC custody usually involves 23 hrs a day solitary confinement with 1 hr out to walk around a fenced cage alone. One shower a week. If, and when, she hits GP, no matter when that may be, her problems will definitely surface and she'll have to be aware of her physical safety each and every day. My belief is that she was brought back to AZ because the VICTIMS of the crimes she being tried for here wanted legal consequences for their loved ones. Apparently, our County Atty, Rachel Mitchell, chose to go through the expense of devoting resources and attorney time in part, to be sensitive to the family's wishes. Insofar as Lori "representing herself" I'm not sure if the parties agreed to a bench trial (where there's no jury and the Judge decides her fate) but I hope so because, IMO, it will speed things up and the public won't be inconvenienced to the extent of seeing and hearing her expected "histrionics". I was on two juries (very surprised I was picked, but I was) and I can say it is a daily grind to sit and listen to testimony and then render a verdict. It's a very demanding responsibility that, especially in a murder case) takes a heavy toll physically and emotionally.

Do you have any details about the show??? For some peculiar reason (that I could never understand) I had a deep affinity for her show!! I think it's because no matter who the patient was and regardless of how disfiguring his/her presenting skin condition, I always found Dr. Lee to be GENUINELY CONCERNED and (many times) thinking "outside the box" to try and help the person have a better quality of life. I found her to be an excellent physician and a very compassionate person. I will be watching her new show! 100% guaranteed!

I think that Dateline, in general, is chipping away at its budget for this legendary show...the viewer questions in the margins each week seem to have been drafted up by a college intern???