Overview of Dateline True Crime Weekly from NBC News
This episode covers several major true-crime developments: Bryan Kohberger’s attempt to withdraw his Idaho guilty plea in the University of Idaho student murders; a Kansas murder conviction that is now leading to a wrongful death lawsuit; updates from the Dateline roundup on the Lindsay Clancy trial and the case against TikTok singer David; and a preview of the new season of Missing in America, focused on the disappearance of Ashley Loring Heavy Runner.
Bryan Kohberger Tries to Undo His Guilty Plea
Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty in the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, has now filed a post-conviction petition asking for a trial.
What Kohberger is claiming
- He says he is innocent.
- He argues his guilty plea was coerced by his defense team.
- He claims his attorneys misled him about what life in prison would be like.
- He also alleges they failed to share exculpatory evidence that could support his innocence.
The evidence prosecutors used
- A blood drop on a knife sheath found near Madison Mogen’s body.
- DNA and genetic genealogy linking Kohberger to that sheath.
- Records showing he purchased a K-Bar knife and sheath months before the murders.
Why this matters
- Undoing a guilty plea after sentencing is extremely rare.
- Under Idaho’s post-conviction rules, Kohberger must show a manifest injustice.
- The judge will first decide whether to grant an evidentiary hearing.
- If denied, Kohberger could appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court.
Families’ reaction
- The victims’ families are deeply frustrated that the case is being reopened.
- Madison Mogen’s family said Kohberger got the deal he wanted and now wants “another chance to roll the dice.”
Kansas: Monica McKay’s Murder Conviction Leads to More Legal Action
A Kansas jury convicted Brian McKay of murdering his estranged wife, Monica McKay, and now her son is pursuing a wrongful death case.
Background on the case
- Monica was found dead in a bathtub after her son Ryan came to visit on Thanksgiving Day 2024.
- Investigators suspected foul play quickly.
- McKay was arrested months later and charged with:
- First-degree murder
- Stalking
What prosecutors argued
- They said McKay killed Monica and tried to make it look accidental.
- Prosecutors suggested a possible motive was financial gain, including insurance money.
What the defense argued
- The defense said investigators targeted the wrong person.
- They pointed to Monica’s recent dating life and argued there may have been other possible explanations.
- They also challenged the prosecution’s timeline.
Sentencing and next steps
- The judge sentenced McKay to 50 years to life.
- Monica’s son Ryan has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
- That civil trial is scheduled to begin on September 23.
Dateline Roundup
Lindsay Clancy Trial: Mental Health vs. Intent
The Massachusetts trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children, is underway.
Prosecution’s position
- Prosecutors say Clancy acted intentionally, rationally, and swiftly.
- They argued she wanted to escape her life and took her children with her.
Defense’s position
- The defense says Clancy was in a psychotic break.
- They argue she was over-medicated and struggling with serious mental health issues.
Key testimony
- Her ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, testified emotionally about the children.
- Prosecutors used his testimony to show how normal family life appeared before the killings.
- He also said Lindsay had seemed desperate, wasn’t sleeping, and had talked about suicide and even harming the children.
TikTok Singer David: Case Sent to Trial
The hearing for David Anthony Burke continued in Los Angeles.
Allegations
- He is accused of killing Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in the trunk of his Tesla.
- Charges include:
- First-degree murder
- Sexual abuse of a minor
- Mutilation of human remains
Evidence highlighted
- Prosecutors showed text messages referring to a relationship between David and Celeste.
- They also presented messages suggesting Celeste confronted him shortly before prosecutors say he killed her.
Defense response
- The defense argued Celeste often sent threatening texts and that this was part of their relationship dynamic.
Result
- The judge ruled prosecutors presented enough evidence to send the case to trial.
- David’s next court date is August 31.
Missing in America: Ashley Loring Heavy Runner
Josh Mankiewicz previewed the new season of Missing in America, which includes the disappearance of Ashley Loring Heavy Runner.
The case
- Ashley disappeared in 2017 from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.
- She was 20 years old and pregnant at the time.
- Her sister Kimberly has been a driving force in the search ever since.
Why the case stands out
- The family believes law enforcement stopped searching too soon.
- Kimberly pushed investigators to examine Ashley’s relationships, including:
- An older man she had recently become involved with
- The pregnancy, which involved someone else
Bigger issue: missing and murdered Indigenous women
- The episode emphasizes how common it is for Native families to feel overlooked.
- Kimberly’s advocacy helped push changes, including:
- A new Bureau of Indian Affairs response policy
- A cold-case-focused Missing and Murdered Unit
- Mankiewicz stressed that more resources, faster response times, and dedicated forensic support are still badly needed.
Why the series exists
- The goal of Missing in America is to keep long-cold cases in the public eye.
- The hope is that someone hearing the story may finally come forward with information.
Key Takeaways
- Kohberger’s case is not over: his guilty plea is now being challenged, but overturning it will be difficult.
- The McKay case continues in civil court even after a murder conviction.
- Mental illness and criminal responsibility remain central in the Clancy trial.
- The David case is moving toward trial after the judge found enough evidence.
- Missing persons cases, especially involving Indigenous women, remain under-resourced and heavily reliant on public attention and family advocacy.