Overview of Dateline True Crime Weekly (NBC News) — March 19 episode
This episode, hosted by Andrea Canning, covers three main true‑crime threads from Utah and beyond: the guilty verdict in the murder trial of Corey Richens; the ongoing trial of Provo nurse Megan Sundwall, accused of killing her best friend with insulin; and a deep‑dive on how artificial intelligence is being used — and criticized — in modern policing. The show also includes a Dateline Roundup with sentencing and cold‑case DNA developments.
Corey Richens — verdict and case highlights
- What happened: Over a three‑week trial in Summit County, Utah, prosecutors presented forensic evidence, phone records, toxicology and financial documents, arguing that Corey Richens poisoned her husband, Eric, with fentanyl to collect life insurance and begin a new relationship.
- Prosecution theory: Richens was portrayed as “intensely ambitious” (the prosecutor repeated the phrase five times), financially motivated, risk‑taking, and having an affair with a handyman, Josh Grossman. Prosecutors replayed a 911 call and argued she delayed CPR by roughly six minutes, portraying her initial demeanor as detached.
- Defense strategy: Surprise decision to call no defense witnesses; Richens waived her right to testify. Defense argued the supposed motive and relationship were exaggerated, that grief looks different for everyone, and attacked the credibility of the state’s key witness (housekeeper Carmen Lauber), who the defense said had inconsistencies and a cooperation deal with prosecutors.
- Verdict and next steps: After about three hours of deliberation the jury found Richens guilty of aggravated murder and related counts (attempted aggravated murder, fraud, forgery). Sentencing is scheduled for May 13. Richens also faces 26 other felony financial charges in a separate case; prosecutors may pursue those in light of the verdict.
Provo nurse trial — Megan Sundwall (accused of killing friend Casey Terry)
- Allegations: Prosecutors say nurse Megan Sundwall injected her close friend Casey Terry with a fatal insulin overdose on Aug. 12, 2024, monitoring blood glucose until Casey lost consciousness; Casey later died in hospital three days after the incident.
- Motive claimed by prosecutors: They allege a life‑insurance motive — Casey had reportedly told people she named Megan beneficiary of a policy worth up to $1.5 million — and that Megan was in financial trouble and had an intimate relationship with a handyman. (Note: both sides later agreed that the $1.5M policy Casey referenced did not actually exist.)
- Defense case: The defense attacks the victim’s credibility, saying Casey frequently lied (including about having cancer) and that Casey may have been suicidal and self‑administered insulin. The defense does not dispute Megan was present the night of Aug. 12 but argues she was there to support Casey emotionally, not to inject her.
- Central issue: Who administered the fatal dose — Casey herself or Megan? Trial was in progress at the time of reporting.
- Warning/resource: Episode includes discussion of suicide; listeners in crisis are directed to call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
Dateline Roundup: other case developments
- Samantha Scott / Dan Serafini case (California)
- Background: Dan Serafini, former MLB pitcher, was convicted of murder and attempted murder in 2021. Samantha Scott, his nanny and lover, testified against him and later pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact.
- Recent outcome: With newly released early interview footage, Scott was sentenced this week to two years probation (no additional jail time). She apologized in court, accepted responsibility for lying to investigators, and was barred from contacting Serafini. The judge found her testimony credible though troubling.
- Illinois cold case — Karen Hearn Slover (1996)
- Background: Karen disappeared in 1996; her remains were found and Michael Slover Jr. and his parents were convicted in 2002.
- New development: Defense (with Illinois Innocence Project) secured a judge’s order requiring the Illinois State Police to submit newly identified DNA profiles (from items like duct tape used on the remains) to state and national databases. Defense says the DNA profiles do not match the Slovers and could identify other suspects. Michael Slover Jr. was paroled in 2024; his parents died in prison. Prosecutors oppose overturning the convictions so far.
AI in policing — key points from expert interview (Prof. Daniel Linna)
- Types of AI in law enforcement:
- Generative AI for drafting/summarizing police reports and evidence.
- Computer vision for weapon detection and facial recognition.
- Forensic automation (fingerprint matching) and data analytics for pattern detection.
- Predictive policing models (place‑based and person‑based) and risk assessment tools (e.g., COMPAS).
- Benefits: Speed in identifying threats (e.g., weapon detection), efficiency in searches and triage, potential to assist with parole or intervention decisions.
- Concerns:
- Bias, transparency and explainability: many tools are opaque; outputs can be treated as authoritative even when flawed.
- Wrongful consequences: wrongful arrests/misidentifications have occurred (example: a Florida man misidentified by facial recognition despite being 300 miles away).
- Overreliance: AI should be one input among many, not the sole basis for arrests or high‑stakes decisions.
- Outlook: AI use in policing will expand (including robotic tools), but responsible deployment requires better understanding, oversight, and transparency.
Notable quotes and exchanges
- Prosecutor in Richens trial: “Corey Richens is intensely ambitious.” (Repeated emphasis as a theme of motive.)
- Prosecutor on 911 call: “The first minute is not the sound of a wife becoming a widow. The first minute is the sound of a wife becoming a black widow.”
- Victim’s daughter in Serafini case: “My mom’s blood is on Samantha Scott’s hands.”
- Expert on AI: “The computer can get it wrong — this is just one input into conducting good police work and investigations.”
Key takeaways and implications
- Prosecutors won a major murder conviction in the Richens case by combining forensic evidence, timeline analysis (911/CPR delays), and motive; defense’s tactical decision not to call witnesses was notable.
- In cases hinging on intent or who administered a drug (e.g., the Sundwall case), credibility of the victim and fine distinctions about motive, relationship dynamics, and physical evidence are decisive.
- New DNA technology and re‑analysis can reopen decades‑old convictions, but results must be integrated carefully with existing case records and prosecutorial review.
- AI tools offer tangible operational advantages for law enforcement but carry significant ethical, legal, and accuracy risks; safeguards, transparency, and human oversight are essential.
Action items / resources
- If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide: call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
- For follow‑up on these stories: monitor local court calendars (sentencing dates listed, e.g., Corey Richens — May 13) and news outlets for developments in ongoing trials and DNA analyses.
- For policymakers and law enforcement: prioritize transparency, validation studies, and oversight when adopting AI tools.
Episode credits (selected)
- Host: Andrea Canning; producers and reporters included Karen Israel, Marissa Meyer, Veronica Mazzica; guest expert: Prof. Daniel Linna. Episode date: March 19.