The Alternate: Inside America's Biggest Trials
You’ve been summoned. Set your bias aside and take a seat in the jury box—The Alternate brings you inside America’s biggest trials, one season at a time. Hosted by Mama Margot, attorney, veteran, and creator of the hit podcast Military Murder, and Tabitha Kane, business owner and co-host of the hit podcast Housewives of True Crime, this daily podcast delivers serialized, (day of) trial-by-trial coverage in 30 minutes or less.Each season follows a single high-profile case (think Karen Read and Bryan Kohberger) from opening statement to verdict. No pretrial noise. No media spin. Just the facts revealed in open court—...
Episodes
The Dismembered Wife Trial // GA v Nicholas Kassotis // Verdict
A jury found former Navy JAG Nicholas Kassotis guilty on all 12 charges - including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, concealment of death, possession of a weapon during a felony, removal of body parts, and tampering with ev…
The Dismembered Wife Trial // GA v Nicholas Kassotis // Day 7 & 8
On day 7 of Georgia vs. Nicholas Kasotis, the defendant—also known as Nicholas Stark—took the stand, recounting his military and legal career, failed first marriage, and whirlwind romance with second wife Mindy. He described alleged FBI inv…
The Dismembered Wife Trial // GA v Nicholas Kassotis // Day 6
Nicholas Kassotis’s first wife, Heather Thomas, testified they’d been married six years, separated without children due to her fertility issues, and that he never paid the $1.5 million divorce judgment—she denied infidelity despite his beli…
The Dismembered Wife Trial // GA v Nicholas Kassotis // Day 5
On Day 5 of the Nicholas Kassotis trial, jurors saw a video of his second police interview, where detectives accused him of lying about an FBI handler and his wife Mindi’s supposed stroke. He denied harming her and offered to take a polygra…
The Dismembered Wife Trial // GA v Nicholas Kassotis // Day 4
Day four of the Nicholas Kassotis trial featured forensic entomologist Dr. Edward Mondor, who estimated Mindi Kassotis died between Nov. 27–30, 2022, contradicting the Dec. 1 hospital-death claim. Friend Morgan Paddock described Mindi’s par…
The Dismembered Wife Trial // GA v Nicholas Kassotis // Day 3
Betsy Mebane (Mindi Mebane Kassotis’ mother) and her husband Frank Mebane III said Mindi and Kassotis frequently moved and lived in fear. Betsy wept when Nicholas Kassotis phoned to say Mindi had suffered a stroke and was “not coming home.…
The Dismembered Wife Trial // GA v Nicholas Kassotis // Day 2
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Keith Lehman described Mindi Kassotis's brutal injuries - nine head lacerations, skull fracture, chest and abdominal trauma, and signs of defensive wounds. The body was nearly drained of blood, leaving only liver …
The Dismembered Wife Trial // GA v Nicholas Kassotis // Day 1
Step inside the courtroom as we break down the pivotal moments in the trial of Georgia vs. Nicholas Kassotis. From opening statements to key witness testimonies, this episode unpacks the legal strategies, emotional turns, and the broader im…
Heartfelt Testimonies: Bryan Kohberger Case
In today’s episode, Margot unpacks the powerful victim impact statements delivered by the surviving roommates of the Idaho student murders. Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted of killing four Idaho college students in 2022, now faces the raw…
Inside the Courtroom: The Guilty Plea of Bryan Kohberger
Join Margot today as she delve into the courtroom drama surrounding Bryan Kohberger's guilty plea in the quadruple murder case of Idaho college students. Discover the intense atmosphere, the legal maneuvers, and the emotional impact on the …
Crystal Rogers Case: Verdict and Justice - Part 2
In this gripping episode, we delve into the long-awaited trial of Brooks Hauke and Joseph Lawson, accused in the disappearance and murder of Crystal Rogers. A mother of five, Crystal vanished in 2015, leaving a community haunted by her abse…
Crystal Rogers Case: Verdict and Justice - Part 1
In this gripping episode, we delve into the long-awaited trial of Brooks Hauke and Joseph Lawson, accused in the disappearance and murder of Crystal Rogers. A mother of five, Crystal vanished in 2015, leaving a community haunted by her abse…
Preppy Party Murder Trial - CT vs Raul Valle (Death of James "Jimmy" McGarth)
In this episode of The Alternate, we dive into the Preppy Party Murder Trial of Raul “Lido” Valet, accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Jimmy McGrath at a chaotic high school party in Shelton, Connecticut. The episode examines key witnes…
The Sean Combs Trial - Week 8 - Diddy’s Split Verdict
On today’s episode of The Alternate, Tabitha breaks down the dramatic split verdict in the Sean "Diddy" Combs civil trial. The jury found Diddy liable on several counts, while clearing him on others - creating a whirlwind of public reaction…
Karen Read reTrial - The Aftermath
In this episode, we dive into what’s unfolded since the stunning verdict in the Karen Read case. We cover: Statements from jurors and what they revealed about deliberations The DA’s response and Hank Brennan's official statement pos…
The Sean Combs Trial - Week 7 // Closing Arguments & Official Verdict Watch
Welcome to the Alternate! This week, Margot recaps week seven of the Sean Combs federal trial. Week 7 also brought closing arguments and when week 8 kicks off we will officially be on verdict watch. The prosecution said even one freak-of…
The Sean Combs Trial - Week 6 // Sex Tapes & $46k in Damages
Welcome to The Alternate! This week, Margot recaps week six of Sean “Diddy” Combs' federal trial, a week filled with explicit evidence, juror drama, and damaging testimony. Prosecutors introduced sex tapes, hotel records showing tens of t…
Karen Read NOT GUILTY on 3 Original Charges!
On this emotional final episode covering the Karen Read retrial, Margot breaks down the jury’s dramatic verdict: not guilty on all major charges- second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene. Karen was convicted only of OUI an…
The Lori Vallow Daybell Trial - Doomsday Mom
Lori Vallow Daybell, already serving multiple life sentences for the 2019 murders of her two children, Tammy Daybell, and conspiracies involving Charles Vallow, was convicted on June 12, 2025 in Arizona of conspiring with her late brother A…
The Sean Combs Trial - Week 5 - Kanye West Appears
Welcome to The Alternate! This week, Tab recaps week five of Sean “Diddy” Combs' federal trial, marked by intense testimony from “Jane,” Combs’ ex, detailing years of abuse, coercion, and “hotel nights.” Echoing earlier witness Cassie Ventu…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 33 - Closing Arguments
On Day 33, closing arguments concluded a seven-week retrial over the 2022 death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe. Defense attorney Alan Jackson repeatedly asserted, “there was no collision,” arguing the case was tainted by misconduct …
Karen Read reTrial - Day 31 - Details Matter
Today, Tab recaps Day 31 of the Karen Read retrial. The defense wrapped up with expert Dr. Rentschler testifying about biomechanical testing, crash dummies, and faulty reports used by the prosecution. Things got heated as Brennan cross-exam…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 30 - Battle of the Experts
On Day 30 of the Karen Read retrial, courtroom tensions rose with gripping testimony from Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, who directly challenged the prosecution’s theory. She asserted that John O’Keefe died from blunt force trauma - not hypothermi…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 29 - Sidebar After Sidebar
Day 29 of the Karen Reed retrial was marked by significant courtroom drama, including a mistrial motion related to a sweatshirt and intense expert testimonies. The defense presented two key witnesses, Dr. Wolf and Dr. Lappasato, whose analy…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 28 - The Layered Taillight
Today, Margot discusses Day 28 of the Karen Read trial, focusing on the testimony of Dr. Daniel Wolf, an accident reconstruction expert. She details the various tests conducted by Dr. Wolf to challenge the prosecution's claims, highlighting…
The Sean Combs Trial - Week 4 - From "Freak Offs" to "Hotel Nights"
In week four of the Sean Combs federal trial, covering testimonies from June 2nd to June 6th, 2025, significant evidence and key witness accounts were presented. Returning witness Mia detailed her trauma and PTSD from working with Combs, wh…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 27 - No Body In the Snow
Today, Tab discusses Day 27 of the Karen Reed retrial, focusing on the testimonies of key witnesses including Brian Logren, a snow plow driver, and Karina Kolokithis, a Canton resident. Logren's observations during the night of the incident…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 26 - Sequestered
Today, Tab discusses the proceedings of Day 26 of the Karen Reed retrial, focusing on the testimonies of Dr. Marie Russell and Sergeant Nicholas Barrows. Dr. Russell faced intense cross-examination regarding her expertise on dog bites and t…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 25 - 38,000 Texts
Day 25 of the Karen Read retrial featured intense testimony. Jonathan Demantis, a longtime friend of Trooper Proctor, confirmed Proctor’s firing over crude texts about Read, which the prosecution read aloud, including offensive remarks abou…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 24 - Does Prosecution Even Trust Their Own Reports?
It's Day 24 of the Karen Read retrial, and the defense finally took the stage. Forensic expert Matthew DiSorga challenged the prosecution's timeline, revealing discrepancies in vehicle phone data that could cast doubt on their theory. He cl…
The Sean Combs Trial - Week 3 - 40oz NOT to Freedom
Tab recap week three of the federal trial against music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs. The allegations include sex trafficking, racketeering, and abuse. Key testimonies include a former assistant claiming kidnapping at gunpoint, an LAPD officer …
Karen Read reTrial - Day 23 - What if I Clipped Him in the Knee?
On Day 23 of Karen Read’s retrial, the prosecution rested its case after presenting 38 witnesses over six weeks. The final testimony came from crash reconstructionist Dr. Judson Welcher, who faced intense cross-examination regarding his met…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 22 - $400k!!!
Today, Tab provides a detailed recap of Day 22 of the Karen Reed retrial, focusing on the testimony of Dr. Judson Welcher and the cross-examination by defense attorney Robert Alessi. The discussion highlights the complexities of the case, i…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 21 Title - Blue Paint Demo
Today, we are focusing on the testimony of Dr. Judson Welcher, an accident reconstructionist. The conversation covers the technical aspects of the case, including data analysis from the vehicle involved, the reconstruction of the collision,…
The Sean Combs Trial Week 2 - 20k Extortion & a Molotov Cocktail
In the second week of Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, prosecutors presented 12 witnesses to support allegations of abuse and coercion. Singer Dawn Richard testified that Combs physically assaulted Cassie …
Karen Read reTrial - Day 20 - Raccoon Eyes…from a Back-of-Head Hit?
On Day 20 of Karen Read's retrial, neurosurgeon Dr. Izak Wolf testified that Boston police officer John O'Keefe's fatal head injuries were consistent with a backward fall on frozen ground, not an assault. He noted that the resulting brain t…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 19 - D’s Get Degrees
In today's episode, Tab recaps the latest developments in the Karen Read murder retrial. Defense attorney Robert Alessi resumed cross-examination of digital forensic analyst Shannon Burgess, challenging the synchronization of SUV Techstream…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 18 - Aperture Expert… or Total Sham?!
Today Margot kicks off Day 18 of the Karen Reed trial, recapping testimony from three experts. DNA specialist Nicholas Bradford revealed a mixed DNA sample on the SUV’s tail light that could include John O’Keefe but wasn’t a definitive matc…
Karen Read reTrial - Day 17 - Gasp-Free Zone
On Day 17 (May 16, 2025) of Karen Read’s retrial, Judge Cannone admonished jurors against expressive reactions. The prosecution replayed Karen’s video of finding a glass shard on John O’Keefe’s nose. DNA analyst Andre Porto testified that J…
The Sean Combs Trial Week 1 - Did someone say “P” Diddy?
In this explosive first weekly recap of The Alternate, Tab breaks down week one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' closed-door trial. Diddy faces charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and more - potentially facing life in prison. With openin…