The prosecution in Sophia’s trial claims greed was her motive for killing Marlyne. Shortly after Sophia and Brad Johnson started dating, Sophia began stealing money from her employer. Sophia explains how the theft started and quickly spiraled out of control. By the time of the murder, Sophia was tens of thousands of dollars in debt, with a baby on the way. Was she desperate enough to commit murder? If you have questions about the case, the people at the center of this story, or anything else about this series, we want to hear them. Email beyondallrepairpod@gmail.com with a voice message or written message. *** Consider becoming a "BEYOND" member today: This show is made at WBUR, a public radio station, which means we cannot make shows like this without public support. Join our membership program, "BEYOND" here: wbur.org/beyond
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Previously on Beyond All Repair.
Her head was beaten in with, we determined later, fireplace tongs.
If you knew her, you just can't imagine that anybody could do that to her.
I mean, she was a housewife.
Instead of finding the person that might have killed my wife, they're looking at me.
I mean, what are we looking at?
Is it some kind of a robbery gone bad?
Is it a burglary in the house?
And that's where that $10,000ST comes in.
What we are asking the court to consider this evidence for is motive in the homicide.
It's February of 2003, one year after Marlene's murder and roughly one month before the trial of her alleged murderer would begin.
Your Honor, I'd like to address the very last thing that Ms.
Osler said to start my argument.
We're hearing a hearing, another one of those pre trial hearings where the prosecution and defense are legally duking it out over what evidence should and should not be allowed to be presented to the jury.
Sophia's defense attorney, Therese Lavallee, has a few things she definitely wants to keep out.
I want to keep this jury focused on the murder.
This whole trial is about the murder.
It is not about Sophia Johnson's past bad acts.
There are convictions with regard to the O'Donagough bad acts.