Talking Dateline: Shining Star
Digest
The podcast "Shining Star" delves into the murder of Chikita Tate, a promising criminal defense attorney. The episode features an interview with her sister, Danita Tate, who shares the devastating impact of the tragedy on her family. The investigation revealed that Chikita's husband, Greg Harris, was the prime suspect. Evidence, including intermingled blood on sunglasses, pointed to his involvement. The police used a bluff during an interview with Greg Harris, leading him to confess. The episode explores various leads, including the hair found in Chikita's hand, the missing wallet, and an anonymous tip about a lesbian love triangle. Danita Tate discusses her initial disbelief and the years it took her to accept the truth, as well as the subsequent loss of another sister to gun violence. The podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline if they or someone they know is experiencing domestic violence.
Outlines
The Murder of Chikita Tate
This episode investigates the murder of Chikita Tate, a criminal defense attorney, focusing on the evidence that led to her husband, Greg Harris, as the prime suspect. The episode also features an interview with Chikita's sister, Danita Tate, who shares the impact of the tragedy on her family.
The Investigation and Greg Harris's Arrest
The podcast explores the police investigation, including the use of a bluff during an interview with Greg Harris, which led to his confession. The episode discusses various leads pursued by the detectives, including the hair found in Chikita's hand, the missing wallet, and the anonymous tip about a lesbian love triangle.
Danita Tate's Perspective
The podcast features an interview with Chikita's sister, Danita Tate, who shares her perspective on the case and the impact of her sister's murder on her family. Danita discusses her initial disbelief and the years it took her to accept the truth, as well as the subsequent loss of another sister to gun violence.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline if they or someone they know is experiencing domestic violence. The episode ends with a thank you to Dennis Murphy and a preview of the next episode.
Keywords
Shining Star
The episode title, "Shining Star," refers to Chikita Tate, who was a promising young attorney and a bright light in her family and community. The title highlights her accomplishments and the tragic loss of her potential.
Intermingled Blood
A key piece of evidence in the case, intermingled blood on sunglasses found at the crime scene, strongly linked Greg Harris to the murder. This evidence was crucial in proving his guilt.
Domestic Violence
The podcast explores the theme of domestic violence through the tragic experiences of Chikita Tate and her sister, Wontonger. The episode highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and encourages listeners to seek help if they are experiencing it.
Greg Harris
The husband of Chikita Tate and the prime suspect in her murder. The episode details the investigation that led to his arrest and confession.
Danita Tate
Chikita Tate's sister, who shares her perspective on the case and the impact of her sister's murder on her family. Danita discusses her initial disbelief and the years it took her to accept the truth, as well as the subsequent loss of another sister to gun violence.
Q&A
What was the key piece of evidence that linked Greg Harris to Chikita Tate's murder?
The key piece of evidence was intermingled blood found on sunglasses retrieved from the crime scene. This evidence strongly suggested that Greg Harris was present at the scene and had been in close proximity to Chikita during the attack.
How did the police use a bluff to get Greg Harris to confess?
The police questioned Greg Harris about his whereabouts after leaving Chikita's office, claiming they had access to his phone records. They then challenged his alibi, suggesting he had been to a specific location where the missing wallet was found, leading him to confess.
What impact did Chikita Tate's murder have on her sister, Danita Tate?
Danita Tate initially struggled to believe that Greg Harris was responsible for her sister's death. She also experienced the tragic loss of another sister to gun violence, further compounding her grief and leading her to become an advocate against domestic violence.
Why did Danita Tate become an advocate against domestic violence?
Danita Tate's personal experiences with domestic violence, both through her sister's murder and the subsequent loss of another sister, motivated her to become an advocate. She aims to help others in similar situations by providing knowledge and encouragement to escape abusive relationships.
Show Notes
Josh Mankiewicz talks with Dennis Murphy about his episode “Shining Star.” In 2009, criminal defense attorney, Chiquita Tate, was found stabbed to death in her Baton Rouge, Louisiana law office. After an exhaustive investigation, authorities zero in on their suspect. Chiquita’s sister Danita Tate joins the conversation to discuss her advocacy work in educating the community on domestic violence. Josh and Dennis talk Murphy’s Law and how Dateline episodes get their titles.
Get resources on domestic violence: https://www.thehotline.org/
Learn more about Juantonja Richmond’s case: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/police-close-case-two-friends-murdered-georgia-familys-pleas-answers-rcna138033
Listen to the full episode of "Shining Star" here: https://link.chtbl.com/dl_shiningstar
these Talking Dateline episodes are so information-free. Their only charm is their unscripted nature - something the episodes themselves could well adopt