Episode 552: Marie Robards
Dive deep into a chilling tale of familial betrayal in the latest episode of Morbid, where hosts Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart unravel the unsettling account of Marie Robards, a teenager who took drastic measures in an attempt to restructure her family dynamics. A story that blurs the lines between desperate longing and calculated malice, this episode explores the consequences when the desire to reunite with a loved one leads to the darkest of outcomes.
As Ash and Alaina dissect the details of the case, from the deceptive innocence of a daughter to the fateful confession to a friend, listeners are provided a comprehensive look into the investigation that ensued. The narrative takes us through the complexities of the trial, shedding light on the psychological underpinnings that drove a seemingly ordinary teen to commit an extraordinary crime. This episode of Morbid presents a meticulous examination of the events that culminated in a verdict that would forever alter the course of a young woman's life.
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1-Page Summary
Maria Robards murders her father by poisoning his food with stolen barium acetate
Maria Robards was consumed by the desire to live with her mother, leading her to poison her father with barium acetate in hopes of inducing illness that would necessitate a move. She confided the act to her friend Stacy, whose mother advised Stacy to handle the situation independently. Stacy's eventual disclosure to a school counselor triggered police involvement. A medical examiner confirmed lethal levels of barium acetate in her father's blood, and Maria was arrested. Initially, she confessed but later pled not guilty in court, claiming her intent was not to kill. Her defense portrayed her as an emotionally distraught teenager, while the prosecution argued that Maria, a knowledgeable science student, understood the fatal consequences. Ultimately, Maria was found guilty and sentenced to 28 years in prison, eligible for parole after seven years.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Barium acetate is a toxic compound that can be lethal when ingested in high amounts. It is a salt of barium, a heavy metal known for its poisonous properties. Barium acetate can cause severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, and in extreme cases, it can lead to organ failure and death. Medical treatment for barium acetate poisoning typically involves supportive care to manage symptoms and prevent further absorption of the toxin.
- Legal proceedings involve a series of steps that occur in a court of law to resolve a dispute or determine someone's guilt or innocence. Terms like "pleading not guilty" mean the accused person denies the charges brought against them. "Sentenced to 28 years in prison, eligible for parole after seven years" indicates the punishment given by the court and the possibility of early release under certain conditions. The defense and prosecution are the legal teams representing the accused and the state, respectively, in a criminal trial.
- Maria's defense argued that she was emotionally distressed and did not intend to kill her father, portraying her as a troubled teenager. The prosecution contended that Maria, being a knowledgeable science student, was fully aware of the deadly consequences of her actions. These arguments formed the crux of the legal battle during Maria's trial.
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Maria Robards murders her father by poisoning his food with stolen barium acetate
Maria Robards’ case, detailed by the hosts, follows her journey from a desperate act to reunite with her mother to a courtroom where her fate is sealed.
Maria was desperate to move back in with her mother and saw her father's sickness as a way to do that
Marie Robards explains to a reporter that she had never truly considered the consequences of her actions. Despite being treated well by her father, she was much closer to her mother and yearned to return to live with her. This desire drove her to make an impulsive decision that would change her life forever.
Maria confessed the murder to her friend, but her friend's mom told her to figure it out on her own
The night Marie confessed the poisoning to her friend Stacy, it was Stacy's mother Libby who initially doubted the story, attributing it to grief. However, once the gravity of the confession dawned upon her, Libby chose not to intervene, believing Stacy should navigate this grave matter on her own. While Stacy struggled with the decision, she eventually turned to a school counselor for help, leading to police involvement.
The medical examiner tested Stephen Robards' blood and confirmed high levels of barium acetate
The medical investigation revealed startling results. The medical examiner found a lab in Texas capable of testing for barium acetate. Upon examination, Stephen Robards' blood contained 250 times the normal level of barium acetate, far exceeding lethal amounts.
Maria is arrested and confesses but later pleads not guilty
Maria was arrested at the UT Austin campus, and Tarrant County prosecutor Mitchell Poe noted that she was forthcoming and didn’t try to hide her actions. Despite her initial confession upon arrest, when Marie appeared for her arraignment the next day, she pleaded not guilty.
Maria says she only wanted to make her father sick so she could move out, not kill him
Marie's explanation for her actions was that she was in a desperate situation, feeling rejected by her mother and made a premeditated but desperate decision to change that. It was argued that the excessive amount of poison found in her father's body, 28 times more than what would make him sick, sugg ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Maria Robards murders her father by poisoning his food with stolen barium acetate
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Barium acetate is a toxic compound that can be lethal in high doses. It is a salt formed by the combination of barium and acetic acid. When ingested, it can cause severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, and in extreme cases, it can lead to paralysis and death. The effects of barium acetate poisoning can vary depending on the amount ingested and how quickly medical treatment is administered.
- An arraignment is a court proceeding where the charges against a defendant are read, and they enter a plea (guilty or not guilty). Parole is the supervised release of a prisoner before the end of their sentence, contingent on good behavior and meeting certain conditions.
- The legal proceedings in Maria Robards' case involved her arrest, arraignment, trial, ...
Counterarguments
- Maria's intent to only make her father sick, not kill him, could be questioned based on the amount of poison used; however, it could be argued that as a teenager, she may not have fully understood the dosage and lethality, despite her good science marks.
- The decision of Maria's friend's mother to not intervene after the confession could be criticized for lacking responsibility, but it could also be argued that she was placed in a difficult position without clear guidelines on how to handle such a confession.
- The plea of not guilty after an initial confession might seem contradictory, but it could be a strategic legal move advised by her defense team to ensure a fair trial and the possibility of a lesser sentence.
- The defense's portrayal of Maria as an emotionally distraught teenager might seem to minimize the gravity of her act ...
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