Forensic Files

House of Secrets

Dateline NBC

  • May 28, 2024
  • 42:07
  • Full Episode
Synchronizing the audio with the ad breaks and transcriptThis takes a brief moment, please wait.

<p>Cornell student and star athlete Charlie Tan excels in everything. But when he gets caught in the middle of a murder investigation, the community is left in shock. Dennis Murphy reports.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>

Brief Summary

Charlie Tan shot his father, claiming self-defense; the case involved domestic violence and ended in a mistrial before federal charges were filed.

Key points

  • Charlie's Arrest. The shocking news of Charlie's arrest leaves friends and family in disbelief.
  • A Mother's 911 Call. Charlie's mother calls 911, revealing a chaotic and dangerous situation at home.
  • Community Support for Charlie. Despite the charges, the community rallies around Charlie, raising funds for his defense.
  • The Trial Begins. As the trial approaches, the prosecution faces challenges due to Charlie's likable character.
  • Charlie Tan's Defense Strategy. The defense claimed Charlie's mother was the true killer, flipping the narrative on its head.
  • Mistrial Declared. After 50 hours of deliberation, the jury could not reach a consensus, leading to a mistrial.

Episode highlights

Tension

75/ 100High tension

More from Dateline NBC

Solve the Crime

Read a real case one clue at a time, then see how your call held up against the investigators.

Start a Case

Join Team Forensic Files

Regular case drops, breaking crime news, and podcast premieres, straight to your inbox.

or

Forgot your password?