This is Hidden Killers with Tony Brewski.

Well, she said nothing, not one witness, not one argument, not even a closing Hail Mary from the witness stand.

After weeks of evidence, texts, timelines, and spiritual fiction turned into courtroom reality,

Lori Valladabell simply rested her case without presenting a single shred of defense.

Now, in a courtroom, that's not just a pin drop moment.

That's a mic drop.

And maybe a smoke bomb, depending on how you see it.

So the million dollar question here, besides the literal million in the life insurance, is what does it mean that a defendant just folds her arms and rests without a word? Is it a strategy? Strategy? Is it a surrender? Is it confidence? Or is it just someone who knows there's no salvaging this ship? Of course,

we're talking about Lori Valo Daybill, joining us now to discuss criminal defense attorney

and former prosecutor Eric Fattis. Eric, when you have a defendant just like this, it doesn't

better to bother to defend themselves in a case like this. What message does it send the jury

to the judge and everyone else watching along at home

with their popcorn? You know, Tony, like you said, I think there are multiple interpretations,

but just from like a common sense human perspective, often the jury wants to see something from

the defense. They've heard all the prosecution witnesses. They've heard the cross-examination,

and, you know, the defense's attempt to undermine those witnesses. But usually the jury is like,

okay, what's coming from this side? What can you show me that is going to sway my opinion in this

case? And here there was no such showing. Were you surprised that Lori decided not to do anything, not to go and take her turn as the defense?

I believe she had witnesses on a list, but last minute decides not to go any further.

What do you think happened here?

Yeah, you know, it's a little hard to glean.

You know, when you're dealing with other attorneys, an attorney on the other side of the

...