One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
People vs. Karen, Part 3: Katie Sorenson Goes To Trial
Katie Sorensen and her attorney, Charles Dresow, listen as her sentence is read by judge Laura Passaglia during her sentencing at Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa on June 29, 2023.
(
Kent Porter
/
The Press Democrat
)
Listen
52:50
Nury & The Secret Tapes: Part 3
Host Antonia Cereijido presses former L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez to account for the racist, hurtful comments she made on the secret recording that rocked Los Angeles and led to her resignation. CONTENT WARNING: Sensitive subject matter. Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months! Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
Topline:
In the third episode of Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen, Katie Sorensen's criminal case heads to trial. The Sonoma County district attorney argues that Sorensen was an aspiring influencer who fabricated a sensational story to go viral. Will a jury find her guilty?
Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen tells the story of Sadie and Eddie Martinez, a Latino couple who were falsely accused of attempted kidnapping by a white woman in December 2020, and how they fought to hold her accountable.
What's in Episode 3: Sadie and Eddie Martinez take the witness stand and tell the jury no attempted kidnapping ever happened at the Michaels craft store in December 2020. Katie Sorensen also testifies — marking her first public appearance since making her viral Instagram video more than two years earlier.
What's the prosecutor's argument? The prosecutor argues that Sorensen was an aspiring influencer who made up the entire attempted kidnapping story to gain followers and boost her online business, Motherhood Essentials.
What's Sorensen's defense? The defense attorney argues that Sorensen was extremely nervous at Michaels that day due to the pandemic, and she misinterpreted Eddie and Sadie Martinez's behavior as threatening. But he maintains Sorensen truly felt afraid, and did not knowingly file a false police report.
The question is: Did Sorensen knowingly lie to police about what happened? And can the prosecutor convince a jury of that, beyond a reasonable doubt?
Sponsored message
Where can I listen?:
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
