This is not a trial — it's a probable cause hearing with different evidentiary rules. Hearsay is permitted. There is no jury. The state only needs to show enough evidence to satisfy Judge Graf that the case warrants trial. Understanding this gap is essential to not being misled by clips of objections and procedural fireworks.
Where this was said
At 6:55 · chapter starts 4:57
Before bringing in eyewitnesses and experts, Blake Neff lays the factual groundwork. Erica Kirk was present, seated next to Rob and Kathy — Charlie's parents — along with Don Jr., Jack Posobiec, Brandon Tatum, and Graham Allen. Blake makes clear this is a preliminary hearing, not the trial itself: there is no jury, and the state only needs to meet a probable cause threshold to convince Judge Tony Graf the case should proceed. He explains the looser hearsay rules in a preliminary hearing versus a trial, using the example of a police officer summarizing what was in the medical examiner's report — something that would require the actual medical examiner in a trial. Jobob observes that watching the process gave him renewed confidence in the judge's discernment. [1] — Blake Neff "This is not a trial — it's a probable cause hearing with different evidentiary rules. Hearsay is permitted. There is no jury. The state onl…" 06:55
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Season 5 of Dateline: Missing in America brings six new unsolved mysteries. The show is explicitly asking listeners to engage — because a detail someone remembers might be the break investigators need.
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