Dana Chandler has spent many years sustaining her innocence in opposition to allegations she was chargeable for the 2002 murders of her ex-husband, Mike Sisco, and his girlfriend, Karen Harkness.
In 2025, Chandler took on her personal protection, representing herself within the third trial the state introduced in opposition to her for the murders.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket, closing): My liberty, my freedom is hanging within the steadiness.
Hailey Seel is Dana Chandler and Mike Sisco’s daughter. She and different Sisco and Harkness relations have spent many years grieving, trying to find solutions and for justice. “I want to understand what happened and why. And — and — and actually know the truth of what happened,” she tells “48 Hours” contributor Jim Axelrod.
“48 Hours” first began masking the murders in 2008 and spoke with people concerned a number of instances over time.
THE MURDERS OF MIKE SISCO AND KAREN HARKNESS
Hailey Seel: It’s arduous to swallow and it’s arduous to consider. It’s insane. (crying)
For Hailey, it began on July 7, 2002. She discovered her father and Harkness had been killed in Harkness’ Topeka, Kansas, house.
Hailey Seel: I instantly simply noticed a bunch of tape round the home and police. … And my grandma’s sitting in there and she or he simply instructed me that they’d been shot.
Shawnee County District Lawyer’s Workplace
The evening earlier than the murders, Sisco and Harkness loved a night at a on line casino about an hour outdoors of Topeka. Surveillance footage exhibits them leaving about 1:30 a.m. They then stopped to get espresso – the final time video captured Harkness alive.
Harold Worswick (2008): They have been extraordinarily joyful, you may simply see that.
Harkness’ father, Harold Worswick.
Harold Worswick: Every part they did was for one another.
The day after Sisco and Harkness’ evening out, a household get-together had been deliberate at Harkness’ home. Family members thought the couple is perhaps saying they have been engaged.
Harold Worswick: And I rang the doorbell and knocked on the glass and couldn’t elevate anyone. I believed, “This is strange.”
Worswick, who has since died, recalled that he entered Harkness’ house that afternoon by an open sliding door, didn’t see any signal of Karen or Mike Sisco, so he headed downstairs to the bed room.
Harold Worswick: Simply as I bought to the foot of the steps, I might see Karen. … And I mentioned, “Oh, Christ.” I knew she was useless. After which I discovered Mike on the surface of the mattress.
Worswick would then name 911.
HAROLD WORSWICK (to 911): I simply positioned my daughter and she or he’s downstairs and she or he’s useless …
Det. Richard Volle: I bought a radio name simply after two o’clock on July seventh, 2002.
Richard Volle, now retired, was the Topeka Police Division’s lead detective on the case.
Det. Richard Volle: It was a report of two useless our bodies in a basement.
Cathy Boots
5 bullets had struck Harkness, 53, together with in her again and buttocks. Sisco, 47, suffered between 5 and 7 gunshot wounds. The couple had been in mattress. The remainder of the home appeared undisturbed. Investigators discovered greater than $1,000 in money, a Rolex watch and different jewellery left behind. Theft was rapidly dominated out. To grasp who would possibly need Harkness and Sisco useless, police turned to their households for data.
Det. Richard Volle: What we’re left with is an emotional killing. It’s an emotional execution.
Sisco, a salesman for a welding firm, and Harkness, who labored within the hospitality business, have been each beforehand married and now divorced. The favored couple had been courting about 4 years.
Worswick household
Harkness’ youngsters, Chad and Erin, have been of their 20s on the time of the murders.
Chad Harkness: It was a shock to all people that this could occur to someone like her.
Erin Sutton: My mother was an incredible lady. … She, she didn’t have enemies. … And I bear in mind telling her on a number of events that if I might be half the mother that she was to me, then I might be the perfect mother on the earth.
Sisco had custody of his two youngsters, Hailey, then, 17, and Dustin, 15.
Dustin Sisco: My dad was actually my life rising up … He was actually my hero.
Hailey’s relationship along with her dad was extra difficult.
Hailey Seel: I wasn’t proud of my dad. I wasn’t proud of my mother. I wasn’t joyful at my faculty.
By Hailey’s personal admission, she was a troublesome teen.
Hailey Seel: My dad gave me an ultimatum: “Either you follow my rules or you move out.”
She selected to stay along with her then-boyfriend, Chris.
Hailey Seel: And I moved in with Chris after which my dad was killed.
That defiance made Hailey and Chris of curiosity to police. They have been polygraphed and questioned.
DET. VOLLE: I’m simply curious, is all the things all proper along with your dad and all the things?
HAILEY SEEL: Uh, yeah. … We weren’t actually getting alongside for a short time.
Authorities mentioned their alibis checked out. As did the alibis of Harkness’ daughter, Erin, and her husband, Jeff Sutton. Harkness’ son Chad was additionally questioned.
Chad Harkness: I used to be hooked as much as a polygraph machine and requested if I had murdered my mom or in any approach participated within the homicide of my mom.
Police concluded none of them have been concerned. However relations thought they knew who was accountable: Mike Sisco’s ex-wife, Dana Chandler.
Cathy Boots: She simply — she by no means slot in.
Sisco household
Cathy Boots, Mike Sisco’s sister, watched Chandler and Sisco’s relationship deteriorate. After 15 years of marriage, the couple went by a bitter divorce, finalized in 1998. Sisco’s kin say Chandler had a ingesting drawback and she or he sporadically stalked Sisco throughout and after the divorce, with frequent calls and weird visits.
Cathy Boots: The youngsters have been upstairs of their room. … And we heard a noise and there she was … in the midst of the evening … leaping on a trampoline within the yard of Mike’s house.
Mark Boots is Mike Sisco’s brother-in-law.
Mark Boots: I feel she turned obsessive about the truth that Mike was transferring on along with his life. … After which when Karen entered the image, that’s when issues actually began, I feel, escalating.
Sisco household
Mike Sisco stored monitor of a number of the incidents from 1998 in a day planner, writing:
JULY 28: … Dana stalking neighborhood at 8:30, caught her she left. …
NOVEMBER 12: Dana got here in home whereas I used to be at Karens from 7:00 to 11:00 went thrus stuff …
Mark Boots: She was prepared to journey nice distances to indicate up again in his life.
In keeping with the Boots, the final time Chandler confirmed up at Mike Sisco’s house was within the spring of 2002, a number of months earlier than the murders. Cathy Boots mentioned Mike instructed her Chandler went there to speak about transferring again in.
Cathy Boots: She mentioned, “The kids are getting older. … They’re having different issues with themselves now. They need both parents. I think I should move back in and we should parent together.”
Mark Boots: All this harassment and stalking had come to the purpose that Mike instructed me that he and Karen now feared for his or her lives.
Mark Boots says Mike Sisco made that clear to him on a fishing journey, 9 days earlier than the murders.
Mark Boots: He turned to me and mentioned, “Mark, you’re gonna wake up and find me dead. And I want you to know who did it, Dana Chandler.”
However Chandler lived eight hours away in Denver and there was no signal that she had been in Harkness’ home in Topeka the evening of the murders.
WHO WANTED THE COUPLE DEAD?
Det. Richard Volle: The victims have been doing completely nothing and should not have seen it coming in any respect.
Investigators have been attempting to find out who would gun down Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness as they lay in mattress. Detective Richard Volle referred to as Sisco’s ex-wife, Dana Chandler, to tell her of Mike’s homicide.
DET. RICHARD VOLLE (telephone name to Chandler): Your husband was discovered shot to loss of life immediately, this afternoon. Your ex-husband, I’m sorry … Are you able to inform me when the final time was that you just talked to him?
Chandler, Volle says, didn’t ask many questions and didn’t appear involved. Chandler would later say she was very upset on that decision. However solely Volle’s facet of their dialog was recorded, resulting from a technical error, he mentioned, on his half. The subsequent night, Chandler referred to as the Topeka Police Division, leaving a message on a special officer’s voicemail:
DANA CHANDLER (telephone name to police): Hello, my title is Dana Chandler and I bought a really disturbing telephone name final evening. Somebody had mentioned that my ex-husband had been killed, and I’m simply calling to — to see if that’s true or not …
Sisco household
Chandler would later clarify her name was merely in search of affirmation. Given the private nature of the murders, no indicators of a housebreaking, and people tales a couple of messy divorce and stalking, Chandler turned the principle suspect. Volle determined to speak with Chandler in particular person, recording this audio, 4 days after the murders:
DET. RICHARD VOLLE ( interview audio 2002): Inform me about what occurred on the sixth.
DANA CHANDLER: I bought up, I had my morning espresso.
However once more, there was a difficulty with the recording. In many of the remainder of the dialog, Chandler is troublesome to listen to. Volle recounted what he mentioned she instructed him.
Det. Richard Volle: She mentioned she’d been at house, Saturday morning, that’s July sixth … after which made a few errand stops.
Chandler mentioned she purchased cigarettes, snacks, and a automotive cigarette lighter at a number of shops round Denver after which bought fuel. However Volle says she failed to say one buy he noticed on a bank card receipt.
Det. Richard Volle: She’d purchased two five-gallon fuel cans, as properly.
Volle puzzled why she didn’t inform him and why she would even want fuel cans, except she had been planning a visit, maybe to Kansas, and didn’t wish to cease for fuel alongside the way in which. In keeping with Volle, Chandler had additionally mentioned, after operating these errands, she went house to her Denver condo.
Det. Richard Volle: Didn’t have any guests. No contact with anyone. And the subsequent day bought up and went for a drive within the mountains at ten o’clock within the morning.
However Volle couldn’t confirm that Chandler was in her condo the evening of the murders, nor that she took a drive within the mountains the subsequent day. Volle mentioned the realm Chandler described driving by would have meant she’d should go Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park surveillance cameras. These cameras have been checked. Volle mentioned there was no signal of her automotive.
Det. Richard Volle: The actual individual that I had view that tape checked out each body slowly. … She was by no means there.
Investigators additionally reviewed Chandler’s cellphone information. They mentioned that whereas she tended to make use of her cellphone steadily, she, oddly, had no exercise across the time of the murders.
Det. Richard Volle: What we discovered was there was a 27-hour window the place her telephone wasn’t used.
Nonetheless, there was no DNA, no fingerprints, or different forensic proof to tie Chandler to the killings. The gun used within the murders hadn’t been discovered, although investigators discovered the bullets have been from an Israeli weapons producer. And Chandler would go on to say she didn’t even personal a gun.
However relations remained satisfied that Chandler was chargeable for the murders. They are saying they pushed to have a gathering with then-DA Robert Hecht.
Tim Sisco is Mike Sisco’s brother.
Tim Sisco: I particularly went into this assembly desirous to know if he would pursue a circumstantial case. … And the reply was, “Without that murder weapon, we don’t have enough hard evidence to move this forward.”
The Sisco and Harkness households grew more and more pissed off and determined to take motion — in search of extra details about Chandler’s doable involvement within the murders.
Cathy Boots: I put her image up in every single place. “Have you seen this person?”
A number of months after the murders, having extra questions than solutions, Mike Sisco’s sister Cathy Boots mentioned she and their mother Carol Sisco went trying to find clues, even lifting up manhole covers and looking out in relaxation cease bogs for the gun used within the murders.
Cathy Boots: We thought, you understand, perhaps she threw the gun someplace. … So I might stand on a rest room and attempt to push a tile up.
They discovered nothing, however Hailey Seel, Chandler, and Mike Sisco’s daughter, was additionally working the case.
Hailey Seel: I felt the necessity to do one thing. I didn’t wanna simply sit again with my fingers tied and helpless.
In 2005, three years after the murders, Hailey started secretly recording conversations along with her mom, attempting to be taught what occurred to her dad and Harkness.
HAILEY SEEL (recorded telephone name): … I feel that the one approach I can actually transfer on with a relationship with you is that if we will get it, you understand, when you can simply inform me your self that you just did it. …
DANA CHANDLER: Nicely, primary, I didn’t do it and primary I, quantity two, I don’t know what occurred Hailey. …
One factor Hailey requested about was why her mom had no cellphone exercise for 27 hours across the time of the murders.
HAILEY SEEL (recorded telephone name): Why did it haven’t any calls and was at house the entire time? You knew it might be traced.
DANA CHANDLER: I used to be within the mountains; I didn’t have a sign.
Chandler insisted she had nothing to do with the murders, however did say she had violent ideas about Mike Sisco.
DANA CHANDLER (recorded dialog): I mentioned I might kill him. You ever take into consideration killing him?
HAILEY SEEL No, however —
DANA CHANDLER: I did.
HAILEY SEEL: However —
DANA CHANDLER: Truthfully, I can say I did.
The official investigation, although, appeared stalled, so authorities requested Vernon Geberth, a murder and forensic guide and former New York Metropolis Police Division detective, to assessment case recordsdata. In 2007, almost 5 years after the murders, he issued a report concluding “… Dana Chandler is the one and only person who had the motive, means and opportunity to commit these murders.”
CBS Information
It was Geberth who introduced the case to the eye of “48 Hours.” In 2009, “48 Hours” aired its first report on the murders —and tried to speak with Chandler.
HAROLD DOW | “48 Hours” correspondent: Do you know something concerning the loss of life of Michael and Karen?
DANA CHANDLER: I don’t know what occurred to Mike and Karen.
“48 Hours” ended the episode asking viewers to contact police if they’d any data. Once more, the case gave the impression to be going nowhere. However two years later, a brand new DA, Chad Taylor, determined he was prepared to take an opportunity with the proof they’d. He selected to maneuver the case ahead and arrest Chandler.
With “48 Hours” cameras rolling, legislation enforcement, zeroed in on Chandler in Oklahoma, the place she was staying on the time. Taylor didn’t simply assist plan the arrest, however went on it, with a gun on the prepared.
And on July 24, 2011, Chandler was in custody, charged with the murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness.
WHERE WAS DANA CHANDLER THE NIGHT OF THE MURDERS?
Hailey Seel I’d hit a degree the place I didn’t know … if justice would ever … be served.
For Hailey Seel who was satisfied her mom killed her father, Dana Chandler’s arrest was almost a decade within the making.
Hailey Seel It was such a sense that I – I — it was unbelievable.
She was decided to get justice as she ready to face Dana Chandler in court docket.
Hailey Seel: I’ve made it this far. … I can do something.
In March 2012, Chandler went on trial. Jacqie Spradling, then-chief deputy DA, started by referring to these conversations Hailey Seel had taped years earlier along with her mom.
JACQIE SPRADLING (in court docket): “I could kill him. I thought about killing him.” These are the phrases of this defendant about her ex-husband Mike Sisco.
In her opening assertion, Spradling instructed a doable motive for homicide.
JACQIE SPRADLING (in court docket) Two days earlier than the homicides, the defendant referred to as Mike. Mike at the moment instructed the defendant, in that five-minute telephone name, that he and Karen have been going to be married.
However there isn’t any recording of that decision.
MARK BENNETT (in court docket) It’s simple to make allegations. It’s troublesome to show these allegations.
And in his opening, protection legal professional Mark Bennett argued the case in opposition to Chandler was all hypothesis.
MARK BENNETT (in court docket): There isn’t a proof that locations Dana Chandler in or close to the Harkness residence on July sixth or seventh, 2002.
However to authorities, there was the query about precisely the place Chandler was throughout that point. Volle says she instructed him she was house Saturday, the evening of the murders after which drove by the mountains the subsequent day. However Chandler’s enterprise acquaintance Jeff Bailey, testified Chandler instructed him one thing totally different — that she slept in her automotive within the mountains the Saturday evening of the murders.
JEFF BAILEY (in court docket): She instructed me that the story she was giving me was the reality. And the story that she’d given to the legislation enforcements was not the reality.
And prosecutors instructed the jury Chandler didn’t use her cellphone for 27 hours the weekend of the murders. Bear in mind, Hailey Seel accused her mom of attempting to keep away from being tracked. Volle discovered one other occasion when Chandler didn’t use her telephone a month earlier than the murders.
DET. RICHARD VOLLE (in court docket): There have been no calls registered. There have been some calls got here to the telephone, however none have been picked up.
And prosecutors say that’s necessary, as a result of throughout that point — a month earlier than the murders — was Chandler’s dry run for the killings. They referred to as her buddy Ann Carrender to the stand. Carrender says Dana instructed her she had pushed to Topeka.
ANN CARRENDER (in court docket): She had— gone to Mike’s home— by the window. Um, no one was house. …
JACQIE SPRADLING: What else did she inform you?
ANN CARRENDER: That she had gone — and sat outdoors Karen’s home.
Sisco household
Spradling says Chandler was obsessive about Mike Sisco and introduced proof that within the six months main as much as the murders, she referred to as Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness greater than 600 instances. The protection argued Chandler was calling to speak to her children, however Hailey Seel remembered her mom’s calls in another way.
JACQIE SPRADLING (in court docket): What was the factor that she talked to you probably the most about?
HAILEY SEEL: She talked about my dad quite a bit. And – I — I re — I actually really feel like she was — was actually simply obsessed — with him.
An FBI analyst testified Chandler usually referred to as late at evening, and steadily made repeated calls in a short while interval, together with a month earlier than the murders.
ALICE CASEY (in court docket): On June third, she made 17 calls in 18 minutes.
CBS Information
Each of Chandler’s youngsters testified for the prosecution, saying that their mom additionally had a historical past of stalking their father.
DUSTIN SISCO (in court docket): She took me and my sister along with her to go spy on my dad. … And so we have been within the automotive and she or he instructed us, you understand, we’re simply going to be her little helpers.
HAILEY SEEL (in court docket): She requested if I might go — go as much as the home along with her. And we did. And she or he was trying in all of the home windows. And she or he instructed me to look within the home windows. And –
JACQIE SPRADLING: Did you?
HAILEY SISCO: I did. …
JACQIE SPRADLING: What was it that she was taking a look at in there?
HAILEY SEEL: I feel that she — was — was pondering there was — a woman in there with my dad.
Hailey additionally testified about these recordings she made speaking along with her mom. Throughout one in all them, Chandler, who attended Alcoholics Nameless conferences, gave a proof as to why she purchased these fuel cans.
DANA CHANDLER (audio recording): I bumped into a woman that had run out of fuel at an AA assembly and so I went and bought fuel for her. She requested me for cash and we don’t give folks cash at AA …
Prosecutor Spradling instructed the jury that she believed Chandler used these two five-gallon fuel cans to have sufficient fuel so she wouldn’t should cease and probably be seen close to the crime scene. However Chandler’s legal professional argued there was no proof she was ever in Topeka throughout the time of the murders.
MARK BENNETT (in court docket): Did you or … every other members of the Topeka Police Division … ever discover an eyewitness that put — the defendant, Dana Chandler, in Topeka, Kansas on both July 6 or July 7, 2002?
DET. RICHARD VOLLE: No.
The closest legislation enforcement was in a position to come was at a fuel station in WaKeeney, Kansas, almost midway between Denver and Topeka. Clerk Patty Williams wasn’t positive, however she thought she might need seen Chandler the evening of the murders.
Jacqie Spradling: Patty was proven an image of the defendant … Patty indicated that she was 70 % positive that that was the girl who had been there.
However by the point Chandler went on trial, Patty Williams had died. A distinct employee from the fuel station testified about seeing a black automotive that regarded just like the one Chandler drove that day. However she mentioned it might need had license plates from Virginia. When it was the protection’s flip, Bennett pointed on the market was no proof Chandler was ever there.
MARK BENNETT (in court docket): Wasn’t any receipt from WaKeeney, was there?
DET. RICHARD VOLLE: No.
And Bennett questioned whether or not Volle investigated different suspects, like two males with legal information who had stolen checks from Mike Sisco and cashed one after the murders.
MARK BENNETT (in court docket): That didn’t make ’em a suspect?
DET. RICHARD VOLLE: No, as a result of the verify wasn’t taken from Karen Harkness’ home the place the murders occurred. The verify was really taken from Mike Sisco’s home the place the murders didn’t happen.
And one of many males was in jail when the murders occurred. In closing arguments, Bennett reiterated there was no forensic proof linking Chandler to the crime.
MARK BENNETT (in court docket): All this time, they’ve been attempting to place her in Kansas when this occurred. And for nine-and-a-half years, they’ve come up dry.
Spradling reminded the jury of Chandler’s stalking conduct— and tried to verify they knew simply how scared Mike Sisco was of Chandler. She mentioned Mike Sisco had gotten a safety from abuse order in opposition to Chandler.
JACQIE SPRADLING (in court docket): So, he bought a court docket order saying she has to remain away. The safety from abuse order didn’t cease the defendant, although.
After two weeks of testimony, it took the jury 83 minutes to achieve a verdict: responsible of first-degree homicide.
Hailey Seel: I really feel higher within the sense that my dad’s killer is paying for his or her actions … I don’t really feel higher that my mother is able to killing my dad.
When it was time for sentencing, Hailey Seel requested that her mother obtain the utmost sentence.
HAILEY SEEL (in court docket:) We every have a deep scar on our souls from what this monster has achieved.
However Chandler would additionally get an opportunity to talk.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): However most significantly, I deny that I murdered Mike or Karen. I’m harmless. I didn’t homicide Mike or Karen.
Chandler was sentenced to life in jail. However quickly that verdict could be referred to as into query.
DANA CHANDLER’S CONVICTION REVERSED
Hailey Seel: Numerous my thoughts has been targeted on her getting away with killing my Dad, and … simply drags me down.
For years, Hailey Seel’s ideas have been consumed with proving her mom killed her father, Mike Sisco, and Karen Harkness. With Dana Chandler in jail, Hailey was relieved she might think about different issues. However her reduction was tinged with ache.
Hailey Seel: I wanna concentrate on my future and what I wish to do with my life. … I wanna be all the things my mother wasn’t. (cries)
However Hailey’s focus would flip once more to the case. Chandler nearly instantly started submitting motions as she labored to enchantment her conviction. She and her attorneys cited, amongst different issues, the actions of prosecutor Jacqie Spradling. Particularly, statements Spradling made at trial about that safety from abuse order.
JACQIE SPRADLING (in court docket): Mike bought a safety from abuse, a court docket order. He utilized and mentioned, “Hey, judge, please order this woman to stay away from me.” And the choose agreed.
Stacey Schlimmer: And that’s only a blatant misstatement.
Stacey Schlimmer, one in all Chandler’s enchantment attorneys, was by no means capable of finding a safety from abuse order.
Stacey Schlimmer: I went by the entire case. I went and regarded for each doable order I might discover. And there wasn’t one which she was referring to.
In 2018, Schlimmer argued that Spradling’s actions constituted prosecutorial misconduct.
STACEY SCHLIMMER (arguing earlier than Kansas Supreme Courtroom): I — I feel that Ms. Chandler by no means had a chance at a good trial from the get-go.
Schlimmer contended the case in opposition to Chandler must be thrown out. The court docket agreed.
Stacey Schlimmer: The Kansas Supreme Courtroom held that … it’s so dangerous that we’re going to go forward and overturn her conviction.
Different points about statements Spradling made at trial additionally got here up, together with describing a route Chandler took between Kansas and Denver when there was no proof that she drove that approach.
JACQIE SPRADLING (in court docket): She drove instantly as much as Nebraska. And after she will get on Nebraska she turns round and goes house.
Stacey Schlimmer: They only kinda hypothesized, “Well, she must have went up and went over from Nebraska.” There was no proof of that in any respect.
Schlimmer additionally contended the state didn’t have sufficient proof to show Dana Chandler’s guilt.
Stacey Schlimmer: We argued insufficiency of proof as a difficulty for enchantment …
Jim Axelrod: That means you don’t assume prosecutors had sufficient to make a professional case?
Stacey Schlimmer: Jurors didn’t have sufficient proof earlier than them when you took out all of the proof that ought to’ve by no means been introduced or instructed to them incorrectly.
The Kansas Supreme Courtroom described Spradling’s actions as, “intolerable acts of deception.” And she was disbarred. “48 Hours” reached out to Spradling, however didn’t obtain a response.
Stacey Schlimmer: When a case will get reversed, like a case like this, we basically have an harmless lady who’s been convicted of crime due to the prosecutor. Or we’ve got a household that has now a reversed conviction that has to undergo the system once more.
Jim Axelrod: Both approach, there’s an injustice.
Stacey Schlimmer: Proper. So … that conduct is gonna have an effect on somebody.
The Kansas Supreme Courtroom did determine, although, there was enough proof to retry Chandler if the district legal professional selected to.
Hailey Seel: Once I discovered that the Kansas Supreme Courtroom overturned the decision … it was very stunning. … What does this imply? Will the DA’s workplace retry her? …
Jim Axelrod: Had been you indignant with the prosecutor who was cited for misconduct?
Hailey Seel: I’ve by no means been indignant along with her. … I feel it was an harmless mistake.
Chad Harkness, Karen Harkness’ son, takes a special view of Spradling’s actions.
Chad Harkness: Had Jacqie not made these feedback, we wouldn’t be sitting right here immediately. This — this could be over. … Now … all these years later, we’re nonetheless having to, you understand, stay by this once more. And it — it’s simply — it’s not proper. It’s not honest.
The choice whether or not to retry Chandler was now within the fingers of Shawnee County’s new DA, Mike Kagay.
Mike Kagay: We analyzed each side of the case. And finally, we got here to the conclusion that we believed justice demanded that we transfer ahead, and we pursue one other trial.
Pursuing that might take years. Chandler remained incarcerated. She, and her protection attorneys, argued she must be let loose, and fought in opposition to having one other trial.
Jim Axelrod: What have been these years like?
Hailey Seel: Unbelievable.
For Hailey, the delays appeared infinite. Chandler and her attorneys filed almost 400 motions, together with ones requesting a change of choose, to retain an investigator, for her bond to be lowered, and to disqualify the Shawnee County District Lawyer’s Workplace. And thru all of it, she fired a number of of her attorneys.
Hailey Seel: She went by seven attorneys in that point, uh, between representing herself.
There have been additionally dozens of hearings, together with one the place Hailey was referred to as to testify – and Chandler did the questioning.
Hailey Seel: She took me on the stand for at the least 45 minutes … and she or he instantly questioned me.
Jim Axelrod: What was that like?
Hailey Seel: It was probably the most terrible factor I’ve ever … I imply, the — the suspect within the killing of my dad is now having the ability to query me on the stand and discuss to me. …
Jim Axelrod: Not simply the suspect within the killing of your dad, your individual mom.
Hailey Seel: Yeah, yeah. I imply, It – it — it was terrible.
However Hailey was prepared to take no matter steps obligatory to make sure her mom would stand trial once more for the murders.
Hailey Seel: If she might convey out one thing to show the place she was, to say she didn’t do it, show she didn’t do it — that’s not only for me, that’s for her and her personal freedom. However she will be able to’t, and she or he hasn’t.
WOULD DANA CHANDLER BE RETRIED?
Mike Kagay: Two harmless folks have been murdered in our group. That calls for justice.
Though Dana Chandler’s conviction had been overturned, prosecutors have been decided to retry her for the murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness. By 2021, the group, Miracle of Innocence, bought concerned, advocating for Chandler.
Darryl Burton: Dana Chandler was somebody who, we believed in her innocence. … After we regarded on the case, the info was simply … nothing related this girl to the crime.
Darryl Burton is the co-founder of Miracle of Innocence. He’s somebody who was wrongfully imprisoned and had his homicide conviction reversed. He says, earlier than sending somebody to jail, the case must be extra convincing than the one made in opposition to Chandler.
Darryl Burton: There’s no proof … no fingerprints, no DNA, no confession, no weapon, no witnesses, nothing. … Relating to, you understand, these sorts of crimes of homicide, you simply bought to have greater than that.
Chandler and her attorneys additionally raised different points as they tried to get the case dismissed. Some allegations associated to the 2009 “48 Hours” broadcast. Chandler falsely accused legislation enforcement of forming “a partnership with ’48 Hours’ to film an episode aimed at convincing the public that Ms. Chandler murdered Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness.”
Jim Axelrod: What do you make of the concept that, if “48 Hours” had not reported, beginning in 2009, on this case, that Dana Chandler would by no means have been arrested or tried?
Stacey Schlimmer: I don’t assume it was “48 Hours” (laughs). 2009 is quite a bit totally different than once they arrested her. They arrested her three or 4 years — three years later. I feel the household was what stored it going. They consider that Ms. Chandler did this. … It was the brand new prosecutor, and it was the household in all probability saying, “Hey, we need justice done in this.”
CBS Information
However Stacey Schlimmer, Chandler’s former enchantment legal professional, does take concern with the dealing with of the 2011 arrest and the present of power.
Jim Axelrod: You’ve seen Dana Chandler’s arrest many instances.
Stacey Schlimmer: Proper.
Jim Axelrod: And it bothers you.
Stacey Schlimmer: It bothers me quite a bit.
“48 Hours,” in addition to The Topeka Capital-Journal, got advance discover of the arrest by the workplace of then-DA Chad Taylor.
Jim Axelrod: Are you bothered by legislation enforcement … or are you bothered by the actual fact that there have been cameras there?
Stacey Schlimmer: I’m bothered by the prosecutor. I’m bothered by the district legal professional displaying up at an arrest and having that arrest filmed. …
Jim Axelrod: In order that they needed video of legislation enforcement with their weapons out?
Stacey Schlimmer: I feel they needed then the general public to see that. … That to me was it appeared like such a manufacturing for a case. … that prosecutor ought to by no means have achieved that.
Finally, the assorted arguments Dana Chandler’s staff made to dismiss the case have been unsuccessful. Chandler’s new trial was scheduled for the summer time of 2022. Earlier than the trial started, “48 Hours” once more tried to talk with Chandler. She mentioned she would solely comply with an interview if CBS paid her million-dollar bond. We declined.
Chad Harkness: By no means thought we’d be sitting right here once more and on the point of begin a — a retrial on this … it’s simply thoughts blowing.
Chad Harkness, Karen Harkness’ son, was relieved the DA’s workplace determined to retry Chandler, however was involved about going by this yet one more time.
Chad Harkness: Simply — us children having to relive this once more and … It simply it makes me sick.
Hailey, too, was not trying ahead to a different trial. However mentioned testifying once more might give her some management of the scenario.
Hailey Seel: If I can … understand my energy. … And it offers me braveness to go ahead as a result of I do know the reality … The reality is that … she murdered them.
The passage of time has left Hailey with a lot loss — loss she holds her mom chargeable for. And, as a mother herself, having married her highschool boyfriend Chris Seel, Hailey’s emotions are much more difficult.
Jim Axelrod: Whenever you consider your mother, do you assume mom, or do you assume Dana?
Hailey Seel: I feel Dana, yeah. She’s Dana to me. Really, mother is — is a — an ucky phrase to me, to the purpose the place I don’t even like my children to name me mother. I don’t like mother. Mother is a — a really hurtful particular person (cries).
Irrespective of the title, Dana Chandler is somebody her daughter should face once more in court docket — and somebody who will ultimately inform her facet of the story.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): Let’s begin by stating my title. My title is Dana Chandler. I as everybody know, have been accused of double murder and I’m harmless.
DANA CHANDLER RETRIED FOR DOUBLE MURDER
In the summertime of 2022, Dana Chandler was on trial for the second time for the murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness. As in her first trial, the protection targeted on all that was missing within the case in opposition to Chandler.
TOM BATH (in court docket): There isn’t a proof that she was within the Harkness residence, no proof she was in Topeka. There’s no proof she was within the state of Kansas.
Protection legal professional Tom Tub insisted Chandler was in Colorado on the time of the murders, greater than 500 miles away, and faulted investigators for zeroing in on her.
TOM BATH (in court docket): Every part they checked out, all the things they examined … excluded Dana.
The dearth of bodily proof was acknowledged by Shawnee County Deputy District Lawyer Charles Kitt.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): Science just isn’t going to resolve this case. This case just isn’t based mostly on DNA.
As an alternative, the state targeted on proof corresponding to Chandler’s hatred of her ex-husband and his girlfriend.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): This case relies on jealousy, rage and obsession.
Prosecutors introduced proof they are saying confirmed that obsession—together with information of greater than 600 telephone calls Chandler made to Harkness and Sisco within the six months earlier than the murders. And so they launched witnesses who mentioned Harkness and Sisco instructed them a few of these calls have been menacing.
Kim Warrender was Harkness’ coworker.
KIM WARRENDER (in court docket): She mentioned she had been up all-night receiving telephone calls from Dana. …
CHARLES KITT: She instructed you she was afraid?
KIM WARRENDER: Very afraid.
Erin Sutton additionally testified that her mom, Karen Harkness, was fearful of Chandler. She spoke about messages she mentioned she heard that Chandler left on her mom’s telephone.
ERIN SUTTON (in court docket): She would name my mother horrible names.
CHARLES KITT: And, like, what sort of names would she name her?
ERIN SUTTON: She would name her a whore.
Along with testimony about calls Chandler made, there was additionally consideration paid to when there was no name exercise on her telephone– particularly throughout 27 hours the weekend of the murders. Authorities believed Chandler’s telephone was turned off so it couldn’t be traced as she traveled to Kansas. However the protection instructed it might have simply been spotty cellphone service in Colorado.
Prosecutors instructed the jury about a purchase order Chandler made the day earlier than the murders however failed to say to investigators. Kitt requested Richard Volle, the lead detective on the case, concerning the buy.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): Are you able to inform us what that’s?
Shawnee County District Lawyer’s Workplace
DET. RICHARD VOLLE (holding the receipt): That is an Auto Zone receipt … It exhibits the purch — first two purchases have been 5 greenback or five-gallon fuel cans.
Authorities puzzled why Chandler didn’t inform them concerning the fuel cans, and why she would want fuel cans except she was planning a visit — maybe to Kansas — and didn’t wish to cease for fuel alongside the way in which.
And there was the difficulty of Chandler’s alibi — based on Detective Volle, a altering, unconfirmable one. One witness testified that Chandler mentioned she was within the mountains in Colorado on the time of the murders, however Volle testified Chandler instructed him she was at house in her Denver condo.
DET. RICHARD VOLLE (in court docket): She mentioned she’d stayed at her home, had no visitors or telephone calls after which she turned in about 9’o clock.
A buddy of Chandler’s testified about one thing authorities thought might need been a dry run for the murders. She mentioned a couple of month earlier than the killings, Chandler referred to as and instructed her a couple of journey she made to Sisco’s and Harkness’s properties .
ANN HAMMER (in court docket): She instructed me that she knew no one was in the home and that she went into Mike’s house by the window. After that, she did go to, um, his girlfriend’s home and sat outdoors her home, ready for them to come back house. However they didn’t present up …
CHARLES KITT: Did she inform you what she did when she — bought into Mike’s home?
ANN HAMMER: She needed to see what it regarded like on the within.
However Chandler’s legal professional questioned the reliability of her testimony, stating she could have gotten some dates improper relating to calls with Chandler.
ANN HAMMER (in court docket): It should not have been a Monday.
TOM BATH: However 20 years in the past, you mentioned it was a Monday. Proper?
ANN HAMMER: Certain.
Testimony about Chandler’s conduct additionally got here from Cathy Boots, Mike Sisco’s sister. She described an incident a number of years earlier than the murders, that she mentioned she witnessed whereas staying at Mike’s home.
CATHY BOOTS (in court docket): We went to mattress that evening and I wakened within the early morning hours … to a noise out within the yard. And we had left the again porch lights on. And I regarded out by the blinds and Dana was leaping on the trampoline out again.
And Mike Sisco’s brother-in-law, Mark Boots, recounted a disturbing dialog he mentioned he had with Mike 9 days earlier than the murders.
MARK BOOTS (in court docket): Mike instructed me that the patterns of harassment had elevated and that he feared for he and Karen’s lives.
Mike Sisco and Dana Chandler’s daughter, Hailey Seel, was going to be within the uncomfortable place of testifying in opposition to her mom.
A DAUGHTER’S SECRET RECORDINGS PLAYED IN COURT
Hailey Seel: I used to be completely nonetheless nervous — and scared. … Being up there, it causes battle.
As Hailey Seel mirrored again on testifying in opposition to her mom, Dana Chandler, she recalled the stress she was beneath. As a prosecution witness, Seel was requested to explain a few of her mom’s conduct—conduct Seel mentioned she discovered obsessive.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): Was there a time the place you have been requested to spy in your dad?
HAILEY SEEL: Yeah.
Seel recounted an incident, after her dad and mom cut up up, when she mentioned, Chandler drove her and her brother to Sisco’s house, they usually all sat within the automotive to look at the home.
HAILEY SEEL (in court docket): She mentioned, “Come on. We need to watch your dad. And you can be my little helpers.” … She had me go along with her to the home after so lengthy. And — um, and she or he needed to look within the home windows.
CHARLES KITT: Did she look within the home windows?
HAILEY SEEL: Yeah. We each regarded within the home windows. And she or he mentioned, “Did you see that? Did you see that?” And I mentioned, “No. I didn’t see anything.”
Sisco household
It was episodes like that which led Seel, early on, to assume her mom might be chargeable for the murders.
Hailey Seel: I at all times suspected she had one thing to do with it due to the historical past of her harassment, stalking, hatred, speaking dangerous about them to us on a regular basis.
Seel testified about a number of the methods her mom expressed that detest of her father — just like the demeaning methods Chandler referred to him in emails and on-line chats — together with ones the place Chandler referred to Sisco as “it” — despatched when Seel was 14 years outdated.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket, pointing at electronic mail): And does she name him manipulative and deceiving?
HAILEY SEEL: Sure.
CHARLES KITT: After which calls him a rapist.
HAILEY SEEL: Yeah. …
CHARLES KITT And simply a few strains down, “I hate his guts.”
HAILEY SEEL: Yeah.
CHARLES KITT: Are these issues your mom typed to you?
HAILEY SEEL: Sure.
HAILEY SEEL (recording to Dana Chandler): No person can say that they — that you just have been in Colorado that weekend?
Additionally performed in court docket, have been these conservations Hailey secretly recorded along with her mother as she tried to be taught extra about Chandler’s doable involvement within the murders.
Jim Axelrod: In all of the conversations you had along with her over the times, weeks, months, even years after this occurred, she by no means instructed you one thing … that made you assume, properly, at the least my mother didn’t do it?
Hailey Seel: No. Each time I talked to her, I felt increasingly assured that she undoubtedly had one thing to do with it.
And maybe most telling to Hailey was a dialog, performed in court docket, the place Chandler mentioned she had considered killing Mike Sisco.
DANA CHANDLER (recording): …. you ever take into consideration killing him?
HAILEY SEEL: No, however —
DANA CHANDLER: I did.
In a type of discussions, Hailey requested her mom about why she purchased these two fuel cans — which authorities thought might have been used to assist drive roundtrip from Denver to Topeka with out stopping in Kansas for gas. Chandler, who’d been an issue drinker, defined she purchased them for another person—a girl she met at AA.
DANA CHANDLER (recording, performed in court docket): … She requested me for cash and we don’t give folks cash at AA. I mentioned, “I’ll go buy you some gas …”
The prosecutor requested Hailey if she was in a position to be taught something extra about that lady from Chandler.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): She wouldn’t inform you who that particular person was?
HAILEY SEEL: No. She didn’t.
However Chandler’s protection staff argued these recorded conversations proved nothing concerning the murders. And relating to the 2 fuel cans, it maintained that the ten additional gallons the cans might maintain wouldn’t have been sufficient for Chandler to drive roundtrip from Denver to Topeka with out nonetheless needing to cease for gas.
The protection accused authorities of tunnel imaginative and prescient — together with not trying extra totally at different suspects. And her attorneys mentioned Chandler by no means owned a .9mm gun — the kind of weapon used within the murders, which was by no means discovered. What was discovered, have been uncommon bullets made in Israel.
AMY COODY (in court docket): Israel Navy Industries, that’s the producer.
Chandler’s legal professional questioned a firearms examiner who had labored for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation about these bullets.
TOM BATH (in court docket): Is {that a} bullet, ammunition you sometimes see?
AMY COODY: Really, we had not seen that earlier than. And so it was a bit of bit uncommon to us.
The prosecution, although, defined there have been locations one might purchase these bullets.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): May that ammo have been introduced into Kansas and offered at a gun present?
AMY COODY: Sure, sir.
CHARLES KITT: May have been exchanged by people?
AMY COODY: Sure, sir.
There have been different components of the investigation that the protection argued supported its case. There was forensic work it mentioned eradicated Chandler. Unidentified fingerprints discovered on the home didn’t match Chandler. None of Chandler’s DNA was discovered on the homicide scene, nor have been any fibers discovered from her clothes, or any of her hair.
KAREN THIESSEN (in court docket): I didn’t discover any … hairs that have been in line with the pattern coming from Ms. Chandler.
TOM BATH (in court docket): In 20 years, the state had no proof, no proof in any respect that positioned Dana Chandler in Karen Harkness’ house, within the metropolis of Topeka, or within the state of Kansas.
After three weeks of testimony, that lack of bodily proof could be the protection’s theme in its closing argument.
TOM BATH (in court docket): Each time they examined one thing, it excluded Dana.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): From the start, I instructed you this case is about obsession, jealousy, rage.
The state targeted on Chandler’s conduct — her calls, emails, and her family’s testimony in opposition to her.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): The defendant clearly hated Karen and Mike, phrases from her personal mouth and her personal fingers typing these messages.
TOM BATH (in court docket): Numerous proof about Dana’s dangerous conduct. That’s true. … That’s not proof. … They haven’t confirmed this case past an affordable doubt.
On Aug. 25, 2022, the case went to the jury, and Hailey was ready for a verdict.
Hailey Seel: I’ve actually tried to belief the method … trigger I knew I didn’t have any management over it. So it was gonna be what it was gonna be.
However the wait to search out out what that verdict could be was a protracted one.
JURORS DEADLOCK IN DANA CHANDLER’S SECOND MURDER TRIAL
The case within the second trial of Dana Chandler for the murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness went to the jury on Aug. 25, 2022. That day got here and went, as did a number of extra.
Hailey Seel: After about 4 days … I began to get nervous and assume, wow, this really couldn’t come again in a responsible verdict and I began to consider that risk. … And so … I prayed and I simply trusted that, if she did get away with this that … life must go on, proper?
After six days of deliberating, Chandler would be taught her destiny.
JUDGE CHERYL RIOS (in court docket): I perceive that the jury is unable to achieve a unanimous verdict at the moment, is that right?
FOREPERSON: That’s right.
The jury knowledgeable the choose they have been deadlocked.
There have been seven votes to convict and 5 to acquit.
Ben Alford: We did what we might with what we had.
Ben Alford and Carrie Kimes have been two members of the jury who voted to search out Chandler not responsible.
Carrie Kimes: I by no means noticed precise proof that — Dana Chandler was ever within the Harkness house. … I can’t ship someone to spend the remainder of their life in jail when you can’t even show she left Colorado that weekend.
Ben Alford: Every part that was examined for DNA proved inconclusive. … And that’s fairly exceptional.
However for juror Randy Edwards, the state’s depiction of Chandler’s conduct was persuasive proof.
Randy Edwards: She was past upset. She was obsessed.
He additionally discovered these conversations Seel recorded along with her mom to be convincing and voted to convict.
Randy Edwards: Once I was in a position to comprehend that Dana mentioned that she had considered killing Mike, that was in all probability the — the piece that pushed me past any query of cheap doubt anymore.
Mike Kagay: There was a cut up verdict, however the majority of the jury was in favor of a conviction and that was significant.
DA Mike Kagay determined to retry Dana Chandler.
Her attorneys satisfied the court docket to scale back her bond, which allowed her to be launched with supervision as she awaited the subsequent trial.
JUDGE CHERYL RIOS (in court docket): The court docket goes to direct that … she have GPS monitoring.
After spending greater than a decade incarcerated, Chandler celebrated her freedom with Darryl Burton and Miracle of Innocence.
Darryl Burton: Anyone who’s getting outta jail after you’ve been in jail for any size of time, it’s, it’s a joyous event. … You’re joyful that somebody’s been launched and, you understand, additionally really feel like, properly, perhaps it’s an excellent probability that, you understand, we will, you understand, mount a protection, and get her completely acquitted.
As a situation of her launch, Chandler was not allowed to contact her youngsters. Nonetheless, Hailey nervous about her security. She is married to Chris Seel, her highschool boyfriend, and is a mom of three.
Hailey Seel: I’m scared to loss of life that she’s going to harm me, or she’s going to have an effect on my children ultimately.
Hailey’s worry solely grew when Chandler made a put up to her Fb web page. Chandler complained about her therapy at trial, calling it a kangaroo court docket. And within the background, she confirmed photos of Hailey’s youngsters. Hailey says Chandler in some way discovered which church she attended and downloaded a livestream of a service to create the images.
Hailey Seel: It was chilling and it was disturbing. … I really feel prefer it was a direct message to me.
Jim Axelrod: And what was the message?
Hailey Seel: Intimidation. … I don’t care about your boundaries.
Her perception that her mom dedicated the murders stays unwavering, and she or he says, disturbing.
Hailey Seel: She’s my mother however … when you’re my mother, why would you try this to my dad? … To your children’ sake, perhaps that might be a purpose to not do it. … Being a mom now, I’ve a brand new perspective. … It turns into much more unreal now.
Additionally unreal to Hailey — ideas of a 3rd trial.
Jim Axelrod: What are your expectations for but once more one other trial
Hailey Seel: This time, I’m not as assured.
For trial quantity three, jurors could be from Pottawatomie County, Kansas. The protection requested a change of venue, and the choose agreed, citing extreme media protection. It will happen in Westmoreland, a smaller, extra rural space, 60 miles away from the final setting in Topeka.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): July seventh, 2002 was going to be an excellent day. Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness had been in a relationship for a number of years.
The trial bought underway with opening statements on Feb. 7, 2025.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): One title simply stored arising, Dana Chandler.
Charles Kitt was again retrying the case, joined by prosecutor Dan Dunbar. Decide Cheryl Rios once more presided. And in a last-minute change, on the morning of opening statements, Chandler dismissed her protection attorneys.
And Chandler determined the perfect particular person to symbolize her was herself.
DANA CHANDLER (In court docket): I’m harmless. I didn’t kill Mike and Karen.
DANA CHANDLER REPRESENTS HERSELF AT THIRD MURDER TRIAL
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I feel this case is a personality assassination.
In February 2025, Dana Chandler was on trial for the third time for the murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness. However this time, she was representing herself.
Mike Kagay: She was exercising her constitutional proper. … It was an unknown. It was actually sudden.
One factor that was the identical as within the earlier trials: Hailey Seel testifying.
Hailey was requested once more by the prosecution about her mom’s inappropriate conduct.
DAN DUNBAR (in court docket): What kind of issues would she say about Karen?
HAILEY SEEL: She referred to as her a homewrecker. Um, a slut, very dangerous names.
Prosecutors have been additionally enthusiastic about an incident when Chandler drove Hailey and her brother to drop them off at Harkness’ home.
HAILEY SEEL (in court docket): We waited there for a very very long time within the automotive… After which my dad and Karen bought there, and my mother bought out and yelled at them and simply was very indignant with my dad. …
DAN DUNBAR: Hailey, I don’t have any additional questions, thanks.
When it was time to be cross-examined, Hailey knew it could now be her mom doing the questioning.
Nt sd Dana ” Good day Ms. Seel.”
Hailey Seel: I actually went up there — with like my sport face on, you understand. I — I knew it was struggle. I knew it wasn’t going to be a — a pleasant, a cordial, a considerate — you’re the sufferer, this was your dad and I’m so sorry place that she’d be coming from.
Chandler challenged Hailey about her description of that drop-off at Harkness’ house. Chandler mentioned it was Hailey’s father, Mike Sisco, who was behaving badly, not her.
Pool
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): When your dad and Karen drove up, your dad stormed over to the automotive.
HAILEY SEEL: Oh, no. No, he didn’t.
DANA CHANDLER: And he began banging on the window.
HAILEY SEEL: Wha? No. No, he didn’t. I used to be inside that automotive and my dad completely didn’t bang on the home windows.
DANA CHANDLER: And I didn’t get out — I by no means bought out of the automotive.
HAILEY SEEL: You have been the primary one out of the automotive.
Hailey Seel: I used to be simply in disbelief as a result of I knew she simply made that up as a result of it by no means occurred, and he by no means did that. … However … I didn’t get involved. I simply mentioned “no, you know. I’m glad you asked so I can straighten this out. That never happened.” After which it comes all the way down to who’s plausible. And I wasn’t nervous about that.
As one other method to seemingly clarify a few of her previous behaviors, Chandler introduced up that she used to have a ingesting drawback.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): And I did inform you that I used to be — I noticed that I had an issue with alcohol.
HAILEY SEEL: You probably did inform me you had an issue with alcohol.
One thing Chandler mentioned she stopped by 1999, three years earlier than the murders.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I instructed you I used to be going to a few AA conferences a day, attempting to get properly. True?
HAILEY SEEL: I knew you have been attempting to get properly, sure.
The state questioned although, if changing into sober modified Chandler’s conduct.
DAN DUNBAR (in court docket): When she got here again clear and sober, did that change how she handled you?
HAILEY SEEL: No.
DAN DUNBAR: Did it — did it change how she talked about your dad?
HAILEY SEEL: No.
DAN DUNBAR: Did it change how she talked about Karen?
HAILEY SEEL: No.
Chandler not solely thought she was the perfect particular person to symbolize herself, however when it was time to placed on her protection, she determined she could be her personal fundamental witness.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I really feel like that I have to sort of inform my story to sort of put issues in perspective.
She testified over seven days, talking for about 20 hours.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): You haven’t seen proof that I used to be in Topeka, Kansas, on July seventh, 2002.
Darryl Burton: There was instances when she would take so lengthy to attempt to get her level throughout.
Dana Chandler’s supporter, Darryl Burton, was involved when she put herself on the stand.
Darry Burton: Typically it appeared as if she was simply rambling, you understand, and that was simply unlucky. … She could have identified — in all probability knew the place she was attempting to go, however she’d get misplaced.
She once more addressed points corresponding to her ingesting and inappropriate conversations with Hailey.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I used to be writing emails, ingesting to blackout. I’d stand up the subsequent morning and never even conscious of these emails. I had a significant issue. … And horrible issues I mentioned about Karen spreading her legs. I imply, critically, Hailey was 14 years outdated. (cries) I’m simply so ashamed and embarrassed about that and I hated that Hailey — that I put Hailey by that.
And Chandler, in her personal testimony, addressed once more that incident when she waited outdoors Karen Harkness’ home to drop off Hailey and Dustin with the couple. She mentioned it was achieved out of necessity.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I yelled by the window, I couldn’t afford to feed Hailey and Dustin. And that I wanted to go away them with him.
Chandler contrasted these instances to when she stopped ingesting, displaying movies of her spending time outdoor with Hailey and Dustin.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): This video was taken about 9 months into my restoration.
Chandler additionally disputed making frequent harassing calls to Harkness and Sisco, saying when she referred to as, there was a purpose.
Sisco household
DANA CHANDLER: I used to be … calling to talk with my youngsters, Hailey, and Dustin.
As to her having disagreements with Karen Harkness, she testified there have been none.
DANA CHANDLER: I by no means, ever, had any confrontations with Karen Harkness, in any respect.
Chandler additionally identified what she mentioned was sloppiness within the police investigation. When Chandler questioned lead detective Richard Volle, she requested about whether or not police have been too targeted on her and will have been trying extra totally at different doable suspects.
DANA CHANDLER (In court docket, questioning Volle): Did you or did you not obtain any leads for different suspects apart from me?
DET. RICHARD VOLLE: Uh, early on within the investigation, there have been a number of different those that have been checked out as doable leads. … So it’s a matter of checking folks off, to dismissing those that couldn’t have achieved it. … Uh, once we can’t dismiss them, we hold specializing in them, like we did with you.
Chandler, although, mentioned there was an space she felt legislation enforcement totally investigated — whether or not she purchased a .9 mm gun, just like the one used within the murders they usually got here up empty handed.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I’ve by no means owned, bought, or possessed a .9mm firearm.
And all through her protection, Chandler was adamant that on the time of the murders, she was in Colorado, and nobody might place her in Harkness’ home, and even in Kansas.
It appeared like a easy query Chandler was asking Detective Volle.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket, questioning Volle): Did you ever develop any data that I used to be in Topeka, Kansas, on July sixth or seventh of 2002?
In answering that query, Volle mentioned there was a girl named Patty Williams who could have noticed Chandler within the state of Kansas across the time of the murders.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket, questioning Volle): What are you aware about Patty?
DET. RICHARD VOLLE: She was a clerk at a comfort retailer in WaKeeney, Kansas.
The fuel station/comfort retailer in WaKeeney, the place Williams labored, was almost midway between Denver and Topeka. It had been visited by an investigator, trying to find areas the place somebody could have noticed Chandler across the time of the murders. There, the investigator confirmed Williams the photograph of Chandler seen under.
Shawnee County District Courtroom
DET. RICHARD VOLLE (in court docket): She was seven out of 10 that it was you.
In keeping with Volle, the clerk was 70 % positive she had seen Dana Chandler and described some distinguishing options.
DET. RICHARD VOLLE (in court docket): She had, or mentioned that she had grey close to the hairline …
Chandler although, instructed the jury, she didn’t have grey hair again then. By the point of the trials, Williams had died and couldn’t be questioned once more. Chandler additionally expressed concern that the investigator solely confirmed a single photograph of her initially, as an alternative of an array of images, together with totally different folks—one thing Volle did do when he went to the fuel station about two weeks later.
DET. RICHARD VOLLE (in court docket): We later — later went out with a — what we name a six-pack photograph, it’s uh six images of those that regarded very comparable and amongst these images was Ms. Chandler.
Volle mentioned Williams instantly picked out Chandler, and once more was 70 % positive she noticed her there. However Volle acknowledged utilizing an array initially would have been higher.
There was nonetheless, for legislation enforcement, the difficulty relating to Dana Chandler’s alibi. Bear in mind, Volle mentioned Chandler instructed him she was house in her Denver condo the evening of the murders. However she instructed others, together with an acquaintance, Jeff Bailey, she slept in her automotive within the Colorado mountains that evening.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I used to be confused …
Chandler instructed the jury she had been confused when she spoke with Volle, however Prosecutor Kitt was not accepting that clarification.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): So what you instructed Detective Volle just isn’t in line with what you instructed Jeff Bailey, is it?
DANA CHANDLER: Uh, so far as my journey to –
CHARLES KITT: Ms. Chandler, it’s not constant –
DANA CHANDLER: Oh, that half. OK. Yeah. I might agree with that. Um, I might — that’s true …
As soon as once more, these secret recordings Hailey made along with her mom have been performed in court docket:
DANA CHANDLER: … you ever take into consideration killin’ him?
HAILEY SEEL: No, however —
DANA CHANDLER: I did.
This time, Kitt questioned Chandler herself about its authenticity.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): Was that your voice saying, “Did you ever think about killing him?” “I did”?
DANA CHANDLER: It sounds prefer it sure.
When it was time for the ultimate witness, Chandler determined it must be Dana Chandler. She knew the jury heard witnesses testify about her parenting and previous conduct. Chandler defined if she was a lower than an attentive mom, it was due to her ingesting and a scarcity of cash, not a scarcity of affection.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I completely did wish to have a relationship with my youngsters. You recognize I feel the monetary, substance abuse mixture, um it simply wasn’t possible. So, that’s all I’ve, thanks. Oh, cross.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): Ms. Chandler, throughout this time that you just couldn’t afford to feed your youngsters, you have been shopping for booze, right?
DANA CHANDLER: I used to be.
CHARLES KITT: Shopping for sufficient alcohol to get blackout drunk?
DANA CHANDLER: I used to be.
CHARLES KITT: OK, thanks. I’ve no additional questions.
And with that, after 18 days of testimony, Kitt and Chandler introduced their closing arguments.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): Why are Mike and Karen useless? And the proof exhibits one easy reply, management.
Hailey Seel: I feel Kitt nailed it when he mentioned it was about management.
The state described Chandler shedding management of Mike Sisco, as he deliberate his future with Karen Harkness, and the fashion that adopted.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): And that’s what led to the defendant touring to Topeka, Kansas, on July sixth and murdering them on July seventh.
Kitt spoke about Chandler’s depiction of occasions not lining up with the testimony of others.
CHARLES KITT (in court docket): It’s the defendant versus everybody. … You’ll be able to consider the defendant’s testimony, or you may consider all people else that you just heard from on this case.
In Chandler’s closing, she used a scale to make her level that prosecutors, whom she referred to as her accusers, didn’t have sufficient proof to tip it of their favor.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): The, uh, accusers should, uh, tip the dimensions. Right here. I’m harmless. (pointing to scale)
Pool
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): I had my infirmities, and I’ve my shortcomings, however I do stand right here earlier than you all immediately and proclaim that I’m an harmless lady.
She acknowledged the life she led was not excellent however mentioned that doesn’t make her a assassin.
DANA CHANDLER (in court docket): The state has woefully failed to fulfill its burden, to show past an affordable doubt that I killed Mike Sisco or Karen Harkness.
THE VERDICT
About 4 hours later, the jury delivered its verdict: responsible of the murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness.
After listening to the decision, Chandler turned away.
And whereas it was the decision Seel hoped for, the top result’s nothing she ever needed.
Hailey Seel: It’s so a lot worse that my mother is the one behind these murders as a result of we misplaced my dad and Karen, however then by all this, now we’ve misplaced our mother. … I actually want it was another person.
Darryl Burton: I don’t consider that they’ve proved this case past an affordable doubt.
Chandler’s supporter, Darryl Burton, stays undeterred. He nonetheless believes she is harmless.
Darryl Burton: The proof simply doesn’t, you understand, show that she’s responsible of something
Chandler is submitting motions for an enchantment. “48 Hours” reached out to Chandler once more for this episode, however didn’t obtain a response.
Mike Kagay: I’m very assured on this verdict.
District Lawyer Mike Kagay is definite the jury convicted the proper particular person.
Mike Kagay: I’ve each confidence in my prosecutors and the way they dealt with this case.
Hailey Seel: The main focus of this case has gone nearly fully to Dana Chandler and that the victims … has actually been misplaced … which is basically unhappy.
Sisco household
Greater than 20 years have handed since Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness have been murdered —-and Hailey desires to verify the lives misplaced are usually not forgotten.
Hailey Seel: I used to be attempting to inform my daughter about who my dad is. (cries) … and I mentioned … he was a very enjoyable, supportive, encouraging man who believed in me and my brother. …And Karen … was so sort, so accepting. … I miss them quite a bit.
Dana Chandler is scheduled to be sentenced on June 3, 2025.
Produced by Ruth Chenetz and Dena Goldstein. Chelsea Narvaez and Hannah Vair are the sector producers. Mead Stone is the producer editor. Atticus Brady, Marcus Balsam, George Baluzy, Wini Dini, Gary Winter and Grayce Arlotta-Berner are the editors. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer, Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer.
