ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 65

Monday September 22 , 2025

             Special News Report

This is Lydia DeCruz live from the courthouse in Upper Marlboro , Maryland on the very first day of the highly discussed and debated on social media trial of Dodie Angeletti who is accused of a tragic hit and run accident that left a local doctor dead and two teenaged boys wounded , one of whom was the fifteen year old son of the dead man and the other the nephew of Black transgender attorney Jeremiah Duncan. The courtroom has been locked to the media due to a order by newly appointed Judge Richard Norland who also put a gag order against the twelve member jury and three alternative jurors communicating via social media about the racially charged case. The courtroom is already packed with concerned racial justice activists , ministers , interested citizens and the families of both the defendant and the victims. The trial is expected at least a week but could actually spill into next week. Outside the courthouse there is a prayer vigil and rally for justice by local minister Reverend Lazarus Jones. Inside the court the defense Claire Lowen and Marcus Simms and assistant state's attorney Paul Paterson are preparing to do their opening arguments in what is the most watched trial of the century in DC Metro history. And there is increased security in the courthouse especially in the wake of the shootings earlier this year at the assault trial of now former detective Faith Lane which resulted in the tragic death of the then defendant's mother Jenessa Volkouva , wife of billionaire businessman Nicholas Volkouv. We also have reports that Judge Norland and assistant state's attorney Paul Paterson have received death threats from their involvement in this case. Mr. Paterson has issued a statement that no level of intimidating threats will deter him from seeing justice served in this case. Judge Norland and his husband Nigel Norland who is son of Nicholas Volkouv have not issued a statement on the threats to themselves and their family. On social media there is much dissent about this case with both supporters of the victims , a Black boy and a openly gay White boy , as well as supporters of the accused woman dividing along racial lines.