I mean look I'm really was a beautiful 5 year-old girl with some special needs harmony was warning to a very difficult and complicated family situation. >> Her mother Crystal sorey was not with her father, Adam Montgomery in fact, Adam rarely saw harmony her first few years of life because he was in prison. >> When he got out the visits continue to be. But that was just the beginning of harmonies troubled life, Crystal was struggling with addiction and family Services called in eventually harmony was placed in foster care, but this is not permanent item went to court seeking custody of harmony Kristol missed that hearing because she was in another family Court in another court House dealing with issues involving another one of her children then Adam was granted custody despite his career criminal status, violent background and lack of stable home at the time Adam was married to Kayla Montgomery they had 2 younger boys, this family of 5 was living in a car in New Hampshire win Kayla says Adam beat harmony to death after she had accidents in that car item says that's not true and Kayla is responsible for her death either way harmony is not been seen since 2019 and her remains have never been found a New Hampshire jury has heard all the evidence and all the arguments and now must decide if Adam month, the Murray murdered harmony tonight we have the latest from court as we continue our investigation of what happened to warming. >> I've been involved in thank you so much for joining us and here we are tonight. A big day in New Hampshire, a big night for this jury. They will tell us what and here the jury will tell us they haven't done it yet though. They deliberated shortly today, they'll be back tomorrow for my estimations you know you look at a case like 8 hours of deliberations would not shock me with the length of this while the number of witnesses the amount of evidence for this jury I think once you get past about 8 hours or so that becomes a long to live ration so tomorrow I would suspect would be the day. I don't know you don't know no one knows you know people who know the jury and the jury will tell us. They'll tell us when they've reached a unanimous verdict and they'll tell us what happened to harmony. And when they do. If it is tomorrow that will be judgment day for Adam Montgomery. Remember this is the trial that that he couldn't wait for he couldn't wait and the weapons problem, I knew all about that OK since May do what you but I'm waiting for my game court because that had nothing to do with the murder of my own daughter harmony that's what he said. And now that it's time to face the music face the evidence here the evidence faced the jury. And likely will not be there for judgment day either we'll see if he shows up. When the jury reaches its verdict. Unbelievable the way all that has developed. He's doing a lot of time already. But a conviction here. If he's found guilty is about punishing him about about the truth. Coming out. As we sit here though a lot of us thank you. But what about Kayla what that Kayla Montgomery. She's a prosecution witness. Remember this and you know prosecutors across America have to do this day in and. Out and remind jurors and remind people that they don't get to pick the witnesses in their case. It's not like a prosecutor starts of cases all right where can I find a good witness know the witnesses are the people generally who are in this the the circle of the life of the accused. And in a murder case, the accused killer. So these our our in his life and Taylor was his wife. So you would necessarily expect her to be the most forthcoming most credible person on Earth. Addiction problems problems with the lying and lying and lying in line. And I think part of what the jury may be discussing is what about Caleb because. She is the one that Adam is pointing the finger at she is also there. But she's also the most important witness for prosecutors who can put on the pieces together so there's a lot that they have to discuss about Kayla Montgomery and we're going to do that tonight and what we're going to do is break down. Situations that she faced and how she reacted to those circumstances. And we'll bring in our experts to see what it reveals about her and what it reveals ultimately about the truth. In what happened to harmony. The big question tonight is will there be justice. And that's a question that can be interpreted differently by different people. But for me justices is one thing and one thing only the same thing it was when I was a prosecutor. >> Which is the truth. The truth. >> Coming out inside of a courtroom. And when a jury either finds someone not guilty. Or is unable to reach a unanimous verdict. You don't get justice. You know for the person might feel like if they're innocent that it's justice. For me it's not justice until the truth of what happened is determined by a jury. Let's bring in court TV crime and justice correspondent Matt Johnson who was in the courtroom. All day joining us live from New Hampshire tonight. >> Wow I'm feeling >> and here in the studio. I match what it's been like a in that courtroom and at that courthouse. So let's let's start here today is a big day closing arguments that's the name of this show. So you know they're important right. Tell us first about the defense. >> Well then a nice to see you and it was another dramatic day in a very disturbing trial and you're right. Everyone here waiting for a verdict for much of the afternoon was on pens and needles at this courthouse here in New Hampshire. The day started with closing arguments and with the defense. Both sides very passionate. You had public defender, Caroline Smith really talking about 2 themes of this case that she wanted this jury to think about Adam not hating harmony according to her and that Keita Kayla is the real killer and a liar, here's more. >> He and Kayla hid. And manipulated harmonies body after her death, it's unforgettable. >> They lied about her whereabouts after her death. It's unforgivable. But he did not do this to hide that he killed harmony because he did not kill for money. He did this because he believed it would keep his family together and most importantly he did not kill his daughter. >> Kayla decided to lie about harmony staff. To accuse Adam something that he did not do. >> To get herself out of her own prob problems. And what better way than to pick an accusation that had already been made. Adam was already arrested and in jail for an allegation of striking harmony. A tale that he had struck her and given her black eyes that make and the groundwork for Taylor's own lives. She had to lie. Because the truth would point to her. And therein lies were accepted. Because Adam had already been accused. Of causing Kayla black eyes. >> And Caroline Smith ended by telling the jury don't base your judgment on emotion you could return with a quick verdict. But don't do that really think about everything in this case and don't base it on a motion. >> The quick verdict that's interesting because. I think based upon the way the evidence is the defense knows that if it's a quick verdict that's not going to be good. You know sometimes quick verdict can be not guilty but under the circumstances that be rather bizarre. I find that the jury goes to the evidence they want to do the right thing you know I I served on a on a jury recently I'm just posted a video on my facebook page are going to check it out about my experience, but you want to get in there you want to do justice you. You know, yeah you want it to end, but you want to get to the right conclusion. And you actually do to create this like bond with the people involved in the case. Okay. Let's talk about the prosecution how about the state's closing it. >> Very powerful this prosecution was today in wrapping up their case you could hear a pin drop in that courtroom that it's packed full of law enforcement that not only investigated the case but are still searching for harmonies remains it's very dear to their heart you heard about some of them testify. And the prosecutor Bennett Gotti, the senior assistant AG here in New Hampshire. Well he was really talking about the fact that. Harmony Montgomery was killed by her father who hated her this is a case that really impacts the entire community even Crystal sorey was in the gallery quite crying at times and had to leave during during part of his statement so watch this. >> You should then consider not only all of the testimony but also all of the corroborating testimony about all of those charged. It's those to falsifying physical and abuse of a corpse to be true. Very painfully clear from the indictments that you're going to be considered for falsifying physical evidence and abuse of a corpse. And disappearing her body in the condition that it could not be found. For a trial like this one. And the defendant's counsel profess to you that he's not disputing that not saying he didn't commit these crimes. You can check these 2 off the list. Getting rid of evidence that's what murders do. They get rid of evidence that would show others what they do. They think nobody. No evidence. This silence witnesses into staying silent or even per cheering themselves, it's so that the witnesses don't tell others with the murder did. Because murders don't want to be held accountable for their actions that's what murders do. That's what the defendant did. Because he's a murder too. >> And we heard that several times vianey throughout that closing argument that was very powerful using the word murder and Adam Montgomery and he also ended by reminding the jury about the impact of this case not only in this community in New England. But all all across the United States. The search individuals. And how everyone was searching for this little girl and how she doesn't even have a proper burial, something that you talked about quite a bit on your show we still don't have her body. >> You know when I think about this jury has to determine. It's somewhat similar to a case that was very different than this one, but the circumstances. The Ryan Duke Bo, Duke's Tara grinstead up and vanished murder case where you had 2 people who both sort of admitted to being they're getting rid of the and in some respect the victim was never found. But there no one was held accountable for the actual murder and it's so people should understand that that this is not necessarily automatic. Yes, we all believe that the evidence is very compelling and overwhelming but you get in that jury box things are. When you have to consider the elements of the crime and what was actually proven in how you can connect or distinguish between Kayla Montgomery and Adam Montgomery. Let's get to that jury not to questions about this juror. First who was on this jury and number 2 how did the day. Appear today during these closing arguments was there anything noticeably about them during the prosecution versus the defense. >> Right you know they were paying close attention as they usually do remember they don't have notebooks at this particular courthouse. The judge Amy Messer said that she wants them to rely on the evidence and their own recount of that evidence said today they were listening very closely. And it's a cross section of everyday people in New Hampshire, a lot of professional people. Coincidentally most of them all have it was 17 people that listen to this case start to finish for the past 10 days, they went on that jury view after closing arguments this morning, then judge Amy Messer pulled out some numbers randomly from a ball and that's how we got our jury of 12 and here's the jury makeup that is deliberating and we'll be back at it tomorrow morning we have 10 women and 2 men. The for person is a man in his 20's to 30's and out of Montgomery, you know as we've mentioned he hasn't been in court since jury selection and he's not required to be back here in tomorrow if we have a verdict or if they do the reading of the verdict so. Once again we don't know if he's going to get on that transport bus tomorrow. >> All right Matt Johnson standby make sure you tune in first thing in the morning for a verdict watch thanks so much. Matt want to bring a special guest joining us tonight in Atlanta Georgia, the adoptive father of harmonies brother. Blair Miller with us tonight player great to see you thanks for joining us. I know you're extremely busy not only at home, but it work etc let's start with year your your son harmonies brother. How's he doing and as he mentioned harmony recently. >> You know it then that you know we have 3 boys we stay pretty active 3 Jamison being the youngest at 7 years old. And we've tried to shield him from most of the trial. He does know this is happening in knows. She's passed. Does know the details of that. >> Interesting because here in the last couple weeks she's been on his mind and for whatever reason. A few nights ago during his evening prayers. He was saying his prayers Ruth has been Jonathan as they do every night. And Jamison said of the blue. He was he said I would like got to do one thing and I'd like for him to bring army backed the lights and you hear your son say that the age of 7. You get very concerned about what's going on his mind. And we try to focus on what's going on in his heart and focus on the good. Because her me from a lot of good his life before he joined our family. She was only constant. I know he has a lot to wrestle and that will be for years to come but to hear him talk about these things talk about having visions of Saint party. It's obviously very concerning very powerful. >> Absolutely. >> And what are your thoughts tonight as this jury is going to return tomorrow to continue their deliberations all the evidence is in arguments have been What are your thoughts tonight. >> There's a lot of as you might imagine and. Today as this was quickly unfolding closings today. It stopped me in my tracks. Setting the couch just something to the couch and hearing everything presented as one it's it's different in your bits and pieces and you hear about case law on the way but mayor laid out just as powerful and it's gives a lot of anxiety, there's a lot of concern. There's a lot of hope for justice and you know this is one part of the Justice. We see we'd like there to be justice tomorrow. We still think there's justice to be served Massachusetts New Hampshire. So there's not in Montgomery. And then what about the justice for James son when he's older it's an adult. When he reads these details that we all that been absorbing last couple weeks of discussed. How does what's the Justice like for him. How does life and for for him. That's our job certainly to help them through that. >> Blair Miller, thank you so much the best to your family always thanks and she will speak again. Okay when we come back folks what about Kayla what about Kayla Montgomery will take a look at some circumstances and situations and take a look at how she reacted to them to see what they reveal about her and the truth in this case. Plus coming up next hour. >> In Santa Fe, New Mexico cinematographer halyna Hutchins was killed by a bullet that was just charge from a gun in the hand of a Lister Alec Baldwin tonight we track the custody of that gun as the trial in the Baldwin movie shooting begins. >> But students be the most vicious guiding me to the very motions that well causing our allies. >> But they never tell you guys to keep your finger off the trigger. >> Well you said that. Early 2020. This photo. Was taken in March. You also said. >> This was a regular occurrence. Yes, it would tell me that I couldn't leave with most ID. Wow I did of leaving it running another, so say that my It never is to tear the apartment which is right next door, ID and stirs she could call a mom. It added chemo. They told me it is. What we would choke hold is said to tell or just you know covid loved bill leak that full color leds he's going to hear me. >> Why couldn't you leave the House. >> See so that those. We should And she let me ask you this Taylor. When you left the House. We're 2 small sons still in the House with him kit that is why did you only take your daughter. >> The shoes and Those are the feeding her and I just pray it in. to fade, so ID like to go back and get the kids. >> The image that I showed you you describe having breeze in lockdown is that a stand out too. Yes, what does it stand now. >> Sunday that I think it to live. >> Montgomery talking about how she's reacting to this increase of path noya by Adam her husband and the escalation of the is not until March of 2021 that she then reacts to all that by leaving. Let's bring in our guest joining the retired first justice of the Worcester County juvenile court in Massachusetts and the author of the book about harmonies case called a cruel injustice how Massachusetts put four-year-old harm in the hands of a monster judge Carl Erskine is with us again. Also joining us in New York City psychotherapist and host of talking live in the bite-size podcast doctor Robbie Ludwig and finally in Boston, Massachusetts Boston, 25 reporter Bob Ward great to see everyone tonight a judge only begin with you of your thoughts about. The timing of all of this like he apparently according to kill is already killed harmony and that was a while ago it's not so March of 2021, then there is escalation of paranoia and abuse that she decides to get up and what what does that tell you about her. What does that tell you about what was going on here. >> What it tells me about her is that she had been in just a horrific situation like so people who are victims of domestic and and I have been 20 years seen hundreds of cases, child abuse and neglect cases where the state is petition to remove children for that. I saw a former to suicides and I saw other cases where the where the mom had been murdered in other cases where they were stabbings that serious injuries, I mean people. The women in my case isn't with Kayla are in a situation where they are so traumatized and so under control and so battered and so beaten. I think is the prosecutor pointed out she did what she was told to do and I think there was a lot of fear there. And I also think that there was a great deal of fear over what would happen to her and her children that you know that she would possibly those her children so you know I think the argument you know that she lied you know over and over again she lied she lied she lied. You know that happens in domestic violence cases where people aren't here where people and and nobody was more in fear that Kayla market rate does that absolve her. Of the need to report what had happened to harmony or to help Harmon IE when she was peak think beaten. I mean I think most of us agree you know that something should have happened. But you know she she is you know like many many women I saw who were victimized by controlling by law people and living in fear in living with intimidation. >> Let's move forward now to December of 2021. Now this is the first time that police contact Kayla Montgomery about harmony and arm the being missing unaccounted for let's take a listen has she described her reaction to that circumstance. >> You are contacted by police in December of 2021. Right yes, but. >> There had actually been information in the media. >> I'm doubt. Looking for harmony Montgomery right. Yes, and you actually seen things in the newspaper down Crystal sorey. Morning to find her daughter. And then when the police came to you. They wanted to talk to Adam about his starter right. Yes, and at that time you and Adam were separated grave. Yes, they were living in shelter. This is your second time at the fit shelter, right, yes. I was in Maine, right. When they talk to you you told them that the as far as you Adam had taken harmony to his mother's right her mother's, yes, I'm sorry, thank you. You said that you said it was in Yes that you didn't give them a way to get in touch with But you got in touch with them, yes, and you said, and for him to come back to Manchester yes, you said, and that he needed to do with this too. Yes, and you said that you're not dealing with it by yourself, yes. >> Bob Ward, I look at the situation and this this is when the story starts to bubble right. I mean, I'm Crystal stories all over the news and Kayla doesn't give up Adams contacted for me to police she still protect them. >> Yeah that's right and I think the bond of this experience they had with the death of harmony kept them. You know on some level United they were still in on this even though a couple of years have gone by you can hear. I'm Kayla saying basically to don't forget about this we agreed here. This is our story and she stuck to that for quite a while that that Adam had given our money back doctor Crystal sorey in Massachusetts on a day out of drove her to work at a Dunkin Donuts the story we now know was completely wrong. It didn't happen. It was a lie, she lied about that to the grand jury but that was what they were going without was the cover story that they had and you know it's interesting that after all that time he's with somebody else. He's in another state she still knows where he is and she basically said I'm not going to deal with this by myself and that story was locked in tight at that time it was for quite a while. >> Let's now talk the theft charges because she gets charged because they're getting money because of harmony. But harmonies gone so they're basically stealing this money she gets charged with that. Let's take a listen to her how she described her reaction to that. >> I'm gonna arrested on January 5th rate against. You got arrested on January 6. Yes, the news, it and was arrested right yes, and you are arrested for something. They eventually became a theft charge rate. After you were arrested, you were. The cursory that yes they were incarcerated for several months, yes, and you want to get now. Yes they were following what was going on with that Meyer incarcerated rate. I remember talking to people and down the fact that Adam was still talking to Kelsey on the phone while he was incarcerated. Yes, while you are in jail use orders. Thought about. Your own trouble and may be how to get out of trouble right. Not just my own trouble. I explain it. It's not about missing the kids you mean. Their trouble too because they didn't have their mother. >> Yeah and still thinking man I'm too. >> Okay, you are thinking about is our ratings of your thoughts that you put the paper that what you wanted to betray a right. They are my thoughts. >> Let's go one of the that you want to know was. One last time with right right. They wanted one last time to maybe cause some or make love him. But you didn't or 8 was that you wanted protection from Adam frame. Right. What you didn't write was there. >> You are afraid about a great great. You didn't want protection from Adam right. I wasn't thinking about that the current. To be with him one last time and before you as you put it the trade him right. >> All right doctor Robbie lot of people talk about this one right so she gets arrested, she's got 3 months in jail. She's very I would reaching out to his new girlfriend and but she writes his letter where she wants to make love with Adam one more time before she but racing. >> So this is very typical of a traumatic. And that we see that Kayla was still very much attached and in love with Adam. We don't know what her fantasies weren't firms of reuniting clearly there was anger and betrayal that Adam now left her for another girlfriend, and I think it's just a lot of mixed emotions, many of these women in abusive relationships, they still are very much in loving committed. The 2 there has been a partner and they often very much minimize the abuse that goes on. They're so used to it they don't experience the abuse in the same way outsider would so to Kayla this was her life. >> And I think she wanted to get without him because they're like with him was after that it is without. >> All our guests are staying with us when we come back we're going to talk more about Kayla Montgomery, how she's reacting 2 different circumstances and did we get the truth from her on the witn es >> That note was your thoughts for want to do what you wanted your attorney to turn to the AG about grave. And that note was found in years. >> Well it might between the mattress and the frame nose in a book UK but it was and during regular self-serve trait yes and this year's asked you about that note. Yes, and years says you wanted to talk to the aging yes. >> you hope to talk to the AG those are the conditions that you wanted to get. Yes. And you did not. >> Have a conversation with the AG. >> In January right, no didn't have a car station that the AG in February right. No have a conversation with the AG in March right. No, but you did get a subpoena for the grand jury. >> Yes and I understand that the grand jury much, yes. >> So Kayla Montgomery get subpoenaed to the grand jury. How does she react to that subpoena what does she do in front of the grand jury. Take a listen. So why are you currently incarcerated. >> For a line on. To a jury. Without my the whereabouts of where I was and where her money. >> And we say line to the jury was that the grand jury yes. But he also lied to the police yes. Because I was scared and. >> I was told by Adam too. Stick with that story. I got dropped off at work and you can do not swear I no longer worked at that time. And to say that he was bringing her me to meet. Krystal and that he dropped her off with her. >> Such a significant moment, there judge callers can doctor Robbie Ludwig and Bob Ward still with Bob let me ask you about this so this is so significant for this, I'll because here's she has to admit, yeah I was in front of a jury a grand jury. And I just lied I like she was under subpoena just like she's under subpoena to be at this trial. >> Yeah it's going it's definitely an issue in this case her credibility and she was looking at a 3 and a half to 7 years. Consecutive on these charges that she admitted to that she lied to the grand jury and that's what got her finally motivated to talk to the police and start saying what happened to harmony where did she go and where is she now it was only that legal the legal trouble that she was in which is on top of the other case where she was still collecting those benefits after army was gone that she realized that she couldn't continue to protect Adam anymore. He was already locked up and that she didn't come out and say something and tell the truth and make a deal that she was looking at 14 years in prison and losing her other 3 kids. So you know it's not the first time that the defendant that's an jammed up finally agrees to talk but that's what happened. But now as you mention, it's a little thing in this trial because her credibility. It is at stake and she's the one that the talks about what happened in the back seat of that car. How our money died. She is the key witness there. And that's why this is so important. >> A lot of times there's credibility problems with jurors but like not convicted are jurors this is like the ultimate credibility problem, okay, so she's facing now those perjury charges here she is talking about how she reacts to that. >> So on June 3rd you met with the police for a pretty long time frame. Yes, the police were generally the ones asking questions. Yes, but there is some money from the attorney general's office who is also present. Yes and then you not do it for the perjury charges. Yes, and during booking you said something to detective done Levy. Down to Portland pie. Yes. >> And then >> take in the van into Portland pie from the freezer. >> And then returned it to union Street later. >> Yes, but then you talked again on the June 23rd, yes, and on June 23rd that was also audio and video recorded yes. And about the same amount of people where their aunts and generally the same people yes, after that. Are you did reach or deal rate. >> Okay judge can we trust and admitted purge or right that's the that's the question here. >> Yeah, I mean I I certainly agree with you that you know perjury is sort of the ultimate a credibility killer. And the that's you know of course a problem but I have to say that her test only about what happened that ride to every single stop light as he's turning around and beating harmony was so very detailed it's like it's burned in her brain. And so the fact that she lied to the grand is one thing and of course it's perjury but I think when the prosecutor held up the picture of her having being beaten with a black eye and a swollen face. It explains a lot for jurors to okay now I see why she lied and you know that picture as the expression goes is worth a 1000 words. But I found her testimony about what happened to harmony December 7th, very credible and not only was it credible it was supported by corroborating evidence so I don't think the issue of perjury in her trying to strike a deal it's as strong as is the defense wants it to be now. >> Adam Montgomery, not showing up to court doctor Robby but he was in court for his weapons charges trial back in June of 2023 and Kayla Montgomery. Did testify in that case as well as take a look at this video as she enters that courtroom and he is staring her down. But she is not even glancing over and him your thoughts about what's going on. At this point now between these 2. >> Well clearly at one You know Kayla was loyal. He had a lot of. >> Power over her so if he said to lie, she trusted him more than anybody else in the court this them or you know that police officers. Adam was our go-to person, but it some point that while T switch is a little bit when she realizes it's either going to be Adam. >> and I think I need to choose may because I'm the only one that can save myself and be the mother I want to be my children so I think that there was a ship. When there was a huge problem, Haitian and she realized she could end up in jail for a very long time or what for a man who letter down the wrong I so I think throughout this process. Her ability to see reality and and have some clarity he became more. We're over time and perhaps just because she had other influences on her that we're helping and it broke that tendency of hers to just rely on one person was a liar whose violent and responsible most likely for the death of harmony. >> Great insight tonight from
