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Mrs. Ohio

Posted: Friday, May 04, 2007 10:02 AM by Dateline Editor

A programming note: Coming up tonight on a special two-hour Dateline NBC -- it's the crime that has everything -- wealth, beauty, ambition, adultery -- and murder.

The woman at the center of the story tonight, Cynthia George, is a former beauty contestant, a glamorous wife and a mother. And talk about a juggling act: she had one husband, seven children, and two lovers on the side.

Then one of her boyfriends was found dead. And when the police came calling, with fingers started pointing at her.

It's a legal thriller with an ending that even the judge never saw coming.

Victoria Corderi brings us a deadly tale of "Dangerous Liaisons," Friday, May 4, 8 p.m. Video and a transcript of the broadcast will be available later this weekend.

Use the space, below, to share your thoughts about this case.

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Comments

Did anyone else catch that when she said she met the victim he stood up for her to her husband, when the victim said you have a good wife and mother of your 7 children.Then the husband said if you can afford her go for it, at that time she should of only had 6 children the last was the victims. Put her back in jail and throw away the key.

Michael Menas,Fond du Lac,Wi (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:10 PM)

I can simply say, Her Husband and 7 children are angels. The woman needs rehab.

Anup (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:12 PM)

Oh please, the woman is guilty. What was she talking to the killer on the cell phone about, how to make tomato sauce right up until he murdered her former lover. I was wondering too why didn't they call the killer's sister to the stand to testify. He talked to her on the phone about his "friends" and for them to get other lawyers to help him get out of prison. I am sure he must of mentioned to her who she was suppose to get in touch with. Even though she might be freed, that marriage has no hope what so ever---unless the husband is a complete idiot.

Linda L. Roche (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:17 PM)

we were watching this program right thru until we lost electric in our area and would like to know what happened in this case in the end what did this women revele to the public at the end of this sigment? please emal back with a verdict of this ending, we would greatly appreciate it. thank you, paulette naples

paulette naples,stroudsburg,pa 18360 (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:19 PM)

In the interview from prison, Cynthia George stated that her affair with Zack STARTED after her husband insulted her and Zack came to her defense saying something like how can you say that, she is a wonderful person and mother of "SEVEN CHILDREN"...wasn't one of the seven children fathered by Zack?

Margot Kaelbling, Jackson, Mississippi (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:20 PM)

I'm very disappointed that Cynthia George is free to live her life after being convicted of murder. It really does seem that prisons are only for people who can't afford to buy their way out of them. She wrote letters to her trigger man boyfriend that was convicted saying, "we can't afford to make any mistakes!" She purchased the get-away motorcycle used in the murder! What connection did the shooter have with the victim except this lust filled woman?! Her freedom only reiterates: the rich can screw who they want, use who they want, and murder whomever they choose. The world is theirs. If you're poor, you have nothing. Not even the law.

M.F. (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:22 PM)

What a crock! On TV she weeps and tries to appear the victim, the delicate flower. We here in Akron remember her before all of the public mess. Never without a cell at her ear. Driving around dumping her kids from one place to the other! Snapping at folks and ordering them about as if she had the right to do so! Husband was guilty of being "Old School" always working, always assuming she would be there, running his mouth with horrible comments in public, but they all enjoyed the profits of his hard work! The two lovers from the news stories were not the only lovers! Lock up your husbands, ladies! She is a baracuda! Still, the evidence against her doesn't actually spell murderer. Just because a person is a floosie and a snob does not mean she is a killer. We can hope that prison has softened her and made her realize that tomorrow is never a promise, only a privilege.

Not Fooled in Akron (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:23 PM)

what was the end of the Ohio Beauty Queen's story. I managed to stay awake until she was trying to get a retrial and then dozed off. If someone could let me know if she was able to get an appeal or retrial, and what the results are i'd appreciate it.

S. L. Marshall (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:31 PM)

I was only able to catch bits and pieces of this story, but was Cindy George the same lady that also played Suzanne on "Who Wants to Marry My Dad?" If not they could be twins!

Becky Bearden, Benton, AR (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:32 PM)

I would like to comment on the Cynthia George trial, i saw the intreview where she said that her husband shout at her and that day for the first time her dead lover came up to her husband and said that how could your say such thing to your wife a mother or seven. I personally thing that is such a crock because she could not have seen him( her dead lover) for the first time that day when he was already the father one of the seven kids. Thank You

Sara Scarborough Canada (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:40 PM)

how strange that she should sob so many times but never once did i see any tears... i think it's a shame that her conviction was overturned and i believe that she should go back to prison. my heart goes out to her family and especially the family of the murder victim. he was the only real victim in the story besides her children...

Judy J., St. Cloud, MN (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:03 PM)

The people of Akron ought to be concerned about the amount of effort and zealousness with which the investigators and prosecutors developed and presented such a circumstantial case against Cindy George. Judge Cosgrove seemed genuine, but I think she made a tremendous error in concluding that the circumstantial evidence presented was sufficient to prove a guilty verdict on the complicity charge. Cindy George "might" be guilty of what the prosecutors have charged and without a doubt, the "circumstantial" evidence is significant. However, the appellate court was 100% correct and justice was done in overturning Judge Cosgrove's ruling as there was simply not enough "hard evidence" presented to prove it. It seems that the prosecution has wasted significant effort bringing such a circumstantial case to trial. They needed to get the proof!

Anonymous, Peoria, IL (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:10 PM)

This incident was about some facts upon which the litigants were asked to make a story. While judges preach they really do not understand why a person must be presumed innocent and that because, if for no other reason, a citizen is asked to defend against the all mighty powerful State with unlimited resources. Regrettably the judge failed to keep this in mind and chose the story of the State. God my forbid but we have come to treat justice as a contest of stories. Speculation was the theme of the day and the citizen lost at the trial level. I wonder if the judge would have been satisfied with guilt if her own daughter were in the prisoner's box. Did her decision have anything to do because judges are elected? If so then I can understand her inclination if not then her decision makes her a precotious self dramatist but not a jurist upon which the public should submit its freedom for judgment.

Rudy, Washington DC (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:15 PM)

I can't imagine Cynthia George doing all that she did and being as involved as she was and NOT knowing about this murder. Seems inconceivable to me. She also has the "face" and manner of a woman who is "cool", not accepting any responsibility for her actions and not very emotional about her lover's death either. I feel she is guilty but had the means to get away with it. Very discouraging.

Mindi NJ (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:30 PM)

I couldn't have been the only one to notice that while her children's faces were soaked with tears, every time Cynthia George was shown crying, there were never any tears. She was raped by a man, but stayed with him in an extramarital affair for 10 years and bore his child. She was depressed, had difficult pregnancies and her husband said something mean to her. For someone who claims innocence, she has alot of excuses. Cynthia George is pathological and belongs in prison.

Mary, Highland Park, IL (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:43 PM)

Just shows there are two kinds of justice in this country: one for the rich and one for the rest of us.

tim lusk tucson.az (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:58 PM)

Please. I just love it when a woman cranks out SEVEN kids but then uses the 'little girl' voice to go on about how 'innocent' she is. Maybe if she had to work instead of just crank out kids she wouldn't have had the time and ingratitude to be screwing around. Thanks for showing the story, anyone with a working mind can see the 'truth' just as the judge did. Once in a while the system still works. CM

cm (Sent Saturday, May 05, 2007 12:50 AM)

I have watched your reporting of Mrs. Ohio and I believe that her defence lawyers did her wrong. While the defence claim that Mrs. Ohio agreed to be tried before a judge alone,people hire lawyers to make decision and control the case. The appellate court did the right thing. Perhaps it could have decided differently by sending it back and be tried before a Jury of her Peers, however justice does not always work the way we want it to be. Ms. George made a big mistake by having an affair with another man while married. She suffered the consequences, of one of the 10 commandments "You shall not commit adultery". Citizens ought to not want people in prison simply just to have them in prison. Prison should only be reserved for dangerous offenders and surely Mr. George is not one of those people. At the end, none of us escape the last judgment thus if Ms. George is guilty of the crime she was first convicted of, she will need to face up to it.

tina zanetti (Sent Saturday, May 05, 2007 1:06 AM)

I was shocked at the outcome of this case. I have never seen a more guilty person set free. Cynthia George was obviously lying through her teeth in every interview that was shown. I especially found her attempt at crying during the prison interview a desperate attempt at gaining sympathy. It really is horrible that a mother could put her children through so much pain. She needs to be locked up for the rest of her life. If I were the victims family I would be outraged!

Maya, Portland,OR (Sent Saturday, May 05, 2007 1:07 AM)

I thought this was a very interesting show. She was released on Appeal...give me a break! If one looks closely at her handwriting samples, you will see that she has a "Hysterical Personality Disorder." All of her sobbing and victimhood is an Act. I hope she goes back to prison. Check out a professional Handwriting Analyst's Opinion - that should crack the case!

Anne Meridien, Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067 (Sent Saturday, May 05, 2007 1:09 AM)

Two things strike me: first, it sounds like Cindy George was lying about the way she met Jeff Zack. She told the interviewer that Jeff complimented Ed George on what a great wife she was, "with 7 kids." How could that be true since Jeff Zack was, in fact, the father of one of those children? Second, I noticed that for all of Cindy's on-camera "weeping," not a single tear was visible. Hmm.....

Larry, Vancouver WA (Sent Saturday, May 05, 2007 1:12 AM)

i just saw the show and def caught that.  i was coming on here to see if anyone else heard that.  i hope she goes back to jail.  

Nate, PA (Sent Saturday, August 25, 2007 7:59 PM)

The Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear the Cynthia George case.  She is free and can't be retried ever again due to Double Jeopardy.  See link below.

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/9442596.html

Zen, Wheeling, WV (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 11:14 AM)

I saw an hour long documentary the other day on this murder.  Frankly, I am surprised as I live in Ohio that I never even heard of this case.  I find Mrs. George's innocence to the knowledge of the matter incredulous as her phone records indicate she spoke to the killer minutes before and after.  However, with that said, whether she is incarcerated or not she will live with this the rest of her life.  How can one ever live with what she has done to her own children's lives?  Only God can forgive her and then she needs to forgive herself. God bless this family.

Cindy in Toledo (Ohio) (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 10:00 AM)

She needs to go to jail, She is a wonderful actress all that wineing and no tears. She bought the bike and payed for the defence, what else do you want???
I dont think she has ever been raped eather, that's a bunch of BS. Lock her A** up.

clbggs (Sent Sunday, September 23, 2007 7:04 PM)

She is a lying  stuck up b**h who bought her way out. I have met this woman. She is a piece of work. We citizens of Akron should be embarrassed that she is on our streets. Our justice system failed on this one.Judge Cosgrove is obviously the only one who had the sense & willingness to inforce the law...and not be bought off.

Mel, Akron<OH (Sent Saturday, October 06, 2007 10:48 PM)

Why to be so vindictive? Why do we want the famous or beautiful to be punished? That woman have suffered enough. If she did what she is accused of, the punishment of her guilt will be enough to last her life time. She will be in jail, not matter what.
Let her be with her kids and husband. They forgive her,
and I will too.

Maria Rojas, Portland, OR (Sent Sunday, December 30, 2007 11:41 AM)

This is why people hate lawyers..the poor police and procescuters (blue collar) work hard and find the eveidence..the MONEY overturns the eveidence. No matter where she lives she will have everyone knowing she did it...I hope te guy in Jail has more eveidence and comes forth and they finally get her.

Deny Crane, Boston (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 7:43 AM)

guilty,,not one tear, very good performance.

MJR (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 8:22 AM)

Sick. That is all I can say about this case. ugh..that woman needs to be locked up for good. It is SO obvious to anyone with a brain that the woman is guilty..but clearly having money is all you need in this world. Oh well, like everyone else said, she has to live with it for the rest of her pathetic life and I hope she gets what she deserves.

Michelle, Frisco, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:03 AM)

I'm glad Mrs. George has been released.  She's no criminal and doesn't belong in prison.

Susee James, Houston TX (Sent Friday, February 08, 2008 11:38 PM)

All I can say is Cindi is one heck of a manipulator.  She ruined two men's lives with 1 in the ground and the other in prison and made her husband out to look like the biggest fool and she gets away scott free.  BTW, my x has the motorcyle used in the shooting and bought it before he even heard of Jeff Zack and Cindi George

KAT, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 8:52 AM)



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