Dateline Features 1996 Murder of Atlanta Tech Millionaire Lance Herndon

The 1996 murder of Atlanta tech millionaire Lance Herndon will be featured in a forthcoming episode of NBC‘s «Dateline.» Herndon, a prominent entrepreneur known for his successful IT consulting firm, was found dead in his Roswell home on August 8, 1996. The circumstances surrounding his death have continued to capture public interest and media attention over the years.

Initially, Herndon’s death was shrouded in mystery, with some speculating that a business rival or debt collector might have been involved, given his financial difficulties. However, the investigation soon shifted focus to his personal life, which included numerous romantic entanglements. «What we saw on the surface was just a very small percentage of what was going on in his life,» private investigator Charles Mittlestadt revealed in an interview with Dateline.

After an extensive investigation, authorities linked Herndon’s murder to Dionne Baugh, an ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors argued that Baugh was motivated to kill Herndon to rekindle their affair after he allegedly refused to do so. Baugh’s involvement in the crime only emerged during her divorce proceedings two years following Herndon’s death.

In March 2000, a Fulton County jury convicted Baugh, but her conviction was overturned on appeal in August 2001. A subsequent trial resulted in a hung jury, leading Baugh to enter a plea deal before facing a third trial. She admitted to the killing and was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, receiving a sentence of 10 years in prison and an additional 10 years on probation. Baugh was released from Pulaski State Prison in July 2011.

The case has been the subject of numerous true crime programs, further solidifying its place in Atlanta’s legal history. «Dateline» plans to delve into the significant details, featuring interviews with key individuals involved in the case, such as Herndon’s son Harrison, former Fulton County executive district attorney Clint Rucker, and retired Roswell police officer Tommy Williams.

Additionally, Talana Carraway, a close friend of Herndon, provided «Dateline» with an exclusive interview. The case’s notoriety and its dramatic twists and turns have also inspired other productions, including BET+’s «Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy,» a scripted movie starring Taye Diggs.

The episode is set to air on NBC at 9 p.m. on November 22 and will be available on Peacock the following day.