[0:00]It isn't every day that a person who has been shot is able to pick up the phone and contact emergency services for assistance. Right? It's the kind of event that makes you pause and wonder, how could something like this occur? How did an individual who once stood in the International Sports Spotlight become involved in such a tragedy? Today, I want to tell you a story that at first glance appears almost unbelievable. But like life itself, it is far more complicated than it initially seems. Fifty-eight-year-old Michael Barisone had spent his entire life proudly standing among champions. But in the spring of 2022, he found himself in a courtroom in Morristown, New Jersey, where in his eyes he left defeated. In court, the once regal rider appeared like a disheveled shadow of the person he used to be. It was one of the greatest falls from grace that the elite world of Equestrian Sports had ever witnessed. But how did a champion end up standing trial? In August 2019, shots were fired at a horse farm in Long Valley, New Jersey. The shooter was Michael Barisone. Very few people could have imagined that this calm and composed man could ever pull a trigger. Olympic equestrian Michael Barisone was regarded as one of the finest trainers in the world. He coached fellow Olympians and represented Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Barisone was among the leading dressage riders and had competed in the Olympics. He trained emerging riders who later went on to succeed in prestigious competitions. He was a widely recognized figure in the dressage and equestrian community, and many young riders were eager to train at his farms and with his team of coaches. The Olympic champion owned two magnificent horse farms. One located outside Palm Beach and another in an upscale region of New Jersey, which he named Hawthorn Hill. On this 53-acre expanse of prime horse country, there existed an Equestrian Paradise where dozens of horses were housed. Lush, rolling green pastures, an open riding arena, and a vast, beautiful indoor ring drew equestrians of all levels, both amateurs and professionals alike. Laura Osborne, Chelsea Westra, and their horses trained under Michael Barisone. They viewed him as a strict and disciplined coach, a man who preferred to maintain control over everything. Horses require constant attention, so Laura and Chelsea lived and worked at the stables, caring for the horses around the clock. In return, they received riding lessons from the Olympian at no cost. A year before the tragedy, the Olympic champion had been scouting new talent at his Florida horse farm when he was approached by 37-year-old Lauren Canaric. A woman with aspirations of becoming a dressage champion. It was their mutual love for horses that brought their paths together, a meeting that would change both of their lives forever. At the age of three, Lauren first saw horses and instantly fell in love with these majestic animals, which symbolized strength, freedom, and grace. From that moment onward, she could not stop thinking about horses. Like many young girls, she dreamed of owning her own pony, and as she grew older, she aspired to compete professionally in the equestrian world. Lauren's father, Jonathan Canaric, bought her first horse when she graduated from high school, and she devoted herself entirely to her passion. By the time Lauren won her first amateur competitions, Dressage superstar Michael Barisone had already established his reputation in the sport. She observed him closely, captivated by the harmony and precision with which he executed his dressage routines. She too wished to ride with Michael and learn the same graceful, ballet-like movements of Dressage. After the event, Michael approached Lauren and invited her to train at his riding club in New Jersey. Everyone knew Michael as an Olympic champion. He was a true star, declining an opportunity like that would have been unwise. Lauren was seeking the best trainer, and she was very impressed with Michael Barisone's riding club. The trainers and their new student got along well. Lauren's childhood dreams had been realized, and her life appeared perfect. She shared photos on Facebook with Michael and was very pleased with her lessons. However, over time, Michael began to realize that Lauren was not just an ordinary student. She was particularly demanding, the primary source of her dissatisfaction stemmed from what she perceived as insufficient training from Michael's assistants and from the Olympic champion himself. Yet other students had never expressed complaints about Michael Barisone's coaching team. Still, Michael could not simply end his training with Lauren and attempted to resolve the situation by personally conducting additional lessons. He was concerned with the money he received from Lauren, as bills needed to be paid. Stable workers Lauren Osborne and Chelsea Westra confirmed that by the summer of 2019, tensions between Michael and Lauren had resurfaced and serious misunderstandings had arisen once again. The conflict was reignited over Lauren's expectations and the amount of attention she was receiving from Michael. It became clear that, due to his busy schedule, Michael could not dedicate all of his time to a single demanding student. He delegated most of the training responsibilities to his assistants, Justin Harden and Mary Grey. However, Lauren insisted on training exclusively with the Olympic champion, not with his assistants. Yet it remained unclear whether the arrangement that Lauren would train only with Michael was part of an official agreement or simply her own personal demand. There were specific rules, and Michael Barisone's farm was no exception. He never worked exclusively with a single client. Training at his farm meant that a student could be coached by Michael as well as by his assistants, Justin Harden and Mary Haskins.
[6:06]In every sports club or facility, the head trainer is a replaceable figure, which is why a staff of trainers and assistants is maintained, many of whom had once been his own students. Yet that was not sufficient for Lauren. She became upset when Michael's full attention was not devoted entirely to her. In Mary Grey, Lauren even perceived a daily rival. The tension on the farm continued to escalate, creating a sense that something terrible could happen at any moment. The relationship between Lauren and Mary was tense. Lauren resented how much time Michael was spending with Mary Grey. She wanted to be the best and did not want anyone to stand in her way. Were these two women merely competing for the attention of Michael, one of the best trainers in the world? The tranquility of Hawthorn Hill was on the brink of collapse. It had become a true cold war. On July 31st, 2019, Michael Barisone called 911 and said, There is a war happening here and something must be done. I cannot tolerate these people any longer. I need them removed. Help. By the summer of 2019, the situation on the farm had grown so intense that trust among all parties had completely disintegrated. Social media became a significant source of tension, and the conflict between Michael, Lauren, and Mary was becoming widely known. Lauren Canaric was deeply upset and had no intention of tolerating what she perceived as an injustice. She turned to Facebook, using the platform to launch her own campaign. Lauren created a story based on a chessboard in which Michael was the king who had been captured and killed, and Mary Grey was the queen who needed to be sacrificed to protect their castle. The farm. What began as a seemingly playful story soon escalated into veiled threats. Two weeks later, Lauren posted another message. Anyone who continues to provoke a sleeping beast will eventually face its wrath. The tension on the farm continued to escalate, and the relationship among them reached a breaking point. Meanwhile, Lauren continued to fan the flames, telling her father that she was concerned about the safety of her horses. She claimed that she could not sleep at night, worried about how they were being treated. Lauren alleged that the horses were deliberately starved and then overfed, which she believed was harming their health. The conflict between Lauren and Michael extended beyond training and drew attention to the conditions in which the animals were kept on the farm, tarnishing Michael Barisone's reputation. Although the allegations of animal mistreatment were never substantiated and remained mere rumors, public opinion became divided. Some sided with Michael, believing that Lauren was deliberately undermining his life from within, while others supported Lauren. In mid-July, the situation escalated when farm employees discovered several hidden recording devices that Lauren and her boyfriend, Rob, had placed in the barn. Lauren was seeking any information she could use against Michael, claiming she was recording conversations out of fear of the farm staff. Lauren continued her attacks on Michael through social media, accusing him of racism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism. Allegations that Michael strongly denied, as they had the potential to seriously damage his career. This raises the question, if Michael was not guilty, why did he not sue Lauren for defamation and sever all ties with her? Perhaps he was too unsettled by the events unfolding around him and felt financially reliant on the money he was receiving from Lauren. This story serves as a reminder that in today's world, reputations and careers can be destroyed in an instant. Michael Barisone, who had once endured every hardship with resilience, found himself overwhelmed under the pressure that Lauren was placing on him. Lauren, for her part, claimed that the situation was the opposite. In one of her posts, she asserted that Michael, with his imposing height and aggressive demeanor, had bullied her and that she feared for her life. However, none of the witnesses were able to corroborate these allegations. Michael Barisone was deeply unsettled by everything occurring around him, both in real life and online. Farm employees observed the mounting tension and feared the worst. Michael stated that living under the same roof with Lauren and her boyfriend, Rob, had become unbearable. He no longer felt safe in his own home. One day, he decided to ask Lauren to pack her belongings and leave the house with her boyfriend and their horses. She, however, refused and made it clear that she had no intention of leaving. At that point, Michael and Mary chose to leave the house themselves. They retreated to Michael's winter home, located approximately 30 minutes from Palm Beach, Florida. Michael fell as though his paradise had turned into hell, and chaos had replaced the control he once had. He was neither sleeping nor eating. Meanwhile, Lauren Kineric continued her attacks online. On the morning of August 3rd, 2019, at 9:35 a.m., Michael called the police once more, pleading for assistance. They're crazy. They're stalking us. he said. Local authorities responded to the farm, but they treated the situation as nothing more than a landlord-tenant dispute. In desperation, Michael Barisone posted on Facebook, All my actions against them have been planned for months. Everything I have done to them so far has been child's play. The war is about to escalate. But what was the final straw that drove Michael to grab a gun? On August 7th, 2019, a van arrived at Michael Barisone's house, and a woman stepped out, identifying herself as a social worker from New Jersey's division of Child Protection and permanency. During the conversation, it became evident that Lauren Kinerick had filed a complaint with Safe Sport, accusing Michael Barisone of bullying, harassment, and intimidation. Although she asserted that no physical violence had occurred, the social worker had come to check on Mary Grey's children, who were not at home. The farm workers assured the social worker that Michael and Mary provided excellent care for the children. But for Michael, this visit was the final straw. He began to fear that an investigation into abuse might be imminent, and his mental state deteriorated rapidly. In a surge of emotion, Michael decided to put an end to the situation. He cut the meeting with the social worker short, kissed Mary, and asked her to wait outside. Then he retrieved a gun from his safe, got into his truck, and drove to the farm where Lauren and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, were staying. What exactly happened next remains unclear, but one fact is certain. An enraged Michael confronted Lauren at the farm and shot her twice. Hearing the gunshots, Rob rushed over and struggled with Michael. At 2:13 in the afternoon, Lauren, bleeding, managed to call emergency services herself and request help. When the police arrived, Michael Barisone was charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. A black and pink 9mm pistol found at the scene. Lauren, critically injured and bleeding, was rushed to the hospital, while Michael, injured in the fight with Rob, was taken into custody. Lauren was in critical condition. She underwent emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma due to the risk of brain damage. She remained in a coma for four days and spent three weeks in intensive care. Unable to speak because she was on a ventilator, once her condition improved, Lauren gave a statement to the police. She reported that Michael had been hiding behind some bushes near the back entrance of the house. According to her account, she approached him, unaware that he was armed. They began speaking, and suddenly Michael pulled out the weapon and shot her twice. Rob Goodwin, who was nearby, stated that Michael had also fired at him but missed. Michael's defense attorneys contended that Lauren had pushed him to an emotional breaking point, and many of his fellow Olympians supported this version of events. However, following the incident, Barisone put his horse farm up for sale, and his relationship with Mary Grey ended. Mary Grey also testified in court, confirming that the summer of 2019 had been extremely difficult for Michael. She stated that he often panicked and was tense, but that he had always treated her children with care and affection. The child protection services investigation had found no issues within their family. Michael Barisone spent more than two years in jail, and the legal battle extended for three years, finally concluding in March 2022. When Michael Barisone's trial finally commenced, the high-profile case lasted nearly three weeks. The courtroom became a battleground for the attorneys, yet the question lingered. Who was the real victim? Was it Michael Barisone, who had repeatedly reached out to the police, practically shouting that he feared this woman, or the fragile Lauren, who had spent four days in a coma, three weeks in intensive care, and was unable to speak because she had been placed on a ventilator? felt as though my life had nearly ended. However, during her testimony, Lauren Narich was asked whether she had a plan to destroy Michael Barisone, and she responded affirmatively. Michael Barisone's attorneys adopted a rare defense strategy. They argued that at the time of the crime, he had temporarily lost his sanity and was legally insane. Barisone himself claimed that he remembered walking into his office but had no recollection of retrieving the gun or shooting Lauren. Michael's lawyer, Ed Belincas, insisted that his client be evaluated by forensic psychiatrists. Dr. Stephen Simmering and Charles Hassen interviewed Michael extensively and concluded that Lauren Narich had subjected him to emotional manipulation, known as gaslighting, which ultimately fractured his mental state. They argued that Lauren had manipulated his perception of reality, driving him to a breaking point. Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person is led to doubt their own sanity, memories, and perception of events. Relying on this conclusion, Michael's defense invoked temporary insanity, a rarely used plea in court. The court accepted this argument and determined that Michael Barisone was legally insane at the time of the crime, thereby absolving him of criminal responsibility. The jury concluded that he was not accountable for his actions that day. What does not guilty by reason of insanity mean? It means that a person is not held responsible for their actions because at the time of the act, they were not aware of what they were doing. Barisone admitted to shooting Lauren, but he maintained that he had no intention of killing her, only that he wanted her to leave. After the verdict was announced, an emotional Barisone broke down in tears and collapsed into the arms of his lawyer. His legal team called the outcome justice, arguing that Michael was the true victim, driven to madness. Had he been found guilty, he could have faced up to 80 years in prison. Yet the question remains, even under extreme stress, what could have driven him to grab a gun and shoot? Barisone claimed that he could not remember the exact moment of the shooting, though he recalled everything else. Dr. Lewis Slessinger expressed skepticism that Barisone actually experienced a psychological blackout. It is possible that Robert Goodwin, Lauren's fiance, struck Michael on the head during their struggle, which could account for his memory lapses. However, it is important to remember that Lauren Canaric, who was shot twice in the chest, was also a victim. This fact was somewhat overshadowed during the trial, even though many in the equestrian community rallied around Michael Barisone and viewed his actions as justified. To this day, the precise motive behind the shooting remains unclear. According to police, Michael Barisone had been attempting to evict Lauren and her fiance from the farm, but the situation was complicated because the couple not only rented the house but also boarded their horses on the property. The police also noted that in the week preceding the shooting, the farm had been the subject of multiple complaints from Lauren Kinerick, who had contacted local authorities regarding alleged rental violations. According to court documents, on August 7th, 2019, around 2:45 p.m., Michael Barisone confronted Lauren and her fiance on the porch of the house. The conversation quickly escalated, and Barisone shot Lauren twice in the chest. Lauren's fiance attempted to wrestle the gun away, but Barisone managed to fire one additional shot, which struck a window. Nevertheless, his skilled defense attorney successfully argued that Michael Barisone was suffering from a mental defect that led him to genuinely believe he was in danger from Lauren Canaric, and that he did not understand the consequences of his actions. The defense also asserted that Canaric and Goodwin had unleashed their dog on Barisone and even physically attacked him. Canaric had been posting inflammatory remarks about Michael Barisone on social media, portraying the former Olympic champion as someone who had lost his mind. Michael Barisone's lawyer, Edward Belincas, expressed satisfaction with the verdict. However, Lauren Canaric's attorney, Bruce Nagel, called the decision a miscarriage of justice and accused Barisone of putting on a performance for the jury. Lauren's lawyer showed no intention of giving up and remained determined to pursue justice. He maintains that the court's ruling was unreasonable, and that Michael Barisone is a criminal who should be punished to the full extent of the law. A few weeks after the verdict, Michael Barisone was transferred to a psychiatric hospital. He was committed to the facility, where he will remain until a judge determines if or when he can be released back into society. This case raises numerous questions. The fact that Michael Barisone was an Olympic champion does not absolve him of responsibility for his actions. The law protects property rights, and if Michael was unable to evict Lauren and chose to leave himself, it indicates that she had a legal right to remain on the farm. Furthermore, it is notable that he continued to collect $5,000 a month from her for training despite his dissatisfaction. If Lauren was paying such a substantial sum, her expectation that she would be trained personally by Barisone, rather than by his assistants, was reasonable. After all, the fact remains that Michael nearly killed someone in the incident. Lauren became the target of online harassment, with some of Barisone's supporters claiming she deserved to be shot. But it is important to consider her perspective. She was paying a substantial amount of money for a service that was not being fully provided. She expected to train with a champion, yet she was being taught by his assistants. Yes, her actions, taking the conflict public on social media, can be viewed as toxic, and she even admitted that she wanted to damage his career. However, she had the right to express her frustration, particularly since she never directly mentioned his name in her posts. Now imagine this. A grown man, overwhelmed by his emotions, grabs a gun and attempts to kill her. This was an attempt to take a life. The question is, did Lauren truly threaten his life? She was not trying to harm him. A person in a healthy emotional state would have handled the situation differently, by ending the contract, calling the police, or resolving the issue through legal means, without resorting to violence. Imagine being dissatisfied with the service at a restaurant, filing a complaint, and the owner responding by trying to shoot you. It is absurd. Isn't it? This story also raises concerns about the state of society, where a woman's words can be taken as absolute truth without proper verification. We live in a world in which perceived victimization can dramatically shape how events unfold. But returning to this case, in November 2023, Michael Barisone was released, though he continues to receive psychological treatment. He is now in a relationship with Laura Osborne, who had previously worked at the farm. Meanwhile, after numerous surgeries and months of recovery, Lauren Canaric has returned to horseback riding. Consider this. Michael Barisone, a successful, respected man, an Olympic champion whose life seemed flawless, found himself at the center of a shocking incident that upended his world. Lauren Canaric, his student, whose actions and words contributed to a tragic chain of events. But was Michael truly a victim of manipulation, or did he simply fail to control his emotions and take an irreversible step? If you found this case fascinating, don't forget to like the video and subscribe to the channel. We post crime case videos every night. Until next time, stay sharp, stay vigilant.
