In the latest episode of Netflix's shocking Untold series, The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill, the case of Michael Barisone, who shot his student Lauren Kanarek, is put under the microscope – featuring both sides of the twisted tale.
After Barisone was charged with two counts of murder, his legal team put forward the argument that he shot Kanarek in a moment of madness, brought on by her allegedly relentless harassing behaviour.
This is everything we know about Michael Barisone, what he was convicted of and where he is today, now that he has left jail following the shooting...
Who is Michael Barisone?
Michael Barisone is a former US Olympian who was charged with attempting to murder one of his equestrian students, Lauren Kanarek, in 2019.
Kanarek was living with her partner on the grounds of Barisone's training centre and farm when the incident occurred, with Barisone previously trying to have them moved on by emergency services.
On 7 August, Kanarek was shot twice in the brutal attack which later saw her put into a medically induced coma and require surgery to repair damage in her left lung. She called 911 herself and told the operator, "I’ve been shot in the heart. Michael Barisone shot me."
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Her fiancé, Goodwin, could be heard in the background of the call interacting with Barisone.
"When you’re shot at point blank range, and bullets just go through you, you’re still walking around. The damage is happening, but you’re not feeling it happening," Kanarek later told The Post, ahead of the Netflix documentary being released.
What was Michael Barisone convicted of?
Ultimately, Barisone was not convicted. He was charged with four attempted murder and related weapons offences (two counts of attempted murder of and two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose). If found guilty, Barisone could have received a 60-year jail sentence.
During his trial in the spring of 2022, Barisone's legal team argued that he was pushed to the brink by Kanarek's behaviour and that he could not remember carrying out the gun attack at all.
The new Netflix documentary includes a social media post that Kanarek made in the past which reads: "Everyone should be worried. I'm not responsible for anything my other personalities do when they're threatened."
Barisone's legal team also accused Kanarek and her fiancé, Robert Goodwin, of beating him before the shooting took place.
Prior to the shooting, Barisone had called the emergency services and tried to label the couple as squatters, claiming they were staying on his land without permission and describing the situation as "a war", adding "it's going to be dealt with".
Kanarek's team portrayed Barisone as a vengeful trainer, hellbent on destroying her promising riding career, when the shooting occurred. Before being shot, she posted online: "I’m being bullied by a 6’3” man. “Bullied to the point I’m afraid."
In 2022, Barisone was released from prison after serving a two and a half year sentence while awaiting his trial; the jury found Barisone was not guilty by reason of insanity (for one count of first-degree attempted murder) and for another charge of second-degree possession of a weapon. He was acquitted of the other two counts.
Where is Michael Barisone now?
After the jury returned their not guilty by reason of insanity verdicts, Barisone's lawyer said, according to the New York Times: "We’re ecstatic with the verdict. For two and half years, Michael Barisone has been waiting to tell his story and let people know what happened to him, what these people did to him. For the first time, he’s in a position where he’ll be able to get his life back."
Barisone is now thought to be living under strict court supervision, having spent time in psychiatric care before being conditionally released. He is currently based in the US with limits on his movements and has a ban on contacting his victim.
While he has reportedly resumed some involvement in horse training on a restricted basis, his professional future remains uncertain, with an ongoing ban from the sport and continued legal disputes.
