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Downloaded from
YTS.MX
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(somber piano music)
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Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX
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- (Narrator) Vera
did as she was told
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00:00:12,684 --> 00:00:17,185
and went with her killers,
knowing she was going to die.
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00:00:17,189 --> 00:00:18,689
- (Nicole) Then
he was just like,
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00:00:18,691 --> 00:00:19,691
"Get your coat and shoes on now.
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00:00:19,692 --> 00:00:21,694
"We're leavin', we're
goin' for a walk."
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- When they told her to
put her shoes on, you know,
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00:00:24,196 --> 00:00:26,196
she kinda, she was
like yelling, "Why?
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00:00:26,198 --> 00:00:27,198
Ya know, like, "Why?"
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00:00:27,199 --> 00:00:28,699
"Why do you want me
to get my shoes on?"
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00:00:28,701 --> 00:00:30,202
And Zachary went
up to her and said,
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00:00:30,211 --> 00:00:32,702
"Just get your
"effin' shoes on."
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- (Narrator) Had she
been given one final wish
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00:00:34,707 --> 00:00:37,207
it would've been to say
goodbye to Willadean,
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00:00:37,209 --> 00:00:39,709
her precious little girl.
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But instead her
last farewell came
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from the baby's grandmother
who knew this was the end.
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- And as I laid my head
down all I seen was a vision
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00:00:50,723 --> 00:00:54,723
of Danny, Nicole, and
Vera's purple hoodie,
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of them walking
outside on the porch.
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00:00:57,730 --> 00:01:01,734
And I said, "Goodnight, Vera,"
and she said, "Goodnight."
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00:01:01,739 --> 00:01:06,234
She said, "Goodnight, Sugar
Babe," and I said, "Goodnight."
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- (Narrator) She had
15 minutes to live.
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(ominous rock music)
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♪ I've got no sugarbaby now
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♪ Got no sugarbaby now
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♪ All I can do is
seek peace with you
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♪ And I can't get along this way
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♪ I've got no sugarbaby now
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00:02:01,794 --> 00:02:05,294
♪ I've got no sugarbaby now
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00:02:06,799 --> 00:02:11,804
♪ All I can do is
seek peace with you
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00:02:11,809 --> 00:02:15,804
♪ What more can a poor boy do
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♪ Who'll rock the cradle
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♪ Who will sing the song
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♪ Who will rock the
cradle when I'm gone
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♪ I've got no sugarbaby now
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00:02:41,333 --> 00:02:44,833
♪ I've got no sugarbaby now
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♪ All I can do is
make peace with you
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00:02:50,848 --> 00:02:54,843
♪ And they'll send you
to your mama next payday
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♪ Who will rock the
cradle when I'm gone
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(train whistle blows)
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- (Narrator) The case began
on a cold spring morning.
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- They had her layin',
instead of having her layin'
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on the rails they had her
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layin' in between the tracks.
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- It's like, here's the two
tracks, she was in the middle
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and he was goin' so
fast with the train
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that he looked down and thought
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that it was a baby deer.
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- And the engine and
eight cars went over her.
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- He stops the train,
gets out, and walks back
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thinking that he was gonna
find the carcass of a deer.
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Because the train, the
cars were still over her,
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looks under, sees
that it's a human.
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(phone buzzing)
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- (Officer Biggs) Findlay
Police Department, Biggs.
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00:03:38,390 --> 00:03:39,890
- (Chris) Hello, this is
Chris with CSX Railroad.
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- (Officer Biggs) Yes.
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- (Chris) Hey, we
just got a report
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that we have a train
stopped over near
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Central Parkway.
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Right in between there
across from Blanchard River.
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- (Officer Biggs) Okay.
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- (Chris) We got a report
that we have a train
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stopped right now
because they see a
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naked female body laying
in the middle of the track.
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Appears to be deceased.
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- (Narrator) The location
of this grizzly discovery
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00:03:59,411 --> 00:04:01,914
could not have
been more symbolic.
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00:04:01,921 --> 00:04:05,414
On a train trestle in the
center of Findlay, Ohio,
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00:04:05,417 --> 00:04:08,917
a town once designated by
an official act of Congress
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00:04:08,921 --> 00:04:10,431
as Flag City, USA.
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It was known for its
good schools, low crime,
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and famous sports stars.
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And little girls dream of
becoming homecoming queens
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00:04:20,939 --> 00:04:21,933
and cheerleaders.
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(crowd cheering)
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- (Crowd) We're in it to win
it so let's take the floor
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00:04:28,941 --> 00:04:31,443
of (mumbles).
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(spectators cheer)
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- (Narrator) But now
someone had taken a knife
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to this picture of
all-American bliss
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and left one little girl
under the central overpass,
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slashed, bruised,
and slaughtered.
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- After I found out, you
know, she got murdered
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and everything it broke my heart
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because me and my sister
did everything together.
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(somber ambient music)
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- (Narrator) Two months
earlier Findlay Police
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responded to a
domestic violence call
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00:05:02,481 --> 00:05:03,974
at 300 Center Street.
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00:05:03,976 --> 00:05:07,976
This was not the first time
Vera's abuse had been reported.
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00:05:07,980 --> 00:05:09,980
But if anyone was
paying attention,
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00:05:09,982 --> 00:05:12,484
they would've seen the
violence getting worse.
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00:05:12,492 --> 00:05:15,484
- I was there a few times
when the cops was called.
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They'd come,
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be like, "We need
to speak to Vera,"
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and Zachary and Cheri
and them would tell her,
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"Don't say Zachary
did anything."
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Or be like, "You
fell down the steps."
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"You did it, it was your fault."
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- (Narrator) Only this time
the quote "I tripped and fell"
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excuse would not work.
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00:05:36,008 --> 00:05:39,508
A problem soon solved
with a better lie.
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- When her boyfriend,
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oh what is his name?
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- They said it was a
black dude, that I guess
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she was supposedly dating,
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but I believe he was
a created character
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as they call it in
the video game world.
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- I can't even think of
his name now but it's...
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Demetrius Jones I think it was.
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- She made up the Desmond
Thompson guy from Lima.
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00:06:13,545 --> 00:06:16,545
- And he had busted her nose.
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00:06:16,548 --> 00:06:18,048
'Cause she had to go
out to the hospital
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'cause she had a bump
here and they said
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she might have a
concussion and bleeding.
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00:06:21,561 --> 00:06:23,553
- They come up with
this story sayin'
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00:06:23,555 --> 00:06:27,555
that Vera had a
boyfriend, a black man,
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that was out of
Lima or somewhere
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and he come up here
and got in a fight
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and punched her in the
face and broke her nose,
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but that's not true.
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00:06:34,066 --> 00:06:35,566
It was her son Zachary.
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00:06:35,567 --> 00:06:38,567
- He came downstairs,
went straight to his mom,
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00:06:38,570 --> 00:06:40,580
asked her what happened.
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00:06:43,075 --> 00:06:45,075
Cheri just came up
with an excuse sayin'
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00:06:45,077 --> 00:06:47,577
that Vera was the one that
pushed her own daughter
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00:06:47,579 --> 00:06:49,079
into the coffee table.
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00:06:50,582 --> 00:06:53,582
And Zachary just listened
to what she said,
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00:06:53,585 --> 00:06:56,085
went over to Vera,
and swung his fist
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00:06:56,088 --> 00:06:57,588
and hit her right in the face.
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00:06:57,589 --> 00:07:00,592
- (Narrator) Even more
chilling is what happened next
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00:07:00,599 --> 00:07:03,592
when Zach and Cheri
brought in a third party
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00:07:03,595 --> 00:07:05,595
to finish the beating.
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00:07:05,597 --> 00:07:08,597
- Zach had got a
hold of his Aunt Sam
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00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:12,610
and when Vera didn't give
her a straight answer,
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00:07:14,106 --> 00:07:17,106
Sam, Samantha, just
straight up punched her
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00:07:17,109 --> 00:07:19,109
in the face again.
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00:07:19,111 --> 00:07:21,113
- And broke her nose.
- And broke her nose.
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00:07:21,121 --> 00:07:23,113
- (Narrator) This January
assault is a glaring example
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00:07:23,115 --> 00:07:26,615
of how the system failed Vera.
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00:07:26,618 --> 00:07:27,618
- They talked to me
and Vera both together
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00:07:27,619 --> 00:07:30,119
'cause Vera wouldn't
talk to nobody
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00:07:30,122 --> 00:07:31,623
unless I was there
in front of her.
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00:07:31,632 --> 00:07:33,623
- She wasn't allowed to
talk unless she was told
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00:07:33,625 --> 00:07:35,125
to talk by Cheri.
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00:07:35,127 --> 00:07:36,627
Nobody else, just Cheri.
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00:07:36,628 --> 00:07:38,128
Cheri had to be the one to
tell her she could talk.
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00:07:38,129 --> 00:07:40,640
- That astounds me to this day.
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00:07:42,134 --> 00:07:43,634
That the police did it or
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00:07:43,635 --> 00:07:45,635
wasn't there a
social worker there?
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00:07:45,637 --> 00:07:47,137
I mean, it's just
sort of Police 101
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00:07:47,139 --> 00:07:48,639
that you say, "I wanna
know what she's gonna say
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00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:50,140
"and I know that woman's
gonna get in the way,
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00:07:50,142 --> 00:07:53,145
"so I'm taking her somewhere
else and she's staying there."
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00:07:53,152 --> 00:07:54,645
They could've done that.
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00:07:54,646 --> 00:07:56,646
They could've said,
"No, you're not coming.
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00:07:56,648 --> 00:07:57,648
"You're stayin' there."
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- (Narrator) Except
telling Cheri no
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00:07:59,651 --> 00:08:02,154
is easier said than done.
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00:08:02,154 --> 00:08:02,161
is easier said than done.
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00:08:02,161 --> 00:08:04,154
- You can tell me to do
something but that doesn't mean
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00:08:04,156 --> 00:08:06,156
I'm gonna listen to ya.
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00:08:06,158 --> 00:08:08,158
(somber piano music)
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00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:10,160
- (Narrator) To say that
Findlay P.D. was familiar
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00:08:10,162 --> 00:08:12,664
with 300 Center Street
is an understatement.
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00:08:12,672 --> 00:08:15,664
Even on the day of the murder,
earlier that afternoon,
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00:08:15,667 --> 00:08:19,167
police were dispatched to
break up a neighborhood brawl.
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00:08:19,171 --> 00:08:21,673
- The cops wee there
earlier because of a fight
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00:08:21,681 --> 00:08:25,173
that I guess broke out,
'cause I was woken up.
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00:08:25,177 --> 00:08:26,677
- (Narrator) And while
they knocked at the door,
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00:08:26,678 --> 00:08:28,678
Cheri was busy inside.
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00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:32,184
- How I got woken up
was Cheri, my mother,
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00:08:32,190 --> 00:08:34,184
sent Vera up to wake me up.
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00:08:34,186 --> 00:08:35,686
- They had to hide Vera
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00:08:35,687 --> 00:08:37,687
'cause the police
woulda taken her out
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00:08:37,689 --> 00:08:40,189
if they'd have seen
how bruised up she was.
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00:08:40,192 --> 00:08:42,194
- (Narrator) But the police
were not there for Vera.
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00:08:42,202 --> 00:08:44,194
They'd been called
to a street fight.
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00:08:44,196 --> 00:08:47,696
- There was a fight
between Danny and my kids
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00:08:48,700 --> 00:08:50,702
with the people down the street.
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00:08:50,710 --> 00:08:54,702
- Zachary, Garth, Chuckie,
Danny, and Nicole.
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00:08:55,207 --> 00:08:56,707
They all went down there
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00:08:56,708 --> 00:08:58,708
- Danny had got outta prison,
like, three weeks before
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00:08:58,710 --> 00:09:00,210
all this happened.
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00:09:00,212 --> 00:09:01,722
- (Narrator) A detail
that made the officers
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00:09:01,722 --> 00:09:03,713
immediately worried.
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00:09:03,715 --> 00:09:06,215
- Like, when I first met him
I was actually kinda like
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00:09:06,218 --> 00:09:08,718
intimidated 'cause he
has tears on his eyes.
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00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:11,223
- That lets other inmates know
once you walk in the door,
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00:09:11,230 --> 00:09:12,723
See this?
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00:09:12,724 --> 00:09:13,724
I killed once,
196
00:09:13,725 --> 00:09:14,725
I will do it again.
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00:09:14,726 --> 00:09:15,726
- (Narrator) The
fight was finished
198
00:09:15,727 --> 00:09:17,227
by the time police arrived.
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00:09:17,229 --> 00:09:18,729
And while they interrogated
the other gang,
200
00:09:18,730 --> 00:09:22,234
the Brooks boys were in the
house getting ready to flee.
201
00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:24,234
- You can't tell me Daniel
and Nicole's the only one
202
00:09:24,236 --> 00:09:26,236
that escaped the house because
they don't know Findlay.
203
00:09:26,238 --> 00:09:27,738
They're from Tiffin.
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00:09:27,739 --> 00:09:29,739
- He had went over to, um...
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00:09:32,244 --> 00:09:35,744
Dave and Sam's to hide
out, is what I heard.
206
00:09:35,747 --> 00:09:38,247
'Cause they, I remember
seein' 'em jump out my window
207
00:09:38,249 --> 00:09:40,250
and told Nicky, "Let's go.
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00:09:40,252 --> 00:09:41,762
And they jumped out the window
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00:09:41,762 --> 00:09:43,253
and went over to Dave and Sam's.
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00:09:43,255 --> 00:09:44,755
- (Narrator) Playing
a much greater role
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00:09:44,756 --> 00:09:47,256
would be the third person who
jumped out Cheri's window,
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00:09:47,259 --> 00:09:49,258
her son Zachary.
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00:09:49,261 --> 00:09:51,271
- (Nicole) Me, Danny,
and Zach were actually
214
00:09:51,271 --> 00:09:55,263
running from the police
because Danny had pulled out
215
00:09:55,267 --> 00:09:58,267
a knife on one of the
Brooks's neighbors.
216
00:09:58,270 --> 00:10:02,274
Zach had a warrant and I knew
I had a warrant in Tiffin.
217
00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,274
- (Narrator) In that short
run from the Brooks house here
218
00:10:05,277 --> 00:10:08,777
to the Schwabb house there,
Zachary, Danny, and Nicole
219
00:10:08,780 --> 00:10:12,790
began a chain of events that
would end five hours later
220
00:10:12,790 --> 00:10:15,284
with Vera dead on the tracks.
221
00:10:16,288 --> 00:10:18,788
- And they ran to
this house right here
222
00:10:18,790 --> 00:10:22,300
and that's where Cheri
even admitted they were at,
223
00:10:22,300 --> 00:10:26,294
was right here, and how
close is that to the tracks
224
00:10:26,298 --> 00:10:27,798
where Vera was murdered?
225
00:10:27,799 --> 00:10:30,809
- (Narrator) But right then
police had one priority,
226
00:10:30,809 --> 00:10:33,302
to find the guy running around
Findlay flashing a knife
227
00:10:33,305 --> 00:10:35,305
and wearing a teardrop tattoo.
228
00:10:35,307 --> 00:10:38,307
(somber piano music)
229
00:10:44,316 --> 00:10:46,816
In the first news reports
it seemed that Daniel Bixler
230
00:10:46,818 --> 00:10:49,817
was some crazy distant cousin
who blew in from Tiffin,
231
00:10:49,821 --> 00:10:52,324
a town 25 miles east of Findlay.
232
00:10:52,331 --> 00:10:53,824
An impression
supported by the fact
233
00:10:53,825 --> 00:10:56,325
that only three weeks
before he had been released
234
00:10:56,328 --> 00:10:58,328
from Allen correctional
after serving
235
00:10:58,330 --> 00:10:59,829
almost three years in prison.
236
00:10:59,831 --> 00:11:01,341
- He admitted he was in
a gang at the prison,
237
00:11:01,341 --> 00:11:03,333
the 211 boys as he called it.
238
00:11:03,335 --> 00:11:05,835
- (Narrator) Once free,
Danny went on a spree
239
00:11:05,837 --> 00:11:09,337
of escalating violence,
beginning at this park where,
240
00:11:09,341 --> 00:11:11,851
in an act of twisted
chivalry, he attacked
241
00:11:11,851 --> 00:11:14,843
a teenager who had refused
to give up a park swing
242
00:11:14,846 --> 00:11:18,346
to his new girlfriend
Nicole Peters.
243
00:11:18,350 --> 00:11:20,350
It was this assault charge
that sent the fugitive couple
244
00:11:20,352 --> 00:11:24,356
on the lamb, fleeing Tiffin
before Danny got arrested.
245
00:11:24,362 --> 00:11:25,856
- Yeah, he ran away from it.
246
00:11:25,857 --> 00:11:28,357
That's why he came
to Findlay, to hide.
247
00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:30,360
- (Narrator) The reason Danny
felt comfortable turning
248
00:11:30,362 --> 00:11:31,363
to Cheri is obvious.
249
00:11:31,372 --> 00:11:34,363
He was not a distant
cousin at all,
250
00:11:34,366 --> 00:11:37,366
but a close member
of the family.
251
00:11:37,369 --> 00:11:38,869
Best illustrated by
Cheri's relationship
252
00:11:38,870 --> 00:11:42,380
with the other Danny
Bixler, his father.
253
00:11:43,875 --> 00:11:45,375
- Oh yeah.
254
00:11:45,377 --> 00:11:47,377
Danny and I go,
255
00:11:47,379 --> 00:11:50,882
they call us the
kissing cousins.
256
00:11:50,889 --> 00:11:52,882
- (Narrator) From this
incestuous romance,
257
00:11:52,884 --> 00:11:55,384
Cheri conceived the first
of her nine children,
258
00:11:55,387 --> 00:11:57,387
Scottie Emmons.
259
00:11:57,389 --> 00:12:01,393
- Scottie Emmons belongs
to Danny Bixler, Sr.
260
00:12:01,399 --> 00:12:04,393
Her mother's sister's kid,
he would be her cousin.
261
00:12:04,396 --> 00:12:07,896
- The incest kind of stuff
that's in our family.
262
00:12:07,899 --> 00:12:10,909
- (Narrator) In 2008, Big
Danny stabbed his wife's lover
263
00:12:10,909 --> 00:12:13,402
and led police and sheriffs
from three different counties
264
00:12:13,405 --> 00:12:16,905
on a high speed chase
in an 18-ton semi.
265
00:12:16,908 --> 00:12:19,908
- When he gets a
temper, both of them,
266
00:12:19,911 --> 00:12:22,914
when they get a temper,
you can't handle 'em.
267
00:12:22,921 --> 00:12:25,914
- Even Danny had said
it's in the Bixler blood.
268
00:12:25,917 --> 00:12:27,917
I'm meant to kill, I guess.
269
00:12:27,919 --> 00:12:29,419
- (Narrator) For a
homicide that started out
270
00:12:29,421 --> 00:12:31,423
with a naked dead
woman with no ID,
271
00:12:31,423 --> 00:12:31,431
with a naked dead
woman with no ID,
272
00:12:31,431 --> 00:12:33,923
no witnesses, no murder
weapon, no suspects,
273
00:12:33,925 --> 00:12:37,425
and no apparent
motive, Findlay police
274
00:12:37,429 --> 00:12:39,429
solved the case incredibly fast.
275
00:12:39,431 --> 00:12:40,932
- She had been to
the hospital before.
276
00:12:40,932 --> 00:12:40,941
- She had been to
the hospital before.
277
00:12:40,941 --> 00:12:42,432
There was a social
worker involved.
278
00:12:42,434 --> 00:12:42,934
She had bruises.
279
00:12:42,934 --> 00:12:44,434
She had been beat.
280
00:12:44,436 --> 00:12:47,936
So, it's not like, you
know, this was a surprise.
281
00:12:53,445 --> 00:12:57,445
- I will make sure that they
now that Desta Bixler, uh--
282
00:12:59,451 --> 00:13:03,955
- Danny, when he was drunk,
he kind of basically told her
283
00:13:03,955 --> 00:13:03,961
- Danny, when he was drunk,
he kind of basically told her
284
00:13:03,961 --> 00:13:05,455
every single detail
285
00:13:05,457 --> 00:13:06,957
about the murder.
286
00:13:06,958 --> 00:13:10,962
- While we were drinkin' they
were smokin' all my cigarettes
287
00:13:10,962 --> 00:13:10,968
- While we were drinkin' they
were smokin' all my cigarettes
288
00:13:10,968 --> 00:13:13,462
so we decide to go down
to the gas station,
289
00:13:13,465 --> 00:13:14,965
which isn't that far from here,
290
00:13:14,966 --> 00:13:19,466
and so we walk down there and
we see the train has stopped.
291
00:13:19,471 --> 00:13:21,973
And then I'm, like,
sittin' here thinking,
292
00:13:21,973 --> 00:13:21,981
And then I'm, like,
sittin' here thinking,
293
00:13:21,981 --> 00:13:24,473
like, why is the train stopped
294
00:13:24,476 --> 00:13:27,976
at like three-somethin'
in the morning?
295
00:13:27,979 --> 00:13:30,479
I asked the lady
at the gas station,
296
00:13:30,482 --> 00:13:32,484
I'm like, "Do you know
why the train stopped?"
297
00:13:32,484 --> 00:13:32,492
I'm like, "Do you know
why the train stopped?"
298
00:13:32,492 --> 00:13:34,484
I'm like, "Was there somethin'
wrong with the engine?"
299
00:13:34,486 --> 00:13:36,986
just bein' nosy, and she's
like, "No, they found a body."
300
00:13:36,988 --> 00:13:40,992
And I looked back at Danny
and he's just staring.
301
00:13:40,992 --> 00:13:40,998
And I looked back at Danny
and he's just staring.
302
00:13:40,998 --> 00:13:42,492
Like, he's froze
303
00:13:43,495 --> 00:13:45,495
and right then I knew.
304
00:13:46,498 --> 00:13:49,998
I knew everything that
was bein' said was true.
305
00:13:51,503 --> 00:13:52,503
I mean, I was scared.
306
00:13:52,504 --> 00:13:54,004
- (Narrator) In addition
to Desta's information,
307
00:13:54,005 --> 00:13:56,005
police also learn
that there had been
308
00:13:56,007 --> 00:13:58,507
an eyewitness after all.
309
00:13:58,510 --> 00:14:00,010
- Across the street
310
00:14:00,011 --> 00:14:03,014
from the Brooks's home,
there was a camera out there
311
00:14:03,014 --> 00:14:03,021
from the Brooks's home,
there was a camera out there
312
00:14:03,021 --> 00:14:05,014
for surveillance
313
00:14:05,016 --> 00:14:08,516
and they seen them
walk across the street.
314
00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:11,022
- (Narrator) The grainy
video shows three figures,
315
00:14:11,022 --> 00:14:11,030
- (Narrator) The grainy
video shows three figures,
316
00:14:11,030 --> 00:14:14,522
Danny Bixler, Vera
Reigle, and Nicole Peters,
317
00:14:14,526 --> 00:14:17,526
in a single file
line walking south.
318
00:14:17,529 --> 00:14:21,032
- They did have the
knife towards her.
319
00:14:21,032 --> 00:14:21,039
- They did have the
knife towards her.
320
00:14:21,039 --> 00:14:23,032
If she was screamin' or
anything that they would
321
00:14:23,034 --> 00:14:24,534
stab her right then and there.
322
00:14:24,536 --> 00:14:26,536
- (Narrator) Confronted
with this mounting evidence
323
00:14:26,538 --> 00:14:28,538
Danny first tried to
push blame on others
324
00:14:28,540 --> 00:14:31,042
then started making
damning admissions.
325
00:14:31,042 --> 00:14:31,050
then started making
damning admissions.
326
00:14:31,050 --> 00:14:33,542
By mid-afternoon he
and his interrogators
327
00:14:33,545 --> 00:14:35,045
were driving back
to the train bridge,
328
00:14:35,046 --> 00:14:36,546
returning to the scene
329
00:14:36,548 --> 00:14:37,548
of the crime.
330
00:14:43,054 --> 00:14:44,554
- (Narrator) There he
pointed to the spot where
331
00:14:44,556 --> 00:14:47,555
just 18 hours earlier he
threw the murder weapon
332
00:14:47,559 --> 00:14:49,059
into the water.
333
00:14:49,060 --> 00:14:52,063
- The blade that he used
was from the kitchen.
334
00:14:52,063 --> 00:14:52,070
- The blade that he used
was from the kitchen.
335
00:14:52,070 --> 00:14:55,063
- Danny tooked it
outta my knife set
336
00:14:55,066 --> 00:14:59,066
and he was playin' with it
and twirlin' and all that.
337
00:14:59,070 --> 00:15:01,573
- (Narrator) For her part,
Nicole was more tightlipped
338
00:15:01,573 --> 00:15:01,580
- (Narrator) For her part,
Nicole was more tightlipped
339
00:15:01,580 --> 00:15:03,573
and to this day
exactly what she did
340
00:15:03,575 --> 00:15:06,075
at the tracks remains a mystery.
341
00:15:06,077 --> 00:15:08,576
But she still was not
as skilled at lying
342
00:15:08,580 --> 00:15:10,580
as the Brooks family
and it did not take long
343
00:15:10,582 --> 00:15:13,585
for her to implicate
herself as well.
344
00:15:13,585 --> 00:15:13,592
for her to implicate
herself as well.
345
00:15:13,592 --> 00:15:16,585
The detectives had
caught the murderers.
346
00:15:16,588 --> 00:15:21,092
- The people that were
charged were Daniel Bixler,
347
00:15:21,092 --> 00:15:21,098
- The people that were
charged were Daniel Bixler,
348
00:15:21,098 --> 00:15:22,592
Nicole Peters,
349
00:15:22,594 --> 00:15:26,094
and then people that
lied to the police,
350
00:15:27,098 --> 00:15:30,598
which there's quite
a few of those.
351
00:15:30,602 --> 00:15:32,611
Zachary Brooks, Cheri Brooks,
352
00:15:34,105 --> 00:15:36,605
Shannon Brooks,
and Michael Brooks.
353
00:15:36,608 --> 00:15:41,118
And then they have a juvenile
son that also participated
354
00:15:42,113 --> 00:15:45,113
in lyin' to the police and
his name is Chuck Brooks.
355
00:15:45,116 --> 00:15:47,116
- (Narrator) And so
everyone zeroed in on Danny,
356
00:15:47,117 --> 00:15:49,618
the out of control
ex-con, and Nicole,
357
00:15:49,621 --> 00:15:51,623
his bloodthirsty girlfriend.
358
00:15:51,623 --> 00:15:51,631
his bloodthirsty girlfriend.
359
00:15:51,631 --> 00:15:52,623
- (Judge) How old are you today?
360
00:15:52,624 --> 00:15:54,124
- 18.
361
00:15:54,125 --> 00:15:57,125
- (Judge) How old were you when
this offense was committed?
362
00:15:57,128 --> 00:15:58,128
- 17.
363
00:15:58,129 --> 00:16:00,129
- Some girls go
for the bad boys.
364
00:16:00,131 --> 00:16:02,634
Like a Bonnie and
Clyde kinda thing,
365
00:16:02,634 --> 00:16:02,641
Like a Bonnie and
Clyde kinda thing,
366
00:16:02,641 --> 00:16:04,634
but with a evil
twist. (chuckles)
367
00:16:04,636 --> 00:16:06,636
- (Nicole) I've known
him since I was younger.
368
00:16:06,638 --> 00:16:11,148
I met him at the Seneca County
Juvenile Detention Center
369
00:16:12,644 --> 00:16:15,144
and I used to hang
out with his brother,
370
00:16:15,146 --> 00:16:19,146
Richard Bixler a lot and
that's how I met Danny.
371
00:16:20,151 --> 00:16:22,654
- She was obsessed
with this man.
372
00:16:22,654 --> 00:16:22,661
- She was obsessed
with this man.
373
00:16:22,661 --> 00:16:24,654
Like, she'd constantly
talk about him.
374
00:16:24,656 --> 00:16:27,156
Everything, all of her
letters were about how much
375
00:16:27,158 --> 00:16:28,158
she was devoted to him,
376
00:16:28,159 --> 00:16:29,159
how much she loved him.
377
00:16:29,159 --> 00:16:30,660
She cared about him a lot.
378
00:16:30,662 --> 00:16:32,664
- They had only been together
for, like, a week and a half.
379
00:16:32,664 --> 00:16:32,672
- They had only been together
for, like, a week and a half.
380
00:16:32,672 --> 00:16:34,164
So, he was out for
a week and a half
381
00:16:34,165 --> 00:16:37,165
and then they started dating
for the other week and a half
382
00:16:37,168 --> 00:16:40,668
that he was out and then boom,
he was right back in again.
383
00:16:40,672 --> 00:16:43,182
(piano music)
384
00:16:44,676 --> 00:16:46,176
- (Narrator) An indication
of how authorities struggled
385
00:16:46,177 --> 00:16:48,177
with this bizarre case
from the very beginning
386
00:16:48,179 --> 00:16:51,182
is that they did not inform
the public for a day and a half
387
00:16:51,182 --> 00:16:51,189
is that they did not inform
the public for a day and a half
388
00:16:51,189 --> 00:16:53,182
after the body was discovered.
389
00:16:53,184 --> 00:16:55,184
- Vera's mom didn't
even find out about it
390
00:16:55,186 --> 00:16:56,686
from the police or anybody.
391
00:16:56,688 --> 00:16:58,188
They went directly
to Cheri first.
392
00:16:58,189 --> 00:17:00,189
And I think that's a
bunch of crap, you know.
393
00:17:00,191 --> 00:17:02,193
The police department
wouldn't go directly
394
00:17:02,193 --> 00:17:02,201
The police department
wouldn't go directly
395
00:17:02,201 --> 00:17:03,693
to her own mother?
396
00:17:06,197 --> 00:17:08,197
- No, 'cause Cheri
already identified it.
397
00:17:08,199 --> 00:17:12,704
Because Cheri told the police
that Vera's parents died.
398
00:17:12,704 --> 00:17:12,708
Because Cheri told the police
that Vera's parents died.
399
00:17:12,708 --> 00:17:14,704
I'm supposed to be dead.
400
00:17:14,706 --> 00:17:16,205
I've died like three
different times
401
00:17:16,207 --> 00:17:18,707
in three different states.
402
00:17:18,709 --> 00:17:20,210
- Cheri.
403
00:17:20,211 --> 00:17:22,213
- (Narrator) These deceptions,
which she hones over time,
404
00:17:22,213 --> 00:17:22,221
- (Narrator) These deceptions,
which she hones over time,
405
00:17:22,221 --> 00:17:24,213
come in two types.
406
00:17:24,215 --> 00:17:25,715
Lies to protect
407
00:17:25,717 --> 00:17:28,217
and lies to instigate.
408
00:17:28,219 --> 00:17:29,719
What happened next
409
00:17:29,721 --> 00:17:31,222
is an example of the former.
410
00:17:31,222 --> 00:17:31,231
is an example of the former.
411
00:17:31,231 --> 00:17:33,722
- We met Larry one time
because he stopped out front
412
00:17:33,725 --> 00:17:36,725
of our house and
Samantha, Schwabb,
413
00:17:36,728 --> 00:17:38,728
was at our house
and she went outside
414
00:17:38,730 --> 00:17:40,730
and smacked Larry because
they got into a fight
415
00:17:40,732 --> 00:17:42,734
because they owed
money to her and stuff.
416
00:17:42,734 --> 00:17:42,742
because they owed
money to her and stuff.
417
00:17:42,742 --> 00:17:44,734
And he started talkin' to us
418
00:17:44,736 --> 00:17:47,236
and then next thing I know
he started hangin' around
419
00:17:47,238 --> 00:17:49,738
our house like a leech.
420
00:17:49,741 --> 00:17:51,242
- The Larry Spencer
guy shows up,
421
00:17:51,242 --> 00:17:51,251
- The Larry Spencer
guy shows up,
422
00:17:51,251 --> 00:17:53,242
this guy who's been at the house
423
00:17:53,244 --> 00:17:55,244
once or twice suddenly is,
424
00:17:55,246 --> 00:17:57,746
is being accused
of takin' Vera away
425
00:17:57,749 --> 00:17:59,249
and probably killin' her.
426
00:17:59,250 --> 00:18:00,750
- Because I've talked
to Larry and Larry said
427
00:18:00,752 --> 00:18:03,254
that they tried to
tell the detectives
428
00:18:03,254 --> 00:18:03,262
that they tried to
tell the detectives
429
00:18:03,262 --> 00:18:04,754
that it was him that killed her.
430
00:18:04,756 --> 00:18:06,756
- (Narrator) To those who
knew about Vera's life
431
00:18:06,758 --> 00:18:08,758
inside the Brooks house,
the story on its face
432
00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:10,260
was ridiculous.
433
00:18:11,763 --> 00:18:13,263
- They said, "Oh, she took
off with her boyfriend.
434
00:18:13,264 --> 00:18:16,264
Well, she wasn't really
allowed to have a boyfriend
435
00:18:16,267 --> 00:18:18,767
except for Zachary
'cause she wasn't allowed
436
00:18:18,770 --> 00:18:20,770
to go anywhere with anybody.
437
00:18:20,772 --> 00:18:23,274
- They wouldn't even let
her have a cell phone.
438
00:18:23,274 --> 00:18:23,282
- They wouldn't even let
her have a cell phone.
439
00:18:23,282 --> 00:18:25,274
- Cheri said that
she didn't need one
440
00:18:25,276 --> 00:18:27,776
because then she could
get a hold of her mom
441
00:18:27,779 --> 00:18:29,779
or she could talk to
whoever she wanted to.
442
00:18:29,781 --> 00:18:31,783
- (Narrator) After Danny
and Nicole were arrested,
443
00:18:31,783 --> 00:18:31,791
- (Narrator) After Danny
and Nicole were arrested,
444
00:18:31,791 --> 00:18:34,783
the cover story was modified
to fit the changing situation.
445
00:18:34,786 --> 00:18:36,286
- She'll basically
change the story up
446
00:18:36,287 --> 00:18:38,287
and she'll basically
confuse everybody.
447
00:18:38,289 --> 00:18:42,299
- And she's tryin' to
cover up a murder, period.
448
00:18:43,795 --> 00:18:46,295
- (Narrator) The witch's
spell had worked like a charm.
449
00:18:46,297 --> 00:18:50,297
- I believe that my own mother
had this set up perfectly.
450
00:18:51,302 --> 00:18:53,802
She knew exactly how to do it.
451
00:18:53,805 --> 00:18:56,305
- She can get away with shit.
452
00:18:57,308 --> 00:19:00,808
There are certain
things that she's done
453
00:19:01,813 --> 00:19:03,313
in her life that
454
00:19:03,314 --> 00:19:05,814
shoulda been put
her behind bars.
455
00:19:05,817 --> 00:19:08,817
It was pretty much (hand
smacks) slap on the hand,
456
00:19:08,820 --> 00:19:10,320
go ahead, walk away.
457
00:19:10,321 --> 00:19:12,323
- (Narrator) Gone were any
questions about what role
458
00:19:12,323 --> 00:19:12,331
- (Narrator) Gone were any
questions about what role
459
00:19:12,331 --> 00:19:15,323
she and her family
played in Vera's death.
460
00:19:15,326 --> 00:19:17,826
- You just not wanna
say my name on there
461
00:19:17,829 --> 00:19:20,329
sayin' that I had
anything to do with this.
462
00:19:20,331 --> 00:19:21,332
- (Narrator) Now it was as if
463
00:19:21,332 --> 00:19:21,341
- (Narrator) Now it was as if
464
00:19:21,341 --> 00:19:23,332
they were just
passive spectators.
465
00:19:23,334 --> 00:19:25,334
The only thing
people wanted to know
466
00:19:25,336 --> 00:19:27,836
was how they could sit there
and watch Danny and Nicole
467
00:19:27,839 --> 00:19:29,839
do something so barbaric.
468
00:19:29,841 --> 00:19:32,343
- I asked her a million times.
469
00:19:32,343 --> 00:19:32,351
- I asked her a million times.
470
00:19:32,351 --> 00:19:34,843
Cheri, why didn't you call?
471
00:19:36,347 --> 00:19:37,347
Why?
472
00:19:38,850 --> 00:19:39,350
Why?
473
00:19:40,852 --> 00:19:42,353
- I mean, even a
five year-old knows,
474
00:19:42,353 --> 00:19:42,362
- I mean, even a
five year-old knows,
475
00:19:42,362 --> 00:19:44,853
if somebody's being hurt
you call the police.
476
00:19:44,856 --> 00:19:46,856
- (Narrator) And as the
accusations intensified,
477
00:19:46,858 --> 00:19:50,858
the truth of what happened
got further and further away.
478
00:19:50,862 --> 00:19:52,864
- Like someone's really gonna
be there to help me say,
479
00:19:52,864 --> 00:19:52,872
- Like someone's really gonna
be there to help me say,
480
00:19:52,872 --> 00:19:56,864
"Hey, go get the phone over
there off of my computer stand
481
00:19:56,868 --> 00:19:58,368
"so I can call the cops."
482
00:19:58,369 --> 00:19:59,869
You know, they're not gonna,
483
00:19:59,871 --> 00:20:01,372
Nicky's not gonna
give me the phone.
484
00:20:01,372 --> 00:20:01,380
Nicky's not gonna
give me the phone.
485
00:20:01,380 --> 00:20:02,872
Dan's not gonna
give me the phone.
486
00:20:02,874 --> 00:20:05,374
Scottie sure in the world's
not gonna give me the phone.
487
00:20:05,376 --> 00:20:07,876
And Shannon, her fat ass
was sittin' on the couch
488
00:20:07,879 --> 00:20:08,879
playin' with her phone.
489
00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,390
- I wish I would've had...
490
00:20:12,383 --> 00:20:14,883
my phone working because it was,
491
00:20:14,886 --> 00:20:17,386
well, it was dead
and I had no minutes
492
00:20:17,388 --> 00:20:20,388
even though I know you can
call 911 off of it, but...
493
00:20:20,391 --> 00:20:23,401
(somber piano music)
494
00:20:33,404 --> 00:20:36,904
- No matter her age,
Vera was still a child.
495
00:20:38,910 --> 00:20:41,412
- If there's a way she could
do it, she would do it.
496
00:20:41,412 --> 00:20:41,420
- If there's a way she could
do it, she would do it.
497
00:20:41,420 --> 00:20:44,412
You know, never
complained, always help.
498
00:20:44,415 --> 00:20:46,415
She'd help ya any way she could.
499
00:20:46,417 --> 00:20:47,917
- If you told Vera
something she'd do it.
500
00:20:47,919 --> 00:20:49,419
I mean, she didn't question.
501
00:20:49,420 --> 00:20:52,423
Almost to the point
that it was too much.
502
00:20:52,423 --> 00:20:52,430
Almost to the point
that it was too much.
503
00:20:52,430 --> 00:20:53,423
I wish she could've maybe
504
00:20:53,424 --> 00:20:54,424
stood up for herself
a little more.
505
00:20:54,425 --> 00:20:56,425
- She was mentally challenged.
506
00:20:56,427 --> 00:20:57,927
She was slow.
507
00:20:57,928 --> 00:21:00,929
- And Cheri and them end up
talkin' her into movin' in
508
00:21:00,932 --> 00:21:03,935
with them and, you know,
and then she end up
509
00:21:03,935 --> 00:21:03,942
with them and, you know,
and then she end up
510
00:21:03,942 --> 00:21:05,935
hookin' up with Cheri's son.
511
00:21:05,937 --> 00:21:07,937
- (Narrator) For Vera,
her old life was gone,
512
00:21:07,939 --> 00:21:11,943
like she had joined a cult and
got separated from her past.
513
00:21:11,943 --> 00:21:11,949
like she had joined a cult and
got separated from her past.
514
00:21:11,949 --> 00:21:14,943
- When Manson put
ideas in his minions
515
00:21:15,947 --> 00:21:18,447
to where he's pretty
much the puppet master
516
00:21:18,449 --> 00:21:22,459
and he's doing his puppets to
do his dirty works for him.
517
00:21:23,955 --> 00:21:25,955
- Brooks family being
like the Manson family,
518
00:21:25,957 --> 00:21:27,457
yeah, I would have
to agree with that.
519
00:21:27,458 --> 00:21:28,458
They are like that.
520
00:21:28,459 --> 00:21:31,469
- They're a family
that makes sense,
521
00:21:32,964 --> 00:21:35,464
whatever she meant by that.
522
00:21:35,466 --> 00:21:36,966
- Yes.
523
00:21:36,968 --> 00:21:37,968
- It's a cultish type of
thing and I really believe
524
00:21:37,969 --> 00:21:39,969
they saw her as an easy target.
525
00:21:39,970 --> 00:21:42,473
- We was at the Salvation
Army and she came in
526
00:21:42,473 --> 00:21:42,481
- We was at the Salvation
Army and she came in
527
00:21:42,481 --> 00:21:45,473
with the Brookses and she
seen me and she kinda lit up
528
00:21:45,476 --> 00:21:47,476
because she'd always
smile, ya know.
529
00:21:47,478 --> 00:21:48,478
Like that, ya know.
530
00:21:48,479 --> 00:21:50,479
And she'd come over,
she put her hood up
531
00:21:50,481 --> 00:21:52,483
and then as she walked
by, "Can't talk.
532
00:21:52,483 --> 00:21:52,491
and then as she walked
by, "Can't talk.
533
00:21:52,491 --> 00:21:53,483
"Can't talk. Can't talk."
534
00:21:53,483 --> 00:21:55,484
- She had stopped and I
put my arms around her
535
00:21:55,486 --> 00:21:57,986
and gave her a big hug and
asked her where her baby was
536
00:21:57,989 --> 00:21:58,989
and she said,
537
00:21:58,990 --> 00:22:01,993
"Oh, she's at home," but
boy she just run away.
538
00:22:01,993 --> 00:22:02,000
"Oh, she's at home," but
boy she just run away.
539
00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:02,993
I mean flat run.
540
00:22:02,994 --> 00:22:05,994
It wasn't no
stoppin' and talkin'
541
00:22:05,997 --> 00:22:07,497
and that's not Vera.
542
00:22:07,498 --> 00:22:10,998
- 'Cause they didn't want
her to talk to no one
543
00:22:11,002 --> 00:22:13,004
about what was happening
544
00:22:13,004 --> 00:22:13,012
about what was happening
545
00:22:13,012 --> 00:22:14,004
at the house.
546
00:22:14,005 --> 00:22:15,505
That's what they were afraid of.
547
00:22:15,506 --> 00:22:18,506
- They basically did not
allow Vera to maintain
548
00:22:18,509 --> 00:22:20,009
a relationship with her parents.
549
00:22:20,011 --> 00:22:22,012
- (Narrator) It didn't take
long for people to see a change.
550
00:22:22,012 --> 00:22:22,021
- (Narrator) It didn't take
long for people to see a change.
551
00:22:22,021 --> 00:22:26,013
- Before she started
datin' Zach she was happy.
552
00:22:26,017 --> 00:22:29,017
- She was pretty much outgoing.
553
00:22:29,020 --> 00:22:32,023
I mean, she loved to
sing, she liked to dance.
554
00:22:32,023 --> 00:22:32,030
I mean, she loved to
sing, she liked to dance.
555
00:22:32,030 --> 00:22:34,523
- Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton.
556
00:22:36,027 --> 00:22:38,527
She liked all the older country.
557
00:22:38,529 --> 00:22:41,532
- But once she moved
in with them it just,
558
00:22:41,532 --> 00:22:41,539
- But once she moved
in with them it just,
559
00:22:41,539 --> 00:22:44,032
she changed real quick.
560
00:22:44,035 --> 00:22:47,535
- What I can't see is
the Vera that I knew
561
00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:52,050
willingly massaging
Cheri's feet.
562
00:22:54,045 --> 00:22:56,045
- That was her job there,
was to rub her feet.
563
00:22:56,047 --> 00:22:58,547
She has foot problems,
diabetes or something.
564
00:22:58,549 --> 00:23:00,049
But that was her job.
565
00:23:00,051 --> 00:23:03,053
- And when she did Mom's feet
if she did somethin' wrong
566
00:23:03,053 --> 00:23:03,061
- And when she did Mom's feet
if she did somethin' wrong
567
00:23:03,061 --> 00:23:05,054
Mom would hit her
with the itchy stick.
568
00:23:05,056 --> 00:23:07,056
- Well, Cheri had this like, uh,
569
00:23:07,058 --> 00:23:09,058
it's not a backscratcher but
it's a little bit thicker.
570
00:23:09,060 --> 00:23:11,060
She'd just whap her
alongside the head.
571
00:23:11,062 --> 00:23:12,563
"Don't touch my baby."
572
00:23:12,563 --> 00:23:12,572
"Don't touch my baby."
573
00:23:12,572 --> 00:23:14,563
- And Vera would just keep
tellin' her, "I'm sorry,
574
00:23:14,565 --> 00:23:16,065
"I'm sorry."
575
00:23:16,067 --> 00:23:18,567
- She'd say, "I'm sorry,
I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
576
00:23:18,569 --> 00:23:22,573
Why she was sayin' I'm
sorry for, I don't know.
577
00:23:22,573 --> 00:23:22,579
Why she was sayin' I'm
sorry for, I don't know.
578
00:23:22,579 --> 00:23:26,573
Because I guess she just felt
she was doin' somethin' wrong.
579
00:23:26,577 --> 00:23:28,577
- (Narrator) They even
made her sleep with a pig.
580
00:23:28,579 --> 00:23:31,079
- You're allowed to have
a pig live in a closet
581
00:23:31,082 --> 00:23:33,084
to where he urinates
582
00:23:33,084 --> 00:23:33,092
to where he urinates
583
00:23:33,092 --> 00:23:34,584
and has feces all over?
584
00:23:34,585 --> 00:23:36,085
- (Wilbert) "Oh no, I'd
never make her sleep
585
00:23:36,087 --> 00:23:37,087
"with the pig."
586
00:23:39,090 --> 00:23:40,090
- Of course she did.
587
00:23:40,091 --> 00:23:41,592
She made her sleep with the pig.
588
00:23:41,592 --> 00:23:41,601
She made her sleep with the pig.
589
00:23:41,601 --> 00:23:43,592
- They had the cops
called continuously.
590
00:23:43,594 --> 00:23:46,594
Children's Services
called continuously.
591
00:23:46,597 --> 00:23:48,597
And God knows why
nobody done anything,
592
00:23:48,599 --> 00:23:50,599
you know to even
remove the baby itself
593
00:23:50,601 --> 00:23:51,602
- Exactly.
- out of that home.
594
00:23:51,602 --> 00:23:51,611
- Exactly.
- out of that home.
595
00:23:51,611 --> 00:23:53,102
I don't understand that.
596
00:23:53,104 --> 00:23:56,104
- She was such a frequent
flier as well call them
597
00:23:56,107 --> 00:23:58,107
that you could answer the phone
598
00:23:58,109 --> 00:24:00,609
and as soon as she
says the first word
599
00:24:00,611 --> 00:24:02,113
you know who it is.
600
00:24:02,113 --> 00:24:02,121
you know who it is.
601
00:24:02,121 --> 00:24:05,113
You eventually become kinda
desensitized to them calling
602
00:24:05,116 --> 00:24:08,616
and it's not that
people mean to do that,
603
00:24:08,619 --> 00:24:11,119
it's just that you know
that the major problems
604
00:24:11,122 --> 00:24:13,624
are ones that nobody's
gonna cooperate.
605
00:24:13,624 --> 00:24:13,632
are ones that nobody's
gonna cooperate.
606
00:24:13,632 --> 00:24:17,624
- Vera told the cops, "No,
I'm not movin' back home
607
00:24:17,628 --> 00:24:19,128
"with you guys."
608
00:24:19,130 --> 00:24:21,130
And the cop said,
"How old are you?"
609
00:24:21,132 --> 00:24:24,635
- Vera's cognitive level I
would compare to my daughter
610
00:24:24,635 --> 00:24:24,642
- Vera's cognitive level I
would compare to my daughter
611
00:24:24,642 --> 00:24:27,635
who's eight years old, okay?
612
00:24:27,638 --> 00:24:29,638
I wouldn't expect the police
to take my daughter's word
613
00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:31,140
for it, you know what I mean?
614
00:24:31,142 --> 00:24:35,146
- Because Vera even told
CPS when CPS asked her,
615
00:24:35,146 --> 00:24:35,152
- Because Vera even told
CPS when CPS asked her,
616
00:24:35,152 --> 00:24:36,646
"Vera are you endanger here?
617
00:24:36,647 --> 00:24:38,146
"Do you like it livin' here?"
618
00:24:38,149 --> 00:24:39,649
Vera said, "I love Cheri.
619
00:24:39,650 --> 00:24:43,654
"I love stayin' here with
Cheri and her family."
620
00:24:43,654 --> 00:24:43,660
"I love stayin' here with
Cheri and her family."
621
00:24:43,660 --> 00:24:45,154
She says, "Cheri's my family.
622
00:24:45,156 --> 00:24:46,156
"She helps me out
623
00:24:46,157 --> 00:24:47,657
and I would never leave Cheri."
624
00:24:47,658 --> 00:24:49,158
- They came back
here and told me
625
00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:53,664
that they talked to her and
because she was 24 years old,
626
00:24:53,664 --> 00:24:53,670
that they talked to her and
because she was 24 years old,
627
00:24:53,670 --> 00:24:55,664
even though her mind was
an eight year-old mind,
628
00:24:55,666 --> 00:24:57,666
they couldn't do anything
because she was 24 years old
629
00:24:57,668 --> 00:24:59,168
and she made her choice.
630
00:24:59,170 --> 00:25:02,173
It was her bed, she
needed to lie in it.
631
00:25:02,173 --> 00:25:02,180
It was her bed, she
needed to lie in it.
632
00:25:02,180 --> 00:25:04,673
- (Narrator) It
was total control.
633
00:25:04,675 --> 00:25:08,175
- And they'd make her do, like,
just pretty much everything
634
00:25:08,179 --> 00:25:10,179
and nobody else would get up
635
00:25:10,181 --> 00:25:12,183
and do somethin'
around the house.
636
00:25:12,183 --> 00:25:12,191
and do somethin'
around the house.
637
00:25:12,191 --> 00:25:13,183
It was always her.
638
00:25:13,184 --> 00:25:15,184
- They actually treated
her like a slave.
639
00:25:15,186 --> 00:25:18,186
- They wanted her as a
slave and her SSI check
640
00:25:18,189 --> 00:25:19,689
that she got first of the month.
641
00:25:19,690 --> 00:25:20,690
- That was legal.
642
00:25:20,691 --> 00:25:21,692
They got that done.
643
00:25:21,692 --> 00:25:21,701
They got that done.
644
00:25:21,701 --> 00:25:23,692
Don't know how they
did it and who,
645
00:25:23,694 --> 00:25:25,194
I mean they must know enough.
646
00:25:25,196 --> 00:25:28,196
- 'Cause it sounds like they
got a pretty good racket goin'.
647
00:25:28,199 --> 00:25:29,699
Maybe I oughta go on SSI
648
00:25:29,700 --> 00:25:32,203
and have people
stay here with me
649
00:25:32,203 --> 00:25:32,210
and have people
stay here with me
650
00:25:32,210 --> 00:25:34,203
and they sign over
their paychecks to me.
651
00:25:34,205 --> 00:25:37,705
- And each of 'em gettin'
around 700 a month?
652
00:25:37,708 --> 00:25:39,708
Comin' in to one place?
653
00:25:39,710 --> 00:25:40,710
- Cheri's on disability,
654
00:25:40,711 --> 00:25:42,713
all of her kids
are on disability,
655
00:25:42,713 --> 00:25:42,721
all of her kids
are on disability,
656
00:25:42,721 --> 00:25:44,713
and then everybody else
that moves in with them
657
00:25:44,715 --> 00:25:46,215
are on disability.
658
00:25:47,218 --> 00:25:48,717
- (Narrator) But more
than Vera's money,
659
00:25:48,719 --> 00:25:50,719
Cheri wanted her womb.
660
00:25:52,223 --> 00:25:54,723
- Everybody that gets pregnant
that lives in that house,
661
00:25:54,725 --> 00:25:56,225
you know, Cheri says,
662
00:25:56,227 --> 00:25:57,227
"Oh, I hope you have
a girl," you know.
663
00:25:57,228 --> 00:25:59,228
- (Narrator) Vera
Jo Reigle was killed
664
00:25:59,230 --> 00:26:01,229
because of two
conflicting motives.
665
00:26:01,232 --> 00:26:02,233
- I have four kids of my own.
666
00:26:02,233 --> 00:26:02,242
- I have four kids of my own.
667
00:26:02,242 --> 00:26:04,733
I have three girls and one boy.
668
00:26:04,735 --> 00:26:06,235
Well, when I first
had my first daughter
669
00:26:06,237 --> 00:26:08,737
she said she wanted it
because it's a girl.
670
00:26:08,739 --> 00:26:11,742
- 'Cause in her mind any
girl that she could get
671
00:26:11,742 --> 00:26:11,749
- 'Cause in her mind any
girl that she could get
672
00:26:11,749 --> 00:26:13,742
she was gonna get.
673
00:26:13,744 --> 00:26:15,244
- (Narrator) The
primary motive was based
674
00:26:15,246 --> 00:26:17,246
in Cheri's obsession
with baby girls,
675
00:26:17,248 --> 00:26:20,248
an abnormal perversion
that began in childhood
676
00:26:20,251 --> 00:26:24,255
when she, like Vera was sexually
abused by her own father.
677
00:26:24,255 --> 00:26:24,261
when she, like Vera was sexually
abused by her own father.
678
00:26:24,261 --> 00:26:28,255
- And he molested her
quite often, I guess.
679
00:26:28,259 --> 00:26:30,759
- (Narrator) The man who
nicknamed her Sugar Babe.
680
00:26:30,761 --> 00:26:34,265
- That's her number one name
right there, Sugar Babe.
681
00:26:34,265 --> 00:26:34,271
- That's her number one name
right there, Sugar Babe.
682
00:26:34,271 --> 00:26:36,265
That's what everybody calls her.
683
00:26:36,267 --> 00:26:39,767
- Since I was a little girl
my dad gave that name to me
684
00:26:39,770 --> 00:26:42,773
before I was put
in a foster home.
685
00:26:42,773 --> 00:26:42,780
before I was put
in a foster home.
686
00:26:42,780 --> 00:26:44,773
- I actually felt sorry for her.
687
00:26:44,775 --> 00:26:47,775
She did tell me about,
you know, her experiences
688
00:26:47,778 --> 00:26:51,278
with her father and
how he had raped her.
689
00:26:51,282 --> 00:26:54,792
And I began to kinda
understand a little bit
690
00:26:56,287 --> 00:26:59,787
of how this woman come
to be the way she is.
691
00:26:59,790 --> 00:27:02,293
- (Narrator) As a young child,
Cheri and her three siblings
692
00:27:02,293 --> 00:27:02,300
- (Narrator) As a young child,
Cheri and her three siblings
693
00:27:02,300 --> 00:27:03,793
became wards of the state.
694
00:27:03,794 --> 00:27:05,794
- She was put in
the children's home,
695
00:27:05,796 --> 00:27:09,296
taken away from her mom, when
she was, like, three years old
696
00:27:09,300 --> 00:27:10,800
and then she came
back when she was 16.
697
00:27:10,801 --> 00:27:13,304
- (Narrator) It was then
she made her first attempt
698
00:27:13,304 --> 00:27:13,311
- (Narrator) It was then
she made her first attempt
699
00:27:13,311 --> 00:27:15,804
to take someone else's baby.
700
00:27:15,806 --> 00:27:18,806
- She told us when she
come home and she was 16
701
00:27:18,809 --> 00:27:22,813
that she had a baby
over here in Tiffin
702
00:27:22,813 --> 00:27:22,819
that she had a baby
over here in Tiffin
703
00:27:22,819 --> 00:27:26,313
and that Welfare
wouldn't let her have it.
704
00:27:26,317 --> 00:27:30,317
- And my mother would always
say, "Did you have a baby
705
00:27:30,321 --> 00:27:34,325
"while you were in
foster care because if so
706
00:27:34,325 --> 00:27:34,331
"while you were in
foster care because if so
707
00:27:34,331 --> 00:27:35,825
"I'm gonna go get it."
708
00:27:35,826 --> 00:27:37,826
- Because it was Cheri's
baby and that would've been
709
00:27:37,828 --> 00:27:41,328
my first grandbaby so
I was gonna get it.
710
00:27:41,332 --> 00:27:45,342
But Bea and them said no
it wasn't Cheri's baby
711
00:27:45,836 --> 00:27:49,336
it was a foster baby there, too.
712
00:27:49,340 --> 00:27:51,842
It wasn't her baby
in the first place.
713
00:27:51,842 --> 00:27:51,850
It wasn't her baby
in the first place.
714
00:27:51,850 --> 00:27:55,342
And then we talked to
Sandy and Sandy Schneider
715
00:27:55,346 --> 00:27:59,846
says, that's the welfare
lady that was takin' her case
716
00:27:59,850 --> 00:28:03,354
and stuff, said that
she is an obituary liar
717
00:28:03,354 --> 00:28:03,360
and stuff, said that
she is an obituary liar
718
00:28:03,360 --> 00:28:06,854
and that's why, she's
a fantasy world,
719
00:28:07,858 --> 00:28:10,858
she lives in a
fantasy world like.
720
00:28:10,861 --> 00:28:15,366
And that way whatever she thinks
that's what really happens
721
00:28:15,366 --> 00:28:15,371
And that way whatever she thinks
that's what really happens
722
00:28:15,371 --> 00:28:16,866
in her world.
723
00:28:16,867 --> 00:28:19,367
- Well see, she'll tell ya
somethin' totally opposite
724
00:28:19,370 --> 00:28:21,370
than what everybody
else is tellin' her.
725
00:28:21,372 --> 00:28:23,374
She'll lie.
726
00:28:23,374 --> 00:28:23,382
She'll lie.
727
00:28:23,382 --> 00:28:25,374
- She many, many
times has done it
728
00:28:25,376 --> 00:28:29,376
and people have
fallen in her trickery
729
00:28:29,380 --> 00:28:32,383
and they believe
everything she said.
730
00:28:32,383 --> 00:28:32,390
and they believe
everything she said.
731
00:28:32,390 --> 00:28:34,383
- Because she's convincing
about everything.
732
00:28:34,385 --> 00:28:38,385
I mean, she convinces
everybody everything.
733
00:28:38,388 --> 00:28:41,389
(somber piano music)
734
00:28:44,895 --> 00:28:48,395
- "Who will hold your
hand as each one walks out
735
00:28:48,399 --> 00:28:51,909
"of your home to pain
that will put my mark
736
00:28:53,904 --> 00:28:55,904
in your hand," and I'm
talkin' about Cheri
737
00:28:55,906 --> 00:28:57,906
losin' all of her
kids one at a time.
738
00:28:57,908 --> 00:28:59,908
- I'm really confused about
all that because I thought
739
00:28:59,910 --> 00:29:03,414
once you have kids taken
that you're not allowed,
740
00:29:03,414 --> 00:29:03,420
once you have kids taken
that you're not allowed,
741
00:29:03,420 --> 00:29:04,914
especially if you have five.
742
00:29:04,915 --> 00:29:06,915
You have all those kids
taken and then you have
743
00:29:06,917 --> 00:29:08,917
a second round of kids and
you're allowed to keep those?
744
00:29:08,919 --> 00:29:11,419
- They removed
Maria and two other,
745
00:29:11,422 --> 00:29:14,425
well Scottie was
one, Michael was one,
746
00:29:14,425 --> 00:29:14,432
well Scottie was
one, Michael was one,
747
00:29:14,432 --> 00:29:17,925
and then there was another
one but I don't know the name.
748
00:29:17,928 --> 00:29:20,428
- Which was Joshua, Michael,
Maria, and little Cheri,
749
00:29:20,430 --> 00:29:21,932
was all taken away from me.
750
00:29:21,932 --> 00:29:21,941
was all taken away from me.
751
00:29:21,941 --> 00:29:23,932
- (Narrator) In
three of the cases,
752
00:29:23,934 --> 00:29:26,934
she lost custody at least
in part due to reports
753
00:29:26,937 --> 00:29:28,937
of sexual abuse.
754
00:29:28,939 --> 00:29:30,438
- My sister was comin'
over to pick her up,
755
00:29:30,441 --> 00:29:32,942
wantin' to take her
out to her house
756
00:29:32,942 --> 00:29:32,951
wantin' to take her
out to her house
757
00:29:32,951 --> 00:29:35,443
and railroad tracks is
right beside her house,
758
00:29:35,446 --> 00:29:37,446
so there was a train goin' by.
759
00:29:37,448 --> 00:29:39,448
She didn't hear
my sister knockin'
760
00:29:39,450 --> 00:29:41,952
and she was even
hollerin' out Cheri's name
761
00:29:41,952 --> 00:29:41,960
and she was even
hollerin' out Cheri's name
762
00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:43,951
and Cheri didn't
answer and she said
763
00:29:43,954 --> 00:29:46,954
when she walked in there Cheri
was supposed to be givin',
764
00:29:46,957 --> 00:29:48,957
little baby bathtub thing there,
765
00:29:48,959 --> 00:29:51,962
and she was holdin' the
baby up like this here
766
00:29:51,962 --> 00:29:51,969
and she was holdin' the
baby up like this here
767
00:29:51,969 --> 00:29:53,462
suckin' its penis.
768
00:29:54,465 --> 00:29:57,464
- She's sick enough that
she even molested me
769
00:29:57,468 --> 00:29:59,468
when I was younger.
770
00:29:59,470 --> 00:30:00,970
- (Narrator) Cheri's
first five children
771
00:30:00,971 --> 00:30:02,473
were not removed as a group.
772
00:30:02,473 --> 00:30:02,481
were not removed as a group.
773
00:30:02,481 --> 00:30:04,973
She would have one,
lose it to CPS,
774
00:30:04,975 --> 00:30:08,475
then have another over
and over and over.
775
00:30:08,479 --> 00:30:10,979
- I seen her more attached
when the baby girl was born
776
00:30:10,981 --> 00:30:12,483
than when she was with the boys.
777
00:30:12,483 --> 00:30:12,491
than when she was with the boys.
778
00:30:12,491 --> 00:30:13,983
I mean, when that girl was born
779
00:30:13,984 --> 00:30:15,484
she wouldn't let her
out of her sight.
780
00:30:15,486 --> 00:30:16,986
Let no one hold the baby
781
00:30:16,987 --> 00:30:19,487
or if someone did
she would, like,
782
00:30:19,490 --> 00:30:21,992
look at them until
they put the baby down.
783
00:30:21,992 --> 00:30:22,000
look at them until
they put the baby down.
784
00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:23,492
It was just like,
785
00:30:23,494 --> 00:30:25,494
kind of obsess with Maria.
786
00:30:26,997 --> 00:30:28,997
- (Narrator) By all accounts
it was the loss of this child,
787
00:30:28,999 --> 00:30:32,002
baby Maria, that
was most traumatic.
788
00:30:32,002 --> 00:30:32,009
baby Maria, that
was most traumatic.
789
00:30:32,009 --> 00:30:36,002
- She'll always be my girl,
my little girl, no matter what
790
00:30:36,006 --> 00:30:40,006
in that she's my first daughter
and that I always want her
791
00:30:41,011 --> 00:30:43,513
to know that she's
always welcomed here
792
00:30:43,513 --> 00:30:43,521
to know that she's
always welcomed here
793
00:30:43,521 --> 00:30:46,014
to meet me any time she wants.
794
00:30:48,519 --> 00:30:52,523
- Every other kid she had she
didn't take care of right,
795
00:30:52,523 --> 00:30:52,529
- Every other kid she had she
didn't take care of right,
796
00:30:52,529 --> 00:30:55,023
but Maria, she did
real good with Maria.
797
00:30:55,025 --> 00:30:57,025
We really was proud of her.
798
00:30:57,026 --> 00:30:59,527
She kept her for a whole year.
799
00:30:59,530 --> 00:31:01,030
- (Narrator) But in
the spring of 1987
800
00:31:01,031 --> 00:31:03,534
Cheri reverted to her old ways
801
00:31:03,534 --> 00:31:03,541
Cheri reverted to her old ways
802
00:31:03,541 --> 00:31:06,034
and things went horribly wrong.
803
00:31:06,036 --> 00:31:08,035
- My brother one night
called me up sayin'
804
00:31:08,038 --> 00:31:11,538
that we needed to take
the baby to the hospital,
805
00:31:11,542 --> 00:31:13,544
that she had been molested.
806
00:31:13,544 --> 00:31:13,552
that she had been molested.
807
00:31:13,552 --> 00:31:15,544
She was bleeding
from the vagina.
808
00:31:15,546 --> 00:31:18,546
- Somebody had raped
our little Maria
809
00:31:18,549 --> 00:31:20,549
because when she went
to change her diaper
810
00:31:20,551 --> 00:31:22,553
she was all bloody down there.
811
00:31:22,553 --> 00:31:22,561
she was all bloody down there.
812
00:31:22,561 --> 00:31:24,553
- (Narrator) That night
Cheri reclaimed her baby
813
00:31:24,555 --> 00:31:28,055
but the authorities
were on her trail.
814
00:31:28,058 --> 00:31:31,558
- They told her to take her
to the doctor the next day.
815
00:31:31,562 --> 00:31:34,565
Well, Cheri didn't
take her to the doctor.
816
00:31:34,565 --> 00:31:34,572
Well, Cheri didn't
take her to the doctor.
817
00:31:34,572 --> 00:31:37,065
So, we went over and she says,
818
00:31:38,068 --> 00:31:40,568
"Mom, take Maria home with ya."
819
00:31:40,571 --> 00:31:42,072
- That was at Easter
time one time.
820
00:31:42,072 --> 00:31:42,081
- That was at Easter
time one time.
821
00:31:42,081 --> 00:31:45,072
I took Scottie home with
me and I gave her Maria
822
00:31:45,075 --> 00:31:46,075
to take home for the night.
823
00:31:46,076 --> 00:31:49,576
- And she never let me
take Maria home at all.
824
00:31:49,580 --> 00:31:51,580
She says, "I'll keep
Scottie over here
825
00:31:51,582 --> 00:31:53,584
"and you take Maria home."
826
00:31:53,584 --> 00:31:53,592
"and you take Maria home."
827
00:31:53,592 --> 00:31:54,584
So, I did.
828
00:31:55,586 --> 00:31:57,586
Knock comes to my
door next morning
829
00:31:57,588 --> 00:32:00,588
and here it was the
sheriff wantin' Maria.
830
00:32:00,591 --> 00:32:03,601
(somber piano music)
831
00:32:06,597 --> 00:32:10,097
(train whistle blows)
832
00:32:13,604 --> 00:32:16,604
- She wanted all of her boys
to at least have one kid
833
00:32:16,607 --> 00:32:18,606
by the time they were 16 or 17.
834
00:32:18,609 --> 00:32:20,609
- (Narrator) An example
of this is Gina Lopez,
835
00:32:20,611 --> 00:32:23,614
a 15 year-old girl with
a troubled family life
836
00:32:23,614 --> 00:32:23,621
a 15 year-old girl with
a troubled family life
837
00:32:23,621 --> 00:32:27,114
who fell in love with Cheri's
second to youngest son, Garth.
838
00:32:27,117 --> 00:32:30,117
- She was like,
"Gimme a grandbaby.
839
00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:31,120
"I like grandbabies.
840
00:32:31,121 --> 00:32:32,623
"I want another grandbaby."
841
00:32:32,623 --> 00:32:32,631
"I want another grandbaby."
842
00:32:32,631 --> 00:32:35,123
- (Narrator) And as soon as
she was carrying a Brooks baby,
843
00:32:35,125 --> 00:32:39,125
like Vera before her, the
stalking and the threats began.
844
00:32:39,129 --> 00:32:41,129
- I had a job at the time.
845
00:32:41,131 --> 00:32:44,134
I was workin' at this
little shop at the corner
846
00:32:44,134 --> 00:32:44,141
I was workin' at this
little shop at the corner
847
00:32:44,141 --> 00:32:47,134
of Center and Main Street.
848
00:32:47,137 --> 00:32:49,137
I was workin' there and
they would follow me.
849
00:32:49,139 --> 00:32:52,149
- Cheri, Zachary,
Garth, and Chuckie,
850
00:32:53,143 --> 00:32:55,143
they all work as a team.
851
00:32:55,145 --> 00:32:58,144
- (Gina) Chuckie would be the
one that always followed me
852
00:32:58,148 --> 00:32:59,647
most of the time.
853
00:32:59,650 --> 00:33:01,650
Zachary would sometimes.
854
00:33:01,652 --> 00:33:03,153
- And then when they
knew it was time
855
00:33:03,153 --> 00:33:03,162
- And then when they
knew it was time
856
00:33:03,162 --> 00:33:05,153
for her to get off
they would send,
857
00:33:05,155 --> 00:33:07,155
it was mostly Chuckie.
858
00:33:07,157 --> 00:33:10,656
They would send him down
to like kinda spy on her
859
00:33:10,661 --> 00:33:12,162
to see where she went after work
860
00:33:12,162 --> 00:33:12,171
to see where she went after work
861
00:33:12,171 --> 00:33:13,662
or if she came
back to the house.
862
00:33:13,664 --> 00:33:15,164
- (Narrator)
Fortunately for Gina,
863
00:33:15,165 --> 00:33:17,665
her pregnancy ended
in a miscarriage
864
00:33:17,668 --> 00:33:19,668
and she was able to
reconcile with her mother
865
00:33:19,670 --> 00:33:21,670
and move to Kentucky.
866
00:33:21,672 --> 00:33:23,173
Putting a couple of hundred
miles between herself
867
00:33:23,173 --> 00:33:23,182
Putting a couple of hundred
miles between herself
868
00:33:23,182 --> 00:33:25,673
and the madness up in Findlay.
869
00:33:25,676 --> 00:33:29,676
(train whistle blowing)
(somber piano music)
870
00:33:36,687 --> 00:33:38,687
- Vera loved that baby.
871
00:33:38,689 --> 00:33:41,689
That was Vera's pride
and joy right there.
872
00:33:41,692 --> 00:33:43,694
- She was the one that
was always babysittin'
873
00:33:43,694 --> 00:33:43,702
- She was the one that
was always babysittin'
874
00:33:43,702 --> 00:33:45,694
for Stacy's little girl.
875
00:33:46,697 --> 00:33:48,197
She always had her,
876
00:33:48,198 --> 00:33:51,698
so I could see her
really being a mother
877
00:33:51,702 --> 00:33:53,203
to her own child.
878
00:33:53,203 --> 00:33:53,212
to her own child.
879
00:33:53,212 --> 00:33:54,203
- (Narrator) Except
Cheri was in charge
880
00:33:54,204 --> 00:33:56,704
and she saw things different.
881
00:33:56,707 --> 00:33:58,207
- Cheri had a lot of boys.
882
00:33:58,208 --> 00:34:00,708
I think she was really,
really obsessed with girls,
883
00:34:00,711 --> 00:34:01,711
especially since Maria
884
00:34:01,712 --> 00:34:03,213
was taken away from her.
885
00:34:03,213 --> 00:34:03,222
was taken away from her.
886
00:34:03,222 --> 00:34:05,713
- And I think, you
know, with Vera,
887
00:34:05,716 --> 00:34:07,216
I mean she has a chance to,
888
00:34:07,217 --> 00:34:09,217
you know, she has a
chance to take that one
889
00:34:09,219 --> 00:34:10,218
rather easily.
890
00:34:10,220 --> 00:34:12,722
- Cheri's always wanted
a baby girl again.
891
00:34:12,722 --> 00:34:12,730
- Cheri's always wanted
a baby girl again.
892
00:34:12,730 --> 00:34:16,723
She was gonna have
somebody make her a child,
893
00:34:16,727 --> 00:34:19,227
another daughter, and
then she was gonna try
894
00:34:19,229 --> 00:34:20,229
to take 'em away from her.
895
00:34:20,230 --> 00:34:24,234
- Cheri said, "That's my
kid if you get a girl."
896
00:34:24,234 --> 00:34:24,240
- Cheri said, "That's my
kid if you get a girl."
897
00:34:24,240 --> 00:34:27,734
And she told Zachary
it better be a girl.
898
00:34:27,738 --> 00:34:31,738
- She did tell Zachary
that if it turns out
899
00:34:31,742 --> 00:34:36,747
to be a girl that she wanted
him to sign off his rights
900
00:34:36,747 --> 00:34:36,752
to be a girl that she wanted
him to sign off his rights
901
00:34:36,752 --> 00:34:38,247
to her and he did that.
902
00:34:39,249 --> 00:34:40,749
He said that was fine.
903
00:34:40,751 --> 00:34:43,253
- (Narrator) And this
was not just any womb
904
00:34:43,253 --> 00:34:43,261
- (Narrator) And this
was not just any womb
905
00:34:43,261 --> 00:34:46,253
chosen for the assignment
because Cheri once targeted
906
00:34:46,256 --> 00:34:50,256
Vera herself to
replace her lost baby.
907
00:34:50,260 --> 00:34:53,764
- Yeah, I was there
when she lost Maria.
908
00:34:53,764 --> 00:34:53,770
- Yeah, I was there
when she lost Maria.
909
00:34:53,770 --> 00:34:55,764
'Cause we lived on
910
00:34:55,766 --> 00:34:58,266
Sandusky Street, a white
apartment house there
911
00:34:58,268 --> 00:35:02,773
and her and her ex-husband
Mike lived upstairs.
912
00:35:02,773 --> 00:35:02,778
and her and her ex-husband
Mike lived upstairs.
913
00:35:02,778 --> 00:35:04,273
- (Narrator) For five
months from the time
914
00:35:04,274 --> 00:35:06,274
baby Vera was born in November
915
00:35:06,276 --> 00:35:08,776
until the sheriff took
baby Maria at Easter,
916
00:35:08,779 --> 00:35:11,779
the two little girls
lived in separate units
917
00:35:11,782 --> 00:35:13,784
of the exact same house.
918
00:35:13,784 --> 00:35:13,792
of the exact same house.
919
00:35:13,792 --> 00:35:16,284
- She was trying to
take over on Vera
920
00:35:16,286 --> 00:35:18,786
when Vera was a
baby and I told her,
921
00:35:18,789 --> 00:35:20,289
"No, that's my baby."
922
00:35:20,290 --> 00:35:22,793
- (Narrator) And so
remarkable, Cheri ended up
923
00:35:22,793 --> 00:35:22,800
- (Narrator) And so
remarkable, Cheri ended up
924
00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:24,293
taking the baby of the baby
925
00:35:24,294 --> 00:35:27,294
she tried to get
24 years earlier,
926
00:35:27,297 --> 00:35:31,797
claiming custody of
baby Willadean before
she was even born.
927
00:35:31,802 --> 00:35:34,304
- Vera was like way out here.
928
00:35:34,304 --> 00:35:34,312
- Vera was like way out here.
929
00:35:34,312 --> 00:35:36,804
You would talk to Cheri
or you would see Cheri,
930
00:35:36,807 --> 00:35:38,307
"My baby's in there.
931
00:35:38,308 --> 00:35:39,308
"My baby.
932
00:35:39,309 --> 00:35:40,809
"That's my baby, my baby."
933
00:35:40,811 --> 00:35:43,313
You know, it's always "my baby."
934
00:35:43,313 --> 00:35:43,321
You know, it's always "my baby."
935
00:35:43,321 --> 00:35:45,813
- They kept on tellin' Willadean
that Vera wasn't her mom,
936
00:35:45,816 --> 00:35:47,816
that Cheri was her mom.
937
00:35:47,818 --> 00:35:52,322
- And every time Willadean
wanted to come to her mom,
938
00:35:52,322 --> 00:35:52,328
- And every time Willadean
wanted to come to her mom,
939
00:35:52,328 --> 00:35:54,822
like her learning how to walk,
940
00:35:54,825 --> 00:35:57,825
she'd walk around and
she'd see her mommy
941
00:35:57,828 --> 00:35:59,828
and she'd wanna run
up to her mommy,
942
00:35:59,830 --> 00:36:02,332
and Vera would say, "No,
no, no, I'll get in trouble
943
00:36:02,332 --> 00:36:02,340
and Vera would say, "No,
no, no, I'll get in trouble
944
00:36:02,340 --> 00:36:04,332
"if I touch you."
945
00:36:04,334 --> 00:36:06,334
- See, I seen Cheri
after Willadean was born,
946
00:36:06,336 --> 00:36:08,336
maybe, I don't know, four
or five months later.
947
00:36:08,338 --> 00:36:10,838
"You see my new baby?"
948
00:36:10,841 --> 00:36:11,841
I said, "Well, that's Vera's."
949
00:36:11,842 --> 00:36:12,843
"No, it's mine.
950
00:36:12,843 --> 00:36:12,852
"No, it's mine.
951
00:36:12,852 --> 00:36:14,343
"I adopted this baby."
952
00:36:15,846 --> 00:36:17,346
So it was no longer Vera's.
953
00:36:17,347 --> 00:36:20,347
Vera could not do
anything with the baby.
954
00:36:20,350 --> 00:36:23,353
She touched the
baby, Zach hit her.
955
00:36:23,353 --> 00:36:23,360
She touched the
baby, Zach hit her.
956
00:36:23,360 --> 00:36:26,853
That was Cheri's
baby, not Vera's.
957
00:36:26,857 --> 00:36:28,357
- (Narrator) Another
example of Cheri's control
958
00:36:28,358 --> 00:36:31,358
appears in the date
of the child's birth.
959
00:36:31,361 --> 00:36:34,364
- Well, I'm November
3rd, she's November 4th.
960
00:36:34,364 --> 00:36:34,371
- Well, I'm November
3rd, she's November 4th.
961
00:36:34,371 --> 00:36:36,864
- (Narrator) It is here
we glimpse the true depth
962
00:36:36,867 --> 00:36:38,867
of Cheri's madness.
963
00:36:38,869 --> 00:36:42,879
- She gave her castor
oil and orange juice.
964
00:36:43,874 --> 00:36:46,374
- To have the baby
come out earlier
965
00:36:46,376 --> 00:36:48,376
than what it was supposed to be.
966
00:36:48,378 --> 00:36:49,877
- (Narrator)
According to a website
967
00:36:49,880 --> 00:36:51,880
for the castor oil industry,
the recommended dosage
968
00:36:51,882 --> 00:36:54,885
for inducing labor with this
old midwifing technique,
969
00:36:54,885 --> 00:36:54,892
for inducing labor with this
old midwifing technique,
970
00:36:54,892 --> 00:36:56,385
is two tablespoons.
971
00:36:56,386 --> 00:36:58,886
- Because she gave
her that castor oil,
972
00:36:58,889 --> 00:37:01,389
gave Vera three bottles of it.
973
00:37:01,391 --> 00:37:03,894
- And it was about
three bottles, yeah.
974
00:37:03,894 --> 00:37:03,901
- And it was about
three bottles, yeah.
975
00:37:03,901 --> 00:37:05,894
- To make her go into labor
976
00:37:05,896 --> 00:37:07,396
so she'd be there
for her birthday.
977
00:37:07,397 --> 00:37:09,897
- Well, it didn't
happen on her birthday.
978
00:37:09,900 --> 00:37:12,402
It was the day after.
979
00:37:12,402 --> 00:37:12,410
It was the day after.
980
00:37:12,410 --> 00:37:14,402
'Cause she brags about that.
981
00:37:14,404 --> 00:37:16,404
She said, "Well, we didn't
get it on my birthday,
982
00:37:16,406 --> 00:37:17,906
"but it was close."
983
00:37:17,908 --> 00:37:19,408
- So, she was an early
baby and she ended up
984
00:37:19,409 --> 00:37:21,909
with having, in the
hospital for a while
985
00:37:21,912 --> 00:37:23,413
because she had heart problems.
986
00:37:23,413 --> 00:37:23,422
because she had heart problems.
987
00:37:23,422 --> 00:37:25,913
- Supposedly her original
date was supposed to be
988
00:37:25,916 --> 00:37:29,416
December 6, that she was
supposed to come out.
989
00:37:29,419 --> 00:37:31,419
But she decided she
was comin' out to have
990
00:37:31,421 --> 00:37:33,422
pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes
991
00:37:33,422 --> 00:37:33,431
pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes
992
00:37:33,431 --> 00:37:35,923
with Mawmaw for Thanksgiving.
993
00:37:35,926 --> 00:37:38,426
So she come out early.
994
00:37:38,428 --> 00:37:42,933
'Cause she wanted to
meet her Mawmaw. (laughs)
995
00:37:42,933 --> 00:37:42,938
'Cause she wanted to
meet her Mawmaw. (laughs)
996
00:37:42,938 --> 00:37:45,933
(somber piano music)
997
00:37:50,440 --> 00:37:52,943
- (Narrator) The secondary
motive was far more common.
998
00:37:52,943 --> 00:37:52,950
- (Narrator) The secondary
motive was far more common.
999
00:37:52,950 --> 00:37:56,943
- I don't think he really
wanted to be with her anymore.
1000
00:37:56,947 --> 00:38:00,447
He wanted to be
with other people
1001
00:38:00,450 --> 00:38:04,960
but he couldn't because Cheri
wouldn't let Vera leave.
1002
00:38:05,956 --> 00:38:08,956
- And he just said that they
needed to get rid of her
1003
00:38:08,959 --> 00:38:11,959
and that he was seein'
some other girl.
1004
00:38:13,964 --> 00:38:15,464
- Completely over.
1005
00:38:15,465 --> 00:38:18,965
- She wanted Zachary because,
well, they had a baby together
1006
00:38:18,969 --> 00:38:20,969
and she wanted
Zachary for herself.
1007
00:38:20,971 --> 00:38:24,981
- Zachary, he would get really
mad of her being jealous
1008
00:38:26,476 --> 00:38:28,976
and go over the wall sometimes.
1009
00:38:28,979 --> 00:38:31,479
- (Narrator) At first,
before she got beaten
1010
00:38:31,481 --> 00:38:33,483
into submission, Vera
would fight back.
1011
00:38:33,483 --> 00:38:33,491
into submission, Vera
would fight back.
1012
00:38:33,491 --> 00:38:36,983
- Vera sometimes
could be rebellious.
1013
00:38:38,989 --> 00:38:39,989
She had a lot of anger.
1014
00:38:39,990 --> 00:38:41,489
- Vera could cuss you.
1015
00:38:41,491 --> 00:38:43,493
Vera could tear you up.
1016
00:38:43,493 --> 00:38:43,501
Vera could tear you up.
1017
00:38:43,501 --> 00:38:45,493
- Zachary ain't allowed
to talk to a girl
1018
00:38:45,495 --> 00:38:46,995
or look at 'em or anything.
1019
00:38:46,997 --> 00:38:48,497
She was always mad.
1020
00:38:48,498 --> 00:38:50,498
- (Narrator) And when
she got mad, he got mad.
1021
00:38:50,500 --> 00:38:54,504
- He whipped a phone at
her face, like right here.
1022
00:38:54,504 --> 00:38:54,510
- He whipped a phone at
her face, like right here.
1023
00:38:54,510 --> 00:38:57,504
- Her eyebrow ring
came completely out.
1024
00:38:57,506 --> 00:39:00,007
- Like, meat was
hangin' out and stuff.
1025
00:39:00,010 --> 00:39:02,010
- I raised my kids
not to hit a girl.
1026
00:39:02,012 --> 00:39:05,015
But if they're gonna put
theirselves in a man's place
1027
00:39:05,015 --> 00:39:05,022
But if they're gonna put
theirselves in a man's place
1028
00:39:05,022 --> 00:39:07,015
then yeah, then do it.
1029
00:39:08,518 --> 00:39:10,518
- (Narrator) In a normal
family the father would step in
1030
00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:14,024
and stop this kind of abuse,
but not Kevin Brooks, Sr.
1031
00:39:14,024 --> 00:39:14,030
and stop this kind of abuse,
but not Kevin Brooks, Sr.
1032
00:39:14,030 --> 00:39:15,524
- He's the opposite of Cheri.
1033
00:39:15,525 --> 00:39:19,524
Where Cheri was loud and
up front and boisterous,
1034
00:39:19,529 --> 00:39:22,532
Kevin was a background
person who liked to stay out
1035
00:39:22,532 --> 00:39:22,539
Kevin was a background
person who liked to stay out
1036
00:39:22,539 --> 00:39:24,532
of everything and
mind his own business.
1037
00:39:24,534 --> 00:39:26,034
- (Narrator) Even when
minding his own business
1038
00:39:26,036 --> 00:39:28,536
meant letting Vera get beaten.
1039
00:39:28,538 --> 00:39:30,538
- No, he's a arch coward.
1040
00:39:30,540 --> 00:39:33,043
- And you think this
thing's happen in one day?
1041
00:39:33,043 --> 00:39:33,050
- And you think this
thing's happen in one day?
1042
00:39:33,050 --> 00:39:35,043
It's been going on for
moths and moths and months.
1043
00:39:35,045 --> 00:39:37,545
- (Narrator) And when it became
clear that they were really
1044
00:39:37,547 --> 00:39:41,047
going to kill her, Kevin
looked out for Kevin.
1045
00:39:41,051 --> 00:39:42,552
- He already did his 30 days,
1046
00:39:42,552 --> 00:39:42,561
- He already did his 30 days,
1047
00:39:42,561 --> 00:39:45,552
but he had, at the time,
waiting for his 30 days
1048
00:39:45,555 --> 00:39:48,055
to get in lock-up, he was like,
"If you're goin' to kill her
1049
00:39:48,058 --> 00:39:51,058
"wait 'til I'm in jail so
that way I have an alibi."
1050
00:39:51,061 --> 00:39:52,562
Those were his exact words.
1051
00:39:52,562 --> 00:39:52,571
Those were his exact words.
1052
00:39:52,571 --> 00:39:54,062
- (Narrator) Crazy as it sounds,
1053
00:39:54,064 --> 00:39:57,564
if Vera was going to be saved
it would have to have been
1054
00:39:57,567 --> 00:39:59,067
one of the Brooks boys.
1055
00:39:59,069 --> 00:40:00,569
- That was Punky.
1056
00:40:00,570 --> 00:40:03,573
He was the one that was
killed in an accident.
1057
00:40:03,573 --> 00:40:03,580
He was the one that was
killed in an accident.
1058
00:40:03,580 --> 00:40:05,073
- (Narrator)
Unfortunately, the only one
1059
00:40:05,075 --> 00:40:09,575
with enough balls to stand
up to Cheri was already dead.
1060
00:40:09,579 --> 00:40:10,079
- He ran that household.
1061
00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:13,083
Punky ran that household.
1062
00:40:13,083 --> 00:40:13,090
Punky ran that household.
1063
00:40:13,090 --> 00:40:16,582
His dad and mom were
both afraid of him.
1064
00:40:16,586 --> 00:40:19,586
- (Narrator) On July 3rd the
summer before Vera's murder,
1065
00:40:19,589 --> 00:40:21,589
Punky was walking
with his girlfriend
1066
00:40:21,590 --> 00:40:23,593
on a dark, rural highway.
1067
00:40:23,593 --> 00:40:23,601
on a dark, rural highway.
1068
00:40:23,601 --> 00:40:25,093
- They were heading
towards their town
1069
00:40:25,095 --> 00:40:27,095
to go see the fireworks.
1070
00:40:27,097 --> 00:40:29,597
- That's not what I was told.
1071
00:40:29,599 --> 00:40:32,099
- That's what Cheri told me,
he was goin' for the fireworks.
1072
00:40:32,102 --> 00:40:33,603
But yeah, I know he was goin'
1073
00:40:33,603 --> 00:40:33,612
But yeah, I know he was goin'
1074
00:40:33,612 --> 00:40:35,103
for a drug thing.
- He was goin' to get
1075
00:40:35,105 --> 00:40:36,105
Heather's heroin.
1076
00:40:37,607 --> 00:40:40,607
- You know, cab drivin' by
couldn't see him, then bang!
1077
00:40:40,610 --> 00:40:44,614
- She was really crazy
because of him dyin'
1078
00:40:44,614 --> 00:40:44,620
- She was really crazy
because of him dyin'
1079
00:40:44,620 --> 00:40:48,114
and the ashes are still at
the house and everything
1080
00:40:48,118 --> 00:40:49,618
and she won't bury him.
1081
00:40:49,619 --> 00:40:52,622
- My son's layin' up
there on the bottom shelf
1082
00:40:52,622 --> 00:40:52,629
- My son's layin' up
there on the bottom shelf
1083
00:40:52,629 --> 00:40:53,622
in that box.
1084
00:40:55,625 --> 00:40:57,125
- It seems like
she'd gotten worse.
1085
00:40:57,127 --> 00:40:59,127
I mean, it's just
like Cheri went crazy.
1086
00:40:59,129 --> 00:41:02,129
- I mean, you talk about
Punky, Punky is like wow,
1087
00:41:02,132 --> 00:41:06,136
Punky you know, all the
girls went wild for Punky.
1088
00:41:06,136 --> 00:41:06,142
Punky you know, all the
girls went wild for Punky.
1089
00:41:06,142 --> 00:41:07,636
- (Narrator) From
the night he was hit
1090
00:41:07,637 --> 00:41:10,637
Cheri could not accept her
son's death was an accident.
1091
00:41:10,640 --> 00:41:12,642
Now she was out for revenge.
1092
00:41:12,642 --> 00:41:12,650
Now she was out for revenge.
1093
00:41:12,650 --> 00:41:16,142
- The accident happened
20 minutes before
1094
00:41:18,148 --> 00:41:19,148
they got any call
1095
00:41:21,151 --> 00:41:22,652
and Cheri was all mad about that
1096
00:41:22,652 --> 00:41:22,661
and Cheri was all mad about that
1097
00:41:22,661 --> 00:41:24,152
and then was tryin' to
put the blame on Heather
1098
00:41:24,154 --> 00:41:26,654
sayin' that Heather
pushed Punky.
1099
00:41:26,656 --> 00:41:30,156
- Cheri had told Heather, you
know, "I just want the truth.
1100
00:41:30,160 --> 00:41:31,660
"Did you push him?"
1101
00:41:33,163 --> 00:41:36,163
And Heather looked at her and
said, "No, I did not do it."
1102
00:41:36,166 --> 00:41:38,166
- (Narrator) But when it
comes to Cheri's fantasies,
1103
00:41:38,168 --> 00:41:41,168
what actually happened
doesn't really matter.
1104
00:41:41,171 --> 00:41:45,181
- Heather pushed Punky in
front of the Accurate cab
1105
00:41:48,678 --> 00:41:51,178
to help kill my son that night.
1106
00:41:53,183 --> 00:41:56,683
- Cheri said that Heather is
the one that killed Punky,
1107
00:41:56,686 --> 00:41:58,686
had it set up so that's
why Cheri had Marsi
1108
00:41:58,688 --> 00:42:00,188
beat Heather up for it.
1109
00:42:00,190 --> 00:42:05,195
- Marsi was, I believe she
was standing on the porch.
1110
00:42:05,195 --> 00:42:05,200
- Marsi was, I believe she
was standing on the porch.
1111
00:42:05,200 --> 00:42:06,695
She was like standing by Cheri.
1112
00:42:06,696 --> 00:42:09,696
Cheri had whispered to
her, she said, "I need you
1113
00:42:09,699 --> 00:42:11,199
"to do me a favor."
1114
00:42:11,201 --> 00:42:12,702
- That went down crazy.
1115
00:42:12,702 --> 00:42:12,711
- That went down crazy.
1116
00:42:12,711 --> 00:42:15,202
- Then outta nowhere
Marsi just takes her hand
1117
00:42:15,205 --> 00:42:16,705
and starts punchin'
her in the face.
1118
00:42:16,706 --> 00:42:18,706
- Then took her by
the head of the hair
1119
00:42:18,708 --> 00:42:20,708
and rolled her down the steps
1120
00:42:20,710 --> 00:42:22,712
and started beaten
the hell out of her.
1121
00:42:22,712 --> 00:42:22,720
and started beaten
the hell out of her.
1122
00:42:22,720 --> 00:42:24,211
- They were like,
"Bring her to the road.
1123
00:42:24,214 --> 00:42:26,214
"Curb stomp her."
1124
00:42:26,216 --> 00:42:28,216
- And at that time
Heather's nose
1125
00:42:28,218 --> 00:42:30,218
was like bleeding really bad
1126
00:42:30,220 --> 00:42:31,720
and you could see
that it was broken.
1127
00:42:31,721 --> 00:42:33,223
- All she kept sayin' is,
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry,"
1128
00:42:33,223 --> 00:42:33,231
- All she kept sayin' is,
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry,"
1129
00:42:33,231 --> 00:42:35,223
and she kept puttin'
her hands up in the air
1130
00:42:35,225 --> 00:42:38,225
and Zachary said, "This
is fucked up." (chuckles)
1131
00:42:38,228 --> 00:42:41,228
- Then Marsi told her, you
know, that'll teach you
1132
00:42:41,231 --> 00:42:43,233
to ever mess with
my family again.
1133
00:42:43,233 --> 00:42:43,241
to ever mess with
my family again.
1134
00:42:43,241 --> 00:42:46,233
- Because you killed Punky.
1135
00:42:46,236 --> 00:42:50,736
You had Punky killed and
you took the best thing
1136
00:42:50,740 --> 00:42:54,250
away from us all when
you had Punky killed.
1137
00:42:55,745 --> 00:42:57,245
- (Narrator) Like his brother
Zach as well as Danny Bixler,
1138
00:42:57,247 --> 00:43:00,747
Punky was a member of
the Crips street gang.
1139
00:43:00,750 --> 00:43:04,254
- Punky was supposably
a Crip, and Zachary.
1140
00:43:04,254 --> 00:43:04,259
- Punky was supposably
a Crip, and Zachary.
1141
00:43:04,259 --> 00:43:08,254
- Punky says that he wanted
to get Zach to take his place.
1142
00:43:08,258 --> 00:43:10,758
To be able to fight like he does
1143
00:43:10,760 --> 00:43:12,260
and they wanna run this town.
1144
00:43:12,262 --> 00:43:14,764
- (Narrator) It was then
that Cheri and Zachary
1145
00:43:14,764 --> 00:43:14,772
- (Narrator) It was then
that Cheri and Zachary
1146
00:43:14,772 --> 00:43:17,264
really turned on Vera.
1147
00:43:17,267 --> 00:43:20,267
- At times I live with them
and everything else, you know.
1148
00:43:20,270 --> 00:43:21,770
They were gettin'
along great, you know.
1149
00:43:21,771 --> 00:43:25,275
"Love you," kisses
and everything else
1150
00:43:25,275 --> 00:43:25,281
"Love you," kisses
and everything else
1151
00:43:25,281 --> 00:43:26,775
and then all of a
sudden Punky dies,
1152
00:43:26,776 --> 00:43:29,776
it's, you know, "I
wanna beat her."
1153
00:43:29,779 --> 00:43:31,779
- (Narrator) The pattern
began to take shape.
1154
00:43:31,781 --> 00:43:33,791
- There was a candy bar
1155
00:43:35,785 --> 00:43:37,785
in the room where they had
1156
00:43:37,787 --> 00:43:40,287
Punky's little memorial thing.
1157
00:43:40,290 --> 00:43:43,793
- I know (mumbles),
he and Punky,
1158
00:43:43,793 --> 00:43:43,800
- I know (mumbles),
he and Punky,
1159
00:43:43,800 --> 00:43:45,793
they were really tight together.
1160
00:43:45,795 --> 00:43:49,295
- I guess the candy bar
was supposably for Punky
1161
00:43:49,299 --> 00:43:53,803
and Vera ended up eatin'
it because she was hungry
1162
00:43:53,803 --> 00:43:53,809
and Vera ended up eatin'
it because she was hungry
1163
00:43:53,809 --> 00:43:55,803
and they told her she
couldn't get out of the room.
1164
00:43:55,805 --> 00:43:59,304
- And Alyssa went off on
her and she actually had her
1165
00:43:59,309 --> 00:44:01,808
on the ground and she punched
her, like, maybe twice.
1166
00:44:01,811 --> 00:44:03,813
- (Narrator) This game
of trumping up a charge
1167
00:44:03,813 --> 00:44:03,821
- (Narrator) This game
of trumping up a charge
1168
00:44:03,821 --> 00:44:05,813
to get someone else to beat Vera
1169
00:44:05,815 --> 00:44:08,815
was not an isolated incident.
1170
00:44:08,818 --> 00:44:11,318
- He was thinkin' of people
who could beat the crap
1171
00:44:11,321 --> 00:44:15,325
out of Vera badly, so
he just got on his phone
1172
00:44:15,325 --> 00:44:15,331
out of Vera badly, so
he just got on his phone
1173
00:44:15,331 --> 00:44:18,325
and he started callin'
people or textin' people
1174
00:44:18,327 --> 00:44:20,828
and as soon as they got the
word they came rushin' over.
1175
00:44:20,830 --> 00:44:22,832
- (Narrator) Zachary
Brooks, tough new leader
1176
00:44:22,832 --> 00:44:22,840
- (Narrator) Zachary
Brooks, tough new leader
1177
00:44:22,840 --> 00:44:25,832
of the Findlay Crips, was
texting his dead brother's
1178
00:44:25,835 --> 00:44:28,335
old girlfriends to
come over and assault
1179
00:44:28,338 --> 00:44:30,338
his defenseless baby mama.
1180
00:44:30,340 --> 00:44:32,842
- Crystal pushes her
down on the floor
1181
00:44:32,842 --> 00:44:32,850
- Crystal pushes her
down on the floor
1182
00:44:32,850 --> 00:44:35,842
and Zachary's yellin' at her,
"Come on, hit her, hit her."
1183
00:44:35,845 --> 00:44:38,345
- (Narrator) And they do it.
1184
00:44:38,348 --> 00:44:40,848
(bell dinging)
1185
00:44:42,352 --> 00:44:44,854
(train whistle blows)
1186
00:44:44,854 --> 00:44:44,862
(train whistle blows)
1187
00:44:44,862 --> 00:44:48,854
The location was chosen
for a very personal reason.
1188
00:44:48,858 --> 00:44:51,358
- They tried to do the same
identical thing to Vera
1189
00:44:51,361 --> 00:44:52,862
that happened to Travis.
1190
00:44:52,862 --> 00:44:52,871
that happened to Travis.
1191
00:44:52,871 --> 00:44:54,362
Take her to the railroad tracks
1192
00:44:54,364 --> 00:44:55,864
and lay her out for the--
- Exactly.
1193
00:44:55,865 --> 00:44:59,365
- Train to run over her and
cut her head open and you know.
1194
00:44:59,369 --> 00:45:01,369
- (Narrator) Travis
Puckett was the son
1195
00:45:01,370 --> 00:45:03,373
of Cheri's baby sister Tabitha.
1196
00:45:03,373 --> 00:45:03,381
of Cheri's baby sister Tabitha.
1197
00:45:03,381 --> 00:45:05,873
- My nephew Travis
was 16 years old
1198
00:45:05,875 --> 00:45:09,875
and my sister told him to get
the hell out of her house.
1199
00:45:11,381 --> 00:45:12,882
- (Narrator) The
same age as Zachary,
1200
00:45:12,882 --> 00:45:12,891
- (Narrator) The
same age as Zachary,
1201
00:45:12,891 --> 00:45:15,382
Travis became part of
the Brooks boys gang,
1202
00:45:15,385 --> 00:45:19,385
hanging out at a local
park riding skateboards.
1203
00:45:19,389 --> 00:45:21,389
- He went takin'
off down the road
1204
00:45:21,391 --> 00:45:24,894
and that's when he jumped
the railroad tracks.
1205
00:45:24,894 --> 00:45:24,901
and that's when he jumped
the railroad tracks.
1206
00:45:24,901 --> 00:45:27,894
- 'Cause it was two trains
comin' at the same time,
1207
00:45:27,897 --> 00:45:29,897
so he couldn't do nothin'.
1208
00:45:29,899 --> 00:45:33,403
- And went Travis went to
jump, Travis slipped under
1209
00:45:33,403 --> 00:45:33,409
- And went Travis went to
jump, Travis slipped under
1210
00:45:33,409 --> 00:45:35,403
and (hands smack) and
off came Travis's head.
1211
00:45:35,405 --> 00:45:39,405
- He looked back like this
to see his brother Curtis
1212
00:45:39,409 --> 00:45:40,909
and when he did
1213
00:45:40,910 --> 00:45:43,413
the other train came
and that's when he got,
1214
00:45:43,413 --> 00:45:43,420
the other train came
and that's when he got,
1215
00:45:43,420 --> 00:45:45,413
she says like hamburger.
1216
00:45:47,417 --> 00:45:49,917
- And then he was smashed
up like hamburger.
1217
00:45:49,919 --> 00:45:51,919
- (Narrator) But
what's important is not
1218
00:45:51,921 --> 00:45:53,923
whether Cheri and Zachary
consciously wanted
1219
00:45:53,923 --> 00:45:53,931
whether Cheri and Zachary
consciously wanted
1220
00:45:53,931 --> 00:45:56,923
to imitate Travis's
death, it's that they told
1221
00:45:56,926 --> 00:46:00,426
the killers about their
vendetta against Vera.
1222
00:46:00,430 --> 00:46:01,930
- I think she was
thinkin' about it
1223
00:46:01,931 --> 00:46:05,940
when Vera accidentally
dropped a brick on her foot.
1224
00:46:08,438 --> 00:46:10,938
- I asked her to come
outside with me and help me
1225
00:46:10,940 --> 00:46:14,444
clean the rabbit
cage and I had a tarp
1226
00:46:14,444 --> 00:46:14,450
clean the rabbit
cage and I had a tarp
1227
00:46:14,450 --> 00:46:15,944
on top of the rabbit cage.
1228
00:46:15,945 --> 00:46:19,945
- And there was like four
bricks to keep the tarp on there
1229
00:46:19,949 --> 00:46:22,449
so that way it
doesn't blow away.
1230
00:46:22,452 --> 00:46:25,955
- (Nicole) She told me also
that Vera had thrown rocks,
1231
00:46:25,955 --> 00:46:25,962
- (Nicole) She told me also
that Vera had thrown rocks,
1232
00:46:25,962 --> 00:46:28,955
big huge like
rocks onto her feet
1233
00:46:28,958 --> 00:46:31,458
and that's why her
feet had to be wrapped.
1234
00:46:31,461 --> 00:46:34,464
- Zachary come runnin' outside
1235
00:46:34,464 --> 00:46:34,471
- Zachary come runnin' outside
1236
00:46:34,471 --> 00:46:36,464
and he said,
"What's wrong, Mom?"
1237
00:46:36,466 --> 00:46:40,966
I said, "Bitch fuckin'
dropped that rock on my foot.
1238
00:46:40,970 --> 00:46:42,470
"I need help."
1239
00:46:42,472 --> 00:46:43,973
He said, "What?"
1240
00:46:43,973 --> 00:46:43,982
He said, "What?"
1241
00:46:43,982 --> 00:46:46,473
I said, "She fuckin'
threw that rock on my foot
1242
00:46:46,476 --> 00:46:47,476
"and it hurts.
1243
00:46:47,477 --> 00:46:48,477
"Get it off."
1244
00:46:48,478 --> 00:46:51,478
- Zachary and all
them, they're sayin'
1245
00:46:51,481 --> 00:46:54,984
that she intentionally did it.
1246
00:46:54,984 --> 00:46:54,991
that she intentionally did it.
1247
00:46:54,991 --> 00:46:56,984
- And I yelled at her,
said, "You fuckin' bitch!"
1248
00:46:56,986 --> 00:46:58,986
I said, "You fuckin' hit
me with a fuckin' rock,
1249
00:46:58,988 --> 00:47:00,488
"you fuckin' bitch."
1250
00:47:00,490 --> 00:47:02,490
- (Narrator) The
slave had committed
1251
00:47:02,492 --> 00:47:03,502
a fatal error.
1252
00:47:05,995 --> 00:47:08,995
- Nope, she didn't apologize.
1253
00:47:08,998 --> 00:47:10,498
She never apologizes.
1254
00:47:12,001 --> 00:47:16,005
- (Narrator) From this point
on things went downhill.
1255
00:47:16,005 --> 00:47:16,011
- (Narrator) From this point
on things went downhill.
1256
00:47:16,011 --> 00:47:19,005
- It all happened,
events after that.
1257
00:47:19,008 --> 00:47:22,508
After she got the
bricks, was on her foot.
1258
00:47:22,512 --> 00:47:26,015
- The rock hit on
Cheri's foot and then
1259
00:47:26,015 --> 00:47:26,022
- The rock hit on
Cheri's foot and then
1260
00:47:26,022 --> 00:47:27,515
that's when they
were going to plan
1261
00:47:27,517 --> 00:47:30,017
on throwing Vera on the tracks.
1262
00:47:30,019 --> 00:47:33,529
(train whistle blowing)
1263
00:47:36,025 --> 00:47:40,525
- Cheri made a little joke
about wanting to drug Vera
1264
00:47:43,533 --> 00:47:47,033
with her sleeping pills and
Zachary wanted to get her high
1265
00:47:47,036 --> 00:47:50,036
and everything and
then mix those together
1266
00:47:50,039 --> 00:47:52,039
and then let her walk
the tracks at nighttime.
1267
00:47:52,041 --> 00:47:55,044
Eventually she would
fall over and lay right
1268
00:47:55,044 --> 00:47:55,051
Eventually she would
fall over and lay right
1269
00:47:55,051 --> 00:47:57,544
in the middle of the tracks.
1270
00:47:57,547 --> 00:47:59,047
- When she said you
need to cut her up
1271
00:47:59,048 --> 00:48:02,048
and put her on the tracks,
then she looked towards Vera,
1272
00:48:02,051 --> 00:48:04,053
smiled, and turned back.
1273
00:48:04,053 --> 00:48:04,061
smiled, and turned back.
1274
00:48:04,061 --> 00:48:08,053
- And there would be
no way of the conductor
1275
00:48:08,057 --> 00:48:10,057
to stop the train in time.
1276
00:48:11,561 --> 00:48:14,063
- She thought if she did
get squished by the train
1277
00:48:14,063 --> 00:48:14,071
- She thought if she did
get squished by the train
1278
00:48:14,071 --> 00:48:16,563
then there wouldn't
be any fingerprints
1279
00:48:16,566 --> 00:48:18,566
because you would be
like hamburger meat.
1280
00:48:18,568 --> 00:48:20,568
- So basically she
wanted to kill her.
1281
00:48:20,570 --> 00:48:24,080
(train whistle blowing)
1282
00:48:26,576 --> 00:48:29,076
(somber music)
1283
00:48:30,579 --> 00:48:32,080
- (Narrator) On
Sunday March 20th,
1284
00:48:32,081 --> 00:48:35,585
Danny and Nicole ran from
the assault charge in Tiffin
1285
00:48:35,585 --> 00:48:35,591
Danny and Nicole ran from
the assault charge in Tiffin
1286
00:48:35,591 --> 00:48:37,585
and arrived at the Brooks house.
1287
00:48:37,587 --> 00:48:40,587
That evening they met
a being named Vera who,
1288
00:48:40,590 --> 00:48:43,092
already living in a
perpetual state of terror,
1289
00:48:43,092 --> 00:48:43,100
already living in a
perpetual state of terror,
1290
00:48:43,100 --> 00:48:46,092
could no longer be
considered human.
1291
00:48:46,095 --> 00:48:49,095
- She stayed in her room 24/7.
1292
00:48:49,098 --> 00:48:53,102
She barely ever came out
unless Cheri called her.
1293
00:48:53,102 --> 00:48:53,108
She barely ever came out
unless Cheri called her.
1294
00:48:53,108 --> 00:48:55,602
- She was basically like this.
1295
00:48:55,605 --> 00:48:58,105
Wouldn't look you in the eye.
1296
00:48:58,107 --> 00:48:59,607
Wouldn't talk.
1297
00:48:59,609 --> 00:49:01,109
If somebody walked in the house,
1298
00:49:01,110 --> 00:49:03,613
she'd go to the
bedroom by herself.
1299
00:49:03,613 --> 00:49:03,620
she'd go to the
bedroom by herself.
1300
00:49:03,620 --> 00:49:07,113
- If she's sitting there
and just curled up like this
1301
00:49:07,116 --> 00:49:08,116
and looking up like
this every now and then
1302
00:49:08,117 --> 00:49:09,617
and then going
back down, I mean,
1303
00:49:09,619 --> 00:49:11,619
you get this idea
that she was probably
1304
00:49:11,620 --> 00:49:15,124
pretty much psychically
dead anyway.
1305
00:49:15,124 --> 00:49:15,131
pretty much psychically
dead anyway.
1306
00:49:15,131 --> 00:49:17,124
- (Narrator) Meanwhile,
Vera's baby daddy
1307
00:49:17,126 --> 00:49:19,126
had found a kindred
spirit bonding
1308
00:49:19,128 --> 00:49:21,628
with his long lost Crip brother.
1309
00:49:24,133 --> 00:49:26,633
- They seemed very
dependent on each other.
1310
00:49:26,636 --> 00:49:30,636
They seemed very close for
just knowing each other
1311
00:49:30,640 --> 00:49:33,142
for that little of time.
1312
00:49:33,142 --> 00:49:33,150
for that little of time.
1313
00:49:33,150 --> 00:49:34,142
- (Narrator) For
the next four days,
1314
00:49:34,143 --> 00:49:37,643
they unleashed an animalistic
rage that is hard,
1315
00:49:37,647 --> 00:49:40,647
but not impossible, to explain.
1316
00:49:40,650 --> 00:49:43,653
- Cheri Brooks and
the entire family
1317
00:49:43,653 --> 00:49:43,660
- Cheri Brooks and
the entire family
1318
00:49:43,660 --> 00:49:45,653
was telling Danny stories.
1319
00:49:47,156 --> 00:49:48,656
- (Narrator) For the past
three years he lived here
1320
00:49:48,658 --> 00:49:50,658
at Allen Correctional.
1321
00:49:50,660 --> 00:49:52,660
- Guys who in prison
had been raped
1322
00:49:52,662 --> 00:49:57,166
when they come out it's
like they wanna get revenge
1323
00:49:57,166 --> 00:49:57,172
when they come out it's
like they wanna get revenge
1324
00:49:57,172 --> 00:49:58,666
on somebody.
1325
00:49:58,668 --> 00:50:00,668
- (Narrator) And gang
bangers and their bloody code
1326
00:50:00,670 --> 00:50:03,673
of survival is very, very real.
1327
00:50:03,673 --> 00:50:03,680
of survival is very, very real.
1328
00:50:03,680 --> 00:50:05,673
- Well, I know she's
all about the Crip stuff
1329
00:50:05,675 --> 00:50:07,175
because when we were at
dinner she was talkin'
1330
00:50:07,176 --> 00:50:09,176
all about Punky bein' a Crip.
1331
00:50:09,178 --> 00:50:12,678
And she had a blue bandana
around his flowers.
1332
00:50:12,682 --> 00:50:14,183
- (Man) Do you think
Cheri thinks she's a Crip?
1333
00:50:14,183 --> 00:50:14,192
- (Man) Do you think
Cheri thinks she's a Crip?
1334
00:50:14,192 --> 00:50:16,183
- Yeah, for sure.
1335
00:50:16,185 --> 00:50:17,685
- (Man) So, as far as
this gang affiliation,
1336
00:50:17,687 --> 00:50:21,187
who's the first Crip
amongst the Brookses?
1337
00:50:21,190 --> 00:50:22,690
- Punky.
1338
00:50:22,692 --> 00:50:24,694
- (Narrator) This is
why when interviewed
1339
00:50:24,694 --> 00:50:24,702
- (Narrator) This is
why when interviewed
1340
00:50:24,702 --> 00:50:27,694
for this project, Danny's
response was so chilling.
1341
00:50:27,697 --> 00:50:30,197
- When he mentioned
something about Punky,
1342
00:50:30,199 --> 00:50:32,699
they all get this thing of
1343
00:50:36,205 --> 00:50:39,705
thinkin' that she's
disrespectful to Punky.
1344
00:50:39,709 --> 00:50:41,709
- (Narrator) But she was
being accused of more
1345
00:50:41,711 --> 00:50:43,713
than just disrespecting Punky.
1346
00:50:43,713 --> 00:50:43,721
than just disrespecting Punky.
1347
00:50:43,721 --> 00:50:46,213
Zachary and Cheri told
Danny, who was in prison
1348
00:50:46,215 --> 00:50:49,715
when it happened, that
she had murdered him.
1349
00:50:49,719 --> 00:50:52,719
In their most
vicious lie of all,
1350
00:50:52,722 --> 00:50:55,224
knowing full well
how he would react,
1351
00:50:55,224 --> 00:50:55,232
knowing full well
how he would react,
1352
00:50:55,232 --> 00:50:58,224
they convinced Danny it
was Vera who pushed Punky
1353
00:50:58,227 --> 00:50:59,727
in front of the cab.
1354
00:51:01,731 --> 00:51:02,730
- Oh my God.
1355
00:51:04,233 --> 00:51:05,733
- No, but that
1356
00:51:05,735 --> 00:51:08,235
is just messed up
just to tell anybody
1357
00:51:09,739 --> 00:51:13,743
Vera was the one to push
Punky because there was a lot
1358
00:51:13,743 --> 00:51:13,749
Vera was the one to push
Punky because there was a lot
1359
00:51:13,749 --> 00:51:16,243
of people that would
take up for Punky.
1360
00:51:16,245 --> 00:51:18,245
- (Narrator) So not
only was Vera a threat
1361
00:51:18,247 --> 00:51:20,247
to Cheri's precious
baby, Willadean, she also
1362
00:51:20,249 --> 00:51:23,252
killed the Brooks gang's leader.
1363
00:51:23,252 --> 00:51:23,259
killed the Brooks gang's leader.
1364
00:51:23,259 --> 00:51:25,752
Now Cheri wanted
something done about it.
1365
00:51:25,755 --> 00:51:28,755
- Nicole was just another
opportunity for her
1366
00:51:28,758 --> 00:51:31,258
to do her mind games with.
1367
00:51:32,762 --> 00:51:33,763
- She wants to be a
people pleaser so bad.
1368
00:51:33,763 --> 00:51:33,772
- She wants to be a
people pleaser so bad.
1369
00:51:33,772 --> 00:51:36,763
She wants friends so
bad that she just,
1370
00:51:36,766 --> 00:51:38,766
she couldn't see
it comin' at all.
1371
00:51:38,768 --> 00:51:41,267
Especially not with someone
as conniving as Cheri is.
1372
00:51:41,270 --> 00:51:43,773
- From what she
either says or does,
1373
00:51:43,773 --> 00:51:43,780
- From what she
either says or does,
1374
00:51:43,780 --> 00:51:48,773
everybody else follows and
just does what they're told.
1375
00:51:48,778 --> 00:51:51,278
- It was like the
female Charlie Manson.
1376
00:51:51,280 --> 00:51:53,783
Like if Charlie Manson had
a girl form it would be her.
1377
00:51:53,783 --> 00:51:53,790
Like if Charlie Manson had
a girl form it would be her.
1378
00:51:53,790 --> 00:51:57,283
- Cheri is the one
that told him to do it.
1379
00:51:57,286 --> 00:51:58,786
He did say that.
1380
00:51:58,788 --> 00:52:01,288
- Since she knew
Danny was in the Crips
1381
00:52:01,290 --> 00:52:03,793
and she believes
that she is a Crip,
1382
00:52:03,793 --> 00:52:03,800
and she believes
that she is a Crip,
1383
00:52:03,800 --> 00:52:07,793
she pretty much put
into Danny's mind,
1384
00:52:07,797 --> 00:52:09,797
like, hey, help us out.
1385
00:52:09,799 --> 00:52:12,799
- (Narrator) Then Cheri's
little helpers got busy.
1386
00:52:12,802 --> 00:52:15,304
- Chuckie's pad lock
from his school locker
1387
00:52:15,304 --> 00:52:15,312
- Chuckie's pad lock
from his school locker
1388
00:52:15,312 --> 00:52:18,304
was sitting on the stand
and they just happened
1389
00:52:18,307 --> 00:52:21,806
to pick it up and
hook it to the belt
1390
00:52:21,811 --> 00:52:23,813
and all of a sudden
that's when they started
1391
00:52:23,813 --> 00:52:23,821
and all of a sudden
that's when they started
1392
00:52:23,821 --> 00:52:25,813
hittin' Vera in the head
and the body with it.
1393
00:52:25,815 --> 00:52:28,315
- It was their weapon
of choice after that.
1394
00:52:28,317 --> 00:52:32,317
That and a big long paddle
with a number 3 on it.
1395
00:52:33,823 --> 00:52:37,323
- Nicole took the paddle
and beat Vera's ass
1396
00:52:37,326 --> 00:52:39,826
and Vera had a
bruise on her ass.
1397
00:52:39,829 --> 00:52:41,329
And all Vera had
on was a t-shrit
1398
00:52:41,330 --> 00:52:43,332
and her underwear.
1399
00:52:43,332 --> 00:52:43,340
and her underwear.
1400
00:52:43,340 --> 00:52:44,832
- (Narrator) And the
more Vera screamed,
1401
00:52:44,834 --> 00:52:47,334
the more it became sexual.
1402
00:52:47,336 --> 00:52:51,836
- I think Nicole gets
off of a lot of violence.
1403
00:52:51,841 --> 00:52:55,344
- And Nicky was like, like
she was gettin' real excited
1404
00:52:55,344 --> 00:52:55,351
- And Nicky was like, like
she was gettin' real excited
1405
00:52:55,351 --> 00:52:58,844
and then she'd go over
and start kissin' on Danny
1406
00:52:58,848 --> 00:53:00,848
like she was bein' turned
on for what she was doin'.
1407
00:53:00,850 --> 00:53:04,353
- I think once Danny
started beatin' her,
1408
00:53:04,353 --> 00:53:04,360
- I think once Danny
started beatin' her,
1409
00:53:04,360 --> 00:53:05,853
he couldn't stop.
1410
00:53:06,856 --> 00:53:08,856
He got off on it.
1411
00:53:08,858 --> 00:53:11,858
Basically he says, now
this is gettin' fun.
1412
00:53:11,861 --> 00:53:14,363
- When she got hit her
hand went up like this
1413
00:53:14,363 --> 00:53:14,371
- When she got hit her
hand went up like this
1414
00:53:14,371 --> 00:53:17,863
and it accidentally
hit Nicole's boob
1415
00:53:19,869 --> 00:53:21,869
and Nicole said, oh,
(hands smack) bam,
1416
00:53:21,871 --> 00:53:23,372
right across the face.
1417
00:53:23,372 --> 00:53:23,381
right across the face.
1418
00:53:23,381 --> 00:53:24,872
Now you're doin' a
lesbian act on me?
1419
00:53:24,874 --> 00:53:28,874
- After the beatings
Vera, they would run up
1420
00:53:28,878 --> 00:53:31,378
to the room where
they were sleeping at
1421
00:53:31,380 --> 00:53:32,879
to pretty much get it on.
1422
00:53:32,882 --> 00:53:35,383
- The idea that after
they had beaten Vera
1423
00:53:35,383 --> 00:53:35,392
- The idea that after
they had beaten Vera
1424
00:53:35,392 --> 00:53:36,884
they would go
upstairs and have sex
1425
00:53:36,886 --> 00:53:38,886
would also indicate
that there was
1426
00:53:38,888 --> 00:53:42,388
some sort of real psychological
thrill about this.
1427
00:53:42,391 --> 00:53:43,893
- I don't know if you
know, but almost every bone
1428
00:53:43,893 --> 00:53:43,901
- I don't know if you
know, but almost every bone
1429
00:53:43,901 --> 00:53:45,893
in her face was broke.
1430
00:53:45,895 --> 00:53:48,895
A lot of that's from being
slugged for lookin' at Danny.
1431
00:53:48,898 --> 00:53:53,903
- Nicole punched Vera right
square in the nose like this.
1432
00:53:53,903 --> 00:53:53,908
- Nicole punched Vera right
square in the nose like this.
1433
00:53:53,908 --> 00:53:56,403
- Vera was not even
interested in Danny.
1434
00:53:56,405 --> 00:53:58,905
That was all brought up
because Cheri kept sayin',
1435
00:53:58,908 --> 00:54:01,408
"Yeah, Vera will
sleep with any of 'em.
1436
00:54:01,410 --> 00:54:02,910
"She slept with all my sons.
1437
00:54:02,912 --> 00:54:04,913
"She'll sleep with Danny, too."
1438
00:54:04,913 --> 00:54:04,922
"She'll sleep with Danny, too."
1439
00:54:04,922 --> 00:54:07,914
- And then as soon as
they would beat on her,
1440
00:54:07,917 --> 00:54:10,417
they'd run right
upstairs and have sex
1441
00:54:10,419 --> 00:54:12,919
and then come right back
down and beat on Vera again
1442
00:54:12,922 --> 00:54:15,424
like it turned 'em on.
1443
00:54:15,424 --> 00:54:15,432
like it turned 'em on.
1444
00:54:15,432 --> 00:54:16,424
- (Narrator) By this
admission, when you consider
1445
00:54:16,425 --> 00:54:19,925
whose bedroom was
downstairs, Danny and Nicole
1446
00:54:19,929 --> 00:54:23,432
were not the only ones
getting off on it.
1447
00:54:23,432 --> 00:54:23,439
were not the only ones
getting off on it.
1448
00:54:23,439 --> 00:54:24,932
- It always happens
in Mother's room
1449
00:54:24,934 --> 00:54:26,434
for some reason.
1450
00:54:26,435 --> 00:54:26,935
- (Interviewer) All
the beatings were in
1451
00:54:26,936 --> 00:54:28,936
your Mom's room?
- Yes.
1452
00:54:28,938 --> 00:54:30,438
- Cheri just spoke out.
1453
00:54:30,439 --> 00:54:31,939
She just said, "Hit her again."
1454
00:54:31,941 --> 00:54:35,945
- She thinks it's cute of Vera
havin' black eyes and stuff,
1455
00:54:35,945 --> 00:54:35,951
- She thinks it's cute of Vera
havin' black eyes and stuff,
1456
00:54:35,951 --> 00:54:37,445
said she looks like
a little squirrel.
1457
00:54:37,446 --> 00:54:40,446
- Like, she wants everybody
to know that she wanted her
1458
00:54:40,449 --> 00:54:41,949
to be hit.
1459
00:54:41,951 --> 00:54:44,954
- She kept hittin'
her head like this
1460
00:54:44,954 --> 00:54:44,961
- She kept hittin'
her head like this
1461
00:54:44,961 --> 00:54:48,954
on the dresser and Nicky
kept sayin', "Can I kill her?
1462
00:54:48,958 --> 00:54:50,458
"Can I kill her?
1463
00:54:50,459 --> 00:54:51,959
"Can I kill her?
1464
00:54:51,961 --> 00:54:53,462
- (Narrator) And through it
all, to quote Danny Bixler,
1465
00:54:53,462 --> 00:54:53,471
- (Narrator) And through it
all, to quote Danny Bixler,
1466
00:54:53,471 --> 00:54:54,962
Vera just took it.
1467
00:54:55,965 --> 00:54:59,965
- That's when he pretty
much mud stomped.
1468
00:54:59,969 --> 00:55:01,469
It's a southern term.
1469
00:55:01,470 --> 00:55:03,472
It's where when they're on
the ground you just stomp 'em
1470
00:55:03,472 --> 00:55:03,480
It's where when they're on
the ground you just stomp 'em
1471
00:55:03,480 --> 00:55:05,972
until they're
pretty much weakened
1472
00:55:05,975 --> 00:55:08,475
to where they can't
even get up again.
1473
00:55:08,477 --> 00:55:10,977
- When somebody gets
beat up in prison
1474
00:55:10,980 --> 00:55:12,980
they call it that way.
1475
00:55:12,982 --> 00:55:14,483
- (Narrator) Her injuries
from the mud stomping
1476
00:55:14,483 --> 00:55:14,491
- (Narrator) Her injuries
from the mud stomping
1477
00:55:14,491 --> 00:55:16,483
were all too evident
the following day
1478
00:55:16,485 --> 00:55:19,485
when, amazingly, they took
a break from beating Vera
1479
00:55:19,488 --> 00:55:21,988
and walked her across
the street to lunch.
1480
00:55:21,991 --> 00:55:26,495
- Somebody else actually
told us what she wanted.
1481
00:55:26,495 --> 00:55:26,501
- Somebody else actually
told us what she wanted.
1482
00:55:26,501 --> 00:55:28,495
It looked like her
lip had been busted
1483
00:55:28,497 --> 00:55:29,497
right here.
1484
00:55:29,498 --> 00:55:31,498
- We talked about it
after we were done.
1485
00:55:31,500 --> 00:55:33,502
After they had left we all
says, "Man, did you see
1486
00:55:33,502 --> 00:55:33,510
After they had left we all
says, "Man, did you see
1487
00:55:33,510 --> 00:55:35,002
"that girl's face?"
1488
00:55:35,004 --> 00:55:39,004
- I'd made the comment
to Shane and a couple
1489
00:55:39,008 --> 00:55:41,008
of other people, I said, "Man,
1490
00:55:41,010 --> 00:55:44,013
"she looks like she went through
the windshield of a car."
1491
00:55:44,013 --> 00:55:44,020
"she looks like she went through
the windshield of a car."
1492
00:55:44,020 --> 00:55:46,513
(dramatic music)
1493
00:56:10,539 --> 00:56:12,539
- (Narrator) As it became
clear the legal system
1494
00:56:12,541 --> 00:56:14,043
was going to
minimize the enormity
1495
00:56:14,043 --> 00:56:14,051
was going to
minimize the enormity
1496
00:56:14,051 --> 00:56:17,543
of what had happened to
Vera, frustration grew
1497
00:56:17,546 --> 00:56:19,046
throughout the community.
1498
00:56:19,048 --> 00:56:22,548
This led to the formation
of Voices for Vera,
1499
00:56:22,551 --> 00:56:25,554
an activist group dedicated
to bringing the people
1500
00:56:25,554 --> 00:56:25,561
an activist group dedicated
to bringing the people
1501
00:56:25,561 --> 00:56:28,554
who brutalized her to justice.
1502
00:56:28,557 --> 00:56:29,557
- We don't understand.
1503
00:56:29,558 --> 00:56:31,558
We don't know why that
there was only two people
1504
00:56:31,560 --> 00:56:34,563
that was charged
with this murder.
1505
00:56:34,570 --> 00:56:36,063
There was so many
people involved,
1506
00:56:36,065 --> 00:56:39,065
and there's only two people
that's bein' charged with it.
1507
00:56:39,068 --> 00:56:41,568
Except for lying to the police.
1508
00:56:41,570 --> 00:56:43,070
Wow.
1509
00:56:43,072 --> 00:56:45,074
- (Narrator) Nor did anyone
in the prosecutor's office
1510
00:56:45,082 --> 00:56:47,074
figure out the
author of these lies,
1511
00:56:47,076 --> 00:56:49,576
evidenced by how the
judge sentenced Cheri
1512
00:56:49,578 --> 00:56:52,078
for passing on
secondhand information
1513
00:56:52,081 --> 00:56:54,083
that she herself had created.
1514
00:56:54,091 --> 00:56:58,083
- Mrs. Brooks has a relatively
long criminal history,
1515
00:56:58,087 --> 00:56:59,087
mostly minor offenses,
1516
00:56:59,088 --> 00:57:01,588
those of a minor
nature, but at least one
1517
00:57:01,590 --> 00:57:05,094
felony offense,
albeit some years ago.
1518
00:57:05,100 --> 00:57:08,094
With respect to Ms. Brooks
involvement in this particular
1519
00:57:08,097 --> 00:57:12,097
case it appears that
Ms. Brooks participation
1520
00:57:12,101 --> 00:57:14,103
is slightly, and I
underscore slightly,
1521
00:57:14,111 --> 00:57:17,103
less serious than that of the
others who've been involved
1522
00:57:17,106 --> 00:57:20,606
because it appears that her
crime involves the passing
1523
00:57:20,609 --> 00:57:24,613
along of secondhand
information, which nonetheless
1524
00:57:24,619 --> 00:57:26,613
misled the officers,
but it appears to be
1525
00:57:26,615 --> 00:57:30,115
more of a secondhand information
that she passed along
1526
00:57:30,119 --> 00:57:32,619
as opposed to
firsthand information.
1527
00:57:32,621 --> 00:57:34,122
- (Narrator) Not only
was the court fooled
1528
00:57:34,131 --> 00:57:37,123
about Cheri's role in
making it the cover story,
1529
00:57:37,126 --> 00:57:38,626
no one even bothered
to determine
1530
00:57:38,627 --> 00:57:41,627
when she told her
family to say it.
1531
00:57:44,633 --> 00:57:45,633
- Yes.
1532
00:57:48,637 --> 00:57:50,637
- When Vera was sleeping
1533
00:57:52,141 --> 00:57:56,145
from her bruises, 'cause
I had to actually do
1534
00:57:56,151 --> 00:57:58,145
her dang feet that night.
1535
00:57:59,648 --> 00:58:01,148
- Yeah, there was one
night I had to do her feet
1536
00:58:01,150 --> 00:58:04,653
because Vera was too wounded to.
1537
00:58:04,660 --> 00:58:06,653
- (Narrator) Scottie is
talking about Thursday
1538
00:58:06,655 --> 00:58:09,155
following Vera's mud stomping.
1539
00:58:09,158 --> 00:58:12,158
- I believe yes, I believe he
did do her feet that night.
1540
00:58:12,161 --> 00:58:15,664
- And that's when she said
if they would kill her,
1541
00:58:15,671 --> 00:58:17,664
"I hope they don't."
1542
00:58:17,666 --> 00:58:19,666
Like, you know, throwing it off.
1543
00:58:19,668 --> 00:58:22,168
That we would have
to have a cover story
1544
00:58:22,171 --> 00:58:24,181
to protect this family.
1545
00:58:29,678 --> 00:58:32,178
- They had to think of
something and put blame
1546
00:58:32,181 --> 00:58:36,685
on certain people to still
try to keep certain members
1547
00:58:36,691 --> 00:58:38,685
of the family out of it.
1548
00:58:41,690 --> 00:58:44,693
- The secondhand
information means
1549
00:58:44,700 --> 00:58:48,693
that Shannon told me
that they took Vera
1550
00:58:48,697 --> 00:58:52,697
up to the tracks and that
they degutted her like a fish
1551
00:58:54,203 --> 00:58:57,203
and that they left
her up there to die.
1552
00:58:58,206 --> 00:58:59,707
And Shannon said,
"Don't worry about it
1553
00:58:59,708 --> 00:59:01,708
"because she deserved it."
1554
00:59:01,710 --> 00:59:03,712
- It's like this.
1555
00:59:03,720 --> 00:59:05,212
You're looking at this
hand while something else
1556
00:59:05,214 --> 00:59:06,714
is going on in this hand.
1557
00:59:06,715 --> 00:59:09,715
But you're pretty much more
interested in this hand.
1558
00:59:09,718 --> 00:59:12,718
- That's probably
what was in her head,
1559
00:59:12,721 --> 00:59:14,723
was to take Willadean
away from Vera,
1560
00:59:14,731 --> 00:59:17,723
get Vera out of
the picture so that
1561
00:59:19,228 --> 00:59:22,728
she could have Willadean
as her own child
1562
00:59:23,732 --> 00:59:25,232
and have her raise it
1563
00:59:26,735 --> 00:59:29,235
as hers and Michael's
1564
00:59:29,238 --> 00:59:31,238
and it's not her child.
1565
00:59:32,741 --> 00:59:36,745
I mean, there's nothin' wrong
helpin' Vera with the child,
1566
00:59:36,751 --> 00:59:38,745
givin' it baths,
helpin' her feed her
1567
00:59:38,747 --> 00:59:40,747
and helpin' her change her,
1568
00:59:40,749 --> 00:59:43,249
you know, taking care
of her, but she didn't
1569
00:59:43,252 --> 00:59:46,255
have to kill Vera,
have Vera killed
1570
00:59:46,262 --> 00:59:48,255
just to take her baby from her.
1571
00:59:48,257 --> 00:59:50,256
- (Narrator) Yet,
incredible as it sounds,
1572
00:59:50,259 --> 00:59:53,762
this absurd projection
of Cheri's own motive
1573
00:59:53,769 --> 00:59:56,762
became the basis of the
state of Ohio's case
1574
00:59:56,765 --> 00:59:58,765
against Vera's killers.
1575
00:59:58,767 --> 01:00:01,767
- The official
version of events,
1576
01:00:01,770 --> 01:00:03,270
Danny Bixler
indicated he was upset
1577
01:00:03,272 --> 01:00:05,274
with Vera Jo for spraying
1578
01:00:05,282 --> 01:00:07,774
pepper spray in the home.
1579
01:00:07,776 --> 01:00:09,776
- Not that Shannon
had no involvement
1580
01:00:09,778 --> 01:00:12,778
in Vera's murder, she did.
1581
01:00:12,781 --> 01:00:17,286
- (Nicole) It's not only
Cheri that was manipulative.
1582
01:00:17,291 --> 01:00:20,786
Shannon Brooks, Michael
Brooks's wife, also
1583
01:00:22,290 --> 01:00:23,792
said that she was
three months pregnant.
1584
01:00:23,801 --> 01:00:25,292
She was never pregnant.
1585
01:00:25,294 --> 01:00:28,794
- Cheri, I guess,
while I was gone
1586
01:00:28,797 --> 01:00:31,797
had told Danny
and Nicole that...
1587
01:00:35,804 --> 01:00:37,304
I had miscarried.
1588
01:00:38,307 --> 01:00:40,807
I never told her
that I was pregnant.
1589
01:00:40,809 --> 01:00:44,313
Not one bit did I say
that I was pregnant.
1590
01:00:44,319 --> 01:00:47,313
- (Narrator) Except, based
on these Facebook timestamps,
1591
01:00:47,316 --> 01:00:50,316
this claim is a demonstrable lie
1592
01:00:50,319 --> 01:00:52,819
because in addition to
posting she was pregnant
1593
01:00:52,821 --> 01:00:55,324
two days earlier, Shannon
was talking to Cheri
1594
01:00:55,324 --> 01:00:55,331
two days earlier, Shannon
was talking to Cheri
1595
01:00:55,331 --> 01:00:57,824
about it the morning
of the murder.
1596
01:00:57,826 --> 01:01:01,826
- If you go with the flow,
nothin's gonna happen to ya.
1597
01:01:01,830 --> 01:01:04,333
However, once you
go with the flow
1598
01:01:04,340 --> 01:01:06,833
you do get involved into it and
1599
01:01:06,835 --> 01:01:10,335
there's sometimes
no turning back.
1600
01:01:10,339 --> 01:01:12,339
- (Narrator) And then
she saw a way out.
1601
01:01:12,341 --> 01:01:15,344
- They had said that
Vera had sprayed
1602
01:01:15,351 --> 01:01:17,344
the pepper spray
upstairs to where
1603
01:01:17,346 --> 01:01:18,846
it was really bad.
1604
01:01:20,849 --> 01:01:23,349
- No, Vera never did, but yes,
1605
01:01:23,352 --> 01:01:25,862
Shannon did come back furious.
1606
01:01:26,855 --> 01:01:28,355
- At Vera.
1607
01:01:28,357 --> 01:01:30,357
- (Nicole) Shannon was
like, "That little bitch,
1608
01:01:30,359 --> 01:01:33,359
"if she made me lose
my baby, I swear to God
1609
01:01:33,362 --> 01:01:34,863
"I'm going to kill her."
1610
01:01:34,863 --> 01:01:34,872
"I'm going to kill her."
1611
01:01:34,872 --> 01:01:38,862
And when she got back she
said she had a miscarriage
1612
01:01:38,867 --> 01:01:41,367
and that she had to get
a D&C and everything else
1613
01:01:41,370 --> 01:01:42,870
that goes along
with a miscarriage.
1614
01:01:42,871 --> 01:01:44,372
- (Narrator) Nicole
had clearly developed
1615
01:01:44,372 --> 01:01:44,381
- (Narrator) Nicole
had clearly developed
1616
01:01:44,381 --> 01:01:47,873
a bond with Shannon, but she
didn't understand the game.
1617
01:01:47,876 --> 01:01:49,376
- Vera caused it.
1618
01:01:50,379 --> 01:01:51,879
Blame everything on Vera.
1619
01:01:51,880 --> 01:01:53,882
Vera already caused
everything else.
1620
01:01:53,882 --> 01:01:53,890
Vera already caused
everything else.
1621
01:01:53,890 --> 01:01:55,882
Vera can cause this, too.
1622
01:01:56,885 --> 01:01:58,385
- (Narrator) And
with Danny and Nicole
1623
01:01:58,387 --> 01:02:00,887
accepting plea bargains,
the judge responded
1624
01:02:00,889 --> 01:02:02,889
to criticism from
Voices for Vera.
1625
01:02:02,891 --> 01:02:05,894
- Obviously the facts and
circumstances of this crime
1626
01:02:05,894 --> 01:02:05,901
- Obviously the facts and
circumstances of this crime
1627
01:02:05,901 --> 01:02:09,394
have been the subject of much
media and public attention.
1628
01:02:09,398 --> 01:02:11,398
- Then to hear the judge
say, "Oh, we're gonna provide
1629
01:02:11,400 --> 01:02:13,400
"adequate punishment for
the ones involved in this."
1630
01:02:13,402 --> 01:02:15,904
30 days deferred with
five years probation
1631
01:02:15,904 --> 01:02:15,912
30 days deferred with
five years probation
1632
01:02:15,912 --> 01:02:17,404
and two and a half
years reserved.
1633
01:02:17,406 --> 01:02:18,906
Dude, put 'em in jail.
1634
01:02:18,907 --> 01:02:20,907
- Many interested
persons have spoken out
1635
01:02:20,909 --> 01:02:22,409
in the news media.
1636
01:02:22,411 --> 01:02:25,414
- You think this is one
step toward some justice?
1637
01:02:25,414 --> 01:02:25,421
- You think this is one
step toward some justice?
1638
01:02:25,421 --> 01:02:26,914
I mean, what's going
through your mind?
1639
01:02:26,915 --> 01:02:29,415
- I'm hoping it's one
step towards justice.
1640
01:02:29,418 --> 01:02:32,418
- Others have used various
forms of social media
1641
01:02:32,421 --> 01:02:33,922
to express their views.
1642
01:02:33,922 --> 01:02:33,931
to express their views.
1643
01:02:33,931 --> 01:02:36,922
It is of course the right
of all of our citizens
1644
01:02:36,925 --> 01:02:39,425
to speak freely and openly,
especially on matters
1645
01:02:39,428 --> 01:02:41,928
of great personal
and public interest.
1646
01:02:41,930 --> 01:02:45,434
But while the sanctity of free
speech is beyond question,
1647
01:02:45,434 --> 01:02:45,440
But while the sanctity of free
speech is beyond question,
1648
01:02:45,440 --> 01:02:47,434
it must also be
remembered that opinion
1649
01:02:47,436 --> 01:02:50,436
unconnected to fact, the law,
or for that matter, reality,
1650
01:02:50,439 --> 01:02:52,439
must be rejected.
1651
01:02:52,441 --> 01:02:55,444
- (Narrator) But what is the
reality the court accepted?
1652
01:02:55,444 --> 01:02:55,451
- (Narrator) But what is the
reality the court accepted?
1653
01:02:55,451 --> 01:02:58,444
- Daniel Bixler, Shannon
Brooks, Zachary Brooks,
1654
01:02:58,447 --> 01:03:01,447
Garth Brooks, Cheri
Brooks, and I agreed
1655
01:03:01,450 --> 01:03:04,460
to kill Vera Jo Reigle
on March 26, 2011.
1656
01:03:05,954 --> 01:03:08,454
We agreed to do this
because Shannon Brooks
1657
01:03:08,456 --> 01:03:11,457
said Vera Jo Reigle
caused her to miscarry.
1658
01:03:11,460 --> 01:03:13,962
- (Narrator) Only, was
this really the motive?
1659
01:03:13,962 --> 01:03:13,970
- (Narrator) Only, was
this really the motive?
1660
01:03:13,970 --> 01:03:15,962
Well, I guess if you
believe the source
1661
01:03:15,964 --> 01:03:18,964
used by Nicole's lawyers.
1662
01:03:18,967 --> 01:03:21,967
- Nicky's lawyer had came
to the house to talk to me
1663
01:03:21,969 --> 01:03:25,474
and was wonderin'
why was Vera killed?
1664
01:03:25,474 --> 01:03:25,480
and was wonderin'
why was Vera killed?
1665
01:03:25,480 --> 01:03:27,474
Was it because of jealousy
because Nicky thought
1666
01:03:27,476 --> 01:03:29,476
she wanted Danny?
1667
01:03:29,478 --> 01:03:31,978
Or was it 'cause
of the miscarriage?
1668
01:03:31,980 --> 01:03:34,983
And I said, well, for one,
1669
01:03:34,983 --> 01:03:34,990
And I said, well, for one,
1670
01:03:34,990 --> 01:03:38,983
Vera always will and
always will love Zachary.
1671
01:03:39,988 --> 01:03:42,488
She went to her
grave lovin' Zachary.
1672
01:03:42,491 --> 01:03:44,993
- (Narrator) So imagine Cheri's
delight at being presented
1673
01:03:44,993 --> 01:03:45,001
- (Narrator) So imagine Cheri's
delight at being presented
1674
01:03:45,001 --> 01:03:47,493
with a smorgasbord
of her own lies.
1675
01:03:47,496 --> 01:03:50,496
- Vera was killed
later on because of
1676
01:03:50,499 --> 01:03:51,999
the miscarriage of Shannon.
1677
01:03:52,000 --> 01:03:54,002
- (Narrator) But events
leading up to the murder
1678
01:03:54,002 --> 01:03:54,010
- (Narrator) But events
leading up to the murder
1679
01:03:54,010 --> 01:03:56,002
paint a very different picture.
1680
01:03:56,004 --> 01:03:59,004
For example, the first
time Vera got stabbed
1681
01:03:59,007 --> 01:04:01,007
wasn't even that day.
1682
01:04:01,009 --> 01:04:03,009
- She went into the bathroom
1683
01:04:03,010 --> 01:04:05,514
and Danny and them followed her.
1684
01:04:05,514 --> 01:04:05,521
and Danny and them followed her.
1685
01:04:05,521 --> 01:04:10,014
The first stabbing was when
Danny stabbed her in the leg.
1686
01:04:10,018 --> 01:04:13,518
- Well, Cheri said
she took her finger
1687
01:04:13,522 --> 01:04:15,532
and stuck it in the hole,
1688
01:04:17,526 --> 01:04:21,026
the hole of her sore
where they stabbed her.
1689
01:04:21,029 --> 01:04:24,533
- My finger went that
far into her leg.
1690
01:04:24,533 --> 01:04:24,539
- My finger went that
far into her leg.
1691
01:04:24,539 --> 01:04:26,033
- (Narrator) This
is no nightmare.
1692
01:04:26,034 --> 01:04:29,534
This was Vera's
final day of life.
1693
01:04:29,538 --> 01:04:30,538
- That is one of
the ones that were
1694
01:04:30,539 --> 01:04:32,039
mean to Vera.
1695
01:04:33,542 --> 01:04:35,043
- Yes.
1696
01:04:35,043 --> 01:04:35,052
- Yes.
1697
01:04:35,052 --> 01:04:38,543
- She had to pick up the dog
poop of Jackson and eat it.
1698
01:04:41,550 --> 01:04:45,554
- I think they said
Chuckie made her eat
1699
01:04:45,554 --> 01:04:45,560
- I think they said
Chuckie made her eat
1700
01:04:45,560 --> 01:04:46,554
the dog poop.
1701
01:04:48,557 --> 01:04:49,557
- They're all sadistic.
1702
01:04:49,558 --> 01:04:51,058
They're all...
1703
01:04:51,059 --> 01:04:53,059
They all had to have been.
1704
01:04:53,061 --> 01:04:54,062
- I'm talkin' about
they took a plunger
1705
01:04:54,062 --> 01:04:54,071
- I'm talkin' about
they took a plunger
1706
01:04:54,071 --> 01:04:55,062
and put it up (grunts).
1707
01:04:55,063 --> 01:04:56,563
- They sodomized
her with it, yeah.
1708
01:04:56,565 --> 01:04:58,565
- She was completely naked.
1709
01:04:58,567 --> 01:05:01,067
She was her on her
menstrual period that day.
1710
01:05:01,069 --> 01:05:04,072
They took a toothbrush,
they raped her sexually
1711
01:05:04,072 --> 01:05:04,079
They took a toothbrush,
they raped her sexually
1712
01:05:04,079 --> 01:05:05,572
with the toothbrush.
1713
01:05:05,574 --> 01:05:08,574
- And then she had to
use it for her mouth.
1714
01:05:08,577 --> 01:05:10,077
- (Narrator) The
following morning,
1715
01:05:10,078 --> 01:05:12,578
five hours before
the Mace incident
1716
01:05:12,581 --> 01:05:15,083
they were trying
to stab her again.
1717
01:05:15,083 --> 01:05:15,091
they were trying
to stab her again.
1718
01:05:15,091 --> 01:05:17,583
- Daniel actually
1719
01:05:17,586 --> 01:05:20,586
gave me a knife and
asked me if I wanted
1720
01:05:20,589 --> 01:05:23,589
to slice her, you
know, cut her up.
1721
01:05:25,093 --> 01:05:26,593
- (Narrator) This
was during a visit
1722
01:05:26,595 --> 01:05:29,095
from Punky's baby
mama, Angel Might.
1723
01:05:29,097 --> 01:05:31,097
- I do know Zachary
was hitting her
1724
01:05:31,099 --> 01:05:34,603
and then I can't remember
if it was Danny or Nicole
1725
01:05:34,603 --> 01:05:34,609
and then I can't remember
if it was Danny or Nicole
1726
01:05:34,609 --> 01:05:37,603
or both of them that actually
started hittin' her, too.
1727
01:05:37,606 --> 01:05:40,606
- And tellin' her to, you
know, "Shut up, bitch.
1728
01:05:40,609 --> 01:05:42,109
"Be quiet.
1729
01:05:42,110 --> 01:05:43,610
"I'm hittin' you," you know.
1730
01:05:43,612 --> 01:05:44,613
"Shut the fuck up."
1731
01:05:44,622 --> 01:05:46,613
You know, just hit her.
1732
01:05:46,615 --> 01:05:49,115
- Her and her mother
and her brother
1733
01:05:49,117 --> 01:05:51,117
sat there for 45
minutes they said,
1734
01:05:51,119 --> 01:05:53,619
watching this episode goin' on.
1735
01:05:55,123 --> 01:05:56,123
- Not only Nicole
1736
01:05:58,126 --> 01:05:58,626
and Danny,
1737
01:06:00,128 --> 01:06:04,132
but then also little Chuckie
started gettin' into it,
1738
01:06:04,138 --> 01:06:08,132
'cause I saw him with a
fishing pole striking Vera.
1739
01:06:08,136 --> 01:06:12,636
- Cheri had made up
this thing, I don't know
1740
01:06:12,641 --> 01:06:15,143
how true it was, but
supposably Vera had given
1741
01:06:15,151 --> 01:06:17,143
little K sour milk.
1742
01:06:18,146 --> 01:06:21,646
- She had gave Little
K the same milk
1743
01:06:21,650 --> 01:06:24,152
that he went to bed on
instead of comin' out
1744
01:06:24,160 --> 01:06:27,152
and rinsin' the cup out
and givin' him fresh milk,
1745
01:06:27,155 --> 01:06:29,655
she just went on and gave
that to him and told him,
1746
01:06:29,658 --> 01:06:31,158
"Get back on the couch
and lay back down,"
1747
01:06:31,159 --> 01:06:32,659
and covered him up.
1748
01:06:32,661 --> 01:06:34,663
- She was scared.
1749
01:06:34,671 --> 01:06:36,163
- All cru, I mean all...
- All crunched up
1750
01:06:36,164 --> 01:06:39,664
in a little ball, like
in a fetal position.
1751
01:06:42,170 --> 01:06:46,680
She lifted her head once
and I saw a cut on her nose,
1752
01:06:48,176 --> 01:06:49,176
a split lip.
1753
01:06:53,682 --> 01:06:56,685
- (Narrator) A half hour after
Angel and her mother left,
1754
01:06:56,692 --> 01:06:58,685
the street fight
between the Brookses
1755
01:06:58,687 --> 01:07:00,687
and the rival
neighborhood gang broke
1756
01:07:00,689 --> 01:07:03,189
out and someone
called the police.
1757
01:07:03,191 --> 01:07:05,193
This sent Danny,
Nicole, and Zachary
1758
01:07:05,201 --> 01:07:09,193
running to his Aunt
Sam's, Samantha Schwabb's.
1759
01:07:09,197 --> 01:07:11,697
They hid there in the
basement until the police left
1760
01:07:11,700 --> 01:07:14,202
and were next seen
two hours later
1761
01:07:14,210 --> 01:07:17,202
walking in an alley
three miles away.
1762
01:07:17,205 --> 01:07:18,705
- I was gettin' ready
to leave to head over
1763
01:07:18,707 --> 01:07:21,207
to take my kids someplace
and they was walkin' up
1764
01:07:21,209 --> 01:07:22,209
the alley towards my
house and they were like,
1765
01:07:22,210 --> 01:07:23,210
"Where you goin'?"
1766
01:07:23,211 --> 01:07:24,212
I said, "Well, we're leavin'."
1767
01:07:24,221 --> 01:07:25,712
He goes, "Can you give
me a ride to my house?"
1768
01:07:25,714 --> 01:07:27,214
- (Narrator) George Speck
lives by the Brooks gang's
1769
01:07:27,215 --> 01:07:30,715
favorite hangout,
the skateboard park.
1770
01:07:32,219 --> 01:07:34,723
- Nicole Peters, Danny
Bixler, and Zachary.
1771
01:07:34,730 --> 01:07:37,723
- (Narrator) His house is
also near something else,
1772
01:07:37,726 --> 01:07:41,726
the railroad tracks
where Vera was murdered.
1773
01:07:41,730 --> 01:07:45,740
- Danny, Nicole, and Zachary
was at Samantha Schwabb's house
1774
01:07:47,235 --> 01:07:51,735
over here, and walked down
these tracks around 4:30.
1775
01:07:51,740 --> 01:07:54,743
Now, are you telling
me that they did not
1776
01:07:54,750 --> 01:07:59,243
go and try to scout out
a place to kill Vera
1777
01:07:59,247 --> 01:08:01,247
five hours later?
1778
01:08:01,249 --> 01:08:03,249
- (Narrator) From the bridge
they continued down the tracks
1779
01:08:03,251 --> 01:08:05,754
toward Alan Cap's
apartment, which is beside
1780
01:08:05,761 --> 01:08:07,254
that rail line, too.
1781
01:08:07,255 --> 01:08:09,255
So in addition to
casing the murder scene,
1782
01:08:09,257 --> 01:08:12,257
they were also
plotting their escape.
1783
01:08:12,260 --> 01:08:13,760
- (Nicole) And we
just started walking.
1784
01:08:13,762 --> 01:08:15,262
We were gonna walk
to somebody's house
1785
01:08:15,272 --> 01:08:17,763
and they were supposed
to take us to Kentucky.
1786
01:08:17,766 --> 01:08:19,266
- (Narrator) We know
this was their plan
1787
01:08:19,267 --> 01:08:21,767
because the following
day after Vera was dead
1788
01:08:21,770 --> 01:08:23,770
and Danny and Nicole
were arrested,
1789
01:08:23,772 --> 01:08:25,774
Zachary started
desperately calling Gina,
1790
01:08:25,782 --> 01:08:28,774
trying to use the escape
route for himself.
1791
01:08:28,777 --> 01:08:31,777
- Every time he'd call I'd
be like, "No, you don't need
1792
01:08:31,780 --> 01:08:33,280
"to be comin' down here.
1793
01:08:33,281 --> 01:08:37,285
"They're just gonna put more
stuff on you for runnin' away."
1794
01:08:37,291 --> 01:08:41,785
- Now mind you, Danny nor
Nicole knew George Speck
1795
01:08:41,790 --> 01:08:45,293
or Alan Cap, so who's
the ring leader?
1796
01:08:45,300 --> 01:08:47,293
And where is his sentence?
1797
01:08:48,797 --> 01:08:51,797
When is he going to get
charged for all of this?
1798
01:08:51,800 --> 01:08:53,799
- (Narrator) By the time
the three co-conspirators
1799
01:08:53,802 --> 01:08:56,303
were riding across town in
the back of George's pickup,
1800
01:08:56,312 --> 01:08:58,304
they already had a cover story,
1801
01:08:58,306 --> 01:09:02,306
the murder scene scouted, and
an escape plan ready to hatch.
1802
01:09:02,310 --> 01:09:05,313
By 5:15 the Brooks house was
filled with pepper spray,
1803
01:09:05,320 --> 01:09:08,313
forcing a complete evacuation.
1804
01:09:08,316 --> 01:09:10,816
- The Mace was upstairs but
it was comin' downstairs
1805
01:09:10,819 --> 01:09:12,319
once Danny opened the door.
1806
01:09:12,320 --> 01:09:13,820
- All the windows were open.
1807
01:09:13,822 --> 01:09:15,323
They were airin' the house out.
1808
01:09:15,332 --> 01:09:17,323
- (Narrator) Hospital
records show Shannon arrived
1809
01:09:17,325 --> 01:09:19,325
at the ER at 5:32 p.m.
1810
01:09:19,327 --> 01:09:22,327
Around the same time,
while the Brooks house
1811
01:09:22,330 --> 01:09:23,830
was being aired
out from the Mace,
1812
01:09:23,832 --> 01:09:27,836
Danny and Nicole walked
over to his sister's place.
1813
01:09:27,842 --> 01:09:30,836
- He told me that they
just asked him all day
1814
01:09:30,839 --> 01:09:32,839
to do somethin' about her.
1815
01:09:32,841 --> 01:09:34,342
- (Narrator) But was he
in a rage strong enough
1816
01:09:34,351 --> 01:09:35,842
to kill Vera?
1817
01:09:35,844 --> 01:09:37,844
- They were just, you
know, sayin' how much they
1818
01:09:37,846 --> 01:09:40,346
just didn't want
her around anymore.
1819
01:09:40,348 --> 01:09:41,848
And I mean, I just
figured that they would
1820
01:09:41,850 --> 01:09:43,350
either kick her out
or something like that
1821
01:09:43,351 --> 01:09:47,355
or just tell her to
get her kid and leave,
1822
01:09:47,360 --> 01:09:49,855
but that wasn't even, obviously,
1823
01:09:49,858 --> 01:09:51,358
that wasn't what
they were thinking.
1824
01:09:51,359 --> 01:09:52,859
- (Interviewer) From what
I've been told is that
1825
01:09:52,861 --> 01:09:55,363
you were gettin' this kind
of pressure before the Mace
1826
01:09:55,371 --> 01:09:56,363
ever went off.
1827
01:10:02,871 --> 01:10:04,873
- (Narrator) So by elevating
Shannon from bit player
1828
01:10:04,881 --> 01:10:08,373
to a starring role,
prosecutors got it backwards.
1829
01:10:08,376 --> 01:10:10,876
Like breaking her nose
for pushing the baby
1830
01:10:10,879 --> 01:10:13,379
into a coffee table, or
beating her to a pulp
1831
01:10:13,381 --> 01:10:15,383
for eating Punky's Kit Kat bar,
1832
01:10:15,391 --> 01:10:19,383
they needed a rationalization
to blame the victim,
1833
01:10:19,387 --> 01:10:21,387
an excuse to punish her.
1834
01:10:22,390 --> 01:10:23,890
That means Vera was not killed
1835
01:10:23,892 --> 01:10:26,895
because they accused her
of setting off the Mace.
1836
01:10:26,902 --> 01:10:28,895
They accused her of
setting off the Mace
1837
01:10:28,897 --> 01:10:30,897
for a reason to kill her.
1838
01:10:48,416 --> 01:10:50,416
- (Narrator) At nine o'clock,
Zachary summoned Danny,
1839
01:10:50,418 --> 01:10:54,422
Nicole, and his brother
Garth to Scottie's room.
1840
01:10:54,428 --> 01:10:56,422
- I overheard the things,
1841
01:11:01,429 --> 01:11:05,439
I was pretty much like, nah,
they're not really gonna do it.
1842
01:11:06,935 --> 01:11:09,935
- (Narrator) This meeting was
to decide where to kill Vera.
1843
01:11:09,938 --> 01:11:12,438
Danny wanted to do it in
a park they checked out
1844
01:11:12,440 --> 01:11:15,443
earlier in the day, which
he felt was more secluded.
1845
01:11:15,450 --> 01:11:17,443
- You remember that park, Alan,
1846
01:11:17,445 --> 01:11:21,445
that me, you, and
Garth went fishin' at?
1847
01:11:21,449 --> 01:11:23,449
- It's right over there by,
1848
01:11:23,451 --> 01:11:24,452
you know where
Center Street's at?
1849
01:11:24,461 --> 01:11:25,952
- (Interviewer) Yeah.
1850
01:11:25,954 --> 01:11:28,454
- That park that goes
down Center Street.
1851
01:11:28,456 --> 01:11:29,456
Right by the bridge.
1852
01:11:29,457 --> 01:11:31,457
- (Narrator) But Zachary wanted
to go back to the bridge,
1853
01:11:31,459 --> 01:11:33,959
insisting they stick to the
plan of having the train
1854
01:11:33,962 --> 01:11:35,964
turn Vera's body into hamburger.
1855
01:11:35,972 --> 01:11:37,964
- They wanted everybody
to think that the train
1856
01:11:37,966 --> 01:11:39,466
- Hit her.
- hit her.
1857
01:11:39,467 --> 01:11:41,467
- (Narrator) As the
murderers went into action,
1858
01:11:41,469 --> 01:11:43,469
Vera began to panic.
1859
01:11:43,471 --> 01:11:45,473
- When they told her
to put her shoes on,
1860
01:11:45,481 --> 01:11:47,973
she was like yelling, "Why?"
1861
01:11:47,976 --> 01:11:48,976
You know, like, "Why?
1862
01:11:48,977 --> 01:11:50,477
"Why do you want me
to get my shoes on?"
1863
01:11:50,478 --> 01:11:52,478
And Zachary had went
up to her and said,
1864
01:11:52,480 --> 01:11:55,483
"Just get your effin'
shoes on," ya know?
1865
01:11:55,490 --> 01:11:55,983
So she--
1866
01:11:57,986 --> 01:11:59,986
- Zachary and Danny.
1867
01:11:59,988 --> 01:12:02,488
And then Nicole had come
in and she was standing
1868
01:12:02,490 --> 01:12:04,492
right by Vera's
door and she's like,
1869
01:12:04,500 --> 01:12:07,492
"You need to put your
damn shoes on right now."
1870
01:12:07,495 --> 01:12:10,495
And then Vera didn't hesitate
and she put her shoes on
1871
01:12:10,498 --> 01:12:13,998
and Zachary said he
was gonna go with 'em.
1872
01:12:14,002 --> 01:12:16,504
- (Narrator) But apparently
this was no comfort
1873
01:12:16,512 --> 01:12:18,004
because judging Vera's reaction,
1874
01:12:18,006 --> 01:12:21,006
she was just as scared
to leave with Zachary.
1875
01:12:21,009 --> 01:12:23,509
- I think she knew
what was gonna happen.
1876
01:12:23,511 --> 01:12:27,015
I was sitting on the
couch right by her room.
1877
01:12:27,021 --> 01:12:30,015
She was lookin' at me
for, like, a way out.
1878
01:12:30,018 --> 01:12:32,518
Like, she was tryin'
to tell me to help her.
1879
01:12:32,520 --> 01:12:35,023
- (Narrator) When it became
clear Shannon was no help,
1880
01:12:35,030 --> 01:12:37,023
she reached out to Scottie.
1881
01:12:37,025 --> 01:12:38,025
- She knew what's gonna come.
1882
01:12:38,026 --> 01:12:41,526
That's why she asked me
to come along with her.
1883
01:12:41,529 --> 01:12:44,029
- Because she felt safe with him
1884
01:12:44,032 --> 01:12:46,534
and she wanted Scottie
to walk with her.
1885
01:12:46,542 --> 01:12:48,534
- But I told her hold up,
I would have to go upstairs
1886
01:12:48,536 --> 01:12:51,036
real quick to get my shoes.
1887
01:12:52,040 --> 01:12:53,540
Well, as I got upstairs
1888
01:12:56,544 --> 01:12:59,044
I pretty much was stopped
1889
01:12:59,047 --> 01:13:00,047
from leaving.
1890
01:13:04,052 --> 01:13:07,055
- I was supposed to say Danny.
1891
01:13:07,062 --> 01:13:07,555
It wasn't.
1892
01:13:09,057 --> 01:13:11,557
It was Zachary who stopped me.
1893
01:13:14,062 --> 01:13:15,072
- My mother.
1894
01:13:17,565 --> 01:13:21,565
But, like I said, Zachary's
the one who stopped me,
1895
01:13:22,570 --> 01:13:24,572
not Danny, even though
I told the police
1896
01:13:24,580 --> 01:13:25,572
it was Danny.
1897
01:13:29,077 --> 01:13:31,577
- That I think he
already knew what was up
1898
01:13:31,579 --> 01:13:33,579
and he wanted to protect me.
1899
01:13:33,581 --> 01:13:34,582
- (Narrator) Scottie
was not the only one
1900
01:13:34,591 --> 01:13:36,582
prevented from going.
1901
01:13:36,584 --> 01:13:39,584
- When Zachary was
told to go upstairs
1902
01:13:39,587 --> 01:13:42,087
to get Scottie, it
was right at that time
1903
01:13:42,090 --> 01:13:44,090
that she told Zachary,
"No, you're not gonna be
1904
01:13:44,092 --> 01:13:46,094
"a part of what
they're gonna do."
1905
01:13:46,102 --> 01:13:48,094
- (Narrator) Then they
hustled Vera outside,
1906
01:13:48,096 --> 01:13:51,096
ignoring her pleas for her life.
1907
01:13:51,099 --> 01:13:53,099
- She said, "I don't wanna go.
1908
01:13:53,101 --> 01:13:56,104
"I wanna stay here,"
and she was cryin'.
1909
01:13:56,111 --> 01:13:59,104
Vera was cryin'
wantin' to stay home.
1910
01:14:02,110 --> 01:14:05,113
Nicole said, "No,
you're goin' with me now
1911
01:14:05,120 --> 01:14:07,613
"or I'm gonna crack your head
right here on the porch."
1912
01:14:07,615 --> 01:14:09,615
- (Narrator) The temperature
was below freezing
1913
01:14:09,617 --> 01:14:12,117
that night, yet Danny
wore a borrowed pair
1914
01:14:12,120 --> 01:14:14,120
of dark blue gym
shorts out of respect
1915
01:14:14,122 --> 01:14:16,624
for their former
owner, Punky Brooks.
1916
01:14:16,632 --> 01:14:18,624
He also wore a
blue Crips bandana
1917
01:14:18,626 --> 01:14:21,626
signaling this was
official gang business.
1918
01:14:21,629 --> 01:14:24,129
- The ones that they
believe happened first,
1919
01:14:24,132 --> 01:14:27,635
'cause then there was
over, like overlay
1920
01:14:27,642 --> 01:14:30,135
where people had
stabbed the same areas,
1921
01:14:30,138 --> 01:14:33,638
from what I heard, the
first ones were weaker,
1922
01:14:33,641 --> 01:14:37,145
coming from a weaker
person, a female possibly.
1923
01:14:37,151 --> 01:14:39,645
- She was cut from
almost ear to ear
1924
01:14:39,647 --> 01:14:42,647
in a very sort of sawing motion,
1925
01:14:42,650 --> 01:14:45,653
it was described
as by the coroner.
1926
01:14:45,660 --> 01:14:47,153
- (Narrator) This
initial failed attempt
1927
01:14:47,155 --> 01:14:49,655
as Vera's recovered
sweatshirt shows,
1928
01:14:49,657 --> 01:14:52,157
happened while she
was still dressed.
1929
01:14:52,160 --> 01:14:55,163
- In one final act
of humiliation that
forced her to strip.
1930
01:14:55,170 --> 01:14:57,663
- Yeah, they found the
clothes scattered around
1931
01:14:57,665 --> 01:14:59,665
in the trees and
stuff, in the bushes.
1932
01:14:59,667 --> 01:15:02,167
They found, like, her panties
and I think her shirt.
1933
01:15:02,170 --> 01:15:04,170
They took 'em off and
then just threw 'em.
1934
01:15:04,172 --> 01:15:06,174
Didn't even try to hide that.
1935
01:15:06,182 --> 01:15:07,674
- A full day to day and a half
1936
01:15:07,675 --> 01:15:09,175
before the murder
actually happened
1937
01:15:09,177 --> 01:15:11,677
that they were completely
messed up the whole time.
1938
01:15:11,679 --> 01:15:13,679
Like, there was not
one sober moment.
1939
01:15:13,681 --> 01:15:16,684
- He was heavily using
alcohol, marijuana, cocaine,
1940
01:15:16,691 --> 01:15:20,184
and by his own account, an
excessive amount to ecstasy.
1941
01:15:20,188 --> 01:15:21,688
- (Narrator) When
questioned about why Vera
1942
01:15:21,689 --> 01:15:24,189
was made to get naked,
Nicole Peters replied,
1943
01:15:24,192 --> 01:15:26,694
"It wasn't working at first."
1944
01:15:26,702 --> 01:15:29,694
Asked what his girlfriend
meant by this odd statement
1945
01:15:29,697 --> 01:15:33,197
Danny Bixler explained,
"That knife was dull as hell
1946
01:15:33,201 --> 01:15:35,703
"and she couldn't get
it through the clothes."
1947
01:15:35,711 --> 01:15:37,203
Which, by strange coincidence,
1948
01:15:37,205 --> 01:15:40,205
is the exact same reason
given by Cheri Brooks.
1949
01:15:40,208 --> 01:15:43,708
- The only thing I
can think of is if
1950
01:15:43,711 --> 01:15:45,713
you take your clothes
off, well then
1951
01:15:45,721 --> 01:15:49,213
you get to get to the bare
skin and it'll go faster.
1952
01:15:49,217 --> 01:15:50,217
- (Narrator) These details told
1953
01:15:50,218 --> 01:15:53,218
in separate jailhouse
interviews by two people
1954
01:15:53,221 --> 01:15:55,722
Cheri had not spoken to since
the night of the murder,
1955
01:15:55,731 --> 01:15:58,723
are something only the
killers would know.
1956
01:15:58,726 --> 01:16:00,726
- When they were
stabbing at her,
1957
01:16:00,728 --> 01:16:05,233
maybe it wasn't that she was
dyin' fast enough for 'em
1958
01:16:05,238 --> 01:16:07,733
because of the clothes.
1959
01:16:07,735 --> 01:16:10,735
When ya stab somebody
that snags the clothes.
1960
01:16:10,738 --> 01:16:13,738
- (Narrator) So what appeared
to be a staged sexual assault
1961
01:16:13,741 --> 01:16:16,744
was actually just laziness
and they needed Vera's help
1962
01:16:16,751 --> 01:16:20,244
to make it easier to kill her.
1963
01:16:20,248 --> 01:16:21,748
- It's almost as
if he's attempting
1964
01:16:21,749 --> 01:16:23,249
to minimize his conduct.
1965
01:16:23,251 --> 01:16:25,253
There's 21 stab wounds but
he said he only did six.
1966
01:16:25,261 --> 01:16:27,753
But an examination of
those six stab wounds
1967
01:16:27,755 --> 01:16:28,755
is also very telling.
1968
01:16:28,756 --> 01:16:30,256
First the legs.
1969
01:16:30,258 --> 01:16:31,258
Why was she stabbed in the legs?
1970
01:16:31,259 --> 01:16:33,259
He said it was to keep
her from running away
1971
01:16:33,261 --> 01:16:34,761
so they could
continue the abuse.
1972
01:16:34,771 --> 01:16:36,762
She couldn't get out
of that situation.
1973
01:16:36,764 --> 01:16:38,264
- (Narrator) Then he
mounted her from behind,
1974
01:16:38,266 --> 01:16:41,266
reached around and
cut her throat.
1975
01:16:41,269 --> 01:16:42,769
- They tried to cut her head off
1976
01:16:42,770 --> 01:16:44,772
but couldn't get
through this bone here.
1977
01:16:44,780 --> 01:16:47,772
So, it's like cut from here
to the spine bone back there.
1978
01:16:47,775 --> 01:16:49,275
- I think they laid
her out on the tracks
1979
01:16:49,277 --> 01:16:50,777
after they slaughtered her neck
1980
01:16:50,778 --> 01:16:53,778
to make it look like the
train cut her neck like that.
1981
01:16:53,781 --> 01:16:56,284
- (Narrator) And then they
fled, leaving Vera behind,
1982
01:16:56,291 --> 01:16:57,784
still alive.
1983
01:16:57,785 --> 01:17:02,285
- They left her to bleed out
on the railroad tracks alone,
1984
01:17:02,290 --> 01:17:03,790
naked and in the
cold, and from there,
1985
01:17:03,791 --> 01:17:05,293
he told the detectives,
1986
01:17:05,301 --> 01:17:06,793
he went to party.
1987
01:17:08,796 --> 01:17:10,296
- They were celebrating, yeah.
1988
01:17:10,298 --> 01:17:12,298
- They called me up
and then they told me
1989
01:17:12,300 --> 01:17:13,800
what they did.
1990
01:17:13,801 --> 01:17:15,803
I thought they were messin'
with me, so I walked
1991
01:17:15,811 --> 01:17:18,803
back to their house
to see if it was true.
1992
01:17:18,806 --> 01:17:22,806
- I look at Nicole and she's
got this big smile on her face,
1993
01:17:22,810 --> 01:17:25,313
you know, and she puts
her arms out like this
1994
01:17:25,320 --> 01:17:26,813
like she wants me to hug her.
1995
01:17:26,814 --> 01:17:29,314
And she's like, "It's
done, it's done.
1996
01:17:29,317 --> 01:17:30,317
"No more."
1997
01:17:30,318 --> 01:17:31,818
And I was scared.
1998
01:17:31,819 --> 01:17:34,319
And she just comes
in and hugs me.
1999
01:17:34,322 --> 01:17:38,332
- When they did come back
Danny went over to Zachary
2000
01:17:39,327 --> 01:17:41,327
and patted him on the back.
2001
01:17:41,329 --> 01:17:43,329
- When I go back
in the living room
2002
01:17:43,331 --> 01:17:46,834
and Danny's in there
high fivin' Zachary
2003
01:17:46,841 --> 01:17:49,334
and then they go
into Cheri's room
2004
01:17:49,337 --> 01:17:51,337
and they're both
kind of laughing.
2005
01:17:51,339 --> 01:17:53,839
- And I got there,
they were talkin' about
2006
01:17:53,841 --> 01:17:55,343
how they killed her and stuff.
2007
01:17:55,351 --> 01:17:58,343
I didn't believe it 'cause
after they said they did it,
2008
01:17:58,346 --> 01:18:01,346
Cheri was talkin' about
how she was with Larry,
2009
01:18:01,349 --> 01:18:02,849
her boyfriend.
2010
01:18:02,850 --> 01:18:05,353
- And then that's
when Nicole had said,
2011
01:18:05,360 --> 01:18:06,853
I got my first teardrop.
2012
01:18:06,854 --> 01:18:08,354
I finally got it.
2013
01:18:10,358 --> 01:18:13,358
- She says that to Cheri
and she gives Cheri a hug
2014
01:18:13,361 --> 01:18:15,363
and Cheri hugs her back and they
2015
01:18:15,371 --> 01:18:16,863
start laughin'.
2016
01:18:16,864 --> 01:18:18,864
- (Narrator) And why
wouldn't they celebrate?
2017
01:18:18,866 --> 01:18:21,366
To them Vera was the
abuser of baby Willadean,
2018
01:18:21,369 --> 01:18:24,872
killer of Punky,
smasher of Cheri's feet.
2019
01:18:24,879 --> 01:18:27,872
Now that evil bitch was
out of Zachary's life
2020
01:18:27,875 --> 01:18:30,875
and she left without
taking Cheri's baby.
2021
01:18:30,878 --> 01:18:34,378
- They came back
and switched clothes
2022
01:18:34,382 --> 01:18:36,884
and then pretty much
went out to get drunk.
2023
01:18:36,892 --> 01:18:40,884
- Cheri called me and said
Danny wants to come back over.
2024
01:18:40,888 --> 01:18:42,388
- While Vera's body
was still warm,
2025
01:18:42,390 --> 01:18:45,393
Nicole was visibly excited.
2026
01:18:45,400 --> 01:18:47,893
- She was excited and ecstatic.
2027
01:18:48,896 --> 01:18:50,895
She wasn't sorry.
2028
01:18:50,898 --> 01:18:52,398
You could see that in her face.
2029
01:18:52,400 --> 01:18:55,403
- She was smiling
and happy and just,
2030
01:18:55,410 --> 01:18:59,403
you know, I've never seen
somebody that happy before.
2031
01:18:59,407 --> 01:19:01,407
- (Narrator) But on the tracks,
something was happening.
2032
01:19:01,409 --> 01:19:05,913
Vera was becoming an angel
and she had a few surprises.
2033
01:19:05,919 --> 01:19:08,913
Using her last ounce of
energy she pulled herself
2034
01:19:08,916 --> 01:19:11,416
off the rails and
contracted into a ball
2035
01:19:11,419 --> 01:19:12,919
only 12 inches high.
2036
01:19:12,920 --> 01:19:14,922
- She curled up in
a fetal position,
2037
01:19:14,930 --> 01:19:17,422
that's the way she always
slept, in the fetal position.
2038
01:19:17,425 --> 01:19:18,925
- (Narrator)
Miraculously this allowed
2039
01:19:18,926 --> 01:19:21,426
the front of the train,
which police later found
2040
01:19:21,429 --> 01:19:25,433
to have a 13" clearance, to
pass over without touching her.
2041
01:19:25,439 --> 01:19:28,433
- I started feeling
like something was wrong
2042
01:19:28,436 --> 01:19:32,936
when Zach decided to pretty
much drink the entire,
2043
01:19:32,940 --> 01:19:34,942
one entire bottle
of vodka to himself.
2044
01:19:34,950 --> 01:19:36,942
- (Narrator) The angel
started haunting Zachary
2045
01:19:36,944 --> 01:19:40,444
whose actions the rest of that
night speak for themselves.
2046
01:19:40,448 --> 01:19:45,453
- Zachary said out loud that
he only wanted to get drunk
2047
01:19:45,458 --> 01:19:48,953
just so he can forget about
the whole entire thing.
2048
01:19:48,956 --> 01:19:52,456
- And he looked all depressed
and upset about something.
2049
01:19:52,459 --> 01:19:57,465
Like he was involved deeply
with his own thoughts.
2050
01:19:57,470 --> 01:20:01,965
- Zach was doing,
like, weird stuff like,
2051
01:20:01,969 --> 01:20:04,469
like hit his head
on walls and stuff.
2052
01:20:04,472 --> 01:20:05,972
- And I was talkin' about him.
2053
01:20:05,982 --> 01:20:08,473
I'm like, so, why is he so sad?
2054
01:20:09,477 --> 01:20:10,977
And I'm like, "What's going on?"
2055
01:20:10,978 --> 01:20:13,478
and that's when
Danny decided to say,
2056
01:20:13,481 --> 01:20:16,484
"Well, I slit her throat."
2057
01:20:16,491 --> 01:20:17,984
And I was like, "What'd you do?"
2058
01:20:17,985 --> 01:20:19,985
He's like, "I slit
that bitch's throat."
2059
01:20:19,987 --> 01:20:21,487
- (Narrator) So it was
Zach's guilty conscience
2060
01:20:21,489 --> 01:20:23,989
that led Desta to
confront her brother,
2061
01:20:23,991 --> 01:20:26,994
which ultimately
broke open the case.
2062
01:20:27,001 --> 01:20:28,494
- They're sick.
2063
01:20:28,496 --> 01:20:29,996
They need help.
2064
01:20:29,997 --> 01:20:33,997
But when it's their time and
they have to meet their maker,
2065
01:20:38,005 --> 01:20:39,005
hey.
2066
01:20:41,509 --> 01:20:43,509
- (Narrator) And when
it came to motive,
2067
01:20:43,511 --> 01:20:46,013
on the final day of
court, the judge admitted
2068
01:20:46,021 --> 01:20:49,513
he still had no idea
why the murder happened.
2069
01:20:49,517 --> 01:20:52,017
- As we grapple to
make sense of this,
2070
01:20:52,019 --> 01:20:53,519
perhaps as some have suggested,
2071
01:20:53,521 --> 01:20:56,524
that our community has
failed Vera Jo Reigle
2072
01:20:56,531 --> 01:21:00,024
and I'm sure that debate
will continue, but we must
2073
01:21:00,027 --> 01:21:01,527
also not forget that
there were those
2074
01:21:01,529 --> 01:21:05,032
who were directly responsible
for Miss Reigle's death,
2075
01:21:05,039 --> 01:21:07,532
and in particular
defendant Daniel Bixler
2076
01:21:07,535 --> 01:21:10,035
who is here today for
the court for sentencing.
2077
01:21:10,037 --> 01:21:14,037
The evidence reveals that
on March 26th of 2011
2078
01:21:14,041 --> 01:21:17,545
the defendant assumed the
role of self-appointed judge,
2079
01:21:17,551 --> 01:21:19,045
jury, and executioner.
2080
01:21:19,046 --> 01:21:20,046
For what?
2081
01:21:21,048 --> 01:21:23,548
Jealousy, revenge,
unfocused rage,
2082
01:21:23,551 --> 01:21:26,554
some perverse sense
of family honor?
2083
01:21:26,561 --> 01:21:29,054
It doesn't appear
we'll ever really know.
2084
01:21:29,056 --> 01:21:30,056
♪ Of mine
2085
01:21:30,057 --> 01:21:33,557
♪ I'm gonna let it shine
2086
01:21:33,561 --> 01:21:36,564
♪ This little light of mine
2087
01:21:36,571 --> 01:21:40,064
- (Narrator) In the
end, Vera is an angel,
2088
01:21:40,067 --> 01:21:43,067
one who's wretched
life and bad death,
2089
01:21:43,070 --> 01:21:46,080
shines a light on
the rest of us.
2090
01:21:47,575 --> 01:21:49,575
- And Your Honor, at this
time I'd like to read a letter
2091
01:21:49,577 --> 01:21:52,077
that was found in
Vera Jo's purse
2092
01:21:52,079 --> 01:21:54,079
after she was murdered.
2093
01:21:55,082 --> 01:21:56,582
And this is what it says.
2094
01:21:56,584 --> 01:21:57,584
It says, "I love you Willadean.
2095
01:21:57,584 --> 01:22:00,085
"You are a good little
baby girl to us.
2096
01:22:00,087 --> 01:22:04,087
"I'm glad to be your mommy
and I'm glad that I had you
2097
01:22:04,091 --> 01:22:08,095
"on November 4th at 4:16
a.m., six pounds 2 ounces,
2098
01:22:08,101 --> 01:22:09,095
"19 inches long.
2099
01:22:09,096 --> 01:22:10,596
"Mommy loves you."
2100
01:22:10,598 --> 01:22:12,598
- (Narrator) Worse, by
not getting convicted
2101
01:22:12,600 --> 01:22:15,603
of a major felony, Zachary
still had parental rights
2102
01:22:15,610 --> 01:22:17,103
to Willadean.
2103
01:22:17,104 --> 01:22:19,604
- Oh yeah, or they would not
be makin' a reovocation plan
2104
01:22:19,607 --> 01:22:23,107
for Zachary to get
his daughter back.
2105
01:22:23,110 --> 01:22:25,112
- (Narrator) A case
already being discussed
2106
01:22:25,120 --> 01:22:27,612
when Zachary's friend
Alan Cap arrived
2107
01:22:27,615 --> 01:22:29,615
at 10 o'clock on the
night of the murder.
2108
01:22:29,617 --> 01:22:32,617
- Alls I heard is
somethin' about them
2109
01:22:32,620 --> 01:22:35,122
wantin' to kill
Vera about custody.
2110
01:22:35,130 --> 01:22:38,122
- She had that in her mind
that that's her kid now
2111
01:22:38,125 --> 01:22:41,625
and Vera had it but
that's her kid now
2112
01:22:41,629 --> 01:22:43,629
and she's gonna keep it.
2113
01:22:43,631 --> 01:22:44,631
And she had to
2114
01:22:44,632 --> 01:22:46,634
get rid of Vera because
Vera wanted to move out
2115
01:22:46,642 --> 01:22:49,134
and take the baby, too.
2116
01:22:49,136 --> 01:22:52,136
- Like, I was right here
and then their room's
2117
01:22:52,139 --> 01:22:53,639
like right here.
2118
01:22:53,641 --> 01:22:57,151
They were all in a group
talkin' about killin' Vera.
2119
01:22:58,646 --> 01:23:03,146
- Like, if Vera dies
then Zach gets custody.
2120
01:23:03,150 --> 01:23:06,153
- (Narrator) But why at this
moment were they celebrating
2121
01:23:06,160 --> 01:23:08,653
Zachary getting sole custody?
2122
01:23:08,656 --> 01:23:11,156
According to the
lawyers, it was all about
2123
01:23:11,158 --> 01:23:14,158
Shannon's phony
miscarriage, wasn't it?
2124
01:23:14,161 --> 01:23:16,664
- They were talkin' about
Zach havin' custody.
2125
01:23:16,671 --> 01:23:20,164
They never said
anything about Shannon.
2126
01:23:20,167 --> 01:23:22,167
- (Narrator) A version
of events confirmed
2127
01:23:22,169 --> 01:23:24,169
by the killer himself.
2128
01:23:24,171 --> 01:23:27,174
- (Interviewer) And did they
give an indication of why
2129
01:23:27,181 --> 01:23:29,674
they wanted this done to Vera?
2130
01:23:47,194 --> 01:23:49,194
- (Narrator) It is a hope
Cheri still holds strong
2131
01:23:49,196 --> 01:23:51,696
as she sits in
great anticipation,
2132
01:23:51,699 --> 01:23:55,709
waiting for the return of
her lost little baby girl.
2133
01:23:56,704 --> 01:24:00,204
- I added Daddy to
the picture. (laughs)
2134
01:24:00,207 --> 01:24:02,707
Had to copy her daddy there.
2135
01:24:02,709 --> 01:24:05,720
'Cause I'm gettin'
ready to frame it.
2136
01:24:07,214 --> 01:24:10,714
Still have to show him
Zachary and her look alike.
2137
01:24:12,219 --> 01:24:16,229
♪ It is nearing the end of two
2138
01:24:19,226 --> 01:24:22,226
♪ And I just passed
your birthday
2139
01:24:22,229 --> 01:24:26,238
♪ The first one that
you spent underground
2140
01:24:32,239 --> 01:24:35,749
♪ And I really missed you
2141
01:24:37,244 --> 01:24:40,744
♪ So to feel close to you
2142
01:24:44,752 --> 01:24:48,762
♪ I visited your grave site
2143
01:24:50,257 --> 01:24:54,257
♪ But I just felt
further from you
2144
01:24:57,765 --> 01:25:00,765
♪ Further than I understood
2145
01:25:00,768 --> 01:25:02,768
♪ I
2146
01:25:02,770 --> 01:25:04,270
♪ I
2147
01:25:06,273 --> 01:25:09,273
♪ I miss you, but
2148
01:25:13,280 --> 01:25:14,780
♪ I
2149
01:25:15,783 --> 01:25:17,783
♪ I
2150
01:25:18,786 --> 01:25:21,786
♪ I miss you, but
2151
01:25:50,317 --> 01:25:54,317
♪ And I'll be fine if heaven
2152
01:25:55,823 --> 01:25:58,823
♪ Isn't just a cloud
2153
01:26:02,830 --> 01:26:07,340
♪ And I'll be fine if we
don't decay underground
2154
01:26:10,838 --> 01:26:13,338
♪ Forever
160522
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