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00:00:34,826 --> 00:00:37,454
Los Angeles Funeral Directors
2
00:00:38,246 --> 00:00:42,292
they suspected that Tim Waters
he had been poisoned by Dave Sconce.
3
00:00:44,919 --> 00:00:46,087
FUNERAL HOME OWNER
4
00:00:46,212 --> 00:00:47,839
And that was how he died.
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00:00:47,964 --> 00:00:49,632
DEATH CERTIFICATE
TIMOTHY WATERS
6
00:00:49,758 --> 00:00:55,638
But that wasn't the only death
what was being talked about.
7
00:00:56,848 --> 00:00:59,768
There was also Ron Jordan.
8
00:01:03,897 --> 00:01:10,236
In 1985, Ron Jordan
worked for Dave Sconce.
9
00:01:11,321 --> 00:01:13,948
I knew Ron.
I knew his whole family.
10
00:01:15,241 --> 00:01:18,745
He transported bodies to the crematorium,
to be cremated.
11
00:01:20,455 --> 00:01:22,624
He saw what Dave was doing.
12
00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:28,129
Ron decided:
"I don't want anything to do with him.
13
00:01:29,047 --> 00:01:31,132
I will resign. It's over."
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00:01:32,801 --> 00:01:34,886
But he was scared of Dave Sconce.
15
00:01:37,388 --> 00:01:40,183
So I said to Dave:
"Listen, you don't have to worry.
16
00:01:40,308 --> 00:01:42,227
I don't know anything. I didn't see anything."
17
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He was anxious
for the next phase of his life.
18
00:01:48,399 --> 00:01:51,069
He was a good-looking guy.
He had a beautiful girlfriend.
19
00:01:51,694 --> 00:01:56,783
Young, well-educated.
I wanted to be a firefighter.
20
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Two weeks later,
21
00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:06,167
we heard that Ron was found
Hanged, he committed suicide.
22
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The coroner investigated.
23
00:02:16,094 --> 00:02:20,431
There was no evidence to blame anyone,
except for the rumors,
24
00:02:20,557 --> 00:02:25,311
but we had no doubt that he
He didn't do that to himself.
25
00:02:27,647 --> 00:02:30,066
Everyone knew Ron.
Everyone knew Dave.
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00:02:30,191 --> 00:02:32,902
Everyone knew the business.
And that cannot happen.
27
00:02:33,027 --> 00:02:35,196
RONALD JAMES JORDAN
ADORED SON AND BROTHER
28
00:02:35,321 --> 00:02:37,198
No proof, of course,
29
00:02:37,323 --> 00:02:40,869
but a few weeks before Ron...
30
00:02:42,453 --> 00:02:46,249
He talked about it,
without realizing it was going to happen.
31
00:02:46,374 --> 00:02:49,961
Like, "If anything happens to me,
look for Dave."
32
00:02:54,299 --> 00:02:58,178
Some people said
that I killed Ron Jordan.
33
00:02:58,303 --> 00:02:59,304
DAVID SCONCE
34
00:02:59,429 --> 00:03:04,142
Somehow, I had done something to him.
35
00:03:05,018 --> 00:03:08,980
I remember Ron seemed fine,
he was a good employee,
36
00:03:09,105 --> 00:03:10,648
he was a worker.
37
00:03:10,773 --> 00:03:13,318
Later I heard he was gay,
38
00:03:13,443 --> 00:03:16,446
but I don't care if you're gay,
big deal.
39
00:03:16,571 --> 00:03:18,531
I just don't tie my shoelaces in front of him.
40
00:03:18,656 --> 00:03:19,657
All good.
41
00:03:21,367 --> 00:03:24,579
I don't remember a single bad thing
that you've heard about Ron.
42
00:03:25,997 --> 00:03:30,835
Why would I want to kill him? Seriously? Do you understand?
43
00:03:34,505 --> 00:03:37,050
That man has no conscience.
44
00:03:39,469 --> 00:03:42,639
He deserved to be locked up forever.
45
00:03:44,474 --> 00:03:46,517
Forever. That's where he belongs.
46
00:03:55,610 --> 00:03:59,656
Good evening. I'm Ted Koppel
and that's "Nightline."
47
00:03:59,781 --> 00:04:02,116
I didn't even know if I had
my husband's ashes.
48
00:04:03,451 --> 00:04:06,079
You knew they had mutilated him
to remove your corneas,
49
00:04:06,204 --> 00:04:08,623
but I don't even know if they are
his ashes that I have.
50
00:04:08,748 --> 00:04:11,334
CRIME
STEAL FROM THE DEAD
51
00:04:11,459 --> 00:04:15,255
From California, a story
that looks like something out of a horror movie.
52
00:04:15,380 --> 00:04:18,716
A horrifying story of agents
undertakers who dismembered bodies,
53
00:04:18,841 --> 00:04:20,343
they sold human organs in secret.
54
00:04:20,468 --> 00:04:21,511
THEY SOLD CORPSES
55
00:04:21,636 --> 00:04:25,515
David Sconce, 32, and his parents,
Jerry and Laurieanne Lamb Sconce,
56
00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:30,311
owners of the funeral home will be judged
this year on 68 charges.
57
00:04:31,020 --> 00:04:36,109
All the stories about me and mine
parents were sensationalized to the max.
58
00:04:37,277 --> 00:04:40,905
There was a bad story about me
every day in the news.
59
00:04:41,030 --> 00:04:42,282
SCANDALS II
60
00:04:42,407 --> 00:04:46,786
The cremation business was a mine
of gold for Lambs owners.
61
00:04:47,453 --> 00:04:50,665
It was such a revolting emotional affair.
62
00:04:52,208 --> 00:04:56,212
Maybe some of it was irrational.
Maybe, just maybe.
63
00:04:57,005 --> 00:05:01,259
What better way to defame someone
than comparing him to Hitler?
64
00:05:01,384 --> 00:05:03,845
Come on, the final villain.
65
00:05:03,970 --> 00:05:06,556
MAN SAYS CREMATORIUM BOSS
HE WAS KNOWN AS 'HITLER'
66
00:05:06,681 --> 00:05:08,516
DEALER 'HITLER'
MAY DELAY JUDGMENT
67
00:05:08,641 --> 00:05:11,227
I'm innocent of all that
of which I am accused.
68
00:05:11,352 --> 00:05:15,273
The guilt I recognize may be
69
00:05:15,398 --> 00:05:18,693
for not controlling the situations
as much as it should,
70
00:05:18,818 --> 00:05:23,031
simply because I was overwhelmed
with the amount of things I did.
71
00:05:26,451 --> 00:05:29,537
The preliminary hearing
of the Lamb Funeral Homecase
72
00:05:29,662 --> 00:05:34,876
it was the longest preliminary hearing
of the history of Pasadena,
73
00:05:35,001 --> 00:05:39,422
taking just over six months
and 99 witnesses.
74
00:05:39,547 --> 00:05:42,133
LIST OF CHARGES
DAVID SCONCE FACES 52 CHARGES
75
00:05:42,258 --> 00:05:44,260
It was a series of accusations,
76
00:05:44,385 --> 00:05:45,762
a whole bunch of them.
77
00:05:46,637 --> 00:05:48,723
Mostly due to the funeral home.
78
00:05:48,848 --> 00:05:52,185
Some were for robbery and assault.
79
00:05:52,643 --> 00:05:56,731
Maybe 80 percent were petty crimes.
80
00:05:56,856 --> 00:05:59,025
It seemed like it would never end.
81
00:05:59,150 --> 00:06:03,071
We present 26 charges for withdrawing
brains, hearts and lungs
82
00:06:03,196 --> 00:06:05,114
LOS ANGELES ATTORNEY
83
00:06:05,239 --> 00:06:08,618
of corpses without family permission.
84
00:06:10,244 --> 00:06:13,331
Walt Lewis, the district attorney,
85
00:06:13,456 --> 00:06:17,710
he was always bringing witnesses
behind witness.
86
00:06:18,836 --> 00:06:20,421
WITNESS: JOHN POLLERANA
87
00:06:20,546 --> 00:06:21,881
I had to go to court.
88
00:06:22,965 --> 00:06:26,260
And I went, but I didn't want to,
because I knew he was in trouble.
89
00:06:26,386 --> 00:06:27,387
FORMER LAMB CREMATOR
90
00:06:27,512 --> 00:06:30,181
I was preparing for the worst,
91
00:06:30,306 --> 00:06:31,391
it would be his fault.
92
00:06:35,436 --> 00:06:37,980
When they called Danny Galambos to testify,
93
00:06:38,689 --> 00:06:41,526
he was a burly, huge guy.
94
00:06:42,693 --> 00:06:44,862
The Walt Lewis: "Are you afraid of David Sconce?"
95
00:06:44,987 --> 00:06:49,325
And Daniel Galambos says:
"Yes, he was almost my size."
96
00:06:51,369 --> 00:06:52,787
And I thought, "Damn!"
97
00:06:52,912 --> 00:06:56,624
Couldn't laugh in court,
but I wanted to. I wanted to laugh.
98
00:06:58,209 --> 00:07:02,046
All former employees
They testified against me because I was...
99
00:07:02,171 --> 00:07:04,841
... you testify against David
or you go to prison.
100
00:07:04,966 --> 00:07:06,008
That's what happened.
101
00:07:07,093 --> 00:07:10,638
None of them were arrested. None.
102
00:07:10,763 --> 00:07:12,306
GALAMBOS
FIVE YEARS SUSPENDED SENTENCE
103
00:07:12,432 --> 00:07:18,354
I gave my statement. I had to.
Partly it was to clear my record.
104
00:07:18,479 --> 00:07:19,647
FORMER FUNERAL HOME DRIVER
105
00:07:21,065 --> 00:07:26,404
I said David Sconce
he was a dark, bad guy.
106
00:07:27,029 --> 00:07:28,197
WITNESS: LOUIS QUINONES
107
00:07:28,322 --> 00:07:30,366
They asked me questions.
108
00:07:30,491 --> 00:07:31,659
FORMER DRIVER
109
00:07:31,784 --> 00:07:34,704
David Sconce always sat
alongside her father and Laurieanne.
110
00:07:34,829 --> 00:07:37,748
The three of them were looking at me.
All of them.
111
00:07:39,625 --> 00:07:42,837
Evil eyes fixed on us.
112
00:07:44,130 --> 00:07:45,298
It was kind of scary.
113
00:07:46,174 --> 00:07:49,302
I always wondered if they
would do something to hurt me,
114
00:07:49,427 --> 00:07:51,053
for testifying against them.
115
00:07:51,179 --> 00:07:53,639
Shoot me on the road, or something.
116
00:07:53,764 --> 00:07:56,309
Breaking into my house
and stab me, or something.
117
00:07:58,728 --> 00:08:02,273
But I felt relieved, in a way,
118
00:08:02,398 --> 00:08:04,567
for being able to tell the truth.
119
00:08:04,692 --> 00:08:06,944
Because that wasn't right.
It was inhumane.
120
00:08:07,069 --> 00:08:10,156
When I went to court,
I thought about families,
121
00:08:10,281 --> 00:08:12,909
because some family members
they were there in court.
122
00:08:18,414 --> 00:08:23,503
When it came time to testify,
my lawyer said:
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00:08:23,628 --> 00:08:24,921
LAMB VICTIM
124
00:08:25,046 --> 00:08:26,964
"Are you ready and calm?"
125
00:08:28,299 --> 00:08:30,176
I replied: "Yes, I'm very calm."
126
00:08:30,301 --> 00:08:33,513
But what I wanted was to jump over
from the table, grab him by the neck
127
00:08:33,638 --> 00:08:35,389
and shake him to death.
128
00:08:37,058 --> 00:08:39,477
When I testified in court,
walked through the corridors
129
00:08:39,602 --> 00:08:40,770
VICTIM
130
00:08:40,895 --> 00:08:42,647
and saw David Sconce with the lawyer.
131
00:08:44,232 --> 00:08:46,150
I heard him say to the lawyer:
132
00:08:46,275 --> 00:08:48,069
"It wasn't me. It was my men."
133
00:08:48,194 --> 00:08:52,031
I was furious. I had to hold back
so as not to strangle him right there.
134
00:08:52,949 --> 00:08:56,786
In this particular case, we deny,
my client denies
135
00:08:56,911 --> 00:08:59,080
have participated
in any of these practices,
136
00:08:59,205 --> 00:09:01,749
in multiple cremations
or in the ash mixture.
137
00:09:01,874 --> 00:09:05,044
He doesn't say he had permission,
He says he never did it.
138
00:09:05,169 --> 00:09:06,254
Right.
139
00:09:07,505 --> 00:09:11,467
I only had one experience of going
to a court with my sister,
140
00:09:11,592 --> 00:09:14,011
for what I believe it was
a preliminary trial
141
00:09:14,136 --> 00:09:15,721
LAMB FUNERAL HOME VICTIM
142
00:09:15,846 --> 00:09:20,017
and attorneys at Lamb Funeral Home
they were ruthless with her.
143
00:09:21,519 --> 00:09:24,438
"Did you read the contract" and "why do you say that?"
144
00:09:24,564 --> 00:09:26,691
They were very aggressive with her.
145
00:09:26,816 --> 00:09:30,444
The body parts were removed,
but with family consent.
146
00:09:30,570 --> 00:09:32,196
LAWYER FOR THE CREMATORIUM OWNER
147
00:09:32,321 --> 00:09:34,740
We have signed forms
by relatives and...
148
00:09:34,865 --> 00:09:37,618
They were very belligerent and aggressive.
149
00:09:37,743 --> 00:09:41,664
It was a situation of caught attacks.
150
00:09:41,789 --> 00:09:45,459
Seriously? It was unbelievable.
151
00:09:49,630 --> 00:09:53,801
FAMILIES IN SUFFERING WITHOUT KNOWING
ASHES WERE MIXED IN CREMATIONS
152
00:09:53,926 --> 00:09:57,930
David was in prison
and everyone said to me:
153
00:09:58,055 --> 00:09:59,515
SCONCE'S EX-WIFE
154
00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:02,393
"Don't worry. He'll get out. He'll get out."
155
00:10:04,937 --> 00:10:07,773
Things were getting worse.
His trial...
156
00:10:07,898 --> 00:10:10,234
I was running out of money.
157
00:10:10,860 --> 00:10:13,362
And I was a maid.
158
00:10:15,114 --> 00:10:21,203
So I asked my in-laws for help,
Laurieanne and Jerry Sconce.
159
00:10:22,079 --> 00:10:25,833
And they said:
"You have to ask for social assistance."
160
00:10:28,878 --> 00:10:30,796
Nobody wanted to listen to me.
161
00:10:30,921 --> 00:10:32,715
The important thing was David,
162
00:10:33,841 --> 00:10:38,679
get money for lawyers
and try to free him.
163
00:10:42,558 --> 00:10:46,771
David was all over the news
the nights. I couldn't get away from it.
164
00:10:47,396 --> 00:10:49,607
CASE SOUND:
ACCUSATIONS OF GROTESQUE PROPORTIONS
165
00:10:49,732 --> 00:10:54,320
And I didn't know 90 percent
of what was going on,
166
00:10:54,445 --> 00:10:56,697
until I found out through the news.
167
00:10:56,822 --> 00:10:58,783
FUNERAL HOME ENTRAPPED IN THE MACABRE
168
00:10:58,908 --> 00:10:59,909
I was devastated.
169
00:11:00,034 --> 00:11:01,994
AMONG THE ACCUSED
LAURIEANNE LAMB, DAVID SCONCE
170
00:11:02,828 --> 00:11:05,790
It's hard because we fell in love
by a family
171
00:11:05,915 --> 00:11:08,459
and we want to support, we want to believe.
172
00:11:12,129 --> 00:11:14,674
As I watched the trial, I thought:
173
00:11:16,425 --> 00:11:18,636
"Who is this? Who did I marry?"
174
00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:24,350
David had so many crimes.
175
00:11:25,434 --> 00:11:26,686
I just thought:
176
00:11:26,811 --> 00:11:29,438
"This is not David.
David wouldn't do that."
177
00:11:30,815 --> 00:11:33,526
Being the father of my children,
I wanted him to be innocent.
178
00:11:35,778 --> 00:11:40,408
When they started talking about murder...
179
00:11:43,661 --> 00:11:48,040
I didn't believe it.
I didn't think he was capable.
180
00:11:48,165 --> 00:11:51,919
HISTORY OF CONTRACTED HOMICIDE
IT TAKES PLACE IN COURT
181
00:11:52,044 --> 00:11:54,463
When David said to someone:
"I'm going to kill you",
182
00:11:54,588 --> 00:11:56,632
FORMER PASADENA STAR-NEWS JOURNALIST
183
00:11:56,757 --> 00:12:01,262
or said to someone else:
"I'm going to kill people like this,"
184
00:12:01,387 --> 00:12:03,222
people took him seriously.
185
00:12:03,347 --> 00:12:04,765
Very seriously.
186
00:12:06,016 --> 00:12:09,854
He was always armed.
Sometimes he carried two weapons.
187
00:12:11,772 --> 00:12:15,568
The thing is, he was always
threatening to kill people.
188
00:12:15,693 --> 00:12:18,362
GALAMBOS SAID THAT SCONCE
HE ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD KILL FOR MONEY
189
00:12:18,487 --> 00:12:20,906
HIRE SOMEONE TO "DELETE"
TWO HOMOSEXUALS
190
00:12:21,031 --> 00:12:23,242
THREATENED TO KILL THE WITNESS
191
00:12:23,367 --> 00:12:25,119
FOR 500 DOLLARS YOU COULD HAVE HER KILLED
192
00:12:25,244 --> 00:12:26,620
DAVID SCONCE WOULD BURN THE BODY
193
00:12:26,746 --> 00:12:30,166
He threatened to kill employees
almost routinely.
194
00:12:30,291 --> 00:12:31,667
STILL AFRAID OF DAVID SCONCE
195
00:12:31,792 --> 00:12:35,337
Threw them against the wall
and put his hands around their necks,
196
00:12:35,463 --> 00:12:38,466
"I'll kill you. I'll fucking kill you."
197
00:12:38,591 --> 00:12:41,552
SCONCE: WITNESSES REPORT
STORIES OF VIOLENCE
198
00:12:41,677 --> 00:12:45,473
According to these reports,
he was a dangerous person.
199
00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:51,353
And made plans to kill
your competitors.
200
00:12:51,479 --> 00:12:54,648
THE MANY FACES OF DAVID SCONCE
201
00:12:54,774 --> 00:12:57,693
The case was taking place in Pasadena.
202
00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:02,615
Suddenly, two detectives appeared here.
203
00:13:04,033 --> 00:13:07,369
He said, "We have two men
in custody,
204
00:13:07,495 --> 00:13:11,874
who said that Dave Sconce
hired them to kill him."
205
00:13:11,999 --> 00:13:15,169
HE SAID THAT SCONCE OFFERED HIM
$10,000 TO KILL ESTEPHAN
206
00:13:15,294 --> 00:13:18,506
I had bought the Society
of California Cremation,
207
00:13:18,631 --> 00:13:20,049
That was the name of the company.
208
00:13:20,174 --> 00:13:21,717
CALIFORNIA CREMATION SOCIETY
209
00:13:21,842 --> 00:13:25,638
Dave was upset with me
because he wanted to buy the company.
210
00:13:25,763 --> 00:13:27,264
LOW COST CREMATION
211
00:13:28,015 --> 00:13:31,811
When all that happened,
They came to pick me up from prison and said:
212
00:13:31,936 --> 00:13:33,312
FORMER LAMB FUNERAL HOME EMPLOYEE
213
00:13:33,437 --> 00:13:36,607
“We’re not going to press charges or anything.
214
00:13:36,732 --> 00:13:37,817
Just tell the truth."
215
00:13:39,318 --> 00:13:43,823
I told them that Dave
I wanted to get rid of Elie Estephan.
216
00:13:44,490 --> 00:13:49,203
He offered me 10 thousand dollars
and one of my friends to do it.
217
00:13:52,039 --> 00:13:54,458
We followed him for about a month.
218
00:13:56,043 --> 00:13:57,711
We found out where he lived.
219
00:13:58,879 --> 00:14:02,174
We had sticks of dynamite, detonators.
220
00:14:02,299 --> 00:14:05,052
The guy wanted him dead and we were going to kill him.
221
00:14:07,596 --> 00:14:10,516
But we got arrested, so
we couldn't do it.
222
00:14:13,477 --> 00:14:15,855
I thank God for the luck I had.
223
00:14:16,564 --> 00:14:21,652
I started thinking:
"I could be dead."
224
00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:25,489
Maybe not hanging by the neck,
225
00:14:26,323 --> 00:14:27,825
or poisoned,
226
00:14:28,784 --> 00:14:30,619
but I was very close.
227
00:14:31,829 --> 00:14:33,956
And all because of some criminal.
228
00:14:36,876 --> 00:14:39,128
And nothing will stop him.
229
00:14:41,255 --> 00:14:42,965
Many threats were made in this case
230
00:14:43,090 --> 00:14:45,342
LOS ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY
231
00:14:45,467 --> 00:14:48,762
and actual assaults by people who allege
have been hired by Mr. Sconce.
232
00:14:51,682 --> 00:14:56,103
Conspiracy to commit murder.
There's some bullshit about that.
233
00:14:56,228 --> 00:14:59,023
And that was an ongoing allegation.
234
00:15:00,983 --> 00:15:04,153
Walt Lewis just hated me.
235
00:15:04,278 --> 00:15:06,447
We feel this when we read people.
236
00:15:06,572 --> 00:15:10,659
He put his finger on his lips,
with arms crossed,
237
00:15:10,784 --> 00:15:15,205
and he kept doing it like this,
just looking at me...
238
00:15:16,248 --> 00:15:18,751
He didn't even blink as he looked at me.
239
00:15:20,586 --> 00:15:22,796
I thought he was crazy,
240
00:15:22,922 --> 00:15:24,590
or that he was obsessed with me.
241
00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:29,511
I was the judge at the preliminary hearing.
242
00:15:29,637 --> 00:15:31,764
FORMER JUDGE
PASADENA MUNICIPAL COURT
243
00:15:31,889 --> 00:15:35,142
And at some point, someone noticed
what was written on the wall
244
00:15:35,267 --> 00:15:38,979
in the detention cell,
at the Pasadena Sheriff's Department,
245
00:15:39,980 --> 00:15:43,859
and they thought it was likely that he had
David Sconce wrote it...
246
00:15:43,984 --> 00:15:45,486
WALT "LEWIS IS GOING TO DIE"
247
00:15:45,611 --> 00:15:47,571
... "Lewis is going to die", end of quote.
248
00:15:49,823 --> 00:15:53,243
They found four prisoners
which had been approached by David Sconce
249
00:15:53,369 --> 00:15:54,745
to kill us all.
250
00:15:54,870 --> 00:15:57,039
CELLmate SAYS SCONCE
VISITED ATTORNEY
251
00:15:57,164 --> 00:15:58,248
Did you plan his death?
252
00:15:58,374 --> 00:16:04,546
No! No. I wrote: "Lewis
will die of AIDS" on the wall,
253
00:16:04,672 --> 00:16:06,966
because he was so thin.
254
00:16:07,091 --> 00:16:10,511
And I thought, "Why does he
hate me so much?"
255
00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,932
But it didn't say, "Lewis is going to die."
It said: "Lewis is going to die of AIDS."
256
00:16:15,057 --> 00:16:19,353
LEWIS IS GOING TO DIE
257
00:16:19,478 --> 00:16:22,648
For David, the ends justify the means.
258
00:16:22,773 --> 00:16:26,902
It didn't matter what it was,
who it was or how much it cost, he did.
259
00:16:27,903 --> 00:16:32,074
My decision was that there was
sufficient evidence for a trial.
260
00:16:33,075 --> 00:16:34,910
Then it went to the Superior Court,
261
00:16:35,035 --> 00:16:38,330
where your mother and father
would be judged separately.
262
00:16:38,455 --> 00:16:39,748
SCONCES WILL BE JUDGED
263
00:16:39,873 --> 00:16:43,544
I will always remember that,
as they left the court,
264
00:16:43,669 --> 00:16:46,797
Laurieanne turned around
and said in a very loud voice:
265
00:16:47,506 --> 00:16:50,592
"We don't get justice here,
We'll have to get it somewhere else."
266
00:16:58,851 --> 00:17:01,311
When our trial began,
267
00:17:01,437 --> 00:17:05,065
I had never heard of it
from Lamb Funeral Home, nor from Sconces.
268
00:17:05,190 --> 00:17:07,026
FUNERAL HOME CASE
THERE IS ANOTHER TWIST
269
00:17:07,151 --> 00:17:10,571
When I heard the details of the trial,
270
00:17:10,696 --> 00:17:12,114
JURY SPOKESMAN
271
00:17:12,239 --> 00:17:16,326
I thought, "Oh my God.
Are there really people who do this?"
272
00:17:16,452 --> 00:17:18,537
LAURIEANNE LAMB SCONCE
CONSIDERED SAINT IN THE BRANCH
273
00:17:18,662 --> 00:17:21,290
Dad, Jerry, I didn't trust him.
274
00:17:21,915 --> 00:17:25,836
He seemed to be cunning.
275
00:17:27,421 --> 00:17:30,257
But the mother, Laurieanne, was different.
276
00:17:32,176 --> 00:17:35,971
She always looked so innocent.
277
00:17:37,598 --> 00:17:40,809
She looked like a librarian.
278
00:17:42,311 --> 00:17:44,813
I gave my conclusions
and they were irrefutable.
279
00:17:44,938 --> 00:17:46,732
AUDITOR
CALIFORNIA FUNERAL BOARD
280
00:17:47,983 --> 00:17:51,904
We knew that Laurieanne
had embezzled a lot of money.
281
00:17:52,029 --> 00:17:55,074
MORE THAN 90,000 DOLLARS
282
00:17:55,199 --> 00:17:58,368
She was sitting at the table with the lawyer.
283
00:17:59,328 --> 00:18:01,538
It had a kind of aura, I don't know.
284
00:18:01,663 --> 00:18:04,166
It looked like there was someone behind her
with a flashlight.
285
00:18:04,291 --> 00:18:05,793
It was brilliant.
286
00:18:06,877 --> 00:18:09,671
And, once again, "I didn't do anything wrong.
287
00:18:09,797 --> 00:18:12,591
I just wanted to help families.
288
00:18:12,716 --> 00:18:15,803
Sorry, I'm just..."
289
00:18:18,931 --> 00:18:22,893
She would have been a rival
at the height of Meryl Streep.
290
00:18:23,018 --> 00:18:25,437
SON ACTED ALONE, ALLEGA SCONCE
291
00:18:25,562 --> 00:18:28,190
Jerry and Laurieanne's defense
292
00:18:28,315 --> 00:18:31,819
was that the son had incorporated them
without your consent
293
00:18:31,944 --> 00:18:33,904
FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY
294
00:18:34,029 --> 00:18:35,989
in those illegal activities.
295
00:18:36,115 --> 00:18:38,450
COUPLE BLAME SON
IN SCANDAL AT THE FUNERAL HOME
296
00:18:38,575 --> 00:18:40,202
That David had obliged them,
297
00:18:40,327 --> 00:18:43,288
which had basically been
victimized by their son.
298
00:18:43,413 --> 00:18:46,333
SCONCES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE
FOR SON'S CRIMES, SAYS LAWYER
299
00:18:46,458 --> 00:18:49,336
"NOBODY ELSE KNEW"
ABUSE IN THE FUNERAL HOME
300
00:18:49,461 --> 00:18:54,216
My parents were part of everything
what was happening at the funeral home.
301
00:18:55,008 --> 00:18:56,176
But you know what else?
302
00:18:56,301 --> 00:18:59,513
They were always good to me. Always.
303
00:19:01,140 --> 00:19:02,933
So I basically lied about it
304
00:19:03,058 --> 00:19:05,185
and said they didn't know anything.
305
00:19:05,978 --> 00:19:10,357
I tried to take the blame,
because I was trying to protect them.
306
00:19:12,484 --> 00:19:14,027
This is important to me.
307
00:19:15,821 --> 00:19:19,741
They even tried to make us believe
that it had all been David.
308
00:19:20,534 --> 00:19:23,787
But the evidence was overwhelming
309
00:19:23,912 --> 00:19:27,040
that they were
completely involved.
310
00:19:28,917 --> 00:19:30,586
If I remember correctly,
311
00:19:31,336 --> 00:19:34,423
they had a document
that the family would have to sign
312
00:19:34,548 --> 00:19:38,760
to deliver the body to the funeral home,
to be cremated.
313
00:19:38,886 --> 00:19:40,095
CREMATION AUTHORIZATION
314
00:19:40,220 --> 00:19:44,766
At some point,
changed part of the language of the document.
315
00:19:44,892 --> 00:19:47,644
AUTHORIZES CREMATION AND FINAL DISPOSAL
316
00:19:47,769 --> 00:19:49,688
A sentence has been added.
317
00:19:49,813 --> 00:19:51,064
REMOVE FABRIC, PACEMAKERS
318
00:19:51,190 --> 00:19:53,692
It was in the middle of the paragraph
319
00:19:53,817 --> 00:19:57,696
and basically give them permission
320
00:19:57,821 --> 00:19:59,781
to remove organs,
321
00:19:59,907 --> 00:20:04,620
without the families knowing
That's what they did.
322
00:20:06,830 --> 00:20:08,040
It was horrible.
323
00:20:10,959 --> 00:20:15,214
And then it became known that,
Sometimes, Laurieanne
324
00:20:15,339 --> 00:20:19,092
he even went so far as to forge signatures.
325
00:20:20,677 --> 00:20:24,473
During the trial, experts determined
326
00:20:24,598 --> 00:20:27,142
which was Laurieanne's handwriting
327
00:20:27,267 --> 00:20:29,144
on many of the authorization forms.
328
00:20:29,895 --> 00:20:34,733
And, at some point,
he even wrote the wrong relative's name.
329
00:20:34,858 --> 00:20:38,070
How can a family member
spell your own name wrong?
330
00:20:39,279 --> 00:20:42,157
When Laurieanne
got in trouble for forgery,
331
00:20:42,908 --> 00:20:45,827
He said he didn't know what he was doing.
332
00:20:49,122 --> 00:20:54,044
She was controlling,
He told everyone what to do all the time.
333
00:20:54,169 --> 00:20:57,547
I think Laurieanne
He was the brain of the whole family.
334
00:21:03,178 --> 00:21:06,974
It's so sad that people exist
335
00:21:07,099 --> 00:21:11,436
who take advantage of people
who are in mourning.
336
00:21:12,938 --> 00:21:15,857
I remember a lady
from one of the families
337
00:21:15,983 --> 00:21:22,239
whose heart of a loved one
it was removed without her knowing.
338
00:21:24,032 --> 00:21:25,450
And she freaked out.
339
00:21:26,201 --> 00:21:28,704
She freaked out on the witness stand,
because it was...
340
00:21:28,829 --> 00:21:32,791
I'm getting emotional too,
but it was devastating.
341
00:21:35,127 --> 00:21:38,630
I have to admit,
when we were deliberating,
342
00:21:39,798 --> 00:21:44,511
I thought, "I hope these people
get life in prison.”
343
00:21:44,636 --> 00:21:49,016
FUNERAL HOME OWNERS CONVICTED
344
00:21:50,017 --> 00:21:54,229
The judge gave Jerry and Laurieanne Sconce
three years and eight months in prison.
345
00:21:56,273 --> 00:21:59,276
They only got about three years.
346
00:22:03,530 --> 00:22:07,451
I'm speechless,
because I'm like, "Really?"
347
00:22:10,412 --> 00:22:14,624
After deceiving families for years,
to dishonor them...
348
00:22:15,625 --> 00:22:19,379
There were 20,000 families
to whom it happened,
349
00:22:19,504 --> 00:22:22,007
and they only got three years?
350
00:22:22,716 --> 00:22:24,718
No. It's not justice.
351
00:22:27,721 --> 00:22:29,181
Do you think the sentence was enough?
352
00:22:29,306 --> 00:22:31,099
- Knowing that they will only comply...
- No.
353
00:22:31,224 --> 00:22:33,977
I think the penalty is not enough,
because, in fact,
354
00:22:34,102 --> 00:22:36,229
even though they caught
three years and eight months,
355
00:22:36,355 --> 00:22:38,732
They will come out in approximately half the time.
356
00:22:44,279 --> 00:22:45,655
I was shocked.
357
00:22:45,781 --> 00:22:48,784
When I found out that Laurieanne
and Jerry both went to prison.
358
00:22:49,368 --> 00:22:52,120
I couldn't believe it.
It must have been hell.
359
00:22:52,245 --> 00:22:54,456
I know, because I've been
enough time in prison.
360
00:22:54,581 --> 00:22:57,334
His father lost all his hair.
Jerry lost all his hair.
361
00:22:58,543 --> 00:23:01,630
This experience killed them.
362
00:23:01,755 --> 00:23:04,049
He took away everything good they had.
363
00:23:04,174 --> 00:23:06,051
People could say whatever they wanted,
364
00:23:06,176 --> 00:23:08,929
but, for me, they didn't deserve to go there.
Especially Laurieanne.
365
00:23:09,054 --> 00:23:10,138
He's such a good person.
366
00:23:19,106 --> 00:23:22,359
As the case
progressed through the courts,
367
00:23:22,484 --> 00:23:26,863
it was a bizarre story
and exit from a nightmare.
368
00:23:26,988 --> 00:23:28,740
JOURNALIST, LOS ANGELES TIMES
369
00:23:29,282 --> 00:23:32,452
But it was easy to forget
that the people at the center of this case,
370
00:23:33,412 --> 00:23:35,372
David Sconce's parents,
371
00:23:35,497 --> 00:23:37,916
despite having been convicted
for all those crimes,
372
00:23:38,667 --> 00:23:40,043
they were well known in Pasadena.
373
00:23:40,168 --> 00:23:42,671
FOR THE PEOPLE OF PASADENA
C.F. LAMB FUNERAL HOME
374
00:23:42,796 --> 00:23:48,260
The Lamb family was part
of Old Pasadena.
375
00:23:48,385 --> 00:23:49,386
ORANGE GROVE AVENUE
376
00:23:49,511 --> 00:23:52,973
It was a community with a long history,
377
00:23:53,890 --> 00:23:55,976
full of old families...
378
00:23:56,101 --> 00:23:57,102
TOURNAMENT OF ROSES
379
00:23:57,227 --> 00:24:01,148
... and mansions that convey
a feeling of wealth.
380
00:24:02,107 --> 00:24:05,235
And I think David has grown up
with that mentality.
381
00:24:09,739 --> 00:24:12,784
When the judgment
David arrived at court,
382
00:24:13,452 --> 00:24:17,747
my impression of him
it was blond, it was big,
383
00:24:17,873 --> 00:24:20,625
he looked like the ex-football player he was.
384
00:24:22,711 --> 00:24:27,340
And he had a certain attitude of legitimacy,
385
00:24:27,466 --> 00:24:29,468
that he was not a criminal,
386
00:24:29,593 --> 00:24:33,722
but an exemplary citizen
of old Pasadena.
387
00:24:35,891 --> 00:24:39,227
I was surprised to know
what happened in that case.
388
00:24:39,352 --> 00:24:41,229
SCONCES:
JUDGE REMOVES 20 MORE CHARGES
389
00:24:41,354 --> 00:24:44,274
David's judge withdrew
many of the accusations
390
00:24:44,399 --> 00:24:46,693
for which I commanded him to answer,
391
00:24:47,736 --> 00:24:50,238
including accusations
of conspiracy to commit murder.
392
00:24:50,363 --> 00:24:53,366
CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT HOMICIDE
393
00:24:53,492 --> 00:24:55,911
I was lucky and got a better judge.
394
00:24:57,162 --> 00:24:59,748
And he dropped half the charges.
395
00:25:01,249 --> 00:25:03,919
I had to plead guilty
of the remaining charges.
396
00:25:04,044 --> 00:25:05,462
PLEAS GUILTY
OF 21 CHARGES
397
00:25:05,587 --> 00:25:07,214
And he sentenced me to five years.
398
00:25:07,339 --> 00:25:09,925
GET FIVE YEARS;
OTHER SERIOUS CHARGES AWAIT
399
00:25:10,050 --> 00:25:13,303
The district attorney sat down, like...
400
00:25:13,428 --> 00:25:14,429
With his hand over his face.
401
00:25:17,849 --> 00:25:19,935
The judge had a lot of room for maneuver.
402
00:25:20,060 --> 00:25:21,186
And used it.
403
00:25:21,937 --> 00:25:24,689
And David benefited from it. It is a shame.
404
00:25:25,482 --> 00:25:27,609
Sounds like the deal of the century.
405
00:25:28,401 --> 00:25:30,612
More than the deal of the century, I'd say.
406
00:25:30,737 --> 00:25:33,365
VICTIMS OUTRAGED BY DECISION
407
00:25:33,490 --> 00:25:38,203
People said:
"He got away with almost everything."
408
00:25:39,663 --> 00:25:44,459
A lot of people were very disappointed
with the trial.
409
00:25:45,752 --> 00:25:48,004
But it wasn't the end.
410
00:25:49,214 --> 00:25:52,384
Prosecutors were still
trying to accuse David
411
00:25:52,509 --> 00:25:54,302
of the murder of Tim Waters.
412
00:25:55,011 --> 00:26:01,017
ATTORNEYS STUDY
CONNECTION TO POISONING
413
00:26:01,142 --> 00:26:03,687
DEATH OF COMPETITOR
COULD LEAD TO NEW CHARGES
414
00:26:03,812 --> 00:26:06,940
But the Waters issue
415
00:26:07,566 --> 00:26:08,733
seemed quite clear.
416
00:26:12,279 --> 00:26:14,406
More and more witnesses in prison
417
00:26:14,531 --> 00:26:18,493
They said that David told them
that he had poisoned him with oleander.
418
00:26:18,618 --> 00:26:20,704
DETECTED OLEANDER COMPONENTS
419
00:26:20,829 --> 00:26:24,291
Poison was found
on Waters' organ.
420
00:26:24,416 --> 00:26:30,213
A POISONOUS PLANT
IT COULD BE HOMICIDE FOR SCONCE
421
00:26:30,338 --> 00:26:31,840
While in prison,
422
00:26:33,133 --> 00:26:36,261
I received a letter from Roger Diamond,
my lawyer,
423
00:26:36,386 --> 00:26:39,014
about the ridiculous Waters case.
424
00:26:40,140 --> 00:26:43,727
He said: "They presented a case
of the death penalty against you."
425
00:26:44,769 --> 00:26:47,147
And I said, "Wait a minute. What?"
426
00:26:47,272 --> 00:26:51,484
SCONCE WILL BE TRIAL FOR HOMICIDE
427
00:27:03,788 --> 00:27:06,833
ITHACA, NEW YORK
428
00:27:06,958 --> 00:27:11,129
Toxicology is the study
of poisons in living systems.
429
00:27:11,254 --> 00:27:13,632
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
430
00:27:13,757 --> 00:27:17,510
All modern hospitals in the world
431
00:27:17,636 --> 00:27:21,139
have techniques for measuring drugs
or metabolites in a person,
432
00:27:21,264 --> 00:27:23,266
TOXICOLOGY PROFESSOR
CORNELL
433
00:27:23,391 --> 00:27:26,227
whether they are at the levels
appropriate therapeutics,
434
00:27:26,353 --> 00:27:28,146
or to toxic levels.
435
00:27:31,149 --> 00:27:36,196
In 1991, I learned from a colleague
that a legal case was being processed
436
00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:40,408
in the California area,
of oleander poisoning.
437
00:27:40,533 --> 00:27:42,452
DEATH MERCHANT
ACCUSED OF BIZARRE HOMICIDE
438
00:27:42,577 --> 00:27:44,329
ACCUSED OF MURDER
A RIVAL WITH FLOWERS!
439
00:27:44,454 --> 00:27:47,457
Mr. Waters was the first person
who I heard about,
440
00:27:47,582 --> 00:27:50,085
which had been poisoned with oleander.
441
00:27:51,586 --> 00:27:55,382
A few years earlier, a toxicologist
442
00:27:55,507 --> 00:27:59,177
had concluded that tissue samples
by Mr. Waters contained oleandrin.
443
00:27:59,302 --> 00:28:01,971
"TOXICOLOGIST'S SCIENTIFIC CERTAINTY
THAT THIS IS OLEANDRINE."
444
00:28:02,097 --> 00:28:05,892
Both the defense and the prosecution
had reason to believe,
445
00:28:06,017 --> 00:28:08,978
who needed results
more definitive.
446
00:28:09,813 --> 00:28:13,149
And it was at that time that they contacted me.
447
00:28:13,274 --> 00:28:14,943
THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPERT
DR. JACK HENION
448
00:28:15,068 --> 00:28:19,447
During the death penalty case
by Tim Waters, which I was accused of,
449
00:28:21,032 --> 00:28:26,454
Their theory was that I had poisoned
Tim Waters with oleander.
450
00:28:27,747 --> 00:28:32,961
They said it was a derivative,
as if it had been distilled oleandrine.
451
00:28:34,462 --> 00:28:37,090
I said:
"That's absolutely impossible."
452
00:28:37,966 --> 00:28:40,593
I told Roger Diamond,
my lawyer, "Roger,
453
00:28:40,719 --> 00:28:43,513
Dig him up." And he says, "What?"
454
00:28:44,347 --> 00:28:48,351
Roger hesitated and said:
"David, what if it's a false positive?
455
00:28:48,476 --> 00:28:51,521
And if they find something
that may not be it,
456
00:28:51,646 --> 00:28:52,981
but they claim that this is it?"
457
00:28:53,106 --> 00:28:56,443
I said, "Roger, they say
that I killed a guy I've never seen
458
00:28:56,568 --> 00:29:00,280
and have no proof that I
have ever been with him."
459
00:29:00,405 --> 00:29:02,240
I said, "Dig him up!"
460
00:29:02,949 --> 00:29:08,747
BODY EXHUMED TO SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE
FOR HOMICIDE TRIAL
461
00:29:08,872 --> 00:29:10,582
We learned that the deceased
462
00:29:10,707 --> 00:29:14,586
was buried in a surface deposit
at room temperature.
463
00:29:15,170 --> 00:29:16,546
DURING THE 1985 AUTOPSY
464
00:29:16,671 --> 00:29:18,590
In an autopsy,
organs are removed from the body.
465
00:29:18,715 --> 00:29:21,092
SAMPLES WERE TAKEN
OF BODY AND ORGANS TISSUE
466
00:29:21,217 --> 00:29:24,012
I was told that his organs
they were in plastic bags.
467
00:29:24,137 --> 00:29:26,264
I don't know if they were airtight bags,
468
00:29:26,389 --> 00:29:29,642
but they were plastic bags
next to the body, in the coffin,
469
00:29:29,768 --> 00:29:32,270
and that's where the samples came from
470
00:29:32,395 --> 00:29:33,646
that we received at Cornell.
471
00:29:33,772 --> 00:29:34,981
THAT REMAINED IN THE COFFIN
472
00:29:35,106 --> 00:29:40,987
The best way to describe the liver
from Mr. Waters was like chocolate pudding.
473
00:29:41,112 --> 00:29:43,865
It was mush, very decomposed.
474
00:29:43,990 --> 00:29:47,327
So we roll up our sleeves
and we use technology
475
00:29:47,452 --> 00:29:50,371
that we were developing at the time.
476
00:29:50,497 --> 00:29:51,623
MASS SPECTROMETRY
477
00:29:51,748 --> 00:29:56,336
A dual mass spectrometer
to look for oleandrine
478
00:29:56,461 --> 00:29:58,671
and oleandrigenin.
479
00:29:59,798 --> 00:30:03,676
These chemicals analyzed in this way
have their own fingerprint.
480
00:30:03,802 --> 00:30:05,345
We have to have this fingerprint
481
00:30:05,470 --> 00:30:07,847
of the mass spectrometer
to be sure.
482
00:30:08,473 --> 00:30:10,266
APRIL 4, 1991
483
00:30:10,391 --> 00:30:12,519
Former undertaker David Sconce,
484
00:30:12,644 --> 00:30:17,065
the man who is said to have boasted of having
poisoned and killed his archenemy,
485
00:30:17,190 --> 00:30:18,858
undertaker Timothy Waters,
486
00:30:18,983 --> 00:30:21,402
entered the court
to hear two words.
487
00:30:21,528 --> 00:30:23,154
"Case closed."
488
00:30:23,279 --> 00:30:27,826
No oleander, nothing, zero, nicles.
The man died of a heart attack.
489
00:30:27,951 --> 00:30:30,912
LAWYER: NO POISON,
THERE IS NO CASE AGAINST SCONCE
490
00:30:31,037 --> 00:30:33,623
OLEANDRO: THEY DID NOT FIND IT
TRACES OF THE POISON
491
00:30:33,748 --> 00:30:35,625
After all the work we've done,
492
00:30:37,001 --> 00:30:38,628
the results were negative.
493
00:30:38,753 --> 00:30:43,675
We did not find oleander or
oleandrigenin in Mr. Waters' tissue.
494
00:30:44,884 --> 00:30:47,804
DR. MENION SAID IT DOESN'T MEAN
THAT THERE WAS NO OLEANDRINE.
495
00:30:47,929 --> 00:30:52,600
A possible explanation
is that the severely decomposed sample
496
00:30:52,725 --> 00:30:55,395
it was so chemically complex
that didn't work.
497
00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:58,439
OLDEANDRINE IS UNSTABLE AND YOU MAY HAVE
DECOMPOSED TO UNDETECTABLE LEVELS
498
00:30:58,565 --> 00:31:02,318
We tried hard, but found nothing.
499
00:31:03,069 --> 00:31:06,322
The motion and order to quash
the action are granted
500
00:31:06,447 --> 00:31:09,576
and the defendant will be released.
501
00:31:12,912 --> 00:31:16,082
I don't want to shake a man's hand
who I believe to be a murderer.
502
00:31:16,207 --> 00:31:17,208
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
503
00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:24,340
I'm very happy that they
finally seen the light.
504
00:31:25,592 --> 00:31:26,801
I'm an innocent man.
505
00:31:26,926 --> 00:31:29,804
Did you ever think you would see this day?
What would come out of here?
506
00:31:29,929 --> 00:31:32,557
I always knew I would leave. I'm innocent.
507
00:31:39,022 --> 00:31:43,776
My unofficial opinion
is that David Sconce is guilty.
508
00:31:48,489 --> 00:31:52,160
The symptoms that Mr. Waters exhibited,
509
00:31:52,285 --> 00:31:55,371
all other details,
the book that was found...
510
00:31:55,496 --> 00:31:56,581
THE POOR MAN'S JAMES BOND
511
00:31:56,706 --> 00:31:58,333
... these are circumstantial evidence.
512
00:31:58,458 --> 00:31:59,918
OLEANDER IS A PLANT
VERY POISONOUS
513
00:32:00,919 --> 00:32:04,923
But knowing his bad character,
so to speak,
514
00:32:05,048 --> 00:32:08,676
seems perfectly possible,
or probable, that he did so.
515
00:32:10,887 --> 00:32:12,513
It's a shame he got away with it.
516
00:32:13,306 --> 00:32:18,102
SCONCE RELEASED
CHARGES OFFICIALLY DROPPED
517
00:32:18,227 --> 00:32:21,356
Test results prove
that he never had that in his body.
518
00:32:21,481 --> 00:32:24,984
He could never have been there,
and what the hell are you talking about?
519
00:32:25,902 --> 00:32:30,114
A year of my life in prison,
to hear it all.
520
00:32:33,242 --> 00:32:35,662
I was very relieved.
521
00:32:36,704 --> 00:32:42,377
But I knew the night before that I had
I lost my father's father. He died.
522
00:32:44,587 --> 00:32:50,009
I called and spoke to my grandmother,
Grandma Tay and...
523
00:32:57,433 --> 00:33:00,770
Anyway, like, "He died." Ready.
524
00:33:01,396 --> 00:33:03,398
"He died." And...
525
00:33:04,148 --> 00:33:07,151
I told him, "It's okay.
526
00:33:07,860 --> 00:33:10,279
I'm going home." And...
527
00:33:10,905 --> 00:33:13,491
She just said, "He died."
528
00:33:14,075 --> 00:33:15,076
And...
529
00:33:17,996 --> 00:33:20,373
Anyway, I didn't do anything.
530
00:33:21,082 --> 00:33:24,544
Friday passed and she died on Saturday.
531
00:33:24,669 --> 00:33:26,963
Sorry, she died on Saturday.
532
00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:29,298
- Your grandmother?
- Yes.
533
00:33:29,424 --> 00:33:31,676
She didn't have any illness. Nothing.
534
00:33:33,177 --> 00:33:34,178
And...
535
00:33:34,929 --> 00:33:37,140
She was important in my life.
536
00:33:39,851 --> 00:33:41,769
You know, it was just...
537
00:33:41,894 --> 00:33:43,479
She didn't have any illness.
538
00:33:43,604 --> 00:33:47,608
She had been married for 61 years
and simply died. Gave up.
539
00:33:48,776 --> 00:33:50,445
And finally...
540
00:33:50,570 --> 00:33:52,321
Sorry, that was sad.
541
00:33:52,447 --> 00:33:53,990
It was very sad.
542
00:33:56,200 --> 00:33:59,370
They were both there, two coffins.
543
00:34:00,121 --> 00:34:03,666
I can't say I'm over it.
I don't think I'll ever get over him.
544
00:34:05,126 --> 00:34:06,836
ADORED HUSBAND AND FATHER
545
00:34:06,961 --> 00:34:08,588
ADORED WIFE AND MOTHER
546
00:34:08,713 --> 00:34:12,925
After the Tim Waters trial,
it's all over.
547
00:34:14,260 --> 00:34:19,390
A lot of people wanted to see
that family in jail,
548
00:34:19,515 --> 00:34:22,643
to pay for all the things they did.
549
00:34:23,436 --> 00:34:26,022
But, in the end,
they went free.
550
00:34:29,567 --> 00:34:31,611
I don't know how they managed to live with that.
551
00:34:51,923 --> 00:34:55,134
LAKE MOJAVE, ARIZONA
552
00:35:04,227 --> 00:35:06,104
After he leaves,
553
00:35:07,522 --> 00:35:10,942
we live in the vacation home on Lake Mojave.
554
00:35:12,026 --> 00:35:13,694
I just wanted to start again.
555
00:35:13,820 --> 00:35:16,989
I didn't want to think about anything
of what had happened in California.
556
00:35:17,865 --> 00:35:20,034
We could start living a normal life.
557
00:35:21,577 --> 00:35:26,249
Laurieanne and Jerry got out of prison.
They lived in the house next door.
558
00:35:27,125 --> 00:35:31,420
And David had gotten a job
working for LTI.
559
00:35:31,546 --> 00:35:33,923
It was Laughlin Transit.
560
00:35:34,048 --> 00:35:35,508
And he drove a bus.
561
00:35:42,140 --> 00:35:44,058
Cross the bridge, go down
562
00:35:44,183 --> 00:35:47,687
and you catch people
who wanted to come to Laughlin to play.
563
00:35:50,815 --> 00:35:53,359
They gave him a stack of tickets
by bus and said:
564
00:35:53,484 --> 00:35:56,404
"You can sell these tickets
for $20 each."
565
00:35:56,529 --> 00:35:59,198
He decided to do
your own tickets...
566
00:36:02,201 --> 00:36:04,162
...and sell your tickets,
567
00:36:04,287 --> 00:36:06,539
so I can keep the money.
568
00:36:08,082 --> 00:36:09,167
And he was caught.
569
00:36:09,792 --> 00:36:11,836
BULLHEAD CITY POLICE
CRIME REPORT
570
00:36:14,463 --> 00:36:16,591
SCONCE HAD FENCE
OF 400 FAKE TICKETS
571
00:36:16,716 --> 00:36:22,054
THAT HE HAD PRINTED AND SOLD
572
00:36:22,180 --> 00:36:25,725
MR. SCONCE WAS ARRESTED, SCHEMES
FRAUDULENT, CLASS 2 CRIME
573
00:36:25,850 --> 00:36:26,851
Why?
574
00:36:27,643 --> 00:36:31,105
Why would he think
How would that help you?
575
00:36:31,731 --> 00:36:34,859
FORMER FUNERAL OFFICER
FACES FORGERY ACCUSATIONS
576
00:36:34,984 --> 00:36:37,403
His mother said:
577
00:36:38,529 --> 00:36:39,864
"He was caught."
578
00:36:40,907 --> 00:36:42,867
So they knew too.
579
00:36:44,577 --> 00:36:48,206
Whose idea was it?
Was it David's? From Laurieanne?
580
00:36:48,956 --> 00:36:49,957
From Jerry?
581
00:36:51,876 --> 00:36:53,211
It's so...
582
00:36:54,295 --> 00:36:58,841
FORMER FUNERAL WORKER PLEAS GUILTY
OF FRAUD WITH BUS TICKETS
583
00:36:58,966 --> 00:37:01,844
THE DEFENDANT WILL SERVE FIVE YEARS
IN ARIZONA PRISON
584
00:37:01,969 --> 00:37:03,930
David returned to prison.
585
00:37:04,055 --> 00:37:07,725
WILL PAY COMPENSATION
WORTH $358.00
586
00:37:09,060 --> 00:37:12,563
A person starts to think
in our life choices
587
00:37:12,688 --> 00:37:13,981
and in whom we choose.
588
00:37:18,569 --> 00:37:21,572
BARBARA, THINGS BETWEEN US
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WELL FOR SOME TIME.
589
00:37:21,697 --> 00:37:24,200
Barbara and I walked away.
590
00:37:24,325 --> 00:37:25,701
WE CANNOT CONTINUE
DAVE
591
00:37:25,826 --> 00:37:28,079
The only reason
to divorce her was because,
592
00:37:28,204 --> 00:37:31,791
when I was stuck in Arizona,
She got a boyfriend. Do you know?
593
00:37:31,916 --> 00:37:34,168
It was just because of that. I couldn't trust her.
594
00:37:34,293 --> 00:37:36,087
If you break my trust, it's over.
595
00:37:39,090 --> 00:37:43,970
I feel angry, but we have to forget that.
596
00:37:45,054 --> 00:37:47,515
Say a prayer and move on.
597
00:37:51,185 --> 00:37:53,104
It still hurts sometimes.
598
00:37:56,232 --> 00:37:59,819
After serving time in Arizona,
599
00:37:59,944 --> 00:38:04,073
David should have stayed
totally honest.
600
00:38:07,076 --> 00:38:11,163
So he walked away from that life.
But he didn't stray far.
601
00:38:11,747 --> 00:38:13,749
REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL RELEASE
DENIED
602
00:38:15,209 --> 00:38:17,295
There were problems
with parole.
603
00:38:17,420 --> 00:38:18,671
SCONCE RETURN TO COURT
604
00:38:18,796 --> 00:38:20,965
JUDGE TELLS TOMB ROBBER:
ATTAIN
605
00:38:21,090 --> 00:38:22,300
ARRESTED FOR TRANSGRESSION
606
00:38:23,551 --> 00:38:28,389
At one point, he was convicted of stealing
a gun to a person in Montana,
607
00:38:28,556 --> 00:38:29,682
for selling the gun.
608
00:38:29,807 --> 00:38:31,809
ACCUSED FORMER FUNERAL WORKER
CONDITIONAL VIOLATION
609
00:38:31,934 --> 00:38:33,978
It was registered. He couldn't have weapons.
610
00:38:36,188 --> 00:38:39,608
In 2012, I was accused of possession of a weapon.
611
00:38:39,734 --> 00:38:41,277
SUBJECT IN POSSESSION OF FIREARMS
612
00:38:41,402 --> 00:38:43,946
A year after getting rid
of a gun I never fired,
613
00:38:44,071 --> 00:38:46,657
that was given to me,
because I don't like guns.
614
00:38:46,782 --> 00:38:48,409
I really don't like it, I never did.
615
00:38:48,534 --> 00:38:49,952
PROVED TO BE JUST A THUG
616
00:38:50,077 --> 00:38:55,875
California said it was a violation
of my parole.
617
00:38:56,667 --> 00:38:58,294
That's what put me here.
618
00:38:59,337 --> 00:39:00,838
He gave me 25 years to life.
619
00:39:00,963 --> 00:39:03,507
OLD CALIFORNIAN FUNERAL HOME
GET 25 YEARS TO PERPETUAL
620
00:39:04,425 --> 00:39:05,926
How does something like this happen?
621
00:39:06,052 --> 00:39:08,387
Who pulled the strings for this?
622
00:39:10,181 --> 00:39:11,182
Seriously?
623
00:39:16,312 --> 00:39:18,981
Finally, they considered me fit
for parole.
624
00:39:20,274 --> 00:39:21,400
And here we are.
625
00:39:24,195 --> 00:39:27,823
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
626
00:39:34,580 --> 00:39:40,419
I have theories about why things happen
happened as they did.
627
00:39:44,840 --> 00:39:49,178
David and I were passing
hours talking in prison
628
00:39:49,804 --> 00:39:53,557
and he had excuses for everything.
629
00:39:53,682 --> 00:39:55,059
FORMER INMATE
630
00:39:55,184 --> 00:39:58,771
Everything he had done in life
and in which he had failed,
631
00:39:58,896 --> 00:40:01,065
it was always someone else's fault.
632
00:40:02,233 --> 00:40:05,403
He is the eternal victim.
633
00:40:05,528 --> 00:40:06,695
If they left him alone,
634
00:40:06,821 --> 00:40:09,573
would have been the biggest
funeral director in the world.
635
00:40:11,867 --> 00:40:17,373
There was a domino effect of events
that led to this.
636
00:40:19,875 --> 00:40:23,295
If my parents hadn't had me
spoken of the mortuary school,
637
00:40:23,421 --> 00:40:24,422
MORTUARY SCIENCE
638
00:40:24,547 --> 00:40:27,800
if they hadn't suggested it,
I would have gone to the Navy.
639
00:40:27,925 --> 00:40:29,468
That was my plan.
640
00:40:29,593 --> 00:40:32,304
It was plan B,
because I always wanted to teach.
641
00:40:32,430 --> 00:40:34,265
I wanted to be a teacher.
642
00:40:35,099 --> 00:40:38,477
And everything would have been different
if I had gotten the second year
643
00:40:38,602 --> 00:40:41,981
of eligibility to play football.
644
00:40:43,274 --> 00:40:45,693
But I got injured, so I couldn't do it.
645
00:40:45,818 --> 00:40:47,778
And that's how it all started.
646
00:40:50,448 --> 00:40:52,658
How is your relationship?
with your family today?
647
00:40:53,325 --> 00:40:58,205
Non-existent. Non-existent. I was abandoned.
648
00:41:03,711 --> 00:41:08,883
My grandfather, Lawrence Lamb,
died of a brain tumor.
649
00:41:10,009 --> 00:41:15,181
My father and I take care of Grandpa
during the last week of his life.
650
00:41:17,850 --> 00:41:21,353
My grandmother, Lucile,
died shortly afterwards.
651
00:41:24,106 --> 00:41:29,195
I found out about my father's death
by a friend in prison.
652
00:41:30,112 --> 00:41:34,366
I wish I could have seen my father.
I wish I had been there
653
00:41:34,492 --> 00:41:38,287
when he passed away, but I wasn't there.
654
00:41:41,957 --> 00:41:44,043
TRUE LOVE
FOR LIFE AND BEYOND
655
00:41:44,168 --> 00:41:47,838
My mother has always been very supportive
656
00:41:47,963 --> 00:41:50,466
during the years I was in prison.
657
00:41:52,676 --> 00:41:57,223
But after my father died, everything stopped.
658
00:42:01,101 --> 00:42:03,062
I never heard from her again.
659
00:42:03,646 --> 00:42:07,149
Not a word. Not a letter, nothing.
660
00:42:09,276 --> 00:42:14,615
LAURIEANNE LAMB REFUSED
BEING INTERVIEWED FOR THIS SERIES.
661
00:42:14,740 --> 00:42:17,117
FWD: NO, NO WAY
662
00:42:17,243 --> 00:42:20,329
SUE THEM INTO BANKRUPTCY
663
00:42:55,072 --> 00:42:58,826
Tell me about the moments
where guilt consumed him.
664
00:42:59,910 --> 00:43:03,747
Seriously? Do you want me to go there?
665
00:43:03,872 --> 00:43:06,750
I thought I wasn't doing anything wrong,
666
00:43:06,875 --> 00:43:08,669
but everyone knew it was there.
667
00:43:08,794 --> 00:43:12,214
And I used drugs and so on,
and that didn't help.
668
00:43:15,968 --> 00:43:17,177
Work and drugs.
669
00:43:18,554 --> 00:43:20,222
They consumed my life.
670
00:43:22,766 --> 00:43:25,644
There are still people in my family
who thinks I'm not okay.
671
00:43:26,854 --> 00:43:29,732
They don't forgive me, they don't want me around,
672
00:43:29,857 --> 00:43:32,151
they call me names and do whatever.
673
00:43:32,776 --> 00:43:35,696
It was a part of my life
which was a long time ago.
674
00:43:36,280 --> 00:43:38,866
Wouldn't do it again
for no money in the world.
675
00:43:41,327 --> 00:43:43,037
No one got away with it.
676
00:43:44,204 --> 00:43:47,041
Something happened to everyone working there
677
00:43:47,166 --> 00:43:48,959
and we all pay for it.
678
00:43:54,089 --> 00:43:59,345
I'm the last man left
from Matulões Ilimitada.
679
00:44:01,221 --> 00:44:02,765
Dave Edwards was injured.
680
00:44:03,349 --> 00:44:06,018
Received blood transfusions
681
00:44:06,143 --> 00:44:09,563
and got AIDS
of these blood transfusions.
682
00:44:10,439 --> 00:44:14,818
And Danny died jumping out of a plane.
683
00:44:14,943 --> 00:44:17,404
SKYDIVING ACCIDENTS
684
00:44:17,529 --> 00:44:20,658
PARACHUTE MALFUNCTIONS
685
00:44:23,827 --> 00:44:27,665
Do you want to know? I'm 64 years old, is that ok?
686
00:44:28,415 --> 00:44:31,669
I'm in the second half,
I'm not in compensation time yet.
687
00:44:31,794 --> 00:44:36,340
But anyway, I had a good life.
688
00:44:36,465 --> 00:44:37,675
I have my children.
689
00:44:38,300 --> 00:44:40,052
I am fine.
690
00:44:40,177 --> 00:44:43,555
We can look back and say
that we would do something different, but...
691
00:44:43,681 --> 00:44:45,391
... at this point, no.
692
00:44:49,978 --> 00:44:51,689
Do you want to be cremated when you die?
693
00:44:51,814 --> 00:44:52,815
Yes.
694
00:44:53,857 --> 00:44:55,109
And you know what's funny?
695
00:44:55,234 --> 00:44:58,278
When cremated,
I prefer to be cremated with other people.
696
00:44:58,404 --> 00:45:00,656
'Cause you never know
How long will this trip last?
697
00:45:00,781 --> 00:45:04,827
Then I will have friends with me wherever I go,
whether it goes up or down.
698
00:45:06,745 --> 00:45:09,289
How do you remember those times?
Do you miss them?
699
00:45:10,207 --> 00:45:11,375
I don't miss it.
700
00:45:12,126 --> 00:45:14,712
I just miss the money.
701
00:45:15,754 --> 00:45:17,381
Would you do it again today?
702
00:45:21,385 --> 00:45:22,636
Probably, yes.
703
00:45:35,149 --> 00:45:37,693
Throughout human history,
704
00:45:39,319 --> 00:45:41,947
treat the dead with respect
705
00:45:42,740 --> 00:45:48,078
has been the way in which human beings
have lived in all cultures.
706
00:45:48,203 --> 00:45:50,205
CASE PLACES FUNERAL BRANCH
UNDER SCRUTINY
707
00:45:50,330 --> 00:45:55,169
It can be said that the case of David Sconce
was the final incendiary point
708
00:45:55,294 --> 00:45:56,462
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
709
00:45:56,587 --> 00:46:01,717
so now we have huge regulations
in the practice of funeral service,
710
00:46:01,842 --> 00:46:04,553
Amazing rules about cremation.
711
00:46:04,678 --> 00:46:06,805
FIRST ROUND APPROVES
MORE DEMANDING RULES
712
00:46:06,930 --> 00:46:09,558
And more statutes
than in any other industry.
713
00:46:09,683 --> 00:46:12,186
Therefore, there is more transparency,
more clarity
714
00:46:12,311 --> 00:46:15,481
in the decision-making process
for consumers.
715
00:46:18,066 --> 00:46:22,112
This case served a purpose
because they registered
716
00:46:22,237 --> 00:46:25,073
all the things they did
and as a result,
717
00:46:25,199 --> 00:46:27,117
there were laws that were passed.
718
00:46:27,242 --> 00:46:29,244
REFORM LAW
APPROVED CREMATORIUM
719
00:46:29,369 --> 00:46:32,289
Laws that allow
inspect crematoriums.
720
00:46:33,665 --> 00:46:35,793
And certain things became crimes.
721
00:46:35,918 --> 00:46:38,378
THE LEGISLATION ALSO CRIMINALIZES
722
00:46:38,504 --> 00:46:39,797
TAKING DENTAL GOLD OR SILVER
723
00:46:40,547 --> 00:46:41,757
This is important.
724
00:46:43,383 --> 00:46:46,970
I loved screaming at the top of my lungs
725
00:46:47,095 --> 00:46:48,472
that it was just one person,
726
00:46:48,597 --> 00:46:51,391
and that this person does not reflect us all.
727
00:46:51,517 --> 00:46:53,185
SCANDAL IN FUNERAL HOME
DISTURB VERMONT
728
00:46:53,310 --> 00:46:54,853
The sad reality is that,
729
00:46:54,978 --> 00:46:56,438
SCANDAL AT GEORGIA CREMATORIUM
730
00:46:56,563 --> 00:46:59,358
across the US, we still see scandals
involving cremation.
731
00:46:59,483 --> 00:47:01,068
EXHUMATION IS THE FINAL INSULT
IN SCANDAL
732
00:47:01,193 --> 00:47:04,488
E.C. FAMILY SAYS THEY HAVE RECEIVED
FAKE MORTAL REMAINS
733
00:47:04,613 --> 00:47:07,032
DESPERATE FAMILY
TO LOCATE MOTHER'S ASHES
734
00:47:07,157 --> 00:47:08,867
David Sconce
735
00:47:09,618 --> 00:47:12,538
devastated our industry with what he did.
736
00:47:15,290 --> 00:47:16,625
And...
737
00:47:18,001 --> 00:47:20,003
... families still don't trust.
738
00:47:24,341 --> 00:47:29,263
This is the legacy of Lamb Funeral Home
in my family.
739
00:47:30,848 --> 00:47:35,686
When my mother died,
my husband went to see her.
740
00:47:35,811 --> 00:47:40,774
They lifted the coffin, he saw it was her
and watched it put in the oven.
741
00:47:43,318 --> 00:47:46,029
Imagine seeing that.
742
00:47:46,154 --> 00:47:50,784
Why was he so traumatized?
with what had happened.
743
00:47:54,162 --> 00:47:56,206
And I felt very guilty.
744
00:47:56,957 --> 00:47:58,542
I should have protected him.
745
00:47:58,667 --> 00:48:01,587
I was the eldest daughter.
I took care of him.
746
00:48:03,338 --> 00:48:05,215
And it wasn't just my father.
747
00:48:05,340 --> 00:48:07,467
There were over 20,000 people
involved in that,
748
00:48:07,593 --> 00:48:10,178
and their families,
their children and grandchildren.
749
00:48:12,180 --> 00:48:13,640
And your loss.
750
00:48:15,100 --> 00:48:20,647
And your feelings of pain,
of not having peace.
751
00:48:49,259 --> 00:48:51,720
I was guilty of many things.
752
00:48:53,096 --> 00:48:56,600
But when does antipathy end?
753
00:48:57,976 --> 00:49:01,521
When is enough?
How long do I have to be punished?
754
00:49:04,149 --> 00:49:06,151
I went to prison.
755
00:49:06,276 --> 00:49:09,529
Everything bad happened to me.
I lost practically everything.
756
00:49:09,655 --> 00:49:13,533
After that, what else are they looking for?
757
00:49:13,659 --> 00:49:15,369
Leave me alone.
758
00:49:17,746 --> 00:49:20,916
I can't change what happened.
759
00:49:22,626 --> 00:49:23,835
So I move on.
760
00:49:24,670 --> 00:49:28,590
Regardless,
the sun rises tomorrow. And that's it.
761
00:49:33,220 --> 00:49:36,682
There's something I didn't ask him
and what do you mean?
762
00:49:37,182 --> 00:49:38,183
Perhaps.
763
00:49:42,521 --> 00:49:44,523
David is the kind of person
764
00:49:44,648 --> 00:49:48,694
who thinks he's smarter
than everyone else.
765
00:49:49,987 --> 00:49:51,071
When we arrived at the prison,
766
00:49:51,196 --> 00:49:53,824
They teach us not to talk to anyone
about our case,
767
00:49:53,949 --> 00:49:55,867
not to admit anything.
768
00:49:56,910 --> 00:50:02,249
But David always felt the need
to boast about their achievements.
769
00:50:03,417 --> 00:50:07,671
And he never learned to shut the fuck up.
770
00:50:11,299 --> 00:50:12,718
Well...
771
00:50:12,843 --> 00:50:15,137
There was one night...
772
00:50:16,221 --> 00:50:19,391
... I had to go to the cemetery with Barbara.
773
00:50:19,516 --> 00:50:20,559
OPEN GATES
8-5
774
00:50:21,643 --> 00:50:25,355
I went out and opened the gate.
775
00:50:26,732 --> 00:50:28,442
And a boy jumped out of the bushes
776
00:50:28,567 --> 00:50:31,069
and puts a metal object on my head.
777
00:50:31,653 --> 00:50:34,656
He says, "Give me your wallet and watch."
778
00:50:34,781 --> 00:50:37,743
Barbara was in place
of the passenger to be assisted.
779
00:50:38,535 --> 00:50:40,871
And I said:
"Listen, man, I only have 60 dollars."
780
00:50:40,996 --> 00:50:43,582
And I gave him my tacky Casio watch.
781
00:50:43,707 --> 00:50:45,292
Barbara, God bless you,
782
00:50:45,417 --> 00:50:48,211
approaches my door,
783
00:50:48,336 --> 00:50:50,839
'cause I always have my 9mm there,
784
00:50:50,964 --> 00:50:53,925
because she was going to shoot the guy.
785
00:50:54,551 --> 00:50:55,635
But the gun wasn't there
786
00:50:55,761 --> 00:50:59,264
because I had problems at the shooting range
with Luger cartridges, casings,
787
00:50:59,389 --> 00:51:00,432
because they are too big.
788
00:51:00,557 --> 00:51:02,601
That's why I sent
adjust the barrel.
789
00:51:02,726 --> 00:51:05,270
I learned all this when I was
with the stupid sheriffs.
790
00:51:05,395 --> 00:51:07,439
Sorry, but we have to recharge.
791
00:51:07,564 --> 00:51:08,690
Let's recharge.
792
00:51:08,815 --> 00:51:10,317
Wait a second.
793
00:51:10,442 --> 00:51:11,485
It's a great story.
794
00:51:11,610 --> 00:51:14,654
And it's true. I thought I was going to die.
I really thought.
795
00:51:15,947 --> 00:51:19,451
I can tell you more about this,
but not for the camera.
796
00:51:20,368 --> 00:51:21,703
I can't tell.
797
00:51:23,455 --> 00:51:26,166
I can only say the following,
Do you think I found this guy?
798
00:51:33,882 --> 00:51:35,884
It's one of the things I can't talk about.
799
00:51:36,968 --> 00:51:40,722
I also tell you something else,
But they can't talk about it either.
800
00:51:41,723 --> 00:51:43,725
In the rural area, there were three in total.
801
00:51:48,438 --> 00:51:50,524
How many do you think David
were you involved?
802
00:51:51,858 --> 00:51:53,193
- What, homicides?
- Yes.
803
00:51:54,444 --> 00:51:56,363
I estimate there were three.
804
00:51:58,740 --> 00:52:00,659
You have to promise not to report me.
805
00:52:01,368 --> 00:52:03,161
So I don't want to know.
806
00:52:03,620 --> 00:52:04,830
Yes.
807
00:52:04,955 --> 00:52:05,956
What, the promise?
808
00:52:06,081 --> 00:52:09,417
- No. It's just that, if there's something that...
- Yeah.
809
00:52:09,543 --> 00:52:12,420
So I'm not interested
to have this information.
810
00:52:12,546 --> 00:52:13,547
- He is well.
- Yes.
811
00:52:13,672 --> 00:52:16,883
No, that will never come back.
Will never return.
812
00:52:20,595 --> 00:52:22,097
You can't go back.
813
00:53:37,547 --> 00:53:39,549
Translation:
Pedro Ribeiro