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Houston, but not necessarily a lot of murders of cab drivers.

Lot of murders of cab drivers. >> this man had been shot to

>> this man had been shot to death. It was a very disturbing

death. It was a very disturbing scene.

Scene. >> there was smoldering smoke,

>> there was smoldering smoke, the distinct smell of burning

the distinct smell of burning human flesh.

Human flesh. >> two cab drivers murdered

>> two cab drivers murdered within 48 hours of each other.

Within 48 hours of each other. >> both individuals had come

>> both individuals had come here trying to live the

here trying to live the american dream. You need to be

american dream. You need to be careful. You don't know who

careful. You don't know who you've got in your cab.

You've got in your cab. >> his last words on this earth

>> his last words on this earth is, "please. I have children.

Is, "please. I have children. Don't do this."

don't do this." >> I think the ultimate motive

>> I think the ultimate motive was money, was thrill.

Was money, was thrill. >> five unique perspectives.

>> five unique perspectives. Five points of view. One

five points of view. One murder.

Murder. >> I'm a homicide veteran.

>> I'm a homicide veteran. >> I've been a reporter here in

>> I've been a reporter here in the houston area.

The houston area. >> I was one of the

>> I was one of the investigators assigned.

Investigators assigned. >> my name is chaz blackshear.

>> my name is chaz blackshear. >> I was the lead prosecutor.

>> I was the lead prosecutor. >> my name is brian harris. I'm

>> my name is brian harris. I'm a 21-year retired homicide

a 21-year retired homicide veteran for the houston police

veteran for the houston police department. On October 14, 2010,

department. On October 14, 2010, when I arrived at work at the

when I arrived at work at the homicide headquarters downtown

homicide headquarters downtown houston, I ran into two

houston, I ran into two detectives. I knew they'd been

detectives. I knew they'd been working nonstop on a taxicab

working nonstop on a taxicab killing, a yellow cab murder

killing, a yellow cab murder where the driver of that cab

where the driver of that cab had been murdered and his body

had been murdered and his body was dumped on the north side of

was dumped on the north side of the city of houston. I quipped,

the city of houston. I quipped, "glad it's you, not us. "

"glad it's you, not us. " little did I know that within

little did I know that within the hour, my partner and I

the hour, my partner and I would be assigned the murder of

would be assigned the murder of the second cab driver within 48

the second cab driver within 48 hours. Right away, my partner

hours. Right away, my partner and I are talking while we're

and I are talking while we're driving out to the west side of

driving out to the west side of houston that, could this be

houston that, could this be connected? We didn't know at

connected? We didn't know at the time, but, you know, our

the time, but, you know, our spidey senses certainly were

spidey senses certainly were tangling. We had a houston

tangling. We had a houston officer, and he was simply

officer, and he was simply making rounds, driving through

making rounds, driving through the various different parking

the various different parking lots in his beat and saw a

lots in his beat and saw a yellow cab. Quickly, he figured,

yellow cab. Quickly, he figured, that's certainly out of place.

That's certainly out of place. Why would a yellow cab be in

why would a yellow cab be in the middle of a parking lot at

the middle of a parking lot at 3:00 in the morning? As he got

3:00 in the morning? As he got closer and he could see, the

closer and he could see, the cab was smoldering, there was

cab was smoldering, there was smoke coming from the cab.

Smoke coming from the cab. There was also that distinct

there was also that distinct smell, the distinct smell of

smell, the distinct smell of burning human flesh. By the

burning human flesh. By the time I get there with my

time I get there with my partner, there's dozens and

partner, there's dozens and dozens of people along the

dozens of people along the perimeter of the crime scene.

Perimeter of the crime scene. We don't know who are witnesses,

we don't know who are witnesses, who are just casual onlookers.

Who are just casual onlookers. In a chaotic scene, you've got

in a chaotic scene, you've got to start breaking that scene

to start breaking that scene down into larger parts, smaller

down into larger parts, smaller parts. No matter how crazy it

parts. No matter how crazy it looks, you can make a lot of

looks, you can make a lot of sense out of that. The dead

sense out of that. The dead themselves, in a way, speak to

themselves, in a way, speak to us. Not literally, but the

us. Not literally, but the position of their body, the way

position of their body, the way their body is inside or laid

their body is inside or laid out or presented in any

out or presented in any different homicide scene can

different homicide scene can tell us a lot. This case was no

tell us a lot. This case was no different. It looked as though

different. It looked as though there was a struggle. The

there was a struggle. The person was trying to escape. It

person was trying to escape. It looked as though they almost

looked as though they almost did escape out that door and

did escape out that door and they were shot and dragged back

they were shot and dragged back into that vehicle. And then to

into that vehicle. And then to add insult to injury, the car

add insult to injury, the car is set on fire. But we weren't

is set on fire. But we weren't dealing with exact rocket

dealing with exact rocket scientists here because they

scientists here because they didn't understand that fire

didn't understand that fire needs oxygen to breathe. So

needs oxygen to breathe. So when they set this car on fire,

when they set this car on fire, other than the initial

other than the initial explosion or burst of flame,

explosion or burst of flame, the fire quickly dies because

the fire quickly dies because there's no oxygen to feed on.

There's no oxygen to feed on. They were sloppy. They left

they were sloppy. They left evidence behind. They left the

evidence behind. They left the shell casing. One on the

shell casing. One on the outside of the car. One on the

outside of the car. One on the inside of the car. This is all

inside of the car. This is all great stuff that we can work

great stuff that we can work with. So, how did he die? Was

with. So, how did he die? Was it the fire or was it the

it the fire or was it the gunshot? And there's an easy

gunshot? And there's an easy way to tell. See, when an

way to tell. See, when an autopsy is done, if there's

autopsy is done, if there's soot on the inside of the lungs,

soot on the inside of the lungs, if they're soot on those lungs,

if they're soot on those lungs, that means they were alive when

that means they were alive when the fire was started. I'm just

the fire was started. I'm just very thankful, as gruesome as

very thankful, as gruesome as this scene was, was that it was

this scene was, was that it was clear after the autopsy that he

clear after the autopsy that he died of the gunshots, not of

died of the gunshots, not of the fire, because there was not

the fire, because there was not any soot in the lungs. Now

any soot in the lungs. Now we're able to attach a name.

We're able to attach a name. This is somebody that had a

this is somebody that had a family. This is somebody who

family. This is somebody who had people who loved him,

had people who loved him, somebody that he was trying to

somebody that he was trying to provide for working a second

provide for working a second job, bringing in extra income

job, bringing in extra income so he can just make it. Blaise

so he can just make it. Blaise was no different than myself.

Was no different than myself. We all have three things in

we all have three things in common -- we all want to be

common -- we all want to be loved, we all want to be

loved, we all want to be respected, and we all want the

respected, and we all want the ability to provide for the ones

ability to provide for the ones that love and respect us. They

that love and respect us. They wanted that american dream, and

wanted that american dream, and that's exactly who he was. He

that's exactly who he was. He was trying to provide for his

was trying to provide for his family. On this particular

family. On this particular scene, the cab is in the

scene, the cab is in the parking lot. Looking up at the

parking lot. Looking up at the office complex, it is clear

office complex, it is clear that there are video cameras.

That there are video cameras. So one of the first things that

so one of the first things that we do is look at these videos.

We do is look at these videos. Partner and I, we walk in and

partner and I, we walk in and we go to the security office.

We go to the security office. We don't know what we're

we don't know what we're getting ready to see. And as

getting ready to see. And as that videotape starts, we see

that videotape starts, we see the yellow cab pull up and we

the yellow cab pull up and we see clearly a black female with

see clearly a black female with this wild afro, crazy kind of

this wild afro, crazy kind of hair. And she gets out and she

hair. And she gets out and she starts to run to the front of

starts to run to the front of the cab area. She keeps going,

the cab area. She keeps going, has a lookout. Is anyone around?

Has a lookout. Is anyone around? And there's one particular

and there's one particular moment, she stops and is caught

moment, she stops and is caught in mid-stride, staring directly

in mid-stride, staring directly into the camera. It was the

into the camera. It was the perfect shot. We just knew then

perfect shot. We just knew then we had to freeze that frame and

we had to freeze that frame and that would be the picture that

that would be the picture that we would use. But the video

we would use. But the video keeps going. She comes back to

keeps going. She comes back to the cab and then there's a

the cab and then there's a flash. There's a flash inside

flash. There's a flash inside the cab. You see that same

the cab. You see that same black female. She runs across

black female. She runs across the parking lot, and then a

the parking lot, and then a lanky, thin male, baggy t-shirt,

lanky, thin male, baggy t-shirt, pants on, runs past the camera,

pants on, runs past the camera, as well. Where are they running?

As well. Where are they running? You had absolute fear and

you had absolute fear and terror running through the

terror running through the transportation industry. One

transportation industry. One incident, two incidences. It

incident, two incidences. It will be a third. Will there be

will be a third. Will there be a fourth? We needed to get this

a fourth? We needed to get this stopped. Throw in the fact that

stopped. Throw in the fact that now there's a male there, is

now there's a male there, is this their version of trying to

this their version of trying to be bonnie and clyde?

Be bonnie and clyde? >> hi, I'm sara davenport, and

>> hi, I'm sara davenport, and I've been a reporter here in

I've been a reporter here in the houston area for over a

the houston area for over a decade. When the news broke

decade. When the news broke that there had been a murder,

that there had been a murder, it wasn't that uncommon. It's a

it wasn't that uncommon. It's a big city, 6 million people. But

big city, 6 million people. But what was uncommon was a small

what was uncommon was a small twist. Two cabdrivers murdered

twist. Two cabdrivers murdered within 48 hours of each other.

Within 48 hours of each other. October 12th, early morning in

October 12th, early morning in 2010, a utility worker was out,

2010, a utility worker was out, and he spotted something

and he spotted something strange in a drainage ditch.

Strange in a drainage ditch. When he went to look, it was a

when he went to look, it was a very gruesome discovery. It was

very gruesome discovery. It was a body. You can imagine how

a body. You can imagine how terrifying that is. I mean,

terrifying that is. I mean, normally, early morning hours,

normally, early morning hours, it's pretty quiet. And here

it's pretty quiet. And here this body is covered in dirt,

this body is covered in dirt, shot up, possibly stabbed. You

shot up, possibly stabbed. You could tell it was a very

could tell it was a very disturbing scene by the way

disturbing scene by the way when the utility worker called

when the utility worker called 9-1-1, he was terrified. When

9-1-1, he was terrified. When the police first arrived on the

the police first arrived on the scene, they're trying to

scene, they're trying to identify who this is. And they

identify who this is. And they didn't find anything on his

didn't find anything on his body. I mean, it looked like

body. I mean, it looked like he'd been robbed. There's was

he'd been robbed. There's was nothing in his pockets. But

nothing in his pockets. But when they started searching

when they started searching just a little bit away, they

just a little bit away, they were able to find his passport

were able to find his passport and also his cellphone. That

and also his cellphone. That was a pretty significant break

was a pretty significant break for two reasons. One is it

for two reasons. One is it looks like the body was dumped.

Looks like the body was dumped. The murder probably didn't

the murder probably didn't happen there since the

happen there since the cellphone and passport were in

cellphone and passport were in a different area, but it was a

a different area, but it was a huge break because now they

huge break because now they knew who this body was, through

knew who this body was, through the passport and now they had

the passport and now they had his cellphone and could figure

his cellphone and could figure out more about him. They were

out more about him. They were able to identify the victim as

able to identify the victim as 32-year-old mohammad el sayed.

32-year-old mohammad el sayed. Mohammad had been in the

mohammad had been in the houston area for a few years.

Houston area for a few years. He was a family man, had

he was a family man, had several children. He was a cab

several children. He was a cab driver, and he had been working

driver, and he had been working to pick up some extra shifts to

to pick up some extra shifts to make some more money to help

make some more money to help out at home. He was working

out at home. He was working really hard to make ends meet

really hard to make ends meet for his family. They were new

for his family. They were new immigrants to the houston area,

immigrants to the houston area, to the united states. And so

to the united states. And so being a cab driver was a good,

being a cab driver was a good, honest job for him to do. Being

honest job for him to do. Being a cab driver might be somewhat

a cab driver might be somewhat of an easy job from the outside,

of an easy job from the outside, but it's a risky job. You never

but it's a risky job. You never know who you're picking up,

know who you're picking up, what the next fare is going to

what the next fare is going to be. When police went to the cab

be. When police went to the cab company, they ran the number

company, they ran the number from where the last call had

from where the last call had come in from mohammad el

come in from mohammad el sayed's cab. It had come in

sayed's cab. It had come in from a gas station, a chevron,

from a gas station, a chevron, around 2:00 in the morning.

Around 2:00 in the morning. >> thank you for calling yellow

>> thank you for calling yellow cab. This is cheryl. How may I

cab. This is cheryl. How may I help you?

Help you? >> yes, I need a cab over here

>> yes, I need a cab over here on 1900 dairy ashford at the

on 1900 dairy ashford at the chevron. A cab just drove by.

Chevron. A cab just drove by. >> 1900 south dairy ashford?

>> 1900 south dairy ashford? >> yeah.

>> yeah. >> and that's the chevron

>> and that's the chevron service station, sir?

Service station, sir? >> yeah. The chevron service

>> yeah. The chevron service station. One just passed by. I

station. One just passed by. I don't know if he works for

don't know if he works for y'all.

Y'all. >> okay, we'll get someone out

>> okay, we'll get someone out there for you, sir.

There for you, sir. >> alright, thank you so much.

>> alright, thank you so much. >> when police got to the

>> when police got to the chevron station, they thought

chevron station, they thought maybe this could be their first

maybe this could be their first lead, but it really wasn't

lead, but it really wasn't because the security cameras,

because the security cameras, they weren't working that night

they weren't working that night and the phone had been totally

and the phone had been totally wiped clean of fingerprints.

Wiped clean of fingerprints. The suspects were really lucky

the suspects were really lucky on this one because the police

on this one because the police were hot on their tail until

were hot on their tail until they weren't. Suddenly, it went

they weren't. Suddenly, it went cold. There were no

cold. There were no fingerprints. There's no

fingerprints. There's no security cameras. The police

security cameras. The police didn't have any sign of the cab

didn't have any sign of the cab near where mohammad el sayed's

near where mohammad el sayed's body was found, so they went

body was found, so they went back to the chevron and started

back to the chevron and started looking in that vicinity. And

looking in that vicinity. And it was paydirt. The cab was

it was paydirt. The cab was found about three or four

found about three or four blocks away from where the call

blocks away from where the call was originally made, right

was originally made, right behind a strip mall. It had

behind a strip mall. It had been wiped clean. There were no

been wiped clean. There were no fingerprints, but they did find

fingerprints, but they did find some small traces of blood. And

some small traces of blood. And then they did find two .380

then they did find two .380 caliber bullet shells. Where

caliber bullet shells. Where those bullet casings were found

those bullet casings were found suggests that the driver,

suggests that the driver, mohammad el sayed, had been

mohammad el sayed, had been sitting in his cab when he was

sitting in his cab when he was shot. Police had the cab and

shot. Police had the cab and they had the victim, but they

they had the victim, but they really didn't have any leads.

Really didn't have any leads. The call was made about 35 to

the call was made about 35 to 40 minutes away from where the

40 minutes away from where the body was found. So what does

body was found. So what does that mean for these suspects?

That mean for these suspects? If they're willing to drive

if they're willing to drive that far to dump the body,

that far to dump the body, where are they now? They could

where are they now? They could be in dallas. They could be out

be in dallas. They could be out of the state of texas. People

of the state of texas. People started wondering, is there a

started wondering, is there a serial killer on the loose?

Serial killer on the loose? What's going to happen the next

what's going to happen the next day after that? The tension in

day after that? The tension in the city with these reports

the city with these reports coming out, it was very real.

Coming out, it was very real. Mohammad and blaise were both

mohammad and blaise were both muslim cab drivers. Did that

muslim cab drivers. Did that have anything to do with these

have anything to do with these murderers?

Murderers?

>> my name is roger chappell, and I was an investigator with

and I was an investigator with the houston police department

the houston police department assigned to work this case. Cab

assigned to work this case. Cab drivers are hardworking people.

Drivers are hardworking people. It is not your

it is not your gangster-on-gangster or your

gangster-on-gangster or your dope dealer-on-dope dealer kind

dope dealer-on-dope dealer kind of stuff. These are innocent

of stuff. These are innocent people doing hard work.

People doing hard work. Something like this, where we

something like this, where we have at least two cab drivers

have at least two cab drivers that were killed in such a

that were killed in such a short period of time, so at

short period of time, so at that point, the urgency really

that point, the urgency really did kick in. This was

did kick in. This was definitely going to happen

definitely going to happen again. To me, it's not a matter

again. To me, it's not a matter of if, it's when. I made a

of if, it's when. I made a phone call to yellow cab and

phone call to yellow cab and was able to obtain the

was able to obtain the recording for the second case.

Recording for the second case. The deceased had picked up a

the deceased had picked up a fare somewhere on the west side

fare somewhere on the west side of town, and it was a female

of town, and it was a female that had made that phone call.

That had made that phone call. A name that I heard, as I

a name that I heard, as I remember, was shauntay, because

remember, was shauntay, because it was a little difficult to

it was a little difficult to understand on that recording.

Understand on that recording. >> yellow cab. Can I help you?

>> yellow cab. Can I help you? >> hello, um, can I have a cab

>> hello, um, can I have a cab to, um, 1905, um, dairy ashford?

To, um, 1905, um, dairy ashford? It's gonna be by a cricket

it's gonna be by a cricket store.

Store. >> kroger store?

>> kroger store? >> cricket.

>> cricket. >> alright, can I get a name?

>> alright, can I get a name? >> um, shauntay.

>> um, shauntay. >> my immediate thought was

>> my immediate thought was that's a fake name. I don't

that's a fake name. I don't know if it's just a version of

know if it's just a version of her name or if she just made it

her name or if she just made it up, but that's one of the

up, but that's one of the things, too, that we

things, too, that we disseminate to the other

disseminate to the other investigators. In most murder

investigators. In most murder cases that I have investigated,

cases that I have investigated, this is the first one where we

this is the first one where we actually had the murderer

actually had the murderer captured on video. It truly

captured on video. It truly does open up the book for us.

Does open up the book for us. As these folks were leaving and

as these folks were leaving and running away, what direction

running away, what direction where they headed? So that's

where they headed? So that's where we're going to start our

where we're going to start our canvas. We decided to go ahead

canvas. We decided to go ahead and concentrate on the

and concentrate on the apartment complexes as first.

Apartment complexes as first. When the officers were out

when the officers were out there, this manager is like,

there, this manager is like, "you know what? I could be

"you know what? I could be wrong, but this is a

wrong, but this is a coincidence, to me, that I just

coincidence, to me, that I just can't seem to get over. I had

can't seem to get over. I had this tenant who was behind in

this tenant who was behind in her rent. She was due to be

her rent. She was due to be evicted. Then all of a sudden,

evicted. Then all of a sudden, she comes in this morning and

she comes in this morning and pays off everything." the

pays off everything." the public already knew that we had

public already knew that we had two cab drivers. The media had

two cab drivers. The media had already reported that. For this

already reported that. For this manager, based on what glimpse

manager, based on what glimpse he got from the surveillance

he got from the surveillance video photograph, was able to

video photograph, was able to draw those parallels very

draw those parallels very quickly. They gave her name as

quickly. They gave her name as crystal jones, and the physical

crystal jones, and the physical description seemed to match.

Description seemed to match. What we want to do is to get

what we want to do is to get her before she gets inside her

her before she gets inside her apartment. And there's a reason

apartment. And there's a reason for that. It creates too much

for that. It creates too much hazard for the officers and for

hazard for the officers and for other citizens. Crystal shows

other citizens. Crystal shows up, and once everything

up, and once everything everything got explained to her

everything got explained to her about how we wound up there,

about how we wound up there, she agreed, "yeah. You know

she agreed, "yeah. You know what? Let me run down, explain

what? Let me run down, explain all this to you. I don't have a

all this to you. I don't have a problem doing that." just that

problem doing that." just that cooperation right from the

cooperation right from the beginning sent a very clear

beginning sent a very clear message to us. So when she

message to us. So when she comes into homicide, sergeant

comes into homicide, sergeant harris talked to her. He felt

harris talked to her. He felt very quickly that she wasn't

very quickly that she wasn't involved in this. Brian was

involved in this. Brian was like, "her voice is just too

like, "her voice is just too raspy. It just doesn't quite

raspy. It just doesn't quite match up." when brian asked her

match up." when brian asked her about, you know, how she came

about, you know, how she came into all of this money and was

into all of this money and was able to pay off all of her debt

able to pay off all of her debt all of a sudden, she said, "oh,

all of a sudden, she said, "oh, well, I sold my car." and he

well, I sold my car." and he said, "what do you mean? " and

said, "what do you mean? " and she was able to produce the

she was able to produce the documentation, the bill of sale

documentation, the bill of sale and everything. We can tell

and everything. We can tell when someone's lying to us most

when someone's lying to us most of the time, very quickly. We

of the time, very quickly. We can also tell when they're

can also tell when they're being very truthful. Brian just

being very truthful. Brian just felt right away, this isn't our

felt right away, this isn't our girl, period. Once crystal

girl, period. Once crystal jones is eliminated as a

jones is eliminated as a suspect, it's very late at

suspect, it's very late at night. Everybody's worn out.

Night. Everybody's worn out. There's really not much more we

there's really not much more we can do at the moment. All of

can do at the moment. All of our physical evidence is tied

our physical evidence is tied up at the crime labs. We come

up at the crime labs. We come back in the next morning, and

back in the next morning, and we get a phone call from our

we get a phone call from our firearms lab. Typically, from a

firearms lab. Typically, from a firearms report, we may get

firearms report, we may get between eight to fifteen

between eight to fifteen firearms that these shell

firearms that these shell casings could have come from.

Casings could have come from. But kim downs came downstairs,

but kim downs came downstairs, and for the first time since

and for the first time since I've known her, she's ecstatic.

I've known her, she's ecstatic. There is, I don't know, four or

there is, I don't know, four or five of us standing around. She

five of us standing around. She says, "you're looking for a

says, "you're looking for a cobra 380. She even shows us a

cobra 380. She even shows us a picture of it. She says, "I'm

picture of it. She says, "I'm not saying it's this number of

not saying it's this number of firearms. This is the gun

firearms. This is the gun you're looking for. That was a

you're looking for. That was a game-changer. Our crime analyst

game-changer. Our crime analyst starts doing the research on

starts doing the research on stolen firearms. Well, there

stolen firearms. Well, there were two reports that were

were two reports that were located, and one of them

located, and one of them mentions two suspects by name.

Mentions two suspects by name. Turns out, this gentleman had

turns out, this gentleman had allowed these two folks to stay

allowed these two folks to stay with him, and they stole a

with him, and they stole a pistol from him. He names them

pistol from him. He names them as chaz blackshear and danielle

as chaz blackshear and danielle hudson. Immediately, we started

hudson. Immediately, we started doing the research on those two

doing the research on those two folks, and we noticed that he

folks, and we noticed that he has an arrest, a prior arrest.

Has an arrest, a prior arrest. So every arrested that occurs

so every arrested that occurs in houston, the arrestee is

in houston, the arrestee is assigned an hpd number. And lo

assigned an hpd number. And lo and behold, if we don't find

and behold, if we don't find pictures of them. They resemble

pictures of them. They resemble what we see in the video,

what we see in the video, especially with danielle. Phil

especially with danielle. Phil calls somebody in our

calls somebody in our fingerprint lab, and the

fingerprint lab, and the information he was trying to

information he was trying to tell the fingerprint person is,

tell the fingerprint person is, "hey, I've got an hpd number I

"hey, I've got an hpd number I need you to compare this to."

need you to compare this to." he didn't even mention the

he didn't even mention the name. He said, "don't tell me

name. He said, "don't tell me it's chaz blackshear." phil,

it's chaz blackshear." phil, literally, I think he came

literally, I think he came close to dropping the phone.

Close to dropping the phone. All of that took place

all of that took place literally in a matter of ten

literally in a matter of ten minutes, fifteen minutes. Just

minutes, fifteen minutes. Just boom, boom, boom, boom. The

boom, boom, boom, boom. The gentleman that listed his

gentleman that listed his pistol, he was friends with

pistol, he was friends with chaz. He had his cellphone

chaz. He had his cellphone number and he listed it on the

number and he listed it on the police report. Now we have

police report. Now we have enough evidence against chaz to

enough evidence against chaz to be able to get a warrant for

be able to get a warrant for his arrest. Once the marshals

his arrest. Once the marshals were able to get the court

were able to get the court order and activate the phone

order and activate the phone search, it literally took us

search, it literally took us right back to the same

right back to the same apartment complex that we had

apartment complex that we had been to before.

Been to before.

>> my name is chaz blackshear. I'm from dallas, texas. As a

I'm from dallas, texas. As a child, I went through a lot of

child, I went through a lot of emotional roller coasters. My

emotional roller coasters. My mother being in jail. That's my

mother being in jail. That's my first memory. I used to get

first memory. I used to get letters, drawings from her. I

letters, drawings from her. I know my real father, but I only

know my real father, but I only stayed with him for a short

stayed with him for a short amount of time. It was in

amount of time. It was in arizona. I left him up there

arizona. I left him up there because, you know, he used to

because, you know, he used to put his hands on me, busted my

put his hands on me, busted my nose and all that. Not too long,

nose and all that. Not too long, got to live with my mom, got

got to live with my mom, got out of jail. Within probably a

out of jail. Within probably a couple of months, maybe, she

couple of months, maybe, she had met this dude named john.

Had met this dude named john. He was different, man. He

he was different, man. He actually showed up, made me do

actually showed up, made me do my homework, made me, you know

my homework, made me, you know what I'm saying, do things that

what I'm saying, do things that counted in life, and he was

counted in life, and he was that father that I wanted. He

that father that I wanted. He had a motorcycle. You know what

had a motorcycle. You know what I'm saying? He loved to ride

I'm saying? He loved to ride the bikes. And I'd hop on the

the bikes. And I'd hop on the bike with him. He rode off, and

bike with him. He rode off, and he never came back. I remember

he never came back. I remember the police came, the police

the police came, the police came knocking at our door

came knocking at our door probably around 10:00, 11:00 at

probably around 10:00, 11:00 at night. So I watched her open

night. So I watched her open the door, see what's going on,

the door, see what's going on, till they put their hands on my

till they put their hands on my mama. And I just heard her

mama. And I just heard her busting out crying. And he had

busting out crying. And he had had a wreck on the bike, and

had a wreck on the bike, and the wreck killed him. He flew

the wreck killed him. He flew off the highway or something. I

off the highway or something. I don't know. In a way, I feel

don't know. In a way, I feel like everything was snatched

like everything was snatched from me, the little family that

from me, the little family that I had. After he died, my mama

I had. After he died, my mama went back on the drugs. I seen

went back on the drugs. I seen my mother o.D. One night. She

my mother o.D. One night. She was foaming at the mouth,

was foaming at the mouth, couldn't stop shaking, and I

couldn't stop shaking, and I was scared. I ended up moving

was scared. I ended up moving in with some cousins. So I

in with some cousins. So I ended up staying there with my

ended up staying there with my adoptive father and my adoptive

adoptive father and my adoptive mother. They wouldn't let me do

mother. They wouldn't let me do certain things that I was used

certain things that I was used to being allowed to do, and

to being allowed to do, and that was one of the reasons

that was one of the reasons that I really rebelled a lot as

that I really rebelled a lot as a child because I couldn't get

a child because I couldn't get my way. Lot of times, I was

my way. Lot of times, I was craving, like -- man, I was

craving, like -- man, I was caught up in suicide at an

caught up in suicide at an early age. Music was my passion,

early age. Music was my passion, my goal, and my dream back then,

my goal, and my dream back then, you know. That put all my

you know. That put all my emotions, everything I been

emotions, everything I been through in life, I put it in my

through in life, I put it in my music. And that's -- that's one

music. And that's -- that's one of the things that I know that

of the things that I know that I'm blessed at and I'm gifted

I'm blessed at and I'm gifted at and a thing I can breathe in,

at and a thing I can breathe in, you know? I could -- I could do

you know? I could -- I could do it for the rest of my life as a

it for the rest of my life as a career and be happy doing it.

Career and be happy doing it. Not just doing it for the

not just doing it for the popularity or the money. Nobody

popularity or the money. Nobody supported me through what I

supported me through what I wanted. It was always what

wanted. It was always what somebody else wanted, what they

somebody else wanted, what they think is right, what they

think is right, what they believed in. They told me, "go

believed in. They told me, "go to college, go to the military,

to college, go to the military, get you a job. You got to do

get you a job. You got to do something." and none of it

something." and none of it involved music. So basically, I

involved music. So basically, I ended up joining the military

ended up joining the military just so I can get out the house,

just so I can get out the house, so I can get away, just get

so I can get away, just get away. If things wasn't gonna

away. If things wasn't gonna get better, I was gonna force

get better, I was gonna force them to get better. Danielle,

them to get better. Danielle, she was one of the first people

she was one of the first people who believed in me. She really

who believed in me. She really showed me something that I

showed me something that I never really seen out of a

never really seen out of a woman. She wanted the same

woman. She wanted the same thing I wanted. She was raised

thing I wanted. She was raised by her granny and everything,

by her granny and everything, too, so we kind of had similar

too, so we kind of had similar backgrounds. We just kind of

backgrounds. We just kind of built that trust, you know,

built that trust, you know, 'cause we both been through

'cause we both been through something. And then after a

something. And then after a while, you know what I'm saying,

while, you know what I'm saying, she started staying there with

she started staying there with me, and I guess that's when

me, and I guess that's when everything kicked off. She just

everything kicked off. She just so happened to have a child,

so happened to have a child, and I knew that his father

and I knew that his father wasn't really in his life. I

wasn't really in his life. I could see her son really looked

could see her son really looked up to me, always wanted to be

up to me, always wanted to be around me. That made me hold on

around me. That made me hold on to her tighter, you know,'cause

to her tighter, you know,'cause that's how I felt, that he

that's how I felt, that he needed a father. You know, I

needed a father. You know, I didn't want them to feel the

didn't want them to feel the same way that I felt back when

same way that I felt back when I lost john. And I was willing

I lost john. And I was willing to do anything to make sure

to do anything to make sure that don't happen. I really had

that don't happen. I really had tried to stop hustling and, you

tried to stop hustling and, you know, and actually go out and

know, and actually go out and get a real job'cause I don't

get a real job'cause I don't want nothing to take me away

want nothing to take me away from my family. And it was hard

from my family. And it was hard to get a job. You know, I

to get a job. You know, I couldn't get one, I couldn't

couldn't get one, I couldn't find one'cause I was

find one'cause I was dishonorably discharged from

dishonorably discharged from the military. We end up getting

the military. We end up getting kicked out of the apartment,

kicked out of the apartment, and they had put the eviction

and they had put the eviction notice on the door. The next

notice on the door. The next day, we had to go. I had to

day, we had to go. I had to take care of them. I figured it

take care of them. I figured it was my responsibility. I felt

was my responsibility. I felt if I didn't do nothing, I

if I didn't do nothing, I wasn't a man. The first thing

wasn't a man. The first thing that came to mind was quick

that came to mind was quick money, and I was desperate for

money, and I was desperate for it. I'm pretty sure anybody,

it. I'm pretty sure anybody, for their family, would do

for their family, would do anything they have to to make

anything they have to to make sure their family was okay. I'm

sure their family was okay. I'm not gonna lie. I probably

not gonna lie. I probably wasn't mature enough to see I

wasn't mature enough to see I could have found a better way.

Could have found a better way. >> I had never forgot. I was

>> I had never forgot. I was laying on the floor. She was

laying on the floor. She was sitting up. And I was asleep. I

sitting up. And I was asleep. I was sleeping so hard, I didn't

was sleeping so hard, I didn't even hear them kick the door

even hear them kick the door in. I didn't even hear it. I

in. I didn't even hear it. I don't know if it was from the

don't know if it was from the stress or being depressed. I

stress or being depressed. I don't know what it was. I was

don't know what it was. I was actually in a dead sleep. She

actually in a dead sleep. She shook me and woke me up. I said,

shook me and woke me up. I said, "what's up? " she said, "man,

"what's up? " she said, "man, the police are here." and they

the police are here." and they took me in. But I could have

took me in. But I could have took that. But with her, when

took that. But with her, when they took her in -- you know,

they took her in -- you know, aj was still there. Man, it's

aj was still there. Man, it's stuff I didn't want him to see,

stuff I didn't want him to see, man.

Man.

>> my name is caroline dozier. I'm a prosecutor at the harris

I'm a prosecutor at the harris county district attorney's

county district attorney's office, and I was the lead

office, and I was the lead prosecutor in the chaz

prosecutor in the chaz blackshear and danielle hudson

blackshear and danielle hudson capital murder cases. My very

capital murder cases. My very first involvement with this

first involvement with this case was when sergeant harris

case was when sergeant harris and detective waters came to my

and detective waters came to my office and talked to me about

office and talked to me about picking up this case. A cab

picking up this case. A cab driver had been murdered, and

driver had been murdered, and they wanted my help. There were

they wanted my help. There were two very good leads that led us

two very good leads that led us to chaz blackshear specifically

to chaz blackshear specifically and then ultimately danielle

and then ultimately danielle hudson, as well. One of which

hudson, as well. One of which was the link between the two

was the link between the two cases, the shell casings. They

cases, the shell casings. They were found to be fired from a

were found to be fired from a very unique type of gun. In

very unique type of gun. In addition to that, they took

addition to that, they took fingerprints off of the cab,

fingerprints off of the cab, and they were able to match one

and they were able to match one of the prints to chaz

of the prints to chaz blackshear. We knew that chaz

blackshear. We knew that chaz blackshear had a phone and we

blackshear had a phone and we were in contact with the phone

were in contact with the phone company about his service. It

company about his service. It was a prepaid phone, and it was

was a prepaid phone, and it was running low on minutes. And so

running low on minutes. And so in a ruse, they told the phone

in a ruse, they told the phone company to call him and let him

company to call him and let him know that they were giving him

know that they were giving him additional minutes so that we

additional minutes so that we could keep tabs on where he

could keep tabs on where he might be. Chaz blackshear and

might be. Chaz blackshear and danielle hudson were staying at

danielle hudson were staying at a family member's home. I

a family member's home. I believe it was a cousin's home.

Believe it was a cousin's home. And so we wrote warrants for

and so we wrote warrants for chaz blackshear. We didn't

chaz blackshear. We didn't believe that we had enough at

believe that we had enough at that time to write one for

that time to write one for danielle hudson. They found

danielle hudson. They found chaz and danielle both at the

chaz and danielle both at the home. I believe they were

home. I believe they were sleeping on an air mattress.

Sleeping on an air mattress. There was something about the

there was something about the shape of danielle's hair or her

shape of danielle's hair or her head that was familiar. When

head that was familiar. When they saw her, she looked

they saw her, she looked basically like the person who

basically like the person who was in the video of the two

was in the video of the two suspects running away from the

suspects running away from the taxicab. The other thing that

taxicab. The other thing that the officers found familiar

the officers found familiar about danielle was the sound of

about danielle was the sound of her voice. They had listened to

her voice. They had listened to the recordings of the phone

the recordings of the phone calls being made to the cab

calls being made to the cab companies. And when they talked

companies. And when they talked to her, they noticed that her

to her, they noticed that her voice sounded very similar to,

voice sounded very similar to, if not the same, as the person

if not the same, as the person who'd made those phone calls.

Who'd made those phone calls. They arrested chaz on the

they arrested chaz on the warrant. And then they asked

warrant. And then they asked danielle hudson if she wouldn't

danielle hudson if she wouldn't mind coming down to the police

mind coming down to the police station and giving a statement,

station and giving a statement, and she agreed to do so. The

and she agreed to do so. The detectives decided they first

detectives decided they first wanted to speak with chaz

wanted to speak with chaz blackshear and see what he

blackshear and see what he would admit to regarding the

would admit to regarding the crimes. He said that he had

crimes. He said that he had taken cabs. He might have even

taken cabs. He might have even been in the cabs of the

been in the cabs of the murdered drivers, but that he

murdered drivers, but that he was not involved in any way,

was not involved in any way, shape, or form in those

shape, or form in those murders.

Murders. >> chaz. Chaz, listen to me, my

>> chaz. Chaz, listen to me, my friend. I know where you went

friend. I know where you went because I've got it on

because I've got it on videotape with three different

videotape with three different angles. I know where danielle

angles. I know where danielle went. I know where she walked

went. I know where she walked to. I know when she walked

to. I know when she walked back. I know when you got out

back. I know when you got out of the cab. I know when you

of the cab. I know when you walked around the cab. I know

walked around the cab. I know when you walked up to the

when you walked up to the driver of the cab. And I know

driver of the cab. And I know what you did when you got to

what you did when you got to the driver because I've got it

the driver because I've got it on videotape.

On videotape. >> I never, well, that's not

>> I never, well, that's not true. That couldn't have been

true. That couldn't have been us. That's not true.

Us. That's not true. >> detective waters was trying

>> detective waters was trying to get chaz to confess to his

to get chaz to confess to his involvement in these crimes,

involvement in these crimes, but was unsuccessful initially.

But was unsuccessful initially. And the one ace in the hole

and the one ace in the hole that we had was danielle

that we had was danielle hudson. We still had an

hudson. We still had an opportunity to talk to her and

opportunity to talk to her and try and find out the crime from

try and find out the crime from her and then maybe use what she

her and then maybe use what she told us to get chaz to tell us

told us to get chaz to tell us the truth. Brian harris showed

the truth. Brian harris showed her the footage from the crime

her the footage from the crime scene and pointed out the

scene and pointed out the similarities between her and

similarities between her and the female on the surveillance

the female on the surveillance footage. And she admitted at

footage. And she admitted at that point that that was in

that point that that was in fact her. That was a huge break

fact her. That was a huge break in the case for us. We already

in the case for us. We already had some evidence that tied

had some evidence that tied them to this particular case,

them to this particular case, but now that we know that she's

but now that we know that she's admitting to being the person

admitting to being the person on that video, now we know that

on that video, now we know that those two are probably our best

those two are probably our best suspects. Danielle seemed to

suspects. Danielle seemed to think that because she wasn't

think that because she wasn't the actual shooter, that

the actual shooter, that somehow she would play no part

somehow she would play no part in this particular crime, and

in this particular crime, and she was pretty quick in ratting

she was pretty quick in ratting out chaz.

Out chaz. >> he cocked the gun, and

>> he cocked the gun, and that's when the cab driver

that's when the cab driver opened the door. I tried to

opened the door. I tried to take off the seatbelt to run,

take off the seatbelt to run, and that's when he just started

and that's when he just started shooting him. He just told me,

shooting him. He just told me, he said that we'll call the cab

he said that we'll call the cab and that he was just gonna jack

and that he was just gonna jack the man. I didn't know that he

the man. I didn't know that he was going to kill the man. I

was going to kill the man. I did not know that.

Did not know that. >> okay.

>> okay. >> danielle hudson claimed that

>> danielle hudson claimed that she was driving the cab and

she was driving the cab and that she heard chaz having a

that she heard chaz having a conversation with mr. El sayed.

Conversation with mr. El sayed. At that point, she just thought

at that point, she just thought they were gonna rob him.

They were gonna rob him. Mohammad was saying, "please

mohammad was saying, "please don't kill me. I have kids."

don't kill me. I have kids." and chaz said, "well, how old

and chaz said, "well, how old are your kids? " and once he

are your kids? " and once he told them how old they were,

told them how old they were, chaz was basically like, "well,

chaz was basically like, "well, that's old enough, " and shot

that's old enough, " and shot him. The children were like

him. The children were like maybe 6 years old. That was old

maybe 6 years old. That was old enough in his mind. And when

enough in his mind. And when the gun went off, she claimed

the gun went off, she claimed she was surprised, although she

she was surprised, although she then helped pull the body out

then helped pull the body out of the car and kick him down

of the car and kick him down into the culvert. From

into the culvert. From danielle's perspective, I think

danielle's perspective, I think she wanted the police to

she wanted the police to believe that they were only

believe that they were only gonna use the gun to scare

gonna use the gun to scare people and get money. She did

people and get money. She did not want the police believing

not want the police believing that she knew that the murders

that she knew that the murders would happen beforehand. As she

would happen beforehand. As she said in the interview, this was

said in the interview, this was the beginning of his life of

the beginning of his life of crime and that maybe he enjoyed

crime and that maybe he enjoyed it a little bit. Danielle

it a little bit. Danielle claims that chaz told her,

claims that chaz told her, "don't worry about it. If we

"don't worry about it. If we ever get caught, " and that's a

ever get caught, " and that's a big if in his mind, "if we ever

big if in his mind, "if we ever get caught, I'll take full

get caught, I'll take full responsibility and you won't

responsibility and you won't have any blame in this

have any blame in this whatsoever."

whatsoever."

>> two cab drivers murdered within 48 hours of each other.

Within 48 hours of each other. The tension in the city with

the tension in the city with these reports coming out, it

these reports coming out, it was very real. And now we

was very real. And now we finally have two suspects that

finally have two suspects that have been arrested. And the

have been arrested. And the city of houston, you could

city of houston, you could almost sense a sigh of relief.

Almost sense a sigh of relief. Chaz blackshear and danielle

chaz blackshear and danielle hudson were now looking at two

hudson were now looking at two counts of first-degree murder.

Counts of first-degree murder. >> during the interview with

>> during the interview with danielle, my partner's in the

danielle, my partner's in the other room with chaz, and

other room with chaz, and they've been talking for a long

they've been talking for a long time, and he was a pretty cool

time, and he was a pretty cool character. He wasn't giving an

character. He wasn't giving an inch.

Inch. >> detective waters told chaz,

>> detective waters told chaz, you know, "danielle's talking

you know, "danielle's talking to us. She's telling us what

to us. She's telling us what happened. She's telling us that

happened. She's telling us that you were involved and that you

you were involved and that you are the shooter in both of

are the shooter in both of those cases." and chaz wouldn't

those cases." and chaz wouldn't bite. He didn't believe that

bite. He didn't believe that she was telling them. He said,

she was telling them. He said, "that's not the truth."

"that's not the truth." sergeant harris had danielle

sergeant harris had danielle write a note, like, "you

write a note, like, "you promised me you'd take

promised me you'd take responsibility."

responsibility." >> he looks at that note, and

>> he looks at that note, and it doesn't break him. He looks

it doesn't break him. He looks at it, and he says, "she didn't

at it, and he says, "she didn't write this. There's no spelling

write this. There's no spelling mistakes. She's not that

mistakes. She's not that smart." still not breaking. We

smart." still not breaking. We bring in the photographs, and

bring in the photographs, and on one of the photographs,

on one of the photographs, danielle has circled chaz and

danielle has circled chaz and she writes in her own

she writes in her own handwriting, "my ex-boyfriend."

handwriting, "my ex-boyfriend." he's surprised. And then

he's surprised. And then finally, as a result of seeing

finally, as a result of seeing more and more of these

more and more of these photographs that she has signed

photographs that she has signed off on, he then agrees to tell

off on, he then agrees to tell the full story to my partner.

The full story to my partner. >> chaz blackshear said he

>> chaz blackshear said he would tell the police

would tell the police everything, but not until he

everything, but not until he had a chance to talk to

had a chance to talk to danielle. "I want to see her."

danielle. "I want to see her." if you let me see her, I'll

if you let me see her, I'll tell you whatever you want to

tell you whatever you want to know." we said, "well, we don't

know." we said, "well, we don't -- we're not gonna put her in

-- we're not gonna put her in the room first. Tell us first,

the room first. Tell us first, and then we'll see what we can

and then we'll see what we can do." and he does. He describes

do." and he does. He describes in detail what he did. The

in detail what he did. The actual, quote, confession

actual, quote, confession itself is probably less than

itself is probably less than five to seven minutes. What

five to seven minutes. What happens next is pretty

happens next is pretty incredible.

Incredible. >> the detectives were true to

>> the detectives were true to their word. After chaz

their word. After chaz confessed and told them what

confessed and told them what had happened in the crimes,

had happened in the crimes, they allowed danielle to be in

they allowed danielle to be in the same room with chaz. You

the same room with chaz. You could see what their

could see what their relationship was like, and

relationship was like, and there was no fear on danielle's

there was no fear on danielle's face. As a matter of fact,

face. As a matter of fact, instead of sitting in a chair

instead of sitting in a chair across the table from him, she

across the table from him, she went right up to him and sat in

went right up to him and sat in his lap.

His lap. >> her arms are curled around

>> her arms are curled around his head, like almost massaging

his head, like almost massaging his ears and scratching his

his ears and scratching his head and saying, "well, you

head and saying, "well, you told me that you would do this

told me that you would do this and that you would take

and that you would take responsibility because I have

responsibility because I have my son."

my son." >> when they let her come talk

>> when they let her come talk to me, I told her then, you

to me, I told her then, you know what I'm saying, "I got

know what I'm saying, "I got you. Put it on me. But you got

you. Put it on me. But you got to do the same. It's the only

to do the same. It's the only way you can get out of it."

way you can get out of it." >> he then asked her, "are you

>> he then asked her, "are you going to jail? " and she

going to jail? " and she doesn't know at that point,

doesn't know at that point, because in our interview, I

because in our interview, I said, "I don't know if you're

said, "I don't know if you're going to be charged." basically,

going to be charged." basically, depends on what she says.

Depends on what she says. >> do you hate me?

>> do you hate me? >> no. That's why, that's why I

>> no. That's why, that's why I confessed to it. If I hated you,

confessed to it. If I hated you, I wouldn't have did it.

I wouldn't have did it. >> criminals normally aren't

>> criminals normally aren't very smart, and so the fact

very smart, and so the fact that the two of them were

that the two of them were together and they spoke so

together and they spoke so openly talking about the case,

openly talking about the case, who was gonna take the blame,

who was gonna take the blame, they must been shocked when

they must been shocked when they realize that the police

they realize that the police were listening to every word.

Were listening to every word. >> once we had the confessions

>> once we had the confessions from chaz and danielle, we then

from chaz and danielle, we then filed formal charges of capital

filed formal charges of capital murder against them for both of

murder against them for both of the cab drivers.

The cab drivers. >> just because she didn't

>> just because she didn't shoot the victims, just because

shoot the victims, just because she wasn't the one actually

she wasn't the one actually pulling the trigger doesn't

pulling the trigger doesn't mean that she was gonna get off

mean that she was gonna get off completely scot-free.

Completely scot-free. >> in the end, both chaz

>> in the end, both chaz blackshear and danielle hudson

blackshear and danielle hudson plead guilty.

Plead guilty. >> she was allowed to plead

>> she was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser included

guilty to a lesser included offense. The state chose to

offense. The state chose to seek the death penalty against

seek the death penalty against chaz blackshear because we

chaz blackshear because we thought the cases were

thought the cases were cold-blooded enough, and we

cold-blooded enough, and we thought a jury would return a

thought a jury would return a verdict of death.

Verdict of death. >> danielle hudson gets

>> danielle hudson gets sentenced to 40 years, 40 years

sentenced to 40 years, 40 years in texas, department of

in texas, department of corrections -- tdc. Chaz

corrections -- tdc. Chaz blackshear, he also pleads

blackshear, he also pleads guilty.

Guilty. >> my lawyer at the time didn't

>> my lawyer at the time didn't understand. At the time, they

understand. At the time, they were trying to get me the death

were trying to get me the death penalty, you know? And I wasn't

penalty, you know? And I wasn't trying to fight it. And I

trying to fight it. And I really didn't care about it.

Really didn't care about it. Long as they got off, then I

long as they got off, then I was good no matter what, you

was good no matter what, you know, what I'm saying? Whether

know, what I'm saying? Whether it's death, whether it's life,

it's death, whether it's life, whether it's freedom. I put

whether it's freedom. I put them before myself and that's

them before myself and that's what a family man does.

What a family man does. >> chaz, he takes a life

>> chaz, he takes a life sentence without the

sentence without the possibility of parole. He will

possibility of parole. He will die behind bars in tdc.

Die behind bars in tdc. >> I would say that chaz

>> I would say that chaz blackshear and danielle hudson

blackshear and danielle hudson were both just cold-blooded

were both just cold-blooded killers. They really don't care

killers. They really don't care about anybody who isn't part of

about anybody who isn't part of their immediate family or their

their immediate family or their inner circle. The cab drivers

inner circle. The cab drivers that they killed were nothing

that they killed were nothing and nobody to them.

And nobody to them. >> danielle had a child. And so

>> danielle had a child. And so potentially the motive behind

potentially the motive behind this was maybe they were trying

this was maybe they were trying to provide for the child. And

to provide for the child. And then it just kind of spiraled

then it just kind of spiraled out of control.

Out of control. >> would they have gone on to

>> would they have gone on to kill again? I'm convinced of

kill again? I'm convinced of it. How many more dead bodies

it. How many more dead bodies would there have been? Who

would there have been? Who knows? I was very grateful to

knows? I was very grateful to see that they were stopped

see that they were stopped before we could find that

before we could find that answer out. In either case,

answer out. In either case, society lost two people who

society lost two people who were family men, who loved

were family men, who loved their children, who needed to

their children, who needed to be treated with dignity in life,

be treated with dignity in life, and certainly were not treated

and certainly were not treated with dignity in death by these

with dignity in death by these two crooks.

Two crooks.