1 00:00:09,139 --> 00:00:09,357 . 2 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:11,185 - In the criminal justice system, 3 00:00:11,228 --> 00:00:12,490 the people are represented 4 00:00:12,534 --> 00:00:15,145 by two separate, yet equally important groups: 5 00:00:15,189 --> 00:00:17,017 the police, who investigate crime, 6 00:00:17,060 --> 00:00:19,845 and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. 7 00:00:19,889 --> 00:00:21,760 These are their stories. 8 00:00:51,094 --> 00:00:53,705 [tense music] 9 00:00:53,749 --> 00:00:59,363 ♪ 10 00:01:02,453 --> 00:01:04,760 [floorboards creaking] 11 00:01:06,762 --> 00:01:08,372 - Hello? 12 00:01:25,215 --> 00:01:29,132 [grunting] 13 00:01:29,176 --> 00:01:30,786 [clattering] 14 00:01:35,182 --> 00:01:37,140 - Detective. 15 00:01:37,184 --> 00:01:39,402 - Oh, Detective. Welcome back. 16 00:01:39,447 --> 00:01:41,926 - Yeah, good to be back. 17 00:01:41,971 --> 00:01:43,277 Most part. - Mm-hmm. 18 00:01:43,320 --> 00:01:44,887 Vic looks familiar. Stabbed? 19 00:01:44,930 --> 00:01:47,759 - There appear to be two wounds on the side of the torso. 20 00:01:47,803 --> 00:01:50,458 Based on the location, I'm guessing punctured lungs. 21 00:01:50,501 --> 00:01:53,243 - Looks like a cyclone tore through here. 22 00:01:53,287 --> 00:01:55,811 He put up a hell of a fight. - Yeah. 23 00:01:55,854 --> 00:02:01,251 Whoever the killer was, they did not leave here unscathed. 24 00:02:01,295 --> 00:02:02,905 Is that a Pulitzer? 25 00:02:02,948 --> 00:02:07,431 - Awarded for local reporting to Jacob Ackerman. 26 00:02:07,475 --> 00:02:09,433 My dad used to read him every day 27 00:02:09,477 --> 00:02:11,783 when he covered the city for "The Guardian." 28 00:02:11,827 --> 00:02:14,438 No one reported like he did. - Detectives. 29 00:02:14,482 --> 00:02:16,788 Found the vic's phone over there in the hallway. 30 00:02:16,832 --> 00:02:19,269 He dialed 911. Didn't press send. 31 00:02:19,313 --> 00:02:20,270 - There's no sign of forced entry? 32 00:02:20,314 --> 00:02:21,663 - No, neighbor who called it in 33 00:02:21,706 --> 00:02:23,186 said the door was wide open when he got here. 34 00:02:23,230 --> 00:02:25,841 - Thank you, Officer. 35 00:02:25,884 --> 00:02:27,408 - What are you thinking? 36 00:02:27,451 --> 00:02:31,454 - I'm thinking our vic saw something through the window, 37 00:02:31,499 --> 00:02:34,110 and then went outside to check it out. 38 00:02:34,980 --> 00:02:38,158 - He interrupts someone vandalizing his house. 39 00:02:38,201 --> 00:02:40,377 They have words. It gets heated. 40 00:02:40,421 --> 00:02:41,639 - Yeah, he goes back inside 41 00:02:41,683 --> 00:02:43,815 to get his cell phone to call the cops. 42 00:02:43,859 --> 00:02:46,817 - Killer follows him in. Fight ensues. 43 00:02:46,862 --> 00:02:48,864 Ackerman ends up dead. 44 00:02:48,906 --> 00:02:49,908 - [exhales sharply] 45 00:02:49,952 --> 00:02:52,433 I read his website every morning. 46 00:02:52,476 --> 00:02:55,000 Only unbiased news source you can find these days. 47 00:02:55,043 --> 00:02:57,481 - Man was a legend. 48 00:02:57,525 --> 00:02:59,266 Now, he's a headline. 49 00:03:04,314 --> 00:03:08,144 [dramatic music] 50 00:03:08,188 --> 00:03:14,672 ♪ 51 00:03:50,578 --> 00:03:53,102 - I was taking Otto, my dog, for a walk 52 00:03:53,145 --> 00:03:55,278 when I saw someone bolt like a bat out of hell 53 00:03:55,322 --> 00:03:56,453 out of Jacob's house. 54 00:03:56,497 --> 00:03:58,673 - Can you describe the person you saw? 55 00:03:58,716 --> 00:04:01,763 - I didn't get to see his face. It all happened so fast. 56 00:04:01,806 --> 00:04:03,895 - How about any details on what they were wearing? 57 00:04:03,939 --> 00:04:07,247 - A big ski jacket, and they had a winter hat on. 58 00:04:07,290 --> 00:04:09,161 - Can you describe the jacket? 59 00:04:09,205 --> 00:04:10,902 - Like, dark green. 60 00:04:10,946 --> 00:04:15,690 And it had really bright, fluorescent orange accents. 61 00:04:15,733 --> 00:04:19,389 - Could you tell if the suspect was a man or a woman? 62 00:04:19,433 --> 00:04:22,000 - Honestly, I couldn't say for sure. 63 00:04:22,043 --> 00:04:23,437 - How about height? 64 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:25,613 - I don't know. Maybe 5'8", 5'9". 65 00:04:25,656 --> 00:04:27,136 - Thank you so much for your help. 66 00:04:27,179 --> 00:04:29,443 If you remember anything else, give us a call. 67 00:04:29,486 --> 00:04:32,315 - Great, we're looking for a shortish man 68 00:04:32,359 --> 00:04:33,447 or a tallish woman. - Yeah. 69 00:04:33,490 --> 00:04:34,709 And if they were all bundled up, 70 00:04:34,752 --> 00:04:36,232 the door cams aren't gonna be much help. 71 00:04:36,276 --> 00:04:38,495 - Sir, behind the tape. - You have to let me through. 72 00:04:38,539 --> 00:04:40,671 This is my father's house! - Hey, sir? 73 00:04:40,715 --> 00:04:42,325 Hey, sir. How can we help you? 74 00:04:42,369 --> 00:04:44,109 - Who did that? 75 00:04:44,153 --> 00:04:45,981 What's going on? 76 00:04:49,376 --> 00:04:53,771 - Um, I hate to tell you this, but there's been an incident. 77 00:04:53,815 --> 00:04:56,600 And your father was attacked. - Oh, my God. 78 00:04:56,644 --> 00:04:58,602 - Unfortunately, he didn't survive. 79 00:05:01,170 --> 00:05:02,954 We're very sorry. - I'm sorry. 80 00:05:02,998 --> 00:05:05,174 - Oh, the son of a bitch! I knew it! 81 00:05:05,217 --> 00:05:07,307 - You knew it? 82 00:05:07,350 --> 00:05:09,352 What do you mean? You know who did this? 83 00:05:09,396 --> 00:05:11,354 - Yeah, Lamar Cordell. 84 00:05:11,398 --> 00:05:13,487 - The podcaster? 85 00:05:13,530 --> 00:05:15,750 He prides himself on being controversial. 86 00:05:15,793 --> 00:05:18,492 - He's not controversial. He's hateful. 87 00:05:18,535 --> 00:05:20,276 He was pushing some nonsense on his show 88 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:21,625 about the Jews being responsible 89 00:05:21,669 --> 00:05:23,758 for the oppression of Black people. 90 00:05:23,801 --> 00:05:26,456 My father wrote an op-ed calling him out over it. 91 00:05:26,500 --> 00:05:28,371 - And I'm guessing Cordell didn't take it too well. 92 00:05:28,415 --> 00:05:31,287 - A few days ago, he sent my father a DM 93 00:05:31,331 --> 00:05:34,508 saying he was gonna do to him what the Jews did to Jesus. 94 00:05:43,299 --> 00:05:44,953 - Seriously? 95 00:05:44,996 --> 00:05:47,477 Of course Ackerman would weaponize his lies 96 00:05:47,521 --> 00:05:48,957 to get the cops to come after me. 97 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,525 [scoffs] Mm-mm-mm. 98 00:05:53,918 --> 00:05:57,661 This is America, y'all, in 2023, 99 00:05:57,705 --> 00:05:59,097 where the free-thinkers 100 00:05:59,141 --> 00:06:01,056 who've red-pilled themselves from the sheep, well-- 101 00:06:01,099 --> 00:06:02,840 - Will you just answer the question? 102 00:06:02,884 --> 00:06:05,190 Did you threaten Jacob Ackerman's life? 103 00:06:05,234 --> 00:06:07,628 - I am the victim here. 104 00:06:07,671 --> 00:06:11,022 Look, Ackerman and his tribe 105 00:06:11,066 --> 00:06:14,069 are trying to stop people from learning the unsanctioned truth 106 00:06:14,112 --> 00:06:17,202 of what they've done to us, my brother. 107 00:06:17,246 --> 00:06:18,421 - Oh, no. 108 00:06:18,465 --> 00:06:20,423 I am not your brother in this, OK? 109 00:06:20,467 --> 00:06:21,859 Your brand of crazy, that's all you. 110 00:06:21,903 --> 00:06:23,687 - I hate to break the news to you, buddy, 111 00:06:23,731 --> 00:06:25,123 but when it comes to being a victim, 112 00:06:25,167 --> 00:06:27,691 Ackerman's definitely got you beat. 113 00:06:27,735 --> 00:06:31,216 - How's that? - He was murdered this morning. 114 00:06:31,260 --> 00:06:34,306 And you happened to threaten to do that to him 115 00:06:34,350 --> 00:06:35,699 three days ago, brother. 116 00:06:35,743 --> 00:06:38,746 - Well, I didn't mean it literally. 117 00:06:40,704 --> 00:06:43,620 Look, I wasn't gonna kill him. 118 00:06:43,664 --> 00:06:46,449 I was--I was saying I was gonna make him a martyr 119 00:06:46,493 --> 00:06:47,624 for his cause. 120 00:06:47,668 --> 00:06:49,017 - Well, that clears that up. 121 00:06:49,060 --> 00:06:50,366 - Look, the more he and I fought, 122 00:06:50,409 --> 00:06:51,454 the more people paid attention. 123 00:06:51,498 --> 00:06:52,716 More attention brings in clicks, 124 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:54,152 and more clicks, more money. 125 00:06:54,196 --> 00:06:56,546 Look, I don't believe half the things I say. 126 00:06:56,590 --> 00:06:58,853 But that's how the game is played. 127 00:06:58,896 --> 00:07:00,681 - Oh, so you're saying you two were friends? 128 00:07:00,724 --> 00:07:03,161 - No, I needed him. 129 00:07:03,205 --> 00:07:06,208 Like I stated, he's good for business. 130 00:07:06,251 --> 00:07:09,820 - OK. Where were you 6:00 a.m. this morning? 131 00:07:09,864 --> 00:07:12,606 - Here, like every other day. 132 00:07:15,130 --> 00:07:17,611 - The keypad entry system at the recording studio 133 00:07:17,654 --> 00:07:19,351 confirms Lamar Cordell was there 134 00:07:19,395 --> 00:07:21,353 at the time of the murder. - So he's not our killer. 135 00:07:21,397 --> 00:07:23,268 He's just a guy pretending to want Ackerman dead 136 00:07:23,312 --> 00:07:24,400 for clickbait. 137 00:07:24,444 --> 00:07:25,793 - ME's report says the knife used 138 00:07:25,836 --> 00:07:28,317 to kill Ackerman likely had a 7- or 8-inch blade 139 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:29,710 with a serrated edge. 140 00:07:29,753 --> 00:07:31,842 - That's a hunting knife. That's hardcore. 141 00:07:31,886 --> 00:07:33,409 - Cordell might not have believed 142 00:07:33,453 --> 00:07:35,063 the anti-Jewish hate he spewed, 143 00:07:35,106 --> 00:07:38,196 but his comments fired up a lot of people who do. 144 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:40,895 I found a ton of online hate directed at Ackerman. 145 00:07:40,938 --> 00:07:42,462 - Fantastic. Hundreds of suspects. 146 00:07:42,505 --> 00:07:43,898 Love that. - Gets worse. 147 00:07:43,941 --> 00:07:45,856 Two days ago, Ackerman was doxxed 148 00:07:45,900 --> 00:07:49,294 by an anonymous poster on an anti-Semitic Reddit thread. 149 00:07:49,338 --> 00:07:51,122 Listed Ackerman's home address. 150 00:07:51,166 --> 00:07:52,776 - Say what you want about sticks and stones, 151 00:07:52,820 --> 00:07:55,257 but words today can definitely kill you. 152 00:07:55,300 --> 00:07:57,651 - Forensics didn't find a second blood type 153 00:07:57,694 --> 00:07:59,957 at the crime scene, but they did find 154 00:08:00,001 --> 00:08:02,177 a partial print on the spray paint can. 155 00:08:02,220 --> 00:08:06,616 Belongs to a guy by the name of Lucas Hobbs, 25 years old. 156 00:08:06,660 --> 00:08:08,139 He's got plenty of priors too-- 157 00:08:08,183 --> 00:08:10,098 aggravated assault, harassment-- 158 00:08:10,141 --> 00:08:13,536 and a known association with the Wolves of Vanguard. 159 00:08:13,580 --> 00:08:16,757 - I'm guessing that's not a nature enthusiast organization. 160 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:20,630 - No, it is a white supremacist militia group. 161 00:08:29,117 --> 00:08:32,163 - Lucas Hobbs, how you doing? 162 00:08:32,207 --> 00:08:34,514 Hey, come on. 163 00:08:34,557 --> 00:08:35,950 - Police! 164 00:08:48,528 --> 00:08:50,573 - Oh, no. Not today, sweetheart. 165 00:08:50,617 --> 00:08:52,706 - [grunts] - Get over here. 166 00:08:52,749 --> 00:08:56,057 - Lucas Hobbs, you're under arrest. 167 00:08:56,100 --> 00:08:58,146 You have the right to remain silent. 168 00:08:58,189 --> 00:08:59,408 Anything you say-- 169 00:08:59,451 --> 00:09:01,366 - You think you can stop us, but you can't. 170 00:09:01,410 --> 00:09:03,151 This is a movement. 171 00:09:03,194 --> 00:09:05,501 Revelation is coming. 172 00:09:05,545 --> 00:09:08,156 - I think you mean incarceration. 173 00:09:13,988 --> 00:09:14,205 . 174 00:09:14,249 --> 00:09:16,468 - Come on, we got your fingerprints 175 00:09:16,512 --> 00:09:18,166 on the spray paint can. 176 00:09:18,209 --> 00:09:19,254 - So? 177 00:09:19,297 --> 00:09:22,039 - So Ackerman come outside 178 00:09:22,083 --> 00:09:23,606 while you were defacing his property. 179 00:09:23,650 --> 00:09:26,478 You guys have words? 180 00:09:26,522 --> 00:09:30,047 - When did they, uh, saddle you with him? 181 00:09:30,091 --> 00:09:31,309 - About six months ago. 182 00:09:31,353 --> 00:09:33,311 Dream come true. Thanks for asking. 183 00:09:33,355 --> 00:09:34,790 - Be careful. 184 00:09:34,835 --> 00:09:36,924 Never trust one of them with a gun. 185 00:09:41,406 --> 00:09:43,365 - You know, I'm about this close 186 00:09:43,408 --> 00:09:45,497 from letting you walk free 187 00:09:45,540 --> 00:09:47,021 just so I can find you in the street 188 00:09:47,064 --> 00:09:49,589 and finish this conversation, just you and me. 189 00:09:49,632 --> 00:09:51,112 - Well, that's good with me. You just let me know. 190 00:09:51,155 --> 00:09:53,680 - As much as I would love to see that conversation, 191 00:09:53,723 --> 00:09:55,029 we're not gonna let you go. 192 00:09:55,072 --> 00:09:57,118 So you either tell us your side of the story 193 00:09:57,161 --> 00:09:59,120 or we'll skip to the good part when we charge you with murder. 194 00:09:59,163 --> 00:10:00,687 - I told you already, I didn't kill him. 195 00:10:00,730 --> 00:10:02,253 I just tagged his house. 196 00:10:02,297 --> 00:10:05,648 I wanted to expose how these Zionists control the media. 197 00:10:05,692 --> 00:10:08,869 - Yeah, but, you see, the Zionist you were exposing 198 00:10:08,912 --> 00:10:10,784 wound up dead. 199 00:10:10,827 --> 00:10:13,569 - That's his problem, not mine. 200 00:10:13,613 --> 00:10:16,050 I never even saw the guy. 201 00:10:16,093 --> 00:10:18,487 Say what you want, 202 00:10:18,530 --> 00:10:20,968 but I didn't kill that Jew reporter. 203 00:10:21,011 --> 00:10:22,839 [knocks at door] 204 00:10:32,501 --> 00:10:34,329 - We got video of Hobbs 205 00:10:34,372 --> 00:10:37,201 on the subway platform near Ackerman's brownstone 206 00:10:37,245 --> 00:10:38,681 boarding a Bronx-bound train 207 00:10:38,725 --> 00:10:41,771 ten minutes before Ackerman's neighbor called 911. 208 00:10:41,815 --> 00:10:43,555 And he wasn't wearing a green jacket, 209 00:10:43,599 --> 00:10:45,427 as your witness described. 210 00:10:45,470 --> 00:10:46,602 - So he's telling the truth. 211 00:10:46,646 --> 00:10:48,648 - Yeah, it looks that way. 212 00:10:48,691 --> 00:10:49,953 - Well, that clears him of the murder, 213 00:10:49,997 --> 00:10:51,738 but he's still guilty of a hate crime. 214 00:10:51,781 --> 00:10:54,741 - Book him on making graffiti and criminal mischief 215 00:10:54,784 --> 00:10:56,351 and anything else you can think of. 216 00:10:56,394 --> 00:10:57,918 - Happily. - And start digging 217 00:10:57,961 --> 00:10:59,963 into Ackerman's personal and professional life, 218 00:11:00,007 --> 00:11:02,183 and see if anything else was going on 219 00:11:02,226 --> 00:11:04,098 that might have made somebody want to kill him. 220 00:11:09,581 --> 00:11:11,627 - Jacob and I left our newspaper jobs 221 00:11:11,671 --> 00:11:13,890 five years ago to start Endnote. 222 00:11:13,934 --> 00:11:16,284 Purer journalism without the profiteering. 223 00:11:16,327 --> 00:11:18,808 - Lofty mission. Tough business model, though. 224 00:11:18,852 --> 00:11:20,941 - Our business is doing well. 225 00:11:20,984 --> 00:11:22,725 We're in the process of selling a majority stake 226 00:11:22,769 --> 00:11:24,074 to an investment firm in Sweden. 227 00:11:24,118 --> 00:11:26,729 - And things between you and Ackerman were good? 228 00:11:26,773 --> 00:11:29,079 - Yeah. Yeah, of course. 229 00:11:29,123 --> 00:11:32,604 I just--I just still haven't processed that he's gone. 230 00:11:32,648 --> 00:11:35,651 - You know, we read some of the text messages 231 00:11:35,695 --> 00:11:37,131 you sent to Ackerman last week. 232 00:11:37,174 --> 00:11:40,221 You know, what did you call him, a selfish prick? 233 00:11:40,264 --> 00:11:41,962 - And an arrogant boomer. 234 00:11:42,005 --> 00:11:43,528 And we know that Ackerman wanted 235 00:11:43,572 --> 00:11:46,531 to pull the plug on the deal, and that made you furious. 236 00:11:47,489 --> 00:11:50,492 - So I shot off a bunch of angry text messages. 237 00:11:50,535 --> 00:11:51,798 We needed that deal. 238 00:11:51,841 --> 00:11:53,147 - So why did Ackerman try to tank it? 239 00:11:53,190 --> 00:11:54,888 - Because he's a purist. 240 00:11:54,931 --> 00:11:56,672 When Jacob heard that the buyer wanted 241 00:11:56,716 --> 00:11:59,022 to skew our coverage to the far left, 242 00:11:59,066 --> 00:12:03,418 reposition us as the liberal "Fox News," he balked. 243 00:12:03,461 --> 00:12:04,811 - But the good news for you is, 244 00:12:04,854 --> 00:12:06,290 now that Ackerman is out of the picture, 245 00:12:06,334 --> 00:12:09,337 you're free to do whatever you want with the company. 246 00:12:09,380 --> 00:12:10,991 - I didn't kill Jacob. 247 00:12:11,034 --> 00:12:12,688 - Just the same, where were you yesterday morning? 248 00:12:12,732 --> 00:12:14,951 - At home with my family. 249 00:12:17,432 --> 00:12:20,174 It was my son's birthday. 250 00:12:22,045 --> 00:12:23,568 - All right. 251 00:12:23,612 --> 00:12:25,570 Can you think of anyone else 252 00:12:25,614 --> 00:12:27,790 that might have a problem with Ackerman? 253 00:12:27,834 --> 00:12:28,965 Any confrontations? 254 00:12:29,009 --> 00:12:30,967 Any threats that you know about? 255 00:12:31,011 --> 00:12:33,274 - He has been a little distracted the past few weeks. 256 00:12:33,317 --> 00:12:35,102 - 'Cause of all the hate he's getting online? 257 00:12:35,145 --> 00:12:37,626 - Because he was spending a lot of time with a younger woman. 258 00:12:39,628 --> 00:12:43,066 - Jacob and I were close for years. 259 00:12:43,110 --> 00:12:46,766 He was the first person to hire me right out of college. 260 00:12:46,809 --> 00:12:48,202 He was my mentor. 261 00:12:48,245 --> 00:12:49,725 - I understand you were spending a lot of time 262 00:12:49,769 --> 00:12:51,205 with him lately. - Yeah. 263 00:12:51,248 --> 00:12:53,816 We were working together on an article. 264 00:12:53,860 --> 00:12:56,297 - So your relationship was strictly professional? 265 00:12:56,340 --> 00:12:57,951 - Yes, absolutely. 266 00:12:57,994 --> 00:12:59,996 - What were you two working on? 267 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:02,694 - Something really big. - Big how? 268 00:13:02,738 --> 00:13:04,609 - A few months ago, six people died 269 00:13:04,653 --> 00:13:06,829 in a fire in the Myers-Hamilton House. 270 00:13:06,873 --> 00:13:08,962 It's a public housing project. - I remember that. 271 00:13:09,005 --> 00:13:12,226 The fire doors didn't deploy like they should have, right? 272 00:13:12,269 --> 00:13:14,054 - And the official story 273 00:13:14,097 --> 00:13:15,882 is that the fire doors didn't activate 274 00:13:15,925 --> 00:13:17,709 because of a mechanical malfunction. 275 00:13:17,753 --> 00:13:19,233 - But the unofficial story? 276 00:13:21,626 --> 00:13:23,280 Apparently, Ackerman uncovered 277 00:13:23,324 --> 00:13:25,630 that the fire doors at the housing project 278 00:13:25,674 --> 00:13:26,806 were supposed to be serviced 279 00:13:26,849 --> 00:13:28,590 two months before the fire broke out, 280 00:13:28,633 --> 00:13:30,070 but that didn't happen 281 00:13:30,113 --> 00:13:32,550 because the contractor the city paid to do the work, 282 00:13:32,594 --> 00:13:35,510 a company called SiteShield, doesn't actually exist. 283 00:13:35,553 --> 00:13:37,164 - What do you mean it doesn't exist? 284 00:13:37,207 --> 00:13:38,600 - Phony address. 285 00:13:38,643 --> 00:13:41,211 The phone number listed is to a florist in Queens. 286 00:13:41,255 --> 00:13:43,605 $5 million was paid out of a city budget 287 00:13:43,648 --> 00:13:45,085 to a shell corporation. 288 00:13:45,128 --> 00:13:48,610 - Meaning someone's embezzling millions of dollars. 289 00:13:48,653 --> 00:13:50,960 And as a result, six people burn alive? 290 00:13:51,004 --> 00:13:53,876 - Yeah. 291 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:57,097 - What if Ackerman was getting close 292 00:13:57,140 --> 00:13:59,795 to figuring out who was behind the embezzling? 293 00:13:59,839 --> 00:14:00,927 - Hell of a motive. 294 00:14:00,970 --> 00:14:02,798 - And this reporter, 295 00:14:02,842 --> 00:14:04,800 McAllister, she know who's involved? 296 00:14:04,844 --> 00:14:07,324 - She said that Ackerman traced the money trail 297 00:14:07,368 --> 00:14:10,414 back to Patricia Simonian's office, 298 00:14:10,458 --> 00:14:13,417 but she has no proof that she was personally involved. 299 00:14:13,461 --> 00:14:16,420 - Patricia Simonian? As in the deputy mayor? 300 00:14:16,464 --> 00:14:19,989 - Yeah, she hands out the city contracts. 301 00:14:22,426 --> 00:14:24,298 - Just got off the phone with Simonian's assistant. 302 00:14:24,341 --> 00:14:27,257 She hasn't been able to reach her since Saturday-- 303 00:14:27,301 --> 00:14:30,391 the day before Ackerman was murdered. 304 00:14:30,434 --> 00:14:31,566 - All right, guys. 305 00:14:31,609 --> 00:14:33,046 You got to find her. 306 00:14:37,702 --> 00:14:39,748 [knocks at door] - NYPD! 307 00:14:41,837 --> 00:14:43,839 NYPD! 308 00:14:43,883 --> 00:14:47,321 [door unlocks] 309 00:14:47,364 --> 00:14:49,018 NYPD! 310 00:14:52,282 --> 00:14:54,023 Police! 311 00:14:56,373 --> 00:14:57,809 - Frank. 312 00:14:57,853 --> 00:15:01,074 - [sighs] Yeah. 313 00:15:12,259 --> 00:15:12,650 . 314 00:15:12,694 --> 00:15:14,783 - Neighbors don't report seeing or hearing anything unusual 315 00:15:14,826 --> 00:15:16,219 the past few days. 316 00:15:16,263 --> 00:15:17,655 Didn't see anyone coming or going from the apartment. 317 00:15:17,699 --> 00:15:19,048 - Well, I did see a camera in the lobby. 318 00:15:19,092 --> 00:15:20,354 Check with the building manager. 319 00:15:20,397 --> 00:15:21,964 Have him pull footage from the last four days. 320 00:15:22,008 --> 00:15:24,097 Thanks. 321 00:15:24,140 --> 00:15:26,055 - No sign of a break-in. 322 00:15:26,099 --> 00:15:29,015 - So there's a chance she knew her killer. 323 00:15:29,058 --> 00:15:30,973 What you got? - Cause of death 324 00:15:31,017 --> 00:15:32,627 appears to be blunt force trauma. 325 00:15:32,670 --> 00:15:34,977 Something heavy. Multiple blows to the head. 326 00:15:35,021 --> 00:15:36,631 - Obviously, she's been dead a while, 327 00:15:36,674 --> 00:15:38,502 but any estimate on exactly how long? 328 00:15:38,546 --> 00:15:40,069 - It's been a couple days. 329 00:15:40,113 --> 00:15:42,158 I mean, based on the signs of putrefaction I'm seeing, 330 00:15:42,202 --> 00:15:45,727 I'd say sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. 331 00:15:45,770 --> 00:15:47,685 - That was before Ackerman was killed. 332 00:15:47,729 --> 00:15:49,252 Are you confirming that she was killed 333 00:15:49,296 --> 00:15:51,211 sometime before 6:00 a.m. Sunday? 334 00:15:51,254 --> 00:15:52,995 - She's definitely been here longer than that. 335 00:15:53,039 --> 00:15:55,650 - Well, that rules her out as Ackerman's killer. 336 00:15:55,693 --> 00:15:57,478 These two murders have to be connected. 337 00:15:57,521 --> 00:16:01,134 - So Ackerman's investigating the embezzlement of city funds, 338 00:16:01,177 --> 00:16:04,311 and he suspects the deputy mayor of being involved. 339 00:16:04,354 --> 00:16:07,662 And then, somehow they both end up murdered hours apart. 340 00:16:07,705 --> 00:16:10,317 - Odds of this being a coincidence? 341 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:12,623 - Zero. 342 00:16:12,667 --> 00:16:15,104 - This is video from Simonian's lobby 343 00:16:15,148 --> 00:16:17,411 at 11:07 p.m., Saturday night. 344 00:16:17,454 --> 00:16:18,716 - Oh, she let him in. 345 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:20,588 Look at their body language. She knows him. 346 00:16:20,631 --> 00:16:23,765 - Look at that jacket, height, build. 347 00:16:23,808 --> 00:16:25,636 The guy matches the description 348 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:27,899 of the suspect from the Ackerman crime scene. 349 00:16:27,943 --> 00:16:31,555 - Half an hour later, the same person leaves alone. 350 00:16:31,599 --> 00:16:34,558 And look, he's clearly holding something. 351 00:16:34,602 --> 00:16:36,604 - Likely the murder weapon. 352 00:16:36,647 --> 00:16:40,129 - OK, so this confirms 353 00:16:40,173 --> 00:16:43,045 we're looking for one killer for both homicides. 354 00:16:43,089 --> 00:16:47,006 And the question is, who's got motive to murder both victims? 355 00:16:47,049 --> 00:16:50,357 - Ackerman was investigating SiteShield. 356 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,360 - And Simonian is the one who approved the city-wide contract 357 00:16:53,403 --> 00:16:55,101 for SiteShield. 358 00:16:55,144 --> 00:16:58,582 - Julia McAllister was working on the article with Ackerman. 359 00:16:58,626 --> 00:17:00,845 If the killer knows that... 360 00:17:00,889 --> 00:17:04,153 - OK, let's get her into protective custody ASAP. 361 00:17:08,114 --> 00:17:09,723 [door opens] 362 00:17:11,421 --> 00:17:15,556 - We'll have an officer posted outside the door at all times 363 00:17:15,598 --> 00:17:18,689 and two officers in a patrol car outside. 364 00:17:18,733 --> 00:17:20,256 - How long do I have to stay here? 365 00:17:20,300 --> 00:17:21,910 - Until we find out who's responsible 366 00:17:21,953 --> 00:17:23,867 for the embezzlement. 367 00:17:23,912 --> 00:17:25,695 - Whoever it is, they're murdering 368 00:17:25,740 --> 00:17:28,221 anyone they think is connected to you, 369 00:17:28,263 --> 00:17:29,961 which puts you in danger. 370 00:17:30,962 --> 00:17:32,486 - I need to check on someone. 371 00:17:32,529 --> 00:17:34,227 - Who might that be? 372 00:17:34,270 --> 00:17:36,229 - When Jacob figured out that the deputy mayor 373 00:17:36,272 --> 00:17:38,274 might somehow be involved with SiteShield, 374 00:17:38,318 --> 00:17:40,189 I gave him the contact info 375 00:17:40,233 --> 00:17:42,409 of someone I thought might have some information, 376 00:17:42,452 --> 00:17:44,237 someone who had come through for me before. 377 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:46,761 - And why didn't you tell us this yesterday when we spoke? 378 00:17:46,804 --> 00:17:48,371 - I was protecting my source. 379 00:17:48,415 --> 00:17:51,679 And I wasn't even sure if Jacob had connected with them. 380 00:17:51,722 --> 00:17:53,942 - If you tell us who they are-- - No. 381 00:17:53,985 --> 00:17:57,772 They are an anonymous source. That's the whole point. 382 00:17:57,815 --> 00:18:01,863 Please, just let me make a call, 383 00:18:01,906 --> 00:18:04,866 and I'll find out who was behind SiteShield. 384 00:18:11,438 --> 00:18:14,005 - So that's our embezzler. 385 00:18:19,228 --> 00:18:20,838 [engine starts] 386 00:18:25,582 --> 00:18:26,627 - Looks like he's heading north. 387 00:18:26,670 --> 00:18:28,150 The 278 onramp's up ahead. 388 00:18:28,194 --> 00:18:30,109 He could be making a run for it. 389 00:18:41,076 --> 00:18:43,209 That looked like a rolling stop to me. 390 00:18:43,252 --> 00:18:46,168 [sirens blaring] 391 00:19:12,673 --> 00:19:13,848 License and registration, please. 392 00:19:13,891 --> 00:19:15,197 - What did I do? 393 00:19:15,241 --> 00:19:17,417 - You rolled through that stop sign, sir. 394 00:19:17,460 --> 00:19:18,853 License and registration. 395 00:19:18,896 --> 00:19:21,334 - What are you-- - Please. Now. 396 00:19:21,377 --> 00:19:24,859 That's quite a shiner you got there, uh, Mr. Costa. 397 00:19:24,902 --> 00:19:27,688 How'd you get that? - Excuse me? 398 00:19:27,731 --> 00:19:29,080 - Simple enough question. 399 00:19:29,124 --> 00:19:31,213 - [scoffs] What the hell's going on here? 400 00:19:31,257 --> 00:19:34,216 - Step out of the vehicle. - What? 401 00:19:35,957 --> 00:19:38,829 - Step out of the vehicle now, sir. 402 00:19:42,746 --> 00:19:44,270 Hands on the roof. 403 00:19:48,535 --> 00:19:50,450 [handcuffs clicking] 404 00:19:50,493 --> 00:19:53,366 - I have no idea what you're talking about. 405 00:19:53,409 --> 00:19:54,758 - Don't lie to us, David. 406 00:19:54,802 --> 00:19:57,979 We know you embezzled city money 407 00:19:58,022 --> 00:20:00,895 and that you got into an argument with Patricia Simonian 408 00:20:00,938 --> 00:20:02,070 two days before she was murdered. 409 00:20:02,113 --> 00:20:03,332 - And unfortunately for you, 410 00:20:03,376 --> 00:20:05,552 a third party overheard that conversation. 411 00:20:05,595 --> 00:20:08,729 - We know that you're the one behind SiteShield, 412 00:20:08,772 --> 00:20:10,252 and that makes you responsible 413 00:20:10,296 --> 00:20:11,819 for the six people who died in that fire. 414 00:20:11,862 --> 00:20:14,474 - I've never even heard of that company. 415 00:20:14,517 --> 00:20:16,389 - Jacob Ackerman contacted 416 00:20:16,432 --> 00:20:18,739 the deputy mayor Saturday afternoon. 417 00:20:18,782 --> 00:20:20,262 And she got spooked 418 00:20:20,306 --> 00:20:22,090 that a reporter was poking around, didn't she? 419 00:20:22,133 --> 00:20:24,092 - And you realized that she was a liability. 420 00:20:24,135 --> 00:20:25,833 So you went over to her place that night, 421 00:20:25,876 --> 00:20:27,574 and you killed her. 422 00:20:27,617 --> 00:20:29,402 - And then you went to Ackerman's to finish the job. 423 00:20:29,445 --> 00:20:31,230 But he put up a fight, didn't he? 424 00:20:32,405 --> 00:20:33,754 - I'm not gonna say another word 425 00:20:33,797 --> 00:20:35,364 until my attorney gets here. 426 00:20:35,408 --> 00:20:37,323 [knocks at door] 427 00:20:37,366 --> 00:20:38,454 - That's fine, Dave. 428 00:20:38,498 --> 00:20:39,847 Because you know what that sound means? 429 00:20:39,890 --> 00:20:41,892 It's the signal that we got our search warrant. 430 00:20:43,807 --> 00:20:46,593 [police radio chatter] 431 00:20:46,636 --> 00:20:49,378 Find anything? 432 00:20:49,422 --> 00:20:51,032 - No green jacket. 433 00:20:54,862 --> 00:20:56,603 - You got to be kidding me. 434 00:20:56,646 --> 00:20:59,127 - About? 435 00:20:59,170 --> 00:21:00,433 - It's right out in the open. 436 00:21:00,476 --> 00:21:02,348 - No way. 437 00:21:02,391 --> 00:21:04,393 [whistles] 438 00:21:04,437 --> 00:21:06,265 - Third from the top. 439 00:21:15,709 --> 00:21:18,581 - He can't be that stupid. 440 00:21:18,625 --> 00:21:20,017 Come on. 441 00:21:21,758 --> 00:21:23,020 - There. 442 00:21:23,064 --> 00:21:25,022 It's faint, but it's definitely blood. 443 00:21:27,373 --> 00:21:28,287 - Wow. 444 00:21:32,987 --> 00:21:33,204 . 445 00:21:33,248 --> 00:21:35,946 - David Costa and Deputy Mayor Simonian 446 00:21:35,990 --> 00:21:38,209 were co-conspirators in an embezzlement scheme 447 00:21:38,253 --> 00:21:40,211 that led directly to the deaths of six people 448 00:21:40,255 --> 00:21:42,083 in a public housing unit fire. 449 00:21:42,126 --> 00:21:44,433 - And Jacob Ackerman was working on an article 450 00:21:44,477 --> 00:21:46,087 that would have exposed their crimes, 451 00:21:46,130 --> 00:21:49,177 so Costa killed Ackerman and the deputy mayor 452 00:21:49,220 --> 00:21:51,397 to keep the truth from being discovered. 453 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:53,877 - And you have evidence to back this up? 454 00:21:53,921 --> 00:21:56,489 - DNA tests confirm that blood on the knife 455 00:21:56,532 --> 00:21:59,056 found at David Costa's home belongs to Ackerman. 456 00:21:59,100 --> 00:22:01,537 - And while they didn't find a jacket or hat 457 00:22:01,581 --> 00:22:04,061 that matches the description of our witness, 458 00:22:04,105 --> 00:22:06,673 they did find this on Costa's social media. 459 00:22:06,716 --> 00:22:09,545 It's the same jacket from the surveillance footage. 460 00:22:09,589 --> 00:22:11,330 - You can prove motive, means, 461 00:22:11,373 --> 00:22:12,809 and you've got him in possession 462 00:22:12,853 --> 00:22:14,463 of the murder weapon. What's the problem? 463 00:22:14,507 --> 00:22:16,813 - Well, our evidence in the Ackerman case is strong. 464 00:22:16,857 --> 00:22:19,250 but we don't have much, if anything, 465 00:22:19,294 --> 00:22:21,078 tying him to Simonian's murder. 466 00:22:21,122 --> 00:22:23,472 - Then separate the cases. [phone buzzes] 467 00:22:23,516 --> 00:22:26,257 Hold off on Simonian's until you have more evidence. 468 00:22:26,301 --> 00:22:29,522 And in the meantime, move for trial on the Ackerman case. 469 00:22:29,565 --> 00:22:32,351 - Costa's attorney just filed a motion. 470 00:22:33,569 --> 00:22:36,224 They want to suppress the murder weapon. 471 00:22:38,748 --> 00:22:41,403 - It's our contention that the search warrant in this case 472 00:22:41,447 --> 00:22:43,362 was defective. 473 00:22:43,405 --> 00:22:45,102 - Mr. Price, what was the basis 474 00:22:45,146 --> 00:22:46,974 for probable cause in your affidavit? 475 00:22:47,017 --> 00:22:48,541 - The defendant has a clear motive, 476 00:22:48,584 --> 00:22:51,761 and detectives observed cuts and bruises on his face 477 00:22:51,805 --> 00:22:53,502 during a routine traffic stop. 478 00:22:53,546 --> 00:22:56,287 - Ah, yes, two seasoned homicide detectives 479 00:22:56,331 --> 00:22:59,116 suddenly morph into traffic cops. 480 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:00,988 They pulled him over for a rolling stop. 481 00:23:01,031 --> 00:23:02,685 This is laughable. 482 00:23:02,729 --> 00:23:05,340 The police circumvented my client's constitutional rights 483 00:23:05,384 --> 00:23:08,082 with a trumped-up, unverifiable, 484 00:23:08,125 --> 00:23:09,779 alleged traffic violation. 485 00:23:09,823 --> 00:23:11,128 - They were within their rights. 486 00:23:11,172 --> 00:23:13,000 - No, they exploited a technicality 487 00:23:13,043 --> 00:23:15,524 and violated the spirit of the law. 488 00:23:15,568 --> 00:23:18,484 - I tend to agree. It's an overreach. 489 00:23:20,181 --> 00:23:21,835 And since the stop is where they noticed 490 00:23:21,878 --> 00:23:25,186 the cuts and bruises which in turn led to the search warrant, 491 00:23:25,229 --> 00:23:27,928 the knife is fruit of the poisonous tree. 492 00:23:27,971 --> 00:23:30,539 Defense's motion to suppress is granted. 493 00:23:34,195 --> 00:23:35,631 - You been able to find anything 494 00:23:35,675 --> 00:23:37,894 in Costa's personal finances that ties him 495 00:23:37,938 --> 00:23:39,548 to the embezzlement? - Negative. 496 00:23:39,592 --> 00:23:41,855 And I've requested information on SiteShield's account, 497 00:23:41,898 --> 00:23:45,511 but the bank in Panama where the company receives the funds 498 00:23:45,554 --> 00:23:48,339 is citing the privacy of their clients. 499 00:23:48,383 --> 00:23:51,212 And we have no jurisdiction to challenge it. 500 00:23:51,255 --> 00:23:53,867 - Which is why Costa was funneling the embezzled funds 501 00:23:53,910 --> 00:23:55,390 through them in the first place. 502 00:23:57,131 --> 00:24:00,134 You lost the murder weapon. 503 00:24:00,177 --> 00:24:02,353 This was supposed to be the case you could win. 504 00:24:02,397 --> 00:24:03,616 - I still can. 505 00:24:03,659 --> 00:24:05,226 Ackerman was on the verge 506 00:24:05,269 --> 00:24:07,576 of exposing SiteShield's responsibility 507 00:24:07,620 --> 00:24:09,926 for the six deaths in the Myers-Hamilton fire. 508 00:24:09,970 --> 00:24:12,102 And as the person behind the shell company, 509 00:24:12,146 --> 00:24:13,843 David Costa had the most to lose. 510 00:24:13,887 --> 00:24:15,497 - Without documentation 511 00:24:15,541 --> 00:24:17,934 tying Costa to the shell corporation, 512 00:24:17,978 --> 00:24:19,632 you can't even prove he was involved 513 00:24:19,675 --> 00:24:20,937 in the embezzlement scheme. 514 00:24:20,981 --> 00:24:23,505 - I can do it through Julia McAllister, 515 00:24:23,549 --> 00:24:25,028 Ackerman's colleague. 516 00:24:25,072 --> 00:24:26,508 She was writing the article with Ackerman. 517 00:24:26,552 --> 00:24:29,293 She can testify to how he came to suspect Costa. 518 00:24:29,337 --> 00:24:30,730 - Good. 519 00:24:30,773 --> 00:24:33,907 But you still need to play to the jury's emotions. 520 00:24:33,950 --> 00:24:36,387 Remind them that the defendant has a lot more 521 00:24:36,431 --> 00:24:38,912 than just Jacob Ackerman's blood on his hands. 522 00:24:46,702 --> 00:24:49,575 - This was not an accident. 523 00:24:49,618 --> 00:24:54,536 What happened to the people in that building was horrific-- 524 00:24:54,580 --> 00:24:56,233 to be burned alive. 525 00:24:56,277 --> 00:25:00,629 And the tragedy is their deaths could have been avoided. 526 00:25:01,500 --> 00:25:04,894 - Ms. McAllister, what did you and Jacob Ackerman discover 527 00:25:04,938 --> 00:25:07,941 in the course of your reporting on the Myers-Hamilton fire? 528 00:25:07,984 --> 00:25:10,160 - The city hired a company called SiteShield 529 00:25:10,204 --> 00:25:12,554 to install fire safety doors in that building. 530 00:25:12,598 --> 00:25:14,556 Turned out it was a shell corporation, 531 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:17,559 and they never did the work they were paid to do. 532 00:25:17,603 --> 00:25:20,083 - How much were they paid? - Over $5 million. 533 00:25:20,127 --> 00:25:21,650 - And were you able to determine 534 00:25:21,694 --> 00:25:23,304 who was behind SiteShield? 535 00:25:23,347 --> 00:25:25,001 - Yes, I found a source 536 00:25:25,045 --> 00:25:26,916 who had firsthand knowledge of the situation. 537 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:28,570 - And what did the source tell you? 538 00:25:28,614 --> 00:25:30,920 - Objection. Calls for hearsay. 539 00:25:30,964 --> 00:25:32,487 - May I be heard? 540 00:25:32,531 --> 00:25:34,445 - I'll see counsel in chambers. 541 00:25:36,491 --> 00:25:38,711 Where are you going with this, Mr. Price? 542 00:25:38,754 --> 00:25:41,235 - The witness will testify that she has a source 543 00:25:41,278 --> 00:25:43,280 who told her that they overheard a conversation-- 544 00:25:43,324 --> 00:25:45,282 - This is hearsay. - Hold on. 545 00:25:45,326 --> 00:25:46,588 What is the proffered testimony? 546 00:25:46,632 --> 00:25:48,590 - The witness' source overheard a conversation 547 00:25:48,634 --> 00:25:51,593 between the defendant and Deputy Mayor Patricia Simonian. 548 00:25:51,637 --> 00:25:54,074 The defendant admitted that he was behind SiteShield 549 00:25:54,117 --> 00:25:55,466 and that he was aware 550 00:25:55,510 --> 00:25:57,294 that Jacob Ackerman was about to expose him. 551 00:25:57,338 --> 00:25:58,992 - I agree with Mr. Hollins. 552 00:25:59,035 --> 00:26:01,298 - It's an admission of guilt 553 00:26:01,342 --> 00:26:02,430 by the defendant... - Actually, Your Honor... 554 00:26:02,473 --> 00:26:03,474 - And therefore, an exception to the-- 555 00:26:03,518 --> 00:26:05,302 - This is double hearsay. - Double? 556 00:26:05,346 --> 00:26:06,826 - McAllister isn't even the one 557 00:26:06,869 --> 00:26:09,219 who claims to have overheard this so-called confession. 558 00:26:09,263 --> 00:26:11,787 We have no proof this source even exists. 559 00:26:11,831 --> 00:26:14,311 - Can you verify who Ms. McAllister's source is? 560 00:26:14,355 --> 00:26:16,618 - Unfortunately, no, Your Honor. 561 00:26:16,662 --> 00:26:19,186 The source only agreed to speak with Ms. McAllister 562 00:26:19,229 --> 00:26:20,535 under the promise of anonymity, 563 00:26:20,579 --> 00:26:22,972 and she's exercising her First Amendment right 564 00:26:23,016 --> 00:26:25,540 to protect their identity. 565 00:26:25,584 --> 00:26:27,455 - I understand that puts you in a bind, 566 00:26:27,498 --> 00:26:30,545 but I need confirmation this person is real. 567 00:26:30,589 --> 00:26:33,592 Without that, I can't allow Ms. McAllister's testimony. 568 00:26:42,688 --> 00:26:44,646 - I need the name of your source. 569 00:26:44,690 --> 00:26:47,736 I will do everything I can to limit their exposure. 570 00:26:47,780 --> 00:26:49,999 - And we can request a closed-door hearing. 571 00:26:50,043 --> 00:26:52,393 - I can't. I'm sorry. 572 00:26:54,221 --> 00:26:56,832 - Ackerman was your friend, right? 573 00:26:56,876 --> 00:26:59,269 Your mentor. 574 00:26:59,313 --> 00:27:01,489 And you're OK letting his killer walk free? 575 00:27:01,532 --> 00:27:05,101 - No, I'm not OK with that. 576 00:27:05,145 --> 00:27:06,929 Not even close. 577 00:27:06,973 --> 00:27:09,018 But I can't reveal my source. 578 00:27:09,062 --> 00:27:12,326 I-I just can't. 579 00:27:13,544 --> 00:27:16,025 Jacob would understand too. 580 00:27:16,069 --> 00:27:20,639 He's the one who taught me the importance of integrity. 581 00:27:20,682 --> 00:27:23,903 You live and die as a journalist 582 00:27:23,946 --> 00:27:25,774 based on your word. 583 00:27:27,602 --> 00:27:29,691 I'm sorry. 584 00:27:29,735 --> 00:27:32,128 I can't help you. 585 00:27:40,441 --> 00:27:40,659 . 586 00:27:40,702 --> 00:27:42,791 - Can you describe the person you saw 587 00:27:42,835 --> 00:27:44,706 running away from Jacob Ackerman's home 588 00:27:44,750 --> 00:27:46,665 on the morning of January 8th? 589 00:27:46,708 --> 00:27:49,711 - He was wearing this big, green puffy jacket. 590 00:27:49,755 --> 00:27:52,105 - Was there anything unique about the jacket? 591 00:27:52,148 --> 00:27:55,804 - It had a bright, fluorescent orange liner and hood. 592 00:27:55,848 --> 00:28:01,636 - Mr. Fulcher, this is a picture of David Costa 593 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:03,072 taken a week before the murder. 594 00:28:03,116 --> 00:28:04,987 Is the jacket he's wearing in this photo 595 00:28:05,031 --> 00:28:06,728 the same as the one you're describing? 596 00:28:06,772 --> 00:28:09,513 - Yes, that's it. No question. 597 00:28:11,385 --> 00:28:12,691 - Thank you. Nothing further. 598 00:28:15,432 --> 00:28:19,088 - Mr. Fulcher, by your own admission, 599 00:28:19,132 --> 00:28:22,135 you never saw this person's face, correct? 600 00:28:22,178 --> 00:28:23,702 - Yes, that is correct. 601 00:28:23,745 --> 00:28:25,399 - In fact, you told police 602 00:28:25,442 --> 00:28:28,489 that you couldn't even tell if the person that you saw 603 00:28:28,532 --> 00:28:30,012 was a man or a woman. 604 00:28:30,056 --> 00:28:32,101 - That's true. 605 00:28:32,145 --> 00:28:37,411 - So what you saw was a person in a ski jacket 606 00:28:37,454 --> 00:28:39,108 running down the street. 607 00:28:39,152 --> 00:28:42,633 - He or she was running out of Jacob's home wearing that coat. 608 00:28:44,070 --> 00:28:49,510 - But what you can't say beyond a reasonable doubt 609 00:28:49,553 --> 00:28:52,556 is that my client... 610 00:28:54,428 --> 00:28:56,735 Had anything to do with this murder. 611 00:28:58,737 --> 00:29:02,088 - No, I guess not. 612 00:29:02,131 --> 00:29:03,916 - No further questions. 613 00:29:07,833 --> 00:29:11,488 The prosecution is making a lot of noise about a jacket. 614 00:29:11,532 --> 00:29:14,535 Do you, in fact, own a green and orange parka? 615 00:29:14,578 --> 00:29:17,233 - I did, but I donated it to the Goodwill 616 00:29:17,277 --> 00:29:19,409 a week before the murder. 617 00:29:19,453 --> 00:29:23,631 - Your Honor, I'd like to offer a receipt of this donation 618 00:29:23,674 --> 00:29:26,939 and ask that it be marked exhibit 12. 619 00:29:29,942 --> 00:29:33,206 So you're not the person Stephen Fulcher saw 620 00:29:33,249 --> 00:29:35,948 fleeing the scene of Jacob Ackerman's murder? 621 00:29:35,991 --> 00:29:37,863 - Absolutely not. I'd never even heard 622 00:29:37,906 --> 00:29:41,344 of Jacob Ackerman before I was arrested. 623 00:29:41,388 --> 00:29:42,519 - Thank you. 624 00:29:46,523 --> 00:29:48,917 - Your cell phone location data puts you 625 00:29:48,961 --> 00:29:52,268 within a 12-block radius of Jacob Ackerman's brownstone 626 00:29:52,312 --> 00:29:53,617 on the morning of the murder. 627 00:29:53,661 --> 00:29:55,968 How do you explain that? - I went out for a run. 628 00:29:57,534 --> 00:29:59,493 - You live in Queens. 629 00:29:59,536 --> 00:30:01,756 Jacob Ackerman lived in the West Village. 630 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:04,803 - Well, I like to explore different parts of the city. 631 00:30:07,370 --> 00:30:09,808 - You familiar with a company called SiteShield? 632 00:30:09,851 --> 00:30:12,375 - Your Honor, we're venturing into dangerous waters. 633 00:30:12,419 --> 00:30:14,769 - Anything else, Mr. Price? 634 00:30:25,519 --> 00:30:27,738 - The idea that anyone would travel 635 00:30:27,782 --> 00:30:30,176 over a body of water and across two boroughs 636 00:30:30,219 --> 00:30:32,308 to jog at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning, 637 00:30:32,352 --> 00:30:33,483 it's ludicrous. 638 00:30:33,527 --> 00:30:35,659 But I saw the jurors' faces. 639 00:30:35,703 --> 00:30:36,791 They were entertaining it. 640 00:30:36,835 --> 00:30:38,706 - No one likes the idea 641 00:30:38,749 --> 00:30:41,404 of condemning a man to life in prison. 642 00:30:41,448 --> 00:30:42,971 Credible or not, 643 00:30:43,015 --> 00:30:46,235 reason to doubt gives them reason to acquit. 644 00:30:46,279 --> 00:30:48,150 - I don't see how we come back from this. 645 00:30:48,194 --> 00:30:50,370 - Then maybe it's time to reach out, 646 00:30:50,413 --> 00:30:52,894 discuss a plea. - Maybe not. 647 00:30:52,938 --> 00:30:54,853 I just got a call from an attorney 648 00:30:54,896 --> 00:30:56,332 representing Lucas Hobbs. 649 00:30:56,376 --> 00:30:57,899 - The neo-Nazi? 650 00:30:57,943 --> 00:31:00,684 - The guy who spraypainted Ackerman's brownstone 651 00:31:00,728 --> 00:31:02,382 the morning of the murder. 652 00:31:02,425 --> 00:31:04,775 - What did his lawyer want? 653 00:31:09,737 --> 00:31:12,087 - I was watching the news, 654 00:31:12,131 --> 00:31:14,785 and they did a story on your trial. 655 00:31:14,829 --> 00:31:17,527 I recognize that guy you're prosecuting. 656 00:31:17,571 --> 00:31:19,225 - You know David Costa? 657 00:31:19,268 --> 00:31:23,142 - I saw him the morning of the murder. 658 00:31:23,185 --> 00:31:25,405 - [sighs] Where exactly did this happen? 659 00:31:25,448 --> 00:31:28,974 - On Ackerman's block, just a few houses down. 660 00:31:29,017 --> 00:31:31,193 After I tagged his house, I was headed back 661 00:31:31,237 --> 00:31:33,848 to the subway to go home, and he bumped into me. 662 00:31:33,892 --> 00:31:36,329 So I shoved him, told him to watch where he was going. 663 00:31:36,372 --> 00:31:38,679 - Mm, and you remember what he looks like, 664 00:31:38,722 --> 00:31:41,160 even though it was months ago? 665 00:31:41,203 --> 00:31:43,553 - Yeah, I'm not gonna forget his face. 666 00:31:43,597 --> 00:31:45,686 He pulled a knife on me. 667 00:31:45,729 --> 00:31:47,688 He said that if I knew what was good for me, 668 00:31:47,731 --> 00:31:49,995 I'd watch where I was going. 669 00:31:50,038 --> 00:31:51,910 - What did this knife look like? 670 00:31:51,953 --> 00:31:54,434 - Blade was about yay big. 671 00:31:54,477 --> 00:31:55,914 The handle was kind of gold. 672 00:31:55,957 --> 00:31:58,090 Had, like, pearl and stuff all in it. 673 00:32:02,311 --> 00:32:03,922 - You notice anything else about the blade? 674 00:32:03,965 --> 00:32:06,968 Um, did it have a straight edge? 675 00:32:07,012 --> 00:32:09,971 - No, it was serrated. 676 00:32:12,104 --> 00:32:13,757 - Why didn't you mention this to police 677 00:32:13,801 --> 00:32:14,758 when they questioned you? 678 00:32:14,802 --> 00:32:17,196 - Because I'm not a snitch. 679 00:32:18,501 --> 00:32:21,330 Not for free, anyway. 680 00:32:21,374 --> 00:32:23,985 - My client is currently being held 681 00:32:24,029 --> 00:32:25,421 on an aggravated assault charge. 682 00:32:25,465 --> 00:32:26,770 - We heard. 683 00:32:26,814 --> 00:32:29,295 Attacked a Jewish woman in broad daylight, 684 00:32:29,338 --> 00:32:30,513 completely unprovoked. 685 00:32:30,557 --> 00:32:32,428 - Mr. Hobbs maintains his innocence. 686 00:32:32,472 --> 00:32:35,170 And he would be happy to help in your case 687 00:32:35,214 --> 00:32:37,216 in exchange for your help with his. 688 00:32:44,353 --> 00:32:46,225 - What did you have in mind? 689 00:32:46,268 --> 00:32:48,009 - A dismissal. 690 00:32:49,315 --> 00:32:51,534 - He put a young woman in the hospital, 691 00:32:51,578 --> 00:32:52,883 and you want a free pass? 692 00:32:52,927 --> 00:32:56,975 - That, or I don't testify. 693 00:33:04,330 --> 00:33:04,721 . 694 00:33:04,765 --> 00:33:07,594 - Are you certain Lucas Hobbs is even telling the truth? 695 00:33:07,637 --> 00:33:10,684 Did he really see the defendant at the murder scene? 696 00:33:10,727 --> 00:33:12,816 - His description of the knife was spot-on. 697 00:33:12,860 --> 00:33:14,644 And those details were never made public, 698 00:33:14,688 --> 00:33:16,429 so either he is omniscient 699 00:33:16,472 --> 00:33:20,259 or he saw Costa holding the knife 700 00:33:20,302 --> 00:33:21,651 a block from the murder scene. 701 00:33:21,695 --> 00:33:24,219 But, Jack, look at this. 702 00:33:26,047 --> 00:33:30,138 Hobbs brutally assaulted a 19-year-old Jewish woman 703 00:33:30,182 --> 00:33:32,880 when he overheard her speaking Hebrew with a friend, 704 00:33:32,923 --> 00:33:35,578 and he wants all charges dropped 705 00:33:35,622 --> 00:33:37,537 in exchange for his testimony. 706 00:33:39,191 --> 00:33:41,367 - We're talking about a murder case here, Nolan. 707 00:33:41,410 --> 00:33:42,542 - Yeah, I understand that. 708 00:33:42,585 --> 00:33:43,847 I was prepared to offer him 709 00:33:43,891 --> 00:33:45,980 more leniency than he deserves. 710 00:33:46,024 --> 00:33:48,765 But what he did, 711 00:33:48,809 --> 00:33:50,941 he shouldn't be allowed to walk away scot-free. 712 00:33:50,985 --> 00:33:54,249 - This isn't about what he deserves or doesn't deserve. 713 00:33:54,293 --> 00:33:57,383 It's about getting justice for Jacob Ackerman. 714 00:33:57,426 --> 00:33:58,862 - At what expense? 715 00:33:58,906 --> 00:34:01,909 Sarah Khahiri, the young woman Hobbs attacked, 716 00:34:01,952 --> 00:34:05,347 has a fractured spine from when he stomped on her back. 717 00:34:05,391 --> 00:34:08,697 She needs surgery to have her jaw reconstructed. 718 00:34:08,742 --> 00:34:10,699 - What happened to her is horrific. 719 00:34:10,744 --> 00:34:13,790 But she's still alive. 720 00:34:13,833 --> 00:34:16,576 Mr. Ackerman is not. 721 00:34:20,449 --> 00:34:22,277 - I'm just not comfortable 722 00:34:22,321 --> 00:34:25,018 giving a neo-Nazi a get-out-of-jail-free card. 723 00:34:25,063 --> 00:34:26,020 I'm not. 724 00:34:27,978 --> 00:34:30,938 Especially with all the recent anti-Semitic attacks 725 00:34:30,981 --> 00:34:32,853 and the hate out there, 726 00:34:32,896 --> 00:34:35,116 there's a bigger picture to take into account here. 727 00:34:35,159 --> 00:34:39,686 - I have no more tolerance for hate crimes than you do, 728 00:34:39,728 --> 00:34:44,212 and I'm all for adhering to principles, 729 00:34:44,255 --> 00:34:47,998 but not to the exclusion of trying to win a murder case. 730 00:34:48,042 --> 00:34:52,525 - So you're demanding that I put this racist, Hobbs, 731 00:34:52,568 --> 00:34:53,612 on the stand? 732 00:34:53,656 --> 00:34:55,963 - Can you win without him? 733 00:34:58,661 --> 00:35:02,491 - I don't know, but I'm not sure 734 00:35:02,535 --> 00:35:05,755 if it's worth winning like this. 735 00:35:05,799 --> 00:35:09,150 - Tell that to Jacob Ackerman's son 736 00:35:09,194 --> 00:35:14,112 and the families of the six people who died in that fire. 737 00:35:16,462 --> 00:35:19,160 Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, 738 00:35:19,204 --> 00:35:22,555 but if the cost of convicting someone 739 00:35:22,598 --> 00:35:27,560 responsible for eight deaths, including three children, 740 00:35:27,603 --> 00:35:32,782 is cutting a sweetheart deal with a white supremacist, 741 00:35:32,826 --> 00:35:36,612 I'd take that deal all day long. 742 00:35:36,656 --> 00:35:40,138 But this is your case. 743 00:35:40,181 --> 00:35:43,010 You're the one who needs to live with your choices, 744 00:35:43,053 --> 00:35:44,968 not me. 745 00:35:54,326 --> 00:35:58,721 - And how can you be certain, Mr. Hobbs, 746 00:35:58,765 --> 00:36:00,767 that the man who pulled a knife on you 747 00:36:00,810 --> 00:36:02,986 right outside of Jacob Ackerman's brownstone 748 00:36:03,030 --> 00:36:06,903 that morning was the defendant? 749 00:36:06,947 --> 00:36:08,949 - I got a really good look at him. 750 00:36:08,992 --> 00:36:10,211 He got right up in my face. 751 00:36:10,255 --> 00:36:12,213 He was all amped up. 752 00:36:12,257 --> 00:36:16,261 I could see it in his eyes that he didn't just have a knife, 753 00:36:16,304 --> 00:36:18,350 he was willing to use it. 754 00:36:21,048 --> 00:36:23,224 - Nothing further for this witness. 755 00:36:25,444 --> 00:36:29,143 - Mr. Hobbs, you were initially questioned by detectives 756 00:36:29,187 --> 00:36:32,494 as a suspect in the murder of Jacob Ackerman, 757 00:36:32,538 --> 00:36:33,669 is that not correct? 758 00:36:33,713 --> 00:36:37,107 - Yeah, but I didn't do it. 759 00:36:37,151 --> 00:36:39,197 - But you didn't mention anything to them 760 00:36:39,240 --> 00:36:41,199 about seeing someone with a knife that morning, 761 00:36:41,242 --> 00:36:43,070 did you? 762 00:36:43,113 --> 00:36:44,376 - No. 763 00:36:44,419 --> 00:36:48,031 - So you knew Ackerman got stabbed, 764 00:36:48,075 --> 00:36:51,252 and you now are claiming that you saw someone 765 00:36:51,296 --> 00:36:54,124 brandishing a knife outside his home, 766 00:36:54,168 --> 00:36:57,040 but you didn't think that information was pertinent? 767 00:36:58,607 --> 00:37:02,785 - I don't really have the best relationship with the police. 768 00:37:04,134 --> 00:37:07,355 - Well, that's putting it lightly. 769 00:37:07,399 --> 00:37:10,532 In fact, you were charged 770 00:37:10,576 --> 00:37:13,231 with vandalizing Ackerman's house 771 00:37:13,274 --> 00:37:16,538 with anti-Semitic graffiti, isn't that correct? 772 00:37:16,582 --> 00:37:17,887 - Yeah. 773 00:37:17,931 --> 00:37:19,237 - And you've been charged 774 00:37:19,280 --> 00:37:21,804 with several other crimes since then, haven't you? 775 00:37:21,848 --> 00:37:24,242 - Objection. The witness is not on trial. 776 00:37:24,285 --> 00:37:26,461 - Sustained. - We'll try another way. 777 00:37:26,505 --> 00:37:30,552 Um, Mr. Hobbs, are you currently on trial 778 00:37:30,596 --> 00:37:34,295 for the assault of a 19-year-old Jewish girl? 779 00:37:34,339 --> 00:37:35,775 - I'm innocent. 780 00:37:35,818 --> 00:37:38,125 - And is your testimony here today 781 00:37:38,168 --> 00:37:40,083 in exchange for the district attorney 782 00:37:40,127 --> 00:37:42,999 giving you a full dismissal of that case? 783 00:37:43,043 --> 00:37:45,915 - Yes, it is. 784 00:37:48,570 --> 00:37:51,747 - I have no further questions. 785 00:37:51,791 --> 00:37:53,967 - Any redirect, Mr. Price? 786 00:38:02,367 --> 00:38:07,676 - Mr. Hobbs, you are a member of the Wolves of Vanguard, 787 00:38:07,720 --> 00:38:09,330 an organization that's associated 788 00:38:09,374 --> 00:38:11,680 with the neo-Nazi party, correct? 789 00:38:11,724 --> 00:38:13,029 - Yeah. 790 00:38:13,073 --> 00:38:18,252 - So when someone kills 791 00:38:18,296 --> 00:38:21,299 a prominent Jewish figure like Jacob Ackerman, 792 00:38:21,342 --> 00:38:24,345 if anything, you're more likely 793 00:38:24,389 --> 00:38:29,176 to lie to protect them, not incriminate them. 794 00:38:29,219 --> 00:38:30,612 Isn't that fair to say? 795 00:38:30,656 --> 00:38:31,874 - If I'm being real with you, 796 00:38:31,918 --> 00:38:34,703 I hate that I'm testifying against that guy. 797 00:38:34,747 --> 00:38:36,444 I got no beef with him. 798 00:38:36,488 --> 00:38:37,967 But I saw what I saw. 799 00:38:38,011 --> 00:38:40,796 He was there, and he had a knife. 800 00:38:40,840 --> 00:38:44,539 [tense music] 801 00:38:44,583 --> 00:38:51,503 ♪ 802 00:39:08,258 --> 00:39:10,348 - Has the jury reached a verdict? 803 00:39:12,872 --> 00:39:15,048 - We have, Your Honor. 804 00:39:15,091 --> 00:39:18,486 On the charge of murder in the second degree, 805 00:39:18,530 --> 00:39:21,663 we find the defendant, David Costa... 806 00:39:21,707 --> 00:39:23,056 guilty. 807 00:39:23,099 --> 00:39:25,232 [indistinct chatter] 808 00:39:40,856 --> 00:39:43,511 - Hey. It all worked out, huh? 809 00:39:43,555 --> 00:39:46,558 I appreciate you keeping up your end of the bargain. 810 00:39:48,908 --> 00:39:50,910 - It was a one-time deal. 811 00:39:50,953 --> 00:39:54,087 You commit any crimes moving forward, 812 00:39:54,130 --> 00:39:56,263 I will make sure you are prosecuted 813 00:39:56,306 --> 00:39:59,092 to the maximum extent of the law. 814 00:40:00,833 --> 00:40:03,052 - Good doing business with you. 815 00:40:11,844 --> 00:40:14,412 - You made the right call. 816 00:40:17,980 --> 00:40:20,113 - I'll see you tomorrow. 817 00:40:20,156 --> 00:40:27,294 ♪ 818 00:40:42,701 --> 00:40:43,136 . 819 00:40:43,179 --> 00:40:45,878 [tense music] 820 00:40:45,921 --> 00:40:53,059 ♪ 821 00:41:12,557 --> 00:41:15,473 [wolf howls]