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TONIGHT ON DATELINE: A MYSTERY
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IN PARADISE THAT STARTED AS A
HONEYMOON.
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AND, ENDED IN A MURDER
>> YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE.
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>> CONGRATULATIONS
>> I GET A PHONE CALL,
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SCREAMING, CRYING.
WENDY'S DEAD
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THEY HAD BEEN ON THEIR
HONEYMOON.
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WHY IS THIS YOUNG GIRL IN THIS
INDUSTRIAL PARKING LOT
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WHERE'S HER HUSBAND?
>> THIS GUY DEFINITELY DID NOT
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PASS THE SNIFF TEST.
>> NO.
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>> A MILLION DOLLAR INSURANCE
POLICY ON YOUR LIFE.
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THAT'S A BIG RED FLAG.
>> SHE LOVED HIM
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THE TRUTH WAS BEING REVEALED
>> IT SHOWED THE MONSTER BEHIND
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THE MASK
>> YOU'VE GOT TO PROVE IT.
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YOU'VE GOT TO PROVE IT
>> THE YEARS OF WAITING, THE
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YEARS OF MOURNING HER.
WE NEEDED JUSTICE.
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>> HERE'S DENNIS MURPHY WITH
"MYSTERY IN SOUTH BEACH.
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>> IF YOU SPENT ANY TIME DOWN
HERE, YOU PROBABLY SENSE THERE
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ARE REALLY TWO MIAMI BEACHES
YOU KNOW THIS ONE BY REPUTATION
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ANYWAY
SOUTH BEACH.
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A PULSATING PLAYGROUND WITH
ENERGY THAT SURGES OUT OF THE
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OCEAN AND EXHAUSTS ITSELF IN THE
ALL-NIGHT CLUBS.
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AND THEN THERE'S THE OLD MIAMI
BEACH.
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HERE ARE THE SUNBURNED BACK
STREETS OF APARTMENT BLOCKS,
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WHERE DECADES PAST THE OLD
PEOPLE USED TO SIT OUT IN
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ALUMINUM CHAIRS.
AND THAT'S WHERE A YOUNG COUPLE,
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WENDY AND MICHEL, WERE TRYING TO
MAKE A GO OF IT.
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THE RENT WAS CHEAP
THE WINDOW AIR-CONDITIONING GOOD
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ENOUGH
BUT IF YOU EVER THOUGH
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BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE CATCH ALL THE
BREAKS, THEN LISTEN TO THIS
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STORY OF 21-YEAR-OLD WENDY
TRAPAGA, BECAUSE SHE MAY BE THE
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MOST GORGEOUS DOOMED YOUNG WOMAN
TO EVER WALK THESE STREETS
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>> SHE WAS MODEL PRETTY.
>> I DON'T THINK THAT SHE
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THOUGHT OF HERSELF AS ANYTHING
SPECTACULAR.
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>> DIDN'T BECOME THE CENTRAL
PART OF HER PERSONALITY.
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I AM PRETTY?
>> IT WASN'T WHAT SHE WAS ABOUT.
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>> HER MUCH OLDER SISTERS AND
BROTHER RALPH NEVER USED TO
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QUALIFY HER AS A STEPSISTER.
THEY'LL TELL YOU SHE WAS A
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LITTLE BIT OF A DADDY'S GIRL,
INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE PILOT WHO
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DIED, SADLY, IN A CRASH WHEN
WENDY WAS JUST 6
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HER MOTHER, MIRIAM, RAISED HER
AND BIG SISTER RITA ALWAYS
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PITCHING IN.
>> I GUESS I WAS A MOTHER FOR
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HER BECAUSE I WAS PRETTY MUCH
THERE BY MIRIAM'S SIDE RAISING
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HER.
>> THE LOVE OF ANIMALS WAS
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ALWAYS A PART OF WENDY
>> SHE WAS ALWAYS RESCUING SOME
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ANIMAL, DOG, PUPPY, KITTEN,
ANYTHING
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>> SHE WANTED TO BE A VET FOR A
WHILE?
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>> YES
>> BUT ALLERGIES WOULD END HER
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AMBITIONS TO BECOME A VET.
>> I KEPT TELLING HER, DON'T
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GIVE UP YOUR PASSION
DON'T GIVE IT UP
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>> BUT WENDY DID HAVE ANOTHER
PASSION.
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IT WAS FOR FASHION AND
MAKEOVERS.
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>> OH, MY GOODNESS
>> PRETTY GIRL
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>> AT EASTER, SHE MEMORABLY
DOLLED UP HER NIECES FOR A
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LIVING ROOM FASHION SHOW
>> HERE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE
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ENTIRE OPERATION
>> HOW NICE A KID WAS THIS
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CHURCH-GOING, SLIGHTLY SHELTERED
GIRL
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WELL, THERE'S THIS STORY OF THE
CLASSMATE WITHOUT A DRESS.
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>> ONE GIRL COULDN'T AFFORD TO
GO TO THE PROM AND WENDY GOT
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THIS GIRL PRETTIED UP, GOT HER A
DRESS, EVERYTHING.
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THAT WAS THE HEART SHE HAD
>> AFTER GRADUATION, TWO COUSINS
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WHO OWNED THEIR OWN SALONS URGED
WENDY TO FOLLOW IN THEIR
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FOOTSTEPS.
>> SHE HAD A FLARE FOR IT AND
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YOU CAN DO VERY WELL IN THAT
FIELD?
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>> YES, SHE DID.
>> SO AT 21 AFTER A BRIEF
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MARRIAGE, SHE ENROLLED IN BEAUTY
SCHOOL
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AND IN 2002 THAT'S WHEN SH
FIRST SAW MICHEL ESCOTO REV UP
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ON A RED MOTORCYCLE.
SELF-TAUGHT WEB DESIGNER AND
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SOMETIMES TEACHER OF COMPUTING
BY HIS EARLY 30s HE WAS LOOKING
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FOR A CAREER CHANGE.
HE THOUGHT HE WOULD TRY
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HAIRSTYLING.
SO HE ENROLLED, AS FATE WOULD
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HAVE IT, IN THE SAME COSMETOLOGY
SCHOOL AS WENDY.
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MICHEL, WHO FANCIED HIMSELF A
SENSITIVE GUY POET HAD A STRING
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OF ADMIRING GIRLFRIENDS.
BUT WENDY, YOUNGER BY TEN YEARS
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AND PRETTIER THAN MOST ANY OTHER
WOMAN IN HIS ORBIT, WAS CLEARLY
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A PRIZE CATCH.
M
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MICHEL'S FRIEND, RAMAN SANTA
CRUZ
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>> WHEN I MET WENDY, HE WAS ON A
MOTORCYCLE WITH HER.
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I TOLD MYSELF, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL
GIRL
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I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE DID TO GET
THIS GIRL.
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>> WHATEVER HE DID, IT WORKED.
THE PAIR, FALLING QUICKLY AND
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DEEPLY
>> THEY WERE LIKE HIGH SCHOOL
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SWEETHEARTS.
SHE WAS TOTALLY IN LOVE, SPARKLE
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IN THE EYE
HE SAID I'M GOING TO BUY HER A
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MOTORCYCLE
IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT
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>> WITHIN SIX MONTHS, THEY WERE
LIVING TOGETHER ON SOUTH BEACH
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WENDY GAVE MICHEL A MAKEOVER,
DYEING HIS HAIR BLOND, PERFECT
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FOR THE CLUB SCENE
THEY LIVED FOR THE DAY AND THEN
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CAME UNEXPECTED NEWS FOR THESE
TWO BUTTERFLIES.
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WENDY WAS PREGNANT
HER MOTHER, MIRIAM, HAD MIXED
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FEELINGS
HOW DID MIRIAM FEEL ABOUT THE
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FACT THAT HER BABY WAS HAVING A
BABY
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>> DELIGHTED WITH THE FACT OF
BEING A GRANDMOTHER, BUT NOT
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DELIGHTED WITH THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
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>> WENDY HAD HAD THE BIG CHURCH
WEDDING FOR HER FIRST MARRIAGE
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THIS TIME AROUND, SHE AND MICHEL
GOT HITCHED AT MIAMI BEACH CITY
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HALL
>> YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE.
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CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THE NEXT DAY, WENDY AND
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MICHEL SET OUT FOR A BRIEF
WEEKEND HONEYMOON, A DRIVE DOWN
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THE FLORIDA KEYS TO KEY WEST
WHERE THE ROAD RAN OUT
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SUNSET DRINKS, DINNER AND A
HOTEL.
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THREE DAYS AFTER THE WEDDING,
THEY WERE BACK IN MIAMI BEACH,
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SUNDAY EVENING
WENDY CALLED HER MOTHER TO SAY
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THEY WERE GOING TO A MOVIE AND
THEN DANCING LATER AT A CLUB
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HER MOTHER URGED HER PREGNANT
DAUGHTER NOT TO DRINK.
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THEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
THE WEE HOURS OF MONDAY MORNING,
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WENDY'S MOTHER GOT AN UNEXPECTED
CALL FROM HER NEW SON-IN-LAW,
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MICHEL, SAYING THEY'VE HAD AN
ARGUMENT
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WENDY STORMED OFF, SAYING SHE
WAS GOING TO HER MOTHER'S HOUSE.
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SINCE THEN, THE BRIDEGROOM SAYS
HE REPEATEDLY CALLED WENDY
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WITHOUT SUCCESS.
RIGHT AROUND THEN, IN A BLEAK
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WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, MILES AND
MILES FROM THE AFTER-HOURS BARS
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OF MIAMI, A SANITATION WORKER
WAS STARTLED TO SEE THE BODY OF
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A YOUNG WOMAN IN A BLUE DRESS
SLUMPED BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES
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IT WAS THE NEWLYWED, WENDY
NEWS TRAVELS FAST.
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>> I GET A CALL FROM MY
STEPMOTHER, SCREAMING, CRYING.
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WENDY'S DEAD
THEY TOOK HER FROM ME.
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SHE TOLD ME IT'S ON THE NEWS
AND I WENT LOOKING, AND THERE'S
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MY SWEET LITTLE SISTER BEING PUT
ON A GURNEY.
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AND IT'S JUST SO SURREAL
>> DESOLATE WAREHOUSE PLACE.
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>> ALL I KEPT THINKING ABOUT WAS
HER BEING ALONE THERE, BY
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HERSELF, PRAYING TO GOD THAT SHE
DIDN'T SUFFER.
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>> THE KILLER, WHO BLUDGEONED
HER TO DEATH, ALSO ERASED THE
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BEAUTY OF HER YOUNG FACE
A HONEYMOON WEEKEND FOR THE NEW
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BRIDE HAD ENDED BEHIND YELLOW
POLICE TAPE.
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>>> WHO KILLED WENDY AND WHY
DID IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH
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MIAMI'S WILD NIGHTLIFE
>> WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH
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MICHEL IN THE CLUB SCENE
>> HE DID ADMIT TO HAVING
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ENCOUNTERS WITH OTHER COUPLES
>>> MIAMI-DADE POLICE DETECTIVES
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MARIA MEDAROS AND GUS TOBIAS HAD
BARELY CLOCKED IN FOR THEIR
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MONDAY MORNING SHIFT WHEN WORD
CAME DOWN OF A HOMICIDE IN A
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BLEAK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
IT'S WHERE THEY FOUND IN A
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PARKING LOT THE BODY OF WENDY
TRAPAGA.
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LYING BETWEEN A CAR AND A VAN.
>> WE COULD SEE THE SPATTER OF
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THE BLOOD ON THE VAN
MEANING THAT WHOEVER DID IT TO
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HER DID IT TO HER RIGHT THERE.
>> SO THIS BODY HADN'T BEEN
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DISPOSED OF THERE.
THIS WAS THE PLACE WHERE SHE WAS
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KILLED
>> CORRECT
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>> HER HEAD HAD BEEN BASHED IN
BUT THERE WAS NO WEAPON TO BE
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FOUND.
>> WHAT TYPE OF ROBBCRIME IS THIS?
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IS IT A ROBBERY?
>> SHE DOESN'T HAVE HER SHOES ON
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WHICH WAS UNUSUAL.
WHY IS THIS YOUNG GIRL IN AN
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INDUSTRIAL PARKING LOT --?
>> NO REASON TO BE IN THIS PART
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OF THE COUNTY?
>> NO.
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UNLESS SHE MET UP WITH SOMEONE
>> SO THE DETECTIVES HEADED OUT
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TO DO THE PART OF THE JOB THAT
NEVER GETS EASIER.
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>> SO YOU'RE DELIVERING TERRIBLE
NEWS
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>> HORRIBLE NEWS
>> AMID THE SHOCK AND TEARS,
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THEY PIECE TOGETHER FROM THEIR
MOTHER A SENSE OF WHO THE VICTIM
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WAS AND WHAT HER FINAL HOURS AND
DAYS HAD BEEN ABOUT.
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SUNDAY EVENING, THE PHONE CALL,
WENDY SOUNDED OKAY, THE
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DETECTIVES WERE TOLD, BUT THAT
NEXT CALL AT 5:48 AM, THE ONE
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FROM MICHEL, ASKING IF SHE WAS
AT HER MOM'S, WAS WORRISOME.
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A FEW HOURS LATER, HE WAS
WAITING FOR HER AT HER WORK.
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>> HE MET HER AT HER JOB
HE TELLS ME SHE SAY VERY
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TROUBLED AND WORRIED ABOUT WHERE
SHE COULD BE
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>> HE WAS ABOUT TO GET AN
OFFICIAL ANSWER AS TO WHERE SHE
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00:09:59,766 --> 00:10:00,667
WAS QUESTION
>> AS WE'RE TALKING, THE PHONE
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00:10:00,667 --> 00:10:02,268
RINGS AND IT'S MICHEL ESCOTO
CALLING.
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00:10:02,268 --> 00:10:05,372
>> AGAIN ASKING HIS
MOTHER-IN-LAW IF SHE HAD HEARD
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00:10:05,372 --> 00:10:08,141
FROM WENDY
DETECTIVES GRABBED THE PHONE AND
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00:10:08,141 --> 00:10:12,779
ASKED WHERE HE WAS
THEY HEADED OVER TO MICHEL'S
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00:10:12,779 --> 00:10:16,216
APARTMENT TO DELIVER THE NEWS
ABOUT HIS GIRLFRIEND OF EIGHT
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MONTHS, HIS PRIDE OF FOUR DAYS
>> WE WALKED INTO HIS APARTMENT
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00:10:19,119 --> 00:10:22,789
AND WHEN HE BLUNTED OUT IS SHE
DEAD AND WE EXPLAIN WE'RE
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00:10:22,789 --> 00:10:30,130
INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF
WENDY, ET CETERA, HE STARTED
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00:10:30,130 --> 00:10:32,232
THROWING UP, DOUBLING OVER
>> DOUBLED OVER, CRYING.
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00:10:32,232 --> 00:10:34,367
POLICE GAVE HIM A FEW MINUTES TO
COMPOSE HIMSELF BEFORE ASKING
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00:10:34,367 --> 00:10:36,469
HIM TO COME DOWN TO HEADQUARTERS
TO ANSWER SOME MORE QUESTIONS.
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00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:38,605
MICHAEL TOLD THE DETECTIVES THAT
WENDY HAD THE IDEA OF ADDING A
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00:10:38,605 --> 00:10:40,740
LITTLE MORE SPICE BEFORE
REJOINING THEIR WORKWEEK LIVES
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00:10:40,740 --> 00:10:43,376
>> WELL, WE HAVEN'T HAD MUCH OF
A HONEYMOON THIS WEEKEND
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00:10:43,376 --> 00:10:47,113
LET'S EXTEND OUR HONEYMOON
>> SO AS MICHEL ESCOTO TOLD IT,
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00:10:47,113 --> 00:10:51,051
AROUND MIDNIGHT THEY CHECKED
INTO A MIAMI HOTEL THAT FEATURES
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00:10:51,051 --> 00:10:57,357
FANTASY SUITES WITH A PRIVATE
POOL AND JACUZZI
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00:10:57,357 --> 00:11:02,162
HE SAYS THEY HAD SEX, SLEPT A
LITTLE AND WENDY DOZED OFF IN
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00:11:02,162 --> 00:11:04,197
THE JACUZZI.
AROUND 4:00 AM, MICHEL SAYS,
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00:11:04,197 --> 00:11:05,799
THEY CHECKED OUT AND HEADED
HOME
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00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:07,600
THAT'S WHEN, HE SAID, THE
NEWLYWEDS HAD THEIR FIRST
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00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:09,069
ARGUMENT
MICHEL SAYS HE WALKED INTO THE
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00:11:09,069 --> 00:11:11,071
APARTMENT, LEAVING WENDY IN THE
CAR.
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00:11:11,071 --> 00:11:12,639
>> THREE MINUTES LATER, HE COMES
OUT.
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HE SAYS WHEN HE COMES OUT, THE
CAR IS GONE.
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00:11:16,376 --> 00:11:19,079
WENDY IS GONE.
>> HE SPOKE WITH DETECTIVES FOR
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00:11:19,079 --> 00:11:21,514
14 HOURS
THEY ASKED HIM REPEATEDLY IF HE
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00:11:21,514 --> 00:11:23,817
COULD IDENTIFY ANYONE WITH A
MOTIVE
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00:11:23,817 --> 00:11:30,990
HE SAID HE COULDN'T.
AFTER LEAVING POLICE
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00:11:30,990 --> 00:11:33,660
HEADQUARTERS, HE SAW HIS FRIEND
RAMON SANTA CRUZ
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00:11:33,660 --> 00:11:36,863
>> HE WAS LOOKING DEPRESSED.
HE LOOKED DOWN, MAYBE TIRED.
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00:11:36,863 --> 00:11:40,367
>> FIVE DAYS AFTER HER MURDER,
WENDY WAS LAID TO REST
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00:11:40,367 --> 00:11:47,640
AND THEN FRIENDS AND FAMILY
GATHERED AT HER PARENTS' HOME.
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00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:50,477
DETECTIVE BIAS WAS THERE AS WELL
AND HE LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT
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00:11:50,477 --> 00:11:53,380
THE COUPLE THAT WOULD SEND THE
INVESTIGATION DOWN ANOTHER PATH.
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00:11:53,380 --> 00:11:55,315
A THREAD OF THIS INVESTIGATION
TAKES YOU INTO THE SWINGER
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00:11:55,315 --> 00:11:59,552
LIFESTYLE.
WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH MICHEL
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00:11:59,552 --> 00:12:04,324
AND WENDY AND THE CLUB SCENE
>> AFTER I'M INFORMED OF THIS,
196
00:12:04,324 --> 00:12:08,928
THAT WENDY WAS PART OF A
SWINGERS CLUB, A PLACE CALLED
197
00:12:08,928 --> 00:12:14,901
THE MIAMI VELVET DOWN HERE IN
SOUTH MIAMI, THE FIRST THING I
198
00:12:14,901 --> 00:12:17,237
DID WAS I CALLED MICHEL.
HE DID ADMIT TO HAVING
199
00:12:17,237 --> 00:12:21,808
ENCOUNTERS WITH OTHER COUPLES
THERE.
200
00:12:21,808 --> 00:12:24,644
>> NOW YOU GOT TO WONDER DID
SOMEBODY HAVE A THING THEY
201
00:12:24,644 --> 00:12:28,948
DEVELOPED ABOUT WENDY AND IS
THAT THE KILLER?
202
00:12:28,948 --> 00:12:33,520
>> IT TURNED OUT THE CLUB IS
WITHIN A MILE AND A HALF OF THE
203
00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:34,621
SCENE, SO I WANTED TO EXPLORE
THAT
204
00:12:34,621 --> 00:12:36,723
>> THE SWINGERS CLUB WAS
COOPERATIVE AND DETECTIVES TOOK
205
00:12:36,723 --> 00:12:40,927
DNA SAMPLES FROM A FEW EMPLOYEES
AND MEMBERS.
206
00:12:40,927 --> 00:12:42,529
THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR
RESULTS.
207
00:12:42,529 --> 00:12:50,470
IN THE MEANTIME THE
INVESTIGATION WAS TURNING UP A
208
00:12:50,470 --> 00:12:55,308
NEW LEAD, A FORMER GIRLFRIEND OF
MICHEL'S, HER NAME
209
00:12:55,308 --> 00:12:57,410
YOLANDA SIRRIO
>> SHE HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH
210
00:12:57,410 --> 00:12:59,512
HIM BEFORE HE MET THE VICTIM
ACCORDING TO HER, MICHEL LEFT
211
00:12:59,512 --> 00:13:01,114
HER FOR WENDY.
SHE LOVED HIM AND WAS VERY MUCH
212
00:13:01,114 --> 00:13:07,220
IN LOVE WITH HIM
>> A SINGLE MOTHER, WAS SHE ALSO
213
00:13:07,220 --> 00:13:10,657
A WOMAN SCORNED.
MICHEL LEFT HER JUST SIX MONTHS
214
00:13:10,657 --> 00:13:11,725
EARLIER.
AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY,
215
00:13:11,725 --> 00:13:16,262
ASKED HER TO TAKE CARE OF HIS
DOG WHILE HE WAS ON A HONEYMOON.
216
00:13:16,262 --> 00:13:22,969
>> TO GO TO THE EXTENT OF TAKING
CARE OF SOMEONE'S DOG DURING
217
00:13:22,969 --> 00:13:24,771
THEIR HONEYMOON, AS A WOMAN
THAT'S VERY STRANGE TO ME.
218
00:13:24,771 --> 00:13:26,873
>> DOES YOLANDA BECOME A
SUSPECT?
219
00:13:26,873 --> 00:13:30,143
A WOMAN WHO FEELS SHE WAS FIRED
BECAUSE OF A YOUNGER WOMAN AND
220
00:13:30,143 --> 00:13:32,245
NOBODY GETS AWAY WITH THAT
AND I'M GOING TO KILL YOU.
221
00:13:32,245 --> 00:13:33,847
>> THERE'S A LOT TO YOLANDA.
>> A LOT OF BAD IF YOU ASK RAMON
222
00:13:33,847 --> 00:13:35,782
SANTA CRUZ
>> I DIDN'T LIKE HER FROM THE
223
00:13:35,782 --> 00:13:37,550
BEGINNING.
SHE WAS VERY EVASIVE
224
00:13:37,550 --> 00:13:40,186
THE APARTMENT WAS ALWAYS DIRTY
SHE WAS NEVER A GOOD PERSON TO
225
00:13:40,186 --> 00:13:48,194
BEGIN WITH
>> DETECTIVES MET WITH YOLANDA
226
00:13:48,194 --> 00:13:52,098
WHO FREELY ADMITTED THAT SHE WAS
DEVASTATED WHEN MICHEL DUMPED
227
00:13:52,098 --> 00:13:55,101
HER.
BUT SHE HAD NO IDEA WHO BEAT HIS
228
00:13:55,101 --> 00:13:56,403
WIFE TO DEATH.
>> SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW
229
00:13:56,403 --> 00:13:59,005
ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
>> BUT THE DETECTIVES NOTED
230
00:13:59,005 --> 00:14:05,812
SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOLANDA
SHE LIVED JUST A FEW MINUTES
231
00:14:05,812 --> 00:14:07,781
FROM THE PARKING LOT WHERE THEY
FOUND WENDY.
232
00:14:07,781 --> 00:14:09,916
>> WHEN YOU STARTED ADDING UP
THINGS, HER PROXIMITY TO THE
233
00:14:09,916 --> 00:14:11,484
CRIME SCENE, I'M VERY
INTERESTED
234
00:14:11,484 --> 00:14:14,187
>> NO ONE KNEW WHAT YOLANDA WAS
HIDING AND SO WOULD THE
235
00:14:14,187 --> 00:14:19,225
REVELATION OF A MOTIVE THAT
WOULD SEEM TO EXPLAIN EVERY
236
00:14:19,225 --> 00:14:23,763
VIOLENT LITTLE THING
>>> COMING UP, A MILLION REASONS
237
00:14:23,763 --> 00:14:25,899
WHY SOMEONE WANTED WENDY DEAD.
>> I ASKED HIM, HOW MUCH IS THE
238
00:14:25,899 --> 00:14:46,953
LIFE INSURANCE POLICY AND HE
SAID $1 L
239
00:14:46,953 --> 00:14:52,692
PRETTY WENDY TRAPAGA
DID HER KILLER MEET HER AT THE
240
00:14:52,692 --> 00:14:56,763
SEXUAL SWAPPING CLUB THAT HER
BOYFRIEND MICHEL TOOK HER TO
241
00:14:56,763 --> 00:14:58,898
THE COPS RAN DOWN THOSE LEADS.
SWINGERS CLUB THEORY WENT
242
00:14:58,898 --> 00:15:00,467
NOWHERE.
WHAT ABOUT YOLANDA, THE
243
00:15:00,467 --> 00:15:04,604
HUSBAND'S EX-GIRLFRIEND, ENRAGED
PERHAPS FOR BEING TRADED IN FOR
244
00:15:04,604 --> 00:15:16,583
WENDY, THE YOUNGER MODEL
THE DETECTIVES' GUTS TOLD THEM
245
00:15:16,583 --> 00:15:23,189
TH
THAT YOLANDA KNEW WAY MORE THAN
246
00:15:23,189 --> 00:15:26,459
SHE WAS SAYING
BUT HOW TO CRACK HER
247
00:15:26,459 --> 00:15:27,761
THEN THERE WAS THE HUSBAND
HIMSELF.
248
00:15:27,761 --> 00:15:29,062
THEY KEPT GOING BACK OVER THEIR
NOTES FROM THE 14-HOUR INTERVIEW
249
00:15:29,062 --> 00:15:31,097
WITH HIM
AT TIMES IT HAD BEEN PULLING
250
00:15:31,097 --> 00:15:32,766
TEETH.
>> WE ASKED HIM OVER AND OVER
251
00:15:32,766 --> 00:15:34,834
AGAIN, IS THERE ANYBODY WITH A
MOTIVE, ANYTHING AT ALL,
252
00:15:34,834 --> 00:15:36,436
ANYTHING YOU CAN TELL US
I BRING UP A POINT, DON'T YOU
253
00:15:36,436 --> 00:15:38,071
HAVE A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
HE SAYS, YEAH, WE DO
254
00:15:38,071 --> 00:15:39,606
>> A HEFTY ONE, IT WOULD SEEM,
FOR A HEALTHY 21-YEAR-OLD WOMAN
255
00:15:39,606 --> 00:15:41,174
HE WASN'T EVEN MARRIED TO AT THE
TIME OF PURCHASE
256
00:15:41,174 --> 00:15:42,842
>> I ASKED HIM, HOW MUCH IS THE
LIFE INSURANCE POLICY?
257
00:15:42,842 --> 00:15:44,911
AND HE SAID A MILLION DOLLARS
AND I SAID A MILLION DOLLARS
258
00:15:44,911 --> 00:15:46,479
AND YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S A
MOTIVE
259
00:15:46,479 --> 00:15:48,615
YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT
TO TELL US
260
00:15:48,615 --> 00:15:51,818
AND HE SAID NO, I DON'T, BECAUSE
I HAVE A MILLION DOLLAR LIFE
261
00:15:51,818 --> 00:15:53,920
INSURANCE POLICY ON MYSELF, TOO.
I SAID THAT'S NOT IN QUESTION
262
00:15:53,920 --> 00:16:00,026
BECAUSE YOU'RE HERE.
YOU'RE ALIVE
263
00:16:00,026 --> 00:16:03,897
>> ONE THING ESCOTO DID REVEAL,
WENDY WAS NOT PREGNANT
264
00:16:03,897 --> 00:16:06,032
HE SAID THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF
THEIR ARGUMENT THAT NIGHT.
265
00:16:06,032 --> 00:16:08,134
HE SAID WENDY HAD LIED TO HIM
ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.
266
00:16:08,134 --> 00:16:11,571
AS THE DETECTIVE'S QUESTIONS GOT
SHARPER THAT DAY, MICHEL SHUT
267
00:16:11,571 --> 00:16:17,344
DOWN
HE DIDN'T TALK HIMSELF OFF YOUR
268
00:16:17,344 --> 00:16:18,845
LIST
>> HE DID NOT.
269
00:16:18,845 --> 00:16:20,447
HE DID NOT
>> THE WORKING THEORY OF THE
270
00:16:20,447 --> 00:16:22,048
CRIME WAS AS SIMPLE AS IT WAS
BRUTAL
271
00:16:22,048 --> 00:16:23,750
HE BASHED IN HER SKULL WITH A
MILLION DOLLAR INSURANCE PAYOUT,
272
00:16:23,750 --> 00:16:25,218
A TIRE IRON WAS MISSING FROM HER
CAR, A LIKELY WEAPON, BUT
273
00:16:25,218 --> 00:16:27,854
NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.
>> SO YOU TWO GO TO THE
274
00:16:27,854 --> 00:16:28,922
PROSECUTOR, STATE ATTORNEY SAY
WE'VE GOT IT
275
00:16:28,922 --> 00:16:30,523
LET'S GO
GRAND JURY
276
00:16:30,523 --> 00:16:32,125
>> NO.
>> WE'RE DONE?
277
00:16:32,125 --> 00:16:35,462
>> NO.
>> WHY NOT
278
00:16:35,462 --> 00:16:41,267
>> YOU HAVE TO PROVE IT.
YOU'VE GOT TO PROVE IT
279
00:16:41,267 --> 00:16:43,470
>> SO THE POLICE LET THEIR
PERSON OF INTEREST GO.
280
00:16:43,470 --> 00:16:47,073
IN THE MEANTIME, WENDY'S FAMILY
HAD HUGE SUSPICIONS ABOUT
281
00:16:47,073 --> 00:16:50,744
MICHEL
THE REVELATION HE'D BOUGHT A
282
00:16:50,744 --> 00:16:55,815
MILLION DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE
POLICY ON WENDY ONLY CONFIRMED
283
00:16:55,815 --> 00:16:58,885
THEIR BELIEF HE KILLED HER
THEN MICHEL DID SOMETHING BOLD
284
00:16:58,885 --> 00:17:02,122
HE ACTUALLY SUED THE INSURANCE
COMPANY TO PAY HIM THE MILLION
285
00:17:02,122 --> 00:17:04,924
DOLLARS.
WOULD A GUILTY MAN BE SO BRAZEN
286
00:17:04,924 --> 00:17:08,028
TO TRY THAT?
ABSOLUTELY, THE FAMILY SAID.
287
00:17:08,028 --> 00:17:17,637
AND BY THEN THEY'D HAD ENOUGH.
THE FAMILY GOT A LAWYER.
288
00:17:17,637 --> 00:17:37,057
>> TWO YEARS AFTER THE MURDER
THE FAMILY FILED A WRONGFUL
289
00:17:37,057 --> 00:17:38,058
DEATH SUIT AGAINST MICHEL.
>> WE BELIEVED HE WAS THE
290
00:17:38,058 --> 00:17:40,126
KILLER
>> TWO YEARS AFTER THE MURDER,
291
00:17:40,126 --> 00:17:41,728
THE FAMILY FILED A WRONGFUL
DEATH SUIT AGAINST MICHEL.
292
00:17:41,728 --> 00:17:43,363
MET LIFE PUT THE INSURANCE MONEY
IN ESCROW AND WAITED ON THE
293
00:17:43,363 --> 00:17:45,432
SIDELINES AS MICHEL AND WENDY'S
FAMILY FOUGHT IT OUT IN CIVIL
294
00:17:45,432 --> 00:17:47,067
COURT.
IF HE WANTED TO SEE AS MUCH AS
295
00:17:47,067 --> 00:17:48,668
ONE CENT OF THAT MONEY, HE WOULD
HAVE TO DO SOMETHING HE NEVER
296
00:17:48,668 --> 00:17:50,303
DID BEFORE
>> HE WOULD HAVE TO TESTIFY, HE
297
00:17:50,303 --> 00:17:51,805
COULD NOT PLEAD THE FIFTH.
ESPECIALLY SINCE HE'S PURSUING
298
00:17:51,805 --> 00:17:59,212
THE CLAIM.
HE HAS TO TESTIFY.
299
00:17:59,212 --> 00:18:01,881
>> WE TOOK HIS DEPOSITION AND
HIS STORY KEPT CHANGING.
300
00:18:01,881 --> 00:18:03,450
>> SO THE STORY ABOUT A FIGHT
AND SHE TAKES A HIKE -
301
00:18:03,450 --> 00:18:05,051
>> IT DOESN'T ADD UP
HE TESTIFIED THAT WENDY WAS --
302
00:18:05,051 --> 00:18:07,187
IT WAS HER IDEA ALL OF A SUDDEN
THAT NIGHT TO GO TO THE MIAMI
303
00:18:07,187 --> 00:18:08,788
EXECUTIVE HOTEL.
>> HOWEVER, BACK IN 2002,
304
00:18:08,788 --> 00:18:10,924
YOLANDA, THE EX-GIRLFRIEND, TOLD
POLICE MICHEL ASKED HER TO MAKE
305
00:18:10,924 --> 00:18:13,026
THE HOTEL RESERVATION.
IT WASN'T WENDY'S IDEA AT ALL.
306
00:18:13,026 --> 00:18:19,366
A FACTUAL DISCREPANCY ALSO KNOWN
AS A LIE
307
00:18:19,366 --> 00:18:23,136
WHEN THE CIVIL CASE FINALLY WENT
TO TRIAL, ESCOTO GOT SO ROUGHED
308
00:18:23,136 --> 00:18:27,040
UP THAT ON THE SECOND DAY HE WAS
A NO-SHOW IN COURT
309
00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,943
WENDY'S MOTHER GOT THE INSURANCE
MONEY, AND PROSECUTORS GOT TO
310
00:18:29,943 --> 00:18:38,485
HEAR FIRST-HAND ABOUT HIS
CONSTANTLY SHIFTING STORIES.
311
00:18:38,485 --> 00:18:42,222
>> THE STATE ATTORNEY WAS IN THE
COURTROOM AND WAS TAKING NOTES
312
00:18:42,222 --> 00:18:44,124
>> SO DID YOU HAVE A LITTLE
CHITCHAT OUTSIDE
313
00:18:44,124 --> 00:18:46,393
>> WE DID.
>> WHAT DID YOU SAY?
314
00:18:46,393 --> 00:18:49,062
>> THIS IS YOUR CASE AND WE HAVE
THE EVIDENCE
315
00:18:49,062 --> 00:18:54,300
AND WE GAVE HIM THE DEPOSITION
TESTIMONY AND EVERYTHING WE HAD
316
00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:58,638
OUTLINED
>> MICHEL ESCOTO WAS ARRESTED
317
00:18:58,638 --> 00:19:04,744
THREE DAYS AFTER HIS COURT
NO-SHOW, AND WAS CHARGED WITH
318
00:19:04,744 --> 00:19:21,594
THE MURDER OF HIS BRIDE.
THEY FIXED THEIR EYES ON HIS
319
00:19:21,594 --> 00:19:23,163
GIRLFRIEND
>> I KNEW EVENTUALLY AS TIME
320
00:19:23,163 --> 00:19:24,731
GOES BY THAT THAT RELATIONSHIP
WOULD DETERIORATE.
321
00:19:24,731 --> 00:19:26,332
>> WHY DID YOU THINK THAT?
>> IF THEY HAVE THAT SECRET
322
00:19:26,332 --> 00:19:28,034
AMONGST EACH OTHER, THAT WAS
GOING TO BE A FRICTION POINT IN
323
00:19:28,034 --> 00:19:30,570
THEIR RELATIONSHIP
>> TO CORRUPT IT
324
00:19:30,570 --> 00:19:32,672
>> YES
>> HOW DO YOU REEL HER IN?
325
00:19:32,672 --> 00:19:34,307
>> TIME.
TIME
326
00:19:34,307 --> 00:19:35,875
TIME CHANGES RELATIONSHIPS
>> AND IT DID.
327
00:19:35,875 --> 00:19:38,044
IN 2006, ONE YEAR AFTER MICHEL
WAS ARRESTED, YOLANDA AND HER
328
00:19:38,044 --> 00:19:39,579
ATTORNEY WENT TO PROSECUTORS AND
SAID, LET'S MAKE A DEAL.
329
00:19:39,579 --> 00:19:41,281
SHE GOT FULL IMMUNITY IN
EXCHANGE FOR TELLING HOW SHE
330
00:19:41,281 --> 00:19:43,316
HELPED MICHEL THAT NIGHT
>> SHE CAME INTO THE STATE
331
00:19:43,316 --> 00:19:44,918
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND EXPLAINED
THAT SHE DID TAKE HIM AWAY FROM
332
00:19:44,918 --> 00:19:47,053
THE CRIME SCENE.
>> SO THAT'S A GREAT STORY TO
333
00:19:47,053 --> 00:19:48,621
TELL A JURY.
>> YES
334
00:19:48,621 --> 00:19:50,724
THAT'S IT.
>> POLICE MAY NOT HAVE HAD A
335
00:19:50,724 --> 00:19:52,325
MURDER WEAPON OR HELPFUL
FORENSIC CLUES BUT NOW THEY HAD
336
00:19:52,325 --> 00:19:53,893
YOLANDA, WHO WAS ABOUT TO GIVE
HER VERSION OF THAT NIGHT.
337
00:19:53,893 --> 00:19:59,299
IT WAS COLD HEARTED AND
CALCULATING.
338
00:19:59,299 --> 00:20:02,936
>>> COMING UP, AN ARREST, AND A
WITNESS WHO WAS THERE.
339
00:20:02,936 --> 00:20:05,405
IT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY
BUT THE BEGINNING OF A WHOLE NEW
340
00:20:05,405 --> 00:20:08,775
DRAMA THAT WOULD PLAY OUT IN
COURT.
341
00:20:08,775 --> 00:20:13,380
EVERY STORY HAS TWO SIDES,
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S A LOVER'S
342
00:20:13,380 --> 00:20:16,750
TRIANGLE
>> I DON'T PUT IT PAST HER AS
343
00:20:16,750 --> 00:20:19,953
BEING A PERSON WHO WOULD HAVE
COMMITTED THIS CRIME
344
00:20:19,953 --> 00:20:24,724
>> AND SHOULD A SPURNED LOVER BE
BELIEVED ANYWAY?
345
00:20:24,724 --> 00:20:26,826
>> HE SAID CALM DOWN
IT WAS ALL A PLAN, THAT HE
346
00:20:26,826 --> 00:20:29,229
DIDN'T LOVE HER.
HE LOVED ME.
347
00:20:39,372 --> 00:20:41,041
in its tracks within 2 hours
348
00:20:41,041 --> 00:20:43,476
without worrying if it's
too late or where you are
349
00:20:43,476 --> 00:20:44,778
Unlike older medicines,
350
00:20:44,778 --> 00:20:46,312
UBRELVY is a pill
that directly blocks
351
00:20:46,312 --> 00:20:48,114
a protein believed
to be a cause of migraine.
352
00:20:48,114 --> 00:20:50,483
Do not take with strong
CYP3A4 inhibitors.
353
00:20:50,483 --> 00:20:52,686
Most common side effects
were nausea and tiredness.
354
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Migraine pain relief
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00:20:54,688 --> 00:20:56,322
Learn how AbbVie could
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356
00:20:56,322 --> 00:20:57,624
Ask about UBRELVY,
357
00:21:00,694 --> 00:21:02,729
Kids, one year they want
all dinosaurs stuff
358
00:21:03,163 --> 00:21:04,631
the next, camels.
359
00:21:04,631 --> 00:21:06,299
- Llamas.
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360
00:21:07,133 --> 00:21:10,070
So save money shopping
Back to School on Amazon.
361
00:21:10,070 --> 00:21:11,204
You sure that's not a camel?
362
00:21:11,204 --> 00:21:12,238
Yeah.
363
00:21:15,075 --> 00:21:15,508
* Clamp it, grab it, *
364
00:21:16,176 --> 00:21:17,410
* Almond shake it, shake it, *
365
00:21:17,410 --> 00:21:18,478
* shake it and collect it. *
366
00:21:18,478 --> 00:21:19,412
* Sort it, chop it, *
367
00:21:19,412 --> 00:21:20,246
* chop it, smooth it, *
368
00:21:20,246 --> 00:21:21,348
blend it, blend it,
369
00:21:21,348 --> 00:21:23,083
* Almondmilk it. *
370
00:21:23,083 --> 00:21:24,918
* That's what it is. *
371
00:21:24,918 --> 00:21:26,920
* Silk Almondmilk. *
372
00:21:34,861 --> 00:21:36,796
**
373
00:21:37,530 --> 00:21:39,766
We all need a rock
we can rely on.
374
00:21:40,467 --> 00:21:42,268
To be strong.
375
00:21:42,268 --> 00:21:44,738
To overcome anything.
376
00:21:44,738 --> 00:21:50,143
**
377
00:21:50,143 --> 00:21:52,946
To be...unstoppable.
378
00:21:54,514 --> 00:21:55,849
That's why millions rely
379
00:21:55,849 --> 00:21:58,585
on the strength and financial
guidance of Prudential
380
00:21:58,585 --> 00:22:00,053
to achieve their dreams.
381
00:22:01,154 --> 00:22:02,622
Who's your rock?
382
00:24:32,706 --> 00:24:36,943
>>> NEARLY 12 YEARS AFTER THE
MURDER OF WENDY TRAPAGA, MICHEL
383
00:24:36,943 --> 00:24:43,183
ESCOTO WAS FINALLY ON TRIAL FOR
HER MURDER
384
00:24:43,183 --> 00:24:47,854
HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO FIRST
DEGREE CHARGES
385
00:24:47,854 --> 00:24:48,922
>> MONEY IS THE ROOT OF THIS
DEFENDANT'S EVIL
386
00:24:48,922 --> 00:24:51,091
>> PROSECUTORS OFFERED THE MOST
CHILLING DETAIL OF THE CASE, HE
387
00:24:51,091 --> 00:24:54,761
ACTUALLY PICKED WENDY TO BE HIS
BRIDE JUST SO HE COULD INSURE
388
00:24:54,761 --> 00:24:57,430
HER LIFE AND KILL HER.
>> HE WOULD PREY ON THIS
389
00:24:57,430 --> 00:25:05,905
UNSUSPECTING 21-YEAR-OLD GIRL
AND MARRY HER.
390
00:25:05,905 --> 00:25:09,075
FOUR DAYS, FOUR DAYS AFTER THAT
MARRIAGE, THIS DEFENDANT
391
00:25:09,075 --> 00:25:12,779
BLUDGEONED AND STRANGLED WENDY
TRAPAGA TO DEATH
392
00:25:12,779 --> 00:25:15,448
>> AMONG THE FIRST WITNESSES,
WENDY'S HEARTBROKEN MOTHER,
393
00:25:15,448 --> 00:25:18,651
MIRIAM BONITAS
SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER,
394
00:25:18,651 --> 00:25:21,788
THE MOTHER SAID SHE WAS SHOCKED
WHEN SHE LEARNED THE COUPLE HAD
395
00:25:21,788 --> 00:25:26,059
TAKEN LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
OUT ON ONE ANOTHER JUST BEFORE
396
00:25:26,059 --> 00:25:30,296
THEIR MARRIAGE
>> Translator: I DID NOT FEEL
397
00:25:30,296 --> 00:25:34,567
GOOD
I EXPRESSED TO HER, WHY
398
00:25:34,567 --> 00:25:36,670
INSURANCE, THEY'RE NOT EVEN
MARRIED, THEY DIDN'T HAVE
399
00:25:36,670 --> 00:25:42,075
CHILDREN
WHY INSURANCE?
400
00:25:42,075 --> 00:25:45,178
>> ON THE STAND, DETECTIVE MARIA
MEDERO SAID SHE ZEROED IN ON
401
00:25:45,178 --> 00:25:47,847
THAT INSURANCE POLICY WHEN SHE
QUESTIONED ESCOTO A DAY AFTER
402
00:25:47,847 --> 00:25:51,551
THE MURDER
>> I TOLD HIM IF HE COULDN'T
403
00:25:51,551 --> 00:25:54,754
MUSTER UP A TEAR FOR HIS WIFE OF
FOUR DAYS TO MUSTER UP A TEAR
404
00:25:54,754 --> 00:26:00,060
FOR THE MILLION DOLLARS HE WAS
NEVER GOING TO SEE
405
00:26:00,060 --> 00:26:04,297
>> WHAT WAS HIS REACTION
>> THAT LACK OF EMOTION WAS AN
406
00:26:04,297 --> 00:26:11,237
INDIFFERENCE TO WENDY OR A
DISREGARD FOR WOMEN IN GENERAL
407
00:26:11,237 --> 00:26:15,475
DETECTIVES SAY ESCOTO WAS A MAN
WITH A HISTORY OF MOOCHING OFF
408
00:26:15,475 --> 00:26:16,643
GIRLFRIENDS.
THIS FORMER LOVER TESTIFIED SHE
409
00:26:16,643 --> 00:26:19,846
SUPPORTED ESCOTO FOR YEARS
>> HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU GIVE
410
00:26:19,846 --> 00:26:23,550
HIM A MONTH?
>> APPROXIMATELY $1,500.
411
00:26:23,550 --> 00:26:27,821
>> GO FIGURE, THE STATE SAID
FOR WHATEVER REASON, WOMEN THREW
412
00:26:27,821 --> 00:26:33,126
GIFTS AT ESCOTO.
ONE BOUGHT HIM THE MOTORCYCLE,
413
00:26:33,126 --> 00:26:36,296
ANOTHER A CAR.
BUT STILL ANOTHER FORMER LOVER
414
00:26:36,296 --> 00:26:39,099
WHO ALSO SUPPORTED HIM FOR YEARS
WOULD BE THE PROSECUTION'S STAR
415
00:26:39,099 --> 00:26:43,203
WITNESS.
>> YOLANDA SERRIO.
416
00:26:43,203 --> 00:26:46,906
>> THE PROSECUTION ARGUED SHE
WAS THE GIRLFRIEND WITH INTIMATE
417
00:26:46,906 --> 00:26:50,110
KNOWLEDGE OF HOW ESCOTO CARRIED
OUT THIS BRUTAL CRIME.
418
00:26:50,110 --> 00:26:55,949
SHE HAD BEEN GIVEN IMMUNITY IN
EXCHANGE FOR HER TESTIMONY HERE.
419
00:26:55,949 --> 00:26:58,585
WIPING AWAY TEARS SHE RECOUNTED
HOW IT ALL STARTED, HOW SHE FELL
420
00:26:58,585 --> 00:27:03,556
HARD FOR THE DEFENDANT SHE
THOUGHT TO BE A CHARMER.
421
00:27:03,556 --> 00:27:07,494
>> HAVE YOU EVER HAD A MAN YOU
COULD SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH
422
00:27:07,494 --> 00:27:10,130
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS MICHEL
>> ONLY TO REALIZE HE WAS
423
00:27:10,130 --> 00:27:12,799
DUMPING HER FOR THE YOUNGER,
MORE ATTRACTIVE WENDY.
424
00:27:12,799 --> 00:27:17,070
YOLANDA THEN SAID SHE CONFRONTED
ESCOTO IN THIS RESTAURANT
425
00:27:17,070 --> 00:27:22,308
PARKING LOT AND HEARD FOR THE
FIRST TIME, SHE SAID, THAT HIS
426
00:27:22,308 --> 00:27:24,944
IMPENDING MARRIAGE TO WENDY WAS
ALL A SHAM
427
00:27:24,944 --> 00:27:27,080
THAT IN THE END HE WOULD COME
BACK TO YOLANDA WITH POCKETS
428
00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:28,882
FULL OF CASH
>> HE SAID TO CALM DOWN.
429
00:27:28,882 --> 00:27:31,551
IT WAS ALL A PLAN.
THAT HE DIDN'T LOVE HER.
430
00:27:31,551 --> 00:27:33,653
HE LOVED ME.
HE WAS GOING TO MARRY HER.
431
00:27:33,653 --> 00:27:36,289
THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE AN
INSURANCE POLICY AND SHE WAS
432
00:27:36,289 --> 00:27:38,425
GOING TO DIE
>> ALL RIGHT
433
00:27:38,425 --> 00:27:43,329
SO HE TOLD YOU HE HAD A PLAN
>> YES
434
00:27:43,329 --> 00:27:46,399
>> THE PLAN WAS MURDER
IT WAS DURING THAT CONVERSATION,
435
00:27:46,399 --> 00:27:53,139
YOLANDA TOLD JURORS, THAT SHE
BECAME A CO-CONSPIRATOR, NOT
436
00:27:53,139 --> 00:27:55,442
ONLY HELPING ESCOTO COVER UP HIS
CRIME BUT ALSO HELPING HIM CARRY
437
00:27:55,442 --> 00:27:58,678
IT OUT
THIS WAS THE PLAN.
438
00:27:58,678 --> 00:28:03,750
ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT, YOLANDA
SAID ESCOTO WOULD DRUG AND DROWN
439
00:28:03,750 --> 00:28:05,752
WENDY.
TO MAKE SURE HE GOT IT RIGHT,
440
00:28:05,752 --> 00:28:07,887
YOLANDA ADMITTED SHE TOOK PART
IN A GRIM DRESS REHEARSAL OF
441
00:28:07,887 --> 00:28:10,357
WHAT WAS MEANT TO LOOK LIKE AN
ACCIDENTAL DEATH
442
00:28:10,357 --> 00:28:11,624
>> WE FILLED UP MY TUB AND I GOT
IN THE WATER
443
00:28:11,624 --> 00:28:13,727
AND HE PUSHED ME DOWN WITH HIS
HAND
444
00:28:13,727 --> 00:28:16,363
>> YOU LET HIM PUSH YOU UNDER
THE WATER?
445
00:28:16,363 --> 00:28:18,865
>> YES
>> WHAT DID YOU SAY ONCE HE LET
446
00:28:18,865 --> 00:28:21,668
YOU UP
>> I TOLD HIM THAT WOULDN'T
447
00:28:21,668 --> 00:28:24,337
WORK
>> WHY
448
00:28:24,337 --> 00:28:26,473
>> BECAUSE THE FORCE OF HIM
HOLDING HER DOWN IN THE WATER
449
00:28:26,473 --> 00:28:30,210
WOULD LEAVE BRUISES.
>> WHAT DID YOU SUGGEST?
450
00:28:30,210 --> 00:28:33,380
>> I SUGGESTED HE USED A TOWEL
TO HOLD HER DOWN
451
00:28:33,380 --> 00:28:38,718
>> YOLANDA SAID SHE EVEN HELPED
HIM WHIP UP A DRUG LACED
452
00:28:38,718 --> 00:28:44,057
CONCOCTION TO KNOCK WENDY OUT.
>> HE CAME OVER AND HE BROUGHT
453
00:28:44,057 --> 00:28:51,264
SOME PERCOCET PILLS.
AND HE AND I STARTED SQUISHING
454
00:28:51,264 --> 00:28:57,771
THEM, I THINK IT'S LIKE A MORTAR
AND PESTLE THING
455
00:28:57,771 --> 00:28:59,873
>> WHAT WAS HE GOING TO DO WITH
THE PERCOCET PILLS THAT IS YOU
456
00:28:59,873 --> 00:29:02,375
GROUND
>> HE WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO
457
00:29:02,375 --> 00:29:03,610
HER SO SHE WOULD BE DRUGGED.
>> AND THEN DROWNED, SAID
458
00:29:03,610 --> 00:29:09,115
YOLANDA.
THE PLAN TO KILL WENDY HIT AN
459
00:29:09,115 --> 00:29:16,222
UNEXPECTED SNAG.
AT THE HONEYMOON HOTEL IN KEY
460
00:29:16,222 --> 00:29:17,724
WEST, WENDY BALKED AT THE TASTE
OF THE DRUGGED COCKTAIL.
461
00:29:17,724 --> 00:29:23,897
THIS TIME SHE DRANK THE COCKTAIL
BUT FOR SOME REASON HE COULDN'T
462
00:29:23,897 --> 00:29:32,672
MANAGE TO DROWNED HER.
THAT'S WHEN YOLANDA RECALLED
463
00:29:32,672 --> 00:29:37,043
THAT ESCOTO SHOWED UP AT HER
PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
464
00:29:37,043 --> 00:29:39,212
WITH A DAZED WENDY IN THE FRONT
SEAT OF THE CAR.
465
00:29:39,212 --> 00:29:40,880
>> DID YOU SEE ANYTHING IN THE
PASSENGER SEAT
466
00:29:40,880 --> 00:29:42,382
>> I SAW A MOVEMENT.
SOMEBODY INSIDE THE CAR.
467
00:29:42,382 --> 00:29:43,950
>> WENDY WAS STILL ALIVE
YOLANDA SAID ESCOTO ORDERED HER
468
00:29:43,950 --> 00:29:46,086
TO FOLLOW HIM IN HER CAR
>> THEN WHAT HAPPENED?
469
00:29:46,086 --> 00:29:47,754
>> HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, WALKED
OVER TO MY CAR AND HE TOLD ME,
470
00:29:47,754 --> 00:29:50,857
DRIVE AROUND
GIVE ME 20, 25 MINUTES
471
00:29:50,857 --> 00:29:54,561
>> EVENTUALLY, YOLANDA SAID SHE
SPOTTED ESCOTO AGAIN, WALKING
472
00:29:54,561 --> 00:29:58,832
DOWN THE STREET, SPLASHED NOW IN
BLOOD AND CARRYING A TIRE IRON
473
00:29:58,832 --> 00:30:03,970
SHE SAID SHE DROVE HIM TO THE
BAY IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI WHERE HE
474
00:30:03,970 --> 00:30:12,078
GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE
WEAPON
475
00:30:12,078 --> 00:30:18,151
>> AND HE'S WALKING, HE THREW
THE THING IN THE WATER
476
00:30:18,151 --> 00:30:22,055
>> AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF AT HIS
APARTMENT, SHE SAID, SHE TOOK
477
00:30:22,055 --> 00:30:25,025
HIS BLOODY CLOTHES AND THREW
THEM IN THE DUMPSTER
478
00:30:25,025 --> 00:30:26,726
>> HAPPY WITH YOURSELF
>> NO.
479
00:30:26,726 --> 00:30:28,194
WORSE.
THAT'S HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW.
480
00:30:28,194 --> 00:30:35,168
>> IS THIS ABOUT YOU
>> NO, IT'S NOT.
481
00:30:35,168 --> 00:30:37,504
IT'S ABOUT A MOTHER WHO LOST HER
DAUGHTER AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO
482
00:30:37,504 --> 00:30:39,105
DO WITH IT
>> YOLANDA'S TIME ON THE WITNESS
483
00:30:39,105 --> 00:30:41,274
STAND WOULD GET TOUGHER STILL.
TWO OLD LOVERS WERE ABOUT TO
484
00:30:41,274 --> 00:30:43,343
FACE OFF IN COURT.
ONE DEFENDING HIMSELF AND THE
485
00:30:43,343 --> 00:30:48,648
OTHER TESTIFYING AGAINST HIM
A ROILING, BOILING DRAMA IN REAL
486
00:30:48,648 --> 00:30:52,352
TIME
>>> COMING UP, MICHEL ESCOTO
487
00:30:52,352 --> 00:30:55,522
ACTS AS HIS OWN LAWYER
>> THIS IS HARDER THAN I THOUGHT
488
00:30:55,522 --> 00:30:58,725
IT WOULD BE.
>> AND ON THE STAND, HIS
489
00:30:58,725 --> 00:31:05,632
EX-LOVER, NOW THE STAR WITNESS
AGAINST HIM IN WENDY'S MURDER.
490
00:31:05,632 --> 00:31:07,834
>> DID YOU WISH SHE WAS DEAD
>> I WISH IT WOULD GO AWAY
491
00:31:07,834 --> 00:31:08,368
>> I WISH IT WOULD GO AWAY
>> WHEN "DATELINE" CONTINUES
492
00:31:16,076 --> 00:31:17,610
You're not just getting by.
493
00:31:17,610 --> 00:31:19,279
*
494
00:31:19,279 --> 00:31:21,648
You're getting the most
out of what you've got.
495
00:31:21,648 --> 00:31:24,184
*
496
00:31:24,184 --> 00:31:27,721
And you know how to spend
a little less,
497
00:31:27,721 --> 00:31:30,290
to get a little more,
498
00:31:30,290 --> 00:31:32,859
to make life a little better.
499
00:31:36,096 --> 00:31:37,697
Nurtec ODT is
the only medication
500
00:31:38,698 --> 00:31:40,834
that can treat my migraine
right when it strikes
501
00:31:40,834 --> 00:31:42,435
and prevent my next attack.
502
00:31:42,969 --> 00:31:44,571
Don't take if
allergic to Nurtec.
503
00:31:44,571 --> 00:31:46,773
Most common side effects,
in less than 3%,
504
00:31:46,773 --> 00:31:48,808
were nausea,
indigestion/stomach pain.
505
00:31:50,877 --> 00:31:53,113
How did Kellogg's combine
crunchy oat clusters
506
00:31:53,613 --> 00:31:54,714
with a touch of honey...
507
00:31:54,714 --> 00:31:57,417
plump, juicy raisins
and tasty fiber
508
00:31:57,417 --> 00:31:59,552
into one delicious cereal?
509
00:31:59,552 --> 00:32:01,621
It took a lot
of bran-storming.
510
00:32:01,621 --> 00:32:02,922
Get it?
511
00:32:06,359 --> 00:32:08,228
Did you know there are surfaces
in your home that look clean
512
00:32:09,162 --> 00:32:11,297
but a closer look shows there
are often layers
513
00:32:11,297 --> 00:32:13,133
of invisible dirt left behind.
514
00:32:13,133 --> 00:32:16,703
Try Mr. Clean magic eraser for a
deep down hygienic clean.
515
00:32:16,703 --> 00:32:18,805
Magic eraser removes the messes
you can see
516
00:32:18,805 --> 00:32:20,774
as well as more of the dirt and
grime you don’t.
517
00:32:20,774 --> 00:32:22,609
All you do is wet, squeeze
518
00:32:22,609 --> 00:32:26,079
and start erasing dirt and grime
all around the house
519
00:32:26,079 --> 00:32:28,848
And try magic eraser sheets for
a deep clean
520
00:32:28,848 --> 00:32:31,184
in hard to reach places that you
can toss when your done.
521
00:32:31,184 --> 00:32:32,786
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
522
00:32:32,886 --> 00:32:52,238
What’s the #1 retinol brand
523
00:32:52,839 --> 00:32:55,108
used most by dermatologists?
524
00:32:55,141 --> 00:32:56,343
It’s Neutrogena®
525
00:32:56,376 --> 00:32:57,711
Rapid Wrinkle Repair®
526
00:32:57,744 --> 00:32:58,745
smooths the look of
527
00:32:58,778 --> 00:33:00,046
fine lines in 1-week,
528
00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:01,948
deep wrinkles in 4.
529
00:33:02,048 --> 00:33:04,050
So you can kiss
wrinkles goodbye!
530
00:33:06,052 --> 00:33:07,220
My A1C stayed here,
531
00:33:07,687 --> 00:33:09,155
it needed to be here.
532
00:33:09,155 --> 00:33:12,058
Ruby’s A1C is down
with RYBELSUS®.
533
00:33:12,058 --> 00:33:14,227
My A1C wasn’t at goal,
534
00:33:14,227 --> 00:33:16,229
now I’m down with RYBELSUS®.
535
00:33:16,229 --> 00:33:18,298
Mom’s A1C is down
with RYBELSUS®.
536
00:33:18,298 --> 00:33:21,067
(* *)
537
00:33:21,101 --> 00:33:23,236
In a clinical study,
once-daily RYBELSUS®
538
00:33:23,236 --> 00:33:24,871
significantly lowered A1C
539
00:33:24,871 --> 00:33:26,639
better than a leading
branded pill.
540
00:33:27,574 --> 00:33:30,377
RYBELSUS® isn’t for people
with type 1 diabetes.
541
00:33:30,377 --> 00:33:32,112
Don’t take RYBELSUS®
if you or your family
542
00:33:32,112 --> 00:33:34,114
ever had medullary
thyroid cancer,
543
00:33:34,114 --> 00:33:36,916
or have Multiple Endocrine
Neoplasia syndrome type 2,
544
00:33:36,916 --> 00:33:38,084
or if allergic to it.
545
00:33:38,118 --> 00:33:40,086
Stop RYBELSUS® and get
medical help right away
546
00:33:40,086 --> 00:33:41,721
if you get a lump or swelling
in your neck,
547
00:33:41,721 --> 00:33:43,990
severe stomach pain,
or an allergic reaction.
548
00:33:43,990 --> 00:33:46,292
Serious side effects
may include pancreatitis.
549
00:33:46,292 --> 00:33:48,628
Tell your provider about vision
problems or changes.
550
00:33:48,628 --> 00:33:51,131
Taking RYBELSUS® with a
sulfonylurea or insulin
551
00:33:51,131 --> 00:33:52,866
increases low
blood sugar risk.
552
00:33:53,099 --> 00:33:54,768
Side effects like
nausea, vomiting,
553
00:33:54,768 --> 00:33:56,770
and diarrhea may lead
to dehydration,
554
00:33:56,770 --> 00:33:58,438
which may worsen
kidney problems.
555
00:33:59,272 --> 00:34:01,041
Need to get your A1C down?
556
00:34:01,041 --> 00:34:02,042
(* *)
557
00:34:03,043 --> 00:34:04,210
Ask your healthcare provider
558
00:34:04,310 --> 00:35:09,576
SUCCEEDED IN PAINTING MICHEL
559
00:35:09,576 --> 00:35:14,147
ESCOTO AS A MAN WHO USED WOMEN
FOR MONEY, INORD WORDS, A CAD.
560
00:35:14,147 --> 00:35:17,283
THEN AGAIN A CAD IS A FAR CRY
FROM A KILLER.
561
00:35:17,283 --> 00:35:19,686
>> I DON'T THINK HE'S A KILLER
I THINK THERE'S PROBLEMS WITH
562
00:35:19,686 --> 00:35:22,122
THIS EVIDENCE.
>> YOU'RE NOT JUST SAYING THAT
563
00:35:22,122 --> 00:35:27,060
>> I'M NOT JUST SAYING THAT.
>> THERE'S PROBLEMS WITH THIS
564
00:35:27,060 --> 00:35:31,564
EVIDENCE
>> ATTORNEY TERRY LENAMON SERVED
565
00:35:31,564 --> 00:35:33,800
AS ESCOTO'S STANDBY COUNSEL.
HE SAID DESPITE THE EVIDENCE,
566
00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:38,238
THE STATE'S CASE WAS WEAK FROM
START TO FINISH.
567
00:35:38,238 --> 00:35:42,442
THERE WAS HE POINTED OUT NO
MURDER WEAPON, NO BLOOD, NO DNA
568
00:35:42,442 --> 00:35:45,879
LINKING THE DEFENDANT TO THE
CRIME.
569
00:35:45,879 --> 00:35:49,616
WHICH IS MAYBE WHY MICHE
ESCOTO, WHO ALREADY PLED NOT
570
00:35:49,616 --> 00:35:51,217
GUILTY TO THE CHARGES DID WHAT
MANY MEN FACING A LIFE IN PRISON
571
00:35:51,217 --> 00:35:53,887
SENTENCE WOULD NEVER DREAM OF
DOING.
572
00:35:53,887 --> 00:36:04,297
HE DEFENDED HIMSELF IN COURT
>> I BELIEVE THE EVIDENCE WILL
573
00:36:04,297 --> 00:36:08,335
SHOW THAT ONLY AN IMBECILE AND
AN IMBECILE WHO'S IN LOVE WITH
574
00:36:08,335 --> 00:36:12,138
MONEY WOULD KILL SOMEBODY FOUR
DAYS AFTER THEY WERE MARRIED TO
575
00:36:12,138 --> 00:36:14,641
THAT PERSON.
>> WHAT WAS LINCOLN'S ADVICE
576
00:36:14,641 --> 00:36:16,209
ABOUT A FOOL AS A CLIENT
>> THOSE WHO REPRESENT
577
00:36:16,209 --> 00:36:18,378
THEMSELVES
WE'LL SEE.
578
00:36:18,378 --> 00:36:21,147
>> WEARING GLASSES, KHAKIS, A
SWEATER, AND SPEAKING IN A SOFT
579
00:36:21,147 --> 00:36:26,720
VOICE, HE SEEMED LESS LIKE A
KILLER AND MORE LIKE A GEEK.
580
00:36:26,720 --> 00:36:28,355
A HOPELESS NOVICE, GETTING
PUMMELLED BY THE PROSECUTION
581
00:36:28,355 --> 00:36:32,092
>> JUDGE, I'M TELLING HIM HE WAS
BEING SANDBAGGED -
582
00:36:32,092 --> 00:36:37,063
>> ONE TIME THE NEWBIE SEEMED
NEAR TEARS, ANOTHER OVERWHELMED.
583
00:36:37,063 --> 00:36:40,066
>> WOW, THIS IS HARDER THAN I
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
584
00:36:40,066 --> 00:36:43,803
>> WAS THIS KLUTZY MOMENT ALL
ABOUT WINNING SYMPATHY FOR THE
585
00:36:43,803 --> 00:36:45,939
JURY, THE TIME HE STUMBLED
>> SORRY, TWISTED MY ANKLE,
586
00:36:45,939 --> 00:36:52,712
JUDGE.
>> ONE PARTICULARLY WINCE-WORTHY
587
00:36:52,712 --> 00:36:56,850
MOMENT CAME WHEN JORGE BARONE,
HIS NEMESIS FROM THE FAILED
588
00:36:56,850 --> 00:36:58,952
INSURANCE TRIAL, TOOK THE STAND.
UNDER CROSS-EXAMINATION BY
589
00:36:58,952 --> 00:37:03,823
ESCOTO, HE EXPLAINED JUST WHY IT
WAS HE SUSPECTED ESCOTO OF
590
00:37:03,823 --> 00:37:06,593
KILLING HIS WIFE, WENDY.
>> YOU HAD BEEN MARRIED TO HER
591
00:37:06,593 --> 00:37:12,198
FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE YOU KILLED
HER TO GET THE LIFE INSURANCE.
592
00:37:12,198 --> 00:37:14,768
SO TO ME THAT WAS VERY CLEAR
>> JUDGE, GIVE ME A SECOND
593
00:37:14,768 --> 00:37:21,374
BECAUSE I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING
THAT I SHOULDN'T
594
00:37:21,374 --> 00:37:23,510
>> ESCOTO LOST IT.
>> IF YOU SAY THAT AGAIN -
595
00:37:23,510 --> 00:37:25,645
>> OBJECTION
>> SEE ALL THOSE GUYS.
596
00:37:25,645 --> 00:37:28,314
>> HAD MR. NERD INADVERTENTLY
SHOWN THE JURY THE LAVA BOILING
597
00:37:28,314 --> 00:37:31,051
WITHIN
THAT THREAT WON A CONTEMPT OF
598
00:37:31,051 --> 00:37:33,620
COURT CITATION FROM THE JUDGE.
>> BE QUIET!
599
00:37:33,620 --> 00:37:36,523
>> WHAT APPEARED TO BE NEAR
DISASTER FOR THE DEFENDANT COULD
600
00:37:36,523 --> 00:37:39,426
BE SPUN AS A PLAY TO HIS
ADVANTAGE.
601
00:37:39,426 --> 00:37:44,230
>> I THINK ONE OF THE IMPORTANT
ADVANTAGES THAT HE HAS HERE IS
602
00:37:44,230 --> 00:37:46,866
THAT HUMAN CONNECTION THAT HE'S
GETTING, STANDING UP THERE
603
00:37:46,866 --> 00:37:49,536
WITH EVERY WITNESS WHO SAYS
YOU'RE A MURDERER, YOU'RE THIS,
604
00:37:49,536 --> 00:37:54,274
YOU'RE THAT, HIM NOT BACKING
DOWN
605
00:37:54,274 --> 00:37:58,078
HE HAS NEVER BACKED DOWN
>> BUT ESCOTO, THE HAPLESS
606
00:37:58,078 --> 00:38:01,881
UNDERDOG, STILL NEEDED TO
CONVINCE JURORS HE WAS NOT
607
00:38:01,881 --> 00:38:03,450
VIOLENT.
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CAME TO
608
00:38:03,450 --> 00:38:04,617
WOMEN, WENDY IN PARTICULAR
>> I'M GOING TO BE AS GENTLE AS
609
00:38:04,617 --> 00:38:07,187
I CAN, JUDGE
>> HE CAREFULLY QUESTIONED HIS
610
00:38:07,187 --> 00:38:10,223
FORMER MOTHER-IN-LAW
HE MAY HAVE WON POINTS WHEN HE
611
00:38:10,223 --> 00:38:15,161
GOT HER TO ADMIT THAT WENDY HAD
ONCE CONFIDED THIS TO A FRIEND
612
00:38:15,161 --> 00:38:18,365
>> SHE TOLD HER FRIEND THAT SHE
WAS CONTENT, THAT SHE LOVED YOU,
613
00:38:18,365 --> 00:38:21,568
MR. ESCOTO
>> SO DID I.
614
00:38:21,568 --> 00:38:31,578
>> LIKEWISE, THIS FORMER
GIRLFRIEND AND SELF-CONFESSED
615
00:38:31,578 --> 00:38:32,812
SUGAR MAMA HAD TO ADMIT THAT
ESCOTO WAS NEVER A VIOLENT
616
00:38:32,812 --> 00:38:33,947
BULLY.
>> DID I EVER THROW ANYTHING AT
617
00:38:33,947 --> 00:38:36,049
YOU?
>> NO.
618
00:38:36,049 --> 00:38:37,584
>> DID I EVER PUNCH YOU?
>> NO, NO.
619
00:38:37,584 --> 00:38:39,185
>> DID I EVER SLAP YOU
>> NO.
620
00:38:39,185 --> 00:38:40,754
>> DID I EVER PUSH YOU ON THE
GROUND
621
00:38:40,754 --> 00:38:42,455
>> NO.
>> MORE IMPORTANT, HE WANTED TO
622
00:38:42,455 --> 00:38:44,891
SHOW THAT THE STATE'S THEORY OF
THE CRIME WAS A FAIRYTALE,
623
00:38:44,891 --> 00:38:46,626
STARTING WITH THE IDEA THAT HE
DRUGGED WENDY.
624
00:38:46,626 --> 00:38:48,762
A PHARMACOLOGIST TESTIFIED THAT
WENDY HAD ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF
625
00:38:48,762 --> 00:38:52,465
PRESCRIPTION NARCOTICS IN HER
BLOOD WHEN THE AUTOPSY WAS
626
00:38:52,465 --> 00:38:56,736
PERFORMED.
>> THE TOXICOLOGY REPORTS ARE
627
00:38:56,736 --> 00:38:59,105
CONSISTENT WITH NORMAL DOSES
THAT YOU WOULD TAKE OF ANY OF
628
00:38:59,105 --> 00:39:01,007
THESE MEDICATIONS.
>> SHE WASN'T HEAVILY DRUGGED AS
629
00:39:01,007 --> 00:39:05,111
THE STATE ARGUED
>> SHE WASN'T AS INCAPACITATED
630
00:39:05,111 --> 00:39:09,215
AS YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN LED TO
BELIEVE?
631
00:39:09,215 --> 00:39:13,019
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THIS WAS NOT A KNOCK OUT.
632
00:39:13,019 --> 00:39:14,454
>> HIGHLY DISPUTED
>> THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM
633
00:39:14,454 --> 00:39:16,556
WITH THE STATE'S THEORY.
IT HAD TO DO WITH HOW WENDY
634
00:39:16,556 --> 00:39:18,124
DIED
>> IF THE ASSAILANT WAS
635
00:39:18,124 --> 00:39:24,698
LEFT-HANDED BEGAN TO STRIKE
HER --
636
00:39:24,698 --> 00:39:29,936
>> A MEDICAL EXAMINER FOR THE
DEFENSE BELIEVED WENDY'S
637
00:39:29,936 --> 00:39:33,273
EXTENSIVE INJURIES INDICATED TWO
KILLERS, BOTH RIGHT-HANDED
638
00:39:33,273 --> 00:39:36,476
>> THERE ARE SEVERAL IMPACTS ON
THE RIGHT SIDE, WHICH IN AN
639
00:39:36,476 --> 00:39:43,450
ALTERCATION SUGGESTS TO ME THAT
THE ASSAILANT IS RIGHT-HANDED.
640
00:39:43,450 --> 00:39:46,052
>> AND SINCE MICHEL ESCOTO IS
LEFT-HANDED, THE IMPLICATION FOR
641
00:39:46,052 --> 00:39:52,058
THE JURY IS CLEAR.
HE COULDN'T BE THE KILLER.
642
00:39:52,058 --> 00:39:57,697
WHAT'S MORE, A DNA EXPERT SAID
SHE EXPECTED TO FIND ESCOTO'S
643
00:39:57,697 --> 00:39:59,799
DNA ON THE VICTIM'S CLOTHES.
AFTER ALL, THEY WERE HUSBAND AND
644
00:39:59,799 --> 00:40:01,434
WIFE
BUT SHE FOUND SOMETHING MORE
645
00:40:01,434 --> 00:40:03,169
>> THERE WERE SEVERAL MARKERS
WHERE HIS DNA IS NOT
646
00:40:03,169 --> 00:40:05,105
REPRESENTED.
>> DNA TRACES FOR TWO DIFFERENT
647
00:40:05,105 --> 00:40:07,240
MALES, AND GET THIS, TRACES FOR
A FEMALE
648
00:40:07,240 --> 00:40:16,082
TO STANDBY LAWYER TERRY, THAT
COULD MEAN ONLY ONE PERSON
649
00:40:16,082 --> 00:40:18,985
YOLANDA, ESCOTO'S OLD
GIRLFRIEND, WHO SAID SHE WAS
650
00:40:18,985 --> 00:40:20,020
WITH HIM BEFORE AND AFTER THE
MURDER
651
00:40:20,020 --> 00:40:21,654
>> WHO GOT IMMUNITY.
>> FIRST THING TO KNOW ABOUT
652
00:40:21,654 --> 00:40:24,791
YOLANDA IS THAT SHE'S A LIAR
FIRST, SHE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT
653
00:40:24,791 --> 00:40:28,661
THE CRIME.
THEN SHE SAID SHE DID BUT ONLY
654
00:40:28,661 --> 00:40:40,040
AFTER THE FACT
>> THE FINAL STORY, HE SAID, PUT
655
00:40:40,040 --> 00:40:43,076
YOLANDA FRONT AND CENTER IN
PLANNING THE MURDER.
656
00:40:43,076 --> 00:40:44,678
>> LO AND BEHOLD WE HAVE A STORY
THAT COMES ABOUT, ABOUT THE
657
00:40:44,678 --> 00:40:46,246
DROWNING AND THE DRUGGING AND
ALL THIS DRAMA THAT I BELIEVE IS
658
00:40:46,246 --> 00:40:47,847
RUBBISH.
>> SO WHAT DID MAKE SENSE?
659
00:40:47,847 --> 00:40:49,516
A KILLER, HE SAID, WHO HATED
WENDY ENOUGH TO PUMMEL HER SO
660
00:40:49,516 --> 00:40:52,085
BADLY SHE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE
AND WHO FIT THAT BILL?
661
00:40:52,085 --> 00:40:54,220
>> I FELT DESTROYED BECAUSE SHE
TOOK YOU FROM ME, YES.
662
00:40:54,220 --> 00:40:57,390
>> IN A BEYOND WEIRD COURTROOM
EXCHANGE, ESCOTO IN
663
00:40:57,390 --> 00:41:06,266
CROSS-EXAMINATION TOOK ON HIS
FORMER LOVER, YOLANDA.
664
00:41:06,266 --> 00:41:07,901
WHO ADMITTED HER POISONOUS
RESENTMENTS OF WENDY
665
00:41:07,901 --> 00:41:09,502
>> I HATED WHAT SHE STOOD FOR.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHO SHE WAS.
666
00:41:09,502 --> 00:41:12,806
I DIDN'T -- I HATED THE WHOLE
SITUATION.
667
00:41:12,806 --> 00:41:16,509
I HATED THAT YOU LEFT.
>> AND DID YOU WISH SHE WAS
668
00:41:16,509 --> 00:41:18,578
DEAD
>> I WISHED SHE WOULD GO AWAY.
669
00:41:18,578 --> 00:41:21,748
>> SO, YOU SEE YOLANDA'S HAND IN
THIS DIRECTLY?
670
00:41:21,748 --> 00:41:27,587
>> SHE'S LYING BECAUSE SHE FEELS
THAT'S IN HER BEST INTEREST.
671
00:41:27,587 --> 00:41:30,790
I DON'T PUT IT PAST HER AS BEING
A PERSON WHO WOULD HAVE
672
00:41:30,790 --> 00:41:34,794
COMMITTED THIS CRIME
>> BUT WOULD JURORS SEE IT THAT
673
00:41:34,794 --> 00:41:37,564
WAY?
HERE WAS THE CRITICAL MOMENT OF
674
00:41:37,564 --> 00:41:40,800
THE TRIAL, A CHANCE FOR EACH
SIDE TO SUM UP ITS CASE.
675
00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:45,105
AND THIS POTENTIAL TIPPING
POINT, EVEN MICHEL ESCOTO SEEMED
676
00:41:45,105 --> 00:41:48,375
TO AGREE, WAS NO TIME FOR
AMATEURS
677
00:41:48,375 --> 00:41:51,444
>>> COMING UP, THE VERDICT
>> THE YEARS OF WAITING.
678
00:41:51,444 --> 00:41:56,216
THE YEARS OF MOURNING HER.
WE NEEDED JUSTICE.
679
00:41:56,216 --> 00:41:59,119
>> IF THERE'S A HUNG JURY, WE
MAY HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN
680
00:42:08,461 --> 00:42:10,063
And so much more.
681
00:42:10,063 --> 00:42:12,399
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682
00:42:12,399 --> 00:42:15,068
More 5G bars in more places.
683
00:42:15,068 --> 00:42:18,171
More savings so your family
saves 20%
684
00:42:18,171 --> 00:42:19,606
versus the other guys!
685
00:42:19,606 --> 00:42:21,808
And we won't raise the price
of your rate plan
686
00:42:21,808 --> 00:42:23,910
with our Price Lock guarantee.
687
00:42:23,910 --> 00:42:25,578
Get more with T-Mobile.
688
00:42:25,578 --> 00:42:27,647
More 5G coverage.
More savings.
689
00:42:30,083 --> 00:42:30,583
Welcome to Allstate
690
00:42:31,551 --> 00:42:34,487
Where the safer you drive,
the more you save
691
00:42:34,487 --> 00:42:35,889
Like Rachel here
692
00:42:35,889 --> 00:42:36,823
How am I looking?
693
00:42:36,823 --> 00:42:37,791
Looking good!
694
00:42:37,791 --> 00:42:39,726
The most cautious
driver we got
695
00:42:39,726 --> 00:42:40,493
Am I there?
696
00:42:40,493 --> 00:42:41,895
No keep going
697
00:42:41,895 --> 00:42:42,729
How’s that?
698
00:42:42,729 --> 00:42:43,797
I’ll say when
699
00:42:43,797 --> 00:42:44,831
Now? Is that good?
700
00:42:44,831 --> 00:42:47,100
Lots of cars have backup
cameras now you know
701
00:42:47,100 --> 00:42:49,202
Those are for amateurs
702
00:42:49,202 --> 00:42:50,904
There we go
703
00:42:50,904 --> 00:42:52,272
Like a glove, girl
704
00:42:52,272 --> 00:42:53,139
(phone chimes)
705
00:42:53,139 --> 00:42:54,407
Safe driving and Drivewise
706
00:42:54,407 --> 00:42:56,643
can save you 40% with Allstate
707
00:42:56,743 --> 00:43:15,829
[ Music: "Good Time"
by Anthony Ramos ]
708
00:43:16,463 --> 00:43:17,931
My designs bring the vibrance
709
00:43:17,964 --> 00:43:19,632
of the world into my home.
710
00:43:20,967 --> 00:43:22,769
These pieces tell my story.
711
00:43:22,802 --> 00:43:24,471
Now you can tell yours.
712
00:43:30,243 --> 00:43:34,080
["Only Wanna Be with You" by
Hootie & the Blowfish]
713
00:43:35,081 --> 00:43:38,718
Discover is accepted at 99%
of places in the U.S.
714
00:43:44,991 --> 00:43:46,593
My asthma felt anything
but normal.
715
00:43:46,826 --> 00:43:49,095
* *
716
00:43:49,095 --> 00:43:51,197
It was time for
a NuNormal with NUCALA.
717
00:43:51,197 --> 00:43:52,732
NUCALA reduces asthma attacks
718
00:43:52,732 --> 00:43:54,234
it's a once-monthly
add-on treatment
719
00:43:54,234 --> 00:43:55,902
for severe
eosinophilic asthma.
720
00:43:55,902 --> 00:43:57,370
Not for sudden
breathing problems.
721
00:43:57,370 --> 00:43:58,672
Allergic reactions can occur.
722
00:43:58,672 --> 00:44:00,607
Get help right away
for swelling of face,
723
00:44:00,607 --> 00:44:02,242
mouth, tongue,
or trouble breathing.
724
00:44:02,242 --> 00:44:04,044
Infections that can cause
shingles have occured.
725
00:44:04,044 --> 00:44:06,246
Don't stop steroids
unless told by your doctor.
726
00:44:06,246 --> 00:44:08,248
Tell your doctor if you have
a parasitic infection.
727
00:44:08,248 --> 00:44:10,216
May cause headache,
injection site reactions,
728
00:44:10,216 --> 00:44:11,618
back pain, and fatigue.
729
00:44:15,055 --> 00:44:15,655
Cheez-It Snap'd!
730
00:44:16,589 --> 00:44:18,058
They're on a mission
to save every sandwich
731
00:44:18,058 --> 00:44:19,426
from a boring bag of chips.
732
00:44:19,426 --> 00:44:20,794
Noooo!
733
00:44:20,794 --> 00:44:22,796
Sandwiches meet
your cheesy, thin,
734
00:44:22,796 --> 00:44:25,065
crispy Cheez-It Snap'd savior.
735
00:44:25,131 --> 00:44:26,232
So cheesy!
736
00:44:26,232 --> 00:44:27,367
Cheez-It Snap'd.
737
00:44:27,367 --> 00:44:28,568
Level up your lunch.
738
00:45:51,751 --> 00:45:53,787
>>> AFTER A SEVEN-WEEK TRIAL AND
TESTIMONY FROM ALMOST 40
739
00:45:53,787 --> 00:45:59,092
WITNESSES, THE PROSECUTOR AND
THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY, IN THIS
740
00:45:59,092 --> 00:46:03,396
CASE, MICHEL ESCOTO HIMSELF
WOULD GET ONE LAST CHANCE TO
741
00:46:03,396 --> 00:46:09,502
TALK TO THE JURORS IN CLOSING
ARGUMENTS.
742
00:46:09,502 --> 00:46:17,777
PROSECUTOR GAIL LEVENE
ACKNOWLEDGED THEY HAD TO HOLD
743
00:46:17,777 --> 00:46:19,813
THEIR NOSE IN ORDER TO GET HER
TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM
744
00:46:19,813 --> 00:46:21,915
>> I CAN'T CHARGE HER.
I WOULD LOVE TO.
745
00:46:21,915 --> 00:46:24,584
BUT I CAN'T.
AND SHE CAME IN HERE AND SHE
746
00:46:24,584 --> 00:46:28,855
FILLED IN THE DETAILS.
SHE GAVE YOU THE ANSWERS TO
747
00:46:28,855 --> 00:46:32,058
QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
>> WHEN IT WAS THE DEFENSE'S
748
00:46:32,058 --> 00:46:36,262
TURN, ESCOTO AND HIS BACK-UP
ATTORNEY SURPRISED THE
749
00:46:36,262 --> 00:46:38,398
COURTROOM.
>> YOU WANT HIM TO TAKE OVER AS
750
00:46:38,398 --> 00:46:45,805
YOUR COUNSEL AT THIS TIME?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO LET HIM TAKE
751
00:46:45,805 --> 00:46:48,074
OVER, JUDGE.
>> THANK YOU
752
00:46:48,074 --> 00:46:54,481
I'M READY TO PROCEED, JUDGE.
>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS
753
00:46:54,481 --> 00:47:00,020
TRIAL, SEASONED DEFENSE ATTORNEY
TERRY LENAMON WOULD TAKE OVER
754
00:47:00,020 --> 00:47:03,256
AND URGE THE JURORS TO FIND
REASONABLE DOUBT IN THE STATE'S
755
00:47:03,256 --> 00:47:04,758
CASE
HE JUMPED, ATTACKING WHAT HE
756
00:47:04,758 --> 00:47:06,860
CALLED THE PROSECUTOR'S
OVERSELLING OF A MOSTLY
757
00:47:06,860 --> 00:47:09,029
CIRCUMSTANTIAL CASE.
>> THIS IS A COURT OF LAW.
758
00:47:09,029 --> 00:47:13,266
AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I SCREAM
AS AN ADVOCATE, NO MATTER HOW
759
00:47:13,266 --> 00:47:18,772
MUCH I WAVE MY HANDS OR SAY
VILLAIN, VILLAIN, VILLAIN, BAD,
760
00:47:18,772 --> 00:47:22,876
VILLAIN, VILLAIN, IT DOESN'T
MAKE IT SO
761
00:47:22,876 --> 00:47:26,780
>> LENAMON'S STRATEGY WAS TO
PLANT A SEED OF DOUBT IN JUST
762
00:47:26,780 --> 00:47:28,314
ONE JUROR'S MIND
>> IF THERE'S A HUNG JURY, WE
763
00:47:28,314 --> 00:47:30,784
MAY HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN
>> THEN THE CASE WENT TO THE
764
00:47:30,784 --> 00:47:32,552
JURY
WENDY'S FAMILY, AS THEY HAD DONE
765
00:47:32,552 --> 00:47:35,188
THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL, GATHERED
TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN AND PRAYED
766
00:47:35,188 --> 00:47:40,326
HER MOTHER HUGGED PROSECUTOR
GAIL LEVINE, WHO PURSUED ESCOTO
767
00:47:40,326 --> 00:47:45,331
SO FEROCIOUSLY
>> SHE'S MY HERO
768
00:47:45,331 --> 00:47:47,067
SHE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT MY HERO
>> TWO AND A HALF HOURS AFTER
769
00:47:47,067 --> 00:47:52,672
THE JURY WENT OUT, CELL PHONES
STARTED BUZZING IN THE
770
00:47:52,672 --> 00:47:55,075
COURTHOUSE
SO MANY YEARS SINCE WENDY'S
771
00:47:55,075 --> 00:47:57,510
MURDER AND NOW IN MOMENTS HER
FAMILY WOULD KNOW.
772
00:47:57,510 --> 00:48:00,013
>> THE YEARS OF WAITING.
THE YEARS OF MOURNING HER, ALL
773
00:48:00,013 --> 00:48:01,214
OF A SUDDEN WE'RE TOLD THE
VERDICT IS IN.
774
00:48:01,214 --> 00:48:03,516
BEFORE I GOT TO THE COURTROOM I
WAS ALREADY CRYING
775
00:48:03,516 --> 00:48:05,452
I WAS SHAKING.
>> WENDY'S FAMILY MEMBERS HELD
776
00:48:05,452 --> 00:48:08,655
THEIR BREATH
ESCOTO APPEARED TO DO THE SAME
777
00:48:08,655 --> 00:48:16,463
AS THE JUDGE INSTRUCTED THE
CLERK TO READ THE VERDICT.
778
00:48:16,463 --> 00:48:21,334
>> WE THE JURY IN MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS 22nd DAY
779
00:48:21,334 --> 00:48:27,307
OF APRIL, 2014, FIND THE
DEFENDANT, MICHEL ESCOTO, FIND
780
00:48:27,307 --> 00:48:30,310
THE DEFENDANT GUILTY OF FIRST
DEGREE PREMEDITATED MURDER
781
00:48:30,310 --> 00:48:32,045
>> MICHEL SAT STONE-FACED IN HIS
CHAIR, HIS LIPS TURNED DOWN IN A
782
00:48:32,045 --> 00:48:34,047
GRIMACE.
FOR THE FAMILY THERE WERE MORE
783
00:48:34,047 --> 00:48:35,615
TEARS BUT OF A DIFFERENT KIND.
NOW SORROW, MIXED WITH RELIEF
784
00:48:35,615 --> 00:48:41,421
AND SATISFACTION
WENDY'S MOTHER DROPPED TO HER
785
00:48:41,421 --> 00:48:49,162
KNEES AND GAVE THANKS.
FOR DETECTIVE MARIA MADEREOS A
786
00:48:49,162 --> 00:48:50,363
12-YEAR-OLD CASE WAS OFFICIALLY
STAMPED CLOSED
787
00:48:50,363 --> 00:48:51,831
>> HE'LL NEVER DO THIS TO
ANOTHER WOMAN AGAIN.
788
00:48:51,831 --> 00:48:54,067
HIS LIES AND HIS CHARMING AND
PLANNING AND EVIL PLAN WILL NOT
789
00:48:54,067 --> 00:48:56,069
AFFECT ANOTHER PERSON.
>> BUT THERE WAS SOMEONE THE
790
00:48:56,069 --> 00:48:59,773
FAMILY FELT HAD GOTTEN AWAY WITH
MURDER, HIS GIRLFRIEND YOLANDA
791
00:48:59,773 --> 00:49:03,243
HER IMMUNITY DEAL MEANT SHE
WOULD NEVER SPEND A DAY IN JAIL.
792
00:49:03,243 --> 00:49:08,281
>> THEY'RE BOTH MONSTERS AND
PSYCHOPATHS.
793
00:49:08,281 --> 00:49:11,484
>> I DON'T CARE AT ALL HOW
DESPERATE, HOW INSECURE, HOW
794
00:49:11,484 --> 00:49:15,155
LACKING IN SELF RESPECT YOU
HAVE
795
00:49:15,155 --> 00:49:17,290
YOU'RE A MOTHER.
AND YOU WENT AHEAD AND PLANNED
796
00:49:17,290 --> 00:49:20,026
OUT THE DEATH OF ANOTHER
MOTHER'S DAUGHTER.
797
00:49:20,026 --> 00:49:23,563
>> BUT INVESTIGATORS SAID
WITHOUT YOLANDA, THINGS MIGHT
798
00:49:23,563 --> 00:49:25,265
HAVE TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY.
>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE
799
00:49:25,265 --> 00:49:30,070
THROWING THEIR SHOES AT THE TV
SCREEN AT THIS POINT, DETECTIVE.
800
00:49:30,070 --> 00:49:33,807
>> SHE GAVE US THE ADDITIONAL
THING THAT WE NEEDED TO CHARGE
801
00:49:33,807 --> 00:49:39,112
AND KEEP AND BRING MICHEL ESCOTO
TO JUSTICE IN THIS CASE.
802
00:49:39,112 --> 00:49:45,618
>> SO HE GETS A LIFE SENTENCE
AND SHE GETS HAVE A NICE DAY
803
00:49:45,618 --> 00:49:47,921
>> THAT'S HOW IT APPEARS
BUT IN LIEU OF NOT HAVING
804
00:49:47,921 --> 00:49:58,331
ANYBODY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THIS, I'LL TAKE THAT
805
00:49:58,331 --> 00:50:01,701
>> BUT YOLANDA WASN'T LET OFF
THE HOOK THAT EASILY
806
00:50:01,701 --> 00:50:04,871
THEY SUED HER FOR THE WRONGFUL
DEATH OF WENDY AND WERE AWARDED
807
00:50:04,871 --> 00:50:06,473
A $44 MILLION JUDGMENT
THOUGH THEY HAD NO EXPECTATIONS
808
00:50:06,473 --> 00:50:08,575
OF EVER SEEING THAT KIND OF
MONEY.
809
00:50:08,575 --> 00:50:10,176
>> IF SHE HAS TO PAY ONE CENT A
WEEK, IT'S WELL WORTH IT
810
00:50:10,176 --> 00:50:13,980
AS A REMINDER FOR THE REST OF
HER LIFE, HOW SHE ASSISTED THAT
811
00:50:13,980 --> 00:50:19,352
MONSTER.
>> TWO WEEKS AFTER HIS
812
00:50:19,352 --> 00:50:22,522
CONVICTION MICHEL ESCOTO WAS
SENTENCED FOR THE MURDER OF HIS
813
00:50:22,522 --> 00:50:24,024
NEW BRIDE.
AT THE HEARING HE PROCLAIMED HIS
814
00:50:24,024 --> 00:50:26,159
INNOCENCE TO WENDY'S FAMILY.
>> NO MATTER HOW SATISFACTION
815
00:50:26,159 --> 00:50:28,261
THIS VERDICT HAS GIVEN ANY OF
YOU, AN INNOCENT PERSON WAS
816
00:50:28,261 --> 00:50:30,697
CONVICTED IN THIS CASE
>> FINALLY THE FAMILY HAD A
817
00:50:30,697 --> 00:50:36,903
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE MAN
TO KILLED WENDY.
818
00:50:36,903 --> 00:50:41,174
>> JUSTICE IS SERVED
OFF TO HELL WITH YOU AND GOOD
819
00:50:41,174 --> 00:50:45,979
RIDDANCE
>> WHEN WENDY'S MOTHER, MIRIAM,
820
00:50:45,979 --> 00:50:54,688
SPOKE THROUGH A TRANSLATOR,
THERE WASN'T A DRY EYE IN THE
821
00:50:54,688 --> 00:50:58,625
COURTROOM.
>> Translator: MANY OF YOU HAVE
822
00:50:58,625 --> 00:51:07,967
DAUGHTERS OR SONS.
AND YOU WILL RECEIVE A KISS FROM
823
00:51:07,967 --> 00:51:12,205
THEM
I HAVE TO GO TO THE CEMETERY TO
824
00:51:12,205 --> 00:51:15,375
PUT FLOWERS ON MY DAUGHTER'S
TOMB
825
00:51:15,375 --> 00:51:19,512
>> JUDGE MARISA MENDEZ GAVE
ESCOTO THE MANDATORY SENTENCE.
826
00:51:19,512 --> 00:51:22,816
>> LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE
POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE.
827
00:51:22,816 --> 00:51:32,792
>> THE ONLY WAY HE LEAVES PRISON
IS IN A PINE BOX
828
00:51:32,792 --> 00:51:36,896
ON THE DAY ESCOTO WAS FOUND
GUILTY, THE FAMILY WENT TO THE
829
00:51:36,896 --> 00:51:40,100
CEMETERY TO VISIT WENDY.
THEY SAT ON HER GRAVE AND TALKED
830
00:51:40,100 --> 00:51:42,168
TO HER
>> I KIND OF JUST SAT BACK AND
831
00:51:42,168 --> 00:51:44,304
FELT THAT I COULD BREATHE FOR
THE FIRST TIME IN SO LONG AND
832
00:51:44,304 --> 00:51:46,940
FELT SHE WAS FINALLY AT PEACE.
SHE CAN REST NOW
833
00:51:46,940 --> 00:51:52,779
>> REST FOR WENDY, THE KIND,
YOUNG WOMAN WHO LOVED ANIMALS
834
00:51:52,779 --> 00:51:59,486
AND ENJOYED PLAYING DRESS-UP AND
WHO FATALLY MARRIED A STRANGER,
835
00:51:59,486 --> 00:52:03,256
TILL DEATH HE DID PART
>>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION
836
00:52:03,256 --> 00:52:08,795
OF "DATELINE."
WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY
837
00:52:08,795 --> 00:52:11,131
AT 10:00, 9:00 CENTRAL
AND OF COURSE I'LL SEE YOU EACH
838
00:52:11,131 --> 00:52:12,332
WEEKNIGHT FOR NBC "NIGHTLY
NEWS."
839
00:52:12,332 --> 00:52:32,886
I'M LESTER HOLT.
>>> NEARLY 12 YEARS AFTER THE
840
00:52:32,886 --> 00:52:38,324
MURDER OF WENDY TRAPAGA, MICHEL
ESCOTO WAS FINALLY ON TRIAL FOR
841
00:52:38,324 --> 00:52:42,128
HER MURDER
HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO FIRST
842
00:52:42,128 --> 00:52:45,398
DEGREE CHARGES
>> MONEY IS THE ROOT OF THIS
843
00:52:45,398 --> 00:52:47,133
DEFENDANT'S EVIL
>> PROSECUTORS OFFERED THE MOST
844
00:52:47,133 --> 00:52:49,602
CHILLING DETAIL OF THE CASE, HE
ACTUALLY PICKED WENDY TO BE HIS
845
00:52:49,602 --> 00:52:53,640
BRIDE JUST SO HE COULD INSURE
HER LIFE AND KILL HER.
846
00:52:53,640 --> 00:52:59,713
>> HE WOULD PREY ON THIS
UNSUSPECTING 21-YEAR-OLD GIRL
847
00:52:59,713 --> 00:53:04,451
AND MARRY HER.
FOUR DAYS, FOUR DAYS AFTER THAT
848
00:53:04,451 --> 00:53:08,188
MARRIAGE, THIS DEFENDANT
BLUDGEONED AND STRANGLED WENDY
849
00:53:08,188 --> 00:53:10,957
TRAPAGA TO DEATH
>> AMONG THE FIRST WITNESSES,
850
00:53:10,957 --> 00:53:14,060
WENDY'S HEARTBROKEN MOTHER,
MIRIAM BONITAS
851
00:53:14,060 --> 00:53:16,663
SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER,
THE MOTHER SAID SHE WAS SHOCKED
852
00:53:16,663 --> 00:53:19,566
WHEN SHE LEARNED THE COUPLE HAD
TAKEN LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
853
00:53:19,566 --> 00:53:24,571
OUT ON ONE ANOTHER JUST BEFORE
THEIR MARRIAGE
854
00:53:24,571 --> 00:53:28,341
>> Translator: I DID NOT FEEL
GOOD
855
00:53:28,341 --> 00:53:32,612
I EXPRESSED TO HER, WHY
INSURANCE, THEY'RE NOT EVEN
856
00:53:32,612 --> 00:53:37,384
MARRIED, THEY DIDN'T HAVE
CHILDREN
857
00:53:37,384 --> 00:53:40,587
WHY INSURANCE?
>> ON THE STAND, DETECTIVE MARIA
858
00:53:40,587 --> 00:53:43,256
MEDERO SAID SHE ZEROED IN ON
THAT INSURANCE POLICY WHEN SHE
859
00:53:43,256 --> 00:53:46,960
QUESTIONED ESCOTO A DAY AFTER
THE MURDER
860
00:53:46,960 --> 00:53:50,163
>> I TOLD HIM IF HE COULDN'T
MUSTER UP A TEAR FOR HIS WIFE OF
861
00:53:50,163 --> 00:53:52,799
FOUR DAYS TO MUSTER UP A TEAR
FOR THE MILLION DOLLARS HE WAS
862
00:53:52,799 --> 00:53:59,139
NEVER GOING TO SEE
>> WHAT WAS HIS REACTION
863
00:53:59,139 --> 00:54:06,179
>> THAT LACK OF EMOTION WAS AN
INDIFFERENCE TO WENDY OR A
864
00:54:06,179 --> 00:54:11,851
DISREGARD FOR WOMEN IN GENERAL
DETECTIVES SAY ESCOTO WAS A MAN
865
00:54:11,851 --> 00:54:12,752
WITH A HISTORY OF MOOCHING OFF
GIRLFRIENDS.
866
00:54:12,752 --> 00:54:14,688
THIS FORMER LOVER TESTIFIED SHE
SUPPORTED ESCOTO FOR YEARS
867
00:54:14,688 --> 00:54:18,525
>> HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU GIVE
HIM A MONTH?
868
00:54:18,525 --> 00:54:22,128
>> APPROXIMATELY $1,500.
>> GO FIGURE, THE STATE SAID
869
00:54:22,128 --> 00:54:26,366
FOR WHATEVER REASON, WOMEN THREW
GIFTS AT ESCOTO.
870
00:54:26,366 --> 00:54:31,137
ONE BOUGHT HIM THE MOTORCYCLE,
ANOTHER A CAR.
871
00:54:31,137 --> 00:54:34,341
BUT STILL ANOTHER FORMER LOVER
WHO ALSO SUPPORTED HIM FOR YEARS
872
00:54:34,341 --> 00:54:38,578
WOULD BE THE PROSECUTION'S STAR
WITNESS.
873
00:54:38,578 --> 00:54:42,315
>> YOLANDA SERRIO.
>> THE PROSECUTION ARGUED SHE
874
00:54:42,315 --> 00:54:45,518
WAS THE GIRLFRIEND WITH INTIMATE
KNOWLEDGE OF HOW ESCOTO CARRIED
875
00:54:45,518 --> 00:54:51,858
OUT THIS BRUTAL CRIME.
SHE HAD BEEN GIVEN IMMUNITY IN
876
00:54:51,858 --> 00:54:54,494
EXCHANGE FOR HER TESTIMONY HERE.
WIPING AWAY TEARS SHE RECOUNTED
877
00:54:54,494 --> 00:54:57,163
HOW IT ALL STARTED, HOW SHE FELL
HARD FOR THE DEFENDANT SHE
878
00:54:57,163 --> 00:55:02,335
THOUGHT TO BE A CHARMER.
>> HAVE YOU EVER HAD A MAN YOU
879
00:55:02,335 --> 00:55:05,805
COULD SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS MICHEL
880
00:55:05,805 --> 00:55:08,875
>> ONLY TO REALIZE HE WAS
DUMPING HER FOR THE YOUNGER,
881
00:55:08,875 --> 00:55:11,378
MORE ATTRACTIVE WENDY.
YOLANDA THEN SAID SHE CONFRONTED
882
00:55:11,378 --> 00:55:16,316
ESCOTO IN THIS RESTAURANT
PARKING LOT AND HEARD FOR THE
883
00:55:16,316 --> 00:55:20,553
FIRST TIME, SHE SAID, THAT HIS
IMPENDING MARRIAGE TO WENDY WAS
884
00:55:20,553 --> 00:55:22,689
ALL A SHAM
THAT IN THE END HE WOULD COME
885
00:55:22,689 --> 00:55:24,791
BACK TO YOLANDA WITH POCKETS
FULL OF CASH
886
00:55:24,791 --> 00:55:26,926
>> HE SAID TO CALM DOWN.
IT WAS ALL A PLAN.
887
00:55:26,926 --> 00:55:29,562
THAT HE DIDN'T LOVE HER.
HE LOVED ME.
888
00:55:29,562 --> 00:55:32,198
HE WAS GOING TO MARRY HER.
THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE AN
889
00:55:32,198 --> 00:55:34,334
INSURANCE POLICY AND SHE WAS
GOING TO DIE
890
00:55:34,334 --> 00:55:36,436
>> ALL RIGHT
SO HE TOLD YOU HE HAD A PLAN
891
00:55:36,436 --> 00:55:41,775
>> YES
>> THE PLAN WAS MURDER
892
00:55:41,775 --> 00:55:44,978
IT WAS DURING THAT CONVERSATION,
YOLANDA TOLD JURORS, THAT SHE
893
00:55:44,978 --> 00:55:51,785
BECAME A CO-CONSPIRATOR, NOT
ONLY HELPING ESCOTO COVER UP HIS
894
00:55:51,785 --> 00:55:52,819
CRIME BUT ALSO HELPING HIM CARRY
IT OUT
895
00:55:52,819 --> 00:56:00,093
THIS WAS THE PLAN.
ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT, YOLANDA
896
00:56:00,093 --> 00:56:01,661
SAID ESCOTO WOULD DRUG AND DROWN
WENDY.
897
00:56:01,661 --> 00:56:03,797
TO MAKE SURE HE GOT IT RIGHT,
YOLANDA ADMITTED SHE TOOK PART
898
00:56:03,797 --> 00:56:05,932
IN A GRIM DRESS REHEARSAL OF
WHAT WAS MEANT TO LOOK LIKE AN
899
00:56:05,932 --> 00:56:08,068
ACCIDENTAL DEATH
>> WE FILLED UP MY TUB AND I GOT
900
00:56:08,068 --> 00:56:10,170
IN THE WATER
AND HE PUSHED ME DOWN WITH HIS
901
00:56:10,170 --> 00:56:12,272
HAND
>> YOU LET HIM PUSH YOU UNDER
902
00:56:12,272 --> 00:56:14,407
THE WATER?
>> YES
903
00:56:14,407 --> 00:56:17,077
>> WHAT DID YOU SAY ONCE HE LET
YOU UP
904
00:56:17,077 --> 00:56:20,447
>> I TOLD HIM THAT WOULDN'T
WORK
905
00:56:20,447 --> 00:56:21,881
>> WHY
>> BECAUSE THE FORCE OF HIM
906
00:56:21,881 --> 00:56:25,585
HOLDING HER DOWN IN THE WATER
WOULD LEAVE BRUISES.
907
00:56:25,585 --> 00:56:29,189
>> WHAT DID YOU SUGGEST?
>> I SUGGESTED HE USED A TOWEL
908
00:56:29,189 --> 00:56:31,958
TO HOLD HER DOWN
>> YOLANDA SAID SHE EVEN HELPED
909
00:56:31,958 --> 00:56:36,763
HIM WHIP UP A DRUG LACED
CONCOCTION TO KNOCK WENDY OUT.
910
00:56:36,763 --> 00:56:45,171
>> HE CAME OVER AND HE BROUGHT
SOME PERCOCET PILLS.
911
00:56:45,171 --> 00:56:49,976
AND HE AND I STARTED SQUISHING
THEM, I THINK IT'S LIKE A MORTAR
912
00:56:49,976 --> 00:56:55,782
AND PESTLE THING
>> WHAT WAS HE GOING TO DO WITH
913
00:56:55,782 --> 00:56:58,752
THE PERCOCET PILLS THAT IS YOU
GROUND
914
00:56:58,752 --> 00:56:59,919
>> HE WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO
HER SO SHE WOULD BE DRUGGED.
915
00:56:59,919 --> 00:57:01,654
>> AND THEN DROWNED, SAID
YOLANDA.
916
00:57:01,654 --> 00:57:09,796
THE PLAN TO KILL WENDY HIT AN
UNEXPECTED SNAG.
917
00:57:09,796 --> 00:57:13,833
AT THE HONEYMOON HOTEL IN KEY
WEST, WENDY BALKED AT THE TASTE
918
00:57:13,833 --> 00:57:15,735
OF THE DRUGGED COCKTAIL.
THIS TIME SHE DRANK THE COCKTAIL
919
00:57:15,735 --> 00:57:27,047
BUT FOR SOME REASON HE COULDN'T
MANAGE TO DROWNED HER.
920
00:57:27,047 --> 00:57:31,184
THAT'S WHEN YOLANDA RECALLED
THAT ESCOTO SHOWED UP AT HER
921
00:57:31,184 --> 00:57:35,121
PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
WITH A DAZED WENDY IN THE FRONT
922
00:57:35,121 --> 00:57:36,790
SEAT OF THE CAR.
>> DID YOU SEE ANYTHING IN THE
923
00:57:36,790 --> 00:57:38,291
PASSENGER SEAT
>> I SAW A MOVEMENT.
924
00:57:38,291 --> 00:57:39,859
SOMEBODY INSIDE THE CAR.
>> WENDY WAS STILL ALIVE
925
00:57:39,859 --> 00:57:42,062
YOLANDA SAID ESCOTO ORDERED HER
TO FOLLOW HIM IN HER CAR
926
00:57:42,062 --> 00:57:44,130
>> THEN WHAT HAPPENED?
>> HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, WALKED
927
00:57:44,130 --> 00:57:46,232
OVER TO MY CAR AND HE TOLD ME,
DRIVE AROUND
928
00:57:46,232 --> 00:57:49,436
GIVE ME 20, 25 MINUTES
>> EVENTUALLY, YOLANDA SAID SHE
929
00:57:49,436 --> 00:57:53,673
SPOTTED ESCOTO AGAIN, WALKING
DOWN THE STREET, SPLASHED NOW IN
930
00:57:53,673 --> 00:57:56,876
BLOOD AND CARRYING A TIRE IRON
SHE SAID SHE DROVE HIM TO THE
931
00:57:56,876 --> 00:58:07,253
BAY IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI WHERE HE
GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE
932
00:58:07,253 --> 00:58:12,058
WEAPON
>> AND HE'S WALKING, HE THREW
933
00:58:12,058 --> 00:58:16,896
THE THING IN THE WATER
>> AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF AT HIS
934
00:58:16,896 --> 00:58:20,934
APARTMENT, SHE SAID, SHE TOOK
HIS BLOODY CLOTHES AND THREW
935
00:58:20,934 --> 00:58:22,669
THEM IN THE DUMPSTER
>> HAPPY WITH YOURSELF
936
00:58:22,669 --> 00:58:24,204
>> NO.
WORSE.
937
00:58:24,204 --> 00:58:30,377
THAT'S HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW.
>> IS THIS ABOUT YOU
938
00:58:30,377 --> 00:58:33,046
>> NO, IT'S NOT.
IT'S ABOUT A MOTHER WHO LOST HER
939
00:58:33,046 --> 00:58:35,048
DAUGHTER AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO
DO WITH IT
940
00:58:35,048 --> 00:58:37,117
>> YOLANDA'S TIME ON THE WITNESS
STAND WOULD GET TOUGHER STILL.
941
00:58:37,117 --> 00:58:39,252
TWO OLD LOVERS WERE ABOUT TO
FACE OFF IN COURT.
942
00:58:39,252 --> 00:58:41,388
ONE DEFENDING HIMSELF AND THE
OTHER TESTIFYING AGAINST HIM
943
00:58:41,388 --> 00:58:48,261
A ROILING, BOILING DRAMA IN REAL
TIME
944
00:58:48,261 --> 00:58:50,397
>>> COMING UP, MICHEL ESCOTO
ACTS AS HIS OWN LAWYER
945
00:58:50,397 --> 00:58:54,100
>> THIS IS HARDER THAN I THOUGHT
IT WOULD BE.
946
00:58:54,100 --> 00:59:00,507
>> AND ON THE STAND, HIS
EX-LOVER, NOW THE STAR WITNESS
947
00:59:00,507 --> 00:59:21,861
AGAINST HIM IN WENDY'S MURDER.
SUCCEEDED IN PAINTING MICHEL
948
00:59:21,861 --> 00:59:26,433
ESCOTO AS A MAN WHO USED WOMEN
FOR MONEY, INORD WORDS, A CAD.
949
00:59:26,433 --> 00:59:29,569
THEN AGAIN A CAD IS A FAR CRY
FROM A KILLER.
950
00:59:29,569 --> 00:59:32,038
>> I DON'T THINK HE'S A KILLER
I THINK THERE'S PROBLEMS WITH
951
00:59:32,038 --> 00:59:34,407
THIS EVIDENCE.
>> YOU'RE NOT JUST SAYING THAT
952
00:59:34,407 --> 00:59:39,279
>> I'M NOT JUST SAYING THAT.
>> THERE'S PROBLEMS WITH THIS
953
00:59:39,279 --> 00:59:43,850
EVIDENCE
>> ATTORNEY TERRY LENAMON SERVED
954
00:59:43,850 --> 00:59:46,086
AS ESCOTO'S STANDBY COUNSEL.
HE SAID DESPITE THE EVIDENCE,
955
00:59:46,086 --> 00:59:50,523
THE STATE'S CASE WAS WEAK FROM
START TO FINISH.
956
00:59:50,523 --> 00:59:54,728
THERE WAS HE POINTED OUT NO
MURDER WEAPON, NO BLOOD, NO DNA
957
00:59:54,728 --> 00:59:58,164
LINKING THE DEFENDANT TO THE
CRIME.
958
00:59:58,164 --> 01:00:01,901
WHICH IS MAYBE WHY MICHE
ESCOTO, WHO ALREADY PLED NOT
959
01:00:01,901 --> 01:00:03,503
GUILTY TO THE CHARGES DID WHAT
MANY MEN FACING A LIFE IN PRISON
960
01:00:03,503 --> 01:00:06,172
SENTENCE WOULD NEVER DREAM OF
DOING.
961
01:00:06,172 --> 01:00:16,583
HE DEFENDED HIMSELF IN COURT
>> I BELIEVE THE EVIDENCE WILL
962
01:00:16,583 --> 01:00:20,620
SHOW THAT ONLY AN IMBECILE AND
AN IMBECILE WHO'S IN LOVE WITH
963
01:00:20,620 --> 01:00:24,424
MONEY WOULD KILL SOMEBODY FOUR
DAYS AFTER THEY WERE MARRIED TO
964
01:00:24,424 --> 01:00:26,926
THAT PERSON.
>> WHAT WAS LINCOLN'S ADVICE
965
01:00:26,926 --> 01:00:28,495
ABOUT A FOOL AS A CLIENT
>> THOSE WHO REPRESENT
966
01:00:28,495 --> 01:00:30,663
THEMSELVES
WE'LL SEE.
967
01:00:30,663 --> 01:00:33,433
>> WEARING GLASSES, KHAKIS, A
SWEATER, AND SPEAKING IN A SOFT
968
01:00:33,433 --> 01:00:39,005
VOICE, HE SEEMED LESS LIKE A
KILLER AND MORE LIKE A GEEK.
969
01:00:39,005 --> 01:00:40,640
A HOPELESS NOVICE, GETTING
PUMMELLED BY THE PROSECUTION
970
01:00:40,640 --> 01:00:44,377
>> JUDGE, I'M TELLING HIM HE WAS
BEING SANDBAGGED -
971
01:00:44,377 --> 01:00:49,282
>> ONE TIME THE NEWBIE SEEMED
NEAR TEARS, ANOTHER OVERWHELMED.
972
01:00:49,282 --> 01:00:52,352
>> WOW, THIS IS HARDER THAN I
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
973
01:00:52,352 --> 01:00:56,089
>> WAS THIS KLUTZY MOMENT ALL
ABOUT WINNING SYMPATHY FOR THE
974
01:00:56,089 --> 01:00:58,224
JURY, THE TIME HE STUMBLED
>> SORRY, TWISTED MY ANKLE,
975
01:00:58,224 --> 01:01:05,065
JUDGE.
>> ONE PARTICULARLY WINCE-WORTHY
976
01:01:05,065 --> 01:01:09,135
MOMENT CAME WHEN JORGE BARONE,
HIS NEMESIS FROM THE FAILED
977
01:01:09,135 --> 01:01:11,237
INSURANCE TRIAL, TOOK THE STAND.
UNDER CROSS-EXAMINATION BY
978
01:01:11,237 --> 01:01:16,109
ESCOTO, HE EXPLAINED JUST WHY IT
WAS HE SUSPECTED ESCOTO OF
979
01:01:16,109 --> 01:01:18,878
KILLING HIS WIFE, WENDY.
>> YOU HAD BEEN MARRIED TO HER
980
01:01:18,878 --> 01:01:24,484
FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE YOU KILLED
HER TO GET THE LIFE INSURANCE.
981
01:01:24,484 --> 01:01:27,087
SO TO ME THAT WAS VERY CLEAR
>> JUDGE, GIVE ME A SECOND
982
01:01:27,087 --> 01:01:33,660
BECAUSE I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING
THAT I SHOULDN'T
983
01:01:33,660 --> 01:01:35,795
>> ESCOTO LOST IT.
>> IF YOU SAY THAT AGAIN -
984
01:01:35,795 --> 01:01:37,931
>> OBJECTION
>> SEE ALL THOSE GUYS.
985
01:01:37,931 --> 01:01:40,600
>> HAD MR. NERD INADVERTENTLY
SHOWN THE JURY THE LAVA BOILING
986
01:01:40,600 --> 01:01:43,269
WITHIN
THAT THREAT WON A CONTEMPT OF
987
01:01:43,269 --> 01:01:45,905
COURT CITATION FROM THE JUDGE.
>> BE QUIET!
988
01:01:45,905 --> 01:01:48,808
>> WHAT APPEARED TO BE NEAR
DISASTER FOR THE DEFENDANT COULD
989
01:01:48,808 --> 01:01:51,711
BE SPUN AS A PLAY TO HIS
ADVANTAGE.
990
01:01:51,711 --> 01:01:56,516
>> I THINK ONE OF THE IMPORTANT
ADVANTAGES THAT HE HAS HERE IS
991
01:01:56,516 --> 01:01:59,152
THAT HUMAN CONNECTION THAT HE'S
GETTING, STANDING UP THERE
992
01:01:59,152 --> 01:02:01,821
WITH EVERY WITNESS WHO SAYS
YOU'RE A MURDERER, YOU'RE THIS,
993
01:02:01,821 --> 01:02:06,559
YOU'RE THAT, HIM NOT BACKING
DOWN
994
01:02:06,559 --> 01:02:10,330
HE HAS NEVER BACKED DOWN
>> BUT ESCOTO, THE HAPLESS
995
01:02:10,330 --> 01:02:14,167
UNDERDOG, STILL NEEDED TO
CONVINCE JURORS HE WAS NOT
996
01:02:14,167 --> 01:02:15,735
VIOLENT.
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CAME TO
997
01:02:15,735 --> 01:02:16,903
WOMEN, WENDY IN PARTICULAR
>> I'M GOING TO BE AS GENTLE AS
998
01:02:16,903 --> 01:02:19,472
I CAN, JUDGE
>> HE CAREFULLY QUESTIONED HIS
999
01:02:19,472 --> 01:02:22,509
FORMER MOTHER-IN-LAW
HE MAY HAVE WON POINTS WHEN HE
1000
01:02:22,509 --> 01:02:27,447
GOT HER TO ADMIT THAT WENDY HAD
ONCE CONFIDED THIS TO A FRIEND
1001
01:02:27,447 --> 01:02:30,650
>> SHE TOLD HER FRIEND THAT SHE
WAS CONTENT, THAT SHE LOVED YOU,
1002
01:02:30,650 --> 01:02:33,853
MR. ESCOTO
>> SO DID I.
1003
01:02:33,853 --> 01:02:43,863
>> LIKEWISE, THIS FORMER
GIRLFRIEND AND SELF-CONFESSED
1004
01:02:43,863 --> 01:02:45,098
SUGAR MAMA HAD TO ADMIT THAT
ESCOTO WAS NEVER A VIOLENT
1005
01:02:45,098 --> 01:02:46,232
BULLY.
>> DID I EVER THROW ANYTHING AT
1006
01:02:46,232 --> 01:02:48,301
YOU?
>> NO.
1007
01:02:48,301 --> 01:02:49,869
>> DID I EVER PUNCH YOU?
>> NO, NO.
1008
01:02:49,869 --> 01:02:51,471
>> DID I EVER SLAP YOU
>> NO.
1009
01:02:51,471 --> 01:02:53,106
>> DID I EVER PUSH YOU ON THE
GROUND
1010
01:02:53,106 --> 01:02:54,741
>> NO.
>> MORE IMPORTANT, HE WANTED TO
1011
01:02:54,741 --> 01:02:57,177
SHOW THAT THE STATE'S THEORY OF
THE CRIME WAS A FAIRYTALE,
1012
01:02:57,177 --> 01:02:58,912
STARTING WITH THE IDEA THAT HE
DRUGGED WENDY.
1013
01:02:58,912 --> 01:03:01,047
A PHARMACOLOGIST TESTIFIED THAT
WENDY HAD ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF
1014
01:03:01,047 --> 01:03:04,751
PRESCRIPTION NARCOTICS IN HER
BLOOD WHEN THE AUTOPSY WAS
1015
01:03:04,751 --> 01:03:09,055
PERFORMED.
>> THE TOXICOLOGY REPORTS ARE
1016
01:03:09,055 --> 01:03:11,391
CONSISTENT WITH NORMAL DOSES
THAT YOU WOULD TAKE OF ANY OF
1017
01:03:11,391 --> 01:03:13,259
THESE MEDICATIONS.
>> SHE WASN'T HEAVILY DRUGGED AS
1018
01:03:13,259 --> 01:03:17,397
THE STATE ARGUED
>> SHE WASN'T AS INCAPACITATED
1019
01:03:17,397 --> 01:03:21,501
AS YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN LED TO
BELIEVE?
1020
01:03:21,501 --> 01:03:25,305
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THIS WAS NOT A KNOCK OUT.
1021
01:03:25,305 --> 01:03:26,740
>> HIGHLY DISPUTED
>> THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM
1022
01:03:26,740 --> 01:03:28,842
WITH THE STATE'S THEORY.
IT HAD TO DO WITH HOW WENDY
1023
01:03:28,842 --> 01:03:30,410
DIED
>> IF THE ASSAILANT WAS
1024
01:03:30,410 --> 01:03:36,983
LEFT-HANDED BEGAN TO STRIKE
HER --
1025
01:03:36,983 --> 01:03:42,222
>> A MEDICAL EXAMINER FOR THE
DEFENSE BELIEVED WENDY'S
1026
01:03:42,222 --> 01:03:45,558
EXTENSIVE INJURIES INDICATED TWO
KILLERS, BOTH RIGHT-HANDED
1027
01:03:45,558 --> 01:03:48,762
>> THERE ARE SEVERAL IMPACTS ON
THE RIGHT SIDE, WHICH IN AN
1028
01:03:48,762 --> 01:03:55,735
ALTERCATION SUGGESTS TO ME THAT
THE ASSAILANT IS RIGHT-HANDED.
1029
01:03:55,735 --> 01:03:58,304
>> AND SINCE MICHEL ESCOTO IS
LEFT-HANDED, THE IMPLICATION FOR
1030
01:03:58,304 --> 01:04:04,344
THE JURY IS CLEAR.
HE COULDN'T BE THE KILLER.
1031
01:04:04,344 --> 01:04:10,050
WHAT'S MORE, A DNA EXPERT SAID
SHE EXPECTED TO FIND ESCOTO'S
1032
01:04:10,050 --> 01:04:12,085
DNA ON THE VICTIM'S CLOTHES.
AFTER ALL, THEY WERE HUSBAND AND
1033
01:04:12,085 --> 01:04:13,720
WIFE
BUT SHE FOUND SOMETHING MORE
1034
01:04:13,720 --> 01:04:15,455
>> THERE WERE SEVERAL MARKERS
WHERE HIS DNA IS NOT
1035
01:04:15,455 --> 01:04:17,390
REPRESENTED.
>> DNA TRACES FOR TWO DIFFERENT
1036
01:04:17,390 --> 01:04:19,526
MALES, AND GET THIS, TRACES FOR
A FEMALE
1037
01:04:19,526 --> 01:04:28,368
TO STANDBY LAWYER TERRY, THAT
COULD MEAN ONLY ONE PERSON
1038
01:04:28,368 --> 01:04:31,271
YOLANDA, ESCOTO'S OLD
GIRLFRIEND, WHO SAID SHE WAS
1039
01:04:31,271 --> 01:04:32,305
WITH HIM BEFORE AND AFTER THE
MURDER
1040
01:04:32,305 --> 01:04:33,940
>> WHO GOT IMMUNITY.
>> FIRST THING TO KNOW ABOUT
1041
01:04:33,940 --> 01:04:37,077
YOLANDA IS THAT SHE'S A LIAR
FIRST, SHE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT
1042
01:04:37,077 --> 01:04:40,947
THE CRIME.
THEN SHE SAID SHE DID BUT ONLY
1043
01:04:40,947 --> 01:04:52,325
AFTER THE FACT
>> THE FINAL STORY, HE SAID, PUT
1044
01:04:52,325 --> 01:04:55,362
YOLANDA FRONT AND CENTER IN
PLANNING THE MURDER.
1045
01:04:55,362 --> 01:04:56,963
>> LO AND BEHOLD WE HAVE A STORY
THAT COMES ABOUT, ABOUT THE
1046
01:04:56,963 --> 01:04:58,531
DROWNING AND THE DRUGGING AND
ALL THIS DRAMA THAT I BELIEVE IS
1047
01:04:58,531 --> 01:05:00,133
RUBBISH.
>> SO WHAT DID MAKE SENSE?
1048
01:05:00,133 --> 01:05:01,801
A KILLER, HE SAID, WHO HATED
WENDY ENOUGH TO PUMMEL HER SO
1049
01:05:01,801 --> 01:05:04,371
BADLY SHE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE
AND WHO FIT THAT BILL?
1050
01:05:04,371 --> 01:05:06,506
>> I FELT DESTROYED BECAUSE SHE
TOOK YOU FROM ME, YES.
1051
01:05:06,506 --> 01:05:09,676
>> IN A BEYOND WEIRD COURTROOM
EXCHANGE, ESCOTO IN
1052
01:05:09,676 --> 01:05:18,551
CROSS-EXAMINATION TOOK ON HIS
FORMER LOVER, YOLANDA.
1053
01:05:18,551 --> 01:05:20,186
WHO ADMITTED HER POISONOUS
RESENTMENTS OF WENDY
1054
01:05:20,186 --> 01:05:21,788
>> I HATED WHAT SHE STOOD FOR.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHO SHE WAS.
1055
01:05:21,788 --> 01:05:25,091
I DIDN'T -- I HATED THE WHOLE
SITUATION.
1056
01:05:25,091 --> 01:05:28,795
I HATED THAT YOU LEFT.
>> AND DID YOU WISH SHE WAS
1057
01:05:28,795 --> 01:05:30,864
DEAD
>> I WISHED SHE WOULD GO AWAY.
1058
01:05:30,864 --> 01:05:34,067
>> SO, YOU SEE YOLANDA'S HAND IN
THIS DIRECTLY?
1059
01:05:34,067 --> 01:05:39,873
>> SHE'S LYING BECAUSE SHE FEELS
THAT'S IN HER BEST INTEREST.
1060
01:05:39,873 --> 01:05:43,076
I DON'T PUT IT PAST HER AS BEING
A PERSON WHO WOULD HAVE
1061
01:05:43,076 --> 01:05:47,080
COMMITTED THIS CRIME
>> BUT WOULD JURORS SEE IT THAT
1062
01:05:47,080 --> 01:05:49,849
WAY?
HERE WAS THE CRITICAL MOMENT OF
1063
01:05:49,849 --> 01:05:53,086
THE TRIAL, A CHANCE FOR EACH
SIDE TO SUM UP ITS CASE.
1064
01:05:53,086 --> 01:05:57,357
AND THIS POTENTIAL TIPPING
POINT, EVEN MICHEL ESCOTO SEEMED
1065
01:05:57,357 --> 01:06:00,660
TO AGREE, WAS NO TIME FOR
AMATEURS
1066
01:06:00,660 --> 01:06:03,730
>>> COMING UP, THE VERDICT
>> THE YEARS OF WAITING.
1067
01:06:03,730 --> 01:06:08,501
THE YEARS OF MOURNING HER.
WE NEEDED JUSTICE.
1068
01:06:08,501 --> 01:06:29,122
>> IF THERE'S A HUNG JURY, WE
MAY HAVE TST
1069
01:06:29,122 --> 01:06:31,157
>>> AFTER A SEVEN-WEEK TRIAL AND
TESTIMONY FROM ALMOST 40
1070
01:06:31,157 --> 01:06:36,429
WITNESSES, THE PROSECUTOR AND
THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY, IN THIS
1071
01:06:36,429 --> 01:06:40,767
CASE, MICHEL ESCOTO HIMSELF
WOULD GET ONE LAST CHANCE TO
1072
01:06:40,767 --> 01:06:46,873
TALK TO THE JURORS IN CLOSING
ARGUMENTS.
1073
01:06:46,873 --> 01:06:55,148
PROSECUTOR GAIL LEVENE
ACKNOWLEDGED THEY HAD TO HOLD
1074
01:06:55,148 --> 01:06:57,183
THEIR NOSE IN ORDER TO GET HER
TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM
1075
01:06:57,183 --> 01:06:59,285
>> I CAN'T CHARGE HER.
I WOULD LOVE TO.
1076
01:06:59,285 --> 01:07:02,022
BUT I CAN'T.
AND SHE CAME IN HERE AND SHE
1077
01:07:02,022 --> 01:07:06,226
FILLED IN THE DETAILS.
SHE GAVE YOU THE ANSWERS TO
1078
01:07:06,226 --> 01:07:09,396
QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
>> WHEN IT WAS THE DEFENSE'S
1079
01:07:09,396 --> 01:07:13,633
TURN, ESCOTO AND HIS BACK-UP
ATTORNEY SURPRISED THE
1080
01:07:13,633 --> 01:07:15,769
COURTROOM.
>> YOU WANT HIM TO TAKE OVER AS
1081
01:07:15,769 --> 01:07:23,176
YOUR COUNSEL AT THIS TIME?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO LET HIM TAKE
1082
01:07:23,176 --> 01:07:25,445
OVER, JUDGE.
>> THANK YOU
1083
01:07:25,445 --> 01:07:31,851
I'M READY TO PROCEED, JUDGE.
>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS
1084
01:07:31,851 --> 01:07:37,390
TRIAL, SEASONED DEFENSE ATTORNEY
TERRY LENAMON WOULD TAKE OVER
1085
01:07:37,390 --> 01:07:40,627
AND URGE THE JURORS TO FIND
REASONABLE DOUBT IN THE STATE'S
1086
01:07:40,627 --> 01:07:42,128
CASE
HE JUMPED, ATTACKING WHAT HE
1087
01:07:42,128 --> 01:07:44,230
CALLED THE PROSECUTOR'S
OVERSELLING OF A MOSTLY
1088
01:07:44,230 --> 01:07:46,366
CIRCUMSTANTIAL CASE.
>> THIS IS A COURT OF LAW.
1089
01:07:46,366 --> 01:07:50,637
AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I SCREAM
AS AN ADVOCATE, NO MATTER HOW
1090
01:07:50,637 --> 01:07:56,142
MUCH I WAVE MY HANDS OR SAY
VILLAIN, VILLAIN, VILLAIN, BAD,
1091
01:07:56,142 --> 01:08:00,246
VILLAIN, VILLAIN, IT DOESN'T
MAKE IT SO
1092
01:08:00,246 --> 01:08:04,150
>> LENAMON'S STRATEGY WAS TO
PLANT A SEED OF DOUBT IN JUST
1093
01:08:04,150 --> 01:08:05,685
ONE JUROR'S MIND
>> IF THERE'S A HUNG JURY, WE
1094
01:08:05,685 --> 01:08:08,154
MAY HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN
>> THEN THE CASE WENT TO THE
1095
01:08:08,154 --> 01:08:09,923
JURY
WENDY'S FAMILY, AS THEY HAD DONE
1096
01:08:09,923 --> 01:08:12,559
THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL, GATHERED
TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN AND PRAYED
1097
01:08:12,559 --> 01:08:17,697
HER MOTHER HUGGED PROSECUTOR
GAIL LEVINE, WHO PURSUED ESCOTO
1098
01:08:17,697 --> 01:08:22,702
SO FEROCIOUSLY
>> SHE'S MY HERO
1099
01:08:22,702 --> 01:08:24,371
SHE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT MY HERO
>> TWO AND A HALF HOURS AFTER
1100
01:08:24,371 --> 01:08:30,043
THE JURY WENT OUT, CELL PHONES
STARTED BUZZING IN THE
1101
01:08:30,043 --> 01:08:32,445
COURTHOUSE
SO MANY YEARS SINCE WENDY'S
1102
01:08:32,445 --> 01:08:34,881
MURDER AND NOW IN MOMENTS HER
FAMILY WOULD KNOW.
1103
01:08:34,881 --> 01:08:37,384
>> THE YEARS OF WAITING.
THE YEARS OF MOURNING HER, ALL
1104
01:08:37,384 --> 01:08:38,585
OF A SUDDEN WE'RE TOLD THE
VERDICT IS IN.
1105
01:08:38,585 --> 01:08:40,887
BEFORE I GOT TO THE COURTROOM I
WAS ALREADY CRYING
1106
01:08:40,887 --> 01:08:42,822
I WAS SHAKING.
>> WENDY'S FAMILY MEMBERS HELD
1107
01:08:42,822 --> 01:08:46,059
THEIR BREATH
ESCOTO APPEARED TO DO THE SAME
1108
01:08:46,059 --> 01:08:53,833
AS THE JUDGE INSTRUCTED THE
CLERK TO READ THE VERDICT.
1109
01:08:53,833 --> 01:08:58,705
>> WE THE JURY IN MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS 22nd DAY
1110
01:08:58,705 --> 01:09:04,678
OF APRIL, 2014, FIND THE
DEFENDANT, MICHEL ESCOTO, FIND
1111
01:09:04,678 --> 01:09:07,681
THE DEFENDANT GUILTY OF FIRST
DEGREE PREMEDITATED MURDER
1112
01:09:07,681 --> 01:09:09,416
>> MICHEL SAT STONE-FACED IN HIS
CHAIR, HIS LIPS TURNED DOWN IN A
1113
01:09:09,416 --> 01:09:11,384
GRIMACE.
FOR THE FAMILY THERE WERE MORE
1114
01:09:11,384 --> 01:09:13,019
TEARS BUT OF A DIFFERENT KIND.
NOW SORROW, MIXED WITH RELIEF
1115
01:09:13,019 --> 01:09:18,792
AND SATISFACTION
WENDY'S MOTHER DROPPED TO HER
1116
01:09:18,792 --> 01:09:26,533
KNEES AND GAVE THANKS.
FOR DETECTIVE MARIA MADEREOS A
1117
01:09:26,533 --> 01:09:27,734
12-YEAR-OLD CASE WAS OFFICIALLY
STAMPED CLOSED
1118
01:09:27,734 --> 01:09:29,202
>> HE'LL NEVER DO THIS TO
ANOTHER WOMAN AGAIN.
1119
01:09:29,202 --> 01:09:31,438
HIS LIES AND HIS CHARMING AND
PLANNING AND EVIL PLAN WILL NOT
1120
01:09:31,438 --> 01:09:33,440
AFFECT ANOTHER PERSON.
>> BUT THERE WAS SOMEONE THE
1121
01:09:33,440 --> 01:09:37,143
FAMILY FELT HAD GOTTEN AWAY WITH
MURDER, HIS GIRLFRIEND YOLANDA
1122
01:09:37,143 --> 01:09:40,613
HER IMMUNITY DEAL MEANT SHE
WOULD NEVER SPEND A DAY IN JAIL.
1123
01:09:40,613 --> 01:09:45,652
>> THEY'RE BOTH MONSTERS AND
PSYCHOPATHS.
1124
01:09:45,652 --> 01:09:48,855
>> I DON'T CARE AT ALL HOW
DESPERATE, HOW INSECURE, HOW
1125
01:09:48,855 --> 01:09:52,525
LACKING IN SELF RESPECT YOU
HAVE
1126
01:09:52,525 --> 01:09:54,661
YOU'RE A MOTHER.
AND YOU WENT AHEAD AND PLANNED
1127
01:09:54,661 --> 01:09:57,364
OUT THE DEATH OF ANOTHER
MOTHER'S DAUGHTER.
1128
01:09:57,364 --> 01:10:00,934
>> BUT INVESTIGATORS SAID
WITHOUT YOLANDA, THINGS MIGHT
1129
01:10:00,934 --> 01:10:02,635
HAVE TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY.
>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE
1130
01:10:02,635 --> 01:10:07,440
THROWING THEIR SHOES AT THE TV
SCREEN AT THIS POINT, DETECTIVE.
1131
01:10:07,440 --> 01:10:11,177
>> SHE GAVE US THE ADDITIONAL
THING THAT WE NEEDED TO CHARGE
1132
01:10:11,177 --> 01:10:16,483
AND KEEP AND BRING MICHEL ESCOTO
TO JUSTICE IN THIS CASE.
1133
01:10:16,483 --> 01:10:22,989
>> SO HE GETS A LIFE SENTENCE
AND SHE GETS HAVE A NICE DAY
1134
01:10:22,989 --> 01:10:25,291
>> THAT'S HOW IT APPEARS
BUT IN LIEU OF NOT HAVING
1135
01:10:25,291 --> 01:10:35,702
ANYBODY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THIS, I'LL TAKE THAT
1136
01:10:35,702 --> 01:10:39,072
>> BUT YOLANDA WASN'T LET OFF
THE HOOK THAT EASILY
1137
01:10:39,072 --> 01:10:42,242
THEY SUED HER FOR THE WRONGFUL
DEATH OF WENDY AND WERE AWARDED
1138
01:10:42,242 --> 01:10:43,843
A $44 MILLION JUDGMENT
THOUGH THEY HAD NO EXPECTATIONS
1139
01:10:43,843 --> 01:10:45,945
OF EVER SEEING THAT KIND OF
MONEY.
1140
01:10:45,945 --> 01:10:47,547
>> IF SHE HAS TO PAY ONE CENT A
WEEK, IT'S WELL WORTH IT
1141
01:10:47,547 --> 01:10:51,351
AS A REMINDER FOR THE REST OF
HER LIFE, HOW SHE ASSISTED THAT
1142
01:10:51,351 --> 01:10:56,723
MONSTER.
>> TWO WEEKS AFTER HIS
1143
01:10:56,723 --> 01:10:59,893
CONVICTION MICHEL ESCOTO WAS
SENTENCED FOR THE MURDER OF HIS
1144
01:10:59,893 --> 01:11:01,394
NEW BRIDE.
AT THE HEARING HE PROCLAIMED HIS
1145
01:11:01,394 --> 01:11:03,530
INNOCENCE TO WENDY'S FAMILY.
>> NO MATTER HOW SATISFACTION
1146
01:11:03,530 --> 01:11:05,632
THIS VERDICT HAS GIVEN ANY OF
YOU, AN INNOCENT PERSON WAS
1147
01:11:05,632 --> 01:11:08,068
CONVICTED IN THIS CASE
>> FINALLY THE FAMILY HAD A
1148
01:11:08,068 --> 01:11:14,274
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE MAN
TO KILLED WENDY.
1149
01:11:14,274 --> 01:11:18,545
>> JUSTICE IS SERVED
OFF TO HELL WITH YOU AND GOOD
1150
01:11:18,545 --> 01:11:23,350
RIDDANCE
>> WHEN WENDY'S MOTHER, MIRIAM,
1151
01:11:23,350 --> 01:11:32,092
SPOKE THROUGH A TRANSLATOR,
THERE WASN'T A DRY EYE IN THE
1152
01:11:32,092 --> 01:11:35,995
COURTROOM.
>> Translator: MANY OF YOU HAVE
1153
01:11:35,995 --> 01:11:45,338
DAUGHTERS OR SONS.
AND YOU WILL RECEIVE A KISS FROM
1154
01:11:45,338 --> 01:11:49,576
THEM
I HAVE TO GO TO THE CEMETERY TO
1155
01:11:49,576 --> 01:11:52,746
PUT FLOWERS ON MY DAUGHTER'S
TOMB
1156
01:11:52,746 --> 01:11:56,883
>> JUDGE MARISA MENDEZ GAVE
ESCOTO THE MANDATORY SENTENCE.
1157
01:11:56,883 --> 01:12:00,186
>> LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE
POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE.
1158
01:12:00,186 --> 01:12:10,163
>> THE ONLY WAY HE LEAVES PRISON
IS IN A PINE BOX
1159
01:12:10,163 --> 01:12:14,267
ON THE DAY ESCOTO WAS FOUND
GUILTY, THE FAMILY WENT TO THE
1160
01:12:14,267 --> 01:12:17,404
CEMETERY TO VISIT WENDY.
THEY SAT ON HER GRAVE AND TALKED
1161
01:12:17,404 --> 01:12:19,539
TO HER
>> I KIND OF JUST SAT BACK AND
1162
01:12:19,539 --> 01:12:21,675
FELT THAT I COULD BREATHE FOR
THE FIRST TIME IN SO LONG AND
1163
01:12:21,675 --> 01:12:24,310
FELT SHE WAS FINALLY AT PEACE.
SHE CAN REST NOW
1164
01:12:24,310 --> 01:12:30,150
>> REST FOR WENDY, THE KIND,
YOUNG WOMAN WHO LOVED ANIMALS
1165
01:12:30,150 --> 01:12:36,856
AND ENJOYED PLAYING DRESS-UP AND
WHO FATALLY MARRIED A STRANGER,
1166
01:12:36,856 --> 01:12:40,627
TILL DEATH HE DID PART
>>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION
1167
01:12:40,627 --> 01:12:46,166
OF "DATELINE."
WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY
1168
01:12:46,166 --> 01:12:48,501
AT 10:00, 9:00 CENTRAL
AND OF COURSE I'LL SEE YOU EACH
1169
01:12:48,501 --> 01:12:49,703
WEEKNIGHT FOR NBC "NIGHTLY
NEWS."