1 00:00:20,068 --> 00:00:23,000 >> I WAS CALLED AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 IN THE MORNING ON FEBRUARY 2 00:00:23,033 --> 00:00:24,205 3, 2018. 3 00:00:24,240 --> 00:00:27,000 THERE HAD BEEN A HOME INVASION ROBBERY IN THE AREA OF HAILE 4 00:00:27,033 --> 00:00:27,274 PLANTATION. 5 00:00:38,655 --> 00:00:44,137 >> I'M BEING ADVISED THAT THE WIFE HAS SEVERE INJURIES AND WAS 6 00:00:44,171 --> 00:00:54,206 CURRENTLY BEING TRAUMA-ALERTED TO OUR AREA HOSPITAL. 7 00:00:54,206 --> 00:01:01,240 CURRENTLY BEING TRAUMA-ALERTED TO OUR AREA HOSPITAL. 8 00:01:01,274 --> 00:01:08,171 >> SUSAN REUSCHEL ALMOST DIED THAT NIGHT. 9 00:01:08,206 --> 00:01:12,171 >> IF SUSAN HAD DIED, THE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT 10 00:01:12,206 --> 00:01:13,481 WOULD DIE WITH HER. 11 00:01:13,516 --> 00:01:16,412 WHEN SUSAN REUSCHEL COMES OUT OF SURGERY, SHE TELLS INVESTIGATORS 12 00:01:16,448 --> 00:01:22,965 THAT THERE ISNO INTRUDER AND THAT THE PERSON WHO INFLICTED 13 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:24,103 ALL OF THE INJURIES THAT SHE IS SUFFERING FROM IS MICHAEL 14 00:01:24,137 --> 00:01:24,379 REUSCHEL. 15 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:28,896 THIS CASE IS ABOUT THE POWER OF MONEY. 16 00:01:28,930 --> 00:01:34,033 IT'S ABOUT THE POWER OF DESIRE FOR CONTROL. 17 00:01:34,067 --> 00:01:36,137 >> WHEN SUSAN ASKED FOR A DIVORCE, MICHAEL REUSCHEL 18 00:01:36,171 --> 00:01:39,516 SNAPPED. 19 00:01:39,551 --> 00:01:42,240 >> WHEN HE WAS FACED WITH THE PROSPECT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO 20 00:01:42,275 --> 00:01:44,448 GIVE HER HALF OF HIS FORTUNE, HE MADE A CALCULATED AND 21 00:01:44,481 --> 00:01:45,240 PREMEDITATED DECISION TO KILL. 22 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:54,378 >> THIS IS THE KNIFE THAT WAS USED TO STAB SUSAN. 23 00:01:54,412 --> 00:01:58,033 >> Reporter: THE BENDING IN THIS KNIFE, YOU BELIEVE, IS A RESULT 24 00:01:58,067 --> 00:02:00,206 OF IT HITTING BONE, AND IT BENT THE BLADE? 25 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:04,206 >> THAT'S CORRECT. 26 00:02:07,620 --> 00:02:08,723 >> ALL RISE FOR THE JURY. 27 00:02:08,758 --> 00:02:09,240 >> MEMBERS OF THE JURY, "WE'RE JUST GOING TO LAY HERE 28 00:02:09,275 --> 00:02:10,205 UNTIL YOU DIE, SUE. 29 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,103 WE'RE JUST GOING TO LAY HERE UNTIL YOU DIE." 30 00:02:13,137 --> 00:02:18,000 THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF THAT DEFENDANT, MICHAEL REUSCHEL, 31 00:02:18,033 --> 00:02:26,000 SPOKEN TO HIS WIFE OF TEN YEARS, SUSAN REUSCHEL. 32 00:02:26,033 --> 00:02:29,000 >> I GOT CLOSE TO HER RIGHT HERE, AND HER HAND COMES OUT 33 00:02:29,033 --> 00:02:31,033 AND... 34 00:02:31,068 --> 00:02:32,448 [ IMITATES SWINGING SOUND] >> WAS THERE ANYTHING IN HER 35 00:02:32,481 --> 00:02:32,930 HAND? 36 00:02:32,965 --> 00:02:35,965 >> YEAH, A KNIFE. 37 00:02:40,620 --> 00:02:44,550 >> THERE'S NO WAY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH THAT MY FATHER WOULD STAB 38 00:02:44,586 --> 00:02:47,137 ANYONE. 39 00:02:50,930 --> 00:02:52,620 >> Reporter: WAS MIKE'S DAUGHTER, CAROLINE, A SOURCE OF 40 00:02:52,655 --> 00:02:54,275 CONFLICT IN THE MARRIAGE? 41 00:02:54,310 --> 00:02:55,343 >> ABSOLUTELY. 42 00:02:55,378 --> 00:02:56,550 >> DIDN'T YOU TELL MICHAEL REUSCHEL THAT YOU HATED 43 00:02:56,586 --> 00:02:59,655 CAROLINE? 44 00:02:59,688 --> 00:03:00,620 >> THOSE WORDS CAME OUT, YEAH. 45 00:03:00,655 --> 00:03:02,310 >> AND, IN FACT, YOU CALLED HER A BITCH. 46 00:03:02,343 --> 00:03:02,931 >> MM-HMM. 47 00:03:02,965 --> 00:03:04,620 >> IS THAT RIGHT? 48 00:03:04,655 --> 00:03:07,275 >> YES. 49 00:03:11,481 --> 00:03:16,310 >> NEVER IN ONE MILLION YEARS WOULD I THINK THAT MY WEDDING 50 00:03:16,343 --> 00:03:24,586 WOULD BE THE CATALYST OF ALL OF THIS. 51 00:03:24,620 --> 00:03:26,758 >> Reporter: WHO DO YOU BELIEVE BROUGHT THE KNIFE INTO 52 00:03:26,793 --> 00:03:28,586 THAT INCIDENT? 53 00:03:28,620 --> 00:03:30,103 >> SUSAN REUSCHEL. 54 00:03:30,137 --> 00:03:32,586 >> Reporter: WHO DO YOU BELIEVE WAS THE ATTACKER IN THE FEBRUARY 55 00:03:32,620 --> 00:03:34,758 2 INCIDENT? 56 00:03:34,793 --> 00:03:35,586 >> SUSAN REUSCHEL. 57 00:03:35,620 --> 00:03:36,620 >> Reporter: AND WHO IS THE VICTIM? 58 00:03:36,655 --> 00:03:38,655 >> MY FATHER. 59 00:03:44,586 --> 00:03:45,586 Captioning sponsored by CBS ♪ ♪ 60 00:04:35,033 --> 00:04:37,000 >> Reporter: WHERE WERE YOU AND HOW DID YOU LEARN THAT YOUR 61 00:04:37,033 --> 00:04:40,516 FATHER ON FEBRUARY 3, 2018, HAD BEEN ARRESTED? 62 00:04:40,550 --> 00:04:49,000 >> I WAS IN CHICAGO WITH MY HUSBAND, AND I GOT AN INCOMING 63 00:04:49,033 --> 00:04:51,000 CALL ON MY CELL PHONE. 64 00:04:51,033 --> 00:04:52,896 >> THIS IS A COLLECT CALL FROM... 65 00:04:52,930 --> 00:04:57,000 >> IT WAS A RECORDING THAT SAID, "AN INMATE FROM THE ALACHUA 66 00:04:57,033 --> 00:04:58,930 COUNTY JAIL HAS CALLED YOU." 67 00:04:58,965 --> 00:05:00,103 >> ...AN INMATE AT THE ALACHUA COUNTY... 68 00:05:00,137 --> 00:05:02,379 >> Reporter: MINUTES LATER, THE PHONE RANG AGAIN. 69 00:05:02,413 --> 00:05:05,033 CAROLINE REUSCHEL QUICKLY ANSWERED AND HEARD THE VOICE 70 00:05:05,067 --> 00:05:10,000 SHE'D KNOWN HER ENTIRE LIFE. 71 00:05:10,033 --> 00:05:13,000 >> AND HE SAID, "CAROLINE, YOU HAVETO GET ME OUT OF HERE. 72 00:05:13,033 --> 00:05:15,620 YOU NEED TO CALL MY LAWYER." 73 00:05:15,654 --> 00:05:21,826 AND I DROPPED TO THE SIDEWALK, AND I JUST SAT ON THE SIDEWALK. 74 00:05:21,862 --> 00:05:24,033 >> Reporter: THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE ARREST OF MIKE REUSCHEL 75 00:05:24,067 --> 00:05:26,033 BEGAN TO UNWIND VERY EARLY THAT MORNING AFTER HE CALLED POLICE. 76 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:41,000 MIKE REPORTED THAT HE AND HIS WIFE, SUE, HAD BEEN STABBED BY 77 00:05:41,033 --> 00:05:45,274 AN INTRUDER INSIDE THEIR HOME IN AN UPSCALE SECTION OF 78 00:05:45,310 --> 00:05:46,310 GAINESVILLE. 79 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:56,103 SUE'S INJURIES WERE LIFE-THREATENING, AND, AS 80 00:05:56,137 --> 00:05:59,000 MEDICS RUSHED TO SAVE HER, DETECTIVE DAVID VISCONTI WAS 81 00:05:59,033 --> 00:06:01,620 CALLED TO THE SCENE. 82 00:06:01,654 --> 00:06:03,000 >> THERE WAS NO FORCED ENTRY INITIALLY OBSERVED BY ANY OF OUR 83 00:06:03,033 --> 00:06:05,000 DEPUTIES. 84 00:06:05,033 --> 00:06:09,896 >> Reporter: NO BROKEN WINDOW, NO KNOCKED-DOWN DOOR. 85 00:06:09,930 --> 00:06:12,000 NOTHING LIKE THAT AT ALL? 86 00:06:12,033 --> 00:06:15,793 >> Reporter: STILL, VISCONTI HAD NO DOUBT THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE 87 00:06:15,826 --> 00:06:18,343 HAD HAPPENED INSIDE THAT HOUSE. 88 00:06:18,379 --> 00:06:19,793 >> THERE WAS MOST CERTAINLY A STRUGGLE. 89 00:06:19,826 --> 00:06:23,757 THERE WAS A VAST AMOUNT OF BLOOD AROUND THE BED THAT WAS LOCATED 90 00:06:23,793 --> 00:06:27,343 ON THE WALL OF THE BEDROOM. 91 00:06:27,379 --> 00:06:29,206 >> Reporter: BUT OVERALL, THE SCENE WAS MISSING SOMETHING, 92 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:34,206 VISCONTI SAID, AND HE DID NOT BELIEVE A VIOLENT INTRUDER HAD 93 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:35,620 BEEN THERE. 94 00:06:35,654 --> 00:06:38,689 >> TYPICALLY, WE'LL SEE MANY THINGS-- KNOCKED-OVER FURNITURE, 95 00:06:38,723 --> 00:06:41,274 ITEMS BROKEN, INDENTATIONS IN THE WALLS, IN THE DRYWALL. 96 00:06:41,310 --> 00:06:43,103 >> Reporter: DID YOU SEE ANY OF THAT? 97 00:06:43,137 --> 00:06:45,826 >> NONE OF THOSE THINGS WERE PRESENT. 98 00:06:45,862 --> 00:06:47,757 >> Reporter: WHAT'S MORE, THE REUSCHELS HAD SECURITY CAMERAS 99 00:06:47,793 --> 00:06:51,206 COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. 100 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:53,620 >> THE INTRUDER ALLEGEDLY FLEEING THE HOUSE FROM THAT 101 00:06:53,654 --> 00:06:55,757 DIRECTION IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CAPTURED ON 102 00:06:55,793 --> 00:06:56,757 VIDEO. 103 00:06:56,793 --> 00:06:58,826 >> Reporter: THE VETERAN DETECTIVE WAS BECOMING 104 00:06:58,862 --> 00:07:00,067 SUSPICIOUS. 105 00:07:00,103 --> 00:07:03,793 THEN, HOURS LATER, SUE AWOKE FROM SURGERY AND BROKE THIS CASE 106 00:07:03,826 --> 00:07:08,067 WIDE OPEN, TELLING DETECTIVES THAT THE STORY ABOUT AN INTRUDER 107 00:07:08,103 --> 00:07:10,172 ATTACKING THEM WAS A LIE. 108 00:07:10,206 --> 00:07:15,689 SHE CLAIMED THAT MIKE CONCOCTED THE WHOLE THING AND THAT HE WAS 109 00:07:15,723 --> 00:07:16,793 HER TRUE ASSAILANT. 110 00:07:16,826 --> 00:07:23,793 MIKE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER. 111 00:07:23,826 --> 00:07:27,274 >> HE COULD NEVER HAVE DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. 112 00:07:27,310 --> 00:07:30,310 >> Reporter: MIKE'S EX-WIFE, DIDI HOFFMAN, WAS INCREDULOUS. 113 00:07:30,343 --> 00:07:35,896 >> I HAVE KNOWN MICHAEL JAMES REUSCHEL SINCE I WAS 19, AND I 114 00:07:35,930 --> 00:07:41,067 WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY IF I THOUGHT MIKE WAS POSSIBLY 115 00:07:41,103 --> 00:07:43,620 CAPABLE OF HARMING ANOTHER PERSON. 116 00:07:43,654 --> 00:07:46,896 >> Reporter: DIDI MET MIKE IN COLLEGE; THEY MARRIED AND HAD 117 00:07:46,930 --> 00:07:51,516 TWO DAUGHTERS, CAROLINE AND KATE. 118 00:07:51,550 --> 00:07:53,240 DURING YOUR MANY YEARS WITH MIKE, WAS HE EVER PHYSICALLY 119 00:07:53,274 --> 00:07:54,481 ABUSIVE TO YOU? 120 00:07:54,516 --> 00:07:55,620 >> HE NEVER TOUCHED ME. 121 00:07:55,654 --> 00:07:55,896 NOT EVER. 122 00:07:55,930 --> 00:07:59,000 NEVER. 123 00:07:59,033 --> 00:08:02,793 >> Reporter: BUT, LIKE IN MANY MARRIAGES, THERE WERE PROBLEMS. 124 00:08:02,826 --> 00:08:06,516 MIKE MADE MILLIONS IN THE TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS, BUT HIS JOB 125 00:08:06,550 --> 00:08:09,137 REQUIRED HIM TO TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD. 126 00:08:09,172 --> 00:08:11,793 >> [ SIGHS] TRUTHFULLY, HE WASN'T AROUND 127 00:08:11,826 --> 00:08:17,274 MUCH, SO IT WAS-- IT WAS HARD. 128 00:08:17,310 --> 00:08:19,793 >> Reporter: IN 2005, AFTER 25 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, DIDI ASKED 129 00:08:19,826 --> 00:08:23,516 FOR A DIVORCE. 130 00:08:23,550 --> 00:08:27,481 DIDI SAID SHE MOVED OUT OF THE FAMILY HOME SO THEIR CHILDREN, 131 00:08:27,516 --> 00:08:31,033 AWAY AT COLLEGE, COULD ALWAYS RETURN TO THE HOUSE WHERE THEY 132 00:08:31,067 --> 00:08:32,206 WERE RAISED. 133 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:37,033 BUT SOON, ANOTHER WOMAN UNEXPECTEDLY JOINED THE FAMILY. 134 00:08:37,067 --> 00:08:41,861 >> I MOVED OUT IN JULY, BUT THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, SUSAN 135 00:08:41,895 --> 00:08:43,172 MOVES INTO OUR HOUSE. 136 00:08:43,206 --> 00:08:47,758 >> Reporter: SUE WAS THEN 38 YEARS OLD AND A HOSPICE NURSE. 137 00:08:47,793 --> 00:08:52,033 SHE AND MIKE, 49, MET ON MATCH.COM, AND DIDI SAYS SUE 138 00:08:52,067 --> 00:08:54,102 QUICKLY BECAME THE LADY OF THE MANOR. 139 00:08:54,136 --> 00:08:58,447 DIDI SAYS EVERYTHING SHE LEFT BEHIND, INCLUDING HER DOG, 140 00:08:58,481 --> 00:08:59,274 BECAME SUE'S. 141 00:08:59,309 --> 00:09:03,724 >> MIKE AND I WERE REALLY OPPOSITES. 142 00:09:03,758 --> 00:09:06,861 HE WAS ENGAGING AND OUTGOING, AND I WAS REALLY-- AND I THINK I 143 00:09:06,895 --> 00:09:11,826 STILL AM-- MORE RESERVED, NOT QUITE SO EXUBERANT. 144 00:09:11,861 --> 00:09:15,826 AND I THINK HE WAS LOOKING FOR EXUBERANCE. 145 00:09:15,861 --> 00:09:19,654 >> Reporter: CAROLINE REMEMBERS THE FIRST TIME SHE MET SUE AT A 146 00:09:19,688 --> 00:09:20,861 DINNER. 147 00:09:20,895 --> 00:09:24,240 >> AND MY DAD SEEMED TO BE LAUGHING AND HAVING A GOOD TIME. 148 00:09:24,274 --> 00:09:27,793 >> Reporter: BUT CAROLINE SAYS SHE COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE HOW 149 00:09:27,826 --> 00:09:31,551 MUCH SUE WAS DRINKING. 150 00:09:31,586 --> 00:09:35,793 >> WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE TAKE DOWN FIVE TO SIX MARTINIS AND BE 151 00:09:35,826 --> 00:09:40,240 ABLE TO STAND AND SPEAK. 152 00:09:40,274 --> 00:09:43,758 >> Reporter: SOME TWO YEARS AFTER THEY MET, MIKE MARRIED SUE 153 00:09:43,793 --> 00:09:47,724 IN AUGUST 2007. 154 00:09:47,758 --> 00:09:50,067 MIKE STOPPED TRAVELING AND BOUGHT A LOCAL BUSINESS. 155 00:09:50,102 --> 00:09:53,447 THE COUPLE'S HAPPIER TIMES ARE REFLECTED IN SOME OF THE 156 00:09:53,481 --> 00:09:55,758 THOUSANDS OF TEXT MESSAGES THAT SURFACED DURING LEGAL 157 00:09:55,793 --> 00:09:59,758 PROCEEDINGS. 158 00:09:59,793 --> 00:10:03,447 MIKE REFERS TO SUE AS HIS "TROPHY BRIDE" AND WRITES THAT 159 00:10:03,481 --> 00:10:10,620 THEIR LIVES TOGETHER ARE SIMPLY "AMAZING." 160 00:10:10,654 --> 00:10:12,620 BUT CAROLINE SAYS SUE BECAME JEALOUS OF THE CLOSE 161 00:10:12,654 --> 00:10:15,758 RELATIONSHIP SHE HAD WITH HER FATHER AND TRIED TO KEEP THEM 162 00:10:15,793 --> 00:10:17,688 APART. 163 00:10:17,724 --> 00:10:21,724 >> SHE HAD SUCHWALLS AROUND HIM. 164 00:10:21,758 --> 00:10:26,517 HE WOULDN'T CALL ME UNLESS HE WAS IN A CAR ALONE. 165 00:10:26,551 --> 00:10:31,240 HE WASN'T ALLOWED TO TAKE MY CALL IN FRONT OF HER. 166 00:10:31,274 --> 00:10:35,447 >> Reporter: BUT, SURPRISINGLY, WHEN CAROLINE ANNOUNCED IN 2016 167 00:10:35,481 --> 00:10:37,620 THAT SHE WAS GETTING MARRIED, SUE WAS HAPPY TO HELP. 168 00:10:37,654 --> 00:10:43,724 BUT, CAROLINE SAYS, SUE WANTED TO DO IT HER WAY. 169 00:10:43,758 --> 00:10:47,688 >> SUE WAS PRETTY ADAMANT ABOUT THROWING ME A SHOWER. 170 00:10:47,724 --> 00:10:51,688 MY MOTHER WAS INVITED, BUT NONE OF MY MOTHER'S FRIENDS WERE 171 00:10:51,724 --> 00:10:53,481 INVITED. 172 00:10:53,517 --> 00:10:59,413 SO, THE MAJORITY OF THE GUESTS WERE SUE'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY. 173 00:10:59,447 --> 00:11:03,309 >> Reporter: BUT CAROLINE ADMITS THE SHOWER WASA LOT OF FUN, AND 174 00:11:03,344 --> 00:11:07,344 SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEDDING. 175 00:11:07,379 --> 00:11:08,206 SUE HELPED HER PICK OUT A DRESS. 176 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:13,586 >> I TRIED ON A DRESS, AND I LIKED IT. 177 00:11:13,620 --> 00:11:15,447 AND SUE KEPT TELLING ME, LIKE, "THIS IS YOUR DRESS. 178 00:11:15,481 --> 00:11:15,931 THIS IS YOUR DRESS. 179 00:11:15,965 --> 00:11:19,758 IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL. 180 00:11:19,793 --> 00:11:21,620 YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS." 181 00:11:21,654 --> 00:11:25,309 >> Reporter: SUE HANDED OVER HER CREDIT CARD, AND IT WAS DONE. 182 00:11:25,344 --> 00:11:26,895 DO YOU MIND ME ASKING HOW MUCH THE DRESS WAS WORTH? 183 00:11:26,931 --> 00:11:31,793 >> UGH, THIS IS SOGAUCHE. 184 00:11:31,826 --> 00:11:33,379 I THINK IT WAS 11. 185 00:11:33,413 --> 00:11:34,793 >> Reporter: $11,000? 186 00:11:34,826 --> 00:11:36,033 >> YES. 187 00:11:36,067 --> 00:11:39,724 >> Reporter: THE WEDDING ITSELF, IN NOVEMBER 2017, WOULD BE A 188 00:11:39,758 --> 00:11:43,379 ROYAL-LIKE AFFAIR. 189 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,517 THE SETTING WAS THE SUMPTUOUS OHEKA CASTLE ON LONG ISLAND. 190 00:11:49,551 --> 00:11:51,724 160 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE WEDDING, AND CAROLINE SAYS THE DAY WAS 191 00:11:51,758 --> 00:11:55,724 "MAGICAL." 192 00:11:55,758 --> 00:12:00,724 >> MY HUSBAND AND I KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE HAD THAT 193 00:12:00,758 --> 00:12:02,136 WEEKEND. 194 00:12:02,172 --> 00:12:03,379 IT WAS BEYOND BEAUTIFUL. 195 00:12:03,413 --> 00:12:07,344 >> Reporter: CAROLINE SAYS IT WAS NEARLY PERFECT EXCEPT FOR 196 00:12:07,379 --> 00:12:11,758 SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT HER EYE, AN UNUSUAL MARK ON HER FATHER'S 197 00:12:11,793 --> 00:12:13,826 FACE. 198 00:12:13,861 --> 00:12:19,758 >> THE LAST THING I SAW BEFORE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE AT MY 199 00:12:19,793 --> 00:12:23,724 WEDDING WAS THIS WHITE SCAR FROM HERE TO HERE. 200 00:12:23,758 --> 00:12:27,758 AND IN MY MIND, I WAS, LIKE, "WHAT ISTHAT?" 201 00:12:27,793 --> 00:12:31,793 >> Reporter: WEEKS LATER, SHE FOUND OUT. 202 00:12:31,826 --> 00:12:34,447 MIKE REVEALED TO CAROLINE WHAT HE SAID WAS A DARK, DISTURBING 203 00:12:34,481 --> 00:12:35,586 SECRET. 204 00:12:35,620 --> 00:12:39,344 HE CLAIMED SUE HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSING HIM FOR 205 00:12:39,379 --> 00:12:39,551 YEARS. 206 00:12:56,033 --> 00:12:59,931 >> I CALLED HIM ON HIS BIRTHDAY, AND I SAID, "HOW ARE YOU DOING?" 207 00:12:59,965 --> 00:13:02,517 AND HE JUST STARTED CRYING. 208 00:13:03,965 --> 00:13:07,931 >> Reporter: IT WAS LATE NOVEMBER, 2017, JUST THREE WEEKS 209 00:13:07,965 --> 00:13:11,931 AFTER HER FAIRYTALE WEDDING, WHEN CAROLINE SAYS HER FATHER 210 00:13:11,965 --> 00:13:15,931 SHARED A DISTURBING SECRET ABOUT SUE THAT HE HAD PROMISED NOT TO 211 00:13:15,965 --> 00:13:17,758 TELL. 212 00:13:17,793 --> 00:13:23,309 >> AND HE SAID, "SUE WAS ARRESTED." 213 00:13:23,344 --> 00:13:27,895 AND HE SAID, "SHE STARTED ATTACKING ME." 214 00:13:27,931 --> 00:13:31,895 AND I THINK HE WAS SO VICTIMIZED THAT HE WAS REALLY SCARED TO 215 00:13:31,931 --> 00:13:35,654 TELL ANYONE. 216 00:13:35,688 --> 00:13:38,826 >> Reporter: SUE HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC BATTERY, 217 00:13:38,861 --> 00:13:41,826 BUT THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY WOULD NOT BECOME PUBLIC 218 00:13:41,861 --> 00:13:47,895 UNTIL TWO YEARS LATER AT MIKE'S TRIAL FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER... 219 00:13:47,931 --> 00:13:49,172 >> DO YOU SWEAR... 220 00:13:49,206 --> 00:13:51,758 >> Reporter: ...WHEN THEY BOTH TESTIFIED ABOUT THE LAST 221 00:13:51,793 --> 00:13:54,931 TUMULTUOUS MONTHS OF THEIR MARRIAGE. 222 00:13:54,965 --> 00:13:55,724 >> MA'AM, PLEASE BE SEATED. 223 00:13:55,758 --> 00:13:57,861 SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE. 224 00:13:57,895 --> 00:13:59,931 >> Reporter: WHAT WAS THE STATE OF THEIR MARRIAGE? 225 00:13:59,965 --> 00:14:03,931 >> I-- I THINK IT WAS IN THE LOWEST PLACE THAT IT COULD 226 00:14:03,965 --> 00:14:05,758 POSSIBLY BE BEFORE DIVORCE. 227 00:14:05,793 --> 00:14:07,033 >> I WAS UPSET. 228 00:14:07,067 --> 00:14:09,793 >> Reporter: SUE TOLD PROSECUTOR DAVID BYRON THAT SHORTLY AFTER 229 00:14:09,826 --> 00:14:11,965 CAROLINE'S WEDDING, MIKE TOLD HERIT HAD GONE NEARLY $150,000 230 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:16,274 OVER BUDGET. 231 00:14:16,309 --> 00:14:18,379 >> WAS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT YOU WERE PARTIALLY UPSET WITH THE 232 00:14:18,413 --> 00:14:19,931 DEFENDANT BUT MOSTLY AT CAROLINE? 233 00:14:19,965 --> 00:14:22,240 >> YES. 234 00:14:22,274 --> 00:14:23,931 >> Reporter: MIKE SAYS SUE ATTACKED HIM WHEN THE FIGHT 235 00:14:23,965 --> 00:14:26,344 ESCALATED. 236 00:14:26,379 --> 00:14:28,481 >> SHE THROWS THE PHONE AT ME AND CHARGES AROUND THE BED, 237 00:14:28,517 --> 00:14:31,931 PUSHES AND STARTS HER TYPICAL BEATING LIKE THIS. 238 00:14:31,965 --> 00:14:39,895 >> Reporter: BUT MIKE DIDN'T CALL 911 THAT DAY; SUE DID. 239 00:14:39,931 --> 00:14:43,895 >> I JUST FELT AS THOUGH THINGS WERE A LITTLE OUT OF CONTROL. 240 00:14:43,931 --> 00:14:46,413 [ SIRENS] >> Reporter: WHEN POLICE 241 00:14:46,447 --> 00:14:49,033 ARRIVED, SUE ADMITTED TO PUSHING MIKE AND AGREED TO GO TO THEIR 242 00:14:49,067 --> 00:14:51,895 BEACH CONDO TO DEFUSE THE SITUATION. 243 00:14:51,931 --> 00:14:55,895 BUT SHE WAS ARRESTED HALF AN HOUR LATER WHEN SHE HADN'T YET 244 00:14:55,931 --> 00:14:58,033 LEFT THE HOUSE. 245 00:14:58,067 --> 00:14:59,965 >> HE SAID, "PLEASE PLACE YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. 246 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:05,067 YOU'RE UNDER ARREST." 247 00:15:05,102 --> 00:15:07,309 >> Reporter: SUE TOLD THE JURY THAT SHE WAS ORDERED TO STAY 248 00:15:07,344 --> 00:15:08,551 AWAY FROM MIKE. 249 00:15:08,586 --> 00:15:11,931 SHE MOVED TO THEIR BEACH CONDO AND GOT COUNSELING FOR ALCOHOL 250 00:15:11,965 --> 00:15:14,895 AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. 251 00:15:14,931 --> 00:15:18,206 WEEKS LATER, MIKE DECLINED TO PURSUE THE BATTERY CHARGE, AND 252 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:19,931 IT WAS DROPPED. 253 00:15:19,965 --> 00:15:20,758 PROSECUTOR SEAN BREWER. 254 00:15:20,793 --> 00:15:23,931 DID SHE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL? 255 00:15:23,965 --> 00:15:26,931 >> SUSAN REUSCHEL HAS TESTIFIED THAT AT TIMES WHEN SHE WOULD 256 00:15:26,965 --> 00:15:28,793 DRINK, SHE WOULD LOSE HER TEMPER. 257 00:15:28,826 --> 00:15:31,931 >> Reporter: BUT MIKE SAYS SUE'S ACTIONS WENT WAYBEYOND A BAD 258 00:15:31,965 --> 00:15:34,344 TEMPER. 259 00:15:34,379 --> 00:15:37,274 HE TOLD THE JURY SHE HAD TORMENTED HIM FOR YEARS. 260 00:15:37,309 --> 00:15:41,931 >> SHE LUNGED AT ME, PUNCHED IN THE FACE, SCRATCHED MY FACE, 261 00:15:41,965 --> 00:15:44,931 PUNCHED ME IN THE ARMS AND BENT MY GLASSES, ACTUALLY. 262 00:15:44,965 --> 00:15:51,620 >> SHE WOULD THROW THINGS AT HIM, VERY HEAVY THINGS LIKE 263 00:15:51,654 --> 00:15:55,481 VASES AND VERY HEAVY COFFEE MUGS. 264 00:15:55,517 --> 00:15:59,481 >> Reporter: SUE DENIES ABUSING MIKE, AND MIKE NEVER REPORTED 265 00:15:59,517 --> 00:16:02,620 ANY OF THE ALLEGED INCIDENTS TO POLICE. 266 00:16:02,654 --> 00:16:07,067 IS IT TRUE THAT YOU HAVE SEEN YOUR FATHER WITH A BLACK EYE? 267 00:16:07,102 --> 00:16:08,344 >> HE'S SENT ME MULTIPLE PICTURES OF HIM WITH A BLACK 268 00:16:08,379 --> 00:16:13,413 EYE. 269 00:16:13,447 --> 00:16:15,965 >> Reporter: MIKE DID TAKE PHOTOS OF SOME INJURIES WHICH HE 270 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,931 SHARED WITH CAROLINE AND, LATER, THE JURY. 271 00:16:19,965 --> 00:16:25,654 >> HE HAS A PICTURE THAT HE SHOWED ME OF HIS FACE GUSHING 272 00:16:25,688 --> 00:16:27,481 BLOOD. 273 00:16:27,517 --> 00:16:30,895 AND THERE WAS ONE MARK FROM HERE TO HERE. 274 00:16:30,931 --> 00:16:34,067 >> Reporter: THE PROSECUTION ADMITS THIS INJURY MAY HAVE BEEN 275 00:16:34,102 --> 00:16:37,931 CAUSED BY SUE, BUT THEY SAY THE EVIDENCE SHOWS SUE WAS FIGHTING 276 00:16:37,965 --> 00:16:41,000 FOR HER LIFE AFTER MIKE ATTACKED HER. 277 00:16:41,033 --> 00:16:44,033 >> THERE ARE TEXT MESSAGES WHERE SHE ACCUSES HIM OF SMOTHERING 278 00:16:44,067 --> 00:16:48,688 HER WITH A PILLOW, WHICH, IN FACT, IS THE SAME INSTANCE THAT 279 00:16:48,724 --> 00:16:51,895 SHE ENDED UP SCRATCHING HIM IN THE FACE. 280 00:16:51,931 --> 00:16:54,413 >> Reporter: DESPITE THE ALLEGED ABUSE AND SUE'S ARREST, MIKE 281 00:16:54,447 --> 00:16:59,136 SAYS HE STILL LOVED HIS WIFE AND WANTED TO STAY MARRIED. 282 00:16:59,172 --> 00:17:03,965 IN FEBRUARY 2018, HE ASKED SUE TO COME TO GAINESVILLE FOR THE 283 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:06,517 WEEKEND. 284 00:17:10,034 --> 00:17:11,000 >> MIKE HAD ASKED ME TO COME IN. 285 00:17:11,034 --> 00:17:15,654 HE WANTED US TO WORK ON THE MARRIAGE. 286 00:17:15,689 --> 00:17:18,550 >> Reporter: THEY DECIDED TO GO TO THEIR FAVORITE STEAK HOUSE. 287 00:17:18,586 --> 00:17:22,826 THAT'S SUE ON HOME SECURITY VIDEO, GETTING READY AND 288 00:17:22,862 --> 00:17:24,103 ENJOYING A GLASS OF WINE. 289 00:17:24,136 --> 00:17:27,723 MIKE ARRIVES HOME, AND THE TWO SHARE A KISS BEFORE HEADING OUT. 290 00:17:27,758 --> 00:17:32,550 BUT OVER STEAKS AND MORE WINE, OLD WOUNDS REOPENED. 291 00:17:32,586 --> 00:17:36,000 >> HE HAD JUST RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE FROM CAROLINE. 292 00:17:36,034 --> 00:17:39,723 >> Reporter: SUE SAYS THAT'S WHEN MIKE ADMITTED HE HAD 293 00:17:39,758 --> 00:17:44,275 BETRAYED HER TRUST BY TELLING CAROLINE ABOUT SUE'S ARREST. 294 00:17:44,309 --> 00:17:48,758 >> HE AND I BOTH AGREED THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO DISCUSS THAT. 295 00:17:48,792 --> 00:17:51,723 >> Reporter: MIKE DROVE HOME ALONE. 296 00:17:51,758 --> 00:17:55,689 SUE FOLLOWED IN AN UBER, HER ANGER SPILLING INTO A SERIES OF 297 00:17:55,723 --> 00:17:59,792 TEXT MESSAGES ABOUT CAROLINE. 298 00:17:59,826 --> 00:18:00,689 "GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BITCH. 299 00:18:00,723 --> 00:18:06,654 SHE WILL RUIN ANY RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE." 300 00:18:06,689 --> 00:18:15,344 ONCE HOME, THEY WENT TO SEPARATE PARTS OF THE HOUSE. 301 00:18:15,378 --> 00:18:15,964 SUE CONTINUED HER ANGRY TEXTS. 302 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:19,758 "I AM FILING FOR DIVORCE. 303 00:18:19,792 --> 00:18:22,067 I WILL LEAVE IN THE MORNING." 304 00:18:22,103 --> 00:18:26,205 THE LAST TEXT FROM SUE IS SENT AT 10:13 P.M. 305 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:31,723 "YOU HAVE SERIOUS BOUNDARY ISSUES WITH YOUR DAUGHTER." 306 00:18:31,758 --> 00:18:35,723 LATER, SUE SAYS SHE WAS ALONE IN THE GUEST ROOM WHEN MIKE 307 00:18:35,758 --> 00:18:37,723 ENTERED. 308 00:18:37,758 --> 00:18:42,205 THERE ARE NO CAMERAS INSIDE THAT ROOM. 309 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:51,723 >> AND HE JUST HOPPED ON TOP OF ME, AND I FELT, LIKE, THIS 310 00:18:51,758 --> 00:18:52,792 PRESSURE RIGHT HERE. 311 00:18:52,826 --> 00:18:58,240 AND THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, I SAW A KNIFE COME OUT. 312 00:18:58,275 --> 00:18:59,240 I SAID, "OH, MY GOD, MIKE. 313 00:18:59,275 --> 00:19:03,586 DID YOU STAB ME?" AND HE SAID, "YES." 314 00:19:03,619 --> 00:19:07,758 >> AT SOME POINT, DOES HE SAY SOMETHING TO YOU? 315 00:19:07,792 --> 00:19:10,964 >> HE SAID, "SUE, WE'RE NOT GETTING A DIVORCE." 316 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:14,550 >> Reporter: SUE SAYS MIKE WAS ON TOP OF HER, PINNING HER ARMS 317 00:19:14,586 --> 00:19:15,517 WITH HIS LEGS. 318 00:19:15,550 --> 00:19:19,240 IN THE STRUGGLE, HER LEFT THUMB WAS SLICED. 319 00:19:19,275 --> 00:19:23,758 THEN, SHE SAYS, MIKE STABBED HER AGAIN. 320 00:19:23,792 --> 00:19:26,654 >> IN MY NECK, RIGHT HERE. 321 00:19:26,689 --> 00:19:30,517 >> Reporter: SUE SAYS MIKE THEN STARTED SLASHING HER WRIST. 322 00:19:30,550 --> 00:19:35,758 >> I FELT LIKE HE WAS MUTILATING ME. 323 00:19:35,792 --> 00:19:39,723 MY HAND, IT WAS LIKE, JUST... 324 00:19:39,758 --> 00:19:47,240 I COULDN'T FEEL ANYTHING, AND I COULD SEE INTO MY ARM. 325 00:19:47,275 --> 00:19:50,723 >> Reporter: LOSING BLOOD, HER LIFE IN DANGER, SUE SAYS SHE 326 00:19:50,758 --> 00:19:55,275 VOMITED AND LOST CONTROL OF HER BODILY FUNCTIONS. 327 00:19:55,309 --> 00:19:57,067 SHE SAYS SHE TRIED TO WRIGGLE OUT FROM UNDER MIKE, AND THEY 328 00:19:57,103 --> 00:20:03,723 ENDED UP LYING SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE BED. 329 00:20:03,758 --> 00:20:07,689 >> HE JUST SAID TO ME, "SUE, WE'RE JUST GOING TO LAY HERE 330 00:20:07,723 --> 00:20:09,000 UNTIL YOU DIE." 331 00:20:09,034 --> 00:20:12,034 >> Reporter: SUE SAYS AS SHE WAS LYING THERE, STRUGGLING TO STAY 332 00:20:12,067 --> 00:20:15,034 AWAKE, SHE SAW MIKE RAISE THE KNIFE YET AGAIN. 333 00:20:15,067 --> 00:20:19,689 DESPERATE, SHE OFFERED HIM A WAY OUT. 334 00:20:19,723 --> 00:20:23,275 >> I SAID, "MICHAEL, WE DON'T HAVE TO DIVORCE. 335 00:20:23,309 --> 00:20:23,895 I WON'T DIVORCE YOU. 336 00:20:23,931 --> 00:20:25,792 JUST PUT THE KNIFE DOWN." 337 00:20:25,826 --> 00:20:31,240 >> Reporter: SUE SAYS AFTER MIKE PUT THE KNIFE DOWN, SHE BEGGED 338 00:20:31,275 --> 00:20:34,654 HIM TO CALL FOR HELP, BUT HE WOULD ONLY DO THAT IF SHEAGREED 339 00:20:34,689 --> 00:20:39,689 TO SAY AN INTRUDER HAD STABBED HER. 340 00:20:39,723 --> 00:20:43,448 >> WHEN SHE AGREES TO GO WITH HIS STORY OF THE INTRUDERS, SHE 341 00:20:43,481 --> 00:20:44,723 SAVED HER LIFE. 342 00:20:44,758 --> 00:20:48,034 >> Reporter: A TOXIC MARRIAGE, TEXTS BRIMMING WITH HATE, AND A 343 00:20:48,067 --> 00:20:51,654 BLOODY ROOM. 344 00:20:51,689 --> 00:20:55,103 MIKE REUSCHEL'S FUTURE WILL NOW DEPEND ON WHETHER HECAN 345 00:20:55,136 --> 00:20:56,136 CONVINCE JURORS THAT HEIS THE REAL VICTIM. 346 00:21:24,034 --> 00:21:27,172 RESPONDERS ENTERED THIS BLOODY SCENE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS 347 00:21:27,205 --> 00:21:32,136 OF FEBRUARY 3, 2018, THEY'D BEEN TOLD BY MIKE REUSCHEL THAT A 348 00:21:32,172 --> 00:21:36,136 STRANGER HAD BROKEN INTO THEIR HOME AND ASSAULTED HIS WIFE AND 349 00:21:36,172 --> 00:21:40,205 THEN HIM WITH A KNIFE. 350 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:42,309 BUT IN COURT NOW WITH HIS DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, PATRICK 351 00:21:42,344 --> 00:21:48,136 McGUINNESS AND ANN FINNELL, MIKE ADMITS THATSTORY WAS A LIE AND 352 00:21:48,172 --> 00:21:52,034 SAYS HE'S FINALLY READY TO TELL THE TRUTH. 353 00:21:52,067 --> 00:21:53,826 HE SAYS, DESPITE SUE'S DRINKING AND VIOLENT OUTBURSTS, HE WAS 354 00:21:53,862 --> 00:21:58,067 HOPING TO RECONCILE THAT NIGHT. 355 00:21:58,103 --> 00:21:59,792 >> I DON'T CARE IF SHE'S A MELLOW DRUNK THE REST OF HER 356 00:21:59,826 --> 00:22:03,378 LIFE, JUST THE ANGER'S GOT TO GO. 357 00:22:03,413 --> 00:22:06,240 >> Reporter: BUT AT DINNER, ONCE AGAIN, THEY FOUGHT ABOUT 358 00:22:06,275 --> 00:22:10,000 CAROLINE, AND THAT FIGHT CONTINUED BACK AT THE HOUSE. 359 00:22:10,034 --> 00:22:12,309 AFTER THAT, MIKE AND SUE'S STORIES DIVERGE. 360 00:22:12,344 --> 00:22:16,448 MIKE SAYS HE CAME INTO THE GUEST ROOM A LITTLE AFTER 10:00 AND 361 00:22:16,481 --> 00:22:21,275 WAS STARTLED TO SEE SUE KNEELING ON THE BED, HOLDING A KNIFE. 362 00:22:21,309 --> 00:22:22,517 >> I SAID, "SUE, GIVE ME THE KNIFE." 363 00:22:22,550 --> 00:22:29,136 AND THEN, NEXT THING I KNOW, I FELT SEARING HEAT. 364 00:22:29,172 --> 00:22:31,034 THAT'S-- THAT'S ALL I REMEMBER, AND I'M JUST TRYING TO GET MY 365 00:22:31,067 --> 00:22:31,758 HANDS ON IT. 366 00:22:31,792 --> 00:22:32,378 AND I'M ON THE BED WITH HER NOW. 367 00:22:32,413 --> 00:22:33,758 WE'RE ALL ON OUR KNEES. 368 00:22:33,792 --> 00:22:36,136 >> Reporter: MIKE DOESN'T SAY HOW HE GOT HISHANDS ON THE 369 00:22:36,172 --> 00:22:40,550 KNIFE, BUT HE SAYS, AS THEY STRUGGLED AND FELL OVER ON THE 370 00:22:40,586 --> 00:22:44,136 BED, HE FELT THE BLADE GO INTO SUE'S STOMACH. 371 00:22:44,172 --> 00:22:46,103 >> NOW, SHE'S FALLING BACKWARDS, AND I'M FALLING IN FRONT AND ON 372 00:22:46,136 --> 00:22:48,067 TOP. 373 00:22:48,103 --> 00:22:50,931 I FELT THE KNIFE PENETRATE HERE, AND I-- I ROLLED OFF AS FAST AS 374 00:22:50,964 --> 00:22:52,654 I COULD BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THAT IF THAT WENT IN HER, IT 375 00:22:52,689 --> 00:22:54,723 WOULD KILL HER. 376 00:22:54,758 --> 00:22:56,378 >> Reporter: MIKE OFFERS NO EXPLANATION FOR HOW SUE WAS 377 00:22:56,413 --> 00:22:59,689 STABBED IN THE NECK... 378 00:22:59,723 --> 00:23:00,964 >> RIGHT HERE. 379 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:04,172 >> Reporter: ..OR THUMB, BUT HE DOES SAY ABOUT ONE MINUTE INTO 380 00:23:04,205 --> 00:23:08,172 THE STRUGGLE, HE SOMEHOW CALMED HER DOWN AND PUT THE KNIFE OUT 381 00:23:08,205 --> 00:23:10,619 OF REACH. 382 00:23:10,654 --> 00:23:12,172 >> NOW, YOU'RE BOTH BLEEDING DURING THIS POINT IN TIME, 383 00:23:12,205 --> 00:23:13,550 RIGHT? 384 00:23:13,586 --> 00:23:16,172 >> YEAH, BUT IT'S NOT SPURTING, AND THERE'S NO BLOOD AT ALL YOU 385 00:23:16,205 --> 00:23:19,586 CAN SEE ON SUE THROUGH THE-- THROUGH HERE. 386 00:23:19,619 --> 00:23:23,172 >> Reporter: MIKE SAYS HE WANTED TO CALL FOR HELP RIGHT AWAY, BUT 387 00:23:23,205 --> 00:23:27,309 SUE WOULDN'T LET HIM BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID SHE'D BE ARRESTED 388 00:23:27,344 --> 00:23:28,344 AGAIN. 389 00:23:28,378 --> 00:23:31,103 >> I SAID, "SUE, WE NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL." 390 00:23:31,136 --> 00:23:35,654 AND SHE SAID, "THEN MAKE UP A STORY SO I DON'T GET ARRESTED." 391 00:23:35,689 --> 00:23:40,205 >> Reporter: MIKE SAYS THEY ARGUED ABOUT A POSSIBLE COVER 392 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:44,136 STORY, BUT, THEN, AS BIZARRE AS IT SOUNDS, THEY JUST LAY 393 00:23:44,172 --> 00:23:48,792 TOGETHER BLEEDING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, HAVING WHAT MIKE SAYS WAS 394 00:23:48,826 --> 00:23:52,550 ONE OF THE BEST CONVERSATIONS OF THEIR LIVES ABOUT FUTURE 395 00:23:52,586 --> 00:23:56,136 VACATIONS TO EUROPE. 396 00:23:56,172 --> 00:23:59,000 >> WE TALKED ABOUT GOING TO GERMANY ON THE RHINE AND MOSELLE 397 00:23:59,034 --> 00:24:00,205 RIVER CRUISE. 398 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:01,344 MAYBE WE'D DO BURGUNDY NEXT. 399 00:24:01,378 --> 00:24:04,240 >> Reporter: IF MIKE IS SPEAKING THE TRUTH, THIS HAPPY 400 00:24:04,275 --> 00:24:08,205 CONVERSATION HAPPENED ON A BED SOAKED WITH BLOOD AND HUMAN 401 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:09,517 WASTE. 402 00:24:09,550 --> 00:24:11,309 >> GREECE, BECAUSE WE'VE NEVER BEEN TO GREECE, AND CAROLINE... 403 00:24:11,344 --> 00:24:13,862 >> Reporter: MIKE NEVER MENTIONS THAT... 404 00:24:13,895 --> 00:24:15,034 >> TUSCANY AND FLORENCE. 405 00:24:15,067 --> 00:24:18,895 >> Reporter: ...AND PROSECUTOR DAVID BYRON SUSPECTS WHY. 406 00:24:18,931 --> 00:24:19,792 IS THIS BELIEVABLE? 407 00:24:19,826 --> 00:24:21,034 >> I DON'T THINK IT'S BELIEVABLE AT ALL. 408 00:24:21,067 --> 00:24:24,034 HE HELD HER THERE, AND HE CAN'T ADMIT THAT. 409 00:24:24,067 --> 00:24:27,481 MICHAEL REUSCHEL HAD MONTHS AND MONTHS TO GO OVER THE EVIDENCE 410 00:24:27,517 --> 00:24:30,481 AND CONSTRUCT A STORY THAT FIT WITH THINGS THAT HE COULDN'T 411 00:24:30,517 --> 00:24:31,758 ADMIT. 412 00:24:31,792 --> 00:24:35,275 >> Reporter: ACCORDING TO MIKE, AT ABOUT 3:00 A.M., THEIR DOG, 413 00:24:35,309 --> 00:24:40,205 SUSIE, WANDERED IN TO THIS BLOODY SCENE WHERE VIOLENCE WAS 414 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:43,654 ABOUT TO ERUPT AGAIN. 415 00:24:43,689 --> 00:24:48,136 >> I GET UP OUT OF THE BED TO DEAL WITH THE DOG, AND-- AND 416 00:24:48,172 --> 00:24:49,378 BEHIND ME WAS THE KNIFE. 417 00:24:49,413 --> 00:24:52,136 AND, NEXT THING I KNOW, SHE SLICED HER RIGHT WRIST WITH HER 418 00:24:52,172 --> 00:24:54,205 LEFT HAND. 419 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:56,136 >> DID YOU TALK TO HER ABOUT WHY SHE HAD CUT HERSELF? 420 00:24:56,172 --> 00:24:57,034 >> YEAH. 421 00:24:57,067 --> 00:24:58,826 SHE SAID SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO TO JAIL. 422 00:24:58,862 --> 00:25:01,619 I SAID, "SUE, I'M NOTGOING TO SEND YOU TO JAIL. 423 00:25:01,654 --> 00:25:04,205 I'M NOT GOING TO GET YOU ARRESTED. 424 00:25:04,240 --> 00:25:05,792 CALM DOWN." 425 00:25:05,826 --> 00:25:06,586 AND SHE GOES, "YOU PROMISE? 426 00:25:06,619 --> 00:25:09,964 YOU PROMISE?" I SAID, "YES." 427 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:12,723 >> Reporter: AS MIKE TELLS IT, SUE COOKED UP THE WHOLE IDEA TO 428 00:25:12,758 --> 00:25:20,172 LIE TO POLICE, AND HE RELUCTANTLY AGREED IN ORDER TO 429 00:25:20,205 --> 00:25:21,550 PROTECT HER. 430 00:25:21,586 --> 00:25:24,172 >> I SAID, "THEN, THE ONLY CHANCE I HAVE IS TO TURN THE 431 00:25:24,205 --> 00:25:26,862 CAMERAS OFF, TO GIVE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SOMEONE BROKE 432 00:25:26,895 --> 00:25:28,172 IN AND DID THIS TO US." 433 00:25:28,205 --> 00:25:30,862 >> Reporter: MIKE SAYS AFTER SUE CUT HER OWN WRIST, HE LEFT THE 434 00:25:30,895 --> 00:25:36,136 ROOM TO TURN OFF SECURITY CAMERAS AND STAGE A BREAK-IN. 435 00:25:36,172 --> 00:25:40,240 25 MINUTES PASSED BEFORE HE CALLED 911 AND TURNED THE 436 00:25:40,275 --> 00:25:42,586 CAMERAS ON AGAIN. 437 00:25:42,619 --> 00:25:44,654 >> AND HE'S DOING THAT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WITH EVERY BEAT 438 00:25:44,689 --> 00:25:48,309 OF HER HEART, MORE OF HER BLOOD IS POURING INTO THAT BED. 439 00:25:48,344 --> 00:25:52,136 >> Reporter: BUT THE DEFENSE THINKS THE BLOOD AT THE CRIME 440 00:25:52,172 --> 00:25:55,448 SCENE HELPS TO PROVE THEIRCASE. 441 00:25:55,481 --> 00:25:56,136 >> PEOPLE LIE. 442 00:25:56,172 --> 00:25:58,034 THE FORENSICS DON'T LIE. 443 00:25:58,067 --> 00:26:00,862 AND THAT'S WHY THE BLOOD SPATTER WAS SOIMPORTANT IN THIS CASE. 444 00:26:00,895 --> 00:26:05,654 >> Reporter: MICHAEL BERKLAND IS A FORMER DOCTOR AND BLOODSTAIN 445 00:26:05,689 --> 00:26:10,862 PATTERN ANALYST WHO TESTIFIED FOR THE DEFENSE. 446 00:26:10,895 --> 00:26:12,654 WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT BLOOD EVIDENCE INSIDE 447 00:26:12,689 --> 00:26:16,205 THAT BEDROOM? 448 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:17,481 >> THE ARTERIAL SPURT PATTERNS. 449 00:26:17,517 --> 00:26:20,034 >> Reporter: BERKLAND SAYS HE REVIEWED RECORDS WHICH STATED A 450 00:26:20,067 --> 00:26:25,931 SMALL ARTERY IN SUE'S WRIST WAS CUT THAT NIGHT, AND HE BELIEVES 451 00:26:25,964 --> 00:26:28,619 THE BLOOD HERE ON THE PILLOWCASE AND HERE ON THE NIGHTSTAND CAME 452 00:26:28,654 --> 00:26:29,826 FROM THAT ARTERY. 453 00:26:29,862 --> 00:26:36,172 >> THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT ARTERIES, THOUGH, IS THAT YOU 454 00:26:36,205 --> 00:26:38,481 GET BLOOD COMING OUT OF THAT WITH EVERY BEAT OF THE HEART. 455 00:26:38,517 --> 00:26:43,619 >> Reporter: BERKLAND USES STAGE BLOOD AND A SMALL SYRINGE TO 456 00:26:43,654 --> 00:26:48,172 DEMONSTRATE THE WAY SUE'S BLOOD MAY HAVE TRAVELED, MAKING A LINE 457 00:26:48,205 --> 00:26:50,964 OR FINE SPRAY OF DROPS. 458 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:55,067 SO, THE BLOOD, IN YOUR OPINION, GIVES US A TIMELINE AS TO WHEN 459 00:26:55,103 --> 00:26:56,240 SUE'S WRIST WAS ACTUALLY CUT. 460 00:26:56,275 --> 00:26:59,931 >> CORRECT, BECAUSE ARTERIES DON'T CLOSE UP ON THEIR OWN. 461 00:26:59,964 --> 00:27:04,205 >> Reporter: REMEMBER, SUE SAYS THE ATTACK, INCLUDING THE CUTS 462 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:11,000 TO HER WRIST, STARTED SOMETIME AFTER 10:13 P.M., BUT MIKE SAYS 463 00:27:11,034 --> 00:27:16,205 SUE CUT HER OWNWRIST AT AROUND 3:00 A.M., HOURS LATER. 464 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:20,205 BERKLAND SAYS IF SUE'S WRIST WAS CUT BEFORE 11:00, SHE WOULD HAVE 465 00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:25,240 DIED LONG BEFORE HELP ARRIVED. 466 00:27:25,275 --> 00:27:27,862 HOW MUCH TIME DID SHE HAVE TO LIVE, IN YOUR OPINION? 467 00:27:27,895 --> 00:27:32,205 >> IF THE WOUNDS HAPPENED NO LATER THAN 11:00, SHE'S DEAD 468 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:33,309 BEFORE IT EVER HITS MIDNIGHT. 469 00:27:33,344 --> 00:27:36,172 >> Reporter: WHICH LEADS YOUTO BELIEVE WHAT? 470 00:27:36,205 --> 00:27:40,240 >> WHEN IT COMES TO THIS INJURY TO THE WRIST, MICHAEL'S STORY 471 00:27:40,275 --> 00:27:44,172 MAKES MORE SENSE. 472 00:27:44,205 --> 00:27:46,862 >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE TEAM SAYS IF WE CAN'T TRUST SUE'S 473 00:27:46,895 --> 00:27:52,172 ACCOUNT ABOUT WHAT TIME THINGS HAPPENED, THEN HER ENTIRE STORY 474 00:27:52,205 --> 00:27:56,034 IS SUSPECT. 475 00:27:56,067 --> 00:28:00,240 >> IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE HAPPENED THE WAY SHE 476 00:28:00,275 --> 00:28:02,275 CLAIMS IT DID. 477 00:28:27,034 --> 00:28:30,000 >> THIS IS THE KNIFE THAT WAS USED TO STAB SUSAN. 478 00:28:30,034 --> 00:28:33,826 >> Reporter: ...ENCASED IN PROTECTIVE PLASTIC... 479 00:28:33,862 --> 00:28:34,448 THIS IS A LOT OF BLOOD. 480 00:28:34,481 --> 00:28:36,034 >> THIS IS A LOT OF BLOOD. 481 00:28:36,067 --> 00:28:37,826 >> Reporter: ...ARE THE REMNANTS OF THE VICIOUS CONFRONTATION 482 00:28:37,862 --> 00:28:41,826 INSIDE THAT BEDROOM THAT PROSECUTOR SEAN BREWER IS 483 00:28:41,862 --> 00:28:49,792 CERTAIN CONTAIN EVIDENCE OF AN ATTEMPTED MURDER. 484 00:28:49,826 --> 00:28:51,034 THIS IS MIKE REUSCHEL'S PAJAMAS? 485 00:28:51,067 --> 00:28:54,619 >> YES, AND THEY ARE SOAKED IN BLOOD. 486 00:28:54,654 --> 00:28:57,586 >> Reporter: AND WHOSE BLOOD IS THAT? 487 00:28:57,619 --> 00:29:01,862 >> WELL, SUSAN IS THE ONE THAT HAD THE INJURIES THAT PROVIDED 488 00:29:01,895 --> 00:29:05,000 THE MASS AMOUNT OF BLEEDING. 489 00:29:05,034 --> 00:29:06,240 >> Reporter: SO, IF BLOOD COULD TALK, THIS BLOOD IS TELLING YOU 490 00:29:06,275 --> 00:29:07,550 WHAT? 491 00:29:07,586 --> 00:29:10,413 >> THIS BLOOD IS TELLING ME THAT MICHAEL WAS ON TOP OF HER WHILE 492 00:29:10,448 --> 00:29:13,931 HE WAS STABBING HER, AND SHE WAS BLEEDING QUITE A BIT WITHOUT ANY 493 00:29:13,964 --> 00:29:16,758 AID. 494 00:29:16,792 --> 00:29:19,550 >> Reporter: PROSECUTORS SAY THIS EVIDENCE BACKS UP SUE'S 495 00:29:19,586 --> 00:29:24,205 TESTIMONY THAT MIKE ATTACKED HER. 496 00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:27,448 THEY ALSO SAY THE ITEMS ON THAT BEDSIDE TABLE HELP PROVE THIS 497 00:29:27,481 --> 00:29:33,689 WAS NOT A DYNAMIC FIGHT BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE. 498 00:29:33,723 --> 00:29:37,826 DAVID BYRON SAYS THAT ONLY ONE PERSON HAD CONTROL OF THE 499 00:29:37,862 --> 00:29:39,136 SITUATION: MIKE REUSCHEL. 500 00:29:39,172 --> 00:29:41,826 >> THERE'S A FULL GLASS OF WINE, THERE'S SOME GLASSES, THERE'S A 501 00:29:41,862 --> 00:29:43,034 LAMP. 502 00:29:43,067 --> 00:29:47,931 AND IT'S EVIDENCE OF THE FACT THAT MICHAEL REUSCHEL WAS SO 503 00:29:47,964 --> 00:29:49,826 PHYSICALLY CAPABLE OF CONSTRAINING HER THAT NONE OF 504 00:29:49,862 --> 00:29:51,136 THOSE THINGS ARE DISTURBED. 505 00:29:51,172 --> 00:29:54,378 >> Reporter: AND THE PROSECUTION DISPUTES DEFENSE EXPERT MICHAEL 506 00:29:54,413 --> 00:29:58,136 BERKLAND'S CLAIM THAT THESE STAINS ON THE NIGHTSTAND CAME 507 00:29:58,172 --> 00:30:03,550 FROM SPURTING BLOOD FROM SUE'S WRIST. 508 00:30:03,586 --> 00:30:08,723 INSTEAD, THEIR EXPERT SAYS THE BLOOD WAS MOST LIKELY CASTOFF 509 00:30:08,758 --> 00:30:10,895 FLUNG FROM THE KNIFE AND NOT FROM SUE CUTTING HER OWN WRIST. 510 00:30:10,931 --> 00:30:15,103 >> THE CASTOFF SHOWS THAT HE WAS SWINGING THAT KNIFE AS HE'S 511 00:30:15,136 --> 00:30:16,862 PLUNGING IT INTO HER STOMACH AND INTO HER NECK. 512 00:30:16,895 --> 00:30:18,067 >> WE CALL DR. BERKLAND TO THE STAND. 513 00:30:18,103 --> 00:30:22,517 >> Reporter: PROSECUTOR BREWER NOT ONLY ATTACKS BERKLAND'S 514 00:30:22,550 --> 00:30:24,689 CONCLUSIONS, HE ALSO CHALLENGES HIS CREDIBILITY, LETTING JURORS 515 00:30:24,723 --> 00:30:29,826 KNOW THAT HIS MEDICAL LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED, AND HE WAS LATER 516 00:30:29,862 --> 00:30:37,413 ARRESTED FOR STORING BODY PARTS FROM AUTOPSIES IN TUPPERWARE 517 00:30:37,448 --> 00:30:38,550 CONTAINERS IN AN UNUSUAL PLACE. 518 00:30:38,586 --> 00:30:40,758 >> YOU WERE STORING THEM AT UNCLE BOB'S STORAGE SHED, 519 00:30:40,792 --> 00:30:41,758 WEREN'T YOU? 520 00:30:41,792 --> 00:30:42,895 >> IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ROOM. 521 00:30:42,931 --> 00:30:45,758 >> WERE YOU STORING THEM AT UNCLE BOB'S STORAGE SHED? 522 00:30:45,792 --> 00:30:48,654 >> YEAH. 523 00:30:48,689 --> 00:30:49,931 >> AND THE ACTUAL ORGANS THAT YOU WERE STORING INCLUDED BRAINS 524 00:30:49,964 --> 00:30:51,517 AND HEARTS? 525 00:30:51,550 --> 00:30:53,758 >> I DID HAVE SOME HEARTS AND BRAINS, YES. 526 00:30:53,792 --> 00:30:56,413 >> Reporter: BERKLAND SAYS THE ORGANS WERE PRESERVED FOR 527 00:30:56,448 --> 00:30:58,000 PRIVATE CASES HE WAS WORKING ON WHILE HE WAS STILL A LICENSED 528 00:30:58,034 --> 00:30:59,758 DOCTOR. 529 00:30:59,792 --> 00:31:04,792 >> I USED THE STORAGE LOCKER BECAUSE THEY WERE SAFE AND 530 00:31:04,826 --> 00:31:05,689 SECURE. 531 00:31:05,723 --> 00:31:09,000 EITHER THAT OR I PUT THEM IN MY HOUSE. 532 00:31:09,034 --> 00:31:11,000 THIS WAS SAFER THAN MY HOUSE. 533 00:31:11,034 --> 00:31:14,000 >> Reporter: THE CHARGES WERE LATER DROPPED. 534 00:31:14,034 --> 00:31:17,000 PROSECUTORS ALSO WANT THE JURY TO KNOW THAT THE SEVERITY OF 535 00:31:17,034 --> 00:31:20,689 SUE'S WRIST WOUND SUGGESTS SHE DID NOT DO IT HERSELF. 536 00:31:20,723 --> 00:31:24,000 >> THE ONE THAT WAS TRULY LIFE-THREATENING WAS THE-- THE 537 00:31:24,034 --> 00:31:28,240 CUTS THAT THE DEFENDANT MADE TO HER WRIST. 538 00:31:28,275 --> 00:31:32,378 >> SHE WAS CUT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BONE. 539 00:31:32,413 --> 00:31:37,034 >> Reporter: MIKE'S INJURIES WERE A LOT LESS SERIOUS. 540 00:31:37,067 --> 00:31:40,240 AS YOU CAN SEE, HE HAD SOME SMALL CUTS ON HIS FINGERS AND 541 00:31:40,275 --> 00:31:42,172 STOMACH. 542 00:31:42,205 --> 00:31:46,172 AND SUE SAYS THESE LARGER CUTS TO HIS FOREARMS WERE, IN FACT, 543 00:31:46,205 --> 00:31:48,517 SELF-INFLICTED. 544 00:31:48,550 --> 00:31:50,172 >> HE PUT THE KNIFE IN MY HAND, AND HE STABBED HIMSELF IN THE 545 00:31:50,205 --> 00:31:54,172 ARM. 546 00:31:54,205 --> 00:31:58,172 >> Reporter: AND WHAT ABOUT THAT STORY MIKE TOLD INVESTIGATORS, 547 00:31:58,205 --> 00:31:59,586 THAT AN INTRUDER DID ALL THIS? 548 00:31:59,619 --> 00:32:06,205 THE PROSECUTION SAYS IT WAS ALL HISIDEA TO COVER UP WHAT HE 549 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:08,378 HAD DONE. 550 00:32:10,275 --> 00:32:13,000 >> HE TURNED OFF THE CAMERAS AND DID THINGS TO MAKE THE POLICE 551 00:32:13,034 --> 00:32:15,689 BELIEVE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A BURGLAR. 552 00:32:15,723 --> 00:32:17,723 >> Reporter: AND THE MOTIVE FOR THIS ALLEGED ATTACK? 553 00:32:17,758 --> 00:32:21,931 THE PROSECUTION BELIEVES IT WAS ALL ABOUT MONEY, THAT MIKE 554 00:32:21,964 --> 00:32:25,723 DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE UP HALF OF HIS FORTUNE, MILLIONS OF 555 00:32:25,758 --> 00:32:28,723 DOLLARS, IN A DIVORCE. 556 00:32:28,758 --> 00:32:30,309 >> YOU DIDN'T TELL THIS JURY THAT AFTER ALL YOU'VE BEEN 557 00:32:30,344 --> 00:32:33,413 THROUGH, IT DIDN'T SEEM FAIR FOR SUSAN TO TAKE HALF YOUR MONEY? 558 00:32:33,448 --> 00:32:33,931 >> YEAH, THAT IS TRUE. 559 00:32:33,964 --> 00:32:37,275 IT DIDN'T SEEM FAIR. 560 00:32:37,309 --> 00:32:40,895 >> Reporter: THE PROSECUTION REFUTES MIKE'S CLAIMS THAT HE 561 00:32:40,931 --> 00:32:45,689 STILL WANTED TO RECONCILE THE TROUBLED MARRIAGE BY POINTING 562 00:32:45,723 --> 00:32:49,034 OUT THAT HE HAD VISITED THREE DATING SITES. 563 00:32:49,067 --> 00:32:49,689 >> UKRAINIAN SINGLE GIRL, IRINA. 564 00:32:49,723 --> 00:32:52,619 SHE'S 18 YEARS OLD, RIGHT? 565 00:32:54,413 --> 00:32:57,136 >> I LOOKED AT PICTURES OF WOMEN WITH CLOTHES ON, YES, SIR. 566 00:32:57,172 --> 00:32:58,344 >> I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE CLOTHES ON, SIR. 567 00:32:58,378 --> 00:33:01,758 THE QUESTION I'M ASKING IS, YOU WERE LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT 568 00:33:01,792 --> 00:33:02,931 GIRLFRIEND, RIGHT? 569 00:33:02,964 --> 00:33:04,240 >> NO, I'LL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. 570 00:33:04,275 --> 00:33:05,758 >> SURE. 571 00:33:05,792 --> 00:33:08,689 >> ALL I WANT OUT OF A WOMAN IN MY LIFE IS SOMEONE TO BE KIND 572 00:33:08,723 --> 00:33:09,758 AND NICE TO ME. 573 00:33:09,792 --> 00:33:11,344 THAT'S ALL I CARE ABOUT. 574 00:33:11,378 --> 00:33:13,481 I LOOKED AT PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF HOW THEY WOULD 575 00:33:13,517 --> 00:33:14,758 TREAT THEIR MALE. 576 00:33:14,792 --> 00:33:17,792 AND SUE AND I LOOKED AT THESE TOGETHER MANY TIMES IN-- IN OUR 577 00:33:17,826 --> 00:33:21,723 RELATIONSHIP, SAYING, "SUE, THAT'S ALL I NEED FROM ANYBODY. 578 00:33:21,758 --> 00:33:25,723 PLEASE BE NICE TO ME, PLEASE." 579 00:33:25,758 --> 00:33:29,792 >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE COUNTERS THAT MIKE'S OTHER 580 00:33:29,826 --> 00:33:36,758 INTERNET SEARCHES PROVE THAT HE WAS BEING ABUSED BY SUE. 581 00:33:36,792 --> 00:33:40,758 >> DID YOU VISIT NUMEROUS SITES RELATED TO BATTERED HUSBANDS? 582 00:33:40,792 --> 00:33:41,654 >> YES, I DID. 583 00:33:41,689 --> 00:33:42,550 >> HE HAS ALL OF THE ECONOMIC RESOURCES. 584 00:33:42,586 --> 00:33:45,067 HE'S NOT CUT OFF FROM ANY FAMILY MEMBERS. 585 00:33:45,103 --> 00:33:49,689 MICHAEL REUSCHEL DOESN'T MEET ANYOF THE CRITERIA FOR WHAT A 586 00:33:49,723 --> 00:33:53,275 BATTERED SPOUSE IS. 587 00:33:53,309 --> 00:33:54,792 >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE ALSO TRIES TO COUNTER SUE'S CLAIM 588 00:33:54,826 --> 00:33:57,481 THAT MIKE'S ATTACK CAME AFTER SHE THREATENED DIVORCE. 589 00:33:57,517 --> 00:34:01,758 THEY PRODUCED DOZENS OF TEXT MESSAGES GOING BACK TO 2015 THAT 590 00:34:01,792 --> 00:34:05,758 SHOW SUE HAD MADE THAT THREAT MANY, MANY TIMES. 591 00:34:05,792 --> 00:34:12,757 >> YOU ACTUALLY SAY, "FOR THE 50th TIME, I WANT A DIVORCE." 592 00:34:12,793 --> 00:34:14,000 >> IT'S JUST AN EXPRESSION, LIKE SAYING, "FOR THE, YOU KNOW, 593 00:34:14,034 --> 00:34:15,862 100th TIME." 594 00:34:15,896 --> 00:34:17,965 >> BUT IT IS ABOUT 50 TIMES, ISN'T IT? 595 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:20,965 >> I DON'T KNOW. 596 00:34:21,000 --> 00:34:22,103 I DIDN'T COUNT. 597 00:34:22,137 --> 00:34:25,724 >> Reporter: AND DEFENSE ATTORNEY ANN FINNELL SUGGESTS 598 00:34:25,757 --> 00:34:29,550 THOSE TEXTS ALSO REVEAL SUE'S DESTRUCTIVE INTENTIONS. 599 00:34:29,585 --> 00:34:32,516 >> HAVE YOU TOLD HIM, "I HATE YOU"? 600 00:34:32,550 --> 00:34:33,447 >> YES. 601 00:34:33,481 --> 00:34:34,240 >> OKAY. 602 00:34:34,275 --> 00:34:36,688 YOU'VE SAID, "I WILL DESTROY YOU." 603 00:34:36,724 --> 00:34:37,724 >> YES. 604 00:34:37,757 --> 00:34:44,172 >> AND ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY IN 2017, "HATE YOU. 605 00:34:44,206 --> 00:34:45,724 HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY. 606 00:34:45,757 --> 00:34:48,344 I'M DIVORCING YOU, YOU [ BLEEP]." 607 00:34:48,378 --> 00:34:49,724 YOU SAID THAT. 608 00:34:49,757 --> 00:34:51,655 >> YES. 609 00:34:51,688 --> 00:34:54,655 >> Reporter: IN HER CLOSING ARGUMENT, FINNELL INSISTS MIKE 610 00:34:54,688 --> 00:34:56,240 WOULD NEVER TRY TO KILL FOR MONEY. 611 00:34:56,275 --> 00:35:01,757 SHE SAYS SUEWAS THE AGGRESSOR THAT NIGHT AND MIKE WAS JUST 612 00:35:01,793 --> 00:35:05,757 DEFENDING HIMSELF. 613 00:35:05,793 --> 00:35:07,000 >> SHE HATES EVERYBODY. 614 00:35:07,034 --> 00:35:09,137 SHE HATES HIS DAUGHTERS, SHE HATES HIS FORMER SPOUSE. 615 00:35:09,172 --> 00:35:16,655 THAT'S HOW HATEFUL THIS WOMAN WAS AND IS. 616 00:35:16,688 --> 00:35:22,000 >> Reporter: BUT THE PROSECUTION SAYS THERE IS NO QUESTION MIKE 617 00:35:22,034 --> 00:35:24,000 WANTED SUE DEAD. 618 00:35:24,034 --> 00:35:26,172 >> THIS IS NOT A FRENZIED STRUGGLE BETWEEN TWO ADULTS. 619 00:35:26,206 --> 00:35:29,931 THIS IS A BLOODBATH COMMITTED BY ONE PERSON WHO HAS IMPRISONED 620 00:35:29,965 --> 00:35:32,585 THE OTHER ON THAT BED. 621 00:35:32,619 --> 00:35:36,000 >> Reporter: IN THE WAR OF THE REUSCHELS, JURORS WILL SOON 622 00:35:36,034 --> 00:35:38,000 DECIDE WHICH ONE THEY BELIEVE. 623 00:35:59,965 --> 00:36:03,275 >> Reporter: AS THE JURY GOES OUT TO DELIBERATE, WHAT ARE 624 00:36:03,309 --> 00:36:05,688 THOSE MINUTES AND HOURS LIKE FOR YOU? 625 00:36:05,724 --> 00:36:09,344 >> I-- I JUST, LIKE, COULDN'T TALK TO ANYONE. 626 00:36:09,378 --> 00:36:11,619 [ SNIFFS] I SPENT THE PAST YEAR AND A 627 00:36:11,655 --> 00:36:15,619 HALF, LIKE, MENTALLY PREPARING MYSELF FOR THE WORST AND HOPING 628 00:36:15,655 --> 00:36:19,344 FOR THE BEST. 629 00:36:19,378 --> 00:36:27,413 >> Reporter: CAROLINE DOES NOT HAVE LONG TO WAIT. 630 00:36:27,447 --> 00:36:28,688 >> ALL RISE FOR THE JURY. 631 00:36:28,724 --> 00:36:29,619 >> Reporter: AFTER A NINE-DAY TRIAL, IT TOOK LITTLE MORE THAN 632 00:36:29,655 --> 00:36:31,137 FOUR HOURS FOR THE JURY TO REACH A VERDICT. 633 00:36:31,172 --> 00:36:34,862 THEY SAY A QUICK VERDICT IS OFTEN A PROSECUTOR'S VERDICT. 634 00:36:34,896 --> 00:36:36,516 >> IT'S A THOUGHT THAT CREEPS INTO YOUR HEAD, BUT YOU NEVER 635 00:36:36,550 --> 00:36:38,585 REALLY KNOW WHAT A JURY IS GOING TO DO. 636 00:36:38,619 --> 00:36:39,724 >> MEMBERS OF THE JURY, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE REACHED A 637 00:36:39,757 --> 00:36:41,793 VERDICT? 638 00:36:41,827 --> 00:36:42,724 >> WE HAVE, YOUR HONOR. 639 00:36:42,757 --> 00:36:45,550 >> WOULD YOU PLEASE PASS IT TO MY BAILIFF? 640 00:36:45,585 --> 00:36:48,655 >> "WE, THE JURY, UNANIMOUSLY FIND AS FOLLOWS FOR DEFENDANT 641 00:36:48,688 --> 00:36:51,550 MICHAEL JAMES REUSCHEL IN THIS CASE. 642 00:36:51,585 --> 00:36:53,481 AS TO COUNT ONE, THE DEFENDANT IS GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED 643 00:36:53,516 --> 00:36:57,206 FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AS CHARGED." 644 00:36:57,240 --> 00:36:58,447 >> Reporter: GUILTY. 645 00:36:58,481 --> 00:37:02,240 MIKE REUSCHEL IS CONVICTED OF THE MOST SERIOUS COUNT AGAINST 646 00:37:02,275 --> 00:37:03,619 HIM. 647 00:37:03,655 --> 00:37:05,068 >> WE WERE ALL SO SHOCKED. 648 00:37:05,103 --> 00:37:07,034 [ SNIFFS] >> "AS TO COUNT TWO, THE 649 00:37:07,068 --> 00:37:09,827 DEFENDANT IS GUILTY OF FALSE IMPRISONMENT." 650 00:37:09,862 --> 00:37:12,000 >> Reporter: IN QUICK SUCCESSION, THE JURY ALSO FINDS 651 00:37:12,034 --> 00:37:15,655 REUSCHEL GUILTY OF FOUR ADDITIONAL CRIMES, INCLUDING 652 00:37:15,688 --> 00:37:20,550 FALSE IMPRISONMENT AND TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE. 653 00:37:20,585 --> 00:37:23,137 >> JUROR NUMBER 51, IS THIS YOUR TRUE VERDICT? 654 00:37:23,172 --> 00:37:24,344 >> YES. 655 00:37:24,378 --> 00:37:27,585 >> Reporter: JURORS UTTERLY REJECT MIKE'S STORY OF A KNIFE 656 00:37:27,619 --> 00:37:31,068 FIGHT WITH HIS WIFE. 657 00:37:31,103 --> 00:37:35,516 PROSECUTOR SEAN BREWER SAYS JUSTICE WAS SERVED TO A MAN WHO 658 00:37:35,550 --> 00:37:38,378 LIED TO INVESTIGATORS AND TO THE JURY. 659 00:37:38,413 --> 00:37:40,206 >> MICHAEL WENT THROUGH GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND KILL SUSAN. 660 00:37:40,240 --> 00:37:43,034 HE JUST WASN'T VERY GOOD AT IT. 661 00:37:43,068 --> 00:37:44,965 >> Reporter: AND WHAT'S MORE, BREWER SAYS, MIKE REUSCHEL TRIED 662 00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:50,931 TO KILL SUE NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. 663 00:37:50,965 --> 00:37:52,896 WHILE HE WAS IN JAIL AWAITING TRIAL, AN INFORMANT CAME FORWARD 664 00:37:52,931 --> 00:37:59,619 TO CLAIM MIKE TRIED TO HIRE A HIT MAN TO KILL SUE, A CHARGE 665 00:37:59,655 --> 00:38:01,344 MIKE STRONGLY DENIES. 666 00:38:01,378 --> 00:38:07,137 DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR FATHER, IN JAIL, PLOTTED TO HIRE SOMEONE 667 00:38:07,172 --> 00:38:07,619 TO MURDER HIS WIFE? 668 00:38:07,655 --> 00:38:08,862 >> NO. 669 00:38:08,896 --> 00:38:15,378 HONESTLY, I DON'T MEAN TO LAUGH, BUT IT IS BEYOND LAUGHABLE. 670 00:38:15,413 --> 00:38:18,931 >> Reporter: AS WE WERE INTERVIEWING CAROLINE, SHE GOT A 671 00:38:18,965 --> 00:38:19,619 PHONE CALL THAT SURPRISED US. 672 00:38:19,655 --> 00:38:21,862 >> DAD? 673 00:38:21,896 --> 00:38:23,206 HI! 674 00:38:23,240 --> 00:38:24,344 I'M GOOD. 675 00:38:24,378 --> 00:38:28,688 I'M WITH "48 HOURS" RIGHT NOW, LITERALLY, WITH CAMERAS. 676 00:38:28,724 --> 00:38:31,516 >> Reporter: MIKE REUSCHEL ALLOWED ME TO ASK A FEW 677 00:38:31,550 --> 00:38:32,378 QUESTIONS. 678 00:38:32,413 --> 00:38:35,585 MIKE, I JUST WANT TO HEAR YOU TELL ME. 679 00:38:35,619 --> 00:38:41,378 DID YOU TAKE A KNIFE INTO THE ROOM THAT NIGHT ON FEBRUARY 2, 680 00:38:41,413 --> 00:38:41,965 2018, AND ATTACK YOUR WIFE? 681 00:38:46,068 --> 00:38:46,688 AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THE TRUTH? 682 00:38:51,619 --> 00:39:03,655 IN DECEMBER 2019, EVERYONE RETURNS TO JUDGE WILLIAM DAVIS' 683 00:39:03,688 --> 00:39:07,034 COURTROOM FOR SENTENCING. 684 00:39:07,068 --> 00:39:08,172 THE VICTIM IN THIS CRIME, SUE REUSCHEL, DOES NOT APPEAR IN 685 00:39:08,206 --> 00:39:09,378 PERSON. 686 00:39:09,413 --> 00:39:13,724 >> YOU MAY STAND, FACE THE JUDGE AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, 687 00:39:13,757 --> 00:39:14,827 PLEASE. 688 00:39:14,862 --> 00:39:15,965 >> Reporter: WHEN IT'S CAROLINE'S TURN TO SPEAK, THE 689 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:18,413 MOMENT IS CHARGED WITH EMOTION. 690 00:39:18,447 --> 00:39:23,619 >> NO ONE IS AS POSITIVE, CARING AND GENEROUS AS THIS MAN. 691 00:39:23,655 --> 00:39:35,068 [ SOBBING] I WILL SAY... I AM AND WILL 692 00:39:35,103 --> 00:39:35,655 ALWAYS BE A PROUD DAUGHTER. 693 00:39:39,516 --> 00:39:43,516 >> HE IS ONE OF THE MOST CARING, KIND, GENTLE PEOPLE I HAVE EVER 694 00:39:43,550 --> 00:39:44,757 MET. 695 00:39:44,793 --> 00:39:46,688 >> Reporter: SEVERAL COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS SPEAK OF MIKE IN 696 00:39:46,724 --> 00:39:47,585 GLOWING TERMS. 697 00:39:47,619 --> 00:39:48,688 >> HE IS A GOOD PERSON. 698 00:39:48,724 --> 00:39:52,034 >> THE MIKE REUSCHEL I KNOW IS A STAND-UP GENTLEMAN. 699 00:39:52,068 --> 00:39:56,309 >> Reporter: THEN, JUDGE WILLIAM DAVIS TOOK CENTER STAGE. 700 00:39:56,344 --> 00:39:58,724 >> MR. REUSCHEL, WILL YOU PLEASE STAND. 701 00:39:58,757 --> 00:40:02,896 >> Reporter: MIKE WAS ABOUT TO LEARN HIS FATE. 702 00:40:02,931 --> 00:40:06,378 >> THE PERSON I HEARD THROUGH THE EVIDENCE AND THE WITNESSES 703 00:40:06,413 --> 00:40:07,585 WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS COLD. 704 00:40:07,619 --> 00:40:09,793 THEY WERE BRUTAL. 705 00:40:09,827 --> 00:40:13,827 ON COUNT ONE, THE ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE PREMEDITATED 706 00:40:13,862 --> 00:40:23,309 MURDER, I'M GOING TO SENTENCE YOU TO 30 YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. 707 00:40:23,344 --> 00:40:25,344 >> Reporter: ALL TOLD, THE JUDGE GIVES REUSCHEL 30 YEARS, NOT THE 708 00:40:25,378 --> 00:40:27,550 50 YEARS REQUESTED BY PROSECUTORS. 709 00:40:27,585 --> 00:40:31,550 BUT FOR MIKE, WHO IS 64 YEARS OLD, IT IS, IN ESSENCE, A LIFE 710 00:40:31,585 --> 00:40:34,034 SENTENCE. 711 00:40:37,034 --> 00:40:39,619 HERE ARE TWO SOPHISTICATED PEOPLE, VERY WEALTHY, LIVING IN 712 00:40:39,655 --> 00:40:43,827 PARADISE IN ONE OF MOST BEAUTIFUL PARTS OF FLORIDA, AND 713 00:40:43,862 --> 00:40:46,965 YET THEY COULDN'T WORK THIS OUT. 714 00:40:47,000 --> 00:40:47,550 IT'S A REAL TRAGEDY, ISN'T IT? 715 00:40:47,585 --> 00:40:49,516 >> ABSOLUTELY. 716 00:40:49,550 --> 00:40:53,724 I MEAN, WHEN YOU HEAR WHO MICHAEL AND SUSAN REUSCHEL WERE 717 00:40:53,757 --> 00:40:55,827 BEFORE THIS ALL OCCURRED, THEY LIVED EXEMPLARY AND MOSTLY 718 00:40:55,862 --> 00:40:59,585 NORMAL LIVES. 719 00:40:59,619 --> 00:41:03,516 AND TO SEE IT GET TO THIS POINT REALLY IS A TRAGEDY. 720 00:41:03,550 --> 00:41:07,585 >> Reporter: THE WAR OF THE REUSCHELS IS NOT OVER. 721 00:41:07,619 --> 00:41:10,793 MIKE AND SUE ARE DIVORCING AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT OVER THE 722 00:41:10,827 --> 00:41:15,585 MARITAL ASSETS, INCLUDING THE HOUSE WHERE SUE WAS NEARLY 723 00:41:15,619 --> 00:41:17,965 STABBED TO DEATH. 724 00:41:27,585 --> 00:41:28,309 Captioning sponsored by CBS >> A CALIFORNIA LAWYER, 725 00:41:31,965 --> 00:41:32,896 MURDERED. 726 00:41:32,931 --> 00:41:34,000 >> THIS LOOKED LIKE A TARGETED ASSASSINATION. 727 00:41:34,034 --> 00:41:35,724 THIS GUY, DRESSED AS A DELIVERYMAN... 728 00:41:35,757 --> 00:41:37,550 >> ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A MATCHING DEADLY ATTACK AT A 729 00:41:37,585 --> 00:41:38,378 JUDGE'S HOME. 730 00:41:38,413 --> 00:41:39,137 >> WHO WOULD WANT TO HURT THE JUDGE? 731 00:41:39,172 --> 00:41:40,000 >> WERE THE CRIMES CONNECTED? 732 00:41:40,034 --> 00:41:41,000 "48 HOURS," NEXT ON CBS.