>> I WAS CALLED AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 IN THE MORNING ON FEBRUARY
3, 2018.
THERE HAD BEEN A HOME INVASION ROBBERY IN THE AREA OF HAILE
PLANTATION.
>> I'M BEING ADVISED THAT THE WIFE HAS SEVERE INJURIES AND WAS
CURRENTLY BEING TRAUMA-ALERTED TO OUR AREA HOSPITAL.
>> SUSAN REUSCHEL ALMOST DIED THAT NIGHT.
>> IF SUSAN HAD DIED, THE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT
WOULD DIE WITH HER.
WHEN SUSAN REUSCHEL COMES OUT OF SURGERY, SHE TELLS INVESTIGATORS
THAT THERE ISNO INTRUDER AND THAT THE PERSON WHO INFLICTED
ALL OF THE INJURIES THAT SHE IS SUFFERING FROM IS MICHAEL
REUSCHEL.
THIS CASE IS ABOUT THE POWER OF MONEY.
IT'S ABOUT THE POWER OF DESIRE FOR CONTROL.
>> WHEN SUSAN ASKED FOR A DIVORCE, MICHAEL REUSCHEL
SNAPPED.
>> WHEN HE WAS FACED WITH THE PROSPECT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO
GIVE HER HALF OF HIS FORTUNE, HE MADE A CALCULATED AND
PREMEDITATED DECISION TO KILL.
>> THIS IS THE KNIFE THAT WAS USED TO STAB SUSAN.
>> Reporter: THE BENDING IN THIS KNIFE, YOU BELIEVE, IS A RESULT
OF IT HITTING BONE, AND IT BENT THE BLADE?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> ALL RISE FOR THE JURY.
>> MEMBERS OF THE JURY, "WE'RE JUST GOING TO LAY HERE
UNTIL YOU DIE, SUE.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO LAY HERE UNTIL YOU DIE."
THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF THAT DEFENDANT, MICHAEL REUSCHEL,
SPOKEN TO HIS WIFE OF TEN YEARS, SUSAN REUSCHEL.
>> I GOT CLOSE TO HER RIGHT HERE, AND HER HAND COMES OUT
AND...
[ IMITATES SWINGING SOUND] >> WAS THERE ANYTHING IN HER
HAND?
>> YEAH, A KNIFE.
>> THERE'S NO WAY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH THAT MY FATHER WOULD STAB
ANYONE.
>> Reporter: WAS MIKE'S DAUGHTER, CAROLINE, A SOURCE OF
CONFLICT IN THE MARRIAGE?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> DIDN'T YOU TELL MICHAEL REUSCHEL THAT YOU HATED
CAROLINE?
>> THOSE WORDS CAME OUT, YEAH.
>> AND, IN FACT, YOU CALLED HER A BITCH.
>> MM-HMM.
>> IS THAT RIGHT?
>> YES.
>> NEVER IN ONE MILLION YEARS WOULD I THINK THAT MY WEDDING
WOULD BE THE CATALYST OF ALL OF THIS.
>> Reporter: WHO DO YOU BELIEVE BROUGHT THE KNIFE INTO
THAT INCIDENT?
>> SUSAN REUSCHEL.
>> Reporter: WHO DO YOU BELIEVE WAS THE ATTACKER IN THE FEBRUARY
2 INCIDENT?
>> SUSAN REUSCHEL.
>> Reporter: AND WHO IS THE VICTIM?
>> MY FATHER.
Captioning sponsored by CBS ♪ ♪
>> Reporter: WHERE WERE YOU AND HOW DID YOU LEARN THAT YOUR
FATHER ON FEBRUARY 3, 2018, HAD BEEN ARRESTED?
>> I WAS IN CHICAGO WITH MY HUSBAND, AND I GOT AN INCOMING
CALL ON MY CELL PHONE.
>> THIS IS A COLLECT CALL FROM...
>> IT WAS A RECORDING THAT SAID, "AN INMATE FROM THE ALACHUA
COUNTY JAIL HAS CALLED YOU."
>> ...AN INMATE AT THE ALACHUA COUNTY...
>> Reporter: MINUTES LATER, THE PHONE RANG AGAIN.
CAROLINE REUSCHEL QUICKLY ANSWERED AND HEARD THE VOICE
SHE'D KNOWN HER ENTIRE LIFE.
>> AND HE SAID, "CAROLINE, YOU HAVETO GET ME OUT OF HERE.
YOU NEED TO CALL MY LAWYER."
AND I DROPPED TO THE SIDEWALK, AND I JUST SAT ON THE SIDEWALK.
>> Reporter: THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE ARREST OF MIKE REUSCHEL
BEGAN TO UNWIND VERY EARLY THAT MORNING AFTER HE CALLED POLICE.
MIKE REPORTED THAT HE AND HIS WIFE, SUE, HAD BEEN STABBED BY
AN INTRUDER INSIDE THEIR HOME IN AN UPSCALE SECTION OF
GAINESVILLE.
SUE'S INJURIES WERE LIFE-THREATENING, AND, AS
MEDICS RUSHED TO SAVE HER, DETECTIVE DAVID VISCONTI WAS
CALLED TO THE SCENE.
>> THERE WAS NO FORCED ENTRY INITIALLY OBSERVED BY ANY OF OUR
DEPUTIES.
>> Reporter: NO BROKEN WINDOW, NO KNOCKED-DOWN DOOR.
NOTHING LIKE THAT AT ALL?
>> Reporter: STILL, VISCONTI HAD NO DOUBT THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE
HAD HAPPENED INSIDE THAT HOUSE.
>> THERE WAS MOST CERTAINLY A STRUGGLE.
THERE WAS A VAST AMOUNT OF BLOOD AROUND THE BED THAT WAS LOCATED
ON THE WALL OF THE BEDROOM.
>> Reporter: BUT OVERALL, THE SCENE WAS MISSING SOMETHING,
VISCONTI SAID, AND HE DID NOT BELIEVE A VIOLENT INTRUDER HAD
BEEN THERE.
>> TYPICALLY, WE'LL SEE MANY THINGS-- KNOCKED-OVER FURNITURE,
ITEMS BROKEN, INDENTATIONS IN THE WALLS, IN THE DRYWALL.
>> Reporter: DID YOU SEE ANY OF THAT?
>> NONE OF THOSE THINGS WERE PRESENT.
>> Reporter: WHAT'S MORE, THE REUSCHELS HAD SECURITY CAMERAS
COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE.
>> THE INTRUDER ALLEGEDLY FLEEING THE HOUSE FROM THAT
DIRECTION IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CAPTURED ON
VIDEO.
>> Reporter: THE VETERAN DETECTIVE WAS BECOMING
SUSPICIOUS.
THEN, HOURS LATER, SUE AWOKE FROM SURGERY AND BROKE THIS CASE
WIDE OPEN, TELLING DETECTIVES THAT THE STORY ABOUT AN INTRUDER
ATTACKING THEM WAS A LIE.
SHE CLAIMED THAT MIKE CONCOCTED THE WHOLE THING AND THAT HE WAS
HER TRUE ASSAILANT.
MIKE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER.
>> HE COULD NEVER HAVE DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
>> Reporter: MIKE'S EX-WIFE, DIDI HOFFMAN, WAS INCREDULOUS.
>> I HAVE KNOWN MICHAEL JAMES REUSCHEL SINCE I WAS 19, AND I
WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY IF I THOUGHT MIKE WAS POSSIBLY
CAPABLE OF HARMING ANOTHER PERSON.
>> Reporter: DIDI MET MIKE IN COLLEGE; THEY MARRIED AND HAD
TWO DAUGHTERS, CAROLINE AND KATE.
DURING YOUR MANY YEARS WITH MIKE, WAS HE EVER PHYSICALLY
ABUSIVE TO YOU?
>> HE NEVER TOUCHED ME.
NOT EVER.
NEVER.
>> Reporter: BUT, LIKE IN MANY MARRIAGES, THERE WERE PROBLEMS.
MIKE MADE MILLIONS IN THE TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS, BUT HIS JOB
REQUIRED HIM TO TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> [ SIGHS] TRUTHFULLY, HE WASN'T AROUND
MUCH, SO IT WAS-- IT WAS HARD.
>> Reporter: IN 2005, AFTER 25 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, DIDI ASKED
FOR A DIVORCE.
DIDI SAID SHE MOVED OUT OF THE FAMILY HOME SO THEIR CHILDREN,
AWAY AT COLLEGE, COULD ALWAYS RETURN TO THE HOUSE WHERE THEY
WERE RAISED.
BUT SOON, ANOTHER WOMAN UNEXPECTEDLY JOINED THE FAMILY.
>> I MOVED OUT IN JULY, BUT THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, SUSAN
MOVES INTO OUR HOUSE.
>> Reporter: SUE WAS THEN 38 YEARS OLD AND A HOSPICE NURSE.
SHE AND MIKE, 49, MET ON MATCH.COM, AND DIDI SAYS SUE
QUICKLY BECAME THE LADY OF THE MANOR.
DIDI SAYS EVERYTHING SHE LEFT BEHIND, INCLUDING HER DOG,
BECAME SUE'S.
>> MIKE AND I WERE REALLY OPPOSITES.
HE WAS ENGAGING AND OUTGOING, AND I WAS REALLY-- AND I THINK I
STILL AM-- MORE RESERVED, NOT QUITE SO EXUBERANT.
AND I THINK HE WAS LOOKING FOR EXUBERANCE.
>> Reporter: CAROLINE REMEMBERS THE FIRST TIME SHE MET SUE AT A
DINNER.
>> AND MY DAD SEEMED TO BE LAUGHING AND HAVING A GOOD TIME.
>> Reporter: BUT CAROLINE SAYS SHE COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE HOW
MUCH SUE WAS DRINKING.
>> WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE TAKE DOWN FIVE TO SIX MARTINIS AND BE
ABLE TO STAND AND SPEAK.
>> Reporter: SOME TWO YEARS AFTER THEY MET, MIKE MARRIED SUE
IN AUGUST 2007.
MIKE STOPPED TRAVELING AND BOUGHT A LOCAL BUSINESS.
THE COUPLE'S HAPPIER TIMES ARE REFLECTED IN SOME OF THE
THOUSANDS OF TEXT MESSAGES THAT SURFACED DURING LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS.
MIKE REFERS TO SUE AS HIS "TROPHY BRIDE" AND WRITES THAT
THEIR LIVES TOGETHER ARE SIMPLY "AMAZING."
BUT CAROLINE SAYS SUE BECAME JEALOUS OF THE CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP SHE HAD WITH HER FATHER AND TRIED TO KEEP THEM
APART.
>> SHE HAD SUCHWALLS AROUND HIM.
HE WOULDN'T CALL ME UNLESS HE WAS IN A CAR ALONE.
HE WASN'T ALLOWED TO TAKE MY CALL IN FRONT OF HER.
>> Reporter: BUT, SURPRISINGLY, WHEN CAROLINE ANNOUNCED IN 2016
THAT SHE WAS GETTING MARRIED, SUE WAS HAPPY TO HELP.
BUT, CAROLINE SAYS, SUE WANTED TO DO IT HER WAY.
>> SUE WAS PRETTY ADAMANT ABOUT THROWING ME A SHOWER.
MY MOTHER WAS INVITED, BUT NONE OF MY MOTHER'S FRIENDS WERE
INVITED.
SO, THE MAJORITY OF THE GUESTS WERE SUE'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
>> Reporter: BUT CAROLINE ADMITS THE SHOWER WASA LOT OF FUN, AND
SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEDDING.
SUE HELPED HER PICK OUT A DRESS.
>> I TRIED ON A DRESS, AND I LIKED IT.
AND SUE KEPT TELLING ME, LIKE, "THIS IS YOUR DRESS.
THIS IS YOUR DRESS.
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS."
>> Reporter: SUE HANDED OVER HER CREDIT CARD, AND IT WAS DONE.
DO YOU MIND ME ASKING HOW MUCH THE DRESS WAS WORTH?
>> UGH, THIS IS SOGAUCHE.
I THINK IT WAS 11.
>> Reporter: $11,000?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: THE WEDDING ITSELF, IN NOVEMBER 2017, WOULD BE A
ROYAL-LIKE AFFAIR.
THE SETTING WAS THE SUMPTUOUS OHEKA CASTLE ON LONG ISLAND.
160 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE WEDDING, AND CAROLINE SAYS THE DAY WAS
"MAGICAL."
>> MY HUSBAND AND I KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE HAD THAT
WEEKEND.
IT WAS BEYOND BEAUTIFUL.
>> Reporter: CAROLINE SAYS IT WAS NEARLY PERFECT EXCEPT FOR
SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT HER EYE, AN UNUSUAL MARK ON HER FATHER'S
FACE.
>> THE LAST THING I SAW BEFORE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE AT MY
WEDDING WAS THIS WHITE SCAR FROM HERE TO HERE.
AND IN MY MIND, I WAS, LIKE, "WHAT ISTHAT?"
>> Reporter: WEEKS LATER, SHE FOUND OUT.
MIKE REVEALED TO CAROLINE WHAT HE SAID WAS A DARK, DISTURBING
SECRET.
HE CLAIMED SUE HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSING HIM FOR
YEARS.
>> I CALLED HIM ON HIS BIRTHDAY, AND I SAID, "HOW ARE YOU DOING?"
AND HE JUST STARTED CRYING.
>> Reporter: IT WAS LATE NOVEMBER, 2017, JUST THREE WEEKS
AFTER HER FAIRYTALE WEDDING, WHEN CAROLINE SAYS HER FATHER
SHARED A DISTURBING SECRET ABOUT SUE THAT HE HAD PROMISED NOT TO
TELL.
>> AND HE SAID, "SUE WAS ARRESTED."
AND HE SAID, "SHE STARTED ATTACKING ME."
AND I THINK HE WAS SO VICTIMIZED THAT HE WAS REALLY SCARED TO
TELL ANYONE.
>> Reporter: SUE HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC BATTERY,
BUT THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY WOULD NOT BECOME PUBLIC
UNTIL TWO YEARS LATER AT MIKE'S TRIAL FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER...
>> DO YOU SWEAR...
>> Reporter: ...WHEN THEY BOTH TESTIFIED ABOUT THE LAST
TUMULTUOUS MONTHS OF THEIR MARRIAGE.
>> MA'AM, PLEASE BE SEATED.
SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS THE STATE OF THEIR MARRIAGE?
>> I-- I THINK IT WAS IN THE LOWEST PLACE THAT IT COULD
POSSIBLY BE BEFORE DIVORCE.
>> I WAS UPSET.
>> Reporter: SUE TOLD PROSECUTOR DAVID BYRON THAT SHORTLY AFTER
CAROLINE'S WEDDING, MIKE TOLD HERIT HAD GONE NEARLY $150,000
OVER BUDGET.
>> WAS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT YOU WERE PARTIALLY UPSET WITH THE
DEFENDANT BUT MOSTLY AT CAROLINE?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: MIKE SAYS SUE ATTACKED HIM WHEN THE FIGHT
ESCALATED.
>> SHE THROWS THE PHONE AT ME AND CHARGES AROUND THE BED,
PUSHES AND STARTS HER TYPICAL BEATING LIKE THIS.
>> Reporter: BUT MIKE DIDN'T CALL 911 THAT DAY; SUE DID.
>> I JUST FELT AS THOUGH THINGS WERE A LITTLE OUT OF CONTROL.
[ SIRENS] >> Reporter: WHEN POLICE
ARRIVED, SUE ADMITTED TO PUSHING MIKE AND AGREED TO GO TO THEIR
BEACH CONDO TO DEFUSE THE SITUATION.
BUT SHE WAS ARRESTED HALF AN HOUR LATER WHEN SHE HADN'T YET
LEFT THE HOUSE.
>> HE SAID, "PLEASE PLACE YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK.
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST."
>> Reporter: SUE TOLD THE JURY THAT SHE WAS ORDERED TO STAY
AWAY FROM MIKE.
SHE MOVED TO THEIR BEACH CONDO AND GOT COUNSELING FOR ALCOHOL
AND ANGER MANAGEMENT.
WEEKS LATER, MIKE DECLINED TO PURSUE THE BATTERY CHARGE, AND
IT WAS DROPPED.
PROSECUTOR SEAN BREWER.
DID SHE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL?
>> SUSAN REUSCHEL HAS TESTIFIED THAT AT TIMES WHEN SHE WOULD
DRINK, SHE WOULD LOSE HER TEMPER.
>> Reporter: BUT MIKE SAYS SUE'S ACTIONS WENT WAYBEYOND A BAD
TEMPER.
HE TOLD THE JURY SHE HAD TORMENTED HIM FOR YEARS.
>> SHE LUNGED AT ME, PUNCHED IN THE FACE, SCRATCHED MY FACE,
PUNCHED ME IN THE ARMS AND BENT MY GLASSES, ACTUALLY.
>> SHE WOULD THROW THINGS AT HIM, VERY HEAVY THINGS LIKE
VASES AND VERY HEAVY COFFEE MUGS.
>> Reporter: SUE DENIES ABUSING MIKE, AND MIKE NEVER REPORTED
ANY OF THE ALLEGED INCIDENTS TO POLICE.
IS IT TRUE THAT YOU HAVE SEEN YOUR FATHER WITH A BLACK EYE?
>> HE'S SENT ME MULTIPLE PICTURES OF HIM WITH A BLACK
EYE.
>> Reporter: MIKE DID TAKE PHOTOS OF SOME INJURIES WHICH HE
SHARED WITH CAROLINE AND, LATER, THE JURY.
>> HE HAS A PICTURE THAT HE SHOWED ME OF HIS FACE GUSHING
BLOOD.
AND THERE WAS ONE MARK FROM HERE TO HERE.
>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTION ADMITS THIS INJURY MAY HAVE BEEN
CAUSED BY SUE, BUT THEY SAY THE EVIDENCE SHOWS SUE WAS FIGHTING
FOR HER LIFE AFTER MIKE ATTACKED HER.
>> THERE ARE TEXT MESSAGES WHERE SHE ACCUSES HIM OF SMOTHERING
HER WITH A PILLOW, WHICH, IN FACT, IS THE SAME INSTANCE THAT
SHE ENDED UP SCRATCHING HIM IN THE FACE.
>> Reporter: DESPITE THE ALLEGED ABUSE AND SUE'S ARREST, MIKE
SAYS HE STILL LOVED HIS WIFE AND WANTED TO STAY MARRIED.
IN FEBRUARY 2018, HE ASKED SUE TO COME TO GAINESVILLE FOR THE
WEEKEND.
>> MIKE HAD ASKED ME TO COME IN.
HE WANTED US TO WORK ON THE MARRIAGE.
>> Reporter: THEY DECIDED TO GO TO THEIR FAVORITE STEAK HOUSE.
THAT'S SUE ON HOME SECURITY VIDEO, GETTING READY AND
ENJOYING A GLASS OF WINE.
MIKE ARRIVES HOME, AND THE TWO SHARE A KISS BEFORE HEADING OUT.
BUT OVER STEAKS AND MORE WINE, OLD WOUNDS REOPENED.
>> HE HAD JUST RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE FROM CAROLINE.
>> Reporter: SUE SAYS THAT'S WHEN MIKE ADMITTED HE HAD
BETRAYED HER TRUST BY TELLING CAROLINE ABOUT SUE'S ARREST.
>> HE AND I BOTH AGREED THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO DISCUSS THAT.
>> Reporter: MIKE DROVE HOME ALONE.
SUE FOLLOWED IN AN UBER, HER ANGER SPILLING INTO A SERIES OF
TEXT MESSAGES ABOUT CAROLINE.
"GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BITCH.
SHE WILL RUIN ANY RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE."
ONCE HOME, THEY WENT TO SEPARATE PARTS OF THE HOUSE.
SUE CONTINUED HER ANGRY TEXTS.
"I AM FILING FOR DIVORCE.
I WILL LEAVE IN THE MORNING."
THE LAST TEXT FROM SUE IS SENT AT 10:13 P.M.
"YOU HAVE SERIOUS BOUNDARY ISSUES WITH YOUR DAUGHTER."
LATER, SUE SAYS SHE WAS ALONE IN THE GUEST ROOM WHEN MIKE
ENTERED.
THERE ARE NO CAMERAS INSIDE THAT ROOM.
>> AND HE JUST HOPPED ON TOP OF ME, AND I FELT, LIKE, THIS
PRESSURE RIGHT HERE.
AND THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, I SAW A KNIFE COME OUT.
I SAID, "OH, MY GOD, MIKE.
DID YOU STAB ME?" AND HE SAID, "YES."
>> AT SOME POINT, DOES HE SAY SOMETHING TO YOU?
>> HE SAID, "SUE, WE'RE NOT GETTING A DIVORCE."
>> Reporter: SUE SAYS MIKE WAS ON TOP OF HER, PINNING HER ARMS
WITH HIS LEGS.
IN THE STRUGGLE, HER LEFT THUMB WAS SLICED.
THEN, SHE SAYS, MIKE STABBED HER AGAIN.
>> IN MY NECK, RIGHT HERE.
>> Reporter: SUE SAYS MIKE THEN STARTED SLASHING HER WRIST.
>> I FELT LIKE HE WAS MUTILATING ME.
MY HAND, IT WAS LIKE, JUST...
I COULDN'T FEEL ANYTHING, AND I COULD SEE INTO MY ARM.
>> Reporter: LOSING BLOOD, HER LIFE IN DANGER, SUE SAYS SHE
VOMITED AND LOST CONTROL OF HER BODILY FUNCTIONS.
SHE SAYS SHE TRIED TO WRIGGLE OUT FROM UNDER MIKE, AND THEY
ENDED UP LYING SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE BED.
>> HE JUST SAID TO ME, "SUE, WE'RE JUST GOING TO LAY HERE
UNTIL YOU DIE."
>> Reporter: SUE SAYS AS SHE WAS LYING THERE, STRUGGLING TO STAY
AWAKE, SHE SAW MIKE RAISE THE KNIFE YET AGAIN.
DESPERATE, SHE OFFERED HIM A WAY OUT.
>> I SAID, "MICHAEL, WE DON'T HAVE TO DIVORCE.
I WON'T DIVORCE YOU.
JUST PUT THE KNIFE DOWN."
>> Reporter: SUE SAYS AFTER MIKE PUT THE KNIFE DOWN, SHE BEGGED
HIM TO CALL FOR HELP, BUT HE WOULD ONLY DO THAT IF SHEAGREED
TO SAY AN INTRUDER HAD STABBED HER.
>> WHEN SHE AGREES TO GO WITH HIS STORY OF THE INTRUDERS, SHE
SAVED HER LIFE.
>> Reporter: A TOXIC MARRIAGE, TEXTS BRIMMING WITH HATE, AND A
BLOODY ROOM.
MIKE REUSCHEL'S FUTURE WILL NOW DEPEND ON WHETHER HECAN
CONVINCE JURORS THAT HEIS THE REAL VICTIM.
RESPONDERS ENTERED THIS BLOODY SCENE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
OF FEBRUARY 3, 2018, THEY'D BEEN TOLD BY MIKE REUSCHEL THAT A
STRANGER HAD BROKEN INTO THEIR HOME AND ASSAULTED HIS WIFE AND
THEN HIM WITH A KNIFE.
BUT IN COURT NOW WITH HIS DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, PATRICK
McGUINNESS AND ANN FINNELL, MIKE ADMITS THATSTORY WAS A LIE AND
SAYS HE'S FINALLY READY TO TELL THE TRUTH.
HE SAYS, DESPITE SUE'S DRINKING AND VIOLENT OUTBURSTS, HE WAS
HOPING TO RECONCILE THAT NIGHT.
>> I DON'T CARE IF SHE'S A MELLOW DRUNK THE REST OF HER
LIFE, JUST THE ANGER'S GOT TO GO.
>> Reporter: BUT AT DINNER, ONCE AGAIN, THEY FOUGHT ABOUT
CAROLINE, AND THAT FIGHT CONTINUED BACK AT THE HOUSE.
AFTER THAT, MIKE AND SUE'S STORIES DIVERGE.
MIKE SAYS HE CAME INTO THE GUEST ROOM A LITTLE AFTER 10:00 AND
WAS STARTLED TO SEE SUE KNEELING ON THE BED, HOLDING A KNIFE.
>> I SAID, "SUE, GIVE ME THE KNIFE."
AND THEN, NEXT THING I KNOW, I FELT SEARING HEAT.
THAT'S-- THAT'S ALL I REMEMBER, AND I'M JUST TRYING TO GET MY
HANDS ON IT.
AND I'M ON THE BED WITH HER NOW.
WE'RE ALL ON OUR KNEES.
>> Reporter: MIKE DOESN'T SAY HOW HE GOT HISHANDS ON THE
KNIFE, BUT HE SAYS, AS THEY STRUGGLED AND FELL OVER ON THE
BED, HE FELT THE BLADE GO INTO SUE'S STOMACH.
>> NOW, SHE'S FALLING BACKWARDS, AND I'M FALLING IN FRONT AND ON
TOP.
I FELT THE KNIFE PENETRATE HERE, AND I-- I ROLLED OFF AS FAST AS
I COULD BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THAT IF THAT WENT IN HER, IT
WOULD KILL HER.
>> Reporter: MIKE OFFERS NO EXPLANATION FOR HOW SUE WAS
STABBED IN THE NECK...
>> RIGHT HERE.
>> Reporter: ..OR THUMB, BUT HE DOES SAY ABOUT ONE MINUTE INTO
THE STRUGGLE, HE SOMEHOW CALMED HER DOWN AND PUT THE KNIFE OUT
OF REACH.
>> NOW, YOU'RE BOTH BLEEDING DURING THIS POINT IN TIME,
RIGHT?
>> YEAH, BUT IT'S NOT SPURTING, AND THERE'S NO BLOOD AT ALL YOU
CAN SEE ON SUE THROUGH THE-- THROUGH HERE.
>> Reporter: MIKE SAYS HE WANTED TO CALL FOR HELP RIGHT AWAY, BUT
SUE WOULDN'T LET HIM BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID SHE'D BE ARRESTED
AGAIN.
>> I SAID, "SUE, WE NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL."
AND SHE SAID, "THEN MAKE UP A STORY SO I DON'T GET ARRESTED."
>> Reporter: MIKE SAYS THEY ARGUED ABOUT A POSSIBLE COVER
STORY, BUT, THEN, AS BIZARRE AS IT SOUNDS, THEY JUST LAY
TOGETHER BLEEDING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, HAVING WHAT MIKE SAYS WAS
ONE OF THE BEST CONVERSATIONS OF THEIR LIVES ABOUT FUTURE
VACATIONS TO EUROPE.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT GOING TO GERMANY ON THE RHINE AND MOSELLE
RIVER CRUISE.
MAYBE WE'D DO BURGUNDY NEXT.
>> Reporter: IF MIKE IS SPEAKING THE TRUTH, THIS HAPPY
CONVERSATION HAPPENED ON A BED SOAKED WITH BLOOD AND HUMAN
WASTE.
>> GREECE, BECAUSE WE'VE NEVER BEEN TO GREECE, AND CAROLINE...
>> Reporter: MIKE NEVER MENTIONS THAT...
>> TUSCANY AND FLORENCE.
>> Reporter: ...AND PROSECUTOR DAVID BYRON SUSPECTS WHY.
IS THIS BELIEVABLE?
>> I DON'T THINK IT'S BELIEVABLE AT ALL.
HE HELD HER THERE, AND HE CAN'T ADMIT THAT.
MICHAEL REUSCHEL HAD MONTHS AND MONTHS TO GO OVER THE EVIDENCE
AND CONSTRUCT A STORY THAT FIT WITH THINGS THAT HE COULDN'T
ADMIT.
>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO MIKE, AT ABOUT 3:00 A.M., THEIR DOG,
SUSIE, WANDERED IN TO THIS BLOODY SCENE WHERE VIOLENCE WAS
ABOUT TO ERUPT AGAIN.
>> I GET UP OUT OF THE BED TO DEAL WITH THE DOG, AND-- AND
BEHIND ME WAS THE KNIFE.
AND, NEXT THING I KNOW, SHE SLICED HER RIGHT WRIST WITH HER
LEFT HAND.
>> DID YOU TALK TO HER ABOUT WHY SHE HAD CUT HERSELF?
>> YEAH.
SHE SAID SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO TO JAIL.
I SAID, "SUE, I'M NOTGOING TO SEND YOU TO JAIL.
I'M NOT GOING TO GET YOU ARRESTED.
CALM DOWN."
AND SHE GOES, "YOU PROMISE?
YOU PROMISE?" I SAID, "YES."
>> Reporter: AS MIKE TELLS IT, SUE COOKED UP THE WHOLE IDEA TO
LIE TO POLICE, AND HE RELUCTANTLY AGREED IN ORDER TO
PROTECT HER.
>> I SAID, "THEN, THE ONLY CHANCE I HAVE IS TO TURN THE
CAMERAS OFF, TO GIVE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SOMEONE BROKE
IN AND DID THIS TO US."
>> Reporter: MIKE SAYS AFTER SUE CUT HER OWN WRIST, HE LEFT THE
ROOM TO TURN OFF SECURITY CAMERAS AND STAGE A BREAK-IN.
25 MINUTES PASSED BEFORE HE CALLED 911 AND TURNED THE
CAMERAS ON AGAIN.
>> AND HE'S DOING THAT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WITH EVERY BEAT
OF HER HEART, MORE OF HER BLOOD IS POURING INTO THAT BED.
>> Reporter: BUT THE DEFENSE THINKS THE BLOOD AT THE CRIME
SCENE HELPS TO PROVE THEIRCASE.
>> PEOPLE LIE.
THE FORENSICS DON'T LIE.
AND THAT'S WHY THE BLOOD SPATTER WAS SOIMPORTANT IN THIS CASE.
>> Reporter: MICHAEL BERKLAND IS A FORMER DOCTOR AND BLOODSTAIN
PATTERN ANALYST WHO TESTIFIED FOR THE DEFENSE.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT BLOOD EVIDENCE INSIDE
THAT BEDROOM?
>> THE ARTERIAL SPURT PATTERNS.
>> Reporter: BERKLAND SAYS HE REVIEWED RECORDS WHICH STATED A
SMALL ARTERY IN SUE'S WRIST WAS CUT THAT NIGHT, AND HE BELIEVES
THE BLOOD HERE ON THE PILLOWCASE AND HERE ON THE NIGHTSTAND CAME
FROM THAT ARTERY.
>> THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT ARTERIES, THOUGH, IS THAT YOU
GET BLOOD COMING OUT OF THAT WITH EVERY BEAT OF THE HEART.
>> Reporter: BERKLAND USES STAGE BLOOD AND A SMALL SYRINGE TO
DEMONSTRATE THE WAY SUE'S BLOOD MAY HAVE TRAVELED, MAKING A LINE
OR FINE SPRAY OF DROPS.
SO, THE BLOOD, IN YOUR OPINION, GIVES US A TIMELINE AS TO WHEN
SUE'S WRIST WAS ACTUALLY CUT.
>> CORRECT, BECAUSE ARTERIES DON'T CLOSE UP ON THEIR OWN.
>> Reporter: REMEMBER, SUE SAYS THE ATTACK, INCLUDING THE CUTS
TO HER WRIST, STARTED SOMETIME AFTER 10:13 P.M., BUT MIKE SAYS
SUE CUT HER OWNWRIST AT AROUND 3:00 A.M., HOURS LATER.
BERKLAND SAYS IF SUE'S WRIST WAS CUT BEFORE 11:00, SHE WOULD HAVE
DIED LONG BEFORE HELP ARRIVED.
HOW MUCH TIME DID SHE HAVE TO LIVE, IN YOUR OPINION?
>> IF THE WOUNDS HAPPENED NO LATER THAN 11:00, SHE'S DEAD
BEFORE IT EVER HITS MIDNIGHT.
>> Reporter: WHICH LEADS YOUTO BELIEVE WHAT?
>> WHEN IT COMES TO THIS INJURY TO THE WRIST, MICHAEL'S STORY
MAKES MORE SENSE.
>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE TEAM SAYS IF WE CAN'T TRUST SUE'S
ACCOUNT ABOUT WHAT TIME THINGS HAPPENED, THEN HER ENTIRE STORY
IS SUSPECT.
>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE HAPPENED THE WAY SHE
CLAIMS IT DID.
>> THIS IS THE KNIFE THAT WAS USED TO STAB SUSAN.
>> Reporter: ...ENCASED IN PROTECTIVE PLASTIC...
THIS IS A LOT OF BLOOD.
>> THIS IS A LOT OF BLOOD.
>> Reporter: ...ARE THE REMNANTS OF THE VICIOUS CONFRONTATION
INSIDE THAT BEDROOM THAT PROSECUTOR SEAN BREWER IS
CERTAIN CONTAIN EVIDENCE OF AN ATTEMPTED MURDER.
THIS IS MIKE REUSCHEL'S PAJAMAS?
>> YES, AND THEY ARE SOAKED IN BLOOD.
>> Reporter: AND WHOSE BLOOD IS THAT?
>> WELL, SUSAN IS THE ONE THAT HAD THE INJURIES THAT PROVIDED
THE MASS AMOUNT OF BLEEDING.
>> Reporter: SO, IF BLOOD COULD TALK, THIS BLOOD IS TELLING YOU
WHAT?
>> THIS BLOOD IS TELLING ME THAT MICHAEL WAS ON TOP OF HER WHILE
HE WAS STABBING HER, AND SHE WAS BLEEDING QUITE A BIT WITHOUT ANY
AID.
>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS SAY THIS EVIDENCE BACKS UP SUE'S
TESTIMONY THAT MIKE ATTACKED HER.
THEY ALSO SAY THE ITEMS ON THAT BEDSIDE TABLE HELP PROVE THIS
WAS NOT A DYNAMIC FIGHT BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE.
DAVID BYRON SAYS THAT ONLY ONE PERSON HAD CONTROL OF THE
SITUATION: MIKE REUSCHEL.
>> THERE'S A FULL GLASS OF WINE, THERE'S SOME GLASSES, THERE'S A
LAMP.
AND IT'S EVIDENCE OF THE FACT THAT MICHAEL REUSCHEL WAS SO
PHYSICALLY CAPABLE OF CONSTRAINING HER THAT NONE OF
THOSE THINGS ARE DISTURBED.
>> Reporter: AND THE PROSECUTION DISPUTES DEFENSE EXPERT MICHAEL
BERKLAND'S CLAIM THAT THESE STAINS ON THE NIGHTSTAND CAME
FROM SPURTING BLOOD FROM SUE'S WRIST.
INSTEAD, THEIR EXPERT SAYS THE BLOOD WAS MOST LIKELY CASTOFF
FLUNG FROM THE KNIFE AND NOT FROM SUE CUTTING HER OWN WRIST.
>> THE CASTOFF SHOWS THAT HE WAS SWINGING THAT KNIFE AS HE'S
PLUNGING IT INTO HER STOMACH AND INTO HER NECK.
>> WE CALL DR. BERKLAND TO THE STAND.
>> Reporter: PROSECUTOR BREWER NOT ONLY ATTACKS BERKLAND'S
CONCLUSIONS, HE ALSO CHALLENGES HIS CREDIBILITY, LETTING JURORS
KNOW THAT HIS MEDICAL LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED, AND HE WAS LATER
ARRESTED FOR STORING BODY PARTS FROM AUTOPSIES IN TUPPERWARE
CONTAINERS IN AN UNUSUAL PLACE.
>> YOU WERE STORING THEM AT UNCLE BOB'S STORAGE SHED,
WEREN'T YOU?
>> IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ROOM.
>> WERE YOU STORING THEM AT UNCLE BOB'S STORAGE SHED?
>> YEAH.
>> AND THE ACTUAL ORGANS THAT YOU WERE STORING INCLUDED BRAINS
AND HEARTS?
>> I DID HAVE SOME HEARTS AND BRAINS, YES.
>> Reporter: BERKLAND SAYS THE ORGANS WERE PRESERVED FOR
PRIVATE CASES HE WAS WORKING ON WHILE HE WAS STILL A LICENSED
DOCTOR.
>> I USED THE STORAGE LOCKER BECAUSE THEY WERE SAFE AND
SECURE.
EITHER THAT OR I PUT THEM IN MY HOUSE.
THIS WAS SAFER THAN MY HOUSE.
>> Reporter: THE CHARGES WERE LATER DROPPED.
PROSECUTORS ALSO WANT THE JURY TO KNOW THAT THE SEVERITY OF
SUE'S WRIST WOUND SUGGESTS SHE DID NOT DO IT HERSELF.
>> THE ONE THAT WAS TRULY LIFE-THREATENING WAS THE-- THE
CUTS THAT THE DEFENDANT MADE TO HER WRIST.
>> SHE WAS CUT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BONE.
>> Reporter: MIKE'S INJURIES WERE A LOT LESS SERIOUS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, HE HAD SOME SMALL CUTS ON HIS FINGERS AND
STOMACH.
AND SUE SAYS THESE LARGER CUTS TO HIS FOREARMS WERE, IN FACT,
SELF-INFLICTED.
>> HE PUT THE KNIFE IN MY HAND, AND HE STABBED HIMSELF IN THE
ARM.
>> Reporter: AND WHAT ABOUT THAT STORY MIKE TOLD INVESTIGATORS,
THAT AN INTRUDER DID ALL THIS?
THE PROSECUTION SAYS IT WAS ALL HISIDEA TO COVER UP WHAT HE
HAD DONE.
>> HE TURNED OFF THE CAMERAS AND DID THINGS TO MAKE THE POLICE
BELIEVE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A BURGLAR.
>> Reporter: AND THE MOTIVE FOR THIS ALLEGED ATTACK?
THE PROSECUTION BELIEVES IT WAS ALL ABOUT MONEY, THAT MIKE
DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE UP HALF OF HIS FORTUNE, MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS, IN A DIVORCE.
>> YOU DIDN'T TELL THIS JURY THAT AFTER ALL YOU'VE BEEN
THROUGH, IT DIDN'T SEEM FAIR FOR SUSAN TO TAKE HALF YOUR MONEY?
>> YEAH, THAT IS TRUE.
IT DIDN'T SEEM FAIR.
>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTION REFUTES MIKE'S CLAIMS THAT HE
STILL WANTED TO RECONCILE THE TROUBLED MARRIAGE BY POINTING
OUT THAT HE HAD VISITED THREE DATING SITES.
>> UKRAINIAN SINGLE GIRL, IRINA.
SHE'S 18 YEARS OLD, RIGHT?
>> I LOOKED AT PICTURES OF WOMEN WITH CLOTHES ON, YES, SIR.
>> I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE CLOTHES ON, SIR.
THE QUESTION I'M ASKING IS, YOU WERE LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT
GIRLFRIEND, RIGHT?
>> NO, I'LL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
>> SURE.
>> ALL I WANT OUT OF A WOMAN IN MY LIFE IS SOMEONE TO BE KIND
AND NICE TO ME.
THAT'S ALL I CARE ABOUT.
I LOOKED AT PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF HOW THEY WOULD
TREAT THEIR MALE.
AND SUE AND I LOOKED AT THESE TOGETHER MANY TIMES IN-- IN OUR
RELATIONSHIP, SAYING, "SUE, THAT'S ALL I NEED FROM ANYBODY.
PLEASE BE NICE TO ME, PLEASE."
>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE COUNTERS THAT MIKE'S OTHER
INTERNET SEARCHES PROVE THAT HE WAS BEING ABUSED BY SUE.
>> DID YOU VISIT NUMEROUS SITES RELATED TO BATTERED HUSBANDS?
>> YES, I DID.
>> HE HAS ALL OF THE ECONOMIC RESOURCES.
HE'S NOT CUT OFF FROM ANY FAMILY MEMBERS.
MICHAEL REUSCHEL DOESN'T MEET ANYOF THE CRITERIA FOR WHAT A
BATTERED SPOUSE IS.
>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE ALSO TRIES TO COUNTER SUE'S CLAIM
THAT MIKE'S ATTACK CAME AFTER SHE THREATENED DIVORCE.
THEY PRODUCED DOZENS OF TEXT MESSAGES GOING BACK TO 2015 THAT
SHOW SUE HAD MADE THAT THREAT MANY, MANY TIMES.
>> YOU ACTUALLY SAY, "FOR THE 50th TIME, I WANT A DIVORCE."
>> IT'S JUST AN EXPRESSION, LIKE SAYING, "FOR THE, YOU KNOW,
100th TIME."
>> BUT IT IS ABOUT 50 TIMES, ISN'T IT?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
I DIDN'T COUNT.
>> Reporter: AND DEFENSE ATTORNEY ANN FINNELL SUGGESTS
THOSE TEXTS ALSO REVEAL SUE'S DESTRUCTIVE INTENTIONS.
>> HAVE YOU TOLD HIM, "I HATE YOU"?
>> YES.
>> OKAY.
YOU'VE SAID, "I WILL DESTROY YOU."
>> YES.
>> AND ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY IN 2017, "HATE YOU.
HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY.
I'M DIVORCING YOU, YOU [ BLEEP]."
YOU SAID THAT.
>> YES.
>> Reporter: IN HER CLOSING ARGUMENT, FINNELL INSISTS MIKE
WOULD NEVER TRY TO KILL FOR MONEY.
SHE SAYS SUEWAS THE AGGRESSOR THAT NIGHT AND MIKE WAS JUST
DEFENDING HIMSELF.
>> SHE HATES EVERYBODY.
SHE HATES HIS DAUGHTERS, SHE HATES HIS FORMER SPOUSE.
THAT'S HOW HATEFUL THIS WOMAN WAS AND IS.
>> Reporter: BUT THE PROSECUTION SAYS THERE IS NO QUESTION MIKE
WANTED SUE DEAD.
>> THIS IS NOT A FRENZIED STRUGGLE BETWEEN TWO ADULTS.
THIS IS A BLOODBATH COMMITTED BY ONE PERSON WHO HAS IMPRISONED
THE OTHER ON THAT BED.
>> Reporter: IN THE WAR OF THE REUSCHELS, JURORS WILL SOON
DECIDE WHICH ONE THEY BELIEVE.
>> Reporter: AS THE JURY GOES OUT TO DELIBERATE, WHAT ARE
THOSE MINUTES AND HOURS LIKE FOR YOU?
>> I-- I JUST, LIKE, COULDN'T TALK TO ANYONE.
[ SNIFFS] I SPENT THE PAST YEAR AND A
HALF, LIKE, MENTALLY PREPARING MYSELF FOR THE WORST AND HOPING
FOR THE BEST.
>> Reporter: CAROLINE DOES NOT HAVE LONG TO WAIT.
>> ALL RISE FOR THE JURY.
>> Reporter: AFTER A NINE-DAY TRIAL, IT TOOK LITTLE MORE THAN
FOUR HOURS FOR THE JURY TO REACH A VERDICT.
THEY SAY A QUICK VERDICT IS OFTEN A PROSECUTOR'S VERDICT.
>> IT'S A THOUGHT THAT CREEPS INTO YOUR HEAD, BUT YOU NEVER
REALLY KNOW WHAT A JURY IS GOING TO DO.
>> MEMBERS OF THE JURY, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE REACHED A
VERDICT?
>> WE HAVE, YOUR HONOR.
>> WOULD YOU PLEASE PASS IT TO MY BAILIFF?
>> "WE, THE JURY, UNANIMOUSLY FIND AS FOLLOWS FOR DEFENDANT
MICHAEL JAMES REUSCHEL IN THIS CASE.
AS TO COUNT ONE, THE DEFENDANT IS GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED
FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AS CHARGED."
>> Reporter: GUILTY.
MIKE REUSCHEL IS CONVICTED OF THE MOST SERIOUS COUNT AGAINST
HIM.
>> WE WERE ALL SO SHOCKED.
[ SNIFFS] >> "AS TO COUNT TWO, THE
DEFENDANT IS GUILTY OF FALSE IMPRISONMENT."
>> Reporter: IN QUICK SUCCESSION, THE JURY ALSO FINDS
REUSCHEL GUILTY OF FOUR ADDITIONAL CRIMES, INCLUDING
FALSE IMPRISONMENT AND TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE.
>> JUROR NUMBER 51, IS THIS YOUR TRUE VERDICT?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: JURORS UTTERLY REJECT MIKE'S STORY OF A KNIFE
FIGHT WITH HIS WIFE.
PROSECUTOR SEAN BREWER SAYS JUSTICE WAS SERVED TO A MAN WHO
LIED TO INVESTIGATORS AND TO THE JURY.
>> MICHAEL WENT THROUGH GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND KILL SUSAN.
HE JUST WASN'T VERY GOOD AT IT.
>> Reporter: AND WHAT'S MORE, BREWER SAYS, MIKE REUSCHEL TRIED
TO KILL SUE NOT ONCE BUT TWICE.
WHILE HE WAS IN JAIL AWAITING TRIAL, AN INFORMANT CAME FORWARD
TO CLAIM MIKE TRIED TO HIRE A HIT MAN TO KILL SUE, A CHARGE
MIKE STRONGLY DENIES.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR FATHER, IN JAIL, PLOTTED TO HIRE SOMEONE
TO MURDER HIS WIFE?
>> NO.
HONESTLY, I DON'T MEAN TO LAUGH, BUT IT IS BEYOND LAUGHABLE.
>> Reporter: AS WE WERE INTERVIEWING CAROLINE, SHE GOT A
PHONE CALL THAT SURPRISED US.
>> DAD?
HI!
I'M GOOD.
I'M WITH "48 HOURS" RIGHT NOW, LITERALLY, WITH CAMERAS.
>> Reporter: MIKE REUSCHEL ALLOWED ME TO ASK A FEW
QUESTIONS.
MIKE, I JUST WANT TO HEAR YOU TELL ME.
DID YOU TAKE A KNIFE INTO THE ROOM THAT NIGHT ON FEBRUARY 2,
2018, AND ATTACK YOUR WIFE?
AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THE TRUTH?
IN DECEMBER 2019, EVERYONE RETURNS TO JUDGE WILLIAM DAVIS'
COURTROOM FOR SENTENCING.
THE VICTIM IN THIS CRIME, SUE REUSCHEL, DOES NOT APPEAR IN
PERSON.
>> YOU MAY STAND, FACE THE JUDGE AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND,
PLEASE.
>> Reporter: WHEN IT'S CAROLINE'S TURN TO SPEAK, THE
MOMENT IS CHARGED WITH EMOTION.
>> NO ONE IS AS POSITIVE, CARING AND GENEROUS AS THIS MAN.
[ SOBBING] I WILL SAY... I AM AND WILL
ALWAYS BE A PROUD DAUGHTER.
>> HE IS ONE OF THE MOST CARING, KIND, GENTLE PEOPLE I HAVE EVER
MET.
>> Reporter: SEVERAL COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS SPEAK OF MIKE IN
GLOWING TERMS.
>> HE IS A GOOD PERSON.
>> THE MIKE REUSCHEL I KNOW IS A STAND-UP GENTLEMAN.
>> Reporter: THEN, JUDGE WILLIAM DAVIS TOOK CENTER STAGE.
>> MR. REUSCHEL, WILL YOU PLEASE STAND.
>> Reporter: MIKE WAS ABOUT TO LEARN HIS FATE.
>> THE PERSON I HEARD THROUGH THE EVIDENCE AND THE WITNESSES
WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS COLD.
THEY WERE BRUTAL.
ON COUNT ONE, THE ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE PREMEDITATED
MURDER, I'M GOING TO SENTENCE YOU TO 30 YEARS' IMPRISONMENT.
>> Reporter: ALL TOLD, THE JUDGE GIVES REUSCHEL 30 YEARS, NOT THE
50 YEARS REQUESTED BY PROSECUTORS.
BUT FOR MIKE, WHO IS 64 YEARS OLD, IT IS, IN ESSENCE, A LIFE
SENTENCE.
HERE ARE TWO SOPHISTICATED PEOPLE, VERY WEALTHY, LIVING IN
PARADISE IN ONE OF MOST BEAUTIFUL PARTS OF FLORIDA, AND
YET THEY COULDN'T WORK THIS OUT.
IT'S A REAL TRAGEDY, ISN'T IT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I MEAN, WHEN YOU HEAR WHO MICHAEL AND SUSAN REUSCHEL WERE
BEFORE THIS ALL OCCURRED, THEY LIVED EXEMPLARY AND MOSTLY
NORMAL LIVES.
AND TO SEE IT GET TO THIS POINT REALLY IS A TRAGEDY.
>> Reporter: THE WAR OF THE REUSCHELS IS NOT OVER.
MIKE AND SUE ARE DIVORCING AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT OVER THE
MARITAL ASSETS, INCLUDING THE HOUSE WHERE SUE WAS NEARLY
STABBED TO DEATH.
Captioning sponsored by CBS >> A CALIFORNIA LAWYER,
MURDERED.
>> THIS LOOKED LIKE A TARGETED ASSASSINATION.
THIS GUY, DRESSED AS A DELIVERYMAN...
>> ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A MATCHING DEADLY ATTACK AT A
JUDGE'S HOME.
>> WHO WOULD WANT TO HURT THE JUDGE?
>> WERE THE CRIMES CONNECTED?
"48 HOURS," NEXT ON CBS.