1 00:00:07,607 --> 00:00:10,008 [female narrator] before snapped became 2 00:00:10,077 --> 00:00:11,209 One of the longest-running true crime series 3 00:00:11,211 --> 00:00:13,078 In television history, 4 00:00:13,147 --> 00:00:16,348 Launching a true crime phenomenon, 5 00:00:16,416 --> 00:00:18,984 One case started it all... 6 00:00:19,987 --> 00:00:22,687 A respected doctor and his alluring wife 7 00:00:22,689 --> 00:00:25,690 Are living large in the heart of dixie. 8 00:00:25,759 --> 00:00:29,228 They had money, the nice cars, the furs, the jewelry. 9 00:00:29,296 --> 00:00:33,398 This doctor's worth a little in excess of $6 million. 10 00:00:33,466 --> 00:00:35,700 [narrator] until their home becomes the scene 11 00:00:35,702 --> 00:00:37,603 Of unspeakable horror. 12 00:00:44,678 --> 00:00:49,280 There was a bat next to him with blood all over it. 13 00:00:49,282 --> 00:00:50,949 That's called overkill. 14 00:00:51,018 --> 00:00:53,284 [narrator] investigators are at a loss 15 00:00:53,354 --> 00:00:57,355 Until a tip reveals a devious plot. 16 00:00:57,424 --> 00:01:00,325 [joan] this informant says, "I heard this guy say 17 00:01:00,393 --> 00:01:03,261 He was gonna murder a doctor in huntsville." 18 00:01:03,263 --> 00:01:06,398 He wanted $5000 for the hit. 19 00:01:06,467 --> 00:01:07,900 [narrator] twin sisters get caught 20 00:01:07,968 --> 00:01:10,869 At the center of the investigation. 21 00:01:10,937 --> 00:01:12,104 [joan] they're fraternal twins. 22 00:01:12,172 --> 00:01:14,273 They're each other's best friend. 23 00:01:14,275 --> 00:01:15,940 She saw her sister in a predicament 24 00:01:15,942 --> 00:01:17,842 That was very unpleasant. 25 00:01:17,911 --> 00:01:21,846 [narrator] what would it take to make them snap? 26 00:01:21,915 --> 00:01:25,316 One is either walking around free and should not be 27 00:01:25,386 --> 00:01:29,054 Or one is sitting in prison and should be free herself. 28 00:01:29,122 --> 00:01:30,722 You can't have both. 29 00:01:32,893 --> 00:01:41,500 [theme music] 30 00:01:44,371 --> 00:01:47,039 [narrator] boulder circle is one of huntsville, alabama's 31 00:01:47,107 --> 00:01:50,075 Most exclusive neighborhoods. 32 00:01:50,143 --> 00:01:55,614 This particular section of town they, they called pill hill 33 00:01:55,682 --> 00:01:58,683 Because all the doctors were building houses. 34 00:01:58,752 --> 00:02:01,052 [joan] the homes are virtually mansions. 35 00:02:01,054 --> 00:02:02,320 It's the kind of thing you expect 36 00:02:02,389 --> 00:02:04,122 When you're rolling through someplace 37 00:02:04,190 --> 00:02:06,291 Like, say, bel air or beverly hills. 38 00:02:08,962 --> 00:02:13,898 [narrator] on Friday, may 22nd, 1992, at 9:30 pm, 39 00:02:13,967 --> 00:02:18,971 A rare 911 call comes in from the upscale neighborhood. 40 00:02:19,039 --> 00:02:22,874 46-year-old betty wilson is on the line. 41 00:02:22,943 --> 00:02:24,076 [georgi] when betty called 911, 42 00:02:24,144 --> 00:02:27,079 She was completely freaked out. 43 00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:28,714 Something terrible had happened 44 00:02:44,398 --> 00:02:47,699 [narrator] betty says she thinks 55-year-old jack wilson 45 00:02:47,768 --> 00:02:50,735 Has been attacked. 46 00:02:50,804 --> 00:02:55,540 She says she saw jack lying in a, a pool of blood. 47 00:02:55,609 --> 00:02:58,710 She freaked out and ran to a neighbor's house. 48 00:03:13,193 --> 00:03:14,492 [glen] I was on second shift that night, 49 00:03:14,561 --> 00:03:16,327 And I was actually responding-- 50 00:03:16,397 --> 00:03:18,997 I had responded to a call in the neighborhood, 51 00:03:19,065 --> 00:03:21,866 Probably about six blocks from that house, 52 00:03:21,868 --> 00:03:24,603 So I responded quickly. 53 00:03:24,671 --> 00:03:27,039 I secured the whole house, the whole yard, everything. 54 00:03:27,808 --> 00:03:30,309 [narrator] seeing no sign of an attacker, 55 00:03:30,311 --> 00:03:33,312 Officers locate jack inside. 56 00:03:35,548 --> 00:03:37,882 [glen] the landing at the top of the stairwell 57 00:03:37,884 --> 00:03:39,551 Is where mr. Wilson was. 58 00:03:39,620 --> 00:03:41,520 Uh, he was laying on his back. 59 00:03:41,588 --> 00:03:44,322 There was blood all over the floor 60 00:03:44,324 --> 00:03:47,425 And then blood splatter on the wall. 61 00:03:47,427 --> 00:03:52,164 It's clear he's been beaten. He has a lot of wounds. 62 00:03:52,232 --> 00:03:54,833 Both of his arms were fractured. 63 00:03:54,901 --> 00:03:57,169 They're looking around for clue 64 00:03:57,237 --> 00:04:02,207 To exactly what happened in this space, in this hallway. 65 00:04:02,275 --> 00:04:05,777 Was someone waiting for him in the house? 66 00:04:05,846 --> 00:04:07,445 It's just really not clear. 67 00:04:07,514 --> 00:04:08,980 These are all things that detectives 68 00:04:09,049 --> 00:04:10,649 Are gonna try to put together 69 00:04:10,717 --> 00:04:14,486 As they move forward with their investigation. 70 00:04:20,460 --> 00:04:24,929 [narrator] jack ray wilson was born in chicago in 1937 71 00:04:24,998 --> 00:04:27,399 And raised by adoptive parents. 72 00:04:28,935 --> 00:04:30,935 He grew up with poor eyesight, 73 00:04:31,004 --> 00:04:33,305 So as an adult, he focused on helping others 74 00:04:33,373 --> 00:04:36,308 Who struggled with the same. 75 00:04:36,376 --> 00:04:39,944 [georgi] jack wilson was an ophthalmologist. 76 00:04:39,946 --> 00:04:43,248 Everybody loved dr. Wilson because he was, um, 77 00:04:43,316 --> 00:04:45,817 An eccentric character-- 78 00:04:45,886 --> 00:04:51,590 Funny, kind, and he often did surgeries for free. 79 00:04:51,658 --> 00:04:54,425 People talked nonstop about what a great doctor, what he--he was, 80 00:04:54,495 --> 00:04:56,461 What a kind person he was. 81 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:03,702 [narrator] though he was beloved in his professional life, 82 00:05:03,770 --> 00:05:07,538 Jack's private life was more complicated. 83 00:05:07,608 --> 00:05:10,709 [georgi] he married early and they had three children. 84 00:05:10,777 --> 00:05:13,478 And they divorced. 85 00:05:13,546 --> 00:05:17,882 Jack wilson's previous wife had custody of the children, 86 00:05:17,951 --> 00:05:21,552 But they had a great relationship with their father. 87 00:05:21,622 --> 00:05:24,489 [narrator] quietly healing from his broken heart, 88 00:05:24,558 --> 00:05:29,928 In 1976, jack met an attractive young nurse named betty. 89 00:05:29,996 --> 00:05:33,532 [joan] jack and betty met at a hospital. 90 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:37,101 She has that sort of indescribable... 91 00:05:37,103 --> 00:05:38,470 Southern charm 92 00:05:38,538 --> 00:05:41,306 That southern ladies oftentimes have, 93 00:05:41,374 --> 00:05:45,410 That honey accent, that sweet expression. 94 00:05:48,348 --> 00:05:53,118 [narrator] betty woods was born in 1945 in gadsden, alabama, 95 00:05:53,186 --> 00:05:57,689 Coming into the world alongside her twin sister, peggy. 96 00:05:57,757 --> 00:06:00,425 Their daddy was a detective. 97 00:06:00,427 --> 00:06:03,595 Uh, perhaps on the gadsden police, uh, force, uh, 98 00:06:03,663 --> 00:06:06,465 But he was in law enforcement. 99 00:06:06,467 --> 00:06:09,301 It seemed to be a normal family 100 00:06:09,369 --> 00:06:10,435 They're fraternal twins, 101 00:06:10,504 --> 00:06:12,871 But they're each other's best friend. 102 00:06:12,939 --> 00:06:17,242 [narrator] in high school, differences began to emerge. 103 00:06:17,310 --> 00:06:21,245 Peggy was perceived as the debutante. 104 00:06:21,315 --> 00:06:23,147 She excelled. 105 00:06:23,217 --> 00:06:26,118 She was a homecoming queen. 106 00:06:26,186 --> 00:06:28,720 Betty was more average. 107 00:06:28,789 --> 00:06:32,791 But they always appeared to get along just fine. 108 00:06:32,859 --> 00:06:35,727 Betty was always the quiet one 109 00:06:35,796 --> 00:06:37,996 And always the one in her sister's shadow. 110 00:06:40,968 --> 00:06:43,868 [narrator] in 1964, betty married. 111 00:06:43,937 --> 00:06:47,939 But the relationship seemed doomed from the start. 112 00:06:47,941 --> 00:06:49,941 [georgi] betty married her high school sweetheart, 113 00:06:49,943 --> 00:06:53,111 And they never really had terrible issues, 114 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:55,380 But they just married too young 115 00:06:55,382 --> 00:06:57,281 They had children quickly 116 00:06:57,351 --> 00:07:02,187 And then divorced not very long after the kids were born. 117 00:07:02,255 --> 00:07:04,889 When betty divorced her husband 118 00:07:04,891 --> 00:07:08,092 Betty moved to huntsville and got some odd jobs 119 00:07:08,161 --> 00:07:10,495 Just to, to pay the bills. 120 00:07:10,564 --> 00:07:14,766 That is when betty wilson sort of came into her own. 121 00:07:14,835 --> 00:07:18,836 She shared the custody and, and had the kids when she could 122 00:07:18,905 --> 00:07:22,140 But not like a full-time mother 123 00:07:22,208 --> 00:07:23,608 She was able to go on to college 124 00:07:23,676 --> 00:07:25,209 When she was able to move to a bigger city, 125 00:07:25,279 --> 00:07:28,212 Where people tend to accept a little bit more women 126 00:07:28,281 --> 00:07:30,114 Who are a little bit different. 127 00:07:30,183 --> 00:07:32,284 [narrator] free from her unhappy marriage, 128 00:07:32,352 --> 00:07:34,986 Betty forged a new path. 129 00:07:35,055 --> 00:07:38,489 Betty decided then that nursing is what she-- 130 00:07:38,491 --> 00:07:40,925 What she really wanted to do. 131 00:07:40,927 --> 00:07:45,096 Went back to nursing school, got her nursing degree. 132 00:07:45,165 --> 00:07:48,400 She was working in kidney dialysis at the hospital, 133 00:07:48,468 --> 00:07:51,702 Is how she met jack wilson. 134 00:07:51,772 --> 00:07:55,740 And he instantly fell for her. 135 00:07:55,742 --> 00:07:58,210 [narrator] back in huntsville, betty and jack's romance 136 00:07:58,278 --> 00:08:00,945 Developed at lightning speed. 137 00:08:01,014 --> 00:08:03,415 They literally had been on two dates 138 00:08:03,483 --> 00:08:05,617 Before moving in together. 139 00:08:09,022 --> 00:08:11,422 [narrator] two years into their relationship, 140 00:08:11,491 --> 00:08:14,292 The respected doctor, at 41 years old, 141 00:08:14,361 --> 00:08:18,096 Found himself in need of medical care. 142 00:08:18,164 --> 00:08:21,099 [joan] jack was diagnosed with crohn's disease. 143 00:08:21,167 --> 00:08:23,969 And he had to have surgery. 144 00:08:24,037 --> 00:08:26,905 And the surgery left him needing an ostomy bag. 145 00:08:28,975 --> 00:08:31,443 [georgi] betty is a caretaker by nature. 146 00:08:31,511 --> 00:08:33,345 She wanted to take care of him, 147 00:08:33,413 --> 00:08:35,714 And she did take good care of him. 148 00:08:38,919 --> 00:08:40,785 [narrator] not long after his surgery, 149 00:08:40,854 --> 00:08:45,289 Betty and jack said "I do" in 1978. 150 00:08:45,291 --> 00:08:48,393 They were married, and she had acquired, uh, 151 00:08:48,461 --> 00:08:50,462 A whole new stature, uh, 152 00:08:50,530 --> 00:08:52,497 In that she no longer was just a nurse, 153 00:08:52,565 --> 00:08:55,333 She was a doctor's wife. 154 00:08:55,401 --> 00:08:56,968 I thought she had a wonderful life. 155 00:08:57,037 --> 00:09:00,738 And the man she was married to was a wonderful man. 156 00:09:00,807 --> 00:09:03,541 She always seemed to be really happy. 157 00:09:04,311 --> 00:09:06,411 [narrator] meanwhile, peggy was also leading 158 00:09:06,479 --> 00:09:08,212 A wholesome married life 159 00:09:08,281 --> 00:09:13,784 Just a few hours away from her sister in vincent, alabama. 160 00:09:13,786 --> 00:09:16,320 [joan] peggy contributes to the community. 161 00:09:16,390 --> 00:09:18,890 She's a grammar school teacher. 162 00:09:18,958 --> 00:09:23,528 She is, uh, the wife of a preacher. 163 00:09:23,596 --> 00:09:26,197 She had a total of three kids. 164 00:09:26,266 --> 00:09:30,802 Even though they had a little different window on the world, 165 00:09:30,870 --> 00:09:33,939 Betty and peggy were still as close as they ever were. 166 00:09:36,476 --> 00:09:39,177 [narrator] soon after betty and jack tied the knot, 167 00:09:39,245 --> 00:09:42,847 Jack's professional life started to flourish. 168 00:09:42,916 --> 00:09:46,851 It wasn't long before jack made a lot of money. 169 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:50,788 She quit working and became a full-time doctor's wife. 170 00:09:50,857 --> 00:09:52,924 They had a big house. They had the nice cars. 171 00:09:52,992 --> 00:09:54,960 She had the furs. They had the jewelry. 172 00:09:57,130 --> 00:09:58,929 [music] 173 00:09:58,931 --> 00:10:00,799 [narrator] but behind closed doors, 174 00:10:00,801 --> 00:10:02,934 Betty struggled with the expectations 175 00:10:03,003 --> 00:10:07,071 Of being the wife of a high profile doctor. 176 00:10:07,073 --> 00:10:09,741 [helen] I think in betty's case, you know, she turned to alcohol 177 00:10:09,809 --> 00:10:12,944 Because it offers this feeling of being disinhibited, 178 00:10:13,013 --> 00:10:15,880 Of doing things that you normally wouldn't do. 179 00:10:15,949 --> 00:10:18,916 [georgi] when she had to be put in social situations, 180 00:10:18,985 --> 00:10:21,820 Betty often drank just to get through. 181 00:10:23,156 --> 00:10:26,023 [joan] she couldn't stop drinking all the time, 182 00:10:26,092 --> 00:10:28,960 But she was drinking herself into oblivion. 183 00:10:29,028 --> 00:10:32,497 Jack didn't like to be around her then. 184 00:10:32,565 --> 00:10:34,832 At some point, she realized 185 00:10:34,901 --> 00:10:37,501 That if she was gonna maintain her relationship, 186 00:10:37,571 --> 00:10:39,638 She needed to stop drinking. 187 00:10:42,842 --> 00:10:44,776 [narrator] eight years into their marriage, 188 00:10:44,844 --> 00:10:47,311 Jack supported his wife in her recovery 189 00:10:47,380 --> 00:10:50,582 Just as betty had supported him 190 00:10:50,650 --> 00:10:55,587 Betty was very, very, very involved in aa. 191 00:10:55,655 --> 00:10:57,956 When she quit drinking, she quit drinking. 192 00:10:58,024 --> 00:11:00,091 And with the alcohol gone, 193 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:02,260 Betty did become betty again. 194 00:11:04,364 --> 00:11:08,399 [music] 195 00:11:08,468 --> 00:11:11,803 [narrator] but on may 22nd, jack and betty's charmed life 196 00:11:11,871 --> 00:11:13,772 Takes a tragic turn 197 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:17,708 When she finds him dead in their upscale home. 198 00:11:17,778 --> 00:11:20,044 [joan] when the detectives get to the scene, 199 00:11:20,113 --> 00:11:23,515 They're seeing jack on the floor in a pool of blood. 200 00:11:23,583 --> 00:11:28,186 And it's hard to discern individual wounds. 201 00:11:28,254 --> 00:11:31,189 [narrator] investigators spot a disturbing clue 202 00:11:31,257 --> 00:11:33,424 Near jack's body. 203 00:11:33,493 --> 00:11:36,594 [joan] there's a 34-inch aluminum baseball bat 204 00:11:36,662 --> 00:11:39,664 Near jack's body on the floor. 205 00:11:39,732 --> 00:11:41,832 [georgi] there was a bat next to him 206 00:11:41,834 --> 00:11:43,234 With blood all over it. 207 00:11:43,303 --> 00:11:45,704 It looked like dr. Wilson was beaten to death 208 00:11:45,772 --> 00:11:48,039 With the baseball bat. 209 00:11:49,409 --> 00:11:52,910 [narrator] the bat is taken to be examined for prints. 210 00:11:52,979 --> 00:11:55,780 As technicians continue to process the scene, 211 00:11:55,848 --> 00:11:59,183 Investigators speak with neighbors. 212 00:11:59,252 --> 00:12:03,354 A young boy reports seeing dr. Wilson at 4:30 pm, 213 00:12:03,423 --> 00:12:07,758 About five hours before he was found dead. 214 00:12:07,828 --> 00:12:09,026 [mickey] dr. Wilson had come in the house 215 00:12:09,095 --> 00:12:10,328 And got a baseball bat, 216 00:12:10,396 --> 00:12:12,496 And he went outside, was out there driving up 217 00:12:12,498 --> 00:12:13,931 A, a sign in the yard. 218 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,400 And he had a baseball bat doing that. 219 00:12:16,736 --> 00:12:18,402 He then goes back into the house, 220 00:12:18,404 --> 00:12:21,272 And he has the baseball bat still in his hand. 221 00:12:21,341 --> 00:12:24,108 [narrator] witness statements lead investigators to believe 222 00:12:24,176 --> 00:12:28,346 Jack was killed between 4:30 and 9:00 pm. 223 00:12:28,414 --> 00:12:30,548 Equipped with a narrowed timeframe 224 00:12:30,616 --> 00:12:32,817 And a potential murder weapon, 225 00:12:32,886 --> 00:12:36,254 Police start their investigation close to home. 226 00:12:36,322 --> 00:12:39,423 There was not one piece of evidence by itself 227 00:12:39,492 --> 00:12:43,160 To determine who was involved in this crime. 228 00:12:43,229 --> 00:12:46,730 Now, our job is not to go out and find somebody guilty. 229 00:12:46,732 --> 00:12:48,566 Our job is to go out and find the truth. 230 00:12:48,634 --> 00:12:53,738 [music] 231 00:12:53,806 --> 00:12:55,072 [narrator] coming up, 232 00:12:55,141 --> 00:12:58,109 Police dig into the wilsons' past. 233 00:12:58,178 --> 00:13:00,912 Now, I've heard all kinds of stuff around town. 234 00:13:00,980 --> 00:13:03,013 You know, people talk. 235 00:13:03,083 --> 00:13:05,183 [narrator] and unearth a twisted detail 236 00:13:05,251 --> 00:13:08,486 That reveals a slew of suspects 237 00:13:08,555 --> 00:13:11,923 They mutually agreed to have an open marriage. 238 00:13:14,661 --> 00:13:18,329 [theme music] 239 00:13:27,874 --> 00:13:29,407 [narrator] after finding her husband 240 00:13:29,475 --> 00:13:31,942 Inside their lavish huntsville home 241 00:13:32,012 --> 00:13:34,578 Brutally beaten to death, 242 00:13:34,647 --> 00:13:37,081 Betty wilson seeks refuge at a neighbor's 243 00:13:37,150 --> 00:13:40,218 While police arrive on scene. 244 00:13:40,286 --> 00:13:44,422 She's soon joined by her twin sister, peggy. 245 00:13:44,490 --> 00:13:45,823 [joan] peggy rushed. 246 00:13:45,891 --> 00:13:47,992 As soon as she heard jack was dead, 247 00:13:48,060 --> 00:13:49,327 She drives the two hours 248 00:13:49,395 --> 00:13:53,497 To get immediately to betty's side. 249 00:13:53,566 --> 00:13:58,336 She was just traumatized by finding him the way she did. 250 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:03,775 [joan] at this point, she was really not in any condition 251 00:14:03,843 --> 00:14:06,444 To answer questions. 252 00:14:06,512 --> 00:14:09,380 [narrator] at the crime scene, investigators look for evidence 253 00:14:09,449 --> 00:14:14,218 That could support the theory of a burglary gone wrong. 254 00:14:14,287 --> 00:14:16,020 [georgi] everybody knew they had money. 255 00:14:16,089 --> 00:14:18,122 It looked like somebody was there 256 00:14:18,124 --> 00:14:20,258 To burglarize the home, 257 00:14:20,326 --> 00:14:24,895 And dr. Wilson just happened to walk in on the burglar. 258 00:14:24,965 --> 00:14:28,065 His wallet is on the floor. It's open. 259 00:14:28,134 --> 00:14:29,868 There's no cash in it. 260 00:14:31,137 --> 00:14:33,304 This was a big home, 261 00:14:33,373 --> 00:14:37,008 And it had lots of valuable stuff in it. 262 00:14:37,076 --> 00:14:38,943 [narrator] a closer look shows that 263 00:14:39,012 --> 00:14:42,947 Most of those valuable items are still there. 264 00:14:43,016 --> 00:14:44,515 [glen] there were several items left out. 265 00:14:44,584 --> 00:14:47,551 I mean, I've been to houses, several hundreds of houses, 266 00:14:47,620 --> 00:14:50,654 That have been broken into and been ransacked, 267 00:14:50,723 --> 00:14:52,857 And this house hadn't. 268 00:14:58,030 --> 00:15:00,164 [narrator] ruling out potential burglary, 269 00:15:00,166 --> 00:15:05,436 Investigators must consider if it was personal. 270 00:15:05,505 --> 00:15:08,006 [spencer] it was a very gruesome murder. 271 00:15:08,074 --> 00:15:11,442 He was bludgeoned to death. 272 00:15:11,511 --> 00:15:14,345 And he was also stabbed multiple times. 273 00:15:16,182 --> 00:15:18,115 It was obviously somebody who had 274 00:15:18,184 --> 00:15:20,752 Something against the person they killed 275 00:15:20,820 --> 00:15:23,054 Because of the brutality. 276 00:15:26,559 --> 00:15:28,826 [narrator] due to the lack of evidence at the scene 277 00:15:28,895 --> 00:15:31,462 And the brutal nature of the attack, 278 00:15:31,531 --> 00:15:34,098 Investigators hope the autopsy will provide 279 00:15:34,167 --> 00:15:37,234 Some much-needed insight. 280 00:15:37,303 --> 00:15:41,005 [kris] there were multiple blunt force injuries. 281 00:15:41,074 --> 00:15:44,442 He was struck a great number of times 282 00:15:44,510 --> 00:15:48,980 Over the--almost the entire circumference of his head. 283 00:15:49,048 --> 00:15:52,182 This was clearly more than would've been necessary 284 00:15:52,184 --> 00:15:54,118 To cause his death. 285 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:56,353 That's called overkill. 286 00:15:56,422 --> 00:15:57,755 [narrator] the medical examiner reports 287 00:15:57,823 --> 00:16:02,626 That there are also two stab wounds to jack's chest. 288 00:16:02,628 --> 00:16:04,428 The forensic examiner was not able to determine 289 00:16:04,497 --> 00:16:07,164 Whether he died from the multiple, 290 00:16:07,233 --> 00:16:09,067 Uh, blunt force trauma 291 00:16:09,069 --> 00:16:11,368 Or from the stabs themselves, 292 00:16:11,437 --> 00:16:16,240 But probably died from a combination of the two. 293 00:16:16,242 --> 00:16:18,943 [kris] now, overkill types of homicides 294 00:16:19,011 --> 00:16:22,179 Are often seen in situations where 295 00:16:22,248 --> 00:16:24,816 There's some type of an intense emotional relationship 296 00:16:24,884 --> 00:16:28,119 Between people who might have been 297 00:16:28,187 --> 00:16:32,557 Emotionally attached or entangled with dr. Wilson. 298 00:16:36,729 --> 00:16:38,829 [narrator] while waiting to interview betty, 299 00:16:38,898 --> 00:16:43,201 Investigators speak with those who knew the wilsons. 300 00:16:43,203 --> 00:16:45,202 They learn that while jack was adored 301 00:16:45,271 --> 00:16:47,338 Amongst their social circle, 302 00:16:47,407 --> 00:16:50,808 Betty was a constant source of gossip. 303 00:16:50,877 --> 00:16:56,781 She was a very fun person, outgoing personality. 304 00:16:56,849 --> 00:16:59,817 Now, I've heard all kinds of stuff around town, you know, 305 00:16:59,885 --> 00:17:02,252 Of affairs and stuff like that. 306 00:17:02,254 --> 00:17:04,855 I was never aware of any of that going on. 307 00:17:04,924 --> 00:17:07,158 But, you know, people talk. 308 00:17:09,229 --> 00:17:11,462 Betty flaunted herself. 309 00:17:11,531 --> 00:17:14,265 She didn't try to hide what she was. 310 00:17:14,333 --> 00:17:18,302 She went out, she had fun, she had affairs. 311 00:17:18,371 --> 00:17:19,871 I think reputation counts for a lot 312 00:17:19,939 --> 00:17:22,206 In a small town like that. 313 00:17:24,009 --> 00:17:25,142 [narrator] investigators also learn 314 00:17:25,144 --> 00:17:30,247 That betty had a unique method of landing her lovers. 315 00:17:30,316 --> 00:17:33,384 Aa was a big, big part of betty's life, 316 00:17:33,453 --> 00:17:36,353 And she had been sober for five years. 317 00:17:36,422 --> 00:17:38,055 She was very involved, 318 00:17:38,123 --> 00:17:41,192 Attended meetings all of the time. 319 00:17:41,260 --> 00:17:44,896 In those meetings, she would pick up...Men 320 00:17:44,964 --> 00:17:46,531 And entertain them. 321 00:17:50,302 --> 00:17:52,370 [narrator] armed with new information, 322 00:17:52,438 --> 00:17:55,606 Detectives are ready to question betty. 323 00:17:55,675 --> 00:17:56,707 Within 48 hours, 324 00:17:56,709 --> 00:18:01,012 She has calmed down enough for an interview. 325 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:02,246 Betty was asked to come in 326 00:18:02,315 --> 00:18:06,417 And make a formal statement to police about what she found. 327 00:18:09,855 --> 00:18:13,123 [joan] betty is still clearly distraught, 328 00:18:13,125 --> 00:18:16,694 But she's cooperating. 329 00:18:16,762 --> 00:18:18,829 [narrator] investigators start by having betty 330 00:18:18,898 --> 00:18:22,700 Walk them through the day of jack's murder. 331 00:18:22,768 --> 00:18:24,635 Betty tells them she had spent the day 332 00:18:24,704 --> 00:18:29,540 Preparing for an upcoming trip to new mexico. 333 00:18:29,609 --> 00:18:31,775 [georgi] they were leaving early the next morning, 334 00:18:31,777 --> 00:18:36,013 And they were both really excited about that trip. 335 00:18:36,082 --> 00:18:38,382 Betty had been to parkway place mall, shopping. 336 00:18:38,450 --> 00:18:41,585 She bought these bright, flowery shoes. 337 00:18:41,654 --> 00:18:46,123 Police also saw those shoes that betty had on. 338 00:18:46,191 --> 00:18:49,327 She had receipts and showed timestamps 339 00:18:49,395 --> 00:18:52,096 Pretty much throughout the entire day. 340 00:18:52,164 --> 00:18:54,298 Her alibi was ironclad. 341 00:18:57,103 --> 00:18:58,302 [joan] and then, as is her custom, 342 00:18:58,371 --> 00:19:01,405 She goes to an aa meeting later in the day. 343 00:19:01,474 --> 00:19:06,244 And she doesn't arrive home until about 9:30. 344 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:10,547 She goes into the house. 345 00:19:10,549 --> 00:19:12,349 When she got to the top of the stairs, 346 00:19:12,418 --> 00:19:16,420 This is when she sees her husband, jack, on the floor. 347 00:19:21,193 --> 00:19:23,027 [narrator] knowing rumors surround 348 00:19:23,095 --> 00:19:25,096 The wilsons' personal life, 349 00:19:25,164 --> 00:19:27,164 Investigators begin to question her 350 00:19:27,233 --> 00:19:29,466 About their relationship. 351 00:19:29,535 --> 00:19:32,436 Betty explains that jack's colostomy bag 352 00:19:32,438 --> 00:19:35,572 Put an end to the couple's sex life. 353 00:19:35,641 --> 00:19:37,741 That interfered with their social life 354 00:19:37,810 --> 00:19:40,278 And also with their sexual relations. 355 00:19:41,580 --> 00:19:43,380 [narrator] betty says jack understood 356 00:19:43,449 --> 00:19:47,118 That she had to have her needs met elsewhere. 357 00:19:48,620 --> 00:19:50,788 [joan] betty and jack mutually agreed 358 00:19:50,856 --> 00:19:52,656 To have an open marriage. 359 00:19:52,658 --> 00:19:58,129 It just means that you are emotionally faithful 360 00:19:58,197 --> 00:20:00,031 To your significant other, 361 00:20:00,099 --> 00:20:03,334 But you can be physically unfaithful. 362 00:20:07,973 --> 00:20:11,042 [narrator] after detectives wrap up their interview with betty, 363 00:20:11,110 --> 00:20:13,144 They start looking for any indication 364 00:20:13,212 --> 00:20:19,283 That jack was angry or even aware of betty's activities. 365 00:20:19,351 --> 00:20:23,287 There was no evidence that, ah, I'm aware of 366 00:20:23,355 --> 00:20:25,589 That jack wilson was upset with betty 367 00:20:25,658 --> 00:20:28,359 Or he was seeking a divorce. 368 00:20:31,798 --> 00:20:34,198 [narrator] though there is no sign of tension, 369 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,667 Investigators are not able to confirm 370 00:20:36,735 --> 00:20:40,638 If jack knew about betty's other relationships. 371 00:20:40,706 --> 00:20:42,373 [kris] knowing that there was 372 00:20:42,441 --> 00:20:46,443 A clear overkill aspect to dr. Wilson's murder, 373 00:20:46,512 --> 00:20:48,379 It, it really made me question 374 00:20:48,447 --> 00:20:51,215 As to other people that betty may have been 375 00:20:51,283 --> 00:20:53,216 Romantically involved with 376 00:20:53,218 --> 00:20:54,986 That might have gotten angry 377 00:20:55,054 --> 00:20:57,654 And perhaps set out to kill him 378 00:20:57,656 --> 00:21:00,858 [narrator] despite the extensive list of betty's flings, 379 00:21:00,926 --> 00:21:04,528 None raise investigators' suspicions. 380 00:21:04,530 --> 00:21:05,662 [james] we didn't pursue that. 381 00:21:05,731 --> 00:21:07,297 I certainly didn't want to ruin, uh, 382 00:21:07,367 --> 00:21:11,402 Some innocent person's marriage or, or get involved on issues 383 00:21:11,470 --> 00:21:13,704 That really weren't related to the murder itself. 384 00:21:13,773 --> 00:21:16,674 [narrator] then, three days into the investigation, 385 00:21:16,742 --> 00:21:20,211 Huntsville authorities learn of a disturbing tip. 386 00:21:21,180 --> 00:21:24,548 There was an anonymous tip before 387 00:21:24,617 --> 00:21:27,618 Dr. Wilson was killed. 388 00:21:27,686 --> 00:21:29,453 [mickey] we received a call from, uh, 389 00:21:29,522 --> 00:21:30,888 Shelby county sheriff's department. 390 00:21:30,956 --> 00:21:33,624 They had an informant who contacted them 391 00:21:33,692 --> 00:21:36,394 And said there was going to be a murder here in huntsville. 392 00:21:37,797 --> 00:21:40,831 [georgi] this informant heard a man by the name of james white 393 00:21:40,900 --> 00:21:45,603 Claiming that he had been hired to kill a huntsville doctor. 394 00:21:49,008 --> 00:21:52,643 [theme music] 395 00:22:01,587 --> 00:22:04,155 [narrator] three days into the murder investigation 396 00:22:04,223 --> 00:22:06,023 Of dr. Jack wilson, 397 00:22:06,092 --> 00:22:10,428 Investigators have just learned of a remarkable tip. 398 00:22:10,496 --> 00:22:12,763 This informant contacts police and says, 399 00:22:12,832 --> 00:22:15,599 "hey, listen, I, I heard this guy say 400 00:22:15,668 --> 00:22:18,735 He was gonna murder a doctor in huntsville." 401 00:22:18,804 --> 00:22:21,739 She doesn't know anything about this potential crime 402 00:22:21,807 --> 00:22:24,909 Except she overheard someone say this. 403 00:22:28,548 --> 00:22:30,414 [narrator] the informant claimed james white 404 00:22:30,483 --> 00:22:34,417 Had been hired by someone named peggy. 405 00:22:34,419 --> 00:22:36,553 When the tip originally came in 406 00:22:36,622 --> 00:22:38,221 Authorities at the sheriff's department 407 00:22:38,291 --> 00:22:41,492 Did not know what to do with it 408 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:43,627 [joan] they really can't do anything because 409 00:22:43,629 --> 00:22:45,896 There are lot of doctors in huntsville 410 00:22:45,965 --> 00:22:48,465 And they don't even know if this is real. 411 00:22:48,534 --> 00:22:50,767 [narrator] but now that jack has been killed, 412 00:22:50,836 --> 00:22:53,837 The tip becomes top priority. 413 00:22:53,839 --> 00:22:55,906 [mickey] we contacted back shelby county, 414 00:22:55,975 --> 00:22:58,008 And then we got the name of who they said 415 00:22:58,010 --> 00:23:00,277 Was a suspect down there, which was peggy. 416 00:23:00,345 --> 00:23:02,913 Here we are. We got betty wilson up here. 417 00:23:02,982 --> 00:23:06,984 Her date of birth is the same as her sister in shelby county. 418 00:23:07,052 --> 00:23:09,453 And that's how the connection began that time. 419 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:16,660 [narrator] uncertain of peggy's involvement, 420 00:23:16,729 --> 00:23:20,831 Investigators head south to james white's reported location 421 00:23:20,899 --> 00:23:26,136 Deciding to take their chances with the alleged hitman first. 422 00:23:26,138 --> 00:23:28,005 We found him at a little restaurant down there 423 00:23:28,073 --> 00:23:32,810 And told him that we needed to talk to him about the homicide. 424 00:23:32,878 --> 00:23:35,779 And then he voluntarily interviewed. 425 00:23:36,782 --> 00:23:38,682 [georgi] james white was a vietnam vet 426 00:23:38,684 --> 00:23:41,619 Who had severe ptsd. 427 00:23:41,621 --> 00:23:45,456 He was also, um, a known drug user, felon. 428 00:23:45,524 --> 00:23:48,692 He had a sordid past, to say the least. 429 00:23:52,264 --> 00:23:54,298 [narrator] for hours, james denies 430 00:23:54,366 --> 00:23:56,967 Any involvement in the murder. 431 00:23:57,036 --> 00:23:58,802 [mickey] felt as if we were getting nowhere. 432 00:23:58,871 --> 00:24:00,237 Finally I called and asked the sheriff, 433 00:24:00,305 --> 00:24:02,005 And I said, "if you'd bring james and I 434 00:24:02,007 --> 00:24:05,376 Something to eat and drink, I'd appreciate it." 435 00:24:06,378 --> 00:24:08,812 I tell james that I want to thank the lord for my food. 436 00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:12,183 Before I eat it, I'm gonna say a prayer. 437 00:24:12,251 --> 00:24:13,551 And, uh, james told me, he said, 438 00:24:13,553 --> 00:24:19,089 "mickey, if you do that, would you please pray for me also?" 439 00:24:19,091 --> 00:24:22,059 So I said a prayer for us at the meal. 440 00:24:22,127 --> 00:24:24,261 And that's when he began to reveal his involvement 441 00:24:24,329 --> 00:24:25,996 In jack's death. 442 00:24:27,967 --> 00:24:31,735 [narrator] james says that he met peggy lowe one year prior. 443 00:24:31,804 --> 00:24:33,070 [georgi] peggy taught first grade 444 00:24:33,138 --> 00:24:36,073 In the town where james white lived. 445 00:24:36,141 --> 00:24:39,242 He was a carpenter, and she needed some cabinets built. 446 00:24:39,244 --> 00:24:42,646 [narrator] he says that he and peggy became friends. 447 00:24:42,715 --> 00:24:44,681 [georgi] peggy really felt sorry for him 448 00:24:44,750 --> 00:24:47,384 Because of what she knew her own twin sister 449 00:24:47,452 --> 00:24:50,187 Had gone through with addiction 450 00:24:50,255 --> 00:24:52,856 He would call her and tell her that he was gonna kill himself, 451 00:24:52,925 --> 00:24:55,392 And she would talk him off a ledge. 452 00:24:55,461 --> 00:25:00,764 He looks at peggy as being helpful and kind. 453 00:25:00,833 --> 00:25:04,068 And he develops this crush on her. 454 00:25:06,171 --> 00:25:08,038 [music] 455 00:25:08,107 --> 00:25:11,241 [mickey] peggy began befriending him. 456 00:25:11,243 --> 00:25:13,043 Then it eased into the point that 457 00:25:13,112 --> 00:25:15,446 "I've got a sister who's miserable." 458 00:25:15,514 --> 00:25:16,847 You know, "her husband is sick. 459 00:25:16,915 --> 00:25:19,316 And just on and on and on, 460 00:25:19,384 --> 00:25:22,519 Building up james to the point of thinking, you know, 461 00:25:22,588 --> 00:25:24,455 "what can I do for this lady?" 462 00:25:28,060 --> 00:25:31,529 Peggy told him that betty's husband was abusive 463 00:25:31,597 --> 00:25:34,164 And, you know--and they wanted to have him killed. 464 00:25:35,901 --> 00:25:41,438 [narrator] so james says he offered to kill jack wilson. 465 00:25:41,507 --> 00:25:44,275 [joan] he wanted $5000 for the hit. 466 00:25:44,343 --> 00:25:47,444 He said he'd get $2500 upfront 467 00:25:47,512 --> 00:25:50,514 And $2500 when he had completed the job. 468 00:25:51,683 --> 00:25:54,351 It was actually peggy who hired him. 469 00:25:54,419 --> 00:25:57,955 He said it was peggy who put together the whole plot 470 00:25:59,692 --> 00:26:03,626 I think that twins and sisters feel a bond. 471 00:26:03,628 --> 00:26:06,363 And peggy saw her sister in a predicament 472 00:26:06,432 --> 00:26:08,666 That was very unpleasant. 473 00:26:08,734 --> 00:26:10,867 And maybe she felt that the easier option 474 00:26:10,936 --> 00:26:12,570 Was simply to get rid of the problem. 475 00:26:16,375 --> 00:26:18,575 [narrator] then, a month before the murder, 476 00:26:18,644 --> 00:26:21,378 He realized betty was in on it too, 477 00:26:21,446 --> 00:26:24,681 When betty allegedly summoned james to guntersville park 478 00:26:24,750 --> 00:26:28,051 To receive his down payment. 479 00:26:28,053 --> 00:26:30,787 [jack] well, betty wilson was there 480 00:26:30,856 --> 00:26:33,256 For this alcoholics anonymous conference 481 00:26:33,258 --> 00:26:34,058 That was going on. 482 00:26:35,528 --> 00:26:37,694 [hilda] betty took a children's book 483 00:26:37,763 --> 00:26:40,563 That just happened to be in her car. 484 00:26:40,633 --> 00:26:42,799 And she just stuck 2-- 485 00:26:42,868 --> 00:26:47,738 I think it was $200-- down in the library book. 486 00:26:47,806 --> 00:26:49,807 Put some money in there, gives it to the guard, 487 00:26:49,809 --> 00:26:52,076 And says, "give this out to james white." 488 00:26:54,914 --> 00:26:56,713 [narrator] james tells investigators 489 00:26:56,782 --> 00:27:00,718 That it wasn't the $2500 he'd asked for upfront, 490 00:27:00,786 --> 00:27:03,053 But he agreed to go through with the crime 491 00:27:03,122 --> 00:27:08,091 With the understanding that he would be paid the rest after 492 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,462 Then, two days before the murder was to take place, 493 00:27:11,530 --> 00:27:14,565 He claims he met the twins at a remote location 494 00:27:14,633 --> 00:27:17,368 To receive the would-be murder weapon, 495 00:27:17,436 --> 00:27:20,237 A 38-caliber revolver. 496 00:27:20,305 --> 00:27:22,539 Told us that betty and peggy brought it down to him. 497 00:27:22,607 --> 00:27:24,208 They met him at logan martin dam. 498 00:27:27,078 --> 00:27:28,611 [narrator] according to james, 499 00:27:28,681 --> 00:27:30,981 His final meeting was with bett 500 00:27:31,049 --> 00:27:35,152 Just hours before the murder was to take place. 501 00:27:35,220 --> 00:27:38,388 [mickey] he meets her at parkway city mall. 502 00:27:38,457 --> 00:27:39,422 When he meets her there, 503 00:27:39,491 --> 00:27:41,992 She's putting on a pair of shoes. 504 00:27:42,060 --> 00:27:45,763 And they were a floral-type shoe. 505 00:27:45,765 --> 00:27:48,265 He described those shoes to the nth degree. 506 00:27:50,869 --> 00:27:54,204 [narrator] investigators recognize the description. 507 00:27:54,273 --> 00:27:56,306 [georgi] they indeed were the shoes 508 00:27:56,375 --> 00:27:59,610 That betty had on the night she found her husband's body. 509 00:28:03,749 --> 00:28:06,149 He says that betty picked him up in her car 510 00:28:06,218 --> 00:28:08,485 And that she drove him to her house. 511 00:28:08,553 --> 00:28:11,288 [narrator] james claims he'd left the gun behind, 512 00:28:11,356 --> 00:28:15,158 Taking along some rope and a knife instead. 513 00:28:15,227 --> 00:28:17,895 [joan] james decided against using the gun 514 00:28:17,897 --> 00:28:20,097 Because he thought it would make too much noise. 515 00:28:24,169 --> 00:28:27,304 [mickey] she says, "I'll be back at a certain time." 516 00:28:27,372 --> 00:28:28,771 So he then goes in 517 00:28:28,773 --> 00:28:30,374 And he waits there in the house. 518 00:28:31,777 --> 00:28:34,611 Dr. Wilson gets home. 519 00:28:34,679 --> 00:28:36,179 He walks upstairs. 520 00:28:36,248 --> 00:28:38,948 Dr. Wilson, he has the baseball bat still in his hand 521 00:28:39,018 --> 00:28:41,852 From driving up a sign in the yard. 522 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:45,322 And when he gets to the top flight of the stairs, 523 00:28:45,390 --> 00:28:48,659 Him and james white meet face to face in the doorway. 524 00:28:50,896 --> 00:28:52,763 James attacks him, 525 00:28:52,831 --> 00:28:55,932 And dr. Wilson is somewhat trying to defend himself. 526 00:28:56,001 --> 00:28:58,435 But dr. Wilson was so small, 527 00:28:58,504 --> 00:28:59,836 James was able to overcome him, 528 00:28:59,905 --> 00:29:01,638 Took the baseball bat away from him, 529 00:29:01,706 --> 00:29:03,173 And he beat him with it. 530 00:29:08,914 --> 00:29:11,014 [narrator] but james says he doesn't remember 531 00:29:11,082 --> 00:29:13,149 What happened next. 532 00:29:13,218 --> 00:29:18,221 He said he had something on the order of 16 to 18 beers 533 00:29:18,223 --> 00:29:19,857 And he's been doing drugs. 534 00:29:21,927 --> 00:29:25,028 [narrator] james says that before betty called 911, 535 00:29:25,030 --> 00:29:28,198 She made a quick trip back to pick him up. 536 00:29:30,168 --> 00:29:32,102 [jack] he then got into betty's car, 537 00:29:32,170 --> 00:29:34,371 And betty drove him off and let him out somewhere 538 00:29:34,439 --> 00:29:36,740 Where he had his truck. 539 00:29:39,878 --> 00:29:43,012 [narrator] ten hours after the interrogation began, 540 00:29:43,014 --> 00:29:47,016 Police book james white into huntsville city jail. 541 00:29:47,018 --> 00:29:51,121 But investigators know their work is far from over. 542 00:29:51,189 --> 00:29:53,189 The story that he told first to police 543 00:29:53,259 --> 00:29:55,325 Quickly changed into another. 544 00:29:55,393 --> 00:29:58,728 It's hard to believe anything the man says. 545 00:29:58,730 --> 00:30:01,364 [joan] james is a very shady character. 546 00:30:01,433 --> 00:30:04,634 In fiction, he's what you would call an unreliable narrator. 547 00:30:04,703 --> 00:30:07,204 You cannot trust things that he says. 548 00:30:10,642 --> 00:30:12,175 [narrator] coming up, 549 00:30:12,177 --> 00:30:15,111 Detectives zero in on motive. 550 00:30:15,180 --> 00:30:17,347 She wanted it all and she wanted it now, 551 00:30:17,416 --> 00:30:19,783 And she didn't want it with dr. Wilson. 552 00:30:19,851 --> 00:30:22,018 [narrator] and the real culprit is revealed, 553 00:30:22,087 --> 00:30:24,421 Unleashing a media frenzy. 554 00:30:24,489 --> 00:30:26,323 It was like a circus. 555 00:30:26,391 --> 00:30:29,092 And everybody wanted a piece of the story. 556 00:30:31,931 --> 00:30:35,532 [theme music] 557 00:30:44,543 --> 00:30:48,311 [narrator] five days after dr. Jack wilson was murdered, 558 00:30:48,380 --> 00:30:51,548 Alleged hitman james white is in custody, 559 00:30:51,616 --> 00:30:54,717 Claiming he was hired by the victim's wife, betty, 560 00:30:54,719 --> 00:30:57,720 And her twin sister, peggy. 561 00:30:57,722 --> 00:31:00,490 James, he began to tell us the things that happened, 562 00:31:00,559 --> 00:31:02,993 And it was my job to go out and try to corroborate it. 563 00:31:04,029 --> 00:31:05,995 [joan] detectives follow up, of course, 564 00:31:06,065 --> 00:31:08,431 On everything in james' confession. 565 00:31:08,433 --> 00:31:10,066 They want to find the library book 566 00:31:10,135 --> 00:31:13,536 Where the money was supposed to be transferred to him, 567 00:31:13,605 --> 00:31:14,771 If that's possible. 568 00:31:14,839 --> 00:31:16,406 They wanna find the gun if they can, 569 00:31:16,475 --> 00:31:19,576 Even though he didn't really use it in the crime. 570 00:31:20,279 --> 00:31:22,579 That would lend credibility to his story, 571 00:31:22,648 --> 00:31:24,381 Certainly, to his confession. 572 00:31:24,449 --> 00:31:27,217 So they go out to search his home. 573 00:31:28,487 --> 00:31:31,554 The gun, they did find he had hidden it in the floorboards 574 00:31:31,623 --> 00:31:34,424 In his home. 575 00:31:34,493 --> 00:31:38,362 Also, they find the weapon is registered to betty. 576 00:31:42,501 --> 00:31:44,501 [narrator] in james' truck, they locate 577 00:31:44,569 --> 00:31:48,438 Another important piece of evidence. 578 00:31:48,507 --> 00:31:53,076 And they find a library book, and it's checked out to betty. 579 00:31:53,145 --> 00:31:55,979 And this is the book that james said, 580 00:31:56,047 --> 00:31:59,282 "she left partial payment for me." 581 00:31:59,351 --> 00:32:01,051 [glen] the book, the shoes, I mean, 582 00:32:01,119 --> 00:32:03,520 Everything that he mentioned, his story just made sense. 583 00:32:03,588 --> 00:32:05,956 He got just dropped off to, to do the crime, 584 00:32:06,024 --> 00:32:07,057 And that's what he did. 585 00:32:11,096 --> 00:32:12,995 [narrator] there is still one question 586 00:32:12,997 --> 00:32:15,232 Looming over the investigation- 587 00:32:15,300 --> 00:32:19,703 Why would the twins conspire to kill jack? 588 00:32:19,771 --> 00:32:21,104 [joan] who benefits? 589 00:32:21,173 --> 00:32:23,139 Detectives always follow the money. 590 00:32:23,208 --> 00:32:26,977 So when they start looking into jack's financials, 591 00:32:27,045 --> 00:32:29,212 What they find out is that 592 00:32:29,281 --> 00:32:32,615 This doctor's worth a little in excess of $6 million 593 00:32:32,684 --> 00:32:34,685 In property and insurance. 594 00:32:34,753 --> 00:32:36,419 Sole beneficiary? 595 00:32:36,488 --> 00:32:37,421 His wife, betty. 596 00:32:39,358 --> 00:32:41,190 [james] our theory was that betty couldn't, uh, 597 00:32:41,260 --> 00:32:42,859 Divorce dr. Wilson 598 00:32:42,927 --> 00:32:45,562 'cause if it were proven that she were having affairs, 599 00:32:45,564 --> 00:32:49,532 Uh, she might've only received a minuscule part of his estate. 600 00:32:49,601 --> 00:32:51,968 She wanted it all and she wanted it now, 601 00:32:52,037 --> 00:32:53,670 And she didn't want it with dr. Wilson. 602 00:32:56,942 --> 00:32:58,675 [narrator] as far as peggy goes, 603 00:32:58,743 --> 00:33:03,246 Investigators learn betty was generous with her twin. 604 00:33:03,248 --> 00:33:05,648 Peggy's husband was a music director 605 00:33:05,717 --> 00:33:07,684 With the baptist church. 606 00:33:07,752 --> 00:33:10,920 And that's not a high-paying job. 607 00:33:10,922 --> 00:33:13,290 And peggy was a teacher. 608 00:33:13,358 --> 00:33:15,025 [helen] peggy enjoyed a lavish lifestyle 609 00:33:15,093 --> 00:33:17,394 When she came to stay with betty. 610 00:33:17,462 --> 00:33:19,629 If her sister got away with the money, 611 00:33:19,698 --> 00:33:23,100 Then she herself would be living a high lifestyle also. 612 00:33:26,805 --> 00:33:29,472 [narrator] on may 27th, 1992, 613 00:33:29,541 --> 00:33:32,542 Five days after jack wilson's murder, 614 00:33:32,611 --> 00:33:35,645 Authorities arrest betty and peggy. 615 00:33:37,282 --> 00:33:40,617 Investigators interview betty first. 616 00:33:40,685 --> 00:33:42,619 [georgi] when police questioned betty 617 00:33:42,687 --> 00:33:44,320 About her involvement 618 00:33:44,389 --> 00:33:47,724 And if she paid james white to kill her husband, 619 00:33:47,792 --> 00:33:50,727 She automatically instantly said, "absolutely not." 620 00:33:55,567 --> 00:33:56,767 [narrator] detectives tell betty 621 00:33:56,835 --> 00:33:59,235 That her sister has turned on her, 622 00:33:59,304 --> 00:34:02,205 But betty calls their bluff. 623 00:34:02,274 --> 00:34:06,843 One detective tells betty, "your sister rolled on you." 624 00:34:06,911 --> 00:34:08,645 And betty's reaction was like, 625 00:34:08,713 --> 00:34:10,513 "no." [laughs] 626 00:34:10,582 --> 00:34:13,550 "no, that's absolutely not true." 627 00:34:13,618 --> 00:34:15,619 They did the same thing to peggy. 628 00:34:17,388 --> 00:34:19,889 Peggy had the same reaction as betty did. 629 00:34:19,891 --> 00:34:22,091 "absolutely no way." 630 00:34:22,093 --> 00:34:24,661 The two women would not talk to us about it. 631 00:34:24,729 --> 00:34:26,997 They immediately, uh, wanted a lawyer. 632 00:34:29,834 --> 00:34:31,534 [narrator] betty and peggy are both charged 633 00:34:31,603 --> 00:34:35,138 With conspiracy and capital murder. 634 00:34:35,206 --> 00:34:38,875 The arrests make headlines throughout the state. 635 00:34:38,943 --> 00:34:40,677 [georgi] when they arrested peggy and betty, 636 00:34:40,745 --> 00:34:43,713 It was like...A circus. 637 00:34:43,782 --> 00:34:46,482 Everybody wanted a piece of the story. 638 00:34:46,551 --> 00:34:50,653 The media kept dr. Wilson's children out of the spotlight 639 00:34:50,722 --> 00:34:52,122 For obvious reasons. 640 00:34:55,727 --> 00:34:57,527 [narrator] betty's trial is up first, 641 00:34:57,596 --> 00:35:00,964 Starting on February 23rd, 1993 642 00:35:01,032 --> 00:35:03,733 Nine months after jack's murder 643 00:35:04,903 --> 00:35:08,905 [jack] the case was moved from huntsville to tuscaloosa 644 00:35:08,974 --> 00:35:10,640 For betty's trial 645 00:35:10,709 --> 00:35:15,879 Because there had been so much adverse publicity about... 646 00:35:15,947 --> 00:35:18,180 The two sisters. 647 00:35:18,182 --> 00:35:20,249 [doris] it was like a rock concert. 648 00:35:20,319 --> 00:35:22,919 These people came and stood in line 649 00:35:22,987 --> 00:35:24,520 To get in the courtroom 650 00:35:24,589 --> 00:35:26,756 For the entertainment value of it. 651 00:35:30,995 --> 00:35:35,264 [narrator] the prosecution calls their star witness. 652 00:35:35,334 --> 00:35:37,700 [joan] the crux of their case 653 00:35:37,769 --> 00:35:41,638 Was james white's detailed confession 654 00:35:41,706 --> 00:35:45,508 In which he implicated betty and peggy. 655 00:35:45,510 --> 00:35:49,612 [jack] the deal that the state made with james white was 656 00:35:49,681 --> 00:35:54,250 If he testified against the two sisters, 657 00:35:54,319 --> 00:35:59,322 That he would receive a life sentence 658 00:35:59,391 --> 00:36:01,458 And not receive the death penalty. 659 00:36:04,229 --> 00:36:06,028 [narrator] james admits on the stand 660 00:36:06,030 --> 00:36:09,365 That his memory remains fuzzy. 661 00:36:09,367 --> 00:36:12,736 He had been hired by betty wilson and peggy lowe. 662 00:36:13,972 --> 00:36:16,272 Betty picked him up in her car. 663 00:36:16,341 --> 00:36:19,709 She drove him to her house. 664 00:36:19,711 --> 00:36:22,311 But he said with his own testimony 665 00:36:22,381 --> 00:36:25,648 That he was on drugs and he was, uh, drinking heavily. 666 00:36:25,717 --> 00:36:27,617 And he doesn't remember what happened. 667 00:36:30,622 --> 00:36:32,789 [narrator] the prosecution calls several witnesses 668 00:36:32,857 --> 00:36:35,458 Who break down betty's character, 669 00:36:35,460 --> 00:36:38,928 Including her close friends. 670 00:36:38,997 --> 00:36:40,663 They said she was mean 671 00:36:40,732 --> 00:36:43,766 And she said things, very hateful things, 672 00:36:43,768 --> 00:36:45,769 In front of other people and to jack. 673 00:36:47,038 --> 00:36:50,740 She would talk about the "[bleep] bag," she called it, 674 00:36:50,809 --> 00:36:53,075 Um, after his colostomy, 675 00:36:53,077 --> 00:36:55,679 That he had to wear a bag the rest of his life. 676 00:36:58,483 --> 00:37:00,683 At least one fellow actually testified 677 00:37:00,685 --> 00:37:03,486 That he and betty had a relationship. 678 00:37:03,488 --> 00:37:04,954 Well, betty had the reputation of being someone 679 00:37:05,023 --> 00:37:07,524 That was just not a very faithful wife. 680 00:37:09,027 --> 00:37:11,161 [narrator] betty wilson never takes the stand 681 00:37:11,229 --> 00:37:12,829 In her own defense, 682 00:37:12,897 --> 00:37:15,865 Leaving the town divided on the truth. 683 00:37:15,934 --> 00:37:18,935 [hilda] the jury only knew what everybody said about betty. 684 00:37:19,004 --> 00:37:22,439 All there was was circumstantial evidence that they put up 685 00:37:22,441 --> 00:37:25,242 By people who--just putting witness after witness 686 00:37:25,310 --> 00:37:26,943 Who disliked betty. 687 00:37:30,882 --> 00:37:32,015 [narrator] coming up, 688 00:37:32,083 --> 00:37:34,383 Betty learns her fate. 689 00:37:34,385 --> 00:37:36,986 Some of betty's so-called friends 690 00:37:37,055 --> 00:37:38,688 Threw her under the bus. 691 00:37:38,757 --> 00:37:40,356 [narrator] and a surprise witness 692 00:37:40,358 --> 00:37:43,193 Throws peggy's case into turmoil. 693 00:37:43,261 --> 00:37:44,660 I could tell right from the start 694 00:37:44,729 --> 00:37:47,931 That something else other than a bat had caused these injuries. 695 00:37:50,068 --> 00:37:53,536 [theme music] 696 00:38:02,547 --> 00:38:04,647 [narrator] after six days of testimony, 697 00:38:04,716 --> 00:38:08,818 Betty wilson's fate rests with the jury. 698 00:38:08,887 --> 00:38:12,054 It takes them 10 hours to reach a verdict. 699 00:38:12,757 --> 00:38:16,426 The jury then deliberates for, like, a day or two. 700 00:38:16,494 --> 00:38:19,328 And she's then found guilty. 701 00:38:19,398 --> 00:38:20,964 She got life without parole. 702 00:38:23,968 --> 00:38:28,938 I think that the prosecution won it on james' confession 703 00:38:29,007 --> 00:38:31,507 And betty's lifestyle. 704 00:38:31,576 --> 00:38:34,076 Some of betty's so-called friends 705 00:38:34,146 --> 00:38:35,945 Threw her under the bus. 706 00:38:36,014 --> 00:38:38,114 Attorneys and prosecutors, 707 00:38:38,183 --> 00:38:42,152 They know how to plan the emotions of jurors. 708 00:38:42,220 --> 00:38:44,353 They read the room. 709 00:38:44,423 --> 00:38:46,923 They won the hearts and minds of the jurors. 710 00:38:52,531 --> 00:38:53,796 [narrator] six months later, 711 00:38:53,865 --> 00:38:55,832 Betty's twin sister, peggy lowe 712 00:38:55,900 --> 00:38:59,035 Gets her day in court in montgomery. 713 00:38:59,104 --> 00:39:03,573 A jury coming in knew her sister had been convicted, 714 00:39:03,641 --> 00:39:06,676 And therefore, as everyone has said, 715 00:39:06,745 --> 00:39:10,513 If one of them is guilty, they must both be guilty. 716 00:39:11,549 --> 00:39:13,416 [narrator] but peggy's counsel has an advantage 717 00:39:13,485 --> 00:39:15,618 Betty's lawyers didn't-- 718 00:39:15,620 --> 00:39:19,089 A client with a sterling reputation. 719 00:39:19,157 --> 00:39:22,558 Peggy lowe had all of her church friends 720 00:39:22,627 --> 00:39:25,195 Sitting in that trial. 721 00:39:25,263 --> 00:39:27,697 She was loved by a community. 722 00:39:31,936 --> 00:39:34,437 [narrator] unlike betty, peggy takes the stand 723 00:39:34,506 --> 00:39:36,606 In her own defense. 724 00:39:36,674 --> 00:39:39,976 [doris] she came through as mrs. Clean. 725 00:39:40,044 --> 00:39:41,544 She was beautiful. 726 00:39:41,612 --> 00:39:43,613 She was sweet. 727 00:39:43,681 --> 00:39:46,416 And, and it all came through in the trial. 728 00:39:50,455 --> 00:39:53,823 [narrator] the defense claims james white's story is false, 729 00:39:53,892 --> 00:39:55,958 And that he acted without the twins, 730 00:39:56,027 --> 00:39:59,662 But with the help of an unknown accomplice. 731 00:39:59,664 --> 00:40:02,398 [spencer] her defense attorney said james white 732 00:40:02,466 --> 00:40:05,735 And some other degenerate criminal 733 00:40:05,804 --> 00:40:07,737 Found out about this wealthy woman 734 00:40:07,806 --> 00:40:10,039 And inquired about his work schedule 735 00:40:10,108 --> 00:40:13,109 And was like, "we're gonna go rob him then." 736 00:40:13,177 --> 00:40:16,512 He surprised them, and they beat him in the head. 737 00:40:16,581 --> 00:40:18,515 I don't think they meant to kill him. 738 00:40:22,086 --> 00:40:24,354 [narrator] chief medical examiner kris sperry 739 00:40:24,422 --> 00:40:26,622 Also takes the stand-- 740 00:40:26,691 --> 00:40:28,525 A key witness for the defense 741 00:40:28,527 --> 00:40:31,694 Who did not appear at betty's trial. 742 00:40:31,696 --> 00:40:33,095 He challenges the assumption 743 00:40:33,164 --> 00:40:36,966 That jack was killed with a baseball bat. 744 00:40:37,035 --> 00:40:39,101 [kris] the nature of the injuries on his head 745 00:40:39,170 --> 00:40:41,804 Were straight, with slightly jagged edges. 746 00:40:41,873 --> 00:40:44,407 And those injuries would be cause by something 747 00:40:44,475 --> 00:40:47,343 That is kind of narrow and thin. 748 00:40:47,412 --> 00:40:48,678 I could tell right from the start 749 00:40:48,746 --> 00:40:50,780 That something else other than a bat 750 00:40:50,848 --> 00:40:52,615 Had caused these injuries. 751 00:40:55,820 --> 00:40:57,687 [narrator] the defense presents a new theory 752 00:40:57,755 --> 00:41:01,190 Based on pictures from the crime scene. 753 00:41:01,259 --> 00:41:03,826 Down on the ground floor, there was a fireplace. 754 00:41:03,895 --> 00:41:06,929 And you could see there was a poker that was missing 755 00:41:06,998 --> 00:41:09,432 That might've been used to kill him. 756 00:41:11,135 --> 00:41:12,802 [narrator] the defense also questions 757 00:41:12,871 --> 00:41:17,606 Whether dr. Wilson was killed where his body was found. 758 00:41:17,676 --> 00:41:20,342 Where dr. Wilson was laying on the floor, 759 00:41:20,344 --> 00:41:22,145 There was a little bit of blood 760 00:41:22,213 --> 00:41:26,348 That was maybe no more than 6 or 8 inches off of the floor, 761 00:41:26,350 --> 00:41:28,418 Uh, onto the, the walls, 762 00:41:28,486 --> 00:41:30,253 But nothing above that. 763 00:41:30,321 --> 00:41:34,224 And I think that he was murdered somewhere else. 764 00:41:34,292 --> 00:41:36,226 And then he was brought up the stairs, 765 00:41:36,294 --> 00:41:40,597 And that would be difficult even for two people to do. 766 00:41:41,932 --> 00:41:45,802 It looked like this was the act of more than one person. 767 00:41:45,870 --> 00:41:47,937 The defense makes it very clear 768 00:41:48,006 --> 00:41:52,041 That he probably wasn't the onl person at that crime scene. 769 00:41:52,110 --> 00:41:53,742 There were two weapons at the very least 770 00:41:53,812 --> 00:41:55,445 Used to kill this man. 771 00:41:59,650 --> 00:42:03,119 [narrator] the defense alleges that robbery is the real reason 772 00:42:03,187 --> 00:42:05,655 Why james white came to be in possession 773 00:42:05,723 --> 00:42:09,925 Of betty wilson's 38-caliber revolver. 774 00:42:09,994 --> 00:42:12,462 Did he steal the gun? Did he take the gun 775 00:42:12,530 --> 00:42:15,498 When he murdered dr. Wilson? 776 00:42:15,566 --> 00:42:17,399 [narrator] after a week of testimony, 777 00:42:17,401 --> 00:42:20,069 Peggy's case goes to the jury. 778 00:42:20,138 --> 00:42:23,739 Just two hours later, the verdict is in. 779 00:42:23,808 --> 00:42:29,111 This time, this jury returns with a verdict of not guilty. 780 00:42:29,113 --> 00:42:30,146 She's acquitted. 781 00:42:33,584 --> 00:42:36,518 [narrator] the verdict causes almost as much of a stir 782 00:42:36,588 --> 00:42:39,221 As the crime itself. 783 00:42:39,290 --> 00:42:43,292 One is either walking around free and should not be, 784 00:42:43,361 --> 00:42:49,131 Or one is sitting in prison and should be free herself. 785 00:42:49,200 --> 00:42:50,733 You can't have both. 786 00:42:54,872 --> 00:42:57,940 [narrator] though the verdicts raise controversy, 787 00:42:58,009 --> 00:43:02,778 The true tragedy is the loss of a beloved doctor. 788 00:43:02,847 --> 00:43:06,649 Jack wilson was a kind and caring man. 789 00:43:06,717 --> 00:43:09,118 Not all victims are. 790 00:43:09,187 --> 00:43:10,986 He was generous. 791 00:43:11,055 --> 00:43:14,690 He treated his patients with dignity and respect, 792 00:43:14,692 --> 00:43:17,926 No matter what their circumstances. 793 00:43:17,996 --> 00:43:21,598 And it's tragic all the way around that he's gone. 794 00:43:24,369 --> 00:43:36,279 [music]