1 00:00:08,007 --> 00:00:10,509 [narrator] a minnesota couple becomes the target 2 00:00:11,445 --> 00:00:12,444 Of a shooting on their own front lawn. 3 00:00:20,955 --> 00:00:23,588 Police don't know if the shooter is still a threat 4 00:00:23,590 --> 00:00:25,557 In the neighborhood, so they're very cautious. 5 00:00:27,628 --> 00:00:28,961 [christopher] he was absolutely refusing to 6 00:00:28,996 --> 00:00:31,163 Surrender himself to the local police. 7 00:00:35,602 --> 00:00:37,435 [paul] he had taken a stand that new brighton police 8 00:00:37,471 --> 00:00:38,570 Were somehow to blame. 9 00:00:39,907 --> 00:00:42,407 [narrator] the investigation reveals a turbulent history 10 00:00:42,609 --> 00:00:44,476 Between two neighbors. 11 00:00:46,580 --> 00:00:51,917 This was a feud that had been percolating for several years. 12 00:00:53,486 --> 00:00:55,820 There was a lotta hate there, there was a lot of anger. 13 00:00:56,523 --> 00:01:00,359 They began finding animal parts and animals in their driveway. 14 00:01:00,561 --> 00:01:03,461 It was sort of hatfield and mccoys, if you will. 15 00:01:04,031 --> 00:01:06,198 [narrator] but who was the real instigator 16 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:10,569 In this feud that resulted in cold-blooded murder? 17 00:01:19,546 --> 00:01:22,514 [frank] it escalated, as they both felt the need 18 00:01:22,516 --> 00:01:24,716 To exert control over the situation. 19 00:01:26,052 --> 00:01:28,520 The only way this situation was going to end 20 00:01:28,722 --> 00:01:31,990 Was with one of them killing the other. 21 00:01:32,659 --> 00:01:34,526 He was getting closer to snapping. 22 00:01:34,561 --> 00:01:37,963 [music] 23 00:01:40,233 --> 00:01:45,971 [theme music] 24 00:01:50,843 --> 00:01:52,444 [music] 25 00:01:53,413 --> 00:01:54,246 [narrator] the suburb of new brighton 26 00:01:54,448 --> 00:01:55,780 Is known as one of 27 00:01:55,782 --> 00:01:58,083 The best places to live in minnesota. 28 00:01:59,686 --> 00:02:03,955 [anna] it is a suburb just north of saint paul, minnesota. 29 00:02:04,457 --> 00:02:07,392 Lots of families, lots of schools, lots of parks. 30 00:02:07,928 --> 00:02:09,595 Just a really good neighborhood. 31 00:02:11,398 --> 00:02:12,897 It's an area where people go 32 00:02:13,099 --> 00:02:17,669 To escape the hectic life of the inner city. 33 00:02:20,007 --> 00:02:23,175 [narrator] but on the evening of may 5th, 2014, 34 00:02:24,411 --> 00:02:26,778 This peaceful area becomes the scene of 35 00:02:26,980 --> 00:02:28,647 A terrifying crime. 36 00:02:28,649 --> 00:02:29,814 [gunshot firing] 37 00:02:29,816 --> 00:02:31,550 [glass shattering] 38 00:02:31,552 --> 00:02:33,352 [gunshot firing] 39 00:02:47,968 --> 00:02:50,468 [anna] the 911 call came in from a woman. 40 00:02:50,671 --> 00:02:52,904 Her name was jennifer damerow-cleven, 41 00:02:52,907 --> 00:02:55,474 And she reported that she and her partner, 42 00:02:55,476 --> 00:02:58,544 Todd stevens, had just been shot by their neighbor. 43 00:03:12,726 --> 00:03:15,927 [police sirens] 44 00:03:15,962 --> 00:03:18,129 [narrator] as officers race to the scene, 45 00:03:18,165 --> 00:03:21,800 911 operators keep jennifer on the line. 46 00:03:58,805 --> 00:04:00,905 [narrator] she explains that neal zumberge 47 00:04:00,907 --> 00:04:03,008 Is their neighbor across the street. 48 00:04:19,125 --> 00:04:24,596 [music] 49 00:04:24,798 --> 00:04:26,231 [narrator] new brighton police officers 50 00:04:26,300 --> 00:04:27,832 Arrive at the address 51 00:04:27,868 --> 00:04:30,268 And find jennifer's partner, todd stevens, 52 00:04:30,470 --> 00:04:34,139 Lying in the front yard, bleeding and unconscious. 53 00:04:36,109 --> 00:04:39,578 But they find themselves in a dangerous situation. 54 00:04:40,781 --> 00:04:42,114 [anna] they don't know if the shooter 55 00:04:42,316 --> 00:04:44,316 Is still a threat to them, or a threat to the victims, 56 00:04:44,518 --> 00:04:45,917 Or a threat to the neighborhood. 57 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:47,452 So, they're very cautious. 58 00:04:49,422 --> 00:04:51,423 [christopher] the urgent matter at hand is, 59 00:04:51,425 --> 00:04:53,592 Is getting first aid to the victim, 60 00:04:54,394 --> 00:04:56,094 Who is in the front yard. 61 00:04:56,296 --> 00:04:57,328 That was difficult to do, 62 00:04:57,330 --> 00:04:59,231 Because there was still an ongoing threat 63 00:04:59,700 --> 00:05:01,233 From the suspect house. 64 00:05:01,235 --> 00:05:05,636 [music] 65 00:05:05,638 --> 00:05:08,106 [narrator] officers barricade themselves behind a car 66 00:05:08,308 --> 00:05:09,107 With assault rifles, 67 00:05:09,843 --> 00:05:12,911 While an emt tries first to save todd's life 68 00:05:12,913 --> 00:05:14,579 While waiting for backup. 69 00:05:16,917 --> 00:05:19,251 [anna] there was a gunshot wound to his face. 70 00:05:19,653 --> 00:05:22,654 There were a few others to his arm that they could see, 71 00:05:22,856 --> 00:05:25,257 But many of the wounds were actually covered by his clothe, 72 00:05:25,459 --> 00:05:27,859 And so I don't believe it was apparent immediately 73 00:05:27,861 --> 00:05:30,395 How many gunshot wounds todd suffered. 74 00:05:30,597 --> 00:05:33,598 [music] 75 00:05:47,147 --> 00:05:51,883 They do start rendering aid and trying to give him cpr, 76 00:05:51,885 --> 00:05:54,486 But that did not last more than a minute or two. 77 00:05:55,856 --> 00:05:59,023 It was very apparent that he was no longer alive. 78 00:05:59,025 --> 00:06:04,896 [music] 79 00:06:07,567 --> 00:06:09,634 [narrator] 46-year-old todd stevens 80 00:06:09,836 --> 00:06:12,504 Was a lifelong resident of new brighton. 81 00:06:13,307 --> 00:06:14,773 He grew up there with his family, 82 00:06:14,975 --> 00:06:18,643 And like many in the area, saw no reason to ever leave. 83 00:06:20,046 --> 00:06:23,415 [anna] while it is a suburb of a major metropolitan city, 84 00:06:23,417 --> 00:06:24,983 There is a lotta nature. 85 00:06:24,985 --> 00:06:26,651 There's a nature path right by this neighborhood. 86 00:06:26,853 --> 00:06:28,853 And so, there was a lotta wildlife in the area, 87 00:06:28,855 --> 00:06:30,422 And todd really enjoyed that. 88 00:06:32,859 --> 00:06:34,526 [kyle] he was an outdoorsman, he liked to go hunting 89 00:06:34,528 --> 00:06:37,262 And, you know, do all sorts of stuff outdoors. 90 00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:39,798 [narrator] the only thing todd loved more 91 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:42,901 Than the area's wildlife was its people. 92 00:06:43,937 --> 00:06:45,904 [james] I met todd around 2006. 93 00:06:46,607 --> 00:06:49,941 The guy would do anything for anybody, anytime. 94 00:06:50,410 --> 00:06:52,877 You know, if, if somebody he just met said, 95 00:06:52,879 --> 00:06:54,412 "I need help this weekend," 96 00:06:54,414 --> 00:06:56,114 Todd would be over there to help 'em. 97 00:06:57,283 --> 00:06:58,716 [kyle] he's my dad's best friend, you know? 98 00:06:58,919 --> 00:07:00,952 So, he was always over, always hangin' out. 99 00:07:00,954 --> 00:07:02,787 He'd make you laugh, that's for sure. 100 00:07:02,989 --> 00:07:04,789 I mean, especially as a young kid, I really loved him. 101 00:07:05,458 --> 00:07:07,526 He was more like an uncle figure to me, you know? 102 00:07:09,662 --> 00:07:11,263 [narrator] for most of his adult life, 103 00:07:11,465 --> 00:07:13,932 Todd worked physically demanding jobs. 104 00:07:15,502 --> 00:07:17,302 He'd started out in construction, 105 00:07:17,504 --> 00:07:19,070 But before long, 106 00:07:19,072 --> 00:07:21,973 Todd decided to make a switch to short-haul trucking. 107 00:07:23,310 --> 00:07:25,376 [james] we worked for the same company. 108 00:07:25,378 --> 00:07:26,844 We were route drivers, 109 00:07:26,847 --> 00:07:29,614 Delivering restaurants and hospitals their food. 110 00:07:30,584 --> 00:07:31,649 Todd loved his job. 111 00:07:31,851 --> 00:07:33,851 Loved the people he delivered to. 112 00:07:33,854 --> 00:07:34,986 They loved him. 113 00:07:37,758 --> 00:07:39,624 [narrator] todd was also dedicated to 114 00:07:39,626 --> 00:07:42,727 His long-time partner, jennifer cleven. 115 00:07:42,929 --> 00:07:46,030 [music] 116 00:07:46,232 --> 00:07:47,499 [narrator] a single mother, 117 00:07:47,501 --> 00:07:49,367 Jennifer and her young son, ryan, 118 00:07:49,369 --> 00:07:53,338 Met todd in 1996 through mutual connections. 119 00:07:54,874 --> 00:07:58,276 She had come up from texas at some point to visit. 120 00:07:58,478 --> 00:07:59,678 Ended up staying. 121 00:08:00,747 --> 00:08:02,480 [narrator] they quickly fell for each other, 122 00:08:02,482 --> 00:08:06,017 And todd invited jennifer and her son to live with him. 123 00:08:07,287 --> 00:08:09,487 Todd treated ryan like he was his own, 124 00:08:09,689 --> 00:08:11,923 Teaching him how to camp and hunt. 125 00:08:11,925 --> 00:08:14,125 And for the next 18 years, 126 00:08:14,127 --> 00:08:17,362 Todd and jennifer seemed like the perfect couple. 127 00:08:18,164 --> 00:08:19,897 Although she and todd weren't married, 128 00:08:19,900 --> 00:08:22,033 They had been partners for a long time. 129 00:08:23,303 --> 00:08:26,137 [james] todd and jennifer always took care of each other, 130 00:08:26,340 --> 00:08:28,640 And I think they loved it the way they were. 131 00:08:28,842 --> 00:08:30,808 They were always calling each other, 132 00:08:31,011 --> 00:08:34,178 In contact with each other, and knowing what's going on. 133 00:08:34,714 --> 00:08:36,548 They were happy with each other. 134 00:08:38,585 --> 00:08:41,019 [anna] todd had lived in this neighborhood his entire life, 135 00:08:41,021 --> 00:08:42,987 And he really liked it and enjoyed it. 136 00:08:42,989 --> 00:08:44,856 He was social with many of the neighbors. 137 00:08:45,425 --> 00:08:48,226 They all described him as kind and helpful. 138 00:08:48,795 --> 00:08:50,228 [james] he was a jokester. 139 00:08:50,430 --> 00:08:52,030 And that's what I think people loved about him, 140 00:08:52,032 --> 00:08:55,399 'cause he was just always was havin' fun and talkin' 141 00:08:55,401 --> 00:08:57,068 And jokin' around. 142 00:08:57,270 --> 00:09:02,373 [music] 143 00:09:02,575 --> 00:09:04,142 [narrator] and in 1997, 144 00:09:04,144 --> 00:09:06,677 New neighbors neal and paula zumberge 145 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:09,714 And their three children moved in across the street. 146 00:09:10,951 --> 00:09:13,851 [anna] jennifer's son and neal and paula's children 147 00:09:14,054 --> 00:09:16,287 Were actually pretty good friends for awhile. 148 00:09:16,923 --> 00:09:19,157 And the neighbors were pretty friendly with one another. 149 00:09:21,261 --> 00:09:24,262 They had family gatherings together, 150 00:09:24,464 --> 00:09:26,665 And their kids hung out together. 151 00:09:27,634 --> 00:09:29,433 [narrator] but in 2002, 152 00:09:29,435 --> 00:09:32,370 The neighborly relationship began to turn sour 153 00:09:32,572 --> 00:09:35,339 When neal suddenly forbade his son, jacob, 154 00:09:35,375 --> 00:09:38,209 From visiting jennifer's son, ryan. 155 00:09:38,412 --> 00:09:41,212 [music] 156 00:09:41,214 --> 00:09:42,914 [anna] the neighbors talk about how he, todd, 157 00:09:43,116 --> 00:09:44,549 He liked to drink, 158 00:09:44,618 --> 00:09:46,585 And he would get a little loud and rowdy sometimes, 159 00:09:46,787 --> 00:09:49,120 But no one had any problems with him. 160 00:09:50,423 --> 00:09:53,391 It sort of began to, to fray over, 161 00:09:53,593 --> 00:09:55,860 Over a, a time period, over years. 162 00:09:56,663 --> 00:10:00,030 The zumberges were concerned about what was happening inside 163 00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:01,733 Jennifer and todd's house. 164 00:10:02,336 --> 00:10:05,503 Specifically, todd's drinking. The behavior. 165 00:10:05,705 --> 00:10:09,641 That probably is, is kind of where things deteriorated. 166 00:10:10,677 --> 00:10:12,143 [narrator] for the first time, 167 00:10:12,145 --> 00:10:14,946 Todd found himself at odds with a neighbor. 168 00:10:15,148 --> 00:10:18,583 And now, after nearly a decade of tension, 169 00:10:18,652 --> 00:10:22,620 The feud has escalated to a shooting in their front yard. 170 00:10:22,622 --> 00:10:25,890 [music] 171 00:10:25,892 --> 00:10:29,727 [narrator] less than ten minutes after jennifer called 911, 172 00:10:30,063 --> 00:10:32,230 Todd has been pronounced dead. 173 00:10:32,966 --> 00:10:35,734 Medics find jennifer in the living room. 174 00:10:36,903 --> 00:10:39,203 She had significant gunshot injuries, 175 00:10:39,205 --> 00:10:42,040 And, that required hospitalization. 176 00:10:42,242 --> 00:10:47,078 Jennifer was obviously upset and angry. 177 00:10:48,448 --> 00:10:51,048 She's telling them, "I told you he was going to do this. 178 00:10:51,051 --> 00:10:53,517 I told you this would happen. You didn't help us." 179 00:10:53,519 --> 00:10:56,220 [music] 180 00:10:56,422 --> 00:10:57,055 [narrator] coming up. 181 00:10:58,024 --> 00:11:01,259 Police engage in tense negotiations... 182 00:11:05,465 --> 00:11:07,965 [narrator] and investigators learn about the start of 183 00:11:08,168 --> 00:11:11,902 A deadly feud and claims of self-defense. 184 00:11:12,672 --> 00:11:13,505 [christopher] the harder he pushed, 185 00:11:14,540 --> 00:11:15,506 The harder todd stevens pushed back. 186 00:11:15,708 --> 00:11:16,675 [music] 187 00:11:18,445 --> 00:11:21,646 [music] 188 00:11:26,185 --> 00:11:28,486 [music] 189 00:11:30,857 --> 00:11:32,156 [music] 190 00:11:32,358 --> 00:11:34,125 [narrator] in the aftermath of a shooting 191 00:11:34,327 --> 00:11:37,495 That claimed the life of 46-year-old todd stevens, 192 00:11:38,131 --> 00:11:40,765 Minnesota police find themselves in a standoff 193 00:11:40,834 --> 00:11:44,002 With the alleged gunman, neal zumberge. 194 00:11:45,938 --> 00:11:48,339 They are quickly joined by over 20 officers 195 00:11:48,542 --> 00:11:50,108 From multiple agencies, 196 00:11:50,310 --> 00:11:52,877 Including the ramsey county sheriff's department 197 00:11:53,079 --> 00:11:55,747 And the minnesota bureau of criminal apprehension. 198 00:11:57,283 --> 00:11:59,984 It was a very tense situation for law enforcement. 199 00:11:59,986 --> 00:12:01,619 They knew they had two gunshot victims. 200 00:12:02,088 --> 00:12:03,187 One was dead. 201 00:12:03,189 --> 00:12:04,856 The shooter was in his own home. 202 00:12:05,659 --> 00:12:07,625 They needed to set up a perimeter. 203 00:12:07,627 --> 00:12:10,361 They didn't know how this situation was going to resolve. 204 00:12:11,998 --> 00:12:13,998 [frank] when police show up at the scene, 205 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:16,901 It has the potential to either calm it down 206 00:12:17,103 --> 00:12:19,237 Or escalate the situation. 207 00:12:20,340 --> 00:12:22,974 With an individual like neal zumberge, 208 00:12:22,976 --> 00:12:26,077 There's a high potential that there's going to be 209 00:12:26,279 --> 00:12:28,012 A violent altercation, 210 00:12:28,614 --> 00:12:31,683 Because he sees himself as someone who needs to win. 211 00:12:32,885 --> 00:12:35,353 [narrator] a swat team secures the area. 212 00:12:35,922 --> 00:12:38,122 But before police can make contact with neal, 213 00:12:38,658 --> 00:12:41,392 He surprises them by calling 911. 214 00:13:06,853 --> 00:13:09,453 [anna] they didn't know if there was going to be more gunfire. 215 00:13:09,856 --> 00:13:13,424 They were kind of preparing for both situations; 216 00:13:13,627 --> 00:13:15,459 Should neal open fire again, 217 00:13:15,461 --> 00:13:17,929 And also coming up with a plan to get him into custody. 218 00:13:48,194 --> 00:13:51,295 [christopher] the fact that he was making demands provided, 219 00:13:51,297 --> 00:13:53,130 I think, the responding law enforcement officers 220 00:13:53,132 --> 00:13:56,768 With a hinge of discomfort. 221 00:13:56,970 --> 00:13:58,803 "well, what are we getting ourselves into here?" 222 00:14:15,689 --> 00:14:17,922 [paul] he had taken a stand that new brighton police 223 00:14:18,124 --> 00:14:20,257 Were, to some, some, were somehow to blame 224 00:14:20,260 --> 00:14:21,659 For what was going on. 225 00:14:23,296 --> 00:14:25,997 [anna] neal had a lot of distrust and dislike for 226 00:14:26,199 --> 00:14:27,665 The new brighton police department, 227 00:14:27,667 --> 00:14:30,100 And I think he also, to a large extent, 228 00:14:30,302 --> 00:14:34,372 Blamed them for the situation escalating to this point. 229 00:14:34,574 --> 00:14:37,208 [music] 230 00:14:37,410 --> 00:14:40,344 [narrator] like gunshot victim jennifer cleven, 231 00:14:40,346 --> 00:14:43,147 Neal accuses them of ignoring problems 232 00:14:43,149 --> 00:14:44,716 Between the two families. 233 00:14:46,152 --> 00:14:47,518 Every new brighton police officer 234 00:14:47,721 --> 00:14:49,287 Probably knew both these families, 235 00:14:49,489 --> 00:14:52,923 Based upon the last decade or so of, 236 00:14:52,925 --> 00:14:56,027 Of what I would describe as a tumultuous relationship. 237 00:14:56,663 --> 00:14:58,997 Sorta hatfield and mccoys, if you will. 238 00:15:00,300 --> 00:15:02,400 [anna] neal and the zumberge household 239 00:15:02,602 --> 00:15:03,835 Felt like they had made reports 240 00:15:03,837 --> 00:15:05,837 About todd and jennifer's conduct 241 00:15:05,839 --> 00:15:08,840 That they did not feel were resolved to their satisfaction. 242 00:15:10,209 --> 00:15:13,244 [elizabeth] this wasn't a one-off argument 243 00:15:13,446 --> 00:15:15,046 Where somebody lost their temper. 244 00:15:15,048 --> 00:15:17,749 This was a feud that had been... 245 00:15:18,984 --> 00:15:21,819 Sort of percolating for several years. 246 00:15:22,021 --> 00:15:24,856 [music] 247 00:15:25,058 --> 00:15:26,424 [narrator] eventually, 248 00:15:26,626 --> 00:15:29,861 Neal agrees to turn himself over to local sheriffs. 249 00:15:31,831 --> 00:15:34,632 It took, I think, approximately 30 minutes to negotiate 250 00:15:35,268 --> 00:15:36,467 Him leaving the house. 251 00:15:37,303 --> 00:15:38,736 Then the scene calms down, 252 00:15:38,738 --> 00:15:41,205 And we're able to process and try to figure out 253 00:15:41,407 --> 00:15:43,541 Forensically what happened here. 254 00:15:45,077 --> 00:15:47,244 [anna] this was not much of a whodunit. 255 00:15:47,447 --> 00:15:48,780 Neal was the shooter. 256 00:15:49,215 --> 00:15:50,948 Getting him into custody, 257 00:15:51,617 --> 00:15:53,917 Trying to interview him to get his side of the story, 258 00:15:54,253 --> 00:15:55,686 And then processing the scene 259 00:15:55,689 --> 00:15:59,089 Were the primary goals initially. 260 00:15:59,559 --> 00:16:01,358 They found the four shotgun cartridges 261 00:16:01,361 --> 00:16:02,927 Outside of neal's home. 262 00:16:04,364 --> 00:16:05,596 And then inside the home, 263 00:16:06,999 --> 00:16:11,002 Police found the murder weapon, which was a 12-gauge shotgun 264 00:16:11,771 --> 00:16:13,671 In the area where neal said he'd left it. 265 00:16:15,075 --> 00:16:17,508 [narrator] the shotgun is a browning semi-automatic, 266 00:16:18,210 --> 00:16:21,913 Capable of holding four rounds, plus another in the chamber. 267 00:16:22,415 --> 00:16:24,548 The damage to todd and jennifer's home 268 00:16:24,750 --> 00:16:28,386 Indicates just how lethal the weapon can be. 269 00:16:29,288 --> 00:16:32,056 [christopher] well, he was firing triple-aught buck 270 00:16:32,258 --> 00:16:34,558 With, I believe, eight pellets per round. 271 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:37,128 If you did the math, means there's probably 32 272 00:16:37,330 --> 00:16:39,530 Or close to that, as many holes in that house. 273 00:16:40,133 --> 00:16:42,533 And, and the ones that weren't counted in the house 274 00:16:42,735 --> 00:16:44,668 Or didn't blow out windows or front screens 275 00:16:44,670 --> 00:16:46,137 Or those sort of things were probably lodged 276 00:16:46,339 --> 00:16:48,940 Into the decedent and/or the victim in this case. 277 00:16:49,142 --> 00:16:54,979 [music] 278 00:16:57,383 --> 00:17:01,652 Todd stevens remained at the scene for several hours, 279 00:17:01,654 --> 00:17:04,855 So that we could document specifically the scene. 280 00:17:04,857 --> 00:17:10,661 [music] 281 00:17:10,663 --> 00:17:12,496 [narrator] while neal is being processed 282 00:17:12,498 --> 00:17:14,698 And charged with second-degree murder 283 00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:16,200 And attempted murder, 284 00:17:16,402 --> 00:17:19,070 Investigators check on jennifer at the hospital. 285 00:17:20,072 --> 00:17:21,205 Jennifer had 286 00:17:21,407 --> 00:17:22,339 A through-and-through gunshot wound 287 00:17:22,341 --> 00:17:23,641 To the side of her abdomen. 288 00:17:24,978 --> 00:17:29,080 She had significant injuries that required hospitalization. 289 00:17:29,282 --> 00:17:31,582 They weren't fatal, but they were significant. 290 00:17:32,585 --> 00:17:35,086 [narrator] after receiving treatment for her wounds, 291 00:17:35,121 --> 00:17:37,087 Police are hoping she can tell them 292 00:17:37,156 --> 00:17:39,090 Exactly what happened that night. 293 00:17:40,726 --> 00:17:44,328 But first, they have to deliver some heartbreaking news. 294 00:18:03,749 --> 00:18:06,350 [narrator] when she recovers, jennifer tells detectives 295 00:18:06,552 --> 00:18:09,921 How their feud with neal zumberge got started. 296 00:18:16,896 --> 00:18:19,763 [music] 297 00:18:19,765 --> 00:18:22,366 [narrator] jennifer says after the zumberges 298 00:18:22,368 --> 00:18:24,268 Forbade their son from being friends with 299 00:18:24,470 --> 00:18:27,237 Her then-14-year-old son, ryan, 300 00:18:27,239 --> 00:18:29,307 He decided to move back to texas 301 00:18:29,509 --> 00:18:31,409 To live with his biological father. 302 00:18:33,412 --> 00:18:34,979 As empty nesters, 303 00:18:35,181 --> 00:18:37,615 Jennifer and todd took up a new hobby. 304 00:18:39,051 --> 00:18:41,185 [anna] todd and jennifer really liked to see deer. 305 00:18:41,387 --> 00:18:42,653 They enjoyed when they would come by. 306 00:18:44,023 --> 00:18:46,323 [james] todd was an animal lover, you know? 307 00:18:46,992 --> 00:18:48,626 Even though he went hunting and stuff, 308 00:18:49,028 --> 00:18:50,661 He never cared if he shot anything. 309 00:18:50,863 --> 00:18:52,696 He just wanted to watch deer. 310 00:18:53,432 --> 00:18:55,600 [elizabeth] todd's deer feeder was a pvc pipe 311 00:18:55,802 --> 00:18:57,067 That he filled with corn. 312 00:18:57,103 --> 00:19:00,537 Deer really like corn. All birdseed, actually. 313 00:19:01,074 --> 00:19:03,140 They'll kinda eat anything in your yard. 314 00:19:03,743 --> 00:19:05,476 [narrator] jennifer says that's when 315 00:19:05,678 --> 00:19:07,578 Their problems really began. 316 00:19:15,988 --> 00:19:17,788 [narrator] but investigators still have 317 00:19:17,991 --> 00:19:20,091 Another side to hear from. 318 00:19:20,126 --> 00:19:22,059 [frank] he felt he needed to respond. 319 00:19:22,061 --> 00:19:23,294 From his perspective, 320 00:19:23,496 --> 00:19:26,030 He was doing what he had been pressed to do. 321 00:19:27,233 --> 00:19:30,568 There was just a lot of a visceral anger, 322 00:19:30,770 --> 00:19:31,802 Both directions. 323 00:19:33,005 --> 00:19:35,039 Neal basically said, "I couldn't take it anymore." 324 00:19:35,741 --> 00:19:37,941 They never anticipated that it was going to escalate 325 00:19:38,143 --> 00:19:39,377 To this point. 326 00:19:39,445 --> 00:19:40,978 How did this happen? 327 00:19:40,980 --> 00:19:42,380 [music] 328 00:19:43,549 --> 00:19:46,350 [music] 329 00:19:51,390 --> 00:19:53,624 [music] 330 00:19:56,762 --> 00:19:57,361 [narrator] while officers process 331 00:19:58,197 --> 00:19:59,463 Neal zumberge at the station, 332 00:20:00,866 --> 00:20:02,900 Detectives in new brighton, minnesota 333 00:20:03,102 --> 00:20:05,102 Are continuing to gather a statement 334 00:20:05,104 --> 00:20:07,338 From his neighbor, jennifer cleven, 335 00:20:07,873 --> 00:20:10,908 Whose feud with neal left her seriously injured 336 00:20:11,343 --> 00:20:14,045 And her partner dead of a gunshot wound. 337 00:20:14,247 --> 00:20:17,014 [music] 338 00:20:24,423 --> 00:20:29,626 [music] 339 00:20:29,629 --> 00:20:31,429 Neal was very upset. 340 00:20:31,497 --> 00:20:35,232 He claimed that because todd and jennifer fed the deer, 341 00:20:35,901 --> 00:20:38,336 There was an increased presence of deer in the neighborhood. 342 00:20:38,538 --> 00:20:41,004 He felt that, that was a threat to the safety 343 00:20:41,206 --> 00:20:42,973 And welfare of the neighborhood. 344 00:20:43,909 --> 00:20:46,043 [narrator] neal feared that the deer would bring 345 00:20:46,045 --> 00:20:47,945 Infected bugs to the area. 346 00:20:49,181 --> 00:20:51,682 [frank] lyme's disease is passed on by ticks, 347 00:20:51,951 --> 00:20:54,184 Typically carried by deers. 348 00:20:54,220 --> 00:20:56,620 When a tick carrying lyme disease bites a human, 349 00:20:56,622 --> 00:20:59,056 They can be sick for a long period of time. 350 00:20:59,792 --> 00:21:02,793 It can affect their general responsiveness. 351 00:21:02,795 --> 00:21:04,928 They become very lethargic. 352 00:21:04,930 --> 00:21:07,932 They can become physically ill for long periods of time. 353 00:21:08,934 --> 00:21:12,569 But jennifer and todd both felt that 354 00:21:13,106 --> 00:21:14,471 It was their right to feed deer. 355 00:21:14,673 --> 00:21:17,041 They were not going to back away from it. 356 00:21:19,111 --> 00:21:20,444 [narrator] in 2012, 357 00:21:20,446 --> 00:21:23,080 Neal started complaining to local officials. 358 00:21:24,850 --> 00:21:27,551 Neal complained to the city of new brighton about this. 359 00:21:27,587 --> 00:21:30,888 That's not incongruent with any ordinances or laws, 360 00:21:30,890 --> 00:21:32,490 So they didn't take any action. 361 00:21:33,826 --> 00:21:35,826 [frank] that's a pretty insignificant complaint, 362 00:21:35,828 --> 00:21:37,928 And there really is nothing for the police to do about it. 363 00:21:38,931 --> 00:21:41,965 But he was not going to let go of it. 364 00:21:41,967 --> 00:21:45,135 [music] 365 00:21:45,337 --> 00:21:46,603 [narrator] tension between the neighbors 366 00:21:46,605 --> 00:21:48,239 Continued to rise... 367 00:21:48,441 --> 00:21:51,241 [music] 368 00:21:51,243 --> 00:21:52,576 [narrator] and months later, 369 00:21:52,578 --> 00:21:55,979 Neal claimed his fears became reality. 370 00:21:56,916 --> 00:22:00,251 [anna] he said that he and his dog both got lyme disease 371 00:22:00,786 --> 00:22:02,787 From the ticks that the deer carried... 372 00:22:04,457 --> 00:22:07,991 That todd and jennifer were luring into the neighborhood. 373 00:22:08,193 --> 00:22:12,062 Neal claimed that he had to take reduced hours at work 374 00:22:12,065 --> 00:22:13,497 Because of his lyme's disease. 375 00:22:16,268 --> 00:22:18,368 [frank] ultimately, neal lost his job. 376 00:22:18,570 --> 00:22:21,138 He ended up being stuck at home. 377 00:22:21,340 --> 00:22:23,174 Now, the anger becomes completely 378 00:22:23,376 --> 00:22:24,708 Focused on the neighbor. 379 00:22:25,444 --> 00:22:28,245 [anna] it seemed like neal had become 380 00:22:28,247 --> 00:22:30,147 Very fixated on todd and jennifer, 381 00:22:30,682 --> 00:22:35,353 And he blamed them for his inability to find a job. 382 00:22:35,555 --> 00:22:38,389 He blamed them for getting lyme disease. 383 00:22:38,391 --> 00:22:41,225 He blamed them for a lot of the problems in his life. 384 00:22:42,361 --> 00:22:45,162 [narrator] jennifer says in March 2012, 385 00:22:45,364 --> 00:22:47,464 Something happened that foreshadowed 386 00:22:47,499 --> 00:22:49,232 The violence to come. 387 00:22:49,434 --> 00:22:55,239 [music] 388 00:22:55,441 --> 00:22:59,377 Todd stevens and jennifer cleven began finding animal parts 389 00:22:59,579 --> 00:23:00,911 And animals in their driveway. 390 00:23:01,113 --> 00:23:03,681 [music] 391 00:23:14,093 --> 00:23:16,093 [james] I remember goin' over to pick up todd 392 00:23:16,295 --> 00:23:17,595 To go four-wheelin', 393 00:23:17,663 --> 00:23:18,762 And pull in his yard, 394 00:23:18,764 --> 00:23:21,732 And there's two dead deer layin' in his front yard... 395 00:23:22,968 --> 00:23:25,736 That somebody shot and killed in his front yard in, 396 00:23:25,938 --> 00:23:27,905 In the middle of the night. 397 00:23:27,907 --> 00:23:31,008 It's just strange that nobody else had dead animals 398 00:23:31,777 --> 00:23:33,411 Thrown in their front yard. 399 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:36,980 [anna] it was upsetting to todd and jennifer, 400 00:23:36,982 --> 00:23:38,649 As well as the neighbors. 401 00:23:38,651 --> 00:23:40,484 Todd and jennifer made a report. 402 00:23:40,686 --> 00:23:43,454 They suspected that neal was the one who killed those animals 403 00:23:43,489 --> 00:23:46,389 And put them there, either as a sign or as a threat. 404 00:23:46,391 --> 00:23:50,293 [music] 405 00:23:50,495 --> 00:23:51,628 [narrator] the disturbing incidents 406 00:23:51,830 --> 00:23:54,765 Continued over a period of six months. 407 00:23:56,068 --> 00:23:58,068 Jennifer and todd made reports 408 00:23:58,070 --> 00:24:00,036 To the department of natural resources, 409 00:24:00,506 --> 00:24:03,374 But neal denied the accusations. 410 00:24:05,110 --> 00:24:06,977 [frank] think about the craziness of this. 411 00:24:07,179 --> 00:24:08,612 That someone's killed an animal 412 00:24:08,614 --> 00:24:11,415 And put it in your yard to threaten you. 413 00:24:18,524 --> 00:24:22,425 They were hoping to catch neal putting these dead animals 414 00:24:22,427 --> 00:24:24,094 In their yard. 415 00:24:24,096 --> 00:24:26,296 Neal was very aware of the fact that todd and jennifer 416 00:24:26,331 --> 00:24:28,131 Had put cameras up in their yard, 417 00:24:28,734 --> 00:24:31,068 And that is when a lot of this behavior stopped. 418 00:24:31,270 --> 00:24:36,607 [music] 419 00:24:36,809 --> 00:24:38,876 [narrator] in October of 2012, 420 00:24:39,078 --> 00:24:41,778 Neal pleaded his case against the deer feeder 421 00:24:41,813 --> 00:24:43,481 To the entire neighborhood. 422 00:24:45,985 --> 00:24:47,617 [christopher] he circulated a letter. 423 00:24:47,619 --> 00:24:50,621 He xeroxed several copies of the same correspondence 424 00:24:51,390 --> 00:24:53,457 And fanned it out among the neighborhood. 425 00:24:54,460 --> 00:24:57,027 Neal talked in this letter about todd, 426 00:24:57,029 --> 00:24:59,029 But he referred to him as "mr. Corn" 427 00:24:59,231 --> 00:25:01,865 And talked about how todd was feeding the deer 428 00:25:01,901 --> 00:25:03,534 And how dangerous it was. 429 00:25:03,736 --> 00:25:05,035 [frank] from neal's perspective, 430 00:25:05,237 --> 00:25:07,771 He saw this as possibly generating support 431 00:25:07,773 --> 00:25:09,239 For his beliefs. 432 00:25:09,775 --> 00:25:11,541 The truth is, from the neighbors' perspective, 433 00:25:11,610 --> 00:25:15,946 It simply made it look like he was getting closer to snapping. 434 00:25:15,948 --> 00:25:21,952 [music] 435 00:25:22,154 --> 00:25:23,654 [frank] at one point, neal even put up 436 00:25:23,856 --> 00:25:25,555 A sign in their yard. 437 00:25:25,557 --> 00:25:27,791 "come watch the deer eat. Come watch the deer poop." 438 00:25:27,993 --> 00:25:30,928 Talking about the absurdity of feeding animals 439 00:25:30,930 --> 00:25:32,395 And having them in their yard. 440 00:25:33,332 --> 00:25:36,834 I think that there was a conflict in personality, 441 00:25:37,770 --> 00:25:40,871 And it just escalated as they both felt the need 442 00:25:41,073 --> 00:25:43,541 To exert control over the situation. 443 00:25:44,643 --> 00:25:45,742 The harder he pushed, 444 00:25:45,944 --> 00:25:47,545 The harder todd stevens pushed back. 445 00:25:48,881 --> 00:25:51,882 These guys called the cops on each other multiple times, 446 00:25:52,084 --> 00:25:56,086 And the cops came to the neighborhood. 447 00:25:57,756 --> 00:26:00,223 [narrator] in the nine years before the shooting, 448 00:26:00,225 --> 00:26:05,729 Law enforcement responded to calls from both houses 44 time. 449 00:26:27,252 --> 00:26:28,719 [anna] a little more than a year before the shooting, 450 00:26:29,322 --> 00:26:32,555 The court found that neal had engaged in a pattern of 451 00:26:32,557 --> 00:26:34,457 Harassing conduct against jennifer, 452 00:26:34,659 --> 00:26:37,994 And that a court order was necessary for her safety. 453 00:26:38,798 --> 00:26:42,933 Jennifer got her restraining order against neal in 2013. 454 00:26:44,737 --> 00:26:48,271 [narrator] the restraining order cooled things down for a while, 455 00:26:48,273 --> 00:26:50,040 But a week before the shooting, 456 00:26:50,242 --> 00:26:54,044 An incident seemed to reignite neal's rage. 457 00:26:54,246 --> 00:27:00,117 [music] 458 00:27:01,086 --> 00:27:02,586 [anna] todd and jennifer were at the bar 459 00:27:04,089 --> 00:27:06,223 In spring lake park, minnesota, which was a neighboring suburb. 460 00:27:06,258 --> 00:27:08,792 And they were there having some drinks and playing bingo. 461 00:27:09,695 --> 00:27:11,996 Also at the bar was jacob zumberge, 462 00:27:12,697 --> 00:27:14,130 Paula and neal's son. 463 00:27:14,466 --> 00:27:15,999 And at the bar, 464 00:27:16,201 --> 00:27:18,669 Jennifer reported that jacob confronted her and todd. 465 00:27:46,365 --> 00:27:51,602 [music] 466 00:27:51,604 --> 00:27:54,137 [frank] in some way, jacob saw it as 467 00:27:54,139 --> 00:27:55,506 A way of supporting his father. 468 00:27:56,775 --> 00:28:00,878 I feel like dad's frustration had carried over onto his son. 469 00:28:02,014 --> 00:28:03,646 [narrator] jennifer says she immediately 470 00:28:03,648 --> 00:28:07,117 Reported it to police, who issued an arrest warrant. 471 00:28:08,353 --> 00:28:11,121 [anna] the police did go to paula and neal's home 472 00:28:11,123 --> 00:28:14,625 To try to locate and interview jacob about 473 00:28:14,827 --> 00:28:16,526 What happened at the bar. 474 00:28:16,528 --> 00:28:19,296 Paula got very upset and kicked the police out of her house, 475 00:28:19,498 --> 00:28:20,998 And told them to leave. 476 00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:23,500 So, they issued the pickup and hold warrant for him. 477 00:28:23,702 --> 00:28:26,570 [music] 478 00:28:26,772 --> 00:28:28,706 [narrator] a week later, on may 5th, 479 00:28:30,075 --> 00:28:31,942 She spotted jacob at a restaurant 480 00:28:31,944 --> 00:28:33,410 And called authorities. 481 00:28:34,946 --> 00:28:37,548 Jacob was arrested and charged with assault. 482 00:28:38,884 --> 00:28:41,952 When jennifer returned home around 8:30 p.M., 483 00:28:42,487 --> 00:28:44,755 Paula zumberge was there waiting. 484 00:28:45,791 --> 00:28:50,160 Jacob's arrest was perhaps the straw that may have 485 00:28:50,362 --> 00:28:51,595 Broken the camel's back. 486 00:29:18,824 --> 00:29:20,390 [narrator] and according to jennifer, 487 00:29:20,593 --> 00:29:23,627 Paula was no innocent bystander. 488 00:29:34,139 --> 00:29:37,073 [music] 489 00:29:37,075 --> 00:29:38,942 [anna] the fact that jennifer reported 490 00:29:39,144 --> 00:29:41,779 That paula was telling neal to keep shooting 491 00:29:42,814 --> 00:29:44,681 Was something very critical to police, 492 00:29:44,683 --> 00:29:47,317 Because it was the first real piece of evidence they had 493 00:29:47,319 --> 00:29:49,820 To suggest that paula might have been involved 494 00:29:50,022 --> 00:29:51,755 And part of the shooting. 495 00:29:51,757 --> 00:29:57,560 [music] 496 00:29:57,562 --> 00:29:58,729 [narrator] coming up. 497 00:29:59,298 --> 00:30:02,432 Neal zumberge tells his side of the story. 498 00:30:11,009 --> 00:30:12,709 [narrator] and surveillance video 499 00:30:12,711 --> 00:30:15,045 Sheds new light on the crime. 500 00:30:15,047 --> 00:30:16,479 If you go frame by frame, 501 00:30:16,681 --> 00:30:17,814 You can see the muzzle flash 502 00:30:17,849 --> 00:30:19,349 From the firearm that he's using. 503 00:30:21,353 --> 00:30:24,321 [music] 504 00:30:29,260 --> 00:30:31,261 [music] 505 00:30:34,633 --> 00:30:36,867 [narrator] four hours after todd stevens was murdered, 506 00:30:36,869 --> 00:30:39,268 Investigators go to the jail where 507 00:30:39,271 --> 00:30:41,238 Neal zumberge is being held 508 00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:42,539 And take his statement. 509 00:30:43,775 --> 00:30:47,444 I wanna build trust to the extent that I can with him. 510 00:30:47,446 --> 00:30:49,712 I think he's a smart, educated man, 511 00:30:49,914 --> 00:30:52,515 And he knows that there may be some trust issues 512 00:30:52,717 --> 00:30:54,050 With law enforcement, 513 00:30:54,252 --> 00:30:55,786 But we just wanna make a sincere effort 514 00:30:55,788 --> 00:30:57,420 To get his version of the story. 515 00:30:57,622 --> 00:30:59,690 [music] 516 00:31:25,751 --> 00:31:27,083 [narrator] according to neal, 517 00:31:27,285 --> 00:31:30,087 Todd and jennifer were the real pests. 518 00:31:44,569 --> 00:31:48,571 Neal viewed himself as someone who did what he needed to do, 519 00:31:48,841 --> 00:31:52,009 And wasn't initially apologetic for it. 520 00:32:13,131 --> 00:32:16,199 [music] 521 00:32:16,401 --> 00:32:18,068 [narrator] neal says when they found out 522 00:32:18,270 --> 00:32:20,404 Jennifer had their son arrested, 523 00:32:21,473 --> 00:32:24,007 His wife hit a breaking point. 524 00:32:24,209 --> 00:32:27,544 [music] 525 00:32:40,292 --> 00:32:43,160 He said he came out and he was keepin' an eye on todd 526 00:32:43,362 --> 00:32:44,827 To make sure his wife doesn't get shot. 527 00:32:45,029 --> 00:32:48,065 [music] 528 00:33:02,180 --> 00:33:04,647 He thought todd may have had a gun on his waistband, 529 00:33:04,849 --> 00:33:08,185 And that, that was not uncommon for todd stevens to wear 530 00:33:08,253 --> 00:33:10,821 A small caliber handgun. 531 00:33:11,423 --> 00:33:13,890 [narrator] neal says before he realized it, 532 00:33:13,892 --> 00:33:15,958 He'd already pulled the trigger. 533 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:18,661 [music] 534 00:33:18,663 --> 00:33:21,264 [gunshots firing] 535 00:33:55,500 --> 00:33:58,868 [music] 536 00:33:58,870 --> 00:34:00,670 [narrator] police find paula zumberge 537 00:34:00,873 --> 00:34:02,205 At her mother's house. 538 00:34:03,608 --> 00:34:06,009 She was advised by counsel not to provide a statement to us. 539 00:34:06,078 --> 00:34:08,578 [music] 540 00:34:08,780 --> 00:34:10,780 [anna] we filed a complaint against paula 541 00:34:10,783 --> 00:34:12,382 For aiding and abetting the murder 542 00:34:12,584 --> 00:34:14,751 And attempted murder of todd and jennifer. 543 00:34:14,953 --> 00:34:18,087 And once that complaint warrant was issued, 544 00:34:18,089 --> 00:34:19,889 Paula did turn herself in. 545 00:34:19,891 --> 00:34:21,691 Paula never said a word. 546 00:34:23,762 --> 00:34:26,129 [narrator] with two significantly different 547 00:34:26,131 --> 00:34:27,497 Versions of the story, 548 00:34:27,699 --> 00:34:29,032 Investigators are hoping 549 00:34:29,034 --> 00:34:31,501 Todd and jennifer's security cameras 550 00:34:31,503 --> 00:34:34,504 Will help determine what really happened. 551 00:34:34,706 --> 00:34:38,875 So there was four cameras in total at todd stevens's house. 552 00:34:41,012 --> 00:34:44,281 The video was grainy. This was 2014. 553 00:34:45,416 --> 00:34:48,117 Technology has, has come a long way since then. 554 00:34:48,186 --> 00:34:50,087 But it was not so grainy as, a, 555 00:34:50,289 --> 00:34:52,089 We couldn't see what was happening. 556 00:34:54,893 --> 00:34:56,359 You could see their front yard, 557 00:34:56,561 --> 00:34:59,029 But you could mostly see the house across the street, 558 00:34:59,231 --> 00:35:00,430 The zumberge house. 559 00:35:00,999 --> 00:35:03,466 [narrator] the video shows jennifer arriving 560 00:35:03,668 --> 00:35:05,735 Just before 8:30 p.M. 561 00:35:07,672 --> 00:35:11,741 You could very clearly see jennifer come home in her car. 562 00:35:11,743 --> 00:35:13,443 And then you could see just a little bit of 563 00:35:13,645 --> 00:35:15,378 The top of her head as she was walking 564 00:35:15,380 --> 00:35:16,546 Toward the front door. 565 00:35:19,017 --> 00:35:21,117 You're able to see paula exit the home. 566 00:35:21,319 --> 00:35:26,989 [music] 567 00:35:27,191 --> 00:35:29,392 [elizabeth] paula had come down to the end of her driveway, 568 00:35:29,594 --> 00:35:31,661 And the two women were exchanging words, 569 00:35:32,264 --> 00:35:33,396 Not very friendly. 570 00:35:33,398 --> 00:35:37,900 [music] 571 00:35:37,903 --> 00:35:40,102 [elizabeth] so, after the original altercation, 572 00:35:40,338 --> 00:35:43,206 Todd came out, didn't say anything, 573 00:35:43,408 --> 00:35:44,874 But was just standing there. 574 00:35:45,477 --> 00:35:47,576 Neal steps around to the side of the house 575 00:35:47,579 --> 00:35:49,012 Five different times 576 00:35:49,214 --> 00:35:51,014 To make sure there's nobody coming. 577 00:35:52,317 --> 00:35:54,350 So, it wasn't until paula had retreated back 578 00:35:54,552 --> 00:35:56,519 Closer to their home, 579 00:35:56,521 --> 00:35:58,355 And todd and jennifer had both come down 580 00:35:58,423 --> 00:36:01,624 The front stairs of their house that neal opened fire. 581 00:36:01,626 --> 00:36:04,761 Then all of a sudden, boom, there's gunshots. 582 00:36:14,139 --> 00:36:15,638 If you go frame by frame, 583 00:36:15,640 --> 00:36:17,774 You can see the muzzle flash from the firearm 584 00:36:17,776 --> 00:36:18,942 That he's using. 585 00:36:20,044 --> 00:36:22,378 We have paula visually on digital video, 586 00:36:22,580 --> 00:36:25,215 But we don't have her verbally saying, 587 00:36:25,817 --> 00:36:26,683 "shoot him, shoot him!" 588 00:36:29,021 --> 00:36:31,854 She doesn't drop to the ground. She doesn't run. 589 00:36:32,056 --> 00:36:35,392 And I can't imagine standing at the end of my driveway, 590 00:36:35,394 --> 00:36:39,229 Hearing a gunshot behind me, and standing perfectly still. 591 00:36:40,165 --> 00:36:41,631 So, I think that you can draw 592 00:36:41,633 --> 00:36:43,399 Conclusions from that if you'd like. 593 00:36:43,601 --> 00:36:45,968 [music] 594 00:36:45,971 --> 00:36:49,506 [narrator] investigators are inclined to agree with jennifer. 595 00:36:50,542 --> 00:36:53,009 It looks like a setup. 596 00:36:54,413 --> 00:36:56,512 [christopher] it appears to be a premeditated, 597 00:36:56,715 --> 00:36:59,916 Planned execution of todd stevens. 598 00:37:01,119 --> 00:37:03,486 I really believed in the theory of the case, 599 00:37:03,488 --> 00:37:04,954 And I believed that we had sufficient evidence 600 00:37:04,957 --> 00:37:06,656 To prove paula's involvement. 601 00:37:07,492 --> 00:37:10,560 So, those were the charges then that were taken to a trial. 602 00:37:12,697 --> 00:37:14,731 So, not only did I need to prove 603 00:37:14,733 --> 00:37:18,801 That neal intentionally killed todd 604 00:37:19,003 --> 00:37:21,738 And intentionally attempted to kill jennifer, 605 00:37:22,140 --> 00:37:25,107 But also that, that was done with premeditation. 606 00:37:25,109 --> 00:37:29,179 [music] 607 00:37:31,516 --> 00:37:34,451 [music] 608 00:37:39,190 --> 00:37:41,458 [music] 609 00:37:44,562 --> 00:37:46,629 [narrator] on August 11th, 2014, 610 00:37:46,965 --> 00:37:49,999 Three months after todd stevens was killed, 611 00:37:50,002 --> 00:37:53,536 Paula zumberge stands trial for aiding and abetting 612 00:37:53,538 --> 00:37:55,472 Her husband in the crime. 613 00:37:55,974 --> 00:37:58,241 [anna] paula opted to waive a jury, 614 00:37:58,243 --> 00:38:00,410 And so we had a trial in front of a judge. 615 00:38:00,812 --> 00:38:04,547 And so, the judge is the one who heard all of the evidence. 616 00:38:05,017 --> 00:38:08,084 [narrator] jennifer is the prosecution's star witness, 617 00:38:08,086 --> 00:38:09,686 But unfortunately, 618 00:38:09,688 --> 00:38:12,655 There is nothing to corroborate her claims. 619 00:38:13,358 --> 00:38:16,058 Jennifer would testify at trial that, you know, 620 00:38:16,260 --> 00:38:18,961 Paula was kind of off to the side, you know, 621 00:38:19,631 --> 00:38:21,864 On the, on the driveway, at the mailbox. 622 00:38:21,866 --> 00:38:24,634 And would yell, "shoot, shoot! Keep shooting!" 623 00:38:25,870 --> 00:38:29,405 But there wasn't enough evidence to convict her of 624 00:38:29,407 --> 00:38:30,707 Aiding and abetting. 625 00:38:30,909 --> 00:38:32,975 And that's a tricky charge to prove, 626 00:38:33,177 --> 00:38:37,880 Unless she had handed her husband, neal, a loaded gun. 627 00:38:38,850 --> 00:38:41,751 Ultimately, paula was acquitted of both charges 628 00:38:41,953 --> 00:38:43,186 And found not guilty. 629 00:38:45,523 --> 00:38:48,458 [narrator] although charges against paula don't stick, 630 00:38:49,361 --> 00:38:52,228 Charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder 631 00:38:52,430 --> 00:38:54,130 Await her husband. 632 00:38:54,833 --> 00:38:59,602 And on August 12th, 2015, neal zumberge's trial begins. 633 00:39:00,805 --> 00:39:03,906 The defense's theory was that neal was justified in 634 00:39:04,108 --> 00:39:07,444 The shooting to protect his wife, paula's life. 635 00:39:07,646 --> 00:39:12,815 On the witness stand, neal said that he could read todd's lips, 636 00:39:12,817 --> 00:39:15,819 And that todd had made a threat to kill his wife. 637 00:39:17,421 --> 00:39:20,322 Neal said that he, as a child, 638 00:39:20,324 --> 00:39:22,625 Had learned to read lips because he had a brother 639 00:39:22,627 --> 00:39:24,660 Who was hearing impaired, 640 00:39:25,063 --> 00:39:28,064 And that, that was a skill he had developed over time. 641 00:39:28,867 --> 00:39:32,735 And so, he claimed that he could see from 145 feet away, 642 00:39:33,405 --> 00:39:36,973 Todd saying, "I'm going to kill you," to paula. 643 00:39:38,309 --> 00:39:43,813 Neal did say that he thought todd had a gun on his person, 644 00:39:44,916 --> 00:39:47,083 And that he was reaching for it at some point 645 00:39:47,285 --> 00:39:49,218 During that altercation between the two women. 646 00:39:49,253 --> 00:39:53,722 [music] 647 00:39:53,724 --> 00:39:55,258 [narrator] the evidence, however, 648 00:39:55,460 --> 00:39:58,995 Doesn't back up neal's claims of self-defense. 649 00:40:00,031 --> 00:40:01,597 [frank] when the police searched todd's body, 650 00:40:02,066 --> 00:40:04,234 They found that he had a holster for a cell phone, 651 00:40:04,436 --> 00:40:06,503 But he did not have a gun on his possession. 652 00:40:07,239 --> 00:40:09,672 [paul] neal testified that he went to pull up the gun, 653 00:40:09,674 --> 00:40:10,940 And it kind of went off, 654 00:40:10,942 --> 00:40:12,709 That he hadn't fired it in so long and that... 655 00:40:13,678 --> 00:40:14,310 It just kept firing. 656 00:40:16,647 --> 00:40:18,848 [anna] in closing, I was arguing about 657 00:40:18,850 --> 00:40:20,617 The intentionality of the shooting. 658 00:40:20,685 --> 00:40:25,421 And so, the fact that he pulled the trigger four separate times 659 00:40:25,623 --> 00:40:26,823 Was important evidence 660 00:40:27,025 --> 00:40:28,558 That this was not just a one-off. 661 00:40:28,560 --> 00:40:31,060 His finger didn't just slip and pull the trigger. 662 00:40:31,762 --> 00:40:33,129 So, what I said to the jury is, I said, 663 00:40:33,331 --> 00:40:36,232 "this was not a whoopsie. This was intentional." 664 00:40:36,434 --> 00:40:41,437 [music] 665 00:40:41,439 --> 00:40:43,239 [narrator] on the seventh day of trial, 666 00:40:43,241 --> 00:40:45,542 The jury is sent to deliberate. 667 00:40:46,210 --> 00:40:48,477 It takes them less than three hours 668 00:40:48,546 --> 00:40:50,113 To return with a verdict. 669 00:40:51,416 --> 00:40:53,950 Ultimately, the jury did return verdicts of guilty. 670 00:40:54,786 --> 00:40:57,319 One of the alternate jurors said, you know, 671 00:40:57,321 --> 00:41:00,122 "if he could read lips from that far away, 672 00:41:00,324 --> 00:41:02,324 Then why wouldn't he have been able to see that 673 00:41:02,526 --> 00:41:03,760 Todd didn't really have a gun?" 674 00:41:05,029 --> 00:41:06,929 [elizabeth] first-degree, premeditated murder 675 00:41:06,931 --> 00:41:10,733 Is the most serious criminal charge there is, 676 00:41:10,935 --> 00:41:13,403 And it's a mandatory sentence of life in prison 677 00:41:13,605 --> 00:41:15,638 Without the possibility of parole. 678 00:41:15,640 --> 00:41:18,975 [music] 679 00:41:19,177 --> 00:41:23,146 [narrator] at his sentencing, neal drops another bombshell. 680 00:41:24,683 --> 00:41:28,485 When neal spoke to the court and admitted that 681 00:41:28,687 --> 00:41:31,287 He had not been fully truthful, 682 00:41:31,322 --> 00:41:34,890 He admitted that he did not actually know how to read lips, 683 00:41:34,893 --> 00:41:37,326 And it wasn't that the gun just kept going off. 684 00:41:37,929 --> 00:41:40,029 That he pulled that trigger on purpose. 685 00:41:42,133 --> 00:41:44,266 [paul] it was a shocking moment in covering 686 00:41:44,268 --> 00:41:45,635 The criminal justice system 687 00:41:45,837 --> 00:41:47,303 That a defendant would actually tell a judge that, 688 00:41:47,505 --> 00:41:48,705 "yeah, I lied." 689 00:41:48,773 --> 00:41:54,644 [music] 690 00:42:12,030 --> 00:42:15,031 This was a really tragic case all the way around. 691 00:42:16,400 --> 00:42:19,068 Todd paid the ultimate price for this feud. 692 00:42:19,938 --> 00:42:22,639 Jennifer suffered the loss of her partner. 693 00:42:24,509 --> 00:42:27,977 She was shot herself. She had to relocate. 694 00:42:28,179 --> 00:42:29,846 Everything in her life changed. 695 00:42:31,249 --> 00:42:33,349 [elizabeth] the zumberges ended up selling their house 696 00:42:33,551 --> 00:42:35,584 To pay neal's criminal defense. 697 00:42:36,120 --> 00:42:38,187 And not only the two families who were 698 00:42:38,189 --> 00:42:42,258 Directly impacted by death and imprisonment, 699 00:42:42,860 --> 00:42:44,827 Think about the trauma to the neighbors. 700 00:42:46,497 --> 00:42:48,230 And that they had to endure this, 701 00:42:48,232 --> 00:42:51,701 And that someone was shot and killed in broad daylight 702 00:42:52,270 --> 00:42:53,403 On his doorstep. 703 00:42:54,405 --> 00:42:55,638 Can you imagine trying to 704 00:42:55,840 --> 00:42:57,507 Explain something like this to your kids? 705 00:42:57,542 --> 00:43:01,511 [music] 706 00:43:01,713 --> 00:43:04,012 [narrator] in the years since todd's death, 707 00:43:04,015 --> 00:43:07,116 Peace has returned to his new brighton neighborhood. 708 00:43:07,151 --> 00:43:09,786 But it will never be the same without him. 709 00:43:11,656 --> 00:43:15,091 I think todd would wanna be remembered as a guy 710 00:43:15,293 --> 00:43:16,792 That worked hard, 711 00:43:17,529 --> 00:43:19,795 Took care of his friends and his family 712 00:43:19,997 --> 00:43:21,764 In any way that he could. 713 00:43:21,966 --> 00:43:23,666 I mean, he didn't have a lotta money, 714 00:43:23,868 --> 00:43:26,302 But he would give his last ten dollars to anybody. 715 00:43:26,504 --> 00:43:28,104 In all the years I had knew hi, 716 00:43:28,306 --> 00:43:30,372 That's all he wanted to do, was help people. 717 00:43:30,375 --> 00:43:34,444 [music] 718 00:43:36,380 --> 00:43:42,151 [music]