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[narrator] an unusual confession
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Leads to a once-in-a-lifetime
investigation.
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[patrick] a man called 911
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00:00:16,383 --> 00:00:18,950
And he said he wanted to report
a murder.
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But it hadn't happened yet.
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[martin] we hadn't talked in
20-something years
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00:00:24,191 --> 00:00:26,424
And she's trying to get me
to kill somebody.
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I realized right then and there
I had to go to the authorities.
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[narrator] to prevent a murder,
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Police will have to catch
the mastermind in the act.
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[patrick] in the law, a crime
like attempted murder
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Isn't completed until there's
a substantial step taken.
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She's already talked
about getting a gun.
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What if we provide
that opportunity?
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[narrator] a daring sting
operation gives police
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More than they bargained for.
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[john] just unbelievable.
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The more you dig,
the more the rabbit hole goes.
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[narrator] and detectives
uncover a history of fraud,
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Violence, and greed.
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The fire
and the murder for hire plot,
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Right, it's the same playbook.
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[jessica]
you borrow money from her
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And it was like selling
your soul to the devil.
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Psychopath is the best way
to describe her.
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[music]
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[narrator] in spokane county,
washington,
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911 calls aren't
a rare occurrence.
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Spokane's a mid-size city
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In eastern washington state,
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500,000 people in the county,
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About 200,000 in city limits.
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So we have a lot
of property crimes
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Like a lot of cities
in the western united states.
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[narrator] on October 11th,
2016,
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Sheriffs receive
the most bizarre call
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They've ever heard.
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[patrick] a man named
martin drake
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Walked into a walmart store
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In the city of spokane valley.
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He asked to use the phone.
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He called 911.
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And he said he wanted
to report a murder.
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But it hadn't happened yet.
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[john] and he sounded frazzled.
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Drake didn't wanna go
into much detail on the phone
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During his 911 call.
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He wanted to meet with someone,
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Specifically, as soon
as possible, an officer.
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[marc] he said that a former
friend from high school
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Had essentially solicited him
to help her kill somebody.
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Frankly, it was just
somewhat unbelievable.
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Is this someone just trying
to get somebody in trouble?
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Or is this somebody
that's trying to relate
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A true threat
on somebody's life?
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[narrator] police take
drake's claims seriously
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And immediately open
an investigation.
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He told us
where he was gonna meet us
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And patrol was dispatched.
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They met with him
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And took his initial statement.
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He's pretty nervous,
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But he relayed the information
as best he could.
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[martin] I told
that first officer
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That a person I hadn't seen
in quite a few years
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Has approached me.
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She's talking about trying
to get me to kill somebody.
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At first,
I was just taken aback.
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Why the hell would she think
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That I would do something
like that?
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When I realized
that she was serious,
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I had to go to the authorities.
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I was sick to my stomach
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After the conversation
I had with her.
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[john] he didn't even know
the guy,
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00:04:01,708 --> 00:04:03,808
But he was concerned
for this guy's welfare.
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He tells us the intended victim
was russell soderberg.
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[narrator] russell soderberg
was a life-long resident
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00:04:16,656 --> 00:04:18,856
Of the spokane valley area.
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[jessica] russ was a good guy.
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00:04:21,562 --> 00:04:24,062
He was definitely a family man.
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00:04:24,931 --> 00:04:27,866
[caroline] he was born in 1965.
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00:04:27,934 --> 00:04:30,769
Had a pretty standard childhood,
went to high school,
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00:04:30,837 --> 00:04:33,638
And then quickly joined
the workforce after that.
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[narrator] russell joined
the family business
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Working as a glazier
in his parents' glass shop.
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By the time he was 20,
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Russell was already married
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00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,554
And starting a family
of his own.
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00:04:50,357 --> 00:04:52,590
He had two children
with his first wife,
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A son and a daughter,
scott and stacey.
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[narrator] russell worked hard
to provide for his children,
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But after 13 years of marriage,
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He and his wife decided
to get a divorce.
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Within a year,
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00:05:10,977 --> 00:05:13,344
A new woman
caught russell's eye,
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Martie maxwell.
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00:05:15,982 --> 00:05:17,682
He was playing
on a softball league
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With my mom's brothers.
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And he asked her out
and she said, "yes."
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[narrator] martie was over
10 years younger than russell.
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But she'd experienced
more than many do
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In a lifetime.
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[jessica] she grew up
in the seattle area.
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She was a wild child.
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She's a twin.
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She didn't graduate
past the eighth grade.
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She was just running around
the town,
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Hanging with the older crowds.
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My mom had me at 15 years old.
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My dad was twice her age.
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And so I lived
with my grandparents
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While my mom was out
doing her thing.
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And then, three years later,
she had my sister, ashley,
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And went on to live her life
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Until she got pregnant
with my other sister.
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[narrator] at 22,
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Martie decided it was time
to turn her life around.
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My mom had matured and grown up.
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She kind of settled down here I
spokane
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And was working retail
for a store,
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And that's about the time
she met russell.
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And we thought, "well, maybe
this is the turnaround for her"
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'cause he was a good guy.
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[narrator] russell asked martie
to marry him in 2002,
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Three years after they met.
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In 2007,
they had a child together.
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And martie quit her job
to become a stay-at-home mother
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Over the next decade,
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Russell also helped her
mend her relationship
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With her older daughters.
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The good times, for me,
with my mom
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Didn't happen
until later in life.
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I was probably 18.
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00:07:02,489 --> 00:07:05,524
And we started doing
family trips together.
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00:07:06,126 --> 00:07:08,693
One of the first memories
I remember doing
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With my stepdad and his kids
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Was going to a seattle mariners
baseball game.
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00:07:15,569 --> 00:07:18,102
It seemed like we were
a normal family
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That was blended.
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I knew he was
a positive influence around her
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And he had a stable job.
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They came around
in the holidays.
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I've looked to him
more as a dad than a stepdad.
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He's always provided
when we've needed.
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He's been there
when we need him.
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[narrator] after 15 years,
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The extended family
has grown closer than ever.
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But it now appears russell
has made a dangerous enemy
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Along the way.
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Martin drake has confessed
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That a woman tried to hire him
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To murder russell.
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And spokane police
want to know why.
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00:08:01,281 --> 00:08:03,114
Mr. Drake was so specific
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That we knew that we needed
to take it serious.
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00:08:07,053 --> 00:08:09,788
And that required that full
and complete investigation.
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[martin] deputies proceeded
to give me
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00:08:12,125 --> 00:08:15,927
A ride over to the substation
out there in the valley
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And I met a couple detectives
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00:08:17,764 --> 00:08:20,098
And explained to them
what was going on.
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[narrator] according to drake,
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It all began when an old friend
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00:08:27,573 --> 00:08:29,874
Reached out to him
on social media.
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[martin] I hadn't even thought
of this person
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00:08:32,779 --> 00:08:35,881
Since we were 15, 16 years old.
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She contacts me on facebook.
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And the next day, we met up.
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I really don't recall
the whole conversation.
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Just asked what I've been up to
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[narrator] over lunch, drake
shared some of the hardships
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He'd been through
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And his friend offered to help.
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At the time, I was homeless.
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I had a drug addiction.
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He told her he was living
in some field
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00:09:05,178 --> 00:09:07,746
Under a park bench
or a picnic table.
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[narrator] the two met up again
the following day.
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00:09:14,621 --> 00:09:17,389
But this time she asked drake
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For something in exchange.
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[martin] we hadn't talked
in 20-something years
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And that's
when she dropped the bomb
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That she's trying to get me
to kill her husband.
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[john] at that point,
drake told us
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His friend
that he just met up with
186
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Was martie soderberg.
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00:09:36,710 --> 00:09:38,510
So the more we talked
to him about it,
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00:09:38,578 --> 00:09:40,111
We finally figured out
her husband
189
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Was russell soderberg.
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00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:44,782
[patrick] martie told drake
191
00:09:44,851 --> 00:09:47,018
That she was unhappy
in her marriage,
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But she couldn't just get
a divorce
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Because she didn't work.
She'd be left with nothing.
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So she had just taken out
195
00:09:55,996 --> 00:09:59,698
A $300,000 life insurance policy
on her husband.
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00:10:04,637 --> 00:10:06,137
[narrator] drake says
martie appeared
197
00:10:06,206 --> 00:10:08,540
To have thought
the whole thing out already.
198
00:10:09,042 --> 00:10:11,876
She even knew
when she wanted it done.
199
00:10:13,279 --> 00:10:16,881
She wanted me to shoot him
on Halloween night
200
00:10:16,950 --> 00:10:19,351
In front of their kids while
they were trick-or-treating
201
00:10:19,419 --> 00:10:21,219
So she would have an alibi.
202
00:10:23,289 --> 00:10:26,558
Drake said
martie was pretty calm,
203
00:10:26,626 --> 00:10:28,126
Cool, and collected.
204
00:10:29,129 --> 00:10:31,429
It was like normal conversation
205
00:10:31,497 --> 00:10:35,834
And it just... Drake was
uncomfortable with that.
206
00:10:37,904 --> 00:10:39,503
[martin] I literally got sick,
207
00:10:39,505 --> 00:10:43,475
Thinking that the things
people do to other people
208
00:10:43,543 --> 00:10:45,843
Is just unbelievable.
209
00:10:45,912 --> 00:10:49,447
And I can't wrap my mind
around it.
210
00:10:50,817 --> 00:10:53,117
[john] this was October 11th,
211
00:10:53,119 --> 00:10:55,153
So we're figuring
Halloween night,
212
00:10:55,221 --> 00:10:57,655
Man, we're only
two-and-a-half, three weeks out.
213
00:10:57,724 --> 00:11:00,025
So we knew
time was of the essence here.
214
00:11:03,530 --> 00:11:07,031
[narrator] coming up,
to catch a would-be killer,
215
00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:10,034
Detectives set a dangerous trap
216
00:11:10,102 --> 00:11:11,836
They asked me if I'd be willing
217
00:11:11,905 --> 00:11:13,471
To wear a wire.
218
00:11:13,539 --> 00:11:16,875
[narrator] but they get
even more than they expected.
219
00:11:25,251 --> 00:11:28,119
[music]
220
00:11:33,392 --> 00:11:36,161
[music]
221
00:11:37,898 --> 00:11:40,465
Police in spokane county,
washington,
222
00:11:40,533 --> 00:11:43,835
Have just heard about
an alleged murder for hire
223
00:11:43,903 --> 00:11:46,538
From the man who claims
he was hired
224
00:11:46,606 --> 00:11:48,272
To carry it out.
225
00:11:48,742 --> 00:11:49,807
But they can't make an arrest
226
00:11:49,876 --> 00:11:52,943
Without knowing
if any of it is true.
227
00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:55,847
[marc] the credibility
of any witness
228
00:11:55,915 --> 00:11:58,583
Is something that we always
have to be concerned about.
229
00:11:58,651 --> 00:12:01,018
It's the, are they believable?
230
00:12:01,487 --> 00:12:03,787
Is the information
that they have credible?
231
00:12:03,789 --> 00:12:06,024
What type of history
do they have?
232
00:12:07,894 --> 00:12:11,195
[patrick] martin drake
had a lengthy criminal history,
233
00:12:11,264 --> 00:12:15,366
Mostly involving drugs,
felony, property crimes.
234
00:12:16,469 --> 00:12:18,936
[narrator] given drake's
checkered past,
235
00:12:19,005 --> 00:12:20,238
Investigators question
236
00:12:20,306 --> 00:12:23,675
If taking immediate action
is wise.
237
00:12:24,644 --> 00:12:26,811
[john] when we get
the initial information,
238
00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:30,381
We need to verify
and lend credence to
239
00:12:30,450 --> 00:12:31,749
What drake was saying.
240
00:12:31,817 --> 00:12:34,485
[narrator] even if drake
is telling the truth,
241
00:12:34,554 --> 00:12:36,788
They can't charge
martie soderberg
242
00:12:36,856 --> 00:12:38,656
With much of anything.
243
00:12:38,724 --> 00:12:41,459
[patrick] they could have,
at that point, arrested martie
244
00:12:41,527 --> 00:12:42,893
For harassment.
245
00:12:42,963 --> 00:12:44,496
It's a very low-level felony
246
00:12:44,564 --> 00:12:47,065
And it involves
threatening to kill somebody.
247
00:12:48,434 --> 00:12:50,301
But had we stopped right there,
248
00:12:50,370 --> 00:12:52,836
Arrested her
for this lesser charge,
249
00:12:52,838 --> 00:12:54,272
We could've wound up
with a situation
250
00:12:54,340 --> 00:12:56,374
Where the charge didn't stick.
251
00:12:57,043 --> 00:12:59,010
[narrator] detectives
also can't risk
252
00:12:59,078 --> 00:13:01,179
Warning martie's husband,
russell.
253
00:13:01,581 --> 00:13:02,980
[marc] if we were
to talk to russell,
254
00:13:03,049 --> 00:13:04,148
There's a potential
255
00:13:04,217 --> 00:13:05,650
That he would've confronted her
about it.
256
00:13:05,718 --> 00:13:07,719
She could've ran him over
in the driveway,
257
00:13:07,787 --> 00:13:09,687
For all we know, at that point.
258
00:13:10,423 --> 00:13:13,391
So, given the threat
she posed to him,
259
00:13:13,459 --> 00:13:16,427
Building a solid strong case
on her
260
00:13:16,496 --> 00:13:19,430
Was the appropriate action
for law enforcement.
261
00:13:23,003 --> 00:13:24,468
[narrator] to solve
their dilemma,
262
00:13:24,537 --> 00:13:27,839
Investigators come up
with a daring plan.
263
00:13:28,574 --> 00:13:30,775
We got a person who's
cooperating with law enforcement
264
00:13:30,843 --> 00:13:33,544
And it allowed us to start
gathering the information
265
00:13:33,613 --> 00:13:35,213
That we needed
to ensure his safety
266
00:13:35,281 --> 00:13:37,248
And hold person
accountable for it.
267
00:13:38,117 --> 00:13:40,618
They decided to set up a sting.
268
00:13:41,955 --> 00:13:43,187
Drake, he had a cellphone,
269
00:13:43,256 --> 00:13:45,489
But it only operated
off of wi-fi.
270
00:13:45,558 --> 00:13:48,659
So he contacted us
about noon that next day.
271
00:13:49,362 --> 00:13:52,530
They asked me if I'd be willing
272
00:13:52,598 --> 00:13:55,667
To wear a wire and get
the information they needed
273
00:13:55,735 --> 00:13:57,902
To get to stop this.
274
00:13:57,971 --> 00:13:59,470
And I agreed.
275
00:14:03,009 --> 00:14:05,176
[narrator] with officers
listening in,
276
00:14:05,245 --> 00:14:08,313
Drake calls martie
to arrange a meeting.
277
00:14:08,981 --> 00:14:10,949
Ultimately, the plan
they came up with
278
00:14:10,951 --> 00:14:13,818
Involved really putting
a lot on drake
279
00:14:13,886 --> 00:14:15,887
To use this recording device,
280
00:14:15,955 --> 00:14:19,490
To play it cool,
to not tip off martie.
281
00:14:20,626 --> 00:14:21,925
[john] we were
pretty anxious about it.
282
00:14:21,927 --> 00:14:23,827
We said, "just speak to her.
283
00:14:23,897 --> 00:14:26,063
Just converse with her.
284
00:14:26,132 --> 00:14:28,466
Talk to her. Just act normal."
285
00:14:28,734 --> 00:14:30,034
That's it.
286
00:14:33,773 --> 00:14:37,008
[narrator] at approximately
10:00 am the following day,
287
00:14:37,076 --> 00:14:39,677
The sting operation begins.
288
00:14:40,479 --> 00:14:42,046
[marc] the recording device,
289
00:14:42,048 --> 00:14:43,982
It's actually able
to be monitored live
290
00:14:44,050 --> 00:14:45,116
While things are going on,
291
00:14:45,184 --> 00:14:47,752
And we have
multiple surveillance units.
292
00:14:48,855 --> 00:14:50,654
[martin] I was nervous.
293
00:14:51,091 --> 00:14:52,990
I didn't wanna do
or say anything
294
00:14:53,059 --> 00:14:56,060
That would jeopardize anything.
295
00:14:57,597 --> 00:15:00,398
We didn't know whether or not
martie soderberg had
296
00:15:00,466 --> 00:15:03,567
Any access to any firearms
or anything like that
297
00:15:03,569 --> 00:15:07,305
And if something
tipped her off too far.
298
00:15:07,373 --> 00:15:09,540
There's a potential that she
could've taken action
299
00:15:09,609 --> 00:15:11,108
Against mr. Drake
300
00:15:11,177 --> 00:15:13,278
To include harming him
while he's in the car.
301
00:15:17,450 --> 00:15:19,350
[patrick] as soon as drake
and soderberg met up
302
00:15:19,419 --> 00:15:20,518
And got in the same car,
303
00:15:20,586 --> 00:15:22,687
The conversation about the plans
304
00:15:22,755 --> 00:15:24,188
To kill her husband
305
00:15:24,256 --> 00:15:26,224
Was almost instantaneous.
306
00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:44,776
She portrays him
to be this evil person
307
00:15:44,844 --> 00:15:48,012
That she couldn't bear
to be with him anymore,
308
00:15:48,748 --> 00:15:53,618
That she wanted to know
if I would kill him for her.
309
00:16:11,003 --> 00:16:14,505
[narrator] if killing her
husband on Halloween won't work
310
00:16:14,574 --> 00:16:17,675
Martie says
there are other options.
311
00:16:31,691 --> 00:16:34,692
Another scenario
that she ran through
312
00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:38,963
Was that if russell were to die
while he was at work,
313
00:16:39,031 --> 00:16:41,198
Then there would be
an additional payout
314
00:16:41,267 --> 00:16:43,368
Through his employer.
315
00:16:45,070 --> 00:16:47,805
[narrator] martie implies
that she will cut drake in
316
00:16:47,873 --> 00:16:51,742
On russell's $300,000
insurance policy.
317
00:16:52,045 --> 00:16:54,678
When he asks for more details,
318
00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:58,483
Martie reveals how deep
her planning goes.
319
00:17:02,622 --> 00:17:04,955
[patrick] he knew enough
about life insurance
320
00:17:05,024 --> 00:17:06,690
And that sort of thing to say,
321
00:17:06,692 --> 00:17:08,659
"well, is there an exception
322
00:17:08,728 --> 00:17:11,662
For certain circumstances
under which he dies?"
323
00:17:30,115 --> 00:17:33,517
[narrator] she also lays out
exactly what drake should do
324
00:17:33,586 --> 00:17:37,255
To cover his tracks
once russell is dead.
325
00:17:57,677 --> 00:18:00,444
She told me
that she would get me
326
00:18:00,512 --> 00:18:06,149
Coveralls, a five-gallon bucket,
some concrete mix,
327
00:18:06,151 --> 00:18:10,220
Water, and a vehicle
328
00:18:10,290 --> 00:18:11,955
To go and do this.
329
00:18:12,625 --> 00:18:14,992
The five-gallon bucket
and concrete and water
330
00:18:15,061 --> 00:18:17,428
Was to mix up some cement
331
00:18:17,497 --> 00:18:20,764
So I could put the gun
and the coveralls and the bucket
332
00:18:20,766 --> 00:18:23,634
And then get rid of that
a later time.
333
00:18:42,955 --> 00:18:45,322
[narrator] the information
collected on the wire
334
00:18:45,391 --> 00:18:46,657
Is more than enough
335
00:18:46,726 --> 00:18:49,994
To prove drake was telling
investigators the truth.
336
00:18:51,697 --> 00:18:56,133
But the conversation
soon takes an unexpected turn.
337
00:18:56,736 --> 00:18:59,837
She was talking that she was
gonna buy this place,
338
00:18:59,905 --> 00:19:01,338
And me and her
could move in there,
339
00:19:01,407 --> 00:19:02,573
And we could get together.
340
00:19:02,642 --> 00:19:06,577
And then it turned like
she was trying to romance me.
341
00:19:35,808 --> 00:19:39,110
[narrator] martie's not done
with startling confessions.
342
00:19:39,178 --> 00:19:42,513
She also admits
drake wasn't her first choice
343
00:19:42,581 --> 00:19:44,181
As the hitman.
344
00:19:45,151 --> 00:19:47,919
She'd originally asked
a different friend,
345
00:19:47,987 --> 00:19:49,920
Dennis bjerke.
346
00:19:50,490 --> 00:19:53,191
[patrick] martie said
dennis declined.
347
00:19:53,259 --> 00:19:56,927
So this plot had been
rolling around
348
00:19:56,929 --> 00:19:59,730
In her mind
for at least a few months.
349
00:20:00,633 --> 00:20:02,433
[marc] mr. Drake is like,
350
00:20:02,501 --> 00:20:04,468
"time out here,
hold on a second.
351
00:20:05,204 --> 00:20:07,404
What do you mean you've talked
to him about this too?
352
00:20:07,473 --> 00:20:10,041
What happens
if I go and whack this guy
353
00:20:10,109 --> 00:20:13,410
And now he sees that
your husband just was killed?
354
00:20:13,479 --> 00:20:15,012
Isn't he gonna know?"
355
00:20:44,043 --> 00:20:47,511
[john] and then she also said,
"he's on the line for a fire,"
356
00:20:47,913 --> 00:20:50,948
That dennis
was probably involved somehow.
357
00:20:51,016 --> 00:20:53,317
So, detective melville and I,
we're like,
358
00:20:53,386 --> 00:20:55,819
"hmm? What's this about?
359
00:20:55,821 --> 00:20:58,189
We'll make a note of that
for later
360
00:20:58,257 --> 00:21:00,090
To see what this is all about."
361
00:21:00,826 --> 00:21:04,195
[narrator] after three hours,
the meeting comes to an end.
362
00:21:04,263 --> 00:21:07,932
And drake has one last question
for martie.
363
00:21:08,801 --> 00:21:09,967
[patrick] drake asks martie
364
00:21:10,035 --> 00:21:12,536
About how she'll feel
after the incident.
365
00:21:13,272 --> 00:21:15,906
If she'll, for lack
of a better term, freak out
366
00:21:15,975 --> 00:21:17,575
Once her husband's dead.
367
00:21:28,120 --> 00:21:32,856
It all boils down to she was
gonna kill this man for money.
368
00:21:33,793 --> 00:21:38,061
"psychopath" is the best way
to describe her.
369
00:21:39,231 --> 00:21:42,900
Just unbelievable that she could
just be so callous about it.
370
00:21:43,235 --> 00:21:44,534
And the more you dig, the deeper
371
00:21:44,536 --> 00:21:46,170
The rabbit hole goes
with this one.
372
00:21:53,579 --> 00:21:56,614
[music]
373
00:22:01,186 --> 00:22:03,521
[music]
374
00:22:05,425 --> 00:22:08,792
[narrator] investigators
have martie soderberg on tape,
375
00:22:08,861 --> 00:22:11,562
Planning to kill her husband,
russell.
376
00:22:12,097 --> 00:22:15,566
But they find themselves
facing another problem.
377
00:22:16,502 --> 00:22:19,770
[patrick] in washington law,
a crime like attempted murder
378
00:22:19,839 --> 00:22:24,008
Isn't completed until there is
a substantial step taken.
379
00:22:24,776 --> 00:22:26,910
So it's one thing to say,
380
00:22:26,912 --> 00:22:28,946
"hey, we should go rob a bank."
381
00:22:29,014 --> 00:22:31,548
It's another thing
to buy ski masks
382
00:22:31,617 --> 00:22:33,951
Or buy guns to do so.
383
00:22:37,923 --> 00:22:40,524
[narrator] to arrest her
for attempted murder,
384
00:22:40,526 --> 00:22:42,693
They need martie to take action
385
00:22:42,761 --> 00:22:45,629
Without letting her plan
go through.
386
00:22:45,898 --> 00:22:48,199
There's some expediency
that has to happen here, right,
387
00:22:48,267 --> 00:22:50,567
'cause we don't want anything
to happen to russ.
388
00:22:51,404 --> 00:22:53,270
We're trying to discuss,
"well, what is it that we need
389
00:22:53,339 --> 00:22:54,972
For this substantial step?
390
00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,240
She's already talked
about getting a gun.
391
00:22:57,643 --> 00:23:00,510
What if we provide
that opportunity?"
392
00:23:01,180 --> 00:23:03,580
[narrator] five days
after the initial wire tap,
393
00:23:03,649 --> 00:23:07,251
Investigators pursue
another sting operation.
394
00:23:09,989 --> 00:23:12,756
We briefed mr. Drake
and we said,
395
00:23:12,824 --> 00:23:14,024
"this is what we wanna do.
396
00:23:14,093 --> 00:23:16,460
We want you
to get in touch with her,
397
00:23:16,529 --> 00:23:18,595
See if she's able
to meet with you.
398
00:23:18,664 --> 00:23:21,298
And we want you to let her know
399
00:23:21,367 --> 00:23:22,499
That you found somebody
400
00:23:22,568 --> 00:23:25,536
That will sell a firearm
for 50 bucks."
401
00:23:26,405 --> 00:23:27,971
I never bought a gun in my life,
402
00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:30,541
But I imagine
that that's pretty cheap.
403
00:23:35,881 --> 00:23:39,016
[narrator] martie takes the bait
and agrees to the meeting.
404
00:23:40,285 --> 00:23:42,820
When she shows up
on October 17th,
405
00:23:42,888 --> 00:23:46,323
Detectives are once again
listening in.
406
00:23:46,992 --> 00:23:49,260
Martie arrives
in the pickup truck
407
00:23:49,328 --> 00:23:51,895
And mr. Drake gets into the car
408
00:23:51,964 --> 00:23:53,864
I told her a buddy of mine
knew this guy.
409
00:23:53,933 --> 00:23:55,433
He was gonna meet us at walmart.
410
00:23:55,501 --> 00:23:57,134
He's gonna bring the pistol.
411
00:24:08,513 --> 00:24:11,982
I don't know where he comes up
with these things so quick.
412
00:24:12,752 --> 00:24:15,286
That man flew
by the seat of his pants.
413
00:24:15,354 --> 00:24:17,855
And everything that he said,
414
00:24:17,923 --> 00:24:20,057
It was so natural.
415
00:24:20,125 --> 00:24:23,794
I don't know
that an undercover officer
416
00:24:23,862 --> 00:24:25,930
Could've done a better job
than he did.
417
00:24:31,770 --> 00:24:34,405
[narrator] drake continues
his improvisation,
418
00:24:34,473 --> 00:24:35,873
Leading martie to the spot
419
00:24:35,941 --> 00:24:38,676
Where the deal
is supposed to take place.
420
00:24:56,061 --> 00:24:57,194
[marc] he points to the car
421
00:24:57,263 --> 00:24:59,563
That detective oliphant and I
are sitting in.
422
00:24:59,631 --> 00:25:02,333
And we're parked
about 70 yards away
423
00:25:02,401 --> 00:25:04,301
From where she pulls to a stop.
424
00:25:04,903 --> 00:25:08,272
She gave me the money and I
was supposed to have
425
00:25:08,340 --> 00:25:11,141
Then gone over to buy the gun
and then come back.
426
00:25:11,944 --> 00:25:13,677
[marc] and as he's walking
towards us,
427
00:25:13,746 --> 00:25:17,614
I could see he's got his hands
held out in front of him.
428
00:25:17,683 --> 00:25:19,850
He's got what appears
to be currency
429
00:25:19,918 --> 00:25:21,818
Fanned out in his hand
like a poker hand.
430
00:25:22,421 --> 00:25:24,655
[patrick] drake jumps
in the backseat of the car,
431
00:25:24,723 --> 00:25:26,123
Says,. "here you go."
432
00:25:26,191 --> 00:25:29,492
He hands over 50 bucks
and he said, "yep.
433
00:25:29,562 --> 00:25:30,894
That came from her.
434
00:25:30,962 --> 00:25:33,197
We're just like, "unbelievable"
435
00:25:38,938 --> 00:25:42,205
[patrick] if the case
hadn't been across the line
436
00:25:42,207 --> 00:25:44,375
Of definitely being a crime
437
00:25:44,443 --> 00:25:47,010
And definitely being
solicitation to commit murder
438
00:25:47,079 --> 00:25:49,746
Before this,
this put it over the line.
439
00:25:51,050 --> 00:25:54,084
[narrator] officers swiftly move
in to make the arrest.
440
00:25:54,687 --> 00:25:59,122
They weren't sure if martie
already had her own weapon,
441
00:25:59,124 --> 00:26:01,424
If there were other parties
involved.
442
00:26:02,094 --> 00:26:04,027
So it was very important
for them
443
00:26:04,096 --> 00:26:06,796
To proceed with caution,
444
00:26:06,798 --> 00:26:08,933
Proceed with weapons at ready.
445
00:26:10,369 --> 00:26:13,237
And they made sure
that she can't drive away.
446
00:26:14,406 --> 00:26:16,907
They get out, they have martie
exit the vehicle.
447
00:26:16,975 --> 00:26:19,109
They take her into custody.
448
00:26:22,214 --> 00:26:25,115
[john] there was
a big sigh of relief from us
449
00:26:25,184 --> 00:26:27,083
'cause we knew
russ was gonna be safe.
450
00:26:28,153 --> 00:26:30,721
[narrator] martie is taken in
for questioning.
451
00:26:34,093 --> 00:26:37,928
She tries to tell investigators
there was no murder plot
452
00:26:37,996 --> 00:26:41,098
And this is all
a big misunderstanding.
453
00:26:41,801 --> 00:26:43,534
[patrick]
she claimed that russell
454
00:26:43,602 --> 00:26:46,737
Was physically
and emotionally abusive to her.
455
00:26:47,172 --> 00:26:51,108
But she also stated
that she had no intention
456
00:26:51,176 --> 00:26:53,143
Of hurting russell.
457
00:26:54,013 --> 00:26:55,545
She stated
that she has a big mouth
458
00:26:55,614 --> 00:26:58,648
And she sometimes says things
she doesn't mean.
459
00:26:59,584 --> 00:27:03,087
It was apparent that she didn't
know she had been recorded.
460
00:27:27,913 --> 00:27:29,780
She just snapped at that point.
461
00:27:56,842 --> 00:27:59,409
[narrator] realizing
she's been caught red-handed,
462
00:27:59,478 --> 00:28:03,147
Martie stops talking
and asks for a lawyer.
463
00:28:04,449 --> 00:28:06,683
We charge her with,
initially, at that point,
464
00:28:06,685 --> 00:28:09,052
Criminal solicitation
to commit first-degree murder.
465
00:28:09,788 --> 00:28:13,390
So the next step was, "man, how
do I break this to russ?"
466
00:28:15,861 --> 00:28:17,060
[narrator] coming up,
467
00:28:17,129 --> 00:28:20,230
Investigators hear
russell's side of the story.
468
00:28:21,433 --> 00:28:25,668
And I'm thinking,
"how's something this stupid
469
00:28:25,738 --> 00:28:27,304
Going on?"
470
00:28:27,706 --> 00:28:29,206
[narrator] and a new confession
471
00:28:29,274 --> 00:28:32,175
Draws a link
to a previous crime.
472
00:28:32,577 --> 00:28:35,145
If last time, she got
tens of thousands of dollars,
473
00:28:35,213 --> 00:28:37,581
Well, she gets hundreds of
thousands of dollars this time.
474
00:28:41,854 --> 00:28:44,321
[music]
475
00:28:49,260 --> 00:28:51,161
[music]
476
00:28:53,132 --> 00:28:56,333
[narrator] with martie soderberg
safely behind bars,
477
00:28:56,401 --> 00:29:00,737
Detectives turn their attention
to her intended target.
478
00:29:01,173 --> 00:29:03,406
I called his business,
said, "hey,
479
00:29:03,743 --> 00:29:08,311
I need to talk to russell
now, pronto, immediately."
480
00:29:09,381 --> 00:29:11,348
I said, "russ, I'm sorry
to call you like this.
481
00:29:11,416 --> 00:29:14,451
But I want you to know
everybody's safe.
482
00:29:14,519 --> 00:29:15,753
Nobody's hurt.
483
00:29:16,221 --> 00:29:18,088
Your wife is in custody.
484
00:29:18,157 --> 00:29:19,756
I will explain
everything to you,
485
00:29:19,825 --> 00:29:23,126
But this is not a conversation
to have over the phone, right?
486
00:29:23,195 --> 00:29:24,461
I gotta talk to you in person."
487
00:29:27,533 --> 00:29:30,500
[narrator] that afternoon,
detectives meet with russell
488
00:29:30,569 --> 00:29:32,335
At the soderberg's home.
489
00:29:32,404 --> 00:29:35,372
[russell] they just said
they had a search warrant,
490
00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,174
Wanted to search the house.
491
00:29:37,510 --> 00:29:39,409
I'm thinking, "okay,
what did she do?
492
00:29:39,478 --> 00:29:41,812
Did she do something
that she wasn't supposed to?
493
00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:44,047
Is she writing checks
to somebody?
494
00:29:45,184 --> 00:29:46,850
[john] I felt the best way
to do it
495
00:29:46,919 --> 00:29:49,352
Was just be sincere and direct,
496
00:29:49,889 --> 00:29:51,221
And let him know.
497
00:29:51,923 --> 00:29:53,824
And he was shocked.
498
00:29:54,793 --> 00:29:57,861
They were like, "okay,
we have martie arrested
499
00:29:57,930 --> 00:29:59,996
For attempted murder
500
00:30:00,065 --> 00:30:02,166
To have a hit taken out on you.
501
00:30:03,868 --> 00:30:06,436
We put a bug on the guy twice
502
00:30:06,505 --> 00:30:09,339
And we have her
on surveillance twice."
503
00:30:10,575 --> 00:30:12,643
They were telling me all
the stuff that was going on.
504
00:30:13,579 --> 00:30:14,845
And I'm thinking,
505
00:30:15,514 --> 00:30:18,916
"no, how's something
this stupid going on?"
506
00:30:20,986 --> 00:30:24,755
[narrator] when they ask russell
about the alleged abuse,
507
00:30:24,823 --> 00:30:27,224
He says there's nothing to it.
508
00:30:28,026 --> 00:30:29,359
[russell] it was
a typical marriage.
509
00:30:29,428 --> 00:30:32,896
There was ups and downs,
good times, bad times.
510
00:30:33,332 --> 00:30:38,868
Back, wow, that would've been
2003, somewhere in there.
511
00:30:38,938 --> 00:30:40,737
I wanted to watch
something on tv
512
00:30:40,805 --> 00:30:42,639
And she got in my face.
513
00:30:43,175 --> 00:30:47,510
And she was pretty much
just face-to-face
514
00:30:47,579 --> 00:30:48,979
And I put my hand up.
515
00:30:49,615 --> 00:30:52,749
And somehow her dentures
cut her gums,
516
00:30:52,817 --> 00:30:54,050
So she called the cops on me.
517
00:30:54,119 --> 00:30:55,518
Had me arrested.
518
00:30:56,421 --> 00:30:58,455
That's about the end
of that story.
519
00:30:59,591 --> 00:31:02,793
Russ thought
everything was okay, right?
520
00:31:02,861 --> 00:31:06,896
He described their weekend
prior to her arrest
521
00:31:06,966 --> 00:31:08,731
That they went
and picked apples,
522
00:31:08,733 --> 00:31:11,067
And did chores around the house
and went to dinner,
523
00:31:11,136 --> 00:31:13,203
And normal, normal stuff.
524
00:31:14,673 --> 00:31:17,407
[narrator] investigators
wrap up with russell,
525
00:31:17,409 --> 00:31:19,309
Saying they will
keep him informed
526
00:31:19,378 --> 00:31:21,545
As the investigation progressed
527
00:31:25,450 --> 00:31:28,418
During follow-up interviews
with family members,
528
00:31:28,420 --> 00:31:31,955
They suggest the marriage
was even more volatile
529
00:31:32,024 --> 00:31:33,924
Than russell described.
530
00:31:34,627 --> 00:31:37,961
[jessica] the relationship
between my mom and russ,
531
00:31:38,030 --> 00:31:40,731
After years, was toxic.
532
00:31:41,466 --> 00:31:44,767
She would fight with him.
He would fight with her.
533
00:31:44,769 --> 00:31:47,437
She would kick him out
of the house and he would leave.
534
00:31:53,278 --> 00:31:54,577
[narrator] family members
recount
535
00:31:54,579 --> 00:31:57,480
The majority of the fights
between martie and russell
536
00:31:57,549 --> 00:32:01,351
Revolved around one thing,
money.
537
00:32:02,387 --> 00:32:05,488
Time after time,
fighting over finances,
538
00:32:05,557 --> 00:32:08,391
Fighting because he would
spend money on golf clubs
539
00:32:08,393 --> 00:32:10,627
And she didn't get to spend it
on something else.
540
00:32:11,596 --> 00:32:14,197
Money was always
a big thing with her.
541
00:32:14,266 --> 00:32:15,398
You borrow money from her
542
00:32:15,467 --> 00:32:17,767
And it was like selling
your soul to the devil.
543
00:32:18,036 --> 00:32:19,536
She's greedy.
544
00:32:20,005 --> 00:32:21,305
She wanted money.
545
00:32:22,707 --> 00:32:25,141
And that's why she sought out
a life insurance policy
546
00:32:25,210 --> 00:32:27,344
That three weeks after
it goes into effect,
547
00:32:27,412 --> 00:32:29,279
She's planning
on having him murdered.
548
00:32:32,451 --> 00:32:34,784
[narrator] talk of russell's
life insurance policy
549
00:32:34,786 --> 00:32:37,120
Reminds detectives
of something else
550
00:32:37,122 --> 00:32:39,656
Martie said
during their surveillance.
551
00:32:40,492 --> 00:32:42,392
[john] during the course
of the investigation,
552
00:32:42,461 --> 00:32:44,093
Information came out from martie
553
00:32:44,163 --> 00:32:48,031
About this fire
back at a mobile home.
554
00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:51,168
She mentioned it to drake
when drake was worried
555
00:32:52,103 --> 00:32:53,503
That dennis would say somethin.
556
00:32:54,373 --> 00:32:56,806
We started digging
into the past a little bit,
557
00:32:56,808 --> 00:32:58,675
And lo and behold,
558
00:32:58,743 --> 00:33:00,644
In September of 2013,
559
00:33:01,646 --> 00:33:03,180
Their mobile home burned down.
560
00:33:05,117 --> 00:33:07,050
[marc] it burned to the ground.
They lost all of their stuff.
561
00:33:07,119 --> 00:33:08,585
They were out of town
at the time.
562
00:33:08,653 --> 00:33:11,922
Detective oliphant found
insurance payouts
563
00:33:11,990 --> 00:33:14,257
To the tune of around $58,000.
564
00:33:18,397 --> 00:33:21,398
A neighbor actually came out
and was trying
565
00:33:21,466 --> 00:33:23,133
To hose the trailer down.
566
00:33:23,201 --> 00:33:24,935
They called the firefighters
567
00:33:25,003 --> 00:33:28,137
And the neighbor had said,
"hey, the window ac unit
568
00:33:28,207 --> 00:33:30,173
Was flaming."
569
00:33:30,709 --> 00:33:32,675
[john] even though
the insurance company said
570
00:33:32,677 --> 00:33:35,145
They settled on
the ac unit being the cause,
571
00:33:35,213 --> 00:33:37,514
There was
never any determination
572
00:33:37,582 --> 00:33:39,549
Of what was wrong with it,
573
00:33:39,752 --> 00:33:41,018
Which I found odd.
574
00:33:42,955 --> 00:33:45,021
[patrick] I believe there was
some suspicion on their part,
575
00:33:45,089 --> 00:33:47,790
But, ultimately,
there wasn't enough
576
00:33:47,860 --> 00:33:49,392
For them to deny payment.
577
00:33:49,461 --> 00:33:52,462
So the soderbergs
received a large check.
578
00:33:59,371 --> 00:34:01,371
[narrator] but in light
of recent events,
579
00:34:01,440 --> 00:34:04,007
Police wonder if foul play
580
00:34:04,075 --> 00:34:05,575
Might have been involved.
581
00:34:05,977 --> 00:34:08,979
There's only one man
who knows for sure,
582
00:34:09,314 --> 00:34:11,982
Martie's friend, dennis bjerke.
583
00:34:13,218 --> 00:34:16,586
Detective keene and I found
his place of business.
584
00:34:16,654 --> 00:34:18,921
And we
told him why we were there.
585
00:34:18,991 --> 00:34:20,991
And he agreed to talk to us.
586
00:34:21,059 --> 00:34:24,827
And you could tell that there
was a great deal of anxiety
587
00:34:24,896 --> 00:34:25,929
On his part.
588
00:34:27,266 --> 00:34:30,633
But he's as forthcoming
as you could ever hope for
589
00:34:30,702 --> 00:34:32,569
In a situation such as this.
590
00:34:34,739 --> 00:34:36,907
Dennis basically spills
his guts.
591
00:34:36,975 --> 00:34:41,511
And he says, "yeah, I committed
this fire in 2013."
592
00:34:42,481 --> 00:34:45,114
Dennis said, "martie had me
set her house on fire
593
00:34:45,116 --> 00:34:46,516
And burn it
594
00:34:46,585 --> 00:34:48,151
Because she wanted
the insurance money
595
00:34:48,219 --> 00:34:50,187
To move and leave russell."
596
00:34:51,122 --> 00:34:53,457
Dennis said it was all her plan
597
00:34:54,559 --> 00:34:55,491
He agreed to do it
598
00:34:55,560 --> 00:34:57,994
Because she promised
they would be together
599
00:34:58,063 --> 00:34:59,395
In the future.
600
00:34:59,464 --> 00:35:01,798
Same thing, same pattern here
that we're seeing.
601
00:35:02,400 --> 00:35:05,468
The similarities between
the fire
602
00:35:05,537 --> 00:35:10,240
And the murder-for-hire plot,
right, it's the same playbook.
603
00:35:11,309 --> 00:35:12,809
We collected the evidence
we needed
604
00:35:12,877 --> 00:35:14,977
And we charged her
with first-degree arson
605
00:35:14,979 --> 00:35:16,313
And first-degree theft.
606
00:35:17,649 --> 00:35:19,949
[narrator] the success
of martie's previous fraud
607
00:35:19,951 --> 00:35:23,786
Appears to have inspired
her attempt on russell's life.
608
00:35:24,456 --> 00:35:26,623
[patrick] I think
martie really enjoyed
609
00:35:26,691 --> 00:35:29,292
Getting that large check
for the fire,
610
00:35:29,360 --> 00:35:31,228
But that money went really fast.
611
00:35:31,296 --> 00:35:34,797
And at some point in 2016,
612
00:35:34,799 --> 00:35:37,067
Something inside martie
just clicked
613
00:35:37,135 --> 00:35:40,837
Where she could get
this larger payout.
614
00:35:42,841 --> 00:35:45,575
If last time she got
tens of thousands of dollars,
615
00:35:45,644 --> 00:35:48,311
Well, she gets hundreds of
thousands of dollars this time.
616
00:35:51,049 --> 00:35:54,517
[narrator] dennis confirms
martie asked him months ago
617
00:35:54,519 --> 00:35:55,986
To shoot russell,
618
00:35:56,054 --> 00:35:57,254
But he turned her down.
619
00:35:58,623 --> 00:36:00,523
[marc] he comes up
with the exact same story
620
00:36:00,525 --> 00:36:04,193
That martie requested him this
to drake.
621
00:36:04,195 --> 00:36:05,195
It was further confirmation
622
00:36:05,597 --> 00:36:08,197
That this plan was something
that she had had in effect
623
00:36:08,199 --> 00:36:09,199
For a while.
624
00:36:10,368 --> 00:36:12,502
[caroline] she asked
not one but two people
625
00:36:12,571 --> 00:36:14,671
To murder her husband
for the money.
626
00:36:15,106 --> 00:36:18,174
Puts a pretty big roadblock
on any argument
627
00:36:18,242 --> 00:36:20,343
That she was just running
her mouth.
628
00:36:21,079 --> 00:36:22,812
[patrick] I'm not
a psychologist,
629
00:36:22,881 --> 00:36:26,182
But there are certain things
about the fact
630
00:36:26,250 --> 00:36:27,550
That she's willing to lie,
631
00:36:27,619 --> 00:36:29,786
She's not concerned
about harming people.
632
00:36:30,121 --> 00:36:32,255
She believes she can
get away with this
633
00:36:32,324 --> 00:36:34,824
And she can take this
to the next level.
634
00:36:39,430 --> 00:36:42,465
[music]
635
00:36:47,104 --> 00:36:49,139
[music]
636
00:36:51,676 --> 00:36:54,076
[narrator] after a week-long
investigation
637
00:36:54,078 --> 00:36:57,013
Involving multiple
sting operations,
638
00:36:57,082 --> 00:36:59,282
39-year-old martie soderberg
639
00:36:59,351 --> 00:37:01,151
Is in jail, awaiting trial
640
00:37:01,219 --> 00:37:04,654
For the attempted murder
of her husband, russell.
641
00:37:06,224 --> 00:37:07,557
She has also been charged
642
00:37:07,626 --> 00:37:09,526
With arson and insurance fraud
643
00:37:09,594 --> 00:37:11,928
In connection
with the burning of her home
644
00:37:11,996 --> 00:37:13,830
In 2013.
645
00:37:15,667 --> 00:37:17,133
[john] it was news
around here, yeah.
646
00:37:17,201 --> 00:37:18,668
It made the headlines.
647
00:37:19,504 --> 00:37:21,171
You don't hear stuff like this
648
00:37:21,239 --> 00:37:22,372
That happens all the time.
649
00:37:22,440 --> 00:37:25,375
So, for me,
it shocked the conscience.
650
00:37:29,347 --> 00:37:31,247
[russell] she actually called me
651
00:37:31,315 --> 00:37:34,584
From the jail as soon
as they got her in booking.
652
00:37:35,654 --> 00:37:38,622
And I just hung up the phone
since I heard it was her.
653
00:37:40,158 --> 00:37:42,659
She's like, "don't believe
what they're telling you."
654
00:37:42,727 --> 00:37:45,895
And then it's like, click,
"nope, not talking to you.
655
00:37:45,964 --> 00:37:47,631
Not doing it."
656
00:37:50,602 --> 00:37:52,802
[narrator] however, not everyone
is convinced
657
00:37:52,871 --> 00:37:57,039
Martie deserves to spend
the rest of her life in prison.
658
00:37:57,375 --> 00:37:59,509
I remember thinking to myself,
659
00:37:59,577 --> 00:38:01,277
"if this has made the news,
660
00:38:01,345 --> 00:38:02,879
She's not gonna get
a fair trial."
661
00:38:04,649 --> 00:38:06,616
So my uncles and I
rallied together
662
00:38:06,685 --> 00:38:08,418
And came up with the money
to hire her
663
00:38:08,486 --> 00:38:09,686
A private attorney.
664
00:38:10,088 --> 00:38:14,391
And the private attorney worked
on getting her plea deals.
665
00:38:15,660 --> 00:38:17,794
[patrick] we had offered
to resolve
666
00:38:17,862 --> 00:38:20,763
Both the murder-for-hire case
and the arson case
667
00:38:20,765 --> 00:38:22,832
With a plea deal.
668
00:38:23,435 --> 00:38:25,534
With good time,
she would have been out
669
00:38:25,604 --> 00:38:27,637
In maybe seven or eight years.
670
00:38:28,707 --> 00:38:30,773
[jessica] I thought, "she's
gonna think about her kids,
671
00:38:30,775 --> 00:38:32,575
And her grandkids."
672
00:38:32,644 --> 00:38:34,844
And she's gonna
wanna see us grow up."
673
00:38:35,513 --> 00:38:37,613
And she said she was
taking it to trial,
674
00:38:37,682 --> 00:38:39,949
That she had a better chance
against her peers.
675
00:38:40,018 --> 00:38:42,719
I thought my mom was stupid
for not taking a plea deal.
676
00:38:42,787 --> 00:38:45,088
And I just, I wanted to cry.
677
00:38:47,259 --> 00:38:49,992
She really thought she was
still above and beyond
678
00:38:49,994 --> 00:38:52,762
And smarter
than the prosecutors, the cops.
679
00:38:56,367 --> 00:38:57,500
[narrator] martie's first trial
680
00:38:57,502 --> 00:39:00,469
For solicitation
to commit first-degree murder
681
00:39:00,471 --> 00:39:02,271
And attempted
first-degree murder
682
00:39:02,340 --> 00:39:05,274
Begins in March, 2018.
683
00:39:05,877 --> 00:39:08,010
[patrick] from my standpoint
as a prosecutor,
684
00:39:08,079 --> 00:39:10,913
It was pretty well
teed up for me.
685
00:39:10,982 --> 00:39:13,249
There was this great recording.
686
00:39:13,985 --> 00:39:18,020
In some ways, it was about
just pressing play
687
00:39:18,022 --> 00:39:20,256
And letting the jury hear
what martie said.
688
00:39:20,491 --> 00:39:23,493
But, also, it was about
strengthening that
689
00:39:23,561 --> 00:39:27,063
With drake's testimony
and dennis' testimony.
690
00:39:30,935 --> 00:39:32,635
[narrator] the recordings turn
691
00:39:32,704 --> 00:39:36,639
Even martie's most
loyal supporters against her.
692
00:39:37,642 --> 00:39:40,076
I stood by my mom's side
693
00:39:40,145 --> 00:39:41,611
Through all of it.
694
00:39:41,679 --> 00:39:44,647
I thought there's no way
this is true.
695
00:39:45,349 --> 00:39:47,517
Then we hear the audio.
696
00:39:47,585 --> 00:39:49,385
And the audio was bad.
697
00:39:49,454 --> 00:39:53,523
The audio sealed
what I feared the most,
698
00:39:53,591 --> 00:39:55,158
That she was guilty.
699
00:40:06,037 --> 00:40:07,503
[narrator] martie's attorneys
700
00:40:07,572 --> 00:40:10,540
Seem to have only one
card they can play.
701
00:40:11,009 --> 00:40:12,875
[patrick] the defense was
essentially one
702
00:40:12,877 --> 00:40:13,809
Of entrapment,
703
00:40:13,878 --> 00:40:17,547
That drake had put this idea
in martie's head
704
00:40:17,615 --> 00:40:19,482
Or he had come up with this.
705
00:40:20,285 --> 00:40:22,485
[marc] during the trial,
martie took the stand.
706
00:40:22,554 --> 00:40:24,253
She believed
in her heart of hearts
707
00:40:24,255 --> 00:40:26,256
That she would be able
to talk her way out of it.
708
00:40:27,491 --> 00:40:29,892
She was very combative with me
709
00:40:29,961 --> 00:40:31,994
On cross-examination.
710
00:40:32,864 --> 00:40:34,831
She wouldn't answer questions
directly.
711
00:40:34,899 --> 00:40:37,867
She would essentially accuse
the police
712
00:40:37,936 --> 00:40:39,602
Of setting her up.
713
00:40:41,139 --> 00:40:45,107
That's why dennis' testimony
was so key for me
714
00:40:45,109 --> 00:40:47,477
Because that showed
that she had been talking
715
00:40:47,545 --> 00:40:49,846
About this months before
talking to drake,
716
00:40:49,914 --> 00:40:50,980
Before law enforcement,
717
00:40:51,049 --> 00:40:53,082
Before anybody else
got involved.
718
00:40:53,752 --> 00:40:55,518
We ended up getting a verdict
719
00:40:55,586 --> 00:40:58,054
Of guilty
for the attempted murder.
720
00:40:59,958 --> 00:41:02,559
She received 15 years for that.
721
00:41:03,361 --> 00:41:07,530
[patrick] the murder had not
actually ultimately taken place
722
00:41:07,599 --> 00:41:09,899
But it was very much
my office's belief
723
00:41:09,968 --> 00:41:12,268
That she would've gone
through with it.
724
00:41:12,537 --> 00:41:14,604
She had just dug herself
too deep.
725
00:41:18,776 --> 00:41:20,543
[narrator] following
her conviction,
726
00:41:20,612 --> 00:41:22,511
Martie stands trial again
727
00:41:22,513 --> 00:41:26,015
For arson and fraud in 2021.
728
00:41:26,218 --> 00:41:27,383
She is found guilty
729
00:41:27,452 --> 00:41:31,120
And sentenced
to an additional three years.
730
00:41:32,557 --> 00:41:34,857
She essentially went
double or nothing
731
00:41:34,926 --> 00:41:36,626
And she lost on both.
732
00:41:41,499 --> 00:41:45,034
[jessica] when she was sentenced
to the women's corrections,
733
00:41:45,103 --> 00:41:47,537
The first letter
I ever got from her
734
00:41:47,605 --> 00:41:48,971
When she arrived there
735
00:41:48,973 --> 00:41:52,174
Was the prison's catalogue.
736
00:41:52,176 --> 00:41:55,044
And she had marked
everything she wanted
737
00:41:55,447 --> 00:41:56,846
And needed.
738
00:41:56,915 --> 00:41:58,648
And in the letter, she says,
739
00:41:58,716 --> 00:42:01,885
"all you have to do is put in
your credit card information."
740
00:42:03,721 --> 00:42:05,855
I had to take a step back
741
00:42:05,924 --> 00:42:10,059
And I sent her an email
that I was done with her.
742
00:42:10,995 --> 00:42:13,930
There's something in her
that's never satisfied.
743
00:42:14,666 --> 00:42:17,166
When I'm in the area,
I always think,
744
00:42:17,235 --> 00:42:20,402
"well, I should plan,
schedule a visit,"
745
00:42:20,404 --> 00:42:21,804
And I don't.
746
00:42:21,873 --> 00:42:25,642
I don't know if I'm ready
to see her in person.
747
00:42:29,047 --> 00:42:31,614
[russell] I waited until
she was sent off to prison
748
00:42:31,683 --> 00:42:33,549
To divorce her, five years,
749
00:42:33,885 --> 00:42:36,685
Because washington state's
a common law state.
750
00:42:36,755 --> 00:42:39,722
If she's still sitting here
in jail,
751
00:42:39,724 --> 00:42:42,091
She's entitled
to half the house, possibly.
752
00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:44,927
I'm thinking, "I'm gonna wait
to divorce her
753
00:42:44,929 --> 00:42:46,128
Until she's sent to prison
754
00:42:46,197 --> 00:42:48,331
Where now she has no rights."
755
00:42:49,233 --> 00:42:52,568
I've had close
to seven years now
756
00:42:52,636 --> 00:42:53,970
To stew over this
757
00:42:54,038 --> 00:42:55,972
And to think of what she did.
758
00:42:56,574 --> 00:42:58,675
I want nothing to do with her.
759
00:42:59,443 --> 00:43:00,510
I really don't.
760
00:43:00,979 --> 00:43:02,645
I'm glad it didn't happen.
761
00:43:02,714 --> 00:43:04,113
Nothing good
would've came out of it,
762
00:43:04,182 --> 00:43:08,117
As far as for my kids,
let alone for her kids.
763
00:43:08,753 --> 00:43:11,987
I believe she gets out in 2032.
764
00:43:12,290 --> 00:43:14,924
I'm not waiting.
I'll be 65 then, at least,
765
00:43:14,993 --> 00:43:18,628
And, yeah, I don't want
even a chance
766
00:43:18,696 --> 00:43:20,697
For her to be able
to talk to me.
767
00:43:22,266 --> 00:43:23,633
Life goes on. It does.
768
00:43:24,102 --> 00:43:25,969
I'm living a good life.
769
00:43:28,573 --> 00:43:34,711
[music]