1 00:00:07,673 --> 00:00:09,775 - Narrator: Terror rings out at the headquarters 2 00:00:09,843 --> 00:00:12,444 Of the country's most popular cartoonist, 3 00:00:12,514 --> 00:00:16,047 Sending shockwaves through the country. 4 00:00:16,117 --> 00:00:17,249 - There was a shooting, 5 00:00:17,318 --> 00:00:20,053 And it was at the charles schulz offices. 6 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:22,855 - This is the last thing you would expect to happen. 7 00:00:22,923 --> 00:00:25,791 - This was the case that was getting the media coverage. 8 00:00:25,860 --> 00:00:29,796 This was the case that people were paying attention to. 9 00:00:29,863 --> 00:00:31,263 - Narrator: When the dust settles, 10 00:00:31,332 --> 00:00:33,499 Charles schulz's second in command 11 00:00:33,567 --> 00:00:36,535 Is desperately clinging to life. 12 00:00:36,603 --> 00:00:39,271 - He had gunshot wounds in his back. 13 00:00:39,340 --> 00:00:42,075 - Was this an active-type shooter or a targeted thing? 14 00:00:42,142 --> 00:00:44,210 Was there a suspect at large? 15 00:00:44,278 --> 00:00:47,346 - Narrator: The search for the shooter will expose a crack 16 00:00:47,348 --> 00:00:51,483 In the picture-perfect lives of a local power couple. 17 00:00:51,485 --> 00:00:55,153 - He fell for a woman much younger than him. 18 00:00:55,155 --> 00:00:57,689 - She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. 19 00:00:57,758 --> 00:01:01,760 - Charles schulz had threatened both of them to stop this. 20 00:01:01,829 --> 00:01:06,298 She had this feeling of, I think, ultimate betrayal. 21 00:01:06,300 --> 00:01:08,134 - She said, if I can't have him in this life, 22 00:01:08,201 --> 00:01:09,968 I'm sure as hell gonna have him in the next one, 23 00:01:10,037 --> 00:01:12,238 'cause we're both going to hell together. 24 00:01:12,306 --> 00:01:14,439 - Narrator: Was this a crime of passion 25 00:01:14,441 --> 00:01:18,444 Or something much more calculated? 26 00:01:18,512 --> 00:01:21,314 - I never had any doubt about her mental capacity. 27 00:01:21,381 --> 00:01:24,117 She planned it, premeditated it. 28 00:01:24,184 --> 00:01:28,186 - They saw her as this person who had lost everything. 29 00:01:28,255 --> 00:01:30,322 - She talked about why she did it 30 00:01:30,390 --> 00:01:32,958 And how he'd made her life miserable. 31 00:01:33,026 --> 00:01:36,662 - I don't think anyone would say what she did was okay, 32 00:01:36,730 --> 00:01:40,032 But they can understand why she did it. 33 00:01:41,001 --> 00:01:46,171 - ♪ 34 00:01:52,746 --> 00:01:55,347 - Narrator: July 5, 1995. 35 00:01:55,416 --> 00:01:57,349 It's a quiet morning in the sunny town 36 00:01:57,418 --> 00:02:00,286 Of santa rosa, california. 37 00:02:00,354 --> 00:02:02,654 Nestled in the heart of wine country 38 00:02:02,723 --> 00:02:05,557 This upscale, family-friendly town is known 39 00:02:05,626 --> 00:02:09,328 For its most famous resident, cartoonist and creator 40 00:02:09,330 --> 00:02:12,898 Of the peanuts comic strip, charles schulz. 41 00:02:12,966 --> 00:02:15,734 - I've lived in this county for almost 50 years now, 42 00:02:15,803 --> 00:02:18,304 And sonoma county's all-time leading citizen 43 00:02:18,372 --> 00:02:20,372 Without question is charles schulz. 44 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:22,707 And everything he brought to this community both 45 00:02:22,776 --> 00:02:26,511 In terms of peanuts and his wife's philanthropy. 46 00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:29,682 Jean, you know, she's a great philanthropist. 47 00:02:29,750 --> 00:02:33,251 - Santa rosa is a larger town, but it still has 48 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:35,187 A rural feel to it. 49 00:02:35,189 --> 00:02:36,388 I'm gonna cruise around. 50 00:02:36,456 --> 00:02:37,589 I'm gonna get to know my beat, 51 00:02:37,658 --> 00:02:40,725 Get to know the people in my beat. 52 00:02:40,794 --> 00:02:42,994 - Narrator: But just before 11:00 am, 53 00:02:43,063 --> 00:02:49,000 The serenity is shattered in the most unlikely of places. 54 00:02:49,069 --> 00:02:51,870 - The 911 call came in from someone who 55 00:02:51,872 --> 00:02:53,539 Worked in the office. 56 00:02:53,607 --> 00:02:56,074 - This is the last thing you would expect to happen 57 00:02:56,143 --> 00:02:58,410 At charles schulz's studio. 58 00:02:58,478 --> 00:03:01,746 This was a place where families come. 59 00:03:01,815 --> 00:03:05,617 - Narrator: Within minutes, officers arrive on the scene. 60 00:03:05,686 --> 00:03:09,621 - There was a gentleman face down, not moving. 61 00:03:09,690 --> 00:03:12,958 There were people standing out front, 62 00:03:13,026 --> 00:03:16,395 And they were just deadpan. 63 00:03:16,463 --> 00:03:19,231 Normally on scenes like that, there's a lot of chaos, 64 00:03:19,299 --> 00:03:23,768 People are yelling. Nobody was saying anything. 65 00:03:23,837 --> 00:03:27,306 That just really stood out to me as something very eerie. 66 00:03:27,374 --> 00:03:31,277 It was just very obvious that everybody was shocked. 67 00:03:34,781 --> 00:03:37,916 - Narrator: Witnesses identify the victim as 53-year-old 68 00:03:37,918 --> 00:03:42,655 Ron nelson, charles schulz's business manager. 69 00:03:42,723 --> 00:03:45,390 - He occupied a very prominent position 70 00:03:45,459 --> 00:03:48,526 In the whole schulz operation. 71 00:03:48,528 --> 00:03:52,931 - He had been working with schulz from about 1972. 72 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,967 He was the first vice president and the treasurer 73 00:03:56,036 --> 00:03:57,402 For the company. 74 00:03:57,471 --> 00:04:00,273 And he was very much involved in helping to develop 75 00:04:00,340 --> 00:04:04,810 And market products from the peanuts cartoon strip. 76 00:04:04,878 --> 00:04:08,947 - Mr. Nelson had gunshot wounds in his back. 77 00:04:09,016 --> 00:04:11,550 He was basically close to death when they arrived, 78 00:04:11,552 --> 00:04:13,752 Mainly from blood loss. 79 00:04:13,821 --> 00:04:15,321 - Narrator: Medics attend to ron, 80 00:04:15,389 --> 00:04:20,359 While officers race to clear the scene. 81 00:04:20,361 --> 00:04:21,960 - There was a lot of concern about, 82 00:04:21,962 --> 00:04:23,496 Was this an active-type shooter? 83 00:04:23,563 --> 00:04:25,498 Or was this a targeted thing and, you know, 84 00:04:25,565 --> 00:04:27,832 Was there a suspect at large? 85 00:04:27,901 --> 00:04:29,968 - Narrator: As officers secure the building, 86 00:04:30,037 --> 00:04:33,305 They find another injured person. 87 00:04:33,373 --> 00:04:36,708 - We had our weapons drawn for our safety, 88 00:04:36,777 --> 00:04:41,280 And we found a female laying on her back on the floor 89 00:04:41,348 --> 00:04:43,582 In a back office. 90 00:04:43,584 --> 00:04:45,417 - She had a gunshot wound to her chest. 91 00:04:48,522 --> 00:04:51,289 - Narrator: She's conscious enough to identify herself 92 00:04:51,358 --> 00:04:55,928 As shirley nelson, ron nelson's wife. 93 00:04:55,996 --> 00:05:00,600 - It was not something that we ever responded to there. 94 00:05:00,667 --> 00:05:03,336 Why is this happening? What's going on? 95 00:05:08,075 --> 00:05:12,411 - Narrator: Born in pennsylvania on January 18, 1930, 96 00:05:12,413 --> 00:05:16,748 Shirley delong was always taking care of others. 97 00:05:16,817 --> 00:05:20,618 - She was always very caring. She loved animals. 98 00:05:20,687 --> 00:05:24,422 She loved sports. She loved people. 99 00:05:24,491 --> 00:05:27,625 - She didn't really talk about her childhood, um, 100 00:05:27,694 --> 00:05:31,496 Or siblings or parents, or anything like that. 101 00:05:31,498 --> 00:05:36,902 She never really delved a lot into the past. 102 00:05:38,572 --> 00:05:39,838 - Narrator: Like many young girls, 103 00:05:39,907 --> 00:05:44,843 Shirley dreamed of falling in love and starting a family. 104 00:05:44,845 --> 00:05:48,180 - Her first marriage was very, very young, 105 00:05:48,248 --> 00:05:51,650 And he was catholic. 106 00:05:51,652 --> 00:05:56,855 And their family expected an abundance of children. 107 00:05:56,857 --> 00:05:59,058 And that was very difficult for her, 108 00:05:59,126 --> 00:06:03,795 Because I know she had tried for so very long to get pregnant. 109 00:06:03,797 --> 00:06:08,266 And every month, it was such a disappointment to her. 110 00:06:08,335 --> 00:06:13,471 She very much wanted children, but she was never able to. 111 00:06:13,540 --> 00:06:16,474 The family was kind of cruel to her. 112 00:06:16,543 --> 00:06:21,413 Because of their religion, they somehow ended up 113 00:06:21,481 --> 00:06:23,281 Getting an annulment. 114 00:06:23,283 --> 00:06:25,483 They were married for a very short time, 115 00:06:25,552 --> 00:06:28,487 But I do not know for how long. 116 00:06:29,756 --> 00:06:32,357 - Narrator: Not long after her first marriage ended, 117 00:06:32,359 --> 00:06:35,026 Shirley remarried in 1954, 118 00:06:35,095 --> 00:06:38,964 And she cheerfully gained two step-children. 119 00:06:39,032 --> 00:06:44,169 - After her first marriage, she had met my grandfather, 120 00:06:44,237 --> 00:06:48,573 And she was in our life from the day that I was born. 121 00:06:48,642 --> 00:06:50,642 She was always there. 122 00:06:50,644 --> 00:06:54,245 - My impression was that her pattern was to 123 00:06:54,314 --> 00:06:57,349 Build her world around a man. 124 00:06:59,186 --> 00:07:02,120 - Narrator: Shirley gave her all for her new family, 125 00:07:02,122 --> 00:07:05,323 But that marriage also ended. 126 00:07:05,392 --> 00:07:08,059 - I don't know anything about their marriage, 127 00:07:08,128 --> 00:07:12,330 Just that they were married for about 12 years. 128 00:07:12,399 --> 00:07:14,332 - Narrator: The split left a significant hole 129 00:07:14,401 --> 00:07:16,469 In shirley's life. 130 00:07:16,536 --> 00:07:18,203 - She had no professional training, 131 00:07:18,271 --> 00:07:20,672 No skills outside of the home. 132 00:07:20,740 --> 00:07:23,541 - Narrator: Shirley struggled to find her own identity 133 00:07:23,610 --> 00:07:26,077 As a new divorcee. 134 00:07:26,146 --> 00:07:28,746 But that all changed when she met handsome 135 00:07:28,815 --> 00:07:34,352 24-year-old graduate, ron nelson in 1966. 136 00:07:34,421 --> 00:07:37,355 - Her and ron met in a bar in minneapolis. 137 00:07:37,357 --> 00:07:41,626 He had just graduated and got his cpa. 138 00:07:41,628 --> 00:07:43,895 She was out with a bunch of girlfriends. 139 00:07:43,964 --> 00:07:47,433 She was about 11 or 12 years older than ron. 140 00:07:47,501 --> 00:07:50,102 - She was older than ron, but she never... 141 00:07:50,170 --> 00:07:52,638 I don't ever feel like she felt that was holding 142 00:07:52,706 --> 00:07:55,774 Their relationship back. 143 00:07:55,776 --> 00:07:58,910 - She never, ever looked her age. 144 00:07:58,979 --> 00:08:02,046 She looked very young. She loved that. 145 00:08:02,115 --> 00:08:06,384 No one could guess her age. And ron liked that too. 146 00:08:06,453 --> 00:08:09,722 She was always very well dressed, 147 00:08:09,789 --> 00:08:13,992 And he liked to show her off. 148 00:08:14,061 --> 00:08:15,260 - Narrator: In ron, 149 00:08:15,328 --> 00:08:18,997 Shirley finally found someone who made her feel fulfilled. 150 00:08:19,065 --> 00:08:22,200 - Ron knew that shirley couldn't have children 151 00:08:22,202 --> 00:08:25,737 And he was ok with that. 152 00:08:25,806 --> 00:08:27,672 - Narrator: After less than a year of dating, 153 00:08:27,741 --> 00:08:31,209 The two tied the knot in 1967. 154 00:08:31,278 --> 00:08:34,412 And shortly after, ron landed a coveted job within 155 00:08:34,481 --> 00:08:38,349 The charles schulz empire. 156 00:08:38,418 --> 00:08:42,320 - Mister nelson was the business manager for charles schulz. 157 00:08:42,389 --> 00:08:46,158 - Ron did a lot of the licensing agreements around the world. 158 00:08:46,226 --> 00:08:50,862 It was a vast, vast empire of stuff everywhere. 159 00:08:52,499 --> 00:08:56,000 - Narrator: Ron's prestigious position came with an equally 160 00:08:56,002 --> 00:08:58,170 Elite paycheck. 161 00:08:58,238 --> 00:09:01,239 - They got swept up into the world that they lived in for 162 00:09:01,308 --> 00:09:04,442 So long in the schulz universe. 163 00:09:04,511 --> 00:09:06,978 And it's a pretty dynamic place to be. 164 00:09:07,047 --> 00:09:11,182 - Her marriage to him gave her access to the charles schulz 165 00:09:11,251 --> 00:09:13,385 Community, society. 166 00:09:13,453 --> 00:09:16,454 - They lived in a country club in santa rosa. 167 00:09:16,523 --> 00:09:19,258 They did live on the golf course. 168 00:09:19,326 --> 00:09:21,960 - They had a pretty strong practice of getting out 169 00:09:22,029 --> 00:09:23,995 Their golf cart, bringing their little dog 170 00:09:24,064 --> 00:09:27,932 And playing a few holes at the end of each day. 171 00:09:28,001 --> 00:09:30,135 - Shirley and ron did dinner parties. 172 00:09:30,137 --> 00:09:31,670 They traveled. 173 00:09:31,738 --> 00:09:36,407 They did golf tournaments, and fundraisers, and so forth. 174 00:09:36,476 --> 00:09:39,278 They were just caught up in a whirlwind, 175 00:09:39,346 --> 00:09:42,113 A grand life, really. 176 00:09:42,182 --> 00:09:44,816 - She had a bit of an arrogance about her 177 00:09:44,884 --> 00:09:47,752 From being in that position of, you know, 178 00:09:47,754 --> 00:09:51,890 Wealth and her husband being well known. 179 00:09:51,892 --> 00:09:54,025 - Narrator: In may of 1995, 180 00:09:54,094 --> 00:09:58,429 The nelsons celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. 181 00:09:58,498 --> 00:09:59,631 On the surface, 182 00:09:59,633 --> 00:10:04,669 It seems like shirley and ron are living the dream. 183 00:10:07,374 --> 00:10:10,109 But on July 5, 1995, 184 00:10:10,176 --> 00:10:15,314 The two are clinging to life after suffering gunshot wounds. 185 00:10:15,382 --> 00:10:18,516 - They found mr. Nelson out in front of the office 186 00:10:18,585 --> 00:10:22,320 Of charles schulz. He was almost dead. 187 00:10:22,389 --> 00:10:25,256 - Narrator: Inside, officers radio for paramedics 188 00:10:25,325 --> 00:10:26,991 To help shirley. 189 00:10:27,060 --> 00:10:29,061 - My job is to make sure that the scene is safe. 190 00:10:29,129 --> 00:10:33,464 So my priority was locating a weapon. 191 00:10:33,533 --> 00:10:35,600 Where was the gun? 192 00:10:37,904 --> 00:10:39,270 - Narrator: Coming up... 193 00:10:39,272 --> 00:10:43,342 A high-stakes love triangle is revealed. 194 00:10:43,410 --> 00:10:46,645 - He was aware that there was some marital problems. 195 00:10:46,714 --> 00:10:50,582 - Everybody was shocked at what had happened. 196 00:10:50,584 --> 00:10:52,383 - I don't think she could handle it. 197 00:10:52,452 --> 00:10:53,952 And she didn't. 198 00:10:53,954 --> 00:10:56,755 - If I can't have him, you're not gonna have him either. 199 00:10:58,191 --> 00:11:00,992 - ♪ 200 00:11:10,503 --> 00:11:13,371 - Narrator: July 5, 1995. 201 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:17,109 Santa rosa detectives are called to the scene of a shooting 202 00:11:17,177 --> 00:11:22,181 At the offices of peanuts creator, charles schulz. 203 00:11:22,248 --> 00:11:25,450 First responders attend to the injured couple, 204 00:11:25,452 --> 00:11:27,185 Ron and shirley nelson, 205 00:11:27,253 --> 00:11:30,721 As officers search for the murder weapon. 206 00:11:30,791 --> 00:11:33,191 - He had multiple gunshot wounds in his back. 207 00:11:33,193 --> 00:11:36,195 And at least one of them penetrated up through his, uh, 208 00:11:36,262 --> 00:11:40,265 Pancreas, his liver, uh, all the way up through his abdomen area. 209 00:11:40,333 --> 00:11:43,868 - Narrator: Paramedics rush ron to the hospital. 210 00:11:43,870 --> 00:11:47,538 - He had lost his pulse, dropped his blood pressure, 211 00:11:47,608 --> 00:11:51,576 And I think he was also kind of doa. 212 00:11:53,012 --> 00:11:55,147 - Narrator: Meanwhile, after a thorough search 213 00:11:55,215 --> 00:11:56,815 Of the schulz offices, 214 00:11:56,817 --> 00:12:01,085 Investigators locate a crucial piece of evidence. 215 00:12:01,154 --> 00:12:04,757 - There was this .357 magnum gun, a pretty big gun. 216 00:12:06,493 --> 00:12:08,761 - The sergeant came in and told me that the weapon 217 00:12:08,828 --> 00:12:10,095 Had been located. 218 00:12:10,163 --> 00:12:13,765 The concern now was to make sure now that 219 00:12:13,767 --> 00:12:16,301 Both of these people receive medical care. 220 00:12:18,438 --> 00:12:21,973 - Narrator: Paramedics hurry shirley to the hospital. 221 00:12:21,975 --> 00:12:25,576 - From the very beginning, an officer is assigned to shirley. 222 00:12:25,645 --> 00:12:27,445 They actually ride in the ambulance with her 223 00:12:27,514 --> 00:12:29,247 To the hospital. 224 00:12:29,249 --> 00:12:31,850 - Narrator: And what shirley reveals to first responders 225 00:12:31,918 --> 00:12:34,920 Is downright shocking. 226 00:12:34,988 --> 00:12:36,320 - They said, what happened? 227 00:12:36,389 --> 00:12:41,392 And she replied, I shot him. I shot my husband. 228 00:12:41,394 --> 00:12:43,928 Is the son of a bitch dead? 229 00:12:43,930 --> 00:12:46,532 And she said, I shot myself. 230 00:12:46,599 --> 00:12:50,201 She was very agitated, very angry, 231 00:12:50,270 --> 00:12:53,072 And kept repeating, did I kill him? 232 00:12:53,139 --> 00:12:55,406 I hope he's dead. 233 00:12:55,408 --> 00:12:59,143 - It became apparent pretty quickly that it was, you know, 234 00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:03,782 A domestic situation and that shirley had done the shooting. 235 00:13:06,219 --> 00:13:09,487 - When she arrived, I'm not sure she had much of a pulse. 236 00:13:09,556 --> 00:13:12,825 - She was eventually resuscitated and had surgery 237 00:13:12,892 --> 00:13:14,959 To repair her injuries. 238 00:13:15,028 --> 00:13:16,562 - There was a lot of damage, 239 00:13:16,629 --> 00:13:19,030 And it was a very serious surgery. 240 00:13:19,099 --> 00:13:21,766 And they weren't sure she was going to make it. 241 00:13:21,835 --> 00:13:24,169 - Ron was in the same situation. 242 00:13:24,237 --> 00:13:27,773 They were struggling to revive him, bring him back. 243 00:13:30,043 --> 00:13:33,511 - Narrator: As doctors work to save ron and shirley's lives, 244 00:13:33,580 --> 00:13:36,881 Detectives at schulz enterprises try to make sense 245 00:13:36,883 --> 00:13:38,917 Of the crime scene. 246 00:13:38,919 --> 00:13:41,385 - We have all the people at the scene who had information 247 00:13:41,454 --> 00:13:42,921 About what had occurred. 248 00:13:42,923 --> 00:13:44,323 And we just start delegating, 249 00:13:44,390 --> 00:13:47,126 You interview this person, you interview this person. 250 00:13:49,262 --> 00:13:51,128 - Narrator: According to ron's coworkers, 251 00:13:51,197 --> 00:13:53,464 Just before 11:00 that morning, 252 00:13:53,466 --> 00:13:58,604 Shirley drove up to the office in a car no one recognized. 253 00:13:58,671 --> 00:14:01,339 - She just wanted to be able to get access to the office 254 00:14:01,407 --> 00:14:02,807 Without being detected. 255 00:14:02,875 --> 00:14:05,543 I think that if her car had pulled in, 256 00:14:05,612 --> 00:14:08,947 There was a chance that someone else would let her husband know 257 00:14:08,949 --> 00:14:11,282 That she was arriving. 258 00:14:11,284 --> 00:14:13,684 - She parked right in the front, 259 00:14:13,753 --> 00:14:15,219 Got out of the car and walked in. 260 00:14:15,288 --> 00:14:18,689 She had these great big sunglasses on. 261 00:14:18,691 --> 00:14:21,092 - Narrator: But investigators say shirley's efforts 262 00:14:21,094 --> 00:14:24,629 To go undetected were misguided. 263 00:14:24,697 --> 00:14:26,497 - It was just bizarre. 264 00:14:26,566 --> 00:14:28,566 Anybody who saw her said, oh, there's shirley, 265 00:14:28,635 --> 00:14:30,168 Dressed weird. 266 00:14:30,170 --> 00:14:32,036 - I mean, she's very distinctive, 267 00:14:32,105 --> 00:14:34,239 And they would have known who she was. 268 00:14:34,307 --> 00:14:37,575 They were very familiar with her. 269 00:14:37,644 --> 00:14:40,244 - Shirley nelson had come in there 270 00:14:40,313 --> 00:14:42,947 And said to the receptionist, is he in there? 271 00:14:42,949 --> 00:14:46,118 And then she went into his office. 272 00:14:46,185 --> 00:14:51,056 He stood up, and she shot him twice in the back. 273 00:14:51,124 --> 00:14:55,660 And apparently fired at least two other rounds and missed him. 274 00:14:55,662 --> 00:14:59,097 There was no doubt that she was the one who shot him. 275 00:15:01,267 --> 00:15:04,535 - Narrator: Detectives are eager to talk to a key witness-- 276 00:15:04,604 --> 00:15:09,340 Ron's closest colleague, his boss, charles schulz. 277 00:15:09,409 --> 00:15:11,342 - He actually said he didn't even hear the gunshots, 278 00:15:11,411 --> 00:15:15,680 Because his office was at the other end of the building. 279 00:15:15,748 --> 00:15:16,947 - Narrator: Mr. Schulz says 280 00:15:17,017 --> 00:15:18,817 Though he didn't see the shooting, 281 00:15:18,885 --> 00:15:22,486 He thinks he knows what caused it. 282 00:15:23,623 --> 00:15:26,456 - He was aware that there was some, uh, marital problems 283 00:15:26,458 --> 00:15:29,995 Because shirley and ron, and jean schulz and charlie, 284 00:15:30,063 --> 00:15:31,963 I think they had a social relationship, you know, 285 00:15:32,031 --> 00:15:33,297 Outside of work also. 286 00:15:33,366 --> 00:15:38,136 Um, and he was aware that the relationship was not going well. 287 00:15:38,204 --> 00:15:41,640 - He said ron had an affair with his secretary. 288 00:15:41,708 --> 00:15:46,911 And it was something that he kept hidden for a while. 289 00:15:46,979 --> 00:15:49,647 - Ron, he was 50-something at the time. 290 00:15:49,716 --> 00:15:54,453 She was-- I believe she was 41. 291 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:58,122 - He fell for a woman much younger than him 292 00:15:58,124 --> 00:16:01,792 In his work situation. 293 00:16:01,861 --> 00:16:03,561 - Narrator: Mr. Schulz says he'd hoped 294 00:16:03,563 --> 00:16:06,397 Ron and his secretary, eileen christensen, 295 00:16:06,466 --> 00:16:08,265 Would break it off. 296 00:16:08,334 --> 00:16:11,736 - Schulz disapproved and said that they should 297 00:16:11,804 --> 00:16:13,604 Find a way to end it. 298 00:16:13,606 --> 00:16:15,806 His concern was that it could lead to some kind of 299 00:16:15,875 --> 00:16:18,409 Sexual harassment lawsuit. 300 00:16:18,478 --> 00:16:21,345 - He was very adamant, he had been very vocal 301 00:16:21,414 --> 00:16:24,482 And had threatened both of them to stop this 302 00:16:24,551 --> 00:16:27,218 Or that they were both risking termination. 303 00:16:27,286 --> 00:16:30,188 - He warned him not to do it. And he did it anyway. 304 00:16:33,093 --> 00:16:34,425 - Narrator: Family members say 305 00:16:34,427 --> 00:16:36,361 Just a month before the shooting, 306 00:16:36,429 --> 00:16:39,497 Ron finally came clean with shirley. 307 00:16:39,499 --> 00:16:42,768 And she took the news pretty hard. 308 00:16:42,835 --> 00:16:47,439 - She was physically upset, tearful, 309 00:16:47,507 --> 00:16:50,375 Hysterical would probably be a better word. 310 00:16:50,443 --> 00:16:52,510 The fact that it was his secretary 311 00:16:52,579 --> 00:16:57,381 And they were working together was a big blow. 312 00:16:57,383 --> 00:17:01,719 - Shirley, historically, she builds her life around her man. 313 00:17:01,788 --> 00:17:04,188 She viewed, you know, I need to keep a perfect home. 314 00:17:04,257 --> 00:17:05,923 My man comes home, he has to have his drink 315 00:17:05,925 --> 00:17:09,660 Ready for him, dinner ready on the table. 316 00:17:09,662 --> 00:17:11,463 That's who she was. 317 00:17:14,300 --> 00:17:16,401 - Narrator: Though blindsided by the affair, 318 00:17:16,469 --> 00:17:19,071 Shirley's closest friends say the relationship 319 00:17:19,138 --> 00:17:23,808 Had started deteriorating much earlier. 320 00:17:23,876 --> 00:17:28,079 - Shirley had a stroke in 1991, 321 00:17:28,147 --> 00:17:32,416 And I think that was the point where ron just realized 322 00:17:32,485 --> 00:17:37,822 She is much older, and that he saw then that age gap. 323 00:17:37,824 --> 00:17:42,828 And I think slowly but surely that chipped away at him. 324 00:17:42,895 --> 00:17:45,296 - That changed her quite a bit. 325 00:17:45,364 --> 00:17:49,900 She didn't have any physical signs of um, a stroke, 326 00:17:49,969 --> 00:17:53,904 But that was an eye opener of where her age possibly was 327 00:17:53,973 --> 00:17:56,040 And her health. 328 00:17:56,109 --> 00:17:58,509 - Obviously, it exposed her fragility. 329 00:17:58,511 --> 00:18:01,378 I think that impacted him and his view of her being 330 00:18:01,447 --> 00:18:03,581 With a significantly older woman. 331 00:18:03,583 --> 00:18:06,985 And I think that changed the relationship. 332 00:18:08,254 --> 00:18:10,855 - Narrator: Friends tell detectives after her stroke, 333 00:18:10,923 --> 00:18:15,926 Shirley was determined to get the relationship back on track. 334 00:18:15,995 --> 00:18:19,330 - She tried dressing nicer, 335 00:18:19,398 --> 00:18:22,733 Which she was very well dressed and very put together. 336 00:18:22,802 --> 00:18:27,005 She tried to lose weight to, um, tone her muscles. 337 00:18:27,073 --> 00:18:30,542 Her goal was just to win him back. 338 00:18:33,346 --> 00:18:35,613 - Narrator: After speaking to witnesses at the scene, 339 00:18:35,681 --> 00:18:38,149 Authorities shift their focus to the car 340 00:18:38,217 --> 00:18:40,084 Shirley drove to the office 341 00:18:40,153 --> 00:18:43,554 And identify it as a rental vehicle. 342 00:18:43,623 --> 00:18:46,358 - We found out it was registered out of whatever rental fleet, 343 00:18:46,425 --> 00:18:49,161 And we just start backtracking it and then that leads us to, 344 00:18:49,228 --> 00:18:51,762 Hey, did you guys rent this car? Who did you rent it to? 345 00:18:51,831 --> 00:18:54,066 And that's how that starts. 346 00:18:54,133 --> 00:18:56,834 - Narrator: To detectives, the rental car suggests 347 00:18:56,836 --> 00:19:01,238 Shirley was attempting to enter the office unnoticed. 348 00:19:01,307 --> 00:19:03,974 - I think that if her car had pulled in, 349 00:19:04,043 --> 00:19:07,645 There was a chance that someone else would let her husband know 350 00:19:07,713 --> 00:19:09,313 That she was arriving. 351 00:19:09,382 --> 00:19:10,781 He could have gotten out of there 352 00:19:10,850 --> 00:19:13,117 Before she got to his office. 353 00:19:15,454 --> 00:19:18,055 - Narrator: With little evidence left behind in the car, 354 00:19:18,057 --> 00:19:21,193 Detectives head to the rental agency. 355 00:19:21,260 --> 00:19:22,527 - That's where shirley's car was, 356 00:19:22,595 --> 00:19:26,463 So we served a search warrant on that to get inside the car. 357 00:19:26,532 --> 00:19:28,966 - Narrator: Inside shirley's personal vehicle, 358 00:19:28,968 --> 00:19:33,371 Detectives find .357-caliber bullets and a receipt 359 00:19:33,439 --> 00:19:36,340 For a smith & wesson revolver. 360 00:19:36,342 --> 00:19:39,077 - She had purchased this gun at montana hawk. 361 00:19:39,145 --> 00:19:41,946 - Police interviewed the owner of the gun shop 362 00:19:41,948 --> 00:19:43,948 About how she had bought the gun. 363 00:19:43,950 --> 00:19:46,617 - Narrator: The timing of shirley's visit to the gun store 364 00:19:46,619 --> 00:19:52,356 Falls eerily in line with the demise of the nelson marriage. 365 00:19:52,358 --> 00:19:54,492 - By June 8th, I believe, 366 00:19:54,494 --> 00:19:58,495 Ron had already left the house and had moved out. 367 00:19:58,564 --> 00:20:03,901 And she went to this gun shop around, uh, June 15th. 368 00:20:03,903 --> 00:20:06,971 - She had gone down to the store to buy the gun 369 00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:09,241 And filled out the paperwork. 370 00:20:09,308 --> 00:20:10,507 - But state law says there's got to be this 371 00:20:10,576 --> 00:20:14,312 Two-week waiting period so a background check can be done. 372 00:20:16,649 --> 00:20:19,183 - Narrator: The gun store owner says in the interim, 373 00:20:19,251 --> 00:20:21,920 Shirley took lessons. 374 00:20:21,988 --> 00:20:24,722 - She met a man named mac scott, who was an ex-sheriff's officer 375 00:20:24,790 --> 00:20:29,860 In the county. And mac had an indoor gun range. 376 00:20:29,929 --> 00:20:31,929 He gave her lessons. 377 00:20:31,931 --> 00:20:35,667 And started teaching her how to shoot this .357. 378 00:20:35,735 --> 00:20:37,936 - She was going down there, you know, 379 00:20:38,004 --> 00:20:41,505 On a fairly regular basis practicing and shooting the gun. 380 00:20:43,409 --> 00:20:45,075 - Narrator: Coming up... 381 00:20:45,144 --> 00:20:48,746 Against all odds, shirley and ron survive-- 382 00:20:48,748 --> 00:20:52,317 Each with their own crazy story to tell. 383 00:20:52,385 --> 00:20:55,152 - She said to him, you destroyed my life. 384 00:20:55,221 --> 00:20:57,122 You're going to hell with me. 385 00:20:57,189 --> 00:20:59,123 - Narrator: And investigators wonder, 386 00:20:59,192 --> 00:21:02,627 Was there another intended target? 387 00:21:02,695 --> 00:21:06,030 - Shirley expressed a lot more disdain for eileen 388 00:21:06,098 --> 00:21:08,499 Than she did for ron. 389 00:21:08,568 --> 00:21:11,836 - She commented that she wished she had taken her too. 390 00:21:12,938 --> 00:21:15,907 - ♪ 391 00:21:26,652 --> 00:21:29,854 - Narrator: It's been nine hours since police found ron nelson 392 00:21:29,922 --> 00:21:33,391 And his wife, shirley, gunned down at the offices 393 00:21:33,393 --> 00:21:37,594 Of america's most beloved cartoons. 394 00:21:37,663 --> 00:21:40,397 - Because it happened at the charles schultz property, 395 00:21:40,466 --> 00:21:43,534 A very famous santa rosa landmark, 396 00:21:43,536 --> 00:21:46,004 There was a lot of talk about what happened, obviously, 397 00:21:46,072 --> 00:21:48,872 Because it was such a violent crime. 398 00:21:48,941 --> 00:21:53,577 So it was an extreme amount of media attention from all over. 399 00:21:55,481 --> 00:21:57,382 - Narrator: As the hospital staff continues 400 00:21:57,449 --> 00:22:00,818 Life-saving efforts on ron, authorities get word that, 401 00:22:00,886 --> 00:22:05,756 Against all odds, shirley has survived the shooting. 402 00:22:05,758 --> 00:22:08,793 - She had a point-blank .357 magnum gunshot wound 403 00:22:08,861 --> 00:22:10,094 Straight to her chest. 404 00:22:10,162 --> 00:22:11,261 So how she survived it, I don't know. 405 00:22:11,330 --> 00:22:13,363 And they didn't either, because they thought for sure 406 00:22:13,433 --> 00:22:16,033 She wasn't going to make it, but she did. 407 00:22:16,102 --> 00:22:19,703 - When we were notified that she was stable and out of surgery, 408 00:22:19,772 --> 00:22:23,241 That's when we went over to interview her. 409 00:22:25,177 --> 00:22:27,377 Obviously, there's a lot of laws about interviewing people 410 00:22:27,447 --> 00:22:29,379 That are suspected of crimes. 411 00:22:29,449 --> 00:22:31,115 So I needed to make sure she understood I was with 412 00:22:31,183 --> 00:22:32,316 The police department, 413 00:22:32,385 --> 00:22:34,286 That I wanted to ask her questions. 414 00:22:34,353 --> 00:22:37,654 - Narrator: At approximately 6:30 pm on July 5th, 415 00:22:37,723 --> 00:22:39,524 Detectives meet with their shooter 416 00:22:39,592 --> 00:22:43,861 And make sure she is capable of answering questions. 417 00:22:43,929 --> 00:22:46,064 - I wanted to be sure that she understood who I was 418 00:22:46,132 --> 00:22:47,598 And why I was there. 419 00:22:47,666 --> 00:22:51,201 I was trying to establish if she was able to comprehend 420 00:22:51,203 --> 00:22:52,603 What was really going on. 421 00:22:52,672 --> 00:22:55,205 You know, if she was coherent enough. 422 00:22:55,207 --> 00:22:57,141 And she seemed pretty clear about the events 423 00:22:57,209 --> 00:22:59,009 Of what happened. 424 00:22:59,078 --> 00:23:01,279 I started asking her what happened and, and, you know, 425 00:23:01,347 --> 00:23:04,548 She said she shot herself in the chest. 426 00:23:04,550 --> 00:23:08,886 She was pretty clear that she wanted to kill her husband 427 00:23:08,955 --> 00:23:12,056 And kill herself. 428 00:23:13,093 --> 00:23:16,026 - Narrator: Since shirley has no previous criminal record, 429 00:23:16,028 --> 00:23:19,463 Investigators must determine if she fully understands 430 00:23:19,465 --> 00:23:21,632 Her actions. 431 00:23:21,634 --> 00:23:23,634 - During her statements to police, 432 00:23:23,702 --> 00:23:27,371 She very freely admitted that she went there 433 00:23:27,373 --> 00:23:30,507 To shoot her husband. 434 00:23:30,576 --> 00:23:34,912 - She made a comment about all of this over a [bleep] 435 00:23:34,981 --> 00:23:38,048 In a motel room. Something to that effect. 436 00:23:38,050 --> 00:23:42,853 And how she was sorry that ron wasn't dead. 437 00:23:42,855 --> 00:23:45,190 - She talked about why she did it 438 00:23:45,257 --> 00:23:47,791 And how he had made her life miserable. 439 00:23:47,860 --> 00:23:50,627 And she couldn't see any other way out. 440 00:23:50,696 --> 00:23:53,664 - Because her identity was so closely tied to ron, 441 00:23:53,732 --> 00:23:57,334 When he is telling her this relationship is ending, 442 00:23:57,336 --> 00:23:58,503 In her mind, 443 00:23:58,571 --> 00:24:01,405 It wasn't just that their marriage was ending, 444 00:24:01,407 --> 00:24:05,443 It was in some respects, her life was ending. 445 00:24:05,512 --> 00:24:06,944 - She just kept saying that there was no life 446 00:24:07,013 --> 00:24:10,415 For her without him, and that she felt that 447 00:24:10,483 --> 00:24:12,150 She couldn't go on without him, 448 00:24:12,218 --> 00:24:16,019 And that if she couldn't go on, he wasn't gonna go on either. 449 00:24:16,088 --> 00:24:17,821 She did say several times, 450 00:24:17,823 --> 00:24:21,326 He's not gonna leave me like garbage. 451 00:24:22,895 --> 00:24:25,295 - Narrator: Though shirley is clearly distraught 452 00:24:25,364 --> 00:24:26,831 Over ron's affair, 453 00:24:26,899 --> 00:24:31,301 An aspect of her story catches investigators off guard. 454 00:24:31,303 --> 00:24:33,370 - In the hospital bed, when she was talking to police, 455 00:24:33,439 --> 00:24:35,507 She said very glowing things about him 456 00:24:35,574 --> 00:24:37,774 And talked about him as a sweet man. 457 00:24:37,843 --> 00:24:42,246 Her identity was wrapped up in being mrs. Ron nelson. 458 00:24:42,314 --> 00:24:44,648 - I think shirley saw her marriage as 459 00:24:44,717 --> 00:24:46,517 Really close to perfect. 460 00:24:46,519 --> 00:24:48,453 Initially, she thought maybe this was a, you know, 461 00:24:48,521 --> 00:24:49,853 A midlife crisis. 462 00:24:49,855 --> 00:24:51,388 This is a temporary kind of thing. 463 00:24:51,457 --> 00:24:54,591 And so, she initially, 464 00:24:54,660 --> 00:24:56,927 Starts I think, trying to win him back 465 00:24:56,929 --> 00:24:58,863 Or to convince him that this is nothing serious. 466 00:24:58,931 --> 00:25:02,065 And things deteriorate from there. 467 00:25:02,134 --> 00:25:05,802 - She felt that eileen had seen this opportunity 468 00:25:05,871 --> 00:25:08,605 And betrayed her, betrayed him, 469 00:25:08,674 --> 00:25:11,341 Betrayed mr. Schulz as well. 470 00:25:11,343 --> 00:25:15,279 I think shirley expressed a lot more disdain for eileen 471 00:25:15,347 --> 00:25:16,614 Than she did for ron. 472 00:25:16,682 --> 00:25:18,015 As it all went down, 473 00:25:18,083 --> 00:25:20,150 I know she was never willing to, you know, 474 00:25:20,219 --> 00:25:23,955 Put him in the same light that she put eileen. 475 00:25:24,023 --> 00:25:26,957 - She did have hopes they were gonna get back together. 476 00:25:26,959 --> 00:25:30,160 From what friends were saying, she was working out, uh, 477 00:25:30,162 --> 00:25:34,932 At the gym with a personal instructor more often. 478 00:25:36,702 --> 00:25:38,702 - Narrator: As investigators dig deeper, 479 00:25:38,704 --> 00:25:42,506 They uncover some disturbing information. 480 00:25:42,575 --> 00:25:44,642 - Shirley is trying to win ron back, 481 00:25:44,710 --> 00:25:46,043 And at the same time, 482 00:25:46,045 --> 00:25:47,778 I think she's becoming increasingly disturbed 483 00:25:47,846 --> 00:25:50,581 And distraught. She's talking to her friends. 484 00:25:50,583 --> 00:25:52,583 And she tells them, 485 00:25:52,585 --> 00:25:56,720 Hey, this person is destroying my life. 486 00:25:56,722 --> 00:25:59,324 All of the anger and rage, I think that she felt initially 487 00:25:59,391 --> 00:26:03,061 Toward ron is now directed toward eileen. 488 00:26:03,128 --> 00:26:06,663 - Shirley had talked about giving money to eileen 489 00:26:06,732 --> 00:26:09,866 Or even buying her a house, if she would, um, 490 00:26:09,935 --> 00:26:14,004 Cease the affair with her husband. 491 00:26:14,073 --> 00:26:15,673 - Narrator: When that didn't work, 492 00:26:15,741 --> 00:26:20,010 Shirley developed a new strategy. 493 00:26:20,079 --> 00:26:23,146 Shirley says she was prepared to put her firearms training 494 00:26:23,215 --> 00:26:24,681 To the test. 495 00:26:24,750 --> 00:26:28,218 But things didn't go exactly as planned. 496 00:26:28,287 --> 00:26:32,089 - He stood up and she shot him twice in the back. 497 00:26:32,157 --> 00:26:36,026 And, uh, apparently fired at least two other rounds 498 00:26:36,095 --> 00:26:37,094 And missed him. 499 00:26:37,163 --> 00:26:40,364 - When I asked shirley about the actual shooting, 500 00:26:40,432 --> 00:26:43,334 She talked about how she was moving around while she was 501 00:26:43,402 --> 00:26:48,505 Firing and that's why she didn't successfully kill ron, 502 00:26:48,574 --> 00:26:52,977 That something had gone wrong. 503 00:26:53,979 --> 00:26:55,645 - Narrator: And according to shirley, 504 00:26:55,715 --> 00:26:59,316 There was one more mark she missed that day. 505 00:26:59,318 --> 00:27:02,053 - She had apparently missed being able to shoot 506 00:27:02,121 --> 00:27:04,388 Eileen christensen. 507 00:27:04,390 --> 00:27:09,160 - She also commented that she wished she had taken her too. 508 00:27:11,263 --> 00:27:13,498 - Narrator: While shirley spills her innermost thoughts 509 00:27:13,565 --> 00:27:15,398 To investigators, 510 00:27:15,467 --> 00:27:20,671 They learn ron has miraculously survived his injuries. 511 00:27:20,673 --> 00:27:25,075 - He was shot in the kidney, uh, in the lung, uh, 512 00:27:25,144 --> 00:27:26,810 In the intestines, 513 00:27:26,812 --> 00:27:31,415 And uh, also it nicked his, uh, artery as well. 514 00:27:31,483 --> 00:27:33,150 - He had lost a lot of blood, 515 00:27:33,219 --> 00:27:37,755 But they were able to obviously revive him and save him. 516 00:27:41,227 --> 00:27:43,695 - Narrator: Investigators are anxious to interview ron 517 00:27:43,762 --> 00:27:46,964 And rush to his hospital bedside. 518 00:27:46,966 --> 00:27:48,966 - I did interview him. He was conscious. 519 00:27:48,968 --> 00:27:50,834 He was aware. We had a conversation. 520 00:27:50,836 --> 00:27:52,302 And he gave me a little bit of a history, 521 00:27:52,371 --> 00:27:55,873 But we didn't get too much, given his condition. 522 00:27:55,941 --> 00:27:58,108 - Narrator: Ron confirms to police that while the couple 523 00:27:58,177 --> 00:28:00,577 Had been separated for about a month, 524 00:28:00,646 --> 00:28:03,681 They were still in touch. 525 00:28:03,749 --> 00:28:05,048 - On some occasions, 526 00:28:05,117 --> 00:28:08,118 Shirley and ron had sexual encounters. 527 00:28:08,187 --> 00:28:11,388 And he would say things to her in her mind that were giving 528 00:28:11,457 --> 00:28:15,259 Her an impression he was thinking about coming back. 529 00:28:15,261 --> 00:28:17,795 - He's still wanting to hang on to shirley, 530 00:28:17,797 --> 00:28:20,430 Still maintain that friendship, that camaraderie, 531 00:28:20,499 --> 00:28:22,132 That relationship. 532 00:28:22,201 --> 00:28:26,470 And yet he's clearly not willing to give this other person up. 533 00:28:26,472 --> 00:28:29,873 You have somebody who in some respects may be getting the best 534 00:28:29,942 --> 00:28:32,143 Of both worlds for a little bit. 535 00:28:33,745 --> 00:28:34,779 - Narrator: Coming up... 536 00:28:34,847 --> 00:28:38,148 Shocking allegations are exposed. 537 00:28:38,217 --> 00:28:39,849 - The day before the shooting, 538 00:28:39,919 --> 00:28:41,952 They were out on the golf course, 539 00:28:42,020 --> 00:28:45,956 And many people witnessed their argument. 540 00:28:46,024 --> 00:28:48,825 - That, to her was like the dagger. 541 00:28:48,894 --> 00:28:51,763 That was like him saying to her, 542 00:28:51,830 --> 00:28:54,898 I want something you can't give me. 543 00:28:54,900 --> 00:28:57,567 - Narrator: And all eyes are on santa rosa 544 00:28:57,569 --> 00:29:02,506 As an unexpected person rushes to shirley nelson's defense. 545 00:29:02,574 --> 00:29:04,207 - He loved shirley. 546 00:29:04,209 --> 00:29:06,910 He said that he was never gonna let her spend a day in jail, 547 00:29:06,912 --> 00:29:08,879 Wasn't gonna happen. 548 00:29:08,947 --> 00:29:12,082 - ♪ 549 00:29:21,326 --> 00:29:24,261 - Narrator: Investigators are interviewing ron nelson 550 00:29:24,263 --> 00:29:28,465 After he has survived an alleged murder-suicide attempt 551 00:29:28,534 --> 00:29:31,334 By his wife, shirley nelson. 552 00:29:31,403 --> 00:29:35,205 Ron has just admitted that during his affair with eileen, 553 00:29:35,274 --> 00:29:39,010 He was still sleeping with shirley. 554 00:29:39,077 --> 00:29:42,012 - Shirley is a very fragile, broken person 555 00:29:42,080 --> 00:29:45,015 And you're showing up and having sex. 556 00:29:45,084 --> 00:29:48,018 I mean, that's pretty mixed signals. 557 00:29:50,088 --> 00:29:52,156 - Narrator: Ron says on July 4th, 558 00:29:52,224 --> 00:29:57,627 He met shirley to tell her their marriage was over for good. 559 00:29:57,629 --> 00:29:59,563 - The day before the shooting, 560 00:29:59,631 --> 00:30:04,568 They were out on the golf course and many people witnessed 561 00:30:04,570 --> 00:30:06,104 Their argument. 562 00:30:06,171 --> 00:30:08,705 He kept at her and was telling her 563 00:30:08,774 --> 00:30:10,775 She wasn't good enough. 564 00:30:10,843 --> 00:30:13,376 - Narrator: And that's when investigators say ron 565 00:30:13,445 --> 00:30:16,713 Dropped the final bombshell. 566 00:30:16,782 --> 00:30:19,249 - Ron said, you're old. 567 00:30:19,251 --> 00:30:22,719 I found someone younger. We're having children. 568 00:30:22,788 --> 00:30:25,056 And we're gonna build a life. 569 00:30:29,528 --> 00:30:31,528 - When shirley and ron first got together, 570 00:30:31,530 --> 00:30:32,863 They talked about it, 571 00:30:32,865 --> 00:30:34,931 Made the decision they weren't gonna have kids. 572 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:39,203 However, as we all know, those things can change. 573 00:30:39,271 --> 00:30:42,939 I didn't want to have kids and now I do. 574 00:30:43,008 --> 00:30:45,776 And in shirley's case, I can't. 575 00:30:45,778 --> 00:30:48,779 This is impossible for me. 576 00:30:52,351 --> 00:30:56,020 - I think that to her was like the dagger. 577 00:30:56,088 --> 00:30:59,090 That was like him saying to her, 578 00:30:59,157 --> 00:31:01,425 I want something you can't give me, 579 00:31:01,427 --> 00:31:05,228 And I have somebody else who can maybe give it to me. 580 00:31:05,297 --> 00:31:08,098 - And I think it really is the first time 581 00:31:08,100 --> 00:31:12,102 That shirley realizes, I have permanently lost him. 582 00:31:15,574 --> 00:31:19,309 - Narrator: Ron believes that conversation is likely what led 583 00:31:19,378 --> 00:31:23,513 To the next morning's horrific events. 584 00:31:23,582 --> 00:31:26,717 - When she walked in, she said some things to him. 585 00:31:26,785 --> 00:31:29,120 - She said to him, you destroyed my life. 586 00:31:29,187 --> 00:31:31,388 You're going to hell with me. 587 00:31:31,457 --> 00:31:33,791 Words to that effect. 588 00:31:33,859 --> 00:31:37,128 - I think he instantly realized that what she was trying to do, 589 00:31:37,195 --> 00:31:39,529 And he was trying to escape. 590 00:31:39,531 --> 00:31:42,132 - He sort of tried to crouch down to get away from it, 591 00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:45,635 And he was hit twice by the bullets. 592 00:31:45,704 --> 00:31:47,671 - There were five bullets in the gun. 593 00:31:47,739 --> 00:31:50,540 And she fired all five of them. 594 00:31:50,542 --> 00:31:54,345 The final bullet was the one she shot herself with. 595 00:31:56,148 --> 00:31:57,815 - Because it happened so quickly, 596 00:31:57,883 --> 00:32:00,150 There wasn't a lot of in-depth, you know, what did you do next? 597 00:32:00,218 --> 00:32:03,186 What did you do next? 598 00:32:04,690 --> 00:32:08,291 - Narrator: Detectives leave ron to rest and secure a warrant 599 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:12,162 To search the home he once shared with shirley. 600 00:32:12,230 --> 00:32:13,697 - We believed there'd be evidence of the crime 601 00:32:13,765 --> 00:32:15,699 At the house. 602 00:32:15,767 --> 00:32:17,500 We got in there and on the table 603 00:32:17,569 --> 00:32:21,371 You had a variety of a different letters to different people. 604 00:32:21,373 --> 00:32:23,907 - She had left some of their wedding photographs out, 605 00:32:23,909 --> 00:32:26,910 Along with 10 letters that she had written 606 00:32:26,979 --> 00:32:31,014 Both to friends and also to charles schulz. 607 00:32:32,718 --> 00:32:34,184 - When you read the letters, 608 00:32:34,252 --> 00:32:38,022 It was mainly about the depth of love she had for ron. 609 00:32:38,089 --> 00:32:40,323 Despite all the things that he was doing to her, 610 00:32:40,392 --> 00:32:43,326 She wanted to be with this man. 611 00:32:43,395 --> 00:32:45,929 She said, if I can't have him in this life, 612 00:32:45,997 --> 00:32:47,465 I'm sure as hell gonna have him in the next one, 613 00:32:47,532 --> 00:32:50,001 'cause we're both going to hell together. 614 00:32:50,068 --> 00:32:53,737 And she then started this process of getting her 615 00:32:53,805 --> 00:32:56,206 Financial business in order. 616 00:32:56,274 --> 00:32:59,342 She wrote letters to all of her friends saying good-bye 617 00:32:59,411 --> 00:33:02,212 And explaining what she was doing. 618 00:33:04,983 --> 00:33:06,750 - Narrator: On July 6th, 619 00:33:06,752 --> 00:33:10,453 Less than 24 hours after she attempted to kill her husband, 620 00:33:10,455 --> 00:33:14,290 Detectives arrest shirley nelson. 621 00:33:14,359 --> 00:33:16,760 - I went to the hospital where shirley was, 622 00:33:16,828 --> 00:33:19,296 Walked in, identified myself, 623 00:33:19,298 --> 00:33:21,297 Tom schwedhelm, santa rosa police department. 624 00:33:21,366 --> 00:33:24,234 Um, and I'm gonna be, I'm placing you under arrest 625 00:33:24,302 --> 00:33:28,438 For the attempted murder of your husband, ron nelson. 626 00:33:28,507 --> 00:33:31,375 I think she was anticipating it coming. 627 00:33:33,178 --> 00:33:36,780 - In the following days, she remained at the hospital 628 00:33:36,782 --> 00:33:41,051 Because of her injuries and because of her mental state. 629 00:33:41,053 --> 00:33:42,853 - It was the treating psychiatrist who said 630 00:33:42,921 --> 00:33:45,322 Things like, she was delusional. 631 00:33:45,324 --> 00:33:48,192 She felt like she was gonna join with him in, you know, 632 00:33:48,260 --> 00:33:50,527 In the afterlife, and those kind of things. 633 00:33:50,595 --> 00:33:53,129 This is somebody who needs ongoing care, 634 00:33:53,198 --> 00:33:55,465 That if she doesn't have some on-going care 635 00:33:55,467 --> 00:33:58,268 And more intensive care than we can provide here, 636 00:33:58,336 --> 00:34:01,604 She may do it again. She may hurt herself. 637 00:34:01,673 --> 00:34:05,208 So we need for her to get some more treatment 638 00:34:05,277 --> 00:34:07,445 Before we can release her. 639 00:34:07,512 --> 00:34:10,748 - She was at the mental health facility for a period of time, 640 00:34:10,816 --> 00:34:14,985 And then when they released her, she went to the county jail. 641 00:34:16,021 --> 00:34:18,488 - The judge didn't wanna give bail to her. 642 00:34:18,557 --> 00:34:22,158 But I was able to convince the judge that as a matter 643 00:34:22,227 --> 00:34:26,029 Of law she was entitled to bail, and he reluctantly said, 644 00:34:26,031 --> 00:34:28,265 Okay, two million. 645 00:34:30,101 --> 00:34:31,569 Well, at that time, you know, 646 00:34:31,636 --> 00:34:35,805 Two million dollars bail was unheard of around here. 647 00:34:35,807 --> 00:34:38,375 - Narrator: The price tag seems outrageous, 648 00:34:38,444 --> 00:34:39,509 But soon, 649 00:34:39,511 --> 00:34:44,181 An unlikely and powerful ally steps in to help. 650 00:34:44,183 --> 00:34:46,316 - He said that he was never gonna let her spend a day 651 00:34:46,384 --> 00:34:48,585 In jail, wasn't gonna happen. 652 00:34:48,587 --> 00:34:51,188 He loved shirley. He respected shirley. 653 00:34:54,659 --> 00:34:56,059 - Narrator: Coming up... 654 00:34:56,128 --> 00:35:00,330 Shirley's mysterious benefactor is revealed. 655 00:35:00,398 --> 00:35:02,332 - I find out that he is ready to put up 656 00:35:02,334 --> 00:35:05,869 $2 million cashier's check to bail her out. 657 00:35:05,937 --> 00:35:10,141 - Narrator: And will shirley's story resonate with a jury? 658 00:35:10,208 --> 00:35:13,076 - The media was pretty hard on her. 659 00:35:13,145 --> 00:35:15,079 - One of the quotes that I recall was, 660 00:35:15,147 --> 00:35:18,215 Money talks and, and privilege walks. 661 00:35:19,951 --> 00:35:22,752 - ♪ 662 00:35:32,397 --> 00:35:35,298 - Narrator: September 1995. 663 00:35:35,300 --> 00:35:38,501 It's been two months since shirley nelson attempted 664 00:35:38,503 --> 00:35:42,505 To kill her husband, ron, before turning the gun on herself 665 00:35:42,507 --> 00:35:45,842 At the offices of charles schulz. 666 00:35:45,844 --> 00:35:48,578 - This was the case that was getting the media coverage. 667 00:35:48,647 --> 00:35:52,382 This was the case that people were paying attention to. 668 00:35:52,450 --> 00:35:55,318 - Narrator: With bail set at $2 million, 669 00:35:55,320 --> 00:35:59,589 It appears shirley nelson will remain in jail. 670 00:35:59,658 --> 00:36:02,458 But the community is stunned once again 671 00:36:02,527 --> 00:36:07,330 When santa rosa's favorite citizen offers to help her. 672 00:36:07,332 --> 00:36:08,665 - The next day, 673 00:36:08,733 --> 00:36:11,735 I find out that mr. Schulz is ready to put up a 674 00:36:11,803 --> 00:36:15,105 $2 million cashier's check to bail her out. 675 00:36:17,142 --> 00:36:19,209 - He also recognized, 676 00:36:19,211 --> 00:36:21,145 Knowing shirley and who she was, 677 00:36:21,213 --> 00:36:24,881 That this was completely out of character for her, 678 00:36:24,950 --> 00:36:27,818 And that she needed help. 679 00:36:27,886 --> 00:36:30,221 She didn't need to be locked away in a prison. 680 00:36:31,490 --> 00:36:32,956 He called me up and said, 681 00:36:32,958 --> 00:36:35,792 Got the money. Let's go get her. 682 00:36:39,364 --> 00:36:41,497 - After she was released from custody on bail, 683 00:36:41,566 --> 00:36:43,833 She rented a place in the oakmont. 684 00:36:43,902 --> 00:36:46,836 Clear on the opposite side of town from, uh, 685 00:36:46,905 --> 00:36:49,873 Where mr. Nelson was still living in the family home. 686 00:36:51,510 --> 00:36:54,444 - There was controversy over her not being in jail, 687 00:36:54,512 --> 00:36:56,980 Because people felt that there was a double standard 688 00:36:56,982 --> 00:36:58,781 For people who had money, 689 00:36:58,850 --> 00:37:03,386 And also people who had notoriety or celebrity status. 690 00:37:03,388 --> 00:37:06,524 - The media was pretty hard on her. 691 00:37:06,591 --> 00:37:10,127 Um, she was wrong. She was. 692 00:37:10,996 --> 00:37:13,830 - Narrator: Despite his close relationship with ron, 693 00:37:13,898 --> 00:37:17,400 Popular cartoonist charles schulz remains steadfast 694 00:37:17,469 --> 00:37:20,403 In his support of shirley. 695 00:37:20,472 --> 00:37:23,139 - Charles schulz, he made a very strong statement 696 00:37:23,208 --> 00:37:25,542 At that point to eileen and to ron. 697 00:37:25,544 --> 00:37:29,246 I don't like what you did and I'm willing to support her. 698 00:37:31,549 --> 00:37:34,550 - Narrator: On April 23, 1996, 699 00:37:34,619 --> 00:37:36,886 Nearly a year after the shooting, 700 00:37:36,888 --> 00:37:40,291 Shirley's attorneys hope the jury will be as understanding 701 00:37:40,358 --> 00:37:43,226 Of their client's plight. 702 00:37:43,295 --> 00:37:46,697 - Shirley was charged with attempted murder. 703 00:37:46,765 --> 00:37:48,765 - The whole crux of the case was, uh, 704 00:37:48,833 --> 00:37:50,834 What her mental state was at the time 705 00:37:50,902 --> 00:37:55,638 And whether she was capable of premeditating and having, uh, 706 00:37:55,707 --> 00:38:00,510 The rational ability to do this. 707 00:38:00,578 --> 00:38:05,181 - Shirley pled not guilty by reason of insanity. 708 00:38:05,250 --> 00:38:07,183 - Narrator: Prosecutors allege shirley 709 00:38:07,185 --> 00:38:10,520 Knew exactly what she was doing. 710 00:38:10,522 --> 00:38:13,524 - I never had any doubt about her mental capacity. 711 00:38:13,591 --> 00:38:15,458 She knew it was against the law. 712 00:38:15,460 --> 00:38:16,994 She knew it was criminal behavior. 713 00:38:17,062 --> 00:38:18,795 She intended to kill her husband, 714 00:38:18,797 --> 00:38:21,398 That she planned it, premeditated it, 715 00:38:21,466 --> 00:38:23,800 And went through a series of steps to carry it out. 716 00:38:25,004 --> 00:38:28,404 - Going and buying a weapon and learning how to shoot a weapon, 717 00:38:28,473 --> 00:38:32,476 Those are not things you do in the heat of the moment 718 00:38:32,544 --> 00:38:35,378 Or a passion. Those are things that take time. 719 00:38:39,617 --> 00:38:42,419 - Narrator: The defense counters by arguing that shirley 720 00:38:42,421 --> 00:38:45,722 Was in an emotional free fall following the separation 721 00:38:45,790 --> 00:38:47,957 From her husband. 722 00:38:48,026 --> 00:38:49,359 - She fell apart, 723 00:38:49,427 --> 00:38:50,693 Pretty hard. 724 00:38:50,695 --> 00:38:53,564 Um, he was her everything. 725 00:38:54,899 --> 00:38:58,034 Her identity was him, 726 00:38:58,103 --> 00:39:00,703 Being his wife and his partner. 727 00:39:00,772 --> 00:39:03,573 And so it was pretty devastating for her. 728 00:39:03,642 --> 00:39:05,775 - Shirley is trying to win ron back 729 00:39:05,777 --> 00:39:07,777 And at the same time, I think she's becoming 730 00:39:07,779 --> 00:39:10,913 Increasingly disturbed and distraught. 731 00:39:10,982 --> 00:39:13,716 - These were all things that are kind of building up each, 732 00:39:13,718 --> 00:39:15,785 Each day, 733 00:39:15,854 --> 00:39:19,189 And then culminate with the argument on July 4th. 734 00:39:19,257 --> 00:39:23,526 - Narrator: An argument the defense says finally broke her. 735 00:39:23,528 --> 00:39:25,062 - She always wanted children. 736 00:39:25,130 --> 00:39:29,065 So that had this feeling of, I think, ultimate betrayal. 737 00:39:29,134 --> 00:39:32,068 You know, certainly was kind of like the straw 738 00:39:32,137 --> 00:39:34,571 That broke the camel's back. 739 00:39:37,008 --> 00:39:39,809 - Narrator: With both sides passionate about their stance, 740 00:39:39,878 --> 00:39:43,680 No one knows which way the jury will go. 741 00:39:43,682 --> 00:39:46,684 - It was a hung jury, 9 to 3 in favor of acquittal 742 00:39:46,751 --> 00:39:49,952 Of first-degree attempted murder charge. 743 00:39:50,021 --> 00:39:52,088 And I think at least nine of the jurors 744 00:39:52,157 --> 00:39:57,093 Did not believe that she had the requisite state of mind 745 00:39:57,162 --> 00:39:58,895 To be a cold-blooded killer. 746 00:39:58,963 --> 00:40:02,899 They saw her as this profoundly depressed person 747 00:40:02,967 --> 00:40:04,767 Who had lost everything, 748 00:40:04,769 --> 00:40:09,440 That she was compromised mentally by her situation. 749 00:40:09,507 --> 00:40:10,907 - I think many members in the community, 750 00:40:10,975 --> 00:40:13,443 Not just those 12, think, hey before you start, 751 00:40:13,445 --> 00:40:16,112 You know, cheating on your wife, end your marriage. 752 00:40:16,181 --> 00:40:18,648 There's a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. 753 00:40:18,716 --> 00:40:22,451 I don't think anyone would say what she did was okay, 754 00:40:22,521 --> 00:40:26,457 But they can understand why she did it. 755 00:40:28,927 --> 00:40:31,861 - Narrator: Rather than opting for a re-trial that might elicit 756 00:40:31,930 --> 00:40:36,532 The same outcome, prosecutors offer shirley a deal. 757 00:40:36,601 --> 00:40:38,968 - Her plea agreement was that she pled guilty 758 00:40:39,037 --> 00:40:40,437 To attempted murder, 759 00:40:40,505 --> 00:40:44,841 Which made her technically eligible for probation. 760 00:40:48,179 --> 00:40:51,013 - Narrator: On April 16, 1997, 761 00:40:51,082 --> 00:40:54,550 Shirley accepts a plea bargain of one year in jail, 762 00:40:54,619 --> 00:40:58,021 Five years probation, and 3,000 hours 763 00:40:58,023 --> 00:41:00,823 Of community service. 764 00:41:00,825 --> 00:41:03,160 - I do think the sentence was extremely lenient 765 00:41:03,228 --> 00:41:06,629 For attempting to kill somebody. 766 00:41:06,698 --> 00:41:09,499 - This case did generate a fair amount of controversy. 767 00:41:09,501 --> 00:41:12,969 One of the quotes that I recall was, uh, uh, 768 00:41:13,037 --> 00:41:16,940 That-that money talks and, and privilege walks. 769 00:41:20,578 --> 00:41:21,845 - Narrator: In the end, 770 00:41:21,913 --> 00:41:25,849 Shirley serves about six months behind bars. 771 00:41:25,917 --> 00:41:30,119 - The other time she was basically in a mental facility. 772 00:41:30,121 --> 00:41:33,789 - I think that being in custody, and, and doing all the hours 773 00:41:33,858 --> 00:41:37,194 Of community service at the santa rosa food bank 774 00:41:37,262 --> 00:41:39,929 Were transformative for her. 775 00:41:39,998 --> 00:41:43,399 - Because it gave her a chance in a very weird and strange way 776 00:41:43,401 --> 00:41:46,202 To find a purpose in life again. 777 00:41:46,271 --> 00:41:47,870 - When she went to jail, 778 00:41:47,939 --> 00:41:52,742 She talked a lot about the girls that she'd met there. 779 00:41:52,810 --> 00:41:57,146 I really believe that those women helped grandma 780 00:41:57,148 --> 00:42:01,885 To understand she could rebuild her life. 781 00:42:01,953 --> 00:42:06,423 - I believe that she was a different person. 782 00:42:06,491 --> 00:42:10,561 And the retrospect that she saw things 783 00:42:10,628 --> 00:42:13,630 In other people that maybe she hadn't seen before 784 00:42:13,698 --> 00:42:17,033 Or just had her eyes closed to. 785 00:42:20,238 --> 00:42:22,039 - Narrator: 27 years later, 786 00:42:22,106 --> 00:42:24,907 Shirley's story continues to be shared 787 00:42:24,909 --> 00:42:26,976 In hopes that it inspires others 788 00:42:27,045 --> 00:42:30,848 Battling with their mental health to seek help. 789 00:42:30,915 --> 00:42:33,716 - We need to re-educate ourselves, 790 00:42:33,718 --> 00:42:37,186 So that there are avenues and ways for people 791 00:42:37,188 --> 00:42:39,856 And places for them to deal with these things, 792 00:42:39,858 --> 00:42:42,658 So they don't get to the desperate position 793 00:42:42,727 --> 00:42:47,130 Of either wanting to kill themselves or somebody else. 794 00:42:47,198 --> 00:42:50,200 - It's so important to get help in those situations, 795 00:42:50,268 --> 00:42:55,071 Because there is always life on the other side of that. 796 00:42:57,609 --> 00:43:01,477 - I feel like grandma went full circle. 797 00:43:01,479 --> 00:43:03,746 She regretted it. 798 00:43:03,815 --> 00:43:05,882 She has said time and time again, 799 00:43:05,884 --> 00:43:08,017 I'm glad he didn't die. 800 00:43:08,086 --> 00:43:09,752 She forgave herself. 801 00:43:09,754 --> 00:43:13,290 And I think that was a big part of healing. 802 00:43:13,358 --> 00:43:15,292 She did a lot of volunteering. 803 00:43:15,360 --> 00:43:16,692 That was her life. 804 00:43:16,761 --> 00:43:18,894 I think she did a lot of good. 805 00:43:18,963 --> 00:43:21,764 She did a lot more good than she would've 806 00:43:21,766 --> 00:43:25,302 If she would've gone to jail for the rest of her life. 807 00:43:29,374 --> 00:43:33,577 - ♪