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[female narrator]: A sleepy
texas town is shaken awake
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By a harrowing 911 call.
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He was dead in his chair.
She needed help.
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[narrator]: As the dust settles,
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A seemingly simple
narrative takes shape.
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[jc]: She was saying that
he was verbally abusive,
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And he would always
put her down.
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[narrator]: But a well-kept
secret threatens to expose
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A far darker truth.
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I don't understand why somebody
would be able to get away with
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Something like this
the first time.
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This is how
she handles problems.
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It was same story,
different situation.
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[narrator]: And there are
always two sides to every story
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She wasn't a nice person.
She was pushing the family away.
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She meant to take
this man's life,
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And that's exactly what she did.
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I would just like to tell
my side of the story.
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I didn't plan anything.
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I just snapped.
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[theme music]
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[narrator]: About two
hours southeast of dallas,
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The 6,000 residents of rusk
live in the heart of east texas
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Everybody kinda knows
who their neighbors are,
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Even though their neighbor lives
a half mile away from them.
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The in-town area has, like,
the little diner and stuff.
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It's a really old town style.
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[narrator]: Just after
2:30 pm on February 26, 2014,
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A rare 911 call
comes in to dispatch.
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The call was made
by rebecca barker.
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She called 911 and reported
that she had shot her husband.
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[narrator]: As authorities
rush to the scene,
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The 911 operator stays on the
line with 52-year-old rebecca.
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[narrator]: The operator
alerts the trooper en route
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That he may be entering
a hostile situation.
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The very first thing that they
are gonna be concerned about
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Is does that shooter
still have access to a weapon.
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[narrator]: As he
approaches the home,
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The front door slowly
starts to open.
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[deborah]: She
cracked the door open.
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He raised the-the weapon
and ordered her to come out.
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[narrator]: The trooper
braces for a standoff,
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But rebecca backs down.
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[deborah]: She complied, she
came out on the front porch.
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He was able to go up,
get her secured.
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Make sure she didn't
have a weapon on her.
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[jc]: She wasn't really talking.
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She-she seemed to be,
uhm, distraught.
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She was shut down.
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So I wasn't able
to speak with her.
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[narrator]: When investigators
arrive and enter the home,
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They quickly find
rebecca's husband,
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76-year-old jerry barker.
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[deborah]: Jerry's body
was sitting in his chair.
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Feet were up on the ottoman.
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It looked like he was still
asleep in his easy chair
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Except for the pooling
of blood on his chest.
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When they checked for
a pulse, there was none.
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His body had already
begun cooling.
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There-they were not able
to put a definite timeframe,
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But it was pretty obvious
he'd been dead for a little bit
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[narrator]: Outside,
officers inform rebecca
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That her husband is deceased,
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And they attempt to get
her side of the story.
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[jc]: In a situation like
this, what we do, we start--
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We just ask them,
tell me what happened.
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Give me your side
of what occurred.
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[narrator]: Born in 1937,
rusk native jerry barker's life
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Centered around family
and the open road.
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[prissy]: Jerry drove an
eighteen-wheeler for a living.
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He was definitely
a hardworking guy.
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He owned his own truck,
and he drove for a company
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All across the country.
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[narrator]: In 1957, jerry
married the love of his life,
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Francis "mae" barker.
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They had four children--
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Three boys of their own, plus
a son from mae's first marriage
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[wendy]: My grandparents
were a perfect couple.
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And my grandpa
raised all four boys
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Because the dad of the
oldest son wasn't around.
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Jerry loved mae, and he
put her up on a pedestal,
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And that I always
thought was great.
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[narrator]: Jerry's work may
have kept him on the road.
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But when he was home,
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Jerry was all about spending
time with his family.
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[wendy]: If he wasn't
driving the truck,
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He was definitely always around
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One thing my grandpa taught his
kids was how to work on cars,
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Because that's what he did, and
he wanted them to learn, too.
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[prissy]: Jerry's main thing
that he wanted out of life
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Was the happy home.
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He wasn't trying to
conquer the world.
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He was just trying to
conquer his little corner.
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[narrator]: Eventually, mae
and jerry's boys grew up
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And had families of their own.
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Jerry still loved
being on the road,
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But grandchildren made coming
home that much sweeter.
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My grandpa loved when
he got off the truck
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To see, like, if grandkids
were at the house already.
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We saw his truck drive up,
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We were like, you know, papaw's
here, and we were all excited.
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[narrator]: After over
40 years of marriage,
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Jerry was looking forward to
his golden years with mae.
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But in 2001, those dreams
suddenly disappeared
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When mae suffered a
fatal heart attack.
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The entire family was
overcome with grief,
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But no one more so than jerry.
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[wendy]: The only life
that he knew was with her.
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Having her gone,
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I don't think that he was
able to really grasp it.
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I think that he felt
a huge empty feeling.
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[narrator]: Jerry tried to
take solace on the road.
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But no matter how
many miles he logged,
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He always returned home
with a heavy heart.
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Then, in 2002, the 64-year-old
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Met 40-year-old waitress
rebecca osborne.
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[wendy]: That's how they met,
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Because he was a
customer at her café--
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When she, at one time,
apparently, had talked to him
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And they started to flirt.
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[narrator]: Rebecca
was a divorcee
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With two grown
children of her own.
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[prissy]: Rebecca was
twenty years younger than him,
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And I think probably
the first attraction was,
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She was just kind to him,
and he playfully flirted back.
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And him and her
started going out
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And started seeing each other.
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[narrator]: Jerry was smitten
with the kind waitress.
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It was less than a year
after he had lost my grandma
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That rebecca was there.
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So, to me, that seemed fast,
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But I just figured maybe
because of his age,
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Things were a little different.
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He said to us, y'all don't
understand how hard it's been
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Since mae died,
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And to have somebody
to be around
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Helps fill that void.
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I'm not so lonely.
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[narrator]: For
the next 6 years,
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Rebecca frequently
joined jerry on the road.
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But by 2008, he decided
to change lanes.
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He quit driving a truck
and bought a general store
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In nearby dialville.
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And so, he sold his
eighteen-wheeler,
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And he took that money and
he invested it into a store.
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[narrator]: In love
and inseparable,
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Rebecca and jerry
relished working side by side.
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She cooked, worked
back in the café.
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She would run the register.
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She did the finances
and the books.
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[prissy]: Jerry wasn't
very business wise,
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But he was a goodhearted man.
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Everybody in the little
community right there knew him
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And said, "hello,
how ya doing jerry?"
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[narrator]: For more
than five years,
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Jerry and rebecca ran the store
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It appeared that jerry
would enjoy his golden years
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After all--with rebecca.
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But on the afternoon
of February 26, 2014,
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After 12 years of marriage,
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Jerry barker is dead from a
gunshot wound to the chest,
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And rebecca has just confessed
to pulling the trigger.
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[deborah]: They found
a bullet in the floor
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In front of the couch.
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T here was also a
bullet in the chair
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That had been fired through
the center of his chest
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And came out his lower back.
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There was only entry
wound and one exit wound.
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Police said that immediately,
they could tell that he had been
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Shot by someone who seemed
to be standing above him.
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[deborah]: They did
locate a ruger .357.
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That was later confirmed by
rebecca barker as having been
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The murder weapon that she
used to shoot jerry barker.
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[narrator]: Even though
they know how jerry died
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And who killed him,
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The scene doesn't answer
the biggest question
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Weighing on
investigators' minds.
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They know going into it
what happened.
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But the question
they have now is, why?
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[narrator]: Coming up,
rebecca offers up her side.
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She was saying that
he was verbally abusive.
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He would always say,
like, well, in her words,
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These awful, godawful,
things to her.
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[narrator]: Investigators
find reason to believe
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There's more to this story.
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Rebecca had waited over an hour
before even calling police.
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[deborah]: Now we need to see
if we can figure that out.
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Was there more of
a justification?
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Is this coldblooded killing?
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Is this person evil?
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[theme music]
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[narrator]: Within
hours of her 911 call,
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Investigators in rusk,
texas are eager to learn
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Why rebecca barker shot
and killed her husband, jerry.
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[deborah]: Was there
more of a justification?
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Is this coldblooded killing?
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Is this person evil?
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[narrator]: Just before
the interview starts,
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Rebecca requests
medical attention.
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She lets them know
that she had taken
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One of jerry's
blood pressure pills,
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And she's not feeling so well.
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She took the blood pressure
pill after she shot jerry.
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Trying to calm her nerves.
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[narrator]: Ems clears rebecca
to go ahead with the interview.
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When it begins, rebecca quickly
reveals she and jerry had been
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Fighting non-stop about
their business venture.
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The store is a source of
strife in their relationship.
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She and jerry were
together all the time .
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They fought about it constantly.
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[narrator]: Rebecca paints
a portrait of a woman
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At her breaking point.
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She takes investigators
back to that morning,
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Which the couple
spent arguing at home.
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[deborah]: So Wednesday
morning, they get up
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00:13:54,267 --> 00:13:56,534
And rebecca tells him,
I'm not going to work again.
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It's basically all on you.
I just don't want to.
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[narrator]: Rebecca
says this set jerry off.
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[narrator]: Rebecca claims
that jerry's harsh words
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Are nothing new.
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[jc]: She was saying that
he was verbally abusive,
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And he would always pick on her.
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He would always just-just
put her down and-and say,
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Like, well in her words, these
awful, godawful, things to her.
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00:14:58,464 --> 00:15:01,399
[deborah]: He had just been on
her since the minute he woke up
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00:15:01,467 --> 00:15:04,136
That he was just,
in-in her direct quotes,
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00:15:04,203 --> 00:15:06,271
"bitching and bitching
and bitching at her".
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[narrator]: Investigators
consider rebecca's story.
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[deborah]: We start looking at
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Is there a claim
for sudden passion?
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You know, did this happen
in the heat of the moment?
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00:16:41,501 --> 00:16:44,168
Did it arise to that level where
legally she could claim that
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00:16:44,170 --> 00:16:46,837
And so it's more manslaughter
than it is cold-blooded
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00:16:46,906 --> 00:16:48,806
Intentional murder?
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[narrator]: Rebecca's
demeanor during the interview
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Is certainly indicative of
a woman pushed to the brink .
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[deborah]: She's very animated.
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00:16:57,650 --> 00:17:00,251
Putting her head down on the
table, throwing her head back ,
239
00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:02,853
Throwing her arms around.
240
00:17:02,922 --> 00:17:04,655
[narrator]: But that
suddenly changes
241
00:17:04,724 --> 00:17:06,958
When authorities leave the room
242
00:17:09,395 --> 00:17:11,729
[deborah]: All of the sudden,
those histrionics stop.
243
00:17:11,798 --> 00:17:14,198
She goes dead calm.
244
00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:17,535
Just sittin' around, lookin'
around like you and I are.
245
00:17:17,603 --> 00:17:20,471
There's no emotion.
246
00:17:20,473 --> 00:17:22,339
I don't believe that
rebecca realized
247
00:17:22,408 --> 00:17:24,543
She was being video recorded .
248
00:17:24,610 --> 00:17:27,211
All of us were kind of sitting
back looking at each other,
249
00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,113
Thinking, okay,
this is not normal.
250
00:17:32,718 --> 00:17:35,419
[narrator]: When investigators
review rebecca's statement,
251
00:17:35,488 --> 00:17:38,089
They find another
red flag about a small,
252
00:17:38,157 --> 00:17:39,891
Yet critical piece
of information
253
00:17:39,959 --> 00:17:43,028
In rebecca's timeline of events
254
00:17:51,838 --> 00:17:53,037
Rebecca tells law enforcement
255
00:17:53,039 --> 00:17:56,041
That she took the blood pressure
medication that was jerry's
256
00:17:56,109 --> 00:17:58,710
About 1:30, after
she shot jerry.
257
00:17:58,778 --> 00:18:01,512
After that, we know that a call
was made by rebecca barker.
258
00:18:01,581 --> 00:18:03,247
She had tried to get
ahold of her best friend.
259
00:18:03,316 --> 00:18:06,051
They talked for about
ten minutes or so.
260
00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:08,119
Then he tells her, you need
to call law enforcement,
261
00:18:08,187 --> 00:18:10,455
You need to call 911, you
need to do the right thing.
262
00:18:10,523 --> 00:18:15,160
And then around 2:45 is when
she makes the call to 911.
263
00:18:19,999 --> 00:18:24,735
Rebecca had waited over an hour
before even calling police.
264
00:18:24,804 --> 00:18:26,003
By the time police arrive,
265
00:18:26,005 --> 00:18:27,872
There was nothing
they could do for him.
266
00:18:27,940 --> 00:18:30,075
He was long gone.
267
00:18:30,143 --> 00:18:32,477
[narrator]: The case
is far from closed,
268
00:18:32,545 --> 00:18:37,147
But rebecca isn't
walking away a free woman.
269
00:18:37,217 --> 00:18:39,117
When I went in
and-and explained to her
270
00:18:39,186 --> 00:18:42,086
That she was being placed
under arrest at this time,
271
00:18:42,155 --> 00:18:43,554
She didn't, uh, say anything.
272
00:18:43,623 --> 00:18:46,024
She just went ahead and
did what she's told.
273
00:18:50,763 --> 00:18:52,364
[narrator]: Investigators
turn to the report
274
00:18:52,431 --> 00:18:54,431
From the medical examiner.
275
00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:56,567
Based on the markings
around the wound,
276
00:18:56,636 --> 00:19:01,072
He confirms that jerry was
shot at a close distance.
277
00:19:02,341 --> 00:19:04,308
[deborah]: The shooter was
within 3 feet of the body
278
00:19:04,310 --> 00:19:05,776
When the gun was shot.
279
00:19:05,845 --> 00:19:08,779
And we know that the
bullet came from up above,
280
00:19:08,781 --> 00:19:11,015
And went down at an
angle through the body,
281
00:19:11,084 --> 00:19:12,651
And went into the
chair back behind him.
282
00:19:12,718 --> 00:19:15,386
And he was dead
very, very quickly.
283
00:19:16,589 --> 00:19:18,523
He would have bled out
in a matter of minutes.
284
00:19:19,792 --> 00:19:21,860
[narrator]: But one crucial
finding in the report
285
00:19:21,928 --> 00:19:25,996
Will cast even more doubt on
rebecca's version of events.
286
00:19:27,066 --> 00:19:28,999
[deborah]: Looking in that wound
and the trajectory of the bulle
287
00:19:29,001 --> 00:19:31,802
It appeared to him that his arms
were crossed over his stomach
288
00:19:31,871 --> 00:19:33,470
And the bullet passed
through the forearm
289
00:19:33,539 --> 00:19:35,273
As it went into the chest.
290
00:19:35,275 --> 00:19:37,675
And then as the body went
slack, his arms fell.
291
00:19:37,677 --> 00:19:39,877
So the medical examiner
was able to infer
292
00:19:39,946 --> 00:19:42,147
By putting all of
that evidence together
293
00:19:42,215 --> 00:19:44,416
That jerry barker was
asleep when he was shot.
294
00:19:49,956 --> 00:19:51,021
[narrator]: Coming up,
295
00:19:51,090 --> 00:19:55,492
Rebecca's story
continues to unravel.
296
00:19:55,561 --> 00:19:58,696
It did seem like she
had brainwashed him.
297
00:19:58,765 --> 00:20:01,298
She controlled
everything that he did.
298
00:20:01,367 --> 00:20:02,900
[narrator]: And a
family comes forward
299
00:20:02,969 --> 00:20:05,704
With shocking allegations.
300
00:20:05,771 --> 00:20:07,705
They believed
he was in a situation
301
00:20:07,773 --> 00:20:09,707
Where he was in danger.
302
00:20:09,709 --> 00:20:12,109
And so adult protective
services stepped in.
303
00:20:13,913 --> 00:20:17,348
[theme music]
304
00:20:27,059 --> 00:20:28,460
[narrator]:
Rebecca barker claims
305
00:20:28,527 --> 00:20:31,530
She shot her husband, jerry,
during a heated argument
306
00:20:31,597 --> 00:20:34,466
That pushed rebecca
to her breaking point.
307
00:20:35,401 --> 00:20:37,468
But the medical
examiner's report
308
00:20:37,537 --> 00:20:40,472
Tells a different story.
309
00:20:40,539 --> 00:20:42,540
[deborah]: He's leaned
back in his chair,
310
00:20:42,542 --> 00:20:45,277
His feet are up on that ottoman
with the ankles crossed.
311
00:20:46,145 --> 00:20:48,613
And then once that
bullet goes through him,
312
00:20:48,681 --> 00:20:49,813
And the body relaxes,
313
00:20:49,882 --> 00:20:52,850
He's found with his hands
down by his sides, palms up.
314
00:20:53,886 --> 00:20:55,285
[narrator]: The
evidence indicates
315
00:20:55,355 --> 00:20:58,223
That jerry was asleep
when he was shot.
316
00:21:00,560 --> 00:21:04,762
It almost looked like she
waited until that moment
317
00:21:04,831 --> 00:21:08,399
When he would be off guard to
take that chance and shoot him.
318
00:21:11,037 --> 00:21:12,236
[deborah]: It looked like
319
00:21:12,305 --> 00:21:13,637
There's not even
an argument going on.
320
00:21:13,706 --> 00:21:15,239
She didn't have a
self-defense claim.
321
00:21:15,241 --> 00:21:16,874
She didn't have a
sudden passion claim.
322
00:21:20,846 --> 00:21:22,579
[narrator]: So why
did rebecca barker
323
00:21:22,648 --> 00:21:25,783
Shoot the man
she claimed to love?
324
00:21:25,785 --> 00:21:28,452
Determined to get to the
bottom of what happened,
325
00:21:28,454 --> 00:21:31,321
Investigators speak
with jerry's family.
326
00:21:31,391 --> 00:21:33,057
They are reeling from the news
327
00:21:33,125 --> 00:21:36,994
Of the beloved
patriarch's death.
328
00:21:37,063 --> 00:21:38,729
It's not so much
when a person dies
329
00:21:38,731 --> 00:21:41,365
But how they die that
bothers you the most.
330
00:21:42,735 --> 00:21:44,835
And this was a
hard one to accept.
331
00:21:49,008 --> 00:21:52,276
[narrator]: Jerry's family says
once he hooked up with rebecca,
332
00:21:52,345 --> 00:21:56,547
The family gave her the
benefit of the doubt.
333
00:21:56,616 --> 00:21:58,817
[deborah]: Here's this
pretty young woman,
334
00:21:58,884 --> 00:22:01,085
Much younger than him, that's
very interested in him.
335
00:22:01,153 --> 00:22:02,420
Uhm, made him happy.
336
00:22:02,488 --> 00:22:04,355
Probably made him
feel young again.
337
00:22:04,357 --> 00:22:06,623
And so they tried
to be accepting.
338
00:22:06,692 --> 00:22:08,092
[narrator]: But when
jerry told his family
339
00:22:08,160 --> 00:22:10,027
He had married rebecca,
340
00:22:10,096 --> 00:22:13,831
They found themselves at
odds with jerry's new bride.
341
00:22:15,301 --> 00:22:16,968
[prissy]: I would call jerry.
342
00:22:17,036 --> 00:22:19,371
She would pick up sometimes
and she would be like,
343
00:22:19,438 --> 00:22:23,273
"h-he can't come to
the phone" or whatever.
344
00:22:23,342 --> 00:22:24,642
[wendy]: When I
called, she would say,
345
00:22:24,644 --> 00:22:26,044
"I'll give him the
message, he's busy".
346
00:22:26,112 --> 00:22:28,445
He would-he's always busy.
347
00:22:28,447 --> 00:22:31,249
Every situation where
I tried to, ya know,
348
00:22:31,317 --> 00:22:34,451
Get to do something,
to organize a date,
349
00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:36,521
She would tell me that
it wasn't possible.
350
00:22:37,723 --> 00:22:40,058
[prissy]: Rebecca was
shutting everybody out.
351
00:22:40,126 --> 00:22:42,559
She was putting distance
between everybody.
352
00:22:42,628 --> 00:22:44,728
And jerry didn't
see that part of it.
353
00:22:44,797 --> 00:22:48,199
Jerry felt everybody
was ganging up on rebecca.
354
00:22:48,267 --> 00:22:51,335
It became strange
with the family .
355
00:22:51,403 --> 00:22:54,805
There wasn't that
close connection anymore.
356
00:22:54,807 --> 00:22:56,674
I thought the
relationship between them
357
00:22:56,676 --> 00:22:57,942
Was gonna be a
short-lived thing,
358
00:22:58,010 --> 00:23:01,746
Because she was so much younger
and she wasn't a nice person.
359
00:23:05,084 --> 00:23:09,419
[narrator]: As the years
passed, things got worse.
360
00:23:09,489 --> 00:23:11,622
[wendy]: She was just
not willing to meet
361
00:23:11,690 --> 00:23:14,425
Or do anything with us at all.
362
00:23:14,493 --> 00:23:16,627
She pushed most of the
people in the family away
363
00:23:16,696 --> 00:23:20,631
And only a couple
were able to go around.
364
00:23:20,700 --> 00:23:23,367
It did seem like
she had brainwashed him
365
00:23:23,369 --> 00:23:26,237
Because she controlled
everything that he did.
366
00:23:26,305 --> 00:23:28,839
And she controlled
everybody he talked to.
367
00:23:28,841 --> 00:23:32,843
[prissy]: Jerry's sons
were really upset about it.
368
00:23:32,845 --> 00:23:36,447
You have a wife that's their age
and, and they worry about you,
369
00:23:36,515 --> 00:23:38,449
And they don't get
to see you as much.
370
00:23:43,689 --> 00:23:45,722
[narrator]: A few months
before the murder,
371
00:23:45,791 --> 00:23:51,463
Jerry began to openly question
his future with rebecca.
372
00:23:51,530 --> 00:23:53,865
Their relationship
clearly wasn't going well.
373
00:23:53,933 --> 00:23:57,201
There was a lot of problems.
They were fighting a lot.
374
00:23:57,269 --> 00:24:01,004
As it goes on, and time rocks
on, and things get more tense,
375
00:24:01,073 --> 00:24:04,875
Around September,
early October, of 2013,
376
00:24:04,877 --> 00:24:07,077
Jerry has started
voicing to both rebecca,
377
00:24:07,146 --> 00:24:08,679
And to others in the community,
378
00:24:08,748 --> 00:24:11,483
And to his family that
he wants a divorce.
379
00:24:13,019 --> 00:24:16,553
I honestly believe jerry
told her he wanted a divorce,
380
00:24:16,622 --> 00:24:18,155
And she was upset.
381
00:24:18,224 --> 00:24:19,957
It was his house,
382
00:24:20,025 --> 00:24:22,860
And he was planning to, to
leave her and split with her.
383
00:24:27,233 --> 00:24:29,033
[narrator]: But what
really got the attention of
384
00:24:29,035 --> 00:24:34,104
Family and friends was jerry's
sudden decline in health.
385
00:24:34,106 --> 00:24:36,174
[nina]: Jerry was on
several medications
386
00:24:36,242 --> 00:24:39,110
Because he had had
a horrible accident
387
00:24:39,178 --> 00:24:42,046
Not too long before his murder
where a tractor had actually
388
00:24:42,114 --> 00:24:45,716
Rolled over him and
broke some of his ribs.
389
00:24:45,784 --> 00:24:47,451
Some days he'd be lucid
and talking and then,
390
00:24:47,519 --> 00:24:48,652
The next day at the store,
391
00:24:48,721 --> 00:24:49,853
He's basically sitting
there catatonic
392
00:24:49,855 --> 00:24:53,257
And drooling on himself,
which was completely unlike him.
393
00:24:53,325 --> 00:24:56,727
He seemed to be weak and under
the influence of something
394
00:24:56,796 --> 00:25:00,198
That made him unaware of his
surroundings for the most part.
395
00:25:00,266 --> 00:25:02,799
That raised a red flag for me.
396
00:25:02,868 --> 00:25:06,804
I had gotten word that she was
giving him extra medication,
397
00:25:06,806 --> 00:25:08,605
That it was his own medication.
398
00:25:08,674 --> 00:25:11,676
She was giving him extra
to make him be, uh--
399
00:25:11,744 --> 00:25:13,744
To make it to where
he wasn't aware.
400
00:25:15,281 --> 00:25:18,015
[deborah]: Jerry had actually
made comments to people
401
00:25:18,017 --> 00:25:20,083
In the months leading up to the
murder that he believed rebecca
402
00:25:20,152 --> 00:25:23,487
Was trying to kill him by
messing with his medication.
403
00:25:28,360 --> 00:25:30,694
[narrator]: When jerry's
family confronted rebecca,
404
00:25:30,763 --> 00:25:33,897
She became unhinged.
405
00:25:33,966 --> 00:25:36,900
I told her in one of the
phone calls that I'm...
406
00:25:36,902 --> 00:25:39,037
I said, "I'm just
gonna go visit".
407
00:25:39,104 --> 00:25:42,039
And she had gotten mad at
that phone call and said,
408
00:25:42,041 --> 00:25:44,975
"no, you don't show
up on my property".
409
00:25:44,977 --> 00:25:46,710
I'm like,
"but it's my grandpa,
410
00:25:46,779 --> 00:25:49,046
I'm gonna show up
over there to see him".
411
00:25:49,115 --> 00:25:50,982
And she said,
"if you do, I'll shoot you".
412
00:25:55,388 --> 00:25:58,789
[narrator]: Unable to see
jerry or reason with rebecca,
413
00:25:58,857 --> 00:26:03,194
His family and friends
turned to the authorities.
414
00:26:03,262 --> 00:26:06,263
[deborah]: Multiple reports were
made that friends and family
415
00:26:06,332 --> 00:26:10,000
Believed he was in a situation
where he was in danger.
416
00:26:10,069 --> 00:26:13,537
And so adult protective
services stepped in.
417
00:26:13,606 --> 00:26:15,806
[nina]: They had been called to
the store just two weeks before
418
00:26:15,874 --> 00:26:20,010
Jerry's murder on a report
that he was over medicated.
419
00:26:20,079 --> 00:26:23,013
But by the time they got there,
it seemed like he was fine,
420
00:26:23,082 --> 00:26:24,949
So there wasn't really
much they could do.
421
00:26:28,354 --> 00:26:30,288
[narrator]: Jerry was irate.
422
00:26:30,356 --> 00:26:32,290
Even though he had
his own suspicions
423
00:26:32,358 --> 00:26:34,925
When it came to rebecca,
he made it clear
424
00:26:34,994 --> 00:26:37,494
He didn't want his
family or friends
425
00:26:37,563 --> 00:26:40,731
Messing around in his business.
426
00:26:40,799 --> 00:26:43,967
[wendy]: I got a call from
him, and he was yelling at me,
427
00:26:43,969 --> 00:26:45,969
And telling me that
I had embarrassed him
428
00:26:46,038 --> 00:26:49,974
In front of all of his customers
by pulling something like that.
429
00:26:53,612 --> 00:26:57,781
[narrator]: Jerry's loved ones
weren't going to let it go.
430
00:26:57,850 --> 00:27:01,985
I had talked with my dad, and we
decided that what we would do is
431
00:27:01,987 --> 00:27:04,521
Figure out a way
to get my grandpa
432
00:27:04,523 --> 00:27:07,191
And bring him to our place.
433
00:27:07,193 --> 00:27:09,794
That was our plan whether
he wanted to or not.
434
00:27:10,996 --> 00:27:12,663
[narrator]: But before
they could act on it,
435
00:27:12,665 --> 00:27:15,165
They got the call
that jerry was dead.
436
00:27:19,605 --> 00:27:21,539
The information
from the barker family
437
00:27:21,607 --> 00:27:24,675
Casts new light on
the investigation.
438
00:27:25,878 --> 00:27:27,679
[nina]: So there were a
lot of questions within
439
00:27:27,746 --> 00:27:30,348
Rebecca and jerry's
relationship.
440
00:27:30,416 --> 00:27:32,082
Rebecca is often
saying one thing,
441
00:27:32,151 --> 00:27:34,751
While his family is
saying something else.
442
00:27:35,487 --> 00:27:36,487
[narrator]:
Investigators theorize
443
00:27:36,555 --> 00:27:39,890
That if rebecca was
switching out jerry's meds,
444
00:27:39,892 --> 00:27:44,227
That could have been her
first attempt to kill him.
445
00:27:44,296 --> 00:27:46,697
We believed she was trying to
kill him through the medication
446
00:27:46,765 --> 00:27:49,701
Because it's harder to trace.
447
00:27:49,768 --> 00:27:53,003
And when that didn't work
fast enough, she shot him.
448
00:27:57,443 --> 00:28:02,312
[narrator]: But if rebecca
did plan jerry's murder, why?
449
00:28:02,314 --> 00:28:04,648
Of course, we're thinking
about financial because,
450
00:28:04,717 --> 00:28:08,185
As we all know, one of
the guiding principles
451
00:28:08,187 --> 00:28:10,855
To human behavior,
unfortunately, is greed.
452
00:28:11,924 --> 00:28:13,657
[narrator]: If she
divorced jerry,
453
00:28:13,725 --> 00:28:15,725
Rebecca would have to share.
454
00:28:15,795 --> 00:28:20,063
But if jerry died, all
of it would be hers.
455
00:28:20,065 --> 00:28:22,533
Rebecca stood to
gain everything.
456
00:28:22,601 --> 00:28:23,934
She would get the store.
457
00:28:23,936 --> 00:28:26,203
She would get whatever
monies were in the bank,
458
00:28:26,271 --> 00:28:29,339
Whatever investments he had,
whatever retirement he had.
459
00:28:29,408 --> 00:28:30,908
She would get the home.
460
00:28:34,079 --> 00:28:36,279
[narrator]: Investigators
continue to dig,
461
00:28:36,348 --> 00:28:39,884
Taking a deep dive
into rebecca's past.
462
00:28:39,952 --> 00:28:43,020
They are shocked to learn that
when rebecca and jerry married
463
00:28:43,022 --> 00:28:48,792
In 2002, rebecca was on
probation for a major offense.
464
00:28:50,362 --> 00:28:52,563
This wasn't rebecca's
first brush with the law.
465
00:28:52,631 --> 00:28:56,266
She had been in trouble almost
20 years before jerry's murder.
466
00:28:58,170 --> 00:29:01,805
I was absolutely incredulous
when I found it out.
467
00:29:01,875 --> 00:29:03,741
We were just flabbergasted.
468
00:29:06,679 --> 00:29:07,879
[narrator]: Coming up,
469
00:29:07,946 --> 00:29:13,450
Investigators uncover a
disturbing pattern of behavior.
470
00:29:13,452 --> 00:29:15,986
Same story, different situation.
471
00:29:15,988 --> 00:29:18,655
[wendy]: She had previously
been in trouble
472
00:29:18,724 --> 00:29:21,591
For trying to kill her
husband before him.
473
00:29:22,462 --> 00:29:26,363
[narrator]: And rebecca
responds to the allegations.
474
00:29:26,365 --> 00:29:30,400
Jerry's family said a lot of
things throughout our marriage
475
00:29:30,469 --> 00:29:32,070
That just weren't true.
476
00:29:33,672 --> 00:29:37,308
[theme music]
477
00:29:46,418 --> 00:29:48,819
[narrator]: While
investigators in rusk, texas
478
00:29:48,887 --> 00:29:51,088
Dive deeper into possible
motives
479
00:29:51,090 --> 00:29:53,490
For the murder of jerry barker,
480
00:29:53,559 --> 00:29:56,026
They learn that in 1996,
481
00:29:56,094 --> 00:29:59,496
Rebecca barker had been
linked to another shooting--
482
00:29:59,565 --> 00:30:03,835
This one involving her
first husband, john osborne.
483
00:30:05,604 --> 00:30:07,370
[deborah]: When law enforcement
runs a criminal history ,
484
00:30:07,439 --> 00:30:09,974
They find out she had
something involving a weapon
485
00:30:10,042 --> 00:30:12,976
And involving a
shooting in her past.
486
00:30:13,045 --> 00:30:14,444
When you hear about
that, you think
487
00:30:14,513 --> 00:30:16,847
This is a pattern of behavior.
488
00:30:16,915 --> 00:30:18,849
It definitely raises
some questions.
489
00:30:22,588 --> 00:30:24,588
[narrator]: Authorities reach
out to their counterparts
490
00:30:24,590 --> 00:30:26,857
In liberty county, texas .
491
00:30:26,925 --> 00:30:29,459
They speak with
investigator ivan pearce,
492
00:30:29,528 --> 00:30:34,097
Who responded to the 911 call
the night john osborne was shot
493
00:30:38,470 --> 00:30:41,671
[ivan]: April 15th of 1996,
shortly before midnight,
494
00:30:41,740 --> 00:30:44,941
I got a call of a shooting
in the unincorporated portion
495
00:30:45,010 --> 00:30:46,343
Of liberty county.
496
00:30:46,411 --> 00:30:49,112
The victim had been
shot several times
497
00:30:49,114 --> 00:30:52,115
While he was sitting in the
recliner in his living room.
498
00:30:53,552 --> 00:30:57,254
[narrator]: The caller was
rebecca's teenage daughter.
499
00:30:58,223 --> 00:31:00,490
Rebecca has two children
from a previous relationship,
500
00:31:00,492 --> 00:31:01,825
A son and a daughter.
501
00:31:01,894 --> 00:31:03,293
The son is out of the home.
502
00:31:03,362 --> 00:31:05,562
Her daughter, marsha,
is living in the home,
503
00:31:05,564 --> 00:31:08,164
And is seventeen years old.
504
00:31:08,233 --> 00:31:10,233
Marsha was the one to
give the first information
505
00:31:10,302 --> 00:31:12,536
To first responders when
they got to the house
506
00:31:12,605 --> 00:31:15,039
And started giving
lifesaving measures to john.
507
00:31:16,008 --> 00:31:17,240
[ivan]: She was visibly upset,
508
00:31:17,242 --> 00:31:20,277
Not knowing really what had
happened or, or who did it.
509
00:31:21,813 --> 00:31:24,182
[narrator]: To gain more
insight on the shooting,
510
00:31:24,249 --> 00:31:27,584
Officers examined
the crime scene.
511
00:31:27,653 --> 00:31:29,120
[ivan]: It was from
a large caliber.
512
00:31:29,187 --> 00:31:32,056
We could tell that
from the projectiles.
513
00:31:32,124 --> 00:31:34,724
There was what appeared to
be bullet holes in the window
514
00:31:34,793 --> 00:31:36,961
From behind the recliner.
515
00:31:37,029 --> 00:31:40,030
It appeared that the shooter
was right outside of the window.
516
00:31:43,568 --> 00:31:45,602
[narrator]: After
unpacking the crime scene,
517
00:31:45,671 --> 00:31:48,839
Investigators focused their
efforts on finding out
518
00:31:48,841 --> 00:31:52,409
Who shot john and why.
519
00:31:52,477 --> 00:31:54,078
[ivan]: We learned early
on in the investigation
520
00:31:54,146 --> 00:31:59,217
That john and rebecca
were getting a divorce.
521
00:31:59,284 --> 00:32:02,285
I spoke with rebecca's brother
522
00:32:02,354 --> 00:32:06,289
He informed me that
he had a .45 caliber pistol,
523
00:32:06,291 --> 00:32:08,892
But he could not locate it.
524
00:32:08,961 --> 00:32:10,494
He had understood that rebecca
525
00:32:10,562 --> 00:32:14,765
Was supposed to be coming
to liberty with a lawyer
526
00:32:14,833 --> 00:32:16,967
To turn herself in on the case.
527
00:32:20,672 --> 00:32:25,443
[narrator]: Rebecca didn't
appear until two days later.
528
00:32:25,510 --> 00:32:30,047
So on April the 18th,
at about 10:30 a.M.,
529
00:32:30,049 --> 00:32:33,016
Rebecca osborne did
appear at my office.
530
00:32:34,853 --> 00:32:36,186
[narrator]: Rebecca
explained that on
531
00:32:36,188 --> 00:32:37,854
The afternoon of the shooting,
532
00:32:37,923 --> 00:32:42,492
John called her with the sole
intention of upsetting her.
533
00:32:44,930 --> 00:32:47,163
John and rebecca have
been having problems
534
00:32:47,232 --> 00:32:50,333
Mainly related to her drinking.
535
00:32:50,335 --> 00:32:53,737
John has indicated
he wants a divorce.
536
00:32:53,739 --> 00:32:55,872
Rebecca called marsha and said,
537
00:32:55,941 --> 00:32:57,674
"would you come
and live with me?"
538
00:32:57,676 --> 00:33:01,011
And marsha told her, "no,
I'm not gonna live with you.
539
00:33:01,013 --> 00:33:03,546
I wanna live with john".
540
00:33:03,615 --> 00:33:05,849
Well, this set rebecca off.
541
00:33:09,955 --> 00:33:12,189
She shot him, believe two times
542
00:33:14,993 --> 00:33:16,961
Both in the back of the head.
543
00:33:17,029 --> 00:33:18,596
And then, she left.
544
00:33:22,101 --> 00:33:23,166
[narrator]: Rebecca's
first husband
545
00:33:23,235 --> 00:33:27,104
Was far luckier than jerry.
546
00:33:27,172 --> 00:33:30,373
[deborah]: Just by the
grace of god he survived--
547
00:33:30,442 --> 00:33:32,476
And the quick thinking
of his stepdaughter.
548
00:33:33,445 --> 00:33:34,778
[ivan]: I had met with john--
549
00:33:34,780 --> 00:33:35,845
Uh, he was still
in the hospital--
550
00:33:35,847 --> 00:33:38,782
And, and informed him
that rebecca had confessed
551
00:33:38,784 --> 00:33:40,350
To shooting him.
552
00:33:41,319 --> 00:33:45,255
He was emotional
about it his self.
553
00:33:45,324 --> 00:33:48,125
I mean, nobody wants to believe
your, your spouse would do that.
554
00:33:51,463 --> 00:33:53,663
[narrator]: But investigator
pearce tells detectives
555
00:33:53,732 --> 00:33:57,668
That it wasn't long before
john changed his tune.
556
00:33:59,337 --> 00:34:03,206
Rebecca's previous husband seems
to kind of feel bad for rebecca,
557
00:34:03,275 --> 00:34:05,475
Doesn't want her to go to jail.
558
00:34:06,144 --> 00:34:08,211
[ivan]: He wanted
rebecca to get some help.
559
00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:10,715
His main focus was for
her to get some help
560
00:34:10,782 --> 00:34:12,615
For her drinking problem.
561
00:34:12,684 --> 00:34:14,218
[deborah]: When you have
a situation like that,
562
00:34:14,286 --> 00:34:16,686
It just makes it very, very
difficult for prosecution.
563
00:34:16,688 --> 00:34:18,955
And at that point, the
district attorney works out
564
00:34:19,024 --> 00:34:21,091
The best deal that they can.
565
00:34:21,159 --> 00:34:24,027
[ivan]: The judge gave
her ten years' probation.
566
00:34:24,095 --> 00:34:25,161
A hundred and
eighty days of that
567
00:34:25,230 --> 00:34:27,664
Was locked up in
the county jail.
568
00:34:31,470 --> 00:34:34,037
[narrator]: To cherokee
county sheriff investigators,
569
00:34:34,039 --> 00:34:38,441
Rebecca's shocking past
displays a pattern.
570
00:34:38,510 --> 00:34:40,510
[deborah]: This is how
she handles problems.
571
00:34:40,579 --> 00:34:44,648
And it was same story,
different situation.
572
00:34:44,716 --> 00:34:47,718
It was, she was being
threatened with divorce.
573
00:34:47,786 --> 00:34:50,653
She was going to lose what
she believed to be hers.
574
00:34:50,722 --> 00:34:56,193
She thought she was justified in
taking a life, and so she did.
575
00:34:57,596 --> 00:35:00,463
I don't understand why somebody
would be able to get away with
576
00:35:00,465 --> 00:35:02,533
Something like this
the first time.
577
00:35:02,601 --> 00:35:05,603
She shouldn't have been able to
start any kind of relationship
578
00:35:05,670 --> 00:35:08,139
With my grandpa, with
that being her past.
579
00:35:13,645 --> 00:35:15,545
[narrator]: When detectives
circle back to rebecca
580
00:35:15,615 --> 00:35:17,881
With all of this
new information,
581
00:35:17,883 --> 00:35:21,685
She begins by denying
jerry's family's allegations.
582
00:35:23,422 --> 00:35:27,824
[rebecca]: They never wanted
jerry and I to even get married
583
00:35:27,893 --> 00:35:29,025
I don't know if it was because
584
00:35:29,094 --> 00:35:31,427
It was too soon
for him to remarry.
585
00:35:31,496 --> 00:35:35,533
All I know is they
just didn't like it.
586
00:35:35,600 --> 00:35:39,402
I was not manipulating
his medications.
587
00:35:39,404 --> 00:35:42,239
Sometimes jerry would
forget what he was taking.
588
00:35:42,241 --> 00:35:44,308
And I think it was too strong.
589
00:35:46,245 --> 00:35:48,044
[narrator]: Rebecca says
she never kept jerry
590
00:35:48,113 --> 00:35:49,647
From his family.
591
00:35:49,714 --> 00:35:54,651
It was jerry who didn't want
anything to do with them.
592
00:35:54,719 --> 00:35:57,253
[rebecca]: They would call the
house and wanna talk to jerry,
593
00:35:57,322 --> 00:36:00,723
And I would say, "babe,
so and so's on the phone."
594
00:36:00,792 --> 00:36:02,392
And he'd say, "I don't
wanna talk to 'em".
595
00:36:03,262 --> 00:36:05,528
[narrator]: Rebecca also
denies threatening to shoot
596
00:36:05,597 --> 00:36:09,866
Jerry's granddaughter, wendy, I
she showed up on their property
597
00:36:09,935 --> 00:36:11,167
[rebecca]: That's not true.
598
00:36:11,169 --> 00:36:14,070
I never met the granddaughter.
599
00:36:14,139 --> 00:36:16,406
She wouldn't come to the house.
600
00:36:16,474 --> 00:36:19,075
And I don't understand
why jerry's family
601
00:36:19,144 --> 00:36:22,145
Said a lot of things
throughout our marriage
602
00:36:22,147 --> 00:36:23,580
That just weren't--that
weren't true.
603
00:36:27,753 --> 00:36:30,221
[narrator]: Rebecca claims the
trouble in their relationship
604
00:36:30,288 --> 00:36:35,492
Really began when jerry wanted
to open a general store.
605
00:36:35,494 --> 00:36:38,896
He said, "I think we could
handle a little small
606
00:36:38,964 --> 00:36:42,031
Mom and pop grocery store".
607
00:36:42,100 --> 00:36:44,701
So that--and that's
what he wanted.
608
00:36:44,703 --> 00:36:46,569
We never had time for
the house anymore.
609
00:36:46,571 --> 00:36:48,938
We never had time
for a life anymore.
610
00:36:49,007 --> 00:36:51,775
It was always the store.
611
00:36:51,777 --> 00:36:55,311
A lot a things that
started building up between
612
00:36:55,380 --> 00:36:57,448
Not just the tension
between jerry and I,
613
00:36:57,515 --> 00:37:00,316
But something
changed with jerry.
614
00:37:00,385 --> 00:37:03,520
And I don't know if it were ...
615
00:37:03,522 --> 00:37:07,057
If it was the medication that
the doctor kept changing him on,
616
00:37:07,125 --> 00:37:12,263
But he just--he started changin
and I didn't know him anymore.
617
00:37:16,468 --> 00:37:18,802
[narrator]: While her rebuttal
to the family's accusations
618
00:37:18,870 --> 00:37:20,538
May seem plausible,
619
00:37:20,605 --> 00:37:23,673
After three days of
being in police custody,
620
00:37:23,675 --> 00:37:26,476
Rebecca offers a new
account of jerry's death
621
00:37:26,544 --> 00:37:31,214
That throws police for a loop.
622
00:37:31,283 --> 00:37:34,285
She sends out a note to
detectives that she has
623
00:37:34,352 --> 00:37:36,586
Something very important
she needs to tell them.
624
00:37:40,892 --> 00:37:45,929
[narrator]: Coming up, rebecca's
story takes a sharp turn.
625
00:37:45,931 --> 00:37:49,299
She says nobody was mad,
they'd been getting along.
626
00:37:49,367 --> 00:37:52,535
That it was a big accident.
627
00:37:52,537 --> 00:37:56,439
[narrator]: And rebecca
fights for her freedom again.
628
00:37:56,508 --> 00:37:59,976
I got scared, I did.
629
00:37:59,978 --> 00:38:03,113
I said "maybe...Maybe if I tell
'em that, they'll let me go.
630
00:38:03,181 --> 00:38:04,881
I can go home".
631
00:38:07,719 --> 00:38:11,322
[theme music]
632
00:38:20,665 --> 00:38:23,733
[narrator]: After being arrested
for her husband's murder,
633
00:38:23,802 --> 00:38:26,936
Rebecca barker requests to
speak to the cherokee county
634
00:38:27,005 --> 00:38:29,439
Sheriff's investigators again.
635
00:38:31,076 --> 00:38:34,277
[deborah]: So a few days
after rebecca barker has given
636
00:38:34,345 --> 00:38:36,612
Her first statement
to law enforcement ,
637
00:38:36,681 --> 00:38:38,181
She's still sitting in jail.
638
00:38:38,249 --> 00:38:41,118
She says, "I have something
I have to get off my chest".
639
00:38:41,186 --> 00:38:44,488
She says that jerry
is her best friend.
640
00:38:44,556 --> 00:38:47,958
That nobody was angry.
Nobody was mad.
641
00:38:48,026 --> 00:38:49,626
They'd been getting along.
642
00:38:49,628 --> 00:38:51,695
That it was a big accident .
643
00:38:55,967 --> 00:38:58,835
[narrator]: Rebecca says they
were watching an old western
644
00:38:58,837 --> 00:38:59,969
And drinking heavily
645
00:39:00,038 --> 00:39:05,375
When she began horsing
around and took it too far.
646
00:39:05,443 --> 00:39:09,379
She's standing up, playing
around with a loaded weapon.
647
00:39:09,447 --> 00:39:13,984
And she said, "hey, look at
me, I'm marshal dillon."
648
00:39:14,052 --> 00:39:18,321
And he said, "don't do that.
You need to put the gun down."
649
00:39:18,389 --> 00:39:20,257
Well, it startled her,
and the gun went off.
650
00:39:23,795 --> 00:39:26,729
[rebecca]: I told 'em, I
said, "it was an accident.
651
00:39:26,798 --> 00:39:31,534
We were watching tv and we
were playing with the gun".
652
00:39:31,536 --> 00:39:33,803
I got scared, I did.
653
00:39:33,872 --> 00:39:36,939
I said "maybe...Maybe if I tell
'em that they'll let me go.
654
00:39:37,008 --> 00:39:39,642
I can go home, try to
make things right".
655
00:39:43,615 --> 00:39:46,616
[narrator]: To investigators,
rebecca's accident story
656
00:39:46,684 --> 00:39:49,753
Is far too little, too late.
657
00:39:50,722 --> 00:39:52,054
[rebecca]: I-I don't know.
658
00:39:52,123 --> 00:39:54,891
I just...I snapped.
659
00:39:54,893 --> 00:39:57,927
I didn't plan anything,
I just snapped.
660
00:39:59,164 --> 00:40:01,732
And I just went and got the
gun and I just shot him.
661
00:40:04,403 --> 00:40:06,403
[narrator]: Rebecca's
claims of heavy drinking
662
00:40:06,471 --> 00:40:09,639
Are also quickly ruled out.
663
00:40:09,708 --> 00:40:11,975
[deborah]: In toxicology,
in looking at that,
664
00:40:11,977 --> 00:40:16,312
His blood alcohol level
was minimalistic at best.
665
00:40:16,381 --> 00:40:18,648
So we know that part's not true
666
00:40:18,650 --> 00:40:20,783
She meant to take
this man's life,
667
00:40:20,785 --> 00:40:22,852
And that's exactly what she did
668
00:40:22,921 --> 00:40:25,389
She was charged with first
degree murder at that point.
669
00:40:31,196 --> 00:40:33,630
[narrator]: While
prosecutors ready their case,
670
00:40:33,698 --> 00:40:38,367
Rebecca spends the next
seven months awaiting trial.
671
00:40:38,436 --> 00:40:43,873
On October 8, 2014,
rebecca takes a plea.
672
00:40:43,875 --> 00:40:46,342
Rebecca barker actually
comes in and pleads guilty
673
00:40:46,411 --> 00:40:48,612
To first degree murder.
674
00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:51,080
So knowing and intentionally
causing the death
675
00:40:51,149 --> 00:40:53,550
Of jerry barker is what
she tells the judge
676
00:40:53,618 --> 00:40:55,085
She is guilty of.
677
00:40:59,357 --> 00:41:00,557
[narrator]: Despite
her willingness
678
00:41:00,559 --> 00:41:02,758
To accept responsibility,
679
00:41:02,827 --> 00:41:07,630
Rebecca elects for a jury trial
to determine her punishment.
680
00:41:07,699 --> 00:41:13,169
The reason that I went to trial
for sentencing was my, uh,
681
00:41:13,238 --> 00:41:17,975
Attorney said, "the da is
offering you forty years."
682
00:41:18,042 --> 00:41:21,445
And I said, "forty years?
No way. There's no way."
683
00:41:25,784 --> 00:41:28,050
[narrator]: With a sentencing
deal off the table,
684
00:41:28,119 --> 00:41:33,356
In November of 2014,
prosecutors come out swinging.
685
00:41:34,592 --> 00:41:36,859
[deborah]: When you look
at who rebecca barker is,
686
00:41:36,928 --> 00:41:39,729
At the totality of who she is
687
00:41:39,798 --> 00:41:42,531
And what she's chosen
to do in her life,
688
00:41:42,601 --> 00:41:46,937
Rebecca is greedy, she's
devious, she's controlling,
689
00:41:47,005 --> 00:41:51,107
She's manipulative, she's
underhanded, she's ruthless.
690
00:41:53,278 --> 00:41:55,479
[narrator]: And it's clear
that the damning portrait
691
00:41:55,547 --> 00:41:57,613
Was plausible to a jury
692
00:41:57,615 --> 00:41:59,716
When they determine
rebecca barker
693
00:41:59,784 --> 00:42:03,653
Should spend the rest
of her life behind bars.
694
00:42:07,392 --> 00:42:10,493
They decided that they did not
want her walking the streets.
695
00:42:10,495 --> 00:42:12,029
Now, she has the potential
after thirty years
696
00:42:12,096 --> 00:42:14,298
To go up for parole.
But her chances of getting it,
697
00:42:14,365 --> 00:42:16,099
Even if she's an
absolute model prisoner
698
00:42:16,101 --> 00:42:18,801
The first time she's
eligible, are slim to none.
699
00:42:19,838 --> 00:42:21,637
[narrator]: For jerry
barker's family,
700
00:42:21,706 --> 00:42:25,108
The punishment is
as it should be.
701
00:42:25,176 --> 00:42:27,043
[wendy]: I don't want
her to be executed.
702
00:42:27,112 --> 00:42:29,513
I want her to live her whole
life remembering what she did,
703
00:42:29,581 --> 00:42:31,180
But not freely.
704
00:42:31,249 --> 00:42:33,382
I don't want her to have
any kind of freedom.
705
00:42:33,451 --> 00:42:36,419
I want her to be in those walls,
and that's the rest of her life.
706
00:42:40,792 --> 00:42:43,659
[rebecca]: Jerry was
the love of my life.
707
00:42:43,728 --> 00:42:46,862
I know I was wrong
in shooting jerry.
708
00:42:46,931 --> 00:42:50,933
Most of the bad decisions I
made were because of alcohol,
709
00:42:50,935 --> 00:42:54,270
And that's the first
time I've ever said that.
710
00:42:54,272 --> 00:42:57,007
If his family could forgive me-
711
00:42:57,075 --> 00:42:59,609
I don't know whether
they ever can--
712
00:42:59,611 --> 00:43:03,013
But I sit and I...
And I...And I think of,
713
00:43:03,081 --> 00:43:06,482
I wish I could say
to them I'm sorry.
714
00:43:06,551 --> 00:43:08,818
I'm sorry.
715
00:43:08,886 --> 00:43:10,953
I truly am.
716
00:43:11,022 --> 00:43:13,957
[narrator]: Jerry's family only
hopes that others can learn fro
717
00:43:14,025 --> 00:43:19,896
His story and intervene
before it's too late.
718
00:43:19,898 --> 00:43:21,697
[prissy]: I miss
jerry in general.
719
00:43:21,766 --> 00:43:26,769
His life was cut short
because of an evil person.
720
00:43:26,838 --> 00:43:30,206
And...But she can't
take the memories away.
721
00:43:33,344 --> 00:43:43,853
[music]