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[female narrator]
violence descends upon
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A small midwestern community.
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What she gathered was that
someone had been shot,
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Someone had been stabbed.
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[kelly] you got so many
people laying around
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That are crying out in pain.
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[narrator] as detectives
attempt to make sense
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Of the bloodshed,
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They uncover a group devoted
to their mystical beliefs.
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When I first heard that
witchcraft was alleged
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In this crime, I was actually
in a state of disbelief.
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They would have these
candlelit ceremonies,
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And they would talk about
ridding themselves of hexes.
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[narrator] investigators
learn that the leader of
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This small-town coven
has led her flock astray.
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As the head figure of this cult,
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She had exercised her
authority over the group.
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She tells the other
people involved with this
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They have to kill a woman
and her unborn child.
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[kelly] she was the ringleader.
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She told them
what to do, when to do it,
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Where to do it and why to do it.
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[theme music]
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[music]
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[narrator] August 23, 2005.
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Deputy robert blythe with
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The richland county, illinois
sheriff's department
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Is on patrol.
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Richland county is a county
in southeastern illinois.
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We have several small
communities in the county.
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It's mainly farming.
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It's a very compact,
friendly community.
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Everybody knows everybody.
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[narrator] it's just after 3:00
am on an otherwise quiet night
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When a call from dispatch comes
across deputy blythe's radio.
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[radio static, chatter]
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I was actually preparing
to go home, end of shift.
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I got the call
from my dispatcher.
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She said there was a lot
of screaming on the line.
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[narrator] the dispatcher
was only able to discern
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A few alarming details.
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What she gathered was
that someone had been shot,
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Someone had been stabbed.
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[narrator] deputy blythe
rushes to the home in claremont,
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Where he finds a chaotic scene.
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[robert] when I got there,
there was a pregnant woman
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That screamed at me
that somebody had been shot,
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And somebody had been stabbed,
and they were in the house.
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I did not know the lady.
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At that point, my focus was
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Get in the house and
see what's going on.
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[narrator] blythe approaches
the home, and once inside,
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The full scope of the violence
comes sharply into focus.
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[robert] when I got in the
door, the first thing I saw
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Was a man that had been injured,
laying on the floor on his back
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Trying to scoot himself
towards the door.
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[narrator] then, deputy
blythe spots a familiar face
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In the room--
23-year-old jackie jackson.
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[robert] I've known
him for a long time.
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He knew me, of course.
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And he just yelled
out my name and said,
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"robbie, I've shot him."
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[narrator] before he gets
the full story from jackie,
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Blythe immediately ensures
paramedics are en route.
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My first impression was,
from the amount of blood,
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That I did not see how that
person was going to survive.
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[narrator] nearby, there
is another male victim--
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Bleeding profusely,
but also still alive.
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[kelly] they observed someone
laying on the kitchen floor
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That was bleeding from
the chest and abdomen.
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I saw the knife that we
assumed had been used in this
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Laying on the floor
beside the one victim.
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[narrator] the horrific
scene continues to unfold
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In the utility room,
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Where the deputy
finds a third victim--
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A woman clinging to life.
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[kelly] she had numerous
stab wounds to the stomach area.
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You walk in and you got so
many people laying around,
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Crying out in pain.
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[narrator] while waiting
for emts to arrive,
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Blythe asks jackie
what happened.
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Jackie explains that
the man he shot is an intruder,
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And the two stabbing
victims are mother and son.
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He's able to identify
two of the victims,
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Jacqueline bennett
and joshua bennett.
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[narrator] as for the
intruder, all jackie can say
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Is that he was the one
who stabbed the others.
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We didn't have a clue who
he was or why he was there.
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[narrator] paramedics arrive.
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Both jacqueline and the
attacker are still alive.
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But by then, 20-year-old
joshua has lost too much blood.
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[kelly] joshua bennett
had been stabbed one time,
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Real deep wound
in the chest area,
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Which, uh, he succumbed
to those wounds.
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[narrator] as paramedics
work to stabilize jacqueline
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And the attacker,
detectives arrive.
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[kelly] when I
went to the scene,
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I was informed that the officers
had secured the residence
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And made sure that
first aid was being applied
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To those that need it,
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And the coroner had been
contacted for the deceased.
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There's very few
murders in this area
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Where you walk in and you got
so many people that are injured,
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And trying to figure out
who's the bad guys
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And, uh, who's the good guys--
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'cause nothing can
be taken for granted
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Or it may cost someone
else their life.
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[narrator] joshua bennett
was born in 1985
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In the small town
of mattoon, illinois.
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After his parents,
jacqueline and jerry,
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Divorced in the early 90's,
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Josh spent most of his
childhood with his father.
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[patti]
after they got divorced,
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Josh wanted to stay with
his dad,
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Where he had
a little more stability.
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Josh and his mom grew
farther apart as time went on.
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He lived with jerry here in
mattoon and went to school.
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They were two single guys
living together in an apartment
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And doing what two
single guys wanted to do.
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[narrator] in 2004, after
graduating from high school,
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Josh knew exactly what
his next step would be.
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[patti] when josh was in
high school and joined the rotc,
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We already knew then what
his future was going to be.
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We had no doubt that
when he graduated high school,
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That he was going to be
going into the service.
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I believe josh just wanted to
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Kind of get out of
the mattoon area and travel,
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And just see-see the world.
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Everybody was rooting
for him, you know.
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We were all proud of him.
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[narrator] in July 2005,
20-year-old josh
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Was stationed in louisiana.
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Joshua had just finished
basic training of, uh, six weeks
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And he was, uh, getting
ready to go overseas to iraq.
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[narrator] just before
joshua's deployed,
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He received devastating news--
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His father suddenly passed away
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When jerry passed away,
josh was in the field.
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There was no means
of communication.
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So, josh didn't get to
hear it from loved ones
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That his dad had passed away.
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[narrator] by the next
day, josh was on leave
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And back in his
hometown of mattoon.
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Of course it was difficult
for josh, and he was devastated.
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Him and his father
were really close.
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[narrator] while
he was back in town,
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Josh's friends encouraged the
grieving soldier to reconnect
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With his mother, jacqueline,
but josh was reluctant.
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To be honest,
he didn't want to go.
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[narrator] but his
father's death gave josh
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A new perspective
and a change of heart.
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The loss of his
father made him think
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Maybe he needed to reconnect
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And try to work on that
relationship with his mother.
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We had went to his mom's
a couple times before
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For, like, cookouts
and stuff like that.
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That day in particular,
I decided not to go.
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And I had talked to
josh on the phone,
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And they were getting
ready to eat dinner.
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And I was under the impression
I would talk to him tomorrow.
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I never thought that,
that would be the last time
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That I spoke to him.
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[narrator] w ithin
hours of the call,
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Josh bennett is lying dead on
the floor of his mother's home
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From a single, fatal stab wound.
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Jacqueline and an
unidentified assailant
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Are being loaded
into separate ambulances
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For transport to
a local hospital.
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Still at the scene,
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Jackie and lindsey are
physically unscathed--
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Although it's clear
lindsey is in distress.
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[stephanie] police tried
to interview lindsey,
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But she was hysterical
at the time.
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And, uh, in her
condition, they decided
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It wasn't an issue to be pushed.
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[narrator] jackie,
however, is eager to talk.
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He explains that on August 22nd,
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Josh came to stay
with his mother,
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Who lives with her boyfriend,
lee, jackie's father.
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Jackie and his pregnant
girlfriend, lindsey,
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Were also living
there at the time.
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[robert] jackie was just beside
himself, almost in a panic.
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He offered up a lot
of information there
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In a short period of time.
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[narrator] jackie reveals
that while he managed to shoot
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00:10:11,511 --> 00:10:16,981
One of the attackers
with a single-load shotgun...
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The second man was stabbed
in the leg during the fight,
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Sending him fleeing.
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00:10:24,724 --> 00:10:27,125
The intruder that got away
had been wearing a mask,
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00:10:27,127 --> 00:10:30,028
So jackie wasn't able to
describe what he looked like.
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00:10:34,034 --> 00:10:36,134
[narrator] with one
suspect on the loose
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And another on his
way to the hospital,
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Investigators have
a lot of ground to cover.
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00:10:42,609 --> 00:10:45,476
Knowing that the severe
gunshot wound to the abdomen
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Could end the assailant's life,
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00:10:47,882 --> 00:10:50,615
Sergeant kelly henby
follows the ambulance,
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00:10:50,617 --> 00:10:54,687
Hoping to secure information
before it's too late.
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00:10:59,025 --> 00:11:02,293
Coming up,
a bedside interrogation
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00:11:02,295 --> 00:11:04,964
Yields an alarming clue.
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00:11:04,966 --> 00:11:07,799
He said, "the lady put a hex
on us, so we had to kill her."
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[narrator] and the manhunt
for the second attacker
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Reveals a coven of dark magic.
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00:11:15,408 --> 00:11:18,509
[lee] they shared a common
interest in the occult.
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That's what drew
them all together.
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[kelly] I worked so
many murder cases,
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00:11:22,782 --> 00:11:26,284
I never had anyone come up
with witchcraft or hex.
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00:11:29,189 --> 00:11:39,931
[theme music]
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[theme music]
[narrator] a brutal
stabbing in mattoon, illinois
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Leaves 20-year-old
joshua bennett dead
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00:11:48,541 --> 00:11:51,476
And his mother, jacqueline,
clinging to life.
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00:11:52,213 --> 00:11:54,946
A sheriff's deputy
waits at a local er
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00:11:54,948 --> 00:11:57,982
With the hope of interviewing
one of the intruders
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00:11:57,984 --> 00:12:00,151
Who stabbed them.
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00:12:00,153 --> 00:12:05,390
The suspect that had been shot,
nobody had any idea who he was.
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00:12:08,796 --> 00:12:10,762
[narrator] with a
massive manhunt underway
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00:12:10,764 --> 00:12:12,764
For a second suspect,
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00:12:12,766 --> 00:12:14,733
Investigators back
at the crime scene
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00:12:14,735 --> 00:12:16,434
Continue to their interview
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00:12:16,436 --> 00:12:20,072
With 23-year-old
witness jackie jackson.
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00:12:21,275 --> 00:12:24,108
Jackie says that he and
his pregnant girlfriend,
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00:12:24,110 --> 00:12:26,577
Lindsey kasinger,
were asleep when,
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00:12:26,579 --> 00:12:30,648
Just after 3:00 am,
he was awakened.
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00:12:30,650 --> 00:12:33,185
He was down in the basement,
and he heard a commotion
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00:12:33,187 --> 00:12:36,988
And heard joshua bennett
calling for help.
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00:12:36,990 --> 00:12:38,990
[narrator] jackie explains
that he woke lindsey
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00:12:38,992 --> 00:12:42,394
And told her to run to
the neighbor's house.
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He loaded the .12-gauge shotgun
and ran up the stairs.
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He saw two men in
black clothing and ski mask
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00:12:50,337 --> 00:12:53,871
Stabbing mr. Bennett
in the chest and abdomen.
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00:12:53,873 --> 00:12:55,908
He moved in and struck
the one individual
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00:12:55,910 --> 00:12:58,009
With the butt of the shotgun
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00:12:58,011 --> 00:13:00,044
And knocked him away
from mr. Bennett.
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00:13:00,046 --> 00:13:02,947
And the second man grabbed
the barrel of the gun,
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00:13:02,949 --> 00:13:06,017
And as he pulled
the gun toward him,
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00:13:06,019 --> 00:13:08,086
Uh, mr. Jackson
pulled the trigger,
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00:13:08,088 --> 00:13:09,821
Hitting the suspect
in the stomach.
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00:13:16,029 --> 00:13:20,031
[narrator] after jackie
dropped the gun in a panic,
238
00:13:20,033 --> 00:13:22,968
The second assailant
attacked with a knife .
239
00:13:24,504 --> 00:13:28,005
[robert] the other person
had made a move towards him,
240
00:13:28,007 --> 00:13:32,644
And he had grabbed a knife and
stabbed the suspect's right leg.
241
00:13:37,218 --> 00:13:40,551
[narrator] wounded, the
second assailant ran off.
242
00:13:43,589 --> 00:13:45,190
As the chaos unfolded,
243
00:13:45,192 --> 00:13:49,060
Lindsey summoned help
from a neighbor's home.
244
00:13:49,062 --> 00:13:51,029
[lee] lindsey, fearing
for her own life
245
00:13:51,031 --> 00:13:53,398
And for the life of
her unborn child,
246
00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,533
Manages somehow to
get out of the house.
247
00:13:55,535 --> 00:13:59,203
And she runs to a neighbor's
house to ask for help.
248
00:13:59,205 --> 00:14:03,041
And that's when 911 is called.
249
00:14:04,744 --> 00:14:06,077
[narrator] to investigators,
250
00:14:06,079 --> 00:14:08,847
The seemingly random
and vicious attack
251
00:14:08,849 --> 00:14:12,817
Is unlike anything
they'd seen before.
252
00:14:15,588 --> 00:14:20,626
Catching the second suspect
becomes their top priority.
253
00:14:20,628 --> 00:14:22,560
[kelly] the individuals
in charge of the manhunt
254
00:14:22,562 --> 00:14:25,296
Notified the residents through
the local radio station,
255
00:14:25,298 --> 00:14:26,564
You know, lock their doors,
256
00:14:26,566 --> 00:14:29,034
That there's an armed
suspect in the area.
257
00:14:29,036 --> 00:14:31,969
And k9's were brought in.
258
00:14:31,971 --> 00:14:35,040
I was concerned mostly
about where's the other guy.
259
00:14:35,042 --> 00:14:36,975
We were just in search mode.
260
00:14:36,977 --> 00:14:39,077
We were trying to find
that other suspect.
261
00:14:43,783 --> 00:14:45,317
[narrator] as the
manhunt continues,
262
00:14:45,319 --> 00:14:48,586
At nearby richland
memorial hospital,
263
00:14:48,588 --> 00:14:50,321
With physicians' permission,
264
00:14:50,323 --> 00:14:54,458
Authorities speak with
the injured suspect.
265
00:14:54,460 --> 00:14:57,596
Because of the severity
of his injuries,
266
00:14:57,598 --> 00:14:59,331
We knew that he
wasn't going anywhere.
267
00:14:59,333 --> 00:15:01,532
He was technically under arrest,
268
00:15:01,534 --> 00:15:05,803
So we had police there at
the hospital guarding him.
269
00:15:05,805 --> 00:15:08,139
I knew right then that
if he didn't survive,
270
00:15:08,141 --> 00:15:11,609
These statements he would make
to me would be very important.
271
00:15:11,611 --> 00:15:15,546
So, I went over and removed
the oxygen mask from his face.
272
00:15:15,548 --> 00:15:16,949
[stephanie] he was
in pretty bad shape.
273
00:15:16,951 --> 00:15:18,482
He was pretty weak.
274
00:15:18,484 --> 00:15:21,686
But he was able to tell them
that his name was david lindner.
275
00:15:24,891 --> 00:15:27,091
[narrator] as far as
his accomplice goes,
276
00:15:27,093 --> 00:15:29,427
29-year-old david
can only give
277
00:15:29,429 --> 00:15:32,664
A first name--ricky.
278
00:15:34,033 --> 00:15:38,903
Sergeant henby continues to
press david for information.
279
00:15:38,905 --> 00:15:41,506
I asked him why this
happened, what's going on?
280
00:15:41,508 --> 00:15:44,309
And he said, the lady put a hex
on us, so we had to kill her.
281
00:15:47,647 --> 00:15:49,447
I said, who put a hex on you?
282
00:15:49,449 --> 00:15:51,849
He said, the lady
did that lives there,
283
00:15:51,851 --> 00:15:53,584
She put a hex on us.
284
00:15:53,586 --> 00:15:55,052
That's very unusual.
285
00:15:55,054 --> 00:15:58,789
Seems I worked so many death
investigations and murder cases,
286
00:15:58,791 --> 00:16:02,327
I never had anyone come up with
witchcraft or hex.
287
00:16:04,264 --> 00:16:06,997
When I first heard that
witchcraft was alleged
288
00:16:06,999 --> 00:16:09,067
In this crime,
289
00:16:09,069 --> 00:16:11,669
I was actually in a
state of disbelief.
290
00:16:11,671 --> 00:16:15,274
The thought of it being
involved in, uh, this community
291
00:16:15,276 --> 00:16:18,276
Is shocking, to say the least.
292
00:16:18,278 --> 00:16:21,011
[narrator] while the interview
raises a lot of questions,
293
00:16:21,013 --> 00:16:24,682
It does yield important clues.
294
00:16:24,684 --> 00:16:26,150
[stephanie] police knew
they were looking for
295
00:16:26,152 --> 00:16:27,685
Someone named ricky,
296
00:16:27,687 --> 00:16:29,487
And they knew that they
were looking for someone
297
00:16:29,489 --> 00:16:31,823
With a stab wound in their leg.
298
00:16:31,825 --> 00:16:34,092
They were able to put out an apb
299
00:16:34,094 --> 00:16:37,161
To be on the lookout
at all local hospitals
300
00:16:37,163 --> 00:16:39,230
And the surrounding area.
301
00:16:42,101 --> 00:16:43,702
[narrator] eager to
ask jacqueline bennett
302
00:16:43,704 --> 00:16:46,871
About david's
bizarre hex claims,
303
00:16:46,873 --> 00:16:51,777
Investigators find her in
serious but stable condition.
304
00:16:51,779 --> 00:16:57,114
When they inform her of
josh's death, she is devastated.
305
00:16:57,116 --> 00:17:00,318
When she shares her
version of the attack,
306
00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:04,755
It's all too clear her son
josh died trying to save her.
307
00:17:07,060 --> 00:17:09,660
[shambre] she woke up
and went into the kitchen.
308
00:17:09,662 --> 00:17:11,462
She was approached
by two intruders
309
00:17:11,464 --> 00:17:13,330
Who just started stabbing her.
310
00:17:14,167 --> 00:17:16,567
Jacqueline bennett received
three substantial knife wounds
311
00:17:16,569 --> 00:17:19,003
To the abdomen.
312
00:17:19,005 --> 00:17:22,407
When joshua hears
his mother in distress,
313
00:17:22,409 --> 00:17:24,909
He charges up
to come to her protection.
314
00:17:26,079 --> 00:17:27,746
[narrator] josh managed
to come in between
315
00:17:27,748 --> 00:17:30,014
His mother and the attackers,
316
00:17:30,016 --> 00:17:33,051
But he paid the price
when he was fatally stabbed
317
00:17:33,053 --> 00:17:35,186
Once in the chest.
318
00:17:40,828 --> 00:17:43,894
He heard his mother need help,
319
00:17:43,896 --> 00:17:47,498
And he went, no questions.
320
00:17:47,500 --> 00:17:49,333
He was a hero.
321
00:17:53,973 --> 00:17:55,306
[narrator] detectives
ask jacqueline
322
00:17:55,308 --> 00:17:58,909
If she has ever
met david lindner.
323
00:17:58,911 --> 00:18:02,447
She didn't know who
this person was either.
324
00:18:02,449 --> 00:18:05,384
[narrator] she is just as
puzzled when detectives ask her
325
00:18:05,386 --> 00:18:09,053
If she has any knowledge
of a hex or witchcraft
326
00:18:09,055 --> 00:18:11,523
In connection to the case.
327
00:18:11,525 --> 00:18:13,991
Upon being given the news
from the investigators
328
00:18:13,993 --> 00:18:16,962
About this hex, jacqueline
actually had no clue
329
00:18:16,964 --> 00:18:18,997
What they were talking about.
330
00:18:20,334 --> 00:18:21,800
[stephanie] she said
that her boyfriend,
331
00:18:21,802 --> 00:18:24,402
Lee jackson, was at work.
332
00:18:24,404 --> 00:18:27,139
He was there all night
and that early morning,
333
00:18:27,141 --> 00:18:29,340
When the attack occurred.
334
00:18:29,342 --> 00:18:32,543
So he was never looked
at as a suspect.
335
00:18:33,479 --> 00:18:36,480
[narrator] just hours after
the brutal scene unfolded
336
00:18:36,482 --> 00:18:38,350
At the rural illinois home,
337
00:18:38,352 --> 00:18:41,286
Investigators have few answers.
338
00:18:44,957 --> 00:18:48,826
They arrive back at the station
to research possible leads.
339
00:18:48,828 --> 00:18:52,631
While there, they learn
their apbs at area hospitals
340
00:18:52,633 --> 00:18:54,698
Might pay off.
341
00:18:54,700 --> 00:18:56,901
[stephanie] sometime
after 8:00 am that morning,
342
00:18:56,903 --> 00:18:58,102
Police received a call from
343
00:18:58,104 --> 00:19:00,504
The lawrence county
memorial hospital,
344
00:19:00,506 --> 00:19:03,974
Letting them know that they have
a patient with a stab wound.
345
00:19:03,976 --> 00:19:08,313
He wouldn't tell the hospital
how he received the stab wound.
346
00:19:10,183 --> 00:19:14,152
[narrator] the hospital says
the man's name is oscar eck.
347
00:19:15,388 --> 00:19:18,189
I was advised by my dispatch
348
00:19:18,191 --> 00:19:20,692
To go to the
lawrence county hospital,
349
00:19:20,694 --> 00:19:22,727
And that I was to interview him.
350
00:19:25,731 --> 00:19:27,798
[narrator] sergeant
john waggle arrives
351
00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:32,003
And is surprised to see a man
limping out of the hospital.
352
00:19:32,005 --> 00:19:35,806
When asked for id,
the man complies.
353
00:19:35,808 --> 00:19:38,944
He is 38-year-old
oscar r. Eck--
354
00:19:38,946 --> 00:19:41,880
R for richard.
355
00:19:41,882 --> 00:19:43,748
He said everybody
called him "ricky".
356
00:19:45,952 --> 00:19:48,553
[narrator] sergeant waggle
asks why he's there,
357
00:19:48,555 --> 00:19:51,755
And oscar explains he
wanted some fresh air,
358
00:19:51,757 --> 00:19:54,292
But plans to go back
inside to get treatment
359
00:19:54,294 --> 00:19:56,293
For his leg injury.
360
00:19:57,029 --> 00:19:58,697
[john] he raised up
his right pant leg,
361
00:19:58,699 --> 00:20:01,565
And there was a fresh
blood-soaked wound,
362
00:20:01,567 --> 00:20:05,569
With blood running
down onto his sock
363
00:20:05,571 --> 00:20:06,972
On that right leg.
364
00:20:06,974 --> 00:20:10,342
It appeared to be a stab wound.
365
00:20:10,344 --> 00:20:13,043
I asked him how he
had received that.
366
00:20:13,045 --> 00:20:17,249
He explained those injuries away
as being drywall work related.
367
00:20:17,251 --> 00:20:19,851
I knew what oscar was
telling me was not the truth.
368
00:20:22,255 --> 00:20:24,855
[narrator] coming up,
detectives uncover
369
00:20:24,857 --> 00:20:29,460
The self-appointed leader
of a small-town coven.
370
00:20:29,462 --> 00:20:31,795
She liked being looked up to
371
00:20:31,797 --> 00:20:34,932
By the people she
surrounded herself with.
372
00:20:34,934 --> 00:20:36,700
[narrator] and the
investigation reveals
373
00:20:36,702 --> 00:20:41,138
A twisted plot
driven by jealousy.
374
00:20:41,140 --> 00:20:42,940
[lee] they were
going to have a baby.
375
00:20:42,942 --> 00:20:46,977
That may have very well been
the moment when she snapped.
376
00:20:49,016 --> 00:20:59,857
[theme music]
377
00:21:02,028 --> 00:21:03,360
Me music]
[narrator] just hours after
378
00:21:03,362 --> 00:21:05,697
20-year-old soldier
joshua bennett
379
00:21:05,699 --> 00:21:08,099
Dies defending his mother,
380
00:21:08,101 --> 00:21:12,504
Police believe they found
one of the suspects, oscar eck.
381
00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:17,709
But they are soon joined
by oscar's friends.
382
00:21:18,779 --> 00:21:22,580
While oscar was being questioned
by police in the parking lot,
383
00:21:22,582 --> 00:21:26,984
Two women walked up,
jenny wolfe and irenia cotner.
384
00:21:26,986 --> 00:21:28,719
[narrator] the two had
apparently been waiting
385
00:21:28,721 --> 00:21:30,988
To pick up oscar eck,
386
00:21:30,990 --> 00:21:33,023
And their behavior
immediately gets
387
00:21:33,025 --> 00:21:35,327
The attention of investigators--
388
00:21:35,329 --> 00:21:38,129
Especially irenia's.
389
00:21:38,131 --> 00:21:40,064
[john] irenia was
very, very nervous.
390
00:21:40,066 --> 00:21:44,669
To me, she was visibly
shaking, eyes downcast.
391
00:21:44,671 --> 00:21:47,671
[narrator] oscar reenters
the hospital under police watch
392
00:21:47,673 --> 00:21:50,508
And receives treatment
for his leg wound.
393
00:21:52,546 --> 00:21:55,612
Investigators ask
34-year-old irenia
394
00:21:55,614 --> 00:21:59,751
And 20-year-old jenny to come
to the station for questioning.
395
00:21:59,753 --> 00:22:01,952
They agree.
396
00:22:01,954 --> 00:22:03,821
[john] irenia cotner
asked no questions--
397
00:22:03,823 --> 00:22:07,291
Why the police were there,
what was going on--
398
00:22:07,293 --> 00:22:11,929
Which, to me, a normal person,
would ask those questions.
399
00:22:17,036 --> 00:22:19,036
[narrator] neither
jenny nor irenia
400
00:22:19,038 --> 00:22:21,905
Claim to know anything
about the murder,
401
00:22:21,907 --> 00:22:27,112
Although irenia's behavior
continues to raise red flags.
402
00:22:27,114 --> 00:22:28,913
[kelly] when I entered
the interview room,
403
00:22:28,915 --> 00:22:30,849
I saw a very
disheveled young woman.
404
00:22:30,851 --> 00:22:33,785
She had her head down,
very nervous,
405
00:22:33,787 --> 00:22:38,122
And would not cooperate,
and she was just stonewalling.
406
00:22:38,124 --> 00:22:40,058
[narrator] with nothing
more than a hunch,
407
00:22:40,060 --> 00:22:45,029
Investigators have no choice
but to let irenia and jenny go.
408
00:22:47,066 --> 00:22:49,000
With oscar still
at the hospital,
409
00:22:49,002 --> 00:22:51,668
Detectives run a
background check.
410
00:22:51,670 --> 00:22:54,004
While no prior offenses come up,
411
00:22:54,006 --> 00:22:59,009
They obtain oscar's last
known address and pay a visit.
412
00:22:59,011 --> 00:23:03,014
A woman identified herself
as oscar eck's roommate,
413
00:23:03,016 --> 00:23:04,348
Misty gangloff.
414
00:23:04,350 --> 00:23:06,684
She allowed officers to come in.
415
00:23:07,553 --> 00:23:10,288
[narrator] investigators
ask 23-year-old misty
416
00:23:10,290 --> 00:23:12,823
If she knows anything
about the bloodshed
417
00:23:12,825 --> 00:23:15,960
That took place
earlier that day.
418
00:23:15,962 --> 00:23:17,761
She told them that
she didn't know
419
00:23:17,763 --> 00:23:23,100
What was going on with oscar
or why they were there.
420
00:23:23,102 --> 00:23:24,702
[narrator] but as misty talks,
421
00:23:24,704 --> 00:23:28,640
Investigators spot
something unusual.
422
00:23:28,642 --> 00:23:30,040
[shambre] they did notice that
423
00:23:30,042 --> 00:23:32,610
There was a book
about witchcraft.
424
00:23:33,913 --> 00:23:36,914
It actually took the
investigators back to
425
00:23:36,916 --> 00:23:41,486
What david had told them at the
hospital in regards to a hex.
426
00:23:41,488 --> 00:23:45,156
Upon seeing witchcraft
literature in the residence,
427
00:23:45,158 --> 00:23:47,525
It would confirm
suspicions I had
428
00:23:47,527 --> 00:23:49,660
That this was
witchcraft related.
429
00:23:52,798 --> 00:23:55,666
[narrator] police ask misty
to come to the station.
430
00:23:55,668 --> 00:23:58,602
Once there, she readily
admits that she knows
431
00:23:58,604 --> 00:24:01,873
Both jenny and irenia.
432
00:24:01,875 --> 00:24:05,008
Misty had been friends
with irenia and-and jenny
433
00:24:05,010 --> 00:24:07,411
For at least four years.
434
00:24:07,413 --> 00:24:11,815
They were employed by the
same retail outlet store.
435
00:24:11,817 --> 00:24:13,817
[narrator] the three
had become fast friends
436
00:24:13,819 --> 00:24:16,955
After discovering
they had a lot in common,
437
00:24:16,957 --> 00:24:21,492
Including a shared
fascination with the occult.
438
00:24:21,494 --> 00:24:25,696
Their involvement or interest
in witchcraft at the beginning
439
00:24:25,698 --> 00:24:29,299
Was pretty light--uh,
some good luck charms,
440
00:24:29,301 --> 00:24:32,971
Some, you know, cleansing
their house with sage.
441
00:24:32,973 --> 00:24:36,640
They would have these
candlelit ceremonies,
442
00:24:36,642 --> 00:24:40,912
And they would talk about
ridding themselves of hexes.
443
00:24:44,416 --> 00:24:46,583
[narrator] misty says
irenia made herself
444
00:24:46,585 --> 00:24:50,587
The leader of
their little coven.
445
00:24:50,589 --> 00:24:53,123
Irenia was just kind of known
for getting involved with people
446
00:24:53,125 --> 00:24:55,192
That were younger than her.
447
00:24:55,194 --> 00:24:56,794
It seemed like
she went for people
448
00:24:56,796 --> 00:24:59,863
That could be
easily manipulated.
449
00:24:59,865 --> 00:25:02,332
[narrator] irenia was
particularly close to
450
00:25:02,334 --> 00:25:07,605
Jenny wolfe, a woman 14
years younger than her.
451
00:25:07,607 --> 00:25:11,543
[lee] irenia cotner
unofficially adopted jenny wolfe
452
00:25:11,545 --> 00:25:14,344
To remove her from
a bad home situation.
453
00:25:14,346 --> 00:25:17,948
And the two of them
lived together.
454
00:25:17,950 --> 00:25:21,952
Jenny looked up to
her as a mother figure
455
00:25:21,954 --> 00:25:24,555
And would have followed
her off a cliff.
456
00:25:24,557 --> 00:25:26,825
She was jenny's hero.
457
00:25:30,229 --> 00:25:33,897
[narrator] but after a couple
of years of innocent séances,
458
00:25:33,899 --> 00:25:39,303
Misty says their ceremonies
took on a more ominous tone.
459
00:25:39,305 --> 00:25:42,973
[stephanie] misty said
sometime in spring of 2005,
460
00:25:42,975 --> 00:25:47,244
Irenia first started just
constantly complaining about
461
00:25:47,246 --> 00:25:51,248
A hex that had been put on her.
462
00:25:51,250 --> 00:25:54,451
[lee] part of the reason
she began to believe irenia
463
00:25:54,453 --> 00:25:57,387
When she said that a hex
had been placed on them
464
00:25:57,389 --> 00:26:02,726
Was the fact that a number of,
um, irenia's dogs began to die,
465
00:26:02,728 --> 00:26:04,796
As if someone was
poisoning them.
466
00:26:07,933 --> 00:26:10,601
[narrator] misty recalls
how other dark omens
467
00:26:10,603 --> 00:26:14,538
Started to befall
irenia's coven.
468
00:26:14,540 --> 00:26:17,307
[lee] another way that
irenia cotner convinces misty
469
00:26:17,309 --> 00:26:19,943
That a hex has
been placed on her
470
00:26:19,945 --> 00:26:24,414
Is by drawing a
connection between the hex
471
00:26:24,416 --> 00:26:28,085
And, uh, the bouts of depression
and migraine headaches,
472
00:26:28,087 --> 00:26:31,689
Uh, that misty
has suffered from.
473
00:26:31,691 --> 00:26:33,023
[narrator] while
there was no proof
474
00:26:33,025 --> 00:26:35,493
The ailments were
caused by a hex,
475
00:26:35,495 --> 00:26:38,896
Irenia was very convincing.
476
00:26:38,898 --> 00:26:43,233
Irenia cotner just had
a very controlling personality,
477
00:26:43,235 --> 00:26:48,238
And the group was
somewhat passive.
478
00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:49,840
[narrator] irenia told misty
479
00:26:49,842 --> 00:26:53,111
That the hex had been placed on
them by a woman irenia claimed
480
00:26:53,113 --> 00:26:56,179
Was a witch--lindsey kasinger,
481
00:26:56,181 --> 00:27:00,084
Who police know as the pregnant
woman from the crime scene.
482
00:27:03,723 --> 00:27:05,389
Misty shares another detail
483
00:27:05,391 --> 00:27:07,924
That connects
lindsey and irenia--
484
00:27:07,926 --> 00:27:12,363
Jackie jackson, the father
of lindsey's unborn child.
485
00:27:15,801 --> 00:27:18,468
[stephanie] in 2000,
irenia met jackie jackson,
486
00:27:18,470 --> 00:27:21,538
And they fell head over heels
487
00:27:21,540 --> 00:27:26,076
And were in a
passionate relationship
488
00:27:26,078 --> 00:27:28,278
For the next four years,
489
00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:33,150
Until it ended in November 2004.
490
00:27:33,152 --> 00:27:38,088
Irenia was understandably
heartbroken and devastated.
491
00:27:38,090 --> 00:27:40,157
When irenia met jackie jackson,
492
00:27:40,159 --> 00:27:42,693
She was actually
ten years his senior.
493
00:27:42,695 --> 00:27:46,764
So he was in his early 20's
and she was in her early 30's.
494
00:27:49,368 --> 00:27:52,236
[narrator] misty says that
when jackie broke up with irenia
495
00:27:52,238 --> 00:27:57,774
To be with a younger woman,
irenia couldn't handle it.
496
00:27:57,776 --> 00:28:02,179
Irenia knew that jackie
was with lindsey,
497
00:28:02,181 --> 00:28:04,448
And they were going
to have a baby.
498
00:28:04,450 --> 00:28:07,918
That may have very well been
the moment when she snapped.
499
00:28:09,622 --> 00:28:11,855
[narrator] irenia also
brought misty's roommate,
500
00:28:11,857 --> 00:28:14,725
Oscar, into the group.
501
00:28:14,727 --> 00:28:19,263
She soon convinced him that
lindsey had also hexed him.
502
00:28:21,267 --> 00:28:25,669
Irenia cotner, as the
head figure of this cult,
503
00:28:25,671 --> 00:28:28,338
Had exercised her
authority over the group,
504
00:28:28,340 --> 00:28:33,143
And she was basically
the leader of the group.
505
00:28:33,145 --> 00:28:36,014
[lee] they all shared a
common interest in the occult.
506
00:28:36,016 --> 00:28:38,348
That's what drew
them all together.
507
00:28:38,350 --> 00:28:42,886
She was an influential
woman in the respect that
508
00:28:42,888 --> 00:28:46,290
She could convince all these
people that lindsey kasinger
509
00:28:46,292 --> 00:28:48,826
Had placed a hex on them.
510
00:28:50,763 --> 00:28:52,629
[narrator] misty
claims irenia told them
511
00:28:52,631 --> 00:28:55,966
There was only one solution
to free the coven
512
00:28:55,968 --> 00:28:59,503
Of lindsey's dark influence.
513
00:28:59,505 --> 00:29:04,708
Irenia cotner tells the
other people involved with this
514
00:29:04,710 --> 00:29:09,279
That they have to kill
lindsey and her unborn child.
515
00:29:12,852 --> 00:29:14,584
[narrator] from that point on,
516
00:29:14,586 --> 00:29:20,524
Misty says she had nothing to
do with oscar, jenny or irenia.
517
00:29:20,526 --> 00:29:24,728
While misty's story answers many
of investigators' questions,
518
00:29:24,730 --> 00:29:28,131
It does leave one unanswered.
519
00:29:28,133 --> 00:29:31,201
If all of this was about
irenia's beef with lindsey,
520
00:29:31,203 --> 00:29:33,871
Then why would lindsey be
the one to walk away unharmed
521
00:29:33,873 --> 00:29:35,539
In this case?
522
00:29:35,541 --> 00:29:37,542
And why would
jacqueline and joshua
523
00:29:37,544 --> 00:29:39,509
Be the victims in this attack?
524
00:29:42,614 --> 00:29:46,550
[narrator] coming up,
oscar eck comes clean.
525
00:29:46,552 --> 00:29:50,554
She was looking for people
that she could rely upon.
526
00:29:50,556 --> 00:29:52,823
He became a gun for hire.
527
00:29:52,825 --> 00:29:56,693
[narrator] and irenia's
plan goes off the rails.
528
00:29:56,695 --> 00:30:01,164
They reached a point where
everything has gone so wrong,
529
00:30:01,166 --> 00:30:03,167
They don't quite
know what to do.
530
00:30:04,837 --> 00:30:15,712
[theme music]
531
00:30:17,583 --> 00:30:20,450
Music]
[narrator] on
August 23, 2005,
532
00:30:20,452 --> 00:30:22,586
Illinois investigators
interrogate
533
00:30:22,588 --> 00:30:25,789
38-year-old oscar "ricky" eck,
534
00:30:25,791 --> 00:30:28,325
One of two suspected
killers in the murder of
535
00:30:28,327 --> 00:30:31,428
20-year-old soldier
joshua bennett.
536
00:30:32,731 --> 00:30:35,198
Oscar was very willing to talk
537
00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,735
And answer any
questions asked of him.
538
00:30:38,737 --> 00:30:41,404
[narrator] oscar admits
that, as crazy as it sounds,
539
00:30:41,406 --> 00:30:46,643
Irenia also made him believe
lindsey had hexed him.
540
00:30:46,645 --> 00:30:48,912
He said she was able
to convince them
541
00:30:48,914 --> 00:30:52,148
That not only they were
in danger by the hex,
542
00:30:52,150 --> 00:30:54,685
But their-their loved ones,
their family and friends,
543
00:30:54,687 --> 00:30:57,420
Were in danger.
544
00:30:57,422 --> 00:30:59,891
And the only way
to break the hex
545
00:30:59,893 --> 00:31:03,861
Would be to kill lindsey
and her unborn baby.
546
00:31:06,032 --> 00:31:08,566
[narrator] it seems
irenia had a strange hold
547
00:31:08,568 --> 00:31:13,437
Over the younger lost souls
she surrounded herself with.
548
00:31:13,439 --> 00:31:18,709
The people involved in this,
they needed a place to belong.
549
00:31:18,711 --> 00:31:21,044
I believe that they
were all followers,
550
00:31:21,046 --> 00:31:24,114
And irenia was the person
that was the leader.
551
00:31:24,116 --> 00:31:27,317
And she set down the rules,
and this is what we do,
552
00:31:27,319 --> 00:31:29,453
And she made all the decisions.
553
00:31:31,391 --> 00:31:32,990
[narrator] when
misty bowed out,
554
00:31:32,992 --> 00:31:36,326
Oscar says he agreed to
work with irenia and jenny
555
00:31:36,328 --> 00:31:38,062
To kill lindsey.
556
00:31:39,731 --> 00:31:41,131
[stephanie] they go
to lindsey's house
557
00:31:41,133 --> 00:31:43,133
With a gun and a knife,
558
00:31:43,135 --> 00:31:46,469
But jenny can't get
even to the front door
559
00:31:46,471 --> 00:31:48,572
Because she's, she's too scared.
560
00:31:51,477 --> 00:31:53,610
[narrator] irenia decided
they needed to bring in
561
00:31:53,612 --> 00:31:55,813
Another person for backup,
562
00:31:55,815 --> 00:31:57,548
So oscar offered to reach out to
563
00:31:57,550 --> 00:32:02,185
An associate from the occult
community named david lindner.
564
00:32:03,489 --> 00:32:08,492
David had just newly
arrived in olney, illinois,
565
00:32:08,494 --> 00:32:12,696
And he proclaims
himself to be a warlock.
566
00:32:12,698 --> 00:32:18,234
Irenia cotner decides to involve
him in this, uh, murder plot.
567
00:32:18,236 --> 00:32:23,173
She was looking for people
that she could rely upon
568
00:32:23,175 --> 00:32:27,377
To commit the crime, uh,
that she wanted to commit.
569
00:32:27,379 --> 00:32:29,813
David became a gun for hire.
570
00:32:32,250 --> 00:32:34,451
[narrator] on the
night of August 22nd,
571
00:32:34,453 --> 00:32:39,389
Irenia conferred
with david and oscar.
572
00:32:39,391 --> 00:32:42,726
Oscar and david went
to irenia's house and they--
573
00:32:42,728 --> 00:32:45,997
The three of them
had one final séance.
574
00:32:45,999 --> 00:32:47,864
They would ask
yes or no questions.
575
00:32:47,866 --> 00:32:50,400
And she told them
that she could interpret
576
00:32:50,402 --> 00:32:55,005
The flickering of the flame
as a yes or no answer.
577
00:32:55,007 --> 00:32:56,473
[narrator] after a few minutes,
578
00:32:56,475 --> 00:33:00,877
Irenia announced that
the message was clear.
579
00:33:00,879 --> 00:33:04,682
During the séance,
the candle told irenia
580
00:33:04,684 --> 00:33:06,616
That tonight was the night.
581
00:33:06,618 --> 00:33:10,921
That was the night that they
had to go and kill lindsey.
582
00:33:12,692 --> 00:33:14,357
[narrator] according to oscar,
583
00:33:14,359 --> 00:33:17,827
Irenia presented them with
a carefully laid-out plan.
584
00:33:17,829 --> 00:33:20,897
They were to stab lindsey
and her unborn child
585
00:33:20,899 --> 00:33:24,901
In a ritual sacrifice.
586
00:33:24,903 --> 00:33:26,704
And the plan had
to be carried out
587
00:33:26,706 --> 00:33:29,773
Within a finite window of time.
588
00:33:29,775 --> 00:33:32,375
[shambre] irenia also told them
that if they didn't complete
589
00:33:32,377 --> 00:33:34,911
The task by the time
that candle burnt out,
590
00:33:34,913 --> 00:33:38,682
That their entire family
would be at jeopardy and die.
591
00:33:41,119 --> 00:33:44,254
[narrator] while irenia
herself would not go with them,
592
00:33:44,256 --> 00:33:47,791
She assured them
they wouldn't be alone.
593
00:33:47,793 --> 00:33:50,927
Irenia told them that
they would be accompanied by
594
00:33:50,929 --> 00:33:54,264
Five sub-demons to
help protect them
595
00:33:54,266 --> 00:33:57,334
And make sure that nothing
went wrong with the plan.
596
00:33:57,336 --> 00:34:00,170
It gave david and oscar
the courage that they needed.
597
00:34:01,273 --> 00:34:02,740
[narrator] oscar
tells investigators
598
00:34:02,742 --> 00:34:05,676
That irenia's hold
on them was so strong,
599
00:34:05,678 --> 00:34:09,679
He and david quickly
jumped into action.
600
00:34:09,681 --> 00:34:10,881
[kelly] this was a tight group.
601
00:34:10,883 --> 00:34:14,350
They were just,
you know, amateurs.
602
00:34:14,352 --> 00:34:17,153
But they were dangerous.
603
00:34:17,155 --> 00:34:20,157
[narrator] just after 3:00 am,
they arrived at the home
604
00:34:20,159 --> 00:34:24,394
Where lindsey was living with
irenia's ex, jackie jackson.
605
00:34:25,464 --> 00:34:27,164
[robert] we were told later
606
00:34:27,166 --> 00:34:30,567
That they actually crawled in
through a kitchen window.
607
00:34:30,569 --> 00:34:34,037
It's not unusual for windows
and doors to be unlocked,
608
00:34:34,039 --> 00:34:36,173
Especially in this
small community.
609
00:34:36,175 --> 00:34:37,574
[narrator] oscar tells them
610
00:34:37,576 --> 00:34:40,977
That the plan went awry
almost immediately.
611
00:34:40,979 --> 00:34:44,848
As they stood in the hallway,
jacqueline bennett woke up,
612
00:34:44,850 --> 00:34:46,250
Came down the hall
613
00:34:46,252 --> 00:34:50,121
And encountered oscar eck
and david lindner.
614
00:34:55,794 --> 00:35:00,196
They stabbed jacqueline
thinking she was lindsey,
615
00:35:00,198 --> 00:35:02,465
Because it was dark in there.
616
00:35:02,467 --> 00:35:06,469
[narrator] moments later,
20-year-old josh appeared.
617
00:35:06,471 --> 00:35:09,607
Joshua bennett came
to his mother's aid,
618
00:35:09,609 --> 00:35:12,676
And he was subsequently
stabbed and killed.
619
00:35:14,213 --> 00:35:17,047
[narrator] the plan continued
to go sideways when jackie
620
00:35:17,049 --> 00:35:22,086
Came upstairs, leaving
david and oscar wounded.
621
00:35:25,424 --> 00:35:26,890
[john] oscar was stabbed,
622
00:35:26,892 --> 00:35:29,826
And then he'd subsequently
escaped the house
623
00:35:29,828 --> 00:35:33,563
And went back to irenia's house.
624
00:35:33,565 --> 00:35:38,302
At the point that they decide
to take oscar to the hospital,
625
00:35:38,304 --> 00:35:40,103
They've really reached a point
626
00:35:40,105 --> 00:35:45,842
Where everything has gone
so wrong with this crime
627
00:35:45,844 --> 00:35:48,745
That now they don't
know quite what to do.
628
00:35:50,582 --> 00:35:52,715
[narrator] following
his stunning confession,
629
00:35:52,717 --> 00:35:54,851
Oscar is placed under arrest
630
00:35:54,853 --> 00:35:58,721
And charged with
first-degree murder.
631
00:35:58,723 --> 00:36:02,125
Josh and his mother
weren't the target.
632
00:36:02,127 --> 00:36:05,295
They had nothing to do with it.
They were innocent bystanders.
633
00:36:08,734 --> 00:36:10,400
[narrator] later that same day,
634
00:36:10,402 --> 00:36:14,004
Investigators secure warrants
to bring jenny and irenia
635
00:36:14,006 --> 00:36:16,474
Back in for questioning.
636
00:36:16,476 --> 00:36:18,408
It's clear that
jenny is struggling
637
00:36:18,410 --> 00:36:21,077
With her current predicament.
638
00:36:21,079 --> 00:36:24,213
Jenny wolfe never
gave me any indication
639
00:36:24,215 --> 00:36:26,416
That there was an
evil bone in her body.
640
00:36:26,418 --> 00:36:31,621
She was very polite,
she was chatty.
641
00:36:31,623 --> 00:36:34,291
[narrator] jenny confirms
oscar and misty's accounts,
642
00:36:34,293 --> 00:36:37,093
And admits that while
none of them besides irenia
643
00:36:37,095 --> 00:36:40,496
Knew lindsey,
irenia was so persuasive,
644
00:36:40,498 --> 00:36:43,567
She basically brainwashed them.
645
00:36:43,569 --> 00:36:46,769
Irenia was
able to convince them
646
00:36:46,771 --> 00:36:50,707
That all of the bad things that
happened to them in their life
647
00:36:50,709 --> 00:36:52,241
Were not their fault,
648
00:36:52,243 --> 00:36:54,310
They were this
one person's fault.
649
00:36:54,312 --> 00:36:57,513
And if they could just
get rid of this one person,
650
00:36:57,515 --> 00:37:00,617
All of their problems
would go away.
651
00:37:04,122 --> 00:37:07,057
[narrator] eager to
hear irenia's story,
652
00:37:07,059 --> 00:37:12,195
Investigators confront her in
the next interrogation room.
653
00:37:12,197 --> 00:37:14,063
[lee] even at the point
that the authorities
654
00:37:14,065 --> 00:37:18,735
Have sufficient evidence
to suspect irenia cotner
655
00:37:18,737 --> 00:37:21,205
As the mastermind of this crime,
656
00:37:21,207 --> 00:37:24,841
She continues to
proclaim her innocence.
657
00:37:24,843 --> 00:37:26,310
[kelly] that's when
I went at it real hard,
658
00:37:26,312 --> 00:37:28,745
Saying that we were very tired,
659
00:37:28,747 --> 00:37:30,213
Everybody knows that
you're involved,
660
00:37:30,215 --> 00:37:32,149
Other people are cooperating.
661
00:37:32,151 --> 00:37:34,285
And I was being
very firm with her.
662
00:37:34,287 --> 00:37:37,420
[narrator]
irenia finally breaks.
663
00:37:37,422 --> 00:37:39,623
[kelly] within ten, twelve
minutes, she had confessed.
664
00:37:39,625 --> 00:37:40,824
She actually wanted to kill
665
00:37:40,826 --> 00:37:42,459
The young lady
that was pregnant.
666
00:37:45,630 --> 00:37:48,364
The interviews were enough to
contact the state's attorney
667
00:37:48,366 --> 00:37:51,301
And, uh, show that they were
a danger to the community.
668
00:37:51,303 --> 00:37:53,103
We placed the three
women under arrest
669
00:37:53,105 --> 00:37:54,838
After the state's
attorney okayed it,
670
00:37:54,840 --> 00:37:56,473
And they were put into custody.
671
00:38:00,311 --> 00:38:03,446
[narrator] coming up, as
her once-loyal followers
672
00:38:03,448 --> 00:38:09,119
Turn on her, irenia's true
colors are fully exposed.
673
00:38:09,121 --> 00:38:14,057
She jazzed up this whole hex
devil worship thing to try to
674
00:38:14,059 --> 00:38:16,592
Get the rest of these
people involved.
675
00:38:16,594 --> 00:38:18,295
She was jealous.
676
00:38:18,297 --> 00:38:20,997
[john] irenia threw a
tantrum in the courtroom
677
00:38:20,999 --> 00:38:23,566
And told the judge
to kiss her ass.
678
00:38:24,803 --> 00:38:35,712
[theme music]
679
00:38:37,416 --> 00:38:39,683
Ic]
[narrator] prosecutors in
richland county, illinois
680
00:38:39,685 --> 00:38:43,820
Are preparing to hold
34-year-old irenia cotner
681
00:38:43,822 --> 00:38:47,023
Responsible for masterminding
the bloody attack
682
00:38:47,025 --> 00:38:50,626
That left 20-year-soldier
josh bennett dead
683
00:38:50,628 --> 00:38:53,797
And his mother, jacqueline ,
severely wounded.
684
00:38:54,632 --> 00:38:57,167
Jacqueline survived her injuries
685
00:38:57,169 --> 00:38:59,369
And was released
from the hospital
686
00:38:59,371 --> 00:39:00,904
Two weeks after the incident.
687
00:39:01,906 --> 00:39:03,974
[narrator] in February 2006,
688
00:39:03,976 --> 00:39:06,843
Over six months
after the murder,
689
00:39:06,845 --> 00:39:09,912
David lindner,
irenia's co-conspirator,
690
00:39:09,914 --> 00:39:15,184
Dies from the gunshot wound
he received during the attack.
691
00:39:15,186 --> 00:39:17,253
He never left the hospital.
692
00:39:17,255 --> 00:39:20,357
He went into a coma and
succumbed to his injuries.
693
00:39:23,996 --> 00:39:28,598
[narrator] irenia's trial
begins in October of 2006.
694
00:39:28,600 --> 00:39:30,733
In their opening statements,
695
00:39:30,735 --> 00:39:35,072
Prosecutors allege irenia's
true desire to kill lindsey
696
00:39:35,074 --> 00:39:38,542
Had nothing to do with a hex.
697
00:39:38,544 --> 00:39:41,478
Irenia was upset because
698
00:39:41,480 --> 00:39:44,014
Jackson had moved on
to a new girlfriend.
699
00:39:44,016 --> 00:39:47,750
And irenia was plotting
on how to kill this girl
700
00:39:47,752 --> 00:39:50,620
To get jackie jackson
back in her life.
701
00:39:56,495 --> 00:40:01,230
She jazzed up this whole
hex devil worship thing
702
00:40:01,232 --> 00:40:05,635
To try to get the rest
of these people involved.
703
00:40:05,637 --> 00:40:07,070
She was jealous.
704
00:40:10,509 --> 00:40:13,377
[narrator] after finally
seeing the writing on the wall,
705
00:40:13,379 --> 00:40:18,481
Misty, jenny, and oscar all
take the stand against irenia.
706
00:40:19,918 --> 00:40:22,453
[kelly] when it came time for
them to cooperate, they did,
707
00:40:22,455 --> 00:40:25,054
And even testified
against her in court,
708
00:40:25,056 --> 00:40:26,656
That she was the ringleader.
709
00:40:26,658 --> 00:40:29,859
She was the person responsible
for this entire event.
710
00:40:29,861 --> 00:40:31,395
No one acted on their own.
711
00:40:31,397 --> 00:40:33,530
She told them
what to do, when to do it,
712
00:40:33,532 --> 00:40:35,498
Where to do it and why to do it.
713
00:40:36,801 --> 00:40:39,002
[lee] jenny wolfe
and misty gangloff
714
00:40:39,004 --> 00:40:43,006
And oscar eck and david lindner
715
00:40:43,008 --> 00:40:45,809
Wanted to believe
that they mattered.
716
00:40:45,811 --> 00:40:49,345
And this little
community they formed
717
00:40:49,347 --> 00:40:51,815
In their worship of the occult
718
00:40:51,817 --> 00:40:54,451
Gave them that
sense of belonging.
719
00:40:58,223 --> 00:41:00,758
[narrator] on
October 25, 2006,
720
00:41:00,760 --> 00:41:05,094
The jury announces
their decision.
721
00:41:05,096 --> 00:41:08,965
The jury returns a guilty
verdict against irenia cotner
722
00:41:08,967 --> 00:41:10,099
On three counts--
723
00:41:10,101 --> 00:41:12,001
Conspiracy of
first-degree murder,
724
00:41:12,003 --> 00:41:14,938
First degree attempted
murder and home invasion.
725
00:41:16,041 --> 00:41:18,507
After the guilty verdict
was rendered,
726
00:41:18,509 --> 00:41:22,445
Irenia cotner threw
a tantrum in the courtroom
727
00:41:22,447 --> 00:41:24,981
And told the judge
to kiss her ass.
728
00:41:26,651 --> 00:41:28,919
[kelly] that's what she said,
her last words to the judge
729
00:41:28,921 --> 00:41:32,388
As she left the courtroom.
730
00:41:32,390 --> 00:41:33,924
No remorse.
731
00:41:36,461 --> 00:41:38,060
[narrator] at her
sentencing hearing,
732
00:41:38,062 --> 00:41:41,664
Irenia receives
57 years in prison--
733
00:41:41,666 --> 00:41:46,603
What is essentially
a life sentence.
734
00:41:46,605 --> 00:41:51,541
He told her that with her age
and adding those fifty years,
735
00:41:51,543 --> 00:41:53,877
She would probably
never get out,
736
00:41:53,879 --> 00:41:56,012
Um, she would probably
die in prison.
737
00:41:56,014 --> 00:41:58,414
And I was kind of
happy about that
738
00:41:58,416 --> 00:42:01,551
'cause she shouldn't be out.
739
00:42:01,553 --> 00:42:04,153
Irenia is a pure sociopath
740
00:42:04,155 --> 00:42:08,826
That should not ever be
able to contact people.
741
00:42:08,828 --> 00:42:10,960
She should have been in
a padded room years ago,
742
00:42:10,962 --> 00:42:13,129
And maybe josh would
still be alive.
743
00:42:14,699 --> 00:42:18,435
In 2006, misty gangloff
accepted a plea deal
744
00:42:18,437 --> 00:42:20,571
For conspiracy of
first-degree murder.
745
00:42:23,509 --> 00:42:26,909
[narrator] in 2007,
oscar eck pleads guilty
746
00:42:26,911 --> 00:42:31,180
To first-degree murder and
receives a 20-year sentence.
747
00:42:31,849 --> 00:42:34,852
Jenny takes a gamble
and goes to trial .
748
00:42:34,854 --> 00:42:37,987
In 2008, she is
found guilty of murder
749
00:42:37,989 --> 00:42:41,591
And sentenced to 32 years.
750
00:42:41,593 --> 00:42:43,993
My personal opinion is
on some of the sentencings,
751
00:42:43,995 --> 00:42:46,595
They were a little
bit light because
752
00:42:46,597 --> 00:42:48,130
People lost their life here.
753
00:42:48,132 --> 00:42:49,266
Any one of those individuals
754
00:42:49,268 --> 00:42:51,535
Could have stopped
this at any time,
755
00:42:51,537 --> 00:42:52,936
But nobody stepped forward.
756
00:42:56,342 --> 00:42:59,208
[narrator] as for those
who loved josh bennett,
757
00:42:59,210 --> 00:43:02,378
His loss is
a wound that endures.
758
00:43:03,882 --> 00:43:06,683
[patti] god tells me
I have to forgive 'em,
759
00:43:06,685 --> 00:43:10,687
And I have forgiven 'em
for what they did.
760
00:43:10,689 --> 00:43:13,356
But I'll never forget
761
00:43:13,358 --> 00:43:18,762
The loss that
they put in my heart.
762
00:43:18,764 --> 00:43:20,463
I'll never forget.
763
00:43:24,435 --> 00:43:30,740
[music]