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[female narrator]
he was a man on a mission
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00:00:09,643 --> 00:00:11,777
To get his life back.
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He was a full-fledged alcoholic.
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He said, "I'm ready."
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He says, "I'm done
with all that".
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He loved going to church.
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He was like a different person.
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He came back here and
opened up his own mechanic shop,
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And he was a really good father.
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[narrator] but his efforts are
cut short one September evening
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In a peaceful roadside park.
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The body was still warm.
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When you have
a lot of stab wounds,
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It's something very personal.
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Why was he there?
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[narrator] investigators suspect
that a complicated love life
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Led to bloodshed.
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He always had a girlfriend.
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Those relationships go south,
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People make poor decisions
and then bad things happen.
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[narrator] ultimately,
investigators find one ex-lover
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With a wicked plot
no one saw coming.
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I didn't even know she had a
girlfriend, that was new news.
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They had to formulate a
plan to keep from disrupting
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The family that they built.
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I never dreamed that they
was capable of what they done.
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[theme music]
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[narrator] a va, missouri,
a tiny town of just under 3,000
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Nestled in the picturesque
ozark mountains.
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[chris] it's a very rural and
it's a tight-knit community.
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It's very common to
walk into all the stores
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And--and people see ya'
and--and speak to ya'.
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[narrator]
on September 10th, 2010,
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A call comes in to the douglas
county sheriff's department
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Just after 10:30 pm from a
roadside park north of town.
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[warren] it's a very
pretty little roadside park
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On highway 5.
It's very undeveloped.
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It's just a couple of picnic
tables and things like that.
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There was just, uh, two random
people that had driven through
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The roadside park.
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They had stopped
by, uh, to rest.
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As they were leaving,
they were driving out,
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And they observed a
body lying in the road.
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[narrator] within minutes,
deputies arrive
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To find a man face down in
the road in a pool of blood.
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The first thing that
was obvious to me was
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A-a gunshot wound
to his left temple.
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The body was still warm
when we first arrived.
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So, we were quite confident
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That he hadn't been
laying there very long.
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[narrator] deputies question
the two people who called 911.
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They were searched and
there was no firearms,
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There was no knives, uh,
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That were found in their
vehicle or on their person.
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We were able to talk
to them and, uh,
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Find out why they were there.
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And we were just essentially
able to rule them out.
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They were purely witnesses
that had driven upon the scene
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And called it in out of concern.
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[narrator] police check
the man's wallet for an id
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And run the tags on the
pickup truck parked nearby.
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Both belong to 43-year-old
phillip taylor.
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[chris] he lived in
an adjoining county.
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I contacted the sheriff in
wright county and asked him
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If he was familiar
with him, and he was.
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The sheriff was able to come
down and confirm, look at him,
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And say, "yes, that
is phillip taylor."
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Without a doubt, he knew him.
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[narrator] born in 1966,
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Phil taylor was
raised in florida.
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He grew up close with
his brothers and sister,
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But there was a hole in phil's
life he could never get past.
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[melina] oh, his dad passed
away when he was really young.
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And that really,
you know, bothered him a lot,
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And he had a lot
of trouble with that.
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[marvin] his brothers,
real close.
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And he had a sister too.
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You could tell that
in the way they--
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They was a real good family
togetherness there with them.
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[narrator] when phil
was a teenager,
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He developed a love of cars
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And a passion for
learning how they worked.
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He dropped out of
high school to pursue his dream
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One of his first jobs working
at a ford dealership in florida.
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The big motor companies
would send you through school
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As long as you
worked for them, see.
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And that's where he got
a lot of his training.
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[narrator] by his mid-twenties,
phil was looking for a change.
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He left the sunshine
and salty air of florida
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For the lush, green ozarks.
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There, he met marvin elliot.
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[marvin] I-I had a shop
in norwood, missouri.
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We become friends and
he went to work for me.
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Easy to talk to and
just a nice guy.
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And I knew he was
a good mechanic,
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And that's how it started.
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[narrator] while in norwood,
he found himself drawn to
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A down-to-earth single mother
and waitress, melina cooley.
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I was working at a
little place, um,
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It's a little
restaurant in town,
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And he was working at
a tire shop behind it.
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And he come up there and got
food and drinks, whatever,
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And that's how we met.
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[narrator] in 1994,
phil married melina.
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He moved in with her and her
3-year-old daughter, ashley.
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I was single for a long
time, um, single mother,
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And he said a lot
of the right things.
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Kind and I guess just
gentleman toward me.
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[narrator] about a year
later, phil and melina
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Welcomed a daughter
of their own, shelbie.
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He was good with the
kids to take 'em fishing,
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And he was always coming up with
a four-wheeler or a dune buggy
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That they would have
a lot of fun on.
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He was a good guy,
um, hardworking,
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Cared a lot for us kids.
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Um, he would do
anything for them.
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[narrator] after a couple
of years of playing house
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With melina and the girls,
phil grew restless.
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He started spending time
with a younger, faster crowd.
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While hanging with
his new friends,
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An attractive young
woman caught his eye.
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[melina]
that's how he met April.
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He got mixed up with
the wrong crowd,
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And they just kept
coming around,
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Kept wanting him to come out--
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Come out and join the party.
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And he was a little
older than them,
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And he got to
partying, drinking.
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And then, uh, this was the
crowd he was hanging around,
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And they were all--they
were friends with April.
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She was really young.
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I think he's close to
ten years older than her.
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[narrator] it was clear to
phil that 17-year-old April
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Had a crush on him.
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But it didn't take long
for phil to feel the same,
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And their affair began.
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She would sit and wait at
the convenience stores,
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Hoping he would come through
town just so she could see him.
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She just kept chasing him
till she got what she wanted.
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She was adamant on getting--
getting him away from me.
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We'd try to get back together,
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And then she would
be coming around.
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[warren]
April quick was an affair
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That he was having on the side.
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He even got her a place
to live in mansfield,
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Basically for
his--his side chick.
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[narrator] before long,
April was more than
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00:08:03,917 --> 00:08:08,052
Phil's side chick--
he was in love with her.
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[melina] I got where
I didn't trust him
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Because she was
always coming around.
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And so I just--about a year
and half of their relationship,
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I was like, that's enough.
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I was just like, okay,
this is not good for my kids.
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So, I eventually
filed for a divorce.
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[narrator] in 1998,
after a year and a half
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Of phil being unfaithful,
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Phil and melina
finalized their divorce.
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And phil and April moved
to florida on a whim,
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Leaving his family
behind in missouri.
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There, 18-year-old April became
pregnant almost immediately.
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Phil struggled to
transition from party life
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Back to family life.
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[marvin] he was a
full-fledged alcoholic.
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I mean, he had to
drink all the time.
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00:08:59,039 --> 00:09:02,107
You know, when you become a
alcoholic, your priorities,
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00:09:02,109 --> 00:09:04,643
Your--are not your
family, most of 'em.
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They're getting that
next drink, see.
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[narrator] not long after
their first child was born,
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April became pregnant again.
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00:09:12,786 --> 00:09:15,119
But as their family
continued to grow,
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So did phil's addiction.
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00:09:17,057 --> 00:09:21,660
And by early 2001,
it was worse than ever.
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[warren] he began to abuse
drugs and alcohol again,
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And the relationship
really went bad.
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[marvin] he, uh, got so bad,
he had to do a major surgery.
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And it almost killed him.
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[warren] eventually, they had
both moved back to missouri,
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And he had gone into rehab.
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When he got out of rehab, they
moved into her parents' house,
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00:09:42,015 --> 00:09:44,749
And she became pregnant
with their third child.
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00:09:44,818 --> 00:09:46,751
But once they moved out of
there into another place,
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He began to abuse drugs
and alcohol again.
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00:09:49,089 --> 00:09:51,824
Eventually, phillip
moved back to florida,
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And she stayed in
missouri with the kids.
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[narrator] after moving back
to florida, phil spiraled.
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00:10:00,967 --> 00:10:04,635
And in 2007, he missed
child support payments,
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00:10:04,705 --> 00:10:08,107
And it landed him in
a florida jail cell.
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00:10:08,174 --> 00:10:10,508
[melina] after he had been
arrested and put in jail,
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00:10:10,577 --> 00:10:13,778
It's like it dried him up.
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00:10:13,780 --> 00:10:17,715
Then, he got drug free, and he
was like a different person.
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00:10:17,784 --> 00:10:19,651
And that's when
he--he came back here.
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00:10:21,922 --> 00:10:24,123
[narrator] a newly
clean and sober phil
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00:10:24,190 --> 00:10:27,992
Vowed to melina and April that
he was ready to be the father
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00:10:28,061 --> 00:10:31,496
His five children
needed him to be.
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00:10:31,564 --> 00:10:35,266
He had tunnel vision of
what he was going to do,
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00:10:35,268 --> 00:10:37,670
And it was for his kids.
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00:10:37,737 --> 00:10:39,338
He had his mind right on track.
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00:10:39,406 --> 00:10:42,675
He just concentrated on
working and doing good things.
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00:10:42,742 --> 00:10:44,810
He loved going to church.
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00:10:44,878 --> 00:10:48,880
He reached out to my
mother and, um, wanted to
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00:10:48,948 --> 00:10:50,683
Try to build a
relationship with me again.
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00:10:50,750 --> 00:10:52,818
And so he started emailing me
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00:10:52,886 --> 00:10:56,087
And just kind of
grew from there.
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00:10:56,156 --> 00:10:58,489
[melina] he, um, tried
to make up for lost time
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00:10:58,558 --> 00:11:00,892
And tried to get
close to shelbie.
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00:11:00,894 --> 00:11:02,827
And he was like a
different person.
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00:11:02,896 --> 00:11:05,530
He came to open up
his own mechanic shop
208
00:11:05,598 --> 00:11:07,766
And was doing really good.
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00:11:11,504 --> 00:11:14,773
[narrator] but 5 months after
his move back to missouri,
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00:11:14,775 --> 00:11:17,976
Phil's fresh start
comes to a tragic end
211
00:11:18,044 --> 00:11:21,245
At a remote roadside park.
212
00:11:21,314 --> 00:11:23,481
[warren] his wallet had been
taken out of his pocket.
213
00:11:23,550 --> 00:11:25,316
There's blood transfer
on his pocket,
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00:11:25,318 --> 00:11:27,318
And the wallet was
laying between his legs.
215
00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:29,220
So, it appeared that
somebody had robbed him.
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00:11:32,525 --> 00:11:34,525
[narrator] but when
investigators take a closer loo
217
00:11:34,594 --> 00:11:39,464
At phil's body, they make
a disturbing discovery.
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00:11:39,466 --> 00:11:41,466
[chris] we seen the
gunshot wound to the head.
219
00:11:41,468 --> 00:11:44,135
Then, as we started examining
and looking at things closer,
220
00:11:44,137 --> 00:11:47,706
There were, uh, stab wounds
to the back of the head.
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00:11:47,774 --> 00:11:49,340
Well, it was obvious he
was attacked from behind,
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00:11:49,342 --> 00:11:51,976
Which kind of led me to believe
that there was two people.
223
00:11:52,045 --> 00:11:53,545
You know, maybe he was
talking to someone,
224
00:11:53,613 --> 00:11:55,480
And then someone
jumped out from hiding
225
00:11:55,482 --> 00:11:57,082
And--and attacked
him from behind.
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00:11:58,151 --> 00:11:59,951
[narrator] was the
robbery a cover-up
227
00:12:00,020 --> 00:12:03,022
To hide a more
cold-blooded motive?
228
00:12:03,824 --> 00:12:05,756
There was two stab
wounds to the chest,
229
00:12:05,758 --> 00:12:07,892
There were several to the back,
230
00:12:07,961 --> 00:12:10,161
Several to the back of the head,
231
00:12:10,230 --> 00:12:13,431
One of his elbows,
one of his forearms.
232
00:12:13,500 --> 00:12:16,033
Generally, when you see
that type of aggression,
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00:12:16,102 --> 00:12:18,804
You have some type of
personal connection.
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00:12:21,975 --> 00:12:23,374
[narrator] coming up,
235
00:12:23,443 --> 00:12:27,245
Had phil gotten mixed up
with the wrong woman?
236
00:12:27,313 --> 00:12:30,181
He had a new girlfriend.
Her name was tammy.
237
00:12:30,250 --> 00:12:32,584
She was still
married at that time.
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00:12:32,652 --> 00:12:34,185
[narrator] and
investigators discover
239
00:12:34,187 --> 00:12:38,823
That a dead man's cell phone
is still on the move.
240
00:12:38,892 --> 00:12:40,458
[chris] it was hitting towers.
241
00:12:40,527 --> 00:12:43,862
We were able to see that phone
definitely tracking south.
242
00:12:43,930 --> 00:12:45,630
More than likely
whoever has his phone
243
00:12:45,698 --> 00:12:46,932
Was involved in the murder.
244
00:12:48,735 --> 00:12:52,337
[theme music]
245
00:13:01,147 --> 00:13:03,681
[narrator]
on September 10th, 2010,
246
00:13:03,683 --> 00:13:05,850
Authorities are
trying to determine
247
00:13:05,852 --> 00:13:09,687
Who stabbed and shot
local mechanic phil taylor
248
00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:13,624
At a roadside park
in the ozarks.
249
00:13:13,694 --> 00:13:16,327
[chris] it appeared that he was
attacked initially from behind
250
00:13:16,329 --> 00:13:17,995
With--with a knife,
251
00:13:18,064 --> 00:13:21,632
And at--at some point, um,
you know, was on the ground
252
00:13:21,701 --> 00:13:23,268
And--and someone
came up and shot him.
253
00:13:24,704 --> 00:13:26,037
[narrator] the
single gunshot wound
254
00:13:26,106 --> 00:13:29,640
Went directly into
phil's left temple.
255
00:13:29,709 --> 00:13:32,510
[warren] it appeared to be
a close contact-type wound.
256
00:13:32,579 --> 00:13:34,545
'cause you can tell that
from looking at the wounds
257
00:13:34,614 --> 00:13:36,581
From the stippling and
different things around it,
258
00:13:36,649 --> 00:13:37,849
The powder burns.
259
00:13:37,851 --> 00:13:40,718
So, it appeared to be a-a close,
up close and personal wound.
260
00:13:42,155 --> 00:13:43,721
[narrator] the location
of the stab wounds
261
00:13:43,723 --> 00:13:45,990
On phil's head and torso
262
00:13:45,992 --> 00:13:49,227
Indicate they probably
came before the gunshot--
263
00:13:49,296 --> 00:13:52,164
Likely in an attempt
to incapacitate him.
264
00:13:55,468 --> 00:14:00,137
Whoever killed phil left
only one clue behind.
265
00:14:00,206 --> 00:14:01,939
One of the--the main things
that we found
266
00:14:01,941 --> 00:14:05,209
Was a .22-caliber brass
that was near the body.
267
00:14:05,278 --> 00:14:07,879
So, we're looking at some
type of semiautomatic weapon.
268
00:14:11,150 --> 00:14:13,150
[narrator] other than that,
the remote crime scene
269
00:14:13,219 --> 00:14:16,120
Yields little information.
270
00:14:16,189 --> 00:14:17,422
[warren] you're out in
the middle of nowhere.
271
00:14:17,491 --> 00:14:18,723
There's no surveillance systems.
272
00:14:18,725 --> 00:14:22,026
There's, at that point, you
know, initially no suspects.
273
00:14:22,028 --> 00:14:23,694
You're starting from scratch.
274
00:14:23,696 --> 00:14:25,830
But we're in rural
communities where the sheriffs
275
00:14:25,832 --> 00:14:29,434
And the police officers know a
lot of the people in that area.
276
00:14:29,502 --> 00:14:31,636
And the sheriff had had dealings
with him in the past, and so
277
00:14:31,704 --> 00:14:33,071
We knew he was
from wright county,
278
00:14:33,139 --> 00:14:35,340
Had a repair shop up
there that he was running.
279
00:14:39,245 --> 00:14:40,578
[narrator] early
the next morning,
280
00:14:40,647 --> 00:14:43,781
Investigators head to
phil's auto repair shop
281
00:14:43,783 --> 00:14:48,719
And meet with marvin elliot,
phil's friend and landlord.
282
00:14:48,721 --> 00:14:51,188
[ashley] marvin owns
a mechanic shop,
283
00:14:51,190 --> 00:14:54,725
And phillip had a little shop
to the side that he rented out
284
00:14:54,727 --> 00:14:56,361
And did his mechanic work.
285
00:14:59,799 --> 00:15:01,399
[narrator] marvin
tells detectives
286
00:15:01,401 --> 00:15:04,068
While phil had his
struggles in the past,
287
00:15:04,070 --> 00:15:07,005
He was currently
devoted to two things--
288
00:15:07,007 --> 00:15:10,775
His children and his sobriety.
289
00:15:10,777 --> 00:15:12,945
[warren] he was trying to
make things right in his life.
290
00:15:13,012 --> 00:15:14,478
He had started
paying child support,
291
00:15:14,547 --> 00:15:16,080
And basically was trying
to turn his life around
292
00:15:16,149 --> 00:15:18,283
And start doing
the right things.
293
00:15:18,351 --> 00:15:20,484
[marvin] when he came back,
he was like his old self.
294
00:15:20,553 --> 00:15:24,222
He had his life in line.
He was all lined up.
295
00:15:24,224 --> 00:15:26,357
He knew what he had
to do and wanted to do.
296
00:15:27,627 --> 00:15:30,028
[narrator] phil had been living
in a trailer on his property,
297
00:15:30,096 --> 00:15:33,831
But was in the process
of buying his own home.
298
00:15:33,833 --> 00:15:35,032
[marvin] he'd just
been approved.
299
00:15:35,101 --> 00:15:36,168
Phil got the loan.
300
00:15:36,235 --> 00:15:38,069
And so he was
tickled about that.
301
00:15:41,374 --> 00:15:43,975
[narrator] marvin says he
last saw phil yesterday
302
00:15:44,043 --> 00:15:47,145
At around 6:00 pm
as he was leaving the shop.
303
00:15:48,247 --> 00:15:50,781
He had worked all day that
day and had been tired,
304
00:15:50,850 --> 00:15:52,250
Didn't feel like going
out that evening,
305
00:15:52,252 --> 00:15:54,285
And had a lot of work
to do the following day.
306
00:15:55,455 --> 00:15:57,521
[narrator] as far as
his social life goes,
307
00:15:57,590 --> 00:16:02,194
Marvin admits that phil did
like to have a lady by his side
308
00:16:02,261 --> 00:16:04,762
He always had a girlfriend.
You know what I mean?
309
00:16:04,831 --> 00:16:06,564
He didn't get serious very much.
310
00:16:08,535 --> 00:16:10,334
[narrator] in fact,
he shares that phil
311
00:16:10,403 --> 00:16:14,672
Had just met someone new--
online.
312
00:16:14,741 --> 00:16:17,241
Marvin had indicated to us
that he had a new girlfriend,
313
00:16:17,243 --> 00:16:18,809
Her name was tammy.
314
00:16:18,878 --> 00:16:20,078
[marvin] I had heard about her,
315
00:16:20,146 --> 00:16:22,313
But he wasn't serious
or nothing about her.
316
00:16:23,750 --> 00:16:26,817
[narrator] rumor had it that
phil had recently taken tammy
317
00:16:26,886 --> 00:16:30,288
On a date that
had gone sideways.
318
00:16:30,290 --> 00:16:31,690
Everybody knew that
he had been seeing her,
319
00:16:31,758 --> 00:16:33,091
And taking her to the river,
320
00:16:33,093 --> 00:16:35,493
And there had been a
confrontation there.
321
00:16:35,561 --> 00:16:38,096
They were having a nice
day kind of hanging out.
322
00:16:38,164 --> 00:16:39,564
And while they were there,
323
00:16:39,632 --> 00:16:41,700
They had ran into a previous
girlfriend of phil's.
324
00:16:41,768 --> 00:16:44,435
And that there'd been a little
bit of a heated exchange between
325
00:16:44,504 --> 00:16:47,439
This previous girlfriend
and his current girlfriend.
326
00:16:50,810 --> 00:16:53,145
[narrator] what's more,
phil's new love interest,
327
00:16:53,212 --> 00:16:56,113
Tammy, was still married.
328
00:16:56,182 --> 00:16:58,049
She was in the process of
going through a divorce,
329
00:16:58,117 --> 00:17:00,418
And that--but she was
still married at that time.
330
00:17:01,587 --> 00:17:03,521
[narrator] with
relationship drama becoming
331
00:17:03,523 --> 00:17:06,391
A consistent trend
in phil's life,
332
00:17:06,459 --> 00:17:10,662
Detectives are left to consider
if this led to phil's murder.
333
00:17:11,664 --> 00:17:14,331
In almost all homicides
that I've worked,
334
00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,802
It's been somebody that's
close to the victim.
335
00:17:16,869 --> 00:17:19,204
So, you're looking for those
relationships that go south,
336
00:17:19,272 --> 00:17:22,474
People make poor decisions at
the time, and bad things happen.
337
00:17:25,812 --> 00:17:27,746
[narrator] marvin agrees
to let investigators
338
00:17:27,814 --> 00:17:30,348
Into phil's trailer.
339
00:17:30,350 --> 00:17:32,684
We went into the trailer
after marvin opened it up,
340
00:17:32,752 --> 00:17:34,286
And--and it was small.
341
00:17:34,353 --> 00:17:37,089
You know, you could obviously
tell that--that a single guy
342
00:17:37,156 --> 00:17:38,856
Was living there.
343
00:17:38,858 --> 00:17:42,294
[narrator] inside, they find
an empty cellphone box--
344
00:17:42,361 --> 00:17:45,696
Only investigators note they
didn't find a cell phone
345
00:17:45,698 --> 00:17:47,965
At the crime scene.
346
00:17:47,967 --> 00:17:49,367
We were able to find out that
347
00:17:49,436 --> 00:17:51,636
He had recently
purchased a cellphone.
348
00:17:51,704 --> 00:17:54,371
So, with that we were able
to obtain a cellphone number
349
00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:57,642
For him from that cellphone box.
350
00:17:57,710 --> 00:18:00,712
We're able to do an
emergency circumstance ping,
351
00:18:00,780 --> 00:18:03,447
And that allows us just
to get limited information
352
00:18:03,449 --> 00:18:06,651
Off of that phone in order
to be able to track it.
353
00:18:09,989 --> 00:18:13,158
[narrator] as investigators
continue to search the trailer,
354
00:18:13,225 --> 00:18:15,326
They discover another clue--
355
00:18:15,328 --> 00:18:19,930
A post-it note with the
name "tammy" written on it.
356
00:18:19,999 --> 00:18:21,532
Uh, it had her name on it.
357
00:18:21,601 --> 00:18:23,135
Then there were handwritten
directions to her house
358
00:18:23,202 --> 00:18:24,536
In marshfield.
359
00:18:27,340 --> 00:18:28,673
[narrator] just
before they leave,
360
00:18:28,675 --> 00:18:32,210
Investigators find
something else.
361
00:18:32,278 --> 00:18:36,013
We also located a certified
letter to an April quick.
362
00:18:36,015 --> 00:18:37,815
She lived in
mountain home, arkansas.
363
00:18:37,884 --> 00:18:40,751
That was an actual copy of
a letter that he sent her,
364
00:18:40,820 --> 00:18:42,487
Indicating that he
wanted to spend more time
365
00:18:42,555 --> 00:18:44,689
With his children and
kind of get back involved
366
00:18:44,691 --> 00:18:47,159
In his children's lives.
367
00:18:47,226 --> 00:18:48,759
[warren] the letter said
that he had previously sent
368
00:18:48,828 --> 00:18:52,230
Another letter to her that
she had never responded to.
369
00:18:52,298 --> 00:18:54,298
So he stated that he had
been paying child support
370
00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:55,834
For two years,
371
00:18:55,902 --> 00:18:58,569
And that if he wasn't
allowed to see his children,
372
00:18:58,571 --> 00:19:00,372
He was gonna take her to court.
373
00:19:00,439 --> 00:19:02,973
[narrator] the letter is
dated just two days prior,
374
00:19:03,042 --> 00:19:07,312
And it demands a response
from April by September 18th,
375
00:19:07,380 --> 00:19:10,715
Just a week after phil's murder
376
00:19:10,717 --> 00:19:12,650
This letter was
absolutely a red flag.
377
00:19:12,718 --> 00:19:14,552
It said phil had planned
on getting an attorney
378
00:19:14,554 --> 00:19:16,655
And wanted to see his children.
379
00:19:18,458 --> 00:19:19,991
[narrator] investigators
leave the trailer
380
00:19:20,059 --> 00:19:24,328
With not one, but
two potential leads.
381
00:19:24,330 --> 00:19:26,264
[chris] we had the
girlfriend in marshfield,
382
00:19:26,332 --> 00:19:30,801
Or we had April quick in a--
in mountain home, arkansas.
383
00:19:30,870 --> 00:19:33,404
[narrator] both women are
located about an hour away
384
00:19:33,406 --> 00:19:36,540
In opposite directions.
385
00:19:36,609 --> 00:19:39,009
[chris] initially, we
were focused on tammy.
386
00:19:39,078 --> 00:19:40,077
With the information
that we had,
387
00:19:40,146 --> 00:19:43,314
We felt that we needed to
start towards marshfield.
388
00:19:46,486 --> 00:19:49,420
[narrator] investigators start
the drive 40 miles north,
389
00:19:49,488 --> 00:19:53,023
Towards tammy's house
in marshfield, missouri.
390
00:19:53,092 --> 00:19:55,092
But just as they
reach the county line,
391
00:19:55,161 --> 00:19:57,229
They get a call from
the phone company,
392
00:19:57,296 --> 00:20:00,097
And it's a game changer.
393
00:20:00,099 --> 00:20:04,302
Phil's cell phone
is still powered on.
394
00:20:04,370 --> 00:20:06,103
More than likely,
whoever has his phone
395
00:20:06,105 --> 00:20:08,472
Was involved in the murder or
was there when it happened.
396
00:20:09,709 --> 00:20:12,509
It was hitting towers.
We were able to see that phone
397
00:20:12,578 --> 00:20:17,315
Definitely tracking
south towards arkansas.
398
00:20:17,317 --> 00:20:19,049
This information came through,
399
00:20:19,118 --> 00:20:20,518
And then we immediately
turned from there
400
00:20:20,586 --> 00:20:22,721
And headed back in the
direction that we came.
401
00:20:22,788 --> 00:20:24,655
We had two things to
go on at that point.
402
00:20:24,724 --> 00:20:26,791
We were following the evidence
that we had in a hand.
403
00:20:29,795 --> 00:20:32,129
[narrator] coming up,
investigators confront
404
00:20:32,131 --> 00:20:34,533
Their two suspects.
405
00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:36,133
It was still a fairly
new relationship,
406
00:20:36,135 --> 00:20:38,736
But she seemed upset.
407
00:20:38,805 --> 00:20:42,207
[narrator] and later, could
supermarket surveillance footag
408
00:20:42,275 --> 00:20:46,444
Hold the key to
finding phil's killer?
409
00:20:46,446 --> 00:20:49,013
The woman on the video was
a fairly short, stocky lady
410
00:20:49,081 --> 00:20:50,681
With short hair.
411
00:20:50,683 --> 00:20:52,650
From what we could tell,
it obviously was not April.
412
00:20:54,921 --> 00:20:58,522
[theme music]
413
00:21:07,767 --> 00:21:09,767
[narrator] missouri
investigators looking into
414
00:21:09,769 --> 00:21:13,704
The murder of phil taylor
are following two leads--
415
00:21:13,773 --> 00:21:16,240
Phil's current love
interest, tammy,
416
00:21:16,309 --> 00:21:19,443
And his ex-girlfriend,
April quick.
417
00:21:19,512 --> 00:21:21,846
But the investigation
takes a sharp turn
418
00:21:21,914 --> 00:21:25,249
When they discover phil's
cell phone is powered on
419
00:21:25,317 --> 00:21:27,885
And moving south
towards arkansas.
420
00:21:29,388 --> 00:21:31,323
April quick lived in
mountain home, arkansas.
421
00:21:35,528 --> 00:21:36,994
[narrator] while missouri
detectives have yet
422
00:21:36,996 --> 00:21:40,331
To rule tammy out as
a person of interest,
423
00:21:40,399 --> 00:21:44,568
They also put out a
bolo for April quick.
424
00:21:44,637 --> 00:21:49,406
In the meantime, they contact
phil's first wife, melina.
425
00:21:49,475 --> 00:21:52,410
[melina] it was hard to, uh,
believe that it happened.
426
00:21:52,478 --> 00:21:54,746
I just hate it for
the girls, you know.
427
00:21:56,215 --> 00:22:00,751
It's sad to see the
pain that, you know,
428
00:22:00,820 --> 00:22:05,289
From him basically
leaving their life twice--
429
00:22:05,357 --> 00:22:08,959
The last time, you
know, permanently.
430
00:22:09,028 --> 00:22:12,429
She was, you know, in a--a
decent relationship with him.
431
00:22:12,498 --> 00:22:14,098
And they talked occasionally,
432
00:22:14,100 --> 00:22:16,367
And she was fine with
him seeing her daughter.
433
00:22:17,570 --> 00:22:18,970
[narrator] phil had
confided in melina
434
00:22:19,038 --> 00:22:21,906
That April quick was
less willing to let him
435
00:22:21,974 --> 00:22:24,441
Back into her life.
436
00:22:24,510 --> 00:22:26,578
He had been trying
to see his kids
437
00:22:26,645 --> 00:22:29,114
And told her he was back
in missouri and wanted to,
438
00:22:29,181 --> 00:22:31,482
You know, try to make
up for lost time.
439
00:22:32,585 --> 00:22:33,650
[warren] he'd been out
of her life for years
440
00:22:33,719 --> 00:22:35,654
And was trying to basically
get back into her life
441
00:22:35,721 --> 00:22:39,123
And the children's life, and
she don't want him there.
442
00:22:39,191 --> 00:22:43,727
Phil told me he finally decided
to send a certified letter.
443
00:22:43,796 --> 00:22:45,963
If she didn't respond to him,
he was contacting an attorney
444
00:22:46,031 --> 00:22:48,499
To start the process of getting
custody of the children.
445
00:22:52,638 --> 00:22:55,472
[narrator] did the letter
push April over the edge?
446
00:22:56,343 --> 00:22:58,809
Before investigators
explore that question,
447
00:22:58,878 --> 00:23:01,146
They need to rule out
their other lead--
448
00:23:01,213 --> 00:23:04,015
Phil's online love
interest, tammy.
449
00:23:05,818 --> 00:23:08,685
[warren] tammy voluntarily
came in to talk to us.
450
00:23:08,754 --> 00:23:10,554
I mean, it was still a
fairly new relationship,
451
00:23:10,623 --> 00:23:13,157
But, uh, she seemed upset
that--that he was gone.
452
00:23:13,225 --> 00:23:14,958
And the relationship
had been good.
453
00:23:15,027 --> 00:23:16,560
There was no problems.
454
00:23:16,629 --> 00:23:19,163
They had plans for the weekend
after he was killed and, uh,
455
00:23:19,231 --> 00:23:20,230
She had been trying to call him,
456
00:23:20,299 --> 00:23:22,166
And he hadn't
contacted her back,
457
00:23:22,234 --> 00:23:23,667
And she was worried about him.
458
00:23:25,104 --> 00:23:27,172
[narrator] but detectives'
previous suspicions about tammy
459
00:23:27,239 --> 00:23:30,040
Subside when she
explains her whereabouts
460
00:23:30,042 --> 00:23:31,508
The night of the murder.
461
00:23:31,577 --> 00:23:32,843
[warren] I think
she had an alibi
462
00:23:32,912 --> 00:23:35,513
For where she was that night
that we were able to check out.
463
00:23:35,515 --> 00:23:38,048
There was no red flags at
all during her interview,
464
00:23:38,117 --> 00:23:39,184
Nothing that caused me to think
465
00:23:39,251 --> 00:23:40,718
That she had anything
to do with it.
466
00:23:43,856 --> 00:23:46,457
[narrator] investigators
receive phil's phone records
467
00:23:46,525 --> 00:23:49,126
For September 10th, the
night of his murder,
468
00:23:49,195 --> 00:23:51,996
And immediately notice
two incoming calls
469
00:23:52,064 --> 00:23:55,532
At around 9:30 pm.
470
00:23:55,601 --> 00:23:58,402
There were two phone calls
from an 870 number.
471
00:23:58,471 --> 00:24:00,270
That was an arkansas number.
472
00:24:00,339 --> 00:24:01,740
So, we wrote a
search warrant to obtain
473
00:24:01,807 --> 00:24:03,941
The information on the phone.
474
00:24:03,943 --> 00:24:06,543
We learned that that phone
was a tracfone out of arkansas
475
00:24:06,612 --> 00:24:07,778
That was bought at a walmart.
476
00:24:11,016 --> 00:24:12,616
[narrator] the walmart
is just minutes
477
00:24:12,685 --> 00:24:15,686
From the home of April quick.
478
00:24:15,754 --> 00:24:18,423
So, we sent officers to that
walmart to try to identify
479
00:24:18,491 --> 00:24:20,158
Who had purchased the phone.
480
00:24:20,226 --> 00:24:22,694
They were able to obtain
video surveillance of the lady
481
00:24:22,761 --> 00:24:25,095
That had put those
minutes on the phone.
482
00:24:25,164 --> 00:24:28,232
The woman on the video was
a-a fairly short, stocky lady
483
00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:30,300
With short hair.
484
00:24:30,369 --> 00:24:32,837
[narrator] when investigators
compare the woman in the footag
485
00:24:32,905 --> 00:24:35,540
With April quick's
driver's license photo,
486
00:24:35,607 --> 00:24:38,576
They are in for a surprise.
487
00:24:38,644 --> 00:24:40,545
We could tell it
obviously was not April,
488
00:24:40,613 --> 00:24:42,847
So we need to identify
who this person is.
489
00:24:47,453 --> 00:24:49,520
April of course is on the radar;
490
00:24:49,589 --> 00:24:51,788
She's moving towards
the front of the list.
491
00:24:51,790 --> 00:24:53,724
But we still need to figure
out who this other woman is
492
00:24:53,792 --> 00:24:56,393
And what relationship she
had with phillip taylor,
493
00:24:56,395 --> 00:24:57,761
And why she's contacting him.
494
00:24:59,665 --> 00:25:01,331
[narrator] hoping
to catch a break,
495
00:25:01,333 --> 00:25:04,535
The investigators send a still
from the surveillance video
496
00:25:04,537 --> 00:25:07,804
To the mountain home
police department.
497
00:25:07,873 --> 00:25:10,274
It didn't take long before
an officer looked at it
498
00:25:10,342 --> 00:25:12,543
And he said, "that
is aimee herring.
499
00:25:12,545 --> 00:25:13,812
"in fact, I was just
called to her house,
500
00:25:13,879 --> 00:25:16,613
"where they reported
some money and jewelry
501
00:25:16,682 --> 00:25:18,015
"and a .22-caliber pistol
502
00:25:18,083 --> 00:25:20,752
Stolen from the residence
on Friday night."
503
00:25:20,819 --> 00:25:22,420
The same night that
phil was murdered.
504
00:25:23,622 --> 00:25:25,156
[chris] we had a .22
casing at the scene,
505
00:25:25,224 --> 00:25:28,225
And now we have a person
the same night of a murder
506
00:25:28,294 --> 00:25:30,728
Reporting a .22 pistol stolen.
507
00:25:35,301 --> 00:25:38,569
[narrator] the officer
has more to share.
508
00:25:38,637 --> 00:25:40,772
That officer also knew
that aimee herring
509
00:25:40,839 --> 00:25:44,174
Was in a relationship
with April quick.
510
00:25:44,176 --> 00:25:48,045
At that residence was
April quick and her children
511
00:25:48,047 --> 00:25:51,515
That she had with phillip
taylor, and aimee herring.
512
00:25:51,583 --> 00:25:53,852
That kind of helped tie
a lot of things together
513
00:25:53,919 --> 00:25:55,119
As far as what
the relationship is
514
00:25:55,187 --> 00:25:57,722
And why she would be having
contact with phillip taylor.
515
00:25:58,792 --> 00:26:02,059
[narrator] between the phone
evidence and the stolen .22,
516
00:26:02,061 --> 00:26:04,061
Investigators feel
they have enough
517
00:26:04,063 --> 00:26:06,598
To pay a visit to
April quick.
518
00:26:07,866 --> 00:26:09,866
[chris] at this point,
we've been able to rule out
519
00:26:09,935 --> 00:26:11,603
Any other names
that have came up.
520
00:26:11,670 --> 00:26:15,505
And right now, I think that the
evidence is 100% leading towards
521
00:26:15,574 --> 00:26:17,141
April quick and aimee herring.
522
00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:24,414
[narrator] on September 14th,
four days after the murder,
523
00:26:24,483 --> 00:26:28,953
Investigators contact
April quick for an interview.
524
00:26:29,021 --> 00:26:30,955
[warren] April voluntarily came
to the sheriff's department.
525
00:26:31,023 --> 00:26:32,689
We were following up on
phillip taylor's death,
526
00:26:32,758 --> 00:26:35,093
Which, of course,
she'd heard about.
527
00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:36,960
[narrator] when they
sit down with April,
528
00:26:37,029 --> 00:26:40,230
She is eager to talk about
her relationship with phil--
529
00:26:40,232 --> 00:26:44,434
One that she says began
when she was only 17.
530
00:26:44,503 --> 00:26:46,838
She started in a
relationship with him,
531
00:26:46,905 --> 00:26:49,039
Unaware that he was married
to melina taylor at the time,
532
00:26:49,108 --> 00:26:50,207
Is what she said.
533
00:26:50,275 --> 00:26:52,909
But that he'd gotten her a
place to live in mansfield,
534
00:26:52,978 --> 00:26:54,378
And that they continued
their relationship
535
00:26:54,446 --> 00:26:55,946
For quite some time.
536
00:27:09,128 --> 00:27:11,728
[narrator] April claims that
after they moved to florida,
537
00:27:11,797 --> 00:27:15,866
Phil's drug use escalated,
and he became abusive.
538
00:27:31,417 --> 00:27:34,017
[narrator] once she became
pregnant for the third time,
539
00:27:34,019 --> 00:27:36,954
April dumped phil
and headed back home.
540
00:27:48,167 --> 00:27:49,966
[narrator]
once back in missouri,
541
00:27:50,035 --> 00:27:53,904
April found love in the arms
of a woman, aimee herring.
542
00:27:53,972 --> 00:27:56,173
For the past three
years, she and aimee
543
00:27:56,175 --> 00:28:00,311
Have been in a relationship,
co-parenting April's three kids
544
00:28:08,320 --> 00:28:10,788
[narrator] investigators
ask April about the letters
545
00:28:10,856 --> 00:28:14,124
Phil sent, requesting
to see his kids again.
546
00:28:14,193 --> 00:28:16,394
She had really, basically
had no contact with him.
547
00:28:16,462 --> 00:28:18,129
And she thought he was
on probation or parole,
548
00:28:18,197 --> 00:28:20,297
So she really wasn't
too concerned about it,
549
00:28:20,365 --> 00:28:22,934
And she pretty much just
ignored that letter.
550
00:28:23,001 --> 00:28:24,534
And then she told me that
she'd gotten another letter
551
00:28:24,603 --> 00:28:25,969
On Friday the 10th.
552
00:28:41,821 --> 00:28:43,954
[narrator] April says
before she could respond,
553
00:28:44,022 --> 00:28:47,024
She got the news
that phil had been murdered--
554
00:28:47,026 --> 00:28:50,394
News that was sad,
but not unexpected.
555
00:29:00,105 --> 00:29:01,773
[narrator] when
investigators question April
556
00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:04,308
On her whereabouts the
night of the murder,
557
00:29:04,376 --> 00:29:07,177
April states that she and
aimee dropped the kids off
558
00:29:07,246 --> 00:29:11,516
With her mom so they could
go on a date to the movies.
559
00:29:11,583 --> 00:29:14,052
[warren] and she said they, uh,
went to a movie at 9 o'clock
560
00:29:14,119 --> 00:29:16,119
And gotten home about midnight,
561
00:29:16,121 --> 00:29:19,323
And they'd noticed that their
place had been broken into.
562
00:29:19,325 --> 00:29:20,791
[narrator] that's when
they called police
563
00:29:20,859 --> 00:29:23,793
And reported some
stolen jewelry, money,
564
00:29:23,863 --> 00:29:26,998
And a .22-caliber pistol.
565
00:29:27,065 --> 00:29:29,867
Investigators seize
the opportunity.
566
00:29:44,349 --> 00:29:46,550
[narrator] but instead
of changing her tune,
567
00:29:46,618 --> 00:29:49,153
April shuts down the interview.
568
00:30:00,899 --> 00:30:03,400
[narrator] coming up,
April drops a hint.
569
00:30:05,671 --> 00:30:09,440
[narrator] and a search warrant
causes a change of heart.
570
00:30:09,508 --> 00:30:13,044
We were able to locate some
burnt items in the backyard.
571
00:30:13,111 --> 00:30:15,012
You could tell it
was a cell phone.
572
00:30:25,891 --> 00:30:29,393
[theme music]
573
00:30:38,337 --> 00:30:41,071
[narrator] investigators
are interviewing April quick
574
00:30:41,140 --> 00:30:43,875
About the murder of
her ex, phil taylor,
575
00:30:43,942 --> 00:30:48,044
When she suddenly
asks for an attorney .
576
00:30:48,113 --> 00:30:49,946
Right before she
leaves the room,
577
00:30:50,015 --> 00:30:53,484
April makes an offhand,
but revealing, comment.
578
00:31:01,693 --> 00:31:02,626
[chris] it was a
very weird statement.
579
00:31:02,628 --> 00:31:04,361
I mean, if she was
trying to pass blame
580
00:31:04,363 --> 00:31:07,164
That it was somebody else
that--that murdered phillip,
581
00:31:07,166 --> 00:31:10,567
Why would she essentially
to confess to murdering him,
582
00:31:10,636 --> 00:31:12,770
But say it wasn't premeditated?
583
00:31:16,174 --> 00:31:17,975
[narrator] April's
girlfriend aimee herring
584
00:31:17,977 --> 00:31:21,245
Also requests an attorney.
585
00:31:21,313 --> 00:31:25,315
Ultimately, both women are
charged with phil's murder,
586
00:31:25,317 --> 00:31:29,186
And investigators head to their
home to gather more evidence.
587
00:31:33,725 --> 00:31:37,128
We were able to search
and locate some burnt items
588
00:31:37,195 --> 00:31:40,198
In the backyard, in a bag.
589
00:31:40,265 --> 00:31:44,001
Initially looking at it, you
could tell it was a cell phone.
590
00:31:44,003 --> 00:31:45,602
It was burned beyond the point
591
00:31:45,671 --> 00:31:48,271
Where we could positively
identify it as phil's phone,
592
00:31:48,273 --> 00:31:50,607
But what we believe
was his cell phone.
593
00:31:50,676 --> 00:31:53,476
There was clothing, uh, in
there that was partially burnt.
594
00:31:53,545 --> 00:31:57,013
And then the knife we believe
they used in the murder as well.
595
00:31:57,082 --> 00:31:59,450
So, we photograph it,
we seize it.
596
00:32:03,088 --> 00:32:05,288
[narrator] before heading
back to the station armed with
597
00:32:05,357 --> 00:32:08,893
Even more evidence,
investigators do a quick check
598
00:32:08,961 --> 00:32:12,495
On April and aimee's alibi.
599
00:32:12,564 --> 00:32:14,097
[warren] we went and obtained
the video surveillance
600
00:32:14,166 --> 00:32:17,835
From the movie theater, and
they were not at the movie.
601
00:32:20,439 --> 00:32:23,240
[narrator] before investigators
can make their next move,
602
00:32:23,242 --> 00:32:26,176
They learn that April
is ready to talk.
603
00:32:36,722 --> 00:32:38,256
[warren] I advised
her of her rights.
604
00:32:38,323 --> 00:32:40,390
I again told her I respect
your right to an attorney,
605
00:32:40,459 --> 00:32:43,694
And the only reason you're here
is because you wanna talk to me.
606
00:32:43,762 --> 00:32:46,596
I think at that point, she
kind of knew the gig was up
607
00:32:46,665 --> 00:32:48,665
And knew that we knew
that they had done it
608
00:32:48,734 --> 00:32:51,368
And wanted to explain
her side of the story.
609
00:32:55,407 --> 00:32:57,875
[narrator] April tells
detectives that she called phil
610
00:32:57,943 --> 00:33:00,344
After receiving
the second letter.
611
00:33:22,501 --> 00:33:24,901
She stated that she set up
the meeting at roadside park
612
00:33:24,970 --> 00:33:26,470
To talk to him about the kids.
613
00:33:30,509 --> 00:33:32,310
[narrator] given
her past with phil,
614
00:33:32,377 --> 00:33:36,714
April brought aimee
and the .22 for protection.
615
00:33:36,782 --> 00:33:38,648
'cause she said she
was scared of phillip taylor,
616
00:33:38,650 --> 00:33:40,517
That he had been very
violent in the past.
617
00:33:41,254 --> 00:33:43,653
[narrator] the women
arrived at the park first.
618
00:33:43,722 --> 00:33:47,458
April asked aimee to hang
back and stay hidden.
619
00:33:57,035 --> 00:33:58,469
[warren] a little later,
phillip had arrived.
620
00:33:58,537 --> 00:33:59,969
And he had parked
and gotten out,
621
00:34:00,038 --> 00:34:01,272
And they were talking
between the vehicles.
622
00:34:38,510 --> 00:34:40,077
[chris] she stated
at that point that
623
00:34:40,145 --> 00:34:42,579
Aimee jumped out
from her hiding spot
624
00:34:42,581 --> 00:34:48,386
And began stabbing phillip in
the back to get him off of her.
625
00:34:52,390 --> 00:34:55,391
[narrator] April says that aimee
yelled for her to get the gun.
626
00:34:55,460 --> 00:34:59,396
Fearful now for her lover's
safety, April did just that.
627
00:35:48,246 --> 00:35:49,913
[narrator] April says afterward,
628
00:35:49,981 --> 00:35:51,848
They took the cash
from phil's wallet
629
00:35:51,850 --> 00:35:53,917
To make it look like a robbery.
630
00:35:53,985 --> 00:35:55,885
They also took his cellphone.
631
00:35:56,922 --> 00:36:00,323
And they put his phone,
their clothing, a knife,
632
00:36:00,392 --> 00:36:02,792
And all those things in a
bag and stopped on highway j
633
00:36:02,794 --> 00:36:05,829
And set that bag on fire.
634
00:36:05,898 --> 00:36:07,497
They left.
635
00:36:07,566 --> 00:36:09,299
They said they threw the gun
out the window of their car.
636
00:36:09,301 --> 00:36:10,467
And then they went home.
637
00:36:13,338 --> 00:36:15,472
[narrator] the next day,
April grew concerned
638
00:36:15,474 --> 00:36:18,641
That someone might find the
bag with the burned evidence.
639
00:36:18,710 --> 00:36:22,346
She returned and
brought it back home.
640
00:36:22,414 --> 00:36:25,415
We've seen that several times in
cases where people burn evidence
641
00:36:25,484 --> 00:36:27,551
Related to the crime, and
we're able to sift through that,
642
00:36:27,619 --> 00:36:31,087
To find out that they
were connected to the crime.
643
00:36:31,156 --> 00:36:32,422
The thing that did surprise me
644
00:36:32,490 --> 00:36:33,757
Was that they took it
back to their house.
645
00:36:59,518 --> 00:37:02,185
[narrator] April also
confirms the knife found
646
00:37:02,187 --> 00:37:05,522
Was the one used in the attack.
647
00:37:05,524 --> 00:37:08,458
Investigators finally
have a confession--
648
00:37:08,526 --> 00:37:11,294
Only it doesn't quite
match the evidence.
649
00:37:12,597 --> 00:37:14,464
I felt that she was being
somewhat accurate with--with
650
00:37:14,466 --> 00:37:16,534
Most of the information
that she was providing us
651
00:37:16,601 --> 00:37:18,936
Except everything
with the gunshot.
652
00:37:19,004 --> 00:37:22,338
The gunshot wound, evidence
indicated that it was made
653
00:37:22,407 --> 00:37:23,673
At close range.
654
00:37:23,742 --> 00:37:26,476
And for her to be merely
grabbing a gun, uh,
655
00:37:26,544 --> 00:37:28,478
From a vehicle and
handing it to aimee,
656
00:37:28,546 --> 00:37:30,948
And it just
accidentally goes off
657
00:37:31,016 --> 00:37:33,550
Did--did not meet the evidence
that we were looking at.
658
00:37:34,886 --> 00:37:37,353
[narrator] then, investigators
learn that they might have
659
00:37:37,422 --> 00:37:40,690
One more shot at
getting the truth.
660
00:37:40,759 --> 00:37:42,625
The detention officers there
at baxter county came up
661
00:37:42,627 --> 00:37:44,494
And told us that--that
aimee herring
662
00:37:44,496 --> 00:37:46,163
Would now like to speak with us.
663
00:37:49,167 --> 00:37:53,270
[narrator] coming up, aimee
takes the fall for her lover.
664
00:37:59,844 --> 00:38:01,779
[narrator] and investigators
must determine
665
00:38:01,846 --> 00:38:07,283
Was this self-defense
or cold-blooded murder?
666
00:38:07,285 --> 00:38:09,719
They didn't contact
the authorities.
667
00:38:09,721 --> 00:38:11,888
They tried to destroy all
the evidence in this case.
668
00:38:14,793 --> 00:38:18,395
[theme music]
669
00:38:27,806 --> 00:38:30,874
[narrator] four days after
the murder of phil taylor,
670
00:38:30,942 --> 00:38:35,278
April quick has just confessed
to accidentally killing him
671
00:38:35,347 --> 00:38:38,515
Following an altercation
at a roadside park.
672
00:38:39,751 --> 00:38:42,552
Then April's lover,
aimee herring, comes forward
673
00:38:42,620 --> 00:38:46,289
With her version of
what happened that night.
674
00:38:46,291 --> 00:38:48,558
She stated that they'd
tried to contact phillip
675
00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:51,194
To speak about the children.
676
00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:08,345
They'd met there at
the roadside park
677
00:39:08,414 --> 00:39:12,650
And that he had gotten
physical with April.
678
00:39:12,717 --> 00:39:15,385
And then she stated that
she jumped out and stabbed him.
679
00:40:11,643 --> 00:40:13,109
[warren] she made
a lot of statements
680
00:40:13,178 --> 00:40:16,180
Basically volunteering
her guilt,
681
00:40:16,247 --> 00:40:18,048
But not giving the whole story.
682
00:40:18,116 --> 00:40:20,983
I thought some of the statements
were a little farfetched.
683
00:40:21,052 --> 00:40:23,320
But it became very obvious
that we had the right people.
684
00:40:26,925 --> 00:40:28,925
[narrator] with the
two women in custody,
685
00:40:28,927 --> 00:40:33,664
Investigators take a close look
at the claims phil was abusive.
686
00:40:33,731 --> 00:40:38,335
They find no police reports
to back the accusations.
687
00:40:38,403 --> 00:40:40,670
They reach out to the
woman who knew phil
688
00:40:40,672 --> 00:40:42,606
In both the depths
of his addiction
689
00:40:42,674 --> 00:40:45,341
And heights of his recovery--
690
00:40:45,343 --> 00:40:48,879
Phil's first wife,
melina aldridge.
691
00:40:48,947 --> 00:40:51,415
[melina] he was not
a violent person.
692
00:40:51,483 --> 00:40:55,485
When he was there and was
not into alcohol or drugs,
693
00:40:55,487 --> 00:40:58,020
He was a really good father.
694
00:40:58,089 --> 00:41:00,022
[chris] you know, as a part
of this investigation we--
695
00:41:00,091 --> 00:41:02,626
We did a lot of follow-up,
uh, interviews with people
696
00:41:02,694 --> 00:41:05,094
That knew him and were
acquainted with phillip,
697
00:41:05,163 --> 00:41:07,831
And people that may have been
involved in past relationships
698
00:41:07,899 --> 00:41:10,766
With him, ex-wives,
and girlfriends.
699
00:41:10,835 --> 00:41:12,969
When I asked if he'd ever
been violent with them,
700
00:41:13,037 --> 00:41:14,104
All of them said no.
701
00:41:14,172 --> 00:41:17,039
You know, aside
from April quick,
702
00:41:17,108 --> 00:41:20,110
That's the only person that
we found that indicated phillip
703
00:41:20,178 --> 00:41:22,412
Had any type of violent past.
704
00:41:25,250 --> 00:41:27,583
[narrator] as for their
claims that phil attacked them
705
00:41:27,652 --> 00:41:30,453
On the day of the
murder, if he did,
706
00:41:30,455 --> 00:41:34,924
Both aimee and April
walked away unscathed.
707
00:41:34,993 --> 00:41:36,759
Had this really
been a self-defense,
708
00:41:36,761 --> 00:41:40,296
I would have expected them
to have shown up at my office
709
00:41:40,365 --> 00:41:42,231
Showing me some
type of injuries.
710
00:41:42,233 --> 00:41:44,166
They didn't contact
the authorities.
711
00:41:44,235 --> 00:41:46,537
What they did is they took a
hundred bucks out of his wallet,
712
00:41:46,604 --> 00:41:48,137
They stole his cell phone,
713
00:41:48,207 --> 00:41:51,874
Tried to destroy all
the evidence in this case.
714
00:41:51,943 --> 00:41:53,543
They knew that they
were going to kill him.
715
00:41:56,214 --> 00:41:58,682
[narrator] when it comes to
what happened that night,
716
00:41:58,750 --> 00:42:03,419
To investigators, there's
only one explanation.
717
00:42:03,488 --> 00:42:05,221
I think that they planned
to meet him there.
718
00:42:05,957 --> 00:42:08,425
[chris] the letter just kind
of pushed things over the edge
719
00:42:08,493 --> 00:42:10,694
And--and they snapped.
720
00:42:12,063 --> 00:42:15,832
They planned this murder, and
then they filed a false report
721
00:42:15,834 --> 00:42:16,967
In mountain home, arkansas
722
00:42:17,035 --> 00:42:19,235
To say that your
home was burglarized
723
00:42:19,304 --> 00:42:20,971
And the murder
weapon was stolen.
724
00:42:24,242 --> 00:42:26,909
[narrator] facing overwhelming
evidence against them
725
00:42:26,978 --> 00:42:30,046
That they conspired
to kill phil taylor,
726
00:42:30,115 --> 00:42:34,184
Both aimee and April
agree to plead out.
727
00:42:34,252 --> 00:42:38,188
Their only way of escaping a
first-degree murder conviction
728
00:42:38,256 --> 00:42:41,224
Was to take a plea bargain
to a second-degree murder.
729
00:42:42,126 --> 00:42:43,593
[warren] aimee herring
and April quick
730
00:42:43,661 --> 00:42:45,661
Were charged with
second-degree murder.
731
00:42:45,730 --> 00:42:47,930
They eventually pled guilty,
732
00:42:47,999 --> 00:42:51,802
And aimee was sentenced
to 15 years in prison,
733
00:42:51,869 --> 00:42:54,504
And April quick was
sentenced to 20 years.
734
00:42:58,743 --> 00:42:59,942
[melina] people I
talk to, they're like,
735
00:43:00,011 --> 00:43:02,679
"I cannot believe
that's all she got."
736
00:43:02,681 --> 00:43:03,847
What do you do?
737
00:43:03,915 --> 00:43:06,884
It's like...I think
she deserved more.
738
00:43:08,687 --> 00:43:12,222
[ashley] I think he was
remembered as a family man.
739
00:43:12,290 --> 00:43:14,758
He was hardworking and caring.
740
00:43:14,826 --> 00:43:17,693
He would do anything
for his kids.
741
00:43:17,762 --> 00:43:21,231
Just a good brother, uncle.
742
00:43:22,700 --> 00:43:24,501
[shelbie] I can't ever see him,
I can't hug him,
743
00:43:24,569 --> 00:43:27,236
He can't walk me down the aisle.
I miss my dad,
744
00:43:27,238 --> 00:43:29,039
And there's nothing that
will bring him back.
745
00:43:34,312 --> 00:43:42,919
[music]