1
00:00:12,778 --> 00:00:14,846
Kelly:
Previously on "cold justice,"
2
00:00:14,848 --> 00:00:17,015
Steve and I arrived
in north dakota
3
00:00:17,017 --> 00:00:18,917
To help
the minot police department
4
00:00:18,919 --> 00:00:20,385
Investigate the 2007 murder
5
00:00:20,387 --> 00:00:24,056
Of 18-year-old college student
anita knutson.
6
00:00:24,058 --> 00:00:25,924
I don't think she was
struggling.
7
00:00:25,926 --> 00:00:28,026
This is two quick stabs.
8
00:00:28,028 --> 00:00:32,997
Anita was a smart, kind,
beautiful young woman,
9
00:00:32,999 --> 00:00:35,834
And her murder shook
this small town,
10
00:00:35,836 --> 00:00:39,338
Drew national attention
from true crime podcasts,
11
00:00:39,340 --> 00:00:41,707
And may have played a role
in her brother's tragic suicide
12
00:00:41,709 --> 00:00:43,909
Just a few years later.
13
00:00:43,911 --> 00:00:46,044
-Were you in love with anita?
-Yes.
14
00:00:46,046 --> 00:00:47,879
You would never do anything
like that, though?
15
00:00:47,881 --> 00:00:49,747
-Not me, no.
-We determined that her friend
16
00:00:49,749 --> 00:00:53,152
Tyler schmaltz's crush on her
was harmless,
17
00:00:53,154 --> 00:00:55,253
And we have eliminated him
as a suspect,
18
00:00:55,255 --> 00:00:56,888
Which leaves us with three--
19
00:00:56,890 --> 00:01:00,025
The last person to text
with her, michael vann,
20
00:01:00,027 --> 00:01:02,561
The maintenance man who
discovered her slashed window,
21
00:01:02,563 --> 00:01:04,162
Marty annell,
22
00:01:04,164 --> 00:01:06,965
And nichole thomas,
her allegedly jealous roommate
23
00:01:06,967 --> 00:01:09,434
Who argued with her
just a few weeks before.
24
00:01:13,341 --> 00:01:15,641
And while we struck out
with our dna testing,
25
00:01:15,643 --> 00:01:17,710
We did get a promising new lead
26
00:01:17,712 --> 00:01:19,812
And a clue that we're
on the right track.
27
00:01:19,814 --> 00:01:21,379
There were some people that went
to a party with her.
28
00:01:21,381 --> 00:01:23,882
She was drunk. She just all
of a sudden out of nowhere,
29
00:01:23,884 --> 00:01:25,784
"oh, yeah, I [bleep] did it."
30
00:01:25,786 --> 00:01:27,587
We'll have to do some research
and see if we can find
31
00:01:27,589 --> 00:01:29,988
The names of the couple
of people that were there.
32
00:01:29,990 --> 00:01:32,525
These people talk about her
being the same kind of drunk
33
00:01:32,527 --> 00:01:34,225
And saying the same thing,
and they're credible,
34
00:01:34,227 --> 00:01:36,428
Golly, that'd be nice.
35
00:01:39,133 --> 00:01:45,003
♪♪♪
36
00:01:45,005 --> 00:01:50,108
♪ catch you,
you best believe ♪
37
00:01:50,110 --> 00:01:56,481
[vocalizing]
38
00:01:56,483 --> 00:01:59,084
You and abby always want
these cases that are, like,
39
00:01:59,086 --> 00:02:01,753
More investigative
instead of these circumstantial
40
00:02:01,755 --> 00:02:03,155
Husband-wife,
boyfriend-girlfriend cases
41
00:02:03,157 --> 00:02:06,691
That I like, so you got your--
you got your choice.
42
00:02:06,693 --> 00:02:08,493
It's just sad, you know?
And this is a true victim.
43
00:02:08,495 --> 00:02:12,097
This is one of those things that
you are gonna lay in bed for
44
00:02:12,099 --> 00:02:13,865
For years and remember her,
you know?
45
00:02:13,867 --> 00:02:17,502
Just someone so young
and so kind of alive.
46
00:02:17,504 --> 00:02:19,906
-She was a nice girl. I mean...
-Yeah.
47
00:02:19,908 --> 00:02:21,506
-Great future.
-Didn't do anything wrong.
48
00:02:21,508 --> 00:02:24,442
Right. Kind of how you want
your kids to turn out.
49
00:02:24,444 --> 00:02:26,511
I know. It's crazy.
50
00:02:26,513 --> 00:02:28,380
There are still so many
unanswered questions.
51
00:02:28,382 --> 00:02:30,348
But anita's family has gone on
52
00:02:30,350 --> 00:02:33,985
Too long without answers
and justice.
53
00:02:33,987 --> 00:02:37,522
We're gonna do everything we can
to fix that.
54
00:02:37,524 --> 00:02:42,594
She was...Joy,
beautiful and fun,
55
00:02:42,596 --> 00:02:44,796
And everybody loved her.
56
00:02:44,798 --> 00:02:46,932
Smart, artistic.
57
00:02:46,934 --> 00:02:52,804
She took up violin, piano,
ballet, writing.
58
00:02:52,806 --> 00:02:57,142
Independent. She was a person
that always looked out
59
00:02:57,144 --> 00:03:00,746
For the ones
that are being bullied.
60
00:03:00,748 --> 00:03:04,283
There's nothing bad
you could say about her ever.
61
00:03:04,285 --> 00:03:09,221
The moment we lost her,
everything changed.
62
00:03:09,223 --> 00:03:13,291
I want that person that did it
to realize what they did
63
00:03:13,293 --> 00:03:16,361
And to who they did it to.
64
00:03:16,363 --> 00:03:18,363
Hoping things move quicker
than I know that they will.
65
00:03:18,365 --> 00:03:24,036
I mean...It's kind of all
there is, is hope, right?
66
00:03:29,176 --> 00:03:31,310
Man: According to the family,
anita expressed concern
67
00:03:31,312 --> 00:03:35,180
And even fear about her roommate
who she alleged had been
68
00:03:35,182 --> 00:03:37,382
Sending her
threatening text messages.
69
00:03:37,384 --> 00:03:40,986
The messages themselves
were apparently never seen,
70
00:03:40,988 --> 00:03:43,121
At least not
by anyone other than anita.
71
00:03:43,123 --> 00:03:45,424
But it was enough for
her mother sharon to acknowledge
72
00:03:45,426 --> 00:03:48,727
That anita may have been
in fear for her life.
73
00:03:48,729 --> 00:03:50,695
How are you all?
Eric devlin. Nice to meet you.
74
00:03:50,697 --> 00:03:51,997
-Mikki. Nice to meet you.
-Carmen.
75
00:03:51,999 --> 00:03:53,532
Eric devlin. Nice to meet you.
76
00:03:53,534 --> 00:03:56,735
While we work on tracking down
the party witnesses
77
00:03:56,737 --> 00:04:00,339
Who may have heard our suspect
nichole thomas confess,
78
00:04:00,341 --> 00:04:02,741
We wanna review
anita's text messages.
79
00:04:02,743 --> 00:04:05,144
-Ready to get going?
-Yes, sir.
80
00:04:05,146 --> 00:04:07,879
We know that anita texted
with michael vann,
81
00:04:07,881 --> 00:04:09,215
Also known as "money mike"
82
00:04:09,217 --> 00:04:12,418
In the early morning hours
before she was murdered
83
00:04:12,420 --> 00:04:14,886
And that she allegedly had
84
00:04:14,888 --> 00:04:18,957
A heated exchange in the past
with her roommate nichole.
85
00:04:18,959 --> 00:04:22,695
Our digital forensics expert is
here to help us lay it all out.
86
00:04:22,697 --> 00:04:25,631
First thing we got is
anita's cellphone that was found
87
00:04:25,633 --> 00:04:26,898
Inside of her apartment.
88
00:04:26,900 --> 00:04:29,235
It is an old-fashioned
motorola phone.
89
00:04:29,237 --> 00:04:32,837
We recovered 161 calls,
101 photographs,
90
00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,174
Uh, 48 different text messages.
91
00:04:35,176 --> 00:04:37,976
The question is since
anita's physical wounds
92
00:04:37,978 --> 00:04:41,112
Didn't suggest
a crime of passion,
93
00:04:41,114 --> 00:04:44,984
Are there digital clues
into her killer's motive?
94
00:04:44,986 --> 00:04:47,986
The last time that we think
that she was communicating,
95
00:04:47,988 --> 00:04:50,856
There's an outgoing message
from anita's phone
96
00:04:50,858 --> 00:04:53,591
We've identified with a contact
as "money mike."
97
00:04:53,593 --> 00:04:56,661
"how do you move on
after being engaged twice?
98
00:04:56,663 --> 00:04:58,598
That's a huge
life-altering thing."
99
00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,599
Next message for that number
associated with "money mike"--
100
00:05:01,601 --> 00:05:03,635
"you never move.
You just become jaded.
101
00:05:03,637 --> 00:05:07,139
Hope that you find someone
who will love you for you."
102
00:05:07,141 --> 00:05:10,308
She responds, "good night."
103
00:05:10,310 --> 00:05:14,646
4:39:53, mike responds,
"oh, good night."
104
00:05:14,648 --> 00:05:16,815
-Okay.
-Then he sends another message
105
00:05:16,817 --> 00:05:19,217
At 4:43:53 a.M.--
106
00:05:19,219 --> 00:05:22,387
"nice. I thought you were
gonna reply to last text,"
107
00:05:22,389 --> 00:05:27,926
To which she replies, "I didn't
know what to say to it."
108
00:05:27,928 --> 00:05:31,063
Reply incoming message, uh--
"you don't say anything."
109
00:05:31,065 --> 00:05:34,233
That one shows "received."
it does not show "read."
110
00:05:34,235 --> 00:05:36,502
She never read. Okay.
111
00:05:36,504 --> 00:05:39,037
From the looks of it,
on the morning of her murder,
112
00:05:39,039 --> 00:05:41,973
Anita was getting advice
from michael vann
113
00:05:41,975 --> 00:05:44,509
About having a broken heart.
114
00:05:44,511 --> 00:05:45,710
We know that she had
an ex-boyfriend
115
00:05:45,712 --> 00:05:48,313
She was still talking to
out in california.
116
00:05:48,315 --> 00:05:50,648
Maybe that's what
that was all about.
117
00:05:50,650 --> 00:05:53,051
There doesn't seem to be
anything to indicate
118
00:05:53,053 --> 00:05:57,188
Any animosity
between anita and michael,
119
00:05:57,190 --> 00:05:59,324
But what about
her roommate nichole?
120
00:05:59,326 --> 00:06:01,760
The next one I was asked about--
text message with nichole.
121
00:06:01,762 --> 00:06:06,397
So 4/21/2007, there was
a message 7:49:15 a.M.
122
00:06:06,399 --> 00:06:07,665
It was an incoming message.
123
00:06:07,667 --> 00:06:09,567
"k, so next time you leave
and don't plan
124
00:06:09,569 --> 00:06:12,037
On coming back in the morning
and lock your door,
125
00:06:12,039 --> 00:06:15,206
'cause god knows
I'm dying to get in there,
126
00:06:15,208 --> 00:06:16,875
Shut the [bleep] alarm on
127
00:06:16,877 --> 00:06:19,210
So I don't have to listen to it
all morning
128
00:06:19,212 --> 00:06:20,745
When I can be sleeping."
129
00:06:20,747 --> 00:06:23,082
-Six weeks before.
-Correct.
130
00:06:23,084 --> 00:06:27,086
Next message--
4/21/2007 from nichole.
131
00:06:27,088 --> 00:06:31,356
"and just for the heads up,
my dad and I are going to talk
132
00:06:31,358 --> 00:06:34,292
To the landlord asap
and see what we can do
133
00:06:34,294 --> 00:06:36,961
'cause honestly I have no idea
what I did to you
134
00:06:36,963 --> 00:06:39,965
To make you all of a sudden
be all weird on me,
135
00:06:39,967 --> 00:06:42,100
But I'm gonna tell you right now
I sure as hell
136
00:06:42,102 --> 00:06:45,303
Ain't gonna put up
with it until December.
137
00:06:45,305 --> 00:06:47,439
This sucks!
And I may sound like a bitch,
138
00:06:47,441 --> 00:06:50,708
But what goes around
comes around."
139
00:06:50,710 --> 00:06:52,243
I think that sums up
their relationship right there.
140
00:06:52,245 --> 00:06:53,311
-Mm-hmm.
-Yeah.
141
00:06:53,313 --> 00:06:55,514
At 8:21:36 a.M.,
incoming message,
142
00:06:55,516 --> 00:06:57,115
Again from nichole.
143
00:06:57,117 --> 00:06:59,451
"things shouldn't have gotten
like this in the first place.
144
00:06:59,453 --> 00:07:01,186
I didn't do [bleep]
to deserve it.
145
00:07:01,188 --> 00:07:04,590
But whatev.
I am done discussing this.
146
00:07:04,592 --> 00:07:06,257
Oh, and by the way,
I really don't feel like
147
00:07:06,259 --> 00:07:08,126
Talking on the phone,
148
00:07:08,128 --> 00:07:10,061
So I guess we're both [bleep]
out of luck, aren't we?"
149
00:07:10,063 --> 00:07:12,363
We don't have any reply,
so we don't know what she--
150
00:07:12,365 --> 00:07:13,665
What she replied to,
what she said.
151
00:07:13,667 --> 00:07:15,467
We don't know if she replied
at all.
152
00:07:15,469 --> 00:07:20,740
1:31:10 p.M. At 4/22/2007, from
the phone number from nichole,
153
00:07:20,742 --> 00:07:22,674
"are you gonna move out
or am I,
154
00:07:22,676 --> 00:07:26,010
If we can get out of this lease
if one of us leaves?"
155
00:07:26,012 --> 00:07:29,280
-Hmm.
-Message, 4/22/2007--
156
00:07:29,282 --> 00:07:30,748
Incoming message from nichole.
157
00:07:30,750 --> 00:07:32,484
"this is causing me problems
with my family
158
00:07:32,486 --> 00:07:36,354
Because my stress level
is very high on this subject.
159
00:07:36,356 --> 00:07:39,958
Seriously, what did I do to you?
I ain't ever home.
160
00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,293
You pretty much have
the effin' place to yourself,
161
00:07:42,295 --> 00:07:44,363
For christ sake."
162
00:07:44,365 --> 00:07:46,164
And this is
the one last message.
163
00:07:46,166 --> 00:07:50,636
This message is sent 6/4/2007,
5:34:16 p.M.
164
00:07:50,638 --> 00:07:53,438
"what does your mom want
my phone number for?"
165
00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:55,373
The notation on this one
is this message
166
00:07:55,375 --> 00:07:56,908
Was never actually read.
167
00:07:56,910 --> 00:07:58,511
That is Monday.
I believe her body was found
168
00:07:58,513 --> 00:08:00,513
About--almost right
about this time, right?
169
00:08:00,515 --> 00:08:05,183
Yeah, okay. These messages
paint a pretty clear picture
170
00:08:05,185 --> 00:08:08,587
Of escalating tension
between anita and nichole.
171
00:08:08,589 --> 00:08:12,258
What's most surprising
is that initially,
172
00:08:12,260 --> 00:08:15,594
Nichole told the investigators
that she and anita
173
00:08:15,596 --> 00:08:18,463
Did not have any serious issues.
174
00:08:18,465 --> 00:08:21,199
Nichole's text messages
seem pretty damning,
175
00:08:21,201 --> 00:08:22,333
Except for the last one
176
00:08:22,335 --> 00:08:26,070
She sent a few hours
after the murder.
177
00:08:26,072 --> 00:08:29,407
Was nichole really unaware
anita was dead,
178
00:08:29,409 --> 00:08:31,943
Or was she just trying to appear
like she was?
179
00:08:31,945 --> 00:08:33,411
Well, thank you very much,
eric.
180
00:08:33,413 --> 00:08:34,479
Good luck.
181
00:08:34,481 --> 00:08:34,545
♪♪♪
182
00:08:34,714 --> 00:08:44,555
Man:
There are a number of things
183
00:08:44,557 --> 00:08:46,157
That could break this case.
184
00:08:46,159 --> 00:08:47,692
It might be somebody
that hears a story
185
00:08:47,694 --> 00:08:51,896
Or a friend that confides
in them.
186
00:08:51,898 --> 00:08:55,501
-Okay, so I did look these up...
-Okay.
187
00:08:55,503 --> 00:08:58,770
...On our gis map. This one
looks like a good address.
188
00:08:58,772 --> 00:09:01,573
According to a rumor
from one of our witnesses,
189
00:09:01,575 --> 00:09:03,342
Anita's roommate,
nichole thomas,
190
00:09:03,344 --> 00:09:04,977
Sometime after
anita knutson's murder,
191
00:09:04,979 --> 00:09:09,180
Actually got drunk at a party
and confessed to killing her.
192
00:09:09,182 --> 00:09:10,982
She was supposed to be
at that party as well?
193
00:09:10,984 --> 00:09:12,517
Yeah.
194
00:09:12,519 --> 00:09:14,053
We got leads on three people
who may have been there
195
00:09:14,055 --> 00:09:15,653
And heard her say it.
196
00:09:15,655 --> 00:09:19,524
If so, that would be a big piece
of circumstantial evidence
197
00:09:19,526 --> 00:09:21,659
And would give us something
to confront nichole with
198
00:09:21,661 --> 00:09:23,595
When she comes to talk to us.
199
00:09:23,597 --> 00:09:27,332
I am working a case
back from around 15 years ago.
200
00:09:27,334 --> 00:09:30,068
Anita knutson.
Do you know who that is?
201
00:09:30,070 --> 00:09:31,469
Oh, I've heard about her.
Like I've seen--
202
00:09:31,471 --> 00:09:34,872
Okay, so your name was
brought up for being at a party,
203
00:09:34,874 --> 00:09:39,878
And there was mention
of nichole thomas being there.
204
00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:41,814
Yeah, that name sounds familiar.
205
00:09:41,816 --> 00:09:42,747
[baby crying]
206
00:09:42,749 --> 00:09:44,549
What? You want help?
207
00:09:44,551 --> 00:09:47,218
So you don't know any parties
or statements were made
208
00:09:47,220 --> 00:09:48,886
That might have been concerning
or...
209
00:09:48,888 --> 00:09:52,623
-Mnh-mnh.
-Thank you. I appreciate it.
210
00:09:52,625 --> 00:09:56,028
-That was a huge bust.
-I still think all killers talk.
211
00:09:56,030 --> 00:09:58,363
It's just a matter
of who they talk to.
212
00:09:58,365 --> 00:09:59,965
I mean, you can't hold it in
for 15 years...
213
00:09:59,967 --> 00:10:02,300
-Nah.
-...Without a shred of guilt.
214
00:10:02,302 --> 00:10:04,436
[line rings]
215
00:10:05,772 --> 00:10:07,973
Do you remember
the anita knutson homicide?
216
00:10:07,975 --> 00:10:10,308
Did you know her?
217
00:10:10,310 --> 00:10:13,512
Nichole thomas--
do you remember her?
218
00:10:16,784 --> 00:10:18,183
Okay.
219
00:10:21,889 --> 00:10:23,721
Okay. You have a good day.
220
00:10:23,723 --> 00:10:26,157
-All right.
-Okay.
221
00:10:26,159 --> 00:10:28,560
Hello.
222
00:10:28,562 --> 00:10:31,396
-Y'all have any luck?
-Not really.
223
00:10:31,398 --> 00:10:34,999
He didn't even remember nichole
at all.
224
00:10:35,001 --> 00:10:37,268
See, and that's the same.
She couldn't remember nichole.
225
00:10:37,270 --> 00:10:41,706
Okay. We are 0 for 2 in finding
someone at this party
226
00:10:41,708 --> 00:10:44,009
Who might have heard nichole
confess.
227
00:10:44,011 --> 00:10:46,144
Is it just because it's a rumor,
228
00:10:46,146 --> 00:10:48,414
Or will we have better luck
with the third person?
229
00:10:48,416 --> 00:10:49,947
I don't remember nichole.
230
00:10:49,949 --> 00:10:51,883
Maybe she was at a party
I was at,
231
00:10:51,885 --> 00:10:53,352
But I couldn't put a face
to her or anything, so...
232
00:10:53,354 --> 00:10:55,019
Okay.
233
00:10:55,021 --> 00:10:57,222
It sounds like there's nothing
to this party rumor after all.
234
00:10:57,224 --> 00:10:58,057
-Thanks a lot, sir.
-Yeah.
235
00:10:58,059 --> 00:10:59,624
-Take care.
-Okay.
236
00:10:59,626 --> 00:11:02,627
If nichole actually did confess,
we have no way of proving it.
237
00:11:02,629 --> 00:11:04,396
♪♪♪
238
00:11:04,398 --> 00:11:08,032
♪ look me in the eye ♪
239
00:11:08,034 --> 00:11:11,302
♪ tell me what you see ♪
240
00:11:11,304 --> 00:11:13,171
♪ is it do or say die? ♪
241
00:11:13,173 --> 00:11:15,707
Dr. Pinneri's over here waiting
for us to get there
242
00:11:15,709 --> 00:11:18,844
Along with carmen and mikki
243
00:11:18,846 --> 00:11:20,845
So y'all can talk
through everything.
244
00:11:20,847 --> 00:11:24,115
Today we are re-examining
the actual apartment
245
00:11:24,117 --> 00:11:26,784
Where anita was killed
back in 2007.
246
00:11:26,786 --> 00:11:29,721
We hope that recreating
the killer's actions
247
00:11:29,723 --> 00:11:31,589
Will shed light
on the likelihood
248
00:11:31,591 --> 00:11:34,193
That they entered and exited
through the cut window screen.
249
00:11:34,195 --> 00:11:40,199
♪♪♪
250
00:11:40,201 --> 00:11:41,699
-This was their living room?
-Yep.
251
00:11:41,701 --> 00:11:43,401
-Mm-hmm.
-So straight ahead, that's
252
00:11:43,403 --> 00:11:46,771
Gonna be anita's bedroom. Okay.
-Anita's, yeah.
253
00:11:46,773 --> 00:11:48,940
-Well, it's tiny.
-Yeah.
254
00:11:48,942 --> 00:11:50,274
Wow.
255
00:11:50,276 --> 00:11:52,077
That's exactly where
her bed was, just like this?
256
00:11:52,079 --> 00:11:53,077
Yep, bed was up
against the wall over here.
257
00:11:53,079 --> 00:11:56,147
She had a dresser
next to the bed.
258
00:11:56,149 --> 00:11:58,349
The way her body ends up--
can you be her?
259
00:11:58,351 --> 00:11:59,617
-Absolutely.
-And then we'll talk about how
260
00:11:59,619 --> 00:12:01,819
She got there, but start
with where she ends up.
261
00:12:01,821 --> 00:12:04,422
The left leg is bent up
like this.
262
00:12:04,424 --> 00:12:09,460
This leg is down like this.
And she's just...
263
00:12:09,462 --> 00:12:10,763
And where's the knife?
264
00:12:10,765 --> 00:12:13,364
The knife was here
at the corner foot of the bed.
265
00:12:13,366 --> 00:12:14,699
It was kind of
under the blanket.
266
00:12:14,701 --> 00:12:19,503
Okay. Now, carmen,
if you're marty,
267
00:12:19,505 --> 00:12:21,773
I can kinda see now why
he didn't see her, right?
268
00:12:21,775 --> 00:12:24,909
Well, especially when the lights
are off in here,
269
00:12:24,911 --> 00:12:27,111
And you stand outside
and look in,
270
00:12:27,113 --> 00:12:28,781
It's very dark in this room.
271
00:12:28,783 --> 00:12:29,982
There's no lights in here
that were on
272
00:12:29,984 --> 00:12:31,582
'cause gordon turned them on.
273
00:12:31,584 --> 00:12:33,384
And there's a big blanket
right here.
274
00:12:33,386 --> 00:12:37,789
Yeah. So I can absolutely
see why he didn't see her.
275
00:12:37,791 --> 00:12:38,990
Maybe marty was telling
the truth
276
00:12:38,992 --> 00:12:40,458
About not being able to see
anita's body
277
00:12:40,460 --> 00:12:42,127
Through the open window.
278
00:12:42,129 --> 00:12:47,732
Okay, now do your thoughts
on how she ends up that way.
279
00:12:47,734 --> 00:12:50,369
So she's laying here
propped up.
280
00:12:50,371 --> 00:12:52,870
Got a bathrobe on,
no panties, no bra.
281
00:12:52,872 --> 00:12:56,407
Texting. Her phone's kind of
right here.
282
00:12:56,409 --> 00:12:58,876
Whether she's texting or asleep,
the killer entered the room.
283
00:12:58,878 --> 00:13:01,612
She's kind of propped up
just like dr. Pinneri is.
284
00:13:01,614 --> 00:13:04,316
And he's gonna do one...Here.
285
00:13:06,452 --> 00:13:09,921
Comes across and fatally
right in between the breasts.
286
00:13:11,491 --> 00:13:15,828
She sits up and then just
collapses forward.
287
00:13:15,830 --> 00:13:18,496
So that's a fast collapse, huh?
288
00:13:18,498 --> 00:13:21,432
Pretty fast.
Her heart is...Cut.
289
00:13:21,434 --> 00:13:23,768
So the muscle can't contract
at all.
290
00:13:23,770 --> 00:13:25,637
See, I always thought that
291
00:13:25,639 --> 00:13:29,640
Anita hops up,
and there's more of a struggle.
292
00:13:29,642 --> 00:13:31,309
And then she falls like this.
293
00:13:31,311 --> 00:13:34,245
But there's nothing in this room
that's tipped upside down.
294
00:13:34,247 --> 00:13:36,380
On her dresser was
a lot of delicate stuff.
295
00:13:36,382 --> 00:13:38,649
I mean, that stuff would all--
look at how small this room is.
296
00:13:38,651 --> 00:13:40,052
Yeah.
297
00:13:40,054 --> 00:13:41,919
She didn't have a chance
to scream or defend herself.
298
00:13:41,921 --> 00:13:43,187
You would think that
if the killer
299
00:13:43,189 --> 00:13:44,922
Actually crawled through
anita's bedroom window,
300
00:13:44,924 --> 00:13:46,558
She would have been alerted.
301
00:13:46,560 --> 00:13:48,659
There was a lot of stuff
that she had
302
00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:50,861
Just piled on the floor
underneath the window.
303
00:13:50,863 --> 00:13:53,531
It would've been just
disheveled.
304
00:13:53,533 --> 00:13:56,267
-Okay, and it wasn't messed up?
-Didn't look to be.
305
00:13:56,269 --> 00:14:00,271
Marty admits with the screen,
he removed it.
306
00:14:00,273 --> 00:14:02,473
You're gonna go out,
this screen,
307
00:14:02,475 --> 00:14:03,674
I can tell ya,
from the pressure,
308
00:14:03,676 --> 00:14:05,076
It's gonna pop.
-That's gonna pop out.
309
00:14:05,078 --> 00:14:07,412
It's gonna pop, and there's
gonna be bends in it.
310
00:14:07,414 --> 00:14:09,146
-I mean...
-For the metal itself.
311
00:14:09,148 --> 00:14:10,381
-Yeah.
-And what's gonna happen
312
00:14:10,383 --> 00:14:12,149
To your cut "l" when you go out?
313
00:14:12,151 --> 00:14:14,319
-Well, it's gonna rip.
-Okay.
314
00:14:14,321 --> 00:14:15,820
Show us the cut.
315
00:14:15,822 --> 00:14:17,755
-[squeaking]
-oh, my god.
316
00:14:17,757 --> 00:14:20,591
-That goes through so easy.
-And that makes a lot of noise.
317
00:14:20,593 --> 00:14:22,895
She's laying back just texting
her friends...
318
00:14:22,897 --> 00:14:25,496
I'm gonna see it.
I'm gonna hear it.
319
00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:26,965
If you're hearing somebody,
320
00:14:26,967 --> 00:14:29,033
And you have that much time
to prepare,
321
00:14:29,035 --> 00:14:33,237
You either run,
you call 9-1-1.
322
00:14:33,239 --> 00:14:34,305
You don't just lay here
casually with your feet.
323
00:14:34,307 --> 00:14:35,640
You'd have defensive wounds,
too.
324
00:14:35,642 --> 00:14:36,775
-Absolutely.
-You'd have some sort of
325
00:14:36,777 --> 00:14:38,576
Broken fingernails, something.
-Yeah.
326
00:14:38,578 --> 00:14:40,879
-Try to go out it, steve.
-[squeaking]
327
00:14:40,881 --> 00:14:43,748
Oh, sh--.
No, I ain't going out here.
328
00:14:43,750 --> 00:14:46,384
What else do we need to
appreciate about the window?
329
00:14:46,386 --> 00:14:48,052
There's gonna be marks again
on the wall from--
330
00:14:48,054 --> 00:14:50,621
From when you grab here,
you can see the dust.
331
00:14:50,623 --> 00:14:54,258
We have that...Picture.
Like, you can see all the...
332
00:14:54,260 --> 00:14:56,594
I mean, look at that.
So nobody went out that way.
333
00:14:56,596 --> 00:14:57,995
Not messed up.
334
00:14:57,997 --> 00:14:59,397
Her blood was--was on it.
335
00:14:59,399 --> 00:15:02,066
Her blood's on the string
for the night. Okay.
336
00:15:02,068 --> 00:15:03,801
The evidence suggests
that anita's killer
337
00:15:03,803 --> 00:15:05,403
Never entered
through this bedroom window.
338
00:15:05,405 --> 00:15:08,040
Plus anita's blood was found
near the cut in the screen,
339
00:15:08,042 --> 00:15:09,807
Suggesting that the screen
was cut
340
00:15:09,809 --> 00:15:13,277
With the knife after it was used
to stab anita.
341
00:15:13,279 --> 00:15:15,279
I've seen a lot of crime scenes
in my day,
342
00:15:15,281 --> 00:15:18,049
And this was clearly staged,
but more importantly,
343
00:15:18,051 --> 00:15:20,751
If anita's killer didn't enter
through the bedroom window,
344
00:15:20,753 --> 00:15:22,620
They must have come
through the front door.
345
00:15:22,622 --> 00:15:24,755
And when her body
was discovered,
346
00:15:24,757 --> 00:15:26,091
That door was actually locked.
347
00:15:26,093 --> 00:15:28,826
What if anita let our killer in?
348
00:15:28,828 --> 00:15:30,828
-Mm-hmm.
-Okay? So the murder happens.
349
00:15:30,830 --> 00:15:32,630
And I'm the killer,
and the door's unlocked,
350
00:15:32,632 --> 00:15:35,033
'cause anita let me in
'cause she knows me,
351
00:15:35,035 --> 00:15:37,636
And now I can lock this door
by turning the knob,
352
00:15:37,638 --> 00:15:41,439
And I can pull it, too,
and it's gonna lock you.
353
00:15:41,441 --> 00:15:43,574
-But you...Open it.
-Does that make sense?
354
00:15:43,576 --> 00:15:46,043
You can get right back in.
This is not a push-to-turn lock.
355
00:15:46,045 --> 00:15:47,578
-Right.
-And you would have to use
356
00:15:47,580 --> 00:15:48,913
A key to unlock that deadbolt.
-Yes.
357
00:15:48,915 --> 00:15:50,382
-Yes.
-Okay.
358
00:15:50,384 --> 00:15:54,385
This door and lock are exactly
the same as it was back in 2007,
359
00:15:54,387 --> 00:15:58,389
And the door can only be locked
or unlocked with the key.
360
00:15:58,391 --> 00:16:00,258
So if it was locked
after the killer left,
361
00:16:00,260 --> 00:16:01,993
They had to have a key.
362
00:16:01,995 --> 00:16:05,129
So if the killer locked the door
when they left,
363
00:16:05,131 --> 00:16:07,598
In the whole wide world,
who has a key?
364
00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:11,602
Anita, her roommate,
and the maintenance man.
365
00:16:11,604 --> 00:16:15,406
This is a huge piece of evidence
and a big deal.
366
00:16:15,408 --> 00:16:17,208
That was very, very helpful.
Thank you.
367
00:16:17,210 --> 00:16:19,278
We already cleared
tyler schmaltz as a suspect,
368
00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:22,381
But it looks like there's
no way or he or michael vann
369
00:16:22,383 --> 00:16:25,082
Could have possibly
killed anita,
370
00:16:25,084 --> 00:16:27,351
Which leaves us
with marty and nichole.
371
00:16:27,486 --> 00:16:32,790
♪♪♪
372
00:16:32,791 --> 00:16:38,095
♪♪♪
373
00:16:38,097 --> 00:16:41,232
Based on our examination
of anita knutson's apartment,
374
00:16:41,234 --> 00:16:44,969
We have all but eliminated
michael vann as a suspect
375
00:16:44,971 --> 00:16:47,204
Because he did not have a key.
376
00:16:47,206 --> 00:16:50,775
That leaves her roommate,
nichole thomas,
377
00:16:50,777 --> 00:16:53,444
And the maintenance man,
marty annell.
378
00:16:53,446 --> 00:16:54,878
Woman: The property's
maintenance man--
379
00:16:54,880 --> 00:17:00,252
Many suspect him because
he did commit suicide.
380
00:17:00,254 --> 00:17:02,720
Man: The problem here seems
to be that
381
00:17:02,722 --> 00:17:04,188
We don't know his history,
382
00:17:04,190 --> 00:17:05,856
We don't know
his mental health situation,
383
00:17:05,858 --> 00:17:08,125
And we don't know
the unfortunate series of events
384
00:17:08,127 --> 00:17:09,594
Which led to his death.
385
00:17:09,596 --> 00:17:11,796
[line rings]
386
00:17:11,798 --> 00:17:13,330
-Hi. Is this connie?
-Yes, it is.
387
00:17:13,332 --> 00:17:14,800
This is detective asham.
388
00:17:14,802 --> 00:17:16,667
I'm calling from
the minot police department.
389
00:17:16,669 --> 00:17:20,204
We are looking
into an old cold case,
390
00:17:20,206 --> 00:17:25,109
And it kind of relates back
to your brother marty.
391
00:17:25,111 --> 00:17:28,412
Since marty's deceased, we're
reaching out to his sister.
392
00:17:28,414 --> 00:17:31,383
The question is, what was
going on in marty's world
393
00:17:31,385 --> 00:17:33,684
Where he decided
to end his life?
394
00:17:33,686 --> 00:17:36,822
And was it possibly guilt
over killing anita?
395
00:17:36,824 --> 00:17:38,556
I don't know if you remember
there was a homicide
396
00:17:38,558 --> 00:17:41,025
Here in minot back in 2007.
397
00:17:41,027 --> 00:17:41,959
And it was
in that apartment complex...
398
00:17:41,961 --> 00:17:45,530
Yeah, where marty worked.
399
00:17:49,368 --> 00:17:51,169
Yeah, so do you remember him
400
00:17:51,171 --> 00:17:53,137
Talking about that happening
at all?
401
00:17:54,807 --> 00:17:56,207
Okay.
402
00:17:58,778 --> 00:18:02,280
Right. Yeah. We just kinda
wanted to get
403
00:18:02,282 --> 00:18:04,715
A little background on what else
was going on in his life
404
00:18:04,717 --> 00:18:06,918
At that time that may have led
to his suicide.
405
00:18:17,196 --> 00:18:20,065
Do you remember how long they
were in a relationship for?
406
00:18:23,170 --> 00:18:26,270
When you found out what happened
with marty,
407
00:18:26,272 --> 00:18:28,406
Was that a shock to you?
408
00:18:30,409 --> 00:18:31,810
Okay.
409
00:18:56,235 --> 00:18:59,170
And just to confirm, like,
you don't remember marty
410
00:18:59,172 --> 00:19:03,741
Ever mentioning anita's murder
to you at all?
411
00:19:09,850 --> 00:19:11,583
-Okay.
-With marty being dead,
412
00:19:11,585 --> 00:19:15,119
Connie doesn't have
a big motivation to lie for him,
413
00:19:15,121 --> 00:19:16,921
And according to her,
414
00:19:16,923 --> 00:19:19,289
He was losing
his long-term relationship,
415
00:19:19,291 --> 00:19:22,727
His job, and his place to live.
416
00:19:22,729 --> 00:19:24,528
We talked for six hours.
417
00:19:24,530 --> 00:19:27,065
He said that something
was wrong.
418
00:19:27,067 --> 00:19:29,466
On top of that,
it was new year's day,
419
00:19:29,468 --> 00:19:33,872
So maybe he was just reflecting
on his own life and not anita's.
420
00:19:33,874 --> 00:19:36,140
-Thank you, connie.
-Bye-bye.
421
00:19:36,142 --> 00:19:39,511
-Nice! Nice.
-Ahh.
422
00:19:39,513 --> 00:19:41,545
Ooh, that makes me feel
so much better.
423
00:19:41,547 --> 00:19:45,549
♪♪♪
424
00:19:45,551 --> 00:19:48,285
With marty looking more and more
like he's not our killer,
425
00:19:48,287 --> 00:19:50,221
It's time to refocus
our attention back
426
00:19:50,223 --> 00:19:52,424
On nichole thomas.
427
00:19:52,426 --> 00:19:55,826
So let's see if we can try
to find donna bjelland.
428
00:19:55,828 --> 00:19:59,231
Now she was the boss
at etelecare of nichole.
429
00:19:59,233 --> 00:20:03,235
I think nichole even talked
to her about the murder itself.
430
00:20:03,237 --> 00:20:06,337
Nichole's former co-worker
has spoken to police in the past
431
00:20:06,339 --> 00:20:08,372
About nichole's temper.
432
00:20:08,374 --> 00:20:10,874
We wanna learn more about that,
and if it was so bad,
433
00:20:10,876 --> 00:20:12,376
It could have led
to this murder.
434
00:20:12,378 --> 00:20:13,444
-Hi. How can I help you?
-Donna?
435
00:20:13,446 --> 00:20:14,846
-Yeah.
-Hi, donna.
436
00:20:14,848 --> 00:20:16,848
I'm detective talbott with
the minot police department.
437
00:20:16,850 --> 00:20:18,182
-Oh, hello.
-Hi!
438
00:20:18,184 --> 00:20:20,185
-I'm steve. How are you?
-Nice to meet you, steve.
439
00:20:20,187 --> 00:20:22,052
-Mikki.
-Mikki. Nice to meet you.
440
00:20:22,054 --> 00:20:23,654
Nice to meet you.
441
00:20:23,656 --> 00:20:25,189
We're kind of looking
into anita knutson's case
442
00:20:25,191 --> 00:20:27,925
Back in 2007.
-Oh, yeah, I'm glad to tell you
443
00:20:27,927 --> 00:20:29,294
Anything about her.
-Okay, yes.
444
00:20:29,296 --> 00:20:30,795
-She sat next to me.
-Nikki did?
445
00:20:30,797 --> 00:20:35,000
And I heard her, uh, the girl
whose roommate was killed
446
00:20:35,002 --> 00:20:38,669
Sat next to me, and I heard her
bitching about that roommate
447
00:20:38,671 --> 00:20:40,938
For months to the point
where I told her--
448
00:20:40,940 --> 00:20:43,741
I said, "you guys gotta--
you can't live together."
449
00:20:43,743 --> 00:20:45,676
Did she ever talk about if it
got physical?
450
00:20:45,678 --> 00:20:49,346
No. All I know is it was
a very volatile situation,
451
00:20:49,348 --> 00:20:51,682
One that I thought
was gonna explode.
452
00:20:51,684 --> 00:20:54,285
Because what happened
toward the end there
453
00:20:54,287 --> 00:20:57,554
Is she had actually, um,
her roommate and her
454
00:20:57,556 --> 00:21:00,157
Were arguing
about her aquarium running.
455
00:21:00,159 --> 00:21:02,760
Anita didn't like the sound
of the aquarium,
456
00:21:02,762 --> 00:21:05,629
And so she kept turning it off.
457
00:21:05,631 --> 00:21:06,964
And then she came back
from a weekend,
458
00:21:06,966 --> 00:21:08,766
And the girl had turned it off
completely,
459
00:21:08,768 --> 00:21:10,368
And all her fish were dead.
460
00:21:10,370 --> 00:21:14,239
And she just went completely
bananas over it.
461
00:21:14,241 --> 00:21:17,441
And, uh, it was like that
following Monday or something,
462
00:21:17,443 --> 00:21:20,110
It was right after that
that she comes in
463
00:21:20,112 --> 00:21:22,847
And said that her roommate
was killed.
464
00:21:22,849 --> 00:21:25,050
She came after the homicide
and was telling me
465
00:21:25,052 --> 00:21:27,052
And just wasn't--she said,
466
00:21:27,054 --> 00:21:29,453
"as long as I keep
my mouth shut, I'll be fine."
467
00:21:29,455 --> 00:21:32,389
We knew about nichole and
anita's strained relationship,
468
00:21:32,391 --> 00:21:33,858
But this is the first time
we've heard
469
00:21:33,860 --> 00:21:36,094
That anita killed
nichole's pet fish.
470
00:21:36,096 --> 00:21:37,995
As silly as that sounds,
you have to wonder
471
00:21:37,997 --> 00:21:39,930
If that may have been
the tipping point
472
00:21:39,932 --> 00:21:41,465
In their relationship.
473
00:21:41,467 --> 00:21:43,734
Do you think she was sorry
about what happened to anita?
474
00:21:43,736 --> 00:21:45,036
-[bleep] no.
-You didn't--she never--
475
00:21:45,038 --> 00:21:47,271
"that girl got what she deserved
after the way she acted."
476
00:21:47,273 --> 00:21:49,940
That's not who--that's not--
those are her words.
477
00:21:49,942 --> 00:21:53,010
She's capable of murder.
That's what I think.
478
00:21:53,144 --> 00:21:58,115
♪♪♪
479
00:21:58,116 --> 00:22:03,087
♪♪♪
480
00:22:03,090 --> 00:22:04,755
Man: Anyone who's ever had
a roommate knows
481
00:22:04,757 --> 00:22:08,560
It isn't exactly uncommon to
get on one another's nerves.
482
00:22:08,562 --> 00:22:11,028
But this situation seemed to be
becoming more volatile
483
00:22:11,030 --> 00:22:13,097
And even threatening.
484
00:22:13,099 --> 00:22:14,898
At this point,
we've heard from witnesses
485
00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:17,000
That nichole thomas
had a temper,
486
00:22:17,002 --> 00:22:19,103
Was jealous of anita,
and became enraged with anita
487
00:22:19,105 --> 00:22:21,239
Just days before the murder.
488
00:22:21,241 --> 00:22:24,508
[line rings]
489
00:22:24,510 --> 00:22:25,976
Hi. Is this willy?
490
00:22:25,978 --> 00:22:29,246
Hey, willy, it's detective asham
calling from minot p.D.
491
00:22:29,248 --> 00:22:31,982
We tracked down nichole's
ex-boyfriend willy may,
492
00:22:31,984 --> 00:22:33,584
Who dated her after the murder.
493
00:22:33,586 --> 00:22:35,319
We're wondering
what she may have told him
494
00:22:35,321 --> 00:22:37,855
About the death
of her old roommate.
495
00:22:37,857 --> 00:22:39,189
So we're kind of trying
to relook
496
00:22:39,191 --> 00:22:43,327
At the anita knutson murder
from back in 2007,
497
00:22:43,329 --> 00:22:45,462
And it's my understanding
that at some point after that,
498
00:22:45,464 --> 00:22:50,201
You had dated nichole thomas
for a while. Is that right?
499
00:22:50,203 --> 00:22:51,502
Okay.
500
00:22:57,277 --> 00:22:59,844
Do you remember when that was
you dated?
501
00:23:05,351 --> 00:23:09,053
So not long after anita knutson
was murdered?
502
00:23:14,360 --> 00:23:15,694
Right.
503
00:23:21,367 --> 00:23:23,334
Mm.
504
00:23:29,875 --> 00:23:32,777
She told you
that she killed anita?
505
00:23:39,118 --> 00:23:43,854
Did she say how she did it
or any specifics?
506
00:23:43,856 --> 00:23:45,389
Okay.
507
00:23:52,398 --> 00:23:54,698
Yeah.
508
00:23:58,003 --> 00:23:59,036
Sure.
509
00:24:02,074 --> 00:24:04,075
Do you still have any contact
with her?
510
00:24:06,012 --> 00:24:07,611
Nothing?
511
00:24:07,613 --> 00:24:09,614
We've heard about rumors
where nichole attended a party
512
00:24:09,616 --> 00:24:12,015
And actually confessed
to stabbing anita.
513
00:24:12,017 --> 00:24:14,551
And now we found
her ex-boyfriend, willy may,
514
00:24:14,553 --> 00:24:16,421
Who was actually at the party
515
00:24:16,423 --> 00:24:18,489
And heard her
make those statements.
516
00:24:18,491 --> 00:24:20,224
That's our best piece
of evidence yet.
517
00:24:20,226 --> 00:24:24,361
He said that nichole was
belligerently drunk,
518
00:24:24,363 --> 00:24:27,030
And she straight out told them
that she did it.
519
00:24:27,032 --> 00:24:28,632
He said he tried to get her
520
00:24:28,634 --> 00:24:30,334
To say it again
when she was sober after that,
521
00:24:30,336 --> 00:24:31,835
But she wouldn't.
522
00:24:31,837 --> 00:24:32,970
But how did she say it?
523
00:24:32,972 --> 00:24:34,571
Smart-ass and facetious,
524
00:24:34,573 --> 00:24:35,973
Or slipping up
'cause she's drunk?
525
00:24:35,975 --> 00:24:38,442
No, I think it was more
of a slipping up
526
00:24:38,444 --> 00:24:40,644
'cause she was drunk is how I--
the impression I got from him.
527
00:24:40,646 --> 00:24:42,180
Really? And he's a credible guy.
528
00:24:42,182 --> 00:24:43,981
He seems like
a very credible guy.
529
00:24:43,983 --> 00:24:46,050
-Damn.
-Yeah.
530
00:24:46,052 --> 00:24:47,784
Obviously,
when people get drunk,
531
00:24:47,786 --> 00:24:49,186
It influences
what they say and do.
532
00:24:49,188 --> 00:24:51,255
But there's not enough alcohol
in the world
533
00:24:51,257 --> 00:24:53,457
That would make me confess
to a murder I didn't commit.
534
00:24:53,459 --> 00:24:56,861
Wow. Okay, that's why you're
acting so smug.
535
00:24:56,863 --> 00:24:58,262
-Me?
-Yeah.
536
00:24:58,264 --> 00:25:00,598
Wow. Wow.
537
00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:06,803
♪♪♪
538
00:25:06,805 --> 00:25:09,873
When nikki shows up, somebody
can text that she's here,
539
00:25:09,875 --> 00:25:12,877
And we'll wait
until you have her,
540
00:25:12,879 --> 00:25:14,611
And then we'll go knocking
on the parents' door.
541
00:25:14,613 --> 00:25:17,414
Hope you all visit
for two hours or longer.
542
00:25:17,416 --> 00:25:20,818
They'll probably try to rush it,
stop couldn't be done by 10.
543
00:25:20,820 --> 00:25:22,619
I still feel she has to show up.
544
00:25:22,621 --> 00:25:23,955
-Not if her dad told her not to.
-Well...
545
00:25:23,957 --> 00:25:26,223
If she called her dad.
What are you thinking about
546
00:25:26,225 --> 00:25:28,625
When mom--mom or dad answers
the door out there in velva?
547
00:25:28,627 --> 00:25:30,093
What are you gonna say?
548
00:25:30,095 --> 00:25:33,030
Well, I don't think they'll
talk to us, but maybe just--
549
00:25:33,032 --> 00:25:34,431
They're not gonna invite us in,
huh?
550
00:25:34,433 --> 00:25:36,334
-I doubt it. [laughs]
-maybe over all these years,
551
00:25:36,336 --> 00:25:39,103
They've talked about it so much,
they forget what they told you.
552
00:25:39,105 --> 00:25:40,837
They don't have the benefit
of all this.
553
00:25:40,839 --> 00:25:43,106
-And no one's ever asked gae...
-Mnh-mnh.
554
00:25:43,108 --> 00:25:46,376
..."where was nichole
early Sunday morning?"
555
00:25:46,378 --> 00:25:48,746
Nikki has agreed to come in
and talk.
556
00:25:48,748 --> 00:25:52,250
Our plan is while
carmen and steve handle that,
557
00:25:52,252 --> 00:25:54,919
Mikki and I are gonna try
and approach her parents,
558
00:25:54,921 --> 00:25:56,987
Kevin and gae, at their house.
559
00:25:56,989 --> 00:25:59,591
They are her alibi
for that weekend.
560
00:25:59,593 --> 00:26:02,659
The hope is that if we get
them being questioned
561
00:26:02,661 --> 00:26:05,162
At the same time, we can better
compare their stories
562
00:26:05,164 --> 00:26:07,497
To see if there are
any inconsistencies.
563
00:26:07,499 --> 00:26:09,067
Maybe you'll have good luck.
564
00:26:09,069 --> 00:26:11,134
According to her ex-boyfriend,
565
00:26:11,136 --> 00:26:13,570
Nichole has slipped up
in the past.
566
00:26:13,572 --> 00:26:15,673
We're waiting to see
if she does that again today.
567
00:26:15,675 --> 00:26:19,943
I'd be kind of surprised
if she actually did show up.
568
00:26:19,945 --> 00:26:22,746
If I was her, I don't care.
I wouldn't show up.
569
00:26:22,748 --> 00:26:22,813
♪♪♪
570
00:26:23,014 --> 00:26:33,491
Woman: As for an alibi,
571
00:26:33,493 --> 00:26:36,493
Anita's roommate said that
she'd been home all weekend,
572
00:26:36,495 --> 00:26:39,896
A detail that her parents
corroborated.
573
00:26:39,898 --> 00:26:41,965
Man: A lot of people feel
the alibi isn't strong,
574
00:26:41,967 --> 00:26:44,568
As most people would expect
someone's parents
575
00:26:44,570 --> 00:26:46,570
Would be willing
to cover for them.
576
00:26:46,572 --> 00:26:49,239
But no one in the media has
ever been able to obtain
577
00:26:49,241 --> 00:26:53,677
An interview or even a statement
from the roommate or her family.
578
00:26:55,614 --> 00:26:58,249
-She did show up?
-No, she didn't.
579
00:27:00,186 --> 00:27:01,653
-Wow, she showed up.
-Wow.
580
00:27:01,655 --> 00:27:03,954
Is she all by herself,
or did her husband come?
581
00:27:05,991 --> 00:27:09,193
She brought her dad. Wow.
We'll go get gae.
582
00:27:09,195 --> 00:27:12,864
Our prime suspect showed up
at the police department,
583
00:27:12,866 --> 00:27:15,533
And it looks like her dad kevin
gave her a ride.
584
00:27:15,535 --> 00:27:17,635
That's your dad, right,
I'm assuming?
585
00:27:17,637 --> 00:27:19,736
My dad is very close with me,
so, yeah.
586
00:27:19,738 --> 00:27:23,073
That means that her mother gae
is home alone,
587
00:27:23,075 --> 00:27:26,143
And we have the perfect
opportunity to talk to her.
588
00:27:26,145 --> 00:27:29,280
She has never been interviewed
by the police before.
589
00:27:29,282 --> 00:27:32,616
This is playing nicely into
our plan to divide and conquer
590
00:27:32,618 --> 00:27:34,218
Before nichole and her parents
can get together
591
00:27:34,220 --> 00:27:37,087
And compare notes.
592
00:27:37,089 --> 00:27:40,357
Okay, tell me a little bit
about how you guys meet
593
00:27:40,359 --> 00:27:41,825
And how was school like.
594
00:27:41,827 --> 00:27:44,629
So we didn't hang out a lot
in high school
595
00:27:44,631 --> 00:27:47,364
Anymore after, like,
ninth, 10th grade.
596
00:27:47,366 --> 00:27:50,300
Um...I mean, we--we didn't not--
not like each other,
597
00:27:50,302 --> 00:27:53,370
But we just--
we had different friends.
598
00:27:53,372 --> 00:27:54,972
We both went
to the same college.
599
00:27:54,974 --> 00:27:56,707
Neither of my roommates
ended up working out,
600
00:27:56,709 --> 00:27:59,543
And then we decided that we were
gonna move in together.
601
00:27:59,545 --> 00:28:02,446
We were, like, inseparable.
We were together all the time.
602
00:28:02,448 --> 00:28:04,314
I went from college 'cause I
didn't really know
603
00:28:04,316 --> 00:28:06,850
What I wanted to do,
so I just got a job,
604
00:28:06,852 --> 00:28:08,785
And then my job schedule
605
00:28:08,787 --> 00:28:11,788
And her school and work
schedule--it just clashed.
606
00:28:11,790 --> 00:28:14,325
I was coming when she was going.
She was going when I was coming.
607
00:28:14,327 --> 00:28:16,327
We just didn't talk much.
608
00:28:16,329 --> 00:28:17,895
How would that make
the living arrangements?
609
00:28:17,897 --> 00:28:21,264
Was there any problems
between the two of you?
610
00:28:21,266 --> 00:28:22,599
The only problem I really had,
611
00:28:22,601 --> 00:28:24,134
And I know
there's so many stories.
612
00:28:24,136 --> 00:28:26,336
There's so many stories,
but we had a disagreement
613
00:28:26,338 --> 00:28:27,938
Over her alarm clock.
614
00:28:27,940 --> 00:28:30,540
Her alarm clock was going off
at 5 a.M. For, like, an hour,
615
00:28:30,542 --> 00:28:32,008
And I'm trying to sleep
because of--
616
00:28:32,010 --> 00:28:33,478
So I texted her, and I was like,
617
00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:35,145
"dude, I'm gonna smash
your door down."
618
00:28:35,147 --> 00:28:37,013
I was like, "dude, next time
you need to make sure you shut
619
00:28:37,015 --> 00:28:39,282
Your alarm clock off, 'cause,
like, that's respectful."
620
00:28:39,284 --> 00:28:42,420
Tell me about the--the incident
with your fish tank,
621
00:28:42,422 --> 00:28:45,622
'cause we had heard
that anita had unplugged
622
00:28:45,624 --> 00:28:47,090
Your fish tank at one point,
and that killed your fish.
623
00:28:47,092 --> 00:28:49,960
'cause she didn't like the
noise. It made too much noise.
624
00:28:49,962 --> 00:28:51,995
No, I know all my fish died
because my friend poured beer
625
00:28:51,997 --> 00:28:53,530
In the fish tank.
626
00:28:53,532 --> 00:28:55,766
-I don't remember anything else.
-So that didn't happen?
627
00:28:55,768 --> 00:28:58,301
No. I...No.
628
00:28:58,303 --> 00:29:00,571
Nichole was downplaying
her arguments with anita
629
00:29:00,573 --> 00:29:02,573
And denying that anita
killed her pet fish.
630
00:29:02,575 --> 00:29:04,641
She's answering our questions
631
00:29:04,643 --> 00:29:07,512
But is clearly trying to paint
a picture of her own innocence.
632
00:29:07,514 --> 00:29:10,847
Let's go down to that weekend
as much as you can remember.
633
00:29:10,849 --> 00:29:12,617
You went to your parents' farm
that Friday night?
634
00:29:12,619 --> 00:29:14,919
I think I went Saturday morning,
actually,
635
00:29:14,921 --> 00:29:16,454
Because my cousin was leaving
636
00:29:16,456 --> 00:29:19,657
For, like, basic training
for iraq or something.
637
00:29:19,659 --> 00:29:21,458
We were having a party for him
in sykeston.
638
00:29:21,460 --> 00:29:23,460
I think I picked up my cousin,
and she rode with me.
639
00:29:23,462 --> 00:29:26,997
I think we came back
from the party, like, 5 or 6.
640
00:29:26,999 --> 00:29:30,267
She owned a...
A bar in ruthville.
641
00:29:30,269 --> 00:29:34,671
Her husband did, and that's--
we came back and stayed there,
642
00:29:34,673 --> 00:29:37,675
And I helped her serve,
like, food.
643
00:29:37,677 --> 00:29:40,811
And we--I stayed at that--
at ruthville for--
644
00:29:40,813 --> 00:29:42,346
Till probably 11 or 12.
645
00:29:42,348 --> 00:29:44,014
And then what did you do then?
646
00:29:44,016 --> 00:29:46,950
Went back to my parents' house
and went to bed on the couch.
647
00:29:46,952 --> 00:29:48,552
So you got back to the farm...
648
00:29:48,554 --> 00:29:50,887
About 11:30, midnight,
somewhere around there.
649
00:29:50,889 --> 00:29:53,223
Okay. Do you remember what time
you got up on Sunday?
650
00:29:53,225 --> 00:29:54,424
Usually so when I sleep on
the couch,
651
00:29:54,426 --> 00:29:56,860
My dad's up at 5 a.M.,
making breakfast.
652
00:29:56,862 --> 00:29:58,562
You know, he's watching tv.
653
00:29:58,564 --> 00:30:00,030
You spend the whole day
at the farm,
654
00:30:00,032 --> 00:30:01,698
Or did you go anywhere else?
-Yeah, I stayed there again.
655
00:30:01,700 --> 00:30:03,301
I stayed that night again, um,
656
00:30:03,303 --> 00:30:05,169
And then I went
straight to work,
657
00:30:05,171 --> 00:30:07,704
So I didn't even stop at home.
I just went straight to work.
658
00:30:07,706 --> 00:30:09,773
Nichole's entire story
about that weekend
659
00:30:09,775 --> 00:30:13,578
Has been inconsistent, and it's
even more inconsistent today.
660
00:30:13,580 --> 00:30:14,912
We've heard stories
that she was at home
661
00:30:14,914 --> 00:30:16,981
With her mother and her sister
watching a movie.
662
00:30:16,983 --> 00:30:19,216
Then we hear that it's actually
with her aunt and her cousin.
663
00:30:19,218 --> 00:30:22,253
But today there's no mention
of a movie at all.
664
00:30:22,255 --> 00:30:24,054
It's like she isn't keeping
tracking of the alibi witnesses
665
00:30:24,056 --> 00:30:25,455
She's coming up with.
666
00:30:25,457 --> 00:30:27,123
It's a good thing we are.
667
00:30:27,125 --> 00:30:29,326
Do you remember
what they told you?
668
00:30:29,328 --> 00:30:31,195
[voice breaking]
um...They just had told me--
669
00:30:31,197 --> 00:30:36,333
They said that anita was dead
and that she had been murdered.
670
00:30:36,335 --> 00:30:38,402
I was just like--I guess
I just was in shock
671
00:30:38,404 --> 00:30:41,805
'cause, like, I grew up here.
This is my home,
672
00:30:41,807 --> 00:30:44,809
And--and I never heard
of stuff like this.
673
00:30:44,811 --> 00:30:46,743
I felt like I should've
stayed home
674
00:30:46,745 --> 00:30:48,345
And I should've been there,
675
00:30:48,347 --> 00:30:50,347
And what if
I would've been there?
676
00:30:50,349 --> 00:30:52,082
So I live with a lot of regret.
677
00:30:52,084 --> 00:30:54,819
In all reality, you weren't
that close to anita.
678
00:30:54,821 --> 00:30:57,020
In fact, you were planning on
moving out at some point
679
00:30:57,022 --> 00:30:58,422
At the end of the year?
680
00:30:58,424 --> 00:31:00,090
Yeah, we thought
about getting just--
681
00:31:00,092 --> 00:31:01,892
You know, 'cause with our
different schedules and stuff,
682
00:31:01,894 --> 00:31:03,761
It just--it was hard.
683
00:31:03,763 --> 00:31:05,362
People said you called anita
a bitch and a whore
684
00:31:05,364 --> 00:31:06,696
And a [bleep].
-Oh, my gosh.
685
00:31:06,698 --> 00:31:08,899
People can say that.
I would never do that.
686
00:31:08,901 --> 00:31:10,301
I have nothing against her.
687
00:31:10,303 --> 00:31:13,905
People, like, are making up
stories about me,
688
00:31:13,907 --> 00:31:15,805
And that's hard.
That's not fair.
689
00:31:15,807 --> 00:31:20,644
That weekend, you never came
back into minot at all?
690
00:31:20,646 --> 00:31:22,946
So you never told your aunt
that you came back to minot
691
00:31:22,948 --> 00:31:25,315
On Saturday to get clothes?
-No.
692
00:31:25,317 --> 00:31:28,319
So if she told us that,
she would be a liar?
693
00:31:28,321 --> 00:31:30,253
Well, I would assume
she's confused
694
00:31:30,255 --> 00:31:33,190
Because I never came back
to minot to get clothes.
695
00:31:33,192 --> 00:31:36,593
Didn't go watch a movie at
alyssa's house or joyce's house?
696
00:31:36,595 --> 00:31:39,062
No, 'cause I was with alyssa
at the farm.
697
00:31:39,064 --> 00:31:41,565
Do you know a william may?
698
00:31:41,567 --> 00:31:42,867
Yeah.
699
00:31:42,869 --> 00:31:44,801
If someone told us you were
at a party with william,
700
00:31:44,803 --> 00:31:47,004
And you said you killed anita,
would that--they be lying,
701
00:31:47,006 --> 00:31:49,539
Or would that be true?
-They would definitely be lying.
702
00:31:49,541 --> 00:31:54,212
You guys, listen, this has,
like, rocked my whole life.
703
00:31:54,214 --> 00:31:56,347
Like, I want the person found,
too,
704
00:31:56,349 --> 00:31:59,249
'cause I want my life back.
705
00:31:59,251 --> 00:32:00,617
I mean, all these people
have no reason
706
00:32:00,619 --> 00:32:03,954
To say horrible things
about you.
707
00:32:03,956 --> 00:32:05,055
I don't know why they are.
708
00:32:05,057 --> 00:32:06,957
You guys, I didn't say
any of this stuff.
709
00:32:06,959 --> 00:32:08,758
There's so many stories
out there.
710
00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:10,961
-All of these people are liars?
-Okay. [sighs]
711
00:32:10,963 --> 00:32:12,763
-I wanna, like, get a lawyer.
-We're not attacking you.
712
00:32:12,765 --> 00:32:14,698
-I want to get a lawyer.
-Not trying to attack you.
713
00:32:14,700 --> 00:32:16,366
-I don't wanna talk anymore.
-That's fine.
714
00:32:16,368 --> 00:32:18,234
-Then we're done.
-I didn't do anything.
715
00:32:18,236 --> 00:32:21,571
[crying]
716
00:32:21,573 --> 00:32:23,573
Nichole is denying everything,
and now guess what.
717
00:32:23,575 --> 00:32:25,977
She's the victim in this case,
not anita,
718
00:32:25,979 --> 00:32:28,845
Wrongly accused
by everyone around her.
719
00:32:28,847 --> 00:32:32,015
She's not crying for anita.
She's crying for herself.
720
00:32:37,389 --> 00:32:41,291
[continues knocking]
721
00:32:41,293 --> 00:32:43,259
The lights are all off.
722
00:32:43,261 --> 00:32:46,530
It seems like nobody is
at nichole's parents' house.
723
00:32:46,532 --> 00:32:48,465
We're thinking that maybe
that's because
724
00:32:48,467 --> 00:32:51,601
Her mom went to nichole's house
to watch nichole's kid
725
00:32:51,603 --> 00:32:54,003
While nichole went down
to the station.
726
00:32:54,005 --> 00:32:57,741
Let's go to nichole's house
to see if gae's there.
727
00:32:57,743 --> 00:32:58,943
As long as we get there
before they get back,
728
00:32:58,945 --> 00:33:01,144
We can knock on the door
and see what happens.
729
00:33:01,146 --> 00:33:04,481
To talk to gae alone, we need
to get to nichole's house
730
00:33:04,483 --> 00:33:07,684
Before nichole and her dad
get back from the station.
731
00:33:07,686 --> 00:33:09,552
Is that kevin's truck?
732
00:33:09,554 --> 00:33:11,688
Oh.
733
00:33:11,690 --> 00:33:13,423
Well, he's on the phone.
You think that's--
734
00:33:13,425 --> 00:33:15,558
That's kevin right there?
-I know it is.
735
00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:19,763
We pull up to nichole's house
right next to her dad kevin.
736
00:33:19,765 --> 00:33:21,766
This is about to get
interesting.
737
00:33:21,768 --> 00:33:24,768
Here he comes.
738
00:33:24,770 --> 00:33:26,503
Howdy.
739
00:33:26,505 --> 00:33:28,171
-Hi.
-Hi!
740
00:33:28,173 --> 00:33:30,841
I know who you are.
I've seen you on tv.
741
00:33:30,843 --> 00:33:33,043
Well, we're here to try
and talk to gae.
742
00:33:33,045 --> 00:33:35,178
-Gae?
-Uh-huh.
743
00:33:35,180 --> 00:33:36,646
-Gae's my wife.
-I know.
744
00:33:36,648 --> 00:33:39,583
-Well, we live in velva.
-Yeah, she's not home.
745
00:33:39,585 --> 00:33:41,785
-She's home.
-Well, she didn't answer.
746
00:33:41,787 --> 00:33:43,921
Well, why should she?
She's hysterical.
747
00:33:43,923 --> 00:33:46,991
-She should be.
-Well, yeah.
748
00:33:46,993 --> 00:33:49,927
Our daughter's being charged
for something she didn't do.
749
00:33:49,929 --> 00:33:51,661
My daughter was on the farm
the whole time with me.
750
00:33:51,663 --> 00:33:54,531
-No, she wasn't.
-I'm no goddamn liar.
751
00:33:54,533 --> 00:33:56,299
I'm not saying that
you're a liar or anything,
752
00:33:56,301 --> 00:33:57,667
But we know that she was
in sykeston that day, too.
753
00:33:57,669 --> 00:33:59,136
-Yes.
-Okay, and then we--
754
00:33:59,138 --> 00:34:01,138
-She rode down with me.
-No, that's not the statement
755
00:34:01,140 --> 00:34:04,941
We have either, but we know
that she also went to the bar,
756
00:34:04,943 --> 00:34:06,143
So we wasn't with you
the entire time.
757
00:34:06,145 --> 00:34:07,345
No. No.
758
00:34:07,347 --> 00:34:08,878
I swear I'm not calling you
a liar.
759
00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:10,613
-The [bleep] you ain't.
-No, I'm not.
760
00:34:10,615 --> 00:34:12,415
-Yes, you are.
-Kevin, you're a dad
761
00:34:12,417 --> 00:34:14,217
That loves your daughter.
We understand that.
762
00:34:14,219 --> 00:34:15,653
-Yeah.
-The only person
763
00:34:15,655 --> 00:34:18,621
Who could've killed anita
had a key.
764
00:34:18,623 --> 00:34:20,023
The killer had a key.
765
00:34:20,025 --> 00:34:23,294
The window on her bedroom
was pushed out.
766
00:34:23,296 --> 00:34:24,895
-If she's got the key...
-'cause the person faked it.
767
00:34:24,897 --> 00:34:26,830
...Why she'd go out the first
door--around the front door?
768
00:34:26,832 --> 00:34:29,165
They did go out the front door,
and then they locked it.
769
00:34:29,167 --> 00:34:33,369
-The door was locked.
-I don't know.
770
00:34:33,371 --> 00:34:35,705
All right, I'm gonna...
771
00:34:35,707 --> 00:34:36,974
-Yeah, we will.
-I got it.
772
00:34:36,976 --> 00:34:38,908
No, we will, we will.
773
00:34:38,910 --> 00:34:41,378
Nichole's husband came outside
and asked us to leave.
774
00:34:43,049 --> 00:34:46,449
Nichole and her dad
are probably panicking now.
775
00:34:46,451 --> 00:34:48,585
Well, he was talking to gae
on the phone when we pulled up,
776
00:34:48,587 --> 00:34:50,053
And then when he saw you,
777
00:34:50,055 --> 00:34:51,921
He jumped out of the car
to stop us,
778
00:34:51,923 --> 00:34:54,792
So gae's useless now.
779
00:34:54,794 --> 00:34:56,660
Fortunately,
I think we've heard enough.
780
00:34:56,662 --> 00:35:00,398
He messed up when he said nikki
rode with him to the barbecue.
781
00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:01,664
'cause that's not even
nikki's statement,
782
00:35:01,666 --> 00:35:03,067
Is that right?
-Oh, his either.
783
00:35:03,069 --> 00:35:05,802
She took her own car.
That's everywhere.
784
00:35:05,804 --> 00:35:08,139
She took her own car. Now she's
riding back with her cousin.
785
00:35:08,141 --> 00:35:08,204
♪♪♪
786
00:35:08,405 --> 00:35:18,481
♪♪♪
787
00:35:18,483 --> 00:35:20,818
Woman: Chief klug told
the "minot daily news"
788
00:35:20,820 --> 00:35:24,754
"ultimately, we asked what can
be done to solve this case,
789
00:35:24,756 --> 00:35:27,290
Not just for us,
but for the family?
790
00:35:27,292 --> 00:35:31,828
We don't care who solves it.
We just want it solved."
791
00:35:31,830 --> 00:35:35,431
Good morning, girls.
Last day.
792
00:35:35,433 --> 00:35:37,134
I know y'all are excited
about that.
793
00:35:37,136 --> 00:35:38,768
[laughter]
794
00:35:38,770 --> 00:35:40,838
We started this case
with four suspects
795
00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:43,440
With various potential motives
796
00:35:43,442 --> 00:35:45,241
And a slew
of unanswered questions,
797
00:35:45,243 --> 00:35:47,010
The biggest one being
798
00:35:47,012 --> 00:35:50,581
Who would murder such a vibrant
and beloved young girl?
799
00:35:50,583 --> 00:35:53,183
First, michael vann.
800
00:35:53,185 --> 00:35:55,652
He was the very last person
to be talking to anita.
801
00:35:55,654 --> 00:35:58,521
We can't talk to him because
he passed away in 2009.
802
00:35:58,523 --> 00:36:01,257
Now sitting here today, what all
do we know about michael vann?
803
00:36:01,259 --> 00:36:03,326
It just sounds like
they were really good friends.
804
00:36:03,328 --> 00:36:06,230
They communicated quite often
via text and phone call.
805
00:36:06,232 --> 00:36:09,366
She responds to her buddy mike,
"good night."
806
00:36:09,368 --> 00:36:11,201
He's got no violent
crime history at all.
807
00:36:11,203 --> 00:36:13,736
Michael vann may have had
a crush on anita,
808
00:36:13,738 --> 00:36:18,274
But his text messages
show no evidence of a motive.
809
00:36:18,276 --> 00:36:21,878
As far as we know,
he did not know where she lived,
810
00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:23,279
And he did not have a key.
811
00:36:23,281 --> 00:36:25,416
Which is how the evidence showed
812
00:36:25,418 --> 00:36:27,117
Anita's killer entered
the apartment.
813
00:36:27,119 --> 00:36:29,520
That takes care of "money mike."
814
00:36:29,522 --> 00:36:31,421
Let's talk about
815
00:36:31,423 --> 00:36:33,490
The maintenance man,
marty annell.
816
00:36:33,492 --> 00:36:37,927
The main point for marty is
he has a key.
817
00:36:37,929 --> 00:36:39,930
Takes the screen off
and doesn't see anita,
818
00:36:39,932 --> 00:36:43,032
It was awfully difficult to see
inside of that room.
819
00:36:43,034 --> 00:36:46,036
Absolutely plausible
that he didn't notice her.
820
00:36:46,038 --> 00:36:46,903
There's no lights in here
that were on
821
00:36:46,905 --> 00:36:48,504
'cause gordon turned them on.
822
00:36:48,506 --> 00:36:50,306
And there's a big blanket
right here.
823
00:36:50,308 --> 00:36:53,576
I can absolutely see why
he didn't see her.
824
00:36:53,578 --> 00:36:57,980
We circled up here,
"why did he commit suicide?"
825
00:36:57,982 --> 00:36:59,716
And then when we found
marty's sister...
826
00:37:08,860 --> 00:37:10,259
They lived together,
827
00:37:10,261 --> 00:37:12,796
So marty was gonna have
to find a new place to live.
828
00:37:12,798 --> 00:37:14,297
He would also lose his job.
829
00:37:14,299 --> 00:37:16,099
He would probably have
to move in with his mother
830
00:37:16,101 --> 00:37:17,533
Because he had nowhere else
to go.
831
00:37:17,535 --> 00:37:20,337
People commit suicide
for any one of these reasons,
832
00:37:20,339 --> 00:37:22,239
And he had all of 'em.
833
00:37:22,241 --> 00:37:24,807
I mean, the only evidence
you have about marty
834
00:37:24,809 --> 00:37:27,543
Is that he happened to commit
suicide a year and a half later,
835
00:37:27,545 --> 00:37:29,279
And now you know why.
836
00:37:29,281 --> 00:37:31,014
Marty annell may have had
a key,
837
00:37:31,016 --> 00:37:34,117
But we have found no evidence
that he was involved
838
00:37:34,119 --> 00:37:38,121
Or even knew who anita was
before she was murdered.
839
00:37:38,123 --> 00:37:40,156
He had no known history
of violence
840
00:37:40,158 --> 00:37:43,026
And no reason in the world
to kill her.
841
00:37:43,028 --> 00:37:45,495
So marty annell once and for all
is off the suspect board.
842
00:37:45,497 --> 00:37:47,363
Everybody's in agreement.
843
00:37:47,365 --> 00:37:51,468
And that leaves one suspect
on our board
844
00:37:51,470 --> 00:37:54,204
With motive and a key.
845
00:38:04,850 --> 00:38:07,517
Nichole over the years
has been the only one
846
00:38:07,519 --> 00:38:10,321
Who's consistently inconsistent
about what happened.
847
00:38:10,323 --> 00:38:11,922
The first version it was,
"I went home and watched a movie
848
00:38:11,924 --> 00:38:14,524
With my mom and my sister."
then it was "I went to the bar."
849
00:38:14,526 --> 00:38:15,926
Then it was, "I went to the bar,
and then I left the bar
850
00:38:15,928 --> 00:38:18,062
And went and watched a movie
with my cousin and my aunt."
851
00:38:18,064 --> 00:38:19,529
So it's changed.
852
00:38:19,531 --> 00:38:20,731
"and then I went back
to the farm."
853
00:38:20,733 --> 00:38:22,199
One incident,
she had mentioned
854
00:38:22,201 --> 00:38:25,401
That she had actually left
the bar
855
00:38:25,403 --> 00:38:26,869
And come back to minot
and went to her apartment
856
00:38:26,871 --> 00:38:29,540
That Saturday night
to get clothes.
857
00:38:29,542 --> 00:38:31,008
What a slip-up, right?
858
00:38:31,010 --> 00:38:33,076
It's completely different
from anything else she said.
859
00:38:33,078 --> 00:38:35,545
She's got this strained
relationship with anita.
860
00:38:35,547 --> 00:38:36,946
She wants her
out of the apartment.
861
00:38:36,948 --> 00:38:38,414
We've got text messages.
862
00:38:38,416 --> 00:38:41,351
"my dad and I are going
to talk to the landlord asap,
863
00:38:41,353 --> 00:38:42,952
And I may sound like a bitch,
864
00:38:42,954 --> 00:38:45,155
But what goes around
comes around."
865
00:38:45,157 --> 00:38:48,758
She was completely bananas
about the fact that anita
866
00:38:48,760 --> 00:38:50,760
Unplugged the fish tank
and killed her fish.
867
00:38:50,762 --> 00:38:53,696
She just went completely
bananas over it,
868
00:38:53,698 --> 00:38:57,900
And, uh, it was like that
following Monday or something.
869
00:38:57,902 --> 00:39:00,237
It was right after that
that she comes in
870
00:39:00,239 --> 00:39:02,638
And said that her roommate
was killed.
871
00:39:02,640 --> 00:39:06,309
And then you found willy may.
What did she say to willy may?
872
00:39:06,311 --> 00:39:07,945
She said to him, "I did it."
873
00:39:12,283 --> 00:39:14,717
Brand-new witness.
Never had that before.
874
00:39:14,719 --> 00:39:16,619
Heard nichole admit it.
875
00:39:16,621 --> 00:39:17,721
I've said it before,
and I'll say it again.
876
00:39:17,723 --> 00:39:22,259
The truth never changes,
but nichole's story has.
877
00:39:22,261 --> 00:39:25,194
And the key to this case
is that key.
878
00:39:25,196 --> 00:39:26,963
We know that the deadbolt
was locked.
879
00:39:26,965 --> 00:39:29,198
You needed a key
to open that door.
880
00:39:29,200 --> 00:39:30,968
This is not a push-to-turn lock.
881
00:39:30,970 --> 00:39:32,468
-Right.
-So if the killer
882
00:39:32,470 --> 00:39:34,738
Locked the door when they left,
883
00:39:34,740 --> 00:39:36,807
In the whole wide world,
who has a key?
884
00:39:36,809 --> 00:39:38,341
If you have
a staged crime scene,
885
00:39:38,343 --> 00:39:40,277
The only person who needs
to stage something
886
00:39:40,279 --> 00:39:42,211
Is the one that everything
is gonna be pointing at
887
00:39:42,213 --> 00:39:45,682
Unless they stage something,
and that's nichole.
888
00:39:45,684 --> 00:39:49,018
-Everything points to her.
-It all points back to her.
889
00:39:49,020 --> 00:39:51,554
By all accounts, the only person
in the whole world
890
00:39:51,556 --> 00:39:54,425
That didn't like anita
was nichole.
891
00:39:54,427 --> 00:39:56,359
And we've uncovered
enough circumstantial evidence
892
00:39:56,361 --> 00:39:59,362
In this case
to present it to the prosecutor
893
00:39:59,364 --> 00:40:01,565
That nichole killed anita.
894
00:40:04,169 --> 00:40:07,437
♪ what lies ahead?
There's no way of ever knowin' ♪
895
00:40:07,439 --> 00:40:09,972
♪♪♪
896
00:40:09,974 --> 00:40:13,576
♪ inside's a beauty
that's not showin' ♪
897
00:40:13,578 --> 00:40:15,779
♪♪♪
898
00:40:15,781 --> 00:40:18,481
♪ and all those things
you said you couldn't do ♪
899
00:40:18,483 --> 00:40:20,851
I think anita's whole family
will be there again--
900
00:40:20,853 --> 00:40:23,654
Her mom, her dad, her aunt,
and her sister.
901
00:40:23,656 --> 00:40:25,289
And they're gonna see
you pulling up
902
00:40:25,291 --> 00:40:27,090
Along with your captain
and your chief.
903
00:40:27,092 --> 00:40:29,793
I mean, I just want them
to be able to--I don't know--
904
00:40:29,795 --> 00:40:32,529
Get peace of mind.
-Yep.
905
00:40:32,531 --> 00:40:34,363
Carmen and mikki met
with our prosecutor.
906
00:40:34,365 --> 00:40:37,300
Oh, they're gonna be so excited
to see y'all.
907
00:40:37,302 --> 00:40:39,202
And now we're on the way to meet
with anita's family
908
00:40:39,204 --> 00:40:41,070
To give them some good news.
909
00:40:41,072 --> 00:40:42,271
Hello, anna.
910
00:40:42,273 --> 00:40:43,439
-Hi. Morning.
-Good morning.
911
00:40:43,441 --> 00:40:44,607
The chief and the captain wanted
912
00:40:44,609 --> 00:40:46,809
To meet with anita's family,
too.
913
00:40:46,811 --> 00:40:48,479
These are the kind
of conversations
914
00:40:48,481 --> 00:40:50,881
Cold case investigators
live for.
915
00:40:50,883 --> 00:40:53,616
-Okay.
-So...
916
00:40:53,618 --> 00:40:54,817
[voice breaking] I'm sorry.
I'm gonna get worked up
917
00:40:54,819 --> 00:40:57,421
For you guys, but, um...
-Okay, all right.
918
00:40:57,423 --> 00:41:00,357
-I don't know if I can do this.
-[laughs]
919
00:41:00,359 --> 00:41:04,093
So we were able to, um,
speak to our d.A.,
920
00:41:04,095 --> 00:41:06,429
And we are on board
with... [sobs] moving forward
921
00:41:06,431 --> 00:41:09,765
With criminal charges
for nichole thomas.
922
00:41:09,767 --> 00:41:12,236
-My word.
-She's gonna be arrested.
923
00:41:12,238 --> 00:41:13,704
Okay.
924
00:41:13,706 --> 00:41:16,240
Everywhere we went,
your whole community
925
00:41:16,242 --> 00:41:17,708
Was so excited.
926
00:41:17,710 --> 00:41:20,776
Everybody was cooperative,
and I think it's wonderful
927
00:41:20,778 --> 00:41:24,047
To see a world
that is so appreciative
928
00:41:24,049 --> 00:41:25,982
Of what a special,
special person anita was.
929
00:41:25,984 --> 00:41:28,851
Well, we know that.
930
00:41:28,853 --> 00:41:31,921
I can't believe you're
doing this. It's great.
931
00:41:31,923 --> 00:41:34,190
'cause we didn't seem like
we were just ever, ever
932
00:41:34,192 --> 00:41:37,660
Gonna get to any--
any point of anything.
933
00:41:37,662 --> 00:41:41,130
Having the resources come in
to support us
934
00:41:41,132 --> 00:41:43,332
And to get us
over that threshold
935
00:41:43,334 --> 00:41:45,334
So we could get to this point,
936
00:41:45,336 --> 00:41:47,937
It's a load off
of all of our shoulders.
937
00:41:47,939 --> 00:41:49,338
We'd always hoped to get
to this day, and...
938
00:41:49,340 --> 00:41:50,673
-Yeah, great.
-Yeah.
939
00:41:50,675 --> 00:41:53,476
-...We're finally there.
-It's unbelievable, yeah.
940
00:41:53,478 --> 00:41:55,545
Because anita was
such a special person,
941
00:41:55,547 --> 00:41:58,949
The people in ward county
and minot and velva,
942
00:41:58,951 --> 00:42:01,752
Them wanting to make this case
be solved along with your
943
00:42:01,754 --> 00:42:04,620
Police department's investment,
that is what made it work,
944
00:42:04,622 --> 00:42:06,756
And I wish it happened
everywhere we go.
945
00:42:06,758 --> 00:42:09,692
But it does not,
and that's what did it.
946
00:42:09,694 --> 00:42:11,160
Very thankful for you guys,
all of you.
947
00:42:11,162 --> 00:42:12,628
Yes, thank you.
948
00:42:12,630 --> 00:42:17,433
It's been 15 years, and there's
such a relief right now
949
00:42:17,435 --> 00:42:23,439
In my feelings to think that
we can proceed.
950
00:42:23,441 --> 00:42:27,911
I am absolutely overwhelmed
today.
951
00:42:27,913 --> 00:42:31,147
I am so grateful.
952
00:42:31,149 --> 00:42:34,051
[voice breaking] very grateful.
953
00:42:36,989 --> 00:42:39,288
[sniffles]
954
00:42:39,290 --> 00:42:41,391
Thank you very, very, very much.
955
00:42:41,393 --> 00:42:42,993
♪ hold on to hope ♪
956
00:42:42,995 --> 00:42:47,464
♪ you know that you got me
in your corner ♪
957
00:42:47,466 --> 00:42:51,935
♪ 'cause I will fight for you ♪
958
00:42:51,937 --> 00:42:57,807
♪ oh, I will fight for you ♪
959
00:42:59,811 --> 00:43:03,079
♪♪♪
960
00:43:03,081 --> 00:43:05,281
Chief klug:
A young girl with a great future
961
00:43:05,283 --> 00:43:08,485
Was taken away from her family
way too soon.
962
00:43:08,487 --> 00:43:11,021
We tried to actively
investigate anita's case
963
00:43:11,023 --> 00:43:12,621
For the past few years,
964
00:43:12,623 --> 00:43:14,391
And finally with the help
of "cold justice,"
965
00:43:14,393 --> 00:43:16,659
We were able to move forward.
966
00:43:16,661 --> 00:43:18,961
At about 3:25 p.M.,
34-year-old nichole rice
967
00:43:18,963 --> 00:43:23,499
Was arrested for murder
and taken to ward county jail.
968
00:43:23,501 --> 00:43:25,501
My heart goes out to the family.
969
00:43:25,503 --> 00:43:26,969
I wish we could have
solved this sooner,
970
00:43:26,971 --> 00:43:30,173
But at the same time,
I'm glad to say that we have
971
00:43:30,175 --> 00:43:32,041
The person responsible
for the murder
972
00:43:32,043 --> 00:43:35,111
Of anita knutson in custody.
973
00:43:35,113 --> 00:43:43,553
♪♪♪