1
00:00:11,644 --> 00:00:14,913
I remember the last time
I saw my sister.
2
00:00:15,582 --> 00:00:16,582
She came to my house.
3
00:00:18,018 --> 00:00:20,919
She was very happy that day
that I saw 'em.
4
00:00:22,889 --> 00:00:25,591
He had bought her a ring.
They were gonna get married.
5
00:00:27,494 --> 00:00:29,194
I remember when they got ready
to leave,
6
00:00:29,263 --> 00:00:31,563
And we just waved and waved
until we couldn't see her.
7
00:00:32,366 --> 00:00:35,334
I think that will forever be in
my mind.
8
00:00:38,238 --> 00:00:40,805
The next morning,
the phone rang,
9
00:00:40,875 --> 00:00:42,173
And it was my mom.
10
00:00:42,843 --> 00:00:45,878
She said, "they found carla."
11
00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:48,847
I said, "what do you mean,
they found her?"
12
00:00:49,183 --> 00:00:50,949
And she said, "they shot her."
13
00:00:51,885 --> 00:00:54,119
I said, "they shot her?
Who shot...?
14
00:00:54,188 --> 00:00:55,954
What do you mean?
What are you talking about?"
15
00:00:57,958 --> 00:01:00,025
It looked like
a roadside robbery.
16
00:01:01,028 --> 00:01:03,662
He basically said it all
happened so fast,
17
00:01:03,730 --> 00:01:05,897
He couldn't
give them many details.
18
00:01:06,466 --> 00:01:09,268
I can remember all of
the policemen
19
00:01:09,336 --> 00:01:12,137
And the community reacted
kinda like we did.
20
00:01:12,205 --> 00:01:13,772
Everybody was very angry.
21
00:01:14,875 --> 00:01:19,778
Sometime, people can
mislead you, misguide you.
22
00:01:20,647 --> 00:01:22,647
Sometimes you can be sleeping
with a snake
23
00:01:22,716 --> 00:01:24,116
And don't even know it.
24
00:01:26,219 --> 00:01:31,322
[music]
25
00:01:31,392 --> 00:01:33,392
[muffled scream,
gasp]
26
00:01:36,197 --> 00:01:39,364
[music]
27
00:01:39,432 --> 00:01:42,167
[narrator] surrounded by
rich delta farmland,
28
00:01:42,236 --> 00:01:44,769
The historic port town of
helena, arkansas
29
00:01:44,838 --> 00:01:47,439
Is a quaint and
tight-knit community.
30
00:01:48,642 --> 00:01:51,776
Helena, arkansas, it has
a population of 8,900,
31
00:01:51,845 --> 00:01:53,812
So it's a small area.
32
00:01:53,881 --> 00:01:54,913
It's a nice area.
33
00:01:55,716 --> 00:01:58,149
We're a mississippi river town
south of memphis.
34
00:01:58,952 --> 00:02:02,321
If you didn't consider helena
the heartbeat of the blues,
35
00:02:02,323 --> 00:02:04,556
It certainly was a major artery.
36
00:02:04,625 --> 00:02:07,025
A lot of people go there for
the history of it.
37
00:02:07,094 --> 00:02:08,059
There are great museums there,
38
00:02:08,128 --> 00:02:10,462
And the king biscuit
blues festival is still there,
39
00:02:10,531 --> 00:02:12,397
And it's an interesting town.
40
00:02:14,501 --> 00:02:17,969
[narrator] late in the evening
on June 23rd, 2001,
41
00:02:18,171 --> 00:02:19,471
Emergency dispatchers from
42
00:02:19,540 --> 00:02:21,640
The phillips county
sheriff's office
43
00:02:21,708 --> 00:02:24,977
Receive a distraught phone call
from local resident
44
00:02:25,045 --> 00:02:27,546
46-year-old elbert holder.
45
00:02:28,415 --> 00:02:32,551
Elbert holder called 911,
saying that he had been robbed
46
00:02:32,619 --> 00:02:34,987
In the south part of
phillips county, arkansas
47
00:02:35,055 --> 00:02:37,256
On a highway in
the middle of nowhere.
48
00:02:37,958 --> 00:02:41,393
He said that they shot him and
then they shot his girlfriend.
49
00:02:42,529 --> 00:02:44,963
He was frantic and pleading
for help.
50
00:02:45,232 --> 00:02:46,665
It was very clear that
his fiancée was
51
00:02:46,733 --> 00:02:49,201
Much more badly injured
than he was.
52
00:02:51,138 --> 00:02:52,671
[narrator] paramedics and
law enforcement
53
00:02:52,739 --> 00:02:55,540
Are immediately dispatched
to the scene.
54
00:02:55,909 --> 00:02:58,010
The medics are first to arrive.
55
00:02:58,712 --> 00:03:00,545
Elbert actually flagged
them down,
56
00:03:00,547 --> 00:03:03,448
And they could tell that he was
bleeding from one arm.
57
00:03:03,516 --> 00:03:05,584
But he quickly let them know
that his fiancée,
58
00:03:05,652 --> 00:03:06,885
Carla knowlton,
59
00:03:06,953 --> 00:03:08,687
Was in the front passenger seat
60
00:03:08,755 --> 00:03:11,456
And she was much
worse off than he was
61
00:03:11,525 --> 00:03:13,926
And in desperate need of
medical attention.
62
00:03:15,028 --> 00:03:17,296
The first thing they did was
check carla's vitals
63
00:03:17,764 --> 00:03:20,732
And quickly realized that
she was deceased at the scene.
64
00:03:22,469 --> 00:03:26,337
He was very upset.
Very distraught.
65
00:03:26,940 --> 00:03:28,807
And you'd expect that of any man
66
00:03:28,875 --> 00:03:31,777
Who just had his fiancée
shot to death.
67
00:03:32,613 --> 00:03:34,813
[bob] elbert was beside himself.
68
00:03:34,815 --> 00:03:35,714
He could not understand
69
00:03:35,782 --> 00:03:37,849
Who would want to do something
like this.
70
00:03:41,888 --> 00:03:44,256
[narrator] growing up in
helena, arkansas,
71
00:03:44,324 --> 00:03:47,926
Carla knowlton was
the eldest of six siblings.
72
00:03:48,595 --> 00:03:50,128
[lorri] carla,
she was kinda like
73
00:03:50,130 --> 00:03:51,763
A mother hen to the rest of us.
74
00:03:52,466 --> 00:03:54,366
When my mom and dad would go to
work and stuff,
75
00:03:54,434 --> 00:03:56,068
Of course,
she would be in charge.
76
00:03:56,570 --> 00:03:58,503
[stacey] a big sister,
but it's like mama.
77
00:03:58,505 --> 00:03:59,504
She was the enforcer.
78
00:03:59,573 --> 00:04:00,972
I mean, and she was
a disciplinarian.
79
00:04:01,275 --> 00:04:02,841
She wasn't soft.
80
00:04:03,310 --> 00:04:05,543
If she had to jack you up,
she would jack you up.
81
00:04:06,413 --> 00:04:09,982
[willie marie] she was a happy,
playful, loving kid.
82
00:04:10,650 --> 00:04:12,751
In school,
she was a good student.
83
00:04:12,819 --> 00:04:15,686
She made good grades,
made the honor roll.
84
00:04:15,688 --> 00:04:19,323
She was the president of
her senior class.
85
00:04:19,926 --> 00:04:22,227
All the teachers were, like,
"carla's gonna do this,
86
00:04:22,295 --> 00:04:23,194
Carla's gonna do that."
87
00:04:23,263 --> 00:04:25,864
I mean, so, yeah, she was
an excellent student.
88
00:04:27,567 --> 00:04:30,402
[narrator] after graduating
high school in 1980,
89
00:04:30,470 --> 00:04:32,737
Carla set her sights on college
90
00:04:33,273 --> 00:04:37,209
But an unexpected pregnancy
put those plans on pause.
91
00:04:38,012 --> 00:04:41,346
Carla, when she got pregnant,
it was a shocker for all of us.
92
00:04:41,414 --> 00:04:43,215
We was like,
"what's gonna happen now?"
93
00:04:43,283 --> 00:04:44,883
So, she didn't go
off to college.
94
00:04:45,419 --> 00:04:46,618
[narrator] later that year,
95
00:04:46,687 --> 00:04:49,254
Carla gave birth to
her daughter, kanaka.
96
00:04:50,123 --> 00:04:51,323
[kanaka] we were real close.
97
00:04:51,391 --> 00:04:54,058
We was not really
a mother-daughter.
98
00:04:54,127 --> 00:04:57,863
She was just like my sister,
my friend, versus my mom.
99
00:04:59,366 --> 00:05:02,434
[stacey] kanaka's father went
into the marines.
100
00:05:02,502 --> 00:05:04,002
So, he was gone.
101
00:05:04,070 --> 00:05:07,171
I mean, he financially supported
and took care of things,
102
00:05:07,173 --> 00:05:08,740
But he wasn't there.
103
00:05:09,576 --> 00:05:11,009
[narrator] as a young
single mother,
104
00:05:11,077 --> 00:05:14,446
Carla was dedicated to providin
for her daughter.
105
00:05:14,714 --> 00:05:15,947
She went to nursing school,
106
00:05:16,016 --> 00:05:20,085
And she graduated class of 1983,
from phillips college of helena.
107
00:05:21,054 --> 00:05:23,455
[stacey] she always wanted to
help people.
108
00:05:23,523 --> 00:05:24,756
That was her calling.
109
00:05:24,825 --> 00:05:26,925
I, I don't think she would've
wanted to do anything else.
110
00:05:27,828 --> 00:05:29,828
[kanaka] she started working at
helena hospital.
111
00:05:30,531 --> 00:05:32,197
And then after helena hospital,
112
00:05:32,265 --> 00:05:33,564
She start working
different jobs,
113
00:05:33,566 --> 00:05:36,434
Like at the nursing home
and home health.
114
00:05:36,803 --> 00:05:37,736
I saw her, like,
115
00:05:37,804 --> 00:05:40,305
When we took vacations and
stuff like that,
116
00:05:40,373 --> 00:05:41,773
But she worked a lot.
117
00:05:41,842 --> 00:05:44,009
She'd come home,
she'd cook, sleep.
118
00:05:45,145 --> 00:05:46,878
[lorri] she loved going to work.
119
00:05:46,947 --> 00:05:49,781
She loved helping people,
especially children.
120
00:05:49,850 --> 00:05:52,851
She would just sit there with
'em and talk to 'em.
121
00:05:53,653 --> 00:05:56,588
She loved her profession,
what she was doing.
122
00:05:57,290 --> 00:05:58,489
If you want a nurse,
123
00:05:58,892 --> 00:06:00,925
Carla would be the one
that you want.
124
00:06:01,595 --> 00:06:03,928
[narrator] once her career
had taken off,
125
00:06:03,930 --> 00:06:07,432
Carla set her sights on
finding lasting love.
126
00:06:08,168 --> 00:06:11,269
[kanaka] she got married,
and she had two more kids.
127
00:06:12,206 --> 00:06:14,839
Her husband,
which is my stepdad,
128
00:06:14,841 --> 00:06:16,742
They was married, like,
17 years.
129
00:06:17,610 --> 00:06:18,810
[narrator] unfortunately,
130
00:06:18,879 --> 00:06:21,947
The marriage came to an end
in 1998.
131
00:06:23,383 --> 00:06:24,449
[lorri] she's kinda private,
132
00:06:24,518 --> 00:06:28,620
And some things she just didn't
share with the family.
133
00:06:29,022 --> 00:06:31,957
We just knew that they were
getting a divorce.
134
00:06:32,659 --> 00:06:33,892
She was sad about it
135
00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:35,827
Because she was married
a long time.
136
00:06:35,896 --> 00:06:38,430
She tried to make it work.
It didn't work.
137
00:06:39,233 --> 00:06:40,865
[stacey] she didn't want to see
it affect the kids.
138
00:06:40,934 --> 00:06:42,901
She kept her chin up and said,
"okay, let me move on
139
00:06:42,969 --> 00:06:44,269
And continue to do
what I gotta do,
140
00:06:44,337 --> 00:06:45,404
'cause this is about
these kids."
141
00:06:46,607 --> 00:06:48,440
Now she's kinda trying to do
everything on her own,
142
00:06:48,508 --> 00:06:50,008
As far as working.
143
00:06:50,076 --> 00:06:53,645
And I think she always just
longed for happiness.
144
00:06:54,414 --> 00:06:55,546
She wanted to be happy.
145
00:06:55,616 --> 00:06:58,216
She wanted have a husband
and a family.
146
00:06:58,285 --> 00:06:59,617
She just wanted to be loved.
147
00:06:59,686 --> 00:07:01,353
[narrator] a year after
her divorce,
148
00:07:01,421 --> 00:07:05,957
Carla finally met the man who
would change her life forever.
149
00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:10,562
My mom met elbert holder
in 1999.
150
00:07:10,630 --> 00:07:13,164
She met him at
the west helena fish market,
151
00:07:13,166 --> 00:07:14,365
And he moved in with us.
152
00:07:14,935 --> 00:07:17,301
Elbert was seven years older
than carla.
153
00:07:17,303 --> 00:07:21,740
He grew up in helena as well,
and he had a teenage son,
154
00:07:21,808 --> 00:07:23,941
And he was a single parent,
much like carla.
155
00:07:24,778 --> 00:07:27,812
Elbert was known to do quite
a few odd jobs
156
00:07:27,881 --> 00:07:30,481
And a little bit of everything
here and there.
157
00:07:30,551 --> 00:07:32,216
He was very focused on making
money
158
00:07:32,218 --> 00:07:34,318
And was a bit of a hustler.
159
00:07:34,921 --> 00:07:37,088
I think what she liked about him
160
00:07:37,157 --> 00:07:40,424
Or what drew her to
him was the fact that, you know,
161
00:07:40,426 --> 00:07:43,962
He would jump up in a minute,
and they would go shopping.
162
00:07:44,030 --> 00:07:44,629
She loved that.
163
00:07:45,632 --> 00:07:49,367
They would take
a trip overnight.
164
00:07:50,370 --> 00:07:53,037
He took her to chicago and
different trips.
165
00:07:53,874 --> 00:07:57,408
They stay, doing something fun;
going to a casino, swimming.
166
00:07:58,145 --> 00:08:01,680
He was pretty much fun.
You know, he kept us laughing.
167
00:08:01,748 --> 00:08:04,148
He showed her a lotta attention
and a lotta affection.
168
00:08:04,951 --> 00:08:07,218
He did a lotta things for her
that she didn't never have.
169
00:08:07,954 --> 00:08:09,421
[willie marie] he was
a nice-looking guy.
170
00:08:09,489 --> 00:08:12,757
He was kinda fancy dresser,
you know,
171
00:08:12,826 --> 00:08:15,960
And him and her could
go out and go places,
172
00:08:16,029 --> 00:08:18,229
You know, he gonna be dressed
nice.
173
00:08:18,231 --> 00:08:19,930
And they could do things
174
00:08:19,932 --> 00:08:24,035
When she hadn't had anyone to
really do these things with her
175
00:08:24,471 --> 00:08:25,904
So, she was excited.
176
00:08:26,973 --> 00:08:27,772
[lorri] she was
a social butterfly,
177
00:08:27,841 --> 00:08:29,173
She liked to go places.
178
00:08:29,242 --> 00:08:33,611
Well, he came along
and he did those things.
179
00:08:33,680 --> 00:08:37,349
So, we started to see
a different side of her,
180
00:08:37,417 --> 00:08:39,217
And she was happy.
181
00:08:39,285 --> 00:08:40,485
She was actually happy.
182
00:08:41,355 --> 00:08:43,255
[narrator] in may 2001,
183
00:08:43,323 --> 00:08:45,457
Two years into their
relationship,
184
00:08:45,525 --> 00:08:47,125
Elbert proposed.
185
00:08:47,461 --> 00:08:50,628
My mom and elbert had planned on
doing a cruise
186
00:08:50,697 --> 00:08:52,463
The last weekend of July.
187
00:08:53,066 --> 00:08:55,166
And they was gonna get
married at the bahamas.
188
00:08:55,435 --> 00:08:56,935
And she was so excited.
189
00:09:00,573 --> 00:09:01,839
[narrator] but just a month
before
190
00:09:01,908 --> 00:09:03,541
Their destination wedding,
191
00:09:03,610 --> 00:09:06,378
Their future together
is upended.
192
00:09:07,113 --> 00:09:09,113
[brian] when they robbed carla
and him,
193
00:09:09,383 --> 00:09:13,985
They shot carla and killed her,
and they shot at him.
194
00:09:15,822 --> 00:09:17,489
[todd] the sheriff's office
contacted
195
00:09:17,557 --> 00:09:20,358
The criminal investigation
division
196
00:09:20,427 --> 00:09:21,926
With arkansas state police.
197
00:09:21,995 --> 00:09:24,429
So, the sheriff's department and
the state police
198
00:09:24,497 --> 00:09:25,430
Worked this case together.
199
00:09:26,866 --> 00:09:28,967
[narrator] before elbert is
rushed to a local hospital,
200
00:09:29,035 --> 00:09:31,870
He gives investigators
a brief statement.
201
00:09:32,605 --> 00:09:36,207
Elbert's story was that he took
carla to work that day.
202
00:09:36,743 --> 00:09:38,643
Carla, she was a home
healthcare nurse,
203
00:09:38,711 --> 00:09:43,114
And she had to go see
a patient down near elaine,
204
00:09:43,183 --> 00:09:45,317
Which is about 30 miles
south of helena.
205
00:09:45,385 --> 00:09:47,586
That they drove down to elaine,
206
00:09:47,654 --> 00:09:50,788
He waited for her to go
in and see the patient.
207
00:09:51,324 --> 00:09:53,325
Then they were driving back
towards helena.
208
00:09:54,060 --> 00:09:55,427
And there was car trouble.
209
00:09:56,095 --> 00:09:58,697
He pulled over to check
the engine.
210
00:09:59,365 --> 00:10:01,466
He got out of the car,
opened the hood,
211
00:10:01,534 --> 00:10:02,801
And two men pulled over.
212
00:10:03,904 --> 00:10:06,070
He thought they were pulling
over to help,
213
00:10:06,072 --> 00:10:07,906
But they pulled a gun on him.
214
00:10:08,641 --> 00:10:10,475
Elbert holder reported that
215
00:10:10,543 --> 00:10:13,878
His wallet with $900 stolen
from him.
216
00:10:14,815 --> 00:10:16,047
[bob] for investigators,
217
00:10:16,116 --> 00:10:17,215
It looked like
the roadside robbery,
218
00:10:17,217 --> 00:10:20,018
With carla being killed and
elbert being injured.
219
00:10:21,054 --> 00:10:23,154
[narrator] elbert says that
the men were armed
220
00:10:23,223 --> 00:10:24,322
With a shotgun.
221
00:10:24,391 --> 00:10:26,090
When they opened fire,
222
00:10:26,626 --> 00:10:29,193
He instinctively ducked
out of the way.
223
00:10:29,596 --> 00:10:31,762
He had a hat on,
a cap on his head,
224
00:10:31,764 --> 00:10:34,332
And there was a bullet hole
through the cap
225
00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:35,800
That he showed the police.
226
00:10:37,103 --> 00:10:39,871
Elbert was extremely lucky that
he wasn't killed, too.
227
00:10:40,573 --> 00:10:42,874
It was a very close call for
mr. Elbert.
228
00:10:43,510 --> 00:10:45,910
After the shooting, the two guys
got back in their car
229
00:10:45,979 --> 00:10:47,311
And then they just sped off.
230
00:10:48,181 --> 00:10:50,681
Elbert told investigators
that it was two black men
231
00:10:50,751 --> 00:10:53,718
In a black cadillac with
tennessee plates on it.
232
00:10:54,587 --> 00:10:56,121
Police put out
an all-points bulletin
233
00:10:56,189 --> 00:10:59,624
To the sheriff's departments to
be on the lookout for
234
00:10:59,692 --> 00:11:01,525
A car meeting the description
235
00:11:01,595 --> 00:11:04,295
Of a black cadillac with
tennessee tags.
236
00:11:05,398 --> 00:11:07,499
We're 60 miles south of memphis
237
00:11:07,567 --> 00:11:10,168
There're probably
300 black cadillacs in memphis
238
00:11:10,236 --> 00:11:11,669
With tennessee tags.
239
00:11:11,738 --> 00:11:15,340
So, if that car gets back to
tennessee, it's over.
240
00:11:17,344 --> 00:11:18,643
[narrator] coming up.
241
00:11:18,711 --> 00:11:20,811
Crime scene details send
investigators
242
00:11:20,881 --> 00:11:22,313
Back to square one.
243
00:11:22,715 --> 00:11:24,482
They would've left the scene
in a hurry.
244
00:11:24,551 --> 00:11:26,184
So, they looked for tire tracks
245
00:11:26,252 --> 00:11:28,586
But there were no tire tracks
that indicated that.
246
00:11:29,389 --> 00:11:31,589
There were red flags all over
the place.
247
00:11:32,124 --> 00:11:35,293
[narrator] and a tip comes in
pointing to a long con
248
00:11:35,361 --> 00:11:36,828
And a twisted romance.
249
00:11:37,497 --> 00:11:40,264
[stacey] I think she got caught
on to that bad boy deal.
250
00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:42,600
You know, "oh, I got a bad boy."
251
00:11:43,836 --> 00:11:46,838
Was this a case of, "if I can't
have him, nobody can"?
252
00:11:49,709 --> 00:11:52,043
[music]
253
00:11:59,452 --> 00:12:02,053
[narrator] hours after
a roadside robbery
254
00:12:02,121 --> 00:12:04,255
Claimed the life of
carla knowlton
255
00:12:04,324 --> 00:12:07,258
And injured her fiancé,
elbert holder,
256
00:12:07,327 --> 00:12:09,828
Authorities in arkansas
are on the lookout
257
00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:12,731
For a black cadillac
with tennessee plates.
258
00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:16,567
The police start contacting
law enforcement agencies
259
00:12:16,636 --> 00:12:18,203
Over in mississippi
260
00:12:18,271 --> 00:12:21,205
To see if anybody noticed
a vehicle with tennessee tags
261
00:12:21,207 --> 00:12:23,974
Passing from arkansas into
mississippi
262
00:12:24,044 --> 00:12:25,777
And then into tennessee.
263
00:12:27,313 --> 00:12:30,214
[narrator] while investigators
wait for an alert to come in,
264
00:12:30,216 --> 00:12:33,117
They consider the possibility
that the perpetrators
265
00:12:33,119 --> 00:12:36,154
Might have roots in
their own community.
266
00:12:37,157 --> 00:12:39,958
[brian] helena, arkansas, to me,
is a nice area.
267
00:12:40,026 --> 00:12:42,260
But we are a declining area,
268
00:12:42,328 --> 00:12:45,162
Declining in population since
the 1970s.
269
00:12:45,231 --> 00:12:48,133
And our factories moved
and went overseas.
270
00:12:50,169 --> 00:12:53,037
[todd] the population's declined
over the years,
271
00:12:53,105 --> 00:12:55,774
But the criminals hadn't gone
anywhere.
272
00:12:57,310 --> 00:13:01,112
A lot of the homicides appear t
be drug-related homicides.
273
00:13:01,882 --> 00:13:05,516
Some gang-related,
retaliation-type stuff.
274
00:13:05,585 --> 00:13:06,751
You do get some robberies.
275
00:13:08,021 --> 00:13:10,488
We don't have descriptions of
the shooters other than
276
00:13:10,556 --> 00:13:11,722
Two black males.
277
00:13:11,724 --> 00:13:13,123
But that could be anybody.
278
00:13:14,193 --> 00:13:16,727
[narrator] arkansas
state police investigators
279
00:13:16,729 --> 00:13:18,496
Begin processing
the crime scene.
280
00:13:19,299 --> 00:13:22,099
[kermit] there were three
shotgun shells
281
00:13:22,168 --> 00:13:24,168
Found at the scene.
282
00:13:24,837 --> 00:13:26,805
So, they were submitted for
analysis.
283
00:13:27,507 --> 00:13:31,008
You would assume that if
somebody committed a robbery
284
00:13:31,077 --> 00:13:33,177
And shot two people and
killing one,
285
00:13:33,246 --> 00:13:35,479
That they would've left
the scene in a hurry.
286
00:13:35,481 --> 00:13:37,916
So, they looked for tire tracks
that indicated that
287
00:13:37,984 --> 00:13:39,583
Anybody had pulled off quickly.
288
00:13:39,652 --> 00:13:42,053
But there were no tire tracks
that indicated that.
289
00:13:42,722 --> 00:13:44,288
[kermit] there wasn't a whole
lot at the crime scene
290
00:13:44,357 --> 00:13:47,559
Other than the shell casings
that were identified.
291
00:13:48,962 --> 00:13:52,063
There was an abandoned house not
too far from the crime scene,
292
00:13:52,131 --> 00:13:55,834
And outside, they did find
elbert's empty wallet.
293
00:13:55,902 --> 00:13:58,736
Elbert told them that there was
a wallet stolen,
294
00:13:58,805 --> 00:14:00,338
So maybe they ditched it.
295
00:14:04,076 --> 00:14:05,610
[narrator] without much
to go on,
296
00:14:06,146 --> 00:14:09,046
Investigators search for
potential witnesses.
297
00:14:09,415 --> 00:14:12,083
[wendy] although highway 85 is
very rural,
298
00:14:12,151 --> 00:14:13,785
There were also some
residential homes
299
00:14:13,853 --> 00:14:15,419
Not too far away.
300
00:14:15,421 --> 00:14:19,891
The police canvassed the area to
interview any witnesses
301
00:14:19,959 --> 00:14:22,994
That may have potentially saw or
heard something.
302
00:14:23,963 --> 00:14:26,264
There was a witness that
said that
303
00:14:26,332 --> 00:14:29,200
She saw a car parked out there
near the scene,
304
00:14:29,269 --> 00:14:30,969
But not a black cadillac.
305
00:14:30,971 --> 00:14:33,737
That person told them that they
believe they saw
306
00:14:33,739 --> 00:14:34,439
A lighter-colored sedan.
307
00:14:35,541 --> 00:14:38,810
[todd] and so, the police
set out to
308
00:14:38,878 --> 00:14:40,378
Trace the whereabouts
of that car.
309
00:14:40,446 --> 00:14:42,947
Obviously, they wanted to know
where these people were.
310
00:14:43,850 --> 00:14:45,983
[narrator] meanwhile,
investigators learn that
311
00:14:46,052 --> 00:14:48,152
Elbert is in stable condition.
312
00:14:49,555 --> 00:14:54,558
The wound on mr. Holder's
arm was enough to draw blood,
313
00:14:54,627 --> 00:14:57,828
But it was not
a significant wound.
314
00:14:57,830 --> 00:14:59,597
It was like a graze wound.
315
00:15:01,267 --> 00:15:02,633
[narrator] by the following
morning,
316
00:15:02,702 --> 00:15:06,036
News of carla's death
reaches her family.
317
00:15:06,706 --> 00:15:09,340
My grandma came and they told
me, you know,
318
00:15:09,409 --> 00:15:11,242
"we sorry, your mom, you know,
has been killed.
319
00:15:11,645 --> 00:15:14,678
And right now,
we don't know what happened."
320
00:15:15,248 --> 00:15:16,981
At that point,
I just broke down.
321
00:15:17,483 --> 00:15:20,985
It was, it was horrible.
I mean, I was devastated.
322
00:15:21,053 --> 00:15:22,553
I couldn't eat, sleep...
323
00:15:23,423 --> 00:15:24,889
Or anything.
324
00:15:25,925 --> 00:15:27,959
They kept saying, "she gone",
you know,
325
00:15:28,027 --> 00:15:29,227
But I, I never accepted it.
326
00:15:30,763 --> 00:15:32,764
[lorri] I was just in, like,
dismay, just shocked, like,
327
00:15:32,832 --> 00:15:34,231
"what do you mean,
what do you mean?"
328
00:15:34,300 --> 00:15:35,533
I screamed and I hollered,
329
00:15:35,601 --> 00:15:37,601
And some neighbors had to come
and comfort me.
330
00:15:37,670 --> 00:15:39,237
It was, it was really bad.
331
00:15:41,874 --> 00:15:43,874
[narrator] after being
discharged from the hospital,
332
00:15:44,144 --> 00:15:46,878
Investigators visit elbert at
his home
333
00:15:46,946 --> 00:15:48,446
For a second interview.
334
00:15:50,416 --> 00:15:53,785
His story was he had never seen
this car.
335
00:15:53,853 --> 00:15:55,286
He didn't know who was in it.
336
00:15:55,355 --> 00:15:57,321
The people were wearing masks.
337
00:15:57,791 --> 00:16:02,059
And he basically said it all
happened so fast,
338
00:16:02,061 --> 00:16:04,762
He couldn't give them
many details.
339
00:16:05,398 --> 00:16:08,799
Investigators thought
his demeanor was very calm
340
00:16:08,801 --> 00:16:10,300
And different than
341
00:16:10,370 --> 00:16:13,070
What they would expect him to be
acting like.
342
00:16:13,739 --> 00:16:16,941
They know the cues they're
expecting to see from victims
343
00:16:17,009 --> 00:16:19,310
When they're recounting
what happened to a loved one,
344
00:16:19,379 --> 00:16:24,349
And emotion, sobbing, and crying
is usually part of it.
345
00:16:25,685 --> 00:16:27,651
[bob] investigators left that
meeting with elbert,
346
00:16:27,653 --> 00:16:29,687
And this is when they started to
realize that
347
00:16:29,755 --> 00:16:31,389
Things just weren't adding up.
348
00:16:32,625 --> 00:16:34,925
[narrator] investigators shift
their focus
349
00:16:34,927 --> 00:16:36,393
To carla's autopsy.
350
00:16:37,263 --> 00:16:40,798
The medical examiner found that
carla was hit three times
351
00:16:40,867 --> 00:16:42,700
With a 12-gauge shotgun;
352
00:16:42,768 --> 00:16:46,370
Twice to the head and once to
the chest.
353
00:16:47,407 --> 00:16:50,975
The evidence that was recovered
from the actual autopsy itself
354
00:16:51,043 --> 00:16:52,576
Were shotgun pellets.
355
00:16:52,578 --> 00:16:54,512
And those were submitted to
356
00:16:54,580 --> 00:16:56,680
The firearm section of
the laboratory,
357
00:16:57,083 --> 00:16:59,250
Along with clothing from
the victim's body.
358
00:17:00,286 --> 00:17:04,288
A 12-gauge shotgun is going to
cause massive damage.
359
00:17:07,226 --> 00:17:09,127
I'm sure she died instantly.
360
00:17:11,864 --> 00:17:15,033
The crime lab can match
shell casings based upon
361
00:17:15,101 --> 00:17:17,635
Ejection scratches or patterns.
362
00:17:17,703 --> 00:17:20,471
And they determined that all
three of those shell casings
363
00:17:20,540 --> 00:17:23,006
Came from the same shotgun.
364
00:17:23,376 --> 00:17:25,576
If they find a weapon,
they can match it.
365
00:17:27,046 --> 00:17:30,147
[narrator] when experts analyze
the hat elbert was wearing
366
00:17:30,216 --> 00:17:31,549
When the shooting occurred,
367
00:17:31,617 --> 00:17:34,918
The report raises
several questions.
368
00:17:35,188 --> 00:17:37,521
Elbert said he was able to dive
out of the way,
369
00:17:37,590 --> 00:17:40,358
But his hat was grazed by
the spray of the shotgun.
370
00:17:41,460 --> 00:17:42,860
[kermit] the hat was examined,
371
00:17:43,529 --> 00:17:45,896
And it appeared to be a bigger
caliber weapon
372
00:17:45,965 --> 00:17:47,731
Than just a simple shotgun,
373
00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:49,534
Pellets that are penetrating
through it.
374
00:17:49,602 --> 00:17:52,336
And that would have
been based on the soot analysis
375
00:17:52,405 --> 00:17:55,706
Surrounding the diameter of
the hole itself.
376
00:18:00,346 --> 00:18:02,946
[brian] they can determine by
the residue on the hat
377
00:18:02,948 --> 00:18:06,083
How close of range the shot was
378
00:18:06,152 --> 00:18:08,119
And they determine
fairly quickly
379
00:18:08,488 --> 00:18:11,722
That the shot came from very
close by.
380
00:18:13,025 --> 00:18:16,093
It didn't make sense
that elbert was shot in the hat
381
00:18:16,529 --> 00:18:18,596
But the bullet missed his head.
382
00:18:19,499 --> 00:18:22,132
There were red flags all over
the place.
383
00:18:22,935 --> 00:18:27,338
His graze wound to his arm was
pretty much superficial.
384
00:18:27,607 --> 00:18:29,573
So, he was relatively unharmed.
385
00:18:29,942 --> 00:18:33,978
But yet, miss knowlton was
shot in the head and killed.
386
00:18:35,114 --> 00:18:37,448
[brian] the fact that he was
grazed in the arm,
387
00:18:37,516 --> 00:18:40,017
Although he was the one outside
who confronted the two men
388
00:18:40,353 --> 00:18:41,319
When they came to rob 'em...
389
00:18:42,655 --> 00:18:46,423
And why they walked
around to the car and shot carla
390
00:18:46,492 --> 00:18:47,425
With a shotgun...
391
00:18:48,995 --> 00:18:51,262
That didn't make a lot of sense
392
00:18:51,330 --> 00:18:54,465
It just seemed like
that was not a true story.
393
00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:59,637
Elbert became a suspect fairly
quickly.
394
00:19:03,008 --> 00:19:05,176
[music]
395
00:19:11,884 --> 00:19:14,919
[narrator] less than a day after
the roadside ambush
396
00:19:14,987 --> 00:19:16,854
That killed carla knowlton,
397
00:19:16,922 --> 00:19:20,057
Investigators are becoming
increasingly suspicious
398
00:19:20,125 --> 00:19:24,162
Of her fiancé elbert holder's
account of the shooting.
399
00:19:25,297 --> 00:19:27,130
The loved one of the victim,
400
00:19:27,433 --> 00:19:29,833
The spouse or boyfriend
or girlfriend,
401
00:19:29,835 --> 00:19:31,903
Is always a suspect.
402
00:19:33,005 --> 00:19:34,372
[todd] when a murder occurs,
403
00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:36,440
Every good police officer
will tell you this--
404
00:19:36,442 --> 00:19:37,875
Everybody's a suspect.
405
00:19:38,077 --> 00:19:39,777
And then you start eliminating
406
00:19:39,845 --> 00:19:41,979
People that couldn't have
possibly done it.
407
00:19:42,448 --> 00:19:45,283
So, holder was a suspect
immediately.
408
00:19:47,253 --> 00:19:50,554
[narrator] when investigators
pull elbert's criminal record,
409
00:19:50,623 --> 00:19:54,224
They discover he's no stranger
to the law.
410
00:19:54,494 --> 00:19:55,859
I don't recall mr. Holder
411
00:19:55,928 --> 00:19:58,129
Having any violent acts in
his history.
412
00:19:58,664 --> 00:20:01,165
He did have some
insurance fraud claims
413
00:20:01,233 --> 00:20:02,833
That went back a few years.
414
00:20:03,603 --> 00:20:06,637
Holder pretty much made a career
415
00:20:06,706 --> 00:20:10,007
On running scams
and insurance scams.
416
00:20:10,075 --> 00:20:13,276
And I'm not sure what he did for
a living,
417
00:20:13,278 --> 00:20:15,479
What his honest job was,
so to speak.
418
00:20:15,481 --> 00:20:17,214
But my understanding is every
so often,
419
00:20:17,283 --> 00:20:18,949
He would run an insurance scam,
420
00:20:19,018 --> 00:20:20,351
And that's how he made money.
421
00:20:21,354 --> 00:20:23,487
[todd] there was a lawyer
down there in louisiana.
422
00:20:23,489 --> 00:20:25,055
I remember talking to him on
the phone.
423
00:20:25,124 --> 00:20:29,460
Came to find out that
there was a case
424
00:20:29,528 --> 00:20:32,496
That was filed in louisiana
over some insurance fraud
425
00:20:32,498 --> 00:20:35,265
That he was alleged to have
committed down there.
426
00:20:35,868 --> 00:20:38,969
He allegedly reported some
property stolen
427
00:20:39,038 --> 00:20:40,671
That he still had.
428
00:20:40,739 --> 00:20:43,040
It was a big enough of an issue
that the insurance company
429
00:20:43,108 --> 00:20:44,508
Filed suit against him.
430
00:20:46,045 --> 00:20:48,645
[narrator] elbert had also
reportedly suffered an injury
431
00:20:48,714 --> 00:20:51,215
On a mississippi riverboat job.
432
00:20:53,085 --> 00:20:55,753
[bob] elbert claimed that
the boat he was working on
433
00:20:55,821 --> 00:20:56,887
Was hit by a barge
434
00:20:56,956 --> 00:20:59,022
And that he was injured,
his back or his spine,
435
00:20:59,091 --> 00:21:01,259
But to the point where he could
hardly walk
436
00:21:01,327 --> 00:21:02,326
And he couldn't even work.
437
00:21:02,395 --> 00:21:04,895
And that's when he filed
the workman's comp claim
438
00:21:04,964 --> 00:21:06,998
For about $140,000.
439
00:21:09,635 --> 00:21:11,469
[narrator] investigators
reach out to
440
00:21:11,471 --> 00:21:14,538
Carla's grieving family
to see if they can provide
441
00:21:14,540 --> 00:21:17,408
Any additional information
on elbert.
442
00:21:18,310 --> 00:21:21,945
[stacey] I knew that he was into
this workman's comp scam.
443
00:21:22,181 --> 00:21:23,381
He was a street guy,
444
00:21:23,383 --> 00:21:24,882
And any way to make money
in the streets,
445
00:21:24,950 --> 00:21:26,050
That's what he did.
446
00:21:27,387 --> 00:21:29,486
He was selling sex toys and
video tapes outta his trunk,
447
00:21:29,555 --> 00:21:34,292
And doing things that
the average person wouldn't do.
448
00:21:35,060 --> 00:21:35,993
Nothing legit.
449
00:21:37,196 --> 00:21:38,128
And I'm like, "what is carla
doing with him?
450
00:21:38,698 --> 00:21:40,163
Why, why is she with him?"
451
00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:42,199
[kanaka] he grew up poor,
452
00:21:42,267 --> 00:21:45,503
And he started hustling and
getting money through scamming
453
00:21:45,505 --> 00:21:46,604
And figuring how to get money.
454
00:21:46,672 --> 00:21:47,938
That was the lifestyle he knew.
455
00:21:48,908 --> 00:21:50,574
[stacey] carla went through
a divorce.
456
00:21:50,643 --> 00:21:53,043
And so, I think elbert came in.
457
00:21:53,345 --> 00:21:55,479
I think he came in
saying nice things...
458
00:21:56,449 --> 00:21:57,648
...Buying her things,
459
00:21:57,716 --> 00:21:59,550
And I think she kinda, like,
460
00:21:59,618 --> 00:22:01,919
Got caught on to
that bad boy deal.
461
00:22:01,987 --> 00:22:03,987
You know,
"oh, I got a bad boy."
462
00:22:04,457 --> 00:22:05,989
[lorri] they were like oil
and water.
463
00:22:05,991 --> 00:22:08,025
But she was so happy,
and so we were like,
464
00:22:08,093 --> 00:22:09,226
"you know what?
465
00:22:09,295 --> 00:22:11,128
Maybe it's not so bad after
all."
466
00:22:11,931 --> 00:22:14,265
[narrator] carla's family tells
investigators
467
00:22:14,333 --> 00:22:16,033
That she accidentally tipped of
468
00:22:16,101 --> 00:22:19,437
Elbert's scamming activities
to his lawyers.
469
00:22:23,742 --> 00:22:25,208
[willie marie] he had used
her phone,
470
00:22:25,210 --> 00:22:27,144
And he'd call and talk with
the lawyers,
471
00:22:27,212 --> 00:22:29,313
So they had this number.
472
00:22:29,381 --> 00:22:33,617
They call back to the house
one day
473
00:22:33,619 --> 00:22:35,486
And asked her, where was he,
474
00:22:35,554 --> 00:22:38,955
And she told 'em he was gone
riding his motorcycle.
475
00:22:38,957 --> 00:22:43,527
They said, "riding a motorcycle?
He can ride a motorcycle?"
476
00:22:44,530 --> 00:22:46,897
Elbert was supposed to have been
disabled,
477
00:22:47,733 --> 00:22:49,867
Couldn't work 'cause of
his back.
478
00:22:53,072 --> 00:22:55,573
[narrator] her family says
a few months earlier,
479
00:22:55,641 --> 00:22:58,108
Elbert and carla had driven to
new orleans
480
00:22:58,177 --> 00:23:00,177
For elbert's deposition hearing
481
00:23:00,646 --> 00:23:04,214
There, attorneys representing
the insurance companies
482
00:23:04,216 --> 00:23:06,116
Had approached carla.
483
00:23:06,718 --> 00:23:09,319
The attorneys had a conversation
with her.
484
00:23:09,522 --> 00:23:10,921
Something to the fact that,
485
00:23:10,990 --> 00:23:13,657
"hey, we know that this
guy's a fraud."
486
00:23:13,726 --> 00:23:15,359
They had been watching him.
487
00:23:16,828 --> 00:23:18,195
[willie marie] they had asked
her about
488
00:23:18,264 --> 00:23:20,630
Testifying against him,
489
00:23:20,632 --> 00:23:21,899
And that way the insurance,
490
00:23:21,967 --> 00:23:24,769
They wouldn't have to
pay all of this money.
491
00:23:26,906 --> 00:23:29,540
That could be huge motive to
get rid of her.
492
00:23:32,845 --> 00:23:34,978
[narrator] still, investigators
have doubts
493
00:23:35,047 --> 00:23:37,014
That elbert was
the triggerman,
494
00:23:37,082 --> 00:23:39,817
Since he was also injured
in the attack.
495
00:23:40,219 --> 00:23:44,455
You don't get tunnel vision.
You don't focus on one person.
496
00:23:45,691 --> 00:23:47,858
There was some idea that holder
was a scam artist
497
00:23:47,927 --> 00:23:49,927
And carla got caught in
the crossfire.
498
00:23:50,796 --> 00:23:53,530
Investigators start to wonder if
carla's murder
499
00:23:53,532 --> 00:23:55,432
Could have been connected to
elbert,
500
00:23:55,501 --> 00:23:59,069
Because of some of the circles
that he's been known to run in,
501
00:23:59,138 --> 00:24:02,072
And it could have potentially
been aimed at him.
502
00:24:05,611 --> 00:24:07,344
[narrator] according to
carla's family,
503
00:24:07,412 --> 00:24:08,712
There was a recent incident
504
00:24:08,781 --> 00:24:11,982
Where carla and elbert
may have been targeted.
505
00:24:13,585 --> 00:24:16,353
One of her cars was set on fire.
506
00:24:17,222 --> 00:24:20,457
I'm like, "carla, how did
your car catch on fire?"
507
00:24:20,893 --> 00:24:22,960
The report from the fireman sai
it was set.
508
00:24:23,729 --> 00:24:26,931
I'm like, "carla,
what in the hell is going on?"
509
00:24:28,367 --> 00:24:32,736
Carla felt that the fire in
the car was a technical issue
510
00:24:32,805 --> 00:24:34,605
Or a malfunction of some sort.
511
00:24:34,673 --> 00:24:39,443
But her family had a suspicion
that it could have been
512
00:24:39,511 --> 00:24:41,612
Something that was meant for
elbert.
513
00:24:42,347 --> 00:24:43,947
[todd] elbert holder had
enemies.
514
00:24:44,016 --> 00:24:45,616
Some people that he maybe
ripped off
515
00:24:45,684 --> 00:24:47,350
Or wronged in some way.
516
00:24:47,820 --> 00:24:49,219
[bob] the alarming thing is that
517
00:24:49,287 --> 00:24:50,754
Elbert didn't say anything
about this,
518
00:24:50,823 --> 00:24:52,289
So maybe he didn't want
detectives
519
00:24:52,357 --> 00:24:53,524
Snooping into his case.
520
00:24:53,592 --> 00:24:55,592
But his fiancée is dead,
521
00:24:55,594 --> 00:24:57,828
So they know he's gotta be
hiding something.
522
00:25:00,299 --> 00:25:03,000
[narrator] before investigators
can confront elbert
523
00:25:03,068 --> 00:25:04,401
About these claims,
524
00:25:04,403 --> 00:25:06,369
They receive a pivotal tip.
525
00:25:07,106 --> 00:25:08,639
[gerald] a woman called
the police
526
00:25:08,707 --> 00:25:12,776
And said that she had
loaned her car to somebody
527
00:25:12,778 --> 00:25:14,111
The night before.
528
00:25:15,448 --> 00:25:18,281
[wendy] the local woman tells
police that her friend
529
00:25:18,283 --> 00:25:21,118
Who had borrowed the car
the night of the murder
530
00:25:21,386 --> 00:25:23,654
Came back the next day
in her own car
531
00:25:23,722 --> 00:25:27,390
And told her that they would
have to go pick the car up.
532
00:25:28,093 --> 00:25:30,460
[bob] the woman rode with
her friend to get her car,
533
00:25:30,462 --> 00:25:33,797
Which was parked at a rest stop
along highway 85.
534
00:25:33,799 --> 00:25:35,899
The same highway carla was
killed on.
535
00:25:36,335 --> 00:25:37,701
When they get to the car,
536
00:25:37,703 --> 00:25:39,469
It's got dirt on it,
grass on it.
537
00:25:39,538 --> 00:25:41,071
So when she eventually does get
it home,
538
00:25:41,140 --> 00:25:43,173
She naturally starts to
clean it up.
539
00:25:43,809 --> 00:25:45,308
She tells police
540
00:25:45,377 --> 00:25:46,977
When she's in the process of
cleaning her car up,
541
00:25:47,046 --> 00:25:49,547
She makes a very
startling discovery.
542
00:25:50,716 --> 00:25:53,517
She had discovered a shotgun in
the trunk.
543
00:25:54,620 --> 00:25:55,819
She said that the person
544
00:25:55,888 --> 00:25:57,788
She loaned the car to was
brenda dixon.
545
00:25:58,924 --> 00:26:00,658
[wendy] it so happens that
brenda dixon
546
00:26:00,726 --> 00:26:03,627
Was the ex-girlfriend of
elbert holder
547
00:26:03,695 --> 00:26:05,228
And the mother of his son.
548
00:26:06,131 --> 00:26:08,932
The sheriff's department
immediately sent an officer out,
549
00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:10,701
Who recovered the gun from
the trunk.
550
00:26:12,037 --> 00:26:15,038
It turns out this woman's
vehicle matches
551
00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:18,008
The description of the vehicle
a witness saw out on the highway
552
00:26:18,077 --> 00:26:20,577
When authorities were initially
canvassing the area,
553
00:26:20,779 --> 00:26:22,713
Which was
a lighter-colored sedan.
554
00:26:23,616 --> 00:26:25,248
It was shocking,
555
00:26:25,317 --> 00:26:27,484
A potential murder weapon had
just fallen into their hands.
556
00:26:27,953 --> 00:26:29,887
Was brenda dixon the shooter?
557
00:26:33,692 --> 00:26:35,893
[music]
558
00:26:43,168 --> 00:26:45,602
[narrator] 24 hours into
the investigation of
559
00:26:45,671 --> 00:26:47,504
Carla knowlton's murder,
560
00:26:47,940 --> 00:26:51,108
Arkansas police have recovered
a shotgun from a car
561
00:26:51,176 --> 00:26:54,010
Allegedly loaned to
brenda dixon,
562
00:26:54,079 --> 00:26:57,848
The ex-girlfriend of
carla's fiancé, elbert holder.
563
00:26:58,250 --> 00:27:00,384
[bob] while police have sent
the shotgun off
564
00:27:00,452 --> 00:27:01,785
To the crime lab for testing,
565
00:27:01,854 --> 00:27:03,320
They're trying to locate
brenda dixon.
566
00:27:03,388 --> 00:27:05,122
'cause naturally,
they'd like to talk to her.
567
00:27:05,757 --> 00:27:07,090
Brenda wasn't at home,
568
00:27:07,159 --> 00:27:09,026
So police started talking to
friends and family,
569
00:27:09,094 --> 00:27:11,629
Trying to locate anybody who
could help them find her.
570
00:27:14,466 --> 00:27:17,367
[narrator] when investigators
speak with brenda's friends,
571
00:27:17,369 --> 00:27:19,936
They learn that brenda and
elbert's relationship
572
00:27:20,005 --> 00:27:22,239
Hadn't necessarily ended.
573
00:27:24,276 --> 00:27:27,111
[todd] mr. Holder was dating
more than one lady.
574
00:27:28,881 --> 00:27:31,915
Mr. Holder was in a relationship
with carla knowlton,
575
00:27:31,984 --> 00:27:33,550
And he was also in
a relationship
576
00:27:33,618 --> 00:27:36,019
With brenda dixon at the time.
577
00:27:36,822 --> 00:27:38,689
[brian] they just never stopped
dating,
578
00:27:38,757 --> 00:27:43,927
Even though he was
living with carla.
579
00:27:44,830 --> 00:27:47,398
Carla found out he never
broke up with brenda.
580
00:27:47,466 --> 00:27:48,832
He never broke up with her.
581
00:27:50,135 --> 00:27:54,972
He was going from her house to
carla's house.
582
00:27:56,041 --> 00:27:58,776
So it was like he was living
a double life,
583
00:27:58,844 --> 00:28:00,277
But he did it so well.
584
00:28:01,146 --> 00:28:02,946
[lorri] we were very angry.
585
00:28:02,948 --> 00:28:05,816
He was not the guy for
our sister.
586
00:28:07,118 --> 00:28:10,020
[narrator] investigators
theorize that brenda may have
587
00:28:10,089 --> 00:28:13,791
Enacted a plot to get rid of
her romantic rival.
588
00:28:14,793 --> 00:28:16,994
Jealousy is a powerful
motivating factor
589
00:28:17,062 --> 00:28:18,562
In a lot of murders.
590
00:28:19,265 --> 00:28:20,831
[brian] brenda and elbert's
relationship
591
00:28:20,899 --> 00:28:24,435
Was the relationship
of the woman on the side,
592
00:28:25,404 --> 00:28:27,638
And maybe she thought
that was gonna come to an end
593
00:28:27,706 --> 00:28:29,673
If he married carla.
594
00:28:30,542 --> 00:28:31,975
You see this quite frequently,
595
00:28:32,044 --> 00:28:33,210
Where the woman on the side
596
00:28:33,278 --> 00:28:37,314
Wants to eliminate the woman
who is occupying the attention
597
00:28:37,382 --> 00:28:39,316
Of who she would
consider her man.
598
00:28:40,252 --> 00:28:43,453
Was this a case of, "if I can't
have him, nobody can"?
599
00:28:43,989 --> 00:28:45,922
If brenda was involved,
the question is,
600
00:28:45,991 --> 00:28:47,757
What did elbert know?
601
00:28:48,227 --> 00:28:50,327
Initially, it was said there
were two men at the scene.
602
00:28:51,463 --> 00:28:52,463
The first thought was,
603
00:28:52,531 --> 00:28:54,398
Could elbert be
protecting brenda?
604
00:28:55,567 --> 00:28:56,934
[narrator] the following day,
605
00:28:57,002 --> 00:28:59,702
Investigators search for
their main suspects,
606
00:28:59,772 --> 00:29:01,338
Elbert and brenda.
607
00:29:02,207 --> 00:29:05,375
Shortly after, police receive
a call from the woman
608
00:29:05,444 --> 00:29:08,378
Who had previously loaned brend
her vehicle.
609
00:29:08,914 --> 00:29:10,981
[todd] the lady called
the sheriff's office again,
610
00:29:11,049 --> 00:29:12,950
Basically in a panic,
611
00:29:13,018 --> 00:29:16,219
Saying that mr. Holder and
miss dixon were over there.
612
00:29:16,288 --> 00:29:18,221
They wanted to get in the trunk
of the car.
613
00:29:18,223 --> 00:29:20,824
And she had told them that
she lost the keys.
614
00:29:21,693 --> 00:29:25,662
She had actually tossed the key
to the trunk behind her couch.
615
00:29:26,665 --> 00:29:29,600
As soon as brenda dixon and
elbert got out of earshot,
616
00:29:29,668 --> 00:29:31,135
She called the police.
617
00:29:33,104 --> 00:29:36,639
She was really panicking about
the whole situation,
618
00:29:36,641 --> 00:29:38,008
Fearful for her life.
619
00:29:39,144 --> 00:29:41,878
[narrator] investigators
race to the scene,
620
00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:44,547
Where they find
their two primary suspects,
621
00:29:44,616 --> 00:29:46,116
Elbert and brenda,
622
00:29:46,184 --> 00:29:49,052
Standing at the woman's car
with the trunk popped.
623
00:29:49,454 --> 00:29:53,390
Holder had actually brought a,
either a mechanic or a locksmith
624
00:29:53,458 --> 00:29:55,792
Or somebody to try to open
the trunk.
625
00:29:56,261 --> 00:29:57,928
He was totally surprised that
626
00:29:57,996 --> 00:30:00,530
The gun was no
longer in the trunk.
627
00:30:01,466 --> 00:30:02,933
Why is he out there retrieving
the shotgun
628
00:30:03,001 --> 00:30:04,501
If he had no knowledge?
629
00:30:05,370 --> 00:30:07,103
[todd] elbert holder and
brenda dixon
630
00:30:07,172 --> 00:30:10,040
Were arrested on the spot by
law enforcement.
631
00:30:12,311 --> 00:30:14,311
[narrator] brenda and elbert
are transported to
632
00:30:14,379 --> 00:30:16,747
The sheriff's office for
questioning.
633
00:30:17,282 --> 00:30:19,248
Elbert refused to talk to police
634
00:30:19,250 --> 00:30:21,084
And immediately
asked for a lawyer.
635
00:30:24,956 --> 00:30:28,425
Brenda dixon, she started
talking pretty quickly.
636
00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:33,496
She said that this was all
mr. Holder's idea
637
00:30:33,565 --> 00:30:34,932
And all his plan.
638
00:30:35,667 --> 00:30:37,500
[wendy] she told them about
her involvement,
639
00:30:37,569 --> 00:30:40,170
But that elbert was really
behind it all.
640
00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:44,641
[gerald] miss dixon said that
mr. Holder,
641
00:30:44,709 --> 00:30:47,678
He had approached her about
killing the victim
642
00:30:47,746 --> 00:30:51,815
Because mr. Holder thought she
was gonna testify against him
643
00:30:51,883 --> 00:30:53,817
In an insurance fraud case.
644
00:30:55,020 --> 00:30:56,386
[narrator] according to brenda,
645
00:30:56,455 --> 00:30:59,489
Carla had set conditions
on her silence.
646
00:31:00,325 --> 00:31:02,559
Carla wanted elbert to really
clean up his act
647
00:31:02,627 --> 00:31:05,462
And stop any scamming that
he was doing,
648
00:31:05,530 --> 00:31:08,532
Stop seeing brenda,
and settle down and marry her.
649
00:31:09,701 --> 00:31:13,736
Brenda said carla was forcing
elbert to marry her.
650
00:31:14,606 --> 00:31:16,473
[bob] elbert agreed to carla's
conditions,
651
00:31:16,541 --> 00:31:19,542
And carla was excited about
moving forward with their life.
652
00:31:19,878 --> 00:31:21,211
[kanaka] and she was so excited.
653
00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:22,579
"oh, I'm getting married,
I'm getting married.
654
00:31:22,647 --> 00:31:23,780
We're getting married."
655
00:31:23,849 --> 00:31:26,749
But she was planning a wedding,
and he was planning the funeral.
656
00:31:27,285 --> 00:31:29,185
Brenda said that she was
approached by elbert,
657
00:31:29,254 --> 00:31:31,320
Who said he wanted her to help.
658
00:31:31,723 --> 00:31:35,125
Brenda doesn't want her man to
marry another woman,
659
00:31:35,794 --> 00:31:39,129
And agrees with him to murder
carla to get her out of the way
660
00:31:39,665 --> 00:31:41,931
Originally, elbert attempted
to plant
661
00:31:42,001 --> 00:31:43,767
Some sort of a bomb in
carla's car,
662
00:31:43,835 --> 00:31:45,936
But she dodged that attempt.
663
00:31:47,139 --> 00:31:49,640
[narrator] brenda explains
she refused to commit
664
00:31:49,708 --> 00:31:51,140
The murder herself.
665
00:31:51,210 --> 00:31:53,443
So, elbert enlisted the help
of his friend,
666
00:31:53,445 --> 00:31:56,612
43-year-old greg jenkins.
667
00:31:57,516 --> 00:31:59,882
[brian] brenda told us holder
came to him
668
00:31:59,952 --> 00:32:01,117
And asked him to do it,
669
00:32:01,186 --> 00:32:03,153
And that he would pay greg.
670
00:32:03,221 --> 00:32:06,189
And so, he willingly agreed to
do it.
671
00:32:07,358 --> 00:32:09,392
[todd] I don't know if he got
paid $2,000.
672
00:32:09,461 --> 00:32:11,328
I don't know if he got
paid $10,000.
673
00:32:11,396 --> 00:32:14,731
But apparently, he got paid
money to do this.
674
00:32:15,734 --> 00:32:17,534
[brian] according to brenda,
they had met several times
675
00:32:17,602 --> 00:32:19,503
To talk about
how they were going to do it.
676
00:32:20,605 --> 00:32:24,574
It was Friday,
June the 22nd of 2001
677
00:32:25,010 --> 00:32:28,578
That jenkins, dixon, and holder
678
00:32:28,914 --> 00:32:30,880
Finalized their plan to
kill carla.
679
00:32:31,817 --> 00:32:35,585
Elbert's plan was to drive carla
to work the next night.
680
00:32:36,588 --> 00:32:39,923
And when he turned on to
the desolate part of highway 85
681
00:32:40,459 --> 00:32:43,392
He was supposed to act as though
there was car trouble.
682
00:32:43,662 --> 00:32:47,497
And that's when greg jenkins was
supposed to be waiting.
683
00:32:48,667 --> 00:32:50,867
When elbert pulls over and then
pops the hood,
684
00:32:51,170 --> 00:32:53,069
That's the signal to
greg jenkins waiting nearby
685
00:32:53,071 --> 00:32:55,205
To come out and then shoot
carla.
686
00:32:56,575 --> 00:32:58,107
The plan was to make this
appear like
687
00:32:58,177 --> 00:32:59,710
It was a robbery
that had gone wrong.
688
00:33:01,146 --> 00:33:03,312
[narrator] brenda claims that
elbert was never
689
00:33:03,382 --> 00:33:04,915
Supposed to be injured,
690
00:33:04,983 --> 00:33:08,485
But he had taken steps to make
the story more believable.
691
00:33:09,021 --> 00:33:10,620
Brenda tells police that elbert
692
00:33:10,689 --> 00:33:12,288
Actually put a bullet
in his own hat
693
00:33:12,357 --> 00:33:13,923
The day before the murder.
694
00:33:14,793 --> 00:33:17,760
He took his cap off and shot it
with a handgun.
695
00:33:18,430 --> 00:33:21,864
He would then just claim that
he was another victim,
696
00:33:21,866 --> 00:33:25,268
And he just got lucky and
hadn't been killed himself.
697
00:33:27,372 --> 00:33:29,072
[narrator] on the night of
the murder,
698
00:33:29,140 --> 00:33:31,341
Brenda says she borrowed
her friend's car
699
00:33:31,410 --> 00:33:33,409
And picked up greg jenkins,
700
00:33:33,478 --> 00:33:36,546
Who was armed with
a 12-gauge shotgun.
701
00:33:37,182 --> 00:33:38,648
[brian] brenda told us greg said
702
00:33:38,717 --> 00:33:40,950
He could not do it unless
he got drunk.
703
00:33:41,420 --> 00:33:43,286
Brenda's story was that
they drove out to
704
00:33:43,355 --> 00:33:44,854
The razorback liquor store.
705
00:33:45,056 --> 00:33:47,190
Greg got something to drink.
706
00:33:48,727 --> 00:33:52,162
They then drove down to
highway 85,
707
00:33:53,265 --> 00:33:55,932
And she dropped off greg at
the spot
708
00:33:56,001 --> 00:33:58,768
Where elbert told them
they would meet.
709
00:33:59,538 --> 00:34:01,238
She then pulled up to
the vacant house,
710
00:34:01,306 --> 00:34:03,340
And stayed there and waited.
711
00:34:03,875 --> 00:34:05,374
[bob] as brenda was waiting,
712
00:34:05,444 --> 00:34:06,843
She saw the headlights
coming down the road
713
00:34:06,911 --> 00:34:08,311
And then stop at that location
714
00:34:08,380 --> 00:34:10,347
Where they had chosen to
shoot carla.
715
00:34:14,252 --> 00:34:16,352
[brian] she said that
she did not see
716
00:34:16,688 --> 00:34:19,523
Greg actually pull the trigger
and kill carla,
717
00:34:20,325 --> 00:34:23,059
But that she heard four shots.
718
00:34:23,128 --> 00:34:25,662
[four gunshots]
719
00:34:25,730 --> 00:34:28,631
[brian] there was a graze shot
on elbert's arm,
720
00:34:28,700 --> 00:34:32,735
And so that would have accounted
for the four blasts she heard.
721
00:34:33,372 --> 00:34:35,572
But nobody ever said that
he stood there
722
00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:37,907
And jenkins shot him,
723
00:34:37,909 --> 00:34:39,208
Or whether he shot himself.
724
00:34:39,544 --> 00:34:41,310
[todd] and according to
brenda dixon,
725
00:34:41,312 --> 00:34:43,046
Greg jenkins ran over to
726
00:34:43,114 --> 00:34:45,081
The vehicle that miss dixon
was in,
727
00:34:45,283 --> 00:34:46,482
Threw the gun in the trunk,
728
00:34:46,551 --> 00:34:49,219
Jumped in the car with her,
and they fled the scene.
729
00:34:51,656 --> 00:34:54,091
The next day, when brenda
realizes she had left
730
00:34:54,159 --> 00:34:56,226
The shotgun in the trunk of
the car,
731
00:34:56,761 --> 00:34:58,561
She gets ahold of elbert
and says,
732
00:34:58,563 --> 00:34:59,796
"we've gotta get this shotgun."
733
00:34:59,864 --> 00:35:02,265
By that time, though,
it was too late.
734
00:35:03,434 --> 00:35:04,233
[brian] and I think dixon
didn't know
735
00:35:04,303 --> 00:35:06,302
What to do with the firearm
afterwards.
736
00:35:06,838 --> 00:35:10,006
The plan was, "how do
we make this murder happen?"
737
00:35:10,909 --> 00:35:14,077
But there was no plan for
what happens after the murder.
738
00:35:16,014 --> 00:35:18,348
[narrator] on August 14th, 2001,
739
00:35:18,951 --> 00:35:22,152
Authorities charge brenda dixon
and elbert holder
740
00:35:22,220 --> 00:35:23,586
With capital murder.
741
00:35:24,522 --> 00:35:27,457
Capital murder is a murder
that's premeditated
742
00:35:27,526 --> 00:35:29,426
Where there are
aggravating factors.
743
00:35:29,861 --> 00:35:32,629
Capital murder means that you
could face the death penalty.
744
00:35:34,065 --> 00:35:36,666
At this point, the police,
they go and pick up
745
00:35:36,735 --> 00:35:39,503
The alleged triggerman,
greg jenkins, as well.
746
00:35:41,039 --> 00:35:42,806
Once greg is in custody,
747
00:35:42,874 --> 00:35:44,340
He doesn't speak to police,
748
00:35:44,409 --> 00:35:46,809
And he immediately asks for
a lawyer.
749
00:35:47,346 --> 00:35:49,246
Mr. Jenkins was charged with
750
00:35:49,314 --> 00:35:51,648
The capital murder of
carla knowlton.
751
00:35:54,385 --> 00:35:55,352
[narrator] coming up.
752
00:35:55,420 --> 00:35:57,520
As the trials get underway,
753
00:35:57,588 --> 00:36:00,623
Several issues threaten to
upend the case
754
00:36:00,692 --> 00:36:03,460
And leave carla's family
and authorities
755
00:36:03,528 --> 00:36:05,162
Baffled at its outcome.
756
00:36:05,930 --> 00:36:07,497
She's got every motive to lie
757
00:36:07,565 --> 00:36:09,398
To try to get herself
a sweet deal.
758
00:36:09,668 --> 00:36:11,801
And I watched him walk out
of court.
759
00:36:11,803 --> 00:36:13,036
I was just angry.
760
00:36:13,104 --> 00:36:16,306
I don't know that you could find
a case more tragic than this.
761
00:36:17,942 --> 00:36:20,477
[music]
762
00:36:26,651 --> 00:36:28,451
[narrator] in helena, arkansas,
763
00:36:28,520 --> 00:36:32,522
Brenda dixon has confessed to
conspiring with her lover,
764
00:36:32,991 --> 00:36:34,323
Elbert holder,
765
00:36:34,393 --> 00:36:37,527
To murder elbert's fiancée,
carla knowlton.
766
00:36:39,497 --> 00:36:40,730
[todd] and according to brenda,
767
00:36:40,799 --> 00:36:42,532
Mr. Holder hatched
the whole plot.
768
00:36:43,067 --> 00:36:46,469
Planned it, the location,
and the whole nine yards.
769
00:36:51,643 --> 00:36:53,343
[stacey] I personally know
brenda.
770
00:36:54,079 --> 00:36:58,681
How could you even let him
convince you to even do this?
771
00:36:59,518 --> 00:37:02,318
[lorri] the anger definitely
kicked in with everybody.
772
00:37:02,320 --> 00:37:04,387
And then, we kinda beat
ourselves up,
773
00:37:04,456 --> 00:37:06,656
Because we knew he was no good.
774
00:37:07,626 --> 00:37:09,359
[narrator] while carla's
loved ones
775
00:37:09,427 --> 00:37:11,293
Grapple with the tragedy,
776
00:37:11,830 --> 00:37:14,831
Authorities continue
building their case.
777
00:37:14,899 --> 00:37:17,967
The key piece of evidence was
brenda dixon's testimony,
778
00:37:18,036 --> 00:37:19,702
But she was a codefendant.
779
00:37:20,239 --> 00:37:22,438
For that testimony to be given
any weight
780
00:37:22,507 --> 00:37:23,840
Or credibility at all,
781
00:37:23,908 --> 00:37:26,376
It has to be corroborated or
substantiated
782
00:37:26,444 --> 00:37:28,044
By independent evidence.
783
00:37:28,747 --> 00:37:31,214
[bob] the vehicle that carla was
killed in was examined.
784
00:37:31,282 --> 00:37:32,548
There was no evidence that
785
00:37:32,617 --> 00:37:34,384
The car had any kind of
engine trouble.
786
00:37:34,653 --> 00:37:36,419
So, the story that elbert gave
787
00:37:36,488 --> 00:37:38,088
That they pulled over for
car trouble?
788
00:37:38,390 --> 00:37:39,922
Clearly fabricated.
789
00:37:40,458 --> 00:37:42,659
[wendy] police were also able to
confirm that
790
00:37:42,727 --> 00:37:45,195
Elbert did own
a .38-caliber revolver,
791
00:37:45,263 --> 00:37:49,232
And they found that revolver not
too far from the crime scene.
792
00:37:50,068 --> 00:37:51,668
His hat's got a bullet hole.
793
00:37:51,736 --> 00:37:53,670
The crime lab determined that
794
00:37:53,738 --> 00:37:55,605
The hole in the hat was
consistent with
795
00:37:55,673 --> 00:37:57,373
A .38-caliber revolver.
796
00:37:58,042 --> 00:37:59,942
[narrator] the crime lab
confirms that
797
00:38:00,011 --> 00:38:03,847
The shotgun found in the trunk
is, in fact, the murder weapon.
798
00:38:06,050 --> 00:38:07,417
[bob] there was no dna
799
00:38:07,485 --> 00:38:09,018
Or any other kind of
physical evidence
800
00:38:09,087 --> 00:38:12,622
That linked greg jenkins or
anybody else to the weapon.
801
00:38:15,693 --> 00:38:17,693
Greg jenkins never confessed to
a crime,
802
00:38:17,762 --> 00:38:19,896
And the only thing investigators
actually had against him
803
00:38:20,232 --> 00:38:21,598
Was brenda's story.
804
00:38:24,869 --> 00:38:26,435
[narrator] as news of
the arrests
805
00:38:26,505 --> 00:38:28,070
Sweeps across helena,
806
00:38:28,139 --> 00:38:29,639
A witness comes forward
807
00:38:29,708 --> 00:38:32,309
Alleging greg jenkins had
confessed to
808
00:38:32,377 --> 00:38:34,310
Shooting carla knowlton.
809
00:38:35,346 --> 00:38:39,982
He told me flat out that jenkins
had come to him afterwards sad,
810
00:38:40,318 --> 00:38:43,386
And said, "I should not have let
holder get me to kill carla.
811
00:38:44,222 --> 00:38:45,755
I should not have done it."
812
00:38:46,424 --> 00:38:47,757
So, we had that.
813
00:38:51,262 --> 00:38:52,628
The trial of elbert holder
814
00:38:52,630 --> 00:38:55,197
Started the morning of
may the 20th of 2002,
815
00:38:55,566 --> 00:38:57,734
In the phillips county
courthouse in helena, arkansas.
816
00:38:57,802 --> 00:38:59,936
We were very confident going
in this trial.
817
00:39:00,538 --> 00:39:02,738
[narrator] prosecutors assert
that elbert had
818
00:39:02,807 --> 00:39:05,608
A clear motive for wanting
carla dead.
819
00:39:06,878 --> 00:39:09,078
[todd] carla knowlton was
scheduled to be a witness
820
00:39:09,147 --> 00:39:10,412
Against elbert holder
821
00:39:10,414 --> 00:39:11,181
Down in louisiana.
822
00:39:12,317 --> 00:39:14,384
Turned out that was a big part
of the motive.
823
00:39:15,720 --> 00:39:18,288
Elbert holder had asked
several people
824
00:39:18,356 --> 00:39:20,690
To get rid of miss knowlton,
825
00:39:20,758 --> 00:39:23,025
And he needed her gone by
a certain date,
826
00:39:23,829 --> 00:39:27,163
Which was just prior to when
he was scheduled to go to trial
827
00:39:27,231 --> 00:39:29,866
On the insurance fraud case
down in louisiana.
828
00:39:32,770 --> 00:39:34,170
[narrator] the state's
star witness
829
00:39:34,239 --> 00:39:35,605
Is brenda dixon,
830
00:39:35,874 --> 00:39:38,308
Who directly implicates
her lover
831
00:39:38,376 --> 00:39:40,510
In the plot to kill carla.
832
00:39:41,513 --> 00:39:43,579
Elbert's defense, however,
833
00:39:43,648 --> 00:39:46,916
Attempts to pin the murder
entirely on brenda.
834
00:39:47,786 --> 00:39:49,552
[todd] brenda dixon couldn't
be believed,
835
00:39:49,621 --> 00:39:51,120
According to the defense,
836
00:39:51,189 --> 00:39:53,990
Because she's a codefendant,
and she's charged herself.
837
00:39:54,058 --> 00:39:55,858
And so she's got every
motive to lie
838
00:39:55,927 --> 00:39:57,860
To try to get
herself a sweet deal.
839
00:39:59,030 --> 00:40:01,063
[bob] you could look at
the motive as being jealously,
840
00:40:01,132 --> 00:40:03,966
And that brenda had a larger
role than she let on.
841
00:40:04,368 --> 00:40:05,735
Or you could look at it as a man
842
00:40:05,737 --> 00:40:07,137
Selfishly trying to
protect himself.
843
00:40:07,539 --> 00:40:09,706
Or maybe it was a combination
of the two.
844
00:40:14,045 --> 00:40:15,678
[narrator] after hearing
the testimony,
845
00:40:15,746 --> 00:40:18,047
The jurors retire to deliberate
846
00:40:20,084 --> 00:40:23,620
The jury returned a verdict of
guilty to capital murder.
847
00:40:25,023 --> 00:40:26,556
[todd] I think he narrowly
escaped
848
00:40:26,624 --> 00:40:28,490
Receiving the death penalty fro
the jury,
849
00:40:28,492 --> 00:40:32,495
But he received a sentence of
life in prison without parole.
850
00:40:33,864 --> 00:40:35,364
[lorri] he did appeal it,
851
00:40:35,366 --> 00:40:37,700
And then they went back and jus
gave him 40 years.
852
00:40:37,768 --> 00:40:40,002
And I said, "either way,
he'll die in prison."
853
00:40:40,838 --> 00:40:42,772
So we were okay with
the judgment.
854
00:40:46,711 --> 00:40:49,178
[narrator] greg jenkins' trial
gets underway
855
00:40:49,247 --> 00:40:50,513
Four months later.
856
00:40:51,049 --> 00:40:53,316
[todd] miss dixon's testimony
was a big part
857
00:40:53,652 --> 00:40:56,185
Of the evidence against
mr. Jenkins.
858
00:40:56,254 --> 00:40:59,055
But there was other
evidence against him as well.
859
00:40:59,657 --> 00:41:01,190
[brian] one of
the proprietors of
860
00:41:01,259 --> 00:41:02,925
The razorback liquor store
861
00:41:02,927 --> 00:41:05,995
Verified that greg came into
the liquor store that night
862
00:41:06,064 --> 00:41:07,329
And bought liquor.
863
00:41:07,331 --> 00:41:10,400
And there was a person who lived
at the south beach apartments
864
00:41:11,102 --> 00:41:16,205
Who testified that he saw brend
drop off greg that night
865
00:41:16,608 --> 00:41:18,942
At some time after the murder
occurred.
866
00:41:22,747 --> 00:41:25,214
[narrator] another key witness
for prosecutors
867
00:41:25,283 --> 00:41:28,784
Is the man who claimed
greg jenkins had confessed
868
00:41:28,853 --> 00:41:30,954
That he regretted killing carla
869
00:41:32,156 --> 00:41:33,756
I was the person who
examined him.
870
00:41:33,825 --> 00:41:35,224
Put him on the witness stand.
871
00:41:35,293 --> 00:41:37,026
He said, "no, that's not true.
That didn't happen."
872
00:41:37,796 --> 00:41:40,830
And so, I asked him
five different ways, you know,
873
00:41:40,898 --> 00:41:42,832
"isn't it true that you
told me this?
874
00:41:42,900 --> 00:41:44,400
Isn't it true
that he came to you?"
875
00:41:44,468 --> 00:41:47,369
"no, that's not what happened."
876
00:41:47,439 --> 00:41:48,638
That was disappointing for me.
877
00:41:49,173 --> 00:41:50,806
[narrator] the witness's
testimony,
878
00:41:50,875 --> 00:41:53,242
Along with the lack of
physical evidence
879
00:41:53,311 --> 00:41:54,644
Tying greg to the murder,
880
00:41:55,046 --> 00:41:58,481
Result in a frustrating outcome
for prosecutors.
881
00:41:59,116 --> 00:42:00,183
He was found not guilty.
882
00:42:02,520 --> 00:42:04,487
[todd] mr. Jenkins was
acquitted.
883
00:42:04,889 --> 00:42:07,323
He's a free man as
we sit here today.
884
00:42:07,692 --> 00:42:09,491
The investigators were
very thorough,
885
00:42:09,561 --> 00:42:11,994
Very solid case on mr. Jenkins.
886
00:42:12,063 --> 00:42:14,096
But the jury just didn't see it
that way.
887
00:42:14,632 --> 00:42:18,600
When they said "not guilty"
and how he cheered,
888
00:42:18,602 --> 00:42:19,802
His mother cheered,
889
00:42:19,804 --> 00:42:21,337
And I watched him walk out of
court...
890
00:42:21,405 --> 00:42:22,438
I was just angry.
891
00:42:23,741 --> 00:42:26,843
I don't think justice was served
in his being found not guilty.
892
00:42:31,983 --> 00:42:34,150
[narrator] for her role in
carla's murder,
893
00:42:34,218 --> 00:42:37,987
Brenda dixon is sentenced to
ten years in prison.
894
00:42:38,890 --> 00:42:41,624
Elbert definitely needed help to
execute this plan.
895
00:42:41,693 --> 00:42:44,093
He couldn't necessarily have
done it alone.
896
00:42:44,162 --> 00:42:47,864
So brenda was a very
important part of the plan.
897
00:42:49,033 --> 00:42:51,633
[todd] mr. Holder got her
involved in this scheme
898
00:42:51,635 --> 00:42:53,503
That he hatched in his head.
899
00:42:54,172 --> 00:42:57,106
I personally talked to
miss dixon several times
900
00:42:57,175 --> 00:42:58,774
Over the course of these
two trials.
901
00:42:58,843 --> 00:43:01,711
Appeared to feel
a, a lot of remorse.
902
00:43:02,380 --> 00:43:03,913
That she had made
a horrible mistake,
903
00:43:03,982 --> 00:43:06,182
And she wished
it hadn't have happened.
904
00:43:07,251 --> 00:43:10,619
I don't know that you could find
a case more tragic than this,
905
00:43:10,621 --> 00:43:12,154
'cause everybody lost.
906
00:43:12,657 --> 00:43:14,356
Nobody should have to lose
their life.
907
00:43:15,126 --> 00:43:18,695
But for simple greed,
it's even worse.
908
00:43:19,764 --> 00:43:21,731
Sometimes, you can be sleeping
with a snake
909
00:43:21,799 --> 00:43:22,999
And don't even know it.
910
00:43:23,634 --> 00:43:25,435
So, just be careful.
911
00:43:25,837 --> 00:43:29,071
And if you see any red flags,
don't ignore 'em.
912
00:43:29,407 --> 00:43:31,040
'cause they're there for
a reason.
913
00:43:33,544 --> 00:43:43,286
[music]