1 00:00:12,945 --> 00:00:14,213 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:14,215 --> 00:00:17,216 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:19,420 --> 00:00:20,819 - There was a party. 4 00:00:20,821 --> 00:00:23,622 There was a uk football player that'd been shot. 5 00:00:23,624 --> 00:00:25,357 - He's killed on his birthday. 6 00:00:25,359 --> 00:00:27,192 - I was like, it's who? 7 00:00:27,194 --> 00:00:28,961 That can't happen. 8 00:00:28,963 --> 00:00:30,295 Why him? 9 00:00:30,297 --> 00:00:32,431 - No one saw a thing. 10 00:00:32,433 --> 00:00:33,632 - It's at night. It's dark. 11 00:00:33,634 --> 00:00:36,435 Nobody knows where the bullet comes from. 12 00:00:36,437 --> 00:00:37,770 - Nothing is making it any easier. 13 00:00:37,772 --> 00:00:38,770 - If you don't have a motive, 14 00:00:38,772 --> 00:00:40,439 It's hard to know which direction to go. 15 00:00:40,441 --> 00:00:41,907 - We were just never gonna know. 16 00:00:41,909 --> 00:00:43,608 - But someone knew. 17 00:00:43,610 --> 00:00:44,843 - She called me and said, 18 00:00:44,845 --> 00:00:47,612 "I think I know something about a murder." 19 00:00:47,614 --> 00:00:50,849 - We never could find out why trent was killed 20 00:00:50,851 --> 00:00:54,053 Because it was something this weird. 21 00:00:54,055 --> 00:00:56,988 She became the key. 22 00:00:56,990 --> 00:00:59,658 - Would she also become the next victim? 23 00:00:59,660 --> 00:01:01,994 - She was scared to death to confront him. 24 00:01:05,232 --> 00:01:07,299 She knew what he was capable of. 25 00:01:09,269 --> 00:01:10,936 - And thus, she was terrified. 26 00:01:10,938 --> 00:01:12,671 - And thus, she was terrified. 27 00:01:12,673 --> 00:01:20,345 ♪♪ 28 00:01:20,347 --> 00:01:24,316 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 29 00:01:24,318 --> 00:01:26,151 Football player trent digiuro 30 00:01:26,153 --> 00:01:30,355 Was known for his fierce play on the field 31 00:01:30,357 --> 00:01:32,324 And his ability to forge friendships 32 00:01:32,326 --> 00:01:33,692 When the pads came off. 33 00:01:33,694 --> 00:01:37,095 Then, the popular athlete was shot dead 34 00:01:37,097 --> 00:01:38,563 In the middle of the night. 35 00:01:38,565 --> 00:01:42,234 Someone knew who the gunman was, 36 00:01:42,236 --> 00:01:46,304 But exposing the secret could endanger her life. 37 00:01:46,306 --> 00:01:50,108 How much would she risk to right a wrong? 38 00:01:50,110 --> 00:01:52,811 Here's keith morrison with "the motive." 39 00:01:56,650 --> 00:01:59,718 - Her heart was on fire. 40 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:01,987 Lost to her, the canned music, 41 00:02:01,989 --> 00:02:03,989 The hum of other voices in the bar. 42 00:02:03,991 --> 00:02:06,792 There was only him. 43 00:02:06,794 --> 00:02:08,927 They were in the deep end now, 44 00:02:08,929 --> 00:02:10,862 And as lovers in the flush of new commitment 45 00:02:10,864 --> 00:02:12,497 Sometimes do, 46 00:02:12,499 --> 00:02:16,401 They confessed their sins of the abandoned past, 47 00:02:16,403 --> 00:02:18,937 The worst things they'd ever done, 48 00:02:18,939 --> 00:02:21,340 Words, just words... 49 00:02:21,342 --> 00:02:22,874 Best forgotten... 50 00:02:22,876 --> 00:02:25,744 Until they could no longer be ignored. 51 00:02:25,746 --> 00:02:31,350 ♪♪ 52 00:02:31,352 --> 00:02:34,519 Lexington, kentucky, 53 00:02:34,521 --> 00:02:38,623 One year before that night in the bar, 54 00:02:38,625 --> 00:02:41,360 A house where students lived, 55 00:02:41,362 --> 00:02:42,961 And the music, and laughter, 56 00:02:42,963 --> 00:02:45,597 And chatter of a birthday party swelled, 57 00:02:45,599 --> 00:02:49,434 And ebbed, and drifted in and out of the evening air. 58 00:02:49,436 --> 00:02:51,236 - It wasn't a huge party. 59 00:02:51,238 --> 00:02:52,838 It was a-- just a low-key party 60 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:54,039 With some good friends. 61 00:02:56,543 --> 00:02:58,043 - They were about to be seniors, 62 00:02:58,045 --> 00:02:59,444 The young men who'd rented the place, 63 00:02:59,446 --> 00:03:01,113 Who'd hosted the party. 64 00:03:01,115 --> 00:03:02,914 - We had a-a group of guys, four guys, 65 00:03:02,916 --> 00:03:04,783 That got along extremely well. 66 00:03:04,785 --> 00:03:06,184 - Yeah, yeah, yeah! 67 00:03:06,186 --> 00:03:07,886 - They were big men on campus. 68 00:03:07,888 --> 00:03:09,721 [cheering, shouting] 69 00:03:09,723 --> 00:03:10,989 They played football, 70 00:03:10,991 --> 00:03:14,726 The university of kentucky's beloved wildcats. 71 00:03:14,728 --> 00:03:17,329 Antonio o'ferral was a quarterback. 72 00:03:17,331 --> 00:03:19,531 - In lexington, kentucky, if-if you play for the 'cats, 73 00:03:19,533 --> 00:03:22,334 You're pretty much a well-known entity. 74 00:03:22,336 --> 00:03:24,803 - The birthday boy, 21 years old, 75 00:03:24,805 --> 00:03:28,206 Was a true rarity, a wildcats walk on. 76 00:03:28,208 --> 00:03:30,041 He had no scholarship, no invitation. 77 00:03:30,043 --> 00:03:32,811 He just showed up-- tried out for the team. 78 00:03:32,813 --> 00:03:34,079 - Let's go! 79 00:03:34,081 --> 00:03:35,647 - And over three years of hard work, 80 00:03:35,649 --> 00:03:37,416 He had earned a starting position. 81 00:03:37,418 --> 00:03:39,418 - Here we go! Let's go, offense! 82 00:03:39,420 --> 00:03:43,021 - Trent digiuro, gentle giant. 83 00:03:43,023 --> 00:03:44,689 - You know, everybody called him a big teddy bear. 84 00:03:44,691 --> 00:03:46,925 He was the great protector of all of our friends. 85 00:03:48,462 --> 00:03:51,296 - The party was sweet, informal. 86 00:03:51,298 --> 00:03:52,731 Friends snapped pictures 87 00:03:52,733 --> 00:03:55,934 And evening dawdled into night. 88 00:03:55,936 --> 00:03:59,705 It was after midnight when the party wound down. 89 00:03:59,707 --> 00:04:01,239 - I think we turned in somewhere 90 00:04:01,241 --> 00:04:04,109 Between 12:30, 1 o'clock. 91 00:04:04,111 --> 00:04:07,446 - Antonio and his girlfriend went to bed. 92 00:04:07,448 --> 00:04:09,180 Outside, trent and some of the others 93 00:04:09,182 --> 00:04:11,983 Settled under the light on the front porch. 94 00:04:11,985 --> 00:04:14,386 Out there, beyond the streetlights, 95 00:04:14,388 --> 00:04:17,723 Was impenetrable dark. Inside... 96 00:04:17,725 --> 00:04:18,924 - We were already in a faint sleep, 97 00:04:18,926 --> 00:04:21,393 And we heard a loud bang. 98 00:04:21,395 --> 00:04:23,195 - One of them must have slammed the screen door, 99 00:04:23,197 --> 00:04:25,530 But no. 100 00:04:25,532 --> 00:04:26,932 - Well, within ten seconds, 101 00:04:26,934 --> 00:04:29,000 You started to hear the chaos outside, 102 00:04:29,002 --> 00:04:31,703 The screamin', the yellin', the cryin'. 103 00:04:31,705 --> 00:04:34,873 - And there was trent slumped to one side in his chair 104 00:04:34,875 --> 00:04:36,007 Under the light. 105 00:04:36,009 --> 00:04:38,643 - Trent was bleeding out of his ears, and his eyes, 106 00:04:38,645 --> 00:04:39,811 And his nose, and his mouth, 107 00:04:39,813 --> 00:04:43,715 And it was-- it was a horrific scene. 108 00:04:43,717 --> 00:04:46,084 - Horrific and confusing. 109 00:04:46,086 --> 00:04:50,289 That loud bang had been a gunshot, but from where? 110 00:04:50,291 --> 00:04:52,024 Somewhere out there in the dark? 111 00:04:52,026 --> 00:04:54,559 Had someone intentionally fired a gun 112 00:04:54,561 --> 00:04:57,362 At their gentle giant, their teddy bear? 113 00:04:57,364 --> 00:04:59,164 Is it possible to describe what it feels like 114 00:04:59,166 --> 00:05:01,333 To go through that, to have that sorta shock? 115 00:05:01,335 --> 00:05:03,335 - It's almost an out-of-body experience. 116 00:05:03,337 --> 00:05:04,302 Everything's moving. 117 00:05:04,304 --> 00:05:06,171 It's almost like the-the world's spinning. 118 00:05:06,173 --> 00:05:07,339 - Yeah. 119 00:05:07,341 --> 00:05:08,239 - And you're sittin' there and trying to figure out. 120 00:05:08,241 --> 00:05:09,307 You're lookin' to see 121 00:05:09,309 --> 00:05:10,975 If you can see anything in the dark. 122 00:05:10,977 --> 00:05:12,711 - In their panic and distress, 123 00:05:12,713 --> 00:05:15,514 They did not understand, how could they, 124 00:05:15,516 --> 00:05:18,817 The nature of the mystery launched here, 125 00:05:18,819 --> 00:05:21,886 Or who, in a haze of love, 126 00:05:21,888 --> 00:05:23,922 May have learned the answer? 127 00:05:23,924 --> 00:05:27,659 - It was just so senseless. 128 00:05:27,661 --> 00:05:30,261 Once you found out why, it was even worse. 129 00:05:30,263 --> 00:05:33,665 - Just who was trent digiuro, the target? 130 00:05:33,667 --> 00:05:35,400 - We all started hanging out from first grade, 131 00:05:35,402 --> 00:05:37,001 Six years old. 132 00:05:37,003 --> 00:05:38,670 It's pretty neat. - Yeah. 133 00:05:38,672 --> 00:05:41,506 - Peyton turner and sharalea bollinger 134 00:05:41,508 --> 00:05:43,408 Were his lifelong friends. 135 00:05:43,410 --> 00:05:44,743 - If you were his friend, you were his friend, 136 00:05:44,745 --> 00:05:45,544 And that's all that mattered. 137 00:05:45,546 --> 00:05:46,611 - It wasn't a group for him. 138 00:05:46,613 --> 00:05:47,946 - Yeah, there was no group. - Uh-uh. 139 00:05:47,948 --> 00:05:50,315 - Everybody got treated just the same. 140 00:05:50,317 --> 00:05:52,016 - Trent was in fourth grade 141 00:05:52,018 --> 00:05:53,552 When he started playing football 142 00:05:53,554 --> 00:05:55,520 In his hometown of goshen, kentucky, 143 00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:57,122 Just outside louisville. 144 00:05:57,124 --> 00:05:59,224 By high school, he was captain of the team, 145 00:05:59,226 --> 00:06:01,025 Had lots of friends. 146 00:06:01,027 --> 00:06:04,596 So popular, trent was homecoming king 147 00:06:04,598 --> 00:06:06,765 With sharalea his queen. 148 00:06:06,767 --> 00:06:08,767 - It was pretty special. - Oh, my gosh, yeah. 149 00:06:08,769 --> 00:06:10,168 - I mean, just to-to be part of that 150 00:06:10,170 --> 00:06:11,970 And-and to be voted as that, 151 00:06:11,972 --> 00:06:13,839 And then it was-- especially with trent. 152 00:06:13,841 --> 00:06:15,240 - When it came time for college, 153 00:06:15,242 --> 00:06:17,842 Trent set his sights high. 154 00:06:17,844 --> 00:06:19,577 He turned down football scholarships 155 00:06:19,579 --> 00:06:21,513 To smaller schools. 156 00:06:21,515 --> 00:06:22,914 - At one point, he says, "you know what? 157 00:06:22,916 --> 00:06:26,751 "I just gotta know if I can play in the big time 158 00:06:26,753 --> 00:06:28,219 "in a division 1 school." 159 00:06:28,221 --> 00:06:30,488 - Mike digiuro is trent's dad. 160 00:06:30,490 --> 00:06:32,757 - So, he walked onto the university of kentucky, 161 00:06:32,759 --> 00:06:34,659 Which is in the southeast conference, 162 00:06:34,661 --> 00:06:35,994 Which is about as big as they come. 163 00:06:35,996 --> 00:06:37,328 - Sure. 164 00:06:37,330 --> 00:06:40,131 - And he worked real hard to get to where he was. 165 00:06:40,133 --> 00:06:43,301 - And trent's teammates saw that hard work. 166 00:06:43,303 --> 00:06:45,470 - Trent had the ability to perform. 167 00:06:45,472 --> 00:06:48,206 So, while he might have been a walk on, 168 00:06:48,208 --> 00:06:49,474 His performance allowed him 169 00:06:49,476 --> 00:06:52,777 To endure himself to others very quickly. 170 00:06:52,779 --> 00:06:55,213 - That July, as trent practiced football 171 00:06:55,215 --> 00:06:57,348 And prepared for his senior year, 172 00:06:57,350 --> 00:06:59,618 His parents went to lexington to see him 173 00:06:59,620 --> 00:07:01,486 And to talk about his future. 174 00:07:01,488 --> 00:07:03,021 - He was trying to decide what he wanted to do 175 00:07:03,023 --> 00:07:04,255 With his life. 176 00:07:04,257 --> 00:07:07,058 He was, uh, talkin' about maybe goin' to law school 177 00:07:07,060 --> 00:07:08,126 Or business school. 178 00:07:08,128 --> 00:07:10,228 - Did he talk about his birthday celebration? 179 00:07:10,230 --> 00:07:12,530 - We knew he was gonna have some kind of a thing 180 00:07:12,532 --> 00:07:14,933 And that he was supposed to come home that next day 181 00:07:14,935 --> 00:07:16,668 To celebrate birthday with us, 182 00:07:16,670 --> 00:07:19,504 And, uh, never made it. 183 00:07:20,774 --> 00:07:23,174 - No, and a creeping fear 184 00:07:23,176 --> 00:07:26,377 Washed over the university of kentucky football team. 185 00:07:26,379 --> 00:07:29,247 Was a killer targeting them? 186 00:07:29,249 --> 00:07:32,050 And if so, who would be next? 187 00:07:34,821 --> 00:07:36,821 - Coming up... 188 00:07:36,823 --> 00:07:38,056 - I couldn't even believe it. 189 00:07:38,058 --> 00:07:38,990 I didn't understand it. 190 00:07:38,992 --> 00:07:42,660 Who would murder somebody so wonderful? 191 00:07:42,662 --> 00:07:44,662 - The investigation begins. 192 00:07:44,664 --> 00:07:45,930 - Everyone talked, 193 00:07:45,932 --> 00:07:48,066 Uh, but they didn't see anything. 194 00:07:48,068 --> 00:07:51,102 - And was there more terror to come? 195 00:07:51,104 --> 00:07:54,038 - We were so nervous driving down the street, 196 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:55,140 At practice, 197 00:07:55,142 --> 00:07:56,708 Thinking that there might be someone in the woods 198 00:07:56,710 --> 00:07:58,409 Who wanted to take you out. 199 00:07:58,411 --> 00:08:01,112 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 200 00:08:05,751 --> 00:08:12,690 ♪♪ 201 00:08:12,692 --> 00:08:14,192 - Chaos is what there was 202 00:08:14,194 --> 00:08:16,828 On trent digiuro's front porch. 203 00:08:16,830 --> 00:08:18,497 His friends stood over the body 204 00:08:18,499 --> 00:08:20,098 And stared out into the dark 205 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:23,835 With a kind of anticipating horror. 206 00:08:23,837 --> 00:08:25,570 - You're concerned that there's more to come. 207 00:08:25,572 --> 00:08:27,972 You know, there was-- that was one shot. 208 00:08:27,974 --> 00:08:30,909 Is there someone who's gonna shoot again? 209 00:08:30,911 --> 00:08:35,013 - Trent was officially pronounced dead at 3 a.M., 210 00:08:35,015 --> 00:08:37,916 Just about the time don evans arrived. 211 00:08:37,918 --> 00:08:39,183 Evans has retired now 212 00:08:39,185 --> 00:08:41,152 But was a rookie detective back then. 213 00:08:41,154 --> 00:08:44,389 This was his first homicide case. 214 00:08:44,391 --> 00:08:45,657 What'd you find when you got here? 215 00:08:45,659 --> 00:08:49,594 - There were three young men, uh, in this very yard, 216 00:08:49,596 --> 00:08:51,062 And they just looked distraught, 217 00:08:51,064 --> 00:08:54,866 And they were consoling each other. 218 00:08:54,868 --> 00:08:55,934 - On the porch, 219 00:08:55,936 --> 00:08:58,002 Trent's chair was turned over, 220 00:08:58,004 --> 00:09:00,338 And evans could see blood and debris 221 00:09:00,340 --> 00:09:02,274 Left by the ambulance crew. 222 00:09:02,276 --> 00:09:03,608 What was your first idea 223 00:09:03,610 --> 00:09:05,209 Of what appeared to have happened here? 224 00:09:05,211 --> 00:09:07,078 - You know, when I first walked up, it-- 225 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,213 I went with what appeared to be the obvious, 226 00:09:09,215 --> 00:09:11,616 That someone had simply walked 227 00:09:11,618 --> 00:09:13,484 From the side of the house-- - uh-huh. 228 00:09:13,486 --> 00:09:16,220 - Fired the shot and then exited 229 00:09:16,222 --> 00:09:17,622 Back toward the rear of the house. 230 00:09:17,624 --> 00:09:19,491 This is like-- almost like an alley here, 231 00:09:19,493 --> 00:09:21,759 So it's, like, well, it would provide concealment. 232 00:09:21,761 --> 00:09:23,294 - Take advantage of surprise. - Yeah. 233 00:09:23,296 --> 00:09:24,829 If someone was gonna take a shot, 234 00:09:24,831 --> 00:09:27,098 That made the most sense. 235 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:28,833 - Believing the shot came from a handgun, 236 00:09:28,835 --> 00:09:31,169 Police looked for shell casings. 237 00:09:31,171 --> 00:09:33,171 And yet, for all they looked there were none, 238 00:09:33,173 --> 00:09:34,973 Nor any other evidence. 239 00:09:34,975 --> 00:09:37,742 Still, detective evans figured there was a party that night, 240 00:09:37,744 --> 00:09:40,645 So there are bound to be people who saw something. 241 00:09:40,647 --> 00:09:43,214 - My thought was, as soon as I get 'em to headquarters 242 00:09:43,216 --> 00:09:44,382 And get 'em separated, 243 00:09:44,384 --> 00:09:45,984 Someone's gonna tell me what happened. 244 00:09:45,986 --> 00:09:47,719 - Did they talk? - Everyone talked, 245 00:09:47,721 --> 00:09:51,089 But with each and every person that I talked to, 246 00:09:51,091 --> 00:09:52,457 They didn't see anything. 247 00:09:52,459 --> 00:09:55,193 - Eighty miles away, at 5 a.M., 248 00:09:55,195 --> 00:09:56,928 The digiuros' phone rang. 249 00:09:56,930 --> 00:10:00,031 [phone ringing] - it's numbing. 250 00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:03,168 It's hard to imagine the feeling. 251 00:10:03,870 --> 00:10:05,537 - And suddenly, your life doesn't make sense anymore. 252 00:10:05,539 --> 00:10:09,007 - Yeah, it absolutely stops 253 00:10:09,009 --> 00:10:11,876 And pivots in an instant, 254 00:10:11,878 --> 00:10:14,312 And, uh, then it was kinda, you know, 255 00:10:14,314 --> 00:10:16,614 Now what? 256 00:10:16,616 --> 00:10:19,951 - And soon, everybody knew. 257 00:10:19,953 --> 00:10:21,152 - I couldn't even believe it. 258 00:10:21,154 --> 00:10:22,153 I didn't understand it. 259 00:10:22,155 --> 00:10:26,091 Who would murder somebody so wonderful? 260 00:10:26,093 --> 00:10:27,425 - It was about then 261 00:10:27,427 --> 00:10:29,360 That the first really useful evidence 262 00:10:29,362 --> 00:10:31,529 Came back from the medical examiner. 263 00:10:31,531 --> 00:10:34,766 Bullet fragments were recovered in the autopsy, 264 00:10:34,768 --> 00:10:37,769 And the ballistics showed it wasn't a handgun at all 265 00:10:37,771 --> 00:10:40,605 That killed trent. It was a rifle, 266 00:10:40,607 --> 00:10:43,975 Which turned detective evans' first theory upside down. 267 00:10:43,977 --> 00:10:47,111 - Well, the theory about walking up the side of the house 268 00:10:47,113 --> 00:10:48,513 And firing a shot-- - that goes out the window. 269 00:10:48,515 --> 00:10:50,481 - That's probably out the window. 270 00:10:50,483 --> 00:10:52,784 A rifle is not designed for a close range shot. 271 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,521 - Officers canvassed the neighborhood. 272 00:10:56,523 --> 00:10:58,790 A woman who lived across the street said 273 00:10:58,792 --> 00:11:01,459 She awoke to a loud noise, 274 00:11:01,461 --> 00:11:04,128 And it sounded like it was right outside her house. 275 00:11:04,130 --> 00:11:05,396 - So, based on that, 276 00:11:05,398 --> 00:11:07,432 We actually took one of our marksman 277 00:11:07,434 --> 00:11:10,268 From the police department and asked him, 278 00:11:10,270 --> 00:11:11,969 "could the shot be made from here, 279 00:11:11,971 --> 00:11:13,037 "from this angle?" 280 00:11:13,039 --> 00:11:16,808 And we literally reenacted that possibility. 281 00:11:16,810 --> 00:11:19,444 - Did it make sense, the-the location you found? 282 00:11:19,446 --> 00:11:20,511 - It did make sense. 283 00:11:20,513 --> 00:11:22,080 We didn't eliminate the possibility 284 00:11:22,082 --> 00:11:23,881 That somethin' else could occur, 285 00:11:23,883 --> 00:11:27,485 But this-this looked pretty strong to us. 286 00:11:27,487 --> 00:11:29,220 - So, a working theory 287 00:11:29,222 --> 00:11:31,689 That trent was shot from across the street. 288 00:11:31,691 --> 00:11:33,291 Ballistics suggested it was a rifle 289 00:11:33,293 --> 00:11:37,328 With a particular and uncommon type of barrel, 290 00:11:37,330 --> 00:11:39,063 But who owned it, 291 00:11:39,065 --> 00:11:42,333 And why did he or she shoot trent? 292 00:11:43,570 --> 00:11:45,770 No idea. 293 00:11:45,772 --> 00:11:48,439 The football team entered a world of dread. 294 00:11:48,441 --> 00:11:51,442 Was some hater targeting the team? 295 00:11:51,444 --> 00:11:53,377 Was one of them next? 296 00:11:53,379 --> 00:11:55,380 - We were so nervous. 297 00:11:55,382 --> 00:12:00,284 We were so uncertain of what happened that night 298 00:12:00,286 --> 00:12:02,320 That it affected our daily lives, 299 00:12:02,322 --> 00:12:04,989 Driving down the street, at practice thinking 300 00:12:04,991 --> 00:12:06,591 That there might be someone in the woods 301 00:12:06,593 --> 00:12:08,926 Who want to take you out. 302 00:12:08,928 --> 00:12:11,729 - But days, and weeks, and months went by. 303 00:12:11,731 --> 00:12:13,131 Nothing happened. 304 00:12:13,133 --> 00:12:15,900 And over time, the fear eroded, 305 00:12:15,902 --> 00:12:19,537 But the investigation went nowhere. 306 00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:21,806 Did you ever get to the place where you thought, 307 00:12:21,808 --> 00:12:23,942 "we'll just have to live with this uncertainty 308 00:12:23,944 --> 00:12:25,643 "for the rest of our lives?" 309 00:12:25,645 --> 00:12:28,813 - I would say four years into it, 310 00:12:28,815 --> 00:12:31,015 It's like it's doesn't make any difference. 311 00:12:31,017 --> 00:12:32,617 - Yeah, not gonna bring him back. 312 00:12:32,619 --> 00:12:34,552 - Yeah, it's not gonna bring trent back, 313 00:12:34,554 --> 00:12:37,088 But still it's, why did this happen. 314 00:12:37,090 --> 00:12:38,890 - You're four years in, five years in, 315 00:12:38,892 --> 00:12:41,559 And really no closer to solving it than from-from-- 316 00:12:41,561 --> 00:12:42,727 - Your first case, and it won't-- 317 00:12:42,729 --> 00:12:43,895 - Day one-- 318 00:12:43,897 --> 00:12:48,332 That will make you doubt yourself. 319 00:12:48,334 --> 00:12:50,201 - And then, one day, a particular woman 320 00:12:50,203 --> 00:12:52,504 Happened to see an anniversary story 321 00:12:52,506 --> 00:12:54,872 About the unsolved murder of the football player 322 00:12:54,874 --> 00:12:56,974 Back in kentucky, 323 00:12:56,976 --> 00:12:59,644 A woman who'd once sat in a bar 324 00:12:59,646 --> 00:13:01,913 In a fog of love... 325 00:13:01,915 --> 00:13:04,949 And who now was quite terrified. 326 00:13:07,921 --> 00:13:09,720 - Coming up. 327 00:13:09,722 --> 00:13:12,623 A break in the case from out of the blue, 328 00:13:12,625 --> 00:13:15,193 An ex-lover reveals all, 329 00:13:15,195 --> 00:13:17,461 Including a motive for murder 330 00:13:17,463 --> 00:13:20,398 Almost too absurd to believe. 331 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:22,233 - This could be the reason 332 00:13:22,235 --> 00:13:25,737 That we never could find out why trent was killed, 333 00:13:25,739 --> 00:13:29,740 Is because it was something this weird. 334 00:13:29,742 --> 00:13:31,676 - But, will the crucial lead 335 00:13:31,678 --> 00:13:34,378 Make the tipster a target? 336 00:13:34,380 --> 00:13:36,247 - And what's gonna keep him from then going up 337 00:13:36,249 --> 00:13:39,350 And eliminating her like he did trent digiuro? 338 00:13:39,352 --> 00:13:42,453 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 339 00:13:46,758 --> 00:13:54,032 ♪♪ 340 00:13:54,034 --> 00:13:56,267 - It wasn't as if a successful investigation 341 00:13:56,269 --> 00:14:00,438 Could somehow undo what happened to trent digiuro. 342 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:02,707 And yet, the lack of any answer, 343 00:14:02,709 --> 00:14:04,108 Year after year, 344 00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:07,245 Seemed somehow to be an insult to all that was good, 345 00:14:07,247 --> 00:14:09,780 And they just had to accept it. 346 00:14:09,782 --> 00:14:11,048 - I think we'd all kinda resigned ourselves 347 00:14:11,050 --> 00:14:13,351 As every year passed. 348 00:14:13,353 --> 00:14:15,186 Um, we were just never gonna know. 349 00:14:16,422 --> 00:14:19,190 - Then it was about five years after the shooting. 350 00:14:19,192 --> 00:14:21,659 A local attorney named tom bullock 351 00:14:21,661 --> 00:14:24,062 Heard from an old friend, a woman. 352 00:14:24,064 --> 00:14:27,131 She was nervous, tentative, asked him on the phone-- 353 00:14:27,133 --> 00:14:29,667 Could she reveal what she knew about a crime 354 00:14:29,669 --> 00:14:31,402 Without saying who she was? 355 00:14:33,673 --> 00:14:35,406 - She was extremely evasive. 356 00:14:35,408 --> 00:14:38,743 She didn't really wanna tell me really anything. 357 00:14:38,745 --> 00:14:40,978 - But she kept calling. 358 00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:43,147 Finally, she revealed it. 359 00:14:43,149 --> 00:14:47,418 She was calling about a murder. 360 00:14:47,420 --> 00:14:49,020 Did she tell you what murder? 361 00:14:49,022 --> 00:14:51,689 - She eventually came around to say 362 00:14:51,691 --> 00:14:54,092 It was a very high profile murder. 363 00:14:54,094 --> 00:14:56,327 - Where'd you mind go when you heard that? 364 00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:58,029 - I knew which one it was. 365 00:14:58,031 --> 00:15:01,232 - And then she told him a very strange story. 366 00:15:01,234 --> 00:15:02,867 Happened in a bar, she said, 367 00:15:02,869 --> 00:15:05,837 Almost a year after trent digiuro was killed. 368 00:15:05,839 --> 00:15:08,973 She was falling hard for a guy. 369 00:15:08,975 --> 00:15:12,209 - They talked about how much they loved each other. 370 00:15:12,211 --> 00:15:13,911 Towards the end of the evening, 371 00:15:13,913 --> 00:15:15,046 They decided to say, 372 00:15:15,048 --> 00:15:17,982 "okay, what is the worst thing that you've done?" 373 00:15:17,984 --> 00:15:19,150 - Like, let's get this out of the way. 374 00:15:19,152 --> 00:15:21,185 - Just-- let's just get to it, you know, 375 00:15:21,187 --> 00:15:22,921 That-that sort of point in the relationship 376 00:15:22,923 --> 00:15:25,256 Where you say... 377 00:15:25,258 --> 00:15:28,192 [sighs] let me hear the worst. 378 00:15:28,194 --> 00:15:31,329 - And her boyfriend said, 379 00:15:31,331 --> 00:15:33,531 "I killed trent digiuro." 380 00:15:35,068 --> 00:15:38,369 - And at first, she sorta sluffed it off. 381 00:15:38,371 --> 00:15:40,938 You know, uh, sure ya did. 382 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:43,541 - Didn't believe him. - Nah, of course not. 383 00:15:43,543 --> 00:15:46,678 But then he started describing it, 384 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:49,380 You know, exactly how he did it. 385 00:15:50,483 --> 00:15:52,550 - But she still didn't wanna believe it. 386 00:15:52,552 --> 00:15:55,586 After all, she'd fallen in love with the guy, 387 00:15:55,588 --> 00:15:58,022 So she said she kind of buried it, 388 00:15:58,024 --> 00:16:00,024 Stayed with him for another year, 389 00:16:00,026 --> 00:16:02,626 But now, years later and single again, 390 00:16:02,628 --> 00:16:04,429 She had seen a story in the newspaper 391 00:16:04,431 --> 00:16:07,298 About the fifth anniversary of trent's murder 392 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:09,700 In which trent's dad was quoted, 393 00:16:09,702 --> 00:16:12,303 "somebody knows what happened." 394 00:16:12,305 --> 00:16:13,971 - She started really thinking about it, 395 00:16:13,973 --> 00:16:17,208 And-and it touched her. 396 00:16:17,210 --> 00:16:20,011 - But she was so frightened of him, she said, 397 00:16:20,013 --> 00:16:22,913 She was determined to remain anonymous. 398 00:16:22,915 --> 00:16:25,116 - They know each other intimately. 399 00:16:25,118 --> 00:16:28,652 She knows how he would react to certain situations. 400 00:16:28,654 --> 00:16:30,455 - Yep. 401 00:16:30,457 --> 00:16:32,056 - And she was terrified. 402 00:16:32,058 --> 00:16:34,425 - He certainly would've remembered 403 00:16:34,427 --> 00:16:36,794 His conversations with her. 404 00:16:36,796 --> 00:16:40,131 - If you told someone that you committed a murder-- 405 00:16:40,133 --> 00:16:41,599 - Mm-hmm. 406 00:16:41,601 --> 00:16:43,901 - You would certainly remember having told them that. 407 00:16:43,903 --> 00:16:46,270 - Yes, yes. 408 00:16:46,272 --> 00:16:49,607 So, tom bullock went to detective evans. 409 00:16:49,609 --> 00:16:52,977 - We agreed that whatever information I would give him 410 00:16:52,979 --> 00:16:54,345 Would be anonymous 411 00:16:54,347 --> 00:16:55,413 Because, for all we know, 412 00:16:55,415 --> 00:16:58,216 The whole thing could have been hogwash. 413 00:16:58,218 --> 00:16:59,517 - Well, that's sorta tricky, isn't it? 414 00:16:59,519 --> 00:17:01,552 I mean, when you got somebody making an accusation, 415 00:17:01,554 --> 00:17:03,487 You have to be able to talk to that person. 416 00:17:03,489 --> 00:17:04,489 - Well, yeah, but, at that point, 417 00:17:04,491 --> 00:17:05,823 Beggars can't be choosers. 418 00:17:05,825 --> 00:17:07,358 - So, he gave you a name. - So, he gave me a name. 419 00:17:07,360 --> 00:17:09,226 He gave me the name of shane ragland. 420 00:17:09,228 --> 00:17:12,363 - Shane ragland, the woman's ex-boyfriend, 421 00:17:12,365 --> 00:17:13,664 But who was he? 422 00:17:14,634 --> 00:17:16,367 Didn't take long to find out. 423 00:17:16,369 --> 00:17:18,969 Shane was the son of a wealthy businessman. 424 00:17:18,971 --> 00:17:19,904 Just so happened 425 00:17:19,906 --> 00:17:22,339 Shane attended the university of kentucky 426 00:17:22,341 --> 00:17:25,576 At the very same time as trent digiuro, 427 00:17:25,578 --> 00:17:28,646 But, after college, he didn't do so well. 428 00:17:28,648 --> 00:17:30,848 He ran up at least a dozen convictions-- 429 00:17:30,850 --> 00:17:34,452 Drug charges, multiple duis, and so on. 430 00:17:34,454 --> 00:17:37,455 So, detective evans went back to attorney bullock. 431 00:17:37,457 --> 00:17:38,523 - Is there anymore? 432 00:17:38,525 --> 00:17:40,057 Um, can you get me anymore? 433 00:17:40,059 --> 00:17:41,592 And-and ultimately, 434 00:17:41,594 --> 00:17:45,596 He started talking about a motive. 435 00:17:45,598 --> 00:17:48,265 - And that's when the whole story took a turn 436 00:17:48,267 --> 00:17:50,268 Into the twilight zone. 437 00:17:50,270 --> 00:17:53,871 - He told me that it was concerning shane ragland 438 00:17:53,873 --> 00:17:56,273 Being blackballed from a fraternity. 439 00:17:56,275 --> 00:17:57,875 - What'd you think when you heard that? 440 00:17:57,877 --> 00:18:00,678 - That's a stupid reason to kill somebody. 441 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:04,748 - The fraternity in question was sigma alpha epsilon, sae. 442 00:18:04,750 --> 00:18:07,885 Detective evans looked through sae's records, 443 00:18:07,887 --> 00:18:10,788 And there it was, a pledge list 444 00:18:10,790 --> 00:18:13,624 With shane's name crossed off. 445 00:18:13,626 --> 00:18:15,759 - And then it-it hit. 446 00:18:15,761 --> 00:18:17,628 This could be the reason 447 00:18:17,630 --> 00:18:21,232 That we never could find out why trent was killed, 448 00:18:21,234 --> 00:18:25,903 Is because it was something this weird. 449 00:18:25,905 --> 00:18:28,306 - Evans went to one of trent's closest friends 450 00:18:28,308 --> 00:18:32,710 And asked had he heard of this guy, shane ragland. 451 00:18:32,712 --> 00:18:34,979 - And he said, "shane ragland?" 452 00:18:34,981 --> 00:18:37,248 And then I can just sort of see it, 453 00:18:37,250 --> 00:18:39,483 At that point, on his face, you know, 454 00:18:39,485 --> 00:18:41,385 And I let him tell the story. 455 00:18:41,387 --> 00:18:45,389 - A story about an unpleasant little incident. 456 00:18:45,391 --> 00:18:49,727 Shane was among the freshman pledging the sae fraternity, 457 00:18:49,729 --> 00:18:52,530 And one day, as they were getting to know the campus... 458 00:18:52,532 --> 00:18:54,599 - They went into trent's dorm, 459 00:18:54,601 --> 00:18:56,534 And trent was there, 460 00:18:56,536 --> 00:18:59,670 And on the wall was a calendar 461 00:18:59,672 --> 00:19:01,806 Of some sorority girls. 462 00:19:01,808 --> 00:19:04,208 - When shane saw that calendar, 463 00:19:04,210 --> 00:19:07,211 Right away, he pointed to one of the girls' pictures, 464 00:19:07,213 --> 00:19:10,481 And he bragged that he'd had sex with her. 465 00:19:10,483 --> 00:19:12,349 - What shane didn't know, 466 00:19:12,351 --> 00:19:14,985 Is that girl was the girlfriend 467 00:19:14,987 --> 00:19:17,621 Of the president of the fraternity. 468 00:19:17,623 --> 00:19:19,924 - Trent did not like that one bit, 469 00:19:19,926 --> 00:19:21,959 Got word to the sae president, 470 00:19:21,961 --> 00:19:25,095 And that's when shane was blackballed. 471 00:19:25,097 --> 00:19:27,798 - So, at that point, shane's opportunity 472 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:29,734 To be in that fraternity is pretty much over. 473 00:19:31,171 --> 00:19:34,104 - The motives for murder are many and varied, 474 00:19:34,106 --> 00:19:37,007 But this seemed absurd. 475 00:19:37,009 --> 00:19:40,311 It was three years after that slight 476 00:19:40,313 --> 00:19:42,746 When trent was murdered in cold blood. 477 00:19:42,748 --> 00:19:45,716 Could it really have festered so long? 478 00:19:45,718 --> 00:19:48,052 And if it had, if that was true, 479 00:19:48,054 --> 00:19:50,120 They had another problem. 480 00:19:50,122 --> 00:19:51,589 - The more that we dug specifically 481 00:19:51,591 --> 00:19:53,290 Into shane ragland, 482 00:19:53,292 --> 00:19:56,860 The more the likelihood that he would get word 483 00:19:56,862 --> 00:19:59,697 That he was becoming a suspect in this case, 484 00:19:59,699 --> 00:20:01,599 And if that happened, 485 00:20:01,601 --> 00:20:05,536 This anonymous witness was in real danger. 486 00:20:05,538 --> 00:20:08,272 - Evans had no doubt that shane would remember 487 00:20:08,274 --> 00:20:10,941 He told an ex-girlfriend about the murder. 488 00:20:10,943 --> 00:20:12,944 - And what's gonna keep him from then going up 489 00:20:12,946 --> 00:20:16,013 And eliminating her like he did trent digiuro? 490 00:20:16,015 --> 00:20:17,815 - So, now evans understood 491 00:20:17,817 --> 00:20:21,218 His mystery witness was trying to be brave 492 00:20:21,220 --> 00:20:23,721 But was quite reasonably frightened. 493 00:20:23,723 --> 00:20:25,589 How would he ever convince her 494 00:20:25,591 --> 00:20:27,858 To take the ultimate risk? 495 00:20:27,860 --> 00:20:30,227 - She was very hesitant to do it, 496 00:20:30,229 --> 00:20:32,897 And she was scared to death to confront him. 497 00:20:35,468 --> 00:20:39,303 - What detectives had in mind was a huge ask. 498 00:20:39,305 --> 00:20:42,406 Could the jittery informant summon the courage 499 00:20:42,408 --> 00:20:45,576 To help investigators get the evidence they needed? 500 00:20:45,578 --> 00:20:47,511 Coming up. 501 00:20:47,513 --> 00:20:49,146 Setting a trap. 502 00:20:55,888 --> 00:20:57,922 But who's going to get caught? 503 00:21:00,726 --> 00:21:03,894 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 504 00:21:07,666 --> 00:21:12,403 ♪♪ 505 00:21:12,405 --> 00:21:15,072 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 506 00:21:15,074 --> 00:21:16,540 I'm craig melvin. 507 00:21:16,542 --> 00:21:19,209 A nervous tipster had breathed new life 508 00:21:19,211 --> 00:21:21,612 Into the trent digiuro cold case. 509 00:21:21,614 --> 00:21:24,081 The woman claimed her ex-boyfriend, 510 00:21:24,083 --> 00:21:26,850 Shane ragland, killed trent 511 00:21:26,852 --> 00:21:30,688 As revenge for being blackballed from a fraternity. 512 00:21:30,690 --> 00:21:33,357 She shared her chilling secret with a lawyer, 513 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:34,892 Who went to police. 514 00:21:34,894 --> 00:21:37,561 Now, investigators had to convince her 515 00:21:37,563 --> 00:21:39,563 To come out of the shadows 516 00:21:39,565 --> 00:21:42,232 And help them crack the case. 517 00:21:42,234 --> 00:21:44,835 Once again, here's keith morrison 518 00:21:44,837 --> 00:21:46,337 With "the motive." 519 00:21:48,774 --> 00:21:52,910 - Detective evans knew he had to meet this mystery woman, 520 00:21:52,912 --> 00:21:55,412 A woman who was claiming she knew what happened 521 00:21:55,414 --> 00:21:56,747 To trent digiuro 522 00:21:56,749 --> 00:21:59,550 But was too frightened to talk about it. 523 00:21:59,552 --> 00:22:01,185 Then finally, with attorney tom bullock 524 00:22:01,187 --> 00:22:03,687 Playing gatekeeper, they made a deal 525 00:22:03,689 --> 00:22:06,390 To at least meet face-to-face, 526 00:22:06,392 --> 00:22:10,127 But anymore than that, maybe not. 527 00:22:10,129 --> 00:22:11,161 - It was like, listen, 528 00:22:11,163 --> 00:22:12,463 Don't get me involved in this. 529 00:22:12,465 --> 00:22:14,131 - Yeah. - This guy is dangerous. 530 00:22:14,133 --> 00:22:16,934 So, until you get handcuffs on him, 531 00:22:16,936 --> 00:22:18,469 You can't involve me. 532 00:22:18,471 --> 00:22:21,605 - But evans knew even if he did arrest the guy, 533 00:22:21,607 --> 00:22:23,741 A mystery woman testifying about something 534 00:22:23,743 --> 00:22:25,476 An ex-boyfriend told her... 535 00:22:25,478 --> 00:22:27,478 [scoffs] ...Wouldn't be enough. 536 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:28,946 And I can imagine a prosecutor saying, 537 00:22:28,948 --> 00:22:30,548 "well, I can't just put her on the stand. 538 00:22:30,550 --> 00:22:32,550 Someone-- his attorney will come along and say 539 00:22:32,552 --> 00:22:33,817 "she's full of it, you know?" 540 00:22:33,819 --> 00:22:35,052 - Yeah, and in this particular case, 541 00:22:35,054 --> 00:22:36,153 It's, yeah, you know what? 542 00:22:36,155 --> 00:22:38,155 That in itself is not gonna do it nor should it. 543 00:22:38,157 --> 00:22:39,356 We're still in a situation 544 00:22:39,358 --> 00:22:42,827 Where this has to come from him. 545 00:22:42,829 --> 00:22:46,297 - Him meaning shane ragland. 546 00:22:46,299 --> 00:22:48,031 Evans told her they had to find a way 547 00:22:48,033 --> 00:22:51,101 To get shane to admit on tape what he did. 548 00:22:51,103 --> 00:22:53,237 Otherwise, what jury would buy 549 00:22:53,239 --> 00:22:56,373 Such a ludicrous motive for murder? 550 00:22:56,375 --> 00:22:58,842 There was only one way, he told her. 551 00:22:58,844 --> 00:23:01,044 She'd have to wear a wire. 552 00:23:01,046 --> 00:23:03,247 - She wasn't very happy with that, obviously. 553 00:23:03,249 --> 00:23:04,415 - I should think not. 554 00:23:04,417 --> 00:23:07,651 - Yeah, she asked me if I could spell anonymous. 555 00:23:07,653 --> 00:23:10,654 - But, he said, she came around. 556 00:23:10,656 --> 00:23:12,590 - She wanted to do what's right all along. 557 00:23:12,592 --> 00:23:13,924 She just would like to do that 558 00:23:13,926 --> 00:23:16,193 Without gettin' herself killed doin' it. 559 00:23:16,195 --> 00:23:18,829 - But she would only proceed one condition. 560 00:23:18,831 --> 00:23:20,697 - I had to prove why she was gonna be safe. 561 00:23:20,699 --> 00:23:22,066 I had to prove how we were gonna do this. 562 00:23:22,068 --> 00:23:23,934 It wasn't enough for me to say, "oh, don't worry. 563 00:23:23,936 --> 00:23:27,004 "he won't have a gun. We'll look for bulges." 564 00:23:27,006 --> 00:23:29,206 - So, they came up with a plan. 565 00:23:29,208 --> 00:23:31,375 Gave her a cover story to protect her, 566 00:23:31,377 --> 00:23:34,478 A fictitious job, a phony address, 567 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:36,213 And then, casually, 568 00:23:36,215 --> 00:23:38,482 She resumed contact with shane, 569 00:23:38,484 --> 00:23:42,186 A few emails, a little flirty at times on both ends. 570 00:23:42,188 --> 00:23:45,022 - People sometimes hear from their exes, right? 571 00:23:45,024 --> 00:23:46,590 I mean, that-that happens. 572 00:23:46,592 --> 00:23:49,259 - And finally, the sting. 573 00:23:49,261 --> 00:23:50,561 She told shane she'd be passing through 574 00:23:50,563 --> 00:23:52,629 The lexington airport on business, 575 00:23:52,631 --> 00:23:55,299 And he agreed to meet her. 576 00:23:55,301 --> 00:23:57,167 It was in this airport lounge, 577 00:23:57,169 --> 00:23:59,770 Surrounded by undercover cops and fbi 578 00:23:59,772 --> 00:24:02,807 And behind security to be sure shane wasn't armed. 579 00:24:07,580 --> 00:24:09,313 They reminisced for an hour or so. 580 00:24:16,722 --> 00:24:18,456 And then, she went for it. 581 00:24:33,272 --> 00:24:36,273 - At that point, he paused, 582 00:24:36,275 --> 00:24:38,676 And it's like he knew exactly what she was talking about. 583 00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:57,361 Saying trent's name was deliberate. 584 00:24:57,363 --> 00:24:58,495 - We talked to her about that. 585 00:24:58,497 --> 00:25:00,164 Let's make sure we know what you're talking about 586 00:25:00,166 --> 00:25:02,099 When we play this for a jury later. 587 00:25:02,101 --> 00:25:04,701 - And she brought up what appeared to be the motive, 588 00:25:04,703 --> 00:25:06,871 That fraternity blackballing. 589 00:25:29,895 --> 00:25:31,728 Was he sensing something? 590 00:25:31,730 --> 00:25:33,630 The cops, knowing they didn't quite have what they needed, 591 00:25:33,632 --> 00:25:36,467 Not yet, held their breath and listened. 592 00:25:50,349 --> 00:25:51,915 - He said, "are you setting me up?" 593 00:25:51,917 --> 00:25:54,418 And that's when things got really scary. 594 00:25:54,420 --> 00:25:56,420 - But she kept her cool. 595 00:25:59,358 --> 00:26:00,457 And they did. 596 00:26:00,459 --> 00:26:02,626 And then, about ten minutes later, 597 00:26:02,628 --> 00:26:03,961 Shane came back 598 00:26:03,963 --> 00:26:06,597 With just what the detectives needed to hear. 599 00:26:22,715 --> 00:26:25,282 - She made him so confident and comfortable 600 00:26:25,284 --> 00:26:27,051 That he came back to the subject 601 00:26:27,053 --> 00:26:30,721 And left us with what we really needed, 602 00:26:30,723 --> 00:26:31,722 Uh, at that point. 603 00:26:31,724 --> 00:26:34,191 It came out of his own mouth. 604 00:26:34,193 --> 00:26:36,126 - They picked him up the next day, 605 00:26:36,128 --> 00:26:37,461 Took him downtown, 606 00:26:37,463 --> 00:26:39,329 Asked him was it true 607 00:26:39,331 --> 00:26:41,098 What an old girlfriend was telling them. 608 00:26:53,545 --> 00:26:57,080 Shane denied it all, denied knowing trent, 609 00:26:57,082 --> 00:26:58,782 Didn't even know where he lived, 610 00:26:58,784 --> 00:27:00,918 Denied talking about trent with her. 611 00:27:08,694 --> 00:27:11,762 So, then his inquisitors fetched the airport recording. 612 00:27:33,852 --> 00:27:36,453 But his denials were to no avail. 613 00:27:36,455 --> 00:27:39,389 Shane ragland was charged with murder. 614 00:27:39,391 --> 00:27:40,691 Bail was set, 615 00:27:40,693 --> 00:27:43,193 And shane's wealthy father paid it, 616 00:27:43,195 --> 00:27:44,594 A million dollars cash, 617 00:27:44,596 --> 00:27:47,464 So shane was free pending trial, 618 00:27:47,466 --> 00:27:49,933 Which was a very big problem for the ex-girlfriend 619 00:27:49,935 --> 00:27:52,035 Who'd turned him in. 620 00:27:52,037 --> 00:27:54,071 Police moved her to a secure location, 621 00:27:54,073 --> 00:27:55,539 Kept an eye on her, 622 00:27:55,541 --> 00:27:58,842 And then strange things started happening. 623 00:27:58,844 --> 00:28:01,778 - We got information from our, uh, 624 00:28:01,780 --> 00:28:03,280 State police intelligence section 625 00:28:03,282 --> 00:28:05,549 That there was a hit out on this girl. 626 00:28:05,551 --> 00:28:06,983 There were phone calls to her friends 627 00:28:06,985 --> 00:28:09,553 That would ask, "have you seen her? 628 00:28:09,555 --> 00:28:11,621 "do you know where she is these-these days?" 629 00:28:11,623 --> 00:28:13,290 Obviously, trying to locate her. 630 00:28:13,292 --> 00:28:14,892 - And with all that going on, 631 00:28:14,894 --> 00:28:17,794 She had to do precisely what she didn't want to do, 632 00:28:17,796 --> 00:28:19,896 Go public, show herself, 633 00:28:19,898 --> 00:28:21,765 And testify, 634 00:28:21,767 --> 00:28:23,300 And the world would know 635 00:28:23,302 --> 00:28:26,570 That her name was aimee lloyd 636 00:28:26,572 --> 00:28:29,273 And that she was truly terrified. 637 00:28:31,977 --> 00:28:33,810 - Coming up. 638 00:28:33,812 --> 00:28:36,179 Aimee goes public for the first time, 639 00:28:36,181 --> 00:28:38,482 Facing her fears and shane. 640 00:28:42,588 --> 00:28:45,722 And the defense hits back hard. 641 00:28:45,724 --> 00:28:48,658 - If, in fact, someone had actually told you 642 00:28:48,660 --> 00:28:51,995 They had engaged in a-a killing of another person, 643 00:28:51,997 --> 00:28:56,667 And you continue a romantic relationship with them, 644 00:28:56,669 --> 00:28:59,169 That seems a bit-- a-a bit odd. 645 00:28:59,171 --> 00:29:02,272 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 646 00:29:05,876 --> 00:29:10,414 ♪♪ 647 00:29:10,416 --> 00:29:11,615 - Welcome back. 648 00:29:11,617 --> 00:29:13,984 Aimee lloyd had agreed to testify 649 00:29:13,986 --> 00:29:16,286 Against her ex-boyfriend, shane ragland, 650 00:29:16,288 --> 00:29:17,888 At his murder trial. 651 00:29:17,890 --> 00:29:20,891 Fearing her life might be in danger, 652 00:29:20,893 --> 00:29:23,560 Police moved her to a secure location. 653 00:29:23,562 --> 00:29:27,497 Now, it was time for aimee to face shane in court 654 00:29:27,499 --> 00:29:30,701 Where his legal team was waiting to pounce 655 00:29:30,703 --> 00:29:34,004 With some x-rated secrets. 656 00:29:34,006 --> 00:29:35,205 Returning to our story, 657 00:29:35,207 --> 00:29:37,775 Here's keith morrison with "the motive." 658 00:29:40,012 --> 00:29:41,711 - If there was any doubt how seriously 659 00:29:41,713 --> 00:29:44,815 Police took perceived threats to aimee lloyd's security, 660 00:29:44,817 --> 00:29:46,850 This put it to rest-- 661 00:29:46,852 --> 00:29:50,453 Aimee rushed into court by a swat team. 662 00:29:50,455 --> 00:29:52,722 But trent digiuro's dad, mike, knew 663 00:29:52,724 --> 00:29:54,558 That if she braved the danger 664 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:56,560 And told her story... 665 00:29:56,562 --> 00:30:02,299 - I don't know how a jury could sorta not convict him. 666 00:30:02,301 --> 00:30:04,267 - But when it came time for trial, 667 00:30:04,269 --> 00:30:06,336 Then prosecutor lou anna red corn 668 00:30:06,338 --> 00:30:08,205 Was all too aware she was alleging 669 00:30:08,207 --> 00:30:10,707 A very hard to believe motive. 670 00:30:10,709 --> 00:30:12,309 - I think I was like everybody else, 671 00:30:12,311 --> 00:30:13,910 A little incredulous 672 00:30:13,912 --> 00:30:15,946 That somebody would let the fact 673 00:30:15,948 --> 00:30:18,348 That they've been blackballed from a fraternity 674 00:30:18,350 --> 00:30:21,918 Fester for years 675 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:24,688 And culminate in killing the person they blamed 676 00:30:24,690 --> 00:30:26,423 On blackballing them. 677 00:30:26,425 --> 00:30:28,859 - Mind you, they had a bit more than just aimee. 678 00:30:28,861 --> 00:30:30,227 They'd found what they believed 679 00:30:30,229 --> 00:30:34,064 Was the murder weapon, a .243 weatherby rifle, 680 00:30:34,066 --> 00:30:35,632 At shane's mother's house, 681 00:30:35,634 --> 00:30:37,033 And at his father's place, 682 00:30:37,035 --> 00:30:40,971 They found .243 caliber bullets like these. 683 00:30:40,973 --> 00:30:44,374 An fbi expert said testing had linked those bullets 684 00:30:44,376 --> 00:30:47,377 To the fragments from the fatal bullet. 685 00:30:47,379 --> 00:30:48,245 The defense argued 686 00:30:48,247 --> 00:30:50,914 The tests were not reliable science. 687 00:30:50,916 --> 00:30:53,650 - Call your next witness. - Aimee lloyd. 688 00:30:53,652 --> 00:30:56,653 - And now, nearly eight years after trent was killed, 689 00:30:56,655 --> 00:30:59,857 Here was the one person who could tell the story. 690 00:30:59,859 --> 00:31:03,927 Aimee lloyd finally revealed herself publicly. 691 00:31:03,929 --> 00:31:06,730 Though because she remains frightened even now, 692 00:31:06,732 --> 00:31:08,932 We've obscured her image in this video 693 00:31:08,934 --> 00:31:10,901 Recorded by the court. 694 00:31:10,903 --> 00:31:12,335 The prosecution's star witness 695 00:31:12,337 --> 00:31:14,804 Talked about that night in a bar, 696 00:31:14,806 --> 00:31:16,106 And shane, according to her, 697 00:31:16,108 --> 00:31:18,308 Straight out confessing to murder. 698 00:31:34,226 --> 00:31:37,961 - But prosecutor red corn knew aimee's story had a weakness, 699 00:31:37,963 --> 00:31:41,431 And so, no choice but to confront it. 700 00:31:41,433 --> 00:31:43,100 - You did not break off the relationship 701 00:31:43,102 --> 00:31:44,868 After he said this to you. 702 00:31:46,104 --> 00:31:48,305 You didn't go to the police or anything. 703 00:31:52,544 --> 00:31:54,177 Just ignored what he had said to you? 704 00:31:54,179 --> 00:31:56,013 - Right. I forgot about it. 705 00:31:59,184 --> 00:32:00,450 - Why? 706 00:32:00,452 --> 00:32:03,920 Because she was in love with him, she said. 707 00:32:03,922 --> 00:32:04,988 During aimee's testimony, 708 00:32:04,990 --> 00:32:07,391 The prosecutor played the tape, 709 00:32:07,393 --> 00:32:09,393 The sting meeting at the airport. 710 00:32:16,468 --> 00:32:17,767 That, said the prosecutor, 711 00:32:17,769 --> 00:32:19,235 Clear as day was an admission 712 00:32:19,237 --> 00:32:22,172 That he did indeed commit the murder. 713 00:32:22,174 --> 00:32:24,474 How to defend against that? 714 00:32:24,476 --> 00:32:27,144 Shane's father hired a formidable defense team. 715 00:32:27,146 --> 00:32:30,213 Guthrie true was one of shane's lawyers. 716 00:32:30,215 --> 00:32:33,083 - If, in fact, someone had actually told you 717 00:32:33,085 --> 00:32:36,486 They had engaged in a-a killing of another person, 718 00:32:36,488 --> 00:32:41,157 And you continue a romantic relationship with them, 719 00:32:41,159 --> 00:32:43,827 That seems a bit-- a-a bit odd. 720 00:32:43,829 --> 00:32:45,696 - When the defense cross-examined aimee, 721 00:32:45,698 --> 00:32:48,999 She knew it was coming, had to, 722 00:32:49,001 --> 00:32:51,801 An attack on her credibility, 723 00:32:51,803 --> 00:32:54,504 But could she have suspected how personal 724 00:32:54,506 --> 00:32:55,973 It would be? 725 00:32:55,975 --> 00:32:58,508 This from true's co-counsel when aimee said 726 00:32:58,510 --> 00:33:00,643 She went home with shane that night 727 00:33:00,645 --> 00:33:03,513 After he talked about killing someone. 728 00:33:03,515 --> 00:33:06,917 - Weren't you concerned about spending the night 729 00:33:06,919 --> 00:33:10,854 With somebody who had admitted to you 730 00:33:10,856 --> 00:33:13,623 That he had killed someone else? 731 00:33:21,066 --> 00:33:24,134 - And then, a kind of nervous embarrassment 732 00:33:24,136 --> 00:33:25,702 Filled the courtroom. 733 00:33:25,704 --> 00:33:28,405 The defense had gotten access to aimee's very personal, 734 00:33:28,407 --> 00:33:31,274 Very explicit diary 735 00:33:31,276 --> 00:33:33,543 And confronted her with her entries, 736 00:33:33,545 --> 00:33:35,945 One by x-rated one. 737 00:33:35,947 --> 00:33:38,915 - We are trying to challenge the credibility 738 00:33:38,917 --> 00:33:41,985 Of the prosecution's, uh, case, 739 00:33:41,987 --> 00:33:44,788 And sometimes that gets uncomfortable. 740 00:33:44,790 --> 00:33:46,689 - This is what aimee wrote 741 00:33:46,691 --> 00:33:47,957 The day after 742 00:33:47,959 --> 00:33:51,594 She said shane confessed to her to murder. 743 00:33:51,596 --> 00:33:54,697 - April the 30th, the very next day, 744 00:33:54,699 --> 00:33:58,535 You-you make a notation, "made love in afternoon. 745 00:33:58,537 --> 00:34:00,303 "great day." 746 00:34:00,305 --> 00:34:02,772 - We have, for the sake of decency, 747 00:34:02,774 --> 00:34:04,541 Left out the most explicit entries 748 00:34:04,543 --> 00:34:06,843 Made public by the defense that day. 749 00:34:06,845 --> 00:34:09,379 - And then may the 3rd was the date 750 00:34:09,381 --> 00:34:11,648 That you recorded you took a bath together 751 00:34:11,650 --> 00:34:12,849 And made love. 752 00:34:12,851 --> 00:34:14,651 [sighs] 753 00:34:14,653 --> 00:34:15,785 Right? - Yes. 754 00:34:15,787 --> 00:34:18,588 - And then it was on may the 7th, you notated-- 755 00:34:18,590 --> 00:34:20,723 You-you noted, "great love. 756 00:34:20,725 --> 00:34:25,061 "decided I would move in with him in July. 757 00:34:25,063 --> 00:34:26,663 "perfect." - yes. 758 00:34:26,665 --> 00:34:28,731 - So, this man who had told you 759 00:34:28,733 --> 00:34:31,367 That he had killed someone-- 760 00:34:31,369 --> 00:34:33,503 You made the decision 761 00:34:33,505 --> 00:34:38,408 That you were going to move in with him come July. 762 00:34:38,410 --> 00:34:39,776 - Yes. 763 00:34:39,778 --> 00:34:42,879 - So, was her credibility harmed? 764 00:34:42,881 --> 00:34:44,314 There was still, after all, 765 00:34:44,316 --> 00:34:47,350 That incriminating airport recording, 766 00:34:47,352 --> 00:34:50,220 Or was it incriminating? 767 00:34:50,222 --> 00:34:51,754 - You never did ask him, though, 768 00:34:51,756 --> 00:34:54,458 If he had shot and killed trent, did you? 769 00:35:11,042 --> 00:35:12,642 - To set him up? 770 00:35:15,981 --> 00:35:17,848 Hadn't you rehearsed that? 771 00:35:19,317 --> 00:35:21,985 With, uh, detective evans and others, 772 00:35:21,987 --> 00:35:24,921 Don't give him an opportunity to deny 773 00:35:24,923 --> 00:35:27,824 That he had, uh, shot trent? 774 00:35:29,828 --> 00:35:31,294 - Had the defense planted a seed 775 00:35:31,296 --> 00:35:34,197 Of reasonable doubt? Maybe. 776 00:35:34,199 --> 00:35:36,533 The jury adjourned to think about it, 777 00:35:36,535 --> 00:35:39,035 And trent's friends waited. 778 00:35:39,037 --> 00:35:40,203 - I've never been so terrified 779 00:35:40,205 --> 00:35:41,071 And so scared in my life. 780 00:35:41,073 --> 00:35:42,272 - Uh-huh. Uh-huh. - It was-- it was-- 781 00:35:42,274 --> 00:35:43,706 - Your heart is goin' 100 miles an hour, and you-- 782 00:35:43,708 --> 00:35:45,876 - A hundred miles an hour. 783 00:35:45,878 --> 00:35:47,811 - And five hours later... 784 00:35:48,613 --> 00:35:50,147 - We, the jury, find the defendant guilty 785 00:35:50,149 --> 00:35:52,482 Of intentional murder. 786 00:35:52,484 --> 00:35:55,018 - Guilty of intentional murder. 787 00:35:55,020 --> 00:35:57,453 The sentence? Thirty years. 788 00:35:57,455 --> 00:35:58,621 - To know that he was guilty, 789 00:35:58,623 --> 00:36:00,557 Know that this guy who is sittin' there smug 790 00:36:00,559 --> 00:36:04,561 And non-remorseful is-is guilty 791 00:36:04,563 --> 00:36:06,896 And found guilty and, boom, 792 00:36:06,898 --> 00:36:08,831 You feel good about that. 793 00:36:08,833 --> 00:36:12,268 - Mike digiuro thought it was done. 794 00:36:12,270 --> 00:36:14,704 - Okay, this is it. He's going to jail. 795 00:36:14,706 --> 00:36:15,805 It's over. 796 00:36:17,242 --> 00:36:18,708 - And aimee, 797 00:36:18,710 --> 00:36:21,511 She had vanished. 798 00:36:21,513 --> 00:36:24,581 - Aimee was afraid of shane ragland, 799 00:36:24,583 --> 00:36:27,517 And we told her that if she testified, 800 00:36:27,519 --> 00:36:29,519 We would do what we could 801 00:36:29,521 --> 00:36:31,120 To let her have a new identity, 802 00:36:31,122 --> 00:36:34,657 And law enforcement helped her get a new identity. 803 00:36:34,659 --> 00:36:37,794 - And that new identity would be a problem. 804 00:36:37,796 --> 00:36:41,998 - You talk about something that-that just blows you away. 805 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:44,201 I mean, I can't even-- couldn't even grasp that. 806 00:36:44,203 --> 00:36:47,137 - Because this case wasn't over, 807 00:36:47,139 --> 00:36:48,805 Not even close. 808 00:36:50,609 --> 00:36:54,677 - A stunning reversal no one saw coming 809 00:36:54,679 --> 00:36:57,113 Is about to send both sides back to court. 810 00:36:58,083 --> 00:36:59,782 Coming up... 811 00:36:59,784 --> 00:37:00,950 - I know I'm innocent. 812 00:37:00,952 --> 00:37:02,485 - It was a blow. 813 00:37:02,487 --> 00:37:03,886 I mean, it was a real blow. 814 00:37:03,888 --> 00:37:06,723 - Will there ever be justice for trent? 815 00:37:06,725 --> 00:37:10,560 - It's... Oh, wow, here we go all over again. 816 00:37:10,562 --> 00:37:13,163 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 817 00:37:17,835 --> 00:37:22,372 ♪♪ 818 00:37:22,374 --> 00:37:23,640 - Welcome back. 819 00:37:23,642 --> 00:37:26,776 Aimee lloyd felt she had risked her life 820 00:37:26,778 --> 00:37:28,911 To help send shane ragland to prison 821 00:37:28,913 --> 00:37:30,880 For the murder of trent digiuro. 822 00:37:30,882 --> 00:37:32,882 In return, law enforcement 823 00:37:32,884 --> 00:37:35,985 Gave aimee the protection they had promised, 824 00:37:35,987 --> 00:37:37,721 A new identity. 825 00:37:37,723 --> 00:37:39,422 She moved on with her life, 826 00:37:39,424 --> 00:37:42,659 But there was a twist ahead 827 00:37:42,661 --> 00:37:45,829 Just when trent's loved ones thought their ordeal was over. 828 00:37:47,065 --> 00:37:49,466 Here's keith morrison with the conclusion 829 00:37:49,468 --> 00:37:51,601 Of "the motive." 830 00:37:51,603 --> 00:37:53,269 - It was early spring in kentucky 831 00:37:53,271 --> 00:37:54,804 When justice was done 832 00:37:54,806 --> 00:37:56,773 For the murder of trent digiuro. 833 00:37:56,775 --> 00:37:58,741 Thanks, his friends knew, 834 00:37:58,743 --> 00:38:00,810 To a woman who faced up to fear 835 00:38:00,812 --> 00:38:02,278 And told her story. 836 00:38:02,280 --> 00:38:03,346 - We've never met aimee, 837 00:38:03,348 --> 00:38:05,315 And I am eternally grateful to aimee. 838 00:38:05,317 --> 00:38:06,516 - Absolutely. 839 00:38:06,518 --> 00:38:08,818 - For everything that she's done for not only, 840 00:38:08,820 --> 00:38:11,354 Um, trent and his family but for us. 841 00:38:11,356 --> 00:38:13,489 - Except there was an appeal. 842 00:38:13,491 --> 00:38:15,725 Of course, there was, standard procedure, 843 00:38:15,727 --> 00:38:19,095 But what happened was not standard at all. 844 00:38:19,097 --> 00:38:21,597 A court reversed the jury's decision. 845 00:38:21,599 --> 00:38:22,699 - Any comments, shane? 846 00:38:22,701 --> 00:38:26,303 - And shane ragland went home on a million dollar bail 847 00:38:26,305 --> 00:38:30,540 Paid by his dad to wait for a whole new trial. 848 00:38:30,542 --> 00:38:31,641 - It's been a long time, shane. 849 00:38:31,643 --> 00:38:32,775 - How does it feel to be outside, 850 00:38:32,777 --> 00:38:34,243 To be goin' home with your father, right now? 851 00:38:34,245 --> 00:38:35,712 - I don't really look at it like that. 852 00:38:35,714 --> 00:38:37,213 I look at the long-term goal 853 00:38:37,215 --> 00:38:40,383 Of fightin' a case against me that's fake, 854 00:38:40,385 --> 00:38:42,418 That's false, and they know I'm innocent. 855 00:38:42,420 --> 00:38:44,454 So, I don't worry about my feelings 856 00:38:44,456 --> 00:38:45,488 Or creature comforts. 857 00:38:45,490 --> 00:38:47,790 - Why was the verdict thrown out? 858 00:38:47,792 --> 00:38:50,460 It had nothing to do with aimee lloyd, 859 00:38:50,462 --> 00:38:51,994 Or her explosive testimony, 860 00:38:51,996 --> 00:38:54,263 Or the sting tape recorded at the airport. 861 00:38:54,265 --> 00:38:56,199 All that was fine. 862 00:38:56,201 --> 00:38:58,601 So, what was the issue? 863 00:38:58,603 --> 00:39:00,337 The bullet that killed trent. 864 00:39:01,506 --> 00:39:04,173 An fbi expert had linked the fragments of that bullet 865 00:39:04,175 --> 00:39:06,943 Found during the autopsy to bullets like these 866 00:39:06,945 --> 00:39:09,279 That were found in shane's father's house, 867 00:39:09,281 --> 00:39:11,414 But, after shane's conviction, 868 00:39:11,416 --> 00:39:13,516 The fbi realized the test it used 869 00:39:13,518 --> 00:39:15,285 Was, in fact, bad science, 870 00:39:15,287 --> 00:39:16,719 And stopped using it. 871 00:39:16,721 --> 00:39:20,056 - These are things that we had been arguing for years. 872 00:39:20,058 --> 00:39:23,159 Frankly, uh, shouldn't have been admitted. 873 00:39:23,161 --> 00:39:26,028 - And the court agreed with the defense. 874 00:39:26,030 --> 00:39:28,498 When this reversal happened, 875 00:39:28,500 --> 00:39:30,366 What was that like? 876 00:39:30,368 --> 00:39:32,101 - Well, it was a blow. 877 00:39:32,103 --> 00:39:33,536 I mean, it was a real blow. 878 00:39:33,538 --> 00:39:34,570 - Kind of an irony, isn't it? 879 00:39:34,572 --> 00:39:35,705 - Mm-hmm. 880 00:39:35,707 --> 00:39:37,173 - It was one of the smaller pieces of evidence. 881 00:39:37,175 --> 00:39:38,875 - In my mind, yes. 882 00:39:38,877 --> 00:39:40,877 - When what you thought was done gets undone, 883 00:39:40,879 --> 00:39:42,245 What does it do to you? 884 00:39:42,247 --> 00:39:45,849 - It's... Oh, wow, here we go all over again. 885 00:39:45,851 --> 00:39:48,251 We gotta go through this yet another time, 886 00:39:48,253 --> 00:39:52,755 And the yet another time we realized pretty quickly 887 00:39:52,757 --> 00:39:54,724 Was gonna be without some key evidence. 888 00:39:54,726 --> 00:39:55,859 - Yeah. 889 00:39:55,861 --> 00:39:58,127 - Aimee lloyd wasn't comin' back. 890 00:39:58,129 --> 00:40:01,197 - No, aimee lloyd was not going to testify 891 00:40:01,199 --> 00:40:02,999 A second time. 892 00:40:03,001 --> 00:40:04,400 That was the deal she made. 893 00:40:04,402 --> 00:40:07,604 Testify once then disappear. 894 00:40:07,606 --> 00:40:10,506 - There was no way to bring her back 895 00:40:10,508 --> 00:40:13,343 Because once someone has that level of cover, 896 00:40:13,345 --> 00:40:16,145 You can't undo it, bring 'em back. 897 00:40:16,147 --> 00:40:17,847 - And then do it again. - And then do it again. 898 00:40:17,849 --> 00:40:19,482 - Remain seated. Come to order. 899 00:40:19,484 --> 00:40:21,984 - No option but to make a deal. 900 00:40:21,986 --> 00:40:25,721 Shane got to plead guilty to second degree manslaughter. 901 00:40:25,723 --> 00:40:27,623 - And did you, in fact, commit the crime 902 00:40:27,625 --> 00:40:29,559 That you are pleading guilty to? 903 00:40:29,561 --> 00:40:30,893 - Yes, I did. 904 00:40:30,895 --> 00:40:33,095 - Which meant that at least he now admitted 905 00:40:33,097 --> 00:40:34,964 To firing that fatal shot. 906 00:40:34,966 --> 00:40:36,399 - And I thought, well, a plea bargain. 907 00:40:36,401 --> 00:40:38,768 If he, you know, spends another ten years in jail, 908 00:40:38,770 --> 00:40:40,403 I'm not too bad with that. 909 00:40:40,405 --> 00:40:42,638 - Oh, but it wasn't ten more years. 910 00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:44,807 Wasn't any more years. 911 00:40:44,809 --> 00:40:46,709 He got the time he'd already served, 912 00:40:46,711 --> 00:40:47,710 Five years, 913 00:40:47,712 --> 00:40:50,680 Plus just three days of house arrest. 914 00:40:50,682 --> 00:40:52,548 Three more days? - Three more days. 915 00:40:52,550 --> 00:40:55,718 He walked out of the courtroom, went home, 916 00:40:55,720 --> 00:40:58,020 And that really chapped my ass. 917 00:40:58,022 --> 00:41:00,723 - It did help a little, said mike digiuro, 918 00:41:00,725 --> 00:41:03,326 When he successfully sued shane in civil court 919 00:41:03,328 --> 00:41:04,961 For wrongful death. 920 00:41:04,963 --> 00:41:07,931 The jury awarded him $63 million, 921 00:41:07,933 --> 00:41:10,166 Later reduced to $33 million. 922 00:41:10,168 --> 00:41:11,401 "no matter," said mike. 923 00:41:11,403 --> 00:41:12,802 He hasn't received a penny. 924 00:41:12,804 --> 00:41:14,337 Doesn't expect to, 925 00:41:14,339 --> 00:41:16,739 But money was never the point. 926 00:41:16,741 --> 00:41:20,209 - He's never really accepted responsibility 927 00:41:20,211 --> 00:41:21,777 For what he did. 928 00:41:21,779 --> 00:41:24,013 - Shane went on with his life, 929 00:41:24,015 --> 00:41:25,414 And then, a few years later, 930 00:41:25,416 --> 00:41:28,050 He was involved in a serious car accident. 931 00:41:28,052 --> 00:41:29,886 He's in a wheelchair now 932 00:41:29,888 --> 00:41:33,689 And was back in court on an unrelated case. 933 00:41:33,691 --> 00:41:37,193 And what about aimee, if that's even her name now? 934 00:41:39,364 --> 00:41:40,897 How is she doing now? 935 00:41:40,899 --> 00:41:43,666 - She's living a new life. 936 00:41:43,668 --> 00:41:44,767 - What'd she do? 937 00:41:44,769 --> 00:41:46,869 You wanna tell me anything-anything at all? 938 00:41:46,871 --> 00:41:48,571 - I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able 939 00:41:48,573 --> 00:41:51,374 To tell you anything about her current life. 940 00:41:51,376 --> 00:41:53,109 - At all. - At all. 941 00:41:53,111 --> 00:41:54,377 - As for mike, 942 00:41:54,379 --> 00:41:56,445 He had a choice. He knew. 943 00:41:56,447 --> 00:41:59,015 He could sink into bitterness, or... 944 00:41:59,017 --> 00:42:02,752 So, where do you put your frustrations over this? 945 00:42:02,754 --> 00:42:05,855 - Well, what has come from all this 946 00:42:05,857 --> 00:42:10,359 Is, uh, we consider a very positive thing. 947 00:42:10,361 --> 00:42:13,663 - When we last spoke to mike, the trent digiuro foundation 948 00:42:13,665 --> 00:42:15,598 Had awarded nearly 100 scholarships 949 00:42:15,600 --> 00:42:18,134 To walk on football players and others 950 00:42:18,136 --> 00:42:19,869 At the university of kentucky 951 00:42:19,871 --> 00:42:21,738 And at local high schools, 952 00:42:21,740 --> 00:42:23,839 Young people with determination 953 00:42:23,841 --> 00:42:27,210 And personal courage just like trent. 954 00:42:27,212 --> 00:42:28,945 You'll never make any sense of his death, 955 00:42:28,947 --> 00:42:31,347 But you can make sense of his life. 956 00:42:31,349 --> 00:42:35,218 - We can make sense of what we've done 957 00:42:35,220 --> 00:42:38,821 To commemorate trent, to remember trent, 958 00:42:38,823 --> 00:42:43,826 And giving these young folks an opportunity 959 00:42:43,828 --> 00:42:45,995 That trent won't have. 960 00:42:45,997 --> 00:42:48,164 - That's a whole 'nother story but-- [laughing] 961 00:42:48,166 --> 00:42:49,699 - And remarkably, trent's friends 962 00:42:49,701 --> 00:42:51,500 Remain trent's friends, 963 00:42:51,502 --> 00:42:53,503 Remained exceedingly close 964 00:42:53,505 --> 00:42:56,639 Even 25 years after that shot in the dark. 965 00:42:56,641 --> 00:42:57,907 You feel like family, now. 966 00:42:57,909 --> 00:42:59,442 - Oh, they- they are family. 967 00:42:59,444 --> 00:43:03,713 I think it says so much about what trent meant 968 00:43:03,715 --> 00:43:07,383 To these kids, young adults now, 969 00:43:07,385 --> 00:43:09,485 And what they mean to us. 970 00:43:09,487 --> 00:43:11,320 It's been a blessing to us. 971 00:43:11,322 --> 00:43:13,356 - They all get together, and laugh, 972 00:43:13,358 --> 00:43:16,926 And tell stories, and imagine. 973 00:43:16,928 --> 00:43:18,194 - Who would he have become as an adult? 974 00:43:18,196 --> 00:43:19,929 You know, gosh, I'm sure it would've been magnificent 975 00:43:19,931 --> 00:43:22,131 Just as he was as a teenager. 976 00:43:22,133 --> 00:43:24,433 - I'm kinda pissed that I don't get to meet his wife 977 00:43:24,435 --> 00:43:27,403 Or meet his kids. - Oh, gosh, I know. 978 00:43:27,405 --> 00:43:28,671 - Or share all the-- all the adult things 979 00:43:28,673 --> 00:43:31,007 That we've had the opportunity to share with each other. 980 00:43:31,009 --> 00:43:32,342 But I think, you know, when I get rid of those, 981 00:43:32,344 --> 00:43:33,909 Like, base feelings, 982 00:43:33,911 --> 00:43:36,212 You know, the underlying feeling is just of gratitude 983 00:43:36,214 --> 00:43:37,480 That he was in my life 984 00:43:37,482 --> 00:43:39,082 Even for a brief moment in time. 985 00:43:43,087 --> 00:43:44,153 - That's all for this edition 986 00:43:44,155 --> 00:43:46,756 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 987 00:43:46,758 --> 00:43:49,025 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.