1 00:00:12,945 --> 00:00:14,079 - I'm kate snow, 2 00:00:14,081 --> 00:00:18,083 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:18,085 --> 00:00:20,819 - Very bubbly personality, huge smile... 4 00:00:22,356 --> 00:00:25,758 It's a child's worst nightmare to lose a mom. 5 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:27,893 Every day, I wanted answers. 6 00:00:27,895 --> 00:00:31,229 Every day, I was told it was unknown. 7 00:00:31,231 --> 00:00:32,831 People don't just die. 8 00:00:32,833 --> 00:00:34,933 - She was a loving mother. 9 00:00:34,935 --> 00:00:37,903 He was a crime fighting prosecutor. 10 00:00:37,905 --> 00:00:40,038 - You are a pillar of that community. 11 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:41,606 - I did what I thought was right. 12 00:00:41,608 --> 00:00:44,643 - Then one day, the law was at his door. 13 00:00:44,645 --> 00:00:46,945 His wife was dead in bed. 14 00:00:46,947 --> 00:00:49,381 - Her eyes were open. She was pale. 15 00:00:49,383 --> 00:00:52,551 - I just remember crying and not believing it. 16 00:00:52,553 --> 00:00:56,688 - Sudden, suspicious, but no evidence of a crime. 17 00:00:56,690 --> 00:00:58,190 - Any signs of a struggle? 18 00:00:58,192 --> 00:00:59,891 - No. It was case closed. 19 00:00:59,893 --> 00:01:04,463 - Years pass, new lives, two new wives. 20 00:01:04,465 --> 00:01:06,465 - He's extremely charming. 21 00:01:06,467 --> 00:01:09,201 - We just had the most amazing time. 22 00:01:09,203 --> 00:01:12,971 - Then a new detective dusts off the old case. 23 00:01:12,973 --> 00:01:14,339 - What jumped out at ya? 24 00:01:14,341 --> 00:01:16,208 - Most definitely that her arms were in a-- 25 00:01:16,210 --> 00:01:18,343 An unnaturally raised position. 26 00:01:18,345 --> 00:01:20,278 - My first thought was we missed somethin' here. 27 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,214 - The manner of death would be homicide. 28 00:01:22,216 --> 00:01:24,749 - What really happened in that bedroom? 29 00:01:24,751 --> 00:01:26,752 - I wanted to answer all their questions. 30 00:01:26,754 --> 00:01:28,854 - He didn't remember a whole lot about that day. 31 00:01:28,856 --> 00:01:31,023 - A young mother's death was a mystery, 32 00:01:31,025 --> 00:01:32,624 But was it a murder? 33 00:01:32,626 --> 00:01:36,094 - Tell me what happened to her to my face. 34 00:01:36,096 --> 00:01:37,562 Don't give me excuses. 35 00:01:37,564 --> 00:01:45,270 ♪♪ 36 00:01:45,272 --> 00:01:48,173 - Hello and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 37 00:01:48,175 --> 00:01:50,609 There was nothing cory lovelace wouldn't do 38 00:01:50,611 --> 00:01:52,111 For her four kids. 39 00:01:52,113 --> 00:01:53,445 They kept her on the go 40 00:01:53,447 --> 00:01:56,314 Until the weekend she fell gravely ill. 41 00:01:56,316 --> 00:01:59,451 Her death was as sudden as it was heartbreaking, 42 00:01:59,453 --> 00:02:01,653 And it was also unexplained. 43 00:02:01,655 --> 00:02:04,389 But years later, a keen-eyed detective 44 00:02:04,391 --> 00:02:05,790 Picked up a clue. 45 00:02:05,792 --> 00:02:08,927 His investigation revealed long buried secrets, 46 00:02:08,929 --> 00:02:12,531 But did it point to murder or something else? 47 00:02:12,533 --> 00:02:15,867 Here's dennis murphy with "mystery on the mississippi." 48 00:02:15,869 --> 00:02:19,304 ♪♪ 49 00:02:19,306 --> 00:02:21,439 - It runs through the heart of america, 50 00:02:21,441 --> 00:02:23,208 A long, meandering lifeline 51 00:02:23,210 --> 00:02:26,678 Feeding industry, towns, and imaginations. 52 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:29,281 The mississippi river gave us tom sawyer 53 00:02:29,283 --> 00:02:30,916 And huckleberry finn. 54 00:02:30,918 --> 00:02:32,384 Samuel clemens, mark twain, 55 00:02:32,386 --> 00:02:34,686 Grew up in hannibal, missouri. 56 00:02:34,688 --> 00:02:37,890 And just across the river, in quincy, illinois, 57 00:02:37,892 --> 00:02:40,759 Lived another larger than life character, 58 00:02:40,761 --> 00:02:43,629 Curtis lovelace, a small town kid 59 00:02:43,631 --> 00:02:46,665 Who wanted to be a star, and, for a time, he was, 60 00:02:46,667 --> 00:02:50,302 A football champion for the university of illinois. 61 00:02:50,304 --> 00:02:51,503 He's an all-american? 62 00:02:51,505 --> 00:02:52,838 - Mm-hmm, all-american. 63 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:54,773 - This is what kids dream about. 64 00:02:54,775 --> 00:02:56,041 - Right. - He was living that life. 65 00:02:56,043 --> 00:02:57,776 - Absolutely. You know, he-- 66 00:02:57,778 --> 00:02:59,644 It was looking like he would go to the nfl. 67 00:02:59,646 --> 00:03:02,948 You know, that was kind of a-a dream of his. 68 00:03:02,950 --> 00:03:04,716 - Then he realized grander ambitions, 69 00:03:04,718 --> 00:03:07,052 Fighting crime as a prosecutor, 70 00:03:07,054 --> 00:03:09,254 Serving his country in the national guard 71 00:03:09,256 --> 00:03:11,323 And his community in politics. 72 00:03:11,325 --> 00:03:13,858 - I'm someone who wants meaningful work, 73 00:03:13,860 --> 00:03:15,994 And it's going to make the difference 74 00:03:15,996 --> 00:03:18,197 In-in-in the lives of people. 75 00:03:18,199 --> 00:03:21,600 - But it was what happened in this little house in quincy 76 00:03:21,602 --> 00:03:23,101 To one person in particular 77 00:03:23,103 --> 00:03:25,470 That made curtis really stand out 78 00:03:25,472 --> 00:03:27,339 For all the world to see. 79 00:03:27,341 --> 00:03:28,874 - Well, now to continuing coverage 80 00:03:28,876 --> 00:03:30,742 In the curtis lovelace murder case. 81 00:03:30,744 --> 00:03:32,811 - Well, it was a heated day at the stand. 82 00:03:32,813 --> 00:03:34,713 - Right now, the defense is presenting 83 00:03:34,715 --> 00:03:36,581 Its closing arguments in the case. 84 00:03:36,583 --> 00:03:40,085 - Big dreams on a mighty river can carry you far, 85 00:03:40,087 --> 00:03:42,287 Or they can drag you under. 86 00:03:42,289 --> 00:03:45,924 This is the very strange journey of curtis lovelace, 87 00:03:45,926 --> 00:03:48,160 All-american to criminal defendant. 88 00:03:52,499 --> 00:03:54,466 Let's roll back the years to high school 89 00:03:54,468 --> 00:03:56,234 And to the woman who would become the focus 90 00:03:56,236 --> 00:03:59,170 Of so much speculation, 91 00:03:59,172 --> 00:04:00,572 Cory didriksen. 92 00:04:00,574 --> 00:04:01,806 - Cory and I went to high school together. 93 00:04:01,808 --> 00:04:05,010 We-we really didn't run in the same crowd. 94 00:04:05,012 --> 00:04:06,444 Uh, we had some mutual friends, 95 00:04:06,446 --> 00:04:09,181 And we didn't date in high school. 96 00:04:09,183 --> 00:04:12,617 - Back then, curtis was more focused on football than dating. 97 00:04:12,619 --> 00:04:15,854 It wasn't until he went off to the university of illinois 98 00:04:15,856 --> 00:04:19,191 Roughly 200 miles away and became a star athlete 99 00:04:19,193 --> 00:04:21,993 That he truly noticed the girl from back home 100 00:04:21,995 --> 00:04:23,295 For the first time. 101 00:04:23,297 --> 00:04:25,197 It was during a college break. 102 00:04:25,199 --> 00:04:28,267 The former classmates bumped into each other in quincy 103 00:04:28,269 --> 00:04:30,402 And quickly became an item. 104 00:04:30,404 --> 00:04:33,571 Cory wasted no time spreading her good news. 105 00:04:33,573 --> 00:04:34,940 - I'll never forget the day. 106 00:04:34,942 --> 00:04:36,341 I was playing tennis with a friend of mine, 107 00:04:36,343 --> 00:04:38,643 And cory came over and, you know, met us, 108 00:04:38,645 --> 00:04:41,346 And that was when she told us that curt was-- 109 00:04:41,348 --> 00:04:42,614 Curt was it. 110 00:04:42,616 --> 00:04:43,948 - Beth dobrzynski went to high school 111 00:04:43,950 --> 00:04:45,183 With the new couple. 112 00:04:45,185 --> 00:04:47,619 Surprised? - Not really, no. 113 00:04:47,621 --> 00:04:49,755 They seemed a-a great fit together, 114 00:04:49,757 --> 00:04:54,159 And she was-- she was very, very much smitten. 115 00:04:54,161 --> 00:04:56,928 - It wasn't long before cory was also telling 116 00:04:56,930 --> 00:05:01,299 Her mother, marty, she'd found the one. 117 00:05:01,301 --> 00:05:03,101 - She comes home, and we're sitting there, 118 00:05:03,103 --> 00:05:06,705 And she said, "I've met the man I'm gonna marry." 119 00:05:06,707 --> 00:05:08,139 Uh, whoa. 120 00:05:08,141 --> 00:05:09,708 [laughing] - back up. 121 00:05:09,710 --> 00:05:11,776 - And she kept her promise. 122 00:05:11,778 --> 00:05:15,714 In 1991, just after college, cory and curtis married. 123 00:05:15,716 --> 00:05:17,349 He studied law. 124 00:05:17,351 --> 00:05:19,884 She worked a small job to support them both. 125 00:05:19,886 --> 00:05:23,655 After graduation, they decided to buy a home in quincy. 126 00:05:23,657 --> 00:05:25,190 - They wanted to be in the neighborhood, 127 00:05:25,192 --> 00:05:26,725 And they wanted to be close by, 128 00:05:26,727 --> 00:05:29,094 And that just made it all the better. 129 00:05:29,096 --> 00:05:31,363 So, we found 'em a house, and they moved back. 130 00:05:31,365 --> 00:05:32,697 - Virtually over the fence, huh? 131 00:05:32,699 --> 00:05:33,799 Over the back line. 132 00:05:33,801 --> 00:05:36,735 - Two houses up and one over, yeah. 133 00:05:36,737 --> 00:05:39,671 - Curtis' ambitions drove the young couple. 134 00:05:39,673 --> 00:05:41,106 He became a prosecutor 135 00:05:41,108 --> 00:05:43,541 In the adams county state attorney's office 136 00:05:43,543 --> 00:05:46,077 And dabbled in school board politics, 137 00:05:46,079 --> 00:05:48,747 Winning a seat and serving as president. 138 00:05:48,749 --> 00:05:51,783 He even found time to teach a business law class 139 00:05:51,785 --> 00:05:53,385 At quincy university. 140 00:05:53,387 --> 00:05:55,787 In between the professional milestones, 141 00:05:55,789 --> 00:05:58,289 The lovelaces started a family, 142 00:05:58,291 --> 00:06:01,359 First a girl, lindsay, then three boys. 143 00:06:01,361 --> 00:06:03,695 Cory juggled that part of their lives. 144 00:06:03,697 --> 00:06:06,297 How was your cory as a mother? She's a young mom. 145 00:06:06,299 --> 00:06:07,632 - Fantastic. 146 00:06:07,634 --> 00:06:08,900 She was a great mom. 147 00:06:08,902 --> 00:06:11,569 There wasn't anything she didn't do for those kids. 148 00:06:11,571 --> 00:06:13,571 - Cory's days were filled with diapers, 149 00:06:13,573 --> 00:06:15,707 Playdates, and tantrums. 150 00:06:15,709 --> 00:06:17,976 But even then, this great mom never forgot 151 00:06:17,978 --> 00:06:19,677 How to be a good daughter. 152 00:06:19,679 --> 00:06:23,982 In early 2006, her dad, john, was dying of cancer. 153 00:06:23,984 --> 00:06:26,251 That was a major event for all of ya. 154 00:06:26,253 --> 00:06:27,652 - That was a major event. Yes. 155 00:06:27,654 --> 00:06:28,720 - John's decline, huh? 156 00:06:28,722 --> 00:06:31,656 - Well, uh, four years he fought it, 157 00:06:31,658 --> 00:06:34,893 And the last six months of his life, 158 00:06:34,895 --> 00:06:38,396 She came every night at 5 o'clock and sat for, 159 00:06:38,398 --> 00:06:40,231 Like, a half an hour and visited. 160 00:06:40,233 --> 00:06:41,867 That was her time with him. 161 00:06:41,869 --> 00:06:44,002 - Worn down with the stress of caregiving, 162 00:06:44,004 --> 00:06:45,703 Raising four kids, 163 00:06:45,705 --> 00:06:48,940 Was it any wonder when cory herself fell ill? 164 00:06:48,942 --> 00:06:52,677 It was the weekend before valentine's day 2006. 165 00:06:52,679 --> 00:06:56,080 - She was feeling poorly and-and spent most-- 166 00:06:56,082 --> 00:06:58,650 - Feeling poorly how, curt? What was she ailing from? 167 00:06:58,652 --> 00:07:02,887 - Uh, just flu-like symptoms, um, uh, throwing up. 168 00:07:02,889 --> 00:07:05,824 Um, we-we-we thought she had the-- had the flu. 169 00:07:05,826 --> 00:07:08,493 - But on Monday, the night before valentine's day, 170 00:07:08,495 --> 00:07:11,729 Cory still managed to get the kids' valentine's cards 171 00:07:11,731 --> 00:07:13,431 Ready for school the next day. 172 00:07:13,433 --> 00:07:15,467 Her daughter, lindsay, then 12, 173 00:07:15,469 --> 00:07:17,235 Remembers cuddling up with her mom 174 00:07:17,237 --> 00:07:21,306 Watching the winter olympics and snowboarder shaun white. 175 00:07:21,308 --> 00:07:23,241 - I remember watching him with her and being like, 176 00:07:23,243 --> 00:07:24,443 "mom, he's so cute." 177 00:07:24,445 --> 00:07:27,078 Like, as a 12-year-old, like, that was awesome. 178 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:29,481 - But it wasn't that she-she was bedridden 179 00:07:29,483 --> 00:07:30,449 Or anything, at that point. 180 00:07:30,451 --> 00:07:31,916 She could-- - no. She would, uh-- 181 00:07:31,918 --> 00:07:33,451 - She was just feeling crummy, huh? 182 00:07:33,453 --> 00:07:34,986 - She was feeling sick, and even for my mom, 183 00:07:34,988 --> 00:07:37,389 That was not common because she, 184 00:07:37,391 --> 00:07:40,024 Even if she was sick, she did what was, like, 185 00:07:40,026 --> 00:07:41,793 What she thought was expected of her, 186 00:07:41,795 --> 00:07:43,595 And took care of us, and made us dinner, 187 00:07:43,597 --> 00:07:46,598 And did laundry and everything because that was her role. 188 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:49,934 - But when Tuesday, valentine's day, dawned, 189 00:07:49,936 --> 00:07:52,604 Curtis says he urged her to take it easy. 190 00:07:52,606 --> 00:07:54,172 - And we decided that, uh, 191 00:07:54,174 --> 00:07:56,307 I would cancel my morning class 192 00:07:56,309 --> 00:07:58,743 At quincy university in-in order to-- 193 00:07:58,745 --> 00:08:01,947 To get the kids to school, and so that's what we did. 194 00:08:01,949 --> 00:08:03,148 - So, dad is gonna be on deck. 195 00:08:03,150 --> 00:08:05,016 It's gonna be dad's time to get everybody 196 00:08:05,018 --> 00:08:08,186 Up and running here, huh? - Right. Uh, and so, uh, 197 00:08:08,188 --> 00:08:09,688 So I canceled my class. 198 00:08:09,690 --> 00:08:13,692 Um, uh, helped the kids get ready for school. 199 00:08:13,694 --> 00:08:16,895 She did come downstairs to, uh, 200 00:08:16,897 --> 00:08:18,630 Uh, help out with that. 201 00:08:18,632 --> 00:08:20,431 - He says cory was so ill 202 00:08:20,433 --> 00:08:22,367 He had to help her back to bed 203 00:08:22,369 --> 00:08:24,836 Before driving the three eldest kids off to school, 204 00:08:24,838 --> 00:08:27,839 Their backpacks stuffed with valentine's cards. 205 00:08:27,841 --> 00:08:29,574 Within minutes, he was back. 206 00:08:29,576 --> 00:08:33,244 Only, the home, still cluttered with clothes and toys, 207 00:08:33,246 --> 00:08:36,915 Was now filled with something else, silence, 208 00:08:36,917 --> 00:08:39,751 Quiet enough to break a family's heart. 209 00:08:43,456 --> 00:08:45,924 - What had happened in that house? 210 00:08:45,926 --> 00:08:48,660 - As I got closer, I immediately knew 211 00:08:48,662 --> 00:08:51,429 That something was-was really, really wrong. 212 00:08:51,431 --> 00:08:54,098 - So wrong it would tear apart a family 213 00:08:54,100 --> 00:08:57,302 And puzzle police for years to come. 214 00:08:57,304 --> 00:08:59,304 - Every detective needs to keep in mind 215 00:08:59,306 --> 00:09:00,939 That there could be a bigger picture. 216 00:09:00,941 --> 00:09:04,009 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 217 00:09:07,613 --> 00:09:14,218 ♪♪ 218 00:09:14,220 --> 00:09:16,821 - The routine of the house was in a tizzy. 219 00:09:16,823 --> 00:09:19,891 With cory sick in bed, it had been up to curtis 220 00:09:19,893 --> 00:09:22,794 To get the three oldest kids off to school. 221 00:09:22,796 --> 00:09:24,495 Now, he was back. 222 00:09:24,497 --> 00:09:26,564 - When I arrived home, um, everything was quiet. 223 00:09:26,566 --> 00:09:30,302 I assumed that cory was sleeping, resting. 224 00:09:30,304 --> 00:09:32,971 She hadn't slept, uh, most of the night. 225 00:09:32,973 --> 00:09:34,572 I was just going to leave her alone 226 00:09:34,574 --> 00:09:37,909 In order to, um, sleep. 227 00:09:37,911 --> 00:09:39,377 - Before looking in on her, he said, 228 00:09:39,379 --> 00:09:41,513 He went over his emails in the kitchen. 229 00:09:41,515 --> 00:09:43,915 Then he headed upstairs. 230 00:09:43,917 --> 00:09:48,453 - I needed to take a shower, and as I walked up the steps, 231 00:09:48,455 --> 00:09:50,322 I-I looked to the left. 232 00:09:50,324 --> 00:09:54,192 Um, the door to our bedroom was as I left it, open. 233 00:09:54,194 --> 00:09:58,063 I could see her lying in bed, and I could see, uh, 234 00:09:58,065 --> 00:10:01,666 Something from the distance didn't seem right, um, 235 00:10:01,668 --> 00:10:02,867 So I-I approached her. 236 00:10:02,869 --> 00:10:04,402 - What-what made you say that, looking back? 237 00:10:04,404 --> 00:10:07,138 - Just, uh, I'm-I'm really not sure. 238 00:10:07,140 --> 00:10:10,875 As I got closer, I could see that, uh, she was pale, 239 00:10:10,877 --> 00:10:14,746 She was motionless, and, uh, I-I immediately knew 240 00:10:14,748 --> 00:10:18,483 That something was-was really, really wrong. 241 00:10:18,485 --> 00:10:21,285 - Did you think she's dead? 242 00:10:21,287 --> 00:10:24,689 [sighs] - I shook her. 243 00:10:24,691 --> 00:10:27,425 I called out her-her name. 244 00:10:27,427 --> 00:10:32,297 Um, and at that point, I-I knew that she was dead. 245 00:10:34,234 --> 00:10:36,101 - In that moment, he said, his thoughts turned 246 00:10:36,103 --> 00:10:38,336 To his four-year-old boy, larson, 247 00:10:38,338 --> 00:10:39,971 Who was still in the house. 248 00:10:39,973 --> 00:10:44,208 - And I needed to get larson out of the house. 249 00:10:44,210 --> 00:10:45,243 - And what did you do? 250 00:10:45,245 --> 00:10:46,878 - Uh, I grabbed larson. 251 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,047 Uh, I believe he was in bed, and, uh, 252 00:10:49,049 --> 00:10:51,416 I took him immediately over to, uh, 253 00:10:51,418 --> 00:10:54,218 To his grandparents' house. 254 00:10:54,220 --> 00:10:56,521 - Cory's mom, marty, answered the door. 255 00:10:56,523 --> 00:10:58,790 She remembers her son-in-law standing there 256 00:10:58,792 --> 00:11:01,860 With the young boy and saying something nonsensical 257 00:11:01,862 --> 00:11:04,095 About her daughter being dead. 258 00:11:04,097 --> 00:11:05,797 - It was just kinda mid-morning and-- 259 00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:06,864 - And there he is, your son-in-law. 260 00:11:06,866 --> 00:11:08,466 - And-and there he is, and I opened the door, 261 00:11:08,468 --> 00:11:11,402 And he hands me larson, and then he said something 262 00:11:11,404 --> 00:11:13,071 About people are coming or something. 263 00:11:13,073 --> 00:11:16,474 And I-I often regretted not just putting larson down 264 00:11:16,476 --> 00:11:18,242 And running over there. 265 00:11:18,244 --> 00:11:21,579 - Stunned, she called her son, cory's brother, pedar, 266 00:11:21,581 --> 00:11:23,214 At his dental practice. 267 00:11:23,216 --> 00:11:25,550 - I get a phone call from my mom, and it was just 268 00:11:25,552 --> 00:11:27,151 Kinda out of the blue. I didn't think anything. 269 00:11:27,153 --> 00:11:28,820 - Cory is dead. That can't be. - Yeah, exactly. 270 00:11:28,822 --> 00:11:29,887 - Thirty-eight years old, right? 271 00:11:29,889 --> 00:11:30,955 - She's-she's 38 years old. There's no way. 272 00:11:30,957 --> 00:11:33,291 I just-just saw her a couple weeks ago. 273 00:11:33,293 --> 00:11:34,959 - Jeff baird, then a detective 274 00:11:34,961 --> 00:11:36,527 With the quincy police department, 275 00:11:36,529 --> 00:11:39,564 Was assigned to head the death investigation. 276 00:11:39,566 --> 00:11:42,667 When he arrived at the scene, he went straight upstairs. 277 00:11:42,669 --> 00:11:44,102 He was in the bedroom 278 00:11:44,104 --> 00:11:46,304 When the coroner examined cory's body. 279 00:11:46,306 --> 00:11:48,272 - He tested her body temperature 280 00:11:48,274 --> 00:11:50,241 By placing his hand against her abdomen. 281 00:11:50,243 --> 00:11:51,776 I followed suit. 282 00:11:51,778 --> 00:11:53,244 - Was the body warm or cold to the touch? 283 00:11:53,246 --> 00:11:54,545 - The abdomen was warm to the touch. 284 00:11:54,547 --> 00:11:56,314 - Was warm. What did that tell the coroner? 285 00:11:56,316 --> 00:11:58,583 - He knew that the time of death, 286 00:11:58,585 --> 00:12:04,322 Uh, was-was narrowed then for the body to still be warm. 287 00:12:04,324 --> 00:12:07,492 - It seemed clear that cory's death had been recent, 288 00:12:07,494 --> 00:12:09,894 Within the past hour or so. 289 00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:13,331 Not at all certain why or how the woman died, 290 00:12:13,333 --> 00:12:16,334 The detective couldn't rule out any possibility, 291 00:12:16,336 --> 00:12:18,302 Including foul play. 292 00:12:18,304 --> 00:12:21,005 Around the room itself, any overturned glasses 293 00:12:21,007 --> 00:12:22,707 Or any signs of a struggle? 294 00:12:22,709 --> 00:12:23,908 - No. 295 00:12:23,910 --> 00:12:26,211 - So, as I hear you, you're telling me 296 00:12:26,213 --> 00:12:29,814 You're seeing a woman who has apparently died in her bed 297 00:12:29,816 --> 00:12:33,318 And not that long before authorities arrive. 298 00:12:34,354 --> 00:12:35,553 - That's right. 299 00:12:35,555 --> 00:12:38,756 If I can stress, there wasn't a single mark on her 300 00:12:38,758 --> 00:12:40,992 Other than what appeared to be a skin blemish 301 00:12:40,994 --> 00:12:44,028 Under her nose, not a mark. 302 00:12:44,030 --> 00:12:45,964 - And yet, there was something about the position 303 00:12:45,966 --> 00:12:48,766 Of cory's body that did strike him as odd. 304 00:12:48,768 --> 00:12:50,434 He thought death and gravity 305 00:12:50,436 --> 00:12:52,737 Would have caused her arms to drop. 306 00:12:52,739 --> 00:12:55,573 Instead, they were both fixed in mid-air, 307 00:12:55,575 --> 00:12:57,542 Hovering above her chest. 308 00:12:57,544 --> 00:12:59,577 - I was looking for an explanation for that, 309 00:12:59,579 --> 00:13:02,713 And I even addressed it to curtis lovelace. 310 00:13:02,715 --> 00:13:05,950 I asked him if there was a possibility that blankets 311 00:13:05,952 --> 00:13:09,253 Had been under her arms when he discovered her. 312 00:13:09,255 --> 00:13:10,121 - And what'd he say? 313 00:13:10,123 --> 00:13:11,422 - No. - He said, "no." 314 00:13:11,424 --> 00:13:13,057 So, he said the scene that you were seeing 315 00:13:13,059 --> 00:13:15,393 Was the way he saw it when he came and found his wife 316 00:13:15,395 --> 00:13:18,196 By his account. - Yes, yes. 317 00:13:18,198 --> 00:13:20,932 - But then the detective was careful not to get hung up 318 00:13:20,934 --> 00:13:24,669 On one strange detail, not this early in a case. 319 00:13:24,671 --> 00:13:26,805 - Every detective needs to keep in mind 320 00:13:26,807 --> 00:13:28,940 That there-there could be a bigger picture. 321 00:13:28,942 --> 00:13:32,610 - And, oh, yes, there was, a portrait of a woman, 322 00:13:32,612 --> 00:13:35,713 A portrait of a marriage filled with details 323 00:13:35,715 --> 00:13:37,982 Painted in a most unflattering light. 324 00:13:40,821 --> 00:13:43,221 - A peek behind closed doors. 325 00:13:43,223 --> 00:13:45,456 - You were drinking too much? - I drank too much. 326 00:13:45,458 --> 00:13:46,424 - Cory was drinking too much? 327 00:13:46,426 --> 00:13:48,159 - Cory was drinking too much. 328 00:13:48,161 --> 00:13:51,029 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 329 00:13:54,767 --> 00:14:00,671 ♪♪ 330 00:14:00,673 --> 00:14:03,107 - The quincy, illinois detective was trying to understand 331 00:14:03,109 --> 00:14:07,111 Why a 38-year-old woman had died suddenly. 332 00:14:07,113 --> 00:14:10,147 As he looked for clues inside cory lovelace's home 333 00:14:10,149 --> 00:14:13,084 Filled with the clutter of young family life, 334 00:14:13,086 --> 00:14:15,786 Jeff baird noticed one item in particular, 335 00:14:15,788 --> 00:14:18,556 A white cup by her bedside. 336 00:14:18,558 --> 00:14:22,126 - I collected an unknown liquid that smelled faintly of alcohol 337 00:14:22,128 --> 00:14:24,061 From a styrofoam cup. 338 00:14:24,063 --> 00:14:25,463 - The detective asked her husband, curtis, 339 00:14:25,465 --> 00:14:27,098 What it was. 340 00:14:27,100 --> 00:14:29,133 Did he tell you that she liked to have a vodka tonic? 341 00:14:29,135 --> 00:14:30,468 - Yes. 342 00:14:30,470 --> 00:14:32,203 - And that's likely what was in the styrofoam? 343 00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:33,271 - Yes. 344 00:14:33,273 --> 00:14:35,740 - The big 24-ounce glass? - Yes. 345 00:14:35,742 --> 00:14:37,275 - As curtis told it, 346 00:14:37,277 --> 00:14:49,968 Alcohol had been a constant in the home. 347 00:14:49,970 --> 00:14:52,070 - There was alcoholism in our family, 348 00:14:52,072 --> 00:14:56,208 So there was the-the ugly side of-of that. Um-- 349 00:14:56,210 --> 00:14:58,477 - You were drinking too much. 350 00:14:58,479 --> 00:15:00,646 - Uh, I, looking back, yes, I-I drank too much. 351 00:15:00,648 --> 00:15:01,680 - Cory was drinking too much? 352 00:15:01,682 --> 00:15:03,415 - Cory-cory was drinking too much. 353 00:15:03,417 --> 00:15:06,585 Um, it was, uh, it was impacting her ability, 354 00:15:06,587 --> 00:15:09,655 Um, to take care of things at home. 355 00:15:09,657 --> 00:15:13,692 - He also told the detective that cory had been taking falls, 356 00:15:13,694 --> 00:15:15,327 Sometimes out of bed. 357 00:15:15,329 --> 00:15:17,062 What's more, the detective later found out 358 00:15:17,064 --> 00:15:19,665 Cory had been battling bulimia. 359 00:15:19,667 --> 00:15:21,600 The picture quickly emerging. 360 00:15:21,602 --> 00:15:24,002 Cory had not been a healthy woman. 361 00:15:24,004 --> 00:15:25,437 I know you guys are listening to the words 362 00:15:25,439 --> 00:15:26,672 That a subject is telling you, 363 00:15:26,674 --> 00:15:28,407 But you're also looking at them. 364 00:15:28,409 --> 00:15:29,441 Why is he telling me this? 365 00:15:29,443 --> 00:15:30,375 How does he phrase it? 366 00:15:30,377 --> 00:15:32,411 What were you seeing on that score? 367 00:15:32,413 --> 00:15:35,214 - It's very important, and I saw a man 368 00:15:35,216 --> 00:15:36,682 Who was answering my questions. 369 00:15:36,684 --> 00:15:38,417 - Not being evasive, not shifty. 370 00:15:38,419 --> 00:15:42,487 - He appeared to be cooperative, solemn, upset. 371 00:15:42,489 --> 00:15:44,623 - Curtis also retraced the family's steps 372 00:15:44,625 --> 00:15:45,958 That morning. 373 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:49,094 - He last saw his wife around 8:15. 374 00:15:49,096 --> 00:15:51,230 He took the kids to school. 375 00:15:51,232 --> 00:15:55,234 He returned and found her deceased. 376 00:15:55,236 --> 00:15:58,403 - With that, the detective finished the interview and left, 377 00:15:58,405 --> 00:16:02,007 But curtis knew his awful day was about to get worse. 378 00:16:02,009 --> 00:16:03,909 Not least, he had four children 379 00:16:03,911 --> 00:16:07,379 Ranging in ages from four to twelve to look after. 380 00:16:07,381 --> 00:16:08,981 How do you tell the children? 381 00:16:08,983 --> 00:16:13,252 - That was, um-- I-I-I think, to this day, 382 00:16:13,254 --> 00:16:15,921 That is the most difficult thing 383 00:16:15,923 --> 00:16:17,489 I have ever had to do. 384 00:16:17,491 --> 00:16:21,193 Um, I-I believe I-I-I called the schools 385 00:16:21,195 --> 00:16:25,097 And let them know that I would be on my way. 386 00:16:25,099 --> 00:16:26,465 - Lindsay, the only girl, 387 00:16:26,467 --> 00:16:28,700 Was the eldest of the lovelace kids. 388 00:16:28,702 --> 00:16:30,603 - I remember being at school. 389 00:16:30,605 --> 00:16:32,804 I remember getting a call from the office 390 00:16:32,806 --> 00:16:35,741 That I was getting picked up, 391 00:16:35,743 --> 00:16:36,842 And, in my mind, I thought, oh, 392 00:16:36,844 --> 00:16:38,210 Maybe my mom went to the hospital. 393 00:16:38,212 --> 00:16:40,345 She didn't feel good the days prior. - Yeah. 394 00:16:40,347 --> 00:16:41,546 - Maybe she just had to go to the hospital. 395 00:16:41,548 --> 00:16:43,015 Like, it's fine. 396 00:16:43,017 --> 00:16:45,083 - But once inside the principal's office, 397 00:16:45,085 --> 00:16:47,286 Her father broke the news. 398 00:16:47,288 --> 00:16:49,955 - And told me that my mom had died, 399 00:16:49,957 --> 00:16:54,359 And I just remember, then on, my world crashing down. 400 00:16:54,361 --> 00:16:55,294 - Did you say, "what had happened? 401 00:16:55,296 --> 00:16:56,595 "what's going on?" 402 00:16:56,597 --> 00:16:58,964 - I'm sure I asked what had happened. 403 00:16:58,966 --> 00:17:02,768 I just remember crying and not believing it. 404 00:17:02,770 --> 00:17:05,270 And so, we went-- we left, 405 00:17:05,272 --> 00:17:06,738 And we went to my grandma's house, 406 00:17:06,740 --> 00:17:08,907 And I was like, "I wanna go back to school," 407 00:17:08,909 --> 00:17:09,908 And I went back to school. 408 00:17:09,910 --> 00:17:11,109 - And you did on the day you lost your mom. 409 00:17:11,111 --> 00:17:12,711 - 'cause that was normal for me. 410 00:17:12,713 --> 00:17:14,212 It was a normalcy thing. 411 00:17:14,214 --> 00:17:15,914 - And in hindsight, she says, 412 00:17:15,916 --> 00:17:18,250 Maybe the best thing she could have done. 413 00:17:18,252 --> 00:17:20,719 Her favorite teacher had something for her. 414 00:17:20,721 --> 00:17:22,922 - And she actually had wolf pups. 415 00:17:22,924 --> 00:17:24,990 She had a friend who was caring for wolf pups. 416 00:17:24,992 --> 00:17:26,491 So, I remember holding these wolf pups. 417 00:17:26,493 --> 00:17:28,327 I'm pretty sure they had just lost their mom. 418 00:17:28,329 --> 00:17:29,461 Like, they were orphaned. 419 00:17:29,463 --> 00:17:31,430 - What a jumble of things going on for you that day. 420 00:17:31,432 --> 00:17:32,664 - And that was the most comforting thing 421 00:17:32,666 --> 00:17:35,701 I could have done, was hold those wolves. 422 00:17:35,703 --> 00:17:38,503 - By then, news of cory lovelace's untimely death 423 00:17:38,505 --> 00:17:40,772 Was rippling across town. 424 00:17:40,774 --> 00:17:43,008 Students from curtis' business law class 425 00:17:43,010 --> 00:17:45,344 That morning were the first outside of the family 426 00:17:45,346 --> 00:17:48,680 And authorities to suspect that something had happened. 427 00:17:48,682 --> 00:17:50,882 - His class was all outside of his classroom 428 00:17:50,884 --> 00:17:52,751 Waiting for him to come. 429 00:17:52,753 --> 00:17:55,554 - One of curtis' students, erika, was surprised to learn 430 00:17:55,556 --> 00:17:58,123 Professor lovelace's class had been canceled. 431 00:17:58,125 --> 00:17:59,958 Later, she learned why. 432 00:17:59,960 --> 00:18:01,827 - Everyone was just in shock 433 00:18:01,829 --> 00:18:04,529 Because she was a very young 38-year-old, 434 00:18:04,531 --> 00:18:08,700 And she seemed healthy from what everybody understood. 435 00:18:08,702 --> 00:18:11,636 So, it was a huge shock that-- 436 00:18:11,638 --> 00:18:12,705 - So, that's very sad. 437 00:18:12,707 --> 00:18:14,272 Your professor's wife has died. 438 00:18:14,274 --> 00:18:15,507 - I-- - you didn't know her. 439 00:18:15,509 --> 00:18:17,910 - I didn't know her, and I really didn't know him, 440 00:18:17,912 --> 00:18:20,145 At that time, either. 441 00:18:20,147 --> 00:18:21,913 - Soon, everyone in town 442 00:18:21,915 --> 00:18:24,717 Was wondering what had caused cory's death. 443 00:18:24,719 --> 00:18:27,486 The pathologist who performed the autopsy a day later 444 00:18:27,488 --> 00:18:29,321 Noted some trauma, 445 00:18:29,323 --> 00:18:31,523 A small abrasion on cory's upper lip 446 00:18:31,525 --> 00:18:35,060 And another mark inside. It appeared to be a cut. 447 00:18:35,062 --> 00:18:36,928 Curtis mentioned that cory had fallen 448 00:18:36,930 --> 00:18:38,697 In the days before her death. 449 00:18:38,699 --> 00:18:40,165 Those falls, as they described 'em, 450 00:18:40,167 --> 00:18:41,400 Could account for that injury to the lip, 451 00:18:41,402 --> 00:18:44,069 Right, presumably? 452 00:18:44,071 --> 00:18:45,404 - I wish I knew, 453 00:18:45,406 --> 00:18:49,007 But, yes, a fall could account for an injury. 454 00:18:49,009 --> 00:18:50,743 - The pathologist also noted 455 00:18:50,745 --> 00:18:52,677 Cory had what's called fatty liver, 456 00:18:52,679 --> 00:18:54,880 Often caused by heavy drinking. 457 00:18:54,882 --> 00:18:58,884 Still, the doctor labeled the cause of death undetermined. 458 00:18:58,886 --> 00:19:01,953 She doesn't know what killed this woman. 459 00:19:01,955 --> 00:19:02,988 - That was frustrating. 460 00:19:02,990 --> 00:19:06,892 She does find a disease of the liver, 461 00:19:06,894 --> 00:19:10,896 Which can be associated with sudden death. 462 00:19:10,898 --> 00:19:14,066 - Unusual for a young woman to die of unknown causes, 463 00:19:14,068 --> 00:19:15,901 But it does happen. 464 00:19:15,903 --> 00:19:21,139 Without more to go on, the detective closed the case. 465 00:19:21,141 --> 00:19:23,175 Cory's mother, marty, still in shock, 466 00:19:23,177 --> 00:19:26,445 Could barely bring herself to read the autopsy report. 467 00:19:26,447 --> 00:19:27,979 - Cory was drinking. 468 00:19:27,981 --> 00:19:29,548 We don't deny that. 469 00:19:29,550 --> 00:19:32,350 She was, um, bulimic, 470 00:19:32,352 --> 00:19:35,053 And-and I did try to talk to curtis about that, 471 00:19:35,055 --> 00:19:36,522 At one time. 472 00:19:36,524 --> 00:19:38,990 Told me it was all okay and was gonna be fine. 473 00:19:38,992 --> 00:19:41,960 - Now, as she mourned cory, marty knew her suffering 474 00:19:41,962 --> 00:19:43,962 Would only deepen. 475 00:19:43,964 --> 00:19:46,264 Her husband, john, was dying. 476 00:19:46,266 --> 00:19:50,102 - We had a visitation for cory, and john sat next to me, 477 00:19:50,104 --> 00:19:54,106 And it was like he was saying goodbye to friends, too. 478 00:19:54,108 --> 00:19:55,307 - Hmm. 479 00:19:55,309 --> 00:19:57,576 - He didn't come home from the hospital after that. 480 00:19:57,578 --> 00:19:59,578 - Mm-hmm. - So, both those losses, 481 00:19:59,580 --> 00:20:00,912 One right on top of the other. 482 00:20:00,914 --> 00:20:02,481 - Yes. 483 00:20:02,483 --> 00:20:03,882 - Within the span of a month, 484 00:20:03,884 --> 00:20:07,185 Marty lost a daughter and a husband. 485 00:20:07,187 --> 00:20:10,122 She purchased two burial plots at the local cemetery 486 00:20:10,124 --> 00:20:12,791 Even though cory's remains were cremated. 487 00:20:12,793 --> 00:20:16,161 That was a choice curtis says the entire family made together, 488 00:20:16,163 --> 00:20:18,296 But the decision to cremate 489 00:20:18,298 --> 00:20:20,032 Would be one that would haunt this river town 490 00:20:20,034 --> 00:20:21,934 For years to come. 491 00:20:24,705 --> 00:20:28,640 - She was different than anyone I had ever dated before. 492 00:20:28,642 --> 00:20:30,408 Maybe in some ways, that difference, 493 00:20:30,410 --> 00:20:32,777 Um, intrigued me. 494 00:20:32,779 --> 00:20:36,848 - Curtis moves on, much too fast for some. 495 00:20:36,850 --> 00:20:38,383 - She arrived as the girlfriend. 496 00:20:38,385 --> 00:20:40,452 Did I think it was too quickly? Yes. 497 00:20:40,454 --> 00:20:43,388 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 498 00:20:46,659 --> 00:20:51,229 ♪♪ 499 00:20:51,231 --> 00:20:53,665 Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 500 00:20:53,667 --> 00:20:55,066 I'm kate snow. 501 00:20:55,068 --> 00:20:57,469 Cory lovelace was suddenly gone, 502 00:20:57,471 --> 00:20:59,471 And her cause of death was a mystery. 503 00:20:59,473 --> 00:21:02,474 She left behind four children and her husband, curtis, 504 00:21:02,476 --> 00:21:04,743 Now faced with raising them alone, 505 00:21:04,745 --> 00:21:06,711 But not for long. 506 00:21:06,713 --> 00:21:09,748 The newly single dad would soon be raising eyebrows, 507 00:21:09,750 --> 00:21:11,817 Leading some to question whether 508 00:21:11,819 --> 00:21:14,620 He was a man truly lost in grief. 509 00:21:14,622 --> 00:21:16,087 Here's dennis murphy 510 00:21:16,089 --> 00:21:18,890 With more of "mystery on the mississippi." 511 00:21:18,892 --> 00:21:26,270 ♪♪ 512 00:21:26,272 --> 00:21:28,239 - For so many years, he'd been the guy in town 513 00:21:28,241 --> 00:21:30,574 People looked up to and admired. 514 00:21:30,576 --> 00:21:32,710 Curtis lovelace, football star, 515 00:21:32,712 --> 00:21:35,113 School board president, 516 00:21:35,115 --> 00:21:38,382 Suddenly a pitiable widower who needed help. 517 00:21:38,384 --> 00:21:39,517 - It was overwhelming. 518 00:21:39,519 --> 00:21:42,119 People did come forward, 519 00:21:42,121 --> 00:21:43,754 Uh, friends and family, 520 00:21:43,756 --> 00:21:45,489 Helping get the kids to school in the morning, 521 00:21:45,491 --> 00:21:47,224 So I could also go to work, 522 00:21:47,226 --> 00:21:49,627 And then picking them up from school. 523 00:21:49,629 --> 00:21:50,728 - It's a lot. - It's a lot, 524 00:21:50,730 --> 00:21:52,864 But we came together as-as a family 525 00:21:52,866 --> 00:21:55,799 And-and-and did what we needed to do. 526 00:21:55,801 --> 00:21:58,336 - To longtime friend beth dobrzynski, 527 00:21:58,338 --> 00:22:01,238 Curtis was stoic in the weeks after cory's death, 528 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:04,876 But one time she noticed the mask slip just a little. 529 00:22:04,878 --> 00:22:07,811 It was at a high school reunion later that summer. 530 00:22:07,813 --> 00:22:09,914 - They were doing a video montage, 531 00:22:09,916 --> 00:22:11,949 And cory's picture came up, 532 00:22:11,951 --> 00:22:12,883 And he turned around, and he looked, 533 00:22:12,885 --> 00:22:15,819 And he goes, "hey, that's my wife." 534 00:22:15,821 --> 00:22:17,922 And it was just times like that 535 00:22:17,924 --> 00:22:21,292 That made, you know, made me really think that, 536 00:22:21,294 --> 00:22:24,228 You know, it just-- you know, grieving husband. 537 00:22:24,230 --> 00:22:25,696 - That's why, a few months later, 538 00:22:25,698 --> 00:22:27,698 She and other friends were surprised to hear 539 00:22:27,700 --> 00:22:30,234 That curtis had met someone new. 540 00:22:30,236 --> 00:22:31,635 That was fast. 541 00:22:31,637 --> 00:22:35,306 - She was different, um, than-- 542 00:22:35,308 --> 00:22:37,575 Than anyone I had ever dated before. 543 00:22:37,577 --> 00:22:39,243 Maybe in some ways, that difference, 544 00:22:39,245 --> 00:22:41,679 Um, intrigued me. 545 00:22:41,681 --> 00:22:43,581 - She was erika, 546 00:22:43,583 --> 00:22:45,316 As in the former student who showed up 547 00:22:45,318 --> 00:22:47,651 To professor lovelace's cancelled class 548 00:22:47,653 --> 00:22:49,853 That fateful valentine's day morning. 549 00:22:49,855 --> 00:22:52,123 - He's extremely charming. 550 00:22:52,125 --> 00:22:54,058 Anything that I needed or wanted 551 00:22:54,060 --> 00:22:56,760 He could take care of, and he did. 552 00:22:56,762 --> 00:22:58,896 - At the time this interview took place, 553 00:22:58,898 --> 00:23:01,465 Erika asked us to alter her appearance some 554 00:23:01,467 --> 00:23:02,900 To protect her privacy. 555 00:23:02,902 --> 00:23:05,436 She began her story by recounting how she, 556 00:23:05,438 --> 00:23:07,671 As a 33-year-old single woman, 557 00:23:07,673 --> 00:23:10,274 Had bumped into her 37-year-old professor 558 00:23:10,276 --> 00:23:12,876 At a nightclub not long after cory's death. 559 00:23:12,878 --> 00:23:14,945 A fish out of water, she thought. 560 00:23:14,947 --> 00:23:16,948 - And I felt really bad for him, 561 00:23:16,950 --> 00:23:19,216 So I gave him my number, and I told him, uh, 562 00:23:19,218 --> 00:23:23,087 That there's, uh, places that he could go in town 563 00:23:23,089 --> 00:23:25,756 That there's people more his age 564 00:23:25,758 --> 00:23:27,758 Because I thought he was a lot, lot older 565 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:29,627 Than what he was. He just seemed-- 566 00:23:29,629 --> 00:23:31,095 - Just stood out at that club, huh? 567 00:23:31,097 --> 00:23:33,063 - He did, quite a bit. [laughing] 568 00:23:33,065 --> 00:23:36,834 - But not long after, pity blossomed into friendship 569 00:23:36,836 --> 00:23:38,535 And then love. 570 00:23:38,537 --> 00:23:42,172 They started dating about six months after cory's death. 571 00:23:42,174 --> 00:23:44,842 Erika and her daughter from a previous relationship 572 00:23:44,844 --> 00:23:48,679 Eventually moved in with curtis and his four children. 573 00:23:48,681 --> 00:23:52,249 - It was nice that my child kinda just tucked in there 574 00:23:52,251 --> 00:23:53,751 With the rest of 'em. 575 00:23:53,753 --> 00:23:55,753 All of us just fell into place. 576 00:23:55,755 --> 00:23:57,788 - That's not the way curtis's daughter, 577 00:23:57,790 --> 00:23:59,223 Lindsay, saw it. 578 00:23:59,225 --> 00:24:00,691 What'd you think of her, erika? 579 00:24:00,693 --> 00:24:03,060 - We did not get along. - From the get-go. 580 00:24:03,062 --> 00:24:04,295 - From the get-go. 581 00:24:04,297 --> 00:24:06,197 She arrived as the girlfriend, 582 00:24:06,199 --> 00:24:08,065 And that's just how it was. 583 00:24:08,067 --> 00:24:09,400 And did I think it was too quickly? 584 00:24:09,402 --> 00:24:13,103 Yes, but adults make their own decisions. 585 00:24:13,105 --> 00:24:15,372 - In fact, lindsay was so unhappy 586 00:24:15,374 --> 00:24:17,408 With her dad's girlfriend she picked up 587 00:24:17,410 --> 00:24:19,910 And moved in with her grandmother, cory's mom, 588 00:24:19,912 --> 00:24:22,012 Just a few doors down. 589 00:24:22,014 --> 00:24:23,948 After nearly two years of living together, 590 00:24:23,950 --> 00:24:26,083 Curtis and erika married. 591 00:24:26,085 --> 00:24:29,020 She'd admired how he coached local kids in sports 592 00:24:29,022 --> 00:24:31,822 And devoted spare time to his community. 593 00:24:31,824 --> 00:24:33,524 Eventually, they both served together 594 00:24:33,526 --> 00:24:35,125 In the national guard. 595 00:24:35,127 --> 00:24:36,694 And he had an outstanding resume. 596 00:24:36,696 --> 00:24:39,430 - He did. He-- - this is the all-american boy. 597 00:24:39,432 --> 00:24:41,765 - I loved the fact that he was on the school board. 598 00:24:41,767 --> 00:24:44,335 That was where my profession was leaning, 599 00:24:44,337 --> 00:24:49,440 And I loved that he worked with children. 600 00:24:49,442 --> 00:24:50,474 He was great. 601 00:24:50,476 --> 00:24:52,343 He seemed to be great with the children. 602 00:24:52,345 --> 00:24:54,779 - They even bought a new place in town together 603 00:24:54,781 --> 00:24:57,715 And moved from the house where cory had died. 604 00:24:57,717 --> 00:25:01,251 There was domestic tranquility at first, but eventually, 605 00:25:01,253 --> 00:25:04,355 Erika says she saw a change in her husband. 606 00:25:04,357 --> 00:25:07,291 - He'd detach once in a while just from the whole family, 607 00:25:07,293 --> 00:25:09,526 And I was kinda left all to myself, 608 00:25:09,528 --> 00:25:12,129 And he would just hide in the basement 609 00:25:12,131 --> 00:25:13,964 And blame it on work. 610 00:25:13,966 --> 00:25:17,034 - She says their mutual silence separated them. 611 00:25:17,036 --> 00:25:21,072 Then resentment exploded in loud confrontations. 612 00:25:21,074 --> 00:25:23,273 It just wasn't working. 613 00:25:23,275 --> 00:25:24,408 - I believe, looking back, 614 00:25:24,410 --> 00:25:28,946 That was a-a rebound relationship, um, and, uh, 615 00:25:28,948 --> 00:25:32,416 And a relationship that I-I should have not done, 616 00:25:32,418 --> 00:25:34,285 Not only for me but-but, more importantly, 617 00:25:34,287 --> 00:25:35,953 For my children. 618 00:25:35,955 --> 00:25:38,522 - In 2013, after five years of marriage, 619 00:25:38,524 --> 00:25:40,657 Curtis filed for divorce. 620 00:25:40,659 --> 00:25:42,760 Now, you might think that he would have been gun-shy 621 00:25:42,762 --> 00:25:46,697 About jumping into love again, but not curtis. 622 00:25:46,699 --> 00:25:50,367 - It was just surreal and lovely. 623 00:25:50,369 --> 00:25:51,902 - This is christine. 624 00:25:51,904 --> 00:25:54,104 She'd known curtis since high school. 625 00:25:54,106 --> 00:25:56,307 He even took her to their homecoming dance. 626 00:25:56,309 --> 00:25:59,377 Marriages and careers separated them for a time. 627 00:25:59,379 --> 00:26:01,044 - It was odd because I wasn't prepared 628 00:26:01,046 --> 00:26:02,446 For any kind of a relationship, 629 00:26:02,448 --> 00:26:04,581 And I wasn't looking for anything like that. 630 00:26:04,583 --> 00:26:05,783 - Now, where were you in your life, christine? 631 00:26:05,785 --> 00:26:06,717 Were you single, again? 632 00:26:06,719 --> 00:26:08,185 - I was. I was single. 633 00:26:08,187 --> 00:26:09,887 - After reconnecting on facebook, 634 00:26:09,889 --> 00:26:12,723 The former classmates decided to catch up face to face 635 00:26:12,725 --> 00:26:15,759 For the first time in nearly three decades. 636 00:26:15,761 --> 00:26:16,827 There he is at the door. 637 00:26:16,829 --> 00:26:17,795 - There he is at the door. - Who do you see? 638 00:26:17,797 --> 00:26:20,731 - I see curt lovelace, 639 00:26:20,733 --> 00:26:23,634 My senior high school homecoming date, standing there, 640 00:26:23,636 --> 00:26:27,538 And then we spent that evening with friends, 641 00:26:27,540 --> 00:26:29,907 And before we knew it, everyone else had gone, 642 00:26:29,909 --> 00:26:33,110 And we just had the most amazing time. 643 00:26:33,112 --> 00:26:36,346 - I was meeting in many ways the-the-the same person 644 00:26:36,348 --> 00:26:39,216 Who I took to homecoming just more beautiful, 645 00:26:39,218 --> 00:26:43,287 Uh, more interesting, and-and more, uh, more kind 646 00:26:43,289 --> 00:26:45,355 Than-than I had ever remembered. 647 00:26:45,357 --> 00:26:46,723 - It just worked. 648 00:26:46,725 --> 00:26:50,961 - More than six months later, on the day after christmas 2013, 649 00:26:50,963 --> 00:26:53,797 Curtis was once again standing at the altar. 650 00:26:53,799 --> 00:26:56,300 Only this time, the new mrs. Lovelace 651 00:26:56,302 --> 00:26:58,502 Seemed to have approval from everyone, 652 00:26:58,504 --> 00:27:00,905 Even 20-year-old daughter, lindsay, 653 00:27:00,907 --> 00:27:04,341 Who'd packed up at the arrival of her father's last flame. 654 00:27:04,343 --> 00:27:05,843 - She seemed very genuine. 655 00:27:05,845 --> 00:27:08,178 Um, I liked that she cared a lot about the boys. 656 00:27:08,180 --> 00:27:10,180 - Did you think maybe this could be the restoration 657 00:27:10,182 --> 00:27:11,849 Of the family? - Yeah, I did. 658 00:27:11,851 --> 00:27:13,851 - After the nightmare, as you see it, of-of erika, 659 00:27:13,853 --> 00:27:15,819 Now here's christine, who seems okay to you. 660 00:27:15,821 --> 00:27:17,187 - I felt-- - and she's certainly making an effort 661 00:27:17,189 --> 00:27:18,622 To reach out to you, right? 662 00:27:18,624 --> 00:27:21,859 - I-- yeah, and I felt like our family deserved happiness, 663 00:27:21,861 --> 00:27:23,961 At that point, after everything we had been through, 664 00:27:23,963 --> 00:27:27,331 So I was hoping that it would all pan out okay. 665 00:27:27,333 --> 00:27:29,199 - And it did go okay. 666 00:27:29,201 --> 00:27:31,602 Christine kept all the lovelaces running 667 00:27:31,604 --> 00:27:34,771 Like a swiss train schedule, kids off to school 668 00:27:34,773 --> 00:27:37,074 While curtis worked at his own law practice 669 00:27:37,076 --> 00:27:38,943 In downtown quincy. 670 00:27:38,945 --> 00:27:41,812 Christine, meanwhile, put on her baker's apron. 671 00:27:41,814 --> 00:27:43,547 - I opened an actual pie shop. 672 00:27:43,549 --> 00:27:45,616 I was making 100 pies a week, 673 00:27:45,618 --> 00:27:49,319 And I was selling out of pies before 9:00 in the morning. 674 00:27:49,321 --> 00:27:50,254 By all accounts, it was-- 675 00:27:50,256 --> 00:27:50,954 - So, this wasn't just a little hobby 676 00:27:50,956 --> 00:27:51,855 To keep you busy. - No. 677 00:27:51,857 --> 00:27:52,957 - This was a going concern, huh? 678 00:27:52,959 --> 00:27:55,325 - Yes, absolutely. - What's your go to pie? 679 00:27:55,327 --> 00:27:56,961 - I love blueberry. - I'm with you. 680 00:27:56,963 --> 00:27:59,897 - But-but I make a mean gooseberry. 681 00:27:59,899 --> 00:28:01,765 You name it. I can probably do it. 682 00:28:01,767 --> 00:28:03,300 - After years of turmoil, 683 00:28:03,302 --> 00:28:05,769 It seemed the lovelaces were reborn. 684 00:28:05,771 --> 00:28:08,372 Lindsay was back in the family fold. 685 00:28:08,374 --> 00:28:11,875 Christine had even adopted curtis's sons as her own. 686 00:28:11,877 --> 00:28:13,911 Everything was working. 687 00:28:13,913 --> 00:28:16,380 But darker souls wait for the train wreck 688 00:28:16,382 --> 00:28:19,249 Just when things are looking all hunky dory. 689 00:28:19,251 --> 00:28:22,620 Turned out, that train was hurdling down the track at them. 690 00:28:26,258 --> 00:28:29,626 A new detective leads to new suspicion. 691 00:28:29,628 --> 00:28:30,794 - What jumped out at ya? 692 00:28:30,796 --> 00:28:32,863 - Most definitely that her arms were in a-- 693 00:28:32,865 --> 00:28:35,132 An unnaturally raised position. 694 00:28:35,134 --> 00:28:37,334 - And the start of a new investigation. 695 00:28:37,336 --> 00:28:41,605 - In this particular autopsy, there were things listed 696 00:28:41,607 --> 00:28:43,807 As suspicious or traumatic findings. 697 00:28:43,809 --> 00:28:45,809 - My first thought was we missed something here. 698 00:28:45,811 --> 00:28:49,580 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 699 00:28:52,251 --> 00:28:59,089 ♪♪ 700 00:28:59,091 --> 00:29:02,859 - The river rolled, the barges slid by, 701 00:29:02,861 --> 00:29:07,164 And cory lovelace's death slipped further into the past. 702 00:29:07,166 --> 00:29:09,266 Her mom, marty. 703 00:29:09,268 --> 00:29:10,567 - I would go sit in the cemetery by myself 704 00:29:10,569 --> 00:29:13,770 For a little while. 705 00:29:13,772 --> 00:29:16,506 And, of course, valentine's day now is nothing. 706 00:29:16,508 --> 00:29:19,309 You know, I don't do valentine's day. 707 00:29:19,311 --> 00:29:21,178 - Cory's husband, meanwhile, had remarried, 708 00:29:21,180 --> 00:29:24,214 Divorced, and married again, and in all that time, 709 00:29:24,216 --> 00:29:27,985 No one really questioned the why or how of cory's death, 710 00:29:27,987 --> 00:29:30,254 But all that changed one day 711 00:29:30,256 --> 00:29:31,922 When a man in a windowless room 712 00:29:31,924 --> 00:29:33,824 A few blocks off the mississippi 713 00:29:33,826 --> 00:29:36,794 Found himself with spare time on his hands. 714 00:29:36,796 --> 00:29:38,395 - I was sittin' in my office, 715 00:29:38,397 --> 00:29:41,565 And all of our files are on computer. 716 00:29:41,567 --> 00:29:44,267 - It was late 2013, 717 00:29:44,269 --> 00:29:46,537 Almost eight years after cory's death. 718 00:29:46,539 --> 00:29:48,939 Adam gibson, a newly minted detective 719 00:29:48,941 --> 00:29:50,607 With the quincy police department, 720 00:29:50,609 --> 00:29:53,577 Began idly pulling up old files. 721 00:29:53,579 --> 00:29:55,879 - Not looking for anything in particular, 722 00:29:55,881 --> 00:29:57,981 Just reading old cases, 723 00:29:57,983 --> 00:29:59,483 Cory lovelace popped into my head, 724 00:29:59,485 --> 00:30:00,917 And I read the report. 725 00:30:00,919 --> 00:30:02,419 - The name mean anything to ya? 726 00:30:02,421 --> 00:30:05,055 - Yeah, I knew-- I knew curtis lovelace, 727 00:30:05,057 --> 00:30:07,357 Uh, 'cause he was-- had been, at one time, 728 00:30:07,359 --> 00:30:10,160 One of our assistant state's attorneys. 729 00:30:10,162 --> 00:30:11,495 - There wasn't much to read in the file, 730 00:30:11,497 --> 00:30:12,696 Truth be told, 731 00:30:12,698 --> 00:30:14,264 A statement from curtis, the husband, 732 00:30:14,266 --> 00:30:17,101 Police interviews with the three older children, 733 00:30:17,103 --> 00:30:19,770 And the pathologist summary of her autopsy findings 734 00:30:19,772 --> 00:30:21,705 With some photos. 735 00:30:21,707 --> 00:30:24,408 So, you knew what had happened in 2006 sort of or-- 736 00:30:24,410 --> 00:30:26,276 - Yeah, I knew that she had passed away 737 00:30:26,278 --> 00:30:29,246 On valentine's day of 2006. 738 00:30:29,248 --> 00:30:30,514 - What was the medical examiner's finding 739 00:30:30,516 --> 00:30:32,049 About the death of that woman? 740 00:30:32,051 --> 00:30:34,518 - That was-- undetermined, was the original autopsy. 741 00:30:34,520 --> 00:30:35,852 - What did that mean to you? 742 00:30:35,854 --> 00:30:37,621 I don't know if you'd encountered that before. 743 00:30:37,623 --> 00:30:40,057 - Undetermined could mean a lot of things, uh, but, 744 00:30:40,059 --> 00:30:43,794 In this particular autopsy, there were things listed 745 00:30:43,796 --> 00:30:46,830 As suspicious or traumatic findings. 746 00:30:46,832 --> 00:30:49,133 - For instance, the report mentioned that abrasion 747 00:30:49,135 --> 00:30:51,601 On cory's face, just under her nose, 748 00:30:51,603 --> 00:30:54,605 Something the arriving officer had observed that day. 749 00:30:54,607 --> 00:30:56,740 The pathologist also noted the cut, 750 00:30:56,742 --> 00:30:58,809 What she called a laceration, 751 00:30:58,811 --> 00:31:00,744 On the inside of cory's upper lip. 752 00:31:00,746 --> 00:31:03,647 The detective kept scrolling and then saw something 753 00:31:03,649 --> 00:31:07,418 That just stopped him cold, an electrifying image, 754 00:31:07,420 --> 00:31:09,920 The police photos of the dead wife and mother 755 00:31:09,922 --> 00:31:11,822 As she lay in her bed. 756 00:31:11,824 --> 00:31:12,856 What jumped out at ya? 757 00:31:12,858 --> 00:31:14,892 - Most definitely that her arms were in a-- 758 00:31:14,894 --> 00:31:16,760 An unnaturally raised position. 759 00:31:16,762 --> 00:31:18,362 - The hands in an unnatural kinda way. 760 00:31:18,364 --> 00:31:20,230 - Her hands defied gravity. 761 00:31:20,232 --> 00:31:21,431 - Not supported on anything. 762 00:31:21,433 --> 00:31:22,733 - No. 763 00:31:22,735 --> 00:31:23,967 - Just kind of out there like a statue. 764 00:31:23,969 --> 00:31:25,569 - Yes. 765 00:31:25,571 --> 00:31:27,304 - Using police photos from the scene, 766 00:31:27,306 --> 00:31:29,840 We created this graphic representation 767 00:31:29,842 --> 00:31:31,541 Of cory's bedroom. 768 00:31:31,543 --> 00:31:35,278 You can see cory's arms frozen in death above her body. 769 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:37,280 That final pose had caught 770 00:31:37,282 --> 00:31:39,850 Detective jeff baird's attention years before, 771 00:31:39,852 --> 00:31:43,787 A curiosity, but he didn't assign it any real significance. 772 00:31:43,789 --> 00:31:45,722 Now, adam gibson did. 773 00:31:45,724 --> 00:31:46,990 - Rigor mortis? 774 00:31:46,992 --> 00:31:50,393 - Yes, in my opinion. 775 00:31:50,395 --> 00:31:52,796 - The mechanics of rigor mortis go like this. 776 00:31:52,798 --> 00:31:55,432 Upon death, a human's muscles start to stiffen, 777 00:31:55,434 --> 00:31:58,135 But, to the detective, it looked as though 778 00:31:58,137 --> 00:32:01,605 Cory's arms and hands were in an advanced state of rigor, 779 00:32:01,607 --> 00:32:04,207 Meaning she likely died many hours before 780 00:32:04,209 --> 00:32:05,976 This photo was taken. 781 00:32:05,978 --> 00:32:08,812 Remember, curtis said he tucked his sickly wife into bed 782 00:32:08,814 --> 00:32:11,214 Only an hour before finding her dead. 783 00:32:11,216 --> 00:32:13,416 It didn't make sense to the officer. 784 00:32:13,418 --> 00:32:15,552 Detective gibson went straight to his bosses 785 00:32:15,554 --> 00:32:17,687 With the old lovelace file. 786 00:32:17,689 --> 00:32:19,689 - My first thought was we missed something here. 787 00:32:19,691 --> 00:32:22,893 - Chief robert copley had been in charge in 2006 788 00:32:22,895 --> 00:32:25,896 When everyone assumed cory had died a natural death, 789 00:32:25,898 --> 00:32:28,699 But he says he never saw the photos the detective 790 00:32:28,701 --> 00:32:30,534 Was now holding before him. 791 00:32:30,536 --> 00:32:32,836 - And that's when I saw the pictures the first time. 792 00:32:32,838 --> 00:32:33,704 - What'd you think? 793 00:32:33,706 --> 00:32:36,173 - I thought, uh, this-this is odd. 794 00:32:36,175 --> 00:32:36,974 This is not natural. 795 00:32:36,976 --> 00:32:38,275 - This posture of the arms? 796 00:32:38,277 --> 00:32:40,277 - The posture of the arms, uh, definitely appeared to me 797 00:32:40,279 --> 00:32:42,312 That rigor mortis had set in. 798 00:32:42,314 --> 00:32:45,248 I-I look at those pictures, and I can't believe 799 00:32:45,250 --> 00:32:49,787 That we accepted an-- a undetermined cause of death 800 00:32:49,789 --> 00:32:51,788 And a natural death. 801 00:32:51,790 --> 00:32:54,658 - Detective gibson agreed, but they had a problem. 802 00:32:54,660 --> 00:32:56,793 Very thin what you're working. - Yes. 803 00:32:56,795 --> 00:32:58,729 - There's some-some notes from a medical examiner 804 00:32:58,731 --> 00:33:00,197 From eight years before. - Right, right, yeah. 805 00:33:00,199 --> 00:33:02,332 - And a-a few photos, very few. 806 00:33:02,334 --> 00:33:04,734 - Yeah, and only two, uh, two slides, 807 00:33:04,736 --> 00:33:07,504 Uh, were-were taken by the pathologist 808 00:33:07,506 --> 00:33:09,372 And-and passed on in evidence. 809 00:33:09,374 --> 00:33:10,741 So, yeah, very thin file. 810 00:33:10,743 --> 00:33:13,810 - So, police went back to the doctor who did that autopsy 811 00:33:13,812 --> 00:33:16,580 And asked her to review the case. 812 00:33:16,582 --> 00:33:20,617 She did, but she would not alter her original findings. 813 00:33:20,619 --> 00:33:22,953 The next step might have been to order a new autopsy, 814 00:33:22,955 --> 00:33:25,622 But that wasn't possible since cory's family 815 00:33:25,624 --> 00:33:27,691 Had her remains cremated. 816 00:33:27,693 --> 00:33:30,560 The only option was to work with what they had. 817 00:33:30,562 --> 00:33:32,729 Detective gibson had a suggestion. 818 00:33:32,731 --> 00:33:37,568 - He wanted to have the autopsy reviewed by someone else. 819 00:33:37,570 --> 00:33:41,004 Have basically a-a review of the original autopsy done. 820 00:33:41,006 --> 00:33:42,772 Couldn't do a-a new autopsy 821 00:33:42,774 --> 00:33:44,708 Because the body had been cremated. 822 00:33:44,710 --> 00:33:48,211 - The chief okayed the request to hire a new pathologist 823 00:33:48,213 --> 00:33:50,480 To review old autopsy notes. 824 00:33:50,482 --> 00:33:52,883 The detective also had something else in mind 825 00:33:52,885 --> 00:33:55,819 To beef up his case-- talk to anyone and everyone 826 00:33:55,821 --> 00:33:57,588 Who'd known cory. 827 00:33:57,590 --> 00:34:00,390 His first call was to her mom, marty. 828 00:34:00,392 --> 00:34:02,759 He told her he wanted to meet but not why. 829 00:34:02,761 --> 00:34:04,795 - He said, "well, you know, can we set up a time, 830 00:34:04,797 --> 00:34:06,363 "maybe tomorrow, or, you know, whatever?" 831 00:34:06,365 --> 00:34:08,799 I said, "well, I'll scratch what I'm doin' this afternoon. 832 00:34:08,801 --> 00:34:10,267 "you just come now," 833 00:34:10,269 --> 00:34:12,736 Because I was so nervous about what it was. 834 00:34:12,738 --> 00:34:15,839 - Everything old was about to be new again, 835 00:34:15,841 --> 00:34:19,142 New and very unsettling. 836 00:34:21,413 --> 00:34:23,847 - The thing that struck me first 837 00:34:23,849 --> 00:34:27,484 Was the position of mrs. Lovelace's arms. 838 00:34:27,486 --> 00:34:31,354 - A different medical examiner reaches a different conclusion. 839 00:34:31,356 --> 00:34:33,857 - The manner of death would be homicide. 840 00:34:33,859 --> 00:34:37,094 - And a detective has a question for curtis' daughter. 841 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:43,300 - What did you think was happening? 842 00:34:43,302 --> 00:34:44,434 - I didn't know. 843 00:34:44,436 --> 00:34:47,137 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 844 00:34:50,574 --> 00:34:55,512 ♪♪ 845 00:34:55,514 --> 00:34:58,915 - Cory lovelace's mom had tried hard to move on 846 00:34:58,917 --> 00:35:01,451 After her daughter's sudden death in 2006, 847 00:35:01,453 --> 00:35:03,887 But after a phone call and a visit 848 00:35:03,889 --> 00:35:07,257 From detective adam gibson in early 2014, 849 00:35:07,259 --> 00:35:09,092 She started to wonder. 850 00:35:09,094 --> 00:35:12,863 - A lot of things I shoved away, really shoved away, 851 00:35:12,865 --> 00:35:18,268 And one of 'em was really why cory had died. 852 00:35:18,270 --> 00:35:20,170 - Did you ever suspect that there might be foul play 853 00:35:20,172 --> 00:35:22,339 Involved in her death? - No. 854 00:35:22,341 --> 00:35:23,940 - Friends of both curtis and cory 855 00:35:23,942 --> 00:35:27,010 Also started getting calls from the detective. 856 00:35:27,012 --> 00:35:29,346 Beth dobrzynski remembers his message 857 00:35:29,348 --> 00:35:31,881 Asking her to call asap. 858 00:35:31,883 --> 00:35:34,084 - So, then when I called detective gibson, and he said, 859 00:35:34,086 --> 00:35:37,420 "we're reopening the case of cory didriksen lovelace," 860 00:35:37,422 --> 00:35:39,222 I was shocked. 861 00:35:39,224 --> 00:35:40,891 I was shaking. 862 00:35:40,893 --> 00:35:42,692 - So, the detective seemed to be interested in 863 00:35:42,694 --> 00:35:43,961 What you could tell him about the marriage. 864 00:35:43,963 --> 00:35:45,028 - Correct. 865 00:35:45,030 --> 00:35:47,163 - Which she admitted wasn't much. 866 00:35:47,165 --> 00:35:48,298 Beth and other close friends 867 00:35:48,300 --> 00:35:51,668 Said cory didn't really talk about her marriage. 868 00:35:51,670 --> 00:35:53,170 So, the detective did something 869 00:35:53,172 --> 00:35:55,305 No one else had done on this case. 870 00:35:55,307 --> 00:35:57,273 He started knocking on doors, 871 00:35:57,275 --> 00:35:59,309 Talking to cory's former neighbors. 872 00:35:59,311 --> 00:36:01,978 - All the neighbors talked about, uh, 873 00:36:01,980 --> 00:36:04,614 All the-the constant arguing and fighting. 874 00:36:04,616 --> 00:36:05,949 - So, you were getting a picture of what 875 00:36:05,951 --> 00:36:08,752 Was goin' on in that marriage that wasn't in focus in 2006. 876 00:36:08,754 --> 00:36:09,987 - Right. 877 00:36:09,989 --> 00:36:11,921 - The detective went a step further. 878 00:36:11,923 --> 00:36:14,357 He got in his car and drove more than 100 miles 879 00:36:14,359 --> 00:36:17,193 To the university of iowa to talk with someone 880 00:36:17,195 --> 00:36:18,661 Who would have been an eyewitness 881 00:36:18,663 --> 00:36:19,963 To the lovelace marriage. 882 00:36:24,803 --> 00:36:27,070 - Lindsay lovelace, curtis and cory's oldest, 883 00:36:27,072 --> 00:36:29,439 Was in college at her mom's alma mater 884 00:36:29,441 --> 00:36:31,408 When she was summoned to the campus police department 885 00:36:31,410 --> 00:36:34,010 To talk with detective gibson. 886 00:36:34,012 --> 00:36:35,612 - I was very confused why someone from quincy 887 00:36:35,614 --> 00:36:37,013 Had driven there. 888 00:36:37,015 --> 00:36:39,216 - The questions that followed didn't clear things up, 889 00:36:39,218 --> 00:36:40,750 At least not at first. 890 00:36:40,752 --> 00:36:43,420 The detective started talking about her late mom 891 00:36:43,422 --> 00:36:45,655 And asking about her parents' marriage. 892 00:37:03,442 --> 00:37:04,307 For the first time, 893 00:37:04,309 --> 00:37:05,776 Someone inside the lovelace family 894 00:37:05,778 --> 00:37:08,912 Was revealing the turmoil before cory's death, 895 00:37:08,914 --> 00:37:11,648 But then the detective asked lindsay to describe 896 00:37:11,650 --> 00:37:15,819 That Tuesday in 2006 when her mother's body was found. 897 00:37:20,192 --> 00:37:22,826 The answer seemed to take the air 898 00:37:22,828 --> 00:37:24,161 Out of his theory of the case. 899 00:37:35,674 --> 00:37:36,706 The young woman, 900 00:37:36,708 --> 00:37:38,675 Candid about her parents' troubled marriage, 901 00:37:38,677 --> 00:37:41,111 Was nonetheless supportive of her father's account. 902 00:37:41,113 --> 00:37:43,613 Cory had died minutes after seeing her children 903 00:37:43,615 --> 00:37:45,148 Off to school, 904 00:37:45,150 --> 00:37:48,218 Not hours earlier as the detective suspected. 905 00:37:48,220 --> 00:37:51,021 If he'd been disappointed in lindsay's answer, 906 00:37:51,023 --> 00:37:52,222 He didn't show it, 907 00:37:52,224 --> 00:37:55,559 But he did make a request that caught her off guard. 908 00:38:04,302 --> 00:38:05,569 What did you think was happening? 909 00:38:05,571 --> 00:38:07,637 - I didn't know, especially when he said, 910 00:38:07,639 --> 00:38:09,906 "don't tell your father I was here." 911 00:38:09,908 --> 00:38:11,441 - So, what's that mean? 912 00:38:11,443 --> 00:38:13,943 - And I went back to where I was living 913 00:38:13,945 --> 00:38:16,646 And just sat there and thought, "what is going on?" 914 00:38:16,648 --> 00:38:18,248 And then it slowly hit me. 915 00:38:18,250 --> 00:38:20,383 - She realized the detective, for whatever reason, 916 00:38:20,385 --> 00:38:22,886 Suspected her father had something to do 917 00:38:22,888 --> 00:38:24,988 With her mother's sudden death. 918 00:38:24,990 --> 00:38:26,523 Even so, she kept her promise 919 00:38:26,525 --> 00:38:29,159 And did not tell her father about the visit. 920 00:38:29,161 --> 00:38:31,461 In the meantime, detective gibson was waiting 921 00:38:31,463 --> 00:38:35,298 To hear from dr. Jane turner, then assistant medical examiner 922 00:38:35,300 --> 00:38:36,866 For the city of st. Louis. 923 00:38:36,868 --> 00:38:40,603 He had hired her to review that old autopsy report. 924 00:38:40,605 --> 00:38:42,939 - The thing that struck me first 925 00:38:42,941 --> 00:38:44,941 Just looking at the scene photographs 926 00:38:44,943 --> 00:38:48,745 Was the position of mrs. Lovelace's arms. 927 00:38:48,747 --> 00:38:50,947 - She said the photos show cory's body 928 00:38:50,949 --> 00:38:52,649 In full rigor mortis. 929 00:38:52,651 --> 00:38:55,151 Like the detective, the m.E. Believed 930 00:38:55,153 --> 00:38:57,954 The picture and curtis' story were out of sync. 931 00:38:57,956 --> 00:39:00,256 - I estimate that the time of death 932 00:39:00,258 --> 00:39:03,159 Was somewhere ten to twelve hours, uh, 933 00:39:03,161 --> 00:39:07,730 Prior to her photograph being taken that morning, 934 00:39:07,732 --> 00:39:12,235 So it was somewhere around 9, or 10, or 11 p.M. 935 00:39:12,237 --> 00:39:14,370 The night before. 936 00:39:14,372 --> 00:39:17,040 - In other words, the night of February 13th, 937 00:39:17,042 --> 00:39:18,541 Not the morning of February 14th 938 00:39:18,543 --> 00:39:20,177 As curtis claimed. 939 00:39:20,179 --> 00:39:21,578 Something else bothered her. 940 00:39:21,580 --> 00:39:23,446 Turner thought the scene appeared altered, 941 00:39:23,448 --> 00:39:26,449 As though something under cory's arms was removed. 942 00:39:26,451 --> 00:39:30,019 - Why were her hands not resting on a surface? 943 00:39:30,021 --> 00:39:34,324 And that surface, whatever that object was 944 00:39:34,326 --> 00:39:36,059 That her hands had been resting on, 945 00:39:36,061 --> 00:39:37,493 Why wasn't it there anymore? 946 00:39:37,495 --> 00:39:39,896 - Turner noted the abrasion on cory's face 947 00:39:39,898 --> 00:39:41,932 And the cut inside her upper lip. 948 00:39:41,934 --> 00:39:44,434 To her, that suggested something had been pressed 949 00:39:44,436 --> 00:39:46,603 Against the woman's mouth. 950 00:39:46,605 --> 00:39:50,807 - And then seeing the-the marks around the mouth 951 00:39:50,809 --> 00:39:53,143 And inside the mouth 952 00:39:53,145 --> 00:39:57,113 All suggest that suffocation occurred. 953 00:39:57,115 --> 00:39:59,916 - Suffocation, an abrasion, 954 00:39:59,918 --> 00:40:03,019 An accepted timeline that no longer fit-- 955 00:40:03,021 --> 00:40:06,556 Turner was convinced cory had not died a natural death. 956 00:40:06,558 --> 00:40:09,693 She concluded someone had used an object, 957 00:40:09,695 --> 00:40:11,661 Likely a pillow, to suffocate the woman, 958 00:40:11,663 --> 00:40:16,099 Left it under her arms, and removed it many hours later. 959 00:40:16,101 --> 00:40:18,301 - The manner of death would be homicide. 960 00:40:18,303 --> 00:40:20,837 - For the detective, cory lovelace's death 961 00:40:20,839 --> 00:40:22,906 Came down to two competing narratives 962 00:40:22,908 --> 00:40:24,874 From two compelling women. 963 00:40:24,876 --> 00:40:27,543 One relied on science to explain a murder. 964 00:40:27,545 --> 00:40:31,014 The other relied on memory to describe an ailing mother 965 00:40:31,016 --> 00:40:33,016 Just before she passed away. 966 00:40:33,018 --> 00:40:36,386 In the end, the detective believed the science. 967 00:40:36,388 --> 00:40:39,055 He believed that a crime had indeed been committed. 968 00:40:39,057 --> 00:40:41,157 But now chief copley had a little problem 969 00:40:41,159 --> 00:40:43,293 Back at the quincy police department. 970 00:40:43,295 --> 00:40:44,861 There were two officers who'd conducted 971 00:40:44,863 --> 00:40:47,830 Very different investigations of the same case. 972 00:40:47,832 --> 00:40:50,867 Detective gibson, you believed that this was a homicide. 973 00:40:50,869 --> 00:40:52,502 - I-I do believe that. - Officer baird, 974 00:40:52,504 --> 00:40:55,271 Do you believe that this was a death of natural causes? 975 00:40:55,273 --> 00:40:57,307 Are you divided on that fundamental issue? 976 00:40:57,309 --> 00:41:00,476 - I'm now uncertain from what I have heard 977 00:41:00,478 --> 00:41:03,746 And been told under the-- under the new investigation, 978 00:41:03,748 --> 00:41:07,950 Much more uncertain than I was in 2006. 979 00:41:07,952 --> 00:41:10,887 - Their boss, chief copley, still backs both men. 980 00:41:10,889 --> 00:41:12,789 He says, if there is blame to be had in this case, 981 00:41:12,791 --> 00:41:14,290 He'll take it. 982 00:41:14,292 --> 00:41:16,826 - You hate to admit that mistakes were made, 983 00:41:16,828 --> 00:41:19,429 And-and I wanna say that I-I take full responsibility. 984 00:41:19,431 --> 00:41:21,364 I was chief in 2006. 985 00:41:21,366 --> 00:41:23,166 You know, yeah, I-I had detectives 986 00:41:23,168 --> 00:41:25,068 And their supervisors workin' on this case but-- 987 00:41:25,070 --> 00:41:26,436 - Did, chief, did he get a pass 988 00:41:26,438 --> 00:41:28,938 Because he was a pillar of the community? 989 00:41:28,940 --> 00:41:30,506 He was a-- he was a big shot guy. 990 00:41:30,508 --> 00:41:31,841 - I don't know that he got a pass. 991 00:41:31,843 --> 00:41:36,713 I think he may have got, um, the benefit of the doubt. 992 00:41:36,715 --> 00:41:38,281 - But on a warm August morning, 993 00:41:38,283 --> 00:41:40,416 That benefit would evaporate along with 994 00:41:40,418 --> 00:41:43,519 The peaceful feelings of a lazy summer day. 995 00:41:43,521 --> 00:41:46,189 Christine lovelace had been aproned up in her new shop 996 00:41:46,191 --> 00:41:48,024 Baking pies all morning. 997 00:41:48,026 --> 00:41:50,159 Curtis was meant to stop by with lunch. 998 00:41:50,161 --> 00:41:53,129 - I just knew that he was gonna be there, 999 00:41:53,131 --> 00:41:54,731 And I really kinda had a notion 1000 00:41:54,733 --> 00:41:57,133 That he was gonna bring me fried chicken that day, 1001 00:41:57,135 --> 00:42:00,737 And, um, lunch came and went. 1002 00:42:00,739 --> 00:42:02,605 - And no curt. - And no curt. 1003 00:42:02,607 --> 00:42:04,307 - A few blocks away, 1004 00:42:04,309 --> 00:42:06,843 Curtis had just stepped out of his law office. 1005 00:42:06,845 --> 00:42:09,679 He was, in fact, on his way to the pie shop. 1006 00:42:09,681 --> 00:42:11,647 - And as I was walking to my car, 1007 00:42:11,649 --> 00:42:13,649 Um, there was a-- there was a gentleman 1008 00:42:13,651 --> 00:42:17,020 In a-- in a-- in a suit, um, waiting for me. 1009 00:42:17,022 --> 00:42:18,888 - It was detective gibson, 1010 00:42:18,890 --> 00:42:20,690 And he was armed with an indictment 1011 00:42:20,692 --> 00:42:22,225 From the grand jury. 1012 00:42:22,227 --> 00:42:23,760 He was there to arrest curtis 1013 00:42:23,762 --> 00:42:25,661 For the murder of cory lovelace. 1014 00:42:25,663 --> 00:42:26,863 And he said what? 1015 00:42:26,865 --> 00:42:29,799 - The only thing he said was, "my wife died in 2006." 1016 00:42:29,801 --> 00:42:31,634 - What'd you think of that? 1017 00:42:31,636 --> 00:42:34,470 - That was not the reaction that I was expecting at all. 1018 00:42:34,472 --> 00:42:38,108 - Then again, curtis lovelace never saw it coming. 1019 00:42:38,110 --> 00:42:40,076 - Told me to put my hands behind my back 1020 00:42:40,078 --> 00:42:42,211 And, uh, put me in handcuffs. 1021 00:42:42,213 --> 00:42:43,913 - What was goin' on? - I didn't know. 1022 00:42:43,915 --> 00:42:45,515 I remember hearing "murder." 1023 00:42:45,517 --> 00:42:49,051 I remember, uh, hearing him use the word "wife." 1024 00:42:49,053 --> 00:42:52,054 I was not aware that, uh, 1025 00:42:52,056 --> 00:42:53,723 That there was an investigation. Uh-- 1026 00:42:53,725 --> 00:42:55,592 - You were totally blindsided. 1027 00:42:55,594 --> 00:42:57,060 - I was totally-- totally blindsided. 1028 00:42:57,062 --> 00:42:59,796 - Blindsided because no one had really questioned 1029 00:42:59,798 --> 00:43:01,731 Cory's death before. 1030 00:43:01,733 --> 00:43:05,468 Even the police concluded she died of natural causes. 1031 00:43:05,470 --> 00:43:07,136 Back at the pie shop, 1032 00:43:07,138 --> 00:43:09,672 An increasingly anxious christine got a phone call. 1033 00:43:09,674 --> 00:43:11,874 It was someone from a local tv station. 1034 00:43:11,876 --> 00:43:16,112 - He said, "I'm holding a piece of paper in my hand. 1035 00:43:16,114 --> 00:43:19,883 "it's an indictment for the first degree murder 1036 00:43:19,885 --> 00:43:21,351 "of c-cory lovelace." 1037 00:43:21,353 --> 00:43:25,321 And I-I-I immediately said, "what? 1038 00:43:25,323 --> 00:43:27,623 "cory-cory wasn't murdered." 1039 00:43:27,625 --> 00:43:30,026 - Give me a word. That day in your life? 1040 00:43:30,028 --> 00:43:31,294 - Horrifying. 1041 00:43:31,296 --> 00:43:34,530 - I was placed in an interrogation room immediately. 1042 00:43:34,532 --> 00:43:36,966 - Curtis lovelace had a crucial choice to make. 1043 00:43:36,968 --> 00:43:40,403 Either talk to the detective and try to clear this up 1044 00:43:40,405 --> 00:43:41,571 Right then and there, 1045 00:43:41,573 --> 00:43:44,107 Or would the attorney lawyer up? 1046 00:43:47,212 --> 00:43:50,046 - I don't remember anything significant 1047 00:43:50,048 --> 00:43:51,481 About the night before. 1048 00:43:51,483 --> 00:43:55,785 - You said that-that the two of you went to bed together. 1049 00:43:55,787 --> 00:43:58,855 - Yeah, I-I bel-- I believe we did. 1050 00:43:58,857 --> 00:44:00,990 - I have a problem with you not remembering 1051 00:44:00,992 --> 00:44:02,458 All these things. 1052 00:44:02,460 --> 00:44:06,429 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1053 00:44:10,267 --> 00:44:12,469 - Seven years after the mysterious death 1054 00:44:12,471 --> 00:44:14,036 Of cory lovelace... 1055 00:44:14,038 --> 00:44:16,839 - I just remember crying and not believing it. 1056 00:44:16,841 --> 00:44:18,875 - Police have reopened the case. 1057 00:44:18,877 --> 00:44:20,276 - We missed something here. 1058 00:44:20,278 --> 00:44:23,079 - Her husband, curtis, who had remarried twice, 1059 00:44:23,081 --> 00:44:24,747 Is the prime suspect. 1060 00:44:24,749 --> 00:44:25,948 - What jumped out at ya? 1061 00:44:25,950 --> 00:44:27,550 - Most definitely that here arms were in 1062 00:44:27,552 --> 00:44:29,886 A-an unnaturally raised position. 1063 00:44:29,888 --> 00:44:32,355 - Had the mystery finally been solved? 1064 00:44:32,357 --> 00:44:34,490 - The manner of death would be homicide. 1065 00:44:34,492 --> 00:44:36,425 - Then the suspect and his wife 1066 00:44:36,427 --> 00:44:38,761 Got some very bad news. 1067 00:44:38,763 --> 00:44:40,830 - I said, "what? 1068 00:44:40,832 --> 00:44:42,365 Cory-cory wasn't murdered." 1069 00:44:42,367 --> 00:44:43,633 - You were totally blindsided. 1070 00:44:43,635 --> 00:44:44,967 - Totally blindsided. 1071 00:44:44,969 --> 00:44:47,971 - Now, the hometown hero was headed to jail. 1072 00:44:47,973 --> 00:44:50,873 Could his children help set him free? 1073 00:44:50,875 --> 00:44:52,608 - They saw their mother alive that day. 1074 00:44:52,610 --> 00:44:54,110 - She couldn't have been dead upstairs then. 1075 00:44:54,112 --> 00:44:55,278 - Right. 1076 00:44:55,280 --> 00:45:02,852 ♪♪ 1077 00:45:02,854 --> 00:45:05,421 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 1078 00:45:05,423 --> 00:45:06,789 I'm kate snow. 1079 00:45:06,791 --> 00:45:09,292 Fortunes can change in an instant. 1080 00:45:09,294 --> 00:45:12,528 One minute, curtis lovelace was a successful attorney. 1081 00:45:12,530 --> 00:45:14,531 The next, he was in custody, 1082 00:45:14,533 --> 00:45:17,333 Charged with murdering his first wife, cory. 1083 00:45:17,335 --> 00:45:19,068 The stunning turn came courtesy 1084 00:45:19,070 --> 00:45:21,671 Of a dogged detective with a hunch. 1085 00:45:21,673 --> 00:45:24,473 Now, the investigator was about to go head to head 1086 00:45:24,475 --> 00:45:26,375 With the accused killer. 1087 00:45:26,377 --> 00:45:28,744 Did curtis have secrets to spill? 1088 00:45:28,746 --> 00:45:30,546 Here's dennis murphy with more 1089 00:45:30,548 --> 00:45:33,282 Of "mystery on the mississippi." 1090 00:45:33,284 --> 00:45:36,218 - Curtis lovelace had seen plenty of interrogation videos 1091 00:45:36,220 --> 00:45:38,955 During his career as a former prosecutor, 1092 00:45:38,957 --> 00:45:41,357 But, in the summer of 2014, 1093 00:45:41,359 --> 00:45:43,025 For the first time in his life, 1094 00:45:43,027 --> 00:45:45,494 Curtis was the one in the hotseat. 1095 00:45:45,496 --> 00:45:46,829 - You have the right to remain silent. 1096 00:45:46,831 --> 00:45:48,431 Do you understand that? - Yes. 1097 00:45:48,433 --> 00:45:50,232 - Anything you say can and will be used 1098 00:45:50,234 --> 00:45:51,968 Against you in a court of law, 1099 00:45:51,970 --> 00:45:53,436 And you're a lawyer, 1100 00:45:53,438 --> 00:45:55,505 And you know the number one rule is, 1101 00:45:55,507 --> 00:45:57,039 You do not talk to the police without 1102 00:45:57,041 --> 00:45:58,575 Having a lawyer present. 1103 00:45:58,577 --> 00:46:00,843 - I-- - but you talk. 1104 00:46:00,845 --> 00:46:01,911 - But-but I talk. 1105 00:46:01,913 --> 00:46:03,646 I wanted to answer all their questions. 1106 00:46:03,648 --> 00:46:07,083 I thought that they wanted to know the truth. 1107 00:46:07,085 --> 00:46:10,319 She indicated she didn't feel well. 1108 00:46:10,321 --> 00:46:12,054 - On that valentine's morning, 1109 00:46:12,056 --> 00:46:13,889 Curtis said cory was still nursing 1110 00:46:13,891 --> 00:46:16,192 That bad cold or flu. 1111 00:46:16,194 --> 00:46:19,128 - I walked back upstairs with her. 1112 00:46:19,130 --> 00:46:22,065 Uh, she climbed into bed. 1113 00:46:22,067 --> 00:46:25,368 - He described leaving the house, then coming home 1114 00:46:25,370 --> 00:46:28,471 Only to find his wife dead in their bedroom. 1115 00:46:28,473 --> 00:46:33,810 - She was cold and-and stiff. 1116 00:46:33,812 --> 00:46:37,680 Uh, I just recall her, like, her hands being up 1117 00:46:37,682 --> 00:46:39,281 Or something like that. 1118 00:46:39,283 --> 00:46:42,351 - And yet, many other details surrounding his wife's death 1119 00:46:42,353 --> 00:46:44,087 Seemed to elude curtis. 1120 00:46:44,089 --> 00:46:47,156 - But, no, I don't remember anything significant 1121 00:46:47,158 --> 00:46:48,424 About the night before. 1122 00:46:48,426 --> 00:46:50,994 - You said that-that the two of you went to bed together. 1123 00:46:53,164 --> 00:46:55,831 - Yeah, I-I be-- I believe we did. 1124 00:46:55,833 --> 00:46:57,033 You know, it was-- 1125 00:46:57,035 --> 00:46:58,901 Been a long time, so, I-I-I mean, 1126 00:46:58,903 --> 00:47:00,637 I guess it's possible that I would have left, 1127 00:47:00,639 --> 00:47:02,905 Uh, you know, slept on a couch or something. 1128 00:47:02,907 --> 00:47:05,775 - You said you took the kids to school. 1129 00:47:05,777 --> 00:47:07,410 - I-- again, I believe I did. 1130 00:47:07,412 --> 00:47:09,412 It's been so long. 1131 00:47:09,414 --> 00:47:12,248 - Ironically, he didn't remember a whole lot about that day. 1132 00:47:12,250 --> 00:47:13,716 - Couldn't even remember whether he, in fact, 1133 00:47:13,718 --> 00:47:14,917 Took the kids to school that day. 1134 00:47:14,919 --> 00:47:16,052 - Right. 1135 00:47:16,054 --> 00:47:17,687 I just would have thought that 1136 00:47:17,689 --> 00:47:20,089 Finding your wife dead in bed 1137 00:47:20,091 --> 00:47:23,059 Would have left more of an impression on ya. 1138 00:47:23,061 --> 00:47:25,728 - To the detective, curtis was trying to look helpful 1139 00:47:25,730 --> 00:47:28,064 Without really being so. 1140 00:47:28,066 --> 00:47:29,732 Gibson cut to the chase. 1141 00:47:29,734 --> 00:47:32,735 - Did you smother cory with a pillow? 1142 00:47:32,737 --> 00:47:34,637 - No, I did not. 1143 00:47:34,639 --> 00:47:35,805 - Okay. 1144 00:47:35,807 --> 00:47:38,340 - Did you and cory have a bad argument, curt? 1145 00:47:38,342 --> 00:47:39,408 Did it get out of hand? 1146 00:47:39,410 --> 00:47:42,344 Did you snap and then put a pillow 1147 00:47:42,346 --> 00:47:44,213 Over her nose and mouth and suffocate her? 1148 00:47:44,215 --> 00:47:46,248 - No, no, I-I-- there-there were 1149 00:47:46,250 --> 00:47:49,351 No bad arguments the night before. 1150 00:47:49,353 --> 00:47:52,521 Um, it's-it's exactly what-what I've-- 1151 00:47:52,523 --> 00:47:55,691 What I've told detective baird in 2006, 1152 00:47:55,693 --> 00:47:58,661 And what I told detective gibson in 2014, 1153 00:47:58,663 --> 00:48:00,362 And what I'm telling you now. 1154 00:48:00,364 --> 00:48:01,898 That-that is what happened. 1155 00:48:01,900 --> 00:48:04,233 She was sick, and I came home, 1156 00:48:04,235 --> 00:48:06,268 And I found her that morning, 1157 00:48:06,270 --> 00:48:07,937 And she was dead in bed. 1158 00:48:08,840 --> 00:48:10,806 - It was clear the detective's strategy 1159 00:48:10,808 --> 00:48:12,575 Hadn't yielded what he wanted, 1160 00:48:12,577 --> 00:48:13,876 A confession. 1161 00:48:13,878 --> 00:48:16,011 - I have a problem with you not remembering 1162 00:48:16,013 --> 00:48:17,647 All these things. 1163 00:48:17,649 --> 00:48:20,049 - The lawyer's goal of talking his way out of trouble 1164 00:48:20,051 --> 00:48:21,851 Hadn't exactly worked, either. 1165 00:48:21,853 --> 00:48:23,853 Even after he agreed, curtis says, 1166 00:48:23,855 --> 00:48:26,388 To take a lie detector test. 1167 00:48:26,390 --> 00:48:28,424 In a short time, he was swapping out 1168 00:48:28,426 --> 00:48:30,927 His buttoned down shirt and leather loafers... 1169 00:48:32,330 --> 00:48:34,864 For a very different courthouse look, 1170 00:48:34,866 --> 00:48:38,201 Jailhouse black and white stripes. 1171 00:48:38,203 --> 00:48:39,802 - Coming up... 1172 00:48:42,006 --> 00:48:43,539 - Yeah. 1173 00:48:43,541 --> 00:48:44,573 Yeah. 1174 00:48:44,575 --> 00:48:46,876 - Are his kids the key to his freedom? 1175 00:48:46,878 --> 00:48:48,944 - They saw their mother alive that day. 1176 00:48:48,946 --> 00:48:51,781 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1177 00:49:01,558 --> 00:49:03,025 - Curtis lovelace could not believe 1178 00:49:03,027 --> 00:49:05,427 How his world had fallen apart. 1179 00:49:05,429 --> 00:49:08,097 One minute, he was quincy's fair-haired boy. 1180 00:49:08,099 --> 00:49:10,767 The next, he was being interrogated by police 1181 00:49:10,769 --> 00:49:13,636 For killing his first wife, cory. 1182 00:49:13,638 --> 00:49:17,640 - On my side of the bed when I found her dead. 1183 00:49:17,642 --> 00:49:20,743 - Meanwhile, christine was in a panic for two reasons. 1184 00:49:20,745 --> 00:49:22,511 Her husband had just been arrested, 1185 00:49:22,513 --> 00:49:25,181 And now she was looking for her sons. 1186 00:49:25,183 --> 00:49:26,615 - I found out that all three boys 1187 00:49:26,617 --> 00:49:28,350 Were at the police station. 1188 00:49:28,352 --> 00:49:29,652 - The boys were down there. 1189 00:49:29,654 --> 00:49:31,454 - They had been taken out of school, 1190 00:49:31,456 --> 00:49:35,825 Um, and held in isolation earlier in the day. 1191 00:49:35,827 --> 00:49:39,728 - There were just 17, 15, and 12 years old at the time, 1192 00:49:39,730 --> 00:49:42,398 All alone at the police headquarters. 1193 00:49:42,400 --> 00:49:44,400 Once christine found out they were there, 1194 00:49:44,402 --> 00:49:45,868 She rushed to the station. 1195 00:49:45,870 --> 00:49:46,936 What were the kids told? 1196 00:49:46,938 --> 00:49:48,237 What did they think was going on? 1197 00:49:48,239 --> 00:49:50,139 - They actually thought that something had happened to me. 1198 00:49:50,141 --> 00:49:52,474 I walked into the room, and they got up, 1199 00:49:52,476 --> 00:49:54,577 And they all, um... 1200 00:49:57,982 --> 00:49:59,715 Were very scared 1201 00:49:59,717 --> 00:50:02,551 And, um, they hugged me, 1202 00:50:02,553 --> 00:50:04,220 And I told them everything would be okay. 1203 00:50:04,222 --> 00:50:05,955 We'll figure this out. 1204 00:50:05,957 --> 00:50:08,024 - Detective gibson had rounded up the boys 1205 00:50:08,026 --> 00:50:10,393 Because he was looking for more information. 1206 00:50:16,300 --> 00:50:17,333 - Mm-hmm. 1207 00:50:17,335 --> 00:50:18,835 - The detective started to question them 1208 00:50:18,837 --> 00:50:21,237 About the last days of their mother's life. 1209 00:50:23,775 --> 00:50:25,274 - Yeah. 1210 00:50:32,584 --> 00:50:35,184 - Larson, the youngest son, wasn't interviewed by police 1211 00:50:35,186 --> 00:50:39,121 Back in 2006 because he was only four years old. 1212 00:50:39,123 --> 00:50:41,624 Now, he was telling detective gibson 1213 00:50:41,626 --> 00:50:44,861 He wasn't sure if his mother was alive that morning. 1214 00:50:44,863 --> 00:50:47,062 He said he only remembered getting out of bed 1215 00:50:47,064 --> 00:50:48,998 And going to his mom's room, 1216 00:50:49,000 --> 00:50:50,466 But she didn't answer him. 1217 00:51:06,217 --> 00:51:08,417 - But the two older boys said they did remember 1218 00:51:08,419 --> 00:51:10,319 Seeing their mom that morning. 1219 00:51:10,321 --> 00:51:11,988 This is lincoln, the middle boy. 1220 00:51:29,574 --> 00:51:32,174 - Logan, the eldest son, said he knew for certain 1221 00:51:32,176 --> 00:51:34,977 That his mom was alive that February 14th. 1222 00:51:40,484 --> 00:51:42,785 - Christine was still trying to find her husband. 1223 00:51:42,787 --> 00:51:44,586 She didn't know he'd been transferred 1224 00:51:44,588 --> 00:51:46,355 To a different jail. 1225 00:51:46,357 --> 00:51:48,090 Eventually, he called. 1226 00:51:48,092 --> 00:51:50,459 - And he told me everything would be okay 1227 00:51:50,461 --> 00:51:54,897 And that we were gonna have to-to fight some things. 1228 00:51:54,899 --> 00:51:56,666 - Christine was a wreck. 1229 00:51:56,668 --> 00:51:58,134 Her husband was in jail, 1230 00:51:58,136 --> 00:52:00,136 And she was dumbfounded as to why the police 1231 00:52:00,138 --> 00:52:02,004 Had taken the boys out of school 1232 00:52:02,006 --> 00:52:05,040 And then interviewed them without parental permission. 1233 00:52:05,042 --> 00:52:07,142 She felt better about this, though. 1234 00:52:07,144 --> 00:52:09,878 The two oldest boys backed their dad's story. 1235 00:52:09,880 --> 00:52:13,682 They had seen their mom, cory, alive valentine's day morning 1236 00:52:13,684 --> 00:52:15,551 Just as curtis said. 1237 00:52:15,553 --> 00:52:17,286 - They saw their mother alive that day. 1238 00:52:17,288 --> 00:52:18,921 - And that's-that's the gist of their story. 1239 00:52:18,923 --> 00:52:20,556 Yes, I saw her alive that morning 1240 00:52:20,558 --> 00:52:22,291 When dad took us to school. - Yes. Mm-hmm. 1241 00:52:22,293 --> 00:52:23,692 It was valentine's day. - So, there-- 1242 00:52:23,694 --> 00:52:25,160 So, therefore, she couldn't have been dead upstairs. 1243 00:52:25,162 --> 00:52:26,362 - Right, right. - And dying 1244 00:52:26,364 --> 00:52:28,263 And rigor mortis setting in because we saw her alive. 1245 00:52:28,265 --> 00:52:30,132 - Mm-hmm. Yes. 1246 00:52:30,134 --> 00:52:32,435 - The boys' sister, lindsay, had also told police 1247 00:52:32,437 --> 00:52:35,738 Two separate times her mom was alive that morning. 1248 00:52:35,740 --> 00:52:38,207 Had seen her off to school on valentine's day. 1249 00:52:43,781 --> 00:52:45,514 On the day of her father's arrest, 1250 00:52:45,516 --> 00:52:47,049 Lindsay was away at college 1251 00:52:47,051 --> 00:52:50,019 When she had an emotional talk with her brothers. 1252 00:52:50,021 --> 00:52:51,921 - Talked to 'em on the phone the day he got arrested, 1253 00:52:51,923 --> 00:52:54,023 And they passed the phone around, 1254 00:52:54,025 --> 00:52:57,393 And they were sobbing because they were scared. 1255 00:52:57,395 --> 00:52:58,594 Hold on. [chuckles] 1256 00:52:58,596 --> 00:53:00,029 Whew, okay. 1257 00:53:00,031 --> 00:53:03,899 And they asked me to come home, 1258 00:53:03,901 --> 00:53:06,001 And that was the last thing I ever said to them, 1259 00:53:06,003 --> 00:53:07,837 Like, ever talked to 'em. 1260 00:53:08,839 --> 00:53:10,539 - That's when another tragedy unfolded 1261 00:53:10,541 --> 00:53:12,608 Within the lovelace family. 1262 00:53:12,610 --> 00:53:14,543 Around the time of curtis' arrest, 1263 00:53:14,545 --> 00:53:16,011 His relationship with his daughter, 1264 00:53:16,013 --> 00:53:18,147 Once again, deteriorated. 1265 00:53:18,149 --> 00:53:20,549 The family doesn't wanna get into details, 1266 00:53:20,551 --> 00:53:22,684 But soon, lindsay found herself cut off 1267 00:53:22,686 --> 00:53:24,486 From her brothers, too. 1268 00:53:24,488 --> 00:53:26,722 - I had been shut out, completely shut out. 1269 00:53:26,724 --> 00:53:28,323 - Well, you knew the charge against your father 1270 00:53:28,325 --> 00:53:30,493 And the theory of the crime, 1271 00:53:30,495 --> 00:53:32,561 That he had put a pillow over your mother's nose 1272 00:53:32,563 --> 00:53:34,230 And smothered her. 1273 00:53:35,433 --> 00:53:37,966 That's a stark image to deal with. 1274 00:53:37,968 --> 00:53:39,835 - It's something I didn't ponder, 1275 00:53:39,837 --> 00:53:41,470 And I chose not to ponder. 1276 00:53:42,440 --> 00:53:44,106 - Though a jury would soon be pondering 1277 00:53:44,108 --> 00:53:46,242 Curtis' guilt or innocence. 1278 00:53:46,244 --> 00:53:48,043 In August 2014, 1279 00:53:48,045 --> 00:53:51,146 The 45-year-old former assistant state's attorney 1280 00:53:51,148 --> 00:53:53,682 Found himself standing in a courtroom, 1281 00:53:53,684 --> 00:53:57,019 This time as a defendant at his own arraignment. 1282 00:53:57,021 --> 00:53:58,720 - Having to appear in a courtroom 1283 00:53:58,722 --> 00:54:01,790 That I had served as a prosecutor, 1284 00:54:01,792 --> 00:54:03,926 And dressed in-in stripes, 1285 00:54:03,928 --> 00:54:08,397 And-and having my-my hands and my feet shackled, 1286 00:54:08,399 --> 00:54:14,003 Um, those-those were some-some really low times. 1287 00:54:14,806 --> 00:54:17,706 - Marred just eight months, wife number three's commitment 1288 00:54:17,708 --> 00:54:19,441 For better or for worse 1289 00:54:19,443 --> 00:54:21,477 Was immediately put to the test. 1290 00:54:21,479 --> 00:54:25,081 - My husband, who is kind, 1291 00:54:25,083 --> 00:54:27,749 And caring, and compassionate, 1292 00:54:27,751 --> 00:54:30,286 Is charged with something so heinous 1293 00:54:30,288 --> 00:54:33,089 That it makes no sense. 1294 00:54:34,292 --> 00:54:36,391 - If convicted, curtis lovelace could spend 1295 00:54:36,393 --> 00:54:38,026 The rest of his life in prison 1296 00:54:38,028 --> 00:54:40,162 For the murder of his wife, cory. 1297 00:54:40,164 --> 00:54:42,298 As if that weren't enough stress, 1298 00:54:42,300 --> 00:54:45,835 His daughter, lindsay, was about to drop a bombshell. 1299 00:54:46,937 --> 00:54:48,403 - Coming up... 1300 00:54:48,405 --> 00:54:50,639 A daughter's difficult decision. 1301 00:54:50,641 --> 00:54:52,174 - I don't know what's in lindsay's head 1302 00:54:52,176 --> 00:54:53,375 And in her heart. 1303 00:54:53,377 --> 00:54:56,945 One day, she was happy, and then everything changed. 1304 00:54:56,947 --> 00:55:00,149 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1305 00:55:09,926 --> 00:55:12,528 - Curtis lovelace was the hometown hero. 1306 00:55:12,530 --> 00:55:14,730 Now, his face was plastered on the front pages 1307 00:55:14,732 --> 00:55:17,933 Of quincy's newspaper as an accused murderer. 1308 00:55:17,935 --> 00:55:20,202 - We're relying on scientific medical evidence-- 1309 00:55:20,204 --> 00:55:22,938 - The media, including nbc's quincy affiliate, 1310 00:55:22,940 --> 00:55:24,673 Were all over the story, 1311 00:55:24,675 --> 00:55:27,543 Covering nearly every moment of his fall from grace. 1312 00:55:27,545 --> 00:55:29,945 - He is accused of killing his first wife. 1313 00:55:29,947 --> 00:55:32,548 - The former prosecutor would himself be prosecuted 1314 00:55:32,550 --> 00:55:34,449 By ed parkinson. 1315 00:55:34,451 --> 00:55:38,020 - You can't get around rigor mortis, in my opinion, 1316 00:55:38,022 --> 00:55:39,488 And make sense of this case, 1317 00:55:39,490 --> 00:55:42,057 And the timeline doesn't make sense with curtis lovelace. 1318 00:55:43,661 --> 00:55:45,961 - In January 2016, 1319 00:55:45,963 --> 00:55:48,830 Nearly a decade after cory lovelace's death, 1320 00:55:48,832 --> 00:55:51,767 Curtis arrived for the first day of his trial. 1321 00:55:51,769 --> 00:55:53,936 He faced 20 to 60 years in prison 1322 00:55:53,938 --> 00:55:56,371 Upon conviction for first degree murder. 1323 00:55:56,373 --> 00:55:58,307 He pleaded not guilty. 1324 00:55:58,309 --> 00:56:00,376 Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom. 1325 00:56:00,378 --> 00:56:01,577 - It's clear to me. 1326 00:56:01,579 --> 00:56:03,412 It-it-it didn't matter what I did 1327 00:56:03,414 --> 00:56:06,181 As far as the prosecution was concerned. 1328 00:56:06,183 --> 00:56:10,085 Their only concern was that they needed to create a crime, 1329 00:56:10,087 --> 00:56:14,456 And they needed for me to look bad in order to do that. 1330 00:56:14,458 --> 00:56:18,227 - Curtis didn't necessarily need prosecutors' help to look bad. 1331 00:56:18,229 --> 00:56:20,629 Some of his own actions the day cory died 1332 00:56:20,631 --> 00:56:22,864 Were, at the very least, unusual, 1333 00:56:22,866 --> 00:56:25,434 Including never calling 911. 1334 00:56:25,436 --> 00:56:26,768 He called who? - His boss. 1335 00:56:26,770 --> 00:56:28,103 - His wife is dead in the bed. 1336 00:56:28,105 --> 00:56:29,671 - Yes. - And he calls his boss. 1337 00:56:29,673 --> 00:56:31,940 - Yeah. He said, "my wife is dead." 1338 00:56:31,942 --> 00:56:34,476 So, his boss said, "well, would you like me 1339 00:56:34,478 --> 00:56:36,645 To call the ambulance people?" 1340 00:56:36,647 --> 00:56:38,814 "yes. Would you do that?" 1341 00:56:38,816 --> 00:56:40,782 - Cory's mom, marty didriksen, 1342 00:56:40,784 --> 00:56:42,751 Who lived just a few houses away, 1343 00:56:42,753 --> 00:56:45,621 Testified that curtis broke the news of her daughter's death 1344 00:56:45,623 --> 00:56:48,357 In what she thought was the most callous way. 1345 00:56:48,359 --> 00:56:50,025 There was a knock at her door, 1346 00:56:50,027 --> 00:56:52,928 And curtis was standing there with four-year-old larson. 1347 00:56:52,930 --> 00:56:55,230 - I open the door, and he hands me larson. 1348 00:56:55,232 --> 00:56:56,965 - And says? 1349 00:56:56,967 --> 00:56:59,468 - "oh, and by the way, cory is dead," 1350 00:56:59,470 --> 00:57:01,470 And leaves. 1351 00:57:01,472 --> 00:57:03,772 - Marty, I've gotta say I think that's very strange. 1352 00:57:03,774 --> 00:57:05,107 "take your grandson and, by the way, 1353 00:57:05,109 --> 00:57:07,776 Your daughter is dead." 1354 00:57:07,778 --> 00:57:10,779 - He was emotionless. Let's put it that way. 1355 00:57:10,781 --> 00:57:12,781 Uh, people who saw him that day 1356 00:57:12,783 --> 00:57:15,918 Claimed that he was without emotion. 1357 00:57:15,920 --> 00:57:18,153 - Curtis also knew cpr, 1358 00:57:18,155 --> 00:57:20,856 And yet he never tried to revive his wife. 1359 00:57:20,858 --> 00:57:23,058 On the day, why didn't you do cpr? 1360 00:57:23,060 --> 00:57:24,259 - I don't know. 1361 00:57:24,261 --> 00:57:26,928 Um, I don't know why I didn't do cpr. 1362 00:57:26,930 --> 00:57:30,065 I don't know why I-I-I didn't call 911. 1363 00:57:30,067 --> 00:57:34,836 Um, in looking back, um, I, uh, saw 1364 00:57:34,838 --> 00:57:38,707 My wife, cory, uh, dead, 1365 00:57:38,709 --> 00:57:40,743 And I didn't know how to react. 1366 00:57:41,745 --> 00:57:43,478 - Prosecutor parkinson next went after 1367 00:57:43,480 --> 00:57:45,614 The first police investigation, 1368 00:57:45,616 --> 00:57:47,649 Pushing hard against detective baird 1369 00:57:47,651 --> 00:57:49,151 Who handled the case. 1370 00:57:49,153 --> 00:57:51,119 He questioned if baird gave curtis, 1371 00:57:51,121 --> 00:57:53,121 Who was then an assistant state's attorney, 1372 00:57:53,123 --> 00:57:54,690 Preferential treatment. 1373 00:57:54,692 --> 00:57:56,892 - He was a prosecutor. They were the police. 1374 00:57:56,894 --> 00:58:00,362 He gave 'em a story that he-- uh, how it happened. 1375 00:58:00,364 --> 00:58:01,897 They bought into it. 1376 00:58:01,899 --> 00:58:03,565 After all, he's one of us. 1377 00:58:03,567 --> 00:58:05,567 - So, maybe tougher questions didn't get asked. 1378 00:58:05,569 --> 00:58:07,035 - I think so. 1379 00:58:07,037 --> 00:58:09,038 - Neighbors testified the lovelace household 1380 00:58:09,040 --> 00:58:11,006 Was sometimes a stormy one, 1381 00:58:11,008 --> 00:58:13,575 And that, parkinson suggested to jurors, 1382 00:58:13,577 --> 00:58:15,811 Is the backdrop of cory's death. 1383 00:58:15,813 --> 00:58:17,379 - They fought all the time. 1384 00:58:17,381 --> 00:58:18,847 It was a rocky marriage 1385 00:58:18,849 --> 00:58:21,450 With lots of arguments going both ways, 1386 00:58:21,452 --> 00:58:23,318 And it got out of control. 1387 00:58:23,320 --> 00:58:27,556 Maybe the evidence indicates that placing 1388 00:58:27,558 --> 00:58:29,725 A pillow over one's face 1389 00:58:29,727 --> 00:58:32,060 To make them stop yelling at me, 1390 00:58:32,062 --> 00:58:34,329 Maybe, in her weakened state, 1391 00:58:34,331 --> 00:58:37,032 If she was-- had flulike symptoms, 1392 00:58:37,034 --> 00:58:39,067 Maybe it went too far. 1393 00:58:39,069 --> 00:58:40,535 - The state's theory, remember, 1394 00:58:40,537 --> 00:58:41,737 Is the force of the pillow 1395 00:58:41,739 --> 00:58:43,538 Caused that cut and abrasion 1396 00:58:43,540 --> 00:58:46,508 On the outside and inside of cory's lip. 1397 00:58:46,510 --> 00:58:48,944 The prosecutor then implied the pillow was placed 1398 00:58:48,946 --> 00:58:51,046 Under her arms after she died 1399 00:58:51,048 --> 00:58:52,881 And later removed. 1400 00:58:52,883 --> 00:58:54,683 - If you leave it there through the night 1401 00:58:54,685 --> 00:58:57,486 And while rigor mortis is setting in, 1402 00:58:57,488 --> 00:58:59,988 And then if a person is thinking, 1403 00:58:59,990 --> 00:59:03,425 Oh, my god, what did I do, and, oh, there's that pillow, 1404 00:59:03,427 --> 00:59:06,428 And her-- I'm gonna get rid of that pillow, 1405 00:59:06,430 --> 00:59:08,130 Then the arms are already up. 1406 00:59:08,132 --> 00:59:09,197 - And you think that's what happened. 1407 00:59:09,199 --> 00:59:10,632 - Yes. 1408 00:59:10,634 --> 00:59:13,301 - But then came perhaps the most anticipated testimony 1409 00:59:13,303 --> 00:59:15,104 For the prosecution. 1410 00:59:15,106 --> 00:59:18,407 Lindsay, curtis's own daughter, took the stand. 1411 00:59:18,409 --> 00:59:20,576 Two times over a span of eight years, 1412 00:59:20,578 --> 00:59:23,512 She told police her mother was alive that morning. 1413 00:59:23,514 --> 00:59:25,847 - She said she had felt better. 1414 00:59:25,849 --> 00:59:28,450 - But on the stand, with her dad's life on the line, 1415 00:59:28,452 --> 00:59:30,318 She changed her story, 1416 00:59:30,320 --> 00:59:32,654 Telling jurors she was no longer sure 1417 00:59:32,656 --> 00:59:34,689 Her mom was alive that day. 1418 00:59:34,691 --> 00:59:35,924 - Don't remember any of it. 1419 00:59:35,926 --> 00:59:37,126 - But it doesn't stick in your memory. 1420 00:59:37,128 --> 00:59:38,193 - No. 1421 00:59:38,195 --> 00:59:39,761 - And you had detective baird's notes. 1422 00:59:39,763 --> 00:59:42,064 You do tell him the story about seeing your mother, 1423 00:59:42,066 --> 00:59:44,066 And then with a videotaped interview 1424 00:59:44,068 --> 00:59:45,634 With, uh, detective gibson, 1425 00:59:45,636 --> 00:59:47,235 You seem quite clear about that morning, 1426 00:59:47,237 --> 00:59:48,970 And, yes, you saw her and went off to school. 1427 00:59:48,972 --> 00:59:50,305 What had had happened in the interim 1428 00:59:50,307 --> 00:59:52,274 Between your statement and going into trial 1429 00:59:52,276 --> 00:59:54,476 On the stand and then kind of stepping back 1430 00:59:54,478 --> 00:59:55,677 From all of that? 1431 00:59:55,679 --> 00:59:58,713 - It was the fact of no one had honestly asked me 1432 00:59:58,715 --> 01:00:00,749 Sincerely what had happened that day, 1433 01:00:00,751 --> 01:00:03,418 And I'd never taken time to actually think about it. 1434 01:00:03,420 --> 01:00:04,753 I-- - well, detective gibson did 1435 01:00:04,755 --> 01:00:06,688 A couple of years before when he took your statement, right? 1436 01:00:06,690 --> 01:00:08,990 - But, uh, again, I didn't know why he was asking me. 1437 01:00:08,992 --> 01:00:10,092 I didn't know what was going on, 1438 01:00:10,094 --> 01:00:11,793 And I gave the story I always gave. 1439 01:00:11,795 --> 01:00:14,029 So, when I had to sit there and think about it, 1440 01:00:14,031 --> 01:00:15,697 I had to be honest with myself, 1441 01:00:15,699 --> 01:00:18,366 And it wasn't the answer I wanted. 1442 01:00:18,368 --> 01:00:20,902 I wish I could say-- I really do wish I could say, 1443 01:00:20,904 --> 01:00:22,337 Yes, I remember her, 1444 01:00:22,339 --> 01:00:24,039 Or, no, I know I didn't see her. 1445 01:00:24,041 --> 01:00:26,241 - But you cannot say that. - But I cannot say that. 1446 01:00:26,243 --> 01:00:27,709 - And this is not you getting back at your dad, 1447 01:00:27,711 --> 01:00:29,511 Who you're very sideways with, at this point. 1448 01:00:29,513 --> 01:00:31,146 - No, because it hurts my-- - he needs that story, 1449 01:00:31,148 --> 01:00:32,381 And you're not gonna give it to him. 1450 01:00:32,383 --> 01:00:34,182 - No, because it hurts my brothers, too, to-- 1451 01:00:34,184 --> 01:00:37,252 For me not to honestly say, "yes, I saw her," 1452 01:00:37,254 --> 01:00:39,988 But I'm gonna say what I can remember, 1453 01:00:39,990 --> 01:00:41,656 Which is nothing. 1454 01:00:41,658 --> 01:00:43,859 It's a black hole. 1455 01:00:43,861 --> 01:00:46,328 It's a traumatizing event, 1456 01:00:46,330 --> 01:00:48,897 And when kids go through traumatizing events, 1457 01:00:48,899 --> 01:00:51,032 They block things out, 1458 01:00:51,034 --> 01:00:53,468 And losing my mother was the worst day of my life. 1459 01:00:53,470 --> 01:00:55,270 - How are we to understand what's going on with-- 1460 01:00:55,272 --> 01:00:56,404 With lindsay, christine? 1461 01:00:56,406 --> 01:00:58,907 Because she has told the story that, 1462 01:00:58,909 --> 01:01:01,710 Yeah, she, like her brothers, remembers seeing her mom alive, 1463 01:01:01,712 --> 01:01:03,879 But then she backs away from it and says, 1464 01:01:03,881 --> 01:01:06,148 "I think-- I can't remember, really." 1465 01:01:06,150 --> 01:01:08,750 - I don't know what's in lindsay's head and in her heart. 1466 01:01:08,752 --> 01:01:10,485 One day, she was happy, 1467 01:01:10,487 --> 01:01:13,421 And then everything changed. 1468 01:01:13,423 --> 01:01:15,224 - The prosecution still had to explain 1469 01:01:15,226 --> 01:01:17,192 Why the two oldest boys were adamant 1470 01:01:17,194 --> 01:01:19,628 Their mom was alive that morning. 1471 01:01:19,630 --> 01:01:22,097 Parkinson told jurors there was a two day gap 1472 01:01:22,099 --> 01:01:23,632 Between cory's death 1473 01:01:23,634 --> 01:01:26,401 And the first police interviews with the kids, 1474 01:01:26,403 --> 01:01:28,637 Ample time, he suggested, for the boys to be 1475 01:01:28,639 --> 01:01:30,572 Influenced by their dad. 1476 01:01:30,574 --> 01:01:32,974 - I think the children were confused as to which day. 1477 01:01:32,976 --> 01:01:34,309 After all-- - how about coached? 1478 01:01:34,311 --> 01:01:35,777 Do you think that he told them a story? 1479 01:01:35,779 --> 01:01:37,612 - He had custody of the children 1480 01:01:37,614 --> 01:01:39,981 From the moment of her discovery 1481 01:01:39,983 --> 01:01:41,850 Until Thursday afternoon. 1482 01:01:41,852 --> 01:01:43,985 So, from Tuesday 'til Thursday afternoon, 1483 01:01:43,987 --> 01:01:46,188 I don't know what was said. 1484 01:01:46,190 --> 01:01:48,189 - Dr. Jane turner, the pathologist 1485 01:01:48,191 --> 01:01:50,592 Detective gibson hired to review the case, 1486 01:01:50,594 --> 01:01:52,427 Took the stand and said science 1487 01:01:52,429 --> 01:01:54,529 Is where the truth lies. 1488 01:01:54,531 --> 01:01:57,065 She concluded the most reasonable explanation 1489 01:01:57,067 --> 01:01:59,234 For cory's arms appearing to levitate 1490 01:01:59,236 --> 01:02:02,070 Is that cory was dead up to 12 hours 1491 01:02:02,072 --> 01:02:04,339 Before police arrived on the scene. 1492 01:02:04,341 --> 01:02:07,409 - I viewed this material and reviewed it 1493 01:02:07,411 --> 01:02:10,345 With the eye of a scientist 1494 01:02:10,347 --> 01:02:12,714 And-and what we know about the development 1495 01:02:12,716 --> 01:02:14,583 Of rigor mortis. 1496 01:02:14,585 --> 01:02:16,351 - What would a jury believe, 1497 01:02:16,353 --> 01:02:20,155 Science or the words from two of cory's own sons? 1498 01:02:20,157 --> 01:02:22,591 Cory's brother, a dentist, found himself 1499 01:02:22,593 --> 01:02:25,160 Struggling over the conflicting facts. 1500 01:02:25,162 --> 01:02:26,361 - Science is my living, you know? 1501 01:02:26,363 --> 01:02:27,629 [chuckles] 1502 01:02:27,631 --> 01:02:29,831 I have to believe in that, but I also have to, you know, 1503 01:02:29,833 --> 01:02:31,700 Believe in the family at the same time. 1504 01:02:31,702 --> 01:02:33,568 So, I'm completely torn. 1505 01:02:33,570 --> 01:02:34,970 - I've never seen a more difficult case, 1506 01:02:34,972 --> 01:02:36,237 More closely argued, 1507 01:02:36,239 --> 01:02:37,939 And there doesn't seem to be middle ground to-- 1508 01:02:37,941 --> 01:02:39,774 - There's-there's none. 1509 01:02:39,776 --> 01:02:42,577 - Parkinson urged the jury to focus on the science 1510 01:02:42,579 --> 01:02:44,879 And one image, cory in her bed, 1511 01:02:44,881 --> 01:02:47,049 Her body in rigor mortis. 1512 01:02:47,051 --> 01:02:50,719 He said it proved she died hours before curtis claimed. 1513 01:02:50,721 --> 01:02:52,387 It proved he was lying. 1514 01:02:52,389 --> 01:02:54,823 It proved, he argued, that curtis killed her. 1515 01:02:56,326 --> 01:02:58,260 - Coming up... 1516 01:02:58,262 --> 01:02:59,995 The defense gets its turn, 1517 01:02:59,997 --> 01:03:03,598 And christine is feeling optimistic until... 1518 01:03:03,600 --> 01:03:06,401 - They explained to her what was about to happen. 1519 01:03:06,403 --> 01:03:09,304 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1520 01:03:18,281 --> 01:03:19,547 - Welcome back. 1521 01:03:19,549 --> 01:03:21,549 Prosecutors in the curtis lovelace murder trial 1522 01:03:21,551 --> 01:03:23,752 Painted him as a callous husband 1523 01:03:23,754 --> 01:03:26,221 Who smothered his first wife, cory, 1524 01:03:26,223 --> 01:03:27,956 In a moment of rage. 1525 01:03:27,958 --> 01:03:30,692 Now, the defense was about to come out swinging 1526 01:03:30,694 --> 01:03:33,328 With startling allegations of their own, 1527 01:03:33,330 --> 01:03:37,366 But a stunning twist would take both sides by surprise 1528 01:03:37,368 --> 01:03:39,200 And leave curtis' family 1529 01:03:39,202 --> 01:03:41,369 With a difficult decision to make. 1530 01:03:41,371 --> 01:03:44,239 Here's dennis murphy with "mystery on the mississippi." 1531 01:03:45,976 --> 01:03:48,543 - The defense had a simple message for jurors. 1532 01:03:48,545 --> 01:03:50,945 Curtis should not be on trial. 1533 01:03:50,947 --> 01:03:52,781 That's because there was no crime, 1534 01:03:52,783 --> 01:03:54,916 And this was not a murder. 1535 01:03:54,918 --> 01:03:58,319 It said the state's case was built on faulty science. 1536 01:03:58,321 --> 01:04:00,922 - I've stated repeatedly in this matter 1537 01:04:00,924 --> 01:04:02,290 That there is no physical evidence 1538 01:04:02,292 --> 01:04:05,460 To prove that he murdered his wife. 1539 01:04:05,462 --> 01:04:07,662 - Veteran pathologist dr. George nichols 1540 01:04:07,664 --> 01:04:09,798 Created the office of medical examiner 1541 01:04:09,800 --> 01:04:12,934 For the state of kentucky back in the 1970s. 1542 01:04:12,936 --> 01:04:15,503 Now, as a defense expert, he told jurors 1543 01:04:15,505 --> 01:04:18,073 Rigor mortis is not an accurate indicator 1544 01:04:18,075 --> 01:04:19,641 Of time of death, 1545 01:04:19,643 --> 01:04:21,476 And, he added, where is the evidence 1546 01:04:21,478 --> 01:04:23,278 That cory fought for her life? 1547 01:04:23,280 --> 01:04:24,813 There were no signs of struggle 1548 01:04:24,815 --> 01:04:27,649 And only the cut and abrasion on her lip. 1549 01:04:27,651 --> 01:04:30,051 - You will fight until you no longer can. 1550 01:04:30,053 --> 01:04:32,487 The thought that somehow you could suffocate someone 1551 01:04:32,489 --> 01:04:33,922 With a pillow, 1552 01:04:33,924 --> 01:04:37,425 And there would be only one dental mark 1553 01:04:37,427 --> 01:04:39,360 Is ludicrous. 1554 01:04:39,362 --> 01:04:41,262 - Detective baird testified that when he 1555 01:04:41,264 --> 01:04:42,864 First arrived on the scene, 1556 01:04:42,866 --> 01:04:45,266 Cory's stomach area was still warm. 1557 01:04:45,268 --> 01:04:47,302 How is that possible, the defense asked, 1558 01:04:47,304 --> 01:04:50,338 If she had died up to 12 hours earlier? 1559 01:04:50,340 --> 01:04:52,841 So, if the body is warm to the touch, 1560 01:04:52,843 --> 01:04:55,110 My common sense tells me, not science, 1561 01:04:55,112 --> 01:04:57,645 That this is someone recently deceased. 1562 01:04:57,647 --> 01:04:59,814 - Absolutely. - Is there an error in that assumption? 1563 01:04:59,816 --> 01:05:01,516 - No. 1564 01:05:01,518 --> 01:05:03,452 - As far as the prosecution's contention 1565 01:05:03,454 --> 01:05:06,221 That curtis killed cory after a heated argument, 1566 01:05:06,223 --> 01:05:08,390 The couple's oldest son testified 1567 01:05:08,392 --> 01:05:11,326 He didn't hear anything like that the night before, 1568 01:05:11,328 --> 01:05:12,794 And he should know, 1569 01:05:12,796 --> 01:05:15,330 Because his room was right next to his parents. 1570 01:05:15,332 --> 01:05:17,466 It was even connected by an extra door 1571 01:05:17,468 --> 01:05:19,735 That was usually left slightly open. 1572 01:05:24,541 --> 01:05:26,808 The two older boys, unlike their sister, 1573 01:05:26,810 --> 01:05:29,177 Stuck to the story they told police. 1574 01:05:33,150 --> 01:05:34,682 If jurors believe them, 1575 01:05:34,684 --> 01:05:37,152 It blew apart the prosecution's timeline 1576 01:05:37,154 --> 01:05:39,587 That cory was murdered the night before. 1577 01:05:39,589 --> 01:05:43,091 - They said the same thing that they had told baird in 2006 1578 01:05:43,093 --> 01:05:46,161 And detective gibson in 2014. 1579 01:05:46,163 --> 01:05:49,030 - And the defense had its sights on detective gibson. 1580 01:05:49,032 --> 01:05:52,400 They claimed, in 2013, he was an overeager, 1581 01:05:52,402 --> 01:05:54,302 Newly promoted detective 1582 01:05:54,304 --> 01:05:57,305 Primarily assigned to work crimes against seniors. 1583 01:05:57,307 --> 01:06:00,041 This was his first murder case. 1584 01:06:00,043 --> 01:06:01,743 - He transferred from k-9 officer 1585 01:06:01,745 --> 01:06:04,145 To elder service officer, 1586 01:06:04,147 --> 01:06:08,316 And, around the same time, he went to a one-week course 1587 01:06:08,318 --> 01:06:12,320 On being a lead detective in a homicide case, 1588 01:06:12,322 --> 01:06:16,391 And, uh, he embarked on, uh, this investigation 1589 01:06:16,393 --> 01:06:18,793 That-that led to my indictment. 1590 01:06:18,795 --> 01:06:21,596 - Finally, the defense's medical expert concluded 1591 01:06:21,598 --> 01:06:23,998 There was only one plausible explanation 1592 01:06:24,000 --> 01:06:25,534 For cory's death. 1593 01:06:25,536 --> 01:06:28,436 She had a history of drinking and falling, 1594 01:06:28,438 --> 01:06:30,672 And that caused that abrasion and cut. 1595 01:06:30,674 --> 01:06:33,875 The bottom line, she was an alcoholic and bulimic 1596 01:06:33,877 --> 01:06:35,910 Suffering from a liver disease, 1597 01:06:35,912 --> 01:06:39,480 Someone who unfortunately died of natural causes. 1598 01:06:39,482 --> 01:06:42,150 - She's not a normal 38-year-old woman. 1599 01:06:42,152 --> 01:06:45,420 She has a significant disease of a major organ 1600 01:06:45,422 --> 01:06:47,956 That is associated with sudden death 1601 01:06:47,958 --> 01:06:50,225 And with liver failure. 1602 01:06:50,227 --> 01:06:53,361 - In the end, curtis decided not to take the stand. 1603 01:06:53,363 --> 01:06:54,629 Ten women and two men 1604 01:06:54,631 --> 01:06:56,731 Would decide lovelace's fate. 1605 01:06:58,435 --> 01:07:00,735 The deliberations went on for two full days. 1606 01:07:02,105 --> 01:07:03,438 Then christine got the call 1607 01:07:03,440 --> 01:07:05,540 To come back to the courthouse. 1608 01:07:05,542 --> 01:07:07,642 - I knew in my heart he was coming home. 1609 01:07:07,644 --> 01:07:09,177 - That was it. You were gonna prevail. 1610 01:07:09,179 --> 01:07:11,112 - He's-he's coming home. Yes. 1611 01:07:11,114 --> 01:07:13,047 - But once she arrived, bailiffs led her 1612 01:07:13,049 --> 01:07:15,149 To a small law library. 1613 01:07:15,151 --> 01:07:19,454 - Christine came in, and, uh, they explained to her 1614 01:07:19,456 --> 01:07:21,589 For the first time what was about to happen, 1615 01:07:21,591 --> 01:07:23,458 That the judge would declare a mistrial. 1616 01:07:23,460 --> 01:07:26,127 - Curt was sitting across. 1617 01:07:26,129 --> 01:07:30,098 He said, um, 1618 01:07:30,100 --> 01:07:33,167 "I'm not gonna be able to come home tonight," 1619 01:07:33,169 --> 01:07:35,437 And, um... 1620 01:07:44,147 --> 01:07:47,582 And, um, I lost all my air. 1621 01:07:47,584 --> 01:07:49,284 It was terrible. 1622 01:07:49,286 --> 01:07:51,353 - The jury was hopelessly deadlocked. 1623 01:07:51,355 --> 01:07:54,289 The vote? Six guilty, six not. 1624 01:07:54,291 --> 01:07:56,691 Curtis would face another trial. 1625 01:07:56,693 --> 01:07:58,159 Since he couldn't make bail, 1626 01:07:58,161 --> 01:08:00,962 He'd remain in jail unless... 1627 01:08:00,964 --> 01:08:02,697 A deal? A plea deal? 1628 01:08:02,699 --> 01:08:04,165 - They-they had-- they had offered, 1629 01:08:04,167 --> 01:08:08,136 Uh, a-a second degree, uh, murder plea, 1630 01:08:08,138 --> 01:08:10,171 But I knew it was a decision 1631 01:08:10,173 --> 01:08:13,107 Not only that I had to make, but we had to make as a family, 1632 01:08:13,109 --> 01:08:16,110 And I didn't know, 1633 01:08:16,112 --> 01:08:20,648 Um, whether I could put them through, 1634 01:08:20,650 --> 01:08:24,386 Um, another year of what we had already gone through. 1635 01:08:25,889 --> 01:08:27,255 - That's when one of curtis' lawyers 1636 01:08:27,257 --> 01:08:28,990 Turned to christine. 1637 01:08:28,992 --> 01:08:33,328 - And he said that this can all end right now 1638 01:08:33,330 --> 01:08:36,264 If curt agrees to take this deal. 1639 01:08:36,266 --> 01:08:39,467 He said it would keep him from dying in prison. 1640 01:08:39,469 --> 01:08:41,102 - But he'd have to admit his culpability, 1641 01:08:41,104 --> 01:08:42,470 Responsibility in cory's death. 1642 01:08:42,472 --> 01:08:43,604 That's the condition, right? 1643 01:08:43,606 --> 01:08:44,739 - Correct, 1644 01:08:44,741 --> 01:08:46,608 And that he wouldn't have to spend 1645 01:08:46,610 --> 01:08:49,644 Probably any more than 13 years in prison. 1646 01:08:49,646 --> 01:08:51,879 - The two said, "no, thanks," to the state's offer 1647 01:08:51,881 --> 01:08:54,349 And geared up for a second trial, 1648 01:08:54,351 --> 01:08:57,485 But that forced them to face another dire reality. 1649 01:08:57,487 --> 01:09:01,556 They were totally broke, unable to afford another lawyer. 1650 01:09:01,558 --> 01:09:03,491 - What are we going to do? 1651 01:09:03,493 --> 01:09:05,694 Um, I mean, at that point, it-- 1652 01:09:05,696 --> 01:09:07,628 There didn't appear to be any option. 1653 01:09:07,630 --> 01:09:09,230 - This could be a moment for christine 1654 01:09:09,232 --> 01:09:11,166 To say, "I'm outta here. 1655 01:09:11,168 --> 01:09:13,168 "I didn't sign on to be some tammy wynette 1656 01:09:13,170 --> 01:09:14,769 "for this guy, standin' by her man. 1657 01:09:14,771 --> 01:09:15,970 "I'm gone." 1658 01:09:15,972 --> 01:09:18,439 - Yeah, and-and-and who-who could-- 1659 01:09:18,441 --> 01:09:19,640 Who could blame her, 1660 01:09:19,642 --> 01:09:22,377 Uh, if-if she would have done that? 1661 01:09:22,379 --> 01:09:25,713 Um, but that's not-not who she is. 1662 01:09:25,715 --> 01:09:27,048 - It looked as though curtis would have 1663 01:09:27,050 --> 01:09:28,983 To use a public defender, 1664 01:09:28,985 --> 01:09:31,452 But christine wouldn't accept that option. 1665 01:09:31,454 --> 01:09:32,787 She worked her connections 1666 01:09:32,789 --> 01:09:35,457 And eventually ended up here in chicago. 1667 01:09:35,459 --> 01:09:37,325 - She came to our office and, uh, 1668 01:09:37,327 --> 01:09:38,359 Told us her story, 1669 01:09:38,361 --> 01:09:41,562 And, uh, I remember finding it compelling 1670 01:09:41,564 --> 01:09:43,731 And certainly worth exploring further. 1671 01:09:43,733 --> 01:09:46,267 - Jon loevy is not a criminal lawyer. 1672 01:09:46,269 --> 01:09:48,469 He's a civil rights attorney by practice 1673 01:09:48,471 --> 01:09:52,607 Who also does pro bono work with the exoneration project. 1674 01:09:52,609 --> 01:09:55,610 Its aim? Overturn wrongful convictions, 1675 01:09:55,612 --> 01:09:57,545 But curtis hadn't been convicted, 1676 01:09:57,547 --> 01:09:59,080 At least not yet. 1677 01:09:59,082 --> 01:10:01,549 Still, loevy and co-counsel tara thompson 1678 01:10:01,551 --> 01:10:03,684 Decided to take the case. 1679 01:10:03,686 --> 01:10:05,486 Their services would be free. 1680 01:10:05,488 --> 01:10:08,156 - The main concern that I had in this case from the outset 1681 01:10:08,158 --> 01:10:10,291 Was really the lack of evidence. 1682 01:10:10,293 --> 01:10:12,693 This didn't feel like a murder case 1683 01:10:12,695 --> 01:10:14,796 From the beginning. 1684 01:10:14,798 --> 01:10:16,697 - With a new defense team in place, 1685 01:10:16,699 --> 01:10:19,100 Christine got working on her next goal, 1686 01:10:19,102 --> 01:10:22,003 Making bail to get her husband out of jail. 1687 01:10:22,005 --> 01:10:24,472 Friends eventually put up the cash. 1688 01:10:25,909 --> 01:10:28,242 Almost two years after his arrest, 1689 01:10:28,244 --> 01:10:31,179 Curtis was released to his wife and sons. 1690 01:10:32,682 --> 01:10:34,716 - They greeted me at, uh, hancock county jail, 1691 01:10:34,718 --> 01:10:38,052 And I-I came home, um, 1692 01:10:38,054 --> 01:10:40,188 To a-a dog that I had never met. 1693 01:10:40,190 --> 01:10:42,590 [chuckles] and, uh, um, 1694 01:10:42,592 --> 01:10:46,461 And for the first time, got to be 1695 01:10:46,463 --> 01:10:49,897 Back in my house and-and back in my home. 1696 01:10:49,899 --> 01:10:52,800 - But it wouldn't be home sweet home for long. 1697 01:10:52,802 --> 01:10:55,270 While curtis and mrs. Lovelace number three 1698 01:10:55,272 --> 01:10:57,505 Waited for the next trial in the alleged murder 1699 01:10:57,507 --> 01:10:59,540 Of mrs. Lovelace number one, 1700 01:10:59,542 --> 01:11:02,343 The judge ruled mrs. Lovelace number two 1701 01:11:02,345 --> 01:11:05,346 Could testify against her former husband. 1702 01:11:05,348 --> 01:11:07,482 And what a story she had to tell. 1703 01:11:08,485 --> 01:11:09,917 - Coming up... 1704 01:11:09,919 --> 01:11:13,221 Erika out of disguise and on the stand. 1705 01:11:13,223 --> 01:11:15,089 - He ripped my shirt, 1706 01:11:15,091 --> 01:11:19,660 And then he let me go, and he tried to grab me, again, 1707 01:11:19,662 --> 01:11:22,296 And then I kept on trying to fight him off. 1708 01:11:22,298 --> 01:11:24,966 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1709 01:11:35,978 --> 01:11:38,179 - Curtis lovelace was a local celebrity, 1710 01:11:38,181 --> 01:11:39,447 Or at least so infamous, 1711 01:11:39,449 --> 01:11:41,282 According to his new defense team, 1712 01:11:41,284 --> 01:11:44,385 That he couldn't get a fair trial in his hometown. 1713 01:11:44,387 --> 01:11:46,221 A judge agreed. 1714 01:11:47,190 --> 01:11:49,057 So, trial number two was moved from quincy 1715 01:11:49,059 --> 01:11:50,792 To springfield, illinois. 1716 01:11:50,794 --> 01:11:52,961 - All rise. - About two hours away. 1717 01:12:02,605 --> 01:12:04,805 David robinson would join ed parkinson 1718 01:12:04,807 --> 01:12:06,607 For the prosecution. 1719 01:12:06,609 --> 01:12:09,076 This time, cameras were allowed in the courtroom 1720 01:12:09,078 --> 01:12:12,146 When the trial started in March 2017. 1721 01:12:12,148 --> 01:12:14,949 - Our houses were 15 feet apart from each other. 1722 01:12:14,951 --> 01:12:16,884 So, um, yeah, I feel like-- - as in the first trial, 1723 01:12:16,886 --> 01:12:18,886 Neighbors testified they often heard arguing 1724 01:12:18,888 --> 01:12:20,655 From the lovelace home. 1725 01:12:20,657 --> 01:12:22,157 This woman lived next door 1726 01:12:22,159 --> 01:12:25,159 And says she heard shouting almost every day. 1727 01:12:25,161 --> 01:12:29,097 - Essentially, for the entire time that we lived there, 1728 01:12:29,099 --> 01:12:32,700 So... Six years. 1729 01:12:32,702 --> 01:12:36,304 - As I walked by the house, I-I heard an argument, 1730 01:12:36,306 --> 01:12:38,005 A loud argument. 1731 01:12:38,007 --> 01:12:40,575 - Another neighbor testified she heard cory and curtis 1732 01:12:40,577 --> 01:12:43,477 Really going at it and on a specific date, 1733 01:12:43,479 --> 01:12:47,081 The night before valentine's day 2006. 1734 01:12:47,083 --> 01:12:49,217 She happened to be out for a stroll. 1735 01:12:49,219 --> 01:12:51,485 - It actually-- it did cause me to pause. 1736 01:12:51,487 --> 01:12:55,723 I guess I was listening to see if somebody was in distress. 1737 01:12:55,725 --> 01:12:57,858 - The prosecution's theory this go around 1738 01:12:57,860 --> 01:13:00,461 On how cory died remained the same. 1739 01:13:00,463 --> 01:13:01,796 After a heated argument 1740 01:13:01,798 --> 01:13:03,898 The night before valentine's day, 1741 01:13:03,900 --> 01:13:06,000 Curtis suffocated his wife with a pillow 1742 01:13:06,002 --> 01:13:07,669 In a fit of rage. 1743 01:13:07,671 --> 01:13:11,105 He then waited up to 12 hours before police were called. 1744 01:13:11,107 --> 01:13:12,607 - Come over here and have a seat, please. 1745 01:13:12,609 --> 01:13:15,009 - And once again, science would play a leading role 1746 01:13:15,011 --> 01:13:16,944 In the prosecution's case, 1747 01:13:16,946 --> 01:13:19,213 But prosecutors had a new witness, 1748 01:13:19,215 --> 01:13:21,149 A star forensic expert. 1749 01:13:21,151 --> 01:13:24,118 - I have also testified before the house of representatives. 1750 01:13:25,288 --> 01:13:28,089 In a 64-year career, dr. Werner spitz 1751 01:13:28,091 --> 01:13:29,924 Has consulted on the jfk 1752 01:13:29,926 --> 01:13:32,426 And martin luther king assassinations, 1753 01:13:32,428 --> 01:13:35,029 As well as in other high profile cases 1754 01:13:35,031 --> 01:13:37,865 Including those of phil spector and casey anthony. 1755 01:13:45,308 --> 01:13:46,774 - In a darkened courtroom, 1756 01:13:46,776 --> 01:13:48,442 Spitz showed photos and talked about 1757 01:13:48,444 --> 01:13:50,912 That cut inside cory's mouth. 1758 01:13:50,914 --> 01:13:53,014 Curtis had told police his wife had fallen 1759 01:13:53,016 --> 01:13:54,749 In the days before she died, 1760 01:13:54,751 --> 01:13:57,051 His explanation for that injury. 1761 01:13:57,053 --> 01:13:58,252 But this expert said 1762 01:13:58,254 --> 01:14:00,388 He saw no signs the cut was an old one. 1763 01:14:09,565 --> 01:14:11,565 - The abrasion on the outside of the lip 1764 01:14:11,567 --> 01:14:12,900 And the cut inside 1765 01:14:12,902 --> 01:14:15,936 Indicted to spitz that an object, like a pillow, 1766 01:14:15,938 --> 01:14:17,872 Had been placed on cory's face 1767 01:14:17,874 --> 01:14:20,074 Shortly before she died. 1768 01:14:20,076 --> 01:14:22,076 - This is not an accident. 1769 01:14:22,078 --> 01:14:24,278 This is not a natural death. 1770 01:14:24,280 --> 01:14:27,581 This is not a, uh, um, 1771 01:14:27,583 --> 01:14:30,818 A suicide. This is a homicide. 1772 01:14:30,820 --> 01:14:32,020 - Then came testimony 1773 01:14:32,022 --> 01:14:33,888 The first jury never got to hear, 1774 01:14:33,890 --> 01:14:36,023 And it was explosive. 1775 01:14:36,025 --> 01:14:38,559 For this trial, the judge allowed erika gomez, 1776 01:14:38,561 --> 01:14:40,961 Wife number two, to testify. 1777 01:14:40,963 --> 01:14:42,563 Remember, when we interviewed her, 1778 01:14:42,565 --> 01:14:44,699 She wanted to protect her identity, 1779 01:14:44,701 --> 01:14:46,167 But now on the witness stand, 1780 01:14:46,169 --> 01:14:49,070 She could no longer be shielded by a disguise. 1781 01:14:49,072 --> 01:14:51,038 - He violently attacked me. 1782 01:14:51,040 --> 01:14:52,940 - Prosecutors called the ex-wife to the stand 1783 01:14:52,942 --> 01:14:56,177 To try to show that curtis had a history of violence. 1784 01:14:56,179 --> 01:14:58,112 She recounted one incident, she says, 1785 01:14:58,114 --> 01:15:00,314 That happened at home during their marriage. 1786 01:15:00,316 --> 01:15:01,916 - That morning, he had started probably drinking 1787 01:15:01,918 --> 01:15:03,718 Around 9 a.M., 1788 01:15:03,720 --> 01:15:07,321 And we had been arguing about kids, 1789 01:15:07,323 --> 01:15:09,990 And he came rushing at me 1790 01:15:09,992 --> 01:15:13,795 And tried to grab me and tried to hurt me 1791 01:15:13,797 --> 01:15:15,363 And grabbed my shirt, 1792 01:15:15,365 --> 01:15:17,598 And he yanked it up really hard, 1793 01:15:17,600 --> 01:15:19,900 Hard enough to injure my knee. 1794 01:15:19,902 --> 01:15:21,736 He ripped my shirt, 1795 01:15:21,738 --> 01:15:26,273 And then he let me go, and he tried to grab me again, 1796 01:15:26,275 --> 01:15:29,010 And I kept on trying to fight him off. 1797 01:15:29,012 --> 01:15:32,213 - Then erika told the jury another shocking story. 1798 01:15:32,215 --> 01:15:34,715 She said curtis had been drinking at a party, 1799 01:15:34,717 --> 01:15:35,950 And later that night, 1800 01:15:35,952 --> 01:15:38,853 He blurted out something she found disturbing. 1801 01:15:38,855 --> 01:15:40,888 - He's rarely honest except for 1802 01:15:40,890 --> 01:15:42,757 When he's been drinking, 1803 01:15:42,759 --> 01:15:44,092 And he was talk-- 1804 01:15:44,094 --> 01:15:45,827 He was upset about something, 1805 01:15:45,829 --> 01:15:49,831 And I asked him what he was upset about, 1806 01:15:49,833 --> 01:15:52,166 And he stated something about, 1807 01:15:52,168 --> 01:15:54,502 "she was writhing underneath me," 1808 01:15:54,504 --> 01:15:57,638 And then he said, "oh, the black cat." 1809 01:15:57,640 --> 01:15:59,707 - As strange as that story sounded, 1810 01:15:59,709 --> 01:16:01,976 The prosecutor took it to mean this. 1811 01:16:01,978 --> 01:16:04,112 Curtis wasn't talking about a cat 1812 01:16:04,114 --> 01:16:06,514 But about cory's last minutes of life 1813 01:16:06,516 --> 01:16:09,517 As she struggled while curtis smothered her. 1814 01:16:09,519 --> 01:16:10,785 Erika had a story to tell. 1815 01:16:10,787 --> 01:16:12,186 There was one particular quote that came out, 1816 01:16:12,188 --> 01:16:15,122 "and he says, 'I could hear her writhing beneath me.'" 1817 01:16:15,124 --> 01:16:17,124 - Yes. That was evidence. 1818 01:16:17,126 --> 01:16:18,259 She gave-- - and it sounds as though 1819 01:16:18,261 --> 01:16:19,827 He's talking about killing his wife, at that moment. 1820 01:16:19,829 --> 01:16:21,462 - That's right. We thought it sounded like, 1821 01:16:21,464 --> 01:16:23,197 And she testified to that under oath 1822 01:16:23,199 --> 01:16:24,265 On the stand. 1823 01:16:24,267 --> 01:16:26,500 "I could feel her writhing beneath me," 1824 01:16:26,502 --> 01:16:30,504 And that's pretty much what would have happened 1825 01:16:30,506 --> 01:16:32,774 If suffocation was occurring. 1826 01:16:34,411 --> 01:16:37,011 - The prosecution believed its evidence against curtis 1827 01:16:37,013 --> 01:16:38,813 Was overwhelming. 1828 01:16:38,815 --> 01:16:40,681 "not so fast," said the defense. 1829 01:16:40,683 --> 01:16:43,618 That's because it had some things up its sleeve, 1830 01:16:43,620 --> 01:16:45,953 A new piece of last minute evidence 1831 01:16:45,955 --> 01:16:48,489 And what an interesting nugget they had found. 1832 01:16:50,293 --> 01:16:51,759 - Coming up... 1833 01:16:51,761 --> 01:16:53,861 Bombshell testimony. 1834 01:17:00,570 --> 01:17:02,303 - I did not. 1835 01:17:02,305 --> 01:17:05,139 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1836 01:17:14,316 --> 01:17:15,983 - Uh, we told the judge we weren't gonna talk. 1837 01:17:15,985 --> 01:17:17,751 - Curtis lovelace was putting his life 1838 01:17:17,753 --> 01:17:19,854 In the hands of jon loevy. 1839 01:17:19,856 --> 01:17:22,556 His new attorney who took on the defense for free 1840 01:17:22,558 --> 01:17:24,859 Had more than 20 years of experience, 1841 01:17:24,861 --> 01:17:26,827 Just not in criminal law. 1842 01:17:26,829 --> 01:17:28,195 Was this your first murder trial? 1843 01:17:28,197 --> 01:17:29,130 - It was. 1844 01:17:29,132 --> 01:17:30,731 I did a battery criminal defense case 1845 01:17:30,733 --> 01:17:31,799 Right out of law school, 1846 01:17:31,801 --> 01:17:32,833 But, other than that, this is basically 1847 01:17:32,835 --> 01:17:35,136 My first criminal defense case. 1848 01:17:35,138 --> 01:17:37,471 - Curtis was taking a huge gamble. 1849 01:17:37,473 --> 01:17:39,607 On the other hand, since he was broke, 1850 01:17:39,609 --> 01:17:40,942 He didn't have a lot of options. 1851 01:17:44,881 --> 01:17:46,214 In his opening remarks, 1852 01:17:46,216 --> 01:17:47,948 Loevy said the state hadn't presented 1853 01:17:47,950 --> 01:17:50,317 Any evidence of murder for a reason. 1854 01:17:50,319 --> 01:17:51,319 There was no murder. 1855 01:18:00,696 --> 01:18:03,264 One of the defense's key goals was to debunk 1856 01:18:03,266 --> 01:18:06,333 The damaging testimony of curtis' ex, erika, 1857 01:18:06,335 --> 01:18:07,935 That he had violently attacked her 1858 01:18:07,937 --> 01:18:09,503 And ripped her shirt. 1859 01:18:09,505 --> 01:18:12,606 - Once we'd finished talkin', and, uh, I had taken my notes-- 1860 01:18:12,608 --> 01:18:14,375 - And one of the first defense witnesses 1861 01:18:14,377 --> 01:18:15,709 Was major larry fuller 1862 01:18:15,711 --> 01:18:17,711 With the illinois national guard. 1863 01:18:17,713 --> 01:18:19,513 - I asked her if she wanted to make a sworn statement, 1864 01:18:19,515 --> 01:18:21,716 A formal sworn statement, which is in writing. 1865 01:18:21,718 --> 01:18:23,317 She said, yes, she would. 1866 01:18:23,319 --> 01:18:25,553 - Erika had filed a domestic violence charge 1867 01:18:25,555 --> 01:18:29,056 With the guard since curtis, at the time, was still active. 1868 01:18:29,058 --> 01:18:31,792 The major was appointed to look into the charges. 1869 01:18:31,794 --> 01:18:34,128 He testified as to what erika told him. 1870 01:18:34,130 --> 01:18:35,462 - She started backing up. 1871 01:18:35,464 --> 01:18:37,598 While backing up, she fell. 1872 01:18:37,600 --> 01:18:39,133 Then he went down to pick her up, 1873 01:18:39,135 --> 01:18:41,001 And when he did, she said that he accidentally struck her 1874 01:18:41,003 --> 01:18:42,336 In the chin as he was reaching for her shoulder. 1875 01:18:46,342 --> 01:18:47,541 That was her words. 1876 01:18:47,543 --> 01:18:50,778 - Erika, at first, reported curtis accidentally hit her. 1877 01:18:50,780 --> 01:18:53,213 The major added she initially didn't mention anything 1878 01:18:53,215 --> 01:18:55,149 About curtis ripping her shirt. 1879 01:18:55,151 --> 01:18:57,217 After conducting an investigation, 1880 01:18:57,219 --> 01:18:59,754 He concluded her charges were unfounded. 1881 01:18:59,756 --> 01:19:01,488 - There was nothin' there to actually lead to 1882 01:19:01,490 --> 01:19:03,324 A domestic violence finding. 1883 01:19:03,326 --> 01:19:04,925 - Armed with that information, 1884 01:19:04,927 --> 01:19:07,728 The defense confronted erika in cross-examination 1885 01:19:07,730 --> 01:19:09,163 With her own statement, 1886 01:19:09,165 --> 01:19:11,766 But erika said the document used in court was a fake. 1887 01:19:11,768 --> 01:19:13,100 - That's not right. Someone made that up. 1888 01:19:13,102 --> 01:19:14,635 Someone put those words in there. 1889 01:19:14,637 --> 01:19:17,238 My signature should be there. My signature is not there. 1890 01:19:17,240 --> 01:19:18,973 This is typed. This isn't written. 1891 01:19:18,975 --> 01:19:21,175 Anybody can redo this. 1892 01:19:21,177 --> 01:19:23,577 - Then the defense did something unusual. 1893 01:19:23,579 --> 01:19:25,713 It asked erika about other accusations 1894 01:19:25,715 --> 01:19:27,648 She's made against curtis, 1895 01:19:27,650 --> 01:19:30,117 And she had a laundry list of complaints. 1896 01:19:30,119 --> 01:19:32,419 - He knows how to forge paperwork. 1897 01:19:32,421 --> 01:19:34,688 He used my social security number 1898 01:19:34,690 --> 01:19:37,057 To try and steal money out of my account. 1899 01:19:37,059 --> 01:19:38,993 He knows how get rid of evidence. 1900 01:19:38,995 --> 01:19:42,062 He stole my daughter's bicycle out of the garage. 1901 01:19:42,064 --> 01:19:44,198 - At one point, an overwhelmed erika 1902 01:19:44,200 --> 01:19:46,667 Asked for a time out. 1903 01:19:46,669 --> 01:19:48,936 - Can I get a break, please? 1904 01:19:48,938 --> 01:19:50,471 - But erika wasn't folding. 1905 01:19:50,473 --> 01:19:52,873 She blurted out another allegation in court 1906 01:19:52,875 --> 01:19:54,408 Against her ex. 1907 01:19:54,410 --> 01:19:56,344 - He was poisoning me. 1908 01:19:56,346 --> 01:19:58,979 There was-- my hair was falling out. 1909 01:19:58,981 --> 01:20:01,548 There were white lines on my fingers. 1910 01:20:01,550 --> 01:20:03,550 I was extremely sick. 1911 01:20:03,552 --> 01:20:06,087 - Erika claimed curtis had tried to poison her 1912 01:20:06,089 --> 01:20:07,288 And her daughter. 1913 01:20:07,290 --> 01:20:09,023 She told police he likely put something 1914 01:20:09,025 --> 01:20:10,724 In their orange juice, 1915 01:20:10,726 --> 01:20:11,892 But according to the defense, 1916 01:20:11,894 --> 01:20:13,927 There was a problem with that charge. 1917 01:20:13,929 --> 01:20:16,197 Erika had never sought medical care. 1918 01:20:21,671 --> 01:20:23,370 - It wouldn't have mattered. 1919 01:20:23,372 --> 01:20:24,338 - When erika left the stand, 1920 01:20:24,340 --> 01:20:26,240 What do you think the jury made of her? 1921 01:20:26,242 --> 01:20:28,308 - I think they were shocked that the state called her. 1922 01:20:28,310 --> 01:20:30,344 You know, the state thought that they could score a point, 1923 01:20:30,346 --> 01:20:32,780 But when she was subjected to cross-examination, 1924 01:20:32,782 --> 01:20:34,782 She wasn't a credible person. 1925 01:20:34,784 --> 01:20:36,651 - There was one other theme loevy wanted 1926 01:20:36,653 --> 01:20:38,318 To drill into this jury, 1927 01:20:38,320 --> 01:20:40,888 And it concerned the lead detective. 1928 01:20:40,890 --> 01:20:44,191 Adam gibson, he argued, had gone pathologist shopping. 1929 01:20:44,193 --> 01:20:46,661 That is, he consulted a series of pathologists 1930 01:20:46,663 --> 01:20:48,896 Before finding one to give him the answer 1931 01:20:48,898 --> 01:20:50,264 He was looking for, 1932 01:20:50,266 --> 01:20:53,534 That, yes, cory's death was, in fact, a murder. 1933 01:20:53,536 --> 01:20:55,836 - If my opinion is not what he wants, 1934 01:20:55,838 --> 01:20:58,272 He's going to be going looking for somebody else. 1935 01:20:58,274 --> 01:21:00,641 - Dr. Shaku teas was one of the pathologists 1936 01:21:00,643 --> 01:21:02,109 Gibson approached. 1937 01:21:02,111 --> 01:21:04,378 Her opinion? Detective gibson wanted her 1938 01:21:04,380 --> 01:21:06,080 To call this a homicide 1939 01:21:06,082 --> 01:21:08,082 When that was not her conclusion. 1940 01:21:08,084 --> 01:21:10,017 - He had a theory, and he was looking 1941 01:21:10,019 --> 01:21:12,286 Somehow to substantiate that theory. 1942 01:21:12,288 --> 01:21:14,555 - The original pathologist, the original coroner 1943 01:21:14,557 --> 01:21:16,023 Said that there was insufficient evidence 1944 01:21:16,025 --> 01:21:17,358 To find a homicide. 1945 01:21:17,360 --> 01:21:19,093 He got other opinions from other pathologists 1946 01:21:19,095 --> 01:21:21,562 Who also told him, "there's nothing unusual here. 1947 01:21:21,564 --> 01:21:23,364 You're barkin' up the wrong tree." 1948 01:21:23,366 --> 01:21:25,633 - Then came even more damaging accusations 1949 01:21:25,635 --> 01:21:27,568 Against detective gibson. 1950 01:21:27,570 --> 01:21:30,037 The defense said it obtained, at the last minute, 1951 01:21:30,039 --> 01:21:32,306 Important emails and other documents 1952 01:21:32,308 --> 01:21:34,675 It was supposed to have received from the police 1953 01:21:34,677 --> 01:21:36,176 But never did, 1954 01:21:36,178 --> 01:21:37,978 Potentially exculpatory evidence. 1955 01:21:40,950 --> 01:21:42,983 - It was not something that I thought of, no. 1956 01:21:42,985 --> 01:21:45,486 - One email was from a medical expert. 1957 01:21:45,488 --> 01:21:48,455 He warned detective gibson that if the first pathologist 1958 01:21:48,457 --> 01:21:50,724 Left the cause of death as undetermined, 1959 01:21:50,726 --> 01:21:53,127 That opinion would trump anyone else's, 1960 01:21:53,129 --> 01:21:54,428 And he implied that would give 1961 01:21:54,430 --> 01:21:56,664 Plenty of reasonable doubt to a jury. 1962 01:21:59,101 --> 01:22:00,835 - I believe so. It should, yes. 1963 01:22:02,872 --> 01:22:04,671 I did not. 1964 01:22:04,673 --> 01:22:07,541 - The prosecution's case appeared to be teetering. 1965 01:22:07,543 --> 01:22:09,410 Then came another blow. 1966 01:22:09,412 --> 01:22:11,011 - Hello, mr. Ballard. 1967 01:22:11,013 --> 01:22:14,749 - William ballard was one of the first emts on the scene. 1968 01:22:14,751 --> 01:22:17,685 When he arrived, he wanted to place ekg stickers 1969 01:22:17,687 --> 01:22:20,454 On cory's body to check for a heartbeat, 1970 01:22:20,456 --> 01:22:22,422 So he moved her arms. 1971 01:22:22,424 --> 01:22:24,358 - Her arms were down against her chest. 1972 01:22:24,360 --> 01:22:27,661 I had to pull them up to, uh, check for a pulse, 1973 01:22:27,663 --> 01:22:31,165 Check for, uh, any rigor mortis, 1974 01:22:31,167 --> 01:22:33,967 And to also move her arms up to where I could place 1975 01:22:33,969 --> 01:22:36,237 My stickers where I'm supposed to place them. 1976 01:22:36,239 --> 01:22:40,174 - He moved cory's arms before the police photos were taken. 1977 01:22:40,176 --> 01:22:43,177 That means her arms were not in the same position 1978 01:22:43,179 --> 01:22:44,912 As seen in the photographs, 1979 01:22:44,914 --> 01:22:48,448 The ones that started this entire second investigation. 1980 01:22:48,450 --> 01:22:49,884 The defense seized on that fact. 1981 01:22:57,193 --> 01:22:58,925 - I did not. 1982 01:23:01,931 --> 01:23:04,732 That the arms have been moved prior to the pictures, yes. 1983 01:23:10,806 --> 01:23:12,372 There-- yes. 1984 01:23:12,374 --> 01:23:13,941 - Mr. Lovelace, come up and be sworn. 1985 01:23:13,943 --> 01:23:16,277 - A final surprise, for the first time, 1986 01:23:16,279 --> 01:23:19,213 The defendant, curtis lovelace, took the stand. 1987 01:23:19,215 --> 01:23:21,882 He insisted he wasn't a violent man. 1988 01:23:21,884 --> 01:23:23,851 He never harmed his second wife, erika, 1989 01:23:23,853 --> 01:23:25,953 And certainly did not kill cory. 1990 01:23:25,955 --> 01:23:28,889 - I did love cory, and, uh, 1991 01:23:28,891 --> 01:23:30,157 And I know the kids loved her, 1992 01:23:30,159 --> 01:23:32,893 And-and, uh, it's been difficult. 1993 01:23:32,895 --> 01:23:34,695 - The defense wrapped up its questioning 1994 01:23:34,697 --> 01:23:36,129 With an emotional curtis 1995 01:23:36,131 --> 01:23:38,265 Telling jurors of the enormous toll 1996 01:23:38,267 --> 01:23:40,534 The two trials had taken on him and his family. 1997 01:23:54,950 --> 01:23:57,785 - It's been two and a half years. 1998 01:23:57,787 --> 01:24:00,020 - Whenever you're ready. - On cross-examination, 1999 01:24:00,022 --> 01:24:03,390 The prosecution pointed out that a whole bunch of witnesses 2000 01:24:03,392 --> 01:24:04,859 And facts in this trial 2001 01:24:04,861 --> 01:24:07,328 Would have to be wrong for curtis to be innocent. 2002 01:24:20,142 --> 01:24:22,877 - It's up to them to decide who is lying. 2003 01:24:24,313 --> 01:24:26,213 - After seven days of testimony, 2004 01:24:26,215 --> 01:24:29,283 Curtis lovelace's trial had come to an end. 2005 01:24:29,285 --> 01:24:31,785 The jury began deliberations. 2006 01:24:31,787 --> 01:24:35,155 Remember, the first panel was deadlocked six to six. 2007 01:24:35,157 --> 01:24:36,089 - Let me ask you this. 2008 01:24:36,091 --> 01:24:37,658 Have you reached a unanimous verdict? 2009 01:24:37,660 --> 01:24:38,859 - But this go around, 2010 01:24:38,861 --> 01:24:40,727 The jury was out about two hours 2011 01:24:40,729 --> 01:24:43,931 Before it came back with a decision. 2012 01:24:43,933 --> 01:24:45,532 - We, the jury, find the defendant, 2013 01:24:45,534 --> 01:24:47,801 Curtis t. Lovelace, not guilty. 2014 01:24:47,803 --> 01:24:49,636 [cheering] - yay! 2015 01:24:49,638 --> 01:24:51,104 - Signed by the foreperson. 2016 01:24:51,106 --> 01:24:53,240 - Eleven years after cory's death, 2017 01:24:53,242 --> 01:24:55,575 Two and a half years after curtis' arrest, 2018 01:24:55,577 --> 01:24:58,212 And two jury trials later, not guilty. 2019 01:25:02,318 --> 01:25:04,184 Two-hour verdict, murder trial, 2020 01:25:04,186 --> 01:25:05,452 I mean, what does that tell ya? 2021 01:25:05,454 --> 01:25:07,187 - That tells me that, uh, that they were 2022 01:25:07,189 --> 01:25:09,323 Absolutely convinced curt was innocent. 2023 01:25:09,325 --> 01:25:12,092 - That's not how prosecutor ed parkinson sees it. 2024 01:25:12,094 --> 01:25:13,160 So, does the system work, 2025 01:25:13,162 --> 01:25:14,528 Or has a guy gotten away with murder here? 2026 01:25:14,530 --> 01:25:15,729 - Sometimes it works. 2027 01:25:15,731 --> 01:25:17,864 I think my partner in the prosecution said, 2028 01:25:17,866 --> 01:25:19,867 "you're lookin' at a guy who you think 2029 01:25:19,869 --> 01:25:21,535 "might have got away with murder." 2030 01:25:21,537 --> 01:25:23,804 I feel bad because I think we were right. 2031 01:25:23,806 --> 01:25:25,005 - How do you feel, right now? 2032 01:25:25,007 --> 01:25:27,708 - While the legal consequences for curtis are over, 2033 01:25:27,710 --> 01:25:29,543 The fallout from cory's death 2034 01:25:29,545 --> 01:25:31,878 Paralyzed the extended family. 2035 01:25:31,880 --> 01:25:35,215 - I don't know what to believe anymore. 2036 01:25:35,217 --> 01:25:37,351 - Lindsay, now a teacher, remains estranged 2037 01:25:37,353 --> 01:25:38,685 From her father, 2038 01:25:38,687 --> 01:25:40,153 But she hopes to salvage something 2039 01:25:40,155 --> 01:25:41,755 Despite all that's happened, 2040 01:25:41,757 --> 01:25:43,957 A relationship with her brothers. 2041 01:25:43,959 --> 01:25:45,726 - I just pray every day and hope that one day 2042 01:25:45,728 --> 01:25:48,962 I'll get a call, a text, a message, an email, 2043 01:25:48,964 --> 01:25:51,865 Something from one of them. 2044 01:25:51,867 --> 01:25:53,634 - Cory's mom, marty. 2045 01:25:53,636 --> 01:25:56,704 Did you come to an opinion about what role, 2046 01:25:56,706 --> 01:26:00,107 If any, he had in-in-in cory's death? 2047 01:26:00,109 --> 01:26:01,508 Curtis? 2048 01:26:01,510 --> 01:26:02,809 - Those are tucked here. 2049 01:26:02,811 --> 01:26:04,811 I have kept my mouth shut for a long time, 2050 01:26:04,813 --> 01:26:06,447 And I'm gonna keep it that way. 2051 01:26:06,449 --> 01:26:07,714 - Curtis says the state offered 2052 01:26:07,716 --> 01:26:09,516 Increasingly attractive plea deals 2053 01:26:09,518 --> 01:26:11,652 Before the start of the second trial, 2054 01:26:11,654 --> 01:26:13,720 But he turned them all down. 2055 01:26:13,722 --> 01:26:16,523 He has since filed an 11-count lawsuit 2056 01:26:16,525 --> 01:26:18,258 Against several police officers, 2057 01:26:18,260 --> 01:26:20,728 The city of quincy, and adams county. 2058 01:26:20,730 --> 01:26:23,130 The suit alleges malicious prosecution 2059 01:26:23,132 --> 01:26:27,001 And the intentional infliction of emotional distress. 2060 01:26:27,003 --> 01:26:29,803 It also claims curtis' kids were falsely imprisoned 2061 01:26:29,805 --> 01:26:31,805 During those police interviews. 2062 01:26:31,807 --> 01:26:33,940 A federal court granted summary judgment 2063 01:26:33,942 --> 01:26:35,342 In favor of the defendants 2064 01:26:35,344 --> 01:26:38,011 In regard to the emotional distress claim 2065 01:26:38,013 --> 01:26:39,813 But allowed the case to move forward 2066 01:26:39,815 --> 01:26:42,416 On all other counts. 2067 01:26:42,418 --> 01:26:44,951 The lovelace family has moved out of quincy, 2068 01:26:44,953 --> 01:26:47,019 And curtis has opened a new law office 2069 01:26:47,021 --> 01:26:48,888 In champagne, illinois. 2070 01:26:48,890 --> 01:26:50,757 - A couple of requests that we go ahead and get-- 2071 01:26:50,759 --> 01:26:52,325 - He and christine started 2072 01:26:52,327 --> 01:26:54,761 An exoneration type organization. 2073 01:26:54,763 --> 01:26:56,828 They said they wanted to help others 2074 01:26:56,830 --> 01:26:59,232 Wrongfully accused or convicted. 2075 01:26:59,234 --> 01:27:01,169 Christine, what happened to you guys in this whole thing, 2076 01:27:01,171 --> 01:27:02,770 Do you think? 2077 01:27:02,772 --> 01:27:04,505 - I don't know what happened to us, dennis. 2078 01:27:04,507 --> 01:27:06,238 We're still figuring that out. 2079 01:27:06,240 --> 01:27:09,408 These kinds of things happen across our country every day, 2080 01:27:09,410 --> 01:27:11,111 And now I think we have an obligation 2081 01:27:11,113 --> 01:27:13,681 To share this story and to help other people. 2082 01:27:13,683 --> 01:27:16,516 - Your goal was to-to leave that courthouse an innocent man. 2083 01:27:16,518 --> 01:27:20,488 - Yes. I believe, um, looking in the eyes of that jury, 2084 01:27:20,490 --> 01:27:24,856 Um, seeing, you know, the tears from some of them, 2085 01:27:24,858 --> 01:27:26,992 How quickly that they came back, 2086 01:27:26,994 --> 01:27:31,031 That they were declaring to-to me 2087 01:27:31,033 --> 01:27:34,802 And-and-and-and the world that-that-that I'm innocent. 2088 01:27:34,804 --> 01:27:37,605 - Curtis lovelace, a life interrupted. 2089 01:27:40,778 --> 01:27:42,145 - That's all for this edition of 2090 01:27:42,147 --> 01:27:44,280 "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 2091 01:27:44,282 --> 01:27:46,818 I'm kate snow. Thank you for watching.