1 00:00:12,745 --> 00:00:14,012 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:14,014 --> 00:00:16,949 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:19,453 --> 00:00:22,688 - I never dreamed somebody could do this. 4 00:00:22,690 --> 00:00:26,425 I didn't know why anybody would wanna kill him. 5 00:00:26,427 --> 00:00:28,927 You watch it on tv. 6 00:00:28,929 --> 00:00:30,829 You-you see it all the time. 7 00:00:30,831 --> 00:00:32,898 You just don't think it can happen to you. 8 00:00:32,900 --> 00:00:35,467 - They were a young couple in a hurry 9 00:00:35,469 --> 00:00:36,969 To make their fortune. 10 00:00:36,971 --> 00:00:38,437 - Fifties, hundreds, twenties. 11 00:00:38,439 --> 00:00:40,172 Piles of money. 12 00:00:40,174 --> 00:00:41,773 - Building a life. 13 00:00:41,775 --> 00:00:44,810 Until one life ended all too soon. 14 00:00:48,849 --> 00:00:50,582 - He was laying in the floor. 15 00:00:50,584 --> 00:00:52,017 And I got scared. 16 00:00:52,019 --> 00:00:54,786 I ran outta the house. 17 00:00:54,788 --> 00:00:57,589 - A young father murdered in broad daylight. 18 00:00:57,591 --> 00:00:59,224 Didn't look like a robbery. 19 00:00:59,226 --> 00:01:01,660 Lots of valuables left behind. 20 00:01:01,662 --> 00:01:03,595 Lots of secrets, too. 21 00:01:03,597 --> 00:01:05,730 - It just kinda sent chills up my back. 22 00:01:05,732 --> 00:01:08,967 - Something was tearing a family apart. 23 00:01:08,969 --> 00:01:10,202 - I don't really know where to start. 24 00:01:10,204 --> 00:01:12,404 - Or was it someone? 25 00:01:12,406 --> 00:01:15,273 - The most cold-blooded, evil person. 26 00:01:15,275 --> 00:01:16,475 - A family feud, 27 00:01:16,477 --> 00:01:19,478 And an innocent man caught in the middle. 28 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:20,745 - You know these shows you watch 29 00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:23,748 That people see the ghosts of their loved ones? 30 00:01:23,750 --> 00:01:27,152 I wanted that so bad, so bad. 31 00:01:27,154 --> 00:01:34,993 ♪♪ 32 00:01:34,995 --> 00:01:38,763 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 33 00:01:38,765 --> 00:01:42,701 Marc despain was a devoted husband and father 34 00:01:42,703 --> 00:01:46,905 Whose real estate savvy made him a wealthy man. 35 00:01:46,907 --> 00:01:49,174 But after he was found shot dead, 36 00:01:49,176 --> 00:01:51,643 Police wondered if a bad business deal 37 00:01:51,645 --> 00:01:53,044 Was a motive for murder. 38 00:01:53,046 --> 00:01:55,581 And their investigation turned up secrets-- 39 00:01:55,583 --> 00:01:57,182 Lots of them-- 40 00:01:57,184 --> 00:02:01,520 And a dark tale of greed, sex, and betrayal, 41 00:02:01,522 --> 00:02:05,724 With an ending as chilling as it was unexpected. 42 00:02:05,726 --> 00:02:09,995 Here's keith morrison with "the root of all evil." 43 00:02:09,997 --> 00:02:16,268 ♪♪ 44 00:02:16,270 --> 00:02:19,738 - The hunting is good here in the arkansas delta. 45 00:02:19,740 --> 00:02:20,939 Twice a year, 46 00:02:20,941 --> 00:02:22,407 A horde of migrating mallards 47 00:02:22,409 --> 00:02:25,210 Descends on flooded rice fields. 48 00:02:25,212 --> 00:02:28,280 Deer stare out through thickets of hardwood. 49 00:02:28,282 --> 00:02:32,150 You have to be quiet, surefooted, your aim true. 50 00:02:32,152 --> 00:02:35,220 That's what marc despain's dad taught him. 51 00:02:35,222 --> 00:02:37,055 That's what marc taught his own son, 52 00:02:37,057 --> 00:02:40,325 Before the hatred wormed its way in. 53 00:02:42,529 --> 00:02:44,830 Sometimes it's overwhelming, that anger, isn't it? 54 00:02:44,832 --> 00:02:46,831 - It is, it is. 55 00:02:46,833 --> 00:02:50,569 - The anger that pitted father against son. 56 00:02:50,571 --> 00:02:52,370 - It almost got physical. 57 00:02:52,372 --> 00:02:54,105 It just, it breaks my heart. 58 00:02:54,107 --> 00:02:56,508 - And husband against wife. 59 00:02:56,510 --> 00:02:58,843 - I just wanted to go into protective mode 60 00:02:58,845 --> 00:03:00,812 And protect us all. 61 00:03:00,814 --> 00:03:03,081 - And brought the hunting to town 62 00:03:03,083 --> 00:03:06,018 On a deathly quiet summer afternoon. 63 00:03:12,993 --> 00:03:14,459 - What could be left 64 00:03:14,461 --> 00:03:17,596 But the bitter taste of recrimination? 65 00:03:17,598 --> 00:03:19,097 - He is evil. 66 00:03:19,099 --> 00:03:20,966 He is not the kind person 67 00:03:20,968 --> 00:03:24,002 That he's got the public convinced that he is. 68 00:03:29,743 --> 00:03:31,876 - Jonesboro is both a college town 69 00:03:31,878 --> 00:03:33,345 And a farm town. 70 00:03:33,347 --> 00:03:37,148 It tends to the needs of young minds and rice farmers 71 00:03:37,150 --> 00:03:39,551 On the vast plain of sticky, fertile clay 72 00:03:39,553 --> 00:03:41,253 West of the mississippi river. 73 00:03:42,856 --> 00:03:45,957 It's where marc despain breezed through school 74 00:03:45,959 --> 00:03:47,826 With his easy charm. 75 00:03:47,828 --> 00:03:49,694 Tana is his mother. 76 00:03:49,696 --> 00:03:52,764 - He was the only freshman that we know of 77 00:03:52,766 --> 00:03:56,368 That was chosen by a senior 78 00:03:56,370 --> 00:03:58,370 To go to the senior prom. 79 00:03:58,372 --> 00:04:00,505 - Marc became a high school football star. 80 00:04:00,507 --> 00:04:03,108 His sister jackie watched him bring trophies home 81 00:04:03,110 --> 00:04:05,577 To lay at the feet of his father, jack. 82 00:04:07,381 --> 00:04:11,383 But then, well, it's an old story, really. 83 00:04:11,385 --> 00:04:14,185 - When I was 18 and he was 19, 84 00:04:14,187 --> 00:04:16,354 We just bumped into each other. 85 00:04:16,356 --> 00:04:18,256 - Pretty michelle. 86 00:04:18,258 --> 00:04:20,225 She was sitting on top of a car 87 00:04:20,227 --> 00:04:22,260 When marc spotted her one night. 88 00:04:22,262 --> 00:04:26,464 Tiny, doe-eyed, and before long, pregnant. 89 00:04:26,466 --> 00:04:28,934 - The way I was brought up, you know, 90 00:04:28,936 --> 00:04:30,735 If you got a girl pregnant, you married her. 91 00:04:30,737 --> 00:04:32,604 That's just-- that was just what you did. 92 00:04:32,606 --> 00:04:35,807 - So there was a shotgun wedding. 93 00:04:35,809 --> 00:04:38,143 Two families thrown together. 94 00:04:38,145 --> 00:04:41,046 Marc and his parents, jack and tana. 95 00:04:41,048 --> 00:04:44,416 Michelle and her long-divorced parents, 96 00:04:44,418 --> 00:04:47,085 Her mom, kathy, and her dad, carl. 97 00:04:47,087 --> 00:04:50,388 Michelle also brought along a baby 98 00:04:50,390 --> 00:04:52,424 From an earlier relationship. 99 00:04:52,426 --> 00:04:56,661 - And he never treated her like she was not his. Never. 100 00:04:56,663 --> 00:04:58,630 - Together they had two boys. 101 00:04:58,632 --> 00:05:00,265 - He loved his kids. 102 00:05:00,267 --> 00:05:03,635 I mean, just anything they ever dreamed of, 103 00:05:03,637 --> 00:05:06,938 He would do his damnedest to get it. 104 00:05:06,940 --> 00:05:08,106 Anything. 105 00:05:08,108 --> 00:05:10,508 - The little family moved into a trailer 106 00:05:10,510 --> 00:05:11,876 Marc's parents bought them, 107 00:05:11,878 --> 00:05:13,512 And marc studied hard to become 108 00:05:13,514 --> 00:05:15,647 A real estate appraiser like his mom, 109 00:05:15,649 --> 00:05:18,516 And went into business with his parents, 110 00:05:18,518 --> 00:05:20,952 Which, said michelle, 111 00:05:20,954 --> 00:05:24,923 Is about when things began to go wrong. 112 00:05:24,925 --> 00:05:28,060 - Marc didn't like to b-be pushed around by his dad. 113 00:05:28,062 --> 00:05:30,061 He was an independent person. 114 00:05:30,063 --> 00:05:32,030 - The growing tension spilled over 115 00:05:32,032 --> 00:05:33,264 At the kitchen table. 116 00:05:33,266 --> 00:05:36,000 Marc demanded a bigger share of the money. 117 00:05:36,002 --> 00:05:39,003 They argued, and then michelle chimed in. 118 00:05:39,005 --> 00:05:40,538 Oh, boy. 119 00:05:40,540 --> 00:05:43,241 - Oh, my goodness. When she opened her mouth, 120 00:05:43,243 --> 00:05:46,311 Dad just flipped off the handle. 121 00:05:46,313 --> 00:05:49,948 And of course, marc just, I don't know, 122 00:05:49,950 --> 00:05:53,017 Stepped in as-as a husband, like a husband should do. 123 00:05:53,019 --> 00:05:54,819 - That's how it began, 124 00:05:54,821 --> 00:05:57,122 The trouble between father and son. 125 00:05:57,124 --> 00:06:01,126 The trouble that was going to get so much worse. 126 00:06:01,128 --> 00:06:04,363 Marc split away from the family business. 127 00:06:04,365 --> 00:06:06,197 Michelle helped him with bookkeeping. 128 00:06:06,199 --> 00:06:07,832 - I was just amazed 129 00:06:07,834 --> 00:06:10,902 At what they were able to accomplish. 130 00:06:10,904 --> 00:06:13,037 - And they were a good team, 131 00:06:13,039 --> 00:06:15,039 Said michelle's mother, kathy. 132 00:06:15,041 --> 00:06:17,142 - They both just had the ability 133 00:06:17,144 --> 00:06:21,046 To work together to-- and make money. 134 00:06:21,048 --> 00:06:23,448 - Marc got into real estate investment. 135 00:06:23,450 --> 00:06:27,285 His first, a trailer park no one else would touch. 136 00:06:27,287 --> 00:06:28,920 - I couldn't believe he bought that. 137 00:06:28,922 --> 00:06:30,355 I was just, "what are you thinkin'? 138 00:06:30,357 --> 00:06:31,689 Have you lost your mind?" 139 00:06:31,691 --> 00:06:32,590 And he flipped it. 140 00:06:32,592 --> 00:06:34,759 Made him about $100,000 profit. 141 00:06:34,761 --> 00:06:36,594 - So having done it once, he figured he'd do it again 142 00:06:36,596 --> 00:06:38,397 And again and again. - Absolutely. 143 00:06:38,399 --> 00:06:40,632 - And the money seemed to roll in. 144 00:06:40,634 --> 00:06:43,468 Marc moved his family to an upscale neighborhood 145 00:06:43,470 --> 00:06:45,170 In the southern part of town. 146 00:06:45,172 --> 00:06:47,272 Adrift from his own parents, 147 00:06:47,274 --> 00:06:48,407 He spent more and more time with michelle's, 148 00:06:48,409 --> 00:06:51,743 Taking them all on family trips. 149 00:06:51,745 --> 00:06:54,412 He even hired michelle's dad, carl, 150 00:06:54,414 --> 00:06:55,947 To be his rent collector. 151 00:06:55,949 --> 00:06:57,883 - I remember a lotta times walkin' in, 152 00:06:57,885 --> 00:07:00,685 And carl would be sitting at the dining room table, 153 00:07:00,687 --> 00:07:02,821 And, uh, there'd just be fifties, 154 00:07:02,823 --> 00:07:04,122 Hundreds, twenties. 155 00:07:04,124 --> 00:07:05,891 He was countin' 'em like a drug dealer. 156 00:07:05,893 --> 00:07:07,158 - Just piles of money. 157 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:08,827 - Piles of money. 158 00:07:08,829 --> 00:07:11,897 - And then, one August afternoon, 159 00:07:11,899 --> 00:07:15,166 Michelle came home from work early. 160 00:07:15,168 --> 00:07:18,303 - When I walked in, there weren't any lights on. 161 00:07:18,305 --> 00:07:20,438 Everything was knocked into the floor. 162 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:22,174 - And then she got to the kitchen, 163 00:07:22,176 --> 00:07:24,309 And there he was. 164 00:07:24,311 --> 00:07:27,111 - And he was layin' in the floor. 165 00:07:27,113 --> 00:07:31,916 And there was blood comin' all out from behind him. 166 00:07:31,918 --> 00:07:35,086 And I shook his leg, 167 00:07:35,088 --> 00:07:38,690 Um, and said his name. 168 00:07:38,692 --> 00:07:39,724 And I looked around, 169 00:07:39,726 --> 00:07:42,160 And there was stuff in the floor everywhere, 170 00:07:42,162 --> 00:07:43,728 And I got scared. 171 00:07:43,730 --> 00:07:47,265 - She ran outside, terrified, and called 911. 172 00:07:59,913 --> 00:08:02,280 - Michelle ran across the street to a neighbor's house, 173 00:08:02,282 --> 00:08:03,482 Desperate to hide. 174 00:08:12,025 --> 00:08:14,959 - It was a voice that scared me, you know. 175 00:08:14,961 --> 00:08:16,361 You pick up the phone, 176 00:08:16,363 --> 00:08:18,497 You hear one of your kids on the phone, 177 00:08:18,499 --> 00:08:21,032 And you hear cryin'... 178 00:08:21,034 --> 00:08:22,500 - Kathy raced over there, 179 00:08:22,502 --> 00:08:25,270 Found michelle sobbing on the curb. 180 00:08:25,272 --> 00:08:26,738 - And she's goin', "I gotta get to him, 181 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:27,939 I gotta get to 'im." 182 00:08:27,941 --> 00:08:30,074 I just kinda grabbed my sh-- daughter by the shoulders 183 00:08:30,076 --> 00:08:32,877 And I went, "michelle, he's gone. 184 00:08:32,879 --> 00:08:35,046 He's gone." 185 00:08:35,048 --> 00:08:36,748 - So he was. 186 00:08:36,750 --> 00:08:41,419 Dead on his own kitchen floor. 187 00:08:41,421 --> 00:08:44,656 - A young wife is now a widow, and the horror 188 00:08:44,658 --> 00:08:47,692 Of what she witnessed is unforgettable. 189 00:08:47,694 --> 00:08:48,993 Coming up... 190 00:08:48,995 --> 00:08:52,531 - Is it a sight that lives in your mind a lot? 191 00:08:52,533 --> 00:08:54,632 - A lot, oh, yeah. 192 00:08:54,634 --> 00:08:57,802 - Her family's good life suddenly gone. 193 00:08:57,804 --> 00:09:00,872 Or maybe it hadn't been so good. 194 00:09:00,874 --> 00:09:02,407 - He was kinda embarrassed 195 00:09:02,409 --> 00:09:04,809 To have to come and get money from me. 196 00:09:04,811 --> 00:09:08,647 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 197 00:09:11,617 --> 00:09:16,821 ♪♪ 198 00:09:16,823 --> 00:09:19,491 - They're burned into michelle despain's brain-- 199 00:09:19,493 --> 00:09:21,859 The images of that awful afternoon. 200 00:09:21,861 --> 00:09:23,328 Shadows in the hallway. 201 00:09:23,330 --> 00:09:24,296 Her husband. 202 00:09:24,298 --> 00:09:25,763 His blood. 203 00:09:25,765 --> 00:09:29,100 - Him layin' in the floor. 204 00:09:29,102 --> 00:09:34,005 - Is it a sight that lives in your mind a lot? 205 00:09:34,007 --> 00:09:35,540 - A lot, oh, yeah. 206 00:09:38,845 --> 00:09:41,579 - Outside, a crowd of police and friends and family 207 00:09:41,581 --> 00:09:42,947 And curious neighbors 208 00:09:42,949 --> 00:09:45,617 Gathered on the street below marc's house. 209 00:09:45,619 --> 00:09:49,787 Among them, in an awful state, was marc's sister, jackie. 210 00:09:49,789 --> 00:09:51,656 - You know, everything was wrapped in tape, 211 00:09:51,658 --> 00:09:53,925 And police officers-- you can't cross here, 212 00:09:53,927 --> 00:09:55,259 You can't do this, you can't do that. 213 00:09:55,261 --> 00:09:56,661 I don't know, I just... 214 00:09:56,663 --> 00:09:59,330 Wanted to hold his hand or somethin'. 215 00:09:59,332 --> 00:10:00,865 - Detective vic brooks 216 00:10:00,867 --> 00:10:03,535 Was on the other side of that police tape. 217 00:10:03,537 --> 00:10:04,669 - When I first walked in, 218 00:10:04,671 --> 00:10:06,304 I-I noticed that there were some papers 219 00:10:06,306 --> 00:10:08,806 That appeared to be knocked on the ground, 220 00:10:08,808 --> 00:10:10,541 And there was some broken glass 221 00:10:10,543 --> 00:10:12,744 And stuff like that on the floor. 222 00:10:12,746 --> 00:10:16,047 - Investigators snapped photos of the chaos: 223 00:10:16,049 --> 00:10:18,549 Drawers pulled out in the bedroom, 224 00:10:18,551 --> 00:10:22,754 Clothes thrown into a bathtub, a jewelry case toppled over. 225 00:10:22,756 --> 00:10:24,422 - Somebody was looking for something. 226 00:10:24,424 --> 00:10:25,690 - Possibly. 227 00:10:25,692 --> 00:10:27,258 - They asked around the neighborhood, 228 00:10:27,260 --> 00:10:30,428 Did anyone see any strangers that afternoon. 229 00:10:30,430 --> 00:10:33,164 And yes, someone did, 230 00:10:33,166 --> 00:10:36,200 Investigators told prosecutor scott ellington. 231 00:10:36,202 --> 00:10:38,603 - An african american was seen in the neighborhood 232 00:10:38,605 --> 00:10:40,838 Wearing a-a certain colored shirt. 233 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:42,507 - It wasn't just that. 234 00:10:42,509 --> 00:10:44,876 Later somebody said they saw an aging 235 00:10:44,878 --> 00:10:48,179 And beat-up blue mercedes circling the neighborhood. 236 00:10:48,181 --> 00:10:50,982 So, thieves casing the house? 237 00:10:50,984 --> 00:10:52,617 Maybe. 238 00:10:52,619 --> 00:10:55,453 And yet, as detective brooks looked around the house, 239 00:10:55,455 --> 00:10:57,689 He could see this just didn't have 240 00:10:57,691 --> 00:10:59,724 The hallmarks of a robbery. 241 00:10:59,726 --> 00:11:03,061 The valuable stuff-- tv sets, guns, computers-- 242 00:11:03,063 --> 00:11:04,796 Were untouched. 243 00:11:04,798 --> 00:11:06,731 And look at this photo. 244 00:11:06,733 --> 00:11:08,733 Sitting next to marc's keys and his cell phone 245 00:11:08,735 --> 00:11:12,070 On the kitchen island is a container of ice cream. 246 00:11:12,072 --> 00:11:13,871 - It appeared that he had just walked in 247 00:11:13,873 --> 00:11:16,240 And set these items down, 248 00:11:16,242 --> 00:11:18,810 And then was caught totally off guard. 249 00:11:18,812 --> 00:11:22,080 - All that seemed to shriek of a planned ambush 250 00:11:22,082 --> 00:11:24,683 Dressed up a little to look like robbery. 251 00:11:24,685 --> 00:11:26,818 The way investigators pieced it together, 252 00:11:26,820 --> 00:11:30,021 Somebody was waiting for marc to get home, 253 00:11:30,023 --> 00:11:33,424 Then crept up from behind, shot him twice. 254 00:11:33,426 --> 00:11:35,426 - He had suffered two gunshot wounds, 255 00:11:35,428 --> 00:11:39,230 One that appeared to have entered from on his left side. 256 00:11:39,232 --> 00:11:40,498 - Mm-hmm. 257 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:43,034 - And then another shot he had sustained to his face. 258 00:11:43,036 --> 00:11:46,037 - That was a kind of-- what is it-- 259 00:11:46,039 --> 00:11:47,338 A kill shot or something. 260 00:11:47,340 --> 00:11:48,506 - Yes, sir. 261 00:11:48,508 --> 00:11:50,708 - Somebody's making sure. 262 00:11:50,710 --> 00:11:52,977 - It appeared so, yes. 263 00:11:52,979 --> 00:11:56,180 - Why would someone want to kill marc despain? 264 00:11:56,182 --> 00:11:57,515 - I was so confused. 265 00:11:57,517 --> 00:12:00,185 I just-- I didn't think marc had any enemies, 266 00:12:00,187 --> 00:12:04,255 And I didn't know why anybody would wanna kill him. 267 00:12:04,257 --> 00:12:05,523 - Detective brooks soon discovered 268 00:12:05,525 --> 00:12:06,991 A possible reason. 269 00:12:06,993 --> 00:12:09,494 Even though they'd been living lavishly, 270 00:12:09,496 --> 00:12:12,396 Marc had serious money trouble. 271 00:12:12,398 --> 00:12:14,198 - He was kinda embarrassed 272 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:16,701 To have to come and get money from me. 273 00:12:16,703 --> 00:12:19,137 - It was a couple of months before the murder, 274 00:12:19,139 --> 00:12:21,005 Said michelle's mother, kathy. 275 00:12:21,007 --> 00:12:23,241 Marc asked her for cash 276 00:12:23,243 --> 00:12:25,810 To help pay for michelle's birthday present. 277 00:12:25,812 --> 00:12:27,411 - You know, it's very unusual, 278 00:12:27,413 --> 00:12:29,414 Because usually they'd just go out 279 00:12:29,416 --> 00:12:30,948 And buy whatever they want. 280 00:12:30,950 --> 00:12:32,884 - Not anymore. 281 00:12:32,886 --> 00:12:34,952 That summer, 2011, 282 00:12:34,954 --> 00:12:38,022 Jonesboro real estate was far from recovered. 283 00:12:38,024 --> 00:12:40,758 Many of marc's rental properties were underwater. 284 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:42,360 The bank was closing in. 285 00:12:42,362 --> 00:12:44,829 Tenants were being forced out of their homes. 286 00:12:44,831 --> 00:12:45,830 So... 287 00:12:45,832 --> 00:12:47,365 - Was anybody upset with marc? 288 00:12:47,367 --> 00:12:48,767 Was this any of his tenants? 289 00:12:48,769 --> 00:12:50,635 Could this have been somebody like that? 290 00:12:50,637 --> 00:12:53,037 - And then an ugly little surprise 291 00:12:53,039 --> 00:12:56,241 Crawled out of marc's own troubled family. 292 00:12:56,243 --> 00:12:58,776 Marc and his parents were lobbing lawsuits 293 00:12:58,778 --> 00:13:01,712 At each other over some shared property. 294 00:13:01,714 --> 00:13:04,515 The prosecutor heard that marc's dad, jack, 295 00:13:04,517 --> 00:13:05,717 Was a hothead. 296 00:13:05,719 --> 00:13:08,253 - Jack was very, very angry at marc 297 00:13:08,255 --> 00:13:11,990 For mishandling this property that they co-owned together. 298 00:13:11,992 --> 00:13:14,892 - Yes, but it went deeper than that. 299 00:13:14,894 --> 00:13:17,829 Went to a very dark place, as you will see. 300 00:13:17,831 --> 00:13:19,463 And because of it, 301 00:13:19,465 --> 00:13:22,733 Marc hadn't spoken to his parents in years. 302 00:13:22,735 --> 00:13:25,837 So when jack showed up at the crime scene, 303 00:13:25,839 --> 00:13:29,207 The suspicion was... Audible. 304 00:13:29,209 --> 00:13:33,344 Michelle's dad, carl, started yelling at him. 305 00:13:33,346 --> 00:13:34,812 - Cursing very loudly. 306 00:13:34,814 --> 00:13:38,749 Um, callin' him all kinds of names. 307 00:13:38,751 --> 00:13:40,151 - But what was he saying? 308 00:13:40,153 --> 00:13:42,620 - "there's that son of a (bleep) jack despain." 309 00:13:42,622 --> 00:13:45,223 - Did you think jack was somehow responsible? 310 00:13:45,225 --> 00:13:47,825 - Oh, yeah. Marc had told multiple people, 311 00:13:47,827 --> 00:13:51,495 "if anything ever happens to me, y'all look at my dad." 312 00:13:51,497 --> 00:13:54,299 - So of course, detective brooks invited jack 313 00:13:54,301 --> 00:13:55,767 Down to the police station. 314 00:13:55,769 --> 00:13:59,103 Just maybe this mystery could have a quick, 315 00:13:59,105 --> 00:14:02,841 If very disturbing, solution. 316 00:14:02,843 --> 00:14:07,712 - Family and business: The two rarely seem to mix. 317 00:14:07,714 --> 00:14:10,181 Is that what led to marc's death? 318 00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:13,351 Or was it something else? 319 00:14:13,353 --> 00:14:14,919 Coming up, 320 00:14:14,921 --> 00:14:18,155 A young girl makes a troubling accusation 321 00:14:18,157 --> 00:14:19,891 That divides a family. 322 00:14:19,893 --> 00:14:22,994 - Oh, my god, could this have possibly happened? 323 00:14:22,996 --> 00:14:25,329 - But was that the motive for murder? 324 00:14:25,331 --> 00:14:26,998 Was it even true? 325 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:31,002 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 326 00:14:34,607 --> 00:14:39,410 ♪♪ 327 00:14:39,412 --> 00:14:41,746 - It's an unpleasant thing to think about, 328 00:14:41,748 --> 00:14:44,082 Parents murdering their own children. 329 00:14:44,084 --> 00:14:45,616 But it happens. 330 00:14:45,618 --> 00:14:47,485 It's an old story, frankly. 331 00:14:47,487 --> 00:14:50,355 Some awful glitch, perhaps, in the human recipe. 332 00:14:50,357 --> 00:14:52,356 Had it happened here in jonesboro? 333 00:14:52,358 --> 00:14:56,560 Suspicion fell quickly on marc's dad, jack despain. 334 00:14:56,562 --> 00:14:58,696 Michelle's mom heard about it when she called 335 00:14:58,698 --> 00:15:01,299 To tell a relative that marc was dead. 336 00:15:01,301 --> 00:15:02,466 - "somebody's murdered marc." 337 00:15:02,468 --> 00:15:04,468 And he was like, "oh, my god." 338 00:15:04,470 --> 00:15:07,538 He said, "have they found jack despain?" 339 00:15:07,540 --> 00:15:09,774 - He thought right away it was jack. 340 00:15:09,776 --> 00:15:11,809 - Mm-hmm. 341 00:15:11,811 --> 00:15:14,745 - Because anyone close to jack and his family 342 00:15:14,747 --> 00:15:17,848 Knew that a poison far more potent than money 343 00:15:17,850 --> 00:15:20,318 Had come between father and son. 344 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:22,654 - I never saw it comin'. 345 00:15:22,656 --> 00:15:24,656 I don't think marc ever saw it comin'. 346 00:15:24,658 --> 00:15:27,992 - It began, said michelle, when her 13-year-old daughter 347 00:15:27,994 --> 00:15:31,395 Told them an ugly story: That her grandpa jack 348 00:15:31,397 --> 00:15:36,133 Asked her to take nude photos of herself on his phone. 349 00:15:36,135 --> 00:15:38,670 Marc called a family meeting. 350 00:15:38,672 --> 00:15:41,138 - Marc had told his dad, "you know, there's a problem. 351 00:15:41,140 --> 00:15:42,406 We want to help you." 352 00:15:42,408 --> 00:15:45,343 You know, "we-- you know, we're not, you know, 353 00:15:45,345 --> 00:15:48,379 Here to point fingers at you or judge you." 354 00:15:48,381 --> 00:15:51,749 - Jack swore he did nothing wrong. 355 00:15:51,751 --> 00:15:53,718 Marc called in the police. 356 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:57,088 Tana, jack's wife of more than 30 years, 357 00:15:57,090 --> 00:16:00,257 Left him, moved in with marc and michelle. 358 00:16:00,259 --> 00:16:02,259 So how do you prepare for a thing like that? 359 00:16:02,261 --> 00:16:03,761 - You don't, you don't prepare. 360 00:16:03,763 --> 00:16:05,763 - Well, what is that like? 361 00:16:05,765 --> 00:16:09,600 - You just-- you mind is-is in overdrive, you know, 362 00:16:09,602 --> 00:16:10,768 Tryin' to think, you know, 363 00:16:10,770 --> 00:16:14,005 "oh, my god, could this have possibly happened?" 364 00:16:14,007 --> 00:16:16,708 - But after the police interviewed the girl, 365 00:16:16,710 --> 00:16:18,809 And then jack, and then the girl again, 366 00:16:18,811 --> 00:16:22,714 And heard her story change, become more elaborate, 367 00:16:22,716 --> 00:16:25,316 The investigation was dropped. 368 00:16:25,318 --> 00:16:27,251 And tana, riven with guilt 369 00:16:27,253 --> 00:16:29,987 For ever suspecting jack abused his granddaughter, 370 00:16:29,989 --> 00:16:32,957 Went back to him and begged forgiveness. 371 00:16:32,959 --> 00:16:35,626 - The man I've been married to for over 30 years 372 00:16:35,628 --> 00:16:40,798 And went to high school with, and-and-and then doubting him 373 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:42,734 And knowing I shouldn't have. 374 00:16:42,736 --> 00:16:44,835 - But marc and michelle, believing the girl, 375 00:16:44,837 --> 00:16:47,238 Never spoke to his mom or dad again, 376 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:48,806 Cut them off from their grandkids, 377 00:16:48,808 --> 00:16:52,043 Disowned marc's sister when she took jack's side. 378 00:16:52,045 --> 00:16:53,811 - I-I believe dad 100%. 379 00:16:53,813 --> 00:16:55,646 I don't believe he had anything to do with it. 380 00:16:55,648 --> 00:16:58,216 - So that was the ugly backdrop 381 00:16:58,218 --> 00:16:59,817 To the murder investigation. 382 00:16:59,819 --> 00:17:01,886 And detective brooks would have to figure out 383 00:17:01,888 --> 00:17:05,156 If this years-old unproven allegation 384 00:17:05,158 --> 00:17:07,291 Had so eaten away at marc's dad 385 00:17:07,293 --> 00:17:09,627 That it pushed him over the edge. 386 00:17:09,629 --> 00:17:12,530 Time to meet potential suspect number one. 387 00:17:15,435 --> 00:17:17,034 - Detective brooks sat down with jack 388 00:17:17,036 --> 00:17:18,636 In an interrogation room 389 00:17:18,638 --> 00:17:21,639 And watched the man fall apart. 390 00:17:30,516 --> 00:17:33,384 - Was this true grief the detective was witnessing? 391 00:17:33,386 --> 00:17:34,518 Or regret? 392 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:37,121 Or guilt over something jack had done, 393 00:17:37,123 --> 00:17:38,890 Or hadn't done? 394 00:17:43,729 --> 00:17:45,162 - Too late? 395 00:17:45,164 --> 00:17:46,797 What did he mean? 396 00:17:46,799 --> 00:17:49,333 Jack didn't shy away from discussing 397 00:17:49,335 --> 00:17:50,768 Those abuse allegations. 398 00:17:50,770 --> 00:17:52,203 Here's how it happened, he said. 399 00:17:57,477 --> 00:18:00,411 - Jack said he found out the girl was sexting, 400 00:18:00,413 --> 00:18:01,545 Confronted her, 401 00:18:01,547 --> 00:18:03,347 Said he was gonna tell her parents, 402 00:18:03,349 --> 00:18:06,417 But she got to them before he did, jack said, 403 00:18:06,419 --> 00:18:09,287 And invented a story to get out of trouble. 404 00:18:16,896 --> 00:18:19,497 - Jack told us the same story, eager, he said, 405 00:18:19,499 --> 00:18:21,899 To finally set the record straight. 406 00:18:21,901 --> 00:18:24,535 You didn't ever ask her to take pictures of herself 407 00:18:24,537 --> 00:18:26,537 And give 'em to you? - No, no. 408 00:18:26,539 --> 00:18:30,908 - But the accusation, said jack, almost destroyed him. 409 00:18:30,910 --> 00:18:32,176 - I was at home. 410 00:18:32,178 --> 00:18:37,115 Uh, I coulda opened up my own, um, whiskey store, 411 00:18:37,117 --> 00:18:39,250 I think, with how much whiskey I drunk for two months. 412 00:18:39,252 --> 00:18:41,385 And-and typically I don't drink. 413 00:18:41,387 --> 00:18:43,354 But that was just to kill the pain. 414 00:18:43,356 --> 00:18:46,991 - Because everybody assumed that you were abusing 415 00:18:46,993 --> 00:18:50,528 Your own granddaughter. - Yes, yes. 416 00:18:50,530 --> 00:18:52,563 Yes. 417 00:18:52,565 --> 00:18:56,066 - The detective wondered, did jack's pain drive him 418 00:18:56,068 --> 00:18:58,469 To seek revenge on his own son? 419 00:18:58,471 --> 00:19:00,871 No, said jack, no. 420 00:19:00,873 --> 00:19:04,575 He wanted to reconcile with marc, not kill him. 421 00:19:09,482 --> 00:19:12,716 - Anyway, when marc was murdered, said jack, 422 00:19:12,718 --> 00:19:15,319 He was miles away at his own house. 423 00:19:18,958 --> 00:19:21,425 - That alibi would have to be checked out, of course. 424 00:19:21,427 --> 00:19:25,162 But even before detective brooks had a chance to do that, 425 00:19:25,164 --> 00:19:27,965 Other members of the family came down to the police station 426 00:19:27,967 --> 00:19:31,268 And told him, "don't be fooled by jack's tears." 427 00:19:31,270 --> 00:19:34,272 He was an angry and possibly violent man. 428 00:19:42,782 --> 00:19:45,049 - This is michelle's dad, carl. 429 00:19:45,051 --> 00:19:47,418 The man had been cursing jack out on the street, 430 00:19:47,420 --> 00:19:48,853 Right there at the murder scene. 431 00:19:53,192 --> 00:19:55,593 - Detective brooks could plainly see 432 00:19:55,595 --> 00:19:57,995 This was a family with a troubling history. 433 00:19:57,997 --> 00:20:00,898 So he made a decision to attend 434 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:04,001 Marc despain's visitation, take a look around, 435 00:20:04,003 --> 00:20:06,070 See what his gut would tell him. 436 00:20:06,072 --> 00:20:08,639 I saw a note in your case file. 437 00:20:08,641 --> 00:20:11,075 You wrote, "this has to be one of the strangest visitations 438 00:20:11,077 --> 00:20:13,544 I ever attended." - yes. 439 00:20:13,546 --> 00:20:16,948 It was just a cold feeling. It just did not feel right. 440 00:20:16,950 --> 00:20:19,750 - Was the killer sitting among the mourners, 441 00:20:19,752 --> 00:20:23,354 Planning a next move? 442 00:20:23,356 --> 00:20:24,388 - Coming up, 443 00:20:24,390 --> 00:20:27,758 A family feud at the funeral. 444 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:29,360 - She calls the police on us. 445 00:20:29,362 --> 00:20:31,762 - And somebody else calls the police 446 00:20:31,764 --> 00:20:34,432 With a tip that could crack the case. 447 00:20:34,434 --> 00:20:37,568 - That was a nice little gift. - It was. 448 00:20:37,570 --> 00:20:41,472 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 449 00:20:44,643 --> 00:20:48,312 ♪♪ 450 00:20:48,314 --> 00:20:51,615 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 451 00:20:51,617 --> 00:20:53,117 I'm craig melvin. 452 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:54,985 There was certainly bad blood 453 00:20:54,987 --> 00:20:57,655 Between marc despain and his father jack, 454 00:20:57,657 --> 00:21:01,792 But was it bad enough to break the ties that bind? 455 00:21:01,794 --> 00:21:03,627 Sometimes in an investigation, 456 00:21:03,629 --> 00:21:06,330 Luck can be a detective's best friend. 457 00:21:06,332 --> 00:21:10,000 In this case, good fortune was about to come 458 00:21:10,002 --> 00:21:14,004 In the form of a tip, and it was a big one. 459 00:21:14,006 --> 00:21:17,608 Back to keith morrison and "the root of all evil." 460 00:21:17,610 --> 00:21:21,512 - Michelle and marc, just children, really, 461 00:21:21,514 --> 00:21:22,980 When they got married. 462 00:21:22,982 --> 00:21:26,550 Now marc was dead, gunned down in the family kitchen, 463 00:21:26,552 --> 00:21:28,619 And michelle had to plan his funeral. 464 00:21:28,621 --> 00:21:31,355 She was barely functioning, she said. 465 00:21:31,357 --> 00:21:33,357 - I couldn't even tell you who was at the-- 466 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:34,692 You know, who was there. 467 00:21:34,694 --> 00:21:36,894 It was just a blur. 468 00:21:36,896 --> 00:21:39,697 It all still just feels like a blur. 469 00:21:39,699 --> 00:21:43,000 - But there was one thing she was clear about: 470 00:21:43,002 --> 00:21:46,637 Marc's parents and sister were not welcome at his funeral. 471 00:21:46,639 --> 00:21:48,506 It was the same at the cemetery. 472 00:21:48,508 --> 00:21:52,176 - She's literally trying to get him in the ground 473 00:21:52,178 --> 00:21:54,345 Before we could even walk up. 474 00:21:54,347 --> 00:21:55,713 - Even get them to fill in the grave. 475 00:21:55,715 --> 00:21:56,780 - Yes. 476 00:21:56,782 --> 00:21:59,049 So we just immediately jump out of our cars, 477 00:21:59,051 --> 00:22:01,052 We start rushing to the graveside. 478 00:22:01,054 --> 00:22:04,121 And she calls the police on us. 479 00:22:04,123 --> 00:22:08,059 She calls the police at my-- at my brother's funeral. 480 00:22:10,629 --> 00:22:14,264 - Yet, for all the chatter about jack, 481 00:22:14,266 --> 00:22:16,734 That he might have killed his own son, 482 00:22:16,736 --> 00:22:20,104 Detective brooks' instincts said no. 483 00:22:20,106 --> 00:22:22,106 Jack's alibi checked out. 484 00:22:22,108 --> 00:22:25,175 He was fixing his roof afternoon of the murder. 485 00:22:25,177 --> 00:22:28,078 And those tears in the interrogation room-- 486 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,614 [sobbing] 487 00:22:30,616 --> 00:22:33,617 - I did not feel anything, uh, 488 00:22:33,619 --> 00:22:36,487 As being fake for mr. Despain. 489 00:22:36,489 --> 00:22:38,956 He appeared to be a broken man at that time. 490 00:22:38,958 --> 00:22:42,760 - So what to make of the fractured family 491 00:22:42,762 --> 00:22:45,363 And all the bad blood now tangled up 492 00:22:45,365 --> 00:22:47,098 With so much grief? 493 00:22:47,100 --> 00:22:49,600 Detective brooks thought back to his interview 494 00:22:49,602 --> 00:22:51,168 With michelle's dad, carl, 495 00:22:51,170 --> 00:22:54,438 The man who pointed a finger at jack on day one. 496 00:22:56,442 --> 00:22:58,041 - Carl said he'd been in marc's house 497 00:22:58,043 --> 00:23:01,579 Not too long before the murder, dropped off some rent money. 498 00:23:07,353 --> 00:23:10,387 - Interesting timing. Coincidence? 499 00:23:10,389 --> 00:23:12,823 Or, as detective brooks wondered, 500 00:23:12,825 --> 00:23:16,660 Did carl have something to do with the murder? 501 00:23:16,662 --> 00:23:20,331 No, maybe not. Carl's alibi checked out. 502 00:23:20,333 --> 00:23:22,132 Surveillance cameras, in fact, 503 00:23:22,134 --> 00:23:24,301 Caught carl right where he said he was 504 00:23:24,303 --> 00:23:26,336 Around the time marc was gunned down: 505 00:23:26,338 --> 00:23:29,140 Meeting his daughter at the bank where she worked. 506 00:23:29,142 --> 00:23:31,809 He could not have shot marc. 507 00:23:31,811 --> 00:23:34,611 Well, the investigation continued. 508 00:23:34,613 --> 00:23:37,080 Marc's parents spent time at the cemetery, 509 00:23:37,082 --> 00:23:39,383 Finally able to do what they couldn't 510 00:23:39,385 --> 00:23:41,419 When their son was still alive. 511 00:23:41,421 --> 00:23:43,654 - We'd talk to him, talk to marc. 512 00:23:43,656 --> 00:23:45,088 - Rainy days were the worst. 513 00:23:45,090 --> 00:23:46,490 I didn't like rainy days. 514 00:23:46,492 --> 00:23:48,358 - What do you mean, rainy days? 515 00:23:48,360 --> 00:23:51,562 - I didn't like him gettin' wet. 516 00:23:51,564 --> 00:23:54,731 I knew he was in heaven. 517 00:23:54,733 --> 00:23:58,369 I just didn't like the rain on him. 518 00:23:58,371 --> 00:24:01,538 - And then, pure luck, really. 519 00:24:01,540 --> 00:24:03,507 Remember how neighbors reported seeing 520 00:24:03,509 --> 00:24:06,110 An african american stranger in the neighborhood? 521 00:24:06,112 --> 00:24:09,046 Now someone called the cops with a tip. 522 00:24:09,048 --> 00:24:10,915 Somebody who matched that description 523 00:24:10,917 --> 00:24:15,453 Was actually boasting about shooting marc despain. 524 00:24:15,455 --> 00:24:17,821 That was a nice little gift. - It was. 525 00:24:17,823 --> 00:24:20,057 - Didn't take 'em long to find the guy. 526 00:24:20,059 --> 00:24:25,196 Street name "qualo," real name terrence barker. 527 00:24:25,198 --> 00:24:27,498 And he was nervous. 528 00:24:32,805 --> 00:24:34,371 - He denied everything. 529 00:24:38,410 --> 00:24:41,078 - Detective brooks wasn't buying it. 530 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:43,046 Because by then, 531 00:24:43,048 --> 00:24:44,515 The police also tracked down 532 00:24:44,517 --> 00:24:46,817 The driver of that beat-up blue mercedes 533 00:24:46,819 --> 00:24:48,819 Seen near the house before the murder. 534 00:24:48,821 --> 00:24:51,889 And he told the cops he took qualo 535 00:24:51,891 --> 00:24:54,291 To meet a man in a church parking lot, 536 00:24:54,293 --> 00:24:56,827 And that man wanted a job done. 537 00:24:56,829 --> 00:24:58,729 Was that job murder? 538 00:25:02,001 --> 00:25:04,034 - By now, detective brooks had been working 539 00:25:04,036 --> 00:25:05,502 Night and day for a week. 540 00:25:05,504 --> 00:25:07,738 His store of patience ran out. 541 00:25:13,879 --> 00:25:15,646 - Was it that angry speech, 542 00:25:15,648 --> 00:25:18,449 Or another long night in his cell? 543 00:25:18,451 --> 00:25:21,652 The next day, qualo came clean. 544 00:25:21,654 --> 00:25:26,423 For a promise of $7-to-$10,000, still unpaid he said, 545 00:25:26,425 --> 00:25:30,261 He took the job to shoot and kill marc despain. 546 00:25:37,003 --> 00:25:39,503 - He didn't know marc from adam, he said. 547 00:25:39,505 --> 00:25:41,805 It was the man from the parking lot 548 00:25:41,807 --> 00:25:43,373 Who took him to marc's house, 549 00:25:43,375 --> 00:25:45,676 Told him where to lie in wait for marc, 550 00:25:45,678 --> 00:25:47,278 Gave him a gun. 551 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:51,081 And then qualo said something rather surprising. 552 00:25:55,955 --> 00:25:57,688 - The shooter, who executed a stranger 553 00:25:57,690 --> 00:26:00,324 For the mere promise of a few grand, 554 00:26:00,326 --> 00:26:03,827 Said he was appalled, not at himself, 555 00:26:03,829 --> 00:26:06,363 At the man who hired him. 556 00:26:18,344 --> 00:26:20,511 - If the hitman was telling the truth, 557 00:26:20,513 --> 00:26:23,680 Detective brooks' hunch had been right. 558 00:26:23,682 --> 00:26:26,216 Someone who claimed to love marc 559 00:26:26,218 --> 00:26:28,452 Also plotted his death. 560 00:26:28,454 --> 00:26:31,121 But who? 561 00:26:31,123 --> 00:26:32,623 - Coming up, 562 00:26:32,625 --> 00:26:35,826 Michelle confesses to an affair. 563 00:26:39,932 --> 00:26:42,099 - And there was another surprise. 564 00:26:42,101 --> 00:26:43,734 - There were two insurance policies, 565 00:26:43,736 --> 00:26:47,437 Each for the amount of $500,000. 566 00:26:47,439 --> 00:26:51,208 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 567 00:26:54,679 --> 00:26:59,750 ♪♪ 568 00:26:59,752 --> 00:27:01,752 - It's shocking what some people will do 569 00:27:01,754 --> 00:27:04,555 For the mere promise of a few thousand dollars. 570 00:27:04,557 --> 00:27:07,457 Like lie in wait for marc despain, 571 00:27:07,459 --> 00:27:09,627 Then put a bullet in his head. 572 00:27:09,629 --> 00:27:12,763 But revealing his paymaster? 573 00:27:12,765 --> 00:27:15,699 That the hitman did for free. 574 00:27:15,701 --> 00:27:17,300 And the name? 575 00:27:17,302 --> 00:27:18,302 - Somebody called me and said, 576 00:27:18,304 --> 00:27:20,404 "have you heard? Carl's just got arrested." 577 00:27:20,406 --> 00:27:23,073 I'm like, oh, my god! 578 00:27:23,075 --> 00:27:25,242 He did this! 579 00:27:25,244 --> 00:27:29,646 - Carl, kathy's ex-husband, michelle's dad. 580 00:27:29,648 --> 00:27:32,583 But marc gave him a house and a job 581 00:27:32,585 --> 00:27:34,718 And took him on family vacations. 582 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:38,255 And once again, said michelle, she was stunned. 583 00:27:38,257 --> 00:27:40,691 - I thought that he cared for marc. 584 00:27:40,693 --> 00:27:43,260 You know, the father of my kids. 585 00:27:43,262 --> 00:27:46,997 - But michelle's mom, kathy, was not so surprised. 586 00:27:46,999 --> 00:27:49,199 She knew what carl was capable of. 587 00:27:49,201 --> 00:27:51,868 She divorced him years earlier, she said, 588 00:27:51,870 --> 00:27:54,938 To escape his explosions of temper. 589 00:27:54,940 --> 00:27:57,074 - He never would hit me, 590 00:27:57,076 --> 00:27:59,943 Because he didn't wanna leave a mark. 591 00:27:59,945 --> 00:28:01,244 - What would he do? 592 00:28:01,246 --> 00:28:03,480 - He would hold a gun to my head. 593 00:28:03,482 --> 00:28:04,981 - Hold a gun to your head? 594 00:28:04,983 --> 00:28:06,216 - Yes. 595 00:28:06,218 --> 00:28:07,784 - Threaten you. - Yes. 596 00:28:07,786 --> 00:28:10,587 - Still, what would make him mad enough 597 00:28:10,589 --> 00:28:12,355 To have marc killed? 598 00:28:12,357 --> 00:28:15,426 Confronted, carl's face turned to stone. 599 00:28:17,830 --> 00:28:20,063 - But as investigators discovered, 600 00:28:20,065 --> 00:28:23,433 Carl had been talking to other people. 601 00:28:23,435 --> 00:28:27,137 Told them marc had been physically abusing michelle, 602 00:28:27,139 --> 00:28:29,272 That he was tired of it. 603 00:28:29,274 --> 00:28:30,774 - Did you investigate whether or not 604 00:28:30,776 --> 00:28:33,043 Any abuse actually occurred in that marriage? 605 00:28:33,045 --> 00:28:34,845 - There was not any abuse ever found 606 00:28:34,847 --> 00:28:37,013 To have been-- to have happened. 607 00:28:37,015 --> 00:28:40,117 - So if the abuse story was an obvious lie, 608 00:28:40,119 --> 00:28:42,719 Why did carl do it? 609 00:28:42,721 --> 00:28:44,521 Marc's parents were certain 610 00:28:44,523 --> 00:28:47,524 He didn't come up with the idea on his own. 611 00:28:47,526 --> 00:28:49,559 The real mastermind, they believed, 612 00:28:49,561 --> 00:28:52,395 Was someone else very close to marc: 613 00:28:52,397 --> 00:28:54,931 His wife, michelle. 614 00:28:54,933 --> 00:28:59,336 - I cannot see carl takin' my son's life 615 00:28:59,338 --> 00:29:02,773 Without michelle bein' involved. 616 00:29:02,775 --> 00:29:06,143 - Michelle was far from a loving, doting wife, 617 00:29:06,145 --> 00:29:07,477 They said. 618 00:29:07,479 --> 00:29:11,047 The woman they knew was pure self-interest, 619 00:29:11,049 --> 00:29:14,251 Would do anything to get what she wanted. 620 00:29:14,253 --> 00:29:15,685 Exhibit a? 621 00:29:15,687 --> 00:29:20,023 So what-what was it that just turned marc against you? 622 00:29:20,025 --> 00:29:22,693 - Michelle's manipulation. 623 00:29:22,695 --> 00:29:25,162 - It was michelle who pushed marc 624 00:29:25,164 --> 00:29:27,831 To break away from the family business, they said. 625 00:29:27,833 --> 00:29:29,766 Michelle, who tore the family apart 626 00:29:29,768 --> 00:29:33,303 By stoking her own daughter's allegations of abuse 627 00:29:33,305 --> 00:29:36,440 To drive a permanent wedge between marc and his dad, 628 00:29:36,442 --> 00:29:39,910 And get marc and his money all to herself. 629 00:29:39,912 --> 00:29:43,113 They could easily see her goading her father 630 00:29:43,115 --> 00:29:44,948 Into planning a murder. 631 00:29:44,950 --> 00:29:48,285 - Michelle is a sociopath. She is absolutely-- 632 00:29:48,287 --> 00:29:51,588 Cares nothing about anyone 633 00:29:51,590 --> 00:29:54,057 Or anything but michelle. 634 00:29:54,059 --> 00:29:56,326 - Quite an allegation, if true. 635 00:29:56,328 --> 00:29:59,396 And as it happened, detective brooks was pretty sure 636 00:29:59,398 --> 00:30:01,998 He saw an effort by the grieving widow 637 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:04,067 To manipulate him. 638 00:30:04,069 --> 00:30:05,669 He'd interviewed her, of course, 639 00:30:05,671 --> 00:30:06,904 Right after the murder. 640 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:16,680 - All that emotion in her voice. 641 00:30:16,682 --> 00:30:18,682 It seemed like an act to him. 642 00:30:18,684 --> 00:30:21,151 - There were no tears. - Mm. 643 00:30:21,153 --> 00:30:22,552 - No tears. 644 00:30:22,554 --> 00:30:24,488 - But her voice of desperation 645 00:30:24,490 --> 00:30:27,758 Captured on the 911 call, surely that was real. 646 00:30:31,030 --> 00:30:32,295 - Maybe not. 647 00:30:32,297 --> 00:30:35,265 One of michelle's neighbors said they saw her standing 648 00:30:35,267 --> 00:30:37,667 Calmly in the middle of the lawn. 649 00:30:37,669 --> 00:30:39,169 - They see a woman standing out there, 650 00:30:39,171 --> 00:30:41,572 Talking on her phone, didn't appear to be, 651 00:30:41,574 --> 00:30:45,008 Uh, uh, in-in a grievous situation, for sure. 652 00:30:45,010 --> 00:30:46,476 - Wasn't like she was calling around 653 00:30:46,478 --> 00:30:49,112 The neighborhood for help. - No. 654 00:30:49,114 --> 00:30:50,513 - And marc's sister still remembered 655 00:30:50,515 --> 00:30:53,283 How cool michelle seemed at the crime scene. 656 00:30:53,285 --> 00:30:55,318 - I think what bothered me the most 657 00:30:55,320 --> 00:30:57,454 Is how clean she was. 658 00:30:57,456 --> 00:31:01,324 Like her hair was still perfect, 659 00:31:01,326 --> 00:31:03,060 Her nails were still perfect. 660 00:31:03,062 --> 00:31:04,394 - What would you have expected? 661 00:31:04,396 --> 00:31:06,596 - Oh, well, as brutal as it sounds, 662 00:31:06,598 --> 00:31:09,566 Some blood underneath her fingernails or somethin'. 663 00:31:09,568 --> 00:31:11,735 - Like she got down there and tried to revive him 664 00:31:11,737 --> 00:31:13,136 Or something? - Something. 665 00:31:13,138 --> 00:31:14,905 - So detective brooks took a careful look 666 00:31:14,907 --> 00:31:17,474 At michelle's story, how she invited marc, 667 00:31:17,476 --> 00:31:20,610 Who was working from home, to have lunch with her downtown. 668 00:31:20,612 --> 00:31:22,679 And then after lunch, they went across the street 669 00:31:22,681 --> 00:31:25,582 To buy ice cream for dessert. See them here? 670 00:31:25,584 --> 00:31:28,685 Marc had literally minutes to live. 671 00:31:28,687 --> 00:31:29,853 Phone records show 672 00:31:29,855 --> 00:31:32,289 That in the hours leading up to marc's death, 673 00:31:32,291 --> 00:31:35,626 There were calls and a flurry of text messages 674 00:31:35,628 --> 00:31:38,295 Between michelle and her dad. 675 00:31:38,297 --> 00:31:40,764 - What the investigator found was that there was 676 00:31:40,766 --> 00:31:44,701 A-a-an enormous amount of texts missing. 677 00:31:44,703 --> 00:31:48,104 There were chunks of texts missing from carl's phone 678 00:31:48,106 --> 00:31:49,906 And from michelle's phone. - Anything interesting 679 00:31:49,908 --> 00:31:51,108 Or suspicious about the fact 680 00:31:51,110 --> 00:31:53,209 That they were missing from both phones? 681 00:31:53,211 --> 00:31:55,445 - Immediately, it was, uh, suspicious. 682 00:31:55,447 --> 00:31:57,247 - On the day her dad was arrested, 683 00:31:57,249 --> 00:31:59,349 Detective brooks invited michelle 684 00:31:59,351 --> 00:32:03,420 Back to the police station and asked her, point blank. 685 00:32:09,261 --> 00:32:12,663 - But she admitted she was hiding something. 686 00:32:24,343 --> 00:32:26,042 - Seeing a guy? An affair? 687 00:32:26,044 --> 00:32:28,044 It all tumbled out. 688 00:32:28,046 --> 00:32:30,480 How michelle was dipping into family financials 689 00:32:30,482 --> 00:32:32,182 To pay for her lover's apartment, 690 00:32:32,184 --> 00:32:33,317 For his groceries. 691 00:32:36,989 --> 00:32:39,923 - So maybe marc was onto her, was about to find out 692 00:32:39,925 --> 00:32:42,492 What michelle was doing behind his back. 693 00:32:42,494 --> 00:32:45,028 Marc's parents believed the michelle they knew 694 00:32:45,030 --> 00:32:48,331 Would rather see her husband dead than risk 695 00:32:48,333 --> 00:32:51,801 Being on the losing end of a messy divorce. 696 00:32:51,803 --> 00:32:53,170 - So it was all gonna fall apart. 697 00:32:53,172 --> 00:32:54,204 - Yeah. 698 00:32:54,206 --> 00:32:58,208 - From trailer trash to a rich woman, 699 00:32:58,210 --> 00:33:00,343 So she thought in her mind, uh, 700 00:33:00,345 --> 00:33:02,612 She was fixing to going back to bein' trailer trash again, 701 00:33:02,614 --> 00:33:05,148 And she just couldn't stand the thought. 702 00:33:05,150 --> 00:33:07,317 - But if marc died? 703 00:33:07,319 --> 00:33:09,552 - We found that there were two insurance policies, 704 00:33:09,554 --> 00:33:14,224 Uh, each for the amount of $500,000. 705 00:33:14,226 --> 00:33:16,059 - That's a healthy chunk of change. 706 00:33:16,061 --> 00:33:17,293 - Yes, sir. 707 00:33:17,295 --> 00:33:21,131 - A whole noxious stew of suspicion by now, 708 00:33:21,133 --> 00:33:23,600 But none of it actual proof. 709 00:33:23,602 --> 00:33:24,934 Months went by. 710 00:33:24,936 --> 00:33:26,770 Michelle went on with her life. 711 00:33:26,772 --> 00:33:30,807 Jack and tana pushed investigators to keep going. 712 00:33:30,809 --> 00:33:34,544 They even posted a billboard asking the public for help. 713 00:33:34,546 --> 00:33:38,148 The idea that michelle might get away with murder 714 00:33:38,150 --> 00:33:40,951 Was eating jack alive. 715 00:33:40,953 --> 00:33:43,553 You got a whole lotta anger in there for that woman, 716 00:33:43,555 --> 00:33:44,687 Haven't ya? 717 00:33:44,689 --> 00:33:46,656 - If I could take her life 718 00:33:46,658 --> 00:33:49,626 And bring my son back, I'd do it. 719 00:33:49,628 --> 00:33:52,429 I'd do it in a heartbeat. 720 00:33:52,431 --> 00:33:54,764 - Sometimes it's overwhelming, that anger, isn't it? 721 00:33:54,766 --> 00:33:58,101 - It is, it is. 722 00:33:58,103 --> 00:34:01,037 - A family rift, sex abuse allegations, 723 00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:02,105 Money issues, 724 00:34:02,107 --> 00:34:05,308 Big insurance payouts, even an affair. 725 00:34:05,310 --> 00:34:09,079 This story had all the makings of a hollywood script, 726 00:34:09,081 --> 00:34:12,715 And still there was more in store. 727 00:34:12,717 --> 00:34:16,553 Coming up, one more twist. 728 00:34:16,555 --> 00:34:19,189 - I never dreamed he would do it to me. 729 00:34:19,191 --> 00:34:22,592 - And justice for marc? Maybe. 730 00:34:22,594 --> 00:34:24,427 - I kept thinking of the children. 731 00:34:24,429 --> 00:34:26,996 I wanted answers for the children. 732 00:34:26,998 --> 00:34:30,734 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 733 00:34:33,737 --> 00:34:38,141 ♪♪ 734 00:34:38,143 --> 00:34:38,942 - Welcome back. 735 00:34:38,944 --> 00:34:42,612 In a case full of stunning secrets, 736 00:34:42,614 --> 00:34:45,148 Michelle despain's extramarital affair 737 00:34:45,150 --> 00:34:47,383 Was a bombshell. 738 00:34:47,385 --> 00:34:51,121 But was it motive enough to have her husband killed? 739 00:34:51,123 --> 00:34:52,856 Detectives kept digging, 740 00:34:52,858 --> 00:34:54,891 Looking for clues that could prove 741 00:34:54,893 --> 00:34:56,960 Her participation in the plot. 742 00:34:56,962 --> 00:35:00,497 Their efforts did not appear to bother michelle, 743 00:35:00,499 --> 00:35:03,166 Who some around town thought seemed to be 744 00:35:03,168 --> 00:35:06,703 Enjoying her new life without marc. 745 00:35:06,705 --> 00:35:09,439 Here's keith morrison with the conclusion 746 00:35:09,441 --> 00:35:11,575 Of "the root of all evil." 747 00:35:13,845 --> 00:35:17,013 - Jack and tana despain heard how their son's widow 748 00:35:17,015 --> 00:35:19,816 Was living with a new boyfriend on her arm, 749 00:35:19,818 --> 00:35:21,951 With life insurance money in her pocket, 750 00:35:21,953 --> 00:35:24,254 And they fumed. 751 00:35:24,256 --> 00:35:27,591 - She's buying stuff and buying clothes 752 00:35:27,593 --> 00:35:29,326 And going to restaurants, 753 00:35:29,328 --> 00:35:32,128 And it's very hard for us to take. 754 00:35:32,130 --> 00:35:34,264 - Detective brooks was determined 755 00:35:34,266 --> 00:35:35,665 To see the case through. 756 00:35:35,667 --> 00:35:37,033 Just like marc's parents, 757 00:35:37,035 --> 00:35:40,103 He believed michelle orchestrated the murder, 758 00:35:40,105 --> 00:35:41,605 Down to the very minute. 759 00:35:41,607 --> 00:35:44,107 The shooter himself said as much. 760 00:35:44,109 --> 00:35:46,943 Carl was texting with someone, he said, 761 00:35:46,945 --> 00:35:50,213 As they made their final plans in the church parking lot. 762 00:35:58,623 --> 00:36:01,057 - But virtually all those texts 763 00:36:01,059 --> 00:36:03,093 Had been deleted. 764 00:36:03,095 --> 00:36:07,096 Detective brooks labored for months, nights, weekends. 765 00:36:07,098 --> 00:36:09,866 Kinda got emotionally wrapped up in this one, huh? 766 00:36:09,868 --> 00:36:12,302 - I kept thinking of the children. 767 00:36:12,304 --> 00:36:15,338 I wanted answers for the children. 768 00:36:15,340 --> 00:36:17,774 - And then, a breakthrough. 769 00:36:17,776 --> 00:36:20,176 Finally, nine months after the murder, 770 00:36:20,178 --> 00:36:22,179 A police analyst managed to recover 771 00:36:22,181 --> 00:36:25,848 Several deleted text messages, including this one, 772 00:36:25,850 --> 00:36:29,652 Timestamped 8:20 a.M., five hours before the murder. 773 00:36:29,654 --> 00:36:31,388 Michelle writes to her dad: 774 00:36:36,461 --> 00:36:38,328 Her dad's response? 775 00:36:38,330 --> 00:36:42,699 He asks if she can get him away for lunch, huh? 776 00:36:42,701 --> 00:36:44,067 - Yes. 777 00:36:44,069 --> 00:36:46,002 - She says she can. - She says she can. 778 00:36:47,639 --> 00:36:51,374 And he replies, "okay, I will let you know time." 779 00:36:51,376 --> 00:36:53,543 - And my review of some of the text messages 780 00:36:53,545 --> 00:36:55,511 Is that marc really wasn't interested 781 00:36:55,513 --> 00:36:57,146 In going to eat lunch that day, 782 00:36:57,148 --> 00:36:59,882 But she begged him to take her to lunch. 783 00:36:59,884 --> 00:37:01,284 - After lunch, remember, 784 00:37:01,286 --> 00:37:04,621 She asked marc to linger for an ice cream treat. 785 00:37:04,623 --> 00:37:07,958 All the while texting her dad, said the prosecutor, 786 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:10,493 Tipping him off to marc's whereabouts 787 00:37:10,495 --> 00:37:13,963 As carl placed a killer in their home. 788 00:37:13,965 --> 00:37:16,232 - It-it just kinda sent chills up my back. 789 00:37:16,234 --> 00:37:19,269 How-- what kind of person have you got to be 790 00:37:19,271 --> 00:37:21,771 To let your husband walk away from you, 791 00:37:21,773 --> 00:37:24,874 Knowing what he's gonna walk into when he gets home? 792 00:37:24,876 --> 00:37:26,376 - Armed with their new evidence, 793 00:37:26,378 --> 00:37:28,111 Police arrested michelle. 794 00:37:28,113 --> 00:37:30,580 She was charged with capital murder 795 00:37:30,582 --> 00:37:32,916 For planning and orchestrating the crime. 796 00:37:32,918 --> 00:37:36,920 She denied it, said she could explain everything, 797 00:37:36,922 --> 00:37:39,989 And agreed to tell us. 798 00:37:39,991 --> 00:37:44,060 Why people should believe that you had nothing to do 799 00:37:44,062 --> 00:37:46,362 With the plot to kill marc. 800 00:37:46,364 --> 00:37:48,932 - Because I didn't. 801 00:37:48,934 --> 00:37:54,103 He was such a good dad, such a good dad. 802 00:37:54,105 --> 00:37:57,674 And anybody that knows me knows that my kids 803 00:37:57,676 --> 00:38:01,878 Are so important to me, the most important thing. 804 00:38:01,880 --> 00:38:03,213 - Mm-hmm. 805 00:38:03,215 --> 00:38:04,281 - And I would never want them 806 00:38:04,283 --> 00:38:06,482 To not have their dad. 807 00:38:06,484 --> 00:38:09,218 - But she did want out of the marriage, she said. 808 00:38:09,220 --> 00:38:12,555 So those back-and-forth texts with her dad that day 809 00:38:12,557 --> 00:38:16,392 Did involve a plot. Just not murder. 810 00:38:16,394 --> 00:38:18,428 What do you think he was helping you do? 811 00:38:18,430 --> 00:38:20,563 - Um, leave. 812 00:38:20,565 --> 00:38:22,799 - How was he gonna help you leave? 813 00:38:22,801 --> 00:38:24,400 - By getting, um, 814 00:38:24,402 --> 00:38:26,569 Getting things while we were gone. 815 00:38:26,571 --> 00:38:28,705 - So she'd keep marc at lunch 816 00:38:28,707 --> 00:38:30,540 While carl and two hired hands 817 00:38:30,542 --> 00:38:32,642 Moved her stuff out of the house. 818 00:38:32,644 --> 00:38:35,178 But her dad changed the plan on her, she said, 819 00:38:35,180 --> 00:38:36,980 Used those men to kill her husband. 820 00:38:36,982 --> 00:38:39,082 She swore to us she had no idea 821 00:38:39,084 --> 00:38:41,117 When she met her dad at the bank that day 822 00:38:41,119 --> 00:38:42,585 What he'd just done. 823 00:38:42,587 --> 00:38:44,454 You're this close to each other. 824 00:38:44,456 --> 00:38:46,055 Father and daughter. 825 00:38:46,057 --> 00:38:49,225 And you're lookin' in his eyes and talkin' to him. 826 00:38:49,227 --> 00:38:54,064 He gives no hint that he'd just killed your husband? 827 00:38:54,066 --> 00:38:57,133 - Not at all. - And then michelle-- 828 00:38:57,135 --> 00:38:58,335 What's the expression-- 829 00:38:58,337 --> 00:39:01,003 Threw her father under the bus. 830 00:39:01,005 --> 00:39:03,406 Carl killed marc, she said, 831 00:39:03,408 --> 00:39:06,042 Not because he thought marc was abusing her, 832 00:39:06,044 --> 00:39:08,010 But for money, 833 00:39:08,012 --> 00:39:10,480 For a piece of the insurance payout. 834 00:39:10,482 --> 00:39:12,415 But you were gonna get the insurance. 835 00:39:12,417 --> 00:39:13,683 - Right. 836 00:39:13,685 --> 00:39:16,152 - So even if it was his idea, 837 00:39:16,154 --> 00:39:17,554 It makes you look pretty guilty. 838 00:39:17,556 --> 00:39:18,621 - Right. 839 00:39:18,623 --> 00:39:21,124 One thing that he always told me and my sister 840 00:39:21,126 --> 00:39:23,659 Growin' up was, you know, that he'd, you know, 841 00:39:23,661 --> 00:39:26,963 Use people for what you can get out of 'em, you know. 842 00:39:26,965 --> 00:39:28,197 - That was what he told you? 843 00:39:28,199 --> 00:39:29,165 - Mm-hmm. - Sure. 844 00:39:29,167 --> 00:39:31,834 - And I, um, 845 00:39:31,836 --> 00:39:36,472 I never dreamed he would do it to me, 846 00:39:36,474 --> 00:39:39,275 Use me. 847 00:39:39,277 --> 00:39:40,510 - Did he? 848 00:39:40,512 --> 00:39:43,946 Or was michelle the clever user? 849 00:39:43,948 --> 00:39:45,381 In our interview, 850 00:39:45,383 --> 00:39:47,950 Michelle denied being a master manipulator, 851 00:39:47,952 --> 00:39:51,053 She denied she stoked those sex abuse allegations, 852 00:39:51,055 --> 00:39:54,724 Or that she engineered marc's split with his parents. 853 00:39:54,726 --> 00:39:58,127 For that, she blamed jack and tana. 854 00:39:58,129 --> 00:40:00,363 - I never would've walked away from my kid 855 00:40:00,365 --> 00:40:05,067 In the first place. I never would've. 856 00:40:05,069 --> 00:40:06,136 - In the end, 857 00:40:06,138 --> 00:40:09,038 They didn't walk away from their kid, either. 858 00:40:09,040 --> 00:40:12,108 'cause who was pushing from day one 859 00:40:12,110 --> 00:40:14,811 To solve the murder? 860 00:40:14,813 --> 00:40:18,347 Who kept pushing month after month after month? 861 00:40:18,349 --> 00:40:23,820 - My opinion on that is their hatred toward me. 862 00:40:23,822 --> 00:40:26,823 It wasn't anything to do with marc. 863 00:40:26,825 --> 00:40:28,558 It didn't have anything to do with marc. 864 00:40:28,560 --> 00:40:32,395 It was all about jack despain's hatred toward me. 865 00:40:32,397 --> 00:40:34,664 - You seriously believe that? - I do. 866 00:40:34,666 --> 00:40:38,301 - Michelle, out on bail, waited for trial. 867 00:40:38,303 --> 00:40:41,237 Her mother, kathy, defended her around town. 868 00:40:41,239 --> 00:40:45,341 Did you ever let yourself think she was involved? 869 00:40:45,343 --> 00:40:49,312 - The daughter I know, the daughter I helped raise? 870 00:40:49,314 --> 00:40:50,713 No. 871 00:40:50,715 --> 00:40:52,281 - Meanwhile, michelle's attorneys, 872 00:40:52,283 --> 00:40:53,983 Ray nickle and bill stanley, 873 00:40:53,985 --> 00:40:57,487 Took a closer look at those recovered text messages. 874 00:40:57,489 --> 00:40:59,121 They filed a motion 875 00:40:59,123 --> 00:41:03,660 Arguing that investigators didn't obtain them properly. 876 00:41:03,662 --> 00:41:05,761 - They didn't get a new search warrant 877 00:41:05,763 --> 00:41:07,864 Every time they searched the phone. 878 00:41:07,866 --> 00:41:10,833 We're talkin' about, I think, 15 searches-- 879 00:41:10,835 --> 00:41:12,869 - Yeah. - --Of michelle 880 00:41:12,871 --> 00:41:14,804 And carl's phones. - Mhm. 881 00:41:14,806 --> 00:41:16,839 - And they didn't have 15 search warrants. 882 00:41:16,841 --> 00:41:19,141 - Their arguments about improper search warrants 883 00:41:19,143 --> 00:41:20,843 May have had some traction. 884 00:41:20,845 --> 00:41:25,147 With the trial looming, the prosecutor was worried. 885 00:41:25,149 --> 00:41:28,050 - We're at the high stakes poker, uh, game, 886 00:41:28,052 --> 00:41:29,619 Where it's all or nothin' 887 00:41:29,621 --> 00:41:32,355 When that judge rules the next, uh, the next day 888 00:41:32,357 --> 00:41:35,658 On whether to admit the evidence or not t-to admit it. 889 00:41:35,660 --> 00:41:39,629 - The prosecutor agreed to start talking about a plea deal. 890 00:41:39,631 --> 00:41:41,397 The defense played it tough, 891 00:41:41,399 --> 00:41:43,165 Said michelle was only willing to admit 892 00:41:43,167 --> 00:41:45,168 She learned about her father's plot 893 00:41:45,170 --> 00:41:47,003 After the murder. 894 00:41:47,005 --> 00:41:49,539 - She is admitting to having knowledge 895 00:41:49,541 --> 00:41:51,307 Of someone being involved 896 00:41:51,309 --> 00:41:53,943 And not disclosing that to the police. 897 00:41:53,945 --> 00:41:55,811 - She would agree to plead guilty 898 00:41:55,813 --> 00:41:58,614 To a charge of hindering apprehension, 899 00:41:58,616 --> 00:42:00,182 Said the defense. 900 00:42:00,184 --> 00:42:01,984 After some prayer, 901 00:42:01,986 --> 00:42:05,021 Marc's mother said she could live with that. 902 00:42:05,023 --> 00:42:07,290 - I'm not a gambling person. - Uh-huh. 903 00:42:07,292 --> 00:42:08,925 - A-and, you know, it would only-- 904 00:42:08,927 --> 00:42:10,626 Even if it woulda went to trial, 905 00:42:10,628 --> 00:42:13,663 It would've only took-- taken one sympathetic juror-- 906 00:42:13,665 --> 00:42:14,497 - Yeah. 907 00:42:14,499 --> 00:42:16,399 - --To have, uh, set her free. 908 00:42:16,401 --> 00:42:18,901 - It was more than three years 909 00:42:18,903 --> 00:42:20,670 After the death of her husband 910 00:42:20,672 --> 00:42:22,872 When michelle despain walked into a courtroom 911 00:42:22,874 --> 00:42:24,140 To be sentenced. 912 00:42:24,142 --> 00:42:27,577 She left in handcuffs, mouthing, "I love you," 913 00:42:27,579 --> 00:42:28,811 To her mom. 914 00:42:28,813 --> 00:42:31,881 Her dad and the shooter got 35 years. 915 00:42:31,883 --> 00:42:34,116 Michelle was sentenced to 30 years, 916 00:42:34,118 --> 00:42:37,553 And was eligible for parole after 5. 917 00:42:37,555 --> 00:42:40,423 She was released in December 2018. 918 00:42:43,094 --> 00:42:44,827 As for marc's parents, 919 00:42:44,829 --> 00:42:48,264 They'll try to remember the love for their son. 920 00:42:48,266 --> 00:42:50,166 Some of marc's friends told us that you, uh, 921 00:42:50,168 --> 00:42:52,134 You were his hero, jack. 922 00:42:52,136 --> 00:42:54,237 - Yeah. - You knew that. 923 00:43:01,479 --> 00:43:03,379 - God, I loved him. 924 00:43:03,381 --> 00:43:05,515 - I'm sorry, jack. 925 00:43:05,517 --> 00:43:08,284 Jack and tana set up a charity 926 00:43:08,286 --> 00:43:11,087 To help other victims of violent crime. 927 00:43:11,089 --> 00:43:13,089 It's called marc's place. 928 00:43:13,091 --> 00:43:14,323 - We're gonna try to move forward 929 00:43:14,325 --> 00:43:16,125 With something positive that, uh, 930 00:43:16,127 --> 00:43:18,728 We think marc would be very proud of. 931 00:43:18,730 --> 00:43:20,863 - And on a fall sunset, 932 00:43:20,865 --> 00:43:23,232 They gathered family and friends together 933 00:43:23,234 --> 00:43:28,437 To remember their son and finally say goodbye. 934 00:43:28,439 --> 00:43:31,607 - I tell people all the time that-- 935 00:43:31,609 --> 00:43:36,346 Hug the ones you love. Let 'em know. 936 00:43:36,348 --> 00:43:39,082 You never know, the next moment, they may be gone. 937 00:43:41,953 --> 00:43:43,019 - That's all for this edition 938 00:43:43,021 --> 00:43:45,354 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 939 00:43:45,356 --> 00:43:46,288 I'm craig melvin. 940 00:43:46,290 --> 00:43:48,091 Thank you for watching.