1 00:00:12,946 --> 00:00:14,212 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:14,214 --> 00:00:16,882 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 3 00:00:17,885 --> 00:00:19,484 - All I could see was a dark hallway 4 00:00:19,486 --> 00:00:20,853 With a light coming out of a door. 5 00:00:21,755 --> 00:00:23,689 What am I gonna see? How bad is this gonna be? 6 00:00:24,625 --> 00:00:26,525 Worst case scenario was going through my head. 7 00:00:26,527 --> 00:00:29,161 - Lisa and kevin, they married. 8 00:00:29,163 --> 00:00:31,764 Blending their lives and children. 9 00:00:31,766 --> 00:00:34,166 - It was one big, happy family over there. 10 00:00:34,168 --> 00:00:36,802 - With enough love to welcome a foster daughter 11 00:00:36,804 --> 00:00:39,371 With a troubled past, sabrina. 12 00:00:39,373 --> 00:00:42,240 - When she was told about being placed with the knoefels, 13 00:00:42,242 --> 00:00:43,208 She was ecstatic. 14 00:00:43,210 --> 00:00:44,643 - A happy home, 15 00:00:44,645 --> 00:00:47,746 Until it was ripped apart in a single night. 16 00:00:51,485 --> 00:00:53,085 - Lisa stabbed. 17 00:00:53,087 --> 00:00:54,820 - The blade was actually bent. 18 00:00:54,822 --> 00:00:56,988 It takes a lot to bend a knife blade. 19 00:00:56,990 --> 00:00:59,758 - The killer? None other than sabrina. 20 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:00,859 - I couldn't believe it. 21 00:01:00,861 --> 00:01:03,995 - A loving mom murdered by the foster daughter 22 00:01:03,997 --> 00:01:05,797 She'd opened her home to. 23 00:01:05,799 --> 00:01:08,934 What no one could understand was why. 24 00:01:08,936 --> 00:01:11,003 - Something else had to have been at play, here. 25 00:01:11,005 --> 00:01:12,971 - Indeed, this case 26 00:01:12,973 --> 00:01:15,907 Was about to get a lot more complicated. 27 00:01:15,909 --> 00:01:19,811 Stories of a diabolical plot brewing behind closed doors. 28 00:01:19,813 --> 00:01:22,047 - This was really just betrayal 29 00:01:22,049 --> 00:01:25,017 On top of betrayal on top of betrayal, isn't it? 30 00:01:25,019 --> 00:01:28,353 - And an obsession that would not be denied. 31 00:01:28,355 --> 00:01:29,888 - It was like, "I want this, 32 00:01:29,890 --> 00:01:32,090 "this is how I'm gonna get it." 33 00:01:32,092 --> 00:01:40,098 ♪♪ 34 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:43,969 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 35 00:01:43,971 --> 00:01:46,204 Lisa knoefel and her husband, kevin, 36 00:01:46,206 --> 00:01:49,107 Found room in their hearts and home 37 00:01:49,109 --> 00:01:52,344 For a foster daughter named sabrina. 38 00:01:52,346 --> 00:01:54,880 But the teenager would repay that kindness 39 00:01:54,882 --> 00:01:59,251 By taking lisa's life in a savage attack. 40 00:01:59,253 --> 00:02:01,920 Though detectives knew who did it, 41 00:02:01,922 --> 00:02:04,656 Sabrina's motive remained a mystery. 42 00:02:04,658 --> 00:02:07,459 Their investigation would unlock a deep secret 43 00:02:07,461 --> 00:02:12,397 And a darker plot than anyone involved could fathom. 44 00:02:12,399 --> 00:02:15,667 Here's josh mankiewicz with "deadly betrayal." 45 00:02:17,871 --> 00:02:20,405 - There comes a time in most cops' careers 46 00:02:20,407 --> 00:02:23,075 When they see something so horrific, 47 00:02:23,077 --> 00:02:26,111 They'll do just about anything to forget it. 48 00:02:26,113 --> 00:02:29,615 Even though deep down, they know they never will. 49 00:02:29,617 --> 00:02:33,218 For officer randy mullenax, that moment came 50 00:02:33,220 --> 00:02:35,086 In November, 2012, 51 00:02:35,088 --> 00:02:37,455 On a call to chagrin drive 52 00:02:37,457 --> 00:02:39,624 In willoughby hills, ohio. 53 00:02:39,626 --> 00:02:41,760 You ever had a scene like this, before? 54 00:02:41,762 --> 00:02:44,896 - Never, I've never seen a crime scene like that, 55 00:02:44,898 --> 00:02:47,032 And I hope I never have to again. 56 00:02:47,034 --> 00:02:48,166 It was bad. 57 00:02:48,168 --> 00:02:50,802 - Finding out what happened 58 00:02:50,804 --> 00:02:53,905 That night on chagrin drive and why 59 00:02:53,907 --> 00:02:57,042 Would ultimately lead investigators on a journey 60 00:02:57,044 --> 00:03:01,346 That would reveal accusations of a diabolical murder plot 61 00:03:01,348 --> 00:03:04,516 And a series of betrayals 62 00:03:04,518 --> 00:03:08,153 That tore apart an american family. 63 00:03:08,155 --> 00:03:11,790 That journey would begin when this house of horrors 64 00:03:11,792 --> 00:03:15,460 Was still the loving home of lisa and kevin knoefel, 65 00:03:15,462 --> 00:03:17,996 A couple whose friends describe as 66 00:03:17,998 --> 00:03:21,400 Destined to be together from the moment they met. 67 00:03:21,402 --> 00:03:23,802 - I remember her talking about him, 68 00:03:23,804 --> 00:03:25,770 And she had nothing but great things to say. 69 00:03:25,772 --> 00:03:29,341 - Lisa's close friends, kayleen and karl lessmann, 70 00:03:29,343 --> 00:03:33,912 Were the unofficial chaperones of lisa and kevin's first date. 71 00:03:33,914 --> 00:03:37,015 - We got along right away. - I mean, he fit right in. 72 00:03:37,017 --> 00:03:40,485 Seriously, I can totally see why she was drawn to him. 73 00:03:40,487 --> 00:03:41,820 I mean, you really can. 74 00:03:41,822 --> 00:03:44,356 - Kevin was just as drawn to lisa, 75 00:03:44,358 --> 00:03:47,025 According to kevin's sister, chris ann sutton. 76 00:03:47,027 --> 00:03:48,994 - I remember kevin telling me 77 00:03:48,996 --> 00:03:52,697 That he met somebody, and, uh, "her name is lisa 78 00:03:52,699 --> 00:03:55,634 And I think I really like her." 79 00:03:55,636 --> 00:03:58,603 - Both kevin and lisa had been married before, 80 00:03:58,605 --> 00:04:00,338 And both had children. 81 00:04:00,340 --> 00:04:03,541 Lisa had megan, kevin had cody. 82 00:04:03,543 --> 00:04:05,711 - Kevin was always good with children. 83 00:04:05,713 --> 00:04:08,113 - Linda cover is a knoefel family friend 84 00:04:08,115 --> 00:04:10,615 Who's known kevin all his life. 85 00:04:10,617 --> 00:04:11,983 Good father? - Good father. 86 00:04:11,985 --> 00:04:15,387 - Dedicated father? - Absolutely, absolutely. 87 00:04:15,389 --> 00:04:17,922 - Kevin was a jack of many trades. 88 00:04:17,924 --> 00:04:20,659 A truck driver, a school bus driver, 89 00:04:20,661 --> 00:04:23,194 An emergency medical technician. 90 00:04:23,196 --> 00:04:26,064 Lisa dedicated her life to social work, 91 00:04:26,066 --> 00:04:29,735 Helping and caring for sexually abused kids. 92 00:04:29,737 --> 00:04:32,671 Kayleen was one of lisa's coworkers. 93 00:04:32,673 --> 00:04:34,339 - She just wanted to help people. 94 00:04:34,341 --> 00:04:35,707 We work in a sex abuse unit, 95 00:04:35,709 --> 00:04:38,010 And, um, that's a very difficult subject 96 00:04:38,012 --> 00:04:39,611 A lot of people can't deal with, 97 00:04:39,613 --> 00:04:42,147 But she really prided herself on helping these families, 98 00:04:42,149 --> 00:04:44,683 And being able to help, um, you know, 99 00:04:44,685 --> 00:04:45,750 Make a difference. 100 00:04:45,752 --> 00:04:48,787 - Everyone admired lisa's selflessness. 101 00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:52,291 Her friend, carrie ward, also worked with lisa. 102 00:04:52,293 --> 00:04:53,358 - She took in foster kids 103 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:55,460 While she was a single parent 104 00:04:55,462 --> 00:04:57,862 And, uh, was raising her own daughter by herself. 105 00:04:57,864 --> 00:04:59,030 - That feels like sort of 106 00:04:59,032 --> 00:05:01,166 Going the extra mile and then some. 107 00:05:01,168 --> 00:05:02,367 - She did. 108 00:05:02,369 --> 00:05:04,502 She was always there to help anybody that needed it. 109 00:05:04,504 --> 00:05:06,538 - Admirable. - Yes, very much so. 110 00:05:08,141 --> 00:05:10,942 - One year after kevin and lisa met, 111 00:05:10,944 --> 00:05:12,711 They married. 112 00:05:12,713 --> 00:05:15,480 A year and a half later, lisa and kevin announced 113 00:05:15,482 --> 00:05:19,384 The arrival of a baby of their own, hailey. 114 00:05:19,386 --> 00:05:21,853 Lisa was on top of the world. 115 00:05:21,855 --> 00:05:24,456 - Megan she loved like crazy, of course. 116 00:05:24,458 --> 00:05:26,758 But she really wanted another child. 117 00:05:28,328 --> 00:05:31,229 - But lisa felt she had more to give. 118 00:05:31,231 --> 00:05:33,331 Two years after hailey's birth, 119 00:05:33,333 --> 00:05:36,835 She decided to invite 16-year-old foster child 120 00:05:36,837 --> 00:05:39,404 Sabrina zunich into her home, 121 00:05:39,406 --> 00:05:42,474 And to make sabrina part of the family. 122 00:05:42,476 --> 00:05:45,410 - I met sabrina almost immediately 123 00:05:45,412 --> 00:05:46,745 When she came to the house. 124 00:05:46,747 --> 00:05:51,516 I remember her saying, "I finally have a family." 125 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:53,618 - Everything was going really well. 126 00:05:53,620 --> 00:05:55,153 She fit right in to the family. 127 00:05:55,155 --> 00:05:57,689 Lisa, I mean, couldn't talk highly enough about her. 128 00:05:59,226 --> 00:06:00,359 - But the happy times 129 00:06:00,361 --> 00:06:04,362 For the knoefel's blended and now extended family 130 00:06:04,364 --> 00:06:06,064 Would come to a catastrophic end 131 00:06:06,066 --> 00:06:09,167 On that November night back in 2012, 132 00:06:09,169 --> 00:06:13,505 When lisa knoefel was brutally stabbed in her home. 133 00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:15,373 - When I heard it was lisa 134 00:06:15,375 --> 00:06:17,942 And who did it, I couldn't believe it. 135 00:06:17,944 --> 00:06:21,579 I was like, "y-you're kidding me." 136 00:06:21,581 --> 00:06:24,249 - A devoted mom attacked in her own home, 137 00:06:24,251 --> 00:06:28,653 Enough to stun any family. But a crime this vicious? 138 00:06:28,655 --> 00:06:32,124 The first responding officer arrived to a frantic scene. 139 00:06:34,661 --> 00:06:36,227 - The blade was actually bent. 140 00:06:36,229 --> 00:06:37,796 I just started shaking my head, 141 00:06:37,798 --> 00:06:39,264 Because I couldn't-- 142 00:06:39,266 --> 00:06:40,999 It takes a lot to bend a knife blade. 143 00:06:41,001 --> 00:06:44,536 - Who could have felt enough rage to do that 144 00:06:44,538 --> 00:06:46,237 And why? 145 00:06:46,239 --> 00:06:49,174 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 146 00:06:53,012 --> 00:06:58,283 ♪♪ 147 00:06:58,285 --> 00:07:00,285 - The love and hope that marked 148 00:07:00,287 --> 00:07:03,154 The knoefel's newly blended family 149 00:07:03,156 --> 00:07:05,090 Vanished forever 150 00:07:05,092 --> 00:07:08,093 On a cold November night in 2012. 151 00:07:11,365 --> 00:07:14,098 At about 1:00 am, the willoughby hills police 152 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:17,602 Received a 911 call from the knoefel house. 153 00:07:20,807 --> 00:07:24,809 The caller was the knoefel's 13-year-old daughter megan. 154 00:07:24,811 --> 00:07:26,444 She said her mother lisa 155 00:07:26,446 --> 00:07:30,715 Was being brutally stabbed right before her eyes. 156 00:07:36,923 --> 00:07:38,256 - Megan was screaming, 157 00:07:38,258 --> 00:07:40,658 Yelling at someone to "stop, you're killing her, 158 00:07:40,660 --> 00:07:42,861 "stop, you're hurting her, why are you doing this?" 159 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:47,265 - In the background, 160 00:07:47,267 --> 00:07:50,268 Lisa can be heard pleading for help. 161 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:54,439 - It's really chilling to listen to. 162 00:08:00,981 --> 00:08:03,381 - First responding officer randy mullenax 163 00:08:03,383 --> 00:08:05,116 Arrived at the knoefel home 164 00:08:05,118 --> 00:08:08,353 And found megan frantic at the front door. 165 00:08:08,355 --> 00:08:09,754 - She's waving her hands, 166 00:08:09,756 --> 00:08:11,389 "you need to hurry, hurry, hurry!" 167 00:08:11,391 --> 00:08:14,959 - Mullenax learned kevin knoefel was away on business, 168 00:08:14,961 --> 00:08:17,529 Leaving lisa, megan, hailey, 169 00:08:17,531 --> 00:08:20,899 And their foster daughter, sabrina, at home. 170 00:08:20,901 --> 00:08:22,967 - Worst case scenario was going through my head. 171 00:08:22,969 --> 00:08:23,935 "what am I gonna see? 172 00:08:23,937 --> 00:08:26,037 "wha--how-how bad is this gonna be?" 173 00:08:26,039 --> 00:08:29,040 - It was far worse than he could have imagined. 174 00:08:29,042 --> 00:08:31,843 Out of the master bedroom came the knoefel's 175 00:08:31,845 --> 00:08:36,114 18-year-old foster daughter, sabrina, holding a knife. 176 00:08:36,116 --> 00:08:39,284 - It looked like she-she'd literally showered in blood. 177 00:08:39,286 --> 00:08:41,819 - Mullenax ordered sabrina to the ground, 178 00:08:41,821 --> 00:08:43,187 Where she was cuffed. 179 00:08:43,189 --> 00:08:45,056 He then went to the bedroom, 180 00:08:45,058 --> 00:08:48,860 Where he found lisa knoefel on the floor. 181 00:08:48,862 --> 00:08:52,497 - I could barely even see flesh color, 182 00:08:52,499 --> 00:08:54,899 It was-- there was that much blood on her. 183 00:08:54,901 --> 00:08:56,535 I knew there was nothing I could do. 184 00:08:56,537 --> 00:08:58,803 - The coroner would later determine 185 00:08:58,805 --> 00:09:04,008 Lisa had been stabbed and cut at least 178 times. 186 00:09:04,010 --> 00:09:08,379 Sabrina's weapon was a 15-inch bread knife. 187 00:09:08,381 --> 00:09:10,415 - The blade was actually bent. 188 00:09:10,417 --> 00:09:12,517 And I just started shakin' my head, 189 00:09:12,519 --> 00:09:13,551 Because I couldn't-- 190 00:09:13,553 --> 00:09:15,754 It takes a lot to bend a knife blade. 191 00:09:15,756 --> 00:09:18,957 - With sabrina zunich now booked and in the lock-up, 192 00:09:18,959 --> 00:09:22,961 Detective ron parmertor began the investigation. 193 00:09:22,963 --> 00:09:24,696 This wasn't a case in which you had to wonder 194 00:09:24,698 --> 00:09:26,698 Who was responsible? - That's correct, 195 00:09:26,700 --> 00:09:28,700 We knew right away it was the foster daughter. 196 00:09:28,702 --> 00:09:31,436 - This looked like a case that could be shut 197 00:09:31,438 --> 00:09:32,971 As quickly as it opened. 198 00:09:32,973 --> 00:09:34,505 But if that were true, 199 00:09:34,507 --> 00:09:36,808 We wouldn't be telling you this story. 200 00:09:36,810 --> 00:09:39,511 This turned out to be one of the most unusual cases 201 00:09:39,513 --> 00:09:40,979 We've ever come across. 202 00:09:40,981 --> 00:09:42,814 Police would end up investigating 203 00:09:42,816 --> 00:09:45,650 Not just who, but why. 204 00:09:45,652 --> 00:09:49,254 Well, the answer's as stunning as they were disturbing. 205 00:09:49,256 --> 00:09:52,590 As dawn broke that cold November morning, 206 00:09:52,592 --> 00:09:55,793 Detective parmertor began with his perpetrator, 207 00:09:55,795 --> 00:09:57,929 Sabrina zunich. 208 00:09:57,931 --> 00:09:59,664 - I first noticed 209 00:09:59,666 --> 00:10:02,433 That she was a very small girl, a very frail girl. 210 00:10:02,435 --> 00:10:05,069 - Sabrina started describing the moments 211 00:10:05,071 --> 00:10:06,804 Leading up to the murder. 212 00:10:06,806 --> 00:10:08,940 She'd had a migraine, she said. 213 00:10:08,942 --> 00:10:10,341 While everyone else slept, 214 00:10:10,343 --> 00:10:12,844 She'd walked into the knoefel's master bath 215 00:10:12,846 --> 00:10:14,545 To get some ibuprofen. 216 00:10:14,547 --> 00:10:19,550 And that, she said, is where her memory went blank. 217 00:10:19,552 --> 00:10:22,086 You didn't think anybody could stab someone that many times 218 00:10:22,088 --> 00:10:23,388 And not remember any part of it? 219 00:10:23,390 --> 00:10:25,923 - No. I mean, I tried all different ways of, you know, 220 00:10:25,925 --> 00:10:29,427 Get her to come out and tell me what really happened, 221 00:10:29,429 --> 00:10:31,229 And she was not giving it up. 222 00:10:31,231 --> 00:10:34,332 - And then, sabrina asked for an attorney, 223 00:10:34,334 --> 00:10:36,768 Bringing parmertor's interrogation 224 00:10:36,770 --> 00:10:40,104 To an abrupt and frustrating halt. 225 00:10:40,106 --> 00:10:42,073 You thought, "whatever else we're gonna get, 226 00:10:42,075 --> 00:10:43,808 "it's not gonna come from her." 227 00:10:43,810 --> 00:10:44,909 - Exactly. 228 00:10:44,911 --> 00:10:48,079 - So, parmertor consulted those who arguably knew 229 00:10:48,081 --> 00:10:51,416 This teenaged ward of the state better than anyone, 230 00:10:51,418 --> 00:10:53,818 Sabrina's social workers. 231 00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:56,888 - She had some issues with her family growing up. 232 00:10:56,890 --> 00:11:00,358 Her grandma took custody of her about the age of three. 233 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:02,127 - Case manager nicole corbett 234 00:11:02,129 --> 00:11:04,929 Said sabrina struggled with having been abandoned 235 00:11:04,931 --> 00:11:07,599 By her parents at a very early age. 236 00:11:07,601 --> 00:11:09,701 She ended up in the juvenile system 237 00:11:09,703 --> 00:11:11,869 After stealing from her grandmother 238 00:11:11,871 --> 00:11:13,805 To pay for drugs and alcohol. 239 00:11:13,807 --> 00:11:16,641 - She worked a lot in counseling, 240 00:11:16,643 --> 00:11:18,009 How to cope and how to manage 241 00:11:18,011 --> 00:11:20,511 With everything she was going through. 242 00:11:20,513 --> 00:11:21,613 - Eventually, 243 00:11:21,615 --> 00:11:25,083 Nicole helped place sabrina in the knoefel home. 244 00:11:25,085 --> 00:11:27,485 - She just wanted to be a part of something, 245 00:11:27,487 --> 00:11:28,686 A part of a family. 246 00:11:28,688 --> 00:11:30,822 I know that's what she wanted more than anything, 247 00:11:30,824 --> 00:11:34,125 So when she was told about being placed with the knoefels, 248 00:11:34,127 --> 00:11:35,193 She was ecstatic. 249 00:11:35,195 --> 00:11:37,762 - It turned out the knoefel's love and care 250 00:11:37,764 --> 00:11:40,498 Was just what sabrina needed. 251 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:44,435 - She was going to class, getting good grades. 252 00:11:44,437 --> 00:11:47,505 I think sabrina really was thriving in their home. 253 00:11:47,507 --> 00:11:49,974 - Which made the news that it was sabrina 254 00:11:49,976 --> 00:11:54,011 Who had brutally stabbed lisa all the more baffling. 255 00:11:54,013 --> 00:11:57,482 - I still can't see the sabrina that I know 256 00:11:57,484 --> 00:12:01,486 Being violent towards anyone, let alone what she did. 257 00:12:01,488 --> 00:12:04,155 Something else had to have been at play here. 258 00:12:04,157 --> 00:12:07,759 - Detective ron parmertor was thinking the same way. 259 00:12:07,761 --> 00:12:09,093 He wanted to talk to kevin 260 00:12:09,095 --> 00:12:11,629 About what that "something else" might be. 261 00:12:11,631 --> 00:12:13,264 But he held off. 262 00:12:13,266 --> 00:12:14,565 - I was giving him his space, 263 00:12:14,567 --> 00:12:15,934 Because I thought that he needed time 264 00:12:15,936 --> 00:12:19,404 To, you know, deal with, uh, the tragic death of his wife. 265 00:12:19,406 --> 00:12:22,207 - According to his sister, chris ann, 266 00:12:22,209 --> 00:12:26,277 Kevin was an emotional wreck when he heard what happened. 267 00:12:26,279 --> 00:12:28,412 - I'm sure that there was some guilt, 268 00:12:28,414 --> 00:12:31,015 Because he worked nights and he wasn't home. 269 00:12:31,017 --> 00:12:34,318 He's like, "I never thought this would happen." 270 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:36,687 - Did you think he had anything to do with this? 271 00:12:36,689 --> 00:12:37,688 - No. 272 00:12:37,690 --> 00:12:39,290 - And you could definitively prove 273 00:12:39,292 --> 00:12:41,225 That kevin wasn't even in the house at the time? 274 00:12:41,227 --> 00:12:42,360 - Absolutely. 275 00:12:42,362 --> 00:12:44,962 Kevin was on the ohio/michigan border at the time. 276 00:12:44,964 --> 00:12:48,599 - Still, parmertor felt kevin might hold the key 277 00:12:48,601 --> 00:12:51,369 To solving the riddle of this case. 278 00:12:51,371 --> 00:12:53,771 Why keep going? You've got your suspect. 279 00:12:53,773 --> 00:12:55,540 I mean, she's got the weapon in her hand. 280 00:12:55,542 --> 00:12:58,243 - Just doin' my job as a detective. 281 00:12:58,245 --> 00:12:59,711 I was trying to find out why. 282 00:12:59,713 --> 00:13:02,113 - It was the one central question 283 00:13:02,115 --> 00:13:04,849 That continued to plague detective parmertor 284 00:13:04,851 --> 00:13:07,185 And drive him forward. 285 00:13:07,187 --> 00:13:09,153 You were crossing your fingers and thinking, 286 00:13:09,155 --> 00:13:11,255 "we really need a break." - yes. 287 00:13:11,257 --> 00:13:13,324 - And then one day, it arrives. 288 00:13:13,326 --> 00:13:14,926 - One day, sabrina decides 289 00:13:14,928 --> 00:13:16,861 That she wants to tell us what happened. 290 00:13:16,863 --> 00:13:20,598 - And the story sabrina ultimately told 291 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:23,868 Was far more complicated and twisted 292 00:13:23,870 --> 00:13:26,304 Than anyone could have imagined. 293 00:13:29,442 --> 00:13:31,742 - Investigators hear stories about tensions 294 00:13:31,744 --> 00:13:34,779 In the knoefel's seemingly happy home, 295 00:13:34,781 --> 00:13:37,982 Triggered by sabrina's odd behavior. 296 00:13:37,984 --> 00:13:39,217 - It made lisa uncomfortable. 297 00:13:39,219 --> 00:13:40,952 - Lisa wasn't happy with it, no. 298 00:13:40,954 --> 00:13:44,923 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 299 00:13:48,961 --> 00:13:53,765 ♪♪ 300 00:13:53,767 --> 00:13:56,534 - News of lisa knoefel's bloody murder 301 00:13:56,536 --> 00:13:58,970 Cut through willoughby hills, ohio, 302 00:13:58,972 --> 00:14:02,173 Like a blistering winter wind. 303 00:14:02,175 --> 00:14:05,910 - I was shocked. Lisa was a nice person. 304 00:14:05,912 --> 00:14:09,513 She was a good mom, she was a good wife. 305 00:14:09,515 --> 00:14:12,183 - For someone of that much beauty 306 00:14:12,185 --> 00:14:15,052 And that much... 307 00:14:15,054 --> 00:14:16,454 Giving of herself 308 00:14:16,456 --> 00:14:18,056 To just be taken from us just like that. 309 00:14:18,058 --> 00:14:21,492 It's just- just too much. 310 00:14:21,494 --> 00:14:23,394 - Finding out that the foster daughter 311 00:14:23,396 --> 00:14:25,496 Lisa welcomed into her home 312 00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:27,665 Ended up committing lisa's murder 313 00:14:27,667 --> 00:14:31,202 Only added to the collective pain and suffering. 314 00:14:31,204 --> 00:14:34,038 - Betrayal is-is-is the perfect word 315 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:35,406 For, um, what happened. - Mm-hmm. 316 00:14:35,408 --> 00:14:36,407 Mm-hmm. - I mean, 317 00:14:36,409 --> 00:14:38,709 Somebody hurting her that she had taken in-- 318 00:14:38,711 --> 00:14:40,345 I just can't even imagine 319 00:14:40,347 --> 00:14:42,747 What she must have been going through. 320 00:14:42,749 --> 00:14:45,783 - As detective ron parmertor worked the case, 321 00:14:45,785 --> 00:14:48,152 He learned there'd been growing tension 322 00:14:48,154 --> 00:14:51,689 Within the knoefel home right before the murder. 323 00:14:51,691 --> 00:14:55,693 And the source of that tension was sabrina. 324 00:14:55,695 --> 00:14:57,528 - She got along great with kevin, 325 00:14:57,530 --> 00:15:01,165 And she did not get along well at all with lisa. 326 00:15:01,167 --> 00:15:04,102 - Parmertor discovered lisa had become frustrated 327 00:15:04,104 --> 00:15:08,105 With sabrina's behavior toward kevin. 328 00:15:08,107 --> 00:15:11,008 - She was fascinated with kevin. 329 00:15:11,010 --> 00:15:16,080 She seemed a little vivacious, uh, in my eyes. 330 00:15:16,082 --> 00:15:18,783 Um, flirty. - Mm-hmm. 331 00:15:18,785 --> 00:15:21,118 - Like, flaunting herself. 332 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:25,456 - And parmertor learned from texts on lisa's cell phone 333 00:15:25,458 --> 00:15:28,359 That sabrina's flirty behavior 334 00:15:28,361 --> 00:15:32,363 Had begun to take its toll on lisa and kevin's marriage. 335 00:15:32,365 --> 00:15:35,600 Sabrina was demanding kevin's time, 336 00:15:35,602 --> 00:15:38,269 And kevin was making himself available-- 337 00:15:38,271 --> 00:15:41,739 Too available, as far as lisa was concerned. 338 00:15:41,741 --> 00:15:44,742 - You have one actual text from lisa to kevin 339 00:15:44,744 --> 00:15:45,610 In which she's saying, 340 00:15:45,612 --> 00:15:47,044 "you're getting too close to sabrina." 341 00:15:47,046 --> 00:15:49,647 - Yes. - In fact, lisa wrote... 342 00:15:57,857 --> 00:16:00,958 Lisa also became concerned about the relationship 343 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,461 Sabrina had with her daughter, hailey. 344 00:16:03,463 --> 00:16:07,965 - She acted like a mother to hailey on a regular basis. 345 00:16:07,967 --> 00:16:09,367 - It made lisa uncomfortable. 346 00:16:09,369 --> 00:16:11,702 - Lisa wasn't happy with it, no. 347 00:16:11,704 --> 00:16:13,170 - It sounds like one of the things 348 00:16:13,172 --> 00:16:14,973 That everybody agrees on 349 00:16:14,975 --> 00:16:20,044 Is that sabrina was fixated on-- 350 00:16:20,046 --> 00:16:22,313 Fascinated with hailey. 351 00:16:22,315 --> 00:16:23,781 And-- - she was, 352 00:16:23,783 --> 00:16:26,851 I think she was infatuated with the whole family, 353 00:16:26,853 --> 00:16:30,588 And she wanted to be biologically in that family. 354 00:16:30,590 --> 00:16:33,658 - Parmertor learned that just weeks before the murder, 355 00:16:33,660 --> 00:16:36,160 Tension between lisa and sabrina 356 00:16:36,162 --> 00:16:38,429 Had reached the breaking point. 357 00:16:38,431 --> 00:16:41,532 After 17 months under the knoefel roof, 358 00:16:41,534 --> 00:16:46,704 Sabrina was told it was time to pack up and get out. 359 00:16:46,706 --> 00:16:49,140 - Sabrina got very upset, 360 00:16:49,142 --> 00:16:51,742 Knew that lisa was 361 00:16:51,744 --> 00:16:54,045 The one initiating 362 00:16:54,047 --> 00:16:56,147 That action. 363 00:16:56,149 --> 00:16:59,550 - And what, snapped? - Yes. 364 00:16:59,552 --> 00:17:03,254 - But right now, all that was just a theory. 365 00:17:03,256 --> 00:17:05,289 Then, six months after the murder, 366 00:17:05,291 --> 00:17:08,092 The investigation took another turn. 367 00:17:08,094 --> 00:17:11,762 Parmertor learned sabrina was ready to talk. 368 00:17:11,764 --> 00:17:16,333 - She starts telling her story, she starts sobbing, 369 00:17:16,335 --> 00:17:18,769 Tears are coming down her face. 370 00:17:18,771 --> 00:17:22,773 - Sabrina told "dateline" the same story she told police, 371 00:17:22,775 --> 00:17:24,508 The story of a young girl 372 00:17:24,510 --> 00:17:27,045 Bouncing through the foster-care system. 373 00:17:27,047 --> 00:17:30,047 Always dreaming of a better life. 374 00:17:30,049 --> 00:17:31,582 - I wanted a new beginning, 375 00:17:31,584 --> 00:17:34,785 And to put all the past behind me. 376 00:17:34,787 --> 00:17:38,189 I wanted that-that picket white fence, 377 00:17:38,191 --> 00:17:41,125 The dinner on the table with siblings and, you know, 378 00:17:41,127 --> 00:17:42,393 Something I never had. 379 00:17:42,395 --> 00:17:44,595 I wanted that structure of a family. 380 00:17:44,597 --> 00:17:47,965 - So, when the knoefels opened their door to sabrina, 381 00:17:47,967 --> 00:17:50,334 It was a dream come true. 382 00:17:50,336 --> 00:17:54,371 - My first impression of kevin was caring father. 383 00:17:54,373 --> 00:17:57,074 Somebody that was willing to, you know, 384 00:17:57,076 --> 00:17:59,410 Get to know me and want to know me. 385 00:17:59,412 --> 00:18:01,846 - And then there was lisa. 386 00:18:01,848 --> 00:18:03,447 - My relationship with lisa, 387 00:18:03,449 --> 00:18:05,583 It was at first good. 388 00:18:05,585 --> 00:18:07,318 We would all spend time together, 389 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:09,153 We would go swimming in the backyard. 390 00:18:09,155 --> 00:18:10,955 I felt a part of the family. 391 00:18:10,957 --> 00:18:13,290 - Then sabrina confirmed 392 00:18:13,292 --> 00:18:15,693 What parmertor had already heard. 393 00:18:15,695 --> 00:18:18,395 The good times quickly came to an end 394 00:18:18,397 --> 00:18:21,365 When sabrina and lisa started arguing. 395 00:18:21,367 --> 00:18:24,502 According to sabrina, lisa began thinking of her 396 00:18:24,504 --> 00:18:27,471 As more foster than daughter. 397 00:18:27,473 --> 00:18:30,040 And sabrina didn't like that. 398 00:18:30,042 --> 00:18:31,475 - I felt like the outsider. 399 00:18:31,477 --> 00:18:34,245 I felt kind of, um, abandoned 400 00:18:34,247 --> 00:18:37,081 In a certain type of way, and not accepted. 401 00:18:37,083 --> 00:18:39,583 - Sabrina admitted her close relationship 402 00:18:39,585 --> 00:18:41,519 With both kevin and hailey 403 00:18:41,521 --> 00:18:45,356 Had become a major source of friction with lisa. 404 00:18:45,358 --> 00:18:49,226 - She doesn't like the fact of how I'm acting with hailey, 405 00:18:49,228 --> 00:18:52,597 And wouldn't let hailey come around me, 406 00:18:52,599 --> 00:18:54,465 Not even give me a hug at night. 407 00:18:54,467 --> 00:18:56,834 It really-- it hurt me. - And then came the moment 408 00:18:56,836 --> 00:19:01,272 When sabrina said lisa told her it was time to go. 409 00:19:01,274 --> 00:19:02,740 - She was very blunt about it. 410 00:19:02,742 --> 00:19:04,041 And she was like, "I'm sorry, 411 00:19:04,043 --> 00:19:06,277 "but I don't want you here anymore." 412 00:19:06,279 --> 00:19:08,078 My life was shattering before me. 413 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:11,615 The betrayal, the abandonment. 414 00:19:11,617 --> 00:19:13,818 All that came to surface. 415 00:19:13,820 --> 00:19:15,153 - Two weeks later, 416 00:19:15,155 --> 00:19:18,089 Sabrina says she quietly, carefully walked 417 00:19:18,091 --> 00:19:21,959 Into lisa's darkened bedroom, a knife in her hand. 418 00:19:21,961 --> 00:19:25,296 - I was in the room for a good 10-15 minutes, 419 00:19:25,298 --> 00:19:27,398 And it was a constant, like, battle in my head. 420 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:30,768 Just do it, don't do it, just do it. 421 00:19:30,770 --> 00:19:32,102 - In the end, 422 00:19:32,104 --> 00:19:35,973 It was sabrina's darker side that won out. 423 00:19:35,975 --> 00:19:38,376 - She wakes up, and she thought I was megan 424 00:19:38,378 --> 00:19:40,578 And was like, "megan, go to bed." 425 00:19:40,580 --> 00:19:42,246 I completely froze, 426 00:19:42,248 --> 00:19:45,049 And then she sits up in her bed, 427 00:19:45,051 --> 00:19:47,251 And she was like, "megan, g--" 428 00:19:47,253 --> 00:19:50,054 And she realized it wasn't megan, 429 00:19:50,056 --> 00:19:51,922 And that's when I did it. 430 00:19:51,924 --> 00:19:54,525 I remember her shouting, "'bri, stop!" 431 00:19:54,527 --> 00:19:57,027 And I remember megan coming in and setting a-- 432 00:19:57,029 --> 00:19:58,729 Setting a hand on my shoulder 433 00:19:58,731 --> 00:19:59,964 And saying, "'bri, stop!" 434 00:19:59,966 --> 00:20:04,101 And I just nudged her off and told her, "megan, don't." 435 00:20:04,103 --> 00:20:06,804 - Anger triggered by a troubled teenager's 436 00:20:06,806 --> 00:20:10,241 Feeling of abandonment leading to murder. 437 00:20:10,243 --> 00:20:12,944 For ron parmertor, sabrina's story 438 00:20:12,946 --> 00:20:15,980 Made perfect, if tragic, sense. 439 00:20:15,982 --> 00:20:18,683 You believe sabrina. - Absolutely. 440 00:20:18,685 --> 00:20:21,151 - But sabrina was not done. 441 00:20:21,153 --> 00:20:24,822 What she was about to reveal would send this investigation 442 00:20:24,824 --> 00:20:28,692 Hurtling in a completely new and alarming direction. 443 00:20:28,694 --> 00:20:33,964 Sabrina told detective parmertor she didn't act alone. 444 00:20:33,966 --> 00:20:35,833 - I couldn't have done something like this 445 00:20:35,835 --> 00:20:37,835 If I didn't have an outer influence. 446 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:43,340 - Sabrina drops a bombshell, 447 00:20:43,342 --> 00:20:45,309 Claiming that getting rid of lisa 448 00:20:45,311 --> 00:20:48,846 Was actually someone else's idea. 449 00:20:48,848 --> 00:20:52,283 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 450 00:20:56,121 --> 00:21:00,057 ♪♪ 451 00:21:00,059 --> 00:21:02,660 - Welcome back to "dateline: "secrets uncovered," 452 00:21:02,662 --> 00:21:03,894 I'm craig melvin. 453 00:21:03,896 --> 00:21:07,464 Sabrina zunich had confessed to the brutal murder 454 00:21:07,466 --> 00:21:10,167 Of her foster mother, lisa knoefel. 455 00:21:10,169 --> 00:21:11,802 From the beginning, detectives believed 456 00:21:11,804 --> 00:21:14,271 There had to be more to the story. 457 00:21:14,273 --> 00:21:17,508 Now, sabrina had more to say. 458 00:21:17,510 --> 00:21:20,077 And the staggering secret she was about to reveal 459 00:21:20,079 --> 00:21:23,881 Would turn this investigation on its head. 460 00:21:23,883 --> 00:21:26,217 Continuing with "deadly betrayal," 461 00:21:26,219 --> 00:21:27,752 Here's josh mankiewicz. 462 00:21:28,287 --> 00:21:30,754 - Detective ron parmertor 463 00:21:30,756 --> 00:21:33,891 Always knew who killed lisa knoefel, 464 00:21:33,893 --> 00:21:36,593 And now he thought he understood why. 465 00:21:36,595 --> 00:21:38,996 Sabrina had told parmertor 466 00:21:38,998 --> 00:21:41,665 Lisa was about to crush her dream 467 00:21:41,667 --> 00:21:44,235 Of remaining part of the knoefel family. 468 00:21:44,237 --> 00:21:45,569 - She hated lisa. 469 00:21:45,571 --> 00:21:47,571 - That feels to me like a motive. 470 00:21:47,573 --> 00:21:48,872 - Absolutely. 471 00:21:48,874 --> 00:21:50,441 - I hated lisa, 472 00:21:50,443 --> 00:21:53,444 But it was only because she was triggering 473 00:21:53,446 --> 00:21:55,646 A lot of past issues. 474 00:21:55,648 --> 00:21:57,048 - But there was more. 475 00:21:57,050 --> 00:22:00,317 There was, said sabrina, someone else. 476 00:22:00,319 --> 00:22:03,187 - It's not all my fault. 477 00:22:03,189 --> 00:22:06,056 Now, I take responsibility, because I did what I did, 478 00:22:06,058 --> 00:22:07,191 And I know it was wrong. 479 00:22:07,193 --> 00:22:09,727 But if it weren't for him, it would not have happened. 480 00:22:09,729 --> 00:22:11,962 - If it weren't for him. 481 00:22:11,964 --> 00:22:16,667 Sabrina was referring to her foster father, kevin. 482 00:22:16,669 --> 00:22:19,069 - I was doing what kevin told me to do. 483 00:22:19,071 --> 00:22:20,805 That's what it comes down to. 484 00:22:20,807 --> 00:22:24,141 - It was an astonishing accusation. 485 00:22:24,143 --> 00:22:25,343 Sabrina told parmertor 486 00:22:25,345 --> 00:22:29,613 Kevin had grown to hate lisa even more than she did. 487 00:22:29,615 --> 00:22:33,083 It was a feeling she said kevin shared with her slowly 488 00:22:33,085 --> 00:22:35,353 Over several months. 489 00:22:35,355 --> 00:22:36,287 - He started to text me 490 00:22:36,289 --> 00:22:38,555 "I wish she-- I wish she was dead." 491 00:22:38,557 --> 00:22:41,892 Or "I can't stand her. She just needs to go." 492 00:22:41,894 --> 00:22:44,295 According to sabrina, kevin also revealed 493 00:22:44,297 --> 00:22:47,598 That lisa had multiple life insurance policies 494 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:51,769 And that she was worth more dead than alive. 495 00:22:51,771 --> 00:22:53,237 - You had sensed for a long time 496 00:22:53,239 --> 00:22:54,305 That there was something going on 497 00:22:54,307 --> 00:22:56,106 That sabrina wasn't talking about. 498 00:22:56,108 --> 00:22:58,308 - Mm-hmm. - Did you think this was it? 499 00:22:58,310 --> 00:23:00,144 - Didn't think it was this involved. 500 00:23:00,146 --> 00:23:02,379 - But just as it seemed sabrina's story 501 00:23:02,381 --> 00:23:05,215 Couldn't get any more twisted, 502 00:23:05,217 --> 00:23:07,251 She dropped a second bombshell. 503 00:23:07,253 --> 00:23:10,020 - Her story was that 504 00:23:10,022 --> 00:23:14,324 Kevin and her were having a sexual relationship, 505 00:23:14,326 --> 00:23:15,459 And it was going on 506 00:23:15,461 --> 00:23:19,463 For probably about 6-8 months 507 00:23:19,465 --> 00:23:21,399 Prior to the homicide. 508 00:23:21,401 --> 00:23:23,467 - I absolutely fell in love with him. 509 00:23:23,469 --> 00:23:27,004 - Kevin, sabrina said, promised her the world 510 00:23:27,006 --> 00:23:30,474 And played on her love of 3-year-old hailey. 511 00:23:30,476 --> 00:23:32,943 - He promised me we were gonna have our own house. 512 00:23:32,945 --> 00:23:36,480 And, um, I could, you know, take over the role for hailey, 513 00:23:36,482 --> 00:23:38,348 You know, a mother figure. 514 00:23:38,350 --> 00:23:40,584 And I'd go to college, 515 00:23:40,586 --> 00:23:44,354 Do everything that I ever wanted to do in life. 516 00:23:44,356 --> 00:23:47,090 - And then, she said, kevin finally convinced her 517 00:23:47,092 --> 00:23:51,094 The only way to realize that picket fence dream 518 00:23:51,096 --> 00:23:53,030 Was to kill lisa. 519 00:23:53,032 --> 00:23:54,998 - It just started getting more concrete, 520 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:59,269 More of... "do you wanna do it?" 521 00:23:59,271 --> 00:24:01,439 You know, "this is what we could have 522 00:24:01,441 --> 00:24:05,443 If, you know-- if we do this." 523 00:24:05,445 --> 00:24:06,911 When you're in love, 524 00:24:06,913 --> 00:24:09,980 You will do anything for that person. 525 00:24:09,982 --> 00:24:11,315 - According to sabrina, 526 00:24:11,317 --> 00:24:15,285 They first discussed the idea of sabrina shooting lisa. 527 00:24:15,287 --> 00:24:18,121 Then they considered hiring a hitman. 528 00:24:18,123 --> 00:24:20,190 Then after several months, 529 00:24:20,192 --> 00:24:23,327 They finally settled on sabrina stabbing lisa 530 00:24:23,329 --> 00:24:25,295 In her sleep. 531 00:24:25,297 --> 00:24:27,331 - Kevin picked out this bread knife, 532 00:24:27,333 --> 00:24:30,634 And it was about a foot long. 533 00:24:30,636 --> 00:24:32,870 And it had a rigid blade. 534 00:24:32,872 --> 00:24:36,273 And, um, he said to use this one 535 00:24:36,275 --> 00:24:41,144 Because it would do more damage on the-on the inside. 536 00:24:41,146 --> 00:24:43,313 I was supposed to take her ring, her necklace, all of that, 537 00:24:43,315 --> 00:24:48,552 As if somebody came in and, you know, burglarized her. 538 00:24:48,554 --> 00:24:51,622 - Are you kidding me? 539 00:24:51,624 --> 00:24:54,024 - When kevin's friend linda cover got wind 540 00:24:54,026 --> 00:24:58,262 Of sabrina's story, she was dumbfounded. 541 00:24:58,264 --> 00:25:01,565 - I thought that it was absolutely crazy. 542 00:25:01,567 --> 00:25:04,167 There was no way. I can't even believe 543 00:25:04,169 --> 00:25:06,937 That he would even begin to do anything like that. 544 00:25:06,939 --> 00:25:09,773 - Neither could kevin's sister, chris ann. 545 00:25:09,775 --> 00:25:13,877 Kevin, she said, loved lisa too much to want to harm her, 546 00:25:13,879 --> 00:25:16,246 Nor would he ever do anything 547 00:25:16,248 --> 00:25:19,116 To risk the safety of his children. 548 00:25:19,118 --> 00:25:22,452 - He would not put his kids in harm's way, 549 00:25:22,454 --> 00:25:25,055 And I include megan in that. 550 00:25:25,057 --> 00:25:27,525 He thought of megan as his own daughter. 551 00:25:27,527 --> 00:25:30,727 - No one, she said, could be manipulated 552 00:25:30,729 --> 00:25:32,796 Into committing such a violent act. 553 00:25:32,798 --> 00:25:35,866 - This is the act of one person 554 00:25:35,868 --> 00:25:37,668 And one person only. 555 00:25:37,670 --> 00:25:39,269 According to linda cover, 556 00:25:39,271 --> 00:25:42,873 Sabrina's story was a web of lies, 557 00:25:42,875 --> 00:25:46,477 Woven together by a deranged and troubled teen, 558 00:25:46,479 --> 00:25:49,346 Whose fantasy of having a life with kevin and hailey 559 00:25:49,348 --> 00:25:52,316 Pushed her over the edge. 560 00:25:52,318 --> 00:25:53,784 - I think she imagined a relationship 561 00:25:53,786 --> 00:25:55,252 That didn't exist. 562 00:25:55,254 --> 00:25:57,287 It was like, "I want this, 563 00:25:57,289 --> 00:25:59,523 So this is how I'm gonna get it." 564 00:25:59,525 --> 00:26:02,159 - As for the alleged affair? 565 00:26:02,161 --> 00:26:04,861 Did you ever see any hint of anything inappropriate 566 00:26:04,863 --> 00:26:06,630 Between kevin and sabrina? 567 00:26:06,632 --> 00:26:07,831 - Absolutely not. 568 00:26:07,833 --> 00:26:10,901 - No. No. 569 00:26:10,903 --> 00:26:13,136 That's not my brother. 570 00:26:13,138 --> 00:26:15,573 - Sabrina, they said, turned on kevin 571 00:26:15,575 --> 00:26:17,308 And blamed him for everything, 572 00:26:17,310 --> 00:26:19,676 Hoping for a plea deal. 573 00:26:19,678 --> 00:26:21,278 - So what's going on here? 574 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:23,047 Sabrina lying to save her own skin? 575 00:26:23,049 --> 00:26:26,049 - Absolutely. Absolutely. 576 00:26:26,051 --> 00:26:28,919 - Not according to detective parmertor. 577 00:26:28,921 --> 00:26:31,455 Your convinced there really was a plan between her and kevin. 578 00:26:31,457 --> 00:26:32,789 - Yes. 579 00:26:32,791 --> 00:26:34,891 - And that there was an affair, 580 00:26:34,893 --> 00:26:37,461 Despite the lack of hard evidence. 581 00:26:37,463 --> 00:26:40,130 But you had no proof. There's no love letters. 582 00:26:40,132 --> 00:26:41,198 - No. 583 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:43,467 - There's no photographs. There's no videotape. 584 00:26:43,469 --> 00:26:44,802 - No. 585 00:26:44,804 --> 00:26:46,870 - How do you know it happened? 586 00:26:46,872 --> 00:26:48,005 - I took sabrina on her word. 587 00:26:48,007 --> 00:26:50,140 Every time we interviewed sabrina, 588 00:26:50,142 --> 00:26:52,643 She always told us the same story. 589 00:26:52,645 --> 00:26:55,079 - And it rang true? - Absolutely rang true. 590 00:26:55,081 --> 00:26:57,581 - And parmertor said he was suspicious of kevin 591 00:26:57,583 --> 00:27:00,350 Even before sabrina came forward. 592 00:27:00,352 --> 00:27:02,285 Several weeks after the murder, 593 00:27:02,287 --> 00:27:05,989 Parmertor asked kevin to come to the station for an interview. 594 00:27:05,991 --> 00:27:08,825 Kevin brought along his attorney. 595 00:27:08,827 --> 00:27:10,127 - He would only answer the questions 596 00:27:10,129 --> 00:27:11,862 About his wife's work. 597 00:27:11,864 --> 00:27:13,030 - And nothing about the murder. 598 00:27:13,032 --> 00:27:15,165 - Nothing about the murder. 599 00:27:15,167 --> 00:27:16,800 - Parmertor also became suspicious 600 00:27:16,802 --> 00:27:19,736 Of how kevin began filing claims 601 00:27:19,738 --> 00:27:23,173 For lisa's $800,000 in life insurance 602 00:27:23,175 --> 00:27:27,611 Within hours of lisa being pronounced dead. 603 00:27:27,613 --> 00:27:30,814 And then he started spending the money. 604 00:27:30,816 --> 00:27:34,451 - He was buying cars. He was buying a camper. 605 00:27:34,453 --> 00:27:38,021 He was remodeling his house inside. 606 00:27:38,023 --> 00:27:40,190 - All with lisa's insurance money? 607 00:27:40,192 --> 00:27:42,192 - All with lisa's insurance money. 608 00:27:42,194 --> 00:27:44,861 - All of that was enough for detectives. 609 00:27:44,863 --> 00:27:46,963 Three months after sabrina accused kevin 610 00:27:46,965 --> 00:27:49,933 Of manipulating her into killing lisa, 611 00:27:49,935 --> 00:27:52,736 Detective parmertor arrested kevin 612 00:27:52,738 --> 00:27:55,739 And charged him with plotting the murder. 613 00:27:55,741 --> 00:27:57,674 Sabrina agreed to testify 614 00:27:57,676 --> 00:28:00,477 As the state's star witness. 615 00:28:00,479 --> 00:28:03,080 In exchange, the district attorney's office 616 00:28:03,082 --> 00:28:07,951 Agreed to recommend that sabrina receive a reduced sentence. 617 00:28:07,953 --> 00:28:10,754 You're taking the word of an admitted murderer here. 618 00:28:10,756 --> 00:28:12,556 - Correct. 619 00:28:12,558 --> 00:28:15,292 - Even though she's clearly got a reason to lie about this. 620 00:28:15,294 --> 00:28:18,295 - Yep. I believe what she was telling us is the truth. 621 00:28:18,297 --> 00:28:20,964 - But would a jury agree? 622 00:28:23,368 --> 00:28:27,170 - Testimony that kevin had talked about divorcing lisa 623 00:28:27,172 --> 00:28:29,840 And wanting sabrina to live with him. 624 00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:31,141 - I thought it was a little odd 625 00:28:31,143 --> 00:28:34,878 That he wanted to take a 17-year-old girl 626 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:37,380 Alone in a home with just him. 627 00:28:37,382 --> 00:28:40,417 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 628 00:28:44,722 --> 00:28:50,527 ♪♪ 629 00:28:50,529 --> 00:28:52,596 - In the spring of 2014, 630 00:28:52,598 --> 00:28:56,500 Kevin knoefel's trial began in lake county, ohio. 631 00:28:56,502 --> 00:28:59,402 The charges: Complicity and conspiracy 632 00:28:59,404 --> 00:29:02,005 To commit aggravated murder. 633 00:29:02,007 --> 00:29:04,741 Kevin was also charged with sexual battery 634 00:29:04,743 --> 00:29:06,943 Relating to sabrina. 635 00:29:06,945 --> 00:29:08,912 - She was the perfect patsy. 636 00:29:08,914 --> 00:29:11,948 - Young, impressionable, and-- - idealist. 637 00:29:11,950 --> 00:29:14,117 - And anxious to have a guy love her. 638 00:29:14,119 --> 00:29:15,986 - Yes. - And so he manipulated her. 639 00:29:15,988 --> 00:29:17,287 - Yeah. 640 00:29:17,289 --> 00:29:21,691 - But this was no slam-dunk. Kevin denied all charges. 641 00:29:21,693 --> 00:29:23,493 And prosecutors acknowledged 642 00:29:23,495 --> 00:29:27,063 Their case was based primarily on the word of sabrina, 643 00:29:27,065 --> 00:29:29,833 A young woman with plenty of reason to lie. 644 00:29:29,835 --> 00:29:33,036 This put you in a difficult situation, it seems to me. 645 00:29:33,038 --> 00:29:35,372 I mean, you are defending the character 646 00:29:35,374 --> 00:29:37,207 Of this cold-blooded murderer, 647 00:29:37,209 --> 00:29:39,476 And the fact that she committed this murder 648 00:29:39,478 --> 00:29:41,211 Is all on someone else. 649 00:29:41,213 --> 00:29:42,512 - Not necessarily on someone else, 650 00:29:42,514 --> 00:29:44,381 But together with somebody else. 651 00:29:44,383 --> 00:29:46,783 She would never have done this by herself. 652 00:29:46,785 --> 00:29:50,020 - Without any direct proof of the alleged affair, 653 00:29:50,022 --> 00:29:51,655 Prosecutors began by calling those 654 00:29:51,657 --> 00:29:55,659 Who say they saw signs of inappropriate behavior 655 00:29:55,661 --> 00:29:59,396 Between a foster father and foster daughter. 656 00:29:59,398 --> 00:30:01,731 Sabrina's teacher, willie smith, 657 00:30:01,733 --> 00:30:03,867 Describes spotting kevin with sabrina 658 00:30:03,869 --> 00:30:06,803 At the school one afternoon. 659 00:30:06,805 --> 00:30:11,275 - She, uh, moved toward sitting in his lap, 660 00:30:11,277 --> 00:30:12,809 Inside his legs. 661 00:30:12,811 --> 00:30:14,611 - What did-what did you do at that point? 662 00:30:14,613 --> 00:30:17,814 - I did a double-take, kind of, really. 663 00:30:17,816 --> 00:30:19,616 - Then nicole corbett, 664 00:30:19,618 --> 00:30:22,352 Sabrina's social worker case manager, 665 00:30:22,354 --> 00:30:24,754 Testified about a strange call from kevin 666 00:30:24,756 --> 00:30:27,290 Just about a month before the murder. 667 00:30:27,292 --> 00:30:28,892 Kevin, she said, 668 00:30:28,894 --> 00:30:31,695 Admitted his marriage to lisa was in trouble 669 00:30:31,697 --> 00:30:34,364 And said they were considering divorce. 670 00:30:34,366 --> 00:30:36,233 - What was your reaction to that statement? 671 00:30:36,235 --> 00:30:37,234 - I was surprised. 672 00:30:37,236 --> 00:30:39,970 I didn't know they were even considering 673 00:30:39,972 --> 00:30:41,571 Splitting up or divorce. 674 00:30:41,573 --> 00:30:44,574 - Kevin, she said, asked whether in a divorce 675 00:30:44,576 --> 00:30:47,244 He would be able to take sabrina with him 676 00:30:47,246 --> 00:30:50,380 As opposed to her staying with lisa. 677 00:30:50,382 --> 00:30:52,582 - I just thought it was a little odd 678 00:30:52,584 --> 00:30:57,254 That he wanted to take a 17-year-old girl 679 00:30:57,256 --> 00:30:59,923 Alone in a home with just him. 680 00:30:59,925 --> 00:31:03,793 - Prosecutors next showed jurors cell phone activity, 681 00:31:03,795 --> 00:31:05,996 More evidence, they said, that indicated 682 00:31:05,998 --> 00:31:08,532 Kevin and sabrina were having an affair. 683 00:31:08,534 --> 00:31:09,466 Kevin was texting sabrina 684 00:31:09,468 --> 00:31:11,968 Way more than he was texting his wife? 685 00:31:11,970 --> 00:31:13,436 - Substantially more. 686 00:31:13,438 --> 00:31:15,338 - Within a 2-week period, 687 00:31:15,340 --> 00:31:18,642 Kevin and sabrina texted and called each other 688 00:31:18,644 --> 00:31:21,745 Almost 1,500 times. 689 00:31:21,747 --> 00:31:25,081 That compares to just 200 calls and texts 690 00:31:25,083 --> 00:31:27,450 Between kevin and lisa. 691 00:31:27,452 --> 00:31:29,486 Prosecutors then turned jurors' attention 692 00:31:29,488 --> 00:31:32,656 To kevin's behavior after lisa's murder. 693 00:31:32,658 --> 00:31:36,693 David strunk was one of kevin's close friends. 694 00:31:36,695 --> 00:31:38,962 Strunk testified that kevin seemed desperate 695 00:31:38,964 --> 00:31:41,698 To visit sabrina in jail 696 00:31:41,700 --> 00:31:44,668 Just one day after the murder. 697 00:31:44,670 --> 00:31:47,103 - He told me that he just wanted to let her know 698 00:31:47,105 --> 00:31:50,140 That, uh, he was still there for her. 699 00:31:50,142 --> 00:31:53,510 This was the person that had just killed his wife, 700 00:31:53,512 --> 00:31:54,911 And I was shocked that he would want to have 701 00:31:54,913 --> 00:31:56,580 Any sort of contact with her. 702 00:31:56,582 --> 00:31:58,381 - According to karen kowall, 703 00:31:58,383 --> 00:32:01,217 Kevin's real reason for wanting to see sabrina 704 00:32:01,219 --> 00:32:04,654 Was to keep her from talking to police 705 00:32:04,656 --> 00:32:07,490 And telling them about kevin's involvement 706 00:32:07,492 --> 00:32:09,126 In the murder plot. 707 00:32:09,128 --> 00:32:12,829 - The trip to the jail was certainly huge. 708 00:32:12,831 --> 00:32:16,700 - As pleased as prosecutors were with their case so far, 709 00:32:16,702 --> 00:32:19,069 They knew it would stand or fall 710 00:32:19,071 --> 00:32:23,506 On how the jury responded to their next witness. 711 00:32:23,508 --> 00:32:26,476 Were you guys worried? - I was worried. 712 00:32:26,478 --> 00:32:29,279 - They listened. Everyone listened 713 00:32:29,281 --> 00:32:34,284 As sabrina told of the night she took lisa's life. 714 00:32:34,286 --> 00:32:36,753 - I started to stab her. 715 00:32:36,755 --> 00:32:40,023 I just raised the knife up and went down on her. 716 00:32:40,025 --> 00:32:42,859 - Why is it you can violently and brutally 717 00:32:42,861 --> 00:32:47,831 Stab her repeatedly 178 times? 718 00:32:47,833 --> 00:32:52,235 - Because... [sniffling] 719 00:32:52,237 --> 00:32:54,638 I was manipulated to do it. 720 00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:57,374 - By who? - Kevin. 721 00:32:57,376 --> 00:32:58,241 - What did you think? 722 00:32:58,243 --> 00:32:59,909 - Sabrina was a strong witness. 723 00:32:59,911 --> 00:33:02,712 - I felt she did a-a-a good job. 724 00:33:02,714 --> 00:33:07,584 - Maybe so, but without anyone to corroborate sabrina's story, 725 00:33:07,586 --> 00:33:08,585 Prosecutors feared 726 00:33:08,587 --> 00:33:13,323 The jury still wouldn't believe it or her. 727 00:33:13,325 --> 00:33:15,592 Enter the next witness, 728 00:33:15,594 --> 00:33:18,795 Sabrina's high school friend autumn pavlik. 729 00:33:18,797 --> 00:33:21,598 Autumn testified she had firsthand knowledge 730 00:33:21,600 --> 00:33:25,869 About the murder plan and kevin's involvement in it. 731 00:33:25,871 --> 00:33:28,071 - There was a phone call 732 00:33:28,073 --> 00:33:29,206 That we had. 733 00:33:29,208 --> 00:33:33,209 She had asked me if I was able to get her a hitman. 734 00:33:33,211 --> 00:33:34,511 - Could you tell if there were any other people 735 00:33:34,513 --> 00:33:36,780 In the room at the time. - Yes. 736 00:33:36,782 --> 00:33:38,415 - And how could you tell that? 737 00:33:38,417 --> 00:33:41,351 - I could hear the defendant in the background talking. 738 00:33:41,353 --> 00:33:43,453 - Autumn then testified she and sabrina 739 00:33:43,455 --> 00:33:46,423 Discussed the idea of paying the hitman 740 00:33:46,425 --> 00:33:48,792 By delivering drugs for him. 741 00:33:48,794 --> 00:33:49,726 That's when she said 742 00:33:49,728 --> 00:33:52,629 Sabrina handed the phone to kevin. 743 00:33:52,631 --> 00:33:54,798 - What did he ask you at that time? 744 00:33:54,800 --> 00:33:57,300 - "do you need me to take you to go run drugs?" 745 00:33:57,302 --> 00:34:00,036 - Okay, and what was that in reference to? 746 00:34:00,038 --> 00:34:01,337 - Uh, the hit. 747 00:34:01,339 --> 00:34:03,339 - Autumn said she ultimately backed out 748 00:34:03,341 --> 00:34:05,842 Of the plan altogether. 749 00:34:05,844 --> 00:34:07,911 - Finally I said, "sorry, I can't help you. 750 00:34:07,913 --> 00:34:09,712 "I don't want anything to do with it." 751 00:34:09,714 --> 00:34:11,081 But autumn was willing 752 00:34:11,083 --> 00:34:13,316 To later help detective parmertor 753 00:34:13,318 --> 00:34:15,118 With his investigation. 754 00:34:15,120 --> 00:34:17,187 After hearing autumn's story, 755 00:34:17,189 --> 00:34:19,923 Parmertor asked autumn to call kevin 756 00:34:19,925 --> 00:34:22,158 And talk about the hitman, 757 00:34:22,160 --> 00:34:25,095 Thinking kevin might implicate himself. 758 00:34:25,097 --> 00:34:28,498 Prosecutors played that recorded phone call in court. 759 00:34:37,342 --> 00:34:38,675 - On the call, kevin never admits 760 00:34:38,677 --> 00:34:41,244 To knowing anything about a hitman, 761 00:34:41,246 --> 00:34:43,913 But to detective parmertor, his calm manner 762 00:34:43,915 --> 00:34:46,683 And apparent lack of surprise 763 00:34:46,685 --> 00:34:50,320 Suggest a prior knowledge of the plot. 764 00:34:50,322 --> 00:34:52,055 - He never says, "what are you talking about? 765 00:34:52,057 --> 00:34:54,591 "I never-- we never had any conversations. 766 00:34:54,593 --> 00:34:58,061 "if you have any information about the murder of my wife, 767 00:34:58,063 --> 00:34:59,829 "please go to the police." 768 00:34:59,831 --> 00:35:01,631 Never says anything like that. 769 00:35:01,633 --> 00:35:03,500 - In fact, when detective parmertor 770 00:35:03,502 --> 00:35:06,302 Called kevin just two days later, 771 00:35:06,304 --> 00:35:09,039 Kevin made no mention of autumn's call 772 00:35:09,041 --> 00:35:11,041 And claimed only to have a vague recollection 773 00:35:11,043 --> 00:35:13,042 Of who autumn was, 774 00:35:13,044 --> 00:35:14,945 Even though he'd just spoken with her. 775 00:35:21,553 --> 00:35:23,686 - As prosecutor kowall saw it, 776 00:35:23,688 --> 00:35:26,256 Kevin was trying to keep police from finding 777 00:35:26,258 --> 00:35:28,792 The one person other than sabrina 778 00:35:28,794 --> 00:35:32,228 Who could link him to lisa's murder. 779 00:35:32,230 --> 00:35:34,631 - Clearly a lie, very damaging. 780 00:35:34,633 --> 00:35:36,266 - Prosecutors were now confident 781 00:35:36,268 --> 00:35:39,569 Jurors had all they needed to convict. 782 00:35:39,571 --> 00:35:41,171 But now it was the defense's turn 783 00:35:41,173 --> 00:35:42,939 To make its case. 784 00:35:42,941 --> 00:35:44,808 And kevin knoefel's attorneys 785 00:35:44,810 --> 00:35:47,977 Weren't about to let sabrina leave that courtroom 786 00:35:47,979 --> 00:35:49,613 Without a fight. 787 00:35:51,617 --> 00:35:56,085 - The defense tries to undercut the prosecution's whole premise, 788 00:35:56,087 --> 00:35:58,155 Arguing there was nothing going on 789 00:35:58,157 --> 00:35:59,956 Between kevin and sabrina. 790 00:35:59,958 --> 00:36:02,559 - There were maybe 12 witnesses 791 00:36:02,561 --> 00:36:04,561 That if they see any form of abuse 792 00:36:04,563 --> 00:36:06,830 They have a mandatory duty to report it. 793 00:36:06,832 --> 00:36:08,031 - And none of them did. 794 00:36:08,033 --> 00:36:10,033 - And all of them testified that they didn't do it. 795 00:36:10,035 --> 00:36:13,470 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 796 00:36:16,707 --> 00:36:21,778 ♪♪ 797 00:36:21,780 --> 00:36:22,979 - Welcome back. 798 00:36:22,981 --> 00:36:24,581 Kevin knoefel was on trial 799 00:36:24,583 --> 00:36:27,784 For plotting his wife lisa's murder. 800 00:36:27,786 --> 00:36:30,520 Prosecutors said he had been having an affair 801 00:36:30,522 --> 00:36:33,856 With his foster daughter sabrina and encouraged her 802 00:36:33,858 --> 00:36:36,326 To carry out the awful crime. 803 00:36:36,328 --> 00:36:39,596 Much of their case hung on sabrina's word, 804 00:36:39,598 --> 00:36:41,932 And that's exactly what the defense 805 00:36:41,934 --> 00:36:44,200 Was about to question. 806 00:36:44,202 --> 00:36:46,203 It promised to be a showdown. 807 00:36:46,205 --> 00:36:49,939 In the end, which story would the jury buy? 808 00:36:49,941 --> 00:36:51,541 Here's josh mankiewicz 809 00:36:51,543 --> 00:36:54,444 With the conclusion of deadly betrayal. 810 00:36:54,446 --> 00:36:57,113 - Kevin knoefel's defense attorney 811 00:36:57,115 --> 00:36:59,949 Mike connick felt pretty confident 812 00:36:59,951 --> 00:37:01,685 As he prepared his counterpunch 813 00:37:01,687 --> 00:37:04,020 Before the lake county court. 814 00:37:04,022 --> 00:37:06,289 Did kevin have anything to do with lisa's murder? 815 00:37:06,291 --> 00:37:08,024 - No. 816 00:37:08,026 --> 00:37:10,360 - Did he have any sexual relationship with sabrina? 817 00:37:10,362 --> 00:37:11,761 - No. 818 00:37:11,763 --> 00:37:15,498 There was not one scintilla of physical evidence 819 00:37:15,500 --> 00:37:18,601 To tie kevin to any of these crimes. 820 00:37:18,603 --> 00:37:20,603 - Connick began trying to dismantle 821 00:37:20,605 --> 00:37:23,173 The evidence the state did present. 822 00:37:23,175 --> 00:37:25,375 He challenged the county employees 823 00:37:25,377 --> 00:37:26,509 Who had testified they believed 824 00:37:26,511 --> 00:37:30,113 Kevin was acting inappropriately towards sabrina, 825 00:37:30,115 --> 00:37:33,583 Asking why they didn't report such behavior 826 00:37:33,585 --> 00:37:35,185 Before the murder. 827 00:37:35,187 --> 00:37:38,221 - At that time, if you had a serious concern, 828 00:37:38,223 --> 00:37:40,490 You would have filed a report, wouldn't you? 829 00:37:40,492 --> 00:37:42,125 - I would have filed a report 830 00:37:42,127 --> 00:37:47,664 If I felt it was a serious concern. 831 00:37:47,666 --> 00:37:49,866 I did not file a report on this. 832 00:37:49,868 --> 00:37:54,370 - There were 8, 10, maybe 12 witnesses 833 00:37:54,372 --> 00:37:56,639 That are mandated reporters. 834 00:37:56,641 --> 00:37:58,341 If they see any form of abuse, 835 00:37:58,343 --> 00:38:01,044 They have a mandatory duty to report it. 836 00:38:01,046 --> 00:38:02,245 - And none of them did. 837 00:38:02,247 --> 00:38:04,814 - And all of them testified that they didn't do it. 838 00:38:04,816 --> 00:38:06,949 - No one reported inappropriate behavior, 839 00:38:06,951 --> 00:38:07,751 Said connick, 840 00:38:07,753 --> 00:38:11,354 Because there was nothing to report. 841 00:38:11,356 --> 00:38:15,258 Lisa, ironically, was a mandated reporter. 842 00:38:17,629 --> 00:38:19,062 She never reported it. 843 00:38:19,064 --> 00:38:22,031 - Connick then addressed the large number of texts 844 00:38:22,033 --> 00:38:24,834 Between kevin and sabrina. 845 00:38:24,836 --> 00:38:26,035 - I don't find that shocking. 846 00:38:26,037 --> 00:38:28,905 - Neither did kevin's sister, chris ann. 847 00:38:28,907 --> 00:38:32,275 - There's more texts between my husband 848 00:38:32,277 --> 00:38:35,111 And one of my daughters than my husband and me. 849 00:38:35,113 --> 00:38:37,647 It-it doesn't mean anything. 850 00:38:37,649 --> 00:38:39,249 - But what about those who testified 851 00:38:39,251 --> 00:38:43,386 Kevin acted suspiciously immediately after the murder? 852 00:38:43,388 --> 00:38:44,420 - I don't think I'd want to have to come home 853 00:38:44,422 --> 00:38:47,623 And find out my wife was butchered 854 00:38:47,625 --> 00:38:51,194 And then have other people criticize 855 00:38:51,196 --> 00:38:54,263 What my emotional response to that situation was. 856 00:38:54,265 --> 00:38:56,866 - Kevin's friend linda cover agreed, 857 00:38:56,868 --> 00:38:58,801 Even if the emotional response 858 00:38:58,803 --> 00:39:01,771 Was to try to visit sabrina in jail 859 00:39:01,773 --> 00:39:05,641 Just one day after she'd murdered kevin's wife. 860 00:39:05,643 --> 00:39:08,345 - I thought about that. And I'm thinking, 861 00:39:08,347 --> 00:39:12,215 He might've wanted to say, "why in the hell? 862 00:39:12,217 --> 00:39:13,616 "what's the matter with you?" 863 00:39:13,618 --> 00:39:17,353 Linda cover also believed kevin was unfairly judged 864 00:39:17,355 --> 00:39:19,556 For filing the life insurance claims 865 00:39:19,558 --> 00:39:21,290 As quickly as he did. 866 00:39:21,292 --> 00:39:22,759 Kevin, she said, 867 00:39:22,761 --> 00:39:26,095 Had to think about the welfare of his children. 868 00:39:26,097 --> 00:39:28,331 - "now I have to be the so-sole support. 869 00:39:28,333 --> 00:39:29,832 "now what am I gonna do?" 870 00:39:29,834 --> 00:39:31,634 - A great deal of the state's evidence 871 00:39:31,636 --> 00:39:33,636 Were witnesses said he's not acting the right way, 872 00:39:33,638 --> 00:39:35,171 He's not acting normal. 873 00:39:35,173 --> 00:39:37,907 As soon as somebody can tell me what normal is, 874 00:39:37,909 --> 00:39:39,976 I'll be happy to adopt it as a notion. 875 00:39:39,978 --> 00:39:42,044 - Connick applied that same argument 876 00:39:42,046 --> 00:39:45,314 To the criticism of kevin's muted response 877 00:39:45,316 --> 00:39:47,183 To the mention of a hitman 878 00:39:47,185 --> 00:39:49,719 On autumn pavlik's recorded phone call. 879 00:39:49,721 --> 00:39:51,821 - What was he supposed to do? Was he supposed to be angry? 880 00:39:51,823 --> 00:39:57,560 Was he supposed to be, um, defensive? 881 00:39:57,562 --> 00:39:59,996 - I think what he was supposed to be was something. 882 00:39:59,998 --> 00:40:02,999 That's kinda kevin's demeanor. You can't pass judgment on that. 883 00:40:03,001 --> 00:40:04,401 - But what about autumn's testimony 884 00:40:04,403 --> 00:40:07,003 That she spoke directly to kevin 885 00:40:07,005 --> 00:40:10,006 About hiring a hitman to kill lisa? 886 00:40:10,008 --> 00:40:12,108 Connick dismissed that testimony 887 00:40:12,110 --> 00:40:16,012 As being inconsistent and unreliable. 888 00:40:16,014 --> 00:40:18,114 During cross, connick asked autumn 889 00:40:18,116 --> 00:40:19,749 To read a transcript 890 00:40:19,751 --> 00:40:22,285 Of her initial interview with police, 891 00:40:22,287 --> 00:40:24,421 When she was asked if kevin was ever 892 00:40:24,423 --> 00:40:26,823 A part of her conversations with sabrina 893 00:40:26,825 --> 00:40:30,026 About trying to hire a hitman. 894 00:40:30,028 --> 00:40:30,960 - Why don't you read me your answer 895 00:40:30,962 --> 00:40:33,496 On page 32 at line 3. 896 00:40:35,099 --> 00:40:37,733 - "no, well, no, we were on the phone, 897 00:40:37,735 --> 00:40:39,369 "and she didn't really talk about it 898 00:40:39,371 --> 00:40:40,503 "in front of him, 899 00:40:40,505 --> 00:40:43,206 "and I don't think he knew that I knew." 900 00:40:43,208 --> 00:40:45,708 - Thank you. Nothing further. 901 00:40:45,710 --> 00:40:46,976 She ultimately acknowledged 902 00:40:46,978 --> 00:40:49,379 That kevin was never present 903 00:40:49,381 --> 00:40:51,080 Or on the phone during those conversations 904 00:40:51,082 --> 00:40:52,248 About killing lisa. 905 00:40:52,250 --> 00:40:53,316 - But mike connick knew 906 00:40:53,318 --> 00:40:56,586 It would be his cross-examination of sabrina 907 00:40:56,588 --> 00:40:58,721 That would determine kevin's fate. 908 00:40:58,723 --> 00:41:00,056 - Ms. Zunich, my name's michael connick, 909 00:41:00,058 --> 00:41:02,192 And I represent kevin knoefel. 910 00:41:02,194 --> 00:41:03,259 - I know. 911 00:41:03,261 --> 00:41:05,795 - Sabrina is a seriously disturbed human being. 912 00:41:05,797 --> 00:41:08,030 - The murder itself, he said, 913 00:41:08,032 --> 00:41:11,601 Was all the proof the jury would need of that. 914 00:41:11,603 --> 00:41:14,437 - Do you recognize this knife? 915 00:41:14,439 --> 00:41:17,140 - Yes. 916 00:41:17,142 --> 00:41:20,843 - And when you began slaughtering lisa knoefel, 917 00:41:20,845 --> 00:41:23,346 This knife was straight, wasn't it? 918 00:41:23,348 --> 00:41:24,714 - Yes. 919 00:41:24,716 --> 00:41:28,050 - And you attacked her with such vigor and force, 920 00:41:28,052 --> 00:41:29,352 Anger and rage, 921 00:41:29,354 --> 00:41:31,387 That you managed to put a 20-degree bend 922 00:41:31,389 --> 00:41:33,256 In a stainless steel knife, correct? 923 00:41:33,258 --> 00:41:35,291 - Connick continued pressing, 924 00:41:35,293 --> 00:41:37,293 Hoping to show that sabrina was motivated 925 00:41:37,295 --> 00:41:40,096 Not by manipulation from kevin, 926 00:41:40,098 --> 00:41:43,299 But by her hatred for lisa. 927 00:41:43,301 --> 00:41:46,469 - You used the abandonment as a rationale 928 00:41:46,471 --> 00:41:49,572 For it to be okay for you to murder my client's wife. 929 00:41:49,574 --> 00:41:50,840 Correct? - No, I did not. 930 00:41:50,842 --> 00:41:52,441 - You don't know that-- - no, it was a factor 931 00:41:52,443 --> 00:41:54,511 That came into it, yes. 932 00:41:54,513 --> 00:41:57,780 A justification, a rationalization, no. 933 00:41:57,782 --> 00:42:01,851 - In the end, sabrina never wavered from her story. 934 00:42:01,853 --> 00:42:05,254 Still, connick felt he'd damaged her credibility. 935 00:42:05,256 --> 00:42:07,657 - By the conclusion of her testimony, 936 00:42:07,659 --> 00:42:09,725 There should have been no question 937 00:42:09,727 --> 00:42:13,729 That she was not reliable. 938 00:42:13,731 --> 00:42:16,465 - But that was for jurors to decide. 939 00:42:16,467 --> 00:42:20,536 It took them just under ten hours to deliberate. 940 00:42:20,538 --> 00:42:23,873 - We have a verdict. - Guilty on all counts. 941 00:42:23,875 --> 00:42:27,343 - Guilty of sexual battery as charged in the indictment, 942 00:42:27,345 --> 00:42:30,513 Guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, 943 00:42:30,515 --> 00:42:32,882 Guilty of complicity in aggravated murder 944 00:42:32,884 --> 00:42:34,884 As charged in the indictment. 945 00:42:34,886 --> 00:42:37,887 - Kevin knoefel was sentenced to life in prison, 946 00:42:37,889 --> 00:42:41,691 And at the time, linda cover had this to say. 947 00:42:41,693 --> 00:42:42,825 You think an innocent man is in jail? 948 00:42:42,827 --> 00:42:46,095 - Absolutely. Absolutely. 949 00:42:46,097 --> 00:42:48,931 I mean, I'd-I'd about stake my life on that. 950 00:42:48,933 --> 00:42:51,167 - Sabrina also received a life sentence, 951 00:42:51,169 --> 00:42:54,804 But will be eligible for parole after 30 years, 952 00:42:54,806 --> 00:42:56,639 As recommended by the state. 953 00:42:56,641 --> 00:42:59,875 Prosecutors feel justice was served, 954 00:42:59,877 --> 00:43:03,179 But lead prosecutor karen kowall is quick to point out, 955 00:43:03,181 --> 00:43:06,649 Cases like these bring little satisfaction. 956 00:43:06,651 --> 00:43:08,851 This is really just betrayal 957 00:43:08,853 --> 00:43:12,055 On top of betrayal on top of betrayal, isn't it? 958 00:43:12,057 --> 00:43:15,057 I mean, you've got kevin betraying lisa, 959 00:43:15,059 --> 00:43:17,260 Sabrina betraying lisa, 960 00:43:17,262 --> 00:43:20,262 Then you have kevin betraying sabrina 961 00:43:20,264 --> 00:43:22,465 And ultimately sabrina betraying kevin. 962 00:43:22,467 --> 00:43:25,234 - Yeah. It's a perfect circle. 963 00:43:43,154 --> 00:43:46,623 - That's all for this edition of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 964 00:43:46,625 --> 00:43:49,092 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.