1 00:00:12,412 --> 00:00:12,879 - I'm Craig Melvin, 2 00:00:13,747 --> 00:00:16,816 and this is "Dateline: 3 00:00:13,747 --> 00:00:16,816 Secrets Uncovered." 4 00:00:16,816 --> 00:00:18,418 - Did you shoot your parents? 5 00:00:16,816 --> 00:00:18,418 - No. 6 00:00:18,418 --> 00:00:19,619 - Either one of them? 7 00:00:18,418 --> 00:00:19,619 - No. 8 00:00:19,619 --> 00:00:22,355 - You're not a murderer. 9 00:00:19,619 --> 00:00:22,355 - I'm not a murderer. 10 00:00:22,355 --> 00:00:25,191 - Madison Holton, 11 00:00:22,355 --> 00:00:25,191 high school senior, 12 00:00:25,191 --> 00:00:27,127 accused killer. 13 00:00:27,127 --> 00:00:28,495 - I literally got chills. 14 00:00:28,495 --> 00:00:29,796 This is a huge deal. 15 00:00:29,796 --> 00:00:31,164 - The father 16 00:00:29,796 --> 00:00:31,164 had come home 17 00:00:31,164 --> 00:00:33,667 and found a lot 18 00:00:31,164 --> 00:00:33,667 of drug paraphernalia. 19 00:00:33,667 --> 00:00:35,335 - They were having 20 00:00:33,667 --> 00:00:35,335 issues with him. 21 00:00:35,335 --> 00:00:37,604 It was hurting her heart 22 00:00:35,335 --> 00:00:37,604 to have this happen. 23 00:00:37,604 --> 00:00:40,607 - Distraught parents, 24 00:00:37,604 --> 00:00:40,607 a rebellious teenager, 25 00:00:40,607 --> 00:00:44,678 a family meeting 26 00:00:40,607 --> 00:00:44,678 explodes into violence. 27 00:00:44,678 --> 00:00:49,215 - That situation goes from calm 28 00:00:44,678 --> 00:00:49,215 to murder in 11 minutes? 29 00:00:49,215 --> 00:00:50,984 - Yeah. I mean, 30 00:00:49,215 --> 00:00:50,984 it's a homicide. 31 00:00:50,984 --> 00:00:53,386 - I didn't hurt either 32 00:00:50,984 --> 00:00:53,386 of my parents. 33 00:00:53,386 --> 00:00:55,255 - I don't think anybody 34 00:00:53,386 --> 00:00:55,255 is jumping up and down 35 00:00:55,255 --> 00:00:57,824 about having to put 36 00:00:55,255 --> 00:00:57,824 a 17-year-old boy in jail. 37 00:00:57,824 --> 00:01:00,126 - This was a lot bigger 38 00:00:57,824 --> 00:01:00,126 and a lot deeper 39 00:01:00,126 --> 00:01:02,128 than what initially 40 00:01:00,126 --> 00:01:02,128 we thought. 41 00:01:02,128 --> 00:01:05,765 - They thought they'd picked out 42 00:01:02,128 --> 00:01:05,765 some weak minded kid. 43 00:01:05,765 --> 00:01:07,867 They didn't know who 44 00:01:05,765 --> 00:01:07,867 they were playing with. 45 00:01:07,867 --> 00:01:15,475 ** 46 00:01:15,475 --> 00:01:18,745 - Hello and welcome to 47 00:01:15,475 --> 00:01:18,745 "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered." 48 00:01:18,745 --> 00:01:21,848 Madison Holton was 49 00:01:18,745 --> 00:01:21,848 a rebellious teenager 50 00:01:21,848 --> 00:01:25,785 who crossed a line 51 00:01:21,848 --> 00:01:25,785 his worried parents had drawn. 52 00:01:25,785 --> 00:01:29,289 Then, in the blink of an eye, 53 00:01:25,785 --> 00:01:29,289 two people were dead. 54 00:01:29,289 --> 00:01:32,920 Investigators thought it 55 00:01:29,289 --> 00:01:32,920 was an open and shut case 56 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,463 until a family 57 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,463 secret spilled out, 58 00:01:36,463 --> 00:01:40,533 fueling a showdown that 59 00:01:36,463 --> 00:01:40,533 would leave both sides stunned. 60 00:01:40,533 --> 00:01:44,437 Here's Josh Mankiewicz 61 00:01:40,533 --> 00:01:44,437 with "11 Minutes." 62 00:01:44,437 --> 00:01:47,674 ** 63 00:01:47,674 --> 00:01:49,509 - The long road 64 00:01:47,674 --> 00:01:49,509 of parenthood, 65 00:01:49,509 --> 00:01:53,813 always watching as 66 00:01:49,509 --> 00:01:53,813 your kids grasp at life. 67 00:01:53,813 --> 00:01:55,181 You cheer from the stands. 68 00:01:55,181 --> 00:01:56,883 - Get him, Madison! 69 00:01:56,883 --> 00:01:59,919 - Do your best to 70 00:01:56,883 --> 00:01:59,919 keep them safe. 71 00:01:59,919 --> 00:02:03,223 Hoping they make it through 72 00:01:59,919 --> 00:02:03,223 this world in one piece. 73 00:02:06,826 --> 00:02:08,360 - Look, daddy, look! 74 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,264 - Madison Holton 75 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,264 was born a handful. 76 00:02:11,264 --> 00:02:15,101 [laughing] 77 00:02:15,101 --> 00:02:19,239 His parents, April and Michael, 78 00:02:15,101 --> 00:02:19,239 could barely keep up. 79 00:02:19,239 --> 00:02:23,343 - Madison was always 80 00:02:19,239 --> 00:02:23,343 the helpful kid. 81 00:02:23,343 --> 00:02:26,646 - Tanya was Madison's 82 00:02:23,343 --> 00:02:26,646 mom's best friend. 83 00:02:26,646 --> 00:02:28,748 She says Madison 84 00:02:26,646 --> 00:02:28,748 was always sweet 85 00:02:28,748 --> 00:02:30,784 and a little different. 86 00:02:30,784 --> 00:02:34,487 - I remember we had a birdhouse 87 00:02:30,784 --> 00:02:34,487 that my mom had brought over, 88 00:02:34,487 --> 00:02:36,589 and she was gonna put it 89 00:02:34,487 --> 00:02:36,589 in my backyard. 90 00:02:36,589 --> 00:02:40,930 The other kids run, 91 00:02:36,589 --> 00:02:40,930 go, play, have fun. 92 00:02:40,930 --> 00:02:41,795 You know, oh, 93 00:02:40,930 --> 00:02:41,795 mom needs help, whatever. 94 00:02:41,795 --> 00:02:43,960 - Not available. 95 00:02:41,795 --> 00:02:43,960 - Not available. 96 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,266 Madison is like, "Hey, do you 97 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,266 want me to help you do it?" 98 00:02:46,266 --> 00:02:48,168 - School was a battlefield. 99 00:02:48,168 --> 00:02:51,271 Madison was picked on, 100 00:02:48,168 --> 00:02:51,271 the scrawny kid, 101 00:02:51,271 --> 00:02:53,373 and a bit of a loner. 102 00:02:53,373 --> 00:02:55,942 - He was always doin' 103 00:02:53,373 --> 00:02:55,942 his own little thing. 104 00:02:55,942 --> 00:02:58,244 - Everything changed 105 00:02:55,942 --> 00:02:58,244 by Madison's senior year 106 00:02:58,244 --> 00:02:59,746 of high school. 107 00:02:59,746 --> 00:03:02,415 He sprouted to 108 00:02:59,746 --> 00:03:02,415 almost six feet 109 00:03:02,415 --> 00:03:06,520 and had less time 110 00:03:02,415 --> 00:03:06,520 for dad and mom. 111 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:07,187 - Madison was very social. 112 00:03:07,187 --> 00:03:08,655 He had a lot of friends. 113 00:03:08,655 --> 00:03:11,925 ** 114 00:03:11,925 --> 00:03:14,828 - Hannah Traylor and Madison 115 00:03:11,925 --> 00:03:14,828 grew up in the tiny town 116 00:03:14,828 --> 00:03:17,630 of Eclectic, Alabama. 117 00:03:17,630 --> 00:03:19,466 - He was always, like, 118 00:03:17,630 --> 00:03:19,466 the class clown, 119 00:03:19,466 --> 00:03:21,935 like, really goofy, 120 00:03:19,466 --> 00:03:21,935 trying to make everybody laugh. 121 00:03:21,935 --> 00:03:24,700 Like, you know, always, like, 122 00:03:21,935 --> 00:03:24,700 he might get in trouble 123 00:03:24,700 --> 00:03:25,939 for talking too much 124 00:03:24,700 --> 00:03:25,939 in class. 125 00:03:25,939 --> 00:03:30,176 - As Madison crossed over 126 00:03:25,939 --> 00:03:30,176 into the land of teendom, 127 00:03:30,176 --> 00:03:33,613 his parents found themselves 128 00:03:30,176 --> 00:03:33,613 without a map. 129 00:03:33,613 --> 00:03:36,820 - During senior year, 130 00:03:33,613 --> 00:03:36,820 people are turning 18. 131 00:03:36,820 --> 00:03:37,951 They're about to 132 00:03:36,820 --> 00:03:37,951 graduate high school. 133 00:03:37,951 --> 00:03:40,853 You know, he was just like any 134 00:03:37,951 --> 00:03:40,853 of the other kids that thought, 135 00:03:40,853 --> 00:03:42,622 like, oh, I'm about 136 00:03:40,853 --> 00:03:42,622 to gain freedom, 137 00:03:42,622 --> 00:03:45,910 and I'm just gonna, like, 138 00:03:42,622 --> 00:03:45,910 push my boundaries a little bit. 139 00:03:45,910 --> 00:03:47,930 - Madison had started 140 00:03:45,910 --> 00:03:47,930 hanging out 141 00:03:47,930 --> 00:03:48,995 with a group of friends, 142 00:03:47,930 --> 00:03:48,995 but I feel like, too, 143 00:03:48,995 --> 00:03:53,733 that group of friends kind 144 00:03:48,995 --> 00:03:53,733 of opened a door to marijuana, 145 00:03:53,733 --> 00:03:55,735 and partying, 146 00:03:53,733 --> 00:03:55,735 and all that stuff. 147 00:03:55,735 --> 00:03:57,871 - They opened a door, 148 00:03:55,735 --> 00:03:57,871 and Madison walked through it. 149 00:03:57,871 --> 00:03:59,172 - Yeah. 150 00:03:59,172 --> 00:04:04,778 - April worried about where 151 00:03:59,172 --> 00:04:04,778 this road might take her son. 152 00:04:04,778 --> 00:04:07,514 So, she begged her brother, 153 00:04:04,778 --> 00:04:07,514 Chris, a police officer, 154 00:04:07,514 --> 00:04:10,350 to talk some sense 155 00:04:07,514 --> 00:04:10,350 into Madison. 156 00:04:10,350 --> 00:04:12,352 - And I sat down with him, 157 00:04:10,350 --> 00:04:12,352 and I had a long talk with him, 158 00:04:12,352 --> 00:04:15,155 and I said, "Look, this is not 159 00:04:12,352 --> 00:04:15,155 the lifestyle you wanna choose." 160 00:04:15,155 --> 00:04:16,322 - At the same time 161 00:04:16,322 --> 00:04:19,358 Madison was going through 162 00:04:16,322 --> 00:04:19,358 his teenage rebellion, 163 00:04:19,358 --> 00:04:23,630 his parents, April and Michael, 164 00:04:19,358 --> 00:04:23,630 were separating. 165 00:04:23,630 --> 00:04:26,633 They were united in 166 00:04:23,630 --> 00:04:26,633 their message to Madison. 167 00:04:26,633 --> 00:04:29,502 Mess up again 168 00:04:26,633 --> 00:04:29,502 and you'll go to jail. 169 00:04:29,502 --> 00:04:35,750 He had one chance left, 170 00:04:29,502 --> 00:04:35,750 and, on September 11, 2016, 171 00:04:35,750 --> 00:04:36,343 he blew it. 172 00:04:36,343 --> 00:04:40,647 While his dad was at work, 173 00:04:36,343 --> 00:04:40,647 Madison threw a house party. 174 00:04:40,647 --> 00:04:42,916 - Someone else called 175 00:04:40,647 --> 00:04:42,916 Michael and said, 176 00:04:42,916 --> 00:04:44,451 "My kid came home 177 00:04:42,916 --> 00:04:44,451 from your house 178 00:04:44,451 --> 00:04:46,353 "under the influence 179 00:04:44,451 --> 00:04:46,353 of somethin', 180 00:04:46,353 --> 00:04:48,321 "and I wanna know why." 181 00:04:46,353 --> 00:04:48,321 So, Michael is embarrassed. 182 00:04:48,321 --> 00:04:49,756 At that point, Michael 183 00:04:48,321 --> 00:04:49,756 calls up and says, 184 00:04:49,756 --> 00:04:51,909 "You need to get to my house. 185 00:04:49,756 --> 00:04:51,909 We gotta deal with this." 186 00:04:51,909 --> 00:04:52,392 ** 187 00:04:52,392 --> 00:04:56,296 - Chris has a twin brother, 188 00:04:52,392 --> 00:04:56,296 Mike, who thought Madison's dad 189 00:04:56,296 --> 00:04:59,332 had good reason 190 00:04:56,296 --> 00:04:59,332 to be embarrassed. 191 00:04:59,332 --> 00:05:03,103 Michael Holton had a reputation 192 00:04:59,332 --> 00:05:03,103 to protect in Eclectic. 193 00:05:03,103 --> 00:05:05,405 - He was the former mayor, 194 00:05:03,103 --> 00:05:05,405 the former fire chief, 195 00:05:05,405 --> 00:05:06,573 very well known. 196 00:05:06,573 --> 00:05:08,641 How dare you embarrass me 197 00:05:06,573 --> 00:05:08,641 in this community? 198 00:05:08,641 --> 00:05:10,777 Uh, so, I'm sure 199 00:05:08,641 --> 00:05:10,777 he was pissed. 200 00:05:10,777 --> 00:05:12,312 I don't blame him. 201 00:05:10,777 --> 00:05:12,312 I'd be pissed, too, 202 00:05:12,312 --> 00:05:14,180 if my child had 203 00:05:12,312 --> 00:05:14,180 thrown a party. 204 00:05:14,180 --> 00:05:16,649 - When Michael Holton 205 00:05:14,180 --> 00:05:16,649 walked into the house, 206 00:05:16,649 --> 00:05:19,552 he found the remnants 207 00:05:16,649 --> 00:05:19,552 of a teenage party. 208 00:05:19,552 --> 00:05:22,689 Homemade bongs were scattered 209 00:05:19,552 --> 00:05:22,689 throughout the house, 210 00:05:22,689 --> 00:05:25,558 a box that 211 00:05:22,689 --> 00:05:25,558 smelled suspicious. 212 00:05:25,558 --> 00:05:27,460 That was it. 213 00:05:27,460 --> 00:05:29,496 - And what he did, he called 214 00:05:27,460 --> 00:05:29,496 the, uh, sheriff's office, 215 00:05:29,496 --> 00:05:32,932 and we sent 216 00:05:29,496 --> 00:05:32,932 a deputy up there. 217 00:05:32,932 --> 00:05:35,568 - Bill Franklin is sheriff 218 00:05:32,932 --> 00:05:35,568 of Elmore County, 219 00:05:35,568 --> 00:05:37,971 and the deputy sent 220 00:05:35,568 --> 00:05:37,971 to the house that day 221 00:05:37,971 --> 00:05:39,939 happened to be his son. 222 00:05:39,939 --> 00:05:43,877 When Deputy Franklin arrived, 223 00:05:39,939 --> 00:05:43,877 Michael had something to say. 224 00:05:43,877 --> 00:05:47,213 - Mr. Holton had actually 225 00:05:43,877 --> 00:05:47,213 greeted him in the yard 226 00:05:47,213 --> 00:05:49,716 and told him, 227 00:05:47,213 --> 00:05:49,716 "Hey, when you come in, 228 00:05:49,716 --> 00:05:53,620 "uh, you're going to 229 00:05:49,716 --> 00:05:53,620 see my son is handcuffed," 230 00:05:53,620 --> 00:05:56,723 and he said, "I'm trying 231 00:05:53,620 --> 00:05:56,723 to discipline my son." 232 00:05:56,723 --> 00:05:58,625 - Sheriff Franklin 233 00:05:56,723 --> 00:05:58,625 says he's seen parents 234 00:05:58,625 --> 00:06:02,280 discipline their kids 235 00:05:58,625 --> 00:06:02,280 in all sorts of ways. 236 00:06:02,280 --> 00:06:06,660 - I don't think that his intent 237 00:06:02,280 --> 00:06:06,660 was to harm or hurt the kid. 238 00:06:06,660 --> 00:06:08,802 He was-- he was merely trying 239 00:06:06,660 --> 00:06:08,802 to see what he could do 240 00:06:08,802 --> 00:06:10,503 to try to get 241 00:06:08,802 --> 00:06:10,503 his attention. 242 00:06:10,503 --> 00:06:14,240 - To me, putting a kid 243 00:06:10,503 --> 00:06:14,240 in handcuffs says either 244 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,476 I'm disciplining you, 245 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,476 and I'm serious about this, 246 00:06:16,476 --> 00:06:19,450 or I'm afraid of you. 247 00:06:19,450 --> 00:06:20,480 Possible that that's 248 00:06:19,450 --> 00:06:20,480 what was going on there? 249 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:21,948 - Could have been. 250 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:21,948 Could have been. 251 00:06:21,948 --> 00:06:23,149 ** 252 00:06:23,149 --> 00:06:25,952 - The deputy reported April 253 00:06:23,149 --> 00:06:25,952 was in the living room, 254 00:06:25,952 --> 00:06:28,540 Madison sullen 255 00:06:25,952 --> 00:06:28,540 on the couch, 256 00:06:28,540 --> 00:06:31,658 his hands cuffed 257 00:06:28,540 --> 00:06:31,658 behind his back. 258 00:06:31,658 --> 00:06:33,226 Michael asked 259 00:06:31,658 --> 00:06:33,226 the deputy how, 260 00:06:33,226 --> 00:06:37,263 as parents, they could get 261 00:06:33,226 --> 00:06:37,263 the juvenile courts involved. 262 00:06:37,263 --> 00:06:40,200 - He was very, I would say, 263 00:06:37,263 --> 00:06:40,200 inquisitive about 264 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:43,837 what could he do to, 265 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:43,837 uh, paperwork wise, 266 00:06:43,837 --> 00:06:47,273 to get his child, uh, 267 00:06:43,837 --> 00:06:47,273 in front of a judge, 268 00:06:47,273 --> 00:06:49,308 so he could talk to 269 00:06:47,273 --> 00:06:49,308 the judge about the problems 270 00:06:49,308 --> 00:06:51,770 that he was experiencing 271 00:06:49,308 --> 00:06:51,770 with the child. 272 00:06:51,770 --> 00:06:52,779 - So, maybe straighten him out, 273 00:06:51,770 --> 00:06:52,779 in his view. 274 00:06:52,779 --> 00:06:53,980 - That's right. 275 00:06:52,779 --> 00:06:53,980 That's right. 276 00:06:53,980 --> 00:06:54,881 ** 277 00:06:54,881 --> 00:06:56,816 - Call it tough love, 278 00:06:54,881 --> 00:06:56,816 if you want. 279 00:06:56,816 --> 00:07:00,186 To the sheriff, Michael 280 00:06:56,816 --> 00:07:00,186 and April just seemed to be 281 00:07:00,186 --> 00:07:02,288 grasping for a solution. 282 00:07:02,288 --> 00:07:04,824 - They pretty much 283 00:07:02,288 --> 00:07:04,824 reached their wits end, 284 00:07:04,824 --> 00:07:06,260 one of those things. 285 00:07:06,260 --> 00:07:07,193 - But these were not people 286 00:07:06,260 --> 00:07:07,193 who were in the midst 287 00:07:07,193 --> 00:07:09,929 of some huge fight. 288 00:07:07,193 --> 00:07:09,929 - No, no, not at all. 289 00:07:09,929 --> 00:07:13,366 - The deputy left Michael 290 00:07:09,929 --> 00:07:13,366 and April with instructions 291 00:07:13,366 --> 00:07:15,935 about how to get a copy 292 00:07:13,366 --> 00:07:15,935 of the police report 293 00:07:15,935 --> 00:07:18,380 the next day, a Monday. 294 00:07:18,380 --> 00:07:20,707 - He leaves, and supposedly 295 00:07:18,380 --> 00:07:20,707 everything is okay. 296 00:07:20,707 --> 00:07:23,443 - And then, 11 minutes later, 297 00:07:20,707 --> 00:07:23,443 there's a 911 call. 298 00:07:23,443 --> 00:07:24,878 - That's correct. 299 00:07:24,878 --> 00:07:26,146 [sirens wailing] 300 00:07:26,146 --> 00:07:28,314 - Now, law enforcement 301 00:07:26,146 --> 00:07:28,314 was rushing back 302 00:07:28,314 --> 00:07:30,483 to Michael Holton's house. 303 00:07:30,483 --> 00:07:32,485 Gunshots had been fired. 304 00:07:32,485 --> 00:07:36,560 Only three people 305 00:07:32,485 --> 00:07:36,560 had been in that home, 306 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:37,657 and now one of them was dead. 307 00:07:37,657 --> 00:07:40,600 Another lay dying. 308 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:45,331 What had happened 309 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:45,331 in just 11 minutes? 310 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:50,637 - What would police find 311 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:50,637 inside that house? 312 00:07:50,637 --> 00:07:52,720 - We noticed trauma, 313 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:54,140 what appeared to 314 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:54,140 be blood trauma. 315 00:07:54,140 --> 00:07:56,109 - A marriage on the rocks. 316 00:07:56,109 --> 00:07:57,770 - What did you see? 317 00:07:57,770 --> 00:07:59,346 - She would just share 318 00:07:57,770 --> 00:07:59,346 little stories. 319 00:07:59,346 --> 00:08:01,414 - And bodies 320 00:07:59,346 --> 00:08:01,414 in the bedroom. 321 00:08:01,414 --> 00:08:04,718 - We discovered appeared 322 00:08:01,414 --> 00:08:04,718 like an-an entry wound 323 00:08:04,718 --> 00:08:05,819 to the back 324 00:08:04,718 --> 00:08:05,819 of his head. 325 00:08:05,819 --> 00:08:07,887 - You go forward with 326 00:08:05,819 --> 00:08:07,887 a homicide investigation. 327 00:08:07,887 --> 00:08:09,220 - It's not 328 00:08:07,887 --> 00:08:09,220 a head scratcher. 329 00:08:09,220 --> 00:08:11,691 You-you get a piece 330 00:08:09,220 --> 00:08:11,691 of paper that says homicide. 331 00:08:11,791 --> 00:08:23,470 ** 332 00:08:24,504 --> 00:08:27,507 - Michael Holton's front lawn 333 00:08:24,504 --> 00:08:27,507 was a disaster scene, 334 00:08:27,507 --> 00:08:31,177 with everyone trying to 335 00:08:27,507 --> 00:08:31,177 make sense what had happened. 336 00:08:31,177 --> 00:08:34,470 Inside, two people lay 337 00:08:31,177 --> 00:08:34,470 on the bedroom floor, 338 00:08:34,470 --> 00:08:36,383 a pistol between them. 339 00:08:36,383 --> 00:08:40,220 All arriving deputies knew 340 00:08:36,383 --> 00:08:40,220 for sure was that the situation 341 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:43,857 had escalated in 342 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:43,857 almost no time at all. 343 00:08:43,857 --> 00:08:46,559 - About 4:48, 344 00:08:43,857 --> 00:08:46,559 our deputy leaves. 345 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:49,662 Uh, 4:59, we receive 346 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:49,662 another 911 call. 347 00:08:49,662 --> 00:08:52,265 - So, whatever happens, 348 00:08:49,662 --> 00:08:52,265 it happens in 11 minutes. 349 00:08:52,265 --> 00:08:53,800 - That's right. 350 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,700 - Captain Chris Ogden was 351 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,700 an investigator on the case. 352 00:08:57,700 --> 00:08:59,706 - Madison left his residence 353 00:08:57,700 --> 00:08:59,706 and reported to his neighbor 354 00:08:59,706 --> 00:09:03,777 that his parents were involved 355 00:08:59,706 --> 00:09:03,777 in a physical altercation. 356 00:09:03,777 --> 00:09:07,614 - Madison told investigators 357 00:09:03,777 --> 00:09:07,614 it all started as soon 358 00:09:07,614 --> 00:09:11,251 as the deputy who'd been there 359 00:09:07,614 --> 00:09:11,251 about the house party left. 360 00:09:11,251 --> 00:09:12,485 - After his parents 361 00:09:11,251 --> 00:09:12,485 came back in 362 00:09:12,485 --> 00:09:16,156 after speaking with the deputy, 363 00:09:12,485 --> 00:09:16,156 they went into the bedroom 364 00:09:16,156 --> 00:09:18,458 and became involved 365 00:09:16,156 --> 00:09:18,458 in a physical fight. 366 00:09:18,458 --> 00:09:19,659 - Does Madison say what 367 00:09:18,458 --> 00:09:19,659 the fight was about 368 00:09:19,659 --> 00:09:21,828 or what sparked the fight? 369 00:09:21,828 --> 00:09:24,230 - I believe the assumption 370 00:09:21,828 --> 00:09:24,230 was obviously it had to do 371 00:09:24,230 --> 00:09:26,266 with Madison. 372 00:09:26,266 --> 00:09:27,867 - On the phone with 911, 373 00:09:27,867 --> 00:09:31,604 the neighbor said it was 374 00:09:27,867 --> 00:09:31,604 an attempted murder-suicide. 375 00:09:31,604 --> 00:09:35,342 Michael Holton was dead 376 00:09:31,604 --> 00:09:35,342 by the time deputies arrived. 377 00:09:35,342 --> 00:09:39,346 Madison's mom was unconscious 378 00:09:35,342 --> 00:09:39,346 but breathing. 379 00:09:39,346 --> 00:09:43,116 So, investigators' first thought 380 00:09:39,346 --> 00:09:43,116 was Mr. Holton shot his wife 381 00:09:43,116 --> 00:09:44,384 and then himself. 382 00:09:44,384 --> 00:09:46,419 - From what we 383 00:09:44,384 --> 00:09:46,419 had been told, 384 00:09:46,419 --> 00:09:50,924 you would think that 385 00:09:46,419 --> 00:09:50,924 he actually shot her, 386 00:09:50,924 --> 00:09:53,293 Mr. Holton, and then 387 00:09:50,924 --> 00:09:53,293 would have turned the gun 388 00:09:53,293 --> 00:09:54,527 and shot himself. 389 00:09:54,527 --> 00:09:58,631 That's what one would 390 00:09:54,527 --> 00:09:58,631 tend to believe. 391 00:09:58,631 --> 00:10:01,340 - April's injuries 392 00:09:58,631 --> 00:10:01,340 suggested she'd been shot 393 00:10:01,340 --> 00:10:03,360 through her hand first, 394 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,538 as if she'd put it up 395 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,538 to protect herself. 396 00:10:05,538 --> 00:10:08,541 And then, as she turned 397 00:10:05,538 --> 00:10:08,541 her face away from the gun, 398 00:10:08,541 --> 00:10:11,411 she was shot 399 00:10:08,541 --> 00:10:11,411 in the head. 400 00:10:11,411 --> 00:10:14,514 Michael's injuries 401 00:10:11,411 --> 00:10:14,514 appeared self-inflicted. 402 00:10:14,514 --> 00:10:15,749 - And we noticed trauma, 403 00:10:15,749 --> 00:10:17,484 what appeared 404 00:10:15,749 --> 00:10:17,484 to be blood trauma, 405 00:10:17,484 --> 00:10:18,818 in his mouth. 406 00:10:18,818 --> 00:10:21,540 The first formulated thought is, 407 00:10:18,818 --> 00:10:21,540 well, he probably shot himself 408 00:10:21,540 --> 00:10:22,355 in the mouth. 409 00:10:22,355 --> 00:10:25,125 - Earlier, they'd seemed like 410 00:10:22,355 --> 00:10:25,125 two parents on the same page 411 00:10:25,125 --> 00:10:28,194 about their teenage son. 412 00:10:28,194 --> 00:10:34,334 What had happened to this couple 413 00:10:28,194 --> 00:10:34,334 in only 11 minutes? 414 00:10:34,334 --> 00:10:36,870 April and Michael got 415 00:10:34,334 --> 00:10:36,870 together in high school. 416 00:10:36,870 --> 00:10:40,600 They married after graduation 417 00:10:36,870 --> 00:10:40,600 and pretty quickly became 418 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:42,275 the parents of three kids. 419 00:10:42,275 --> 00:10:45,945 - She was all about 420 00:10:42,275 --> 00:10:45,945 her kids all the time. 421 00:10:45,945 --> 00:10:47,947 Always kind of thought 422 00:10:45,945 --> 00:10:47,947 she was, like, 423 00:10:47,947 --> 00:10:51,251 this do-it-all kinda mom. 424 00:10:51,251 --> 00:10:52,719 - Made it seem effortless? 425 00:10:52,719 --> 00:10:54,387 - But I knew it wasn't, 426 00:10:52,719 --> 00:10:54,387 but, yeah, she did. 427 00:10:54,387 --> 00:10:56,289 You know, she was-- 428 00:10:54,387 --> 00:10:56,289 always looked good. 429 00:10:56,289 --> 00:10:58,658 She always, you know, put 430 00:10:56,289 --> 00:10:58,658 her best foot forward. 431 00:10:58,658 --> 00:11:00,260 - Michael Holton's friend, 432 00:11:00,260 --> 00:11:04,640 Tony, remembers him 433 00:11:00,260 --> 00:11:04,640 as a fixture in Eclectic. 434 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:06,633 - You couldn't go around town 435 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:06,633 without him bein' recognized. 436 00:11:06,633 --> 00:11:10,537 - He'd worked his way up 437 00:11:06,633 --> 00:11:10,537 from paramedic, to fire chief, 438 00:11:10,537 --> 00:11:12,706 and then mayor. 439 00:11:12,706 --> 00:11:15,750 - Everyone knew him-- 440 00:11:12,706 --> 00:11:15,750 knew him as a leader. 441 00:11:15,750 --> 00:11:17,677 - He was always very nice, 442 00:11:15,750 --> 00:11:17,677 very funny, very, 443 00:11:17,677 --> 00:11:19,713 you know, very easygoing. 444 00:11:19,713 --> 00:11:21,181 - He and April 445 00:11:19,713 --> 00:11:21,181 seemed happy. 446 00:11:21,181 --> 00:11:23,650 - Yeah, yeah, 447 00:11:21,181 --> 00:11:23,650 they did seem happy 448 00:11:23,650 --> 00:11:25,518 for a long time, 449 00:11:23,650 --> 00:11:25,518 and then... 450 00:11:25,518 --> 00:11:27,320 - And then that changed. 451 00:11:25,518 --> 00:11:27,320 - Yeah. 452 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:28,421 - What did you see? 453 00:11:28,421 --> 00:11:30,824 - She would just share 454 00:11:28,421 --> 00:11:30,824 little stories, not much, 455 00:11:30,824 --> 00:11:33,293 but just maybe he wasn't 456 00:11:30,824 --> 00:11:33,293 as nice to her. 457 00:11:33,293 --> 00:11:35,462 He didn't talk to her 458 00:11:33,293 --> 00:11:35,462 like he would talk 459 00:11:35,462 --> 00:11:37,597 to someone you love. 460 00:11:37,597 --> 00:11:40,266 - Tanya says April felt 461 00:11:37,597 --> 00:11:40,266 she couldn't do anything 462 00:11:40,266 --> 00:11:42,936 right in the marriage. 463 00:11:42,936 --> 00:11:46,573 By summer 2016, 464 00:11:42,936 --> 00:11:46,573 she was done. 465 00:11:46,573 --> 00:11:49,609 April filed paperwork 466 00:11:46,573 --> 00:11:49,609 for a divorce. 467 00:11:49,609 --> 00:11:52,979 - I think she was at peace 468 00:11:49,609 --> 00:11:52,979 with her decision. 469 00:11:52,979 --> 00:11:54,280 - Was Mike at peace 470 00:11:52,979 --> 00:11:54,280 with it? 471 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:58,284 - No, no, Mike was not. 472 00:11:58,284 --> 00:11:59,452 - Too late. 473 00:11:59,452 --> 00:12:01,721 April had made 474 00:11:59,452 --> 00:12:01,721 her decision. 475 00:12:01,721 --> 00:12:04,624 And on September 11, 2016, 476 00:12:04,624 --> 00:12:07,427 April only answered 477 00:12:04,624 --> 00:12:07,427 Michael's call 478 00:12:07,427 --> 00:12:11,431 because the latest family crisis 479 00:12:07,427 --> 00:12:11,431 was about Madison. 480 00:12:11,431 --> 00:12:13,800 - Obviously, Madison had 481 00:12:11,431 --> 00:12:13,800 thrown a party, 482 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,436 and so they had to talk 483 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,436 to Madison about it, 484 00:12:16,436 --> 00:12:19,906 and she was like, "I'm gonna 485 00:12:16,436 --> 00:12:19,906 have to go over there." 486 00:12:19,906 --> 00:12:21,675 - Sounds like she didn't 487 00:12:19,906 --> 00:12:21,675 wanna go over to Mike's. 488 00:12:21,675 --> 00:12:24,770 - No, she did not wanna go. 489 00:12:24,770 --> 00:12:27,180 She did not, 490 00:12:24,770 --> 00:12:27,180 but she was going to. 491 00:12:27,180 --> 00:12:29,816 I mean, she needed 492 00:12:27,180 --> 00:12:29,816 to go for Madison. 493 00:12:29,816 --> 00:12:32,585 - So, had Michael Holton 494 00:12:29,816 --> 00:12:32,585 just snapped 495 00:12:32,585 --> 00:12:35,880 in a fit of sorrow 496 00:12:32,585 --> 00:12:35,880 and rage? 497 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:39,225 That's what it looked like 498 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:39,225 to investigators, at first. 499 00:12:39,225 --> 00:12:41,327 So, when you finally 500 00:12:39,225 --> 00:12:41,327 actually move his body... 501 00:12:41,327 --> 00:12:44,664 - We discovered what appeared 502 00:12:41,327 --> 00:12:44,664 like an-an entry wound 503 00:12:44,664 --> 00:12:46,266 to the back 504 00:12:44,664 --> 00:12:46,266 of his head. 505 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:48,101 - So, that's 506 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:48,101 the first false note here. 507 00:12:48,101 --> 00:12:50,503 - That changed the dynamics of 508 00:12:48,101 --> 00:12:50,503 the investigation. 509 00:12:50,503 --> 00:12:52,739 - I've been in law enforcement 510 00:12:50,503 --> 00:12:52,739 for 39 years. 511 00:12:52,739 --> 00:12:57,243 I have never seen somebody 512 00:12:52,739 --> 00:12:57,243 try to commit suicide 513 00:12:57,243 --> 00:13:00,580 in such a weird, 514 00:12:57,243 --> 00:13:00,580 unique manner. 515 00:13:00,580 --> 00:13:04,684 If you argue that Mr. Holton 516 00:13:00,580 --> 00:13:04,684 did shoot his wife 517 00:13:04,684 --> 00:13:07,587 and then turned 518 00:13:04,684 --> 00:13:07,587 the gun on himself, 519 00:13:07,587 --> 00:13:11,570 why such a bizarre way 520 00:13:07,587 --> 00:13:11,570 to-to do that? 521 00:13:12,859 --> 00:13:14,861 - The next morning, 522 00:13:12,859 --> 00:13:14,861 a state pathologist 523 00:13:14,861 --> 00:13:18,198 confirmed Michael Holton 524 00:13:14,861 --> 00:13:18,198 had a close contact wound 525 00:13:18,198 --> 00:13:19,899 at the base of his head. 526 00:13:19,899 --> 00:13:23,870 And to investigators, 527 00:13:19,899 --> 00:13:23,870 the angle seemed telling. 528 00:13:23,870 --> 00:13:25,271 - The only way we 529 00:13:23,870 --> 00:13:25,271 were able to do that, 530 00:13:25,271 --> 00:13:30,744 is hold a gun upside down 531 00:13:25,271 --> 00:13:30,744 and place it upside down 532 00:13:30,744 --> 00:13:33,646 and then angle it, 533 00:13:30,744 --> 00:13:33,646 because, remember, 534 00:13:33,646 --> 00:13:35,315 the angle is upward. 535 00:13:35,315 --> 00:13:38,985 - Upside down and using 536 00:13:35,315 --> 00:13:38,985 his left hand. 537 00:13:38,985 --> 00:13:43,289 The thing about that is, 538 00:13:38,985 --> 00:13:43,289 Michael Holton was right-handed. 539 00:13:43,289 --> 00:13:45,592 Normally, when men 540 00:13:43,289 --> 00:13:45,592 commit suicide, 541 00:13:45,592 --> 00:13:47,527 they use 542 00:13:45,592 --> 00:13:47,527 their dominant hand, 543 00:13:47,527 --> 00:13:50,630 not their weaker hand. 544 00:13:47,527 --> 00:13:50,630 - Sure. That's right. 545 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:52,332 - To the sheriff 546 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:52,332 and his investigators, 547 00:13:52,332 --> 00:13:57,604 that made suicide improbable, 548 00:13:52,332 --> 00:13:57,604 and the pathologist agreed. 549 00:13:57,604 --> 00:14:01,508 He classified 550 00:13:57,604 --> 00:14:01,508 Michael Holton's death 551 00:13:57,604 --> 00:14:01,508 a homicide. 552 00:14:01,508 --> 00:14:03,243 - He does not believe 553 00:14:01,508 --> 00:14:03,243 that that man 554 00:14:03,243 --> 00:14:05,211 would have killed himself 555 00:14:03,243 --> 00:14:05,211 or would have been able 556 00:14:05,211 --> 00:14:07,313 to kill himself 557 00:14:05,211 --> 00:14:07,313 in that manner. 558 00:14:07,313 --> 00:14:09,749 - And so, you go forward with 559 00:14:07,313 --> 00:14:09,749 a homicide investigation. 560 00:14:09,749 --> 00:14:10,884 - It's not 561 00:14:09,749 --> 00:14:10,884 a head scratcher. 562 00:14:10,884 --> 00:14:13,530 You-you get a piece 563 00:14:10,884 --> 00:14:13,530 of paper that says homicide. 564 00:14:13,530 --> 00:14:14,120 ** 565 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,856 - This was now 566 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,856 a murder investigation. 567 00:14:16,856 --> 00:14:19,292 And if there were 568 00:14:16,856 --> 00:14:19,292 three people in that house, 569 00:14:19,292 --> 00:14:22,896 and two were victims, 570 00:14:19,292 --> 00:14:22,896 that simple arithmetic 571 00:14:22,896 --> 00:14:26,366 made Madison 572 00:14:22,896 --> 00:14:26,366 the prime suspect. 573 00:14:27,233 --> 00:14:30,804 - Police also want to know more 574 00:14:27,233 --> 00:14:30,804 about that other number 575 00:14:30,804 --> 00:14:32,605 at the center 576 00:14:30,804 --> 00:14:32,605 of this case. 577 00:14:32,605 --> 00:14:36,760 What happened 578 00:14:32,605 --> 00:14:36,760 in those 11 minutes? 579 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:37,677 Only one person 580 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:37,677 can tell them. 581 00:14:53,393 --> 00:14:56,963 - Madison's dramatic story-- 582 00:14:53,393 --> 00:14:56,963 will police believe it? 583 00:14:56,963 --> 00:14:58,980 - He didn't seem 584 00:14:56,963 --> 00:14:58,980 that upset. 585 00:14:58,980 --> 00:14:59,432 - No, no. 586 00:14:59,432 --> 00:15:03,203 He seemed more concerned 587 00:14:59,432 --> 00:15:03,203 about I'm missing homecoming. 588 00:15:03,203 --> 00:15:05,638 - When "Dateline: 589 00:15:03,203 --> 00:15:05,638 Secrets Uncovered" continues. 590 00:15:09,275 --> 00:15:17,751 ** 591 00:15:17,751 --> 00:15:20,687 - April Holton's twin brothers, 592 00:15:17,751 --> 00:15:20,687 Chris and Mike, 593 00:15:20,687 --> 00:15:24,124 were keeping vigil 594 00:15:20,687 --> 00:15:24,124 in the ICU. 595 00:15:24,124 --> 00:15:26,590 Their sister had been 596 00:15:24,124 --> 00:15:26,590 shot in the head, 597 00:15:26,590 --> 00:15:29,950 and there was little 598 00:15:26,590 --> 00:15:29,950 doctors could do. 599 00:15:29,950 --> 00:15:30,897 - You see in the movies 600 00:15:29,950 --> 00:15:30,897 with the machine breathing 601 00:15:30,897 --> 00:15:33,366 for the person, 602 00:15:30,897 --> 00:15:33,366 and this is far more surreal 603 00:15:33,366 --> 00:15:34,868 than what it seems like 604 00:15:33,366 --> 00:15:34,868 in the movies. 605 00:15:34,868 --> 00:15:36,202 You know, it's-- 606 00:15:34,868 --> 00:15:36,202 this is goodbye, 607 00:15:36,202 --> 00:15:38,672 and, no, there is 608 00:15:36,202 --> 00:15:38,672 no more hellos. 609 00:15:38,672 --> 00:15:39,706 There's no more hugs. 610 00:15:39,706 --> 00:15:41,740 There's no more 611 00:15:39,706 --> 00:15:41,740 phone calls. 612 00:15:41,740 --> 00:15:42,676 There's no more 613 00:15:41,740 --> 00:15:42,676 birthday videos. 614 00:15:42,676 --> 00:15:44,377 Uh, this is it. 615 00:15:44,377 --> 00:15:46,146 - It was 11 o'clock 616 00:15:44,377 --> 00:15:46,146 on September the 12th 617 00:15:46,146 --> 00:15:47,781 when they pronounce 618 00:15:46,146 --> 00:15:47,781 April dead. 619 00:15:47,781 --> 00:15:50,216 - Worst day of your life? 620 00:15:47,781 --> 00:15:50,216 - To date. 621 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:55,588 - One person who did not 622 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:55,588 get to say goodbye 623 00:15:55,588 --> 00:15:57,757 was April's oldest son. 624 00:15:57,757 --> 00:16:00,427 Madison was now 625 00:15:57,757 --> 00:16:00,427 a murder suspect. 626 00:16:00,427 --> 00:16:02,328 He'd been questioned 627 00:16:00,427 --> 00:16:02,328 that morning 628 00:16:02,328 --> 00:16:04,297 at the sheriff's office. 629 00:16:04,297 --> 00:16:06,366 After one round 630 00:16:04,297 --> 00:16:06,366 of the interrogation, 631 00:16:06,366 --> 00:16:10,370 the sheriff asked 632 00:16:06,366 --> 00:16:10,370 Madison's Uncle Chris 633 00:16:06,366 --> 00:16:10,370 to join them. 634 00:16:15,308 --> 00:16:17,711 - At that point, I-I really-- 635 00:16:15,308 --> 00:16:17,711 I-I didn't know what to think. 636 00:16:17,711 --> 00:16:19,112 I didn't know 637 00:16:17,711 --> 00:16:19,112 if Madison did it. 638 00:16:19,112 --> 00:16:20,847 I didn't know 639 00:16:19,112 --> 00:16:20,847 if he didn't do it. 640 00:16:20,847 --> 00:16:23,783 I wasn't there. 641 00:16:20,847 --> 00:16:23,783 I had not seen any evidence. 642 00:16:23,783 --> 00:16:25,418 - Here's what Madison 643 00:16:23,783 --> 00:16:25,418 says happened 644 00:16:25,418 --> 00:16:27,787 after the first 645 00:16:25,418 --> 00:16:27,787 deputy left. 646 00:16:53,790 --> 00:16:56,549 - Madison said he didn't see 647 00:16:53,790 --> 00:16:56,549 or hear what happened next, 648 00:16:56,549 --> 00:17:00,353 not even the gunshots while 649 00:16:56,549 --> 00:17:00,353 he was at his neighbor's house. 650 00:17:00,353 --> 00:17:03,423 The sheriff wasn't 651 00:17:00,353 --> 00:17:03,423 buying that one bit. 652 00:17:11,897 --> 00:17:14,634 - Investigators thought Madison 653 00:17:11,897 --> 00:17:14,634 didn't seem like a kid 654 00:17:14,634 --> 00:17:16,869 who was sad about 655 00:17:14,634 --> 00:17:16,869 what had happened 656 00:17:16,869 --> 00:17:18,380 to his mother and father. 657 00:17:33,453 --> 00:17:35,922 - And Madison's own uncle, 658 00:17:33,453 --> 00:17:35,922 an officer himself, 659 00:17:35,922 --> 00:17:39,192 knew the significance 660 00:17:35,922 --> 00:17:39,192 of this moment. 661 00:17:57,210 --> 00:18:01,140 - So, maybe Madison shot his dad 662 00:17:57,210 --> 00:18:01,140 to protect his mom. 663 00:18:01,140 --> 00:18:05,218 That sounds almost like 664 00:18:01,140 --> 00:18:05,218 you're offering him a story 665 00:18:05,218 --> 00:18:09,823 that you know fits the evidence 666 00:18:05,218 --> 00:18:09,823 and is also exculpatory. 667 00:18:09,823 --> 00:18:11,891 - Well, at that point, though, 668 00:18:09,823 --> 00:18:11,891 I had not seen any evidence. 669 00:18:11,891 --> 00:18:14,270 At that point, 670 00:18:11,891 --> 00:18:14,270 I'd only seen my sister. 671 00:18:14,270 --> 00:18:17,300 I had seen that her hand 672 00:18:14,270 --> 00:18:17,300 was wrapped in gauze, 673 00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:19,799 which tells me that somethin' 674 00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:19,799 happened to her hand. 675 00:18:19,799 --> 00:18:21,434 And-and at some point, 676 00:18:19,799 --> 00:18:21,434 I think somebody told me 677 00:18:21,434 --> 00:18:23,336 she was shot through the hand, 678 00:18:21,434 --> 00:18:23,336 through the head, 679 00:18:23,336 --> 00:18:25,338 which is 680 00:18:23,336 --> 00:18:25,338 a defensive position. 681 00:18:25,338 --> 00:18:27,107 - Back in 682 00:18:25,338 --> 00:18:27,107 the interrogation room, 683 00:18:27,107 --> 00:18:29,576 Madison stuck to 684 00:18:27,107 --> 00:18:29,576 his version of events. 685 00:18:35,949 --> 00:18:37,617 - As the interrogation 686 00:18:35,949 --> 00:18:37,617 was wrapping up, 687 00:18:37,617 --> 00:18:40,453 and the sheriff and Chris 688 00:18:37,617 --> 00:18:40,453 were walking out, 689 00:18:40,453 --> 00:18:44,424 Madison made a gesture 690 00:18:40,453 --> 00:18:44,424 in their direction. 691 00:18:44,424 --> 00:18:46,590 To the sheriff, 692 00:18:44,424 --> 00:18:46,590 that middle finger 693 00:18:46,590 --> 00:18:48,495 came out of nowhere. 694 00:18:48,495 --> 00:18:51,197 And later, investigators 695 00:18:48,495 --> 00:18:51,197 reported Madison was talking 696 00:18:51,197 --> 00:18:54,501 about homecoming on the way 697 00:18:51,197 --> 00:18:54,501 to take a blood sample. 698 00:18:54,501 --> 00:18:57,637 - He seemed more 699 00:18:54,501 --> 00:18:57,637 concerned about, uh, 700 00:18:57,637 --> 00:18:59,639 missing homecoming, 701 00:18:59,639 --> 00:19:04,244 uh, school, and things 702 00:18:59,639 --> 00:19:04,244 of that nature. 703 00:19:04,244 --> 00:19:06,120 - He didn't seem 704 00:19:04,244 --> 00:19:06,120 that upset. 705 00:19:06,120 --> 00:19:07,580 - No, no. 706 00:19:07,580 --> 00:19:10,160 - And here is a call 707 00:19:07,580 --> 00:19:10,160 that was recorded from jail 708 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:11,551 a few days later. 709 00:19:24,197 --> 00:19:26,299 - That kind of talk 710 00:19:24,197 --> 00:19:26,299 didn't prove anything, 711 00:19:26,299 --> 00:19:29,269 but it did strike 712 00:19:26,299 --> 00:19:29,269 investigators as odd, 713 00:19:29,269 --> 00:19:31,571 as they continued 714 00:19:29,269 --> 00:19:31,571 gathering evidence. 715 00:19:31,571 --> 00:19:33,773 They decided to 716 00:19:31,571 --> 00:19:33,773 test some elements 717 00:19:33,773 --> 00:19:35,675 of Madison's story. 718 00:19:35,675 --> 00:19:38,745 Madison had said he 719 00:19:35,675 --> 00:19:38,745 didn't hear the gunshots, 720 00:19:38,745 --> 00:19:41,381 so law enforcement 721 00:19:38,745 --> 00:19:41,381 did an experiment, 722 00:19:41,381 --> 00:19:43,750 and they recorded it. 723 00:19:43,750 --> 00:19:45,385 [gunshot] 724 00:19:45,385 --> 00:19:48,655 - We took the same weapon 725 00:19:45,385 --> 00:19:48,655 and the same grade ammo 726 00:19:48,655 --> 00:19:50,357 to do these tests. 727 00:19:50,357 --> 00:19:52,859 - Madison's story is that 728 00:19:50,357 --> 00:19:52,859 he ran from his dad's house 729 00:19:52,859 --> 00:19:57,197 to a neighbor 200 feet away 730 00:19:52,859 --> 00:19:57,197 and that he didn't hear 731 00:19:57,197 --> 00:20:00,834 the shots on his way 732 00:19:57,197 --> 00:20:00,834 or once he arrived. 733 00:20:00,834 --> 00:20:04,237 Investigators 734 00:20:00,834 --> 00:20:04,237 listened closely. 735 00:20:04,237 --> 00:20:06,606 Here is what that test 736 00:20:04,237 --> 00:20:06,606 sounded like standing 737 00:20:06,606 --> 00:20:08,808 at the neighbor's 738 00:20:06,606 --> 00:20:08,808 front door. 739 00:20:08,808 --> 00:20:10,100 [gunshot] 740 00:20:10,100 --> 00:20:12,746 To investigators, 741 00:20:10,100 --> 00:20:12,746 that made Madison a liar, 742 00:20:12,746 --> 00:20:16,983 a troubled kid who had 743 00:20:12,746 --> 00:20:16,983 exploded into violence. 744 00:20:16,983 --> 00:20:20,320 You think Madison saw 745 00:20:16,983 --> 00:20:20,320 his parents gettin' ready 746 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,656 to begin a process that 747 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,656 might have resulted 748 00:20:23,656 --> 00:20:27,327 in him being locked up, 749 00:20:23,656 --> 00:20:27,327 and he got angry, 750 00:20:27,327 --> 00:20:29,620 and he decided 751 00:20:27,327 --> 00:20:29,620 to kill them. 752 00:20:29,620 --> 00:20:31,431 - I don't know what 753 00:20:29,620 --> 00:20:31,431 his mindset was there, 754 00:20:31,431 --> 00:20:33,733 but could that have, 755 00:20:31,431 --> 00:20:33,733 you know, triggered him? 756 00:20:33,733 --> 00:20:35,802 Sure, it could have. 757 00:20:35,802 --> 00:20:38,705 - By the end of the week, 758 00:20:35,802 --> 00:20:38,705 17-year-old Madison Holton 759 00:20:38,705 --> 00:20:42,642 was charged with murdering 760 00:20:38,705 --> 00:20:42,642 his mom and dad. 761 00:20:42,642 --> 00:20:44,577 - Holton's bond is now set 762 00:20:42,642 --> 00:20:44,577 at a combined $1 million. 763 00:20:44,577 --> 00:20:46,379 - I don't go out here 764 00:20:44,577 --> 00:20:46,379 and beat a drum 765 00:20:46,379 --> 00:20:49,516 'cause we were able to put 766 00:20:46,379 --> 00:20:49,516 a 17-year-old boy in jail. 767 00:20:49,516 --> 00:20:51,551 But pretty much, 768 00:20:49,516 --> 00:20:51,551 Josh, if it looks, 769 00:20:51,551 --> 00:20:55,221 walks, talks, feels, 770 00:20:51,551 --> 00:20:55,221 and smells like a duck, 771 00:20:55,221 --> 00:20:57,724 we're pretty much gonna 772 00:20:55,221 --> 00:20:57,724 treat it like a duck. 773 00:20:57,724 --> 00:21:01,928 - Madison says he was 774 00:20:57,724 --> 00:21:01,928 no one's sitting duck. 775 00:21:01,928 --> 00:21:05,365 - My opinion is, 776 00:21:01,928 --> 00:21:05,365 they picked a fight. 777 00:21:05,365 --> 00:21:08,101 They thought they picked out 778 00:21:05,365 --> 00:21:08,101 some weak-minded kid. 779 00:21:08,101 --> 00:21:09,969 They didn't know who 780 00:21:08,101 --> 00:21:09,969 they were playing with. 781 00:21:09,969 --> 00:21:11,705 - You're tougher than 782 00:21:09,969 --> 00:21:11,705 they thought you were. 783 00:21:11,705 --> 00:21:12,972 - Oh, yeah. 784 00:21:22,182 --> 00:21:25,518 - I asked, like, three 785 00:21:22,182 --> 00:21:25,518 or four times for a polygraph. 786 00:21:25,518 --> 00:21:29,155 - Generally, guilty people 787 00:21:25,518 --> 00:21:29,155 do not ask for polygraphs. 788 00:21:29,155 --> 00:21:31,358 - Madison stands 789 00:21:29,155 --> 00:21:31,358 by his story, 790 00:21:31,358 --> 00:21:33,960 and supporters 791 00:21:31,358 --> 00:21:33,960 stand by him. 792 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:35,795 - He didn't do it. 793 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:35,795 It's not possible. 794 00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:37,964 - I knew, like, 795 00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:37,964 he wasn't capable of that. 796 00:21:38,980 --> 00:21:47,807 ** 797 00:21:48,742 --> 00:21:51,177 Welcome back to 798 00:21:48,742 --> 00:21:51,177 "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered." 799 00:21:51,177 --> 00:21:52,379 I'm Craig Melvin. 800 00:21:52,379 --> 00:21:55,181 The shooting deaths 801 00:21:52,379 --> 00:21:55,181 of April and Michael Holton 802 00:21:55,181 --> 00:21:57,851 left their small town reeling. 803 00:21:57,851 --> 00:22:01,421 Investigators were convinced 804 00:21:57,851 --> 00:22:01,421 the couple's son, Madison, 805 00:22:01,421 --> 00:22:05,325 killed them, even as he insisted 806 00:22:01,421 --> 00:22:05,325 to police he was innocent, 807 00:22:05,325 --> 00:22:08,628 and he had more 808 00:22:05,325 --> 00:22:08,628 to say to us, 809 00:22:08,628 --> 00:22:11,131 including what he said did 810 00:22:11,131 --> 00:22:15,268 and did not happen 811 00:22:11,131 --> 00:22:15,268 on that deadly day. 812 00:22:15,268 --> 00:22:18,505 Here's Josh Mankiewicz 813 00:22:15,268 --> 00:22:18,505 with "11 Minutes." 814 00:22:18,505 --> 00:22:22,208 ** 815 00:22:22,208 --> 00:22:25,612 - There is no more 816 00:22:22,208 --> 00:22:25,612 "High School Confidential." 817 00:22:25,612 --> 00:22:28,448 When a senior is charged 818 00:22:25,612 --> 00:22:28,448 with double murder, 819 00:22:28,448 --> 00:22:32,218 that is on 820 00:22:28,448 --> 00:22:32,218 every iPhone in class. 821 00:22:32,218 --> 00:22:33,853 - I'm on Snapchat 822 00:22:32,218 --> 00:22:33,853 all the time. 823 00:22:33,853 --> 00:22:35,355 So, I'm scrolling 824 00:22:33,853 --> 00:22:35,355 through Snapchat, 825 00:22:35,355 --> 00:22:38,725 and then you see his mugshot 826 00:22:35,355 --> 00:22:38,725 pop up on "Daily Mail," 827 00:22:38,725 --> 00:22:39,793 and you click through, 828 00:22:39,793 --> 00:22:41,494 and then he's next 829 00:22:39,793 --> 00:22:41,494 to Kim Kardashian. 830 00:22:41,494 --> 00:22:44,731 That in itself was 831 00:22:41,494 --> 00:22:44,731 absolutely crazy for me, 832 00:22:44,731 --> 00:22:46,533 for my classmates, 833 00:22:44,731 --> 00:22:46,533 like, all of us. 834 00:22:46,533 --> 00:22:48,802 And I knew, like, 835 00:22:46,533 --> 00:22:48,802 he wasn't capable of that, 836 00:22:48,802 --> 00:22:51,671 but, you know, a lot of people 837 00:22:48,802 --> 00:22:51,671 had opposite opinions. 838 00:22:51,671 --> 00:22:53,773 Like, oh, well, they wouldn't 839 00:22:51,671 --> 00:22:53,773 have put him in jail 840 00:22:53,773 --> 00:22:56,276 if they didn't have evidence 841 00:22:53,773 --> 00:22:56,276 to lead towards him, 842 00:22:56,276 --> 00:22:58,712 or he wouldn't be 843 00:22:56,276 --> 00:22:58,712 staying in there so long 844 00:22:58,712 --> 00:23:01,614 if there wasn't somethin' 845 00:22:58,712 --> 00:23:01,614 pointed towards him. 846 00:23:01,614 --> 00:23:04,351 - The sheriff believed 847 00:23:01,614 --> 00:23:04,351 that when Madison realized 848 00:23:04,351 --> 00:23:07,454 his parents were about to 849 00:23:04,351 --> 00:23:07,454 take him to juvenile court, 850 00:23:07,454 --> 00:23:10,560 he killed them 851 00:23:07,454 --> 00:23:10,560 and then lied about it 852 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:12,580 to investigators. 853 00:23:12,580 --> 00:23:14,694 The sheriff also believed 854 00:23:12,580 --> 00:23:14,694 some time in jail 855 00:23:14,694 --> 00:23:17,897 might encourage Madison 856 00:23:14,694 --> 00:23:17,897 to come clean. 857 00:23:17,897 --> 00:23:20,100 - There's a lot of people 858 00:23:17,897 --> 00:23:20,100 that come to jail, 859 00:23:20,100 --> 00:23:23,636 and there's a lot of people 860 00:23:20,100 --> 00:23:23,636 that profess their innocence, 861 00:23:23,636 --> 00:23:25,438 and they've been 862 00:23:23,636 --> 00:23:25,438 found guilty, 863 00:23:25,438 --> 00:23:27,741 or later they will 864 00:23:25,438 --> 00:23:27,741 pretty much profess their guilt 865 00:23:27,741 --> 00:23:29,776 on actually what they did. 866 00:23:29,776 --> 00:23:31,845 - That, however, 867 00:23:29,776 --> 00:23:31,845 did not happen, 868 00:23:31,845 --> 00:23:34,481 not as the teenager sat 869 00:23:31,845 --> 00:23:34,481 in the county lockup. 870 00:23:34,481 --> 00:23:36,349 - Mark. 871 00:23:36,349 --> 00:23:39,519 - And not when he sat down 872 00:23:36,349 --> 00:23:39,519 to talk with us. 873 00:23:39,519 --> 00:23:40,954 Did you shoot 874 00:23:39,519 --> 00:23:40,954 your parents? 875 00:23:40,954 --> 00:23:42,255 - No. 876 00:23:40,954 --> 00:23:42,255 - Either one of them? 877 00:23:42,255 --> 00:23:43,456 - No. 878 00:23:43,456 --> 00:23:44,657 - Did you ever have your hands 879 00:23:43,456 --> 00:23:44,657 on that gun that day? 880 00:23:44,657 --> 00:23:45,859 - No. 881 00:23:45,859 --> 00:23:46,826 - You hear any gunshots 882 00:23:45,859 --> 00:23:46,826 when you're on your way over 883 00:23:46,826 --> 00:23:48,762 to the neighbors? 884 00:23:46,826 --> 00:23:48,762 - No, I didn't. 885 00:23:48,762 --> 00:23:50,130 - Under advice of counsel, 886 00:23:50,130 --> 00:23:51,998 Madison wouldn't 887 00:23:50,130 --> 00:23:51,998 talk specifics 888 00:23:51,998 --> 00:23:54,300 about the day of 889 00:23:51,998 --> 00:23:54,300 the shootings. 890 00:23:54,300 --> 00:23:57,337 He did tell us his story 891 00:23:54,300 --> 00:23:57,337 of how his family 892 00:23:57,337 --> 00:23:59,439 started to fall apart. 893 00:23:59,439 --> 00:24:00,940 - Whenever things 894 00:23:59,439 --> 00:24:00,940 started to fall down, 895 00:24:00,940 --> 00:24:02,375 it just got 896 00:24:00,940 --> 00:24:02,375 worse and worse. 897 00:24:02,375 --> 00:24:04,544 - Could you tell there was 898 00:24:02,375 --> 00:24:04,544 tension in the house? 899 00:24:04,544 --> 00:24:07,781 - Yeah, sometimes I could. 900 00:24:04,544 --> 00:24:07,781 Sometimes I couldn't. 901 00:24:07,781 --> 00:24:09,482 Sometimes they would 902 00:24:07,781 --> 00:24:09,482 be giving the-- 903 00:24:09,482 --> 00:24:10,717 each other 904 00:24:09,482 --> 00:24:10,717 the silent treatment. 905 00:24:10,717 --> 00:24:13,787 Sometimes they would be 906 00:24:10,717 --> 00:24:13,787 arguing in front of us. 907 00:24:13,787 --> 00:24:15,955 Most of the time, 908 00:24:13,787 --> 00:24:15,955 it was more of, like, 909 00:24:15,955 --> 00:24:18,158 behind closed doors. 910 00:24:18,158 --> 00:24:19,859 - He says the Holton house 911 00:24:19,859 --> 00:24:22,796 became an unpleasant 912 00:24:19,859 --> 00:24:22,796 place to live. 913 00:24:22,796 --> 00:24:24,130 - I wanted to go 914 00:24:22,796 --> 00:24:24,130 do my own thing, 915 00:24:24,130 --> 00:24:25,932 and that included partying, 916 00:24:25,932 --> 00:24:28,702 and smoking pot, 917 00:24:25,932 --> 00:24:28,702 and stuff like that. 918 00:24:28,702 --> 00:24:29,903 So, I mean, I couldn't 919 00:24:28,702 --> 00:24:29,903 do it at home 920 00:24:29,903 --> 00:24:31,504 when my parents 921 00:24:29,903 --> 00:24:31,504 were around, 922 00:24:31,504 --> 00:24:33,573 so I decided 923 00:24:31,504 --> 00:24:33,573 to go other places. 924 00:24:33,573 --> 00:24:37,310 - After his parents separated, 925 00:24:33,573 --> 00:24:37,310 Madison lived with his dad 926 00:24:37,310 --> 00:24:39,679 and was present 927 00:24:37,310 --> 00:24:39,679 when his father discovered 928 00:24:39,679 --> 00:24:42,415 April had 929 00:24:39,679 --> 00:24:42,415 a new boyfriend. 930 00:24:42,415 --> 00:24:45,385 - He, like, freaked out, 931 00:24:42,415 --> 00:24:45,385 and then he called her 932 00:24:45,385 --> 00:24:47,754 and was, like, going off 933 00:24:45,385 --> 00:24:47,754 on her about it. 934 00:24:47,754 --> 00:24:48,822 - Saying what? 935 00:24:48,822 --> 00:24:50,824 - It was, like, 936 00:24:48,822 --> 00:24:50,824 "I-I need you. 937 00:24:50,824 --> 00:24:52,459 Like, I can't live 938 00:24:50,824 --> 00:24:52,459 without you," 939 00:24:52,459 --> 00:24:54,961 stuff like that. 940 00:24:54,961 --> 00:24:56,296 And whenever 941 00:24:54,961 --> 00:24:56,296 we got back home, 942 00:24:56,296 --> 00:24:57,931 I had never seen 943 00:24:56,296 --> 00:24:57,931 my dad cry before, 944 00:24:57,931 --> 00:25:01,267 but he was bawling. 945 00:25:01,267 --> 00:25:04,738 - Madison was remembering 946 00:25:01,267 --> 00:25:04,738 all of this sitting in jail, 947 00:25:04,738 --> 00:25:08,341 months and months, 948 00:25:04,738 --> 00:25:08,341 contemplating the past. 949 00:25:08,341 --> 00:25:10,430 You wrote people letters. 950 00:25:10,430 --> 00:25:12,450 - Yeah. 951 00:25:10,430 --> 00:25:12,450 - Apologizing, 952 00:25:12,450 --> 00:25:13,880 in some cases, 953 00:25:12,450 --> 00:25:13,880 for things you'd done. 954 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:15,148 - Yeah. 955 00:25:15,148 --> 00:25:17,150 - "Dear Hannah, I know 956 00:25:15,148 --> 00:25:17,150 it's kind of weird 957 00:25:17,150 --> 00:25:18,752 gettin' a letter 958 00:25:17,150 --> 00:25:18,752 from me right now." 959 00:25:18,752 --> 00:25:20,587 I opened it, 960 00:25:18,752 --> 00:25:20,587 and I just remember, 961 00:25:20,587 --> 00:25:23,390 like, I literally got chills 962 00:25:20,587 --> 00:25:23,390 because, like, it was stamped, 963 00:25:23,390 --> 00:25:25,892 like, Elmer County Jail 964 00:25:23,390 --> 00:25:25,892 on, like, a red stamp. 965 00:25:25,892 --> 00:25:27,827 And so, like, 966 00:25:25,892 --> 00:25:27,827 I'm reading this letter, 967 00:25:27,827 --> 00:25:29,529 and, you know, like, 968 00:25:27,827 --> 00:25:29,529 in the letter, 969 00:25:29,529 --> 00:25:31,698 he, like, apologizes for 970 00:25:29,529 --> 00:25:31,698 somethin' that happened, 971 00:25:31,698 --> 00:25:33,600 like, back in ninth grade 972 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:34,868 just because 973 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:34,868 he wanted to, like, 974 00:25:34,868 --> 00:25:36,703 apologize to everybody 975 00:25:34,868 --> 00:25:36,703 that he had wronged. 976 00:25:36,703 --> 00:25:38,710 I guess, like, he was 977 00:25:36,703 --> 00:25:38,710 just reflecting on 978 00:25:38,710 --> 00:25:39,105 a lot of stuff. 979 00:25:39,105 --> 00:25:40,206 "But every person 980 00:25:39,105 --> 00:25:40,206 I've written, 981 00:25:40,206 --> 00:25:41,975 I've told 982 00:25:40,206 --> 00:25:41,975 the exact same thing. 983 00:25:41,975 --> 00:25:43,376 I'm not a murderer. 984 00:25:43,376 --> 00:25:45,311 I don't know if you 985 00:25:43,376 --> 00:25:45,311 believe me or not, 986 00:25:45,311 --> 00:25:47,681 but I'm not. 987 00:25:45,311 --> 00:25:47,681 I couldn't kill anybody." 988 00:25:47,681 --> 00:25:50,183 And then, like, in the end, 989 00:25:47,681 --> 00:25:50,183 he put a Bible verse. 990 00:25:50,183 --> 00:25:52,152 So, like, that just 991 00:25:50,183 --> 00:25:52,152 showed me, like, 992 00:25:52,152 --> 00:25:54,754 in the midst of, like, 993 00:25:52,152 --> 00:25:54,754 this situation that you're in, 994 00:25:54,754 --> 00:25:57,557 like, you're trying 995 00:25:54,754 --> 00:25:57,557 to encourage other people. 996 00:25:57,557 --> 00:26:01,428 So, it was just, like, 997 00:25:57,557 --> 00:26:01,428 really crazy to see that. 998 00:26:03,290 --> 00:26:04,130 - I was just thinking 999 00:26:03,290 --> 00:26:04,130 about the light 1000 00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:05,398 at the end of 1001 00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:05,398 the tunnel, you know. 1002 00:26:05,398 --> 00:26:07,500 My favorite Bible verse, 1003 00:26:05,398 --> 00:26:07,500 Jeremiah 29:11, 1004 00:26:07,500 --> 00:26:09,350 is, like, "'For I know 1005 00:26:07,500 --> 00:26:09,350 the plans I have for you,' 1006 00:26:09,350 --> 00:26:10,503 declares the Lord. 1007 00:26:10,503 --> 00:26:12,138 'Plan is to prosper you 1008 00:26:10,503 --> 00:26:12,138 and not to harm you. 1009 00:26:12,138 --> 00:26:13,573 Plan is to give you hope 1010 00:26:12,138 --> 00:26:13,573 and a future.'" 1011 00:26:13,573 --> 00:26:15,241 - You still thought 1012 00:26:13,573 --> 00:26:15,241 you had a future. 1013 00:26:15,241 --> 00:26:17,143 - I knew I had a future. 1014 00:26:17,143 --> 00:26:18,712 - Madison's present, 1015 00:26:17,143 --> 00:26:18,712 though, was 1016 00:26:18,712 --> 00:26:21,448 the four walls of a cell. 1017 00:26:21,448 --> 00:26:24,451 Time in jail did not 1018 00:26:21,448 --> 00:26:24,451 motivate him to confess 1019 00:26:24,451 --> 00:26:27,530 to crimes he says 1020 00:26:24,451 --> 00:26:27,530 he didn't commit. 1021 00:26:27,530 --> 00:26:29,189 His story never 1022 00:26:27,530 --> 00:26:29,189 changed from the one 1023 00:26:29,189 --> 00:26:32,580 he told the night 1024 00:26:29,189 --> 00:26:32,580 his parents were shot. 1025 00:26:32,580 --> 00:26:34,260 - I think I asked, like, 1026 00:26:32,580 --> 00:26:34,260 three or four times 1027 00:26:34,260 --> 00:26:35,628 for a polygraph. 1028 00:26:43,169 --> 00:26:47,140 - Generally, guilty people 1029 00:26:43,169 --> 00:26:47,140 do not ask for polygraphs. 1030 00:26:47,140 --> 00:26:49,750 - Yeah, I mean, 1031 00:26:47,140 --> 00:26:49,750 it's a lie detector test. 1032 00:26:49,750 --> 00:26:52,412 I mean, yeah, some people 1033 00:26:49,750 --> 00:26:52,412 can find a flaw in that. 1034 00:26:52,412 --> 00:26:54,881 Some people can beat it 1035 00:26:52,412 --> 00:26:54,881 even when they are lying, 1036 00:26:54,881 --> 00:26:57,817 but, I mean, 1037 00:26:54,881 --> 00:26:57,817 I was 17 years old. 1038 00:26:57,817 --> 00:27:00,487 I mean, I didn't know 1039 00:26:57,817 --> 00:27:00,487 nothin' about it. 1040 00:27:00,487 --> 00:27:03,890 I just knew it was 1041 00:27:00,487 --> 00:27:03,890 a lie detector test. 1042 00:27:03,890 --> 00:27:05,558 - That polygraph 1043 00:27:03,890 --> 00:27:05,558 never happened, 1044 00:27:05,558 --> 00:27:10,300 and Madison remained a teenager 1045 00:27:05,558 --> 00:27:10,300 facing two murder raps. 1046 00:27:10,300 --> 00:27:12,932 Law enforcement 1047 00:27:10,300 --> 00:27:12,932 was lined up against him. 1048 00:27:12,932 --> 00:27:16,690 His mom's family 1049 00:27:12,932 --> 00:27:16,690 felt differently. 1050 00:27:16,690 --> 00:27:18,471 They saw Madison 1051 00:27:16,690 --> 00:27:18,471 behind bars 1052 00:27:18,471 --> 00:27:20,907 as just another tragedy. 1053 00:27:20,907 --> 00:27:22,876 - I told him on day one 1054 00:27:22,876 --> 00:27:25,378 the only role he played 1055 00:27:22,876 --> 00:27:25,378 in this case 1056 00:27:25,378 --> 00:27:27,147 was the fact that 1057 00:27:25,378 --> 00:27:27,147 he threw a house party, 1058 00:27:27,147 --> 00:27:29,282 but you don't put somebody 1059 00:27:27,147 --> 00:27:29,282 in prison for life 1060 00:27:29,282 --> 00:27:30,950 for throwing 1061 00:27:29,282 --> 00:27:30,950 a house party. 1062 00:27:30,950 --> 00:27:33,386 - Mike hadn't even known 1063 00:27:30,950 --> 00:27:33,386 Madison well 1064 00:27:33,386 --> 00:27:34,854 before all of this. 1065 00:27:34,854 --> 00:27:35,855 - Before everything happened, 1066 00:27:35,855 --> 00:27:37,557 I never really even had, 1067 00:27:35,855 --> 00:27:37,557 like, more than, like, 1068 00:27:37,557 --> 00:27:39,426 a five minute 1069 00:27:37,557 --> 00:27:39,426 conversation with him. 1070 00:27:39,426 --> 00:27:42,562 Uh, but whenever 1071 00:27:39,426 --> 00:27:42,562 I got to the jail, 1072 00:27:42,562 --> 00:27:44,931 I mean, we'd just sit there 1073 00:27:42,562 --> 00:27:44,931 and talk on the phone 1074 00:27:44,931 --> 00:27:46,833 'til the time ran up 1075 00:27:44,931 --> 00:27:46,833 on the phone. 1076 00:27:46,833 --> 00:27:49,690 - And he was pretty 1077 00:27:46,833 --> 00:27:49,690 solidly in your corner. 1078 00:27:49,690 --> 00:27:51,304 - Oh, yeah, 1079 00:27:49,690 --> 00:27:51,304 without a doubt. 1080 00:27:51,304 --> 00:27:53,506 - And Mike was going 1081 00:27:51,304 --> 00:27:53,506 to make sure his nephew 1082 00:27:53,506 --> 00:27:56,543 didn't spend his life 1083 00:27:53,506 --> 00:27:56,543 locked up. 1084 00:27:56,543 --> 00:27:58,845 He had worked 1085 00:27:56,543 --> 00:27:58,845 as a police officer 1086 00:27:58,845 --> 00:28:01,181 and was now hunting 1087 00:27:58,845 --> 00:28:01,181 for anything 1088 00:28:01,181 --> 00:28:04,170 that might prove 1089 00:28:01,181 --> 00:28:04,170 Madison's innocence. 1090 00:28:04,170 --> 00:28:05,852 - He didn't do it. 1091 00:28:05,852 --> 00:28:09,890 It's not possible. 1092 00:28:09,890 --> 00:28:10,623 - Coming up... 1093 00:28:10,623 --> 00:28:12,392 - No DNA, 1094 00:28:10,623 --> 00:28:12,392 no blood on Madison, 1095 00:28:12,392 --> 00:28:14,227 not on his clothes, 1096 00:28:12,392 --> 00:28:14,227 not on his hands. 1097 00:28:14,227 --> 00:28:16,290 - If Madison had 1098 00:28:14,227 --> 00:28:16,290 committed this crime, 1099 00:28:16,290 --> 00:28:19,990 if he'd shot both his parents 1100 00:28:16,290 --> 00:28:19,990 at pretty close range, 1101 00:28:19,990 --> 00:28:20,600 he'd have some blood on him. 1102 00:28:19,990 --> 00:28:20,600 - Right, 1103 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:22,936 he'd have some 1104 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:22,936 forensic evidence on him. 1105 00:28:22,936 --> 00:28:26,390 - A former FBI agent 1106 00:28:22,936 --> 00:28:26,390 joins the case. 1107 00:28:26,390 --> 00:28:27,707 - This is the same 1108 00:28:26,390 --> 00:28:27,707 make and model of gun. 1109 00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:30,430 - The same make-- 1110 00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:30,430 it's a 380 cobra. 1111 00:28:30,430 --> 00:28:32,412 - With some intriguing 1112 00:28:30,430 --> 00:28:32,412 detective work 1113 00:28:32,412 --> 00:28:33,913 about the shooting 1114 00:28:34,470 --> 00:28:49,963 - Two life sentences is 1115 00:28:34,470 --> 00:28:49,963 a long time for anyone. 1116 00:28:50,663 --> 00:28:53,533 When you're 17, 1117 00:28:50,663 --> 00:28:53,533 it's unthinkable. 1118 00:28:53,533 --> 00:28:56,603 Behind bars, Madison Holton 1119 00:28:53,533 --> 00:28:56,603 prayed for the light 1120 00:28:56,603 --> 00:28:58,238 at the end of the tunnel. 1121 00:28:58,238 --> 00:29:01,307 And in December 2017... 1122 00:29:01,307 --> 00:29:02,776 - My wife and I were 1123 00:29:01,307 --> 00:29:02,776 able to eventually 1124 00:29:02,776 --> 00:29:04,110 bond him out of jail. 1125 00:29:04,110 --> 00:29:05,779 - After, like, 1126 00:29:04,110 --> 00:29:05,779 more than a year, yeah. 1127 00:29:05,779 --> 00:29:09,616 - A year and three 1128 00:29:05,779 --> 00:29:09,616 or four months. 1129 00:29:09,616 --> 00:29:11,518 - Where did you get the money 1130 00:29:09,616 --> 00:29:11,518 for Madison's bond? 1131 00:29:11,518 --> 00:29:13,553 - My wife and I 1132 00:29:11,518 --> 00:29:13,553 took out a loan, 1133 00:29:13,553 --> 00:29:15,210 and we're still 1134 00:29:13,553 --> 00:29:15,210 paying for it. 1135 00:29:15,210 --> 00:29:17,691 - After, um, 1136 00:29:15,210 --> 00:29:17,691 15 months and 7 days, 1137 00:29:17,691 --> 00:29:19,250 the guard said, 1138 00:29:17,691 --> 00:29:19,250 "Today is your lucky. 1139 00:29:19,250 --> 00:29:20,493 Pack it up." 1140 00:29:20,493 --> 00:29:22,629 ** 1141 00:29:22,629 --> 00:29:25,665 - Madison was out 1142 00:29:22,629 --> 00:29:25,665 but far from free. 1143 00:29:25,665 --> 00:29:27,834 Now, he was prepping 1144 00:29:25,665 --> 00:29:27,834 for a murder trial 1145 00:29:27,834 --> 00:29:30,670 with the help of 1146 00:29:27,834 --> 00:29:30,670 his twin uncles. 1147 00:29:30,670 --> 00:29:32,772 His Uncle Mike 1148 00:29:30,670 --> 00:29:32,772 discovered information 1149 00:29:32,772 --> 00:29:35,141 critical to 1150 00:29:32,772 --> 00:29:35,141 Madison's defense 1151 00:29:35,141 --> 00:29:39,145 when he went through 1152 00:29:35,141 --> 00:29:39,145 Madison's dad's autopsy report. 1153 00:29:39,145 --> 00:29:40,447 - Michael Holton was 1154 00:29:39,145 --> 00:29:40,447 under the influence 1155 00:29:40,447 --> 00:29:41,881 of heavy narcotics. 1156 00:29:41,881 --> 00:29:43,483 - Michael Holton 1157 00:29:41,881 --> 00:29:43,483 had a cocktail 1158 00:29:43,483 --> 00:29:46,419 of tramadol, oxycodone, 1159 00:29:43,483 --> 00:29:46,419 and hydrocodone 1160 00:29:46,419 --> 00:29:49,456 in his system 1161 00:29:46,419 --> 00:29:49,456 at the time of his death. 1162 00:29:49,456 --> 00:29:51,791 Was pretty much everybody 1163 00:29:49,456 --> 00:29:51,791 in your family aware 1164 00:29:51,791 --> 00:29:53,526 that Michael 1165 00:29:51,791 --> 00:29:53,526 had a drug problem? 1166 00:29:53,526 --> 00:29:54,728 - They-they were. 1167 00:29:54,728 --> 00:29:56,563 It was somethin' nobody 1168 00:29:54,728 --> 00:29:56,563 wanted to talk about. 1169 00:29:56,563 --> 00:29:57,731 - And it's 1170 00:29:56,563 --> 00:29:57,731 an embarrassment. 1171 00:29:57,731 --> 00:29:59,299 - Right, I mean, 1172 00:29:57,731 --> 00:29:59,299 he was, at one point, 1173 00:29:59,299 --> 00:30:02,235 he was the mayor of Eclectic, 1174 00:29:59,299 --> 00:30:02,235 the fire chief. 1175 00:30:02,235 --> 00:30:05,171 Um, he was 1176 00:30:02,235 --> 00:30:05,171 the best paramedic I knew. 1177 00:30:05,171 --> 00:30:06,806 His drug problem 1178 00:30:05,171 --> 00:30:06,806 got away from him 1179 00:30:06,806 --> 00:30:09,676 and just down 1180 00:30:06,806 --> 00:30:09,676 the hill he went. 1181 00:30:09,676 --> 00:30:11,578 ** 1182 00:30:11,578 --> 00:30:12,946 - Chris speculated that, 1183 00:30:12,946 --> 00:30:15,682 on the day of the shootings, 1184 00:30:12,946 --> 00:30:15,682 Michael was using 1185 00:30:15,682 --> 00:30:18,180 the latest problem 1186 00:30:15,682 --> 00:30:18,180 with their son 1187 00:30:18,180 --> 00:30:20,487 as a way to win 1188 00:30:18,180 --> 00:30:20,487 April back. 1189 00:30:20,487 --> 00:30:21,888 - It's an opportunity 1190 00:30:20,487 --> 00:30:21,888 for Michael to say, 1191 00:30:21,888 --> 00:30:24,124 "Look, you know, if 1192 00:30:21,888 --> 00:30:24,124 the two of us were together, 1193 00:30:24,124 --> 00:30:25,525 this probably wouldn't 1194 00:30:24,124 --> 00:30:25,525 have happened." 1195 00:30:25,525 --> 00:30:28,280 - And she says, "It's too late 1196 00:30:25,525 --> 00:30:28,280 for that conversation. 1197 00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:29,896 I'm moving on." 1198 00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:29,896 - Yeah, that ship has sailed. 1199 00:30:29,896 --> 00:30:31,865 And I think, at that point, 1200 00:30:29,896 --> 00:30:31,865 Michael just snapped. 1201 00:30:31,865 --> 00:30:34,300 I think Michael killed April 1202 00:30:31,865 --> 00:30:34,300 and then killed himself. 1203 00:30:34,300 --> 00:30:39,339 I think Michael 1204 00:30:34,300 --> 00:30:39,339 couldn't face the world 1205 00:30:39,339 --> 00:30:40,807 knowing he killed his wife, 1206 00:30:40,807 --> 00:30:42,108 and the only option 1207 00:30:40,807 --> 00:30:42,108 left for him 1208 00:30:42,108 --> 00:30:44,744 was to end his own life. 1209 00:30:44,744 --> 00:30:47,130 - Mike learned 1210 00:30:44,744 --> 00:30:47,130 Madison's dad might have 1211 00:30:47,130 --> 00:30:49,816 thought about suicide 1212 00:30:47,130 --> 00:30:49,816 in the past. 1213 00:30:49,816 --> 00:30:53,190 It was right there 1214 00:30:49,816 --> 00:30:53,190 in the pages of his diary. 1215 00:30:53,190 --> 00:30:55,455 To April, he wrote, 1216 00:30:53,190 --> 00:30:55,455 "I just can't go on 1217 00:30:55,455 --> 00:30:57,724 knowing you are with 1218 00:30:55,455 --> 00:30:57,724 somebody else," 1219 00:30:57,724 --> 00:31:01,828 and, "It was either me 1220 00:30:57,724 --> 00:31:01,828 or the both of us." 1221 00:31:01,828 --> 00:31:03,897 - You read it, and it 1222 00:31:01,828 --> 00:31:03,897 clearly indicates 1223 00:31:03,897 --> 00:31:06,399 a person who is not 1224 00:31:03,897 --> 00:31:06,399 in their right state of mind. 1225 00:31:06,399 --> 00:31:08,668 - Madison's uncles shared 1226 00:31:06,399 --> 00:31:08,668 their discoveries 1227 00:31:08,668 --> 00:31:10,970 with his court 1228 00:31:08,668 --> 00:31:10,970 appointed attorney, 1229 00:31:10,970 --> 00:31:12,605 and they worried. 1230 00:31:12,605 --> 00:31:15,408 The family didn't have 1231 00:31:12,605 --> 00:31:15,408 money for fancy experts 1232 00:31:15,408 --> 00:31:18,845 or the things they would need 1233 00:31:15,408 --> 00:31:18,845 to make a strong case. 1234 00:31:18,845 --> 00:31:22,582 As his uncle stressed, 1235 00:31:18,845 --> 00:31:22,582 Madison went to church, 1236 00:31:22,582 --> 00:31:25,552 and that's where 1237 00:31:22,582 --> 00:31:25,552 everything changed 1238 00:31:25,552 --> 00:31:28,488 in the form of Greg Biggs. 1239 00:31:28,488 --> 00:31:32,920 - On Sunday afternoon, 1240 00:31:28,488 --> 00:31:32,920 we had a prayer meeting. 1241 00:31:32,920 --> 00:31:33,693 So, to get 1242 00:31:32,920 --> 00:31:33,693 your prayer partner, 1243 00:31:33,693 --> 00:31:35,995 the pastor put 1244 00:31:33,693 --> 00:31:35,995 our names in a hat 1245 00:31:35,995 --> 00:31:37,831 and started drawing 1246 00:31:35,995 --> 00:31:37,831 our names out. 1247 00:31:37,831 --> 00:31:41,901 So, drew my name out, 1248 00:31:37,831 --> 00:31:41,901 and he drew Madison's name out. 1249 00:31:41,901 --> 00:31:43,737 - Did you know Madison? 1250 00:31:41,901 --> 00:31:43,737 - I had no idea, 1251 00:31:43,737 --> 00:31:45,338 but I got to meet him 1252 00:31:43,737 --> 00:31:45,338 that day, 1253 00:31:45,338 --> 00:31:46,573 and he was a nice kid. 1254 00:31:46,573 --> 00:31:49,109 It was only a few days later, 1255 00:31:46,573 --> 00:31:49,109 his Uncle Chris tells me, 1256 00:31:49,109 --> 00:31:51,945 "Well, you know, 1257 00:31:49,109 --> 00:31:51,945 he's indicted for murder." 1258 00:31:51,945 --> 00:31:55,348 I'm going, 1259 00:31:51,945 --> 00:31:55,348 "What? Madison?" 1260 00:31:56,383 --> 00:31:59,853 - Greg is a former FBI agent 1261 00:31:56,383 --> 00:31:59,853 and state's attorney. 1262 00:31:59,853 --> 00:32:02,155 He knew his way 1263 00:31:59,853 --> 00:32:02,155 around a case file 1264 00:32:02,155 --> 00:32:04,570 and offered to help. 1265 00:32:04,570 --> 00:32:06,326 He says the impressions 1266 00:32:04,570 --> 00:32:06,326 deputies formed 1267 00:32:06,326 --> 00:32:10,630 during the investigation 1268 00:32:06,326 --> 00:32:10,630 were off base. 1269 00:32:10,630 --> 00:32:11,731 But his parents have 1270 00:32:10,630 --> 00:32:11,731 just been killed, 1271 00:32:11,731 --> 00:32:14,100 and he's, what, talking 1272 00:32:11,731 --> 00:32:14,100 about homecoming? 1273 00:32:14,100 --> 00:32:17,203 - I don't think 1274 00:32:14,100 --> 00:32:17,203 you can put-- 1275 00:32:17,203 --> 00:32:19,939 get yourself in the mind 1276 00:32:17,203 --> 00:32:19,939 of a 17-year-old 1277 00:32:19,939 --> 00:32:22,108 to make him out 1278 00:32:19,939 --> 00:32:22,108 to be a Ted Bundy 1279 00:32:22,108 --> 00:32:23,376 when he's just a kid. 1280 00:32:23,376 --> 00:32:25,780 I mean, I-I did 1281 00:32:23,376 --> 00:32:25,780 a lotta stupid things 1282 00:32:25,780 --> 00:32:26,713 when I was 17. 1283 00:32:26,713 --> 00:32:30,830 I kissed a dead dog 1284 00:32:26,713 --> 00:32:30,830 on a road on a dare 1285 00:32:30,830 --> 00:32:31,551 when I was 17. 1286 00:32:31,551 --> 00:32:35,288 So, kids are kids. 1287 00:32:35,288 --> 00:32:36,823 - And this was just 1288 00:32:35,288 --> 00:32:36,823 Madison being a kid. 1289 00:32:36,823 --> 00:32:40,493 - Just Madison being a kid 1290 00:32:36,823 --> 00:32:40,493 saying stupid things. 1291 00:32:40,493 --> 00:32:42,662 - And if law enforcement 1292 00:32:40,493 --> 00:32:42,662 didn't catch 1293 00:32:42,662 --> 00:32:44,531 Madison in tears? 1294 00:32:44,531 --> 00:32:46,399 Madison said he had 1295 00:32:44,531 --> 00:32:46,399 a good reason 1296 00:32:46,399 --> 00:32:49,736 and said as much 1297 00:32:46,399 --> 00:32:49,736 in the interrogation. 1298 00:32:57,811 --> 00:32:59,312 - Greg says 1299 00:32:57,811 --> 00:32:59,312 the physical evidence 1300 00:32:59,312 --> 00:33:01,810 supports Madison's story 1301 00:33:01,810 --> 00:33:03,350 that his parents 1302 00:33:01,810 --> 00:33:03,350 had been fighting. 1303 00:33:03,350 --> 00:33:06,786 April had Michael's DNA 1304 00:33:03,350 --> 00:33:06,786 under her fingernails. 1305 00:33:06,786 --> 00:33:09,556 Michael had scratches 1306 00:33:06,786 --> 00:33:09,556 on his face. 1307 00:33:09,556 --> 00:33:13,326 And if Madison had shot them 1308 00:33:09,556 --> 00:33:13,326 during the fight, 1309 00:33:13,326 --> 00:33:15,495 where was 1310 00:33:13,326 --> 00:33:15,495 the proof of that? 1311 00:33:15,495 --> 00:33:17,330 - No DNA, 1312 00:33:15,495 --> 00:33:17,330 no blood on Madison, 1313 00:33:17,330 --> 00:33:19,132 not on his clothes, 1314 00:33:17,330 --> 00:33:19,132 not on his hands, 1315 00:33:19,132 --> 00:33:22,669 so all the-the evidence 1316 00:33:19,132 --> 00:33:22,669 points toward 1317 00:33:22,669 --> 00:33:25,772 exactly what Madison said. 1318 00:33:25,772 --> 00:33:27,273 Mom and dad were 1319 00:33:25,772 --> 00:33:27,273 in the bedroom. 1320 00:33:27,273 --> 00:33:28,975 - If Madison had 1321 00:33:27,273 --> 00:33:28,975 committed this crime, 1322 00:33:28,975 --> 00:33:32,112 if he'd shot both his parents 1323 00:33:28,975 --> 00:33:32,112 at pretty close range, 1324 00:33:32,112 --> 00:33:33,613 he'd have some blood on him. 1325 00:33:32,112 --> 00:33:33,613 - Right, 1326 00:33:33,613 --> 00:33:35,915 he'd have some 1327 00:33:33,613 --> 00:33:35,915 forensic evidence on him 1328 00:33:35,915 --> 00:33:37,984 to demonstrate 1329 00:33:35,915 --> 00:33:37,984 he had fired a gun 1330 00:33:37,984 --> 00:33:39,919 at a very close range. 1331 00:33:39,919 --> 00:33:42,122 - Law enforcement was 1332 00:33:39,919 --> 00:33:42,122 never able to lift 1333 00:33:42,122 --> 00:33:45,592 a full print from the gun, 1334 00:33:42,122 --> 00:33:45,592 and the only DNA they found 1335 00:33:45,592 --> 00:33:48,395 was April's 1336 00:33:45,592 --> 00:33:48,395 on the trigger. 1337 00:33:48,395 --> 00:33:50,230 And what about 1338 00:33:48,395 --> 00:33:50,230 that head wound, 1339 00:33:50,230 --> 00:33:52,565 the one a pathologist said 1340 00:33:50,230 --> 00:33:52,565 made Michael's death 1341 00:33:52,565 --> 00:33:54,768 look like a homicide? 1342 00:33:54,768 --> 00:33:57,300 - I've consulted with 1343 00:33:54,768 --> 00:33:57,300 a forensic pathologist 1344 00:33:57,300 --> 00:33:59,806 who said he looked 1345 00:33:57,300 --> 00:33:59,806 at the wound, 1346 00:33:59,806 --> 00:34:01,474 and he said that it 1347 00:33:59,806 --> 00:34:01,474 is more probable 1348 00:34:01,474 --> 00:34:04,844 that it is suicide 1349 00:34:01,474 --> 00:34:04,844 than homicide. 1350 00:34:04,844 --> 00:34:07,800 - If investigators 1351 00:34:04,844 --> 00:34:07,800 thought it was difficult 1352 00:34:07,800 --> 00:34:10,417 for Michael to shoot himself 1353 00:34:07,800 --> 00:34:10,417 at that odd angle, 1354 00:34:10,417 --> 00:34:12,552 Defense Attorney Biggs 1355 00:34:10,417 --> 00:34:12,552 demonstrated for us 1356 00:34:12,552 --> 00:34:16,889 how easy it could be 1357 00:34:12,552 --> 00:34:16,889 using an unloaded gun 1358 00:34:16,889 --> 00:34:20,293 identical to the one 1359 00:34:16,889 --> 00:34:20,293 found at the scene. 1360 00:34:20,293 --> 00:34:22,195 This is the same 1361 00:34:20,293 --> 00:34:22,195 make and model of gun? 1362 00:34:22,195 --> 00:34:24,496 - The same make-- 1363 00:34:22,195 --> 00:34:24,496 it's a 380 Cobra. 1364 00:34:26,366 --> 00:34:28,435 Not impossible, is it? 1365 00:34:30,699 --> 00:34:32,639 - Greg said he didn't even 1366 00:34:30,699 --> 00:34:32,639 need the forensics 1367 00:34:32,639 --> 00:34:34,940 to show Madison 1368 00:34:32,639 --> 00:34:34,940 was innocent. 1369 00:34:34,940 --> 00:34:37,911 Common sense, he claimed, 1370 00:34:34,940 --> 00:34:37,911 said it all. 1371 00:34:37,911 --> 00:34:40,280 Remember, Madison's dad 1372 00:34:37,911 --> 00:34:40,280 had handcuffed him 1373 00:34:40,280 --> 00:34:42,820 behind his back, 1374 00:34:42,820 --> 00:34:45,850 and when deputies arrived 1375 00:34:42,820 --> 00:34:45,850 after the shootings, 1376 00:34:45,850 --> 00:34:48,788 they found Madison 1377 00:34:45,850 --> 00:34:48,788 still in those handcuffs. 1378 00:34:53,827 --> 00:34:55,628 - The sheriff's theory? 1379 00:34:55,628 --> 00:34:58,531 Madison had been able 1380 00:34:55,628 --> 00:34:58,531 to take the cuffs off 1381 00:34:58,531 --> 00:35:00,900 using a handcuff key 1382 00:35:00,900 --> 00:35:03,903 investigators found 1383 00:35:00,900 --> 00:35:03,903 in the living room. 1384 00:35:03,903 --> 00:35:06,906 - Our primary investigator 1385 00:35:03,903 --> 00:35:06,906 is in his mid-30s. 1386 00:35:06,906 --> 00:35:09,876 Our chief investigator 1387 00:35:06,906 --> 00:35:09,876 is in his late 40s. 1388 00:35:09,876 --> 00:35:12,450 They were both able, 1389 00:35:12,450 --> 00:35:15,382 in about 1390 00:35:12,450 --> 00:35:15,382 12 to 15 seconds, 1391 00:35:15,382 --> 00:35:18,618 stand up, slip it 1392 00:35:15,382 --> 00:35:18,618 below their feet, 1393 00:35:18,618 --> 00:35:20,320 get in front of them, 1394 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:22,889 take a handcuff key 1395 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:22,889 that has been placed 1396 00:35:22,889 --> 00:35:24,900 right in front of them, 1397 00:35:24,900 --> 00:35:25,258 and get out 1398 00:35:24,900 --> 00:35:25,258 of the handcuffs. 1399 00:35:25,258 --> 00:35:26,726 - Wait, wait, wait. 1400 00:35:26,726 --> 00:35:29,262 That's what you think 1401 00:35:26,726 --> 00:35:29,262 Madison did? 1402 00:35:29,262 --> 00:35:30,630 You think he took 1403 00:35:29,262 --> 00:35:30,630 his handcuffs off 1404 00:35:30,630 --> 00:35:31,765 and shot his parents 1405 00:35:31,765 --> 00:35:33,660 and then put 1406 00:35:31,765 --> 00:35:33,660 the handcuffs back on. 1407 00:35:33,660 --> 00:35:34,467 - Yes. 1408 00:35:34,467 --> 00:35:37,303 Yes, I think that's 1409 00:35:34,467 --> 00:35:37,303 what happened. 1410 00:35:37,303 --> 00:35:39,205 - Did you slip 1411 00:35:37,303 --> 00:35:39,205 out of the handcuffs? 1412 00:35:39,205 --> 00:35:40,240 - No. 1413 00:35:40,240 --> 00:35:41,641 - And-and commit murder 1414 00:35:40,240 --> 00:35:41,641 and then put 1415 00:35:41,641 --> 00:35:42,742 the handcuffs back on? 1416 00:35:42,742 --> 00:35:43,677 - No. 1417 00:35:43,677 --> 00:35:44,844 - Would you know 1418 00:35:43,677 --> 00:35:44,844 how to do that? 1419 00:35:44,844 --> 00:35:46,212 - No, it was 1420 00:35:44,844 --> 00:35:46,212 the first time 1421 00:35:46,212 --> 00:35:48,214 I had ever been 1422 00:35:46,212 --> 00:35:48,214 put in handcuffs. 1423 00:35:49,382 --> 00:35:51,484 - The state 1424 00:35:49,382 --> 00:35:51,484 was moving ahead. 1425 00:35:51,484 --> 00:35:55,622 A date for Madison's 1426 00:35:51,484 --> 00:35:55,622 double murder trial was set. 1427 00:35:55,622 --> 00:35:56,823 They seem 1428 00:35:55,622 --> 00:35:56,823 pretty determined. 1429 00:35:56,823 --> 00:35:57,991 - Yeah, they seem 1430 00:35:56,823 --> 00:35:57,991 pretty determined, 1431 00:35:57,991 --> 00:36:00,860 but I was 1432 00:35:57,991 --> 00:36:00,860 pretty determined myself. 1433 00:36:02,262 --> 00:36:03,697 - Coming up... 1434 00:36:03,697 --> 00:36:05,465 - This is the start 1435 00:36:03,697 --> 00:36:05,465 of war, you know. 1436 00:36:05,465 --> 00:36:07,367 - Everything is at stake. 1437 00:36:07,367 --> 00:36:09,569 - I was like, 1438 00:36:07,367 --> 00:36:09,569 if this goes downhill, 1439 00:36:09,569 --> 00:36:11,304 I would have 1440 00:36:09,569 --> 00:36:11,304 two life sentences 1441 00:36:11,304 --> 00:36:12,772 and be in prison 1442 00:36:11,304 --> 00:36:12,772 for the rest of my life. 1443 00:36:12,772 --> 00:36:16,643 - The jaw dropping news 1444 00:36:12,772 --> 00:36:16,643 that no one expected. 1445 00:36:16,643 --> 00:36:18,511 - Did you have your suspicions 1446 00:36:16,643 --> 00:36:18,511 about what was coming? 1447 00:36:18,511 --> 00:36:19,546 - No. 1448 00:36:19,646 --> 00:36:31,291 - Welcome back. 1449 00:36:32,580 --> 00:36:34,600 Madison Holton 1450 00:36:32,580 --> 00:36:34,600 was heading to trail 1451 00:36:34,600 --> 00:36:36,162 for the double murder 1452 00:36:34,600 --> 00:36:36,162 of his parents. 1453 00:36:36,162 --> 00:36:39,799 The defense planned to argue 1454 00:36:36,162 --> 00:36:39,799 that Madison's dad, Michael, 1455 00:36:39,799 --> 00:36:42,302 distraught over 1456 00:36:39,799 --> 00:36:42,302 his impending divorce, 1457 00:36:42,302 --> 00:36:44,700 was the real killer. 1458 00:36:44,700 --> 00:36:46,473 If they failed 1459 00:36:44,700 --> 00:36:46,473 to convince a jury, 1460 00:36:46,473 --> 00:36:50,210 the teenager could spend 1461 00:36:46,473 --> 00:36:50,210 his life behind bars, 1462 00:36:50,210 --> 00:36:54,881 but this case was about 1463 00:36:50,210 --> 00:36:54,881 to take a startling turn. 1464 00:36:54,881 --> 00:36:57,150 Here's Josh Mankiewicz 1465 00:36:54,881 --> 00:36:57,150 with the conclusion 1466 00:36:57,150 --> 00:36:58,852 of "11 Minutes." 1467 00:36:58,852 --> 00:37:02,550 ** 1468 00:37:02,550 --> 00:37:06,393 - Murder has a way of 1469 00:37:02,550 --> 00:37:06,393 splitting a small town in two. 1470 00:37:06,393 --> 00:37:09,290 That's what happened 1471 00:37:06,393 --> 00:37:09,290 in Eclectic, Alabama 1472 00:37:09,290 --> 00:37:12,320 after the killing of 1473 00:37:09,290 --> 00:37:12,320 April and Michael Holton. 1474 00:37:13,660 --> 00:37:15,735 Each side felt 1475 00:37:13,660 --> 00:37:15,735 they knew what had happened 1476 00:37:15,735 --> 00:37:19,472 on that September afternoon 1477 00:37:15,735 --> 00:37:19,472 in 2016. 1478 00:37:19,472 --> 00:37:23,476 To County Sheriff 1479 00:37:19,472 --> 00:37:23,476 Bill Franklin, it was clear. 1480 00:37:23,476 --> 00:37:26,112 Madison Holton killed 1481 00:37:23,476 --> 00:37:26,112 his parents 1482 00:37:26,112 --> 00:37:29,149 after their threats 1483 00:37:26,112 --> 00:37:29,149 to take him to court. 1484 00:37:29,149 --> 00:37:31,618 - I hadn't missed 1485 00:37:29,149 --> 00:37:31,618 a minute's sleep at night 1486 00:37:31,618 --> 00:37:35,321 because we were able 1487 00:37:31,618 --> 00:37:35,321 to charge that kid. 1488 00:37:35,321 --> 00:37:37,424 - Just as sheriff's 1489 00:37:35,321 --> 00:37:37,424 investigators said 1490 00:37:37,424 --> 00:37:39,726 Madison could have gotten 1491 00:37:37,424 --> 00:37:39,726 out of his handcuffs 1492 00:37:39,726 --> 00:37:41,928 and committed 1493 00:37:39,726 --> 00:37:41,928 a double murder, 1494 00:37:41,928 --> 00:37:43,329 the lack of blood on him 1495 00:37:43,329 --> 00:37:46,660 was also easy to explain. 1496 00:37:46,660 --> 00:37:47,467 - It was 1497 00:37:46,660 --> 00:37:47,467 a small caliber weapon, 1498 00:37:47,467 --> 00:37:50,136 and a small caliber weapon 1499 00:37:47,467 --> 00:37:50,136 doesn't cause 1500 00:37:50,136 --> 00:37:53,306 a whole lot of 1501 00:37:50,136 --> 00:37:53,306 initial damage to a person. 1502 00:37:53,306 --> 00:37:54,374 - So, it's conceivable 1503 00:37:53,306 --> 00:37:54,374 that Madison 1504 00:37:54,374 --> 00:37:55,508 was involved 1505 00:37:54,374 --> 00:37:55,508 in that shooting 1506 00:37:55,508 --> 00:37:56,643 and didn't get 1507 00:37:55,508 --> 00:37:56,643 any blood on him. 1508 00:37:56,643 --> 00:37:58,578 - That is correct. 1509 00:37:58,578 --> 00:38:01,815 - Even if Michael was physically 1510 00:37:58,578 --> 00:38:01,815 able to shoot himself, 1511 00:38:01,815 --> 00:38:05,518 he'd hardly seemed suicidal 1512 00:38:01,815 --> 00:38:05,518 to the sheriff's son, 1513 00:38:05,518 --> 00:38:08,880 who was that first deputy 1514 00:38:05,518 --> 00:38:08,880 on the scene. 1515 00:38:08,880 --> 00:38:11,240 - The conversation that 1516 00:38:08,880 --> 00:38:11,240 he'd had with the deputy, 1517 00:38:11,240 --> 00:38:15,628 uh, I don't think anyone 1518 00:38:11,240 --> 00:38:15,628 would agree that the man, 1519 00:38:15,628 --> 00:38:17,300 well, is gonna 1520 00:38:15,628 --> 00:38:17,300 go in there, 1521 00:38:17,300 --> 00:38:19,320 and he's fixing to kill 1522 00:38:17,300 --> 00:38:19,320 his wife and kill himself. 1523 00:38:19,320 --> 00:38:20,367 He was very clear minded. 1524 00:38:20,367 --> 00:38:22,680 - Did your deputy, 1525 00:38:20,367 --> 00:38:22,680 in that initial encounter 1526 00:38:22,680 --> 00:38:25,105 with Mr. Holton, 1527 00:38:22,680 --> 00:38:25,105 describe him or think of him 1528 00:38:25,105 --> 00:38:27,640 as being under the influence 1529 00:38:25,105 --> 00:38:27,640 of any kind of drug? 1530 00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:29,750 - None whatsoever. 1531 00:38:29,750 --> 00:38:30,844 - And he didn't seem 1532 00:38:29,750 --> 00:38:30,844 excessively angry 1533 00:38:30,844 --> 00:38:32,512 or-or-- 1534 00:38:30,844 --> 00:38:32,512 - No, no. 1535 00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:38,752 - The showdown was set 1536 00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:38,752 for October 22, 2018, 1537 00:38:38,752 --> 00:38:41,588 the first day of 1538 00:38:38,752 --> 00:38:41,588 Madison's murder trial. 1539 00:38:41,588 --> 00:38:44,324 - This is the start 1540 00:38:41,588 --> 00:38:44,324 of war, you know. 1541 00:38:44,324 --> 00:38:46,659 - Madison, who'd always 1542 00:38:44,324 --> 00:38:46,659 been so convinced 1543 00:38:46,659 --> 00:38:49,763 he would be found 1544 00:38:46,659 --> 00:38:49,763 not guilty, was worried. 1545 00:38:49,763 --> 00:38:52,699 He'd found a new girlfriend 1546 00:38:49,763 --> 00:38:52,699 while out on bond 1547 00:38:52,699 --> 00:38:54,668 and told her this. 1548 00:38:54,668 --> 00:38:58,138 - If this goes downhill, 1549 00:38:54,668 --> 00:38:58,138 I will have two life sentences 1550 00:38:58,138 --> 00:39:00,600 and be in prison 1551 00:38:58,138 --> 00:39:00,600 for the rest of my life, 1552 00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:01,741 and I was like, 1553 00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:01,741 "It's okay. 1554 00:39:01,741 --> 00:39:03,576 Like, if you don't 1555 00:39:01,741 --> 00:39:03,576 wanna be with me anymore, 1556 00:39:03,576 --> 00:39:04,844 you can go." 1557 00:39:04,844 --> 00:39:07,130 That was pretty tough having 1558 00:39:04,844 --> 00:39:07,130 to tell her that, you know? 1559 00:39:07,130 --> 00:39:08,248 ** 1560 00:39:08,248 --> 00:39:10,150 - In court, attorneys 1561 00:39:08,248 --> 00:39:10,150 were about to start 1562 00:39:10,150 --> 00:39:13,720 the last phase 1563 00:39:10,150 --> 00:39:13,720 of jury selection 1564 00:39:13,720 --> 00:39:16,560 when suddenly the mood 1565 00:39:13,720 --> 00:39:16,560 in the room 1566 00:39:16,560 --> 00:39:17,524 seemed to shift. 1567 00:39:17,524 --> 00:39:18,725 - People running 1568 00:39:17,524 --> 00:39:18,725 all over the courthouse, 1569 00:39:18,725 --> 00:39:20,293 back and forth. 1570 00:39:20,293 --> 00:39:22,128 - The sheriff 1571 00:39:20,293 --> 00:39:22,128 was there, too, 1572 00:39:22,128 --> 00:39:24,464 waiting for 1573 00:39:22,128 --> 00:39:24,464 proceedings to begin. 1574 00:39:24,464 --> 00:39:26,166 Did you have your suspicions 1575 00:39:24,464 --> 00:39:26,166 about what was coming? 1576 00:39:26,166 --> 00:39:27,534 - No. 1577 00:39:27,534 --> 00:39:30,360 - What was coming was 1578 00:39:27,534 --> 00:39:30,360 a stunning announcement 1579 00:39:30,360 --> 00:39:31,638 from the district attorney. 1580 00:39:31,638 --> 00:39:35,308 - We don't have proof 1581 00:39:31,638 --> 00:39:35,308 beyond a reasonable doubt. 1582 00:39:35,308 --> 00:39:37,911 - After two years 1583 00:39:35,308 --> 00:39:37,911 of investigating, 1584 00:39:37,911 --> 00:39:41,614 prosecutors had decided 1585 00:39:37,911 --> 00:39:41,614 they didn't have enough. 1586 00:39:41,614 --> 00:39:43,583 - We are ethically 1587 00:39:41,614 --> 00:39:43,583 obligated, at this point, 1588 00:39:43,583 --> 00:39:45,151 to dismiss those charges. 1589 00:39:46,252 --> 00:39:48,321 - If this had 1590 00:39:46,252 --> 00:39:48,321 been a battle, 1591 00:39:48,321 --> 00:39:51,124 then the D.A. 1592 00:39:48,321 --> 00:39:51,124 had just retreated. 1593 00:39:51,124 --> 00:39:55,395 The murder charges were 1594 00:39:51,124 --> 00:39:55,395 dismissed just like that. 1595 00:39:55,395 --> 00:39:58,198 In a press conference, 1596 00:39:55,395 --> 00:39:58,198 the D.A. explained. 1597 00:39:58,198 --> 00:40:00,266 The pathologist 1598 00:39:58,198 --> 00:40:00,266 who'd already ruled 1599 00:40:00,266 --> 00:40:02,335 Michael's death a homicide 1600 00:40:02,335 --> 00:40:04,804 was not prepared 1601 00:40:02,335 --> 00:40:04,804 to say on the stand 1602 00:40:04,804 --> 00:40:07,640 that he was 1603 00:40:04,804 --> 00:40:07,640 100% sure. 1604 00:40:07,640 --> 00:40:09,376 - The most they 1605 00:40:07,640 --> 00:40:09,376 could say was it's 1606 00:40:09,376 --> 00:40:11,878 more likely than not 1607 00:40:09,376 --> 00:40:11,878 a homicide, 1608 00:40:11,878 --> 00:40:14,781 which is not beyond 1609 00:40:11,878 --> 00:40:14,781 a reasonable doubt. 1610 00:40:14,781 --> 00:40:17,851 - And so, the answers 1611 00:40:14,781 --> 00:40:17,851 Eclectic was waiting for 1612 00:40:17,851 --> 00:40:19,586 never came. 1613 00:40:19,586 --> 00:40:22,522 - The son was-was released 1614 00:40:19,586 --> 00:40:22,522 not too long ago, 1615 00:40:22,522 --> 00:40:26,920 and that's about all I know 1616 00:40:22,522 --> 00:40:26,920 about-about the case. 1617 00:40:26,920 --> 00:40:28,828 - Tony prefers to think 1618 00:40:26,920 --> 00:40:28,828 about his friend, Michael, 1619 00:40:28,828 --> 00:40:30,730 in happier times. 1620 00:40:30,730 --> 00:40:33,933 - I wanna remember Michael 1621 00:40:30,730 --> 00:40:33,933 the way he was, you know, 1622 00:40:33,933 --> 00:40:35,702 smiling, having a beer, 1623 00:40:35,702 --> 00:40:36,936 kicking back with 1624 00:40:35,702 --> 00:40:36,936 our guitars, 1625 00:40:36,936 --> 00:40:38,805 and just playing music. 1626 00:40:38,805 --> 00:40:40,507 - Tanya says she 1627 00:40:38,805 --> 00:40:40,507 thought of April 1628 00:40:40,507 --> 00:40:43,877 every day throughout 1629 00:40:40,507 --> 00:40:43,877 Madison's ordeal. 1630 00:40:43,877 --> 00:40:46,613 - Finding out that 1631 00:40:43,877 --> 00:40:46,613 Madison was released 1632 00:40:46,613 --> 00:40:48,715 and that it was done, 1633 00:40:48,715 --> 00:40:51,510 I feel like she's 1634 00:40:48,715 --> 00:40:51,510 finally at peace. 1635 00:40:51,510 --> 00:40:54,354 She can be at peace 1636 00:40:51,510 --> 00:40:54,354 'cause for her babies 1637 00:40:54,354 --> 00:40:58,158 to be in turmoil, 1638 00:40:54,354 --> 00:40:58,158 that's not somethin' 1639 00:40:58,158 --> 00:41:00,930 that would be 1640 00:40:58,158 --> 00:41:00,930 acceptable for her. 1641 00:41:00,930 --> 00:41:03,363 - For the sheriff, 1642 00:41:00,930 --> 00:41:03,363 the murder case is 1643 00:41:00,930 --> 00:41:03,363 far from over. 1644 00:41:03,363 --> 00:41:05,565 You think Madison is 1645 00:41:03,363 --> 00:41:05,565 gettin' away with murder. 1646 00:41:05,565 --> 00:41:06,866 - It's an open case. 1647 00:41:06,866 --> 00:41:08,802 As long as I'm sheriff, 1648 00:41:06,866 --> 00:41:08,802 that's an open case. 1649 00:41:08,802 --> 00:41:10,470 - You could refile 1650 00:41:08,802 --> 00:41:10,470 against Madison. 1651 00:41:10,470 --> 00:41:13,730 - Absolutely. 1652 00:41:13,730 --> 00:41:14,808 - Which is why 1653 00:41:13,730 --> 00:41:14,808 Madison doesn't want 1654 00:41:14,808 --> 00:41:17,577 to discuss the specifics 1655 00:41:14,808 --> 00:41:17,577 of the case. 1656 00:41:17,577 --> 00:41:19,112 He's not cleared. 1657 00:41:19,112 --> 00:41:21,348 He's just not charged. 1658 00:41:21,348 --> 00:41:22,515 - From everything that 1659 00:41:21,348 --> 00:41:22,515 I've been through, 1660 00:41:22,515 --> 00:41:24,840 I have no doubt 1661 00:41:22,515 --> 00:41:24,840 in my mind that the sheriff 1662 00:41:24,840 --> 00:41:25,485 will try to put me 1663 00:41:24,840 --> 00:41:25,485 back in jail. 1664 00:41:25,485 --> 00:41:27,420 I don't know why he has 1665 00:41:25,485 --> 00:41:27,420 such a grudge against me. 1666 00:41:27,420 --> 00:41:30,290 - Well, uh, he thinks 1667 00:41:27,420 --> 00:41:30,290 you're guilty of murder. 1668 00:41:30,290 --> 00:41:31,791 - Let him think that. 1669 00:41:31,791 --> 00:41:34,260 He's gonna think wrong 1670 00:41:31,791 --> 00:41:34,260 for the rest of his life. 1671 00:41:34,260 --> 00:41:36,329 - Madison is hoping 1672 00:41:34,260 --> 00:41:36,329 to live out 1673 00:41:36,329 --> 00:41:39,499 the rest of his life 1674 00:41:36,329 --> 00:41:39,499 as a free man. 1675 00:41:39,499 --> 00:41:42,200 He finished high school 1676 00:41:39,499 --> 00:41:42,200 and joined the Army 1677 00:41:42,200 --> 00:41:43,937 to help pay for college. 1678 00:41:43,937 --> 00:41:45,772 He's even 1679 00:41:43,937 --> 00:41:45,772 considered becoming 1680 00:41:45,772 --> 00:41:47,941 a criminal defense attorney. 1681 00:41:47,941 --> 00:41:49,242 You ready to go back 1682 00:41:47,941 --> 00:41:49,242 in a courtroom? 1683 00:41:49,242 --> 00:41:50,276 - Oh, yeah. 1684 00:41:50,276 --> 00:41:51,378 - Maybe not wearing 1685 00:41:50,276 --> 00:41:51,378 handcuffs. 1686 00:41:51,378 --> 00:41:53,680 - Yeah, I wanna 1687 00:41:51,378 --> 00:41:53,680 find that kid 1688 00:41:53,680 --> 00:41:55,115 who is put in 1689 00:41:53,680 --> 00:41:55,115 the odd predicament 1690 00:41:55,115 --> 00:41:57,384 that I was put in, 1691 00:41:55,115 --> 00:41:57,384 that doesn't know what to do, 1692 00:41:57,384 --> 00:41:58,485 that doesn't know 1693 00:41:57,384 --> 00:41:58,485 how to act, 1694 00:41:58,485 --> 00:42:00,553 and fight for them. 1695 00:42:00,553 --> 00:42:01,921 It's not about 1696 00:42:00,553 --> 00:42:01,921 the money for me. 1697 00:42:01,921 --> 00:42:03,223 Yeah, lawyers 1698 00:42:01,921 --> 00:42:03,223 make good money. 1699 00:42:03,223 --> 00:42:06,590 It's not about the money. 1700 00:42:06,590 --> 00:42:07,127 It's about 1701 00:42:06,590 --> 00:42:07,127 that one life out there 1702 00:42:07,127 --> 00:42:08,928 that could be saved. 1703 00:42:08,928 --> 00:42:12,650 ** 1704 00:42:12,650 --> 00:42:14,768 - They are dreams Madison 1705 00:42:12,650 --> 00:42:14,768 shares with his mother 1706 00:42:14,768 --> 00:42:17,103 when he goes 1707 00:42:14,768 --> 00:42:17,103 to visit her grave. 1708 00:42:17,103 --> 00:42:19,739 She's buried 1709 00:42:17,103 --> 00:42:19,739 right next to his dad. 1710 00:42:19,739 --> 00:42:21,740 I mean, you're 1711 00:42:19,739 --> 00:42:21,740 visiting her grave, 1712 00:42:21,740 --> 00:42:23,343 but he's five feet away 1713 00:42:21,740 --> 00:42:23,343 or less. 1714 00:42:23,343 --> 00:42:25,412 - Like, I've forgiven him 1715 00:42:23,343 --> 00:42:25,412 for what he's done, 1716 00:42:25,412 --> 00:42:27,447 but I can't come 1717 00:42:25,412 --> 00:42:27,447 to the point 1718 00:42:27,447 --> 00:42:30,984 where I'll visit his grave 1719 00:42:30,984 --> 00:42:32,352 like I do my mom's. 1720 00:42:32,352 --> 00:42:35,855 - What do you say to 1721 00:42:32,352 --> 00:42:35,855 your mom when you go? 1722 00:42:35,855 --> 00:42:38,458 - I'm sorry, 1723 00:42:35,855 --> 00:42:38,458 and I love her. 1724 00:42:38,458 --> 00:42:44,964 ** 1725 00:42:44,964 --> 00:42:48,468 - That's all for this edition of 1726 00:42:44,964 --> 00:42:48,468 "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered." 1727 00:42:48,468 --> 00:42:50,870 I'm Craig Melvin. 1728 00:42:48,468 --> 00:42:50,870 Thank you for watching.