1 00:00:12,645 --> 00:00:13,113 - I'm Craig Melvin, 2 00:00:13,980 --> 00:00:16,282 and this is "Dateline: 3 00:00:13,980 --> 00:00:16,282 Secrets Uncovered". 4 00:00:16,282 --> 00:00:18,385 - He had already told me 5 00:00:16,282 --> 00:00:18,385 the guys were flying up 6 00:00:18,385 --> 00:00:20,920 from Florida, 7 00:00:18,385 --> 00:00:20,920 the Black Ops. 8 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:23,690 At that point, 9 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:23,690 it got a little scary. 10 00:00:23,690 --> 00:00:28,128 They're here to do a job, 11 00:00:23,690 --> 00:00:28,128 and they're gonna kill someone. 12 00:00:28,128 --> 00:00:29,963 This is crazy. 13 00:00:29,963 --> 00:00:32,799 - In a marriage, 14 00:00:29,963 --> 00:00:32,799 three is a crowd. 15 00:00:32,799 --> 00:00:34,501 - You're seeing another woman. 16 00:00:32,799 --> 00:00:34,501 - Right. 17 00:00:34,501 --> 00:00:36,569 - What do you think it was? 18 00:00:34,501 --> 00:00:36,569 - Chemistry. 19 00:00:36,569 --> 00:00:39,500 - And chemistry 20 00:00:36,569 --> 00:00:39,500 can be explosive. 21 00:00:41,675 --> 00:00:43,760 - This is now 22 00:00:41,675 --> 00:00:43,760 the marriage from hell. 23 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:44,844 - Enter the hit man. 24 00:00:47,814 --> 00:00:49,716 - Here's a name. 25 00:00:47,814 --> 00:00:49,716 I'm gonna bring you pictures 26 00:00:49,716 --> 00:00:51,885 of the person 27 00:00:49,716 --> 00:00:51,885 we want to have killed. 28 00:00:51,885 --> 00:00:53,420 - You say you now feared 29 00:00:51,885 --> 00:00:53,420 for your own life? 30 00:00:53,420 --> 00:00:54,187 - Yes. 31 00:00:54,187 --> 00:00:55,622 - A hit that 32 00:00:54,187 --> 00:00:55,622 couldn't miss? 33 00:00:59,159 --> 00:01:01,661 Or a surprise 34 00:00:59,159 --> 00:01:01,661 to die for? 35 00:01:02,862 --> 00:01:04,230 - He actually notices 36 00:01:04,230 --> 00:01:06,660 a camera inside the car. 37 00:01:06,660 --> 00:01:08,201 - This was a big moment. 38 00:01:06,660 --> 00:01:08,201 - A huge moment. 39 00:01:08,201 --> 00:01:09,736 Everything just 40 00:01:08,201 --> 00:01:09,736 took off real fast. 41 00:01:09,736 --> 00:01:12,739 - No fairytale ending 42 00:01:09,736 --> 00:01:12,739 for this love story. 43 00:01:12,739 --> 00:01:16,760 It would end either 44 00:01:12,739 --> 00:01:16,760 in murder or prison. 45 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:18,578 - He said, "My guys don't 46 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:18,578 back down from a plan." 47 00:01:18,578 --> 00:01:26,553 ** 48 00:01:26,553 --> 00:01:30,490 - Hello, and welcome to 49 00:01:26,553 --> 00:01:30,490 "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered" 50 00:01:30,490 --> 00:01:34,294 Ira and Susan Bernstein 51 00:01:30,490 --> 00:01:34,294 were college sweethearts. 52 00:01:34,294 --> 00:01:37,970 In time, Ira's successful 53 00:01:34,294 --> 00:01:37,970 medical practice 54 00:01:37,970 --> 00:01:40,133 would have them living 55 00:01:37,970 --> 00:01:40,133 a life of luxury. 56 00:01:40,133 --> 00:01:42,268 But as their fortune grew, 57 00:01:42,268 --> 00:01:45,472 so did the secrets 58 00:01:42,268 --> 00:01:45,472 and lies. 59 00:01:45,472 --> 00:01:47,207 Divorce seemed likely. 60 00:01:47,207 --> 00:01:50,443 Then a murderous scheme 61 00:01:47,207 --> 00:01:50,443 was hatched. 62 00:01:50,443 --> 00:01:52,120 To uncover the truth, 63 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,414 an amateur sleuth 64 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,414 would need to deliver 65 00:01:54,414 --> 00:01:57,150 an Oscar-worthy 66 00:01:54,414 --> 00:01:57,150 performance. 67 00:01:57,150 --> 00:02:00,920 Here's Andrea Canning 68 00:01:57,150 --> 00:02:00,920 with "The Target". 69 00:02:03,189 --> 00:02:05,191 - In this quiet, 70 00:02:03,189 --> 00:02:05,191 wealthy neighborhood, 71 00:02:05,191 --> 00:02:08,610 behind the gates 72 00:02:05,191 --> 00:02:08,610 of this lavish estate, 73 00:02:08,610 --> 00:02:09,763 a fuse was lit. 74 00:02:09,763 --> 00:02:13,660 New-found money led 75 00:02:09,763 --> 00:02:13,660 to explosive fights, 76 00:02:13,660 --> 00:02:14,668 torrid affairs, 77 00:02:14,668 --> 00:02:16,302 deadly secrets, 78 00:02:16,302 --> 00:02:18,471 and a wicked plot 79 00:02:18,471 --> 00:02:21,274 that disturbed even 80 00:02:18,471 --> 00:02:21,274 seasoned detectives. 81 00:02:21,274 --> 00:02:23,977 - Someone approached him 82 00:02:21,274 --> 00:02:23,977 to be hired as a hitman. 83 00:02:23,977 --> 00:02:26,790 - A scheme with a twist. 84 00:02:26,790 --> 00:02:27,881 - This is where 85 00:02:26,790 --> 00:02:27,881 this whole story 86 00:02:27,881 --> 00:02:30,784 goes a little bit Hollywood. 87 00:02:27,881 --> 00:02:30,784 - Yeah, literally. 88 00:02:30,784 --> 00:02:34,220 - The starring characters-- 89 00:02:30,784 --> 00:02:34,220 an unhappy housewife. 90 00:02:37,323 --> 00:02:38,925 A luxury 91 00:02:37,323 --> 00:02:38,925 car salesman. 92 00:02:38,925 --> 00:02:40,793 - The only thing I 93 00:02:38,925 --> 00:02:40,793 could ask is, "Why?" 94 00:02:40,793 --> 00:02:43,697 - A former mortician 95 00:02:40,793 --> 00:02:43,697 and aspiring model. 96 00:02:43,697 --> 00:02:45,598 - It was horrible. 97 00:02:45,598 --> 00:02:48,535 - And a prominent doctor. 98 00:02:45,598 --> 00:02:48,535 - We were both scared. 99 00:02:48,535 --> 00:02:49,869 We both didn't 100 00:02:48,535 --> 00:02:49,869 know what to do. 101 00:02:51,871 --> 00:02:54,908 - Our story begins in 102 00:02:51,871 --> 00:02:54,908 Rockland County, New York, 103 00:02:54,908 --> 00:02:56,876 nestled along 104 00:02:54,908 --> 00:02:56,876 the Hudson River, 105 00:02:56,876 --> 00:02:59,112 about an hour's drive north 106 00:02:56,876 --> 00:02:59,112 of New York City, 107 00:02:59,112 --> 00:03:01,781 the home of 108 00:02:59,112 --> 00:03:01,781 Dr. Ira Bernstein, 109 00:03:01,781 --> 00:03:03,750 a well-respected 110 00:03:01,781 --> 00:03:03,750 podiatrist. 111 00:03:03,750 --> 00:03:04,651 - I've always wondered 112 00:03:04,651 --> 00:03:07,887 why someone chooses feet 113 00:03:04,651 --> 00:03:07,887 as a doctor. 114 00:03:07,887 --> 00:03:09,789 - Feet are extremely 115 00:03:07,887 --> 00:03:09,789 important, yes. 116 00:03:09,789 --> 00:03:12,359 - He took us back 117 00:03:09,789 --> 00:03:12,359 to where it all began, 118 00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:14,127 Penn State University, 119 00:03:14,127 --> 00:03:16,863 where he first met 120 00:03:14,127 --> 00:03:16,863 his future wife, Susan. 121 00:03:16,863 --> 00:03:18,965 Here they are, 122 00:03:16,863 --> 00:03:18,965 smiling from the pages 123 00:03:18,965 --> 00:03:20,533 of their college yearbook. 124 00:03:20,533 --> 00:03:21,901 It was the mid '90s 125 00:03:21,901 --> 00:03:23,503 when the couple 126 00:03:21,901 --> 00:03:23,503 bumped into each other 127 00:03:23,503 --> 00:03:24,938 at a fraternity party. 128 00:03:24,938 --> 00:03:27,730 - She was just so caring 129 00:03:24,938 --> 00:03:27,730 and compassionate. 130 00:03:27,730 --> 00:03:29,750 She was supportive of me. 131 00:03:29,750 --> 00:03:31,878 Um, she was there when 132 00:03:29,750 --> 00:03:31,878 I had to study long hours. 133 00:03:31,878 --> 00:03:33,613 - It sounds like 134 00:03:31,878 --> 00:03:33,613 a great relationship. 135 00:03:33,613 --> 00:03:35,180 - It was. 136 00:03:35,180 --> 00:03:38,840 - After college, Susan 137 00:03:35,180 --> 00:03:38,840 worked toward her masters 138 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:40,387 and eventually her 139 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:40,387 doctorate in education, 140 00:03:40,387 --> 00:03:42,856 and Ira went to 141 00:03:40,387 --> 00:03:42,856 podiatry school. 142 00:03:42,856 --> 00:03:45,458 - Some of my fondest memories 143 00:03:42,856 --> 00:03:45,458 of being in the med school 144 00:03:45,458 --> 00:03:47,127 was spending 145 00:03:45,458 --> 00:03:47,127 time with Susan. 146 00:03:47,127 --> 00:03:48,762 It was great. 147 00:03:48,762 --> 00:03:52,432 We'd go out to dinner for $20, 148 00:03:48,762 --> 00:03:52,432 and we were both grateful. 149 00:03:52,432 --> 00:03:55,402 - Not a lot of money. 150 00:03:52,432 --> 00:03:55,402 - We had no money. 151 00:03:55,402 --> 00:03:59,105 - A few years after that, 152 00:03:55,402 --> 00:03:59,105 in 2002, they got married. 153 00:03:59,105 --> 00:04:01,410 - And when-when you both said 154 00:03:59,105 --> 00:04:01,410 your I do's, 155 00:04:01,410 --> 00:04:03,430 did you feel like 156 00:04:01,410 --> 00:04:03,430 it was right? 157 00:04:03,430 --> 00:04:04,210 - I did. 158 00:04:04,210 --> 00:04:06,780 - The couple decided to move 159 00:04:04,210 --> 00:04:06,780 back to Rockland County 160 00:04:06,780 --> 00:04:08,248 near Ira's Hometown, 161 00:04:08,248 --> 00:04:09,382 and it wasn't long 162 00:04:09,382 --> 00:04:11,918 before he and Susan 163 00:04:09,382 --> 00:04:11,918 were raising three children. 164 00:04:11,918 --> 00:04:13,820 Ira says he worked 165 00:04:11,918 --> 00:04:13,820 day and night, 166 00:04:13,820 --> 00:04:15,755 and it quickly paid off. 167 00:04:15,755 --> 00:04:18,158 He opened multiple 168 00:04:15,755 --> 00:04:18,158 foot surgery centers 169 00:04:18,158 --> 00:04:20,125 and also invested 170 00:04:18,158 --> 00:04:20,125 in real estate. 171 00:04:20,125 --> 00:04:22,962 The couple was grateful 172 00:04:20,125 --> 00:04:22,962 for their good fortune. 173 00:04:22,962 --> 00:04:26,332 - My house was 174 00:04:22,962 --> 00:04:26,332 13,000 square feet 175 00:04:26,332 --> 00:04:28,301 on 14 acres of land, 176 00:04:28,301 --> 00:04:30,700 and we had tennis courts, 177 00:04:30,700 --> 00:04:33,406 a pool, a pool house, 178 00:04:30,700 --> 00:04:33,406 a lake, a dock, boats. 179 00:04:33,406 --> 00:04:34,641 - Did you have 180 00:04:33,406 --> 00:04:34,641 other houses? 181 00:04:34,641 --> 00:04:37,911 - I had about 20 different 182 00:04:34,641 --> 00:04:37,911 buildings and houses 183 00:04:37,911 --> 00:04:40,800 that I would 184 00:04:37,911 --> 00:04:40,800 rent out. 185 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:41,815 - But Ira soon realized 186 00:04:41,815 --> 00:04:44,484 all that money 187 00:04:41,815 --> 00:04:44,484 came with problems. 188 00:04:44,484 --> 00:04:47,120 Even with his success, 189 00:04:44,484 --> 00:04:47,120 he says he was struggling 190 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:50,123 to keep up with the cost 191 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:50,123 of their extravagant lifestyle, 192 00:04:50,123 --> 00:04:52,920 and he says 193 00:04:50,123 --> 00:04:52,920 Susan had developed 194 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:54,661 quite the appetite 195 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:54,661 for the finer things. 196 00:04:54,661 --> 00:04:57,897 - I overextended myself, 197 00:04:54,661 --> 00:04:57,897 and then her spending 198 00:04:57,897 --> 00:04:59,832 just started amplifying 199 00:04:57,897 --> 00:04:59,832 and amplifying 200 00:04:59,832 --> 00:05:01,267 to the point where, 201 00:04:59,832 --> 00:05:01,267 you know, 202 00:05:01,267 --> 00:05:03,360 $40,000 a month 203 00:05:01,267 --> 00:05:03,360 on her credit cards 204 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,438 was standard 205 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,438 operating procedure. 206 00:05:05,438 --> 00:05:06,439 - What was she buying? 207 00:05:06,439 --> 00:05:09,709 - Everything from 208 00:05:06,439 --> 00:05:09,709 vacations she would plan, 209 00:05:09,709 --> 00:05:12,450 clothes, jewelry. 210 00:05:12,450 --> 00:05:13,513 - The way Ira saw it, 211 00:05:13,513 --> 00:05:15,615 he was the one 212 00:05:13,513 --> 00:05:15,615 doing all the working, 213 00:05:15,615 --> 00:05:18,818 while Susan, a stay-at-home mom 214 00:05:15,615 --> 00:05:18,818 with a live-in nanny, 215 00:05:18,818 --> 00:05:20,754 was doing 216 00:05:18,818 --> 00:05:20,754 most of the playing. 217 00:05:20,754 --> 00:05:24,491 - So her days were filled 218 00:05:20,754 --> 00:05:24,491 with lunch dates with friends, 219 00:05:24,491 --> 00:05:27,600 spa appointments, 220 00:05:24,491 --> 00:05:27,600 mani-pedis. 221 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,462 She started book clubs 222 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,462 and cooking clubs. 223 00:05:29,462 --> 00:05:33,466 She would be out literally 224 00:05:29,462 --> 00:05:33,466 about four nights a week. 225 00:05:33,466 --> 00:05:36,636 - Ira claims he was 226 00:05:33,466 --> 00:05:36,636 lonely and resentful. 227 00:05:36,636 --> 00:05:40,774 - You and Susan hit 228 00:05:36,636 --> 00:05:40,774 a major bump in your marriage 229 00:05:40,774 --> 00:05:42,475 when she discovers 230 00:05:42,475 --> 00:05:44,844 you're seeing another woman. 231 00:05:42,475 --> 00:05:44,844 - Right. 232 00:05:44,844 --> 00:05:46,880 - He says Susan discovered 233 00:05:44,844 --> 00:05:46,880 the affair 234 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:49,315 from messages she found 235 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:49,315 on his computer, 236 00:05:49,315 --> 00:05:51,551 but instead of filing 237 00:05:49,315 --> 00:05:51,551 for divorce, 238 00:05:51,551 --> 00:05:55,755 they planned to stay together 239 00:05:51,551 --> 00:05:55,755 with unorthodox rules. 240 00:05:55,755 --> 00:05:57,624 - We decided to have 241 00:05:55,755 --> 00:05:57,624 an open marriage, 242 00:05:57,624 --> 00:05:59,693 and she could start 243 00:05:57,624 --> 00:05:59,693 dating people. 244 00:05:59,693 --> 00:06:02,929 - He says it was an attempt at 245 00:05:59,693 --> 00:06:02,929 saving a marriage in shambles, 246 00:06:02,929 --> 00:06:05,498 and he thought 247 00:06:02,929 --> 00:06:05,498 the open marriage was working, 248 00:06:05,498 --> 00:06:08,101 but apparently, 249 00:06:05,498 --> 00:06:08,101 his wife didn't. 250 00:06:08,101 --> 00:06:10,537 Three months after 251 00:06:08,101 --> 00:06:10,537 their new arrangement, 252 00:06:10,537 --> 00:06:12,138 Ira says he was shocked 253 00:06:12,138 --> 00:06:14,708 when police came 254 00:06:12,138 --> 00:06:14,708 knocking on his door. 255 00:06:14,708 --> 00:06:17,377 Susan had filed 256 00:06:14,708 --> 00:06:17,377 a restraining order. 257 00:06:17,377 --> 00:06:19,646 - The sheriff gives me 258 00:06:17,377 --> 00:06:19,646 20 minutes to pack my stuff, 259 00:06:19,646 --> 00:06:20,947 whatever I could grab. 260 00:06:20,947 --> 00:06:23,149 I am escorted 261 00:06:20,947 --> 00:06:23,149 out of my house. 262 00:06:23,149 --> 00:06:25,719 I wind up in 263 00:06:23,149 --> 00:06:25,719 my parents' house 264 00:06:25,719 --> 00:06:27,454 living in my old 265 00:06:25,719 --> 00:06:27,454 high school bedroom. 266 00:06:27,454 --> 00:06:29,823 - Ira says Susan claimed 267 00:06:27,454 --> 00:06:29,823 he was physically 268 00:06:29,823 --> 00:06:32,692 and verbally abusive to her 269 00:06:29,823 --> 00:06:32,692 and their children. 270 00:06:32,692 --> 00:06:35,161 Ira says not true. 271 00:06:35,161 --> 00:06:37,530 - I am the least abusive 272 00:06:35,161 --> 00:06:37,530 person in the world. 273 00:06:37,530 --> 00:06:39,966 I don't even discipline 274 00:06:37,530 --> 00:06:39,966 my children, okay? 275 00:06:39,966 --> 00:06:42,569 They walk all over me 276 00:06:39,966 --> 00:06:42,569 like I'm a teddy bear. 277 00:06:42,569 --> 00:06:45,672 - And in fact, several 278 00:06:42,569 --> 00:06:45,672 months later, Ira says, 279 00:06:45,672 --> 00:06:47,874 Susan withdrew 280 00:06:45,672 --> 00:06:47,874 the restraining order 281 00:06:47,874 --> 00:06:49,676 and wanted to reconcile. 282 00:06:49,676 --> 00:06:52,779 He agreed to try, 283 00:06:49,676 --> 00:06:52,779 but soon enough, he says, 284 00:06:52,779 --> 00:06:54,848 the fighting 285 00:06:52,779 --> 00:06:54,848 flared up again, 286 00:06:54,848 --> 00:06:57,884 and that's when a beautiful 287 00:06:54,848 --> 00:06:57,884 former patient 288 00:06:57,884 --> 00:06:59,152 reached out to him. 289 00:06:59,152 --> 00:07:00,420 - So she was calling me 290 00:06:59,152 --> 00:07:00,420 out of the blue 291 00:07:00,420 --> 00:07:02,155 to say she'd like 292 00:07:00,420 --> 00:07:02,155 to meet with me 293 00:07:02,155 --> 00:07:04,240 and see if we can do 294 00:07:02,155 --> 00:07:04,240 business together. 295 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:06,493 - Her name was 296 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:06,493 Kelly Gribeluk, 297 00:07:06,493 --> 00:07:08,895 a woman with 298 00:07:06,493 --> 00:07:08,895 an eclectic career-- 299 00:07:08,895 --> 00:07:10,697 a former mortician 300 00:07:10,697 --> 00:07:13,800 now in the business of 301 00:07:10,697 --> 00:07:13,800 selling orthotics for shoes. 302 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:15,568 Since Ira was 303 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:15,568 a podiatrist, 304 00:07:15,568 --> 00:07:17,904 Kelly asked him to be 305 00:07:15,568 --> 00:07:17,904 part of her company. 306 00:07:17,904 --> 00:07:20,607 He agreed, and their 307 00:07:17,904 --> 00:07:20,607 professional relationship 308 00:07:20,607 --> 00:07:22,509 quickly turned personal. 309 00:07:22,509 --> 00:07:24,477 - She completely 310 00:07:22,509 --> 00:07:24,477 understood me. 311 00:07:24,477 --> 00:07:26,346 Like, I found someone 312 00:07:24,477 --> 00:07:26,346 that actually got me, 313 00:07:26,346 --> 00:07:28,214 and she's got a sexy 314 00:07:26,346 --> 00:07:28,214 kind of look to her. 315 00:07:28,214 --> 00:07:30,116 - Were you physically 316 00:07:28,214 --> 00:07:30,116 attracted to him as well? 317 00:07:30,116 --> 00:07:32,485 - Of course. 318 00:07:30,116 --> 00:07:32,485 - What do you think it was? 319 00:07:32,485 --> 00:07:35,288 - Uh, chemistry. 320 00:07:35,288 --> 00:07:37,891 - Kelly was a mother 321 00:07:35,288 --> 00:07:37,891 of three young boys 322 00:07:37,891 --> 00:07:39,959 who had gone through 323 00:07:37,891 --> 00:07:39,959 a traumatic divorce 324 00:07:39,959 --> 00:07:41,928 that left her family 325 00:07:39,959 --> 00:07:41,928 in tatters, 326 00:07:41,928 --> 00:07:44,197 something Ira 327 00:07:41,928 --> 00:07:44,197 could relate to. 328 00:07:44,197 --> 00:07:46,966 - He started opening up to me 329 00:07:44,197 --> 00:07:46,966 about his separation, 330 00:07:46,966 --> 00:07:49,369 and we had shared some 331 00:07:46,966 --> 00:07:49,369 intimate things 332 00:07:49,369 --> 00:07:53,239 and that we were going through 333 00:07:49,369 --> 00:07:53,239 very similar things. 334 00:07:53,239 --> 00:07:55,542 - But as much 335 00:07:53,239 --> 00:07:55,542 as she cared for Ira, 336 00:07:55,542 --> 00:07:57,477 she says she felt 337 00:07:55,542 --> 00:07:57,477 that it was more important 338 00:07:57,477 --> 00:07:59,713 he give his marriage 339 00:07:57,477 --> 00:07:59,713 another shot. 340 00:07:59,713 --> 00:08:01,648 - I wanted them to do what 341 00:07:59,713 --> 00:08:01,648 was best for their family. 342 00:08:01,648 --> 00:08:03,830 So I really, 343 00:08:01,648 --> 00:08:03,830 truly loved him, 344 00:08:03,830 --> 00:08:05,452 and I thought that whatever 345 00:08:03,830 --> 00:08:05,452 would make him happy 346 00:08:05,452 --> 00:08:07,520 is what I wanted 347 00:08:05,452 --> 00:08:07,520 for him. 348 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:09,322 - So she says 349 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:09,322 she stopped seeing Ira 350 00:08:09,322 --> 00:08:10,724 and even met with Susan 351 00:08:10,724 --> 00:08:13,560 to tell her she had bowed out 352 00:08:10,724 --> 00:08:13,560 of the relationship. 353 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:14,661 - At the end 354 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:14,661 of the conversation, 355 00:08:14,661 --> 00:08:16,162 she actually said to me, 356 00:08:14,661 --> 00:08:16,162 "If it doesn't work out 357 00:08:16,162 --> 00:08:18,365 "between me and Ira, 358 00:08:16,162 --> 00:08:18,365 I wanna see him end up with you. 359 00:08:18,365 --> 00:08:19,832 "I think you're 360 00:08:18,365 --> 00:08:19,832 really good for him." 361 00:08:19,832 --> 00:08:23,370 - And just a few months later, 362 00:08:19,832 --> 00:08:23,370 Ira ran back to Kelly. 363 00:08:23,370 --> 00:08:26,473 The reconciliation with 364 00:08:23,370 --> 00:08:26,473 Susan wasn't going well. 365 00:08:26,473 --> 00:08:27,774 Nobody was happy. 366 00:08:34,470 --> 00:08:35,648 - Ira started 367 00:08:34,470 --> 00:08:35,648 recording Susan, 368 00:08:35,648 --> 00:08:38,650 claiming her anger was 369 00:08:35,648 --> 00:08:38,650 escalating into threats. 370 00:08:41,539 --> 00:08:43,222 And it was taking 371 00:08:41,539 --> 00:08:43,222 a big toll on him. 372 00:08:43,222 --> 00:08:44,924 - He was having 373 00:08:43,222 --> 00:08:44,924 panic attacks. 374 00:08:44,924 --> 00:08:47,727 He couldn't sleep at night-- 375 00:08:44,924 --> 00:08:47,727 nightmares. 376 00:08:47,727 --> 00:08:49,620 - What's that 377 00:08:47,727 --> 00:08:49,620 doing to you? 378 00:08:49,620 --> 00:08:51,931 Watching the man you love 379 00:08:49,620 --> 00:08:51,931 go through that? 380 00:08:51,931 --> 00:08:53,500 - It's devastating. 381 00:08:53,500 --> 00:08:55,635 - Someone in this heated 382 00:08:53,500 --> 00:08:55,635 love triangle 383 00:08:55,635 --> 00:08:58,505 was getting desperate. 384 00:08:58,505 --> 00:09:01,708 - That desperate someone 385 00:08:58,505 --> 00:09:01,708 will go to a car dealership, 386 00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:04,177 but she will not 387 00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:04,177 be shopping for a car. 388 00:09:06,146 --> 00:09:08,448 - She brought me a picture 389 00:09:06,146 --> 00:09:08,448 in a Ziploc bag. 390 00:09:08,448 --> 00:09:09,549 - A picture 391 00:09:08,448 --> 00:09:09,549 of the target? 392 00:09:09,549 --> 00:09:11,851 - Along with the phone number 393 00:09:09,549 --> 00:09:11,851 for the target. 394 00:09:11,851 --> 00:09:13,653 - Someone's 395 00:09:11,851 --> 00:09:13,653 planning a hit. 396 00:09:13,653 --> 00:09:16,220 It's all caught 397 00:09:13,653 --> 00:09:16,220 on hidden camera. 398 00:09:21,828 --> 00:09:36,109 - In early April, 2016, 399 00:09:36,142 --> 00:09:37,610 as the love triangle 400 00:09:36,142 --> 00:09:37,610 between the podiatrist, 401 00:09:38,478 --> 00:09:41,314 his estranged wife, 402 00:09:38,478 --> 00:09:41,314 and his new girlfriend 403 00:09:41,314 --> 00:09:43,383 reached a slow burn, 404 00:09:43,383 --> 00:09:45,118 a new character 405 00:09:43,383 --> 00:09:45,118 entered the scene-- 406 00:09:45,118 --> 00:09:47,120 a luxury car salesman. 407 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:48,955 He says he got 408 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:48,955 an unexpected visit 409 00:09:48,955 --> 00:09:50,523 from a former customer. 410 00:09:50,523 --> 00:09:53,760 She came into his office 411 00:09:50,523 --> 00:09:53,760 and asked the unthinkable. 412 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,620 She wanted 413 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,620 someone murdered. 414 00:09:56,620 --> 00:09:57,564 - Did she look like 415 00:09:56,620 --> 00:09:57,564 the kind of woman 416 00:09:57,564 --> 00:09:59,632 who would be coming in 417 00:09:57,564 --> 00:09:59,632 to hire a hit man? 418 00:09:59,632 --> 00:10:01,501 - No way. 419 00:10:01,501 --> 00:10:04,637 Not in a million years 420 00:10:01,501 --> 00:10:04,637 I wouldn't think that. 421 00:10:04,637 --> 00:10:06,539 - His name is Marckensy, 422 00:10:06,539 --> 00:10:08,740 originally from Haiti, 423 00:10:08,740 --> 00:10:09,142 a father of four 424 00:10:09,142 --> 00:10:12,312 who'd been selling cars 425 00:10:09,142 --> 00:10:12,312 for more than 16 years. 426 00:10:12,312 --> 00:10:14,948 - So the only thing 427 00:10:12,312 --> 00:10:14,948 I could ask is, "Why?" 428 00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:17,350 - Marckensy thinks 429 00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:17,350 she came to him 430 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:19,753 because of an earlier 431 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:19,753 conversation they had 432 00:10:19,753 --> 00:10:22,322 when he offered to help her 433 00:10:19,753 --> 00:10:22,322 with her marital problems. 434 00:10:22,322 --> 00:10:25,892 - "If you need any help 435 00:10:22,322 --> 00:10:25,892 in any kind of situation, 436 00:10:25,892 --> 00:10:28,795 "we know, you know, a few people 437 00:10:25,892 --> 00:10:28,795 that could help you out." 438 00:10:28,795 --> 00:10:32,632 Meaning that I have a friend of 439 00:10:28,795 --> 00:10:32,632 mine in a police station nearby 440 00:10:32,632 --> 00:10:35,702 I always call for 441 00:10:32,632 --> 00:10:35,702 any reason whatsoever. 442 00:10:35,702 --> 00:10:37,837 - Do you think she took what 443 00:10:35,702 --> 00:10:37,837 you told her the wrong way? 444 00:10:37,837 --> 00:10:39,720 - I think she did. 445 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:41,775 She believed that I would-- 446 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:41,775 that I would harm the guy. 447 00:10:41,775 --> 00:10:44,100 - But he says 448 00:10:41,775 --> 00:10:44,100 he's no hitman. 449 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:47,447 The woman was just hearing 450 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:47,447 what she wanted to hear. 451 00:10:47,447 --> 00:10:51,418 - She sound like she was 452 00:10:47,447 --> 00:10:51,418 so desperate to get this done, 453 00:10:51,418 --> 00:10:53,653 I think any little 454 00:10:51,418 --> 00:10:53,653 affirmation-- 455 00:10:53,653 --> 00:10:55,689 she would force herself 456 00:10:53,653 --> 00:10:55,689 to believe it. 457 00:10:55,689 --> 00:10:57,323 - He says 458 00:10:55,689 --> 00:10:57,323 he played along, 459 00:10:57,323 --> 00:10:59,626 trying to see 460 00:10:57,323 --> 00:10:59,626 if she was serious. 461 00:10:59,626 --> 00:11:02,562 - I told her that it was 462 00:10:59,626 --> 00:11:02,562 not something that I do, 463 00:11:02,562 --> 00:11:04,597 but I could potentially 464 00:11:02,562 --> 00:11:04,597 get her in touch 465 00:11:04,597 --> 00:11:06,666 with the people 466 00:11:04,597 --> 00:11:06,666 that could possibly do. 467 00:11:06,666 --> 00:11:09,369 - And did you have any 468 00:11:06,666 --> 00:11:09,369 background in law enforcement? 469 00:11:09,369 --> 00:11:11,771 - No. 470 00:11:09,369 --> 00:11:11,771 - You're just a regular guy? 471 00:11:11,771 --> 00:11:13,573 - Just a regular guy 472 00:11:11,771 --> 00:11:13,573 who hangs out with cops. 473 00:11:13,573 --> 00:11:15,475 I pick up a few things 474 00:11:13,573 --> 00:11:15,475 here and there. 475 00:11:15,475 --> 00:11:18,845 - His unofficial police 476 00:11:15,475 --> 00:11:18,845 training kicked in. 477 00:11:18,845 --> 00:11:20,914 To make his story 478 00:11:18,845 --> 00:11:20,914 more believable, 479 00:11:20,914 --> 00:11:22,382 he says he got specific 480 00:11:22,382 --> 00:11:24,684 about the men he would use 481 00:11:22,382 --> 00:11:24,684 to do the hit. 482 00:11:24,684 --> 00:11:27,454 - These guys are, 483 00:11:24,684 --> 00:11:27,454 like, top Black Ops. 484 00:11:27,454 --> 00:11:29,389 - Was she interested? 485 00:11:27,454 --> 00:11:29,389 - She was. 486 00:11:29,389 --> 00:11:30,890 - After she left, 487 00:11:30,890 --> 00:11:34,127 Marckensy immediately texted 488 00:11:30,890 --> 00:11:34,127 his friend on the force, 489 00:11:34,127 --> 00:11:35,829 but got no response. 490 00:11:35,829 --> 00:11:38,264 In the meantime, 491 00:11:35,829 --> 00:11:38,264 to keep her on the hook, 492 00:11:38,264 --> 00:11:40,567 he had arranged 493 00:11:38,264 --> 00:11:40,567 a second meeting. 494 00:11:40,567 --> 00:11:41,668 You can see them together 495 00:11:41,668 --> 00:11:43,970 on this gas station 496 00:11:41,668 --> 00:11:43,970 security footage. 497 00:11:43,970 --> 00:11:46,272 - She brought me a picture 498 00:11:43,970 --> 00:11:46,272 in a Ziploc bag. 499 00:11:46,272 --> 00:11:47,374 - A picture of the target? 500 00:11:47,374 --> 00:11:49,676 - Along with the phone number 501 00:11:47,374 --> 00:11:49,676 for the target. 502 00:11:49,676 --> 00:11:53,913 Now I come to realize 503 00:11:49,676 --> 00:11:53,913 I do have something 504 00:11:53,913 --> 00:11:55,949 that is potentially serious 505 00:11:53,913 --> 00:11:55,949 in my hand, 506 00:11:55,949 --> 00:12:01,421 and I don't know, uh, 507 00:11:55,949 --> 00:12:01,421 exactly which way to go. 508 00:12:01,421 --> 00:12:03,790 - Finally, his cop friend 509 00:12:01,421 --> 00:12:03,790 called him back 510 00:12:03,790 --> 00:12:06,259 and directed him 511 00:12:03,790 --> 00:12:06,259 to Ramapo New York Police. 512 00:12:06,259 --> 00:12:08,762 Robert Fitzgerald 513 00:12:06,259 --> 00:12:08,762 and Peter Louzan 514 00:12:08,762 --> 00:12:10,964 were the detectives 515 00:12:08,762 --> 00:12:10,964 assigned to the case. 516 00:12:10,964 --> 00:12:12,465 - The thing 517 00:12:10,964 --> 00:12:12,465 we needed to do 518 00:12:12,465 --> 00:12:14,801 was to get Marckensy's 519 00:12:12,465 --> 00:12:14,801 cooperation. 520 00:12:14,801 --> 00:12:17,700 - Since the woman 521 00:12:14,801 --> 00:12:17,700 trusted Marckensy, 522 00:12:17,700 --> 00:12:20,340 detectives wanted him to keep 523 00:12:17,700 --> 00:12:20,340 playing the role of the bad guy. 524 00:12:20,340 --> 00:12:21,975 He didn't hesitate. 525 00:12:21,975 --> 00:12:23,510 - That's gotta be 526 00:12:21,975 --> 00:12:23,510 really daunting. 527 00:12:23,510 --> 00:12:26,646 - It was kind of cool 528 00:12:23,510 --> 00:12:26,646 in a way. 529 00:12:26,646 --> 00:12:29,649 You know, like, that's, like, 530 00:12:26,646 --> 00:12:29,649 "007" type thing. 531 00:12:29,649 --> 00:12:31,918 - Detectives then 532 00:12:29,649 --> 00:12:31,918 devised a plan. 533 00:12:31,918 --> 00:12:33,687 They rigged his car 534 00:12:31,918 --> 00:12:33,687 with cameras 535 00:12:33,687 --> 00:12:35,722 and audio recording devices. 536 00:12:35,722 --> 00:12:37,790 - The microphone was 537 00:12:35,722 --> 00:12:37,790 hanging over here, 538 00:12:37,790 --> 00:12:41,940 and under my seat here, 539 00:12:37,790 --> 00:12:41,940 I had a-a phone. 540 00:12:41,940 --> 00:12:43,930 - And they asked Marckensy 541 00:12:41,940 --> 00:12:43,930 to set up another meeting 542 00:12:43,930 --> 00:12:44,931 with the woman. 543 00:12:44,931 --> 00:12:46,266 The location? 544 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:48,168 This large Wal-Mart 545 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:48,168 parking lot 546 00:12:48,168 --> 00:12:51,304 directly across the street 547 00:12:48,168 --> 00:12:51,304 from the police station. 548 00:12:51,304 --> 00:12:53,173 - We can literally see 549 00:12:51,304 --> 00:12:53,173 the police department. 550 00:12:53,173 --> 00:12:54,741 - Yeah, I mean, 551 00:12:53,173 --> 00:12:54,741 you can throw a rock 552 00:12:54,741 --> 00:12:56,643 and hit the police station 553 00:12:54,741 --> 00:12:56,643 from here, you know? 554 00:12:56,643 --> 00:12:59,145 - Marckensy, 555 00:12:56,643 --> 00:12:59,145 the newly-minted informant, 556 00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:02,382 alerted police 557 00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:02,382 the meeting was set. 558 00:13:02,382 --> 00:13:04,784 A team of detectives 559 00:13:02,382 --> 00:13:04,784 raced to the parking lot 560 00:13:04,784 --> 00:13:06,186 to get in position. 561 00:13:06,186 --> 00:13:08,221 - It's an intense moment, 562 00:13:06,186 --> 00:13:08,221 because when, you know, 563 00:13:08,221 --> 00:13:09,689 the case is just, 564 00:13:08,221 --> 00:13:09,689 you know, starting, 565 00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:11,725 and she gets-- 566 00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:11,725 actually gets out of the car 567 00:13:11,725 --> 00:13:14,327 and gets into that car, 568 00:13:11,725 --> 00:13:14,327 we're like, "This is fantastic". 569 00:13:14,327 --> 00:13:16,262 - As she got into 570 00:13:14,327 --> 00:13:16,262 Marckensy's car, 571 00:13:16,262 --> 00:13:17,697 detectives could watch 572 00:13:17,697 --> 00:13:21,670 and listen to every word 573 00:13:17,697 --> 00:13:21,670 in real time. 574 00:13:23,837 --> 00:13:27,273 And it didn't take long before 575 00:13:23,837 --> 00:13:27,273 she started talking money. 576 00:13:27,273 --> 00:13:29,542 How much to have 577 00:13:27,273 --> 00:13:29,542 the target murdered? 578 00:13:34,948 --> 00:13:37,350 The next day, 579 00:13:34,948 --> 00:13:37,350 detectives were watching 580 00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:39,853 when the woman met 581 00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:39,853 with Marckensy again. 582 00:13:39,853 --> 00:13:43,490 This time, she suggested 583 00:13:39,853 --> 00:13:43,490 how the target should be killed. 584 00:13:55,869 --> 00:13:57,470 Over the course 585 00:13:55,869 --> 00:13:57,470 of two meetings, 586 00:13:57,470 --> 00:14:00,340 the woman also managed to 587 00:13:57,470 --> 00:14:00,340 negotiate the price 588 00:14:00,340 --> 00:14:02,375 down to $100,000... 589 00:14:04,344 --> 00:14:06,780 ...agreed to pay 590 00:14:04,344 --> 00:14:06,780 a $2,000 deposit, 591 00:14:06,780 --> 00:14:10,183 and then asked about 592 00:14:06,780 --> 00:14:10,183 his refund policy. 593 00:14:13,453 --> 00:14:15,550 So who was the woman? 594 00:14:15,550 --> 00:14:17,457 Well, you've 595 00:14:15,550 --> 00:14:17,457 already met her. 596 00:14:17,457 --> 00:14:21,761 Yup, it was Ira's girlfriend, 597 00:14:17,457 --> 00:14:21,761 Kelly Gribeluk. 598 00:14:21,761 --> 00:14:23,630 And her target? 599 00:14:23,630 --> 00:14:25,331 - Um, Susan. 600 00:14:23,630 --> 00:14:25,331 Susan Bernstein. 601 00:14:25,331 --> 00:14:27,300 - Ira's wife. 602 00:14:27,300 --> 00:14:30,737 Apparently his girlfriend had 603 00:14:27,300 --> 00:14:30,737 cooked up a cold-blooded plan 604 00:14:30,737 --> 00:14:33,973 to end his marriage problems 605 00:14:30,737 --> 00:14:33,973 for good, 606 00:14:33,973 --> 00:14:36,760 but Detectives Fitzgerald 607 00:14:33,973 --> 00:14:36,760 and Louzan 608 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:38,378 didn't think Kelly 609 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:38,378 was working alone. 610 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:42,820 So they asked 611 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:42,820 Marckensy to push Kelly 612 00:14:42,820 --> 00:14:43,616 for a meeting 613 00:14:42,820 --> 00:14:43,616 with her partner, 614 00:14:43,616 --> 00:14:46,252 and she agreed 615 00:14:43,616 --> 00:14:46,252 it was a good idea. 616 00:14:50,256 --> 00:14:51,991 And then 617 00:14:50,256 --> 00:14:51,991 it happened. 618 00:14:51,991 --> 00:14:56,329 Later that night, 619 00:14:51,991 --> 00:14:56,329 they both showed up. 620 00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:59,299 - Kelly's partner in crime 621 00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:59,299 steps out of the shadows, 622 00:14:59,299 --> 00:15:02,535 and the case takes 623 00:14:59,299 --> 00:15:02,535 a staggering turn. 624 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:10,276 Together, they have 625 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:10,276 a new job for the hit man. 626 00:15:15,315 --> 00:15:17,784 - This is a huge moment 627 00:15:15,315 --> 00:15:17,784 in our case. 628 00:15:17,784 --> 00:15:20,387 - This is where this whole story 629 00:15:17,784 --> 00:15:20,387 goes a little bit Hollywood. 630 00:15:20,387 --> 00:15:21,654 - Yeah, literally. 631 00:15:21,755 --> 00:15:36,870 - As Ramapo detectives 632 00:15:21,755 --> 00:15:36,870 continue to investigate 633 00:15:37,504 --> 00:15:39,673 the plot to kill 634 00:15:37,504 --> 00:15:39,673 Susan Bernstein, 635 00:15:39,673 --> 00:15:41,174 they became convinced 636 00:15:41,174 --> 00:15:44,770 that Kelly Gribeluk 637 00:15:41,174 --> 00:15:44,770 was not acting alone, 638 00:15:44,770 --> 00:15:46,680 that someone else 639 00:15:44,770 --> 00:15:46,680 was the mastermind. 640 00:15:48,648 --> 00:15:52,318 Investigators had their 641 00:15:48,648 --> 00:15:52,318 suspicions about who that was, 642 00:15:52,318 --> 00:15:53,920 but they needed proof, 643 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,856 and less than a week later, 644 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,856 they got it. 645 00:15:56,856 --> 00:15:59,526 At the parking lot across the 646 00:15:56,856 --> 00:15:59,526 street from the police station, 647 00:15:59,526 --> 00:16:02,328 detectives were in their 648 00:15:59,526 --> 00:16:02,328 unmarked cars waiting. 649 00:16:02,328 --> 00:16:04,130 - All of a sudden, 650 00:16:02,328 --> 00:16:04,130 I think he's pulling in. 651 00:16:04,130 --> 00:16:05,432 - He finally showed? 652 00:16:04,130 --> 00:16:05,432 - Right. 653 00:16:05,432 --> 00:16:07,901 - Who was the other person? 654 00:16:05,432 --> 00:16:07,901 - That was Ira Bernstein. 655 00:16:07,901 --> 00:16:12,305 - Incredibly, this was a man 656 00:16:07,901 --> 00:16:12,305 all the detectives knew well. 657 00:16:12,305 --> 00:16:15,410 - He's your police foot surgeon? 658 00:16:12,305 --> 00:16:15,410 - Yes. 659 00:16:15,410 --> 00:16:16,343 - Is that just 660 00:16:15,410 --> 00:16:16,343 blowing your mind 661 00:16:16,343 --> 00:16:19,312 that it's Ira? 662 00:16:16,343 --> 00:16:19,312 - Well, one of the funny things 663 00:16:19,312 --> 00:16:21,281 we were both patients of his. 664 00:16:19,312 --> 00:16:21,281 - A long time ago. 665 00:16:21,281 --> 00:16:23,490 - Now we had 666 00:16:21,281 --> 00:16:23,490 to be concerned. 667 00:16:23,490 --> 00:16:24,484 Is he gonna 668 00:16:23,490 --> 00:16:24,484 recognize us 669 00:16:24,484 --> 00:16:26,486 when we're doing 670 00:16:24,484 --> 00:16:26,486 these surveillances? 671 00:16:26,486 --> 00:16:29,389 - Rockland County Executive 672 00:16:26,486 --> 00:16:29,389 Assistant D.A. Richard Moran, 673 00:16:29,389 --> 00:16:31,324 was on the case 674 00:16:29,389 --> 00:16:31,324 from the beginning. 675 00:16:31,324 --> 00:16:32,926 - Ira, he actually 676 00:16:31,324 --> 00:16:32,926 got in the car, 677 00:16:32,926 --> 00:16:34,594 uh, with the informant... 678 00:16:36,463 --> 00:16:37,764 ...and started 679 00:16:36,463 --> 00:16:37,764 talking to him 680 00:16:37,764 --> 00:16:38,932 about how he wanted 681 00:16:37,764 --> 00:16:38,932 his wife killed. 682 00:16:45,472 --> 00:16:47,540 It was a game changer. 683 00:16:47,540 --> 00:16:49,442 - Wasn't that enough 684 00:16:47,540 --> 00:16:49,442 to arrest him 685 00:16:49,442 --> 00:16:50,677 right then and there? 686 00:16:50,677 --> 00:16:51,878 - No money had 687 00:16:50,677 --> 00:16:51,878 been exchanged. 688 00:16:51,878 --> 00:16:55,115 In New York, uh, 689 00:16:51,878 --> 00:16:55,115 you do need an overt act, 690 00:16:55,115 --> 00:16:56,950 and we had-- 691 00:16:55,115 --> 00:16:56,950 we had some stuff, 692 00:16:56,950 --> 00:16:58,952 but we did not wanna 693 00:16:56,950 --> 00:16:58,952 jump the gun on this. 694 00:16:58,952 --> 00:16:59,886 - How are you? 695 00:16:59,886 --> 00:17:01,654 - So they arranged 696 00:16:59,886 --> 00:17:01,654 another meeting, 697 00:17:01,654 --> 00:17:03,790 hoping Ira 698 00:17:01,654 --> 00:17:03,790 would show again. 699 00:17:03,790 --> 00:17:07,270 He didn't, but something 700 00:17:03,790 --> 00:17:07,270 big happened. 701 00:17:07,270 --> 00:17:10,163 Kelly finally handed 702 00:17:07,270 --> 00:17:10,163 over money for the hit. 703 00:17:12,565 --> 00:17:15,349 A $2,000 deposit. 704 00:17:22,442 --> 00:17:26,146 As detectives waited for Ira 705 00:17:22,442 --> 00:17:26,146 and Kelly to give the go ahead, 706 00:17:26,146 --> 00:17:28,715 this melodrama 707 00:17:26,146 --> 00:17:28,715 took a new turn. 708 00:17:28,715 --> 00:17:31,818 Kelly added 709 00:17:28,715 --> 00:17:31,818 two new targets. 710 00:17:31,818 --> 00:17:34,540 - Kelly shows up to one of 711 00:17:31,818 --> 00:17:34,540 the meetings and says, 712 00:17:34,540 --> 00:17:37,891 "He hasn't committed yet, 713 00:17:34,540 --> 00:17:37,891 but he wants you 714 00:17:37,891 --> 00:17:40,760 "to take care of 715 00:17:37,891 --> 00:17:40,760 two insurance investigators." 716 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,129 - Kelly didn't ask 717 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,129 for them to be killed, 718 00:17:43,129 --> 00:17:45,231 but to be beaten up. 719 00:17:45,231 --> 00:17:46,966 Detectives believe 720 00:17:45,231 --> 00:17:46,966 this new job 721 00:17:46,966 --> 00:17:48,668 was a way to test Marckensy 722 00:17:48,668 --> 00:17:50,837 to see if he was 723 00:17:48,668 --> 00:17:50,837 the real deal. 724 00:17:50,837 --> 00:17:53,730 - And Kelly asked him, like, 725 00:17:50,837 --> 00:17:53,730 "Are you a police officer?" 726 00:17:55,942 --> 00:17:58,780 - We believe that 727 00:17:55,942 --> 00:17:58,780 they don't think that 728 00:17:58,780 --> 00:18:00,460 someone working with the police 729 00:17:58,780 --> 00:18:00,460 would actually have 730 00:18:00,460 --> 00:18:04,117 two innocent people 731 00:18:00,460 --> 00:18:04,117 just doing their job beat up. 732 00:18:04,117 --> 00:18:07,200 - And they were willing 733 00:18:04,117 --> 00:18:07,200 to pay quickly to get it done. 734 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:10,357 Kelly handed Marckensy 735 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:10,357 a brown bag filled with cash. 736 00:18:10,357 --> 00:18:14,527 $2,500-- 737 00:18:10,357 --> 00:18:14,527 half of the $5,000 fee. 738 00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:23,603 Detective Louzan reached out 739 00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:23,603 to the insurance investigators 740 00:18:23,603 --> 00:18:24,804 and quickly discovered 741 00:18:24,804 --> 00:18:27,240 why they were 742 00:18:24,804 --> 00:18:27,240 the selected targets. 743 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:28,575 - I called them and said, 744 00:18:28,575 --> 00:18:30,210 "Listen, I really wanna 745 00:18:28,575 --> 00:18:30,210 speak to you in person." 746 00:18:30,210 --> 00:18:31,411 I didn't wanna tell them 747 00:18:30,210 --> 00:18:31,411 over the phone. 748 00:18:31,411 --> 00:18:32,879 They said, "well, we're 749 00:18:31,411 --> 00:18:32,879 coming to Rockland anyway 750 00:18:32,879 --> 00:18:36,490 because we have an investigation 751 00:18:32,879 --> 00:18:36,490 into Ira Bernstein". 752 00:18:36,490 --> 00:18:38,385 - Louzan says they were 753 00:18:36,490 --> 00:18:38,385 investigating Ira 754 00:18:38,385 --> 00:18:39,853 for insurance fraud, 755 00:18:39,853 --> 00:18:42,555 suspecting that he'd been 756 00:18:39,853 --> 00:18:42,555 illegally padding 757 00:18:42,555 --> 00:18:44,157 his insurance claims. 758 00:18:44,157 --> 00:18:46,590 How did these insurance 759 00:18:44,157 --> 00:18:46,590 investigators feel 760 00:18:46,590 --> 00:18:49,162 when you told them 761 00:18:46,590 --> 00:18:49,162 that there was this plot out 762 00:18:49,162 --> 00:18:50,797 to have you beaten up? 763 00:18:50,797 --> 00:18:52,650 - They couldn't 764 00:18:50,797 --> 00:18:52,650 believe it. 765 00:18:52,650 --> 00:18:54,300 They were shocked, and then 766 00:18:52,650 --> 00:18:54,300 they were very concerned. 767 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:56,269 - The detective asked 768 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:56,269 the investigators 769 00:18:56,269 --> 00:18:57,570 for their help. 770 00:18:57,570 --> 00:19:00,400 - This is where this whole story 771 00:18:57,570 --> 00:19:00,400 goes a little bit Hollywood. 772 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:01,741 - Yeah, literally. 773 00:19:01,741 --> 00:19:04,744 - Would the investigators 774 00:19:01,741 --> 00:19:04,744 be willing to be actors 775 00:19:04,744 --> 00:19:06,120 for the day? 776 00:19:06,120 --> 00:19:08,748 A theatrical plan 777 00:19:06,120 --> 00:19:08,748 was in the works. 778 00:19:08,748 --> 00:19:10,160 - This might sound crazy, 779 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:11,751 but maybe we can get 780 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:11,751 a makeup artist, 781 00:19:11,751 --> 00:19:14,870 make it look like they were 782 00:19:11,751 --> 00:19:14,870 actually beat up. 783 00:19:14,870 --> 00:19:15,755 - How did they 784 00:19:14,870 --> 00:19:15,755 react to this idea? 785 00:19:15,755 --> 00:19:16,823 - Well, I think 786 00:19:15,755 --> 00:19:16,823 one of them was like, 787 00:19:16,823 --> 00:19:19,592 "I gotta talk to my wife first," 788 00:19:16,823 --> 00:19:19,592 but they agreed. 789 00:19:19,592 --> 00:19:22,362 - Police set up 790 00:19:19,592 --> 00:19:22,362 in this parking lot, 791 00:19:22,362 --> 00:19:24,731 where they had a few 792 00:19:22,362 --> 00:19:24,731 of their undercover guys 793 00:19:24,731 --> 00:19:26,399 pretend to throw 794 00:19:24,731 --> 00:19:26,399 some punches. 795 00:19:26,399 --> 00:19:28,340 - And we took 796 00:19:26,399 --> 00:19:28,340 a lot of pictures 797 00:19:28,340 --> 00:19:30,303 of them 798 00:19:28,340 --> 00:19:30,303 beating them up. 799 00:19:30,303 --> 00:19:31,705 You know, we had to actually 800 00:19:30,303 --> 00:19:31,705 tell the investigators, like, 801 00:19:31,705 --> 00:19:33,540 "Don't overdo it. 802 00:19:31,705 --> 00:19:33,540 Just fight back a little bit." 803 00:19:33,540 --> 00:19:35,775 This is a huge moment 804 00:19:33,540 --> 00:19:35,775 in our case, you know, 805 00:19:35,775 --> 00:19:37,944 and if they believe 806 00:19:35,775 --> 00:19:37,944 this ruse 807 00:19:37,944 --> 00:19:39,913 about the beating up 808 00:19:37,944 --> 00:19:39,913 the investigators, 809 00:19:39,913 --> 00:19:41,614 then we can probably 810 00:19:39,913 --> 00:19:41,614 get to the-- 811 00:19:41,614 --> 00:19:42,682 the big thing with, 812 00:19:41,614 --> 00:19:42,682 you know, 813 00:19:42,682 --> 00:19:43,850 where he's trying 814 00:19:42,682 --> 00:19:43,850 to kill Susan. 815 00:19:49,222 --> 00:19:51,691 - The pressure was now 816 00:19:49,222 --> 00:19:51,691 on the car salesman. 817 00:19:51,691 --> 00:19:54,828 He texted Kelly to meet him 818 00:19:51,691 --> 00:19:54,828 in their usual spot. 819 00:19:54,828 --> 00:19:57,630 He had three photos 820 00:19:54,828 --> 00:19:57,630 tucked inside a newspaper 821 00:19:57,630 --> 00:19:59,650 ready to show her. 822 00:19:59,650 --> 00:20:00,600 - And we had coached him 823 00:19:59,650 --> 00:20:00,600 ahead of time. 824 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:02,736 No matter what happens, 825 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:02,736 she's probably gonna say, 826 00:20:02,736 --> 00:20:04,270 "I wanna take these 827 00:20:02,736 --> 00:20:04,270 pictures to Ira." 828 00:20:04,270 --> 00:20:06,740 Like, no, we don't-- 829 00:20:04,270 --> 00:20:06,740 We want Ira to come out, 830 00:20:06,740 --> 00:20:09,376 and we need him 831 00:20:06,740 --> 00:20:09,376 to start-- to commit. 832 00:20:09,376 --> 00:20:10,477 No matter what happens, 833 00:20:10,477 --> 00:20:12,812 you make sure that 834 00:20:10,477 --> 00:20:12,812 the pictures stay with you. 835 00:20:12,812 --> 00:20:15,882 - Everyone was in place, 836 00:20:12,812 --> 00:20:15,882 waiting. 837 00:20:15,882 --> 00:20:17,217 Kelly was late. 838 00:20:17,217 --> 00:20:19,386 Then, finally she showed. 839 00:20:23,656 --> 00:20:27,360 With his heart pounding, 840 00:20:23,656 --> 00:20:27,360 Marckensy showed her the photos. 841 00:20:38,672 --> 00:20:39,973 She seems satisfied. 842 00:20:39,973 --> 00:20:42,108 And just as 843 00:20:39,973 --> 00:20:42,108 the detectives predicted, 844 00:20:42,108 --> 00:20:44,811 Kelly asked to take the photos 845 00:20:42,108 --> 00:20:44,811 to show Ira. 846 00:20:55,922 --> 00:20:57,230 The salesman followed 847 00:20:57,230 --> 00:20:59,392 the detective's 848 00:20:57,230 --> 00:20:59,392 instructions perfectly. 849 00:20:59,392 --> 00:21:03,630 But then, he came up with 850 00:20:59,392 --> 00:21:03,630 an idea all on his own. 851 00:21:03,630 --> 00:21:05,565 He knew law enforcement 852 00:21:03,630 --> 00:21:05,565 wanted Ira, 853 00:21:05,565 --> 00:21:07,534 so he told Kelly 854 00:21:05,565 --> 00:21:07,534 to call him. 855 00:21:17,277 --> 00:21:20,313 So he suggested to Ira that 856 00:21:17,277 --> 00:21:20,313 he could swing by his office 857 00:21:20,313 --> 00:21:22,849 to show the doctor 858 00:21:20,313 --> 00:21:22,849 the photos in person. 859 00:21:40,533 --> 00:21:44,104 It sounded like 860 00:21:40,533 --> 00:21:44,104 the perfect plan, 861 00:21:44,104 --> 00:21:46,239 but is there really 862 00:21:44,104 --> 00:21:46,239 ever such a thing? 863 00:21:54,147 --> 00:21:56,783 - Did the sting 864 00:21:54,147 --> 00:21:56,783 just get stung? 865 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:00,220 - Are you on 866 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:00,220 the edge of your seats 867 00:22:00,220 --> 00:22:01,921 when he's pointing 868 00:22:00,220 --> 00:22:01,921 to that camera? 869 00:22:01,921 --> 00:22:03,356 - This is it. 870 00:22:01,921 --> 00:22:03,356 We're done. 871 00:22:03,456 --> 00:22:16,690 - Welcome back to 872 00:22:03,456 --> 00:22:16,690 "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered". 873 00:22:16,369 --> 00:22:17,771 I'm Craig Melvin. 874 00:22:17,771 --> 00:22:19,439 Ira Bernstein 875 00:22:17,771 --> 00:22:19,439 and his girlfriend, 876 00:22:19,439 --> 00:22:22,750 Kelly Gribeluk, 877 00:22:19,439 --> 00:22:22,750 thought they had devised 878 00:22:22,750 --> 00:22:24,911 a foolproof plan to have 879 00:22:22,750 --> 00:22:24,911 Ira's estranged wife, 880 00:22:24,911 --> 00:22:26,846 Susan, killed. 881 00:22:26,846 --> 00:22:29,582 They had no idea 882 00:22:26,846 --> 00:22:29,582 the "hit man" they hired 883 00:22:29,582 --> 00:22:32,752 was secretly working 884 00:22:29,582 --> 00:22:32,752 with police. 885 00:22:32,752 --> 00:22:35,989 But now, it looked like 886 00:22:32,752 --> 00:22:35,989 the undercover sting operation 887 00:22:35,989 --> 00:22:37,757 might be blown. 888 00:22:37,757 --> 00:22:39,993 Was Ira on to them? 889 00:22:39,993 --> 00:22:42,696 Here's Andrea Canning 890 00:22:39,993 --> 00:22:42,696 with "The Target". 891 00:22:44,330 --> 00:22:47,133 - The investigation 892 00:22:44,330 --> 00:22:47,133 had entered its third week. 893 00:22:47,133 --> 00:22:50,303 Ira had agreed to meet 894 00:22:47,133 --> 00:22:50,303 Marckensy, the informant, 895 00:22:50,303 --> 00:22:52,639 outside his 896 00:22:50,303 --> 00:22:52,639 medical practice. 897 00:22:52,639 --> 00:22:55,875 Here are Ira and Kelly 898 00:22:52,639 --> 00:22:55,875 walking towards his car. 899 00:22:55,875 --> 00:22:57,377 - The doctor comes 900 00:22:55,875 --> 00:22:57,377 out of his office. 901 00:22:57,377 --> 00:22:59,379 He's in his scrubs, 902 00:22:57,377 --> 00:22:59,379 goes into the car. 903 00:23:00,413 --> 00:23:02,282 - Hey, how's it goin'? 904 00:23:00,413 --> 00:23:02,282 - How are ya? 905 00:23:02,282 --> 00:23:04,517 - All right. 906 00:23:04,517 --> 00:23:06,186 - Marckensy showed Ira 907 00:23:04,517 --> 00:23:06,186 the photos 908 00:23:06,186 --> 00:23:08,421 of the insurance investigators 909 00:23:06,186 --> 00:23:08,421 looking like 910 00:23:08,421 --> 00:23:10,357 they were being 911 00:23:08,421 --> 00:23:10,357 roughed up. 912 00:23:10,357 --> 00:23:12,692 Ira immediately 913 00:23:10,357 --> 00:23:12,692 seemed suspicious. 914 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:20,433 - And he's like, 915 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:20,433 "Why are they wearing 916 00:23:20,433 --> 00:23:22,502 a baseball cap 917 00:23:20,433 --> 00:23:22,502 and, you know, 918 00:23:22,502 --> 00:23:24,771 regular jacket?" 919 00:23:24,771 --> 00:23:26,720 I said, "I don't know." 920 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:27,507 - You're really having 921 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:27,507 to think on your feet. 922 00:23:27,507 --> 00:23:28,942 - Mm-Hmm. 923 00:23:28,942 --> 00:23:30,710 - So Marckensy 924 00:23:28,942 --> 00:23:30,710 started talking about 925 00:23:30,710 --> 00:23:31,945 keeping the photos. 926 00:23:43,823 --> 00:23:46,226 - At this point, 927 00:23:43,823 --> 00:23:46,226 Ira seemed satisfied. 928 00:23:46,226 --> 00:23:48,940 - He's like, 929 00:23:46,226 --> 00:23:48,940 "Okay, good, good". 930 00:23:48,940 --> 00:23:50,960 And I-- we're like, 931 00:23:48,940 --> 00:23:50,960 it's a big relief. 932 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:51,398 Yeah. 933 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:51,398 It-- yeah, yeah. 934 00:23:51,398 --> 00:23:53,990 - 'Cause remember, 935 00:23:51,398 --> 00:23:53,990 if he thinks they're fake, 936 00:23:53,990 --> 00:23:55,235 now he's really gonna think 937 00:23:53,990 --> 00:23:55,235 something's up here. 938 00:23:55,235 --> 00:23:57,937 - And detectives had coached 939 00:23:55,235 --> 00:23:57,937 Marckensy on what to do 940 00:23:57,937 --> 00:24:00,273 after he showed 941 00:23:57,937 --> 00:24:00,273 Ira the pictures. 942 00:24:00,273 --> 00:24:02,142 - Ask him what's going on 943 00:24:00,273 --> 00:24:02,142 with the wife. 944 00:24:02,142 --> 00:24:03,243 Or give them a deadline. 945 00:24:03,243 --> 00:24:05,145 Say, listen, it has to be 946 00:24:03,243 --> 00:24:05,145 by this time, 947 00:24:05,145 --> 00:24:06,680 or we're walking away. 948 00:24:05,145 --> 00:24:06,680 You know? 949 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:07,914 But it has to be 950 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:07,914 his decision. 951 00:24:07,914 --> 00:24:09,282 Don't-don't force him 952 00:24:07,914 --> 00:24:09,282 to do anything. 953 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:30,103 - Then, the good doctor 954 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:30,103 said what law enforcement 955 00:24:30,103 --> 00:24:31,971 was waiting to hear. 956 00:24:35,408 --> 00:24:38,244 - To detectives' ears, 957 00:24:35,408 --> 00:24:38,244 Ira was admitting 958 00:24:38,244 --> 00:24:40,747 he was the one 959 00:24:38,244 --> 00:24:40,747 pulling the strings, 960 00:24:40,747 --> 00:24:42,182 not Kelly. 961 00:24:42,182 --> 00:24:44,284 It was a critical moment. 962 00:24:44,284 --> 00:24:46,653 But just as they were 963 00:24:44,284 --> 00:24:46,653 ready to high-five each other, 964 00:24:46,653 --> 00:24:49,956 Ira turned around and pointed 965 00:24:46,653 --> 00:24:49,956 to something in the back seat. 966 00:24:53,259 --> 00:24:56,563 - He was looking directly 967 00:24:53,259 --> 00:24:56,563 at the hidden camera. 968 00:24:56,563 --> 00:24:57,797 - Are you on the edge 969 00:24:56,563 --> 00:24:57,797 of your seats 970 00:24:57,797 --> 00:24:59,666 when he's pointing 971 00:24:57,797 --> 00:24:59,666 to that camera? 972 00:24:59,666 --> 00:25:01,134 - Oh, yeah, are you kidding me? 973 00:24:59,666 --> 00:25:01,134 - Definitely. 974 00:25:01,134 --> 00:25:02,769 - It was-- this is it. 975 00:25:01,134 --> 00:25:02,769 He's looking right at 976 00:25:01,134 --> 00:25:02,769 the camera. 977 00:25:02,769 --> 00:25:04,437 What-- we're done. 978 00:25:04,437 --> 00:25:06,390 But Marckensy 979 00:25:04,437 --> 00:25:06,390 does a great job. 980 00:25:06,390 --> 00:25:07,374 He leans back and goes, 981 00:25:06,390 --> 00:25:07,374 "Oh, that's something 982 00:25:07,374 --> 00:25:09,642 for the kids' games 983 00:25:07,374 --> 00:25:09,642 where they plug into it." 984 00:25:18,585 --> 00:25:20,220 - Crisis averted. 985 00:25:20,220 --> 00:25:23,957 Then, without skipping a beat, 986 00:25:20,220 --> 00:25:23,957 Ira moved onto the details 987 00:25:23,957 --> 00:25:26,393 of how Susan 988 00:25:23,957 --> 00:25:26,393 should be killed. 989 00:25:26,393 --> 00:25:28,695 They agreed she would 990 00:25:26,393 --> 00:25:28,695 be hit by a car. 991 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,909 - Detectives waited 992 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,909 five more days. 993 00:25:42,909 --> 00:25:45,679 Finally, Kelly 994 00:25:42,909 --> 00:25:45,679 contacted Marckensy. 995 00:25:45,679 --> 00:25:46,713 - She's calls. 996 00:25:46,713 --> 00:25:48,810 "Hey, let's have 997 00:25:46,713 --> 00:25:48,810 another talk." 998 00:25:48,810 --> 00:25:50,830 Like, this is gonna be 999 00:25:48,810 --> 00:25:50,830 the answer. 1000 00:25:50,830 --> 00:25:51,685 It's either gonna be 1001 00:25:50,830 --> 00:25:51,685 yes or no. 1002 00:25:51,685 --> 00:25:54,870 And she shows up again 1003 00:25:51,685 --> 00:25:54,870 in the Wal-Mart parking lot. 1004 00:25:54,870 --> 00:25:55,855 This time, she doesn't 1005 00:25:54,870 --> 00:25:55,855 get in the car. 1006 00:25:55,855 --> 00:25:58,224 - Detectives were worried 1007 00:25:55,855 --> 00:25:58,224 since Ira had spotted 1008 00:25:58,224 --> 00:26:00,694 their hidden camera, 1009 00:25:58,224 --> 00:26:00,694 that he might have warned Kelly 1010 00:26:00,694 --> 00:26:02,328 to stay out of the car. 1011 00:26:02,328 --> 00:26:03,763 - So is that game over? 1012 00:26:03,763 --> 00:26:06,320 - No, it's not game over, 1013 00:26:03,763 --> 00:26:06,320 'cause we have audio 1014 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:08,268 on Marckensy himself. 1015 00:26:16,476 --> 00:26:18,211 - Kelly said Ira 1016 00:26:16,476 --> 00:26:18,211 had been checking up 1017 00:26:18,211 --> 00:26:20,680 on the insurance investigators 1018 00:26:18,211 --> 00:26:20,680 to make sure 1019 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:22,549 they had actually 1020 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:22,549 been beaten up. 1021 00:26:40,767 --> 00:26:43,336 - Then, despite 1022 00:26:40,767 --> 00:26:43,336 all of her reservations, 1023 00:26:43,336 --> 00:26:46,139 Kelly finally gave an answer 1024 00:26:43,336 --> 00:26:46,139 about the hit 1025 00:26:46,139 --> 00:26:47,807 on Susan Bernstein. 1026 00:26:51,745 --> 00:26:54,247 - We don't hear any answer, 1027 00:26:51,745 --> 00:26:54,247 'cause she's holding up a phone. 1028 00:26:54,247 --> 00:26:56,983 She had typed the word "yes" 1029 00:26:54,247 --> 00:26:56,983 inside the phone, 1030 00:26:56,983 --> 00:26:59,652 so she wasn't verbally 1031 00:26:56,983 --> 00:26:59,652 gonna say it. 1032 00:26:59,652 --> 00:27:01,221 - But it didn't matter. 1033 00:27:01,221 --> 00:27:05,580 Detectives now had confirmation 1034 00:27:01,221 --> 00:27:05,580 Ira and Kelly were in. 1035 00:27:05,580 --> 00:27:07,930 And the date was set. 1036 00:27:07,930 --> 00:27:09,290 They believed Susan 1037 00:27:07,930 --> 00:27:09,290 would be run over 1038 00:27:09,290 --> 00:27:13,233 four days later on Thursday, 1039 00:27:09,290 --> 00:27:13,233 May 5th: Cinco de Mayo. 1040 00:27:13,233 --> 00:27:15,201 The prosecutor was 1041 00:27:13,233 --> 00:27:15,201 now satisfied they had 1042 00:27:15,201 --> 00:27:16,836 enough to arrest them. 1043 00:27:16,836 --> 00:27:20,907 - Once Kelly says yes 1044 00:27:16,836 --> 00:27:20,907 and agrees to give him money, 1045 00:27:20,907 --> 00:27:25,780 the investigation is, 1046 00:27:20,907 --> 00:27:25,780 for the most part, complete. 1047 00:27:25,780 --> 00:27:27,447 - The police made plans 1048 00:27:25,780 --> 00:27:27,447 for Kelly's arrest 1049 00:27:27,447 --> 00:27:29,315 at the Wal-Mart 1050 00:27:27,447 --> 00:27:29,315 parking lot. 1051 00:27:29,315 --> 00:27:30,417 - And how did 1052 00:27:29,315 --> 00:27:30,417 this go down? 1053 00:27:30,417 --> 00:27:31,851 Was it, like, 1054 00:27:30,417 --> 00:27:31,851 a SWAT situation? 1055 00:27:31,851 --> 00:27:33,353 Was just a couple 1056 00:27:31,851 --> 00:27:33,353 of officers? 1057 00:27:33,353 --> 00:27:35,155 - It was-- well, there were 1058 00:27:33,353 --> 00:27:35,155 several officers 1059 00:27:35,155 --> 00:27:36,956 in plain clothes 1060 00:27:35,155 --> 00:27:36,956 surrounding the area, 1061 00:27:36,956 --> 00:27:39,392 but it was just two officers 1062 00:27:36,956 --> 00:27:39,392 who approached her. 1063 00:27:39,392 --> 00:27:40,927 - She was shocked. 1064 00:27:39,392 --> 00:27:40,927 - Yeah, she was shocked. 1065 00:27:40,927 --> 00:27:43,296 Actually, I went to the door 1066 00:27:40,927 --> 00:27:43,296 and I said, 1067 00:27:43,296 --> 00:27:45,699 "You know, I believe you know 1068 00:27:43,296 --> 00:27:45,699 what this is gonna be about." 1069 00:27:45,699 --> 00:27:48,134 - When they brought Kelly 1070 00:27:45,699 --> 00:27:48,134 into the police station, 1071 00:27:48,134 --> 00:27:51,304 there was another staged 1072 00:27:48,134 --> 00:27:51,304 Hollywood moment. 1073 00:27:51,304 --> 00:27:52,972 They had handcuffed 1074 00:27:51,304 --> 00:27:52,972 Marckensy 1075 00:27:52,972 --> 00:27:54,574 and put him in 1076 00:27:52,972 --> 00:27:54,574 a holding room. 1077 00:27:54,574 --> 00:27:56,760 - She saw him in there. 1078 00:27:56,760 --> 00:27:57,610 I saw her eyes 1079 00:27:56,760 --> 00:27:57,610 meet his eyes 1080 00:27:57,610 --> 00:27:58,712 and I was, "All right, 1081 00:27:57,610 --> 00:27:58,712 so now she knows 1082 00:27:58,712 --> 00:28:00,747 the supposed 1083 00:27:58,712 --> 00:28:00,747 hit man's arrested." 1084 00:28:00,747 --> 00:28:02,215 - You have any weapons 1085 00:28:00,747 --> 00:28:02,215 or anything on you? 1086 00:28:02,215 --> 00:28:03,383 - No. 1087 00:28:03,383 --> 00:28:05,552 - They were hoping she would 1088 00:28:03,383 --> 00:28:05,552 point the finger at Ira, 1089 00:28:05,552 --> 00:28:07,387 but it didn't 1090 00:28:05,552 --> 00:28:07,387 work out that way. 1091 00:28:25,380 --> 00:28:27,173 - A few hours later, 1092 00:28:25,380 --> 00:28:27,173 on his way home 1093 00:28:27,173 --> 00:28:30,110 from dinner in the city, 1094 00:28:27,173 --> 00:28:30,110 Ira was pulled over 1095 00:28:30,110 --> 00:28:32,345 near his house 1096 00:28:30,110 --> 00:28:32,345 and arrested. 1097 00:28:32,345 --> 00:28:33,913 - He was so nervous 1098 00:28:32,345 --> 00:28:33,913 he was shaking away. 1099 00:28:33,913 --> 00:28:35,515 He was saying, 1100 00:28:33,913 --> 00:28:35,515 "My life is over. 1101 00:28:35,515 --> 00:28:37,217 My life is over." 1102 00:28:37,217 --> 00:28:38,518 - I think he said, 1103 00:28:37,217 --> 00:28:38,518 "I should just kill myself" 1104 00:28:38,518 --> 00:28:39,452 at that point. 1105 00:28:39,452 --> 00:28:40,587 - Yeah, a little later 1106 00:28:39,452 --> 00:28:40,587 on that night. 1107 00:28:40,587 --> 00:28:41,755 - Yeah. 1108 00:28:41,755 --> 00:28:43,423 "'Cause I'll never 1109 00:28:41,755 --> 00:28:43,423 practice again." 1110 00:28:43,423 --> 00:28:46,920 - Ira and Kelly were 1111 00:28:43,423 --> 00:28:46,920 charged with conspiracy 1112 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:48,728 and solicitation 1113 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:48,728 to commit murder. 1114 00:28:48,728 --> 00:28:51,231 You've heard law enforcement's 1115 00:28:48,728 --> 00:28:51,231 side of the story, 1116 00:28:51,231 --> 00:28:53,867 but the couple has 1117 00:28:51,231 --> 00:28:53,867 a very different version. 1118 00:28:56,136 --> 00:28:57,904 - Coming up... 1119 00:28:57,904 --> 00:28:59,639 - Things had reached 1120 00:28:57,904 --> 00:28:59,639 a horrible point. 1121 00:28:59,639 --> 00:29:01,675 She was trying to 1122 00:28:59,639 --> 00:29:01,675 blackmail me in every way. 1123 00:29:01,675 --> 00:29:04,411 - I saw someone 1124 00:29:01,675 --> 00:29:04,411 that I loved being hurt 1125 00:29:04,411 --> 00:29:06,120 and it was not 1126 00:29:04,411 --> 00:29:06,120 gonna come to an end. 1127 00:29:06,120 --> 00:29:08,481 - He made it very clear 1128 00:29:06,120 --> 00:29:08,481 that we were gonna be 1129 00:29:08,481 --> 00:29:10,160 fed to the alligators 1130 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:11,685 if we didn't 1131 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:11,685 go through with this. 1132 00:29:11,785 --> 00:29:26,166 - Ira Bernstein, 1133 00:29:11,785 --> 00:29:26,166 a respected doctor, 1134 00:29:26,900 --> 00:29:29,350 and his girlfriend, 1135 00:29:26,900 --> 00:29:29,350 Kelly Gribeluk 1136 00:29:29,350 --> 00:29:30,737 had been caught 1137 00:29:29,350 --> 00:29:30,737 on hidden camera-- 1138 00:29:30,737 --> 00:29:31,771 - How are you? 1139 00:29:31,771 --> 00:29:33,707 - Planning the murder 1140 00:29:31,771 --> 00:29:33,707 of Ira's wife. 1141 00:29:38,378 --> 00:29:42,480 - But they say the video 1142 00:29:38,378 --> 00:29:42,480 doesn't tell the whole story. 1143 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:45,185 - Did you want 1144 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:45,185 Susan Bernstein dead? 1145 00:29:45,185 --> 00:29:46,920 - In the beginning, yes. 1146 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:49,222 But at the end, no. 1147 00:29:49,222 --> 00:29:51,458 - There was no way in hell 1148 00:29:49,222 --> 00:29:51,458 I was ever going 1149 00:29:51,458 --> 00:29:53,860 to go through with this 1150 00:29:51,458 --> 00:29:53,860 and hurt Susan. 1151 00:29:53,860 --> 00:29:56,960 - While out on bail, 1152 00:29:53,860 --> 00:29:56,960 Ira and Kelly agreed 1153 00:29:56,960 --> 00:29:57,864 to sit down 1154 00:29:56,960 --> 00:29:57,864 with "Dateline." 1155 00:29:57,864 --> 00:29:59,399 They shared with us 1156 00:29:57,864 --> 00:29:59,399 how this whole 1157 00:29:59,399 --> 00:30:01,968 murder for hire plot 1158 00:29:59,399 --> 00:30:01,968 got started. 1159 00:30:01,968 --> 00:30:04,738 For Ira, it was 1160 00:30:01,968 --> 00:30:04,738 out of desperation. 1161 00:30:04,738 --> 00:30:06,806 - Things had reached 1162 00:30:04,738 --> 00:30:06,806 a horrible point. 1163 00:30:06,806 --> 00:30:08,541 - Ira had a secret. 1164 00:30:08,541 --> 00:30:10,910 He'd been stealing 1165 00:30:08,541 --> 00:30:10,910 from an insurance company, 1166 00:30:10,910 --> 00:30:13,413 overbilling 1167 00:30:10,910 --> 00:30:13,413 for medical services, 1168 00:30:13,413 --> 00:30:15,882 and he says his wife, 1169 00:30:13,413 --> 00:30:15,882 Susan, knew it. 1170 00:30:15,882 --> 00:30:17,283 - Did you feel like 1171 00:30:15,882 --> 00:30:17,283 Susan was trying 1172 00:30:17,283 --> 00:30:19,886 to blackmail you 1173 00:30:17,283 --> 00:30:19,886 in any way? 1174 00:30:19,886 --> 00:30:21,688 - She was trying to 1175 00:30:19,886 --> 00:30:21,688 blackmail me in every way. 1176 00:30:21,688 --> 00:30:22,989 And she would look at me 1177 00:30:21,688 --> 00:30:22,989 and she would say, 1178 00:30:22,989 --> 00:30:25,759 "Listen, I have broken 1179 00:30:22,989 --> 00:30:25,759 into your emails. 1180 00:30:25,759 --> 00:30:27,560 I have printed out 1181 00:30:25,759 --> 00:30:27,560 and recorded 1182 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:29,229 all of your business 1183 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:29,229 dealings. 1184 00:30:29,229 --> 00:30:31,898 And I'm telling you now, 1185 00:30:29,229 --> 00:30:31,898 if you don't give me 1186 00:30:31,898 --> 00:30:34,768 everything I want, 1187 00:30:31,898 --> 00:30:34,768 I'm going to the prosecutor. 1188 00:30:34,768 --> 00:30:36,136 I'm gonna expose you 1189 00:30:34,768 --> 00:30:36,136 for everything 1190 00:30:36,136 --> 00:30:37,804 and try to put you 1191 00:30:36,136 --> 00:30:37,804 in jail." 1192 00:30:37,804 --> 00:30:40,607 - Remember, Ira recorded 1193 00:30:37,804 --> 00:30:40,607 Susan threatening him. 1194 00:30:45,879 --> 00:30:48,314 - Ira claims Susan was using 1195 00:30:45,879 --> 00:30:48,314 that information 1196 00:30:48,314 --> 00:30:51,618 to pressure him into signing 1197 00:30:48,314 --> 00:30:51,618 a postnuptial agreement 1198 00:30:51,618 --> 00:30:54,354 that stated if they divorced, 1199 00:30:51,618 --> 00:30:54,354 he would give her 1200 00:30:54,354 --> 00:30:56,156 most of their assets. 1201 00:30:56,156 --> 00:30:58,525 Fearing Susan would make 1202 00:30:56,156 --> 00:30:58,525 good on her threats, 1203 00:30:58,525 --> 00:30:59,959 he signed it. 1204 00:30:59,959 --> 00:31:01,961 - Only a moron 1205 00:30:59,959 --> 00:31:01,961 would have signed 1206 00:31:01,961 --> 00:31:03,863 this postnuptial agreement 1207 00:31:01,961 --> 00:31:03,863 if they weren't 1208 00:31:03,863 --> 00:31:06,199 under severe coercion 1209 00:31:03,863 --> 00:31:06,199 and distress. 1210 00:31:06,199 --> 00:31:07,734 - So you're the moron 1211 00:31:06,199 --> 00:31:07,734 in this story? 1212 00:31:07,734 --> 00:31:08,935 - I am the moron. 1213 00:31:08,935 --> 00:31:11,938 - Remember, this is 1214 00:31:08,935 --> 00:31:11,938 Ira's version of what happened. 1215 00:31:11,938 --> 00:31:13,940 Susan and her lawyer 1216 00:31:11,938 --> 00:31:13,940 never responded 1217 00:31:13,940 --> 00:31:16,976 to our repeated requests 1218 00:31:13,940 --> 00:31:16,976 to hear her side. 1219 00:31:16,976 --> 00:31:19,346 Ira says it was 1220 00:31:16,976 --> 00:31:19,346 during this volatile time 1221 00:31:19,346 --> 00:31:23,830 that Kelly came up with 1222 00:31:19,346 --> 00:31:23,830 the idea of hiring a hitman. 1223 00:31:23,830 --> 00:31:24,351 - So Kelly did this 1224 00:31:23,830 --> 00:31:24,351 on her own? 1225 00:31:24,351 --> 00:31:25,652 - Yes. 1226 00:31:25,652 --> 00:31:27,554 I had a conversation 1227 00:31:25,652 --> 00:31:27,554 with her about it. 1228 00:31:27,554 --> 00:31:29,356 It was more fantasy. 1229 00:31:29,356 --> 00:31:31,591 There was nothing 1230 00:31:29,356 --> 00:31:31,591 legitimate to it. 1231 00:31:31,591 --> 00:31:33,727 - What's hard is that 1232 00:31:31,591 --> 00:31:33,727 a respected doctor 1233 00:31:33,727 --> 00:31:37,630 was capable of even 1234 00:31:33,727 --> 00:31:37,630 going down this road. 1235 00:31:37,630 --> 00:31:39,990 - I don't understand 1236 00:31:37,630 --> 00:31:39,990 it either. 1237 00:31:39,990 --> 00:31:40,333 That was not me. 1238 00:31:40,333 --> 00:31:41,868 That was 1239 00:31:40,333 --> 00:31:41,868 a different person. 1240 00:31:41,868 --> 00:31:44,304 - You both actually 1241 00:31:41,868 --> 00:31:44,304 crossed over 1242 00:31:44,304 --> 00:31:46,139 from just 1243 00:31:44,304 --> 00:31:46,139 thinking about it 1244 00:31:46,139 --> 00:31:47,507 to doing something 1245 00:31:46,139 --> 00:31:47,507 about it. 1246 00:31:47,507 --> 00:31:50,343 - Unfortunately. 1247 00:31:47,507 --> 00:31:50,343 Unfortunately, we did. 1248 00:31:50,343 --> 00:31:54,581 And I was the one 1249 00:31:50,343 --> 00:31:54,581 who put it into motion. 1250 00:31:54,581 --> 00:31:56,683 - Did you worry about 1251 00:31:54,581 --> 00:31:56,683 those kids not having-- 1252 00:31:56,683 --> 00:31:57,717 - I did. 1253 00:31:56,683 --> 00:31:57,717 - Their mom? 1254 00:31:57,717 --> 00:32:01,287 - I did. 1255 00:31:57,717 --> 00:32:01,287 - But it didn't stop you? 1256 00:32:01,287 --> 00:32:02,655 - No. 1257 00:32:02,655 --> 00:32:05,225 - Why was this more important 1258 00:32:02,655 --> 00:32:05,225 than those kids 1259 00:32:05,225 --> 00:32:06,726 having their mom? 1260 00:32:06,726 --> 00:32:09,729 - Because I saw someone 1261 00:32:06,726 --> 00:32:09,729 that I loved being hurt 1262 00:32:09,729 --> 00:32:11,598 and it was not gonna come 1263 00:32:09,729 --> 00:32:11,598 to an end. 1264 00:32:11,598 --> 00:32:13,700 She was never 1265 00:32:11,598 --> 00:32:13,700 gonna stop. 1266 00:32:13,700 --> 00:32:16,636 - Did you both imagine 1267 00:32:13,700 --> 00:32:16,636 life without Susan? 1268 00:32:16,636 --> 00:32:17,604 - Of course. 1269 00:32:17,604 --> 00:32:20,373 - And what was that life 1270 00:32:17,604 --> 00:32:20,373 without her around? 1271 00:32:20,373 --> 00:32:22,976 - Peaceful. 1272 00:32:22,976 --> 00:32:25,345 - Despite her fantasy 1273 00:32:22,976 --> 00:32:25,345 of a peaceful life 1274 00:32:25,345 --> 00:32:28,581 with Susan out of the picture, 1275 00:32:25,345 --> 00:32:28,581 Ira and Kelly claim 1276 00:32:28,581 --> 00:32:30,650 they had second thoughts. 1277 00:32:30,650 --> 00:32:32,585 But there was a problem. 1278 00:32:32,585 --> 00:32:35,655 - Did you say to Marckensy, 1279 00:32:32,585 --> 00:32:35,655 "We don't wanna do this"? 1280 00:32:35,655 --> 00:32:36,756 - Yeah, I told him. 1281 00:32:36,756 --> 00:32:38,758 - And what'd he say? 1282 00:32:38,758 --> 00:32:41,861 - He said, "There's 1283 00:32:38,758 --> 00:32:41,861 no backing out". 1284 00:32:41,861 --> 00:32:43,596 - In an impromptu meeting 1285 00:32:41,861 --> 00:32:43,596 where there were 1286 00:32:43,596 --> 00:32:46,733 no police recordings, 1287 00:32:43,596 --> 00:32:46,733 Kelly claims Marckensy 1288 00:32:46,733 --> 00:32:49,536 told her a terrifying story 1289 00:32:46,733 --> 00:32:49,536 about another client 1290 00:32:49,536 --> 00:32:51,338 of his who wanted out. 1291 00:32:51,338 --> 00:32:54,700 - He explained to me 1292 00:32:51,338 --> 00:32:54,700 that he has to 1293 00:32:54,700 --> 00:32:56,776 pick up a girl 1294 00:32:54,700 --> 00:32:56,776 and bring her to the men, 1295 00:32:56,776 --> 00:32:58,945 and they're gonna be 1296 00:32:56,776 --> 00:32:58,945 feeding her to alligators. 1297 00:32:58,945 --> 00:33:01,648 - Did you take that 1298 00:32:58,945 --> 00:33:01,648 as they could feed us 1299 00:33:01,648 --> 00:33:03,850 to the alligators? 1300 00:33:01,648 --> 00:33:03,850 - Absolutely. 1301 00:33:03,850 --> 00:33:06,953 - He made it very clear 1302 00:33:03,850 --> 00:33:06,953 that we were 1303 00:33:06,953 --> 00:33:09,550 gonna be fed 1304 00:33:06,953 --> 00:33:09,550 to the alligators 1305 00:33:09,550 --> 00:33:10,623 if we didn't 1306 00:33:09,550 --> 00:33:10,623 go through with this. 1307 00:33:10,623 --> 00:33:12,292 - You did have 1308 00:33:10,623 --> 00:33:12,292 another option. 1309 00:33:12,292 --> 00:33:14,961 You could have just paid them 1310 00:33:12,292 --> 00:33:14,961 the money and walked away. 1311 00:33:14,961 --> 00:33:16,620 - We thought about that. 1312 00:33:16,620 --> 00:33:19,199 It was $100,000 that he 1313 00:33:16,620 --> 00:33:19,199 wanted at that point. 1314 00:33:19,199 --> 00:33:20,967 I don't think they would 1315 00:33:19,199 --> 00:33:20,967 have went away, 1316 00:33:20,967 --> 00:33:22,736 and we both came to 1317 00:33:20,967 --> 00:33:22,736 the same conclusion. 1318 00:33:22,736 --> 00:33:25,638 - But isn't it easier, though, 1319 00:33:22,736 --> 00:33:25,638 to just not kill someone 1320 00:33:25,638 --> 00:33:27,273 and walk away 1321 00:33:25,638 --> 00:33:27,273 and take the money? 1322 00:33:27,273 --> 00:33:28,808 - Yes. It just-- 1323 00:33:27,273 --> 00:33:28,808 At the time, 1324 00:33:28,808 --> 00:33:30,410 we did not feel that 1325 00:33:28,808 --> 00:33:30,410 that was an option. 1326 00:33:30,410 --> 00:33:32,312 We didn't feel they 1327 00:33:30,410 --> 00:33:32,312 were gonna stop. 1328 00:33:32,312 --> 00:33:33,546 - Despite their fears, 1329 00:33:33,546 --> 00:33:37,250 Kelly says she and Ira had 1330 00:33:33,546 --> 00:33:37,250 decided to back out anyway. 1331 00:33:37,250 --> 00:33:39,850 - We both came 1332 00:33:37,250 --> 00:33:39,850 to our senses. 1333 00:33:39,850 --> 00:33:41,721 We're like, "This is crazy. 1334 00:33:39,850 --> 00:33:41,721 We're not doing this." 1335 00:33:41,721 --> 00:33:45,910 - I think people are 1336 00:33:41,721 --> 00:33:45,910 going to have a hard time 1337 00:33:45,910 --> 00:33:48,495 believing that you really 1338 00:33:45,910 --> 00:33:48,495 didn't want it to go through 1339 00:33:48,495 --> 00:33:51,865 after everything you had done 1340 00:33:48,495 --> 00:33:51,865 to set the plan in motion. 1341 00:33:51,865 --> 00:33:53,433 - If we really 1342 00:33:51,865 --> 00:33:53,433 wanted to do this, 1343 00:33:53,433 --> 00:33:55,100 he would have been paid. 1344 00:33:55,100 --> 00:33:57,804 - Coming up with hundred 1345 00:33:55,100 --> 00:33:57,804 thousand dollars for me 1346 00:33:57,804 --> 00:33:59,439 would have been 1347 00:33:57,804 --> 00:33:59,439 a piece of cake. 1348 00:33:59,439 --> 00:34:02,942 If I wanted it done, 1349 00:33:59,439 --> 00:34:02,942 it would have been done. 1350 00:34:02,942 --> 00:34:04,477 - Ira did, though, 1351 00:34:02,942 --> 00:34:04,477 admit to paying 1352 00:34:04,477 --> 00:34:07,147 to have those insurance 1353 00:34:04,477 --> 00:34:07,147 investigators beat up. 1354 00:34:07,147 --> 00:34:09,716 - And I made the biggest 1355 00:34:07,147 --> 00:34:09,716 wrong decision of my life, 1356 00:34:09,716 --> 00:34:13,453 which was to put 1357 00:34:09,716 --> 00:34:13,453 the welfare of myself 1358 00:34:13,453 --> 00:34:15,321 above the welfare 1359 00:34:13,453 --> 00:34:15,321 of those investigators 1360 00:34:15,321 --> 00:34:18,580 and to allow them to be 1361 00:34:15,321 --> 00:34:18,580 subjected to getting hurt. 1362 00:34:18,580 --> 00:34:21,194 - What would 1363 00:34:18,580 --> 00:34:21,194 you say to them? 1364 00:34:21,194 --> 00:34:25,980 - I don't even know what 1365 00:34:21,194 --> 00:34:25,980 I could say to them. 1366 00:34:25,980 --> 00:34:27,670 What I did 1367 00:34:25,980 --> 00:34:27,670 was disgusting. 1368 00:34:27,670 --> 00:34:30,699 Thank God this is all a sham, 1369 00:34:27,670 --> 00:34:30,699 and nothing happened. 1370 00:34:30,699 --> 00:34:31,170 - Did you ever think 1371 00:34:31,170 --> 00:34:34,174 that you could have been 1372 00:34:31,170 --> 00:34:34,174 part of a sting operation? 1373 00:34:34,174 --> 00:34:35,909 - You know, the weird thing is, 1374 00:34:34,174 --> 00:34:35,909 I was almost hoping 1375 00:34:35,909 --> 00:34:37,877 it was part of a sting operation 1376 00:34:35,909 --> 00:34:37,877 at that point, 1377 00:34:37,877 --> 00:34:40,746 because I wanted to 1378 00:34:37,877 --> 00:34:40,746 get out of this so badly. 1379 00:34:40,746 --> 00:34:42,882 - Why should people 1380 00:34:40,746 --> 00:34:42,882 believe you? 1381 00:34:42,882 --> 00:34:44,451 People could think, "Yeah, 1382 00:34:42,882 --> 00:34:44,451 he's just trying 1383 00:34:44,451 --> 00:34:47,286 "to change his story now, 1384 00:34:44,451 --> 00:34:47,286 because he got caught." 1385 00:34:47,286 --> 00:34:50,389 - Anyone that knows me knows 1386 00:34:47,286 --> 00:34:50,389 that I am not a violent person, 1387 00:34:50,389 --> 00:34:52,891 and I really believe 1388 00:34:50,389 --> 00:34:52,891 that Susan 1389 00:34:52,891 --> 00:34:54,994 knows me 1390 00:34:52,891 --> 00:34:54,994 for 23 years, 1391 00:34:54,994 --> 00:34:58,565 and even she knows 1392 00:34:54,994 --> 00:34:58,565 there is no way 1393 00:34:58,565 --> 00:35:01,340 I would have ever 1394 00:34:58,565 --> 00:35:01,340 let this happen. 1395 00:35:01,340 --> 00:35:03,436 - The prosecutor 1396 00:35:01,340 --> 00:35:03,436 thought Ira was lying, 1397 00:35:03,436 --> 00:35:05,839 and to prove it, 1398 00:35:03,436 --> 00:35:05,839 he wanted Kelly's help, 1399 00:35:05,839 --> 00:35:09,242 but she refused 1400 00:35:05,839 --> 00:35:09,242 to cooperate, 1401 00:35:09,242 --> 00:35:12,145 at least when they 1402 00:35:09,242 --> 00:35:12,145 were first arrested. 1403 00:35:12,145 --> 00:35:14,414 Then, Moran spotted 1404 00:35:12,145 --> 00:35:14,414 a potential crack 1405 00:35:14,414 --> 00:35:16,282 in their relationship. 1406 00:35:16,282 --> 00:35:18,852 Ira had gotten out of jail 1407 00:35:16,282 --> 00:35:18,852 in four days, 1408 00:35:18,852 --> 00:35:20,553 while Kelly, 1409 00:35:18,852 --> 00:35:20,553 four months later, 1410 00:35:20,553 --> 00:35:23,323 was still 1411 00:35:20,553 --> 00:35:23,323 behind bars. 1412 00:35:23,323 --> 00:35:24,958 Why didn't Ira 1413 00:35:23,323 --> 00:35:24,958 bail her out? 1414 00:35:24,958 --> 00:35:26,593 - I think you'd 1415 00:35:24,958 --> 00:35:26,593 have to ask him. 1416 00:35:26,593 --> 00:35:28,328 She might have 1417 00:35:26,593 --> 00:35:28,328 the same question. 1418 00:35:28,328 --> 00:35:31,640 - This was Moran's 1419 00:35:28,328 --> 00:35:31,640 chance to pounce. 1420 00:35:31,640 --> 00:35:32,832 He knew Kelly was angry, 1421 00:35:32,832 --> 00:35:35,902 and hoped she would finally 1422 00:35:32,832 --> 00:35:35,902 agree to roll on Ira, 1423 00:35:35,902 --> 00:35:38,304 so he offered her 1424 00:35:35,902 --> 00:35:38,304 a plea deal. 1425 00:35:38,304 --> 00:35:40,640 In exchange for testifying 1426 00:35:38,304 --> 00:35:40,640 against Ira, 1427 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:42,676 she would get 12 years 1428 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:42,676 in prison 1429 00:35:42,676 --> 00:35:45,111 with a chance 1430 00:35:42,676 --> 00:35:45,111 for parole in four. 1431 00:35:45,111 --> 00:35:46,880 Her attorney, 1432 00:35:45,111 --> 00:35:46,880 Jonathan Ripps, 1433 00:35:46,880 --> 00:35:48,948 explains why 1434 00:35:46,880 --> 00:35:48,948 she took the deal. 1435 00:35:48,948 --> 00:35:50,617 - If she were convicted 1436 00:35:48,948 --> 00:35:50,617 after trial, 1437 00:35:50,617 --> 00:35:52,419 I'm fairly confident 1438 00:35:50,617 --> 00:35:52,419 the judge would give her 1439 00:35:52,419 --> 00:35:53,520 close to the max, 1440 00:35:52,419 --> 00:35:53,520 which would be 1441 00:35:53,520 --> 00:35:55,880 eight and a third 1442 00:35:53,520 --> 00:35:55,880 to 25 years, 1443 00:35:55,880 --> 00:35:57,624 and that's an 1444 00:35:55,880 --> 00:35:57,624 awfully long time. 1445 00:35:57,624 --> 00:35:58,892 - Plea deal felt safe? 1446 00:35:58,892 --> 00:36:02,295 - Anything involving state 1447 00:35:58,892 --> 00:36:02,295 prison that is years in length 1448 00:36:02,295 --> 00:36:03,630 is gonna be 1449 00:36:02,295 --> 00:36:03,630 an ugly number, 1450 00:36:03,630 --> 00:36:06,199 but the alternative, uh, 1451 00:36:03,630 --> 00:36:06,199 had there been a conviction, 1452 00:36:06,199 --> 00:36:08,335 would have been much 1453 00:36:06,199 --> 00:36:08,335 more drastic. 1454 00:36:08,335 --> 00:36:11,370 - With the plea in place, 1455 00:36:08,335 --> 00:36:11,370 Kelly was all set 1456 00:36:11,370 --> 00:36:14,307 to be the prosecution's star 1457 00:36:11,370 --> 00:36:14,307 witness against Ira, 1458 00:36:14,307 --> 00:36:17,510 but in this twisted tale 1459 00:36:14,307 --> 00:36:17,510 of greed and lies, 1460 00:36:17,510 --> 00:36:21,147 could anyone be trusted? 1461 00:36:21,147 --> 00:36:22,882 - Coming up... 1462 00:36:22,882 --> 00:36:25,218 - ...answering 1463 00:36:22,882 --> 00:36:25,218 for the past... 1464 00:36:25,218 --> 00:36:26,653 - What I did was wrong. 1465 00:36:26,653 --> 00:36:28,688 - ...and thinking 1466 00:36:26,653 --> 00:36:28,688 about the future. 1467 00:36:28,688 --> 00:36:31,910 - Some people call this 1468 00:36:28,688 --> 00:36:31,910 a twisted love story. 1469 00:36:31,910 --> 00:36:32,592 - I think it's true love. 1470 00:36:32,692 --> 00:36:43,670 - Welcome back. 1471 00:36:44,371 --> 00:36:46,720 Ira Bernstein 1472 00:36:44,371 --> 00:36:46,720 and Kelly Gribeluk 1473 00:36:46,720 --> 00:36:48,208 were caught 1474 00:36:46,720 --> 00:36:48,208 on police recordings 1475 00:36:48,208 --> 00:36:49,609 plotting the contract 1476 00:36:48,208 --> 00:36:49,609 killing 1477 00:36:49,609 --> 00:36:53,146 of Ira's estranged 1478 00:36:49,609 --> 00:36:53,146 wife, Susan. 1479 00:36:53,146 --> 00:36:55,810 Kelly agreed 1480 00:36:53,146 --> 00:36:55,810 to a plea deal 1481 00:36:55,810 --> 00:36:58,585 requiring her 1482 00:36:55,810 --> 00:36:58,585 to testify against Ira. 1483 00:36:58,585 --> 00:37:01,788 To investigators, 1484 00:36:58,585 --> 00:37:01,788 the couple's red hot romance 1485 00:37:01,788 --> 00:37:04,624 appeared to have 1486 00:37:01,788 --> 00:37:04,624 gone stone cold, 1487 00:37:04,624 --> 00:37:06,726 but soon they 1488 00:37:04,624 --> 00:37:06,726 would wonder 1489 00:37:06,726 --> 00:37:10,300 if they were 1490 00:37:06,726 --> 00:37:10,300 about to get burned. 1491 00:37:10,300 --> 00:37:11,231 Here's Andrea Canning 1492 00:37:11,231 --> 00:37:15,535 with the conclusion 1493 00:37:11,231 --> 00:37:15,535 of "The Target". 1494 00:37:15,535 --> 00:37:17,671 - As the case headed 1495 00:37:15,535 --> 00:37:17,671 towards trial, 1496 00:37:17,671 --> 00:37:19,572 it looked like 1497 00:37:17,671 --> 00:37:19,572 the estranged lovers 1498 00:37:19,572 --> 00:37:21,541 would point fingers 1499 00:37:19,572 --> 00:37:21,541 at each other. 1500 00:37:21,541 --> 00:37:24,544 Kelly was now cooperating 1501 00:37:21,541 --> 00:37:24,544 with the prosecution. 1502 00:37:24,544 --> 00:37:26,212 And Ira's defense? 1503 00:37:26,212 --> 00:37:28,581 To throw his girlfriend 1504 00:37:26,212 --> 00:37:28,581 under the bus. 1505 00:37:28,581 --> 00:37:30,784 He claimed he never gave 1506 00:37:28,581 --> 00:37:30,784 the go ahead 1507 00:37:30,784 --> 00:37:32,318 to have his wife murdered 1508 00:37:32,318 --> 00:37:35,755 and says 1509 00:37:32,318 --> 00:37:35,755 that was all Kelly. 1510 00:37:35,755 --> 00:37:37,123 - She came home 1511 00:37:35,755 --> 00:37:37,123 on that evening, 1512 00:37:37,123 --> 00:37:39,426 and she told me 1513 00:37:37,123 --> 00:37:39,426 she had to tell him yes. 1514 00:37:39,426 --> 00:37:42,195 - So she went rogue on 1515 00:37:39,426 --> 00:37:42,195 you, you're saying? 1516 00:37:42,195 --> 00:37:44,640 - I-- pretty much. 1517 00:37:44,640 --> 00:37:46,199 - Rockland County 1518 00:37:44,640 --> 00:37:46,199 prosecutor Richard Moran 1519 00:37:46,199 --> 00:37:47,734 wasn't buying it. 1520 00:37:47,734 --> 00:37:50,403 He says the evidence 1521 00:37:47,734 --> 00:37:50,403 told the real story. 1522 00:37:50,403 --> 00:37:52,972 - When you look at the meetings 1523 00:37:50,403 --> 00:37:52,972 and you listen to them, 1524 00:37:52,972 --> 00:37:54,741 Kelly couldn't 1525 00:37:52,972 --> 00:37:54,741 make one decision. 1526 00:37:54,741 --> 00:37:57,770 Ira was the one 1527 00:37:54,741 --> 00:37:57,770 calling the shots. 1528 00:37:57,770 --> 00:37:59,679 Was she the person 1529 00:37:57,770 --> 00:37:59,679 who was the conduit? 1530 00:37:59,679 --> 00:38:02,849 Sure, 1531 00:37:59,679 --> 00:38:02,849 but in the end, 1532 00:38:02,849 --> 00:38:04,651 Ira had a goal. 1533 00:38:04,651 --> 00:38:07,200 - This was all about 1534 00:38:04,651 --> 00:38:07,200 money in your eyes? 1535 00:38:07,200 --> 00:38:08,755 - Yes. 1536 00:38:08,755 --> 00:38:11,391 - He believes Ira had no 1537 00:38:08,755 --> 00:38:11,391 intention of honoring 1538 00:38:11,391 --> 00:38:13,126 that postnuptial agreement 1539 00:38:13,126 --> 00:38:15,829 where he consented to give 1540 00:38:13,126 --> 00:38:15,829 Susan most of their assets 1541 00:38:15,829 --> 00:38:17,263 if they divorced. 1542 00:38:17,263 --> 00:38:21,668 - Ira Bernstein was a man who 1543 00:38:17,263 --> 00:38:21,668 wanted to keep everything, 1544 00:38:21,668 --> 00:38:24,370 that in his eyes, 1545 00:38:21,668 --> 00:38:24,370 he worked so hard for, 1546 00:38:24,370 --> 00:38:27,574 and he was going to 1547 00:38:24,370 --> 00:38:27,574 do what he had to do, 1548 00:38:27,574 --> 00:38:30,844 whether it be have the insurance 1549 00:38:27,574 --> 00:38:30,844 investigators beat up 1550 00:38:30,844 --> 00:38:34,314 or, um, having 1551 00:38:30,844 --> 00:38:34,314 his wife killed. 1552 00:38:34,314 --> 00:38:36,249 - The cornerstone, really, 1553 00:38:34,314 --> 00:38:36,249 of the defense of the case 1554 00:38:36,249 --> 00:38:39,252 is that-that Ira tried to 1555 00:38:36,249 --> 00:38:39,252 call it off at the end, 1556 00:38:39,252 --> 00:38:41,521 but that there 1557 00:38:39,252 --> 00:38:41,521 were threats. 1558 00:38:41,521 --> 00:38:43,560 If you don't go through 1559 00:38:41,521 --> 00:38:43,560 with this, 1560 00:38:43,560 --> 00:38:44,858 harm could 1561 00:38:43,560 --> 00:38:44,858 come to you. 1562 00:38:44,858 --> 00:38:47,600 - That's simply, 1563 00:38:44,858 --> 00:38:47,600 um, not the case. 1564 00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:49,396 In fact, um, 1565 00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:49,396 after they claimed 1566 00:38:49,396 --> 00:38:50,397 they were subject 1567 00:38:49,396 --> 00:38:50,397 to duress, 1568 00:38:50,397 --> 00:38:53,233 they actually hire him 1569 00:38:50,397 --> 00:38:53,233 to do the other job-- 1570 00:38:53,233 --> 00:38:55,680 to beat up 1571 00:38:53,233 --> 00:38:55,680 the two men. 1572 00:38:55,680 --> 00:38:58,405 - And he says nowhere 1573 00:38:55,680 --> 00:38:58,405 on the tapes or in text messages 1574 00:38:58,405 --> 00:39:01,174 did Ira and Kelly say 1575 00:38:58,405 --> 00:39:01,174 they changed their minds 1576 00:39:01,174 --> 00:39:02,642 about killing Susan. 1577 00:39:02,642 --> 00:39:04,344 - Even if they did 1578 00:39:02,642 --> 00:39:04,344 change their mind, 1579 00:39:04,344 --> 00:39:06,880 they never called the police 1580 00:39:04,344 --> 00:39:06,880 to tell the police, 1581 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:07,914 "Hey, there's a hitman 1582 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:07,914 out there 1583 00:39:07,914 --> 00:39:09,349 "hired to kill Susan." 1584 00:39:09,349 --> 00:39:12,180 They never called Susan 1585 00:39:09,349 --> 00:39:12,180 to say, "Watch out." 1586 00:39:12,180 --> 00:39:13,319 They did nothing. 1587 00:39:13,319 --> 00:39:15,555 - And Moran says there was 1588 00:39:13,319 --> 00:39:15,555 another indicator 1589 00:39:15,555 --> 00:39:18,324 Ira and Kelly planned to go 1590 00:39:15,555 --> 00:39:18,324 through with the murder. 1591 00:39:18,324 --> 00:39:21,594 - On the day that Kelly 1592 00:39:18,324 --> 00:39:21,594 told the informant yes, 1593 00:39:21,594 --> 00:39:24,230 she called and made 1594 00:39:21,594 --> 00:39:24,230 dinner reservations 1595 00:39:24,230 --> 00:39:27,734 for the entire doctor's 1596 00:39:24,230 --> 00:39:27,734 office for May 5th, 1597 00:39:27,734 --> 00:39:31,638 and that was the day that 1598 00:39:27,734 --> 00:39:31,638 Susan was going to be run over. 1599 00:39:37,544 --> 00:39:39,450 It's an alibi. 1600 00:39:39,450 --> 00:39:42,315 Kelly and Ira wanted 1601 00:39:39,450 --> 00:39:42,315 everybody from work to see 1602 00:39:42,315 --> 00:39:46,252 that they were with them 1603 00:39:42,315 --> 00:39:46,252 acting normal, um, 1604 00:39:46,252 --> 00:39:47,921 when Susan got killed. 1605 00:39:47,921 --> 00:39:50,156 - As the trial date 1606 00:39:47,921 --> 00:39:50,156 drew closer, 1607 00:39:50,156 --> 00:39:51,691 Moran was feeling 1608 00:39:50,156 --> 00:39:51,691 pretty good 1609 00:39:51,691 --> 00:39:54,527 about his case 1610 00:39:51,691 --> 00:39:54,527 and his star witness, 1611 00:39:54,527 --> 00:39:56,329 but there was a hitch. 1612 00:39:56,329 --> 00:39:58,131 After Kelly got out of jail, 1613 00:39:58,131 --> 00:40:01,601 instead of rolling on Ira, 1614 00:39:58,131 --> 00:40:01,601 she moved in with him. 1615 00:40:01,601 --> 00:40:04,738 - Kelly seems like she has 1616 00:40:01,601 --> 00:40:04,738 this fierce loyalty to Ira. 1617 00:40:04,738 --> 00:40:06,606 - She certainly does. 1618 00:40:06,606 --> 00:40:09,420 - Kelly was now too 1619 00:40:06,606 --> 00:40:09,420 much of a wild card. 1620 00:40:09,420 --> 00:40:10,877 So instead of 1621 00:40:09,420 --> 00:40:10,877 going to trial, 1622 00:40:10,877 --> 00:40:13,446 the prosecutor 1623 00:40:10,877 --> 00:40:13,446 offered Ira a deal-- 1624 00:40:13,446 --> 00:40:14,948 15 years in prison, 1625 00:40:14,948 --> 00:40:17,183 eligible for 1626 00:40:14,948 --> 00:40:17,183 parole in five. 1627 00:40:17,183 --> 00:40:18,551 - There was a 1628 00:40:17,183 --> 00:40:18,551 real defense here. 1629 00:40:18,551 --> 00:40:21,210 - Ira's attorney, 1630 00:40:18,551 --> 00:40:21,210 Jeff Millman, says 1631 00:40:21,210 --> 00:40:23,623 even though he believed Ira 1632 00:40:21,210 --> 00:40:23,623 had a strong defense, 1633 00:40:23,623 --> 00:40:26,993 he knew going before a jury 1634 00:40:23,623 --> 00:40:26,993 could be a gamble. 1635 00:40:26,993 --> 00:40:28,228 - Here you have 1636 00:40:26,993 --> 00:40:28,228 two people 1637 00:40:28,228 --> 00:40:30,330 who've been talking about 1638 00:40:28,228 --> 00:40:30,330 planning a murder, 1639 00:40:30,330 --> 00:40:32,899 and then you're supposed 1640 00:40:30,330 --> 00:40:32,899 to take their word for it 1641 00:40:32,899 --> 00:40:34,401 that they were trying 1642 00:40:32,899 --> 00:40:34,401 to call it off. 1643 00:40:34,401 --> 00:40:37,203 - That's one of the obstacles of 1644 00:40:34,401 --> 00:40:37,203 trial. Absolutely. 1645 00:40:37,203 --> 00:40:38,872 - And there were 1646 00:40:37,203 --> 00:40:38,872 Ira's other charges, 1647 00:40:38,872 --> 00:40:40,106 insurance fraud 1648 00:40:40,106 --> 00:40:42,942 and ordering the assault 1649 00:40:40,106 --> 00:40:42,942 on those investigators, 1650 00:40:42,942 --> 00:40:45,780 so he accepted the deal, 1651 00:40:45,780 --> 00:40:47,313 and pleaded guilty 1652 00:40:45,780 --> 00:40:47,313 to grand larceny 1653 00:40:47,313 --> 00:40:50,750 and conspiracy involving 1654 00:40:47,313 --> 00:40:50,750 the plot to kill his wife. 1655 00:40:50,750 --> 00:40:53,319 - We resolved everything 1656 00:40:50,750 --> 00:40:53,319 with the plea. 1657 00:40:53,319 --> 00:40:55,880 All the financial 1658 00:40:53,319 --> 00:40:55,880 investigations, 1659 00:40:55,880 --> 00:40:58,425 all crimes alleged to have 1660 00:40:55,880 --> 00:40:58,425 been committed. 1661 00:40:58,425 --> 00:41:02,262 - As for his estranged wife, 1662 00:40:58,425 --> 00:41:02,262 Susan, the intended target, 1663 00:41:02,262 --> 00:41:03,930 she didn't find out 1664 00:41:02,262 --> 00:41:03,930 about the plot 1665 00:41:03,930 --> 00:41:06,700 until after Ira 1666 00:41:03,930 --> 00:41:06,700 was arrested. 1667 00:41:06,700 --> 00:41:08,535 - She actually 1668 00:41:06,700 --> 00:41:08,535 wasn't surprised. 1669 00:41:08,535 --> 00:41:10,870 - Susan had the opportunity 1670 00:41:08,535 --> 00:41:10,870 to say her piece 1671 00:41:10,870 --> 00:41:12,339 at Ira's sentencing. 1672 00:41:12,339 --> 00:41:14,808 She requested not 1673 00:41:12,339 --> 00:41:14,808 to be on camera. 1674 00:41:14,808 --> 00:41:18,845 - Ira is evil and cold-hearted 1675 00:41:14,808 --> 00:41:18,845 and a narcissist. 1676 00:41:18,845 --> 00:41:21,810 The only remorse 1677 00:41:18,845 --> 00:41:21,810 Ira has 1678 00:41:21,810 --> 00:41:23,817 is that the murder 1679 00:41:21,810 --> 00:41:23,817 did not occur. 1680 00:41:23,817 --> 00:41:26,486 He is the scariest 1681 00:41:23,817 --> 00:41:26,486 type of criminal-- 1682 00:41:26,486 --> 00:41:29,356 smart with no remorse. 1683 00:41:29,356 --> 00:41:31,891 - But Ira says 1684 00:41:29,356 --> 00:41:31,891 he is remorseful 1685 00:41:31,891 --> 00:41:34,260 for all the pain 1686 00:41:31,891 --> 00:41:34,260 he's caused his family, 1687 00:41:34,260 --> 00:41:36,229 especially his children. 1688 00:41:36,229 --> 00:41:39,632 - I love my 1689 00:41:36,229 --> 00:41:39,632 children very much. 1690 00:41:39,632 --> 00:41:42,200 What I did is wrong. 1691 00:41:42,200 --> 00:41:44,400 I will spend every day for 1692 00:41:42,200 --> 00:41:44,400 the rest of my life 1693 00:41:44,400 --> 00:41:47,474 making it up to them. 1694 00:41:49,542 --> 00:41:52,512 - Ira and Kelly were now 1695 00:41:49,542 --> 00:41:52,512 living 300 miles apart 1696 00:41:52,512 --> 00:41:54,314 in his and her prisons, 1697 00:41:54,314 --> 00:41:56,816 so how would this 1698 00:41:54,314 --> 00:41:56,816 saga end for them? 1699 00:41:56,816 --> 00:41:58,952 It depends 1700 00:41:56,816 --> 00:41:58,952 on who you ask. 1701 00:41:58,952 --> 00:42:00,487 - I don't know where 1702 00:41:58,952 --> 00:42:00,487 this is gonna go. 1703 00:42:00,487 --> 00:42:02,455 I know I still care 1704 00:42:00,487 --> 00:42:02,455 about her a lot. 1705 00:42:02,455 --> 00:42:04,524 I'm hoping we can 1706 00:42:02,455 --> 00:42:04,524 get through this. 1707 00:42:04,524 --> 00:42:06,259 - The only good thing that 1708 00:42:04,524 --> 00:42:06,259 came out of this 1709 00:42:06,259 --> 00:42:09,662 was that we've both 1710 00:42:06,259 --> 00:42:09,662 come to the realization 1711 00:42:09,662 --> 00:42:11,765 that we really 1712 00:42:09,662 --> 00:42:11,765 love each other. 1713 00:42:11,765 --> 00:42:14,634 - Some people call this 1714 00:42:11,765 --> 00:42:14,634 a twisted love story. 1715 00:42:14,634 --> 00:42:17,804 - I think it's true love. 1716 00:42:17,804 --> 00:42:19,472 - And Marckensy, 1717 00:42:17,804 --> 00:42:19,472 the car salesman 1718 00:42:19,472 --> 00:42:21,374 who played the role 1719 00:42:19,472 --> 00:42:21,374 of a lifetime, 1720 00:42:21,374 --> 00:42:23,777 said he was happy 1721 00:42:21,374 --> 00:42:23,777 for the Hollywood ending. 1722 00:42:23,777 --> 00:42:26,790 The good guys won. 1723 00:42:26,790 --> 00:42:27,280 - The detectives 1724 00:42:26,790 --> 00:42:27,280 and the prosecutors 1725 00:42:27,280 --> 00:42:29,516 said that you're the hero 1726 00:42:27,280 --> 00:42:29,516 in this. 1727 00:42:29,516 --> 00:42:33,787 Do you feel that? 1728 00:42:29,516 --> 00:42:33,787 - No, not at all. 1729 00:42:33,787 --> 00:42:35,388 And I felt like, 1730 00:42:33,787 --> 00:42:35,388 you know what? 1731 00:42:35,388 --> 00:42:37,590 That was the 1732 00:42:35,388 --> 00:42:37,590 right thing to do. 1733 00:42:37,590 --> 00:42:40,593 Being a hero? 1734 00:42:37,590 --> 00:42:40,593 No, they're the hero, 1735 00:42:40,593 --> 00:42:44,931 the one out there every day. 1736 00:42:40,593 --> 00:42:44,931 Not me. 1737 00:42:46,232 --> 00:42:47,133 - That's all 1738 00:42:46,232 --> 00:42:47,133 for this edition 1739 00:42:47,133 --> 00:42:49,369 of "Dateline: 1740 00:42:47,133 --> 00:42:49,369 Secrets Uncovered". 1741 00:42:49,369 --> 00:42:51,805 I'm Craig Melvin. 1742 00:42:49,369 --> 00:42:51,805 Thank you for watching.