1 00:00:07,107 --> 00:00:08,373 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:08,442 --> 00:00:11,443 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 3 00:00:11,445 --> 00:00:15,380 For lovely robin, the late shift was her last. 4 00:00:15,449 --> 00:00:17,049 - She was laying face down, 5 00:00:17,051 --> 00:00:18,984 A pool of blood under one side. 6 00:00:19,053 --> 00:00:21,554 - Just one tiny clue. 7 00:00:21,622 --> 00:00:24,256 - A piece of curb foam rubber. 8 00:00:24,324 --> 00:00:27,059 - There was a suspect, but he had an alibi 9 00:00:27,127 --> 00:00:28,994 Until this revelation. 10 00:00:29,063 --> 00:00:31,697 - I said, I have something that you need to know. 11 00:00:39,740 --> 00:00:43,341 - Hello and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 12 00:00:43,410 --> 00:00:46,079 Robin hoynes worked at a fast-food restaurant, 13 00:00:46,146 --> 00:00:48,481 And one night that's where she was murdered 14 00:00:48,549 --> 00:00:50,282 While closing up shop. 15 00:00:50,284 --> 00:00:51,483 Short on evidence, 16 00:00:51,552 --> 00:00:53,819 The case remained open for decades. 17 00:00:53,887 --> 00:00:57,956 But there was one baffling clue that sat patiently, 18 00:00:58,025 --> 00:01:00,025 Waiting for a sharp-eyed detective 19 00:01:00,093 --> 00:01:03,361 To unlock its secrets and unmask a killer. 20 00:01:03,430 --> 00:01:05,031 Here's keith morrison with... 21 00:01:08,569 --> 00:01:11,236 - It was the night before Halloween, 22 00:01:11,238 --> 00:01:14,507 October 30, late, midnight approaching. 23 00:01:14,575 --> 00:01:17,109 It happened in one of the middle class suburbs 24 00:01:17,111 --> 00:01:19,312 That sprawl across the los angeles basin 25 00:01:19,379 --> 00:01:23,349 Inside a fast-food franchise closed for the night. 26 00:01:23,417 --> 00:01:27,820 A frantic scrambling, running feet, then silence. 27 00:01:30,991 --> 00:01:34,193 The next morning, not far away, the hoynes family daughters 28 00:01:34,195 --> 00:01:36,328 Prepared for a favorite celebration. 29 00:01:36,330 --> 00:01:40,533 Kim was the eldest, then robin, trisha, and wendy, 30 00:01:40,601 --> 00:01:43,535 Excited because this was Halloween, 31 00:01:43,604 --> 00:01:45,537 One of the best days of the year. 32 00:01:45,606 --> 00:01:46,872 - I loved it. 33 00:01:46,874 --> 00:01:49,141 We'd trick-or-treat, and then we'd sort the candy 34 00:01:49,143 --> 00:01:51,476 And we'd be trading what we liked. 35 00:01:51,545 --> 00:01:54,212 - A Halloween morning long ago. 36 00:01:54,281 --> 00:01:57,716 It was 1984, the morning after the incident 37 00:01:57,784 --> 00:01:59,351 In the fast-food place. 38 00:01:59,420 --> 00:02:03,588 It started warm and sunny, that bubble of innocence 39 00:02:03,657 --> 00:02:05,824 Before anyone knew a thing. 40 00:02:05,893 --> 00:02:07,959 Wendy donned her Halloween costume, 41 00:02:08,028 --> 00:02:08,961 Wore it to school, 42 00:02:09,029 --> 00:02:11,630 As did trisha who wore hers to work. 43 00:02:11,699 --> 00:02:13,832 Kim, the eldest, left early for her job 44 00:02:13,901 --> 00:02:15,367 At the nearby mall. 45 00:02:15,369 --> 00:02:17,502 Robin wasn't home. 46 00:02:17,571 --> 00:02:19,504 After working late, she told her family, 47 00:02:19,573 --> 00:02:22,374 She'd arranged to sleep over at a girlfriend's place. 48 00:02:22,442 --> 00:02:25,778 She was due home any minute, as wendy remembers. 49 00:02:25,846 --> 00:02:28,448 - She was good about reporting in, 50 00:02:28,515 --> 00:02:30,515 Telling us where she was going to be 51 00:02:30,584 --> 00:02:33,585 And when she was going to be home. 52 00:02:33,587 --> 00:02:35,854 - Robin was 21 years old. 53 00:02:35,923 --> 00:02:38,790 She was a redhead, pretty, popular, friendly. 54 00:02:38,859 --> 00:02:40,592 She was an assistant manager 55 00:02:40,661 --> 00:02:42,728 At a kentucky fried chicken franchise 56 00:02:42,796 --> 00:02:44,930 In the nearby town of torrance, 57 00:02:44,998 --> 00:02:46,732 Had taken that late shift as a favor 58 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:48,934 To a coworker named cheryl. 59 00:02:48,936 --> 00:02:49,868 - I had asked robin 60 00:02:49,937 --> 00:02:51,469 If she would trade hours with me. 61 00:02:51,538 --> 00:02:53,806 I had just started dating somebody, 62 00:02:53,874 --> 00:02:55,407 And we had plans. 63 00:02:55,476 --> 00:02:57,743 - So, robin worked the late shift. 64 00:02:57,745 --> 00:03:00,079 She'd close the restaurant, count the cash, 65 00:03:00,147 --> 00:03:03,549 Carry it across the parking lot to the bank deposit box. 66 00:03:03,617 --> 00:03:07,085 - I knew robin was very cautious about-- 67 00:03:07,087 --> 00:03:09,354 Like when I went to the store, she would always tell me 68 00:03:09,423 --> 00:03:11,423 To make sure the door is locked. 69 00:03:11,492 --> 00:03:14,360 - This is not the sort of person who would have let someone in, 70 00:03:14,428 --> 00:03:17,229 Just anybody. - No, not at all. 71 00:03:17,231 --> 00:03:18,964 - So, when cheryl arrived at work 72 00:03:19,032 --> 00:03:21,700 And pulled into the kfc parking lot... 73 00:03:21,769 --> 00:03:23,836 - I saw robin's car. 74 00:03:23,904 --> 00:03:25,304 I thought, did she get mixed up, 75 00:03:25,372 --> 00:03:27,572 Or did she think I wasn't trading? 76 00:03:27,641 --> 00:03:28,908 You know, why is she here? 77 00:03:28,976 --> 00:03:31,376 - Cheryl crept through the empty kfc. 78 00:03:31,445 --> 00:03:34,245 Everything seemed in order 79 00:03:34,315 --> 00:03:36,648 Until she entered the kitchen. 80 00:03:36,717 --> 00:03:39,317 - And as I came around the corner, 81 00:03:39,386 --> 00:03:42,587 I looked and I thought, 82 00:03:42,656 --> 00:03:45,257 Why did robin spend the night here? 83 00:03:45,259 --> 00:03:47,459 That was my first reaction. 84 00:03:47,528 --> 00:03:49,728 And then when I looked closer, 85 00:03:49,797 --> 00:03:52,197 I saw that she didn't spent the night here. 86 00:03:52,199 --> 00:03:55,132 She had been killed. 87 00:03:55,134 --> 00:03:57,036 - She ran out of the place. 88 00:03:57,104 --> 00:03:58,803 Someone called 911. 89 00:03:58,872 --> 00:04:00,939 Detective jeff lancaster was among the first 90 00:04:01,008 --> 00:04:02,408 To arrive at the crime scene. 91 00:04:02,476 --> 00:04:04,776 - She was laying face down. 92 00:04:04,845 --> 00:04:07,213 She had a pool of blood under one side. 93 00:04:07,281 --> 00:04:10,749 She had some slash marks to the left side of her face 94 00:04:10,817 --> 00:04:11,816 And neck injuries 95 00:04:11,885 --> 00:04:14,152 From a slashing type wound from a knife. 96 00:04:14,221 --> 00:04:17,356 - It didn't take lancaster long to figure out what happened. 97 00:04:17,424 --> 00:04:19,557 This was no accident. 98 00:04:19,626 --> 00:04:23,028 - She had two knife wounds to her back, 99 00:04:23,030 --> 00:04:26,498 The right side lower area near the spine. 100 00:04:26,566 --> 00:04:29,301 - It looked, frankly, elementary. 101 00:04:29,303 --> 00:04:30,302 Robin had been murdered 102 00:04:30,304 --> 00:04:32,704 In what appeared to be an attempted robbery. 103 00:04:32,773 --> 00:04:37,309 - The top cover of the safe was removed, 104 00:04:37,377 --> 00:04:40,111 And there were some paint chips missing 105 00:04:40,180 --> 00:04:41,713 Off a new combination lock. 106 00:04:41,715 --> 00:04:44,516 - There were a few drops of blood on the safe, 107 00:04:44,584 --> 00:04:46,918 But no fingerprints, no murder weapon. 108 00:04:46,987 --> 00:04:49,388 But there was something rather odd 109 00:04:49,456 --> 00:04:51,356 Lying near robin's body. 110 00:04:51,425 --> 00:04:53,658 - It was just a-- a piece of foam rubber. 111 00:04:53,727 --> 00:04:57,729 We kind of speculated that it came from some padding, 112 00:04:57,798 --> 00:05:00,732 Maybe for a backpack or a handle for a briefcase. 113 00:05:00,801 --> 00:05:03,201 - Whatever it was and wherever it came from, 114 00:05:03,270 --> 00:05:06,304 The mysterious piece of foam wasn't much to go on. 115 00:05:06,306 --> 00:05:07,873 Still, they bagged it, 116 00:05:07,875 --> 00:05:09,741 Put it with all the other evidence. 117 00:05:09,810 --> 00:05:12,610 Robin's wallet told them who she was, where she lived. 118 00:05:12,679 --> 00:05:15,413 An officer went to the house to notify the family; 119 00:05:15,482 --> 00:05:16,614 No one home. 120 00:05:16,683 --> 00:05:20,485 He left a note which said call the police department. 121 00:05:20,554 --> 00:05:22,554 It was something about robin. 122 00:05:22,556 --> 00:05:24,089 - So, I called back. 123 00:05:24,157 --> 00:05:27,092 I said, is she alright? 124 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:31,029 And he said, no, she's not. 125 00:05:31,098 --> 00:05:34,699 - So, now kim, the eldest of the four daughters, 126 00:05:34,701 --> 00:05:36,101 Had to reveal the news. 127 00:05:36,169 --> 00:05:38,169 She started with their mother. 128 00:05:38,171 --> 00:05:39,705 - The first words out of her mouth are, 129 00:05:39,773 --> 00:05:42,040 "you're lying to me. You're lying to me!" 130 00:05:42,109 --> 00:05:45,578 She couldn't, you know, she couldn't believe that. 131 00:05:45,645 --> 00:05:49,581 So, once she realizes really that I'm telling her the truth, 132 00:05:49,650 --> 00:05:52,050 We know we have to talk to my dad. 133 00:05:52,052 --> 00:05:54,986 We called him and told him and he said, "okay, 134 00:05:54,988 --> 00:05:56,789 I'll meet you at the house." 135 00:05:56,857 --> 00:05:58,723 - Wendy, the youngest, heard at school 136 00:05:58,725 --> 00:06:01,126 That robin had been stabbed. 137 00:06:01,128 --> 00:06:04,329 - My immediate response was did she die? 138 00:06:04,331 --> 00:06:07,065 Because I want her to still be alive. 139 00:06:07,134 --> 00:06:10,201 But she said, "no, she's-she's dead." 140 00:06:10,270 --> 00:06:14,272 - Trisha didn't hear a thing until she got home from work. 141 00:06:14,341 --> 00:06:17,809 - I had dressed up for Halloween as well. 142 00:06:17,878 --> 00:06:23,281 And I was wearing robin's flagster costume. 143 00:06:23,283 --> 00:06:27,419 And I looked down and I see that I'm in her clothes, 144 00:06:27,487 --> 00:06:29,554 And I lost it. 145 00:06:29,556 --> 00:06:34,560 I-I was like, "get it off me!" 146 00:06:34,628 --> 00:06:37,629 I mean, I was, like, screaming that I needed to be out of-- 147 00:06:37,698 --> 00:06:40,565 I just freaked out. 148 00:06:40,634 --> 00:06:43,034 - Time doesn't wait, of course. 149 00:06:43,103 --> 00:06:45,104 Darkness fell, Halloween. 150 00:06:45,172 --> 00:06:47,238 Laughing kids came to the door. 151 00:06:47,307 --> 00:06:50,708 The hoynes sat in the dark and tried to get used 152 00:06:50,777 --> 00:06:53,979 To the idea of what grief feels like. 153 00:06:53,981 --> 00:06:57,582 Policemen buzzed around the kfc all day, 154 00:06:57,584 --> 00:07:00,185 Halloween day, looking for something to go on. 155 00:07:00,253 --> 00:07:04,724 But all they came up with really was what didn't happen. 156 00:07:04,791 --> 00:07:06,726 - There was no signs of forced entry. 157 00:07:06,793 --> 00:07:08,860 She had let somebody into the business, so we felt, 158 00:07:08,929 --> 00:07:11,729 You know, she knew somebody, and she felt comfortable enough 159 00:07:11,798 --> 00:07:14,265 To be working on her paperwork 160 00:07:14,334 --> 00:07:16,868 While that person was in the business. 161 00:07:16,937 --> 00:07:19,004 - But who killed robin hoynes? 162 00:07:19,072 --> 00:07:21,807 A former friend? A customer? A colleague from work? 163 00:07:21,875 --> 00:07:25,276 Could it be that robin hoynes had been murdered 164 00:07:25,345 --> 00:07:27,412 By someone she knew? 165 00:07:27,481 --> 00:07:29,147 - As police searched for clues 166 00:07:29,216 --> 00:07:31,015 That would lead them to robin's killer, 167 00:07:31,084 --> 00:07:34,152 Her coworker cheryl remembers something. 168 00:07:34,221 --> 00:07:36,988 Robin was expecting a visitor. 169 00:07:38,959 --> 00:07:41,826 - He was going to come back and return his uniform. 170 00:07:41,895 --> 00:07:43,395 - Who was he? 171 00:07:43,464 --> 00:07:48,267 And did he know anything about what happened to robin? 172 00:07:48,334 --> 00:07:51,437 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 173 00:07:56,175 --> 00:08:04,148 ♪♪ 174 00:08:04,217 --> 00:08:07,519 The 1980s were violent years in la. 175 00:08:07,521 --> 00:08:10,455 Drug wars, gang shootings, the dismal average 176 00:08:10,457 --> 00:08:12,925 Of nearly four killings a day. 177 00:08:12,993 --> 00:08:14,993 But this was different. 178 00:08:14,995 --> 00:08:18,329 The murder at the kfc Halloween 1984, 179 00:08:18,331 --> 00:08:21,599 This was certainly not a crime-infested neighborhood. 180 00:08:21,668 --> 00:08:24,869 And robin hoynes was a careful, safety-conscious, 181 00:08:24,871 --> 00:08:28,474 Churchgoing young woman, not an enemy in the world. 182 00:08:28,476 --> 00:08:30,641 But she was stabbed in the back 183 00:08:30,711 --> 00:08:33,612 By someone she might have known. 184 00:08:33,680 --> 00:08:35,947 Didn't make sense. 185 00:08:35,949 --> 00:08:38,816 - The kindest-hearted person you'd probably ever meet. 186 00:08:38,885 --> 00:08:39,885 - Yeah. 187 00:08:39,953 --> 00:08:43,154 - So, now the four sisters were three. 188 00:08:43,223 --> 00:08:47,225 - I just was completely lost. 189 00:08:47,294 --> 00:08:52,363 At 16, you don't have the capacity 190 00:08:52,365 --> 00:08:55,033 To really understand grief, 191 00:08:55,101 --> 00:08:57,435 Let alone to understand grief 192 00:08:57,437 --> 00:09:00,104 That comes from your best friend, 193 00:09:00,173 --> 00:09:02,774 That person that you, you know, 194 00:09:02,776 --> 00:09:05,310 She sleeps in the bed next to you every night. 195 00:09:05,312 --> 00:09:06,978 - And that bed is empty. - Because, yeah, 196 00:09:07,047 --> 00:09:11,383 Is not there anymore because she was murdered. 197 00:09:13,787 --> 00:09:16,521 - The hardest thing then and now was to imagine 198 00:09:16,589 --> 00:09:19,792 Who would do such a thing and why. 199 00:09:19,859 --> 00:09:23,529 - Someone deliberately took her life. 200 00:09:23,597 --> 00:09:28,333 This was a heinous crime. 201 00:09:28,401 --> 00:09:30,502 - In the days after the murder, 202 00:09:30,504 --> 00:09:33,738 The police cast around for clues, motives, suspects, 203 00:09:33,807 --> 00:09:36,140 And there wasn't much to go on 204 00:09:36,209 --> 00:09:38,876 Beyond that one puzzling piece of foam 205 00:09:38,945 --> 00:09:41,280 They found on the floor near robin's body, 206 00:09:41,348 --> 00:09:42,882 Though none of the detectives 207 00:09:42,949 --> 00:09:44,816 Could figure out even what it was, 208 00:09:44,818 --> 00:09:48,019 Let alone what use it could be as a clue. 209 00:09:48,088 --> 00:09:50,421 But as they looked hard at the crime scene, 210 00:09:50,490 --> 00:09:52,623 Tried to piece together what must have happened, 211 00:09:52,693 --> 00:09:54,959 They began to develop a rather troubling theory 212 00:09:54,961 --> 00:09:57,495 That might lead them to a suspect. 213 00:09:57,564 --> 00:10:01,499 It appeared this was not the work of a random stranger. 214 00:10:01,568 --> 00:10:03,702 - There was no indication of forced entry, 215 00:10:03,770 --> 00:10:05,503 There was no indication of a struggle. 216 00:10:05,505 --> 00:10:07,672 - That seemed pretty clear from the autopsy. 217 00:10:07,741 --> 00:10:09,841 Robin had been stabbed to death, 218 00:10:09,843 --> 00:10:11,143 Attacked with a knife. 219 00:10:11,211 --> 00:10:14,045 But there wasn't a mark on either of her hands, 220 00:10:14,114 --> 00:10:15,747 No defensive wounds. 221 00:10:15,816 --> 00:10:18,583 That suggested she never saw it coming. 222 00:10:18,651 --> 00:10:21,486 - When she answered the door, it must have been, what? 223 00:10:21,554 --> 00:10:22,922 That she had money out on the counter 224 00:10:22,989 --> 00:10:24,422 And then she saw somebody come 225 00:10:24,491 --> 00:10:25,723 So she put it in the safe? 226 00:10:25,792 --> 00:10:27,792 - That's the information I received from a manager. 227 00:10:27,794 --> 00:10:29,728 He last saw her; money was on the counter 228 00:10:29,796 --> 00:10:31,729 And she was doing her night paperwork. 229 00:10:31,798 --> 00:10:34,733 So, she had enough time, if somebody knocked on the door, 230 00:10:34,735 --> 00:10:37,802 To identify them, maybe not trust who they were 231 00:10:37,804 --> 00:10:39,671 And put the money in the safe 232 00:10:39,739 --> 00:10:41,473 And then allow them to come in. 233 00:10:41,542 --> 00:10:44,475 - There was one way to start confirming that. 234 00:10:44,544 --> 00:10:47,545 Cheryl, the young woman who had switched shifts with robin 235 00:10:47,614 --> 00:10:49,547 Knew the safe's combination. 236 00:10:49,616 --> 00:10:51,883 - When I opened the safe, the money was still in there. 237 00:10:51,952 --> 00:10:54,352 I thought it was weird that it was in there 238 00:10:54,421 --> 00:10:57,089 Because we normally would take it to the bank at night. 239 00:10:57,157 --> 00:11:00,024 - $600, along with all the night's receipts, 240 00:11:00,093 --> 00:11:01,793 Were neatly stacked inside, 241 00:11:01,795 --> 00:11:04,762 Untouched and left behind by the killer. 242 00:11:04,831 --> 00:11:06,832 But there were those scratch marks 243 00:11:06,900 --> 00:11:09,634 As if someone tried to pry the safe open. 244 00:11:09,703 --> 00:11:12,837 Was it possible the killer intended to open the safe 245 00:11:12,906 --> 00:11:14,672 After disposing of robin? 246 00:11:14,741 --> 00:11:16,474 And if that was the plan, 247 00:11:16,543 --> 00:11:19,411 Then something obviously went haywire. 248 00:11:19,479 --> 00:11:20,712 - So, did it seem to you 249 00:11:20,781 --> 00:11:25,316 As if he had gone there to rob the place, 250 00:11:25,385 --> 00:11:28,486 That he knew that she knew him, 251 00:11:28,555 --> 00:11:31,657 So he had to kill her before he robbed the place? 252 00:11:31,725 --> 00:11:32,823 - Yes. 253 00:11:32,893 --> 00:11:34,426 - But then he got nothing anyway. 254 00:11:34,494 --> 00:11:36,194 - And he got nothing out of it. 255 00:11:36,263 --> 00:11:37,929 Not one thing. 256 00:11:37,998 --> 00:11:40,198 It's such a cold-blooded situation. 257 00:11:40,267 --> 00:11:43,868 - But who would robin have let in late at night? 258 00:11:43,870 --> 00:11:46,938 It was after hours, the kfc was closed, 259 00:11:47,006 --> 00:11:48,473 She was all alone. 260 00:11:48,541 --> 00:11:51,676 - I knew william was supposed to come back that night. 261 00:11:51,745 --> 00:11:53,145 - William? 262 00:11:53,213 --> 00:11:55,280 Who was william? 263 00:11:55,348 --> 00:11:56,414 - He used to work there. 264 00:11:56,483 --> 00:11:59,284 Earlier that day, william called me. 265 00:11:59,352 --> 00:12:03,354 He was going to come back and pick up his briefcase 266 00:12:03,356 --> 00:12:05,089 And return his uniform. 267 00:12:05,091 --> 00:12:08,160 And so, before I left that day, I just told her, 268 00:12:08,228 --> 00:12:09,828 William is going to be by later. 269 00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:11,562 She said, okay, no problem. 270 00:12:11,631 --> 00:12:15,567 - William was william marshall, a former kfc assistant manger 271 00:12:15,635 --> 00:12:18,370 Who worked alongside robin for several months. 272 00:12:18,438 --> 00:12:22,908 He was young, just 23, ambitious, known to be friendly, 273 00:12:22,976 --> 00:12:25,576 Quite religious just like robin. 274 00:12:25,645 --> 00:12:28,379 Did he know anything about her murder? 275 00:12:28,448 --> 00:12:30,515 Well, it turns out he did. 276 00:12:30,583 --> 00:12:33,451 But it would take detectives some 23 years 277 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:36,387 To find out just what-- what he knew 278 00:12:36,456 --> 00:12:39,158 That night before Halloween. 279 00:12:43,263 --> 00:12:46,030 - The case finally feels like it's heating up, 280 00:12:46,099 --> 00:12:48,399 And then it's stopped cold. 281 00:12:48,468 --> 00:12:50,502 - I felt like I'd been kicked. 282 00:12:50,570 --> 00:12:54,673 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 283 00:12:59,312 --> 00:13:05,016 ♪♪ 284 00:13:05,018 --> 00:13:07,753 - It was a start; the first lead 285 00:13:07,821 --> 00:13:10,021 In the robin hoynes murder investigation. 286 00:13:10,090 --> 00:13:12,690 A name had surfaced, william marshall. 287 00:13:12,759 --> 00:13:14,892 Marshall was a former kfc employee 288 00:13:14,961 --> 00:13:17,562 Who had worked with robin at the very same restaurant 289 00:13:17,564 --> 00:13:19,030 Where she was killed. 290 00:13:19,032 --> 00:13:20,298 On the night of the murder, 291 00:13:20,367 --> 00:13:22,767 He was supposed to stop by the store. 292 00:13:22,835 --> 00:13:26,704 - He was due to return some equipment or a uniform 293 00:13:26,773 --> 00:13:29,707 And also pick up a briefcase that belonged to him. 294 00:13:29,776 --> 00:13:33,044 - A kfc uniform which william marshall 295 00:13:33,112 --> 00:13:36,647 Didn't need anymore and for a very good reason. 296 00:13:36,716 --> 00:13:38,716 - William marshall had been terminated 297 00:13:38,785 --> 00:13:42,187 Because of missing cash and failed polygraphs. 298 00:13:42,255 --> 00:13:44,456 They'd had two situations reported 299 00:13:44,524 --> 00:13:45,723 At torrance police department 300 00:13:45,725 --> 00:13:48,259 Concerning thefts of cash from the safe. 301 00:13:48,328 --> 00:13:51,095 - Two thefts from the very same safe 302 00:13:51,097 --> 00:13:52,496 Where robin had left the money. 303 00:13:52,565 --> 00:13:55,534 And though they couldn't exactly prove he did it, 304 00:13:55,602 --> 00:13:57,201 Marshall was a suspect. 305 00:13:57,203 --> 00:14:00,003 He had the opportunity; he failed the polygraph 306 00:14:00,005 --> 00:14:02,140 When questioned about those previous robberies. 307 00:14:02,209 --> 00:14:05,476 And at the time, he knew the combination to the safe. 308 00:14:05,545 --> 00:14:08,079 So, the night robin was killed, 309 00:14:08,147 --> 00:14:10,948 Did marshall intend to rob that safe again? 310 00:14:10,950 --> 00:14:12,484 - He knew the previous combination, 311 00:14:12,552 --> 00:14:14,853 So I don't believe he was aware that they had changed it, 312 00:14:14,922 --> 00:14:16,555 Because it had happened just recently, 313 00:14:16,622 --> 00:14:17,755 Several days earlier. 314 00:14:17,824 --> 00:14:20,625 - So now, detectives brought marshall in for questioning. 315 00:14:20,693 --> 00:14:23,628 And he was friendly, cooperative, 316 00:14:23,696 --> 00:14:25,831 Said he was home the entire evening. 317 00:14:25,899 --> 00:14:27,832 And he could prove it, he said. 318 00:14:27,901 --> 00:14:30,235 All police had to do was go ask his girlfriend, 319 00:14:30,303 --> 00:14:31,837 Yvonne hargrove. 320 00:14:31,905 --> 00:14:34,038 So, of course, without telling her 321 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:37,642 Why they were talking to her, they did ask. 322 00:14:37,644 --> 00:14:40,044 - I told them william was with me that night 323 00:14:40,046 --> 00:14:41,512 Because that's what they wanted to know. 324 00:14:41,514 --> 00:14:43,114 - Uh-huh. - And what did we do? 325 00:14:43,116 --> 00:14:45,116 I said we cooked spaghetti dinner. 326 00:14:45,118 --> 00:14:46,918 - Yvonne seemed credible, 327 00:14:46,986 --> 00:14:49,253 Never wavered in supporting marshall's story. 328 00:14:49,255 --> 00:14:51,255 It was a solid alibi. 329 00:14:51,257 --> 00:14:54,392 So, maybe the marshall idea was a dead end. 330 00:14:54,461 --> 00:14:55,460 As they were leaving, 331 00:14:55,528 --> 00:14:57,261 The cops had one more question, though. 332 00:14:57,330 --> 00:15:00,498 Did she know anything about that mysterious piece of foam 333 00:15:00,566 --> 00:15:02,333 Found at the crime scene? 334 00:15:02,402 --> 00:15:04,769 - And they brought out this thing. 335 00:15:04,771 --> 00:15:07,339 It had a funny shape, funny color. 336 00:15:07,407 --> 00:15:09,540 And they said, do you know what this is? 337 00:15:09,609 --> 00:15:12,677 I said, no, I've never seen that before. 338 00:15:12,745 --> 00:15:14,145 - So, what could they do? 339 00:15:14,214 --> 00:15:16,147 They let william marshall go. 340 00:15:16,216 --> 00:15:18,150 The cops had nothing on him. 341 00:15:21,654 --> 00:15:24,288 Robin hoynes' funeral is a big event 342 00:15:24,357 --> 00:15:25,824 In this part of town. 343 00:15:25,892 --> 00:15:29,226 And because robin was well known and so well liked, 344 00:15:29,295 --> 00:15:31,496 Much of the neighborhood attended. 345 00:15:31,564 --> 00:15:34,833 And friends and colleagues, except for one. 346 00:15:34,901 --> 00:15:36,168 Cheryl. 347 00:15:36,235 --> 00:15:38,436 The girl who had switched shifts with robin 348 00:15:38,505 --> 00:15:40,972 The night the murderer came to call. 349 00:15:41,041 --> 00:15:44,508 - I had heard that they were really upset with me 350 00:15:44,577 --> 00:15:46,911 And that they didn't want me at her funeral. 351 00:15:46,979 --> 00:15:49,580 And I didn't go. 352 00:15:49,582 --> 00:15:52,783 I mean, I felt really sad that I traded hours with her 353 00:15:52,852 --> 00:15:54,720 And she, you know, that should have maybe been me. 354 00:15:54,787 --> 00:15:57,888 And I just felt very guilty for it. 355 00:15:57,957 --> 00:16:00,391 - A few days after robin's murder, 356 00:16:00,393 --> 00:16:02,527 The case seemed to be going sideways. 357 00:16:02,529 --> 00:16:05,730 William marshall remained only a person of interest. 358 00:16:05,732 --> 00:16:07,465 No new leads had emerged. 359 00:16:07,533 --> 00:16:09,600 And that odd clue, the piece of foam, 360 00:16:09,602 --> 00:16:11,670 Was still just a mystery. 361 00:16:11,738 --> 00:16:15,006 Then came a break. 362 00:16:15,075 --> 00:16:17,175 Police got a call from an employee 363 00:16:17,177 --> 00:16:19,743 At a kentucky fried chicken outlet 30 miles away 364 00:16:19,745 --> 00:16:21,612 From the one where robin was killed. 365 00:16:21,681 --> 00:16:23,547 He claims somebody in army fatigues 366 00:16:23,616 --> 00:16:25,417 Wearing a cap, gloves, and boots 367 00:16:25,485 --> 00:16:28,753 Had been casing the store after hours. 368 00:16:28,755 --> 00:16:30,888 Detective lancaster showed the employee 369 00:16:30,957 --> 00:16:32,623 Pictures of several suspects 370 00:16:32,692 --> 00:16:35,826 Who might have been prowling at the kfc that night. 371 00:16:35,895 --> 00:16:37,562 - And he picked out william marshall 372 00:16:37,631 --> 00:16:40,564 As being the person that was acting suspicious 373 00:16:40,633 --> 00:16:43,367 Around this business at 11, 11:30 at night. 374 00:16:43,369 --> 00:16:45,770 - Marshall was put under surveillance 375 00:16:45,838 --> 00:16:47,572 And followed for a few days. 376 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:49,173 And where did he go? 377 00:16:49,242 --> 00:16:51,709 Back to the very same kfc 378 00:16:51,778 --> 00:16:53,844 Where he was prowling the week before. 379 00:16:53,913 --> 00:16:56,714 The employees there wouldn't let marshall in 380 00:16:56,783 --> 00:16:58,582 So he drove off. 381 00:16:58,651 --> 00:17:00,751 And cops followed. 382 00:17:00,820 --> 00:17:03,188 A few miles later, they pulled him over. 383 00:17:03,256 --> 00:17:05,524 - And after removing him from the car, 384 00:17:05,591 --> 00:17:07,658 We found what we felt was the weapon 385 00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:09,494 That he had used in our homicide, 386 00:17:09,562 --> 00:17:12,463 Which was a 7 to 9-inch boning knife 387 00:17:12,532 --> 00:17:15,200 That was in the backpack that he had been carrying. 388 00:17:15,268 --> 00:17:18,135 - There was no usable evidence on that night, 389 00:17:18,204 --> 00:17:20,204 But it was the right size and shape. 390 00:17:20,206 --> 00:17:22,206 So, it looked, to the cops at least, 391 00:17:22,275 --> 00:17:23,808 Like they had their man. 392 00:17:23,876 --> 00:17:25,543 William marshall was arrested. 393 00:17:25,611 --> 00:17:27,812 His knife, clothes, and boots found in the car 394 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:29,280 Were booked into evidence. 395 00:17:29,348 --> 00:17:30,881 Under california law, 396 00:17:30,883 --> 00:17:33,017 Detective lancaster had two days; 397 00:17:33,019 --> 00:17:35,820 Either charge him or release him. 398 00:17:35,822 --> 00:17:39,423 He took the case to the d.A., made his best argument. 399 00:17:39,425 --> 00:17:41,760 - I felt, going in, we had a good case. 400 00:17:41,828 --> 00:17:44,962 You know, maybe a tough case, circumstantial case, 401 00:17:45,031 --> 00:17:46,031 But a good case. 402 00:17:46,099 --> 00:17:47,565 - Going in. - Going in. 403 00:17:47,567 --> 00:17:48,834 - Coming out? 404 00:17:48,901 --> 00:17:50,634 - Coming out I felt like I'd been kicked. 405 00:17:50,703 --> 00:17:51,969 Nobody showed any interest, 406 00:17:52,038 --> 00:17:55,173 A complete rejection on prosecution. 407 00:17:55,241 --> 00:17:57,675 - Too circumstantial, said the d.A. 408 00:17:57,744 --> 00:18:00,211 And no incriminating evidence, 409 00:18:00,279 --> 00:18:03,181 Even on those items seized from marshall's car. 410 00:18:03,183 --> 00:18:05,517 Marshall was released from jail. 411 00:18:05,585 --> 00:18:08,252 His girlfriend yvonne picked him up. 412 00:18:08,321 --> 00:18:11,856 Once again, detective lancaster had to deliver the news 413 00:18:11,924 --> 00:18:13,724 To the hoynes family. 414 00:18:13,793 --> 00:18:17,862 The only suspect he had was back on the streets. 415 00:18:17,864 --> 00:18:19,463 - Maddening. 416 00:18:19,532 --> 00:18:20,931 His life goes forward, 417 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,135 And, you know, robin's is snuffed out, 418 00:18:23,202 --> 00:18:25,936 And she never gets to meet her potential 419 00:18:26,005 --> 00:18:29,207 Because of what he did. 420 00:18:29,209 --> 00:18:32,810 - They all suffered, all the hoynes, 421 00:18:32,812 --> 00:18:36,213 Perhaps mr. Hoynes most of all. 422 00:18:36,282 --> 00:18:40,352 - Our dad felt like he had not done 423 00:18:40,419 --> 00:18:44,622 What he was supposed to do as a father 424 00:18:44,691 --> 00:18:47,091 Because he didn't protect her. 425 00:18:47,093 --> 00:18:50,027 He didn't keep her safe. 426 00:18:50,096 --> 00:18:52,696 - Our dad would sit at the edge of his bed 427 00:18:52,765 --> 00:18:55,032 And just think about robin 428 00:18:55,101 --> 00:18:58,503 And wait for her to walk down the hall. 429 00:18:58,571 --> 00:19:00,171 Every day. 430 00:19:00,239 --> 00:19:02,573 - Of course, they didn't know, none of them did, 431 00:19:02,642 --> 00:19:05,143 That the solution was sitting right there 432 00:19:05,212 --> 00:19:09,314 Hidden in plain sight until someone closed the lid 433 00:19:09,382 --> 00:19:11,850 And filed it all away. 434 00:19:15,788 --> 00:19:19,390 - Nearly 20 years would go by without a break 435 00:19:19,458 --> 00:19:21,526 Until a fresh pair of eyes 436 00:19:21,594 --> 00:19:24,461 Focused on one particular photograph 437 00:19:24,530 --> 00:19:26,531 And saw something new. 438 00:19:26,599 --> 00:19:28,866 - I said, it couldn't be. It couldn't be. 439 00:19:28,935 --> 00:19:32,203 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 440 00:19:37,176 --> 00:19:42,814 ♪♪ 441 00:19:42,882 --> 00:19:45,549 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 442 00:19:45,618 --> 00:19:46,884 I'm craig melvin. 443 00:19:46,953 --> 00:19:49,153 William marshall was a person of interest 444 00:19:49,221 --> 00:19:52,958 In the murder of robin hoynes, but he had an alibi. 445 00:19:53,025 --> 00:19:55,426 Nearly two decades would pass 446 00:19:55,428 --> 00:19:57,561 Before a new look at old photographs 447 00:19:57,563 --> 00:20:00,765 Sent an investigator racing to the evidence room. 448 00:20:00,767 --> 00:20:03,968 Could the secret behind a bewildering clue 449 00:20:04,036 --> 00:20:05,836 Finally be revealed? 450 00:20:05,905 --> 00:20:07,504 Back to keith morrison 451 00:20:07,573 --> 00:20:11,041 With "the night before Halloween". 452 00:20:11,043 --> 00:20:15,280 - October 1985, another Halloween. 453 00:20:15,347 --> 00:20:18,382 Once the hoynes house would have been festive; 454 00:20:18,451 --> 00:20:19,984 Not anymore. 455 00:20:19,986 --> 00:20:22,187 They closed the door, turned out the lights. 456 00:20:22,255 --> 00:20:26,191 Just the word "Halloween" unleashed a wave of grief. 457 00:20:26,259 --> 00:20:29,393 The investigation into robin's murder was stalled, 458 00:20:29,462 --> 00:20:32,263 Even though police had a suspect in plain sight, 459 00:20:32,331 --> 00:20:34,131 William marshall. 460 00:20:34,133 --> 00:20:36,867 And the family groped for solace. 461 00:20:36,936 --> 00:20:38,803 - We knew, ultimately, whoever it is, 462 00:20:38,805 --> 00:20:40,404 They answer to a higher power. 463 00:20:40,406 --> 00:20:42,339 We just had to take comfort in that 464 00:20:42,408 --> 00:20:45,542 Because we really-- we are probably 465 00:20:45,611 --> 00:20:47,546 Never going to see any resolution in this. 466 00:20:47,613 --> 00:20:49,513 They didn't have enough evidence. 467 00:20:49,582 --> 00:20:51,115 - Years passed. 468 00:20:51,117 --> 00:20:53,150 There were other cases to solve, 469 00:20:53,219 --> 00:20:55,219 New priorities, of course. 470 00:20:55,287 --> 00:20:58,757 And for detective lancaster, retirement. 471 00:20:58,824 --> 00:21:00,291 - There are cases that stay with you 472 00:21:00,293 --> 00:21:01,426 After your retirement, 473 00:21:01,494 --> 00:21:02,627 Probably for the rest of your life, 474 00:21:02,695 --> 00:21:04,161 At least for me. 475 00:21:04,163 --> 00:21:06,564 This was one of them. 476 00:21:06,632 --> 00:21:08,966 - The hoynes family struggled to move on 477 00:21:09,035 --> 00:21:10,434 Without robin. 478 00:21:10,503 --> 00:21:12,103 There were high school graduations, 479 00:21:12,171 --> 00:21:14,839 Marriages, children. 480 00:21:14,841 --> 00:21:16,106 But... 481 00:21:16,175 --> 00:21:17,709 - The hole never goes away. 482 00:21:17,777 --> 00:21:18,910 - And there are times 483 00:21:18,978 --> 00:21:20,645 When you need to have a tissue handy. 484 00:21:20,713 --> 00:21:22,980 - Absolutely. 485 00:21:23,049 --> 00:21:25,115 Absolutely. 486 00:21:25,117 --> 00:21:28,185 - And then a decade after robin's murder... 487 00:21:28,254 --> 00:21:30,522 - Our dad committed suicide. 488 00:21:30,589 --> 00:21:34,391 And it was devastating for us. - Yeah. 489 00:21:34,460 --> 00:21:36,527 - It's true he had a terminal illness; 490 00:21:36,595 --> 00:21:38,462 He was dying of emphysema. 491 00:21:38,531 --> 00:21:42,433 But honestly, he was dying of grief. 492 00:21:42,502 --> 00:21:45,737 - Virgil hoynes was just 61. 493 00:21:48,941 --> 00:21:51,141 By 2003, the robin hoynes murder case 494 00:21:51,210 --> 00:21:54,878 Was as cold as they come, 19 halloweens old, 495 00:21:54,947 --> 00:21:56,480 Buried in the basement 496 00:21:56,482 --> 00:21:58,349 Of the torrance police department, 497 00:21:58,417 --> 00:21:59,751 Forgotten. 498 00:21:59,819 --> 00:22:02,620 But that year the department started 499 00:22:02,688 --> 00:22:04,822 Reviewing unsolved murders 500 00:22:04,891 --> 00:22:06,623 And the hoynes case caught the eye 501 00:22:06,692 --> 00:22:10,094 Of an aggressive deputy d.A. Named john lewin 502 00:22:10,162 --> 00:22:13,697 Who took special pleasure in cracking unsolved cases. 503 00:22:13,766 --> 00:22:15,467 - This is my favorite thing to do. 504 00:22:15,534 --> 00:22:20,705 If I won $3 billion tomorrow, I'd be coming to work, 505 00:22:20,773 --> 00:22:22,906 Because I'm doing what I love. 506 00:22:22,975 --> 00:22:25,510 - And when lewin read about the original suspect, 507 00:22:25,578 --> 00:22:26,777 William marshall... 508 00:22:26,846 --> 00:22:29,781 - My response was, wow! 509 00:22:29,849 --> 00:22:31,448 There's no question this guy did it. 510 00:22:31,517 --> 00:22:35,520 I mean, there is just no doubt whatsoever. 511 00:22:35,588 --> 00:22:38,323 - But did he have enough to prove it? 512 00:22:38,391 --> 00:22:41,191 The job of finding some new evidence 513 00:22:41,260 --> 00:22:44,361 Fell to a detective with an unusual pedigree. 514 00:22:44,430 --> 00:22:46,130 Jim wallace. 515 00:22:46,198 --> 00:22:47,731 - I was in architecture school for a while 516 00:22:47,733 --> 00:22:49,600 And tried, you know, design. 517 00:22:49,602 --> 00:22:50,934 I have a bachelor's degree in design. 518 00:22:51,003 --> 00:22:52,603 - Odd combination. 519 00:22:52,672 --> 00:22:55,539 But actually, it helps, said detective wallace. 520 00:22:55,608 --> 00:22:57,407 - A lot of these cases, this case in particular, 521 00:22:57,477 --> 00:22:58,742 Are very visual. 522 00:22:58,811 --> 00:23:00,811 And I'm inclined in that way. 523 00:23:00,813 --> 00:23:03,014 I see the kind of structure of the space, the crime scene, 524 00:23:03,082 --> 00:23:05,749 And every little detail on the crime scene 525 00:23:05,751 --> 00:23:07,684 Sticks out to me a little more. 526 00:23:07,753 --> 00:23:10,020 - So, wallace looked at the photos 527 00:23:10,022 --> 00:23:12,356 And the fragments of evidence still preserved. 528 00:23:12,425 --> 00:23:13,557 - And I said, wow! 529 00:23:13,626 --> 00:23:15,160 The anomaly in the room is right here. 530 00:23:15,227 --> 00:23:16,960 If I can solve this, 531 00:23:17,029 --> 00:23:18,830 I can probably put the whole thing together. 532 00:23:18,898 --> 00:23:20,230 - The anomaly. 533 00:23:20,299 --> 00:23:21,498 Well, that would be 534 00:23:21,567 --> 00:23:22,901 The puzzling piece of evidence 535 00:23:22,968 --> 00:23:25,769 Which haunted investigators for almost two decades. 536 00:23:25,771 --> 00:23:29,239 That odd oblong hunk of foam. 537 00:23:29,308 --> 00:23:32,509 - I knew it was either going to come from robin, the victim, 538 00:23:32,578 --> 00:23:34,311 Or it's going to come from the suspect in the case. 539 00:23:34,313 --> 00:23:37,114 And once I was comfortable 540 00:23:37,116 --> 00:23:38,483 That this didn't come from robin's purse, 541 00:23:38,551 --> 00:23:39,783 It didn't come from robin's clothing, 542 00:23:39,785 --> 00:23:41,720 It's not part of kentucky fried chicken's restaurant, 543 00:23:41,787 --> 00:23:43,387 It doesn't belong there. 544 00:23:43,389 --> 00:23:46,123 - Which left only one other possibility. 545 00:23:46,125 --> 00:23:47,625 The murderer. 546 00:23:47,693 --> 00:23:49,728 Wallace poured over those pictures 547 00:23:49,795 --> 00:23:51,929 Of the one suspect, marshall, 548 00:23:51,931 --> 00:23:53,397 When he was pulled over by the cops 549 00:23:53,399 --> 00:23:55,332 A few weeks after robin's murder, 550 00:23:55,401 --> 00:23:58,269 And suddenly a light went on. 551 00:23:58,337 --> 00:24:00,737 - He's wearing his clothing still, of course. 552 00:24:00,806 --> 00:24:03,074 And he's got a pair of work boots. 553 00:24:03,142 --> 00:24:05,343 And his work boots, sure enough, 554 00:24:05,411 --> 00:24:07,011 I can see just enough 555 00:24:07,013 --> 00:24:08,446 From the pants being hiked up 556 00:24:08,514 --> 00:24:09,813 That I think, whoa, 557 00:24:09,882 --> 00:24:11,148 I wonder if these are the kind of work boots 558 00:24:11,217 --> 00:24:13,150 That have that big fat-- and I thought, 559 00:24:13,152 --> 00:24:14,351 It couldn't be. It couldn't be. 560 00:24:14,420 --> 00:24:16,820 - Could it be the foam? 561 00:24:16,822 --> 00:24:19,289 Wallace rushed down to the evidence storage room 562 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:22,160 And searched for the box with william marshall's boots inside. 563 00:24:22,228 --> 00:24:24,462 And amazingly, after two decades 564 00:24:24,530 --> 00:24:29,132 They were still there in a plastic container, intact. 565 00:24:29,201 --> 00:24:30,868 - And sure enough, when I pulled them out, 566 00:24:30,870 --> 00:24:35,505 One of the boots had the brown leather casing 567 00:24:35,575 --> 00:24:39,042 For that part of the boot that was so worn 568 00:24:39,111 --> 00:24:41,813 That the foam was missing from the casing. 569 00:24:41,881 --> 00:24:43,080 - Come on! 570 00:24:43,148 --> 00:24:44,582 - When I'm sitting there looking at the shoe, 571 00:24:44,650 --> 00:24:47,184 I got to tell you, there was a tingle for sure 572 00:24:47,253 --> 00:24:48,586 Up the back of my neck. 573 00:24:48,654 --> 00:24:51,156 - Wallace thought he had hit the jackpot. 574 00:24:51,223 --> 00:24:53,891 The foam from the kfc appeared to match 575 00:24:53,959 --> 00:24:56,760 The remaining foam in william marshall's boot. 576 00:24:56,829 --> 00:24:59,130 Even the color and curvature looked identical. 577 00:24:59,198 --> 00:25:01,798 That foam, he thought, must have fallen 578 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:02,933 From marshall's boot 579 00:25:02,935 --> 00:25:04,935 Right at the scene of the murder. 580 00:25:05,004 --> 00:25:09,573 Wallace rushed the news to assistant d.A. John lewin. 581 00:25:09,643 --> 00:25:13,744 - I could have looked at the foam for six years, 582 00:25:13,746 --> 00:25:17,347 Those shoes, and I never would have put that together. 583 00:25:17,349 --> 00:25:19,951 Ever. But, you know, jim saw it 584 00:25:20,019 --> 00:25:22,553 And then we took it to the fbi. 585 00:25:22,555 --> 00:25:24,821 - The fbi crime lab in virginia 586 00:25:24,890 --> 00:25:27,024 Where the foam from marshall's boot 587 00:25:27,093 --> 00:25:29,826 And the foam from the kfc would be compared 588 00:25:29,895 --> 00:25:31,629 To confirm they matched. 589 00:25:31,631 --> 00:25:34,364 It was obvious to the detective that they did. 590 00:25:34,433 --> 00:25:37,768 The test really was just a legal routine. 591 00:25:37,836 --> 00:25:39,436 No problem. 592 00:25:39,505 --> 00:25:42,239 - I can remember getting the call from the fbi analyst 593 00:25:42,308 --> 00:25:44,174 Because my expectation was... - Yeah? 594 00:25:44,243 --> 00:25:45,909 - ...She is going to tell us item match. 595 00:25:45,911 --> 00:25:50,113 - And it was like a needle going through a balloon. 596 00:25:50,182 --> 00:25:51,581 There was a problem. 597 00:25:51,651 --> 00:25:53,250 - She was not willing to say-- 598 00:25:53,319 --> 00:25:55,319 "I can't say with any certainty this is the same-- 599 00:25:55,387 --> 00:25:56,720 "from the same shoe, because let's face it, 600 00:25:56,789 --> 00:25:58,656 One's got phthalates and one doesn't." 601 00:25:58,724 --> 00:25:59,858 - Phthalates? 602 00:25:59,925 --> 00:26:01,591 What in the world are those? 603 00:26:01,661 --> 00:26:03,061 For one thing they were certainly trouble 604 00:26:03,128 --> 00:26:05,195 For the case against william marshall. 605 00:26:05,264 --> 00:26:08,432 Phthalates are substances using plastics 606 00:26:08,500 --> 00:26:09,933 To make them more flexible and durable 607 00:26:10,002 --> 00:26:13,603 In everything from plastic bags to containers. 608 00:26:13,673 --> 00:26:16,106 If that chemical turned up in the foam on marshall's boots 609 00:26:16,175 --> 00:26:18,609 But not in the foam at the crime scene, 610 00:26:18,611 --> 00:26:21,611 Wouldn't that exclude marshall as a suspect? 611 00:26:21,681 --> 00:26:23,047 The detective protested 612 00:26:23,115 --> 00:26:24,747 The phthalates must have gotten into the boots 613 00:26:24,749 --> 00:26:26,817 Because they had been stored in a plastic container 614 00:26:26,886 --> 00:26:28,151 All those years. 615 00:26:28,220 --> 00:26:30,153 But to the scientists, facts are facts. 616 00:26:30,222 --> 00:26:32,356 All she could say was those two bits of foam 617 00:26:32,424 --> 00:26:35,359 Did not share the same chemical signature. 618 00:26:35,427 --> 00:26:37,761 - To hear her say that, "no, one's got phthalates 619 00:26:37,830 --> 00:26:39,296 "and one doesn't, so I think unless you've got 620 00:26:39,298 --> 00:26:40,832 Some way to explain this, I have to exclude it" 621 00:26:40,899 --> 00:26:45,302 I've got to tell you, it was-it was devastating. 622 00:26:45,304 --> 00:26:47,437 - Not your best day. - Not the best day. 623 00:26:47,439 --> 00:26:49,908 Because it really was the-- the piece that we needed 624 00:26:49,975 --> 00:26:54,111 To do something more than we had from 1984. 625 00:26:54,113 --> 00:26:55,645 And without the connection to that boot, 626 00:26:55,715 --> 00:26:57,515 I don't think we really had a case. 627 00:27:00,787 --> 00:27:03,587 - Investigators make one last-ditch effort 628 00:27:03,589 --> 00:27:05,589 To talk to their suspect. 629 00:27:05,657 --> 00:27:10,561 They track him down here, leading a surprising life. 630 00:27:10,630 --> 00:27:13,731 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 631 00:27:17,202 --> 00:27:25,008 ♪♪ 632 00:27:25,077 --> 00:27:26,611 - The san jacinto mountains, 633 00:27:26,679 --> 00:27:28,679 Just two hours east of los angeles, 634 00:27:28,681 --> 00:27:30,948 Rugged, rural, isolated, 635 00:27:31,016 --> 00:27:33,383 The perfect place to get lost. 636 00:27:33,385 --> 00:27:35,687 It was here that william marshall, 637 00:27:35,754 --> 00:27:40,023 Suspect in the 1984 murder of robin hoynes, had settled. 638 00:27:40,025 --> 00:27:43,994 What was he doing way up here in the wilderness? 639 00:27:44,062 --> 00:27:47,031 - He was a firefighter and worked his way 640 00:27:47,099 --> 00:27:49,699 Up to fire captain here at the station in 2000. 641 00:27:49,769 --> 00:27:51,569 - A fire captain 642 00:27:51,637 --> 00:27:54,105 With the california department of forestry. 643 00:27:54,173 --> 00:27:56,506 According to former chief dale hutchinson, 644 00:27:56,508 --> 00:27:58,842 He was responsible for this station. 645 00:27:58,844 --> 00:28:02,312 By the year 2003, marshall had been here 646 00:28:02,314 --> 00:28:05,048 Almost 15 years, lived quietly 647 00:28:05,117 --> 00:28:08,185 In this rustic community known as mountain center. 648 00:28:08,187 --> 00:28:10,955 People called him bill, respected him, 649 00:28:10,957 --> 00:28:13,323 Trusted him to keep them safe. 650 00:28:13,392 --> 00:28:16,326 - He lived right there at the house right behind you. 651 00:28:16,328 --> 00:28:18,428 - Carrie quinn made friends with marshall 652 00:28:18,430 --> 00:28:20,130 Soon after he moved in. 653 00:28:20,199 --> 00:28:21,398 - And he was a very good person. 654 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:23,200 He was very well respected. 655 00:28:23,269 --> 00:28:26,136 He fit in real well up here on the-on the mountain. 656 00:28:26,205 --> 00:28:29,306 - Back in torrance, the case detectives had revived 657 00:28:29,375 --> 00:28:32,943 After almost 20 years was not fitting together so well. 658 00:28:33,012 --> 00:28:34,978 They had hoped that key piece of evidence, the foam, 659 00:28:34,980 --> 00:28:38,549 Would tie marshall to that long-ago crime scene, 660 00:28:38,617 --> 00:28:41,418 But the lab wouldn't definitively back it up. 661 00:28:41,420 --> 00:28:46,423 Without some break, the case would stall again. 662 00:28:46,492 --> 00:28:48,225 What to do? 663 00:28:48,293 --> 00:28:50,428 Well, it was perhaps a long shot, 664 00:28:50,496 --> 00:28:52,563 But deputy d.A. John lewin had always figured 665 00:28:52,631 --> 00:28:54,165 That the alibi marshal got 666 00:28:54,233 --> 00:28:56,633 From his old girlfriend yvonne hargrove 667 00:28:56,702 --> 00:28:57,968 Was a little shaky. 668 00:28:58,036 --> 00:28:59,904 So, he had an idea. 669 00:28:59,972 --> 00:29:02,906 What if detectives interviewed both yvonne 670 00:29:02,908 --> 00:29:05,843 And marshall on the very same day? 671 00:29:05,845 --> 00:29:09,379 Would they trip themselves up with divergent stories? 672 00:29:09,381 --> 00:29:10,914 - Two teams went out 673 00:29:10,983 --> 00:29:14,452 The day that mr. Marshall was contacted. 674 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:17,721 One team contacted him, and a second team 675 00:29:17,789 --> 00:29:20,457 Went to ohio and contacted her. 676 00:29:20,459 --> 00:29:23,126 - Yvonne was living in cleveland by then. 677 00:29:23,195 --> 00:29:25,595 - And they said, "we need to talk to you 678 00:29:25,664 --> 00:29:29,266 About something that happened 20 years ago." 679 00:29:29,335 --> 00:29:33,271 And my brain went... [whistles] 680 00:29:33,338 --> 00:29:36,207 And I'm like, okay. 681 00:29:36,275 --> 00:29:39,544 So, they tell me they're reopening up the one 682 00:29:39,611 --> 00:29:42,479 About william and the kfc. 683 00:29:42,548 --> 00:29:44,749 They asked me, was he with you? 684 00:29:44,817 --> 00:29:46,884 I said, yes, the whole night. 685 00:29:46,952 --> 00:29:48,753 - All those years later, 686 00:29:48,821 --> 00:29:51,821 Yvonne insisted the story she told then and now 687 00:29:51,891 --> 00:29:54,791 Was absolutely, positively true. 688 00:29:54,793 --> 00:29:58,295 William marshall's alibi remained rock solid. 689 00:29:58,297 --> 00:30:01,431 Meanwhile, 2500 miles away, 690 00:30:01,500 --> 00:30:02,699 High in the mountains, 691 00:30:02,768 --> 00:30:05,702 Detectives pulled up to william marshall's house 692 00:30:05,771 --> 00:30:08,238 Not knowing what to expect. 693 00:30:08,307 --> 00:30:09,373 - But for whatever reason, 694 00:30:09,375 --> 00:30:12,309 He was comfortable enough with us to let us in. 695 00:30:12,311 --> 00:30:14,177 - Things unfolded slowly. 696 00:30:14,246 --> 00:30:16,179 Marshall was cooperative and even-keeled, 697 00:30:16,248 --> 00:30:18,849 Though in full denial of any guilt whatsoever. 698 00:30:30,529 --> 00:30:33,530 - Then detective wallace tried a different approach. 699 00:30:33,599 --> 00:30:36,399 They got talking about shoes. 700 00:30:36,468 --> 00:30:37,901 Why that distinctive wear pattern 701 00:30:37,903 --> 00:30:40,270 On the shoes police seized from marshall 702 00:30:40,339 --> 00:30:41,738 Back when he was first arrested 703 00:30:41,807 --> 00:30:43,741 After the murder at the kfc. 704 00:30:43,809 --> 00:30:46,877 - He did explain to us that his pattern of shoe wear 705 00:30:46,945 --> 00:30:49,146 Was such that he typically wore out his shoes 706 00:30:49,148 --> 00:30:50,213 In this fashion. 707 00:30:50,215 --> 00:30:52,349 He wouldn't untie his shoes to get them off, 708 00:30:52,351 --> 00:30:53,417 He'd just kind of kick them off. 709 00:30:53,419 --> 00:30:55,353 And that rubbing of the heel constantly 710 00:30:55,420 --> 00:30:56,821 Rubbing coming out the shoe 711 00:30:56,889 --> 00:30:58,889 Eventually wears his shoes. 712 00:30:58,957 --> 00:31:02,492 And he actually showed us several pairs of shoes. 713 00:31:02,561 --> 00:31:03,526 - With the backs broken down. 714 00:31:03,595 --> 00:31:05,495 - With the exact same pattern of wear. 715 00:31:05,564 --> 00:31:07,631 - Then detectives surprised marshall. 716 00:31:07,699 --> 00:31:08,899 They revealed the existence 717 00:31:08,901 --> 00:31:11,768 Of that strange piece of foam found at the crime scene. 718 00:31:11,837 --> 00:31:14,838 They told him one of the boots seized from him 719 00:31:14,907 --> 00:31:18,441 Was so worn it was missing the piece of foam. 720 00:31:18,510 --> 00:31:20,711 And the remaining foam in the boot 721 00:31:20,779 --> 00:31:23,280 Seemed to match it just about perfectly. 722 00:31:33,792 --> 00:31:35,259 - The cops asked marshall, 723 00:31:35,327 --> 00:31:38,528 Can we take some pictures of those old worn-out shoes? 724 00:31:38,530 --> 00:31:40,664 But that's when marshall put on the brakes. 725 00:31:54,279 --> 00:31:56,880 - And with that, the interview was over. 726 00:31:56,949 --> 00:31:59,616 Interesting, sure, but usable evidence? 727 00:31:59,685 --> 00:32:02,152 No, none, really. 728 00:32:02,154 --> 00:32:04,488 Back in cleveland, it hadn't gone so well either. 729 00:32:04,556 --> 00:32:06,022 And the cops were wrapping up their meeting 730 00:32:06,091 --> 00:32:07,490 With marshall's former girlfriend, 731 00:32:07,559 --> 00:32:08,626 Yvonne hargrove. 732 00:32:08,694 --> 00:32:10,760 And then just before they left, 733 00:32:10,829 --> 00:32:13,430 Almost as an afterthought, she offered something, 734 00:32:13,499 --> 00:32:15,832 A strange story about william, 735 00:32:15,901 --> 00:32:17,735 About something he said when she picked him up 736 00:32:17,803 --> 00:32:18,969 From the police station 737 00:32:19,037 --> 00:32:21,638 When he was first a suspect in robin's murder. 738 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:23,173 - He's crying and he's saying, 739 00:32:23,242 --> 00:32:24,708 How am I going to get to heaven? 740 00:32:24,710 --> 00:32:25,842 How am I going to get to heaven? 741 00:32:25,911 --> 00:32:26,910 How am I going to get to heaven? 742 00:32:26,979 --> 00:32:29,112 He just keeps saying this over and over and over. 743 00:32:29,181 --> 00:32:31,314 - That's as far as she would offer. 744 00:32:31,383 --> 00:32:34,117 It sounds like, uh, this is a statement made by somebody 745 00:32:34,186 --> 00:32:37,254 Who feared because he had done something. 746 00:32:37,256 --> 00:32:40,391 - Intriguing but not exactly incriminating. 747 00:32:40,459 --> 00:32:42,192 The cops needed more. 748 00:32:42,260 --> 00:32:44,861 So, wallace returned to the fire captain's house, 749 00:32:44,930 --> 00:32:47,331 This time with a search warrant. 750 00:32:47,399 --> 00:32:48,399 - Now, when I got back the second time, 751 00:32:48,467 --> 00:32:50,600 He had gotten rid of all the shoes. 752 00:32:50,602 --> 00:32:52,202 The closet was completely cleaned. 753 00:32:52,204 --> 00:32:54,337 All those shoes were missing. 754 00:32:54,339 --> 00:32:56,007 Now interestingly, on the back porch 755 00:32:56,074 --> 00:32:57,742 He left one pair of shoes, though. 756 00:32:57,809 --> 00:32:59,342 The one pair he didn't get rid of. 757 00:32:59,411 --> 00:33:00,477 And they had the same pattern of wear. 758 00:33:00,479 --> 00:33:02,078 So, I did collect those, as well. 759 00:33:02,147 --> 00:33:03,547 And we used those to demonstrate 760 00:33:03,549 --> 00:33:05,215 That-that william marshall is somebody 761 00:33:05,284 --> 00:33:07,618 Who would wear his shoes this way. 762 00:33:07,686 --> 00:33:10,420 - More circumstantial evidence, but nothing 763 00:33:10,489 --> 00:33:13,657 Definitively connecting william marshall to the crime. 764 00:33:13,659 --> 00:33:15,626 That afterthought from yvonne had been interesting 765 00:33:15,694 --> 00:33:18,762 But really might have meant nothing. 766 00:33:18,764 --> 00:33:20,497 And then back in cleveland, 767 00:33:20,499 --> 00:33:22,365 After the visit from the cops, 768 00:33:22,434 --> 00:33:25,169 Yvonne got to doing a little soul-searching. 769 00:33:26,705 --> 00:33:28,238 - Coming up... 770 00:33:28,306 --> 00:33:31,441 - I know what that thing was on the crime scene floor. 771 00:33:31,443 --> 00:33:32,509 - What was it? 772 00:33:32,577 --> 00:33:36,379 And would she at long last tell the police? 773 00:33:36,381 --> 00:33:39,282 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 774 00:33:53,131 --> 00:33:54,397 - There it sat, 775 00:33:54,466 --> 00:33:57,400 That circumstantial cold case from the 1980s, 776 00:33:57,469 --> 00:33:58,935 So close to being filed 777 00:33:58,937 --> 00:34:03,073 Yet so close to being frozen on a shelf forever. 778 00:34:03,141 --> 00:34:05,342 D.A. John lewin and detective jim wallace 779 00:34:05,344 --> 00:34:07,978 Needed something. Anything. 780 00:34:07,980 --> 00:34:10,547 Just one more piece of solid evidence 781 00:34:10,615 --> 00:34:13,150 So they could charge prime suspect william marshall 782 00:34:13,218 --> 00:34:15,418 With robin hoynes' murder. 783 00:34:15,420 --> 00:34:17,120 But what? 784 00:34:17,189 --> 00:34:19,489 Back in cleveland, ohio after those detectives left, 785 00:34:19,491 --> 00:34:22,360 Yvonne hargrove got to wrestling with her own soul. 786 00:34:22,427 --> 00:34:25,695 She started thinking back deep into her past, 787 00:34:25,764 --> 00:34:27,297 How all those years earlier 788 00:34:27,366 --> 00:34:29,799 William had given her a beating so severe 789 00:34:29,801 --> 00:34:31,835 She thought he'd kill her. 790 00:34:31,904 --> 00:34:34,370 So, she fled and a cold fear set in. 791 00:34:34,439 --> 00:34:37,107 If she said anything, would he come after her? 792 00:34:37,175 --> 00:34:38,708 Finish the job? 793 00:34:38,710 --> 00:34:41,312 After all, she alone knew the story he told her 794 00:34:41,379 --> 00:34:44,714 When he said that time he might never get to heaven. 795 00:34:44,716 --> 00:34:46,449 Dangerous knowledge. 796 00:34:46,451 --> 00:34:48,386 - I was thinking.... 797 00:34:48,453 --> 00:34:51,521 What's going to happen to me. 798 00:34:51,523 --> 00:34:52,790 - Because I know this now. 799 00:34:52,858 --> 00:34:54,657 - Yes, yes. 800 00:34:54,726 --> 00:34:59,462 Does he realize he's put a time bomb in my hand, 801 00:34:59,531 --> 00:35:00,797 And why me? 802 00:35:00,866 --> 00:35:01,798 - Yeah. 803 00:35:01,800 --> 00:35:04,667 - My life could be in danger. 804 00:35:04,736 --> 00:35:07,537 And I'm thinking, what do I do with this? 805 00:35:07,539 --> 00:35:10,340 Of which I did contact an attorney. 806 00:35:10,342 --> 00:35:12,008 - That attorney all those years ago 807 00:35:12,077 --> 00:35:13,543 Told her to say nothing. 808 00:35:13,612 --> 00:35:15,011 Stay out of the investigation. 809 00:35:15,080 --> 00:35:17,348 So, she did, buried it. 810 00:35:17,415 --> 00:35:20,317 But now after that visit from the cops, 811 00:35:20,385 --> 00:35:23,220 The turmoil was back, gut-wrenching as ever. 812 00:35:23,288 --> 00:35:25,222 She needed fresh advice. 813 00:35:25,290 --> 00:35:28,558 - One of the professors that I had was an attorney. 814 00:35:28,627 --> 00:35:33,296 I called him and he said, uh, when they asked you 815 00:35:33,298 --> 00:35:36,834 What happened 20 years ago, did you tell them the truth? 816 00:35:36,902 --> 00:35:38,501 I said, no, sir, I told them 817 00:35:38,570 --> 00:35:41,705 The same story that I told them 20 years ago 818 00:35:41,707 --> 00:35:43,573 But it wasn't the truth. 819 00:35:43,575 --> 00:35:47,577 He said, you know, maybe you should tell the truth. 820 00:35:47,579 --> 00:35:49,380 - So, she picked up the phone 821 00:35:49,447 --> 00:35:51,648 And called the torrance p.D. 822 00:35:51,717 --> 00:35:55,251 - And I said, uh, I have something that you need to know. 823 00:35:55,320 --> 00:35:57,187 What happened 20 years ago 824 00:35:57,255 --> 00:36:00,323 With william being at my house was not true. 825 00:36:00,392 --> 00:36:02,692 He wasn't at my house that night. 826 00:36:02,761 --> 00:36:04,527 - And now, here it was, 827 00:36:04,529 --> 00:36:08,131 The awful secret she'd kept all those years. 828 00:36:08,199 --> 00:36:11,201 - I said, the next thing is, 829 00:36:11,269 --> 00:36:14,404 He killed that lady 830 00:36:14,406 --> 00:36:17,507 And he did not get a dime. 831 00:36:17,576 --> 00:36:18,741 - He did it. 832 00:36:18,810 --> 00:36:20,543 Yvonne was his confessor. 833 00:36:20,545 --> 00:36:23,814 And now she recited it all, every murderous moment 834 00:36:23,882 --> 00:36:26,950 Of that night before Halloween at the kfc. 835 00:36:27,018 --> 00:36:28,486 - Yvonne is a force. 836 00:36:28,553 --> 00:36:32,822 And when she started going, it just sounded credible. 837 00:36:32,824 --> 00:36:36,227 And then, it was supported by the physical evidence we had, 838 00:36:36,294 --> 00:36:38,061 Which she knew nothing about. 839 00:36:38,129 --> 00:36:40,230 - He did tell her that he went out 840 00:36:40,232 --> 00:36:42,099 And he went to a kentucky fried chicken. 841 00:36:42,167 --> 00:36:44,635 He did tell her that he wanted to get the money, 842 00:36:44,703 --> 00:36:46,502 That the employee allowed him in, 843 00:36:46,572 --> 00:36:48,171 But had put the money in the drop box 844 00:36:48,173 --> 00:36:49,873 Or some place you couldn't get the money. 845 00:36:49,941 --> 00:36:52,642 He did tell her that he stabbed this victim. 846 00:36:52,711 --> 00:36:55,111 He did tell her that after he couldn't get the money, 847 00:36:55,113 --> 00:36:56,846 He cut the victim's throat. 848 00:36:56,848 --> 00:36:59,115 - But yvonne wasn't finished coming clean. 849 00:36:59,184 --> 00:37:01,918 There was one more piece of business. 850 00:37:01,920 --> 00:37:03,920 The foam from the crime scene. 851 00:37:03,922 --> 00:37:05,989 She knew instantly what it was 852 00:37:06,057 --> 00:37:07,324 And how it got there. 853 00:37:07,392 --> 00:37:09,525 So did william marshall, she said. 854 00:37:09,594 --> 00:37:11,128 - I guess he looked at his shoes 855 00:37:11,196 --> 00:37:14,430 And all of them had the backs worn off. 856 00:37:14,499 --> 00:37:18,534 So, the most crucial moment of his life, 857 00:37:18,603 --> 00:37:20,404 That's when that little piece of foam 858 00:37:20,472 --> 00:37:23,673 In the back of that boot popped out 859 00:37:23,675 --> 00:37:25,576 And was on the floor. 860 00:37:25,644 --> 00:37:28,544 - The foam, the murder, the cover up. 861 00:37:28,546 --> 00:37:31,948 Yvonne's 20-year secret was finally out. 862 00:37:32,017 --> 00:37:33,416 - When you were telling him those things, 863 00:37:33,485 --> 00:37:35,084 What was going on in your tummy? 864 00:37:35,153 --> 00:37:38,956 - A feeling of relief that I can finally get it out. 865 00:37:39,024 --> 00:37:40,690 - I would think you'd be pretty darn nervous. 866 00:37:40,759 --> 00:37:43,360 - I was. But I was tired. 867 00:37:43,428 --> 00:37:46,363 I was tired of having that in my gut. 868 00:37:46,431 --> 00:37:47,964 I want to be normal again. 869 00:37:48,033 --> 00:37:50,166 I want my life back. 870 00:37:50,235 --> 00:37:53,103 - And then in 2006, up in the san jacinto mountains, 871 00:37:53,172 --> 00:37:56,506 A delegation of policemen arrived at the fire station 872 00:37:56,574 --> 00:37:59,176 Of the popular captain known as bill. 873 00:37:59,244 --> 00:38:01,110 - So, I was totally surprised when we got the word 874 00:38:01,179 --> 00:38:02,378 That he had been arrested. 875 00:38:02,447 --> 00:38:05,248 And even more surprised when we heard what it was for. 876 00:38:05,317 --> 00:38:07,984 Even to this day, I find it hard to believe. 877 00:38:08,053 --> 00:38:10,053 - Word about the arrest traveled fast 878 00:38:10,121 --> 00:38:12,255 To the hoynes' home. 879 00:38:12,257 --> 00:38:13,590 - Very exciting. - Yeah. 880 00:38:13,592 --> 00:38:14,724 - Yeah. - Relief. 881 00:38:14,793 --> 00:38:16,327 It sounds terrible, but thrilling 882 00:38:16,394 --> 00:38:17,661 Because, you know what? 883 00:38:17,729 --> 00:38:19,796 It was the beginning of the ball rolling 884 00:38:19,865 --> 00:38:21,731 That he is going to stay in prison 885 00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:25,134 For the rest of his life and never get out. 886 00:38:25,203 --> 00:38:27,603 - The trial finally began in 2007, 887 00:38:27,672 --> 00:38:30,339 23 years after robin's murder. 888 00:38:30,409 --> 00:38:32,876 William marshall was now 46. 889 00:38:32,944 --> 00:38:36,279 He arrived in court each day carrying a bible. 890 00:38:36,281 --> 00:38:38,349 His troubled youth, early drug addiction, 891 00:38:38,416 --> 00:38:40,884 Brief rap sheet were decades behind him. 892 00:38:40,952 --> 00:38:42,952 This was a man who looked incapable 893 00:38:42,954 --> 00:38:45,088 Of cold-blooded murder. 894 00:38:45,090 --> 00:38:48,491 He said nothing, just watched prosecutor john lewin 895 00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:50,628 Make the case against him. 896 00:38:50,695 --> 00:38:52,762 - William marshall knew, 897 00:38:52,831 --> 00:38:55,833 Before he walked into the restaurant that night, 898 00:38:55,900 --> 00:38:58,034 He knew that robin knew him. 899 00:38:58,036 --> 00:38:59,837 So, he knew that if he was going to do this crime, 900 00:38:59,904 --> 00:39:01,705 He was going to kill her. 901 00:39:01,773 --> 00:39:06,175 So, this was just a heartless, horrific, 902 00:39:06,244 --> 00:39:08,044 Unconscionable crime. 903 00:39:08,046 --> 00:39:10,247 - The motive? Drug money. 904 00:39:10,315 --> 00:39:14,117 Then eliminate the witness, said prosecutor john lewin. 905 00:39:14,185 --> 00:39:16,253 Marshall had been arrested before robin's murder 906 00:39:16,321 --> 00:39:17,987 For possession of pcp, 907 00:39:18,056 --> 00:39:19,689 A man who needed cash, 908 00:39:19,758 --> 00:39:22,525 Who knew, he thought, where to get it. 909 00:39:22,594 --> 00:39:24,994 Then yvonne hargrove told her story, 910 00:39:25,063 --> 00:39:27,330 Looked over at marshall with his bible, 911 00:39:27,399 --> 00:39:29,333 Hadn't seen him in two decades. 912 00:39:29,401 --> 00:39:32,869 - I wanted to walk over to him 913 00:39:32,937 --> 00:39:35,405 And say, you hurt me. 914 00:39:35,407 --> 00:39:38,141 You not only hurt this family, but you hurt me. 915 00:39:38,210 --> 00:39:39,443 But I wasn't allowed. 916 00:39:39,511 --> 00:39:42,612 So, once I gave my testimony, 917 00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:45,082 I guess you could say it was a done deal. 918 00:39:45,150 --> 00:39:48,018 - Two days later, the jury agreed. 919 00:39:48,086 --> 00:39:52,155 They found william marshall guilty of first-degree murder. 920 00:39:52,223 --> 00:39:55,092 He was sentenced to life in prison. 921 00:39:55,160 --> 00:39:58,562 - I always knew he was going to pay for what he did, 922 00:39:58,630 --> 00:40:00,096 But I'm mean enough that I wanted to see him 923 00:40:00,165 --> 00:40:01,632 Pay here on earth. 924 00:40:01,699 --> 00:40:04,100 So, I hope he lives to be 100 925 00:40:04,102 --> 00:40:07,104 And he spends a lot of years in that little 6x9 cell. 926 00:40:08,706 --> 00:40:11,642 - Robin deserved to see justice. 927 00:40:13,178 --> 00:40:15,445 And, you know, it's true that the trial 928 00:40:15,513 --> 00:40:20,116 Didn't bring her back, but now... 929 00:40:20,118 --> 00:40:23,853 Robin's murderer is accountable. 930 00:40:23,922 --> 00:40:25,522 - And there was someone else who had been worried 931 00:40:25,590 --> 00:40:28,257 About accountability, the woman who traded shifts 932 00:40:28,326 --> 00:40:31,060 With robin on the day she was murdered. 933 00:40:31,129 --> 00:40:32,662 She believed all those years 934 00:40:32,730 --> 00:40:35,465 That the family blamed her for it. 935 00:40:35,533 --> 00:40:39,436 And now, finally learned that she was wrong. 936 00:40:39,504 --> 00:40:42,873 - I remember her mom said something to me, 937 00:40:45,744 --> 00:40:47,677 That robin was a nice person 938 00:40:47,746 --> 00:40:50,346 And that's why she changed hours with me. 939 00:40:50,415 --> 00:40:53,616 And she said, and I believe you're a nice person, too, 940 00:40:53,685 --> 00:40:56,019 And you would have done the same thing. 941 00:40:56,021 --> 00:40:59,088 And that just-- that changed everything then. 942 00:40:59,157 --> 00:41:02,225 Because I thought, you know, she's right, I would have. 943 00:41:02,293 --> 00:41:04,827 I would have changed hours, too. 944 00:41:04,829 --> 00:41:06,395 - How did it feel to be absolved 945 00:41:06,464 --> 00:41:09,365 By that family that-that day? 946 00:41:09,434 --> 00:41:14,137 - Um, they never, ever blamed me in any way. 947 00:41:16,307 --> 00:41:18,509 - And for yvonne hargrove, the woman who, in the end, 948 00:41:18,576 --> 00:41:20,643 Finally did the right thing? 949 00:41:20,712 --> 00:41:23,981 Did the hoynes family harbor any resentment toward her 950 00:41:24,048 --> 00:41:27,250 For not coming forward so many years earlier? 951 00:41:27,252 --> 00:41:29,987 - I can't remember if it was her older sister, 952 00:41:30,054 --> 00:41:31,988 But one of them looked at me 953 00:41:32,057 --> 00:41:35,191 And she gave me a-a little smile. 954 00:41:35,260 --> 00:41:37,995 And that was enough to let me know 955 00:41:38,062 --> 00:41:40,863 I'm okay with them. 956 00:41:40,865 --> 00:41:45,601 They sent me a thank you card of their gratitude. 957 00:41:45,670 --> 00:41:48,004 It made me feel good. 958 00:41:48,073 --> 00:41:51,274 And I think about the young lady because-- 959 00:41:53,545 --> 00:41:58,214 I keep that in memories of her 960 00:41:58,216 --> 00:42:01,617 And I'm so sorry that happened to her. 961 00:42:01,686 --> 00:42:03,686 - Just a few weeks after the trial, 962 00:42:03,688 --> 00:42:06,289 It was Halloween once again. 963 00:42:06,357 --> 00:42:10,093 The always dreaded anniversary of robin's death. 964 00:42:10,095 --> 00:42:12,095 But that year? 965 00:42:12,097 --> 00:42:14,163 - My mom says, well, I guess we need to buy 966 00:42:14,232 --> 00:42:16,166 Some Halloween candy. 967 00:42:16,234 --> 00:42:20,170 You know, that might not sound like very much to anyone, 968 00:42:20,238 --> 00:42:23,106 But that is like huge. 969 00:42:23,174 --> 00:42:24,573 I-- you know? 970 00:42:24,643 --> 00:42:26,109 And we did. 971 00:42:26,111 --> 00:42:28,377 And, you know, we do hand out candy now. 972 00:42:28,446 --> 00:42:33,382 And, um, just things that you can't even imagine 973 00:42:33,451 --> 00:42:36,053 Change in ways that seem very small 974 00:42:36,120 --> 00:42:37,788 But really are monumental. 975 00:42:40,592 --> 00:42:41,724 - That's all for this edition 976 00:42:41,793 --> 00:42:44,126 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 977 00:42:44,195 --> 00:42:46,730 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.