1
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<i> [dramatic music]</i>

2
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

3
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- Hi, everyone, I'm dan abrams,
and this is "courtcam."

4
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- You ready to take the plea?
[group shouting]

5
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- [bleep] you!

6
00:00:18,285 --> 00:00:19,684
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

7
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- I killed
all you [bleep] [bleep].

8
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- I hope you die in prison
as well.

9
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

10
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<i> - First up, we're in</i>
<i> volusia county, florida,</i>

11
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<i> For the arraignment</i>
<i> of 33-year-old</i>

12
00:00:34,435 --> 00:00:36,635
<i> Xavier cummings.</i>

13
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<i> He's been charged with escape,</i>

14
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<i> Fleeing and attempting</i>
<i> to elude,</i>

15
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<i> Armed burglary of a dwelling,</i>

16
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<i> Two counts of possession of</i>
<i> a weapon by a convicted felon,</i>

17
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<i> Two counts of grand theft</i>
<i> of firearms,</i>

18
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<i> And two counts of grand theft</i>
<i> of a motor vehicle.</i>

19
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

20
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<i> So how did he rack up</i>
<i> that laundry list of crimes?</i>

21
00:00:55,523 --> 00:00:57,990
<i> Just watch and see.</i>

22
00:01:01,862 --> 00:01:03,529
<i> This cruiser</i>
<i> is not being driven</i>

23
00:01:03,731 --> 00:01:06,598
<i> By an officer in pursuit.</i>

24
00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:07,800
<i> It's actually xavier cummings</i>

25
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<i> Behind the wheel</i>
<i> of a stolen police unit.</i>

26
00:01:16,410 --> 00:01:18,209
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

27
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<i> - Cummings stole the cruiser</i>
<i> after police confronted him</i>

28
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<i> While responding to a</i>
<i> disturbance call</i>

29
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<i> In a nearby motel,</i>

30
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<i> And he hasn't looked back.</i>

31
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

32
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<i> Officers try a pit maneuver</i>
<i> by bumping his rear end,</i>

33
00:01:29,957 --> 00:01:32,824
<i> But cummings is able</i>
<i> to steer out of it.</i>

34
00:01:32,893 --> 00:01:34,560
<i> - Every unit behind us,</i>
<i> stop traffic.</i>

35
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<i> We got plenty up here.</i>

36
00:01:36,830 --> 00:01:38,563
<i> - Seconds later,</i>
<i> another bump</i>

37
00:01:38,632 --> 00:01:40,832
<i> At over 100 miles an hour</i>

38
00:01:40,901 --> 00:01:43,235
<i> Sends him spinning</i>
<i> off the highway.</i>

39
00:01:43,304 --> 00:01:43,769
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

40
00:01:43,837 --> 00:01:44,770
<i> - 10-3. 10-3.</i>

41
00:01:44,972 --> 00:01:47,972
<i> Someone just pit him</i>
<i> into the woods.</i>

42
00:01:48,041 --> 00:01:49,974
<i> - Car in the woods.</i>
<i> Can't see the driver.</i>

43
00:01:50,043 --> 00:01:53,245
<i> - Air one does not have eyes</i>
<i> on the suspect.</i>

44
00:01:53,314 --> 00:01:55,180
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

45
00:01:55,382 --> 00:01:57,916
<i> - More officers arrive on the</i>
<i> scene, including a k-9 unit,</i>

46
00:01:57,985 --> 00:02:01,386
<i> As the team prepares</i>
<i> to approach the vehicle.</i>

47
00:02:01,454 --> 00:02:02,988
<i> - Heads up.</i>

48
00:02:03,057 --> 00:02:04,589
<i> He's trying to drive the car</i>
<i> out of the woods.</i>

49
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<i> - Outnumbered and outgunned,</i>

50
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<i> It appears cummings will have</i>
<i> no choice but to surrender.</i>

51
00:02:10,330 --> 00:02:11,863
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

52
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<i> But apparently</i>
<i> no one told him that.</i>

53
00:02:15,402 --> 00:02:16,401
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

54
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<i> Cummings can be seen here</i>
<i> making a break for it.</i>

55
00:02:19,406 --> 00:02:21,006
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

56
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<i> Right to the driver's seat</i>
<i> of another police unit.</i>

57
00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:28,279
[siren wailing]

58
00:02:28,348 --> 00:02:30,983
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

59
00:02:32,552 --> 00:02:34,953
<i> Nope. Not kidding.</i>

60
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<i> And just like that,</i>
<i> he's on the road again.</i>

61
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<i> - Follow that car.</i>
<i> He's got another car.</i>

62
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

63
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<i> - Up the interstate,</i>
<i> more officers are staged</i>

64
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<i> And prepare to deploy</i>
<i> a spike strip.</i>

65
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

66
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<i> The officer's toss</i>
<i> is perfectly timed,</i>

67
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<i> And after running over</i>
<i> to the spike strip,</i>

68
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<i> Cummings car begins</i>
<i> slowing down.</i>

69
00:03:02,249 --> 00:03:06,185
<i> - Okay, vehicle is smoking</i>
<i> going into the inside lane.</i>

70
00:03:06,387 --> 00:03:08,052
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

71
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<i> - All right, he's breaking</i>
<i> for the median, guys.</i>

72
00:03:08,855 --> 00:03:10,989
<i> He's breaking of the median.</i>

73
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<i> - But now as officers</i>
<i> prepare to engage cummings</i>

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<i> For a second time,</i>
<i> they have a new concern.</i>

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00:03:24,405 --> 00:03:25,937
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

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<i> With cummings now</i>
<i> possibly having access</i>

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<i> To police weapons</i>
<i> inside the vehicle,</i>

78
00:03:29,943 --> 00:03:33,011
<i> The situation continues</i>
<i> to escalate.</i>

79
00:03:37,017 --> 00:03:39,217
<i> As three officers</i>
<i> approach the suv...</i>

80
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

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<i> They find cummings facedown</i>
<i> outside the vehicle.</i>

82
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[siren wailing]

83
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<i> For the 60-mile cross-county</i>
<i> high-speed chase,</i>

84
00:03:50,097 --> 00:03:52,431
<i> Xavier cummings was hit</i>
<i> with a litany of charges,</i>

85
00:03:52,499 --> 00:03:54,098
<i> Including escape</i>

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<i> And two counts of grand theft</i>
<i> of a motor vehicle.</i>

87
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

88
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<i> But cummings has just</i>
<i> one question.</i>

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- No bond or nothing?

90
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<i> - But before the judge</i>
<i> can answer...</i>

91
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<i> Cummings gets the last word.</i>

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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

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<i> Xavier cummings is currently</i>
<i> being held without bond</i>

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<i> While he waits trial.</i>

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- Help! Help!

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[shouting indistinctly]

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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

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<i> - Next, we head</i>
<i> to burlington, vermont,</i>

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<i> For the trial of james burke.</i>

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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

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<i> The 51-year-old was charged</i>
<i> with sexual assault</i>

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<i> For allegedly drugging</i>
<i> and raping</i>

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<i> A 21-year-old homeless woman</i>
<i> in his mobile home.</i>

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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

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<i> The incident occurred</i>
<i> six years earlier,</i>

106
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<i> But burke's accused</i>
<i> by the state</i>

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<i> Of deliberately stalling</i>
<i> the legal process</i>

108
00:05:01,634 --> 00:05:02,901
<i> By, among other things,</i>

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<i> Filing more than</i>
<i> 150 pretrial motions.</i>

110
00:05:06,307 --> 00:05:08,173
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

111
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<i> Once the trial begins, burke,</i>
<i> who's representing himself,</i>

112
00:05:11,979 --> 00:05:13,578
<i> Continues to disrupt</i>
<i> the proceedings</i>

113
00:05:13,646 --> 00:05:15,013
<i> With loud outbursts...</i>

114
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<i> And wild accusations.</i>

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- This is the most corrupt
state's attorney

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In the country.

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♪ ♪

118
00:05:23,457 --> 00:05:24,523
<i> - On the stand,</i>

119
00:05:24,591 --> 00:05:25,857
<i> Burke continues to attempt</i>
<i> his bullying tactics</i>

120
00:05:25,925 --> 00:05:28,726
<i> By attacking</i>
<i> the victim's testimony.</i>

121
00:05:28,795 --> 00:05:30,995
- That was
a complete fabrication

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00:05:31,064 --> 00:05:35,734
To back up this bogus
date rape drug allegation,

123
00:05:35,803 --> 00:05:37,935
Which is, you know,
off the wall.

124
00:05:38,004 --> 00:05:40,138
<i> - Burke then doubles down</i>
<i> on his defense</i>

125
00:05:40,206 --> 00:05:43,542
<i> That the sex with the</i>
<i> 21-year-old was consensual.</i>

126
00:05:43,744 --> 00:05:45,076
- I was rubbing her shoulder

127
00:05:45,145 --> 00:05:46,745
And giving her a backrub and
stuff, and--and, you know,

128
00:05:46,947 --> 00:05:49,214
This is just to break the ice
with her

129
00:05:49,282 --> 00:05:52,818
To see if she would resist me,
because if she was going to,

130
00:05:52,886 --> 00:05:54,619
I was gonna stop
and not mess with her.

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To see if she would resist me.

132
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<i> ♪ ♪</i>

133
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<i> - And, finally, burke mentions</i>
<i> how he'll go about</i>

134
00:06:00,094 --> 00:06:01,826
<i> Collecting evidence</i>
<i> should he ever find himself</i>

135
00:06:01,895 --> 00:06:04,829
<i> In the same position</i>
<i> in the future.</i>

136
00:06:04,898 --> 00:06:05,696
- I'm going to get myself
a video camera,

137
00:06:05,766 --> 00:06:07,032
And from now on,
you know, I got--

138
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I got, like I said, an address
book full of girlfriends,

139
00:06:10,236 --> 00:06:12,571
And they're going to be
secretly videotaped from now on

140
00:06:12,639 --> 00:06:14,439
Just to cover my [bleep].

141
00:06:14,507 --> 00:06:16,908
[person groans]

142
00:06:16,977 --> 00:06:18,643
<i> - Now with the jury</i>
<i> done deliberating,</i>

143
00:06:18,712 --> 00:06:20,778
<i> Burke enters the courtroom,</i>

144
00:06:20,847 --> 00:06:21,979
<i> Toting a box</i>
<i> of legal documents</i>

145
00:06:22,048 --> 00:06:27,051
<i> Emblazoned with the message</i>
<i> "100% innocent."</i>

146
00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,988
<i> And as the judge calls</i>
<i> for the jury's verdict...</i>

147
00:06:35,128 --> 00:06:37,996
<i> He takes a moment</i>
<i> to straighten his signage</i>

148
00:06:38,198 --> 00:06:40,798
<i> And then seemingly appears</i>
<i> to smirk with confidence</i>

149
00:06:40,867 --> 00:06:43,201
<i> As the big moment</i>
<i> finally arrives.</i>

150
00:06:43,403 --> 00:06:45,003
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

151
00:06:57,150 --> 00:06:59,684
<i> Burke seems a bit confused</i>
<i> by the verdict at first</i>

152
00:06:59,752 --> 00:07:02,988
<i> And then refuses to accept it.</i>

153
00:07:18,305 --> 00:07:19,437
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

154
00:07:19,506 --> 00:07:21,039
<i> Five months later,</i>

155
00:07:21,107 --> 00:07:22,774
<i> Burke is back in front</i>
<i> of judge matthew katz,</i>

156
00:07:22,843 --> 00:07:25,910
<i> This time,</i>
<i> to learn his sentence.</i>

157
00:07:25,979 --> 00:07:30,015
- The sentence is 18
to 20 years to serve--

158
00:07:33,987 --> 00:07:34,786
<i> - Burke's outburst</i>
<i> in the background,</i>

159
00:07:34,855 --> 00:07:36,921
<i> Gets him removed</i>
<i> from the courtroom,</i>

160
00:07:36,990 --> 00:07:39,390
<i> But not before he gets in a</i>
<i> few choice words</i>

161
00:07:39,459 --> 00:07:40,992
<i> For judge katz.</i>

162
00:07:47,334 --> 00:07:49,000
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

163
00:07:49,202 --> 00:07:51,002
<i> - James burke would</i>
<i> later appeal his conviction,</i>

164
00:07:51,204 --> 00:07:54,939
<i> But it was denied</i>
<i> by the vermont supreme court.</i>

165
00:07:55,008 --> 00:07:57,675
<i> Burke's earliest chance</i>
<i> for release is 2031,</i>

166
00:07:57,744 --> 00:08:00,212
<i> When he would be 71 years old.</i>

167
00:08:00,414 --> 00:08:05,483
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

168
00:08:05,552 --> 00:08:07,886
- That hurts! That hurts!

169
00:08:07,954 --> 00:08:09,487
<i> - On a previous episode</i>
<i> of "courtcam,"</i>

170
00:08:09,556 --> 00:08:11,155
<i> We featured this story</i>

171
00:08:11,224 --> 00:08:14,960
<i> Showing an unruly defendant</i>
<i> being taken down and tased</i>

172
00:08:15,028 --> 00:08:18,363
<i> By two sedgwick county,</i>
<i> kansas, deputies.</i>

173
00:08:18,565 --> 00:08:20,098
[person screaming]

174
00:08:21,234 --> 00:08:24,035
<i> One of those officers</i>
<i> was brett seacat.</i>

175
00:08:24,104 --> 00:08:26,571
<i> At the time, he was praised</i>
<i> for his quick action</i>

176
00:08:26,639 --> 00:08:28,506
<i> Subduing the defendant.</i>

177
00:08:28,575 --> 00:08:31,109
[indistinct shouting]

178
00:08:31,177 --> 00:08:33,844
<i> But seven years later,</i>
<i> he's back in the courtroom</i>

179
00:08:33,914 --> 00:08:36,314
<i> Wearing a different</i>
<i> kind of uniform.</i>

180
00:08:36,382 --> 00:08:38,049
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

181
00:08:38,117 --> 00:08:39,918
<i> Seacat was found guilty</i>
<i> of first-degree murder</i>

182
00:08:39,987 --> 00:08:42,787
<i> And aggravated arson</i>
<i> for shooting and killing</i>

183
00:08:42,990 --> 00:08:46,658
<i> His 34-year-old wife,</i>
<i> vashti seacat,</i>

184
00:08:46,860 --> 00:08:47,592
<i> Then setting their house</i>
<i> on fire</i>

185
00:08:47,794 --> 00:08:50,194
<i> As part of a cover-up scheme.</i>

186
00:08:50,264 --> 00:08:53,064
<i> The prosecution claimed the</i>
<i> murder plot was put in motion</i>

187
00:08:53,133 --> 00:08:56,267
<i> Just days after vashti seacat</i>
<i> filed for divorce.</i>

188
00:08:56,336 --> 00:08:57,936
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

189
00:08:58,004 --> 00:09:00,137
<i> Brett seacat</i>
<i> maintained his innocence,</i>

190
00:09:00,206 --> 00:09:02,607
<i> Claiming his wife had actually</i>
<i> set fire to their home</i>

191
00:09:02,676 --> 00:09:05,744
<i> Before taking her own life.</i>

192
00:09:05,946 --> 00:09:07,878
<i> The jury, however,</i>
<i> did not buy it.</i>

193
00:09:07,948 --> 00:09:11,749
- Count one,
murder in the first degree--

194
00:09:11,818 --> 00:09:14,286
We, the jury,
find the defendant,

195
00:09:14,488 --> 00:09:15,753
Brett t. Seacat,

196
00:09:15,822 --> 00:09:19,290
Guilty of murder
in the first degree.

197
00:09:19,359 --> 00:09:21,559
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

198
00:09:21,628 --> 00:09:23,962
<i> - Now at sentencing...</i>

199
00:09:24,030 --> 00:09:26,230
- Mr. Seacat, if you would
stand please, sir.

200
00:09:26,300 --> 00:09:27,832
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

201
00:09:27,900 --> 00:09:30,168
<i> - When given a chance</i>
<i> to speak,</i>

202
00:09:30,370 --> 00:09:33,705
<i> 37-year-old seacat begins a</i>
<i> nearly 20-minute dissertation,</i>

203
00:09:33,774 --> 00:09:36,507
<i> Systematically attacking</i>
<i> members</i>

204
00:09:36,577 --> 00:09:37,575
<i> Of the victim's family,</i>

205
00:09:37,644 --> 00:09:40,779
<i> Beginning with her father.</i>

206
00:09:40,847 --> 00:09:42,113
- Glen forrest, you took
the podium

207
00:09:42,181 --> 00:09:44,782
And addressed the entire
courtroom as vashti's father,

208
00:09:44,851 --> 00:09:48,253
But you have never been
vashti's father,

209
00:09:48,321 --> 00:09:49,787
Ever.

210
00:09:49,856 --> 00:09:51,856
I spent 19 years
trying to protect vashti

211
00:09:51,924 --> 00:09:55,526
From the damage
that family had done.

212
00:09:55,595 --> 00:09:57,128
And in the end, I failed.

213
00:09:57,330 --> 00:10:01,799
<i> - Next, he singles out his</i>
<i> brother-in-law in the gallery.</i>

214
00:10:01,868 --> 00:10:05,203
- He talks about
his beloved sister...

215
00:10:05,272 --> 00:10:07,872
But...

216
00:10:07,941 --> 00:10:11,009
He never treated her
like a beloved sister.

217
00:10:11,678 --> 00:10:14,946
See, vashti--vashti told me

218
00:10:15,015 --> 00:10:18,749
What he did to her
when she was 22 years old--

219
00:10:18,818 --> 00:10:20,285
- Your honor,
I'm going to object.

220
00:10:20,353 --> 00:10:23,488
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

221
00:10:23,556 --> 00:10:25,223
It's inappropriate.

222
00:10:25,291 --> 00:10:28,626
This is supposed to be his time
to speak about his actions,

223
00:10:28,695 --> 00:10:30,895
And I think this is improper.

224
00:10:31,098 --> 00:10:33,164
<i> - Judge larry solomon agrees</i>
<i> to put an end</i>

225
00:10:33,366 --> 00:10:37,101
<i> To seacat's disparaging claims</i>
<i> against the victim's family.</i>

226
00:10:37,170 --> 00:10:41,105
<i> But after redirecting him,</i>
<i> he becomes the new target.</i>

227
00:10:41,174 --> 00:10:43,908
- I understand, even though
I'm the one being sentenced,

228
00:10:43,977 --> 00:10:46,177
This is not--this day
does not belong to me.

229
00:10:46,246 --> 00:10:49,781
This day was meant for people
who made sure it would happen.

230
00:10:49,850 --> 00:10:52,383
This day belongs to you,
judge solomon.

231
00:10:52,452 --> 00:10:54,852
This is your day.

232
00:10:54,921 --> 00:10:56,520
This is the day you get
to take your place

233
00:10:56,589 --> 00:10:58,122
In front of the cameras

234
00:10:58,191 --> 00:11:01,860
And pass sentence on a man
you worked so hard to convict.

235
00:11:02,062 --> 00:11:03,661
Go ahead and pass the sentence
that you hope

236
00:11:03,730 --> 00:11:06,130
Will get the biggest headline.

237
00:11:06,199 --> 00:11:07,598
Go ahead and pass sentence
you think will land you a spot

238
00:11:07,667 --> 00:11:09,667
On the kansas supreme court.

239
00:11:09,736 --> 00:11:10,801
Go ahead and pass the sentence

240
00:11:10,870 --> 00:11:14,673
That guarantees
your spot in hell...

241
00:11:14,875 --> 00:11:15,740
Because the sentence
you believe

242
00:11:15,809 --> 00:11:16,675
Will profit you most
in this life

243
00:11:16,877 --> 00:11:19,210
Is going to damn you
in the next.

244
00:11:19,412 --> 00:11:20,278
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

245
00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,947
<i> - Seacat may have gotten</i>
<i> in some verbal shots,</i>

246
00:11:23,150 --> 00:11:26,885
<i> But it's judge solomon</i>
<i> who gets the final say.</i>

247
00:11:26,953 --> 00:11:30,888
- Your guilt in this case
was overwhelming.

248
00:11:30,957 --> 00:11:34,426
Evidence to support
your defense of suicide

249
00:11:34,628 --> 00:11:36,494
Was totally unbelievable

250
00:11:36,563 --> 00:11:38,496
And virtually unsupported

251
00:11:38,565 --> 00:11:41,899
By any credible evidence.

252
00:11:41,968 --> 00:11:44,769
Your statement
this morning confirms to me

253
00:11:44,837 --> 00:11:47,505
That you live
in some sort of...

254
00:11:47,707 --> 00:11:51,009
Bizarre alternate reality.

255
00:11:52,646 --> 00:11:55,513
It bears zero reality

256
00:11:55,715 --> 00:11:58,983
To the case that was tried

257
00:11:59,052 --> 00:12:03,654
And the evidence that was
presented in this matter.

258
00:12:03,723 --> 00:12:04,723
And we do know that you thought

259
00:12:04,925 --> 00:12:06,991
You were smarter
than law enforcement.

260
00:12:07,060 --> 00:12:08,860
You thought you were smarter
than fire officials.

261
00:12:09,062 --> 00:12:12,463
And you thought you were
smarter than 12 jurors

262
00:12:12,532 --> 00:12:14,532
Who heard this case.

263
00:12:14,601 --> 00:12:16,000
And in the end, of course,

264
00:12:16,068 --> 00:12:19,136
We know that you weren't
smarter than any of them.

265
00:12:19,205 --> 00:12:23,808
One of the victim's family
asked me to show you no mercy,

266
00:12:24,010 --> 00:12:27,679
And I don't intend
to show you any mercy.

267
00:12:27,881 --> 00:12:31,215
You didn't show vashti
any mercy.

268
00:12:31,284 --> 00:12:33,885
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

269
00:12:33,953 --> 00:12:36,020
<i> - And with that,</i>
<i> judge solomon hands down</i>

270
00:12:36,088 --> 00:12:39,891
<i> The maximum allowable sentence</i>
<i> on all charges,</i>

271
00:12:39,959 --> 00:12:42,293
<i> Totaling 31 years</i>
<i> to life in prison.</i>

272
00:12:42,361 --> 00:12:44,028
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

273
00:12:44,097 --> 00:12:47,498
- You mentioned the spotlight
had been on this case

274
00:12:47,567 --> 00:12:49,901
For quite some time.

275
00:12:49,969 --> 00:12:53,304
The spotlight wasn't on me,
mr. Seacat.

276
00:12:53,506 --> 00:12:54,305
It was on you.

277
00:12:54,373 --> 00:12:56,707
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

278
00:12:56,777 --> 00:13:01,245
And now, thankfully,
it goes out.

279
00:13:01,314 --> 00:13:07,318
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

280
00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:08,853
<i> [dramatic music]</i>

281
00:13:08,921 --> 00:13:11,522
<i> - Next, we go</i>
<i> to cleveland, ohio,</i>

282
00:13:11,591 --> 00:13:12,991
<i> For a bond hearing.</i>

283
00:13:13,059 --> 00:13:17,128
<i> The defendant is 32-year-old</i>
<i> antonio swanson.</i>

284
00:13:17,197 --> 00:13:19,864
<i> He's been charged with ten</i>
<i> felonies, including murder,</i>

285
00:13:20,066 --> 00:13:23,067
<i> Aggravated murder,</i>
<i> and attempted murder.</i>

286
00:13:23,136 --> 00:13:27,005
<i> Swanson allegedly shot</i>
<i> and killed his half sister</i>

287
00:13:27,073 --> 00:13:31,075
<i> Willnita hill over a dispute</i>
<i> involving a car.</i>

288
00:13:31,144 --> 00:13:33,611
<i> The defendant also took aim</i>
<i> at hill's boyfriend</i>

289
00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:36,547
<i> As well as his own father.</i>

290
00:13:36,616 --> 00:13:38,550
<i> Both men were uninjured.</i>

291
00:13:38,752 --> 00:13:39,751
<i> Swanson's a repeat offender</i>

292
00:13:39,953 --> 00:13:43,955
<i> With convictions</i>
<i> dating back to 2006.</i>

293
00:13:44,024 --> 00:13:45,823
<i> He's making his first</i>
<i> court appearance today</i>

294
00:13:45,892 --> 00:13:48,226
<i> In front of judge</i>
<i> suzan sweeney.</i>

295
00:13:48,295 --> 00:13:49,293
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

296
00:13:49,362 --> 00:13:51,829
<i> As he lumbers forward,</i>
<i> swanson begins making</i>

297
00:13:51,898 --> 00:13:54,565
<i> Seemingly</i>
<i> nonsensical comments.</i>

298
00:13:54,634 --> 00:13:57,001
- Good morning, mr. Torres

299
00:13:59,305 --> 00:14:00,004
Sir...

300
00:14:01,775 --> 00:14:03,975
I'm gonna ask
that you be quiet.

301
00:14:04,044 --> 00:14:07,011
<i> - Then he begins making</i>
<i> remarks about his bond.</i>

302
00:14:12,652 --> 00:14:14,986
- Thank you.
Mr. Torres.

303
00:14:19,459 --> 00:14:20,725
- November 7th.

304
00:14:20,927 --> 00:14:22,527
<i> - As the prosecutor,</i>
<i> jose torres,</i>

305
00:14:22,595 --> 00:14:23,995
<i> Goes over the case,</i>

306
00:14:24,064 --> 00:14:27,131
<i> The defendant makes</i>
<i> a series of hand gestures.</i>

307
00:14:27,334 --> 00:14:31,068
<i> Then he challenges the state</i>
<i> to increase his bond amount.</i>

308
00:14:31,137 --> 00:14:34,005
- The state will ask for
a $5 million bond in this case.

309
00:14:41,548 --> 00:14:42,747
In regards to the bond

310
00:14:42,949 --> 00:14:44,983
And the threats
to the prosecutor--

311
00:15:22,389 --> 00:15:24,521
- Sir, sir...

312
00:15:24,590 --> 00:15:25,857
<i> - The judge then decides</i>

313
00:15:26,059 --> 00:15:29,193
<i> To go beyond</i>
<i> the state's requested bond.</i>

314
00:15:29,396 --> 00:15:30,862
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

315
00:15:30,930 --> 00:15:32,730
- Actually, sir,
based on your requests,

316
00:15:32,799 --> 00:15:37,335
This bond's going
to be $15 million,

317
00:15:37,537 --> 00:15:39,003
Cash or surety.

318
00:15:41,408 --> 00:15:42,873
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

319
00:15:42,943 --> 00:15:43,875
<i> - A few weeks later,</i>
<i> swanson is brought</i>

320
00:15:44,077 --> 00:15:46,811
<i> To a different court</i>
<i> for his arraignment.</i>

321
00:15:47,013 --> 00:15:48,812
- Mr. Swanson, have you
received a copy

322
00:15:48,881 --> 00:15:50,882
Of your indictment now?
- Yes, sir.

323
00:15:50,950 --> 00:15:52,816
- Have you had a chance
to look at it?

324
00:15:52,885 --> 00:15:55,085
- It's ridiculous, sir.
- No, no, no.

325
00:15:55,154 --> 00:15:58,623
The question was, did you have
a chance to look at it?

326
00:15:58,691 --> 00:16:00,992
Do you want to enter a plea?

327
00:16:02,896 --> 00:16:04,629
Okay, well,
I will enter your plea

328
00:16:04,697 --> 00:16:05,963
Of not guilty at this time.

329
00:16:06,032 --> 00:16:07,498
Not guilty by reason
of insanity by court rule

330
00:16:07,567 --> 00:16:09,099
Has to be in writing.

331
00:16:09,168 --> 00:16:10,835
<i> - Because the case was moved</i>
<i> to a different court.</i>

332
00:16:11,037 --> 00:16:14,171
<i> Swanson will receive</i>
<i> a new bond amount.</i>

333
00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:17,175
- The state of ohio requests
a bond of at least $2 million

334
00:16:17,243 --> 00:16:19,977
For this defendant based on
the heinousness of the acts

335
00:16:20,046 --> 00:16:22,846
That he committed in this case
against his sister

336
00:16:22,915 --> 00:16:24,983
And his father
and another individual.

337
00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:28,319
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

338
00:16:28,521 --> 00:16:29,988
- I don't care.

339
00:16:30,723 --> 00:16:31,989
- At the court's discretion.

340
00:16:32,058 --> 00:16:35,860
- $2 million bond is set,
cash, surety, or property.

341
00:16:35,929 --> 00:16:37,995
Sir, your first pretrial's
a week from today

342
00:16:38,064 --> 00:16:40,999
On the 25th of November
at 9:00 a.M., all right?

343
00:16:42,935 --> 00:16:46,270
Okay. Thank you very much.
Have a good day.

344
00:16:46,338 --> 00:16:49,007
<i> - Swanson's case was assigned</i>
<i> to the mental health docket.</i>

345
00:16:49,209 --> 00:16:51,275
<i> He's currently in the county</i>
<i> jail awaiting trial.</i>

346
00:16:51,344 --> 00:16:56,748
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

347
00:16:56,950 --> 00:16:58,683
<i> - Next, we're</i>
<i> in houston, texas,</i>

348
00:16:58,751 --> 00:17:00,284
<i> In the trial of susan wright.</i>

349
00:17:00,352 --> 00:17:02,019
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

350
00:17:02,088 --> 00:17:03,821
<i> The 27-year-old housewife</i>
<i> and mother of two</i>

351
00:17:03,890 --> 00:17:05,890
<i> Was charged</i>
<i> with first-degree murder</i>

352
00:17:05,959 --> 00:17:08,492
<i> After she admitted</i>
<i> to stabbing her husband</i>

353
00:17:08,561 --> 00:17:10,894
<i> More than 190 times</i>

354
00:17:10,963 --> 00:17:13,230
<i> And burying his body</i>
<i> in their backyard.</i>

355
00:17:13,299 --> 00:17:14,966
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

356
00:17:15,034 --> 00:17:16,633
<i> Wright's defense team</i>
<i> argued the murder</i>

357
00:17:16,702 --> 00:17:19,503
<i> Was an act of self-defense--</i>

358
00:17:19,572 --> 00:17:20,838
<i> The culmination of years</i>

359
00:17:20,907 --> 00:17:23,041
<i> Of alleged</i>
<i> physical and mental abuse</i>

360
00:17:23,243 --> 00:17:25,843
<i> She says she suffered</i>
<i> at the hands of her husband.</i>

361
00:17:26,045 --> 00:17:30,581
- He threw her down,
grabbed her by the arms,

362
00:17:30,649 --> 00:17:31,782
And began punching her,

363
00:17:31,851 --> 00:17:35,052
And he kicked her
with his bare feet.

364
00:17:35,121 --> 00:17:36,520
<i> - The prosecution, however,</i>
<i> claimed the killing</i>

365
00:17:36,589 --> 00:17:38,523
<i> Was motivated by money--</i>

366
00:17:38,725 --> 00:17:40,658
<i> Specifically her husband's</i>

367
00:17:40,860 --> 00:17:42,860
<i> $200,000</i>
<i> life insurance policy.</i>

368
00:17:42,928 --> 00:17:46,663
- This case is not
about self-defense.

369
00:17:46,732 --> 00:17:50,001
This case is about selfishness.

370
00:17:50,203 --> 00:17:52,803
<i> - During the trial,</i>
<i> lurid details were revealed</i>

371
00:17:52,872 --> 00:17:55,072
<i> That on the night</i>
<i> of the murder,</i>

372
00:17:55,141 --> 00:17:57,875
<i> Wright seduced her husband</i>
<i> with the promise of sex</i>

373
00:17:57,944 --> 00:18:00,478
<i> And tied him to the bed</i>
<i> using neckties</i>

374
00:18:00,547 --> 00:18:02,413
<i> And a bathrobe sash.</i>

375
00:18:02,615 --> 00:18:04,615
- Jeffrey was nude.

376
00:18:04,684 --> 00:18:06,550
He had all of his clothes off.

377
00:18:06,619 --> 00:18:07,952
The evidence will show you

378
00:18:08,020 --> 00:18:12,022
That susan wright
lit candles in the bedroom.

379
00:18:12,091 --> 00:18:14,625
<i> - Those candles were then</i>
<i> used to drip hot wax</i>

380
00:18:14,694 --> 00:18:17,027
<i> On jeffrey wright's genitals.</i>

381
00:18:17,097 --> 00:18:20,431
<i> Then, the prosecution argued,</i>
<i> the sadistic play</i>

382
00:18:20,633 --> 00:18:22,633
<i> Soon turned deadly.</i>

383
00:18:22,702 --> 00:18:24,035
<i> Wright grabbed a hunting knife</i>

384
00:18:24,237 --> 00:18:27,171
<i> And began stabbing her husband</i>
<i> in the neck and head</i>

385
00:18:27,239 --> 00:18:29,307
<i> With enough force to break off</i>
<i> the tip of the blade.</i>

386
00:18:29,375 --> 00:18:31,976
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

387
00:18:32,044 --> 00:18:35,046
<i> But even in a case</i>
<i> full of graphic details,</i>

388
00:18:35,114 --> 00:18:38,115
<i> The prosecution dropped</i>
<i> the ultimate bombshell</i>

389
00:18:38,184 --> 00:18:41,251
<i> With the introduction</i>
<i> of state's evidence number 56.</i>

390
00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:42,720
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

391
00:18:42,922 --> 00:18:45,523
<i> The actual</i>
<i> bloodstained mattress</i>

392
00:18:45,725 --> 00:18:47,257
<i> From the wrights' bedroom.</i>

393
00:18:47,326 --> 00:18:49,927
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

394
00:18:50,129 --> 00:18:53,063
<i> Then in front of</i>
<i> an already stunned courtroom,</i>

395
00:18:53,133 --> 00:18:55,933
<i> Prosecuting attorney</i>
<i> kelly siegler has a colleague</i>

396
00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:59,804
<i> Tied to the bed</i>
<i> and then climbs on top of him</i>

397
00:19:00,006 --> 00:19:02,006
<i> To assume the position</i>
<i> of susan wright.</i>

398
00:19:07,013 --> 00:19:09,613
<i> Just feet away</i>
<i> from the live demonstration,</i>

399
00:19:09,682 --> 00:19:11,281
<i> Wright can be seen sobbing.</i>

400
00:19:11,350 --> 00:19:13,751
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

401
00:19:13,820 --> 00:19:15,219
<i> And after</i>
<i> an eight-day trial...</i>

402
00:19:15,288 --> 00:19:16,554
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

403
00:19:16,623 --> 00:19:18,289
<i> Jurors reached a verdict.</i>

404
00:19:18,357 --> 00:19:19,757
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

405
00:19:19,826 --> 00:19:21,425
- We, the jury,
find the defendant,

406
00:19:21,628 --> 00:19:22,492
Susan lucille wright,

407
00:19:22,562 --> 00:19:25,896
Guilty of murder
as charged in the indictment.

408
00:19:25,965 --> 00:19:28,032
<i> - The victim's brother</i>
<i> and sister-in-law</i>

409
00:19:28,101 --> 00:19:30,568
<i> Would get custody</i>
<i> of the couple's two children.</i>

410
00:19:30,636 --> 00:19:32,970
<i> And later at sentencing,</i>

411
00:19:33,038 --> 00:19:35,039
<i> The victim's father</i>
<i> tearfully recounted</i>

412
00:19:35,241 --> 00:19:38,442
<i> The horror his son suffered</i>
<i> the night of his murder.</i>

413
00:19:38,511 --> 00:19:40,011
- It's unbelievable.

414
00:19:41,781 --> 00:19:44,582
I mean, how can a human being

415
00:19:44,651 --> 00:19:47,718
Do what she did to my son...

416
00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:50,655
Stab him in the eyeballs
when he's awake?

417
00:19:50,857 --> 00:19:54,325
[sobbing]
he did believe, he did,

418
00:19:54,394 --> 00:19:57,128
That she's evil.

419
00:19:57,196 --> 00:19:59,930
<i> - Susan wright was sentenced</i>
<i> to 25 years in prison</i>

420
00:19:59,999 --> 00:20:02,934
<i> For the first-degree murder</i>
<i> of her husband.</i>

421
00:20:03,136 --> 00:20:05,936
<i> Her sentence would later</i>
<i> be reduced to 20 years.</i>

422
00:20:06,005 --> 00:20:10,674
<i> And in 2020,</i>
<i> after serving just 16 of them,</i>

423
00:20:10,743 --> 00:20:13,211
<i> Wright was released on parole.</i>

424
00:20:13,413 --> 00:20:14,145
<i> ♪ ♪</i>

425
00:20:14,347 --> 00:20:15,746
That's it for this edition
of "courtcam."

426
00:20:15,948 --> 00:20:18,215
I'm dan abrams.
Thanks for watching.

427
00:20:18,284 --> 00:20:22,987
<i> ♪ ♪</i>