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(thunder rumbling)
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00:00:13,514 --> 00:00:15,514
Reporter: Police say
this 27-year-old man was killed
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Sometime between 2:00
and 6:30 this morning.
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00:00:18,577 --> 00:00:20,352
When his bloodied body
was discovered,
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The door to room 42
was wide open.
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Tonight, police want to know
more about the woman
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Who checked into this motel
with the man found murdered.
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Michelle ashley:
My friend keith
came in town to see me.
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I was excited because I hadn't
seen him in a while.
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We went to a hotel
for a couple hours,
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00:00:43,377 --> 00:00:46,045
And that's when four guys
rushed into the room.
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That was when keith got shot.
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Robert harris:
The state's theory is that
michelle is the mastermind,
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That she set it all up.
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If they do achieve a conviction
for felony murder,
she will die in prison.
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I feel like I'm the scapegoat.
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They are painting me
as a monster.
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It's not about the truth
and who actually
committed this murder,
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But it's about
who can we pin this on
to close this case?
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Harris: My name is rob harris.
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I represent michelle ashley
on a charge
of first-degree murder.
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This is a crime
that occurred in 1997.
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Uh, so it is a cold case
by definition.
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This case has been reopened
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Because after 25 years,
new evidence has come forward
against michelle ashley.
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Harris: Back in July 1997,
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Michelle was working
as a stripper
at the lookers nightclub.
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An old friend of michelle's,
keith jones,
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Came into town
to visit her that night.
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Apparently,
he was flush with cash.
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They made arrangements
to go to the tides motel
to catch up, to kinda hang out,
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And afterwards
michelle goes back to the club.
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It's at that time
when keith jones called michelle
and asked her to come back.
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Michelle got taken back
to the hotel
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By a couple of people
from the club.
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Less than an hour later,
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Michelle says those two men,
along with two other men,
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Burst in the room,
guns drawn, to rob keith jones.
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And keith jones
got shot and killed.
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They then grabbed michelle,
took her out of the hotel room
into their car,
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And when the men release her,
they warn her,
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If she talks,
they're gonna kill her.
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Despite that,
the very same day
she called the police,
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And told them
that she had information
about this homicide.
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00:03:04,018 --> 00:03:07,093
They listened to her
and they believed her.
46
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However, the case was dropped
for lack of evidence.
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It became a cold case.
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Detectives went out
into the streets,
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They let it be known
that they were looking
for information
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About michelle ashley.
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She was now a target.
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New evidence and new witnesses
have come forward
against michelle.
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We haven't received
all the discovery yet,
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But we know that they believe
it's enough to charge her
with first-degree murder.
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The state does not believe
that michelle ashley
pulled the trigger,
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But it doesn't matter.
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Their theory is that michelle
is the mastermind
behind this robbery,
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That she set it all up.
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00:03:53,809 --> 00:03:56,735
And in florida,
like many other jurisdictions,
there's the felony murder rule.
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If you're committing a felony,
such as a robbery
or a drug sale,
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And someone gets killed
during that felony,
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You're liable
for first-degree murder
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Because it was foreseeable
that violence and death
would occur.
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If they do achieve a conviction
for felony murder,
she will die in prison.
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I believe
that the state of florida
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Is trying to prosecute
an innocent witness and victim
with a charge of murder
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When the actual killers
are still roaming
the streets free.
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Ashley: Everything changed
when I was arrested for murder.
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It has affected
my life drastically.
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I sat in jail for a year
away from my family.
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I lost my good job.
I lost my vehicle.
I lost my home.
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It has changed
my life completely.
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I feel like I'm the scapegoat.
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It's not about the truth
and who actually
committed this murder,
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00:05:17,376 --> 00:05:21,320
But it's about
who can we pin this on
to close this case?
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I think that they judged me
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Because
I was a dancer back then.
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I was only a dancer
for three weeks.
I was young and I was naive.
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People should judge me
on who I really am,
I'm a mother.
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They made such a big deal
about me being a stripper.
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It's such a minor part
of my 43 years of life.
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I had known keith
for a little over five years.
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We met through his sister
and we just clicked
and became very good friends.
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So to accuse me
of something like that,
it's horrendous.
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I have been to church
with that family,
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I have eaten dinner
with that family.
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My worst fear is that
people think I'm a monster.
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And then I have to worry
about this case.
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You know, am I going to prison
for something I did not do?
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You know, um...
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It's just... It's a lot.
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So today I'm going to meet
michelle ashley.
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She is charged with
first-degree felony murder,
so she's in big trouble.
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(doorbell chimes)
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The stakes are huge.
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00:07:01,997 --> 00:07:05,173
Her version of the events
is what our defense
is going to be.
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Her whole life depends
on her story.
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So you're charged with
first-degree felony murder,
punishable by life in prison.
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It's obviously vitally important
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-That we get ahead of this.
-Ashley: Hmm.
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So why don't we start out
by you giving me
just an overview
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Of what happened that day.
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I was working
at a local strip club, lookers,
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And my friend keith
came in town to see me.
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I hadn't seen him
for a long time.
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How did you know keith?
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I met him through his sister
who was a friend of mine.
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He was a good friend to me.
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He was somebody
that I could talk to
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And he was a good person.
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He was getting dances from me
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And he wanted to go to a hotel
for a couple hours.
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We talked a little, we had sex
and I went back to the club.
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Later, keith called
and asked me to come back again.
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How did you get back
to the hotel?
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Jamal. A friend of mine
from the club gave me a ride.
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And what'd you do
when you were in the room?
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Uh, we were talking.
Time had passed
and I was gonna leave.
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We were waiting on the cab,
and that's when
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The four guys
rushed into the room.
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Did you know any of these guys?
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Two of them I knew
from the club.
Rich and jamal.
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-Did you know the other guys?
-No.
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So, did you know jamal well?
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Jamal was a guy
that I was seeing
for a couple of weeks.
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We slept together
a couple of times.
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(sighs heavily)
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So you were sleeping
with one of the men
who burst in the room?
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Yes.
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Okay. Well, that's not good.
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Clearly, this gives the state
a theory here, right?
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That you were
romantically involved
with one of the men
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And they're gonna say
that you were
in league with him.
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Right.
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00:09:00,207 --> 00:09:02,766
Okay. And then what happened?
136
00:09:02,859 --> 00:09:07,045
They were, like,
going through our things,
arguing with keith.
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00:09:07,272 --> 00:09:10,698
The big guy,
I think his name is geronimo.
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I didn't know him at the time.
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He kind of grabbed me
and pushed me against a wall.
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And then I heard the...
141
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It was not like a shot,
it was like a knock.
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And I guess
that was when they shot him.
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After that,
the big guy snatched me.
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00:09:32,072 --> 00:09:33,646
They all jumped in a car
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00:09:33,740 --> 00:09:36,132
And the big guy
just put me in a car
with them.
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I remember just thinking
I was gonna die.
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I was thinking
they were gonna hurt me.
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They told me
not to tell anybody,
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And I, of course,
said okay.
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Immediately, when I came home,
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I saw the news
and that's when I knew
that he was dead.
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At that point,
I called the police
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And I did tell them
who the guys were
that were involved.
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Okay.
155
00:10:01,009 --> 00:10:03,918
I was cooperative
with the detectives.
156
00:10:03,937 --> 00:10:07,330
Um, they treated me
like a victim.
157
00:10:07,349 --> 00:10:09,332
They were acting
like you were someone
158
00:10:09,351 --> 00:10:10,850
Who could help them
solve this crime.
159
00:10:10,944 --> 00:10:12,944
-Correct.
-Okay.
160
00:10:22,122 --> 00:10:24,013
Fast forward to 2019.
161
00:10:24,032 --> 00:10:26,366
There is no new evidence
against the four men.
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00:10:26,460 --> 00:10:29,869
They weren't prosecuted in 1997
for lack of evidence.
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00:10:29,963 --> 00:10:32,872
They aren't being prosecuted now
because of the same problem.
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00:10:33,024 --> 00:10:36,450
However, new witnesses
have come forward.
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00:10:36,470 --> 00:10:40,121
People claiming
you're the mastermind
or planned the robbery.
166
00:10:40,140 --> 00:10:43,791
So the state's trying
to make it look like
you organized this.
167
00:10:43,885 --> 00:10:46,311
Did you organize this?
Did you plan this in any way?
168
00:10:46,538 --> 00:10:47,704
No.
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00:10:47,722 --> 00:10:49,389
Although,
we're just delving into it,
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There's one thing I know,
and that's that I believe you.
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00:10:53,803 --> 00:10:57,046
I do believe in michelle.
I mean, I believe everything
she's saying,
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00:10:57,065 --> 00:10:58,990
But one of our hurdles
of course,
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00:10:59,142 --> 00:11:01,475
Is that michelle was actually
having a sexual relationship
174
00:11:01,569 --> 00:11:04,570
With one of the men she accuses
of being the real killers.
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00:11:04,665 --> 00:11:07,056
That obviously
is the state's theory here.
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00:11:07,075 --> 00:11:10,001
She had these relationships,
she was at the club,
she was in the hotel,
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00:11:10,153 --> 00:11:13,413
She was in the room
when keith was killed.
178
00:11:13,565 --> 00:11:16,323
And I'm very concerned
that the jury
will hold her accountable
179
00:11:16,418 --> 00:11:18,584
Just because there's a dead man
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00:11:18,737 --> 00:11:19,844
And they want to see someone
pay a price.
181
00:11:30,857 --> 00:11:32,982
Ashley: That looks
like a beyonce move
right there.
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00:11:33,935 --> 00:11:35,860
(laughs heartily)
183
00:11:47,023 --> 00:11:48,022
Oh! (exclaiming in pain)
184
00:11:48,041 --> 00:11:49,666
(all laughing)
185
00:11:51,770 --> 00:11:53,360
Ashley: We're at
my mother's house,
186
00:11:53,380 --> 00:11:55,714
And usually on the weekends
we just kinda hang out.
187
00:12:04,558 --> 00:12:06,391
Okay, so are you gonna show me
the new cheers?
188
00:12:07,043 --> 00:12:08,727
Teetee: Okay.
189
00:12:08,954 --> 00:12:13,398
Teetee's growing up super-fast.
Too fast.
190
00:12:13,549 --> 00:12:17,068
-That's about the only part
I could do!
-(both laugh)
191
00:12:17,220 --> 00:12:19,738
Ashley: It's funny
to see the difference
that a year can make.
192
00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:23,742
Oh, you made that up?
I like it.
193
00:12:26,972 --> 00:12:29,489
When I see her,
I see a young lady.
194
00:12:29,641 --> 00:12:33,493
You know, when I left,
she was a little girl.
195
00:12:33,645 --> 00:12:36,755
Being away from me,
in some ways,
she had to grow up.
196
00:12:38,166 --> 00:12:40,333
She cleans up now.
197
00:12:40,485 --> 00:12:43,744
You know,
I was still cleaning her room
before I went to jail.
198
00:12:43,764 --> 00:12:47,414
It makes me happy to see that,
but it also makes me sad.
199
00:12:47,509 --> 00:12:52,178
(voice shaking)
because I missed
certain parts of that.
200
00:12:52,330 --> 00:12:54,105
So that that part makes me sad,
201
00:12:54,257 --> 00:12:58,443
But seeing
who she's turning out to be
makes me happy.
202
00:13:01,689 --> 00:13:04,783
It is still fun
that I do get to see her
on the weekends.
203
00:13:04,934 --> 00:13:06,618
Even though
it may not be every day,
204
00:13:06,845 --> 00:13:10,437
I still enjoy the times
I have with her
205
00:13:10,457 --> 00:13:12,957
Because you never know
what's gonna happen.
206
00:13:16,521 --> 00:13:18,538
Ashley: Teetee
is very aware of the situation.
207
00:13:18,632 --> 00:13:20,857
(laughing)
208
00:13:20,950 --> 00:13:25,361
I talked to her about
what we're going to do,
you know, if all goes well,
209
00:13:25,454 --> 00:13:27,138
But I also talked to her about
210
00:13:27,365 --> 00:13:30,383
What I want her to do
if it doesn't.
211
00:13:30,477 --> 00:13:33,719
(singing indistinctly)
212
00:13:33,872 --> 00:13:37,040
Before my trial,
my mother and I will be going.
213
00:13:37,058 --> 00:13:40,944
I will be signing full custody
of teetee over to her.
214
00:13:42,138 --> 00:13:43,655
-Out of breath.
-(both laugh)
215
00:13:46,142 --> 00:13:51,162
That hurts, you know,
because I want her
with me every day.
216
00:13:51,314 --> 00:13:53,832
I want her with me always.
217
00:14:07,572 --> 00:14:08,738
Harris: Michelle's
coming in today.
218
00:14:08,831 --> 00:14:11,182
We're gonna talk
about the detectives
219
00:14:11,409 --> 00:14:13,518
That investigated
this case in 1997.
220
00:14:23,512 --> 00:14:25,755
Detective lawson
made a determination
221
00:14:25,773 --> 00:14:28,424
That he did not think michelle
was involved in this
222
00:14:28,517 --> 00:14:30,869
And that she was a witness.
223
00:14:31,096 --> 00:14:33,204
And detective lewis
went along with that decision
and agreed with it.
224
00:14:41,122 --> 00:14:45,458
So what's changed
from 1997 to now
in terms of the two detectives
225
00:14:45,610 --> 00:14:49,870
Is that detective lewis,
when I took
his deposition recently,
226
00:14:49,964 --> 00:14:51,723
He said something
to the effect
that he believed
227
00:14:51,950 --> 00:14:55,451
That she was complicit
from the get go.
228
00:14:55,470 --> 00:14:58,062
I think there's a couple
of different reasons
that are possible.
229
00:14:58,214 --> 00:15:00,623
You know, he just wants
to be on the prosecution team.
230
00:15:00,642 --> 00:15:03,401
He wants justice for whatever
he thinks is justice.
231
00:15:03,628 --> 00:15:05,311
What's so striking
about it is that
232
00:15:05,463 --> 00:15:08,464
He had every opportunity
for 20-something years
233
00:15:08,483 --> 00:15:11,968
To make that opinion known
in the official channel.
234
00:15:11,986 --> 00:15:13,894
He didn't do any such thing.
235
00:15:13,988 --> 00:15:17,248
He didn't write
any report or statement
for 20-something years.
236
00:15:18,734 --> 00:15:20,919
-Hi, rob.
-Oh, hi, michelle.
237
00:15:23,590 --> 00:15:26,073
Detective lawson
was the lead detective.
238
00:15:26,167 --> 00:15:27,741
-Correct.
-Right?
239
00:15:27,761 --> 00:15:29,761
-He didn't want you arrested.
Point blank.
-Correct.
240
00:15:31,990 --> 00:15:35,433
Now, detective lewis,
on the other hand...
241
00:15:35,660 --> 00:15:37,493
We did a deposition
on detective lewis.
242
00:15:37,586 --> 00:15:42,089
Lewis says
there was a conversation
before the recorded statement
243
00:15:42,183 --> 00:15:46,110
Where he says he believed you
to be guilty the entire time.
244
00:15:46,337 --> 00:15:48,354
Detective lewis
never wrote any sort of report.
245
00:15:48,506 --> 00:15:50,764
Not even a statement,
not even a paragraph.
246
00:15:50,784 --> 00:15:55,119
He's going purely by his memory,
which is dangerous.
247
00:15:56,605 --> 00:16:00,866
What bothers me about it is, um,
248
00:16:01,019 --> 00:16:04,537
The fact that he says
he always thought
I had something to do with it.
249
00:16:04,689 --> 00:16:06,113
Yeah.
250
00:16:06,132 --> 00:16:11,118
If you thought that,
why would you not do your job?
251
00:16:11,137 --> 00:16:15,122
I mean, what kind of detective
takes a lengthy conversation
from an eyewitness to a murder
252
00:16:15,141 --> 00:16:18,201
And doesn't write a darn thing?
Doesn't write a note.
253
00:16:18,219 --> 00:16:22,371
The problem is that I asked him
exactly what you said,
he never really told me.
254
00:16:22,390 --> 00:16:25,299
-He kinda went around the bush.
-Right.
255
00:16:25,318 --> 00:16:30,655
He's gonna come to court
and testify to an interview
that he has no recording of,
256
00:16:30,806 --> 00:16:33,307
That he has
no written statement of,
257
00:16:33,326 --> 00:16:36,052
And he's just gonna
make up what you said.
258
00:16:36,145 --> 00:16:38,721
-Right.
-What ridiculousness is that?
259
00:16:38,814 --> 00:16:40,832
I made a motion to the judge.
260
00:16:41,059 --> 00:16:42,834
I said, "I don't think
he should be able to testify
to any of that statement."
261
00:16:42,985 --> 00:16:47,246
You know, the court cautioned
detective lewis not to testify,
262
00:16:47,398 --> 00:16:49,507
Or cautioned the state
to tell detective lewis
not to testify
263
00:16:49,734 --> 00:16:52,510
-To any opinions or inferences.
-Right.
264
00:16:52,737 --> 00:16:56,180
It has to be straight
what you said.
265
00:16:56,332 --> 00:17:00,243
In discussing detective lewis,
he's got a whole window
where he says
266
00:17:00,336 --> 00:17:04,580
He's interviewing michelle
off camera,
off audio, back in '97.
267
00:17:04,673 --> 00:17:06,673
He can basically say
she said anything.
268
00:17:06,768 --> 00:17:08,526
She killed jimmy hoffa.
269
00:17:08,677 --> 00:17:12,088
There's no ability for us
to refute what he's saying,
270
00:17:12,181 --> 00:17:14,032
Which could be
extremely damaging
271
00:17:14,259 --> 00:17:18,870
Because the whole defense
hinges on michelle being
an innocent victim in '97.
272
00:17:20,281 --> 00:17:21,330
We've got problems.
273
00:17:40,952 --> 00:17:43,469
We're going to lookers, um,
274
00:17:43,621 --> 00:17:48,048
And what we're gonna do
is just kind of
survey the area, right?
275
00:17:48,068 --> 00:17:51,477
This is important for me
to kind of put it
in my mind's eye,
276
00:17:51,629 --> 00:17:52,737
Exactly everything
that happened.
277
00:17:54,557 --> 00:17:57,909
This is the story
from michelle's point of view.
278
00:17:58,060 --> 00:18:00,078
We've got to corroborate
as much as we can
279
00:18:00,305 --> 00:18:01,579
To show
that she was telling the truth.
280
00:18:03,416 --> 00:18:04,415
It's right there.
281
00:18:08,830 --> 00:18:11,831
Harris: Okay.
So take us back to 1997.
282
00:18:11,983 --> 00:18:13,925
-Did you know keith was
going to be there?
-Ashley: Yes.
283
00:18:14,076 --> 00:18:17,077
He was, you know,
a friend of mine.
284
00:18:17,097 --> 00:18:18,671
-And you immediately
saw him at the bar?
-Yes.
285
00:18:18,823 --> 00:18:20,172
All right. What's he doing?
286
00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:22,266
Uh, he was sitting there
with the drink in his hand.
287
00:18:22,418 --> 00:18:24,327
-He was with me all night.
-Okay.
288
00:18:24,345 --> 00:18:27,254
And when you say
he was with you just talking,
you're hanging out?
289
00:18:27,273 --> 00:18:29,332
-Lap dancing?
-Dancing. Yeah.
290
00:18:29,350 --> 00:18:32,335
So he's giving me money.
Twenties and hundreds.
291
00:18:32,353 --> 00:18:33,594
Harris:
Where's he giving you
the money?
292
00:18:33,613 --> 00:18:36,522
Usually I would have
a bag in the back
293
00:18:36,674 --> 00:18:40,359
And I would go and unload
and come back for more.
294
00:18:40,511 --> 00:18:43,362
Okay. So that may have called
some attention to him, right?
295
00:18:43,456 --> 00:18:45,606
-Yes.
-Okay.
296
00:18:45,625 --> 00:18:47,516
How many people
were in the club that night?
What kind of crowd was there?
297
00:18:47,610 --> 00:18:50,628
-Uh, maybe 40.
-Forty customers?
298
00:18:50,855 --> 00:18:52,463
-Forty people altogether, yeah.
-Total?
299
00:18:52,690 --> 00:18:55,299
So word is that
this guy's got some cash.
300
00:18:57,712 --> 00:18:59,303
The prosecution's theory
301
00:18:59,455 --> 00:19:02,365
Is that michelle
was the only one
that knew keith jones had money.
302
00:19:02,383 --> 00:19:07,036
If someone flashed money,
not only would every stripper
in the place know about it,
303
00:19:07,054 --> 00:19:09,221
But every customer in the place
would know about it.
304
00:19:09,374 --> 00:19:11,315
Therefore, everyone had motive
305
00:19:11,467 --> 00:19:12,892
To commit a robbery
against somebody
306
00:19:13,044 --> 00:19:13,818
Flashing that kind of money.
307
00:19:38,236 --> 00:19:40,178
Harris: We found a motel room
that resembled
308
00:19:40,329 --> 00:19:44,423
A typical florida motel room
from 1997.
309
00:19:44,575 --> 00:19:46,350
-Hello.
-Harris: Hi, marie.
310
00:19:46,577 --> 00:19:48,260
It's gonna give me
a great advantage
311
00:19:48,413 --> 00:19:53,316
In explaining
exactly what michelle
was going through to a jury.
312
00:19:54,677 --> 00:19:55,526
Harris: All right.
313
00:19:57,197 --> 00:20:00,606
Okay.
Looks like relatively close.
314
00:20:00,758 --> 00:20:02,533
Marie olsen: Yeah, very good.
Harris: It's okay.
315
00:20:02,685 --> 00:20:05,110
Harris: So, one thing
led to another.
Ashley: Yes.
316
00:20:05,263 --> 00:20:08,614
-Harris: Okay.
And you guys had sex?
-Correct.
317
00:20:08,766 --> 00:20:12,043
We talked for a little bit,
and then he took me back
to lookers.
318
00:20:22,947 --> 00:20:24,889
-So you got in the car
with jamal?
-Yes.
319
00:20:25,116 --> 00:20:27,207
-And who else was in the car?
-Uh, rich.
320
00:20:27,227 --> 00:20:29,635
-Jamal and rich?
-It was jamal and rich.
321
00:20:29,787 --> 00:20:32,063
Anything seem suspicious
with these guys in the car
at that point?
322
00:20:32,290 --> 00:20:33,789
No.
323
00:20:33,808 --> 00:20:35,958
So let's talk about
when you got back here.
324
00:20:35,977 --> 00:20:38,294
You and keith
were making out a little bit,
having some fun?
325
00:20:38,312 --> 00:20:41,888
-Yes.
-And at some point
you call a cab?
326
00:20:41,908 --> 00:20:45,225
Twenty minutes
after I made the call,
327
00:20:45,245 --> 00:20:46,535
That's when...
328
00:20:48,248 --> 00:20:49,914
(voice shaking) ...We heard
the knock at the door.
329
00:20:51,993 --> 00:20:54,377
That's when they rushed in.
330
00:20:56,664 --> 00:20:58,998
Olsen: Who's there first?
Who do you see?
331
00:20:59,150 --> 00:21:00,258
I know, take your time.
332
00:21:01,819 --> 00:21:05,096
I want to say,
rich with the gun.
333
00:21:06,324 --> 00:21:08,248
Um...
334
00:21:08,268 --> 00:21:14,663
I just remember, like,
being pushed into the room.
335
00:21:14,682 --> 00:21:18,425
When I start to scream...
This is when this one
kind of puts me over here.
336
00:21:18,444 --> 00:21:21,261
-Who's doing this?
-The big guy. Geronimo.
337
00:21:21,355 --> 00:21:22,947
He pushes me down here.
338
00:21:24,617 --> 00:21:30,029
I just hear them
arguing with keith
about the money.
339
00:21:30,181 --> 00:21:34,274
(sobbing) I don't think
he would tell them
where it was.
340
00:21:34,294 --> 00:21:36,085
I hear them fighting.
341
00:21:37,872 --> 00:21:41,966
And then it was just the...
It was a gunshot.
342
00:21:43,544 --> 00:21:45,303
-And that's when he snatches me.
-Harris: Who?
343
00:21:45,954 --> 00:21:47,046
The big guy.
344
00:21:47,198 --> 00:21:48,455
-Who was that?
-Geronimo.
345
00:21:48,474 --> 00:21:49,865
Do you have anything
in your hand?
346
00:21:49,884 --> 00:21:52,793
Where is your bag of stuff here?
Your dance bag?
347
00:21:52,812 --> 00:21:54,370
I have no idea.
348
00:21:54,388 --> 00:21:55,871
-Okay. Didn't see it
on the way out?
-I did not.
349
00:21:55,890 --> 00:21:57,206
Now, your shoe.
350
00:21:57,224 --> 00:21:59,208
-My shoe.
-All right.
351
00:21:59,226 --> 00:22:02,486
My speculation
is that at that point,
one of your shoes came off.
352
00:22:02,638 --> 00:22:06,065
Kind of dragging
your feet there.
Does that sound right?
353
00:22:06,217 --> 00:22:11,812
To be honest,
I didn't give a...About shoes
or any of that.
354
00:22:11,831 --> 00:22:14,832
I was worried about
what was going on
355
00:22:14,983 --> 00:22:16,500
And if something
was gonna happen to me.
356
00:22:21,156 --> 00:22:24,917
Harris: When I see her
react like that,
it's real.
357
00:22:25,069 --> 00:22:28,237
This is michelle's truth.
This is a horrible thing
what happened to her.
358
00:22:28,330 --> 00:22:32,091
Michelle ashley leaving her shoe
and her purse
in this hotel room...
359
00:22:32,243 --> 00:22:34,334
It's really the key to the case.
360
00:22:34,354 --> 00:22:36,169
If this was some sort
of concerted effort
361
00:22:36,189 --> 00:22:38,914
To get away
with this robbery and murder,
362
00:22:39,007 --> 00:22:41,433
Why wouldn't the men
have allowed her time
to get her stuff?
363
00:22:41,586 --> 00:22:45,363
What kind of person leaves
their shoe at the crime scene?
A victim!
364
00:23:05,443 --> 00:23:07,443
We just received
discovery from the state
365
00:23:07,536 --> 00:23:09,536
And I'm gonna
have my investigator,
marie olsen, come in
366
00:23:09,555 --> 00:23:11,514
Because there's a new witness
we need to address.
367
00:23:13,876 --> 00:23:18,378
If this witness is compelling,
then the jury might convict
michelle ashley
368
00:23:18,472 --> 00:23:20,122
Just based on their word.
369
00:23:20,141 --> 00:23:21,732
That means a life sentence.
370
00:23:31,226 --> 00:23:33,485
We're gonna watch the interview
of emely bell sanchez now.
371
00:23:33,638 --> 00:23:36,897
She was a friend
of michelle's back in 1997.
372
00:23:36,916 --> 00:23:38,824
So let's have a look
at this video...
373
00:23:38,976 --> 00:23:41,043
-Olsen: Okay.
-...And we'll see what she's got
to add to this case.
374
00:24:00,331 --> 00:24:02,273
Harris: Okay, so this
is the hard part, right?
375
00:24:02,424 --> 00:24:05,091
That's the state's theory
of the case in a nutshell.
376
00:24:05,111 --> 00:24:07,093
If a jury believes
what she just said,
377
00:24:07,113 --> 00:24:09,113
Then michelle's guilty
of felony murder.
378
00:24:09,264 --> 00:24:10,448
That's what we have
to deal with.
379
00:24:10,599 --> 00:24:12,783
If they believe it,
michelle's done.
380
00:24:13,861 --> 00:24:14,952
(detective speaking)
381
00:24:21,869 --> 00:24:23,686
Harris: Well, this obviously
concerns me.
382
00:24:23,779 --> 00:24:25,463
When people have
some emotion behind them,
383
00:24:25,690 --> 00:24:27,189
It makes their statement
more credible.
384
00:24:27,208 --> 00:24:29,525
She is very convincing here.
385
00:24:29,543 --> 00:24:31,969
Harris: She is just damaging
to michelle ashley.
386
00:24:32,120 --> 00:24:35,531
She's the case-in-chief.
387
00:24:35,549 --> 00:24:39,143
Our job, then, is to make her
not so credible.
388
00:24:52,900 --> 00:24:55,067
Sierra!
389
00:24:55,219 --> 00:24:57,161
Do you want to come
and rinse these dishes?
390
00:24:57,312 --> 00:24:58,662
-Sure.
-Thank you.
391
00:25:04,912 --> 00:25:07,671
My daughter sierra,
she's 23 years old.
392
00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:12,325
Sierra and I share a room here,
393
00:25:12,419 --> 00:25:14,678
Which is a little odd,
394
00:25:14,830 --> 00:25:16,922
But we're as comfortable
as we can be
395
00:25:17,016 --> 00:25:19,183
Considering everything that
we're going through right now.
396
00:25:22,021 --> 00:25:25,672
So did they come by to give you
your medication today?
397
00:25:25,691 --> 00:25:27,024
Yeah.
398
00:25:34,182 --> 00:25:35,774
Ashley: About two years ago,
399
00:25:35,926 --> 00:25:38,369
Sierra started being
a little different.
400
00:25:38,596 --> 00:25:40,854
After a few visits
to the hospital,
401
00:25:40,948 --> 00:25:43,432
They found a cyst on her brain.
402
00:25:43,450 --> 00:25:46,192
Right now,
we're fighting to get insurance.
403
00:25:46,212 --> 00:25:49,213
Once she gets the medicaid,
she will be able
404
00:25:49,364 --> 00:25:52,107
To get the surgery
that she needs.
405
00:25:52,126 --> 00:25:56,845
I'm just praying that we can get
this done before I go to trial.
406
00:25:58,949 --> 00:26:00,299
Love you.
407
00:26:00,393 --> 00:26:02,375
Love you more.
408
00:26:02,395 --> 00:26:05,120
Ashley: Impossible.
Sierra: Yes, I do.
409
00:26:05,139 --> 00:26:06,397
Impossible.
410
00:26:09,068 --> 00:26:13,904
My first priority is trying
to get her surgery,
411
00:26:14,056 --> 00:26:17,724
Because I feel
like at least if...
412
00:26:17,743 --> 00:26:21,895
If I was found guilty
for something that I did not do,
413
00:26:21,989 --> 00:26:24,748
I know that she would be able
to take care of herself.
414
00:26:24,975 --> 00:26:28,085
But if she is left
in this condition,
415
00:26:28,236 --> 00:26:29,420
I don't know
what's gonna happen.
416
00:26:40,825 --> 00:26:42,658
Harris: We're on
the brink of the trial,
417
00:26:42,676 --> 00:26:45,344
And my investigator marie olsen
is coming in
418
00:26:45,438 --> 00:26:47,253
With some information
419
00:26:47,348 --> 00:26:50,332
Responsive to a subpoena we sent
to fort myers police department.
420
00:26:50,425 --> 00:26:52,501
It's about emely bell sanchez.
421
00:26:52,519 --> 00:26:55,337
She told me it will blow
the credibility out of the water
422
00:26:55,356 --> 00:26:58,765
For this witness, so I'm anxious
to see what she's found.
423
00:26:58,859 --> 00:27:03,195
So today we should discuss this
paperwork that we have here,
424
00:27:03,289 --> 00:27:08,867
Um, showing emely
being compensated by the state
425
00:27:09,019 --> 00:27:10,777
-For her cooperation.
-Harris: Oh, my gosh.
426
00:27:10,796 --> 00:27:12,630
-That's a lot of money.
-Olsen: It is a lot of money.
427
00:27:14,191 --> 00:27:16,282
What does this
add up to? Some...
428
00:27:16,302 --> 00:27:20,971
-Rough calculation,
over... $12,000!
-(olsen counting)
429
00:27:21,198 --> 00:27:23,641
Uh, do we know who
requested this money?
430
00:27:23,792 --> 00:27:26,385
Oh, the prosecutors in the...
It's to the prosecutor.
431
00:27:26,537 --> 00:27:28,387
Okay, so he knows about it.
432
00:27:28,539 --> 00:27:30,372
Olsen: So he does.
Harris: Okay.
433
00:27:30,391 --> 00:27:33,466
-They're witness
relocation expenses.
-Yeah.
434
00:27:33,486 --> 00:27:35,727
Okay, and the second
document here
435
00:27:35,821 --> 00:27:38,489
Is something that
436
00:27:38,640 --> 00:27:40,807
-I sent you a copy of.
-Olsen: Yes.
437
00:27:40,826 --> 00:27:42,809
Harris: Emely bell
just happened to be added
438
00:27:42,903 --> 00:27:44,403
To a drug court docket.
439
00:27:44,555 --> 00:27:46,722
Drug court meaning
instead of going to trial,
440
00:27:46,740 --> 00:27:48,240
Instead of going to prison,
441
00:27:48,392 --> 00:27:50,726
You get some
drug rehabilitation,
442
00:27:50,744 --> 00:27:53,395
-And you get your
charges dismissed.
-Olsen: Exactly.
443
00:27:53,414 --> 00:27:56,656
I'm not so sure the state wanted
me to know that this happened!
444
00:27:56,676 --> 00:27:59,401
Okay, so it was a good meeting
and I will see you later.
445
00:27:59,420 --> 00:28:00,511
-Good. Thank you.
-Okay.
446
00:28:04,408 --> 00:28:05,741
This evidence is crucial.
447
00:28:05,834 --> 00:28:07,409
The jury really
needs to hear this.
448
00:28:07,502 --> 00:28:09,335
The main witness
against michelle ashley
449
00:28:09,430 --> 00:28:11,079
Is emely belle sanchez.
450
00:28:11,098 --> 00:28:14,416
We now have evidence
that she's been given money,
451
00:28:14,509 --> 00:28:17,194
No conviction,
get out of jail free...
452
00:28:17,421 --> 00:28:18,678
That's what the witness
is getting.
453
00:28:18,698 --> 00:28:20,030
How can you believe
anything she's saying?
454
00:28:28,782 --> 00:28:30,599
Harris: Today's finally the day.
455
00:28:30,692 --> 00:28:33,544
This has been
a long time coming.
456
00:28:33,695 --> 00:28:36,547
I've got an innocent client.
I've got a good case.
457
00:28:36,698 --> 00:28:38,716
But I've got a lot of people
who are lying about michelle.
458
00:28:38,943 --> 00:28:41,367
If she's convicted
by this jury,
459
00:28:41,387 --> 00:28:45,371
She's going to get life,
and never get out of prison.
460
00:28:45,466 --> 00:28:48,142
The stakes are incredibly high.
461
00:29:00,314 --> 00:29:01,387
(dan feinberg speaking)
462
00:29:01,407 --> 00:29:02,406
(judge speaking)
463
00:29:07,654 --> 00:29:10,730
On June 19th, 1997,
464
00:29:10,824 --> 00:29:13,333
Mr. Jones was shot in the head.
465
00:29:14,754 --> 00:29:18,480
Keith jones
was executed that night.
466
00:29:18,499 --> 00:29:22,075
Mr. Jones's wallet
was nowhere to be found,
467
00:29:22,094 --> 00:29:24,762
And whatever cash he had
was missing.
468
00:29:27,099 --> 00:29:31,894
That robbery of keith jones
was set in motion by his friend.
469
00:29:32,679 --> 00:29:34,772
This was a betrayal.
470
00:29:34,999 --> 00:29:37,924
And we'll ask you,
based on the evidence,
471
00:29:37,943 --> 00:29:40,569
To find her so, guilty.
Thank you.
472
00:29:45,934 --> 00:29:49,787
Within 18 hours
of being in that room
473
00:29:50,014 --> 00:29:53,457
And watching a man
that she liked get killed,
474
00:29:53,684 --> 00:29:56,201
She's on tape,
she's on a recording.
475
00:29:56,353 --> 00:29:58,278
She's sworn in
to tell the truth.
476
00:29:58,297 --> 00:30:01,356
And she is scared out
of her mind.
477
00:30:01,449 --> 00:30:03,258
She thinks
she's gonna be killed next.
478
00:30:04,303 --> 00:30:05,969
And despite that,
479
00:30:06,196 --> 00:30:08,305
She told them
who the killers were.
480
00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:13,101
She described each one of them
so they would arrest them!
481
00:30:15,222 --> 00:30:16,563
The police did nothing.
482
00:30:17,632 --> 00:30:18,816
So 25 years later,
483
00:30:19,043 --> 00:30:22,561
We got detectives trying
to remember what she said.
484
00:30:22,655 --> 00:30:25,714
They decided that michelle
was guilty of this.
485
00:30:25,732 --> 00:30:28,383
Michelle ashley
did not set up a robbery,
486
00:30:28,476 --> 00:30:31,053
Did not participate
with four men.
487
00:30:31,146 --> 00:30:32,979
Why would you leave your shoe
488
00:30:32,998 --> 00:30:34,981
If this is
a premeditated robbery?
489
00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:39,419
If you're in on it,
why are you leaving your shoe?
490
00:30:41,081 --> 00:30:42,339
She didn't do this.
491
00:30:43,491 --> 00:30:44,341
Thank you.
492
00:31:17,101 --> 00:31:19,042
Feinberg:
During the pre-interview,
493
00:31:19,194 --> 00:31:24,548
Do you recall that the defendant
gave you three versions
494
00:31:24,775 --> 00:31:27,718
Of what took place
at the tides motel
495
00:31:27,869 --> 00:31:29,219
Per her knowledge?
496
00:31:29,446 --> 00:31:31,054
Detective lewis:
I do remember that, yes.
497
00:31:31,206 --> 00:31:34,141
There are a couple of different
themes in this pre-interview.
498
00:31:46,296 --> 00:31:48,238
In my estimation,
it was a story.
499
00:31:48,465 --> 00:31:52,150
It was not part of the truthful
situation which occurred.
500
00:31:52,244 --> 00:31:54,152
To me, that's highly suspicious.
501
00:31:54,246 --> 00:31:55,370
Thank you, detective.
502
00:31:57,917 --> 00:31:59,732
Detective lewis.
503
00:31:59,826 --> 00:32:01,810
During the pre-interview,
did she implicate herself
in anything?
504
00:32:01,903 --> 00:32:04,162
She certainly put herself
in a position,
505
00:32:04,256 --> 00:32:06,739
She was under high suspicion.
506
00:32:06,759 --> 00:32:09,167
-That's your suspicion?
-Detective lewis: Correct.
507
00:32:09,319 --> 00:32:11,411
I'm asking, what did she say
508
00:32:11,430 --> 00:32:13,505
That made you feel
she was complicit
509
00:32:13,599 --> 00:32:15,933
In the home invasion robbery
during the pre-interview?
510
00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:17,768
I would have to get back
to the themes.
511
00:32:17,995 --> 00:32:19,661
This is the reason
why I filed a motion.
512
00:32:19,754 --> 00:32:21,179
He wants to talk
about themes, judge.
513
00:32:21,273 --> 00:32:23,089
I don't think it's fair.
514
00:32:23,108 --> 00:32:24,757
When the lawyers
ask you a question,
515
00:32:24,851 --> 00:32:26,518
Answer the question.
516
00:32:26,670 --> 00:32:29,838
Don't expand
beyond the question.
517
00:32:29,856 --> 00:32:31,597
It's not your first time
on the witness stand.
518
00:32:31,617 --> 00:32:34,859
Don't give opinions.
Don't talk about themes.
519
00:32:34,954 --> 00:32:37,437
Don't talk about estimations.
520
00:32:37,531 --> 00:32:39,364
I know exactly
what he's doing.
521
00:32:39,458 --> 00:32:43,018
He wants the jury to hear
what he wants them to hear.
522
00:32:43,036 --> 00:32:44,536
And that's wrong.
523
00:32:44,630 --> 00:32:48,023
And that's sandbagging
the defense by the witness.
524
00:32:48,116 --> 00:32:51,026
He's going beyond
what your question is,
525
00:32:51,119 --> 00:32:54,638
And I'm not going
to allow that. Finish.
526
00:32:54,789 --> 00:32:56,056
I appreciate that.
527
00:32:58,460 --> 00:33:00,368
Wouldn't it be nice,
detective lewis,
528
00:33:00,462 --> 00:33:02,204
To have a tape of that statement
529
00:33:02,222 --> 00:33:03,888
So that we could all judge
for ourselves?
530
00:33:03,983 --> 00:33:07,392
We don't have those things
because you didn't record them.
531
00:33:07,486 --> 00:33:08,968
You didn't take notes.
532
00:33:09,062 --> 00:33:11,947
You didn't even bother
to push play on a tape recorder.
533
00:33:13,325 --> 00:33:15,808
No further questions.
534
00:33:15,902 --> 00:33:20,222
I got frustrated,
and so did the judge,
with detective lewis.
535
00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:22,057
He doesn't want
to tell you all the facts.
536
00:33:22,150 --> 00:33:23,408
He wants to tell you
only the facts
537
00:33:23,560 --> 00:33:25,243
That he wants you to know.
538
00:33:25,337 --> 00:33:27,170
It's crazy.
And I hope the jury saw that.
539
00:33:36,423 --> 00:33:39,165
My game plan
is to destroy the state's case.
540
00:33:39,259 --> 00:33:41,426
Their case is weak.
541
00:33:41,578 --> 00:33:44,079
Their case is full of liars
542
00:33:44,172 --> 00:33:47,265
And holes and possibilities.
543
00:33:47,417 --> 00:33:48,692
But today's a big day.
544
00:34:00,113 --> 00:34:03,040
She's the star witness.
She's the key to our case.
545
00:34:03,267 --> 00:34:04,949
She's the key
to putting michelle in prison
546
00:34:05,102 --> 00:34:06,209
For the rest of her life.
547
00:34:08,696 --> 00:34:11,882
Feinberg:
June 19th of 1997.
548
00:34:12,033 --> 00:34:14,459
Had you talked to michelle
549
00:34:14,553 --> 00:34:16,219
About somebody
who was going to visit her?
550
00:34:16,446 --> 00:34:18,296
Yes.
551
00:34:18,390 --> 00:34:21,783
She said that a friend of hers
was coming from daytona
552
00:34:21,876 --> 00:34:23,376
And he had a lot of money,
553
00:34:23,395 --> 00:34:26,396
And, um, she was going
to have him robbed.
554
00:34:29,384 --> 00:34:32,385
Feinberg: Were those, to you,
remarkable conversations?
555
00:34:32,404 --> 00:34:34,404
Yes, they were
life-changing conversations.
556
00:34:36,300 --> 00:34:39,301
She said it wasn't supposed
to happen like that.
557
00:34:39,319 --> 00:34:42,579
If he would've just did
what he was supposed to do,
558
00:34:42,730 --> 00:34:45,231
And just gave 'em the money
and not reach for his gun,
559
00:34:45,250 --> 00:34:46,917
That he would have been
all right.
560
00:34:47,068 --> 00:34:48,418
(ashley speaking, sobbing)
561
00:35:10,109 --> 00:35:11,274
(judge speaking)
562
00:35:20,193 --> 00:35:21,785
Harris: Before you told
the detectives anything
563
00:35:22,012 --> 00:35:25,288
About michelle
being a robber/killer,
564
00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:27,866
Did you tell detectives you were
struggling with addiction?
565
00:35:28,018 --> 00:35:29,793
Yes.
566
00:35:29,944 --> 00:35:32,295
Harris: Did that prompt
the detectives to tell you
567
00:35:32,522 --> 00:35:34,631
That they had resources
to relocate you
568
00:35:34,782 --> 00:35:36,133
If you feel like
you were in danger?
569
00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:37,542
Yes.
570
00:35:37,636 --> 00:35:41,287
Harris: The $12,000
was paid for your rent.
571
00:35:41,381 --> 00:35:43,789
The money you saved by not
having to pay your own rent.
572
00:35:43,809 --> 00:35:45,717
You had extra money for drugs,
did you not?
573
00:35:45,811 --> 00:35:47,218
I might have.
574
00:35:47,371 --> 00:35:48,628
Harris: You said you
didn't gain any benefit
575
00:35:48,647 --> 00:35:50,772
From the state attorney's
office, correct?
576
00:35:51,541 --> 00:35:53,057
Yes.
577
00:35:53,152 --> 00:35:54,317
-You got drug court, correct?
-Sanchez: Yes.
578
00:35:54,544 --> 00:35:57,212
Which is
basically probation. Right?
579
00:35:57,230 --> 00:35:58,804
Yes.
580
00:35:58,824 --> 00:36:01,658
You don't consider it a benefit
to not stay in jail
581
00:36:01,885 --> 00:36:04,310
And get drug rehab
paid for by the state.
582
00:36:04,329 --> 00:36:06,496
You don't see that
as a benefit to you?
583
00:36:06,723 --> 00:36:07,622
No.
584
00:36:13,672 --> 00:36:15,672
Harris: All right,
I'll move on from that.
585
00:36:15,823 --> 00:36:17,399
Were you in person
for any of those
586
00:36:17,417 --> 00:36:20,010
Life-changing conversations
where michelle admitted
587
00:36:20,237 --> 00:36:22,420
Being part
of this robbery to you?
588
00:36:22,572 --> 00:36:23,922
No.
589
00:36:24,016 --> 00:36:26,349
-Harris: They were all
on the phone?
-Yes.
590
00:36:26,501 --> 00:36:28,668
Harris: Where were you when
you called her on the phone?
591
00:36:28,762 --> 00:36:30,261
That I can't recall.
592
00:36:30,414 --> 00:36:31,837
Harris: What time of day was it
593
00:36:31,857 --> 00:36:33,023
-When you called her
on the phone?
-I can't...
594
00:36:33,174 --> 00:36:35,250
I don't remember,
I can't recall.
595
00:36:35,343 --> 00:36:38,695
Would you agree with me
that that's quite
a chilling conversation?
596
00:36:38,922 --> 00:36:41,347
Something that
you would remember,
597
00:36:41,441 --> 00:36:44,367
-And you said it's
a life-changing conversation?
-Yes. Yes.
598
00:36:44,594 --> 00:36:46,870
But you don't remember
where you were
599
00:36:47,097 --> 00:36:48,688
When you were talking
to michelle?
600
00:36:48,707 --> 00:36:51,433
Whether it was morning,
day or night?
601
00:36:51,451 --> 00:36:53,435
No.
602
00:36:53,453 --> 00:36:54,711
Harris: Thank you,
no further questions.
603
00:36:56,122 --> 00:36:58,957
Today was a tough day.
604
00:36:59,051 --> 00:37:00,942
I think we managed
to score some big points
605
00:37:01,035 --> 00:37:03,278
Against emely bell sanchez.
606
00:37:03,296 --> 00:37:06,348
But michelle lost her composure
in court. That cannot happen.
607
00:37:25,151 --> 00:37:29,228
So now comes a time when we have
the final discussion, all right?
608
00:37:29,322 --> 00:37:32,824
It's really tough to tell,
but I feel it went very well.
609
00:37:32,918 --> 00:37:35,326
I don't think there's anything
michelle can add
610
00:37:35,479 --> 00:37:36,995
That's not already
on the record,
611
00:37:37,089 --> 00:37:38,997
That wasn't introduced
in her prior statements.
612
00:37:39,091 --> 00:37:40,832
But the decision
613
00:37:40,984 --> 00:37:43,318
Whether to testify
in your murder case or not
614
00:37:43,336 --> 00:37:45,336
Is 100% up to you, michelle.
615
00:37:45,430 --> 00:37:48,914
I mean, I don't want to
if I don't have to.
616
00:37:49,009 --> 00:37:53,270
He is going to say
a lot of things
that are not true.
617
00:37:53,497 --> 00:37:55,997
And I might not be able
to handle that.
618
00:37:56,016 --> 00:37:58,090
I agree. I think it's...
I think it's dangerous,
619
00:37:58,184 --> 00:38:00,668
That she will not be able
620
00:38:00,762 --> 00:38:03,855
To handle the state's abuse,
621
00:38:04,007 --> 00:38:05,448
Which it's going to be abusive.
622
00:38:05,675 --> 00:38:06,524
-We're of the opinion.
-Ashley: Yeah.
623
00:38:06,676 --> 00:38:07,784
-We're going to rest.
-Yeah.
624
00:38:17,612 --> 00:38:18,962
(judge speaking)
625
00:38:28,956 --> 00:38:31,624
Ladies and gentlemen, if it
went down like she set it up,
626
00:38:31,643 --> 00:38:34,794
It would have probably
gone as an unsolved robbery.
627
00:38:34,813 --> 00:38:38,206
What went wrong here
is he fought back.
628
00:38:38,299 --> 00:38:41,893
Now it's every woman
for herself.
629
00:38:41,987 --> 00:38:46,548
Her actions are inconsistent
with that of a victim.
630
00:38:46,566 --> 00:38:48,658
This was a setup.
631
00:38:48,810 --> 00:38:51,069
The defendant set it up.
632
00:38:51,163 --> 00:38:54,722
We would ask that you
find the defendant guilty
633
00:38:54,816 --> 00:38:57,334
Of felony murder in our case.
634
00:39:05,177 --> 00:39:06,843
Harris: In 1997,
635
00:39:06,994 --> 00:39:09,512
Detective lawson, he believed
her to be telling the truth,
636
00:39:09,739 --> 00:39:12,349
The whole truth,
and nothing but the truth.
637
00:39:12,500 --> 00:39:15,927
She wanted
the four men arrested.
638
00:39:16,079 --> 00:39:19,747
She was helping detective lawson
to do that.
639
00:39:19,841 --> 00:39:22,083
She was the key to the case.
640
00:39:22,176 --> 00:39:26,437
Right now, as she sits here,
641
00:39:26,531 --> 00:39:30,274
She is presumed innocent
until the jury decides
642
00:39:30,427 --> 00:39:32,927
That's not true
because the state
643
00:39:33,020 --> 00:39:36,373
Has overcome that with evidence.
644
00:39:36,600 --> 00:39:38,541
Emely bell sanchez
is their evidence.
645
00:39:38,693 --> 00:39:39,951
That's what they've got.
646
00:39:40,045 --> 00:39:43,046
Her credibility
and her stories are lacking.
647
00:39:43,197 --> 00:39:47,050
Her evidence is not worthy
of beyond a reasonable doubt.
648
00:39:47,201 --> 00:39:49,386
I think you know that.
649
00:39:50,222 --> 00:39:51,554
Thank you.
650
00:39:58,063 --> 00:40:02,306
It's very scary to have
the jury deciding my fate.
651
00:40:02,401 --> 00:40:05,810
It's very scary
because they don't know me.
652
00:40:05,904 --> 00:40:10,055
Um, they don't know
what type of person I am.
653
00:40:10,150 --> 00:40:14,393
So, that makes it scary.
654
00:40:14,487 --> 00:40:17,321
You know. You know what I mean.
I can't even think right now.
655
00:40:17,474 --> 00:40:18,915
Harris: I'm extremely nervous.
656
00:40:19,142 --> 00:40:20,917
If the jury
convicts michelle ashley,
657
00:40:21,068 --> 00:40:22,493
I will go to my grave
658
00:40:22,587 --> 00:40:24,879
Thinking it was a mis-service
and a misjustice.
659
00:40:32,597 --> 00:40:34,656
(sighing)
660
00:40:34,674 --> 00:40:37,934
No matter what happens,
guilty or not guilty,
661
00:40:38,085 --> 00:40:41,253
Everybody just keep it cool,
keep it together and be calm.
662
00:40:41,273 --> 00:40:42,939
We'll deal
with whatever happens, okay?
663
00:40:47,762 --> 00:40:48,945
Judge: Jury is entering.
664
00:41:09,968 --> 00:41:10,967
(bailiff speaking)
665
00:41:29,562 --> 00:41:30,987
Ashley: Oh, my gosh!
666
00:41:32,065 --> 00:41:33,114
(bailiff speaking)
667
00:41:41,333 --> 00:41:42,790
Yes, oh, my dear!
668
00:41:47,247 --> 00:41:48,671
(exclaims in relief)
669
00:41:53,661 --> 00:41:56,754
Harris:
This is unprecedented, right?
A 25-year-old case.
670
00:41:56,848 --> 00:41:59,331
And to get a not guilty
after all this time?
671
00:41:59,425 --> 00:42:00,833
The aspersions of guilt,
672
00:42:00,852 --> 00:42:03,411
The shadows hanging
over her are gone.
673
00:42:03,429 --> 00:42:05,170
She can live and move on,
674
00:42:05,265 --> 00:42:07,649
And with her beautiful family,
and I'm so happy for her.
675
00:42:11,512 --> 00:42:12,862
Ashley: I feel wonderful.
676
00:42:15,441 --> 00:42:18,201
I feel like the jury saw
677
00:42:18,428 --> 00:42:21,279
That they were trying
to sabotage me.
678
00:42:21,373 --> 00:42:24,189
I was so worried that the jury
was not going to see
679
00:42:24,284 --> 00:42:25,950
What was going on.
680
00:42:26,102 --> 00:42:27,710
And I'm so happy that they did.
681
00:42:27,937 --> 00:42:30,788
And I'm so happy
that I get my life back.
682
00:42:30,882 --> 00:42:36,035
It's been, like, three
very long, long years.
683
00:42:36,129 --> 00:42:37,679
So I'm just happy.
684
00:42:38,782 --> 00:42:39,889
Happy.
685
00:42:40,116 --> 00:42:42,892
-Oh, so happy! (laughing)
-here we go!
686
00:42:48,808 --> 00:42:51,067
Let's go! Let's go!