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(line dialing)
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(dispatcher speaking)
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(man speaking)
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(dispatcher speaking)
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-(man speaking)
-(dispatcher speaking)
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(man speaking)
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Kristina kerlus:
The autopsy came back.
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It was homicide, and they think,
you know, they're accusing you.
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And I remember
this feeling in my stomach.
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I just buckled.
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The prosecution believes
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Kristina decided to shake
her baby so violently
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That ultimately, it led
to the baby's death.
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Kerlus: To lose
your baby, like...
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I can't grieve.
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I'm facing life in prison.
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Ryan helmick:
My name is ryan helmick.
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I'm a las vegas
criminal defense lawyer.
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I represent kristina kerlus.
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She's being charged
with first degree murder
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For murdering her own baby.
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If convicted of that,
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You can face
life in prison without
the possibility of parole.
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It's one of the worst things
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That can possibly happen
to somebody.
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One of the biggest nightmares
somebody could ever be in.
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In the morning
of October 5th,
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-Kristina has to go to work.
-(kerlus laughing)
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Kerlus: Hi, baby.
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Helmick: And so,
the father of jocai wakes up.
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The baby's cranky, fussy.
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He puts the baby in the bassinet
and tries to feed him.
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00:02:02,673 --> 00:02:04,923
Now, at this particular
point in time,
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Jocai is not acting normal.
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He begins to start
falling asleep
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And his eyes start to roll
in the back of his head.
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And so,
jaevone is getting worried.
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He calls 911.
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They're guiding him
through the process of cpr
on the baby.
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As soon as kristina is called,
she rushes back to the house.
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Then she follows the ambulance
to the hospital.
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She gets to the hospital
and, uh, they're trying
to save jocai's life.
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When the baby was taken
into the emergency room,
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The er doctors
identified three symptoms
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That could be indicative of
shaken baby syndrome.
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The reason that they chose her,
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As opposed to, um,
her boyfriend, jaevone,
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Who was the last person
with the baby
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Is because of pictures
that she took
that showed in their eyes,
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That she must have
done something to the baby
because the baby looks off.
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I love you. I love you.
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Helmick: The second picture,
the baby's head-down,
and is asleep
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And there's a shadow
on the baby.
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The detectives' position
is that the baby
appeared to be abnormal.
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The prosecution's theory
of the case
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Is that within those two hours
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Kristina decided
to shake her baby so violently
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That it ultimately
led to the baby's death.
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I decided to take on this case
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Because, really, the injustice
of what was taking place.
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You've been charged
with murdering your baby.
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And so now you
have to fight for your life
from being taken away.
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So the stakes are as high
as it gets for kristina.
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Kerlus: Wow, this is so cute.
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So this right here is jocai.
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He is my youngest.
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He'd be five years old
this year.
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I remember this day.
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I had just given him a bath,
and then I put
this little outfit on him.
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(chuckles) he was so happy.
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He loved baths.
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Definitely a water baby.
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Jocai was born July 17th, 2018.
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It's one of the best days
of my life.
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And then, uh, two months later,
on October 5th,
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Everything,
all that happiness...
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Was gone.
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Um, my son was rushed to the er.
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And then he passed away
on October 7th.
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And then my children
were taken away from me
that same day.
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Nine months later,
I remember ryan called me
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And said the autopsy came back
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And, um, they'd, you know...
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It was homicide,
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And they think, you know,
they're accusing you.
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And I remember
this feeling in my stomach.
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I just buckled.
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But to have to go through
everything at once,
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Like, the loss of your baby,
your children being taken
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And being falsely accused
of murder, all in one. (sobs)
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It broke me.
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I can't grieve.
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Like, you can't grieve
while you're fighting
something like that.
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Like, I'm facing life in prison.
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(sniffles)
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This is a pain like no other.
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Nothing can top this.
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Helmick: Today, we're going
to meet with kristina
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So I can sit down with her
and talk to her
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About exactly what took place
in chronological order.
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Helmick: There she is.
Hey, how you doing?
Kerlus: Hey.
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Kerlus: Good. How are you?
Helmick: Good to see ya.
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-Kerlus: Good to see you, too.
-(helmick clears throat)
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Helmick: All right, you ready
to sit down and talk?
Kerlus: Yeah.
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(helmick sighs)
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Helmick: So, let's go
to October 4th.
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Kerlus: So, October 4th, um,
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-I was at work and I came home.
-Helmick: Mm-hmm.
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Jaevone ended up leaving
to handle his errands.
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Before he came home,
he had asked me,
"oh, what are you guys doing?"
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So, um, I told him
that, you know,
the kids are chilling.
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Um, and I sent him a video
of me and jocai,
you know, playing, dancing.
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Helmick: Yeah.
Kerlus: Um, a video
of me and him
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Singing the barney song,
I love you.
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Two hours later,
I turn and look at him.
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He fell asleep.
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And I took a picture of jocai
and I sent it to, um, jay.
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-And I'm like, he finally
fell asleep, like, slumped.
-Helmick: Yeah.
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And, um, the next morning
I wake up jay, and I'm like,
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When jocai wakes up,
he's gonna be hungry
'cause he hasn't eaten.
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The last time I fed him
was, like, 2:00 in the morning.
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-Helmick: Yeah.
-So, um,
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I told him,
"have a bottle ready for him."
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-And then I leave
and take kyrie to school.
-(helmick clears throat)
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Helmick: And then what happens?
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Before you even get to work.
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Jaevone calls me.
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And, um, he called me
a couple times,
but I don't see his call.
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And, um,
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He just kept saying,
"he's gone, he's gone."
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And I'm like, "who's gone?
What are you talking about?"
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And he was like, "jocai."
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I'm like, "you need to hang up
with me and call 911 right now."
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So I drive
to summerlin hospital,
and I run inside.
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They take me to a room
where, you know, they have him.
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And I... They're immediately
trying to keep
resuscitating him.
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-Helmick:
And you can see all this?
-Yeah, I see everything. (sobs)
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Kerlus: There was
so many people in there.
Helmick: Trying to help jocai?
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Yes.
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00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:02,599
Kerlus: So,
after jocai was born,
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00:09:02,626 --> 00:09:04,768
I got a phone call
from the hospital
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00:09:04,795 --> 00:09:06,511
Saying that his blood work
came back
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00:09:06,513 --> 00:09:09,847
And his hemoglobin levels
were abnormal.
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Um, and that he, you know,
had sickle cell trait.
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Helmick:
When do you start noticing
differences in jocai's behavior?
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Kerlus: Close
to the end of September,
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00:09:33,156 --> 00:09:37,859
I started noticing that he
was acting, um, more fussy.
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He was, um, not eating as much,
and he was not really
sleeping as much, either.
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And he was projectile vomiting.
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It wasn't like a 24-hour thing,
every single day.
151
00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,313
So I wanted to talk
to the pediatrician, like,
maybe he's just colicky.
152
00:09:50,340 --> 00:09:52,148
Maybe it's nothing serious.
153
00:09:52,175 --> 00:09:54,892
And you already
had an appointment
scheduled for October 5th.
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Kerlus: Yes.
Helmick: Okay.
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So we have to show
the prosecutor
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00:09:58,515 --> 00:10:00,064
That jocai died
of natural causes.
157
00:10:00,066 --> 00:10:03,226
Because what they say...
It couldn't be more false.
158
00:10:03,711 --> 00:10:04,728
Yes.
159
00:10:07,316 --> 00:10:13,594
Kerlus: I can't believe
that I'm being charged
with first-degree murder.
160
00:10:13,655 --> 00:10:19,701
My biggest worry
is going to trial
and it not going as planned.
161
00:10:20,853 --> 00:10:23,905
Um, I do have kids,
young kids,
162
00:10:24,023 --> 00:10:28,234
And I can't see myself
sitting behind bars
163
00:10:28,253 --> 00:10:29,336
And not...
164
00:10:31,264 --> 00:10:33,690
And not being able
to be a mom to them
165
00:10:33,717 --> 00:10:38,553
Or not being able to
be part of their lives.
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00:10:59,651 --> 00:11:04,204
What we're gonna do right now is
we're going to look
at the, uh, autopsy report
167
00:11:04,322 --> 00:11:07,557
And, uh, the coroner's report
168
00:11:07,584 --> 00:11:11,378
To basically see what
their theory of the case is.
169
00:11:11,496 --> 00:11:16,216
And to see why they believe, uh,
that this was a homicide.
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00:11:25,435 --> 00:11:29,336
They're saying, number one,
there was bleeding
between the layers of the brain.
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00:11:29,398 --> 00:11:31,064
-Okay?
-Renteria: Yeah.
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00:11:31,182 --> 00:11:36,477
Helmick: Swelling of the brain
and then, bleeding behind
the, uh, back of the eyes.
173
00:11:36,596 --> 00:11:40,440
Three, uh, symptoms
of shaken baby syndrome.
174
00:11:40,558 --> 00:11:42,951
And so that's when
they call in the detectives.
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00:11:49,492 --> 00:11:54,587
The first doctor
to rule it a homicide
is the autopsy doctor.
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00:11:54,706 --> 00:11:57,424
What they're saying here
is that the baby
177
00:11:57,542 --> 00:12:00,334
Had blunt force trauma
to the head and neck trauma.
178
00:12:00,453 --> 00:12:03,596
Blunt force trauma is,
uh, in my view,
179
00:12:03,715 --> 00:12:06,599
Is that the baby
was hit with something
180
00:12:06,718 --> 00:12:09,102
-Uh, in the head, you know.
-Renteria: Right.
181
00:12:09,220 --> 00:12:12,013
Blunt force by some sort
of an object.
182
00:12:12,131 --> 00:12:16,276
Likewise, neck trauma
would mean
an injury to the neck.
183
00:12:16,394 --> 00:12:18,945
They're saying
the baby was shaken.
184
00:12:19,063 --> 00:12:20,354
How are you gonna handle that?
185
00:12:20,473 --> 00:12:22,449
Because a jury
would think blunt force.
186
00:12:22,567 --> 00:12:26,043
You would think bruising,
you would think a laceration,
187
00:12:26,045 --> 00:12:27,954
Um, bleeding, blunt force.
188
00:12:28,072 --> 00:12:30,898
-Abusive blunt force
calls for that.
-Helmick: Right.
189
00:12:30,959 --> 00:12:35,837
-But yet there isn't
abrasions, bruises, bleeding.
-Helmick: Mm-hmm.
190
00:12:41,252 --> 00:12:43,711
We don't have any external
injuries whatsoever.
191
00:12:43,830 --> 00:12:46,639
But yet the baby
was shaken so violently
192
00:12:46,758 --> 00:12:49,826
That it was killed
by the shaking.
193
00:12:49,853 --> 00:12:51,661
That it caused
all these symptoms
194
00:12:51,688 --> 00:12:53,571
By the violent shaking.
195
00:12:53,573 --> 00:12:58,059
The jury is going to sit there
and hear "abusive head trauma."
196
00:12:58,177 --> 00:13:01,988
All of those traumatic words
mean they're
out for blood, right?
197
00:13:02,106 --> 00:13:03,823
-Who did it?
-Helmick: Right.
198
00:13:03,942 --> 00:13:08,620
From the beginning of the trial,
we'll be the underdogs.
199
00:13:09,706 --> 00:13:12,240
We know this baby
was not murdered.
200
00:13:12,358 --> 00:13:14,800
And so the biggest challenge
for us
201
00:13:14,802 --> 00:13:20,706
Is to have our own experts
look at the case
202
00:13:20,825 --> 00:13:24,085
And have them show,
unequivocally,
203
00:13:24,203 --> 00:13:26,554
That the baby died
of natural causes.
204
00:13:39,619 --> 00:13:42,737
Now, take that paper
and underneath "carts,"
write "barn."
205
00:13:43,982 --> 00:13:46,533
Good job. All right.
Now we're gonna do a new word.
206
00:13:47,126 --> 00:13:48,910
-Card.
-Kerlus: Card.
207
00:13:49,729 --> 00:13:50,745
(boy sighs)
208
00:14:04,135 --> 00:14:05,885
Kerlus: There you go.
Good job.
209
00:14:06,004 --> 00:14:08,221
Mm. It's gonna taste
all good 'cause of you.
210
00:14:09,340 --> 00:14:11,332
Chef kairo in the building.
211
00:14:11,393 --> 00:14:15,294
I'm very limited
on what I can and can't do
when it comes to the kids.
212
00:14:15,313 --> 00:14:18,273
Um, all my visitation
has to be supervised.
213
00:14:21,019 --> 00:14:24,946
So I'm here for a couple hours
after they get out of school.
214
00:14:25,523 --> 00:14:28,316
Cook, homework.
215
00:14:28,434 --> 00:14:30,785
You know, mom stuff,
and then head off.
216
00:14:31,888 --> 00:14:33,788
Kind of the new norm, nowadays.
217
00:14:35,533 --> 00:14:37,325
Davis: Six fingers.
218
00:14:37,443 --> 00:14:40,486
All right. Now, add two.
How many you got?
219
00:14:40,505 --> 00:14:41,963
-Eight.
-Davis: There you go.
220
00:14:42,424 --> 00:14:44,591
Okay, good.
221
00:14:47,211 --> 00:14:49,929
-Okay, go put your computer
upstairs and charge it.
-(davis speaking indistinctly)
222
00:14:50,048 --> 00:14:54,750
Davis: I'm the father,
so the boys need
that motherly love.
223
00:14:55,403 --> 00:14:57,327
I'm more tougher. (laughing)
224
00:14:57,329 --> 00:14:59,572
And she...
She gets a knack for it.
225
00:14:59,574 --> 00:15:03,676
But, you know,
at the same time, I know
that she's hurting inside.
226
00:15:03,695 --> 00:15:06,354
I know that she wants
to do so much,
227
00:15:06,472 --> 00:15:08,990
But, you know,
it's only so little
that she can do.
228
00:15:09,993 --> 00:15:12,893
Just try to be supportive
and, you know,
229
00:15:12,954 --> 00:15:15,121
Just to let her know
it's going to be okay.
230
00:15:15,239 --> 00:15:19,792
But you might be going to jail
for the rest of your life.
231
00:15:19,911 --> 00:15:21,836
How do you tell somebody
it's going to be okay?
232
00:15:23,247 --> 00:15:26,007
Kerlus: Who wants
chicken with alfredo?
Boys: Me.
233
00:15:27,377 --> 00:15:29,034
Kerlus: It's very
important for me
234
00:15:29,154 --> 00:15:32,472
That they don't see
mommy crying or sad.
235
00:15:33,758 --> 00:15:36,976
So I make it as normal as I can
despite the situation.
236
00:15:38,170 --> 00:15:40,104
-Kairo, how was school?
-Kairo: Good.
237
00:15:41,149 --> 00:15:43,942
-I got a 90 on my test.
-Kerlus: Good job.
238
00:15:49,348 --> 00:15:51,299
Kerlus: All right, guys.
Mommy's leaving.
239
00:15:51,326 --> 00:15:53,734
Jahlil: (kisses) I love you.
Kerlus: I love you more.
240
00:15:53,853 --> 00:15:56,871
Jahlil: Mom, what's in there?
Kerlus: You know
it's grandpa and your brother.
241
00:15:56,990 --> 00:15:58,772
Jahlil: Can I see it?
Kerlus: Mm-hmm.
242
00:15:58,792 --> 00:16:01,042
Jahlil: Dad and jocai?
Kerlus: Mm-hmm.
243
00:16:01,544 --> 00:16:02,910
Jahlil: Oh.
244
00:16:03,029 --> 00:16:05,295
Jocai, uh, we carry his legacy.
245
00:16:05,297 --> 00:16:07,840
We're gonna
keep his name going.
246
00:16:09,035 --> 00:16:10,176
That was my baby.
247
00:16:10,294 --> 00:16:13,179
And, you know, I carry him
with me every day.
248
00:16:13,297 --> 00:16:15,390
-All right. Close the door
for me, okay?
-Khyree: No teasing.
249
00:16:26,653 --> 00:16:28,027
Helmick: What I want
to listen to is
250
00:16:28,146 --> 00:16:33,992
The police interviews
of, uh, kristina
and, uh, jaevone.
251
00:16:41,159 --> 00:16:45,044
The setting
of these interviews is, I think,
is very, very important.
252
00:16:46,572 --> 00:16:48,139
Not only did it
take place at the hospital,
253
00:16:48,141 --> 00:16:51,976
It took place in the same room
as where the baby is.
254
00:16:51,978 --> 00:16:54,554
And you can hear the monitors,
and all the noises,
255
00:16:54,672 --> 00:16:56,647
And all this stuff
going on in the background.
256
00:16:56,649 --> 00:17:00,727
We're not talking about
interviewing somebody, you know,
257
00:17:00,845 --> 00:17:04,063
Three weeks,
two weeks, a week later,
or anything like that.
258
00:17:04,182 --> 00:17:05,639
Right now,
259
00:17:05,758 --> 00:17:09,360
Your child's at the hospital,
fighting for his life.
260
00:17:45,531 --> 00:17:47,348
Helmick: Listening
to these interviews,
261
00:17:47,466 --> 00:17:52,278
Not a single one of them
talk about jocai,
262
00:17:52,396 --> 00:17:56,190
His symptoms
getting worse over time.
263
00:17:56,308 --> 00:18:00,853
As far as him being fussy
and him not eating as much,
264
00:18:00,872 --> 00:18:06,626
And him projectile vomiting him,
uh, him not sleeping as well.
265
00:18:06,744 --> 00:18:09,370
And so the prosecutor
is going to jump all over that.
266
00:18:09,488 --> 00:18:12,540
What they're going to say is,
"you didn't say it here.
267
00:18:12,658 --> 00:18:13,874
"right, but now you're
saying it here
268
00:18:13,993 --> 00:18:16,928
"because you want it to match
your theory of the case.
269
00:18:27,932 --> 00:18:29,907
Helmick: How you doing?
Kerlus: Good, and you?
270
00:18:29,909 --> 00:18:31,909
Helmick: Good, yeah.
Good to see you.
271
00:18:31,911 --> 00:18:32,944
Kerlus: Good to see you.
272
00:18:39,828 --> 00:18:43,070
Okay, so what I want
to go over with you
273
00:18:43,189 --> 00:18:47,424
Is, uh, the photo of jocai
in the boppy.
274
00:18:47,426 --> 00:18:49,093
We need to look at the video
275
00:18:49,095 --> 00:18:50,761
That you took from your phone.
276
00:18:50,763 --> 00:18:52,596
And then look at the times.
277
00:18:52,598 --> 00:18:58,886
This is really the key
to their case in regard to when
the shaking, uh, took place.
278
00:19:00,515 --> 00:19:04,517
This is the one where
you're holding jocai
and singing the barney song.
279
00:19:04,635 --> 00:19:11,115
That was taken at 6:59 p.M.
On October 4th, 2018,
280
00:19:11,117 --> 00:19:16,620
The night before the morning
where he became unconscious.
281
00:19:16,622 --> 00:19:22,126
I was recording, um,
snapchat videos
and, uh, jay had texted me,
282
00:19:22,128 --> 00:19:25,413
"what are you guys doing?"
and I sent this video to him.
283
00:19:26,065 --> 00:19:27,415
(kerlus sighs)
284
00:19:28,710 --> 00:19:31,377
I love you. I love you.
285
00:19:32,404 --> 00:19:34,788
I still remember that.
(sniffles)
286
00:19:34,907 --> 00:19:36,924
-I know you do.
-Yeah. (sighs)
287
00:19:38,477 --> 00:19:42,813
So that was taken at 6:59 p.M.
288
00:19:42,815 --> 00:19:48,126
Then we have their photo
of jocai in the boppy
at, uh, 8:59 p.M.
289
00:19:48,146 --> 00:19:55,008
And this is the picture
that the prosecution
hones the whole case on.
290
00:19:55,069 --> 00:19:58,237
Given the angle
of which he's sleeping,
291
00:19:58,356 --> 00:20:01,165
The angle of which
his head is sitting down,
292
00:20:01,167 --> 00:20:04,285
They make it seem like
something happened to him.
293
00:20:06,172 --> 00:20:12,409
So in trial, you are, uh,
certainly going to be
asked about this photo.
294
00:20:12,528 --> 00:20:14,845
You know,
what are you going to say?
295
00:20:14,847 --> 00:20:17,322
He's been up for hours,
like, all day, basically.
296
00:20:17,442 --> 00:20:20,017
And then when I seen him
falling asleep,
297
00:20:20,019 --> 00:20:22,169
I took a picture to show,
you know, jay,
298
00:20:22,329 --> 00:20:24,296
-That, "look,
he finally fell asleep."
-helmick: Mm-hmm.
299
00:20:24,415 --> 00:20:25,631
Kerlus: And then when
I sent him the picture,
300
00:20:25,749 --> 00:20:27,633
I said, "don't worry,
I'm fixing his head."
301
00:20:27,751 --> 00:20:30,377
As soon as I send him
that message,
he walked through the door.
302
00:20:30,438 --> 00:20:32,863
And when he walked in the room,
when jocai heard his voice,
303
00:20:32,865 --> 00:20:34,848
He opened his eyes.
304
00:20:34,967 --> 00:20:37,034
-Oh.
-And then that's when
jaevone picked him up
305
00:20:37,036 --> 00:20:38,519
And started playing with him.
306
00:20:38,637 --> 00:20:39,570
Like, he didn't even
go to sleep.
307
00:20:39,689 --> 00:20:41,489
This was like a split second.
308
00:20:42,474 --> 00:20:43,707
But the only video
they don't have
309
00:20:43,709 --> 00:20:46,059
Is the one where
he was stuck watching tv
310
00:20:46,120 --> 00:20:48,228
Because that was
never sent to jay.
311
00:20:48,289 --> 00:20:50,063
They only had the videos
that was sent to jay
312
00:20:50,124 --> 00:20:51,999
Because they never
had access to my phone.
313
00:21:00,584 --> 00:21:04,111
So this is taken at 8:52 p.M.
314
00:21:04,138 --> 00:21:06,897
And that's him
sitting in the boppy.
315
00:21:06,899 --> 00:21:09,916
-The prosecution didn't
have this one. Good.
-Kerlus: Mm-mm.
316
00:21:09,978 --> 00:21:12,119
Kerlus: I posted
that on snapchat
317
00:21:12,146 --> 00:21:14,738
Because I was like, "oh, my god,
he's actually watching tv."
318
00:21:14,740 --> 00:21:17,650
None of my kids sat there
and watched tv.
319
00:21:17,768 --> 00:21:23,414
So they're alleging that
between 6:59 p.M. And 8:59 p.M.,
I shook him.
320
00:21:23,416 --> 00:21:27,751
But if you compare
the videos between
the 8:52 p.M. And 8:59 p.M.,
321
00:21:27,753 --> 00:21:29,394
He hasn't moved.
322
00:21:29,414 --> 00:21:31,897
What they don't know
is we just chopped
323
00:21:31,916 --> 00:21:38,612
Their whole timeline
and their whole position
down to seven minutes.
324
00:21:38,673 --> 00:21:41,098
And so between
the seven minutes,
they're saying
325
00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:44,302
All of a sudden he became
so frustrated
326
00:21:44,420 --> 00:21:48,514
And, uh, there had to be
some reason why
you took him out of the boppy
327
00:21:48,632 --> 00:21:51,458
And shook him
so violently,
328
00:21:51,519 --> 00:21:55,279
As the, uh,
the coroner stated.
329
00:21:55,281 --> 00:21:57,448
-And then put him
back in his boppy.
-(kerlus scoffs)
330
00:21:57,450 --> 00:22:01,435
Helmick:
So, I mean, it just doesn't
make any sense at all.
331
00:22:01,553 --> 00:22:05,172
When you have photos
and you have videos in a case,
332
00:22:05,174 --> 00:22:10,294
It gives the jury something
beyond, uh, just facts.
333
00:22:10,296 --> 00:22:14,131
It can be very beneficial,
it can be very damaging
to a case.
334
00:22:14,133 --> 00:22:15,966
Every video that we have,
335
00:22:15,968 --> 00:22:19,003
We feel it's extremely
beneficial to us.
336
00:22:40,659 --> 00:22:43,778
Kerlus: Hi, how are you?
Woman: Good. How are you, dear?
337
00:22:51,170 --> 00:22:54,930
Kerlus: I've had to wear
my ankle monitor since 2019
338
00:22:54,957 --> 00:22:58,918
So they can, um,
keep track of me 24/7.
339
00:22:59,036 --> 00:23:02,046
I can't leave las vegas,
can't leave clark county.
340
00:23:03,591 --> 00:23:05,758
It sucks. It really sucks.
341
00:23:05,876 --> 00:23:08,685
It's a... It feels like
an invasion of privacy.
342
00:23:08,687 --> 00:23:10,687
Is this kind of uncomfortable
for you?
343
00:23:10,689 --> 00:23:12,856
How's it, like, wearing it?
344
00:23:12,858 --> 00:23:16,744
It's heavy, very uncomfortable.
345
00:23:16,771 --> 00:23:19,880
Woman: Must be hard.
I can't even imagine.
346
00:23:19,941 --> 00:23:23,867
Kerlus: My kids ask
a lot of questions,
like, when I first got it,
347
00:23:23,869 --> 00:23:25,369
They were like, "mommy,
what is that?"
348
00:23:25,371 --> 00:23:28,948
-I told them, "something
to help mommy lose weight."
-(chuckles)
349
00:23:35,381 --> 00:23:38,715
I was in the car with jahlil,
and he, um...
350
00:23:38,717 --> 00:23:41,001
He just started asking,
like, a lot of questions.
351
00:23:42,004 --> 00:23:44,571
And he's like,
"mommy, if, um..." (sobs)
352
00:23:44,632 --> 00:23:47,891
"if jocai comes back,
are they going to take that
off your ankle?
353
00:23:47,893 --> 00:23:49,343
Woman:
(clicks tongue) aw.
354
00:23:50,254 --> 00:23:51,679
And it broke my heart.
355
00:23:54,809 --> 00:23:55,933
(kerlus sniffles)
356
00:24:11,284 --> 00:24:12,983
Renteria: Hey, ryan.
Helmick: Hi.
357
00:24:13,101 --> 00:24:16,328
Renteria: Are you ready
to go over the preliminary
hearing transcripts?
358
00:24:16,447 --> 00:24:17,663
Helmick: Yeah.
Renteria: All right.
359
00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:26,763
Helmick: We needed
a preliminary hearing.
360
00:24:26,765 --> 00:24:29,016
You're able to test the evidence
361
00:24:29,018 --> 00:24:32,102
So you'll be more prepared
for the trial in regard
362
00:24:32,104 --> 00:24:34,771
To, "hey, you know,
this witness may
testify this way,
363
00:24:34,773 --> 00:24:36,724
"or this witness
may testify this way."
364
00:24:37,584 --> 00:24:39,393
-For you.
-Helmick: Thank you.
365
00:24:50,198 --> 00:24:51,530
Okay.
366
00:24:51,649 --> 00:24:55,034
The prosecutor's saying
that jaevone never
told the detectives
367
00:24:55,152 --> 00:25:00,130
When he was first interviewed
about jocai
being fussy or vomity.
368
00:25:00,132 --> 00:25:03,967
"in neither interview did you
mention this supposed
projectile vomiting
369
00:25:03,969 --> 00:25:05,561
"in the days leading
up to his death?"
370
00:25:05,588 --> 00:25:08,639
"correct."
"in fact, you described him
as normal and happy
371
00:25:08,641 --> 00:25:10,991
"when he wakes up
in the morning."
"correct."
372
00:25:11,052 --> 00:25:13,143
So,
373
00:25:13,145 --> 00:25:15,054
She's really hitting jaevone
hard over the head
374
00:25:15,172 --> 00:25:16,388
-Here with this stuff.
-Renteria: Yeah.
375
00:25:22,821 --> 00:25:25,155
Helmick: They could say
he went to the gym
for two and a half hours
376
00:25:25,157 --> 00:25:28,992
While she's at home,
watching the newborn
and all the three kids
377
00:25:28,994 --> 00:25:30,736
And, uh, taking care
of the household
378
00:25:30,854 --> 00:25:34,573
And he just comes home
and sits and wants
to watch the lakers game.
379
00:25:34,692 --> 00:25:37,576
And then wake the kids up
and go to sushi.
380
00:25:37,695 --> 00:25:39,169
I went to sushi at 10:00 p.M.
381
00:25:39,171 --> 00:25:41,505
-Waking up the kids
at 10:00 p.M...
-Helmick: Mm-hmm.
382
00:25:41,507 --> 00:25:43,490
The prosecutor is going
to make sure
383
00:25:43,609 --> 00:25:45,842
That the jury and everyone
in that courtroom
384
00:25:45,844 --> 00:25:49,680
Realizes that
that is highly inappropriate
for any parent to do.
385
00:25:49,682 --> 00:25:53,850
Right, they're gonna try
to make this look like
a chaotic household,
386
00:25:53,852 --> 00:25:55,869
That she was stressed out,
that she was frustrated.
387
00:25:55,930 --> 00:25:57,596
Renteria: That would
piss me off.
Helmick: Mm-hmm.
388
00:25:57,715 --> 00:26:00,007
Renteria: I'm at home
with a newborn.
389
00:26:00,125 --> 00:26:02,059
You have the luxury
of going to the gym,
390
00:26:02,177 --> 00:26:03,994
And then you want to come home
and watch a game,
391
00:26:03,996 --> 00:26:05,663
-And then you want
to go to sushi?
-Helmick: Mm-hmm.
392
00:26:05,781 --> 00:26:08,198
Think about all the things
she has to round up
just to do that.
393
00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:14,204
The prosecution is going to say
that she just, you know,
lost it and shook the baby
394
00:26:14,206 --> 00:26:17,374
And, you know,
kind of look at the background
and you can see
395
00:26:17,376 --> 00:26:18,892
This is why she lost it.
396
00:26:18,953 --> 00:26:20,953
She had gotten frustrated,
right?
397
00:26:21,071 --> 00:26:24,898
That's the, uh, the way
that they are going to spin it.
398
00:26:24,959 --> 00:26:32,556
You could see that their goal
here was to really try
to attack the character
399
00:26:32,558 --> 00:26:36,560
Of kristina through jaevone.
400
00:26:36,562 --> 00:26:40,897
And so we've got
to get ready for, uh,
his testimony at the trial.
401
00:26:40,899 --> 00:26:45,752
Knowing now the direction
that they're going to,
uh, take him down
402
00:26:45,813 --> 00:26:47,688
And how they're really
gonna use him.
403
00:27:02,613 --> 00:27:04,622
Do you want to put the, um,
404
00:27:04,740 --> 00:27:06,206
The string
on the "happy birthday"?
405
00:27:06,709 --> 00:27:07,833
Yes, ma'am.
406
00:27:07,951 --> 00:27:11,003
Today is my oldest
son's birthday.
407
00:27:11,121 --> 00:27:13,313
He's 10 years old.
408
00:27:13,315 --> 00:27:15,883
And we're throwing him
a surprise party.
409
00:27:17,261 --> 00:27:19,136
He's been through
everything with me, so...
410
00:27:20,806 --> 00:27:27,928
I've been trying
to make things and everything
as perfect as possible.
411
00:27:28,046 --> 00:27:31,398
Because what if it is
the last birthday
I spend with him?
412
00:27:34,645 --> 00:27:36,286
(indistinct whispering)
413
00:27:36,288 --> 00:27:38,364
(knock at door)
414
00:27:40,451 --> 00:27:44,203
-All: Surprise!
-(kerlus laughing)
415
00:27:44,321 --> 00:27:46,938
-Kerlus: Hi. (kisses)
-khyree: What is this?
416
00:27:46,957 --> 00:27:48,606
Kerlus: What is this?
I love you.
417
00:27:48,626 --> 00:27:49,950
-I love you.
-Khyree: I love you, too.
418
00:27:50,068 --> 00:27:51,710
Kerlus: Happy birthday, baby.
Khyree: Thank you.
419
00:27:51,829 --> 00:27:52,953
Kerlus: All right.
Make a wish.
420
00:27:53,071 --> 00:27:54,320
-Make a wish, baby.
-That's my boy.
421
00:27:54,382 --> 00:27:55,622
Davis: Come, on.
422
00:27:55,741 --> 00:27:58,125
Kerlus: Now he doesn't want
to blow too hard, okay. (laughs)
423
00:27:58,243 --> 00:27:59,426
(boy laughs)
424
00:28:00,003 --> 00:28:01,828
(all cheering)
425
00:28:01,889 --> 00:28:05,999
-Oh, oh, my thing.
-You're ten. (squeals)
426
00:28:06,060 --> 00:28:09,228
Kerlus: They know mommy's
being accused and they know
mommy is innocent
427
00:28:09,346 --> 00:28:12,898
And she's fighting, you know,
not only for me but for them.
428
00:28:14,518 --> 00:28:16,527
I don't know if they
really understand that.
429
00:28:17,229 --> 00:28:18,696
Mommy's facing life.
430
00:28:19,690 --> 00:28:21,648
And that... (sobs)
431
00:28:21,767 --> 00:28:24,785
That it's still a possibility
that they may
never see me again.
432
00:28:37,207 --> 00:28:41,460
Helmick: I'm going to meet up
with, uh, dr. Evan matshes,
433
00:28:41,578 --> 00:28:45,431
Who is the, uh, very well-known
forensic pathologist.
434
00:28:50,721 --> 00:28:54,773
So the prosecution allege
that jocai has been killed
435
00:28:54,892 --> 00:28:58,110
By abusive blunt force
head trauma.
436
00:28:58,228 --> 00:29:00,671
And so if we're able to show
437
00:29:00,673 --> 00:29:03,023
That jocai died
of natural causes,
438
00:29:03,141 --> 00:29:07,161
Now we're going
to be able to provide it
with medical certainty,
439
00:29:08,297 --> 00:29:10,330
It's gonna be
the crux of the case.
440
00:29:13,719 --> 00:29:15,202
Dr. Matshes: Ryan
helmick: Matshes.
441
00:29:15,320 --> 00:29:16,812
Dr. Matshes: Good to see you.
Nice to meet you in person.
442
00:29:16,972 --> 00:29:18,371
Helmick: Yeah, it's finally
meet you in person. Yeah.
443
00:29:18,490 --> 00:29:19,590
After you.
444
00:29:27,683 --> 00:29:31,143
So this is a photo
from the state's autopsy.
445
00:29:39,511 --> 00:29:42,362
He does have bleeding
around his spinal cord.
446
00:29:43,866 --> 00:29:44,931
Right.
447
00:29:44,992 --> 00:29:46,724
So, the prosecution,
in your experience,
448
00:29:46,744 --> 00:29:49,303
That's what they're gonna label
as a neck trauma, right?
449
00:29:49,305 --> 00:29:53,665
Correct.
That is the only evidence
that I can see
450
00:29:53,784 --> 00:29:55,926
That they're presenting
as neck trauma.
451
00:29:55,928 --> 00:29:57,410
Right.
452
00:29:57,571 --> 00:30:01,248
-But I believe that this is not
due to trauma of the neck.
-Helmick: Right.
453
00:30:01,366 --> 00:30:04,617
That this is
the result of the blood
that's inside the head
454
00:30:04,637 --> 00:30:06,053
Tracking down the spine.
455
00:30:08,799 --> 00:30:12,592
If we look at jocai's ct scan,
456
00:30:12,711 --> 00:30:16,021
-The white part is
the bone on the outside.
-Helmick: Mm.
457
00:30:16,139 --> 00:30:20,859
And every area
that I've labeled here
in yellow and red is bleeding.
458
00:30:20,978 --> 00:30:23,070
And that's unusual
in a little baby.
459
00:30:23,872 --> 00:30:26,031
Now, what's really interesting,
460
00:30:26,149 --> 00:30:27,908
And important to this case,
461
00:30:28,627 --> 00:30:30,702
Is this piece of evidence.
462
00:30:30,821 --> 00:30:36,391
So I was able to use
a special stain here
to help identify blood vessels.
463
00:30:36,418 --> 00:30:41,513
And outlined in here
is a very enlarged,
464
00:30:41,515 --> 00:30:45,584
Dilated and dead blood vessel.
465
00:30:45,702 --> 00:30:48,512
Which died while
jocai was still alive
466
00:30:48,630 --> 00:30:51,122
And ruptured,
resulting in this bleeding.
467
00:30:51,241 --> 00:30:56,186
It's died because it's fully
clotted off with sickled cells.
468
00:31:06,765 --> 00:31:07,972
That's huge.
469
00:31:07,992 --> 00:31:10,367
-Absolutely huge.
-Dr. Matshes:
It's a game changer.
470
00:31:11,862 --> 00:31:14,096
Inside that blood vessel,
471
00:31:14,123 --> 00:31:19,009
We can see an abundance
of obviously sickled cells
472
00:31:19,011 --> 00:31:22,629
In the middle
of a organizing blood clot.
473
00:31:23,799 --> 00:31:26,333
Red blood cells,
and that's what
we're looking at,
474
00:31:26,451 --> 00:31:30,020
Should be shaped
like a double-sided disk.
475
00:31:30,022 --> 00:31:33,506
They usually have
two dimples in the middle.
476
00:31:33,625 --> 00:31:38,604
And his are like ellipses,
like sickles.
477
00:31:38,722 --> 00:31:42,907
You don't expect most
sickle cell trait people
478
00:31:43,301 --> 00:31:44,517
To develop sickling.
479
00:31:44,636 --> 00:31:48,521
But he has, and it's widespread.
480
00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:49,689
Helmick:
Throughout the whole body?
481
00:31:49,808 --> 00:31:51,283
Dr. Matshes:
Throughout the whole body.
482
00:31:51,401 --> 00:31:53,084
We know that jocai was sickly
483
00:31:53,086 --> 00:31:55,195
-In the days before his death.
-Helmick: Yeah.
484
00:31:55,313 --> 00:31:57,456
And people
with sickle cell disease
485
00:31:58,408 --> 00:32:00,792
Usually go
into sickle cell crisis
486
00:32:00,911 --> 00:32:03,629
Because of something
that stresses them out.
487
00:32:03,747 --> 00:32:05,613
Cold, flu, what have you.
488
00:32:06,249 --> 00:32:08,467
So, what is the conclusion,
489
00:32:08,585 --> 00:32:12,679
Uh, in regard to explaining
how jocai died?
490
00:32:13,732 --> 00:32:15,641
That jocai died
491
00:32:15,759 --> 00:32:18,885
Because he clotted off
a blood vessel
492
00:32:19,004 --> 00:32:20,854
That was full of sickled cells.
493
00:32:22,024 --> 00:32:23,690
He's died a natural death.
494
00:32:37,923 --> 00:32:42,275
Kerlus: I work a grave,
which is midnight to 8:00 a.M.
495
00:32:42,336 --> 00:32:45,745
I used to be a manager
for a company
before all this happened.
496
00:32:45,864 --> 00:32:48,098
When I got arrested,
I lost my job.
497
00:32:48,100 --> 00:32:54,888
So now, I am a phone operator
at a limo dispatch company.
498
00:33:04,566 --> 00:33:07,000
Kerlus: When I read
the report, I was in tears
499
00:33:07,027 --> 00:33:10,320
Because, you know,
I needed that clarity.
500
00:33:11,473 --> 00:33:14,015
He had, you know,
photographic evidence
501
00:33:14,176 --> 00:33:17,911
To prove everything
that he's saying,
to prove my innocence.
502
00:33:23,627 --> 00:33:27,587
And the only thing
that I question is,
is it enough?
503
00:33:28,790 --> 00:33:31,049
Is this enough?
504
00:33:31,168 --> 00:33:34,761
You know, this has always been
the battle of the experts.
505
00:33:39,417 --> 00:33:45,022
Is the prosecutor gonna
see and hear all this
and say, "hey, you know what?
506
00:33:46,567 --> 00:33:48,066
"my expert missed this.
507
00:33:49,119 --> 00:33:51,753
"let's dismiss it." or...
508
00:33:51,780 --> 00:33:55,115
She's gonna say,
"mm, quite frankly,
I don't care."
509
00:34:11,783 --> 00:34:13,699
Helmick: I just got a call
from the prosecutor
510
00:34:13,861 --> 00:34:16,928
In kristina's case, uh,
out of the blue.
511
00:34:17,047 --> 00:34:20,206
She said that she did
what she was going to do
512
00:34:20,267 --> 00:34:22,342
And taking a second look
at this thing
513
00:34:22,460 --> 00:34:24,469
And having her expert review it.
514
00:34:24,587 --> 00:34:25,970
And she has told me
515
00:34:26,089 --> 00:34:28,482
That she is going
to dismiss the case.
516
00:34:31,561 --> 00:34:35,405
And this is what we have been
shooting for for three years.
517
00:34:40,378 --> 00:34:43,789
Are they gonna dismiss
the case with prejudice?
518
00:34:43,907 --> 00:34:46,641
Which means they can never
bring the charges back again.
519
00:34:46,668 --> 00:34:50,629
Or they can dismiss the case
without prejudice.
520
00:34:50,747 --> 00:34:54,874
And they can at some point,
whenever they feel,
521
00:34:54,993 --> 00:34:57,677
Bring the charges back
against kristina.
522
00:34:59,923 --> 00:35:03,158
Kerlus: After ryan and I
had a conversation,
523
00:35:03,185 --> 00:35:08,480
I got on the phone.
I called my sister,
called my mom and called jay.
524
00:35:08,598 --> 00:35:11,407
We were all just,
all crying, just happy.
525
00:35:11,409 --> 00:35:16,746
Just, like, wow, it's over,
like, it's done.
526
00:35:16,748 --> 00:35:20,416
But if they dismiss it
without prejudice,
527
00:35:20,418 --> 00:35:24,512
That means that they can
come after me for murder
528
00:35:24,540 --> 00:35:29,000
Involving my son forever,
which means I'd have
to go through this again.
529
00:35:29,119 --> 00:35:31,094
I'm gonna get arrested
and have to post bail.
530
00:35:31,096 --> 00:35:33,263
If bail is granted,
house arrest again.
531
00:35:33,265 --> 00:35:36,174
And if they put
those stipulations on me.
532
00:35:36,293 --> 00:35:38,885
The thought of having
to redo this is just...
533
00:35:42,224 --> 00:35:44,307
Like, if you don't want
to dismiss with prejudice,
534
00:35:44,426 --> 00:35:46,050
You might as well
take it to trial.
535
00:35:46,469 --> 00:35:48,019
That's how I feel.
536
00:35:48,138 --> 00:35:49,704
Take it to trial,
because if I go to trial
537
00:35:49,731 --> 00:35:52,315
And I get a "not guilty"
which is what I'm gonna get,
538
00:35:53,785 --> 00:35:55,301
You can never come after me.
539
00:35:55,362 --> 00:35:58,621
Why have this dangling
over my head, and I still
can't sleep at night,
540
00:35:58,623 --> 00:36:01,867
And have that what if,
today, the freedom that I have,
541
00:36:01,985 --> 00:36:04,886
Or I'm going to have to put
my family through it again?
542
00:36:04,913 --> 00:36:06,163
No.
543
00:36:07,249 --> 00:36:09,541
Like, I don't want...
I don't wanna. (sobs)
544
00:36:09,659 --> 00:36:11,501
I don't want to be half-free.
545
00:36:24,841 --> 00:36:27,984
Helmick: This has been
a four-year ordeal.
546
00:36:27,986 --> 00:36:31,137
So this has been just
an absolute nightmare for her.
547
00:36:31,256 --> 00:36:35,734
We're ready to get this
over with and kristina
to have this nightmare end.
548
00:36:36,995 --> 00:36:39,404
My hopes is that we just
walk in there, real simple.
549
00:36:39,522 --> 00:36:43,575
She says she's going
to voluntary dismiss
the case with prejudice.
550
00:36:43,693 --> 00:36:45,017
We say, "thank you, your honor."
551
00:36:45,078 --> 00:36:46,203
Then we walk out.
552
00:36:49,416 --> 00:36:51,917
Kerlus: I have so many
mixed emotions.
553
00:36:52,944 --> 00:36:54,961
Like, I'm happy, I'm excited.
554
00:36:56,298 --> 00:36:58,423
I'm anxious, I'm scared.
555
00:36:59,968 --> 00:37:01,517
I just can't wait
until I go to court
556
00:37:01,519 --> 00:37:06,239
Because it can go
so many different ways.
557
00:37:06,241 --> 00:37:09,643
The prosecutor can change
her mind for all I know.
558
00:37:09,761 --> 00:37:11,344
We were expecting it
to be dismissed,
559
00:37:11,462 --> 00:37:14,447
And she's like,
"oh, if I decide
at a later time to prosecute,
560
00:37:14,449 --> 00:37:17,776
"I want it to be
without prejudice
so I can come after her again."
561
00:37:19,963 --> 00:37:22,705
Davis:
It's been a long four years
562
00:37:22,707 --> 00:37:27,393
Of, you know,
family being apart.
563
00:37:27,454 --> 00:37:28,787
Just not being together,
564
00:37:28,905 --> 00:37:30,546
It took a toll on the kids.
565
00:37:30,548 --> 00:37:32,365
You know, you've got people
looking at you crazy,
566
00:37:32,483 --> 00:37:35,067
People judging your situation,
and they don't know,
you know what I mean?
567
00:37:35,087 --> 00:37:38,630
So finally, we just hoping
to get our life back.
568
00:38:03,799 --> 00:38:05,949
(people speaking indistinctly)
569
00:38:07,085 --> 00:38:08,451
Woman: Come on up, miss kerlus.
570
00:38:16,670 --> 00:38:19,479
Woman: All right, miss kerlus
is present out of custody
with mr. Helmick.
571
00:38:19,481 --> 00:38:20,997
We have miss jovy for the state.
572
00:38:21,115 --> 00:38:23,115
This is on for calendar call.
Miss jovy,
how are we proceeding?
573
00:38:23,176 --> 00:38:25,043
Your honor,
based on further investigation,
574
00:38:25,161 --> 00:38:27,253
The state does not believe
it can prove the elements
575
00:38:27,372 --> 00:38:29,622
Of the criminal charges
beyond a reasonable doubt.
576
00:38:29,641 --> 00:38:33,092
Therefore, the city
is voluntarily dismissing
this case.
577
00:38:33,211 --> 00:38:35,979
Judge: It is without prejudice
as this is at the da's request.
578
00:38:46,724 --> 00:38:48,199
Helmick: No objections to that.
579
00:38:48,318 --> 00:38:52,311
But there is gonna be
an objection
to without prejudice.
580
00:38:52,372 --> 00:38:56,482
This woman has been dealing
with the loss of her child
for four years,
581
00:38:56,543 --> 00:38:58,818
And her children,
all three of them,
582
00:38:58,879 --> 00:39:01,621
Have been taken away
from her for three years.
583
00:39:01,739 --> 00:39:03,956
She still doesn't have
full custody of her kids.
584
00:39:04,075 --> 00:39:08,311
If it's without prejudice,
she has this gray cloud
585
00:39:08,313 --> 00:39:10,596
That's still gonna
hang over her head
586
00:39:10,715 --> 00:39:11,798
For the rest of her life
587
00:39:11,916 --> 00:39:15,501
'cause we don't know
if this charge
will ever come back.
588
00:39:15,562 --> 00:39:19,972
The medical science here
is absolute.
589
00:39:20,091 --> 00:39:22,308
Every single expert
that we have talked to
590
00:39:22,427 --> 00:39:25,478
Has said that this baby
died of natural causes,
591
00:39:25,596 --> 00:39:29,449
All due to, uh, complications
with the sickle cell trait.
592
00:39:30,402 --> 00:39:33,261
Nothing is gonna change.
593
00:39:33,288 --> 00:39:35,413
Judge: At the end of the day,
I don't make
the charging decisions.
594
00:39:35,532 --> 00:39:39,008
The state gets to decide when
and how they prosecute cases.
595
00:39:39,010 --> 00:39:41,360
You have obtained a pretty
miraculous result already,
596
00:39:41,421 --> 00:39:43,588
With them agreeing
to dismiss it voluntarily.
597
00:39:43,706 --> 00:39:45,164
I don't believe
that I have the authority
598
00:39:45,283 --> 00:39:47,759
At this point
to maintain that it's said
without prejudice,
599
00:39:47,877 --> 00:39:50,670
Because I don't have
any of this information,
actually, in front of me.
600
00:39:50,788 --> 00:39:53,890
Helmick: I understand.
Judge: So, ultimately,
it is dismissed at this time.
601
00:39:54,008 --> 00:39:55,875
I'm going to vacate
any future trial dates
602
00:39:55,936 --> 00:39:59,178
And congratulations
on a good outcome
for your client.
603
00:39:59,297 --> 00:40:00,980
Helmick: Thank you very much.
Jovy: Thank you, your honor.
604
00:40:26,324 --> 00:40:33,379
For them to acknowledge
that they don't have enough
to prove this case is big, okay?
605
00:40:33,498 --> 00:40:36,632
For them to voluntarily
dismiss a murder case,
it's huge.
606
00:40:36,751 --> 00:40:40,386
I mean, the judge using
the word "congratulations,"
right?
607
00:40:40,505 --> 00:40:42,889
When do you hear
a judge say that?
608
00:40:43,007 --> 00:40:46,726
Kerlus: I'm happy,
but I feel like my happiness
is not real happiness
609
00:40:46,844 --> 00:40:48,561
Because I have to live
610
00:40:48,679 --> 00:40:50,196
With that over my head, like...
611
00:40:51,082 --> 00:40:52,365
It's, like, bittersweet.
612
00:40:53,660 --> 00:40:56,602
You've got medicine
and facts on your side.
613
00:40:56,663 --> 00:40:57,937
Helmick: Everything
is on your side.
Renteria: Okay?
614
00:40:57,998 --> 00:40:59,755
Renteria: Everything
is on your side.
615
00:40:59,757 --> 00:41:01,941
Is it fair to you? No.
616
00:41:01,960 --> 00:41:03,409
But are you free today?
617
00:41:03,694 --> 00:41:05,019
Yes.
618
00:41:05,046 --> 00:41:07,112
-But you're gonna...
-No more cps,
no more people popping up.
619
00:41:07,174 --> 00:41:09,432
-Renteria: Yeah.
-You know, we can... Take trips,
620
00:41:09,434 --> 00:41:11,250
-Spend time with the kids.
-Helmick:
And everything is gone.
621
00:41:11,369 --> 00:41:12,785
-Helmick: It's all gone.
-It's dismissed.
622
00:41:12,846 --> 00:41:15,287
-Helmick: It's gone.
-It's dismissed.
This is what we wanted.
623
00:41:15,348 --> 00:41:18,758
Feeling like
we've been drowning
for the last four years,
624
00:41:18,876 --> 00:41:21,352
And, you know,
being trial dates, court dates,
625
00:41:21,471 --> 00:41:25,965
Everything has been, you know,
what's next, what's next,
what's next?
626
00:41:25,984 --> 00:41:28,100
So now, I just think
this is the first step
627
00:41:28,219 --> 00:41:32,622
To, you know,
getting some normalcy again
in the household
628
00:41:32,624 --> 00:41:37,944
And being able to, really,
you know, enjoy,
you know, our freedom again.
629
00:41:38,062 --> 00:41:40,722
Helmick:
Think of the positive here,
that it is done,
630
00:41:40,749 --> 00:41:45,018
And, uh, it's still
an absolutely phenomenal,
uh, result.
631
00:41:45,045 --> 00:41:48,338
-Okay?
-Kerlus: Thank you, ryan.
Thank you.
632
00:41:48,456 --> 00:41:51,341
-(kerlus sobbing)
-you fought like hell,
too, okay?
633
00:41:51,809 --> 00:41:52,842
All right?
634
00:41:59,726 --> 00:42:03,002
Helmick: And we thank you
for them making
the right decision,
635
00:42:03,063 --> 00:42:07,248
-Finally, after four years
of trauma.
-Kerlus: Yes.
636
00:42:07,275 --> 00:42:09,475
It's a phenomenal result.
637
00:42:09,594 --> 00:42:12,979
Unfortunately,
just tainted a little bit
638
00:42:13,097 --> 00:42:15,365
In regard to it
being without prejudice.
639
00:42:17,935 --> 00:42:20,453
I wish they would have
flat-out dismissed it
640
00:42:21,272 --> 00:42:23,188
And been done with it today.
641
00:42:23,250 --> 00:42:26,225
Kerlus: Finally.
All: Amen.
642
00:42:26,227 --> 00:42:28,160
Kerlus: This is definitely
a win.
643
00:42:28,279 --> 00:42:30,529
Yet no matter how they want
to slice and dice it,
644
00:42:30,590 --> 00:42:33,849
Or how much
their hand's in the pot,
645
00:42:33,851 --> 00:42:34,926
I won today.
646
00:42:36,287 --> 00:42:37,387
It's a victory.