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00:00:03,503 --> 00:00:04,087
- This was a blood bath.
2
00:00:04,796 --> 00:00:06,506
- There was two murders.
3
00:00:06,548 --> 00:00:08,425
- He was really trying to make
something of--of himself
4
00:00:08,466 --> 00:00:11,511
and build a really
good business for his family.
5
00:00:11,553 --> 00:00:13,555
- Clyde was also
my brother's godfather.
6
00:00:13,596 --> 00:00:15,974
Clyde was definitely
a major part of my dad's life.
7
00:00:16,016 --> 00:00:18,852
That's when I kind of knew
what--what death meant.
8
00:00:18,893 --> 00:00:21,229
And it was permanent.
9
00:00:21,271 --> 00:00:25,358
- A male subject had a portion
of his skull blown open.
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00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:26,568
[suspenseful music]
11
00:00:26,609 --> 00:00:28,486
- He had emergency surgery,
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00:00:28,528 --> 00:00:31,698
and he was in a coma
fighting for his life.
13
00:00:31,740 --> 00:00:35,076
A miracle happened,
he wakes up from his coma.
14
00:00:36,244 --> 00:00:38,830
- There were witness
identifications
15
00:00:38,872 --> 00:00:43,084
suggesting two assailants
fleeing the scene.
16
00:00:43,126 --> 00:00:44,961
- Here's the dying
man's declaration.
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00:00:45,003 --> 00:00:46,212
They're asking, "Who did it?
18
00:00:46,254 --> 00:00:48,548
Do you know
who did this to you?"
19
00:00:48,590 --> 00:00:52,719
He had said to the paramedic,
"Tom shot me."
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00:00:52,761 --> 00:00:56,681
- The police began to believe
that Tom must've been involved.
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00:00:56,723 --> 00:00:59,601
And so he is arrested
and charged.
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00:01:01,269 --> 00:01:03,646
- The victimization
is not limited
23
00:01:03,688 --> 00:01:06,441
to the person
whose life was taken.
24
00:01:06,483 --> 00:01:08,443
- They found a piece
of evidence
25
00:01:08,485 --> 00:01:11,404
that was not introduced.
It's a bombshell.
26
00:01:11,446 --> 00:01:13,281
The verdict is wrong.
27
00:01:13,323 --> 00:01:15,742
- An eyewitness,
he is shown a lineup,
28
00:01:15,784 --> 00:01:20,914
and he tells the investigators,
"That's not the guy."
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00:01:20,955 --> 00:01:24,042
[dramatic music]
30
00:01:24,084 --> 00:01:31,174
* *
31
00:01:40,266 --> 00:01:43,770
- Newport Beach
is a sophisticated,
32
00:01:43,812 --> 00:01:45,271
cosmopolitan place
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00:01:45,313 --> 00:01:49,109
with extraordinarily
high-end values.
34
00:01:49,150 --> 00:01:52,862
- Newport Beach is like
Beverly Hills by the sand.
35
00:01:52,904 --> 00:01:54,656
Very high class.
36
00:01:54,698 --> 00:01:57,325
If you drive down
Pacific Coast Highway,
37
00:01:57,367 --> 00:02:00,412
you'll see yachts,
exotic car dealerships,
38
00:02:00,453 --> 00:02:02,414
huge estate homes.
39
00:02:02,455 --> 00:02:06,209
- Newport Beach is a place
where there's almost no crime
40
00:02:06,251 --> 00:02:09,129
and where violence
is not heard of.
41
00:02:09,170 --> 00:02:11,381
[suspenseful music]
42
00:02:11,423 --> 00:02:13,299
narrator: If Orange County
is the seat
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00:02:13,341 --> 00:02:15,552
of Southern California
royalty,
44
00:02:15,593 --> 00:02:18,805
then Newport Beach
is its crown jewel.
45
00:02:18,847 --> 00:02:21,641
This serene ocean-side
community is home
46
00:02:21,683 --> 00:02:24,811
not only to those seeking
to enjoy their fortunes,
47
00:02:24,853 --> 00:02:26,688
but those seeking
to make them.
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00:02:28,648 --> 00:02:29,983
- My name is Richard Long.
49
00:02:30,025 --> 00:02:33,778
Back in 1989,
I was the detective sergeant
50
00:02:33,820 --> 00:02:36,948
for the Newport Beach
Police Department.
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00:02:36,990 --> 00:02:40,952
We were getting ready
to end our day on March 14th
52
00:02:40,994 --> 00:02:45,457
when the broadcast
from communications came out
53
00:02:45,498 --> 00:02:48,335
that there was
what's referred to as a 211,
54
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it's typically a bank robbery,
in progress at the coin store.
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00:02:55,175 --> 00:03:00,889
The officer that arrived
on scene had a male subject
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00:03:00,930 --> 00:03:04,893
who had a portion
of his skull blown open
57
00:03:04,934 --> 00:03:08,313
come walking out,
almost Frankenstein style,
58
00:03:08,355 --> 00:03:10,440
with the gun smoke behind him
59
00:03:10,482 --> 00:03:13,276
into the arms
of the police officer.
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00:03:15,070 --> 00:03:18,239
The officer got him outside,
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00:03:18,281 --> 00:03:22,369
was calling for paramedics
for the injured gentleman.
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00:03:22,410 --> 00:03:24,913
Then other officers
that arrived on scene,
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00:03:24,954 --> 00:03:26,289
they cleared the location,
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00:03:26,331 --> 00:03:29,709
and they found a female victim
behind the counter.
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00:03:29,751 --> 00:03:33,630
She was a victim of multiple
gunshot wounds.
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00:03:36,174 --> 00:03:39,678
And they found another male
down on the ground,
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00:03:39,719 --> 00:03:45,433
who was the victim of
double-tap gunshot execution.
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00:03:47,602 --> 00:03:49,396
Both of them were dead
at the scene.
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00:03:49,437 --> 00:03:52,649
narrator: With one deceased
female, one deceased male,
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00:03:52,691 --> 00:03:55,235
and a third victim
clinging to life,
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00:03:55,276 --> 00:03:56,861
the scene is chaotic.
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00:03:56,903 --> 00:03:59,698
Investigators are able to
identify the two dead victims
73
00:03:59,739 --> 00:04:02,033
as Renee King
and Clyde Oatts
74
00:04:02,075 --> 00:04:05,120
and the surviving victim
as Bill king.
75
00:04:05,161 --> 00:04:06,621
- I'm Sharon Katchen.
76
00:04:06,663 --> 00:04:10,250
I was the Orange County
Bureau Chief for KFWB Radio
77
00:04:10,291 --> 00:04:12,919
from 1986 through 2002.
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00:04:12,961 --> 00:04:16,381
Bill King was 36 years old,
an entrepreneur.
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00:04:16,423 --> 00:04:17,924
He and his wife, Renee,
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00:04:17,966 --> 00:04:20,218
had two children,
ages five and two.
81
00:04:20,260 --> 00:04:25,515
And they bought the
Newport Coin Exchange in 1985.
82
00:04:25,557 --> 00:04:26,933
Bill King wanted
to make money.
83
00:04:26,975 --> 00:04:29,686
He figured out that
if you buy gold and silver
84
00:04:29,728 --> 00:04:31,521
and coins, rare coins,
85
00:04:31,563 --> 00:04:33,481
those are things
that will appreciate in value.
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00:04:33,523 --> 00:04:35,650
So he bought and sold them.
87
00:04:35,692 --> 00:04:38,194
His wife, Renee,
was his bookkeeper,
88
00:04:38,236 --> 00:04:39,696
worked with him
in the business.
89
00:04:39,738 --> 00:04:41,781
And he was really trying
to make something of himself
90
00:04:41,823 --> 00:04:45,702
and build a really good
business for his family.
91
00:04:45,744 --> 00:04:47,704
Clyde Oatts was 45 years old.
92
00:04:47,746 --> 00:04:49,748
He was
Bill King's best friend.
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00:04:49,789 --> 00:04:52,125
Also, he was
a commodities broker
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00:04:52,167 --> 00:04:53,960
and a family man.
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00:04:56,504 --> 00:04:57,964
narrator:
The Newport Coin Exchange
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00:04:58,006 --> 00:05:00,633
had been the dream business
of Newport resident
97
00:05:00,675 --> 00:05:02,927
and father of two, Bill King.
98
00:05:02,969 --> 00:05:05,722
But that dream has suddenly
and violently
99
00:05:05,764 --> 00:05:08,308
turned into a nightmare.
100
00:05:08,350 --> 00:05:09,768
- This was a bloodbath.
101
00:05:09,809 --> 00:05:11,811
Bill King had obvious
head trauma,
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00:05:11,853 --> 00:05:14,022
but he was also shot
in the chest,
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00:05:14,064 --> 00:05:15,857
and he was shot in the back.
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00:05:15,899 --> 00:05:19,361
- Part of his skull
was dislodged.
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00:05:19,402 --> 00:05:21,654
Any sort of time
that you see brain,
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00:05:21,696 --> 00:05:23,865
you are not going to see
somebody survive.
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00:05:25,533 --> 00:05:26,868
- Here's
the dying man's declaration.
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00:05:26,910 --> 00:05:28,161
They're asking, "Who did it?
109
00:05:28,203 --> 00:05:29,871
Do you know
who did this to you?"
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00:05:29,913 --> 00:05:33,458
And here is Mr. King,
and he says, "It was Tom.
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00:05:33,500 --> 00:05:35,043
Tom shot me."
112
00:05:37,921 --> 00:05:40,090
narrator: With Bill going
in and out of consciousness
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00:05:40,131 --> 00:05:42,175
and unable
to answer questions,
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00:05:42,217 --> 00:05:46,304
investigators have no way
of clarifying who Tom is.
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00:05:46,346 --> 00:05:50,225
Hoping for answers, they focus
on the gruesome crime scene.
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00:05:50,266 --> 00:05:52,811
- The evidence that was
collected included
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00:05:52,852 --> 00:05:57,190
numerous casings
from a semi-automatic pistol,
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00:05:57,232 --> 00:05:59,067
the typical fibers, the blood.
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00:05:59,109 --> 00:06:01,236
A lot of rounds
that had been fired.
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00:06:01,277 --> 00:06:05,990
There was a counter that was
dusted for fingerprints,
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00:06:06,032 --> 00:06:08,159
and we ended up
with a palm print.
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00:06:09,953 --> 00:06:13,873
There were witness
identifications suggesting
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00:06:13,915 --> 00:06:16,835
two assailants
that were fleeing the scene.
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00:06:16,876 --> 00:06:19,212
They were described
as young men
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00:06:19,254 --> 00:06:21,756
with high and tight type
haircuts.
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00:06:23,842 --> 00:06:26,136
narrator: While robbery
appears to be a motive,
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00:06:26,177 --> 00:06:28,555
authorities wonder,
is there a chance
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00:06:28,596 --> 00:06:30,724
these killers
could strike again?
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00:07:28,031 --> 00:07:30,450
narrator: The murders leave
the idyllic community
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00:07:30,492 --> 00:07:31,826
reeling in shock
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00:07:31,868 --> 00:07:35,205
and a young family
desperate for answers.
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00:07:35,246 --> 00:07:37,123
- My name is
Kyle William King.
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00:07:37,165 --> 00:07:42,253
I am the son of William Daniel
King and Renee Emilia King.
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00:07:42,295 --> 00:07:45,757
I was five years old,
and I was at karate practice,
135
00:07:45,799 --> 00:07:47,842
and somebody very nervously
says,
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00:07:47,884 --> 00:07:49,552
"Kyle, a policeman's here."
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00:07:49,594 --> 00:07:52,138
And I kind of was excited like,
"Oh, cool.
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00:07:52,180 --> 00:07:54,808
A policeman, yeah, sick."
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00:07:54,849 --> 00:07:57,143
He brought me to his car.
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00:07:57,185 --> 00:07:58,728
He let me sit up front
with him.
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00:07:58,770 --> 00:08:00,772
And we--we got to drive fast
to the station,
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00:08:00,814 --> 00:08:03,024
and I--I just kind of remember
143
00:08:03,066 --> 00:08:05,652
how nice he was,
and that was just,
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00:08:05,694 --> 00:08:07,821
I guess maybe
the first red flag.
145
00:08:09,322 --> 00:08:12,659
I think it was my grandma
and my Auntie Pat.
146
00:08:12,701 --> 00:08:15,120
They told me, you know my dad
had been shot
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00:08:15,161 --> 00:08:18,707
and my mom is dead.
148
00:08:18,748 --> 00:08:21,251
And I didn't really know
what dead meant just yet,
149
00:08:21,292 --> 00:08:22,836
I think, you know?
150
00:08:22,877 --> 00:08:24,921
I--I think I remember
there was a time
151
00:08:24,963 --> 00:08:27,757
running around
the house afterwards
152
00:08:27,799 --> 00:08:29,342
and just being like,
"Where's she at?
153
00:08:29,384 --> 00:08:30,510
"She's gotta be here.
154
00:08:30,552 --> 00:08:33,013
Like, I don't know
where she is."
155
00:08:33,054 --> 00:08:35,765
It's--and I feel--feel like...
156
00:08:37,851 --> 00:08:40,687
That's when I kinda knew
what--what death meant.
157
00:08:40,729 --> 00:08:42,022
And it was permanent.
158
00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:46,901
Yeah.
159
00:08:52,782 --> 00:08:55,118
- Having three people shot
in one night
160
00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:59,039
in a robbery-homicide,
that was unusual.
161
00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:01,207
They're rare in the context
of working
162
00:09:01,249 --> 00:09:04,377
in a clearly
massively affluent area
163
00:09:04,419 --> 00:09:06,755
like Newport Beach.
164
00:09:06,796 --> 00:09:09,716
- Those things don't happen
in Newport Beach.
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00:09:09,758 --> 00:09:15,347
- Those acts of premeditation
ramp this kind of criminality
166
00:09:15,388 --> 00:09:18,099
up into the varsity levels
of prosecution.
167
00:09:19,851 --> 00:09:21,186
We didn't have an answer.
168
00:09:21,227 --> 00:09:23,146
Somebody has to be
held accountable.
169
00:09:26,107 --> 00:09:27,859
This is somebody
who is very well-versed
170
00:09:27,901 --> 00:09:30,111
in handling a pistol.
171
00:09:31,988 --> 00:09:35,825
- I'm being screamed on
from every direction,
172
00:09:35,867 --> 00:09:38,953
freeze, stop, get down.
173
00:09:41,915 --> 00:09:45,126
[dramatic music]
174
00:09:50,173 --> 00:09:50,632
[dramatic music]
175
00:09:52,926 --> 00:09:54,594
* *
176
00:09:54,636 --> 00:09:57,013
narrator: On March 14th, 1989,
177
00:09:57,055 --> 00:09:59,057
the Newport PD
Homicide squad is
178
00:09:59,099 --> 00:10:00,725
on the hunt for Tom,
179
00:10:00,767 --> 00:10:03,812
the man they believe may have
gunned down three people
180
00:10:03,853 --> 00:10:06,064
inside a local coin store.
181
00:10:06,106 --> 00:10:08,942
While store owner Bill King
lost his wife, Renee,
182
00:10:08,983 --> 00:10:11,319
and best friend, Clyde Oatts,
in the shooting,
183
00:10:11,361 --> 00:10:14,739
he still clings to life
at a local hospital.
184
00:10:14,781 --> 00:10:16,700
- Bill King was shot
in the head.
185
00:10:16,741 --> 00:10:20,662
Clyde Oatts was shot
in the head and in the chest.
186
00:10:20,704 --> 00:10:24,332
And then Renee King,
who was behind the counter,
187
00:10:24,374 --> 00:10:27,627
was shot through her neck
while trying to run and flee.
188
00:10:27,669 --> 00:10:31,965
The precision in the gunshot
wounds suggested training,
189
00:10:32,007 --> 00:10:34,759
suggested somebody who was
skilled with a firearm.
190
00:10:34,801 --> 00:10:37,012
It was the most skilled
shooting incident
191
00:10:37,053 --> 00:10:41,641
that I had investigated
with my team.
192
00:10:41,683 --> 00:10:46,563
There was a counter that was
dusted for fingerprints,
193
00:10:46,604 --> 00:10:49,274
and we ended up
with a partial palm print.
194
00:10:49,315 --> 00:10:51,901
And what it appeared
in that particular instance
195
00:10:51,943 --> 00:10:56,656
was the gunmen had put
his hand on the counter
196
00:10:56,698 --> 00:11:00,118
to reach over on top
before what we believe
197
00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:03,872
was a coup shot
into Renee King.
198
00:11:05,331 --> 00:11:09,044
But there was not a match
to the palm print
199
00:11:09,085 --> 00:11:11,838
that was in
any fingerprint database
200
00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:14,299
that we could identify.
201
00:11:14,341 --> 00:11:17,010
- In addition to the evidence
that the police found,
202
00:11:17,052 --> 00:11:18,595
they also were able
to determine
203
00:11:18,636 --> 00:11:23,266
that about $45,000
in silver coins had been taken.
204
00:11:24,768 --> 00:11:26,895
- The next thing that we found
205
00:11:26,936 --> 00:11:30,273
that was of significant
evidence was a receipt
206
00:11:30,315 --> 00:11:34,778
Renee King had in her hands--
would have used that
207
00:11:34,819 --> 00:11:38,573
to verify some sale
information being attached
208
00:11:38,615 --> 00:11:42,827
with an address to the Tustin
Marine Corps air station
209
00:11:42,869 --> 00:11:46,289
indicating the identity
of an Eric Watt.
210
00:11:49,918 --> 00:11:52,379
narrator: Although Bill King
had mentioned the name "Tom"
211
00:11:52,420 --> 00:11:55,131
before slipping
into an unconscious state,
212
00:11:55,173 --> 00:11:56,925
the receipt gives
investigators
213
00:11:56,966 --> 00:11:58,927
their first solid lead.
214
00:11:58,968 --> 00:12:02,639
Detectives head ten miles east
to the Tustin Marine Base
215
00:12:02,681 --> 00:12:04,766
to look for Eric Watt.
216
00:12:04,808 --> 00:12:08,019
- We didn't have any Eric Watt
at the base.
217
00:12:08,061 --> 00:12:10,689
There was an Eric Wick
218
00:12:10,730 --> 00:12:13,983
that was assigned to that area
of the Marine Corps.
219
00:12:15,985 --> 00:12:18,571
- While the detectives were
at the Tustin Marine Base
220
00:12:18,613 --> 00:12:20,657
looking for Eric Watt,
221
00:12:20,699 --> 00:12:22,158
they find
a very helpful Marine,
222
00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:23,910
his name is John Brady.
223
00:12:23,952 --> 00:12:28,790
And he did say that a friend
of his had confided in him
224
00:12:28,832 --> 00:12:31,376
that he had been
at the coin store.
225
00:12:31,418 --> 00:12:34,129
And that he knew
about the shooting.
226
00:12:34,170 --> 00:12:36,214
John Brady named Eric Wick.
227
00:12:39,342 --> 00:12:41,636
- The commanding officer
ordered every marine
228
00:12:41,678 --> 00:12:45,473
in the unit to submit
to a fingerprint card.
229
00:12:45,515 --> 00:12:50,020
And when that was done, we were
able to identify Eric Wick
230
00:12:50,061 --> 00:12:53,982
as the individual that left
the palm print on the counter.
231
00:12:55,859 --> 00:12:59,195
narrator: As investigators
work to track down Eric Wick,
232
00:12:59,237 --> 00:13:03,033
they are notified of an
astonishing break in the case.
233
00:13:03,074 --> 00:13:05,827
- So a miracle happened.
234
00:13:05,869 --> 00:13:09,080
Bill King finally awakened
235
00:13:09,122 --> 00:13:10,665
from
his medically induced coma,
236
00:13:10,707 --> 00:13:12,667
after about two weeks.
237
00:13:12,709 --> 00:13:15,670
[apprehensive music]
238
00:13:15,712 --> 00:13:18,340
* *
239
00:13:18,381 --> 00:13:22,552
- I'm Bill King,
and I was the owner
240
00:13:22,594 --> 00:13:25,555
of Newport Coin Exchange
241
00:13:25,597 --> 00:13:32,228
from 1985 till 1989.
242
00:13:32,270 --> 00:13:36,399
I was the sad victim
of a terrible event.
243
00:13:38,193 --> 00:13:41,696
I was in surgery that night,
like, nine hours
244
00:13:41,738 --> 00:13:45,617
with eight or nine surgeons
working on me the whole time.
245
00:13:45,658 --> 00:13:47,410
I lost my eye as a result.
246
00:13:47,452 --> 00:13:51,122
I have some physical problems
as a result
247
00:13:51,164 --> 00:13:53,333
of what happened.
248
00:13:53,375 --> 00:13:56,169
But as far
as my mental capabilities,
249
00:13:56,211 --> 00:13:58,588
just as sharp as ever.
250
00:14:01,091 --> 00:14:04,302
- I remember the first time
I visited him in the hospital.
251
00:14:04,344 --> 00:14:06,346
Looks like he just
got out of war.
252
00:14:06,388 --> 00:14:08,556
He was bandaged up
around his head.
253
00:14:08,598 --> 00:14:09,557
He had all these cables.
254
00:14:09,599 --> 00:14:11,226
Had to walk around
with a IV thing,
255
00:14:11,267 --> 00:14:13,520
and I remember
being scared of him,
256
00:14:13,561 --> 00:14:16,856
but also like,
"Thank God you're here."
257
00:14:16,898 --> 00:14:18,566
I was super happy to see him.
258
00:14:18,608 --> 00:14:24,197
It was just such a comfort to
know that he was still around.
259
00:14:24,239 --> 00:14:26,157
narrator:
Having regained consciousness,
260
00:14:26,199 --> 00:14:28,743
investigators are eager
to speak to Bill King,
261
00:14:28,785 --> 00:14:32,247
the massacre's lone survivor,
and find out what,
262
00:14:32,288 --> 00:14:35,250
if anything, he remembers
about the tragic event.
263
00:14:36,793 --> 00:14:38,253
- Police wanna talk to him.
264
00:14:38,294 --> 00:14:42,465
He was the only eyewitness
that truly knew who was there.
265
00:14:42,507 --> 00:14:44,884
- The only memory I have
other than, you know,
266
00:14:44,926 --> 00:14:48,096
waking up consciously
in the hospital, beyond that
267
00:14:48,138 --> 00:14:50,223
was in the--in the ambulance.
268
00:14:50,265 --> 00:14:54,060
And supposedly one of the guys
in the ambulance said,
269
00:14:54,102 --> 00:14:57,022
"Bill, who did this to you?"
270
00:14:57,063 --> 00:15:00,066
Supposedly I said,
"Tom shot me.
271
00:15:01,526 --> 00:15:04,487
Tom did it."
272
00:15:04,529 --> 00:15:07,115
- Somebody who's shot
in the head
273
00:15:07,157 --> 00:15:11,661
is going to have memory issues,
even today.
274
00:15:11,703 --> 00:15:15,749
- I couldn't remember
to save my life
275
00:15:15,790 --> 00:15:20,795
who the specific person
was that shot me.
276
00:15:20,837 --> 00:15:27,761
I knew it was somebody
that I'd met before.
277
00:15:27,802 --> 00:15:31,473
- Whether their statements
are accurate, credible,
278
00:15:31,514 --> 00:15:34,851
you can corroborate
the evidence that's offered.
279
00:15:34,893 --> 00:15:38,021
Those are all issues
that have to be determined
280
00:15:38,063 --> 00:15:40,648
through investigative steps.
281
00:15:40,690 --> 00:15:43,193
- While Bill King is talking
to the police,
282
00:15:43,234 --> 00:15:46,738
he starts to answer,
"Well, ask my wife, Renee,
283
00:15:46,780 --> 00:15:49,366
she'll be able to tell you
what happened."
284
00:15:49,407 --> 00:15:52,494
And it's at that time
that they tell him
285
00:15:52,535 --> 00:15:54,412
that his wife was killed.
286
00:16:00,543 --> 00:16:03,254
- Looking at this picture here,
287
00:16:03,296 --> 00:16:05,590
it's Renee and our son,
288
00:16:05,632 --> 00:16:08,134
Kyle, and myself.
289
00:16:08,176 --> 00:16:10,512
[sentimental music]
290
00:16:10,553 --> 00:16:15,433
Renee was just bubbly
and fun and silly,
291
00:16:15,475 --> 00:16:20,105
and nothing seemed
to aggravate or get her down.
292
00:16:20,146 --> 00:16:22,315
She was
an extremely good mother.
293
00:16:25,402 --> 00:16:26,861
- My mom was a go-getter.
294
00:16:26,903 --> 00:16:30,073
My mom was nothing but
pure comfort and--and smiles.
295
00:16:32,784 --> 00:16:37,497
- And that's when the nurse,
she informed me Clyde died.
296
00:16:37,539 --> 00:16:39,541
Clyde Oatts, he was another
one of these people
297
00:16:39,582 --> 00:16:41,334
you just felt good
to be around.
298
00:16:41,376 --> 00:16:43,628
He's always just fun.
299
00:16:43,670 --> 00:16:46,756
- Clyde was also
my brother's godfather.
300
00:16:46,798 --> 00:16:48,967
He was his best friend.
301
00:16:49,009 --> 00:16:53,847
You know, Clyde was definitely
a major part of my dad's life.
302
00:16:53,888 --> 00:16:57,434
- We had two little boys,
they had three little boys.
303
00:16:57,475 --> 00:17:01,187
Clyde was very proud
of his boys.
304
00:17:01,229 --> 00:17:04,149
He would spend time with them
and dote on them,
305
00:17:04,190 --> 00:17:06,317
and he was a good father
that way.
306
00:17:08,570 --> 00:17:10,739
narrator: With Bill's
miraculous awakening,
307
00:17:10,780 --> 00:17:14,451
investigators ask him whether
the name Eric rings any bells.
308
00:17:14,492 --> 00:17:16,745
He suddenly recalls
a chilling encounter
309
00:17:16,786 --> 00:17:19,289
with a customer named
Eric at his coin shop
310
00:17:19,330 --> 00:17:21,583
six days prior
to the shooting.
311
00:17:21,624 --> 00:17:24,461
- Eric was at the counter.
312
00:17:24,502 --> 00:17:27,756
He wanted to buy
33 Canadian Maple Leafs,
313
00:17:27,797 --> 00:17:31,634
which are
one-ounce gold coins.
314
00:17:31,676 --> 00:17:36,348
I wrote out that
purchase ticket, and I said,
315
00:17:36,389 --> 00:17:38,475
"What's your last name, Eric?"
316
00:17:41,770 --> 00:17:45,231
To me, that should've
been a red flag.
317
00:17:45,273 --> 00:17:48,109
[dramatic music]
318
00:17:55,867 --> 00:17:56,326
[dramatic music]
319
00:17:58,745 --> 00:18:05,669
* *
320
00:18:07,337 --> 00:18:09,089
narrator:
In the spring of 1989,
321
00:18:09,130 --> 00:18:12,008
the only survivor
of an execution-style shooting
322
00:18:12,050 --> 00:18:14,177
starts to regain his memory.
323
00:18:14,219 --> 00:18:15,637
From his hospital bed,
324
00:18:15,679 --> 00:18:17,472
Bill King describes
an encounter
325
00:18:17,514 --> 00:18:19,974
with a young man named Eric
at his coin store
326
00:18:20,016 --> 00:18:22,268
less than a week
before the shooting.
327
00:18:23,728 --> 00:18:27,357
- I wrote out
that purchase ticket,
328
00:18:27,399 --> 00:18:30,610
and I said,
"What's your last name, Eric?"
329
00:18:30,652 --> 00:18:33,238
And he's like,
"What do you need that for?"
330
00:18:37,784 --> 00:18:43,289
And he's all, "Okay, it's Watt.
W-A-T-T, Watt."
331
00:18:43,331 --> 00:18:45,250
"What's your phone number?"
332
00:18:50,797 --> 00:18:53,425
"I need a phone number, Eric."
333
00:18:53,466 --> 00:18:56,886
And then finally he gave me
a number and he said,
334
00:18:56,928 --> 00:18:59,097
"This is the number
to the barracks,
335
00:18:59,139 --> 00:19:00,598
"it's like a payphone thing.
336
00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,768
You just ask for Eric,
everyone knows who I am."
337
00:19:10,233 --> 00:19:15,238
narrator: On March 14th, 1989,
six days after that exchange,
338
00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:18,116
the young marine was scheduled
to return with cash
339
00:19:18,158 --> 00:19:20,577
to buy the gold coins.
340
00:19:20,618 --> 00:19:24,080
- Around 5:00, Renee and I
are more or less
341
00:19:24,122 --> 00:19:27,125
preparing to close the store.
342
00:19:27,167 --> 00:19:31,963
Clyde and his wife Marlyn
are gonna come over,
343
00:19:32,005 --> 00:19:34,507
and we're all going
to go out together.
344
00:19:34,549 --> 00:19:39,012
So I'm in my office,
Eric comes in the store.
345
00:19:39,054 --> 00:19:39,971
I said...
346
00:19:42,557 --> 00:19:43,683
And he's like...
347
00:19:51,232 --> 00:19:53,401
And next thing I know
I'm on the floor.
348
00:19:58,656 --> 00:20:00,784
And I look down,
and right here,
349
00:20:00,825 --> 00:20:04,079
blood is just squirting
out of my sternum.
350
00:20:04,120 --> 00:20:06,706
This guy just shot me.
351
00:20:06,748 --> 00:20:12,712
I became infuriated,
and I jumped up on my two feet
352
00:20:12,754 --> 00:20:15,006
and jumped up
from behind the counter.
353
00:20:15,048 --> 00:20:17,133
I don't know what I thought
I was gonna do,
354
00:20:17,175 --> 00:20:20,845
and he shot me again,
and down I went.
355
00:20:22,806 --> 00:20:24,808
Eric was out of my sight,
356
00:20:24,849 --> 00:20:28,478
and with that
I crawled into my office.
357
00:20:30,230 --> 00:20:32,148
I had a shotgun in my office.
358
00:20:32,190 --> 00:20:36,361
I was trying to stick shells
into the shotgun.
359
00:20:36,403 --> 00:20:39,572
Eric saw me with shotgun.
He shot me again.
360
00:20:39,614 --> 00:20:41,116
I got shot in the head
right there.
361
00:20:44,536 --> 00:20:48,289
Apparently, then he thought
he did the job.
362
00:20:48,331 --> 00:20:50,166
- Bill King was shot
in the head.
363
00:20:50,208 --> 00:20:54,170
Clyde Oatts was shot
in the head and in the chest.
364
00:20:54,212 --> 00:20:58,508
And then Renee King, who
was trying to run and flee,
365
00:20:58,550 --> 00:21:00,927
she ended up getting shot.
366
00:21:00,969 --> 00:21:04,014
So we believe she was
the third person shot
367
00:21:04,055 --> 00:21:05,724
within seconds.
368
00:21:05,765 --> 00:21:11,646
And the--and I might say
the precision of the gunfire
369
00:21:11,688 --> 00:21:14,566
into the decedents
and into Bill King
370
00:21:14,607 --> 00:21:19,696
was--was truly evidence
of someone well versed
371
00:21:19,738 --> 00:21:21,197
in handling a firearm.
372
00:21:21,239 --> 00:21:25,201
[suspenseful music]
373
00:21:25,243 --> 00:21:29,414
- The next thing that happened
that I'm conscious of
374
00:21:29,456 --> 00:21:32,625
is that I'm going out
the front door to my store,
375
00:21:32,667 --> 00:21:35,712
all of a sudden,
I'm being screamed on
376
00:21:35,754 --> 00:21:41,092
from every direction,
freeze, stop, get down.
377
00:21:41,134 --> 00:21:47,891
And I'm feeling gun barrels
against my head.
378
00:21:47,932 --> 00:21:50,727
Apparently, they think
I'm the shooter or something.
379
00:21:50,769 --> 00:21:55,732
And I just started
screaming out,
380
00:21:55,774 --> 00:21:58,109
"I'm the owner
of the business,
381
00:21:58,151 --> 00:22:00,779
I'm the victim," you know?
382
00:22:00,820 --> 00:22:03,198
"Back off." And they did.
383
00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:09,579
- So Bill King is able
to tell police
384
00:22:09,621 --> 00:22:14,918
that an Eric had purchased
the $45,000 in coins
385
00:22:14,959 --> 00:22:17,170
and that he had come
to pick them up.
386
00:22:17,212 --> 00:22:19,589
And instead of picking up
his coins,
387
00:22:19,631 --> 00:22:21,758
he pulled a gun
and started shooting.
388
00:22:25,929 --> 00:22:27,806
narrator: While Bill's memory
of the events
389
00:22:27,847 --> 00:22:29,849
don't include
anyone named Tom,
390
00:22:29,891 --> 00:22:32,060
his recollection
of the exchange with Eric
391
00:22:32,102 --> 00:22:33,937
provides important
confirmation
392
00:22:33,978 --> 00:22:37,941
about the investigative trail
detectives are following.
393
00:22:37,982 --> 00:22:41,820
- The intentions were to--
to bring him, Eric Wick, in,
394
00:22:41,861 --> 00:22:43,947
and we probably
would have interviewed him,
395
00:22:43,988 --> 00:22:47,659
but we came across
other information
396
00:22:47,701 --> 00:22:50,620
from his non-commission
officer in charge
397
00:22:50,662 --> 00:22:54,290
that he had decided he needed
to take an emergency leave,
398
00:22:54,332 --> 00:22:57,127
and so he was fleeing
the jurisdiction
399
00:22:57,168 --> 00:23:01,464
and heading what we thought
was up 395 to Reno
400
00:23:01,506 --> 00:23:03,258
where he resided.
401
00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:07,137
- Once they knew who they were
looking for,
402
00:23:07,178 --> 00:23:10,390
they learn that Eric Wick
was a 20-year-old marine,
403
00:23:10,432 --> 00:23:13,518
and he lived in Reno, Nevada.
404
00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:16,980
- He had been very nervous,
405
00:23:17,022 --> 00:23:21,109
obviously concerned
that something was wrong.
406
00:23:21,151 --> 00:23:24,279
When Eric Wick fled,
we were in a place
407
00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,449
of having a direct target now
that we're gonna go after.
408
00:23:27,490 --> 00:23:33,621
* *
409
00:23:33,663 --> 00:23:35,415
- He had an accomplice.
410
00:23:35,457 --> 00:23:37,792
He said there was
someone with him.
411
00:23:37,834 --> 00:23:40,962
- "We the jury in the
above-entitled case
412
00:23:41,004 --> 00:23:43,590
find the defendant..."
and then there's a pause.
413
00:23:43,631 --> 00:23:45,884
And the--the clerk's voice
trembles
414
00:23:45,925 --> 00:23:48,678
'cause she can't hardly
get it out either.
415
00:23:50,221 --> 00:23:53,183
[dramatic music]
416
00:23:57,979 --> 00:23:58,438
[dramatic music]
417
00:24:01,691 --> 00:24:04,652
[tense music]
418
00:24:04,694 --> 00:24:07,947
* *
419
00:24:07,989 --> 00:24:10,075
narrator:
Armed with mounting evidence,
420
00:24:10,116 --> 00:24:12,285
Newport Beach
Homicide detectives have
421
00:24:12,327 --> 00:24:14,537
a prime suspect
for the deadly robbery
422
00:24:14,579 --> 00:24:16,498
at the Newport Coin Exchange:
423
00:24:16,539 --> 00:24:18,500
marine Eric Wick.
424
00:24:18,541 --> 00:24:21,795
- Eric Wick
was a 20-year-old marine
425
00:24:21,836 --> 00:24:24,964
serving his country
and was the son
426
00:24:25,006 --> 00:24:28,468
of a very well-respected
ranking FBI agent
427
00:24:28,510 --> 00:24:30,470
in the Reno field office.
428
00:24:30,512 --> 00:24:33,765
[suspenseful music]
429
00:24:33,807 --> 00:24:36,434
The former police chief
of Reno PD
430
00:24:36,476 --> 00:24:38,103
was an--a former captain
431
00:24:38,144 --> 00:24:39,604
from the Newport Beach
Police Department.
432
00:24:39,646 --> 00:24:44,401
So we had close personal
relationships with this agency.
433
00:24:44,442 --> 00:24:45,777
And so I got on
the phone with him,
434
00:24:45,819 --> 00:24:47,237
shared with him
that we believed
435
00:24:47,278 --> 00:24:50,156
we had some flight
of a wanted felon
436
00:24:50,198 --> 00:24:54,369
responsible for three
shooting victims, two dead.
437
00:24:55,829 --> 00:24:57,372
Eric's father was
438
00:24:57,414 --> 00:24:59,499
somebody that
the Reno Police Department
439
00:24:59,541 --> 00:25:00,917
had very high regard for.
440
00:25:00,959 --> 00:25:03,336
And they were all crestfallen
that his son was now
441
00:25:03,378 --> 00:25:04,754
a suspect in this.
442
00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:10,301
- With the help
of Reno police,
443
00:25:10,343 --> 00:25:12,762
the Newport Beach police
were able to take Eric Wick
444
00:25:12,804 --> 00:25:14,973
into custody
without further incident,
445
00:25:15,015 --> 00:25:17,809
and his father at the time
said that he just really
446
00:25:17,851 --> 00:25:20,228
didn't believe
that his son could do that,
447
00:25:20,270 --> 00:25:24,315
and that he was gonna get him
the finest attorneys possible.
448
00:25:24,357 --> 00:25:27,861
In the meantime,
a search warrant is executed.
449
00:25:27,902 --> 00:25:29,529
narrator:
The warrant carried out
450
00:25:29,571 --> 00:25:31,197
by the Reno Police Department
451
00:25:31,239 --> 00:25:35,869
gives investigators inside out
access to Eric's Chevy Nova.
452
00:25:35,910 --> 00:25:38,705
And what they find
helps seal his fate.
453
00:25:40,206 --> 00:25:42,334
- His Chevrolet Nova
is searched,
454
00:25:42,375 --> 00:25:45,211
and they find
a nine-millimeter pistol,
455
00:25:45,253 --> 00:25:47,547
and they found the gold coins
456
00:25:47,589 --> 00:25:49,841
that matched the description
of the coins
457
00:25:49,883 --> 00:25:52,594
taken from the Coin Exchange.
458
00:25:52,635 --> 00:25:54,763
narrator: Eric wick
is transported from Reno
459
00:25:54,804 --> 00:25:56,181
to Orange County
460
00:25:56,222 --> 00:25:59,100
where detectives begin
their interrogation.
461
00:25:59,142 --> 00:26:01,311
- At first, he tried to deny
that he was even there,
462
00:26:01,353 --> 00:26:03,772
but he couldn't really
tell them where he was,
463
00:26:03,813 --> 00:26:05,440
or how his fingerprints
got there.
464
00:26:05,482 --> 00:26:08,068
Finally, he broke down,
and he said it was him.
465
00:26:10,570 --> 00:26:13,406
- I'm John D. Barnett,
I'm a criminal defense lawyer.
466
00:26:13,448 --> 00:26:15,909
In the mid-90s,
I was representing
467
00:26:15,950 --> 00:26:18,703
people charged with serious
criminal offenses.
468
00:26:18,745 --> 00:26:21,790
So Eric Wick confesses
he's the lone gunman.
469
00:26:21,831 --> 00:26:25,877
He confessed he shot people.
It was just a robbery gone bad.
470
00:26:25,919 --> 00:26:27,879
So he makes a full confession
471
00:26:27,921 --> 00:26:31,216
where he implicates
only himself.
472
00:26:31,257 --> 00:26:33,593
narrator: With a full
confession from Eric Wick,
473
00:26:33,635 --> 00:26:36,096
the mysterious "Tom"
that Bill King named
474
00:26:36,137 --> 00:26:39,224
in the ambulance
no longer seems relevant.
475
00:26:39,265 --> 00:26:41,685
Three months
after the heinous crime,
476
00:26:41,726 --> 00:26:44,270
on June 14, 1989,
477
00:26:44,312 --> 00:26:47,440
Eric Wick is charged
with two counts of homicide,
478
00:26:47,482 --> 00:26:49,192
one count
of attempted homicide,
479
00:26:49,234 --> 00:26:51,903
felony robbery, and burglary.
480
00:26:51,945 --> 00:26:54,072
Now detectives hope that Bill
481
00:26:54,114 --> 00:26:56,032
and any eyewitnesses
to the crime
482
00:26:56,074 --> 00:26:58,326
will confirm that
they have the trigger man.
483
00:26:58,368 --> 00:27:02,080
- One of the witnesses
was a baker named Finn Olsen,
484
00:27:02,122 --> 00:27:04,666
who was outside
the Coin Exchange
485
00:27:04,708 --> 00:27:07,293
around the time
of the shooting.
486
00:27:07,335 --> 00:27:09,838
- I told the police I had seen
these two people.
487
00:27:59,429 --> 00:28:03,016
So I could identify him?
Said I'd be happy to.
488
00:28:07,312 --> 00:28:09,481
And I walked in the room,
489
00:28:09,522 --> 00:28:11,858
and I just took
a quick glance.
490
00:28:11,900 --> 00:28:16,988
They had five guys standing up
there behind a glass wall.
491
00:28:17,030 --> 00:28:19,532
I looked, and there
was Eric Wick.
492
00:28:21,034 --> 00:28:23,328
Right away I said the number.
493
00:28:23,370 --> 00:28:27,540
* *
494
00:28:27,582 --> 00:28:30,752
"Yeah, that's who did it."
495
00:28:30,794 --> 00:28:33,755
narrator: Four months after
the arrest of Eric Wick,
496
00:28:33,797 --> 00:28:35,215
investigators get a call
497
00:28:35,256 --> 00:28:37,425
from Wick's friend
and fellow Marine
498
00:28:37,467 --> 00:28:40,929
that threatens to blow
the whole case wide open.
499
00:28:40,970 --> 00:28:42,389
- Eric Wick
tells John Brady,
500
00:28:42,430 --> 00:28:46,726
yes, he did commit the crime,
but he had an accomplice.
501
00:28:46,768 --> 00:28:48,812
He said there was
someone with him.
502
00:28:48,853 --> 00:28:51,439
They wouldn't really name
the person who was with him,
503
00:28:51,481 --> 00:28:54,359
but he described the person
as an older marine
504
00:28:54,401 --> 00:28:56,236
who had taught him
martial arts
505
00:28:56,277 --> 00:28:58,947
and had been with him that day.
506
00:28:58,988 --> 00:29:02,492
narrator: And that marine
is a man named Thomas Merrill,
507
00:29:02,534 --> 00:29:05,620
or as his friends
know him, Tom.
508
00:29:05,662 --> 00:29:08,123
Could this be the same Tom
Bill King named
509
00:29:08,164 --> 00:29:10,083
right after being shot?
510
00:29:10,125 --> 00:29:13,003
- Tom Merrill was
a 26-year-old sharpshooter
511
00:29:13,044 --> 00:29:14,546
in the Marine Corps,
512
00:29:14,587 --> 00:29:18,675
and he was bunkmates
with Eric Wick.
513
00:29:18,717 --> 00:29:20,885
- Detectives learn
from John Brady that Eric Wick
514
00:29:20,927 --> 00:29:24,848
shared a storage unit
with a man named Tom Merrill.
515
00:29:24,889 --> 00:29:26,808
John Brady and Tom Merrill
516
00:29:26,850 --> 00:29:31,604
had helped Eric move some
rifles into that storage unit.
517
00:29:31,646 --> 00:29:34,566
That storage unit
has a security code,
518
00:29:34,607 --> 00:29:36,401
and the police were able
to determine
519
00:29:36,443 --> 00:29:38,987
that Eric Wick had used
that security code
520
00:29:39,029 --> 00:29:43,700
to access that storage unit
the days after the shooting.
521
00:29:43,742 --> 00:29:47,412
- John Brady said
that he heard Eric and Tom
522
00:29:47,454 --> 00:29:50,915
talking about doing a robbery.
523
00:29:50,957 --> 00:29:53,710
Gaming it out.
524
00:29:53,752 --> 00:29:55,879
- One of the reasons
they looked at Tom Merrill
525
00:29:55,920 --> 00:30:00,133
was that Bill King had said
to the--to the paramedic,
526
00:30:00,175 --> 00:30:02,761
"Tom shot me."
527
00:30:02,802 --> 00:30:05,263
The Tom could've been
Tom Merrill.
528
00:30:05,305 --> 00:30:07,182
- The police began to believe
529
00:30:07,223 --> 00:30:08,975
that Tom must
have been involved,
530
00:30:09,017 --> 00:30:10,602
and so they went after him.
531
00:30:19,819 --> 00:30:20,278
[dramatic music]
532
00:30:22,781 --> 00:30:29,704
* *
533
00:30:31,956 --> 00:30:33,249
narrator: More than a year
534
00:30:33,291 --> 00:30:35,377
after a Newport coin store
shooting spree
535
00:30:35,418 --> 00:30:37,420
left Bill King
seriously injured
536
00:30:37,462 --> 00:30:40,256
and his wife
and best friend dead,
537
00:30:40,298 --> 00:30:42,759
20-year-old
Eric wick confesses,
538
00:30:42,801 --> 00:30:45,345
but now says
he didn't act alone.
539
00:30:45,387 --> 00:30:47,347
Police are on the hunt
to find the man
540
00:30:47,389 --> 00:30:50,308
he names as his accomplice,
Tom Merrill.
541
00:30:53,770 --> 00:30:55,313
- Tom Merrill
was a lance corporal
542
00:30:55,355 --> 00:30:57,941
in the United States
Marine Corps.
543
00:30:57,982 --> 00:31:00,068
- Merrill is 26 years old,
a bit older.
544
00:31:00,110 --> 00:31:03,488
He is a martial arts expert,
and a sharpshooter,
545
00:31:03,530 --> 00:31:07,325
and a bunkmate of Eric Wick.
546
00:31:07,367 --> 00:31:09,661
- What the police knew
about Tom is that
547
00:31:09,703 --> 00:31:15,583
he helped move the weapons
from his car to a warehouse.
548
00:31:15,625 --> 00:31:19,838
So we know that he helped Eric
after the shooting.
549
00:31:19,879 --> 00:31:21,840
- When Thomas Merrill
was initially questioned,
550
00:31:21,881 --> 00:31:24,676
he told police that
he had nothing to do with it.
551
00:31:24,718 --> 00:31:27,679
The one problem that he had
was he didn't have an alibi.
552
00:31:27,721 --> 00:31:29,764
- It is about whereabouts
and can you account
553
00:31:29,806 --> 00:31:32,767
for where you were at,
you know, 4:00
554
00:31:32,809 --> 00:31:36,688
on a particular afternoon
18 months earlier.
555
00:31:36,730 --> 00:31:40,900
And Tom's recollection
of that was not perfect.
556
00:31:40,942 --> 00:31:43,945
- So the police bring a photo
of Thomas Merrill
557
00:31:43,987 --> 00:31:46,489
to--to Bill King,
and he doesn't recognize him.
558
00:31:46,531 --> 00:31:48,241
He said, you know,
here's the man
559
00:31:48,283 --> 00:31:49,909
who said, "Tom shot me,"
560
00:31:49,951 --> 00:31:52,162
and now he looks at a picture
of--of Thomas Merrill
561
00:31:52,203 --> 00:31:54,289
and he says he had
no recollection
562
00:31:54,330 --> 00:31:56,374
of ever seeing Thomas Merrill.
563
00:31:59,085 --> 00:32:02,589
narrator: Nearly 18 months
after the violent rampage,
564
00:32:02,630 --> 00:32:07,177
Newport police turn once again
to eyewitness Finn Olsen.
565
00:32:10,347 --> 00:32:13,099
- You would think it works
in Tom's favor
566
00:32:13,141 --> 00:32:17,228
that neither Finn Olsen
or Bill King
567
00:32:17,270 --> 00:32:19,731
could put him
at the scene of the crime.
568
00:32:19,773 --> 00:32:21,358
You would think that
that would help a lot.
569
00:32:21,399 --> 00:32:24,944
But John Brady said
Tom helped Eric.
570
00:32:24,986 --> 00:32:29,949
Bill King told the paramedics
that "Tom" shot him.
571
00:32:29,991 --> 00:32:35,205
And the police believed that
it could only be Tom Merrill.
572
00:32:35,246 --> 00:32:37,707
And so he is arrested
and charged.
573
00:32:39,209 --> 00:32:41,086
narrator: In March 1991,
574
00:32:41,127 --> 00:32:43,463
a preliminary hearing
for Wick and Merrill
575
00:32:43,505 --> 00:32:45,256
determines
there's enough evidence
576
00:32:45,298 --> 00:32:48,510
for both to face trial.
577
00:32:48,551 --> 00:32:51,262
Three months later,
the trial of both Eric Wick
578
00:32:51,304 --> 00:32:52,889
and Tom Merrill begins.
579
00:32:56,518 --> 00:32:59,062
I looked forward
to the trial daily.
580
00:32:59,104 --> 00:33:02,565
I had the same anticipation
to go to that like I did
581
00:33:02,607 --> 00:33:05,360
when I saw the Beatles
when I was in eighth grade.
582
00:33:07,570 --> 00:33:10,532
- Eric's defense was,
"I'm not the shooter.
583
00:33:10,573 --> 00:33:13,785
I was just being controlled
by Tom Merrill."
584
00:33:13,827 --> 00:33:15,912
He believed that
if he could help
585
00:33:15,954 --> 00:33:18,707
the prosecution
convict Tom Merrill,
586
00:33:18,748 --> 00:33:23,336
that he himself could then
get a reduced sentence.
587
00:33:30,677 --> 00:33:32,178
- Tom Merrill
did take the stand.
588
00:33:32,220 --> 00:33:33,680
He did assert his innocence.
589
00:33:33,722 --> 00:33:37,475
But he didn't remember
where he was.
590
00:33:37,517 --> 00:33:40,186
And he was vulnerable
to cross-examination
591
00:33:40,228 --> 00:33:42,439
on the lack of memory.
592
00:33:44,691 --> 00:33:48,069
Both Tom Merrill and Eric Wick
were found guilty
593
00:33:48,111 --> 00:33:50,363
of all the charges
brought against them.
594
00:33:53,908 --> 00:33:57,579
They get two
very different sentences.
595
00:33:57,620 --> 00:33:59,581
Tom gets sentenced to life
596
00:33:59,622 --> 00:34:01,583
without the possibility
of parole.
597
00:34:01,624 --> 00:34:07,589
And Eric gets 36 to life
for a single count
598
00:34:07,630 --> 00:34:09,591
of first-degree murder.
599
00:34:13,720 --> 00:34:16,389
narrator: Two murders,
two convictions,
600
00:34:16,431 --> 00:34:19,142
two vastly
different sentences.
601
00:34:19,184 --> 00:34:23,063
Renee King and Clyde Oatts'
killers are now behind bars,
602
00:34:23,104 --> 00:34:25,065
but was justice really served?
603
00:34:25,106 --> 00:34:28,068
[suspenseful music]
604
00:34:28,109 --> 00:34:30,111
* *
605
00:34:30,153 --> 00:34:32,364
- I got a call
from the lawyer in LA,
606
00:34:32,405 --> 00:34:36,701
and he asked me to assist in
trying to get Tom a new trial,
607
00:34:36,743 --> 00:34:40,330
and if he got a new trial,
to try the case with him.
608
00:34:42,791 --> 00:34:45,460
Finn Olsen was an eyewitness.
609
00:34:45,502 --> 00:34:47,921
He's shown a lineup
with Tom Merrill,
610
00:34:47,962 --> 00:34:53,510
and he tells the investigators
"Not only I can't make an ID,
611
00:34:53,551 --> 00:34:55,261
but that's not the guy."
612
00:34:55,303 --> 00:34:58,723
That evidence did not get
presented to the jury.
613
00:34:58,765 --> 00:35:03,103
We had the evidence
that was explosive.
614
00:35:03,144 --> 00:35:06,314
The bottom line was Tom
was denied that evidence
615
00:35:06,356 --> 00:35:11,194
and showing that would have
an impact on the trial.
616
00:35:11,236 --> 00:35:14,155
He was granted a new trial.
617
00:35:14,197 --> 00:35:16,783
narrator: On March 24th, 1995,
618
00:35:16,825 --> 00:35:19,869
nearly four years after
getting a life sentence,
619
00:35:19,911 --> 00:35:22,163
Thomas Merrill has
a second chance
620
00:35:22,205 --> 00:35:23,790
to fight for his freedom.
621
00:35:23,832 --> 00:35:26,334
This time, Finn Olsen
is able to testify
622
00:35:26,376 --> 00:35:29,254
that he did not see Merrill
at the crime scene.
623
00:35:29,295 --> 00:35:32,257
The defense also presents
surprising new evidence
624
00:35:32,298 --> 00:35:35,927
about where Merrill was
right before the murders.
625
00:35:35,969 --> 00:35:38,346
- When Thomas Merrill
was initially questioned,
626
00:35:38,388 --> 00:35:39,973
he had a lack of an alibi,
627
00:35:40,015 --> 00:35:44,060
but in going through
with dogged determination,
628
00:35:44,102 --> 00:35:46,521
John Barnett finds
out that, actually,
629
00:35:46,563 --> 00:35:48,356
Merrill did have an alibi
630
00:35:48,398 --> 00:35:50,817
and had the receipt
to show for it.
631
00:35:50,859 --> 00:35:56,072
- It turns out that Tom made
a $20 withdrawal from an ATM,
632
00:35:56,114 --> 00:36:00,160
which was about four miles from
the robbery before the murder.
633
00:36:00,201 --> 00:36:03,455
And this robbery was planned,
and it boggles the mind
634
00:36:03,496 --> 00:36:06,791
to think that if he's going
to a robbery that he planned,
635
00:36:06,833 --> 00:36:11,588
that he'd stop off
at an ATM to get 20 bucks.
636
00:36:13,590 --> 00:36:17,010
narrator: After six years
of anguish for those involved
637
00:36:17,052 --> 00:36:19,095
and eight days
of deliberation,
638
00:36:19,137 --> 00:36:22,015
the jury returns
with a shocking decision.
639
00:36:22,057 --> 00:36:27,312
- The jury was deadlocked 7
to 5 in favor of conviction.
640
00:36:27,354 --> 00:36:28,980
- A mistrial was declared.
641
00:36:29,022 --> 00:36:31,024
And then they tried him
a third time.
642
00:36:31,066 --> 00:36:33,735
So hopefully, the third time
is the charm, right?
643
00:36:36,780 --> 00:36:38,740
narrator: Thomas Merrill's
attorneys are able
644
00:36:38,782 --> 00:36:40,575
to poke holes in another one
645
00:36:40,617 --> 00:36:42,827
of the prosecution's
main theories,
646
00:36:42,869 --> 00:36:45,538
that Bill King told a
paramedic at the crime scene,
647
00:36:45,580 --> 00:36:47,332
"Tom did it."
648
00:36:47,374 --> 00:36:51,711
- One of the first responders
who was questioning Bill King
649
00:36:51,753 --> 00:36:55,632
had a jacket on, and the jacket
had his name on it.
650
00:36:55,674 --> 00:36:59,386
And the name that Bill King
was looking at
651
00:36:59,427 --> 00:37:03,473
when he was asked the question,
"Who hurt you?" was Tom.
652
00:37:04,933 --> 00:37:08,728
He has been
gunshot three times.
653
00:37:08,770 --> 00:37:12,649
He's in terrible pain,
he can't form sentences,
654
00:37:12,691 --> 00:37:17,737
but he can see Tom
on this paramedic's shirt.
655
00:37:17,779 --> 00:37:19,823
That's where the Tom
came from.
656
00:37:19,864 --> 00:37:24,202
So that piece
was extremely important.
657
00:37:26,121 --> 00:37:28,832
Bill King, he's sitting
with Tom's mom,
658
00:37:28,873 --> 00:37:31,668
Sarah Merrill,
during the third trial.
659
00:37:31,710 --> 00:37:33,920
They're describing
this horrific killing
660
00:37:33,962 --> 00:37:37,465
about his wife being executed
and him being shot in the head,
661
00:37:37,507 --> 00:37:41,553
and who's he sitting next
to holding their hand?
662
00:37:41,594 --> 00:37:42,971
The defendant's mom.
663
00:37:43,013 --> 00:37:46,933
And that's a more
powerful statement
664
00:37:46,975 --> 00:37:50,061
than any other
of the pieces of evidence.
665
00:37:50,103 --> 00:37:53,940
narrator: After deliberating
for nine hours over two days,
666
00:37:53,982 --> 00:37:56,234
the jury reaches a verdict.
667
00:37:56,276 --> 00:38:00,238
- I can feel Tom's mom,
Mrs. Merrill, behind me.
668
00:38:00,280 --> 00:38:06,619
I have Tom next to me,
and I can feel the tension.
669
00:38:06,661 --> 00:38:11,583
There's a lot of emotions that
go through your head and heart
670
00:38:11,624 --> 00:38:13,585
because you know
what the stakes are.
671
00:38:17,672 --> 00:38:20,467
[dramatic music]
672
00:38:24,929 --> 00:38:25,388
[dramatic music]
673
00:38:27,682 --> 00:38:33,188
* *
674
00:38:33,229 --> 00:38:36,232
- "We the jury
in the above-entitled case
675
00:38:36,274 --> 00:38:39,194
find the defendant
Thomas Merrill..."
676
00:38:39,235 --> 00:38:40,779
and then there's a pause.
677
00:38:40,820 --> 00:38:43,114
And the--the clerk's
voice trembles
678
00:38:43,156 --> 00:38:45,742
'cause she can't hardly
get it out either.
679
00:38:45,784 --> 00:38:46,910
"Not guilty."
680
00:38:54,751 --> 00:38:56,294
- My name's Tom Merrill.
681
00:38:56,336 --> 00:38:59,089
When the verdict came back
"not guilty"...
682
00:39:01,216 --> 00:39:02,926
I was just dazed.
683
00:39:04,344 --> 00:39:06,805
Knowing that
I was not someplace,
684
00:39:06,846 --> 00:39:09,724
knowing that I did not
shoot any people.
685
00:39:11,059 --> 00:39:12,977
For me to get
to the point of view
686
00:39:13,019 --> 00:39:15,105
that they believed I did...
687
00:39:18,942 --> 00:39:22,153
I cannot wrap my head
around that.
688
00:39:22,195 --> 00:39:27,951
I met Eric Wick when I came
to work at the armory.
689
00:39:27,992 --> 00:39:32,706
We kind of bonded as the new
people and most junior.
690
00:39:34,457 --> 00:39:39,170
The amount of storage we had
on base wasn't all that much.
691
00:39:39,212 --> 00:39:42,257
We got a storage unit
off-base.
692
00:39:42,298 --> 00:39:45,343
Eric had this kind of
duffel bag full of stuff.
693
00:39:45,385 --> 00:39:48,930
It was like nunchucks,
some wooden swords,
694
00:39:48,972 --> 00:39:51,766
a couple of other
things like that.
695
00:39:51,808 --> 00:39:54,728
He also had an AK-47.
696
00:39:56,521 --> 00:40:00,942
Eric Wick murdered two people
and tried to murder a third.
697
00:40:00,984 --> 00:40:02,193
He just tried to murder me
698
00:40:02,235 --> 00:40:04,821
using the criminal
justice system.
699
00:40:07,615 --> 00:40:12,662
- There is no doubt
whatsoever in my mind
700
00:40:12,704 --> 00:40:18,918
that there was one sole robber,
shooter,
701
00:40:18,960 --> 00:40:22,672
and that clearly was Eric Wick.
702
00:40:25,508 --> 00:40:28,136
- I spent about five years
in prison.
703
00:40:28,178 --> 00:40:32,349
Bill King had a lot
to do with me being free.
704
00:40:32,390 --> 00:40:36,102
To give half a damn
705
00:40:36,144 --> 00:40:38,229
about somebody that the police
were saying
706
00:40:38,271 --> 00:40:41,524
was guilty
of doing that to him.
707
00:40:41,566 --> 00:40:45,487
I--I just don't have words.
708
00:40:45,528 --> 00:40:46,863
I really don't have words.
709
00:40:48,406 --> 00:40:53,286
- Tom, I would view as a friend
in that somebody
710
00:40:53,328 --> 00:40:57,499
I feel would watch my back
or be in my corner.
711
00:40:57,540 --> 00:41:00,502
[solemn music]
712
00:41:00,543 --> 00:41:03,838
* *
713
00:41:03,880 --> 00:41:06,341
- Since getting out of prison,
714
00:41:06,383 --> 00:41:10,553
I've suffered
from chronic PTSD.
715
00:41:10,595 --> 00:41:12,389
Trusting anybody is difficult.
716
00:41:15,058 --> 00:41:18,770
The long-term effects
of depression,
717
00:41:18,812 --> 00:41:24,859
the long-term effects of not
being able to see the sun.
718
00:41:24,901 --> 00:41:26,861
On a good day,
I can walk a mile.
719
00:41:29,656 --> 00:41:32,742
On a bad day, I've trouble
making it to the toilet.
720
00:41:39,082 --> 00:41:41,501
Oh, my God, my mother.
721
00:41:43,044 --> 00:41:45,338
I really doubt I'd be free
722
00:41:45,380 --> 00:41:47,424
without everything
that she did.
723
00:41:47,465 --> 00:41:51,094
My mom worked
day and night on my case.
724
00:41:51,136 --> 00:41:55,056
She always used these
steno pads to write notes.
725
00:41:55,098 --> 00:41:57,100
And I remember one,
it was like...
726
00:41:58,893 --> 00:42:02,063
"Renew Zoloft,
727
00:42:02,105 --> 00:42:06,151
talk to attorney about this,
get eggs."
728
00:42:06,192 --> 00:42:09,904
Yeah. My mom's amazing.
729
00:42:09,946 --> 00:42:13,658
* *
730
00:42:13,700 --> 00:42:17,746
- The victimization is not
limited to the person
731
00:42:17,787 --> 00:42:20,415
whose life was taken.
732
00:42:20,457 --> 00:42:23,752
All of the people that are left
behind in the Oatts family,
733
00:42:23,793 --> 00:42:26,254
in the King family,
those children,
734
00:42:26,296 --> 00:42:29,507
they suffer every day
without their parent.
735
00:42:32,635 --> 00:42:34,179
- Eric Wick took my mother.
736
00:42:34,220 --> 00:42:37,474
Eric Wick took
a part of my father.
737
00:42:37,515 --> 00:42:40,435
He took away an entire
trajectory of my life.
738
00:42:40,477 --> 00:42:44,814
And he sent me down
a rabbit hole of trauma.
739
00:42:44,856 --> 00:42:48,485
For--for a long time,
for 38 years.
740
00:42:50,653 --> 00:42:52,947
You know, I didn't know
if my dad was coming back.
741
00:42:52,989 --> 00:42:54,532
I had my little brother.
742
00:42:54,574 --> 00:42:56,242
So that's why I'm just
743
00:42:56,284 --> 00:42:58,411
so thankful
for everything I have now.
744
00:43:00,330 --> 00:43:01,956
- My children couldn't
have been blessed
745
00:43:01,998 --> 00:43:04,459
with a better mother.
746
00:43:06,086 --> 00:43:07,545
And that's how I see her.
747
00:43:09,464 --> 00:43:11,591
- You know, when you do
your nighttime prayers,
748
00:43:11,633 --> 00:43:14,886
I'd always kinda like
call the phone to Jesus
749
00:43:14,928 --> 00:43:17,305
and be like,
"Hey, can I talk to my mom?"
750
00:43:17,347 --> 00:43:19,557
And I'd kinda just pray
to my mom.
751
00:43:21,267 --> 00:43:24,646
That was super comforting
for me growing up.
752
00:43:24,688 --> 00:43:27,816
Just kinda like--like,
"Hey, Jesus, what's up?
753
00:43:27,857 --> 00:43:29,150
"Everything's cool, man.
754
00:43:29,192 --> 00:43:30,610
How's my mom doing,
can I talk to her?"
755
00:43:30,652 --> 00:43:34,948
And then just kinda
just talk to her in my way.
756
00:43:34,989 --> 00:43:36,908
I did that a lot.