1 00:00:11,444 --> 00:00:13,778 - In 2021, "snapped" told the story 2 00:00:13,847 --> 00:00:16,615 Of eunice cristina rodriguez, 3 00:00:16,683 --> 00:00:21,820 Who was building a family with 51-year-old tommy brown. 4 00:00:21,888 --> 00:00:24,156 - He just longed at that point 5 00:00:24,224 --> 00:00:27,492 To have a child. 6 00:00:27,494 --> 00:00:29,561 - He finally felt like, for the first time, 7 00:00:29,630 --> 00:00:31,596 He was gonna be able to have that family 8 00:00:31,665 --> 00:00:33,499 He had always wanted. 9 00:00:35,302 --> 00:00:39,304 - When tommy falls victim to a vicious attack, 10 00:00:39,372 --> 00:00:42,173 Detectives must untangle a complicated web 11 00:00:42,243 --> 00:00:44,276 Of relationships. 12 00:00:44,344 --> 00:00:48,080 - We were told he has a couple of girlfriends. 13 00:00:48,148 --> 00:00:50,315 - She was setting up, like, tension, you know, 14 00:00:50,383 --> 00:00:52,050 Wanting them to be at odds with each other. 15 00:00:52,119 --> 00:00:53,685 - If not for her, one wouldn't be dead 16 00:00:53,754 --> 00:00:56,055 And one wouldn't be in prison for the rest of their life. 17 00:00:56,123 --> 00:00:57,756 She was the ringleader here. 18 00:00:59,226 --> 00:01:00,359 - Now, serving a life sentence 19 00:01:00,427 --> 00:01:02,694 In the texas department of corrections, 20 00:01:02,763 --> 00:01:06,065 Cristina rodriguez is ready to tell her story 21 00:01:06,133 --> 00:01:09,033 For the first time. 22 00:01:09,103 --> 00:01:11,003 - I'm not as evil as you think I am. 23 00:01:11,071 --> 00:01:12,070 I do have a heart. 24 00:01:12,138 --> 00:01:14,473 I didn't expect for things to turn out the way 25 00:01:14,541 --> 00:01:15,474 They turned out. 26 00:01:15,542 --> 00:01:18,877 - Cristina continues to play that victim role, 27 00:01:18,946 --> 00:01:21,546 Blaming other people but never taking any responsibility 28 00:01:21,615 --> 00:01:25,250 For her motives that she had to even carry out this plan. 29 00:01:25,318 --> 00:01:27,051 - I coulda had stopped that fight. 30 00:01:27,121 --> 00:01:28,720 I coulda had called 911. 31 00:01:28,789 --> 00:01:32,091 I never thought that he would go that far. 32 00:01:34,661 --> 00:01:36,628 - In an exclusive interview, 33 00:01:36,697 --> 00:01:39,231 Braylon ellis, cristina's former lover 34 00:01:39,299 --> 00:01:41,600 And the man convicted of the crime, 35 00:01:41,668 --> 00:01:45,103 Comes forward to set the record straight. 36 00:01:45,172 --> 00:01:47,439 - People need to know the truth, 37 00:01:47,507 --> 00:01:50,309 What really happened, and why things happened. 38 00:01:50,377 --> 00:01:52,477 - She was playing them both. 39 00:01:52,546 --> 00:01:55,680 - I didn't think I would have been getting played 40 00:01:55,749 --> 00:01:59,118 On the level that she was playing me on. 41 00:02:02,956 --> 00:02:04,623 - Braylon, you're a liar. 42 00:02:07,193 --> 00:02:17,201 ♪♪ 43 00:02:17,203 --> 00:02:22,774 ♪♪ 44 00:02:30,784 --> 00:02:34,686 - My name is eunice cristina rodriguez. 45 00:02:34,755 --> 00:02:35,787 I'm real nervous. 46 00:02:35,856 --> 00:02:38,290 But there's some things that need to be said. 47 00:02:38,358 --> 00:02:41,994 I wanted to-to tell some things to the family 48 00:02:42,062 --> 00:02:45,597 Of the victim of what I'm in here for. 49 00:02:45,666 --> 00:02:49,367 I would tell 'em that I'm sorry. 50 00:02:49,436 --> 00:02:53,105 That I'm sorry that-- 51 00:02:53,173 --> 00:02:57,209 That I didn't do anything to help him. 52 00:02:57,277 --> 00:02:58,276 - I am loving. 53 00:02:58,278 --> 00:03:01,079 I am caring. 54 00:03:01,148 --> 00:03:03,382 Deep inside of me, I have a heart. 55 00:03:03,450 --> 00:03:05,317 I might not show it. 56 00:03:05,385 --> 00:03:07,452 I'm very prideful. 57 00:03:07,521 --> 00:03:10,188 But other than that, I am a good person. 58 00:03:10,257 --> 00:03:12,290 - Miss rodriguez. - Mm-hmm. 59 00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:14,693 - Everything I've learned about cristina, uhm, 60 00:03:14,761 --> 00:03:17,496 Back then even now, I don't think it's changed, 61 00:03:17,564 --> 00:03:20,265 Is that she was just a manipulator. 62 00:03:20,333 --> 00:03:21,833 Clearly, she didn't seem to care about either one 63 00:03:21,902 --> 00:03:24,402 Of these individuals because if not for her, 64 00:03:24,471 --> 00:03:26,004 One wouldn't be dead and one wouldn't be in prison 65 00:03:26,072 --> 00:03:27,806 For the rest of their life. 66 00:03:27,874 --> 00:03:31,210 - I really wish I wouldn't have met neither one of those men. 67 00:03:32,813 --> 00:03:34,980 And just maybe I wouldn't be here. 68 00:03:40,887 --> 00:03:43,889 - September 7th, 2013. 69 00:03:43,957 --> 00:03:47,592 It's just after 3:00 pm in fort worth, texas, 70 00:03:47,661 --> 00:03:49,560 When authorities are called to the home 71 00:03:49,562 --> 00:03:53,264 Of 51-year-old tommy brown. 72 00:03:53,334 --> 00:03:57,302 - An individual was found, appeared deceased in his house. 73 00:03:57,371 --> 00:04:00,372 He had a bag on his head he was face down, 74 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:02,741 But his sister who found him is the one who said, 75 00:04:02,809 --> 00:04:05,377 You know, that looks like tommy. 76 00:04:05,445 --> 00:04:08,012 - Whenever we went in mr. Brown's house 77 00:04:08,081 --> 00:04:10,448 After we had obtained our warrant, 78 00:04:10,517 --> 00:04:13,151 There was some splattering on the lower door 79 00:04:13,219 --> 00:04:15,754 And around his body. 80 00:04:15,822 --> 00:04:19,524 - He had a bag that was not only taped over his neck, 81 00:04:19,593 --> 00:04:23,328 But there were also shoelaces tied around his neck. 82 00:04:23,397 --> 00:04:25,129 - His hands were tied behind his back. 83 00:04:25,131 --> 00:04:26,398 I mean these are, these are things 84 00:04:26,466 --> 00:04:29,401 That are clearly consistent with murder. 85 00:04:29,469 --> 00:04:30,535 - He had a lot of what I would call 86 00:04:30,604 --> 00:04:32,804 Defensive wounds on his body. 87 00:04:32,873 --> 00:04:36,608 This was a struggle, and you could clearly see that. 88 00:04:37,844 --> 00:04:40,612 - Tommy put up a fight, the best fight he could, 89 00:04:40,681 --> 00:04:41,746 But when it was all said and done, 90 00:04:41,748 --> 00:04:44,482 There was just too many blows to his head, 91 00:04:44,551 --> 00:04:47,886 Too many blows to his body and they-they finally won. 92 00:04:47,954 --> 00:04:50,789 - It was a brutal murder, one of those scenes 93 00:04:50,857 --> 00:04:53,424 That will stick with me forever. 94 00:04:53,494 --> 00:04:57,495 - I did not see how bad it was. 95 00:04:57,564 --> 00:05:01,533 I think that was just god shielding me, 96 00:05:01,601 --> 00:05:05,137 You know, cause he knew what I could handle. 97 00:05:05,205 --> 00:05:09,307 My brother was a very givin' person. 98 00:05:09,375 --> 00:05:11,743 I still don't believe it. 99 00:05:16,983 --> 00:05:21,185 - Born in 1961, tommy brown and his sister andrea 100 00:05:21,255 --> 00:05:23,521 Grew up in fort worth. 101 00:05:23,590 --> 00:05:26,891 - We was a very close knit family. 102 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:28,660 It was a family of four. 103 00:05:28,728 --> 00:05:32,497 My mother, father, my brother and I. 104 00:05:32,565 --> 00:05:35,267 - Tommy didn't go to college. 105 00:05:35,335 --> 00:05:38,470 He just stayed home after graduating 106 00:05:38,538 --> 00:05:42,340 And, uh, helped in my father's business, 107 00:05:42,409 --> 00:05:45,376 Which was a janitorial service. 108 00:05:45,446 --> 00:05:47,579 - Tommy was very passionate. 109 00:05:47,647 --> 00:05:49,413 His work meant a lot to him. 110 00:05:49,415 --> 00:05:51,015 Tommy was the kind of person 111 00:05:51,017 --> 00:05:53,685 That made friends wherever he went. 112 00:05:57,023 --> 00:06:01,359 - In 2004, after years of living a bachelor's lifestyle, 113 00:06:01,428 --> 00:06:03,795 43-year-old tommy began a relationship 114 00:06:03,864 --> 00:06:07,466 With one of his co-workers, connie moreno. 115 00:06:08,568 --> 00:06:11,602 - Tommy and connie were together when I met them. 116 00:06:11,672 --> 00:06:16,207 And she came along as his helper in the business. 117 00:06:17,043 --> 00:06:18,576 - They had their highs and lows. 118 00:06:18,645 --> 00:06:22,514 It would be real good for a while, 119 00:06:22,582 --> 00:06:27,919 And then it would just go sour. 120 00:06:27,921 --> 00:06:30,655 - They were kind of on again, off again. 121 00:06:30,724 --> 00:06:32,991 It was kind of one of those kinds of relationships. 122 00:06:37,831 --> 00:06:40,365 - When connie and tommy were on the outs, 123 00:06:40,433 --> 00:06:42,867 Tommy confided in a unique friend, 124 00:06:42,936 --> 00:06:47,038 A prison penpal named cristina rodriguez. 125 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:50,542 - I was incarcerated and I met him as a penpal 126 00:06:50,610 --> 00:06:52,777 Through a friend. 127 00:06:52,779 --> 00:06:55,780 The tommy that I knew, he was a good man. 128 00:06:55,849 --> 00:06:59,417 He would come visit me, faithfully. 129 00:06:59,486 --> 00:07:03,054 He sent money, put money on my commissary. 130 00:07:03,123 --> 00:07:05,557 He was an awesome man. 131 00:07:05,625 --> 00:07:07,859 - We stayed in contact throughout the whole 10 years 132 00:07:07,928 --> 00:07:09,460 That I was incarcerated. 133 00:07:09,530 --> 00:07:14,499 And I promised to go out there and be with him. 134 00:07:14,568 --> 00:07:15,834 You know, if he was-- 135 00:07:15,902 --> 00:07:18,169 If-if that's what he wanted to do. 136 00:07:18,238 --> 00:07:20,004 We were gonna be together. 137 00:07:20,073 --> 00:07:22,573 When cristina was released, however, 138 00:07:22,643 --> 00:07:26,144 Tommy had already made a choice to stay with connie. 139 00:07:28,081 --> 00:07:32,584 - He was really in love with connie, 140 00:07:32,652 --> 00:07:37,522 And he really wanted a life with connie. 141 00:07:37,591 --> 00:07:42,126 And tommy was someone who really wanted 142 00:07:42,128 --> 00:07:46,498 A child of his own, who loved kids. 143 00:07:50,036 --> 00:07:53,805 - But plans for their future are suddenly destroyed, 144 00:07:53,873 --> 00:07:55,607 When police are called to tommy's home 145 00:07:55,675 --> 00:07:59,845 On September 7th 2013. 146 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,014 - Part of his head was split open. 147 00:08:03,083 --> 00:08:06,318 I mean, his-his face looked like he'd gotten in a fight 148 00:08:06,386 --> 00:08:08,319 With mike tyson. 149 00:08:08,321 --> 00:08:09,721 - It was one of the most savage beatings 150 00:08:09,789 --> 00:08:12,123 That I've ever seen. 151 00:08:12,125 --> 00:08:14,158 - My biggest concern is trying to find who did it. 152 00:08:14,227 --> 00:08:16,161 I need to get the person as quickly as possible. 153 00:08:18,331 --> 00:08:19,564 - Coming up, 154 00:08:19,632 --> 00:08:24,135 Authorities must determine who had motive to kill tommy. 155 00:08:24,137 --> 00:08:26,638 - To strike someone in the head like that, 156 00:08:26,706 --> 00:08:31,142 Would be done out of uh-uh quite a bit of rage. 157 00:08:31,211 --> 00:08:32,877 - He had to protect her. 158 00:08:32,879 --> 00:08:36,247 - And cristina rodriguez opens up. 159 00:08:36,316 --> 00:08:37,749 - I was there. 160 00:08:37,817 --> 00:08:39,517 I watched the whole thing. 161 00:08:39,585 --> 00:08:41,052 It was an accident. 162 00:08:49,295 --> 00:08:54,999 ♪♪ 163 00:08:55,068 --> 00:08:57,435 - Fort worth detectives are searching the home 164 00:08:57,503 --> 00:08:59,938 Of 51-year-old tommy brown 165 00:09:00,006 --> 00:09:02,507 After he's discovered beaten to death 166 00:09:02,575 --> 00:09:04,276 On his hallway floor. 167 00:09:05,411 --> 00:09:06,777 - He was black and blue, alright? 168 00:09:06,847 --> 00:09:08,980 I mean, he had bruises and contusions 169 00:09:09,049 --> 00:09:10,549 All over his body. 170 00:09:10,617 --> 00:09:13,951 Part of his head was split open. 171 00:09:14,020 --> 00:09:14,886 - We were focused at that point 172 00:09:14,954 --> 00:09:16,087 On blunt force objects, 173 00:09:16,156 --> 00:09:21,660 Which would be anything that could cause a heavy impact, 174 00:09:21,728 --> 00:09:23,661 Anything with-- with a lot of weight 175 00:09:23,730 --> 00:09:27,499 And-and mass in general, 176 00:09:27,567 --> 00:09:29,767 That would be used to beat him. 177 00:09:29,836 --> 00:09:31,769 - The thing that caught me the most was there were 178 00:09:31,838 --> 00:09:34,005 These shards of glass or porcelain, 179 00:09:34,074 --> 00:09:35,840 At the time we didn't know. 180 00:09:35,842 --> 00:09:37,676 I would just describe it as, you know, pieces 181 00:09:37,744 --> 00:09:39,411 Of, like, a coffee cup or something like that. 182 00:09:39,479 --> 00:09:41,946 Because there weren't that many 183 00:09:42,015 --> 00:09:44,649 And it really didn't make up anything 184 00:09:44,718 --> 00:09:45,750 And so it was kind of hard to figure out 185 00:09:45,818 --> 00:09:47,318 What that was about. 186 00:09:47,387 --> 00:09:48,787 In the kitchen there were blood drops, 187 00:09:48,855 --> 00:09:50,020 So there was a strong possibility the person 188 00:09:50,022 --> 00:09:53,758 Who committed this crime had injured themselves as well. 189 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:57,395 - There was a perfect, quarter-size blood drop 190 00:09:57,397 --> 00:10:00,798 That was to the right of the little mat at the sink. 191 00:10:00,867 --> 00:10:03,034 That was probably where the suspect 192 00:10:03,103 --> 00:10:05,704 Had washed their hands or tried to clean up, 193 00:10:05,772 --> 00:10:07,639 And the way that that blood drop was, 194 00:10:07,707 --> 00:10:09,073 It was a perfect circle, 195 00:10:09,142 --> 00:10:11,342 So that means it came just straight down. 196 00:10:11,411 --> 00:10:14,012 The perpetrator had probably cut their hand, 197 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:17,281 And that was the suspect's blood. 198 00:10:17,283 --> 00:10:19,350 - While crime scene investigators collect 199 00:10:19,419 --> 00:10:21,052 The dna evidence, 200 00:10:21,121 --> 00:10:23,722 Detectives study the scene for clues 201 00:10:23,790 --> 00:10:26,490 That might point to a suspect. 202 00:10:26,492 --> 00:10:28,526 - One of the first things we noticed was there was 203 00:10:28,594 --> 00:10:30,261 No forced entry into the house, 204 00:10:30,330 --> 00:10:33,931 And that became important from a sense that that tells us 205 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:37,301 Either this person was likely either let in 206 00:10:37,303 --> 00:10:40,138 Or had access to that home. 207 00:10:40,206 --> 00:10:42,907 - We did notice on entry to the residence 208 00:10:42,975 --> 00:10:44,409 That there was a, what appeared to be, 209 00:10:44,477 --> 00:10:46,811 A tv table of some sort. 210 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,247 The dust patterns on that tv table 211 00:10:49,315 --> 00:10:51,982 Would have indicated that likely there should have been 212 00:10:52,052 --> 00:10:54,485 A tv there, as well as the cable hookups 213 00:10:54,487 --> 00:10:57,221 That were disconnected and things like that. 214 00:10:57,223 --> 00:10:58,657 - We're looking for tommy's cell phone, 215 00:10:58,725 --> 00:10:59,857 We're looking for tommy's wallet, 216 00:10:59,926 --> 00:11:01,726 We're looking for tommy's id card, 217 00:11:01,795 --> 00:11:03,727 We're looking for his debit card. 218 00:11:03,729 --> 00:11:05,096 - The police learn pretty quickly 219 00:11:05,165 --> 00:11:07,064 That his wallet, debit cards, 220 00:11:07,133 --> 00:11:10,068 And car keys were missing as well. 221 00:11:12,205 --> 00:11:14,806 - Outside, officers speak to tommy's sister, 222 00:11:14,874 --> 00:11:17,875 Andrea brown. 223 00:11:17,944 --> 00:11:21,345 - I started talking to another police officer 224 00:11:21,347 --> 00:11:24,949 About his truck, uh, being missing 225 00:11:24,951 --> 00:11:27,852 And described the truck. 226 00:11:27,854 --> 00:11:30,154 - As the officer takes andrea's statement, 227 00:11:30,223 --> 00:11:32,490 He has a sudden revelation. 228 00:11:32,558 --> 00:11:34,758 - One of the officers had brought to my attention 229 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:36,060 Saying, "hey, a couple of days ago 230 00:11:36,129 --> 00:11:38,129 "I had a call over to a convenience store, 231 00:11:38,198 --> 00:11:39,897 "where there was a truck, 232 00:11:39,966 --> 00:11:41,032 "and the keys were left in the truck." 233 00:11:41,101 --> 00:11:44,101 And I just went back on-- on his computer, and he said, 234 00:11:44,170 --> 00:11:45,870 “this is the same address that came back to.” 235 00:11:46,973 --> 00:11:48,773 - It had been left with keys running, 236 00:11:48,842 --> 00:11:51,142 Just roughly a mile away. 237 00:11:51,211 --> 00:11:53,978 And the owner of the store thought that was unusual 238 00:11:54,047 --> 00:11:55,113 That the keys were left in it. 239 00:11:55,181 --> 00:11:57,382 So, he called, and it was impounded. 240 00:12:00,153 --> 00:12:02,053 - As andrea is transported to the station 241 00:12:02,121 --> 00:12:04,155 For her formal statement, 242 00:12:04,224 --> 00:12:06,691 Detectives stop by the impound lot 243 00:12:06,759 --> 00:12:08,359 To inspect tommy's truck. 244 00:12:09,662 --> 00:12:12,296 - There appeared to be a lot in the bed of the truck. 245 00:12:12,365 --> 00:12:13,931 There was a trashcan. 246 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,399 It had a trash bag and appeared to have 247 00:12:15,401 --> 00:12:18,436 Some bloody items inside there. 248 00:12:18,505 --> 00:12:22,741 - Detectives also discover large pieces of porcelain. 249 00:12:22,809 --> 00:12:24,142 - It was immediately evident, 250 00:12:24,210 --> 00:12:26,310 Okay, that's going to be consistent 251 00:12:26,379 --> 00:12:29,080 With those small shards of what looked like ceramic 252 00:12:29,148 --> 00:12:31,683 That were on the floor near tommy's body. 253 00:12:31,751 --> 00:12:33,050 - At that point, 254 00:12:33,119 --> 00:12:35,687 They realized that those ceramic pieces 255 00:12:35,755 --> 00:12:37,455 Were a toilet tank lid. 256 00:12:37,524 --> 00:12:41,092 - The heavy ceramic portion that you would lift up 257 00:12:41,161 --> 00:12:44,195 To fix the toilet if you had to, that, 258 00:12:44,264 --> 00:12:48,967 They believed, could've been used as a murder weapon. 259 00:12:51,237 --> 00:12:53,571 - Being in homicide close to fifteen years now, 260 00:12:53,639 --> 00:12:57,108 I have never had another offense or a murder 261 00:12:57,177 --> 00:12:59,543 Where a toilet tank lid was used as a weapon, 262 00:12:59,545 --> 00:13:02,714 And so that was pretty unique to this case. 263 00:13:02,782 --> 00:13:04,248 - To strike someone in the head 264 00:13:04,317 --> 00:13:06,617 With the thick porcelain like that, 265 00:13:06,686 --> 00:13:09,587 To have it shatter would be done out of, uh-uh, 266 00:13:09,655 --> 00:13:12,991 Quite a bit of rage, 267 00:13:12,993 --> 00:13:14,525 And would be, as you could imagine, 268 00:13:14,594 --> 00:13:16,260 Extremely violent hit, 269 00:13:16,329 --> 00:13:19,998 Uh, to-to shatter that thick of a porcelain. 270 00:13:21,801 --> 00:13:23,367 - Inside the cab of the truck, 271 00:13:23,436 --> 00:13:27,271 Detectives find their first lead. 272 00:13:27,340 --> 00:13:29,440 - There were a few items that were found, 273 00:13:29,509 --> 00:13:31,843 One being a bus ticket. 274 00:13:31,911 --> 00:13:33,945 The bus ticket was in the name of, uh, 275 00:13:34,013 --> 00:13:35,880 A eunice rodriguez. 276 00:13:43,489 --> 00:13:47,024 - No, because I wanted them to find me. 277 00:13:47,093 --> 00:13:49,627 I knew they were gonna find me anyways. 278 00:13:49,695 --> 00:13:51,128 The neighbors knew me. 279 00:13:51,197 --> 00:13:53,497 They knew I used to go there frequently. 280 00:13:53,499 --> 00:13:55,500 I was the last person to see him. 281 00:14:04,376 --> 00:14:09,513 ♪♪ 282 00:14:09,582 --> 00:14:13,517 Within hours of finding 51-year-old tommy brown 283 00:14:13,586 --> 00:14:17,221 Brutally murdered inside his fort worth, texas home, 284 00:14:17,223 --> 00:14:21,092 Detectives sit down with the woman who found his body, 285 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:24,562 Tommy's sister, andrea. 286 00:14:24,631 --> 00:14:25,897 According to andrea, 287 00:14:25,965 --> 00:14:28,132 Tommy had a longtime girlfriend, 288 00:14:28,134 --> 00:14:31,035 Connie moreno, but she wasn't the only woman 289 00:14:31,104 --> 00:14:33,605 In tommy's life. 290 00:14:33,673 --> 00:14:36,941 - He has a couple of girlfriends, we were told. 291 00:14:38,077 --> 00:14:41,479 - Then, andrea drops a bombshell. 292 00:14:41,547 --> 00:14:45,383 His other girlfriend is eunice cristina rodriguez. 293 00:14:47,220 --> 00:14:49,820 - They were able to discover that eunice 294 00:14:49,889 --> 00:14:52,456 Goes by cristina most often, 295 00:14:52,525 --> 00:14:54,658 And they were able to make that connection 296 00:14:54,660 --> 00:14:58,596 That it was cristina that the bus ticket 297 00:14:58,665 --> 00:15:00,965 Was purchased for. 298 00:15:01,033 --> 00:15:02,300 - The more we learned about cristina, 299 00:15:02,368 --> 00:15:04,135 The more we felt like there's-- 300 00:15:04,203 --> 00:15:05,670 There's some red flags here. 301 00:15:10,743 --> 00:15:15,846 - Eunice "cristina" rodriguez was born in 1976. 302 00:15:15,915 --> 00:15:18,582 - I grew up in el paso, texas. 303 00:15:18,651 --> 00:15:22,786 Me and my sister, when we were young my dad remarried. 304 00:15:22,856 --> 00:15:25,589 And, um... 305 00:15:25,658 --> 00:15:28,126 The lady raised us like we were her own. 306 00:15:29,395 --> 00:15:31,062 - Despite a loving home, 307 00:15:31,130 --> 00:15:35,199 Cristina got on the wrong path. 308 00:15:35,268 --> 00:15:36,434 - I started doing a lot of things 309 00:15:36,502 --> 00:15:40,071 That I wasn't supposed to, although our parents raised us 310 00:15:40,139 --> 00:15:42,340 To be better than that. 311 00:15:42,408 --> 00:15:46,110 I started to ditch school, 312 00:15:46,178 --> 00:15:48,078 Hang out with the wrong crowd. 313 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:51,349 And just start do drugs, steal. 314 00:15:54,787 --> 00:15:57,855 - Over the years, cristina had three daughters, 315 00:15:57,923 --> 00:16:00,892 But she struggled to make ends meet. 316 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:02,994 - I ended up with a man. 317 00:16:03,062 --> 00:16:05,163 We were on drugs. 318 00:16:05,165 --> 00:16:08,666 And we stayed in and out of jail. 319 00:16:08,735 --> 00:16:12,704 And I ended up losing my kids to the state. 320 00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:18,609 - When cristina was released from prison in 2011, 321 00:16:18,678 --> 00:16:22,513 She visited her new beau tommy brown in fort worth 322 00:16:22,515 --> 00:16:25,916 At the home he shared with connie. 323 00:16:25,985 --> 00:16:27,885 - He would pay for me to come see him. 324 00:16:27,954 --> 00:16:32,023 And he would tell me that he wasn't with her anymore, 325 00:16:32,091 --> 00:16:34,191 That they were through. 326 00:16:34,260 --> 00:16:37,561 But that yet, connie was still living in his house. 327 00:16:37,630 --> 00:16:40,364 But he would tell me that the only reason why he wa-- 328 00:16:40,366 --> 00:16:43,534 She was letting her stay there was because, uh, 329 00:16:43,603 --> 00:16:45,136 He didn't want her in the streets, 330 00:16:45,204 --> 00:16:48,572 And he still cared for her. 331 00:16:48,574 --> 00:16:52,209 I was in love with him and I was naïve, 332 00:16:52,278 --> 00:16:54,011 So I was like, "okay, 333 00:16:54,079 --> 00:16:56,914 "if that's just the reason why, then so be it." 334 00:16:56,983 --> 00:16:59,083 - He did have a couple of girlfriends, 335 00:16:59,151 --> 00:17:01,219 But I think his one goal was to find somebody 336 00:17:01,287 --> 00:17:05,423 Who wanted to start and share a family with him. 337 00:17:05,491 --> 00:17:08,292 - Just five months before tommy's murder, 338 00:17:08,294 --> 00:17:11,629 Tommy had told andrea that cristina rodriguez 339 00:17:11,697 --> 00:17:15,065 Had offered to help him start a family. 340 00:17:15,067 --> 00:17:18,569 - He told me she agreed that 341 00:17:18,571 --> 00:17:23,407 She would have a baby for tommy and connie. 342 00:17:23,409 --> 00:17:26,610 Because she really appreciated everything 343 00:17:26,679 --> 00:17:30,348 That my brother had did for her. 344 00:17:30,416 --> 00:17:33,451 He said that they were intimate once 345 00:17:33,519 --> 00:17:37,789 For the sole purpose of having a child. 346 00:17:38,992 --> 00:17:42,794 - She told tommy that she was pregnant with his child. 347 00:17:44,129 --> 00:17:47,431 - He told me it was around 348 00:17:47,433 --> 00:17:52,069 April of 2013 349 00:17:52,137 --> 00:17:56,240 That she was expecting. 350 00:17:56,308 --> 00:18:01,145 He was excited that he was going to be a dad. 351 00:18:02,514 --> 00:18:05,349 - However, cristina refutes the claim that she offered 352 00:18:05,418 --> 00:18:08,786 To help connie and tommy have a child. 353 00:18:08,854 --> 00:18:11,055 - I was not tryin' to be nobody's surrogate. 354 00:18:11,123 --> 00:18:12,723 No. 355 00:18:12,792 --> 00:18:15,259 The baby I was gonna have was tommy's baby. 356 00:18:15,328 --> 00:18:16,860 Connie can have her own babies. 357 00:18:16,930 --> 00:18:18,629 She had kids of her own. 358 00:18:18,698 --> 00:18:21,332 She just didn't have kids with tommy. 359 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:22,866 He would tell me that there was nothing 360 00:18:22,868 --> 00:18:24,402 Going on between them. 361 00:18:24,470 --> 00:18:26,770 That I didn't have nothing to worry about. 362 00:18:26,839 --> 00:18:29,140 But every time that I would go over to his house, 363 00:18:29,208 --> 00:18:31,575 I would see connie there. 364 00:18:31,644 --> 00:18:34,511 And she would tell me, you know, 365 00:18:34,580 --> 00:18:37,715 That tommy's lying to me, 366 00:18:37,783 --> 00:18:39,316 That she lives there. 367 00:18:39,385 --> 00:18:41,719 And that she's been living there. 368 00:18:41,787 --> 00:18:45,523 And that they're still having, uh, intercourses. 369 00:18:45,591 --> 00:18:49,794 It's like I was with a man that was living a double life. 370 00:18:51,897 --> 00:18:54,865 - Detectives learn that the complicated relationship 371 00:18:54,934 --> 00:18:58,235 Between cristina, tommy, and connie ultimately led 372 00:18:58,304 --> 00:19:01,706 To connie moving out of tommy's house... 373 00:19:03,108 --> 00:19:06,476 - The relationship was toxic. 374 00:19:06,546 --> 00:19:10,380 I told them that I felt like it was connie, 375 00:19:10,382 --> 00:19:12,917 'cause he didn't have any enemies. 376 00:19:16,255 --> 00:19:18,622 - Just as the interview is wrapping up, 377 00:19:18,691 --> 00:19:22,560 Andrea receives a bizarre text message. 378 00:19:22,628 --> 00:19:24,728 - She said, "hey, I just want to let you know 379 00:19:24,797 --> 00:19:26,564 "I just got a text message from tommy." 380 00:19:29,234 --> 00:19:29,901 It was a response 381 00:19:29,969 --> 00:19:31,068 To one of her previous text messages 382 00:19:31,136 --> 00:19:32,303 Asking where tommy was. 383 00:19:32,371 --> 00:19:34,037 He said, "hey I'm going to el paso, 384 00:19:34,039 --> 00:19:35,739 "my girlfriend's pregnant. 385 00:19:35,808 --> 00:19:38,141 "what do you want?" 386 00:19:38,211 --> 00:19:40,444 - I was shocked, because at that point, 387 00:19:40,513 --> 00:19:44,348 I already know that he's been murdered. 388 00:19:47,387 --> 00:19:48,486 - Coming up, 389 00:19:48,554 --> 00:19:51,922 A new suspect comes into focus. 390 00:19:51,991 --> 00:19:57,228 This is the first time that we hear the name braylon ellis. 391 00:19:57,296 --> 00:20:00,097 - Leading to a tell-all interview 392 00:20:00,165 --> 00:20:03,066 From the man behind it all. 393 00:20:03,068 --> 00:20:03,934 - I mean to be honest, uh, 394 00:20:04,003 --> 00:20:09,240 The person I fell in love with was a lie. 395 00:20:09,308 --> 00:20:11,208 Yeah, I was just like, you know, nah, 396 00:20:11,277 --> 00:20:12,943 It ain't going down like that. 397 00:20:13,012 --> 00:20:14,946 I'm about to go ahead and confess to everything I did. 398 00:20:28,928 --> 00:20:31,762 - The sister of murder victim tommy brown 399 00:20:31,831 --> 00:20:35,766 Has just received a text from her deceased brother, 400 00:20:35,835 --> 00:20:38,602 Leading detectives to theorize that the killer 401 00:20:38,671 --> 00:20:41,905 Is trying to cover their tracks. 402 00:20:41,907 --> 00:20:43,607 - And so, what I asked andrea to do was to go ahead 403 00:20:43,609 --> 00:20:44,475 And text back saying, 404 00:20:44,543 --> 00:20:45,776 "listen, if you're outta town, that's fine, 405 00:20:45,845 --> 00:20:48,545 "just call me when you get back in town." 406 00:20:48,614 --> 00:20:50,581 And what that did was that allowed them 407 00:20:50,650 --> 00:20:52,416 To feel confident that number one, 408 00:20:52,418 --> 00:20:53,451 Tommy wasn't found yet. 409 00:20:53,453 --> 00:20:57,288 And number two, we could continue to use this phone. 410 00:20:59,759 --> 00:21:01,525 - While andrea is cleared to go home 411 00:21:01,593 --> 00:21:03,694 And wait for a response, 412 00:21:03,763 --> 00:21:06,797 Detectives get to work trying to track down the two women 413 00:21:06,866 --> 00:21:11,401 In tommy's life, starting with connie. 414 00:21:11,471 --> 00:21:13,303 - I was finally able to contact, uh, 415 00:21:13,305 --> 00:21:15,006 Connie and I was able to interview her. 416 00:21:25,485 --> 00:21:29,287 - She was at a relative's during the time period 417 00:21:29,355 --> 00:21:32,023 Where they believed tommy was murdered. 418 00:21:32,091 --> 00:21:34,825 They were able to eliminate her. 419 00:21:34,894 --> 00:21:39,830 - Connie urges detectives to look into cristina rodriguez. 420 00:21:51,677 --> 00:21:53,344 Cristina and tommy's relationship was 421 00:21:53,412 --> 00:21:54,812 All over the place. 422 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:56,314 There was a number of times, number of reports, 423 00:21:56,382 --> 00:21:58,449 That showed she had stolen from him, 424 00:21:58,517 --> 00:22:01,318 Taken his wallet, tvs, playstations, 425 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:03,020 Things like that, and-and for some reason, 426 00:22:03,088 --> 00:22:04,988 He would let her back. 427 00:22:04,990 --> 00:22:07,658 - It seemed tommy was extremely forgiving. 428 00:22:07,727 --> 00:22:10,127 There was something special he saw within her. 429 00:22:10,195 --> 00:22:11,862 And I think that speaks to cristina's character 430 00:22:11,931 --> 00:22:15,032 And manipulation of constantly winning him over 431 00:22:15,100 --> 00:22:16,801 After she's hurt him. 432 00:22:20,572 --> 00:22:22,072 - I was trying to be as diligent as I could 433 00:22:22,141 --> 00:22:25,709 To at least talk to cristina and find out what she knew. 434 00:22:25,711 --> 00:22:29,580 It just proved to be a difficult task to locate her. 435 00:22:29,648 --> 00:22:33,050 - While authorities issue an apb for cristina, 436 00:22:33,119 --> 00:22:36,687 Detectives take a closer look at her record. 437 00:22:36,756 --> 00:22:38,756 - I did a national criminal history on her, 438 00:22:38,824 --> 00:22:40,824 And at that point had seen that she had, uh, 439 00:22:40,893 --> 00:22:43,994 Served ten years for robbery. 440 00:22:44,063 --> 00:22:48,365 - In 2002, when she was living in el paso, 441 00:22:48,433 --> 00:22:51,769 The family of an 82-year-old gentleman had put an ad 442 00:22:51,837 --> 00:22:54,472 In the el paso newspaper for a nurse. 443 00:22:54,540 --> 00:22:56,706 And she answered it, right? 444 00:22:56,708 --> 00:23:00,077 This 82-year-old gentleman was almost legally blind. 445 00:23:00,145 --> 00:23:02,346 Um, he was almost deaf, 446 00:23:02,414 --> 00:23:04,415 And he really needed some help. 447 00:23:04,483 --> 00:23:08,185 - Detectives discover that after just a few hours 448 00:23:08,253 --> 00:23:09,920 With cristina on the job, 449 00:23:09,989 --> 00:23:11,322 The elderly gentleman 450 00:23:11,390 --> 00:23:13,690 Summoned his daughters in a panic. 451 00:23:13,759 --> 00:23:16,059 - When the two daughters get there, 452 00:23:16,061 --> 00:23:17,728 He is tied up with a phone cord, 453 00:23:17,796 --> 00:23:19,596 He's been assaulted, 454 00:23:19,665 --> 00:23:21,432 And the house has been ransacked. 455 00:23:23,735 --> 00:23:27,471 - I don't quite remember what took place. 456 00:23:27,540 --> 00:23:29,140 I ended up leaving. 457 00:23:29,208 --> 00:23:31,608 I didn't want to take care of the man no more. 458 00:23:31,677 --> 00:23:34,278 And I just took off. 459 00:23:34,346 --> 00:23:36,747 He ended up pressing charges 460 00:23:36,816 --> 00:23:38,615 Saying that I robbed him 461 00:23:38,684 --> 00:23:40,918 And I had hit him or something, 462 00:23:40,986 --> 00:23:44,087 Which I didn't do. 463 00:23:44,089 --> 00:23:45,956 When I went to prison for 10 years, 464 00:23:46,025 --> 00:23:47,358 I was scared. 465 00:23:47,426 --> 00:23:49,660 I chose the life in prison 466 00:23:49,728 --> 00:23:51,829 To be bad, to act out. 467 00:23:51,897 --> 00:23:55,632 I just had this whole different attitude. 468 00:23:55,701 --> 00:23:58,836 - After serving her time for aggravated robbery, 469 00:23:58,904 --> 00:24:02,773 Cristina had landed herself in trouble again. 470 00:24:02,842 --> 00:24:05,976 - In 2013 there were two separate reports. 471 00:24:06,045 --> 00:24:08,579 There was one in July, and there was one in August, 472 00:24:08,647 --> 00:24:10,381 And both almost mirrored each other. 473 00:24:10,449 --> 00:24:12,449 It had to do with tommy calling, 474 00:24:12,517 --> 00:24:14,385 Saying cristina had taken his wallet, 475 00:24:14,453 --> 00:24:16,653 Had taken his tv. 476 00:24:16,722 --> 00:24:19,390 - We have a potential suspect of cristina rodriguez. 477 00:24:19,458 --> 00:24:21,725 We've already got this report that she had stolen 478 00:24:21,794 --> 00:24:22,793 His bank cards in the past, 479 00:24:22,862 --> 00:24:25,796 So could this be happening again? 480 00:24:28,901 --> 00:24:30,868 - Detectives secure a search warrant 481 00:24:30,936 --> 00:24:34,137 For tommy's financial records. 482 00:24:34,206 --> 00:24:38,576 - At 1:47 a.M. On Friday morning, 483 00:24:38,644 --> 00:24:40,844 That debit card gets used at a 7-eleven 484 00:24:40,846 --> 00:24:42,980 In fort worth after the murder. 485 00:24:44,883 --> 00:24:46,984 - Convenience stores or gas stations 486 00:24:47,052 --> 00:24:48,952 Have video surveillance systems, 487 00:24:49,021 --> 00:24:51,121 And you're going to use someone's, uh, 488 00:24:51,190 --> 00:24:53,690 Credit card or debit card that was just murdered? 489 00:24:53,759 --> 00:24:56,059 That's probably not the smartest thing to do. 490 00:24:56,061 --> 00:24:59,329 But it also shows maybe a little bit of desperation, 491 00:24:59,331 --> 00:25:02,699 That there was no other means or financial means 492 00:25:02,768 --> 00:25:04,834 To escape this area. 493 00:25:04,904 --> 00:25:07,304 - Detectives review surveillance footage 494 00:25:07,373 --> 00:25:11,375 From the store where tommy's card was last used. 495 00:25:11,443 --> 00:25:15,479 - We see a tall black male, uhm, 496 00:25:15,547 --> 00:25:17,114 Coming into the store, 497 00:25:17,182 --> 00:25:19,550 And he had a bandage wrapped around his hand. 498 00:25:21,453 --> 00:25:22,919 That was consistent with our belief 499 00:25:22,921 --> 00:25:24,721 That somebody had injured themselves 500 00:25:24,790 --> 00:25:26,457 In the crime scene. 501 00:25:26,525 --> 00:25:28,926 - And we were seeing cristina. 502 00:25:28,994 --> 00:25:32,930 You could make out clear as day that it was her. 503 00:25:32,998 --> 00:25:35,932 Authorities now focus all of their efforts 504 00:25:36,001 --> 00:25:39,103 On finding cristina and her associate. 505 00:25:41,140 --> 00:25:44,074 Two days after the discovery of tommy's body, 506 00:25:44,143 --> 00:25:47,878 Detectives receive a tip from tommy's employers. 507 00:25:47,947 --> 00:25:50,648 - Deborah grimes got a text message 508 00:25:50,716 --> 00:25:54,151 From tommy's phone on September ninth. 509 00:25:54,219 --> 00:25:57,555 - He texted, "I need you to do me a favor, 510 00:25:57,623 --> 00:26:00,957 I need you to get my pay 511 00:26:01,026 --> 00:26:03,994 And send it to me western union. 512 00:26:04,063 --> 00:26:07,964 I need some money." and then I get a text that says, 513 00:26:08,033 --> 00:26:09,900 "don't send the money in my name, 514 00:26:09,969 --> 00:26:12,802 Because I don't have my id." 515 00:26:12,872 --> 00:26:15,505 - He said, "if you can, send the money to my cousin, 516 00:26:15,507 --> 00:26:19,076 His name is braylon ellis." 517 00:26:19,144 --> 00:26:21,644 - This is the first time 518 00:26:21,646 --> 00:26:24,147 That we hear the name, braylon ellis. 519 00:26:24,216 --> 00:26:25,949 They run him, 520 00:26:25,951 --> 00:26:27,217 And they look at his drivers' license 521 00:26:27,286 --> 00:26:30,287 And figure out, "this is probably our suspect 522 00:26:30,355 --> 00:26:32,989 In all of these surveillance videos." 523 00:26:33,058 --> 00:26:45,035 ♪♪ 524 00:26:45,104 --> 00:26:47,004 - My name is braylon dominique ellis, 525 00:26:47,072 --> 00:26:51,374 And I'm choosing to do this interview because, um, 526 00:26:51,376 --> 00:26:54,377 I feel as though people need to know the truth, 527 00:26:54,379 --> 00:26:57,548 What really happened, and why things happened. 528 00:26:57,616 --> 00:26:59,416 I just end up snapping. 529 00:26:59,485 --> 00:27:00,818 But I did not murder him. 530 00:27:09,127 --> 00:27:14,765 ♪♪ 531 00:27:14,833 --> 00:27:17,801 - Detectives have identified cristina rodriguez 532 00:27:17,869 --> 00:27:21,104 And braylon ellis as their primary suspects 533 00:27:21,106 --> 00:27:24,174 In the murder of tommy brown. 534 00:27:24,243 --> 00:27:26,009 - We knew that time was of the essence. 535 00:27:26,011 --> 00:27:28,845 All of our transactions gradually did 536 00:27:28,914 --> 00:27:30,513 Lead out of the state, 537 00:27:30,515 --> 00:27:33,783 And they were leading east through mississippi, uh, 538 00:27:33,853 --> 00:27:35,719 And then ultimately to georgia. 539 00:27:37,422 --> 00:27:38,989 - The u.S. Marshals have an ability 540 00:27:39,057 --> 00:27:40,257 To ping a cell phone, 541 00:27:40,325 --> 00:27:44,027 And they were able to tell that the cell phone was pinging 542 00:27:44,096 --> 00:27:46,363 At a location in snellville, georgia, 543 00:27:46,432 --> 00:27:51,735 Which is just a little northeast of atlanta. 544 00:27:51,803 --> 00:27:53,103 - Authorities determine 545 00:27:53,172 --> 00:27:56,540 The address is registered to braylon's mother. 546 00:27:56,608 --> 00:27:58,842 - To be honest, I really didn't even know we 547 00:27:58,911 --> 00:27:59,809 Was on the run. 548 00:27:59,879 --> 00:28:02,713 Last time I seen mr. Brown, he was alive. 549 00:28:02,781 --> 00:28:06,583 He was messed up, but he was still alive. 550 00:28:06,652 --> 00:28:08,318 - The local police go in. 551 00:28:08,387 --> 00:28:11,588 They take them into custody. 552 00:28:11,656 --> 00:28:13,090 They completely lock down 553 00:28:13,158 --> 00:28:15,092 And freeze braylon's mother's house, 554 00:28:15,160 --> 00:28:17,728 So nobody can tamper with any evidence. 555 00:28:17,796 --> 00:28:20,463 - My stepdad was like, "what's going on?" 556 00:28:20,465 --> 00:28:22,866 I'm like, "I don't know," but in my head, 557 00:28:22,934 --> 00:28:25,202 I'm thinking like, man, I know what I did. 558 00:28:25,270 --> 00:28:28,338 It's not at-- at this extent though. 559 00:28:28,407 --> 00:28:32,109 As they put me in the car, my mom pulls up, 560 00:28:32,177 --> 00:28:34,445 She's coming from work and she's like shaking her head. 561 00:28:34,513 --> 00:28:36,046 I'm like shaking my head. 562 00:28:36,114 --> 00:28:40,583 I'm like lost for words. 563 00:28:40,585 --> 00:28:42,986 That was an experience, 564 00:28:43,055 --> 00:28:46,824 That was an experience going through that. 565 00:28:46,892 --> 00:28:48,926 - When I got the information that they were arrested, 566 00:28:48,994 --> 00:28:51,160 I was on a plane probably two hours later. 567 00:28:51,162 --> 00:28:52,028 I had made contact 568 00:28:52,097 --> 00:28:53,630 With the gwinnett county sheriff's department, 569 00:28:53,698 --> 00:28:55,098 And they were able to assist me 570 00:28:55,166 --> 00:28:57,400 In obtaining a search warrant. 571 00:28:57,469 --> 00:28:58,469 - Detective o'brien, 572 00:28:58,537 --> 00:29:01,872 When he goes into braylon and cristina's room, right, 573 00:29:01,940 --> 00:29:05,208 He searches the room, uh, and what does he do? 574 00:29:05,277 --> 00:29:06,943 Detective o'brien takes out his cell phone, 575 00:29:07,012 --> 00:29:09,179 Calls tommy's phone. 576 00:29:09,248 --> 00:29:11,114 - I figured the phone was probably on, 577 00:29:11,116 --> 00:29:13,850 And so I just called it. [phone ringing] 578 00:29:13,919 --> 00:29:15,118 And then I heard it ringing 579 00:29:15,187 --> 00:29:16,619 Basically in the back of the dresser. 580 00:29:16,689 --> 00:29:18,388 [phone ringing] 581 00:29:18,457 --> 00:29:20,623 - It was like the air went out of the room. 582 00:29:20,625 --> 00:29:22,859 It was like, "oh, my god." 583 00:29:22,928 --> 00:29:26,296 This dead man's cell phone rings. 584 00:29:26,365 --> 00:29:28,465 I mean, that is a damning piece of evidence 585 00:29:28,534 --> 00:29:29,933 Against braylon and cristina. 586 00:29:32,104 --> 00:29:33,170 - Braylon used to tell me, 587 00:29:33,238 --> 00:29:34,837 "why did you keep the phone? 588 00:29:34,839 --> 00:29:36,039 Why-- it's the phone that they found us 589 00:29:36,108 --> 00:29:37,774 'cause of the... Duh duh duh" whatever. 590 00:29:37,843 --> 00:29:39,776 I wasn't payin' him no mind. 591 00:29:39,844 --> 00:29:42,779 I kept his phone because I knew-- 592 00:29:42,847 --> 00:29:45,983 I knew that they'd find us. 593 00:29:45,985 --> 00:29:47,718 I knew they would. 594 00:29:47,786 --> 00:29:49,852 I did it intentionally, 595 00:29:49,854 --> 00:29:51,855 Because I wanted them to find me. 596 00:29:53,659 --> 00:29:58,361 - Outside, detectives locate more evidence. 597 00:29:58,363 --> 00:29:59,729 - In the car 598 00:29:59,798 --> 00:30:02,132 That braylon and cristina were driving 599 00:30:02,200 --> 00:30:03,800 Was tommy's wallet, 600 00:30:03,869 --> 00:30:05,969 His I.D., his debit card. 601 00:30:09,575 --> 00:30:11,174 - At the local police station, 602 00:30:11,176 --> 00:30:14,545 Detective o'brien attempts to interview cristina. 603 00:30:30,029 --> 00:30:31,661 - Cristina pretty much right away 604 00:30:31,730 --> 00:30:33,196 Invoked her right to have an attorney present, 605 00:30:33,265 --> 00:30:35,899 And so, uh, I didn't have a conversation with her. 606 00:30:37,670 --> 00:30:40,971 - In another room, braylon agrees to talk, 607 00:30:41,039 --> 00:30:43,574 But he is anything but forthright. 608 00:30:54,119 --> 00:30:55,986 - Detectives try a different route 609 00:30:56,054 --> 00:30:57,620 And begin asking braylon 610 00:30:57,622 --> 00:31:00,424 About his relationship with cristina. 611 00:31:03,061 --> 00:31:05,061 - I met him during one of my bus trips 612 00:31:05,130 --> 00:31:07,998 From the greyhound. 613 00:31:08,066 --> 00:31:10,633 - I actually met cristina going to california 614 00:31:10,703 --> 00:31:12,069 To pick up my son. 615 00:31:12,071 --> 00:31:13,970 I seen her. 616 00:31:14,039 --> 00:31:16,939 At that time, I liked what I saw. 617 00:31:16,941 --> 00:31:19,409 I was a single parent. I was working, 618 00:31:19,478 --> 00:31:23,180 And I was looking for a woman to be there 619 00:31:23,248 --> 00:31:25,682 To raise my son with. 620 00:31:25,751 --> 00:31:27,316 - He was very nice. 621 00:31:27,318 --> 00:31:28,818 Very-- a gentleman. 622 00:31:28,887 --> 00:31:31,021 We exchanged numbers. 623 00:31:31,089 --> 00:31:32,789 And we kept in time-- 624 00:31:32,858 --> 00:31:33,723 We facetimed. 625 00:31:33,792 --> 00:31:36,226 We did-- we did a lot of things together. 626 00:31:36,294 --> 00:31:39,028 - Our relationship was, like, nine months. 627 00:31:39,098 --> 00:31:41,431 She brought me around her family. 628 00:31:41,500 --> 00:31:43,900 I know her moms. Her moms is a really sweet person. 629 00:31:43,968 --> 00:31:45,902 I met her sister, her father. 630 00:31:45,970 --> 00:31:48,805 You know, I'mma just give all my love to this one 631 00:31:48,873 --> 00:31:50,173 And see how it turns out. 632 00:31:53,812 --> 00:31:55,445 - My parents adored braylon. 633 00:31:55,514 --> 00:31:57,980 Braylon ended up moving in with me. 634 00:31:57,982 --> 00:32:00,783 We ended up living together in el paso. 635 00:32:00,785 --> 00:32:03,653 It was awesome. It was the total opposite 636 00:32:03,722 --> 00:32:06,523 Of what me and tommy had been going through. 637 00:32:06,591 --> 00:32:08,891 - We had many plans of living together, 638 00:32:08,961 --> 00:32:11,394 Getting married, and having more children. 639 00:32:11,396 --> 00:32:13,896 - I loved braylon dominique ellis. 640 00:32:13,966 --> 00:32:17,734 Eventually I found out I was pregnant. 641 00:32:17,802 --> 00:32:20,503 - When cristina told me she was pregnant with my child, 642 00:32:20,505 --> 00:32:22,072 I felt, uh... I felt good. 643 00:32:22,140 --> 00:32:24,308 I was like, I'm gonna commit to this woman. 644 00:32:30,749 --> 00:32:33,716 - Braylon appears to have just fallen in love, uh, 645 00:32:33,786 --> 00:32:35,052 Pretty hard for cristina. 646 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:58,809 - Under pressure, braylon begins to backtrack. 647 00:33:04,583 --> 00:33:07,450 - Braylon admits knowing that tommy and cristina 648 00:33:07,519 --> 00:33:10,053 Have a complicated relationship. 649 00:33:17,629 --> 00:33:19,629 - Cristina told me 650 00:33:19,698 --> 00:33:23,600 That he had a history of beating her. 651 00:33:23,668 --> 00:33:24,467 And at that time, 652 00:33:24,536 --> 00:33:26,536 I thought she was pregnant with my child. 653 00:33:26,605 --> 00:33:29,472 So, I was real mad at that. 654 00:33:29,541 --> 00:33:31,341 - Around the same time I was with braylon, 655 00:33:31,409 --> 00:33:33,310 I had told tommy, 656 00:33:33,378 --> 00:33:35,045 "well, since you're not going to leave connie alone, 657 00:33:35,113 --> 00:33:36,746 I'm not going to leave braylon alone." 658 00:33:36,815 --> 00:33:39,782 Tommy would call me and call me. I used to ignore his calls. 659 00:33:39,852 --> 00:33:43,620 And braylon would answer the phone and would tell him, 660 00:33:43,688 --> 00:33:46,556 "stop putting your hands on her." you know? 661 00:33:46,625 --> 00:33:49,359 And/or "I'm going to beat you up." 662 00:33:49,427 --> 00:33:52,895 But never once did braylon said, "oh, I'm going to kill you," 663 00:33:52,897 --> 00:33:54,731 Or nothing like that. 664 00:33:54,799 --> 00:33:56,533 - It seemed like cristina was setting up, 665 00:33:56,601 --> 00:33:59,569 Like, tension between both braylon and tommy, 666 00:33:59,638 --> 00:34:02,005 You know, wanting them to be at odds with each other. 667 00:34:02,073 --> 00:34:05,308 And braylon would do anything for her. 668 00:34:05,377 --> 00:34:07,310 - I didn't think 669 00:34:07,379 --> 00:34:11,181 I would have been getting played 670 00:34:11,249 --> 00:34:13,583 On the level that she was playing me on, 671 00:34:13,652 --> 00:34:14,617 You know, for the simple fact 672 00:34:14,619 --> 00:34:17,987 I didn't think she was that type of person. 673 00:34:18,056 --> 00:34:21,057 Braylon continues to deny any connection 674 00:34:21,059 --> 00:34:23,125 To tommy brown's murder, 675 00:34:23,127 --> 00:34:26,096 So investigators terminate the interview 676 00:34:26,164 --> 00:34:28,398 And charge both braylon and cristina 677 00:34:28,466 --> 00:34:30,133 With capital murder. 678 00:34:41,613 --> 00:34:44,547 - To be honest, the person I fell in love with 679 00:34:44,616 --> 00:34:45,749 Was a lie. 680 00:34:47,686 --> 00:34:52,555 Coming up, the once happy couple turn on each other. 681 00:34:52,557 --> 00:34:55,859 - He knew he got got by cristina. 682 00:34:55,927 --> 00:34:57,294 - Cristina used me. 683 00:34:57,362 --> 00:35:00,163 She was trying to frame me for the whole thing. 684 00:35:00,165 --> 00:35:01,665 - I hated him after that, 685 00:35:01,733 --> 00:35:03,934 'cause I couldn't believe he said those lies. 686 00:35:12,443 --> 00:35:18,548 ♪♪ 687 00:35:18,617 --> 00:35:23,386 - On September 10th, 2013, authorities in fort worth 688 00:35:23,454 --> 00:35:26,789 Charge 37-year-old cristina rodriguez 689 00:35:26,791 --> 00:35:30,226 And her boyfriend, 25-year-old braylon ellis, 690 00:35:30,295 --> 00:35:32,629 With the murder of tommy brown. 691 00:35:34,333 --> 00:35:35,565 - We didn't have the dna results 692 00:35:35,634 --> 00:35:37,334 Until months after the murder. 693 00:35:37,402 --> 00:35:40,170 Now, we had the results of that. 694 00:35:40,238 --> 00:35:43,206 We've got ceramic pieces with tommy brown 695 00:35:43,275 --> 00:35:46,109 And braylon ellis' dna on it. 696 00:35:46,177 --> 00:35:48,277 - It's enough for a texas jury 697 00:35:48,347 --> 00:35:53,416 To find braylon guilty of murder in March of 2016. 698 00:35:53,418 --> 00:35:55,818 - It was a capital murder trial. 699 00:35:55,820 --> 00:35:58,588 I got convicted of aggravated murder, 700 00:35:58,657 --> 00:36:03,727 And I was sentenced to, on the record, life with parole. 701 00:36:03,795 --> 00:36:07,430 If they would've convicted me of capital murder, 702 00:36:07,432 --> 00:36:09,432 I woulda never went home. 703 00:36:09,434 --> 00:36:12,202 I wouldn't have the opportunity to say 704 00:36:12,270 --> 00:36:13,737 I can go home one day. 705 00:36:16,541 --> 00:36:20,443 - Ten months later in January of 2017, 706 00:36:20,445 --> 00:36:23,646 Cristina's trial begins. 707 00:36:23,715 --> 00:36:26,983 To help walk jurors through what really happened 708 00:36:27,051 --> 00:36:29,585 On September 5th, 2013, 709 00:36:29,654 --> 00:36:32,855 Prosecutors call a surprise witness: 710 00:36:32,857 --> 00:36:34,558 Braylon ellis. 711 00:36:34,626 --> 00:36:38,028 - I think braylon was upset. 712 00:36:38,096 --> 00:36:41,297 He knew he got got by cristina. 713 00:36:41,366 --> 00:36:44,867 And he on his own decided to come back and testify, 714 00:36:44,936 --> 00:36:48,204 Because he knew she was the ringleader here. 715 00:36:48,273 --> 00:36:50,273 - According to braylon, 716 00:36:50,342 --> 00:36:53,275 One of cristina's lies in particular 717 00:36:53,277 --> 00:36:55,345 Cut him to the core. 718 00:36:55,413 --> 00:36:57,313 - When I found out she wasn't pregnant 719 00:36:57,382 --> 00:37:00,450 And she was trying to frame me for the whole thing, 720 00:37:00,518 --> 00:37:02,618 Yeah, I was just like, you know, nah, 721 00:37:02,687 --> 00:37:03,686 It ain't going down like that. 722 00:37:03,755 --> 00:37:06,556 I'm about to go ahead and confess to everything I did. 723 00:37:09,627 --> 00:37:12,061 - I was made to believe that mister brown 724 00:37:12,063 --> 00:37:15,298 Had harmed cristina by what she told me, 725 00:37:15,367 --> 00:37:18,935 So it was my idea to fight him. 726 00:37:19,003 --> 00:37:21,938 So, I was protecting her and, uh, my child. 727 00:37:25,510 --> 00:37:28,445 - Braylon claims while tommy was out running an errand 728 00:37:28,447 --> 00:37:30,546 On the night of September 5th, 729 00:37:30,615 --> 00:37:33,350 Cristina used the spare key from the mailbox 730 00:37:33,418 --> 00:37:37,387 To sneak him into tommy's house. 731 00:37:37,455 --> 00:37:38,588 - Next thing you know, 732 00:37:38,656 --> 00:37:40,856 I hear them come through the door 733 00:37:40,858 --> 00:37:43,059 And I just picked up the toilet tank lid, 734 00:37:43,127 --> 00:37:44,494 And I hit it as hard as I could. 735 00:37:48,299 --> 00:37:51,100 And then it broke in pieces. 736 00:37:51,169 --> 00:37:53,003 He hit the ground. 737 00:37:53,071 --> 00:37:54,971 I didn't stop. 738 00:37:55,039 --> 00:37:56,339 I just snapped. 739 00:37:58,142 --> 00:37:59,676 As I look to my right, 740 00:37:59,744 --> 00:38:02,612 I see cristina standing there 741 00:38:02,680 --> 00:38:05,348 Holding like a-- a pot. 742 00:38:05,417 --> 00:38:08,418 So, I take the pot out her hand, 743 00:38:08,486 --> 00:38:10,353 And I start just beating him with the pot. 744 00:38:15,927 --> 00:38:17,627 - That's not true. 745 00:38:17,695 --> 00:38:19,562 To lie in the courtroom 746 00:38:19,631 --> 00:38:21,097 And say that I gave him a pot 747 00:38:21,165 --> 00:38:22,732 To hit him with it? 748 00:38:22,801 --> 00:38:25,735 That just threw me off. 749 00:38:25,804 --> 00:38:28,305 - It was just blood everywhere. 750 00:38:28,373 --> 00:38:30,273 I ended up leaving the house. 751 00:38:30,341 --> 00:38:32,375 Keep in mind, when I left, 752 00:38:32,443 --> 00:38:34,577 She stayed in the house. 753 00:38:34,646 --> 00:38:36,646 Last time I seen mr. Brown, he was alive, 754 00:38:36,715 --> 00:38:39,816 So, what she did in that house, I don't know. 755 00:38:41,486 --> 00:38:43,019 - Braylon stated in court 756 00:38:43,087 --> 00:38:44,286 That when he left, 757 00:38:44,356 --> 00:38:47,790 Tommy was still alive. 758 00:38:47,859 --> 00:38:49,592 That's not true. 759 00:38:49,594 --> 00:38:51,294 He had put a bag over his head, 760 00:38:51,362 --> 00:38:54,330 So that he wouldn't breathe. 761 00:38:54,399 --> 00:38:56,566 - When I heard braylon's testimony, 762 00:38:56,634 --> 00:38:57,934 I hated him after that, 763 00:38:58,002 --> 00:39:00,803 'cause I couldn't believe he said those lies. 764 00:39:00,872 --> 00:39:04,841 Nearly broke my heart inside. 765 00:39:07,211 --> 00:39:11,047 - Braylon testifies that he and cristina hit the road, 766 00:39:11,049 --> 00:39:14,617 Determined to start a new life together. 767 00:39:14,685 --> 00:39:17,820 - Braylon's mom lives there in georgia. 768 00:39:17,889 --> 00:39:21,190 We were-we were gonna go live over there with her. 769 00:39:21,192 --> 00:39:23,659 - Some people fall in love hard and quickly. 770 00:39:23,661 --> 00:39:27,129 And it seems like braylon did that for cristina. 771 00:39:27,131 --> 00:39:29,632 - I don't believe cristina was actually pregnant. 772 00:39:29,701 --> 00:39:34,337 We didn't find any anything that would support that. 773 00:39:34,405 --> 00:39:36,373 - She was playing them both, 774 00:39:36,441 --> 00:39:37,707 Telling each one of them 775 00:39:37,775 --> 00:39:39,142 That she was pregnant with their child 776 00:39:39,210 --> 00:39:41,511 So, again, not only would they be fighting for her, 777 00:39:41,579 --> 00:39:44,114 But for the baby that she was supposedly, 778 00:39:44,182 --> 00:39:48,451 But falsely, right, carrying for both of them. 779 00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:50,520 She was just very manipulative. 780 00:39:53,525 --> 00:39:56,526 - When you're consistently lying to a person 781 00:39:56,594 --> 00:40:01,731 To the point where an innocent man gets murdered? 782 00:40:01,799 --> 00:40:03,800 Nah. That's not love right there. 783 00:40:03,868 --> 00:40:06,102 That's being manipulative. 784 00:40:06,171 --> 00:40:08,271 Cristina used me. 785 00:40:08,339 --> 00:40:09,506 - There was no evidence 786 00:40:09,574 --> 00:40:11,340 That tommy was abusing her. 787 00:40:11,409 --> 00:40:15,812 I think she's just a cold lady and just wanted him gone. 788 00:40:15,880 --> 00:40:18,448 - After braylon's compelling testimony, 789 00:40:18,516 --> 00:40:21,384 Cristina's attorneys decide against 790 00:40:21,452 --> 00:40:23,686 Putting her on the stand. 791 00:40:23,754 --> 00:40:25,388 - I know that everybody thinks 792 00:40:25,456 --> 00:40:26,255 I'm the mastermind 793 00:40:26,324 --> 00:40:28,124 'cause that's what they're sayin' in court, 794 00:40:28,192 --> 00:40:29,625 But that is not true. 795 00:40:29,694 --> 00:40:31,694 I did not convince braylon to do anything. 796 00:40:31,763 --> 00:40:33,896 Braylon went in there 797 00:40:33,965 --> 00:40:36,032 With the intentions of fighting tommy, 798 00:40:36,100 --> 00:40:39,002 And a fight was all that was supposed to take place. 799 00:40:43,708 --> 00:40:48,777 - When the case goes to the jury on January 31st, 2017, 800 00:40:48,779 --> 00:40:52,848 They are quick to find cristina rodriguez guilty. 801 00:40:52,917 --> 00:40:56,386 - I ended up getting life with parole. 802 00:40:56,454 --> 00:40:59,489 [sighs] how do I feel? 803 00:40:59,557 --> 00:41:02,192 Well, I feel like I deserve it. 804 00:41:02,260 --> 00:41:03,926 I deserve it. 805 00:41:03,995 --> 00:41:06,796 Yes, I do, because at any time and moment, 806 00:41:06,865 --> 00:41:09,565 I coulda had stopped that fight. 807 00:41:09,634 --> 00:41:11,000 I coulda had called 911. 808 00:41:13,571 --> 00:41:15,337 - I wanted tommy's family to know 809 00:41:15,339 --> 00:41:17,039 That I'm sorry. 810 00:41:17,108 --> 00:41:20,610 From the deepest of my heart, I am-I really am sorry. 811 00:41:20,678 --> 00:41:22,945 I didn't think things would turn out to be 812 00:41:23,014 --> 00:41:25,248 The way they turned out to be. 813 00:41:25,316 --> 00:41:29,318 - For cristina, the love she once shared with braylon 814 00:41:29,387 --> 00:41:31,820 Is long gone. 815 00:41:31,822 --> 00:41:33,889 - He's a monster now to me. 816 00:41:33,958 --> 00:41:35,825 I don't have nothing else to say. 817 00:41:35,894 --> 00:41:38,194 Braylon, you're a liar. 818 00:41:40,332 --> 00:41:43,799 - Cristina, hopefully everything works out for you. 819 00:41:43,868 --> 00:41:49,205 I do forgive you for, um, the lies. 820 00:41:49,273 --> 00:41:51,173 - Nearly a decade later, 821 00:41:51,175 --> 00:41:54,477 Braylon has made peace with his sentence. 822 00:41:54,545 --> 00:41:57,647 - I wasted a lotta time in prison 823 00:41:57,715 --> 00:42:00,450 As far as not being there for my son, 824 00:42:00,518 --> 00:42:02,718 Not being there for my moms, 825 00:42:02,787 --> 00:42:05,087 Not being there for my father. 826 00:42:05,156 --> 00:42:08,157 But this place can rehabilitate your mind 827 00:42:08,226 --> 00:42:09,859 If you let it. 828 00:42:09,927 --> 00:42:12,962 So, I surround myself with positive people. 829 00:42:13,031 --> 00:42:15,331 People that's doing something with their life 830 00:42:15,399 --> 00:42:17,066 And want something in life, 831 00:42:17,135 --> 00:42:20,637 Compared to a person that just wanna do they time, 832 00:42:20,639 --> 00:42:22,372 Get out, mess up, and come back. 833 00:42:22,440 --> 00:42:23,740 I'm not gonna be one of those people. 834 00:42:25,776 --> 00:42:27,544 - I would like to take a moment to apologize 835 00:42:27,612 --> 00:42:29,011 To the brown family. 836 00:42:29,080 --> 00:42:31,614 Uh, I've tooken time now to, uh, 837 00:42:31,683 --> 00:42:33,683 Think about what I did in this crime, 838 00:42:33,751 --> 00:42:36,352 And, uh, I apologize for my actions. 839 00:42:36,420 --> 00:42:49,098 ♪♪