1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,463 ♪ 2 00:00:04,463 --> 00:00:05,797 NARRATOR: Log in, 3 00:00:06,882 --> 00:00:08,175 scroll, 4 00:00:08,175 --> 00:00:09,259 chat, 5 00:00:11,053 --> 00:00:12,179 hook up. 6 00:00:12,179 --> 00:00:13,347 It's a familiar plan. 7 00:00:13,347 --> 00:00:15,015 ♪ 8 00:00:15,015 --> 00:00:16,850 It was John Ray's plan, 9 00:00:17,309 --> 00:00:19,937 until May 16, 2004. 10 00:00:20,604 --> 00:00:22,022 [siren wailing] 11 00:00:22,022 --> 00:00:23,065 [indistinct radio chatter] 12 00:00:23,065 --> 00:00:24,858 ♪ 13 00:00:24,858 --> 00:00:26,360 DETECTIVE NICOLE ESQUILIN: it was a very gruesome, 14 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:27,986 bloody crime scene. 15 00:00:28,779 --> 00:00:31,406 He still had a broken off knife in his body. 16 00:00:32,698 --> 00:00:34,409 [camera shutter clicking] 17 00:00:38,121 --> 00:00:39,331 NARRATOR: Who could have done this? 18 00:00:41,333 --> 00:00:42,709 MARKEYSHI: Why take his life? 19 00:00:43,293 --> 00:00:44,378 Why take his life? 20 00:00:46,630 --> 00:00:48,590 NARRATOR: Seven years go by. 21 00:00:50,551 --> 00:00:52,386 It becomes a cold case. 22 00:00:53,971 --> 00:00:58,225 - We just felt like he was just another statistic. 23 00:00:58,642 --> 00:01:00,352 NARRATOR: But little did his loved ones know 24 00:01:01,603 --> 00:01:04,147 that hidden in the trunk of his own car 25 00:01:05,315 --> 00:01:06,650 was a clue. 26 00:01:06,650 --> 00:01:07,818 ♪ 27 00:01:07,818 --> 00:01:11,488 A clue he left that changed everything. 28 00:01:11,864 --> 00:01:13,782 - He was speaking to us from the grave. 29 00:01:13,782 --> 00:01:18,745 ♪ 30 00:01:18,745 --> 00:01:20,163 ♪ 31 00:01:20,163 --> 00:01:21,957 ♪ theme music playing ♪ 32 00:01:21,957 --> 00:01:23,125 MAN 1: She solved her own murder 33 00:01:23,125 --> 00:01:23,917 from beyond the grave. 34 00:01:23,917 --> 00:01:26,003 MAN 2: The fitness app on the phone, 35 00:01:26,003 --> 00:01:27,880 it was overwhelming evidence. 36 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,382 ♪ I've been haunted by the visions ♪ 37 00:01:30,757 --> 00:01:33,677 ♪ That I've seen with my own eyes ♪ 38 00:01:34,178 --> 00:01:37,097 ♪ And the only way to find you ♪ 39 00:01:37,556 --> 00:01:41,185 ♪ Is to go beneath the lies ♪ 40 00:01:41,185 --> 00:01:43,395 ♪ 41 00:01:43,395 --> 00:01:45,856 MAN: She did help catch this killer. 42 00:01:45,856 --> 00:01:48,942 ♪ 43 00:01:48,942 --> 00:01:52,613 ♪ On a raft I'm sun-kissed crawled out ♪ 44 00:01:52,613 --> 00:01:56,283 ♪ Not on my back ♪ 45 00:01:56,283 --> 00:01:57,868 NARRATOR: After serving in the Air Force, 46 00:01:57,868 --> 00:02:00,662 29-year-old John Ray returns home 47 00:02:00,662 --> 00:02:03,373 to small town South Carolina with a big dream, 48 00:02:04,791 --> 00:02:07,336 to become a successful attorney. 49 00:02:07,336 --> 00:02:12,049 ♪ So put me up like the midday sun ♪ 50 00:02:12,049 --> 00:02:13,509 He moves to Atlanta 51 00:02:13,509 --> 00:02:16,386 and spends three years thriving as a paralegal, 52 00:02:17,095 --> 00:02:20,557 studying for law school, and laying down roots in the community. 53 00:02:20,933 --> 00:02:23,018 ♪ 54 00:02:23,018 --> 00:02:27,189 That's why on May 17, 2004, 55 00:02:27,189 --> 00:02:29,816 when John makes plans to meet up with his best friend, 56 00:02:30,734 --> 00:02:32,361 and he never shows, 57 00:02:33,153 --> 00:02:35,697 everyone knows something is wrong. 58 00:02:35,697 --> 00:02:41,411 ♪ 59 00:02:41,411 --> 00:02:43,664 MAN: Markeyshi interview, take one. 60 00:02:44,498 --> 00:02:45,999 MARKEYSHI: My name is Markeyshi 61 00:02:45,999 --> 00:02:48,418 and John was my best friend. 62 00:02:48,418 --> 00:02:49,545 ♪ 63 00:02:49,545 --> 00:02:50,462 That day, 64 00:02:50,462 --> 00:02:53,382 he said, "I'll be there no later than about ten o'clock." 65 00:02:53,382 --> 00:02:54,633 ♪ 66 00:02:54,633 --> 00:02:57,135 One o'clock, two o'clock, I'm calling him, 67 00:02:57,135 --> 00:02:59,805 calling him... [line ringing] 68 00:02:59,805 --> 00:03:01,723 ...and calling him... 69 00:03:01,723 --> 00:03:03,809 [phone keypad beeping] 70 00:03:03,809 --> 00:03:04,768 I don't hear from him. 71 00:03:04,768 --> 00:03:06,311 [line ringing] 72 00:03:06,311 --> 00:03:07,396 Nothing! 73 00:03:07,396 --> 00:03:09,523 [car approaches] 74 00:03:09,523 --> 00:03:12,192 ♪ 75 00:03:12,192 --> 00:03:15,195 NARRATOR: His sister also gets concerned. 76 00:03:15,195 --> 00:03:17,364 - I called John and he didn't answer. 77 00:03:17,364 --> 00:03:18,490 [keypad beeping] 78 00:03:18,490 --> 00:03:20,284 MARKEYSHI: By the time we got to Tuesday, 79 00:03:20,742 --> 00:03:21,869 I'm calling his job. 80 00:03:21,869 --> 00:03:23,996 WOMAN [over phone]: The last time I saw him was-- 81 00:03:23,996 --> 00:03:25,831 MARKEYSHI: They said, "We haven't seen John 82 00:03:25,831 --> 00:03:26,999 since last Friday." 83 00:03:26,999 --> 00:03:29,501 ♪ 84 00:03:29,501 --> 00:03:31,837 - This is not like him not to come to work. 85 00:03:31,837 --> 00:03:32,880 ♪ 86 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:35,549 MARKEYSHI: Wednesday comes, still nothing. 87 00:03:36,341 --> 00:03:37,759 Now I'm like, "This is not him. 88 00:03:37,759 --> 00:03:39,678 Something is wrong." 89 00:03:39,678 --> 00:03:41,471 ♪ 90 00:03:41,471 --> 00:03:42,639 NARRATOR: Markeyshi is heading over 91 00:03:42,639 --> 00:03:44,433 to John's house... 92 00:03:44,433 --> 00:03:46,852 [phone ringing] 93 00:03:46,852 --> 00:03:49,605 ...when she gets a disturbing call from his office. 94 00:03:50,189 --> 00:03:51,023 MARKEYSHI: She said, "I understand 95 00:03:51,023 --> 00:03:51,940 that you have a key." 96 00:03:52,691 --> 00:03:54,651 And I said, "Yeah, I'm on my way now." 97 00:03:54,651 --> 00:03:56,069 "No, no, no, no, no. Don't go. 98 00:03:56,069 --> 00:03:57,029 ♪ 99 00:03:57,029 --> 00:03:58,447 "We believe something is wrong. 100 00:03:58,447 --> 00:04:01,241 ♪ 101 00:04:01,241 --> 00:04:04,745 We're gonna have a uniformed police officer meet you there." 102 00:04:05,412 --> 00:04:07,247 And my stomach has that ball in it. 103 00:04:07,247 --> 00:04:08,415 [indistinct radio chatter] 104 00:04:08,415 --> 00:04:12,085 ♪ 105 00:04:12,085 --> 00:04:13,879 NARRATOR: Markeyshi hands over the key. 106 00:04:14,630 --> 00:04:18,884 A police officer and one of John's co-workers walk into his house. 107 00:04:19,927 --> 00:04:21,803 MARKEYSHI And all of a sudden the co-worker 108 00:04:21,803 --> 00:04:23,931 runs back out of the house, she's crying, 109 00:04:23,931 --> 00:04:24,932 and I just dropped. 110 00:04:26,892 --> 00:04:27,935 I just burst into tears. 111 00:04:31,104 --> 00:04:36,109 NARRATOR: It's 5:00 p.m., Wednesday May 19th, 2004. 112 00:04:36,610 --> 00:04:38,362 [sirens wailing] 113 00:04:38,362 --> 00:04:39,446 The officer calls it in. 114 00:04:39,446 --> 00:04:40,447 [sirens wailing] 115 00:04:40,447 --> 00:04:41,698 [indistinct radio chatter] 116 00:04:49,790 --> 00:04:52,584 MARKEYSHI: I just found out that he was dead in the house. 117 00:04:54,711 --> 00:04:56,171 [inhales sharply] 118 00:04:56,171 --> 00:04:57,381 It broke my heart. 119 00:04:59,424 --> 00:05:01,260 That's a king in that house. 120 00:05:05,097 --> 00:05:09,017 [siren wailing] [indistinct radio chatter] 121 00:05:12,187 --> 00:05:14,231 NARRATOR: Homicide detectives arrive 122 00:05:14,231 --> 00:05:16,191 and take over the investigation. 123 00:05:17,693 --> 00:05:19,528 MAN: Detective Nicole. A, B common marker. 124 00:05:22,155 --> 00:05:24,241 DETECTIVE NICOLE ESQUILIN: My name is Detective Nicole Esquilin. 125 00:05:24,783 --> 00:05:26,410 In the year 2004 126 00:05:26,410 --> 00:05:29,496 I was the homicide detective in the City of Atlanta. 127 00:05:32,207 --> 00:05:35,586 It was a very gruesome, bloody crime scene. 128 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,631 it looked like there was a huge struggle. 129 00:05:39,631 --> 00:05:40,632 [camera shutter clicks] 130 00:05:40,632 --> 00:05:42,843 There was absolutely no doubt this was a homicide. 131 00:05:42,843 --> 00:05:46,013 ♪ 132 00:05:46,013 --> 00:05:48,223 it was obvious with the defensive wounds 133 00:05:48,223 --> 00:05:50,058 and the way that the crime scene looked 134 00:05:50,058 --> 00:05:51,518 that John Ray did not wanna die that day. 135 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:53,353 ♪ 136 00:05:53,353 --> 00:05:54,855 While processing the scene, 137 00:05:54,855 --> 00:05:58,025 we did observe that there were some electronics 138 00:05:58,025 --> 00:05:59,860 missing in the residence 139 00:06:00,277 --> 00:06:01,778 and his car was missing. 140 00:06:01,778 --> 00:06:02,988 ♪ 141 00:06:02,988 --> 00:06:06,074 But the odd part of the scene was 142 00:06:06,491 --> 00:06:08,035 that there was no forced entry. 143 00:06:08,035 --> 00:06:09,161 ♪ 144 00:06:09,161 --> 00:06:11,872 So it looked like whatever had occurred, 145 00:06:11,872 --> 00:06:16,043 occurred with a person that the victim had to have known. 146 00:06:16,043 --> 00:06:18,587 ♪ 147 00:06:18,587 --> 00:06:22,799 There were glasses as if he was having a cocktail with somebody else. 148 00:06:23,717 --> 00:06:25,511 It appeared that the victim was very vulnerable 149 00:06:25,511 --> 00:06:27,554 and his guard was actually down. 150 00:06:28,263 --> 00:06:29,765 [laughter] [glasses clink] 151 00:06:29,765 --> 00:06:32,267 ♪ 152 00:06:32,267 --> 00:06:34,853 At some point whoever did this to the victim... 153 00:06:34,853 --> 00:06:35,979 [glass shatters] 154 00:06:37,105 --> 00:06:38,148 hit John Ray, 155 00:06:38,899 --> 00:06:43,028 and the struggle that ensued was very vicious. 156 00:06:44,029 --> 00:06:44,905 [glass shatters] 157 00:06:44,905 --> 00:06:46,782 The suspect grabbed a knife... 158 00:06:51,870 --> 00:06:52,579 [screams] 159 00:06:52,579 --> 00:06:54,915 ♪ 160 00:06:54,915 --> 00:06:55,958 [groans] 161 00:06:58,418 --> 00:07:00,796 ...and stabbed John Ray numerous times 162 00:07:01,922 --> 00:07:03,048 with force. 163 00:07:04,716 --> 00:07:08,303 So much force that he broke the knife off in John Ray's body. 164 00:07:12,099 --> 00:07:15,978 In order to stab and break a knife off in a person's body, 165 00:07:16,562 --> 00:07:18,146 maybe it's a crime of passion, 166 00:07:18,146 --> 00:07:21,817 there's a lot of anger behind those homicides. 167 00:07:21,817 --> 00:07:23,527 ♪ 168 00:07:23,527 --> 00:07:28,365 And then while processing the scene another thing did stand out. 169 00:07:28,365 --> 00:07:29,449 ♪ 170 00:07:29,449 --> 00:07:32,870 NARRATOR: The air is thick with the smell of bleach. 171 00:07:32,870 --> 00:07:35,998 ♪ 172 00:07:35,998 --> 00:07:38,417 - Whoever did this cleaned up the crime scene 173 00:07:39,835 --> 00:07:42,462 and tied up John Ray with the phone cord. 174 00:07:43,589 --> 00:07:46,133 And then spent some time at the crime scene. 175 00:07:46,133 --> 00:07:47,426 ♪ 176 00:07:47,426 --> 00:07:51,096 - It looked like possibly a shower had been taken recently. 177 00:07:51,096 --> 00:07:55,851 ♪ 178 00:07:55,851 --> 00:07:59,104 We found in the washing machine a wet jersey 179 00:08:00,147 --> 00:08:01,982 that had been washed. 180 00:08:01,982 --> 00:08:04,359 ♪ 181 00:08:04,359 --> 00:08:07,571 And so it looked like some laundry was being done. 182 00:08:07,571 --> 00:08:08,822 ♪ 183 00:08:08,822 --> 00:08:11,825 NARRATOR: A small detail, but important. 184 00:08:12,618 --> 00:08:14,369 John was an impeccable dresser. 185 00:08:14,369 --> 00:08:16,205 ♪ 186 00:08:16,205 --> 00:08:18,290 And he did it well, GQ Magazine. 187 00:08:18,290 --> 00:08:22,002 Even when he was dressed down, he was dressed up. 188 00:08:22,002 --> 00:08:22,961 ♪ 189 00:08:22,961 --> 00:08:26,965 That could not be his shirt because that's not the way he dressed. 190 00:08:26,965 --> 00:08:28,759 No, John would not wear that. 191 00:08:29,176 --> 00:08:30,594 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: We knew it had significance 192 00:08:30,594 --> 00:08:32,137 but we just didn't know 193 00:08:32,137 --> 00:08:34,348 how much significance it would have at the time. 194 00:08:34,806 --> 00:08:37,100 NARRATOR: Detectives believe this jersey 195 00:08:37,100 --> 00:08:38,894 must be the killer's, 196 00:08:39,603 --> 00:08:41,104 but there's no DNA, 197 00:08:41,563 --> 00:08:44,149 and no fingerprints to point to who did this. 198 00:08:44,149 --> 00:08:45,984 ♪ 199 00:08:45,984 --> 00:08:46,985 ♪ 200 00:08:46,985 --> 00:08:51,490 Leaving his family back home in South Carolina yearning for answers. 201 00:08:51,490 --> 00:08:54,660 ♪ 202 00:08:54,660 --> 00:08:56,370 WILLIE EVERETT RAY: John was my oldest son. 203 00:08:56,370 --> 00:08:57,704 ♪ 204 00:08:57,704 --> 00:08:59,456 When we found out 205 00:08:59,998 --> 00:09:01,458 we had to go up there... 206 00:09:01,458 --> 00:09:04,628 ♪ Break down the heavy borders ♪ 207 00:09:04,628 --> 00:09:06,255 ...and view his body, 208 00:09:06,255 --> 00:09:08,799 I-I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it. 209 00:09:08,799 --> 00:09:09,883 ♪ 210 00:09:09,883 --> 00:09:12,761 To be honest with you, he really kept our family together. 211 00:09:12,761 --> 00:09:14,429 MARKEYSHI: Look at the hair! 212 00:09:16,598 --> 00:09:18,058 - Yep. Look at this. 213 00:09:18,058 --> 00:09:19,184 JONIQUE BROWN: Okay, yeah. 214 00:09:19,184 --> 00:09:20,602 MARKEYSHI: That's a hi-top fade. 215 00:09:20,602 --> 00:09:21,228 JONIQUE: Yeah. 216 00:09:21,228 --> 00:09:23,730 MARKEYSHI: Oh, that is so 1990. 217 00:09:23,730 --> 00:09:25,190 Like, "I'm a politician." 218 00:09:25,190 --> 00:09:27,359 He looks like it. Doesn't he? 219 00:09:27,359 --> 00:09:28,902 That was him. 220 00:09:30,696 --> 00:09:32,614 JONIQUE: I am John Ray's younger sister. 221 00:09:34,491 --> 00:09:36,493 John was like was like my role model. 222 00:09:36,493 --> 00:09:37,411 ♪ 223 00:09:37,411 --> 00:09:41,415 John was determined to leave Williston 224 00:09:41,415 --> 00:09:44,001 because he wanted something other than 225 00:09:44,001 --> 00:09:45,669 working in a factory all his life. 226 00:09:45,669 --> 00:09:48,005 ♪ Little drops of doubt ♪ 227 00:09:48,005 --> 00:09:52,217 ♪ Drippin' down from my brain and my heart ♪ 228 00:09:53,468 --> 00:09:54,970 JOYCE RAY: My name is Joyce Ray. 229 00:09:55,596 --> 00:09:57,973 I'm John Ray's mother. 230 00:09:58,849 --> 00:09:59,892 He said, "Mom, 231 00:10:00,809 --> 00:10:03,520 "I think I need to leave South Carolina. 232 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:05,647 I need to make a fresh start." 233 00:10:06,273 --> 00:10:08,150 So, you know, you have to let 'em fly. 234 00:10:08,775 --> 00:10:10,485 Can't hold 'em back. 235 00:10:10,485 --> 00:10:11,403 And he went. 236 00:10:11,403 --> 00:10:12,988 ♪ 237 00:10:12,988 --> 00:10:14,448 It just didn't turn out good. 238 00:10:15,365 --> 00:10:17,367 ♪ 239 00:10:17,367 --> 00:10:19,203 NARRATOR: Even though John is 240 00:10:19,203 --> 00:10:21,538 loved and admired by his family, 241 00:10:21,538 --> 00:10:26,001 he still finds it difficult to share all the details of his life with them. 242 00:10:26,585 --> 00:10:30,506 - John told me that he was homosexual 243 00:10:30,506 --> 00:10:32,674 one weekend when he came to visit. 244 00:10:33,217 --> 00:10:36,011 I didn't have a issue with his sexuality. 245 00:10:37,846 --> 00:10:42,935 But my parents are much older and they were more conservative. 246 00:10:42,935 --> 00:10:45,103 ♪ 247 00:10:45,103 --> 00:10:47,814 I think John moved to Atlanta 248 00:10:47,814 --> 00:10:49,691 with many different goals, 249 00:10:49,691 --> 00:10:54,446 and I believe he felt like he could be hisself in Atlanta, 250 00:10:54,905 --> 00:10:56,615 without being judged. 251 00:10:56,615 --> 00:10:59,493 ♪ 252 00:10:59,493 --> 00:11:01,662 NARRATOR: So John moves to Atlanta 253 00:11:01,662 --> 00:11:03,830 and in addition to establishing 254 00:11:03,830 --> 00:11:06,041 a beautiful career and life, 255 00:11:06,041 --> 00:11:09,378 tries finding true love and companionship. 256 00:11:09,378 --> 00:11:12,214 ♪ 257 00:11:12,214 --> 00:11:16,510 But just when investigators thought that his search for the one 258 00:11:16,510 --> 00:11:19,221 ultimately lead to his tragic murder, 259 00:11:19,221 --> 00:11:23,058 they discover another chilling possibility. 260 00:11:23,058 --> 00:11:26,061 ♪ 261 00:11:28,772 --> 00:11:31,817 ♪ 262 00:11:31,817 --> 00:11:35,529 ♪ 263 00:11:35,529 --> 00:11:37,656 NARRATOR: The brutal murder of John Ray 264 00:11:37,656 --> 00:11:39,408 shocks veteran detectives. 265 00:11:40,450 --> 00:11:44,121 But the autopsy reveals the extent of the horror. 266 00:11:44,121 --> 00:11:46,498 ♪ 267 00:11:46,498 --> 00:11:47,875 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: We believe the victim 268 00:11:47,875 --> 00:11:51,795 in this case was killed somewhere around 10.30 p.m. on the 16th. 269 00:11:53,088 --> 00:11:55,841 Cause of death was the stab wounds. 270 00:11:55,841 --> 00:11:58,302 ♪ 271 00:11:58,302 --> 00:12:00,512 He was also beaten and strangled. 272 00:12:00,512 --> 00:12:01,889 ♪ 273 00:12:01,889 --> 00:12:03,599 When the autopsy was performed, 274 00:12:04,975 --> 00:12:08,520 the medical examiner was able to tell us six inches of the knife 275 00:12:09,438 --> 00:12:12,357 was still lodged in Mr. Ray's lung. 276 00:12:12,357 --> 00:12:17,029 ♪ 277 00:12:17,029 --> 00:12:18,739 [siren wails] [indistinct radio chatter] 278 00:12:18,739 --> 00:12:23,035 ♪ 279 00:12:23,035 --> 00:12:26,580 ♪ 280 00:12:26,580 --> 00:12:28,457 NARRATOR: Investigators have to consider 281 00:12:28,457 --> 00:12:31,627 every possibility while they search for suspects. 282 00:12:33,003 --> 00:12:34,421 In the meantime, 283 00:12:35,255 --> 00:12:37,716 they find something intriguing. 284 00:12:39,176 --> 00:12:40,802 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: Through the investigation we learned 285 00:12:40,802 --> 00:12:43,388 that John Ray had been burglarized and robbed 286 00:12:43,388 --> 00:12:45,182 two times prior to this incident. 287 00:12:45,974 --> 00:12:48,060 NARRATOR: The second break-in took place 288 00:12:48,060 --> 00:12:51,230 just four days before John's murder. 289 00:12:51,230 --> 00:12:52,397 ♪ 290 00:12:52,397 --> 00:12:53,815 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: But the biggest difference is, 291 00:12:53,815 --> 00:12:57,194 in those two incidents there was definite forced entry. 292 00:12:57,194 --> 00:12:59,071 ♪ 293 00:12:59,071 --> 00:13:00,489 NARRATOR: That's not the case 294 00:13:00,489 --> 00:13:01,990 on the night John is killed. 295 00:13:01,990 --> 00:13:02,908 ♪ 296 00:13:02,908 --> 00:13:04,159 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: There was no forced entry, 297 00:13:04,159 --> 00:13:05,744 there were no windows broken. 298 00:13:05,744 --> 00:13:07,412 The alarm had never been set off. 299 00:13:07,412 --> 00:13:09,623 The front door wasn't kicked in. 300 00:13:09,623 --> 00:13:10,832 ♪ 301 00:13:10,832 --> 00:13:15,420 The victim at whatever level had to have known this particular suspect. 302 00:13:15,420 --> 00:13:17,256 [indistinct radio chatter] 303 00:13:17,256 --> 00:13:19,132 ♪ 304 00:13:19,132 --> 00:13:22,886 Processing the scene, there was no car at the scene. 305 00:13:24,263 --> 00:13:26,390 Did the bad guy also take his car? 306 00:13:26,390 --> 00:13:28,225 [camera shutter clicks] 307 00:13:28,225 --> 00:13:30,936 NARRATOR: It seems unlikely this is simply 308 00:13:30,936 --> 00:13:33,021 a robbery gone wrong. 309 00:13:33,021 --> 00:13:34,273 [rings] 310 00:13:34,273 --> 00:13:37,401 Detectives reach out to John's friends and family 311 00:13:37,401 --> 00:13:40,195 to see if they have any ideas about who took his life. 312 00:13:40,195 --> 00:13:44,449 ♪ 313 00:13:44,449 --> 00:13:49,955 And police discover John had a serious run-in with his landlord. 314 00:13:49,955 --> 00:13:51,748 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: Apparently this house 315 00:13:51,748 --> 00:13:54,626 that he was living in, he was sort of renting to own. 316 00:13:55,043 --> 00:13:57,504 And he kept paying the landlord the money 317 00:13:58,046 --> 00:14:00,215 but then the house was still foreclosing. 318 00:14:00,215 --> 00:14:01,466 [dial tone] [phone keypad beeping] 319 00:14:01,466 --> 00:14:02,676 [line ringing] 320 00:14:02,676 --> 00:14:03,427 [ringing] 321 00:14:03,427 --> 00:14:04,428 MARKEYSHI: John calls out of the blue. 322 00:14:06,096 --> 00:14:08,265 He's angry because of all this money he had put in. 323 00:14:10,434 --> 00:14:13,312 He knows the landlord has not been telling him the truth. 324 00:14:13,312 --> 00:14:14,521 So he confronts him. 325 00:14:19,234 --> 00:14:20,527 "You owe me money." 326 00:14:20,527 --> 00:14:21,653 ♪ 327 00:14:21,653 --> 00:14:23,822 - When John found that information out... 328 00:14:23,822 --> 00:14:25,741 ♪ 329 00:14:25,741 --> 00:14:28,285 ...he became confrontational with the landlord 330 00:14:28,285 --> 00:14:31,371 and that went very south. 331 00:14:31,371 --> 00:14:35,167 ♪ 332 00:14:35,167 --> 00:14:35,959 [phone ringing] 333 00:14:35,959 --> 00:14:37,252 NARRATOR: Detectives believe 334 00:14:37,252 --> 00:14:39,338 this could be a significant break. 335 00:14:39,338 --> 00:14:40,255 ♪ 336 00:14:40,255 --> 00:14:44,134 - The landlord, obviously at that point, became a suspect in the case 337 00:14:44,134 --> 00:14:46,053 because that gave us some motive. 338 00:14:46,053 --> 00:14:47,429 ♪ 339 00:14:47,429 --> 00:14:49,848 Because John was killed in such a violent manner, 340 00:14:49,848 --> 00:14:52,017 there had to have been some anger behind that. 341 00:14:52,684 --> 00:14:54,478 We were wondering if possibly 342 00:14:54,478 --> 00:14:56,730 the landlord was angry about the argument. 343 00:14:56,730 --> 00:14:58,524 ♪ 344 00:14:58,524 --> 00:15:01,026 NARRATOR: The landlord is a solid lead, 345 00:15:01,026 --> 00:15:06,323 but investigators wanna know if John had trouble with anyone else. 346 00:15:06,990 --> 00:15:09,576 - We got a search warrant for John Ray's work computer, 347 00:15:09,952 --> 00:15:13,622 and they were able to determine things that John Ray was searching. 348 00:15:13,622 --> 00:15:15,707 ♪ 349 00:15:15,707 --> 00:15:17,042 ♪ 350 00:15:17,042 --> 00:15:19,586 NARRATOR: Detectives find that John was active 351 00:15:19,586 --> 00:15:21,088 on several dating sites. 352 00:15:22,005 --> 00:15:24,925 Could he have met his killer online? 353 00:15:24,925 --> 00:15:26,844 [phone rings] 354 00:15:26,844 --> 00:15:29,304 While forensics examine John's computer, 355 00:15:29,304 --> 00:15:33,725 Investigators ask John's family about his love life. 356 00:15:33,725 --> 00:15:36,228 - I was the only one that was able to give 'em some answers. 357 00:15:37,187 --> 00:15:41,859 I know John figured out one of his romantic partners 358 00:15:41,859 --> 00:15:43,819 wanted to use him for money. 359 00:15:45,529 --> 00:15:47,364 NARRATOR: John's friend Markeyshi 360 00:15:47,364 --> 00:15:48,907 didn't know he was gay. 361 00:15:49,366 --> 00:15:53,453 But she does remember John talking about his friend. 362 00:15:54,079 --> 00:15:57,499 MARKEYSHI: The guy asked him for... $300. 363 00:15:57,499 --> 00:15:58,834 ♪ 364 00:15:58,834 --> 00:16:01,753 And when John tried to explain to him, "I'm on a budget," 365 00:16:02,838 --> 00:16:04,923 and the guy says something to the effect that, 366 00:16:04,923 --> 00:16:08,260 "Hey, I know you have it, why don't you just give it to me? 367 00:16:08,260 --> 00:16:09,344 I know you have it." 368 00:16:09,887 --> 00:16:11,221 And John lit into him. 369 00:16:11,221 --> 00:16:13,140 ♪ 370 00:16:13,140 --> 00:16:14,349 It could have been anybody. 371 00:16:15,392 --> 00:16:18,562 But we just knew it was that gentleman who had asked for money, 372 00:16:19,062 --> 00:16:21,106 and was angry that he wouldn't give it, we just knew. 373 00:16:21,106 --> 00:16:25,944 ♪ 374 00:16:25,944 --> 00:16:29,948 - We thought that you have a person that John had a relationship with, 375 00:16:29,948 --> 00:16:33,952 so you know there's probably gonna be some sort of animosity 376 00:16:33,952 --> 00:16:36,538 or bad blood between 'em because they're not together anymore. 377 00:16:37,289 --> 00:16:41,376 So you had greed and money, you had passion and relationship. 378 00:16:42,169 --> 00:16:44,129 You sort of had a perfect suspect. 379 00:16:44,129 --> 00:16:45,506 ♪ 380 00:16:45,506 --> 00:16:47,216 NARRATOR: Two viable suspects. 381 00:16:47,216 --> 00:16:50,719 Two suspects who have major issues with John. 382 00:16:51,386 --> 00:16:54,348 Before long, though, police are able to eliminate 383 00:16:54,348 --> 00:16:55,807 one of the options, 384 00:16:56,975 --> 00:16:58,143 the landlord. 385 00:16:58,852 --> 00:17:00,687 - He provided a clear-cut alibi, 386 00:17:00,687 --> 00:17:03,815 so we had to rule out the landlord as being a suspect. 387 00:17:04,900 --> 00:17:07,319 NARRATOR: But what about John's ex-boyfriend? 388 00:17:07,319 --> 00:17:10,155 Detectives can't seem to locate him, 389 00:17:10,155 --> 00:17:15,077 and Forensics can find no indication that he met John online. 390 00:17:16,453 --> 00:17:21,041 In fact the dating sites are a bust in terms of additional suspects. 391 00:17:21,041 --> 00:17:24,378 ♪ 392 00:17:24,378 --> 00:17:25,879 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: It was very frustrating... 393 00:17:25,879 --> 00:17:27,631 ♪ 394 00:17:27,631 --> 00:17:30,217 because we worked all the angles, all the leads. 395 00:17:30,217 --> 00:17:32,636 ♪ 396 00:17:32,636 --> 00:17:35,848 We checked absolutely everything we could. 397 00:17:35,848 --> 00:17:36,890 ♪ 398 00:17:36,890 --> 00:17:39,643 NARRATOR: Then investigators realize 399 00:17:39,643 --> 00:17:44,189 they're missing some information that may turn out to be critical. 400 00:17:44,189 --> 00:17:46,608 ♪ 401 00:17:48,610 --> 00:17:51,071 ♪ 402 00:17:51,071 --> 00:17:54,741 ♪ 403 00:17:54,741 --> 00:18:00,122 ♪ 404 00:18:00,122 --> 00:18:02,624 On the night John Ray is brutally murdered, 405 00:18:04,001 --> 00:18:06,795 investigators notice his car is missing. 406 00:18:07,421 --> 00:18:08,589 [camera shutter clicks] 407 00:18:08,589 --> 00:18:12,885 what they don't realize is that John's white Pontiac Grand Am 408 00:18:14,428 --> 00:18:17,389 ended up in a crash three miles from his house. 409 00:18:17,389 --> 00:18:19,099 ♪ 410 00:18:19,099 --> 00:18:20,809 [siren wailing] 411 00:18:20,809 --> 00:18:22,186 [indistinct radio chatter] 412 00:18:22,186 --> 00:18:25,230 ♪ 413 00:18:25,230 --> 00:18:27,316 ♪ My eyes closed ♪ 414 00:18:27,316 --> 00:18:28,942 ♪ 415 00:18:28,942 --> 00:18:32,779 ♪ And I go back to the night ♪ 416 00:18:32,779 --> 00:18:36,617 - We discovered that the victim's vehicle 417 00:18:37,242 --> 00:18:39,369 that had been taken the night of the murder, 418 00:18:39,369 --> 00:18:42,414 actually was involved in a high-speed chase 419 00:18:42,414 --> 00:18:44,333 with the City of Atlanta officers. 420 00:18:44,333 --> 00:18:46,418 [siren wailing] 421 00:18:46,418 --> 00:18:49,338 ♪ 422 00:18:49,338 --> 00:18:50,631 NARRATOR: At 3:30 a.m., 423 00:18:51,131 --> 00:18:53,634 the car plows into a telephone pole... 424 00:18:53,634 --> 00:18:54,384 [tires screech] [thuds] 425 00:18:54,384 --> 00:18:57,888 ...causing a small explosion and power outage. 426 00:18:57,888 --> 00:19:00,057 ♪ 427 00:19:00,057 --> 00:19:02,267 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: When the officer approached the vehicle, 428 00:19:02,267 --> 00:19:05,354 he was able to observe that there was blood all over the airbag. 429 00:19:06,146 --> 00:19:09,525 So the person involved in the crash obviously 430 00:19:09,525 --> 00:19:10,609 was injured in the crash. 431 00:19:10,609 --> 00:19:13,362 ♪ 432 00:19:13,362 --> 00:19:16,365 NARRATOR: Still, the driver manages to get away 433 00:19:16,365 --> 00:19:18,283 before officers arrive. 434 00:19:18,992 --> 00:19:20,827 [indistinct chatter] 435 00:19:20,827 --> 00:19:22,996 ♪ 436 00:19:22,996 --> 00:19:25,541 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: Everything was collected inside the car 437 00:19:25,541 --> 00:19:29,336 and there were stereos and electronics and things like that 438 00:19:29,336 --> 00:19:32,923 but at the time on the scene the officer didn't know 439 00:19:32,923 --> 00:19:35,759 that this car was connected to the murder. 440 00:19:35,759 --> 00:19:38,804 So he still did a good job on preserving the evidence, 441 00:19:38,804 --> 00:19:42,432 but he just didn't link the two together at that particular time. 442 00:19:42,432 --> 00:19:43,141 [camera shutter clicks] 443 00:19:43,725 --> 00:19:45,561 NARRATOR: Eventually, police are able 444 00:19:45,561 --> 00:19:48,397 to link the stolen car to John Ray. 445 00:19:48,939 --> 00:19:52,860 But since the driver escaped, they don't have an ID. 446 00:19:53,652 --> 00:19:56,530 No ID, no suspect. 447 00:19:56,530 --> 00:19:58,907 ♪ 448 00:19:58,907 --> 00:20:01,285 - That's when the stress really starts mounting 449 00:20:01,285 --> 00:20:04,621 because you feel like you've hit every lead 450 00:20:04,621 --> 00:20:06,206 and you just hit another brick wall. 451 00:20:06,206 --> 00:20:08,500 [siren wailing] 452 00:20:08,500 --> 00:20:11,628 NARRATOR: In 2004, Atlanta detectives 453 00:20:11,628 --> 00:20:13,839 are overwhelmed with homicides. 454 00:20:13,839 --> 00:20:18,218 So after investigating for eight months they're forced to move on. 455 00:20:20,637 --> 00:20:23,265 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: When a case starts going cold 456 00:20:23,265 --> 00:20:25,934 it's hard not to take that personal 457 00:20:25,934 --> 00:20:28,729 because you know you're not doing the family justice. 458 00:20:30,022 --> 00:20:33,483 There's just no excuse you could ever give a family 459 00:20:33,483 --> 00:20:35,569 for not bringing them the justice, 460 00:20:36,111 --> 00:20:37,362 so it's very frustrating. 461 00:20:38,614 --> 00:20:40,407 NARRATOR: John's family members mourn 462 00:20:40,407 --> 00:20:41,992 with no closure, 463 00:20:43,118 --> 00:20:45,120 - They never said anything to us, 464 00:20:45,120 --> 00:20:46,705 that it was being put on ice. 465 00:20:47,372 --> 00:20:50,000 We just felt like he was just 466 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:51,835 another statistic. 467 00:20:51,835 --> 00:20:56,590 ♪ 468 00:20:56,590 --> 00:20:58,425 ♪ 469 00:20:58,425 --> 00:20:59,676 NARRATOR: Time passes, 470 00:21:01,178 --> 00:21:02,596 nothing happens. 471 00:21:03,055 --> 00:21:04,348 ♪ 472 00:21:04,348 --> 00:21:06,266 - I prayed that the rage would go away. 473 00:21:07,267 --> 00:21:10,437 I didn't know I was walking around like a ticking time bomb. 474 00:21:10,437 --> 00:21:12,898 ♪ 475 00:21:12,898 --> 00:21:17,361 Every single person in my mind I would analyze, "Could it be him? 476 00:21:17,361 --> 00:21:18,362 "Nah, why would he? 477 00:21:18,362 --> 00:21:19,988 Could it-- Nah, wouldn't." 478 00:21:19,988 --> 00:21:21,573 Just could not figure it out. 479 00:21:21,573 --> 00:21:23,450 ♪ 480 00:21:23,450 --> 00:21:27,204 NARRATOR: John Ray's case goes cold for seven years. 481 00:21:27,204 --> 00:21:28,372 ♪ 482 00:21:28,372 --> 00:21:30,457 Then in 2011, 483 00:21:31,583 --> 00:21:35,921 Atlanta PD establishes a homicide cold case unit. 484 00:21:35,921 --> 00:21:38,882 ♪ 485 00:21:38,882 --> 00:21:43,387 And the investigation of John Ray's murder reopens. 486 00:21:43,929 --> 00:21:45,556 ♪ 487 00:21:45,556 --> 00:21:47,015 MARSHALL ENGLISH: My name is Marshall English. 488 00:21:47,015 --> 00:21:49,685 ♪ 489 00:21:49,685 --> 00:21:51,645 I'm a retired police criminal investigator. 490 00:21:52,104 --> 00:21:55,274 I have over 28 years' experience in cold case investigations. 491 00:21:55,274 --> 00:21:56,567 ♪ 492 00:21:56,567 --> 00:21:58,235 John Ray was an employee 493 00:21:58,235 --> 00:22:00,654 with the Fulton County Public Defender's Office. 494 00:22:01,363 --> 00:22:03,532 And he was also an Air Force veteran. 495 00:22:04,116 --> 00:22:05,534 An Army veteran. 496 00:22:06,034 --> 00:22:07,578 So I kinda took it more personal, 497 00:22:07,578 --> 00:22:10,664 and I just wanted to try to bring justice, 498 00:22:10,664 --> 00:22:11,498 you know, to the family. 499 00:22:11,498 --> 00:22:13,500 ♪ 500 00:22:13,500 --> 00:22:14,543 JONIQUE: At first I was like, 501 00:22:15,502 --> 00:22:17,171 "Lord, is this a test? 502 00:22:17,171 --> 00:22:18,380 This can't be real." 503 00:22:18,380 --> 00:22:21,049 ♪ 504 00:22:21,049 --> 00:22:23,385 Detective English was like, 505 00:22:23,385 --> 00:22:25,804 "You're gonna be getting many calls from me. 506 00:22:25,804 --> 00:22:27,097 We are about to break this case." 507 00:22:27,097 --> 00:22:29,558 ♪ 508 00:22:29,558 --> 00:22:32,311 - I thought that I would just pass out. I was so happy. 509 00:22:32,311 --> 00:22:33,896 Because leading up to that I had been praying, 510 00:22:33,896 --> 00:22:35,439 "God, please don't let me leave this Earth 511 00:22:35,439 --> 00:22:37,566 not knowing who did this to my best friend." 512 00:22:37,566 --> 00:22:40,068 ♪ 513 00:22:40,068 --> 00:22:42,196 NARRATOR: The investigator starts from scratch. 514 00:22:42,196 --> 00:22:44,072 ♪ 515 00:22:44,072 --> 00:22:46,241 ENGLISH: First thing I do is review 516 00:22:46,241 --> 00:22:47,534 everything in the case file. 517 00:22:47,534 --> 00:22:50,913 Our goal was to determine if there was any suspects first to interview. 518 00:22:50,913 --> 00:22:52,164 ♪ 519 00:22:52,164 --> 00:22:54,082 NARRATOR: English comes across the reference 520 00:22:54,625 --> 00:22:57,002 to John's ex-boyfriend. 521 00:22:58,086 --> 00:23:01,590 - John Ray had mentioned to his friend Markeesha that 522 00:23:02,382 --> 00:23:04,676 there was some kinda argument over money. 523 00:23:07,262 --> 00:23:11,767 The lead detective was unable to locate the individual during that time in 2004. 524 00:23:12,434 --> 00:23:13,644 NARRATOR: But this time 525 00:23:13,644 --> 00:23:15,687 the investigator has better luck. 526 00:23:16,438 --> 00:23:18,982 ENGLISH: I was able to locate the subject 527 00:23:18,982 --> 00:23:20,234 and spoke with him. 528 00:23:20,734 --> 00:23:24,238 NARRATOR: Unfortunately, it's another dead end. 529 00:23:29,117 --> 00:23:30,869 ♪ 530 00:23:30,869 --> 00:23:32,454 ENGLISH: I determined that the individual 531 00:23:32,454 --> 00:23:35,374 was not in the state of Georgia when this incident occurred 532 00:23:35,374 --> 00:23:38,502 so I was able to rule him out as a suspect. 533 00:23:42,506 --> 00:23:45,551 NARRATOR: Next, the cold case team decides 534 00:23:45,551 --> 00:23:48,929 to go through all the evidence that's been sitting in storage for seven years. 535 00:23:48,929 --> 00:23:49,930 ♪ 536 00:23:49,930 --> 00:23:53,684 They find John Ray's work computer and boot it up. 537 00:23:54,351 --> 00:23:56,478 ENGLISH: So when we opened up John Ray's computer, 538 00:23:56,478 --> 00:23:59,147 we noticed he was on several dating sites. 539 00:23:59,147 --> 00:24:02,776 We were able to rule out the individuals that he had contact with. 540 00:24:02,776 --> 00:24:05,279 ♪ 541 00:24:05,279 --> 00:24:06,613 NARRATOR: But there's something else 542 00:24:06,613 --> 00:24:08,073 on John's computer, 543 00:24:08,699 --> 00:24:10,534 criminal background checks. 544 00:24:11,493 --> 00:24:14,746 - We wanted to determine whether this was work-related 545 00:24:14,746 --> 00:24:16,707 or whether this was personal. 546 00:24:17,666 --> 00:24:19,918 NARRATOR: While the team looks into the three men, 547 00:24:20,460 --> 00:24:23,255 they also focus on a second crate of evidence, 548 00:24:24,089 --> 00:24:25,757 this one is sealed. 549 00:24:25,757 --> 00:24:28,218 ♪ 550 00:24:28,218 --> 00:24:32,306 It's the contents from John's car that crashed hours after his death. 551 00:24:32,306 --> 00:24:35,434 ♪ 552 00:24:35,434 --> 00:24:38,103 Evidence that's never been examined... 553 00:24:38,103 --> 00:24:40,480 ♪ 554 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:42,107 ...until now. 555 00:24:42,107 --> 00:24:46,737 ♪ 556 00:24:48,739 --> 00:24:50,115 ♪ Respite by Thomas McNeice, April Mackay & Neil Mulholland playing ♪ 557 00:24:50,115 --> 00:24:53,410 ♪ Run, run, I don't know where I am ♪ 558 00:24:53,410 --> 00:24:56,288 ♪ Nail to the ground and I just can't start ♪ 559 00:24:56,830 --> 00:24:59,124 NARRATOR: The cold case team investigating 560 00:24:59,124 --> 00:25:00,834 the murder of John Ray 561 00:25:00,834 --> 00:25:04,379 is reviewing evidence that's been in storage for seven years, 562 00:25:05,631 --> 00:25:07,966 when they hit the mother lode. 563 00:25:07,966 --> 00:25:11,887 ♪ 564 00:25:11,887 --> 00:25:13,805 ENGLISH: One crate was not opened. 565 00:25:14,598 --> 00:25:16,225 It was still sealed. 566 00:25:17,100 --> 00:25:18,894 There's definitely an adrenaline rush. 567 00:25:18,894 --> 00:25:23,899 ♪ 568 00:25:23,899 --> 00:25:27,236 I was a little surprised seeing all that evidence... 569 00:25:27,236 --> 00:25:29,154 ♪ 570 00:25:29,154 --> 00:25:32,991 ...and was hoping to get something to try to help solve the case. 571 00:25:32,991 --> 00:25:38,205 ♪ 572 00:25:38,205 --> 00:25:41,625 NARRATOR: Inside that crate, John's briefcase... 573 00:25:41,625 --> 00:25:44,002 [siren wailing] 574 00:25:44,002 --> 00:25:46,964 ...which had been in the trunk of his stolen car. 575 00:25:46,964 --> 00:25:51,677 ♪ 576 00:25:51,677 --> 00:25:52,970 ENGLISH: Inside the work bag 577 00:25:53,470 --> 00:25:56,431 I noticed there was some printouts of one individual 578 00:25:56,431 --> 00:25:58,392 from the Department of Corrections website. 579 00:25:58,392 --> 00:26:02,104 ♪ 580 00:26:02,104 --> 00:26:04,356 NARRATOR: The printout is the criminal background check 581 00:26:04,356 --> 00:26:06,024 for Torico Jackson. 582 00:26:06,024 --> 00:26:07,985 ♪ 583 00:26:07,985 --> 00:26:13,156 Torico Jackson is one of the names found on John Ray's computer. 584 00:26:13,156 --> 00:26:14,491 ♪ 585 00:26:14,491 --> 00:26:17,619 ENGLISH: Torico Jackson's extensive criminal history 586 00:26:17,619 --> 00:26:20,247 included several charges of burglary and armed robbery. 587 00:26:20,247 --> 00:26:21,790 ♪ 588 00:26:21,790 --> 00:26:24,668 NARRATOR: John Ray had been robbed several times, 589 00:26:24,668 --> 00:26:26,753 including the night he was killed. 590 00:26:26,753 --> 00:26:30,924 ♪ 591 00:26:30,924 --> 00:26:32,885 ENGLISH: What stood out to me was, 592 00:26:32,885 --> 00:26:35,971 John Ray was murdered May 16th, 2004. 593 00:26:35,971 --> 00:26:37,973 The printout was dated May 12th. 594 00:26:38,473 --> 00:26:40,100 There was nothing to show 595 00:26:40,100 --> 00:26:43,437 that there was any kinda connection work-related with Torico Jackson. 596 00:26:43,437 --> 00:26:45,063 ♪ 597 00:26:45,063 --> 00:26:47,482 NARRATOR: So, if it's not work-related... 598 00:26:47,482 --> 00:26:50,277 ♪ 599 00:26:50,277 --> 00:26:54,823 ...is it possible John had a personal interest in Torico Jackson? 600 00:26:54,823 --> 00:26:59,286 ♪ 601 00:26:59,286 --> 00:27:00,954 - John Ray had told a friend of his 602 00:27:00,954 --> 00:27:03,248 that he had recently met an individual. 603 00:27:04,499 --> 00:27:06,126 Didn't give any kinda details, 604 00:27:06,710 --> 00:27:11,131 said he kinda felt the person was a little "shady" is the best word to explain. 605 00:27:11,131 --> 00:27:12,633 ♪ 606 00:27:12,633 --> 00:27:15,594 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: Somehow John Ray knew 607 00:27:15,594 --> 00:27:18,263 who Torico Jackson was 608 00:27:18,263 --> 00:27:20,807 and had him on his radar and was researching him. 609 00:27:20,807 --> 00:27:21,975 ♪ 610 00:27:21,975 --> 00:27:22,809 NARRATOR: There's more. 611 00:27:23,352 --> 00:27:25,812 Another piece of damning evidence. 612 00:27:26,271 --> 00:27:29,107 A copy of Torico's ID. 613 00:27:29,107 --> 00:27:30,943 ♪ 614 00:27:30,943 --> 00:27:34,530 In the photo, Torico is wearing the exact same jersey 615 00:27:34,530 --> 00:27:36,156 found in John's washing machine 616 00:27:37,407 --> 00:27:39,618 the night his body was found. 617 00:27:39,618 --> 00:27:43,288 ♪ 618 00:27:43,288 --> 00:27:46,834 Apparently Torico Jackson was very fond of this shirt. 619 00:27:48,126 --> 00:27:50,045 It's the belief of the cold case detectives 620 00:27:50,045 --> 00:27:51,713 that possibly Torico Jackson 621 00:27:51,713 --> 00:27:54,800 was gonna come back and get his belongings. 622 00:27:55,592 --> 00:27:57,427 ENGLISH: The shirt was very distinguishable. 623 00:27:57,886 --> 00:27:59,221 It was the same shirt. 624 00:27:59,221 --> 00:28:01,390 - The information we found in the briefcase 625 00:28:01,390 --> 00:28:03,767 was not what we were expecting 626 00:28:03,767 --> 00:28:07,187 and it was a huge key in the case. 627 00:28:07,187 --> 00:28:08,605 ♪ 628 00:28:08,605 --> 00:28:11,191 MARKEYSHI: John was speaking to us from the grave 629 00:28:11,191 --> 00:28:13,694 because he had left so much information 630 00:28:13,694 --> 00:28:15,696 in that briefcase in his trunk, 631 00:28:15,696 --> 00:28:17,447 and I could almost hear him say, 632 00:28:17,447 --> 00:28:18,782 "If you just open the trunk, 633 00:28:20,075 --> 00:28:21,368 you'll find what I left you." 634 00:28:26,331 --> 00:28:30,127 ♪ 635 00:28:30,127 --> 00:28:32,504 NARRATOR: Investigators continue to dig. 636 00:28:32,504 --> 00:28:36,049 Detective English reviews phone records from 2004. 637 00:28:36,508 --> 00:28:38,927 - One of the last calls on John Ray's phone 638 00:28:38,927 --> 00:28:41,930 on the night of the murder was made to a Shameeka Williams. 639 00:28:41,930 --> 00:28:43,056 ♪ 640 00:28:43,056 --> 00:28:45,184 NARRATOR: This Shameeka Williams 641 00:28:45,184 --> 00:28:47,102 is a friend of Torico Jackson. 642 00:28:47,686 --> 00:28:49,938 Apparently, they're pretty close. 643 00:28:49,938 --> 00:28:50,898 [laughing] 644 00:28:53,066 --> 00:28:54,651 - After further investigation 645 00:28:54,651 --> 00:28:58,655 I learned that Shameeka had visited Torico in prison. 646 00:29:00,908 --> 00:29:02,868 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: So that was a big 647 00:29:02,868 --> 00:29:05,913 key piece of evidence that gave us a connection... 648 00:29:07,331 --> 00:29:08,749 to putting Torico Jackson 649 00:29:08,749 --> 00:29:10,501 inside the home of John Ray. 650 00:29:10,501 --> 00:29:11,376 [man laughing] 651 00:29:11,376 --> 00:29:14,505 It must have been him that called her number 652 00:29:14,505 --> 00:29:16,340 from the residence of John Ray, 653 00:29:16,340 --> 00:29:18,133 and interestingly enough, 654 00:29:18,133 --> 00:29:20,135 she didn't know who John Ray was at all. 655 00:29:20,135 --> 00:29:22,804 ♪ 656 00:29:26,808 --> 00:29:29,102 NARRATOR: Still, it's all circumstantial. 657 00:29:31,897 --> 00:29:35,400 Then, English stumbles upon a missing piece of the puzzle. 658 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:37,903 [indistinct radio chatter] 659 00:29:37,903 --> 00:29:40,322 ENGLISH: Some of the evidence that was collected... 660 00:29:40,322 --> 00:29:42,366 [siren wailing] 661 00:29:42,366 --> 00:29:44,618 ...from the stolen vehicle of John Ray, 662 00:29:46,036 --> 00:29:47,329 was blood from the airbag. 663 00:29:50,666 --> 00:29:54,419 DNA samples were submitted to the crime lab for analysis 664 00:29:54,837 --> 00:29:58,841 and all the blood work came back to Torico Jackson. 665 00:29:59,424 --> 00:30:00,050 [glass shatters] 666 00:30:03,053 --> 00:30:07,975 ♪ 667 00:30:07,975 --> 00:30:09,434 GEORGE TURNER: My name is George Turner. 668 00:30:10,143 --> 00:30:13,438 I spent seven years as police chief in the City of Atlanta. 669 00:30:13,814 --> 00:30:15,232 In the John Ray case, 670 00:30:15,858 --> 00:30:18,402 the investigator trying to reconstruct that accident 671 00:30:20,028 --> 00:30:21,405 was very challenged because 672 00:30:22,155 --> 00:30:26,076 they didn't have the body when the accident took place, 673 00:30:26,076 --> 00:30:30,289 so ultimately they determined it was just a stolen vehicle... 674 00:30:32,082 --> 00:30:33,417 ...or a crashed vehicle. 675 00:30:33,417 --> 00:30:39,006 ♪ 676 00:30:39,006 --> 00:30:39,882 ♪ 677 00:30:39,882 --> 00:30:43,427 The detective, when he received the call on the homicide, 678 00:30:44,094 --> 00:30:46,722 also had not tied those things together. 679 00:30:46,722 --> 00:30:47,806 ♪ 680 00:30:47,806 --> 00:30:50,893 It wasn't until much later that they determined, 681 00:30:50,893 --> 00:30:54,021 that the vehicle was associated with the victim, 682 00:30:54,021 --> 00:30:56,732 and so ultimately evidence go cold 683 00:30:56,732 --> 00:31:01,069 and so it takes someone that have dedicated time 684 00:31:01,069 --> 00:31:04,448 looking at those pieces to bring those things together, 685 00:31:04,448 --> 00:31:06,158 to be able to solve this crime. 686 00:31:08,577 --> 00:31:11,413 NARRATOR: Now police can place Torico 687 00:31:11,413 --> 00:31:13,749 in John's car the night of the murder. 688 00:31:13,749 --> 00:31:15,083 ♪ 689 00:31:15,083 --> 00:31:17,503 The evidence seems strong. 690 00:31:17,503 --> 00:31:20,172 ♪ 691 00:31:20,172 --> 00:31:21,340 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: Even though you're excited, 692 00:31:21,340 --> 00:31:24,468 you know that you have a hurdle to jump over. 693 00:31:24,468 --> 00:31:28,138 You always have to pretend like a defense attorney's on your shoulder 694 00:31:28,555 --> 00:31:32,100 because whatever you come up with, they're gonna come up with a defense. 695 00:31:32,100 --> 00:31:33,268 ♪ 696 00:31:33,268 --> 00:31:35,020 NARRATOR: After seven years of pain... 697 00:31:35,020 --> 00:31:36,688 ♪ 698 00:31:36,688 --> 00:31:39,107 ...will John Ray's family and friends 699 00:31:39,107 --> 00:31:41,652 finally get the justice they deserve? 700 00:31:41,652 --> 00:31:46,865 ♪ 701 00:31:46,865 --> 00:31:49,076 ♪ 702 00:31:51,078 --> 00:31:52,871 ♪ You're Under My Skin by Jake Warren and Brooke Mitchell playing ♪ 703 00:31:52,871 --> 00:31:55,791 ♪ Paper-thin ♪ 704 00:31:55,791 --> 00:31:59,461 ♪ The walls are crumbling ♪ 705 00:31:59,461 --> 00:32:00,629 ♪ 706 00:32:00,629 --> 00:32:01,964 NARRATOR: The murder of John Ray 707 00:32:01,964 --> 00:32:04,967 sits unsolved for seven years. 708 00:32:05,592 --> 00:32:08,262 ♪ I can feel ♪ 709 00:32:08,929 --> 00:32:11,181 Then, in just two months... 710 00:32:11,723 --> 00:32:12,516 [camera shutter clicks] 711 00:32:12,516 --> 00:32:15,102 ...the cold case team gathers enough evidence 712 00:32:15,978 --> 00:32:17,437 to file charges. 713 00:32:17,437 --> 00:32:21,900 ♪ 714 00:32:21,900 --> 00:32:24,611 On August 22, 2011, 715 00:32:25,654 --> 00:32:29,616 Torico Jackson is indicted for felony murder, 716 00:32:30,158 --> 00:32:31,243 aggravated assault, 717 00:32:32,035 --> 00:32:33,036 burglary, 718 00:32:33,453 --> 00:32:35,330 and possession of a knife 719 00:32:35,831 --> 00:32:37,708 during the commission of a felony. 720 00:32:37,708 --> 00:32:43,380 ♪ 721 00:32:43,380 --> 00:32:47,593 Prosecutors spend the next 16 months 722 00:32:47,593 --> 00:32:49,011 constructing their case. 723 00:32:49,011 --> 00:32:49,970 ♪ 724 00:32:49,970 --> 00:32:54,558 - So nine years it took us to get somewhat of a closure. 725 00:32:54,558 --> 00:32:56,810 It's upsetting to know that 726 00:32:57,895 --> 00:33:03,025 they had all this evidence just sitting. 727 00:33:03,025 --> 00:33:04,193 ♪ 728 00:33:04,193 --> 00:33:08,822 Had they never developed this cold case department 729 00:33:08,822 --> 00:33:10,449 we wouldn't be here now. 730 00:33:11,074 --> 00:33:15,078 ♪ 731 00:33:15,078 --> 00:33:16,830 ♪ 732 00:33:16,830 --> 00:33:20,125 NARRATOR: The trial begins on September 5th, 2013. 733 00:33:20,125 --> 00:33:21,293 ♪ 734 00:33:21,293 --> 00:33:25,172 ♪ 735 00:33:25,172 --> 00:33:27,716 - What made this case difficult, it was a circumstantial case. 736 00:33:27,716 --> 00:33:30,135 ♪ 737 00:33:30,135 --> 00:33:33,472 Putting the pieces together with the photographs... 738 00:33:33,472 --> 00:33:35,557 ♪ 739 00:33:35,557 --> 00:33:36,391 ...the shirt, 740 00:33:37,643 --> 00:33:38,519 the phone calls, 741 00:33:38,519 --> 00:33:40,395 the night of John Ray's murder... 742 00:33:40,395 --> 00:33:41,980 ♪ 743 00:33:41,980 --> 00:33:45,567 ...was all more of a puzzle of circumstantial evidence 744 00:33:45,943 --> 00:33:47,319 that the jury had to hear. 745 00:33:47,319 --> 00:33:51,365 ♪ 746 00:33:51,365 --> 00:33:55,702 It was a little concerning whether they would convict him. 747 00:33:56,328 --> 00:33:58,789 NARRATOR: And maybe they won't. 748 00:33:58,789 --> 00:33:59,665 ♪ 749 00:33:59,665 --> 00:34:03,752 Because Torico's defense is that John attacked him. 750 00:34:05,671 --> 00:34:09,132 And all he needs is one juror to believe him. 751 00:34:11,385 --> 00:34:14,012 ENGLISH: Initially he just plead not guilty 752 00:34:14,388 --> 00:34:18,100 and right before the trial he claimed self-defense. 753 00:34:22,229 --> 00:34:23,856 ♪ 754 00:34:23,856 --> 00:34:25,357 It was just crazy, 755 00:34:25,357 --> 00:34:26,608 and I just was shocked. 756 00:34:27,609 --> 00:34:29,903 JONIQUE: Torico act like he was the victim. 757 00:34:29,903 --> 00:34:33,282 I guess he was saying that John was gonna kill him, 758 00:34:33,282 --> 00:34:35,450 but he wasn't brought up like that. 759 00:34:35,993 --> 00:34:37,452 Why would he wanna hurt you? 760 00:34:38,745 --> 00:34:39,746 He was trying to help you. 761 00:34:40,414 --> 00:34:43,500 ♪ 762 00:34:44,543 --> 00:34:45,836 MAN: Marcus Garner. Take one. 763 00:34:48,213 --> 00:34:49,464 MARCUS GARNER: My name is Marcus Garner. 764 00:34:49,464 --> 00:34:52,634 I was a reporter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the time. 765 00:34:54,011 --> 00:34:55,262 GARNER: Yeah, I did cover the trial. 766 00:34:56,972 --> 00:35:00,642 Torico Jackson seemed a bit indignant, initially. 767 00:35:01,560 --> 00:35:04,980 During the course of the trial you could literally see 768 00:35:04,980 --> 00:35:07,107 the evidence starting to weigh on him. 769 00:35:07,566 --> 00:35:09,902 NARRATOR: Prosecutors point to the time line. 770 00:35:10,485 --> 00:35:13,071 John is murdered on May 16th. 771 00:35:13,614 --> 00:35:16,617 His body isn't discovered until May 19th. 772 00:35:17,159 --> 00:35:20,871 They believe Torico remained in John's home. 773 00:35:20,871 --> 00:35:25,792 ♪ 774 00:35:25,792 --> 00:35:29,546 - Apparently, Torico Jackson was making phone calls from the house. 775 00:35:29,546 --> 00:35:33,759 ♪ Hanging by a thread ♪ 776 00:35:33,759 --> 00:35:36,887 Conducting business in the house as if it were his own. 777 00:35:36,887 --> 00:35:39,264 ♪ I'm better off dead ♪ 778 00:35:39,264 --> 00:35:40,015 ♪ Sow me ♪ 779 00:35:40,015 --> 00:35:41,975 JONIQUE: He made dinner, he ate lunch. 780 00:35:43,977 --> 00:35:44,978 He... 781 00:35:44,978 --> 00:35:47,022 ♪ Back together ♪ 782 00:35:47,022 --> 00:35:48,607 ...lived in the house with a dead body. 783 00:35:48,607 --> 00:35:50,567 ♪ 784 00:35:50,567 --> 00:35:52,027 A heartless person... 785 00:35:52,027 --> 00:35:53,237 ♪ 786 00:35:53,237 --> 00:35:56,198 ...would stay in the house with a dead body, 787 00:35:56,198 --> 00:35:57,324 walking over it. 788 00:35:57,324 --> 00:35:59,952 ♪ Holding on ♪ 789 00:35:59,952 --> 00:36:03,205 ♪ Till there's nothing left ♪ 790 00:36:03,205 --> 00:36:04,414 ♪ 791 00:36:04,414 --> 00:36:08,043 ♪ Maybe I'm better off dead ♪ 792 00:36:08,710 --> 00:36:09,878 ♪ Dead ♪ 793 00:36:09,878 --> 00:36:11,004 ♪ 794 00:36:11,004 --> 00:36:12,047 [indistinct chatter on TV] 795 00:36:12,047 --> 00:36:14,341 ♪ 796 00:36:14,341 --> 00:36:16,677 ♪ 797 00:36:16,677 --> 00:36:18,262 NARRATOR: The prosecution claims 798 00:36:18,262 --> 00:36:20,264 Torico targeted John Ray, 799 00:36:21,139 --> 00:36:23,225 and John wasn't the first. 800 00:36:23,225 --> 00:36:25,894 ♪ 801 00:36:25,894 --> 00:36:27,521 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: Torico Jackson was 802 00:36:27,521 --> 00:36:30,148 preying on gay males. 803 00:36:30,148 --> 00:36:32,359 ♪ 804 00:36:32,359 --> 00:36:35,362 - Torico would have a relationship with the individual... 805 00:36:35,362 --> 00:36:37,239 ♪ 806 00:36:37,239 --> 00:36:39,950 ...and he would burglarize or rob them. 807 00:36:39,950 --> 00:36:40,993 ♪ 808 00:36:40,993 --> 00:36:42,953 This appeared to be a pattern 809 00:36:42,953 --> 00:36:44,788 with the male individuals he was involved with. 810 00:36:44,788 --> 00:36:46,665 ♪ 811 00:36:46,665 --> 00:36:48,375 - I think Torico Jackson thought 812 00:36:48,375 --> 00:36:49,918 that he would probably just knock him out... 813 00:36:49,918 --> 00:36:51,211 [thuds] [glass shatters] 814 00:36:51,211 --> 00:36:52,171 ♪ 815 00:36:52,171 --> 00:36:54,464 ...grab all the stuff and flee 816 00:36:54,464 --> 00:36:55,549 and get away with it. 817 00:36:55,966 --> 00:36:57,676 Like he had done so many other times, 818 00:36:58,385 --> 00:37:00,637 and then I think John Ray fought back for his life. 819 00:37:00,637 --> 00:37:03,765 ♪ 820 00:37:03,765 --> 00:37:07,686 ♪ 821 00:37:07,686 --> 00:37:08,437 [groans] 822 00:37:08,437 --> 00:37:12,566 ♪ 823 00:37:12,566 --> 00:37:15,611 ♪ 824 00:37:15,611 --> 00:37:17,487 NARRATOR: After seven days of testimony, 825 00:37:18,322 --> 00:37:21,283 the jury only deliberates for one hour. 826 00:37:21,283 --> 00:37:26,622 ♪ 827 00:37:26,622 --> 00:37:27,789 ♪ 828 00:37:27,789 --> 00:37:30,584 - Torico was found guilty of felony murder, 829 00:37:30,584 --> 00:37:32,628 aggravated assault, burglary, 830 00:37:32,628 --> 00:37:35,923 and received two life sentences and 25 years in prison. 831 00:37:39,510 --> 00:37:40,844 ♪ 832 00:37:40,844 --> 00:37:43,055 ♪ Feelin' like we made it ♪ 833 00:37:43,055 --> 00:37:43,931 ♪ 834 00:37:43,931 --> 00:37:47,559 ♪ And all the time we waited ♪ 835 00:37:47,559 --> 00:37:51,313 ♪ We paid the price of patience ♪ 836 00:37:51,313 --> 00:37:54,149 ♪ 837 00:37:54,149 --> 00:37:55,817 JONIQUE: Once he got his sentencing, 838 00:37:55,817 --> 00:37:57,861 he turn around and said, 839 00:37:57,861 --> 00:38:02,491 "It was either gonna be me dead and your brother on trial, 840 00:38:03,492 --> 00:38:05,869 or we gonna be where we are now." 841 00:38:08,205 --> 00:38:10,123 JOYCE: He was just a evil person. 842 00:38:11,124 --> 00:38:12,209 Very evil. 843 00:38:14,962 --> 00:38:17,047 To take away my son like that. 844 00:38:19,800 --> 00:38:21,552 You're supposed to forgive, 845 00:38:21,552 --> 00:38:23,929 but there's no forgiveness in my heart for that. 846 00:38:26,223 --> 00:38:30,227 ♪ vocalizing ♪ 847 00:38:30,227 --> 00:38:32,855 JONIQUE: When we were asked 848 00:38:33,897 --> 00:38:36,191 to pursue the death penalty, 849 00:38:36,191 --> 00:38:37,317 we... 850 00:38:38,944 --> 00:38:41,196 did not want that. 851 00:38:42,573 --> 00:38:45,659 We wanted him to be alive, 852 00:38:45,659 --> 00:38:47,995 to suffer the way we have 853 00:38:47,995 --> 00:38:50,247 because John's not here with us any longer. 854 00:38:50,247 --> 00:38:53,292 ♪ 855 00:38:53,292 --> 00:38:54,960 - Do I feel justice was served? 856 00:38:54,960 --> 00:38:56,170 Nah, he's still breathing. 857 00:38:57,838 --> 00:38:59,548 NARRATOR: One question remains unanswered. 858 00:39:00,048 --> 00:39:04,094 Why would John knowingly invite a convicted criminal to his home? 859 00:39:05,137 --> 00:39:09,516 - John Ray, because he was involved in this environment, 860 00:39:09,516 --> 00:39:12,519 through his job might've been comfortable with criminals. 861 00:39:14,438 --> 00:39:17,608 He probably thought that he could handle himself, 862 00:39:17,608 --> 00:39:19,026 and that it wouldn't happen to him. 863 00:39:19,985 --> 00:39:23,614 - I believe John was trying to help him get on a better path. 864 00:39:24,698 --> 00:39:26,074 MARKEYSHI: John had a big heart. 865 00:39:28,243 --> 00:39:31,038 And so it made sense that he was talking to this Torico guy. 866 00:39:31,038 --> 00:39:35,375 ♪ 867 00:39:41,632 --> 00:39:43,425 WILLIE: They got the guy that did it. 868 00:39:44,927 --> 00:39:47,971 That's what's important to me and that's important to my family. 869 00:39:48,680 --> 00:39:50,599 It don't bring John back, 870 00:39:50,599 --> 00:39:52,684 but it brings a little clarity. 871 00:39:52,684 --> 00:39:54,144 You know, I love him. 872 00:39:54,144 --> 00:39:58,774 ♪ Let the light fade ♪ 873 00:39:58,774 --> 00:40:00,108 - We lost 874 00:40:01,985 --> 00:40:02,986 greatness. 875 00:40:04,738 --> 00:40:06,740 We lost John Edward Ray 876 00:40:08,116 --> 00:40:09,243 too soon. 877 00:40:10,786 --> 00:40:13,080 Because he was destined for greatness. 878 00:40:13,080 --> 00:40:15,874 ♪ 879 00:40:15,874 --> 00:40:19,628 ♪ All we had was just a moment ♪ 880 00:40:22,548 --> 00:40:26,218 ♪ All we had was just a moment ♪ 881 00:40:28,303 --> 00:40:31,265 - You are just as popular in your death as you were in your life. 882 00:40:31,265 --> 00:40:33,433 You see all these people out here because of you? 883 00:40:34,268 --> 00:40:35,936 JONIQUE: Right. MARKEYSHI: You see this? 884 00:40:37,479 --> 00:40:38,564 God, I miss you. 885 00:40:40,482 --> 00:40:41,733 I know how you are, 886 00:40:41,733 --> 00:40:43,360 and you wouldn't want me to cry and-- 887 00:40:44,069 --> 00:40:46,655 You'd probably tell me to shut my punk behind up 888 00:40:46,655 --> 00:40:48,365 and take it like a woman. I know you. 889 00:40:48,866 --> 00:40:50,576 Who's gonna put me in my place now? 890 00:40:51,702 --> 00:40:54,997 - I pray and ask God to help make me strong, 891 00:40:55,539 --> 00:40:56,748 which he has, 892 00:40:58,500 --> 00:40:59,960 and I will survive. 893 00:40:59,960 --> 00:41:01,336 ♪ 894 00:41:01,336 --> 00:41:04,339 We just remember him for the good days that he gave us. 895 00:41:04,339 --> 00:41:07,926 ♪ All we have is just a moment ♪ 896 00:41:07,926 --> 00:41:10,679 But we always think of him as our lawyer. 897 00:41:10,679 --> 00:41:12,931 ♪ All we have, all we have ♪ 898 00:41:12,931 --> 00:41:13,724 Yeah. 899 00:41:13,724 --> 00:41:15,809 ♪ 900 00:41:15,809 --> 00:41:18,729 ♪ Is a moment ♪ 901 00:41:18,729 --> 00:41:22,482 ♪ 902 00:41:22,482 --> 00:41:24,735 ENGLISH: The printout being inside the work bag 903 00:41:24,735 --> 00:41:26,570 and all the other evidence that I found, 904 00:41:26,570 --> 00:41:31,992 I just felt that it was some type of message from John Ray 905 00:41:31,992 --> 00:41:34,286 to help solve this case. 906 00:41:34,912 --> 00:41:37,206 DETECTIVE ESQUILIN: It was just absolutely amazing 907 00:41:37,206 --> 00:41:40,375 that John Ray basically served up 908 00:41:40,375 --> 00:41:42,503 who his killer was on a silver platter. 909 00:41:42,503 --> 00:41:45,797 ♪ All we have, all we have ♪ 910 00:41:45,797 --> 00:41:47,257 ♪ 911 00:41:47,257 --> 00:41:50,010 ♪ Is a moment ♪ 912 00:41:50,010 --> 00:41:51,345 ♪ 913 00:41:52,012 --> 00:41:55,349 ♪ I don't know where my head is lately ♪ 914 00:41:55,349 --> 00:41:57,726 ♪ Have I lost my mind? ♪ 915 00:41:57,726 --> 00:42:02,439 ♪ 916 00:42:02,439 --> 00:42:05,567 ♪ 917 00:42:05,567 --> 00:42:09,029 ♪ But I know that I have a secret ♪ 918 00:42:09,029 --> 00:42:11,615 ♪ And it's only mine ♪ 919 00:42:11,615 --> 00:42:15,410 ♪ 920 00:42:19,206 --> 00:42:22,668 ♪ And the only way to find me ♪ 921 00:42:22,668 --> 00:42:26,713 ♪ Is to go beneath the lies ♪ 922 00:42:26,713 --> 00:42:29,716 ♪