>>> I'M LESTER HOLT.
TONIGHT ON AN ALL-NEW "DATELINE" -
[ CRYING ] >> THERE WAS A KNOCK AT THE
DOOR THEY SAID, "YOUR HUSBAND WAS
MURDERED LAST NIGHT. >> I HAVE A 5-YEAR-OLD WITH HIM!
[ CRYING ] >> IS THE 5-YEAR-OLD HERE?
>> HE'S AT SCHOOL! [ CRYING ]
>> SHE'S A POLICE OFFICER, A MOTHER OF TWO.
SHE STARTED SHAKING, CRYING. I'LL NEVER FORGET IT
>> SHE'S GORGEOUS, HE IS SMITTEN BY HER
>> Reporter: THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A LOVE TRIANGLE
>> YEAH, AND LOVE TRIANGLES JUST NEVER END WELL
>> YOU DON'T KNOW OF ANYBODY THAT WOULD WANT TO HARM HIM?
ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO HURT YOUR HUSBAND?
>> NO. >> THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY DARK
GOING ON. >> DELETE YOUR [ BLEEP ] TEXTS
>> I DO DELETE MY TEXTS. >> Reporter: YOU HAVE
INFIDELITY, JEALOUSY, MONEY. >> THERE'S ONE OTHER THING I
WOULD ADD, REVENGE >> RUN HER THE [ BLEEP ] OVER.
HOW ABOUT THAT >> RUN HER OVER?
>> MY HEAD WAS SPINNING! >> PEOPLE LIE.
PEOPLE ARE MANIPULATIVE. SOME PEOPLE ARE TRULY SICK
* >> Reporter: NEVER HAD ANY CLUE
WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN >> NEVER
NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS >> HERE'S ANDREA CANNING WITH
"HIT LIST. >> Reporter: IT'S A POIGNANT AND
SAD JOURNEY FOR ANY POLICE OFFICER.
ON A SUNNY MAY MORNING IN 2019, TWO DETECTIVES WERE IN A
CAR HEADED TO A HOME IN OCEANSIDE, NEW YORK.
A SMALL TOWN ON LONG ISLAND, RIGHT OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY
FOR THE OFFICERS INSIDE THE CAR, THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A BUILDIN
SENSE OF ANXIETY FOR THE INEVITABLE MOMENT.
THIS KNOCK >> HOW YOU DOING, MA'AM?
IS YOUR HUSBAND ISAIAH CARVALHO? >> YEAH.
>> OKAY. IS IT OKAY IF WE COME IN FOR A
MINUTE >> YEAH.
>> HOW YOU DOING, SIR? IS THIS FAMILY OR --
>> YEAH. >> MIND HAVING A SEAT FOR ME,
PLEASE I'M SORRY TO BE THE ONE TO TELL
YOU THAT ISAIAH WAS FOUND DEAD THIS MORNING
>> ARE YOU [ BLEEP ] KIDDING ME? >> Reporter: THE OFFICER
DELIVERED TRAGIC NEWS. VALERIE CINCINELLI'S 32-YEAR-OLD
HUSBAND ISAIAH CARVALHO WAS MURDERED
>> WAIT, I LIKE -- >> I KNOW, I'M SORRY.
>> I DON'T EVEN LIKE -- I DON'T EVEN BELIEVE YOU LIKE WHAT
>> I'M SORRY >> I HAVE A 5-YEAR-OLD WITH HIM.
>> IS THE 5-YEAR-OLD HERE? >> HE'S AT SCHOOL.
>> Reporter: WHILE VALERIE'S SON WASN'T HOME, A FRIEND WAS THERE.
HIS NAME, JOHN DiRUBBA >> THERE WAS A KNOCK AT THE
DOOR IT WAS TWO SUFFOLK COUNTY
DETECTIVES, AND THEY SAID, YOU KNOW, "WE WANT TO TELL YOU THA
YOUR HUSBAND WAS MURDERED LAST NIGHT.
>> WHAT'S HER REACTION >> SHE STARTED SHAKING, CRYING
AND I WAS SITTING THERE IN THE CHAIR.
I'LL NEVER FORGET IT THE OFFICER ASKED ME TO GET HER
TISSUES AND WATER. >> SIR, DO YOU HAVE MAYBE LIKE A
BOX OF TISSUES YOU CAN BRING FOR MS. CINCINELLI
>> WOULD YOU LIKE SOME WATER >> YEAH.
>> AND I'M JUST SITTING LIKE -- LIKE IN THE CORNER AND LIKE I
WAS LISTENING TO ALL THIS, LIKE IT WAS JUST, LIKE, A MOVIE SET
>> I KNOW THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TIME
>> Reporter: THE DETECTIVES TOLD VALERIE THEY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH
INFORMATION TO SHARE YET LIKE WHO KILLED HER HUSBAND OR HOW IT
HAPPENED >> THIS IS A VERY VERY EARLY
ONGOING INVESTIGATION, OKAY, AND AS I'M SURE YOU DO UNDERSTAND,
THE MORE INFORMATION WE CAN GET SOONER, IT'S -- IT'S BETTER FOR
YOUR HUSBAND >> SIT DOWN.
YEAH, SIT. >> Reporter: IF ANYONE
UNDERSTOOD THE URGENCY OF A POLICE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS
VALERIE CINCINELLI >> THIS JUST LIKE DOESN'T FEEL
REAL RIGHT NOW TO ME I'M SORRY, LIKE, I CAN'T REALLY
BELIEVE THIS >> I UNDERSTAND.
>> LIKE I'M A [ BLEEP ] COP, LIKE I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS.
>> YOU ARE A COP >> YES
>> WHERE IN THE CITY?
>> YES >> VALERIE WAS A DECORATED,
12-YEAR VETERAN OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HERE SHE IS STANDING NEXT TO HER PROUD HUSBAND ISAIAH
>> I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU AS LIKE A COP AND I -
>> VALERIE, I DON'T NEED YOU TO BE A COP RIGHT NOW, OKAY
YOU CAN BE A WIFE AND A MOTHER, OKAY
BUT I DO NEED YOU TO TRY AND ANSWER SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS,
YOU DON'T KNOW OF ANYBODY THAT WOULD WANT TO HARM HIM
ANYONE WANT TO HURT YOUR HUSBAND?
>> I DON'T, NO >> Reporter: VALERIE TOLD THE
DETECTIVES HER HUSBAND OF FIVE YEARS WORKED WITH THE
CATERPILLAR EQUIPMENT COMPANY. BUT THEN SHE HESITATED AND
SEEMED RELUCTANT TO TELL THEM MORE
>> DOES HE HAVE ANY FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
NO DRUGS, ALCOHOL, GAMBLING DEBTS?
ANYTHING LIKE THAT >> I MEAN, I KNOW -- THE ONLY
THING I KNOW, BUT IT'S LIKE, I DON'T WANT TO -- I DON'T WANNA
LIKE GET - >> ISAIAH CAN'T GET IN ANY
TROUBLE, OKAY? >> OKAY, OKAY, SO I --
>> I'M SORRY TO SAY IT THAT WAY BUT YOU CAN ONLY HELP US HELP
HIM AND HELP YOUR FAMILY >> Reporter: VALERIE THEN TOLD
THE DETECTIVES ISAIAH HAD A SIDE BUSINESS SELLING FIREWORKS, A
CASH OPERATION >> HAS HE EVER MENTIONED, LIKE
DID HE SCREW OVER A CUSTOMER, OR WAS SOMEONE MAD AT HIM BECAUSE
OF THE FIREWORKS >> NO, NO.
>> Reporter: AS THE QUESTIONING CONTINUED, VALERIE
YNDERSTANDABLY SEEMED TO HAVE A HARD TIME ACCEPTING THAT ISAIAH
WAS DEAD >> ARE YOU, LIKE, SURE LIKE HE'S
NOT AT THE HOSPITAL OR SOMETHING LIKE WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
>> MA'AM, VALERIE, YOU KNOW WE WOULDN'T SHOW UP AND KNOCK ON
ANYBODY'S DOOR WITHOUT BEING 100%, OKAY, CRIME SCENE'S THERE,
THE MEDICAL EXAMINER IS THERE. >> Reporter: THE CRIME SCENE WAS
50 MILES AWAY IN THIS MARINA PARKING LOT NEAR SHIRLEY, NEW
YORK AN ISOLATED SPOT ON THE COAST OF
LONG ISLAND HUGGING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.
HERE, LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOK THIS GRIM PHOTO OF ISAIAH
IT APPEARED HE'D BEEN SHOT AS HE WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF HIS
CAR. BACK AT VALERIE'S HOUSE, THE
DETECTIVES' JOB WAS COMPLETE >> THEN THEY GOT ALL THE
INFORMATION, THINGS LIKE THAT FROM HER
AND THEY SAID, "ALL RIGHT, WE'LL BE IN TOUCH" AND THEY LEFT
>> Reporter: THERE WAS SOMETHING LEFT BEHIND.
SECRETS, SO MANY SECRETS BUT THEY'D ALL EVENTUALLY SPILL
OUT. >> WHEN WE COME BACK -
>> I WAS ANGRY AS COULD BE I FELT SO MANY EMOTIONS THAT I'D
NEVER FELT BEFORE. >> A FORMER DETECTIVE WEIGHS IN
ON THE CASE, ISAIAH'S STEPDAD. >> WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST
INSTINCT LOOKING AT THAT PHOTO >> IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY WAS
AFTER THAT PERSON. >> Reporter: VALERIE CINCINELLI
HAD JUST BEEN TOLD HER HUSBAND WAS MURDERED AND THAT IT
HAPPENED IN A MARINA PARKING LOT NEAR SHIRLEY, NEW YORK, A QUAINT
BEACH COMMUNITY ON LONG ISLAND IT WAS JUST A FEW MILES AWAY
FROM WHERE ISAIAH'S MOM AND STEPDAD LIVED.
>> WE'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT 20 YEARS NOW
>> Reporter: ISAIAH'S MOM MARY ANN AND HIS STEPDAD PATRICK
ROACH SHUDDER WHEN THEY THINK BACK TO THAT SPRING DAY WHEN
EVERYTHING CHANGED >> I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE MARINA
SINCE THAT HAPPENED THAT DAY SO THE OTHER DAY WE WENT OVER TO
THE MARINA, AND AS SOON AS WE PULLED IN, LIKE, MY STOMACH
DROPPED. >> Reporter: BUT WHAT DID
HAPPEN SO MUCH WAS UNKNOWN IN THE
BEGINNING. THAT WAS ESPECIALLY HARD FOR
46 ISAIAH'S STEPDAD BECAUSE
FOR 27 YEARS PATRICK HAD ALSO BEEN AN OFFICER WITH THE NYPD.
NOW RETIRED, HE SOMETIMES WORKED HOMICIDE CASES DURING HIS
27 YEARS ON THE FORCE. >> Reporter: WHAT WOULD BE YOUR
FIRST INSTINCT LOOKING AT THAT PHOTO?
WHAT DO YOU THINK AS A FORMER DETECTIVE?
>> IF IT WASN'T MY SON AND ANOTHER DETECTIVE SHOWED ME THE
PHOTO, IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY WAS AFTER THAT PERSON, KNEW THAT
PERSON, CONSIDERING WHERE IT WAS, YOU KNOW, PARKED IN THE
MIDDLE OF KIND OF NOWHERE. >> Reporter: AND EVER SINCE THAT
DAY, ISAIAH'S PARENTS SAY THEY'VE BEEN ON A ROLLER COASTER
OF EMOTIONS. >> I WAS ANGRY AS COULD BE
I WAS UPSET AS -- I MEAN, I FELT SO MANY EMOTIONS THAT I'VE NEVER
FELT BEFORE. >> Reporter: ISAIAH WAS YOUNG
WHEN HIS PARENTS DIVORCED. HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MOM
BECAME ESPECIALLY TIGHT, AND HE WOULD SHARE EVERYTHING WITH HER,
SOMETIMES TOO MUCH SO HE IS A MOMMA'S BOY
>> OH, YES >> YEAH, LIKE EVERYBODY SAYS THE
UMBILICAL CORD WAS NOT CUT BECAUSE --
>> Reporter: I'VE NEVER HEARD IT THAT WAY BEFORE.
BUT YOU SECRETLY LIKE THAT >> OH, MY GOSH, YEAH
OF COURSE. WHAT MOTHER WOULDN'T
>> Reporter: MARY ANN WAS RAISING ISAIAH AND HIS SISTER
WHEN SHE MET PATRICK AFTER THEY MARRIED, THEY HAD A
SON TOGETHER MAKING IT A BLENDED FAMILY OF FIVE
AND AS ISAIAH GOT OLDER, HE DREAMED OF THE DAY HE WOULD HAVE
HIS OWN FAMILY >> Reporter: HE WANTED TO GET
MARRIED. HE WANTED --
>> YES >> Reporter: -- TO HAVE
CHILDREN >> YES, HE DID
THAT'S JUST HOW I -- I RAISED THEM, LIKE EVEN THE OTHER TWO
WILL TELL YOU THE SAME THING, THEY WANT TO HAVE A FAMILY
THEY WANT THE KIDS THEY WANT THE HOUSE.
>> Reporter: BY 2010 ISAIAH WAS 24, HE HADN'T YET STARTED A
FAMILY, BUT THAT WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE
ISAIAH'S STEPDAD WAS WORKING AT THE 106th PRECINCT IN QUEENS
WHEN A FEMALE COLLEAGUE WALKED INTO HIS OFFICE.
>> SHE SAW A PICTURE ON MY DESK OF ISAIAH, AND SHE GOES, "WHO'S
THAT?" AND I SAID, "OH, MY -- THAT'S MY
SON. SHE GOES, "OH, IS HE SINGLE?
I SAID, "YEAH. AND I'M SITTING THERE THINKING,
"OKAY, YOU KNOW WHAT - >> Reporter: SHE'S OBVIOUSLY
TAKEN AN IMMEDIATE - >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: LIKE -- >> SHE URNED AROUND AND SHE
GOES, "OH. SHE GOES, "HOOK A GIRL UP.
SO I TURN AROUND I JUST -
>> Reporter: WOW BOLD
>> I DID -- OH, YEAH I JUST, KIND OF, LAUGHED IT OFF.
>> Reporter: IT WAS OFFICER VALERIE CINCINELLI
DO YOU TELL ISAIAH >> YEAH.
AND HE GOES, "WELL, WHAT DOES SHE LOOK LIKE?
I'M LIKE, "A PRETTY GIRL." I'M LIKE, "SHE SEEMS NICE.
I'M LIKE, "I'VE KNOWN HER A FEW TIMES.
HE'S LIKE, "OH." HE GOES, "HOOK ME UP."
SO - >> Reporter: WE'VE GOT TWO,
"HOOK ME UP" NOW, OKAY >> YEAH.
SO I'VE GOT THE TWO OF THEM GOING, "HOOK ME UP."
AND THE TWO OF THEM JUST KIND OF -- THEY TOOK THAT FROM
THERE. >> Reporter: VALERIE WORKED IN
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT AT THE 106th HELPING PEOPLE I
ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS. AND BACK AT HOME, AS ISAIAH
WOULD QUICKLY LEARN, THERE WAS ALREADY SOMEONE SPECIAL IN HER
LIFE SO WHAT DOES HE TELL YOU AFTER
HIS FIRST DATE >> SO HE TELLS ME ABOUT HER AND
HE SAYS THAT SHE'S A SINGLE MOM, THAT SHE HAS A LITTLE GIRL
THAT'S 2 YEARS OLD HE MET THE LITTLE GIRL AND SHE'S
ADORABLE AND THIS WAS RIGHT BEFORE
EASTER AND HE TURNED AROUND AND SAID,
"WOULD IT BE OKAY IF I INVITE THEM FOR EASTER DINNER?"
>> Reporter: AFTER THE FIRST DATE
>> AND I'M LIKE, "SURE," YOU KNOW
>> Reporter: HOW DID THAT GO >> THAT WAS AMAZING.
THE LITTLE GIRL CAME IN THE HOUSE.
CUTEST LITTLE THING, TOOK TO US LIKE AS IF SHE KNEW US FOR,
LIKE, THE LONGEST TIME >> Reporter: AND ISAIAH TOOK TO
BOTH THE DAUGHTER AND VALERIE JUST AS FAST
>> HE'S LIKE, "MA, I LOVE HER. I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS
IS THE ONE I REALLY THINK THAT THIS COULD
BE IT. AND I'M LIKE, OKAY, JUST -
YOU KNOW, "ISAIAH, YOU'VE JUST GOT TO TAKE IT SLOW, THOUGH,
'CAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW. AND HE'S LIKE, "NO, NO, I REALLY
LOVE HER." >> Reporter: FOUR YEARS AFTER
THAT SWEET SETUP, THEY WER MARRIED.
PHOTOS SHOW THE HAPPY COUPLE AT THEIR WEDDING.
THEY HAD A SON TOGETHER, SAL, FINALLY FULFILLING ONE OF
ISAIAH'S DREAMS. HOW JUST ELATED WAS ISAIAH TO
HAVE A SON >> OH, MY GOODNESS
>> WOW >> HE WAS SO -
>> HE'S -- HE -- >> HE WAS THE HAPPIEST PERSON
EVER >> ABSOLUTELY.
TO THE MOON AND BACK WITH HIM. A THOUSAND TIMES OVER AND OVER
AGAIN. >> Reporter: FOR ISAIAH, IT WAS
ONLY THE BEGINNING OF HIS PLANS FOR MORE KIDS IN THE FUTURE.
WAS IT SMOOTH SAILING ONCE THEY WERE HUSBAND AND WIFE?
>> SMOOTH SAILING? NO
I MEAN, THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THEY WERE VERY HAPPY, AND THEN
THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THEY WERE AT EACH OTHER'S THROATS.
I MEAN, I GUESS LIKE ANY OTHER MARRIED COUPLE
>> Reporter: WELL, AS YOU'LL SEE, NOT EXACTLY LIKE ANY OTHER
MARRIED COUPLE, AND THAT BRINGS US BACK TO JOHN DiRUBBA.
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: HE WAS IN VALERIE'S
HOUSE WHEN THE POLICE TOLD HER ISAIAH WAS DEAD.
>> MIND HAVING A SEAT FOR ME PLEASE
>> Reporter: HE WAS ABOUT TO BECOME THE CENTRAL FIGURE IN A
STORY THAT WOULD SEEM LIKE A SOAP OPERA IF IT WEREN'T TRUE.
>>> COMING UP -- >> SHE IS ABSOLUTELY THE POSTER
CHILD FOR YOUR MODERN-DAY FEMALE OFFICER.
>> THE WOMAN ADMIRED FOR HER BRAVERY MEETS AN ADMIRER OF A
DIFFERENT SORT >> I STARTED TO JOKE AROUND WITH
HER. "ARE YOU SINGLE?
AND SHE SAYS, "NO, I'M MARRIED." AND THEN HER PARTNER LEANED OVER
AND HE'S LIKE, "WELL, SHE'S NOT HAPPILY MARRIED.
>> THAT'S NEAR THE AREA WHERE -- WHERE HE WAS FOUND
>> Reporter: VALERIE CINCINELLI WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GRASPING
WHAT POLICE OFFICERS WERE SAYING, HER HUSBAND WAS DEAD
>> LIKE THIS JUST LIKE DOESN'T FEEL REAL RIGHT NOW TO ME, I'M
SORRY LIKE I CAN'T REALLY BELIEVE THIS
>> WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THIS CASE WHEN
YOU HEARD ABOUT IT >> THE MORE I DUG, THE MORE I
SAW THAT IT JUST GOT WORSE AND BIGGER AND MORE COMPLICATED AND
OUTRAGEOUS >> Reporter: JOURNALIST ANA
GARCIA COVERED THE CASE FOR HER PODCAST, "TRUE CRIME DAILY."
SHE SAYS THE FACTS THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY COME OUT WOULD BE
EXPLOSIVE. >> IF YOU WROTE THIS, SOMEONE IN
HOLLYWOOD WOULD SAY, "OH YEAH, THAT'S JUST NOT BELIEVABLE."
THAT'S WHY THIS IS SO OUTRAGEOUS
>> Reporter: TO UNDERSTAND THIS CASE WE NEED TO TAKE YOU BACK TO
WHEN VALERIE WAS A LITTLE GIRL GROWING UP ON LONG ISLAND.
>> IN MANY WAYS VALERIE HAD A VERY TYPICAL UPBRINGING -- ONE
OF FIVE KIDS, YOU KNOW, GREW UP IN A VERY SUPPORTIVE FAMILY.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS A WOMAN WHO HAD A GOAL HER WHOLE LIFE -- TO
BE A COP. SHE WAS BORN INTO A FAMILY OF
COPS HER FATHER WAS A DECORATED COP,
HER BROTHER AN FBI AGENT >> Reporter: BUT ON THAT DAY
WHEN DETECTIVES CAME TO HER HOME, SHE WASN'T A WOMAN IN BLUE
BUT A MOM WHO NOW HAD TO FACE HER CHILDREN
>> I HAVE TO PICK UP MY KIDS - >> Reporter: REMEMBER, VALERIE
HAD TWO KIDS WHO ON THAT DAY WERE IN SCHOOL
HER 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND THE 5-YEAR-OLD SON SHE HAD WITH
ISAIAH >> I CAN'T TELL HIM HIS DAD --
LIKE THERE'S NO WAY I CAN DO IT. >> Reporter: SHE KNEW HER SON
WOULD BE DEVASTATED. >> YOUR SON IS FINE AND HE
46 DOESN'T KNOW RIGHT NOW.
LET'S TRY TO GET -- >> I KNOW, BUT I LOST MY MOM AND
LIKE I KNOW HOW BAD IT IS. I CAN'T, I CAN'T
>> Reporter: VALERIE WAS JUST 18 WHEN HER MOM SUDDENLY DIED IN
HER SLEEP. >> IT FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED HER
FAMILY, AND IT CHANGED HER SHE HAD TO CHANGE HER ROLE
WHILE SHE CONTINUED WITH SCHOOL, SHE KIND OF HAD TO STEP INTO THE
ROLE OF MOTHER TO HELP HER BROTHERS AND HER SISTER.
>> Reporter: A HERO AT HOME WHO LATER BECAME A HERO IN HER
COMMUNITY. IN 2017, SHE CAUGHT THIS BANK
ROBBER RED-HANDED AS HE TRIED TO FLEE
>> SHE RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR HER BRAVERY INVOLVING A BANK
ROBBERY. >> IN FACT, THERE'S VIDEO OF
HER, SHE'S PUSHING THIS GUY AROUND, SHE'S PETITE BUT SHE'S
TOUGH. SHE'S CHEWING GUM REALLY
FIERCELY I MEAN, SHE'S SUCH A BADASS.
>> VALERIE COULD REALLY BE THE POSTER CHILD FOR NYPD
RECRUITMENT. >> YOU'VE GOT A WOMAN WHO IS
FIT, SHE'S AN ATHLETE. SHE IS TOUGH AS NAILS.
SHE'S ATTRACTIVE, HARD WORKING, A MOTHER
I MEAN, SHE IS ABSOLUTELY THE POSTER CHILD FOR YOUR MODERN-DAY
FEMALE OFFICER >> Reporter: VALERIE NOT ONLY
SERVED THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK CITY, IN 2016 SHE WAS NAMED
"SOLDIER OF THE YEAR" WITH A VOLUNTEER UNIT THAT ASSISTS THE
NATIONAL GUARD IN EMERGENCIES. LOOKING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE,
VALERIE SEEMED TO HAVE EVERYTHING GOING FOR HER
BUT AS MOST OF US KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS CAN
BE ANOTHER STORY AND ONE PERSON WHO KNOWS A LOT
ABOUT THAT STORY IS JOHN DiRUBBA.
>> SO TELL ME ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
>> IT'S A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY KNOWS EACH
OTHER. MOSTLY ITALIANS IN HERE.
>> Reporter: JOHN LIVES IN HOWARD BEACH, A SMALL COMMUNITY
IN QUEENS ON JAMAICA BAY, RIGHT NEXT TO JFK AIRPORT.
IT'S ALSO HOME TO THE 106th PRECINCT WHERE VALERIE AND
ISAIAH'S STEPDAD WORKED. >> YOU HAVE, SORT OF AN INFAMOUS
FORMER FAMOUS NEIGHBOR >> YEP
JOHN GOTTI >> Reporter: JOHN NEVER
PERSONALLY KNEW THE MOBSTER BUT ALWAYS LOVED THE NEIGHBORHOOD
AND MOVED HERE IN 2011 TO BE NEAR FAMILY.
IT'S ALSO WHERE HE RAISED HIS TEENAGE DAUGHTER AS A DIVORCED
DAD. >> YOU WERE OUT HERE ONE DAY
JUST WASHING YOUR CAR LIKE ANY OTHER DAY AND WHAT HAPPENED?
>> A PATROL CAR PULLED UP. A GIRL ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW
AND IT WAS A POLICE OFFICER AND I SAID, "OH, HI.
CAN I HELP YOU?" AND SHE'S LIKE, "OH, NO. I JUST
WANTED TO STOP BY AND SAY HELLO.
>> Reporter: THE PATROL OFFICER WAS VALERIE CINCINELLI
IT WAS JANUARY 2017 MORE THAN TWO YEARS BEFORE THOSE
DETECTIVES KNOCKED ON HER DOOR NOW, OUT THERE ON THE STREET IN
FRONT OF HIS HOUSE, JOHN SAYS THERE WAS SOME FRIENDLY SMALL
TALK WITH THE LOCAL COP THEN HE DECIDED TO ASK A BOLD QUESTION
>> THEN I STARTED JOKING AROUND WITH HER
"ARE YOU SINGLE? AND SHE SAYS, "NO.
I'M NOT SINGLE I'M MARRIED.
AND THEN HER PARTNER LEANED OVER AND HE'S LIKE, "WELL, SHE'S NOT
HAPPILY MARRIED. >> WOW
THIS IS ALL HAPPENING FROM ONE --
>> ONE - >> -- QUICK ENCOUNTER WHILE
YOU'RE WASHING YOUR CAR. >> WITHIN TEN MINUTES.
>> WHAT? WAS, LIKE, YOUR SHIRT OFF OR
SOMETHING? >> NO.
>> WHY WAS SHE SO INSTANTLY -- >> NO.
SHE JUST STOPPED AND SAID, "HELLO."
>> ENAMORED BY YOU >> WELL, I-- I DON'T KNOW.
MAYBE MY BALD HEAD I DON'T KNOW
>> WHAT WAS THE AGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU GUYS
>> I WAS IN MY EARLY 50s AND SHE WAS IN HER EARLY 30s
>> SO ABOUT 20 YEARS DID THAT SEEM LIKE A LOT TO YOU?
>> NOT REALLY. I JUST-- YOU KNOW, AGE IS JUST A
NUMBER TO ME YOU KNOW, IF YOU GET ALONG WITH
SOMEBODY AND YOU'RE -- AND YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU HIT IT OFF,
THAT'S ALL THAT COUNTS >> Reporter: SO DESPITE THE FACT
THAT SHE WAS A MARRIED WOMAN ON THE SPOT JOHN WENT FOR IT AGAIN
AND ASKED VALERIE FOR HER PHONE NUMBER
>> SHE SAYS, "I CAN'T. I'M GOING THROUGH A BAD
DIVORCE. AND SO I SAID, "DO YOU HAVE
INSTAGRAM? YOU KNOW
SHE SAID, "ALL RIGHT I'VE GIVE YOU MY INSTAGRAM
ACCOUNT. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SHE DROVE
OFF AND AND LEFT FOR THE DAY >> NEVER HAD ANY CLUE WHAT WAS
ABOUT TO HAPPEN? >> NEVER
NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS. NEVER. >> COMING UP -
>> SHE WOULD CALL ME DAY AND NIGHT, SEND ME PICTURES.
I MISS YOU I LOVE YOU.
>> THIS IS WHILE SHE'S ON VACATION WITH HER HUSBAND?
>> ON VACATION WITH HER HUSBAND >> A SUDDEN, SECRET AFFAIR
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU FELL QUICKLY FOR HER.
>> YEAH. I THINK IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST
SIGHT. >> LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
REALLY >> JUST CUT.
>> I'M SORRY THIS REALLY HITS YOU
IT WAS A CHANCE
ENCOUNTER ON A QUEEN'S, NEW YORK
STREET...
RIGHT DOWN THE BLOCK IS THE
OCEAN...
JOHN DIRUBBA - A SINGLE DAD -
WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WHEN
MARRIED POLICE OFFICER VALERIE
CINCINELLI SAID HE COULD CONTACT
HER ON INSTAGRAM.
BUT WHAT SHE SAID NEXT WAS MORE
THAN A LITTLE JARRING.
SO THEN SHE GAVE ME HER
INSTAGRAM. SHE SAYS, "LOOK ME
UP. IT'S CALLED HOMICIDAL
HANDS." (LAUGH) SO I WAS, LIKE,
"HOMICIDAL HANDS?" "THAT'S, YOU
KNOW, UNUSUAL FOR A POLICE
OFFICER TO HAVE AS-- YOU KNOW,
AN INSTAGRAM HANDLE."
WELL, YEAH. KIND OF FOR ANYBODY
MAYBE.
CORRECT.
IT WAS ACTUALLY
"HOMICIDEHANDZ"...REGARDLESS,
SOON AFTER THE TWO STARTED
CHATTING ONLINE.
I ASKED HER. I SAID, "WOULD YOU
WANNA GO OUT AND STUFF?" SHE
SAYS, "WELL, I HA-- WE HAVE TO
KEEP IT ON THE DOWN LOW
BECAUSE--, "I WORK WITH MY
HUSBAND'S STEPFATHER. HE'S A
DETECTIVE AT THE ONE-O-SIX
PRECINCT." "SO I REALLY CAN'T BE
SEEN OUT WITH YOU AT THIS POINT
BECAUSE HE'LL FIND OUT AND THEN
TELL MY HUSBAND."
ANY PART OF YOU THINKING, "MAYBE
I SHOULD HEAD IN THE OTHER
DIRECTION FROM THIS WOMAN"?
MAYBE SOME RED FLAGS?
NO, I-- I SAID TO MYSELF, "YOU
KNOW WHAT? LET'S SEE WHERE IT
GOES. YOU KNOW, HOW BAD CAN SHE
BE? SHE'S A POLICE OFFICER, A
MOTHER OF TWO."
THEY STARTED TO SEE EACH OTHER,
BUT KEPT IT SECRET. WITHIN
WEEKS, JOHN SAYS THEY'D DIALED
UP THE HEAT WITH SECRET HOTEL
TRYSTS AND LOTS OF SEX.
WE'RE TALKING EVERY DAY. WE'RE
TALKING AT NIGHT. YOU KNOW, IT
WAS A LITTLE ROUGH AT NIGHT AND
STUFF BECAUSE HER HUSBAND WAS
HOME. SHE'D HAVE TO SNEAK AROUND
AND CALL FROM DIFFERENT ROOMS.
OH, WOW. SHE WAS STILL LIVING
WITH HIM?
SHE WAS STILL LIVING WITH HIM AT
THE HOUSE AT THE TIME.
LIVING WITH HIM - BUT ACCORDING
TO HER, ALSO LIVING IN FEAR.
JOHN SAYS THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
OFFICER- TOLD HIM SHE WAS A
VICTIM HERSELF. AT THE HANDS OF
HER HUSBAND.
WHAT EXACTLY DID SHE SAY HE WAS
DOING?
HE WAS ABUSIVE. HE WOULD--
VERBALLY ABUSE HER. WAS ALWAYS
WATCHIN' VIDEOGAMES AND NOT
PAYING ATTENTION TO THE KIDS,
HIS SON AND, UH, HE'S NOT A NICE
PERSON.
JOHN THOUGHT HE COULD NOT ONLY
SAVE VALERIE FROM HER HUSBAND -
BUT ALSO FIND THE KIND OF LOVE
HE'D LONGED FOR. AFTER HIS 12
YEAR MARRIAGE FAILED- HE HAD
SEVERAL SHORT-TERM
RELATIONSHIPS. NOW, HE WAS
GUSHING TO FRIENDS ABOUT THE NEW
WOMAN IN HIS LIFE...
I HAVE NOT SEEN HIM FALL HEAD
OVER HEELS LIKE THIS FOR SOMEONE
PROBABLY EVER SINCE I'VE KNOW
HIM.
MARK GUS SCOTT HAS KNOWN JOHN
FOR 30 YEARS. NOW LIVING IN
PHOENIX, HE OFTEN SPOKE WITH HIS
FRIEND BACK IN NEW YORK.
FOR JOHN TO EXHIBIT THESE
SYMPTOMS OF BEING IN LOVE AS A
DISEASE, IT WAS AMAZING.
MARK MET JOHN WHILE TOURING THE
WORLD WITH THE HIT 90'S GLAM
ROCK BAND, TRIXTER
MARK WAS THE BAND'S DRUMMER.
JOHN WAS IN CHARGE OF THE BAND'S
SECURITY.
HE'S ALSO A MAN WHO'S WORN MANY
DIFFERENT HATS: HE'S FLIPPED
HOUSES, OWNED A BAKERY -- AND AT
ONE TIME RAN A TATTOO PARLOR OUT
OF AN OLD BANK.
BUT SECURITY WAS HIS MAIN JOB -
INCLUDING BACK IN THE 80'S
PROTECTING THE LATE COMEDIAN SAM
KINISON.
WAS JOHN DIRUBBA THE KINDA GUY
YOU WANTED DOING SECURITY?
100%. HE-- HE CERTAINLY HAD A
TEMPERAMENT ABOUT HIM WHEN HE
DID. THE IDEA WAS NOT TO CREATE
A SITUATION, BUT TO AVOID A
SITUATION. HE HAD THE BRAINS
ENOUGH TO AT LEAST KNOW THE
DIFFERENCE.
NOW, ALL THESE YEARS LATER JOHN
TOLD MARK HE'D FINALLY FOUND THE
ONE.
WAS THIS THE HAPPIEST MAYBE
YOU'D EVER SEEN HIM?
PROBABLY SO, YES. PARTICULARLY--
AND-- AND TO TALK ABOUT ONE
YOUNG LADY THAT DOMINATED HIS
FOCUS, I THINK THAT WAS A
TELLTALE SIGN THAT THERE WAS
SOMETHIN' COOKING HERE THAT WAS
REALLY AMAZING.
JOHN BELIEVED VALERIE WAS
FALLING HARD FOR HIM TOO... AS
PROOF, HE POINTS TO THE TIME SHE
WENT AWAY ON A BEACH VACATION
WITH HER HUSBAND.
SO ON THE TRIP, SHE WOULD CALL
ME DAY AND NIGHT, SEND ME
PICTURES. I'M HERE. HE'S
SLEEPING IN THE OTHER ROOM.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. I MISS
YOU. I LOVE YOU. SHE WOULD EVEN
SEND PICTURES OF HER NAME,
"VALERIE DIRUBBA," USING MY LAST
NAME IN THE SAND.
WOW.
AND THEN SHE WOULD WRITE,
"VALERIE AND JOHN" IN THE SAND.
THIS IS WHILE SHE'S ON VACATION
WITH HER HUSBAND?
ON VACATION WITH HER HUSBAND.
WHAT VALERIE'S HUSBAND ALSO
DIDN'T KNOW WAS THAT JOHN HAD
MET HER TWO CHILDREN. AND TO
KEEP THAT A SECRET JOHN SAYS
VALERIE CAME UP WITH A "UNIQUE"
PLAN...
I MET HER CHILDREN. AND-- THAT
WENT PRETTY WELL TILL THEY ASKED
ME WHAT MY NAME WAS AND THEN
VALERIE TURNED AROUND AND SAID,
"HIS NAME IS MARY." SO IT WAS,
LIKE, KINDA STRANGE Y-- YOU
KNOW?
WELL, YEAH, FOR A NUMBEROF
REASONS.
SO I SAID, "YEAH, MY NAME IS
MARY" AFTER VALERIE SAID IT. YOU
KNOW, I SPOKE TO VALERIE
PRIVATELY. I SAID, "VALERIE WHY
ARE YOU TELLIN'-- M-- MY NAME IS
MARY?" "WELL, THEY'RE GONNA COME
HOME AND TELL M-- YOU KNOW, MY
HUSBAND" SO SHE WANTED TO MAKE
IT LOOK LIKE SHE WAS OUT WITH A
FRIEND NAMED MARY.
VALERIE ALSO MET JOHN'S
DAUGHTER-WHO WAS 14 AND LIVING
WITH HIM FULL TIME..
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP LIKE
WITH YOUR DAUGHTER AT THIS TIME
WHEN YOU MEET VALERIE?
WELL, MY DAUGHTER WAS A LITTLE
EXCITED SHE SAYS, "DAD, YOU NEED
TO MEET SOMEBODY." SO I SAID,
"OKAY," YOU KNOW? AND THEN TIME
WENT BY AND I DID MEET VALERIE.
EVERYTHING WAS FALLING INTO
PLACE. JOHN SAW A FUTURE WITH
THE WORKING MOM WHO WAS AN
UPSTANDING OFFICER...
HE'D FALLEN MADLY IN LOVE....
IT BECAME LESS ABOUT THE SEX AND
MORE ABOUT THE CONNECTION?
YEAH. W-- IT WASN'T EVER ABOUT
THE SEX. IT WASN'T ABOUT THE
UNIFORM IT WAS ABOUT THE PERSON
SHE WAS. YOU KNOW, "MAYBE I
COULD HAVE A FAMILY DOWN THE
ROAD."
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU FELL QUICKLY
FOR HER.
YEAH. I THINK IT WAS LOVE AT
FIRST SIGHT.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT? REALLY?
(CRYING) OH.
JUST CUT.
I'M SORRY. THIS REALLY HITS YOU.
YES.
BUT AS THE OLD SAYING
GOES...LOVE IS BLIND...AND JOHN
WAS ABOUT TO DISCOVER JUST HOW
DARK THINGS COULD GET.
COMING UP:
TWO POLICE CARS PULL UP
AND THEN I SEE HIM COME OUT WITH
HANDCUFFS ON.
VALERIE'S HUSBAND ISIAH --
SUDDENLY UNDER ARREST!
WAS THAT SCARY TO YOU?
OH YEAH. DEFINITELY
SHE PORTRAYED HIM AS A BAD
FATHER, A BAD GUY, A BAD HUSBAND
MAYBE THERE'S MORE TO THE STORY
>> Reporter: AN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR CAN BE LIKE A GAME OF CAT
AND MOUSE. THE SNEAKING AROUND, THE SECRET
RENDEZVOUS ALL THE WHILE TRYING NOT TO GET CAUGHT.
>> WE USED TO MEET UP IN PARKING LOTS, DUNKIN' DONUTS,
McDONALD'S >> Reporter: AND VALERIE AND
JOHN WERE TRYING NOT TO GET CAUGHT BY HER HUSBAND, ISAIAH.
WAS THIS, KIND OF, LIKE YOUR SECRET SPOT?
>> WE COULDN'T GO TO MY HOUSE AND WE COULDN'T GO TO HER HOUSE.
SO WE HAD TO MEET SOMEWHERE. >> Reporter: WAS THERE SOME
HANKY PACIFIC KI GOING ON IN THE CAR MEET-UPS
>> YEAH, SOMETIMES SOMETIMES.
>> Reporter: BUT SIX MONTHS INTO THEIR RELATIONSHIP, ALL THAT
SNEAKING AROUND EVENTUALLY CAUGHT UP WITH JOHN AND VALERIE.
IT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER THEY PULLED INTO THIS LONG ISLAND
PARKING LOT. >> WE STARTED KISSING AND
HANGING OUT IN THE CAR AND BEFORE I KNOW IT, I LOOKED
UP, AND I NOTICED IT WAS HER HUSBAND.
>> Reporter: OH, MY GOSH DID YOUR HEART JUST START
BEATING REALLY FAST? >> I SAID, "VAL.
I SAID, "YOUR HUSBAND IS RIGHT THERE.
SHE SAYS, "WHERE?" I SAID, "RIGHT THERE
HE'S STANDING THERE. >> Reporter: VALERIE'S HUSBAND
ISAIAH WAS ON FOOT ABOUT 200 FEET AWAY.
DARTING ABOUT THE STREET, ANXIOUSLY LOOKING FOR HIS WIFE
WERE YOU KIND OF SCARED NO KNOWING WHAT HE WAS CAPABLE OF
AND HE'S THIS HOT ON YOUR TRAIL. >> ABSOLUTELY.
SO THEN SHE'S REALIZED SHE LEFT HER TRACKER ON HER PHONE ON FIND
MY iPHONE, AND THAT'S HOW HE FOUND HER LOCATION WHERE SHE
WAS. >> Reporter: BUT ISAIAH NEVER
SPOTTED HIS WIFE AND JOHN IN THE DARK PARKING LOT
EVENTUALLY HE GOT BACK IN HIS CAR AND LEFT
DID YOU FEEL GUILTY AT ALL WHEN YOU SAW ISAIAH HERE?
>> NO, I DIDN'T FEEL GUILT BECAUSE SHE PORTRAYED HIM AS A
BAD FATHER, A BAD GUY, A BAD HUSBAND, ABUSIVE
>> Reporter: STILL, AFTER THAT CLOSE CALL SOMETHING CLICKED
WITH JOHN. HE STARTED TO QUESTION HIS
RELATIONSHIP WITH VALERIE. DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE
PLAYING WITH FIRE AT THIS POINT WHEN HE GETS THAT CLOSE?
>> YEAH, I JUST DIDN'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE SHE SAYS, YOU
KNOW, HE WANTED A DIVORCE. SO THEN I STARTED SAYING TO
MYSELF, "WHY WOULD A GUY COME OUT LOOKING FOR HIS WIFE IF HE
DIDN'T REALLY CARE?" SO THAT'S WHAT STARTED ME
THINKING, YOU KNOW, "MAYBE THERE'S MORE TO THE STORY.
>> Reporter: AND THEN SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED, SOMETHING JOHN
SAYS HE FOUND TERRIBLY TROUBLING.
ONE DAY HE SAYS VALERIE INVITED HIM OVER TO HER HOUSE.
BUT WHEN HE PULLED UP HE COULD SEE ISAIAH WAS THERE
>> SO I CALLED HER UP, AND I SAID, "LISTEN, YOU KNOW, YOUR
HUSBAND'S CAR'S IN THE DRIVEWAY."
SHE GOES, "JUST PARK AT THE END OF THE BLOCK AND WAIT A FEW
MINUTES. AND SHE HANGS UP ON ME
>> Reporter: JOHN SAYS HE WAITED A HALF HOUR IN HIS CAR THE
CALLED VALERIE AGAIN >> SHE SAYS, "JUST SIT THERE AND
WATCH THE SHOW." SO I SAID, "WATCH THE SHOW?"
I SAID, "WHAT ARE YOU -- AND SHE HUNG UP.
SO, LIKE, TEN MINUTES LATER, TWO POLICE CARS PULL UP.
AND I SEE THEM GO IN THE HOUSE AND THEN I SEE HIM COME OUT WITH
HANDCUFFS ON >> Reporter: ISAIAH WAS
ARRESTED JOHN SAYS HE THEN ASKED VALERIE
WHAT WAS GOING ON. >> I WAS KIND OF CONFUSED.
I SAID, "YOU'RE CALLING THE POLICE NOW?"
AND THEN SHE SAYS, "OH, SHUT UP," SHE SAYS.
"WELL, THIS IS ONE WAY TO GET HIM OUT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE H
WOULDN'T LEAVE TO GO TO HIS MOTHER'S AND STAY THERE BECAUSE
I DIDN'T WANT HIM HERE." >> Reporter: JOHN'S FRIEND MARK
COULD TELL HIS FRIEND WAS CONFLICTED
DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH VALERIE WHILE ALSO QUESTIONING THE KIND
OF PERSON SHE WAS. >> IF ANYBODY WHO I KNEW WAS IN
CONTROL, HE WAS STARTING TO LOSE CONTROL.
HE WAS STARTING TO FEEL VERY UNSTEADY
HIS PERSONALITY WAS CHANGING >> Reporter: AS FOR ISAIAH'S
ARREST, VALERIE CLAIMED IN A POLICE REPORT HE SMACKED HER
HAND WHICH CAUSED HER PHONE TO FALL TO THE GROUND, CRACKING HER
SCREEN PROTECTOR UNDER NEW YORK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
LAWS, THAT'S ENOUGH FOR AN ARREST
BUT ISAIAH'S MOM AND STEPDAD TOLD US THEY BELIEVE THEIR SON
WAS SET UP WAS THAT SCARY TO YOU, THAT YOUR
BELIEF THAT SHE USED HER KNOWLEDGE OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE - >> OH, YEAH.
DEFINITELY >> YES
>> Reporter: -- WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HER ADVANTAGE
>> YES >> DEFINITELY.
>> I WAS PISSED. AND I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING TO
HER, BUT SHE'S A COLLEAGUE IT IS DOMESTIC.
"KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. YOU DON'T WANNA GET YOURSELF IN
TROUBLE. >> Reporter: ISAIAH EVENTUALLY
PLEADED GUILTY TO A DISORDERLY CONDUCT VIOLATION, WHICH IS LESS
THAN A MISDEMEANOR HE MOVED OUT OF THE HOUSE HE
SHARED WITH VALERIE. BY THEN, HE'D ALSO COME TO THE
CONCLUSION VALERIE WASN'T FAITHFUL
>> ISAIAH HAD KIND OF SUSPECTED AT THIS POINT --
>> I WAS JUST GONNA SAY THAT HE SUSPECTED THAT SHE WAS --
>> Reporter: VALERIE MIGHT BE CHEATING
>> RIGHT >> YES
>> Reporter: WHILE IT APPEARED VALERIE WAS OVER HER MARRIAGE,
ISAIAH WASN'T. >> WE'VE SAID TO HIM NUMEROUS
TIMES, "LISTEN, GET A DIVORCE. WE'LL HELP YOU OUT
WE'LL DO WHAT YOU GO TO DO." AND HE TURNED AROUND TO US LIKE,
YOU KNOW, "I DON'T WANT MY SON GROWING UP WITH DIVORCED PARENTS
LIKE I DID." >> Reporter: ISAIAH'S STEPDAD
HAD NO IDEA HE WAS ABOUT TO GET FURTHER INVOLVED WITH HIS SON'S
MARRIAGE, BUT HE WOULD AFTER HE GOT A MYSTERIOUS TEXT
MESSAGE, HE ENDED UP IN ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL MEETINGS OF HIS
LIFE >>> COMING UP --
JOHN SAYS HE SEES A FRIGHTENING SIDE OF VALERIE.
>> SHE PULLS OUT HER GUN, AND SHE POINTS IT RIGHT TO MY FACE
AND SHE SAYS TO ME, "IF YOU EVER LIE TO ME AGAIN, I'LL BLOW YOUR
HEAD OFF." >> AND HUSBAND MEETS
>> Reporter: JOHN DiRUBBA SUDDENLY FOUND HIMSELF
QUESTIONING HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS LOVER, VALERIE
CINCINELLI, THE MARRIED NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICER.
>> Reporter: FOR ONE THING, JOHN SAYS HE WAS GOING BROKE BECAUSE
HE WAS SPENDING A LOT OF HIS MONEY ON VALERIE
WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE YOU BUYING HER
>> NEW TIRES FOR HER CAR, NEW BRAKES, JEWELRY, CLOTHING,
CLOTHING FOR THE KIDS, HELPING HER PAY HER MORTGAGE
I WAS PAYING A LOT OF THINGS AND IN THE MEANTIME, I WASN'T
PAYING MY BILLS AT MY HOME IN HOWARD BEACH
>> BECAUSE YOU WERE SPENDING ALL YOUR MONEY ON HER?
>> SPENDING ALL -- ALL THE MONEY ON HER
>> Reporter: WHATEVER THE MONEY ISSUES WERE, JOHN SAYS HE
STARTED TO SEE THAT VALERIE HAD A MEAN, JEALOUS STREAK
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CAME TO ONE PERSON, SOMEONE SURPRISING, HIS
14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER >> SHE WANTED ME MORE TO
HERSELF. SHE WANTED ME MORE WITH HER KIDS
INSTEAD OF MY DAUGHTER YOU KNOW, SHE WOULD SAY THINGS
LIKE, "WHY ARE YOU GOING TO THE MALL WITH YOUR DAUGHTER BUYING
HER THINGS AND NOT BUYING ME AND MY KIDS THINGS?"
SO, YOU KNOW, I WAS JUST, LIKE -- YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T KNOW
HOW TO TAKE IT AT THE TIME >> WELL, DID YOU TELL HER, LIKE,
"SHE'S MY ONLY CHILD"? >> YEAH.
I TOLD HER SHE'S - >> "AND I'M RAISING HER"
>> SHE -- I TOLD HER, "SHE'S MY DAUGHTER."
I SAID, "I RAISED HER SINCE SHE'S 1.
YOU KNOW, AND THEN SHE WOULD JUST, LIKE, MAKE FACES AND --
AND JUST START EVEN BEING MAD ABOUT IT
>> Reporter: JOHN'S FRIEND MARK FELT HIS BUDDY WAS ADDICTED TO
VALERIE AND WOULDN'T LEAVE HER >> I THINK ALL OF US HAVE BEEN
PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE YOUR HEART STRINGS ARE TIED ONTO
SOMETHING. TO KEEP THAT EMOTIONAL SOMETHING
GOING 'CAUSE THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO YOU INSIDE.
AND I THINK JOHN WAS SO FAR UNDER THAT SPELL, THAT HE
COULDN'T IMAGINE HIMSELF WALKING AWAY
>> VALERIE WAS LIKE A DRUG >> I THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD
WAY TO PUT IT, YEAH. IT WAS LIKE A DRUG
>> Reporter: BUT THEN CAME THE FINAL STRAW --
>> Reporter: JOHN SAYS ONE DAY 11 MONTHS INTO THEIR
RELATIONSHIP, VALERIE WAS TAKING A SHOWER WHEN HIS DAUGHTER, THE
PERSON SHE WAS JEALOUS OF, SENT HIM A MESSAGE.
WHEN VALERIE CAME OUT OF THE BATHROOM, SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHO
HE WAS TEXTING >> SHE LOOKS AT ME
SHE GOES, "WHO TEXT YOU? I SAID, "I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK IT WAS JUST AN EMAIL BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO START
AN ARGUMENT. SHE GOES, OH, REALLY
SHE TURNS AROUND, REACHES DOWN IN HER DUFFEL BAG AND SH
PULLS OUT HER GUN. AND SHE POINTS IT RIGHT TO MY
FACE AND SHE SAYS TO ME, "IF YOU EVER
LIE TO ME AGAIN, I'LL BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF."
SHE GOES, "DON'T YOU EVER LIE TO ME AGAIN.
THAT'S IT. >> Reporter: SHAKEN AND UNNERVED
JOHN MADE A DECISIVE CALL TO THE NYPD'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICE
HE TURNED IN THE WOMAN HE LOVED. >> WELL, WHY DID YOU MAKE THAT
CALL >> 'CAUSE I WAS AFRAID FOR
MYSELF, MY LIFE AT THE TIME. YOU KNOW, SHE WAS REALLY SHAKING
AND I WAS REALLY WORRIED YOU KNOW, HERE I GOT A COP
THAT'S SHAKING A LOADED GUN IN MY FACE.
>> Reporter: THE NYPD TOOK AWAY VALERIE'S GUN, AND SHE WAS PUT
ON MODIFIED DUTY WHILE THEY INVESTIGATED THE ALLEGATION.
FOR JOHN, THE RELATIONSHIP WAS OVER
>> VALERIE WAS ALWAYS ON A ROLLER COASTER
WHEN VALERIE WAS GOOD, SHE WAS UNBELIEVABLE
BUT THEN THE NEXT DAY, SHE WOULD BE SOMEBODY YOU DIDN'T KNOW.
>> Reporter: SOMEONE ELSE WHO REACHED A PAINFUL DECISION WAS
ISAIAH. IN LATE 2017, AFTER HE HAD BEEN
ARRESTED FOR SMACKING VALERIE'S HAND HE CONTACTED DIVORCE
ATTORNEY ERICA SAKOL >> HE HAD JUST BEEN FINISHED
BEING ACCUSED OF SOMETHING THAT HE SAID HE DIDN'T DO AND TALKING
ABOUT HOW VALERIE SET HIM UP, AND EVERYTHING HE HAD GONE
THROUGH. SO, YOU KNOW, AT THAT POINT HE
JUST WANTED TO BE FINISHED >> Reporter: WHILE VALERIE HAD
SEEMED READY FOR A DIVORCE FOR SOME TIME, ISAIAH FINALLY CAME
TO THE CONCLUSION THAT HE WAS ALSO READY TO END THEIR
MARRIAGE >> WHAT DID YOU THINK OF HER AS
YOU'RE HEARING ISAIAH'S STORY? >> YOU KNOW, I WAS KIND OF IN
SHOCK THAT ONE WOMAN COULD BE SO MANIPULATIVE, COULD HAVE ALMOST,
LIKE, A SVENGALI-LIKE RELATIONSHIP WITH MEN, THAT THEY
WOULD STAY AND TAKE HER ABUSE AND, I DON'T KNOW, KEEP COMING
BACK FOR MORE UNTIL ISAIAH FINALLY REACHED HIS BREAKING
POINT WITH HER >> Reporter: BUT JUST AS THINGS
SEEMED TO BE WRAPPING UP, EVERYTHING STARTED TO UNRAVEL.
>> Reporter: AROUND THE SAME TIME ISAIAH STARTED HIS DIVORCE
PROCEEDINGS, HIS STEPDAD PATRICK GOT AN UNUSUAL MESSAGE ON HIS
PHONE. A STRANGER WANTED TO PASS ALONG
THE NUMBER OF SOMEONE WHO COULD HELP WITH ISAIAH'S DIVORCE
THE SEASONED DETECTIVE KNEW A GOOD LEAD WHEN HE SAW ONE.
AND SOON AFTER, HE ENDED UP IN QUEENS SITTING AT A KITCHEN
TABLE FACING A MAN HE'D NEVER MET BEFORE
>> I MEAN, THIS IS, KIND OF, BIZARRE.
>> OH, IT'S -- IT'S TOTALLY BIZARRE BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA
WHERE THIS IS REALLY GOING AND HE TURNS AROUND AND HE GOES, "I
JUST WANT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
HE GOES, "I'VE BEEN DATING VALERIE.
AND I'M LIKE -- AND I'M IN THE KITCHEN TABLE AND I'M -- I'M
LIKE, "WAIT A MINUTE WHAT?"
>> THE VALERIE WHO -- THAT'S MARRIED TO MY SON?
>> YEAH. EXACTLY AND HE GOES -- HE GOES, "YEAH.
HE GOES, "BUT LET ME EXPLAIN MYSELF."
>> Reporter: THE MYSTERY MAN WAS JOHN DiRUBBA
HE TOLD ISAIAH'S STEPDAD THAT HE DID SOME SNOOPING ON VALERIE'S
PHONE. AND SAW TEXT MESSAGES THAT
TOTALLY CHANGED HIS OPINION OF VALERIE'S HUSBAND.
>> HE GOES, I FOUND THE TEXT MESSAGES FROM ISAIAH SAYING, 'I
WANT TO STAY WITH THE FAMILY WE SHOULD BE TOGETHER FOR OUR
SON. HE GOES, "AND I'M LOOKING AT
THIS GOING, 'WAIT A MINUTE THIS ISN'T THE MONSTER SHE'S
TELLING ME ABOUT THIS IS A GUY THAT WANTS HIS
FAMILY BACK.'" >> Reporter: JOHN SAID HE'D BEEN
LIED TO. HE FELT HORRIBLE
AND THEN HE MADE THIS REQUEST. >> HE GOES, "IF IT'S POSSIBLE,"
HE GOES, "I'D REALLY LIKE TO MEET YOUR SON.
SO I TURNED AND I SAID TO HIM, I SAID, "I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD
BE A GOOD IDEA." HE GOES, "I JUST WANT TO
APOLOGIZE TO HIM." I GO, "LET ME TALK TO MY WIFE,
LET ME TALK TO HIM AND THAT'S GOING TO BE UP TO
THEM." >> Reporter: BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
ISAIAH EVENTUALLY AGREED THE TWO MEN, THE HUSBAND AND THE
PARAMOUR, MET AT A BUFFALO WILD WINGS RESTAURANT
>> THIS IS UNORTHODOX, WHAT DOES ISAIAH TELL YOU?
>> IT WAS KIND OF SAD. EXCUSE ME.
IT WAS KINDA SAD YOU KNOW, HE WANTED TO KEEP HIS
FAMILY HE LOVED HIS SON
HE WANTED TO BE WITH HIS SON AND HE DIDN'T WANNA GET
DIVORCED >> DID YOU FEEL GUILTY
>> YEAH, YEAH. I JUST, YOU KNOW -
MEN DO IT ALL THE TIME TO PEOPLE
YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, CHEAT ON 'EM WITH SOMEBODY ELSE'S WIFE.
AND, YOU KNOW, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT
YOU KNOW, BUT HERE I AM, SENSITIVE -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE A
DAUGHTER AND I'M, LIKE, "WOW."
I'M, LIKE, WHAT DO I SAY? YOU KNOW, I SAID TO HIM,
"LISTEN, I APOLOGIZE." I SAID, "I DON'T -- YOU KNOW, I
DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY." YOU KNOW, THE GUY WAS CRYING
HIMSELF. YOU KNOW, POURING HIS HEART OUT.
>> DID YOU FEEL LIKE AFTER MEETING FACE TO FACE THAT MAYBE
HE WASN'T THE MONSTER SHE WAS PORTRAYING -
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY. HE WASN'T A MONSTER.
HE WAS A GREAT GUY >> Reporter: ISAIAH MIGHT HAVE
BEEN A GREAT GUY BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH TO KEEP
VALERIE AND JOHN APART >> COMING UP -
>> I WAS SO IN LOVE WITH HER THAT ANYTHING SHE WANTED ME -- I
WOULD DO, I WOULD DO >> ANYTHING FOR LOVE
HOW ABOUT MURDER >> SHE SAYS "WE GOTTA GET RID OF
HIM. SOMETHING'S GOTTA HAPPEN. MAYBE YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO
>> Reporter: BY MARCH 2018, JOHN THOUGHT HE WAS OVER VALERIE.
BUT IT SEEMED VALERIE WASN'T OVER HIM
AFTER HE SAYS SHE POINTED A GUN AT HIS HEAD, JOHN BROKE UP WITH
HER. STILL, HE SAYS SHE KEPT CALLING
HIM, SO HE FILED A RESTRAINING ORDER.
SHE VIOLATED THE RESTRAINING ORDER BY COMING INTO CONTACT
WITH YOU >> CORRECT, CORRECT.
SHE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO COME NEAR ME OR MY DAUGHTER OR CONTACT ME
AT THE TIME. >> Reporter: JOHN TURNED HER IN
AGAIN, AND POLICE ARRESTED VALERIE.
SHE NOW FACED CRIMINAL CHARGES COURTROOM READY TO TESTIFY
AGAINST HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND, HE SUDDENLY FELT OVERWHELMED BY HER
MERE PRESENCE. >> SHE WAS STARING AT ME FROM
ACROSS THE ROOM, AND THE FEELINGS STARTED, THE FIREWORKS
FROM ACROSS THE ROOM I FELT -- >> Reporter: WOW
WHILE YOU'RE AT A HEARING OVER A RESTRAINING ORDER, YOU'RE HAVING
FIREWORKS IN THE - >> IN THE COURTROOM.
>> Reporter: THE GOOD KIND >> YEP, SHE WAS GIVING ME EYES
LOOKING AT ME, STARING AT ME SO I FELT THAT FEELING AGAIN
>> Reporter: NOTHING LIKE A RESTRAINING ORDER HEARING TO GET
THE FIRES BURNING AGAIN. >> CORRECT
SO THAT'S WHERE IT LED FROM THERE ON
>> Reporter: AS THOSE EMOTIONAL FIREWORKS WERE POPPING,
SOMETHING ELSE STUCK IN HIS MIND, JOHN SAYS VALERIE'S DAD
APPROACHED HIM THAT SAME DAY AND ASKED HIM TO RECONSIDER.
>> HE SAYS, "SHE'S A POLICE OFFICER.
SHE MIGHT LOSE HER JOB OVER THIS
COULD YOU HELP US OUT? "COULD YOU JUST, LIKE, DROP THE
RESTRAINING ORDER SO WE CAN MOVE ON?"
>> Reporter: DESPITE EVERYTHING THAT HAD HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM,
JOHN SAYS HE DIDN'T WANT VALERIE TO LOSE HER JOB.
>> I JUST TOLD 'EM, I SAID, "LISTEN, YOU KNOW, IT DIDN'T
HAPPEN THIS WAY. SO I TOLD 'EM I'D MADE THE WHOLE
THING UP >> Reporter: IN COURT?
>> IN COURT. >> Reporter: SO YOU'RE NOW
ADMITTING TO LYING IN COURT? >> CORRECT
>> Reporter: ONCE AGAIN, LOVE CONQUERED ALL.
THE JUDGE DROPPED THE CHARGES. JOHN AND VALERIE LEFT COURT, AND
THEN BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THEY GOT BACK TOGETHER.
DID YOU THINK, "MAYBE THIS TIME WE'LL STAY TOGETHER"
>> WELL, SHE SAID TO ME -- I'LL NEVER FORGET IT.
SHE SAID TO ME, "YOU KNOW WHAT?" WE GOT THINGS RIGHT NOW.
LET'S PUT ALL THIS BEHIND US AND MOVE FORWARD."
SO I'M SAYING, "OH, MY GOD MAYBE EVERYTHING'S BEHIND US
LET'S GIVE IT ONE MORE SHOT. >> Reporter: AND FOR THE REST OF
2018, THINGS WENT WELL FOR THE COUPLE FOR THE MOST PART
JOHN MOVED IN WITH VALERIE AND FORMED A SPECIAL BOND WITH HER
SON SAL. >> HERE I GOT VALERIE WHERE I
WANT HER, HER TWO KIDS EVERYTHING'S PERFECT
WE'RE LIKE A FAMILY," WHICH I ALWAYS WANTED.
>> Reporter: WELL, NOT EXACTLY PERFECT, VALERIE REFUSED TO LET
JOHN'S DAUGHTER LIVE WITH THEM SO JOHN PERSUADED HER TO GO LIVE
WITH SOME FRIENDS NEARBY, ALL BECAUSE OF VALERIE
>> I WAS SO IN LOVE WITH HER THAT ANYTHING SHE SAID, I WOULD
BELIEVE. ANYTHING SHE WANTED ME I WOULD
DO, I WOULD DO SHE WOULD SAY, "JUMP," I WOULD
SAY, "HOW HIGH?" >> Reporter: THEN, SOMETHING
HAPPENED TO VALERIE. SHE WAS BADLY INJURED ON THE
JOB. AN INMATE SHE WAS TRANSPORTING
PHYSICALLY ATTACKED AND ATTEMPTED TO SEXUALLY ASSAULT
HER. HER SHOULDER WAS ALMOST BROKEN
AND SHE HAD SURGERY. >> SHE WAS IN BED FOR, LIKE,
THREE WEEKS, I HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER.
SHE STARTED TAKING MEDICATION, XANAX, ZOLOFT, PAINKILLERS
SHE WAS LOSING WEIGHT. >> Reporter: ON TOP OF HER
INJURY, JOHN SAYS VALERIE'S DIVORCE FROM ISAIAH STARTED TO
GET UGLY SHE SEEMED EVEN MORE ON EDGE
THAN BEFORE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE LEARNED ISAIAH WOULD LIKELY GET
SOME OF HER POLICE PENSION WITH THAT, JOHN SAYS SOMETHING
SNAPPED. >> SO THIS IS WHEN IT ALL
STARTED WHERE SHE SAID TO ME, "COURT'S COMING UP IN ANOTHER
MONTH AND A HALF HE'S GOT TO GO
I SAID, "WHERE'S HE GOING? "NO --
>> Reporter: HER HUSBAND >> HER HUSBAND. "HE'S GOT TO
GO." >> Reporter: "GOT TO GO,"
MEANING, LIKE -- >> THAT'S WHAT I SAID.
I SAID, "WHERE'S HE GOING? >> Reporter: DOWN THE ROAD
>> ON VACATION >> Reporter: OR GOT TO GO 12
FEET UNDER >> SO SHE SAYS, "HE'S -- HE'S
GOT TO GO. YOU KNOW, HE CAN'T BE AROUND NO
MORE." SO I'M SAYING, "OH, MY GOD
THIS GIRL'S TAKING MEDICATION. SHE'S TALKING CRAZY NOW.
>> Reporter: JOHN THOUGHT MAYBE VALERIE WAS HAVING SOME SIDE
EFFECTS FROM THOSE PAIN MEDS AND THE TALK ABOUT MURDERING HER
HUSBAND WOULD STOP HE SAYS IT DIDN'T.
>> WELL, SHE SAYS, WE GOT TO GET RID OF HIM
SOMETHING'S GOT TO HAPPEN. MAYBE YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO
COULD DO YOU A FAVOR AND GET RID OF HIM."
>> Reporter: SO SHE'S TALKING AGAIN LIKE THE -
>> ABOUT MURDERING HIM, SO SHE CAN KEEP THE HOUSE AND KEEP HER
PENSION AND MOVE ON. >> Reporter: DO YOU THINK SHE'S
SERIOUS WHEN SHE SAYS MURDER >> AT THE BEGINNING, I DIDN'T
THINK SO, BUT THEN IT GOT WORSE. THEN IT STARTED IN EVERY DAY.
"DID YOU FIND SOMEBODY DID YOU SEE SOMEBODY
AND I SAID, "NO. I SAID, "I DON'T KNOW.
>> Reporter: AT THE SAME TIME SHE WAS ASKING FOR SOMEONE TO
KILL HER HUSBAND, JOHN SAYS VALERIE HAD BECOME EVEN MORE
FIXATED ON HIS DAUGHTER AND THE ATTENTION HE WAS GIVING HER.
PODCASTER ANA GARCIA >> VALERIE'S JEALOUSY, I MEAN,
WAS OUT OF CONTROL SHE WAS CONSTANTLY SEARCHING ON
SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE HIS DAUGHTER WAS, WHAT SHE WAS DOING, WHAT
SHE WAS SAYING WHY WAS VALERIE SO OBSESSED?
>> Reporter: SO OBSESSED, JOHN SAYS, THAT SHE EVEN ASKED HIM TO
COVER UP A TATTOO OF HIS DAUGHTER'S NAME ON HIS ARM
>> VALERIE JUST DIDN'T WANT THAT TATTOO ON MY ARM ANYMORE
AND SHE SAYS, "IF YOU WANT TO BE WITH ME AND MY KIDS, YOU GOT TO
COVER THAT NAME UP." AND I WAS CONFUSED
>> Reporter: YOU HAVE TO COVER UP THE NAME OF YOUR OWN DAUGHTER
FOR VALERIE. >> CORRECT
CORRECT. >> Reporter: AND JOHN DID IT
THIS NOW BLACKED OUT AREA IS WHERE HIS DAUGHTER'S NAME USED
TO BE. >> I WAS LIVING UNDER HER ROOF
WITH HER I HAD TO LISTEN TO HER ORDERS,
WHAT TO DO, OTHERWISE SHE WOULD LOCK ME OUT OF THE HOUSE
SHE'D MAKE ME SLEEP IN MY CAR, WHICH I DID.
>> Reporter: JOHN'S FRIEND MARK SAYS HE COULDN'T BELIEVE THE
EXTREMES JOHN WAS WILLING TO GO TO FOR VALERIE
>> AT A CERTAIN POINT, I GOT ANGRY AT JOHN.
I SAID, "YOU'RE TELLING ME SHE SAID THAT ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER
AND YOU'RE STICKING AROUND?" IT'S LIKE, "IF THIS IS REALLY
HAPPENING, JOHN, YOU GOT TO DRAW THE LINE AND GET THE HELL OUT OF
THERE. IT'S RIDICULOUS.
IT'S NONNEGOTIABLE." >> Reporter: WHAT DID HE SAY
>> HE DIDN'T WANNA LEAVE >> Reporter: JOHN WAS STAYING IN
THE RELATIONSHIP BUT VALERIE'S STRANGE OBSESSION
WITH HIS DAUGHTER WAS ABOUT TAKE A VERY DANGEROUS TURN.
>> COMING UP - A SECOND MURDER PLOT
>> SHE WAS LIKE, "YOU KNOW WHAT? IF YOUR DAUGHTER WAS DEAD TOO,
WE WOULD BE TOGETHER AND BE HAPPY WITH MY TWO CHILDREN."
>> Reporter: THIS IS YOUR DAUGHTER
>> I SAID, "I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MY
DAUGHTER."
RELATIONSHIP WITH VALERIE HAD VEERED INTO CRAZY TERRITORY.
BUT THEN HE SAYS IT ALL GOT EVEN SCARIER.
AS VALERIE BECAME MORE OBSESSED WITH HIS DAUGHTER, HE SAYS SHE
ADDED ANOTHER PERSON TO HER HIT LIST
>> SHE'S LIKE, "YOU KNOW WHAT? IF -- IF -- IF YOUR DAUGHTER WAS
DEAD TOO, WE WOULD HAVE -- WE WOULD HAVE OUR FAMILY TOGETHER
ISAIAH'D BE GONE, YOUR DAUGHTER'D BE GONE
WE WOULD BE TOGETHER AND BE HAPPY WITH MY TWO CHILDREN."
SO I'M SAYING TO MYSELF, "SHE -- >> Reporter: THIS IS YOUR
DAUGHTER >> I SAID, "SHE'S, LIKE --
LOSING HER ROCKER NOW. LIKE I DON'T -- I DON'
UNDERSTAND WHAT -- YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MY
DAUGHTER >> Reporter: WERE YOU
ENTERTAINING THE THOUGHT AT ALL OF HELPING HER KILL HER HUSBAND?
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT. >> Reporter: ARE YOU
ENTERTAINING THE THOUGHT OF -- AT ALL OF HAVING -
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT. >> Reporter: -- YOUR DAUGHTER
KILLED >> NO, NOT AT ALL.
THAT'S THE LOVE OF MY LIFE >> Reporter: IT SOUNDS -
>> WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS, YOU'RE IN --
>> Reporter: -- ALMOST LIKE TOO HARD -
>> -- YOU'RE IN -- >> Reporter: -- TO BELIEVE
>> -- YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH SOMEBODY
AND YOU HEAR EVERYTHING -- CRAZY THINGS THAT THEY DID
AND NOW, THIS IS JUST LIKE ONE MORE CRAZY STORY
AND YOU'RE, LIKE, "OH, MY GOD, HERE WE GO AGAIN."
>> Reporter: WOULDN'T THIS BE THE POINT WHERE YOU WOULD WALK
OUT THE DOOR AND SAY, "I'M NEVER GONNA SEE THIS WOMAN AGAIN"?
>> I KNOW TOMORROW'S GONNA BE A BETTER DAY WITH THE BETTER
VALERIE, THE GOOD VALERIE, AND THIS IS GONNA BLOW OVER.
>> Reporter: BUT IT DIDN'T BLOW OVER
>> IT GOT SO BAD AT ONE POINT WHERE I HAD TO LIE TO VALERIE
AND TELL HER THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS LIVING WITH HER MOTHER DOWN
AT THE JERSEY SHORE, THAT I DON'T SEE HER NO MORE, TO KEEP
HER OUT OF THE PICTURE >> Reporter: HIS DAUGHTER WAS
ACTUALLY STILL NEARBY IN QUEENS. AT THIS POINT JOHN SAYS HE MADE
A DECISION, NOT TO GO TO POLICE, BUT TO CONTINUE MAKING STUFF UP,
HOPING VALERIE'S TALK OF KILLING ISAIAH WOULD END
SO JOHN SAYS HE TOLD VALERIE HE KNEW SOMEONE WHO COULD DO THE
"HIT" FOR $7,000 >> Reporter: AND VALERIE'S GONNA
GO GET CASH, BUT YOU SAY - >> I TOLD HER THE NUMBER AND I
SAID TO MYSELF, "MAYBE SHE'LL SAY, FORGET ABOUT IT."
BUT, NO, WE WERE IN THE CAR THAT DAY.
SHE TOLD ME TO PULL OVER SHE RAN INTO TD BANK AND SHE GOT
THE MONEY OUT. AND THEN -- THEN AGAIN, I'M BACK
ON THE WHEEL GOING, "WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW"
>> Reporter: SO SHE TOOK OUT THE $7,000
>> SHE TOOK OUT THE 7,000. >> AND YOU TRIED TO GET HE
AGAIN TO PUT ON THE BRAKES, >> RIGHT IN THE CAR.
>> Reporter: AT THAT MOMENT, JOHN SAYS HE DECIDED TO MAKE
ANOTHER EXCUSE TO TRY AND STALL VALERIE.
>> LISTEN. YOU KNOW WHAT?
THE GUY DOESN'T WANT THE MONEY" AFTER SHE GOT IT OUT
I SAID, "I JUST SPOKE TO HIM HE WANTS GOLD COINS.
AND SHE GOT ON THE PHONE, TO FIND GOLD COINS, WHICH SHE DID
>> Reporter: IN YOUR MIND, ARE YOU THINKING, "WOW, SHE IS
DESPERATE TO CARRY OUT THESE MURDERS"
>> CORRECT IT'S GETTING TO A POINT WHERE
IT'S GETTING, LIKE, REALLY BAD >> Reporter: IT SEEMED JOHN WAS
IN WAY OVER HIS HEAD >> THIS IS THE 106th PRECINCT
HERE SO SHE USED TO WORK AROUND THE
CORNER SO WE USED TO MEET IN THE
PARKING LOT AND COME HERE TO EAT.
>> Reporter: AND NOW HE WORRIED VALERIE, AN EXPERIENCED
INVESTIGATOR, MIGHT GET FRUSTRATED WAITING AROUND AND
FIND HER OWN HIT MAN, SOMEON WHO WOULD ACTUALLY KILL ISAIAH
AND JOHN'S DAUGHTER. >> I WAS AT MY WIT'S END
YOU KNOW, I HAD MY DAUGHTER HIDING
MY DAUGHTER WAS UPSET, SO I KNEW THIS WAS A SERIOUS SITUATION, SO
I HAD TO DO SOMETHING. >> Reporter: THAT'S WHEN HE
FINALLY MADE THE DECISION TO CALL THE AUTHORITIES, IN THIS
CASE, THE FBI. >> Reporter: HOW DO THEY
CORROBORATE YOUR STORY YOU KNOW, DECIDING IF THEY
SHOULD TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY? >> WELL, THEY WANTED TO SEE FOR
THEMSELVES YOU KNOW, THE FBI ALWAYS WANTS
TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING'S FINE AND THEY WANTED TO SEE FOR
THEMSELVES IF THE STORY WAS LEGIT OR I WAS A DISGRUNTLED
BOYFRIEND. >> Reporter: TO HEAR FOR
THEMSELVES, THE FBI AGENTS ASKED HIM TO TAKE A HUGE STEP, CARRY A
RECORDING DEVICE AND TAPE HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH VALERIE
HE AGREED, BUT WAS NERVOUS >> HERE I AM WALKING IN THE
HOUSE WITH A WIRE AND I WAS SCARED AT THIS -- IN THE SAME
TIME YOU KNOW, SHE WAS STILL A POLICE
OFFICER, AND I JUST HAD TO WORRY.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE CONTINUED TO PLAY THE ROLE OF
THE FAITHFUL BOYFRIEND, EVEN PRETENDING HE WAS OKAY WITH
HAVING HIS OWN DAUGHTER KILLED YOU REALLY HAVE TO KEEP UP THIS
RUSE >> I COULD HAVE GOT AN ACADEMY
AWARD FOR THIS IT WAS JUST, LIKE, UNBELIEVABLE
WHERE I HAD TO LIVE WITH HER AND LET HER KEEP TALKING AND SHOW
THE FBI THAT THIS IS WHAT SHE WANTED TO HAVE DONE.
>> Reporter: TO PROVE HIS COMMITMENT, JOHN AGREED TO GET
MATCHING TATTOOS WITH VALERIE THAT READ "TIL DEATH."
HE WAS IN DEEP >> Reporter: DID YOU FEEL LIKE
YOU WERE SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY?
>> THAT'S THAT I REALLY WAS DOING.
YOU KNOW, I WAS SLEEPING WITH A WOMAN THAT I WAS IN LOVE WITH
THAT WANTED TO HARM MY DAUGHTER. AND HERE I AM TAKING CARE OF HER
CHILDREN IT'S JUST LIKE -- IT WAS ROUGH
>> Reporter: JOHN STARTE RECORDING VALERIE ON
MAY 8th, 2019. >> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TALK
ABOUT JOHN WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT
>> Reporter: IN THIS CURSE-FILLED EXCHANGE, JOHN
TELLS VALERIE HE JUST GOT A MESSAGE FROM THE HIT MAN
THE MURDERS WERE SET TO HAPPEN >> I GOT A TEXT MESSAGE FROM THE
[ BLEEP ] GUY. >> OH, A TEXT MESSAGE SAYING
WHAT >> THIS WEEKEND.
>> SO LET ME SEE IT. >> Reporter: NO, HE, HE TEXT ME
EARLIER I ERASED IT, I DON'T WANT TO KEEP IT ON MY PHONE.
>> LISTEN, I'M REALLY [ BLEEP ] STRESSED OUT ABOUT THIS, STOP,
YOU'RE LIKE [ BLEEP ] ACTING >> YOU'RE REALLY STRESSED OUT
ABOUT THIS >> YEAH, YEAH.
>> EVERY WEEK IT'S BEEN HAPPENING AND NOTHING WOULD
[ BLEEP ] HAPPEN >> IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS
WEEKEND, I'M TELLING YOU IT'S GONNA HAPPEN THIS WEEKEND
>> OKAY, GOOD. >> Reporter: "OKAY, GOOD?"
VALERIE SEEMED HAPPY THE "HITS" WERE HAPPENING THAT COMING
WEEKEND. BUT HE TOLD HER THE PLAN MADE
HIM NERVOUS. >> I THINK ISAIAH AND -- I THINK
IT'S VERY SUSPICIOUS ON ONE [ BLEEP ] WEEKEND THEY'RE BOTH
DEAD >> OKAY, SO TAKE CARE OF YOURS
AND THEN WAIT A MONTH. >> TAKE CARE OF MY DAUGHTER THIS
WEEKEND, KILL HER THIS WEEKEND AND [ BLEEP ] THEN WAIT A MONTH
FOR HIM. LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU -
>> YEAH, OR A WEEK WHAT DO YOU -- WHAT DO YOU WANT
ME TO TELL YOU >> Reporter: JOHN TOLD VALERIE
HE WAS WORRIED THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONNECT THE MURDERS BACK
TO THEM. >> DON'T YOU THINK LIKE THEY'RE
GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR ME AFTERWARDS ASKING ME [ BLEEP ]
QUESTIONS, OH, YOUR DAUGHTER WAS JUST KILLED, UH, WHERE ARE YOU
AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO GET A EX-HUSBAND ISAIAH WAS JUST
KILLED WHERE -- WHERE ARE YOU? >> OKAY, AND I'LL SAY WHEREVER
THE [ BLEEP ] I'M GOING TO BE. WE'LL LIKE -- AND SO WILL YOU,
WHAT THE [ BLEEP ] >> I'M JUST STRESSING ABOUT IT
'CAUSE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. >> YOU SAY THAT EVERY WEEKEND
FOR THE PAST MONTH, SO >> Reporter: JOHN SAID THE HIT
MAN WAS MAKING PROGRESS, DOING SURVEILLANCE ON HIS DAUGHTER AND
SEPARATELY ON ISAIAH >> WELL, LAST SUNDAY HE SCOPED
IT OUT, HE LOOKED, HE LOOKED, HE WENT DOWN THERE, HE SEARCHED
WHERE THEY WERE, HE FOUND WHERE THEY WERE.
HE SEARCHED WHERE ISAIAH WAS AND HE WAS LOOKING FOR THEM.
THAT'S WHAT HE -- WHAT'S -- WHAT HE DID
LIKE WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO >> I DON'T GIVE A [ BLEEP ].
DO WHATEVER YOU WANT >> Reporter: BUT THEN ANOTHER
WEEK WENT BY, AND THE DEEDS STILL WEREN'T DONE
JOHN ASSURED VALERIE IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
THEIR ODDLY CASUAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT A DOUBLE MURDER WERE
TURNING MORE AND MORE GHOULISH >> YEAH, WHAT'S THE ISSUE?
>> WHO DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST ISAIAH OR HER?
>> WHY YOU ASKING ME WHO DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?
>> IT DOESN'T MATTER >> OKAY, THEN IT DOESN'T MATTER.
>> THEN ISAIAH, IT'S GONNA HAPPEN
AND I'M REALLY STRESSED OUT. >> Reporter: VALERIE THEN HAD
ANOTHER THOUGHT, MAYBE THE "HIT MAN" COULD MAKE ISAIAH'S MURDER
LOOK LIKE A ROBBERY, POSSIBLY CONNECTED TO THAT FIREWORKS
BUSINESS SHE SAID HE RAN >> KILLED OVER FIREWORKS
OR MONEY >> NO, THE MONEY THAT YOU HAVE
FROM SELLING THEM. >> WHAT LIKE SOMEBODY ROBBED
HIM? >> EXACTLY
>> WHY, HOW MUCH MONEY DOES HE CARRY?
>> THOUSANDS >> YEAH, BUT THAT'S NOT UNTIL
JULY >> NO, IT'S NOW, STARTS IN THE
BEGINNING OF MAY ACTUALLY, AND GOES ALL THROUGH MAY AND ALL
THROUGH JUNE AND - >> AND HE HAS THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS ON HIM >> YEAH, HE DOES
>> SO IT'LL LOOK LIKE A ROBBERY THEN WENT BAD.
>> Reporter: THE "ROBBERY GONE BAD" EXPLANATION MIGHT HAVE
WORKED FOR ISAIAH'S DEATH, BUT WHAT ABOUT JOHN'S DAUGHTER
WHAT VALERIE SAID NEXT MUST HAVE BEEN HARD FOR A FATHER TO HEAR
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK AND WHAT ABOUT HER, SHE DOESN'T
SELL FIREWORKS >> NO, SHE'S JUST A WHORE.
>> SO HOW WOULD THAT BE DONE HE DOESN'T WANT TO GO BY SCHOOL.
>> RUN HER THE [ BLEEP ] OVER, HOW ABOUT THAT
>> RUN HER OVER? >> SHE SAYS, "WELL, THEN, RUN
HER THE "F" OVER KILL HER AT THE SCHOOL
RUN HER OVER MAKE IT LOOK LIKE AN ACCIDENT.
SO WHEN I WAS -- >> Reporter: MY GOSH
>> -- HEARING ALL THESE THINGS, YOU KNOW, I WAS -- MY HEAD WAS
SPINNING YOU KNOW, HERE I AM IN LOVE WITH
A GIRL WHAT AM I DOING?
>> Reporter: THE RECORDINGS SEEMED SO DAMNING, SO EXPLOSIVE.
STILL, THE FBI DECIDED THEY NEEDED SOMEONE ELSE TO HELP
THEM IT'S NOT VERY OFTEN THAT SOMEONE
IS ABLE TO RETURN TO THE SCENE >> THIS IS SPECIAL AGENT GEE,
FBI. THE DATE IS MAY 17th, 2019
THE TIME IS -- >> Reporter: MAY 17th, SOMETHING
MAJOR WAS HAPPENING. FIRST THING THAT MORNING, JOHN
GOT A CALL FROM THE FBI. >> THEY SAID, "CAN YOU MEET WITH
US?" I SAID, "SURE.
THEY SAID, "OKAY COULD YOU WEAR THIS JACKET FOR
US?" YOU KNOW, IT HAD CAMERAS ON IT
>> HE IS GOING TO BE CONDUCTING A CONSENSUALLY MONITORED
CONVERSATION BETWEEN HIMSELF AND VALERIE CINCINELLI
>> Reporter: THE AGENTS NOW WANTED JOHN TO WEAR THIS JACKET
IN WHICH THEY'D HIDDEN A CAMERA. HE WASN'T TOLD WHY
THEY WOULD ONLY SAY HE SHOULD GO ABOUT HIS NORMAL DAY
JOHN AGREED. >> COME ON, 9:04, BY THE TIME WE
GET YOU IN THE CAR BY THE TIME WE GET YOU OVER
THERE. >> SO HE WENT BACK TO VALERIE'S
HOUSE, PICKED UP HER SON SAL AND DROVE HIM TO SCHOOL.
>> ARE YOU CRYING? >> NO, I'M NOT
I'M JUST HAPPY >> BUT HE HAD A FEELING THAT
THIS WOULD BE THE LAST TIME HE SAW THE YOUNG BOY HE'D GROWN SO
CLOSE TO >> I LOVE YOU.
AND I'LL NEVER FORGET THE DAY.
I TOOK HER SON TO -- AND HE SAID TO ME, "I WANNA GO SEE A MOVIE
AFTER SCHOOL PLEASE DON'T BE LATE PICKING ME
UP." SORRY.
>> BUT YOU KNEW? >> I KNEW I'D NEVER SEE HIM
AGAIN. I HAD TO WALK AWAY FROM HIM.
>> YOU DIDN'T WANNA LEAVE HIM? >> NO.
>> Reporter: SOON AFTER, JOHN LEFT A MESSAGE FOR HIS DAUGHTER.
HE HAD ALREADY SAT HER DOWN A FEW WEEKS EARLIER AND TOLD HER
EVERYTHING >> DADDY LOVES YOU, I'LL BE
COMING FOR YOU SOON, WE'LL BE TOGETHER FOREVER
I LOVE YOU, AND I'M SORRY. YOU JUST BE CAREFUL AND BE SAFE.
WATCH YOUR SURROUNDINGS, PLEASE, I LOVE YOU
>> AROUND THAT SAME TIME ON THAT SAME MORNING A MAN 50 MILES AWAY
WAS GETTING READY TO START HIS DAY.
>> MY NAME IS ISAIAH CARVALHO. >> YES, VALERIE'S HUSBAND IS
VERY MUCH ALIVE. AND ON THAT DAY, HE COULD NEVER
HAVE IMAGINED WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN
>> I WALK OUT OF THE HOUSE OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE I
SEE A CAR CREEPING DOWN THE BLOCK.
SO I WAS STARTLED AND SCARED AT FIRST.
THEN THE CAR SPED UP AND STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY
TWO GUYS IN SUITS GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND CAME OVER TO ME, AND
SAID, WE'RE FROM THE FBI >> Reporter: ISAIAH, WHO BY THEN
HAD MOVED INTO HIS MOM AND STEPDAD'S HOUSE, TOLD THE FBI
AGENTS TO COME INSIDE. >> I SAT AT THE TABLE.
AND THEY GO, "WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO TELL YOU THIS, BUT YOUR WIFE
PUT A HIT OUT ON YOU." >> I MEAN, HOW DO YOU EVEN,
WHAT'S GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND IN THAT MOMENT
>> I IMMEDIATELY ASKED WHERE MY SON WAS.
I WAS WORRIED ABOUT HIM. >> DID THEY KNOW
>> THEY TOLD ME THAT HE WAS SAFE, AND THERE WAS AN FBI AGENT
WITH HIM AND I WOULD GET HIM LATER ON
THAT DAY >> Reporter: ISAIAH'S MOM SAT IN
DISBELIEF AS SHE HEARD THE AGENTS TELL HER SON VALERIE
WANTED HIM KILLED. >> ARE YOU IN JUST COMPLETE
SHOCK AT THIS POINT? >> I AM SHOCKED AND HYSTERICALLY
CRYING BECAUSE WHEN HE FIRST SAID SHE WANTED HIM DEAD, IT
KIND OF REALLY -- I DIDN'T GRASP IT
I DON'T KNOW IT WAS LIKE, "WHAT?"
LIKE - >> HIT MAN
>> "NO." LIKE, "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING
ABOUT? >> I SAID, "THIS IS --
LIKE, "IS THIS REAL? AND THEY'RE LIKE, "YEAH.
THEY'RE LIKE, "THIS IS -- SHE WANTED TO HAVE YOU KILLED.
>> THIS IS VALERIE, AN NYPD OFFICER.
HOW DO YOU COMPREHEND THAT SHE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT.
>> I DIDN'T THINK SHE WOULD GO THAT FAR
>> Reporter: BUT THE FBI WASN'T JUST THERE TO TELL ISAIAH HIS
WIFE WANTED HIM DEAD, THEY ALSO WANTED HIS HELP.
>> THEY BROUGHT ME IN, AND THEY HAD ME PARK MY CAR ALONG RIGHT
OVER HERE. >> Reporter: THE AGENTS AND
ISAIAH DROVE TO THAT MARINA PARKING LOT NEAR HIS HOM
AND THEN LAUNCHED THE NEXT PHASE OF THEIR PLAN.
>> THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR
THEY OPENED THE DOOR >> SO THEY'RE SETTING THE STAGE
FOR YOUR MURDER? >> YEAH.
>> FOR PHOTOS? >> ABSOLUTELY.
THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME TO SIT BACK INTO THE CAR AND
THEY TOOK GLASS AND THREW IT ALL OVER ME AND TOLD ME TO HUNCH
OVER INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE I WAS DEAD
>> YOU'RE SITTING IN THE - >> I JUST HAD TO SLUMP OVER LIKE
THAT AND HAD TO KEEP MY EYES CLOSED
AND THEY JUST KEPT SNAPPING PICTURES FROM ALL ANGLES
>> Reporter: BACK AT VALERIE'S HOUSE, JOHN WAS WEARING THAT
FBI-SUPPLIED JACKET WITH THE HIDDEN CAMERA RECORDING
EVERYTHING >> DID THE GUYS CALL YOU BACK
YESTERDAY FROM THE PHONES? >> Reporter: INCLUDING THIS
MOMENT OF VALERIE SEARCHING HIS DAUGHTER'S SOCIAL MEDIA
ACCOUNTS >> TONIGHT'S FRIDAY, THAT'S WHEN
SHE LEAVES, EVERY FRIDAY, TO GO TO QUEENS, EVERY FRIDAY.
>> YEAH, SO HOW DO YOU KNOW? WHERE SHE IS
HOW DO YOU KNOW? >> THAT'S HOW I [ BLEEP ] KNOW,
'CAUSE SHE POSTS IT ALL OVER THE [ BLEEP ] INTERNET, THAT'S HOW I
KNOW >> THEN MOMENTS LATER, IT CAME
THAT KNOCK AT THE DOOR WHERE WE BEGAN OUR STORY.
>> WHO'S THAT? LANDSCAPER
>> HOW YOU DOING? I'M DETECTIVE FINNEGAN, SUFFOLK
COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS MY PARTNER,
DETECTIVE FANDRY >> HI.
>> OKAY, MIND HAVING A SEAT FOR ME PLEASE?
>> I'M SORRY TO BE THE ONE TO TELL YOU THAT, BUT ISAIAH WAS
FOUND DEAD THIS MORNING. >> ARE YOU [ BLEEP ] KIDDING ME?
>> THE TWO LOCAL DETECTIVES, WHO WERE WORKING WITH THE FBI,
PLAYED THEIR OWN ROLES THEY SYMPATHETICALLY QUESTIONED
VALERIE WHILE BOTH THEIR HIDDEN CAMERAS ROLLED
>> OH, MY GOD. >> ANYBODY WOULD WANNA HURT YOUR
HUSBAND? >> NO.
>> Reporter: THEN VALERIE GAVE THEM THAT MADE-UP MOTIVE SHE HAD
DISCUSSED WITH JOHN, THAT SOMEONE MIGHT WANT TO KILL
ISAIAH OVER THE FIREWORKS BUSINESS
>> AND I MEAN LIKE BIG-TIME FIREWORKS, AND I KNOW ISAIAH
SELLS IT FOR HIM >> OKAY, OKAY.
>> OR LIKE DELIVERS IT FOR HIM OR WHATEVER, THAT'S THE ONLY
THING. >> HAS HE EVER MENTIONED LIKE
DID HE SCREW OVER A CUSTOMER, OR WAS SOMEONE MAD AT HIM BECAUSE
OF THE FIREWORKS >> NO, NO.
>> Reporter: ONE OF THE DETECTIVES LEFT HIS CARD AND
SAID THEY'D BE BACK SHORTLY. >> I KNOW IT'S A DIFFICULT
TRYING TIME AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT
>> I FEEL LIKE THIS ISN'T EVEN REAL
LIKE I MEAN I REALLY DO -- >> IT'S VERY REAL.
>> YEAH, UNFORTUNATELY WE WOULDN'T BE HERE IF IT WASN'T
REAL >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
AGAIN YOU HAVE OUR CONDOLENCES >> BUT THAT WASN'T THE END OF
THE FBI'S ELABORATE PLAN THEY WERE SENDING ANOTHER
SURPRISE FOR VALERIE, AND IT WAS ABOUT TO ARRIVE.
>> COMING UP -- >> I WAS NEVER A MONSTER
I NEVER MISTREATED HER I NEVER WANTED ANYTHING BAD TO
HAPPEN TO HER. >> Reporter: AN EMOTIONAL PLEA
FROM ISAIAH. AND AT VALERIE'S,
>> Reporter: MAY 17th STARTED OFF IN SUCH A CRAZY,
HEAD-SPINNING FLASH. AND THEN IT CAME TO AN ABRUPT
STOP AT LEAST FOR VALERIE'S HUSBAND ISAIAH
RIGHT AFTER THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN, AN FBI AGENT TOLD ISAIAH
THEY'D ALL NOW HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT IN THE MARINA PARKING LOT
>> DO YOU HAVE TIME TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS LIKE, "WHERE?"
>> I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT - >> "WHY?
>> I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO ASK.
THEY WOULDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING I COULDN'T USE MY PHONE.
I COULDN'T TALK TO ANYBODY, NOTHING.
>> SO THEY TOLD YOU BASICALLY, "YOU NEED TO GO OFF THE GRID
RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE GONNA HELP YOU?
>> UH-HUH. >> Reporter: AS THE HOURS
STARTED TO TICK BY, ISAIAH HAD A LOT OF TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT
WAS UNFOLDING IN FRONT OF HIM AND HOW HE ENDED UP IN SUCH A
SITUATION. HE SAID THINGS WERE SO DIFFERENT
WHEN HE AND VALERIE FIRST MET. >> AND I MET HER DAUGHTER.
I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER DAUGHTER
I WAS, LIKE, "THIS LITTLE GIRL'S AMAZING.
SHE TOOK RIGHT TO ME RIGHT AWAY. THIS IS REALLY COOL.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT."
AND SHE MADE IT SEEM LIKE SHE WAS SO INTO ME AND SO LIKE I WAS
THE GREATEST PERSON IN THE WORLD.
AND I FELL INTO THE TRAP >> Reporter: HE WANTS US TO KNOW
THAT HE FEELS VALERIE MADE UP LOTS OF THINGS ABOUT HIM, BIG
AND SMALL LIKE THE IDEA HE SOLD FIREWORKS ON THE SIDE.
HE SAYS HE NEVER DID AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE WANTS
TO MAKE CLEAR THAT HE NEVER ABUSED HIS WIFE.
>> I WAS NEVER A MONSTER I NEVER MISTREATED HER
I NEVER WANTED ANYTHING BAD TO HAPPEN TO HER.
I JUST WANTED TO KEEP MY FAMILY TOGETHER
I JUST WANTED MY FAMILY TO BE GOOD
>> YOU WANTED A HOME FOR YOUR SON THAT WOULD NOT END IN
DIVORCE, THAT WOULD -- >> I WANTED A HOME -
>> STAY TOGETHER - >> FOR MY --
>> AS A FAMILY >> YEAH.
I WANTED -- I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THAT HAPPY ENDING
AND SHE WANTED NO PART OF IT >> Reporter: ISAIAH HAD RESIGNED
HIMSELF TO THE FACT THAT HIS MARRIAGE WAS OVER.
AND HE THOUGHT EVERYTHING HAD BEEN MOVING FORWARD IN DIVORCE
COURT. BUT AS HE NOW LOOKED BACK, HE
FELT VALERIE DIDN'T WANT TO SPLIT ANY OF HER MONEY WITH HIM.
>> I BELIEVE ONCE THE JUDGE GOT THE FINANCIALS FROM THE DIVORCE
AND EVERYTHING CAME INTO LIGHT OF HOW MUCH I WAS ACTUALLY
ENTITLED TO, I THINK THAT REALLY HIT HER IN A PLACE WHERE SHE
FELT THREATENED. AND TO BE HONEST, THE ONLY WAY
THAT VALERIE EVER FELT THREATENED WAS FINANCIALLY
>> YOU FEEL LIKE A SWITCH WAS FLIPPED IN THAT MOMENT
>> YEAH, I FEEL LIKE SHE COMPLETELY LOST IT KNOWING THAT
SHE HAD TO GIVE ME EVEN A DOLLAR WAS JUST GUT WRENCHING TO HER.
SHE WANTED NO PART OF IT AND SHE DIDN'T WANT ME TO HAVE
ANYTHING OF HERS >> Reporter: WHILE THE MOOD WAS
SOLEMN IN THAT PARKING LOT IT WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
SCENE BACK AT VALERIE'S HOUSE. >> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU
AGAIN YOU HAVE OUR CONDOLENCES >> Reporter: AFTER THE
DETECTIVES LEFT, AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT, JOHN KEPT PLAYING HIS
ROLE, SAYING THE 'HIT MAN' MUST HAVE KILLED HIS DAUGHTER, TOO.
>> OH, MY GOD. WELL, I GUESS THEY'RE BOTH GONE,
NOBODY'S GONNA GET IN TOUCH WITH ME
SHE'S GONE, NOW WHAT? WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
>> I DON'T [ BLEEP ] KNOW. >> Reporter: VALERIE WORRIED
ABOUT WHAT SHE WOULD TELL SAL, THE SON SHE AND ISAIAH HAD
TOGETHER >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I
FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO [ BLEEP ] GO TO HELL AND MY SON'S GOING TO
HATE ME. >> Reporter: THE TWO STARTED
TALKING ABOUT THEIR ALIBIS >> OH, MY GOD.
>> SO NOW WHAT >> I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW, I
KNOW HIS FAMILY'S ALL GONNA [ BLEEP ] BLAME ME
>> HOW'S HE GONNA BLAME YOU, YOU HAVE AN ALIBI, YOU'RE HOME, WHAT
THE -- >> Reporter: AND ABOUT ANY
EVIDENCE THAT COULD IMPLICATE THEM
>> DELETE YOUR TEXTS >> I DO DELETE MY TEXTS.
>> FROM ME >> OH, MY GOD.
>> WHAT? >> Reporter: THEN SUDDENLY A NEW
TEXT POPPED UP ON JOHN'S PHONE WITH A PHOTO
HE SAID IT WAS FROM THE HIT MAN. >> HE JUST TEXTED ME
>> AND I LOOKED AT IT. AND IT WAS ISAIAH LAYING IN HIS
CAR WITH GLASS OVER. >> WHY WOULD YOU [ BLEEP ] TEXT
YOU THAT IS HE [ BLEEP ] STUPID
>> Reporter: OF COURSE, THE PHOTO CAME FROM THE FBI.
>> SO I SHOWED VALERIE LIKE THIS AND SHE WENT CRAZY
>> OH, MY GOD. LOOK AT THE [ BLEEP ] GLASS.
>> WHY WOULD HE TEXT YOU THAT? >> I DON'T KNOW, I'M GONNA ERASE
IT QUICK >> IT DOESN'T MATTER, ARE YOU
[ BLEEP ] DUMB >> AS A SEASONED INVESTIGATOR
HERSELF, SHE KNEW DETECTIVES COULD GET A HOLD OF PHONE
RECORDS. >> I'M JUST GONNA ERASE
EVERYTHING I'M GONNA THROW THE PHONE AWAY
THEN -- >> IT'LL SHOW THAT HE SENT YOU
THIS, ARE YOU KIDDING ME I SAID TEN DAYS THEY COULD
SUBPOENA MESSAGES. >> THEY'RE NOT GONNA FIND HIM,
THEY'RE NOT GONNA FIND HIM, HOW THEY GONNA FIND HIM?
HOW THEY GONNA FIND HIM? I GOTTA ERASE ALL THIS -
>> THEY'RE GOING TO GET THIS [ BLEEP ] TEXTS, YOU DUMBASS
THEY CAN SUBPOENA THESE PHOTOS >> Reporter: THEN, THERE WAS
ANOTHER KNOCK AT THE DOOR. THE DETECTIVES WERE BACK
>> CAN WE COME IN? >> FBI. FBI.
PUT YOUR HANDS UP. UP, UP, UP, UP
STAND UP >> Reporter: AND IN A MATTER OF
SECONDS FBI AGENTS SWARMED IN TO PLACE VALERIE UNDER ARREST
>> WHAT WAS HER REACTION TO THAT
>> SHE WAS STUNNED SHE WAS SO SCARED.
>> UP, UP, UP. >> THEY HANDCUFFED HER
THEY SAID, "YOU'RE UNDER ARREST."
AND THEY HANDCUFFED ME THEY BROUGHT ME OUT THE BACK
DOOR >> THEY HANDCUFFED YOU FOR SHOW?
>> YEAH, FOR SHOW. >> Reporter: VALERIE EVENTUALLY
LEARNED THAT SHE WAS THE TARGET OF AN FBI STING OPERATION, THAT
HER BOYFRIEND WAS THE ONE WHO TURNED HER IN AND THAT HER
HUSBAND WAS ALIVE. SHE WAS BOOKED INTO A BROOKLYN
FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER >> OKAY, SO TAKE CARE OF YOURS
AND THEN WAIT A MONTH. >> AND WITH ALL THOSE RECORDINGS
YOU MIGHT THINK THIS WAS AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE, BUT YOU'D BE
WRONG. >> COMING UP -
THE PART OF THIS UNDERCOVER STING YOU HAVEN'T SEEN.
>> WHEN THE DETECTIVES LEAVE SHE'S JUST CRYING HYSTERICALLY
>> I DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU, I NEVER BELIEVED YOU
>> I NEVER BELIEVED YOU. >> YOU BELIEVE THERE'S SO MUCH
MORE TO THIS STORY >> I KNOW THERE'S SO MUCH MORE
TO >> VALERIE, HAVE ANYTHING TO
SAY? >> I'LL BE ACQUITTED, 'CAUSE I
DID NOT DO THIS. >> WHEN OFFICER VALERI
CINCINELLI WAS ARRESTED, HER CASE WAS PLASTERED ALL OVER
LOCAL MEDIA. >> VALERIE CINCINELLI HELD HER
HEAD IN HER HEAD AS -- >> FEMALE OFFICER WAS HELD
BEHIND BARS -- >> SHE REMAINS IN JAIL BEING
HELD WITHOUT BAIL -- >> Reporter: THERE, FOR ALL THE
WORLD TO SEE, WAS THAT "TIL DEATH" TATTOO SHE GOT WITH JOHN.
THE NYPD SUSPENDED HER WITHOUT PAY.
SHE WAS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF MURDER-FOR-HIRE AND ONE COUNT
OF OBSTRUCTION SHE PLEADED NOT GUILTY
YOU BELIEVE THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO THIS STORY?
>> NO, I KNOW THAT THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO THIS STORY.
>> Reporter: JAMES KOUSOUROS IS VALERIE'S ATTORNEY
>> LOOK, PEOPLE DON'T LIVE A 34-YEAR LIFE AS A DECORATE
POLICE OFFICER, A COLLEGE GRADUATE, A GOOD DAUGHTER, IN
EVERY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, AND THEN JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN WAKE
UP IN THE MORNING AND FLIP A SWITCH AND BECOME UNHINGED
>> Reporter: AND HE SAYS, DESPITE WHAT IS ON THOSE
RECORDINGS, VALERIE NEVER WANTED HER HUSBAND ISAIAH OR JOHN'S
DAUGHTER KILLED. >> I HAVE CONSISTENTLY SAID THAT
SHE IS CLEARLY PLAYING OUT THIS FANTASY DURING THESE
CONVERSATIONS, THAT SHE NEVER BELIEVED WOULD COME TO FRUITION.
>> Reporter: SHE SAID SOME TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE THINGS ABOUT
HIS DAUGHTER >> NOUR SLUT DAUGHTER THAT I DID
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR LITTLE SLUT DAUGHTER.
>> Reporter: SHE SAID IN A RECORDING, "RUN HER THE
[ BLEEP ] OVER >> RUN HER THE [ BLEEP ] OVER,
HOW ABOUT THAT >> THERE'S NO QUESTION AND WE
HAVE SAID FROM THE INCEPTION OF THIS CASE THAT MANY OF VALERIE'S
STATEMENTS AND WORDS ON THOSE TAPES ARE HORRIBLE
>> Reporter: HE SAYS VALERIE WAS ONLY "VENTING," AND HER WORDS
CAN BE EXPLAINED, IN PART, BECAUSE OF THAT ATTACK AND
INJURY SHE SUFFERED AT WORK. IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF A
DOWNWARD SPIRAL WHERE SHE LOST 30 POUNDS, ALL THE WHILE TAKING
A LOT OF MEDICATIONS >> SHE WAS MEDICATED AFTER HER
SHOULDER SURGERY SHE WAS CLEARLY BESIDE HERSELF,
SHE WAS CLEARLY NOT HERSELF AND BECAME ENTIRELY UNHINGED
>> Reporter: THE ATTORNEY TOLD US MOST PEOPLE HAVE THE REST OF
THE FACTS IN THIS CASE WRONG TOO.
AND SAYS VALERIE DEFENDS HER DECISION TO HAVE HER HUSBAND
ARRESTED AND DENIES TEXTING JOHN TO "WATCH THE SHOW."
AND WHILE SHE ADMITS SHE MADE MISTAKES IN HER RELATIONSHIP
WITH JOHN, SHE SAYS SHE NEVER PULLED A GUN ON HIM, AND ADDS
WHEN THEY FIRST MET ON THAT STREET, JOHN APPROACHED HER, NOT
THE OTHER WAY AROUND IN FACT, THE DEFENSE CLAIMS
JOHN DiRUBBA IS THE REAL VILLAIN HERE
>> TAKE CARE OF MY DAUGHTER THIS WEEKEND, KILL HER THIS WEEKEND
AND [ BLEEP ] THEN WAIT A MONTH FOR HIM?
>> Reporter: PUSHING VALERIE TO SAY SUCH AWFUL THINGS ON THOSE
RECORDINGS >> WHO DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST
ISAIAH OR HER? >> WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME
WHO DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST? >> IT DOESN'T MATTER
>> OKAY, THEN IT DOESN'T MATTER. >> HE'S CREATING THIS DIALOGUE,
HE'S CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT IT
>> Reporter: BUT WHAT IS JOHN DiRUBBA'S MOTIVATION TO
WANT HIS OWN DAUGHTER KILLED >> YOU KNOW, ANDREA, PEOPLE LIE.
PEOPLE ARE MANIPULATIVE. SOME PEOPLE ARE TRULY SICK
I THINK HE'S A BAD GUY I THINK HE'S A MANIPULATIVE
INDIVIDUAL IT IS OUR POSITION, HAS ALWAYS
BEEN, THAT HE'S USING HER AND WHEN -
>> Reporter: FOR WHAT? >> FOR HER MONEY AND EVERYTHING
THAT HE CAN GET FROM HER >> Reporter: HE SAYS JOHN IS A
MAN WHO HAD MANY DIFFERENT FACES.
SOMEONE WHO GOT INTO HIS OWN LEGAL TROUBLE FOUR MONTHS BEFORE
HE STARTED RECORDING VALERIE IN 2019.
SO JOHN DiRUBBA IS ARRESTED DURING THIS TIME FOR STEALING A
DIAMOND. SO WHAT IS THAT STORY, AND
HOW DOES IT FIT IN TO EVERYTHING OR DOES IT?
>> IT -- I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT ACTUALLY FITS INTO ANYTHING
RELATIVE TO THIS CASE. ALL I KNOW IS THAT IT DIDN'T
SURPRISE ME. >> Reporter: JOHN SAID HE NEVER
STOLE A DIAMOND, BUT HAD A MONEY DISPUTE WITH A JEWELER
THE CASE WAS DISCHARGED AFTER JOHN AGREED TO PLEAD GUILTY TO A
LESSER CHARGE OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT.
THE FILES HAVE SINCE BEEN SEALED
>> Reporter: DO YOU FEEL THAT THIS JUST SPEAKS TO
JOHN DiRUBBA'S CHARACTER >> IT ALL SPEAKS TO
JOHN DiRUBBA'S CHARACTER >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE ALSO
POINTS TO A MAJOR HOLE IN THE PROSECUTION'S CASE
THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE PROVING VALERIE ACTUALLY GAVE
MONEY TO JOHN TO HAVE TWO PEOPLE KILLED
>> THEY COULD NEVER ESTABLISH THAT SHE PAID HIM TO HIRE A HIT
MAN. >> Reporter: SO THERE WAS NO
DOCUMENTATION OF A TEXT OR ONE OF THE WIRES HE WAS WEARING,
VIDEO CAMERAS? NOTHING WAS EVER SHOWING THAT
THIS MONEY EXCHANGED HANDS FOR A HIT MAN?
>> NEVER, NEVER. SHE NEVER EVEN GIVES THE HINT
DURING THESE TAPES THAT SHE PAID HIM MONEY TO HIRE A HIT MAN,
EVER >> Reporter: BUT WHAT ABOUT THAT
$7,000 JOHN SAID WAS TO PAY FOR THE HIT MAN?
THE ATTORNEY SAYS IT WAS ACTUALLY A LOAN THAT VALERIE
GAVE HIM TO INVEST IN GOLD >> HE WOULDN'T BE TEXTING HER
CONSTANTLY TELLING HER, "I OWE YOU THE MONEY, "I'M GONNA PAY
YOU BACK." >> Reporter: WHILE JOHN ADMITS
HE SOMETIMES BORROWED MONEY FROM VALERIE, HER ATTORNEY SAYS JOHN
WAS SO BROKE, THAT VALERIE LET HIM LIVE WITH HER UNTIL SHE GOT
FED UP AND KICKED HIM MORE THAN ONCE
>> Reporter: IF THEY'RE HAVING DIFFICULT TIMES IN THEIR
RELATIONSHIP AND SHE WANTS HIM OUT OF THE HOUSE, WHY IS SHE
SO WILLINGLY GIVING HIM $7,000 FOR GOLD?
>> BECAUSE EVERY TIME SHE KICKS HIM OUT, HE WOULD LAUNCH ANOTHER
INVESTIGATION AGAINST HER. >> Reporter: REMEMBER, JOHN
TURNED VALERIE IN TO AUTHORITIES TWICE.
THE DEFENSE SAYS THIS CASE WAS NOT ABOUT JOHN BEING AFRAID OF
VALERIE, BUT OF HER BEING AFRAID OF HIM
>> EVERY TIME SHE KICKED HIM OUT, EVERY TIME SHE REBUFFED HIS
PLEADING TO GET BACK IN HER LIFE, HE FILED THE FALSE
ALLEGATION AGAINST HER >> Reporter: AND THERE'S
SOMETHING ELSE THE DEFENSE THINKS DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE
IF VALERIE TOOK OUT $7,000 TO PAY A HIT MAN, WHY WOULD JOHN
WAIT THREE MONTHS BEFORE GOING TO THE FBI
>> SHE PAYS HIM IN FEBRUARY OF 2019.
HE DOESN'T GO TO THE FEDS UNTIL MAY OF 2019.
LET'S JUST THINK ABOUT THIS. YOU'RE JOHN DiRUBBA, SHE PAYS
YOU MONEY TO KILL YOUR DAUGHTER, AND YOU DON'T GO TO THE FEDS
UNTIL MAY? THAT'S RIDICULOUS.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE REASON HE DIDN'T GO SOONER IS
BECAUSE HE WAS IN LOVE WITH HER. >> YEAH.
IT'S ALL RIDICULOUS, OKAY? "SO, VALERIE, LET'S GO GET YOU
THERAPY. LET'S GET YOU SOME HELP.
YOU'RE LOSING IT." YOU KNOW, REALLY
IS THAT THE WAY YOU TREAT THE WOMAN YOU LOVE
>> Reporter: BUT HERE IS WHERE VALERIE'S ATTORNEY SAYS THEIR
SIDE OF THE CASE BECOMES CLEAR THOSE FBI TAPES ACTUALLY HELP
HIS CLIENT >> UNFORTUNATELY WE WOULDN'T BE
HERE IF IT WASN'T REAL >> WHEN THE DETECTIVES LEAVE --
AND THIS TO ME IS THE MOST CRITICAL ASPECT OF THESE
TAPES -- NOW SHE IS ALONE WITH THE MAN THE GOVERNMENT INITIALLY
ASSERTED SHE SO CALLOUSLY CONSPIRED TO KILL TWO PEOPLE,
AND SHE CAN'T STOP CRYING. >> YOU THINK I'M NOT FREAKING
OUT? IT'S MY [ BLEEP ] SON.
>> SHE IS JUST CRYING HYSTERICALLY
AND HE LOOKS AT HER AND SAYS, "WHAT ARE YOU CRYING ABOUT?"
>> WELL, YOU KNEW THIS WAS GONNA HAPPEN
WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO? >> NO, I DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU, I
NEVER BELIEVED YOU YOU [ BLEEP ] LIE ABOUT
EVERYTHING I REALLY I LIKE REALLY, REALLY
CAN'T BELIEVE THIS LIKE, I THOUGHT YOU WERE FULL
OF [ BLEEP ] >> AND WHAT'S HER RESPONSE
"I NEVER BELIEVED YOU. I NEVER BELIEVE YOU.
ALL YOU DO IS LIE TO ME. >> Reporter: SO WAS VALERIE THE
COLD-BLOODED CONSPIRATOR OR THE VICTIM OF A LYING, CONNIVING
BOYFRIEND? AS HER DAY IN COURT APPROACHED,
ONE FINAL TWIST LAY AHEAD. >>> COMING UP --
>> Reporter: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT YOU
WANTED REVENGE ON HER? >> IT WAS VALERIE'S OWN WORDS
THAT PUT HER IN JAIL SHE COULD HAVE STOPPED THIS AT
ANY TIME. >> A STIRRING DEFENSE FROM JOH
AND A STUNNING TURN IN VALERIE'S CASE
>> I WAS BLOWN AWAY. IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.
>> Reporter: SEPTEMBER 2019. FOR FOUR MONTHS VALERIE
CINCINELLI SAT IN A BROOKLYN DETENTION CENTER
>> I'LL BE ACQUITTED 'CAUSE I DID NOT DO THIS.
>> Reporter: THE JUDGE REFUSED TO GIVE HER BAIL AS SHE AWAITED
TRIAL. AND THERE WAS MORE BAD NEWS --
VALERIE'S BROTHER, THE ONE WHO WAS AN FBI AGENT, HAD DIED BY
SUICIDE TWO MONTHS EARLIER AS FOR JOHN DiRUBBA, HE INSISTS
HE WASN'T THE ONE BEHIND THE MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU --
YOU WANTED REVENGE ON HER? THAT THIS WAS YOUR WAY OF
GETTING BACK >> YOU KNOW WHAT
IT WAS VALERIE'S OWN WORDS THAT PUT HER IN JAIL.
IT'S HER OWN VOICE, WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO
SHE COULD HAVE STOPPED THIS AT ANY TIME
IF YOU'RE A POLICE OFFICER THAT UPHOLDS THE LAW, YOU SHOULD SAY,
"JOHN, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
ARE YOU CRAZY? THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONLY
THING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON TAPE
WHAT WOULD I GAIN OUT OF KILLING MY OWN DAUGHTER?
>> Reporter: AND WHEN IT CAME TO THAT DAUGHTER, PROSECUTORS SAY
VALERIE CYBER-STALKED HER. IN COURT DOCUMENTS, THEY
REVEALED THAT OVER A FOUR-MONTH PERIOD BEFORE HER ARREST,
VALERIE DID 130 INTERNET SEARCHES ON THE TEEN
* >> Reporter: STILL, JOHN HAD TO
ADMIT A SAD TRUTH -- DURING HIS MAD, FRENZIED LOVE AFFAIR WITH
VALERIE, HE PUT HIS DAUGHTER SECOND
>> YOU KNOW, SHE STILL HAS HER UP AND DOWNS
SHE'S STILL SCARED SHE'S STILL WORRIED.
>> Reporter: JOHN SAYS SOME PARENTS NO LONGER WANTED THEIR
CHILDREN TO BE AROUND HIS ONLY CHILD, WORRIED THEIR OWN KIDS
MAY BE HARMED. THAT SAME FEAR IS WEIGHING
HEAVILY ON HIS NOW 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
SHE'S CONCERNED VALERIE MIGHT HURT HER
>> SHE'S, YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY ASKING ME, YOU KNOW, "SHE
STAYING IN JAIL OR SHE'S GETTING OUT?
SHE'S, YOU KNOW, MOVING ON AS A TEENAGER, BUT SHE'S STILL
WORRIED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IF SHE'S LURKING AROUND, 'CAUSE
SHE'S ALSO AFRAID SHE'S GONNA GET RUN OVER
>> Reporter: HAVE YOU APOLOGIZED TO YOUR DAUGHTER -
>> YES >> I KNOW IT'S
NOT ALL YOUR FAULT, BUT YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT RESPONSIBLE
FOR THIS - >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> Reporter: -- TOO. >> ABSOLUTELY.
I APOLOGIZE TO HER EVERY DAY AND I TRY TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR
HER, YOU KNOW? BUT I STILL HAVE MY UPS AND
DOWNS WITH WHAT I DID TO HER >> Reporter: IN THE END, HE SAYS
HE TRIED TO DO THE RIGHT THING, PROTECT HIS DAUGHTER AND
ISAIAH WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF JOHN
YOU KNOW, HE WENT TO THE FBI WHAT CATEGORY DO YOU PUT HIM IN?
>> I'M THANKFUL THAT HE WENT TO THE FBI.
IF HE DIDN'T GO, WHO KNOWS IF I WOULD EVEN BE HERE TODAY
>> Reporter: AS THE CALENDAR TURNED OVER TO 2021, ISAIAH
WAITED FOR THE SLOW WHEELS OF JUSTICE TO TURN.
THEN IN APRIL, PROSECUTORS ANNOUNCED STUNNING NEWS THAT
SURPRISED MOST PEOPLE. THEY MADE A PLEA DEAL WITH
VALERIE. DESPITE WHAT SEEMED LIKE SOLID
RECORDED EVIDENCE, PROSECUTORS DISMISSED THE TWO
MURDER-FOR-HIRE CHARGES. >> I WAS BLOWN AWAY.
I WAS SO ANGRY AND UPSET BECAUSE THEY SWORE UP AND DOWN TO ME,
"WE HAVE A SOLID CASE. WE DON'T -- WE'RE THE
GOVERNMENT WE DON'T OFFER ANY DEALS."
>> THEY'RE GOING TO GET THESE [ BLEEP ] TEXTS, YOU DUMB
[ BLEEP ]. THEY CAN SUBPOENA THESE PHOTOS
>> Reporter: VALERIE DID PLEAD GUILTY TO ONE CHARGE OF
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE FOR TRYING TO DELETE THAT PHOTO AND
TEXT MESSAGES SENT TO JOHN'S PHONE.
>> THEY WERE, LIKE -- JUST BASICALLY DIDN'T CARE.
THEY WERE LIKE, "THIS IS THE OFFER AND THIS IS WHAT IT'S
GONNA BE." >> Reporter: WE ASKED THE U.S.
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHY THEY DROPPED THE CHARGES, BUT THEY
HAD NO COMMENT BOTH PROSECUTORS AND THE FBI
TURNED DOWN OUR REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEWS
VALERIE'S ATTORNEY THINKS HE KNOWS WHY THOSE CHARGES WERE
DROPPED -- A LACK OF PROOF THAT VALERIE EVER PAID JOHN TO HIRE A
HIT MAN. >> IN FEDERAL COURT THE STATUTE
FOR MURDER FOR HIRE REQUIRES THAT YOU ACTUALLY PAY SOMEBODY
TO COMMIT MURDER AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THAT WAS A
PRINCIPAL PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION.
>> Reporter: VALERIE RESIGNED FROM THE NYPD.
AT HER SENTENCING IN OCTOBER 2021, THE 37-YEAR-OLD
TOLD THE COURT, "I'M APOLOGIZING FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I ALLOWED MYSELF TO GET TO THAT PLACE,
THAT DARK PLACE. THE JUDGE SENTENCED HER TO FOUR
YEARS. ISAIAH SAYS THE DECISION FELT
LIKE A GUT PUNCH WHY DID YOU THINK THAT WASN'T
LONG ENOUGH? >> I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS LONG
ENOUGH BASED UPON EVERYTHING THAT SHE INTENDED TO DO.
NOT ONLY DID SHE WANNA HAVE ME TAKEN OUT, BUT SHE ALSO WANTED
TO HAVE A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL, A CHILD.
AND FOR SOMEBODY TO EVEN CONSIDER THE ACT OF DOING THAT
TO A CHILD SHOULD NOT HAVE GOT FOUR YEARS
IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. SHE HAS DESTROYED MY LIFE.
THE DAY THAT SHE GETS OUT IS GONNA BE THE FIRST DAY OF, YOU
KNOW, MY MENTAL PRISON SENTENCE FOREVER.
>> Reporter: WITH TIME SERVED, VALERIE COULD BE RELEASED LATER
THIS YEAR. AND HER ATTORNEY SAYS SHE FEARS
JOHN MAY COME AFTER HER WHEN SHE'S LET OUT.
WHILE ISAIAH'S MOM AND STEPDAD ARE WORRIED SHE MAY STILL HOLD A
GRUDGE AGAINST THEIR SON DO YOU FEAR FOR ISAIAH'S SAFETY
WHEN SHE GETS -- >> SHE GETS OUT.
>> Reporter: -- OUT OF PRISON? >> YES
ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY
WHEN SHE GETS OUT, I DEFINITELY DO
>> Reporter: FOR NOW, ISAIAH AND HIS SON SAL ARE LIVING WITH HIS
PARENTS. AND WHILE VALERIE AND ISAIAH'S
DIVORCE IS STILL NOT FINALIZED, SHE'S ALREADY ASKED THE COURT
FOR CUSTODY OF THEIR SON >> IT'S HORRIBLE THAT HE HAS TO
GO THROUGH THIS. AND IT'S -- IT'S LIKE, ME IS ONE
THING. I'LL GET BY IT
I'LL GET THROUGH IT. HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW
>> Reporter: HOW WILL YOU EVER EXPLAIN THAT TO YOUR SON WHEN
HE'S OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
>> I DREAD THAT DAY. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW I'M GOING
TO TELL HIM. >> Reporter: ISAIAH IS TRYING TO
MOVE FORWARD AND SAYS HIS SON IS DOING WELL
HE TAKES COMFORT IN HIS RENEWED LIFE WITH HIS LITTLE BOY
THIS IS THE SILVER LINING, THAT YOU GOT YOUR SON
>> YEAH. THAT IS THE BEST THING THAT
COULD EVER HAPPEN. I CHERISH EVERY DAY BECAUSE IT
COULD'VE BEEN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
I COULD HAVE NOT BEEN HERE >> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION
OF "DATELINE." WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY
AT 9:00, 8:00 CENTRAL AND OF COURSE I'LL SEE YOU EACH
WEEKNIGHT FOR "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS.