A FORMER STATE SENATOR FOUND
MURDERED AT HER OWN HOME A STUNNING LOSS TO ALL WHO KNEW
HER. AND THE KILLER
THAT WAS A STUNNER, TOO. >> THERE WAS A LARGE SPOT OF
BLOOD THAT WAS ON THE FLOOR. IT APPEARED THAT'S WHERE THE
HOMICIDE ACTUALLY TOOK PLACE >> I WAS BREAKING DOWN CRYIN'.
IT'S MY MOM! >> HE SAID, "SHE'S BEEN
MURDERED." AND, I MEAN, MY WORLD JUST FALLS
APART. >> PEOPLE COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT
THIS FORMER STATE SENATOR WAS NOW DEAD
>> Reporter: SHE EMBRACED HOT-BUTTON ISSUES.
>> SHE DID >> Reporter: YOU'VE GOT TO
CONSIDER MAYBE THERE'S POLITICAL ENEMIES HERE
>> EVERYONE THOUGHT THE EX-HUSBAND
>> THEY WERE GOIN' THROUGH A DIVORCE, AND IT WAS UGLY
>> LINDA HAD A FEELIN' SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO HARM HER
>> SHE WAS IN FEAR FOR HER LIFE. >> VIDEO CAMERAS HAD BEEN PLACED
AROUND THAT HOUSE. THOSE CAMERAS POSSIBLY RECORDED
THE ACTUAL MURDER. >> YOU SEE THIS WHITE SHEET.
SOMEBODY TRYING TO DISGUISE THEMSELF
THEY WALK IN THE HOUSE THIS IS OUR KILLER
>> HERE'S DENNIS MURPHY WITH "THE HANDS OF A KILLER."
>> MOVING OUT OF MY OFFICE TODAY.
I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW HUMBLE I AM TO BE YOUR SENATOR, HOW PROUD
I WAS TO SERVE YOU >> Reporter: FOR ELECTED
OFFICIALS, IT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.
NOW AND THEN YOU GET TOSSED OUT OF OFFICE.
FOR ARKANSAS STATE SENATOR LINDA COLLINS, THAT DAY OF
RECKONING WITH THE VOTERS ARRIVED IN 2019.
SHE'D BEEN PRIMARIED AND LOST HER SEAT IN THE STATE CAPITOL.
>> THAT'S THE WAY I VOTED, AS YOUR CONSERVATIVE SENATOR AND
YOUR FRIEND. >> Reporter: AFTER NEARLY TEN
YEARS OF SERVICE, SHE WAS PACKING UP HER BOXES
IT WAS AN ALTOGETHER BAD PATCH FOR THE SENATOR.
SHE'D BEEN GOING THROUGH A MESSY DIVORCE AS WELL.
HER KIDS, BUTCH AND TATE, KNEW ALL THE TURBULENCE HAD TAKEN A
TOLL ON THEIR MOM. >> IF YOU KNEW LINDA, YOU KNEW
THAT -- MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO HER WERE GOD AND THEN HER
FAMILY, AND THEN PROBABLY THE PEOPLE OF ARKANSAS
>> Reporter: THAT'S HER MOTTO? THAT'S WHAT SHE'S GOT STITCHED
ON - >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: -- HER PILLOW >> EXACTLY
>> PRETTY MUCH YEAH. >> EXACTLY
>> Reporter: BUT LINDA, A FORCE OF NATURE IF THERE EVER WAS ONE,
PICKED HERSELF OFF THE MAT AND DID A LITTLE REINVENTING
SHE RETURNED TO HER RURAL HOMETOWN OF TINY POCAHONTAS,
ARKANSAS, IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE STATE, SOY AND RICE
GROWING COUNTRY, AND WITHIN MONTHS WAS DATING A NEW GUY.
SHE WAS LOOKING INTO GOOD PAYING LOBBYING JOBS AROUND THE
COUNTRY. >> YOU KNOW, SHE LOVES POLITICS.
WHY NOT CONTINUE THAT, MAYBE IN A DIFFERENT -- DIFFERENT ROLE
AND TURN IT INTO AN ACTUAL PAYING, YOU KNOW, GIG.
>> Reporter: BUT AS THE PHILOSOPHER OBSERVED, LIFE IS
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE MAKING OTHER PLANS.
AFTER A JOB HUNTING TRIP TO D.C., LINDA COLLINS SIMPLY
DISAPPEARED. TATE'S LAST CONVERSATION WITH
HER MOM WAS ON MONDAY, MAY 27th. THE INTERVIEW HAD GONE WELL, SHE
SAID EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE
TALK ABOUT ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR
>> NO, NOT REALLY. JUST MADE SOME PLANS, AND THAT
WAS -- THAT WAS IT >> Reporter: BUT TWO DAYS LATER,
TATE SENT HER MOM A TEXT MESSAGE AND NEVER HEARD BACK
>> IT WAS A PICTURE OF SHOES, AND MOM LOVED SHOES.
AND SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING BACK
AND SO I THOUGHT, "OKAY, WELL, THAT'S A LITTLE WEIRD.
BUT SHE HAD SAID THAT SHE WAS GONNA BE BUSY DOIN' SOME STUFF
>> Reporter: BUSY, MAYBE BUT AS THE DISTURBINGLY SILENT
DAYS PASSED, TATE GREW CONCERNED.
A WEEK AFTER LINDA'S LAST CONTACT, TATE, TWO HOURS AWAY
OUTSIDE LITTLE ROCK, CALLED HER BROTHER, BUTCH
>> I WAS LIKE, "I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD FROM MOM."
AND SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN LITTLE ROCK GETTING A DRESS,
BECAUSE SHE WAS GONNA BE GOIN' TO THE ARKANSAS MUSIC AWARDS
AND WE STILL HADN'T HEARD FROM HER.
>> Reporter: BUTCH, WHO STILL LIVED IN POCAHONTAS, AGREED TO
SWING BY HIS MOM'S HOUSE HER TRUCK WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY,
BUT SHE WASN'T ANSWERING THE DOOR
AND HE DIDN'T HAVE A KEY STILL, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE
IN ORDER DID YOU REASSURE TATE THEN, "I
JUST WAS OVER AT THE HOUSE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OKAY"?
>> YEAH. ABSOLUTELY
>> Reporter: "BUT SHE'S NOT COMIN' TO THE DOOR."
>> RIGHT I -- I DIDN'T SEE -- I WAS LIKE,
YOU KNOW, "I DON'T SEE ANYTHING OUT OF PLACE OR ANYTHING THAT'S
ODD. >> Reporter: BUT TATE COULD JUST
FEEL IT. SOMETHING WAS OFF.
THE NEXT DAY SHE CALLED HER GRANDFATHER, LINDA'S DAD, WHO
HAD A KEY TO THE HOUSE TATE WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HIM
WHEN HE ARRIVED. RIGHT AWAY, HER GRANDPA NOTICED
SOMETHING PECULIAR LINDA'S TRUCK WAS UNLOCKED
>> THAT ISN'T MOM. >> Reporter: THAT'S NOT HER,
HUH? >> YEAH, MOM LOCKS HER VEHICLES
OBSESSIVELY. >> Reporter: HER GRANDPA WENT TO
THE BACK DOOR AND GAVE IT A SHOVE.
IT WAS OPEN. TATE COULD FEEL THE PANIC RISING
AS HER GRANDFATHER BEGAN SEARCHING THE HOUSE, WHICH WAS
UNDER RENOVATION >> HE'S, YOU KNOW, SAYIN' HER
NAME "LINDA, LINDA.
YOU KNOW, AND HE'S LOOKING AND HE SAYS, "I'VE CHECKED EVERY
CLOSET I'VE CHECKED IN THE TUB.
I'VE CHECKED EVERYWHERE. >> Reporter: BUT THEN, IN THE
KITCHEN -- >> HE SAYS, "THERE'S SOMETHING
IN THE FLOOR." >> Reporter: IT WAS A MEAN
LOOKING STAIN. TARISH
>> I CAN HEAR IT IN HIS VOICE THAT HE KNOWS THAT IT'S
SOMETHING. YOU KNOW
AND I -- I SAY, "OKAY. I SAID, "DO YOU WANT ME TO CALL
BUTCH AND HAVE HIM COME? AND HE SAID, "YES, YES."
HE SAID, "I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO."
>> Reporter: BUTCH WAS THERE WITHIN MINUTES
WHAT'D YOU THINK IT WAS? >> MOM WAS A HEAVY, HEAVY COFFEE
DRINKER. SO IT LOOKED LIKE A COFFEE POT
HAD BEEN DROPPED, AND THEN THERE WAS DARK LIQUID JUST -- HAD
SPLASHED OUT FROM, LIKE, A COFFEE POT BUSTIN'
>> Reporter: SO THE COFFEE COULD EXPLAIN THE STAIN TO YOU
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: BUT WAS IT COFFEE
THEY SENT TATE A VIDEO IT GAVE HER THE CHILLS
>> I'M THINKING, "THIS IS -- THAT'S BLOOD."
AND THEY'RE LIKE, "NO, IT'S" - YOU KNOW, YOU CAN TELL THEY'RE
TRYIN' TO MAKE -- MAKE SENSE OF IT
>> MAKE LOGICAL SENSE OF - >> YOU KNOW, MAKE IT LOGICAL
NO ONE GOES IN THINKING THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GONNA FIND
>> Reporter: UNSETTLED, BUTCH AND HIS GRANDPA HUNG UP WITH
TATE AND CLOSED UP THE HOUSE THEY WERE WALKING BACK TO THEIR
CARS WHEN GRANDPA CAUGHT A BAD WHIFF.
THE WORST. >> MY GRANDPA'S LIKE, "HEY," YOU
KNOW, "DO YOU SMELL THAT?" AND I SAID, "YOU KNOW, COME TO
THINK OF IT, I -- I -- I DO. IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING'S DEAD,
LIKE A DEAD ANIMAL." AND -- AND HE SAID, "YEAH.
HE GOES, "WHY DON'T YOU GO CHECK THAT TARP REAL QUICK?"
>> Reporter: THERE WAS A TARP ATOP SOME CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE >> I WENT OVER THERE, AND I
MOVED A BRICK OUT OF THE WAY, OFF THE CORNER OF THE TARP
AND I'M -- I RAISED IT JUST A SWARM -- IT WAS -- SWARM
OF FLIES CAME OUT AND -- AND I -- I SAW HER
>> Reporter: IT WAS HIS MOM'S BODY, LYING FACE DOWN WITH HER
ARMS ABOVE HER HEAD, WRAPPED IN A COMFORTER BUTCH HAD TAKEN TO
COLLEGE. SHE'D BEEN THERE A WHILE
>> I JUST THREW THE TARP DOWN. AND MY GRANDPA WAS COMIN' OVER
AND I SAID, "LISTEN. I WAS LIKE, "YOU CAN'T -- YOU
CAN'T. I FOUND HER.
I SAID, "YOU CAN'T -- YOU CAN'T GO OVER THERE.
AND HE TRIED AND I -- I PHYSICALLY SHOVED HIM
BACK I SAID, "YOU CAN'T
YOU CAN'T SEE HER. >> Reporter: I'M SORRY YOU HAD
TO SEE THAT, BUTCH >> AND IT MADE ME JUST
PHYSICALLY JUST SICK TO MY STOMACH.
>> Reporter: BUTCH TRIED TO STAY CALM AS HE CALLED 911.
>> WHAT IS YOUR NAME, HONEY? >> BUTCH SMITH
I'M HER SON. WE CAME TO DO A WELLNESS CHECK
AT HER HOUSE I THINK I FOUND THE BODY
>> OKAY, HONEY WE'LL GET AN AMBULANCE HEADED
THAT WAY OKAY
>> Reporter: THEN HE HAD TO CALL TATE
>> HE SAID, "WE FOUND HER. AND -- AND I'M -- I'M SITTING ON
THE COUCH. AND HE SAID, "WE FOUND HER
SHE'S BEEN MURDERED. AND I LOOKED AT MY HUSBAND AND I
SAID, "MURDERED? I SAID, "DID YOU SAY
'MURDERED?'" HE SAID, "YEAH."
AND, I MEAN, MY WORLD JUST FALLS APART.
>> Reporter: LINDA COLLINS, ONE-TIME STATE SENATOR, MOTHER,
BUSINESSWOMAN, HAD INDEED BEEN MURDERED
NOT ANY DOUBT ABOUT THAT BUT WHO COULD POSSIBLY
AND WHY? QUESTIONS LEFT TO THE
AUTHORITIES. THEY WERE ABOUT TO ARRIVE ON THE
SCENE. >> HAVE YOU ALL BEEN INSIDE THE
HOME >> YES
YES, WE HAVE >>> WHEN WE COME BACK, THE HUNT
FOR A KILLER BEGINS. >> THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING
UP WITH THIS WE ARE GOING TO NEED C.I.D. OUT
HERE >> Reporter: HOW HORRIBLE TO
THINK THAT THE HOME THAT YOU KNEW SO WELL IS NOW A SCENE, A
MURDER SCENE - >> A CRIME SCENE
RIGHT. I COULDN'T IMAGINE
YOU KNOW, IS MY FAMILY IN DANGER
* (MÚSICA) *ULD IT HAVE BEEN ME? WE GOT A 911 CALL FROM A
BUTCH SMITH. >> Reporter: IT WAS EARLY
EVENING WHEN THE CALL WENT OUT OVER POLICE FREQUENCIES.
FORMER STATE SENATOR LINDA COLLINS HAD BEEN FOUND
DEAD AT HER HOME, MURDERED THE FIRST RANDOLPH'S COUNTY
SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, BODY-CAM ROLLING.
>> THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING UP WITH THIS
WE ARE GOING TO NEED C.I.D. OUT HERE
>> WHILE WE WERE THERE ON SITE, THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY HAD SHOWED
UP AND HE IMMEDIATELY ROLLED OUT THE CRIME SCENE TAPE
STARTED CORDONING OFF THE -- THE AREA
>> YOU COULD DO IT TO THAT STUMP IF YOU WANT TO
>> AND OF COURSE THE NEIGHBORS WERE COMIN' OUT, TRYIN' TO
FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOIN' ON >> Reporter: THE WHOLE THING WAS
BEYOND SURREAL FOR BUTCH HOW HORRIBLE TO THINK THAT THE
HOME THAT YOU KNEW SO WELL IS NOW A SCENE -- A MURDER SCENE --
>> A CRIME SCENE RIGHT.
>> Reporter: AND YOUR MOTHER'S THE VICTIM
>> I WOULD'VE NEVER -- NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS HAVE EVER
EXPECTED IT. I MEAN, FOR SOMEBODY TO JUST
LOVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND EVERYBODY SO MUCH, TO BE
MURDERED I -- I COULDN'T IMAGINE.
>> Reporter: TO BUTCH AND HIS SISTER TATE, THERE WAS NOTHING
ABOUT THEIR MOM'S MURDER THAT MADE A BIT OF SENSE.
LINDA WAS A LOVING MOM AND BELOVED FIGURE IN NORTHEAST
ARKANSAS SOMEONE WHO'D MADE SOMETHING OF
HERSELF DESPITE A HARD-SCRABBLE UPBRINGING
>> SHE GREW UP VERY POOR OUT IN -- OUT IN THE COUNTRY, ON
DIRT ROADS. THEY DIDN'T HAVE RUNNING WATER EVEN
>> Reporter: WHAT IS THAT WORD I'LL GIVE YOU, LIKE, GRIT,
DETERMINATION, CHARACTER WHAT KINDS OF THINGS -
>> OH, YEAH. >> Reporter: -- ARE YOU TALKIN'
ABOUT HERE >> ABSOLUTELY.
ALL THE ABOVE, AND THEN SOME >> Reporter: ALL HER LIFE, THEY
SAY, LINDA HAD USED THAT DRIVE TO TRY AND BETTER THE COMMUNITY.
REALTOR, SHE DECIDED THAT TINY POCAHONTAS COULD USE SOME FIRST
RATE LODGING SO SHE AND HER HUSBAND, PHIL --
THE KIDS STEPFATHER AND A JUDGE -- BUILT ONE HOTEL -- A
DAYS INN -- AND REMODELED ANOTHER.
A WAY-COOL ROCK & ROLL THEMED MOTEL DECKED OUT WITH 60s MUSCLE
CARS AND VINYL RECORDS LINDA RAN THEM BOTH.
>> Reporter: DO YOU GUYS GET PULLED INTO THE BUSINESS BECAUSE
YOU'RE THERE - >> OH, ABSOLUTELY.
[ LAUGHTER ] >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> Reporter: YOU'RE -- YOU'RE
CHEAP LABOR AND YOU'RE AVAILABLE?
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY. OUR FIRST JOBS WERE PICKIN' THE
WEEDS OUTTA THE FLOWER BEDS. >> Reporter: BUT LINDA DIDN'T
SETTLE FOR BEING JUST AN INN-KEEPER
SHE FOUNDED A COUNTY TOURISM ASSOCIATION AND DECIDED TO RUN
FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. IN 2010, SHE WAS ELECTED TO THE
ARKANSAS STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
KEN YANG IS A POLITICAL CONSULTANT WHO WORKED FOR LINDA
IN LITTLE ROCK >> Reporter: DID YOU THINK SHE
WAS A STAR WHEN YOU SIGNED ON? >> YEAH.
IF LINDA WAS ALIVE TODAY IN THIS POLITICAL CLIMATE, SHE WOULD
JUST BE A SUPERSTAR RIGHT NOW. >> Reporter: YOU SAW MAYBE A
FUTURE GOVERNOR IN HER, HUH? >> YEAH.
EASILY >> Reporter: WHAT WAS HER
POLITICAL STRENGTH >> BEING AROUND PEOPLE
SHE JUST HAD A SPIRIT ABOUT HER. SHE WAS A HUGGER, SO SHE'D HUG
YOU. SHE'D EMBRACE YOU, SHE'D --
CARED ABOUT YOU. IF YOU WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE,
SHE CARED ABOUT YOU. SHE LISTENED TO YOU.
>> Reporter: BUT KEN, A REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN STRATEGIZER,
THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING OFF-KILTER ABOUT LINDA'S
POLITICS SHE WAS A DEMOCRAT BUT HER
FAITH-BASED BELIEFS WERE DEEPLY CONSERVATIVE
SO SEVEN MONTHS INTO HER FIRST TERM, LINDA TOOK A RISKY PLUNGE
AND SWITCHED TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
>> I AM HERE TODAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT I HAVE JOINED THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARKANSAS [ APPLAUSE ]
>> Reporter: WAS THAT A CYNICAL, OPPORTUNISTIC MOVE ON HER PART
TO SWITCH PARTIES? >> OH, NO.
IN THAT DAY AND AGE, IT WAS MORE OF A POLITICAL SUICIDE MOVE, YOU
KNOW? YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET RE-ELECTED
IT'S A DEMOCRAT STATE. >> HELLO, I'M
LINDA COLLINS SMITH. >> Reporter: BUT LINDA DID GET
REELECTED. IN FACT, SHE WON AN EVEN BIGGER
JOB -- STATE SENATOR SO, HERE YOU ARE, THE ARKANSAS
SENATE WHERE'S YOUR -- WHERE'S YOUR
SEAT, SENATOR? >> SEAT'S RIGHT HERE TO THE
RIGHT. >> Reporter: GARY STUBBLEFIELD
SERVED WITH LINDA IN THE SENATE FROM 2015 TO 2019.
HE WORKED WITH LINDA ON SOME OF THE HOTTEST OF THE HOT BUTTON
CONSERVATIVE ISSUES OF THE DAY ISSUES WERE ABORTION, GUN
RIGHTS - >> GUN RIGHTS.
>> Reporter: CHILDREN -- CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, ESPECIALLY.
>> CHILDREN'S RIGHTS FREEDOM.
EVERYTHING THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS STOOD FOR, THE
CONSTITUTION, THAT'S WHAT LINDA WAS FOR.
>> Reporter: AND WAS SHE EFFECTIVE, SENATOR
>> YES I THINK SHE WAS VERY EFFECTIVE
>> Reporter: SHE GOT BUSINESS DONE, HUH?
>> YES SHE DID.
>> WE'VE GOT TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, AND THIS IS THE WAY
WE HANDLE THIS >> Reporter: EFFECTIVE, HE SAYS,
BECAUSE OF HOW TIRELESSLY LINDA FOUGHT FOR HER CONSTITUENTS.
SHE WAS ONLY FIVE FEET TALL BUT HER PUGNACIOUS STYLE WON HER A
FOOTBALL NICKNAME IN THE CHAMBER -- THE LINEBACKER.
>> THIS BILL WAS HIJACKED, AND IT WAS HIJACKED ON THE SENATE
FLOOR, AND IT TURNED INTO SOMETHING IT SHOULDN'T HAVE
BEEN >> IF SHE KNEW SHE WAS RIGHT,
SHE WOULD FIGHT 'TIL THE VERY END.
SHE WOULD NOT GIVE UP. >> Reporter: 'COURSE, THAT STYLE
COULD PUT A LOTTA NOSES OUTTA JOINTS
YOU KNOW, SOME CASES >> SURE.
BUT SHE WASN'T THERE -- SHE WASN'T THERE TO MAKE FRIENDS
>> Reporter: LINDA'S KIDS KNEW THEIR ITTY-BITTY MOM WASN'T
COWED BY ANYBODY >> THERE WAS A FEW INSTANCES, I
GUESS, WHERE SOME OTHER PEOPLE THERE HAD TRIED TO, LIKE,
PHYSICALLY INTIMIDATE HER BY STANDING UP TO HER BECAUSE
THEY - [ LAUGHTER ]
-- WERE LARGER, YOU KNOW, FOLKS. AND SO SHE'D COME UP TO, LIKE,
THEIR CHEST. AND SHE'D JUST PUT THAT NOSE
RIGHT UP AGAINST THERE AND JUST TELL 'EM, "THAT'S NOT HOW THIS
IS GONNA WORK, AND --" >> Reporter: "NONE OF THAT
ALPHA -- >> "-- YOU DON'T SCARE ME.
>> Reporter: "-- STUFF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH"
>> RIGHT RIGHT.
THAT'S NOT GONNA FLY >> Reporter: POLITICAL PUNDITS
IN THE STATE THOUGHT IT WAS LINDA'S STRONG-HEADEDNESS THAT
MAY HAVE CAUSED HER TO GET ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ARKANSAS
GOVERNOR WHATEVER
BUT IN 2018, HE SUPPORTED A PRIMARY OPPONENT AGAINST HER AND
SHE LOST HER SEAT. LINDA'S MARRIAGE TO PHIL HAD
GONE SIDEWAYS AS WELL. THEY DIVORCED AFTER 23 YEARS
>> THEIR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WAS GREAT.
BUT, JUST PERSONALLY, THEY COULDN'T GET PAST THEIR -- THEIR
ISSUES >> Reporter: LINDA'S LIFE WAS
CHANGING AT WARP SPEED, BUT SHE WASN'T ONE TO FEEL SORRY FOR
HERSELF. SHE DUSTED HERSELF OFF AND SAW
THE "WHAT MIGHT BE"s OF THE YEARS AHEAD -- THAT PROMISING
D.C. LOBBYING JOB AND, FOR SURE, MORE TIME WITH BUTCH AND TATE'S
KIDS, HER GRANDCHILDREN. >> GO!
>> SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED HAVIN' GRANDKIDS.
SHE WAS THE FUN -- THE FUN GRANDPARENT.
* JINGLE BELL JINGLE ALL THE WAY *
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR! [ LAUGHTER ]
>> Reporter: BUT NOW SHE WAS GONE, HER LIFE ERASED IN BRUTAL
FASHION BY PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN.
POLICE WERE SWARMING THE PROPERTY
>> WE'LL WAIT TILL MY SHERIFF GETS HERE.
UH, BUT, YEAH, WE'RE GONNA NEED IN THERE
>> THAT'S FINE >> OK.
>> Reporter: WITH A MURDERER ON THE LOOSE, BUTCH -- WHO LIVED
NEARBY -- COULDN'T HELP BUT WONDER ABOUT HIS OWN SAFETY.
>> WE DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE WHO HAD DONE IT OR WHO -- WHAT -- WHAT
THE REASONING WAS BEHIND IT, AND MOTIVE
YOU KNOW, "IS MY FAMILY IN DANGER?"
YOU KNOW, "COULD IT HAVE BEEN ME
ARE THEY COMIN' FOR US NEXT? >> Reporter: THE SHERIFF'S TEAM
JOINED BY STATE POLICE HAD THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM.
AND THE PRESSURE TO SOLVE THE CASE WOULD BE INTENSE.
BECAUSE THE DEATH OF LINDA COLLINS WASN'T JUST A
LOCAL STORY. IT WAS ABOUT TO BECOME THE MOST
EXPLOSIVE NEWS STORY IN THE STATE.
RUMOR QUICKLY HAD IT, HER KILLING WAS A POLITICAL COVER-UP
THAT WENT RIGHT TO THE TOP >>> COMING UP --
CLOSE FRIENDS LEARN THE AWFUL NEWS
[ CRYING ] >> I KNOW, MISS BECKY, I KNOW
IT'S HARD. >> SHE WAS MY BEST FRIEND.
>> AND, A COVER-UP BY THE KILLER
>> THAT WAS A SECURITY CAMERA AT ONE POINT.
AND LOOKING AT IT, THE CAMERA'S GONE
SO, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE REMOVED THOSE CAME
>> Reporter: LINDA COLLINS, A FORMER STATE SENATOR, HAD BEEN
MURDERED, AND IT SEEMED THAT EVERYBODY IN ARKANSAS WAS
PANTING TO HEAR EVERY DETAIL NO ONE WAS MORE AWARE OF THAT
THAN RANDOLPH COUNTY SHERIFF KEVIN BELL
YOU GOT ALL THE WORLD LOOKIN' OVER YOUR SHOULDER, DON'T YOU?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> Reporter: ARMCHAIR DETECTIVES
PLAYIN' -- >> YES, SIR.
>> Reporter: -- WHODUNIT SHERIFF BELL SPENT YEARS WITH
THE ARKANSAS STATE POLICE BEFORE COMING TO REST IN RANDOLPH
COUNTY WHEN HE GOT THE CALL EARLY
EVENING, JUNE 4th, 2019, HE KNEW A STORM WAS COMING
>> THE DISPATCHER TOLD ME THAT A PERSON HAD BEEN FOUND, APPEARED
TO BE IN -- WRAPPED IN A BLANKET OUTSIDE, UNDERNEATH THE TARP AT
LINDA COLLINS' RESIDENCE >> Reporter: LOOKED LIKE A
HOMICIDE >> IT SOUNDED LIKE A HOMICIDE TO
ME >> Reporter: IF THERE'S SUCH A
THING AS A RUN-OF-THE-MILL MURDER, THIS WASN'T IT
THIS WAS PERSONAL. >> I'D KNOWN LINDA AND HER
ENTIRE FAMILY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
GONE TO CHURCH WITH 'EM AND JUST KNEW LINDA FROM THE -- THE
COMMUNITY, HER BEING A POLITICAL LEADER, BUSINESS LEADER IN -- IN
OUR TOWN >> Reporter: AND YOU'RE BEING
ROLLED OUT TO WHAT'S GONNA BE HER MURDER SCENE
>> YES >> Reporter: WHEN THE SHERIFF
ARRIVED AT LINDA'S HOME, HE BEGAN LOGGING OBSERVATIONS EVEN
BEFORE SETTING FOOT INSIDE >> I NOTICED ON THE HOUSE, THERE
WAS SOME PLACES WHERE SECURITY CAMERAS ONCE WAS -
>> Reporter: THERE'S STILL A POLE RIGHT THERE -- THERE'S A
MOUNTING BRACKET RIGHT THERE >> THAT'S CORRECT.
AND THAT -- THAT MOUNTING BRACKET, I NOTICED, WAS A
SECURITY CAMERA AT ONE POINT, BECAUSE I HAD SEEN THOSE
SECURITY CAMERAS BEFORE. AND LOOKIN' AT IT, THE CAMERA'S
GONE >> Reporter: YEAH.
SOMEONE REMOVED THOSE CAMERAS. >> Reporter: AND NOT JUST ONE
CAMERA HE'D LATER LEARN THERE WERE A
BUNCH OF THEM, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, NOW GONE.
WHO REMOVED THEM AND WHEN
WOULD THEY EVER TURN UP? WHERE IS THAT?
ARE WE GONNA GET A LITTLE HELP FROM THESE CAMERAS
>> RIGHT >> Reporter: THEN HE NOTICED
SOMETHING ELSE >> ON THE SIDEWALK AREA, WE
FOUND A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC >> Reporter: PLASTIC
>> A PIECE OF BLACK PLASTIC THAT APPEARED TO BE A TOOTH OFF OF A
HAIR BARRETTE. SO WE WERE ABLE TO TRACK BACK
AROUND, AND YOU COULD FIND THE TRAIL FROM WHERE SOMEONE HAD
REMOVED LINDA FROM THE HOUSE AND BROUGHT HER OUT THIS WAY
>> Reporter: THE SHERIFF WAS PONDERING THOSE THINGS WHEN HE
ENTERED THE HOUSE. FIRST, THE KITCHEN
HE SAW RIGHT AWAY THE MEAN, DARK STAIN ON THE ROUGH WOOD
SUBFLOORING. DEFINITELY NOT COFFEE.
>> THERE WAS A LARGE SPOT OF BLOOD THAT WAS ON THE FLOOR.
IT APPEARED THAT'S -- THAT'S WHERE THE HOMICIDE ACTUALLY TOOK
PLACE. >> Reporter: DID YOU KNOW THAT
YOU HAD A STABBING RATHER THAN A FIREARM INCIDENT HERE?
>> INITIALLY WE DID NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
ONCE THE ARKANSAS CRIME LAB ARRIVED AND WE EXAMINED THE
BODY -- AND COULD DETERMINE AT THAT POINT THAT IT APPEARED TO
BE A STAB WOUND. >> Reporter: MULTIPLE STAB
WOUNDS >> MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS, YES
>> Reporter: THEY DIDN'T FIND THE MURDER WEAPON.
BUT IN THE KITCHEN WERE SIGNS OF A CLEANUP ATTEMPT.
A CLOROX BOTTLE WITH WHAT LOOKED LIKE BLOOD ON IT
AS FOR THE REST OF THE HOUSE THERE WAS HOME RENOVATION CHAOS.
BUT NOTHING SIGNALED A BOTCHED ROBBERY.
THERE'D BEEN NO FORCED ENTRY, AND THAT SUGGESTED, BUT NOT MUCH
MORE, THAT MAYBE LINDA KNEW HER KILLER
OR KILLERS BUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE
HOUSE, I'M GUESSING, TO EXPLAIN TO YOU WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENED
HERE WHAT YOU'RE --
>> NO. >> Reporter: WHICH WAY YOUR
PERPETRATOR'S GONE HOW MANY PEOPLE THERE WERE
>> CORRECT >> Reporter: STATE
INVESTIGATORS, CALLED IN TO HELP, TURNED TO LINDA'S INNER
CIRCLE TO BUILD A TIMELINE OF HER LAST DAYS.
TWO OF HER CLOSEST FRIENDS, SO DISTRAUGHT THEY'D COME OUT TO
THE CRIME SCENE, OFFERED TO SIT DOWN WITH INVESTIGATORS.
ANYTHING TO HELP >> I LOVED THAT WOMAN LIKE A
SISTER, AND THIS IS KILLING ME >> Reporter: TIM LOGGAINS,
LINDA'S FRIEND, CONFIDANTE, AND STAUNCH POLITICAL ALLY, HAD BEEN
TIGHT WITH HER FOR YEARS >> IF SHE WALKED IN THAT DOOR
RIGHT NOW, THIS ENTIRE ROOM WOULD LIGHT UP
YOU WOULD FEEL HER, HEAR HER, AND SEE HER.
SHE WOULD BE THE FOCAL POINT OF THIS ROOM IN A GOOD WAY.
>> Reporter: TIM HAD INTRODUCED LINDA TO HIS FIANCEE,
BECKY O'DONNELL, A FEW YEARS EARLIER.
THAT NIGHT, AN EMOTIONAL BECKY TALKED TO INVESTIGATORS IN A
SEPARATE ROOM. >> I KNOW YOU'RE UPSET, AND I
DON'T WANT TO UPSET YOU ANY MORE
I KNOW, MISS BECKY I KNOW IT'S HARD
>> SHE WAS MY BEST FRIEND. I STARTED OUT WORKING FOR HER AS
HER PERSONAL ASSISTANT >> Reporter: BECKY WAS SO
RELIABLE SHE WAS SOON DRIVING LINDA EVERYWHERE AND EVEN
MANAGING HER MOTEL SHE TOLD INVESTIGATORS SHE
PICKED LINDA UP AT THE AIRPORT AFTER HER TRIP
BECKY WAS HAZY ABOUT THE TRAVEL DETAILS BECAUSE -- ONE MORE
COMPLICATION ON THAT HELLISH DAY -- SHE'D MISPLACED HER
PHONE. >> I'M LOST WITHOUT MY PHONE
>> BLESS YOUR HEART. I BET YOU ARE.
>> I THINK I HAVE SOME SCREENSHOTS IN MY TEXTS OF HER
FLIGHT DETAILS >> Reporter: SHE REMEMBERED THAT
LINDA FLEW BACK ON MONDAY, MAY 27th
MEMORIAL DAY AS BECKY DROVE HER HOME, THE TWO
TALKED ON THE PHONE WITH TIM HIS LAST CALL WITH LINDA
JUST CHIT-CHAT >> SHE'S LIKE, "HEY, BUDDY, HOW
YOU DOING? "I'M GOOD, LINDA."
SHE SAID, "BOY, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH DAY.
I'VE GOT A LOTTA STUFF TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT
BUT I'M TOO TIRED TO DO IT TODAY.
I'LL -- I'LL TALK TO YOU TOMORROW."
>> Reporter: THE FOLLOWING DAY WAS MAY 28th, A TUESDAY.
BECKY SAID SHE GOT A TEXT THAT MORNING FROM LINDA ASKING HER TO
BRING LUNCH TO THE HOUSE >> I WENT OUT THERE, AND SHE
TOLD ME ALL ABOUT THE NIGHT BEFORE BECAUSE THE MAN OUT
THERE, RENDELL, SPENT THE NIGHT WITH HER
>> Reporter: "THE MAN" WAS RENDELL WALLIS
LINDA HAD JUST STARTED SEEING HIM.
RENDELL HAD ARRIVED LATE AND LEFT EARLY
BECKY TOLD INVESTIGATORS SHE AND LINDA ARGUED ABOUT HIM
>> SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THE NIGHT BEFORE IT HAD TAKEN
RENDELL, LIKE, FOUR HOURS TO GET -- RESPOND TO HER TEXTS AND
CALLS. >> THIS IS BEFORE HE CAME OVER
>> YES >> OKAY.
>> AND SHE WAS KIND OF UPSET ABOUT IT
AND I TOLD HER SHE HAD NO RIGHT TO BE UPSET.
I TOLD HER SHE NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AND TAKE IT EASY AND GET TO
KNOW HIM >> WHY WOULD THAT MAKE HER MAD
>> LINDA DOES NOT LIKE - WELL, SHE'S A SENATOR.
SHE'S USED TO TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO DO, NOT GETTING TOLD
WHAT TO DO AND SHE REALLY IS.
SHE REALLY IS. >> Reporter: BECKY TOLD
INVESTIGATORS SHE NEVER SAW LINDA AGAIN.
SHE RECOUNTED THE DETAILS OF THE TWO WOMEN'S FINAL CALL
>> SHE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT, "WELL, I MAY JUST GO OVER TO
RENDELL'S," OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT
AND I SAID, "I THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T WANT ME IN YOUR PERSONAL
STUFF. DON'T TELL ME.
AND SHE HUNG UP ON ME. >> Reporter: AND, BECKY SAID,
EARLY EVENING, LINDA WAS A NO-SHOW FOR A MEETING AT THE
MOTEL. BUT THAT RENDELL GUY
WHO WAS HE HOW DID HE FIT IN?
HE CERTAINLY CAUGHT THE INVESTIGATORS' INTEREST WHEN TIM
OFFERED THIS >> HE WAS PROBABLY THE LAST
PERSON TO SEE HER. >> Reporter: THE LAST PERSON
KNOWN TO HAVE SEEN HER ALIVE NOT A GOOD PLACE TO BE IN A
MURDER INVESTIGATION >>> COMING UP --
THE CASE TAKES A SUDDEN U-TURN >> BOMBSHELL
ANOTHER FORMER STATE SENATOR IN OKLAHOMA IS FOUND DEAD IN HIS
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS WERE EAGER TO INTERVIEW THE NEW
BOYFRIEND IN THE MATTER OF LINDA COLLINS' MURDER.
WHAT'D YOU LEARN ABOUT HIM >> HE WAS SOMEWHAT OF A
MYSTERIOUS FIGURE AT FIRST WE DIDN'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT
HIM. >> Reporter: RENDELL WALLIS.
REMEMBER BECKY TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT SHE AND LINDA
ARGUED ABOUT RENDELL THE LAST TIME THEY SAW EACH OTHER, LINDA
GROUSING THAT HE TOOK HIS SWEET TIME IN RETURNING HER CALLS THE
NIGHT BEFORE, BECKY TELLING HER TO CHILL
>> YOU KNOW, SHE WAS WONDERING IF HE HAD BEEN WITH SOMEBODY
ELSE, AND THAT'S WHY HE WASN'T RESPONDING
AND I JUST TOLD HER SHE WAS GOING OVER THE TOP
"YOU NEED TO STOP. >> Reporter: BECKY'S FIANCE,
TIM LOGGAINS, WHO'D BEEN IN UNIFORM HIMSELF AS A STATE
CORRECTIONS OFFICER FOR 28 YEARS, SHARED HIS IMPRESSIONS
OF LINDA'S NEW GUY WITH THE INVESTIGATORS.
>> MY ENTIRE LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME THAT YOU NEVER EVER THINK YOU
KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, AND NO ONE IS ABOVE ANYTHING.
>> TODAY IS JUNE THE 4th, 2019 >> Reporter: AND THEN,
INVESTIGATORS GOT RENDELL IN THE CHAIR.
>> MR. WALLIS, WOULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR ME
>> Reporter: THEY DISCOVERED THAT LINDA'S NEW GUY WASN'T NEW
AT ALL RENDELL AND LINDA HAD DATED
BRIEFLY BACK IN THE DAY, THEN DRIFTED APART. LINDA HAD TALKED
WISTFULLY WITH TIM ABOUT THAT LONG-AGO RELATIONSHIP.
>> AT ONE POINT, LINDA HAD -- LINDA TOLD ME SHE WAS DATING
PHIL, AND RENDELL BEFORE SHE GOT MARRIED WITH PHIL.
"AND I THINK I CHOSE THE WRONG PERSON," IS HOW SHE PUT IT
>> Reporter: HUH >> SHE WAS SEEING BOTH OF THEM,
YOU KNOW, 20 SOMETHIN' YEARS AGO AND -- AND CHOSE PHIL.
AND I THINK SHE REGRETTED THAT >> Reporter: RENDELL TOLD
INVESTIGATORS HE AND LINDA GOT REACQUAINTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS
BEFORE SHE DIED. >> WE'D JUST PICKED UP AND -
>> OK. >> WE WAS JUST HAPPY TO BE WITH
ONE ANOTHER, YOU KNOW? >> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS SOON
LEARNED SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT LINDA COLLINS -- SHE WAS A GOOD
OLD GIRL WHO LIKED TO DANCE. AND RENDELL WAS RIGHT THERE WITH
HER. HE REMEMBERED A RECENT EVENING
OUT. >> WE WENT DOWN TO THE EAGLES
AND HAD A FEW DRINKS AND DANCE, BECAUSE WE LOVED TO DANCE, ME
AND HER BOTH SO WE HOOKED UP, AND WE WENT
DOWN THERE AND DANCED, AND WIND UP SPENDING THE NIGHT IN
JONESBORO AT A MOTEL >> OK.
>> Reporter: IN FACT, WHEN LINDA WENT OFF TO DC FOR THAT JOB
INTERVIEW, SHE TACKED ON A TRIP TO ARIZONA, SPECIFICALLY TO DO
SOME DANCING >> SHE HAS SOME COUSINS THERE.
AND SHE WANTED TO GO DANCING FOR HER BIRTHDAY
AND SHE GOT TO GO DANCING WITH HER COUSINS IN ARIZONA, SO -
>> Reporter: WAS SHE A GOOD DANCER
WAS SHE A "RIP UP THE FLOOR, LOOK AT ME," DANCER?
OR - [ LAUGHTER ]
>> SHE LOVED TO LINE DANCE SHE COULD DO SOME LINE DANCIN'
[ LAUGHTER ] YEAH
>> Reporter: RENDELL SAID THAT WHILE LINDA WAS IN ARIZONA, SHE
TEXTED HIM, ASKING HIM TO COME ON OUT
>> I TOLD HER, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY.
>> YEAH, YEAH. >> AND SO SHE SAID, "WELL, I'LL
BE IN MONDAY." SHE SAID, "I WANNA SEE YOU."
>> Reporter: TRUE TO HER WORD, LINDA CALLED RENDELL WHEN SHE
GOT HOME IT WAS ABOUT 11:30 WHEN THEY
TALKED LATE
>> AND SHE SAID, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I SAID, "I'M LAYING HERE ON THE COUCH WATCHING TV.
AND SHE SAID, "WHY DON'T YOU COME OVER?
I SAID, "I'D LOVE TO." >> Reporter: RENDELL SPENT THE
NIGHT. AND AT 7:00 A.M., LINDA WALKED
HIM TO THE DOOR. HE TOLD THE COPS THEY PARTED
LIKE TEENAGERS IN LOVE >> AND WE HUGGED AND KISSED AND
SHE LET ME OUT THE DOOR, LOCKED THE DOOR BEHIND ME AND I WENT
OUT THE PATIO DOOR >> HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE
>> OKAY. >> SO SHE WALKED YOU OUT ON THE
PATIO DOOR >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: RENDELL TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE TEXTED LINDA
SEVERAL TIMES THAT WEEK. BUT GOT NOTHING BACK
>> I THOUGHT WELL, SHE'S JUST, YOU KNOW, SHE'S JUST IN
MEETINGS, YOU KNOW, DOWN IN LITTLE ROCK, YOU KNOW.
SHE'LL GET BACK TO ME LATER ON AND THEN I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING
FROM HER SINCE >> Reporter: TIM AND BECKY SAID
THEY HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING FOR DAYS EITHER.
BUT THEY HAD AN EXPLANATION. >> I ASK BECKY, "HAVE YOU HEARD
FROM LINDA?" AND SHE HAD SAID SHE WAS --
"SHE" BEING LINDA -- WAS GONNA GO SPEND THE WEEK WITH RENDELL
WELL, WHERE RENDELL LIVES AT DOESN'T HAVE CELL SERVICE.
IT'S WAY UP IN THE HILLS -- WHICH KINDA EXPLAINED WHY I
HADN'T HEARD FROM LINDA, YOU KNOW, COUPLE DAYS.
>> A FORMER LAWMAKER FOUND DEAD. >> Reporter: TWO DAYS LATER, THE
NEWS GALLOPED AWAY WITH A FRESH LEAD
>> BOMBSHELL ANOTHER FORMER STATE SENATOR IN
OKLAHOMA IS FOUND DEAD IN HIS HOME
>> Reporter: REPORTER MITCH McCOY COVERED THE
LINDA COLLINS STORY EXTENSIVELY FOR NBC AFFILIATE KARK TV IN
LITTLE ROCK. >> AND THAT LIT THIS CASE ON
FIRE IT WAS -
>> Reporter: SO WHO'S GOING AROUND TARGETING STATE
LEGISLATORS? >> THAT WAS A LOT OF -- THE
QUESTIONS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD.
>> Reporter: TIM HEARD THE NEWS AND WENT "HUH?" BECAUSE --
>> LITERALLY, JUST A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THAT, LINDA HAD DRIVEN TO
OKLAHOMA >> Reporter: WAS IT A
COINCIDENCE? OR WAS A KILLER ON THE LOOSE,
TARGETING LOCAL POLITICIANS? >>> COMING UP --
>> Reporter: YOU'VE GOT TO CONSIDER MAYBE THERE'S POLITICAL
ENEMIES HERE >> WE HEARD A LOT OF RUMOR ABOUT
MAYBE EVEN SOME SENATORS WHO WOULD TRY TO BULLY HER INTO
VOTING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. >> Reporter: POLITICS TURNED
POISONOUS -- COULD THAT BE A MOTIVE FOR MURDER?
>> Reporter: AT THE MARBLED STATE CAPITOL IN LITTLE ROCK,
SHOCK PREVAILED. THEIR LINEBACKER WAS DEAD,
SUDDENLY AND HORRIBLY, STABBED WITH A KNIFE
A SECOND POLITICAL DEATH THAT MADE HEADLINES DAYS LATER
JANGLED EVERYONE'S NERVES. >> PEOPLE WOULDN'T BELIEVE THAT
THIS FORMER STATE SENATOR WHO HAD JUST LOST AN ELECTION WAS
NOW DEAD AND OUR NEIGHBORING STATE, THERE
WAS ALSO SOMEBODY DEAD THAT -- THAT HAD BEEN IN POLITICS.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS GOING ON KARK-TV REPORTER MITCH McCOY
SAYS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KNOW FOR SURE BECAUSE THE AUTHORITIES
IN RANDOLPH COUNTY SLAPPED A GAG ORDER ON THE INVESTIGATION JUST
HOURS AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF LINDA COLLINS' BODY.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING? >> WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S
HAPPENING OTHER THAN THIS HOME IS TAPED OFF AND THE RUMORS ARE
CIRCULATING HEAVILY. >> Reporter: YOUR AUDIENCE IS
EAGER FOR THE NEXT DETAIL ON THIS THING, AND NOTHING'S REALLY
COMING OUT OF THE EDGES OF THE INVESTIGATION, IS IT
>> WE WOULD HEAR RUMORS DAYS BEFORE THEY WOULD BECOME FACTUAL
NEWS HEADLINES >> Reporter: LINDA'S FRIEND AND
FORMER AIDE KEN YANG SAYS GAG ORDERS LIKE THIS WERE RARE IN
ARKANSAS >> AND IF A GAG ORDER DOES
HAPPEN, IT TYPICALLY DOESN'T HAPPEN, LIKE, THE VERY NEXT DAY.
>> WE'RE BACK NOW WITH A ROUNDUP OF OTHER NEWS HEADLINES,
STARTING WITH THE MYSTERIOUS DEATHS OF TWO FORMER STATE
SENATORS FOUND DEAD. >> Reporter: ONE RUMOR, THAT THE
OKLAHOMA DEATH WAS LINKED TO LINDA'S MURDER, FELL APART
THAT DEATH WAS LATER RULED A SUICIDE.
BUT IN ARKANSAS, IN THE ABSENCE OF HARD FACT, SPECULATION ABOUT
LINDA'S DEATH EXPLODED >> AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE -- WITH
SOCIAL MEDIA THE WAY IT IS NOW, EVERYONE STARTS COMING UP WITH
THE REASONS OF WHY IT HAPPENED OR WHY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
IT IMMEDIATELY BLEW UP AND IT WAS THE STORY OF THE
MONTH, IF NOT LONGER, BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL NATURE OF HER JOB
AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING HER DEATH.
>> Reporter: A LITTLE FACT, A LOT OF FICTION, ALL OF IT
BUBBLING IN ONE UNHOLY BREW. IT WAS NO SECRET THAT LINDA WAS
A FEISTY, HARDCORE CONSERVATIVE. HAD SOMEONE SILENCED HER IN THE
ULTIMATE FASHION YOU'VE GOT TO CONSIDER MAYBE
THERE'S POLITICAL ENEMIES HERE MAYBE THERE'S A POLITICAL
INQUIRY THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN >> ONE THING THAT WE HEARD A LOT
OF RUMOR ABOUT WAS POLITICS AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND MAYBE EVEN
SOME SENATORS WHO WOULD TRY TO BULLY HER INTO VOTING ONE WAY OR
ANOTHER. >> Reporter: POLITICAL HARDBALL
WAS ONE THING. BUT MURDERING AN OUT OF OFFICE
POLITICIAN DID THAT EVEN MAKE SENSE
BUT CONSPIRACY THEORISTS DID LATCH ONTO LINDA'S JOB HUNTING
TRIP TO D.C. DAYS BEFORE HER DEATH.
WAS THERE SOMETHING ALL DARK AND QANON THERE?
EVEN THE CLINTONS, THOSE FIXTURES OF ARKANSAS POLITICS,
WERE PULLED INTO THE CRAZY THERE WAS A FEELING OUT THERE IN
SOME QUARTERS THAT THE REASON WE'RE NOT HEARING MUCH ABOUT
THIS IS THE AUTHORITIES ARE COVERING UP FOR THE
MUCKETY-MUCKS? >> YEAH.
I THINK -- >> Reporter: "THERE'S SOME BIG
NAMES HERE THAT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON"?
>> ONE CONSPIRACY THEORY WAS LINDA WAS RESEARCHING --
INVESTIGATING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE
CLINTONS AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE CLINTONS
GOT HER. >> Reporter: SO HILLARY --
HILLARY DID IT >> YEAH.
YEAH "THE CLINTONS DID IT
DEEP STATE COVER-UP. >> Reporter: OF COURSE, THE
CLINTONS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT
BUT THAT'S HOW RIDICULOUS THE SPECULATION GOT.
IN THE MIDST OF THE MADNESS, KEN YANG HELPED ORGANIZE A
MEMORIAL FOR LINDA IN THE STATE CAPITOL IN LITTLE ROCK
SO KEN, THE MEMORIAL, WHY DID IT SEEM TO YOU THE ONLY PLACE TO DO
IT WAS HERE IN THE CAPITOL >> WELL, SHE LOVED SERVIN' THE
PEOPLE >> Reporter: DID SHE LOVE ALL
THE GRANDEUR, THE MARBLE-OCITY -
>> OH, SHE LOVED IT. >> Reporter: -- THE CAPITOL?
>> SHE -- SHE LOVED ALL OF IT. >> Reporter: MANY OF HER
COLLEAGUES THAT DAY WORE HER FAVORITE COLOR
YOUR MOM'S SIGNATURE COLOR WAS RED.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> LOVED RED
>> Reporter: HAD THAT ALWAYS BEEN -
>> ALWAYS. SHE ALWAYS HAD RED LIPSTICK, RED
FINGERNAILS, RED SHOES, RED JACKET
SHE DROVE A RED TRUCK. >> Reporter: THAT DAY IN THE
ROTUNDA, FEELINGS WERE STILL RAW.
>> I FOUND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO EXPRESS MY SADNESS
IN WORDS OR ON PAPER >> I ADMIRED HER TENACITY.
>> Reporter: SENATOR GARY STUBBLEFIELD, LINDA'S
FORMER COLLEAGUE AND STEADFAST POLITICAL ALLY, ALSO SPOKE
>> WHEN I SPOKE THAT DAY, I HADN'T GOTTEN OVER THE SHOCK
THAT THIS HAD REALLY HAPPENED. IT WAS A SAD DAY
A SAD DAY FOR ARKANSAS AND A SAD DAY FOR THE ARKANSAS
LEGISLATURE. >> Reporter: MEANWHILE,
SHERIFF BELL WAS WORKING HARD TO IGNORE EVERYTHING BUT THE FACTS
OF THE CASE. BUT IF THE GAG ORDER WORKED FOR
HIM, IT ALSO WORKED AGAINST HIM. >> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A LOT
OF HIGH PROFILE POLITICAL LEADERS THAT WERE QUESTIONING US
ABOUT THE CASE AND ONE THING I HAD TO DO IS
JUST STEP BACK AND SAY, "I WANNA WORK THIS CASE AND SOLVE THIS
CASE AND CATCH THIS KILLER." AND WE HAD TO IGNORE A LOT OF
OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE IN ORDER TO DO THAT.
>> Reporter: AND A NAME KEPT BUBBLING UP.
SOMEBODY ONCE CLOSE TO LINDA, SOMEBODY WITH A POSSIBLE MOTIVE
TO KILL. >>> COMING UP --
>> SHE GETS REAL QUIET AND BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS
AND I'M LIKE, "LINDA, WHAT'S WRONG?
>> A MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS AND LINDA ON EDGE.
>> I'M GOING TO TELL YOU ANOTHER THING.
LINDA WAS SCARED TO DEATH.
MURDER THE FORMER STATE SENATOR? WAS THE CLUE TO BE FOUND IN HER
POLITICAL TIES OR HER PRIVATE LIFE
WITH LINDA COLLINS, THOSE STRANDS WERE DEEPLY ENTWINED
BUT GOING BACK TO THE SCENE, IN THE FIRST MOMENTS OF THE CASE,
THE EMTs SPEAKING WITH THE VICTIM'S FATHER AND SON BUTCH
WERE HEARING ABOUT A DIVORCE THEY PASSED THAT NUGGET ON TO
THE ARRIVING DEPUTIES. >> HE SAID THAT HER AND PHIL
JUST RECENTLY DIVORCED >> OKAY.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNEW THAT
>> Reporter: SO NO SURPRISE, THEY NEEDED TO TAKE A HARD LOOK
AT LINDA'S EX-HUSBAND, PHIL SMITH
LINDA MET PHIL WHEN HE WAS WORKING AS AN ATTORNEY AND A
MUNICIPAL JUDGE IN POCAHONTAS, ARKANSAS
LINDA'S KIDS TATE AND BUTCH WERE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT THE
TIME AND THOUGH HE WASN'T THEIR
FATHER BY BLOOD, HE'D RAISED THEM AS HIS OWN.
>> IN THE BEGINNING, I THINK WE CALLED HIM -- WE BOTH CALLED HIM
PHIL FOR A LITTLE BIT, YOU KNOW, UNTIL WE GOT USED TO IT.
HE DID WHAT DADS DO. HE WAS THERE EVERY DAY AND HE,
YOU KNOW -- HE WAS OUR DAD >> Reporter: SO THINGS WORKED?
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> Reporter: THE MARRIAGE WORKED, TOO.
THEY OPENED THOSE HOTELS TOGETHER
LINDA BECAME A STATE SENATOR AND PHIL WAS APPOINTED TO THE BENCH
OF A CIRCUIT COURT BUT TEN YEARS ALONG, TATE AND
BUTCH CAME TO VIEW THE MARRIAGE AS AN ARRANGEMENT THAT WENT INTO
A DEEP CHILL >> PEOPLE REFERRED TO 'EM AS,
LIKE, A POWER COUPLE BUT AS FAR AS A RELATIONSHIP,
IT -- IT JUST RAN MORE LIKE A BUSINESS THAN WHAT YOU WOULD
IMAGINE, YOU KNOW, A HUSBAND AND A WIFE, YOU KNOW, FROM THE
PERSPECTIVE OF US LOOKING IN ON IT
>> Reporter: EVENTUALLY LINDA AND PHIL SEPARATED AND FILED FOR
DIVORCE. BUT THE SETTLEMENT DRAGGED ON AS
THEY FOUGHT OVER THEIR BUSINESSES, THE MONEY,
PROPERTIES, AND PENSIONS THE CASE GREW INCREASINGLY
BITTER >> THEY COULD GET PRETTY HEATED.
AND -- >> ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE GOIN'
THROUGH A DIVORCE. >> ESPECIALLY ONE OF THAT
MAGNITUDE, I SUPPOSE >> Reporter: TATE AND BUTCH WERE
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. THEY TRIED TO AVOID CHOOSING A
SIDE BUT --
>> SHE FELT LIKE WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY INVOLVEMENT WITH HIM.
YOU KNOW, SHE FELT LIKE WE SHOULD BE VERY ON HER SIDE AND
SHOULDN'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ANYMORE AT THAT POINT
SO IT DID CAUSE A STRAIN ON ALL OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS, YOU KNOW,
ESPECIALLY WITH MOM. >> Reporter: NO PICKING SIDES
FOR LINDA'S CLOSE FRIEND TIM LOGGAINS
HE WAS SOLIDLY BEHIND LINDA. SHE CONFIDED IN HIM ABOUT THE
DIVORCE WHEN THEY MET ONE DAY FOR LUNCH.
>> SHE GETS REAL QUIET AND SHE BREAKS OUT IN TEARS.
>> Reporter: LINDA DOES? >> SHE DID
AND I'M LIKE, "LINDA, WHAT'S WRONG?
I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT SHE WAS HAVING MARITAL PROBLEMS.
>> Reporter: TIM SAID LINDA LATER MADE A SHOCKING ACCUSATION
ABOUT PHIL LINDA CLAIMED TO HAVE WALKED
INTO THE JUDGE'S CHAMBERS AND FOUND HIM WATCHING PORNOGRAPHY
SHE WENT NUCLEAR ON HIM. SHE SAYS HE'S LOOKIN' AT PORN --
>> SHE DID >> Reporter: -- ON HIS
STATE-PROVIDED COMPUTER. >> SHE DID
>> Reporter: THAT'S A TOUGH CHARGE
>> IT IS SHE SAID IT.
>> Reporter: LINDA DIDN'T JUST TELL TIM ABOUT IT.
SHE MADE IT PART OF HER DIVORCE CASE
PHIL SMITH DENIED THE ALLEGATION
HOWEVER, HE WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE AND
DISABILITY COMMISSION. HE ACCEPTED ITS DETERMINATION
THAT HE "IMPROPERLY USED COURT COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AFTER REGULAR
WORK HOURS AT THE OFFICE." THE DAMAGE WAS DONE, ACCORDING
TO KARK-TV REPORTER MITCH McCOY. >> IT TOOK HIS JUDICIAL POWERS
AWAY >> Reporter: YOU CAN'T COME AWAY
FROM THAT, HUH >> THE STATE DISCIPLINED HIM
THE STATE SAID, "YOU COULD NEVER BE A JUDGE IN ARKANSAS AGAIN."
>> Reporter: THE DIVORCE BECAME UGLY
>> YES >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> Reporter: WITH VERY STRONG CONSEQUENCES FOR PHIL?
>> YES >> Reporter: PHIL'S JUDICIAL
CAREER WAS OVER. BUT WHEN THAT KNOCKDOWN, DRAG
OUT DIVORCE ENDED, LINDA WAS FINANCIALLY ON THE SHORT END OF
IT, AS TIM EXPLAINED IN HIS INTERVIEW WITH POLICE.
>> SHE GOT SCREWED PHIL GOT ALMOST EVERYTHING
HERE'S THE KICKER. LINDA APPEALED IT.
AND WHEN THE JUDGE SAYS, "THAT COULD BE ANOTHER 17 MONTHS,"
PHIL JUST COLLAPSED. "OH, MY GOD.
IS THIS NEVER GONNA END? >> Reporter: TIM TOLD POLICE
SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT PHIL SMITH. SOMETHING DARKER
>> I'M GONNA TELL YOU ANOTHER THING.
LINDA WAS SCARED TO DEATH OF HIM.
>> SCARED OF PHIL? >> OF PHIL
>> Reporter: HE WASN'T THE ONLY ONE SAYING THAT.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAID THEY'D SEEN HER FEAR, TOO
>> LINDA WAS DEATHLY AFRAID OF PHIL FOR WHATEVER REASON
>> SHE FELT SCARED THAT HE WAS GONNA DO SOMETHING
>> EVERYBODY I'VE TALKED TO SAYS SHE'S SCARED TO DEATH OF PHIL.
>> SHE IS. >> Reporter: WHY
WHY WAS LINDA SO AFRAID OF PHIL? >>> COMING UP --
>> MY MOM WAS SICK FOR SEVERAL, SEVERAL YEARS.
AND NOBODY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS WRONG WITH HER.
>> BEFORE HER MYSTERIOUS DEATH, A MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS
>> Reporter: SHE'S SAYING, "I NOW HAVE A SUSPICION ABOUT WHAT
WAS HAPPENING AND THAT WAS HE WAS POISONING ME."
>> THAT WAS SOMETHIN' THAT SHE SAID
YES. >> Reporter: POLICE HAD AN
URGENT QUESTION -- WHO KILLED LINDA COLLINS?
AFTER INTERVIEWING HER NEW MAN, RENDELL WALLIS, POLICE RULED HIM
OUT AS A SUSPECT THOSE CLOSEST TO THE SCRAPPY
POLITICIAN, INCLUDING HER OWN KIDS, POINTED THE FINGER AT ONE
PERSON -- HER EX-HUSBAND PHIL SMITH
>> MY FIRST THOUGHT WENT TO HIM, JUST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HE WOULD
BE THE ONE TO GAIN THE MOST. >> THE ONLY PERSON THAT MADE
SENSE TO ME WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING ELSE IN HER LIFE IS,
YOU KNOW, MY DAD >> Reporter: BUTCH TOLD POLICE
LINDA WAS CONCERNED HE WOULD DO SOMETHING.
>> DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM'S SCARED OF YOUR DAD
WAS SCARED OF YOUR DAD >> YES
YES. >> YOU DO?
>> YES, I DO >> YOU REALLY BELIEVED THERE WAS
A FEAR THERE >> I BELIEVE -- I ABSOLUTELY DO.
>> IT WASN'T AN ACT, IT WAS A FEAR THERE
>> I FULLY BELIEVE -- FIRMLY, FIRMLY, WITH ALL --
EVERYTHING - BELIEVE THAT SHE WAS AFRAID OF
HIM. >> Reporter: AND LINDA BELIEVED
PHIL MAY HAVE TRIED BEFORE >> LET ME TELL YOU A STORY
NOW, MY MOM WAS SICK FOR SEVERAL -- SEVERAL YEARS, AND IT
WAS KIND OF -- EVERYBODY THAT KNEW HER KNEW THAT SHE WAS SICK,
AND NO -- NOBODY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS WRONG
WITH HER >> Reporter: IT WAS THE EARLY
2000s. PHIL AND LINDA WERE STILL
MARRIED WHEN SHE CAME DOWN WITH A BIZARRE MALADY
>> MY MOM IS -- SHE'S NEVER ONE TO -- TO LAY DOWN.
SHE DIDN'T TAKE NAPS DURING THE DAY.
SHE'D STAY UP LATE, GOT UP EARLY, AND WAS JUST CONSTANTLY
RUNNING. AND THERE WAS A PERIOD IN TIME
WHERE SH -- ABOUT TWO YEARS, WHERE SHE COULDN'T -- SHE WAS
BASICALLY B -- BEDRIDDEN, JUST COULDN'T GET UP AND DO ANYTHING.
HAD NO ENERGY, WHICH WAS NOT LIKE HER
>> Reporter: AFTER A YEAR OF VARIOUS TESTS, HER BLOODWORK
FINALLY REVEALED A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF HER ILLNESS -- AN
EXTREMELY HIGH LEVEL OF MERCURY IN HER SYSTEM.
DID SHE HAVE A HEAVY DIET OF FISH, FOR INSTANCE
>> NO. >> NOT AT ALL.
AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY ASKED
THEY SAID, "WELL, YOU KNOW, IF YOUR BODY'S NOT ABLE TO PROCESS
THE MERCURY FROM THE FISH, AND IF YOU EAT A FISH A LOT, IT
COULD BUILD UP IN YOUR SYSTEM," BUT SHE DOESN'T.
>> Reporter: SO WHAT WAS GOING ON
WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT WAS ALL ABOUT?
>> THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT MAYBE IT WAS HER FILLINGS THAT
IT CAME FROM. SHE D -- SHE LOVED TO DRINK CANNED DIET COKE, SO
THEY WERE ALSO CONCERNED MAYBE FROM THE CANS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY -- THEY REALLY JUST SAID, YOU KNOW, "THE
AMOUNT IS LIKE YOU S -- YOU -- >> BASICALLY, CRACKED OPEN -
>> DRANK - >> A THERMOMETER
>> "A THERMOMETER" WAS THE AMOUNT
>> Reporter: THERE WAS NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF TO THOSE
THEORIES SO LINDA WASN'T SURE EXACTLY HOW
THE MERCURY GOT INTO HER BODY, BUT SHE WAS CONVINCED THE PERSON
BEHIND IT WAS PHIL THOUGH SHE NEVER REPORTED HER
SUSPICION TO POLICE, SHE WASN'T QUIET ABOUT IT
AND SHE'S SAYING, "I NOW HAVE A SUSPICION ABOUT WHAT WAS
HAPPENING, AND THAT WAS HE WAS POISONING ME."
>> THAT WAS SOMETHIN' THAT SHE SAID
YES. >> SHE THINKS PHIL TRIED TO KILL
HER. >> Reporter: BECKY O'DONNELL AND
HER FIANCE TIM LOGGAINS HAD HEARD THE MERCURY POISONING
STORIES, TOO AND AFTER HER DEATH, SHARED
THEIR SUSPICIONS WITH POLICE >> UM, LINDA TOLD ME THAT
HERSELF, NOW, AND SAID PHIL DONE IT
ALMOST KILLED HER. >> I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT
THEY'D LET THAT GO, YOU KNOW >> HE'S A JUDGE.
>> Reporter: A POWERFUL JUDGE WHO MAY HAVE HAD OTHER SECRETS,
ACCORDING TO A VERY EMOTIONAL BECKY.
>> WHAT HAPPENED >> I KEEP THINKING SHE'S GONNA
GET MAD AT ME FOR TELLING THIS STUFF.
>> NO. SHE WOULDN'T GET MAD AT YOU,
BECKY. >> PHIL USED TO HIT HER.
>> PHIL USED TO HIT HER? >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: LINDA CLAIMED PHIL WOULD TERRORIZE HER DURING THE
DIVORCE. HER JOINED-AT-THE HIP AIDE BECKY
TOLD POLICE SHE'D SEEN IT HAPPEN
>> OKAY, WE'RE AT LINDA'S HOUSE. HIS -- AND HE WAS JUST SITTING
THERE. >> HMM
LIKE HE'S A STALKER? >> AND I SAW FIRSTHAND WHEN HE
SHOWED UP AT HIS HOUSE THAT DAY, WHEN WE WERE MOVING STUFF OUT,
SHE WAS UNCONTROLLABLY SHAKING "LET'S GET OUT HERE.
LET'S GET OUT HERE LET'S GET OUT HERE."
SHE'S SCARED OF HIM. >> SHE'S SCARED OF HIM
>> SHE'S VERY SCARED OF HIM. >> Reporter: BECKY SAID HE WOULD
SHOW UP AT THE ROCK AND ROLL HIGHWAY 67 INN
>> I CALLED LINDA AND I HAD HER ON THE PHONE, AND SHE WAS
TELLING HIM, "YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THERE
YOU NEED TO LEAVE," AND ALL THAT
LINDA TOLD ME HE COULD GET THESE CRAZY EYES
HE GOT THESE CRAZY EYES, AND LOOKED TO ME AND SAID, "YOU STAY
OUT OF IT," OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT AND ALL
>> SO YOU WERE KIND OF SCARED OF HIM, TOO, A LITTLE BIT
>> WELL, YES >> Reporter: LINDA CHANGED THE
LOCKS ON HER HOUSE SHE KEPT A GUN IN HER
NIGHTSTAND AND SHE ASKED TIM FOR HELP IN
INSTALLING A SECURITY SYSTEM >> I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT HOME
SECURITY SYSTEMS I WENT INTO DEEP RESEARCH AND
STARTED RESEARCHIN' WHAT WAS OUT THERE.
UM -- SHE WANTED A WIRELESS SYSTEM THAT WASN'T HARDWIRED
SHE DIDN'T WANNA LOSE THE SYSTEM IF S -- HE CUT THE POWER
>> Reporter: SO SHE HAD SCENARIOS IN HER HEAD WHERE HE
WAS GONNA COME TO HER HOUSE -- >> YES
>> Reporter: -- CUT THE POWER, SCARE HER, MAYBE KILL HER LIKE A
BAD MOVIE OR SOMETHIN', HUH? >> YES
>> Reporter: ONCE THE CAMERAS WERE INSTALLED, LINDA COULD
ACCESS THE FOOTAGE FROM HER LAPTOP OR PHONE.
>> I THINK THERE WAS NINE CAMERAS ALTOGETHER
>> Reporter: NINE CAMERAS? >> I HAD -- I DID THE PLACEMENT
SO THERE WAS COVERAGE OF EVERY CORNER, EVERY WINDOW, EVERY
ENTRANCE >> Reporter: ALL TO PROTECT
HERSELF AGAINST PHIL, LINDA SAID
>> SHE CALLED ME ONE NIGHT AT 11:30 AT NIGHT, SCREAMING THAT,
"PHIL'S HERE, PHIL'S HERE. >> Reporter: SO THIS WASN'T JUST
HER PARANOIA >> I DON'T KNOW.
BUT I KNOW WHAT SHE TOLD ME. AND SHE WAS TERRIFIED.
>> Reporter: TERRIFIED -- AND NOW DEAD
>> MY FRIEND WAS DEAD. I KNEW WHO KILLED HER.
>> Reporter: TIM IMMEDIATELY SHARED HIS SUSPICIONS WITH
POLICE >> WHAT DO YOU SUSPECT, THEN
>> UH, HER EX-HUSBAND KILLED HER.
>> REALLY? >> YEAH.
>> PHIL? >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: OF COURSE SHERIFF BELL HAD TO SPEAK WITH
PHIL >> I ACTUALLY TALKED TO HIM
MYSELF ON THE PHONE. AND -- AND QUESTIONED HIM OVER
THE PHONE ABOUT IF HE KNEW ANYTHING
>> Reporter: 'CAUSE IT HAD BEEN AN UGLY DIVORCE.
ENDED IN DISGRACE FOR HIM. >> YEAH, RIGHT
>> Reporter: PHIL SMITH TOLD POLICE HE DIDN'T KILL LINDA.
AND HE ALSO DENIED -- TO POLICE AND IN A STATEMENT TO
"DATELINE" -- THE ALLEGATIONS LINDA AND OTHERS MADE AGAINST
HIM. HE SAID HE HADN'T HEARD LINDA'S
ACCUSATION THAT HE TRIED TO POISON HER WITH MERCURY, AND HE
DID NOT DO SO. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE
"DIVORCE WAS UNNECESSARILY BITTER," BUT SAID HE "WAS NEVER
PHYSICALLY VIOLENT OR EMOTIONALLY ABUSIVE" TOWARD
LINDA. HE ALSO SAID HE "NEVER STALKED
LINDA AT HER HOME, WORK, OR ANY OTHER PLACE.
SO POLICE WENT BACK TO THOSE MISSING SECURITY CAMERAS
BY NOW THEY'D DETERMINED LINDA HAD BEEN KILLED ON TUESDAY, MAY
28TH THE QUESTION WAS -- WHEN WERE
THE CAMERAS REMOVED? TATE MADE A KEY DISCOVERY.
>> I WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO GET INTO MOM'S EMAIL ACCOUNT
AND SHE WOULD GET ALERTS WHENEVER THE CAMERA PICKED UP
SOMETHING. AND SO I WENT BACK TO THE DATE
SHE HAD BEEN MURDERED. AND -- I SCROLL -- I REMEMBER
SCROLLING DOWN, AND THERE THEY ARE.
THERE'S A NOTIFICATION, NOTIFICATION, NOTIFICATION
AND I JUST REMEMBER I PICKED UP THE PHONE AND I -- YOU KNOW, I
CALLED THE LEAD INVESTIGATOR AND I WAS LIKE, "THE CAMERAS
WERE THERE." >> Reporter: SO IF THE CAMERAS
HAD BEEN UP AND RUNNING ON THE DAY LINDA WAS MURDERED,
INVESTIGATORS NEEDED TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THAT FOOTAGE.
>>> COMING UP -- >> WE SPECULATED THAT THOSE
CAMERAS POSSIBLY RECORDED THE ACTUAL MURDER.
>> WAS LINDA'S KILLING CAUGHT ON TAPE
>> THEY FINALLY GET THE IMAGES ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN
AND THEY PUT IT ON A PROJECTOR SO EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM CAN SEE
IT >> WHAT WERE INVESTIGATORS ABOUT
TO WITNESS
DAYS SINCE LINDA'S BODY WAS DISCOVERED
HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE PREPARING FOR HER VISITATION AND
MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE CHURCH BUT THINGS WERE ABOUT TO TAKE A
SURREAL TURN >> SOME OF THE PARKING LOT WAS
SECTIONED OFF FOR MEDIA. WE HAD UNDERCOVER AGENTS THAT
WERE IN PLAINCLOTHES THE CHURCH EVEN HAD, A GROUP OF
ABLE-BODIED MEN THAT WERE A PART OF THE SECURITY TEAM
AND SO WE HAD THIS BIG, MULTILEVEL OF SECURITY, FOR THIS
VISITATION >> Reporter: THE SECURITY WAS
PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE RUMORS WERE SWIRLING ABOUT A PLANNED PROTEST
OUTSIDE THE CHURCH >> WHO WAS GONNA BE UP IN ARMS
>> PEOPLE THAT THOUGHT THERE WAS SOME CONSPIRACY.
>> THAT THIS WAS A COVER-UP? >> YEAH.
>> A COVER-UP, >> Reporter: SHERIFF BELL WAS MORE CONCERNED
ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN INSIDE THE CHURCH
HIS CHURCH >> OUR PASTOR HAD APPROACHED ME
AND ASKED ME THE QUESTION. HE SAID, "ARE WE SAFE?
I TOLD THE PASTOR, IF SOMETHING DOESN'T CHANGE YOU'RE GONNA
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE KILLER. >> WHOA.
>> THAT GOT HIS ATTENTION. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> QUESTIONS FOLLOWED? >> A LOTTA QUESTIONS
>> BUT YOU WEREN'T GIVING ANY ANSWERS --
>> I COULDN'T GIVE HIM ANY ANSWERS.
THAT'S ALL I COULD TELL HIM. >> Reporter: THE SHERIFF
BELIEVED LINDA'S KILLER WAS SOMEONE SHE KNEW; SOMEONE WHO
WOULD LIKELY SHOW UP THAT DAY. AT THE SAME TIME, BACK AT THE
STATION, INVESTIGATORS WERE LOOKING AT A KEY PIECE OF
EVIDENCE REMEMBER, TATE TOLD DETECTIVES
THAT THE SECURITY CAMERAS OUTSIDE HER MOTHER'S HOME HAD
BEEN TRIGGERED THE DAY SHE WAS LIKELY MURDERED.
>> WE SPECULATED THAT THOSE CAMERAS POSSIBLY RECORDED THE
ACTUAL MURDER. OR AT LEAST RECORDED THE EVENTS LEADING UP
TO THE MURDER. >> Reporter: THE CAMERAS WERE
MISSING. SHERIFF BELL FELT LINDA'S
KILLER, OR KILLERS, MUST HAVE TAKEN THEM FROM THE CRIME SCENE.
HOWEVER, THE FOOTAGE COULD BE ACCESSED ONLINE.
INVESTIGATORS LEARNED THAT SOMEONE, THEY COULDN'T TELL WHO,
HAD LOGGED INTO LINDA'S ACCOUNT AFTER SHE DIED
PERHAPS THE KILLER TRYING TO DELETE THE FOOTAGE
IF ANY STILL EXISTED, THEY NEEDED TO FIND IT.
>> SO WE REACHED OUT TO THE CAMERA COMPANY
AND WE SERVED THEM WITH SUBPOENAS AND SEARCH WARRANTS.
AND A COUPLE DAYS LATER WE RECEIVED A PACKAGE FROM FEDEX AT
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THAT HAD A THUMB DRIVE IN IT THAT HAD THE,
ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WAS ON THE CLOUD ON LINDA'S CAMERA
SYSTEM >> Reporter: THE PACKAGE ARRIVED
THE SAME DAY AS LINDA'S VISITATION
AND SO, AS MOURNERS PREPARED TO GATHER AT THE CHURCH, SHERIFF
BELL AND THE OTHER INVESTIGATORS MOVED INTO HIGH GEAR SCREENING
THE SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE. >> AND, WE'RE GATHERED AROUND
WITH OUR I.T. PEOPLE AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET ALL
THIS, FOOTAGE DOWNLOADED AND, GET IT GOING
SO THEY, THEY FINALLY GET THE IMAGES ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN.
AND THEY PUT IT ON A PROJECTOR SO EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM CAN SEE
IT AND WE'RE GOING THROUGH THAT IN
REAL TIME WITH THEM. >> YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE
GONNA SEE. >> RIGHT
>> THERE'S NO TABLE OF CONTENTS WITH THIS THING.
>> RIGHT >> Reporter: CLIP BY CLIP THE
VIDEOS PLAYED. REVEALING A TIMELINE TO
INVESTIGATORS. THEY COULD SEE LINDA AT HOME
THAT AFTERNOON, TALKING WITH HER ASSISTANT BECKY.
>> LOOK! YOU SEE IT HAS A DELAY IN
SENDING, IS WHAT'S HAPPENING THEN AFTER A FEW MINUTES BECKY
LEFT LINDA'S HOUSE, SAYING GOODBYE, JUST AS SHE'D TOLD
INVESTIGATORS. >> I'LL SEE YA
BYE! >> Reporter: CUT TO THREE HOURS
LATER. THAT'S WHEN THE CAMERA ON THE
GARAGE REVEALED SOMETHING FRIGHTENING: THE SOUND OF
BLOOD-CURDLING SCREAMS, LINDA'S. >> THE OUTSIDE CAMERA ACTUALLY
RECORDED THE AUDIO OF THE ACTUAL MURDER ITSELF.
>> Reporter: WE AREN'T PLAYING IT HERE, BUT THE CAMERA'S
MICROPHONE HAD CAPTURED THE LAST MOMENTS OF LINDA'S LIFE AS SHE
WAS BEING BRUTALLY MURDERED. THERE WAS ALSO THIS VIDEO, TAKEN
THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER SOMEONE, OR SOMEONES, HIDING UNDER A
WHITE SHEET, SNEAKING BACK INTO THE HOUSE.
AND AS THE TEAM CONTINUED TO WATCH THE VIDEOS IT BECAME
ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO THEM WHO KILLED LINDA
>> THAT WAS A MOMENT WHEN ALL OF THE INVESTIGATORS WERE, LIKE,
THIS IS OUR KILLER >> Reporter: BUT THEY HAD NO
KNEW THE SUSPECT WOULD MOST CERTAINLY SHOW UP AT THE
VISITATION ONLY MINUTES AWAY THEY NEEDED TO MAKE AN ARREST,
NOW. >> AT THAT POINT I LEFT.
TOOK A COUPLE OF DEPUTIES WITH ME AND A COUPLE OF STATE
TROOPERS AND WE SET UP SURVEILLANCE,
KNOWING THAT OUR INVESTIGATORS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING
AN ARREST WARRANT. >> Reporter: THE SHERIFF AND HIS
TEAM SCOPED OUT THE SUSPECTS'S HOUSE, WAITING FOR NEWS THAT THE
WARRANT GREENLIGHTING THE ARREST HAD BEEN SIGNED.
>> SO WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORN FIELD WATCHING.
AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN A VEHICLE PULLS OUT, AND THEY'RE LEAVING
AND HEADING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CHURCH
IT'S SHOWTIME, HUH WE ARE ROLLING
>> Reporter: THE TRUCK CARRYING THE SUSPECT BEGAN THE ROUGHLY
FIFTEEN MILE DRIVE FROM THE HOUSE TO THE CHURCH, BY THEN
FILLED WITH MOURNERS >> AND SO, WE'RE MEETING AND
GREETING ALL THE, THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND CRYING, AND -
AND HUGGING, AND ARE THERE WAS A WHOLE GROUP FROM LITTLE ROCK OF
SENATORS AND STUFF THAT CAME IN. AND YOU KNOW HERE WE ARE, TRYIN'
TO DO THAT AND JUST GRIEVE, AND JUST
MEMORIALIZE OUR -- OUR MOTHER. >> Reporter:
THEY WERE UNAWARE THAT LINDA'S ALLEGED KILLER WAS HEADING
STRAIGHT FOR THEM. BUT THE SHERIFF KNEW EXACTLY
WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN AND IT WAS AN AFFRONT.
>> WE ARE HEADED TOWARD THE CHURCH
WHICH WAS A CHURCH WHERE I GO TO CHURCH AT.
AND A CHURCH WHERE LINDA WENT TO CHURCH
AND HER ENTIRE FAMILY WENT TO CHURCH
AND TO WALK IN THERE LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED
>> Reporter: NOT ON HIS WATCH. >> SO WE'RE FOLLOWING, THE
VEHICLE. AND I'VE GOT A PARADE OF --
UNMARKED VEHICLES BEHIND ME OF STATE TROOPERS AND DEPUTIES.
AND WE'RE FOLLOWING ALONG. AND I'M ON THE PHONE WITH THE
LEAD INVESTIGATOR FROM THE STATE POLICE. ASKING HIM, "WHERE ARE
YOU AT ON THIS WARRANT BECAUSE WE ARE HEADED TO THE
CHURCH." AND I WOULD GIVE HIM A PLAY BY
PLAY YOU KNOW, "WE'RE FIVE MINUTES
OUT. >> OH WOW.
>> THREE MINUTES OUT AND FINALLY, I TOLD THE
INVESTIGATOR, I SAID, "WE ARE WITHIN A MILE OF THE CHURCH.
WHERE ARE YOU AT ON THIS WARRANT?
AT THAT POINT THE INVESTIGATOR TOLD ME, "THE JUDGE JUST SIGNED
THE WARRANT, YOU'RE GOOD TO GO." SO I TOLD THE DEPUTY THAT WAS
DRIVING THE VEHICLE I WAS IN, I SAID, "LIGHT 'EM UP.
>> COMING UP >> THE POLICE COME TO US AND
THEY SAID, "WE'RE SORRY TO INTERRUPT" POLICE DELIVER THE
NEWS THAT WILL STUN, EVERYONE.
>> Reporter: SHERIFF KEVIN BELL AND HIS TEAM OF DEPUTIES AND
STATE POLICE WERE CONVINCED THEY KNEW WHO HAD KILLED
LINDA COLLINS. THEY WERE NOW FOLLOWING THAT
SUSPECT, THE PASSENGER IN A TRUCK HEADED TOWARDS LINDA'S
VISITATION AND THEY NEEDED TO MAKE THE
ARREST BEFORE THE ALLEGED KILLER GOT THERE.
SO ALL OF A SUDDEN, HERE COMES A BLUE LIGHT YOU GOT ON THE DASH
>> CORRECT AND NOTHING HAPPENED
THEY DIDN'T STOP >> Reporter: AND NOW THEY WERE
GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE CHURCH
TIME WAS RUNNING OUT >> AND I TOLD MY DEPUTY, I SAID,
"WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S FIXIN' TO HAPPEN, BUT IT'S
FIXIN' TO GO DOWN RIGHT HERE." >> Reporter: FINALLY THE TRUCK
STOPPED. DEPUTIES AND STATE POLICE
SURROUNDED IT, GUNS DRAWN. WHAT ARE THE WORDS
>> WE DONE WHAT'S CALLED A FELONY TRAFFIC STOP.
ORDERED THEM TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND, YOU KNOW, TO WALK
BACK TO US BACKWARDS AND SHOW US YOUR HANDS
YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE DEAL 'CAUSE WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE
ARMED. >> Reporter: THANKFULLY, THE
SITUATION DID NOT ESCALATE >> WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE HER INTO
CUSTODY. >> Reporter: AND YOU CUFFED HER
RIGHT THERE? >> YES, SIR.
>> Reporter: HER, A FEMALE SUSPECT.
NOT PHIL SMITH, THE EX-HUSBAND IT WAS SOMEONE YOU'VE ALREADY
MET. NONE OTHER THAN BECKY O'DONNELL,
LINDA'S SEEMINGLY LOYAL FRIEND AND EMPLOYEE
THERE SHE SAT, NOW SHACKLED IN THE COUNTY JAIL WITH NO IDEA
ABOUT THE EVIDENCE THE INVESTIGATORS HAD AGAINST HER.
AN UNLIKELY SUSPECT FOR SURE BUT THERE WAS NO CONFUSION ON
THE PART OF THE INVESTIGATORS. THEY BELIEVED BECKY WAS THEIR
KILLER >> YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR THE
MURDER OF LINDA. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?
>> WE GOT YA >> WE GOT YA
>> Reporter: AFTER THE ARREST, SHERIFF BELL HAD DRIVEN STRAIGHT
TO THE CHURCH. >> WHILE WE'RE THERE, HALFWAY
THROUGH, THE POLICE COME TO US AND THEY SAID, "WE'RE SORRY TO
INTERRUPT. >> Reporter: THE FAMILY WAS
ESCORTED INTO A BACK ROOM WHERE THEY WERE MET BY SEVERAL HIGH
RANKING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, INCLUDING
SHERIFF BELL >> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT
LINDA'S FAMILY FOUND OUT FROM ME WHAT HAD JUST TAKEN PLACE BEFORE
THEY HEARD IT FROM ANYWHERE ELSE
>> THEY SAID, "WE'VE ARRESTED HER.
AND I THINK I SAID, "FOR WHAT? AND THAT WAS WHEN THEY'RE --
THEY SAID, "FOR THE MURDER OF YOUR MOM."
>> RIGHT WE WERE JUST AS SURPRISED AS, I
SUPPOSE, EVERYBODY ELSE WAS. >> AND IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL
MOMENT FOR ALL OUR PARTS AT THAT TIME, THAT WE'VE GOT THIS PERSON
IN CUSTODY >> Reporter: BUT THE AUTHORITIES
WEREN'T READY TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW, NOT JUST YET
SO THE FAMILY WENT BACK OUT INTO THE CHURCH
AND IT'S AN OVERWHELMING SITUATION AS IT IS
AND YOU'RE EXPECTED TO TAKE IN THIS INFORMATION
AND THEN THEY KINDA TELL YOU TO GO -- GO BACK OUT, YOU KNOW, TO
YOUR VISITATION AND TRY TO ACT NORMAL
>> AND ACT LIKE YOU DIDN'T -- YOU DON'T KNOW -
>> YEAH, ACT LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW THAT THIS ARREST JUST HAPPENED
>> Reporter: THE FAMILY DID TELL KEN YANG, LINDA'S FRIEND, WHO
WAS ALSO ACTING AS THE FAMILY SPOKESPERSON
KEN SAYS IT NEVER CROSSED HIS MIND THAT BECKY O'DONNELL WAS
LINDA'S KILLER >> EVERYONE THOUGHT THE
EX-HUSBAND AND THEN MAYBE SOME MYSTERY
PERSON THAT JUST -- LINDA KEPT FROM US.
OR SOME RANDOM MURDER OF A STATE SENATOR.
>> Reporter: BUT NOT THE LADY THAT RAN THE BOOKS AT THE MOTEL?
>> NO. NOT THE LADY THAT SHE CONSIDERED
A GOOD FRIEND, THAT SHE TRUSTED WITH HER CAMPAIGN, TRUSTED WITH
HER HOTEL. NEVER CROSSED MY MIND.
>> BREAKING NEWS TONIGHT OUT OF NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
>> Reporter: WORD OF THE ARREST BROKE LATER THAT NIGHT AND
BECAME THE LEAD STORY ON THE LOCAL NEWS
>> DETAILS STILL LIMITED, BUT WE'RE TOLD A WOMAN WAS ARRESTED
IN POCAHONTAS TODAY. MITCH McCOY IS JOINING US NOW
LIVE >> Reporter: REPORTER
MITCH McCOY SAYS BECKY O'DONNELL WASN'T ON ANYONE'S LIST OF
POTENTIAL SUSPECTS, AND CERTAINLY NOT THOSE OF THE
ARMCHAIR DETECTIVES WHO HAD FILLED THE VOID OF INFORMATION
WITH CONJECTURE AND CONSPIRACIES
HE ADMITS HE HAD NO IDEA WHO SHE WAS.
>> THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH SPECULATION THAT IT WAS GONNA BE
PHIL AND SO I REMEMBER SEARCHING
"REBECCA O'DONNELL" ON FACEBOOK, AND THE FIRST PICTURE THAT POPS
UP IS THIS BEAUTIFUL, HEARTWARMING PICTURE OF THE TWO
OF THEM, LINDA AND BECKY, FROM THE CAMPAIGN DAYS.
>> Reporter: DIDN'T COMPUTE TO YOU?
DIDN'T MAKE SENSE? >> IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.
IT WAS LIKE, "THIS IS JUST OUT OF LEFT FIELD.
YOU KNOW HOW -- HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?
>> Reporter: BUT POSSIBLE IT WAS.
THAT'S BECAUSE INVESTIGATORS HAD LEARNED A WHOLE LOT MORE ABOUT
BECKY O'DONNELL. IT TURNED OUT LINDA'S ONCE
TRUSTED AIDE WAS A KEEPER OF DARK SECRETS
LOTS OF THEM >>> COMING UP --
BECKY'S MOTIVE FOR MURDER. WHAT COULD IT BE
>> Reporter: SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH THE BOOKS HERE?
>> MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL >> I KNEW THAT THE HANDWRITING
ON THERE WAS NOT MOM'S >> AND WHAT ELSE HAD SHE BEEN
HIDING
BEEN ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF LINDA COLLINS.
A SHOCK TO SO MANY BUT FOR THE INVESTIGATORS, BECKY
HAD BEEN ON THEIR RADAR FROM THE VERY BEGINNING
>> YOU KNOW, I TALKED TO TIM AND BECKY, AND I GOTTA TELL YOU
SOMETHING, BUTCH UM, THERE'S THINGS THAT AIN'T
ADDING UP THERE, EITHER. >> BECKY WAS INTERVIEWED AND
MADE HERSELF OUT TO BE VERY EMOTIONAL.
>> I KEEP THINKING SHE'S GONNA GET MAD AT ME FOR TELLING THIS
STUFF. >> NO.
>> AND THE INVESTIGATORS AFTERWARDS SAID THAT SHE
APPEARED TO BE CRYING, BUT NO TEARS WERE COMING OUT OF HER --
HER EYES SO A RED FLAG IMMEDIATELY.
AND A FEW OTHER THINGS THAT BECKY HAD SAID THERE IN THAT
INTERVIEW. >> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS
LEARNED THAT BECKY HAD LIED TO THEM ABOUT LOSING HER CELL
PHONE. >> DO YOU HAVE A HOME PHONE?
>> NO. >> JUST A CELL
>> YEAH. I LOST THAT TODAY.
>> YOU LOST IT TODAY >> Reporter: RECORDS INDICATED
SHE WAS STILL USING IT AFTER SHE SAID SHE'D LOST IT
THEY PICKED UP ON OTHER INCONSISTENCIES TOO AND
QUESTIONED HER STORY ABOUT SEEING LINDA FOR THE LAST TIME
REMEMBER, BECKY SAID THEY'D GOTTEN INTO A FIGHT.
>> WHEN I LEFT, SHE WAS MAD AT ME
>> WHY WAS SHE MAD AT YOU? >> BECAUSE I WAS BUTTING IN HER
PERSONAL LIFE. >> Reporter: AFTER THAT
ARGUMENT, BECKY SAID THEY TALKED ONE MORE TIME ON THE PHONE, BUT
SHE HADN'T SEEN HER SINCE. THOUGH SHE DID TELL POLICE SHE
WENT TO THE HOUSE TO CHECK ON HER.
>> WHAT DAY WAS THAT THAT YOU WENT BACK TO HER HOUSE
>> OH, I DON'T KNOW. >> Reporter: IN HIS POLICE
INTERVIEW, TIM THE FIANCEE SAID BECKY HAD GONE BY MORE THAN
ONCE >> BECKY'S BEEN GOING BY HER
HOUSE ABOUT EVERY DAY, KNOCKING ON THE DOOR AND, YOU KNOW,
CALLING HER AND TEXTING HER. AND, "HEY," YOU KNOW, "ANSWER --
WE'RE GETTING WORRIED. >> Reporter: REMEMBER, LINDA'S
SON BUTCH FIRST WENT TO HER HOUSE ON MONDAY, THE DAY BEFORE
THEY FOUND HER BODY. AND WHEN HE ARRIVED, HE SAW
BECKY THERE, TOO SHE WAS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR
BUT HE RECALLED BECKY WAS ACTING A LITTLE ODD
WHAT'S THE DEMEANOR YOU'RE SEEIN' IN HER?
>> IT'S JUST, LIKE, A RUSHED DEMEANOR
NO, NOT REALLY ANY INTEREST IN ME AT ALL.
MORE OF A JUST TRYIN' TO SEE IF SHE COULD, I GUESS, GET AHOLD OF
MOM. >> Reporter: THIS WASN'T THE
FIRST TIME BUTCH SAID HIS INTERACTIONS WITH BECKY HAD
STRUCK HIM AS BIZARRE. >> I FELT LIKE, FOR A WHILE,
THERE WAS SOMETHING FISHY BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.
>> Reporter: BUTCH TOLD POLICE HIS MOTHER'S FRIENDSHIP WITH
BOTH BECKY AND TIM SEEMED TO COME OUT OF THE BLUE, AROUND THE
TIME OF LINDA'S DIVORCE FROM PHIL
>> I'D NEVER HEARD OF THESE PEOPLE UNTIL DIVORCE TIME.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY ARE ALL UP THERE IN HER BUSINESS AND
HELPING MOVE FURNITURE AND DO STUFF.
AND I'D NEVER MET THESE PEOPLE BEFORE
>> Reporter: BUT BECKY STARTED DOING MUCH MORE THAN MOVE
FURNITURE. >> FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, SHE
HAD STARTED OFF DRIVIN' HER PLACES OR RUNNIN' ERRANDS FOR
HER. AND THAT KINDA TURNED INTO,
"HEY, I REALLY NEED SOMEBODY TO GO AND KINDA DO SOME BOOKS FOR
ME AT THE OFFICE." AND SO SHE SORT OF TOOK OVER A
PSEUDO MANAGEMENT ROLE, BEST I COULD --
>> Reporter: SHE'S LIKE THE RIGHT-HAND ASSISTANT, HUH?
>> RIGHT RIGHT.
>> Reporter: LOOKING BACK, HAD YOU BECOME A LITTLE BIT
SUSPICIOUS OF WHY BECKY AND HER FIANCE, TIM, HAD BECOME SO CLOSE
TO YOUR MOTHER >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: WHAT WERE THE
THINGS THAT MADE YOU WONDER? >> THE ABILITY FOR HER TO MOVE
IN SO QUICKLY WHEN MOM WAS ALWAYS SO PROTECTIVE OF HER
PERSONAL INFORMATION, HER MONEY. YOU KNOW, SHE WAS ALWAYS SO
CAUTIOUS I MEAN, IT TOOK FOREVER FOR HER
TO ALLOW ME AND BUTCH TO TAKE CARE OF THAT STUFF
>> Reporter: WHAT FLOORED BOTH TATE AND BUTCH WAS A LEGAL
ARRANGEMENT THAT LINDA MADE DURING THE DIVORCE
SHE GAVE TIM POWER OF ATTORNEY TIM TOLD POLICE LINDA NEEDED
SOMEONE TO LEGALLY HANDLE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
SINCE SHE TRAVELED FREQUENTLY, AND SHE TRUSTED HIM.
YOU THOUGHT THAT WAS STRANGE OR NOT?
>> OH, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: SOMETHING ELSE
STRANGE. IN THE DAYS BEFORE LINDA'S
DEATH, BUTCH TOLD POLICE THAT MONEY WAS MISSING FROM THEIR
GRANDFATHER'S ACCOUNT, AN ACCOUNT HIS MOTHER HAD ACCESS
TO >> MY GRANDPA JUST RECENTLY
STARTED SEEING MONEY COMING OUT OF HIS ACCOUNT THAT HE DIDN'T
AUTHORIZE. MY MOM WOULDN'T JUST TAKE FROM
MY GRANDPA THAT'S -- THAT'S NOT SOMETHING
THAT SHE'S EVER DONE >> Reporter: SO WHAT'S HAPPENED
WITH YOUR GRANDPA'S INSTINCT THAT SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH THE
BOOKS HERE >> FOR MONEY TO BE TAKEN FROM MY
GRANDPA, HIS PERSONAL ACCOUNT, MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.
>> Reporter: THEN THEIR GRANDFATHER SHOWED TATE PICTURES
OF THE CHECKS. >> I KNEW THAT THE HANDWRITING
ON THERE WAS NOT MOM'S HANDWRITING.
>> Reporter: YOUR GRANDPA SAYS, "SOMETHING'S OFF HERE," HUH?
>> YEAH. AND HE WAS CONCERNED
>> Reporter: WHAT DID HE THINK WAS HAPPENING WHEN HE LOOKED AT
THE LEDGERS? >> HE THOUGHT, YOU KNOW,
OBVIOUSLY, WE KNEW THAT BECKY HAD ACCESS TO THE ACCOUNTS
>> Reporter: BUT BECKY WAS, AFTER ALL, LINDA'S ALWAYS-THERE
PERSONAL ASSISTANT SO WHEN POLICE ASKED BECKY ABOUT
THOSE CHECKS, SHE SHRUGGED IT OFF.
OF COURSE SHE'D SIGNED THEM -- WITH LINDA'S PERMISSION.
>> A LOT OF TIMES, LINDA HAD ME SIGN OFF -- SIGN CHECKS OR
SOMETHING, OR GO GET HER CASH OR SOMETHING.
>> BUT YOU WAS ON HER ACCOUNT WHERE SHE COULD SIGN -
YOU COULD SIGN HER CHECKS? >> NO, SHE WOULD JUST HAVE ME
SIGN HER NAME. >> OH, YOU WERE SIGNING HER
NAME >> YEAH.
>> OH, BECKY THAT WAS NOT A SMART THING TO
DO >> Reporter: NOT SMART
AND POLICE SAY NOT TRUE. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE BECKY MAY
HAVE STOLEN UPWARDS OF $50,000 FROM LINDA
SO BECKY, THE EMPLOYEE, IT TURNED OUT HAD BEEN STEALING
FROM LINDA, WHAT, FOR A WHILE, HUH?
>> FOR A LONG TIME >> Reporter: AND IT -- IT DIDN'T
POP UP JUST UNTIL THOSE FINAL WEEKS?
>> RIGHT AND MY THEORY ON THAT IS THAT
BECKY HAD BEEN STEALING FROM LINDA IN THE -- IN THE MOTEL AND
THE BUSINESS AND LINDA MAY NOT HAVE REALIZED
THAT BECAUSE SHE WAS TRAVELING AND -- AND BUSY.
>> Reporter: POLICE THEORIZE THAT LINDA, TIPPED OFF BY TATE
ABOUT THE SUSPICIOUS CHECKS, WANTED TO TALK TO BECKY ABOUT
THEM AND THAT CONVERSATION TURNED
DEADLY >> WE BELIEVE THAT MOM HAD
CONFRONTED HER ABOUT THE STOLEN MONEY, THE MONEY FROM MY
GRANDPA'S ACCOUNT, AND PROBABLY HAD FOUND SOME OTHER MONEY FROM
THE MOTEL THAT WAS MISSING AND SO I THINK MOM CONFRONTED
HER ABOUT IT AND IN -- IN A FIT OF RAGE
BETWEEN THE TWO OF 'EM, THEN SHE GRABBED A KNIFE AND KILLED HER
>> Reporter: THERE'S NO VIDEO SHOWING IT HAPPEN, BUT
INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE BECKY STABBED LINDA IN THE KITCHEN
MULTIPLE TIMES, THEN MOVED HER BODY OUTSIDE AND HID IT UNDER
THAT TARP. IT WASN'T A STRETCH FOR
SHERIFF BELL TO COME TO THAT CONCLUSION
BECAUSE HE KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT BECKY'S PAST
SHE'D ONCE BEEN ARRESTED AND PUT ON PROBATION FOR THEFT
AND THAT WASN'T ALL. >> SHE HAD ACTUALLY PLOTTED TO
KILL HER EX-HUSBAND AT ONE TIME. >> Reporter: YOU HEARD THAT
RIGHT. IN 2007, BECKY'S HUSBAND AT THE
TIME TOLD POLICE THAT BECKY WAS TRYING TO HAVE HIM KILLED.
A FRIEND CAME FORWARD AND SAID BECKY WAS OFFERING $50,000 FOR
THE HIT. BECKY ADMITTED TO AUTHORITIES
THAT SHE HAD TALKED ABOUT KILLING HER HUSBAND, BUT CLAIMED
SHE WAS DRUNK AND NOT SERIOUS. NO CHARGES WERE FILED IN THE
CASE BUT IT STUCK WITH SHERIFF BELL,
WHO RECOGNIZED BECKY WHEN TIM INTRODUCED THEM AT A
2018 CAMPAIGN EVENT. THIS GUY'S SAYING, "MEET MY
FIANCE." AND YOUR WHEELS ARE GOING
AROUND >> MY WHEELS ARE TURNING, AND
I'M THINKING, "HOW IN THE WORLD DID LINDA GET MIXED UP WITH THIS
PERSON?" >> Reporter: OH, MAN
>> COURSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO WAY TO LOOK INTO THE FUTURE.
>> Reporter: BUT AS CONVINCED AS THE SHERIFF WAS THAT BECKY HAD
MURDERED LINDA, THERE WAS SOMEONE ELSE JUST AS CONVINCED
SHE WAS INNOCENT HER FIANCE TIM
DID YOU ENTERTAIN THE THOUGHT, "WELL, MAYBE IT COULD BE BECKY"?
>> NEVER IN MY - >> Reporter: "MAYBE THERE'S
SOMETHING I CAN'T PUT TOGETHER HERE."
>> NEVER ENTERED MY BRAIN. >> Reporter: AND WHO KNEW BECKY
BETTER THAN TIM? SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED OVER HER
ARREST, HE SET OFF TO CLEAR HER NAME AND BRING HER HOME.
LITTLE DID HE KNOW THAT THE HIGH HILL HE WAS CLIMBING WOULD
TUMBLE AROUND HIM IN CATASTROPHIC FASHION
>>> COMING UP -- >> THE STUFF THEY HAVE MADE UP
ON ME RIGHT NOW, IF I WAS ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, I WOULD SAY,
"OH, WOW." >> LINDA SAID WHO WAS GONNA KILL
HER. >> Reporter: AND THAT WAS NOT
BECKY. >> SHE SAID THAT PHIL WAS GONNA
KILL HER SOMEONE WAS BEING FRAMED
THAT'S WHAT IT FELT LIKE >> Reporter: AUTHORITIES
BELIEVED THEY HAD LINDA COLLINS'S KILLER IN
CUSTODY. BUT BECKY O'DONNELL'S FIANCE
TIM LOGGAINS THOUGHT THE WHOLE THING STANK, STARTING WITH THE
ARREST TIM WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK BECKY
WAS RIDING IN WHEN SHE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
HE SAYS HE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY ONCE HE NOTICED THE FLASHING
LIGHTS BEHIND HIM. >> I SAW THE BLUE LIGHTS COME
ON AND I SAW AN UNMARKED FLY BY ME.
AND BASICALLY WAS SURROUNDED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT -- FULL-ON
FELONY STOP. >> Reporter: AGAIN, YOU KNOW THE
DRILL. >> YES
>> Reporter: YOU'D BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS, TIM.
YOU HAD WORN THE UNIFORM >> YES
>> Reporter: AND HERE WERE GUYS YOU PROBABLY KNEW BY FIRST-NAME
BASIS. YOU'RE -- CERTAINLY KNEW SHERIFF
BELL AND THERE HE IS >> YES
>> Reporter: TIM SAYS HE WAS CUFFED ALONG WITH BECKY.
BUT THE SHERIFF HAD HIS REMOVED. TIM SAYS THE SHERIFF THEN TOLD
HIM HE WASN'T BEING ARRESTED OR CHARGED WITH ANYTHING, BUT BECKY
WAS GOING DOWN FOR LINDA'S MURDER
>> I TOLD HIM HE HAD THE WRONG PERSON AND HE KNEW IT.
AND HE SAID, "NO, I GOT THE RIGHT PERSON."
>> Reporter: TIM STILL FUMES AT THE DRAMATICS OF THE ARREST.
>> ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS SAY, "TIM, BRING BECKY TO THE
STATION. AND I'DA DONE IT
I FELT LIKE AN INJUSTICE HAD BEEN DONE.
I FELT LIKE THEY HAD MADE A PUBLIC SPECTACLE ON THIS ARREST
JUST OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, THAT WAS UNNECESSARY.
I'M STILL MAD ABOUT THAT, BY THE WAY.
>> Reporter: BECKY PLEADED "NOT GUILTY" AND WAS HELD IN JAIL
PENDING TRIAL. SHE FACED THE DEATH PENALTY IF
CONVICTED. >> SHE MAINTAINED HER INNOCENCE.
SHE WAS BROKEN, OBVIOUSLY. >> Reporter: TIM SAYS HE SPOKE
WITH BECKY AS OFTEN AS HE COULD, TO STRATEGIZE HER DEFENSE AND TO
KEEP HER SPIRITS UP. >> I LOVE YOU.
I BELIEVE IN YOU
YOU GOTTA LOT PEOPLE OUT HERE BELIEVING IN YOU
>> I KNOW THAT, HONEY. >> Reporter: TIM SAYS THAT AS HE
LEARNED ABOUT SOME OF THE EVIDENCE AGAINST BECKY, IT
APPEARED THE PROSECUTION'S CASE WAS ON VERY THIN ICE
WHAT'S THE ALLEGATION GOES, SHE'S STEALING WITH BOTH HANDS
FROM HER BOSS? >> THEY'RE SAYING SHE'S
STEALING SHE WAS DOING WHAT WAS PART OF
HER JOB. AND THAT'S HOW SHE EXPLAINED IT
TO ME -- "WELL, THEY'RE SAYIN' I STOLE MONEY.
BUT I WENT TO WALMART AND MADE A RUN FOR THE MOTEL.
I DIDN'T STEAL ANYTHING. I -- AND I'D SEEN HER DO THAT --
I LITERALLY SEEN LINDA HAND HER HER CREDIT CARD AND SAY, "GO DO
THIS." THAT'S NOT A MOTIVE FOR MURDER
THAT MADE NO SENSE TO ME BECAUSE I KNEW THAT LINDA HAD
GRANTED HER SOME PERMISSIONS TO DO THAT SORTA THING.
>> Reporter: AND YET, SHE WAS THE LAST PERSON KNOWN TO HAVE
SEEN HER >> YES
>> Reporter: SHE ADMITTED THERE'D BEEN SOME SORT OF A
DISPUTE, AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN THEM
>> YES >> Reporter: AND SHE LIED TO
THEM ABOUT HER CELLPHONE SHE SAID SHE'D LOST IT AND SHE
HADN'T COPS DON'T LIKE TO BE LIED TO.
AS A UNIFORM - >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> Reporter: -- UNIFORM GUY, YOU KNOW THAT TOTALLY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: SO SHE'S GETTIN'
HERSELF IN A JAM HERE. >> YES
>> Reporter: A JAM, SURE, ADMITS TIM.
BUT NONE OF IT WAS EVIDENCE BECKY COMMITTED MURDER
NO, FOR TIM IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING ELSE
LIKE BECKY WAS A PATSY -- SET UP TO TAKE THE FALL FOR THE REAL
KILLER >> IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS A
COVER-UP, THAT MY FRIEND HAD BEEN MURDERED AND JUSTICE WASN'T
GONNA BE SERVED. AND -- AND SOMEONE WAS BEING
FRAMED THAT'S WHAT IT FELT LIKE
>> Reporter: AND BEHIND BARS, THE ALLEGED FRAME-UP JOB SEEMED
TO HAVE BECKY RATTLED. >> BABY, THEY'RE THAT GOOD,
THEY'RE THAT POWERFUL. [ INDISCERNIBLE
THE STUFF THEY HAVE MADE UP ON ME RIGHT NOW, IF I WAS ON THE
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, I WOULD SAY "OH, WOW."
OKAY >> Reporter: ERIN CASSINELI IS
TIM'S ATTORNEY >> TIM WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE
WAS A COVER-UP, AND THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO PROTECT HER
EX-HUSBAND TO THE DETRIMENT OF BECKY.
>> Reporter: TIM STILL THOUGHT THE REAL KILLER WAS LINDA'S
EX-HUSBAND >> LINDA SAID WHO WAS GONNA KILL
HER, AND SHE WAS KILLED. >> Reporter: AND THAT WAS NOT
BECKY. >> SHE SAID THAT PHIL WAS GONNA
KILL HER SHE SAID THAT REPEATEDLY, OVER
AND OVER >> Reporter: BUT PHIL SMITH HAD
BEEN CLEARED BY AUTHORITIES. >> WE FELT PRETTY COMFORTABLE
WITH PHIL VERY EARLY ON IN THE INVESTIGATION, THAT HE WAS NOT
INVOLVED IN IT >> Reporter: EVEN SO, TIM WAS
UNMOVED. AND ACCORDING TO HIS ATTORNEY,
THE MAN WHO HAD SPENT NEARLY THIRTY YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
WAS FAST LOSING FAITH IN HIS PROFESSION
>> HE COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT HE HAD DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO A
SYSTEM THAT WAS GOING TO MAKE SUCH A GRAVE ERROR IN CONVICTING
AN INNOCENT PERSON >> Reporter: TIM WASN'T ALONE IN
THINKING SOMETHING POTENTIALLY SINISTER WAS AFOOT
BECAUSE WHILE THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE WAS KEPT SEALED AWAY
FROM THE PUBLIC, EVERY DEVELOPMENT WAS CLOSELY
FOLLOWED, REPORTED ON, AND SPECULATED ABOUT
>> THERE WERE HEADLINES COMING OUT FOR MONTHS, AND IT WAS -
THIS JUDGE HAS RECUSED HIMSELF FROM THE CASE.
NOW WE HAVE THIS PROSECUTOR RECUSING HIMSELF
>> Reporter: WHAT'S THAT ABOUT >> THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER JUDGE
RECUSING HIMSELF >> Reporter: WHAT'S GOING ON
>> AND THAT ADDED TO THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES BEHIND HER
DEATH AND WHO ALL IS INVOLVED IN LINDA'S MURDER
AND THE RECUSALS OF EACH OF THESE FIGURES CONTRIBUTED TO
THE -- THE RUMOR MILL HERE >> Reporter: BUT IF THE RUMOR
MILL AGREED WITH TIM THAT THERE WAS MORE TO THIS STORY, TIM
BRISTLED AT THE DIRECTION IN WHICH SOME OF THE CONSPIRACIES
WERE POINTING. YOU KNOW, TIM, THERE'S ANOTHER
WAY THEY TELL THIS STORY AND I'M TALKIN' ABOUT THE COURT
OF PUBLIC OPINION, WHO THINKS THAT YOU'RE IN ON THIS ALL THE
WAY. DO YOU GO BACK TO THE HOUSE WITH
HER? DO YOU HELP HER MOVE THE BODY?
>> NO -- >> Reporter: BECAUSE PEOPLE
WONDER HOW BECKY BY HERSELF CAN MOVE -- THERE'S A REASON THEY
CALL IT DEAD WEIGHT -- THAT SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WRANGLE
THAT BODY OUTSIDE -- >> I KNOW THERE'S A --
>> Reporter: -- WITHOUT HELP >> I KNOW THERE'S A CERTAIN
PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW ME ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKIN'
IN THAT SAID, "YEAH, HE PROBABLY HAD SOMETHIN' TO DO WITH IT.
I GET THAT >> Reporter: LET ME PUT IT TO
YOU DIRECT, TIM. WERE YOU THERE
DID YOU HELP AFTERWARDS? DID YOU MOVE THE BODY?
>> ASKED AND ANSWERED, AND THE ANSWER'S THE SAME.
NEGATIVE, I DID NOT. >> Reporter: SEVEN MONTHS TO THE
DAY AFTER BECKY O'DONNELL WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING
LINDA, THE CASE TOOK A BIZARRE TURN WHEN STARTLING NEW CHARGES
WERE BROUGHT AGAINST HER, INCLUDING SOLICITATION TO COMMIT
CAPITAL MURDER >> SHE WAS GONNA TRY TO ARRANGE
THE KILLING OF PHIL SMITH AND MAKE IT APPEAR TO BE A SUICIDE
AND PHIL SMITH TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KILLING
OF LINDA >> Reporter: SO THEY'RE GONNA
PUT A NOTE ON HIS DESK OR IN HIS HAND OR SOMETHING SAYING, "I
KILLED LINDA." >> YES
>> Reporter: THE SUICIDE NOTE WAS TO BE BECKY'S TICKET TO
FREEDOM. AT LEAST, THAT WAS THE TALE TOLD
BY JAILHOUSE INFORMANTS, PLURAL, WHO CAME FORWARD TO CLAIM THAT
BECKY WAS TRYING TO HIRE THEM TO KILL NOT JUST PHIL, BUT ALSO HIS
WIFE AS WELL AS THE JUDGE AND PROSECUTOR
SHE ALSO PLANNED TO HAVE ANY EVIDENCE AGAINST HER DESTROYED
PUT VIRUSES IN THE COMPUTER AND DESTROY THE CASE FILE?
>> BLOW UP HER CAR >> Reporter: IN THE IMPOUND LOT?
>> YEAH. [ LAUGHTER ]
YEAH SHE WAS GOING TO WHATEVER LENGTH
POSSIBLE TO DESTROY WHOEVER AND WHATEVER COULD GET IN HER WAY OF
HER FREEDOM. >> Reporter: BECKY PLEADED "NOT
GUILTY." AND TO TIM, IT WAS JUST FURTHER
PROOF THAT THE FIX WAS IN. SHE WAS IN THERE BEING A
JAMES BOND VILLAIN, RIGHT? SHE WAS GONNA DESTROY PROPERTY
SHE WAS GONNA KILL JUDGES. SHE WAS GONNA KILL PROSECUTORS
SHE WAS GONNA HAVE HER LITTLE MINIONS GO OUT THERE FROM THE
JAIL AND TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS FOR HER, INCLUDING KILLING THE
EX-HUSBAND >> THAT WAS INSANE TO ME
IT WAS SO INSANE THAT I DIDN'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT
I THOUGHT THAT THAT SHOWED THE DESPERATION OF THE -- OF THE
PROSECUTORS. THEY WERE SO DESPERATE, THEY DIDN'T HAVE
ENOUGH EVIDENCE THAT THEY WERE JUST WILLIN' TO LISTEN TO SOME
JAILHOUSE SNITCHES >> Reporter: TIM REMAINED
STEADFAST IN HIS DEFENSE OF BECKY.
THE AUTHORITIES, MEANWHILE, WERE RESOLUTE THAT BECKY WOULD BE
HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR KILLING LINDA.
BUT BEFORE THE CASE COULD REACH TRIAL, A KEY PIECE OF EVIDENCE
WOULD FORCE THE SHOCKING TRUTH TO BE REVEALED
>> THERE WAS ONE IMAGE THAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE SMOKING GUN
IN THIS CASE >>> COMING UP --
>> Reporter: HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN INVESTIGATIVE MOMENT LIKE
THAT >> NO.
THAT WAS A HIGH FIVE MOMENT. >> THE SINGLE IMAGE THAT SOLVED
THE MYSTERY. >> BECKY'S FACE DROPS.
AND I STILL DON'T EVEN HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT THAT
FACIAL EXPRESSION MEANS.
>> Reporter: THE SUMMER OF 2020, A YEAR AFTER LINDA'S MURDER, IT
SEEMED LIKE BECKY O'DONNELL WAS ON HER WAY TO TRIAL.
SHE'S SAYING, "I DIDN'T DO IT, CORRECT?
>> Reporter: WRONG PERSON. >> YES
>> Reporter: BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS 100% SURE BECKY WAS THE
RIGHT PERSON >> SEE, IT HAS A DELAY IN
SENDING IS WHAT'S HAPPENING. >> Reporter: AND THE REASON WHY
GOES BACK TO THAT HOME SECURITY CAMERA VIDEO THEY'D RECOVERED.
YES, IT HAD CAPTURED THE AWFUL SOUNDS OF LINDA BEING KILLED --
AND VIDEO OF THE KILLER DISGUISED IN A SHEET -- BUT
THERE WAS MORE THE DAY THEY DOWNLOADED IT, THEY
DISCOVERED A LOOK-AT-ME PIECE OF VIDEO THAT WRAPPED THIS CASE UP
IN A BOW FOR THE INVESTIGATORS AND PROSECUTORS.
LO AND BEHOLD, WHAT DO YOU SEE >> WELL, IT POPS UP, THERE'S
BECKY O'DONNELL HOLDING A BLOODY KNIFE.
>> Reporter: THE CAMERA, AS BECKY TOOK IT DOWN TO TRY AND
COVER HER TRACKS, HAD ACTUALLY CAPTURED THIS FOOTAGE OF HER
INSIDE THE HOUSE HERE IS BECKY WITH HANDS ON THE
MURDER WEAPON, PUTTING IT INTO A BAG AT THE BOTTOM OF WHICH WAS
ONE OF THOSE SECURITY CAMERAS RUNNING ON BATTERY, SEEING
EVERYTHING AN INVESTIGATOR'S DREAM.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN INVESTIGATIVE MOMENT LIKE THAT
>> NO. THAT WAS A HIGH FIVE MOMENT FOR
ALL OF US INVESTIGATORS. >> Reporter: NO QUESTION IT'S
HER? >> NO QUESTION IT'S HER.
>> Reporter: IT LOOKS LIKE BECKY, IT IS BECKY
>> IT'S A DIRECT SHOT OF BECKY'S FACE
YOU CAN SEE THE -- THE KNIFE IN HER HAND
YOU CAN SEE THE BLOOD ON THE KNIFE.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE HER LIP STARTING TO QUIVER AS SHE'S
PLACING THIS CAMERA INSIDE SOME KIND OF A -- A BAG, WHICH --
HANDBAG, LIKE A PURSE. AND WHEN SHE DROPPED IT INTO
THAT BAG, AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, THE CAMERA'S POINTING UP TOWARD
THE CEILING. >> Reporter: IT WAS THIS IMAGE
THAT INVESTIGATORS SHOWED BECKY AFTER HER ARREST
>> WE GOT YA WE GOT YA.
>> BECKY'S FACE DROPS. AND I STILL DON'T EVEN HAVE
WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT THAT FACIAL EXPRESSION MEANS.
>> Reporter: WITH EVIDENCE LIKE THAT, IT WAS HARD TO IMAGINE
BECKY'S ATTORNEYS WOULD BE ABLE TO MOUNT MUCH OF A DEFENSE
SO THAT'S A GOOD NIGHT, RIGHT? >> YES
>> Reporter: I MEAN, THESE ARE NOT DUMB GUYS.
THEY'RE LAWYERS THAT - >> CORRECT -
>> Reporter: -- KNOW WHAT THEY'RE UP AGAINST
>> YES >> Reporter: SO BEHIND THE
SCENES THEY WERE TALKING TO BECKY ABOUT A PLEA DEAL.
OF COURSE, TIM LOGGAINS, BECKY'S STAUNCHEST DEFENDER, KNEW
NOTHING ABOUT ANY DEAL OR THAT VIDEO.
HE WAS STILL FULLY BEHIND HER. BUT THEN ONE DAY BECKY'S
ATTORNEYS CONTACTED HIS ATTORNEY AND ASKED TO MEET.
HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. >> IT'S HER ENTIRE TEAM IS
THERE, INVESTIGATORS AND ALL AND -- AND -- THEY HAD A
NONDISCLOSURE FORM THAT THEY WANTED ME TO SIGN.
>> Reporter: IT WAS AN ODD REQUEST.
THERE WAS SOMETHING BECKY WANTED TIM TO KNOW, BUT HE HAD TO KEEP
IT TO HIMSELF FOR THE TIME BEING.
TIM SIGNED THE FORM -- AND THEN CAME THE WORDS THAT HE NEVER
THOUGHT HE'D HEAR IN A MILLION YEARS.
BECKY CONFESSED. >> HER ATTORNEYS LOOKED AT ME
AND SAID, "TIM, BECKY WANTED ME TO TELL YOU THAT SHE MURDERED
LINDA. >> Reporter: RIGHT BETWEEN THE
EYES, HUH? >> YEAH.
I WAS SHOCKED, I WAS HURT, I WAS MAD.
HERE'S SOMEONE, TOLD ME THIS WHOLE TIME HOW INNOCENT SHE IS
AND HOW SHE'S BEING FRAMED AND SET UP AND -- AND OH NOW, BY THE
WAY, I DID IT. YEAH, I WAS UPSET.
>> Reporter: THE MOMENT WAS HARD FOR TIM'S ATTORNEY TO EVEN
WATCH. >> I HAVE PROBABLY NEVER SEEN
SOMEBODY SO SHOCKED AND UPSET SINCE I STARTED PRACTICING LAW
I MEAN -- HE WAS BESIDE HIMSELF. >> Reporter: TIM HAD BEEN SO
CONVINCED THAT PHIL WAS LINDA'S KILLER, AND HERE IT WAS HIS OWN
FIANCEE WHO'D BEEN GUILTY ALL ALONG.
WHAT DID YOU MISS IN HER HOW DID SHE BAMBOOZLE YOU?
>> THE WORLD'S GREATEST ACTRESS OR SOCIOPATH
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, I MISSED EVERYTHING
>> Reporter: SO YOU WERE SLEEPING, AND SPENDING YOUR LIFE
WITH A STAB-AND-SLASH KILLER >> YES
>> HAD NO CLUE THAT'S WHY THE RANGE OF EMOTIONS
WHEN I FOUND OUT SHE DID IT. I MEAN, AM I THAT BIG A FOOL
>> Reporter: AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS, BECKY
AND THE PROSECUTORS CAME TO AN AGREEMENT.
BECKY WOULD PLEAD GUILTY TO FIRST DEGREE MURDER, WHICH WOULD
MEAN THE DEATH PENALTY WAS OFF THE TABLE.
LINDA'S FRIEND KEN WASN'T THRILLED
ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THAT? IS -
>> NO. >> Reporter: -- THAT JUSTICE
>> BECKY O'DONNELL DESERVES A NEEDLE IN HER ARM TOMORROW
>> Reporter: BUTCH WANTED BECKY EMAIL OR A TEXT MESSAGE SAYING,
YOU KNOW, "TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT I'M GONNA DO IT," TO GET A DEATH
PENALTY IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE >> Reporter: ON
AUGUST 6th, 2020, BECKY O'DONNELL WAS SENTENCED.
SHE STOOD BEFORE A JUDGE AND SAID, "I INTENTIONALLY KILLED
LINDA COLLINS. SHE ALSO PLEADED NO CONTEST TO
TWO CHARGES OF SOLICITATION TO COMMIT MURDER FOR THE HITS FOR
HIRE SHE TRIED TO ORCHESTRATE FROM JAIL.
YES, THOSE STORIES WERE TRUE TOO.
SHE RECEIVED 50 YEARS IN PRISON. >> MA'AM, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING
TO SAY TO THE FAMILY OR FRIENDS OF LINDA
>> Reporter: AFTERWARDS, TATE AND BUTCH ADDRESSED THE MEDIA.
>> WE REALIZE THAT NO MATTER WHAT PUNISHMENT
REBECCA O'DONNELL RECEIVES, IT WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH
IT WILL NEVER BRING MY GRANDPA'S DAUGHTER BACK OR OUR MOTHER BACK
OR OUR CHILDREN'S GRANDMOTHER BACK
>> Reporter: DESPITE ALL THE SPECULATION ABOUT TIM LOGGAINS
PLAYING A ROLE IN LINDA'S MURDER, HE WAS NEVER CHARGED
THE POLICE SAY HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MURDER OR THE THEFT
OF LINDA'S MONEY >> Reporter: SO HOW DO YOU FEEL
ABOUT THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION HANGING YOU FOR THIS
THING? >> I CANNOT DESCRIBE TO YOU HOW
HURTFUL IT IS FOR SOMEONE TO THINK YOU'RE GUILTY OF SUCH A
HEINOUS CRIME WHEN YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT
>> Reporter: PERHAPS LINDA'S EX-HUSBAND PHIL, WHO TIM POINTED
THE FINGER AT, FEELS THAT WAY TOO.
IN A STATEMENT TO "DATELINE," PHIL SMITH DENIED HAVING
ANYTHING TO DO WITH LINDA'S MURDER, SAYING "I UNDERSTAND
THAT AS A FORMER SPOUSE COMING OUT OF A BITTER DIVORCE, I HAD
TO BE THE INITIAL PRIME SUSPECT. I KNEW THAT I DID NOT COMMIT,
SOLICIT, DESIRE, OR HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERRIBLE DEED."
HE SAID HER MURDER "WAS A DEPRAVED AND EVIL ACT THAT
DEVASTATED NOT ONLY HER VERY LIFE BUT ALSO THE LIVES OF HER
FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO LOVED HER.
FRIENDS LIKE KEN YANG. >> YOU KNOW, I MISS HER HUG, YOU
KNOW SHE'D -- SHE'D COME UP TO MY --
MY CHEST AND EMBRACE ME. AND I MISS -- I MISS A
LINDA COLLINS HUG. >> Reporter: LINDA'S FORMER
COLLEAGUES IN LITTLE ROCK HONORED HER ONE MORE TIME LAST
YEAR ON THE SENATE FLOOR, THEY
ADOPTED A MEMORIAL RESOLUTION IN HER NAME
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY "AYE." >> AYE
>> Reporter: SHE RECEIVED A STANDING OVATION
BUT PERHAPS THE PEOPLE WHO MISS LINDA THE MOST ARE HER KIDS AND
GRANDKIDS. BUTCH STILL REMEMBERS HOW HARD
IT WAS TO TELL HIS CHILDREN THAT GRANDMA LINDA WASN'T COMING
BACK >> YOU KNOW, I JUST SAT 'EM DOWN
ON THE COUCH AND SAID, "HEY BUDDIES -- YOU -- YOU'RE NOT
GONNA GET TO SEE YOUR GRANDMA NO MORE
SOMEBODY KILLED HER. AND -- THERE'S JUST NOT -- I --
I -- YOU KNOW, I HATED -- OF COURSE, I WAS BREAKIN' DOWN
CRYIN' IT'S MY MOM.
AND -- TO TRY TO TELL TWO LITTLE KIDS THAT THEIR GRANDMA --
THEIR -- THEIR BEST FRIEND HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM 'EM, AND
THEY JUST STARTED GETTIN' TO KNOW HER
IT'S JUST ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS I'VE EVER HAD TO DO
>> Reporter: BUT IN THAT VOID OF LOSS THERE IS A LEGACY
OF A WOMAN WHO CARED DEEPLY ABOUT HER COMMUNITY AND SPENT
HER ENTIRE LIFE TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER.
YOU WERE SAYIN' BACK AT THE BEGINNING -- FAITH, FAMILY,
STATE OF ARKANSAS, AND WE ADDED GRANDCHILDREN.
>> GRANDCHILDREN >> Reporter: IS THAT A GOOD
LEGACY >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> YEAH. SHE JUST LOVED PEOPLE AND SHE
LOVED LIFE AND -- SHE JUST LIVED IT TO THE
FULLEST. >> Reporter: THAT'S ALL FOR THIS
EDITION OF "DATELINE." WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY
AT 9:00 P.M., 8:00 P.M. CENTRAL AND OF COURSE, I'LL SEE YOU EACH
WEEKNIGHT FOR "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS."
I'M LESTER HOLT. FOR ALL OF US AT NBC NEWS,
GOODNIGHT.