1 00:00:13,146 --> 00:00:15,180 - Female narrator: A father's life is cut short 2 00:00:15,182 --> 00:00:17,582 On a desolate highway. 3 00:00:17,584 --> 00:00:20,086 - You've got a dark horse running at you, 4 00:00:20,088 --> 00:00:22,254 You're not going to see anything until it is 5 00:00:22,256 --> 00:00:24,289 Right in front of you. 6 00:00:24,291 --> 00:00:26,124 - He was killed instantly. 7 00:00:26,126 --> 00:00:28,794 - Narrator: What seemed like just a tragic accident 8 00:00:28,796 --> 00:00:31,597 Would open the door for jealousy, greed, 9 00:00:31,599 --> 00:00:34,766 And a twisted attempt at murder. 10 00:00:38,872 --> 00:00:40,740 - It's human nature to say "wait a minute, 11 00:00:40,742 --> 00:00:42,808 This person has a criminal record, 12 00:00:42,810 --> 00:00:44,510 Is he really trustworthy?" 13 00:00:49,883 --> 00:00:53,418 - She wants this done, and she wants it done now. 14 00:00:53,420 --> 00:00:55,487 - Narrator: To avoid further bloodshed, 15 00:00:55,489 --> 00:00:59,324 Detectives must fight a potent thirst for vengeance. 16 00:01:04,298 --> 00:01:06,231 - Thomas: The motive was this woman 17 00:01:06,233 --> 00:01:07,766 Is about to take everything from me, 18 00:01:07,768 --> 00:01:09,168 Wants to take everything from me, 19 00:01:09,170 --> 00:01:10,770 And I'm going to kill her. 20 00:01:10,772 --> 00:01:12,605 - Margie: So I don't think that you can hire someone 21 00:01:12,607 --> 00:01:15,041 To commit murder in a small town 22 00:01:15,043 --> 00:01:19,078 And not become notorious for it. 23 00:01:21,515 --> 00:01:26,685 - ♪ 24 00:01:27,788 --> 00:01:30,355 ♪♪ 25 00:01:32,059 --> 00:01:33,459 - ♪ 26 00:01:33,461 --> 00:01:39,131 - Narrator: November 18, 2011. Ashtabula county, ohio. 27 00:01:39,133 --> 00:01:42,334 It's just after 10 p.M. And 45-year-old 28 00:01:42,336 --> 00:01:44,804 Daniel posey-brown is traveling down 29 00:01:44,806 --> 00:01:49,941 Remote state route 193 in northern ohio. 30 00:01:49,943 --> 00:01:52,210 - Thomas: Route 193 runs pretty much the full length 31 00:01:52,212 --> 00:01:56,348 Of the county, which means it runs about 35 miles or so. 32 00:01:56,350 --> 00:01:58,684 It's a two lane road. 33 00:01:58,686 --> 00:02:01,386 - Margie: On either side you would have pastures 34 00:02:01,388 --> 00:02:06,424 And cornfields, barns with silos and farmhouses, 35 00:02:06,426 --> 00:02:09,961 And the occasional convenience store. 36 00:02:09,963 --> 00:02:13,698 - It's not unusual to be the only car on the road. 37 00:02:13,700 --> 00:02:15,834 - Margie: Daniel brown is driving home. 38 00:02:15,836 --> 00:02:17,235 He's on his way home from work 39 00:02:17,237 --> 00:02:19,571 Through rural ashtabula county. 40 00:02:19,573 --> 00:02:21,640 - Narrator: In the seat beside daniel is a present 41 00:02:21,642 --> 00:02:25,177 For his 7-year-old son, dartanian. 42 00:02:25,179 --> 00:02:27,979 - Margie: His son had just gotten an a on a spelling test 43 00:02:27,981 --> 00:02:32,984 And he was excited to go home and give dartanian this gift. 44 00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:35,221 - Narrator: As daniel continues his drive, 45 00:02:35,223 --> 00:02:37,723 His wife angel calls him. 46 00:02:37,725 --> 00:02:40,193 They speak briefly before she hands the phone off 47 00:02:40,195 --> 00:02:41,960 To their young son. 48 00:02:44,731 --> 00:02:49,801 Moments later, the quiet, dark highway erupts in chaos. 49 00:02:49,803 --> 00:02:52,337 - Out of nowhere, a chestnut-colored horse 50 00:02:52,339 --> 00:02:56,675 Runs out into the middle of the road. 51 00:02:56,677 --> 00:02:58,810 Daniel's car hits the horse, and the horse 52 00:02:58,812 --> 00:03:00,645 Is killed instantly. 53 00:03:00,647 --> 00:03:03,215 Daniel's car drives off the side of the road, 54 00:03:03,217 --> 00:03:04,950 Flips, and hits a guardrail. 55 00:03:04,952 --> 00:03:06,319 - [crash] 56 00:03:07,554 --> 00:03:09,154 - [sirens wail] 57 00:03:09,156 --> 00:03:11,156 - Narrator: Within minutes, ohio state troopers 58 00:03:11,158 --> 00:03:14,025 Are notified of the accident and race to the scene 59 00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:17,829 Hoping to save daniel brown. 60 00:03:17,831 --> 00:03:20,165 - Margie: Bystanders dialed 911, 61 00:03:20,167 --> 00:03:23,235 Got the ohio state highway patrol, 62 00:03:23,237 --> 00:03:27,305 And troopers were immediately dispatched to the crash. 63 00:03:27,307 --> 00:03:30,175 The scene would be chaos-- absolute chaos. 64 00:03:32,412 --> 00:03:35,313 - Narrator: Several miles away, daniel's young son 65 00:03:35,315 --> 00:03:39,985 Has no way of knowing what just happened. 66 00:03:39,987 --> 00:03:43,188 - The phone just went blank. 67 00:03:43,190 --> 00:03:45,657 As soon as I said the phone went blank, 68 00:03:45,659 --> 00:03:49,328 My mom took the phone back from me 69 00:03:49,330 --> 00:03:51,830 And said, "he probably just hung up." 70 00:03:51,832 --> 00:03:56,001 I went to start crying, and she told me not to cry, 71 00:03:56,003 --> 00:04:00,540 That it's fine and not to worry about it. 72 00:04:02,342 --> 00:04:06,010 - Narrator: As the rescuers scramble to save daniel's life, 73 00:04:06,012 --> 00:04:09,015 No one could know a series of dark events 74 00:04:09,017 --> 00:04:12,951 Would begin to develop in the distance. 75 00:04:12,953 --> 00:04:15,287 - Thomas: It all just took off from there. 76 00:04:15,289 --> 00:04:18,256 There's many, many questions, and the job now 77 00:04:18,258 --> 00:04:20,625 Is to get them answered. 78 00:04:24,832 --> 00:04:28,500 - Narrator: Born in 1965, daniel posey grew up 79 00:04:28,502 --> 00:04:31,036 In northern ohio. 80 00:04:31,038 --> 00:04:32,705 - Colleen: We just really always had 81 00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:34,572 A very close relationship. 82 00:04:34,574 --> 00:04:37,309 Danny could always talk to me, 83 00:04:37,311 --> 00:04:40,245 And he always did. 84 00:04:40,247 --> 00:04:45,317 - Dan and his mom, colleen, were always close. 85 00:04:45,319 --> 00:04:48,119 He was a mama's boy, for sure. 86 00:04:48,121 --> 00:04:51,923 - Colleen: He loved the dirt bikes and motorcycles. 87 00:04:51,925 --> 00:04:54,259 He played the drums through school. 88 00:04:54,261 --> 00:04:56,729 He was a character. 89 00:04:56,731 --> 00:04:59,665 - He just had a charisma about him, you know? 90 00:04:59,667 --> 00:05:01,767 He just had this way. 91 00:05:04,004 --> 00:05:06,472 - Narrator: For 17-year-old lisa guthrie, 92 00:05:06,474 --> 00:05:10,008 21-year-old daniel seemed like the total package 93 00:05:10,010 --> 00:05:12,612 And they began dating. 94 00:05:12,614 --> 00:05:15,681 Two years later, daniel learned lisa was pregnant 95 00:05:15,683 --> 00:05:18,416 With their first son. 96 00:05:18,418 --> 00:05:21,152 - Colleen: They ended up getting married. 97 00:05:21,154 --> 00:05:23,888 And then he got a job and worked for his dad 98 00:05:23,890 --> 00:05:25,691 At madison muffler. 99 00:05:25,693 --> 00:05:27,959 His dad was an excellent mechanic, 100 00:05:27,961 --> 00:05:31,496 And he picked that up from his dad. 101 00:05:31,498 --> 00:05:35,367 - Lisa: Then later on, in roughly 1994, 102 00:05:35,369 --> 00:05:39,504 Him and I started up our own business, 103 00:05:39,506 --> 00:05:41,506 Which was a tanning salon. 104 00:05:41,508 --> 00:05:45,443 And we started that from scratch and built that 105 00:05:45,445 --> 00:05:49,481 Into a nice business. 106 00:05:50,517 --> 00:05:52,050 - Narrator: In the years that followed, 107 00:05:52,052 --> 00:05:56,521 The couple welcomed two more children into the world. 108 00:05:56,523 --> 00:05:59,457 - Lisa: I have three children. 109 00:05:59,459 --> 00:06:02,327 Two boys and a girl. 110 00:06:02,329 --> 00:06:05,530 And they are the love of my life. 111 00:06:05,532 --> 00:06:10,135 Dan was an amazing father. 112 00:06:10,137 --> 00:06:15,074 In the whole time that we were married, 113 00:06:15,076 --> 00:06:19,678 Never once did he not put his kids first above everything. 114 00:06:21,448 --> 00:06:23,948 - Narrator: Juggling a full-time job as a mechanic 115 00:06:23,950 --> 00:06:26,152 And running the tanning salon, 116 00:06:26,154 --> 00:06:30,889 Their growing family proved to be too stressful for the couple. 117 00:06:30,891 --> 00:06:34,160 By 1996, after a decade together, 118 00:06:34,162 --> 00:06:37,496 Daniel and lisa had drifted apart. 119 00:06:37,498 --> 00:06:40,064 - I told him that I wanted a divorce. 120 00:06:40,066 --> 00:06:43,968 That time in my life was somewhat of a blur 121 00:06:43,970 --> 00:06:48,708 Because of the stress that I was under. 122 00:06:48,710 --> 00:06:50,975 - Narrator: Later that year, at a venue called 123 00:06:50,977 --> 00:06:54,045 The queen of hearts, daniel found a new queen 124 00:06:54,047 --> 00:06:57,582 Of his own, bathed in neon. 125 00:06:57,584 --> 00:06:59,851 - Angel brown was a dancer at a local club, 126 00:06:59,853 --> 00:07:04,522 And she and daniel met while she was performing. 127 00:07:04,524 --> 00:07:06,859 - Van: She was 19 years old at the time, 128 00:07:06,861 --> 00:07:09,928 And it was at that point that she met daniel, 129 00:07:09,930 --> 00:07:12,597 Who was 12 years her senior. 130 00:07:12,599 --> 00:07:15,000 - She's got a good personality, 131 00:07:15,002 --> 00:07:18,603 She's real bubbly and outgoing. 132 00:07:18,605 --> 00:07:20,205 - Narrator: Over the next few months, 133 00:07:20,207 --> 00:07:22,941 Daniel started spending more hours at the club 134 00:07:22,943 --> 00:07:25,610 And less time with his kids. 135 00:07:25,612 --> 00:07:29,381 Angel quickly had a hold on daniel's heart. 136 00:07:31,551 --> 00:07:35,954 Born in 1977, angel's relationship with her family 137 00:07:35,956 --> 00:07:39,624 Didn't exactly mirror daniel's. 138 00:07:39,626 --> 00:07:42,228 - She told me that when she was little, 139 00:07:42,230 --> 00:07:47,031 That her mother would get mad at her often. 140 00:07:47,033 --> 00:07:50,635 - She had kind of a rough upbringing. 141 00:07:50,637 --> 00:07:53,171 - Narrator: Angel wanted a better life. 142 00:07:53,173 --> 00:07:56,909 With little money or education to propel her forward, 143 00:07:56,911 --> 00:07:59,978 Angel made the most of what she did have: 144 00:07:59,980 --> 00:08:03,314 A ferocious fighting spirit. 145 00:08:03,316 --> 00:08:06,051 - Thomas: She had this desire to become a boxer, 146 00:08:06,053 --> 00:08:09,054 So she took some boxing lessons. 147 00:08:09,056 --> 00:08:14,659 - She had a couple of bouts trying to turn professional. 148 00:08:14,661 --> 00:08:17,662 - Narrator: After a year in the ring and a losing record, 149 00:08:17,664 --> 00:08:20,666 Her boxing career was down for the count. 150 00:08:20,668 --> 00:08:25,937 At 19, angel was at a crossroads. 151 00:08:25,939 --> 00:08:29,307 Until she met 31-year-old daniel posey 152 00:08:29,309 --> 00:08:32,544 And everything changed in a heartbeat. 153 00:08:32,546 --> 00:08:34,312 - Colleen: He loved her dearly. 154 00:08:34,314 --> 00:08:36,080 He would write her letters and tell her how much 155 00:08:36,082 --> 00:08:39,284 He loved her. She just had a hold on him. 156 00:08:39,286 --> 00:08:41,220 - Narrator: Daniel put his divorce from lisa 157 00:08:41,222 --> 00:08:43,021 On the fast track. 158 00:08:43,023 --> 00:08:45,891 Just a few months after the papers were finalized, 159 00:08:45,893 --> 00:08:49,561 He and angel drove off into the sunset. 160 00:08:50,431 --> 00:08:52,330 - They just took off. 161 00:08:52,332 --> 00:08:54,633 They got in her car and left for las vegas 162 00:08:54,635 --> 00:08:57,035 And never looked back. 163 00:08:59,239 --> 00:09:00,706 - Narrator: After three years, 164 00:09:00,708 --> 00:09:03,708 The glittering lights of vegas grew dim. 165 00:09:03,710 --> 00:09:05,778 The couple moved back to ohio, 166 00:09:05,780 --> 00:09:09,714 Where they married in 2003, and just a year later, 167 00:09:09,716 --> 00:09:13,051 Angel gave birth to their son, dartanian. 168 00:09:13,053 --> 00:09:15,053 - Dan and angel, when dar was born, 169 00:09:15,055 --> 00:09:16,921 Were wonderful parents. 170 00:09:16,923 --> 00:09:18,389 Their goal was just to love him, 171 00:09:18,391 --> 00:09:22,193 Take care of him, and be excellent parents. 172 00:09:22,195 --> 00:09:25,196 - Narrator: With their family complete, angel asked daniel 173 00:09:25,198 --> 00:09:28,466 For a unique show of his devotion. 174 00:09:28,468 --> 00:09:33,071 - Angel wanted dan to change his last name to her last name. 175 00:09:33,073 --> 00:09:34,673 That's what dan had did. 176 00:09:36,543 --> 00:09:37,943 - Narrator: With her days in the ring 177 00:09:37,945 --> 00:09:40,478 And nights at the club behind her, 178 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:44,182 Angel worked to reinvent her image. 179 00:09:44,184 --> 00:09:47,085 - Angel was very much into caring and taking care of 180 00:09:47,087 --> 00:09:48,621 Her son, dartanian. 181 00:09:48,623 --> 00:09:51,222 She enjoyed being a mother. 182 00:09:51,224 --> 00:09:54,225 - She belonged to the pta and did things like that 183 00:09:54,227 --> 00:09:56,362 For her son. 184 00:09:56,364 --> 00:09:58,497 She was a stay-at-home mom. 185 00:09:58,499 --> 00:10:01,099 - Linda: Angel and dan seemed to be very happy 186 00:10:01,101 --> 00:10:04,503 Planning their life and their future. 187 00:10:04,505 --> 00:10:08,039 - Dartanian: I knew my dad as a guy that would do anything 188 00:10:08,041 --> 00:10:10,408 He could for his family. 189 00:10:10,410 --> 00:10:15,146 And any time he could get, he would like spend it with me. 190 00:10:15,148 --> 00:10:18,083 I know he was trying to give me the best life he could. 191 00:10:20,987 --> 00:10:24,521 - Narrator: But on the night of November 18, 2011, 192 00:10:24,523 --> 00:10:27,993 7-year-old dartanian's last memory of his father 193 00:10:27,995 --> 00:10:31,863 Is a phone call that falls silent. 194 00:10:31,865 --> 00:10:34,400 - Margie: Daniel's driving home when a horse 195 00:10:34,402 --> 00:10:36,767 Runs out into the middle of the road, 196 00:10:36,769 --> 00:10:38,938 And he hits it dead-on. 197 00:10:41,274 --> 00:10:42,874 - Narrator: When highway patrolmen peer 198 00:10:42,876 --> 00:10:44,809 Into the wreckage of the vehicle, 199 00:10:44,811 --> 00:10:48,813 It's obvious there's nothing they can do. 200 00:10:48,815 --> 00:10:51,282 - He was killed instantly. 201 00:10:51,284 --> 00:10:53,584 - Margie: Hitting a horse head-on in a car 202 00:10:53,586 --> 00:10:55,019 Is like hitting a wall. 203 00:10:55,021 --> 00:10:58,056 Daniel probably never saw it coming. 204 00:10:58,058 --> 00:11:02,260 He died of trauma to the head, neck, and trunk. 205 00:11:02,262 --> 00:11:03,795 - Narrator: While the scene appears 206 00:11:03,797 --> 00:11:06,797 To simply be a tragic accident, 207 00:11:06,799 --> 00:11:09,634 It would create a chain reaction that would rip 208 00:11:09,636 --> 00:11:12,771 Two families apart. 209 00:11:12,773 --> 00:11:15,573 - Margie: A man crashes into a horse and dies, 210 00:11:15,575 --> 00:11:17,776 End of story, right? 211 00:11:17,778 --> 00:11:21,380 If you look at all of this, it's all about daniel. 212 00:11:21,382 --> 00:11:24,450 But it's never really about daniel, 213 00:11:24,452 --> 00:11:26,751 It's really all about angel brown. 214 00:11:29,522 --> 00:11:31,055 - Narrator: Coming up, 215 00:11:31,057 --> 00:11:35,627 The aftermath of the accident contains a blueprint for murder. 216 00:11:35,629 --> 00:11:36,794 - Cecilia: This is unique. 217 00:11:36,796 --> 00:11:38,464 This isn't something that somebody 218 00:11:38,466 --> 00:11:40,399 Walks into a sheriff's department, 219 00:11:40,401 --> 00:11:43,601 Tells people every day. 220 00:11:43,603 --> 00:11:45,570 - I didn't know how far she was gonna take it 221 00:11:45,572 --> 00:11:48,239 Or what she was going to do. 222 00:11:48,241 --> 00:11:50,208 - Narrator: And an unexpected phone call 223 00:11:50,210 --> 00:11:54,879 Reveals a hatred that had been brewing for years. 224 00:11:54,881 --> 00:11:59,083 - He had been contacted by a acquaintance of his 225 00:11:59,085 --> 00:12:02,187 And had asked to kill an individual. 226 00:12:04,524 --> 00:12:04,589 - ♪ 227 00:12:04,657 --> 00:12:14,533 - ♪ 228 00:12:16,636 --> 00:12:19,370 - Narrator: On November 18, 2011, 229 00:12:19,372 --> 00:12:23,374 After colliding with a horse in the middle of a dark highway, 230 00:12:23,376 --> 00:12:28,447 45-year-old daniel brown is pronounced dead on the scene. 231 00:12:28,449 --> 00:12:31,582 - Margie: They try to help daniel, but there's nothing 232 00:12:31,584 --> 00:12:33,050 That can be done. 233 00:12:33,052 --> 00:12:36,854 They start recovering, you know, the body, 234 00:12:36,856 --> 00:12:41,058 Trying to help, and getting people off the roadways. 235 00:12:41,060 --> 00:12:43,127 - Narrator: Police get word that the horse belongs 236 00:12:43,129 --> 00:12:47,332 To a member of an amish community just up the road. 237 00:12:47,334 --> 00:12:52,805 - A amish party is happening at the dorset community center, 238 00:12:52,807 --> 00:12:56,007 And the horses are generally tied up 239 00:12:56,009 --> 00:13:01,045 Outside the community center as the party is happening inside. 240 00:13:01,047 --> 00:13:05,149 A horse--a chestnut-colored horse breaks loose. 241 00:13:05,151 --> 00:13:09,554 - The horse broke loose and started galloping down the road. 242 00:13:09,556 --> 00:13:11,623 - Alexis: So the people that owned the horse 243 00:13:11,625 --> 00:13:14,225 Were trying to chase it, follow it, 244 00:13:14,227 --> 00:13:16,294 Try and corral it back to where it was supposed to go 245 00:13:16,296 --> 00:13:18,129 Or corral it off the road. 246 00:13:18,131 --> 00:13:21,466 - Narrator: Sadly, the horse made its way onto the highway 247 00:13:21,468 --> 00:13:24,502 Just as daniel brown was approaching. 248 00:13:28,074 --> 00:13:29,307 - Lisa: This all probably happened 249 00:13:29,309 --> 00:13:31,375 Within 30 to 60 seconds. 250 00:13:31,377 --> 00:13:35,580 He's probably going 65 miles an hour down 193, it's pitch black. 251 00:13:35,582 --> 00:13:38,383 If you've got a dark horse running at you, 252 00:13:38,385 --> 00:13:40,351 I mean, you're not going to see anything 253 00:13:40,353 --> 00:13:43,522 Until it is right in front of you. 254 00:13:43,524 --> 00:13:46,224 - It was a complete freak accident. 255 00:13:48,195 --> 00:13:51,062 - Narrator: As state patrolmen wrap up their investigation, 256 00:13:51,064 --> 00:13:56,501 They face the grim task of notifying the victim's families. 257 00:13:56,503 --> 00:13:59,671 They find daniel's wife, angel, at the couple's home 258 00:13:59,673 --> 00:14:03,407 With their 7-year-old son, dartanian. 259 00:14:03,409 --> 00:14:05,677 - Dartanian: A cop pulled in, and when she went 260 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:09,680 And answered the door, and I was standing right there, 261 00:14:09,682 --> 00:14:14,552 He said that my dad had died. 262 00:14:14,554 --> 00:14:18,823 And she told me that and I start crying. 263 00:14:18,825 --> 00:14:21,993 - Narrator: Angel notifies daniel's mother. 264 00:14:21,995 --> 00:14:24,162 - I was in bed. 265 00:14:24,164 --> 00:14:28,233 It was 11 o'clock at night, and I had to work the next morning. 266 00:14:28,235 --> 00:14:32,771 And she called, and angel said, "dan's dead." 267 00:14:35,141 --> 00:14:37,308 And I said, "what?" 268 00:14:37,310 --> 00:14:40,645 I was shaking. I was shaking and I was crying. 269 00:14:40,647 --> 00:14:42,313 It just hurt. 270 00:14:42,315 --> 00:14:46,451 I just loved danny dearly. I had a special love for him. 271 00:14:48,821 --> 00:14:50,588 - Narrator: In the days that follow, 272 00:14:50,590 --> 00:14:54,792 News of the horrific crash grips ashtabula county. 273 00:14:54,794 --> 00:14:57,528 Reporter margie netzel interviews angel 274 00:14:57,530 --> 00:15:01,866 For a story in the "ashtabula star beacon." 275 00:15:01,868 --> 00:15:03,801 - Angel talks about her grief, 276 00:15:03,803 --> 00:15:05,736 She talks about losing her husband, 277 00:15:05,738 --> 00:15:08,673 She talks about their relationship, 278 00:15:08,675 --> 00:15:11,676 And how devoted they are to each other, 279 00:15:11,678 --> 00:15:14,947 How devoted daniel is to dartanian. 280 00:15:17,383 --> 00:15:19,517 - Narrator: Weeks pass, and eventually 281 00:15:19,519 --> 00:15:25,090 The headlines fade as angel and dartanian try to move on. 282 00:15:25,092 --> 00:15:27,892 - Tried talking to her to see if angel needed anything. 283 00:15:27,894 --> 00:15:29,760 She said she was fine, she was just trying 284 00:15:29,762 --> 00:15:32,930 To piece things together and figure out things on her own. 285 00:15:32,932 --> 00:15:35,200 - Margie: What's really interesting about this story, 286 00:15:35,202 --> 00:15:37,768 We thought it was over, that should be the end 287 00:15:37,770 --> 00:15:40,939 Of the story, but the angel brown story 288 00:15:40,941 --> 00:15:44,142 Never seemed to end. 289 00:15:47,648 --> 00:15:50,448 - Narrator: On January 11, 2012, 290 00:15:50,450 --> 00:15:53,117 2 months after daniel brown's death, 291 00:15:53,119 --> 00:15:56,054 A man arrives at the ashtabula county sheriff's office 292 00:15:56,056 --> 00:15:58,055 Claiming to have information 293 00:15:58,057 --> 00:16:01,393 About a potential murder for hire. 294 00:16:01,395 --> 00:16:03,527 - Taylor: An individual named james holley 295 00:16:03,529 --> 00:16:05,997 Came into the ashtabula county sheriff's office 296 00:16:05,999 --> 00:16:09,266 And asked to speak with investigators 297 00:16:09,268 --> 00:16:13,672 About a situation that he had become involved in. 298 00:16:13,674 --> 00:16:17,608 - Narrator: Detectives know james all too well. 299 00:16:17,610 --> 00:16:20,344 - Mr. Holly also goes by the name "hawk." 300 00:16:20,346 --> 00:16:24,148 That was his name when he was a boxer. 301 00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:26,618 He was a professional boxer for a period of time. 302 00:16:26,620 --> 00:16:30,154 Had several pro fights, and then after he stopped fighting, 303 00:16:30,156 --> 00:16:33,891 He ran a gym, a boxing gym in ashtabula, 304 00:16:33,893 --> 00:16:38,763 Where he taught boxing to people for a period of time. 305 00:16:38,765 --> 00:16:40,499 - Narrator: For local law enforcement, 306 00:16:40,501 --> 00:16:46,304 James "hawk" holley had a reputation and a rap sheet. 307 00:16:46,306 --> 00:16:49,640 - Mr. Holley has a conviction for arson. 308 00:16:49,642 --> 00:16:52,610 Several years prior to this, he was convicted 309 00:16:52,612 --> 00:16:58,516 For setting a fireworks factory on fire. 310 00:16:58,518 --> 00:17:02,788 - James holley did go to prison for about 15 years. 311 00:17:02,790 --> 00:17:04,922 - Taylor: When mr. Holley plead guilty to this charge 312 00:17:04,924 --> 00:17:07,157 Of arson for setting this fireworks factory on fire, 313 00:17:07,159 --> 00:17:09,193 He was not cooperative with authorities. 314 00:17:09,195 --> 00:17:13,065 He would not detail why he set this building on fire, 315 00:17:13,067 --> 00:17:17,001 Or at whose request he set this building on fire. 316 00:17:19,605 --> 00:17:21,338 - Narrator: While detectives are well aware 317 00:17:21,340 --> 00:17:24,676 Of james' nefarious past, he tells detectives 318 00:17:24,678 --> 00:17:29,614 He has information he wants to share about a different crime. 319 00:17:29,616 --> 00:17:33,017 - Mr. Holly said that he had been contacted 320 00:17:33,019 --> 00:17:39,056 By a acquaintance of his that he had a relationship with 321 00:17:39,058 --> 00:17:41,292 A long time ago in his life, 322 00:17:41,294 --> 00:17:45,896 And that that acquaintance of his had asked him 323 00:17:45,898 --> 00:17:49,634 To kill an individual. 324 00:17:49,636 --> 00:17:53,171 James holley said that the individual had asked 325 00:17:53,173 --> 00:17:56,007 Him to kill lisa luke. 326 00:17:57,577 --> 00:17:58,909 - Cecilia: This is unique. 327 00:17:58,911 --> 00:18:00,912 This isn't something that somebody walks into 328 00:18:00,914 --> 00:18:03,414 A sheriff's department or a police department 329 00:18:03,416 --> 00:18:06,384 And tells people every day. 330 00:18:09,455 --> 00:18:14,125 - Narrator: James says the woman offered him $4,000 to kill lisa, 331 00:18:14,127 --> 00:18:18,597 And he admits to accepting the money. 332 00:18:18,599 --> 00:18:22,533 - James holley took his $4,000 and went to a casino 333 00:18:22,535 --> 00:18:24,535 In erie, pennsylvania, 334 00:18:24,537 --> 00:18:27,005 And basically had spent the four grand. 335 00:18:27,007 --> 00:18:30,341 He had no problem taking $4,000 from somebody 336 00:18:30,343 --> 00:18:32,543 And being on his way, but at no time 337 00:18:32,545 --> 00:18:35,746 Did he want to get involved in a homicide. 338 00:18:35,748 --> 00:18:38,816 - Thomas: She supposedly hired him to commit a murder, 339 00:18:38,818 --> 00:18:40,886 And he was afraid that if he didn't do it 340 00:18:40,888 --> 00:18:43,221 That she would find somebody else to do it, 341 00:18:43,223 --> 00:18:45,890 And there would in fact be a murder and a death, 342 00:18:45,892 --> 00:18:48,559 And had he not said anything. 343 00:18:48,561 --> 00:18:50,361 So, he felt, "I know, I better come in 344 00:18:50,363 --> 00:18:55,033 And at least blow the whistle on this supposed plot." 345 00:18:59,639 --> 00:19:02,139 - Van: It was a girl that he used to have 346 00:19:02,141 --> 00:19:05,442 As an amateur boxer, and he stated that 347 00:19:05,444 --> 00:19:08,579 He hadn't talked to her probably in over 15 years. 348 00:19:08,581 --> 00:19:10,214 - Narrator: Investigators ask james 349 00:19:10,216 --> 00:19:13,317 The identity of his former pupil. 350 00:19:13,319 --> 00:19:15,253 - Taylor: The person that had approached mr. Holley 351 00:19:15,255 --> 00:19:18,056 Was angel brown. 352 00:19:19,825 --> 00:19:22,527 - Narrator: Investigators know the name angel brown, 353 00:19:22,529 --> 00:19:25,663 But in their eyes, angel is a grieving widow, 354 00:19:25,665 --> 00:19:28,867 Not a cold-blooded killer. 355 00:19:28,869 --> 00:19:31,535 Is this new information somehow connected 356 00:19:31,537 --> 00:19:35,406 To daniel brown's tragic death? 357 00:19:35,408 --> 00:19:38,342 - Taylor: Mr. Holley said that angel brown told him 358 00:19:38,344 --> 00:19:40,177 That she was having some problems 359 00:19:40,179 --> 00:19:43,414 With her deceased husband's ex-wife. 360 00:19:43,416 --> 00:19:46,283 There was an issue with his estate. 361 00:19:46,285 --> 00:19:50,321 In order to remedy this, she wanted lisa luke gone. 362 00:19:50,323 --> 00:19:53,091 She wanted lisa luke killed. 363 00:19:55,027 --> 00:19:56,328 - Narrator: Coming up, 364 00:19:56,330 --> 00:20:01,165 Detectives reach out to angel brown's alleged target. 365 00:20:01,167 --> 00:20:04,302 - Lisa: I started shaking uncontrollably. 366 00:20:04,304 --> 00:20:07,372 I was just in serious shock. 367 00:20:07,374 --> 00:20:10,007 - Narrator: And authorities launch a covert operation 368 00:20:10,009 --> 00:20:12,844 To uncover the strange truth. 369 00:20:17,949 --> 00:20:22,402 - ♪ 370 00:20:22,403 --> 00:20:26,856 - ♪ 371 00:20:29,729 --> 00:20:32,330 - Narrator: On January 11, 2012, 372 00:20:32,332 --> 00:20:34,465 The ashtabula county sheriff's office 373 00:20:34,467 --> 00:20:38,970 Receives a visit from a man claiming local widow angel brown 374 00:20:38,972 --> 00:20:42,873 Tried to hire him as a hitman. 375 00:20:42,875 --> 00:20:44,976 - Van: James was claiming that he had been hired 376 00:20:44,978 --> 00:20:48,779 To kill her husband's ex-wife, lisa luke. 377 00:20:50,950 --> 00:20:53,151 - Narrator: Investigators consider the possibility 378 00:20:53,153 --> 00:20:57,354 The ex-con may have ulterior motives. 379 00:20:57,356 --> 00:20:59,157 - Thomas: It's human nature to say, 380 00:20:59,159 --> 00:21:01,693 "wait a minute, this person has a criminal record, 381 00:21:01,695 --> 00:21:04,329 "he obviously committed a crime in the past, 382 00:21:04,331 --> 00:21:08,166 Is he really trustworthy with what he's telling you now?" 383 00:21:08,168 --> 00:21:10,701 - Narrator: James admits he took the money, 384 00:21:10,703 --> 00:21:14,038 But says he never intended to murder anyone. 385 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:17,074 But ultimately, a guilty conscience led him 386 00:21:17,076 --> 00:21:18,909 Into the sheriff's office. 387 00:21:26,285 --> 00:21:28,252 - Narrator: As they continue the interview, 388 00:21:28,254 --> 00:21:33,657 James tells investigators he's just received a text from angel. 389 00:21:33,659 --> 00:21:35,327 - Thomas: James holley gets a text saying, 390 00:21:35,329 --> 00:21:41,198 "forget about that thing, keep a thousand for your trouble." 391 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:45,704 - Narrator: Investigators try to make sense of angel's text. 392 00:21:45,706 --> 00:21:47,606 - Maybe she wanted to end her association 393 00:21:47,608 --> 00:21:49,873 With james holley and she wanted 394 00:21:49,875 --> 00:21:52,344 To find somebody else to kill lisa luke. 395 00:21:52,346 --> 00:21:55,413 Or did she even want to kill lisa luke herself? 396 00:21:57,817 --> 00:21:59,283 - Narrator: In an effort to find out 397 00:21:59,285 --> 00:22:01,419 What angel is really thinking, 398 00:22:01,421 --> 00:22:04,889 Investigators ask james to call her. 399 00:22:20,973 --> 00:22:25,276 - Cecilia: A conversation is arranged between james holley 400 00:22:25,278 --> 00:22:28,112 And angel brown, where james says, 401 00:22:28,114 --> 00:22:30,948 "I already spent the money, you're not gonna get 402 00:22:30,950 --> 00:22:33,951 The money back. Are you sure?" 403 00:22:44,797 --> 00:22:47,798 - Eventually during the course of that, angel brown says, 404 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:51,269 "go ahead and do it. Go ahead and finish out." 405 00:22:57,277 --> 00:22:59,209 - Taylor: After this first phone call ends, 406 00:22:59,211 --> 00:23:03,947 We know that angel brown actually wants lisa luke dead. 407 00:23:03,949 --> 00:23:05,150 - Narrator: While the question 408 00:23:05,152 --> 00:23:09,153 Of why angel wants lisa dead remains elusive, 409 00:23:09,155 --> 00:23:11,256 Detectives' more pressing concern 410 00:23:11,258 --> 00:23:14,958 Is capturing angel on camera. 411 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:17,361 - Thomas: If it was possible to get angel brown 412 00:23:17,363 --> 00:23:20,832 On video agreeing that james holley should go forth 413 00:23:20,834 --> 00:23:23,300 With the murder, and indicating that she 414 00:23:23,302 --> 00:23:25,302 In fact had paid him some money, 415 00:23:25,304 --> 00:23:27,805 This would be sort of the icing on the cake 416 00:23:27,807 --> 00:23:29,873 With regard to the evidence. 417 00:23:29,875 --> 00:23:31,809 Picture's worth a thousand words. 418 00:23:46,459 --> 00:23:48,793 - Narrator: Two hours later, james is outfitted 419 00:23:48,795 --> 00:23:52,396 With a camera and microphone. 420 00:23:52,398 --> 00:23:54,565 With an undercover officer by his side, 421 00:23:54,567 --> 00:23:58,136 He drives to angel's home. 422 00:23:58,138 --> 00:24:00,971 - There was a detective in the car with james holley. 423 00:24:00,973 --> 00:24:03,674 He just slumped down where she couldn't see him. 424 00:24:03,676 --> 00:24:05,075 - [knocking on door] 425 00:24:05,077 --> 00:24:06,510 - James meets with angel brown 426 00:24:06,512 --> 00:24:08,813 At the front door of her residence. 427 00:24:08,815 --> 00:24:10,647 Angel comes out, she's got concern 428 00:24:10,649 --> 00:24:12,249 About being caught for this crime. 429 00:24:15,754 --> 00:24:17,421 - She says she had watched a crime show, 430 00:24:17,423 --> 00:24:19,790 And it made her really scared about getting caught. 431 00:24:25,531 --> 00:24:26,730 - Van: We weren't too concerned, 432 00:24:26,732 --> 00:24:28,398 Because it was pretty good equipment, 433 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:30,734 So we weren't worried about her finding anything. 434 00:24:30,736 --> 00:24:32,135 Once she did that, 435 00:24:32,137 --> 00:24:34,238 She became a little bit more confident 436 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:36,640 In having conversation with her. 437 00:24:36,642 --> 00:24:38,909 - Cecilia: In order to ensure that angel brown 438 00:24:38,911 --> 00:24:41,278 Wanted to go forward, there were a couple 439 00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:44,982 Different times where james holly said to her, 440 00:24:44,984 --> 00:24:47,084 "are you sure about this? 441 00:24:47,086 --> 00:24:48,887 Are you sure this is what you want done?" 442 00:24:48,889 --> 00:24:52,590 And each time, angel brown said yes. 443 00:24:57,931 --> 00:25:00,665 - She wants this done, and she wants it done now. 444 00:25:00,667 --> 00:25:03,600 You can see it all over her face and her body language. 445 00:25:03,602 --> 00:25:05,904 She was not kidding around. 446 00:25:14,714 --> 00:25:18,382 - Narrator: With that, james gets back in the car and leaves. 447 00:25:20,553 --> 00:25:23,555 Investigators are certain that angel is determined 448 00:25:23,557 --> 00:25:26,423 To see lisa luke dead. 449 00:25:26,425 --> 00:25:29,427 But why she wants her husband's ex-wife murdered 450 00:25:29,429 --> 00:25:33,230 Remains a complete mystery. 451 00:25:33,232 --> 00:25:35,800 - Van: I wanted to have a meeting with lisa luke. 452 00:25:35,802 --> 00:25:38,302 We had to let lisa know that she was in fact 453 00:25:38,304 --> 00:25:41,605 The target of a homicide. 454 00:25:41,607 --> 00:25:44,342 - Narrator: Detectives bring lisa in for an interview 455 00:25:44,344 --> 00:25:48,913 Where they fill her in on angel's plot. 456 00:25:48,915 --> 00:25:52,082 - I started shaking uncontrollably. 457 00:25:52,084 --> 00:25:57,554 Um, I--I was just in serious shock. 458 00:25:57,556 --> 00:26:01,425 And I'm just trying to get myself, like, you know, 459 00:26:01,427 --> 00:26:03,927 Under control and calmed down. 460 00:26:06,266 --> 00:26:08,932 - Narrator: Lisa explains that during her eight-year marriage 461 00:26:08,934 --> 00:26:12,536 To daniel, he was devoted to their family, 462 00:26:12,538 --> 00:26:15,138 Until angel drove a wedge between them 463 00:26:15,140 --> 00:26:19,676 While their child was fighting a life-threatening illness. 464 00:26:19,678 --> 00:26:25,248 - Then we found out that my son had leukemia, 465 00:26:25,250 --> 00:26:30,954 And that's when everything changed in our relationship. 466 00:26:30,956 --> 00:26:33,890 That was, to me, the start of it. 467 00:26:33,892 --> 00:26:39,196 He came to the hospital one night and he was all dressed up, 468 00:26:39,198 --> 00:26:44,635 Like the dressed up when him and I are going out somewhere nice. 469 00:26:44,637 --> 00:26:48,238 And so I decided to follow him from the hospital, 470 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:50,375 And I followed him to the strip club 471 00:26:50,377 --> 00:26:53,543 Where angel brown worked. 472 00:26:53,545 --> 00:26:57,080 And that was the first that I truly knew 473 00:26:57,082 --> 00:26:59,583 That anything was going on. 474 00:27:02,921 --> 00:27:08,091 - Narrator: By November 1996, daniel and lisa were divorced. 475 00:27:08,093 --> 00:27:09,960 For the first few months, 476 00:27:09,962 --> 00:27:14,097 Daniel attempted to stay in contact with his kids. 477 00:27:14,099 --> 00:27:15,432 - Alexis: We would talk on the phone, 478 00:27:15,434 --> 00:27:18,669 But after that, after those phone calls ended, 479 00:27:18,671 --> 00:27:20,938 He really just kind of disappeared. 480 00:27:20,940 --> 00:27:22,874 - Thomas: Lisa luke certainly wanted, 481 00:27:22,876 --> 00:27:25,609 And rightfully so, daniel to pay child support 482 00:27:25,611 --> 00:27:28,580 For the kids, which apparently he didn't. 483 00:27:31,017 --> 00:27:34,185 - Narrator: From then on, whenever lisa contacted daniel 484 00:27:34,187 --> 00:27:36,920 About his child support obligations, 485 00:27:36,922 --> 00:27:40,624 She was only allowed to talk to angel. 486 00:27:40,626 --> 00:27:43,026 - Lisa: She literally told me on the phone, 487 00:27:43,028 --> 00:27:46,898 "you are not going to take one bite of food 488 00:27:46,900 --> 00:27:50,734 Out of my child's mouth for your children." 489 00:27:50,736 --> 00:27:52,069 That's how she viewed it. 490 00:27:52,071 --> 00:27:55,440 I was taking money from her child, 491 00:27:55,442 --> 00:27:58,975 By dan paying child support. 492 00:27:58,977 --> 00:28:03,013 - There was some contention between the two families. 493 00:28:03,015 --> 00:28:07,150 Before daniel's death, he was over $30,000 behind 494 00:28:07,152 --> 00:28:08,986 In child support. 495 00:28:10,723 --> 00:28:12,456 - Narrator: According to lisa luke, 496 00:28:12,458 --> 00:28:16,260 Angel's behavior was becoming more dangerous. 497 00:28:16,262 --> 00:28:20,098 - Lisa: Angel would periodically throughout the years, 498 00:28:20,100 --> 00:28:24,334 Call me and harass me, threaten me, 499 00:28:24,336 --> 00:28:27,270 Tell me to drop the child support. 500 00:28:27,272 --> 00:28:31,508 That's what led to me deciding to drop everything 501 00:28:31,510 --> 00:28:33,377 That had to do with child support, 502 00:28:33,379 --> 00:28:36,747 Because I felt that she was becoming more of a danger. 503 00:28:36,749 --> 00:28:38,782 I didn't know how far she was gonna take it 504 00:28:38,784 --> 00:28:40,952 Or what she was going to do. 505 00:28:43,423 --> 00:28:46,758 - Narrator: When daniel died, lisa learned that her kids, 506 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:49,227 Now in their late teens and early twenties, 507 00:28:49,229 --> 00:28:52,030 Might have a chance to recoup some of the money 508 00:28:52,032 --> 00:28:54,765 That was owed to them. 509 00:28:54,767 --> 00:28:58,635 - Dan had a life insurance policy through his work 510 00:28:58,637 --> 00:29:04,641 For $15,000 that was given to angel after his death. 511 00:29:04,643 --> 00:29:07,677 And then she had taken out a life insurance policy 512 00:29:07,679 --> 00:29:12,783 Of her own for $240,000. 513 00:29:12,785 --> 00:29:15,653 - Narrator: Those benefits were payable to daniel's estate 514 00:29:15,655 --> 00:29:17,320 Upon his death. 515 00:29:17,322 --> 00:29:20,357 But when lisa checked on the status of daniel's probate case 516 00:29:20,359 --> 00:29:23,326 To execute his will, she discovered angel 517 00:29:23,328 --> 00:29:27,564 Had made a bold and unexpected move. 518 00:29:27,566 --> 00:29:29,767 - Lisa: As the executor of the estate, 519 00:29:29,769 --> 00:29:33,737 She legally has to list all of his next of kin, 520 00:29:33,739 --> 00:29:36,206 And she chose not to. 521 00:29:36,208 --> 00:29:39,075 She left two of my kids off of it, 522 00:29:39,077 --> 00:29:44,014 So it only leaves one motive, and that motive is money. 523 00:29:45,951 --> 00:29:47,484 - Narrator: Coming up, 524 00:29:47,486 --> 00:29:51,155 Angel and lisa's feud goes one more round. 525 00:29:51,157 --> 00:29:54,057 - I believe that that's what put her over the edge. 526 00:29:54,059 --> 00:29:57,227 That was the same day-- literally the same dates 527 00:29:57,229 --> 00:30:01,431 Are on the documents, that she contacted james. 528 00:30:01,433 --> 00:30:03,835 - Narrator: And angel has her say. 529 00:30:10,709 --> 00:30:10,774 - ♪ 530 00:30:10,842 --> 00:30:19,851 - ♪ 531 00:30:22,754 --> 00:30:25,722 - Narrator: On January 11, 2012, 532 00:30:25,724 --> 00:30:28,291 Ashtabula sheriff's department investigators 533 00:30:28,293 --> 00:30:31,928 Capture 34-year-old widow, angel brown, 534 00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:34,498 Appearing to sign off on the murder 535 00:30:34,500 --> 00:30:37,501 Of her deceased husband's ex-wife. 536 00:30:44,410 --> 00:30:47,110 - Narrator: According to angel's intended victim, 537 00:30:47,112 --> 00:30:49,614 Lisa luke, angel was trying to prevent 538 00:30:49,616 --> 00:30:53,016 Two of lisa's children from inheriting their share 539 00:30:53,018 --> 00:30:55,819 Of daniel's estate. 540 00:30:55,821 --> 00:30:57,687 - Lisa: That's when I hired my attorney, 541 00:30:57,689 --> 00:31:01,825 Took in birth certificates, everything that was required. 542 00:31:01,827 --> 00:31:04,761 He then contacted her attorney and said, 543 00:31:04,763 --> 00:31:09,567 "you gotta change the estate, these kids gotta be on there." 544 00:31:09,569 --> 00:31:11,701 - Narrator: Lisa's attorney also discovered 545 00:31:11,703 --> 00:31:15,038 That daniel's life insurance wasn't the only money 546 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:18,174 Her kids were missing out on. 547 00:31:18,176 --> 00:31:20,777 - After daniel's death, there was a wrongful death 548 00:31:20,779 --> 00:31:23,613 Civil lawsuit filed against the owner of the horse 549 00:31:23,615 --> 00:31:25,615 That had caused the crash. 550 00:31:25,617 --> 00:31:27,919 There was a settlement in that lawsuit, 551 00:31:27,921 --> 00:31:33,623 For which daniel's estate received around $200,000. 552 00:31:35,327 --> 00:31:38,194 - Narrator: According to lisa, on January 9, 553 00:31:38,196 --> 00:31:40,931 Her attorney contacted angel and told her 554 00:31:40,933 --> 00:31:43,867 That she was going to have to share both the insurance 555 00:31:43,869 --> 00:31:46,703 And the settlement money. 556 00:31:46,705 --> 00:31:49,873 - Lisa: I believe that that's what put her over the edge. 557 00:31:49,875 --> 00:31:53,076 That was the same day-- literally the same dates 558 00:31:53,078 --> 00:31:57,747 Are on the documents, that she contacted james. 559 00:31:57,749 --> 00:31:59,315 - Narrator: Investigators believe 560 00:31:59,317 --> 00:32:03,620 They have just zeroed in on angel's motive. 561 00:32:03,622 --> 00:32:05,822 - Maybe she felt that if she killed lisa, 562 00:32:05,824 --> 00:32:09,492 That there would be nobody there to further the fight 563 00:32:09,494 --> 00:32:12,696 For the children to get any part of the settlement. 564 00:32:12,698 --> 00:32:16,933 - Greediness. She hated me and my kids enough 565 00:32:16,935 --> 00:32:21,104 That she didn't want us to have one dime. 566 00:32:21,106 --> 00:32:22,706 - Narrator: Detectives have enough to place 567 00:32:22,708 --> 00:32:26,309 Angel under arrest, but before they do, 568 00:32:26,311 --> 00:32:30,846 They make one final move to tighten up their case. 569 00:32:30,848 --> 00:32:32,716 - Van: We want to make one more phone call, 570 00:32:32,718 --> 00:32:35,585 And have james holley tell angel brown, 571 00:32:35,587 --> 00:32:39,190 "hey, lisa luke's dead," and we want to see 572 00:32:39,192 --> 00:32:41,191 What kind of response that she has, 573 00:32:41,193 --> 00:32:44,128 And basically what she wants done at that point. 574 00:32:44,130 --> 00:32:48,598 So james holley makes the phone call. 575 00:33:05,485 --> 00:33:08,618 - Narrator: Mere hours after james holley first showed up 576 00:33:08,620 --> 00:33:11,489 At the sheriff's office, investigators head 577 00:33:11,491 --> 00:33:15,959 To angel's home armed with an arrest warrant. 578 00:33:15,961 --> 00:33:18,928 - Dartanian: Me and my mom were sitting in the living room. 579 00:33:18,930 --> 00:33:21,898 The cops pulled in, knocked on our door and said, 580 00:33:21,900 --> 00:33:25,301 "angel brown, you're under arrest." 581 00:33:25,303 --> 00:33:27,772 - Taylor: When we placed angel brown in the handcuffs, 582 00:33:27,774 --> 00:33:30,507 She was surprised, to say the least. 583 00:33:30,509 --> 00:33:32,909 She started crying uncontrollably 584 00:33:32,911 --> 00:33:36,047 And at one point in time she started screaming, 585 00:33:36,049 --> 00:33:38,181 "she was going to take everything from me! 586 00:33:38,183 --> 00:33:40,951 She was going to take everything from me!" 587 00:33:42,988 --> 00:33:44,722 - Narrator: Investigators transport angel 588 00:33:44,724 --> 00:33:47,792 To the ashtabula sheriff's department. 589 00:33:47,794 --> 00:33:49,859 - Van: When angel brown was being booked, 590 00:33:49,861 --> 00:33:53,063 Detectives recovered a receipt in her back pocket 591 00:33:53,065 --> 00:33:56,133 For a withdrawal of $20,000. 592 00:33:56,135 --> 00:33:57,834 The date was more important, 593 00:33:57,836 --> 00:34:00,670 And that date was January 10. 594 00:34:00,672 --> 00:34:04,040 And January 10 was the same day that she went 595 00:34:04,042 --> 00:34:08,245 And met with james holley and paid him $4,000. 596 00:34:10,682 --> 00:34:13,017 - Narrator: When investigators sit down with angel, 597 00:34:13,019 --> 00:34:16,686 She explains that in the months after the death of her husband, 598 00:34:16,688 --> 00:34:20,557 James holley had become her rock. 599 00:34:20,559 --> 00:34:23,961 Angel claims that when she talked to james about lisa, 600 00:34:23,963 --> 00:34:26,997 She was just unloading on a friend. 601 00:34:36,308 --> 00:34:39,909 - Taylor: She started to say that she was joking, 602 00:34:39,911 --> 00:34:41,845 That this was all fun and games, 603 00:34:41,847 --> 00:34:45,382 That her and james joked around like this all the time, 604 00:34:45,384 --> 00:34:48,585 Like, "wouldn't it be funny if somebody killed lisa luke?" 605 00:34:48,587 --> 00:34:51,055 This was all just a big joke. 606 00:35:05,737 --> 00:35:08,671 - Narrator: Realizing that a confession isn't coming, 607 00:35:08,673 --> 00:35:10,674 Investigators confront angel 608 00:35:10,676 --> 00:35:13,411 With her final phone call with james. 609 00:35:44,309 --> 00:35:46,176 - Narrator: In a last-ditch effort to get angel 610 00:35:46,178 --> 00:35:49,445 To come clean, investigators ask about 611 00:35:49,447 --> 00:35:52,248 The large sum of cash she withdrew from the bank 612 00:35:52,250 --> 00:35:54,018 The day before, 613 00:35:54,020 --> 00:36:00,123 The same day james holley claims she gave him $4,000. 614 00:36:00,125 --> 00:36:03,126 - She had told us that she made a $10,000 withdrawal 615 00:36:03,128 --> 00:36:04,794 From her bank account, 616 00:36:04,796 --> 00:36:08,866 But that was for christmas presents and to pay some bills. 617 00:36:08,868 --> 00:36:11,601 - That withdrawal receipt of $20,000 didn't match the fact 618 00:36:11,603 --> 00:36:13,803 That she had, during the whole interrogation, 619 00:36:13,805 --> 00:36:16,639 Kept telling us it was $10,000 that she withdrew, 620 00:36:16,641 --> 00:36:19,475 When in fact it was double that. 621 00:36:19,477 --> 00:36:20,744 - Narrator: Angel admits 622 00:36:20,746 --> 00:36:23,213 That the evidence looks incriminating, 623 00:36:23,215 --> 00:36:26,316 But continues to maintain her innocence. 624 00:36:37,429 --> 00:36:39,762 - Narrator: The only thing angel doesn't deny 625 00:36:39,764 --> 00:36:43,300 Is the bad blood between her and lisa luke. 626 00:36:54,914 --> 00:36:56,512 - Narrator: Following the interview, 627 00:36:56,514 --> 00:37:01,484 Angel is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated murder. 628 00:37:03,989 --> 00:37:06,990 News of her arrest provides relief to lisa, 629 00:37:06,992 --> 00:37:11,928 But her sense of security is only temporary. 630 00:37:11,930 --> 00:37:14,464 - Angel brown was given the opportunity to make bail, 631 00:37:14,466 --> 00:37:16,399 And with our constitution, 632 00:37:16,401 --> 00:37:18,668 You do have a right to make bail. 633 00:37:18,670 --> 00:37:21,004 - Lisa: I find out that they let her out on bail, 634 00:37:21,006 --> 00:37:23,406 And I'm like, "wait, what?" 635 00:37:23,408 --> 00:37:26,542 Okay, how was she out on bail? 636 00:37:26,544 --> 00:37:28,611 I couldn't believe it. 637 00:37:28,613 --> 00:37:31,014 She hires a hitman to kill me. 638 00:37:31,016 --> 00:37:35,519 I was absolutely livid at this point, 639 00:37:35,521 --> 00:37:37,687 Because I'm helpless, 640 00:37:37,689 --> 00:37:39,789 There's nothing I can do about it. 641 00:37:41,761 --> 00:37:44,795 - Narrator: Coming up, lisa's fears come to fruition 642 00:37:44,797 --> 00:37:48,765 When detectives make an ominous discovery. 643 00:37:48,767 --> 00:37:50,833 - Van: It has a newspaper article 644 00:37:50,835 --> 00:37:54,971 With lisa luke's picture, has written above it, "dead." 645 00:37:54,973 --> 00:37:58,375 - Narrator: And a family still searches for answers. 646 00:37:58,377 --> 00:38:02,446 - What did I do you to make you hate me that bad 647 00:38:02,448 --> 00:38:04,481 That you want me dead? 648 00:38:06,651 --> 00:38:06,716 - ♪ 649 00:38:06,718 --> 00:38:15,993 - ♪ 650 00:38:18,296 --> 00:38:19,863 - Narrator: After being arrested 651 00:38:19,865 --> 00:38:23,166 In a foiled murder-for-hire plot that targeted 652 00:38:23,168 --> 00:38:26,102 The first wife of her deceased husband, 653 00:38:26,104 --> 00:38:31,308 34-year-old angel brown is out on bond awaiting trial. 654 00:38:31,310 --> 00:38:33,544 For would-be-victim lisa luke, 655 00:38:33,546 --> 00:38:36,612 It's like living in a nightmare. 656 00:38:36,614 --> 00:38:38,548 - Lisa: We lived in fear all the time, 657 00:38:38,550 --> 00:38:41,852 Because we never knew who was outside our house, 658 00:38:41,854 --> 00:38:45,988 Who was still watching, nothing like that. 659 00:38:45,990 --> 00:38:48,759 There was just no sense of security whatsoever. 660 00:38:48,761 --> 00:38:54,398 I just was constantly watching what I was doing. 661 00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:57,433 - Narrator: As lisa and her family remain on edge, 662 00:38:57,435 --> 00:39:01,872 Authorities in ashtabula, ohio, prepare for trial. 663 00:39:01,874 --> 00:39:04,907 Among the items in their possession is a box 664 00:39:04,909 --> 00:39:09,278 That angel's son grabbed at the time of her arrest. 665 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:10,847 - They said, "go grab a couple of things." 666 00:39:10,849 --> 00:39:13,649 That's when I went in and grabbed her box of stuff, 667 00:39:13,651 --> 00:39:15,886 Because I remember angel always saying 668 00:39:15,888 --> 00:39:18,588 That if anything happened, that was the one thing 669 00:39:18,590 --> 00:39:21,891 That was most important, we had to make sure we got. 670 00:39:21,893 --> 00:39:24,727 So I went and grabbed it, and when they looked inside, 671 00:39:24,729 --> 00:39:26,897 They immediately took it away. 672 00:39:26,899 --> 00:39:29,733 - It includes some drug paraphernalia and some drugs. 673 00:39:32,204 --> 00:39:34,605 - Narrator: But there's more. 674 00:39:34,607 --> 00:39:38,609 - It has a newspaper article and with lisa luke's picture 675 00:39:38,611 --> 00:39:42,879 That has written above it, "dead." 676 00:39:42,881 --> 00:39:46,349 That obviously shows a huge, huge amount of hatred 677 00:39:46,351 --> 00:39:48,618 That angel brown has towards lisa luke, 678 00:39:48,620 --> 00:39:52,956 And obviously shows some motive, that she wanted her dead. 679 00:39:55,393 --> 00:39:57,761 - Narrator: In August of 2013, 680 00:39:57,763 --> 00:40:01,831 36-year-old angel's trial gets underway. 681 00:40:01,833 --> 00:40:05,601 - Van: During the trial, james stated that angel brown 682 00:40:05,603 --> 00:40:09,272 Had a long history of dealing with lisa luke. 683 00:40:09,274 --> 00:40:12,509 She hated lisa luke to the core. 684 00:40:12,511 --> 00:40:15,845 She did not care for the fact that lisa luke 685 00:40:15,847 --> 00:40:18,247 Was always involved in her life because of the fact 686 00:40:18,249 --> 00:40:21,518 That daniel was behind on child support. 687 00:40:21,520 --> 00:40:25,122 She felt that lisa luke was harassing her at times, 688 00:40:25,124 --> 00:40:27,457 And she had gotten to the point where she just wanted 689 00:40:27,459 --> 00:40:30,326 Her out of her life. 690 00:40:30,328 --> 00:40:33,029 - Narrator: James holley isn't the only powerful witness 691 00:40:33,031 --> 00:40:35,398 To take the stand. 692 00:40:35,400 --> 00:40:39,268 - Lisa: I went up on the stand and I told my story 693 00:40:39,270 --> 00:40:42,205 And she made sure to keep-- 694 00:40:42,207 --> 00:40:44,208 Angel made sure to keep her head down. 695 00:40:44,210 --> 00:40:48,678 She never tried to look me in the eye. 696 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:51,080 - Thomas: She laid the foundation. 697 00:40:51,082 --> 00:40:54,450 The motive was greed. The motive was hatred. 698 00:40:54,452 --> 00:40:57,086 The motive was, "this woman is about to take everything 699 00:40:57,088 --> 00:40:59,021 "from me, wants to take everything from me, 700 00:40:59,023 --> 00:41:00,891 And I'm gonna kill her." 701 00:41:03,127 --> 00:41:05,428 - Narrator: When it comes time for the defense, 702 00:41:05,430 --> 00:41:07,763 Angel takes the stand. 703 00:41:07,765 --> 00:41:11,267 Her testimony hits a familiar note. 704 00:41:11,269 --> 00:41:12,935 - Thomas: She's trying to convince the jury 705 00:41:12,937 --> 00:41:15,071 That this was all a joke. 706 00:41:15,073 --> 00:41:18,541 "I didn't mean it, you know, it was all a joke." 707 00:41:21,312 --> 00:41:23,379 - Narrator: The jury convenes. 708 00:41:23,381 --> 00:41:25,815 Just two hours later, they announce 709 00:41:25,817 --> 00:41:28,752 They have reached a verdict. 710 00:41:28,754 --> 00:41:31,454 - When they came back guilty on both counts, 711 00:41:31,456 --> 00:41:33,388 It was a huge relief. 712 00:41:33,390 --> 00:41:37,194 Not just for us, but for lisa. 713 00:41:37,196 --> 00:41:39,929 - Lisa: When the verdict was read, 714 00:41:39,931 --> 00:41:43,966 I was so happy. 715 00:41:43,968 --> 00:41:49,405 - The judge at sentencing, gave angel brown nine years. 716 00:41:49,407 --> 00:41:52,775 It wasn't the maximum, but under ohio law, 717 00:41:52,777 --> 00:41:57,180 It was probably as close as he could get to the maximum. 718 00:42:01,819 --> 00:42:03,953 - Narrator: Following angel's conviction, 719 00:42:03,955 --> 00:42:09,292 Dartanian goes to live with his cousin linda and her husband. 720 00:42:09,294 --> 00:42:12,094 - We are so proud of dar, and who he is, 721 00:42:12,096 --> 00:42:14,230 And the man that he's become. 722 00:42:14,232 --> 00:42:16,899 We tell him he can be anything and achieve anything 723 00:42:16,901 --> 00:42:18,969 He wants in life. 724 00:42:18,971 --> 00:42:22,706 - Dartanian: My life now with linda and lee is really good. 725 00:42:22,708 --> 00:42:25,642 When mom sends cards and stuff, 726 00:42:25,644 --> 00:42:29,178 I write, "refused, return to sender," on them. 727 00:42:29,180 --> 00:42:32,248 And I'd written a letter to the magistrate. 728 00:42:32,250 --> 00:42:34,583 I have written a letter to the prison 729 00:42:34,585 --> 00:42:38,589 For her to stop writing me, but she still keeps writing me. 730 00:42:38,591 --> 00:42:40,323 I'm not afraid of her, 731 00:42:40,325 --> 00:42:41,991 I don't care that when she gets released, 732 00:42:41,993 --> 00:42:44,794 As long as she stays away from me. 733 00:42:46,531 --> 00:42:47,997 - Narrator: As for james holley, 734 00:42:47,999 --> 00:42:52,603 Lisa luke believes she owes him a debt of gratitude. 735 00:42:52,605 --> 00:42:56,106 - My thoughts about james holley are that, 736 00:42:56,108 --> 00:43:01,210 Essentially, he quite possibly saved my life. 737 00:43:01,212 --> 00:43:04,547 He did the right thing. 738 00:43:04,549 --> 00:43:08,485 - There's always a passion at the bottom of a murder, 739 00:43:08,487 --> 00:43:12,755 And in this case, that passion was hate. 740 00:43:12,757 --> 00:43:17,492 - Lisa: What did I do to you to make you hate me that bad 741 00:43:17,494 --> 00:43:19,462 That you want me dead? 742 00:43:19,464 --> 00:43:22,398 I didn't steal your husband. 743 00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:26,569 You rode along, come on in and took mine, 744 00:43:26,571 --> 00:43:30,607 And that comes from her place of insecurity. 745 00:43:30,609 --> 00:43:35,178 That--that comes from her own mind. 746 00:43:39,618 --> 00:43:45,522 - ♪