1
00:00:10,910 --> 00:00:13,546
I watched him blossom into a guy
2
00:00:13,580 --> 00:00:17,350
that felt like he had found
something he needed.
3
00:00:17,817 --> 00:00:19,452
He had an impact
on a lot of people.
4
00:00:21,821 --> 00:00:23,256
[Narrator]
But a horrifying crime
5
00:00:23,289 --> 00:00:26,659
would destroy his future
and baffle police.
6
00:00:26,926 --> 00:00:28,461
They found him in the bedroom
7
00:00:28,495 --> 00:00:30,864
with a knife stuck
in the side of his head.
8
00:00:31,598 --> 00:00:34,601
It appeared that the body had
been intentionally set on fire.
9
00:00:34,634 --> 00:00:37,537
I had never seen a case
like this in my career.
10
00:00:37,570 --> 00:00:40,907
When we found out
a second person was dead,
11
00:00:40,940 --> 00:00:43,076
this turned into a big story.
12
00:00:43,943 --> 00:00:45,445
[Narrator] As the body count
rises,
13
00:00:45,478 --> 00:00:47,914
detectives face
a race against the clock
14
00:00:47,947 --> 00:00:50,483
to unmask a dangerous killer.
15
00:00:50,850 --> 00:00:52,318
It was imperative
that we found him.
16
00:00:53,953 --> 00:00:56,756
[Narrator] And extinguish
a deadly combination
17
00:00:56,790 --> 00:00:59,225
of passion and desperation.
18
00:01:10,337 --> 00:01:13,573
People who are that cold
and non-caring,
19
00:01:13,606 --> 00:01:14,774
just unnerving.
20
00:01:15,875 --> 00:01:18,945
[Connie] How could these people
be so evil
21
00:01:18,978 --> 00:01:21,081
that they would
take advantage of two people
22
00:01:21,114 --> 00:01:23,483
who were willing to give
everything they could
23
00:01:23,516 --> 00:01:24,351
to help someone?
24
00:01:26,386 --> 00:01:28,521
[music]
25
00:01:36,463 --> 00:01:38,765
[music]
26
00:01:41,501 --> 00:01:42,936
[Narrator] Louisville, Kentucky,
27
00:01:42,969 --> 00:01:44,971
is known
for the glitz and glamour
28
00:01:45,005 --> 00:01:47,507
of the famed Kentucky Derby.
29
00:01:47,841 --> 00:01:49,342
[Connie] Churchill Downs is home
30
00:01:49,376 --> 00:01:52,112
to the biggest,
to the most exciting,
31
00:01:52,145 --> 00:01:55,115
and to the most well-known
horse race in the world.
32
00:01:56,216 --> 00:01:57,851
The area around Churchill Downs
33
00:01:57,884 --> 00:02:00,453
is the old Louisville area.
34
00:02:01,388 --> 00:02:04,557
It is
a pretty vibrant community.
35
00:02:05,058 --> 00:02:07,627
[Narrator] On March 24, 2006,
36
00:02:09,496 --> 00:02:11,598
a concerned member
of the community
37
00:02:11,631 --> 00:02:14,067
calls authorities
to report a house fire
38
00:02:14,067 --> 00:02:16,069
on Harlan Avenue.
39
00:02:16,236 --> 00:02:18,071
[Bonita] It was about Midnight.
40
00:02:18,071 --> 00:02:21,074
I've seen flashing lights
outside the window.
41
00:02:21,741 --> 00:02:24,477
And then I looked
at the house next door.
42
00:02:24,511 --> 00:02:27,781
There was smoke growing out
of the top of the door.
43
00:02:28,581 --> 00:02:30,784
About that time,
the fire engines came
44
00:02:30,817 --> 00:02:34,220
and they told me
that I had to leave the house.
45
00:02:34,254 --> 00:02:36,089
So I went across the street
46
00:02:36,089 --> 00:02:38,825
and watched the flames lit
towards my house.
47
00:02:39,993 --> 00:02:41,094
That was enormous.
48
00:02:41,094 --> 00:02:43,530
I was praying to God
49
00:02:43,563 --> 00:02:46,466
that my house
was not gonna catch on fire.
50
00:02:50,337 --> 00:02:53,740
It seemed like
the house burned forever.
51
00:02:55,008 --> 00:02:57,177
[Narrator] After
nearly 45 minutes,
52
00:02:57,210 --> 00:02:58,778
the flames are suppressed
53
00:02:58,812 --> 00:03:01,247
and arson investigators move in
54
00:03:01,281 --> 00:03:03,516
to determine
the source of the blaze.
55
00:03:03,550 --> 00:03:05,051
[Leigh] The local fire
department
56
00:03:05,085 --> 00:03:06,419
and arson investigators
57
00:03:06,453 --> 00:03:09,055
subsequently located
a deceased subject
58
00:03:09,089 --> 00:03:10,457
within the house.
59
00:03:11,391 --> 00:03:13,526
They call us. We go in there,
60
00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:15,395
do our scene investigation.
61
00:03:15,428 --> 00:03:17,330
Crime Scene Unit comes
and does their investigation.
62
00:03:18,732 --> 00:03:20,633
[Leigh] We entered
into the kitchen.
63
00:03:20,667 --> 00:03:25,305
There was significant smoke
and fire damage to the house.
64
00:03:26,272 --> 00:03:28,241
We were directed to the bedroom
65
00:03:28,274 --> 00:03:29,776
As soon as we walked in,
66
00:03:29,809 --> 00:03:32,445
we could see the victim
was laying face-up on the bed.
67
00:03:33,913 --> 00:03:36,983
Although you couldn't determine
facial features,
68
00:03:37,083 --> 00:03:38,852
a lot of charring to the body.
69
00:03:39,719 --> 00:03:42,522
And subsequently saw
a knife handle
70
00:03:42,555 --> 00:03:45,492
that was still embedded
in the face of the victim.
71
00:03:47,293 --> 00:03:49,295
It's one that sticks with me.
72
00:03:50,096 --> 00:03:52,465
It takes a lot to put
a knife into somebody's head.
73
00:03:53,700 --> 00:03:57,003
I had never seen
a case like this in my career.
74
00:03:58,004 --> 00:04:01,775
You're the voice for the person
who is laying there dead
75
00:04:01,808 --> 00:04:03,943
and you gotta recreate all
the events that led up to it.
76
00:04:04,778 --> 00:04:07,547
It was very obvious that
there was foul play involved.
77
00:04:10,383 --> 00:04:12,118
Judging from the handle
of the knife
78
00:04:12,152 --> 00:04:13,486
that was in the face,
79
00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:15,321
It looked like
your standard kitchen knife
80
00:04:15,355 --> 00:04:17,123
and not something
like a hunting knife
81
00:04:17,157 --> 00:04:18,158
or a pocket knife.
82
00:04:18,191 --> 00:04:20,527
It was assumed by us
83
00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:22,562
that the knife was taken
from the victim's kitchen.
84
00:04:23,329 --> 00:04:26,399
It didn't fit the MO
85
00:04:26,433 --> 00:04:29,869
of a breaking and entering
or a robbery.
86
00:04:30,370 --> 00:04:32,772
It was a very brutal attack,
87
00:04:32,806 --> 00:04:36,376
a very violent, a very
emotionally-charged attack.
88
00:04:36,743 --> 00:04:40,146
Crimes of passion tend to be
in an overkill manner.
89
00:04:40,180 --> 00:04:41,981
This appeared
to be exactly that.
90
00:04:42,415 --> 00:04:44,484
So my initial thoughts
91
00:04:44,517 --> 00:04:48,088
were this was somebody
that the victim knew
92
00:04:48,722 --> 00:04:52,559
or had a relationship with,
romantically, or otherwise.
93
00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:55,962
[Narrator] Based on
the extensive damage
94
00:04:55,995 --> 00:04:57,297
around the victim,
95
00:04:57,330 --> 00:04:59,332
arson investigators believe
they know
96
00:04:59,366 --> 00:05:01,701
where the fire originated.
97
00:05:01,735 --> 00:05:05,205
It appeared that the fire
had started in the bedroom
98
00:05:05,739 --> 00:05:09,242
based on some of the things
that we had seen about the bed.
99
00:05:10,076 --> 00:05:12,545
Burnt sheets, comforter,
100
00:05:12,579 --> 00:05:15,415
papers from books
that had been torn out.
101
00:05:15,949 --> 00:05:17,617
It wasn't just that they
were trying to burn the body.
102
00:05:17,650 --> 00:05:19,519
They were trying
to burn the whole house
103
00:05:19,552 --> 00:05:22,422
to conceal any and all evidence.
104
00:05:24,257 --> 00:05:25,759
After discovering the body
105
00:05:25,792 --> 00:05:27,594
and doing
the initial investigation
106
00:05:27,627 --> 00:05:30,063
within the bedroom,
we make our way out
107
00:05:30,063 --> 00:05:31,898
and try to identify the victim.
108
00:05:32,632 --> 00:05:34,901
We looked for mail.
We looked for pictures.
109
00:05:34,934 --> 00:05:38,071
We looked for anything
that might have a name
110
00:05:38,104 --> 00:05:40,273
associated with the address.
111
00:05:40,707 --> 00:05:42,409
We didn't see a lot.
We didn't have anything
112
00:05:42,442 --> 00:05:44,611
that identified
who the victim was.
113
00:05:47,947 --> 00:05:49,382
[music]
114
00:05:49,416 --> 00:05:51,284
Then we start interviewing
whoever's around,
115
00:05:51,651 --> 00:05:53,586
who showed up at the scene.
116
00:05:53,620 --> 00:05:55,221
[Leigh] As I walked
out of the house,
117
00:05:55,255 --> 00:05:57,157
I looked over and saw somebody
118
00:05:57,190 --> 00:05:59,626
that I recognized,
named Daryl Benzel.
119
00:06:01,027 --> 00:06:03,930
Daryl was a friend
of my brother and my dad.
120
00:06:04,764 --> 00:06:06,066
I saw Leigh.
121
00:06:06,099 --> 00:06:09,436
And we looked at each other
like, "Wow, what's this about?"
122
00:06:10,136 --> 00:06:11,871
[Leigh] I greeted Daryl.
123
00:06:11,905 --> 00:06:13,907
You know, "Hi, Daryl.
What are you doing here?"
124
00:06:13,940 --> 00:06:15,408
[Daryl] I said, "Well,
this is my house."
125
00:06:15,442 --> 00:06:16,643
She's like, "Oh, my goodness."
126
00:06:18,611 --> 00:06:19,879
[Narrator] Daryl tells
detectives
127
00:06:19,913 --> 00:06:23,750
that he had just received
a frantic call from a neighbor.
128
00:06:23,783 --> 00:06:25,618
[Daryl] Bonita,
who lived next door,
129
00:06:25,652 --> 00:06:27,921
let me know
that our house was on fire.
130
00:06:27,954 --> 00:06:30,623
That's all she could tell us,
that the house was on fire
131
00:06:30,657 --> 00:06:32,058
and the fire department
was there.
132
00:06:32,859 --> 00:06:34,728
So I got there
as fast as I could,
133
00:06:34,761 --> 00:06:37,364
all the time thinking,
"What happened?"
134
00:06:38,298 --> 00:06:40,066
[Leigh] He had asked me
at that point
135
00:06:40,066 --> 00:06:41,534
if there was anybody inside,
136
00:06:41,568 --> 00:06:43,603
and I advised him
that there was,
137
00:06:43,636 --> 00:06:46,239
asked him if he knew who it was.
138
00:06:46,272 --> 00:06:48,141
He said, "Well, yes,
it's my tenant
139
00:06:48,174 --> 00:06:49,609
and it's Eddie Poynter."
140
00:06:51,311 --> 00:06:52,779
And at that point,
141
00:06:54,447 --> 00:06:56,149
I took a step back
142
00:06:56,182 --> 00:06:59,152
and my shoulders just dropped.
143
00:06:59,185 --> 00:07:02,655
And I said,
"I know that name. Wow."
144
00:07:03,223 --> 00:07:05,258
And it's the first...
145
00:07:05,925 --> 00:07:07,794
Well, it's the first and only
homicide I ever had
146
00:07:07,827 --> 00:07:09,562
where I had actually met
the victim.
147
00:07:12,899 --> 00:07:15,669
[music]
148
00:07:15,702 --> 00:07:17,437
[Narrator] Born in
the Bible Belt community
149
00:07:17,470 --> 00:07:19,039
of Edmonton, Kentucky,
150
00:07:19,039 --> 00:07:22,642
Eddie Poynter had moved
to Louisville in the late '90s.
151
00:07:23,677 --> 00:07:26,079
He came from a small town
in Kentucky.
152
00:07:26,546 --> 00:07:29,482
[Leigh] Eddie was gay
and probably didn't have
153
00:07:29,516 --> 00:07:33,853
a lot of, I guess, outlets
for the gay community.
154
00:07:34,354 --> 00:07:36,322
People outgrow their small tow,
155
00:07:36,356 --> 00:07:38,358
and they wanna see a bigger cit
156
00:07:38,391 --> 00:07:40,894
and socialize with people
like themselves,
157
00:07:40,927 --> 00:07:44,330
and where they can feel
comfortable and accepted.
158
00:07:44,364 --> 00:07:46,466
And I think Louisville
was that for Eddie.
159
00:07:47,067 --> 00:07:48,702
[Connie] Louisville is
a very diverse city.
160
00:07:48,735 --> 00:07:50,970
People can love
who they want here.
161
00:07:51,071 --> 00:07:54,541
And a lot of folks make it
their home because of that.
162
00:07:56,242 --> 00:07:57,344
[Narrator] In Louisville,
163
00:07:57,377 --> 00:07:59,346
Eddie quickly found a community
164
00:07:59,379 --> 00:08:01,348
where he felt accepted.
165
00:08:01,381 --> 00:08:03,249
[Leigh] I didn't know
Eddie well,
166
00:08:03,283 --> 00:08:04,851
but my brother knew him.
167
00:08:04,884 --> 00:08:07,354
I had met him while having lunch
168
00:08:07,387 --> 00:08:08,855
with my brother one day,
169
00:08:08,888 --> 00:08:13,026
and he was a waiter
at a restaurant here in town.
170
00:08:13,059 --> 00:08:14,661
My brother and I
were dining there
171
00:08:14,694 --> 00:08:18,698
and I just remember
there was a bright smile
172
00:08:18,732 --> 00:08:20,100
on both of their faces
173
00:08:20,133 --> 00:08:24,571
and a very compassionate,
welcoming greeting
174
00:08:24,604 --> 00:08:25,672
to one another.
175
00:08:25,705 --> 00:08:27,173
I remember my brother saying,
176
00:08:27,207 --> 00:08:29,642
"Eddie's going through
a tough time right now."
177
00:08:29,676 --> 00:08:32,045
Eddie had a problem
with alcohol.
178
00:08:32,545 --> 00:08:35,382
He had battled that
for some time.
179
00:08:35,415 --> 00:08:38,451
Eddie did seek
a program of recovery
180
00:08:38,818 --> 00:08:41,788
and had met a lot of people,
181
00:08:42,422 --> 00:08:44,624
and had an impact
on a lot of people.
182
00:08:47,060 --> 00:08:49,062
[music]
183
00:08:49,829 --> 00:08:53,133
Eddie was fun and funny,
but he was serious too.
184
00:08:53,166 --> 00:08:55,135
He had a serious side.
185
00:08:55,435 --> 00:08:59,272
He believed in being in recovery
186
00:08:59,305 --> 00:09:01,708
and doing the best he could.
187
00:09:02,442 --> 00:09:05,211
I watched him blossom into a gu
188
00:09:05,245 --> 00:09:09,149
that felt like he had
found something he needed.
189
00:09:10,450 --> 00:09:12,552
I just loved him to death.
190
00:09:17,624 --> 00:09:19,826
[Narrator] Eddie was trying
to turn his life around
191
00:09:19,859 --> 00:09:21,928
when he met Daryl Benzel
192
00:09:22,028 --> 00:09:23,830
who offered him a place to live
193
00:09:23,863 --> 00:09:26,266
on historic Harlan Avenue.
194
00:09:27,033 --> 00:09:30,403
Eddie was several months' sober
needin' a place to stay.
195
00:09:30,437 --> 00:09:32,572
And he was a good tenant,
he really was.
196
00:09:33,506 --> 00:09:35,875
[Bonita] Eddie was
a real nice guy.
197
00:09:35,909 --> 00:09:39,446
He was friendly and cordial
with me at all times.
198
00:09:43,483 --> 00:09:47,153
[Narrator] But just eight months
after moving into his new house
199
00:09:47,187 --> 00:09:50,824
the life Eddie had worked
so hard to build in Louisville
200
00:09:50,857 --> 00:09:53,193
has gone up in flames,
201
00:09:53,226 --> 00:09:57,464
and detectives are searching
for clues as to what happened.
202
00:09:57,497 --> 00:10:00,266
[Leigh] I always worked
my hardest on theses cases,
203
00:10:00,300 --> 00:10:02,335
but there was never really
a personal attachment
204
00:10:02,369 --> 00:10:04,371
to these victims
until this case.
205
00:10:05,171 --> 00:10:07,273
I just had
a different connection.
206
00:10:09,976 --> 00:10:12,479
[Narrator] Despite the damage
caused by the fire,
207
00:10:12,512 --> 00:10:15,548
detectives recover one clue
from the ashes.
208
00:10:16,216 --> 00:10:18,485
[Leigh] One of the fire arson
investigators said,
209
00:10:18,518 --> 00:10:21,054
"Hey, we uncovered
this notebook.
210
00:10:21,087 --> 00:10:23,189
There's a name Jennifer Smith
in it."
211
00:10:23,690 --> 00:10:26,059
If we could identify
a Jennifer Smith,
212
00:10:26,092 --> 00:10:28,895
that might've had some sort
of tie to this residence.
213
00:10:28,928 --> 00:10:30,497
It was worth investigating.
214
00:10:31,164 --> 00:10:33,767
The likelihood of tracking down
every Jennifer Smith
215
00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,403
in the city of Louisville
was a big task.
216
00:10:36,970 --> 00:10:39,172
It could've just been a girl
217
00:10:39,205 --> 00:10:40,874
that had been visiting
218
00:10:40,907 --> 00:10:43,677
that was doodling her name
when she visited
219
00:10:43,710 --> 00:10:45,412
and had nothing to do with this.
220
00:10:46,046 --> 00:10:48,415
Everything that could've caused
a problem for me
221
00:10:48,448 --> 00:10:52,085
in the beginning stages
of any investigation was there.
222
00:10:52,118 --> 00:10:53,153
We have no fingerprints.
223
00:10:53,186 --> 00:10:56,089
We have very limited
if any evidence at the scene
224
00:10:56,122 --> 00:10:57,457
because of the fire,
225
00:10:57,490 --> 00:10:59,893
and we have
a crime of complete rage.
226
00:11:00,727 --> 00:11:02,495
It was a little bit overwhelmin
227
00:11:02,529 --> 00:11:04,631
to think
that it would be solved.
228
00:11:05,365 --> 00:11:06,366
Where do we start?
229
00:11:09,569 --> 00:11:11,204
[Narrator] Coming up,
230
00:11:11,237 --> 00:11:14,507
detectives search for clues
among Eddie's inner circle.
231
00:11:14,941 --> 00:11:18,445
We heard that they had
had a relationship at one point.
232
00:11:18,478 --> 00:11:20,680
There was
about a 30-year age difference
233
00:11:20,714 --> 00:11:21,981
between the two of them.
234
00:11:23,149 --> 00:11:24,751
[Narrator] And the case
is turned upside-down
235
00:11:24,784 --> 00:11:27,087
when detectives discover
Eddie's murder
236
00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:30,557
may be connected to
a larger crime spree,
237
00:11:30,590 --> 00:11:33,493
one with a rising body count.
238
00:11:33,526 --> 00:11:35,195
She called us and said,
239
00:11:35,228 --> 00:11:36,229
"She's ready to talk
240
00:11:36,262 --> 00:11:38,698
and clear things up
for herself."
241
00:11:38,732 --> 00:11:40,834
She said she may know
where another body is.
242
00:11:43,603 --> 00:11:46,373
[music]
243
00:11:52,611 --> 00:11:54,113
ville,
Kentucky,
244
00:11:54,113 --> 00:11:56,248
homicide detectives
are investigating
245
00:11:56,281 --> 00:12:00,486
the stabbing death
of 43-year-old Eddie Poynter.
246
00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:04,423
To learn more about Eddie
and those closest to him,
247
00:12:04,456 --> 00:12:08,360
detectives must break the news
of his death to this mother.
248
00:12:10,729 --> 00:12:12,498
[Leigh] When you make
a notification
249
00:12:12,531 --> 00:12:13,766
on somebody's death,
250
00:12:13,799 --> 00:12:17,102
I mean, it's the absolute
hardest thing you do
251
00:12:17,136 --> 00:12:17,970
in your career,
252
00:12:18,070 --> 00:12:20,739
and that if never, ever
gets easier.
253
00:12:22,274 --> 00:12:23,809
It's heartbreaking.
254
00:12:24,309 --> 00:12:27,212
She said, "I had
a very close relationship."
255
00:12:27,546 --> 00:12:31,083
She was heartbroken
to hear that her son had died
256
00:12:31,116 --> 00:12:34,920
and even more so
that he had died in this manner.
257
00:12:35,854 --> 00:12:37,656
[Narrator] Eddie's mother
can't think of anyone
258
00:12:37,690 --> 00:12:39,925
who would want to harm her son.
259
00:12:40,893 --> 00:12:43,429
When detectives begin
speaking to Eddie's friends,
260
00:12:43,462 --> 00:12:45,097
they say the same.
261
00:12:45,664 --> 00:12:47,733
He had a good network
of friends,
262
00:12:47,766 --> 00:12:49,802
both in the community
of recovery
263
00:12:49,835 --> 00:12:51,303
as well as the gay community
264
00:12:51,337 --> 00:12:54,106
who were very close-knit.
265
00:12:54,540 --> 00:12:55,808
[Cheryl] I was devastated.
266
00:12:55,841 --> 00:12:57,309
I just couldn't figure out
267
00:12:57,343 --> 00:13:01,413
how they could kill
this sweet friend of mine.
268
00:13:06,585 --> 00:13:07,853
[Narrator] Hoping for answers,
269
00:13:07,886 --> 00:13:09,922
detectives request
for an autopsy
270
00:13:09,955 --> 00:13:12,257
to be done right away.
271
00:13:13,092 --> 00:13:14,493
[Leigh] The autopsy revealed
that there were
272
00:13:14,526 --> 00:13:17,896
multiple stab wounds to the face
as well as the torso
273
00:13:17,930 --> 00:13:20,766
in excess of amount,
probably, in the dozens.
274
00:13:21,500 --> 00:13:24,069
[Jeff] He had numerous
defensive wounds on his hands
275
00:13:24,069 --> 00:13:25,771
that they're fighting
for their life.
276
00:13:25,804 --> 00:13:27,573
They're trying to stop
what was coming at him.
277
00:13:28,073 --> 00:13:29,274
[Leigh] It appeared
that the body
278
00:13:29,308 --> 00:13:31,577
had been intentionally set
on fire
279
00:13:31,610 --> 00:13:33,345
due to the nature
of the severe burns
280
00:13:33,379 --> 00:13:36,382
and the char marks
that concealed his identity.
281
00:13:37,750 --> 00:13:41,353
It's almost like someone
wanted to erase
282
00:13:41,387 --> 00:13:43,822
any trace of Eddie,
283
00:13:44,123 --> 00:13:46,925
physically and emotionally.
284
00:13:53,365 --> 00:13:55,768
[Connie] I remember
coming in that day
285
00:13:55,801 --> 00:13:58,570
and our assignment desk,
sending myself
286
00:13:58,604 --> 00:14:02,541
and a photographer
out to the home.
287
00:14:03,042 --> 00:14:04,743
[Reporter] Fire crews
found 43-year-old
288
00:14:04,777 --> 00:14:06,378
Eddie Poynter
inside his burning home
289
00:14:06,412 --> 00:14:08,580
on Harlan Street,
early Friday morning.
290
00:14:08,614 --> 00:14:11,517
Poynter's possessions
charred and on his front lawn.
291
00:14:11,550 --> 00:14:13,819
We have never felt like it was
an unsafe neighborhood.
292
00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:17,823
[Leigh] The news of
Eddie's death was circulating.
293
00:14:18,257 --> 00:14:20,959
So a lot of people
were learning about it.
294
00:14:21,427 --> 00:14:23,829
People would call the office
and offer
295
00:14:24,329 --> 00:14:26,732
to give information
because they cared about Eddie.
296
00:14:27,199 --> 00:14:29,868
And one of his best friends
actually reached out to us
297
00:14:29,902 --> 00:14:31,704
when he heard
about Eddie's death,
298
00:14:31,737 --> 00:14:33,472
and that was a man
named Garry Perry.
299
00:14:34,807 --> 00:14:36,275
It was a great phone call to get
300
00:14:36,308 --> 00:14:39,378
because he's gonna be the person
that probably knows Eddie
301
00:14:39,411 --> 00:14:40,846
more than anybody does.
302
00:14:41,747 --> 00:14:44,149
Garry indicated that Eddie
predominantly hung out
303
00:14:44,183 --> 00:14:45,951
either in AA meeting groups
304
00:14:45,984 --> 00:14:49,321
or at a little,
small, hole-in-the-wall bar
305
00:14:49,355 --> 00:14:50,756
called Teddy Bears
306
00:14:50,789 --> 00:14:52,825
that's in the heart
of Old Louisville.
307
00:14:54,793 --> 00:14:57,096
He was sober
but he was always there,
308
00:14:57,129 --> 00:14:58,831
drinking just Cokes and stuff
309
00:14:58,864 --> 00:15:00,833
'cause that's where
his friends were.
310
00:15:00,866 --> 00:15:02,101
[Leigh] What I wanna know is,
311
00:15:02,134 --> 00:15:03,802
did he have
any romantic relationships?
312
00:15:03,836 --> 00:15:05,437
Who were his closest friends?
313
00:15:05,471 --> 00:15:07,139
Garry really indicated
314
00:15:07,172 --> 00:15:09,441
that he didn't have
any romantic relationships
315
00:15:09,475 --> 00:15:10,642
that he was aware of.
316
00:15:10,676 --> 00:15:12,344
He had very close friends.
317
00:15:13,212 --> 00:15:16,849
And one of his best friends,
and he used to live with,
318
00:15:17,483 --> 00:15:18,684
this older gentleman
319
00:15:18,717 --> 00:15:20,552
and his name was Blaine Thacker
320
00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:24,390
There was
about a 30-year age difference
321
00:15:24,423 --> 00:15:25,557
between the two of them.
322
00:15:25,591 --> 00:15:28,060
They were both
in the restaurant industry.
323
00:15:28,093 --> 00:15:30,462
And they were both
part of the gay community.
324
00:15:30,496 --> 00:15:33,966
And they just fell into
a very deep friendship.
325
00:15:35,134 --> 00:15:37,136
[Connie] Eddie and Blaine
were seen together all the time
326
00:15:37,169 --> 00:15:39,071
We heard that they had
327
00:15:39,071 --> 00:15:41,840
had a relationship
at one point, possibly,
328
00:15:41,874 --> 00:15:44,743
but they were just friends
more recently.
329
00:15:45,511 --> 00:15:47,079
[Narrator] Armed with
the knowledge
330
00:15:47,079 --> 00:15:49,281
that Blaine was close
with Eddie,
331
00:15:49,314 --> 00:15:53,552
detectives must speak with him
to rule out any involvement.
332
00:15:54,119 --> 00:15:57,089
Gary said Blaine
would be the one person
333
00:15:57,089 --> 00:15:58,624
that probably knew Eddie
the best.
334
00:15:59,925 --> 00:16:02,061
He had just moved
into an apartment
335
00:16:02,094 --> 00:16:04,630
down in Old Louisville
on Ormsby.
336
00:16:04,663 --> 00:16:07,232
That was called
the Mayflower Apartments.
337
00:16:07,266 --> 00:16:09,068
He did not have
a current phone number
338
00:16:09,101 --> 00:16:10,336
for Blaine,
339
00:16:10,369 --> 00:16:12,771
and he was gonna work on that
for us to reach out to Blaine
340
00:16:12,805 --> 00:16:14,306
to contact him to see
341
00:16:14,340 --> 00:16:17,142
if he could be any help
in this investigation as well.
342
00:16:20,679 --> 00:16:22,047
[Narrator] Gary does know
343
00:16:22,047 --> 00:16:24,049
Blaine's current place
of employment,
344
00:16:24,083 --> 00:16:27,052
so detectives decide
to start there.
345
00:16:27,553 --> 00:16:29,755
[Leigh] Blaine was a cook
at Masterson's
346
00:16:30,055 --> 00:16:33,058
which is a family-owned
restaurant
347
00:16:33,058 --> 00:16:34,593
and catering company
here in Louisville.
348
00:16:35,227 --> 00:16:37,262
[Sueanna] Blaine was
just a character.
349
00:16:37,296 --> 00:16:40,532
He would be yelling at someone
one minute
350
00:16:40,566 --> 00:16:42,301
and hugging them the next.
351
00:16:43,202 --> 00:16:44,870
Blaine was a great guy.
352
00:16:45,270 --> 00:16:49,608
He had a very, very kind heart
and a strong work ethic.
353
00:16:50,576 --> 00:16:52,411
He was just a rock.
354
00:16:52,444 --> 00:16:55,881
He was always there.
He was very dependable.
355
00:16:56,382 --> 00:16:58,384
He always took the morning shift
which was great
356
00:16:58,417 --> 00:16:59,752
'cause it's hard to find people
357
00:16:59,785 --> 00:17:01,553
to come in at 4:00
in the morning.
358
00:17:01,587 --> 00:17:03,188
And he always showed up.
359
00:17:04,123 --> 00:17:06,859
But Blaine didn't show up
one day.
360
00:17:06,892 --> 00:17:10,029
And we thought, "Well, anybody
can misread a schedule."
361
00:17:10,029 --> 00:17:11,897
And then the next day
when he didn't show up
362
00:17:11,930 --> 00:17:13,699
and nobody heard from him,
we knew
363
00:17:13,732 --> 00:17:16,735
that something was not right.
364
00:17:19,538 --> 00:17:22,541
[Connie] Eddie and Blaine
were seen together all the time
365
00:17:23,075 --> 00:17:25,577
Eddie is stabbed to death
in his home,
366
00:17:25,611 --> 00:17:27,046
the home set on fire,
367
00:17:27,579 --> 00:17:30,049
and Blaine
is nowhere to be found.
368
00:17:30,082 --> 00:17:33,052
So does Blaine
have anything to do with this?
369
00:17:33,619 --> 00:17:36,288
Once we learned that he hadn't
been to work in two days,
370
00:17:36,321 --> 00:17:38,290
it was concerning for us,
371
00:17:38,323 --> 00:17:41,160
and it was imperative
that we find him.
372
00:17:45,531 --> 00:17:48,200
[music]
373
00:17:55,275 --> 00:17:56,976
[Narrator] In Louisville,
Kentucky,
374
00:17:57,077 --> 00:17:59,079
detectives investigating
the murder
375
00:17:59,112 --> 00:18:01,448
of 43-year-old Eddie Poynter
376
00:18:01,481 --> 00:18:05,051
are hoping to speak to
his best friend, Blaine Thacker
377
00:18:05,552 --> 00:18:08,254
but before detectives
can locate Blaine,
378
00:18:08,288 --> 00:18:10,824
they receive word
that a possible witness
379
00:18:10,857 --> 00:18:12,492
has arrived at Eddie's home.
380
00:18:14,194 --> 00:18:15,895
[Leigh] Another detective
was out there
381
00:18:15,929 --> 00:18:17,731
doing a neighborhood canvas.
382
00:18:17,764 --> 00:18:20,233
And there was a car that pulled
up to the crime scene tape
383
00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:21,801
and he said, "I'm trying to go
384
00:18:21,835 --> 00:18:24,037
to this house on Harlan Avenue."
385
00:18:24,371 --> 00:18:26,072
He said, "My friend
is in there."
386
00:18:26,106 --> 00:18:27,340
"Well, who's your friend."
387
00:18:27,374 --> 00:18:29,476
And he said,
"It's Dale Moneypenny."
388
00:18:30,310 --> 00:18:32,345
It was at that point
that he wanted to know
389
00:18:32,379 --> 00:18:35,915
if we had identified
Dale Moneypenny
390
00:18:35,949 --> 00:18:37,250
as the victim in the house.
391
00:18:38,051 --> 00:18:39,586
This was a bombshell.
392
00:18:39,619 --> 00:18:42,555
We knew Dale Moneypenny was not
the victim in this case.
393
00:18:44,190 --> 00:18:45,859
[Narrator] According
to the witness,
394
00:18:46,559 --> 00:18:48,795
he had gone
to the Harlan Avenue home
395
00:18:48,828 --> 00:18:50,096
the day before the fire
396
00:18:50,130 --> 00:18:51,731
to see his friend, Dale.
397
00:18:52,899 --> 00:18:54,267
[Leigh] Dale's friend said
398
00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:56,903
Dale Moneypenny was there,
covered in blood,
399
00:18:56,936 --> 00:18:58,805
and there was a girl in there.
400
00:18:59,239 --> 00:19:00,907
And she had blood
on her clothes.
401
00:19:01,007 --> 00:19:03,243
He got freaked out and left.
402
00:19:03,510 --> 00:19:06,513
And then saw
the crime scene tape up.
403
00:19:07,514 --> 00:19:09,349
Peaked his interest,
and he went back over there
404
00:19:09,382 --> 00:19:11,551
to find out
that the house had been burned.
405
00:19:12,619 --> 00:19:14,454
That was a huge break
in this investigation
406
00:19:14,487 --> 00:19:17,057
because not only
did he give us a name,
407
00:19:17,090 --> 00:19:18,525
he put him at the crime scene
408
00:19:18,558 --> 00:19:19,659
with a female.
409
00:19:19,693 --> 00:19:22,228
Both of them
had blood on their clothing
410
00:19:22,262 --> 00:19:24,898
within hours
of the fire being set.
411
00:19:25,565 --> 00:19:27,801
[Narrator] The witness
doesn't know Eddie Poynter,
412
00:19:27,834 --> 00:19:30,904
but he claims that Dale
had been living in the house
413
00:19:30,937 --> 00:19:32,405
for two days.
414
00:19:32,439 --> 00:19:34,240
[Leigh] He didn't know
this girl with Dale.
415
00:19:34,274 --> 00:19:36,242
She was unfamiliar to him.
416
00:19:36,276 --> 00:19:38,511
But he was able
to give us a description.
417
00:19:38,545 --> 00:19:40,347
Who the hell were those
two people staying with him?
418
00:19:40,380 --> 00:19:41,748
That's what we needed
to figure out.
419
00:19:42,649 --> 00:19:45,285
[Narrator] Detectives
prioritize this new lead
420
00:19:45,318 --> 00:19:48,421
and put a hold
on tracking down Blaine Thacker
421
00:19:50,423 --> 00:19:52,492
[Leigh] It's very unusual
to get the name of a suspect
422
00:19:52,525 --> 00:19:55,628
within 24 hours
of your investigation.
423
00:19:55,662 --> 00:19:58,965
So going from a place of
"Where do we begin?"
424
00:19:59,065 --> 00:20:01,434
to "We may have a suspect"
425
00:20:01,468 --> 00:20:04,337
was unexpected and exciting.
426
00:20:04,704 --> 00:20:06,940
All we needed to do
was a little bit of research
427
00:20:06,973 --> 00:20:08,174
and the search was on.
428
00:20:08,675 --> 00:20:10,677
We were able
to locate criminal records.
429
00:20:10,710 --> 00:20:13,546
We knew very little
about Dale Moneypenny
430
00:20:13,580 --> 00:20:16,249
other than
a general description of him
431
00:20:16,282 --> 00:20:19,319
as a white male,
blonde hair, blue eyes,
432
00:20:19,352 --> 00:20:21,421
originating from
Ashland, Kentucky,
433
00:20:21,454 --> 00:20:23,556
which is far-eastern Kentucky.
434
00:20:23,590 --> 00:20:26,026
We did have knowledge
that he was driving
435
00:20:26,059 --> 00:20:27,727
a black Honda.
436
00:20:27,761 --> 00:20:29,129
And we got the plate.
437
00:20:29,162 --> 00:20:31,698
So we put out a BOLO
438
00:20:31,731 --> 00:20:35,168
which is a be-on-the-lookout
for this plate and this vehicle,
439
00:20:35,201 --> 00:20:36,703
if you see it, call the police.
440
00:20:36,736 --> 00:20:39,572
At that point, we just
took the name Dale Moneypenny,
441
00:20:39,606 --> 00:20:43,410
and did a search
through our arrest records,
442
00:20:43,443 --> 00:20:47,280
and found that Dale
had spent some time in prison
443
00:20:47,313 --> 00:20:49,949
and had a fairly lengthy
criminal history
444
00:20:49,983 --> 00:20:52,485
for a young male
in his twenties.
445
00:20:53,319 --> 00:20:56,956
Dale liked to assault people.
446
00:20:56,990 --> 00:20:58,825
He liked to steal things.
447
00:20:58,858 --> 00:21:01,695
I believe there was
an escape charge at one point
448
00:21:02,195 --> 00:21:05,732
and some drug use
in his history.
449
00:21:06,266 --> 00:21:08,201
[Narrator] Determined
to locate Dale
450
00:21:08,234 --> 00:21:10,470
and learn more about
his connection to Eddie,
451
00:21:10,503 --> 00:21:13,540
detectives begin
reaching out to his relatives.
452
00:21:13,907 --> 00:21:15,742
While no one has seen Dale,
453
00:21:15,775 --> 00:21:17,344
family members tell police
454
00:21:17,377 --> 00:21:20,113
they're not surprised
to hear from them.
455
00:21:20,447 --> 00:21:23,316
Dale always had his fair share
of trouble,
456
00:21:23,350 --> 00:21:27,087
not wanting to listen
and just doing his own thing.
457
00:21:27,354 --> 00:21:30,190
So it's not Dale's first rodeo.
458
00:21:31,224 --> 00:21:33,159
[Narrator] According
to Dale's family,
459
00:21:33,193 --> 00:21:36,363
his downward spiral
into a life of crime
460
00:21:36,396 --> 00:21:38,531
developed after
the tragic murder
461
00:21:38,565 --> 00:21:41,501
of his mother
when he was just a teenager.
462
00:21:41,534 --> 00:21:43,203
[Andrew] When
my Aunt Karen died,
463
00:21:43,236 --> 00:21:45,205
it was, it hit
everybody pretty hard,
464
00:21:45,238 --> 00:21:47,107
but it hit Dale especially hard
465
00:21:47,107 --> 00:21:50,276
'cause that was the only family
466
00:21:50,310 --> 00:21:52,112
he really had for himself.
467
00:21:52,112 --> 00:21:53,780
He was on his own.
468
00:21:53,813 --> 00:21:55,348
He had nowhere else to go.
469
00:21:57,650 --> 00:21:59,886
[music]
470
00:22:00,687 --> 00:22:04,190
Dale was already way into
partying at that age
471
00:22:04,224 --> 00:22:07,093
and he was a ladies' man.
472
00:22:07,127 --> 00:22:08,561
He knew how to talk to people.
473
00:22:08,595 --> 00:22:10,397
He knew
how to get what he wanted.
474
00:22:10,430 --> 00:22:12,365
And he fed off of that.
475
00:22:12,399 --> 00:22:16,102
He'd feed into your needs
to get to his needs.
476
00:22:16,970 --> 00:22:20,940
He grew up in a drug world
and alcohol and all that.
477
00:22:21,541 --> 00:22:24,778
But it takes a toll
on a person after a while.
478
00:22:25,845 --> 00:22:27,147
He had a temper.
479
00:22:27,180 --> 00:22:30,417
And you add drugs
and alcohol with that,
480
00:22:31,384 --> 00:22:33,687
that's a bomb waiting to go off.
481
00:22:37,457 --> 00:22:40,293
[Narrator] Following a stint
in prison in 2000,
482
00:22:40,326 --> 00:22:43,596
family members say Dale
left home for good.
483
00:22:43,630 --> 00:22:46,766
I knew Dale had took off
to Louisville, Kentucky.
484
00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:49,969
And he ended up
with this girl out there.
485
00:22:50,704 --> 00:22:52,305
[Narrator] Detectives
have a theory
486
00:22:52,339 --> 00:22:54,908
for who Dale's girlfriend
may be.
487
00:22:55,308 --> 00:22:57,210
We knew one name at that point.
488
00:22:57,243 --> 00:22:58,712
Jennifer Smith.
489
00:23:01,047 --> 00:23:03,550
[Narrator] Detectives
release Dale's mugshot
490
00:23:03,583 --> 00:23:07,053
and ask the public for help
identifying Jennifer Smith.
491
00:23:08,288 --> 00:23:10,123
Shortly after, they get a call
492
00:23:10,156 --> 00:23:12,058
from the mother
of a Jennifer Smith
493
00:23:12,058 --> 00:23:13,727
in southern Indiana.
494
00:23:18,064 --> 00:23:19,833
[Leigh] We went to her house.
495
00:23:19,866 --> 00:23:22,202
She said
she hadn't seen Jennifer.
496
00:23:22,235 --> 00:23:23,470
But she knew
that we were looking for her
497
00:23:23,503 --> 00:23:26,072
because she had seen the news.
498
00:23:26,072 --> 00:23:28,141
Jennifer's a young 20-somethin,
499
00:23:28,174 --> 00:23:29,709
had been going to college.
500
00:23:29,743 --> 00:23:32,245
She didn't really have
a residence that she lived at.
501
00:23:32,278 --> 00:23:34,814
She would hop
from place to place.
502
00:23:35,315 --> 00:23:36,883
[Narrator] Jennifer's mother
confirms
503
00:23:36,916 --> 00:23:39,786
that her daughter
has been dating Dale Moneypenny
504
00:23:39,819 --> 00:23:41,321
for two weeks.
505
00:23:41,788 --> 00:23:43,890
[Leigh] Jennifer's mom
did see her with Dale
506
00:23:43,923 --> 00:23:46,893
and saw that she had
a very strong attachment
507
00:23:46,926 --> 00:23:48,361
to this guy.
508
00:23:48,962 --> 00:23:50,563
[Jeff] She didn't really
like him or trust him.
509
00:23:50,930 --> 00:23:52,499
She made him
get out of the house
510
00:23:52,532 --> 00:23:53,633
'cause he was there,
trying to manipulate
511
00:23:53,667 --> 00:23:56,202
and take money
and do stuff that way.
512
00:23:56,670 --> 00:23:59,673
And so Jennifer just went
and stayed with him.
513
00:23:59,706 --> 00:24:01,408
[Narrator] Jennifer's mother
believes
514
00:24:01,441 --> 00:24:04,044
that her daughter's life
is in danger.
515
00:24:04,411 --> 00:24:06,479
She was scared for her daughter
516
00:24:06,513 --> 00:24:09,315
because the way Moneypenny
was manipulating
517
00:24:09,349 --> 00:24:11,051
and preying on Jennifer.
518
00:24:11,851 --> 00:24:13,553
[Leigh] I know she cared
about he daughter.
519
00:24:13,586 --> 00:24:15,855
She wanted her back home.
520
00:24:16,690 --> 00:24:18,191
[Narrator] With no
clear indication
521
00:24:18,224 --> 00:24:20,460
where Jennifer and Dale are no,
522
00:24:20,493 --> 00:24:23,363
detectives fear they may have
skipped town.
523
00:24:23,930 --> 00:24:27,367
But just a few hours after
speaking with Jennifer's mom,
524
00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:29,569
police get another call.
525
00:24:29,969 --> 00:24:31,504
[Leigh] A short time later,
she called us and said,
526
00:24:31,538 --> 00:24:33,573
"Jennifer's back and she's ready
527
00:24:33,606 --> 00:24:34,708
to talk to you guys
528
00:24:34,741 --> 00:24:36,810
and clear things up
for herself."
529
00:24:39,646 --> 00:24:43,216
We picked up Jennifer
and something was eating at her.
530
00:24:43,717 --> 00:24:45,485
Something was bothering her.
531
00:24:45,819 --> 00:24:48,188
It was until we pressed her
for a little bit more
532
00:24:48,221 --> 00:24:49,823
that she came clean.
533
00:24:49,856 --> 00:24:52,125
[Narrator] Jennifer admits
that her boyfriend,
534
00:24:52,158 --> 00:24:54,260
Dale Moneypenny, is responsible
535
00:24:54,294 --> 00:24:56,096
for Eddie Poynter's death,
536
00:24:56,296 --> 00:24:58,832
but Eddie
is not the only victim.
537
00:24:59,232 --> 00:25:01,101
She says she may know
where another body is.
538
00:25:01,501 --> 00:25:03,536
[Leigh] She drops a bomb.
539
00:25:03,570 --> 00:25:05,405
She tells us
that she didn't know
540
00:25:05,438 --> 00:25:07,807
that Dale was gonna kill
the other guy.
541
00:25:08,274 --> 00:25:09,676
And I said, "What other guy?"
542
00:25:09,709 --> 00:25:11,144
And she said, "The guy
543
00:25:11,177 --> 00:25:13,113
that lived at
the Mayflower Apartments."
544
00:25:13,146 --> 00:25:16,049
Immediately, I said,
"It's Blaine Thacker."
545
00:25:18,351 --> 00:25:21,054
[music]
546
00:25:27,926 --> 00:25:29,795
[Narrator] Less than 48 hours
547
00:25:29,828 --> 00:25:32,598
after Eddie Poynter
was found stabbed to death
548
00:25:32,631 --> 00:25:34,933
inside his burned-out home,
549
00:25:35,267 --> 00:25:38,070
23-year-old Jennifer Smith
has revealed
550
00:25:38,070 --> 00:25:40,639
that her boyfriend,
Dale Moneypenny,
551
00:25:40,673 --> 00:25:43,742
killed Eddie's friend,
Blaine Thacker.
552
00:25:44,743 --> 00:25:46,645
While Jennifer is taken
to the station
553
00:25:46,679 --> 00:25:48,380
to await further questioning,
554
00:25:49,081 --> 00:25:51,784
detectives race
to Blaine's apartment.
555
00:25:53,686 --> 00:25:55,087
[Jeff] Detective Seabolt
and I went
556
00:25:55,087 --> 00:25:56,922
to the building and met
with the management there.
557
00:25:56,955 --> 00:25:58,891
And they let us
into the apartment.
558
00:25:59,825 --> 00:26:01,427
We walked in and his feet
were sticking out,
559
00:26:01,460 --> 00:26:02,728
covered up with blankets.
560
00:26:04,430 --> 00:26:09,368
Blaine had multiple stab wounds
to his chest and torso area
561
00:26:10,035 --> 00:26:12,905
as a result of a knife,
a kitchen knife.
562
00:26:13,872 --> 00:26:16,508
There was no fire
at Blaine Thacker's house.
563
00:26:16,542 --> 00:26:19,178
Although, there were signs
564
00:26:19,211 --> 00:26:22,715
that there had been things
that had been knocked over
565
00:26:22,748 --> 00:26:24,783
and appeared to have
been removed from the home.
566
00:26:25,951 --> 00:26:27,786
[Narrator] After processing
the scene,
567
00:26:27,820 --> 00:26:29,788
detectives return to the statio
568
00:26:29,822 --> 00:26:32,758
and press Jennifer for answers.
569
00:26:32,791 --> 00:26:34,393
[Jeff] We read her rights
and then we just started
570
00:26:34,426 --> 00:26:35,861
to have a conversation with he.
571
00:26:35,894 --> 00:26:37,463
You just basically build
rapport with them.
572
00:26:37,496 --> 00:26:38,864
You try to get them
to trust you.
573
00:26:55,681 --> 00:26:57,082
[Detective] Okay.
574
00:26:57,116 --> 00:27:01,553
I thought she was a young, meek,
very mild-mannered,
575
00:27:01,587 --> 00:27:03,389
lost young lady.
576
00:27:04,023 --> 00:27:05,591
[Narrator] Jennifer
tells detectives
577
00:27:05,624 --> 00:27:07,626
that she didn't know
Dale was violent
578
00:27:07,659 --> 00:27:09,728
when she first met him.
579
00:27:11,764 --> 00:27:13,499
[Leigh] Dale Moneypenny
and Jennifer Smith
580
00:27:13,532 --> 00:27:15,401
had really only known each othe
581
00:27:15,434 --> 00:27:17,069
for about 10 days.
582
00:27:17,102 --> 00:27:20,572
She stated that she had
met Dale through some friends
583
00:27:20,606 --> 00:27:22,775
that were in the party scene.
584
00:27:22,808 --> 00:27:25,644
And she was
attracted to him immediately.
585
00:27:26,612 --> 00:27:28,180
[Jeff] Very infatuated.
586
00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:29,815
Basically puppy love.
587
00:27:44,630 --> 00:27:47,433
He was blonde with blue eyes.
588
00:27:47,466 --> 00:27:48,600
He carried himself well.
589
00:27:48,634 --> 00:27:50,436
He was very charismatic.
590
00:27:50,469 --> 00:27:51,603
He seemed to say
the right thing
591
00:27:51,637 --> 00:27:52,805
at the right time.
592
00:27:53,672 --> 00:27:55,808
[Andrew] When you
first meet Dale,
593
00:27:56,542 --> 00:27:58,077
you're gonna get a side of Dale
594
00:27:58,077 --> 00:28:01,013
you think is just
a very good person.
595
00:28:02,681 --> 00:28:04,850
Dale was fun
to be around at times.
596
00:28:04,883 --> 00:28:07,019
He knew how to get Jennifer.
597
00:28:07,019 --> 00:28:10,255
They began to just
run around together
598
00:28:10,289 --> 00:28:12,591
for a period of seven days,
599
00:28:12,624 --> 00:28:14,593
staying from one place
to another
600
00:28:14,626 --> 00:28:16,628
without separating from another.
601
00:28:17,062 --> 00:28:18,664
[Jeff] They, technically,
were homeless.
602
00:28:18,697 --> 00:28:20,666
Jennifer's mom booted them out.
603
00:28:21,033 --> 00:28:22,401
[Leigh] Her mom
just wasn't willing
604
00:28:22,434 --> 00:28:25,170
to accept the lifestyle
that she was living
605
00:28:25,204 --> 00:28:27,172
at the time with Dale.
606
00:28:27,873 --> 00:28:29,041
[Narrator] According
to Jennifer,
607
00:28:29,041 --> 00:28:31,910
while grabbing a drink
at Teddy Bears bar,
608
00:28:32,845 --> 00:28:34,480
the couch-surfing couple
609
00:28:34,513 --> 00:28:37,883
had the good fortune
of meeting Eddie Poynter.
610
00:28:49,795 --> 00:28:52,131
He hit if off with them.
611
00:28:52,164 --> 00:28:55,067
Offered them a place to stay,
felt bad for them
612
00:28:55,067 --> 00:28:57,703
because they really didn't have
a permanent place to stay.
613
00:28:57,736 --> 00:28:59,872
And Eddie was kind to them.
614
00:29:00,539 --> 00:29:02,875
[Connie] He was just a good guy
and he wanted to help people.
615
00:29:02,908 --> 00:29:05,711
He had also had
a rough time in life
616
00:29:05,744 --> 00:29:07,379
and had been down on his luck.
617
00:29:08,247 --> 00:29:11,450
In his recovery, he sought
to help other people.
618
00:29:12,418 --> 00:29:16,055
[Andrew] Eddie took a big chance
by inviting them into his home.
619
00:29:16,088 --> 00:29:18,157
Eddie didn't know
what he was in for.
620
00:29:18,190 --> 00:29:22,094
Eddie didn't know
who Dale really was.
621
00:29:28,267 --> 00:29:29,735
Okay.
622
00:29:31,537 --> 00:29:33,739
[Narrator] Jennifer says
that only a couple of nights
623
00:29:33,772 --> 00:29:35,040
into their stay,
624
00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:37,209
on the night of March 23rd,
625
00:29:37,242 --> 00:29:41,046
it was clear they had overstaye
their welcome.
626
00:29:41,080 --> 00:29:42,948
Her story was that she and Dale
627
00:29:43,048 --> 00:29:46,652
were having sex in Eddie's bed
628
00:29:46,685 --> 00:29:47,953
and Eddie walked in.
629
00:29:53,492 --> 00:29:54,660
[Detective] Okay.
630
00:29:55,928 --> 00:29:57,062
[Narrator] Jennifer claims
that she left the room
631
00:29:57,062 --> 00:29:58,764
to avoid confrontation,
632
00:29:59,298 --> 00:30:02,434
but Dale grew enraged
at Eddie's treatment
633
00:30:02,468 --> 00:30:03,902
of his girlfriend.
634
00:30:04,203 --> 00:30:05,838
[Leigh] Jennifer said,
at that point,
635
00:30:05,871 --> 00:30:07,740
he grabbed a knife
from the kitchen.
636
00:30:08,173 --> 00:30:10,809
Dale went in
and approached Eddie,
637
00:30:10,843 --> 00:30:12,611
and an argument ensued,
638
00:30:13,278 --> 00:30:15,748
at which time,
he came out a few minutes later
639
00:30:15,781 --> 00:30:17,449
and he was covered in blood.
640
00:30:19,051 --> 00:30:20,986
And he said,
"We gotta get out of here."
641
00:30:34,967 --> 00:30:38,237
[Leigh] She said Dale
set the fire to the house.
642
00:30:40,105 --> 00:30:43,776
And they, then, got whatever
they could that belonged to them
643
00:30:43,809 --> 00:30:44,943
and they left,
644
00:30:44,977 --> 00:30:47,913
and they walked about 45 minute
645
00:30:47,946 --> 00:30:51,016
to the apartment
belonging to Blaine Thacker.
646
00:30:53,752 --> 00:30:55,220
[Narrator] According
to Jennifer,
647
00:30:55,254 --> 00:30:57,923
she and Dale didn't really
know Blaine that well,
648
00:30:57,956 --> 00:31:00,959
having met him
through Eddie only once.
649
00:31:06,498 --> 00:31:09,468
[Connie] They told Blaine
that, oh, they needed
650
00:31:09,501 --> 00:31:11,070
a place to spend the night,
651
00:31:11,103 --> 00:31:14,640
never letting him know
what had just happened.
652
00:31:15,074 --> 00:31:17,176
[Leigh] Blaine allowed them
into his apartment
653
00:31:17,209 --> 00:31:20,512
because he knew them
as having stayed with Eddie
654
00:31:20,546 --> 00:31:22,314
and told them
655
00:31:22,348 --> 00:31:24,650
that they were welcome
to stay there for the night
656
00:31:24,683 --> 00:31:26,085
if they needed a place,
657
00:31:26,085 --> 00:31:28,654
and to help themselves
to something to eat
658
00:31:28,687 --> 00:31:30,089
if they needed to,
659
00:31:30,089 --> 00:31:32,091
and that
he was gonna be going to bed.
660
00:31:35,127 --> 00:31:36,762
[Narrator] According
to Jennifer,
661
00:31:36,795 --> 00:31:39,298
she fell asleep on the couch.
662
00:31:39,331 --> 00:31:41,000
But at 4:30 AM,
663
00:31:41,100 --> 00:31:44,136
she awoke to a horrifying sigh.
664
00:31:49,108 --> 00:31:53,379
She heard Dale come out
from Blaine's bedroom,
665
00:31:53,412 --> 00:31:55,114
again, covered in blood,
666
00:31:55,114 --> 00:31:57,716
and him stating,
"We need to get out of here."
667
00:31:58,617 --> 00:32:00,953
This time, they just threw
blankets on top of him.
668
00:32:01,587 --> 00:32:03,088
[Leigh] According to Jennifer,
she did not know
669
00:32:03,122 --> 00:32:04,857
Dale was gonna kill Blaine.
670
00:32:16,268 --> 00:32:20,072
The picture is that Dale
is on a violent rampage,
671
00:32:20,072 --> 00:32:22,374
and she's just there,
going along,
672
00:32:22,408 --> 00:32:25,944
and it just doesn't seem
to make a lot of sense.
673
00:32:26,745 --> 00:32:28,914
She tried to separate herself
from it as much as she could.
674
00:32:29,415 --> 00:32:30,916
[Leigh] It didn't seem feasible
675
00:32:30,949 --> 00:32:32,918
that a person
that was completely innocent
676
00:32:32,951 --> 00:32:35,721
would not try to get help
677
00:32:35,754 --> 00:32:38,090
or separate herself
from somebody
678
00:32:38,123 --> 00:32:40,192
who's seemingly
in a killing spree.
679
00:32:41,160 --> 00:32:44,129
So it was time
to call her out on it.
680
00:33:19,064 --> 00:33:20,799
[Narrator] Jennifer claims
that she and Dale
681
00:33:20,833 --> 00:33:22,267
drove to Indiana
682
00:33:22,301 --> 00:33:25,471
and stayed with a friend
before Dale decided
683
00:33:25,504 --> 00:33:27,106
to flee the state.
684
00:33:27,139 --> 00:33:29,174
He said, "I will get back
in contact with you."
685
00:33:29,208 --> 00:33:30,909
So I think,
with him saying that,
686
00:33:30,943 --> 00:33:33,145
she felt reassured
687
00:33:33,178 --> 00:33:35,381
that they
would be together once again.
688
00:33:36,181 --> 00:33:37,716
[Narrator] Following
her confession,
689
00:33:37,750 --> 00:33:39,118
detectives charge Jennifer
690
00:33:39,151 --> 00:33:41,086
with two counts of murder,
691
00:33:41,086 --> 00:33:43,922
one count of robbery,
two counts of arson,
692
00:33:43,956 --> 00:33:46,859
and tampering
with physical evidence.
693
00:33:47,426 --> 00:33:50,963
They next set their sights
on locating Dale.
694
00:34:05,210 --> 00:34:07,513
Only thing she knew
was that he had said
695
00:34:07,546 --> 00:34:10,215
that he had always
wanted to go to Miami
696
00:34:10,249 --> 00:34:13,352
and that he was probably
on his way to Florida.
697
00:34:13,952 --> 00:34:16,822
So we contacted
Miami-Dade County.
698
00:34:16,855 --> 00:34:19,892
We had a grand jury indictment
of Dale Moneypenny
699
00:34:19,925 --> 00:34:22,461
and a felony warrant
for his arrest.
700
00:34:22,861 --> 00:34:24,763
So should Dale be stopped,
701
00:34:24,797 --> 00:34:26,865
they would be alerted
no matter where he was located
702
00:34:26,899 --> 00:34:28,767
in the United States
703
00:34:28,801 --> 00:34:31,537
that he was wanted for
two counts of murder and arson
704
00:34:31,570 --> 00:34:33,072
here in Louisville.
705
00:34:33,072 --> 00:34:34,473
[Jeff] Now we had to
get him off the street
706
00:34:34,506 --> 00:34:35,708
'cause if you're
gonna have remorse
707
00:34:35,741 --> 00:34:37,076
for the two deaths
he's already committed,
708
00:34:37,076 --> 00:34:38,210
why wouldn't he kill others?
709
00:34:38,243 --> 00:34:41,747
And it was very high-pressure,
the stakes were very high.
710
00:34:41,780 --> 00:34:43,182
Dale wasn't gonna stop,
711
00:34:43,215 --> 00:34:45,884
and I think it was concerning
for anybody
712
00:34:45,918 --> 00:34:47,720
that encountered him
on his path.
713
00:34:48,087 --> 00:34:49,421
We're desperate to find him.
714
00:34:50,089 --> 00:34:51,390
[Narrator] Coming up,
715
00:34:51,423 --> 00:34:54,660
as the search
for Dale Moneypenny intensified
716
00:34:54,693 --> 00:34:57,596
authorities fear
he'll stop at nothing
717
00:34:57,629 --> 00:34:59,198
to stay a free man.
718
00:34:59,598 --> 00:35:02,201
There's no way to say
he'd never do it again.
719
00:35:02,835 --> 00:35:04,503
[Leigh] The only way
he knew how to survive
720
00:35:04,536 --> 00:35:06,405
was to steal and kill people.
721
00:35:07,573 --> 00:35:10,242
[music]
722
00:35:17,049 --> 00:35:19,184
[Narrator] In March, 2006,
723
00:35:19,218 --> 00:35:21,487
Jennifer Smith
and Dale Moneypenny
724
00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:23,856
have been implicated
in the brutal murders
725
00:35:23,889 --> 00:35:27,526
of two beloved members
of the Louisville community.
726
00:35:27,559 --> 00:35:30,295
[Reporter] Residents are trying
to make sense of two murders,
727
00:35:30,329 --> 00:35:32,131
the first on Harlan Avenue,
728
00:35:32,164 --> 00:35:34,500
home to 43-year-old
Charles Edward Poynter
729
00:35:34,533 --> 00:35:36,468
who was the first to die
last week.
730
00:35:36,502 --> 00:35:39,204
The second, 73-year-old
Blaine Thacker Jr.
731
00:35:39,238 --> 00:35:40,939
wasn't discovered until
Jennifer Smith
732
00:35:40,973 --> 00:35:42,408
was arrested late Saturday nigh
733
00:35:42,441 --> 00:35:44,276
and started talking to police.
734
00:35:44,743 --> 00:35:48,213
[Connie] When we found out
a second person was dead,
735
00:35:48,247 --> 00:35:50,749
not too far from Eddie's house,
736
00:35:51,216 --> 00:35:53,085
this turned into a big story
737
00:35:53,085 --> 00:35:55,421
and a lot of people were upset.
738
00:35:56,388 --> 00:35:57,790
[Narrator] Jennifer Smith
has confessed
739
00:35:57,823 --> 00:36:01,060
that her boyfriend,
26-year-old Dale Moneypenny,
740
00:36:01,093 --> 00:36:02,661
is responsible,
741
00:36:02,695 --> 00:36:07,032
And now Dale has been on the ru
for more than two weeks.
742
00:36:07,032 --> 00:36:09,068
[Leigh] We really didn't know
where Dale was going.
743
00:36:09,101 --> 00:36:10,569
He could've been lying
to Jennifer.
744
00:36:10,602 --> 00:36:14,306
He could've been going
to Colorado for all we know,
745
00:36:14,340 --> 00:36:17,176
which is why we had him
in our national database
746
00:36:17,209 --> 00:36:19,278
as a wanted felon.
747
00:36:20,879 --> 00:36:22,247
[Narrator] On April 16th,
748
00:36:22,281 --> 00:36:25,284
detectives receive the news
they have been waiting for.
749
00:36:26,051 --> 00:36:27,252
[Leigh] We got a hit.
750
00:36:27,286 --> 00:36:28,954
Sunny Isles Police Department,
751
00:36:29,054 --> 00:36:31,323
which is very close to Miami,
752
00:36:31,357 --> 00:36:33,959
called our office and said,
753
00:36:34,059 --> 00:36:36,095
"We just arrested
Dale Moneypenny
754
00:36:36,128 --> 00:36:37,363
and we understand
you're looking for him."
755
00:36:37,396 --> 00:36:39,064
And we said, "Yes, indeed."
756
00:36:39,064 --> 00:36:40,599
At the time
that Dale was stopped,
757
00:36:40,632 --> 00:36:43,635
he was in a stolen vehicle.
Which was not a surprise.
758
00:36:45,804 --> 00:36:48,440
[Narrator] Detectives learn
that, on March 30th,
759
00:36:48,474 --> 00:36:51,110
Dale stopped at a bar
in Daytona Beach
760
00:36:51,143 --> 00:36:53,946
and charmed a 75-year-old man
761
00:36:53,979 --> 00:36:56,315
into buying him a hotel room.
762
00:36:56,615 --> 00:36:57,750
[Jeff] It's the same thing
he was doing.
763
00:36:57,783 --> 00:36:59,852
He was preying upon
the gay male population.
764
00:36:59,885 --> 00:37:01,520
That's his way of doing it,
765
00:37:01,553 --> 00:37:03,022
'cause he's able
to manipulate people.
766
00:37:03,655 --> 00:37:06,025
[Narrator] When they walked
into the hotel room,
767
00:37:06,025 --> 00:37:07,860
Dale pulled a knife on the man.
768
00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:10,396
Dale said, "I don't know
how to tell you this,
769
00:37:10,429 --> 00:37:13,465
but I'm going to kill you
and take your money."
770
00:37:13,499 --> 00:37:16,301
And the man said,
"You can have it.
771
00:37:16,335 --> 00:37:18,637
You can have my wallet.
You can have my keys.
772
00:37:18,671 --> 00:37:19,838
Just don't hurt me."
773
00:37:20,172 --> 00:37:22,408
Hotel managers had seen Dale
774
00:37:22,441 --> 00:37:25,110
go outside and they saw Dale
775
00:37:25,144 --> 00:37:28,313
trying to get into
several different cars,
776
00:37:28,347 --> 00:37:31,450
and ultimately leave
in this man's car.
777
00:37:31,483 --> 00:37:33,118
They then went to the hotel roo
778
00:37:33,152 --> 00:37:34,653
and checked on him,
779
00:37:34,687 --> 00:37:37,156
and he was saved.
780
00:37:37,189 --> 00:37:39,324
[Jeff] The hotel
called the police
781
00:37:39,358 --> 00:37:42,428
and then the police found Dale
782
00:37:42,961 --> 00:37:44,530
and they realized who he was.
783
00:37:46,732 --> 00:37:49,335
[Narrator] Detectives
extradite Dale Moneypenny
784
00:37:49,368 --> 00:37:52,204
back to Louisville
where he agrees to talk.
785
00:37:52,538 --> 00:37:54,907
[Leigh] Dale was
a fairly easy interview
786
00:37:54,940 --> 00:37:56,208
because he wanted to talk
787
00:37:56,241 --> 00:37:59,478
and you didn't have to
ask a lot from Dale.
788
00:37:59,511 --> 00:38:02,715
Dale wanted to talk
and he talked freely.
789
00:38:34,413 --> 00:38:36,582
[Narrator] Dale confirms
Jennifer's story
790
00:38:36,615 --> 00:38:40,085
that Eddie Poynter had tried
to kick them out of his house.
791
00:38:40,753 --> 00:38:44,056
And Dale admits
he wasn't willing to comply
792
00:38:44,089 --> 00:38:45,491
with the request.
793
00:38:45,524 --> 00:38:47,926
If you've been
around Dale long enough,
794
00:38:47,960 --> 00:38:49,528
you know his temper.
795
00:38:49,962 --> 00:38:51,330
Dale's never really been one
796
00:38:51,363 --> 00:38:53,465
to accept the word no.
797
00:38:53,499 --> 00:38:56,502
He don't want to be told no.
798
00:38:57,436 --> 00:39:00,139
[Leigh] He went
into a rage at that point.
799
00:39:00,172 --> 00:39:02,908
And there was an argument
that ensued.
800
00:39:03,275 --> 00:39:06,078
And he grabbed a knife
and attacked Eddie
801
00:39:06,111 --> 00:39:08,647
because he had lost control.
802
00:39:23,462 --> 00:39:26,298
After he killed Eddie,
he knew he was in trouble
803
00:39:26,331 --> 00:39:28,434
and he had to cover his tracks.
804
00:39:28,467 --> 00:39:31,303
So he asked Jennifer
to help him.
805
00:39:31,937 --> 00:39:35,441
They took a few belongings
that they thought were valuable.
806
00:39:35,474 --> 00:39:37,109
It was a crime of opportunity
807
00:39:37,142 --> 00:39:39,345
because they were living
for free.
808
00:39:40,646 --> 00:39:42,481
[Narrator] Dale says
that after they set fire
809
00:39:42,514 --> 00:39:43,849
to Eddie's house,
810
00:39:44,316 --> 00:39:46,452
they headed
for Blaine Thacker's.
811
00:39:48,654 --> 00:39:50,689
[Leigh] Blaine had opened
the door for them,
812
00:39:50,723 --> 00:39:53,492
told them to help themselves
to whatever food there was
813
00:39:53,525 --> 00:39:55,060
in the apartment.
814
00:39:55,094 --> 00:39:56,495
He went to bed.
815
00:39:57,062 --> 00:39:59,431
He had no idea
that they had just murdered
816
00:39:59,465 --> 00:40:00,466
his best friend.
817
00:40:01,500 --> 00:40:03,035
[Narrator] Dale claims
that he became
818
00:40:03,068 --> 00:40:04,803
increasingly paranoid
819
00:40:04,837 --> 00:40:07,673
that Blaine would realize
what happened to Eddie.
820
00:40:09,375 --> 00:40:11,777
He eventually went
into Blaine's bedroom
821
00:40:11,810 --> 00:40:14,046
and stabbed him multiple times.
822
00:40:24,590 --> 00:40:28,327
[Leigh] Dale said he needed
some of Blaine's valuables
823
00:40:28,360 --> 00:40:30,863
so that he could pawn them
824
00:40:30,896 --> 00:40:33,399
to continue on his way
out of town.
825
00:40:48,013 --> 00:40:50,649
Dale basically took the blame
himself
826
00:40:50,683 --> 00:40:52,351
and admitted
that he was responsible
827
00:40:52,384 --> 00:40:54,353
for both the death
828
00:40:54,386 --> 00:40:56,155
of Eddie Poynter
and Blaine Thacker,
829
00:40:56,188 --> 00:40:59,558
and Jennifer was pretty much
just along for the ride.
830
00:41:02,394 --> 00:41:04,063
[Narrator] Following Dale's
confession,
831
00:41:04,096 --> 00:41:06,465
he is charged
with two counts of murder
832
00:41:06,498 --> 00:41:09,501
as well as first-degree arson
and robbery.
833
00:41:09,835 --> 00:41:11,837
[Connie] Once Dale Moneypenny
834
00:41:11,870 --> 00:41:13,539
was informed that he was looking
835
00:41:13,572 --> 00:41:15,708
at possibly the death penalty,
836
00:41:15,741 --> 00:41:17,409
he decided to make a deal.
837
00:41:18,243 --> 00:41:20,546
[Jeff] He's in prison
for life without parole.
838
00:41:20,579 --> 00:41:22,247
I think life without parole is
wonderful 'cause
839
00:41:22,281 --> 00:41:23,449
he's still
got many years to live.
840
00:41:39,698 --> 00:41:42,401
[Narrator]
On September 30, 2008,
841
00:41:42,434 --> 00:41:44,103
Jennifer Smith pleads guilty
842
00:41:44,103 --> 00:41:46,905
to complicity to commit murder
and arson,
843
00:41:48,374 --> 00:41:51,477
and is sentenced
to 10 years in prison.
844
00:41:53,112 --> 00:41:55,581
[music]
845
00:41:55,614 --> 00:41:58,217
[Connie] How could
these two people
846
00:41:58,250 --> 00:42:00,119
be so evil
847
00:42:00,452 --> 00:42:02,421
that they would take advantage
of two people
848
00:42:02,454 --> 00:42:04,590
who were willing to give
everything they could
849
00:42:04,623 --> 00:42:06,125
to help someone?
850
00:42:07,726 --> 00:42:10,295
[Jeff] It shows no remorse,
no feelings.
851
00:42:10,829 --> 00:42:16,635
People who are that cold
and non-caring just unnerve you.
852
00:42:18,971 --> 00:42:21,306
They had no reason
to die like that.
853
00:42:21,974 --> 00:42:25,778
Just 'cause of Dale
and Jennifer.
854
00:42:25,811 --> 00:42:27,680
Dale was the catalyst
for the whole thing.
855
00:42:28,514 --> 00:42:30,449
[Andrew] I've always
looked up to Dale
856
00:42:30,482 --> 00:42:32,785
and Dale's always been family.
857
00:42:34,386 --> 00:42:38,957
But Dale had no remorse
for what he did.
858
00:42:38,991 --> 00:42:41,293
He's exactly
where he needs to be
859
00:42:41,326 --> 00:42:44,396
'cause if he got out,
860
00:42:44,963 --> 00:42:48,133
there's no way
to say he'd never do it again.
861
00:42:50,836 --> 00:42:53,739
[Sueanna] I felt
just such a deep sadness
862
00:42:54,807 --> 00:42:56,842
that Blaine was gone,
863
00:42:56,875 --> 00:42:59,778
and to never see Blaine again.
864
00:42:59,812 --> 00:43:01,847
It just didn't seem real.
865
00:43:01,880 --> 00:43:04,817
I never got any kind of closure.
866
00:43:05,217 --> 00:43:06,819
[Cheryl] Eddie was shy
867
00:43:06,852 --> 00:43:10,889
but had an underlying
sweetness about him.
868
00:43:10,923 --> 00:43:12,658
You could just see it deep down
869
00:43:12,691 --> 00:43:14,560
You didn't have to
really look for it.
870
00:43:14,593 --> 00:43:16,195
It was him.
871
00:43:16,228 --> 00:43:17,629
That was who he was.
872
00:43:17,663 --> 00:43:19,732
He had the best smile.
873
00:43:20,666 --> 00:43:22,434
He gave the best hugs.
874
00:43:22,468 --> 00:43:24,503
He meant something to me.
875
00:43:24,837 --> 00:43:27,272
I'm sure he meant something
to other people.
876
00:43:27,306 --> 00:43:29,875
And I'll miss him. Yeah.
877
00:43:33,879 --> 00:43:39,852
[music]