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[narrator] when a loving
father suddenly goes missing,
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00:00:11,111 --> 00:00:14,980
His family is left
searching for answers.
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That wasn't like him
to just disappear.
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00:00:16,950 --> 00:00:18,417
It alarmed everybody.
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My dad didn't do that.
My dad was all about his kids.
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We were his number one
priority all the time.
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[narrator] investigators
make a tragic discovery
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In the remote texas countryside
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[steven] in that swamp area,
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There are hundreds of
snakes, alligators.
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It was a gruesome scene.
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It was horrific.
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[narrator]
as investigators shuffle
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A long list of suspects,
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A torrid romance
comes into focus.
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They didn't want
the affair to end.
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He was essentially willing to do
whatever she wanted him to do.
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[chasidy] will I ever get
the hundred percent truth?
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Probably not.
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[brandi] unfortunately,
when you keep secrets,
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They tend to bottle up
and then explode.
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[theme music]
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[muffled scream]
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[gasp]
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[music]
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[narrator] a country
boy at heart,
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Bobby sexton loved
everything about
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His hometown of
jacksonville, texas.
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My dad had three
brothers and two sisters.
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They lived in the country
most of their lives.
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He would give you the shirt
off his back if you needed it.
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So a lot of people knew him.
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My grandpa had a
roofing business.
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And that's what my dad
did most of the time.
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If he wasn't doing
that, he was racing.
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[country music]
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[narrator] bobby's
love for racing
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Would also lead him to
the second love of his life.
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Her name was patricia bingham.
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My sister patricia
was more of a mother to me
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Than a sister
because she's, like,
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12 years older than me.
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She was very, very,
very, very pretty.
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She loved to do
the beauty pageants.
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She had god's gift of beauty.
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[narrator] in jacksonville,
patricia grew up
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In a large, tightknit family.
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Me and patricia shared the
same mother, linda bingham.
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We lived on our
grandparents' property.
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[jeffrey] a lot of
people refer to that area
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As the bingham family compound.
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Several members of
the bingham family
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Resided on or near
that property.
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They had a business of
buying and selling junked cars
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To sell them for parts.
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[narrator] due to
her family's business,
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Patricia grew up with
an appreciation for cars
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And developed
a passion for racing.
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We used to call
her speedy gonzales
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Because she always
had a heavy foot.
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And she wasn't
scared to go fast.
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So, daddy got this
lil ol' truck,
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Fixed it up, got
it going for her,
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And started racing.
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She won every race
she ever raced in.
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[narrator] patricia's
bold personality
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Also extended to her love life.
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[brandi] she was very wild,
very promiscuous...
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Um, from what my grandparents
and everybody said.
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She really didn't
have kids her age,
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So she hung out with my aunt.
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It just so happened that
my aunt introduced her to bobby.
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[lisa] bobby, he was, uh,
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A friend of mine.
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They met one night when trisha
wanted to go riding out with us.
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And from then on,
they started sneaking around.
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[brandi] he was already married.
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And his oldest daughter
was--I wanna say
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She was probably anywhere
from 14 to 16 years old.
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So she was nearly grown herself
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There was nothing
you could tell them.
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They were in love.
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[brandi] after a few months,
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Patricia went to
my grandmother dorothy
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And told her,
"hey, um, I'm pregnant."
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I think the situation
was my grandparents said,
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You know, "now that you're
pregnant, he's gotta step up."
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[lisa] it was a way for them to
get together and get married,
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What they wanted.
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[narrator] bobby divorced
his wife in 1991.
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That same year, he and patricia
welcomed their daughter chasidy
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Two years later,
they were married,
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And their second daughter
was born shortly after.
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[chasidy] my parents,
they always took care of us.
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I was attached to my dad's hip.
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We grew up around
a lot of race cars
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And driving race cars,
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Racing, building them.
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My dad knew how to build
a motor from the ground up.
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He knew a lot about cars.
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[narrator] to support
their growing family,
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Bobby worked for his
dad's roofing company.
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But his career took a hit when
he injured his back on the job.
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[chasidy] I don't know
too much about his surgeries
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'cause I was little
when all this happened.
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I know he's had, like, eight.
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And my dad has
a metal rod in his back.
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So he couldn't do much.
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[narrator] in 1994,
patricia gave birth
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To her third daughter,
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But she received
devastating news.
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She found out
she had ovarian cancer.
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[brandi] she went to a
specialist in dallas,
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And they told her that...
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There was nothing they could do.
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She was gonna have
to have a hysterectomy.
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There was no way she
could have another child,
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And they told her that.
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That devastated bobby,
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'cause, I mean, he wanted a son
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So that took a strain
on their marriage.
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But patricia wanted to
make things work for the girls.
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[narrator] by 1997,
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Bobby was able to return to wor
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When patricia's grandfather gav
him a job at his mechanic shop.
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It was a big shop,
where they worked on cars.
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And it was filled
with wrecked cars.
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Everybody had their part in...
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The family business.
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00:06:29,723 --> 00:06:32,123
Bobby worked for
my grandparents.
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And my sister cooked meals
for the guys at the shop.
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They were happy.
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[narrator] but on the
morning of February 21, 1998,
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The cherokee county
sheriff's office
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Receives a worried call
from patricia sexton.
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[steven] patricia
wanted to report
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That her husband,
bobby sexton, was missing.
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That he had left the
residence the night before.
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[narrator]
according to patricia,
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Bobby had received a call from
his coworker, willie wright.
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00:07:09,095 --> 00:07:11,629
[steven] he was
telling bobby that
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Bobby needed to come down,
unlock the shop,
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Because willie had
left the lights on
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And an air compressor running.
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[brandi] willie was very
adamant about him coming.
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So bobby said, "okay, I'll
come up and turn 'em off."
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Patricia said bobby
left the trailer
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Somewhere around 11 o'clock.
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He got into the
suburban and drove off.
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And that was the last
time that she saw him.
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She went back into the
house and she went to bed.
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When she woke up
the next morning,
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Bobby still was not home
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And the suburban was not there.
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She was upset,
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Thinking something
happened to bobby.
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Normally on a missing adult,
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We'll take the information down.
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00:08:02,449 --> 00:08:04,316
But as far as an investigation,
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00:08:04,384 --> 00:08:08,119
It's normally
at least a couple days
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To see if he turns up.
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[narrator] but bobby's concerned
family grows impatient
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And takes matters
into their own hands.
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[brandi] that wasn't like
bobby to just disappear.
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Um, so it, it alerted--
it alarmed everybody.
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My sister put up flyers
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Asking for anybody
that had seen bobby,
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If they'd seen his
vehicle, whatever.
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00:08:31,811 --> 00:08:34,513
But...Literally nothing.
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It was like bobby vanished.
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[narrator] 72 hours pass,
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And there's still
no sign of bobby,
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So patricia notifies
authorities.
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The sheriff's office
put out a bolo,
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Which is "be on the lookout,"
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For bobby and his vehicle.
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[narrator] later that day,
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00:09:03,243 --> 00:09:05,677
Authorities receive word
that bobby's chevy suburban
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00:09:05,745 --> 00:09:08,179
Has been located.
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00:09:08,248 --> 00:09:10,148
Patricia actually
called law enforcement
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00:09:10,216 --> 00:09:13,752
To inform them that al clark
had discovered bobby's vehicle
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On the side of the road
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00:09:15,088 --> 00:09:16,821
And had driven it
back to the house.
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00:09:16,890 --> 00:09:18,890
Al clark was in
a common law marriage
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00:09:18,958 --> 00:09:23,094
With patricia's mother,
linda gail bingham.
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00:09:23,163 --> 00:09:24,395
And they were living
on the property
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00:09:24,464 --> 00:09:26,698
Owned by linda's parents.
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[steven] I got called
by the sheriff's office,
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00:09:29,035 --> 00:09:30,568
The dispatcher,
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00:09:30,637 --> 00:09:33,571
That a man named al clark
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00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:37,108
Had found bobby's vehicle.
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00:09:37,110 --> 00:09:41,646
So I go out to the residence
and look at the vehicle.
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It was a gruesome scene.
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00:09:46,353 --> 00:09:48,119
There was blood everywhere.
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00:09:48,121 --> 00:09:53,324
There was two to three inches
of blood in the wheel wells.
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00:09:53,326 --> 00:09:56,695
We knew that there was
probably foul play involved.
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00:09:59,365 --> 00:10:00,998
[brandi] my sister
patricia went to pieces.
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00:10:01,067 --> 00:10:03,834
She knew something was wrong.
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00:10:03,904 --> 00:10:05,770
The sheriff's department
knew something was wrong.
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00:10:08,207 --> 00:10:09,541
[narrator] coming up,
201
00:10:09,609 --> 00:10:12,210
Investigators suspect a
couple close the victim
202
00:10:12,278 --> 00:10:17,315
May know more about
bobby sexton's disappearance.
203
00:10:17,384 --> 00:10:20,385
He wanted to know, "how did
you get bobby's vehicle?"
204
00:10:20,453 --> 00:10:22,487
Al had been
previously prosecuted
205
00:10:22,555 --> 00:10:25,156
For murder years before.
206
00:10:25,225 --> 00:10:28,960
[narrator] and a secret
betrayal comes to light.
207
00:10:29,028 --> 00:10:30,629
They wanted to get
him out of the way.
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00:10:30,697 --> 00:10:32,063
I couldn't believe it.
209
00:10:33,566 --> 00:10:35,767
[theme music]
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00:10:40,005 --> 00:10:41,339
[theme music]
211
00:10:42,475 --> 00:10:44,242
[narrator] two days
after patricia sexton
212
00:10:44,244 --> 00:10:47,011
Reported her husband,
bobby, missing,
213
00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:49,914
His abandoned chevy
suburban is the focus
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00:10:49,916 --> 00:10:52,117
Of a gruesome crime scene.
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00:10:53,486 --> 00:10:55,086
[steven] the turning
point in the case
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00:10:55,155 --> 00:10:58,990
That moved us from
just a missing person
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00:10:59,058 --> 00:11:01,959
Into a homicide, uh,
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00:11:02,028 --> 00:11:05,397
Was the blood in the vehicle.
219
00:11:05,465 --> 00:11:07,865
There was just so much of it
220
00:11:07,867 --> 00:11:10,402
That we knew that
something had happened.
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00:11:11,571 --> 00:11:13,204
[narrator] investigators
turned to the man
222
00:11:13,273 --> 00:11:16,241
Who found the chevy
suburban, al clark.
223
00:11:18,078 --> 00:11:21,479
[steven] al clark was
a person of interest
224
00:11:21,547 --> 00:11:24,382
Due to his criminal background
225
00:11:24,450 --> 00:11:29,220
And the fact that
he found the vehicle.
226
00:11:29,289 --> 00:11:32,023
Al had been previously
prosecuted by me
227
00:11:32,092 --> 00:11:33,791
For a burglary of a building.
228
00:11:33,860 --> 00:11:39,431
And he was prosecuted for murder
in polk county years before.
229
00:11:40,733 --> 00:11:43,701
Al clark's the
type of individual
230
00:11:43,769 --> 00:11:46,237
That does not volunteer stuff.
231
00:11:46,306 --> 00:11:48,940
You have to usually ask
him and get it out of him.
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00:11:50,076 --> 00:11:51,743
[narrator] when pressed
about how he came across
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00:11:51,811 --> 00:11:53,377
Bobby's vehicle,
234
00:11:53,379 --> 00:11:56,514
Al admits he found it
that morning by accident
235
00:11:56,582 --> 00:11:58,750
In nearby diboll, texas.
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00:12:00,286 --> 00:12:02,587
[brandi] I believe
it was on a Sunday.
237
00:12:02,655 --> 00:12:05,557
Al and my uncle steven decided
238
00:12:05,625 --> 00:12:07,324
That they were gonna
ride four wheelers
239
00:12:07,394 --> 00:12:10,328
At a piece of property that
my grandparents owned in diboll.
240
00:12:11,464 --> 00:12:12,763
At the top of the hill,
241
00:12:12,765 --> 00:12:17,301
He told my uncle, "hey,
isn't that bobby's suburban?"
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00:12:17,370 --> 00:12:19,771
They got on the
four wheelers and went,
243
00:12:19,839 --> 00:12:21,706
And sure enough...
244
00:12:21,774 --> 00:12:24,242
It was bobby's truck.
245
00:12:24,310 --> 00:12:26,878
So my uncle said,
"hey, let's call the laws,
246
00:12:26,946 --> 00:12:29,013
Let's let 'em come."
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00:12:29,015 --> 00:12:32,416
My stepdad just insisted
248
00:12:32,418 --> 00:12:35,619
That he drive the vehicle
back to my grandparents'.
249
00:12:35,621 --> 00:12:38,256
And that's where the
sheriff's department met him
250
00:12:38,324 --> 00:12:41,259
And took possession
of bobby's vehicle.
251
00:12:44,096 --> 00:12:46,164
[narrator] investigators
ask al where he was
252
00:12:46,232 --> 00:12:50,234
When bobby disappeared
three nights earlier.
253
00:12:50,303 --> 00:12:52,036
[steven] he had had an alibi.
254
00:12:52,038 --> 00:12:53,804
He was a truck driver.
255
00:12:53,806 --> 00:12:56,507
And he was out of town, uh,
256
00:12:56,509 --> 00:12:58,676
During the time
bobby came missing.
257
00:12:59,645 --> 00:13:01,445
[narrator] after
taking al's statement,
258
00:13:01,514 --> 00:13:06,584
Investigators speak with his
common-law wife, linda bingham.
259
00:13:08,989 --> 00:13:11,122
[linda] al had
left early that day
260
00:13:11,191 --> 00:13:14,859
To take a load of timber
to mansfield, louisiana.
261
00:13:16,696 --> 00:13:19,697
Mansfield, louisiana was about
two hours east of jacksonville.
262
00:13:19,765 --> 00:13:22,433
And linda said that al had left
that morning around 6:00 am.
263
00:13:23,803 --> 00:13:26,270
[linda] about 10:00, 10:30,
264
00:13:26,272 --> 00:13:27,705
His boss came to
my house and said,
265
00:13:27,773 --> 00:13:29,407
"hey, where is al?
266
00:13:29,475 --> 00:13:32,276
Where is my truck and
my load of timber?"
267
00:13:32,278 --> 00:13:34,111
I said, "it ought to be
sitting in mansfield by now.
268
00:13:34,180 --> 00:13:37,749
He left early today,
way, way, early."
269
00:13:37,817 --> 00:13:39,617
"well, it ain't there.
270
00:13:39,685 --> 00:13:41,986
And somebody told me my truck's
sitting down in maydelle."
271
00:13:44,490 --> 00:13:47,025
[casey] maydelle is just over
10 miles south of jacksonville.
272
00:13:47,093 --> 00:13:49,360
Not very far from al's home.
273
00:13:49,429 --> 00:13:51,162
And linda told police
he didn't come home
274
00:13:51,231 --> 00:13:53,097
Until early the next morning.
275
00:13:54,401 --> 00:13:57,167
[linda] it was, like, 2 or
3 o'clock in the morning
276
00:13:57,237 --> 00:13:59,103
When I heard al come in.
277
00:13:59,172 --> 00:14:01,505
He throws his hat down
the couch and he says,
278
00:14:01,574 --> 00:14:03,207
"I'm going to bed."
279
00:14:03,276 --> 00:14:06,177
Never says another
word to nobody.
280
00:14:06,246 --> 00:14:08,813
It was strange 'cause
that just wasn't him.
281
00:14:08,881 --> 00:14:10,782
[narrator] linda
claims al's actions
282
00:14:10,850 --> 00:14:13,251
Were cause for concern.
283
00:14:13,319 --> 00:14:14,986
When he got in that,
in that suburban
284
00:14:15,054 --> 00:14:17,521
And drove that truck to
my mother and daddy's house
285
00:14:17,523 --> 00:14:20,524
With blood running out
the back end of it, I knew.
286
00:14:20,526 --> 00:14:21,659
I knew.
287
00:14:21,727 --> 00:14:25,964
In my heart, in my stomach,
I know al was involved.
288
00:14:28,267 --> 00:14:31,002
[narrator] investigators
learn al was unaccounted for
289
00:14:31,070 --> 00:14:32,770
During the same stretch of time
290
00:14:32,839 --> 00:14:35,974
That bobby allegedly
went missing.
291
00:14:37,410 --> 00:14:40,812
[steven] bobby did go to unlock
the shop around 11 o'clock.
292
00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:45,550
And he never did return
back to the house.
293
00:14:45,618 --> 00:14:47,418
It was suspicious,
294
00:14:47,487 --> 00:14:51,289
Especially with al clark
finding the vehicle.
295
00:14:51,357 --> 00:14:53,691
[narrator] linda explains
the rest of the family
296
00:14:53,759 --> 00:14:57,695
Has become equally
suspicious of al.
297
00:14:57,763 --> 00:15:01,765
[brandi] my grandfather
buddy was very inquisitive.
298
00:15:01,767 --> 00:15:03,835
He wanted to know, "hey, how
did you get bobby's vehicle?
299
00:15:03,903 --> 00:15:06,370
Where did you find it?
Where's bobby?"
300
00:15:06,439 --> 00:15:08,172
[narrator] investigators
question the uncle
301
00:15:08,241 --> 00:15:10,441
Who found the suburban with al,
302
00:15:10,510 --> 00:15:14,378
But he doesn't offer any
substantial information.
303
00:15:14,380 --> 00:15:17,548
He claimed at the time that
he didn't think much of it.
304
00:15:17,550 --> 00:15:19,150
[narrator] when
investigators confront al
305
00:15:19,218 --> 00:15:22,053
About the discrepancies
in his alibi,
306
00:15:22,121 --> 00:15:25,956
He refuses to
cooperate any further.
307
00:15:25,958 --> 00:15:28,626
He was very irate.
308
00:15:28,694 --> 00:15:34,364
He said that he would not speak
with investigators anymore
309
00:15:34,366 --> 00:15:39,203
Until we had a court order
or he had an attorney.
310
00:15:39,205 --> 00:15:43,207
We were suspicious,
but we had no proof
311
00:15:43,209 --> 00:15:45,276
That he was involved in it.
312
00:15:47,947 --> 00:15:50,882
[narrator] investigators next
turn to bobby's coworker
313
00:15:50,950 --> 00:15:55,919
And the last known person
to see him, willie wright.
314
00:15:55,921 --> 00:15:58,222
On Wednesday, February 25th,
315
00:15:58,224 --> 00:16:00,958
Willie sits down
for an interview.
316
00:16:01,027 --> 00:16:03,327
[brandi] willie, he was a good
friend of my grandparents.
317
00:16:03,329 --> 00:16:05,563
He did manage the,
the shop in the area.
318
00:16:05,631 --> 00:16:09,133
He didn't let people
come on and steal things.
319
00:16:09,202 --> 00:16:11,369
[narrator] willie
confirms patricia's story
320
00:16:11,437 --> 00:16:13,237
That bobby had
arrived at the shop
321
00:16:13,239 --> 00:16:16,774
Shortly after 11:00 pm
on February 20th.
322
00:16:18,978 --> 00:16:20,945
[brandi] willie said once
bobby turned the lights off
323
00:16:21,013 --> 00:16:23,014
And locked the shop up, he left.
324
00:16:25,818 --> 00:16:28,419
[steven] willie thought
bobby went back home,
325
00:16:28,488 --> 00:16:31,388
And willie went
back to his trailer,
326
00:16:31,457 --> 00:16:33,057
And that's all he knew.
327
00:16:35,628 --> 00:16:38,462
[narrator] investigators end
the interview with willie.
328
00:16:38,531 --> 00:16:41,198
Soon after, they receive
an intriguing call
329
00:16:41,267 --> 00:16:43,801
About another
coworker of bobby's,
330
00:16:43,869 --> 00:16:46,471
29-year-old michael fielding.
331
00:16:48,007 --> 00:16:49,273
Bobby and michael,
they were friends.
332
00:16:49,342 --> 00:16:51,008
They were childhood friends.
333
00:16:51,077 --> 00:16:52,744
[jeffrey] michael
was a country boy.
334
00:16:52,812 --> 00:16:54,211
He was good with his hands,
335
00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,514
Good mechanic, tinkered
with cars, so forth.
336
00:16:58,951 --> 00:17:00,851
[steven]
michael fielding's mother
337
00:17:00,853 --> 00:17:06,224
Was very curious about the
disappearance of bobby sexton.
338
00:17:07,527 --> 00:17:10,828
She talked to her son, michael,
339
00:17:10,896 --> 00:17:13,230
Asked him if he knew anything.
340
00:17:13,299 --> 00:17:14,732
Michael blew up,
341
00:17:14,801 --> 00:17:17,635
Said he didn't know
anything about this,
342
00:17:17,703 --> 00:17:20,838
And then stormed
out of the house.
343
00:17:20,907 --> 00:17:25,376
Mrs. Fielding then called 911,
344
00:17:25,444 --> 00:17:28,512
Spoke with the jacksonville
police department.
345
00:17:28,581 --> 00:17:31,182
She was afraid for her son.
346
00:17:36,388 --> 00:17:38,722
[narrator] investigators
immediately contact michael
347
00:17:38,791 --> 00:17:42,059
And ask him to come
in for an interview.
348
00:17:42,127 --> 00:17:46,063
The next day, he arrives
at the sheriff's station.
349
00:17:46,132 --> 00:17:47,531
The investigator
for the cherokee county
350
00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:49,433
District attorney's office
351
00:17:49,435 --> 00:17:51,034
Interviewed michael fielding.
352
00:17:51,104 --> 00:17:53,136
It was what's known as
a noncustodial interview,
353
00:17:53,138 --> 00:17:55,840
Meaning that michael fielding
was not under arrest.
354
00:17:57,877 --> 00:18:00,578
Michael fielding did
tell the investigators
355
00:18:00,646 --> 00:18:06,384
That he saw bobby sexton
earlier that day at the shop
356
00:18:06,452 --> 00:18:08,953
Before bobby was missing.
357
00:18:09,021 --> 00:18:11,222
[casey] michael claimed
he was home all night
358
00:18:11,290 --> 00:18:14,659
And hadn't seen bobby
since earlier in the workday.
359
00:18:15,961 --> 00:18:18,095
[steven] and he said
that he wasn't involved,
360
00:18:18,163 --> 00:18:21,365
And he became irate to the point
361
00:18:21,434 --> 00:18:24,868
That he didn't want to talk
to law enforcement anymore
362
00:18:24,870 --> 00:18:26,937
About this.
363
00:18:27,006 --> 00:18:29,973
We did not believe he
was telling the truth
364
00:18:29,975 --> 00:18:32,643
Because of his nervousness
and the way he was acting.
365
00:18:35,314 --> 00:18:36,547
[jeffrey] at the end
of the interview,
366
00:18:36,616 --> 00:18:38,415
Michael was free to leave.
367
00:18:38,484 --> 00:18:42,286
That's when law enforcement
began to place some scrutiny
368
00:18:42,354 --> 00:18:44,188
Upon michael fielding.
369
00:18:46,726 --> 00:18:49,526
[narrator] investigators
dig into michael's background,
370
00:18:49,595 --> 00:18:51,395
But there's nothing
in his criminal record
371
00:18:51,397 --> 00:18:53,931
To suggest he's dangerous.
372
00:18:53,999 --> 00:18:57,935
Two weeks pass without
a sign of bobby sexton.
373
00:18:58,004 --> 00:19:00,404
Law enforcement was just
interviewing everybody
374
00:19:00,472 --> 00:19:02,673
And trying to
explore every lead.
375
00:19:02,742 --> 00:19:06,077
And initially they did
not have anything definitive.
376
00:19:06,145 --> 00:19:07,845
[narrator] then, on March 12th,
377
00:19:07,913 --> 00:19:12,916
A tipster provides authorities
with a crucial lead.
378
00:19:12,918 --> 00:19:14,518
A man calls into the
sheriff's station
379
00:19:14,587 --> 00:19:17,555
And says that on the evening
that bobby disappeared,
380
00:19:17,557 --> 00:19:20,791
He saw michael fielding, but
he wasn't in his own vehicle.
381
00:19:22,428 --> 00:19:25,563
[steven] he was in
bobby sexton's vehicle.
382
00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:31,802
He did notice an
older man in the car
383
00:19:31,871 --> 00:19:33,904
That was intoxicated.
384
00:19:33,973 --> 00:19:37,975
And it was determined
that it was willie wright.
385
00:19:39,445 --> 00:19:42,113
The more people that
we were able to talk to,
386
00:19:42,181 --> 00:19:45,216
The more information
we were getting
387
00:19:45,284 --> 00:19:48,819
That michael and
willie were involved.
388
00:19:48,821 --> 00:19:50,988
It just all started adding up.
389
00:19:52,391 --> 00:19:55,192
[jeffrey] those were the missing
pieces of the jigsaw puzzle
390
00:19:55,261 --> 00:19:56,594
For the investigators.
391
00:19:58,564 --> 00:20:00,731
[theme music]
392
00:20:04,970 --> 00:20:06,304
[theme music]
393
00:20:07,707 --> 00:20:10,207
[narrator] on March 12, 1998,
394
00:20:10,275 --> 00:20:13,544
Nearly one month into
the search for bobby sexton,
395
00:20:13,613 --> 00:20:16,480
Investigators in
cherokee county, texas
396
00:20:16,549 --> 00:20:18,649
Receive a game-changing tip
397
00:20:18,718 --> 00:20:22,986
That places michael fielding an
willie wright in bobby's vehicl
398
00:20:23,056 --> 00:20:24,889
The night he disappeared.
399
00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:29,292
[casey] a friend of
michael fielding said that
400
00:20:29,294 --> 00:20:31,062
Early in that morning
of February 21st,
401
00:20:31,130 --> 00:20:34,231
He got a call from michael
saying that he was out of gas
402
00:20:34,233 --> 00:20:36,767
And that michael needed to
come by and pick up a gas can.
403
00:20:38,037 --> 00:20:41,238
[steven] he did give
michael fielding the gas.
404
00:20:41,306 --> 00:20:45,809
He didn't really
think anything of it.
405
00:20:45,878 --> 00:20:48,312
When newspaper
articles come out,
406
00:20:48,381 --> 00:20:51,915
It jars the memory of people,
407
00:20:51,917 --> 00:20:54,318
And then they start
realizing, you know,
408
00:20:54,387 --> 00:20:55,953
This wasn't right,
409
00:20:56,022 --> 00:20:58,355
And they'll call law enforcement
410
00:20:58,424 --> 00:21:00,524
And, you know, tell
them what they know.
411
00:21:05,365 --> 00:21:06,697
[narrator] if willie and michael
412
00:21:06,766 --> 00:21:09,433
Are responsible for
bobby's disappearance,
413
00:21:09,502 --> 00:21:12,970
Investigators need
to determine why.
414
00:21:13,039 --> 00:21:14,805
Conveniently for detectives,
415
00:21:14,807 --> 00:21:17,474
Willie wright gets
arrested on March 17th
416
00:21:17,543 --> 00:21:19,743
For public intoxication.
417
00:21:19,812 --> 00:21:23,381
So they use this opportunity
to question him in custody.
418
00:21:24,784 --> 00:21:27,618
[jeffrey] I think at that
time, willie was in his 50's.
419
00:21:27,686 --> 00:21:31,221
And he had been itinerant,
a little bit of a vagrant.
420
00:21:31,290 --> 00:21:32,690
He looked terrible.
421
00:21:32,758 --> 00:21:36,327
He was aged well
beyond his years.
422
00:21:37,563 --> 00:21:41,031
[steven] willie was told
that there was witnesses
423
00:21:41,033 --> 00:21:44,534
That placed him with
michael fielding
424
00:21:44,604 --> 00:21:48,505
In bobby sexton's
vehicle that night.
425
00:21:48,574 --> 00:21:51,042
And willie broke down.
426
00:21:52,745 --> 00:21:56,113
He crumbled like a
rose petal in August
427
00:21:56,181 --> 00:21:57,814
And confessed to all of this.
428
00:21:58,951 --> 00:22:01,519
[narrator] willie confirms
investigators' suspicions
429
00:22:01,521 --> 00:22:03,421
That bobby is dead.
430
00:22:05,791 --> 00:22:07,224
[steven] willie confessed that
431
00:22:07,293 --> 00:22:10,127
He got bobby to come
down to the shop,
432
00:22:10,195 --> 00:22:15,232
Where michael fielding jumped
up and shot bobby in the chest
433
00:22:15,300 --> 00:22:16,233
With the shotgun.
434
00:22:16,301 --> 00:22:17,835
[gunshot]
435
00:22:21,406 --> 00:22:22,706
[elmer] willie
indicated he is the one
436
00:22:22,774 --> 00:22:24,075
That provided the shotgun
437
00:22:24,143 --> 00:22:29,212
That michael fielding
used to kill bobby sexton.
438
00:22:29,214 --> 00:22:31,815
That he aided michael fielding
439
00:22:31,884 --> 00:22:34,518
In disposing of
bobby sexton's body,
440
00:22:34,587 --> 00:22:36,753
Loading it in the suburban,
441
00:22:36,822 --> 00:22:39,757
And then going to the location
to where the body was dumped.
442
00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:44,027
[jeffrey] michael knew
that area pretty well.
443
00:22:44,096 --> 00:22:46,797
So the decision was made
that michael fielding
444
00:22:46,866 --> 00:22:49,700
Would transport
bobby sexton's corpse
445
00:22:49,769 --> 00:22:52,102
To one of those
exxon oil leases,
446
00:22:52,171 --> 00:22:53,704
Leave his corpse there.
447
00:22:53,772 --> 00:22:54,472
They had taken two vehicles
448
00:22:54,540 --> 00:22:56,207
So they could ditch
bobby's suburban.
449
00:22:56,275 --> 00:22:59,477
But then ironically,
michael's car ran out of gas.
450
00:23:01,146 --> 00:23:04,081
They got spooked, so they both
jumped into bobby's vehicle
451
00:23:04,149 --> 00:23:06,049
And found the next
bridge to dump the body.
452
00:23:07,219 --> 00:23:09,720
[jeffrey] michael fielding
stopped the automobile
453
00:23:09,788 --> 00:23:12,857
On one of the bridges
over a creek in that area
454
00:23:12,925 --> 00:23:15,759
And threw bobby sexton's
body over the bridge
455
00:23:15,828 --> 00:23:17,928
And into the underlying creek.
456
00:23:21,033 --> 00:23:24,401
They disposed of a
tire and a tire jack,
457
00:23:24,469 --> 00:23:27,438
Both to weigh the body down and
'cause there was blood on it.
458
00:23:29,274 --> 00:23:30,808
[casey] after they've
dumped the body,
459
00:23:30,876 --> 00:23:35,212
They decide to abandon
the suv near diboll, texas,
460
00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:36,747
Which is a short drive away,
461
00:23:36,816 --> 00:23:39,016
And they just left the suburban
there with the keys in it.
462
00:23:40,686 --> 00:23:42,753
[narrator] but the
real bombshell drops
463
00:23:42,821 --> 00:23:46,323
When willie reveals why michael
was involved in the murder
464
00:23:46,392 --> 00:23:48,959
Of one of his oldest friends.
465
00:23:51,364 --> 00:23:55,699
[jeffrey] michael fielding was
having an affair at that time
466
00:23:55,768 --> 00:23:57,801
With patricia sexton.
467
00:23:58,737 --> 00:24:00,237
[casey] michael and patricia
had been seeing each other
468
00:24:00,305 --> 00:24:03,040
Since November for
nearly five months.
469
00:24:03,108 --> 00:24:05,609
They met in secret at a hotel.
470
00:24:06,512 --> 00:24:07,778
Sometime in mid February,
471
00:24:07,846 --> 00:24:09,279
Bobby found out
about the affair,
472
00:24:09,281 --> 00:24:10,748
And there was an incident.
473
00:24:12,317 --> 00:24:14,117
[jeffrey]
bobby had followed them
474
00:24:14,186 --> 00:24:16,954
To the southern
motor hotel in rusk.
475
00:24:18,691 --> 00:24:21,024
Bobby sexton banged on
the door, kicked on the door.
476
00:24:21,093 --> 00:24:23,160
Michael fielding
answers the door.
477
00:24:23,829 --> 00:24:25,228
Bobby sees what's happening,
478
00:24:25,230 --> 00:24:27,164
And they engage in a
fistfight right there.
479
00:24:33,405 --> 00:24:34,671
[narrator] according to willie,
480
00:24:34,740 --> 00:24:37,541
The fight ended
when bobby stormed out.
481
00:24:37,610 --> 00:24:40,311
Bobby went home, got his girls,
482
00:24:40,379 --> 00:24:43,414
Loaded up, and went
to his mother's house.
483
00:24:43,482 --> 00:24:45,682
And that's where he stayed.
484
00:24:45,751 --> 00:24:47,050
I didn't know about michael
485
00:24:47,052 --> 00:24:49,687
'til bobby brought
it out in the open
486
00:24:49,689 --> 00:24:51,521
They were having an affair.
487
00:24:51,523 --> 00:24:52,956
I couldn't believe it.
488
00:24:53,025 --> 00:24:55,726
Michael fielding and
bobby went to school together.
489
00:24:55,794 --> 00:24:57,495
They were raised together.
490
00:24:57,563 --> 00:25:00,664
Eventually, patricia did say
491
00:25:00,733 --> 00:25:03,500
That her affair with
michael was over.
492
00:25:03,568 --> 00:25:08,405
Come home, the children need
both a mother and a father.
493
00:25:08,474 --> 00:25:11,342
Bobby gave in and did go back.
494
00:25:11,410 --> 00:25:15,112
And that was just
before the murder.
495
00:25:16,682 --> 00:25:19,116
But the affair continued.
496
00:25:21,654 --> 00:25:24,154
Law enforcement reasonably
started to assume,
497
00:25:24,223 --> 00:25:26,990
Hey, maybe patricia
sexton is involved
498
00:25:27,059 --> 00:25:29,760
In the disappearance
of bobby sexton.
499
00:25:29,828 --> 00:25:31,461
[narrator] following
willie's statement,
500
00:25:31,530 --> 00:25:33,230
He agrees to show investigators
501
00:25:33,298 --> 00:25:37,067
Where he and michael
dumped bobby's body.
502
00:25:37,135 --> 00:25:40,070
They drive around
looking, you know,
503
00:25:40,139 --> 00:25:43,907
For the spot where
willie had helped michael
504
00:25:43,976 --> 00:25:47,277
Throw the body in.
505
00:25:47,346 --> 00:25:52,215
It was possibly 200 bridges
that they had gone to
506
00:25:52,217 --> 00:25:54,885
With no luck in
finding the body.
507
00:25:54,954 --> 00:25:59,556
And it wasn't until they
moved over to anderson county
508
00:25:59,625 --> 00:26:02,092
That, uh...Willie
made the statement,
509
00:26:02,161 --> 00:26:04,928
"this is it.
This is the spot."
510
00:26:04,997 --> 00:26:08,765
And the investigators saw
511
00:26:08,834 --> 00:26:11,969
What appeared to
be a body floating,
512
00:26:12,037 --> 00:26:16,740
And that's what led to us
recovering bobby sexton's body.
513
00:26:18,577 --> 00:26:19,910
Once it was on the bank,
514
00:26:19,979 --> 00:26:21,745
We noticed that there was
515
00:26:21,814 --> 00:26:27,585
A shotgun hole
in the chest area.
516
00:26:27,653 --> 00:26:31,221
He was decomposed.
517
00:26:31,223 --> 00:26:34,257
[jeffrey] he had been exposed
to weather, the elements,
518
00:26:34,259 --> 00:26:38,228
During that time,
which can be cruel.
519
00:26:38,297 --> 00:26:42,432
And of course, you've got
the snakes and turtles and fish
520
00:26:42,501 --> 00:26:43,933
In the water.
521
00:26:44,003 --> 00:26:46,337
And it was...It was horrific.
522
00:26:48,673 --> 00:26:51,709
[steven] the body
was taken to dallas,
523
00:26:51,711 --> 00:26:53,344
To the medical examiner.
524
00:26:55,114 --> 00:26:56,780
[narrator] a subsequent
search of the property
525
00:26:56,782 --> 00:27:02,586
Where bobby was allegedly kille
turns up valuable evidence.
526
00:27:02,654 --> 00:27:05,623
We walked all
around the property.
527
00:27:05,691 --> 00:27:07,424
Every inch of the place.
528
00:27:07,492 --> 00:27:11,929
There was a couple leaves that
had a red substance on there
529
00:27:11,997 --> 00:27:15,599
That was later
determined to be blood.
530
00:27:15,667 --> 00:27:20,004
They typed the blood, and it
was the same type as bobby had.
531
00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:24,642
My thinking is that somebody
may have done something
532
00:27:24,710 --> 00:27:27,411
To clean up the area
533
00:27:27,479 --> 00:27:30,714
'cause with a shotgun blast,
there should've been
534
00:27:30,783 --> 00:27:32,582
A lot of blood.
535
00:27:32,584 --> 00:27:37,655
But there was no evidence found
in the mechanic shop itself.
536
00:27:39,291 --> 00:27:42,125
[elmer] bobby sexton's body was
identified through the autopsy,
537
00:27:42,194 --> 00:27:46,196
Specifically the disk
that was in his back.
538
00:27:46,265 --> 00:27:47,998
The autopsy indicated that
539
00:27:48,067 --> 00:27:51,669
Cause of death was
a shotgun blast,
540
00:27:51,737 --> 00:27:54,371
And death was very
quickly after that.
541
00:27:57,242 --> 00:27:59,142
[steven]
willie wright was charged
542
00:27:59,211 --> 00:28:01,078
With tampering with evidence.
543
00:28:01,814 --> 00:28:06,149
His part of obtaining
a shotgun for michael
544
00:28:06,218 --> 00:28:08,752
And helping dispose of the body
545
00:28:11,356 --> 00:28:16,026
On March 26th, michael fielding
was taken into custody
546
00:28:16,095 --> 00:28:19,763
And charged with
capital murder of bobby sexton.
547
00:28:23,168 --> 00:28:24,901
[brandi] my sister
was devastated.
548
00:28:24,970 --> 00:28:29,739
She didn't wanna believe
that bobby was gone.
549
00:28:29,741 --> 00:28:31,775
None of us did.
550
00:28:31,843 --> 00:28:33,310
[linda] that was the end
of her racing career.
551
00:28:33,378 --> 00:28:37,047
She took her fire suit,
her racing stuff...
552
00:28:37,116 --> 00:28:40,417
And pictures, and she put
'em in the casket with him.
553
00:28:40,486 --> 00:28:42,018
And she said, "I'm done.
554
00:28:42,087 --> 00:28:44,321
I won't ever race again."
555
00:28:44,389 --> 00:28:46,490
And never did.
556
00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:50,193
[narrator] when investigators
confront patricia
557
00:28:50,195 --> 00:28:52,562
About her affair with michael,
558
00:28:52,631 --> 00:28:54,331
She denies the claims,
559
00:28:54,399 --> 00:28:59,069
And insists that her marriage
to bobby was stronger than ever
560
00:28:59,138 --> 00:29:00,871
[casey] the looming
question was,
561
00:29:00,939 --> 00:29:03,706
Why would willie wright
make that detail up?
562
00:29:03,708 --> 00:29:06,109
At this point, investigators
didn't believe patricia,
563
00:29:06,178 --> 00:29:08,345
But they needed more evidence
that she knew of the plot
564
00:29:08,413 --> 00:29:09,780
To kill her husband.
565
00:29:12,284 --> 00:29:14,083
[narrator] when investigators
finally sit down
566
00:29:14,153 --> 00:29:15,752
With michael fielding,
567
00:29:15,754 --> 00:29:18,856
He makes a stunning admission.
568
00:29:18,924 --> 00:29:22,359
[jeffrey] michael fielding,
to his honor and to his benefit
569
00:29:22,427 --> 00:29:25,496
Readily admitted that
he murdered bobby sexton.
570
00:29:26,599 --> 00:29:29,066
[elmer] but he said,
without question,
571
00:29:29,134 --> 00:29:32,302
The driving force
was patricia sexton.
572
00:29:34,639 --> 00:29:37,040
[theme music]
573
00:29:40,845 --> 00:29:42,179
[theme music]
574
00:29:43,415 --> 00:29:45,616
[narrator] more than
a month after bobby sexton
575
00:29:45,684 --> 00:29:47,550
Was reported missing,
576
00:29:47,619 --> 00:29:51,555
Michael fielding has implicated
bobby's wife, patricia,
577
00:29:51,623 --> 00:29:53,157
In the crime.
578
00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:57,194
[elmer] fielding said
patricia told him
579
00:29:57,262 --> 00:30:00,597
She didn't want to
be with bobby anymore.
580
00:30:00,665 --> 00:30:02,499
She couldn't take it anymore.
581
00:30:02,567 --> 00:30:05,469
But she couldn't divorce him
because he would get the kids.
582
00:30:09,574 --> 00:30:11,007
[narrator] michael
tells investigators
583
00:30:11,076 --> 00:30:13,744
That patricia had initially
come up with an idea
584
00:30:13,812 --> 00:30:16,379
To get bobby arrested.
585
00:30:16,448 --> 00:30:21,484
Patricia wanted to
plant, uh, some narcotics
586
00:30:21,553 --> 00:30:24,755
In, uh, bobby's vehicle.
587
00:30:24,823 --> 00:30:28,425
But that plan didn't work out.
588
00:30:28,493 --> 00:30:31,094
So that's when
they decided that, uh,
589
00:30:31,163 --> 00:30:33,930
Bobby had to be murdered.
590
00:30:33,999 --> 00:30:38,669
And then michael said bobby was
receiving disability benefits,
591
00:30:38,737 --> 00:30:44,140
And that upon his death,
patricia would get a lump sum,
592
00:30:44,209 --> 00:30:49,112
Which was supposed
to be over $100,000.
593
00:30:49,180 --> 00:30:50,447
She wanted the money,
594
00:30:50,449 --> 00:30:53,684
And the fact that
she wanted to be sure
595
00:30:53,752 --> 00:30:56,186
Bobby did not get the children,
596
00:30:56,255 --> 00:31:00,591
And that led to her setting up
the plan with michael fielding
597
00:31:00,659 --> 00:31:02,659
To end bobby's life.
598
00:31:04,329 --> 00:31:09,032
Michael said that patricia had
threatened to end their affair
599
00:31:09,100 --> 00:31:12,369
If michael didn't
go through with this.
600
00:31:13,538 --> 00:31:15,538
Michael still didn't
want to do it,
601
00:31:15,607 --> 00:31:18,875
But he didn't want
the affair to end,
602
00:31:18,944 --> 00:31:21,111
So he carried it out.
603
00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:23,546
[narrator] according to michael,
604
00:31:23,548 --> 00:31:25,716
Patricia came up with
the plan for willie
605
00:31:25,784 --> 00:31:27,951
To call bobby to
the mechanic shop
606
00:31:28,019 --> 00:31:30,387
On the night of February 20th.
607
00:31:31,724 --> 00:31:33,723
Michael said that bobby
had walked in the shop
608
00:31:33,792 --> 00:31:36,193
Because it was just down
the street from the house.
609
00:31:40,465 --> 00:31:44,367
[steven] michael fielding
was hid behind a car,
610
00:31:44,436 --> 00:31:50,107
And jumped up and shot
bobby sexton in the chest.
611
00:31:50,109 --> 00:31:51,408
[gunshot]
612
00:31:54,179 --> 00:31:55,478
[casey] michael
told investigators
613
00:31:55,547 --> 00:31:58,248
That patricia called and
asked if the deed was done.
614
00:31:59,350 --> 00:32:01,351
[steven] then michael
had asked her,
615
00:32:01,420 --> 00:32:04,854
"where's the keys to
the car, the suburban?"
616
00:32:04,856 --> 00:32:07,156
She said she did
not have the keys.
617
00:32:07,158 --> 00:32:09,626
They're probably
in bobby's pocket.
618
00:32:10,395 --> 00:32:14,063
At that point, michael fielding
reached into the pocket
619
00:32:14,133 --> 00:32:17,401
And retrieved the
keys to the suburban.
620
00:32:19,304 --> 00:32:21,804
[narrator] michael says
patricia arrived to the shop
621
00:32:21,806 --> 00:32:23,340
Just after midnight.
622
00:32:24,443 --> 00:32:25,575
[elmer] patricia came
and got the keys,
623
00:32:25,644 --> 00:32:28,611
And then went and got the
suburban, brought it down.
624
00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:30,013
And that's when
he and willie wright
625
00:32:30,082 --> 00:32:32,015
Loaded the body in the suburban.
626
00:32:33,118 --> 00:32:35,786
Michael fielding
believed that patricia
627
00:32:35,854 --> 00:32:38,288
Had cleaned up the crime scene.
628
00:32:38,356 --> 00:32:41,091
But he didn't see it,
so he couldn't testify to it.
629
00:32:42,861 --> 00:32:45,228
[narrator] when asked if
any of patricia's family
630
00:32:45,296 --> 00:32:46,730
Knew about the murder,
631
00:32:46,798 --> 00:32:50,433
Michael claims that patricia
had included one more person
632
00:32:50,502 --> 00:32:53,070
In the plot to kill bobby.
633
00:32:53,138 --> 00:32:54,404
[jeffrey] michael
fielding told me
634
00:32:54,473 --> 00:32:58,675
He and patricia and dorothy,
patricia's maternal grandmother,
635
00:32:58,743 --> 00:33:01,511
Conceived the plot
to murder bobby sexton.
636
00:33:01,580 --> 00:33:05,281
[steven] patricia sexton
was telling michael fielding
637
00:33:05,350 --> 00:33:09,586
And dorothy about
bobby abusing her.
638
00:33:09,654 --> 00:33:11,188
Patricia said bobby
kind of resented her
639
00:33:11,256 --> 00:33:13,123
Because she couldn't
give him a son.
640
00:33:13,191 --> 00:33:15,758
So he got very physical.
641
00:33:15,828 --> 00:33:17,995
Every time he got mad,
he would punch a wall.
642
00:33:18,897 --> 00:33:20,897
[jeffrey] dorothy and
patricia bingham believed
643
00:33:20,965 --> 00:33:25,401
The only way patricia
would ever get her kids
644
00:33:25,470 --> 00:33:27,437
Is for bobby to
be out of the way
645
00:33:27,506 --> 00:33:30,240
And ultimately result
in, in his murder.
646
00:33:31,676 --> 00:33:36,212
[steven] at first,
michael fielding, he said no.
647
00:33:36,281 --> 00:33:39,983
Dorothy bingham and
patricia just kept at him.
648
00:33:39,985 --> 00:33:42,219
And finally he agreed to do it.
649
00:33:43,822 --> 00:33:47,256
[jeffrey] fielding said that
dorothy gave him surgical glove
650
00:33:47,258 --> 00:33:50,427
And said he could use
those in doing the murder
651
00:33:50,495 --> 00:33:52,996
So there was no
physical evidence.
652
00:33:53,064 --> 00:33:55,465
There was also no
physical evidence
653
00:33:55,534 --> 00:33:57,734
Connecting patricia
to the murder.
654
00:33:58,870 --> 00:34:00,537
[narrator] while it's
clear to investigators
655
00:34:00,605 --> 00:34:03,506
That michael and patricia
are involved in the murder,
656
00:34:03,575 --> 00:34:05,408
Michael's confession
isn't enough
657
00:34:05,477 --> 00:34:08,245
To arrest patricia and dorothy.
658
00:34:11,282 --> 00:34:14,351
Several weeks later,
an unexpected informant
659
00:34:14,419 --> 00:34:16,653
Comes forward.
660
00:34:16,721 --> 00:34:22,525
Patricia's mother, linda,
was caught with narcotics
661
00:34:22,527 --> 00:34:25,195
And was arrested.
662
00:34:25,263 --> 00:34:27,397
When she was brought
into questioning,
663
00:34:27,466 --> 00:34:30,000
She was wanting to give up
664
00:34:30,068 --> 00:34:33,736
Dorothy and patricia's
involvement
665
00:34:33,738 --> 00:34:39,009
If law enforcement would talk
to the da about her charges,
666
00:34:39,077 --> 00:34:41,211
Which they agreed
to talk to him.
667
00:34:42,213 --> 00:34:43,413
[casey] ultimately,
linda confirmed
668
00:34:43,481 --> 00:34:44,814
That her mother and her daughte
669
00:34:44,883 --> 00:34:47,451
Were in this plot
to kill bobby sexton.
670
00:34:49,420 --> 00:34:51,521
[narrator] in August of 1998,
671
00:34:51,589 --> 00:34:53,657
Authorities take patricia sexto
672
00:34:53,725 --> 00:34:56,393
And dorothy bingham
into custody.
673
00:34:59,130 --> 00:35:00,363
During questioning,
674
00:35:00,432 --> 00:35:02,766
Both women
maintained their innocence.
675
00:35:03,902 --> 00:35:05,334
[casey] at this point,
patricia admitted
676
00:35:05,404 --> 00:35:07,603
That she had an
affair with michael.
677
00:35:07,673 --> 00:35:09,406
She said that when
bobby went missing,
678
00:35:09,474 --> 00:35:11,641
She knew in her heart
that it was probably michael,
679
00:35:11,710 --> 00:35:14,844
But that she was too
afraid to say anything.
680
00:35:14,913 --> 00:35:16,246
She claimed that she had
681
00:35:16,314 --> 00:35:17,414
No firsthand knowledge
of the murder,
682
00:35:17,482 --> 00:35:19,449
So she couldn't truly be sure.
683
00:35:19,518 --> 00:35:23,286
Patricia said, "michael
had been lying to us."
684
00:35:23,354 --> 00:35:25,922
She refused to implicate
her grandmother.
685
00:35:25,991 --> 00:35:28,858
[steven] her stories
just didn't make any sense
686
00:35:28,927 --> 00:35:32,595
In the evidence and
statements of other people
687
00:35:32,597 --> 00:35:35,699
Concerning the involvement
between her and michael
688
00:35:35,767 --> 00:35:37,200
And all that.
689
00:35:37,269 --> 00:35:39,702
She just denied everything.
690
00:35:39,771 --> 00:35:43,773
Patricia and dorothy were
charged with capital murder.
691
00:35:45,143 --> 00:35:46,943
[elmer] there's no
more serious crime
692
00:35:47,011 --> 00:35:48,511
Than capital murder.
693
00:35:48,580 --> 00:35:50,112
Pretty good chance
you get indicted,
694
00:35:50,114 --> 00:35:51,381
You're gonna get executed.
695
00:35:54,419 --> 00:35:55,318
[narrator] coming up,
696
00:35:55,386 --> 00:35:57,621
As the case heads to trial,
697
00:35:57,689 --> 00:36:00,357
Authorities fear that
conflicting stories
698
00:36:00,359 --> 00:36:04,427
And unreliable witnesses
will upend their case.
699
00:36:04,429 --> 00:36:05,996
[bobby] that happens a lot
in cases like this.
700
00:36:06,064 --> 00:36:07,730
When people get in trouble,
701
00:36:07,799 --> 00:36:10,033
They start pointing
the fingers at one another.
702
00:36:10,101 --> 00:36:12,702
I don't think that
justice was done.
703
00:36:14,439 --> 00:36:16,873
[theme music]
704
00:36:20,878 --> 00:36:22,412
[theme music]
705
00:36:23,848 --> 00:36:25,648
[narrator]
in jacksonville, texas,
706
00:36:25,717 --> 00:36:28,285
Authorities have arrested
michael fielding
707
00:36:28,287 --> 00:36:30,687
And his lover, patricia sexton,
708
00:36:30,755 --> 00:36:34,991
For the capital murder of
patricia's husband, bobby.
709
00:36:35,059 --> 00:36:38,761
Also implicated in the crime ar
bobby's coworker, willie wright
710
00:36:38,830 --> 00:36:41,665
And patricia's grandmother,
dorothy bingham.
711
00:36:43,902 --> 00:36:46,469
[brandi] that was
a hard hit for us.
712
00:36:46,538 --> 00:36:48,104
Once my grandmother
was arrested,
713
00:36:48,173 --> 00:36:49,839
Cps stepped in and took us.
714
00:36:51,376 --> 00:36:52,308
[chasidy] I was six.
715
00:36:52,377 --> 00:36:55,544
My sisters were five and four.
716
00:36:55,614 --> 00:36:57,446
What were we gonna
say at that time?
717
00:36:57,516 --> 00:36:59,583
We still weren't comprehending
what was going on.
718
00:37:00,819 --> 00:37:02,418
[narrator] investigators
still have questions
719
00:37:02,487 --> 00:37:05,421
About al clark's alibi.
720
00:37:05,490 --> 00:37:09,392
Al clark and bobby sexton
did not get along.
721
00:37:09,394 --> 00:37:13,630
But the evidence that the
investigators came up with
722
00:37:13,698 --> 00:37:15,097
Was circumstantial.
723
00:37:15,167 --> 00:37:19,569
And eventually, al clark
was ruled out as a suspect.
724
00:37:20,739 --> 00:37:23,340
[narrator] unfortunately, in
the months leading up to trial,
725
00:37:23,408 --> 00:37:26,242
Willie wright passes away.
726
00:37:26,311 --> 00:37:28,144
Prosecutors no longer had
the key witness
727
00:37:28,213 --> 00:37:29,613
Against michael fielding.
728
00:37:32,784 --> 00:37:34,851
I started talking
with the da's office
729
00:37:34,919 --> 00:37:37,286
About ways to try to
save michael's life.
730
00:37:38,323 --> 00:37:40,924
The sentence that I negotiated
for him with the da's office
731
00:37:40,992 --> 00:37:44,394
Was 35 years in prison.
732
00:37:44,462 --> 00:37:45,595
Part of our agreement
with the da's office
733
00:37:45,663 --> 00:37:48,664
Was that he would fully
cooperate with law enforcement,
734
00:37:48,733 --> 00:37:50,033
And that's what he did.
735
00:37:51,736 --> 00:37:54,771
[narrator] on April 20, 1999,
736
00:37:54,773 --> 00:37:58,808
Patricia sexton's
trial gets underway.
737
00:37:58,877 --> 00:38:02,479
There was evidence that the
motive was at least twofold--
738
00:38:02,481 --> 00:38:04,981
That she wanted the
kids and did not believe
739
00:38:05,049 --> 00:38:08,618
She would get custody unless
he was out of the picture.
740
00:38:08,687 --> 00:38:12,822
She also wanted the benefits
from the disability claim,
741
00:38:12,891 --> 00:38:15,625
Even though it wasn't
adjudicated yet.
742
00:38:18,630 --> 00:38:21,731
Dorothy and patricia,
in my opinion,
743
00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:24,701
They were the
ringleaders of all this,
744
00:38:24,769 --> 00:38:26,336
The way they
kept telling michael
745
00:38:26,404 --> 00:38:28,270
He needed to do this.
746
00:38:28,272 --> 00:38:30,773
Had they not done that,
747
00:38:30,775 --> 00:38:33,610
Bobby sexton would still
be alive, in my opinion.
748
00:38:35,914 --> 00:38:37,714
[narrator] but patricia's
defense team claims
749
00:38:37,782 --> 00:38:41,117
Michael had every reason to lie
750
00:38:41,186 --> 00:38:44,220
[bobby] our defense was
he was in love with her.
751
00:38:44,289 --> 00:38:46,055
They were having an affair.
752
00:38:46,124 --> 00:38:48,591
That's all just a
lover's triangle,
753
00:38:48,593 --> 00:38:50,627
And he was trying to
get rid of a rival.
754
00:38:52,063 --> 00:38:56,198
We had some confidence that
we could make the jury believe
755
00:38:56,200 --> 00:38:59,636
That fielding was in this
just as a jealous lover.
756
00:39:02,441 --> 00:39:03,940
[narrator] on the
stand, however,
757
00:39:04,008 --> 00:39:05,941
Michael stands firm.
758
00:39:06,611 --> 00:39:08,344
[elmer] michael relented that
759
00:39:08,413 --> 00:39:11,313
He had an ongoing
affair with patricia,
760
00:39:11,315 --> 00:39:13,749
And he was essentially
willing to do
761
00:39:13,818 --> 00:39:15,552
Whatever patricia
wanted him to do.
762
00:39:16,855 --> 00:39:18,254
[bobby] we believed
he's up there lying,
763
00:39:18,322 --> 00:39:20,156
Trying to put her in it.
764
00:39:20,224 --> 00:39:22,658
That happens a lot in
these, uh, cases like this.
765
00:39:22,727 --> 00:39:24,293
When people get in trouble,
766
00:39:24,295 --> 00:39:26,096
They start pointing the
fingers at one another.
767
00:39:27,298 --> 00:39:28,765
[narrator]
the state's star witness
768
00:39:28,833 --> 00:39:33,035
Is none other than
patricia's mother, linda.
769
00:39:33,104 --> 00:39:36,839
Linda gail bingham's
testimony was a major part
770
00:39:36,908 --> 00:39:40,242
Because she overheard
some of the conversations
771
00:39:40,312 --> 00:39:43,946
With patricia and with dorothy.
772
00:39:44,015 --> 00:39:47,550
It was her view that patricia,
acting with dorothy,
773
00:39:47,619 --> 00:39:49,586
Were the masterminds
of this plot.
774
00:39:53,658 --> 00:39:56,493
What little I knew,
everybody else was saying.
775
00:39:56,495 --> 00:39:58,527
That aggravates me
because people say,
776
00:39:58,597 --> 00:40:00,196
"well, you're the one
that sent her to prison."
777
00:40:00,265 --> 00:40:01,764
No.
778
00:40:01,832 --> 00:40:04,100
What I said,
everybody else said.
779
00:40:04,169 --> 00:40:05,267
I wasn't gonna lie.
780
00:40:05,337 --> 00:40:07,704
I don't--I'm not
lying for nobody.
781
00:40:07,772 --> 00:40:09,239
My mother always said
782
00:40:09,307 --> 00:40:11,474
As long as everybody
just tells the truth,
783
00:40:11,543 --> 00:40:13,510
Everything's gonna be all right
784
00:40:15,179 --> 00:40:17,914
Exactly what everybody did,
and it wasn't all right.
785
00:40:21,552 --> 00:40:24,587
[narrator] patricia's
trial lasts three days.
786
00:40:24,656 --> 00:40:27,390
The jury deliberates
for several hours,
787
00:40:27,458 --> 00:40:31,494
Ultimately submitting
their verdict on April 23rd.
788
00:40:33,197 --> 00:40:35,698
[juror] we, the jury, find
the defendant, patricia sexton,
789
00:40:35,767 --> 00:40:38,768
Guilty of the lesser
included offense of murder.
790
00:40:40,372 --> 00:40:42,638
[narrator] patricia
avoids the death penalty,
791
00:40:42,707 --> 00:40:45,575
But is sentenced
to life in prison.
792
00:40:46,844 --> 00:40:49,546
Patricia's grandmother
and alleged co-conspirator,
793
00:40:49,614 --> 00:40:52,314
Dorothy bingham,
is also found guilty
794
00:40:52,384 --> 00:40:55,118
At her trial in June 2000.
795
00:40:57,522 --> 00:41:01,090
She received a conviction
for engaging in
796
00:41:01,159 --> 00:41:05,261
Organized criminal
activity and murder.
797
00:41:05,329 --> 00:41:08,431
[narrator] dorothy is sentenced
to 30 years in prison,
798
00:41:08,499 --> 00:41:12,669
But she serves less than three.
799
00:41:12,737 --> 00:41:15,738
Dorothy bingham's
case was reversed
800
00:41:15,807 --> 00:41:18,340
By the tyler court of appeals.
801
00:41:18,410 --> 00:41:19,709
It was determined that there wa
802
00:41:19,777 --> 00:41:22,111
Not sufficient
corroborating evidence.
803
00:41:23,381 --> 00:41:25,882
When my grandmother's
conviction was overturned,
804
00:41:25,950 --> 00:41:28,518
It was the greatest thing.
805
00:41:28,586 --> 00:41:30,820
I feel like she was
wrongfully convicted.
806
00:41:31,623 --> 00:41:34,824
[steven] the fact that
dorothy was released,
807
00:41:34,893 --> 00:41:37,059
Personally, I don't think
808
00:41:37,061 --> 00:41:41,531
That justice
was done on her part.
809
00:41:41,599 --> 00:41:45,068
But, you know, it's
out of our control.
810
00:41:46,437 --> 00:41:49,506
[narrator] 25 years later,
patricia sexton continues
811
00:41:49,574 --> 00:41:51,875
To maintain her innocence.
812
00:41:53,077 --> 00:41:54,844
[brandi] there are
a lot of innocent people
813
00:41:54,912 --> 00:41:55,545
That are incarcerated.
814
00:41:57,281 --> 00:42:00,916
And I will believe
that she is innocent
815
00:42:00,985 --> 00:42:02,552
Until the day I die.
816
00:42:03,622 --> 00:42:06,389
[chasidy]
I still have questions
817
00:42:06,457 --> 00:42:08,190
About everything
that's happened.
818
00:42:08,259 --> 00:42:11,093
Will I ever get the
100 percent truth?
819
00:42:11,162 --> 00:42:13,062
Probably not.
820
00:42:13,131 --> 00:42:16,098
[brandi] unfortunately,
when you keep secrets,
821
00:42:16,167 --> 00:42:18,301
They tend to bottle
up and then explode.
822
00:42:23,842 --> 00:42:25,775
[chasidy] there's not
too many days that go by
823
00:42:25,843 --> 00:42:28,010
That my family doesn't say
something about my dad
824
00:42:28,079 --> 00:42:30,446
Or talk about how they miss him
825
00:42:30,515 --> 00:42:33,583
Or how things would be
different if my dad as here.
826
00:42:34,619 --> 00:42:35,718
[jeffrey] it was very sad.
827
00:42:35,786 --> 00:42:39,489
Think of all the lives ruined.
Think of families ruined.
828
00:42:39,557 --> 00:42:40,657
For nothing.
829
00:42:41,692 --> 00:42:42,691
[chasidy]
everything a girl's mom
830
00:42:42,761 --> 00:42:44,294
Is supposed to help her do...
831
00:42:47,966 --> 00:42:49,832
...I didn't get that.
832
00:42:50,701 --> 00:42:52,201
Daddy-daughter dances,
833
00:42:52,270 --> 00:42:54,604
Stuff that you go
to with your dad--
834
00:42:54,672 --> 00:42:56,239
I didn't go to those.
835
00:42:58,242 --> 00:43:00,276
When I decide to
settle down and get married,
836
00:43:00,344 --> 00:43:02,879
My dad doesn't get to
walk me down the aisle.
837
00:43:05,449 --> 00:43:08,250
I'll never have
a relationship with my mom
838
00:43:08,319 --> 00:43:12,154
'cause what she did to
not only me, but my family,
839
00:43:12,223 --> 00:43:16,158
Was the most unfair thing that
you could've done to anybody,
840
00:43:16,227 --> 00:43:19,929
Especially your
three little girls.
841
00:43:19,998 --> 00:43:22,832
But you know what
they say, life's not fair.
842
00:43:24,836 --> 00:43:26,669
It really isn't.
843
00:43:29,340 --> 00:43:34,911
[music]