>> narrator: Their bond appeared unbreakable. >> the two of them had an
extreme passion for each other.
>> they had faced
some tough times,
but they always overcome them.
Some tough times, but they always overcome them. >> they had a son together.
But they always overcome them. >> they had a son together. They had a close-knit family.
>> narrator: But a tragic crime
they had a close-knit family. >> narrator: But a tragic crime would leave their loving family
in tatters.
Would leave their loving family in tatters. >> it's just a brutal murder.
In tatters. >> it's just a brutal murder. >> the body was riddled
with bullets.
>> he had gunshot wounds to
his head as well as his torso.
>> narrator: Will clues
from the victim's past point
the way for detectives?
From the victim's past point the way for detectives? >> he had been to prison
for a drug conviction.
>> that's where
we have to start.
>> narrator: Or did a moment
of weakness
have deadly consequences?
Of weakness have deadly consequences? >> he decided to take advantage
of her vulnerability, her needs.
>> that's where the feud
originated.
>> the other guy
has disrespected him.
>> he couldn't let it go.
Has disrespected him. >> he couldn't let it go. He took this to another level.
[ gunshot ]
he took this to another level. [ gunshot ] ♪
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
>> narrator: December 10, 2008.
It's a peaceful day
in the charming seaside town
of groton, connecticut.
>> groton, years ago,
was a whaling town,
but in present time,
it's a military base.
>> it's a harbor
with a beautiful waterfront.
>> it's a small community, and
it's a very nice place to live.
>> narrator: But just before
10:00 a.M.,
not far from the harbor,
a hotel maid is in the middle
of her morning rounds
when she makes
a horrifying discovery.
>> oh, my god!
>> just as she got
upon this particular room,
she noticed a body
lying partially in the hallway.
>> he was laying
in the doorway facedown.
You could see what appeared
to be the blood
coming from his head.
>> the maid immediately dropped
everything and ran to call 911.
>> narrator: First responders
arrive on the scene within
minutes, but there's nothing
that can be done for the victim.
>> he was deceased
when they found him.
He'd been shot a couple times
in the torso
and a couple times in the head.
>> it was clear to the police
that this was indeed a homicide.
>> narrator: But who is this
man, and why was he gunned down
in a hotel hallway?
>> officers searched the man's
pockets and found a wallet with
the driver's license inside.
>> narrator: According to the
I.D., the victim is 33-year-old
groton resident jamel campbell.
>> so the big question was,
why would this man be staying
in a hotel in his own town,
and why would someone come there
to kill him?
>> narrator: Growing up in
a tough brooklyn neighborhood,
jamel campbell's childhood
was a struggle from the start.
>> jamel's own father had been
shot and killed
when jamel was just a baby.
>> so he grew up
without a father.
>> narrator: There were times
jamel was without his mother,
too.
>> she was a single mom
trying to work,
struggling to make ends meet,
and she relied on family
and friends to help her to raise
him.
>> narrator: It was a tough life, and by the time he was a teen, jamel had cultivated a
hard-worn exterior to match.
Teen, jamel had cultivated a hard-worn exterior to match. >> he was a big guy
with an imposing attitude,
the kind of guy who wouldn't
back down when challenged.
The kind of guy who wouldn't back down when challenged. >> narrator: Though the odds
were stacked against him,
jamel graduated high school
in 1993 and moved to groton,
connecticut, although, unlike
most young men who move there,
it wasn't to enlist in the navy.
Most young men who move there, it wasn't to enlist in the navy. >> jamel ended up in groton
because his girlfriend at
the time had gotten a job there.
Because his girlfriend at the time had gotten a job there. Though the relationship
didn't last, jamel quickly
though the relationship didn't last, jamel quickly warmed to his new home.
Didn't last, jamel quickly warmed to his new home. >> and it's a small town,
a lot different than brooklyn
where he grew up, but he kind
of liked the feel here.
Where he grew up, but he kind of liked the feel here. >> narrator: But while jamel
liked groton's
laid-back atmosphere,
it was a chance encounter
in 2001 that would
firmly cement his roots there.
In 2001 that would firmly cement his roots there. >> appreciate it.
Firmly cement his roots there. >> appreciate it. >> yeah, man.
>> jamel was out at a club
one night,
and a young lady caught his eye.
One night, and a young lady caught his eye. >> narrator: Her name
was amanda tompkins.
>> hey, have I seen you before?
Was amanda tompkins. >> hey, have I seen you before? >> I don't know. Have you?
>> he really was interested in
her.
He kept pursuing her.
Her. He kept pursuing her. >> well, can I get your number
he kept pursuing her. >> well, can I get your number so we can do this again soon?
>> how about we let fate decide?
So we can do this again soon? >> how about we let fate decide? >> amanda took jamel to be
just another player.
>> narrator: But this player
was persistent.
>> he knew a mutual friend of
hers and enlisted that friend's
help to see amanda again.
Hers and enlisted that friend's help to see amanda again. He was incredibly interested
and just couldn't let
he was incredibly interested and just couldn't let the thought of her go.
And just couldn't let the thought of her go. >> he pursued her
and pursued her.
>> amanda was going to make him
work for it, prove that
he was up for the challenge if
he really wanted to be with her.
He was up for the challenge if he really wanted to be with her. >> narrator: Though it took
some time to win her over,
jamel's persistence
finally paid off.
Jamel's persistence finally paid off. >> despite all the hoops
she made him jump through,
friends said amanda and jamel
had an undeniable chemistry.
Friends said amanda and jamel had an undeniable chemistry. >> narrator: Soon,
the relationship turned serious.
>> they became an
exclusive item,
and, you know, in the beginning,
it was smooth sailing.
And, you know, in the beginning, it was smooth sailing. >> narrator: But it wasn't long
before their relationship
was put to the test.
Before their relationship was put to the test. >> jamel started to fall back
in some of his old habits
that he'd had
when he was living in brooklyn.
That he'd had when he was living in brooklyn. >> he had a history of both
using and occasionally dealing
drugs.
Using and occasionally dealing drugs. >> he didn't have too
much of a violent record.
It was drugs that caused
the problems that he had had.
>> narrator: Though amanda
didn't approve of jamel's drug
use, her love for him made it
hard to walk away.
Use, her love for him made it hard to walk away. >> they would break up,
get back together,
break up, and get back together.
>> narrator: In 2004, jamel and amanda's on-again/off-again relationship
became even more complicated.
On-again/off-again relationship became even more complicated. >> amanda found out she was
pregnant, and in December 2004,
they welcomed their son, corey.
Pregnant, and in December 2004, they welcomed their son, corey. Jamel loved being a dad.
They welcomed their son, corey. Jamel loved being a dad. Becoming a father seemed
jamel loved being a dad. Becoming a father seemed to be the nudge
becoming a father seemed to be the nudge that jamel really needed
to get his act together.
That jamel really needed to get his act together. >> he'd grown up without
a father, and he wanted
to be there for this little one.
A father, and he wanted to be there for this little one. >> narrator: After the birth
of their son, corey,
jamel tried to stay on
the straight and narrow,
but in 2006, he once again found
himself in trouble with the law.
>> he went to prison
on a drug charge.
>> narrator: Despite his best intentions, jamel's two-year sentence meant amanda
was suddenly a single mom.
Sentence meant amanda was suddenly a single mom. >> it was kind of rough
out there with a young baby,
trying to work
and support this child
without any assistance
from the father.
Without any assistance from the father. >> narrator: Luckily for amanda,
she wasn't entirely alone.
>> she had a really supportive
network of family
and friends in groton
and the surrounding areas.
And friends in groton and the surrounding areas. >> narrator: Including
jamel's friend, ryan wright.
>> hey, what's up, little mama?
Jamel's friend, ryan wright. >> hey, what's up, little mama? >> thank god you're here.
>> uh-huh.
>> ryan was very supportive.
He befriended amanda, befriended
the son and became a crutch
he befriended amanda, befriended the son and became a crutch upon which amanda relied on.
The son and became a crutch upon which amanda relied on. >> he's a very friendly guy
and easy to get along with.
>> narrator: In April of 2008, jamel was released from prison. From that moment forward,
he made a concerted effort
from that moment forward, he made a concerted effort to get his life back together
and make amends with amanda
and his now 3-year-old son.
And make amends with amanda and his now 3-year-old son. >> jamel getting out of prison
realized, "hey, I'm really going
to get myself together this
time.
To get myself together this time. No more of this criminality, no
more charges.
I've got a son
that I need to raise."
>> he was really trying
to do the right thing.
>> he wanted to
support his family,
so jamel got two jobs for
a while -- one at a restaurant
and one at a supermarket.
A while -- one at a restaurant and one at a supermarket. >> amanda worked the night shift
at a plant,
but it became clear to them as
a couple that her working nights
and jamel having two jobs,
which essentially
took up all his time,
jamel gave up one of those jobs
so he could spend more time
with his son and
maintaining this relationship.
With his son and maintaining this relationship. >> jamel had done his time,
paid his debt to society.
He was doing everything
to get his life
he was doing everything to get his life back on track for his family.
To get his life back on track for his family. >> narrator: But just as jamel
was getting
his life back together,
it came to a sudden
and violent end.
It came to a sudden and violent end. >> the victim was located
in a doorway,
suffering from gunshot wounds.
In a doorway, suffering from gunshot wounds. >> his body had been riddled
with bullets,
and it was surrounded by blood
and shell casings.
And it was surrounded by blood and shell casings. >> narrator: In order to find
the killer, detectives will have
to chase down ghosts
of their victim's past.
To chase down ghosts of their victim's past. >> jamel had a history
of selling drugs.
>> it might have
been a drug deal gone bad.
>> jamel had fallen back
into the game before.
Who was to say that he wasn't
doing it again?
>> if you're involved
in that lifestyle,
you're going to get killed.
In that lifestyle, you're going to get killed. It's a dangerous line of work.
You're going to get killed. It's a dangerous line of work. There are a lot of people
it's a dangerous line of work. There are a lot of people that try to rob drug dealers.
[ gunshot ]
>> narrator: Fresh out of prison
for drug charges,
jamel campbell was determined
to put his life with amanda
tompkins back together,
both for each other
and for the sake of
their 3-year-old son, corey.
>> there was a lot of love
there,
and the two of them decided,
"hey, you know,
we need to settle down
so we can be good parents."
>> narrator: But on
December 9, 2008,
after just eight months
on the outside, jamel's fresh
start comes to a gruesome end.
>> oh, my god!
>> he was found by a housekeeper
at a hotel in groton.
>> police arrived and found
a jamel campbell deceased
apparently from gunshot wounds.
>> narrator: As soon
as the groton pd
realizes they have a homicide
on their hands, they reach out
to the connecticut state police
for assistance.
>> groton town police, I mean,
they're a-plus department.
They know what they're doing.
They're capable.
It's just a matter of manpower.
>> narrator: When detectives arrive on the scene, they quickly surmise
that jamel had been shot
the moment he answered
the killer's knock at the door.
The moment he answered the killer's knock at the door. >> he was protruding
just outside into the hallway,
and most of his body
was in that room.
And most of his body was in that room. >> as you approach the room,
there was actually shell casings
in the hallway
outside of the room.
In the hallway outside of the room. >> narrator: But those aren't
the only shell casings
detectives find.
>> there were two shells in the
hallway and four in the room.
>> narrator: And when the coroner removes jamel's body, detectives recover
a spent bullet.
Detectives recover a spent bullet. >> one of the bullet projectiles
was in his clothing
and fell to the floor,
so we were able to seize that.
And fell to the floor, so we were able to seize that. >> detectives.
So we were able to seize that. >> detectives. >> narrator: Csis find a second
bullet inside a nearby cabinet.
>> the bullet actually traveled
through the cabinet,
through the refrigerator,
and then through
the bottom of the refrigerator,
so we were able to seize that
as evidence to hopefully match
to a weapon.
As evidence to hopefully match to a weapon. >> narrator: Surveying the
scene, it's clear whoever shot
jamel came to his room
with the intent to kill.
Jamel came to his room with the intent to kill. >> blood was apparent on the
lower portion of the doorway
where his head was as if he
was shot subsequent times
while on the ground.
Was shot subsequent times while on the ground. >> it's just a brutal thing the
way that the deceased was
murdered.
Way that the deceased was murdered. Somebody was really,
really angry at him.
>> narrator: But who?
Really angry at him. >> narrator: But who? Beyond the blood, the shell
casings and jamel's dead body,
beyond the blood, the shell casings and jamel's dead body, the crime scene offers
few clues.
The crime scene offers few clues. >> he was fully clothed.
Few clues. >> he was fully clothed. He had his hotel-room
card key in his hand.
Also, there were a set of keys
located next to the deceased,
also, there were a set of keys located next to the deceased, and one of the keys
was an ignition key to a honda.
And one of the keys was an ignition key to a honda. >> narrator: Detectives send
uniformed officers
to the parking lot
to look for jamel's vehicle.
To the parking lot to look for jamel's vehicle. Meanwhile, they begin knocking
on the doors of nearby rooms.
>> going to hotel rooms
to get information,
it is extremely helpful to us
because it helps to narrow down
timelines.
It helps to let us know if there
were other circumstances at
play, if anyone heard arguing,
if there was people coming in
and out of the building
for extended periods of time.
>> narrator: It doesn't take
long for detectives to find
a guest who has information
about the case.
>> excuse me.
Sorry to bother you.
I need to know if you heard
anything unusual this morning.
>> not this morning, but last
night, I heard some gunshots.
>> you sure they were gunshots?
>> oh, I'm positive.
>> as it turns out,
this particular guest
was a sonar technician with the
u.S. Navy.
He said he heard a total of six shots that night. >> what time was this?
Of six shots that night. >> what time was this? >> it was about 11:15.
I called the front desk
as soon as I heard them.
>> narrator: So why wasn't
jamel's body found
until the next morning?
Jamel's body found until the next morning? Following up with the desk clerk
provides the answer.
>> sir, we understand you got
a call about gunfire last night.
>> yeah, I took the call,
and I went and looked around
the parking lot,
but I didn't see anything,
so I just left it alone.
But I didn't see anything, so I just left it alone. >> the clerk checked
the perimeter of the building,
but he did not check
the interior to see jamel's body
covered in blood.
The interior to see jamel's body covered in blood. >> it appears he was found
about 10 hours
after the shooting happened.
About 10 hours after the shooting happened. >> narrator: Given the time
frame, it appears that when the
clerk checked the parking lot,
he may have just missed
spotting jamel's killer.
He may have just missed spotting jamel's killer. >> the room was actually located
next to a side entrance
that was card-key access.
Next to a side entrance that was card-key access. It was actually the room
right next to that door.
>> narrator: A detail that
doesn't go unnoticed
by detectives,
especially once they're made
aware of jamel's
prior drug convictions.
Aware of jamel's prior drug convictions. >> I think you're going to want
to take a look at that.
>> thank you.
To take a look at that. >> thank you. >> sure.
>> jamel had a history
of selling drugs,
and he had a hotel room
in groton where this could be
a place you could slip in
and out without being seen,
so this perhaps could've been
one of his spots to deal.
>> add it all up, and this
could've been some type of drug
deal that had gone wrong.
>> narrator: Had jamel slipped back into the drug game, or could there be
another scenario at play?
Or could there be another scenario at play? Checking the exit near jamel's
room leads detectives
checking the exit near jamel's room leads detectives to their next discovery.
Room leads detectives to their next discovery. >> there was a honda parked
outside that entry door
in close proximity.
Outside that entry door in close proximity. >> and the keys that were upon
jamel's body went along
with this particular honda.
Jamel's body went along with this particular honda. >> narrator: But a check
of the vehicle's plates
adds a new wrinkle to the case.
Of the vehicle's plates adds a new wrinkle to the case. >> they found out that this
particular vehicle
was not registered to jamel
but registered to one
amanda tompkins.
But registered to one amanda tompkins. >> narrator: And that's not all.
Amanda tompkins. >> narrator: And that's not all. >> according to dispatchers,
amanda had already called police
to let them know that her car
was missing along with
her boyfriend, jamel campbell.
Was missing along with her boyfriend, jamel campbell. >> narrator: Which leads
detectives to a new theory.
>> one would wonder if she was
involved in this.
>> detectives start with
whoever's closest to the victim
and then work out from there.
>> when we're dealing with
crimes of violence
and the ultimate act
of taking someone else's life,
we want to make sure
that we provide everything
we can to run that down,
and we do that by dedicating
people that are well-trained,
well-experienced,
and knowledgeable on this to the
ends that we need to run it down
in order to make an arrest
and to make an arrest
of the right person.
>> narrator: Just hours after
jamel campbell was found shot
to death in his groton,
connecticut, hotel room,
detectives have made what could
be an important discovery.
>> car keys were found
by jamel's body, and when
detectives took a closer look,
they realized that those keys
actually match the car of his
girlfriend, amanda tompkins.
>> at roughly the same time
his body was discovered,
amanda tompkins had called
the groton town police
and reported him missing.
>> it's kind of investigation
101.
You start with whoever's closest to the victim and then work your way out from there.
Closest to the victim and then work your way out from there. >> narrator: Within minutes
of learning about
the missing-persons report,
detectives are knocking
on amanda's door.
Detectives are knocking on amanda's door. >> ms. Tompkins?
On amanda's door. >> ms. Tompkins? We need to speak with you
about jamel campbell.
>> oh, my god.
About jamel campbell. >> oh, my god. Where is he?
>> I'm sorry, ma'am,
where is he? >> I'm sorry, ma'am, but he's been found deceased.
>> oh, I knew it!
But he's been found deceased. >> oh, I knew it! Oh, my god.
I knew it.
>> jamel always came home.
Whatever he did
throughout the course of their
very long relationship,
he always came home.
>> narrator: Though she's distraught, amanda is able to answer some questions for
detectives.
Answer some questions for detectives. >> when did you last see jamel?
Detectives. >> when did you last see jamel? >> he left around 7:30 last
night.
He said he was running to the
store.
>> she had allowed jamel
to use her car because
he couldn't find his car keys.
To use her car because he couldn't find his car keys. >> narrator: But amanda says
that, after an hour passed
and jamel hadn't returned,
she began to worry.
And jamel hadn't returned, she began to worry. >> she texted him around 11:00,
and he responded.
>> according to amanda,
he didn't tell her where he was
but apologized for running late.
>> there was an expectation that he would return that evening and eat the food
that she had prepared for him.
That evening and eat the food that she had prepared for him. >> narrator: According to
amanda, around 11:30 p.M.,
she texted jamel and told him
that she was going to bed.
She texted jamel and told him that she was going to bed. >> she woke up somewhat
in a panic about 4:30
that early morning,
and she realized
that jamel was not there.
And she realized that jamel was not there. >> his dinner was still in
the microwave where I left it.
>> did you try
to contact him again?
>> yeah.
To contact him again? >> yeah. He didn't respond.
>> narrator: But when the sun
he didn't respond. >> narrator: But when the sun came up the following morning,
amanda's concern
had turned into panic.
Amanda's concern had turned into panic. >> it was time for their son
to go to school,
and he missed that, too.
To go to school, and he missed that, too. >> according to amanda,
jamel was the one who took their
son to preschool every day.
Jamel was the one who took their son to preschool every day. >> she starts texting friends,
just trying to see
where jamel might be.
Just trying to see where jamel might be. >> and nobody knew where he was,
and that's when I called you
guys.
And that's when I called you guys. >> narrator: Considering
jamel's criminal history,
detectives can't help but wonder
whether amanda is telling them
the whole truth.
Whether amanda is telling them the whole truth. >> you say he just went
to the store?
>> that's what he said.
To the store? >> that's what he said. >> well, we know
he used to be a dealer.
Do you think he's still dealing?
He used to be a dealer. Do you think he's still dealing? >> absolutely not.
He got out of the game
for the sake of our son.
>> how would you describe
your relationship with jamel?
>> well, we had our ups
and our downs.
>> did y'all get in
a fight last night?
>> no.
A fight last night? >> no. >> and he just went
to the store?
>> that's what he told me,
but I think he stopped
by cici's first.
But I think he stopped by cici's first. >> cici?
By cici's first. >> cici? >> she lives across the street.
Jamel is really good friends
with her.
>> amanda saw jamel head
over to cici johnson's apartment
before he went to the store.
Over to cici johnson's apartment before he went to the store. >> the mention of another woman
immediately raises red flags
for detectives.
Immediately raises red flags for detectives. >> detectives were wondering
if that's what jamel was doing
in the hotel that night.
If that's what jamel was doing in the hotel that night. Could he have been having
an affair?
>> narrator: The mystery
only deepens once detectives
knock on cici johnson's door.
Only deepens once detectives knock on cici johnson's door. >> a woman opened the door.
Knock on cici johnson's door. >> a woman opened the door. She was clearly pregnant.
>> ms. Johnson?
>> uh...Hang on a second.
Hey, cici.
>> turns out, cici was
hey, cici. >> turns out, cici was in a relationship with a woman,
and her name was maxine sharp.
In a relationship with a woman, and her name was maxine sharp. >> well, what can I do
for you, officers?
>> we're investigating
the murder of jamel campbell.
>> jamel?
The murder of jamel campbell. >> jamel? Jamel!
>> upon hearing that jamel
jamel! >> upon hearing that jamel was dead,
maxine broke down completely.
Was dead, maxine broke down completely. >> narrator: But it's the reason
for maxine's breakdown
that really sends up red flags.
For maxine's breakdown that really sends up red flags. >> ma'am, are you okay?
That really sends up red flags. >> ma'am, are you okay? >> she's fine.
>> do you want to have a seat?
>> she's fine.
Jamel is the baby's father.
Connecticut, detectives
investigating the murder of
33-year-old jamel campbell
have just made a surprising
discovery about his friend
and neighbor, maxine sharp.
>> although maxine was in
a relationship with a woman
named cici johnson,
she was carrying jamel's child.
>> narrator: Which immediately has detectives wondering, "could the complicated situation
have anything to do
with jamel's murder?"
detectives waste no time
separating the two women
for questioning.
Separating the two women for questioning. >> so when did you learn
maxine was pregnant?
>> look, I know
what you're thinking.
Yeah, I was mad when I found out
that maxine and jamel
yeah, I was mad when I found out that maxine and jamel had been hooking up.
That maxine and jamel had been hooking up. >> cici admitted that there
was some jealousy,
but she denied having anything
to do with jamel's murder.
But she denied having anything to do with jamel's murder. >> okay, in the end, it's a
blessing.
Okay, we have a baby no matter
how it happened.
>> according to cici,
she and maxine had decided
to raise the baby together.
>> narrator: Maxine's account seems to dovetail cici's story. >> it was never serious
with jamel.
Cici was mad at first,
but the baby has more
cici was mad at first, but the baby has more than made up for it.
But the baby has more than made up for it. >> what about amanda?
Than made up for it. >> what about amanda? Does she know that he was
the father?
>> I sure didn't tell her.
The father? >> I sure didn't tell her. I'm pretty sure
jamel didn't either so...
>> narrator: That's hardly
enough for detectives
to rule amanda or cici
out as possible suspects
in jamel's death.
Out as possible suspects in jamel's death. >> jealousy is often a motive
for murder.
>> narrator: However,
maxine is able to provide
an alibi for cici.
Maxine is able to provide an alibi for cici. >> she was here.
An alibi for cici. >> she was here. >> all night, like, around
11:00?
>> yes.
>> what about jamel?
>> jamel stopped by,
and we talked for a little bit,
but then he got a text at, like,
8:30 from meagan so --
>> meagan?
>> yeah, um, meagan foley.
>> according to maxine,
meagan worked as a bank teller
in groton and was good friends
with jamel.
In groton and was good friends with jamel. >> narrator: Maxine tells
detectives jamel left shortly
after receiving meagan's text.
>> jamel was going to meet
meagan that particular evening.
>> and since jamel was shot
and killed barely three hours
after he left cici johnson's
apartment, detectives can't help
but wonder if there's some type
of connection here.
>> there's yet another woman, so of course the police followed that trail.
So of course the police followed that trail. >> narrator: It's late afternoon
when detectives arrive
at the bank where meagan works.
When detectives arrive at the bank where meagan works. >> ms. Foley?
At the bank where meagan works. >> ms. Foley? >> yeah?
>> we're investigating
the murder of jamel campbell.
>> oh, my god.
The murder of jamel campbell. >> oh, my god. >> she was particularly
distraught finding out
about jamel's death.
Distraught finding out about jamel's death. >> narrator: Once meagan regains
her composure, she agrees
to speak with detectives.
Her composure, she agrees to speak with detectives. >> she indicated that she'd
known jamel for some 10 years.
>> did you two ever hook up?
Known jamel for some 10 years. >> did you two ever hook up? >> me and jamel?
[ sniffles ]no.
>> they would get together.
It was just a social thing,
and they'd listen to music
and talk, just have a good time.
>> they would more or less chill
out somewhere and smoke and
drink and talk, and that was
basically it.
>> did you talk to him at all last night? >> yeah, a few times.
At all last night? >> yeah, a few times. I texted him.
>> she admitted to the police
that they had been
in communication,
a few texts here and there.
In communication, a few texts here and there. >> narrator: But according
to meagan, they never met up
as maxine had claimed.
To meagan, they never met up as maxine had claimed. >> we were just going
to get together for a few beers,
and we ended up not doing it
'cause my boyfriend
got off work early.
>> so you were with
your boyfriend all last night?
>> yeah, until this morning
when I got to work.
>> we're going to need to speak
with him and confirm that.
>> okay.
With him and confirm that. >> okay. >> narrator: As the sun
begins to set, detectives decide
to make one final trip
to the factory where meagan's
boyfriend, landon christian,
is just getting off work.
Boyfriend, landon christian, is just getting off work. >> they wanted to verify
meagan's story.
>> as far as meagan,
was she at home all night?
>> yes, sir,
as far as I'm aware of.
>> meagan's boyfriend
confirmed her alibi.
>> narrator: But just when it
looks like meagan is about to be
struck from the suspect list,
she moves herself
back to the top.
She moves herself back to the top. >> I guess
everybody texts, right?
>> baby, I brought you
the drink you wanted.
>> meagan shows up in the middle
of that interview.
>> narrator: Meagan's sudden
appearance sets off alarm bells
for detectives.
Appearance sets off alarm bells for detectives. >> if you were
telling the truth,
then there'd be no need for you
to show up at the plant
to potentially warn
your boyfriend or make sure
he has his story straight.
Your boyfriend or make sure he has his story straight. >> she tried to play it off
as though she was just coming
to drop something off, but
detectives weren't buying it at
all.
Detectives weren't buying it at all. They knew something was up.
All. They knew something was up. >> narrator: The next morning,
they knew something was up. >> narrator: The next morning, when detectives pull
meagan's cell records,
their suspicions only deepen.
Meagan's cell records, their suspicions only deepen. >> turned out meagan
wasn't being quite truthful
about her contact with jamel
the day of the murder.
About her contact with jamel the day of the murder. >> it wasn't just a few texts.
The day of the murder. >> it wasn't just a few texts. There was conversation
throughout most of that day
there was conversation throughout most of that day and, oddly enough, just around
the time that jamel was shot.
And, oddly enough, just around the time that jamel was shot. >> now that detectives have
caught meagan foley in a lie,
one question remains.
Caught meagan foley in a lie, one question remains. >> detectives were wondering,
just what was meagan
trying to hide?
Just what was meagan trying to hide? [ gunshot ]
>> narrator: December 12, 2008.
Detectives investigating
the murder of jamel campbell
in groton, connecticut,
have just caught his friend,
meagan foley, in a lie.
>> meagan initially told
detectives that
she had exchanged just a few
text messages with jamel earlier
in the day on December 9th,
the day that he was killed.
>> and then more phone records
started coming in,
and they were able to really put
things together.
There was a lot of communication
between her and the deceased.
>> narrator: With the veracity of meagan's statement now in question,
detectives bring her in
for additional questioning.
Detectives bring her in for additional questioning. >> they talk to her
and confronted her
with the differences.
And confronted her with the differences. >> so, meagan, I'm seeing
50 text messages on here.
That's way more than a few.
>> I know.
>> eventually, she said, "okay.
Maybe I did have more
communication with jamel."
>> what were you guys talking about? >> just some guy problems,
you know?
I just needed
somebody to talk to.
>> jamel know the guy?
Somebody to talk to. >> jamel know the guy? Were they friends?
>> it's complicated.
>> meagan explained that she
was dating a new guy now,
but she had also dated a guy
named ryan wright in the past.
But she had also dated a guy named ryan wright in the past. She and ryan were still
good friends.
Ryan and jamel used to be
good friends as well.
>> and meagan said ryan was
the one causing all the trouble.
>> ryan was actually the friend
who stepped up
to help amanda tompkins
while jamel went away to prison
for 2 years on drug charges.
>> narrator: However,
according to meagan,
jamel was convinced
that ryan had done far more
than offer amanda tompkins
a helping hand around the house.
>> campbell had heard the rumor
that wright had been sleeping
with his girlfriend.
>> I mean, I didn't care 'cause we weren't together, but when jamel found out,
he was livid.
But when jamel found out, he was livid. >> so he hounded and hounded
amanda.
"you know, when I was away,
what were you up to?"
>> I'm telling you,
I didn't do anything!
>> it's okay, baby.
Two years is a long time.
[ sighs ]
two years is a long time. [ sighs ] >> I know.
>> so what happened?
>> well, I slipped up.
>> at some point,
she did indeed give in,
and she told jamel that she had
an affair with ryan.
>> when jamel campbell
found out about that,
it did not sit well with him.
>> to jamel, it wasn't so much
the sex that mattered.
It was the fact that a friend
had betrayed him.
>> narrator: According to meagan, jamel was so enraged by ryan's betrayal of his trust
that he soon began
plotting his revenge.
That he soon began plotting his revenge. >> jamel said to himself,
"you mess with my woman,
I'm going to mess with you."
>> narrator: The result was
a showdown about one month
earlier in a convenience-store
parking lot.
Earlier in a convenience-store parking lot. >> so jamel and one of his boys
got together one day with ryan.
>> hey, I heard you want to
talk.
>> come to think of it,
I don't really have much to say.
>> he said he wanted
to talk this over with wright,
but apparently the talking
was an intent to get him there.
But apparently the talking was an intent to get him there. >> hey. Whoa. Whoa.
Was an intent to get him there. >> hey. Whoa. Whoa. I don't want no trouble, man.
Hey, man, you going to do me
like this?
>> yeah, yeah, give me them
keys.
>> jamel decided that,
as payback,
he was going to steal ryan's
most prized possession, his car.
He was going to steal ryan's most prized possession, his car. >> mr. Wright had
a mercedes-benz that he was
fixing slowly over the years.
A mercedes-benz that he was fixing slowly over the years. >> his entire ego, his manhood
was caught up in this vehicle.
>> narrator: Which made
what jamel did next
all the more humiliating.
What jamel did next all the more humiliating. >> campbell left it in hartford,
stripped it of wheels
and his radio.
Stripped it of wheels and his radio. >> narrator: According to
meagan, ryan decided not to
press charges against jamel.
Meagan, ryan decided not to press charges against jamel. Instead, he began plotting
his own revenge.
>> maybe at one time
they were friends,
but now they were blood enemies.
They were friends, but now they were blood enemies. >> I'd never seen him so mad.
But now they were blood enemies. >> I'd never seen him so mad. >> he was explaining to meagan
that, "I'm going to kill jamel."
>> narrator: Could ryan
have really murdered
jamel over a stolen car,
and why hadn't meagan
revealed this in her initial
statement to police?
Revealed this in her initial statement to police? >> meagan told police
that she was too terrified
after she found out
that jamel had been killed.
After she found out that jamel had been killed. >> she told detectives that
once he was dead,
she knew in her heart ryan
did it, and she feared
for her own safety.
Did it, and she feared for her own safety. >> narrator: Over the next
few days,
detectives uncover evidence
that seems to confirm
meagan's story.
That seems to confirm meagan's story. >> ryan had actually reported
his stolen vehicle
to his insurance company.
His stolen vehicle to his insurance company. >> based on the conversations
that ryan had
with the claims adjuster, he was
pretty upset about it.
>> narrator: Detectives also follow up with amanda. >> she admitted to seeing other
people while jamel was in prison
but claimed that
they were broken up at the time.
But claimed that they were broken up at the time. >> narrator: Amanda claims
she doesn't know anything about
jamel stealing ryan's car,
but detectives find plenty
of people in the neighborhood
who do.
Of people in the neighborhood who do. >> within the neighborhood,
folks were at least
broadcasting or bragging,
"jamel took ryan's car."
>> narrator: Jamel and ryan's
neighbors are also well aware
of ryan's desire for payback.
Neighbors are also well aware of ryan's desire for payback. >> wright was just so adamant
about getting campbell
that he was constantly
contacting other people
throughout the neighborhoods
trying to see
if they knew where he was.
Trying to see if they knew where he was. >> the police hearing this
thinking there's the potential
we've got a little revenge going
on, so they call ryan in
for questioning.
On, so they call ryan in for questioning. >> what's this all about?
For questioning. >> what's this all about? >> jamel campbell.
>> heard he got shot.
>> heard about it or had
something to do with it?
>> man, what are you
talking about?
>> he denies everything.
Talking about? >> he denies everything. He doesn't even know
why they'd be interested
he doesn't even know why they'd be interested in discussing it with him.
Why they'd be interested in discussing it with him. >> didn't you guys have a feud?
In discussing it with him. >> didn't you guys have a feud? >> feud?
Nah.
Been friends for years.
>> narrator: Though ryan
been friends for years. >> narrator: Though ryan admits he was angry
over the theft of his car,
he is adamant he had nothing
to do with jamel's death.
He is adamant he had nothing to do with jamel's death. >> it really wasn't a real
motive here.
Somebody having their car
stolen, I just don't see
somebody having their car stolen, I just don't see somebody going out,
killing somebody for that.
Somebody going out, killing somebody for that. >> narrator: Ryan also denies
harboring any lingering feelings
for jamel's girlfriend, amanda.
Harboring any lingering feelings for jamel's girlfriend, amanda. >> mr. Wright had slept
with the deceased's girlfriend
while he was in jail,
but I don't think they got
together too often,
and they didn't see
each other afterwards.
And they didn't see each other afterwards. >> narrator: But considering
what they've already heard,
detectives aren't about
to take ryan at his word,
so after the interview,
they obtain a search warrant
for his residence.
They obtain a search warrant for his residence. >> with the amount of blood
that was at the scene,
they were pretty sure that they
would find some evidence.
They were pretty sure that they would find some evidence. >> whoever did the shooting
must have gotten a decent amount
of blood
and brain matter on them.
Of blood and brain matter on them. >> narrator: But the search
comes up empty-handed.
>> they never found anything
in his car, never found anything
in his home
that ever connected him there.
In his home that ever connected him there. >> not a shell casing, not even
a bullet, there was nothing.
>> narrator: With the search
warrant a dead end,
detectives decide to circle back
to the source of the lead
in the investigation,
meagan foley.
In the investigation, meagan foley. >> the detectives are not
exactly sure
what role meagan is playing.
Exactly sure what role meagan is playing. >> narrator: When they take
a closer look
at meagan's phone records,
detectives realize
something interesting.
Detectives realize something interesting. >> according to the texts,
it was meagan that jamel
was supposedly going to meet
at the hotel the night that
he ended up getting murdered.
At the hotel the night that he ended up getting murdered. >> in addition to jamel,
meagan had also been exchanging
texts with ryan
on the evening of the murder.
Texts with ryan on the evening of the murder. >> he was constantly
contacting her.
>> the timing of all of this
was just too suspicious.
>> the question was --
what were meagan and ryan
saying to each other
in those text messages?
Saying to each other in those text messages? >> narrator: For the moment,
detectives have
no way of knowing.
Detectives have no way of knowing. >> meagan's cellphone company
didn't store that data.
>> they decided it was necessary
for them to pull the phone
records of ryan and jamel.
For them to pull the phone records of ryan and jamel. >> narrator: Jamel's records
come in first
and give detectives
a pretty clear picture
of what he was expecting
when he showed up at the hotel
that night.
When he showed up at the hotel that night. >> starting in the afternoon
on the day of the murder,
meagan began sending jamel
text messages saying that she
was was having boyfriend issues
and boyfriend troubles,
and she wanted
to see him to talk about it.
And she wanted to see him to talk about it. >> there was an implication
that they would probably smoke
some weed and maybe have sex.
That they would probably smoke some weed and maybe have sex. >> narrator: Jamel's texts also
reveal that it was meagan who
suggested the location of their
hookup.
Suggested the location of their hookup. >> meagan lured jamel
to that particular hotel.
>> what really stands out
in my mind
is the sort of chilling
and manipulative nature of it.
Is the sort of chilling and manipulative nature of it. >> narrator: But what grabs
detectives' attention
is the fact that, once jamel
checked into the hotel,
meagan went out of her way to
make sure that he stayed there.
Meagan went out of her way to make sure that he stayed there. >> jamel was getting
a little impatient.
She was so long getting there
that he decided that
she was so long getting there that he decided that he was just going to go home,
and meagan texted him,
"just hold up a few minutes."
>> narrator: What's even more
telling is the timing of her
text.
Telling is the timing of her text. >> meagan's final text came
through to jamel's phone at
11:12 p.M., just minutes before
police determined he was shot.
>> all of the evidence
in this case suggested
that meagan was the one
who orchestrated the murder.
That meagan was the one who orchestrated the murder. >> narrator: But why?
Who orchestrated the murder. >> narrator: But why? >> they were supposed
to be friends.
Why would she do this?
To be friends. Why would she do this? >> there's a lot more to
why would she do this? >> there's a lot more to this story than meets the eye.
[ gunshot ]
>> narrator: Two months after jamel campbell
was gunned down in his groton,
connecticut, hotel room,
text messages seem to suggest
the murder was the result
of a conspiracy
between 26-year-old meagan foley
and 31-year-old ryan wright.
>> she set up the place.
She lured jamel to this hotel.
>> and since meagan had been
in constant contact with ryan
while she was luring jamel
to the hotel,
police suspect that ryan
is the shooter in this case.
>> narrator: Those suspicions
only deepen
when investigators receive
transcripts of ryan's texts
from his cellphone provider,
which show his correspondence
in the hours leading up to the
murder.
>> meagan foley and ryan wright
exchanged a series
of cryptic messages.
>> ryan indicates he needs
a place to wrap presents,
and that should have been
interpreted as,
"I need a place to kill jamel."
>> narrator: Just minutes later,
meagan sent her first text to
jamel suggesting they hook up.
>> this is how very cold
meagan foley was.
>> narrator: But for detectives, the really telling texts were the final texts she sent
before the shooting,
starting with the one she sent
jamel saying to expect her
at the hotel within minutes.
Jamel saying to expect her at the hotel within minutes. >> right after texting jamel,
meagan then sent a text to ryan
right at 11:12 p.M.,
letting him know that jamel
was at the hotel getting antsy
and that it's time.
Was at the hotel getting antsy and that it's time. >> narrator: Based on the
statement from the witness at
the hotel, ryan knocked on
jamel's door at roughly 11:15,
just moments after meagan
sent her final text to jamel.
Just moments after meagan sent her final text to jamel. >> jamel opened the door,
and it's likely he expected
that to be meagan.
And it's likely he expected that to be meagan. >> narrator: But it wasn't.
>> five minutes after the shooting, ryan sent a text message to meagan saying,
"done."
police took this to indicate
that it was done.
Police took this to indicate that it was done. Ryan had in fact shot
and killed jamel campbell.
>> narrator: Based on the texts
and the timeline,
detectives figure
they have a clear idea
of how the shooting occurred,
but one question remains.
>> why would meagan help ryan to
murder jamel?
>> narrator: Detectives believe ryan and meagan's final text exchange that night
provides the answer.
Text exchange that night provides the answer. >> after the job was done,
he told her, "I love you."
>> she texted back,
"you too, babe."
>> detectives believe meagan
still loved ryan enough to help
get payback even against
one of her oldest friends.
Get payback even against one of her oldest friends. >> it's hard to tell exactly
what meagan foley's relationship
was with ryan wright,
but there was certainly
a romantic aspect to it.
>> narrator: On
February 27, 2009,
groton town police place
meagan foley under arrest
for conspiracy to commit murder.
And though she's made several statements already, they need meagan to agree
to talk one last time.
They need meagan to agree to talk one last time. >> phone records were all that
the police had.
They had no weapon, no dna,
no real physical evidence.
>> the prosecutors needed
to secure meagan's cooperation
in order to build a case against
ryan.
In order to build a case against ryan. >> narrator: But will she make a
deal?
>> this wasn't a situation
where we just made
a race to the courthouse
to become a cooperating witness.
We had to really analyze what she might get as a cooperating witness.
What she might get as a cooperating witness. >> she was facing up to 20 years
in prison if convicted at trial.
>> narrator: After much negotiation, meagan's attorney and new london county
prosecutors finally reach a
deal.
Prosecutors finally reach a deal. >> the plea agreement
was that ms. Foley
would be sentenced to 15 years
in prison suspended
after she served 5 years
and with 3 years of probation.
After she served 5 years and with 3 years of probation. >> narrator: With meagan now
onboard with the ongoing
investigation, detectives secure
a warrant for ryan's arrest in
August of 2009.
A warrant for ryan's arrest in August of 2009. And when his trial begins
in January 2012,
and when his trial begins in January 2012, it's still uncertain if the jury
will believe ryan committed
such a horrible crime
for such a seemingly trivial
reason.
>> the state's theory was
that mr. Wright was angry that
his car was stolen.
>> narrator: Prosecutors kick off their case by calling ryan's alleged co-conspirator,
meagan foley, to the witness
stand.
Meagan foley, to the witness stand. >> when she came to court,
she was in bank-teller mode.
She wore business clothing,
and she looked
she wore business clothing, and she looked very professional.
And she looked very professional. >> narrator: But it's meagan's
testimony, not her attire,
that makes the biggest
impression on the jury.
That makes the biggest impression on the jury. >> meagan foley's testimony
was woven in
with the text messages,
and honestly, it was just
very chilling to hear her texts
that were so very friendly
luring jamel campbell
over to that hotel.
Luring jamel campbell over to that hotel. >> ms. Foley said mr. Wright was
the one that went to the hotel
and did the shooting.
The one that went to the hotel and did the shooting. That was what she claimed.
And did the shooting. That was what she claimed. [ gunshot ]
that was what she claimed. [ gunshot ] >> narrator: Meagan also
explains that it wasn't her love
of ryan that compelled her
to help him kill jamel.
Of ryan that compelled her to help him kill jamel. It was fear.
To help him kill jamel. It was fear. >> she said she just felt
it was fear. >> she said she just felt there was no other way to
protect herself and her family.
There was no other way to protect herself and her family. Mr. Wright had indicated
he intended to kill jamel
mr. Wright had indicated he intended to kill jamel and that if he found campbell
at ms. Foley's residence,
he was going to go in and start
shooting,
and that was certainly
a foundation for her fear,
which was very real.
A foundation for her fear, which was very real. >> narrator: When it's
the defense's turn,
they focus on picking apart
the prosecution's evidence,
what little there is.
The prosecution's evidence, what little there is. >> they have no weapon.
What little there is. >> they have no weapon. They have no blood evidence.
They have nothing.
They have these phone records.
>> the evidence
they have these phone records. >> the evidence connecting mr. Wright to this,
that the real evidence,
the physical evidence
was just missing.
The physical evidence was just missing. >> narrator: Will absence of
physical evidence be enough
to sway the trial
in ryan wright's favor?
On January 31, 2012,
the jury retires
to consider its verdict.
>> you're thinking, "okay. Is this guy going to get away with this?"
is this guy going to get away with this?" and the jury comes back pretty
quickly with a guilty verdict.
And the jury comes back pretty quickly with a guilty verdict. >> narrator: Jamel's family
and his girlfriend, amanda,
are overjoyed.
And his girlfriend, amanda, are overjoyed. >> he may have been unfaithful
to amanda,
but she still loved him,
and she wanted justice
for her son's father.
And she wanted justice for her son's father. >> narrator: In the end,
the judge sentences ryan wright
to 60 years in prison.
The judge sentences ryan wright to 60 years in prison. >> everyone -- police,
prosecutors and the victim's
family felt that justice
had been served.
Family felt that justice had been served. >> narrator: However,
some are less pleased when,
by the terms of her
plea agreement, meagan foley
is released from prison in 2014.
Plea agreement, meagan foley is released from prison in 2014. >> the victim's family members
especially felt meagan
was in this very, very deeply
and that she was getting
a really good break,
but sometimes,
this is what you have to do.
But sometimes, this is what you have to do. >> her presence
and her testimony
was instrumental for the state,
and without it, they very likely
would not have been able
to get a murder conviction.
Would not have been able to get a murder conviction. >> narrator: So after
only a few years behind bars,
meagan gets a second chance
at life,
one that jamel never got.
At life, one that jamel never got. >> just eight short months after
being released from prison,
jamel campbell was dead.
>> narrator: Perhaps saddest
of all is the fact
that jamel will never see
what a promising young man
his little boy has become...
>> he misses his dad,
but, you know,
that little boy is doing great.
>> narrator: ...Nor will jamel
ever meet the child he fathered
with maxine sharp.
>> jamel campbell
had done his time.
He paid his debt to society.
He was doing everything
in his power to get his life
back on track for his children.
It's unfortunate because now
jamel's children will never know
what it's like to have him
in their lives growing up.