>> narrator: A single mom finally finds her prince charming.
Finally finds her prince charming. >> every time she would talk
about him, you would think that
she was describing a fairy tale.
About him, you would think that she was describing a fairy tale. >> narrator: But for this
starry-eyed young woman, there'd
be no happily ever after.
>> all three had been shot
in the head.
>> this rocked the core of our small community. >> why would someone
kill a mother
and her two young children?
Kill a mother and her two young children? >> narrator: Detectives believe
they know the answer.
>> he was dealing drugs. >> she and the kids were just collateral damage.
>> narrator: But it will take
a shocking confession
to reveal the horrible truth.
>> the nature of it, you don't really ever forget. >> evil lurks everywhere.
[ suspenseful music plays ] ♪ [ clink ]
[ shing! ]
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
>> narrator: November 15, 2009.
Night has just fallen in dale,
south carolina,
a rural crossroads
deep in the lowcountry
between charleston and savannah.
>> you'll see a few houses,
which are maybe a few miles
from each other, lots of back,
winding roads,
dark, marshy swamps.
There was a sense of seclusion. >> narrator: Around 7 p.M., this remote community's
sense of seclusion and security
is permanently shattered.
[ phones rings ]
>> mr. Mullen had taken his two
older grandsons out for the day,
and he returned that evening
to drop the boys off
with their mother, jeanine.
>> no! No! Come on. Get out!
[ sobbing ] get out!
>> narrator: Through tears, frank explains he just found his 34-year-old daughter,
jeanine mullen, and her sons,
4-year-old waltfredo
and 2-year-old matthew,
bleeding on the floor
of their home.
>> malik and marcus
were with their grandfather
when they arrived home.
They're very, very scared.
>> he's frantic. He's panicking. He's begging for help.
>> I've been doing this going on
27 years now,
and it is, without a doubt,
one of the most heart-wrenching
things you'll ever hear.
♪ >> narrator: 34-year-old jeanine mullen was a boston
transplant who'd fully embraced
her adopted southern hometown.
>> her family ended up in dale,
south carolina
when she was just a teen.
>> she may have been raised up north, but everything about
her resounds southern charm.
But everything about her resounds southern charm. >> narrator: Though she'd lived
on her own for years,
jeanine remained close
with her tight-knit family.
Jeanine remained close with her tight-knit family. >> her parents, you know,
were just a guiding torch.
They taught jeanine
hard work pays off.
>> narrator: But it was her
family's strong christian faith
that most impacted
jeanine's life.
That most impacted jeanine's life. >> them boys getting bigger
and bigger.
>> yes, they are.
And bigger. >> yes, they are. >> we keep feeding them.
They keep growing.
Gracious.
>> they were devout christians,
gracious. >> they were devout christians, and
they attended church regularly.
>> everyone that knew jeanine
knew her
as being loving and selfless.
>> narrator: All of which prepared jeanine to be a wonderful mother.
>> she had a few relationships
that fizzled out,
but they gave her
three amazing sons:
Malik, marcus, and waltfredo.
>> she loved her boys. She was so proud of them and proud to say,
she was so proud of them and proud to say, "you know what?
And proud to say, "you know what? These are my children.
This is what I've made."
these are my children. This is what I've made." >> narrator: Though the boys'
this is what I've made." >> narrator: Though the boys' fathers eventually drifted
out of their lives,
they never lacked for
a male role model.
They never lacked for a male role model. >> her father stepped in
for her children lots of times
and was there to pick up,
you know, those pieces.
And was there to pick up, you know, those pieces. >> come on, mom.
You know, those pieces. >> come on, mom. It's your turn to play.
>> no, no, no.
Let your mama eat.
Matter of fact,
let your mama eat. Matter of fact, I'm going to beat all of y'all.
>> narrator: Even though her
family safety net was strong,
jeanine took the responsibility
of providing
for her boys very seriously.
Of providing for her boys very seriously. >> jeanine worked multiple jobs.
For her boys very seriously. >> jeanine worked multiple jobs. Every single one of her jobs
involved working with people
every single one of her jobs involved working with people and shaping people
and making sure
that they were taken care of.
And making sure that they were taken care of. It was all about
being a public servant.
>> narrator: But it was at her
job as a teaching assistant
where jeanine found her true
calling.
Where jeanine found her true calling. >> at the time, I was her
assistant principal.
She had a fond love
for children.
She could just make a child
do anything that you asked them
she could just make a child do anything that you asked them to do without blinking an eye.
Do anything that you asked them to do without blinking an eye. Her goal was to become
a certified schoolteacher.
She said, "I know that teaching
doesn't pay
she said, "I know that teaching doesn't pay a whole lot of money,
and that's not
what I'm in in it for.
And that's not what I'm in in it for. I want to make a difference."
>> after years of working
odd jobs just to pay the bills,
jeanine finally landed
a job in an area
that she was passionate about.
A job in an area that she was passionate about. She was very excited
about the future.
>> narrator: Jeanine's coworkers
weren't the only ones
who noticed her energy
and enthusiasm.
Who noticed her energy and enthusiasm. Her joie de vivre also caught
the eye
her joie de vivre also caught the eye of 24-year-old earnest daise.
The eye of 24-year-old earnest daise. >> feeling a little hot
for teacher.
>> [ laughs ]
don't make me feel old.
>> earnest was 7 years
younger than jeanine.
>> at first, jeanine was nervous
the age difference was too
great, but she and earnest just
clicked.
>> she described how generous and kind he was. >> I think you missed one.
And kind he was. >> I think you missed one. Better brush up
on your multiplication skills.
>> boy, bye.
On your multiplication skills. >> boy, bye. I got to get back to work.
>> she was just wooed by
his ability to make her laugh.
>> narrator: Earnest also
impressed jeanine with the
attention he paid her sons.
Impressed jeanine with the attention he paid her sons. >> the thing with jeanine is,
"if you don't like my children,
you don't like me."
>> but that wasn't a problem
for earnest.
He seemed to love those boys.
For earnest. He seemed to love those boys. >> narrator: For earnest,
he seemed to love those boys. >> narrator: For earnest, jeanine provided
the first loving and supportive
home he'd ever experienced.
The first loving and supportive home he'd ever experienced. >> earnest never met his father.
Home he'd ever experienced. >> earnest never met his father. >> earnest's mother
got hooked on drugs.
Sometimes she would leave her
children all alone for hours,
sometimes she would leave her children all alone for hours, sometimes days on end.
>> there were stretches
when they wouldn't have water.
They wouldn't have power.
Sometimes they didn't even have
food.
>> narrator: Though they'd come from worlds apart, it felt as if the two were meant
to be together.
It felt as if the two were meant to be together. >> things were good.
To be together. >> things were good. She just felt as though
this would be
she just felt as though this would be a great relationship for her.
♪
>> narrator: But just a few months into their relationship, jeanine's initial concerns about
their age difference resurfaced.
Jeanine's initial concerns about their age difference resurfaced. >> he was not ready
to settle down, not ready
to give up those things
that would garner you
to be a father figure or
a devoted husband or a provider.
To be a father figure or a devoted husband or a provider. >> narrator: Over the next
few months, jeanine and earnest
repeatedly split up,
but their passion always
brought them back together.
But their passion always brought them back together. >> there was just
this attraction.
She had so much love for him.
>> they had a bond,
and over time, it seemed like
they'd really become a family.
>> narrator: In the spring of 2007, jeanine and earnest solidified
their bond forever.
Jeanine and earnest solidified their bond forever. >> they had a son
and named him matthew.
>> children brings people
closer together.
>> narrator: It also lit a fire
within earnest to be a better
provider for his family.
Within earnest to be a better provider for his family. >> he enrolled in truck-driving
school
to get his commercial license.
School to get his commercial license. >> he moved into her home,
and they started
raising the kids together.
And they started raising the kids together. >> this felt like the start
of a new beginning.
>> narrator: Unfortunately,
this new beginning
came to a horrifying end
on the evening of November
15, 2009.
On the evening of November 15, 2009. >> no! No! No!
>> jeanine's father stopped
by the home
and found the blood-soaked
bodies of his daughter
and her two youngest boys.
>> he thought they were all dead originally. >> waltfredo was found
in the kitchen,
lying on the floor,
blood pooling around him.
Lying on the floor, blood pooling around him. As he went further
into the house,
as he went further into the house, he found jeanine and matthew
in the house as well.
He found jeanine and matthew in the house as well. >> narrator: But amidst this
unthinkable carnage,
jeanine's father uncovers
a sign of life.
>> the 2-year-old child is still alive.
>> narrator: After raising three sons on her own, 34-year-old jeanine mullen was thrilled
to be bringing up
her youngest boy, matthew,
with his father, 27-year-old
earnest daise.
>> life was good.
She had a sense that she was
going in the right direction.
>> narrator: But now it appears that for all its promise, jeanine's life may be over.
>> jeanine's father called 911
after coming inside
and finding jeanine
and her two youngest sons
on the floor, covered in blood.
>> narrator: Though it seems at least one of jeanine's little boys is still alive.
>> narrator: When first responders arrive on the scene, they work quickly
to save young matthew.
>> matthew was immediately taken
to the hospital.
He was transported
to the medical university
of south carolina in charleston.
That's the closest
trauma center.
>> he was shot in the head
but was clinging to life.
>> narrator: Unfortunately, there's little to be done for jeanine
and her 4-year-old son,
waltfredo.
>> jeanine, waltfredo, they were
both found to be deceased.
>> narrator: When detectives arrived, they attempt to get a statement from jeanine's father,
which proves to be a difficult
task.
>> he was clearly in shock.
He was almost in a panic-mode.
>> I know this is
a very rough time,
but even the slightest detail
you can give us
could be important.
>> he was the 911 call,
and he was the one
that found them,
and so he knew a great deal
about the situation.
>> narrator: Jeanine's father explains that he'd been over at jeanine's house
just a few hours earlier,
and everything seemed fine.
Just a few hours earlier, and everything seemed fine. >> it was waltfredo's birthday.
And everything seemed fine. >> it was waltfredo's birthday. >> she was trying to get ready
for the birthday,
which is the reason that
mr. Mullen came by and picked up
two of the children to give her
the space to get done
all the things that she needed
to get done for the day.
All the things that she needed to get done for the day. >> the party was supposed to be
at 7 that night at a restaurant
20 minutes away in beaufort.
At 7 that night at a restaurant 20 minutes away in beaufort. >> did you notice
anything unusual?
>> yeah.
Anything unusual? >> yeah. I mean, the van was gone,
but she was going
to get it serviced.
But she was going to get it serviced. >> she said she was going
to get it later
with the help of a friend,
but according to jeanine's
father, she didn't specify
who that friend was.
Father, she didn't specify who that friend was. >> narrator: According to
jeanine's father,
the van was back in the driveway
when he returned to drop off
the boys a little before 7.
When he returned to drop off the boys a little before 7. >> the doors were open
to the vehicle,
and the purse was inside.
To the vehicle, and the purse was inside. >> narrator: Puzzled, jeanine's
father knocked on the door
but got no response.
>> they found the door unlocked,
which was a little bit strange.
>> jeanine! >> narrator: Jeanine's father says he never imagined
the horrors he'd find
once he entered the home.
The horrors he'd find once he entered the home. >> no! No!
Once he entered the home. >> no! No! No! No! No!
Don't look!
Move! Go!
Run! Get out!
>> I'm so sorry about...
>> oh, god!
>> the officer
will take care of you.
>> oh!
Will take care of you. >> oh! >> narrator: With jeanine's
father increasingly distraught,
detectives cut the interview
short and release him to comfort
his two oldest grandsons.
Short and release him to comfort his two oldest grandsons. They then turn their attention
to the crime scene.
>> as we walked into
the kitchen, waltfredo was
laying there in a pool of blood.
The kitchen, waltfredo was laying there in a pool of blood. He had a single gunshot wound
to the head.
>> it was his birthday.
To the head. >> it was his birthday. I remember vividly the birthday
cake being in the living room.
>> narrator: Little waltfredo
had just turned 4.
>> that's the day that
that family will never forget.
That day is forever etched in
their brain and in their hearts.
>> narrator: As detectives
continue through the home,
they find jeanine on the floor
of the master bedroom.
They find jeanine on the floor of the master bedroom. >> she had what I believed to be
was a single gunshot wound
to the forehead.
Was a single gunshot wound to the forehead. >> there was stippling.
To the forehead. >> there was stippling. The gun had been pressed
literally right up
the gun had been pressed literally right up against her forehead.
>> it was just a horrific scene.
>> narrator: Based on the condition of the body and the statement provided
by jeanine's father,
detectives are fairly certain
the crime was committed
within the last couple of hours.
The crime was committed within the last couple of hours. >> I didn't notice any lividity
or rigor mortis set in
to either one of the bodies
at the time of arrival.
To either one of the bodies at the time of arrival. They were still warm
to the touch.
>> narrator: But who had
targeted this young mother
and her two innocent children?
Targeted this young mother and her two innocent children? As detectives surveyed
the scene,
as detectives surveyed the scene, they find no indication that
the murders are the byproduct
of a robbery gone awry.
The murders are the byproduct of a robbery gone awry. >> this is a house
that's very difficult to get to.
>> there was no forced entry.
That's very difficult to get to. >> there was no forced entry. There was no indication
of robbery.
>> there were still valuable
items throughout the house.
The van wasn't wrecked.
Items throughout the house. The van wasn't wrecked. The purse was still in place.
>> narrator: With no shell
the purse was still in place. >> narrator: With no shell casings at the crime scene,
detectives suspect
either the murder weapon
was a revolver,
or the killer made sure
to collect the casings
before fleeing the scene.
To collect the casings before fleeing the scene. >> our initial thought was that,
potentially,
somebody had fled in the area.
Potentially, somebody had fled in the area. We searched
all around the house.
All the roadways leading up
to the house are dirt roads,
all the roadways leading up to the house are dirt roads, which are very good for finding
shoe impressions,
running foot impressions,
things of that nature.
Running foot impressions, things of that nature. We also searched
the surrounding woodline.
>> there were a few bloody
footprints, but that appeared
to be from first responders
and jeanine's father.
To be from first responders and jeanine's father. >> narrator: Desperate
for any viable leads,
detectives head to the only
other residence in sight:
Detectives head to the only other residence in sight: The home of ellen
and robert morris.
>> they were hoping
jeanine's boys, who were there,
would be in a condition
to speak with them,
but they also thought
the neighbors themselves
would have information
that could be helpful.
>> we were really close to jeanine and the kids. >> they were just here
yesterday.
>> the day before, her and
the kids actually came over
to roast some marshmallows.
The kids actually came over to roast some marshmallows. >> how late were they here?
To roast some marshmallows. >> how late were they here? >> until about 10 o'clock,
at least until earnest called
and asked for a ride.
At least until earnest called and asked for a ride. >> earnest?
And asked for a ride. >> earnest? >> that's her boyfriend,
earnest daise.
>> jeanine and the kids
left to go pick him up.
>> did jeanine bring him
into the house with her?
>> I don't know.
Into the house with her? >> I don't know. You'll have to ask the boys.
>> narrator: However,
you'll have to ask the boys. >> narrator: However, robert's wife, ellen,
says she did see something
earlier in the afternoon that
could be crucial to the case.
Earlier in the afternoon that could be crucial to the case. >> around 4:30, someone pulled
up in jeanine's van and got out
and went into the house.
Up in jeanine's van and got out and went into the house. >> could you tell who it was?
And went into the house. >> could you tell who it was? >> no.
They were wearing a black
hoodie,
they were wearing a black hoodie, so it was kind of hard to see.
Hoodie, so it was kind of hard to see. >> obviously, police wondered
if this person
could be the shooter.
If this person could be the shooter. >> once they got inside,
you didn't hear anything
or see anything?
You didn't hear anything or see anything? >> no, I didn't.
Or see anything? >> no, I didn't. >> they did not hear
any commotion.
They didn't hear any gunfire.
Any commotion. They didn't hear any gunfire. >> so they couldn't be
they didn't hear any gunfire. >> so they couldn't be 100 percent sure that the driver
of the van committed the crime.
Someone else could have come by
between 4:30 p.M.
And when the bodies were found.
Between 4:30 p.M. And when the bodies were found. >> narrator: In addition to the
and when the bodies were found. >> narrator: In addition to the mysterious person in the van,
the neighbors' account raises
another question for detectives.
The neighbors' account raises another question for detectives. >> where is earnest daise?.
Another question for detectives. >> where is earnest daise?. >> narrator: Hoping for insight,
detectives turn to jeanine's
two oldest sons, 13-year-old
malik and 10-year-old marcus.
Two oldest sons, 13-year-old malik and 10-year-old marcus. >> marcus had a real
difficult time.
He would clearly start
becoming upset
he would clearly start becoming upset and could not continue to talk.
Becoming upset and could not continue to talk. >> narrator: However, his older
brother malik is able
to fill in some blanks
about the events prior
to his mother's murder.
About the events prior to his mother's murder. >> he told investigators they
had been roasting marshmallows
at their neighbor's house
the night before,
and then earnest called,
and they went to pick him up at
his friend, jordan shaw's, home.
And they went to pick him up at his friend, jordan shaw's, home. >> when they return
to the residence, the boys
went to do their own thing.
To the residence, the boys went to do their own thing. >> malik says that earnest
stayed the night
the night before the murder,
and he was gone
the next morning.
And he was gone the next morning. >> narrator: After speaking
to the boys,
detectives make finding earnest
a top priority.
Detectives make finding earnest a top priority. >> although it seemed unlikely
that he would shoot
his own 2-year-old son,
they still needed to eliminate
him as a suspect.
They still needed to eliminate him as a suspect. They also hoped he had a lead
on who might have wanted to hurt
they also hoped he had a lead on who might have wanted to hurt jeanine and the children.
On who might have wanted to hurt jeanine and the children. >> narrator: Before detectives
can get any further,
news arrives from the hospital.
Can get any further, news arrives from the hospital. >> detectives receive word
that matthew is,
in fact, going to survive.
That matthew is, in fact, going to survive. >> narrator: Which is a sigh
of relief,
not only for the family,
but for the detectives as well.
Not only for the family, but for the detectives as well. >> they may now have
an eyewitness to the murders.
♪
>> matthew was immediately taken
to a hospital in charleston.
The doctors who treated him
at musc
said it was pretty miraculous.
A few millimeters to the left or right, and the bullet that had gone into his head
glanced off of his spine,
and that difference
in a few millimeters would have
probably severed his spine
and killed him.
Probably severed his spine and killed him. He was the bravest boy
in all of beaufort county.
>> narrator: Just hours after the vicious attack that left jeanine mullen
and her son, waltfredo, dead,
detectives race to the hospital,
hoping to speak with
the shooting's sole survivor:
Hoping to speak with the shooting's sole survivor: Jeanine's 2-year-old son,
matthew.
>> the bullet had gone in
by the ear,
had hit the child's
spinal column
and bounced through the body,
breaking a rib and leaving
his body on the right side.
>> it's a miracle he's alive,
but he survived.
>> narrator: Once
at the hospital,
it's unclear if detectives
will ever be able
to speak with the victim.
>> matthew has been admitted
to icu and is in a coma.
>> with matthew
in critical condition
and no other eyewitnesses,
they were basically back
at square one.
>> narrator: However,
detectives can't help but notice
that as matthew's family gathers
to pray at the hospital,
his father, earnest daise,
is conspicuously absent.
>> your son has been shot.
How could you not
be there for him?
>> detectives considered whether
that made him a suspect or maybe
suggested another possibility.
>> narrator: Especially considering what detectives learn next about earnest daise.
Considering what detectives learn next about earnest daise. >> they returned to the station
and ran his name
through a database
so they could
pull up his record.
>> he had a criminal past.
He was a convicted felon.
>> he had been convicted of a strong-arm robbery, possession with intent
to distribute cocaine,
possession with intent
to distribute crack.
Possession with intent to distribute crack. >> narrator: It's a history
that detectives cannot discount
when it comes to finding
jeanine's killer.
>> jeanine's murder could
somehow be connected
to his drug dealing.
It could be a situation where he was the target. >> and if someone was
after earnest,
if he was in hiding
or possibly dead,
that would certainly explain
his absence at the hospital.
That would certainly explain his absence at the hospital. >> narrator: When investigators
head to the home of jordon shaw,
one of the last places
earnest had been seen,
they don't take any chances.
Earnest had been seen, they don't take any chances. >> officers weren't sure
what they were walking into,
so they brought several members
of the swat team just as backup.
So they brought several members of the swat team just as backup. >> sheriff's office, open up!
Of the swat team just as backup. >> sheriff's office, open up! >> sheriff's office!
>> whoa, whoa!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
What's going on?
>> is earnest daise inside?
>> jordan tells detectives that
he thinks earnest is asleep
in his bedroom.
He thinks earnest is asleep in his bedroom. >> don't move.
In his bedroom. >> don't move. >> narrator: When the swat team
brings earnest outside,
it's apparent
he's just woken up.
It's apparent he's just woken up. >> yeah.
He's just woken up. >> yeah. What's going on?
>> they told him about his son
what's going on? >> they told him about his son and jeanine, and he could
barely hold it together.
And jeanine, and he could barely hold it together. >> and you don't know
who did this?
>> that's what
we're trying to find out.
>> I asked earnest
if he'd be willing to come down
to the sheriff's office
to talk about it,
and he agreed and came willing.
To talk about it, and he agreed and came willing. >> earnest was driven back
to the station, but detectives
still wanted to talk to jordan.
To the station, but detectives still wanted to talk to jordan. >> how often
does earnest stay here?
>> sometimes.
Does earnest stay here? >> sometimes. It gets kind of crowded
at jeanine's with the kids.
>> he said that earnest had
his own key to the residence.
>> narrator: Jordan also says that earnest had been at his place when he got back from work
earlier that afternoon.
Place when he got back from work earlier that afternoon. >> he told us that he ran
into earnest,
who was actually in the kitchen
getting some water.
Who was actually in the kitchen getting some water. >> what time?
Getting some water. >> what time? >> around 4:30.
>> did he leave?
>> no.
>> police believe
that the shooting happened
sometime between
when the neighbors saw the van
dropped off at 4:30 and when
jeanine's father returned at 7.
Dropped off at 4:30 and when jeanine's father returned at 7. >> if what jordan said is true,
earnest could not
be the shooter.
Earnest could not be the shooter. >> narrator: At the sheriff's
office, earnest's story
seems to dovetail with jordan's.
>> earnest told detectives the
last time he drove jeanine's van
was 2 days before the shooting.
>> he also said he was at jordan's all of yesterday afternoon and into the evening.
At jordan's all of yesterday afternoon and into the evening. >> finally, detectives asked
earnest point-blank,
"did you do it?"
his response was somewhat angry.
>> when asked if the murders
were somehow related to the drug
dealing, earnest seemed
to dismiss that idea too.
>> earnest's attempt to change
the subject
when detectives brought up
his drug dealing left them
wondering if he knew more
about the murders
than what he was letting on.
>> narrator: Detectives may have a way of holding him until they find out.
A way of holding him until they find out. >> we were interviewing earnest.
Until they find out. >> we were interviewing earnest. We were executing an additional
search warrant at shaw's house,
we were executing an additional search warrant at shaw's house, looking for physical evidence
related to the murder,
looking for a gun,
looking for anything, any clue
that would help us move forward
in the murder investigation.
That would help us move forward in the murder investigation. >> narrator: Though nothing
in the house connects earnest
to the murders,
it's not exactly clean.
To the murders, it's not exactly clean. >> we found, in earnest's room,
a large quantity
of crack cocaine.
A large quantity of crack cocaine. >> it's clear that
he was dealing.
They found some drug scales.
He was dealing. They found some drug scales. They also found $3,000 in cash
they found some drug scales. They also found $3,000 in cash that was rolled up
they also found $3,000 in cash that was rolled up in $1,000 increments,
and it was hidden
in the air-conditioning vent.
And it was hidden in the air-conditioning vent. >> narrator: Which is more
than enough for detectives
to hold earnest in custody
while they continue
their murder investigation.
While they continue their murder investigation. >> so earnest was arrested
that night for drug possession.
>> they took the clothes
he was wearing and had
those tested at our state lab.
He was wearing and had those tested at our state lab. >> we seized earnest's
cell phone from the residence.
>> they didn't arrest jordan
at the time
because all the drugs
were hidden in earnest's room,
and it wasn't even clear
if he knew they were in the room
to begin with.
If he knew they were in the room to begin with. >> at this time, detectives are
focusing solely on building
a case against earnest.
Focusing solely on building a case against earnest. >> after hours of interviewing
earnest, he denied
having any involvement.
Earnest, he denied having any involvement. >> but we felt very confident
that he knew a great deal
about the situation.
That he knew a great deal about the situation. >> narrator: Soon, a new witness
will come forward,
leaving detectives to wonder,
"was earnest's connection
to the local drug trade
the only thing
he was trying to hide?"
>> jeanine wasn't the only woman
in his life.
>> narrator: November 16, 2009.
It's been 24 hours
since the shooting
that left jeanine mullen
and her 4-year-old son,
waltfredo,
dead and her youngest son,
matthew, in a coma.
Already, police have a suspect
in custody,
jeanine's boyfriend and father
of 2-year-old matthew,
earnest daise.
>> but detectives hadn't charged
earnest with the murders.
He was arrested for the stash
of drugs they found in the home
where he was staying.
>> when they found him
with the drugs,
that was the immediate arrest,
but he was somebody they were
questioning about the death
of jeanine mullen.
>> earnest had an alibi,
but detectives believed he knew
more than he was telling them,
that jeanine's death was somehow
connected to his drug dealing.
>> narrator: Just as detectives begin chasing down that lead, jeanine's friend,
alleen porter mcdonald,
comes forward with information
that may point in an entirely
different direction.
>> he had other relationships
while he was with her.
He was seen around town with other women and with ex-girlfriends
and with people
who he told jeanine
that he was just friends with.
>> not only had earnest
been seeing other women,
alleen said
one of his ex-girlfriends
had been harassing
jeanine at work.
>> the ex-girlfriend harassed her habitually at work, away from work.
Her habitually at work, away from work. She was a constant distraction
in the relationship.
>> narrator: According to
alleen,
the woman's name is tasha reid.
Alleen, the woman's name is tasha reid. >> if there was anything
that had ever happened to her,
I always felt that
it would be that ex
that would cause harm or put her
in some kind of danger,
simply because
there was this tugging
of who earnest belonged to.
There was this tugging of who earnest belonged to. >> narrator: Alleen tells
detectives that a few weeks
before the murder,
tasha had taken her harassment
of jeanine to a whole new level.
Tasha had taken her harassment of jeanine to a whole new level. >> it spiraled.
Of jeanine to a whole new level. >> it spiraled. I think more so than ever,
she became more skittish
and more fearful.
She became more skittish and more fearful. >> he's with me now!
And more fearful. >> he's with me now! Do you hear me?
>> look, I don't
do you hear me? >> look, I don't want no problem.
>> look?
Want no problem. >> look? >> you need to talk to earnest
about that okay?
>> oh, I do talk to earnest,
all night.
And you know what?
All night. And you know what? You better stop messing
and you know what? You better stop messing with him, or
you better stop messing with him, or you're going to wish you hadn't.
With him, or you're going to wish you hadn't. >> the ex-girlfriend had made
threats against jeanine's life.
>> jeanine did go to the police
and file a report.
>> they pulled the police report
jeanine filed,
and it confirmed alleen's story.
Jeanine filed, and it confirmed alleen's story. >> narrator: Detectives wonder,
"had tasha made good on
her threats?"
before they can track her down,
another call comes in,
one that adds further credence
to that theory.
One that adds further credence to that theory. >> they got a call from a man
named darius grant.
>> grant identified to us that
he had received a text message
from his ex-wife, who was
one of earnest's ex-girlfriends.
From his ex-wife, who was one of earnest's ex-girlfriends. In the text he received,
his ex-wife indicated
in the text he received, his ex-wife indicated that she was in hiding.
His ex-wife indicated that she was in hiding. >> grant's ex-wife just happened
to be tasha reid.
>> detectives were thinking
tasha could be in hiding
because she's the killer.
Tasha could be in hiding because she's the killer. >> narrator: It takes
almost 24 hours for detectives
to track down tasha
and bring her in
for questioning.
And bring her in for questioning. >> we need to ask you
a few questions
about jeanine mullen's murder.
A few questions about jeanine mullen's murder. >> it's awful what happened
to her and her little boy.
>> we also understand
that you had a thing going on
with her boyfriend, earnest.
That you had a thing going on with her boyfriend, earnest. >> I mean,
I'm not going to deny it.
>> she had said
that their relationship
was sexual in nature.
That their relationship was sexual in nature. It wasn't necessarily
a boyfriend-girlfriend type
it wasn't necessarily a boyfriend-girlfriend type of relationship.
A boyfriend-girlfriend type of relationship. She said that she did
regularly see him.
>> when did you last see him?
Regularly see him. >> when did you last see him? >> Sunday, around noon
or 1 o'clock.
He was drinking
at eddie's disco.
>> eddie's disco used to be
a club out in rural burton area.
>> what about jeanine? Did you ever get into it with her over earnest?
>> no.
With her over earnest? >> no. Me and earnest was casual.
>> tasha, we know
me and earnest was casual. >> tasha, we know that's not true.
We've read the police reports.
That's not true. We've read the police reports. >> narrator: Detectives also
we've read the police reports. >> narrator: Detectives also confront tasha with the
mysterious text message to her
ex-husband.
Mysterious text message to her ex-husband. >> I wasn't hiding
because I shot her.
I was scared I was next.
Because I shot her. I was scared I was next. Earnest is mixed up
with some bad people.
>> she did tell us that she had
called earnest,
but she was never able
to get ahold of him.
But she was never able to get ahold of him. She said that she was afraid
earnest may have also been shot.
>> narrator: When detectives ask
where she was Sunday afternoon,
tasha has an answer
for that too.
Tasha has an answer for that too. >> tasha claimed she was having
dinner at her mother's
when the murders occurred.
Dinner at her mother's when the murders occurred. >> narrator: With no real
evidence against tasha,
detectives have little choice
but to let her go.
Detectives have little choice but to let her go. >> they did get a search warrant
for her car, though.
>> the search of tasha's car
doesn't reveal anything,
and detectives followed up
with her mom,
and her alibi checks out.
>> they have threads of what happened, but nothing was really coming
together to close this case.
But nothing was really coming together to close this case. >> narrator: However, the case
won't stay cold for long,
and soon, a lead
detectives thought was closed
will be ripped wide open.
Detectives thought was closed will be ripped wide open. >> but he was lying to
law enforcement the whole time.
>> narrator: Detectives in beaufort county, south carolina, are desperately trying to bring
charges against the person
responsible for the brutal
murder of jeanine mullen and her
son, waltfredo.
>> jeanine's 2-year-old son,
matthew, was also shot and was
in the hospital in a coma.
>> narrator: A string of dead
ends has left detectives
scrambling to tie a suspect
to the shooting.
>> jeanine's boyfriend,
earnest daise, had an alibi,
as did earnest's side chick,
tasha reid, who previously
threatened jeanine.
>> earnest was in custody
on drug charges,
but they still weren't convinced
he wasn't somehow involved.
>> narrator: But a cryptic text message is about to break the case wide open.
Text message is about to break the case wide open. It starts when detectives take
a closer look at earnest's phone
it starts when detectives take a closer look at earnest's phone and the phone of his friend
and alibi, jordan shaw.
And the phone of his friend and alibi, jordan shaw. >> both phones had been seized
during the drug bust
at jordan's house.
During the drug bust at jordan's house. >> we executed search warrants
to go inside shaw's cell phone
and earnest's cell phones.
To go inside shaw's cell phone and earnest's cell phones. >> as we were going
through the cell phones,
we had found that earnest,
in fact, did call jordan
several times over the course
of several minutes.
Several times over the course of several minutes. >> five calls from 6 to 6:18.
Of several minutes. >> five calls from 6 to 6:18. >> feels excessive.
>> narrator: The rapid-fire
series of phone calls
between the two men
isn't the only thing
that seems suspicious.
Isn't the only thing that seems suspicious. >> take a look at this.
That seems suspicious. >> take a look at this. >> narrator:
In addition to the calls,
jordan had sent earnest
in addition to the calls, jordan had sent earnest a single text at 6:04 p.M.
Jordan had sent earnest a single text at 6:04 p.M. >> jordan had replied via text
message that he was on his way.
>> but on the way where?
Message that he was on his way. >> but on the way where? When earnest and jordan said
they were at jordan's
when earnest and jordan said they were at jordan's all evening, somebody was lying.
>> narrator: On November 18,
2009, 3 days since the shooting,
investigators bring jordan in
for a second interview.
>> narrator: Jordan starts out
by sticking to his initial
story.
>> jordan stated that earnest
was at the home.
His knowledge, he was saying that earnest never left. >> narrator: Knowing the cell
phone and text records suggest
jordan isn't being
completely honest,
detectives decide to press him.
>> narrator: Caught in a lie, jordan's story suddenly changes. >> he admitted that he wasn't
home with earnest all evening,
that he left his place soon
after he got home from work.
>> narrator: Jordan says he was still out at around 6 when he got
a phone call from earnest.
>> earnest asked him to pick him up in dale. While jordan was on his way
up to dale,
while jordan was on his way up to dale, he said that he kept receiving
phone calls from earnest,
which is when he sent the text
message, "I'm on my way."
>> he found earnest
at the intersection
of porches hill road
and keans neck road,
which is a very short distance
from the actual location
where the murder occurred.
>> which is the same thing neighbors told police that the person who drove up
to jeanine's house at 4:30
on the day of the murder
was wearing.
>> jordan told us that when earnest got into the car, he could tell
that something was wrong.
He could tell that something was wrong. >> he said that he was frantic.
That something was wrong. >> he said that he was frantic. He said that he wasn't sure that
if he was in some sort of fight
he said that he wasn't sure that if he was in some sort of fight or if he was robbed,
but he didn't want to know
anything,
so he never asked earnest
anything.
So he never asked earnest anything. >> jordan told us that he really
didn't want to be involved,
that he did not want to get in
the middle of the investigation,
and that's why he lied.
The middle of the investigation, and that's why he lied. >> he wanted to separate himself
and distance himself
from that as much as possible.
>> narrator: Is jordan shaw now telling the truth? In an attempt to corroborate
his story,
in an attempt to corroborate his story, detectives triangulate
earnest's cell phone.
Detectives triangulate earnest's cell phone. >> the cell tower data
from the calls earnest made
to jordan should have been able
to pinpoint his location.
>> there was some tower pings
that showed that daise
was in the area of time
that the murder took place.
>> the alibi that earnest had given had completely fallen apart.
Had given had completely fallen apart. >> narrator: While detectives
now believe
earnest is their killer,
unanswered questions remain.
Earnest is their killer, unanswered questions remain. >> why would earnest murder
jeanine and attempt
to murder his own son?
>> as I played the chain
of events, it made no sense.
>> narrator: Scanning earnest's phone records for possible clues, detectives notice another
flurry of calls in the hours
leading up to the murder.
>> jeanine called him
almost 20 times that day,
most of them went to voicemail.
>> but then, just before 4 p.M., earnest picked up the phone at last,
and detectives are wondering if
there's something in that call
that finally set earnest off.
There's something in that call that finally set earnest off. >> narrator: Hoping to find out
more, detectives head
to the back-roads bar
named eddie's disco.
To the back-roads bar named eddie's disco. >> earnest's woman on the side,
tasha reid, said she saw him
drinking at eddie's earlier
on the afternoon of the murder.
Drinking at eddie's earlier on the afternoon of the murder. >> I'm detective frasier.
On the afternoon of the murder. >> I'm detective frasier. This is detective purdy.
We want to ask you a few
this is detective purdy. We want to ask you a few questions if you don't mind.
>> during the canvas,
I located an individual
named darnell walker.
He had seen earnest drink
several beers
he had seen earnest drink several beers while he was there.
Several beers while he was there. When I asked him,
he said that he didn't believe
when I asked him, he said that he didn't believe that he was drunk.
He said that he didn't believe that he was drunk. >> about 4 in the afternoon,
he overheard earnest
on the phone with somebody.
He overheard earnest on the phone with somebody. >> what the hell do you want?
On the phone with somebody. >> what the hell do you want? >> the argument got heated.
>> the individual heard earnest
yelling, "how dare
you talk to me like that?
Yelling, "how dare you talk to me like that? You don't talk to me like that."
>> based on the timing
you don't talk to me like that." >> based on the timing of the call,
police knew earnest had been
on the phone with jeanine.
Police knew earnest had been on the phone with jeanine. >> well, where do you get off
giving me demands?
>> narrator:
Giving me demands? >> narrator: According to darnell,
moments later,
according to darnell, moments later, earnest exited the bar and sped
off behind the wheel of a van.
>> he mentioned
that when earnest left,
he was driving a van
that looked like jeanine's.
>> narrator: And detectives think they know why. >> it was a pretty
busy day for her.
It was
the 4-year-old's birthday,
it was the 4-year-old's birthday, and she needed the family van.
The 4-year-old's birthday, and she needed the family van. That's what led to her
calling earnest daise
that's what led to her calling earnest daise over and over again.
Calling earnest daise over and over again. >> it angered him that she would
have the gall to call him
and demand the van back.
Have the gall to call him and demand the van back. >> narrator: Darnell's story
also dovetails perfectly with
what jeanine's neighbors saw.
Also dovetails perfectly with what jeanine's neighbors saw. >> four o'clock, he was observed
leaving eddie's disco,
and roughly 4:30 is
when he was observed pulling up
to the residence in dale.
When he was observed pulling up to the residence in dale. It took us about the same amount
of time to drive from
it took us about the same amount of time to drive from eddie's disco to the residence.
Of time to drive from eddie's disco to the residence. >> knowing that earnest
had jeanine's van
and that she was supposed
to talk waltfredo
to his birthday party that day
led detectives to believe
that he was the shooter.
Led detectives to believe that he was the shooter. >> but as damning
as the evidence seemed,
prosecutors were still worried
it wouldn't be enough.
Prosecutors were still worried it wouldn't be enough. >> everything that we had
was circumstantial.
>> narrator: What detectives
need is an eyewitness,
and they're about to get one.
Need is an eyewitness, and they're about to get one. >> when he came to,
he woke up screaming.
>> it's heartbreaking
to even imagine what jeanine's
little boy had been through.
To even imagine what jeanine's little boy had been through. >> this whole investigation
hinged on a 2-year-old.
[ monitor beeping ]
>> narrator: Jeanine mullen's 2-year-old son, matthew, has spent days in a coma,
the sole survivor
of the shooting
that claimed the life
of his mother and older brother.
>> someone was at his bedside
nonstop,
just praying for him to live.
>> narrator: And finally, those prayers have been answered.
Those prayers have been answered. >> nurse, nurse!
Have been answered. >> nurse, nurse! >> detectives received word
that jeanine and earnest's son,
matthew, is out of his coma.
That jeanine and earnest's son, matthew, is out of his coma. >> narrator: While jeanine's
family rejoices,
detectives rush to the icu,
hoping to confirm
that the child's father,
27-year-old earnest daise,
is the shooter.
>> when they asked matthew
who hurt him,
matthew told them
that daddy did it.
Daddy shot him.
>> narrator: But can the
toddler's statement be trusted?
>> jeanine's son, matthew,
was only 2 1/2,
and he's witnessed his mom's
murder and been shot himself.
So he's obviously been through a lot of trauma. >> narrator: Detectives and
prosecutors move carefully
before acting
on matthew's statement,
consulting with specialists
at the university of south
carolina medical center.
>> the doctors there told us
that,
from a psychiatric standpoint,
that what the 2 1/2-year-old
said was accurate,
that daddy hurt him.
>> narrator: With earnest
already in custody
on drug charges,
on November 23, 2009,
prosecutors bring him
back before the judge
for a slew of new indictments.
>> earnest was charged with the murder of jeanine mullen and the murder
of waltfredo mullen.
And the murder of waltfredo mullen. He was charged with assault
and battery with intent to kill
he was charged with assault and battery with intent to kill for matthew mullen.
And battery with intent to kill for matthew mullen. >> narrator: At the hearing,
prosecutors announce
their intention to seek
the death penalty.
Their intention to seek the death penalty. >> the tipping point for me
was he killed
a 4-year-old child,
and then to turn that gun
on his own 2 1/2-year-old
child, to me, is inexcusable.
>> I don't even think
the death penalty or him
dying would have
settled the score with me
as far as I was concerned.
>> narrator: When earnest goes on trial in October of 2013, prosecutors open the case
by presenting their theory
of how the crime occurred.
By presenting their theory of how the crime occurred. >> I don't want to fight
with you today.
Can you please
just bring the van back?
>> jeanine called him and tried
to get the van back
so that she could go on
a birthday party with her child.
>> prosecutors had contended
that after he got off the phone
with jeanine at the bar, earnest
rushed straight to her house.
>> narrator: But it wasn't to return the van. >> you know,
you got a lot of nerve.
>> me?
You got a lot of nerve. >> me? >> a lot of nerve.
>> you're the one who hasn't
been considerate here.
>> what really sent earnest
daise into a rage
was that she would have
the audacity to call him
on the phone repeatedly
and tell him that she needed
that van back.
And tell him that she needed that van back. >> you should have brought
my van back to my house!
>> I'll bring your van back
when I get ready!
>> you know what, earnest?
When I get ready! >> you know what, earnest? >> when I get ready!
>> I don't have time for this!
>> jeanine was
already frustrated.
She had been calling him
multiple times.
>> but according to prosecutors,
when jeanine got angry with
earnest, he completely lost it.
When jeanine got angry with earnest, he completely lost it. >> he was not able to control
what he wanted to control,
and I think that's really
the heart of this case,
and it's the heart of what
ended up happening.
He executed jeanine. He executed waltfredo, and he tried to execute
he executed waltfredo, and he tried to execute his own 2 1/2-year-old child.
And he tried to execute his own 2 1/2-year-old child. >> he was a monster.
His own 2 1/2-year-old child. >> he was a monster. >> narrator: But can prosecutors
prove it without putting
jeanine's son, matthew, on the
stand?
Jeanine's son, matthew, on the stand? >> he was a brave young man.
Stand? >> he was a brave young man. He was somebody that,
had we asked him
he was somebody that, had we asked him to testify, he would have.
Had we asked him to testify, he would have. >> narrator: Luckily,
they don't have to.
>> through the south carolina
rules of evidence, we were able
to put in the testimony
what the child said as opposed
to the child himself.
>> the person
who questioned matthew
took the stand in his place.
>> narrator: Prosecutors close out their argument by shining a light
on the way earnest treated
jeanine behind closed doors.
On the way earnest treated jeanine behind closed doors. >> and some of her friends
shared with us a pattern,
a history, of them fighting.
Shared with us a pattern, a history, of them fighting. >> this wasn't one of those
kinds of relationships
where I could say to her,
as a friend,
"things will work out."
the on-again, off-again
was due to emotional abuse,
but people on the outside
didn't know.
>> friend testified at one point
that she was on one of
those calls with jeanine,
and she heard screaming
in the background,
and the phone went dead.
>> narrator: When it's
the defense's turn,
they do their best to cast doubt
on the prosecution's assertions.
>> they discount matthew's
identification of daddy
as the shooter,
arguing that he was only 2
when the crime occurred.
>> narrator: Earnest's defense team also points to the fact that there was no murder weapon
ever recovered tying earnest
to the crime.
Ever recovered tying earnest to the crime. >> we still have not found
that weapon.
>> narrator: But will that carry
any weight with the jury?
>> the jury took basically
an hour and a half to determine
that he was guilty.
An hour and a half to determine that he was guilty. >> I feel that the prosecutors
did a phenomenal job
in handling such a case
as this one,
and they got
the desired verdict.
And they got the desired verdict. >> there were hugs and tears
from the mullen family.
>> narrator: But their ordeal
isn't over.
>> in south carolina,
when there's a death penalty,
there's a second phase,
the sentencing phase.
There's a second phase, the sentencing phase. The jury picks between a life
sentence without parole
the jury picks between a life sentence without parole or the death penalty.
Sentence without parole or the death penalty. >> narrator: At the hearing,
earnest's family
pleads for mercy.
Earnest's family pleads for mercy. >> they presented extensive
testimony about earnest's
troubled childhood.
Testimony about earnest's troubled childhood. >> narrator: It's enough
to stay the jury's hand.
>> due to their plea for mercy,
the jury stopped
short of execution.
The jury stopped short of execution. However, they did sentence him
to life in prison
however, they did sentence him to life in prison without parole.
To life in prison without parole. >> I'm glad he can't walk on the
face of this earth ever again,
but I also felt
a sense of disappointment
because I was pushing
for the death penalty,
and I didn't get that
for everybody who loved jeanine
and miss her and everybody
who loved fred and miss him.
And miss her and everybody who loved fred and miss him. There's no closure on our side
because of that.
>> narrator: Although earnest's
life sentence does offer
one small consolation.
Life sentence does offer one small consolation. >> because earnest is
still alive,
matthew has
an opportunity to say,
"you know, I need answers.
An opportunity to say, "you know, I need answers. By god, you're going to give me
some answers."
by god, you're going to give me some answers." >> narrator: As for matthew,
in the aftermath
of the shooting,
he has not only survived
but thrived.
He has not only survived but thrived. >> he shows no physical signs
of anything like that.
>> he's flourishing
into this wonderful young man,
is smart, is able to do things
that kids his age can do.
Jeanine's family has really
come together to raise
those boys to be fine gentlemen.
>> narrator: Though nothing
can bring back jeanine
or 4-year-old waltfredo,
their loved ones are determined
to make sure they
didn't die in vain.
>> I just want people to know
that if you have
a friend out there,
and they don't know where to go,
there are organizations
out there to help.