1 00:00:13,012 --> 00:00:17,750 I'm kate snow and this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 2 00:00:17,752 --> 00:00:19,584 - She was family. 3 00:00:19,586 --> 00:00:22,554 A giant hole is ripped in our hearts. 4 00:00:22,556 --> 00:00:24,689 The first thing you want is well, the police are gonna go 5 00:00:24,691 --> 00:00:26,959 Get the bad guys, right? 6 00:00:26,961 --> 00:00:31,663 I was not prepared for what happened. 7 00:00:34,168 --> 00:00:38,403 - Professor, artist, mom murdered. 8 00:00:38,405 --> 00:00:40,439 - A primal scream came out of me. 9 00:00:40,441 --> 00:00:42,240 - She just immediately broke down 10 00:00:42,242 --> 00:00:44,409 And started crying pretty hard. 11 00:00:44,411 --> 00:00:47,112 - Police were quick to question her ex, 12 00:00:47,114 --> 00:00:50,182 Maybe too quick. 13 00:00:50,184 --> 00:00:52,150 - They focused in right from the very beginning. 14 00:00:52,152 --> 00:00:54,119 - Husband always does it, right? 15 00:00:54,121 --> 00:00:56,655 - But what if the husband didn't? 16 00:00:56,657 --> 00:00:59,124 - You don't find any dna, fingerprints, blood, 17 00:00:59,126 --> 00:01:02,727 Anything of his in the house. 18 00:01:02,729 --> 00:01:05,063 - Could someone else be the real killer? 19 00:01:05,065 --> 00:01:07,800 - I'm wondering, what was this man capable of? 20 00:01:07,802 --> 00:01:10,335 - So much tragedy, so much heartbreak. 21 00:01:10,337 --> 00:01:13,105 - It was very emotional for me. 22 00:01:13,107 --> 00:01:15,273 - We just kept waiting for them to figure out 23 00:01:15,275 --> 00:01:17,342 That they had it wrong. 24 00:01:17,344 --> 00:01:24,483 ♪♪ 25 00:01:24,485 --> 00:01:27,619 - Hello and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 26 00:01:27,621 --> 00:01:29,754 Carol kennedy's psychology classes 27 00:01:29,756 --> 00:01:31,690 Were a hot ticket on campus. 28 00:01:31,692 --> 00:01:34,226 But the recently divorced professor was ready for 29 00:01:34,228 --> 00:01:35,760 A career change. 30 00:01:35,762 --> 00:01:39,097 Then just as carol started a new chapter in life, 31 00:01:39,099 --> 00:01:41,800 Her story ended in murder. 32 00:01:41,802 --> 00:01:44,603 Investigators suspected someone close to carol 33 00:01:44,605 --> 00:01:46,905 Was hiding a deadly secret. 34 00:01:46,907 --> 00:01:49,842 But to solve this who-done-it, they'd have to unravel 35 00:01:49,844 --> 00:01:51,977 An intricate web of lies. 36 00:01:51,979 --> 00:01:55,681 Here's keith morrison with "the mystery on bridle path". 37 00:01:57,585 --> 00:02:01,019 - It was the 2nd of July 2008, early evening 38 00:02:01,021 --> 00:02:05,924 In a fine old town called prescott, arizona. 39 00:02:05,926 --> 00:02:09,194 Sun going down, air cooling down 40 00:02:09,196 --> 00:02:12,864 To a fine evening warm. 41 00:02:12,866 --> 00:02:14,900 Here at the town's historic rodeo grounds, 42 00:02:14,902 --> 00:02:16,935 Refugees from the summer heat in phoenix 43 00:02:16,937 --> 00:02:21,439 Two hours and 25 degrees away settled into the stands 44 00:02:21,441 --> 00:02:26,144 To enjoy the annual exploits of the cowboys. 45 00:02:26,146 --> 00:02:27,746 At the very same time, a few miles away 46 00:02:27,748 --> 00:02:30,949 On the edge of town a woman named carol kennedy 47 00:02:30,951 --> 00:02:32,684 Jogged along a well-worn path 48 00:02:32,686 --> 00:02:35,153 At the base of granite mountain. 49 00:02:35,155 --> 00:02:37,356 Sometime after 7:00 she turned in 50 00:02:37,358 --> 00:02:41,493 At her big back yard here on a street called bridle path, 51 00:02:41,495 --> 00:02:43,828 Trotted past the stone labyrinth 52 00:02:43,830 --> 00:02:45,697 She'd laid out here years earlier 53 00:02:45,699 --> 00:02:47,732 To mark the turn of the millennium 54 00:02:47,734 --> 00:02:49,501 And arrived at the back door of the house 55 00:02:49,503 --> 00:02:51,703 She intended to inhabit for the rest of 56 00:02:51,705 --> 00:02:53,972 Her natural days. 57 00:02:53,974 --> 00:02:56,708 But, of course, carol kennedy had no idea that 58 00:02:56,710 --> 00:02:59,311 This was going to be her last day. 59 00:02:59,313 --> 00:03:03,982 And no, it would not be natural at all. 60 00:03:03,984 --> 00:03:08,153 - I mean, it's the biggest loss of my life to this day. 61 00:03:08,155 --> 00:03:14,559 It's profound, it's piercing, it's constant. 62 00:03:14,561 --> 00:03:16,728 - Carol kennedy was in, as they say, 63 00:03:16,730 --> 00:03:18,797 A good place in her life. 64 00:03:18,799 --> 00:03:21,133 This is her friend, katherine morris. 65 00:03:21,135 --> 00:03:26,071 - Carol was the epitome of kindness 66 00:03:26,073 --> 00:03:29,541 And living a life from a perspective 67 00:03:29,543 --> 00:03:30,976 Of having an open heart 68 00:03:30,978 --> 00:03:32,844 And being loving. 69 00:03:32,846 --> 00:03:34,746 - Before she became a close friend, 70 00:03:34,748 --> 00:03:36,815 Katherine morris was carol's student 71 00:03:36,817 --> 00:03:38,217 At prescott college. 72 00:03:38,219 --> 00:03:41,353 - She was very well respected and admired. 73 00:03:41,355 --> 00:03:45,390 Her classes were always full; very difficult to get into. 74 00:03:45,392 --> 00:03:47,892 - What was she like? - She was magnetic. 75 00:03:47,894 --> 00:03:51,129 And she was always sort of searching for the truth. 76 00:03:51,131 --> 00:03:53,965 And you just were gravitated to her. 77 00:03:53,967 --> 00:03:56,201 - Charisma that kind of pulled her students in, 78 00:03:56,203 --> 00:03:57,435 Especially maybe you? - Um-hmm. 79 00:03:57,437 --> 00:04:00,372 Um-hmm. She was soft and inviting. 80 00:04:00,374 --> 00:04:03,842 - I'm carol kennedy. I live in prescott, arizona. 81 00:04:03,844 --> 00:04:05,443 - You get a sense of her personality 82 00:04:05,445 --> 00:04:07,579 In this 2006 interview 83 00:04:07,581 --> 00:04:08,647 In which she was asked about 84 00:04:08,649 --> 00:04:10,515 Her passion for teaching. 85 00:04:10,517 --> 00:04:14,853 - Such a gift to feel like you get to give seeds 86 00:04:14,855 --> 00:04:18,390 To this first row here and then they turn around 87 00:04:18,392 --> 00:04:21,526 And give it to rows behind them. 88 00:04:21,528 --> 00:04:23,795 - And, in fact, she shared those passions 89 00:04:23,797 --> 00:04:26,931 With the man who was her husband for 25 years. 90 00:04:26,933 --> 00:04:29,668 The love of her life really. Steve democker. 91 00:04:29,670 --> 00:04:31,469 - They were crazy for each other. 92 00:04:31,471 --> 00:04:33,805 - Sharon democker is steve's sister. 93 00:04:33,807 --> 00:04:36,141 - Carol was really easy to love. 94 00:04:36,143 --> 00:04:39,544 She was kind of a natural fit in the family. 95 00:04:39,546 --> 00:04:43,214 She was just immediately a sister to all of us. 96 00:04:43,216 --> 00:04:45,617 - All of us being the democker family. 97 00:04:45,619 --> 00:04:47,552 High achievers, all of them. 98 00:04:47,554 --> 00:04:50,488 Sharon is a doctor. - It's an accomplished bunch. 99 00:04:50,490 --> 00:04:51,456 One of my friends said 100 00:04:51,458 --> 00:04:54,159 There's not a weak link in this group. 101 00:04:54,161 --> 00:04:57,028 - Carol and steve got married in his parents' back yard 102 00:04:57,030 --> 00:05:00,498 Overlooking lake ontario near rochester, new york. 103 00:05:00,500 --> 00:05:04,235 An outdoor wedding for a couple who loved adventure. 104 00:05:04,237 --> 00:05:05,770 - Steve was the one that kind of started 105 00:05:05,772 --> 00:05:08,040 The adventuring side of things. 106 00:05:08,042 --> 00:05:10,108 First there was hiking and skiing 107 00:05:10,110 --> 00:05:13,845 And mountain climbing and kayaking. 108 00:05:13,847 --> 00:05:15,914 - They moved around a bit, as people do, 109 00:05:15,916 --> 00:05:18,650 And wound up eventually in prescott, 110 00:05:18,652 --> 00:05:20,251 Which proved to be the perfect place 111 00:05:20,253 --> 00:05:22,954 To raise their two bright, attractive daughters, 112 00:05:22,956 --> 00:05:24,456 Katie and charlotte. 113 00:05:24,458 --> 00:05:25,457 - They're amazing. 114 00:05:25,459 --> 00:05:28,727 I think that it's really a-a testimony to 115 00:05:28,729 --> 00:05:31,062 The kind of parents that steve and carol were. 116 00:05:31,064 --> 00:05:33,531 The girls were their first priority. 117 00:05:33,533 --> 00:05:35,900 - Steve became the dean of prescott college. 118 00:05:35,902 --> 00:05:39,538 Carol taught psychology there. 119 00:05:39,540 --> 00:05:43,408 But life is a river, never the same for long. 120 00:05:43,410 --> 00:05:47,011 Steve decided to change careers, left the academic life, 121 00:05:47,013 --> 00:05:48,613 Became a financial advisor. 122 00:05:48,615 --> 00:05:50,215 Very successful, too. 123 00:05:50,217 --> 00:05:54,452 And there were other changes, more difficult ones. 124 00:05:54,454 --> 00:05:57,155 - Nobody knows all of what goes on inside a marriage, 125 00:05:57,157 --> 00:06:00,692 But I did talk with both of them about it and, um, 126 00:06:00,694 --> 00:06:01,793 They both struggled because 127 00:06:01,795 --> 00:06:04,028 Their lives were moving in different directions. 128 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:06,765 - And much as they still cared for each other, 129 00:06:06,767 --> 00:06:09,968 There were infidelities. Steve had an affair. 130 00:06:09,970 --> 00:06:11,669 They decided to separate. 131 00:06:11,671 --> 00:06:15,841 - Carol loved steve fiercely. - Hmm. 132 00:06:15,843 --> 00:06:19,177 - She fought hard for her marriage until the end. 133 00:06:19,179 --> 00:06:23,181 - But in 2008, after more than 25 years of marriage, 134 00:06:23,183 --> 00:06:26,885 Five living apart, steve and carol divorced. 135 00:06:26,887 --> 00:06:31,289 It was a long, painful process and after it was final, 136 00:06:31,291 --> 00:06:35,193 Carol went to a nearby lake where she called katherine. 137 00:06:35,195 --> 00:06:36,928 - She was sobbing. 138 00:06:36,930 --> 00:06:39,864 And at first when she called me, it was like, oh! 139 00:06:39,866 --> 00:06:41,066 "oh, no!" 140 00:06:41,068 --> 00:06:44,202 And then I realized that the-- that the sobbing 141 00:06:44,204 --> 00:06:47,472 And the wailing on the phone was -- 142 00:06:47,474 --> 00:06:49,040 It was a mixture of things. 143 00:06:49,042 --> 00:06:52,343 - Cathartic. - Yeah, absolutely! 144 00:06:52,345 --> 00:06:54,679 - Open hearts... - Open hearts... 145 00:06:54,681 --> 00:06:56,381 - Time for a fresh start. 146 00:06:56,383 --> 00:06:58,516 Carol had left teaching by that time, 147 00:06:58,518 --> 00:07:01,219 Was focused on a new passion. Painting. 148 00:07:01,221 --> 00:07:02,654 - Her art was developing; 149 00:07:02,656 --> 00:07:05,156 She was really doing well with that 150 00:07:05,158 --> 00:07:06,624 And taking off with that. 151 00:07:06,626 --> 00:07:08,359 - Of course, she remained close to her daughters, 152 00:07:08,361 --> 00:07:11,763 But she also stayed close to steve. 153 00:07:11,765 --> 00:07:15,700 And, in fact, just a few days before that July morning, 154 00:07:15,702 --> 00:07:17,702 The whole family went to the airport together 155 00:07:17,704 --> 00:07:19,905 To see katie off on a study abroad trip 156 00:07:19,907 --> 00:07:21,773 To south africa. 157 00:07:21,775 --> 00:07:24,676 Charlotte was staying with her dad in prescott. 158 00:07:24,678 --> 00:07:25,777 Nothing ahead now 159 00:07:25,779 --> 00:07:29,180 But the long, easy days of summer. 160 00:07:29,182 --> 00:07:31,983 As she jogged the last few yards to her house, 161 00:07:31,985 --> 00:07:34,052 Carol passed by the guest cottage 162 00:07:34,054 --> 00:07:36,588 She'd rented out as a way to help pay her expenses. 163 00:07:36,590 --> 00:07:39,123 - It's 50 feet away from the main house 164 00:07:39,125 --> 00:07:43,595 And it has all of its own kitchen and bath 165 00:07:43,597 --> 00:07:45,530 And shower and rooms. 166 00:07:45,532 --> 00:07:48,600 - It was comforting, in a way, to have someone else with her 167 00:07:48,602 --> 00:07:51,803 On the property out here at the edge of things. 168 00:07:51,805 --> 00:07:54,305 The man's name was jim knapp, divorced father. 169 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:56,674 A bit of an odd duck, some people said, 170 00:07:56,676 --> 00:07:59,010 But easy to get along with. 171 00:07:59,012 --> 00:08:01,379 At least that's what carol told her friends. 172 00:08:01,381 --> 00:08:03,281 The man didn't cause any trouble. 173 00:08:03,283 --> 00:08:07,252 - Jim knapp was just sort of this free-spirited surfer dude 174 00:08:07,254 --> 00:08:12,724 From hawaii who, um, hang ten. 175 00:08:12,726 --> 00:08:14,492 - But she took him in as a boarder? 176 00:08:14,494 --> 00:08:17,428 - It was my understanding that he was -- 177 00:08:17,430 --> 00:08:20,899 Had been diagnosed with cancer and I think they sort of 178 00:08:20,901 --> 00:08:22,901 Co-supported each other 179 00:08:22,903 --> 00:08:24,502 Through a lot of the painful times 180 00:08:24,504 --> 00:08:26,638 That they were both experiencing. 181 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:27,706 - Once inside her house, 182 00:08:27,708 --> 00:08:30,475 Carol put together a salad for dinner, 183 00:08:30,477 --> 00:08:34,913 Answered a few emails, settled in for an evening alone. 184 00:08:34,915 --> 00:08:37,682 She picked up the phone and called her mother, ruth, 185 00:08:37,684 --> 00:08:40,084 Who lived way off in nashville, tennessee. 186 00:08:40,086 --> 00:08:41,953 - She was an amazing daughter 187 00:08:41,955 --> 00:08:45,023 Who still called her mom every day. 188 00:08:45,025 --> 00:08:49,260 - Ruth was 83. The call, a nightly ritual. 189 00:08:49,262 --> 00:08:53,665 And then at 8 p.M., the oddest thing. 190 00:08:53,667 --> 00:08:55,400 The line went dead. 191 00:08:55,402 --> 00:08:59,871 But not before ruth heard something rather terrifying. 192 00:08:59,873 --> 00:09:02,640 Ruth tried to call back. Nothing. 193 00:09:02,642 --> 00:09:06,244 And there she was so far away and now worried. 194 00:09:06,246 --> 00:09:08,913 So, she decided to call the sheriff's department 195 00:09:08,915 --> 00:09:11,516 Whose headquarters is here in downtown prescott. 196 00:09:30,170 --> 00:09:31,703 - "oh, no." 197 00:09:31,705 --> 00:09:33,705 Those two words played back again and again 198 00:09:33,707 --> 00:09:36,140 In ruth's worried brain. 199 00:09:36,142 --> 00:09:40,445 And so began a mystery and a story too unbelievable 200 00:09:40,447 --> 00:09:44,148 Even for some of its most intimate participants. 201 00:09:44,150 --> 00:09:48,453 What happened to carol kennedy? 202 00:09:48,455 --> 00:09:51,089 - That question would take years to answer. 203 00:09:51,091 --> 00:09:55,627 Not just what happened to carol, but who was behind it? 204 00:09:55,629 --> 00:09:58,463 Coming up... - She didn't have any enemies? 205 00:09:58,465 --> 00:10:00,732 - None. None! 206 00:10:00,734 --> 00:10:02,467 - We were just stunned. 207 00:10:02,469 --> 00:10:05,470 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 208 00:10:09,675 --> 00:10:15,280 ♪♪ 209 00:10:15,282 --> 00:10:17,015 Carol kennedy and her mother, ruth, 210 00:10:17,017 --> 00:10:19,651 Were having their nightly phone call. 211 00:10:19,653 --> 00:10:22,020 Suddenly, the phone line went dead. 212 00:10:22,022 --> 00:10:24,756 Ruth tried back, couldn't reach carol. 213 00:10:24,758 --> 00:10:26,825 Then she called the sheriff's department. 214 00:11:09,302 --> 00:11:10,535 - Did you notice what she said? 215 00:11:10,537 --> 00:11:12,404 Recently divorced. 216 00:11:12,406 --> 00:11:14,305 Certainly, the operator heard it. 217 00:11:26,553 --> 00:11:28,519 - Family and friends all knew that 218 00:11:28,521 --> 00:11:30,088 Even after their divorce, 219 00:11:30,090 --> 00:11:33,157 Steve and carol still cared deeply for each other 220 00:11:33,159 --> 00:11:34,693 And their two daughters. 221 00:11:34,695 --> 00:11:36,828 That connection between the two of them interests me. 222 00:11:36,830 --> 00:11:40,798 - They took time to nurture their relationship 223 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:42,967 And to spend time together. - Yeah. 224 00:11:42,969 --> 00:11:46,003 - And to do things that -- that they enjoyed doing 225 00:11:46,005 --> 00:11:48,707 And-and bringing up katie and charlotte. 226 00:11:48,709 --> 00:11:51,242 - But this was hardly the time for reminiscing. 227 00:11:51,244 --> 00:11:53,912 Carol wasn't answering her phone and ruth was frantic. 228 00:12:00,386 --> 00:12:02,820 - You can imagine what that was like for ruth, 229 00:12:02,822 --> 00:12:05,590 So far away, waiting for a phone call. 230 00:12:05,592 --> 00:12:09,527 She knew carol had a boarder, that offbeat guy, jim knapp. 231 00:12:09,529 --> 00:12:11,529 But ruth didn't know how to reach him. 232 00:12:11,531 --> 00:12:13,131 Steve would know what to do. 233 00:12:13,133 --> 00:12:15,466 So, she called him on his cellphone. 234 00:12:15,468 --> 00:12:19,037 And when he didn't pick up, she left him this message. 235 00:12:36,156 --> 00:12:38,289 - By that time, it was dark. 236 00:12:38,291 --> 00:12:39,757 Steve and carol's daughter, charlotte, 237 00:12:39,759 --> 00:12:41,960 And her then boyfriend jacob januzek were, 238 00:12:41,962 --> 00:12:44,028 At that moment, at steve's house 239 00:12:44,030 --> 00:12:46,063 Waiting for him to come home. 240 00:12:46,065 --> 00:12:47,832 Jacob was actually living there 241 00:12:47,834 --> 00:12:51,269 While he tried to sort out a few issues with his parents. 242 00:12:51,271 --> 00:12:53,905 - What was your relationship like with him 243 00:12:53,907 --> 00:12:56,974 And what was charlotte's relationship like? 244 00:12:56,976 --> 00:12:59,677 - Charlotte was very close with-with steve. 245 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:03,915 He had offered me to-to stay with him before, you know, 246 00:13:03,917 --> 00:13:06,484 Tried to figure something out just to make my situation 247 00:13:06,486 --> 00:13:08,920 With my parents better and, um, 248 00:13:08,922 --> 00:13:11,589 So I had a lot of respect for him. 249 00:13:11,591 --> 00:13:13,992 Um, definitely looked up to him. 250 00:13:13,994 --> 00:13:17,328 - But that evening, steve, an avid outdoorsman, 251 00:13:17,330 --> 00:13:20,498 Was overdue from a mountain bike ride. 252 00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:24,135 And it was getting late. Really late, actually. 253 00:13:24,137 --> 00:13:26,204 - Yeah, it was very-very odd. 254 00:13:26,206 --> 00:13:28,773 Um, you know, he would usually-- 255 00:13:28,775 --> 00:13:30,942 We'd usually have dinner pretty late there. 256 00:13:30,944 --> 00:13:36,281 It was, you know, normal to have dinner at 9:00, 9:30. 257 00:13:36,283 --> 00:13:38,950 When he hadn't come home around that time 258 00:13:38,952 --> 00:13:41,586 Was when we kind of started to get a little worried, 259 00:13:41,588 --> 00:13:45,489 Um, that maybe he had crashed or gotten hurt or something. 260 00:13:45,491 --> 00:13:46,624 - What'd you do? 261 00:13:46,626 --> 00:13:50,628 - Charlotte called, um, his cellphone and... 262 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:51,963 - No answer? - No answer. 263 00:13:51,965 --> 00:13:53,631 - Did it go straight to voicemail? 264 00:13:53,633 --> 00:13:55,166 - Yeah. 265 00:13:55,168 --> 00:13:56,234 - Anyway, hungry for dinner, 266 00:13:56,236 --> 00:13:58,269 They went to the store for groceries. 267 00:13:58,271 --> 00:13:59,570 - While we were at the store, 268 00:13:59,572 --> 00:14:02,106 It was probably around 10:00, 10:15 269 00:14:02,108 --> 00:14:03,641 Was when we got a call from steve 270 00:14:03,643 --> 00:14:06,644 And he told us that, you know, he got a flat tire, 271 00:14:06,646 --> 00:14:08,546 And he was at the workout center 272 00:14:08,548 --> 00:14:11,749 And was going to finish up his workout there. 273 00:14:11,751 --> 00:14:14,151 - And what, his phone had been off or something? 274 00:14:14,153 --> 00:14:15,386 Or what happened to his phone? 275 00:14:15,388 --> 00:14:17,255 - He said his phone had died. 276 00:14:17,257 --> 00:14:18,856 - While he was out there having a flat tire. 277 00:14:18,858 --> 00:14:20,124 - Right. 278 00:14:20,126 --> 00:14:22,827 - Steve was in the shower when charlotte and jake arrived 279 00:14:22,829 --> 00:14:24,328 Back at the condo. 280 00:14:24,330 --> 00:14:27,331 They made a quick dinner, vegetable stir fry. 281 00:14:27,333 --> 00:14:31,469 It was late, but then again, it was a mild summer night. 282 00:14:31,471 --> 00:14:34,072 Not a care in the world, it seemed. 283 00:14:34,074 --> 00:14:38,309 No idea what was happening at the house on bridle path. 284 00:14:41,014 --> 00:14:43,648 - Coming up... Panic begins. 285 00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:46,183 A daughter rushes to the scene. 286 00:14:46,185 --> 00:14:47,552 What would she find? 287 00:14:47,554 --> 00:14:49,954 - She just immediately broke down. 288 00:14:49,956 --> 00:14:53,424 Um, started crying pretty hard. 289 00:14:53,426 --> 00:14:59,497 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 290 00:14:59,698 --> 00:15:04,502 ♪♪ 291 00:15:04,504 --> 00:15:07,371 July 2, 2008, about 11 p.M. 292 00:15:07,373 --> 00:15:09,140 Steve democker, his daughter charlotte 293 00:15:09,142 --> 00:15:12,777 And charlotte's boyfriend, jake, were eating a very late dinner. 294 00:15:12,779 --> 00:15:14,879 - He had taken a few more bites of his dinner 295 00:15:14,881 --> 00:15:16,914 And then by that point charlotte and I 296 00:15:16,916 --> 00:15:18,883 Were pretty close to being finished. 297 00:15:18,885 --> 00:15:21,585 - That's when steve told them about a strange phone call 298 00:15:21,587 --> 00:15:25,423 He received from carol's brother who told him that apparently 299 00:15:25,425 --> 00:15:27,792 Carol's home phone suddenly cut out 300 00:15:27,794 --> 00:15:29,660 When she was talking to her mother, ruth, 301 00:15:29,662 --> 00:15:31,028 And nobody could reach her. 302 00:15:31,030 --> 00:15:33,397 How did charlotte react to that? 303 00:15:33,399 --> 00:15:34,666 - Uh, she was worried. 304 00:15:34,668 --> 00:15:37,201 - Charlotte said she texted her mom earlier that evening; 305 00:15:37,203 --> 00:15:40,638 Everything seemed fine then. But now? 306 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:43,241 She called her mother. Voicemail. 307 00:16:05,098 --> 00:16:09,367 The beginnings of panic bubbled up in charlotte's brain. 308 00:16:09,369 --> 00:16:12,436 She and her boyfriend called around to local hospitals, 309 00:16:12,438 --> 00:16:14,105 But nobody named carol kennedy 310 00:16:14,107 --> 00:16:16,640 Had been admitted to any of them. 311 00:16:16,642 --> 00:16:17,642 So, this is nighttime. 312 00:16:17,644 --> 00:16:19,243 Was there any thought of going over there? 313 00:16:19,245 --> 00:16:21,078 - Yeah. We-we had talked about it. 314 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:23,214 - Steve was concerned about carol, of course, 315 00:16:23,216 --> 00:16:27,118 But as her now ex-husband, he had another concern, too. 316 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:28,185 - Steve had expressed that 317 00:16:28,187 --> 00:16:29,754 He wasn't really comfortable with it 318 00:16:29,756 --> 00:16:32,156 Because, you know, they had just finalized their divorce 319 00:16:32,158 --> 00:16:34,592 And-and, you know, he didn't feel comfortable 320 00:16:34,594 --> 00:16:37,228 Invading her privacy if she was with, you know, 321 00:16:37,230 --> 00:16:39,096 Another guy on a date or something like that. 322 00:16:39,098 --> 00:16:40,064 - Um-hmm. 323 00:16:40,066 --> 00:16:41,532 - So, we decided that charlotte and I 324 00:16:41,534 --> 00:16:44,068 Would go out there and-and check on her. 325 00:16:44,070 --> 00:16:45,636 Just kind of see, you know, 326 00:16:45,638 --> 00:16:47,938 If anything was out of the ordinary. 327 00:16:47,940 --> 00:16:49,674 - It was around midnight when they drove out 328 00:16:49,676 --> 00:16:51,809 To carol's place on bridle path, 329 00:16:51,811 --> 00:16:55,212 Having promised to call steve the minute they got there. 330 00:16:55,214 --> 00:16:58,482 - Do you remember what it was like driving over there? 331 00:16:58,484 --> 00:17:00,051 - It was very quiet. 332 00:17:00,053 --> 00:17:05,156 I don't really think we-we spoke, um, 333 00:17:05,158 --> 00:17:08,325 Very much at all on the way there. 334 00:17:08,327 --> 00:17:11,762 - Because...? - Just nerves. 335 00:17:11,764 --> 00:17:12,497 You know? 336 00:17:12,499 --> 00:17:13,898 - A little anxious? - Right. 337 00:17:13,900 --> 00:17:16,867 - Do you remember pulling up to the house and... 338 00:17:16,869 --> 00:17:18,636 - Yes. Very vividly. 339 00:17:18,638 --> 00:17:22,106 - At that moment, charlotte was on the phone with her dad. 340 00:17:22,108 --> 00:17:23,908 - As soon as we got to the top of the hill, 341 00:17:23,910 --> 00:17:27,578 You could see the police, you know, the sheriff's lights 342 00:17:27,580 --> 00:17:31,982 And all the cars and, um, you know, 343 00:17:31,984 --> 00:17:34,251 Just the worst thoughts are kind of going through, 344 00:17:34,253 --> 00:17:35,920 You know, my mind at that point. 345 00:17:35,922 --> 00:17:37,655 - You know, that almost kind of thing that hits you here 346 00:17:37,657 --> 00:17:39,523 Before it hits you here. - Right. Yeah. 347 00:17:39,525 --> 00:17:42,059 Kind of feel it in your stomach first, for sure. 348 00:17:42,061 --> 00:17:45,196 Then we got closer to the house and saw caution tape 349 00:17:45,198 --> 00:17:48,266 And-and all the, you know, people running around 350 00:17:48,268 --> 00:17:50,101 And everything. 351 00:17:50,103 --> 00:17:52,670 We had pulled up and stopped on the side of the road 352 00:17:52,672 --> 00:17:56,607 And two sheriffs walked up on either side of the car 353 00:17:56,609 --> 00:17:59,443 And, um, we rolled the windows down. 354 00:17:59,445 --> 00:18:01,178 - Did this person know who you were? 355 00:18:01,180 --> 00:18:03,080 - Yeah, I think he had asked, you know, 356 00:18:03,082 --> 00:18:04,148 "were you guys just passing through?" 357 00:18:04,150 --> 00:18:06,250 And charlotte said, "no, this is my mom's house." 358 00:18:06,252 --> 00:18:08,419 And he said, "well, I'm sorry to tell you, 359 00:18:08,421 --> 00:18:12,623 "but, you know, um, you know, carol passed away." 360 00:18:12,625 --> 00:18:16,560 At that point, she just immediately broke down, um, 361 00:18:16,562 --> 00:18:19,864 Started crying pretty hard. 362 00:18:19,866 --> 00:18:23,234 - Charlotte dropped the phone, fell to pieces. 363 00:18:23,236 --> 00:18:24,401 Were you frightened? 364 00:18:24,403 --> 00:18:25,903 - Scared? A little bit. 365 00:18:25,905 --> 00:18:27,838 Um, really more so for charlotte, 366 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:30,441 Just, you know, not really -- 367 00:18:30,443 --> 00:18:32,776 I mean even now I don't think I could -- 368 00:18:32,778 --> 00:18:36,047 I could figure out how to console someone 369 00:18:36,049 --> 00:18:37,381 In that situation. 370 00:18:37,383 --> 00:18:39,650 - Maybe steve would know what to do. 371 00:18:39,652 --> 00:18:43,053 - I picked up the cellphone and-and told steve 372 00:18:43,055 --> 00:18:45,089 What had happened and he needed to come down 373 00:18:45,091 --> 00:18:49,226 And-and be with charlotte. 374 00:18:49,228 --> 00:18:50,862 - And steve? 375 00:18:50,864 --> 00:18:52,530 - He was taken aback, you know? 376 00:18:52,532 --> 00:18:53,931 It was almost kind of disbelief 377 00:18:53,933 --> 00:18:56,800 Like he didn't really know what to say, really. 378 00:18:56,802 --> 00:19:00,004 Um, kind of hear him 379 00:19:00,006 --> 00:19:01,906 Choking back some tears a little bit. 380 00:19:01,908 --> 00:19:04,074 And that was, you know, that was hard. 381 00:19:04,076 --> 00:19:06,877 - Right away, steve rushed over to carol's house. 382 00:19:06,879 --> 00:19:08,846 A detective had a recorder rolling. 383 00:19:08,848 --> 00:19:11,282 You can hear charlotte sobbing. 384 00:19:11,284 --> 00:19:12,683 [sobbing] 385 00:19:12,685 --> 00:19:14,385 And steve talking. 386 00:19:19,292 --> 00:19:21,759 - Someone else talked to the detectives, too. 387 00:19:21,761 --> 00:19:22,760 A man who showed up 388 00:19:22,762 --> 00:19:25,229 Just minutes after the deputies got there. 389 00:19:25,231 --> 00:19:27,832 Jim knapp, carol's boarder. 390 00:19:27,834 --> 00:19:30,601 The man who'd been living in the guest house. 391 00:19:32,438 --> 00:19:35,573 - And jim knapp had a lot to say about carol. 392 00:19:35,575 --> 00:19:39,043 But he didn't stop there. 393 00:19:39,045 --> 00:19:42,446 - Coming up... Blood drops, shoe prints. 394 00:19:42,448 --> 00:19:44,215 The clues tell a story. 395 00:19:44,217 --> 00:19:46,784 - So, that tells you something about how she died? 396 00:19:46,786 --> 00:19:49,253 - She certainly died a violent death. 397 00:19:49,255 --> 00:19:52,456 - And the man in the guest cottage has a story, too. 398 00:19:56,395 --> 00:20:00,131 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 399 00:20:02,801 --> 00:20:08,906 ♪♪ 400 00:20:08,908 --> 00:20:12,376 Just before 9 p.M., July 2nd. 401 00:20:12,378 --> 00:20:13,344 That's around the time 402 00:20:13,346 --> 00:20:15,079 Carol kennedy's worried family members 403 00:20:15,081 --> 00:20:18,349 Were recording phone messages to each other. 404 00:20:18,351 --> 00:20:19,883 A yavapai county sheriff's deputy 405 00:20:19,885 --> 00:20:23,053 Was dispatched to carol's house on bridle path, 406 00:20:23,055 --> 00:20:25,990 Found the home dark, eerily quiet. 407 00:20:25,992 --> 00:20:28,559 He shone a flashlight through a window, 408 00:20:28,561 --> 00:20:34,298 Saw a bookcase toppled over and blood everywhere. 409 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:36,233 That's when investigator mike sachet 410 00:20:36,235 --> 00:20:39,203 Was pulled into the strangest case of his career. 411 00:20:39,205 --> 00:20:43,307 The kind of thing he had moved to prescott to avoid. 412 00:20:43,309 --> 00:20:47,211 - It's a quaint little community nestled in the pines 413 00:20:47,213 --> 00:20:49,880 And, uh, not a whole lot of crime, 414 00:20:49,882 --> 00:20:54,018 Especially, uh, from what I was used to. 415 00:20:54,020 --> 00:20:57,121 - Sachet put in 27 years in the phoenix police. 416 00:20:57,123 --> 00:20:59,657 This job with the yavapai county attorney's office 417 00:20:59,659 --> 00:21:02,860 Was supposed to be an escape from big-city crime. 418 00:21:02,862 --> 00:21:05,596 And here he was, middle of a July night, 419 00:21:05,598 --> 00:21:09,133 Looking at one very brutal homicide. 420 00:21:09,135 --> 00:21:10,167 - What did it look like? 421 00:21:10,169 --> 00:21:15,339 - It was, uh, certainly a gruesome scene. 422 00:21:15,341 --> 00:21:18,809 Not only a large amount of blood on carol's body 423 00:21:18,811 --> 00:21:21,946 But also on the furniture that was nearby, uh, 424 00:21:21,948 --> 00:21:26,317 Blood spatter that had been, uh, cast off in -- 425 00:21:26,319 --> 00:21:29,287 Onto the walls a-and other items, as well. 426 00:21:29,289 --> 00:21:31,955 - So, that tells you something about how she died. 427 00:21:31,957 --> 00:21:35,492 - She certainly died a violent death. 428 00:21:35,494 --> 00:21:37,561 - Something else. 429 00:21:37,563 --> 00:21:39,363 As he surveyed the room, he could plainly see 430 00:21:39,365 --> 00:21:41,665 Whoever did this was trying to fool them. 431 00:21:41,667 --> 00:21:43,834 How did he know? 432 00:21:43,836 --> 00:21:46,303 When he looked past the obvious gore, 433 00:21:46,305 --> 00:21:49,707 He couldn't help but notice things had been moved around 434 00:21:49,709 --> 00:21:52,743 After carol was dead. 435 00:21:52,745 --> 00:21:55,546 - There was a-a ladder that was placed 436 00:21:55,548 --> 00:21:57,581 Over top of her body. 437 00:21:57,583 --> 00:22:00,217 That, along with some of the blood 438 00:22:00,219 --> 00:22:03,320 That had splatted onto a bookshelf. 439 00:22:03,322 --> 00:22:05,589 And then the shelf was knocked over, 440 00:22:05,591 --> 00:22:08,192 Obviously several minutes after the blood hit it. 441 00:22:08,194 --> 00:22:09,460 - Sure. 442 00:22:09,462 --> 00:22:11,295 Unlikely that it was just tottering 443 00:22:11,297 --> 00:22:12,796 And eventually collapsed? 444 00:22:12,798 --> 00:22:13,998 - That could not have happened. 445 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,000 - So, that's a pretty significant little detail then. 446 00:22:16,002 --> 00:22:19,737 - Yes. Absolutely. - Staging. 447 00:22:19,739 --> 00:22:22,339 Clear as day, said the detective. 448 00:22:22,341 --> 00:22:23,607 There were even some drops of blood 449 00:22:23,609 --> 00:22:25,476 Just outside the door. 450 00:22:25,478 --> 00:22:28,812 The blood trail led detectives to another discovery. 451 00:22:28,814 --> 00:22:31,315 Shoe prints outside the house. 452 00:22:31,317 --> 00:22:33,617 - There was a lot of tracks out there. 453 00:22:33,619 --> 00:22:35,219 - The house was next door to ranch land. 454 00:22:35,221 --> 00:22:38,255 Lots of people went running and riding there. 455 00:22:38,257 --> 00:22:39,556 Carol, too. 456 00:22:39,558 --> 00:22:43,494 - Horses, animals, uh, people used that area. 457 00:22:43,496 --> 00:22:45,462 And there were a lot of tracks. 458 00:22:45,464 --> 00:22:49,367 These tracks were unique. They were fresh. 459 00:22:49,369 --> 00:22:51,235 - They found carol's footprints from her jog 460 00:22:51,237 --> 00:22:54,772 That very evening. But there were others. 461 00:22:54,774 --> 00:22:57,775 - Her track, as it went out. 462 00:22:57,777 --> 00:23:02,813 The suspect's track then stepped right on one of hers. 463 00:23:02,815 --> 00:23:04,915 So, she went out 464 00:23:04,917 --> 00:23:08,318 And then the suspect came into her house. 465 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:09,720 - You even had sequence of tracks? 466 00:23:09,722 --> 00:23:11,255 - Yes. 467 00:23:11,257 --> 00:23:12,857 - About 50 feet from the main house, 468 00:23:12,859 --> 00:23:15,626 You remember, was a guest cottage 469 00:23:15,628 --> 00:23:18,429 Which carol had rented out to that tenant, 470 00:23:18,431 --> 00:23:19,596 Jim knapp. 471 00:23:19,598 --> 00:23:22,199 - Jim knapp was one of the first ones to arrive 472 00:23:22,201 --> 00:23:26,603 At the scene after the deputies had arrived. 473 00:23:26,605 --> 00:23:28,472 - Of course, the detectives asked him 474 00:23:28,474 --> 00:23:30,341 Where was he that night. 475 00:23:30,343 --> 00:23:32,810 And knapp was ready with a story. 476 00:23:32,812 --> 00:23:37,815 - He had been babysitting one of his, uh, boys 477 00:23:37,817 --> 00:23:39,416 At his ex-wife's house 478 00:23:39,418 --> 00:23:41,418 When this incident actually occurred. 479 00:23:41,420 --> 00:23:43,253 - Um-hmm. You'd have to pin him down, 480 00:23:43,255 --> 00:23:44,955 Made sure he had proof of it, right? 481 00:23:44,957 --> 00:23:46,223 - That's correct. 482 00:23:46,225 --> 00:23:48,425 - Another detective turned on his recorder 483 00:23:48,427 --> 00:23:51,529 As knapp rambled on about his relationship with carol. 484 00:24:03,142 --> 00:24:05,242 - But knapp didn't stop there. 485 00:24:05,244 --> 00:24:08,078 Oh, no, he seemed very eager to tell them about 486 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:10,948 Carol's ex-husband, steve democker. 487 00:24:21,460 --> 00:24:23,427 - So, by the time steve arrived, 488 00:24:23,429 --> 00:24:26,263 Detectives were already suspicious. 489 00:24:26,265 --> 00:24:28,999 And they asked him to come to the sheriff's department 490 00:24:29,001 --> 00:24:30,334 Where he told them the same thing 491 00:24:30,336 --> 00:24:32,102 He had told his daughter. 492 00:24:32,104 --> 00:24:35,706 He was riding his mountain bike when he got a flat tire. 493 00:24:37,443 --> 00:24:41,111 - Okay. 494 00:24:45,551 --> 00:24:47,485 - He drew them a map of the trail he followed. 495 00:24:52,291 --> 00:24:53,490 At one point, the trail got to 496 00:24:53,492 --> 00:24:55,859 Within a mile of carol's house. 497 00:24:55,861 --> 00:24:58,162 The detective's ears perked up. 498 00:24:58,164 --> 00:25:01,565 But steve insisted he never went to carol's house. 499 00:25:12,811 --> 00:25:16,213 - Steve told the detective he was tired, dehydrated. 500 00:25:44,710 --> 00:25:47,911 - Steve asked them what were they thinking about him. 501 00:25:47,913 --> 00:25:49,647 Was he a suspect? 502 00:26:14,773 --> 00:26:17,574 - And so, it was a long night in that little room. 503 00:26:17,576 --> 00:26:19,910 The detective gave steve a blanket. 504 00:26:19,912 --> 00:26:22,313 Asked again about that trail. 505 00:26:24,517 --> 00:26:26,550 - I know. 506 00:26:44,370 --> 00:26:45,402 - Maybe so. 507 00:26:45,404 --> 00:26:47,204 But wherever he was, he picked up something 508 00:26:47,206 --> 00:26:49,406 The detectives simply couldn't ignore. 509 00:26:49,408 --> 00:26:54,144 - Very fresh, multiple scratches... 510 00:26:54,146 --> 00:26:56,213 - On his arms and legs. 511 00:26:56,215 --> 00:26:59,316 Steve said he got those riding a rough mountain trail 512 00:26:59,318 --> 00:27:00,684 On his bike. 513 00:27:00,686 --> 00:27:05,489 Detectives photographed them before letting him go home. 514 00:27:05,491 --> 00:27:07,691 Meanwhile, overnight, other detectives 515 00:27:07,693 --> 00:27:09,026 Searched steve's office 516 00:27:09,028 --> 00:27:11,061 And his home and his garage. 517 00:27:11,063 --> 00:27:14,698 And they took pictures. Lots of pictures. 518 00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:16,933 After the autopsy next afternoon, 519 00:27:16,935 --> 00:27:19,503 The medical examiner reported that carol died from 520 00:27:19,505 --> 00:27:21,505 Blows to the head administered by 521 00:27:21,507 --> 00:27:23,374 Some blunt object. 522 00:27:23,376 --> 00:27:25,642 Seven times her killer hit her. 523 00:27:25,644 --> 00:27:27,310 With what? 524 00:27:27,312 --> 00:27:29,179 The medical examiner offered an opinion. 525 00:27:29,181 --> 00:27:32,816 It looked like it might have been a golf club. 526 00:27:32,818 --> 00:27:34,818 And one more thing. 527 00:27:34,820 --> 00:27:38,956 Carol herself might already be telling them who killed her. 528 00:27:41,393 --> 00:27:42,993 - Coming up... 529 00:27:42,995 --> 00:27:46,697 - It sounds like kind of a-an ah-ha moment, right? 530 00:27:46,699 --> 00:27:49,933 - It's one of those moments that you go, "oh, my goodness, 531 00:27:49,935 --> 00:27:52,002 "we may have overlooked something." 532 00:27:52,004 --> 00:27:54,471 - The clue that police almost missed. 533 00:27:54,473 --> 00:27:57,007 Will it help them crack the case? 534 00:27:57,009 --> 00:28:00,177 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 535 00:28:03,682 --> 00:28:08,752 ♪♪ 536 00:28:08,754 --> 00:28:11,288 There is, as katherine morris can tell you, 537 00:28:11,290 --> 00:28:14,191 No good way to find out your close friend 538 00:28:14,193 --> 00:28:15,559 Has been murdered. 539 00:28:15,561 --> 00:28:20,731 Especially a friend as incandescent as carol kennedy. 540 00:28:20,733 --> 00:28:24,901 - It's the biggest loss of my life to this day. 541 00:28:24,903 --> 00:28:30,073 It's profound, it's piercing, it's constant. 542 00:28:30,075 --> 00:28:31,942 - She didn't have any enemies. 543 00:28:31,944 --> 00:28:35,011 - None. None! 544 00:28:35,013 --> 00:28:37,714 - Katherine, who by this time lived in atlanta, 545 00:28:37,716 --> 00:28:40,250 Flew across the country to prescott. 546 00:28:40,252 --> 00:28:43,454 - I needed to see it. 547 00:28:43,456 --> 00:28:48,058 I needed to be in her home where she last was. 548 00:28:48,060 --> 00:28:51,461 - She joined other members of carol's family at bridle path. 549 00:28:51,463 --> 00:28:55,332 In the very room where carol died. 550 00:28:55,334 --> 00:28:58,001 Blood still spattered on the furniture. 551 00:28:58,003 --> 00:29:01,739 The mess of what happened everywhere in that room. 552 00:29:01,741 --> 00:29:06,476 - You just -- you can't imagine how painful. 553 00:29:06,478 --> 00:29:07,844 - Did it help? 554 00:29:07,846 --> 00:29:12,549 - It helped greatly to put it into perspective 555 00:29:12,551 --> 00:29:17,320 Of the absolute horrendous brutality, 556 00:29:17,322 --> 00:29:19,289 Animalistic, violent. 557 00:29:19,291 --> 00:29:20,957 - Evidence of that was still in the room? 558 00:29:20,959 --> 00:29:22,359 - Oh, yes. Oh, yeah. 559 00:29:22,361 --> 00:29:24,561 Oh, yeah. 560 00:29:24,563 --> 00:29:26,830 - Steve was there, too, said katherine. 561 00:29:26,832 --> 00:29:28,799 And she remembers him saying something that 562 00:29:28,801 --> 00:29:31,168 To her didn't make much sense. 563 00:29:31,170 --> 00:29:33,870 - He put his -- his arm around me and said, 564 00:29:33,872 --> 00:29:37,374 "you just want to think it was an accident, don't you?" 565 00:29:37,376 --> 00:29:38,709 Then I looked at him and I said, 566 00:29:38,711 --> 00:29:39,910 "this is not an accident. 567 00:29:39,912 --> 00:29:43,380 "what I'm looking at is not an accident." 568 00:29:43,382 --> 00:29:46,249 - By then, so soon after the murder, 569 00:29:46,251 --> 00:29:49,786 Steve was the only real suspect under investigation. 570 00:29:49,788 --> 00:29:53,523 And in the following weeks, as friends and family mourn, 571 00:29:53,525 --> 00:29:55,625 Detectives peel back the layers 572 00:29:55,627 --> 00:29:57,861 Of steve and carol's relationship 573 00:29:57,863 --> 00:30:02,032 And soon found evidence that their recent divorce was-- 574 00:30:02,034 --> 00:30:05,202 Well, no divorce is pleasant, but... 575 00:30:05,204 --> 00:30:08,739 - We looked heavily into emails and we learned that carol 576 00:30:08,741 --> 00:30:12,209 Was very unhappy with the outcome of the divorce. 577 00:30:12,211 --> 00:30:15,745 They argued heavily back and forth, uh, 578 00:30:15,747 --> 00:30:18,682 Up until the day of her murder. 579 00:30:18,684 --> 00:30:21,084 - Steve made good money as a financial advisor, 580 00:30:21,086 --> 00:30:25,556 Had agreed to pay $6,00 a month in spousal support. 581 00:30:25,558 --> 00:30:29,392 - When you say somebody makes over $500,000, 582 00:30:29,394 --> 00:30:31,828 You would assume that a $6,000 monthly payment 583 00:30:31,830 --> 00:30:33,163 Is not a big deal. 584 00:30:33,165 --> 00:30:36,099 But he was spending way more than he was making. 585 00:30:36,101 --> 00:30:37,634 He was having to borrow money 586 00:30:37,636 --> 00:30:39,570 From his parents almost monthly. 587 00:30:39,572 --> 00:30:41,238 - When he's making a half a million a year? 588 00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:42,105 - That's correct. 589 00:30:42,107 --> 00:30:45,775 And the $6,000, 590 00:30:45,777 --> 00:30:50,981 He was gonna be unable to sustain his lifestyle. 591 00:30:50,983 --> 00:30:53,817 - Mind you, those numbers were for 2008, 592 00:30:53,819 --> 00:30:55,418 A year when, like a lot of people, 593 00:30:55,420 --> 00:30:59,189 Steve hemorrhaged money because of the financial crisis. 594 00:30:59,191 --> 00:31:01,458 Still, to the detective, that $6,000 a month 595 00:31:01,460 --> 00:31:03,927 Sounded like motive. 596 00:31:03,929 --> 00:31:07,197 It might even explain why the murder occurred when it did, 597 00:31:07,199 --> 00:31:09,332 At the beginning of July. 598 00:31:09,334 --> 00:31:13,036 - And that payment started June 1. 599 00:31:13,038 --> 00:31:17,073 The second payment was due July 1. 600 00:31:17,075 --> 00:31:20,344 She was murdered July 2nd, and that payment was never made. 601 00:31:23,315 --> 00:31:25,715 - Again and again, he denied killing his ex-wife. 602 00:31:25,717 --> 00:31:29,219 Said he was out mountain biking the evening she died. 603 00:31:29,221 --> 00:31:31,187 But look at this. 604 00:31:31,189 --> 00:31:33,757 Along with shoe prints near carol's house after the murder, 605 00:31:33,759 --> 00:31:37,227 Police also found tire tracks. 606 00:31:37,229 --> 00:31:39,562 Bike tires. 607 00:31:39,564 --> 00:31:42,566 - We then were able to see that the bike 608 00:31:42,568 --> 00:31:45,769 Had been stashed, and then the individual 609 00:31:45,771 --> 00:31:48,571 Walked right to the back of her house. 610 00:31:48,573 --> 00:31:51,841 - They did not take direct impressions of those shoe 611 00:31:51,843 --> 00:31:54,644 And tire tracks, as investigators frequently do, 612 00:31:54,646 --> 00:31:57,113 But they did take pictures of the tracks. 613 00:31:57,115 --> 00:32:00,383 Looked a lot like the treads on steve's tires, they felt. 614 00:32:00,385 --> 00:32:02,452 And while no matching shoes turned up, 615 00:32:02,454 --> 00:32:04,854 They discovered that steve once bought a pair 616 00:32:04,856 --> 00:32:06,957 That might match. 617 00:32:06,959 --> 00:32:08,992 And then there was the curious business 618 00:32:08,994 --> 00:32:12,729 Of the murder weapon, or possible murder weapon. 619 00:32:12,731 --> 00:32:14,965 Remember the coroner's report suggesting carol 620 00:32:14,967 --> 00:32:17,067 May have been hit with a golf club? 621 00:32:17,069 --> 00:32:19,135 When investigators learned that, 622 00:32:19,137 --> 00:32:21,137 Something clicked in their memories 623 00:32:21,139 --> 00:32:23,940 From their first search through steven's house. 624 00:32:23,942 --> 00:32:27,777 - There were golf clubs in his garage. 625 00:32:27,779 --> 00:32:29,379 - So, let's go back and seize them, right? 626 00:32:29,381 --> 00:32:31,081 - Yeah, seize them and examine them. 627 00:32:31,083 --> 00:32:33,416 - Sure. - To see if we can determine, uh, 628 00:32:33,418 --> 00:32:37,287 That these golf clubs were used as the murder weapon. 629 00:32:37,289 --> 00:32:41,024 - So, it sounds like kind of a-an "a-ha" moment, right? 630 00:32:41,026 --> 00:32:43,026 - It's one of those moments that you go, 631 00:32:43,028 --> 00:32:47,030 "oh, my goodness, we may have overlooked something." 632 00:32:47,032 --> 00:32:48,898 - So, they returned to steve's condo, 633 00:32:48,900 --> 00:32:51,301 Seized the golf clubs from the garage 634 00:32:51,303 --> 00:32:54,037 And tested them, but could find no evidence 635 00:32:54,039 --> 00:32:57,440 That any of them was the murder weapon. 636 00:32:57,442 --> 00:32:59,442 But there was s omething else. 637 00:32:59,444 --> 00:33:00,577 In the first search of the condo, 638 00:33:00,579 --> 00:33:04,247 A detective remembered seeing a golf club cover, 639 00:33:04,249 --> 00:33:07,317 Or golf sock, on a shelf. 640 00:33:07,319 --> 00:33:09,652 They looked at the photos. 641 00:33:09,654 --> 00:33:10,987 There it was. 642 00:33:10,989 --> 00:33:13,189 But when they searched the garage a second time, 643 00:33:13,191 --> 00:33:15,258 It was gone. 644 00:33:15,260 --> 00:33:17,427 - And the shelf itself had apparently been 645 00:33:17,429 --> 00:33:20,096 Sort of rearranged. 646 00:33:20,098 --> 00:33:23,166 - Was it possible that now missing golf sock 647 00:33:23,168 --> 00:33:25,535 Belonged to a different golf club? 648 00:33:25,537 --> 00:33:27,437 One that was no longer around, 649 00:33:27,439 --> 00:33:29,806 One used to kill carol kennedy? 650 00:33:29,808 --> 00:33:31,574 Did steve, knowing he was a suspect, 651 00:33:31,576 --> 00:33:32,909 Get rid of that golf sock 652 00:33:32,911 --> 00:33:36,013 Because it was incriminating evidence? 653 00:33:36,015 --> 00:33:37,680 It seemed like every investigative trail 654 00:33:37,682 --> 00:33:40,150 They followed led right back to the same person 655 00:33:40,152 --> 00:33:42,352 They had suspected all along. 656 00:33:42,354 --> 00:33:45,955 Carol's friend katherine knew who that was. 657 00:33:45,957 --> 00:33:47,490 - I didn't believe that steve did it, 658 00:33:47,492 --> 00:33:49,626 But I couldn't think of anyone else 659 00:33:49,628 --> 00:33:53,596 That would possibly do any hard to carol. - Yeah. 660 00:33:53,598 --> 00:33:56,366 - And so, three months after carol was killed, 661 00:33:56,368 --> 00:33:58,568 They arrested steve democker 662 00:33:58,570 --> 00:34:01,638 On a charge of first-degree murder. 663 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:03,573 Steve's sister sharon... 664 00:34:03,575 --> 00:34:06,409 - I'm trying to imagine what it was like for the family. 665 00:34:06,411 --> 00:34:09,212 This amazing, accomplished, 666 00:34:09,214 --> 00:34:12,382 Interesting, intelligent family, 667 00:34:12,384 --> 00:34:16,786 When the leader child was charged with murdering his wife, 668 00:34:16,788 --> 00:34:18,588 A woman who you all loved. 669 00:34:18,590 --> 00:34:21,658 - It was a total shock. 670 00:34:21,660 --> 00:34:24,127 You're going, they-- they don't understand. 671 00:34:24,129 --> 00:34:25,595 If-if they knew him, 672 00:34:25,597 --> 00:34:30,733 They would see how wrong and impossible this was. 673 00:34:30,735 --> 00:34:34,671 - Even worse, prosecutors filed for the death penalty. 674 00:34:34,673 --> 00:34:38,975 Any chance for bail for steve, given the charge, was remote. 675 00:34:38,977 --> 00:34:41,077 Still, the whole democker family 676 00:34:41,079 --> 00:34:42,879 Gathered in court for the hearing, 677 00:34:42,881 --> 00:34:45,381 Which, coincidence, had been scheduled 678 00:34:45,383 --> 00:34:47,817 For christmas eve 2008. 679 00:34:47,819 --> 00:34:50,887 And then it was delayed. 680 00:34:50,889 --> 00:34:53,523 - It was this crushing blow, 681 00:34:53,525 --> 00:34:57,927 Seeing that, uh, the wheels turn 682 00:34:57,929 --> 00:35:00,563 Painfully slowly in this process. 683 00:35:00,565 --> 00:35:03,800 So, we left and were standing out in the corridor. 684 00:35:03,802 --> 00:35:06,903 Then they were just starting to bring steve out. 685 00:35:06,905 --> 00:35:08,204 And we said, you know what, 686 00:35:08,206 --> 00:35:12,442 Let's just sing him a christmas carol. 687 00:35:12,444 --> 00:35:16,045 So, we started singing 688 00:35:16,047 --> 00:35:17,814 "we wish you a merry christmas" 689 00:35:17,816 --> 00:35:20,750 And we could see that, you know, there were tears 690 00:35:20,752 --> 00:35:23,653 Streaming down steve's face. 691 00:35:23,655 --> 00:35:26,189 - Steve's family wept, too. 692 00:35:26,191 --> 00:35:27,790 They believed he was innocent, 693 00:35:27,792 --> 00:35:30,193 That someone else killed carol. 694 00:35:30,195 --> 00:35:33,196 And their belief only grew stronger after. 695 00:35:33,198 --> 00:35:35,031 - 911, what is your emergency? 696 00:35:35,033 --> 00:35:36,666 - A 911 call, 697 00:35:36,668 --> 00:35:39,970 This time to the prescott police department. 698 00:35:52,651 --> 00:35:54,083 - The husband always does it, right? 699 00:35:54,085 --> 00:35:55,818 - They focused in on one person 700 00:35:55,820 --> 00:35:57,086 Right from the very beginning. 701 00:35:57,088 --> 00:35:59,089 - A thumbprint, a smear of blood, 702 00:35:59,091 --> 00:36:01,091 And here's the bombshell. 703 00:36:01,093 --> 00:36:04,294 Neither one belonged to steve democker. 704 00:36:04,296 --> 00:36:07,430 - There were a lot of red flags that were concerning. 705 00:36:07,432 --> 00:36:11,001 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 706 00:36:19,377 --> 00:36:20,576 - Welcome back. 707 00:36:20,578 --> 00:36:22,845 Carol kennedy was dead, savagely beaten 708 00:36:22,847 --> 00:36:25,915 With what detectives believed was a golf club. 709 00:36:25,917 --> 00:36:28,852 The accused killer, her ex-husband steve, 710 00:36:28,854 --> 00:36:32,021 A well-paid financial advisor secretly struggling 711 00:36:32,023 --> 00:36:33,756 To make alimony payments. 712 00:36:33,758 --> 00:36:36,059 But forensic evidence at the crime scene 713 00:36:36,061 --> 00:36:38,194 Would soon raise troubling questions 714 00:36:38,196 --> 00:36:40,864 About another man in carol's life 715 00:36:40,866 --> 00:36:43,333 And the investigation itself. 716 00:36:43,335 --> 00:36:44,867 Here again is keith morrison 717 00:36:44,869 --> 00:36:48,338 With "the mystery on bridle path". 718 00:36:48,340 --> 00:36:49,672 - Steve democker was in jail, 719 00:36:49,674 --> 00:36:51,007 Charged with first-degree murder 720 00:36:51,009 --> 00:36:54,077 For his ex-wife carol kennedy's violent death. 721 00:36:54,079 --> 00:36:55,679 He pleaded not guilty. 722 00:36:55,681 --> 00:36:57,280 Private investigator rich robertson 723 00:36:57,282 --> 00:36:59,149 Joined steve's defense team, 724 00:36:59,151 --> 00:37:00,817 And right away saw what he believed 725 00:37:00,819 --> 00:37:04,220 Was an elemental mistake by detectives. 726 00:37:04,222 --> 00:37:06,489 - They put together their story, 727 00:37:06,491 --> 00:37:09,525 Their version of events, almost immediately. 728 00:37:09,527 --> 00:37:11,127 - The husband always does it, right? 729 00:37:11,129 --> 00:37:14,497 - But yeah, they-they focused in on-on one person 730 00:37:14,499 --> 00:37:17,567 And they had a story and that's what they worked on. 731 00:37:17,569 --> 00:37:19,035 They zeroed in on steve democker 732 00:37:19,037 --> 00:37:20,903 Right from the very beginning. 733 00:37:20,905 --> 00:37:22,505 - Robertson said detectives should have taken 734 00:37:22,507 --> 00:37:26,109 A much closer look at another man in carol's life, 735 00:37:26,111 --> 00:37:28,912 Jim knapp, the man who lived in the guest house 736 00:37:28,914 --> 00:37:30,247 And showed up at the crime scene 737 00:37:30,249 --> 00:37:33,783 Within minutes of the officers and who was the first person 738 00:37:33,785 --> 00:37:36,319 To point the finger at steve. 739 00:37:36,321 --> 00:37:38,388 - The fact that law enforcement viewed him 740 00:37:38,390 --> 00:37:41,991 In a different way than they viewed steve democker, 741 00:37:41,993 --> 00:37:46,229 That they saw jim knapp as a friendly witness 742 00:37:46,231 --> 00:37:48,998 And they see steve democker as a suspect, 743 00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:51,601 Frames the way that they investigate. 744 00:37:51,603 --> 00:37:54,804 So, anything having to do with jim knapp 745 00:37:54,806 --> 00:37:58,942 Becomes excusable, explained... 746 00:38:00,412 --> 00:38:02,879 It's just not something you have to worry about 747 00:38:02,881 --> 00:38:04,947 Because he's not our guy. 748 00:38:04,949 --> 00:38:08,418 - And yet, look, for example, at these crime scene photos 749 00:38:08,420 --> 00:38:10,153 And carol's kitchen counter. 750 00:38:10,155 --> 00:38:12,022 The magazine was sitting on it. 751 00:38:12,024 --> 00:38:15,291 And slipped inside, between the pages, 752 00:38:15,293 --> 00:38:17,493 Were some financial documents that were printed 753 00:38:17,495 --> 00:38:20,163 The very day carol was murdered. 754 00:38:20,165 --> 00:38:24,133 - That became really important because his thumbprint 755 00:38:24,135 --> 00:38:28,037 Is on those financial documents. 756 00:38:28,039 --> 00:38:31,307 - What was jim knapp doing with those documents? 757 00:38:31,309 --> 00:38:35,611 And something else, perhaps very significant. 758 00:38:35,613 --> 00:38:39,482 - There was blood on the doorknob of the door 759 00:38:39,484 --> 00:38:43,052 That led from the main house into the backyard garage. 760 00:38:43,054 --> 00:38:46,456 - The blood became evidence item number 805, 761 00:38:46,458 --> 00:38:48,725 Collected days after carol's death. 762 00:38:48,727 --> 00:38:52,795 And whose dna was mixed with carol's blood? 763 00:38:52,797 --> 00:38:55,665 Jim knapp's dna. 764 00:38:55,667 --> 00:38:57,667 - Just like the thumbprint, the question becomes 765 00:38:57,669 --> 00:39:02,438 When did jim knapp's dna get put on that door handle? 766 00:39:02,440 --> 00:39:05,141 - Robertson clearly had his suspicions. 767 00:39:05,143 --> 00:39:07,944 And steve's sister sharon did, too. 768 00:39:07,946 --> 00:39:09,946 - So, you felt all along that jim knapp 769 00:39:09,948 --> 00:39:12,482 Should have been a suspect and wasn't? 770 00:39:12,484 --> 00:39:13,950 - He should have been investigated. 771 00:39:13,952 --> 00:39:17,387 There were a lot of red flags that were concerning. 772 00:39:17,389 --> 00:39:20,022 - Knapp told sheriff's deputies he was nowhere near 773 00:39:20,024 --> 00:39:22,058 Carol's house when the murder happened. 774 00:39:22,060 --> 00:39:26,696 He was at his ex-wife's place miles away, babysitting his son. 775 00:39:26,698 --> 00:39:28,297 - Didn't they find out the alibi, in fact, 776 00:39:28,299 --> 00:39:30,767 Was pretty solid? - No. 777 00:39:30,769 --> 00:39:31,934 Actually, it wasn't. 778 00:39:31,936 --> 00:39:34,371 What the son said was that yeah, 779 00:39:34,373 --> 00:39:37,841 They had gotten a video and the son was watching it. 780 00:39:37,843 --> 00:39:40,377 - Mm-hmm. - He doesn't know where dad was. 781 00:39:40,379 --> 00:39:41,978 - Dad wasn't sitting beside him in the room? 782 00:39:41,980 --> 00:39:44,381 - No, dad was not watching with him. 783 00:39:44,383 --> 00:39:46,783 So, he doesn't know where dad was. 784 00:39:46,785 --> 00:39:49,319 The son got bored watching this movie 785 00:39:49,321 --> 00:39:52,221 And I believe he went and got on his computer. 786 00:39:52,223 --> 00:39:56,225 So, there's a period of time that we don't really know. 787 00:39:56,227 --> 00:40:01,064 He might have been in the house, but nobody saw him. 788 00:40:01,066 --> 00:40:04,333 - So, maybe knapp's solid alibi wasn't. 789 00:40:04,335 --> 00:40:08,004 And remember how he told everyone he had cancer? 790 00:40:08,006 --> 00:40:11,741 Sharon, a doctor, discovered something about that. 791 00:40:11,743 --> 00:40:14,477 - I've seen the medical records. - And? 792 00:40:14,479 --> 00:40:18,514 - He had a superficial type of skin cancer at one point 793 00:40:18,516 --> 00:40:20,550 And it had been removed. 794 00:40:20,552 --> 00:40:23,186 So, no. He didn't. 795 00:40:23,188 --> 00:40:25,421 - Steve's family even recorded this video 796 00:40:25,423 --> 00:40:27,723 After the murder, in which jim knapp 797 00:40:27,725 --> 00:40:27,757 Said things about carol they found deeply disturbing. 798 00:40:31,963 --> 00:40:33,763 - Because carol and I lived a life 799 00:40:33,765 --> 00:40:35,898 Like an old married couple. 800 00:40:35,900 --> 00:40:38,901 - He was actually rather obsessed with carol. 801 00:40:38,903 --> 00:40:42,438 I have emails that he's written about how 802 00:40:42,440 --> 00:40:44,006 What he and carol share 803 00:40:44,008 --> 00:40:47,577 Is more than anyone could picture, 804 00:40:47,579 --> 00:40:50,646 That no one will understand the bond that they have 805 00:40:50,648 --> 00:40:52,982 And how close they are to each other. 806 00:40:52,984 --> 00:40:56,453 And he referred to her, to some people, 807 00:40:56,455 --> 00:40:58,187 As his girlfriend. 808 00:40:58,189 --> 00:41:02,258 But she never had any romantic interest in him, 809 00:41:02,260 --> 00:41:03,392 And no one has ever... 810 00:41:03,394 --> 00:41:05,128 - And he had tremendous romantic interest in her? 811 00:41:05,130 --> 00:41:06,996 - Very much so. 812 00:41:06,998 --> 00:41:10,666 - Thus, in your mind, a reason to be angry one night? 813 00:41:10,668 --> 00:41:12,335 - Certainly. 814 00:41:12,337 --> 00:41:14,270 - Was it possible carol rebuffed him, 815 00:41:14,272 --> 00:41:15,471 That he got angry? 816 00:41:15,473 --> 00:41:17,139 The detectives didn't ask those questions, 817 00:41:17,141 --> 00:41:21,143 Said steve's family. And soon, it was too late. 818 00:41:21,145 --> 00:41:22,745 Six months after carol's murder, 819 00:41:22,747 --> 00:41:25,815 A 911 call from a condo where jim knapp went to live 820 00:41:25,817 --> 00:41:26,649 After carol was killed. 821 00:41:41,900 --> 00:41:43,967 - Jim knapp was dead. 822 00:41:43,969 --> 00:41:45,768 Gunshot wound. 823 00:41:45,770 --> 00:41:49,272 The medical examiner ruled it a suicide. 824 00:41:49,274 --> 00:41:51,975 - I was stunned. 825 00:41:51,977 --> 00:41:55,144 It was-- it was one of those moments 826 00:41:55,146 --> 00:41:59,248 Where it just sort of took my breath away. 827 00:41:59,250 --> 00:42:03,853 And-and then when I found out there was no note, 828 00:42:03,855 --> 00:42:06,722 And as I learned about the details 829 00:42:06,724 --> 00:42:10,059 Of what the scene looked like, 830 00:42:10,061 --> 00:42:13,763 It's still a baffling death. 831 00:42:15,533 --> 00:42:20,369 - Baffling because it simply did not look like a suicide. 832 00:42:20,371 --> 00:42:23,339 - There were multiple gunshots fired in that room. 833 00:42:23,341 --> 00:42:24,907 There was furniture in disarray, 834 00:42:24,909 --> 00:42:27,343 There was drawers pulled out. 835 00:42:27,345 --> 00:42:29,212 - Staging, in other words. 836 00:42:29,214 --> 00:42:32,148 Just as the investigators believed someone staged 837 00:42:32,150 --> 00:42:34,884 The scene of carol's murder. 838 00:42:34,886 --> 00:42:37,620 Was jim knapp carol's killer 839 00:42:37,622 --> 00:42:39,989 Or another victim of an unknown killer? 840 00:42:39,991 --> 00:42:41,824 Or maybe both. 841 00:42:41,826 --> 00:42:44,560 It couldn't have been steve; he was in jail. 842 00:42:44,562 --> 00:42:47,563 And then the questions multiplied. 843 00:42:47,565 --> 00:42:50,499 In June 2009, almost a year after carol's death, 844 00:42:50,501 --> 00:42:52,435 Steve's attorney received an email, 845 00:42:52,437 --> 00:42:54,437 The sender anonymous. 846 00:42:54,439 --> 00:42:57,607 The email read, "I can tell you what really happened 847 00:42:57,609 --> 00:43:00,042 "the night kennedy was killed." 848 00:43:00,044 --> 00:43:02,912 The email said jim knapp was running his mouth 849 00:43:02,914 --> 00:43:06,015 To kennedy about a prescription drug deal he was in. 850 00:43:06,017 --> 00:43:08,017 It said the murder was meant to look like 851 00:43:08,019 --> 00:43:10,653 Home invasion robbery gone bad. 852 00:43:10,655 --> 00:43:13,756 This wasn't one crazed man with a golf club. 853 00:43:13,758 --> 00:43:16,059 When steve's attorneys told him about the email, 854 00:43:16,061 --> 00:43:19,228 Steve replied with a startling story. 855 00:43:19,230 --> 00:43:21,497 He had heard the same thing 856 00:43:21,499 --> 00:43:24,434 Just a month earlier in jail. 857 00:43:26,804 --> 00:43:28,804 - Would this be the evidence steve democker 858 00:43:28,806 --> 00:43:30,506 Had been waiting for? 859 00:43:48,359 --> 00:43:51,728 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 860 00:43:59,369 --> 00:44:01,571 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 861 00:44:01,573 --> 00:44:03,105 I'm kate snow. 862 00:44:03,107 --> 00:44:05,174 Steve democker sat in jail, 863 00:44:05,176 --> 00:44:07,777 Accused of his ex-wife carol's murder. 864 00:44:07,779 --> 00:44:09,845 And yet, his supporters were certain 865 00:44:09,847 --> 00:44:11,981 Police had the wrong man. 866 00:44:11,983 --> 00:44:16,052 They suspected carol's tenant jim knapp was the real killer. 867 00:44:16,054 --> 00:44:19,255 After all, it was his dna detectives found 868 00:44:19,257 --> 00:44:21,057 At the crime scene. 869 00:44:21,059 --> 00:44:24,794 Now jim was dead and whatever secrets he may have had, 870 00:44:24,796 --> 00:44:26,662 He took to the grave. 871 00:44:26,664 --> 00:44:28,931 But a tipster with a strange tale 872 00:44:28,933 --> 00:44:32,601 Was about to breathe new life into steve's defense. 873 00:44:32,603 --> 00:44:33,870 Back now to keith morrison 874 00:44:33,872 --> 00:44:37,206 With "the mystery on bridle path". 875 00:44:39,010 --> 00:44:41,477 - A year had passed since carol kennedy's death. 876 00:44:41,479 --> 00:44:43,612 Her ex-husband steve had been arrested 877 00:44:43,614 --> 00:44:45,214 And charged with murder. 878 00:44:45,216 --> 00:44:48,951 But now, an anonymous email sent to steve's attorney 879 00:44:48,953 --> 00:44:51,721 Said the killing was a result of a drug deal gone wrong 880 00:44:51,723 --> 00:44:53,890 With carol's neighbor jim knapp. 881 00:44:53,892 --> 00:44:56,659 Steve said he was told a similar story. 882 00:44:56,661 --> 00:45:00,963 - Steve said that somebody was communicating to him 883 00:45:00,965 --> 00:45:04,434 Through the ventilation system in the jail 884 00:45:04,436 --> 00:45:09,171 And told him a story about how a drug ring 885 00:45:09,173 --> 00:45:12,508 Out of phoenix had been trying to, 886 00:45:12,510 --> 00:45:15,344 Uh, collect money 887 00:45:15,346 --> 00:45:19,849 Or seek some retribution against jim knapp 888 00:45:19,851 --> 00:45:22,985 For involvement in a prescription drug ring. 889 00:45:22,987 --> 00:45:24,320 - The attorneys arranged for a meeting, 890 00:45:24,322 --> 00:45:26,856 An opportunity for steve to tell law enforcement 891 00:45:26,858 --> 00:45:29,659 What he heard so they could investigate it. 892 00:45:29,661 --> 00:45:32,828 They showed him the mysterious email. 893 00:45:32,830 --> 00:45:34,363 Listen to his reaction. 894 00:45:59,023 --> 00:46:01,824 - There was more than the email to go on. 895 00:46:01,826 --> 00:46:04,226 Remember the dna the medical examiner 896 00:46:04,228 --> 00:46:06,862 Found under carol's fingernails? 897 00:46:06,864 --> 00:46:09,532 Turned out it wasn't steve's 898 00:46:09,534 --> 00:46:11,934 Or jim knapp's. 899 00:46:11,936 --> 00:46:16,839 Police called the dna evidence item 603. 900 00:46:16,841 --> 00:46:18,841 But to defense investigator rich robertson, 901 00:46:18,843 --> 00:46:21,443 It represented much more. 902 00:46:21,445 --> 00:46:24,046 - Evidence item 603 became mr. 603. 903 00:46:24,048 --> 00:46:27,450 It was a male's dna that was found 904 00:46:27,452 --> 00:46:29,051 Mixed in with carol's blood 905 00:46:29,053 --> 00:46:31,554 Under the fingernails of her left hand. 906 00:46:31,556 --> 00:46:33,856 And this wasn't a small amount of dna. 907 00:46:33,858 --> 00:46:35,991 A reasonable person I think would think 908 00:46:35,993 --> 00:46:40,329 This probably could have gotten there during an attack. 909 00:46:40,331 --> 00:46:44,667 - Jim knapp, the anonymous email, mr. 603. 910 00:46:44,669 --> 00:46:46,769 Steve's family and attorneys thought investigators 911 00:46:46,771 --> 00:46:49,839 Should focus more on all of those things. 912 00:46:49,841 --> 00:46:51,941 Instead, it seemed to them, 913 00:46:51,943 --> 00:46:54,410 Prosecutors had already made up their minds 914 00:46:54,412 --> 00:46:57,680 And steve would go on trial. 915 00:46:59,817 --> 00:47:03,886 Summer 2010, two years after carol kennedy's murder. 916 00:47:03,888 --> 00:47:05,888 American flags were once again draped up 917 00:47:05,890 --> 00:47:07,756 Around the prescott town square 918 00:47:07,758 --> 00:47:10,693 In anticipation of the annual rodeo. 919 00:47:10,695 --> 00:47:11,827 And on June 3rd, 920 00:47:11,829 --> 00:47:14,396 Inside the square's historic courthouse, 921 00:47:14,398 --> 00:47:16,765 County attorney joe butner opened his case 922 00:47:16,767 --> 00:47:20,836 Against steve democker by ticking off the reasons why, 923 00:47:20,838 --> 00:47:23,072 In his view, steve deserved to spend the rest 924 00:47:23,074 --> 00:47:25,908 Of his natural life behind bars. 925 00:47:25,910 --> 00:47:27,877 By this time, pretrial legal rulings 926 00:47:27,879 --> 00:47:30,512 Had taken the death penalty off the table, 927 00:47:30,514 --> 00:47:33,082 Though attorney butner told the jury the case 928 00:47:33,084 --> 00:47:35,050 Was no less condemning. 929 00:47:35,052 --> 00:47:37,520 - I will ask you to find the defendant guilty 930 00:47:37,522 --> 00:47:41,123 Of the first-degree premeditated murder. 931 00:47:41,125 --> 00:47:44,126 - First, he said, steve had motive. 932 00:47:44,128 --> 00:47:47,396 And not just that $6,000 a month in alimony. 933 00:47:47,398 --> 00:47:50,065 No, carol, said the prosecutor, 934 00:47:50,067 --> 00:47:53,369 Was worth a lot of money, dead. 935 00:47:53,371 --> 00:47:58,474 - The evidence will show that at the time of her death 936 00:47:58,476 --> 00:48:03,279 That steven democker was the owner and beneficiary 937 00:48:03,281 --> 00:48:05,915 Of two life insurance policies. 938 00:48:05,917 --> 00:48:08,751 The total value of those life insurance policies 939 00:48:08,753 --> 00:48:12,087 Was $750,000. 940 00:48:12,089 --> 00:48:13,789 - Steve and carol's daughters, katie and charlotte, 941 00:48:13,791 --> 00:48:17,560 Were in court sitting behind and supporting their father. 942 00:48:17,562 --> 00:48:19,795 Defense investigator rich robertson... 943 00:48:19,797 --> 00:48:23,699 - To have your father accused of killing your mother 944 00:48:23,701 --> 00:48:25,668 And for them to not believe it, 945 00:48:25,670 --> 00:48:27,937 You can't imagine what that must have done 946 00:48:27,939 --> 00:48:30,172 To how they view things. 947 00:48:30,174 --> 00:48:33,509 It's just gotta be a horrible experience. 948 00:48:33,511 --> 00:48:36,512 - In his opening statement, defense attorney john sears 949 00:48:36,514 --> 00:48:39,715 Was quick to address that life insurance money. 950 00:48:39,717 --> 00:48:41,851 - You will hear from katie and charlotte 951 00:48:41,853 --> 00:48:44,186 That their father told them, from the beginning, 952 00:48:44,188 --> 00:48:45,588 This is your money from your mother, 953 00:48:45,590 --> 00:48:47,589 This isn't mine. He disclaimed. 954 00:48:47,591 --> 00:48:50,659 He signed over any interest to the girls 955 00:48:50,661 --> 00:48:52,395 And the money was paid out to the girls. 956 00:48:52,397 --> 00:48:54,263 That's what happened in this case. 957 00:48:54,265 --> 00:48:56,398 - Prosecutor butner called his first witness, 958 00:48:56,400 --> 00:48:59,735 Katie democker, steve and carol's elder daughter. 959 00:48:59,737 --> 00:49:02,271 - Did she have a habit of things that she did 960 00:49:02,273 --> 00:49:04,006 When she came home from work? 961 00:49:04,008 --> 00:49:05,207 - She did. 962 00:49:05,209 --> 00:49:08,410 She typically went for a run, maybe four days a week, 963 00:49:08,412 --> 00:49:10,146 Out on the back land. 964 00:49:10,148 --> 00:49:12,949 - And to your recollection, did she leave the door unlocked 965 00:49:12,951 --> 00:49:15,284 When she would do that? - Yes. 966 00:49:15,286 --> 00:49:17,753 - An unlocked door, opportunity for her killer 967 00:49:17,755 --> 00:49:19,688 To enter and wait. 968 00:49:19,690 --> 00:49:22,558 On the stand, carol's mother, ruth kennedy, had to relive 969 00:49:22,560 --> 00:49:24,961 That very last phone call with her daughter. 970 00:49:24,963 --> 00:49:27,963 How exactly did it end so abruptly? 971 00:49:27,965 --> 00:49:29,565 She told the sheriff's department operator 972 00:49:29,567 --> 00:49:33,369 That carol had screamed, "oh, no!" 973 00:49:33,371 --> 00:49:36,171 - And you just said that "oh, no" a certain way 974 00:49:36,173 --> 00:49:38,307 With a certain emphasis? 975 00:49:38,309 --> 00:49:40,309 Was that the way that she said it, 976 00:49:40,311 --> 00:49:42,511 To your recollection? 977 00:49:42,513 --> 00:49:45,114 - She said, "oh, no!" 978 00:49:45,116 --> 00:49:47,783 Basically, that's the way it came out. 979 00:49:47,785 --> 00:49:49,051 - Did she scream that? 980 00:49:49,053 --> 00:49:51,920 - It really was not a scream. It-- 981 00:49:51,922 --> 00:49:54,590 I'm sure it was because I was so rattled myself. 982 00:49:56,594 --> 00:49:59,361 She just said, "oh, no!" 983 00:49:59,363 --> 00:50:01,764 That's all she said, and basically 984 00:50:01,766 --> 00:50:03,532 In that tone of voice. 985 00:50:03,534 --> 00:50:07,703 Like it was more dismay. 986 00:50:08,572 --> 00:50:12,574 - This was very difficult for ruth, as you can imagine. 987 00:50:12,576 --> 00:50:16,478 - She was everything a mother would want in a daughter. 988 00:50:16,480 --> 00:50:18,981 She was a good mother. 989 00:50:18,983 --> 00:50:20,616 - Charlotte, the younger democker daughter, 990 00:50:20,618 --> 00:50:22,084 Was living with steve that summer, 991 00:50:22,086 --> 00:50:24,286 Was in steve's house the night of the murder 992 00:50:24,288 --> 00:50:26,722 When he was unreachable for five hours 993 00:50:26,724 --> 00:50:27,423 And said his cellphone was dead. 994 00:50:27,425 --> 00:50:30,760 - Your father, did he have, 995 00:50:30,762 --> 00:50:33,962 Um, normally have spare batteries with him? 996 00:50:33,964 --> 00:50:36,598 - Sometimes in his car. 997 00:50:36,600 --> 00:50:39,401 - Did he carry them in the car and also in his briefcase? 998 00:50:39,403 --> 00:50:41,036 - It's possible. I don't know. 999 00:50:41,038 --> 00:50:43,839 - Normally, he was reachable by way of his cellphone, right? 1000 00:50:43,841 --> 00:50:44,774 - Yes. 1001 00:50:44,776 --> 00:50:46,776 - And when he finally got home that night, 1002 00:50:46,778 --> 00:50:48,877 She saw those scratches. 1003 00:50:48,879 --> 00:50:51,280 Suspicious, according to the prosecution. 1004 00:50:51,282 --> 00:50:53,415 - Did you ask him about those scratches? 1005 00:50:53,417 --> 00:50:55,551 - I did. - What did he tell you? 1006 00:50:55,553 --> 00:50:59,988 - He explained they were from branches from riding his bike. 1007 00:50:59,990 --> 00:51:02,724 - And then the prosecutor asked charlotte's, by then, 1008 00:51:02,726 --> 00:51:05,561 Former boyfriend jacob about the weird business 1009 00:51:05,563 --> 00:51:07,463 Of the golf club cover. 1010 00:51:07,465 --> 00:51:10,666 The golf sock that appeared in a photo in steve's garage 1011 00:51:10,668 --> 00:51:12,601 The night of the murder, but was gone 1012 00:51:12,603 --> 00:51:15,471 When detectives returned with another search warrant. 1013 00:51:15,473 --> 00:51:17,739 The implication, of course, was that the cover 1014 00:51:17,741 --> 00:51:21,877 Fit the club never found that killed carol. 1015 00:51:21,879 --> 00:51:24,012 Jacob said that after the detectives left, 1016 00:51:24,014 --> 00:51:25,948 He talked to steve. 1017 00:51:25,950 --> 00:51:27,616 - What was that conversation? 1018 00:51:27,618 --> 00:51:30,619 - Uh, the golf head sock cover was found 1019 00:51:30,621 --> 00:51:32,488 After they had left. 1020 00:51:32,490 --> 00:51:34,423 - He said he had found it? 1021 00:51:34,425 --> 00:51:35,757 - Yes. 1022 00:51:35,759 --> 00:51:38,160 - Did he say what he was going to do with it? 1023 00:51:38,162 --> 00:51:42,431 - He didn't know whether or not to turn it in 1024 00:51:42,433 --> 00:51:45,367 To the police or give it to his lawyer. 1025 00:51:45,369 --> 00:51:46,802 - Implying, said the prosecution, 1026 00:51:46,804 --> 00:51:49,438 That steve knew the golf sock could incriminate him 1027 00:51:49,440 --> 00:51:52,307 And didn't know what to do with it. 1028 00:51:52,309 --> 00:51:54,843 But just as the case seemed to be building momentum, 1029 00:51:54,845 --> 00:51:57,980 Two weeks into the trial, judge thomas lindberg 1030 00:51:57,982 --> 00:52:02,184 Left the bench at lunch break and suddenly collapsed. 1031 00:52:02,186 --> 00:52:04,686 It was a brain tumor. 1032 00:52:04,688 --> 00:52:06,688 And everybody waited for five weeks 1033 00:52:06,690 --> 00:52:08,957 Until a brand new judge was appointed 1034 00:52:08,959 --> 00:52:10,592 So they could pick up with testimony 1035 00:52:10,594 --> 00:52:12,327 Right where they left off. 1036 00:52:12,329 --> 00:52:15,130 And that's when the jurors finally got to hear 1037 00:52:15,132 --> 00:52:17,466 What became of the missing golf cover. 1038 00:52:17,468 --> 00:52:20,335 - Go ahead and open your evidence bag, please. 1039 00:52:20,337 --> 00:52:22,304 - Detective theresa kennedy showed it to the jurors 1040 00:52:22,306 --> 00:52:24,940 And the judge explained a stipulation 1041 00:52:24,942 --> 00:52:26,342 Made by the attorneys. 1042 00:52:26,344 --> 00:52:28,277 - On July 5, 2008... 1043 00:52:28,279 --> 00:52:29,778 - It turned out days after carol's murder, 1044 00:52:29,780 --> 00:52:32,081 Steve gave the golf sock to his attorney, 1045 00:52:32,083 --> 00:52:34,750 John sears, who kept it in his locked office 1046 00:52:34,752 --> 00:52:36,685 Until steve's arrest. 1047 00:52:36,687 --> 00:52:39,821 That's when sears turned it over to law enforcement. 1048 00:52:39,823 --> 00:52:43,025 So, was the curious case of the migrating club sock 1049 00:52:43,027 --> 00:52:45,427 An attempt to cover up a murder 1050 00:52:45,429 --> 00:52:47,396 Or a bit of confusion? 1051 00:52:47,398 --> 00:52:49,398 An investigative dead end. 1052 00:52:49,400 --> 00:52:52,201 Prosecutors weren't done, mind you. 1053 00:52:52,203 --> 00:52:55,370 They next tried to tie steve to the crime scene. 1054 00:52:55,372 --> 00:52:57,940 Didn't find any of steve's dna or fingerprints 1055 00:52:57,942 --> 00:52:59,241 At carol's house, 1056 00:52:59,243 --> 00:53:01,977 But they did see those tire tracks. 1057 00:53:01,979 --> 00:53:06,081 A criminalist compared them with the tires on steve's bike. 1058 00:53:06,083 --> 00:53:10,386 - The tread on this tire is similar to the tread 1059 00:53:10,388 --> 00:53:14,389 You can see here, of this tire track. 1060 00:53:14,391 --> 00:53:16,659 - And did you find any discernible differences 1061 00:53:16,661 --> 00:53:18,760 Between them? - No, I did not. 1062 00:53:18,762 --> 00:53:20,262 - And those shoe prints. 1063 00:53:20,264 --> 00:53:22,731 They brought in an expert from the fbi. 1064 00:53:22,733 --> 00:53:26,001 - Did you find any shoes that seemed to be comparable 1065 00:53:26,003 --> 00:53:27,669 To the impressions that you observed 1066 00:53:27,671 --> 00:53:30,072 In these photos from the crime scene? 1067 00:53:30,074 --> 00:53:31,607 - Yes, I found one shoe 1068 00:53:31,609 --> 00:53:33,742 That could have made those impressions. 1069 00:53:33,744 --> 00:53:35,944 - A la sportiva pikes peak. 1070 00:53:35,946 --> 00:53:38,147 Records show that steve bought a pair of those shoes 1071 00:53:38,149 --> 00:53:39,815 Two years before the murder. 1072 00:53:39,817 --> 00:53:42,151 But when detectives searched his house, 1073 00:53:42,153 --> 00:53:44,553 They didn't find any such shoes. 1074 00:53:44,555 --> 00:53:47,823 So, intriguing, but hardly proof. 1075 00:53:47,825 --> 00:53:50,359 Prosecutors knew they had a big problem. 1076 00:53:50,361 --> 00:53:53,229 That anonymous email linking the murder 1077 00:53:53,231 --> 00:53:55,497 Not to steve, but to jim knapp 1078 00:53:55,499 --> 00:53:57,366 And illegal drugs. 1079 00:53:57,368 --> 00:54:00,535 So, even as the trial went on, investigator mike sachet 1080 00:54:00,537 --> 00:54:03,205 Was interviewing and reinterviewing witnesses, 1081 00:54:03,207 --> 00:54:05,908 Including steve's girlfriend, renee girard. 1082 00:54:05,910 --> 00:54:08,177 - It was obvious to me that she was very protective 1083 00:54:08,179 --> 00:54:09,978 Of mr. Democker. 1084 00:54:09,980 --> 00:54:13,482 - Steve began dating renee when he was separated from carol. 1085 00:54:13,484 --> 00:54:15,751 They were together during that tumultuous time, 1086 00:54:15,753 --> 00:54:18,787 Steve's divorce, carol's murder, his arrest. 1087 00:54:18,789 --> 00:54:21,790 Renee had always stood by steve and his family. 1088 00:54:21,792 --> 00:54:24,526 But sachet had the feeling. 1089 00:54:24,528 --> 00:54:27,629 - We were pretty convinced that she knew more 1090 00:54:27,631 --> 00:54:29,265 Than she was telling us. 1091 00:54:29,267 --> 00:54:30,866 - Sachet knew something else, too. 1092 00:54:30,868 --> 00:54:34,670 During the trial, renee broke up with steve. 1093 00:54:34,672 --> 00:54:37,539 So, on the eve of her testimony, 1094 00:54:37,541 --> 00:54:42,478 Sachet interviewed renee again about that anonymous email. 1095 00:54:42,480 --> 00:54:44,213 What he discovered, 1096 00:54:44,215 --> 00:54:48,884 Explosive is not too big a word. 1097 00:54:48,886 --> 00:54:50,752 - The email trail, the money trail, 1098 00:54:50,754 --> 00:54:54,957 A winding trail of surprises was about to change this case. 1099 00:54:57,394 --> 00:55:00,562 - When you're terrified, 1100 00:55:00,564 --> 00:55:02,631 Maybe you do some stupid things. 1101 00:55:02,633 --> 00:55:04,333 - That was a doozey of a mistake. 1102 00:55:04,335 --> 00:55:05,634 - Mm-hmm. 1103 00:55:05,636 --> 00:55:08,203 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1104 00:55:19,248 --> 00:55:22,084 - Morning's dawn cooler in the arizona mountains. 1105 00:55:22,086 --> 00:55:24,052 The summer flags in the town square 1106 00:55:24,054 --> 00:55:26,388 Were stored away for anther year. 1107 00:55:26,390 --> 00:55:28,056 And the murder trial of steve democker 1108 00:55:28,058 --> 00:55:31,526 Ticked into its fifth fitful month. 1109 00:55:31,528 --> 00:55:34,229 The prosecution had amounted to circumstantial bits 1110 00:55:34,231 --> 00:55:36,198 And pieces to that point. 1111 00:55:36,200 --> 00:55:38,400 And investigator mike sachet knew that steve 1112 00:55:38,402 --> 00:55:41,570 Was likely to mount a strong defense. 1113 00:55:41,572 --> 00:55:44,473 - Mr. Democker is a very intelligent individual. 1114 00:55:44,475 --> 00:55:47,142 - Mm-hmm. - But he's also a very narcissistic person. 1115 00:55:47,144 --> 00:55:50,812 You put those together, and you can make it difficult 1116 00:55:50,814 --> 00:55:52,547 To solve a crime. 1117 00:55:52,549 --> 00:55:54,016 - Narcissistic? 1118 00:55:54,018 --> 00:55:56,551 That's what it seemed like to the detective. 1119 00:55:56,553 --> 00:55:58,920 It also seemed to him like steve's girlfriend 1120 00:55:58,922 --> 00:56:01,590 Renee girard was protecting him, 1121 00:56:01,592 --> 00:56:03,492 Knew more than she was telling. 1122 00:56:03,494 --> 00:56:05,293 Then renee broke it off with steve 1123 00:56:05,295 --> 00:56:08,630 And sachet interviewed her one more time. 1124 00:56:08,632 --> 00:56:11,633 And remember the anonymous email 1125 00:56:11,635 --> 00:56:13,102 That claimed carol's murder was linked 1126 00:56:13,104 --> 00:56:15,971 To an illegal drug ring? 1127 00:56:15,973 --> 00:56:17,205 Oh, boy! 1128 00:56:17,207 --> 00:56:21,209 - She told me that mr. Democker had informed them 1129 00:56:21,211 --> 00:56:24,046 During one of their in-person visits 1130 00:56:24,048 --> 00:56:27,182 At the jail to bring some pencil and paper. 1131 00:56:27,184 --> 00:56:29,117 There was a glass between them. 1132 00:56:29,119 --> 00:56:32,788 Mr. Democker had brought a document with him 1133 00:56:32,790 --> 00:56:36,691 That he placed on the glass so that they could view it. 1134 00:56:36,693 --> 00:56:37,926 - According to renee, 1135 00:56:37,928 --> 00:56:40,596 Steve himself wrote that document, 1136 00:56:40,598 --> 00:56:42,431 Then asked his daughter charlotte, 1137 00:56:42,433 --> 00:56:45,867 Just 17 at the time, to copy it down. 1138 00:56:45,869 --> 00:56:48,470 - Mr. Democker then asked them 1139 00:56:48,472 --> 00:56:52,073 To send that document, 1140 00:56:52,075 --> 00:56:54,176 Which became known as the anonymous email, 1141 00:56:54,178 --> 00:56:58,747 To mr. Sears and to the prosecutor's office. 1142 00:56:58,749 --> 00:57:01,417 - Mr. Sears was john sears, 1143 00:57:01,419 --> 00:57:04,186 One of steve's defense attorneys. 1144 00:57:04,188 --> 00:57:06,288 Steve's reasoning, according to steve's sister, 1145 00:57:06,290 --> 00:57:09,357 Sharon, he heard that story from an inmate 1146 00:57:09,359 --> 00:57:12,894 In that air vent conversation and desperately wanted 1147 00:57:12,896 --> 00:57:15,697 To get the story out and investigate it. 1148 00:57:15,699 --> 00:57:17,299 - The death penalty was still on the table, 1149 00:57:17,301 --> 00:57:21,403 So steve was terrified, we were terrified. 1150 00:57:21,405 --> 00:57:25,540 I can certainly appreciate when you're terrified, 1151 00:57:25,542 --> 00:57:29,044 Maybe you'd do some stupid things. 1152 00:57:29,046 --> 00:57:30,712 - Well, that's when you start making mistakes. 1153 00:57:30,714 --> 00:57:33,682 And that was a doozy of a mistake. - Mm-hmm. 1154 00:57:33,684 --> 00:57:37,018 - And uncovering that fraud led investigators 1155 00:57:37,020 --> 00:57:40,389 To what they thought was another even bigger one. 1156 00:57:40,391 --> 00:57:42,524 Remember carol's life insurance money, 1157 00:57:42,526 --> 00:57:45,393 $750,000? 1158 00:57:45,395 --> 00:57:47,262 Steve's defense attorney talked about it 1159 00:57:47,264 --> 00:57:49,164 During his opening statement. 1160 00:57:49,166 --> 00:57:51,199 - He disclaimed, he signed over, 1161 00:57:51,201 --> 00:57:53,568 Any interest to the girls and the money was paid out 1162 00:57:53,570 --> 00:57:54,870 To the girls. 1163 00:57:54,872 --> 00:57:56,939 That's what happened in this case. 1164 00:57:56,941 --> 00:57:58,673 - That statement caught investigator mike sachet 1165 00:57:58,675 --> 00:58:00,242 By surprise. 1166 00:58:00,244 --> 00:58:04,012 - We had made contact with the life insurance company 1167 00:58:04,014 --> 00:58:06,014 Several times throughout the investigation 1168 00:58:06,016 --> 00:58:09,885 And we had been informed that the life insurance 1169 00:58:09,887 --> 00:58:13,488 Had not been paid out to anyone. 1170 00:58:13,490 --> 00:58:17,025 - So, had the insurance paid out, or hadn't it? 1171 00:58:17,027 --> 00:58:19,094 Sachet took another look, 1172 00:58:19,096 --> 00:58:21,630 A much harder look at the money trail. 1173 00:58:21,632 --> 00:58:25,433 - Not only was the insurance, uh, paid out, 1174 00:58:25,435 --> 00:58:27,869 But it was paid to the two daughters 1175 00:58:27,871 --> 00:58:31,239 Who then transferred it to several accounts, 1176 00:58:31,241 --> 00:58:35,710 Including wire transfers to mr. Democker's parents' account 1177 00:58:35,712 --> 00:58:39,214 In new york, who then wire transferred it 1178 00:58:39,216 --> 00:58:43,451 Back to mr. Democker's defense team. 1179 00:58:43,453 --> 00:58:46,655 - Remember, steve democker was a highly-paid financial advisor. 1180 00:58:46,657 --> 00:58:49,925 The prosecutors now believed he was using that expertise 1181 00:58:49,927 --> 00:58:52,928 To try to get away with murder. 1182 00:58:52,930 --> 00:58:56,464 - Here's a person that murdered his ex-wife 1183 00:58:56,466 --> 00:58:59,601 Then collected her life insurance 1184 00:58:59,603 --> 00:59:02,604 Of over $750,000 1185 00:59:02,606 --> 00:59:04,606 And is using that life insurance 1186 00:59:04,608 --> 00:59:08,644 To pay his defense team in the murder prosecution. 1187 00:59:10,314 --> 00:59:13,148 - So, then prosecutors added fraud 1188 00:59:13,150 --> 00:59:15,550 To the charges steve was facing. 1189 00:59:15,552 --> 00:59:18,286 But fraud is certainly not what it was, 1190 00:59:18,288 --> 00:59:21,356 Said defense investigator rich robertson. 1191 00:59:21,358 --> 00:59:24,426 - These girls voluntarily, on their own, 1192 00:59:24,428 --> 00:59:26,228 Believing in their father's innocence, 1193 00:59:26,230 --> 00:59:29,431 Dedicated money that they inherited 1194 00:59:29,433 --> 00:59:31,166 To defend him. 1195 00:59:31,168 --> 00:59:32,867 How can that be wrong? 1196 00:59:32,869 --> 00:59:35,837 - The girls decided to use that money 1197 00:59:35,839 --> 00:59:38,573 For their dad's defense. 1198 00:59:38,575 --> 00:59:42,243 There was no fraud, 1199 00:59:42,245 --> 00:59:44,079 Or the insurance company would have been 1200 00:59:44,081 --> 00:59:47,782 The first one to say, hey, we've got a problem here. 1201 00:59:47,784 --> 00:59:48,883 - So, was that just piling on, 1202 00:59:48,885 --> 00:59:50,652 On the part of the prosecution? - Yeah. 1203 00:59:50,654 --> 00:59:52,654 - The much bigger issue for the defense, 1204 00:59:52,656 --> 00:59:55,724 Said investigator robertson, was that phony email, 1205 00:59:55,726 --> 00:59:58,893 An email attorneys presented in court as real, 1206 00:59:58,895 --> 01:00:02,397 Because they said they, too, were duped by steve. 1207 01:00:02,399 --> 01:00:03,798 - Suddenly, the attorneys are in a-- 1208 01:00:03,800 --> 01:00:07,702 In an awkward legal, ethical kind of posture 1209 01:00:07,704 --> 01:00:11,206 And in relationship to their client. 1210 01:00:11,208 --> 01:00:15,176 And so, it created an untenable situation 1211 01:00:15,178 --> 01:00:18,013 For the first defense team. 1212 01:00:18,015 --> 01:00:21,349 - So untenable for these highly-respected defense attorneys 1213 01:00:21,351 --> 01:00:23,885 That they, no option they said, 1214 01:00:23,887 --> 01:00:25,854 Withdrew from the case. 1215 01:00:25,856 --> 01:00:27,689 And so, seven months in, 1216 01:00:27,691 --> 01:00:31,093 The judge was forced to declare a mistrial. 1217 01:00:31,095 --> 01:00:33,629 - We thought we were sprinting to the finish line. 1218 01:00:33,631 --> 01:00:36,231 We thought that steve was going to be home in time 1219 01:00:36,233 --> 01:00:38,033 For thanksgiving. 1220 01:00:38,035 --> 01:00:40,235 And suddenly the finish line 1221 01:00:40,237 --> 01:00:42,571 Just kind of moved off into the horizon. 1222 01:00:42,573 --> 01:00:45,573 - Gut-wrenching, said carols' friend katherine. 1223 01:00:45,575 --> 01:00:49,844 - It was so emotional of-- not even a rollercoaster, 1224 01:00:49,846 --> 01:00:52,914 Just the intensity of-of the emotion. 1225 01:00:54,184 --> 01:00:57,786 - They'd have to start all over again. 1226 01:00:57,788 --> 01:01:00,021 The money the girls received from their mother's insurance 1227 01:01:00,023 --> 01:01:01,456 Was gone now. 1228 01:01:01,458 --> 01:01:04,025 Gone to pay for the first team of attorneys. 1229 01:01:04,027 --> 01:01:06,995 So, since steve was pretty much destitute, 1230 01:01:06,997 --> 01:01:09,264 Court-appointed attorneys stepped in. 1231 01:01:09,266 --> 01:01:12,467 And right away, craig williams and greg parzych 1232 01:01:12,469 --> 01:01:16,171 Were impressed by how steve's family supported him. 1233 01:01:16,173 --> 01:01:19,007 - It's a large family, um, very educated 1234 01:01:19,009 --> 01:01:21,677 And very tight-knit group. 1235 01:01:21,679 --> 01:01:25,413 - How uniformly did they support steve 1236 01:01:25,415 --> 01:01:27,282 Through this process? 1237 01:01:27,284 --> 01:01:29,517 - I'd say very uniformly. 1238 01:01:29,519 --> 01:01:31,386 - They're all behind him? - Yes. 1239 01:01:32,456 --> 01:01:34,356 - But one thing after another. 1240 01:01:34,358 --> 01:01:36,424 As steve's second trial approached, 1241 01:01:36,426 --> 01:01:39,494 There was another huge surprise. 1242 01:01:39,496 --> 01:01:43,698 The source of the dna found under carols' fingernails 1243 01:01:43,700 --> 01:01:46,201 Was finally identified. 1244 01:01:46,203 --> 01:01:49,571 That would be mr. 603. 1245 01:01:51,942 --> 01:01:53,241 - Coming up... 1246 01:01:53,243 --> 01:01:58,246 The mysterious mr. 603, not who anyone expected. 1247 01:01:58,248 --> 01:01:59,681 - How can you trust anything after that? 1248 01:01:59,683 --> 01:02:00,882 - Exactly. 1249 01:02:00,884 --> 01:02:03,518 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1250 01:02:12,528 --> 01:02:13,795 - Welcome back. 1251 01:02:13,797 --> 01:02:15,930 Prosecutors in the steve democker murder trial 1252 01:02:15,932 --> 01:02:18,399 Had exposed a jaw-dropping secret, 1253 01:02:18,401 --> 01:02:21,669 That anonymous note linking his ex-wife's murder 1254 01:02:21,671 --> 01:02:23,471 To an illegal drug ring 1255 01:02:23,473 --> 01:02:26,241 Was written by the accused killer himself 1256 01:02:26,243 --> 01:02:28,276 And it was emailed to the defense team 1257 01:02:28,278 --> 01:02:29,878 By his daughter. 1258 01:02:29,880 --> 01:02:32,280 Steve's attorneys withdrew from the case, 1259 01:02:32,282 --> 01:02:34,950 Forcing the judge to declare a mistrial. 1260 01:02:34,952 --> 01:02:37,285 Soon, there would be a new trial 1261 01:02:37,287 --> 01:02:40,021 And another bombshell revelation. 1262 01:02:40,023 --> 01:02:41,956 Here again is keith morrison 1263 01:02:41,958 --> 01:02:44,092 With "the mystery on bridle path". 1264 01:02:47,030 --> 01:02:48,496 - It had always been an issue 1265 01:02:48,498 --> 01:02:50,431 In the case against steve democker, 1266 01:02:50,433 --> 01:02:52,834 That one fascinating clue 1267 01:02:52,836 --> 01:02:55,236 That could break the case wide open, 1268 01:02:55,238 --> 01:02:58,373 Who was mr. 603? 1269 01:02:58,375 --> 01:03:01,643 That's what people were calling the mysterious dna 1270 01:03:01,645 --> 01:03:05,580 Found under carol's fingernails after she was murdered. 1271 01:03:05,582 --> 01:03:08,683 One thing for sure, it was not steve. 1272 01:03:08,685 --> 01:03:10,652 - We exhausted so many manhours 1273 01:03:10,654 --> 01:03:13,989 And, uh, looked at any and all alternatives. 1274 01:03:15,392 --> 01:03:18,059 - And then, it was during the long months of waiting 1275 01:03:18,061 --> 01:03:20,128 For a new trial to begin. 1276 01:03:20,130 --> 01:03:22,730 The prosecution had an idea. 1277 01:03:22,732 --> 01:03:26,668 What if that 603 sample was a simple mistake? 1278 01:03:26,670 --> 01:03:29,538 What if something just got mixed up in the lab? 1279 01:03:29,540 --> 01:03:32,040 So, investigator mike sachet looked up the autopsy 1280 01:03:32,042 --> 01:03:34,175 Done just before carol's 1281 01:03:34,177 --> 01:03:38,046 And submitted a sample from that for retesting. 1282 01:03:38,048 --> 01:03:41,883 And nearly three years after carol's murder, 1283 01:03:41,885 --> 01:03:44,152 A call from the crime lab. 1284 01:03:44,154 --> 01:03:47,889 - The sample dna that we sent had matched 1285 01:03:47,891 --> 01:03:50,892 The dna under carol kennedy's fingernails. 1286 01:03:50,894 --> 01:03:54,562 We finally were able to discover 1287 01:03:54,564 --> 01:03:57,699 And verify who mr. 603 is. 1288 01:03:57,701 --> 01:04:02,503 - Mr. 603, it turned out, was another dead soul. 1289 01:04:02,505 --> 01:04:04,472 The man lying on the autopsy table 1290 01:04:04,474 --> 01:04:06,641 Before carol got there. 1291 01:04:06,643 --> 01:04:08,877 It was his dna. 1292 01:04:08,879 --> 01:04:10,879 Maybe on one of the coroner's instruments 1293 01:04:10,881 --> 01:04:13,948 That ended up under carol's fingernails. 1294 01:04:13,950 --> 01:04:15,783 Mystery solved. 1295 01:04:15,785 --> 01:04:18,887 One more doubt removed, said the prosecution. 1296 01:04:18,889 --> 01:04:21,056 But for steve's defense team, 1297 01:04:21,058 --> 01:04:24,392 It was further proof of a shoddy investigation. 1298 01:04:24,394 --> 01:04:25,459 - Contamination. 1299 01:04:25,461 --> 01:04:28,229 And we found out not only potential contamination, 1300 01:04:28,231 --> 01:04:30,398 There was actual contamination in this case. 1301 01:04:30,400 --> 01:04:31,799 - How could you trust anything after that? 1302 01:04:31,801 --> 01:04:33,601 - Exactly. 1303 01:04:33,603 --> 01:04:35,036 - Defense attorney craig williams said 1304 01:04:35,038 --> 01:04:38,273 The case against steve had an even bigger flaw. 1305 01:04:38,275 --> 01:04:41,042 - You cannot put steve democker in that house 1306 01:04:41,044 --> 01:04:43,578 Where there was a horrific murder, 1307 01:04:43,580 --> 01:04:45,213 A bloody murder. 1308 01:04:45,215 --> 01:04:46,681 You can't put him in the house. 1309 01:04:46,683 --> 01:04:47,883 - No dna at all? 1310 01:04:47,885 --> 01:04:49,317 - No dna, no blood. 1311 01:04:49,319 --> 01:04:52,287 You don't find any dna of carol's on him anywhere, 1312 01:04:52,289 --> 01:04:54,822 You don't find any dna, fingerprints, blood, 1313 01:04:54,824 --> 01:04:56,558 Anything of his in the house. 1314 01:04:56,560 --> 01:04:58,960 How can you convict him of murder? 1315 01:04:58,962 --> 01:05:00,895 - But in July 2013, 1316 01:05:00,897 --> 01:05:03,765 By this time a full five years after carol's death, 1317 01:05:03,767 --> 01:05:05,900 Steve was still in jail. 1318 01:05:05,902 --> 01:05:08,937 And the case finally went to trial again. 1319 01:05:08,939 --> 01:05:13,174 New defense attorneys, a new prosecution team 1320 01:05:13,176 --> 01:05:16,010 Who, it soon became clear, had, during the long delay, 1321 01:05:16,012 --> 01:05:17,378 Spent some quality time 1322 01:05:17,380 --> 01:05:20,815 Honing their argument against steve. 1323 01:05:20,817 --> 01:05:22,817 - Carol kennedy had no enemies. 1324 01:05:22,819 --> 01:05:25,253 This was not a burglary or a robbery, 1325 01:05:25,255 --> 01:05:27,088 No valuables are missing. 1326 01:05:27,090 --> 01:05:29,390 The overwhelming evidence in this case 1327 01:05:29,392 --> 01:05:30,992 Points to the defendant. 1328 01:05:30,994 --> 01:05:32,694 And at the close of that evidence, 1329 01:05:32,696 --> 01:05:36,064 We will ask you to return verdicts of guilty 1330 01:05:36,066 --> 01:05:38,333 On all charges, 1331 01:05:38,335 --> 01:05:41,736 And especially first-degree murder. 1332 01:05:41,738 --> 01:05:44,339 - And now, the prosecution had more evidence. 1333 01:05:44,341 --> 01:05:46,474 Like steve's google searches 1334 01:05:46,476 --> 01:05:48,977 During the month before carol's death. 1335 01:05:48,979 --> 01:05:51,879 Damaging, to say the least. 1336 01:05:51,881 --> 01:05:53,514 - There was some information for the term 1337 01:05:53,516 --> 01:05:55,950 How to kill and make it look like suicide. 1338 01:05:55,952 --> 01:05:58,720 And there was some information on a-on the term 1339 01:05:58,722 --> 01:06:02,357 How to make a homicide appear suicide. 1340 01:06:02,359 --> 01:06:04,325 - Those emails and text messages, 1341 01:06:04,327 --> 01:06:06,761 Carol and steve arguing 1342 01:06:06,763 --> 01:06:08,730 In the days before her death 1343 01:06:08,732 --> 01:06:10,231 Were read to the jury. 1344 01:06:11,501 --> 01:06:13,701 Crime scene analysts claimed the blood spatter 1345 01:06:13,703 --> 01:06:16,571 Indicated the killer was left-handed. 1346 01:06:16,573 --> 01:06:18,039 - With the position that I think 1347 01:06:18,041 --> 01:06:19,441 Is the most comfortable position, 1348 01:06:19,443 --> 01:06:21,443 I would think that they're swinging from the left. 1349 01:06:21,445 --> 01:06:24,579 - And steve was left-handed. 1350 01:06:24,581 --> 01:06:27,048 Remember the golf sock in the garage? 1351 01:06:27,050 --> 01:06:28,916 It was made, said the prosecution, 1352 01:06:28,918 --> 01:06:32,320 For a now missing left-handed club. 1353 01:06:32,322 --> 01:06:34,389 So, here at last was the state's theory 1354 01:06:34,391 --> 01:06:37,191 About how steve killed his ex-wife. 1355 01:06:37,193 --> 01:06:39,193 Days before the murder, said the state, 1356 01:06:39,195 --> 01:06:41,529 He dropped off that club at carol's house, 1357 01:06:41,531 --> 01:06:44,665 Supposedly for her to sell in an upcoming garage sale, 1358 01:06:44,667 --> 01:06:48,236 But left the golf sock in his garage. 1359 01:06:48,238 --> 01:06:50,505 And then the night of the murder, 1360 01:06:50,507 --> 01:06:52,140 He sneaked into her house 1361 01:06:52,142 --> 01:06:54,809 And used that club to kill her. 1362 01:06:54,811 --> 01:06:57,278 Though such a club was never found, 1363 01:06:57,280 --> 01:06:59,213 The golf sock was evidence it existed, 1364 01:06:59,215 --> 01:07:00,381 Said the prosecution. 1365 01:07:00,383 --> 01:07:03,284 And the shape of carol's wounds confirmed it. 1366 01:07:03,286 --> 01:07:05,720 Then, to bolster an alibi, 1367 01:07:05,722 --> 01:07:08,156 As his ex-girlfriend renee girard testified 1368 01:07:08,158 --> 01:07:09,857 For the prosecution, 1369 01:07:09,859 --> 01:07:12,427 Steve allowed his cellphone battery to die, 1370 01:07:12,429 --> 01:07:14,662 Something he never normally did. 1371 01:07:14,664 --> 01:07:17,899 - In general, there was-there was usually 1372 01:07:17,901 --> 01:07:19,233 A battery in his phone 1373 01:07:19,235 --> 01:07:23,371 And an extra battery either charged or being charged. 1374 01:07:23,373 --> 01:07:25,907 - Did you ever know him to be, um-- 1375 01:07:25,909 --> 01:07:28,710 To not have a phone at the ready 1376 01:07:28,712 --> 01:07:30,311 If he needed to use it? 1377 01:07:30,313 --> 01:07:32,647 - I didn't. 1378 01:07:32,649 --> 01:07:35,116 - Renee also revealed that a month after the murder, 1379 01:07:35,118 --> 01:07:37,452 Steve told her something that in hindsight 1380 01:07:37,454 --> 01:07:39,587 Seemed very significant. 1381 01:07:39,589 --> 01:07:42,323 - In the evening, we'd take a walk on the golf course. 1382 01:07:42,325 --> 01:07:44,192 And he picked up a bag 1383 01:07:44,194 --> 01:07:46,427 On the way out the door one evening, 1384 01:07:46,429 --> 01:07:49,130 And as we were walking, told me about the bag 1385 01:07:49,132 --> 01:07:51,666 And what he was going to do with it. 1386 01:07:51,668 --> 01:07:53,868 - A getaway bag, 1387 01:07:53,870 --> 01:07:58,473 Which she said he'd buried on a golf course. 1388 01:07:58,475 --> 01:08:00,208 And sure enough, with renee's help, 1389 01:08:00,210 --> 01:08:02,877 Detectives found the bag on the golf course. 1390 01:08:04,848 --> 01:08:08,349 Inside were cash and clothing and a cellphone 1391 01:08:08,351 --> 01:08:10,451 And a penlight. 1392 01:08:10,453 --> 01:08:12,487 Also, after steve was arrested, 1393 01:08:12,489 --> 01:08:14,089 They conducted more searches. 1394 01:08:14,091 --> 01:08:16,091 In his storage unit, they found books 1395 01:08:16,093 --> 01:08:18,593 About how to cover your tracks 1396 01:08:18,595 --> 01:08:21,229 And live as a fugitive. 1397 01:08:21,231 --> 01:08:24,232 At an apartment he rented in scottsdale, arizona, 1398 01:08:24,234 --> 01:08:27,368 They found something interesting in the parking garage. 1399 01:08:27,370 --> 01:08:29,137 - I believe there's a bmw motorcycle 1400 01:08:29,139 --> 01:08:30,505 That the detectives showed me 1401 01:08:30,507 --> 01:08:32,473 That was in the parking garage. 1402 01:08:32,475 --> 01:08:35,243 They believed that he had recently purchased it. 1403 01:08:36,379 --> 01:08:39,313 - And inside these locked cases, they later learned 1404 01:08:39,315 --> 01:08:43,284 Steve had maps, clothing, hair dye, makeup, 1405 01:08:43,286 --> 01:08:46,354 And $15,000 in cash. 1406 01:08:46,356 --> 01:08:49,190 Charlotte, who still believed her father was innocent, 1407 01:08:49,192 --> 01:08:51,860 Reluctantly testified for the prosecution. 1408 01:08:51,862 --> 01:08:54,128 Put on the spot, she had to agree 1409 01:08:54,130 --> 01:08:56,797 She knew he was thinking of running. 1410 01:08:56,799 --> 01:08:59,133 And under a grant of immunity, 1411 01:08:59,135 --> 01:09:02,236 She admitted that she wrote the so-called anonymous email 1412 01:09:02,238 --> 01:09:04,672 That claimed carol was killed by drug dealers, 1413 01:09:04,674 --> 01:09:07,408 An email dictated by her father. 1414 01:09:07,410 --> 01:09:10,145 - At one point, your dad held up a piece of paper 1415 01:09:10,147 --> 01:09:11,612 To that glass window 1416 01:09:11,614 --> 01:09:14,882 And wanted you to write down what was on that paper? 1417 01:09:14,884 --> 01:09:15,950 - Yes. 1418 01:09:15,952 --> 01:09:17,485 - And you-- and-and you did? 1419 01:09:17,487 --> 01:09:18,753 - Yes. 1420 01:09:18,755 --> 01:09:21,722 - What were you supposed to do with that piece of paper? 1421 01:09:21,724 --> 01:09:24,692 - Uh, I was supposed to, 1422 01:09:24,694 --> 01:09:29,297 Um, write an email with the same substance, 1423 01:09:29,299 --> 01:09:32,833 Um, that I had copied down, I believe, 1424 01:09:32,835 --> 01:09:37,238 Um, in the hopes that it would be investigated further. 1425 01:09:37,240 --> 01:09:38,306 - What did that mean to you? 1426 01:09:38,308 --> 01:09:40,775 I mean, did-did you believe it? 1427 01:09:40,777 --> 01:09:41,910 - Uh, I did. 1428 01:09:41,912 --> 01:09:45,880 I believed, um, that that was what he had been told 1429 01:09:45,882 --> 01:09:47,782 By someone in the jail 1430 01:09:47,784 --> 01:09:50,151 And, um, that-- 1431 01:09:50,153 --> 01:09:52,987 You know, it-it was very emotional for me. 1432 01:09:52,989 --> 01:09:57,358 Um, and I-I wanted it to be investigated. 1433 01:09:57,360 --> 01:10:00,595 - So, how did you get the information out? 1434 01:10:00,597 --> 01:10:04,332 - I sent, um-- I sent an anonymous-anonymous email. 1435 01:10:05,735 --> 01:10:08,302 - Anonymous so that it could not be traced back 1436 01:10:08,304 --> 01:10:11,105 To her or her father. 1437 01:10:11,107 --> 01:10:12,473 Her oldest sister katie wasn't aware 1438 01:10:12,475 --> 01:10:14,075 The email had come from charlotte, 1439 01:10:14,077 --> 01:10:15,944 But she was at the center of the story 1440 01:10:15,946 --> 01:10:17,878 About life insurance. 1441 01:10:17,880 --> 01:10:21,015 Steve had signed a disclaimer saying he would not benefit 1442 01:10:21,017 --> 01:10:23,251 From the proceeds of carol's life insurance. 1443 01:10:23,253 --> 01:10:27,221 But katie was forced to testify that wasn't true. 1444 01:10:27,223 --> 01:10:31,025 - My father was just asking me 1445 01:10:31,027 --> 01:10:34,295 For various things related to that money. 1446 01:10:34,297 --> 01:10:36,864 - Once carol's life insurance paid out, 1447 01:10:36,866 --> 01:10:40,701 Katie transferred her share to her grandparents. 1448 01:10:40,703 --> 01:10:41,969 - But you knew that your grandparents 1449 01:10:41,971 --> 01:10:44,071 Were going to use that money for attorney's fees? 1450 01:10:44,073 --> 01:10:47,075 - That was my understanding. Some or all of it. 1451 01:10:48,478 --> 01:10:50,845 - The prosecution called close to 50 witnesses 1452 01:10:50,847 --> 01:10:52,346 To portray steve democker 1453 01:10:52,348 --> 01:10:54,715 As a man who'd plotted to kill his wife, 1454 01:10:54,717 --> 01:10:56,350 Plotted his escape, 1455 01:10:56,352 --> 01:10:59,287 And used his own children to fund his defense 1456 01:10:59,289 --> 01:11:02,356 And even hoodwink his lawyers and the court. 1457 01:11:02,358 --> 01:11:05,860 The case looked strong. The prosecution rested. 1458 01:11:05,862 --> 01:11:07,995 - Your honor, the, uh, state would rest. 1459 01:11:07,997 --> 01:11:11,599 - Now, it was time to hear from the defense. 1460 01:11:11,601 --> 01:11:15,269 And no surprise, it had a quite different theory 1461 01:11:15,271 --> 01:11:17,405 About carol kennedy's murder. 1462 01:11:17,407 --> 01:11:19,573 A theory that had nothing whatsoever 1463 01:11:19,575 --> 01:11:21,809 To do with steve democker. 1464 01:11:22,946 --> 01:11:24,512 - Coming up... 1465 01:11:24,514 --> 01:11:26,480 That man in the guest cottage. 1466 01:11:26,482 --> 01:11:28,016 - It wasn't a little bit of evidence 1467 01:11:28,018 --> 01:11:29,283 That we had on mr. Knapp. 1468 01:11:29,285 --> 01:11:30,685 It was a mountain of evidence. 1469 01:11:30,687 --> 01:11:33,621 - He got to the point where he was lying about 1470 01:11:33,623 --> 01:11:35,089 Having active cancer 1471 01:11:35,091 --> 01:11:37,591 And asking people for financial help. 1472 01:11:37,593 --> 01:11:40,328 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1473 01:11:49,571 --> 01:11:52,173 - Five years. 1474 01:11:52,175 --> 01:11:55,609 The state has had five years 1475 01:11:55,611 --> 01:11:58,946 To put steve democker at the scene of the crime. 1476 01:12:00,650 --> 01:12:02,583 But they cannot. 1477 01:12:02,585 --> 01:12:05,119 - Anybody paying attention to the bizarre murder case 1478 01:12:05,121 --> 01:12:07,789 Playing out in fits and starts here in prescott, 1479 01:12:07,791 --> 01:12:09,523 Was apt to be a little suspicious 1480 01:12:09,525 --> 01:12:12,526 Of steve democker's behavior after the killing. 1481 01:12:12,528 --> 01:12:15,663 Getaway bag? Fake email? 1482 01:12:15,665 --> 01:12:18,265 Defense attorneys craig williams and greg parzych 1483 01:12:18,267 --> 01:12:20,835 Could see that as well as anyone. 1484 01:12:20,837 --> 01:12:23,237 But was he guilty of murder? 1485 01:12:23,239 --> 01:12:24,705 No, they said. 1486 01:12:24,707 --> 01:12:28,275 Rather, he was the victim of some detectives' tunnel vision, 1487 01:12:28,277 --> 01:12:31,279 Beginning with a sloppy investigation. 1488 01:12:31,281 --> 01:12:33,381 - It was kind of a cavalcade 1489 01:12:33,383 --> 01:12:35,516 Of people roaming through this scene 1490 01:12:35,518 --> 01:12:37,118 That they didn't lock down, 1491 01:12:37,120 --> 01:12:40,088 Tromping through footprints and tromping through the house 1492 01:12:40,090 --> 01:12:43,023 And they didn't seal it off correctly. 1493 01:12:43,025 --> 01:12:45,292 To me, when somebody shows up on the scene 1494 01:12:45,294 --> 01:12:49,096 And immediately points the finger at the ex-husband, 1495 01:12:49,098 --> 01:12:50,831 And then that's all they ever did. 1496 01:12:50,833 --> 01:12:52,100 - It's always boom! Right on him? 1497 01:12:52,102 --> 01:12:53,568 - It was always on him. 1498 01:12:53,570 --> 01:12:55,302 - The jurors listened to steve's interview 1499 01:12:55,304 --> 01:12:56,570 With the detectives 1500 01:12:56,572 --> 01:12:58,206 Conducted the night carol was killed. 1501 01:13:07,817 --> 01:13:09,784 - In which you could hear the suspicion, 1502 01:13:09,786 --> 01:13:11,685 Said the defense. 1503 01:13:11,687 --> 01:13:13,654 And steve, said the attorneys, 1504 01:13:13,656 --> 01:13:16,257 Felt a cold fear overcoming him. 1505 01:13:16,259 --> 01:13:18,392 - He's afraid of what's happening, 1506 01:13:18,394 --> 01:13:20,227 That the investigation is all on him, 1507 01:13:20,229 --> 01:13:22,530 They're not focusing on anybody else, anything else. 1508 01:13:22,532 --> 01:13:23,731 It focuses on him, 1509 01:13:23,733 --> 01:13:25,833 And he's afraid that nobody will believe him. 1510 01:13:27,036 --> 01:13:29,670 - That's why he buried the getaway bag, they said. 1511 01:13:29,672 --> 01:13:33,174 It wasn't a sign of guilt, but of terror. 1512 01:13:33,176 --> 01:13:35,343 In fact, it didn't turn up until months after 1513 01:13:35,345 --> 01:13:37,011 Steve was arrested. 1514 01:13:37,013 --> 01:13:38,813 - You never had any evidence that mr. Democker 1515 01:13:38,815 --> 01:13:41,582 Tried to use that bag to flee, correct? 1516 01:13:41,584 --> 01:13:43,584 - That he tried to use the bag to flee? 1517 01:13:43,586 --> 01:13:44,552 - Yes. 1518 01:13:44,554 --> 01:13:46,421 - I believe that's precisely what he did. 1519 01:13:46,423 --> 01:13:47,488 - He never fled. 1520 01:13:47,490 --> 01:13:49,857 - We arrested him before he could flee, yes. 1521 01:13:49,859 --> 01:13:51,893 - Well, you're-you're using a term of art there, 1522 01:13:51,895 --> 01:13:53,761 Before he could flee. 1523 01:13:53,763 --> 01:13:55,763 My question to you is very direct. 1524 01:13:55,765 --> 01:13:58,699 He did not flee, did he? 1525 01:13:58,701 --> 01:14:00,501 - He was not able to, no. 1526 01:14:00,503 --> 01:14:02,970 - Okay, there's another term of art. 1527 01:14:02,972 --> 01:14:05,372 It's a very simple question. 1528 01:14:05,374 --> 01:14:07,875 Did mr. Democker flee or not? 1529 01:14:07,877 --> 01:14:10,411 That's a yes or no question. 1530 01:14:10,413 --> 01:14:12,646 - No, he did not flee. 1531 01:14:12,648 --> 01:14:15,216 - And steve's sister sharon had a simple explanation 1532 01:14:15,218 --> 01:14:17,885 For those coincidences the night of the murder, 1533 01:14:17,887 --> 01:14:19,854 The circumstantial evidence. 1534 01:14:19,856 --> 01:14:22,790 Like his dead cellphone battery. 1535 01:14:22,792 --> 01:14:24,525 - I think most of us with cellphones 1536 01:14:24,527 --> 01:14:26,694 Can appreciate that, later in the day, 1537 01:14:26,696 --> 01:14:28,929 It's not uncommon for the battery to go. 1538 01:14:28,931 --> 01:14:32,066 - But their ears perked up when he drew the route 1539 01:14:32,068 --> 01:14:34,469 And part of it came within a mile 1540 01:14:34,471 --> 01:14:37,071 Of the house on bridle path. 1541 01:14:37,073 --> 01:14:39,139 - Well, he lived out there for many years. 1542 01:14:39,141 --> 01:14:41,208 So, that was a favorite trail. 1543 01:14:41,210 --> 01:14:43,010 - They also made a great deal of the tracks 1544 01:14:43,012 --> 01:14:44,979 That they found in the property. 1545 01:14:44,981 --> 01:14:46,080 - Mm-hmm. 1546 01:14:46,082 --> 01:14:47,515 - The-the shoe prints that must have been his, 1547 01:14:47,517 --> 01:14:49,283 The tire tracks that must have been his. 1548 01:14:49,285 --> 01:14:52,052 - Mm-hmm. Nobody knows whose those are. 1549 01:14:52,054 --> 01:14:54,822 He did buy a pair at one point, 1550 01:14:54,824 --> 01:14:57,224 But he doesn't know if he kept them. 1551 01:14:57,226 --> 01:14:59,694 He said I never keep any shoes for more than six months. 1552 01:14:59,696 --> 01:15:01,228 He ran all the time. 1553 01:15:01,230 --> 01:15:02,863 No shoes lasted more than six months. 1554 01:15:02,865 --> 01:15:04,365 - And he bought them a couple years earlier, 1555 01:15:04,367 --> 01:15:05,399 So-- - yeah. 1556 01:15:05,401 --> 01:15:09,637 The bicycle tire, that's the tire that's on 80% 1557 01:15:09,639 --> 01:15:12,306 Of all the mountain bikes in the u.S. 1558 01:15:12,308 --> 01:15:14,375 It's the most common tire. 1559 01:15:14,377 --> 01:15:16,477 So, there's nothing very distinctive about that. 1560 01:15:16,479 --> 01:15:18,779 They wanted to be able to tell the jury 1561 01:15:18,781 --> 01:15:20,114 That it was a match. 1562 01:15:20,116 --> 01:15:21,582 They were not allowed to do that 1563 01:15:21,584 --> 01:15:23,050 Because, as the expert said, 1564 01:15:23,052 --> 01:15:24,785 We have no idea if it's a match or not. 1565 01:15:24,787 --> 01:15:27,021 - Something that has more or less a... 1566 01:15:27,023 --> 01:15:29,857 - The defense called its own forensic pathologist 1567 01:15:29,859 --> 01:15:32,393 To ask if the medical examiner was correct 1568 01:15:32,395 --> 01:15:34,261 In his conclusion that the murder weapon 1569 01:15:34,263 --> 01:15:35,997 Was a golf club. 1570 01:15:35,999 --> 01:15:39,967 - With regards to saying, uh, specifically this weapon, 1571 01:15:39,969 --> 01:15:41,068 I-I can't. 1572 01:15:41,070 --> 01:15:43,737 - I think the golf club is a, um, 1573 01:15:43,739 --> 01:15:47,174 As alfred hitchcock used to say, it's the mcguffin. 1574 01:15:47,176 --> 01:15:49,476 Okay? It's the magic device 1575 01:15:49,478 --> 01:15:53,080 To, uh, to tie it to steve democker. 1576 01:15:53,082 --> 01:15:55,282 The golfer, the elitist. - Sure. 1577 01:15:55,284 --> 01:15:57,751 - The-the rich guy who was pissed off about-- 1578 01:15:57,753 --> 01:15:59,220 - Fine, but isn't there scientific evidence 1579 01:15:59,222 --> 01:16:01,021 To say that's a golf club head that hit her? 1580 01:16:01,023 --> 01:16:03,157 - No, I don't agree with any of that. 1581 01:16:03,159 --> 01:16:05,759 And-and nobody, not a single person could say that 1582 01:16:05,761 --> 01:16:07,194 That was a golf club. 1583 01:16:07,196 --> 01:16:10,364 They all said it could have been a golf club, 1584 01:16:10,366 --> 01:16:13,067 But they also said it could have been another weapon. 1585 01:16:13,069 --> 01:16:14,835 - The defense argued detectives should have 1586 01:16:14,837 --> 01:16:16,971 Looked into other suspects, too. 1587 01:16:16,973 --> 01:16:19,073 One person in particular. 1588 01:16:19,075 --> 01:16:21,976 Jim knapp, the man who rented carol's guest house 1589 01:16:21,978 --> 01:16:24,679 And arrived at the scene almost immediately after deputies. 1590 01:16:26,015 --> 01:16:29,250 - Why was he a potential suspect, in your view? 1591 01:16:29,252 --> 01:16:30,784 - Well, it's like the guy who lights the fire 1592 01:16:30,786 --> 01:16:32,586 That comes back to watch it burn. 1593 01:16:32,588 --> 01:16:34,955 And that was our-our feeling about mr. Knapp 1594 01:16:34,957 --> 01:16:37,391 Because it wasn't a little bit of evidence 1595 01:16:37,393 --> 01:16:38,593 That we had on mr. Knapp. 1596 01:16:38,595 --> 01:16:40,728 It was a mountain of evidence on him. 1597 01:16:40,730 --> 01:16:42,196 - Knapp, said the defense attorneys, 1598 01:16:42,198 --> 01:16:44,198 Was in serious financial trouble 1599 01:16:44,200 --> 01:16:46,601 And cooked up a shameless lie 1600 01:16:46,603 --> 01:16:49,336 To persuade friends to lend him money. 1601 01:16:49,338 --> 01:16:53,140 They told the jury how knapp faked cancer. 1602 01:16:53,142 --> 01:16:55,409 - He got to the point where he was lying 1603 01:16:55,411 --> 01:16:57,678 About having active cancer 1604 01:16:57,680 --> 01:16:59,814 And asking people for financial help 1605 01:16:59,816 --> 01:17:02,449 So that he could, uh, take care of his cancer, 1606 01:17:02,451 --> 01:17:04,485 Which he actually didn't have. - He didn't have. 1607 01:17:04,487 --> 01:17:06,553 - They said knapp desperately wanted to buy 1608 01:17:06,555 --> 01:17:09,423 A franchise business, a smoothie store, 1609 01:17:09,425 --> 01:17:11,659 With carol's divorce money, 1610 01:17:11,661 --> 01:17:13,494 At one point, even introducing carol 1611 01:17:13,496 --> 01:17:15,529 As his business partner. 1612 01:17:15,531 --> 01:17:18,065 So, was he obsessed with carol? 1613 01:17:18,067 --> 01:17:19,967 His behavior with his former girlfriend, 1614 01:17:19,969 --> 01:17:21,402 When she tried to break up with him, 1615 01:17:21,404 --> 01:17:24,638 Certainly seemed obsessive to her, she said. 1616 01:17:24,640 --> 01:17:28,375 He wouldn't leave her alone, kept sending her emails. 1617 01:17:28,377 --> 01:17:31,412 - I'm wondering what was this man capable of? 1618 01:17:31,414 --> 01:17:34,915 Was he going to come up, um, and stalk? 1619 01:17:34,917 --> 01:17:37,685 Was he going to do something mean? 1620 01:17:37,687 --> 01:17:41,188 Was he going to hurt me or hurt my family? 1621 01:17:41,190 --> 01:17:43,290 I felt threatened, is what it felt like. 1622 01:17:43,292 --> 01:17:45,592 And I was scared. 1623 01:17:45,594 --> 01:17:47,127 - More defense questions? 1624 01:17:47,129 --> 01:17:49,797 How did jim knapp's fingerprints wind up 1625 01:17:49,799 --> 01:17:51,832 On those financial documents 1626 01:17:51,834 --> 01:17:53,734 That were printed the day of the murder 1627 01:17:53,736 --> 01:17:56,537 And found slipped inside a magazine 1628 01:17:56,539 --> 01:17:59,073 Sitting on carol's kitchen counter? 1629 01:17:59,075 --> 01:18:01,809 And how did knapp's dna get mixed with carol's blood 1630 01:18:01,811 --> 01:18:04,812 In a sample taken from a doorknob leaving the house? 1631 01:18:04,814 --> 01:18:07,715 That was evidence number 805. 1632 01:18:07,717 --> 01:18:10,017 They called a dna expert. 1633 01:18:10,019 --> 01:18:12,286 - So, you can see that all the way across that top line, 1634 01:18:12,288 --> 01:18:14,288 The numbers are the same as james knapp 1635 01:18:14,290 --> 01:18:16,223 And there are many points of difference 1636 01:18:16,225 --> 01:18:17,725 With steve democker. 1637 01:18:17,727 --> 01:18:21,629 - Your point was that on each of these analyses, 1638 01:18:23,032 --> 01:18:27,434 James knapp matches each one of these 1639 01:18:27,436 --> 01:18:28,969 And steve democker doesn't? 1640 01:18:28,971 --> 01:18:30,304 - That's right. 1641 01:18:30,306 --> 01:18:32,673 - In fact, neither steve democker's dna 1642 01:18:32,675 --> 01:18:35,876 Nor his fingerprints were ever found at the crime scene. 1643 01:18:35,878 --> 01:18:39,780 So, had police focused on the wrong man all along? 1644 01:18:39,782 --> 01:18:41,849 And because steve democker knew that, 1645 01:18:41,851 --> 01:18:44,051 Did he make a foolish mistake, 1646 01:18:44,053 --> 01:18:45,920 Like a frightened man would? 1647 01:18:45,922 --> 01:18:47,254 - The anonymous email, the voicemail, 1648 01:18:47,256 --> 01:18:50,057 All of that occurs once he's placed in custody, 1649 01:18:50,059 --> 01:18:52,193 Loses hope, and becomes desperate. 1650 01:18:52,195 --> 01:18:54,328 That should not, in our opinion, 1651 01:18:54,330 --> 01:18:56,597 Should not have been introduced in this trial. 1652 01:18:56,599 --> 01:18:58,732 That's a whole separate trial, whole separate issue. 1653 01:18:58,734 --> 01:19:01,735 - The defense tried to keep all that out of the trial, 1654 01:19:01,737 --> 01:19:03,670 But did not succeed. 1655 01:19:03,672 --> 01:19:06,474 Yeah, because it makes him look like a bad, evil guy 1656 01:19:06,476 --> 01:19:09,510 Who forced his daughters to use their inheritance money 1657 01:19:09,512 --> 01:19:11,211 To pay for his attorneys. 1658 01:19:11,213 --> 01:19:13,247 A low, scummy thing to do. 1659 01:19:13,249 --> 01:19:17,151 - But none of that put him in the house, 1660 01:19:17,153 --> 01:19:20,454 None of that put any dna on him in his house, 1661 01:19:20,456 --> 01:19:23,691 Car, person, anything along those lines. 1662 01:19:24,627 --> 01:19:26,761 - Judge, at this time, the defense rests. 1663 01:19:26,763 --> 01:19:27,928 - Thank you. 1664 01:19:27,930 --> 01:19:30,731 - All along, steve's family remained rock-solid 1665 01:19:30,733 --> 01:19:32,233 In his corner. 1666 01:19:32,235 --> 01:19:34,234 As sister sharon said... 1667 01:19:34,236 --> 01:19:36,370 - I want to think the best of my brother. 1668 01:19:36,372 --> 01:19:38,105 The other part of it is 1669 01:19:38,107 --> 01:19:42,376 That no one showed me anything that changes my mind. 1670 01:19:42,378 --> 01:19:44,478 There is no evidence to say well, you know, 1671 01:19:44,480 --> 01:19:46,713 You're not thinking about this. 1672 01:19:46,715 --> 01:19:48,382 Show me something. 1673 01:19:48,384 --> 01:19:52,219 - But do you see your own kind of u-understandable family bias 1674 01:19:52,221 --> 01:19:54,922 Affecting your judgment about these things? 1675 01:19:54,924 --> 01:19:58,659 - If you can prove to me that this was what happened, 1676 01:20:00,263 --> 01:20:02,062 Then that's different. 1677 01:20:02,064 --> 01:20:04,631 But I'm missing the big evidence 1678 01:20:04,633 --> 01:20:08,602 That says that he was there. 1679 01:20:08,604 --> 01:20:11,138 - And now, five years after the brutal murder 1680 01:20:11,140 --> 01:20:12,906 On bridle path, 1681 01:20:12,908 --> 01:20:15,976 A jury would finally get to decide. 1682 01:20:15,978 --> 01:20:19,313 And steve would finally get his say. 1683 01:20:21,283 --> 01:20:22,783 - Coming up... 1684 01:20:22,785 --> 01:20:24,785 - You can't sleep. - It was rough on everybody. 1685 01:20:24,787 --> 01:20:26,653 - You really are on pins and needles. 1686 01:20:26,655 --> 01:20:28,288 - The wait for a verdict. 1687 01:20:28,290 --> 01:20:31,992 And a long-awaited interview with steve democker. 1688 01:20:31,994 --> 01:20:35,262 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 1689 01:20:44,706 --> 01:20:46,774 - There may be nothing else in life to compare 1690 01:20:46,776 --> 01:20:51,044 To the agonizing hours and days a family waits, endures 1691 01:20:51,046 --> 01:20:53,714 As 12 strangers sit in a locked room 1692 01:20:53,716 --> 01:20:56,316 And prepare to dictate fate. 1693 01:20:56,318 --> 01:20:59,353 - Well, as-as anyone who's watched a tv show, 1694 01:20:59,355 --> 01:21:01,321 I can tell you, unfortunately, 1695 01:21:01,323 --> 01:21:03,657 The reality is really similar. 1696 01:21:03,659 --> 01:21:05,759 You really are on pins and needles 1697 01:21:05,761 --> 01:21:08,729 Waiting for that verdict that you don't know what it is. 1698 01:21:08,731 --> 01:21:10,530 - Yeah, and you have no control over it. 1699 01:21:10,532 --> 01:21:13,100 - Uh-uh. - Strangers who are going to decide. 1700 01:21:13,102 --> 01:21:14,401 - Mm-hmm. 1701 01:21:14,403 --> 01:21:15,903 - Who don't know your brother. 1702 01:21:15,905 --> 01:21:17,771 - Mm-hmm. 1703 01:21:17,773 --> 01:21:19,873 - This family of highly-educated professionals 1704 01:21:19,875 --> 01:21:21,642 Knew the case for and against steve 1705 01:21:21,644 --> 01:21:24,044 As intimately as any attorney. 1706 01:21:24,046 --> 01:21:25,679 On the third day of deliberations, 1707 01:21:25,681 --> 01:21:26,713 There was nothing for them to do 1708 01:21:26,715 --> 01:21:29,383 But sit together, watch their phones. 1709 01:21:29,385 --> 01:21:31,652 And then, as they prepared to leave 1710 01:21:31,654 --> 01:21:33,554 A coffee shop in prescott, 1711 01:21:33,556 --> 01:21:37,491 News that the jury had reached a verdict. 1712 01:21:37,493 --> 01:21:39,560 But it was four in the afternoon, 1713 01:21:39,562 --> 01:21:41,561 Apparently quitting time. 1714 01:21:41,563 --> 01:21:44,464 And the judge decided they'd all have to wait until morning 1715 01:21:44,466 --> 01:21:46,566 To hear what the verdict was. 1716 01:21:46,568 --> 01:21:49,369 Katie and charlotte, comforted by steve's parents, 1717 01:21:49,371 --> 01:21:52,239 His siblings, had another night to wait 1718 01:21:52,241 --> 01:21:55,909 And wonder what did the jury decide. 1719 01:21:55,911 --> 01:21:57,144 - It was rough on everybody. 1720 01:21:57,146 --> 01:21:58,245 - It is. And it's just horrible. 1721 01:21:58,247 --> 01:22:00,247 That nervous energy then is to the-- 1722 01:22:00,249 --> 01:22:01,515 You can't sleep. 1723 01:22:01,517 --> 01:22:02,783 - We were thinking, well, are they just 1724 01:22:02,785 --> 01:22:04,118 Stretching this out? 1725 01:22:04,120 --> 01:22:06,253 - Was it torture? - Well, sure. 1726 01:22:06,255 --> 01:22:08,255 I mean, we've-- we just want them 1727 01:22:08,257 --> 01:22:11,391 To go ahead and let him go now. 1728 01:22:11,393 --> 01:22:14,628 - Then, the next morning the clock struck nine. 1729 01:22:14,630 --> 01:22:15,996 It was time. 1730 01:22:15,998 --> 01:22:17,864 - When they came back into the room, could you tell? 1731 01:22:17,866 --> 01:22:20,267 - Yeah, didn't have a good feeling. 1732 01:22:20,269 --> 01:22:22,002 It's never good when they come back in the room 1733 01:22:22,004 --> 01:22:24,405 And they won't look at the family. 1734 01:22:24,407 --> 01:22:26,873 - We, the jury, duly [indistinct] sworn, 1735 01:22:26,875 --> 01:22:29,743 Find the defendant steve democker guilty 1736 01:22:29,745 --> 01:22:34,281 For count two, guilty, for count three, guilty. 1737 01:22:34,283 --> 01:22:37,017 - Guilty on all counts. 1738 01:22:37,019 --> 01:22:39,319 How did it feel? 1739 01:22:39,321 --> 01:22:41,722 - We were just stunned. 1740 01:22:41,724 --> 01:22:44,157 It's-- it wasn't the right verdict. 1741 01:22:44,159 --> 01:22:47,294 The law didn't support that verdict. 1742 01:22:47,296 --> 01:22:49,162 - Defense investigator rich robertson 1743 01:22:49,164 --> 01:22:50,630 Didn't think so either. 1744 01:22:50,632 --> 01:22:54,234 - The biggest shock to me was that they came back unanimous 1745 01:22:54,236 --> 01:22:56,436 And came back unanimous fairly quickly. 1746 01:22:56,438 --> 01:22:57,704 It was disappointing. - Hmm. 1747 01:22:57,706 --> 01:22:58,973 - And still is. 1748 01:22:58,975 --> 01:23:00,807 - How did steve take it? 1749 01:23:00,809 --> 01:23:03,110 - Devastated. - Steve's innocent. 1750 01:23:03,112 --> 01:23:04,811 And steve wants to continue to fight 1751 01:23:04,813 --> 01:23:06,313 And-and prove his innocence. 1752 01:23:06,315 --> 01:23:09,116 That's what his mission is now. 1753 01:23:09,118 --> 01:23:12,052 - But is he innocent? 1754 01:23:12,054 --> 01:23:14,187 Investigator mike sachet. 1755 01:23:14,189 --> 01:23:15,922 - I believe in my heart and soul 1756 01:23:15,924 --> 01:23:19,793 That steve democker killed carol kennedy. 1757 01:23:19,795 --> 01:23:22,529 - He thinks often, he said, about the daughters, 1758 01:23:22,531 --> 01:23:24,664 About the impact on them. 1759 01:23:24,666 --> 01:23:26,700 - While my heart goes out to them, 1760 01:23:26,702 --> 01:23:28,435 You know, you have to recognize 1761 01:23:28,437 --> 01:23:32,706 That this is all because of one man's actions. 1762 01:23:32,708 --> 01:23:34,475 - Carol's friend katherine. 1763 01:23:34,477 --> 01:23:36,610 - I never wanted to believe that steve 1764 01:23:36,612 --> 01:23:38,678 Was capable of doing this. 1765 01:23:38,680 --> 01:23:40,881 And the jury has made their decision. 1766 01:23:40,883 --> 01:23:43,917 I accept their decision. I agree with their decision. 1767 01:23:43,919 --> 01:23:46,019 I'm so glad it's over. 1768 01:23:46,021 --> 01:23:48,422 I'm so relieved because so many of us 1769 01:23:48,424 --> 01:23:51,959 Have been dragged through it for the last 5.5 years. 1770 01:23:51,961 --> 01:23:53,827 - Katie and charlotte were back in court 1771 01:23:53,829 --> 01:23:55,429 At their father's sentencing. 1772 01:23:55,431 --> 01:23:59,166 And in spite of everything, the state's case against steve, 1773 01:23:59,168 --> 01:24:02,636 How steve used charlotte to create that phony email evidence 1774 01:24:02,638 --> 01:24:05,305 Then paid for his defense with life insurance money 1775 01:24:05,307 --> 01:24:07,441 Carol intended for her daughters, 1776 01:24:07,443 --> 01:24:10,844 In spite of all that, at their father's sentencing, 1777 01:24:10,846 --> 01:24:13,914 They asked the judge for leniency. 1778 01:24:13,916 --> 01:24:15,983 - I ask, because I would like the opportunity 1779 01:24:15,985 --> 01:24:18,318 To someday walk again with my father, 1780 01:24:18,320 --> 01:24:21,321 Freely and outside, 1781 01:24:21,323 --> 01:24:24,191 To speak openly and honestly with him 1782 01:24:24,193 --> 01:24:26,226 And find ways to heal 1783 01:24:26,228 --> 01:24:29,262 The pain of this prolonged nightmare. 1784 01:24:29,264 --> 01:24:31,732 I believe in healing and forgiveness 1785 01:24:31,734 --> 01:24:35,402 Because that is the way that I was raised. 1786 01:24:35,404 --> 01:24:37,738 As for me, I can promise that I will never forget 1787 01:24:37,740 --> 01:24:39,606 The memory of my mother. 1788 01:24:39,608 --> 01:24:41,174 She lives in me every day 1789 01:24:41,176 --> 01:24:43,743 And will for the rest of my life. 1790 01:24:43,745 --> 01:24:47,347 - The additional pain of the reality that we now face 1791 01:24:47,349 --> 01:24:50,083 Is very difficult for me to grasp. 1792 01:24:50,085 --> 01:24:52,252 The knowledge that, like my mother, 1793 01:24:52,254 --> 01:24:54,955 My father may never attend my wedding 1794 01:24:54,957 --> 01:24:58,658 Or see my children born or even watch me graduate, 1795 01:24:58,660 --> 01:25:02,362 It feels like losing a parent all over again. 1796 01:25:02,364 --> 01:25:05,966 This excruciating punishment is almost as difficult for me 1797 01:25:05,968 --> 01:25:07,968 As I know it must be for him. 1798 01:25:07,970 --> 01:25:09,903 - Steve professed his innocence. 1799 01:25:09,905 --> 01:25:12,039 - I did not kill carol. 1800 01:25:15,711 --> 01:25:18,645 We loved each other for more than 20 years. 1801 01:25:18,647 --> 01:25:20,147 Our marriage was over, 1802 01:25:20,149 --> 01:25:24,117 But not our affection for each other. 1803 01:25:24,119 --> 01:25:26,520 I would no more have harmed her 1804 01:25:26,522 --> 01:25:28,188 Than I would harm my daughters 1805 01:25:28,190 --> 01:25:30,290 By taking her from them. 1806 01:25:30,292 --> 01:25:32,993 - Leniency was not forthcoming. 1807 01:25:32,995 --> 01:25:34,461 The judge sentenced steve democker 1808 01:25:34,463 --> 01:25:36,997 To natural life plus 20 years. 1809 01:25:36,999 --> 01:25:41,635 No parole, no hope of a life ever outside prison walls. 1810 01:25:41,637 --> 01:25:44,938 All along, we'd been asking for an interview with steve. 1811 01:25:44,940 --> 01:25:48,708 He was willing. The sheriff wasn't. 1812 01:25:48,710 --> 01:25:50,677 But finally, after the sentencing, we were allowed 1813 01:25:50,679 --> 01:25:53,213 A brief telephone interview from state prison. 1814 01:26:07,696 --> 01:26:12,299 - Well, um, you could be, in fact, in prison 1815 01:26:12,301 --> 01:26:14,167 For the rest of your life. 1816 01:26:14,169 --> 01:26:15,903 Are you prepared for that? 1817 01:26:34,189 --> 01:26:36,389 - Interesting thing about steve democker, 1818 01:26:36,391 --> 01:26:39,059 He's an extremely articulate man. 1819 01:26:39,061 --> 01:26:42,495 Can he possibly be sincere, too? 1820 01:26:42,497 --> 01:26:43,997 All we can know with certainty 1821 01:26:43,999 --> 01:26:46,666 Is that carol will never again 1822 01:26:46,668 --> 01:26:48,935 Have the chance to be useful. 1823 01:26:48,937 --> 01:26:51,605 Although, scratch that. 1824 01:26:51,607 --> 01:26:53,207 Maybe she will. 1825 01:26:53,209 --> 01:26:55,742 - The one thing that she always sort of said to us, 1826 01:26:55,744 --> 01:26:58,745 As long as I'm living in this world, 1827 01:26:58,747 --> 01:27:02,549 I am always here for you and with you. 1828 01:27:02,551 --> 01:27:04,818 And I think she should have rephrased that 1829 01:27:04,820 --> 01:27:08,021 To no matter if I'm here living or in heaven, 1830 01:27:08,023 --> 01:27:09,189 I'm always with you. 1831 01:27:09,191 --> 01:27:12,692 Because I feel her in my heart, 1832 01:27:12,694 --> 01:27:15,762 I feel her when I'm doing certain things, 1833 01:27:15,764 --> 01:27:18,599 And her presence certainly lives on. 1834 01:27:23,372 --> 01:27:24,705 - That's all for this edition of 1835 01:27:24,707 --> 01:27:26,806 "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 1836 01:27:26,808 --> 01:27:29,209 I'm kate snow. Thank you for watching.