1 00:00:13,012 --> 00:00:14,546 - I'm craig melvin and this is 2 00:00:14,548 --> 00:00:17,816 "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 3 00:00:17,818 --> 00:00:20,819 - Murder is so personal. 4 00:00:20,821 --> 00:00:22,955 She knew who was in the room with her. 5 00:00:22,957 --> 00:00:25,323 She trusted that person. 6 00:00:25,325 --> 00:00:27,959 And the saddest thing is that the last person 7 00:00:27,961 --> 00:00:30,829 You look at in this world 8 00:00:30,831 --> 00:00:32,964 Is not your loved ones, 9 00:00:32,966 --> 00:00:34,833 It's your killer. 10 00:00:34,835 --> 00:00:36,835 - Gosh, I miss her so much. 11 00:00:36,837 --> 00:00:41,240 - Tough, tenacious, as feisty as her name, 12 00:00:41,242 --> 00:00:44,043 Hard-driving defense attorney chiquita tate. 13 00:00:44,045 --> 00:00:45,777 - She would walk into a courtroom 14 00:00:45,779 --> 00:00:48,547 And she looked like she owned the place. 15 00:00:48,549 --> 00:00:50,549 - She loved defending those clients. 16 00:00:50,551 --> 00:00:52,417 She loved law. 17 00:00:52,419 --> 00:00:55,754 - She'd stayed late at work to read up on a murder case, 18 00:00:55,756 --> 00:00:57,523 But the next murder police wound up 19 00:00:57,525 --> 00:01:00,459 Investigating was hers. 20 00:01:00,461 --> 00:01:03,395 - She's representing some really hardened criminals. 21 00:01:03,397 --> 00:01:05,130 Maybe somebody had a beef with her. 22 00:01:05,132 --> 00:01:07,666 - It was personal. - The clues? 23 00:01:07,668 --> 00:01:11,736 A missing gucci wallet, mystery strands of hair. 24 00:01:11,738 --> 00:01:14,306 - It suggested that a female had maybe 25 00:01:14,308 --> 00:01:16,642 Killed her and she'd pulled the hair out. 26 00:01:18,212 --> 00:01:20,745 - Who done it? Who came up here and did it? 27 00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:22,714 - Somebody planned this murder. 28 00:01:22,716 --> 00:01:26,318 - Somebody wanted her out of the way. 29 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:29,221 - I told her I will make this right. 30 00:01:29,223 --> 00:01:32,257 I will make this right for you. 31 00:01:40,968 --> 00:01:44,870 - Hello and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 32 00:01:44,872 --> 00:01:47,372 Chiquita tate was a rising star in 33 00:01:47,374 --> 00:01:51,176 The louisiana legal scene when tragedy struck. 34 00:01:51,178 --> 00:01:53,778 The young defense attorney had been stabbed to death, 35 00:01:53,780 --> 00:01:56,848 Leaving detectives to sort through a case 36 00:01:56,850 --> 00:02:00,252 Filled with secrets and misdirection. 37 00:02:00,254 --> 00:02:03,455 Chiquita was someone who believed deeply 38 00:02:03,457 --> 00:02:05,190 In the rule of law. 39 00:02:05,192 --> 00:02:08,360 Now, her family needed it 40 00:02:08,362 --> 00:02:10,262 To bring them justice. 41 00:02:10,264 --> 00:02:12,831 Here's dennis murphy with "shining star". 42 00:02:16,003 --> 00:02:18,971 - Cajun country is where the dreadful thing happened. 43 00:02:20,941 --> 00:02:23,608 Baton rouge, the louisiana state capital 44 00:02:23,610 --> 00:02:25,777 Perched on the banks of the mississippi. 45 00:02:28,949 --> 00:02:30,382 Three blocks off the river, 46 00:02:30,384 --> 00:02:32,117 On a chilly Thursday night, 47 00:02:32,119 --> 00:02:34,819 A criminal defense lawyer was working late, 48 00:02:34,821 --> 00:02:37,990 Drafting a writ for the big murder trial starting Monday. 49 00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:43,762 When did the killer take her? 50 00:02:43,764 --> 00:02:46,698 Sometime after 8 o'clock was the best guess. 51 00:02:46,700 --> 00:02:50,969 The news led next morning's early drive. 52 00:02:50,971 --> 00:02:52,971 - I hear on a local news station. 53 00:02:52,973 --> 00:02:55,374 They interrupt to say that there is 54 00:02:55,376 --> 00:02:58,243 A downtown murder in a law office. 55 00:02:58,245 --> 00:03:01,513 - Attorney prem burns was on her way into work. 56 00:03:01,515 --> 00:03:04,049 - Which, of course, alerts me. 57 00:03:04,051 --> 00:03:07,319 Initially, my-my gosh, uh, is it an attorney? 58 00:03:09,489 --> 00:03:12,824 - The office, now strung with yellow crime scene tape, 59 00:03:12,826 --> 00:03:15,794 Belonged to an up-and-comer named chiquita tate, 60 00:03:15,796 --> 00:03:18,730 A local woman just a few years out of law school 61 00:03:18,732 --> 00:03:20,966 But already making a name for herself 62 00:03:20,968 --> 00:03:23,802 In the competitive pads and helmets arena 63 00:03:23,804 --> 00:03:26,605 Of litigation and criminal defense. 64 00:03:26,607 --> 00:03:28,039 - She had recently won 65 00:03:28,041 --> 00:03:29,942 A half-million-dollar jury verdict. 66 00:03:29,944 --> 00:03:32,344 That's pretty awfully good for somebody 67 00:03:32,346 --> 00:03:34,680 Out such a short time. 68 00:03:37,151 --> 00:03:39,952 - Chiquita was one of seven, her father absent, 69 00:03:39,954 --> 00:03:42,354 Raised by her grandma in a tired neighborhood 70 00:03:42,356 --> 00:03:44,556 Of boarded-up houses. 71 00:03:44,558 --> 00:03:46,024 Smart and determined, 72 00:03:46,026 --> 00:03:48,860 She rose above her impoverished early years, 73 00:03:48,862 --> 00:03:52,497 And once her fuse was lit, she became a rocket. 74 00:03:52,499 --> 00:03:55,000 - She was talented, she had overcome 75 00:03:55,002 --> 00:03:58,837 So very much in a short time period. 76 00:03:58,839 --> 00:04:01,206 She was the star of her family. 77 00:04:03,711 --> 00:04:06,611 - Chiquita was the first in her family to go to college. 78 00:04:06,613 --> 00:04:08,113 Then she enrolled in hometown 79 00:04:08,115 --> 00:04:10,081 Southern university law center, 80 00:04:10,083 --> 00:04:12,584 Got grabbed up by a law firm where she started 81 00:04:12,586 --> 00:04:14,853 Clerking while studying for the bar. 82 00:04:14,855 --> 00:04:16,521 That's when she met a legal assistant 83 00:04:16,523 --> 00:04:18,323 Named lessie hookfin. 84 00:04:18,325 --> 00:04:19,824 - She was just driven, 85 00:04:19,826 --> 00:04:23,528 Wanting to-to get that next-- 86 00:04:23,530 --> 00:04:26,931 I'll call it, that next high. 87 00:04:26,933 --> 00:04:29,067 And law school was that. 88 00:04:29,069 --> 00:04:32,070 Being a lawyer was that, and she achieved it. 89 00:04:32,072 --> 00:04:33,438 - She passed the bar on her first shot? 90 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:35,140 - On her first shot. 91 00:04:35,142 --> 00:04:37,342 - She eagerly lapped up the hard cases, 92 00:04:37,344 --> 00:04:40,145 The kind that made news: Accused killers, 93 00:04:40,147 --> 00:04:42,013 Druggies, gangbangers. 94 00:04:42,015 --> 00:04:43,882 She seemed at ease in the spotlight, 95 00:04:43,884 --> 00:04:45,751 Happily talking to reporters. 96 00:04:45,753 --> 00:04:46,818 [laughing] - have a good one! 97 00:04:46,820 --> 00:04:48,953 - Chiquita was enjoying such success 98 00:04:48,955 --> 00:04:50,956 She opened her own firm in a nice building 99 00:04:50,958 --> 00:04:53,325 A few blocks from the courts complex. 100 00:04:53,327 --> 00:04:55,327 Lessie hookfin went with her. 101 00:04:55,329 --> 00:04:57,696 - What areas did she start to stake out for herself? 102 00:04:57,698 --> 00:04:58,697 - Criminal. 103 00:04:58,699 --> 00:05:01,599 She wanted to do criminal so bad. 104 00:05:01,601 --> 00:05:03,702 - Prem burns watched her in action. 105 00:05:03,704 --> 00:05:05,570 Chiquita was one to speak her mind 106 00:05:05,572 --> 00:05:07,505 And dress how she wanted, 107 00:05:07,507 --> 00:05:10,575 In conservative lady lawyer pantsuits one day 108 00:05:10,577 --> 00:05:13,645 And stilettos and spiky hair the next. 109 00:05:13,647 --> 00:05:15,480 - She would walk into a courtroom 110 00:05:15,482 --> 00:05:18,183 And she looked like she owned the place. 111 00:05:18,185 --> 00:05:19,484 - You could hear her coming before you saw her. 112 00:05:19,486 --> 00:05:20,785 - You could! You could. 113 00:05:20,787 --> 00:05:22,821 And-and we always joked because chiquita would 114 00:05:22,823 --> 00:05:25,590 Wear four-inch heels and just strut in 115 00:05:25,592 --> 00:05:28,460 And you knew chiquita tate was in the courtroom. 116 00:05:28,462 --> 00:05:31,396 - Another thing, chiquita was all about family. 117 00:05:31,398 --> 00:05:34,599 She hired her sister danita to help in the office. 118 00:05:34,601 --> 00:05:36,701 And danita knew better than anyone that 119 00:05:36,703 --> 00:05:40,071 Hard-driving chiquita could be sunny one minute 120 00:05:40,073 --> 00:05:42,741 And a gulf coast storm the next. 121 00:05:42,743 --> 00:05:44,609 - She fired me like every week. 122 00:05:44,611 --> 00:05:45,944 - She fired you? 123 00:05:45,946 --> 00:05:47,145 - Yeah, every week, and then at night-- 124 00:05:47,147 --> 00:05:48,213 - You were her office assistant? 125 00:05:48,215 --> 00:05:49,281 - Yeah. 126 00:05:49,283 --> 00:05:52,484 And that night-- at night she would call me and say, 127 00:05:52,486 --> 00:05:54,018 We were talking then she'd say, 128 00:05:54,020 --> 00:05:55,020 "see you in the morning." 129 00:05:55,022 --> 00:05:56,621 I'm like, I thought I was fired. 130 00:05:56,623 --> 00:05:58,289 [chuckling] 131 00:05:58,291 --> 00:06:00,425 - In fact, it was a skirmish with chiquita that 132 00:06:00,427 --> 00:06:03,495 Sparked the interest of a young man named greg harris 133 00:06:03,497 --> 00:06:05,831 Who almost literally bumped into her 134 00:06:05,833 --> 00:06:08,900 While they were both cruising around town. 135 00:06:08,902 --> 00:06:10,702 Greg's brother mike says it started 136 00:06:10,704 --> 00:06:12,837 When greg cut chiquita off. 137 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:15,040 - She's in a corvette, he's in a mercedes. 138 00:06:15,042 --> 00:06:18,710 She's blowing the horn at him and, you know, 139 00:06:18,712 --> 00:06:21,713 "oh, you-you-you don't cut me off!" 140 00:06:21,715 --> 00:06:25,183 And so they pull up to the red light and, 141 00:06:25,185 --> 00:06:28,253 Uh, I heard a few smiles went from him, 142 00:06:28,255 --> 00:06:30,255 A few smiles went from her. 143 00:06:30,257 --> 00:06:32,724 And after that, it's all she wrote. 144 00:06:32,726 --> 00:06:35,527 - Greg harris was doing well as a contractor. 145 00:06:35,529 --> 00:06:36,795 The romance blossomed 146 00:06:36,797 --> 00:06:39,264 And chiquita moved into greg's home, 147 00:06:39,266 --> 00:06:41,699 A big step up from the falling down neighborhood 148 00:06:41,701 --> 00:06:44,403 Of shotgun houses where she grew up. 149 00:06:44,405 --> 00:06:48,139 They got married in a small wedding with family in 2008. 150 00:06:48,141 --> 00:06:49,274 And a year later, 151 00:06:49,276 --> 00:06:51,876 Chiquita was moving into that nice new office, 152 00:06:51,878 --> 00:06:53,578 Varnishing the bookshelves, 153 00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:55,880 Proudly hanging out her shingle. 154 00:06:55,882 --> 00:06:58,216 - Did anybody every worry about her and her clients? 155 00:06:58,218 --> 00:06:59,284 Because there were some tough hombres 156 00:06:59,286 --> 00:07:01,620 That she was defending. - There were. 157 00:07:01,622 --> 00:07:04,956 Um, but I don't think that 158 00:07:04,958 --> 00:07:07,092 It was to the point where 159 00:07:07,094 --> 00:07:10,662 Either she had to worry or anyone else had to worry. 160 00:07:10,664 --> 00:07:13,098 - On February 19, 2009, 161 00:07:13,100 --> 00:07:15,366 Chiquita was working hard prepping 162 00:07:15,368 --> 00:07:18,036 Her defense in a double homicide case. 163 00:07:18,038 --> 00:07:20,104 She told lessie she had to work late, 164 00:07:20,106 --> 00:07:22,173 Just a couple of hours. 165 00:07:22,175 --> 00:07:25,109 But chiquita never returned home that night. 166 00:07:25,111 --> 00:07:27,512 Her husband greg called her office repeatedly 167 00:07:27,514 --> 00:07:29,247 But got no answer. 168 00:07:29,249 --> 00:07:31,783 Around dawn, he drove down to the office, 169 00:07:31,785 --> 00:07:33,184 Troubled, he'd say later, 170 00:07:33,186 --> 00:07:36,020 To see his wife's hummer parked where she'd left it. 171 00:07:36,022 --> 00:07:37,455 He couldn't get in the locked building, 172 00:07:37,457 --> 00:07:38,957 So he called 911. 173 00:07:45,599 --> 00:07:47,465 - Greg suddenly spotted a patrol car 174 00:07:47,467 --> 00:07:49,000 And flagged it down. 175 00:07:49,002 --> 00:07:51,503 An office worker let the policeman in the building 176 00:07:51,505 --> 00:07:53,271 While greg called his sister-in-law, 177 00:07:53,273 --> 00:07:55,507 Danita, sounding frantic. 178 00:07:55,509 --> 00:07:58,176 - It's like, "dee, the hummer is still parked here 179 00:07:58,178 --> 00:07:59,978 "and they won't let me in the office." 180 00:08:01,815 --> 00:08:04,482 - Once upstairs, it took only a glance for 181 00:08:04,484 --> 00:08:07,252 The patrol officer to declare chiquita's office 182 00:08:07,254 --> 00:08:10,321 A crime scene, a bad one. 183 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:12,357 The shining starlight of chiquita tate 184 00:08:12,359 --> 00:08:14,893 Had been cruelly extinguished. 185 00:08:14,895 --> 00:08:17,496 By whom and for what reason? 186 00:08:20,234 --> 00:08:22,901 - Detectives at the scene would have those questions 187 00:08:22,903 --> 00:08:26,338 And more as the hunt for a killer begins. 188 00:08:28,842 --> 00:08:30,174 - The first clue. 189 00:08:30,176 --> 00:08:33,144 - No blood in the elevator, no blood in the lobby. 190 00:08:33,146 --> 00:08:35,713 Her left hand was opened. 191 00:08:35,715 --> 00:08:37,782 There was a piece of hair in it. 192 00:08:37,784 --> 00:08:40,919 I was like oh, my lord. 193 00:08:40,921 --> 00:08:41,920 - What were your theories? 194 00:08:41,922 --> 00:08:43,121 What did you think had happened? 195 00:08:43,123 --> 00:08:46,891 - I actually, uh-- I did not come to any conclusions 196 00:08:46,893 --> 00:08:48,226 Because I couldn't think of a soul 197 00:08:48,228 --> 00:08:50,262 Who would have wanted her dead. 198 00:08:50,264 --> 00:08:53,632 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 199 00:09:04,743 --> 00:09:06,778 - As the sun was coming up over the mississippi 200 00:09:06,780 --> 00:09:10,415 That cold February morning, 201 00:09:10,417 --> 00:09:12,750 The family and friends of chiquita tate 202 00:09:12,752 --> 00:09:15,820 Were converging on the street below her office. 203 00:09:15,822 --> 00:09:17,288 - So, I tried to run in the office 204 00:09:17,290 --> 00:09:18,923 And the police grabbed me. 205 00:09:18,925 --> 00:09:20,491 And he was like, "ma'am, you can't go in there." 206 00:09:20,493 --> 00:09:22,827 I say, "that's my sister in there." 207 00:09:22,829 --> 00:09:25,096 - Just like danita, chiquita's legal assistant 208 00:09:25,098 --> 00:09:27,232 Lessie hookfin was stopped on the street 209 00:09:27,234 --> 00:09:29,434 Outside by an officer. 210 00:09:29,436 --> 00:09:33,705 - And he saw me coming, so he came toward me 211 00:09:33,707 --> 00:09:37,508 And grabbed me, um, pretty much to hold me up 212 00:09:37,510 --> 00:09:40,378 'cause I was going down. 213 00:09:40,380 --> 00:09:43,648 And-and that's when he told me 214 00:09:43,650 --> 00:09:45,784 She was dead. 215 00:09:45,786 --> 00:09:48,152 - Chiquita's loved ones were huddled together 216 00:09:48,154 --> 00:09:50,855 When veteran homicide detectives chris johnson 217 00:09:50,857 --> 00:09:53,925 And elvin howard rolled up to the scene. 218 00:09:53,927 --> 00:09:55,126 - So, the responding officers told you 219 00:09:55,128 --> 00:09:56,127 That's the husband over there, 220 00:09:56,129 --> 00:09:57,495 But he's on the edge of things for you. 221 00:09:57,497 --> 00:09:58,663 You haven't approached him yet. 222 00:09:58,665 --> 00:09:59,764 - That's correct. 223 00:09:59,766 --> 00:10:02,200 He was upset to the point where uniformed patrol 224 00:10:02,202 --> 00:10:04,202 Had to put him in the back of-of the unit. 225 00:10:04,204 --> 00:10:05,536 - So, do you go up at that point? 226 00:10:05,538 --> 00:10:06,738 - Um, no, at that time, 227 00:10:06,740 --> 00:10:09,807 We-we try to gather as much information as possible. 228 00:10:09,809 --> 00:10:13,344 - The detectives began their standard investigative ritual: 229 00:10:13,346 --> 00:10:16,848 Putting together a timeline of the victim's last day. 230 00:10:16,850 --> 00:10:19,384 Assistant lessie hookfin knew some of it. 231 00:10:19,386 --> 00:10:20,351 - So, that Thursday, 232 00:10:20,353 --> 00:10:22,053 How does that fit in your recollection? 233 00:10:22,055 --> 00:10:24,089 What was that day like? 234 00:10:24,091 --> 00:10:27,492 - Pretty regular day. 235 00:10:27,494 --> 00:10:30,061 - Chiquita had gone to court and that very day 236 00:10:30,063 --> 00:10:32,497 Talked to reporters about her latest case. 237 00:10:32,499 --> 00:10:34,899 - Under the statute is the question that I would like 238 00:10:34,901 --> 00:10:36,501 The, um, appellate court to review. 239 00:10:36,503 --> 00:10:39,303 - After a quick chat, she headed back to her office 240 00:10:39,305 --> 00:10:42,106 Where workers were refinishing a bookcase. 241 00:10:42,108 --> 00:10:45,109 Lessie left at her regular time, about 5:30, 242 00:10:45,111 --> 00:10:46,911 And she remembers being concerned 243 00:10:46,913 --> 00:10:49,447 About the smell of varnish. 244 00:10:49,449 --> 00:10:51,850 - I said, "kita, don't stay in here too late," 245 00:10:51,852 --> 00:10:55,553 Because the smell was just overpowering. 246 00:10:55,555 --> 00:10:57,722 Uh, she said, "les, I'm not gonna stay in here late. 247 00:10:57,724 --> 00:11:00,191 I'm just gonna read this." 248 00:11:00,193 --> 00:11:02,060 - But she did stay late. 249 00:11:02,062 --> 00:11:04,262 Chiquita's husband greg told police his wife 250 00:11:04,264 --> 00:11:06,731 Called him around seven or so and asked him 251 00:11:06,733 --> 00:11:09,067 To please bring her something to eat. 252 00:11:09,069 --> 00:11:10,868 So, he set out from their home in baker, 253 00:11:10,870 --> 00:11:13,304 About 25 minutes away. 254 00:11:13,306 --> 00:11:15,573 - Then he said he went to mcdonald's in baker 255 00:11:15,575 --> 00:11:17,175 And got some hamburgers and fries 256 00:11:17,177 --> 00:11:19,844 And brought it to chiquita in her office. 257 00:11:19,846 --> 00:11:21,079 Uh, chiquita met him downstairs, 258 00:11:21,081 --> 00:11:23,081 According to greg, and let him into the building 259 00:11:23,083 --> 00:11:25,683 Because at 5:30 in the evening until 260 00:11:25,685 --> 00:11:27,885 7:30 the next morning the building is locked. 261 00:11:27,887 --> 00:11:29,887 - And unless you have a swipe card, 262 00:11:29,889 --> 00:11:31,356 You can't get access? - Exactly. 263 00:11:31,358 --> 00:11:33,358 - Greg told the cops he encountered a number of 264 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:36,027 Tenants in the building working late that night. 265 00:11:36,029 --> 00:11:37,695 He remembered running downstairs 266 00:11:37,697 --> 00:11:40,164 On a small errand for his wife. 267 00:11:40,166 --> 00:11:42,033 - Chiquita had a client that was coming over 268 00:11:42,035 --> 00:11:43,367 To pick up some money, 269 00:11:43,369 --> 00:11:46,170 So he went downstairs to-to pay this client 270 00:11:46,172 --> 00:11:49,073 And pick up some paperwork from this person for chiquita. 271 00:11:49,075 --> 00:11:51,342 - Greg said chiquita had more work to do 272 00:11:51,344 --> 00:11:53,778 And yet another client to see, 273 00:11:53,780 --> 00:11:56,114 So he said he took off for home. 274 00:11:56,116 --> 00:11:58,249 It was sometime around 8:30. 275 00:12:00,987 --> 00:12:03,755 What happened next was a bloody mystery. 276 00:12:03,757 --> 00:12:05,523 It would be up to the detectives 277 00:12:05,525 --> 00:12:08,259 And also prem burns to figure out. 278 00:12:08,261 --> 00:12:09,894 The attorney, hearing the awful news 279 00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:11,996 On her car radio that morning, 280 00:12:11,998 --> 00:12:14,866 The one who got such a kick out of chiquita in court, 281 00:12:14,868 --> 00:12:18,436 Was, in fact, a legendary baton rouge prosecutor. 282 00:12:18,438 --> 00:12:20,605 - My boss, the district attorney, was out there. 283 00:12:20,607 --> 00:12:22,540 There were so many police officers there. 284 00:12:22,542 --> 00:12:25,143 The crime scene van was there. 285 00:12:25,145 --> 00:12:28,880 And so, I went into bat and immediately said to my boss, 286 00:12:28,882 --> 00:12:31,215 "I want this. I want this case." 287 00:12:31,217 --> 00:12:33,017 - Prem insisted, as she always does, 288 00:12:33,019 --> 00:12:34,819 On viewing the crime scene. 289 00:12:34,821 --> 00:12:36,187 As she entered the office, 290 00:12:36,189 --> 00:12:39,023 She noticed chiquita had been fixing things up. 291 00:12:39,025 --> 00:12:41,292 - But then when you proceeded into the next room 292 00:12:41,294 --> 00:12:44,228 Where her body was, I was like, 293 00:12:44,230 --> 00:12:48,099 "oh, my lord." 294 00:12:48,101 --> 00:12:51,302 She was butchered. She was butchered. 295 00:12:51,304 --> 00:12:53,037 She was laying on the floor. 296 00:12:53,039 --> 00:12:55,706 She had little slipper socks on her feet, 297 00:12:55,708 --> 00:12:58,743 The way all of us would be if we stay after work. 298 00:12:58,745 --> 00:13:00,245 We're not going to keep our heels on. 299 00:13:00,247 --> 00:13:03,114 She basically had a law book that 300 00:13:03,116 --> 00:13:05,016 I think she had been reading that was 301 00:13:05,018 --> 00:13:08,920 In her hands at the time the attack began. 302 00:13:08,922 --> 00:13:12,456 - Chiquita had been stabbed 43 times. 303 00:13:12,458 --> 00:13:14,625 The attack was brutal and messy, 304 00:13:14,627 --> 00:13:18,263 The blood-stained wall suggesting a fight to the death. 305 00:13:18,265 --> 00:13:19,697 Did you have a murder weapon? 306 00:13:19,699 --> 00:13:20,932 - No, we didn't. - No, sir. 307 00:13:20,934 --> 00:13:22,934 - Did you get lucky with a footprint or a partial print 308 00:13:22,936 --> 00:13:24,468 Or anything in blood, anything like that? 309 00:13:24,470 --> 00:13:26,604 - No, we did not get lucky with a footprint. 310 00:13:26,606 --> 00:13:28,739 - No blood in the elevator, no blood in the lobby, 311 00:13:28,741 --> 00:13:30,741 No blood on the buttons. 312 00:13:30,743 --> 00:13:32,677 - The killer had improbably vanished 313 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:34,645 Without leaving a trail. 314 00:13:34,647 --> 00:13:37,882 And at first glance, hadn't taken anything either. 315 00:13:37,884 --> 00:13:39,083 Had the office been trashed? 316 00:13:39,085 --> 00:13:40,552 Had anybody been looking through files 317 00:13:40,554 --> 00:13:41,586 Or something like that? - No. 318 00:13:41,588 --> 00:13:42,920 - No, we didn't see that. 319 00:13:42,922 --> 00:13:46,023 - She had expensive jewelry still on her-- on her hands, 320 00:13:46,025 --> 00:13:49,227 She had earrings in her ear. Um, so, it definitely... 321 00:13:49,229 --> 00:13:50,561 - So, this is starting to tell you some stuff 322 00:13:50,563 --> 00:13:52,129 About the nature of this killing. 323 00:13:52,131 --> 00:13:55,099 - That's correct. 324 00:13:55,101 --> 00:13:56,934 - It didn't look like a robbery, 325 00:13:56,936 --> 00:14:00,004 However, as crime scene techs processed the scene, 326 00:14:00,006 --> 00:14:02,273 The investigators realized chiquita's wallet 327 00:14:02,275 --> 00:14:04,275 Was missing from her purse. 328 00:14:04,277 --> 00:14:06,310 And there, in the victim's hand, 329 00:14:06,312 --> 00:14:08,779 What looked like a major clue. 330 00:14:08,781 --> 00:14:12,016 - And her left hand was opened. 331 00:14:12,018 --> 00:14:14,585 There was a piece of hair in it. 332 00:14:14,587 --> 00:14:17,521 No, actually 91 strands of hair in it. 333 00:14:17,523 --> 00:14:21,726 And her right arm was over her head and she just-- 334 00:14:21,728 --> 00:14:23,928 She just died like that. 335 00:14:23,930 --> 00:14:26,264 - Had she pulled it from her killer's head? 336 00:14:26,266 --> 00:14:29,267 The hair was long. Had the killer been a woman? 337 00:14:29,269 --> 00:14:30,301 What were your theories? 338 00:14:30,303 --> 00:14:31,335 What are you thinking happened? 339 00:14:31,337 --> 00:14:33,938 - I actually, uh-- I did not come to 340 00:14:33,940 --> 00:14:35,873 Any conclusions because I couldn't think of 341 00:14:35,875 --> 00:14:38,409 A soul who would have wanted her dead. 342 00:14:38,411 --> 00:14:40,611 - Chiquita's father-in-law silver ray harris 343 00:14:40,613 --> 00:14:42,980 Admired her courage but wondered about 344 00:14:42,982 --> 00:14:46,084 The kind of clients who came with her line of work. 345 00:14:46,086 --> 00:14:48,219 - Being a criminal lawyer, that's what you deal with. 346 00:14:48,221 --> 00:14:49,353 Criminals. - Yeah. 347 00:14:49,355 --> 00:14:52,623 -So, you have to accept a degree of bad people. 348 00:14:52,625 --> 00:14:53,758 They come looking for... 349 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:55,226 - She had some of the toughest of the tough, huh? 350 00:14:55,228 --> 00:14:57,361 - That's what I hear. That she would-- she'd-- 351 00:14:57,363 --> 00:14:59,564 If you went there, she'd-she'd try to help you. 352 00:14:59,566 --> 00:15:00,898 - Could have been an unhappy client. 353 00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:02,100 - Could-could well have been. 354 00:15:02,102 --> 00:15:03,167 - Someone who didn't like the results they got from her. 355 00:15:03,169 --> 00:15:05,303 - Could have been, or could have been 356 00:15:05,305 --> 00:15:07,538 A member of the victim's family. 357 00:15:07,540 --> 00:15:09,173 - The list of potential suspects could be 358 00:15:09,175 --> 00:15:11,175 As long as her client list. 359 00:15:11,177 --> 00:15:14,045 Yet chiquita's brother-in-law says he can't understand 360 00:15:14,047 --> 00:15:16,180 How anyone could do such a thing. 361 00:15:16,182 --> 00:15:19,417 - Heartless. 362 00:15:19,419 --> 00:15:23,721 Completely, to do her that way. 363 00:15:23,723 --> 00:15:26,891 When I get on my knees at night, 364 00:15:26,893 --> 00:15:29,994 I pray he'll get justice. 365 00:15:29,996 --> 00:15:33,397 - Police were confident they would get their man or woman. 366 00:15:33,399 --> 00:15:36,200 And something up a street pole gave them hope. 367 00:15:36,202 --> 00:15:37,735 Outside chiquita's office were 368 00:15:37,737 --> 00:15:40,938 City surveillance cameras and traffic cams. 369 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:42,606 Did one of several cameras 370 00:15:42,608 --> 00:15:45,476 See someone enter after greg left? 371 00:15:45,478 --> 00:15:47,445 There may not have been a trail of blood, 372 00:15:47,447 --> 00:15:50,114 But with a little luck, those cameras just might 373 00:15:50,116 --> 00:15:51,816 Give them a portrait of their killer 374 00:15:51,818 --> 00:15:56,821 Or killers suitable for framing. 375 00:15:56,823 --> 00:15:59,457 - Will the cameras capture chiquita's killer? 376 00:15:59,459 --> 00:16:03,594 And that mystery clump of hair: What might it reveal? 377 00:16:05,765 --> 00:16:08,632 - If you were in a fight and pulled someone's hair out, 378 00:16:08,634 --> 00:16:10,668 You're going to find root hairs. 379 00:16:10,670 --> 00:16:12,103 - So, the scenario that occurs to me is 380 00:16:12,105 --> 00:16:13,838 This is a woman that's in this assault. 381 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:15,106 - Exactly. - Two women are fighting and-- 382 00:16:15,108 --> 00:16:16,240 - Exactly. 383 00:16:16,242 --> 00:16:18,142 - She's gotten a bit of this weave and yanked it. 384 00:16:18,144 --> 00:16:19,243 - Exactly. 385 00:16:19,245 --> 00:16:22,447 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 386 00:16:32,724 --> 00:16:34,458 - Chiquita tate's vicious killing, 387 00:16:34,460 --> 00:16:37,128 Stabbed and slashed dozens of times, 388 00:16:37,130 --> 00:16:40,798 Had shaken her friends and family to their very roots. 389 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:42,733 And, as an officer of the courts, 390 00:16:42,735 --> 00:16:45,202 It was also an attack on baton rouge's 391 00:16:45,204 --> 00:16:47,872 Criminal justice system family. 392 00:16:47,874 --> 00:16:50,441 The heat was on detectives johnson and howard 393 00:16:50,443 --> 00:16:51,776 To find the killer. 394 00:16:51,778 --> 00:16:52,977 You're looking at the poles around here. 395 00:16:52,979 --> 00:16:54,979 What was that, greg? - Yeah, the crime cameras. 396 00:16:54,981 --> 00:16:56,714 We know that most of baton rouge has crime cameras 397 00:16:56,716 --> 00:16:58,549 Down here at several locations. 398 00:16:58,551 --> 00:16:59,650 And across from the office 399 00:16:59,652 --> 00:17:01,419 Is a crime camera right there on the pole. 400 00:17:01,421 --> 00:17:03,654 - We also have traffic cameras that are 401 00:17:03,656 --> 00:17:05,556 On-on each, um, signal light. 402 00:17:05,558 --> 00:17:06,758 There are some right here. 403 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:07,792 - Oh, yeah, I see it right here. - Yeah, that's correct. 404 00:17:07,794 --> 00:17:09,493 - So, you could get really lucky, maybe. 405 00:17:09,495 --> 00:17:10,428 - Yeah, hopefully. 406 00:17:10,430 --> 00:17:11,495 We thought we would be getting lucky. 407 00:17:11,497 --> 00:17:12,630 - Get the perpetrator coming or going, huh? 408 00:17:12,632 --> 00:17:15,700 - Exactly. - That's correct. 409 00:17:15,702 --> 00:17:17,268 - This camera about a block away from 410 00:17:17,270 --> 00:17:19,804 Chiquita's office was working fine. 411 00:17:19,806 --> 00:17:22,339 It showed a quiet street the night of the killing, 412 00:17:22,341 --> 00:17:23,841 Normal activity. 413 00:17:23,843 --> 00:17:26,577 What they really wanted was the shot from this camera, 414 00:17:26,579 --> 00:17:29,847 Which swept right past chiquita's office door. 415 00:17:29,849 --> 00:17:31,182 But bad luck. 416 00:17:31,184 --> 00:17:33,818 A recent storm had knocked it out. 417 00:17:33,820 --> 00:17:35,152 - Uh, the camera in the front of the office 418 00:17:35,154 --> 00:17:38,656 Was not working properly that particular night. 419 00:17:38,658 --> 00:17:40,391 - So, no picture of a suspect. 420 00:17:40,393 --> 00:17:43,027 This wasn't going to be an open-shut solve. 421 00:17:43,029 --> 00:17:45,196 But there was evidence to work with. 422 00:17:45,198 --> 00:17:47,031 The crime scene technicians had taken 423 00:17:47,033 --> 00:17:49,333 Scrapings from under chiquita's fingernails 424 00:17:49,335 --> 00:17:52,002 And sent them off for lab analysis. 425 00:17:52,004 --> 00:17:55,172 Had she scratched dna material from her killer? 426 00:17:55,174 --> 00:17:57,174 They'd have to wait on findings. 427 00:17:57,176 --> 00:17:58,742 And likewise, the clump of hair 428 00:17:58,744 --> 00:18:00,344 Found in chiquita's hand, 429 00:18:00,346 --> 00:18:03,681 Did it contain dna identifying the killer? 430 00:18:03,683 --> 00:18:06,951 - If you were in a fight and pulled someone's hair out, 431 00:18:06,953 --> 00:18:11,222 You're going to find root hairs, hairballs. 432 00:18:11,224 --> 00:18:13,958 - But the lab work was back on the hair sample. 433 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:16,293 There were no roots on those strands, 434 00:18:16,295 --> 00:18:20,097 But the hair had come from a woman's hair extension or weave. 435 00:18:20,099 --> 00:18:21,599 - So, the scenario that occurs to me is 436 00:18:21,601 --> 00:18:23,100 This is a woman that's in this assault. 437 00:18:23,102 --> 00:18:24,768 - Exactly. - Two women are fighting and-- 438 00:18:24,770 --> 00:18:26,003 - Exactly. 439 00:18:26,005 --> 00:18:27,638 - She's gotten a bit of this weave and yanked it. 440 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:28,906 - Exactly. 441 00:18:28,908 --> 00:18:31,475 - The theory of two women in a death struggle 442 00:18:31,477 --> 00:18:33,344 Didn't make sense to the cops. 443 00:18:33,346 --> 00:18:36,581 The attack seemed too violent, too overwhelming. 444 00:18:36,583 --> 00:18:38,983 But with homicides, you never know. 445 00:18:38,985 --> 00:18:40,918 In the early hours of the investigation, though, 446 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:43,254 They did catch a major break. 447 00:18:43,256 --> 00:18:45,489 A report had come into dispatch. 448 00:18:45,491 --> 00:18:47,525 A woman driving through a high crime area 449 00:18:47,527 --> 00:18:49,627 Known as gardere lane 450 00:18:49,629 --> 00:18:52,463 Called police to say she'd found a wallet 451 00:18:52,465 --> 00:18:55,065 And it belonged to chiquita tate. 452 00:18:55,067 --> 00:18:56,467 - She's driving down gardere lane 453 00:18:56,469 --> 00:18:58,836 And she sees the wallet on the side of the road. 454 00:19:01,141 --> 00:19:02,473 - Amazingly enough, 455 00:19:02,475 --> 00:19:04,876 The finder of the wallet knew chiquita. 456 00:19:04,878 --> 00:19:06,477 The young attorney had given a speech 457 00:19:06,479 --> 00:19:07,778 At her daughter's school 458 00:19:07,780 --> 00:19:10,081 And made quite an impression. 459 00:19:10,083 --> 00:19:13,551 - That prompted her to call the police and advise us 460 00:19:13,553 --> 00:19:16,086 That she-she located this wallet. 461 00:19:16,088 --> 00:19:18,088 - And unexpectantly for a wallet 462 00:19:18,090 --> 00:19:21,025 Taken from a victim's purse and then tossed, 463 00:19:21,027 --> 00:19:25,162 Chiquita's id and her credit cards were all inside, 464 00:19:25,164 --> 00:19:27,364 Which got investigators thinking maybe 465 00:19:27,366 --> 00:19:29,700 The killer planted the wallet there hoping 466 00:19:29,702 --> 00:19:31,569 Some street person would find it 467 00:19:31,571 --> 00:19:35,306 And stumble right into a homicide investigation. 468 00:19:35,308 --> 00:19:37,841 - When you take a nice gucci wallet 469 00:19:37,843 --> 00:19:40,511 Loaded with credit cards to gardere lane 470 00:19:40,513 --> 00:19:41,679 And leave it in the streets, 471 00:19:41,681 --> 00:19:43,447 Somebody is going to pick it up 472 00:19:43,449 --> 00:19:46,183 And start going to the mall, 473 00:19:46,185 --> 00:19:48,119 Spending some of those credit cards, 474 00:19:48,121 --> 00:19:49,820 And the first thing that's going to happen 475 00:19:49,822 --> 00:19:51,689 Is that the police are going to have a film 476 00:19:51,691 --> 00:19:54,559 Of the transaction and go to that person and say... 477 00:19:56,930 --> 00:19:58,362 "you killed chiquita tate." 478 00:19:58,364 --> 00:20:00,531 - There's our suspect. - Absolutely. 479 00:20:00,533 --> 00:20:02,667 - So, this killer unknown started taking on 480 00:20:02,669 --> 00:20:05,135 Some traits in the detectives' minds. 481 00:20:05,137 --> 00:20:07,271 The person was good or lucky enough 482 00:20:07,273 --> 00:20:08,672 To get out of the office building 483 00:20:08,674 --> 00:20:10,941 Without leaving a trail of blood. 484 00:20:10,943 --> 00:20:13,711 And after what had to have been a frenzied attack, 485 00:20:13,713 --> 00:20:16,380 Still had the composure to think up the red herring 486 00:20:16,382 --> 00:20:18,015 Of the tossed wallet. 487 00:20:18,017 --> 00:20:20,551 The killer looked like a cool customer, 488 00:20:20,553 --> 00:20:22,420 Perhaps a professional. 489 00:20:22,422 --> 00:20:25,223 As the cops went down the list of dubious characters 490 00:20:25,225 --> 00:20:27,758 On her client roster, they looked closely at 491 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:30,027 Two men who had been accused of killing a man 492 00:20:30,029 --> 00:20:34,098 And his 17-year-old son. Possible suspects? 493 00:20:34,100 --> 00:20:35,233 - One of them actually was in jail 494 00:20:35,235 --> 00:20:37,601 At the time of the-- of the homicide. 495 00:20:37,603 --> 00:20:41,105 It-it just was very unlikely that-that someone 496 00:20:41,107 --> 00:20:44,174 Who-who she worked so hard for would kill her. 497 00:20:44,176 --> 00:20:46,176 - A few of the people on chiquita's client list 498 00:20:46,178 --> 00:20:49,113 Were incarcerated at the time of her killing. 499 00:20:49,115 --> 00:20:50,914 Others had alibis. 500 00:20:50,916 --> 00:20:54,518 But she also had clients who were free to come and go. 501 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:56,987 Did one of them have an appointment? 502 00:20:56,989 --> 00:20:59,523 - Was there anybody due to come in that evening? 503 00:20:59,525 --> 00:21:00,524 - No. - As far as you recall? 504 00:21:00,526 --> 00:21:02,059 - Not after-- not after hours. 505 00:21:02,061 --> 00:21:03,994 - After hours. - No. 506 00:21:03,996 --> 00:21:05,930 That would have been very unusual. 507 00:21:05,932 --> 00:21:08,966 And I would have known. 508 00:21:08,968 --> 00:21:11,669 - A mystery client with the worst of grudges? 509 00:21:11,671 --> 00:21:13,537 A woman unknown? 510 00:21:13,539 --> 00:21:17,207 Only theories until the cops play poker with a witness 511 00:21:17,209 --> 00:21:19,610 And hit the jackpot when they're only holding 512 00:21:19,612 --> 00:21:21,412 A pair of deuces. 513 00:21:24,583 --> 00:21:26,350 - A revealing phone call 514 00:21:26,352 --> 00:21:28,686 With a jaw-dropping tip for police. 515 00:21:28,688 --> 00:21:30,821 - This is a voice saying I think I know 516 00:21:30,823 --> 00:21:32,723 Who may have killed chiquita. 517 00:21:32,725 --> 00:21:35,793 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 518 00:21:43,101 --> 00:21:45,769 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 519 00:21:45,771 --> 00:21:47,271 I'm craig melvin. 520 00:21:47,273 --> 00:21:51,108 Detectives had a hunch that whoever killed chiquita tate 521 00:21:51,110 --> 00:21:53,577 Was purposely planting false leads 522 00:21:53,579 --> 00:21:56,380 To pin the crime on someone else. 523 00:21:56,382 --> 00:21:58,315 That might explain why her designer wallet 524 00:21:58,317 --> 00:22:01,318 Was found in a neighborhood known for crime. 525 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:03,988 But investigators saw through the smokescreen 526 00:22:03,990 --> 00:22:08,225 And were about to discover a secret recording that would 527 00:22:08,227 --> 00:22:11,595 Put them on the trail of a potential suspect. 528 00:22:11,597 --> 00:22:14,198 Once again, here's dennis murphy 529 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,468 With "shining star". 530 00:22:17,470 --> 00:22:19,670 - There's a concept in police work 531 00:22:19,672 --> 00:22:21,872 Called victimology. 532 00:22:21,874 --> 00:22:24,508 The detectives probe the backstory of someone's life 533 00:22:24,510 --> 00:22:27,010 To understand what made them tick. 534 00:22:27,012 --> 00:22:29,446 In chiquita's case, they found for sure 535 00:22:29,448 --> 00:22:32,283 A woman loved, respected, and admired. 536 00:22:32,285 --> 00:22:36,687 But they also learned she had a capital t temper. 537 00:22:36,689 --> 00:22:38,689 - She was extremely aggressive. 538 00:22:38,691 --> 00:22:40,357 - To the point of bring irritating or... 539 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:44,428 - Umm, to some. And to some extent. 540 00:22:44,430 --> 00:22:47,898 - Had she pushed someone too hard or too far? 541 00:22:47,900 --> 00:22:50,167 As detectives ran though the evidence, 542 00:22:50,169 --> 00:22:52,970 They'd of course been taking to the husband, greg harris, 543 00:22:52,972 --> 00:22:54,671 Right from the start. 544 00:22:54,673 --> 00:22:56,173 - Greg, meanwhile, was being very helpful 545 00:22:56,175 --> 00:22:57,641 With investigators. He hadn't lawyered up, 546 00:22:57,643 --> 00:22:59,109 He was telling them the story of his night. 547 00:22:59,111 --> 00:23:00,711 Here's the keys to my vehicle, 548 00:23:00,713 --> 00:23:01,779 Take a look. - Yes. 549 00:23:01,781 --> 00:23:02,679 - If you want to go to the house, check it out. 550 00:23:02,681 --> 00:23:05,082 - Yes, absolutely. - I'm with you. 551 00:23:05,084 --> 00:23:07,317 - And they conducted those searches because spouses, 552 00:23:07,319 --> 00:23:11,221 No matter how cooperative, are always suspects. 553 00:23:11,223 --> 00:23:13,056 And what crime scene investigators found 554 00:23:13,058 --> 00:23:15,259 When they poured over greg and chiquita's house 555 00:23:15,261 --> 00:23:18,162 Was, well, at first glance, not much. 556 00:23:18,164 --> 00:23:21,899 No weapons, certainly. No blood-soaked clothes. 557 00:23:21,901 --> 00:23:24,435 They took dna swabs and bagged various items 558 00:23:24,437 --> 00:23:26,136 For lab analysis. 559 00:23:26,138 --> 00:23:28,038 And then, in a closet, 560 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:30,408 They found a really oddball souvenir. 561 00:23:32,879 --> 00:23:35,612 An audio recording made by greg of him and chiquita 562 00:23:35,614 --> 00:23:37,948 Engaged in a screaming match. 563 00:23:43,756 --> 00:23:46,156 - This sounded like a couple splitting the sheets, 564 00:23:46,158 --> 00:23:47,792 Divvying up the household goods. 565 00:23:51,164 --> 00:23:54,231 - Danita was aware that her sister chiquita was unhappy. 566 00:23:54,233 --> 00:23:56,066 But realistically, she didn't think 567 00:23:56,068 --> 00:23:59,303 Her strong-willed sister would ever be happy in a marriage. 568 00:23:59,305 --> 00:24:01,972 - You know in a relationship you have to compromise. 569 00:24:01,974 --> 00:24:03,040 - Mmm. 570 00:24:03,042 --> 00:24:04,875 - I don't think she was willing to do it. 571 00:24:04,877 --> 00:24:06,910 It's her way or no way. 572 00:24:06,912 --> 00:24:08,879 - Danita says her tempestuous sister 573 00:24:08,881 --> 00:24:11,448 Was always threatening to storm out of the marriage, 574 00:24:11,450 --> 00:24:13,584 Right up to her last day. 575 00:24:13,586 --> 00:24:17,020 - And that morning of February 19 she called me 576 00:24:17,022 --> 00:24:19,156 And she said that 577 00:24:19,158 --> 00:24:22,126 "dee, I just can't do the married thing anymore." 578 00:24:22,128 --> 00:24:23,727 - Greg's parents silver ray harris 579 00:24:23,729 --> 00:24:25,963 And joycie henderson believed the couple 580 00:24:25,965 --> 00:24:28,265 Had just hit a rough patch. 581 00:24:28,267 --> 00:24:31,668 - I think it had to do with her not being home very often. 582 00:24:31,670 --> 00:24:33,737 She would take cases that would take her to new orleans 583 00:24:33,739 --> 00:24:37,875 And, uh, she'd work on cases to late up into the night. 584 00:24:37,877 --> 00:24:39,343 - Too much career going on for her? 585 00:24:39,345 --> 00:24:41,345 - Yeah. And no time for him. 586 00:24:41,347 --> 00:24:44,248 And I think he wanted more time. 587 00:24:44,250 --> 00:24:46,383 - But in the early hours of the investigation, 588 00:24:46,385 --> 00:24:48,886 Detectives learned the fight recorded at the couple's home 589 00:24:48,888 --> 00:24:51,355 Wasn't an isolated incident. 590 00:24:51,357 --> 00:24:54,424 Their files showed that a 911 domestic call 591 00:24:54,426 --> 00:24:56,660 Brought police to greg and chiquita's house 592 00:24:56,662 --> 00:24:58,963 Two months before they got married. 593 00:24:58,965 --> 00:25:00,030 - What was that all about? 594 00:25:00,032 --> 00:25:02,966 - Police were called out because uh, chiquita 595 00:25:02,968 --> 00:25:05,068 Accused greg of-of hitting her. 596 00:25:05,070 --> 00:25:06,971 From what we understand, a charge was filed 597 00:25:06,973 --> 00:25:08,372 Against both of them. 598 00:25:08,374 --> 00:25:10,674 - So, with that in mind, when greg sat down 599 00:25:10,676 --> 00:25:12,976 With investigators, the conversation 600 00:25:12,978 --> 00:25:15,712 Became contentious, even combative. 601 00:25:15,714 --> 00:25:17,080 - I love my wife. 602 00:25:17,082 --> 00:25:19,049 We was trying to make this relationship happen. 603 00:25:19,051 --> 00:25:20,183 - You were trying to make the relationship happen. 604 00:25:20,185 --> 00:25:21,485 - No, we both were. 605 00:25:21,487 --> 00:25:23,387 - They'd had problems, he admitted, 606 00:25:23,389 --> 00:25:25,856 But said he wasn't violent with chiquita. 607 00:25:25,858 --> 00:25:28,192 The detectives told greg what they'd picked up on, 608 00:25:28,194 --> 00:25:30,994 That chiquita was leaving the marriage. 609 00:25:30,996 --> 00:25:32,563 Wrong, countered the husband. 610 00:25:32,565 --> 00:25:33,597 - She was still living with me. 611 00:25:33,599 --> 00:25:34,531 You go to my house. 612 00:25:34,533 --> 00:25:35,632 It ain't no clothes packed. - Yeah. 613 00:25:35,634 --> 00:25:37,401 - Well, if she was leaving, why did she ask me 614 00:25:37,403 --> 00:25:38,469 To come over there and help her? 615 00:25:38,471 --> 00:25:40,003 When we was still doing-- going to the movies, 616 00:25:40,005 --> 00:25:41,471 Doing everything else? 617 00:25:41,473 --> 00:25:44,341 - They reviewed greg's timeline the night of the killing, 618 00:25:44,343 --> 00:25:46,610 How he brought his wife dinner and left her 619 00:25:46,612 --> 00:25:49,813 Still working at the office some time around 8:30. 620 00:25:49,815 --> 00:25:51,282 - Where did you go? 621 00:25:51,284 --> 00:25:52,749 - Where did I go? I went home. 622 00:25:52,751 --> 00:25:54,618 - Straight home? - I went straight home. 623 00:25:54,620 --> 00:25:58,355 - Which path you took home? - I got on the interstate. 624 00:25:58,357 --> 00:26:01,425 - That's when police, clearly suspicious of greg, 625 00:26:01,427 --> 00:26:03,927 Used a ploy to smoke him out, 626 00:26:03,929 --> 00:26:06,897 To catch him in a lie if he were, in fact, lying. 627 00:26:06,899 --> 00:26:08,699 - According to the cameras, that's not the path 628 00:26:08,701 --> 00:26:10,234 In which you've taken last night. 629 00:26:10,236 --> 00:26:12,503 - We convinced him that we had cameras up, 630 00:26:12,505 --> 00:26:13,971 Which we do have cameras up. 631 00:26:13,973 --> 00:26:16,173 We convinced him that we can track his cellphone. 632 00:26:16,175 --> 00:26:17,441 - In fact, did you have anything like that? 633 00:26:17,443 --> 00:26:18,475 - No, we did not. 634 00:26:18,477 --> 00:26:19,843 We just-- we was bluffing him. 635 00:26:19,845 --> 00:26:22,780 - You know we do phone records? 636 00:26:22,782 --> 00:26:24,782 Your phone records, her phone records. 637 00:26:24,784 --> 00:26:28,385 It tells every tower that-that-that you hit 638 00:26:28,387 --> 00:26:30,087 When you make phone call. 639 00:26:30,089 --> 00:26:31,922 - That's fine. 640 00:26:31,924 --> 00:26:33,190 That's fine. 641 00:26:33,192 --> 00:26:35,859 - And so, with greg thinking the cops knew his every move, 642 00:26:35,861 --> 00:26:38,528 They confronted him with an important question 643 00:26:38,530 --> 00:26:40,364 About the place where chiquita's wallet 644 00:26:40,366 --> 00:26:42,232 Had already been found. 645 00:26:42,234 --> 00:26:44,368 - When's the last time you've been on gardere lane? 646 00:26:44,370 --> 00:26:45,736 - Gardere lane? 647 00:26:48,207 --> 00:26:50,741 I went to gardere lane last night. 648 00:26:50,743 --> 00:26:52,342 - Really? - Yes. 649 00:26:52,344 --> 00:26:54,178 - What time you went through gardere lane? 650 00:26:57,549 --> 00:26:59,082 - I don't-I don't know what time it was. 651 00:26:59,084 --> 00:27:00,284 - Approximately? 652 00:27:00,286 --> 00:27:01,351 - What's he say he's doing there? 653 00:27:01,353 --> 00:27:03,087 - Um, he said he went to buy steroids. 654 00:27:03,089 --> 00:27:04,955 He-he's a big guy and he lifts weights 655 00:27:04,957 --> 00:27:07,224 And he said that's where his steroid dealer live. 656 00:27:07,226 --> 00:27:09,826 - A little street transaction? - Right. 657 00:27:09,828 --> 00:27:12,963 - Whatever the explanation, greg harris had put himself 658 00:27:12,965 --> 00:27:15,966 In the neighborhood where the wallet had been tossed. 659 00:27:15,968 --> 00:27:18,302 For the cops, it was a gotcha moment. 660 00:27:18,304 --> 00:27:20,971 And while they had no evidence, no dna, 661 00:27:20,973 --> 00:27:23,473 No forensics that connected him to the killing, 662 00:27:23,475 --> 00:27:25,575 They did have some leverage: 663 00:27:25,577 --> 00:27:27,844 That old domestic dispute call. 664 00:27:27,846 --> 00:27:29,913 Though she and greg were charged, 665 00:27:29,915 --> 00:27:32,783 Only the charge against chiquita was dropped. 666 00:27:32,785 --> 00:27:35,886 - Why are you the only one that had a warrant? 667 00:27:35,888 --> 00:27:37,854 - All this was supposed to have been dismissed. 668 00:27:37,856 --> 00:27:40,424 Now, other than this, I don't know anything about it. 669 00:27:40,426 --> 00:27:41,892 I never hit the girl a day in my life. 670 00:27:41,894 --> 00:27:44,661 - So, using a year and a half old warrant 671 00:27:44,663 --> 00:27:47,131 Unrelated to the death of chiquita tate, 672 00:27:47,133 --> 00:27:50,334 The police put greg in custody for a few days. 673 00:27:50,336 --> 00:27:51,501 - So, they could put him on ice, huh? 674 00:27:51,503 --> 00:27:52,803 - Absolutely. 675 00:27:52,805 --> 00:27:56,206 While the forensics were being tested from the crime scene. 676 00:27:56,208 --> 00:27:58,208 - But then, seemingly out of the blue 677 00:27:58,210 --> 00:28:01,812 Came a strange tip from an anonymous caller. 678 00:28:01,814 --> 00:28:03,947 - Saying you need to look into this angle because 679 00:28:03,949 --> 00:28:06,483 I think I know who may have killed chiquita. 680 00:28:06,485 --> 00:28:07,951 - This is a voice on the phone? 681 00:28:07,953 --> 00:28:09,352 - This is a voice on the phone. - Female voice. 682 00:28:09,354 --> 00:28:12,355 - And it's like you need to look into it. 683 00:28:12,357 --> 00:28:15,759 She was involved in a lesbian love triangle. 684 00:28:15,761 --> 00:28:18,428 - Did that explain the clump of hair? 685 00:28:18,430 --> 00:28:20,831 The impassioned intimate killing? 686 00:28:20,833 --> 00:28:24,768 The investigation was charging off in a wholly new direction. 687 00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:31,908 - Chiquita's husband, greg, was he in danger? 688 00:28:31,910 --> 00:28:34,044 - Someone came up to his bedroom window 689 00:28:34,046 --> 00:28:37,181 At about 3:40 in the morning and shoots in the window. 690 00:28:37,183 --> 00:28:40,684 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 691 00:28:49,828 --> 00:28:53,463 - Just as investigators were zeroing in on the husband, 692 00:28:53,465 --> 00:28:56,500 Greg harris, they got a tip that brought them back 693 00:28:56,502 --> 00:28:58,869 To chiquita tate's list of clients. 694 00:28:58,871 --> 00:29:01,138 But it wasn't about any of the career criminals 695 00:29:01,140 --> 00:29:02,606 On her roster. 696 00:29:02,608 --> 00:29:05,709 The tip concerned two female clients, 697 00:29:05,711 --> 00:29:08,245 A same-sex couple that chiquita had been helping 698 00:29:08,247 --> 00:29:10,080 With an adoption case. 699 00:29:10,082 --> 00:29:13,717 The anonymous caller suggested their lawyer-client relationship 700 00:29:13,719 --> 00:29:15,452 Was more than that. 701 00:29:15,454 --> 00:29:17,420 - A female said there was two women 702 00:29:17,422 --> 00:29:19,890 That chiquita was-- had a-a love triangle. 703 00:29:19,892 --> 00:29:22,425 She even gave the-the two, uh, suspects' names, as well. 704 00:29:22,427 --> 00:29:24,628 She indicated that one suspect had scratches 705 00:29:24,630 --> 00:29:26,396 On-on their body. 706 00:29:26,398 --> 00:29:27,831 - Well, that would explain the crime of passion, 707 00:29:27,833 --> 00:29:29,065 Which you'd think is a signature here. 708 00:29:29,067 --> 00:29:29,900 - Yes. 709 00:29:29,902 --> 00:29:30,834 - And also, maybe why there's hair 710 00:29:30,836 --> 00:29:32,569 In the palm of her hand. - That's correct. 711 00:29:32,571 --> 00:29:34,171 - Some sort of a tussle. - Yes. 712 00:29:34,173 --> 00:29:35,906 - That goes a long way towards explaining a lot of it. 713 00:29:35,908 --> 00:29:38,108 There's some sort of a romantic relationship here 714 00:29:38,110 --> 00:29:40,410 That's gone wrong. 715 00:29:40,412 --> 00:29:42,279 Police confirmed the names of the two women 716 00:29:42,281 --> 00:29:45,715 On chiquita's client list, and then paid each a call. 717 00:29:45,717 --> 00:29:49,085 - We had to investigate and contact both individuals 718 00:29:49,087 --> 00:29:50,954 And got statements from them. 719 00:29:50,956 --> 00:29:53,256 - The detectives told the prosecutor 720 00:29:53,258 --> 00:29:56,259 That both women insisted chiquita wasn't their lover, 721 00:29:56,261 --> 00:29:59,263 Just a good attorney. - We loved her work. 722 00:29:59,265 --> 00:30:02,165 She was a friend, but that's where it ended. 723 00:30:02,167 --> 00:30:05,502 - Still, the detectives took a closer look at the couple. 724 00:30:05,504 --> 00:30:07,404 - We didn't see any scratches on their arms. 725 00:30:07,406 --> 00:30:09,807 We also realized one of the suspects had braids 726 00:30:09,809 --> 00:30:11,875 And not a weave in her hair. 727 00:30:11,877 --> 00:30:15,779 - What's more, police say that both women had alibis. 728 00:30:15,781 --> 00:30:17,548 Legal assistant lessie hookfin 729 00:30:17,550 --> 00:30:20,884 Was sure the secret love triangle was nonsense. 730 00:30:20,886 --> 00:30:22,352 - I know about the adoption. 731 00:30:22,354 --> 00:30:24,821 I knew the clients and everything was going well. 732 00:30:24,823 --> 00:30:27,123 - Is there any way you can see that that's somehow 733 00:30:27,125 --> 00:30:28,692 Involved with chiquita's 734 00:30:28,694 --> 00:30:30,827 Being butchered? - Never. No. 735 00:30:30,829 --> 00:30:34,364 - So, the investigators put the tip in their back files 736 00:30:34,366 --> 00:30:36,967 And proceeded to check out the tipster. 737 00:30:36,969 --> 00:30:39,402 They traced her call to a town in texas. 738 00:30:39,404 --> 00:30:40,904 They even drove there, 739 00:30:40,906 --> 00:30:42,639 And after questioning a few locals, 740 00:30:42,641 --> 00:30:45,041 Managed to reach a woman by phone 741 00:30:45,043 --> 00:30:47,711 With an oddly familiar voice. 742 00:30:47,713 --> 00:30:49,846 - I immediately recognized her as the voice that I heard 743 00:30:49,848 --> 00:30:52,649 That had called the office that time. 744 00:30:52,651 --> 00:30:55,319 I asked her how did she know chiquita tate and she said, 745 00:30:55,321 --> 00:30:56,787 "well, um, chiquita tate used to be married 746 00:30:56,789 --> 00:30:58,121 "to my brother." 747 00:30:58,123 --> 00:31:00,357 - This was greg harris' sister? 748 00:31:00,359 --> 00:31:01,058 - Yes. - That's correct. 749 00:31:01,060 --> 00:31:02,392 Greg harris' sister. 750 00:31:02,394 --> 00:31:04,661 - So, the tip that sent detectives off to texas 751 00:31:04,663 --> 00:31:07,731 Had led them right back to greg, the husband. 752 00:31:07,733 --> 00:31:12,102 Was greg, or maybe his sister, trying to plant a false lead? 753 00:31:12,104 --> 00:31:13,604 Prem burns added that 754 00:31:13,606 --> 00:31:16,673 To her list of concerns about greg harris. 755 00:31:16,675 --> 00:31:19,476 She as also discovering that greg had a bad history 756 00:31:19,478 --> 00:31:21,612 With some of the women in his life. 757 00:31:21,614 --> 00:31:24,681 Her investigators found greg had control issues 758 00:31:24,683 --> 00:31:27,618 And a temper according to chiquita's family members 759 00:31:27,620 --> 00:31:29,887 And some old girlfriends. 760 00:31:29,889 --> 00:31:33,690 - He just wanted them within his eyesight 761 00:31:33,692 --> 00:31:36,259 And within his control. 762 00:31:36,261 --> 00:31:38,428 - She also learned that chiquita had taken out 763 00:31:38,430 --> 00:31:40,530 A lease on an apartment. 764 00:31:40,532 --> 00:31:42,432 She hadn't yet moved into her new place, 765 00:31:42,434 --> 00:31:45,568 But prem burns believes chiquita was indeed 766 00:31:45,570 --> 00:31:47,504 Going to divorce greg. 767 00:31:47,506 --> 00:31:50,540 Which meant he had lost control of her. 768 00:31:50,542 --> 00:31:52,809 - And I believe that's what happened with chiquita 769 00:31:52,811 --> 00:31:54,911 Is that he was not going to let her. 770 00:31:54,913 --> 00:31:58,682 - Nobody leaves me, huh? - Nobody leaves greg harris 771 00:31:58,684 --> 00:32:01,117 Unless greg harris throws them out of the house 772 00:32:01,119 --> 00:32:03,186 Onto the front lawn. 773 00:32:03,188 --> 00:32:06,323 - Greg's brother mike doesn't believe it for a second. 774 00:32:06,325 --> 00:32:08,458 His brother, he says, wasn't violent. 775 00:32:08,460 --> 00:32:10,293 And what's more, he says greg and chiquita 776 00:32:10,295 --> 00:32:14,064 Were working it out. - We all go through bumps. 777 00:32:14,066 --> 00:32:17,000 But there's also a phase called reconciliation 778 00:32:17,002 --> 00:32:18,935 And healing. 779 00:32:18,937 --> 00:32:21,405 You know? And that's what they had. 780 00:32:21,407 --> 00:32:23,873 - And as for that tip about the same sex couple, 781 00:32:23,875 --> 00:32:26,743 Greg's father silver ray says his daughter 782 00:32:26,745 --> 00:32:29,146 Wasn't trying to throw off the cops. 783 00:32:29,148 --> 00:32:33,283 The female love triangle was a legitimate concern of his. 784 00:32:33,285 --> 00:32:34,951 - She got that strictly from me, 785 00:32:34,953 --> 00:32:36,887 Which I got it from another attorney. 786 00:32:36,889 --> 00:32:39,156 And we just wanted to look at all the options 787 00:32:39,158 --> 00:32:41,691 To make sure that all the bases were covered. 788 00:32:41,693 --> 00:32:43,693 We wanted to look at these two-two women. 789 00:32:43,695 --> 00:32:45,295 - Did you encourage her to call the cops with the story? 790 00:32:45,297 --> 00:32:47,431 - I didn't encourage her. She did it on her own. 791 00:32:47,433 --> 00:32:50,633 But it was-it wasn't nothing to throw the cops off. 792 00:32:50,635 --> 00:32:52,068 If you investigate it, you've got to look 793 00:32:52,070 --> 00:32:53,269 At all the angles. 794 00:32:53,271 --> 00:32:55,438 - In fact, greg's father, and mother joycie, 795 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:57,708 And brother mike say they couldn't believe 796 00:32:57,710 --> 00:32:59,977 That police even suspected greg. 797 00:32:59,979 --> 00:33:01,311 Not the greg they knew. 798 00:33:01,313 --> 00:33:06,483 - My greg was a son that helped raise his brothers. 799 00:33:06,485 --> 00:33:09,987 He made sure that they were fed when I worked. 800 00:33:09,989 --> 00:33:11,588 He made sure when they came home, 801 00:33:11,590 --> 00:33:12,923 They did their homework. 802 00:33:12,925 --> 00:33:15,959 - You have people you want to grow up to be like. 803 00:33:15,961 --> 00:33:18,228 My model was my older brother. 804 00:33:18,230 --> 00:33:20,397 I wouldn't be the person I am today 805 00:33:20,399 --> 00:33:22,365 If it wasn't for him. 806 00:33:22,367 --> 00:33:25,035 - Even chiquita's sister could not imagine greg 807 00:33:25,037 --> 00:33:26,536 As the killer. 808 00:33:26,538 --> 00:33:28,071 - Can you see him in that office? 809 00:33:28,073 --> 00:33:29,706 - No. - In a rage, 810 00:33:29,708 --> 00:33:31,408 Slashing your sister? - No. 811 00:33:31,410 --> 00:33:32,675 - Fight that's moving from here to there? 812 00:33:32,677 --> 00:33:34,210 - No. 813 00:33:34,212 --> 00:33:35,879 No, I can't even picture it. 814 00:33:35,881 --> 00:33:38,081 - Greg's parents and his brother believe that 815 00:33:38,083 --> 00:33:41,484 Whoever killed chiquita also wanted greg dead. 816 00:33:41,486 --> 00:33:43,754 They recount an incident that happened 817 00:33:43,756 --> 00:33:45,889 After greg was released from custody. 818 00:33:45,891 --> 00:33:47,891 Shots were fired into his home. 819 00:33:47,893 --> 00:33:49,759 - Someone came up to his bedroom window 820 00:33:49,761 --> 00:33:51,594 At about 3:40 in the morning 821 00:33:51,596 --> 00:33:53,363 And shoots in the bedroom window 822 00:33:53,365 --> 00:33:55,698 Five times with a 10-millimeter gun. 823 00:33:55,700 --> 00:33:56,666 - Ah. 824 00:33:56,668 --> 00:33:57,901 - Hoping that he was in the bed. 825 00:33:57,903 --> 00:34:00,170 It just so happened greg fell asleep on the sofa. 826 00:34:00,172 --> 00:34:03,573 God saved him. He was not in the bed. 827 00:34:03,575 --> 00:34:06,242 - Greg's family, convinced he was innocent, 828 00:34:06,244 --> 00:34:09,246 Became only more so when they heard this. 829 00:34:09,248 --> 00:34:12,782 Scrapings from under chiquita's nails showed dna, 830 00:34:12,784 --> 00:34:15,718 Not only from greg, but from someone else, as well. 831 00:34:15,720 --> 00:34:17,720 An unknown male. 832 00:34:17,722 --> 00:34:19,589 What could that mean? 833 00:34:22,061 --> 00:34:23,527 - If greg harris had done this, 834 00:34:23,529 --> 00:34:26,063 You would have found an enormous amount of blood. 835 00:34:26,065 --> 00:34:27,798 And that just wasn't the case. 836 00:34:27,800 --> 00:34:30,867 - Another dna surprise is coming 837 00:34:30,869 --> 00:34:34,271 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 838 00:34:36,674 --> 00:34:40,677 ♪♪ 839 00:34:40,679 --> 00:34:41,911 - Welcome back. 840 00:34:41,913 --> 00:34:45,949 Detectives suspected greg harris was a controlling husband 841 00:34:45,951 --> 00:34:50,220 Who killed his wife chiquita after she threatened divorce. 842 00:34:50,222 --> 00:34:52,089 But there were doubts. 843 00:34:52,091 --> 00:34:54,324 Even chiquita's own sister did not think 844 00:34:54,326 --> 00:34:56,893 He was capable of murder. 845 00:34:56,895 --> 00:34:59,662 Chiquita had been stabbed dozens of times 846 00:34:59,664 --> 00:35:02,031 And the violence indicated to investigators 847 00:35:02,033 --> 00:35:04,367 That this crime was emotional. 848 00:35:04,369 --> 00:35:07,637 But they also believed that cold, 849 00:35:07,639 --> 00:35:10,907 Hard science was about to help them solve it. 850 00:35:10,909 --> 00:35:13,276 Here's dennis murphy with the conclusion 851 00:35:13,278 --> 00:35:15,312 Of "shining star". 852 00:35:16,915 --> 00:35:18,214 - The case against him. 853 00:35:18,216 --> 00:35:20,216 Greg harris was the last person known 854 00:35:20,218 --> 00:35:22,118 To have seen chiquita alive. 855 00:35:22,120 --> 00:35:24,487 His marriage to chiquita had been volatile 856 00:35:24,489 --> 00:35:26,456 And he put himself near the street 857 00:35:26,458 --> 00:35:29,058 Where chiquita's stolen wallet was tossed. 858 00:35:29,060 --> 00:35:32,262 But what galvanized this case for the prosecutor 859 00:35:32,264 --> 00:35:36,666 Was a pair of sunglasses discovered in greg harris' car. 860 00:35:36,668 --> 00:35:38,768 - The glasses are under the seat. 861 00:35:38,770 --> 00:35:39,736 - Is there blood evidence on them? 862 00:35:39,738 --> 00:35:41,171 - There absolutely was. 863 00:35:41,173 --> 00:35:44,274 There was a combination of his blood and her blood 864 00:35:44,276 --> 00:35:46,009 On the left lens. 865 00:35:46,011 --> 00:35:49,846 When I was told that there is their blood mixed 866 00:35:49,848 --> 00:35:52,949 On this left lens and the right arm 867 00:35:52,951 --> 00:35:54,551 Of those glasses, 868 00:35:54,553 --> 00:35:57,153 I said I don't need anything more. 869 00:35:57,155 --> 00:36:01,191 - On March 16, 2009, greg harris was charged 870 00:36:01,193 --> 00:36:02,926 With second-degree murder. 871 00:36:02,928 --> 00:36:05,695 He went on trial two years after chiquita's death, 872 00:36:05,697 --> 00:36:07,864 In March of 2011. 873 00:36:07,866 --> 00:36:10,033 The prosecution set out to prove that greg 874 00:36:10,035 --> 00:36:13,303 Killed chiquita because she was going to leave him. 875 00:36:13,305 --> 00:36:15,572 Former girlfriends testified that greg 876 00:36:15,574 --> 00:36:17,974 Had a jekyll and hyde personality. 877 00:36:17,976 --> 00:36:20,977 Sweet when he was courting, volatile and controlling 878 00:36:20,979 --> 00:36:22,679 Once he won them over. 879 00:36:22,681 --> 00:36:24,581 - He would hit them. 880 00:36:24,583 --> 00:36:27,784 He would, um, fight with these girls. 881 00:36:27,786 --> 00:36:31,087 As-as long as he could control them, he was fine. 882 00:36:31,089 --> 00:36:32,922 - Prosecutors played the 911 tape 883 00:36:32,924 --> 00:36:34,824 From that domestic abuse call. 884 00:36:34,826 --> 00:36:37,327 While both chiquita and greg were charged, 885 00:36:37,329 --> 00:36:39,529 The call didn't sound as though they were locked 886 00:36:39,531 --> 00:36:41,298 In a fair fight. 887 00:36:49,474 --> 00:36:53,410 - And the prosecution argued greg had another motive. Money. 888 00:36:53,412 --> 00:36:55,511 - The night the murder happened, 889 00:36:55,513 --> 00:36:59,115 He called his boss and said I need to get an advance 890 00:36:59,117 --> 00:37:02,418 Or a loan on my 401(k). 891 00:37:02,420 --> 00:37:06,189 And his boss said, "you know, I can't do it. 892 00:37:06,191 --> 00:37:07,390 "I'm sorry, greg." 893 00:37:07,392 --> 00:37:10,059 - But, as prem burns told the jury, 894 00:37:10,061 --> 00:37:13,296 Greg could get about $60,000 in insurance 895 00:37:13,298 --> 00:37:15,165 If chiquita were to die. 896 00:37:15,167 --> 00:37:16,466 - I think money was a motivation, 897 00:37:16,468 --> 00:37:18,768 But moreso I think, uh, chiquita had planned to leave greg, 898 00:37:18,770 --> 00:37:21,437 And that's one thing greg could not, uh, 899 00:37:21,439 --> 00:37:22,705 Could not accept. 900 00:37:22,707 --> 00:37:25,842 - The prosecution told the jury greg may have been angry, 901 00:37:25,844 --> 00:37:28,211 But he was also cool and calculating, 902 00:37:28,213 --> 00:37:30,980 Planning both the crime and the cover up. 903 00:37:30,982 --> 00:37:32,916 Case in point, those long hairs 904 00:37:32,918 --> 00:37:35,418 That suggested a female killer. 905 00:37:35,420 --> 00:37:37,520 The state argued greg brought the hair 906 00:37:37,522 --> 00:37:39,722 To the crime scene and then planted it. 907 00:37:39,724 --> 00:37:42,191 - Her hand was not, like, clenching it 908 00:37:42,193 --> 00:37:43,526 As if she died that way. 909 00:37:43,528 --> 00:37:49,666 It was actually strewn, as if somebody had taken it 910 00:37:49,668 --> 00:37:51,735 And just weaved it through her hand. 911 00:37:51,737 --> 00:37:53,970 - It was a ploy, said the prosecution, 912 00:37:53,972 --> 00:37:56,272 Designed to throw off the cops, 913 00:37:56,274 --> 00:37:58,408 Just like the tossed and found wallet 914 00:37:58,410 --> 00:37:59,609 From gardere lane 915 00:37:59,611 --> 00:38:01,745 Where greg eventually admitted he went 916 00:38:01,747 --> 00:38:05,348 The night of the killing. - Gardere lane? 917 00:38:05,350 --> 00:38:07,617 I went to gardere lane last night. 918 00:38:07,619 --> 00:38:09,452 - Misdirection, according to the prosecutor, 919 00:38:09,454 --> 00:38:12,155 Was greg's m.O. She even suspects 920 00:38:12,157 --> 00:38:14,157 He fired those shots into his own bedroom 921 00:38:14,159 --> 00:38:17,894 To make it look as though the killer was still at large. 922 00:38:17,896 --> 00:38:20,763 - It was kind of like, "gee, let me call and say 923 00:38:20,765 --> 00:38:23,032 That there's a lesbian love triangle. 924 00:38:23,034 --> 00:38:24,967 "let me plant the hair." 925 00:38:24,969 --> 00:38:27,771 It's like, "let me just go one step further. 926 00:38:27,773 --> 00:38:30,707 - And, of course, there was the blood evidence. 927 00:38:30,709 --> 00:38:34,310 Prosecutors presented more than the blood-stained glasses. 928 00:38:34,312 --> 00:38:37,347 A lab analysis revealed there were dots of blood 929 00:38:37,349 --> 00:38:39,515 Throughout greg and chiquita's house. 930 00:38:39,517 --> 00:38:42,986 There was a significant blood stain on a clorox bottle. 931 00:38:42,988 --> 00:38:46,956 - The clorox bottle was out, up on the sink. 932 00:38:46,958 --> 00:38:49,759 And it had blood visible to the eyes. 933 00:38:49,761 --> 00:38:51,327 - Prosecutors say that stain 934 00:38:51,329 --> 00:38:54,163 Contained chiquita's and greg's dna. 935 00:38:54,165 --> 00:38:55,865 What makes sense to you? 936 00:38:55,867 --> 00:38:57,333 - What makes sense to me is that greg harris 937 00:38:57,335 --> 00:38:59,269 Had no reason to want to kill chiquita tate. 938 00:38:59,271 --> 00:39:00,670 Zero whatsoever. 939 00:39:00,672 --> 00:39:03,206 - Lance unglesby was on the defense team. 940 00:39:03,208 --> 00:39:05,141 And he argued there wasn't nearly enough evidence 941 00:39:05,143 --> 00:39:07,076 To convict greg harris. 942 00:39:07,078 --> 00:39:09,278 Nothing put him at the site of the killing. 943 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:12,982 The alleged motive was weak and the blood evidence paltry. 944 00:39:12,984 --> 00:39:15,018 - Our theory was very clear. 945 00:39:15,020 --> 00:39:16,619 If greg harris had done this, 946 00:39:16,621 --> 00:39:19,556 You would have found an enormous amount of blood 947 00:39:19,558 --> 00:39:21,224 In that mercedes, 948 00:39:21,226 --> 00:39:24,360 And on his clothes, and at the house in baker. 949 00:39:24,362 --> 00:39:26,363 And that just wasn't the case. 950 00:39:26,365 --> 00:39:27,897 - Lance, out at the house there, 951 00:39:27,899 --> 00:39:29,899 Very curious about his clorox bottle, where again, 952 00:39:29,901 --> 00:39:31,501 They think they see co-mingled blood. 953 00:39:31,503 --> 00:39:33,303 What about that? That's a problem for you. 954 00:39:33,305 --> 00:39:36,606 - Well, eh, practically, it's not a problem. 955 00:39:36,608 --> 00:39:38,374 In the normal course of living, 956 00:39:38,376 --> 00:39:40,110 A little blood on a clorox bottle is really 957 00:39:40,112 --> 00:39:41,311 Not that big a deal. 958 00:39:41,313 --> 00:39:42,311 Chiquita lived there. 959 00:39:42,313 --> 00:39:44,747 Of course her dna would be on that bottle. 960 00:39:44,749 --> 00:39:46,582 - As for the hair that the prosecution said 961 00:39:46,584 --> 00:39:48,651 Was planted, the defense argued 962 00:39:48,653 --> 00:39:51,154 That was just an unproven theory. 963 00:39:51,156 --> 00:39:53,856 Those two female clients may not have been involved, 964 00:39:53,858 --> 00:39:56,759 But the long strands suggest another woman 965 00:39:56,761 --> 00:39:58,327 May have been there. 966 00:39:58,329 --> 00:40:01,597 - It suggested that a female had maybe killed her 967 00:40:01,599 --> 00:40:03,199 And that in the middle of the fight, 968 00:40:03,201 --> 00:40:04,901 She had pulled the hair out. 969 00:40:04,903 --> 00:40:06,636 Between that and the amount of cleanup 970 00:40:06,638 --> 00:40:08,104 That would have been required, 971 00:40:08,106 --> 00:40:11,474 We always believed two people were involved in this murder. 972 00:40:11,476 --> 00:40:13,476 - And as for that visit to gardere lane, 973 00:40:13,478 --> 00:40:16,546 The defense lawyer says greg was reluctant to admit it, 974 00:40:16,548 --> 00:40:19,048 But not because he had tossed the wallet. 975 00:40:19,050 --> 00:40:20,917 - Well, because he was buying steroids. 976 00:40:20,919 --> 00:40:22,552 He was discussing buying steroids, 977 00:40:22,554 --> 00:40:24,554 Which is illegal. 978 00:40:24,556 --> 00:40:26,222 - Kill her for the insurance? 979 00:40:26,224 --> 00:40:28,157 The defense said no way. 980 00:40:28,159 --> 00:40:29,759 - He had too much going for him. 981 00:40:29,761 --> 00:40:31,461 We did not buy into the prosecutor's theory 982 00:40:31,463 --> 00:40:32,428 That he would do it 983 00:40:32,430 --> 00:40:34,431 Because he was in some financial stress. 984 00:40:34,433 --> 00:40:36,432 We didn't believe-- buy into that for a minute. 985 00:40:36,434 --> 00:40:38,901 - The defense argued cops didn't look hard enough 986 00:40:38,903 --> 00:40:40,437 At the list of scary clients 987 00:40:40,439 --> 00:40:42,772 Who may have wanted chiquita dead. 988 00:40:42,774 --> 00:40:45,508 And that unknown male dna under her fingernails, 989 00:40:45,510 --> 00:40:47,910 The source still unknown. 990 00:40:47,912 --> 00:40:50,046 We believe that there was just more to this 991 00:40:50,048 --> 00:40:51,981 Than was being presented to that jury. 992 00:40:51,983 --> 00:40:54,684 - The trial lasted 16 days, 993 00:40:54,686 --> 00:40:57,386 And then the jurors were given their instructions. 994 00:40:57,388 --> 00:41:00,056 After listening to the evidence, danita was torn. 995 00:41:00,058 --> 00:41:02,191 And she remembers how she felt when, 996 00:41:02,193 --> 00:41:04,194 After three-and-one-half hours of deliberation, 997 00:41:04,196 --> 00:41:06,696 The jury announced it had a verdict. 998 00:41:06,698 --> 00:41:08,531 - Now, take me right through your mind and your stomach 999 00:41:08,533 --> 00:41:10,333 As you're walking back into the courtroom. 1000 00:41:10,335 --> 00:41:13,469 - Shaking, barely could stand on my feet. 1001 00:41:13,471 --> 00:41:16,139 And we holding hands walking back in there. 1002 00:41:16,975 --> 00:41:19,409 - Did they see greg as a stone killer 1003 00:41:19,411 --> 00:41:21,544 Capable of premeditated murder 1004 00:41:21,546 --> 00:41:24,214 Or an innocent, grieving husband? 1005 00:41:24,216 --> 00:41:26,216 The answer is neither. 1006 00:41:26,218 --> 00:41:29,952 The verdict they reached was something in-between. 1007 00:41:29,954 --> 00:41:32,054 Guilty of manslaughter, a lesser charge, 1008 00:41:32,056 --> 00:41:34,757 Which the judge allowed them to consider. 1009 00:41:34,759 --> 00:41:37,293 The prosecutor was flabbergasted. 1010 00:41:37,295 --> 00:41:38,761 - I-I just about passed out. 1011 00:41:38,763 --> 00:41:40,096 And so did the defense attorney. 1012 00:41:40,098 --> 00:41:41,698 Nobody argued manslaughter. 1013 00:41:41,700 --> 00:41:44,467 - She wanted to know why the jury rejected her argument 1014 00:41:44,469 --> 00:41:46,335 Of premeditated murder. 1015 00:41:46,337 --> 00:41:48,371 - I went back and talked to the jury and they said well, 1016 00:41:48,373 --> 00:41:49,505 You know what we think? 1017 00:41:49,507 --> 00:41:51,174 We think something just went on up there 1018 00:41:51,176 --> 00:41:52,742 That got out of hand. 1019 00:41:52,744 --> 00:41:54,377 - The judge had a lot of latitude 1020 00:41:54,379 --> 00:41:56,379 In imposing the sentence. 1021 00:41:56,381 --> 00:41:58,581 Manslaughter could carry anywhere from a few months 1022 00:41:58,583 --> 00:42:01,017 To 40 years in prison. 1023 00:42:01,019 --> 00:42:02,252 - A lesser conviction, a lesser charge. 1024 00:42:02,254 --> 00:42:05,021 But the judge threw the metaphorical book at him. 1025 00:42:05,023 --> 00:42:06,122 - She did. 1026 00:42:06,124 --> 00:42:07,857 - Forty years without the possibility of parole. 1027 00:42:07,859 --> 00:42:10,126 - Correct. - The maximum sentence. 1028 00:42:10,128 --> 00:42:14,330 In 2012, an appeals court upheld greg harris' conviction, 1029 00:42:14,332 --> 00:42:16,666 But amended his sentence to 40 years 1030 00:42:16,668 --> 00:42:18,668 With the possibility of parole. 1031 00:42:18,670 --> 00:42:22,772 Then in 2015, greg began working with a different lawyer 1032 00:42:22,774 --> 00:42:24,507 To get his conviction reversed. 1033 00:42:24,509 --> 00:42:27,577 He argued that the judge should never have presided. 1034 00:42:27,579 --> 00:42:29,545 Before trial, judge trudy white 1035 00:42:29,547 --> 00:42:31,214 Disclosed that she knew the victim 1036 00:42:31,216 --> 00:42:33,416 And that chiquita had been her law clerk. 1037 00:42:33,418 --> 00:42:35,151 The defense didn't object. 1038 00:42:35,153 --> 00:42:36,553 - Should you have gotten her recused? 1039 00:42:36,555 --> 00:42:37,754 - Absolutely. - Was that a trial error? 1040 00:42:37,756 --> 00:42:39,889 - No. She was a very fair judge. 1041 00:42:39,891 --> 00:42:41,758 - But greg's lawyer, rick gallo, 1042 00:42:41,760 --> 00:42:43,760 Said the judge did not disclose everything 1043 00:42:43,762 --> 00:42:45,361 About their relationship. 1044 00:42:45,363 --> 00:42:48,631 - We discovered that chiquita, the-the victim, 1045 00:42:48,633 --> 00:42:51,767 Had actually, uh, represented judge white, 1046 00:42:51,769 --> 00:42:54,637 Uh, in a civil lawsuit. 1047 00:42:54,639 --> 00:42:57,774 - Judge white did not respond to our request for a comment. 1048 00:42:57,776 --> 00:43:00,810 Greg's attorney also said the harris family received 1049 00:43:00,812 --> 00:43:03,613 Letters after the trial, claiming someone else 1050 00:43:03,615 --> 00:43:06,949 Killed chiquita because she knew too much about something. 1051 00:43:06,951 --> 00:43:09,652 But the cops will tell you that every lead they chased down 1052 00:43:09,654 --> 00:43:11,854 Brought them back to one man, 1053 00:43:11,856 --> 00:43:15,725 Someone who robbed a family of its shining young star. 1054 00:43:15,727 --> 00:43:19,528 In April 2016, a louisiana district court 1055 00:43:19,530 --> 00:43:23,199 Denied greg harris' petition for a new trial. 1056 00:43:23,201 --> 00:43:24,967 - So, it's been years now, lessie. 1057 00:43:24,969 --> 00:43:27,670 Do you-- do you miss her? - Oh, I miss her so much. 1058 00:43:27,672 --> 00:43:30,239 Everything. I miss it all. 1059 00:43:32,877 --> 00:43:36,012 - Baton rouge, the river rolls on. 1060 00:43:36,014 --> 00:43:38,347 But without that fiery young lawyer 1061 00:43:38,349 --> 00:43:42,818 Who'd come so far so fast. 1062 00:43:42,820 --> 00:43:44,453 - That's all for this edition 1063 00:43:44,455 --> 00:43:46,455 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 1064 00:43:46,457 --> 00:43:49,158 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.