1 00:00:12,345 --> 00:00:14,012 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:14,014 --> 00:00:16,714 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 3 00:00:16,716 --> 00:00:18,450 - They were party girls. 4 00:00:18,452 --> 00:00:21,253 - They were fierce and out for fun. 5 00:00:21,255 --> 00:00:23,555 The beauty queen, the troublemaker, 6 00:00:23,557 --> 00:00:25,791 And the girl next door. 7 00:00:25,793 --> 00:00:28,194 - She was really, really cute, blonde hair. 8 00:00:28,196 --> 00:00:31,063 - One met the guy of her dreams. 9 00:00:31,065 --> 00:00:32,864 Love at first sight. 10 00:00:32,866 --> 00:00:34,966 But at second glance, trouble. 11 00:00:34,968 --> 00:00:36,869 Pregnant at sixteen. 12 00:00:36,871 --> 00:00:38,871 - She wanted to be married; he didn't want to do that. 13 00:00:38,873 --> 00:00:40,205 - Mm-hmm. 14 00:00:40,207 --> 00:00:42,941 - Then one night, an ambush. 15 00:00:42,943 --> 00:00:45,078 Someone shot on the bedroom floor. 16 00:00:47,348 --> 00:00:51,016 - A teenage mom at the center of a murder mystery. 17 00:00:51,018 --> 00:00:53,085 - Fingers were pointed everywhere at everybody. 18 00:00:53,087 --> 00:00:55,755 - Who had a motive to kill? 19 00:01:03,764 --> 00:01:07,300 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 20 00:01:07,302 --> 00:01:09,635 When 21-year-old ricky cowles 21 00:01:09,637 --> 00:01:12,437 And his teenage girlfriend amy preasmyer 22 00:01:12,439 --> 00:01:13,839 Moved in together, 23 00:01:13,841 --> 00:01:16,241 Her best friends moved in, too. 24 00:01:16,243 --> 00:01:19,445 At first, it was like an endless sleepover, 25 00:01:19,447 --> 00:01:22,447 But the fun stopped when ricky was found shot 26 00:01:22,449 --> 00:01:24,850 At point blank range. 27 00:01:24,852 --> 00:01:26,785 Who wanted ricky dead? 28 00:01:26,787 --> 00:01:29,721 His killer would let the secret slip, 29 00:01:29,723 --> 00:01:33,192 But turns out he was keeping more than one. 30 00:01:33,194 --> 00:01:37,195 Here's keith morrison with "mean girls". 31 00:01:37,197 --> 00:01:40,666 - Fight! Let's go! Let's fight! Fight! 32 00:01:40,668 --> 00:01:43,602 - An interesting species: Teenage girls. 33 00:01:43,604 --> 00:01:46,571 Some are sweet... 34 00:01:46,573 --> 00:01:47,673 Some are not. 35 00:01:50,844 --> 00:01:54,313 We call them mean girls. 36 00:01:54,315 --> 00:01:57,116 And some in particular, as you're about to see, 37 00:01:57,118 --> 00:01:59,518 Could be very mean indeed. 38 00:02:02,290 --> 00:02:04,957 It was 1997 when their story began 39 00:02:04,959 --> 00:02:07,225 Here in the high desert north of l.A., 40 00:02:07,227 --> 00:02:09,862 Lancaster, california. 41 00:02:09,864 --> 00:02:13,765 There was sara chapin, then 18, 42 00:02:13,767 --> 00:02:17,470 A cheerleader and local beauty queen. 43 00:02:17,472 --> 00:02:20,573 You were a pretty popular kid in high school. 44 00:02:20,575 --> 00:02:23,708 - I wasn't really popular, but I was a cheerleader. 45 00:02:23,710 --> 00:02:24,844 - Which helps. 46 00:02:24,846 --> 00:02:26,712 - Yes. - Yes. 47 00:02:26,714 --> 00:02:30,982 - Amy preasmyer, 16, sporty, an ap student 48 00:02:30,984 --> 00:02:33,386 Who looked like a girl next door. 49 00:02:33,388 --> 00:02:36,055 - Amy and I were just two goofballs; 50 00:02:36,057 --> 00:02:38,657 We had a lot of fun. 51 00:02:38,659 --> 00:02:43,262 Yeah, we partied, but things didn't get as serious 52 00:02:43,264 --> 00:02:46,065 Until I think jennifer came into the picture, 53 00:02:46,067 --> 00:02:48,199 And jennifer and amy became good friends. 54 00:02:48,201 --> 00:02:51,937 - Jennifer kellogg, 18, a little dangerous, 55 00:02:51,939 --> 00:02:54,607 Catalyst for mischief or worse... 56 00:02:54,609 --> 00:02:56,609 - Jennifer was the wild child. 57 00:02:56,611 --> 00:02:59,945 She was on the dance team in high school, 58 00:02:59,947 --> 00:03:01,981 And she always-- 59 00:03:01,983 --> 00:03:04,816 She was the bolder one of any of us, 60 00:03:04,818 --> 00:03:07,752 And she was always there for you if you needed her, 61 00:03:07,754 --> 00:03:10,155 And especially if you got in trouble. 62 00:03:10,157 --> 00:03:13,158 She helped you get in trouble. 63 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:14,893 - She was the one your parents warn you about. 64 00:03:14,895 --> 00:03:16,428 - Yes. 65 00:03:16,430 --> 00:03:18,964 - Then there was shaelynn cowles, 16, 66 00:03:18,966 --> 00:03:21,500 Perhaps a little less street smart than the others, 67 00:03:21,502 --> 00:03:23,501 But drawn in by it all, too, 68 00:03:23,503 --> 00:03:27,506 Even if some of the others weren't that nice. 69 00:03:27,508 --> 00:03:28,840 - They were fun girls, 70 00:03:28,842 --> 00:03:32,777 But they just always had an agenda on their mind 71 00:03:32,779 --> 00:03:34,646 Of everyone owing them something. 72 00:03:34,648 --> 00:03:36,581 Their parents weren't gonna tell 'em what to do, 73 00:03:36,583 --> 00:03:41,253 And they just wanted to just be free. 74 00:03:41,255 --> 00:03:44,723 - The girls just wanted to have fun, stay up late, 75 00:03:44,725 --> 00:03:47,125 Meet guys, drink, do drugs. 76 00:03:47,127 --> 00:03:50,296 That was the type of freedom they were looking for, 77 00:03:50,298 --> 00:03:53,865 And which they found in the summer of '97, 78 00:03:53,867 --> 00:03:56,735 Along with the rest of what happened. 79 00:03:56,737 --> 00:03:58,570 - 9-1-1, what's your emergency? 80 00:03:58,572 --> 00:04:01,173 - Oh, my god. Help me, please! 81 00:04:01,175 --> 00:04:03,008 - So what did happen? 82 00:04:03,010 --> 00:04:06,679 It began just after christmas the previous winter, 1996. 83 00:04:06,681 --> 00:04:09,414 There was this house party. 84 00:04:09,416 --> 00:04:10,882 - Amy's parents went out of town, 85 00:04:10,884 --> 00:04:12,684 And so amy said, 86 00:04:12,686 --> 00:04:14,285 "let's just invite some people over, 87 00:04:14,287 --> 00:04:16,221 Have a good time." 88 00:04:16,223 --> 00:04:18,423 - Shaelynn came along, of course. 89 00:04:18,425 --> 00:04:19,557 - They were drinking, 90 00:04:19,559 --> 00:04:22,560 Just kind of acting a little bit outrageous. 91 00:04:22,562 --> 00:04:24,629 You know, smoking, drinking, partying. 92 00:04:24,631 --> 00:04:28,200 - Sara was there and amy, jennifer, too. 93 00:04:28,202 --> 00:04:30,268 - They were, um, party girls. 94 00:04:30,270 --> 00:04:32,438 - A little on the wild side? - Yeah. 95 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:36,107 They wanted to be adults before their time. 96 00:04:36,109 --> 00:04:37,376 They wanted to grow up; 97 00:04:37,378 --> 00:04:40,146 They didn't want anyone telling them what to do. 98 00:04:40,148 --> 00:04:41,981 - But one of the people at that party 99 00:04:41,983 --> 00:04:45,350 Actually was an adult, or close to it. 100 00:04:45,352 --> 00:04:48,253 Shaelynn's brother, ricky, came to the party. 101 00:04:48,255 --> 00:04:50,922 Ricky was almost 21. 102 00:04:50,924 --> 00:04:52,458 He was done with school, 103 00:04:52,460 --> 00:04:54,125 And he was working full time 104 00:04:54,127 --> 00:04:56,194 At his family's electricity business, 105 00:04:56,196 --> 00:04:58,663 High voltage lines, dangerous stuff 106 00:04:58,665 --> 00:05:00,131 Which paid very well. 107 00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:04,536 In fact, ricky was the proud owner of a new bmw. 108 00:05:04,538 --> 00:05:06,339 And though he still lived at home, 109 00:05:06,341 --> 00:05:08,673 He was, if anything, mature for his years, 110 00:05:08,675 --> 00:05:10,475 Which mattered not a bit 111 00:05:10,477 --> 00:05:12,345 To the girls at the house party. 112 00:05:12,347 --> 00:05:15,013 To them, he was tall and good-looking, 113 00:05:15,015 --> 00:05:17,716 And what else mattered besides that? 114 00:05:17,718 --> 00:05:19,150 - Amy and one of our other friends 115 00:05:19,152 --> 00:05:20,353 Were kind of fighting over him 116 00:05:20,355 --> 00:05:22,287 'cause they both had a little thing for him. 117 00:05:22,289 --> 00:05:24,889 - Right away, boom, she wanted him, huh? 118 00:05:24,891 --> 00:05:26,225 - Well, when you're a teenage girl, 119 00:05:26,227 --> 00:05:28,094 And you see a cute guy, of course. 120 00:05:28,096 --> 00:05:29,227 - Yeah? 121 00:05:29,229 --> 00:05:30,630 - Everything falls into place. 122 00:05:30,632 --> 00:05:32,498 - Well, it certainly did. 123 00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:34,500 - Was he crazy about her to begin with? 124 00:05:34,502 --> 00:05:38,638 - Yeah. He met her, and it was like instantly. 125 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:41,172 - They were together from that very first night. 126 00:05:41,174 --> 00:05:43,141 It didn't seem to matter to ricky that 127 00:05:43,143 --> 00:05:45,877 Amy was still in high school, was just a sophomore. 128 00:05:45,879 --> 00:05:47,112 They were in love. 129 00:05:47,114 --> 00:05:50,248 He took her away on trips, he bought her lots of gifts, 130 00:05:50,250 --> 00:05:52,851 But when he introduced her to his parents, 131 00:05:52,853 --> 00:05:54,253 Debbie and rick sr., 132 00:05:54,255 --> 00:05:58,123 They were not quite so bowled over by amy. 133 00:05:58,125 --> 00:06:00,125 - She just manipulated him. 134 00:06:00,127 --> 00:06:04,329 She was really, really cute, really petite, blonde hair. 135 00:06:04,331 --> 00:06:05,697 - Wrapped him around her little finger. 136 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:06,865 - Yup. 137 00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:08,333 - And you saw that happen? 138 00:06:08,335 --> 00:06:09,401 - Yes. - Mm-hmm. 139 00:06:09,403 --> 00:06:11,469 But then we found out how old she was; 140 00:06:11,471 --> 00:06:13,405 That changed it a little bit. 141 00:06:13,407 --> 00:06:14,674 - What were you worried about? 142 00:06:14,676 --> 00:06:17,343 - At that point we were worried she'd get pregnant or something. 143 00:06:17,345 --> 00:06:19,611 She was a minor that, you know, 144 00:06:19,613 --> 00:06:21,146 If he didn't want to be with her or something 145 00:06:21,148 --> 00:06:23,348 Maybe he'd go to jail for rape or whatever. 146 00:06:23,350 --> 00:06:24,816 - Rape? Jail? 147 00:06:24,818 --> 00:06:26,751 What a place for a mind to go. 148 00:06:26,753 --> 00:06:27,886 Looking back, 149 00:06:27,888 --> 00:06:30,289 Debbie cowles says it was just some gut instinct 150 00:06:30,291 --> 00:06:32,357 That told her amy was up to something, 151 00:06:32,359 --> 00:06:34,560 And whatever it was wouldn't be good 152 00:06:34,562 --> 00:06:36,427 For her son, ricky. 153 00:06:36,429 --> 00:06:39,731 So debbie tried to put a wedge between the two young lovers. 154 00:06:39,733 --> 00:06:42,700 Ricky was living in his parents' guesthouse. 155 00:06:42,702 --> 00:06:46,771 His mom made a firm rule: Amy could not stay over. 156 00:06:46,773 --> 00:06:48,573 - And she'd be out there and she'd, like, 157 00:06:48,575 --> 00:06:51,309 Try to hide in the-in the closet and stuff like that. 158 00:06:51,311 --> 00:06:53,244 And that's when it finally got where you can't live here, 159 00:06:53,246 --> 00:06:55,113 We can't have this. - What were you trying to do? 160 00:06:55,115 --> 00:06:56,449 Encourage him-- - I was trying to break him-- 161 00:06:56,451 --> 00:06:59,317 I thought he would say, okay, you know, "you are 16, 162 00:06:59,319 --> 00:07:00,451 "and I don't wanna move out, 163 00:07:00,453 --> 00:07:02,588 "because I'm living here with my parents for nothing 164 00:07:02,590 --> 00:07:03,922 In this house of my own." 165 00:07:03,924 --> 00:07:06,391 - It's a story as old as young love. 166 00:07:06,393 --> 00:07:08,459 Ricky's parents thought free rent 167 00:07:08,461 --> 00:07:10,328 Would trump nights with amy. 168 00:07:10,330 --> 00:07:11,463 They were wrong. 169 00:07:11,465 --> 00:07:15,133 Ricky didn't drop amy. He left home instead, 170 00:07:15,135 --> 00:07:18,303 Rented an apartment in the sketchy part of town, 171 00:07:18,305 --> 00:07:20,740 And amy, who had just finished her sophomore year 172 00:07:20,742 --> 00:07:23,542 At high school, moved in with him. 173 00:07:23,544 --> 00:07:26,077 But would it be happily ever after? 174 00:07:26,079 --> 00:07:28,614 No. No, it would not be. 175 00:07:28,616 --> 00:07:32,817 Because now act two, the hard part, 176 00:07:32,819 --> 00:07:34,786 Was about to begin. 177 00:07:38,258 --> 00:07:41,393 - The bffs move in with amy and ricky, 178 00:07:41,395 --> 00:07:44,095 And that's when things turn deadly. 179 00:07:44,097 --> 00:07:45,563 - She turns on the light in the bedroom, 180 00:07:45,565 --> 00:07:48,967 She stands there for a second, and then she looks down 181 00:07:48,969 --> 00:07:52,537 And falls against the door screaming. 182 00:07:52,539 --> 00:08:08,186 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 183 00:08:08,188 --> 00:08:10,923 - It was a love story that spring of '97, 184 00:08:10,925 --> 00:08:13,258 Blooming here in the california desert. 185 00:08:13,260 --> 00:08:15,594 But in lancaster like everywhere else, 186 00:08:15,596 --> 00:08:17,996 The unstoppable desire of young adults 187 00:08:17,998 --> 00:08:21,934 Can bring out polar opposites in parenting styles. 188 00:08:21,936 --> 00:08:25,003 While ricky cowles' parents struggled to prevent 189 00:08:25,005 --> 00:08:27,539 What looked to them like a big mistake, 190 00:08:27,541 --> 00:08:30,208 Amy's parents, georgia and larry preasmyer, 191 00:08:30,210 --> 00:08:32,178 Had a different perspective. 192 00:08:32,180 --> 00:08:34,479 - I didn't think about it very much, 193 00:08:34,481 --> 00:08:38,349 Because I was 17 when I met larry and-- 194 00:08:38,351 --> 00:08:40,218 - How old were you, larry? - 24. 195 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:41,619 - 24. - Oh, okay. 196 00:08:41,621 --> 00:08:44,423 - So there was six years difference between-- 197 00:08:44,425 --> 00:08:46,891 - And that worked out. - 34 years. 198 00:08:46,893 --> 00:08:49,894 - So, the age difference didn't worry them. 199 00:08:49,896 --> 00:08:52,832 They liked ricky; he was good to their daughter. 200 00:08:52,834 --> 00:08:55,967 And amy's parents knew they didn't have much say 201 00:08:55,969 --> 00:08:58,037 In what amy did anyway. 202 00:08:58,039 --> 00:08:59,638 - She always pushed. - Yeah. 203 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:02,440 - Amy pushed the envelope. - Yes, always. 204 00:09:02,442 --> 00:09:04,375 - Of course, ricky's mom didn't know that 205 00:09:04,377 --> 00:09:06,911 When she called amy's mom looking for an ally 206 00:09:06,913 --> 00:09:09,781 In her effort to put the brakes on the love affair. 207 00:09:09,783 --> 00:09:10,848 - I called her mother 208 00:09:10,850 --> 00:09:12,317 When I knew ricky was getting the apartment, 209 00:09:12,319 --> 00:09:14,519 And I said, "she's 16, she needs to stay home with you." 210 00:09:14,521 --> 00:09:16,655 - "she needs to stay home with you", you said. 211 00:09:16,657 --> 00:09:18,389 And what response did you get? 212 00:09:18,391 --> 00:09:19,924 - She just says, "we don't have any plans 213 00:09:19,926 --> 00:09:21,593 With her moving in there." and that's how we left it. 214 00:09:21,595 --> 00:09:23,862 And then I know a couple days later she's moved in, 215 00:09:23,864 --> 00:09:26,264 And then it wasn't even a week later or so 216 00:09:26,266 --> 00:09:27,599 She moved her friends in. 217 00:09:27,601 --> 00:09:29,467 - Did the parents have any control at all 218 00:09:29,469 --> 00:09:30,468 Over what she was doing? 219 00:09:30,470 --> 00:09:32,136 - Oh, no. - Nope. 220 00:09:32,138 --> 00:09:34,605 - But did you guess this? 221 00:09:34,607 --> 00:09:36,808 There was something else going on, 222 00:09:36,810 --> 00:09:40,812 Big news about which ricky's parents knew nothing: 223 00:09:40,814 --> 00:09:42,882 Amy was pregnant. 224 00:09:42,884 --> 00:09:45,284 It was her parents, georgia and larry, 225 00:09:45,286 --> 00:09:47,485 Who got the news first. 226 00:09:47,487 --> 00:09:50,021 - I was disappointed, to be honest with you. 227 00:09:50,023 --> 00:09:51,756 My kids know about contraceptives, 228 00:09:51,758 --> 00:09:53,891 Even though they were raised to be abstinent 229 00:09:53,893 --> 00:09:55,159 Until they were married. 230 00:09:55,161 --> 00:09:58,296 - You try to raise your kids to do the right thing; 231 00:09:58,298 --> 00:10:00,699 Sometimes they don't. 232 00:10:00,701 --> 00:10:04,302 Now amy was gonna have to grow up fast. 233 00:10:04,304 --> 00:10:07,639 Pregnant at 16, moving in with her boyfriend. 234 00:10:07,641 --> 00:10:09,307 Was she ready for all this? 235 00:10:09,309 --> 00:10:11,509 Maybe not. 236 00:10:11,511 --> 00:10:13,045 - She was always very outgoing 237 00:10:13,047 --> 00:10:16,115 And liked having her independence. 238 00:10:16,117 --> 00:10:18,250 - And girls just wanna have fun-- 239 00:10:18,252 --> 00:10:19,651 - Exactly. - --At that stage. 240 00:10:19,653 --> 00:10:21,919 - In fact, right away amy invited 241 00:10:21,921 --> 00:10:24,789 Her two best friends, wild jennifer and sara, 242 00:10:24,791 --> 00:10:27,792 The local pageant queen, to move in, too. 243 00:10:27,794 --> 00:10:30,328 Neither one of them wanted to be stuck at home 244 00:10:30,330 --> 00:10:31,930 Under parental watch, 245 00:10:31,932 --> 00:10:35,733 And pregnant or no there was fun to be had. 246 00:10:35,735 --> 00:10:37,001 They went to parties, 247 00:10:37,003 --> 00:10:39,337 Jennifer stirring up trouble as usual, 248 00:10:39,339 --> 00:10:41,740 Brought her druggy friends over to visit, 249 00:10:41,742 --> 00:10:44,342 Though amy insisted that because she was pregnant 250 00:10:44,344 --> 00:10:45,744 She wasn't using. 251 00:10:45,746 --> 00:10:48,679 - Did she seem at all resentful about the idea 252 00:10:48,681 --> 00:10:51,416 That she couldn't do the fun things anymore? 253 00:10:51,418 --> 00:10:53,619 - Well, a party girl becoming pregnant, 254 00:10:53,621 --> 00:10:56,354 It's kinda hard 'cause everything stops. 255 00:10:56,356 --> 00:10:57,555 - Yeah. 256 00:10:57,557 --> 00:10:59,357 - Especially when you're 16, you're still in high school. 257 00:10:59,359 --> 00:11:01,959 - Yeah. - You're not grown up yet. 258 00:11:01,961 --> 00:11:04,430 - But ricky by then was 21. 259 00:11:04,432 --> 00:11:07,365 He had different ideas about moving in together. 260 00:11:07,367 --> 00:11:09,567 He wanted amy home when he got back 261 00:11:09,569 --> 00:11:10,902 From his long day at work 262 00:11:10,904 --> 00:11:13,105 On those high voltage electrical lines. 263 00:11:13,107 --> 00:11:16,140 He wanted amy home alone. 264 00:11:16,142 --> 00:11:18,176 - At some point they began to have 265 00:11:18,178 --> 00:11:19,711 Some fairly serious problems 266 00:11:19,713 --> 00:11:21,113 And ricky, for example, complained 267 00:11:21,115 --> 00:11:22,713 That these girls had moved in, 268 00:11:22,715 --> 00:11:24,382 And he didn't want them there. 269 00:11:24,384 --> 00:11:27,786 - Ricky decided to, um, you know, that he was done, 270 00:11:27,788 --> 00:11:29,121 That he needed them gone. 271 00:11:29,123 --> 00:11:32,123 - Which pleased the friends, jennifer especially, 272 00:11:32,125 --> 00:11:33,591 Not one bit. 273 00:11:33,593 --> 00:11:35,460 Amy wasn't happy either. 274 00:11:35,462 --> 00:11:38,529 And so a couple of months into this romance 275 00:11:38,531 --> 00:11:41,332 That started so hot and fast, 276 00:11:41,334 --> 00:11:43,334 It seemed to be burning out. 277 00:11:43,336 --> 00:11:44,602 - They'd been fighting a lot. 278 00:11:44,604 --> 00:11:47,605 She had thought about ending the relationship, 279 00:11:47,607 --> 00:11:49,340 But she was afraid that ricky's parents 280 00:11:49,342 --> 00:11:52,210 Might take the child once it was born. 281 00:11:52,212 --> 00:11:53,478 And there was a point where one night 282 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:55,146 She just broke down and cried 283 00:11:55,148 --> 00:11:56,482 And said, "I don't know what to do. 284 00:11:56,484 --> 00:11:57,615 "I don't know if I should leave him. 285 00:11:57,617 --> 00:11:59,551 I don't know what to do." 286 00:11:59,553 --> 00:12:02,755 - It was about then when ricky finally told his mom 287 00:12:02,757 --> 00:12:05,691 About his and amy's predicament. 288 00:12:05,693 --> 00:12:08,493 - Well he came home one night from work 289 00:12:08,495 --> 00:12:10,228 And we were in the house, 290 00:12:10,230 --> 00:12:13,297 And he goes, "I have to talk to you and dad." 291 00:12:13,299 --> 00:12:16,701 When he said me and dad, I'm like, "what about?" 292 00:12:16,703 --> 00:12:18,703 "well, I just want you to sit down, 293 00:12:18,705 --> 00:12:20,037 I wanna talk to you." 294 00:12:20,039 --> 00:12:21,038 And he was really serious, so I'm thinking 295 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:22,707 Some really bad thing, you know? 296 00:12:22,709 --> 00:12:25,176 And he tells me, "well, amy's pregnant." 297 00:12:25,178 --> 00:12:28,313 And I said, "no, no, no." and he said, "yeah." 298 00:12:28,315 --> 00:12:30,581 - Exactly what she'd worried about. 299 00:12:30,583 --> 00:12:34,986 And ricky was talking about breaking up with amy. 300 00:12:34,988 --> 00:12:37,388 - He said, "I want to take care of the baby." 301 00:12:37,390 --> 00:12:39,657 You know, I said, "you will, that's your responsibility." 302 00:12:39,659 --> 00:12:41,994 He goes, "but I just need a way to tell amy 303 00:12:41,996 --> 00:12:45,129 "that we can't be what she wants us to be. 304 00:12:45,131 --> 00:12:46,531 I need a way to tell her--" 305 00:12:46,533 --> 00:12:47,799 - She wanted to be married. 306 00:12:47,801 --> 00:12:49,068 He didn't wanna do that. 307 00:12:49,070 --> 00:12:51,536 Now he had this big problem, 308 00:12:51,538 --> 00:12:54,472 Just the problem you're worried about all along. 309 00:12:54,474 --> 00:12:55,940 - Mm-hmm. 310 00:12:55,942 --> 00:12:57,608 - And then turmoil. 311 00:12:57,610 --> 00:12:59,344 Ricky and amy argued. 312 00:12:59,346 --> 00:13:01,412 He told her she needed to leave, 313 00:13:01,414 --> 00:13:03,080 Go back home to her parents. 314 00:13:03,082 --> 00:13:05,183 And then after they spent a weekend apart 315 00:13:05,185 --> 00:13:08,486 Thinking it over, something changed. 316 00:13:08,488 --> 00:13:09,821 - And I sat on the porch with him, 317 00:13:09,823 --> 00:13:11,355 And we had a beer and a cigarette, 318 00:13:11,357 --> 00:13:15,894 And he said, you know, "I'm so excited for our life now 319 00:13:15,896 --> 00:13:17,962 "and I've just thought about everything, 320 00:13:17,964 --> 00:13:19,497 "and everything's just gonna be fine, 321 00:13:19,499 --> 00:13:20,698 We're gonna make it work." 322 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:21,899 - Ricky was happy? 323 00:13:21,901 --> 00:13:24,036 - Ricky really was looking forward to being a daddy. 324 00:13:24,038 --> 00:13:27,505 - 'cause, you know, a lot of guys 20-21 years old 325 00:13:27,507 --> 00:13:30,508 Who just met a girl and got her pregnant right away, 326 00:13:30,510 --> 00:13:32,243 Would not be reacting that way. 327 00:13:32,245 --> 00:13:34,645 - No, but ricky was a little different from everybody. 328 00:13:34,647 --> 00:13:37,782 He seemed more grown up. 329 00:13:37,784 --> 00:13:41,319 - By then, amy had had a change of heart, too. 330 00:13:41,321 --> 00:13:43,187 - She said, "I'm gonna make this work. 331 00:13:43,189 --> 00:13:45,189 "it's worth making work, 332 00:13:45,191 --> 00:13:48,861 I want my daughter to grow up with her daddy here." 333 00:13:48,863 --> 00:13:51,663 - Which brings us to August 12, 1997. 334 00:13:51,665 --> 00:13:54,198 Ricky left for work early, 335 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:57,068 Amy left a note promising to be back by 9:00 336 00:13:57,070 --> 00:13:59,070 To spend time alone with him. 337 00:13:59,072 --> 00:14:01,006 And then that afternoon, she called him 338 00:14:01,008 --> 00:14:02,807 As he worked out in the hot desert, 339 00:14:02,809 --> 00:14:04,742 Just to confirm their plans. 340 00:14:04,744 --> 00:14:07,211 And later when his dad and he went to the county fair 341 00:14:07,213 --> 00:14:10,748 To set up lights, the calls from amy kept coming. 342 00:14:10,750 --> 00:14:13,018 "when are you getting home?" she asked him. 343 00:14:13,020 --> 00:14:15,686 Of course, she had been out all day with friends. 344 00:14:15,688 --> 00:14:18,289 Around 9:00 pm, sara in tow, 345 00:14:18,291 --> 00:14:21,426 She headed home to see if ricky had arrived. 346 00:14:21,428 --> 00:14:24,863 - She goes pounding up the stairs. 347 00:14:24,865 --> 00:14:26,897 Gets up to the top of the stairs, 348 00:14:26,899 --> 00:14:27,899 And I'm looking at her, 349 00:14:27,901 --> 00:14:29,201 She turns on the light in the bedroom, 350 00:14:29,203 --> 00:14:32,971 She stands there for a second, and then she looks down 351 00:14:32,973 --> 00:14:36,975 And falls against the door screaming. 352 00:14:36,977 --> 00:14:39,978 - Someone was lying on the floor, still alive, 353 00:14:39,980 --> 00:14:42,381 A twisted, bloody mess. 354 00:14:42,383 --> 00:14:44,116 It was ricky. 355 00:14:50,790 --> 00:14:52,724 - How was amy? - She was panicked. 356 00:14:52,726 --> 00:14:56,495 - The new father-to-be, helpless on the floor. 357 00:14:56,497 --> 00:14:58,195 What had happened? 358 00:14:58,197 --> 00:14:58,263 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 359 00:14:58,397 --> 00:15:10,541 ♪♪ 360 00:15:10,543 --> 00:15:11,943 - 9-1-1, what's your emergency? 361 00:15:11,945 --> 00:15:13,612 - Oh my god. Help me, please! 362 00:15:13,614 --> 00:15:15,813 - After a night of running around, 363 00:15:15,815 --> 00:15:18,283 Sara and amy finally went to amy's place 364 00:15:18,285 --> 00:15:21,086 And found ricky cowles, just 21, 365 00:15:21,088 --> 00:15:24,989 Lying near death on his and amy's bedroom floor. 366 00:15:26,359 --> 00:15:27,825 - What'd it look like there on the floor? 367 00:15:27,827 --> 00:15:30,295 - He was kind of twisted up on the floor, 368 00:15:30,297 --> 00:15:32,296 And all I saw was blood. 369 00:15:32,298 --> 00:15:35,166 And so I said, "let's get out of here." 370 00:15:35,168 --> 00:15:37,234 - What does it do to you to see something like that? 371 00:15:37,236 --> 00:15:39,638 - It scares the crap out of me. 372 00:15:42,909 --> 00:15:44,842 - And she was such a mess. 373 00:15:44,844 --> 00:15:45,877 - She was hysterical? 374 00:15:51,985 --> 00:15:53,651 - And I grabbed the phone from her, 375 00:15:53,653 --> 00:15:56,455 And I'm like, "hello?" 376 00:15:56,457 --> 00:15:58,322 And she's like, "this is 9-1-1." 377 00:15:58,324 --> 00:16:00,358 So I start freaking out. 378 00:16:26,286 --> 00:16:28,486 - By now, jennifer and another friend 379 00:16:28,488 --> 00:16:29,688 Were there, too. 380 00:16:29,690 --> 00:16:31,288 - Jennifer starts screaming to me, 381 00:16:31,290 --> 00:16:34,926 "ricky! I wanna see ricky! I wanna see ricky!" 382 00:16:51,111 --> 00:16:53,845 - Paramedics and law enforcement showed up. 383 00:16:53,847 --> 00:16:56,714 What happened then was hard to watch, intense. 384 00:16:56,716 --> 00:16:58,950 As sara's video camera recorded a man 385 00:16:58,952 --> 00:17:00,718 Struggling to survive, 386 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,087 Could he tell them what happened? 387 00:17:03,089 --> 00:17:05,389 - Then they came in the house, the next thing you know, 388 00:17:05,391 --> 00:17:09,260 They're shoving all of us into the kitchen. 389 00:17:09,262 --> 00:17:12,930 And they carried him downstairs on his bed sheet 390 00:17:12,932 --> 00:17:15,533 And worked on him in the living room. 391 00:17:15,535 --> 00:17:17,735 - Did you shoot yourself? - No. 392 00:17:17,737 --> 00:17:21,206 - Who did it? - [mumbling] 393 00:17:21,208 --> 00:17:23,274 - Who did it? - My neck. 394 00:17:23,276 --> 00:17:24,875 - "my neck hurts" is what he said. 395 00:17:24,877 --> 00:17:26,411 - Who shot you in the head? 396 00:17:28,881 --> 00:17:30,481 Did you do it? 397 00:17:30,483 --> 00:17:33,350 - As police tried desperately to get information from him, 398 00:17:33,352 --> 00:17:36,087 Ricky became too weak to respond. 399 00:17:36,089 --> 00:17:37,622 - Yeah, get him out of here. 400 00:17:37,624 --> 00:17:39,957 - How was amy at this stage? 401 00:17:39,959 --> 00:17:41,492 - She was panicked. 402 00:17:41,494 --> 00:17:43,228 - Beside herself? 403 00:17:43,230 --> 00:17:44,562 - Yes. 404 00:17:44,564 --> 00:17:46,897 - And sara called ricky's parents, 405 00:17:46,899 --> 00:17:49,100 "come quick, something had happened." 406 00:17:49,102 --> 00:17:51,702 - Well by the time we got there, there was so many people, 407 00:17:51,704 --> 00:17:53,571 I was screaming, "ricky, ricky". 408 00:17:53,573 --> 00:17:55,105 I didn't know what-- I knew he'd been shot, 409 00:17:55,107 --> 00:17:57,308 But we had no idea where or anything. 410 00:17:57,310 --> 00:17:58,375 - Or how bad it was. 411 00:17:58,377 --> 00:17:59,710 - Or how bad it was or anything 412 00:17:59,712 --> 00:18:01,045 Until they brought him downstairs. 413 00:18:01,047 --> 00:18:05,517 And then I knew-I knew, I thought, "oh no, no, no." 414 00:18:05,519 --> 00:18:07,785 - It's like your whole life is disintegrating 415 00:18:07,787 --> 00:18:09,453 Right under your hand. 416 00:18:09,455 --> 00:18:11,655 - It did. 417 00:18:11,657 --> 00:18:13,324 - And then the paramedics 418 00:18:13,326 --> 00:18:15,526 Brought ricky to a waiting helicopter. 419 00:18:15,528 --> 00:18:18,864 Rick sr. Rode to the hospital with his son. 420 00:18:18,866 --> 00:18:20,264 - He was comprehending 421 00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:21,866 What we were talking about a little bit, 422 00:18:21,868 --> 00:18:24,336 But he was hurting pretty hard. 423 00:18:24,338 --> 00:18:25,870 I tried to tell him, "we'll be okay, 424 00:18:25,872 --> 00:18:28,939 We'll get the doctors to try to fix this." 425 00:18:28,941 --> 00:18:31,342 - And they did try. 426 00:18:31,344 --> 00:18:33,410 As the doctors worked on ricky, 427 00:18:33,412 --> 00:18:34,612 His family gathered. 428 00:18:34,614 --> 00:18:38,282 Amy was there too, of course, but whoever attacked him 429 00:18:38,284 --> 00:18:41,619 Had done so much damage to his head, to his brain. 430 00:18:42,356 --> 00:18:45,122 By August 14th, two days in intensive care, 431 00:18:45,124 --> 00:18:48,893 It was clear there was no fixing ricky. 432 00:18:48,895 --> 00:18:50,561 He was comatose now, 433 00:18:50,563 --> 00:18:52,797 Only the machines kept him alive. 434 00:18:52,799 --> 00:18:56,033 His family went to his bedside to say their goodbyes. 435 00:18:56,035 --> 00:18:59,704 Amy was beside herself, hardly made sense. 436 00:18:59,706 --> 00:19:01,772 - And she said, um, 437 00:19:01,774 --> 00:19:04,909 "why did you have to go ahead and die", you know, 438 00:19:04,911 --> 00:19:08,045 "you were supposed to buy me a car for my birthday." 439 00:19:08,047 --> 00:19:09,113 And I'm thinking-- 440 00:19:09,115 --> 00:19:10,781 - "you were supposed to buy me a car"? 441 00:19:10,783 --> 00:19:11,916 - --"did I just hear that?" 442 00:19:11,918 --> 00:19:13,317 My mind, I couldn't even fathom. 443 00:19:13,319 --> 00:19:15,519 - Odd, of course, 444 00:19:15,521 --> 00:19:17,254 But the cowles were far too distraught 445 00:19:17,256 --> 00:19:19,057 To try to comprehend what was going on 446 00:19:19,059 --> 00:19:22,059 In the mind of amy, 16 and pregnant. 447 00:19:22,061 --> 00:19:25,062 It was soon after that ricky died. 448 00:19:25,064 --> 00:19:28,266 His heart, kidneys, and liver were donated 449 00:19:28,268 --> 00:19:29,733 To people in need. 450 00:19:29,735 --> 00:19:31,736 Amy moved back in with her parents 451 00:19:31,738 --> 00:19:33,938 To get ready to have ricky's baby. 452 00:19:33,940 --> 00:19:37,408 And debby and rick sr. Vowed to find out who did this. 453 00:19:37,410 --> 00:19:40,912 And that's when a long journey began. 454 00:19:40,914 --> 00:19:45,049 Long, and as you'll see, very strange. 455 00:19:48,487 --> 00:19:50,688 - On the trail of a killer. 456 00:19:50,690 --> 00:19:52,623 - He actually told people, he said, "you 457 00:19:52,625 --> 00:19:55,159 Saw those helicopters that were over there?" 458 00:19:55,161 --> 00:19:56,360 He goes, "that was me." 459 00:19:56,362 --> 00:19:58,829 He says, "I did that." 460 00:19:58,831 --> 00:19:58,897 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 461 00:19:59,064 --> 00:20:11,376 ♪♪ 462 00:20:11,378 --> 00:20:13,911 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 463 00:20:13,913 --> 00:20:14,980 I'm craig melvin. 464 00:20:14,982 --> 00:20:18,183 Father-to-be ricky cowles fought bravely, 465 00:20:18,185 --> 00:20:20,785 But could not escape death, 466 00:20:20,787 --> 00:20:24,388 Leaving 16-year-old amy to have their baby alone. 467 00:20:24,390 --> 00:20:28,125 Now, police shifted their focus to finding ricky's killer, 468 00:20:28,127 --> 00:20:31,328 A search that generated a mountain of rumors 469 00:20:31,330 --> 00:20:34,198 Until a hard lead 470 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,934 Pointed detectives toward a suspect. 471 00:20:36,936 --> 00:20:40,004 But a tightly-guarded secret promised 472 00:20:40,006 --> 00:20:42,673 To turn this case on its head. 473 00:20:42,675 --> 00:20:46,144 Back to keith morrison with "mean girls". 474 00:20:49,815 --> 00:20:51,816 - Ricky cowles was dead. 475 00:20:51,818 --> 00:20:53,350 But why? 476 00:20:53,352 --> 00:20:54,952 The cops went through the apartment, 477 00:20:54,954 --> 00:20:57,154 But there was little evidence to go on. 478 00:20:57,156 --> 00:20:58,856 - We found a shell casing. 479 00:20:58,858 --> 00:21:01,025 - .25 auto I believe. 480 00:21:01,027 --> 00:21:03,027 - Okay. - A shell casing. 481 00:21:03,029 --> 00:21:05,830 No print trail, no useful dna, nothing missing, 482 00:21:05,832 --> 00:21:08,900 And nothing in particular about ricky cowles 483 00:21:08,902 --> 00:21:11,769 That would lead you to think he'd be a murder victim. 484 00:21:11,771 --> 00:21:13,305 - And he's not the sort of person 485 00:21:13,307 --> 00:21:16,840 Who would normally be a victim of that kind of crime. 486 00:21:16,842 --> 00:21:19,843 Unless maybe he owed money in a drug deal 487 00:21:19,845 --> 00:21:22,913 Or he hadn't paid a gambling debt. 488 00:21:22,915 --> 00:21:25,115 - That wasn't anything that was out there. 489 00:21:25,117 --> 00:21:27,518 - Tom harris and larry brandenburg, 490 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:30,654 Then detectives with los angeles county sheriffs homicide, 491 00:21:30,656 --> 00:21:32,056 Worked on the case. 492 00:21:32,058 --> 00:21:33,390 - You always look at your victim's lifestyle, 493 00:21:33,392 --> 00:21:35,860 Because that's gonna usually tell you where to go. 494 00:21:35,862 --> 00:21:38,529 And ricky worked all the time with his father, 495 00:21:38,531 --> 00:21:41,532 He'd drink some beer when he'd get done working, 496 00:21:41,534 --> 00:21:44,602 And probably smoke some weed every once in a while, 497 00:21:44,604 --> 00:21:45,604 But beyond that-- 498 00:21:45,606 --> 00:21:46,671 - Pretty standard middle-class guy. 499 00:21:46,673 --> 00:21:48,806 - Yeah, he was a hard-working kid, 500 00:21:48,808 --> 00:21:50,674 You know, so he wasn't the type of kid 501 00:21:50,676 --> 00:21:52,677 That would have some big drug debt. 502 00:21:52,679 --> 00:21:55,413 - But if the cops didn't have much to go on, 503 00:21:55,415 --> 00:21:59,016 That group of girls seemed to have some rather shocking ideas. 504 00:21:59,018 --> 00:22:02,019 Though of course, reporting this to the cops 505 00:22:02,021 --> 00:22:05,089 Would be about the last thing any of them would do. 506 00:22:05,091 --> 00:22:08,359 - From the beginning it was finger pointing here 507 00:22:08,361 --> 00:22:09,427 And here and here. 508 00:22:09,429 --> 00:22:11,228 Well, jennifer's all, "well shaelynn's involved. 509 00:22:11,230 --> 00:22:12,763 She was pissed at her brother so she..." 510 00:22:12,765 --> 00:22:13,363 - Yeah. 511 00:22:13,365 --> 00:22:14,498 - Or amy was involved 512 00:22:14,500 --> 00:22:15,966 Or somebody else was involved 513 00:22:15,968 --> 00:22:17,568 Or it was this or it was a home invasion. 514 00:22:17,570 --> 00:22:18,569 It just-- 515 00:22:18,571 --> 00:22:20,637 Fingers were pointed everywhere at everybody. 516 00:22:20,639 --> 00:22:21,705 - By? 517 00:22:21,707 --> 00:22:23,173 - Everybody else. 518 00:22:23,175 --> 00:22:24,575 - Months passed. 519 00:22:24,577 --> 00:22:26,443 The paranoia was palpable. 520 00:22:26,445 --> 00:22:28,479 Amy and best friend, wild jennifer, 521 00:22:28,481 --> 00:22:29,547 Weren't talking. 522 00:22:29,549 --> 00:22:31,849 Sara and jennifer weren't talking, 523 00:22:31,851 --> 00:22:35,052 And ricky's family was just staying away from them all, 524 00:22:35,054 --> 00:22:38,522 Convinced somehow they all knew something. 525 00:22:38,524 --> 00:22:39,791 But there was a price to pay 526 00:22:39,793 --> 00:22:42,594 For ricky's family staying away from amy. 527 00:22:42,596 --> 00:22:44,062 - When she was at the hospital having the baby, 528 00:22:44,064 --> 00:22:45,863 A friend of ours called us from the hospital and said, 529 00:22:45,865 --> 00:22:46,931 "her name's up on the board, 530 00:22:46,933 --> 00:22:48,132 Your baby's gonna come today. 531 00:22:48,134 --> 00:22:49,733 Sometime today, you know?" 532 00:22:49,735 --> 00:22:51,269 And I cried all day because I thought, 533 00:22:51,271 --> 00:22:53,004 "here's this baby I'm never gonna see 534 00:22:53,006 --> 00:22:56,673 Because, you know, my son's gone." 535 00:22:56,675 --> 00:22:58,943 - About a month later, 536 00:22:58,945 --> 00:23:01,812 The cowles, impatient with the progress of the case, 537 00:23:01,814 --> 00:23:03,548 Decided to post a reward. 538 00:23:03,550 --> 00:23:05,616 Shaelynn, ricky's sister, 539 00:23:05,618 --> 00:23:08,085 Went to amy's house to give them some fliers. 540 00:23:08,087 --> 00:23:11,088 Amy's dad answered the door. 541 00:23:11,090 --> 00:23:12,823 - I asked her father when he answered the door 542 00:23:12,825 --> 00:23:14,225 If they wanted any fliers. 543 00:23:14,227 --> 00:23:16,293 And he said, "oh, why don't you come on in 544 00:23:16,295 --> 00:23:18,362 And see your little niece." 545 00:23:18,364 --> 00:23:20,564 - There she was. 546 00:23:20,566 --> 00:23:22,166 - I just called my mom instantly 547 00:23:22,168 --> 00:23:23,634 And just told her, you know, that, 548 00:23:23,636 --> 00:23:25,036 "I'm holding your little grandbaby." 549 00:23:25,038 --> 00:23:30,375 - Kaylee lynn cowles was born January 23, 1998. 550 00:23:30,377 --> 00:23:31,776 - She was just precious. 551 00:23:33,379 --> 00:23:35,979 I just knew that I wanted a relationship with her 552 00:23:35,981 --> 00:23:38,516 And that, you know, through her pregnancy, 553 00:23:38,518 --> 00:23:41,051 We weren't able to kind of 554 00:23:41,053 --> 00:23:44,188 Let things go between each other, our families. 555 00:23:44,190 --> 00:23:46,323 So I just knew that 556 00:23:46,325 --> 00:23:47,991 Something had to kind of give 557 00:23:47,993 --> 00:23:50,194 And that the baby would make it to where 558 00:23:50,196 --> 00:23:52,930 It was easier to deal with each other if we were going to. 559 00:23:52,932 --> 00:23:54,999 - It was. 560 00:23:55,001 --> 00:23:57,869 Then, grandma debbie got to meet the baby. 561 00:23:57,871 --> 00:24:00,070 - A couple days later, I went up to their house to see her 562 00:24:00,072 --> 00:24:02,273 And I held her and just cried my eyes out 563 00:24:02,275 --> 00:24:03,808 Because here she is, 564 00:24:03,810 --> 00:24:07,678 This gift, but I don't have him anymore. 565 00:24:10,216 --> 00:24:13,217 - And a break in the case came soon, too. 566 00:24:13,219 --> 00:24:14,485 A 19 year old 567 00:24:14,487 --> 00:24:17,421 Who lived down the street from amy and ricky's place, 568 00:24:17,423 --> 00:24:21,359 Billy hoffman, was arrested for ricky's murder. 569 00:24:21,361 --> 00:24:23,961 Turns out he'd bragged to loads of friends 570 00:24:23,963 --> 00:24:25,495 About what he'd done. 571 00:24:25,497 --> 00:24:27,698 - He was proud of it. He actually told people-- 572 00:24:27,700 --> 00:24:29,833 There was a girl that he would carpool with, 573 00:24:29,835 --> 00:24:32,569 For instance, to go to work at kmart. 574 00:24:32,571 --> 00:24:34,137 He said, "you saw those helicopters 575 00:24:34,139 --> 00:24:35,706 That were over there?" 576 00:24:35,708 --> 00:24:37,140 And she goes, "yeah." and he goes, "that was me." 577 00:24:37,142 --> 00:24:39,309 He says, "I did that." 578 00:24:39,311 --> 00:24:41,311 - So he denied it to the authorities-- 579 00:24:41,313 --> 00:24:42,579 - To the authorities. - ...But he had already told, 580 00:24:42,581 --> 00:24:44,114 What, a number of-- several people? 581 00:24:44,116 --> 00:24:45,315 - Several people. 582 00:24:45,317 --> 00:24:47,784 He had one person that actually helped him get the gun, 583 00:24:47,786 --> 00:24:50,989 He had another person that helped him get rid of the gun. 584 00:24:50,991 --> 00:24:53,391 I mean, he would tell people that he did this. 585 00:24:53,393 --> 00:24:54,992 I mean, which obviously was his demise, 586 00:24:54,994 --> 00:24:58,795 Because, I mean, he got arrested shortly thereafter. 587 00:24:58,797 --> 00:25:01,999 - Billy hoffman was a drug user and small time dealer. 588 00:25:02,001 --> 00:25:04,268 And it turned out there was some kind of connection 589 00:25:04,270 --> 00:25:07,070 Between billy and wild jennifer. 590 00:25:07,072 --> 00:25:09,339 - The cops came and said-- 591 00:25:09,341 --> 00:25:10,874 Showed me a picture of the guy 592 00:25:10,876 --> 00:25:12,142 And said, "do you know this guy?" 593 00:25:12,144 --> 00:25:13,812 And I said, "well, I've met him once before 594 00:25:13,814 --> 00:25:15,947 At jennifer's birthday this year." 595 00:25:15,949 --> 00:25:18,216 And then they said, "well this is who did it." 596 00:25:18,218 --> 00:25:20,150 - Sara even snapped this photo 597 00:25:20,152 --> 00:25:23,487 Of billy and jennifer there smoking pot together, 598 00:25:23,489 --> 00:25:26,090 Which the cops were happy to have. 599 00:25:26,092 --> 00:25:28,358 Shaelynn recognized him, too. 600 00:25:28,360 --> 00:25:31,095 It was the weekend before he died. 601 00:25:31,097 --> 00:25:34,164 Ricky was away deciding what to do about amy. 602 00:25:34,166 --> 00:25:35,899 Shaelynn went to the apartment 603 00:25:35,901 --> 00:25:37,569 To hang out with the girls. 604 00:25:37,571 --> 00:25:39,571 And sitting on the living room floor 605 00:25:39,573 --> 00:25:42,506 Was a quiet guy named billy. 606 00:25:42,508 --> 00:25:45,009 Jennifer was high on acid. 607 00:25:45,011 --> 00:25:47,511 She told shaelynn she should try some, too. 608 00:25:47,513 --> 00:25:50,247 It was billy who had the drugs. 609 00:25:50,249 --> 00:25:52,850 Do you remember how billy came to be in that condo? 610 00:25:52,852 --> 00:25:54,451 - Jennifer kellogg brought him over. 611 00:25:54,453 --> 00:25:56,720 - A friend of jennifer's? - Mm-hmm. 612 00:25:56,722 --> 00:26:00,190 - She introduced him, the killer, into the scene. 613 00:26:00,192 --> 00:26:02,993 - Mm-hmm. Yes. 614 00:26:02,995 --> 00:26:06,330 - Was jennifer somehow involved? 615 00:26:06,332 --> 00:26:10,200 Remember, after she and sara moved in with ricky and amy, 616 00:26:10,202 --> 00:26:12,136 Ricky wanted her out 617 00:26:12,138 --> 00:26:14,338 And she was mad at ricky for that. 618 00:26:14,340 --> 00:26:17,475 She was known for stirring up trouble, but murder? 619 00:26:17,477 --> 00:26:20,210 The idea seemed preposterous. 620 00:26:20,212 --> 00:26:22,879 And anyway, it was billy hoffman who went on trial, 621 00:26:22,881 --> 00:26:24,015 Not jennifer. 622 00:26:24,017 --> 00:26:27,284 And he just clammed up, denying everything. 623 00:26:27,286 --> 00:26:30,087 No matter, he was convicted 624 00:26:30,089 --> 00:26:33,090 And got life without the possibility of parole. 625 00:26:33,092 --> 00:26:35,593 So, story over? 626 00:26:35,595 --> 00:26:37,828 Not by a long 627 00:26:37,830 --> 00:26:42,499 Shot. 628 00:26:42,501 --> 00:26:45,369 - A conversation with the killer. 629 00:26:45,371 --> 00:26:47,805 He has a little secret he wants to share. 630 00:26:50,710 --> 00:26:50,774 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 631 00:26:50,908 --> 00:27:04,856 ♪♪ 632 00:27:04,858 --> 00:27:08,525 - Lancaster, california ticked into the new millennium 633 00:27:08,527 --> 00:27:10,794 Nearly three years after ricky cowles 634 00:27:10,796 --> 00:27:14,064 Was dispatched from all knowledge of time. 635 00:27:14,066 --> 00:27:15,732 And two families that might otherwise 636 00:27:15,734 --> 00:27:17,601 Have gone completely off the rails 637 00:27:17,603 --> 00:27:20,137 Stayed intact because of an amazing gift 638 00:27:20,139 --> 00:27:23,106 He helped create and left behind. 639 00:27:23,108 --> 00:27:25,342 Her name is kaylee. 640 00:27:25,344 --> 00:27:28,612 The man who killed her father before she was born 641 00:27:28,614 --> 00:27:29,814 Was in prison. 642 00:27:29,816 --> 00:27:32,015 The teenager who gave birth to her 643 00:27:32,017 --> 00:27:33,350 Grew into womanhood, 644 00:27:33,352 --> 00:27:36,287 And even ricky's parents, the cowles, 645 00:27:36,289 --> 00:27:38,488 Who hadn't liked amy from the start, 646 00:27:38,490 --> 00:27:41,358 Developed a grudging respect for her. 647 00:27:41,360 --> 00:27:42,826 - Amy was really good. 648 00:27:42,828 --> 00:27:44,495 I can't say one thing bad about amy. 649 00:27:44,497 --> 00:27:45,829 - As a mother? - As a mother. 650 00:27:45,831 --> 00:27:47,898 - As a mother with kaylee. - She was perfect as a mother. 651 00:27:47,900 --> 00:27:50,567 - And that might have been the end of the story. 652 00:27:50,569 --> 00:27:51,902 Life does have to go on, 653 00:27:51,904 --> 00:27:53,970 And their hours with kaylee 654 00:27:53,972 --> 00:27:56,239 Were some of the sweetest they'd ever had. 655 00:27:56,241 --> 00:28:00,378 But they just couldn't erase their one nagging belief, 656 00:28:00,380 --> 00:28:03,247 That billy hoffman did not act alone 657 00:28:03,249 --> 00:28:05,115 When he killed their son. 658 00:28:05,117 --> 00:28:07,284 - Even though billy was convicted, 659 00:28:07,286 --> 00:28:08,785 That wasn't the whole story? 660 00:28:08,787 --> 00:28:10,788 - No, even in billy's trial, he didn't confess. 661 00:28:10,790 --> 00:28:14,257 He was, um, convicted on circumstantial evidence. 662 00:28:14,259 --> 00:28:14,992 - He kept saying, "I didn't do it, 663 00:28:14,994 --> 00:28:15,926 I didn't do it." - yeah. 664 00:28:15,928 --> 00:28:18,396 But and then in 2002, he wrote us a letter. 665 00:28:18,398 --> 00:28:20,864 - Ah, yes, the letter. 666 00:28:20,866 --> 00:28:23,000 The key to the whole thing, really. 667 00:28:23,002 --> 00:28:26,270 Without that letter, well... 668 00:28:26,272 --> 00:28:27,537 It was 2002, 669 00:28:27,539 --> 00:28:30,607 And billy hoffman had been in prison for three years 670 00:28:30,609 --> 00:28:34,444 When he wrote to the cowles that he was remorseful. 671 00:28:34,446 --> 00:28:36,546 He'd found god, he said, 672 00:28:36,548 --> 00:28:40,083 And with that, a sense of obligation 673 00:28:40,085 --> 00:28:42,352 To say he was sorry. 674 00:28:42,354 --> 00:28:44,020 - And I'm reading it, reading it, 675 00:28:44,022 --> 00:28:45,289 And then I'm crying. 676 00:28:45,291 --> 00:28:46,623 I'm reading and I'm crying, I'm reading, 677 00:28:46,625 --> 00:28:48,358 I'm by myself crying-- - what did it say? 678 00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:50,427 - That he was sorry, that, you know, 679 00:28:50,429 --> 00:28:52,696 He had done things that he shouldn't of, 680 00:28:52,698 --> 00:28:56,166 And that he, um, hoped that, you know, 681 00:28:56,168 --> 00:28:57,567 We would forgive him some day. 682 00:28:57,569 --> 00:29:00,037 - And then she went back to the beginning 683 00:29:00,039 --> 00:29:02,405 And read this one curious phrase. 684 00:29:02,407 --> 00:29:07,245 He wrote, "I would like to begin by confessing my part 685 00:29:07,247 --> 00:29:09,179 "in the murder of richard, 686 00:29:09,181 --> 00:29:11,582 As the one who took his life." 687 00:29:11,584 --> 00:29:13,618 "my part." 688 00:29:13,620 --> 00:29:16,520 When ricky's parents saw this letter 689 00:29:16,522 --> 00:29:20,324 And they saw apologizing for "his part", 690 00:29:20,326 --> 00:29:23,460 That spoke volumes to them I guess, huh? 691 00:29:23,462 --> 00:29:24,928 - Well, yeah, they took the letter 692 00:29:24,930 --> 00:29:26,464 To the d.A.'s office immediately 693 00:29:26,466 --> 00:29:29,534 And in turn, the d.A. Contacted our office 694 00:29:29,536 --> 00:29:31,401 And it went off from there. 695 00:29:31,403 --> 00:29:34,738 - And so, five years after ricky's murder, 696 00:29:34,740 --> 00:29:37,841 The dormant investigation was revived. 697 00:29:45,217 --> 00:29:47,417 Sherriff's homicide detectives went to billy's prison 698 00:29:47,419 --> 00:29:50,921 To ask him, "what did you mean by 'your part'?" 699 00:29:58,297 --> 00:29:59,797 And finally, billy hoffman, 700 00:29:59,799 --> 00:30:02,032 Grappling himself over what he'd done, 701 00:30:02,034 --> 00:30:03,500 Stopped denying anything 702 00:30:03,502 --> 00:30:06,303 And told the cops his long secret story. 703 00:30:06,305 --> 00:30:08,438 And for the very first time, 704 00:30:08,440 --> 00:30:11,843 A certain name came popping out of his mouth. 705 00:30:27,793 --> 00:30:29,927 Astonishingly, it was that easy. 706 00:30:29,929 --> 00:30:33,396 While jennifer simply asked him to kill, and he said, "yes." 707 00:30:33,398 --> 00:30:36,099 But listen carefully to billy's monotone. 708 00:30:36,101 --> 00:30:39,269 As he tells his story, you'll hear another name. 709 00:30:39,271 --> 00:30:43,140 After all, mean girls don't tend to scheme alone. 710 00:30:43,142 --> 00:30:47,010 So who was with jennifer when she arranged the murder? 711 00:30:47,012 --> 00:30:48,078 Listen. 712 00:31:02,162 --> 00:31:04,095 - Amy knew about it. 713 00:31:04,097 --> 00:31:07,365 But not just knew about it, right along with jennifer, 714 00:31:07,367 --> 00:31:09,232 She, the apparently loving girlfriend, 715 00:31:09,234 --> 00:31:11,568 Said billy, had arranged everything. 716 00:31:11,570 --> 00:31:14,571 He recalled how they gave him a photo of ricky, 717 00:31:14,573 --> 00:31:16,339 Told him to hide in the bedroom 718 00:31:16,341 --> 00:31:17,908 Where he could peak through the crack in the door 719 00:31:17,910 --> 00:31:20,043 And see ricky coming up the stairs. 720 00:31:20,045 --> 00:31:23,781 The murder of ricky cowles was all set to go. 721 00:31:23,783 --> 00:31:26,516 And then came the day... 722 00:31:26,518 --> 00:31:30,120 August 12, 1997, late in the day, 723 00:31:30,122 --> 00:31:32,856 Jennifer and amy drove the 2/10 of a mile 724 00:31:32,858 --> 00:31:34,825 Up the road to billy's house to pick him up. 725 00:31:39,264 --> 00:31:40,797 Billy sat there, he said, 726 00:31:40,799 --> 00:31:42,999 With a hammer, a knife, a gun, 727 00:31:43,001 --> 00:31:45,269 A pillow to use as a silencer. 728 00:31:45,271 --> 00:31:48,805 But remember, ricky ended up working late that night 729 00:31:48,807 --> 00:31:50,807 Fixing lights at the county fair. 730 00:31:50,809 --> 00:31:54,212 Waiting in the house, billy started to get sleepy. 731 00:31:54,214 --> 00:31:56,513 He started having second thoughts. 732 00:32:07,559 --> 00:32:10,961 And thus, the murder of ricky cowles was prevented. 733 00:32:10,963 --> 00:32:13,230 Almost. 734 00:32:13,232 --> 00:32:16,033 Billy left the apartment, shut the door, 735 00:32:16,035 --> 00:32:18,302 Walked down the street toward his own house, 736 00:32:18,304 --> 00:32:20,503 Had given up on the whole idea, 737 00:32:20,505 --> 00:32:22,306 But then... 738 00:32:30,250 --> 00:32:33,317 Remember, amy had been calling ricky all evening, 739 00:32:33,319 --> 00:32:35,386 Trying to pin him down on when he'd be home. 740 00:32:38,991 --> 00:32:41,993 So billy told the cops how he obediently returned 741 00:32:41,995 --> 00:32:43,460 To sit behind that door, 742 00:32:43,462 --> 00:32:45,595 Armed with his tools of murder. 743 00:32:45,597 --> 00:32:48,865 Around 9 o'clock, ricky came home, 744 00:32:48,867 --> 00:32:50,800 Needed a shower, went upstairs, 745 00:32:50,802 --> 00:32:52,403 Entered the bedroom. 746 00:32:52,405 --> 00:32:54,337 He never saw it coming. 747 00:32:54,339 --> 00:32:56,673 Billy hoffman attacked him with the claw hammer 748 00:32:56,675 --> 00:32:57,941 Straight to the skull. 749 00:32:57,943 --> 00:32:59,377 Ricky fought back. 750 00:33:26,239 --> 00:33:29,139 Then, billy gathered his things, walked home, 751 00:33:29,141 --> 00:33:30,641 And paged jennifer. 752 00:33:30,643 --> 00:33:33,043 The signal that it was done. 753 00:33:33,045 --> 00:33:36,246 After the page, jennifer and amy split up. 754 00:33:36,248 --> 00:33:38,048 Jennifer took pot to billy, 755 00:33:38,050 --> 00:33:41,117 Amy asked sara to go home with her. 756 00:33:41,119 --> 00:33:44,055 Sara, who didn't know anything about the plan, 757 00:33:44,057 --> 00:33:46,923 Who was used as an alibi stooge, 758 00:33:46,925 --> 00:33:50,326 Was used as the fool who'd find ricky. 759 00:33:50,328 --> 00:33:52,330 - Lift this here for me, please. 760 00:33:52,332 --> 00:33:54,297 - Why did billy do it? 761 00:34:14,019 --> 00:34:16,185 But in real life, of course, 762 00:34:16,187 --> 00:34:19,189 Murder is not glamorous, not at all. 763 00:34:19,191 --> 00:34:21,758 That night, billy went home scared. 764 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:23,493 Soon enough, he was arrested, 765 00:34:23,495 --> 00:34:26,097 Consigned to life in prison. 766 00:34:26,099 --> 00:34:29,433 And now, it looked like two more arrests 767 00:34:29,435 --> 00:34:30,801 Were called for. 768 00:34:33,872 --> 00:34:37,107 - Amy involved in the murder of ricky? 769 00:34:37,109 --> 00:34:39,309 - Do you have some dark nights of the soul 770 00:34:39,311 --> 00:34:41,244 Where you look at each other and 771 00:34:41,246 --> 00:34:42,513 Say, "she must have done it"? 772 00:34:42,515 --> 00:34:45,048 - Was a killer's word to be trusted? 773 00:34:45,050 --> 00:34:47,517 That would be a question for a jury. 774 00:34:47,519 --> 00:34:47,584 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 775 00:34:47,685 --> 00:34:59,395 ♪♪ 776 00:34:59,397 --> 00:35:00,330 - Welcome back. 777 00:35:00,332 --> 00:35:01,999 Convicted killer, billy hoffman, 778 00:35:02,001 --> 00:35:05,602 Described to detectives, in chilling detail, 779 00:35:05,604 --> 00:35:07,871 How he ambushed ricky cowles, 780 00:35:07,873 --> 00:35:11,876 Lying in wait to murder the young man in his own home. 781 00:35:11,878 --> 00:35:14,412 And, he dropped another bombshell. 782 00:35:14,414 --> 00:35:17,013 Ricky's pregnant girlfriend, amy 783 00:35:17,015 --> 00:35:20,151 And her friend, jennifer, helped set the trap. 784 00:35:20,153 --> 00:35:24,888 It was a stunning revelation, but was it true? 785 00:35:24,890 --> 00:35:28,491 Investigators were determined to find out. 786 00:35:28,493 --> 00:35:32,229 Here's keith morrison with the conclusion of "mean girls". 787 00:35:35,967 --> 00:35:38,101 - Justice, as everybody knows, 788 00:35:38,103 --> 00:35:40,704 Tends not to roll quite so quickly 789 00:35:40,706 --> 00:35:42,973 As the movies would have you believe. 790 00:35:42,975 --> 00:35:46,310 In the case of ricky cowles, murdered in 1997, 791 00:35:46,312 --> 00:35:48,979 It rolled slow indeed. 792 00:35:48,981 --> 00:35:51,114 Billy hoffman had his heart to heart 793 00:35:51,116 --> 00:35:53,717 With homicide detectives in 2002. 794 00:35:53,719 --> 00:35:57,987 But a case needs more than the words of a convicted killer. 795 00:35:57,989 --> 00:36:00,189 More investigation was needed. 796 00:36:00,191 --> 00:36:04,394 So they waited, everybody waited. 797 00:36:04,396 --> 00:36:06,997 - We knew after 2002 something would happen, 798 00:36:06,999 --> 00:36:08,732 But all we ever told 'em was 799 00:36:08,734 --> 00:36:11,934 If it comes to the point where you're gonna arrest amy, 800 00:36:11,936 --> 00:36:13,604 Please let us know 801 00:36:13,606 --> 00:36:15,271 Because we don't want kaylee to be with her 802 00:36:15,273 --> 00:36:17,207 Because I don't want that in her little brain 803 00:36:17,209 --> 00:36:18,208 The rest of her life 804 00:36:18,210 --> 00:36:19,810 That her mother was taken away by the police. 805 00:36:19,812 --> 00:36:20,810 Just let us know. 806 00:36:20,812 --> 00:36:21,812 We'll take care of her, 807 00:36:21,814 --> 00:36:24,147 And you do what you have to do. 808 00:36:24,149 --> 00:36:25,682 - Meanwhile, months and months and months went by. 809 00:36:25,684 --> 00:36:27,751 - Oh, years. 810 00:36:27,753 --> 00:36:29,153 Years went by. 811 00:36:29,155 --> 00:36:32,488 - And during those years, the cowles held their breath 812 00:36:32,490 --> 00:36:34,023 And their tongues every week 813 00:36:34,025 --> 00:36:36,426 When they went to pick up their granddaughter 814 00:36:36,428 --> 00:36:38,428 From the woman they had come to believe 815 00:36:38,430 --> 00:36:41,097 Had arranged their son's murder. 816 00:36:41,099 --> 00:36:42,432 - We knew, but you know what, 817 00:36:42,434 --> 00:36:44,368 Sometimes there's one more thing 818 00:36:44,370 --> 00:36:46,369 More important than that was kaylee. 819 00:36:46,371 --> 00:36:48,771 She superseded all that 820 00:36:48,773 --> 00:36:51,308 Because I wanted her to have a happy life. 821 00:36:51,310 --> 00:36:52,976 - It was easter 2005. 822 00:36:52,978 --> 00:36:54,577 Love was in the air again, 823 00:36:54,579 --> 00:36:56,980 Amy preasmyer was just about to be married. 824 00:36:56,982 --> 00:36:59,315 Baby kaylee was seven years old, 825 00:36:59,317 --> 00:37:02,151 Though we're only showing baby pictures of her, 826 00:37:02,153 --> 00:37:03,887 When ricky's parents got the call, 827 00:37:03,889 --> 00:37:05,321 An arrest was imminent. 828 00:37:05,323 --> 00:37:07,390 And that set into motion a case 829 00:37:07,392 --> 00:37:10,059 In the completely different type of court. 830 00:37:10,061 --> 00:37:11,795 - We had had an attorney for kaylee. 831 00:37:11,797 --> 00:37:13,731 We called her and said, "we need to go tomorrow 832 00:37:13,733 --> 00:37:15,866 And get custody of this little girl." 833 00:37:15,868 --> 00:37:18,668 - The family court judge gave the cowles temporary custody 834 00:37:18,670 --> 00:37:21,204 And thus began a 5-year battle 835 00:37:21,206 --> 00:37:23,740 Between two sets of loving grandparents. 836 00:37:23,742 --> 00:37:26,075 - There was so, so much turmoil between our families 837 00:37:26,077 --> 00:37:27,677 That we couldn't agree on anything. 838 00:37:27,679 --> 00:37:29,346 - You say, "turmoil between our families." 839 00:37:29,348 --> 00:37:32,615 - Just-- there was no talking between either one of us. 840 00:37:32,617 --> 00:37:33,851 They blamed us for everything. 841 00:37:33,853 --> 00:37:35,952 - They blamed you? 842 00:37:35,954 --> 00:37:37,687 - They blamed us for it. 843 00:37:37,689 --> 00:37:39,556 That if we hadn't been persistent that-- 844 00:37:39,558 --> 00:37:41,492 - That amy wouldn't have been arrested. 845 00:37:41,494 --> 00:37:43,559 But she was. 846 00:37:43,561 --> 00:37:45,361 She was charged with murder, 847 00:37:45,363 --> 00:37:47,497 Taken to jail to await trial. 848 00:37:47,499 --> 00:37:49,800 - Amy's parents stood by her then. 849 00:37:49,802 --> 00:37:50,834 Still do. 850 00:37:50,836 --> 00:37:54,037 - Do you have some dark nights of the soul 851 00:37:54,039 --> 00:37:55,972 Where you look at each other and say, 852 00:37:55,974 --> 00:37:58,041 "she must have done it"? 853 00:37:58,043 --> 00:37:59,642 - No. - Never? 854 00:37:59,644 --> 00:38:00,977 - We have never, ever. - Not a moment's hesitation? 855 00:38:00,979 --> 00:38:02,512 - We have never, ever looked at each other 856 00:38:02,514 --> 00:38:05,048 And said, "she has to be guilty of something." 857 00:38:05,050 --> 00:38:06,783 - Nope. 858 00:38:06,785 --> 00:38:09,052 - But the jury did not agree. 859 00:38:09,054 --> 00:38:12,456 Nearly 10 years to the day after the murder of ricky cowles, 860 00:38:12,458 --> 00:38:16,325 July 30, 2007, ricky's parents got the news 861 00:38:16,327 --> 00:38:19,362 They had been waiting for: Guilty. 862 00:38:21,733 --> 00:38:23,933 What was it like to hear that? 863 00:38:23,935 --> 00:38:27,070 - Just-- - finally-- 864 00:38:27,072 --> 00:38:29,873 - Quiet, crying, just every emotion. 865 00:38:29,875 --> 00:38:31,074 You wanna scream, but you can't, 866 00:38:31,076 --> 00:38:33,076 So we just quietly cried to ourselves. 867 00:38:33,078 --> 00:38:35,813 - Amy's family has cried too, of course. 868 00:38:35,815 --> 00:38:38,681 Just not for the same reason. 869 00:38:38,683 --> 00:38:41,951 - Everybody looks at us now like we're the bad people. 870 00:38:41,953 --> 00:38:43,820 You know? We're bad. 871 00:38:43,822 --> 00:38:45,622 Because of what your daughter did. 872 00:38:45,624 --> 00:38:47,891 And I go, "I did nothing wrong." 873 00:38:47,893 --> 00:38:49,827 - In fact, the judge gave you folks a lecture. 874 00:38:49,829 --> 00:38:52,895 - Oh, she did that. She did that. 875 00:38:52,897 --> 00:38:54,497 - At sentencing, 876 00:38:54,499 --> 00:38:57,034 The judge looked straight at amy's parents and said, 877 00:38:57,036 --> 00:38:59,703 "there was a total breakdown of parenting, 878 00:38:59,705 --> 00:39:01,170 "of moral leadership, 879 00:39:01,172 --> 00:39:04,173 Of any kind of sense of responsibility." 880 00:39:04,175 --> 00:39:06,175 - What was that like for you, georgia, to hear that? 881 00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:08,111 - That was very hard. 882 00:39:08,113 --> 00:39:10,114 Because as a parent, I knew in my heart 883 00:39:10,116 --> 00:39:13,717 That we had done the best that we could do. 884 00:39:13,719 --> 00:39:17,855 - Amy preasmyer got life without parole. 885 00:39:17,857 --> 00:39:20,323 And jennifer? 886 00:39:20,325 --> 00:39:23,060 Wild jennifer, the girl who loved to make trouble? 887 00:39:23,062 --> 00:39:24,393 She lucked out. 888 00:39:24,395 --> 00:39:26,596 The prosecutor, having seen the toll 889 00:39:26,598 --> 00:39:28,531 The trial took on ricky's mother 890 00:39:28,533 --> 00:39:31,467 To avoid yet another trial, offered jennifer a deal. 891 00:39:31,469 --> 00:39:34,203 She pleaded guilty to manslaughter 892 00:39:34,205 --> 00:39:36,339 And solicitation to commit murder, 893 00:39:36,341 --> 00:39:38,409 Got 15 years and four months. 894 00:39:38,411 --> 00:39:39,676 At jennifer's sentencing, 895 00:39:39,678 --> 00:39:43,546 The judge blamed her for spurring amy on. 896 00:39:43,548 --> 00:39:47,617 But what made amy preasmyer want to kill ricky? 897 00:39:47,619 --> 00:39:50,620 They did fight about her hanging out with friends 898 00:39:50,622 --> 00:39:52,622 When he wanted her home with him. 899 00:39:52,624 --> 00:39:54,624 They did talk about breaking up, 900 00:39:54,626 --> 00:39:57,160 But that hardly seems a reason to kill. 901 00:39:57,162 --> 00:39:58,696 Even billy hoffman, 902 00:39:58,698 --> 00:40:01,831 Who so casually agreed to murder a man, 903 00:40:01,833 --> 00:40:04,133 Did not seem to have any real reason why. 904 00:40:18,451 --> 00:40:20,983 Serving life without the possibility of parole, 905 00:40:20,985 --> 00:40:22,453 Billy hoffman had plenty of time 906 00:40:22,455 --> 00:40:24,721 To think about his own role in the murder. 907 00:40:24,723 --> 00:40:26,656 After more than 18 years in prison, 908 00:40:26,658 --> 00:40:28,225 He asked the governor of california 909 00:40:28,227 --> 00:40:29,859 To grant him clemency, 910 00:40:29,861 --> 00:40:32,061 Citing his youth when he committed the crime 911 00:40:32,063 --> 00:40:34,931 And his exemplary conduct in prison. 912 00:40:34,933 --> 00:40:37,533 Governor jerry brown reduced hoffman's sentence 913 00:40:37,535 --> 00:40:39,203 To 20 years to life, 914 00:40:39,205 --> 00:40:42,105 And two years later, he was paroled. 915 00:40:42,107 --> 00:40:44,740 The cowles are unhappy that billy is free, 916 00:40:44,742 --> 00:40:48,210 And still it remains the unanswered question, 917 00:40:48,212 --> 00:40:51,281 Why did amy want ricky dead? 918 00:40:51,283 --> 00:40:53,349 Was she so immature, 919 00:40:53,351 --> 00:40:55,151 Is that possible, that she just-- 920 00:40:55,153 --> 00:40:59,222 The idea of killing somebody was like playtime? 921 00:40:59,224 --> 00:41:02,425 - That's what I wonder sometimes. 922 00:41:02,427 --> 00:41:04,493 How do you go from living with somebody to thinking, 923 00:41:04,495 --> 00:41:05,762 "okay, it's okay, you know, 924 00:41:05,764 --> 00:41:07,897 "we'll just have somebody else do it and then it's fine, 925 00:41:07,899 --> 00:41:09,632 They're gone, they're dead." 926 00:41:09,634 --> 00:41:11,367 Maybe it was being too young and immature 927 00:41:11,369 --> 00:41:13,636 To really fathom what was going on. 928 00:41:13,638 --> 00:41:17,106 The fact that you are really going to take somebody's life 929 00:41:17,108 --> 00:41:22,045 And you are really gonna ruin other people's lives. 930 00:41:22,047 --> 00:41:23,446 - And it did. 931 00:41:23,448 --> 00:41:26,916 Sara, deeply scarred by the betrayal of the girls 932 00:41:26,918 --> 00:41:28,451 She thought were her friends, 933 00:41:28,453 --> 00:41:31,387 Still struggles to make sense of her life. 934 00:41:31,389 --> 00:41:35,525 Shaelynn admits she is often, frankly, a mess. 935 00:41:35,527 --> 00:41:37,327 You wonder what would have happened to you 936 00:41:37,329 --> 00:41:40,063 If that hadn't interceded? 937 00:41:40,065 --> 00:41:41,732 I mean, you'd be a different person. 938 00:41:41,734 --> 00:41:43,399 - Yeah, I wonder. 939 00:41:43,401 --> 00:41:46,669 But the most thing I wonder is who my brother would be. 940 00:41:46,671 --> 00:41:48,137 - Yeah. - You know? 941 00:41:48,139 --> 00:41:51,007 Seeing-seeing people his age, 942 00:41:51,009 --> 00:41:52,742 You know, now I'm thinking, 943 00:41:52,744 --> 00:41:56,013 "oh, how would my brother be in his life?" 944 00:41:56,015 --> 00:41:57,814 - Kaylee. 945 00:41:57,816 --> 00:41:59,882 - And then there was kaylee, 946 00:41:59,884 --> 00:42:02,218 The only good thing about the story. 947 00:42:04,489 --> 00:42:06,557 - She's a wonderful little kid. 948 00:42:06,559 --> 00:42:09,226 She's not little anymore, but she's wonderful. 949 00:42:09,228 --> 00:42:11,494 - Does she get sad sometimes? 950 00:42:11,496 --> 00:42:15,031 - Kaylee can hide her emotions very easily. 951 00:42:15,033 --> 00:42:17,367 And, um, that's not a part 952 00:42:17,369 --> 00:42:19,236 That she will let me see very often, 953 00:42:19,238 --> 00:42:21,037 But yeah, she does get sad. 954 00:42:21,039 --> 00:42:22,905 - The face she presents to the world is... 955 00:42:22,907 --> 00:42:24,174 Happy little girl? - The face-- yup. 956 00:42:24,176 --> 00:42:25,642 - Happy, happy, happy. 957 00:42:25,644 --> 00:42:27,710 - That's exactly what she does. 958 00:42:27,712 --> 00:42:30,579 'cause she doesn't wanna disappoint anybody. 959 00:42:30,581 --> 00:42:33,817 - Shaelynn sees that quality too. 960 00:42:33,819 --> 00:42:35,952 It reminds her of her brother. 961 00:42:35,954 --> 00:42:37,653 - Because my brother was the kind of person 962 00:42:37,655 --> 00:42:40,389 That didn't really talk about things that bothered him 963 00:42:40,391 --> 00:42:42,692 Or, you know, he just was happy like her 964 00:42:42,694 --> 00:42:44,627 And that's the part that I get. 965 00:42:44,629 --> 00:42:46,362 That she's a lot like my brother, 966 00:42:46,364 --> 00:42:49,399 She has his heart. 967 00:42:49,401 --> 00:42:50,666 - After years in court, 968 00:42:50,668 --> 00:42:53,469 The two families agreed to share custody, 969 00:42:53,471 --> 00:42:57,140 Though kaylee spent a little more time with ricky's parents. 970 00:42:57,142 --> 00:42:59,742 They also agreed, if unofficially, 971 00:42:59,744 --> 00:43:03,813 To leave the past behind for her. 972 00:43:03,815 --> 00:43:06,816 - We both love her, there's no doubt about it. 973 00:43:06,818 --> 00:43:10,153 Um, we just-- we love her in different ways. 974 00:43:10,155 --> 00:43:12,689 - We want the best for her, they want the best for her. 975 00:43:12,691 --> 00:43:13,689 That's our goal, 976 00:43:13,691 --> 00:43:15,758 Is to be the best for her, 977 00:43:15,760 --> 00:43:18,161 This is her life. 978 00:43:18,163 --> 00:43:20,896 - Of course, amy's parents, ricky's parents 979 00:43:20,898 --> 00:43:25,168 Wanted the best once before, as all parents do. 980 00:43:25,170 --> 00:43:28,505 Could anyone have seen into those mean girl minds 981 00:43:28,507 --> 00:43:30,840 Before two families paid the price? 982 00:43:41,719 --> 00:43:45,121 - That's all for this edition of "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 983 00:43:45,123 --> 00:43:47,657 I'm craig melvin, thank you for watching.