1 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:14,580 [dramatic music playing] 2 00:00:14,582 --> 00:00:16,716 Mark: This crime scene was one of the bloodiest 3 00:00:16,718 --> 00:00:19,451 Crime scenes that anyone would ever see. 4 00:00:19,453 --> 00:00:22,720 Randall: Four out of five members of a family 5 00:00:22,722 --> 00:00:24,757 Dead in this one house. 6 00:00:26,660 --> 00:00:31,096 Mark: We found these carvings of gang symbols and signs. 7 00:00:31,098 --> 00:00:35,600 Tommy: Whoever did this had a score to settle. 8 00:00:35,602 --> 00:00:38,037 Randall: The father was actually an undercover. 9 00:00:38,039 --> 00:00:41,807 He did sales and buys of narcotics. 10 00:00:41,809 --> 00:00:43,909 Daniel: The criminal would sit there and say, 11 00:00:43,911 --> 00:00:47,412 "you wait until we get out, we're gonna find you." 12 00:00:47,414 --> 00:00:50,683 Randall: The father of the two children in that house 13 00:00:50,685 --> 00:00:54,620 Has got a new man living with his kids. 14 00:00:54,622 --> 00:00:57,589 He is a natural suspect. 15 00:00:57,591 --> 00:01:00,893 Mark: Why would anyone kill the whole family? 16 00:01:00,895 --> 00:01:03,829 Randall: We have no clue who it is 17 00:01:03,831 --> 00:01:06,165 That we're dealing with. 18 00:01:07,434 --> 00:01:10,536 [ominous music playing] 19 00:01:21,648 --> 00:01:23,648 Mark: The city of pelham, alabama. 20 00:01:23,650 --> 00:01:28,388 It's a great community to live in and raise kids. 21 00:01:28,390 --> 00:01:30,455 Tommy: Just good hard working people, 22 00:01:30,457 --> 00:01:32,924 Blue-collared people. 23 00:01:32,926 --> 00:01:35,927 Karen: Pelham is really a place where a lot of people go 24 00:01:35,929 --> 00:01:41,266 And feel like they can relax and not worry about crime. 25 00:01:41,268 --> 00:01:44,804 Tommy: Murders were very rare in 1997 in pelham. 26 00:01:44,806 --> 00:01:47,806 [phone ringing] 27 00:01:47,808 --> 00:01:50,141 Woman: 911 emergency. 28 00:01:50,143 --> 00:01:53,079 Mark: On March 23rd, 1997, 29 00:01:53,081 --> 00:01:56,481 The pelham police department received a 911 call. 30 00:01:56,483 --> 00:01:59,685 The caller was 16-year-old mark duke 31 00:01:59,687 --> 00:02:03,688 And he had said that his whole family was dead. 32 00:02:03,690 --> 00:02:06,292 Tommy: In the call, he says that he returned home 33 00:02:06,294 --> 00:02:08,760 And his family was killed, his father, 34 00:02:08,762 --> 00:02:12,164 Randy duke and randy's girlfriend, 35 00:02:12,166 --> 00:02:15,867 Uh, dedra hunt and dedra's two girls. 36 00:02:15,869 --> 00:02:19,171 Mark: So the dispatcher told him to get out of the house 37 00:02:19,173 --> 00:02:22,374 And make sure that he was safe until we could arrive. 38 00:02:22,376 --> 00:02:25,944 [sirens wailing] 39 00:02:25,946 --> 00:02:28,513 Tommy: When we got there, officers on the scene 40 00:02:28,515 --> 00:02:30,982 Told us that, uh, there was four people deceased 41 00:02:30,984 --> 00:02:32,784 In the house and they said that, 42 00:02:32,786 --> 00:02:37,155 Uh, it's bad, it's brutal. 43 00:02:37,157 --> 00:02:39,724 Randall: At that point, mark hall and I decided to do 44 00:02:39,726 --> 00:02:41,259 A walkthrough of the house 45 00:02:41,261 --> 00:02:45,197 Just to see what the circumstances were. 46 00:02:45,199 --> 00:02:47,032 When we walk in the front door, 47 00:02:47,034 --> 00:02:51,470 What we were immediately struck with was the whole room 48 00:02:51,472 --> 00:02:53,205 Was in disarray. 49 00:02:53,207 --> 00:02:56,474 It was obvious that there had been either a struggle 50 00:02:56,476 --> 00:03:01,213 Or someone had intentionally torn this place up. 51 00:03:02,549 --> 00:03:06,751 A white male individual was leaning down 52 00:03:06,753 --> 00:03:08,620 Over the fireplace. 53 00:03:08,622 --> 00:03:11,157 Tommy: He'd been shot multiple times and stabbed 54 00:03:11,159 --> 00:03:14,092 About seven, eight, nine times 55 00:03:14,094 --> 00:03:18,130 In the head and in the back. 56 00:03:18,132 --> 00:03:23,569 Randall: Next to him was a blade from a kitchen steak knife. 57 00:03:23,571 --> 00:03:26,571 Not the handle, just the blade, 58 00:03:26,573 --> 00:03:30,909 Where whoever had stabbed him had done it so hard 59 00:03:30,911 --> 00:03:35,113 That they broke the handle off of the knife. 60 00:03:35,115 --> 00:03:37,182 Tommy: It was a violent scene. 61 00:03:37,184 --> 00:03:42,488 I knew somebody hated this man because this was overkill. 62 00:03:42,490 --> 00:03:47,727 Randall: Immediately behind him was a coffee table. 63 00:03:47,729 --> 00:03:50,129 On that coffee... 64 00:03:54,935 --> 00:03:57,903 On that coffee table was... 65 00:03:58,940 --> 00:04:04,443 A child's crayon, uh, drawing... 66 00:04:06,681 --> 00:04:09,414 And on the sofa 67 00:04:09,416 --> 00:04:12,884 Was some human teeth. 68 00:04:12,886 --> 00:04:15,320 I've never seen that before. 69 00:04:17,024 --> 00:04:19,425 There was a trail of blood from there up 70 00:04:19,427 --> 00:04:23,094 The stairs and down the hallway. 71 00:04:23,096 --> 00:04:27,099 Mark: The front bedroom was in disarray 72 00:04:27,101 --> 00:04:30,101 And there were some type of emblems 73 00:04:30,103 --> 00:04:31,904 And different wording, 74 00:04:31,906 --> 00:04:33,438 Typically used, 75 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:37,575 Uh, by gangs, cut into the sheet rock. 76 00:04:37,577 --> 00:04:41,380 Randall: We went around to examine the other bedroom 77 00:04:41,382 --> 00:04:44,183 On the front of the house 78 00:04:44,185 --> 00:04:47,319 And that's where we observed a child 79 00:04:47,321 --> 00:04:51,323 Face down over an air-conditioning vent. 80 00:04:51,325 --> 00:04:53,659 She had multiple lacerations, 81 00:04:53,661 --> 00:04:56,828 Lots and lots and lots of blood everywhere. 82 00:04:58,532 --> 00:05:01,133 Mark: Her throat was slashed. 83 00:05:01,135 --> 00:05:06,739 This was a very traumatic violent way to die. 84 00:05:09,176 --> 00:05:11,209 Tommy: It appeared that she had probably hid 85 00:05:11,211 --> 00:05:15,881 Under the bed and was forcefully pulled out from under there. 86 00:05:15,883 --> 00:05:19,417 Her hands had defense wounds. 87 00:05:19,419 --> 00:05:23,221 I could tell this little girl was fighting for her life, 88 00:05:23,223 --> 00:05:26,225 And she was giving it all she had. 89 00:05:26,227 --> 00:05:28,359 And I was having a hard time. 90 00:05:28,361 --> 00:05:32,198 I don't see kids violently taken like this. 91 00:05:34,134 --> 00:05:36,268 Randall: We walk down the hallway 92 00:05:36,270 --> 00:05:38,970 To the master bedroom, 93 00:05:38,972 --> 00:05:41,072 Drawers were pulled out, clothes was everywhere, 94 00:05:41,074 --> 00:05:43,942 And when I turned to look 95 00:05:43,944 --> 00:05:47,046 At the master bathroom door, 96 00:05:47,048 --> 00:05:50,082 There was a hole in the left-hand side 97 00:05:50,084 --> 00:05:52,117 Of the door. 98 00:05:52,119 --> 00:05:54,986 Mark: This was a six panel door and one of the upper panels 99 00:05:54,988 --> 00:05:56,721 Was knocked out. 100 00:05:56,723 --> 00:05:59,257 So it was fairly obvious that whoever was doing this 101 00:05:59,259 --> 00:06:02,193 May have reached in to try to open that door. 102 00:06:02,195 --> 00:06:04,062 Randall: There was blood coming out 103 00:06:04,064 --> 00:06:05,931 From underneath the door. 104 00:06:05,933 --> 00:06:09,534 So I looked in and saw 105 00:06:09,536 --> 00:06:13,238 A small child with her throat cut. 106 00:06:14,207 --> 00:06:17,776 We also saw another dead body 107 00:06:17,778 --> 00:06:20,145 Laying at the base of that door 108 00:06:20,147 --> 00:06:23,149 With a gunshot wound to the head. 109 00:06:23,151 --> 00:06:25,283 Mark: Appeared she was barricading the door 110 00:06:25,285 --> 00:06:27,286 So no one else could get in. 111 00:06:30,491 --> 00:06:33,092 Mark: The point where we were trying to decide 112 00:06:33,094 --> 00:06:35,960 Who's in the house and who they were, 113 00:06:35,962 --> 00:06:37,562 We could piece together information 114 00:06:37,564 --> 00:06:41,367 From the 911 call of the son mark duke, 115 00:06:41,369 --> 00:06:43,436 Uh, verifying his father's identity 116 00:06:43,438 --> 00:06:45,904 And the adult female, the mother of the children. 117 00:06:45,906 --> 00:06:49,641 So it was fairly obvious that these people in the house 118 00:06:49,643 --> 00:06:52,444 Were the people that were supposed to be there. 119 00:06:52,446 --> 00:06:56,114 Tommy: Randy duke and randy's girlfriend, 120 00:06:56,116 --> 00:06:59,451 Uh, dedra hunt and dedra's two girls. 121 00:07:00,787 --> 00:07:02,787 Mark: This crime scene was one of the bloodiest 122 00:07:02,789 --> 00:07:05,390 Crime scenes that anyone would ever see 123 00:07:05,392 --> 00:07:07,125 Because everybody in there lost 124 00:07:07,127 --> 00:07:09,461 Every bit of the blood that they in their bodies 125 00:07:09,463 --> 00:07:13,732 Just about because of the magnitude of the injuries. 126 00:07:14,701 --> 00:07:16,301 It's hard to understand. 127 00:07:16,303 --> 00:07:19,604 Why would anyone kill the whole family? 128 00:07:19,606 --> 00:07:23,943 How anyone could do this to two precious children? 129 00:07:25,980 --> 00:07:29,981 But you have to gather your composure 130 00:07:29,983 --> 00:07:32,183 And whomever... 131 00:07:37,224 --> 00:07:39,759 Had sure working for these kids, 132 00:07:39,761 --> 00:07:41,726 But, uh... 133 00:07:43,697 --> 00:07:45,864 It's tough. 134 00:07:49,102 --> 00:07:52,370 Randall: Sixteen-year-old mark duke was the last 135 00:07:52,372 --> 00:07:56,341 Of his entire family that was alive. 136 00:07:56,343 --> 00:08:00,378 So we had serious concerns for his safety 137 00:08:00,380 --> 00:08:03,449 At that point because we had no idea 138 00:08:03,451 --> 00:08:05,383 If there was someone else out there 139 00:08:05,385 --> 00:08:09,053 That was waiting to come finish the job. 140 00:08:09,055 --> 00:08:11,390 Mark: One of our officers asked him to come back 141 00:08:11,392 --> 00:08:13,925 To the police department so that we could make sure 142 00:08:13,927 --> 00:08:15,560 That he was safe. 143 00:08:15,562 --> 00:08:18,530 So he agreed to go into protective custody. 144 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:22,667 At that time, one of the officers 145 00:08:22,669 --> 00:08:26,471 Told us that a relative had arrived at the scene. 146 00:08:26,473 --> 00:08:29,208 Randall: We were presented with an individual 147 00:08:29,210 --> 00:08:33,077 Who had driven up to the crime scene, 148 00:08:33,079 --> 00:08:36,948 Who represented himself as tommy hunt, 149 00:08:36,950 --> 00:08:41,086 The father of the two deceased children inside. 150 00:08:42,690 --> 00:08:44,489 Mark: As we approached him, 151 00:08:44,491 --> 00:08:47,325 He understood something terrible had happened. 152 00:08:47,327 --> 00:08:50,295 How do you tell a parent that their two little girls 153 00:08:50,297 --> 00:08:51,296 Have been murdered? 154 00:08:51,298 --> 00:08:53,232 It's tough. 155 00:08:54,934 --> 00:08:56,968 Randall: He had a meltdown, 156 00:08:56,970 --> 00:08:58,436 I remember-- 157 00:09:02,776 --> 00:09:06,045 I remember going back and forth at that point 158 00:09:06,047 --> 00:09:09,714 Between [clears throat] is this a dad 159 00:09:09,716 --> 00:09:13,384 Who has just lost both of his children 160 00:09:13,386 --> 00:09:17,789 Or is he putting on a really good act 161 00:09:17,791 --> 00:09:20,726 And has had something to do with this? 162 00:09:22,395 --> 00:09:25,597 Mark: And we were kind of perplexed as to how 163 00:09:25,599 --> 00:09:28,734 He made it to the scene so fast because this crime 164 00:09:28,736 --> 00:09:30,935 Had just been discovered around 9:00 pm 165 00:09:30,937 --> 00:09:34,806 And he was there almost immediately after. 166 00:09:34,808 --> 00:09:37,910 So how did he gain knowledge of this incident 167 00:09:37,912 --> 00:09:40,545 Because it hadn't been publicized yet? 168 00:09:40,547 --> 00:09:43,481 The media hadn't arrived. 169 00:09:43,483 --> 00:09:45,483 That raised some questions in our mind, 170 00:09:45,485 --> 00:09:47,018 Is why was he there? 171 00:09:47,020 --> 00:09:49,687 Did he have any role in killing this family? 172 00:09:49,689 --> 00:09:54,492 [ominous music playing] 173 00:09:54,494 --> 00:09:57,129 Randall: Tommy hunt is a natural suspect. 174 00:09:57,131 --> 00:09:58,963 Tommy: And we were very interested 175 00:09:58,965 --> 00:10:01,332 In what he had to say. 176 00:10:01,334 --> 00:10:02,934 Randall: Gang related killings 177 00:10:02,936 --> 00:10:06,204 Were a very plausible way 178 00:10:06,206 --> 00:10:08,639 That this thing could have gone down. 179 00:10:08,641 --> 00:10:11,243 Is this part of a gang ritual? 180 00:10:11,245 --> 00:10:11,309 [ominous music playing] 181 00:10:11,410 --> 00:10:20,084 Randall: Pelham, alabama did not have murder cases. 182 00:10:20,086 --> 00:10:23,388 If they did, it was usually a domestic case 183 00:10:23,390 --> 00:10:26,991 And something that was easily explainable. 184 00:10:26,993 --> 00:10:28,593 But all of a sudden, 185 00:10:28,595 --> 00:10:31,195 You wind up with four out of five members 186 00:10:31,197 --> 00:10:35,266 Of a family who are dead in this one house, 187 00:10:35,268 --> 00:10:39,537 In a neighborhood where this does not happen. 188 00:10:39,539 --> 00:10:41,773 Woman: C49 east 18th street. 189 00:10:41,775 --> 00:10:45,610 Tommy: When tommy hunt shows up on the scene, 190 00:10:45,612 --> 00:10:48,747 He talked to the initial officers that are on the scene. 191 00:10:48,749 --> 00:10:51,617 Randall: What we discovered very quickly 192 00:10:51,619 --> 00:10:54,952 Was that tommy hunt has two children 193 00:10:54,954 --> 00:10:55,987 In that house, 194 00:10:55,989 --> 00:10:58,089 Chelsea and chelisa. 195 00:10:58,091 --> 00:11:00,358 He is divorced from dedra hunt. 196 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:03,294 She's got a new man, randy duke, 197 00:11:03,296 --> 00:11:06,165 Living with his children. 198 00:11:06,167 --> 00:11:10,169 Randall: If you see someone who was murdered with a knife, 199 00:11:10,171 --> 00:11:15,239 99 times out of a hundred, it's personal. 200 00:11:15,241 --> 00:11:18,310 You have to lay your hands on him and intentionally 201 00:11:18,312 --> 00:11:22,180 Take their life with a knife. 202 00:11:22,182 --> 00:11:25,851 So tommy hunt is a natural suspect. 203 00:11:25,853 --> 00:11:27,585 Why is he there? 204 00:11:27,587 --> 00:11:31,256 We're very interested in what he had to say. 205 00:11:31,258 --> 00:11:33,191 Tommy told us that he and dedra the mother 206 00:11:33,193 --> 00:11:35,793 Of the children had an agreement in the divorce, 207 00:11:35,795 --> 00:11:37,895 A shared custody and such. 208 00:11:37,897 --> 00:11:41,599 Tommy: The girls lived with mr. Hunt not with dedra. 209 00:11:41,601 --> 00:11:43,868 Mark: Dedra was supposed to return the children 210 00:11:43,870 --> 00:11:45,870 To him and she didn't show up. 211 00:11:45,872 --> 00:11:47,405 [phone ringing] 212 00:11:47,407 --> 00:11:49,273 Mark: She wouldn't answer the phone 213 00:11:49,275 --> 00:11:51,810 And he couldn't get in touch with anyone to find out 214 00:11:51,812 --> 00:11:53,611 What was going on. 215 00:11:53,613 --> 00:11:56,315 Randall: Tommy hunt told us he was going to pick up 216 00:11:56,317 --> 00:11:58,082 His children from dedra hunt, 217 00:11:58,084 --> 00:12:00,385 Randy duke that weekend. 218 00:12:02,489 --> 00:12:04,956 Tommy: He gave explanation as to why he was there, 219 00:12:04,958 --> 00:12:06,291 It was plausible. 220 00:12:06,293 --> 00:12:07,693 If my kids didn't return home, 221 00:12:07,695 --> 00:12:09,427 I'd be looking for them too. 222 00:12:09,429 --> 00:12:11,697 But he was immediately taken back 223 00:12:11,699 --> 00:12:13,431 To the police department to, 224 00:12:13,433 --> 00:12:15,400 Uh, talk with him. 225 00:12:15,402 --> 00:12:17,969 Randall: We needed to find out what he knows. 226 00:12:17,971 --> 00:12:20,972 Check out alibis, check out any other information 227 00:12:20,974 --> 00:12:22,640 That he could give us about what may 228 00:12:22,642 --> 00:12:24,042 Or may not have happened. 229 00:12:25,646 --> 00:12:27,779 Mark: In talking with tommy hunt the father 230 00:12:27,781 --> 00:12:30,215 Of the two little girls that were killed, 231 00:12:30,217 --> 00:12:34,319 We were able to find out that he had now 232 00:12:34,321 --> 00:12:37,121 A good relationship with his ex-wife. 233 00:12:37,123 --> 00:12:38,524 Really his mannerisms, 234 00:12:38,526 --> 00:12:40,793 The information he gave, all checked out. 235 00:12:40,795 --> 00:12:44,662 So we really didn't feel like that he had anything 236 00:12:44,664 --> 00:12:47,666 At that point to do with this. 237 00:12:50,470 --> 00:12:54,472 Kendra: Tommy and dedra were high school sweethearts. 238 00:12:54,474 --> 00:12:56,841 Um, married right out of school. 239 00:12:58,511 --> 00:13:00,611 Dedra wanted to have a family early, 240 00:13:00,613 --> 00:13:03,047 She knew that's what she wanted. 241 00:13:03,049 --> 00:13:08,219 So they had the two children, chelsea and chelisa. 242 00:13:08,221 --> 00:13:10,722 Chelsea was more of the tomboy, 243 00:13:10,724 --> 00:13:13,191 Chelsea played softball on my team. 244 00:13:14,561 --> 00:13:18,729 Chelisa, she was more of the pageant girl, 245 00:13:18,731 --> 00:13:21,700 The freely, she wanted her hair fixed. 246 00:13:23,503 --> 00:13:27,371 After chelisa was born, dedra and tommy 247 00:13:27,373 --> 00:13:31,309 Began to slightly grow apart like young love does. 248 00:13:31,311 --> 00:13:36,047 And eventually, tommy and dedra separated 249 00:13:37,050 --> 00:13:38,616 A little while later. 250 00:13:38,618 --> 00:13:40,985 Dedra called me and said she'd met a new guy. 251 00:13:40,987 --> 00:13:43,855 His name was randy duke. 252 00:13:43,857 --> 00:13:46,957 Daniel: Randy called me and told me that he had met 253 00:13:46,959 --> 00:13:49,962 Somebody and that she had two little girls. 254 00:13:49,964 --> 00:13:51,996 And he seemed to be very committed to her 255 00:13:51,998 --> 00:13:55,499 And had made plans to be getting married. 256 00:13:55,501 --> 00:13:57,568 Kendra: Randy made dedra very happy. 257 00:13:57,570 --> 00:13:59,403 When she told me that they had been to look 258 00:13:59,405 --> 00:14:01,140 At venues for their wedding, she said, 259 00:14:01,142 --> 00:14:03,608 "I'm ready to do this, I'm ready to have a life 260 00:14:03,610 --> 00:14:04,675 With him." 261 00:14:04,677 --> 00:14:07,045 She said, "we're set." 262 00:14:07,047 --> 00:14:09,814 He treated the girls great. 263 00:14:09,816 --> 00:14:12,183 Daniel: And he was really trying to be a dad 264 00:14:12,185 --> 00:14:15,821 To those girls even before he was their dad. 265 00:14:17,358 --> 00:14:20,892 And also at that time, he had finally gotten custody 266 00:14:20,894 --> 00:14:24,295 Of his son from a different woman, 267 00:14:24,297 --> 00:14:27,799 Whose name was mark anthony duke. 268 00:14:28,835 --> 00:14:31,769 He was about 14 years old. 269 00:14:31,771 --> 00:14:37,108 He was really brotherly towards the two little girls. 270 00:14:37,110 --> 00:14:42,513 It seemed to randy that things were coming together. 271 00:14:42,515 --> 00:14:47,118 Kendra: Dedra and randy had set a date to be married. 272 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:49,788 But they were killed. 273 00:14:51,692 --> 00:14:53,325 Dispatcher: Street 15194. 274 00:14:53,327 --> 00:14:55,426 Mark: Once the medical examiner and people 275 00:14:55,428 --> 00:14:58,596 From the alabama department of forensic science arrived, 276 00:14:58,598 --> 00:15:02,000 They started trying to look at how to establish 277 00:15:02,002 --> 00:15:03,869 An approximate time of death, 278 00:15:03,871 --> 00:15:06,737 How long the bodies have been in the house. 279 00:15:06,739 --> 00:15:09,474 From looking at the evidence, they were able to tell us 280 00:15:09,476 --> 00:15:12,510 That they had been there at least 36 hours, 281 00:15:12,512 --> 00:15:14,379 Possibly more. 282 00:15:15,949 --> 00:15:18,417 Randall: It took the evidence technicians somewhere 283 00:15:18,419 --> 00:15:22,020 Between 10 and 12 hours to go through the scene, 284 00:15:22,022 --> 00:15:24,955 Documenting everything, where every piece of evidence, 285 00:15:24,957 --> 00:15:28,592 Or potential evidence was. 286 00:15:28,594 --> 00:15:30,628 Mark: So you're looking for shell casings, 287 00:15:30,630 --> 00:15:32,229 Knives, other weapons, 288 00:15:32,231 --> 00:15:34,399 Anything that could've been used to perpetrate 289 00:15:34,401 --> 00:15:37,234 A crime of this magnitude. 290 00:15:37,236 --> 00:15:39,236 There were two different caliber bullets 291 00:15:39,238 --> 00:15:41,672 Found in the house. 292 00:15:41,674 --> 00:15:44,108 So now we've got two guns. 293 00:15:44,110 --> 00:15:47,980 Which suggested to us multiple perpetrators. 294 00:15:47,982 --> 00:15:50,648 Mark: We know there's two different caliber guns. 295 00:15:50,650 --> 00:15:53,118 Were they brought? Were they taken from the house? 296 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:55,453 We really don't know at this point 297 00:15:55,455 --> 00:15:57,755 Where those weapons are. 298 00:16:00,093 --> 00:16:03,594 We found these carvings of what we thought to be 299 00:16:03,596 --> 00:16:06,931 Gang symbols and signs in the house. 300 00:16:08,469 --> 00:16:11,135 Some of the local gangs in the birmingham area 301 00:16:11,137 --> 00:16:14,739 Use similar symbols and drawings to indicate 302 00:16:14,741 --> 00:16:17,542 What their territory was, what kind of gang, 303 00:16:17,544 --> 00:16:19,410 Their affiliation. 304 00:16:19,412 --> 00:16:24,482 Randall: Gang-related killings were a very plausible way 305 00:16:24,484 --> 00:16:27,184 That this thing could have gone down. 306 00:16:27,186 --> 00:16:29,887 Is this part of a gang ritual? 307 00:16:29,889 --> 00:16:32,556 All of those things start going through your mind 308 00:16:32,558 --> 00:16:36,293 And that gate starts opening into an area 309 00:16:36,295 --> 00:16:38,896 That you never thought you would have to deal with 310 00:16:38,898 --> 00:16:38,963 In pelham, alabama. 311 00:16:39,032 --> 00:16:52,309 Mark: At this point, we had four people dead, 312 00:16:52,311 --> 00:16:55,446 A family in a nice neighborhood. 313 00:16:55,448 --> 00:16:57,481 We're trying to piece everything together. 314 00:16:57,483 --> 00:17:00,318 Now we know that two different guns were used, 315 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:02,720 There were two different caliber bullets found, 316 00:17:02,722 --> 00:17:05,523 So now we're looking at possibly two shooters. 317 00:17:05,525 --> 00:17:07,992 And then we've got knives involved. 318 00:17:07,994 --> 00:17:10,796 So could there be a third person? 319 00:17:10,798 --> 00:17:13,131 We don't know. 320 00:17:13,133 --> 00:17:15,133 Randall: Once we found the gang drawings 321 00:17:15,135 --> 00:17:17,535 And the gang symbols and the other things, 322 00:17:17,537 --> 00:17:21,672 We had genuine concern for mark duke's safety 323 00:17:21,674 --> 00:17:23,775 At that point. 324 00:17:27,513 --> 00:17:29,647 Mark: At the crime scene, we had approached mark, 325 00:17:29,649 --> 00:17:33,618 You know, with the idea that some random killer 326 00:17:33,620 --> 00:17:36,354 Had come into their house and killed his family. 327 00:17:36,356 --> 00:17:38,622 You know, we're gonna ask that you stay with us 328 00:17:38,624 --> 00:17:41,892 In protective custody with the juvenile authorities 329 00:17:41,894 --> 00:17:44,095 Until we can make sure that there's not someone 330 00:17:44,097 --> 00:17:47,431 Out there looking for you as well. 331 00:17:47,433 --> 00:17:51,302 So we had mark duke in protective custody. 332 00:17:51,304 --> 00:17:53,571 And at that point, we felt like it was time 333 00:17:53,573 --> 00:17:55,840 To interview him. 334 00:17:55,842 --> 00:17:59,043 Randall: We're trying to suck up any bits of information 335 00:17:59,045 --> 00:18:03,315 That you can to start you in a particular direction. 336 00:18:03,317 --> 00:18:06,284 And that's the purpose of talking with mark duke 337 00:18:06,286 --> 00:18:10,455 Because he was the last person that we know of 338 00:18:10,457 --> 00:18:13,591 That saw these people alive. 339 00:18:13,593 --> 00:18:17,394 And remember, mark duke is the one who made the 911 call 340 00:18:17,396 --> 00:18:21,465 And discovered his soon-to-be family, 341 00:18:21,467 --> 00:18:25,736 Uh, that is dead inside that house. 342 00:18:25,738 --> 00:18:29,139 So whatever information he could impart to us 343 00:18:29,141 --> 00:18:31,675 About what happened on Friday, Saturday, Sunday 344 00:18:31,677 --> 00:18:35,880 Would be critical in where we went from there. 345 00:18:39,685 --> 00:18:43,687 And during mark's initial interview, 346 00:18:43,689 --> 00:18:46,624 We start going through to try and figure out 347 00:18:46,626 --> 00:18:48,292 Where has he been. 348 00:18:48,294 --> 00:18:51,562 Mark: Mark told us that he had a busy weekend, 349 00:18:51,564 --> 00:18:52,863 Away from home. 350 00:18:53,967 --> 00:18:56,534 Tommy: Mark said that, uh, he had been 351 00:18:56,536 --> 00:19:00,204 At the ellison's farm and working with two other guys, 352 00:19:00,206 --> 00:19:04,041 Brandon samra and david collums to help 353 00:19:04,043 --> 00:19:07,645 Mr. Ellison tear down an old barn. 354 00:19:07,647 --> 00:19:10,114 Mark: He told us he and his friends had been 355 00:19:10,116 --> 00:19:13,584 To a movie Friday night and that he has stayed 356 00:19:13,586 --> 00:19:16,654 With his friends at the friend's house. 357 00:19:16,656 --> 00:19:19,324 Randall: We would have to go and interview these individuals 358 00:19:19,326 --> 00:19:22,726 To corroborate mark duke's story 359 00:19:22,728 --> 00:19:25,197 About where he had been and what he had been doing. 360 00:19:28,334 --> 00:19:32,069 Mark: Mark said he didn't come home until Sunday night. 361 00:19:32,071 --> 00:19:34,605 The house was locked, he opened the door 362 00:19:34,607 --> 00:19:38,042 With the code and he looked in 363 00:19:38,044 --> 00:19:42,280 And saw his dad was deceased. 364 00:19:42,282 --> 00:19:46,618 He noticed a trail of blood in the foyer leading upstairs. 365 00:19:46,620 --> 00:19:51,055 So he just assumed that everybody was dead. 366 00:19:51,057 --> 00:19:52,823 And he grabbed a cordless phone. 367 00:19:52,825 --> 00:19:55,759 He ran back outside and dialed 911, 368 00:19:55,761 --> 00:19:58,229 Called the police, and said his family's dead, 369 00:19:58,231 --> 00:19:59,631 Get somebody over here. 370 00:20:02,068 --> 00:20:04,435 Randall: Once we have the initial interview 371 00:20:04,437 --> 00:20:08,973 With mark duke, we checked out his alibi. 372 00:20:08,975 --> 00:20:11,375 Mark: Friday night, he and his friends 373 00:20:11,377 --> 00:20:13,111 Went to the movie screen. 374 00:20:13,113 --> 00:20:16,514 Mark had the ticket stubs, showed he'd been there 375 00:20:16,516 --> 00:20:19,216 Around 10:00 pm that night. 376 00:20:19,218 --> 00:20:22,721 Tommy: Mr. Ellison verified that mark and his friends 377 00:20:22,723 --> 00:20:25,990 Were doing some work for him at the farm and the boys 378 00:20:25,992 --> 00:20:28,993 Had been kind of staying there as well over the weekend. 379 00:20:28,995 --> 00:20:31,696 So it all checked out. 380 00:20:33,365 --> 00:20:36,133 Randall: So next, we decided to start looking 381 00:20:36,135 --> 00:20:41,205 At any possible link to gang-related killings. 382 00:20:42,742 --> 00:20:46,110 Mark: When we looked in the background of dedra hunt, 383 00:20:46,112 --> 00:20:49,413 We really didn't see anything that, you know, 384 00:20:49,415 --> 00:20:53,617 Would focus our attention toward her. 385 00:20:53,619 --> 00:20:55,787 Although as we started looking into the background 386 00:20:55,789 --> 00:20:58,490 Of randy duke, we did find that he had been 387 00:20:58,492 --> 00:21:00,492 Employed by the alabama alcoholic beverage 388 00:21:00,494 --> 00:21:04,361 Control commission in the narcotics bureau. 389 00:21:04,363 --> 00:21:08,233 Randall: Crack cocaine and powdered cocaine was fueling 390 00:21:08,235 --> 00:21:11,035 The gang activity around birmingham 391 00:21:11,037 --> 00:21:13,305 And some of the suburban areas. 392 00:21:13,307 --> 00:21:15,039 Mark: In those years, if you work 393 00:21:15,041 --> 00:21:17,442 As a narcotics agent for the abc board, 394 00:21:17,444 --> 00:21:20,711 You are not well-thought of in many circles. 395 00:21:20,713 --> 00:21:24,415 Randall: Randy duke was actually an undercover. 396 00:21:24,417 --> 00:21:29,854 He did some undercover sales and buys of narcotics. 397 00:21:29,856 --> 00:21:31,856 Daniel: When he was an undercover agent 398 00:21:31,858 --> 00:21:35,926 On the street, his name was "freddy rollins." 399 00:21:37,396 --> 00:21:41,231 He would go into pubs, bars, and he would get contacts 400 00:21:41,233 --> 00:21:45,002 And try to buy marijuana or crack. 401 00:21:45,004 --> 00:21:48,506 All of the crack was invading all of the high schools 402 00:21:48,508 --> 00:21:49,740 And everything. 403 00:21:49,742 --> 00:21:51,409 When he had to go to court, 404 00:21:51,411 --> 00:21:53,211 They had to introduce him 405 00:21:53,213 --> 00:21:55,746 As randy duke. 406 00:21:55,748 --> 00:21:57,447 The criminal would sit down and say, 407 00:21:57,449 --> 00:22:00,118 "I know you, freddy. He set me up. 408 00:22:00,120 --> 00:22:03,220 You wait until we get out. We're gonna find you." 409 00:22:04,825 --> 00:22:06,790 Tommy: Whoever did this, 410 00:22:06,792 --> 00:22:06,857 In our opinion, had a score to settle. 411 00:22:06,992 --> 00:22:16,300 Kendra: We're still trying to piece together 412 00:22:16,302 --> 00:22:17,968 What's happened. 413 00:22:17,970 --> 00:22:22,640 We still had no information as to why they were killed. 414 00:22:22,642 --> 00:22:24,441 Mark: By this time, the national media 415 00:22:24,443 --> 00:22:28,679 Had descended on pelham, alabama. 416 00:22:28,681 --> 00:22:30,582 Randall: And then we received a phone call. 417 00:22:30,584 --> 00:22:33,451 Mark: The caller stated that his niece, 418 00:22:33,453 --> 00:22:36,653 He had information about the killings 419 00:22:36,655 --> 00:22:39,791 That had not been shared on the media. 420 00:22:39,793 --> 00:22:51,670 Randall: It is the thing that could make or break this case. 421 00:22:51,672 --> 00:22:55,205 [tense tommy: The next day on March 24th, 1997, 422 00:22:55,207 --> 00:22:56,708 We're still at it. 423 00:22:56,710 --> 00:22:59,543 We're trying to put the pieces together. 424 00:22:59,545 --> 00:23:01,812 Mark: We were looking at randy duke. 425 00:23:01,814 --> 00:23:03,614 We found that he'd been employed 426 00:23:03,616 --> 00:23:06,618 By the alabama alcoholic beverage control commission 427 00:23:06,620 --> 00:23:08,752 In the narcotics bureau. 428 00:23:08,754 --> 00:23:10,688 We were very anxious to find out 429 00:23:10,690 --> 00:23:13,757 Who he was investigating during his brief time 430 00:23:13,759 --> 00:23:16,561 And see if there's any possible leads there 431 00:23:16,563 --> 00:23:20,030 Or some gang involvement. 432 00:23:20,032 --> 00:23:22,233 Randall: We started looking at some of the cases 433 00:23:22,235 --> 00:23:25,403 That he worked with the abc board. 434 00:23:25,405 --> 00:23:28,239 None of that, uh, bore any fruit. 435 00:23:28,241 --> 00:23:30,174 We started looking at his bank records, 436 00:23:30,176 --> 00:23:33,177 Uh, to see if he owed people money, 437 00:23:33,179 --> 00:23:36,180 If he was doing large financial transactions, 438 00:23:36,182 --> 00:23:38,048 That sort of thing, to suggest, 439 00:23:38,050 --> 00:23:39,184 Uh, trafficking and drugs. 440 00:23:39,186 --> 00:23:41,720 None of that showed us anything. 441 00:23:41,722 --> 00:23:44,188 So that kind of hit a dead end. 442 00:23:47,461 --> 00:23:49,793 Mark: By this time, the national media 443 00:23:49,795 --> 00:23:52,529 Had descended on pelham, alabama 444 00:23:52,531 --> 00:23:54,499 Because we had four people dead, 445 00:23:54,501 --> 00:23:58,670 A family in a nice neighborhood. 446 00:23:58,672 --> 00:24:00,471 You know, we're feeling the pressure, 447 00:24:00,473 --> 00:24:02,673 Like, we got to find justice for these victims. 448 00:24:02,675 --> 00:24:05,443 Kendra: We're still trying to piece together what's happened. 449 00:24:05,445 --> 00:24:07,344 We still had no information 450 00:24:07,346 --> 00:24:09,413 As to why they were killed. 451 00:24:09,415 --> 00:24:12,517 This investigation now is into the second day 452 00:24:12,519 --> 00:24:14,819 And we're starting to get real concerned 453 00:24:14,821 --> 00:24:17,955 That we're losing time on finding things 454 00:24:17,957 --> 00:24:19,690 While they're still fresh. 455 00:24:19,692 --> 00:24:22,626 So we need someone in the community 456 00:24:22,628 --> 00:24:24,328 To come forward. 457 00:24:24,330 --> 00:24:25,829 [tense music playing] 458 00:24:25,831 --> 00:24:28,232 Randall: On Monday afternoon, 459 00:24:28,234 --> 00:24:29,768 The chief of police 460 00:24:29,770 --> 00:24:33,571 And the district attorney held a press conference. 461 00:24:33,573 --> 00:24:36,106 Mark: The governor held a $20,000 462 00:24:36,108 --> 00:24:38,042 Reward leading to the arrest and conviction 463 00:24:38,044 --> 00:24:40,445 Of any suspect or suspects in this. 464 00:24:40,447 --> 00:24:41,979 Randall: We start getting calls 465 00:24:41,981 --> 00:24:44,048 From people around the community 466 00:24:44,050 --> 00:24:46,785 Saying, "hey, I know this about mark duke 467 00:24:46,787 --> 00:24:48,853 Or I know this about randy duke." 468 00:24:50,122 --> 00:24:52,656 Tommy: We learned that mark duke 469 00:24:52,658 --> 00:24:54,591 Was a--was a troubled young man. 470 00:24:54,593 --> 00:24:56,827 Mark: It appeared that he had difficulties 471 00:24:56,829 --> 00:24:59,898 With his relationships, he had troubles at school. 472 00:24:59,900 --> 00:25:02,734 You know, everyone that tell us that, you know, 473 00:25:02,736 --> 00:25:04,468 He had an anger 474 00:25:04,470 --> 00:25:06,404 That they couldn't really put their finger on. 475 00:25:06,406 --> 00:25:09,072 He wanted to be perceived as a tough guy. 476 00:25:09,074 --> 00:25:13,477 We learned that mark had formed his own gang, 477 00:25:13,479 --> 00:25:15,412 Kind of a rough club. 478 00:25:15,414 --> 00:25:17,415 Tommy: It's just really these four guys. 479 00:25:17,417 --> 00:25:19,950 Mark duke, randy samra, 480 00:25:19,952 --> 00:25:23,021 Michael ellison, and david collums. 481 00:25:23,023 --> 00:25:26,223 Mark: We were told that they had this reputation 482 00:25:26,225 --> 00:25:29,426 As being loners that gathered together 483 00:25:29,428 --> 00:25:31,228 And formed their own group. 484 00:25:31,230 --> 00:25:35,766 They wanted respect, they wanted to be feared. 485 00:25:35,768 --> 00:25:37,168 All those things started to come together 486 00:25:37,170 --> 00:25:38,902 And painted this picture of mark duke 487 00:25:38,904 --> 00:25:40,104 That started to indicate 488 00:25:40,106 --> 00:25:42,973 There's a pattern of behavior 489 00:25:42,975 --> 00:25:47,044 That could be related to this homicide. 490 00:25:47,046 --> 00:25:49,012 [tense music playing] 491 00:25:49,014 --> 00:25:51,915 Randall: The next day, we received a phone call 492 00:25:51,917 --> 00:25:55,118 From an individual whom said, 493 00:25:55,120 --> 00:25:58,923 "my niece has had a conversation 494 00:25:58,925 --> 00:26:02,160 With the girlfriend of mark duke." 495 00:26:04,330 --> 00:26:07,531 Mark: The caller stated that his niece 496 00:26:07,533 --> 00:26:11,603 Had information about the killings 497 00:26:11,605 --> 00:26:15,872 That had not been shared on the media. 498 00:26:15,874 --> 00:26:18,243 Gentleman's niece had shared with him 499 00:26:18,245 --> 00:26:22,346 That the girlfriend of mark duke had shared with her 500 00:26:22,348 --> 00:26:25,483 That mark duke killed his whole family. 501 00:26:27,486 --> 00:26:29,053 We're like, "wow. 502 00:26:29,055 --> 00:26:32,222 We need to talk with mark duke's girlfriend. 503 00:26:32,224 --> 00:26:34,991 This is the call we may have been waiting on." 504 00:26:34,993 --> 00:26:36,894 This may be the big break. 505 00:26:37,830 --> 00:26:39,230 Randall: Tuesday morning, 506 00:26:39,232 --> 00:26:42,232 Somewhere around 7:00 or 8:00, 507 00:26:42,234 --> 00:26:45,503 Mark duke's girlfriend and her mother 508 00:26:45,505 --> 00:26:49,439 Were asked to come to pelham police department. 509 00:26:49,441 --> 00:26:51,174 When we talked to her, 510 00:26:51,176 --> 00:26:53,777 We learned that she had a conversation with him 511 00:26:53,779 --> 00:26:55,846 Shortly after the killings 512 00:26:55,848 --> 00:26:57,180 Where duke told her 513 00:26:57,182 --> 00:26:58,982 That he had killed his whole family 514 00:26:58,984 --> 00:27:02,252 With his friends, samra, collums, and ellison, 515 00:27:02,254 --> 00:27:08,059 And gave her some details about how the victims died. 516 00:27:08,061 --> 00:27:12,129 She knew the children were dead in different rooms, 517 00:27:12,131 --> 00:27:15,999 And that the children had had their throats cut. 518 00:27:16,001 --> 00:27:17,668 She also knew that one of the children 519 00:27:17,670 --> 00:27:19,803 Had been dragged out from underneath the bed 520 00:27:19,805 --> 00:27:24,475 And executed, and certainly nobody knew that. 521 00:27:24,477 --> 00:27:27,411 Tommy: This girl had very incriminating evidence. 522 00:27:27,413 --> 00:27:29,946 Either she was there, had involvement, 523 00:27:29,948 --> 00:27:32,749 Or she's telling the truth that she was told of these facts 524 00:27:32,751 --> 00:27:34,685 Because they were right on the money. 525 00:27:34,687 --> 00:27:37,221 [tense music playing] 526 00:27:37,223 --> 00:27:38,956 Randall: We decided at that point 527 00:27:38,958 --> 00:27:41,559 We wanted to confirm the girlfriend's story 528 00:27:41,561 --> 00:27:43,962 With his friends samra, collums, 529 00:27:43,964 --> 00:27:45,964 And ellison first. 530 00:27:45,966 --> 00:27:50,701 Because duke was in juvenile detention at the time 531 00:27:50,703 --> 00:27:52,370 For protective custody. 532 00:27:54,106 --> 00:27:56,506 Mark: So we decided with the district attorney, 533 00:27:56,508 --> 00:27:58,976 Mr. Hillman, that we would get 534 00:27:58,978 --> 00:28:02,379 Mark duke's girlfriend wear a wire. 535 00:28:02,381 --> 00:28:04,916 Randall: With the idea that that afternoon 536 00:28:04,918 --> 00:28:08,519 She is going to meet with collums, ellison, 537 00:28:08,521 --> 00:28:11,521 And/or samra, uh, at her apartment 538 00:28:11,523 --> 00:28:14,991 And get them to talk about their role in all of this, 539 00:28:14,993 --> 00:28:16,860 And record that. 540 00:28:16,862 --> 00:28:19,129 It is the thing 541 00:28:19,131 --> 00:28:21,431 That could make or break this case. 542 00:28:22,936 --> 00:28:25,268 We instructed her not to turn it off, 543 00:28:25,270 --> 00:28:27,070 To leave it on all day long, 544 00:28:27,072 --> 00:28:30,874 And then duke's girlfriend left pelham pd 545 00:28:30,876 --> 00:28:32,210 With the wire on. 546 00:28:34,546 --> 00:28:37,681 It was very important to us 547 00:28:37,683 --> 00:28:39,483 That we get these conversations 548 00:28:39,485 --> 00:28:41,351 And have them recorded 549 00:28:41,353 --> 00:28:43,687 And get the information we needed 550 00:28:43,689 --> 00:28:45,689 To charge them with capital murder. 551 00:28:47,159 --> 00:28:50,227 And then, uh, sometime during the day, 552 00:28:50,229 --> 00:28:52,129 The wire had been turned off, 553 00:28:53,699 --> 00:28:57,801 She was the single thread that tied all of this together. 554 00:28:57,936 --> 00:29:04,592 Without her help, we have nothing. 555 00:29:04,593 --> 00:29:11,249 Randall: Mark duke's girlfriend agreed to wear a wire 556 00:29:11,251 --> 00:29:13,417 But she intentionally turned it off. 557 00:29:15,320 --> 00:29:18,388 So when we learned that the wire had been turned off, 558 00:29:18,390 --> 00:29:20,056 We made a visit 559 00:29:20,058 --> 00:29:23,126 To duke's girlfriend's apartment that evening, 560 00:29:23,128 --> 00:29:24,995 And she said she was afraid that 561 00:29:24,997 --> 00:29:28,398 Mark duke's friends might hurt her. 562 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:32,035 We assured her that that was not gonna happen 563 00:29:32,037 --> 00:29:36,273 And we emphasized to her the magnitude of this case. 564 00:29:38,076 --> 00:29:40,878 Fortunately, by the grace of god, 565 00:29:40,880 --> 00:29:45,149 This 14-year-old stepped up 566 00:29:45,151 --> 00:29:48,418 And ultimately, she agreed, again, 567 00:29:48,420 --> 00:29:52,022 To wear a wire and have a conversation 568 00:29:52,024 --> 00:29:56,627 With the other members of this criminal enterprise, 569 00:29:56,629 --> 00:30:00,297 Ellison, collums, uh, and samra. 570 00:30:00,299 --> 00:30:03,868 It was a big deal. 571 00:30:03,870 --> 00:30:06,369 Mark: So the next day, michael samra 572 00:30:06,371 --> 00:30:09,807 And ellison went up to the residence where she lived 573 00:30:09,809 --> 00:30:13,510 And started just casually talking with her. 574 00:30:13,512 --> 00:30:15,512 Randall: In the recorded conversations, 575 00:30:15,514 --> 00:30:19,317 Ellison and samra, they didn't get into great detail 576 00:30:19,319 --> 00:30:22,385 About their role in the killings 577 00:30:22,387 --> 00:30:25,857 But they admitted their involvement 578 00:30:25,859 --> 00:30:29,125 In parts of this crime, 579 00:30:29,127 --> 00:30:32,530 And that was enough to take us to the next step. 580 00:30:32,532 --> 00:30:35,799 [siren wailing] 581 00:30:35,801 --> 00:30:39,070 Randall: We took samra, collums, and ellison 582 00:30:39,072 --> 00:30:42,373 Down to the pelham police department. 583 00:30:42,375 --> 00:30:46,144 We chose to talk to michael ellison first. 584 00:30:46,146 --> 00:30:47,744 After a long conversation, 585 00:30:47,746 --> 00:30:50,480 He decided to tell us the truth. 586 00:30:50,482 --> 00:30:51,915 Michael ellison confirmed 587 00:30:51,917 --> 00:30:54,351 That mark duke killed his family. 588 00:30:56,288 --> 00:30:58,488 Mark: He gave details on how 589 00:30:58,490 --> 00:31:01,424 He and collums facilitated the murders 590 00:31:01,426 --> 00:31:04,561 By giving mark duke and brandon michael samra 591 00:31:04,563 --> 00:31:06,429 A ride at the house, 592 00:31:06,431 --> 00:31:10,100 But he said he did not go into the house, 593 00:31:10,102 --> 00:31:12,170 But he knew enough to indicate 594 00:31:12,172 --> 00:31:14,905 That we're on the right track now. 595 00:31:14,907 --> 00:31:19,342 Tommy: Next guy we wanna talk to is, uh, david collums. 596 00:31:19,344 --> 00:31:22,546 Randall: Collums started denying everything 597 00:31:23,582 --> 00:31:25,783 Until we played him a copy 598 00:31:25,785 --> 00:31:30,387 Of ellison placing collums at the scene. 599 00:31:30,389 --> 00:31:33,925 Once david collums heard his buddy ratting him out 600 00:31:33,927 --> 00:31:38,862 Then he goes, "okay. You got me." 601 00:31:38,864 --> 00:31:40,997 Mark: He says, "hey, man, I didn't kill anybody. 602 00:31:40,999 --> 00:31:44,401 I can tell you what they did and how they did it, 603 00:31:44,403 --> 00:31:46,804 You know, but I don't know what happened in the house." 604 00:31:46,806 --> 00:31:49,540 And that he had stayed in a car out in the driveway, 605 00:31:49,542 --> 00:31:51,407 And that michael samra 606 00:31:51,409 --> 00:31:55,078 Had assisted mark duke in the killing. 607 00:31:55,080 --> 00:31:57,881 With this information from ellison and collums, 608 00:31:57,883 --> 00:32:01,919 Uh, we decided to talk to michael brandon samra. 609 00:32:03,722 --> 00:32:06,823 Randall: He minimized his role in everything, 610 00:32:06,825 --> 00:32:10,560 But once we let him understand 611 00:32:10,562 --> 00:32:12,729 That his buddies had ratted him out, 612 00:32:13,699 --> 00:32:16,566 He basically rolls over 613 00:32:16,568 --> 00:32:18,935 And gives us what we call a lay down confession. 614 00:32:18,937 --> 00:32:22,439 He told us about several interesting points 615 00:32:22,441 --> 00:32:25,008 That we didn't know. 616 00:32:25,010 --> 00:32:27,044 We learned that mark had been telling 617 00:32:27,046 --> 00:32:30,714 All of his friends that he was gonna kill his father. 618 00:32:30,716 --> 00:32:32,515 Mark duke had been in trouble, 619 00:32:32,517 --> 00:32:37,020 He was supposed to be working a job to pay restitution. 620 00:32:37,022 --> 00:32:40,790 Brandon said mark was not very diligent in doing that, 621 00:32:40,792 --> 00:32:43,860 And that was a source of friction between he and his dad. 622 00:32:43,862 --> 00:32:46,730 Brandon also said that mark duke 623 00:32:46,732 --> 00:32:49,533 Asked to use the pickup truck 624 00:32:49,535 --> 00:32:51,201 The night of the killing, 625 00:32:51,203 --> 00:32:53,837 And his dad refused to let him do it. 626 00:32:54,641 --> 00:32:57,874 That's when he tells samra 627 00:32:57,876 --> 00:32:59,943 And he tells collums and ellison, 628 00:32:59,945 --> 00:33:02,613 "today is the day." 629 00:33:02,615 --> 00:33:06,216 Brandon said they go back to ellison's house 630 00:33:06,218 --> 00:33:08,218 And they start planning 631 00:33:08,220 --> 00:33:11,087 How it is that they're gonna kill his dad. 632 00:33:11,089 --> 00:33:12,555 Brandon says, "okay. 633 00:33:12,557 --> 00:33:14,291 You're going in to kill your dad. 634 00:33:14,293 --> 00:33:18,027 What about the other three people in the house?" 635 00:33:18,029 --> 00:33:19,696 And duke replies, 636 00:33:19,698 --> 00:33:23,067 "well, I guess there can't be any witnesses." 637 00:33:24,436 --> 00:33:27,237 As a prosecutor and as a human being, 638 00:33:27,239 --> 00:33:29,507 You go, "holy cow, 639 00:33:29,509 --> 00:33:32,375 What drives a person to just go, 640 00:33:32,377 --> 00:33:34,511 'you know what, I hate one person so bad, 641 00:33:34,513 --> 00:33:38,047 I don't care about killing a whole family 642 00:33:38,049 --> 00:33:40,184 As long as I can get to him.'" 643 00:33:42,387 --> 00:33:44,055 Brandon told us 644 00:33:44,057 --> 00:33:46,656 When they go in to the house 645 00:33:46,658 --> 00:33:48,692 Later that night, 646 00:33:48,694 --> 00:33:52,929 The dad and dedra are watching tv, 647 00:33:52,931 --> 00:33:57,501 Chelisa is coloring on the coffee table. 648 00:33:58,870 --> 00:34:01,405 Duke walks up to his dad, 649 00:34:01,407 --> 00:34:02,873 Points the gun at him. 650 00:34:02,875 --> 00:34:04,674 His dad says, 651 00:34:04,676 --> 00:34:06,943 "you don't have to do this." 652 00:34:06,945 --> 00:34:08,411 And duke says, 653 00:34:08,413 --> 00:34:10,013 "I will see you in hell." 654 00:34:10,015 --> 00:34:12,148 And pulled the trigger and shot him 655 00:34:12,150 --> 00:34:14,218 Square between the eyes. 656 00:34:15,520 --> 00:34:17,354 Dedra freaks out, 657 00:34:17,356 --> 00:34:19,956 Samra had said he attempts to shoot her 658 00:34:19,958 --> 00:34:21,459 In the side of the head 659 00:34:22,861 --> 00:34:26,763 But she flinched and he shot her in the mouth 660 00:34:26,765 --> 00:34:28,031 And blows her teeth out. 661 00:34:28,033 --> 00:34:30,368 Her teeth hit the sofa, 662 00:34:30,370 --> 00:34:33,170 She grabs the youngest child, 663 00:34:33,172 --> 00:34:34,704 Runs past samra, 664 00:34:34,706 --> 00:34:38,642 Goes up into the master bathroom. 665 00:34:38,644 --> 00:34:41,111 Samra follows mama into the bathroom, 666 00:34:41,113 --> 00:34:43,780 She's locked the door, he can't get in. 667 00:34:43,782 --> 00:34:46,850 Meanwhile, duke is downstairs 668 00:34:46,852 --> 00:34:49,652 Finishing his dad off with a steak knife. 669 00:34:49,654 --> 00:34:52,455 He stabs dad in the head 670 00:34:52,457 --> 00:34:56,526 So hard that he breaks the handle off 671 00:34:56,528 --> 00:34:58,995 Of the steak knife. 672 00:34:58,997 --> 00:35:01,065 Duke then comes back up the hallway 673 00:35:01,067 --> 00:35:04,067 To where samra is and he says, 674 00:35:04,069 --> 00:35:05,869 "where is dedra?" 675 00:35:05,871 --> 00:35:07,137 Samra says, "she's in there 676 00:35:07,139 --> 00:35:09,772 And she's locked the door." 677 00:35:09,774 --> 00:35:13,276 Duke takes a step back, kicks a hole in the door 678 00:35:13,278 --> 00:35:15,445 And shoots dedra in the head. 679 00:35:16,882 --> 00:35:18,681 Duke is now out of bullets. 680 00:35:18,683 --> 00:35:21,251 They only had a couple of bullets. 681 00:35:21,253 --> 00:35:24,454 He goes back down the stairs, into the kitchen, 682 00:35:24,456 --> 00:35:26,689 Gets two butcher knives, 683 00:35:26,691 --> 00:35:28,958 And back to the bathroom door, 684 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:31,328 Pushing or forcing that door open. 685 00:35:37,569 --> 00:35:40,603 Takes the first child out of the shower 686 00:35:40,605 --> 00:35:43,840 And tells her, "this will only hurt for a second." 687 00:35:43,842 --> 00:35:46,310 And cuts her throat twice. 688 00:35:48,447 --> 00:35:51,115 They leave the bathroom 689 00:35:51,117 --> 00:35:53,651 And go across to the other bedroom 690 00:35:53,653 --> 00:35:56,987 Where the second child is under the bed, 691 00:35:58,256 --> 00:36:01,191 You can imagine a seven-year-old child 692 00:36:01,193 --> 00:36:02,725 Trying to figure out, 693 00:36:02,727 --> 00:36:06,129 "what in the world is going on?" 694 00:36:06,131 --> 00:36:09,266 Duke drags her out from underneath the bed 695 00:36:09,268 --> 00:36:11,200 But she's fighting him, 696 00:36:11,202 --> 00:36:14,338 So he looks over and tells samra, "finish her." 697 00:36:14,340 --> 00:36:17,006 And samra reaches over, grabs a knife, 698 00:36:17,008 --> 00:36:18,742 And cuts her throat. 699 00:36:22,348 --> 00:36:26,149 Samra had absolutely no emotion, 700 00:36:26,151 --> 00:36:28,952 No feeling, no remorse, 701 00:36:28,954 --> 00:36:31,754 No nothing. 702 00:36:31,756 --> 00:36:33,490 Mark: You know, why kill the little girls? 703 00:36:33,492 --> 00:36:35,426 He said, "well, mark told me 704 00:36:35,428 --> 00:36:37,294 We couldn't leave any witnesses, 705 00:36:37,296 --> 00:36:38,828 So we had to kill them." 706 00:36:38,830 --> 00:36:41,497 Then he gave details on how mark then-- 707 00:36:41,499 --> 00:36:44,500 He carved the gang symbols in the walls, you know, 708 00:36:44,502 --> 00:36:46,235 To make it look like maybe somebody 709 00:36:46,237 --> 00:36:48,037 Was after mark as well, 710 00:36:48,039 --> 00:36:50,640 Then they decided all go to movie 711 00:36:50,642 --> 00:36:53,576 So they would have an alibi. 712 00:36:53,578 --> 00:36:55,446 Randall: Once michael brandon samra 713 00:36:55,448 --> 00:36:58,581 Gives us the truth about what happened, 714 00:36:58,583 --> 00:37:01,050 He helped us retrieve the two knives 715 00:37:01,052 --> 00:37:02,852 That had been used to do the killings 716 00:37:02,854 --> 00:37:04,454 Of chelsea and chelisa. 717 00:37:04,456 --> 00:37:07,523 They still had blood and hair on them 718 00:37:07,525 --> 00:37:09,526 That were later tied back to the children. 719 00:37:09,528 --> 00:37:11,661 We have all that in hand. 720 00:37:11,795 --> 00:37:18,434 Mark: Now it's time to talk to mark duke one last time. 721 00:37:18,435 --> 00:37:25,074 Mark: So now we got all the weapons, 722 00:37:25,076 --> 00:37:27,277 We've got a confession from the people 723 00:37:27,279 --> 00:37:32,016 Who say he help murder the family. 724 00:37:32,018 --> 00:37:34,751 So we went to the shelby county jail 725 00:37:34,753 --> 00:37:37,421 And sat down with mark duke. 726 00:37:38,723 --> 00:37:40,691 Randall: Once we start laying out 727 00:37:40,693 --> 00:37:43,227 What samra had told us, 728 00:37:43,229 --> 00:37:46,095 And saying that he had been implicated, 729 00:37:46,097 --> 00:37:47,697 Uh, and I'm paraphrasing, 730 00:37:47,699 --> 00:37:50,767 He basically says, "you think I killed my family?" 731 00:37:50,769 --> 00:37:53,036 And we said, "as a matter of fact, we do 732 00:37:53,038 --> 00:37:54,370 And we know that you did." 733 00:37:54,372 --> 00:37:56,773 And he says, 734 00:37:56,775 --> 00:37:58,408 "screw you, I want my lawyer." 735 00:37:59,711 --> 00:38:01,378 Mark: You know, everything was collected 736 00:38:01,380 --> 00:38:02,912 On that homicide scene that night, 737 00:38:02,914 --> 00:38:05,181 Really just a mountain of evidence. 738 00:38:05,183 --> 00:38:09,118 The blood evidence actually put the prime suspect mark duke 739 00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:11,855 In the rooms where he said he had not been. 740 00:38:11,857 --> 00:38:13,257 In an act of the confessions, 741 00:38:13,259 --> 00:38:15,526 We recovered all the weapons 742 00:38:15,528 --> 00:38:18,729 And ballistics matched the weapons. 743 00:38:18,731 --> 00:38:21,532 There was trace evidence still on the butcher knives 744 00:38:21,534 --> 00:38:23,267 That were taken from the house. 745 00:38:23,269 --> 00:38:25,735 There was just a mountain of evidence 746 00:38:25,737 --> 00:38:28,205 That prove that these individuals 747 00:38:28,207 --> 00:38:29,940 Had committed these homicides. 748 00:38:31,343 --> 00:38:34,745 Randall: On March the 26th, 1997, 749 00:38:34,747 --> 00:38:37,747 After mark duke ended that interview, 750 00:38:37,749 --> 00:38:44,888 We charged ellison and collums with murder 751 00:38:44,890 --> 00:38:48,025 And we charged michael brandon samra 752 00:38:48,027 --> 00:38:51,495 And mark anthony duke with capital murder. 753 00:38:53,065 --> 00:38:55,832 Mark: So as time went on and we had the case settled 754 00:38:55,834 --> 00:38:57,467 And ready for trial, 755 00:38:57,469 --> 00:39:00,403 Initially ellison and collums 756 00:39:00,405 --> 00:39:03,574 Struck a plea bargain so that the felony murder trials 757 00:39:03,576 --> 00:39:05,708 Did not take place. 758 00:39:05,710 --> 00:39:10,647 Randall: The plea that was offered was 16 years. 759 00:39:13,185 --> 00:39:15,652 In March of 1998, 760 00:39:15,654 --> 00:39:17,588 Michael brandon samra was tried 761 00:39:17,590 --> 00:39:20,223 In front of a jury for capital murder 762 00:39:20,225 --> 00:39:22,425 And ultimately convicted 763 00:39:22,427 --> 00:39:24,894 And sentenced to death. 764 00:39:24,896 --> 00:39:27,263 Then we had to get ready to try the ringleader 765 00:39:27,265 --> 00:39:28,666 For capital murder. 766 00:39:28,668 --> 00:39:31,200 What we had was all of the evidence 767 00:39:31,202 --> 00:39:36,372 From the codefendant testimony of ellison and from collums, 768 00:39:36,374 --> 00:39:39,475 And all of the physical evidence, 769 00:39:39,477 --> 00:39:42,579 But again, all we had was samra's confession 770 00:39:42,581 --> 00:39:46,015 Of what exactly happened inside the house 771 00:39:46,017 --> 00:39:48,152 The night those four people were killed, 772 00:39:48,154 --> 00:39:49,853 And duke wasn't talking. 773 00:39:53,091 --> 00:39:55,558 When mark duke's trial came up, 774 00:39:55,560 --> 00:39:58,962 Michael brandon samra came off of death row 775 00:39:58,964 --> 00:40:01,865 And went in and testified against mark duke. 776 00:40:04,704 --> 00:40:09,373 What was about to happen in the next 45 minutes 777 00:40:09,375 --> 00:40:11,375 Would make the difference 778 00:40:11,377 --> 00:40:14,978 Between mark duke getting what he really deserved 779 00:40:14,980 --> 00:40:17,481 And maybe somehow 780 00:40:17,483 --> 00:40:20,350 Walking a free man someday. 781 00:40:22,188 --> 00:40:25,722 After I got through the direct examination, 782 00:40:25,724 --> 00:40:28,257 I knew that the defense lawyers 783 00:40:28,259 --> 00:40:30,994 Were gonna jump up and climb on 784 00:40:30,996 --> 00:40:32,662 To michael brandon samra 785 00:40:32,664 --> 00:40:34,931 And start pointing the finger and screaming, 786 00:40:34,933 --> 00:40:37,134 "isn't it true you've made a deal with the devil, 787 00:40:37,136 --> 00:40:39,202 You've made a deal with the da 788 00:40:39,204 --> 00:40:41,070 That one day you'll walk out a free man?" 789 00:40:41,072 --> 00:40:43,941 And they are just pounding on this guy. 790 00:40:43,943 --> 00:40:46,910 Until finally he had enough. 791 00:40:48,713 --> 00:40:50,613 He stopped and he looked up, 792 00:40:50,615 --> 00:40:52,349 And the question was, 793 00:40:52,351 --> 00:40:55,351 "isn't it true that you've made a deal with the da 794 00:40:55,353 --> 00:40:58,821 And one day you'll walk out a free man?" 795 00:40:58,823 --> 00:41:00,823 And samra looks up and he said, 796 00:41:00,825 --> 00:41:03,893 "no, sir. That's not true." 797 00:41:03,895 --> 00:41:06,963 Brandon said, "somebody has to tell the truth 798 00:41:06,965 --> 00:41:08,698 About what happened 799 00:41:08,700 --> 00:41:10,766 And it looks like I'm the only one 800 00:41:10,768 --> 00:41:12,235 That's gonna do it." 801 00:41:12,237 --> 00:41:16,507 The entire courtroom went dead silent 802 00:41:16,509 --> 00:41:19,710 For about three seconds. 803 00:41:19,712 --> 00:41:21,644 That case was over with right then 804 00:41:21,646 --> 00:41:23,580 Because that jury knew 805 00:41:23,582 --> 00:41:26,315 That this kid was telling the absolute truth 806 00:41:26,317 --> 00:41:27,951 About what happened that night. 807 00:41:29,821 --> 00:41:31,654 Mark duke was convicted, 808 00:41:31,656 --> 00:41:34,523 Got a death recommendation from the jury. 809 00:41:34,525 --> 00:41:36,792 It took, I think, 35 minutes 810 00:41:36,794 --> 00:41:40,798 Which is a shockingly small amount of time 811 00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:43,332 Which tells you they had no question 812 00:41:43,334 --> 00:41:46,069 In their mind about this. 813 00:41:46,071 --> 00:41:47,537 Duke was sentenced to death. 814 00:41:49,407 --> 00:41:50,940 Tommy: He had no remorse. 815 00:41:50,942 --> 00:41:53,009 He knew that dedra 816 00:41:53,011 --> 00:41:54,744 And the two girls were in that house, 817 00:41:54,746 --> 00:41:58,648 And he knew he's gonna have to kill all of them. 818 00:41:58,650 --> 00:42:02,151 Somebody that would do that is just pure evil. 819 00:42:04,123 --> 00:42:07,490 Randall: In 2004, mark duke 820 00:42:07,492 --> 00:42:11,827 Was resentenced to life in prison without parole 821 00:42:11,829 --> 00:42:15,098 Because the united states supreme court said 822 00:42:15,100 --> 00:42:19,102 A person between the age of 16 and 18 823 00:42:19,104 --> 00:42:20,569 Cannot appreciate 824 00:42:20,571 --> 00:42:22,639 The criminality of their conduct, 825 00:42:22,641 --> 00:42:24,974 Therefore, they should not be 826 00:42:24,976 --> 00:42:26,543 Subject to the death penalty. 827 00:42:27,479 --> 00:42:30,113 But samra stayed on death row 828 00:42:30,115 --> 00:42:33,183 Because he was 19 at the time of the killing. 829 00:42:34,519 --> 00:42:36,854 On may 15th, 2019, 830 00:42:36,856 --> 00:42:38,989 Michael brandon samra 831 00:42:38,991 --> 00:42:42,192 Was executed by lethal injection. 832 00:42:46,064 --> 00:42:50,868 Kendra: It was unreal to think that some 16-year-old person 833 00:42:50,870 --> 00:42:53,536 Could take the life of family members like that. 834 00:42:53,538 --> 00:42:57,140 It's something that's just incomprehendable, 835 00:42:57,142 --> 00:43:00,944 It's just not--it's not fair. 836 00:43:00,946 --> 00:43:03,346 Daniel: Why would anybody do such a thing 837 00:43:03,348 --> 00:43:05,281 And how could anybody do such a thing 838 00:43:05,283 --> 00:43:07,416 And you have to deal with the fact that 839 00:43:07,418 --> 00:43:09,453 There's no answers for that. 840 00:43:09,455 --> 00:43:11,988 How could anybody murder their father? 841 00:43:13,557 --> 00:43:15,091 Randall: It's been 24 years 842 00:43:15,093 --> 00:43:16,627 And you still see... 843 00:43:18,429 --> 00:43:20,229 How raw it is. 844 00:43:21,599 --> 00:43:23,633 I salute the families and I hope 845 00:43:23,635 --> 00:43:27,103 That they have somehow pieced things together, 846 00:43:27,105 --> 00:43:29,438 What they can, and they've moved on, 847 00:43:29,440 --> 00:43:33,577 And that somehow we brought a little bit of justice 848 00:43:33,579 --> 00:43:36,612 And a little measure of something 849 00:43:36,614 --> 00:43:39,215 Back to them to make their life a little better.