1 00:00:13,413 --> 00:00:15,580 Jeff: Five people, three generations 2 00:00:15,649 --> 00:00:18,784 Wiped out in one moment. 3 00:00:18,852 --> 00:00:20,585 The entire family was shot. 4 00:00:20,654 --> 00:00:25,157 Joanie harper had also been stabbed five times. 5 00:00:25,159 --> 00:00:26,993 Whoever did this crime, 6 00:00:27,061 --> 00:00:28,527 Whoever the killer was 7 00:00:28,529 --> 00:00:31,597 Is still out there. 8 00:00:31,599 --> 00:00:36,135 Michelle: Bakersfield was just in shock. 9 00:00:36,137 --> 00:00:37,336 Jeff: Was this a burglary? 10 00:00:37,338 --> 00:00:42,141 Was this a robbery gone bad? 11 00:00:42,143 --> 00:00:45,477 Michelle: She had a passion for helping those 12 00:00:45,546 --> 00:00:48,346 Who she felt were wrongly accused. 13 00:00:48,415 --> 00:00:51,216 Jeff: And because she was an activist 14 00:00:51,218 --> 00:00:53,618 There was a higher chance of somebody threatening 15 00:00:53,687 --> 00:00:56,555 The lives of family members that lived there. 16 00:00:56,623 --> 00:01:02,494 Avis: How could you do that to those children? 17 00:01:02,563 --> 00:01:07,632 Donald: Whoever's responsible is as evil as it gets. 18 00:01:07,701 --> 00:01:10,769 [theme music playing] 19 00:01:22,916 --> 00:01:24,517 [phone ringing] 20 00:01:38,199 --> 00:01:39,632 911 operator: 3rd street. 21 00:01:47,207 --> 00:01:48,674 Jeff: On July 8th, 2003 22 00:01:48,742 --> 00:01:50,542 I was assigned as a homicide detective 23 00:01:50,611 --> 00:01:52,611 For the bakersfield police department. 24 00:01:52,613 --> 00:01:57,382 When a call for service came in over the police radio. 25 00:01:57,384 --> 00:01:58,617 [sirens wailing] 26 00:01:58,619 --> 00:02:00,319 Jeff: Bakersfield police department 27 00:02:00,387 --> 00:02:03,556 Had officer scott miller respond to that scene. 28 00:02:04,625 --> 00:02:06,825 He met kelsey spann 29 00:02:06,894 --> 00:02:10,362 Who had gone to the residence in order to determine 30 00:02:10,430 --> 00:02:11,764 If something was wrong with their friends 31 00:02:11,832 --> 00:02:15,433 And then called 911. 32 00:02:15,502 --> 00:02:18,837 Donald: The officer made its way around the house 33 00:02:18,906 --> 00:02:21,374 Into the backyard 34 00:02:21,441 --> 00:02:25,310 And he had found a westside sliding door 35 00:02:25,312 --> 00:02:27,379 Not completely closed. 36 00:02:27,448 --> 00:02:31,250 Jeff: Officer miller quickly entered the residence 37 00:02:31,318 --> 00:02:35,453 And determined that there were four victims. 38 00:02:35,522 --> 00:02:38,890 He requested medical aid respond 39 00:02:38,958 --> 00:02:41,093 And backup. 40 00:02:42,529 --> 00:02:43,796 Michelle: I was at home 41 00:02:43,864 --> 00:02:46,531 And I got a call from my friend, kelsey. 42 00:02:46,533 --> 00:02:49,935 And very upset, 43 00:02:50,003 --> 00:02:52,271 Couldn't understand her. 44 00:02:52,273 --> 00:02:55,940 Yelling, screaming, crying. 45 00:02:56,010 --> 00:02:58,410 Finally I was able to put together, 46 00:02:58,478 --> 00:03:03,081 "you need to get here, you need to get to joey's." 47 00:03:03,150 --> 00:03:06,819 I says, "I'm coming, I'll be there as soon as I can." 48 00:03:08,822 --> 00:03:10,288 And I'm at a red light 49 00:03:10,357 --> 00:03:11,956 And I look up the street 50 00:03:12,025 --> 00:03:15,493 And all I could see was black and yellow tape 51 00:03:15,562 --> 00:03:18,763 And red and blue lights. 52 00:03:18,832 --> 00:03:21,700 And I immediately started to shake 53 00:03:21,769 --> 00:03:24,570 Because I knew something was wrong. 54 00:03:27,508 --> 00:03:29,641 Donald: We arrived about 20 minutes after 55 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:31,643 The original officers arrived. 56 00:03:31,712 --> 00:03:35,546 I noticed that the house appeared to be fortified, 57 00:03:35,548 --> 00:03:37,048 Bars on the windows, 58 00:03:37,050 --> 00:03:40,986 To secure them from people coming inside the residence. 59 00:03:41,054 --> 00:03:43,589 Jeff: The front door was secure. 60 00:03:43,657 --> 00:03:46,558 There were no points of forced entry. 61 00:03:48,862 --> 00:03:54,833 I first entered the residence through the sliding glass door. 62 00:03:54,835 --> 00:03:58,337 I walked through a small hallway into a large bedroom. 63 00:03:58,339 --> 00:03:59,938 And inside that bedroom 64 00:04:00,007 --> 00:04:04,610 Were the bodies of the victims. 65 00:04:07,748 --> 00:04:11,683 Donald: There was three victims on the bed. 66 00:04:11,752 --> 00:04:13,952 Initially I saw the woman 67 00:04:14,021 --> 00:04:18,558 And she had been shot in the head. 68 00:04:18,625 --> 00:04:21,494 And I also saw about a two-year-old 69 00:04:21,561 --> 00:04:24,696 Who was also on the bed had been shot as well. 70 00:04:24,765 --> 00:04:28,967 [melancholic music playing] 71 00:04:29,036 --> 00:04:32,437 Jeff: And then directly on the opposite side of the bed 72 00:04:32,506 --> 00:04:35,508 Was a young, uh, child. 73 00:04:35,575 --> 00:04:37,777 I could see that he has sustained 74 00:04:37,844 --> 00:04:40,479 A gunshot wound to the right temple. 75 00:04:44,451 --> 00:04:45,784 Jeff: So we had three bodies 76 00:04:45,853 --> 00:04:48,787 On a large queen-size bed in the bedroom. 77 00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:50,990 And the victims were deceased. 78 00:04:51,058 --> 00:04:54,793 At that point we searched more of the house. 79 00:04:54,861 --> 00:04:59,464 And saw another woman in the hallway. 80 00:04:59,533 --> 00:05:02,735 And she was deceased. 81 00:05:02,803 --> 00:05:06,071 Jeff: She had what appeared to me two gunshot wounds, 82 00:05:06,139 --> 00:05:09,675 One above an eye and one below an eye. 83 00:05:11,545 --> 00:05:15,014 And I also noticed a handgun next to her, 84 00:05:15,082 --> 00:05:16,781 It was a revolver. 85 00:05:16,850 --> 00:05:18,149 I thought to myself 86 00:05:18,151 --> 00:05:21,486 Do I have a multiple murder suicide? 87 00:05:21,488 --> 00:05:25,657 And I could see that the gun had live bullets. 88 00:05:25,659 --> 00:05:27,959 The gun had not been fired. 89 00:05:30,063 --> 00:05:31,996 I noticed that around the house 90 00:05:32,065 --> 00:05:36,634 Were spent .22 bullet casings. 91 00:05:36,703 --> 00:05:38,638 The gun that was at the scene 92 00:05:38,705 --> 00:05:40,839 Was not the firearm that was used 93 00:05:40,841 --> 00:05:42,507 To shoot these victims. 94 00:05:42,576 --> 00:05:44,910 And the firearm that was used to shoot the victims 95 00:05:44,978 --> 00:05:46,611 Was outstanding. 96 00:05:48,715 --> 00:05:51,983 Michelle: A officer told me that there was four bodies 97 00:05:52,052 --> 00:05:53,985 In the house. 98 00:05:54,054 --> 00:05:55,855 But when he said four bodies 99 00:05:55,922 --> 00:05:59,791 That was a red flag for me. 100 00:05:59,860 --> 00:06:01,526 Because I knew that there was five people 101 00:06:01,528 --> 00:06:04,797 That lived in that house at that time. 102 00:06:04,865 --> 00:06:06,998 And I says, "well, it should be an older lady 103 00:06:07,067 --> 00:06:09,467 Which was earnestine." 104 00:06:09,536 --> 00:06:11,903 I said "it should be, um, a younger one, 105 00:06:11,972 --> 00:06:14,740 In her late 30s, joanie harper." 106 00:06:14,808 --> 00:06:17,610 And I said "there should be a four-year-old child, 107 00:06:17,677 --> 00:06:20,745 Marques, and a two-year-old child, 108 00:06:20,814 --> 00:06:24,616 Lyndsey, and a new born." 109 00:06:24,684 --> 00:06:28,820 Jeff: We were still missing an infant. 110 00:06:28,889 --> 00:06:32,692 A 45-day-old infant by the name of marshall harper. 111 00:06:32,759 --> 00:06:34,960 We decided to do a room-to-room search 112 00:06:35,029 --> 00:06:37,462 Looking for the infant because we could not find the infant 113 00:06:37,531 --> 00:06:38,698 In the house, 114 00:06:38,765 --> 00:06:42,501 Then perhaps he may have been kidnapped 115 00:06:42,503 --> 00:06:44,369 Or outside of the residence 116 00:06:44,371 --> 00:06:46,405 Injured and needing help. 117 00:06:47,974 --> 00:06:50,909 Within five to seven minutes of starting our search 118 00:06:50,911 --> 00:06:52,644 Looking for marshall 119 00:06:52,646 --> 00:06:54,579 He was actually discovered on the bed 120 00:06:54,648 --> 00:06:57,916 With the other three victims in the bedroom. 121 00:06:57,985 --> 00:07:01,319 He was covered with pillows. 122 00:07:01,388 --> 00:07:05,790 The baby had been shot one time in the back. 123 00:07:05,792 --> 00:07:11,062 I just really had a hard time wrapping my mind around this. 124 00:07:11,131 --> 00:07:13,598 Looking at it as being a father myself, 125 00:07:13,667 --> 00:07:15,467 I just thought, 126 00:07:15,535 --> 00:07:18,904 You know, who could harm a baby like this? 127 00:07:22,943 --> 00:07:25,077 Donald: When I saw this, 128 00:07:25,145 --> 00:07:28,546 All these children murdered, 129 00:07:28,615 --> 00:07:31,549 Grandma, mom, dead, 130 00:07:31,618 --> 00:07:32,885 Five people. 131 00:07:32,953 --> 00:07:35,887 I had never seen anything like it. 132 00:07:35,956 --> 00:07:40,591 Three generations being wiped out in one moment. 133 00:07:40,661 --> 00:07:42,827 There's just no way that I think any of us 134 00:07:42,829 --> 00:07:45,564 Can really fully understand that. 135 00:07:48,101 --> 00:07:51,737 It was like nothing else I'd dealt with. 136 00:07:51,805 --> 00:07:54,906 We were going to do everything humanly possible 137 00:07:54,975 --> 00:07:58,776 To get to the bottom of this. 138 00:07:58,845 --> 00:08:01,714 During my initial walkthrough of that residence 139 00:08:01,781 --> 00:08:05,783 It looked like it'd been ransacked. 140 00:08:05,852 --> 00:08:07,752 There's a purse in another room 141 00:08:07,821 --> 00:08:11,189 That had been tipped upside down. 142 00:08:11,258 --> 00:08:14,794 But it looked like nothing was missing from the purse. 143 00:08:14,861 --> 00:08:17,529 I also saw that in the bedroom 144 00:08:17,597 --> 00:08:18,863 Where the victims were, 145 00:08:18,865 --> 00:08:23,801 There was cash that was in clear view. 146 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:28,339 Um, whoever killed these people it was not taken. 147 00:08:28,341 --> 00:08:30,341 Donald: Credit cards, the tv, 148 00:08:30,343 --> 00:08:33,278 And other things of value are left behind. 149 00:08:33,346 --> 00:08:36,881 Not the behavior of a home invader, 150 00:08:36,950 --> 00:08:39,684 Some stranger attack. 151 00:08:39,686 --> 00:08:41,553 Jeff: Which really suggest 152 00:08:41,621 --> 00:08:43,489 That whoever committed this crime 153 00:08:43,557 --> 00:08:46,157 Staged the scene to make it look like 154 00:08:46,226 --> 00:08:49,762 This was an attempt burglary. 155 00:08:49,829 --> 00:08:51,864 There's a lot of thoughts I had in my mind. 156 00:08:51,932 --> 00:08:55,900 It's a family of five people executed for some reason. 157 00:08:55,969 --> 00:08:57,769 And I had to think 158 00:08:57,837 --> 00:09:01,039 Is there a immediate threat to the community? 159 00:09:01,041 --> 00:09:04,543 And is there a threat to anybody else 160 00:09:04,612 --> 00:09:07,046 Related to this family? 161 00:09:07,113 --> 00:09:09,949 Because if you're gonna take the time to kill 162 00:09:10,016 --> 00:09:11,916 Five members of a family, 163 00:09:11,985 --> 00:09:14,452 Was there any other close family members 164 00:09:14,521 --> 00:09:18,023 That maybe in danger? 165 00:09:18,091 --> 00:09:22,194 Donald: Earnestine had a history of community activism. 166 00:09:22,262 --> 00:09:24,463 Jeff: So there was a higher chance 167 00:09:24,531 --> 00:09:28,133 Of somebody threatening earnestine's life. 168 00:09:28,135 --> 00:09:30,268 And the autopsies confirmed 169 00:09:30,270 --> 00:09:33,338 That everybody was a victim of a homicide. 170 00:09:33,406 --> 00:09:35,340 And the very personal nature 171 00:09:35,409 --> 00:09:38,343 In which joanie harper was attacked, 172 00:09:38,412 --> 00:09:40,846 That's a lot of hate. 173 00:09:46,754 --> 00:09:49,621 Ars of friends and family members 174 00:09:49,689 --> 00:09:51,956 Of the harper family have been confirmed. 175 00:09:52,025 --> 00:09:55,226 The coroner has positively identified the five people 176 00:09:55,228 --> 00:09:57,228 Shot to death this morning. 177 00:09:57,230 --> 00:10:01,032 Donald: This particular case was a standout case 178 00:10:01,101 --> 00:10:03,101 In terms of the violence, 179 00:10:03,103 --> 00:10:05,103 The number of victims. 180 00:10:05,105 --> 00:10:09,174 Never before we dealt with anything like this. 181 00:10:09,242 --> 00:10:10,776 Before the end of the day 182 00:10:10,844 --> 00:10:12,977 We had satellite trucks all over the place. 183 00:10:12,979 --> 00:10:15,647 The whole world was interested in this thing. 184 00:10:15,715 --> 00:10:18,383 Woman: This horrendous, horrible thing that happened. 185 00:10:18,451 --> 00:10:21,320 There's a plan and a purpose that you have too, father god. 186 00:10:21,388 --> 00:10:23,121 -Woman: Oh, yes lord. -Let that be known. 187 00:10:23,189 --> 00:10:27,792 Michelle: Bakersfield as a city was just in shock. 188 00:10:27,794 --> 00:10:30,061 There's crime in every city. 189 00:10:30,063 --> 00:10:31,663 But this was one 190 00:10:31,731 --> 00:10:35,601 That just turned bakersfield upside down. 191 00:10:35,669 --> 00:10:38,136 Man: It is truly, truly traumatic 192 00:10:38,205 --> 00:10:41,306 To lose someone as valuable as that. 193 00:10:45,145 --> 00:10:48,213 Michelle: Joanie and earnestine were both so popular, 194 00:10:48,215 --> 00:10:51,683 And well-known, and respected in the community. 195 00:10:51,751 --> 00:10:56,154 Earnestine she was involved in a lot of civil rights stuff. 196 00:10:56,223 --> 00:10:59,824 Michelle: She had a passion for helping those 197 00:10:59,826 --> 00:11:02,294 Who she felt were wrongly accused. 198 00:11:02,362 --> 00:11:05,697 So she was strong into injustices 199 00:11:05,765 --> 00:11:09,968 And trying to right the wrongs of the community. 200 00:11:09,970 --> 00:11:12,103 Matthew: Joanie was in the 10th grade 201 00:11:12,172 --> 00:11:14,839 When I met her. 202 00:11:14,908 --> 00:11:17,375 Joanie at that time was one of the better 203 00:11:17,444 --> 00:11:19,844 Basketball players here in town. 204 00:11:19,913 --> 00:11:23,782 I went to see several of her games. 205 00:11:23,850 --> 00:11:26,051 Her aspiration was to be 206 00:11:26,119 --> 00:11:29,120 An nba basketball official. 207 00:11:29,189 --> 00:11:32,591 Michelle: She joined the pac-10 208 00:11:32,659 --> 00:11:34,259 And did it for a couple of years 209 00:11:34,261 --> 00:11:36,127 Before she had marques. 210 00:11:36,196 --> 00:11:39,197 She was marrying the father of her child, 211 00:11:39,199 --> 00:11:41,199 His name was vincent. 212 00:11:41,267 --> 00:11:44,135 Avis: Vincent was the vice principal at fremont. 213 00:11:44,204 --> 00:11:47,071 Michelle: Vincent was very popular in the community, 214 00:11:47,073 --> 00:11:50,275 Well-liked, well-respected. 215 00:11:50,277 --> 00:11:53,344 When she had her baby, she had a husband 216 00:11:53,413 --> 00:11:56,081 And it was a happy time for her. 217 00:11:56,149 --> 00:11:58,750 Marques, he was the oldest, he was four. 218 00:11:58,819 --> 00:12:01,753 He had already had a love for basketball. 219 00:12:01,755 --> 00:12:03,822 Just a sweet little boy. 220 00:12:03,890 --> 00:12:06,792 Lyndsey she was two at the time. 221 00:12:06,859 --> 00:12:08,627 She loved to hug and cuddle 222 00:12:08,695 --> 00:12:10,962 Like she would just crawl up in your lap, 223 00:12:11,030 --> 00:12:12,363 Just precious. 224 00:12:12,432 --> 00:12:14,933 And then marshall, unfortunately, 225 00:12:15,001 --> 00:12:17,836 At six weeks, we didn't get to know marshall. 226 00:12:17,904 --> 00:12:19,137 Um... 227 00:12:24,310 --> 00:12:27,211 Joanie definitely tried to live 228 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,781 According to how god calls us to live. 229 00:12:30,851 --> 00:12:33,918 Forgiving, very gentle spirit she had. 230 00:12:33,987 --> 00:12:37,789 Avis: Her and earnestine were very strong in their faith, 231 00:12:37,857 --> 00:12:40,259 She did not miss not one service, 232 00:12:40,326 --> 00:12:41,993 Not one bible class. 233 00:12:42,062 --> 00:12:44,362 That was number one. 234 00:12:47,567 --> 00:12:52,337 Donald: My first responsibility was to contact kelsey spann, 235 00:12:52,339 --> 00:12:55,139 The person who discovered the victims 236 00:12:55,141 --> 00:12:57,141 In the house that morning. 237 00:12:57,143 --> 00:13:00,946 And I took her to the police station and interviewed her. 238 00:13:09,155 --> 00:13:13,357 Jeff: Kelsey had last seen the entire family, 239 00:13:13,426 --> 00:13:15,226 All five victims, 240 00:13:15,295 --> 00:13:18,096 Sunday, July 6th, 2003 241 00:13:18,098 --> 00:13:20,164 At a restaurant in bakersfield. 242 00:13:20,233 --> 00:13:24,436 Prior to that the entire family had gone to attend church. 243 00:13:30,176 --> 00:13:31,409 Jeff: Uh-huh. 244 00:13:35,448 --> 00:13:38,183 Donald: It was a practice to go to church 245 00:13:38,251 --> 00:13:41,052 In the middle of the day, and then go home, 246 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:45,656 Rest up and return to church later in the day. 247 00:13:45,725 --> 00:13:49,327 Jeff: Kelsey had told me that she thought something was odd 248 00:13:49,395 --> 00:13:52,396 Because the family did not show back up for church 249 00:13:52,465 --> 00:13:55,267 Later that afternoon. 250 00:13:55,335 --> 00:13:57,803 And this timeline make sense 251 00:13:57,871 --> 00:14:01,472 Because when we found earnestine in the hallway 252 00:14:01,541 --> 00:14:04,476 She's still wearing part of her Sunday outfit. 253 00:14:04,544 --> 00:14:08,946 Also at that point we were getting things back 254 00:14:09,015 --> 00:14:10,348 From the coroner's office. 255 00:14:10,417 --> 00:14:13,551 The autopsies confirmed the food content 256 00:14:13,620 --> 00:14:15,954 In the victim's digestive tract. 257 00:14:16,022 --> 00:14:20,224 That was consistent with food that was eaten 258 00:14:20,293 --> 00:14:22,160 At the black angus restaurant 259 00:14:22,162 --> 00:14:25,164 On Sunday, July 6th, 2003. 260 00:14:25,231 --> 00:14:27,165 So, the murders occurred 261 00:14:27,234 --> 00:14:30,235 Somewhere after 1:00 p.M. The afternoon 262 00:14:30,303 --> 00:14:34,506 Because the food they ate is still in their system. 263 00:14:34,574 --> 00:14:36,841 So whoever did this crime 264 00:14:36,909 --> 00:14:38,377 Might have had firsthand knowledge 265 00:14:38,444 --> 00:14:42,047 Of the family member's whereabouts on Sunday. 266 00:14:44,450 --> 00:14:47,251 Donald: During my discussion with kelsey sann, 267 00:14:47,253 --> 00:14:50,956 I asked who was close to the family. 268 00:14:51,023 --> 00:14:56,528 She said that joanie was married to vincent brothers. 269 00:14:56,596 --> 00:15:02,066 She also said that he had taken a trip to ohio 270 00:15:02,068 --> 00:15:05,971 To see his brother and then drove to see his mother, 271 00:15:06,039 --> 00:15:07,538 Who was back east as well 272 00:15:07,540 --> 00:15:10,509 In elizabeth city, north carolina. 273 00:15:12,980 --> 00:15:15,080 Before the end of this first day, 274 00:15:15,148 --> 00:15:17,148 We received a phone call 275 00:15:17,216 --> 00:15:20,618 From elizabeth city, north carolina police department 276 00:15:20,620 --> 00:15:22,554 Telling us that vincent brothers, 277 00:15:22,622 --> 00:15:25,690 And his mother, and sister, and his brother melvin 278 00:15:25,692 --> 00:15:27,492 Were at the police department there 279 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:31,896 Because he heard about what happened to his family. 280 00:15:31,965 --> 00:15:34,232 And they waited there several hours 281 00:15:34,234 --> 00:15:36,767 Until jeff watts and I were able to fly there 282 00:15:36,769 --> 00:15:38,870 And contact him. 283 00:15:42,375 --> 00:15:43,975 Jeff: My plan was to ask him, 284 00:15:44,043 --> 00:15:46,043 Do you know who'd wanna do this? 285 00:15:46,112 --> 00:15:47,545 Do you have any ideas? 286 00:15:47,547 --> 00:15:49,213 When was the last time 287 00:15:49,215 --> 00:15:51,182 You spoke with your wife, joanie? 288 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:02,593 Jeff: When I started to speak with him, 289 00:16:02,595 --> 00:16:04,028 He started to scream. 290 00:16:12,805 --> 00:16:15,407 I said, "I know you're upset, I recognize that 291 00:16:15,475 --> 00:16:18,076 But understand that we are trying to find out 292 00:16:18,144 --> 00:16:19,443 What happened. 293 00:16:19,512 --> 00:16:20,911 We're trying to get an understanding 294 00:16:20,913 --> 00:16:22,981 Of potential timelines." 295 00:16:23,049 --> 00:16:25,049 He still kept on screaming. 296 00:16:32,592 --> 00:16:34,759 Jeff: I was, kind of, concerned 297 00:16:34,827 --> 00:16:37,696 And then I thought is he just so distraught, 298 00:16:37,764 --> 00:16:39,230 He's out of his mind here. 299 00:16:39,298 --> 00:16:42,433 But it looked like he was gonna vomit. 300 00:16:42,502 --> 00:16:44,368 Donald: And there really wasn't much 301 00:16:44,437 --> 00:16:48,372 That he was capable of telling us at that point, 302 00:16:48,441 --> 00:16:51,575 So the interview was concluded. 303 00:16:51,644 --> 00:16:55,613 And vincent brothers was released. 304 00:16:55,681 --> 00:16:59,051 But until we could check his alibi, 305 00:16:59,118 --> 00:17:03,087 Vincent was now a subject of interest in this investigation. 306 00:17:06,859 --> 00:17:08,592 Jeff: After the interview, 307 00:17:08,661 --> 00:17:12,129 We get a phone call from the other detectives. 308 00:17:12,198 --> 00:17:14,331 They had determined 309 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,667 That vincent brothers' cell phone 310 00:17:16,736 --> 00:17:18,836 Was pinging in columbus, ohio 311 00:17:18,905 --> 00:17:21,272 During the time of the murders. 312 00:17:21,340 --> 00:17:24,509 Also his credit cards were used in columbus 313 00:17:24,577 --> 00:17:28,079 On Sunday, July 6th, 2003. 314 00:17:28,147 --> 00:17:30,214 Now, that in our opinion 315 00:17:30,283 --> 00:17:32,617 Was the date of the murders. 316 00:17:32,619 --> 00:17:35,720 So it looked like vincent was across the country 317 00:17:35,788 --> 00:17:38,890 When the murders happened giving him an alibi. 318 00:17:38,892 --> 00:17:41,559 So whoever did this crime, 319 00:17:41,561 --> 00:17:45,663 Who--whoever the killer was is still out there. 320 00:17:52,038 --> 00:17:54,706 Reporter: A family torn by five senseless murders 321 00:17:54,774 --> 00:17:58,310 Reaches deeply into its faith for comfort. 322 00:17:59,312 --> 00:18:01,712 Preacher: Because we don't understand 323 00:18:01,714 --> 00:18:07,485 Does not make what god does wrong. 324 00:18:07,553 --> 00:18:09,587 Vincent came back into town, 325 00:18:09,589 --> 00:18:13,392 So grief-stricken over their deaths. 326 00:18:14,394 --> 00:18:15,594 Avis: His family was there. 327 00:18:15,661 --> 00:18:19,398 He--he cried. He broke down. 328 00:18:20,934 --> 00:18:22,933 Matthew: It was such a large funeral 329 00:18:22,935 --> 00:18:27,671 There had to be about 3,000 people there. 330 00:18:27,740 --> 00:18:29,607 Michelle: I remember someone saying, 331 00:18:29,676 --> 00:18:31,442 "I didn't even know the family 332 00:18:31,511 --> 00:18:34,212 But I just felt, like, I needed to be there." 333 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:35,679 -Uh-hmm. -And here we are, 334 00:18:35,748 --> 00:18:38,549 We knew them and loved them, 335 00:18:38,551 --> 00:18:40,485 And struggled being there. 336 00:18:40,553 --> 00:18:42,621 It was just hard. 337 00:18:49,629 --> 00:18:52,429 Jeff: Seven days in this investigation, 338 00:18:52,498 --> 00:18:54,199 We decided to slow down 339 00:18:54,267 --> 00:18:59,503 And really just look at everybody around the harpers. 340 00:18:59,572 --> 00:19:04,308 Earnestine had a history of community activism 341 00:19:04,377 --> 00:19:06,844 And family members referred to her as paranoid 342 00:19:06,913 --> 00:19:08,713 As a result of this activity 343 00:19:08,715 --> 00:19:12,717 And she got an antique revolver. 344 00:19:15,521 --> 00:19:18,789 Jeff: Earnestine had been involved in protecting people 345 00:19:18,858 --> 00:19:22,793 That may have been slighted or wronged within the community. 346 00:19:22,862 --> 00:19:25,262 And because she was an activist, 347 00:19:25,331 --> 00:19:27,798 There was a higher chance of somebody 348 00:19:27,867 --> 00:19:29,533 Threatening earnestine's life 349 00:19:29,535 --> 00:19:31,335 Or threatening the lives of family members 350 00:19:31,404 --> 00:19:32,737 That lived there. 351 00:19:32,739 --> 00:19:35,539 So we looked to see if earnestine or joanie 352 00:19:35,608 --> 00:19:37,007 Had ever filed a police report 353 00:19:37,076 --> 00:19:40,945 For any threats against them. 354 00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:44,548 Donald: We also looked into the area itself 355 00:19:44,617 --> 00:19:46,685 Around the crime scene, the neighborhood, 356 00:19:46,752 --> 00:19:49,553 For any possible suspects. 357 00:19:49,622 --> 00:19:52,524 Jeff: Our computer searches of people in the neighborhood 358 00:19:52,592 --> 00:19:55,293 That might be parolees with violent past, 359 00:19:55,295 --> 00:19:57,229 Gangs, sexual offenders. 360 00:19:57,296 --> 00:19:59,631 Nothing came back as a match. 361 00:19:59,699 --> 00:20:01,500 And we also found out, 362 00:20:01,567 --> 00:20:03,835 They never filed a police report 363 00:20:03,903 --> 00:20:07,705 For any threats against them. 364 00:20:07,773 --> 00:20:10,508 Since we can also eliminate attempted burglary 365 00:20:10,510 --> 00:20:11,877 Or burglary in progress 366 00:20:11,944 --> 00:20:14,846 Because nothing was missing from the residence. 367 00:20:14,914 --> 00:20:17,915 So it seemed whoever committed this crime 368 00:20:17,984 --> 00:20:22,454 Had to have a specific reason to kill those people. 369 00:20:23,990 --> 00:20:25,590 The autopsies confirmed 370 00:20:25,658 --> 00:20:28,659 That everybody was a victim of a homicide. 371 00:20:28,728 --> 00:20:31,730 Everybody also was shot. 372 00:20:31,797 --> 00:20:35,534 The three children each had one bullet wounding them. 373 00:20:35,601 --> 00:20:39,803 Earnestine harper had two bullet wounds in the head. 374 00:20:39,805 --> 00:20:43,441 Joanie harper had five bullet wounds in her. 375 00:20:43,509 --> 00:20:46,310 She had also been stabbed five times 376 00:20:46,379 --> 00:20:47,678 In the area of the back. 377 00:20:47,747 --> 00:20:49,813 Donald: And the very personal nature 378 00:20:49,882 --> 00:20:52,717 In which joanie harper was attacked, 379 00:20:52,786 --> 00:20:54,919 That's a lot of hate. 380 00:20:54,987 --> 00:20:57,054 That's personal. 381 00:20:57,056 --> 00:21:00,992 Which we thought had made joanie harper the main target. 382 00:21:02,728 --> 00:21:04,695 We did speak with kelsey spann, 383 00:21:04,697 --> 00:21:08,499 A good friend of joanie harper's numerous times. 384 00:21:08,568 --> 00:21:10,634 And on one occasion, 385 00:21:10,703 --> 00:21:12,837 She talked about the relationship 386 00:21:12,839 --> 00:21:16,341 Between joanie and vincent brothers. 387 00:21:16,409 --> 00:21:19,643 Jeff: Joanie was married to vincent brothers 388 00:21:19,712 --> 00:21:22,614 But they were separated during the time of the murders. 389 00:21:31,390 --> 00:21:32,790 Jeff: Uh-huh. 390 00:21:38,397 --> 00:21:43,301 Donald: She said that there was some bad blood so to speak 391 00:21:43,370 --> 00:21:45,669 Going on between those two 392 00:21:45,738 --> 00:21:48,138 Leading up to this event. 393 00:21:48,207 --> 00:21:50,374 Michelle: Joanie was struggling with 394 00:21:50,443 --> 00:21:51,676 Keeping her family together 395 00:21:51,744 --> 00:21:54,012 And trying to reconcile her faith 396 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:58,415 With the struggles that they have within their relationship. 397 00:21:58,484 --> 00:21:59,817 Jeff: At the time in my career 398 00:21:59,819 --> 00:22:02,687 I was also a domestic violence expert. 399 00:22:02,755 --> 00:22:04,488 I was well aware of the fact 400 00:22:04,557 --> 00:22:06,824 That it is not uncommon 401 00:22:06,893 --> 00:22:09,026 For one spouse to murder the other. 402 00:22:09,028 --> 00:22:11,428 But I was trying to figure a motive. 403 00:22:11,497 --> 00:22:13,898 Why would he kill his entire family? 404 00:22:13,966 --> 00:22:17,435 I mean, why would he do that? 405 00:22:17,437 --> 00:22:20,237 So until we had more evidence, 406 00:22:20,239 --> 00:22:24,041 I decided we cannot rule vincent out as a suspect. 407 00:22:24,110 --> 00:22:26,911 Even though, his credit card was in columbus. 408 00:22:26,913 --> 00:22:31,349 We knew his cell phone was in columbus but was he? 409 00:22:33,986 --> 00:22:36,921 Donald: And we started looking into vincent brothers' 410 00:22:36,923 --> 00:22:40,391 Credit card being used in columbus, ohio. 411 00:22:40,459 --> 00:22:43,861 If he really did use those credit cards at the stores 412 00:22:43,863 --> 00:22:46,530 Then there should be video surveillance showing 413 00:22:46,599 --> 00:22:48,933 Vincent brothers using those cards 414 00:22:48,935 --> 00:22:50,267 At that time on that date. 415 00:22:50,269 --> 00:22:52,736 If we find that, that completely eliminates 416 00:22:52,805 --> 00:22:56,006 Vincent brothers. 417 00:22:56,075 --> 00:22:57,676 Donald: As we looked into this, 418 00:22:57,743 --> 00:23:00,744 Jeff and I returned to columbus 419 00:23:00,813 --> 00:23:02,946 To get the surveillance tapes 420 00:23:03,015 --> 00:23:07,618 From where vincent brothers' credit card was used. 421 00:23:07,620 --> 00:23:10,154 We picked up the surveillance tapes 422 00:23:10,222 --> 00:23:13,424 And then interviewed vincent brothers' brother, 423 00:23:13,493 --> 00:23:15,759 Melvin brothers. 424 00:23:15,761 --> 00:23:17,429 Jeff: Since I was not able to get a statement 425 00:23:17,496 --> 00:23:18,896 From vincent brothers, 426 00:23:18,965 --> 00:23:20,765 I still need to build this timeline, 427 00:23:20,833 --> 00:23:23,567 So I try to get some information 428 00:23:23,636 --> 00:23:26,103 As to when vincent arrived in columbus, ohio. 429 00:23:26,172 --> 00:23:31,776 And we made a determination it was, uh, Wednesday, July 2nd. 430 00:23:31,844 --> 00:23:33,712 We asked him about the credit card usage, 431 00:23:33,779 --> 00:23:36,580 If he knew what vincent was doing. 432 00:23:36,649 --> 00:23:38,315 Melvin brothers denied 433 00:23:38,317 --> 00:23:41,251 Knowing about the credit cards being used. 434 00:23:41,253 --> 00:23:43,921 Donald: The more we talk to melvin, 435 00:23:43,989 --> 00:23:47,459 The more he changed his story. 436 00:23:47,526 --> 00:23:50,528 Jeff: I remember telling melvin, "we have a videotape. 437 00:23:50,596 --> 00:23:51,995 And if you're lying to me, 438 00:23:52,064 --> 00:23:55,666 You could be an accessory to murder." 439 00:23:55,668 --> 00:23:57,001 And I told him to think about it. 440 00:23:57,003 --> 00:23:59,204 [dramatic music playing] 441 00:23:59,271 --> 00:24:02,607 Jeff: After hours of viewing those tapes, 442 00:24:02,675 --> 00:24:05,610 We found that on July 6th, 443 00:24:05,678 --> 00:24:08,446 The day of the murders. 444 00:24:08,514 --> 00:24:11,181 Lo and behold it was not vincent brothers 445 00:24:11,250 --> 00:24:13,618 On those videotapes. 446 00:24:13,686 --> 00:24:16,354 It was another person, 447 00:24:16,422 --> 00:24:20,090 And that other person turned out to be... 448 00:24:20,092 --> 00:24:22,761 Melvin brothers. 449 00:24:26,365 --> 00:24:28,166 Donald: During the course of the investigation, 450 00:24:28,234 --> 00:24:29,900 We were looking at the financials 451 00:24:29,969 --> 00:24:31,835 Of vincent brothers. 452 00:24:31,837 --> 00:24:34,304 There were transactions 453 00:24:34,306 --> 00:24:36,040 With vincent brothers' credit card 454 00:24:36,108 --> 00:24:39,109 During the weekend of the murders. 455 00:24:39,178 --> 00:24:41,845 Jeff: So we looked at the video surveillance tapes 456 00:24:41,914 --> 00:24:43,981 From the stores. 457 00:24:43,983 --> 00:24:47,851 And it was not vincent brothers on those videotapes. 458 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:52,056 It was melvin brothers. 459 00:24:52,058 --> 00:24:54,892 So we interviewed melvin again. 460 00:24:54,894 --> 00:24:58,662 Initially, melvin brothers denied 461 00:24:58,731 --> 00:25:00,397 Knowing about the credit cards 462 00:25:00,399 --> 00:25:03,067 Being used on July 6th, 2003. 463 00:25:03,069 --> 00:25:05,135 And I told melvin that, 464 00:25:05,204 --> 00:25:08,005 "we looked at the video surveillance tapes, 465 00:25:08,073 --> 00:25:10,340 So if you're lying to me, 466 00:25:10,409 --> 00:25:15,079 You could be an accessory to murder." 467 00:25:15,081 --> 00:25:17,881 So this time melvin says, 468 00:25:17,950 --> 00:25:21,019 "yes, I used... 469 00:25:21,086 --> 00:25:23,587 Vincent's credit cards." 470 00:25:25,291 --> 00:25:28,592 Melvin told us that his brother said, 471 00:25:28,661 --> 00:25:31,161 "I want you to buy certain items, 472 00:25:31,230 --> 00:25:34,031 They have to be bought on Sunday, July 6th, 473 00:25:34,099 --> 00:25:38,002 And you sign my name, vincent brothers." 474 00:25:39,438 --> 00:25:43,541 Now, I had melvin brothers to give me a timeline. 475 00:25:44,710 --> 00:25:46,043 So I asked him, 476 00:25:46,111 --> 00:25:49,180 "when did vincent arrive in columbus?" 477 00:25:49,248 --> 00:25:53,183 He said, "vincent arrived, July 2nd, Wednesday. 478 00:25:53,185 --> 00:25:55,719 This is a planned trip." 479 00:25:55,788 --> 00:25:59,056 Vincent is gonna stay at melvin brothers house 480 00:25:59,125 --> 00:26:01,325 For seven to ten days. 481 00:26:01,393 --> 00:26:05,230 We asked melvin, if he had seen vincent from Friday morning, 482 00:26:05,297 --> 00:26:07,197 4th of July 483 00:26:07,199 --> 00:26:11,235 Through July 8th, 2003. 484 00:26:11,237 --> 00:26:14,138 Donald: He admitted that he didn't in fact see 485 00:26:14,206 --> 00:26:16,073 Vincent brothers at the house 486 00:26:16,141 --> 00:26:19,943 During these critical periods of time. 487 00:26:19,945 --> 00:26:22,814 And melvin brothers was released 488 00:26:22,881 --> 00:26:26,083 And was not charged with a crime. 489 00:26:26,151 --> 00:26:28,286 But there was increasing evidence 490 00:26:28,354 --> 00:26:30,954 That the credit card activity was being used 491 00:26:31,023 --> 00:26:35,593 By vincent brothers as part of his alibi effort. 492 00:26:37,963 --> 00:26:40,764 Jeff: Now, we had enough probable cause 493 00:26:40,766 --> 00:26:45,402 To place vincent brothers under surveillance. 494 00:26:45,471 --> 00:26:49,641 And he's constantly trying to evade our surveillance. 495 00:26:49,708 --> 00:26:52,043 We're doing our title iii wiretaps. 496 00:26:52,111 --> 00:26:55,279 And the whole time we were building this timeline 497 00:26:55,281 --> 00:26:56,848 Of vincent brothers. 498 00:26:56,915 --> 00:27:01,385 Vincent arrived in columbus, ohio on July 2nd 499 00:27:01,387 --> 00:27:04,055 And then we know vincent was in north carolina 500 00:27:04,123 --> 00:27:06,991 On July 8th 501 00:27:07,059 --> 00:27:10,527 When he had showed up at the police department, 502 00:27:10,529 --> 00:27:12,330 Which led us to start thinking, 503 00:27:12,398 --> 00:27:15,465 Could vincent brothers leave columbus, ohio 504 00:27:15,534 --> 00:27:17,200 On July 3rd, 505 00:27:17,269 --> 00:27:20,338 Somehow go back to the city of bakersfield, 506 00:27:20,406 --> 00:27:21,938 Commit murders, 507 00:27:22,007 --> 00:27:25,076 And then arrive in north carolina, 508 00:27:25,144 --> 00:27:27,344 July 8th. 509 00:27:27,413 --> 00:27:31,749 If he was to fly, we'd be able to query databases 510 00:27:31,751 --> 00:27:34,284 On records for the airplane passengers. 511 00:27:34,286 --> 00:27:37,755 Donald: We determined that on July 2nd, 512 00:27:37,757 --> 00:27:42,359 He had taken a flight out of lax back east to columbus, ohio. 513 00:27:42,428 --> 00:27:46,163 Jeff: And we showed no round-trip ticket for him 514 00:27:46,165 --> 00:27:49,232 To return flight to bakersfield. 515 00:27:49,301 --> 00:27:53,303 So if he was gonna drive then we knew that 516 00:27:53,305 --> 00:27:57,474 That was going to be a huge feat. 517 00:27:57,476 --> 00:27:59,109 Donald: And as we looked into this, 518 00:27:59,178 --> 00:28:01,378 We discovered that vincent brothers 519 00:28:01,447 --> 00:28:05,281 Had rented a blue dodge neon 520 00:28:05,283 --> 00:28:09,920 At the columbus, ohio airport on July 2nd. 521 00:28:09,922 --> 00:28:11,922 Jeff: That rental car was still in service, 522 00:28:11,990 --> 00:28:13,457 We knew where it was, 523 00:28:13,525 --> 00:28:17,228 So we decided to take a look at it. 524 00:28:17,296 --> 00:28:19,263 Donald: When vincent brothers rented the car, 525 00:28:19,331 --> 00:28:24,034 We have the mileage on record when he started the rental 526 00:28:24,036 --> 00:28:26,236 And the mileage when he turned it in 527 00:28:26,305 --> 00:28:31,208 To the rental car agency on July 11th. 528 00:28:31,276 --> 00:28:34,278 So we determined that the mileage isolated 529 00:28:34,346 --> 00:28:36,346 To the activity with vincent brothers 530 00:28:36,415 --> 00:28:41,051 Was just over 5,400 miles. 531 00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:43,553 Jeff: That was a big moment in this investigation 532 00:28:43,622 --> 00:28:48,159 Because when we did a simple query indicated that 533 00:28:48,227 --> 00:28:51,261 The drive from columbus to bakersfield 534 00:28:51,263 --> 00:28:54,031 And then back coupled with the mileage 535 00:28:54,100 --> 00:28:56,834 From the drive from columbus to elizabeth city 536 00:28:56,902 --> 00:29:00,370 To visit their mother and returned the rental car. 537 00:29:00,439 --> 00:29:04,841 Total up about 5,400 plus miles. 538 00:29:04,910 --> 00:29:07,378 So now we're thinking, okay, we got mileage on this car. 539 00:29:07,446 --> 00:29:09,546 This is a big deal. 540 00:29:09,615 --> 00:29:11,848 But I did not know how it was gonna prove 541 00:29:11,917 --> 00:29:14,951 That vincent brothers drove that rental car 542 00:29:15,020 --> 00:29:17,220 Across the country and back 543 00:29:17,222 --> 00:29:20,423 During the time of the murders. 544 00:29:20,492 --> 00:29:24,094 And our question still was... 545 00:29:24,163 --> 00:29:27,330 Why would you kill your entire family? 546 00:29:27,399 --> 00:29:30,000 I really could not come up with an answer. 547 00:29:31,470 --> 00:29:34,871 But I knew we needed to link vincent brothers 548 00:29:34,940 --> 00:29:36,473 And the vehicle. 549 00:29:36,542 --> 00:29:39,276 So, in thinking outside of the box 550 00:29:39,345 --> 00:29:43,613 In this investigation, we came up with the idea that 551 00:29:43,682 --> 00:29:46,550 If you're gonna drive from one end of the country 552 00:29:46,552 --> 00:29:48,151 To the other end of the country, 553 00:29:48,153 --> 00:29:50,287 You're most likely gonna have a bunch of bugs 554 00:29:50,355 --> 00:29:53,957 Splattered on your windshield. 555 00:29:54,026 --> 00:29:55,558 Donald: Many insects are indigenous 556 00:29:55,560 --> 00:29:59,029 To certain regions and that may be an indicator 557 00:29:59,098 --> 00:30:00,297 Of where this vehicle was 558 00:30:00,365 --> 00:30:03,567 When it was rented by vincent brothers. 559 00:30:03,569 --> 00:30:05,503 [intense music playing] 560 00:30:05,571 --> 00:30:08,972 Donald: We worked with the fbi to recover 561 00:30:09,041 --> 00:30:13,210 Parts of this vehicle to analyze the bug evidence. 562 00:30:13,212 --> 00:30:16,513 Jeff: We learned vincent was quite the lady's man. 563 00:30:16,582 --> 00:30:20,251 Many of those relationships were occurring months 564 00:30:20,319 --> 00:30:22,352 Before the murders. 565 00:30:22,421 --> 00:30:26,657 He just had a baby with joanie 45 days prior 566 00:30:26,724 --> 00:30:29,827 But you're having affairs with these other women. 567 00:30:35,266 --> 00:30:38,068 Donald: Weeks into the investigation, 568 00:30:38,136 --> 00:30:41,204 We determined that vincent brothers 569 00:30:41,273 --> 00:30:44,341 Had rented a blue dodge neon 570 00:30:44,409 --> 00:30:47,078 And we had the mileage on record 571 00:30:47,145 --> 00:30:51,047 That totaled just over 5,400 miles. 572 00:30:51,116 --> 00:30:54,618 Jeff: And the drive from columbus to bakersfield 573 00:30:54,686 --> 00:30:57,155 And then back coupled with the mileage 574 00:30:57,222 --> 00:31:00,357 From the drive from columbus to elizabeth city 575 00:31:00,425 --> 00:31:03,760 Also totaled up about 5,400 plus miles. 576 00:31:03,762 --> 00:31:08,131 But I knew we needed to link vincent brothers 577 00:31:08,133 --> 00:31:10,433 And the vehicle. 578 00:31:10,502 --> 00:31:13,637 Donald: The car was very new 579 00:31:13,705 --> 00:31:16,506 Prior to being rented by vincent brothers. 580 00:31:16,508 --> 00:31:19,576 A couple others rented the car before him 581 00:31:19,578 --> 00:31:21,611 And we interviewed all these people 582 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:22,980 Leading up to the time 583 00:31:23,048 --> 00:31:24,648 When vincent brothers rented the car 584 00:31:24,650 --> 00:31:27,050 About where they traveled. 585 00:31:27,052 --> 00:31:30,720 All these people remained no further west 586 00:31:30,789 --> 00:31:32,557 Than michigan. 587 00:31:34,259 --> 00:31:37,929 We worked with the fbi to recover 588 00:31:37,996 --> 00:31:40,530 Parts of this vehicle, 589 00:31:40,599 --> 00:31:43,133 Radiator and air intakes. 590 00:31:43,201 --> 00:31:46,803 [dramatic music playing] 591 00:31:46,805 --> 00:31:49,472 Jeff: I contacted dr. Lynn kimsey, 592 00:31:49,541 --> 00:31:53,544 Chief entomologist at uc davis. 593 00:31:53,612 --> 00:31:56,214 Our question was if we send you this radiator, 594 00:31:56,281 --> 00:31:59,349 Can you please see if there's any bug parts on there 595 00:31:59,351 --> 00:32:01,351 That you can identify. 596 00:32:01,353 --> 00:32:04,154 And could you tell us where those bugs 597 00:32:04,222 --> 00:32:07,491 May primarily be located? 598 00:32:07,493 --> 00:32:09,961 Dr. Lynn: We do a lot of odd things in here, 599 00:32:10,028 --> 00:32:12,162 Working with the public and law enforcement 600 00:32:12,230 --> 00:32:16,433 In some cases, but this had to be the oddest. 601 00:32:16,435 --> 00:32:20,203 We didn't know if we'd be able to do this or not. 602 00:32:22,307 --> 00:32:24,574 So, we started one corner of the radiator. 603 00:32:24,576 --> 00:32:27,712 We found fragments of bugs and lacewings 604 00:32:27,779 --> 00:32:30,246 And the kinds of things that would fly at night, 605 00:32:30,315 --> 00:32:32,383 Which suggested that a lot of the driving 606 00:32:32,451 --> 00:32:34,250 Was done at night. 607 00:32:34,319 --> 00:32:37,588 Then the other things we found were insects 608 00:32:37,656 --> 00:32:39,322 Where just looking at the fragments, 609 00:32:39,391 --> 00:32:41,525 We had a pretty good idea that they were only found 610 00:32:41,593 --> 00:32:44,361 In the southwestern us. 611 00:32:46,331 --> 00:32:48,266 Jeff: That was another big moment 612 00:32:48,333 --> 00:32:49,799 In this investigation. 613 00:32:49,801 --> 00:32:54,338 Dr. Kimsey was able to identify three bugs. 614 00:32:55,641 --> 00:33:00,276 Those three bugs are only indigenous 615 00:33:00,278 --> 00:33:04,147 To areas west of the rocky mountains. 616 00:33:04,217 --> 00:33:08,218 So now we knew that rental car was in bakersfield 617 00:33:08,220 --> 00:33:11,288 Or at least the greater southern california area 618 00:33:11,290 --> 00:33:13,423 In a timeframe that's contemporaneous 619 00:33:13,425 --> 00:33:15,493 With the murders and a timeframe 620 00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:19,162 That vincent brothers could not account for 621 00:33:19,231 --> 00:33:21,232 Nor could he alibi himself for. 622 00:33:21,299 --> 00:33:24,401 [ominous music playing] 623 00:33:26,705 --> 00:33:29,706 Jeff: But we still need to build this case up a lot 624 00:33:29,708 --> 00:33:31,641 More than what we had. 625 00:33:31,710 --> 00:33:33,511 And figure out a motive, 626 00:33:33,578 --> 00:33:37,714 Why did a father kill his three children, 627 00:33:37,783 --> 00:33:39,650 His wife, his mother-in-law? 628 00:33:39,718 --> 00:33:42,652 So, we needed evidence to support 629 00:33:42,654 --> 00:33:45,588 That vincent brothers was in the house 630 00:33:45,657 --> 00:33:47,257 During the time of the murders 631 00:33:47,326 --> 00:33:50,527 On July 6th, 2003. 632 00:33:50,595 --> 00:33:52,729 So, we reached out to the community 633 00:33:52,798 --> 00:33:56,800 And said we need your help to solve this crime. 634 00:33:58,270 --> 00:33:59,803 [dramatic music playing] 635 00:33:59,871 --> 00:34:02,872 Donald: The community where this crime occurred 636 00:34:02,941 --> 00:34:04,742 Is what we call the east side 637 00:34:04,810 --> 00:34:09,345 And it's a lower income area and there's a lot of crime 638 00:34:09,414 --> 00:34:13,750 And somewhat of a distrust of law enforcement. 639 00:34:13,752 --> 00:34:17,154 So, residents in the area become conditioned 640 00:34:17,222 --> 00:34:20,424 To avoid talking to law enforcement. 641 00:34:21,893 --> 00:34:24,360 Jeff: But I think the impact of this case 642 00:34:24,429 --> 00:34:27,298 For the neighborhood as a couple weeks went by 643 00:34:27,365 --> 00:34:31,501 Allowed the community members to step up and tell us, 644 00:34:31,570 --> 00:34:34,036 When's the last time you saw him? 645 00:34:34,038 --> 00:34:37,374 Donald: One person, uh, worked at a rite aid 646 00:34:37,376 --> 00:34:41,778 And she said in the early evening of July 4th 647 00:34:41,847 --> 00:34:43,513 She saw brothers at her store 648 00:34:43,515 --> 00:34:44,981 And actually interacted with him. 649 00:34:44,983 --> 00:34:48,319 And then later that evening around midnight, 650 00:34:48,386 --> 00:34:52,156 Two other men who have known vincent brothers for many years 651 00:34:52,223 --> 00:34:55,925 Saw him in front of the house, the crime scene, 652 00:34:55,994 --> 00:34:58,262 Pacing around looking nervously 653 00:34:58,330 --> 00:35:00,864 For about 20 minutes. 654 00:35:00,866 --> 00:35:04,734 Jeff: Now, we had a lot of evidence 655 00:35:04,736 --> 00:35:06,736 Against vincent brothers, 656 00:35:06,738 --> 00:35:08,672 But I was trying to figure a motive, 657 00:35:08,740 --> 00:35:12,375 Why would he kill his entire family? 658 00:35:12,377 --> 00:35:16,479 We started to really dig into vincent brothers' life, 659 00:35:16,548 --> 00:35:18,414 His history, his education. 660 00:35:18,483 --> 00:35:23,820 We were literally interviewing hundreds of people. 661 00:35:23,822 --> 00:35:26,489 Donald: Vincent brothers was well known in the community, 662 00:35:26,491 --> 00:35:28,491 He was a vice principal of a school, 663 00:35:28,560 --> 00:35:31,629 Actively involved with school activities 664 00:35:31,696 --> 00:35:33,697 And the community itself. 665 00:35:33,699 --> 00:35:38,668 You might say he was a stellar citizen. 666 00:35:40,639 --> 00:35:42,372 Jeff: Through further investigation, 667 00:35:42,440 --> 00:35:45,842 We learned vincent was quite the ladies' man. 668 00:35:45,844 --> 00:35:49,379 All of the girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, 669 00:35:49,448 --> 00:35:51,781 Women that he had relationships with 670 00:35:51,850 --> 00:35:53,383 Were interviewed. 671 00:35:53,452 --> 00:35:55,519 Many of those relationships were concurrent 672 00:35:55,587 --> 00:35:58,855 And they were occurring months before the murders. 673 00:35:58,924 --> 00:36:01,057 They gave the impression that they really continue 674 00:36:01,059 --> 00:36:03,260 After the murders. 675 00:36:03,328 --> 00:36:07,698 Not of 'em really knew that the other women existed. 676 00:36:07,766 --> 00:36:12,068 He just had a baby with joanie 45 days prior 677 00:36:12,070 --> 00:36:15,738 But you're having affairs with these other women. 678 00:36:15,807 --> 00:36:18,408 In talking with peers that he worked with, 679 00:36:18,476 --> 00:36:22,478 He wasn't the nice person that he tried to present. 680 00:36:22,547 --> 00:36:24,681 And there were individuals we talked with, 681 00:36:24,749 --> 00:36:26,482 They were afraid of vincent brothers 682 00:36:26,551 --> 00:36:29,552 Or he had made threats to them. 683 00:36:29,621 --> 00:36:32,555 Donald: There is some prior evidence 684 00:36:32,557 --> 00:36:34,958 Of domestic violence involving vincent brothers 685 00:36:34,960 --> 00:36:39,562 In these prior relationships. 686 00:36:39,631 --> 00:36:41,898 Jeff: Vincent brothers was not the individual 687 00:36:41,967 --> 00:36:45,435 That he attempted to paint himself as. 688 00:36:45,504 --> 00:36:48,471 All of those appearances 689 00:36:48,540 --> 00:36:51,775 Started getting wiped away. 690 00:36:51,777 --> 00:36:54,378 Donald: I came across an incident involving 691 00:36:54,446 --> 00:36:57,847 A prior relationship with a woman 10 years 692 00:36:57,916 --> 00:37:00,717 Before the killings, who was the mother 693 00:37:00,785 --> 00:37:04,454 Of one of vincent brothers' children. 694 00:37:04,456 --> 00:37:07,525 In a court hearing, vincent brothers says, 695 00:37:07,592 --> 00:37:10,260 "I need my child support payments 696 00:37:10,329 --> 00:37:11,628 To this woman reduced 697 00:37:11,696 --> 00:37:13,463 Because I've got another child." 698 00:37:13,532 --> 00:37:15,765 And the judge substantially increased 699 00:37:15,834 --> 00:37:18,368 Vincent brothers' child support payments. 700 00:37:18,437 --> 00:37:23,439 It illustrated to me a desire to reduce his burden, 701 00:37:23,508 --> 00:37:28,412 His cost, because he led a freewheeling lifestyle 702 00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:32,882 With a number of different women and it lead me to believe 703 00:37:32,951 --> 00:37:35,753 That this may very well be the basis 704 00:37:35,820 --> 00:37:38,855 Or motive for the killings. 705 00:37:38,857 --> 00:37:42,560 He's got three young children he's gonna have to pay for. 706 00:37:42,627 --> 00:37:45,028 What better way in his twisted mind 707 00:37:45,030 --> 00:37:49,666 Than to murder everyone and avoid that expense. 708 00:37:54,772 --> 00:37:58,041 Jeff: In late April of 2004, 709 00:37:58,109 --> 00:38:00,777 I felt that we had enough compelling evidence 710 00:38:00,779 --> 00:38:03,179 To convince a jury that vincent brothers 711 00:38:03,181 --> 00:38:07,450 Was guilty of being a mass murderer. 712 00:38:07,519 --> 00:38:10,720 It was based upon that car that vincent rented. 713 00:38:10,789 --> 00:38:12,822 We have witnesses. 714 00:38:12,891 --> 00:38:15,958 The false alibi, his credit cards, 715 00:38:16,027 --> 00:38:19,096 Vincent brothers' affairs with other women. 716 00:38:19,164 --> 00:38:22,031 Donald: And vincent brothers illustrated a desire 717 00:38:22,033 --> 00:38:25,735 To reduce his burden, his child support payments, 718 00:38:25,737 --> 00:38:30,673 So he murdered everyone to avoid that expense. 719 00:38:30,675 --> 00:38:35,078 Jeff: We all agreed that we did have enough evidence 720 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:37,748 To support warrants for arrest. 721 00:38:40,151 --> 00:38:42,118 Reporter: Vincent brothers faces five charges 722 00:38:42,187 --> 00:38:45,021 Of first degree murder and a special charge 723 00:38:45,090 --> 00:38:47,825 Because of the multiple deaths. 724 00:38:47,892 --> 00:38:50,093 Jeff: He was subsequently booked at the kern county jail 725 00:38:50,162 --> 00:38:52,496 For five counts of murder one 726 00:38:52,564 --> 00:38:56,900 And that's where he sat in jail until trial 727 00:38:56,968 --> 00:39:00,169 Which began in January of 2007. 728 00:39:00,238 --> 00:39:03,239 [dramatic music playing] 729 00:39:03,241 --> 00:39:06,175 I was present every day of that trial. 730 00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:11,114 And the prosecution began making their case 731 00:39:11,182 --> 00:39:12,715 And they told the jury, 732 00:39:12,784 --> 00:39:14,917 The sequence of events for vincent 733 00:39:14,986 --> 00:39:19,856 On July 6th, 2003, the day of the murders. 734 00:39:19,924 --> 00:39:22,992 Donald: So, after church on Sunday, 735 00:39:22,994 --> 00:39:24,594 July 6th, 736 00:39:24,662 --> 00:39:27,730 Earnestine harper and joanie and the kids 737 00:39:27,799 --> 00:39:30,000 Went out to have lunch. 738 00:39:30,068 --> 00:39:34,003 And then came back home and took their naps. 739 00:39:34,072 --> 00:39:36,205 Jeff: And that's when vincent made entry to the residence 740 00:39:36,274 --> 00:39:39,743 Through the sliding glass door. 741 00:39:39,811 --> 00:39:42,145 Donald: And then vincent brothers 742 00:39:42,213 --> 00:39:45,081 Had made his way down the hallway 743 00:39:45,150 --> 00:39:47,150 Into the bedroom. 744 00:39:48,953 --> 00:39:51,687 Jeff: Where joanie and her three children 745 00:39:51,756 --> 00:39:54,223 Were sleeping. 746 00:39:54,292 --> 00:39:58,161 And joanie is shot and killed immediately 747 00:39:58,229 --> 00:40:01,198 And shot five times. 748 00:40:01,266 --> 00:40:03,966 And then vincent brothers shot and killed 749 00:40:04,035 --> 00:40:07,303 Lyndsey and marshall. 750 00:40:07,305 --> 00:40:09,640 Donald: There's a lot of noise, gunfire, screaming, 751 00:40:09,707 --> 00:40:12,909 And that prompted earnestine down the hall 752 00:40:12,911 --> 00:40:14,978 From her bedroom to emerge. 753 00:40:15,046 --> 00:40:18,716 She's probably yelling out announcing her approach 754 00:40:18,783 --> 00:40:20,783 With her antique revolver. 755 00:40:20,785 --> 00:40:23,019 That gives vincent brothers time 756 00:40:23,087 --> 00:40:24,754 To move down the hallway 757 00:40:24,823 --> 00:40:26,990 And shoot her twice. 758 00:40:28,927 --> 00:40:31,327 And then venture back to the bedroom 759 00:40:31,329 --> 00:40:34,664 Where marques was-- 760 00:40:34,666 --> 00:40:37,333 He was the final victim. 761 00:40:37,335 --> 00:40:40,937 Jeff: So, four-year-old marques was sitting there in bed 762 00:40:40,939 --> 00:40:45,608 Awake witnessing these other people being killed. 763 00:40:45,677 --> 00:40:48,678 And he is so terrified, 764 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:51,013 So scared that he bit 765 00:40:51,082 --> 00:40:55,084 Through his own finger into the bone. 766 00:40:55,153 --> 00:40:58,020 Donald: And then vincent brothers 767 00:40:58,089 --> 00:41:01,691 Shot marques at close range. 768 00:41:03,228 --> 00:41:06,729 And this guy is as evil as it gets. 769 00:41:08,766 --> 00:41:12,601 Avis: When you get the details of how it was done, 770 00:41:12,671 --> 00:41:15,371 It-it just--it just takes a lot out of you. 771 00:41:15,373 --> 00:41:19,208 I mean it just drained me. 772 00:41:19,277 --> 00:41:24,313 Michelle: It was very shocking and very hard to accept. 773 00:41:24,382 --> 00:41:28,252 [dramatic music playing] 774 00:41:28,319 --> 00:41:30,853 Jeff: After four months of trial, 775 00:41:30,855 --> 00:41:33,256 This case was given to the jury 776 00:41:33,258 --> 00:41:36,059 And deliberation lasted three days. 777 00:41:38,163 --> 00:41:41,130 Donald: Keep in mind this was the biggest investigation 778 00:41:41,132 --> 00:41:42,598 I'd ever dealt with. 779 00:41:42,667 --> 00:41:45,735 I was on pins and needles. 780 00:41:45,804 --> 00:41:48,004 Woman: First count, 781 00:41:48,073 --> 00:41:51,007 We the jury and panel tried the above-entitled cause 782 00:41:51,009 --> 00:41:53,409 Find the defendant, vincent edward brothers 783 00:41:53,411 --> 00:41:58,081 Guilty of felony to wit murder of earnestine harper 784 00:41:58,083 --> 00:42:03,085 And do hereby fix the degree as murder in the first degree. 785 00:42:03,154 --> 00:42:05,421 Second account, guilty of felony 786 00:42:05,423 --> 00:42:07,224 To wit murder of joanie harper 787 00:42:07,292 --> 00:42:09,626 And do hereby fix the degree as murder in the first degree-- 788 00:42:09,694 --> 00:42:10,960 Jeff: Marques harper, 789 00:42:11,029 --> 00:42:12,361 Murder in the first degree, guilty. 790 00:42:12,430 --> 00:42:13,764 Lyndsey harper, 791 00:42:13,831 --> 00:42:15,298 Murder in the first degree, guilty. 792 00:42:15,366 --> 00:42:16,799 Marshall harper, 793 00:42:16,801 --> 00:42:18,334 Murder in the first degree, guilty. 794 00:42:18,403 --> 00:42:22,138 [dramatic music playing] 795 00:42:22,207 --> 00:42:25,842 Michelle: The emotional rollercoaster was over. 796 00:42:25,844 --> 00:42:28,712 But it was still hard to grasp that concept 797 00:42:28,780 --> 00:42:32,181 Of a father killing his wife 798 00:42:32,250 --> 00:42:34,083 And three children. 799 00:42:42,093 --> 00:42:45,127 Jeff: I felt a huge obligation 800 00:42:45,197 --> 00:42:48,866 To make sure that this case was put together properly 801 00:42:48,933 --> 00:42:54,137 And fortunately we did the right job. 802 00:42:54,205 --> 00:42:56,340 So, I'm happy that, uh, it worked out 803 00:42:56,407 --> 00:42:59,009 The way it did. 804 00:42:59,077 --> 00:43:02,278 For the harper family, you know, I was grateful 805 00:43:02,347 --> 00:43:05,214 That, uh, you know, they were able to find some, 806 00:43:05,283 --> 00:43:08,417 You know, closure in this nightmare. 807 00:43:08,419 --> 00:43:10,820 It is a nightmare. 808 00:43:12,890 --> 00:43:14,758 Matthew: What would they have been? 809 00:43:14,826 --> 00:43:19,996 What if joanie had become an nba basketball official? 810 00:43:21,099 --> 00:43:23,366 Who knows what those children could have become. 811 00:43:23,434 --> 00:43:27,804 What would have happened had this not happened? 812 00:43:30,408 --> 00:43:33,977 Michelle: I've lost joanie and earnestine. 813 00:43:34,045 --> 00:43:37,180 I've lost my niece, my nephews. 814 00:43:37,248 --> 00:43:38,981 We were creating memories 815 00:43:39,050 --> 00:43:42,918 And we will always have those memories with us. 816 00:43:42,987 --> 00:43:47,156 But nothing's gonna bring them back.