All Episodes Discussion

[MsJamieDornan]

11 hours ago, TVbitch said:

I forget which show did this case more extensively recently (maybe a 2-hour 20/20?), but in that one Ashley came off as way more unstable and paranoid, accusing Doug of things that there was no evidence he had done. I think all that stuff really came back to bite her, not to mention she did not make a good witness on the stand, with no real tears

I remember seeing it also, and Ashley was completely crazy (IMO).

[badgerwoman]

12 hours ago, MsJamieDornan said:

I remember seeing it also, and Ashley was completely crazy (IMO).

that can all  be the editing.  But both Ashley and Doug clearly had issues of their own.

[chick binewski]

14 hours ago, MsJamieDornan said:

I remember seeing it also, and Ashley was completely crazy (IMO).

Hard to believe since that therapist who served as Ashley's Dateline spokesperson and had her patient move in with her seemed super qualified. /s

I think a couple who meet cute by showing off their guns at a Ben Carson party are likely to have some issues. Doug didn't sound like someone I'd be interested in knowing but I did not buy Ashley's theatrics. At all.

 

[Mondrianyone]

I love how Ashley had two lawyers and a shrink on speed dial so speedy that they showed up practically before the cops did. Would it be wrong to think that smelled of premeditation?

[JudyObscure]

14 hours ago, chick binewski said:

I think a couple who meet cute by showing off their guns at a Ben Carson party are likely to have some issues.

Well said.  I feel sorry for the jury.  A man who would punch a Golden Retriever, a woman who faked sobbing on the witness stand, a house with guns everywhere. Somebody was going to end up dead.

[iMonrey]

4 hours ago, JudyObscure said:

a woman who faked sobbing on the witness stand,

I'm not sure how much to read into so-called "fake sobbing." A person can get emotional and choked up, and find it difficult to speak, without literally shedding tears. That doesn't necessarily mean he or she is faking that emotion. And those prosecutors were so damn proud of themselves for turning up the lights and yelling "no tears! No tears!" like it was their real "gotcha" moment.

I keep circling back to motive because nobody on the police or prosecution side ever offered any potential one. If there had been some sort of life insurance policy up for grabs, or if she stood to gain financially in some other way, then I'd be more inclined to suspect premeditation on her part. 

[Mondrianyone]

40 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

I keep circling back to motive because nobody on the police or prosecution side ever offered any potential one.

I assumed custody of the child was the motive. The police officer testified that she said she'd do anything to make sure she kept the little girl (ending by calling him an asshole). I had the general feeling she was used to getting no less than whatever she wanted.

[iMonrey]

On 11/18/2024 at 11:31 AM, Mondrianyone said:

I assumed custody of the child was the motive. The police officer testified that she said she'd do anything to make sure she kept the little girl (ending by calling him an asshole). I had the general feeling she was used to getting no less than whatever she wanted.

But the cop in question never put that in his report, they made a point of that. And yeah we've seen murders over child custody before but why would she have resorted to murder unless she truly feared for the child's safety? Maybe she's just crazy but by his own admission the guy had a violent streak.

[ButterQueen]

I didn’t believe Ashley’s story one bit.  

[TVbitch]

Where did I see Friday's before? I think the one I saw was more focused on the victims hip hop club and him trying to be popular in that scene. 

[Realitystarr]

Yea the dad looked familiar to me but I can't place it now and it was obvious the FIANCE was the killer from the start.

I googled  it and he  has still not  admitted his motive for killing her. I'm thinking she was going to break up with him or maybe he thought she was cheating.

Guess we'll never know.

[TVbitch]

Rerun about Nicholas Rossi, with an update in last 15 minutes. It absolutley galls me that this guy is STILL abusing the court system, wasting what has to be millions of dollars at this point. ...And now they're going to offer him a deal!

[badgerwoman]

On 12/15/2024 at 6:28 PM, TVbitch said:

Rerun about Nicholas Rossi, with an update in last 15 minutes. It absolutley galls me that this guy is STILL abusing the court system, wasting what has to be millions of dollars at this point. ...And now they're going to offer him a deal!

I finally watched the update.  It is all pretty infuriating that he's gotten away with such much stuff for so long.  the best thing about a plea deal is he wouldn't be able to use a court case for more publicity.   

 

On 12/15/2024 at 6:28 PM, TVbitch said:

Rerun about Nicholas Rossi, with an update in last 15 minutes. It absolutley galls me that this guy is STILL abusing the court system, wasting what has to be millions of dollars at this point. ...And now they're going to offer him a deal!

 

[iMonrey]

On 12/15/2024 at 6:28 PM, TVbitch said:

Rerun about Nicholas Rossi, with an update in last 15 minutes. It absolutley galls me that this guy is STILL abusing the court system, wasting what has to be millions of dollars at this point. ...And now they're going to offer him a deal!

I still can't believe he had the chutzpah to do an actual Dateline interview with Andrea while pretending to be that British guy. 

[iMonrey]

Was "Left for Dead" new? I could swear I've seen it before. Amber (the victim) had a very distinctive facial piercing. On her upper lip, halfway between her mouth and her nose. I couldn't imagine where the other side of that thing came out or how she could stand it rubbing up against her gums.

The way they kept showing her "friend" Aric's photo made me think he would be messed up in this somehow. I still think he should be charged as an accessory for leaving her there in the park when he couldn't wake her up! Some friend.

And I have no idea why the jury didn't find Sam guilty of attempted murder when they found him guilty on all other charges. Sheesh.

Amber's friend Kirstie had a permanent surprise face.

[Medicine Crow]

38 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

Was "Left for Dead" new? I could swear I've seen it before. Amber (the victim) had a very distinctive facial piercing. On her upper lip, halfway between her mouth and her nose. I couldn't imagine where the other side of that thing came out or how she could stand it rubbing up against her gums.

The way they kept showing her "friend" Aric's photo made me think he would be messed up in this somehow. I still think he should be charged as an accessory for leaving her there in the park when he couldn't wake her up! Some friend.

And I have no idea why the jury didn't find Sam guilty of attempted murder when they found him guilty on all other charges. Sheesh.

Amber's friend Kirstie had a permanent surprise face.

No, it wasn't new & I had to turn off the TV & research the story because it seemed so familiar.  I'd seen it before & knew how it ended, so ...

[LuvMyShows]

On 12/18/2024 at 11:59 AM, iMonrey said:

I still can't believe he had the chutzpah to do an actual Dateline interview with Andrea while pretending to be that British guy. 

What cracked me up about that, was how his accent (which was terrible to start with), would come and go. When he got on a roll of what he was talking about, the accent all but disappeared.

With all his terribleness, the thing that actually stuck with me from the episode was that female who contracted with him at $7K/mo for some sort of consulting, and after having received literally zero product from him (and receiving lots of excuses), kept paying him $7k for many more months!  She seemed intelligent, so I was just floored that she kept paying him. And it wasn't even a situation where she knew he did such good work that it was worth it in the hopes of the future good work, cause she simply hired him because of qualities in his resume.

Oh yeah, there was one more thing that stuck with me, and that was the incredulity on the part of the detectives (?), that his wife was in on the whole con of pretending to be British and trying to escape justice for what he'd done. 

[heatherchandler]

On 10/21/2024 at 5:58 PM, Annber03 said:

I would never dream of standing outside a courthouse and harassing the people involved in the trial or making a big show and a big to do out of everything. There is a limit to that interest and involvement, and way too many people seem to have no concept of boundaries with this stuff. 

I’d normally agree with you, but after listening to “The 13th Juror” podcast, where the host goes way further into the evidence and coverup..  I’m ready to join the crazy group!  Dateline did not do a thorough job with this.

Also the judge is beyond biased towards the cop family.  It’s infuriating to read and hear.  The Google search by Jenn McCabe was the biggest hit to the commonwealth case.  The cops and wives all deleted texts and calls, and so much more.

I have to say, this is quite the group of functioning alcoholics.  

[patty1h]

"The Secrets of Birch View Drive" is listed as NEW on my cable guide but I'm sure I heard about this story before.  The beginning with the neighbors talking about Connie Dabate is straight deja vu. 

Dateline tomfoolery or my mind playing tricks on me... this is a retread, right?

EDIT:  This episode aired back in 2022:  see page 188 for original comments 

Edited January 4 by patty1h

[Annber03]

Yeah, this story sounded vaguely familiar to me, too, but I don't know if it's been covered on here before or if it's been covered on another show. 

[Irlandesa]

It says "new" but the date I see associated with it is 1/6/23 so about two years ago.  The details feel familiar but the episode doesn't so I don't know if I've seen this before or just seen similar crimes. (Although I'm now at the wallet moment and it's feeling even more familiar so maybe I have seen this.)

[badgerwoman]

16 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

It says "new" but the date I see associated with it is 1/6/23 so about two years ago.  The drretails feel familiar but the episode doesn't so I don't know if I've seen this before or just seen similar crimes. (Although I'm now at the wallet moment and it's feeling even more familiar so maybe I have seen this.)

I remember the original airing, but watched again.  It still amazes me anyone thought the husband wasn't guilty.  

[AZChristian]

It wasn't familiar to me at all, but I'm lucky if I can remember what I had for breakfast.

Did anyone ever ask the husband why "Vin Diesel" didn't shoot him as well as the wife?

All of those details about different data collecting devices pretty much telling the same location and time information . . . and the defense attorney says, "that stuff isn't reliable."

My favorite part was when the dog went from the wallet in the back yard straight to the husband.  Then, as a double-check, they started the dog again from the wallet, and he again went straight to the husband . . . who by this time had been moved to the back of an ambulance.  I wonder if that was brought up in court.

Those jurors must not have had much argument, since they came up with a guilty verdict in less than a day of deliberating.

[Annber03]

32 minutes ago, AZChristian said:

Did anyone ever ask the husband why "Vin Diesel" didn't shoot him as well as the wife?

My mom kept wondering about that, too. Especially given all the supposed torture he was going through beforehand - like, you're telling me an intruder like that, who tortures the husband and shoots and kills the wife, isn't going to try and ensure that the husband's dead, too? And even then, still doesn't wind up getting away with much, if this is supposedly a home invasion/robbery*? Like, this is clearly a really nice house and these people are clearly well off, so surely an intruder would try and ensure they get away with something of significance. 

Also, the husband talking about calling out to his wife when she got home - aside from the fact the timeline's all wonky and indicates she was home for a lot longer before the actual supposed scuffle happened, why would he risk alerting the intruders to her presence like that? I get wanting to warn your wife and telling her to get out, but surely there would've been another way to do that that wouldn't draw the intruder's attention to her. Same with running down the stairs, like, if you know your wife is down there and you're being held captive by an intruder upstairs, why are you engaging the intruders by running downstairs?

*I wondered at one point if the police had ever considered that he was telling the truth when he said he didn't shoot his wife...but only because he'd hired someone else to kill her instead. That would've fit with his claim of a home intruder and would've explained why he survived but she didn't, and why nothing of note was taken from the house (save for, what, the husband's wallet?).

I also noticed, when they played the clip of his initial interview from shortly after the murder, he said somehting like, "And then I heard somebody - the cats, I thought, making noise upstairs...". Felt a bit like a slipup on his part. 

Quote

All of those details about different data collecting devices pretty much telling the same location and time information . . . and the defense attorney says, "that stuff isn't reliable."

Yeah, that was a really flimsy response to that argument. 

My favorite was him claming there'd be no motive because the mistress was like, "I won't tell anyone who the dad is" and wasn't trying to force him to stay with her or leave his wife. Even if that's true...she's still pregnant. One way or another, eventually that secret will come out. One way or another, his wife will likely eventually learn that he had an affair and got another woman pregnant. And even if she doesn't learn that information, that's still a pretty big secre that's going to be hanging over his head and affecting his relationship with his wife all the same in some form, and no way is he going to want to deal with that. 

Plus, if he thinks his mistress is pulling away from him and he wants to be with her instead of his wife, I mean...that's plenty enough reason for murder right there. If he really wants to be with this other woman, he'll do whatever he needs to do to ensure that'll happen. 

To say nothing of how his initial explanation for this affair was that he and his wife had supposedly agreed for him to sleep with someone else and get them pregnant so that he and his wife could have a baby. Nobody was buying that explanation, and the fact that he was already telling lies about the affair, well... An affair doesn't make you a murderer, no, but in this particular instance, it sure as hell doesn't help his claim of innocence. 

Edited January 5 by Annber03

[pdlinda]

On 1/3/2025 at 9:11 PM, Annber03 said:

Yeah, this story sounded vaguely familiar to me, too, but I don't know if it's been covered on here before or if it's been covered on another show. 

I wondered the same thing because it's a common practice for the "true crime" shows to have "copycat" episodes of the same cases.

[Irlandesa]

It was clearly a "spouse fakes break-in to skill spouse" theme weekend for Dateline with last night's repeat.

[Pi237]

Soon as he said Vin Diesel, I knew this was a repeat. So sick of these shows being listed as New when they’re not. 
 

Anyway, a major tell for me that he was lying was when he said, “used my Own damn tools on me!”  That’s such a guy detail to throw in that he’d think would make it sound more believable. Like all the dudes would reply, ‘Your own tools!?! Dang, that’s cold!’🤣  I can’t explain why, but I nearly laughed out loud when he said that. 
 

80% of these shows = boyfriend/husband did it.  But it’s always interesting to see the boneheaded ways they go about trying to cover it up.   
 

 

[iMonrey]

On 1/3/2025 at 10:02 PM, patty1h said:

"The Secrets of Birch View Drive" is listed as NEW on my cable guide but I'm sure I heard about this story before.  The beginning with the neighbors talking about Connie Dabate is straight deja vu. 

The husband looked like a deranged serial killer in every photo they showed of him. I swear, if you were casting a movie about a murderer and looking at head shots, you'd pick this guy to play him. It's weird how some killers just have crazy killer faces.

[GiandujaPie]

Re: Nicholas Ross/Arthur Knight 

I remember watching the original episode and I did watch the update from last month from the beginning as my husband didn't remember much of it.  The timeline of his many crimes/frauds/identities was confusing to me. I also wonder at how he was able to dupe Nafsika, the vegan woman, into hiring him for so much money. She claims he came with glowing reviews on whatever website she found him on, but if he was a fraud, where did those reviews/references come from? Was the website not a reputable one and it's easy to fake those references? Seems pretty reckless to pay someone so much money based off online references/reviews from a website that doesn't seem to have any way to verify if they are authentic. 

His current wife Miranda has not been charged but now that he's changed his story and admits to being Nicholas Rossi and not Arthur Knight, what does she have to say for herself? If she hasn't left him or disavowed him, seems to me that is pretty strong indication that she was in on the whole scam to begin with. 

[MsJamieDornan]

UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Nicholas Rossi, the man who was extradited from Scotland to Utah to face 2008 rape allegations, will be in court later this year after Utah County lawyers confirmed Tuesday that plea deal discussions are permanently off the table.

This was posted on 1/7/25

[Ohmo]

Gary Farris

While I do think the son Scott was sketchy, I think Melody killed Gary.  Melody actively and publicly accusing Scott, her own child, gives a window into her own thinking.  Her declarations go beyond simply being ticked off at Scott for mooching off his dad.  She's ready to throw Scott under the bus for murder.

Scott may have issues with money, but I don't get a "cunning" vibe from him.  If Melody was willing to accuse Scott, I buy that she's also manipulated her youngest daughter and used that piece of equipment to move the body.

Gary threatened to cut Scott off, but he hadn't actually done it yet.

I'm surprised Gary didn't have a will.  Maybe because he wasn't as cash rich as he appeared?

Edited Monday at 02:26 AM by Ohmo

[Ohmo]

Quote

During the trial, prosecutors alleged that the Farrises had been arguing about money, and Melody's two previous affairs that were revealed during the investigation had strained their relationship. Melody was also the beneficiary of Gary's $2 million life insurance policy, the Tribune Ledger previously reported, and police testified that they found a trail of blood in the couple's home.

Prominent Attorney's Wife Sentenced to Life in Prison After Being Found Guilty of Murdering Him, Burning His Body

 

ETA:

https://www.courttv.com/title/melody-farris-defense-attorney-discusses-jury-feedback-next-steps/

Court TV interview with Melody's defense attorney

Edited Saturday at 05:20 AM by Ohmo

[Peanut6711]

I can buy that Melody shot her husband, but no way do I buy that she moved the body.  Even using that tractor across the property to the burn pile, she still would have had to get him out of the house.  She had help for sure, and I wasn't buying those crocodile tears from her spoiled sons.  With her out of the way, they inherit. Makes for motive for me.

Also, I hate when judges send the jury who can't reach a verdict back to try again. That never feels like an honest verdict to me. It's more someone(s) giving in than agreeing.  People want to go home to their families and lives, not to mention stronger personalities may sway more passive ones. 

Edited Saturday at 06:01 AM by Peanut6711

[Annber03]

16 minutes ago, Peanut6711 said:

I can buy that Melody shot her husband, but no way do I buy that she moved the body.  Even using that tractor across the property to the burn pile, she still would have had to get him out of the house.  She had help for sure, and I wasn't buying those crocodile tears from her spoiled sons.  With her out of the way, they inherit. Makes for motive for me.

My mom had issue with this aspect, too. If Melody alone were responsible for this, my mom wondered if it was possible that the shooting started in the house, but the final and deadly shot happened by the burn pile. 

But yeah, whatever happened, I agree she didn't act alone. 

Also, I heard the term "Big Daddy" far more often tonight than I really wanted to. 

[badgerwoman]

9 hours ago, Annber03 said:

My mom had issue with this aspect, too. If Melody alone were responsible for this, my mom wondered if it was possible that the shooting started in the house, but the final and deadly shot happened by the burn pile. 

But yeah, whatever happened, I agree she didn't act alone. 

Also, I heard the term "Big Daddy" far more often tonight than I really wanted to. 

I also think there was some help given by someone.

I couldn't help wonder why he never filed for divorce.  Clearly he didn't trust his wife anymore, and she didn't care for him .  I understood why she stayed - money - but why did he?

 

[Cementhead]

I went to bed before this one finished but I guessed it was the wife who did it based solely on that miserable looking face of hers in her own daughter's wedding photo that they kept showing over & over.  Superficial, I know, but that picture told me everything I needed to know about that woman. 

9 hours ago, Annber03 said:

Also, I heard the term "Big Daddy" far more often tonight than I really wanted to. 

Part of the reason why I just turned it off and went to bed. 

10 minutes ago, badgerwoman said:

I couldn't help wonder why he never filed for divorce.  Clearly he didn't trust his wife anymore, and she didn't care for him .  I understood why she stayed - money - but why did he?

One of the sons in his police interview said that his dad was in love with his mom right up until the day he died.  Why, I have no idea.

[Irlandesa]

13 hours ago, Peanut6711 said:

Also, I hate when judges send the jury who can't reach a verdict back to try again. That never feels like an honest verdict to me.

I think it depends on how long they've deliberated.  If they hadn't been in there long enough to review the evidence again, then I think it's fair to ask them to try some more. 

But if they have...

14 hours ago, Ohmo said:

I'm surprised Gary didn't have a will.  Maybe because he wasn't as cash rich as he appeared?

That was the defense attorney's position--that she had no incentive to kill him because more money came in when he was working.  It's probably true that he didn't have a tone of cash if he didn't have life insurance but I bet that farm could be sold for a pretty penny.  It appeared to be lovely.

4 hours ago, badgerwoman said:

I couldn't help wonder why he never filed for divorce.  Clearly he didn't trust his wife anymore, and she didn't care for him .  I understood why she stayed - money - but why did he?

The sons claimed love and that's probably the case.  There's also habit.  And there's also probably money.  They'd been married for a long time.  It seems like she was a SAHM for all that time.  Even if the house wasn't in her name, they were married when they bought it.  Unless he had her sign some kind of postnup, she'd likely be entitled to half of its value and alimony. 

[TVbitch]

Wow, an actual new episode! And good job making it look like Scott was being interviewed from jail.

Melody sure had no problems lying to police over and over. Except maybe for the daughters, this poor guy seemed like he was mostly an ATM to a bunch of bloodsuckers. Scott in particular, seems pretty happy and bouyant now that things have worked out in his favor. Wish they would have said what's become of the farm.

[Ohmo]

16 hours ago, Annber03 said:

But yeah, whatever happened, I agree she didn't act alone. 

To me, that was a failing of the defense, that Melody didn't say she and Scott acted together.  I don't know if they did or not, but with Melody putting ALL the blame on Scott, that made her look cold and cunning.  People may have a hard time believing Melody acted alone, but it's also difficult to believe she was completely innocent.

[JudyObscure]

On 1/18/2025 at 1:17 AM, Annber03 said:

If Melody alone were responsible for this, my mom wondered if it was possible that the shooting started in the house, but the final and deadly shot happened by the burn pile. 

Good idea. That would tie in with the trail of blood down the stairs and on the door jam.  I can picture Melody holding a gun on Gary telling him to go outside and walk to the burn pile, Gary not taking her seriously until she shot his arm or something, then him walking ahead of her all the way.

I do think defense attorneys work the "she was too old, too small, too sick" angle to a silly degree.  We all know people can summon strength when they have to.  Melody was hardly seen on the fourth, she might have been in bed with sore muscles most of that day.  Also, a "120 pound woman" is probably no weaker than a 180 pound woman covered in fat. I weighed 110 most of my adult life and was able to move furniture around whenever I felt like it, using sliders and sheets, etc.

Whoever killed Gary, Melody was such a terrible wife and mother, and such a huge constant liar, I don't care if she sits in jail for 30 years.

[iMonrey]

I was surprised Rusty the boyfriend wasn't charged as an accomplice. I know they said he had an alibi but who knows who provided it or how legit it was. He seemed the most likely candidate to help move the body. Either that or investigators were just dead wrong about Gary being shot in the house and moved to the burn pile. The blood evidence in the house might have been from a previous wound, as the defense claimed. If Gary was out attending to the burn pile, Melody might have simply walked down to it and shot him on the spot.

Theory #2 is that one or both sons were in on it and they just threw each other under the bus to investigators. The brothers seemed suspiciously performative in their interrogation videos. And obviously Melody could not admit she had any part in the murder so she couldn't confess she and her son were in on it together. 

I think I actually lean a bit towards that scenario. If there was no will then Melody automatically inherits everything, so the sons have no motive unless Melody agreed to split the money with them.