Episode Guide

The first of these stories features Denise Holsinger, who was convicted, along with her boyfriend Michael Clagett, in the fatal shooting of four people at the Witchduck Inn. Denise has no contact with her three children or her ex-husband and still insists that she was not the mastermind that Clagett made her out to be.

Vanessa Crawley and her husband Chris allegedly lured a man into their car on the pretence that he would be given a ride home and with the intention of selling Chris and his two friends marijuana. Vanessa claims she stayed in the car and watched in horror as Chris allegedly pulled the man out of the car, robbed him and shot him five times point blank.

Both Vanessa and Chris were charged with murder, but Chris pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 years. Vanessa’s trial took place two and half years after the crime. She was given a guilty verdict and a 33-year sentence.

The first of two stories in this episode features Stacey Lannert, who was convicted of murder in 1992. Stacey grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. According to Stacey, her father began to molest her in the basement of their home when Stacey was eight years old.

Convinced by her father that her mother knew about the abuse and didn’t care, Stacey kept quiet. On the night of 3rd July 1990, Stacey and her sister returned to their home after being out with friends. Stacey says she could no longer take the abuse and took her father’s gun and shot him twice, fatally wounding him.

Stacey confessed to the police and agreed to do a video re-enactment of the crime. She was convicted of murder in the first degree and received a life sentence without parole. She is hoping to be granted clemency by the Governor of Missouri.

Charaty White grew up in a depressed neighbourhood of St. Louis, Missouri, where the streets were filled with violence and crime. She left home at 15, became a member of a gang, assumed the nickname “Baby Doll”, and was known to the police for drug dealing, burglary and carrying a weapon.

When a double-cross drug deal went bad, Charaty and her boyfriend Demetrius were involved in a murder. In an effort to keep Demetrius from being convicted, Charaty, along with two of her girlfriends, fatally tortured and stabbed 19-year-old Danielle Montgomery, who had become a “secret witness” to the police.

Charaty is now serving a life sentence without parole for the murder.
 

The first of the two stories in this episode features Cindy Countess, who was convicted of murder in 2004. Cindy grew up in Virginia, moving to Las Vegas in the 1990s to pursue a career as a model and singer.

In 2001, 43-year-old Cindy Countess moved back home to care for her ailing, elderly mother. Exhausted and depressed by her mother's unrelenting demands, Cindy was put on anti-depressants, but had not been taking her medication consistently.

On 2nd May 2002, Cindy claims that she put her mother to bed and had two drinks. Soon thereafter, according to police, a violent fight broke out that ended with the death of Cindy's mother.

The prosecution claimed that Cindy murdered her mother and in April 2004, she was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Cindy claims she couldn’t be capable of such an act and that she doesn’t remember killing her mother.

On the night of 10th December 2000, Jennifer Blake and her boyfriend Corey Jackson allegedly suffocated and strangled Jennifer’s mother in her bathroom. Jennifer denies murdering her mother, claiming that when she awoke on 11th December, her mother was already dead. She does admit that she helped Corey Jackson dispose of the body though.

Almost a month after the murder, police arrested Jennifer and Jackson, charging them with first-degree murder. In exchange for testimony against Jennifer, Jackson plead guilty to second-degree murder.

On 11 January 2002, Jennifer was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. She still maintains her innocence.

The first of two stories in this episode features Rose Ann Parker, convicted of murder in 1986. Rose, the daughter of a preacher, grew up in Ontario, California. Drawn to showbiz, she eventually became involved with Art Boga, a wealthy man who threw frequent parties attended by the entertainment elite.

For four years, Rose had an on-and-off relationship with Art, which included using drugs with him. In 1986, after learning she was pregnant, Rose decided to break things off for good and get clean. But things quickly turned bad again when Art showed up and the two went on a drug binge that lasted four days.

When Rose’s brother tried to intervene, a fight broke out, and Rose, fearing for her life, fatally shot Art in the shoulder. Rose confessed to the murder and was sentenced to 27 years in prison for murder.

After 15 years as a model inmate, she was released from prison in December 2000. She has since returned to her roots and become a religious counselor and minister.

Celeste Fox grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. She was pulled out of school early to help take care of her siblings, and as Celeste tells it, experienced abuse at the hands of her mother.

As an adult, Celeste struggled to make ends meet and became addicted to drugs. Her grandmother tried to help out by giving Celeste a place to live in exchange for doing odd jobs. But on 2nd June 2001, Celeste and her grandmother got into a fight.

Celeste claims that after the argument, she went to visit a neighbour and stayed away for the rest of the night, getting high on cocaine. The following day, Celeste’s grandmother was found dead in her home.

Celeste quickly became the prime suspect in the murder after it was determined that she had stolen her grandmother’s jewelry for drug money. She was charged with first-degree murder and given a 25-year sentence. Although she pleaded “no contest”, Celeste still maintains she is innocent.
 

The first of these two stories features Peggy Hilt, who was charged with murder in 2006. Peggy and her husband Chris adopted a little girl from Russia, who immediately exhibited behavioural issues. In July 2005, while Chris was at work, an emotionally unstable Peggy snapped and, according to police records, savagely beat her two-year-old daughter, who died the next day. Peggy confessed and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Her projected release date is set for 2022.

When Susan D’Aquila was 30 years old, she married her best friend Tony D’Aquila, a 56 year old, physically disabled groundskeeper. About six months after the wedding, in May of 1986, Tony, Susan and four of Susan’s friends, went to Hoffman Dam on the Des Plaines River in Illinois. Tony, who had difficulty swimming, drowned in the river.

One of the friends confessed to authorities that he and Susan had pushed Tony into the water. Susan was convicted of murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison. Susan still maintains she is innocent.
 

First up we look at Delpha Spunaugle, a woman convicted of murder in 1993. According to police, Delpha, a former High School valedictorian, had made two attempts to solicit help in murdering her fourth husband, Dennis Spunaugle. Then she found Edwin Woodward, with whom she beat, stabbed and strangled Dennis.

Delpha denies participating in his murder but does admit to helping to dispose of the body. She was charged with capital murder and given the death penalty. Two years later, in exchange for pleading guilty, she was given life without parole.

Carmen Ortiz grew up in a poor neighbourhood on the North side of Chicago and by the time she was in her mid-twenties, she was single mum to a daughter and strung out on heroin. In January 1998, Carmen met Oswaldo Gonzalez, a fellow drug user and Chicago gang member. Carmen became Oswaldo’s lookout while he robbed and murdered Antoni Rafalo, a Polish immigrant, outside a liquor store.

When police questioned Carmen about a rash of burglaries in which Oswaldo was a suspect, she confessed to being present at the murder of Rafalo. She was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
 

The first of the two stories in this episode features Virginia Twenter, who was convicted of murder in 1988. Twenty six year old Virginia, a divorced mother of two, was having trouble making ends meet. On 5th May 1998, her father and stepmother were found dead, and Virginia became the prime suspect.

She claims she did not commit the murders, but when circumstantial evidence pointed to possible financial motives, she was found guilty of both murders. Her initial sentence was later reduced to two life terms without the possibility of parole, and Virginia still holds onto hope that she will ultimately be exonerated.

Diane Metzger met her husband Frank when she was 21 years old. He was estranged from his wife, Marti, and their three sons. A year later Diane and Frank moved in together, but Frank missed his other sons and wanted to regain custody. On 28th August 1974, Frank entered Marti’s home while Diane waited in the car. A struggle ensued and Frank beat Marti with a flashlight and suffocated her. Frank and Diane fled the scene along with the boys.

Six weeks later, when the couple got wind that the authorities were looking for them, they drove the boys to a hotel, abandoned them there, and fled to Idaho where they were ultimately arrested. In 1976 Frank and Diane were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.

At Diane’s trial, Frank Metzger took total responsibility for the killing and continues to do so to this day. Diane maintains she did not know Frank was going to kill Marti that night and hopes to be given clemency.
 

The first of the two stories in this episode features Patricia Johnson, who was found guilty in the shooting dead of her husband in 1991. Patricia was married twice and divorced twice, but both relationships were characterised by addiction or abuse. Patricia then married her third husband, Peter Johnson, but like the other marriages, it quickly became abusive.

In 1991 Patricia shot and killed Peter in their home. She was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 29 years. Patricia was given a new trial in 2006 and her conviction was reduced to second-degree murder.

From an early age there were signs that Rebecca Bivens had severe mood swings. As an adult, the mother of four was finally admitted to a psychiatric centre, where she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Claiming that prescription medication made her lethargic, she stopped her medication and continued her pattern of extreme emotional states. After getting divorced in 1995, her children went to live with relatives, and Rebecca remarried.

On the morning of 17th November 1998, Rebecca was getting her five year old stepdaughter, Dani, ready for school when the two began to argue. Rebecca snapped and fatally beat Dani. She was charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. An appeal reduced her time to 40 years.

Deborah Pieringer was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. As an adult, she ran into financial troubles and began to lean on her parents, Agnes and Loyd Courtney, for loans. On the morning of 2nd November 2001, Deborah stopped by her parent’s home for a visit. According to Deborah, when she left, both her parents were alive. Later that afternoon, authorities found Agnes and Loyd murdered; the cause of death was multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

DNA evidence ultimately led investigators back to the couple’s own daughter as the murderer. Deborah was eventually convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. Deborah maintains her innocence.

Maryann Acker, a recent high school graduate, was living in Phoenix, Arizona, when she met and fell in love with William Acker. According to testimony, Acker hid his extensive criminal past from Maryann.

The couple married and went to Hawaii for a honeymoon, but when it was time to return to the States, Maryann claims William forced her to take part in a scheme to rob tourists to fund their stay. One of their victims was Laurence Hasker. The couple met him at a hotel bar, robbed him, and according to Maryann, William then shot Laurence and dumped the body. The pair then headed back to the States where police say the couple robbed and killed another victim, Cesario Arauza.

In a dramatic case of "he said, she said", both Maryann and William blamed each other for the two murders. Maryann was ultimately found guilty of both murders. William was found guilty of the California murder, but in exchange for his testimony against Maryann in the Hasker trial in Hawaii, the charges against him were dropped.

William is currently in prison serving time for the California murder. Maryann is currently in prison serving time for the two murders, while awaiting a retrial for the murder of Laurence Hasker.

After three failed marriages, Celeste Johnson married multi-millionaire Steven Beard in Austin, Texas in 1995. Despite the 38-year age difference, the couple seemed like the perfect match. But soon their relationship began to deteriorate.

In 1999, after a confrontation over money, Celeste threatened suicide and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. During her stay, she befriended a fellow patient, Tracey Tarlton. The two women allegedly began an affair and Celeste asked Tracey to kill her aging husband.

On the night of 2nd October 1999, police received a 911 call from the Beard residence. Steven Beard had been shot and eventually died from complications while recovering from his wounds. Evidence led investigators to Tracey Tarlton, who told prosecutors that Celeste had convinced her to shoot Steven.

Celeste was arrested, found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, although she maintains she had nothing to do the shooting.

In 1995, 55 year old Bernice Ahrens was a lonely widow living in Houston, Texas with her two adult children, Hope and Craig. Through her job, she met 44 year old Suzanne Basso, and over the next few years, the two became friends.

In 1998, authorities say Suzanne met a 59 year old mentally impaired man named Buddy Musso while visiting relatives in New Jersey. She convinced Buddy to move to Texas so they could be married, but the marriage never happened. Instead, as soon as Buddy arrived, Suzanne began abusing him and laying claim to his finances.

In August of that year, Suzanne moved Buddy and her son James into the Ahrens’ apartment. What happened next was what police called one of the worst cases of torture they had ever seen.

According to testimony, over the next five days, Suzanne ordered the group - which included Bernice, Craig, Hope, Hope’s fiancé, and Suzanne’s son - to torture Buddy. He was beaten, burned and finally killed.

Bernice confessed to police she did participate in some of the abuse, but said that Suzanne was the ringleader, commanding everyone at gunpoint. Suzanne was found guilty and sentenced to death; at this time, no date has been set for her execution. Bernice was convicted of murder and received a sentence of 80 years.

The first of two stories in this episode features Roena Ashing, who was charged with murder in 1992. Roena was born and raised in Granite City, Illinois. After 17 years of marriage, she got a divorce from her husband and as a single mother of three worked as a cab driver.

One of her customers, a 57 year old disabled man named Tom Bauer, accused her of stealing $500. According to police reports, Roena had enlisted the help of her 25 year old boyfriend, Jeff Ramsey, and a group of his friends to stop Bauer from going to police about the alleged theft by murdering him.

The following day Bauer was found dead in his home, which had been engulfed in flames. Two members of Jeff’s crew confessed to police and implicated Roena as the mastermind.

Fearing the death penalty, Roena pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Her term has been reduced to 20 years and she is expected to be released in 2012. She maintains she had nothing to do with the murder.

Connie Keel, who grew up in Santa Monica, California, began dating Ricky Keel when she was 15. At 16 she got pregnant with her daughter. The couple married in 1979 and shortly after had a son. But the marriage was full of conflict, with Connie accusing Ricky of being into drugs and committing armed robberies.

Fearing for her children’s safety, Connie tried to leave the marriage several times but always came back. On 26th February 1980, Connie and Ricky and his cousin Jeffrey ended a night out by going to a local liquor store. According to Connie, despite her pleas to the contrary, the two men robbed and murdered the liquor store clerk, while Connie waited in the car.

All three were arrested and charged and convicted of armed robbery and murder. Connie was given 25 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole, while Ricky and Jeffrey were given life without the possibility of parole.

The first of these stories features Alicia Williamson, who was charged with the murder of Robert Atkins Jr, her roommate of nine days. Williamson and Atkins cultivated a phone relationship through an online dating site. Then Atkins invited Williamson to move in with him to get a fresh start in a new city.

Nine days after moving in with him, Williamson stabbed Atkins 27 times. Although she claims it was self-defence, Williamson was convicted and sentenced to 10-12 years in prison. She is scheduled to be released in 2013.

As a result of her good behaviour, Williamson is currently working as a housekeeper in the governor’s mansion. She says she is deeply sorry about what happened.

Patricia Donnelly, 23, was desperate to find the funds to pay her common law husband’s bail for his release from jail. At a swingers club in Dallas, Texas, she picked up 43 year old Cary Ray Taylor and offered him sex for money.

After bringing Taylor to her apartment, she tied him to a couch and strangled him with her bra. Then she allegedly participated in dumping his body into a ravine. Donnelly was stopped by police while driving Taylor’s car and, after five days, confessed to the killing.

She pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Donnelly takes full responsibility for her actions and regrets her crime.
 

The first of these two stories features 27 year old Angela Turner, who was found guilty of fatally stabbing an 18 year old woman after an argument in a storage shed near a friend’s home.

The two women met in a mental health facility and had become roommates. Shortly after being arrested for the stabbing, Turner’s alcohol blood level was tested and found to be three times over the legal limit. Her trial lasted only one day and she was sentenced for murder.

Sharon Mabry, a prostitute, madame and ex-informant for the police, was convicted of second-degree murder and three counts of robbery in the death of her estranged pimp/boyfriend.

Whilst passing time on crack in a drug house, Mabry devised a plan to get the money she needed to support her habit. Mabry maintains that she is innocent.

The first of two stories in this episode features Leslie Demeniuk, who was charged with murder in 2001. In 1996, Leslie married and gave birth to twin boys. Three years later, her relationship began to crumble and she began to suffer from depression. In 2001, Leslie started taking anti-depressants and claims she experienced severe side effects including hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. She also began drinking heavily.

According to court records, in the afternoon of 17th March 2001, Leslie was upset that her ex-husband could not babysit her four year old twins that evening. Leslie then shot and killed her twin sons. Although Leslie admitted killing her children, she claims that she was temporarily insane from her medication. She was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and is serving two consecutive life sentences.

Deana Fairchild lived with her boyfriend, Joe Martin Jr, on his parents’ farm in Florida with her nine year old son, Matthew. On the evening of 21st July 1996, while Joe and his parents were sleeping in their home, Deana and Matthew were watching television in the barn. Matthew remembers dozing off, then hearing a huge explosion and then running to the house, which was on fire. It burned to the ground, killing Joe and his parents.

Police discovered blisters on Deana’s hands and she was eventually charged with arson and three counts of murder. At her trial, Matthew testified against her. She was convicted and is serving three life sentences. She maintains her innocence.

Deborah Rolle was convicted in the murder of her estranged husband, Allen Agonovic, and is serving a life sentence in Florida. After a bitter divorce, in which she believed that her husband was abusing her youngest daughter, he was given custody of their children. At her trial, Deborah claimed self-defence but the jury convicted her of second-degree murder.

Gena Shaughnessy lived with a friend while she was going through a divorce. Police found her husband’s body with multiple stab wounds in an alley. Her friend was charged of second-degree murder and a sentence of 20 years in prison. The jury found Gena guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation. She was sentenced to 35 years in prison.