Vengeance in Vegas | Full Episode
Summary
TLDRThe tragic story of Shauna Tia, a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, unfolds as her life is brutally cut short in her own home. The investigation reveals a complex web of relationships and deceit, pointing to her husband, George Tif, as the mastermind behind her murder. With the help of key witnesses and a dramatic turn of events, the truth behind the perfect crime unravels, leading to a gripping courtroom drama and a quest for justice.
Takeaways
- 🎰 Las Vegas is often referred to as the 'adult Disneyland', a city of glitz, glamour, and entertainment.
- 👥 Behind the scenes, there is a community of hardworking individuals who keep the city running, often overshadowed by the flashy lifestyle.
- 💔 The story revolves around the tragic murder of Shauna T., a beloved cocktail waitress, in her own home.
- 🕵️♂️ The investigation is led by detectives Dan Long and Terry Miller from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, who initially see George, Shauna's husband, as the prime suspect.
- 🛑 George has an airtight alibi, as he was at work during the time of the murder, leading the detectives to explore other leads.
- 📞 A crucial tip comes from William Penx, also known as 'Big Will', who claims that his friend 'Greyhound' confessed to the murder.
- 🔍 The detectives follow the lead and discover evidence linking Greyhound, whose real name is Nol Stevens, to the crime, including a bloody pair of pants and a matching hammer.
- 💬 Nol Stevens confesses to the murder but implicates George T. as the mastermind behind the plot, claiming George paid him to commit the crime.
- 💭 The trial focuses on the credibility of Nol Stevens as a witness, given his criminal background and mental health issues.
- ⚖️ Despite the challenges, the jury finds George T. guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder, and he is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
- 🌟 The case highlights the importance of thorough investigation, the pursuit of justice, and the impact of violence on families and communities.
Q & A
What was the relationship between George and Shauna?
-George and Shauna were married, and they had a daughter named Maddie. Their relationship was initially strong, but it began to deteriorate after George lost money in the housing market crash, leading to jealousy, control, and criticism towards Shauna.
What was Shauna's occupation and how did it affect her relationship with George?
-Shauna worked as a cocktail waitress at a casino, which brought in a significant income. However, George became jealous and controlling when she would get dressed for work, causing tension in their relationship.
How did George's financial situation influence his behavior towards Shauna?
-After losing money in the housing market crash, George became jealous, controlling, and critical of Shauna. He would make hurtful comments about her appearance when she got dressed for work, which caused emotional distress for Shauna.
What was the significance of the homeless man that George brought into their lives?
-The homeless man caused friction in the TFA marriage. Shauna and her friends found him creepy, and his presence in their home was a source of conflict between Shauna and George.
What event led to the police becoming involved in Shauna's life before her murder?
-Shauna's townhouse was burglarized weeks before her murder. Her wedding ring was stolen, and a pair of her bathing suit bottoms were taken, while a pair of size small boxer shorts was left behind.
Who was the key witness in the murder investigation and how did he come forward?
-The key witness was William Penx, also known as Big Will. He came forward after a friend confessed to him about murdering a woman. Big Will felt compelled to report this information to the police, leading to the eventual arrest of the murderer.
What was the motive behind Shauna's murder?
-The motive behind Shauna's murder was believed to be financial. Shauna was a spender, enjoying new floors, carpets, and home renovations, while George preferred to save money. This difference in spending habits may have driven George to the extreme measure of murder.
How did the police initially react to Big Will's information about the murder?
-Initially, the police were skeptical about Big Will's information. However, they felt compelled to investigate, leading them to the suspect, Greyhound, and eventually uncovering evidence that supported Big Will's claims.
What was the relationship between George and the man accused of murdering Shauna, Nol Stevens?
-Nol Stevens was a homeless handyman who had a complicated relationship with George. Stevens idolized George and believed they were close friends. However, detectives believed that George manipulated Stevens, possibly using him as a pawn in the murder plot.
What evidence was found at Nol Stevens's campsite that linked him to Shauna's murder?
-At Nol Stevens's campsite, detectives found a pair of bloody pants belonging to Stevens, which tested positive for Shauna's blood. They also found a barcode tag that matched the style of hammer used in the murder.
How did George TFA react when he was arrested for the murder of his wife?
-When George TFA was arrested for the murder of his wife, he simply looked up from his hospital bed and said 'okay.' He maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
What was the outcome of George TFA's trial?
-George TFA was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Outlines
🎰 Las Vegas: Playground and Community
Las Vegas is described as the adult Disneyland, a place where people come to play and have fun. However, behind the glitz and glamour, there's a hardworking community that services this environment, running banks, police departments, and fire stations. The paragraph introduces George, a kind and generous person who is well-liked and admired by his peers. It also introduces Shauna, a fun-loving and hardworking woman who met George in the casino environment. Their daughter, Maddie, completes their family, making them a beloved trio. The paragraph takes a dark turn when it discusses Shauna's tragic murder in her own home, highlighting the fear and concern this event caused within the community.
💔 The Tragic Love Story of George and Shauna
This paragraph delves into the relationship between George and Shauna, detailing their meeting at the Palms and their subsequent marriage. It paints a picture of a seemingly perfect couple, with Shauna being a successful cocktail waitress and George being a charismatic and handsome West Point graduate. However, the narrative takes a grim turn, revealing that their marriage started to deteriorate after the housing market crash, with George becoming controlling and critical of Shauna. The paragraph ends with the separation of George and Shauna and the decision to seek marriage counseling, just before the tragic events leading to Shauna's murder.
🕵️♂️ The Investigation: A Complex Web of Clues
The focus of this paragraph is the investigation into Shauna's murder. It introduces William 'Big Will' Penx, who receives a confession from the actual murderer, a man known as 'Greyhound'. The paragraph details the efforts of the investigators, Dan Long and Terry Miller, as they follow leads and uncover crucial evidence. This includes the discovery of Shauna's wedding ring missing after a burglary, the identification of Greyhound, and the connection between Greyhound and George, who had previously caused friction in Shauna and George's marriage. The paragraph ends with the police closing in on Greyhound, building a strong case against him.
📞 The Fateful Call: A Break in the Case
This paragraph focuses on the pivotal moment when Big Will decides to call the police after hearing Greyhound's confession. Initially skeptical, detectives Long and Miller decide to investigate, leading them to Greyhound's campsite. Here, they find bloody pants and a barcode tag that matches the hammer used in the murder. The paragraph also reveals the complex relationship between Greyhound and George, with numerous phone calls between them before the murder. The detectives' discovery of a video showing George and Greyhound shopping for hammers together provides a definitive link between the two men, solidifying the case against George.
🚔 The Arrest and the Aftermath
The paragraph describes the dramatic arrest of George after his sister's call to the police. George's attempt to flee and subsequent car crash, which the police believe was a suicide attempt, is detailed. He survives the crash and is arrested at the hospital. The paragraph also covers the charges against both George and Greyhound, and the emotional turmoil experienced by Shauna's family and friends. The narrative highlights the relief felt by Shauna's loved ones upon George's arrest, but also the uncertainty and fear about the upcoming trial and its outcome.
🎭 The Trial: A Battle of Evidence and Character
This paragraph focuses on the trial of George TFA, presenting the challenges faced by both the prosecution and defense. The defense argues that there is only circumstantial evidence, while the prosecution emphasizes the numerous phone calls between George and NL Stevens. The paragraph also discusses the character of George, his inability to cope with the crumbling marriage, and his desire for control. The prosecution's key witness, NL Stevens, is described as an unreliable witness due to his mental health and criminal history, but the jury ultimately finds George guilty on all counts.
🏆 Justice Served: The Verdict and Sentencing
The paragraph details the tense moments leading up to the verdict in George's trial. The family's anticipation and anxiety are palpable as they await the jury's decision. The verdict finds George guilty on seven counts, including conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder. The sentencing phase follows, with the jury deciding on life in prison without the possibility of parole. The reactions of both Shauna's family, who find closure in the verdict, and George's supporters, who continue to stand by him, are highlighted. The paragraph concludes with a focus on the impact of the verdict on Shauna and George's daughter, Maddie.
🌈 Hope and Healing: The Future for Maddie
This final paragraph centers on Maddie, Shauna and George's daughter, who has lost both parents. It discusses the concerns of Shauna's family, Paula and John, who worry about Maddie's well-being and future. Maddie currently lives with George's mother, and Paula and John visit her often. They express their intention to explain the truth about her parents when she is older. The paragraph ends with a poignant moment where Maddie reflects on her mother, Shauna, with laughter and joy, capturing the deep bond they shared.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Las Vegas
💡Casino environment
💡Murder
💡Investigation
💡Alibi
💡Marriage counselor
💡Homeless handyman
💡Justice
💡Family dynamics
💡Mental illness
Highlights
Las Vegas is often referred to as the adult Disneyland, attracting people from all over the world seeking entertainment and excitement.
Behind the glamorous facade of Las Vegas lies a community of hardworking individuals who keep the city running, often overshadowed by the glitz and glamour.
George T. was known to be an all-around great guy, generous and kind, who helped others get jobs done efficiently.
Shauna T. was a fun-loving, hardworking cocktail waitress who was adored by her friends and family, and was described as always making people laugh.
Shauna and George met in the casino environment, and their relationship blossomed into a family with the birth of their daughter, Maddie.
Tragedy struck when Shauna was brutally murdered in her own home, beaten to death with a hammer by a killer who snuck up on her.
The investigation into Shauna's murder revealed a complex web of relationships and potential motives, including the involvement of a homeless man named Greyhound.
Greyhound, also known as n Stevens, was a friend of George's who was later identified as the murderer, acting allegedly under George's orders.
George T. had a strong alibi, as he was at work during the time of the murder, which initially made him less of a suspect.
The case took a dramatic turn when Big Will, a maintenance man who had been trying to live a straight life, came forward with crucial information about Greyhound's confession to the murder.
Detectives found evidence at Greyhound's campsite, including a bloody pair of pants and a hammer that matched the murder weapon.
Phone records showed a suspicious number of calls between George and Greyhound before the murder, indicating a possible conspiracy.
George was suspected of orchestrating the murder due to financial disagreements with Shauna and his desire for control over his daughter.
Despite the mounting evidence, George's family remained in staunch denial of his involvement in the crime.
In a shocking twist, George attempted to take his own life by crashing his truck at high speed, an act believed to be a suicide attempt due to the overwhelming evidence against him.
Greyhound, now a key witness for the prosecution, took the stand and detailed his relationship with George and the events leading up to the murder.
The defense attempted to discredit Greyhound's testimony due to his mental health issues and criminal history, but the jury ultimately found George guilty.
George was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a decision that was met with mixed reactions from those involved in the case.
The tragic story of Shauna's murder and the subsequent trial highlighted the complex dynamics between the victim, her husband, and the perpetrator, and the search for justice.
The case brought to light the importance of community and the actions of individuals like Big Will, who played a pivotal role in bringing the truth to the surface.
The impact of the murder extended beyond the immediate family, affecting the community and first responders who worked tirelessly to solve the case.
Transcripts
[Music]
Las Vegas is the adult Disneyland of the
world people come here to play adults
come here to play the other side of that
is there is a community
here that services that Glitz and
glamour that go to work 9 to5 run the
banks run the police department run the
fire department and have just steady
jobs that's George you know an
all-around great guy to hang out with he
and help you get the job done just a
very very kind generous and giving
person and that's the George T I
[Music]
know well Sean was so young at heart and
she was so fun and she always made me
laugh she looks like Barbie you know
blunt
beautiful always had the long hair you
know just looked perfect like a little
china
doll while George and Shauna met in the
casino environment he saw this blonde
person whizzing past him all the time
she was such a hard worker that he
really admired that she was his world
that was his his life and then when
their daughter came around they're just
the the cutest Trio ever at the beach
okay's first time at the beach turning
everybody around turning us around
Maddie was just the light of her life it
was really her number one
priority she was just all in you know
100% there and then a baby they were
like a little cocoon George was so
protective he waited on them hand and
foot he really
did
in the early morning hours on September
29th 2012 Shauna TF would have gotten
off work from being a cocktail waitress
at a local casino she went
home parked her car in the garage
entered her
house a killer snuck up behind her and
beat her to death with a
hammer inside her own living
room were you worried that someone was
targeting
Casino women
yes we were all so scared that you know
this person was still out there was
somebody stalking her was somebody
obsessed with
her maybe they're going to you know come
after one of
us I'm Peter vanand tonight on 48 Hours
Vengeance in
Vegas
[Music]
[Music]
Shauna Tia loved to laugh and sing with
her
daughter when she was with Maddie it was
like nothing else was going on around
her so dedicated and so
concerned Shauna's murder has been a
devastating loss for her sister Paula
Stokes Richards and her husband John she
just laughed at life you know she had
this innocence it's sad because I just
miss her and for something like this to
happen to her is just it's
unimaginable
[Music]
Shauna TFA a Mormon born in Salt Lake
City was 28 when she moved here to Las
Vegas but to Shauna Vegas was more than
one big glitzy party it was a city of
opportunity and it wasn't long before
she got a glamorous job as a cocktail
waitress at one of the hottest casinos
in
[Music]
town
she loved the Palms I think she really
felt like the Palms was a a family
environment which might sound contrary
to what you would think but I think the
the people that worked there were really
like family and they looked after each
other I never hardly saw like shaa with
a frown or anything she's just so bubbly
and laughing at everything Cindy Randy
and Sienna all worked alongside shaa for
about 10 years she love her job though
mhm she loved cocktailing and customers
love Shauna she made close to $100,000 a
year in salary and tips often paid in
casino chips which in Vegas is the same
as money in 2002 Shauna hit the jackpot
when she met George Tif at the Palms
George was a star athlete and homecoming
King at his California high school just
to look at him he's very handsome very
charismatic what more could you ask for
in fact George is a West Point graduate
who served in the Army Corps of
Engineers Maria and bernardet are
George's sisters he likes to serve
people that's what attracted him to
being a
fireman and George is so handsome he was
even featured in this firefighter pinup
calendar the old American Boy sounds
like yes he was he looked like it he
acted like it he was that guy his
sisters also say George is a devoted
family man who sent money home to help
their mom care for their disabled
younger sister if you need a helping
hand there he is George and shaa started
dating George was in love oh yeah Head
Over Heels yeah yeah she was his world
that was his life and life only got
better for George and
Shauna just one year into their
relationship Maddie was born hey there's
daddy there's Daddy and Mama and little
baby that's all of
us 3 years later they were married in
Hawaii Mama and Dad just got married
there's shaa
Castleton now she's TF look at that
dress on Mama woo what a smoking body
they really suited each other it was
really nice they're both hardworking
people they're both good-look people
they made a lovely couple but looks as
they say can be deceiving after two
happy years of marriage things started
to change when George lost money in the
housing market crash Shauna told friends
he had become jealous controlling and
critical of her he would tell her that
she dressed like a when she would
get dressed for work in front of Maddie
which of course would tear Shauna apart
you know for her little girl to hear
these things shaa also complained when
George brought a homeless man into their
lives who he paid to do odd jobs around
the house her friend Stephanie Vargas
she would call him creepy God he's so
creepy why is he around my house but
George's friend from West Point Rock
riter says he was as kind-hearted as he
was handsome and befriending the
Homeless was something he had done for
years every Thanksgiving he he'd be
serving soup to the homeless people just
a very very kind generous and giving
person but even though he had a gracious
heart the strains continued in the
marriage and after nearly 10 years of
being together she had enough and moved
into this townhouse they shared custody
of Maddie but Shauna was reluctant to
file for a divorce she was
sad her family was breaking up and this
isn't something that she wanted she
wanted the picket fence and the husband
and the
daughter she wanted the fairy tale and
the fairy tale was falling
[Music]
apart determined to save their marriage
shaa and George both agreed to start
seeing a marriage counselor I think
Shauna was an eternal optimist you know
she just kept hoping that things were
going to get
better then weeks before her murder
Shauna's townhouse was
burglarized her wedding ring was
missing strangely a pair of her bathing
suit bottoms were taken and strangest of
all the robber left something
behind a pair of boxer shorts size small
this Burg did it shake her up it did but
I just don't think that in her mind she
ever thought that any harm would come to
her but in an ominous twist of fate just
3 weeks later someone was back in her
house this time waiting for
her it is now the early morning hours of
September 29th
2012 this is Shauna seen on Casino
surveillance video clocking out at 3:01
a.m. these are the last images of her
life after a 30-minute Drive shaa
arrives home letting herself in through
the garage she enters in the a hallway
it's dark there's no light Dan long and
Terry Miller are investigators with the
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
she moves towards the stairway to go
upstairs to her bedroom when
suddenly shaa was attacked by someone
wielding a hammer her hands were up at
some point uh to protect her head in her
face her fingers were broken and she was
savagely beaten with this metal head of
that hammer until she was
dead at approximately 9:00 a.m. George
and Maddie arrived to pick something up
when they walked in and he discovered
Shauna's badly bludgeon
body George immediately called 911 911
emergency I think I need to report a
Breakin and a murder my
wife my wife is uh on the floor
bloody stiff not moving naturally George
is going to be our number one suspect a
woman that he's separated from he finds
dead inside of an apartment detective
Miller interviewed George in a police
car at the scene she was lying on the
floor she was covered in blood I just
want to die and she was surprised with
what he told her what shift did you work
yesterday a 24-hour shift he said he was
on call at the firehouse before he
picked mty up Maddie had spent the night
at her grandmother's house while Shauna
went to work he had an alibi and what
did that tell you he's not our
[Music]
[Music]
killer
it's not just Dan and I you want a full
mag in the weapon yeah we had our entire
team with
this muzzle Down lead detectives Terry
Miller and Dan Long of the Las Vegas
Metro Police had their work cut out for
them the obvious initial suspect in a
case like this is the husband but George
TFA had that airtight
Alibi they learned right away that he
was at work at the fire station and was
not the man that killed
Shauna Shauna's murder was brutal and
chilling I remember thinking do we have
a sexual predator and you got to be
wondering to yourselves do we have some
sort of monster out there on the streets
yes uh we're like who who are we looking
for are we looking for a male are we
looking for a
female but 48 hours into the
investigation detectives get a crucial
tip from an unlikely Source William penx
known as Big will I've been trying to
live a straight life under the hands of
the
Lord big will had lived in Las Vegas for
years working as a maintenance man at an
apartment
complex he got an urgent call from
friend he said uh big will I need to
talk to
you the friend came to see him and
dropped a
bombshell he just murdered a
woman when he told you that he had
killed this woman what was the
expression on his face he was happy
happy like he just completed a mission a
mission to where he's going to get paid
a lot of money he's going to leave town
and live a happy life like that did he
tell you how he killed this woman yeah
yeah he told me that he was laughing
when he said it he said
uh I hit this woman with a hammer over
and over and over and over until a
hammer broke the man who called Big will
was nicknamed Greyhound because he was
lean and fast and lived in a tent in the
Foothills far from the glittering lights
of downtown Greyhound was an excon and
big will was helping him straighten his
life out but after the two men spoke big
Will's Mission became bringing Greyhound
to Justice this is a damn
tragedy I said so if I hear this on the
news tomorrow morning the best thing I
can do is follow his tracks try to hunt
him
down so that I can try to bring some
kind of closure to This Woman's family a
gorgeous cocktail waitress a mother
brutally murdered in her own home that
was it a woman murdered and big will
knew exactly what he had to do he called
police at first detectives long and
Miller were skeptical initially I was
thinking to myself you've got to be
kidding me he is giving the story about
this man who lives up in the mountains
in a tent who is homeless and it's kind
of a crazy
story crazy but cops felt they had to
check it out big will told them
Greyhound often walks miles from his
desert tent to this Albertson's grocery
store where he'd been spotted before
stealing food so right away they went
with big will to look for him I got out
of the vehicle and went into to talk to
the Albertson's employees in hopes that
they would know who somebody named
Greyhound that matches this description
is Big will knew Greyhound sometimes
sold drugs at the Chevron station right
next door then a stroke of luck I see
Greyhound he says Hey Big will what you
doing over here so I said wait one
minute I'll be right back big will then
Whispers into my ear and goes that's
Grayhound we got lucky to the grace of
God he was there I'm like this can't be
happening I walk outside I want to get
as close as I can to him before he
identifies me as a police officer cops
identified themselves and immediately
find drugs in Greyhound's possession so
they take him to Police Headquarters and
he's volunteered to come to our office
and help us with their investigation
Greyhound's real name is n Stevens he
denies he has anything to do with Shauna
tfa's murder I have nothing to do with
it's not me you have the wrong guy he
tells us that he does live in the desert
he has a tent all right meet you there
all right while Greyhound is held on
drug charges a massive police searches
launched to find his
campsite Terry and I walked it that
fence we had to climb through that fence
that was
tough this case came down to shoe
leather we ran it all down right on top
of that little Hill was where his tent
was it was out here in these Rocky
Desert Foothills about 8 miles from the
Vegas Strip which is behind me the
detectives making their way through this
treacherous landscape discovered some
important evidence we brought a
helicopter with us and a bunch of people
to search and we searched every one of
these Hills remote remote yes I walked
past a small shrub and rolled up
underneath the shrub was a pair of pants
and looked out of place detective Sam
Smith had found a crucial piece of
evidence near the campsite a pair of
Stevens pants they were bloody police
tested them on the spot and what did you
learn later about the blood on those
jeans whose blood was it uh that was uh
Shauna tfa's
blood back at headquarters police
confronted no Stevens with what they had
found then they used an old trick to pry
more information out of him a lot of
people don't know this investigators are
allowed I'll use this word to mislead a
suspect no we're allowed to lie they
bluffed Greyhound saying someone
fingered him for the
murder Steven stuns the detectives by
admitting he killed Shauna TFA but why
more clues were found when police
examined nol Stevens's cell phone what
kind of numbers do you find on that
phone we find a guy by the name of
George in his cell phone and when we ask
him who's George he says that's my
friend the
firefighter George was George Tia
Shauna's husband and nol Stevens was
that Homeless handyman who had caused
friction in the TFA
marriage we looked at each other and
bing bing bing bing bing you hit this is
Vegas you just hit the all sevens right
yes exactly