Murder in Pinyon Pines | Full Episode

Full Episodes | "48 Hours"
30 Apr 202441:42

Summary

TLDRThe video script details a harrowing account of a triple homicide in Pinion Pines, California, where a mother, her boyfriend, and a young woman named Becky were brutally murdered. The prime suspects, Robert Pape, Becky's ex-boyfriend, and his best friend, Christian Smith, were arrested after a 12-year-long investigation fraught with emotional turmoil and legal challenges. Despite initial charges being dropped due to legal issues, they were rearrested and eventually found guilty of murder. The case is marked by a complex web of evidence, including cell phone pings, DNA, and firearm connections, all of which are rigorously contested by the defense. The narrative is punctuated by the heart-wrenching experiences of the victims' family, the steadfast belief in the suspects' innocence by their families, and the broader community's shock and struggle for justice and closure.

Takeaways

  • 🏠 A tragic fire at the Freedley family home led to the discovery of a horrific triple homicide, with the victims being Tanya Freedley's mother Vicky, her boyfriend John Hayward, and her sister Becky.
  • 🔍 The initial investigation was challenging due to the fire destroying crucial evidence, and it took 12 years to bring the case to trial.
  • 🚨 Becky's ex-boyfriend, Robert Pape, and his friend Christian Smith were the main suspects, with evidence suggesting their involvement on the night of the crime.
  • 📱 Cell phone records and an instant message conversation raised suspicions about Robert Pape's intentions and actions around the time of the murders.
  • 🔥 There was a history of Robert Pape's possessive and obsessive behavior towards Becky, which included threats made against her life.
  • ⛰️ The crime scene indicated a personal and symbolic act, with Becky's body found in a wheelbarrow, suggesting the killer's intention to make a statement.
  • 👮‍♂️ Despite the lack of hard evidence, the persistence of the victim's family and a private investigator helped keep the case in the public eye and eventually led to an arrest.
  • 🤔 Defense attorneys for Pape and Smith argued that the prosecution's case was built on circumstantial evidence and questioned the reliability of the informants and technical evidence.
  • 🏆 Christian Smith was a decorated war hero, and Robert Pape was an active member of his church, complicating the public's perception of their guilt.
  • 📉 The case took an unexpected turn when the prosecutor dropped all charges against Pape and Smith due to legal issues, allowing them to be released.
  • 🔁 In a surprising development, Pape and Smith were rearrested in 2016, and in 2018, they were found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury after a lengthy deliberation.

Q & A

  • What was the initial reaction of the family after the fire at Vicky's house?

    -The family was devastated and shocked. They initially thought it could have been an accident like a cigarette or a gas leak causing the fire, but they soon discovered that it was a deliberate act of murder.

  • How was Becky's body found after the incident?

    -Becky's body was found in a wheelbarrow. It appeared she had been placed in it and set on fire, which was a method chosen to maximize the horror and make it as personal as possible.

  • Who were the two main suspects in the murder case?

    -The two main suspects were Robert Pape, Becky's ex-boyfriend, and Christian Smith, Robert Pape's best friend.

  • What evidence led investigators to focus on Robert Pape and Christian Smith?

    -Becky's friend Javier Garcia Jr. provided information that placed both Robert Pape and Christian Smith at the scene of the crime on the night of the murders. Additionally, Robert's past threatening behavior towards Becky and their shared fascination with fire contributed to them being the main suspects.

  • Why did the investigation take over 12 years to bring to trial?

    -The investigation was hampered from the start due to the fire that destroyed vital evidence at the crime scene. It took a long time to gather enough evidence to bring the case to trial.

  • What role did the media play in the case?

    -The media played a significant role by publicizing the case, which led to an increase in public awareness and tips coming in. Private investigator Lewis balanos used media tactics, including a provocative billboard and press conferences, to keep the case in the public eye.

  • Why were the charges against Robert Pape and Christian Smith initially dropped?

    -The charges were dropped due to legal issues that arose during the grand jury proceedings against Robert Pape. The DA's office did not provide specific details but stated that these issues made it appropriate to dismiss the charges against both men.

  • What new evidence led to the rearrest of Robert Pape and Christian Smith in 2016?

    -The rearrest was based on a new informant who claimed Smith had made an incriminating statement, better cell phone tracking, more evidence linking Christian Smith to the business card found at the crime scene, and a fingerprint match from 2006 that could finally be identified.

  • What were the defense attorneys' main arguments during the trial in 2018?

    -The defense attorneys questioned the credibility of the state's new informant, the accuracy of the cell phone tracking and forensic evidence, and argued that the prosecution had tunnel vision, focusing on their clients from the outset without adequately considering other potential suspects.

  • What was the final verdict in the trial of Robert Pape and Christian Smith?

    -Robert Pape and Christian Smith were found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of Vicky Freedley and John Hayward, and Pape was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Becky Freedley.

  • How did the families of the victims and the accused respond to the verdict?

    -The families of the victims saw the verdict as justice, while the families of the accused viewed it as a terrible injustice, believing in the innocence of Robert Pape and Christian Smith.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Tragedy Strikes: The Triple Homicide in Pinion Pines

The narrative begins with a chilling account of a tragedy that befell a family in Pinion Pines, California. The story is told through the eyes of a person who has experienced loss and horror through their work in the military and law enforcement. The devastating news of a fire at the home of the storyteller's mother leads to the discovery of a brutal crime scene where three family members were found dead. The youngest victim, Becky, was found in a wheelbarrow, set on fire, indicating a deeply personal and hateful act. The story hints at potential suspects, including the victim's ex-boyfriend, Robert Pape, and his friend, Christian Smith, setting the stage for a complex and emotional investigation.

05:00

🕵️‍♂️ Investigation and Initial Suspicions

The investigation into the triple homicide begins with the discovery of the victims' bodies in a burned house. Tanya's mother, Vicky, and her boyfriend, John Hayward, were found shot, while Tanya's sister, Becky, was found in a wheelbarrow, her body too damaged to determine the cause of death. The family's idyllic upbringing contrasts sharply with the horrific crime scene. Rumors and suspicions initially point towards the father, Ron Freedley, but he is cleared as a suspect after a polygraph test and phone records place him far from the crime scene. Attention then shifts to Becky's ex-boyfriend, Robert Pape, due to his known possessiveness and threats towards Becky, leading the police to focus on him as a suspect.

10:11

🔍 The Pursuit of Justice and Media Involvement

As the investigation progresses, Ron Freedley, the father, uses his investigative experience to consider the crime's personal nature, particularly Becky's fear of fire due to a childhood accident. Becky's friend, Jeanie McDaniel, also suspects Robert Pape from the outset due to his past obsessive behavior and threats. Despite the focus on Robert and his friend Christian Smith, the case seems to stall. Private investigator Lewis Balanos joins the effort, and media tactics, including a billboard and press conferences, are employed to generate public interest and potentially new leads. These efforts result in the arrest of Robert Pape and Christian Smith, though their families maintain their innocence.

15:11

📞 Phone Records and the Search for Truth

The narrative delves into the complexities of the case, highlighting the significance of phone records that placed the suspects near the crime scene. The defense argues against the reliability of these records, suggesting alternative explanations for the lack of phone activity. The prosecution, however, finds supporting evidence in the form of a business card at the crime scene with DNA linking it to Christian Smith. Additionally, ammunition and a holster matching the murder weapons are found in Robert Pape's home, strengthening the case against the two men. The defense disputes the strength of this evidence, claiming the state's case is based on nothing more than circumstantial connections and arguing for the consideration of other potential suspects.

20:12

🚨 The Trial and Controversial Verdict

The case goes to trial with the defense challenging the credibility of the state's evidence and informants. After a grueling trial period and ten days of deliberation, the jury finds Robert Pape and Christian Smith guilty of first-degree murder. The families of the victims express relief and happiness at the verdict, believing justice has been served. However, the defendants' families are devastated, maintaining their loved ones' innocence and vowing to continue fighting for their freedom. The case highlights the painful撕裂 of a community and the profound impact of violent crime on the lives of all involved.

25:15

🏡 Remembering the Victims and the Aftermath

In the aftermath of the verdict, the focus shifts to remembering the victims and the lasting impact of their loss. The sister of one of the victims expresses her desire for her sister to be remembered for who she was, rather than how she died. The tragedy has left an indelible mark on the lives of those left behind, with the pursuit of justice being just one part of their ongoing journey towards healing.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Murder

Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. In the video, it is the central crime that has taken place, leading to the investigation and eventual trial of the accused. The script describes a triple homicide, which is a term used when three individuals are murdered in a single incident.

💡Arson

Arson is the crime of deliberately setting fire to property. In the context of the video, arson is a significant aspect of the crime as the house was set on fire, destroying vital evidence and complicating the investigation.

💡Ex-boyfriend

An ex-boyfriend refers to a person's former romantic partner. In the video, the ex-boyfriend, Robert Pape, is a key suspect in the murder case due to his past relationship with the victim, Becky, and alleged threats he made towards her.

💡Cell Phone Evidence

Cell phone evidence refers to the data retrieved from a mobile phone that can be used in criminal investigations. In the video, cell phone pings and activity are crucial as they place the suspects near the crime scene at the time of the murders.

💡DNA Evidence

DNA evidence is biological material that has genetic information used to identify individuals. The video mentions DNA found on a business card at the crime scene, which is consistent with DNA belonging to one of the suspects, Christian Smith.

💡Firearms

Firearms are weapons that discharge projectiles through explosive force. The script discusses the use of a .40 caliber handgun and a shotgun in the murders, and the discovery of similar shotguns in the suspects' homes.

💡Alibi

An alibi is a claim or proof of an individual's presence elsewhere when a crime was committed. In the video, the suspects claim they were at a church and then at a friend's house playing video games, which is challenged by the cell phone evidence.

💡Grand Jury

A grand jury is a legal body that investigates whether there is enough evidence to bring an individual to trial. The video describes the process of the suspects appearing before a grand jury, which leads to their arrest.

💡Wrongful Accusation

Wrongful accusation is the act of falsely charging someone with a crime they did not commit. The video presents the perspective of the suspects' families who believe that Robert Pape and Christian Smith have been wrongfully accused of the murders.

💡Hearing

A hearing is a legal proceeding where evidence is taken for the purpose of making a decision. The video script mentions multiple hearings attended by the suspects and their supporters, highlighting the drawn-out legal process.

💡Informant

An informant is a person who provides information to authorities, often secretly. In the video, a new informant's statement and improved cell phone tracking technology are mentioned as new evidence that leads to the rearrest of the suspects.

Highlights

A triple homicide took place at the home of Vicky Friedley in Pinion Pines, California, on September 17th, 2006.

Becky Friedley, Vicky's daughter, was found dead in a wheelbarrow, set on fire, indicating a personal and targeted attack.

Robert Pape, Becky's ex-boyfriend, and Christian Smith, Robert's best friend, were the main suspects due to evidence and their history of a fascination with fire.

Investigation was hampered by a lack of physical evidence due to the fire that destroyed the crime scene.

The case remained unsolved for nearly 12 years, with the families of the victims and suspects living with the uncertainty.

Robert Pape and Christian Smith were initially arrested and charged with three counts of murder but were later released due to legal issues.

The case was reopened in 2016 with new evidence including an informant's statement, improved cell phone tracking, and a fingerprint match.

Both defendants maintained their innocence, with their families and friends rallying in support throughout the trial.

The defense argued that the prosecution's case was built on questionable evidence and ignored other potential suspects.

The jury found Robert Pape and Christian Smith guilty of first-degree murder after a grueling 10-day deliberation.

The families of the victims expressed relief at the verdict, while the families of the defendants believed the outcome to be a grave injustice.

The defense team highlighted inconsistencies in the state's case, including the credibility of an informant and the accuracy of cell phone tracking.

The case raised questions about the role of Javier Garcia Jr., a friend of Becky's, who initially directed suspicion towards the defendants.

The defense also questioned the validity of the DNA evidence found on a business card at the crime scene, suggesting it could have been planted.

The prosecution argued that the circumstantial evidence, including the defendants' behavior and cell phone records, pointed to their guilt.

The emotional toll of the case on all parties involved was evident, with the defendants missing significant life events and the victims' families seeking closure.

The case serves as an example of the complexities and challenges faced in the pursuit of justice, with lasting impacts on the families and community.

Transcripts

00:00

[Music]

00:07

being in the

00:09

military in law

00:12

enforcement I've seen a lot of people

00:16

die I've seen a lot of really bad

00:19

things but you never think anything's

00:21

going to happen to

00:22

you not that you're above

00:25

it it always happens to somebody

00:27

[Music]

00:28

else nothing could have prepared me for

00:33

what actually

00:35

[Music]

00:38

happened the deputy showed up at my door

00:42

all he said was you need to call your

00:45

dad my dad started crying and he told me

00:48

that there had been a

00:50

fire at my mom's

00:53

house the only people living in the

00:55

house was my mom Vicky her boyfriend

00:58

John and my little sister

01:01

Becky we're still waiting for positive

01:03

identification on three bodies found at

01:05

a burned out home in pinion Pines we

01:08

knew right away that everyone was

01:11

dead maybe my mom fell asleep with a

01:14

cigarette or a gas

01:18

leak but what happened was much much

01:22

worse I learned that Becky was

01:25

found in a

01:27

wheelbarrow apparently she had been

01:29

placed in this and set on

01:33

fire my baby sister was

01:38

gone this was the front of the house and

01:40

the wheelbarrow was found here we know

01:43

that it was brought to this spot because

01:45

there were tracks rolled out that

01:47

way why bring her body towards the front

01:50

of the house we think it was to pose her

01:54

and they wanted to leave some kind of

01:55

symbol make it as personal as possible

01:59

that's hate

02:00

she was obviously the Target and when I

02:03

heard the wheelbarrow situation that's

02:07

when I knew it was him waiting for my

02:09

precious boyfriend say hi Robert hi guys

02:13

because he had threatened to kill her a

02:15

lot of the evidence pointed toward

02:16

Robert Pape and Christian Smith Robert

02:19

Pape was Becky's

02:22

exboyfriend Christian Smith was Robert

02:24

Pap's best

02:26

friend 7 years 7 years when by before

02:30

anything

02:31

happened yesterday police arrested

02:34

25-year-olds Christen Smith and Becky

02:36

friedley's ex-boyfriend Robert P we know

02:40

Robert and anyone who knows him knows

02:43

how ridiculous the accusations

02:45

are my son Christian saves

02:50

lives he saved lives in Afghanistan he

02:53

doesn't take lives there's no way it's

02:56

all very obvious that there's no

02:58

way

03:02

Robert Pape and Kristen Smith are

03:04

accused of three counts of

03:16

murder and if you just look at all the

03:18

evidence it just doesn't fit it doesn't

03:21

work this is not the case that should be

03:23

brought against these two

03:25

men there is not a doubt in my mind that

03:28

they have the right people I I know that

03:30

they

03:32

[Applause]

03:33

[Music]

03:40

[Music]

03:49

do 48 Hours murder in pinion

03:54

Pines it was a vicious triple homicide

03:58

but there were almost no Clues Left

04:00

Behind that's because a fire consumed

04:03

the crime scene destroying vital

04:05

evidence with the investigation hampered

04:08

from the start it would take nearly 12

04:11

long years to bring this case to trial

04:14

and to its emotional conclusion Troy

04:18

Roberts brings us the murder in pinion

04:22

[Music]

04:28

Pines

04:31

[Music]

04:36

this Foundation is All That Remains of

04:38

the freedley home in pinan Pines

04:42

California on the evening of September

04:44

17th 2006 Tanya friedley's childhood

04:47

home was burned to the ground there's

04:51

not a day that goes by that I don't

04:54

think about what happened I miss them

04:56

every

04:58

day

05:00

inside the home investigators have found

05:02

the bodies of Tanya's 53-year-old mother

05:04

Vicky friedley and her 55-year-old

05:07

boyriend John Hayward it was later

05:09

determined they had both been shot the

05:12

homicide unit is treating this as a

05:16

homicide outside in a burning

05:18

wheelbarrow were the charred remains of

05:20

Tanya's 18-year-old sister Becky her

05:23

body too badly burned to determine the

05:25

cause of death the worst part is is that

05:29

my baby sister I was supposed to be the

05:31

one to protect her and be there for

05:35

her that's my

05:37

job Tanya then a deputy sheriff in

05:40

another town relayed the devastating

05:43

news to her sister Drew an Air Force

05:45

medic stationed in Japan at the time I

05:48

think it's just mortifying when you find

05:50

out that somebody could be that horrible

05:53

and Sinister like something you'd seen

05:55

in a a horror flick as opposed to real

05:58

life for Drew and and Tanya it's hard to

06:00

reconcile that horrific murder scene to

06:03

their storybook upbringing on the

06:06

property their father Ron freedley had

06:08

built their home himself in the

06:10

mountains high above the desert heat of

06:12

the Coachella

06:13

Valley it was just a nice

06:16

place it was country it was definitely

06:19

out of the city and I liked it it was a

06:21

great place for the kids to grow up Ron

06:24

doed on his daughters and so did his

06:27

wife at Vicki my mom was just very

06:29

kind-hearted wonderful woman she loved

06:32

being a mom um she loved gardening she

06:35

loved sewing and quilting and cooking

06:38

you know that was really important for

06:39

her to teach us how to cook even from a

06:42

very very young age the youngest of the

06:45

sisters was high-spirited Becky freedley

06:48

Becky was always just an amazing person

06:52

I mean even when she was small always

06:55

had a smile on her face she was always

06:57

there for you she SM art Becky used to

07:01

actually help Tanya and Drew with their

07:04

homework and and you know she's four

07:07

years younger than them she got along

07:09

with everybody she really did she was

07:10

just a

07:12

fun happy

07:14

person but the happy times as a family

07:17

didn't last Ron and Vicki divorce after

07:20

13 years of marriage she was a good

07:23

person but we we sort of grew

07:26

apart as the years passed t and Drew

07:30

also left home Becky remained behind

07:32

with her mother who eventually found

07:34

love again with contractor John Hayward

07:37

my dad called Vicki his cupcake because

07:41

she was just so

07:43

sweet kitty Hayward is John's daughter

07:46

they were drawn together because they

07:48

both loved the outdoors and they loved

07:51

living up there together and I would be

07:53

like Dad why are you guys living up here

07:55

just come down to the city there's what

07:58

is up here and and he would always say

08:00

like it's free up here no one will ever

08:02

bother us and this is the safest place

08:04

that you can

08:06

be then came that night in September at

08:10

first no one could imagine who would

08:12

want to hurt John Becky and Vicki I

08:15

really had no

08:17

idea the finger was being pointed at

08:19

everyone I think there were all kinds of

08:22

rumors rumors started circulating that

08:24

perhaps they had been murdered by

08:26

someone with a grudge against Ron

08:28

friedley

08:30

Ron had retired the year before from the

08:32

Riverside County Sheriff's

08:34

Department did you believe that this may

08:37

have been some sort of Retribution for

08:39

your work in law

08:42

enforcement no I I really didn't I never

08:46

really was involved in anything where

08:48

somebody would have said I want to get

08:49

back at this guy I didn't have that kind

08:51

of career so you had no enemies that's

08:53

really know investigators looked into

08:56

that theory and quickly ruled it out but

08:58

then rumored began swirling about Ron

09:01

freely himself I mean it's just natural

09:03

to think that um possibly the the

09:06

husband or family could have been

09:08

involved and and I understood that going

09:10

into it um were you interviewed yes I

09:13

was I was crying probably most through

09:16

most of it investigators asked Ron to

09:19

take a polygraph test that was probably

09:22

the first time that I really felt like I

09:25

was kind of a a suspect so I got up

09:29

there I took the polygraph and uh the

09:32

lady came out and she said this is one

09:34

of the best tests I've ever given in my

09:36

career she says it it was incredible you

09:38

did

09:39

fine phone records put Ron 11 hours away

09:43

at his property in Northern California

09:45

when the crime took place and police

09:47

ruled him out as a

09:49

suspect but there was one person a

09:52

friend of Becky's who says she knew

09:54

immediately who was responsible this was

09:57

intentional and he did it and and I've

09:59

known since day one he did

10:11

[Music]

10:15

[Applause]

10:16

[Music]

10:18

it in the first days after the murders

10:21

Ron freedley was besieged with questions

10:25

none of us really knew why it occurred

10:28

or had a reason for it the last thing I

10:31

thought was that it was something to do

10:33

with

10:34

Becky but once the initial shock had

10:37

subsided Ron began looking at the crime

10:40

through his investigator's eyes and came

10:42

to believe that it was Becky who had

10:44

been targeted it seemed too personal

10:46

because of a fear Becky had she was

10:50

really really afraid of fire when she

10:52

was younger her mom was fixing tacos and

10:55

she had a pan full of hot grease and

10:57

Becky had pulled it down off off the

10:59

stove and it burned on her chest she had

11:02

third degree burns on her chest so

11:04

someone that's with someone intimately

11:06

would know that she had these scars and

11:09

was scared of fire Becky's friend jeie

11:12

McDaniel was suspicious about someone

11:15

right away so immediately when you heard

11:17

the murders your mind went to Robert P

11:20

immediately nothing else in my mind

11:23

there's nobody else that could have done

11:25

this Robert P was Becky friedley's

11:28

ex-boyfriend and Robert got Becky a cro

11:31

the teenagers started dating in high

11:33

school and were together for over a year

11:36

looks like you guys are getting married

11:37

at first Becky and Robert seemed happy I

11:41

think it was her first

11:44

love I just think she was madly in love

11:47

with him

11:48

a but Jeannie says Robert soon grew

11:51

possessive of Becky when her and I went

11:53

on vacation about 10 months before she

11:56

died he called about 20 30 times in a

11:58

night night just harassing her wanting

12:01

to talk to her while we were hanging out

12:02

with friends 20 to 30 times in one night

12:05

mhm with I mean minutes within each

12:08

other in January 2006 Becky and Robert

12:12

broke up and started seeing other people

12:14

but according to jeie Robert's obsessive

12:17

behavior only grew worse and took an

12:19

even darker turn shortly before the

12:21

murders in

12:23

September she came to my house three

12:25

weeks before she died and said he had

12:26

even threatened to kill me those are her

12:28

exact words even threatened to kill me

12:30

why she said because he wasn't taking

12:33

the breakup well and he wanted her and

12:35

didn't want anybody else to have her

12:37

that's what she said to me so were you

12:39

concerned for her I was but she gave me

12:43

the impression that it wasn't a big deal

12:46

and so I kind of just took her word for

12:48

it and let it

12:49

go but after the murders Jeanie says she

12:53

went straight to the Riverside County

12:54

Sheriff's apartment with her suspicions

12:57

as it turns out Robert Pape was already

13:00

on their radar everyone was whispering

13:02

about Robert they moved pretty quickly

13:05

in in the direction of of Robert there

13:07

was a lot of little tiny bits of

13:09

information from different sources one

13:12

of those sources was Becky's close

13:14

friend Javier Garcia Jr who had given

13:17

investigators an interesting bit of

13:18

information on the night of the murders

13:20

he says Becky had told him she was going

13:23

hiking on her property with Robert and

13:25

his friend Christian

13:26

Smith Tanya freedley believes her sister

13:30

probably just wanted to smooth things

13:31

over with Robert my sister was a fixer

13:35

she loved with all of her heart and she

13:39

gave herself to everything she did

13:42

Garcia Jr's lead placed Robert Pape and

13:45

Christian Smith at the scene of the

13:47

crime the night of the

13:49

murders with rumors pointing towards the

13:51

two men the freedley were sure that the

13:54

case would soon be solved I kind of felt

13:57

a sense of relief um the that they would

13:59

be arrested but as surely as the

14:01

momentum had started it seemed to stop

14:04

the Riverside County Sheriff's

14:06

Department never publicly shared any

14:08

details of the investigation or named

14:10

any

14:11

suspects it was frustrating but they

14:14

just kept saying they they didn't have

14:16

it they didn't have enough to to make an

14:19

arrest private investigator Lewis

14:21

balanos saw his friend Ron grow

14:23

increasingly despondent about 2 or 3

14:26

years into this I'm getting updates from

14:27

Ron and I'm find out that nothing's

14:30

happening it this case has stalled it's

14:32

gone cold Lewis and Ron had met years

14:35

earlier at the Sheriff's Office where

14:36

Ron had been one of Lewis's first

14:39

training officers now it was time for

14:41

Lewis to help his old teammate I begged

14:45

Ron for years two or three years let me

14:47

do this for you Lewis had also worked in

14:50

the Riverside County DA's office

14:52

although they parted on bad terms he was

14:54

certain he could get things moving again

14:57

I knew that we can get to back on the

14:59

front page where it needed to be um and

15:02

get those phones burning again I really

15:04

wasn't ready because I really felt in my

15:08

heart that I I thought the sheriff's

15:09

department was going to solve it I

15:11

really

15:12

did but as the sixe anniversary of the

15:15

crime approach with no arrest in sight

15:18

Ron finally gave Lewis the green light

15:20

the media Savvy Pi got to work and one

15:23

of his first orders of business was

15:25

putting up this provocative billboard we

15:27

wanted to do it before before and after

15:29

a beautiful picture of Becky and then a

15:32

simulated picture of Becky in the

15:34

wheelbarrow on fire it really really

15:37

pulled at heartstrings and sickened

15:38

people we believe the following to be

15:40

true Lewis also held a press conference

15:43

at the murder site with Drew and Tanya

15:45

friedley we are in this because we

15:48

believe this case can be solved we know

15:51

somebody out there knows something over

15:54

the next year tips started coming in one

15:57

of them from Becky's cousin Daniela Zeno

16:00

who remembered something that might help

16:02

investigators I had spoken to Becky um

16:05

the night before the murder and she told

16:08

me that her ex-boyfriend Robert had come

16:11

into her work at Denny's and um was

16:15

harassing her he had harassed her to the

16:17

point of being removed from the

16:19

restaurant Daniela says after the

16:22

altercation they had discuss going on

16:24

that hike and I think talk about

16:27

whatever their relationship was how it

16:29

was finishing and where it was and on

16:31

the seventh anniversary of the crime

16:33

Lewis held yet another press conference

16:36

at the murder site with danela by a sign

16:39

the suspects then ignited the accelerant

16:41

and in turn engulfed Becky in Flames Ron

16:45

believes all the media pressure paid off

16:48

a few months later the DA's office

16:50

subpoena Robert Pape and Christian Smith

16:53

to appear before a grand jury it was

16:56

just stirring the pot it was something

16:57

on the news every day about it and I

17:00

think they just said all right let's go

17:03

do something and they did as the grand

17:05

jury Drew to a close there was news

17:09

you're watching

17:10

KQ the desert's News Leader two arrests

17:14

after nearly 8 years in the pinion Pines

17:16

murderers Pape and Smith were arrested

17:18

for triple homicide I was very happy it

17:21

was probably the happiest day of my life

17:24

but as investigators were sure the

17:26

killers were finally in custody two

17:28

families say they are just as certain

17:31

the men are wrongfully accused innocent

17:34

till proven guilty is a myth it's guilty

17:36

till proven innocent and the truth's

17:38

going to come out it will come

17:57

out for over 7 years the families of

18:00

Becky freedley her mother Vicky and John

18:03

Hayward have been waiting for this

18:05

moment my heart was in my stomach seeing

18:08

them in the jumpsuits and seeing them in

18:11

the flesh and seeing them

18:13

handcuffed Robert Pape and Christian

18:15

Smith both 25 found themselves in a

18:18

Riverside County Courthouse charged with

18:21

triple homicide both pled not guilty I

18:24

think they thought they were going to

18:25

get away with it but these two men

18:28

hardly fit the image of typical

18:30

defendants neither have criminal records

18:33

Christian Smith is married and a

18:35

decorated war hero Robert Pape is also

18:38

married in an active member of his

18:40

church I had a really hard time just

18:44

keeping it together you know Robert

18:46

sister Christie struggled seeing him

18:48

accused of the brutal murder and burning

18:51

of three people somebody like

18:54

him someone like him being put in that

18:56

position it's really hard to

19:00

watch Christie and Robert's mother

19:02

Kathleen say he is innocent and not the

19:04

man he has been portrayed as in the

19:06

media they tried to make him out to be a

19:08

monster a jealous monster and he just

19:11

isn't that what kind of man is he Robert

19:14

is an amazing person he's got a good

19:17

heart he's got a gentle heart

19:20

hardworking patient honest he's always

19:24

there when you need him he sort of takes

19:25

care of all of us takes really good care

19:28

of wife Robert started dating his wife

19:30

Sarah after his breakup with Becky he

19:33

and his wife both have this tremendous

19:36

heart for Animals he cares about people

19:39

he cares about animals he's just got the

19:42

utmost integrity and Christie and

19:45

Kathleen aren't Robert's only supporters

19:47

we've had no less than 10 or 11 people

19:50

at every single

19:52

hearing and there's been 30 33 or 34

19:55

people at one of the hearings just

19:57

coming to to support and the courtroom

19:59

can't even fit that many of us people

20:02

called us immediately after he was

20:04

arrested and they were like no this

20:06

isn't right uh this is not the Robert I

20:09

know also looking on in disbelief has

20:12

been Christian Smith's Father John

20:14

Conrad Smith I know my son didn't do

20:17

that I know he's not capable of that

20:19

Smith says his son is an honorable man

20:22

and was living his dream serving his

20:24

country in the military as part of the

20:26

Army's Elite 75th Ranger regiment it was

20:29

in Afghanistan that Smith says his son

20:32

became a hero he saved another man's

20:35

life who was actually shot through the

20:37

lung and I have a picture of him pulling

20:41

him out and two of his battle buddies

20:43

and chrisan has one hand on a rifle and

20:45

pulling his his comrade out and firing

20:49

back at Afghanistan Christian has won

20:51

commendations for Valor and has been

20:54

awarded two purple hearts this one is

20:57

when he was wounded did and he was shot

20:59

through the arm he got this one this one

21:02

was when he took the grenade shrapnel he

21:06

deserves better than

21:09

this I mean he's put his life on the

21:11

line for five years now he's a good guy

21:15

Christian Smith may be a war hero now

21:17

but investigators believe back when he

21:19

was 17 he committed murder with his

21:21

18-year-old best friend Robert Pape

21:24

Christian Smith and Robert Pape had been

21:26

really really good friends in high

21:27

school school and they both kind of beat

21:29

to the same drum Robert Pape and

21:31

Christian Smith both had an extreme

21:33

fascination with fire Becky had

21:35

complained about Robert and Christian to

21:38

close friend Brandon cougler Harrison

21:40

there's one time that they were playing

21:42

with fire him and him and Christian and

21:44

that they were they set something on

21:45

fire I think it was a match it's not

21:47

100% sure though but I remember her

21:49

getting mad at him over that and not

21:50

talking to him for a couple days did

21:52

your son have a fascination with fire

21:56

no no there was no Fascination they were

21:59

not troublemakers they were good kids

22:01

but prosecutors plan on using Robert's

22:03

words against him just a few months

22:06

before the fire here in pinan Pines

22:08

Robert had an instant message

22:09

conversation with his then girlfriend

22:11

Sarah in that exchange Robert seemed to

22:14

offer a solution to Sarah's problems

22:17

with an ex-boyfriend well if you know

22:19

where he lives we can professionally

22:21

burn his house down considering how

22:23

Becky Vicki and John were killed it's a

22:25

very concerning statement this is 8

22:27

month 8 months prior to the

22:29

homicide the Riverside County Sheriff's

22:31

department and DA's office wouldn't

22:33

comment on the investigation but 48

22:36

Hours obtain a copy of the grand jury

22:38

transcripts during the proceedings both

22:41

men pled the fifth but when questioned

22:43

by police years earlier they denied they

22:45

ever went near Becky's house and said

22:47

they never had any intention of hiking

22:49

with her Robert and Christian told

22:52

police during the interview that they

22:54

were heading to church that night

22:55

apparently they made a phone call on the

22:57

way there and the church was in fact

22:59

closed when those plans fell through the

23:02

boys said they headed back to

23:03

Christian's dad's home to hang out and

23:05

play video games where was your son the

23:08

night of the

23:09

murders you know what I wasn't in town

23:12

well what did he tell you when you

23:14

eventually saw him we were here the boys

23:18

said they eventually wound up at this

23:20

Middle School where they shot paintball

23:22

guns nobody saw Christian or Robert at

23:25

the school playing paintball nobody the

23:27

their only Alibi is each other but it

23:30

was the boys cell phone activity that

23:32

night that raised the most red flags to

23:35

investigators they put themselves on the

23:37

other side of town and the cell phon say

23:39

differently at 7:13 p.m. Robert's cell

23:43

phone pinged near the start of Highway

23:45

74 the road leading up to the freedley

23:49

home minutes later both Christian and

23:51

Robert's cell phones went silent from

23:54

about 7:30 to 10: p.m. the time frame

23:57

investigators believe their murders took

23:59

place they came out of their way to find

24:03

Becky hard to say of John and Vicki were

24:06

collateral damage tracks and Footprints

24:09

at the scene Place Becky's attack near

24:11

the desert behind the house Becky was

24:14

then placed in a wheelbarrow and rolled

24:16

back towards the house and set on

24:19

fire what kind of evidence was recovered

24:21

from the scene that links this crime to

24:24

these two young men well we know that at

24:27

at the point where the wheelbarrow

24:29

rolled from where they put Becky in the

24:32

wheelbarrow that they found a business

24:34

card and on that business card they

24:37

eventually found DNA that was consistent

24:39

with DNA belonging to Christian

24:41

Smith inside the home it was determined

24:44

Vicki had been shot with a 40 caliber

24:46

handgun and John Hayward with a shotgun

24:49

before the house was set on

24:51

fire when investigators searched the

24:53

boy's homes a year later they found

24:56

shotguns similar to the one us used in

24:58

the crime no handguns were ever

25:00

recovered but in Robert's house there

25:02

were accessories to the type of gun that

25:05

may have killed Vicki in that search

25:07

warrant they recovered

25:09

ammunition to 40 cal and recovered a

25:12

holster to a Glock 40 that's a powerful

25:15

piece of evidence you believe that

25:17

police have the right men oh I'm

25:19

confident they have the right to guys

25:21

absolutely but defense lawyers charge

25:24

investigators ignored other possible

25:26

suspects and the evidence will never

25:29

hold up at trial you have the wrong

25:32

person

25:37

[Music]

25:50

here for Tanya freedley hearing the

25:53

specific details of the murders has been

25:56

difficult to think about how they must

25:58

have been pleading for their lives how

26:02

scared all of them were is horrifying

26:05

and believing that one of their alleged

26:07

Killers was someone Becky once loved has

26:09

been especially painful for Ron friedley

26:12

she loved him a lot and and that's

26:15

probably one of the saddest Parts about

26:17

the whole story

26:18

is you know she loved him to death and

26:22

he threw it all

26:23

away threw it all

26:25

away for nothing

26:28

but nothing is what defense lawyers say

26:30

the state's case is based on and I kept

26:34

looking for the proverbial other shoe I

26:36

went over it I just didn't see it

26:39

Richard Blumenfeld represents Robert P

26:42

and says the case against his client is

26:44

built entirely on questionable and

26:46

hearsay evidence he points to Becky's

26:49

cousin Daniela Zeno who said Becky had

26:51

told her about a fight at Denny's the

26:54

day before the murders Robert had gone

26:57

to Becky

26:58

restaurant and there' been a scene an

27:00

argument and they'd been asked to take

27:02

it outside and so on and so forth that

27:04

never happened never happened never

27:06

happened nobody could substantiate that

27:09

that anything like that ever happened

27:11

bloomenfeld says a grand jewelry should

27:13

have never heard daniela's testimony or

27:15

the evidence about the IM exchange

27:17

between Robert and Sarah in which he

27:20

seemingly suggested burning down her

27:21

ex-boyfriend's house weld argues it was

27:25

said in a joking fashion there were

27:28

probably over a 100 pages of these

27:30

conversations and they took one excerpt

27:35

out of context it was clearly not

27:38

seriously said bloomenfeld also denies

27:42

that Robert threatened Becky's life and

27:44

says there would be no reason for him to

27:46

be jealous or want to harm Becky because

27:48

he had already moved on he wasn't seeing

27:51

Becky any more seriously she was trying

27:53

to uh revive their relationship but he

27:55

moved on he was with Sarah

27:58

whether Robert had a motive or not

28:00

Christian Smith's alleged role never

28:02

made any sense to his attorney John

28:04

Patrick Dolan the motive if you can

28:07

believe this is he's Robert's friend and

28:09

he went along with

28:12

him that's it there's no connection with

28:15

Kristen and Becky there's nothing that

28:18

suggests he has any animosity toward her

28:20

it's a pretty weak argument Dolan thinks

28:23

all the evidence is weak starting with

28:25

the boy's lack of sell phone activity

28:26

around the time frame of the murders he

28:29

says it doesn't prove

28:31

anything it is unusual for for a

28:33

teenager not to use their phone for 2

28:35

and a half hour well you could say that

28:37

you could also say that he was having a

28:39

shower having dinner and he had a

28:40

paintball gun and he went out and tested

28:42

it out near a middle school and he

28:45

didn't make any calls for 2 and a half

28:46

hours it's really not that uncommon at

28:48

all but before the boy's phones went

28:50

silent there was that sell Tower ping

28:52

that put Robert and presumably Christian

28:55

at the start of Highway 74 up to p

28:58

Pines didn't the Ping show that

29:00

Christian and Robert were somewhere near

29:03

Becky's home well that's one of those

29:05

really interesting anomalies CU a ping

29:07

doesn't show at all that Kristen was

29:09

anywhere near that home Dolan says that

29:12

3 minutes before Robert's phone pinged

29:14

near Highway 74 Christian's phone pinged

29:17

off a cell tower miles away and I can

29:20

tell you that uh prosecution is going to

29:22

have a hard time getting over Mr Smith's

29:24

phone being on the other side of the

29:25

Coachella Valley when they say

29:28

Mr P's phone was pinged sometime near

29:31

the time that there would had to been an

29:32

Ascent up the

29:33

mountain but the states FBI experts say

29:37

cell phones at higher elevations

29:39

sometimes bounce off other Towers

29:41

pinging phones are not investigators say

29:44

there is hard evidence putting Christian

29:46

at the scene that DNA on the business

29:49

card and that puts him there and we know

29:51

that he has denied ever being there

29:55

Dolan questions whether the DNA na is

29:57

Christians as the prosecution says it

29:59

unequivocally is and argues that even if

30:02

it is a match Becky could have

30:04

previously picked up the card from his

30:06

client She carries it up to her house

30:08

she drops it on the ground that doesn't

30:11

prove he was there it simply proves he

30:13

touched a card and they have to have

30:16

something more than he touched a card to

30:18

prove he was there committing homicide

30:20

and if Dolan dismisses the DNA evidence

30:22

he says the gun evidence is almost

30:25

laughable what the argument was by the

30:27

district attorney was he had access to

30:30

the kinds of guns that were used do does

30:33

that make anybody guilty because they

30:35

have access to the kind of gun that was

30:36

used with no ballistics with no

30:38

measurement with no slugs with no

30:40

nothing and Christian's father says that

30:43

the entire argument is moot anyway as

30:45

far as his son is concerned because the

30:47

guns were with him in another state the

30:50

weaken of the murders they were with me

30:53

they got put in the trunk of my car the

30:55

defense believes that other people

30:57

should have been looked at more closely

30:58

like Javier Garcia Jr that friend of

31:01

becku who had first turned investigators

31:03

towards Robert and Christian saying they

31:05

were all going hiking so Javier says

31:09

Becky says something how do we find out

31:12

whether or not that's just him making up

31:14

something because it points things

31:16

elsewhere some friends say Garcia Jr

31:19

wanted to be more than friends with

31:20

Becky and Dolan and Blumenfeld point out

31:23

that while their clients phones didn't

31:25

ping up in the mountains where Becky

31:26

lived Garcia Jr's did if you follow the

31:30

route that he alleged that he took it

31:34

puts him right by Becky's

31:36

residence why was he driving in the area

31:39

near the time that this took place and I

31:41

was told that Javier garciaa would not

31:44

testify at the Grand Jury unless he was

31:46

granted immunity why does he need

31:48

immunity if he doesn't have anything to

31:49

do with this Dolan also points out that

31:52

Garcia Jr's father is an investigator in

31:54

the DA's office raising question

31:57

questions about a possible conflict of

31:59

interest interesting question about that

32:02

there was an investigation by the way

32:03

and to be fair we have to say the

32:04

Attorney General came down and looked at

32:06

it said doesn't look like there's any

32:07

conflict of interest here and and I

32:09

accept that for now but I don't accept

32:12

it forever he was extremely forthcoming

32:14

with the police and was instrumental in

32:16

their investigation former Federal

32:18

prosecutor Eduardo Roy represents Javier

32:21

Garcia Jr he says Javier's only role is

32:24

that of key witness and not as a suspect

32:27

he was asked to testify before a grand

32:29

jury yes he was did he he did not why we

32:33

were there and then it was decided that

32:36

they didn't need him did you ever ask

32:38

for immunity for

32:41

Javier I asked to for them to be clear

32:46

before I made him available that he was

32:48

not a Target or a suspect of the

32:51

investigation

32:53

why because I'm a very good lawyer

32:56

that's why Roy says the reason why

32:58

Garcia Jr was driving in the area before

33:01

the murders was because he wanted to

33:03

join the group going hiking but Becky

33:06

told him not to come so he turned around

33:08

and went home and what the police did

33:10

was track where he was police determined

33:13

Javier Garcia Jr was back on the desert

33:16

floor at the time of the murders and

33:18

ruled him out as a suspect and Daniela

33:20

zmenu independently backs up Javier's

33:23

story that Becky planned to go hiking

33:25

with Robert and a friend

33:27

the night of the murders they had a

33:29

definite plan to go hiking the three of

33:31

them the freedle believe the evidence

33:34

circumstantial or not paints a damning

33:37

picture when you put it all together

33:40

it's them I can only hope and pray that

33:44

a jury of their peers will hear the

33:46

evidence and come back with a guilty

33:55

verdict

34:04

I call it the drive of

34:07

Tears almost every Saturday for the last

34:10

6 months John Conrad Smith makes the

34:12

hourong drive to visit his son at the

34:14

Riverside County jail I just think about

34:17

Christian and I cry all the way up and

34:20

all the way back Smith says Christian

34:22

has missed a deployment with his unit

34:24

and is all but certain to miss out on a

34:27

huge life event his wife Jackie is about

34:30

to give birth to their first child he's

34:33

not going to be there for that birth

34:35

he's not going to be able to see that

34:36

birth and it's horrible I mean he's

34:38

taking it he's taking it hard and to see

34:40

him in that orange jumpsuit it breaks my

34:43

heart it breaks his heart Robert Pap's

34:46

mother Kathleen has also been having a

34:49

hard time seeing her son Behind Bars the

34:52

thought goes through your head like will

34:54

I ever be able to touch

34:55

him

34:58

but there is another parent out there

34:59

who wakes up each morning thinking these

35:02

men are exactly where they

35:04

belong one of the first things I do in

35:06

the morning is I get a cup of coffee and

35:08

I go outside I think about Becky and I

35:11

think about those two boys in jail after

35:13

years of waiting the freedley and

35:15

haywards feel they are one step closer

35:18

to justice as they wait for a trial date

35:20

to be set it's a nice feeling knowing

35:23

that they're going to have to answer for

35:25

what they did if the jury finds them not

35:28

guilty so be it if they found guilty

35:31

then they're going to pay for the crime

35:32

that they committed but the case was

35:34

about to take an unexpected turn 8 years

35:37

after the murders the prosecutor

35:39

assigned to this case walked inside this

35:41

courthouse and asked that all charges

35:43

against Robert Pape and Christian Smith

35:46

be dropped a bombshell out of an India

35:48

courtroom today charges

35:51

dropped really emotional yeah I mean I'm

35:54

just happy I I'm not

35:58

yeah I'm happy he's coming home as a

36:00

matter of fact I'm going to go get him

36:01

right now the DA's office offered little

36:04

explanation for their decision in a

36:06

prepared statement they said legal

36:08

issues had Arisen during the grand jury

36:10

proceedings against Robert Pape making

36:12

it appropriate to ultimately dismiss the

36:15

charges against both men the system

36:18

worked I have faith in my son and that's

36:21

that's all I can tell you the dismissal

36:24

was so unexpected that neither man was

36:26

in the courtroom that day Christian's

36:28

dad broke the news to him from outside

36:31

the jail you've been released you you've

36:34

been released your mom and I and

36:36

everybody everybody's here the baby's on

36:38

her way we're just waiting for you to

36:40

get the paperwork done and for you to

36:42

walk out that door we're all waiting

36:44

outside for you

36:50

son and just a few hours later Christian

36:55

Smith

36:57

with Robert Pape closely behind want out

37:02

together Christian held is the two Meek

37:04

old daughter Zoe for the first time just

37:08

want to be with my beautiful baby girl

37:09

and my amazing wife and loyal family and

37:13

my brother's over over in the

37:17

military that have been loyal to me

37:20

throughout this whole

37:23

thing I just hope I can just move on

37:25

with my life and put this behind me

37:27

Robert's family was waiting for

37:30

him at a location

37:32

nearby what was it like hugging your son

37:35

when he want out oh my gosh that first

37:38

time holding him you know I just I

37:40

didn't want to let him go but I had to

37:41

scoot over and let let her hug him let

37:44

his wife hug

37:45

him but it may not be completely over

37:48

for papen Smith the da can technically

37:51

refile charges against the men if new

37:54

evidence emerges Tanya fre

37:57

has always been convinced that they had

37:59

the right

38:01

man and I have thought about if they get

38:04

away with murder to know in my heart

38:07

that Christian and Robert took my family

38:11

from me and could get away with it I

38:15

hope that they have to think about this

38:17

every day for the rest of their

38:20

[Music]

38:25

life

38:28

in June 2016 Robert Pape and Christian

38:31

Smith were rearrested for the murders

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the state says the charges were based on

38:36

a new informant who claimed Smith had

38:39

made an incriminating statement better

38:41

cell phone tracking and more evidence

38:44

that links Christian Smith to that

38:46

business card founded the crime scene

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and they say in 2018 in January oh we

38:53

had a fingerprint match that we couldn't

38:55

make since 2006

38:57

sounds a little fishy Christian Smith's

38:59

lawyer John Patrick Dolan says

39:02

investigators had tunnel vision I think

39:05

they began with the conclusion that my

39:07

client and Mr Pape are guilty and tried

39:09

to collect evidence to support that

39:11

rather than evaluating the evidence and

39:13

see where it takes them the trial began

39:16

in April 2018 almost 12 years after the

39:20

crime Dolan and pape's new attorney Jeff

39:23

Moore launched a vigorous defense

39:25

raising question about The credibility

39:27

of the State's new informant who has had

39:30

his own legal troubles and the accuracy

39:33

of the cell phone tracking and forensic

39:36

evidence this is about as paper thin

39:38

case as I've ever seen after more than a

39:41

month of trial the case went to the jury

39:44

they would deliberate 10 agonizing days

39:48

before giving word that they had finally

39:50

reached a

39:51

verdict Robert Pape and Christian Smith

39:54

were found guilty of first deegree

39:56

murder in the deaths of Vicky freedley

39:59

and John Hayward Pape was found guilty

40:02

of second degree murder in the death of

40:04

Becky freedley I waited 11 years 9

40:07

months for this day and I'm I'm very

40:09

happy there is no closure Becky's gone

40:12

Vicky John they'll never come back but

40:14

what the victim's family see as the

40:17

right verdict is viewed as a terrible

40:19

Injustice by two other families Robert

40:23

Pap's mother was

40:25

devastated

40:27

a jury has finally decided who was

40:29

responsible for the murder of three

40:31

people in pinion Pines but the

40:34

destruction left by that terrible night

40:39

remains my sister was a beautiful person

40:42

inside and

40:44

out and I want that

40:47

remembered I want to remember her for

40:50

her not for how she

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[Music]

40:55

died

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[Music]