Murder in Pinyon Pines | Full Episode
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
😔 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.
🕵️♂️ 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.
🔍 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.
📞 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.
🚨 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.
🏡 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
💡Arson
💡Ex-boyfriend
💡Cell Phone Evidence
💡DNA Evidence
💡Firearms
💡Alibi
💡Grand Jury
💡Wrongful Accusation
💡Hearing
💡Informant
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
[Music]
being in the
military in law
enforcement I've seen a lot of people
die I've seen a lot of really bad
things but you never think anything's
going to happen to
you not that you're above
it it always happens to somebody
[Music]
else nothing could have prepared me for
what actually
[Music]
happened the deputy showed up at my door
all he said was you need to call your
dad my dad started crying and he told me
that there had been a
fire at my mom's
house the only people living in the
house was my mom Vicky her boyfriend
John and my little sister
Becky we're still waiting for positive
identification on three bodies found at
a burned out home in pinion Pines we
knew right away that everyone was
dead maybe my mom fell asleep with a
cigarette or a gas
leak but what happened was much much
worse I learned that Becky was
found in a
wheelbarrow apparently she had been
placed in this and set on
fire my baby sister was
gone this was the front of the house and
the wheelbarrow was found here we know
that it was brought to this spot because
there were tracks rolled out that
way why bring her body towards the front
of the house we think it was to pose her
and they wanted to leave some kind of
symbol make it as personal as possible
that's hate
she was obviously the Target and when I
heard the wheelbarrow situation that's
when I knew it was him waiting for my
precious boyfriend say hi Robert hi guys
because he had threatened to kill her a
lot of the evidence pointed toward
Robert Pape and Christian Smith Robert
Pape was Becky's
exboyfriend Christian Smith was Robert
Pap's best
friend 7 years 7 years when by before
anything
happened yesterday police arrested
25-year-olds Christen Smith and Becky
friedley's ex-boyfriend Robert P we know
Robert and anyone who knows him knows
how ridiculous the accusations
are my son Christian saves
lives he saved lives in Afghanistan he
doesn't take lives there's no way it's
all very obvious that there's no
way
Robert Pape and Kristen Smith are
accused of three counts of
murder and if you just look at all the
evidence it just doesn't fit it doesn't
work this is not the case that should be
brought against these two
men there is not a doubt in my mind that
they have the right people I I know that
they
[Applause]
[Music]
[Music]
do 48 Hours murder in pinion
Pines it was a vicious triple homicide
but there were almost no Clues Left
Behind that's because a fire consumed
the crime scene destroying vital
evidence with the investigation hampered
from the start it would take nearly 12
long years to bring this case to trial
and to its emotional conclusion Troy
Roberts brings us the murder in pinion
[Music]
Pines
[Music]
this Foundation is All That Remains of
the freedley home in pinan Pines
California on the evening of September
17th 2006 Tanya friedley's childhood
home was burned to the ground there's
not a day that goes by that I don't
think about what happened I miss them
every
day
inside the home investigators have found
the bodies of Tanya's 53-year-old mother
Vicky friedley and her 55-year-old
boyriend John Hayward it was later
determined they had both been shot the
homicide unit is treating this as a
homicide outside in a burning
wheelbarrow were the charred remains of
Tanya's 18-year-old sister Becky her
body too badly burned to determine the
cause of death the worst part is is that
my baby sister I was supposed to be the
one to protect her and be there for
her that's my
job Tanya then a deputy sheriff in
another town relayed the devastating
news to her sister Drew an Air Force
medic stationed in Japan at the time I
think it's just mortifying when you find
out that somebody could be that horrible
and Sinister like something you'd seen
in a a horror flick as opposed to real
life for Drew and and Tanya it's hard to
reconcile that horrific murder scene to
their storybook upbringing on the
property their father Ron freedley had
built their home himself in the
mountains high above the desert heat of
the Coachella
Valley it was just a nice
place it was country it was definitely
out of the city and I liked it it was a
great place for the kids to grow up Ron
doed on his daughters and so did his
wife at Vicki my mom was just very
kind-hearted wonderful woman she loved
being a mom um she loved gardening she
loved sewing and quilting and cooking
you know that was really important for
her to teach us how to cook even from a
very very young age the youngest of the
sisters was high-spirited Becky freedley
Becky was always just an amazing person
I mean even when she was small always
had a smile on her face she was always
there for you she SM art Becky used to
actually help Tanya and Drew with their
homework and and you know she's four
years younger than them she got along
with everybody she really did she was
just a
fun happy
person but the happy times as a family
didn't last Ron and Vicki divorce after
13 years of marriage she was a good
person but we we sort of grew
apart as the years passed t and Drew
also left home Becky remained behind
with her mother who eventually found
love again with contractor John Hayward
my dad called Vicki his cupcake because
she was just so
sweet kitty Hayward is John's daughter
they were drawn together because they
both loved the outdoors and they loved
living up there together and I would be
like Dad why are you guys living up here
just come down to the city there's what
is up here and and he would always say
like it's free up here no one will ever
bother us and this is the safest place
that you can
be then came that night in September at
first no one could imagine who would
want to hurt John Becky and Vicki I
really had no
idea the finger was being pointed at
everyone I think there were all kinds of
rumors rumors started circulating that
perhaps they had been murdered by
someone with a grudge against Ron
friedley
Ron had retired the year before from the
Riverside County Sheriff's
Department did you believe that this may
have been some sort of Retribution for
your work in law
enforcement no I I really didn't I never
really was involved in anything where
somebody would have said I want to get
back at this guy I didn't have that kind
of career so you had no enemies that's
really know investigators looked into
that theory and quickly ruled it out but
then rumored began swirling about Ron
freely himself I mean it's just natural
to think that um possibly the the
husband or family could have been
involved and and I understood that going
into it um were you interviewed yes I
was I was crying probably most through
most of it investigators asked Ron to
take a polygraph test that was probably
the first time that I really felt like I
was kind of a a suspect so I got up
there I took the polygraph and uh the
lady came out and she said this is one
of the best tests I've ever given in my
career she says it it was incredible you
did
fine phone records put Ron 11 hours away
at his property in Northern California
when the crime took place and police
ruled him out as a
suspect but there was one person a
friend of Becky's who says she knew
immediately who was responsible this was
intentional and he did it and and I've
known since day one he did
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
it in the first days after the murders
Ron freedley was besieged with questions
none of us really knew why it occurred
or had a reason for it the last thing I
thought was that it was something to do
with
Becky but once the initial shock had
subsided Ron began looking at the crime
through his investigator's eyes and came
to believe that it was Becky who had
been targeted it seemed too personal
because of a fear Becky had she was
really really afraid of fire when she
was younger her mom was fixing tacos and
she had a pan full of hot grease and
Becky had pulled it down off off the
stove and it burned on her chest she had
third degree burns on her chest so
someone that's with someone intimately
would know that she had these scars and
was scared of fire Becky's friend jeie
McDaniel was suspicious about someone
right away so immediately when you heard
the murders your mind went to Robert P
immediately nothing else in my mind
there's nobody else that could have done
this Robert P was Becky friedley's
ex-boyfriend and Robert got Becky a cro
the teenagers started dating in high
school and were together for over a year
looks like you guys are getting married
at first Becky and Robert seemed happy I
think it was her first
love I just think she was madly in love
with him
a but Jeannie says Robert soon grew
possessive of Becky when her and I went
on vacation about 10 months before she
died he called about 20 30 times in a
night night just harassing her wanting
to talk to her while we were hanging out
with friends 20 to 30 times in one night
mhm with I mean minutes within each
other in January 2006 Becky and Robert
broke up and started seeing other people
but according to jeie Robert's obsessive
behavior only grew worse and took an
even darker turn shortly before the
murders in
September she came to my house three
weeks before she died and said he had
even threatened to kill me those are her
exact words even threatened to kill me
why she said because he wasn't taking
the breakup well and he wanted her and
didn't want anybody else to have her
that's what she said to me so were you
concerned for her I was but she gave me
the impression that it wasn't a big deal
and so I kind of just took her word for
it and let it
go but after the murders Jeanie says she
went straight to the Riverside County
Sheriff's apartment with her suspicions
as it turns out Robert Pape was already
on their radar everyone was whispering
about Robert they moved pretty quickly
in in the direction of of Robert there
was a lot of little tiny bits of
information from different sources one
of those sources was Becky's close
friend Javier Garcia Jr who had given
investigators an interesting bit of
information on the night of the murders
he says Becky had told him she was going
hiking on her property with Robert and
his friend Christian
Smith Tanya freedley believes her sister
probably just wanted to smooth things
over with Robert my sister was a fixer
she loved with all of her heart and she
gave herself to everything she did
Garcia Jr's lead placed Robert Pape and
Christian Smith at the scene of the
crime the night of the
murders with rumors pointing towards the
two men the freedley were sure that the
case would soon be solved I kind of felt
a sense of relief um the that they would
be arrested but as surely as the
momentum had started it seemed to stop
the Riverside County Sheriff's
Department never publicly shared any
details of the investigation or named
any
suspects it was frustrating but they
just kept saying they they didn't have
it they didn't have enough to to make an
arrest private investigator Lewis
balanos saw his friend Ron grow
increasingly despondent about 2 or 3
years into this I'm getting updates from
Ron and I'm find out that nothing's
happening it this case has stalled it's
gone cold Lewis and Ron had met years
earlier at the Sheriff's Office where
Ron had been one of Lewis's first
training officers now it was time for
Lewis to help his old teammate I begged
Ron for years two or three years let me
do this for you Lewis had also worked in
the Riverside County DA's office
although they parted on bad terms he was
certain he could get things moving again
I knew that we can get to back on the
front page where it needed to be um and
get those phones burning again I really
wasn't ready because I really felt in my
heart that I I thought the sheriff's
department was going to solve it I
really
did but as the sixe anniversary of the
crime approach with no arrest in sight
Ron finally gave Lewis the green light
the media Savvy Pi got to work and one
of his first orders of business was
putting up this provocative billboard we
wanted to do it before before and after
a beautiful picture of Becky and then a
simulated picture of Becky in the
wheelbarrow on fire it really really
pulled at heartstrings and sickened
people we believe the following to be
true Lewis also held a press conference
at the murder site with Drew and Tanya
friedley we are in this because we
believe this case can be solved we know
somebody out there knows something over
the next year tips started coming in one
of them from Becky's cousin Daniela Zeno
who remembered something that might help
investigators I had spoken to Becky um
the night before the murder and she told
me that her ex-boyfriend Robert had come
into her work at Denny's and um was
harassing her he had harassed her to the
point of being removed from the
restaurant Daniela says after the
altercation they had discuss going on
that hike and I think talk about
whatever their relationship was how it
was finishing and where it was and on
the seventh anniversary of the crime
Lewis held yet another press conference
at the murder site with danela by a sign
the suspects then ignited the accelerant
and in turn engulfed Becky in Flames Ron
believes all the media pressure paid off
a few months later the DA's office
subpoena Robert Pape and Christian Smith
to appear before a grand jury it was
just stirring the pot it was something
on the news every day about it and I
think they just said all right let's go
do something and they did as the grand
jury Drew to a close there was news
you're watching
KQ the desert's News Leader two arrests
after nearly 8 years in the pinion Pines
murderers Pape and Smith were arrested
for triple homicide I was very happy it
was probably the happiest day of my life
but as investigators were sure the
killers were finally in custody two
families say they are just as certain
the men are wrongfully accused innocent
till proven guilty is a myth it's guilty
till proven innocent and the truth's
going to come out it will come
out for over 7 years the families of
Becky freedley her mother Vicky and John
Hayward have been waiting for this
moment my heart was in my stomach seeing
them in the jumpsuits and seeing them in
the flesh and seeing them
handcuffed Robert Pape and Christian
Smith both 25 found themselves in a
Riverside County Courthouse charged with
triple homicide both pled not guilty I
think they thought they were going to
get away with it but these two men
hardly fit the image of typical
defendants neither have criminal records
Christian Smith is married and a
decorated war hero Robert Pape is also
married in an active member of his
church I had a really hard time just
keeping it together you know Robert
sister Christie struggled seeing him
accused of the brutal murder and burning
of three people somebody like
him someone like him being put in that
position it's really hard to
watch Christie and Robert's mother
Kathleen say he is innocent and not the
man he has been portrayed as in the
media they tried to make him out to be a
monster a jealous monster and he just
isn't that what kind of man is he Robert
is an amazing person he's got a good
heart he's got a gentle heart
hardworking patient honest he's always
there when you need him he sort of takes
care of all of us takes really good care
of wife Robert started dating his wife
Sarah after his breakup with Becky he
and his wife both have this tremendous
heart for Animals he cares about people
he cares about animals he's just got the
utmost integrity and Christie and
Kathleen aren't Robert's only supporters
we've had no less than 10 or 11 people
at every single
hearing and there's been 30 33 or 34
people at one of the hearings just
coming to to support and the courtroom
can't even fit that many of us people
called us immediately after he was
arrested and they were like no this
isn't right uh this is not the Robert I
know also looking on in disbelief has
been Christian Smith's Father John
Conrad Smith I know my son didn't do
that I know he's not capable of that
Smith says his son is an honorable man
and was living his dream serving his
country in the military as part of the
Army's Elite 75th Ranger regiment it was
in Afghanistan that Smith says his son
became a hero he saved another man's
life who was actually shot through the
lung and I have a picture of him pulling
him out and two of his battle buddies
and chrisan has one hand on a rifle and
pulling his his comrade out and firing
back at Afghanistan Christian has won
commendations for Valor and has been
awarded two purple hearts this one is
when he was wounded did and he was shot
through the arm he got this one this one
was when he took the grenade shrapnel he
deserves better than
this I mean he's put his life on the
line for five years now he's a good guy
Christian Smith may be a war hero now
but investigators believe back when he
was 17 he committed murder with his
18-year-old best friend Robert Pape
Christian Smith and Robert Pape had been
really really good friends in high
school school and they both kind of beat
to the same drum Robert Pape and
Christian Smith both had an extreme
fascination with fire Becky had
complained about Robert and Christian to
close friend Brandon cougler Harrison
there's one time that they were playing
with fire him and him and Christian and
that they were they set something on
fire I think it was a match it's not
100% sure though but I remember her
getting mad at him over that and not
talking to him for a couple days did
your son have a fascination with fire
no no there was no Fascination they were
not troublemakers they were good kids
but prosecutors plan on using Robert's
words against him just a few months
before the fire here in pinan Pines
Robert had an instant message
conversation with his then girlfriend
Sarah in that exchange Robert seemed to
offer a solution to Sarah's problems
with an ex-boyfriend well if you know
where he lives we can professionally
burn his house down considering how
Becky Vicki and John were killed it's a
very concerning statement this is 8
month 8 months prior to the
homicide the Riverside County Sheriff's
department and DA's office wouldn't
comment on the investigation but 48
Hours obtain a copy of the grand jury
transcripts during the proceedings both
men pled the fifth but when questioned
by police years earlier they denied they
ever went near Becky's house and said
they never had any intention of hiking
with her Robert and Christian told
police during the interview that they
were heading to church that night
apparently they made a phone call on the
way there and the church was in fact
closed when those plans fell through the
boys said they headed back to
Christian's dad's home to hang out and
play video games where was your son the
night of the
murders you know what I wasn't in town
well what did he tell you when you
eventually saw him we were here the boys
said they eventually wound up at this
Middle School where they shot paintball
guns nobody saw Christian or Robert at
the school playing paintball nobody the
their only Alibi is each other but it
was the boys cell phone activity that
night that raised the most red flags to
investigators they put themselves on the
other side of town and the cell phon say
differently at 7:13 p.m. Robert's cell
phone pinged near the start of Highway
74 the road leading up to the freedley
home minutes later both Christian and
Robert's cell phones went silent from
about 7:30 to 10: p.m. the time frame
investigators believe their murders took
place they came out of their way to find
Becky hard to say of John and Vicki were
collateral damage tracks and Footprints
at the scene Place Becky's attack near
the desert behind the house Becky was
then placed in a wheelbarrow and rolled
back towards the house and set on
fire what kind of evidence was recovered
from the scene that links this crime to
these two young men well we know that at
at the point where the wheelbarrow
rolled from where they put Becky in the
wheelbarrow that they found a business
card and on that business card they
eventually found DNA that was consistent
with DNA belonging to Christian
Smith inside the home it was determined
Vicki had been shot with a 40 caliber
handgun and John Hayward with a shotgun
before the house was set on
fire when investigators searched the
boy's homes a year later they found
shotguns similar to the one us used in
the crime no handguns were ever
recovered but in Robert's house there
were accessories to the type of gun that
may have killed Vicki in that search
warrant they recovered
ammunition to 40 cal and recovered a
holster to a Glock 40 that's a powerful
piece of evidence you believe that
police have the right men oh I'm
confident they have the right to guys
absolutely but defense lawyers charge
investigators ignored other possible
suspects and the evidence will never
hold up at trial you have the wrong
person
[Music]
here for Tanya freedley hearing the
specific details of the murders has been
difficult to think about how they must
have been pleading for their lives how
scared all of them were is horrifying
and believing that one of their alleged
Killers was someone Becky once loved has
been especially painful for Ron friedley
she loved him a lot and and that's
probably one of the saddest Parts about
the whole story
is you know she loved him to death and
he threw it all
away threw it all
away for nothing
but nothing is what defense lawyers say
the state's case is based on and I kept
looking for the proverbial other shoe I
went over it I just didn't see it
Richard Blumenfeld represents Robert P
and says the case against his client is
built entirely on questionable and
hearsay evidence he points to Becky's
cousin Daniela Zeno who said Becky had
told her about a fight at Denny's the
day before the murders Robert had gone
to Becky
restaurant and there' been a scene an
argument and they'd been asked to take
it outside and so on and so forth that
never happened never happened never
happened nobody could substantiate that
that anything like that ever happened
bloomenfeld says a grand jewelry should
have never heard daniela's testimony or
the evidence about the IM exchange
between Robert and Sarah in which he
seemingly suggested burning down her
ex-boyfriend's house weld argues it was
said in a joking fashion there were
probably over a 100 pages of these
conversations and they took one excerpt
out of context it was clearly not
seriously said bloomenfeld also denies
that Robert threatened Becky's life and
says there would be no reason for him to
be jealous or want to harm Becky because
he had already moved on he wasn't seeing
Becky any more seriously she was trying
to uh revive their relationship but he
moved on he was with Sarah
whether Robert had a motive or not
Christian Smith's alleged role never
made any sense to his attorney John
Patrick Dolan the motive if you can
believe this is he's Robert's friend and
he went along with
him that's it there's no connection with
Kristen and Becky there's nothing that
suggests he has any animosity toward her
it's a pretty weak argument Dolan thinks
all the evidence is weak starting with
the boy's lack of sell phone activity
around the time frame of the murders he
says it doesn't prove
anything it is unusual for for a
teenager not to use their phone for 2
and a half hour well you could say that
you could also say that he was having a
shower having dinner and he had a
paintball gun and he went out and tested
it out near a middle school and he
didn't make any calls for 2 and a half
hours it's really not that uncommon at
all but before the boy's phones went
silent there was that sell Tower ping
that put Robert and presumably Christian
at the start of Highway 74 up to p
Pines didn't the Ping show that
Christian and Robert were somewhere near
Becky's home well that's one of those
really interesting anomalies CU a ping
doesn't show at all that Kristen was
anywhere near that home Dolan says that
3 minutes before Robert's phone pinged
near Highway 74 Christian's phone pinged
off a cell tower miles away and I can
tell you that uh prosecution is going to
have a hard time getting over Mr Smith's
phone being on the other side of the
Coachella Valley when they say
Mr P's phone was pinged sometime near
the time that there would had to been an
Ascent up the
mountain but the states FBI experts say
cell phones at higher elevations
sometimes bounce off other Towers
pinging phones are not investigators say
there is hard evidence putting Christian
at the scene that DNA on the business
card and that puts him there and we know
that he has denied ever being there
Dolan questions whether the DNA na is
Christians as the prosecution says it
unequivocally is and argues that even if
it is a match Becky could have
previously picked up the card from his
client She carries it up to her house
she drops it on the ground that doesn't
prove he was there it simply proves he
touched a card and they have to have
something more than he touched a card to
prove he was there committing homicide
and if Dolan dismisses the DNA evidence
he says the gun evidence is almost
laughable what the argument was by the
district attorney was he had access to
the kinds of guns that were used do does
that make anybody guilty because they
have access to the kind of gun that was
used with no ballistics with no
measurement with no slugs with no
nothing and Christian's father says that
the entire argument is moot anyway as
far as his son is concerned because the
guns were with him in another state the
weaken of the murders they were with me
they got put in the trunk of my car the
defense believes that other people
should have been looked at more closely
like Javier Garcia Jr that friend of
becku who had first turned investigators
towards Robert and Christian saying they
were all going hiking so Javier says
Becky says something how do we find out
whether or not that's just him making up
something because it points things
elsewhere some friends say Garcia Jr
wanted to be more than friends with
Becky and Dolan and Blumenfeld point out
that while their clients phones didn't
ping up in the mountains where Becky
lived Garcia Jr's did if you follow the
route that he alleged that he took it
puts him right by Becky's
residence why was he driving in the area
near the time that this took place and I
was told that Javier garciaa would not
testify at the Grand Jury unless he was
granted immunity why does he need
immunity if he doesn't have anything to
do with this Dolan also points out that
Garcia Jr's father is an investigator in
the DA's office raising question
questions about a possible conflict of
interest interesting question about that
there was an investigation by the way
and to be fair we have to say the
Attorney General came down and looked at
it said doesn't look like there's any
conflict of interest here and and I
accept that for now but I don't accept
it forever he was extremely forthcoming
with the police and was instrumental in
their investigation former Federal
prosecutor Eduardo Roy represents Javier
Garcia Jr he says Javier's only role is
that of key witness and not as a suspect
he was asked to testify before a grand
jury yes he was did he he did not why we
were there and then it was decided that
they didn't need him did you ever ask
for immunity for
Javier I asked to for them to be clear
before I made him available that he was
not a Target or a suspect of the
investigation
why because I'm a very good lawyer
that's why Roy says the reason why
Garcia Jr was driving in the area before
the murders was because he wanted to
join the group going hiking but Becky
told him not to come so he turned around
and went home and what the police did
was track where he was police determined
Javier Garcia Jr was back on the desert
floor at the time of the murders and
ruled him out as a suspect and Daniela
zmenu independently backs up Javier's
story that Becky planned to go hiking
with Robert and a friend
the night of the murders they had a
definite plan to go hiking the three of
them the freedle believe the evidence
circumstantial or not paints a damning
picture when you put it all together
it's them I can only hope and pray that
a jury of their peers will hear the
evidence and come back with a guilty
verdict
I call it the drive of
Tears almost every Saturday for the last
6 months John Conrad Smith makes the
hourong drive to visit his son at the
Riverside County jail I just think about
Christian and I cry all the way up and
all the way back Smith says Christian
has missed a deployment with his unit
and is all but certain to miss out on a
huge life event his wife Jackie is about
to give birth to their first child he's
not going to be there for that birth
he's not going to be able to see that
birth and it's horrible I mean he's
taking it he's taking it hard and to see
him in that orange jumpsuit it breaks my
heart it breaks his heart Robert Pap's
mother Kathleen has also been having a
hard time seeing her son Behind Bars the
thought goes through your head like will
I ever be able to touch
him
but there is another parent out there
who wakes up each morning thinking these
men are exactly where they
belong one of the first things I do in
the morning is I get a cup of coffee and
I go outside I think about Becky and I
think about those two boys in jail after
years of waiting the freedley and
haywards feel they are one step closer
to justice as they wait for a trial date
to be set it's a nice feeling knowing
that they're going to have to answer for
what they did if the jury finds them not
guilty so be it if they found guilty
then they're going to pay for the crime
that they committed but the case was
about to take an unexpected turn 8 years
after the murders the prosecutor
assigned to this case walked inside this
courthouse and asked that all charges
against Robert Pape and Christian Smith
be dropped a bombshell out of an India
courtroom today charges
dropped really emotional yeah I mean I'm
just happy I I'm not
yeah I'm happy he's coming home as a
matter of fact I'm going to go get him
right now the DA's office offered little
explanation for their decision in a
prepared statement they said legal
issues had Arisen during the grand jury
proceedings against Robert Pape making
it appropriate to ultimately dismiss the
charges against both men the system
worked I have faith in my son and that's
that's all I can tell you the dismissal
was so unexpected that neither man was
in the courtroom that day Christian's
dad broke the news to him from outside
the jail you've been released you you've
been released your mom and I and
everybody everybody's here the baby's on
her way we're just waiting for you to
get the paperwork done and for you to
walk out that door we're all waiting
outside for you
son and just a few hours later Christian
Smith
with Robert Pape closely behind want out
together Christian held is the two Meek
old daughter Zoe for the first time just
want to be with my beautiful baby girl
and my amazing wife and loyal family and
my brother's over over in the
military that have been loyal to me
throughout this whole
thing I just hope I can just move on
with my life and put this behind me
Robert's family was waiting for
him at a location
nearby what was it like hugging your son
when he want out oh my gosh that first
time holding him you know I just I
didn't want to let him go but I had to
scoot over and let let her hug him let
his wife hug
him but it may not be completely over
for papen Smith the da can technically
refile charges against the men if new
evidence emerges Tanya fre
has always been convinced that they had
the right
man and I have thought about if they get
away with murder to know in my heart
that Christian and Robert took my family
from me and could get away with it I
hope that they have to think about this
every day for the rest of their
[Music]
life
in June 2016 Robert Pape and Christian
Smith were rearrested for the murders
the state says the charges were based on
a new informant who claimed Smith had
made an incriminating statement better
cell phone tracking and more evidence
that links Christian Smith to that
business card founded the crime scene
and they say in 2018 in January oh we
had a fingerprint match that we couldn't
make since 2006
sounds a little fishy Christian Smith's
lawyer John Patrick Dolan says
investigators had tunnel vision I think
they began with the conclusion that my
client and Mr Pape are guilty and tried
to collect evidence to support that
rather than evaluating the evidence and
see where it takes them the trial began
in April 2018 almost 12 years after the
crime Dolan and pape's new attorney Jeff
Moore launched a vigorous defense
raising question about The credibility
of the State's new informant who has had
his own legal troubles and the accuracy
of the cell phone tracking and forensic
evidence this is about as paper thin
case as I've ever seen after more than a
month of trial the case went to the jury
they would deliberate 10 agonizing days
before giving word that they had finally
reached a
verdict Robert Pape and Christian Smith
were found guilty of first deegree
murder in the deaths of Vicky freedley
and John Hayward Pape was found guilty
of second degree murder in the death of
Becky freedley I waited 11 years 9
months for this day and I'm I'm very
happy there is no closure Becky's gone
Vicky John they'll never come back but
what the victim's family see as the
right verdict is viewed as a terrible
Injustice by two other families Robert
Pap's mother was
devastated
a jury has finally decided who was
responsible for the murder of three
people in pinion Pines but the
destruction left by that terrible night
remains my sister was a beautiful person
inside and
out and I want that
remembered I want to remember her for
her not for how she
[Music]
died
[Music]
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
The First 48: Down on Bourbon / Deadly Trap (S17, E23) | Full Episode | A&E
The Lost Boy | Full Episode
Madeline Soto: Story Jennifer Soto gave law enforcement doesn’t line up with what investigators know
Don't look behind the mirror!! The unknown Candyman case and famous horror story | Mystery & Makeup
High School Grad Killed After Dumping Her Boyfriend: The Murder of Lauren Astley
New video shows woman's arrest on charges she killed her 4-year-old son