criminal responsibility
How common are love triangles in murder-for-hire cases?
According to Detective Eric Barnes, while murder-for-hire is generally rare in homicide investigations, cases involving love triangles represent a notable subset. These situations typically arise when people become emotionally entangled and are unable to sever ties with their partners. The detective explains that murder-for-hire plots stemming from complex romantic relationships where emotions run high are actually quite common within this specific category of crimes, highlighting how interpersonal conflicts can escalate to extreme levels when emotional attachments are involved.
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Law&Crime Network
08:01 - 08:24
Who is allegedly behind the murder-for-hire plot according to police?
According to the police investigation, the arrests of Shaw and Johnson appear to be just the beginning of this case. Law enforcement officials allege there was a mastermind behind the scenes who was orchestrating the entire murder plot. Investigators believe this unidentified person was 'pulling the strings' of the plan to murder, suggesting a more complex conspiracy than initially apparent. The police indicate that Sammy Schaefer was likely the mastermind, motivated by jealousy and personal grievances stemming from a contentious divorce situation involving his wife's relationship with the victim, Portia Rowland.
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Law&Crime Network
02:21 - 02:32
What is the main defense strategy in Sammy Schaefer's murder trial?
In Sammy Schaefer's murder trial, the defense's key strategy is challenging the credibility of Marty Shaw, who is the primary witness providing the narrative that prosecutors are relying on. During pretrial hearings, the defense argued it's unfair to trust Shaw's account since he is the man Schaefer allegedly hired for the murder and is also facing murder charges himself. This credibility challenge represents a major strategic approach for the defense team as they attempt to undermine the prosecution's case by questioning the reliability of testimony coming from someone with significant legal jeopardy of his own. The defense hopes to create reasonable doubt by highlighting Shaw's potential motivation to shift blame.
Watch clip answer (00:20m)Law&Crime Network
04:02 - 04:23
What actions did Erin Spohr take after the shootings of her parents?
Following the shootings, Erin Spohr visited her mother Wendy Wood with Samantha Scott under the pretense of concern, but their actual purpose was to monitor Wood's memory of the attack and ensure she never implicated Erin in masterminding the killings of her father and eventually her mother. Wendy Wood confronted Erin multiple times about her suspected involvement in the murder. The mother was so convinced of her daughter's role in the homicide that she eventually disinherited Erin from the family estate. This suggests a profound breach of trust within the family and Wendy's strong belief that her own daughter was responsible for the violent attacks against her parents.
Watch clip answer (00:34m)
Law&Crime Network
14:29 - 15:04
What was the biggest impediment to Wendy Wood's healing after the attack?
According to her daughter Adrienne Spore, the single biggest impediment to Wendy Wood's healing was not knowing who had attacked her and killed her husband of nearly 45-50 years. Wendy was described as strong and committed to getting justice for her husband after the brutal attack in Lake Tahoe. Adrienne explained that identifying the perpetrators would have enabled her mother to move beyond her grief and fully recover from the tragedy. Wendy's inability to know who was responsible prevented her from finding closure and healing from this traumatic event.
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Law&Crime Network
01:22 - 01:44
How do plaintiffs prove their case in wrongful death actions?
In civil wrongful death cases, attorneys have multiple tools at their disposal to build and prove their claims. One key method is through depositions, which involves taking sworn testimony from witnesses prior to trial. Unlike criminal cases, civil proceedings offer plaintiffs more investigative options to establish liability. Attorneys utilize various evidence-gathering techniques to demonstrate the defendant's responsibility for the death. These tools help plaintiffs navigate the unique challenges of wrongful death litigation, where they must establish not only that the death occurred but also that it resulted from the defendant's negligent or intentional actions.
Watch clip answer (00:26m)
Law&Crime Network
20:12 - 20:38