murder-for-hire
How strong is the prosecution's case against Sammy Schaefer in the murder-for-hire plot?
According to Detective Eric Barnes, the prosecution has built a very strong case against Sammy Schaefer. Their strength lies in having identified and secured all the key players involved in the offense: the getaway driver, the shooter, and the mastermind (Schaefer himself). The comprehensive nature of their evidence has allowed prosecutors to establish the complete chain of involvement in this murder-for-hire scheme. This level of evidentiary completeness is particularly valuable in such cases, as it allows the prosecution to present a cohesive narrative that connects all participants in the alleged crime.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)
Law&Crime Network
16:39 - 17:00
What motive led Sammy Schaefer to allegedly orchestrate the murder of Portia Rowland?
According to prosecutors at a pretrial hearing, Sammy Schaefer was motivated by jealousy over Rowland dating his estranged wife during what was described as a contentious divorce. Evidence suggests Schaefer made direct threats to Rowland in the weeks before her murder. He allegedly sent messages saying "I wish you would let go of her and let my family heal together again for my sons," followed by another message reading "God made us to be with a man and a woman." These communications reveal Schaefer's apparent desperation to reunite his family and his resentment toward Rowland for her relationship with his estranged wife.
Watch clip answer (00:37m)
Law&Crime Network
02:38 - 03:15
What plea did Sammy Schaefer enter in his murder-for-hire case?
In the latest court hearing on Valentine's Day, Sammy Schaefer entered a not guilty plea to four charges: two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of solicitation for murder-for-hire. This plea came after his defense team argued against trusting the prosecution's narrative, which relies heavily on testimony from Shaw, the man Schaefer allegedly hired to commit the murder and who faces murder charges himself. Despite defense efforts to secure Schaefer's release pending trial, the judge sided with prosecutors, ruling that Schaefer will remain behind bars as the case proceeds toward trial.
Watch clip answer (00:44m)Law&Crime Network
04:02 - 04:47
What was the motive behind the Valentine's Day murder-for-hire plot?
The Valentine's Day murder-for-hire plot stemmed from a complicated love triangle involving an estranged husband who allegedly paid two men $10,000 to kill his estranged wife's lover. According to evidence presented at trial, this was not a random act of violence but rather a calculated scheme driven by personal grievance. Police investigation revealed that the plot turned deadly over a messy divorce situation. The prosecutor emphasized that this case represented a cold-hearted murder-for-hire arrangement, motivated by the husband's anger about his wife's new relationship during their separation.
Watch clip answer (00:26m)
Law&Crime Network
00:04 - 00:31
How were authorities able to identify and arrest Marty Shaw as a suspect in the murder case?
Authorities were able to identify and arrest Marty Shaw as a suspect through the use of license plate readers. As mentioned by the prosecutor, these readers successfully tracked the suspected vehicle, which led investigators directly to Shaw. This case serves as a powerful example of how effective license plate reading technology can be in solving crimes despite being a controversial topic. While organizations like the ACLU have raised concerns about potential mass surveillance and privacy violations, police credit this technology as the crucial tool that allowed them to crack this particular case.
Watch clip answer (00:37m)Law&Crime Network
01:30 - 02:08
What common issues in family law cases can lead to criminal behavior?
Family law cases often involve deeply human elements that can escalate to criminal issues. As discussed in the clip, divorce and separation are primary triggers, creating emotional turmoil that may lead individuals to make harmful decisions. These cases typically feature a complex interweaving of personal relationships and legal challenges. The speaker notes that this pattern appears regularly in their handled cases, where the transition from family disputes to criminal behavior reflects our shared humanity under stress. The underlying criminal issues often emerge from the emotional strain of relationship breakdown, demonstrating how divorce proceedings can sometimes escalate beyond legal disputes into potentially dangerous situations.
Watch clip answer (00:24m)
Law&Crime Network
19:48 - 20:12