The First 48

In Harris County, Deputy Jason Brown is called out on Easter Sunday to investigate the brutal shooting of a woman who was a school bus driver and mother of two. Meanwhile, Harris County Sergeant Sidney Miller takes on the murder of a young father, shot dead in a courtyard.

In Harris County, Deputy Jason Brown is called out on Easter Sunday to investigate the brutal shooting of a woman who was a school bus driver and mother of two. Meanwhile, Harris County Sergeant Sidney Miller takes on the murder of a young father, shot dead in a courtyard.

In November 2006, Dallas detectives investigated the murder of a twenty-nine-year-old mother of four, found burned beyond recognition in her car behind a remote warehouse. Detectives soon discovered that the victim's former boyfriend and father of her infant son, had been stalking her for months, leading up to her death. After tracking down two homeless witnesses and finding a piece of crucial evidence, police were able to charge James Bartley with capital murder. The Dallas DA's office was responsible for bringing the case to a close. In order to do that successfully, the prosecutor and her investigator had to keep close tabs on their key homeless witnesses for years, while the cased awaited trial. When Bartley finally stood trial in 2009, the prosecution worried the jury wouldn't believe the testimony of two homeless crack addicts and find the evidence insufficient to prove Bartley guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

In March of 2008, Tucson Detectives Jennifer Whitfield and Mike Carroll were called to investigate the robbery/homicide of 27-year-old cab driver and father-to-be Timothy Royce. In what appeared to be a brutal and random crime with no leads, the case took a turn when detectives got a surprise tip to the whereabouts of their suspects. Within days of the crime, detectives were able to close their case, charging three suspects with first-degree murder and armed robbery. Over the next two years the defendants would face Tim's family in court. With the death penalty on the table, this update special filmed every hearing and trial in which the truth about Tim's final moments was revealed.

In July of 2006, Miami detectives Rolando Garcia and Orlando Silva responded to the shooting death of nine-year-old Sherdavia Jenkins. After a three-week investigation, detectives were able to close their case, charging two men with second-degree murder. Three years later the two men would face Sherdavia's family in court. When one of the defendants agrees to testify against the other, the outcome is unexpected. Filmed by our cameras, the trial would heat up with contentious moments between the defense and lead detective Garcia.

Tucson, Arizona. Sixteen-year-old Derreck Burruss and his friends were walking home when they were confronted by two men. The older of the two pulled a gun and shot Derreck in the chest. Lead Detective Bill Hanson and his team arrested fifteen-year-old Raymond Godoy and his cousin, eighteen-year-old Anthony Encinas, for the crime. Derrecks mother, Lakia Culver, would have to face both men in court. And she would be shocked by the outcome of Godoy's hearing. Next, Dallas, Texas. At 12:45 a.m. on the south side of Dallas three men were shot in front of a hotel. Two of them were rushed to the E.R. and the third lay dead on the pavement. The victim was 22-year-old Ivan Rangel. Rangel's friends told lead detective Phil Harding they didn't recognize the men who shot Ivan. It was Rangel's sister who gave Harding his first lead. Her family had been drumming up information about the murder and she named two suspects. But will one walk without any solid evidence against him?

In July of 2008, Dallas homicide detectives responded to a shooting on a dark service road on the south side of Dallas. The innocent victim, 19-year old Mikael Hudson, had been killed by a single gunshot fired from a vehicle in pursuit of he and his friends. The two suspects left a trail of evidence that ultimately led to their apprehension and arrest. Prosecutor Andrea Moseley was determined that both defendants would receive equal punishment. In August of 2005, Phoenix homicide detectives discovered the body of pregnant, 20-year old Virginia Rodriguez, who had been murdered, burned and then left to decompose in her apartment for over a week. For over two years detectives pursued her husband, the man they suspected of killing her, who had fled to his native country of Mexico with their two young children. He was finally caught and extradited to the US, but Prosecutor Treena Kay had concerns about getting a conviction.

One man was part of a love triangle, the other a complete stranger--both were murdered a week apart. Little did Louisville Homicide Detectives realize these two brutal homicides were linked, until they met Michael Knights and Jeston Murray. Were they both murderers or was one a witness? Both faced the death penalty but only one would go to trial.

In Birmingham, Detectives Eric Torrence and Henry Lucas investigate the murder of a 31-year-old male found dead in a field. But with a tight-lipped community where street law is paramount, finding someone to talk is the team's biggest challenge. As the clock winds down, will the community pull through and bring the killer to justice? Then, in Charlotte a man is chased down and killed in front of his nine-year-old son. Detective Blair Fitch is shocked to discover the killer was getting even with someone else. The case takes a surprising turn and leads detectives to New York where the suspect turns up in relation to another murder.

In Miami, ten days before Christmas, a young corrections officer is shot dead with her two-year-old son while sleeping in their bed. Det. Kevin Ruggiero and Sgt. Ervens Ford take the case personally--not only do they consider the victim 24-year-old Ciara Lee as "on our team", but the death of her baby boy hits them emotionally. In this intense manhunt the detectives uncover the intended target, the motive, and the suspected killers, making an arrest two days before Christmas. But a surprise twist at the end leaves them frustrated and determined.

In Birmingham, lead Detective Henry Lucas is working the brutal stabbing of a young mother killed in her own bedroom. With no obvious motive, the investigation hits a wall until Lucas discovers the victim is missing a diamond ring. Meanwhile, the Harris County Homicide squad and lead investigator Sgt. James Dousay are hunting the killer of a man found shot to death in his car. With no witnesses, Dousay hopes the last messages on the victim's phone and the victim's family and friends can lead them to their suspect.

In a remote area 20 miles east of Houston, a man walking in the woods discovers a startling sight--the remains of decomposed body hidden in the foliage. In one of his most challenging cases, Dep. Dennis Wolfford must first identify the body, before he can even begin unraveling the mystery of who to put it there. And in Miami, Sgt. Fernando Bosch investigates the murder of a 24-year-old father of two, gunned down while riding his bike. With no initial leads, detectives embark on an extensive canvass that proves fruitful when a witness comes forward with information that turns the case on its head: What detectives initially thought was the motive, is not. The murder is far more personal.

In Harris County, Deputy Jason Brown and the homicide unit investigate the cold-blooded murder of a 15-year-old boy who was stripped down and shot during a home invasion.

In Birmingham, AL, an innocent man is shot and killed in crossfire from a shoot out that erupted at a friendly dice game. Detective Jerry Williams and his team must first locate the shooters involved and then decide who and what to believe from the conflicting interviews. And in Harris County, TX, Dep. Jason Brown and the Homicide Unit investigate the murder of a 17-year-old student, gunned down in a flea market parking lot that also left his 14-year-old cousin wounded. The trail heats up when Brown finds another student that was involved in the shooting and in the gang confrontation that precipitated it.

University of Memphis football star Taylor Bradford was killed in his beloved Lincoln Town Car. At first police thought the motive was robbery. Then as they investigated, a love triangle emerged. Finally four men were charged with Bradford's murder. The first to go on trial wasn't even at the crime scene. Could prosecutors convince a jury to find him guilty of murder?

In Louisville, Det. Kristen Downs responds to the killing of a man shot while answering his door. Before he died he told his fiance who did it, but his declaration leaves more questions than answers. Then in Harris County, TX, neighbors find a teenage girl in the woods, shot dead. The case takes a turn when the trail of clues leads Dep. James Cassidy to one of the victim's friends.

Miami detective, Fabio Sanchez and the homicide team investigate the murder of a man stabbed in the street. After piecing together the victims last moments, they realize they may have a vigilante on their hands. In Dekalb County, Georgia, shots are fired in broad daylight on a residential street, leaving one teenage boy dead and another critically injured. Lead Detective Bruce Brueggeman is shocked to discover that the shooters mother may have been with him when he pulled the trigger. But forcing the family to give up the suspect is not going to be easy.

Birmingham Detective Warren Cotton investigates the murder of three family members, including a 12-year-old girl, who were stabbed to death in their home and then burned. In Miami, Detective Ricardo John and his team are working the shooting of a young man who has been a witness in several previous homicide investigations.

In Dallas, Texas in 2007 Darell Billingsela was charged with brutally attacking and killing twenty-two-year old Jessica Lewalling in a jealous rage. Billingslea was a two-time convicted murderer out on parole. Prosecutor Jennifer Bennett was determined to make sure Billingslea would not slip through the system again. And, in February 2007, thirty-six-year old Antoine, "Tony" Hamilton was found shot dead, and left behind a vacant house. His friend, Carlos Mitchell, confessed to the crime. Prosecutor Jenni Morse thought she had a slam dunk case--until the verdict in a similar case shook her confidence in getting a conviction.

In September of 2010, Jessie Dotson went on trial for one of the worst mass murders in Memphis history. He wasn't accused of killing strangers--he was brother, friend and uncle to the six people he'd allegedly murdered and three surviving children he'd allegedly beaten and stabbed. Even seasoned detectives were horrified by the bloody crime scene. Now, all of Memphis wanted an answer to the same question: How could only one man be responsible for such brutal carnage? (2 hours.)

In Birmingham, a 49-year-old man is beaten and shot in the middle of a housing complex in broad daylight. In a community where no one wants to be seen as "snitching," finding someone to come forward with information will be Detective Chris Anderson's biggest challenge. Then, in DeKalb County, lead detective Chris Franklin investigates the murder of an 18-year-old male, gunned down in an apartment complex. The case takes a turn when Franklin learns the killer's intended target was actually the victim's friend.

In Miami, lead detective TC Cepero investigates the murder of a 20-year-old male, gunned down in the middle of the street in broad daylight. With surveillance video of the suspect and possible witnesses they learn the victim may have been on the killers hit list. Then, in DeKalb County, a 20-year-old man is shot dead while walking his girlfriend home at night. Sergeant Matthew Ferreira and team must work quickly to solve this senseless murder that also left two others injured.

On October 26, 2008, Birmingham homicide detectives were helping with crowd control at the Magic City Classic--a renowned football game between two of the oldest black colleges in Alabama. After working seventeen hours at the game, they were called out to investigate the shooting death of 21-year-old Kenny Wayne Holmes, shot while driving his car. They would eventually arrest the boyfriend of Kenny';s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his one-year-old daughter. The following year the boyfriend stood trial for capital murder. And, in August of 2006, Dallas homicide detectives were called to an illegal dentist office to investigate the shooting death of 67-year-old Jose Raul Diaz. They arrested Felipe Luna and Roberto Rosales for the murder. During his interrogation, Luna confessed to the murder--and said that Rosales had planned the crime, but backed out at the last moment. If convicted of capital murder, both men faced a sentence of life without parole.

In Harris County, a family man is shot down in his driveway. With no motive or witnesses lead investigator Deputy Juan Viramontes hopes a clue found on the victim's car can lead to the killer. And in Miami, as a family settles in for the night, gunshots erupt in their front yard. A startled mother walks outside and discovers her son shot dead. Rookie homicide Det. Frank Castillo must delve into the vices of the victim in order to track down the person responsible for this brazen act of violence.

In Miami, the Homicide Unit responds to a scene to find the 911 caller covered in blood and a 35-year-old woman brutally stabbed. And in DeKalb County, Det. Joe Renaud and his team are working the shooting murder of a 22-year-old man.

A man is found dead in an alley in a Birmingham suburb; A 24-year-old man is shot to death in his apartment in DeKalb County, Ga.

In Harris County, Deputy Abraham Alanis is working the homicide of a 69-year-old Navy veteran. When Alanis' first big break, surveillance video of the potential perpetrator, fails to show the suspect's face, investigators take a closer at the footage and notice something big--a small detail in the video, could be a huge break for the case. And in Birmingham, Det. Marcel Walker responds to the city's first homicide since a deadly tornado ravaged the city. Walker needs to determine whether two people seen fleeing the crime scene moments after the shooting are witnesses to the heinous act or responsible for it.

In Miami, two men are found beaten and shot behind an abandoned house. As Det. TC Cepero digs deeper into the case he unearths more than one reason the men could have been killed.

In February of 2009, 21-year-old James "Jamo" Allen was gunned down outside of a Louisville, Kentucky housing project. After discovering that his ex-girlfriend knows the truth about the crime, detectives work quickly to track down the alleged killer and elicit a confession from him. Nearly two years later, what should have been a straightforward trial goes haywire when a detective stumbles on the stand and the defense calls a surprise witness. Will justice be served or will the confessed murderer go free?

When a robbery goes bad in south Memphis, one man is dead and very little physical evidence is left at the scene. Detectives track down several witnesses, but the one person who saw the shooting was a 10-year-old boy. Fast forward five years to a dramatic murder trial. The witness is now 15 and well aware of the dangers of testifying. Will he do the right thing? Or not...

In Birmingham, Detective Chris Anderson investigates the gruesome murder of a woman who is shot to death and then set on fire. Anderson hunts down his suspects, but it's the victim's family that reveals a final, disturbing twist in the case. In DeKalb County, Detective Joe Renaud is working the homicide of a father of four, gunned down outside an apartment complex on the east side of town. Without little to go on, Renaud and his team must put the pieces of this puzzle together to track down the killer.

In Miami, Detectives Anthony Reyes and Manny Castillo investigate a man shot dead on a residential street. The case takes a turn when they learn that the house he was found in front of is where his ex-girlfriend lives. Then in Birmingham, a gunfight at a gas station leaves one man dead. Detective Cynthia Morrow discovers surveillance video that shows who killed the man, but eyewitness testimony calls in to question who is to blame.

A Louisville, Kentucky family awakes before dawn as a barrage of gunfire rips through their home. When the smoke clears, three teenage boys are bleeding from bullet wounds. One would not survive. The lives of two others would be forever altered. Now, a family friend with violent tendencies stands trial for the shooting, but a lack of eyewitnesses threatens to derail the whole case. Will a jury find him guilty or will the angry suspect walk free?

On a warm, clear night in the desert near Lake Mead, the body of a man--shot dead--was found in the middle of the road. When Las Vegas Metro homicide detectives began investigating the death, they had no idea the case would lead them to a conspiracy that involved five people. Or that it would take six years to bring down the man behind the murder.

A person is killed in Miami while trying to stop a robbery.

In Birmingham, Lead Det. Henry Lucas and the Birmingham Homicide Team are trying to solve the mystery of how a young man ended up shot in the back in the middle of a scrap yard. With no witnesses, Lucas hopes the victim's friends can lead him to the killer. In DeKalb County, Lead Det. Lynn Shuler and the Major Felony Unit are called to a motel where a woman has been found dead. The case takes a dark turn when the team learns that a man was in the room shortly before the woman died, but had since disappeared.