begun more evidence needed to be gathered more leads followed
It's s here somewhere fellas Carr's every move was scrutinized somewhere
every move was scrutinized somewhere almost as an afterthought he presented a
almost as an afterthought he presented a convenient clue in his own
convenient clue in his own defense he showed detectives a
defense he showed detectives a threatening note he claimed he received
threatening note he claimed he received 2 weeks before the
2 weeks before the poisoning the cars didn't pay much
poisoning the cars didn't pay much attention to it at the time but Pi kept
attention to it at the time but Pi kept it just in
it just in case this note indicated that ever who
case this note indicated that ever who had written it wanted the entire family
had written it wanted the entire family to move out of the state of Florida or
to move out of the state of Florida or else they would die the note along with
else they would die the note along with the fact that P car had consumed some of
the fact that P car had consumed some of the tainted soft drink weakened the
the tainted soft drink weakened the accusations against
accusations against him but he wasn't home free
him but he wasn't home free yet he could have written the note
yet he could have written the note himself and taken the poison
himself and taken the poison intentionally to deflect the Paw of
intentionally to deflect the Paw of guilt miny kept his eye on py car while
guilt miny kept his eye on py car while he sought other Suspects
he sought other Suspects who would want to kill the
who would want to kill the [Music]
family mincy learned that the cars didn't get along with their neighbors
didn't get along with their neighbors George tripal and his wife
Diana R several weeks before the poisoning Peggy and Diana almost came to
poisoning Peggy and Diana almost came to blows over the car's loud
blows over the car's loud music it hardly seemed like grounds for
music it hardly seemed like grounds for attempted murder
attempted murder to find out more about the icy
to find out more about the icy relationship between the neighbors mincy
relationship between the neighbors mincy paid a visit to George
paid a visit to George tripal trial's reaction to the subject
tripal trial's reaction to the subject of the cars was unexpectedly harsh he
of the cars was unexpectedly harsh he had went into a tiate about the problems
had went into a tiate about the problems with these rednecked children and family
with these rednecked children and family that live next to to him their kids make
that live next to to him their kids make all kinds of noise play the radio real
all kinds of noise play the radio real then mincy asked him why he thought
then mincy asked him why he thought anyone might want to harm the family I
anyone might want to harm the family I don't care what he quoted the
don't care what he quoted the threatening letter the cars had received
threatening letter the cars had received weeks before
weeks before verbatim he said exactly what was in a
verbatim he said exactly what was in a note nobody else knew of his existence
note nobody else knew of his existence nobody except for law
nobody except for law enforcement at that moment George tral
enforcement at that moment George tral became the prime
became the prime suspect but mincy had no more to go on
suspect but mincy had no more to go on with tripal than he had with P car so he
with tripal than he had with P car so he began looking into trp's surprising past
tral was an eccentric man who enjoyed creating games and crafting
creating games and crafting scenarios he also belonged to Mena an
scenarios he also belonged to Mena an elite Society of people whose IQs are
elite Society of people whose IQs are among the top 2% in the
among the top 2% in the world he and his wife were trained
world he and his wife were trained chemists what's more the quirky genius
chemists what's more the quirky genius had done time for masterminding one of
had done time for masterminding one of the largest amphetamine manufacturing
the largest amphetamine manufacturing operations in the southeast
operations in the southeast thalium is sometimes used to make
thalium is sometimes used to make amphetamines according to John trestrail
amphetamines according to John trestrail tripal had the means and the mind to
tripal had the means and the mind to orchestrate a
orchestrate a poisoning they can plan a script of a
poisoning they can plan a script of a death uh she'll be here and she'll be
death uh she'll be here and she'll be eating this and then she'll do this and
eating this and then she'll do this and I'll do this and it's all laid out so I
I'll do this and it's all laid out so I think this takes a great deal of of of
think this takes a great deal of of of intelligence to plan this out this is
intelligence to plan this out this is not a brute force weapon this is mind
not a brute force weapon this is mind not
not muscle but what would his motive
muscle but what would his motive be in his prison records miny found a
be in his prison records miny found a letter tripal wrote complaining to
letter tripal wrote complaining to officials about his fellow inmates
officials about his fellow inmates radios as hard as it was to believe loud
radios as hard as it was to believe loud music seemed to be an overwhelming sore
music seemed to be an overwhelming sore point for him
point for him Reon on March 3rd
Reon on March 3rd 1989 Peggy Carr died after lingering in
1989 Peggy Carr died after lingering in a coma for 3 months
a coma for 3 months steady miny now had to prove that tripal
steady miny now had to prove that tripal was a
was a murderer with nothing but the flimsiest
murderer with nothing but the flimsiest circumstantial evidence mincy couldn't
circumstantial evidence mincy couldn't get a search warrant for tra's
get a search warrant for tra's house the only way to crack this case
house the only way to crack this case was to outsmart the certified
genius after several months of background checks on George tral
background checks on George tral detective miny was confident he poisoned
detective miny was confident he poisoned Peggy car all he needed was
Peggy car all he needed was proof but tral was too clever to leave
proof but tral was too clever to leave Clues out in the open mincy needed to
Clues out in the open mincy needed to get inside his house and get inside his
get inside his house and get inside his head to carry it off he needed someone
head to carry it off he needed someone to befriend the alleged killer win his
to befriend the alleged killer win his confidence and then betray it for this
confidence and then betray it for this deadly game he counted on special agent
deadly game he counted on special agent Susan gor
she became Sher Gwyn a woman on the verge of divorce who counted on trial's
verge of divorce who counted on trial's shoulders to cry on she met him at a
shoulders to cry on she met him at a party that he organized for menum
party that he organized for menum members its theme was murder do that I
members its theme was murder do that I learned a lot about his personality and
learned a lot about his personality and about his habits about his
about his habits about his associates um one of the things that I
associates um one of the things that I learned was that he did have a a large
learned was that he did have a a large ego I I did
ego I I did use my personality of Sherry to play off
use my personality of Sherry to play off of that ego and to get him to talk
of that ego and to get him to talk more and I use that to my advantage I
more and I use that to my advantage I tell you I don't think you can ask the
tell you I don't think you can ask the Friendship blossomed slowly forcing
Friendship blossomed slowly forcing goric to maintain her Sherry gwy persona
goric to maintain her Sherry gwy persona for a full
for a full year never know's doing all the while
year never know's doing all the while she lived in fear that tral would see
she lived in fear that tral would see through her masade putting her life in
through her masade putting her life in danger slowly she gathered what evidence
danger slowly she gathered what evidence she could to build her case hoping he'
she could to build her case hoping he' tip his
tip his hand as the months went by she didn't
hand as the months went by she didn't have much I gained a multitude of small
have much I gained a multitude of small evidence small statements that all put
evidence small statements that all put together was overwhelming but if you
together was overwhelming but if you looked at one small
looked at one small statement it did not look like a lot of
statement it did not look like a lot of evidence Okay and like playing an
evidence Okay and like playing an excruciating game of hangman goric
excruciating game of hangman goric slowly Drew her picture of tripal as the
slowly Drew her picture of tripal as the murderer
murderer but even after a year she was still
but even after a year she was still waiting to add that final stroke
waiting to add that final stroke essential to win the
essential to win the game got do finally In December
game got do finally In December 1989 goric got the break she
1989 goric got the break she needed tripal and his wife moved out of
needed tripal and his wife moved out of town and allowed Sher Gwyn to rent their
town and allowed Sher Gwyn to rent their house as a tenant she could search the
house as a tenant she could search the entire property without a warrant I've
entire property without a warrant I've already the downstairs she got all she
already the downstairs she got all she could out of tripal perhaps now his
could out of tripal perhaps now his house would give up his
house would give up his secrets she called in the pul county
secrets she called in the pul county crime scene
crime scene unit they combed the premises collecting
unit they combed the premises collecting whatever they could
whatever they could find believing trapal would be too smart
find believing trapal would be too smart to have kept any thallium around his
to have kept any thallium around his house they looked for its Telltale
house they looked for its Telltale residue I truly believe that if we were
residue I truly believe that if we were going to find Thum that it would
going to find Thum that it would probably be either in the air
probably be either in the air conditioning filter or possibly down one
conditioning filter or possibly down one of the drains and we spent a lot of time
of the drains and we spent a lot of time with the crime scene people swapping the
with the crime scene people swapping the drains trying to get any residue that he
drains trying to get any residue that he may have poured
may have poured out while some investigators were in the
out while some investigators were in the house looking for trace evidence others
house looking for trace evidence others collected vials of chemicals from the
collected vials of chemicals from the garage everything was labeled and sent
garage everything was labeled and sent to the FBI for
to the FBI for analysis months went by before the
analysis months went by before the results came
results came back I assume because it took so long
back I assume because it took so long with the lab report that they didn't
with the lab report that they didn't find
find anything but goric was wrong when the
anything but goric was wrong when the reports came back they showed that one
reports came back they showed that one of the vials picked up from the
of the vials picked up from the workbench in tra's garage contained
workbench in tra's garage contained thallium
thallium powder for goric and mincy 15 months of
powder for goric and mincy 15 months of deception paid off the evidence to
deception paid off the evidence to convict George tripal of poisoning the
convict George tripal of poisoning the cars was in
cars was in hand at trial's trial it was clear that
hand at trial's trial it was clear that he was a Killer without a
he was a Killer without a conscience like the murder weekend party
conscience like the murder weekend party he organized death was just a game to
he organized death was just a game to him George trael had absolutely no
him George trael had absolutely no remorse for his action he justified it
remorse for his action he justified it with his Superior intelligence and the
with his Superior intelligence and the fact that people with lesser
fact that people with lesser intelligence
intelligence did not deserve to live on this
did not deserve to live on this planet unlike most poisoners trap's
planet unlike most poisoners trap's motive was neither love nor money yeah
motive was neither love nor money yeah yeah okay he wanted to kill his
yeah okay he wanted to kill his neighbors simply because he found them
annoying according to John trestrail the ego that led him to think so little of
ego that led him to think so little of others ultimately led to his own
others ultimately led to his own demise the container containing the
demise the container containing the evidence was left in his home why would
evidence was left in his home why would he do that here was a very intelligent
he do that here was a very intelligent man didn't he look down the road to say
man didn't he look down the road to say I better get rid of this bottle now his
I better get rid of this bottle now his ego said they'll never get this far
ego said they'll never get this far they'll never figure out how this
they'll never figure out how this happened a jury found George tral guilty
happened a jury found George tral guilty of 14 felony counts including
of 14 felony counts including first-degree murder in the death of
first-degree murder in the death of Peggy
Peggy Carr he was sentenced to death
as we go about our daily lives most of us seldom think about the toxic world we
us seldom think about the toxic world we live in in the past that lack of
live in in the past that lack of diligence provided the poisoners
diligence provided the poisoners greatest
greatest opportunity but now science is catching
opportunity but now science is catching up more than ever unexplained deaths are
up more than ever unexplained deaths are viewed with suspicion and in the lab
viewed with suspicion and in the lab more of those suspicions are being
more of those suspicions are being justified
justified [Music]
in Washington state two people die agonizing
agonizing [Music]
[Music] deaths both are victims of poison laced
deaths both are victims of poison laced Excedrin
Excedrin capsules the news causes public panic
capsules the news causes public panic and costs manufacturers tens of millions
and costs manufacturers tens of millions of
dollars in Virginia a Cardiac Care Unit experiences an epidemic of unexpected
experiences an epidemic of unexpected deaths is this bad care or bad luck or
deaths is this bad care or bad luck or is it something more sinister
is it something more sinister and a man tries to murder his wife in an
and a man tries to murder his wife in an insurance fraud your emergency I've got
insurance fraud your emergency I've got a medical emergency my wife is going
a medical emergency my wife is going into some kind of convulsion and she's
into some kind of convulsion and she's now she's her mouth is
now she's her mouth is [Music]
[Music] forming poisoners are among the most
forming poisoners are among the most elusive Killers today forensic
elusive Killers today forensic detectives are employing an arsenal of
detectives are employing an arsenal of techniques to uncover and convict
techniques to uncover and convict them who is winning the war
I and how's Miss Thomas doing no she's doing great good let me take her chart
doing great good let me take her chart I'm going down and check on it is 9:00
I'm going down and check on it is 9:00 on a Saturday night when Dr Joseph
on a Saturday night when Dr Joseph Whittle makes his final
Whittle makes his final rounds Whittle is co-director of the
rounds Whittle is co-director of the coronary Care Unit at General Hospital
coronary Care Unit at General Hospital in Petersburg
in Petersburg Virginia I'm Miss Thomas I'm Dr wed he
Virginia I'm Miss Thomas I'm Dr wed he has been on duty since noon it is time
has been on duty since noon it is time to go home among his patients is
to go home among his patients is Josephine Thomas a 73-year-old retired
Josephine Thomas a 73-year-old retired teacher she was admitted with heart
teacher she was admitted with heart problems several hours earlier and now
problems several hours earlier and now is resting comfortably
is resting comfortably at around 11:00 p.m. Whitt orders an
at around 11:00 p.m. Whitt orders an [Music]
[Music] IV Miss Thomas Miss
IV Miss Thomas Miss [Music]
[Music] Thomas the duty nurse signals a code
Thomas the duty nurse signals a code blue a patient emergency and calls in Dr
blue a patient emergency and calls in Dr Whittle Josephine Thomas is in
crisis it takes Whittle just 15 minutes to
return everyone clear
clear shopping too late Josephine Thomas
shopping too late Josephine Thomas cannot be revived
cannot be revived [Music]
[Music] the death troubles the staff an epidemic
the death troubles the staff an epidemic of unexpected deaths has struck the
of unexpected deaths has struck the Cardiac Care Unit in the past few
Cardiac Care Unit in the past few weeks two nurses suspect that Josephine
weeks two nurses suspect that Josephine Thomas may not have died of natural
Thomas may not have died of natural causes their suspicions deepen an hour
causes their suspicions deepen an hour and a half later when a package of
and a half later when a package of Lidocaine is found to be
Lidocaine is found to be missing okay lidocaine 2 G
missing okay lidocaine 2 G no you don't find any two G uh-uh we
no you don't find any two G uh-uh we didn't use a two G right well we should
didn't use a two G right well we should have one 2 G Lane in I don't have one
have one 2 G Lane in I don't have one lidocaine is a drug given to stabilize
lidocaine is a drug given to stabilize heartbeat in large concentrations it can
heartbeat in large concentrations it can be
be [Music]
[Music] fatal whenever a death seems unusual or
fatal whenever a death seems unusual or suspicious medical and law enforcement
suspicious medical and law enforcement Personnel are required to contact the
Personnel are required to contact the medical examiner's office hi Dr how are
medical examiner's office hi Dr how are you hello Jim how are you Dr Marcel
you hello Jim how are you Dr Marcel Fiero is chief medical examiner for the
Fiero is chief medical examiner for the state of Virginia in her first year as
state of Virginia in her first year as an assistant Medical examiner she worked
an assistant Medical examiner she worked on the Petersburg
on the Petersburg case the problem arose when it became
case the problem arose when it became apparent that there was one an increased
apparent that there was one an increased number of deaths in the unit as compared
number of deaths in the unit as compared to previous months and secondly that a
to previous months and secondly that a significant number of them were
significant number of them were occurring in the presence of or were
occurring in the presence of or were being discovered by Leroy
being discovered by Leroy Hargrave evening
Hargrave evening ladies Leroy Hargrave was a 21-year-old
ladies Leroy Hargrave was a 21-year-old nurse's
nurse's aid whose reputation around the hospital
aid whose reputation around the hospital was decidedly
mixed it was Hargrave who had called the alert on Josephine Thomas several other
alert on Josephine Thomas several other deaths had also occurred during
deaths had also occurred during Hargraves shifts was this coincidence or
Hargraves shifts was this coincidence or was something else going
on no one had seen Hargrave do anything wrong
wrong it would take all the resources of
it would take all the resources of forensic science to establish what had
happened throughout the United States an autopsy is performed whenever the cause
autopsy is performed whenever the cause of death is unknown this unknown male
of death is unknown this unknown male was found dead on a Michigan
was found dead on a Michigan Street all right go ahead and
Street all right go ahead and uh check the status of the hair looking
uh check the status of the hair looking for any injuries on the
for any injuries on the head how did the individual die
head how did the individual die was it natural death an accident a
was it natural death an accident a homicide or
homicide or suicide sometimes the answer is
suicide sometimes the answer is undetermined you make it to a hospital
undetermined you make it to a hospital no not this guy he was found dead in an
no not this guy he was found dead in an older part of town I'm wondering about
older part of town I'm wondering about lead poisoning you think we ought to get
lead poisoning you think we ought to get a heavy metal screen on him I think it'd
a heavy metal screen on him I think it'd be a good idea why don't we get some um
be a good idea why don't we get some um head hair too since arsonic can
head hair too since arsonic can accumulate in the hair if we do find
accumulate in the hair if we do find arsenic on the general heavy metal
arsenic on the general heavy metal screen then we can fractionate the hair
screen then we can fractionate the hair since hair grows about one cimet a month
since hair grows about one cimet a month uh see if there's any chronicity to the
uh see if there's any chronicity to the poisoning Pathologists gather a variety
poisoning Pathologists gather a variety of samples including muscle tissue brain
of samples including muscle tissue brain kidney urine and blood about 30 cc's
kidney urine and blood about 30 cc's will be enough
will be enough Paul all right let's get a piece of
Paul all right let's get a piece of kidney too Paul all
kidney too Paul all right each sample may tell a story about
right each sample may tell a story about the victim's life and death
poisoning is a rare occurrence according to James valenture head of the
to James valenture head of the toxicology laboratory for the
toxicology laboratory for the Commonwealth of
Commonwealth of Virginia poisoning is not automatically
Virginia poisoning is not automatically suspected it depends on the
suspected it depends on the circumstances or lack of other evidence
circumstances or lack of other evidence following the investigation if an
following the investigation if an autopsy is conducted on a young person
autopsy is conducted on a young person in otherwise apparent good health and no
in otherwise apparent good health and no cause of death is found then the
cause of death is found then the suspicion of drug involvement or drug
suspicion of drug involvement or drug contribution to that death increases and
contribution to that death increases and we proportionally increase our analysis
we proportionally increase our analysis until we rule out all the possibilities
until we rule out all the possibilities that we that we can today poison
that we that we can today poison Specialists called toxicologists employ
Specialists called toxicologists employ a bewildering array of sophisticated
a bewildering array of sophisticated Technologies antibodies protein
Technologies antibodies protein substances the body produces to combat
substances the body produces to combat foreign matter are used to detect toxins
foreign matter are used to detect toxins to test for cocaine and its metabolic
to test for cocaine and its metabolic products for example blood is mixed with
products for example blood is mixed with antibodies specific to certain parts of
antibodies specific to certain parts of the cocaine molecule a FL ENT label is
the cocaine molecule a FL ENT label is added to the mixture if cocaine is
added to the mixture if cocaine is present the pattern of fluoresence
present the pattern of fluoresence changes to identify poison compounds
changes to identify poison compounds they must be broken down into smaller
they must be broken down into smaller parts called ions Dr valenture and his
parts called ions Dr valenture and his colleagues use the most powerful
colleagues use the most powerful techniques available which include the
techniques available which include the gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer
gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer which are often used in
which are often used in combination chemicals are added to a
combination chemicals are added to a sample to separate any organic drugs
sample to separate any organic drugs present from the blood Matrix
the isolated portion is vaporized and passed along a hydrogen fil
passed along a hydrogen fil tube molecules of different size migrate
tube molecules of different size migrate through the tube at different
through the tube at different rates as molecules emerge from the tube
rates as molecules emerge from the tube their concentration is
their concentration is measured next the mass spectrometer
measured next the mass spectrometer shatters the molecule into ions its
shatters the molecule into ions its chemical building
chemical building blocks a complex molecule may generate
blocks a complex molecule may generate hundreds of ion fragments
hundreds of ion fragments the pattern of ions produced is unique
the pattern of ions produced is unique to a particular
to a particular molecule to identify the unknown
molecule to identify the unknown substance its ion signature is compared
substance its ion signature is compared to those of tens of thousands of
to those of tens of thousands of chemicals in the computer's
chemicals in the computer's database in time techniques like these
database in time techniques like these would reveal not one but six poisonings
would reveal not one but six poisonings at Petersburg General
at Petersburg General [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] Hospital logic poison Center can I help
Hospital logic poison Center can I help you
you the world is filled with deadly
the world is filled with deadly chemicals an average home Harbors dozens
chemicals an average home Harbors dozens of dangerous substances such as chlorine
of dangerous substances such as chlorine bleach drain opener and aspirin each
bleach drain opener and aspirin each capable of causing
capable of causing death the blet regional poison Center in
death the blet regional poison Center in Grand Rapids Michigan receives thousands
Grand Rapids Michigan receives thousands of anxious phone calls each year many
of anxious phone calls each year many concern overdoses accidental or
concern overdoses accidental or intentional many more involve children
intentional many more involve children who have eaten some bright Berry or
who have eaten some bright Berry or sample the household bleach and a few
sample the household bleach and a few involve deliberate attempts to kill John
involve deliberate attempts to kill John trestrail directs the center and is an
trestrail directs the center and is an authority on poisons and
authority on poisons and poisoners well poisoning homicides
poisoners well poisoning homicides differ from normal homicides in that
differ from normal homicides in that they're usually are no
they're usually are no witnesses there are no visible signs of
witnesses there are no visible signs of trauma you see no bullet holes no stab
trauma you see no bullet holes no stab wounds no
wounds no bruises usually it's very covert very
bruises usually it's very covert very secret um the evidence is usually
secret um the evidence is usually lacking there's no cartridge cases or
lacking there's no cartridge cases or anything often it's missed and the crime
anything often it's missed and the crime scene is cleaned
scene is cleaned up trest tril's office reveals a
up trest tril's office reveals a lifetime of fascination with things
lifetime of fascination with things poisonous take for example um
poisonous take for example um spiders we know that uh this small
spiders we know that uh this small spider compared to one big spider here
spider compared to one big spider here you say well which one's more poisonous
you say well which one's more poisonous well most little kids will say OB
well most little kids will say OB viously the big one well the tarantula
viously the big one well the tarantula is no more no more worse than being
is no more no more worse than being stung by a bee but the Black Widow is
stung by a bee but the Black Widow is capable of killing so size is not always
capable of killing so size is not always associated with degree of
deadliness in trel's view Mankind's knowledge of poisons is extremely
ancient in all likelihood it goes back to making the connection between eating
to making the connection between eating something and getting sick
something and getting sick okay here we have an example of what
okay here we have an example of what primitive man might have first
primitive man might have first Associated cause and effect
Associated cause and effect relationships with here is a mushroom
relationships with here is a mushroom called The Fly AAR common name amonita
called The Fly AAR common name amonita musaria and it contains chemicals that
musaria and it contains chemicals that produce hallucinations and a lot of
produce hallucinations and a lot of other bad garbage that go with it but
other bad garbage that go with it but I'm sure at one time in prehistory man
I'm sure at one time in prehistory man looked at someone eating this and
looked at someone eating this and said what
said what he what he did when he ate this was it
he what he did when he ate this was it caus these symptoms and from that they
caus these symptoms and from that they said this mushroom contains these
said this mushroom contains these poisons I have this knowledge this
poisons I have this knowledge this knowledge led to mystery and and uh the
knowledge led to mystery and and uh the shadowy figures of the shamans and witch
shadowy figures of the shamans and witch doctors and everything so the whole
doctors and everything so the whole history of Toxicology began a couple
history of Toxicology began a couple hundred thousand years ago it was
hundred thousand years ago it was probably the third weapon developed
probably the third weapon developed after the stick and the stone the
after the stick and the stone the poison the essence of poisoning is
poison the essence of poisoning is stealth to shoot or strangle person the
stealth to shoot or strangle person the murderer must be
murderer must be present poison offers the opportunity of
present poison offers the opportunity of long-distance
homicide that's it there is also the chance that homicide won't be recorded
chance that homicide won't be recorded at all that the death will be deemed due
at all that the death will be deemed due to natural causes this is what had
to natural causes this is what had occurred at Petersburg general hospital
occurred at Petersburg general hospital until Josephine Thomas's death began to
until Josephine Thomas's death began to arouse
arouse suspicions the first lady came in and
suspicions the first lady came in and was a top seed and was found to have
was a top seed and was found to have serious heart disease but she also had
serious heart disease but she also had lethal concentrations of Lidocaine in
lethal concentrations of Lidocaine in her blood and in her tissues which she
her blood and in her tissues which she should not have had because she had no
should not have had because she had no order for it in her chart nor had she
order for it in her chart nor had she been given lidocain during her
been given lidocain during her code concerned about the rising death
code concerned about the rising death rate the hospital reviewed all the
rate the hospital reviewed all the fatalities since Leroy Hargrave had been
fatalities since Leroy Hargrave had been assigned to the unit I looked at her
assigned to the unit I looked at her just a very short period of time and
just a very short period of time and they identified 10 persons that they
they identified 10 persons that they thought might be at risk for Li aain
thought might be at risk for Li aain poisoning James Dalton now a judge was
poisoning James Dalton now a judge was assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in
assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Petersburg when the deaths took
Petersburg when the deaths took place I received a call from an attorney
place I received a call from an attorney he said we've got a something I hope
he said we've got a something I hope doesn't exist but I'm I'm afraid that
doesn't exist but I'm I'm afraid that there's a possibility that there have
there's a possibility that there have been a number of people actually killed
been a number of people actually killed at the
at the hospital Dalton also learned the name of
hospital Dalton also learned the name of the chief suspect Leroy
the chief suspect Leroy Hargrave they were on his shift and he
Hargrave they were on his shift and he may have his shift may have varied but
may have his shift may have varied but uh he was he moved around so whenever he
uh he was he moved around so whenever he was on a shift but it was a night shift
was on a shift but it was a night shift normally that these occurred and I guess
normally that these occurred and I guess it was not too suspicious initially
it was not too suspicious initially because I think there is some history of
because I think there is some history of people dying at night more
people dying at night more frequently so far the EV was
frequently so far the EV was circumstantial Hargrave happened to be
circumstantial Hargrave happened to be around when the deaths took place to
around when the deaths took place to convince Dalton and ultimately a jury
convince Dalton and ultimately a jury that they were premeditated murders the
that they were premeditated murders the medical examiner had to show that the
medical examiner had to show that the patients had been given lidocaine in
patients had been given lidocaine in unusual
unusual amounts the task was made more difficult
amounts the task was made more difficult because several of the victims had been
because several of the victims had been dead for several
dead for several months it was a toxicological
months it was a toxicological masterpiece as far as detective work
masterpiece as far as detective work because there they were in one case
because there they were in one case they're working with fresh tissue in
they're working with fresh tissue in other instances they had to recover the
other instances they had to recover the poison from bodies which had been
poison from bodies which had been embalmed and buried and in the third
embalmed and buried and in the third instance they had to try and establish
instance they had to try and establish sufficient tissue levels in the biopsy
sufficient tissue levels in the biopsy samples from the previous
samples from the previous autopsies when it was all over of those
autopsies when it was all over of those 10 deaths that were
10 deaths that were suspicious six were established as due
suspicious six were established as due to acute lidocaine
poisoning persecutors piece together a likely scenario leading to Josephine
likely scenario leading to Josephine Thomas's death it begins with Hargrave
Thomas's death it begins with Hargrave stealing some
lidocaine once the Cardiac Care Unit has settled for the night he slips into
settled for the night he slips into Thomas's room
unobserved after loading a hypodermic with a massive dose of Lidocaine he
with a massive dose of Lidocaine he temporarily disables Thomas's cardiac
temporarily disables Thomas's cardiac monitor
alarm within seconds of administering the drug it will disrupt the rhythm of
the drug it will disrupt the rhythm of Thomas's heart causing a fatal
seizure then hardgrave raises the alarm to divert suspicion from himself we need
to divert suspicion from himself we need some help in here
some help in here Leroy Hargrave was convicted of
Leroy Hargrave was convicted of poisoning Josephine Thomas and sentenced
poisoning Josephine Thomas and sentenced to life
to life imprisonment he never confessed and his
imprisonment he never confessed and his motive for killing Thomas and the other
motive for killing Thomas and the other patients was never
patients was never established Dr Fiero talks about one
established Dr Fiero talks about one Theory the code the actual code
Theory the code the actual code procedure the cardiac arrest procedure
procedure the cardiac arrest procedure with the response by a a resuscitation
with the response by a a resuscitation team is a very dramatic event it's very
team is a very dramatic event it's very tense it's very rapid there are orders
tense it's very rapid there are orders there's no pleases there's no thankings
there's no pleases there's no thankings there's just instructions and this is
there's just instructions and this is quite exciting to persons who are on the
quite exciting to persons who are on the outside you know if you're not related
outside you know if you're not related to the person who's being coded so it
to the person who's being coded so it was thought that he really got into the
was thought that he really got into the code without the initial suspicions of
code without the initial suspicions of the nurses without the technology to
the nurses without the technology to precisely identify lidocaine weeks or
precisely identify lidocaine weeks or months after death Leroy Hargrave might
months after death Leroy Hargrave might have gone free
have gone free John
John trestrail how many bodies do you dig up
trestrail how many bodies do you dig up to find a bullet hole none they catch
to find a bullet hole none they catch that before they're buried how many
that before they're buried how many bodies do you dig up to find a poison
bodies do you dig up to find a poison most of them we're missing them at the
most of them we're missing them at the point of death and we're burying the
point of death and we're burying the evidence that's difficult to overcome
evidence that's difficult to overcome but that's what we're going to
but that's what we're going to do among the most difficult poisonings
do among the most difficult poisonings to detect are those involving product
to detect are those involving product tampering in 1982 seven people in
tampering in 1982 seven people in Chicago died from Poison Lac Tylenol a
Chicago died from Poison Lac Tylenol a rash of CopyCat crimes followed each
rash of CopyCat crimes followed each with its own bizarre
twist June 11th 1986 the town of Auburn Washington hey
Mom 15-year-old Haley snow finds her mother collapsed in the bathroom
Susan snow is unconscious her pulse is weak her breaths come in Long irregular
weak her breaths come in Long irregular gasps Haley dials
gasps Haley dials 911 within 4 hours this apparently
911 within 4 hours this apparently healthy 40-year-old mother of two will
healthy 40-year-old mother of two will be declared
[Music] dead when paramedics arrive at Seattle's
dead when paramedics arrive at Seattle's Harbor View Medical Center Susan snow is
comos Harbor View is the best Trauma Center in the Northwest but snow is
Center in the Northwest but snow is fading
fading fast Snow's condition puzzles the
fast Snow's condition puzzles the emergency team her brain appears swollen
emergency team her brain appears swollen inflamed she is struggling for breath
inflamed she is struggling for breath and her vital signs are failing she
and her vital signs are failing she never recovers Consciousness an hour
never recovers Consciousness an hour after admission she is declared brain
after admission she is declared brain dead what appeared at first as a random
dead what appeared at first as a random death soon will be revealed as murder it
death soon will be revealed as murder it will cost a pharmaceutical company tens
will cost a pharmaceutical company tens of millions of dollars inight public
of millions of dollars inight public panic and set off one of the largest law
panic and set off one of the largest law enforcement operations ever mounted in
enforcement operations ever mounted in Washington
Washington state special agents Jack cusac and Mike
state special agents Jack cusac and Mike burn were part of the FBI investigation
burn were part of the FBI investigation team the first victim in this case was
team the first victim in this case was uh Sue snow she was a 40-year-old bank
uh Sue snow she was a 40-year-old bank teller that lived in Auburn Washington
teller that lived in Auburn Washington and uh
and uh in her daily routine she always ingested
in her daily routine she always ingested aedin the cause of Susan Snow's death
aedin the cause of Susan Snow's death emerged almost by chance at her autopsy
emerged almost by chance at her autopsy the assistant medical examiner noticed
the assistant medical examiner noticed the smell of bitter almonds a Telltale
the smell of bitter almonds a Telltale sign of cyanide
sign of cyanide poisoning many people cannot detect the
poisoning many people cannot detect the odor by a quirk of genetics the
odor by a quirk of genetics the assistant medical examiner
could Dying by science isn't Pleasant inside each cell cyanide displaces
inside each cell cyanide displaces oxygen in the energy transport
oxygen in the energy transport mechanism deprived of oxygen cells
mechanism deprived of oxygen cells collapse the body dies slowly
collapse the body dies slowly asphyxiating bit by
asphyxiating bit by bit by June 16th the cyanide Source had
bit by June 16th the cyanide Source had been identified the bottle of extra
been identified the bottle of extra strength Excedrin capsules in Susan
strength Excedrin capsules in Susan Snow's
Snow's kitchen 750,000 bottles of of Excedrin
kitchen 750,000 bottles of of Excedrin were immediately recalled or withdrawn
were immediately recalled or withdrawn the news made headlines All Over
the news made headlines All Over America fresh in everyone's Minds were
America fresh in everyone's Minds were the Tylenol poisonings in
the Tylenol poisonings in Chicago how many would die this
Chicago how many would die this time to catch a poisoner it helps to get
time to catch a poisoner it helps to get inside his or her
inside his or her head John testal explains how poisoners
head John testal explains how poisoners Target their
Target their victims one is Type S s meaning specific
victims one is Type S s meaning specific victim that victim has a name they know
victim that victim has a name they know exactly who it's going to be whether
exactly who it's going to be whether it's their spouse or whether it's a
it's their spouse or whether it's a political figure or somebody they're
political figure or somebody they're going out after an individual with a
going out after an individual with a name the other type is Type R random
name the other type is Type R random victim in other words they know they're
victim in other words they know they're going to get somebody they have no idea
going to get somebody they have no idea who it's going to be and this is where
who it's going to be and this is where you find your tampers who are work at
you find your tampers who are work at work either for ego or for industrial
work either for ego or for industrial blackmail and uh sometimes you can
blackmail and uh sometimes you can actually find individuals cloaked and
actually find individuals cloaked and camouflaged as random poisoners that are
camouflaged as random poisoners that are specific so this gets to be a real mind
specific so this gets to be a real mind game the investigation of this kind of
game the investigation of this kind of an
an offender Susan Snow's death it would
offender Susan Snow's death it would turn out was a random killing she was
turn out was a random killing she was poisoned in a coldblooded attempt to
poisoned in a coldblooded attempt to draw attention away from the real
Target on June 5th 6 days before Susan Snow died Bruce niichel had suddenly
Snow died Bruce niichel had suddenly collapsed at his mobile home in Kent
collapsed at his mobile home in Kent Washington
when paramedics arrived they found the 52-year-old nickel on his back gasping
52-year-old nickel on his back gasping for
for breath what happened
breath what happened here his face was cherry red his body
here his face was cherry red his body deathly
deathly pale the paramedics had never seen such
pale the paramedics had never seen such symptoms
symptoms before Nichol's wife Stella told them he
before Nichol's wife Stella told them he had been complaining of headaches
had been complaining of headaches shortly before collapsing he had taken
shortly before collapsing he had taken two extra strength Excedrin
two extra strength Excedrin capsules Stella emphasized Excedrin over
capsules Stella emphasized Excedrin over and over the paramedics would remember
and over the paramedics would remember later she even retrieved the bottle from
later she even retrieved the bottle from her
kitchen evacuated to Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle nickel died a few
Center in Seattle nickel died a few hours later the autopsy recorded death
hours later the autopsy recorded death from natural causes nickel had died from
empyema strangely enough uh Stella nickel was also making a few additional
nickel was also making a few additional calls on her own she called her doctor
calls on her own she called her doctor are you sure this is what he died of she
are you sure this is what he died of she called the paramedics it could have be
called the paramedics it could have be anything else uh are you sure that you
anything else uh are you sure that you know he died of natural causes she
know he died of natural causes she wasn't quite that obvious but but she
wasn't quite that obvious but but she did make these telephone
did make these telephone calls Stella called again after news of
calls Stella called again after news of Susan Snow's poisoning appeared the lot
Susan Snow's poisoning appeared the lot number of Snow's Excedrin matched the
number of Snow's Excedrin matched the capsules Bruce had
capsules Bruce had taken tests quickly proved that nichels
taken tests quickly proved that nichels capsules were late Ed with
capsules were late Ed with cyanide nickel's body had been buried
cyanide nickel's body had been buried but a vial of his blood remained it too
but a vial of his blood remained it too was tested again
cyanide across the state shelves were cleared of Excedrin but of the thousands
cleared of Excedrin but of the thousands of bottles screened only five were found
of bottles screened only five were found to contain
cyanide a little quirky thing about that was Stella had two of the bottles and
was Stella had two of the bottles and even more strange that was she said hey
even more strange that was she said hey I bought one of the bottles about a
I bought one of the bottles about a month before Bruce
month before Bruce died and I bought the second
died and I bought the second bottle a little more than a week before
bottle a little more than a week before he
he died the odds of that are
died the odds of that are unbelievable Stella's deadly plan began
unbelievable Stella's deadly plan began to unfold first she poisoned Bruce with
to unfold first she poisoned Bruce with cyanide laced
cyanide laced capsules then to make his death appear a
capsules then to make his death appear a random killing she placed more
random killing she placed more contaminated capsules on drugstore
contaminated capsules on drugstore shelves investigators began searching
shelves investigators began searching for a motive they soon found one
for a motive they soon found one insurance
insurance fraud when Bruce Nichols died and he was
fraud when Bruce Nichols died and he was found to have died of natural causes
found to have died of natural causes Stella stood to gain approximately
Stella stood to gain approximately $31,000 if he died accidental death then
$31,000 if he died accidental death then this jumped up to about
this jumped up to about $178,000 and in addition to that she had
$178,000 and in addition to that she had a couple $20,000 all the
a couple $20,000 all the policies to insurance companies Dying by
policies to insurance companies Dying by poison counts as accidental death but at
poison counts as accidental death but at Bruce taken out the
Bruce taken out the policies handwriting experts scrutinized
policies handwriting experts scrutinized his signatures comparing them to
his signatures comparing them to Stella's the height and width of a
Stella's the height and width of a letter its shape and slope all contain
letter its shape and slope all contain Telltale Clues so does the fluidity the
Telltale Clues so does the fluidity the flow and Rhythm of the writing which is
flow and Rhythm of the writing which is very hard to
very hard to fake Bruce had not signed the
fake Bruce had not signed the documents Stella
documents Stella had could the investigators now tie
had could the investigators now tie Stella to the
cyanide when the capsules were shipped to the FBI's toxicology laboratory in
to the FBI's toxicology laboratory in Washington DC an unexpected clue
Washington DC an unexpected clue appeared the white powder was
appeared the white powder was contaminated with tiny green
contaminated with tiny green specks the specs were 99% sodium
specks the specs were 99% sodium chloride ordinary table salt
chloride ordinary table salt bulking out products with salt is a
bulking out products with salt is a common manufacturing practice but what
common manufacturing practice but what of the remaining
of the remaining 1% laboratory analysis revealed four
1% laboratory analysis revealed four separate chemicals two were used almost
separate chemicals two were used almost exclusively in preparations called
exclusively in preparations called alides One commercial product contained
alides One commercial product contained all four of the chemicals it came in the
all four of the chemicals it came in the form of tablets which were bright
green the laboratory called us back and said we have positively identified those
said we have positively identified those green
green crystals as a product known
crystals as a product known as algae Destroyer it's an algicide used
as algae Destroyer it's an algicide used in fish tanks by fish
in fish tanks by fish fanciers and that that really rang a
fanciers and that that really rang a bell for us because uh from the first
bell for us because uh from the first time any of our agents went in Stella's
time any of our agents went in Stella's residence it was obvious she was a fish
residence it was obvious she was a fish fancy she had fish aquariums all around
fancy she had fish aquariums all around the front
room the cyanide had to algae Destroyer would algae Destroyer now lead to
Stella agents combed pet stores all over Seattle someone might remember Stella
Seattle someone might remember Stella and the kind of algicide she
and the kind of algicide she preferred the search ended at a store
preferred the search ended at a store not far from where Stella lived it
not far from where Stella lived it stocked algae destroyer and the manager
stocked algae destroyer and the manager recognized a photograph of the woman who
recognized a photograph of the woman who frequently bought it
frequently bought it there it was Stella nickel
for months after Bruce Nicholls murder Stella avoided taking a polygraph test
Stella avoided taking a polygraph test her health would not permit it she
her health would not permit it she explained in November 1986 she finally
explained in November 1986 she finally agreed to
agreed to cooperate the test is designed to pick
cooperate the test is designed to pick up tiny physiological
changes blood pressure and pulse rate are carefully monitored each may change
are carefully monitored each may change when an individual
lies forensic detectives use the polygraph to eliminate innocent
polygraph to eliminate innocent individuals from their suspect list that
individuals from their suspect list that was not to be Stella's
was not to be Stella's fate I remember the comment she made
fate I remember the comment she made when we were walking back to the
when we were walking back to the examination room and she kind of turned
examination room and she kind of turned around and said uh I feel as though I'm
around and said uh I feel as though I'm walking into a lion's den I didn't
walking into a lion's den I didn't understand the significance of that
understand the significance of that comment but I thought a little unusual
comment but I thought a little unusual Stella took the took the examination I
Stella took the took the examination I formulated the questions they were
formulated the questions they were clearcut um did you cause your husband's
clearcut um did you cause your husband's death did you put potassium cyanide in
death did you put potassium cyanide in those extra strength eted in
those extra strength eted in capsules Stella clearly clearly showed
capsules Stella clearly clearly showed deception on the test when we uh
deception on the test when we uh informed her of that and straightforward
informed her of that and straightforward fashion she asked for her attorney who
fashion she asked for her attorney who was in the waiting room and uh basically
was in the waiting room and uh basically every knows how the Miranda Rights go
every knows how the Miranda Rights go that pretty much terminated that
that pretty much terminated that interview that
interview that day more trouble was in store for Stella
day more trouble was in store for Stella this time it came from an unexpected
this time it came from an unexpected Source her daughter
Cindy when she heard Stella had failed the polygraph she contacted Jack
the polygraph she contacted Jack cusac you know there's no doubt about it
cusac you know there's no doubt about it we had a lot of good breaks come our way
we had a lot of good breaks come our way on this case and one that paid off in
on this case and one that paid off in initially was the fact that Stella's
initially was the fact that Stella's daughter
daughter Cindy decided to uh share with us some
Cindy decided to uh share with us some of the conversations that she had had
of the conversations that she had had with her mother out at the
with her mother out at the airport in 1985 after years of feuding
airport in 1985 after years of feuding Stella and Cindy briefly
Stella and Cindy briefly reconciled they even got jobs together
reconciled they even got jobs together as security guards at Seattle Seatac
as security guards at Seattle Seatac Airport it was there in the pauses
Airport it was there in the pauses between flights that Cindy heard hints
between flights that Cindy heard hints of Stella's plan
first Stella asked her daughter where she might buy
she might buy heroin what was a lethal dose how much
heroin what was a lethal dose how much cocaine then she talked about hiring a
cocaine then she talked about hiring a Hitman to shoot Bruce while she was out
Hitman to shoot Bruce while she was out of town or less plausibly to kill him in
of town or less plausibly to kill him in an automobile
an automobile crash finally she talked about poisoning
crash finally she talked about poisoning Bruce now Cindy told us that you know my
Bruce now Cindy told us that you know my mother spent a lot of time doing
mother spent a lot of time doing research at the library
research at the library he said my mother would go to the
he said my mother would go to the libraries within the seatt area within
libraries within the seatt area within King County and research various
King County and research various plants at first Stella hoped to identify
plants at first Stella hoped to identify poisonous plants on her property which
poisonous plants on her property which she could surreptitiously feed to
she could surreptitiously feed to Bruce to check out Cindy's Story the FBI
Bruce to check out Cindy's Story the FBI sent teams of agents to every library in
sent teams of agents to every library in South Kent County it was a Monumental
South Kent County it was a Monumental task they were searching for a a book
task they were searching for a a book any book that would tie Stella to
poison boxes of books were sent back to the FBI laboratory in Washington DC
the FBI laboratory in Washington DC there a team of examiners scrutinized
there a team of examiners scrutinized them for Stella's
them for Stella's fingerprints we're kind of a part of the
fingerprints we're kind of a part of the the human behavior aspect of the case
the human behavior aspect of the case and that's a lot of ways that's pretty
and that's a lot of ways that's pretty interesting you're in on the interviews
interesting you're in on the interviews you're kind
you're kind of putting the piece of the puzzle
of putting the piece of the puzzle together a lot of the UN unsung heroes
together a lot of the UN unsung heroes in this
in this is the poor guy back in the FBI
is the poor guy back in the FBI laboratory that
laboratory that gets a half a truckload of books and a
gets a half a truckload of books and a set of fingerprints and said find him in
set of fingerprints and said find him in there and he spends months and months
there and he spends months and months all of a sudden calls us up one day and
all of a sudden calls us up one day and says hey in this one book of the
says hey in this one book of the multitude of books you sent me I found
multitude of books you sent me I found 104 of Stella's finger tips in there and
104 of Stella's finger tips in there and I found three palm
I found three palm prints you can imagine when we're on the
prints you can imagine when we're on the receiving a telephone call like
that the circle was closing on Stella special agent Mike
Stella special agent Mike burn so now we have library books that
burn so now we have library books that we went out came up with their latent
we went out came up with their latent prints on library books where she
prints on library books where she actually researched cyanide we had the
actually researched cyanide we had the insurance uh where she forged Bruce's
insurance uh where she forged Bruce's signature and now we have the algae
signature and now we have the algae destroy product that she actually
destroy product that she actually purchased on May 9th 198 8 Stella nickel
purchased on May 9th 198 8 Stella nickel was found guilty of murdering Bruce
was found guilty of murdering Bruce nickel and Susan Snow she was sentenced
nickel and Susan Snow she was sentenced to life imprisonment without
to life imprisonment without parole she never buckled when when Jack
parole she never buckled when when Jack had a chance to interview her said you
had a chance to interview her said you failed the polygraph examination it was
failed the polygraph examination it was just a stone face and she never buckled
just a stone face and she never buckled even to this day she's never she's never
even to this day she's never she's never said
anything no one saw Stella poison Bruce she never even met Susan Snow still she
she never even met Susan Snow still she refuses to face her
refuses to face her guilt denial may be a characteristic of
guilt denial may be a characteristic of poisoners according to John trestrail
poisoners according to John trestrail imagination is another we also find that
imagination is another we also find that poisoners are very
poisoners are very intelligent uh certainly more so than
intelligent uh certainly more so than the typical typical brute like clubbing
the typical typical brute like clubbing of an individual is a sophistication of
of an individual is a sophistication of the of the weapons delivery we find
the of the weapons delivery we find they're very artistic by artistic I
they're very artistic by artistic I don't mean they paint pretty pictures
don't mean they paint pretty pictures but I mean that they can Des design
but I mean that they can Des design almost something like a play Don't away
almost something like a play Don't away from investigators believe Joe Ming
from investigators believe Joe Ming adopted Stella nickols scenario when he
adopted Stella nickols scenario when he read about her story in reader
read about her story in reader digest the case begins on February 2nd
digest the case begins on February 2nd 1991 in Tumwater Washington 50 mes
1991 in Tumwater Washington 50 mes Southwest of Stella Nichols
home one evening as the mealings are preparing for bed Joe reminds his wife
preparing for bed Joe reminds his wife Jennifer to take
Jennifer to take aaed Jennifer snoring disturbs him he
aaed Jennifer snoring disturbs him he claims she must be
claims she must be congested Jennifer does not feel
congested Jennifer does not feel congested but under Joe's continued
congested but under Joe's continued pressure she
agrees a week earlier Joe had purchased some Puda fed capsules but why Sudafed
some Puda fed capsules but why Sudafed which they have never used and why
which they have never used and why capsules after Stella nickel Jennifer is
capsules after Stella nickel Jennifer is wary of using them
moments later Jennifer collapses and rapidly becomes
unconscious special agent Tom turgis was involved with the FBI
involved with the FBI investigation what happens when someone
investigation what happens when someone is poisoned by sodium cyanide was
is poisoned by sodium cyanide was perhaps best described by Joe Ming
perhaps best described by Joe Ming himself when he called the 911 operator
himself when he called the 911 operator and described to the operator
and described to the operator what was happening to his wife my wife
what was happening to his wife my wife is going into some kind of convulsion
is going into some kind of convulsion Second Avenue South yes 1111 Second
Second Avenue South yes 1111 Second Avenue South number two has she ever had
Avenue South number two has she ever had a pro a fure before had a problem before
a pro a fure before had a problem before how old is she she's 29
how old is she she's 29 28 she called me from the other room and
28 she called me from the other room and she's now she's her mouth is foaming
she's now she's her mouth is foaming take a deep breath you need to be calm
take a deep breath you need to be calm for your wife okay yes I'm calm okay
for your wife okay yes I'm calm okay does she use drugs or on any medication
does she use drugs or on any medication of any kind she just took a suit
of any kind she just took a suit ofed it was fast it was Swift and and
ofed it was fast it was Swift and and she was in
she was in agony rushed to the emergency room
agony rushed to the emergency room Jennifer is in a
Jennifer is in a coma the staff struggles to save her
coma the staff struggles to save her life treating Jennifer for diabetic keto
life treating Jennifer for diabetic keto acidosis elevated acid and blood sugar
acidosis elevated acid and blood sugar levels in the midst of it all Joe meing
levels in the midst of it all Joe meing makes a curious suggestion to the
makes a curious suggestion to the position in charge have you considered
position in charge have you considered poison cyanide in particular
recovers she tells the emergency room doctor that she had taken suit of fed at
doctor that she had taken suit of fed at her husband's
her husband's insistance the doctor alerts the police
insistance the doctor alerts the police and orders a cyanide test next day his
and orders a cyanide test next day his suspicions are confirmed there is
suspicions are confirmed there is cyanide in Jennifer's
blood without Joe Ming's comment about cyanide Jennifer Ming's poisoning might
cyanide Jennifer Ming's poisoning might have been overlooked just as Bruce
have been overlooked just as Bruce Nicholls poisoning initially was
Nicholls poisoning initially was missed but why don't toxicology
missed but why don't toxicology Laboratories routinely screen for
Laboratories routinely screen for Cyanide Washington State toxicologist Dr
Cyanide Washington State toxicologist Dr Barry
Barry Logan it's relatively uncommon to
Logan it's relatively uncommon to uncover an unsuspected poisoning uh
uncover an unsuspected poisoning uh usually if an investigation has been
usually if an investigation has been done properly by the uh investigator's
done properly by the uh investigator's office by the coroner's office uh we
office by the coroner's office uh we have information up front about what the
have information up front about what the circumstances are surrounding the death
circumstances are surrounding the death so we know whether it's likely to be a
so we know whether it's likely to be a poison or
poison or not dozens of compounds show up on
not dozens of compounds show up on routine drug screening tests cyanide
routine drug screening tests cyanide does not and there is a further
does not and there is a further complication prior tests for Cyanide
complication prior tests for Cyanide have uh taken a long time to do and uh
have uh taken a long time to do and uh it's been difficult to to to generate
it's been difficult to to to generate the results in a uh way in which the the
the results in a uh way in which the the information can be used effectively by
information can be used effectively by the investigators
the investigators before 1991 detecting cyanide involved a
before 1991 detecting cyanide involved a multi-step test which took at least a
multi-step test which took at least a day to complete every sample of tissue
day to complete every sample of tissue or blood had to be tested
or blood had to be tested separately Dr Logan has devised a
separately Dr Logan has devised a simpler procedure a litmus test
simpler procedure a litmus test chemicals are added to a sample
chemicals are added to a sample generating hydrogen cyanide gas if
generating hydrogen cyanide gas if cyanide is
cyanide is present at the same time the litmus
present at the same time the litmus strip paper impregnated with a complex
strip paper impregnated with a complex of chemicals is added to the tube if
of chemicals is added to the tube if hydrogen cyanide has been produced The
hydrogen cyanide has been produced The Strip turns purple the degree of
Strip turns purple the degree of coloration is a Rough Guide to how much
coloration is a Rough Guide to how much cyanide the sample
contains the test that we currently use in the slab to screen for the presence
in the slab to screen for the presence of cyanide is very easy to do uh we can
of cyanide is very easy to do uh we can do a large number of screens in a short
do a large number of screens in a short period of time which is a big
Advantage within days of Jennifer Ming's near poisoning Dr Logan had the
near poisoning Dr Logan had the opportunity to try out his new
opportunity to try out his new tests on February 11th and February 18th
tests on February 11th and February 18th there were two mysterious deaths both
there were two mysterious deaths both fell within Logan's
fell within Logan's jurisdiction we conducted our full drug
jurisdiction we conducted our full drug screen on the the sample and found uh
screen on the the sample and found uh the presence of therapeutic levels of a
the presence of therapeutic levels of a compound called pseudo aedin which is
compound called pseudo aedin which is the major component of ped that in
the major component of ped that in itself wasn't particularly remarkable
itself wasn't particularly remarkable but at the pathologist West we also did
but at the pathologist West we also did a test for cide uh the cide test came
a test for cide uh the cide test came back strongly positive uh a level that
back strongly positive uh a level that indicated uh almost certainly the cause
indicated uh almost certainly the cause of death as being cide
of death as being cide poisoning on March 1st a pattern finally
poisoning on March 1st a pattern finally emerged three cyanide poisonings two
emerged three cyanide poisonings two deaths all three victims had taken
deaths all three victims had taken ped next day Sudafed was withdrawn and
ped next day Sudafed was withdrawn and the FBI was called in before we we've
the FBI was called in before we we've actually focused on Joel because that's
actually focused on Joel because that's one of the things we look at are the
one of the things we look at are the victim families but Joel made several
victim families but Joel made several comments that that he is the primary
comments that that he is the primary suspect um and that he he's too smart to
suspect um and that he he's too smart to ever be caught and he certainly wouldn't
ever be caught and he certainly wouldn't be caught by by the
FBI but Joe Ming underestimated the agent's tenacity and the FBI's
resources FBI agents carefully examined the backing of the Puda fed packages in
the backing of the Puda fed packages in the hopes of finding some evidence of
the hopes of finding some evidence of [Music]
[Music] tampering they found that on untampered
tampering they found that on untampered packages the foil breaks when the pill
packages the foil breaks when the pill is pushed through the back leaving a
is pushed through the back leaving a jagged
edge but on the tampered packages the brake in the foil was
brake in the foil was smooth Ming had removed the capsules
smooth Ming had removed the capsules with a Razer carefully slicing them from
with a Razer carefully slicing them from the package so he could replace them
the package so he could replace them later
throughout the investigation we tried to learn about
investigation we tried to learn about nearly every aspect of Joe Ming's life
nearly every aspect of Joe Ming's life we tried to reconstruct everything that
we tried to reconstruct everything that he did for a fairly extensive time
he did for a fairly extensive time period geographically Place him into the
period geographically Place him into the areas of the crime scenes to find out
areas of the crime scenes to find out what's making him tick try to find the
what's making him tick try to find the motive how does he operate we want to
motive how does he operate we want to know everything about Joe meing
Joe and Jennifer married in 1986 from the beginning they had
1986 from the beginning they had quarreled mostly about
money Jennifer took multiple jobs to make 's meet Joe indulged his Hobbies
make 's meet Joe indulged his Hobbies photography computer and theatrical
photography computer and theatrical makeup but in the days before her
makeup but in the days before her poisoning Jennifer later admitted Joe's
poisoning Jennifer later admitted Joe's normal behavior had changed 5 days days
normal behavior had changed 5 days days before her collapse Joe bought the PED
before her collapse Joe bought the PED capsules which neither of them had used
before when Jennifer returned home she found Joe polishing his gram
found Joe polishing his gram scale why now he had not used it in 18
scale why now he had not used it in 18 months stranger still Joe was wearing
months stranger still Joe was wearing latex
latex gloves he never cleaned the kitchen it
gloves he never cleaned the kitchen it wasn't his
wasn't his job finally there was the matter of the
job finally there was the matter of the insurance policy
insurance policy Joe caught Jennifer on the way to work
Joe caught Jennifer on the way to work one day and asked her to sign what she
one day and asked her to sign what she thought was a small life insurance
thought was a small life insurance policy for only
$3,000 he knew exactly what he was doing he asked her to sign it when she was in
he asked her to sign it when she was in a hurry on the way out the door she
a hurry on the way out the door she signs and now he has a total of
signs and now he has a total of $700,000 on her
$700,000 on her life catching poisoners is rarely quick
life catching poisoners is rarely quick or easy despite the forensic detective's
or easy despite the forensic detective's arsenal of sophisticated scientific
arsenal of sophisticated scientific techniques often the most important
techniques often the most important element of a successful investigation is
element of a successful investigation is sheer
sheer doggedness the FBI evidence Response
doggedness the FBI evidence Response Team Begins by meticulously examining a
Team Begins by meticulously examining a crime scene agents Dawn special clothing
crime scene agents Dawn special clothing not to protect themselves but to
not to protect themselves but to safeguard the
safeguard the evidence with today's Ultra sensitive
evidence with today's Ultra sensitive techniques a single drop of blood or
techniques a single drop of blood or saliva a strand of hair or scraping of
saliva a strand of hair or scraping of skin may see seal the conviction of a
skin may see seal the conviction of a [Music]
[Music] criminal careful recordkeeping is vital
criminal careful recordkeeping is vital where each item was found when and by
where each item was found when and by whom must be documented if the evidence
whom must be documented if the evidence is to stand up in
court FBI headquarters in Washington receives So Many Items of evidence for
receives So Many Items of evidence for testing each day it has been given its
testing each day it has been given its own ZIP
code fingerprints still remain among the most important Clues the FBI has more
most important Clues the FBI has more than 200 million on
than 200 million on file there are dozens of ways to develop
file there are dozens of ways to develop otherwise invisible prints latent prints
otherwise invisible prints latent prints one of the most effective is with the
one of the most effective is with the vapor of super glue which adheres to the
vapor of super glue which adheres to the print and raises it to the
surface in the psea FED poisoning case agent turgis and his colleagues
agent turgis and his colleagues fingerprinted every piece of evidence
fingerprinted every piece of evidence that might implicate Joe
that might implicate Joe meing six contaminated bottles were
meing six contaminated bottles were eventually retrieved Reed but Joe's
eventually retrieved Reed but Joe's fingerprints could not be
fingerprints could not be found dozens of library books were
found dozens of library books were examined again without success perhaps
examined again without success perhaps Joe remembered that fingerprints helped
Joe remembered that fingerprints helped catch Stella nickel and so he wore
catch Stella nickel and so he wore rubber
rubber gloves FBI agents mapped the locations
gloves FBI agents mapped the locations where the tampered packs were found Joe
where the tampered packs were found Joe told the FBI he bought sua fed from a
told the FBI he bought sua fed from a store near his
store near his house other tampered packages turned up
house other tampered packages turned up in a store in the lace area near Joe's
in a store in the lace area near Joe's work but four stores in Tacoma also had
work but four stores in Tacoma also had tempered product special agent Tom
tempered product special agent Tom turgeson the red dots indicate places
turgeson the red dots indicate places where we could place Joe mailing through
where we could place Joe mailing through physical evidence through receipts
physical evidence through receipts through Witnesses and other methods
through Witnesses and other methods Place him in one store for instance and
Place him in one store for instance and and in other areas around the time frame
and in other areas around the time frame of the tamper rings and in the immediate
of the tamper rings and in the immediate surroundings of those
surroundings of those stores Joe's link to the two stores near
stores Joe's link to the two stores near his home and work were evident enough
his home and work were evident enough but what of the four stores in
Tacoma we found out that Joel would frequent uh the uh stripper bars and
frequent uh the uh stripper bars and talk to uh the the strippers and uh
talk to uh the the strippers and uh seemingly just relate his problems uh to
seemingly just relate his problems uh to them we found several of the uh danc ERS
them we found several of the uh danc ERS from uh topless dance clubs who
from uh topless dance clubs who recognized Joe Ming who testified
recognized Joe Ming who testified against him at the trial who placed him
against him at the trial who placed him up here at certain uh dates and times um
up here at certain uh dates and times um some of them uh said he was a regular
some of them uh said he was a regular frequenter of the establishments and
frequenter of the establishments and they easily recognized
him the investigators had tied Joe to the tampered Sudafed packages could they
the tampered Sudafed packages could they now tie him him to the
cyanide as the major suspect the FBI tapped Joe's telephone early on in the
tapped Joe's telephone early on in the investigation one day they heard him
investigation one day they heard him describe in Vivid detail a building he
describe in Vivid detail a building he had once
had once visited from the description FBI agents
visited from the description FBI agents identified it as the Emerald City
identified it as the Emerald City Chemical Company in Kent Washington
Chemical Company in Kent Washington among other things Emerald City chemical
among other things Emerald City chemical cell
cell cyanide when investigators examined the
cyanide when investigators examined the poison register for the day Joe had
poison register for the day Joe had visited the area they could not find his
visited the area they could not find his signature a Richard P Johnson had bought
signature a Richard P Johnson had bought cyanide that day it was all the FBI
cyanide that day it was all the FBI required as in the Stella nickel case
required as in the Stella nickel case handwriting analysis proved
handwriting analysis proved decisive despite Joe Ming's attempt to
decisive despite Joe Ming's attempt to disguise his handwriting there are clear
disguise his handwriting there are clear similarities between Richard P Johnson's
similarities between Richard P Johnson's signature and Joe's
signature and Joe's own consider the formation of the J for
own consider the formation of the J for example the shape of the o
example the shape of the o and the way the letters sit upon the
and the way the letters sit upon the line the person who signed the poison
line the person who signed the poison register was
register was Joe it was determined that juw Ming
Joe it was determined that juw Ming purchased one pound of sodium cyanide on
purchased one pound of sodium cyanide on January 11th a pound
January 11th a pound similar to this container which is a
similar to this container which is a representative container of sodium
representative container of sodium cyanide and you might have one pound
cyanide and you might have one pound that's a lot of poison considering a
that's a lot of poison considering a pill the size of a ped capsule killed
pill the size of a ped capsule killed two people and injured one
two people and injured one other one last Point puzzled the
other one last Point puzzled the investigators when the clerk at the
investigators when the clerk at the chemical store was shown a photograph of
chemical store was shown a photograph of Joe Ming he failed to recognize
Joe Ming he failed to recognize him in the residence of Joe Ming we
him in the residence of Joe Ming we found this array of theatrical makeup
found this array of theatrical makeup equipment uh experts in theatrical
equipment uh experts in theatrical makeup testified at his trial and
makeup testified at his trial and determined on the would stand that there
determined on the would stand that there is the equipment here available to make
is the equipment here available to make someone up to be unrecognized ible as to
someone up to be unrecognized ible as to their true identity we found a
their true identity we found a photograph of a person who looks elderly
photograph of a person who looks elderly graying hair wrinkled face and it's a
graying hair wrinkled face and it's a friend of Joel Ming in his late 20s
friend of Joel Ming in his late 20s early
30s it had taken 18 months of exhaustive Investigation but by August 1992 the FBI
Investigation but by August 1992 the FBI case against Joe Ming was complete
case against Joe Ming was complete shortly before Jennifer's poisoning he
shortly before Jennifer's poisoning he prepared six packages of ped
prepared six packages of ped in each he replaced the PED with
in each he replaced the PED with capsules filled with lethal doses of
capsules filled with lethal doses of cyanide five packets he returned to
cyanide five packets he returned to drugstore shelves one remained at home
drugstore shelves one remained at home to kill
to kill Jennifer Joe Ming was indicted on two
Jennifer Joe Ming was indicted on two counts of murder and the attempted
counts of murder and the attempted murder of Jennifer
murder of Jennifer Ming he is now serving life
imprisonment among evidence discovered at Joe's home agents found one last item
at Joe's home agents found one last item of note an outline for a screenplay
of note an outline for a screenplay about the poisoning of
Jennifer the protagonist James Martin is described as
described as devoted honest reliable sincere
truthful Joe Ming was greedy uh he was very selfish I don't think he was
very selfish I don't think he was concerned about the Health and Welfare
concerned about the Health and Welfare of his wife Jennifer
of his wife Jennifer he's concerned about
he's concerned about Joe just as Stella nickel learned from
Joe just as Stella nickel learned from the Tylenol poisonings and Joe Ming
the Tylenol poisonings and Joe Ming learned from Stella Nichols mistakes so
learned from Stella Nichols mistakes so too investigators learn to prevent and
too investigators learn to prevent and detect such
detect such murders Dr Barry Logan there's no way to
murders Dr Barry Logan there's no way to uh to prevent a product from being
uh to prevent a product from being tampered with what we can do is package
tampered with what we can do is package it in such a way that if anything is
it in such a way that if anything is done to interfere with the material that
done to interfere with the material that is evident to the person when they buy
is evident to the person when they buy it from the supermarket or before they
it from the supermarket or before they uh use the
uh use the product what's important for the
product what's important for the conviction of a poisoner are four things
conviction of a poisoner are four things I call the conviction pyramid number one
I call the conviction pyramid number one we have to have the victim number two we
we have to have the victim number two we have to have the poisoner and then we
have to have the poisoner and then we have to have the poison and the intent
have to have the poison and the intent and all these things have to be linked
and all these things have to be linked together poison to victim poison to
together poison to victim poison to offender offender to
offender offender to victim and then finally the intent was
victim and then finally the intent was the intent really to kill that
the intent really to kill that victim once you get those four things
victim once you get those four things locked on then you have the potential
locked on then you have the potential for a
for a conviction each year forensic science
conviction each year forensic science provides investigators with powerful new
provides investigators with powerful new tools how many poisoners still elude
tools how many poisoners still elude detection we don't know perhaps more
detection we don't know perhaps more than we would like to
than we would like to [Music]
[Music] admit who is winning the battle in the
admit who is winning the battle in the end no one
end no one the fight goes on
the fight goes on [Music]
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