1 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:09,880 Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Alison Vlam Welcome back to Erased. In the 2 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 1: previous episode, the defense attorneys kept pursuing the theory that 3 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: Elma took her own life, painting a picture of Elma 4 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: as a tortured girl who abused Laudanum and got all 5 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:23,279 Speaker 1: dressed up on December twenty second to throw herself into 6 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:26,800 Speaker 1: a well. To tell the jury about Levi's night leading 7 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:28,480 Speaker 1: up to the time of the murder, they called their 8 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: dear friend, Levi's brother Ezra, up to the witness stand. 9 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:38,000 Speaker 2: Levi Weeks had a typical Sunday. He woke up at 10 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 2: the Rings house and went straight to Ezra's. He showed 11 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 2: up around ten am. 12 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 3: Right, that's right, yeah, yes, around then, yes, right after 13 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:47,480 Speaker 3: breakfast time. 14 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 4: Me and my wife had just eaten. We were off 15 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:50,480 Speaker 4: to church. 16 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 1: Ezra Weeks was this elite architect with a settled family 17 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: life at his home on Harrison Street. He kept horses 18 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: in the lumberyard. He built mansion on contracts during the day. 19 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 1: He lived comfortably, and that's the kind of life leeve 20 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 1: I would have wanted for himself to. He looked up 21 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 1: to his brother. At the trial, Ezra was nervous, though 22 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: he probably rehearsed his testimony one hundred times with his lawyers. 23 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: He wasn't a big public speaker. Ezra never could have 24 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: imagined testifying at a murder trial, let alone that his 25 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:25,559 Speaker 1: younger brother would be facing capital punishment counting on him 26 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 1: and his testimony for freedom. 27 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 2: So you saw your brother in the morning, and then 28 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 2: several more times that day. 29 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:36,759 Speaker 3: Right right when I got home from church, Levi was there. 30 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:40,040 Speaker 3: He said he'd been over to the rings and then 31 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 3: returned to my house. By mid afternoon. We had tea. Yes, yeah, 32 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:46,319 Speaker 3: my wife made tea. 33 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 5: Did you have any guests for tea that night? 34 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 6: As one? 35 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 4: Yes? Yeah, John and Death came over at five point thirty. 36 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 7: Objection, who are John and Beth? 37 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 4: Sorry? Sorry? 38 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 6: Can you not startle our witness like that? Coldon? 39 00:01:58,120 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 7: Can your witness be more clear? Hamilton? 40 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 5: I'm sorry, that's right, Just say John of Bett's full 41 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 5: names for the. 42 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:09,079 Speaker 3: Jury, John McComb, my friend and his wife Beth macomb. 43 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: Now John McComb worked with Ezra Weeks building a house 44 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 1: uptown for Hamilton. He also worked on building the new 45 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:18,680 Speaker 1: city Hall. And I mentioned the projects of all these wealthy, 46 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,679 Speaker 1: well connected men because they were literally constructing New York 47 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 1: at the time of this trial, and the trial was 48 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: literally building the new system, and everyone in power was 49 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 1: friends with each other, having tea at each other's homes, 50 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 1: making important decisions on night's like December twenty second, seventeen 51 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:37,359 Speaker 1: ninety nine. Levi was in and out of Ezra's house 52 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: that night. Ezra recounted it like this, and how was it. 53 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 5: The tea evening? 54 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 4: Yes, all right, good fun. 55 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 3: It felt like a normal tea time because we didn't 56 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,519 Speaker 3: know Levi's lover was about to die. 57 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 8: Ezra Weeks, my friend, thank you as always for hosting. 58 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:01,519 Speaker 4: We love having you here. 59 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 3: Johnny cheers, cheers, good friends and good tea. 60 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 8: And Levi, it's good to see you. 61 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:08,640 Speaker 9: Kid. 62 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 8: Looks like you're following in Ezra's giant footsteps. 63 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:12,839 Speaker 4: Trying, sir. 64 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 7: I can only hope to be half the architect. 65 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 8: My brother is good, stay focused, no distraction. 66 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 7: El's never mister McComb. 67 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 8: No girlfriends, all or any of that. 68 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 9: Oh, Levi, I heard you were seeing a girl at 69 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:25,799 Speaker 9: the Rings house. 70 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 7: I thought maybe you were in love. 71 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:30,520 Speaker 4: Levi's in lust. 72 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 7: It's temporary, nothing too serious, mister missus McComb. I haven't 73 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 7: found my future wife. If that's what you're asking for now, 74 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:39,840 Speaker 7: work is my wife. 75 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 3: That's right, And once you commit yourself fully to the work, 76 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 3: you can help us with the Alexander Hamilton project. What seriously, 77 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 3: John and I are still in the planning stages of 78 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 3: the house uptown. 79 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 4: I'll bring you onto the project if you keep your focus. 80 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 7: Oh my god, of course that's incredible. Thank you so much. 81 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,760 Speaker 7: Are you joining us for STU? Do you need help, 82 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 7: died Oh, I've got it. Not as heavy as it 83 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 7: looks you Relax, Levi. 84 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 8: Are you staying for dinner? 85 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 7: No, no, thank you. I'm actually on my way out. 86 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 7: You're going out in the cold. I've got plans. Oh, 87 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 7: take a sleigh then I'll give you blankets. Oh it's okay, Elizabeth, 88 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:25,360 Speaker 7: I can walk. You'll be freezing. What time did LEVI 89 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 7: walk out of Ezra's house? 90 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 8: Seven fifty five, I'd say, And when did you and 91 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 8: your wife leave? Not long after Levi? About eight twenty. 92 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,359 Speaker 10: How can you be so precise, mister macomb? These numbers 93 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 10: sound very specific, almost rehearsed. 94 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 5: Of course he's specific. He's an architect. 95 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:44,280 Speaker 8: Also, Beth and I wanted to stop at a friend's 96 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 8: house for a night. 97 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 11: Cap. 98 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 8: So we checked the time before we left. 99 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 7: What was happening at Ezra Weeks's house when you left? 100 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 8: Nothing out of the ordinary. Missus Weeks was washing silverware 101 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,040 Speaker 8: in the basin when Ezra walked us out. Ezra walked 102 00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 8: you out, mister Macomb, Yes, he walked us out. When 103 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,239 Speaker 8: are you going to mention that? What's the big deal? 104 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 8: He walked us out. Any good hosts would do that. 105 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 1: So John Maccomb's testimony left colden with more questions than answers. 106 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 1: If LEVI went out that night and then Ezra walked 107 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:19,599 Speaker 1: his guests out, the Week's brothers had the opportunity to 108 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: do something terrible? 109 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,920 Speaker 7: Can I call Asra's wife to the stand? Missus Weeks. 110 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,919 Speaker 12: You can't call a witness in the middle of our argument. 111 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:28,039 Speaker 7: Do you did the same thing to me? 112 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,599 Speaker 2: Missus Weeks is not even here, guys, we have her 113 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 2: written testimony? 114 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 7: Are you kidding me? 115 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 6: Is it her breast? 116 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 4: Missus Weeks breast is okay? 117 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:36,840 Speaker 5: Her breasts are good. 118 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,720 Speaker 13: Yes, she just couldn't come to court today, So we 119 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 13: have her written statement. 120 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 12: I'll read it to you. 121 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 14: No, Aaron, the cleric will read it for us. Pass 122 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 14: it to him. 123 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 4: Thank you. 124 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 15: On the twenty ninth of March eighteen hundred, Elizabeth Weeks stated, 125 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:56,360 Speaker 15: under oak hang on. 126 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 11: Objection to what mister Colden. 127 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:00,720 Speaker 7: I need an opportunity to question this witness. 128 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 2: Well, you can't because she's not here. This is the 129 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 2: only option if you want to hear from Ezra's wife. 130 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:07,600 Speaker 7: This written testimony thing is ridiculous. 131 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 11: You're wasting time, cold and proceed, clerk. 132 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:16,679 Speaker 15: Elizabeth Week's statement is as follows, Levi Weeks. My brother 133 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 15: in law socialized with us until eight pm and then 134 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:24,280 Speaker 15: departed a half hour later. The McCombs left, My husband 135 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 15: walked them halfway to their destination. 136 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 7: Wait, I thought Ezra just walked the maccombs out. 137 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 12: Yes, he walked his guest out. 138 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 7: Like to the front door, the front porch, the yard, 139 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 7: the next street. 140 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 12: Who cares, mister cole Missus. 141 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 10: Week's testimony says he walked a distance with the McCombs 142 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 10: halfway to their next appointment. 143 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 8: Yes, because it was dark. He held up an extra 144 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 8: lantern so my wife wouldn't slip in the snow. We 145 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 8: parted ways as soon as the streets were lit. Well enough, 146 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 8: where's that exactly? Frederick Ryan Landers house. Once we got there, 147 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 8: I told Ezra we could handle the rest of the 148 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 8: walk on our own. 149 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:04,920 Speaker 7: And then he was out in the world alone, unaccounted. 150 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:07,039 Speaker 12: For, not unaccounted for, he went home. 151 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 7: Do we have evidence that Ezra went street home. 152 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 15: It just says at nine point fifteen, Levi returned to 153 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 15: our home to get his assignments for the next day 154 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:17,679 Speaker 15: from my husband. 155 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 13: So Levi and Ezra were both back at Ezra's by 156 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 13: nine to fifteen at the latest. 157 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 10: But during the exact three quarters of an hour that 158 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 10: Alma Sans was murdered between eight thirty and nine to 159 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 10: fifteen pm on December twenty second, seventeen ninety nine, Ezra 160 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 10: Weeks was unaccounted for, probably assisting his brother Levi in 161 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 10: a cold blooded murder. Objection, Ezra goes out at eight 162 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 10: twenty five, Alma is killed at eight forty. Ezra and 163 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 10: Levi returned to Ezra's house by nine to fifteen and 164 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:46,120 Speaker 10: act like everything is normal. 165 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 11: Objection westerns cold. 166 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:51,520 Speaker 10: And mister McCombe, is it possible that Ezra Weeks went 167 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 10: to the Manhattan well after leaving you at Rylander's Corner? 168 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 6: What a desperate, deplorable accusation. 169 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 7: Is it possible, sir, that Ezra Weeks was involved in 170 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 7: the murder of Sands. Is it possible, sir. 171 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 11: Mister McComb, We're standing by for your answer. 172 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 14: Is it possible that Ezra Weeks served as an accomplice? 173 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 11: I don't know. 174 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 8: Yes, yeah, yes, it's possible. 175 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 11: God with me. 176 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 7: Oh no, no no. 177 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: And to summarize, because this is all about the details. 178 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 1: The night of the murder, John and Beth Macomb were 179 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 1: at Ezra and Elizabeth Weeks's house. Levi left the house 180 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 1: about five minutes before eight pm, saying he had plans 181 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,000 Speaker 1: weird for a cold Sunday night, but whatever. About twenty 182 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: to twenty five minutes later, John and Beth went to leave, 183 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 1: but Ezra insisted on walking them to the nearest adequately 184 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 1: lit street because it was dark and snowy and treacherous 185 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 1: out there. Ezra walked his friends to the corner outside 186 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: this guy, Frederick Reinlander's house, and then they parted ways. 187 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: Then Ezra was unaccounted for for the next forty five minutes. 188 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 1: If Ezra Weeks could have gotten to the well and 189 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: back in that forty five minute window, it's quite possible 190 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: that he was involved in the murder of Alma Sands. 191 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:20,320 Speaker 1: The defense then calls Frederick Rhinlander, the guy with the 192 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: well lit corner house. 193 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 7: Good to see you, gentlemen. Oh, sorry to interrupt. 194 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,080 Speaker 2: That's why, mister Ryelander. Let's get right into it. Do 195 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 2: you think Ezra and Levi Weeks are capable of murder? 196 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 5: Yes? Or no? 197 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,199 Speaker 7: No, I don't, sir. I think they're both harmless. 198 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:38,959 Speaker 15: I can't imagine either of the Week's brothers hurting a fly, 199 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 15: or a horse or a woman. 200 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 13: So you'd say there's absolutely no way the Weeks brothers 201 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:49,480 Speaker 13: were involved in the murder of Alma Sands, right. 202 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 7: Leading the witness, He did not say that. 203 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 10: Well, I've got proof, proof of what, mister Rhinlander, proof 204 00:09:56,400 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 10: that the Week's brothers could not have killed miss Elma Sands. 205 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 11: Okay, present your evidence. 206 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 7: What evidence? 207 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:06,600 Speaker 15: Ezra asked me to take measurements as a favor to 208 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 15: his brother to help their case. 209 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 1: Bridewell Jail, where Levi was held after he was arrested. 210 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:18,440 Speaker 1: To paint a quick picture of this dump on Chambers Street. 211 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:21,440 Speaker 1: It had like damp stone walls and dirt floors, and 212 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 1: there were rats everywhere. Imagine Levi in rags and chains. 213 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 1: Haggard from his time there. Hamilton brought Frederick Rhinlander to 214 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: see Levi before the trial to keep perfecting his alibi. 215 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:39,840 Speaker 16: Bye bye, wake yours, you got visitors, Levi. 216 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 5: Mister Rhinlander has information to share. 217 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 2: Go away, Alexander, get up, mister Rhyinlander, and I are 218 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 2: talking to you. 219 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 7: I don't feel like talking right now. 220 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:49,600 Speaker 5: Then just listen. 221 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 7: I'll be quick, Levi. I promise you. 222 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 5: Can sit down, mister Rymander. 223 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 7: Now you can't, my cell my roles. You guys can't 224 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:01,840 Speaker 7: sit down. That's fine, that's fine. I'm good to stay, LEVI. 225 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 15: I walked back and forth from Greenwich Street to the 226 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 15: Manhattan Well yesterday, several times. 227 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 6: Good for you. 228 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 7: Your brother asked me to do it. 229 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:14,439 Speaker 17: Ezra asked you to walk from the boarding house to 230 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:16,839 Speaker 17: the well, over and over again like an idiot. 231 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 2: Ezra asked mister Rhinlander to take measurements as a favor 232 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:21,319 Speaker 2: to you. 233 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:25,559 Speaker 15: I'll testify at your trial, and my measurements will exonerate you. 234 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:28,440 Speaker 2: When we call mister Rhinlander to the stand next week, 235 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:30,439 Speaker 2: your name will be cleared for good. 236 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 6: LEVI. 237 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 7: Wait, you're testifying, Rylander. You didn't even know Elman. 238 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 15: The walk from the Rings boarding house to the Manhattan 239 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 15: Well is seventy nine chains long. Took me an average 240 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 15: of twenty five minutes each time one way. 241 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 17: Yeah, you're a slow walker because you're not from New York. 242 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 17: She only take fifteen minutes twenty max. 243 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 7: Don't say that at the trial. Leave the measurements to. 244 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 5: Me, Levi. 245 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 2: You were seen by several witnesses at the Rings at 246 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 2: eight oh five, I know, and Elizabeth Weeks saw you 247 00:11:57,920 --> 00:11:59,200 Speaker 2: at Ezra's by nine to fifteen. 248 00:11:59,400 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 7: I know. 249 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 17: Well, we don't need to practice this every day. I 250 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 17: haven't memorized. 251 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:05,679 Speaker 2: You couldn't have walked from the Rings to the Well 252 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:08,560 Speaker 2: to Ezra's between eight o five and nine fifteen in 253 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 2: the dark, per. 254 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 15: My measurements, that would take someone over an hour without 255 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:14,440 Speaker 15: stopping to commit a murder. 256 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 17: But with the horse and sleigh, it would only take 257 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 17: a half hour, probably maybe less. 258 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:21,959 Speaker 7: No one in their right mind would take a sleigh 259 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 7: on the list bannards in the snow. That's a death wish. 260 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:28,160 Speaker 7: The jury won't ask about horses. 261 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 1: So they were confident in these measurements. When they went 262 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: to court, they assumed that nobody would ask about the 263 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 1: possibility of Levi taking a horse to the murder site 264 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 1: that night because of how dangerous the list bannards were 265 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:42,719 Speaker 1: in the snow. So the defense thought Old Frederick Reinlander 266 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 1: and his infinite measuring expertise would alibi Levi out once 267 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:47,080 Speaker 1: and for all. 268 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 15: And so I determined neither Levi nor Ezra could have 269 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 15: reasonably made the commute in thirty five minutes. 270 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 7: Boom, Both innocent. But mister rhinelanders, all your measurements are 271 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 7: taken on foot. 272 00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 10: So if Ezra took his slay to meet Levi at 273 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:04,439 Speaker 10: the well, or if Levi took the slay to meet 274 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 10: Elma in the first place, none of your data is valid. 275 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 15: No I told you, mister Colton, nobody could manage a 276 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:12,199 Speaker 15: sleigh on the list of nards in the snow. 277 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 10: But someone did. Because we heard earlier that sleigh tracks 278 00:13:15,679 --> 00:13:16,959 Speaker 10: were found at the well. 279 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 15: Well, sleigh tracks are irrelevant to my measurements. 280 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:23,440 Speaker 13: Just ignore Coldon's badgering, mister Rhyinlander, keep going. 281 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:25,800 Speaker 10: Mister Burr, your witness just said there couldn't have been 282 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 10: a sleigh at the murder site, but there were sleigh 283 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 10: tracks at the murder site. 284 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 7: Okay, mister Ryelander. 285 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 10: A new line of questioning, Ezra Weeks walked John and 286 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:36,720 Speaker 10: Beth MacComb to the corner in front of your house. 287 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 7: Of the night Alma was murdered. 288 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 15: Yes, exactly, because they could see perfectly by my house. 289 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 15: My yard is the brightest in the area. I get 290 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:47,559 Speaker 15: the light coming in off the water, so. 291 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 10: It's bright enough that the Macombs tell Ezra we can 292 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 10: manage to commute from here good night. Yes, So the 293 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:56,240 Speaker 10: Macombs leave, and let's say Ezra goes from your house 294 00:13:56,280 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 10: straight to the Manhattan Well. 295 00:13:57,440 --> 00:13:59,959 Speaker 12: Ezra had no motive nor reason to do that. 296 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 10: I said, let's say, how long would it take Ezra 297 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:04,319 Speaker 10: Weeks to get to the well from your house? 298 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 7: I didn't measure that, so I don't know. Can you 299 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 7: take a guess? 300 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 10: No? 301 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 7: I can't. 302 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:14,480 Speaker 18: Sorry, I thought you were an expert measurer. I'm not 303 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:18,760 Speaker 18: an expert guesser, mister Colton. Okay, we'll try this another way. 304 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:21,960 Speaker 18: Ezra Weeks built the Manhattan Well for mister Burgh's company. 305 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 7: Right, Yes, Ezra is an esteem to build. 306 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 10: So Ezra really knows where the murder site is because 307 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 10: he built it with his own two hands. So even 308 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 10: if it's rough ground, it's dark, it's cold, snow whatever. 309 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 7: Ezra Weeks knows exactly where the well is. 310 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 5: This questions you're getting silly. 311 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 10: I'm just asking mister Rhinelander for a simple guess. How 312 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 10: long would it have taken Ezra Week's builder of the 313 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 10: murder site to get there from your corner on December 314 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 10: twenty second, seventeen ninety nine. 315 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 7: A few minutes, A few minutes. 316 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 10: Ezra could get to the well just in time for 317 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 10: Elma screams of murders. 318 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 1: Yeah. So, to the dismay of Burr and Hamilton, it 319 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 1: became clear that logistically, both Levi and Ezra could have 320 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: pulled off the murder at the Manhattan Well. If Levi 321 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 1: borrowed Ezra's horse and sleigh, which left Ezra's lumberyard for 322 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 1: an hour around eight pm, he could have easily covered 323 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:24,520 Speaker 1: all this territory. Meanwhile, Ezra walked John and Beth out 324 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 1: into the night, and then where did he go? Once 325 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: this all emerged, Hamilton and Burr had to go into 326 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 1: damage control mode. They called the local grocer to the stand. 327 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 13: The defense calls David Forrest, neighbor to the boarding house 328 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 13: in honor of Forrest's bakery on Williams. 329 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 1: Street, grocers truly have their finger on the pulse of 330 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 1: the community. 331 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 7: They always have, mister Forrest. 332 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 12: People call you the ears of the community. 333 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 6: Why is that? 334 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 16: Because I hear everything while I'm working. Lots of people 335 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 16: come through my bakery every day wanting to chat. I 336 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:01,840 Speaker 16: don't even read the because I get such a daily 337 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 16: earful from my customers. 338 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 13: And has anyone in your shop spoken negatively about Levi Weeks? 339 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 16: No, sir, everyone loves Levi. 340 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 6: Great. 341 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:16,880 Speaker 2: What was the gossip like when Elma first disappeared, everyone 342 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 2: assumed Alma committed suicide? 343 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 7: Right, objection. We are way past this theory. 344 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 16: People were saying, you know, Elma Sands wouldn't be the 345 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 16: first lonely woman in New York to end her own life. 346 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 12: Great, thank you, mister Forrest. 347 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 16: Mister Forest, Yes, mister Colton. 348 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:39,520 Speaker 10: Are you sure you've never heard anything negative about Levi Weeks? 349 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:40,880 Speaker 5: He answered that already. 350 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 10: Well, what about Levi's relationship with Alma? Anything about that? 351 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:46,200 Speaker 16: It's hard to say. 352 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 7: What's hard to say, sir? 353 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 8: They were bold. 354 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:52,359 Speaker 16: Kids having casual sex and a Quaker. 355 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 7: House, but neither of them were Quakers. 356 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 16: That's true, that's true, and it is all just gossip. 357 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:02,240 Speaker 2: It's true gossip. Though Alma SAMs was uncomfortable insecure. 358 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:05,959 Speaker 10: Everybody sounds uncomfortable and insecure when everyone's gossiping about their 359 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,840 Speaker 10: sex life. You know about that, mister Hamilton, watch it 360 00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 10: co mister Forrest. Most New Yorkers feel strongly that Levi 361 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:15,679 Speaker 10: Weeks is guilty, right. 362 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 6: How should he know about most New Yorkers? 363 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,640 Speaker 16: You just called him the ears of the community simply 364 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 16: because I hear all the rumors, many of which are 365 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 16: generated by Richard Croucher, the gossip machine himself. 366 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:29,720 Speaker 1: Remember this guy, Ah, God. 367 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 6: Craucher, pervert, I'm so sorry. 368 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:35,480 Speaker 1: Humus would often burst in on Elma and Levi in 369 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:36,960 Speaker 1: the back room on the second floor. 370 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 7: Were you watching her? 371 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:40,880 Speaker 6: Done? Flattyselves? 372 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 1: Richard Croucher hated Levi and he loved Elma, but he 373 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 1: was too old and weird to get close with her. 374 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: Once Elma's body was displayed for everyone to see, Croucher 375 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 1: took to the streets to start stirring the pot. He 376 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:59,119 Speaker 1: demanded Levi be hanged at the gallows for Alma's murder. So, 377 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: of course, the defense team used this to argue that 378 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:06,160 Speaker 1: Croucher ignited negative public perception of Levi and set their 379 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:09,680 Speaker 1: client up at an unfair disadvantage before the trial even started. 380 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 16: If he had it his way, this whole city would 381 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:13,199 Speaker 16: hate Levi Weeks. 382 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:15,959 Speaker 2: How do you mean, mister Forest, He means Croucher stirs 383 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 2: the pot and starts rumors. 384 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 16: Last week, Croucher came into my shop completely manic, ranting 385 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 16: to my customers awful things about Levi Weeks. 386 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:30,679 Speaker 13: So Croucher has worked to poison public opinion against my client. 387 00:18:31,160 --> 00:18:35,359 Speaker 6: The truth is not a poison. Maybe wakes. 388 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:40,159 Speaker 13: She's a minute, mister Croucher, Sit down, cuts your honor. 389 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:42,720 Speaker 12: Croucher shouldn't even be in here for this. 390 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:45,320 Speaker 11: Mister Croucher, sit down or you'll be removed. 391 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:47,160 Speaker 4: What he knows Levi is a guilty man. 392 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:51,720 Speaker 13: Before Levi Weeks received a fair trial, he was convicted 393 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:53,240 Speaker 13: in the court of public opinion. 394 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 12: That's not American. 395 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,199 Speaker 10: I think that's very American. Everyone has a say, and 396 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 10: everyone knows your client's guilty. 397 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:02,239 Speaker 6: Richard Croucher had motive. He envied Lee Vy. 398 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 2: Levia is young, handsome, successful, Croucher is old, ugly raucus, 399 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 2: and Croucher envied Levi's relationship with Elma. 400 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 16: Right, everybody did Elma was beautiful. 401 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 2: And Richard Croucher loved her, but Elma loved Levi a 402 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 2: love triangle, and Croucher, crushed by the jealousy, killed Alma. 403 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 6: So neither man could have. 404 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 10: What mister Forrest, you were not suggesting Croucher could have 405 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:26,879 Speaker 10: killed Alma Sands? 406 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:27,199 Speaker 7: Are you? 407 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:32,199 Speaker 16: I think any man could kill any woman should he 408 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:37,359 Speaker 16: want to see her dead. I personally can't imagine killing anybody, 409 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 16: not even my wife. 410 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 12: Mister Forrest, Actually, let's speak to your wife. 411 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: The defense called Loraina Forrest up to the stand safe 412 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 1: to say Lorena was not a fan of Richard Croucher, 413 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:58,920 Speaker 1: but she knew him pretty well. Lorena and David Forrest 414 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,359 Speaker 1: lived around the Core her from the Rings boarding house, 415 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:03,320 Speaker 1: where Croucher had lived for several years. 416 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 12: Missus Forrest a good afternoon, mister burr Well, Lorena tell 417 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 12: us about Richard Croucher. 418 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 9: He loves to talk. 419 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 10: About Alma Sam Again irrelevant in the case against Levi. 420 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 13: Weeks Again disagree with coldon Croucher's behavior towards our client, 421 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 13: who he framed is very relevant. 422 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:26,640 Speaker 10: Richard Croucher is not a reasonable suspect, and my colleagues 423 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 10: know it. 424 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:30,679 Speaker 13: S This is a house of justice, mister Colden. Isn't 425 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 13: everyone is suspect until proven innocent? 426 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 7: Shouldn't it be the other way around? 427 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:39,119 Speaker 12: Missus Forrest? What has Croucher said about Alma? 428 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:47,919 Speaker 9: Oh, Croucher loved her. Alma's so smart, innocent, generous. 429 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:48,160 Speaker 7: Sounds right. 430 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:53,200 Speaker 13: What I'm hearing is Croucher was weirdly obsessed with Elma. 431 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 7: Elma was my frame most I was not upset. 432 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 13: And the fast track to a fresh start was to 433 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,639 Speaker 13: kill her and frame Levi. If anyone walks out of 434 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:05,600 Speaker 13: this room and shackles today, it should be the true 435 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 13: murderer of Richard Croucher. 436 00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:12,200 Speaker 14: Eat, You're not another word from back there, Croucher. 437 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:17,960 Speaker 2: But Croucher was always trying to see Alma naked. You 438 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:21,679 Speaker 2: tried to assert yourself into Elma and Levi's relationship. 439 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:24,440 Speaker 7: You are crazy, mister Hamilton, you're grasping it strong. 440 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:27,040 Speaker 6: Rower had a motive, and he had Elma's trust. 441 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,919 Speaker 7: I almost trusted a lot of bad men. She trusted everybody. 442 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 14: Counselors reapproached this stand with a new line of questioning 443 00:21:33,119 --> 00:21:34,680 Speaker 14: for this witness or dismiss her. 444 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:36,360 Speaker 11: You're acting like children. 445 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:40,359 Speaker 12: We're good to dismiss her. Sorry about that, Thank you, 446 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:41,360 Speaker 12: missus Forrest. 447 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 9: Can I step down? 448 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 7: No, no, not yet, Missus Forest, I need to cross examine. 449 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 5: You real quick. 450 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 9: Oh that's right. I like your shoes, mister Colton. 451 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:52,880 Speaker 7: Oh well, thank you so much. 452 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:58,600 Speaker 10: I like your bonnet of course. Now, Missus Forest, do 453 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:00,440 Speaker 10: you think Croucher had feelings for Alma? 454 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:04,840 Speaker 9: Oh? He liked her a lot. I don't know about feelings. 455 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:07,199 Speaker 10: But when Levi moved into the house last July, he 456 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:09,840 Speaker 10: came between Croucher and Elma. Croucher had to adjust to 457 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 10: Levi's intrusive presence, and that's not easy. 458 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 7: Oh. 459 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:15,440 Speaker 9: Plus, I'm sure it wasn't easy for Croucher to make 460 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 9: new friends. 461 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 7: And why is that? Well, he's a bit of a 462 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 7: creem crave. You wish. How old is Richard Croucher Mmm? 463 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:30,879 Speaker 9: Probably fifty, sir, more. 464 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:32,960 Speaker 7: Than a decade older than the average board at the Ringshouse. 465 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:34,240 Speaker 5: Objection relevant. 466 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:38,240 Speaker 10: Croucher lives amongst all the young single people. He is 467 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:41,119 Speaker 10: a social pariah. But Alma was nice to him. 468 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 9: Alma was nice to everyone. She made everyone feel seen 469 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:48,359 Speaker 9: and dignified. I mean, that's why ugly old Croucher liked 470 00:22:48,359 --> 00:22:48,920 Speaker 9: her so much. 471 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:52,000 Speaker 7: So you don't think Croucher could have possibly killed Elma. 472 00:22:52,680 --> 00:22:55,439 Speaker 9: Oh, I don't know who killed her, mister Colton. But 473 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:59,400 Speaker 9: on the day her body was discovered, I saw Richard Croucher, 474 00:22:59,520 --> 00:22:59,960 Speaker 9: sob like. 475 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:04,840 Speaker 10: Baby, take us there. It's January two. Yes, Alma's body 476 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:05,680 Speaker 10: is found in the well. 477 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:08,639 Speaker 9: Yes, And mister Croucher came to my house that evening. 478 00:23:09,560 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 9: He asked if I'd heard the news about Alma, and 479 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 9: then he started weeping right there on my sofa. 480 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:19,199 Speaker 13: Which is precisely what a guilty person would do to 481 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 13: maintain a pretense of innocence. 482 00:23:22,160 --> 00:23:23,200 Speaker 7: I was nowhere near. 483 00:23:23,160 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 6: To this Spinocha on the night of the murder. 484 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:28,360 Speaker 7: It was at a party. That's right. Croucher has an alibi. 485 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:29,119 Speaker 7: So can we move on? 486 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:33,720 Speaker 12: But Richard Craucher looks like the murderer. Look at that face, Look. 487 00:23:33,560 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 13: At him, everybody, he was obsessed with the victim. 488 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:37,560 Speaker 5: Stop there. 489 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:41,399 Speaker 13: And yet Levi Weeks is still on troal for this 490 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 13: Croucher killed Alma. 491 00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:44,400 Speaker 12: That's it. 492 00:23:44,560 --> 00:23:47,920 Speaker 10: Your desperate attempt to create reasonable doubt by going after 493 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 10: Richard Croucher is simply embarrassing. 494 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:53,440 Speaker 13: Your embarrassing coldon give up on this verse. Crapture is 495 00:23:53,480 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 13: a very scary man. 496 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:57,600 Speaker 7: For almost surrounded by scary men, you have nothing. 497 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 12: Richard Croucher is the murderer. 498 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:03,720 Speaker 7: Oh so you do believe Alma was murdered. 499 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:08,440 Speaker 1: And at the eleventh hour, all eyes in the courtroom 500 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,920 Speaker 1: were suddenly on Richard Croucher. It was the second day 501 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 1: of the trial that extended past midnight, and everyone thought 502 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 1: it was coming to a close. Instead, the defense lawyers 503 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 1: introduced a whole new theory that creepy Richard Croucher murdered 504 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: Elma himself and framed their client. Coldon had to scramble. 505 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:29,879 Speaker 7: The prosecution recalls Richard Croucher. 506 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:33,119 Speaker 11: Go, mister Croucher, come up here. 507 00:24:33,080 --> 00:24:36,280 Speaker 6: I'm coming one second. Get out of the bad woman. 508 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 19: Thank you, mister Colden, for this chance to speak from ourself. 509 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:47,880 Speaker 10: Mister Croucher, where were you the night of December twenty second, 510 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:49,040 Speaker 10: seventeen ninety nine. 511 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 19: I was at a little get together at my friend's house, 512 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:54,600 Speaker 19: eight hundred and ninety nine Bowery Line. 513 00:24:55,080 --> 00:24:57,840 Speaker 6: It started at seven. I was right on tod. 514 00:24:57,880 --> 00:24:58,840 Speaker 7: What's your friend's name? 515 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 19: And ashmore, she's over there in the green bonnet, you see, 516 00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 19: and darling anyway to us. She's lovely The party ended 517 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:13,960 Speaker 19: at ten thirty, which is when I walked back. 518 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:18,280 Speaker 13: To the Rings after miss Rings curfew, disrespecting the rules. 519 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:20,800 Speaker 19: I'm a lodger, not a border, which means they don't 520 00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:23,359 Speaker 19: give me breakfast, and I don't mind a curfew. 521 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 10: So Richard Croucher was at a party on the Bowery 522 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:29,199 Speaker 10: from seven pm to ten thirty that night. Alma's screams 523 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:32,000 Speaker 10: were heard at eight forty. Thus we should start treating 524 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,440 Speaker 10: this man like a suspect and return to the prosecution 525 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:35,399 Speaker 10: of Levi weeks. 526 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:37,719 Speaker 19: Not my fault that Elma sawt of prisoner is some 527 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:43,440 Speaker 19: sort of Adonis. She was infatuated by him once they 528 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:44,040 Speaker 19: got together. 529 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:46,240 Speaker 6: Levi would never let Elma talk. 530 00:25:46,119 --> 00:25:49,560 Speaker 7: To me hold on. He wouldn't let her. 531 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:54,960 Speaker 19: Levi was cruel and controlling. In the final months of 532 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 19: Elbe's life. She barely spoke to me at the hall. 533 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 19: I started to miss it even before she was gone. 534 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:14,359 Speaker 6: Good evening. Oh God, I'm sorry. Did I start with you? 535 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:17,439 Speaker 7: Well sorry, I've just been like really jumpy. 536 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:24,959 Speaker 6: Well it's too dark. You need a can? Please please 537 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:27,600 Speaker 6: take mine? What the hell is going on out here? 538 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,640 Speaker 7: Nothing, Levi. I just got a little startled. Richard scared you, 539 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:32,960 Speaker 7: not on purpose. 540 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:35,080 Speaker 6: What's wrong with you, America. 541 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 19: I'm just walking up the stairs to my bedroom, Laitha, 542 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:38,400 Speaker 19: nothing's wrong. 543 00:26:39,160 --> 00:26:41,800 Speaker 7: Well, you should be more careful. It was an accident. 544 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:45,679 Speaker 7: Get to bed, Alma, your tea is getting cold. 545 00:26:45,520 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 14: Am I. 546 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:47,000 Speaker 7: Richard good. 547 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:49,680 Speaker 6: Speke trainers. 548 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 7: I swear to God, Croucher, stay out of the way. 549 00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:01,159 Speaker 19: You're new here, Leth just because she've got the attention 550 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:02,040 Speaker 19: of a beautiful girl. 551 00:27:02,119 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 7: Don't talk about Alma like that. Stay away from her 552 00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 7: and me. 553 00:27:07,040 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 6: It's a small house, Levi. We must share and share 554 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 6: a like. 555 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:15,760 Speaker 7: You discuss me, Croucher. If I ever see your down. 556 00:27:15,840 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 6: Scare me in the slightest Levi, You're just a kid. 557 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:28,159 Speaker 19: So Levi was like a dog, protective and territorial around Elma. 558 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:35,240 Speaker 19: He denied others access to her, kept her contained before 559 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:40,399 Speaker 19: he killed her. And Elma was so loyal and loving 560 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 19: she would have done anything for. 561 00:27:42,359 --> 00:27:44,920 Speaker 10: Him, even a loope so they could keep seeing each other. 562 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:47,840 Speaker 10: But when Levi couldn't get his brother's blessing, he won 563 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:48,800 Speaker 10: her out of the picture. 564 00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:51,880 Speaker 6: Yes, so E murdered to get him out of the way. 565 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:56,199 Speaker 7: I knew it, Yes, exact horror. Levi Wicks is guilty. 566 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:58,480 Speaker 4: You run a haunstable remove him? 567 00:27:58,640 --> 00:27:59,760 Speaker 6: That evil creek killed? 568 00:28:02,160 --> 00:28:04,600 Speaker 15: How have you fought a neck for what he done? 569 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:06,560 Speaker 5: Stay off? 570 00:28:11,720 --> 00:28:14,400 Speaker 1: Richard Croucher would find himself back in the courtroom later 571 00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:19,800 Speaker 1: that year at his own trial, with Colden prosecuting him. Right, 572 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:23,399 Speaker 1: Croucher raped a thirteen year old in the Rings boarding house. 573 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:27,639 Speaker 1: He was found guilty, then pardoned, then later executed in 574 00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:32,000 Speaker 1: England for something else terrible. One of Croucher's victims testified 575 00:28:32,040 --> 00:28:35,200 Speaker 1: that he had taunted her with an awful story about 576 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 1: a young girl he knew who died in a well. Next, 577 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:42,880 Speaker 1: the jury reaches a verdict. Will Colden's case hold up 578 00:28:42,960 --> 00:28:45,840 Speaker 1: under the weight of the system, Will Levi I die 579 00:28:45,880 --> 00:28:49,960 Speaker 1: for this? Or can Hamilton and Burr's strategies save him. 580 00:28:50,040 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 1: Our story comes to its conclusion in our next episode, 581 00:28:53,680 --> 00:29:00,520 Speaker 1: Stay with Us Erased. The Murder of Elma Says is 582 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:03,880 Speaker 1: a production of Lunch Plans and Lava for Good Podcasts 583 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 1: in association with Signal Company Number One. The show is narrated, 584 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:12,080 Speaker 1: written and produced by me Alison Flamm. It stars Alison 585 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 1: Williams as Katherine Ring, Tony Goldwyn as Alexander Hamilton, Barry 586 00:29:16,440 --> 00:29:20,200 Speaker 1: Sheck as Aaron Burr and Jason Flamm as Judge John Lansing. 587 00:29:20,760 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 1: Our executive producers are Alison Williams, Jason Flamm, and Kevin Mortis. 588 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:29,880 Speaker 1: This show is produced by Goldhalk Productions. The show is 589 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:33,000 Speaker 1: sound designed and mixed by Steve Bond. The music is 590 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:36,800 Speaker 1: composed and performed by Sasha Putnam. The producer for Goldhalk 591 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:40,440 Speaker 1: is Andy Goddard, with production management from Emma Hearn. The 592 00:29:40,520 --> 00:29:44,360 Speaker 1: executive producer for Goldhalk is John Scott Dryden. You can 593 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:46,640 Speaker 1: listen to every episode of Erased the Murder of Elma 594 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:50,000 Speaker 1: Sands right now ad free by subscribing to Lava for 595 00:29:50,080 --> 00:29:53,040 Speaker 1: Good plus on Apple Podcasts. You can also follow the 596 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:56,200 Speaker 1: show on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at Lava for 597 00:29:56,280 --> 00:29:58,960 Speaker 1: Good and For more information on this story, plus a 598 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:02,480 Speaker 1: complete list of our incredible cast, visit Lava for Good 599 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:03,920 Speaker 1: dot com slash Erased 600 00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:10,040 Speaker 2: Mm HM