1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Crime Art hourly update, breaking crime news Now. 2 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,600 Speaker 2: I'm Jackie Howard. Prominent commercial real estate attorney. Gary Ferris's 3 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 2: remains were found on a burn pile a bullet lodged 4 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:14,040 Speaker 2: in a rib bone. The discovery on the family's ten 5 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,639 Speaker 2: acre Cherokee County, Georgia property is where Ferris lived with 6 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 2: his wife, Melody, and son Scott. As the investigation progressed, 7 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 2: a second bullet is found in their homes basement. So 8 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 2: how did the body end up in the burn pile 9 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:31,640 Speaker 2: fifty yards away? As police put that question to family members, 10 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 2: they began pointing fingers at each other. Scott Ferris ran 11 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 2: the farm's day to day operation, his work and personal 12 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 2: expenses covered by his father. 13 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:41,320 Speaker 3: Mom. 14 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 2: Melody says Scott was being pushed by his father to 15 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 2: get another job. Scott Ferris denies the allegations, saying tension 16 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 2: in the family is caused by Melody disappearing for weeks 17 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 2: at a time and spending Gary Ferris's money. Investigators discover 18 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 2: Melody is having an affair and her lover lives in Tennessee. 19 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 2: After investigating for nearly a year, Melody Ferris is arrested 20 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 2: for the murder of Gary Ferris at twyal. Melody's defense 21 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 2: claims Scott, at about six feet eight inches tall two 22 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 2: hundred and eighty pounds, is more capable of moving gary 23 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:19,039 Speaker 2: six foot four inch three hundred pound body than she was. 24 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: But police and prosecutors believe Melody Ferris is the killer. 25 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 2: She was the only one home at the time police 26 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 2: believed Gary Ferris was killed. Then at trial, prosecutors called 27 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 2: a witness, an analyst from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Intelligence 28 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 2: Division who analyzed phone records discovering Gary Ferris's cell phone 29 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:41,679 Speaker 2: moved from the house to the burn pile and back 30 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 2: to the house after investigators believed the body was already 31 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 2: on the burn pile. Melody Ferris was the only one 32 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 2: home then as well. Also at trial, prosecutors call Roy 33 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:58,919 Speaker 2: Rusty Barron, Junior, Melody's lover. He testifies to a phone 34 00:01:58,920 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 2: call with Melody. 35 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 4: You told them that the defendant, probably the last minute 36 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 4: of the last conversation, she said Gary is in the 37 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 4: burn pile. No, she said he is in the burn pile. 38 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 4: And I said what, And she said he's in the 39 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,639 Speaker 4: burn pile. And I said, do not say another word, 40 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:26,639 Speaker 4: and do not tell me anything. 41 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 3: I do not need to note. 42 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 4: Those were your words to law enforcement in July the 43 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 4: twenty fourth of twenty eighteen. 44 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 1: Is that true? 45 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 5: Yes? 46 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:41,280 Speaker 2: Melody Ferris has found guilty of murdering her husband. At 47 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 2: her sentencing, Melody maintained her innocence, then shocked the courtroom. 48 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,239 Speaker 6: Not only did adopt this? 49 00:02:49,919 --> 00:02:50,239 Speaker 1: Oh? 50 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 6: Did I know Scott killed his father? 51 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 2: Melody Ferris tells forty eight hours that she saw Scott 52 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 2: Ferris near the burn pile the day before Gary Ferris's 53 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:05,359 Speaker 2: body was discovered. She says she believes Scott Ferris used 54 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:08,520 Speaker 2: his pickup truck to move the body, then planted the 55 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:12,080 Speaker 2: bullet found in the basement to frame her and the motive, 56 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 2: she says, is the farm Scott wanted it. Scott Ferris 57 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 2: denies all allegations. Melody Ferris is sentenced to life in prison, 58 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:25,080 Speaker 2: with the possibility of parole after thirty years. More crime 59 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 2: and justice nears after this. 60 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 6: I'm Nicole pardon. 61 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 5: On Thursday, a judge determined that prosecutors are permitted to 62 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 5: seek the death penalty for Brian Colberger if he has 63 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 5: found guilty of the twenty two murders for University of 64 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 5: Idaho students despite his recent diagnosis of autism. 65 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 6: Coburger, thirty, faces charges. 66 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 5: In connection with the stabbing debts of Ethan Chapin, Zana Kernudle, 67 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:55,000 Speaker 5: Madison Mogan, and Kaylee Conglaves at a rental property in 68 00:03:55,080 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 5: Idaho on November thirteenth, twenty twenty two. Prosecutors have indicated 69 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 5: their intention to pursue the death penalty should Colberger be 70 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 5: convicted during his trial, which is scheduled for August. However, 71 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 5: Colberger's defense team urged Judge Stephen Hipler to dismiss the 72 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 5: death penalty as a potential sentence, referencing his autism spectrum disorder. 73 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 5: They have also submitted various motions contesting the death penalty, 74 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 5: including claims of the state's failure to properly provide evidence 75 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 5: in court documents, the defense argued, quote mister Colberger's autism 76 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 5: spectrum disorder disminishes his culpability, it undermines the intented effects 77 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 5: of capital punishment, and puts him at an unjust risk 78 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 5: of wrongful conviction and execution. They claim that executing an 79 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 5: individual with autism would violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition against 80 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 5: cruel and unjust punishment. Prosecutors, however, countered that according to 81 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:57,799 Speaker 5: the U. S. Supreme Court rulings, the only mental condition 82 00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 5: that disqualifies a person facing death penalty is an intellectual disability. 83 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 5: They noted that Coburger's autism was classified as mild and 84 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 5: did not include any intellectual impairments. The judge sided with 85 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 5: the prosecution, stating quote, the defendant has not established that 86 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 5: ASD is comparable to an intellectual disability for the purposes 87 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 5: of death penalty exemption, nor has he demonstrated a national 88 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:29,920 Speaker 5: consensus against executing individuals with ASD. He acknowledged that while 89 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 5: Colberger's autism could be considered a mitigating factor in weighing 90 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 5: the aggravated circumstances for a death sentence, it does not 91 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 5: disqualify him from facing capital punishment. Here's Nancy Grace weighing 92 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 5: in on the topic, speaking to Megan Kelly. 93 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 1: Now, the judge has ruled that they may not bring 94 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: in evidence of alleged autism on Coburger's behalf and the 95 00:05:55,320 --> 00:06:00,160 Speaker 1: case in chief regarding autism, The defense wanted to bring 96 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 1: in their theory that he has autism, although apparently none 97 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:11,039 Speaker 1: of the defense experts have stated thus far that he 98 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 1: is autistic or under the spectrum. None of them have 99 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 1: said that. They said they wanted to bring it in 100 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 1: as you surmised because of his odd behavior. What odd behavior, 101 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: the judge says, I don't see any odd behavior. He 102 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 1: just sits there, so therefore that's irrelevant. If it becomes relevant, 103 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 1: then I will review your motion again if you choose 104 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 1: to renew it. But as of right now, the only 105 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 1: way it would be relevant is if they noted quirky 106 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 1: or odd behavior when he takes a stand. 107 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:52,600 Speaker 5: Following his arrest, Coburger was evaluated by a clinical neuropsychologist, 108 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 5: doctor Rachel Orr, who diagnosed him with autism spectrum disorder 109 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:01,160 Speaker 5: level one without accompanying intellectual or language impairment. 110 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:03,719 Speaker 6: In a separate ruling on the same day. 111 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 5: The judge allowed that jurors would likely hear much of 112 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 5: the nine to one one call made by two surviving 113 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 5: roommates approximately eight hours after the murders, as they discovered 114 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:18,040 Speaker 5: one of their housemates was unresponsive. However, statements from an 115 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 5: unidentified woman during the call, who conveyed information she has 116 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 5: not personally witnessed, would be excluded from the trial. 117 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 6: According to the judge, Jurors will. 118 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 5: Also have access to text messages sent by the two 119 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 5: surviving roommates around the time of the attack after four am, 120 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 5: when one reported seeing a mask individual in the residence, 121 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 5: contingent on the prosecution establishing a proper foundation for the 122 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:45,080 Speaker 5: evidence's admission. 123 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 6: Crime Alert hourly update will keep you posted as this 124 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 6: trial unfold. 125 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 7: I'm Drew Nelson. A shoplifting arrest in Minnesota prevents a 126 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 7: possible mass shooting plan for the next day. Mohammed Adan Muhammad, 127 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 7: age twenty four, was arrested a week ago Thursday in 128 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 7: Mankato after he stole items from a sporting goods store. 129 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 7: Mohammad was wearing a medical mask, gloves, a winter jacket, 130 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 7: and a green cap. He grabbed body armor, bear spray, 131 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 7: and magazines for a nine millimeter firearm, totaling over two 132 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 7: one hundred and fifty dollars. Employees became suspicious when he 133 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 7: took expensive items without checking the prices. Mohammad told shoppers 134 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 7: he had an ar style rifle quote calibrated to nine millimeter. 135 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 7: Then he ran from the store. Security tried to stop him, 136 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 7: but Muhammad got into a Toyota Siena and sped off. 137 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 7: He nearly ran over a bystander during his escape. Police 138 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 7: found a list Mohammad left behind. The list labeled survival 139 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 7: gear list with alternative It listed sleeping bags, knives, bows 140 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 7: and arrows, lighters, pepper spray, and eight firearm magazines. Investigators 141 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 7: believed Mohammed was planning a mass shooting within twenty four hours. 142 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 7: An officer remembered Muhammad from a previous social media investigation. 143 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:02,439 Speaker 7: Saint Peter Police Chief Macrochow tells WCCO he met with 144 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 7: Mohammed personally. 145 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 3: It was cordial. He was an aggressive towards law enforcement. 146 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 3: He was appropriate with us. We left with an understanding 147 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,959 Speaker 3: that at that moment he was safe. In that moment, 148 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 3: the community was safe. 149 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 7: Mohammed had posted pictures of himself aiming a rifle at 150 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 7: the camera. The hashtag on his posts was death to 151 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 7: American and Israeli imperialism all one word. Police search Mohammed's 152 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 7: home in Saint Peter, Minnesota, finding the rifle he showed online, 153 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 7: two three D printed guns, and they arrested him without incident. 154 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 7: The neighborhood is shocked beyond belief, says one neighbor by 155 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 7: the name of Dunia. 156 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 3: He has a very beautiful heart. He's a really good guy. 157 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 7: Is just he's not mentally physically there right now at 158 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 7: the moment we start seeing Mohammed just start talking to himself, 159 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:50,959 Speaker 7: not socializing with us, with the kids. A judge said 160 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 7: bail at half a million. Mohammed remains in custody, charged 161 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 7: with felony, theft and violent threats. He is banned from 162 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 7: owning guns for one year. He will appear in court 163 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 7: again in May. 164 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 8: I'm Jennifer Gould. A seemingly ordinary glass of milk turned 165 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 8: into a potential death sentence for a seventy seven year 166 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 8: old Florida woman, allegedly at the hands of her own 167 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 8: teenage son. According to an arrest affidavit, the elderly woman 168 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 8: poured herself the drink, only to be met with an 169 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 8: alarming chemical smell and called. 170 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 6: Nine to one one. 171 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 8: When police arrived at the family's Deltona home, the victim's 172 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 8: immediate and shocking accusation was captured on bodycam. Take a listen. 173 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:35,080 Speaker 7: He put the clorox in the milk. 174 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 8: I think I just had a little bitter because I 175 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 8: tasted it. The he, police alleged, was her own son, 176 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 8: Eduardo Espiinal Raghwan. The seventeen year old was reportedly found 177 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 8: by authorities quote hiding in the room with a dog 178 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 8: end quote Amidst the aftermath, the elderly mom was swiftly 179 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 8: taken to the hospital for evaluation, and disturbing details soon emerged, 180 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 8: suggesting this was an isolated incident. Either authorities alleged a 181 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,839 Speaker 8: troubling history of battering of the victim by the teen. 182 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 8: The affidavit says the mom's the only milk drinker too 183 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:14,080 Speaker 8: in the house, making her the obvious target. Cops on 184 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:18,079 Speaker 8: the scene even sniffed the milk and confirmed it reeked 185 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 8: a bleach. Espinal Ramgowan allegedly admitted to taking the bleach 186 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:25,080 Speaker 8: from the laundry room pouring it into the milk container, 187 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 8: knowing it could harm someone. He reportedly told police he 188 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 8: was angry at the victim and wanted to make her 189 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 8: sick because he no longer wanted to live in the home. 190 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:39,119 Speaker 8: Adding to the suspicion, the victim herself reportedly told police 191 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:44,199 Speaker 8: she suspected her son due to escalating quote unquote recent conflicts. 192 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:48,400 Speaker 8: The teen now faces a battery of charges, including poisoning 193 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:53,720 Speaker 8: by food or water, attempted felony murder and aggravated abuse 194 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:58,120 Speaker 8: of an elderly person. The investigation continues. For the latest 195 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 8: crime and justice news, follow the crimel hourly update on 196 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 8: your favorite podcast app with this crime alert. I'm Jennifer Gould. 197 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 1: How could a beautiful, young first grade teacher be stabbed 198 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 1: twenty times, including in the back, allegedly die of suicide? Yes, 199 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: that was the medical examiner's official ruling after a closed 200 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: door meeting. He first named it a homicide. Why what 201 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 1: Happened to Ellen Greenberg? A huge American miscarriage of justice. 202 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:37,960 Speaker 1: For an in depth look at the facts, see What 203 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: Happened to Ellen on Amazon. All proceeds to the National 204 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 1: Center for Missing and Exploited Children.