1 00:00:12,846 --> 00:00:16,850 There is good and evil in any society. 2 00:00:17,892 --> 00:00:20,645 And it is no different among the Navajo. 3 00:00:20,729 --> 00:00:23,648 NAVAJO NATION 4 00:00:23,732 --> 00:00:25,984 Evil is something 5 00:00:26,192 --> 00:00:29,738 which we don't want to mess with. 6 00:00:31,197 --> 00:00:33,908 There are certain consequences 7 00:00:34,659 --> 00:00:36,327 if we don't respect it. 8 00:00:39,998 --> 00:00:42,751 There is a very sad and sinister story 9 00:00:42,876 --> 00:00:45,211 about the late Sarah Saganitso. 10 00:00:47,380 --> 00:00:50,800 She worked as a cleaner at Flagstaff Medical Center. 11 00:00:52,469 --> 00:00:53,470 One night, 12 00:00:53,553 --> 00:00:56,556 she had just gotten off work and was walking. 13 00:00:57,974 --> 00:00:59,350 And she was attacked. 14 00:01:00,977 --> 00:01:02,937 I remember reading the reports 15 00:01:03,104 --> 00:01:05,857 about what supposedly had happened to the poor woman. 16 00:01:06,274 --> 00:01:08,401 She was completely reduced 17 00:01:08,485 --> 00:01:09,819 to nothing. 18 00:01:09,944 --> 00:01:11,863 BLOOD STAINS ON THE CHEST LIVIDITY PATTERN 19 00:01:11,988 --> 00:01:15,450 She was found with a piece broken stick in the throat 20 00:01:16,284 --> 00:01:19,621 and a tuft of cemetery grass close to the trunk. 21 00:01:22,332 --> 00:01:24,793 One person was later charged. 22 00:01:25,960 --> 00:01:29,089 But at trial, the defense argued 23 00:01:30,173 --> 00:01:34,594 that it was a skinwalker who killed Sarah. 24 00:01:36,805 --> 00:01:42,435 Skinwalkers are creatures difficult to even imagine. 25 00:01:43,061 --> 00:01:44,896 They are human. 26 00:01:45,021 --> 00:01:46,397 They are dangerous. 27 00:01:47,649 --> 00:01:50,193 Our entire belief system 28 00:01:51,444 --> 00:01:52,570 It's not folklore. 29 00:01:55,740 --> 00:01:57,909 Skinwalkers exist. 30 00:01:58,201 --> 00:01:59,577 They are absolutely real. 31 00:02:00,870 --> 00:02:02,122 But I knew 32 00:02:02,914 --> 00:02:04,791 There could be more to this story. 33 00:02:05,708 --> 00:02:10,171 OUT THERE: SUPERNATURAL CRIMES 34 00:02:10,296 --> 00:02:15,426 THE DEFENSE OF THE SKINWALKER 35 00:02:25,812 --> 00:02:27,564 This place 36 00:02:27,939 --> 00:02:30,650 It's a kind of sanctuary. 37 00:02:31,901 --> 00:02:33,570 These six sacred mountains 38 00:02:33,695 --> 00:02:35,446 These are traditional territories. 39 00:02:36,614 --> 00:02:37,782 {\an8}It is a sacred place. 40 00:02:37,866 --> 00:02:39,242 {\an8}NAVAJO CULTURE PRACTITIONER 41 00:02:39,325 --> 00:02:41,953 {\an8}A sacred place for 13 tribes. 42 00:02:43,538 --> 00:02:47,792 The reserve I know For as long as I can remember, people have been beautiful! 43 00:02:48,501 --> 00:02:49,502 I have a big family. 44 00:02:49,586 --> 00:02:50,586 SARAH'S SISTER 45 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:53,798 But my sister Sarah 46 00:02:54,757 --> 00:02:58,261 {\an8}she raised me as a daughter, even though she's my sister. 47 00:03:00,889 --> 00:03:02,223 She was very gifted. 48 00:03:02,932 --> 00:03:05,852 She knew how to weave, cook 49 00:03:06,019 --> 00:03:07,979 and make things with scrap metal. 50 00:03:09,814 --> 00:03:13,109 One time, she was making homemade bread 51 00:03:14,194 --> 00:03:16,779 and told me to see if the doors were closed, 52 00:03:16,946 --> 00:03:19,574 so that the lambs would not enter. 53 00:03:21,326 --> 00:03:23,828 I didn't know what to do, then I ran inside. 54 00:03:24,078 --> 00:03:27,832 The lambs ran after me and they advanced into the bread. 55 00:03:29,667 --> 00:03:31,252 She just laughed. 56 00:03:31,336 --> 00:03:32,962 {\an8}SARAH'S NIECE 57 00:03:33,046 --> 00:03:35,048 {\an8}It seems like my aunt never aged. 58 00:03:35,131 --> 00:03:36,382 That's how I remember her. 59 00:03:37,759 --> 00:03:40,220 My Aunt Sarah was a wonderful aunt. 60 00:03:40,762 --> 00:03:44,140 I have memories ours at the lake, camping, 61 00:03:44,349 --> 00:03:45,767 picnicking and fishing. 62 00:03:46,517 --> 00:03:48,436 She was also a single mother. 63 00:03:49,687 --> 00:03:52,148 It was a person 64 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:53,775 who, without much instruction, 65 00:03:53,858 --> 00:03:55,401 built a life for himself. 66 00:03:55,985 --> 00:03:59,739 Just not having her with us anymore 67 00:04:00,490 --> 00:04:03,243 changed everything and everyone. 68 00:04:05,745 --> 00:04:09,624 JUNE 12, 1987 69 00:04:10,041 --> 00:04:12,502 Sarah was a cleaning lady at Flagstaff Medical Center. 70 00:04:12,585 --> 00:04:13,920 FLAGSTAFF MEDICAL CENTER 71 00:04:14,087 --> 00:04:19,008 She had started the night shift and I had never worked those hours. 72 00:04:19,842 --> 00:04:21,261 She kept telling me: 73 00:04:21,386 --> 00:04:24,681 "All these years on the day shift, and now they put me at night. 74 00:04:25,932 --> 00:04:27,016 I don't like that." 75 00:04:28,685 --> 00:04:31,312 She said, "It's scary, you know?" 76 00:04:32,981 --> 00:04:37,068 She even told me the time when he would leave the hospital. 77 00:04:39,195 --> 00:04:43,950 I remember my uncle and my mother said who had written down her new time, 78 00:04:44,033 --> 00:04:47,245 so they knew exactly what time would she return home. 79 00:04:48,955 --> 00:04:52,041 She was supposed to come back after 11pm. 80 00:04:54,544 --> 00:04:56,087 0:30 81 00:04:56,170 --> 00:05:00,717 First my brother called and asked if Sarah was at my house. 82 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:01,926 I asked, "Why?" 83 00:05:03,011 --> 00:05:05,763 And he said, "She's not at home. There's something wrong." 84 00:05:07,682 --> 00:05:12,103 I told everyone start looking for her. 85 00:05:13,521 --> 00:05:17,942 There was only one way from the hospital, passing through Buffalo Park, 86 00:05:18,026 --> 00:05:19,193 to her house. 87 00:05:19,485 --> 00:05:22,613 I said, "Let's go from Buffalo Park to the hospital." 88 00:05:23,990 --> 00:05:25,992 We were running everywhere. 89 00:05:28,453 --> 00:05:30,121 And then my brother said: 90 00:05:30,413 --> 00:05:33,499 "Rose, we went to the hospital, and her truck is there." 91 00:05:35,585 --> 00:05:39,589 Find the truck there it was a sign, like: 92 00:05:39,672 --> 00:05:41,090 "Yeah, something's wrong." 93 00:05:42,383 --> 00:05:44,010 PHONE 94 00:05:44,135 --> 00:05:46,137 - 911. - We call the police. 95 00:05:46,721 --> 00:05:49,682 They said they couldn't do anything until 24 hours have passed. 96 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,269 After that, we continued looking. 97 00:05:54,145 --> 00:05:57,482 Parking is here and there's a cliff. 98 00:05:58,775 --> 00:06:03,196 My brother said: "I'll start down there, on the cliff. 99 00:06:03,613 --> 00:06:06,282 I will search everything until you get to where she parked." 100 00:06:09,577 --> 00:06:12,997 Under pressure from my mother and the family that was there, 101 00:06:13,623 --> 00:06:18,169 hospital security guards Finally they started looking for her. 102 00:06:19,921 --> 00:06:21,964 Then someone came back 103 00:06:23,132 --> 00:06:25,343 and said, "We found a body." 104 00:06:28,012 --> 00:06:31,224 JUNE 13, 1987 105 00:06:31,307 --> 00:06:33,893 It was a weight on everyone. 106 00:06:34,477 --> 00:06:35,770 My mother was there, 107 00:06:36,437 --> 00:06:40,024 practically interrogating security guards and police officers. 108 00:06:40,691 --> 00:06:42,485 "Have you checked this and that?" 109 00:06:42,944 --> 00:06:44,112 They said, "Sorry, 110 00:06:44,195 --> 00:06:46,864 but you will have to wait in the hospital kitchen." 111 00:06:48,741 --> 00:06:51,160 My little sister was crying 112 00:06:51,244 --> 00:06:54,163 and screaming nonstop, and I was trying to calm her down. 113 00:06:55,289 --> 00:06:58,126 That's when another investigator appeared and said: 114 00:06:58,209 --> 00:07:00,670 "We can only let two of you see 115 00:07:01,504 --> 00:07:03,714 to identify her body." 116 00:07:09,554 --> 00:07:10,805 Trying 117 00:07:11,514 --> 00:07:12,723 trying not to cry, 118 00:07:13,516 --> 00:07:15,476 My brother said, "It's her." 119 00:07:17,728 --> 00:07:19,439 That's when we discovered it was her. 120 00:07:24,694 --> 00:07:25,778 I just 121 00:07:26,362 --> 00:07:28,489 I remember several relatives crying. 122 00:07:30,491 --> 00:07:31,492 Without believing. 123 00:07:33,453 --> 00:07:34,579 All of us 124 00:07:35,329 --> 00:07:38,332 We were looking for a place to cry, 125 00:07:38,666 --> 00:07:40,460 a place to mourn. 126 00:07:41,169 --> 00:07:44,297 I know they were trying compose yourself to ask questions, 127 00:07:44,380 --> 00:07:46,340 talk to the police, get information. 128 00:07:48,843 --> 00:07:51,596 They wanted to know what had happened to my aunt. 129 00:07:55,224 --> 00:07:57,852 WELCOME TO THE NAVAJO RESERVATION 130 00:07:57,935 --> 00:07:59,520 My name is Jolene Holgate. 131 00:07:59,687 --> 00:08:03,649 {\an8}I work for the Contra Coalition Violence against Indigenous Women. 132 00:08:03,941 --> 00:08:07,236 {\an8}I do this work for more than ten years, since 2013. 133 00:08:08,654 --> 00:08:11,032 One in three indigenous women 134 00:08:11,449 --> 00:08:13,993 will be sexually abused at some point in life. 135 00:08:15,036 --> 00:08:18,873 Homicide is the third main cause of death among indigenous women 136 00:08:18,956 --> 00:08:20,333 in the United States. 137 00:08:20,416 --> 00:08:22,043 {\an8}VICTIM 138 00:08:22,126 --> 00:08:25,296 {\an8}In Sarah's case, her body was found in the forest, 139 00:08:25,379 --> 00:08:27,757 {\an8}not very far from the Medical Center. 140 00:08:28,549 --> 00:08:30,426 {\an8}She was asphyxiated. 141 00:08:30,551 --> 00:08:31,886 CRIME: HOMICIDE 142 00:08:31,969 --> 00:08:33,054 Strangled. 143 00:08:33,137 --> 00:08:34,347 THE VICTIM WAS ASPHIXIATED 144 00:08:34,430 --> 00:08:36,557 She was completely undressed. 145 00:08:36,641 --> 00:08:37,850 POSSIBLE SEXUAL ASSAULT 146 00:08:37,934 --> 00:08:39,852 All belongings were gone. 147 00:08:40,561 --> 00:08:42,313 There were bite marks on the body. 148 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:44,774 POSTMORTEM LACERATIONS ON THE BREAST BRUIT IN THE BUTTOCK 149 00:08:44,857 --> 00:08:47,443 The grass around it was all crumpled. 150 00:08:48,486 --> 00:08:52,532 Had a stick across her neck. 151 00:08:54,242 --> 00:08:57,870 Even animal hair was found in the wounds. 152 00:08:59,330 --> 00:09:01,832 This began to raise questions. 153 00:09:03,417 --> 00:09:05,378 Why was she left like that? 154 00:09:05,711 --> 00:09:08,089 Why was the body mutilated like this? 155 00:09:12,593 --> 00:09:16,222 What kind of person or thing would you do this to her? 156 00:09:18,015 --> 00:09:20,434 These were the first questions that arose. 157 00:09:21,185 --> 00:09:23,229 Was it something supernatural? 158 00:09:25,439 --> 00:09:27,483 Could it be that there was a skinwalker? 159 00:09:27,650 --> 00:09:29,652 killing or kidnapping people? 160 00:09:33,322 --> 00:09:36,117 Askinwalker is a person. 161 00:09:37,535 --> 00:09:40,162 They can change shape. 162 00:09:41,581 --> 00:09:44,000 And they wear animal skins 163 00:09:44,250 --> 00:09:47,253 as a way to transform into something 164 00:09:47,336 --> 00:09:49,505 that they can control. 165 00:09:51,132 --> 00:09:52,925 I'm almost scared to say it. 166 00:09:53,009 --> 00:09:56,345 In our culture, if we talk about these things, 167 00:09:56,429 --> 00:09:59,515 They say we're looking for trouble, attracting bad things. 168 00:09:59,599 --> 00:10:03,477 So I will definitely do it my prayers and a cleanse after that, 169 00:10:03,561 --> 00:10:07,064 just to be sure May my spiritual side be protected. 170 00:10:15,072 --> 00:10:17,700 There are things we need 171 00:10:17,825 --> 00:10:19,535 treat with reverence. 172 00:10:20,494 --> 00:10:23,122 Like the yee naaldlooshii,as they call it. 173 00:10:30,212 --> 00:10:32,673 The Navajo people are afraid 174 00:10:32,757 --> 00:10:34,800 to mention the skinwalkers. 175 00:10:37,637 --> 00:10:39,639 It's taboo to talk about it. 176 00:10:39,764 --> 00:10:41,891 Why does belief exist? 177 00:10:42,016 --> 00:10:44,185 that whoever has this power 178 00:10:44,769 --> 00:10:47,188 can use it against us. 179 00:10:49,273 --> 00:10:52,860 So before we talk about that, 180 00:10:53,694 --> 00:10:54,862 we need to accomplish 181 00:10:54,945 --> 00:10:56,864 a specific ceremony 182 00:10:57,406 --> 00:10:58,699 to protect us. 183 00:11:05,498 --> 00:11:09,293 I've heard older people say that skinwalkers� 184 00:11:09,377 --> 00:11:11,087 SPECIALIST IN NAVAJO CULTURE 185 00:11:11,170 --> 00:11:13,589 They were already used only for good things. 186 00:11:14,340 --> 00:11:17,760 For example, if there was a drought 187 00:11:17,927 --> 00:11:19,553 very extensive, 188 00:11:20,096 --> 00:11:24,850 the community commissioned a young man to take a form 189 00:11:24,934 --> 00:11:27,478 and travel to the sacred mountains. 190 00:11:29,146 --> 00:11:31,232 That way, they were able to help. 191 00:11:33,234 --> 00:11:36,779 But at some point, those who had this power 192 00:11:36,862 --> 00:11:40,199 started to feel jealous of certain people. 193 00:11:40,616 --> 00:11:43,619 They managed to modify the prayers 194 00:11:43,703 --> 00:11:45,162 and use them for evil. 195 00:11:48,958 --> 00:11:50,876 I only saw one. 196 00:11:53,003 --> 00:11:56,549 My wife and I were on the road, returning to Window Rock. 197 00:11:56,632 --> 00:11:58,384 It must have been one or two in the morning. 198 00:11:59,969 --> 00:12:02,722 I had the high beams on 199 00:12:03,723 --> 00:12:06,225 and I saw a dark silhouette. 200 00:12:07,977 --> 00:12:09,979 I was crossing the road, 201 00:12:10,563 --> 00:12:11,814 kind of floating. 202 00:12:13,023 --> 00:12:16,569 It did not have a defined shape, it was just a blur. 203 00:12:17,486 --> 00:12:19,029 Yes, they exist. 204 00:12:19,989 --> 00:12:21,741 There is a fascination 205 00:12:22,032 --> 00:12:24,285 by non-indigenous people 206 00:12:24,368 --> 00:12:25,953 who don't understand skinwalkers. 207 00:12:27,288 --> 00:12:29,457 But if you don't respect them, 208 00:12:29,832 --> 00:12:31,709 there will be certain consequences. 209 00:12:38,632 --> 00:12:43,554 OBITUARY 210 00:12:43,637 --> 00:12:45,639 SAGANITSO WAS BORN ON AUGUST 6, 1946� 211 00:12:45,765 --> 00:12:48,350 I worked for the newspaper The Republic of Arizona. 212 00:12:48,476 --> 00:12:49,685 At that moment� 213 00:12:49,935 --> 00:12:51,270 {\an8}REPORTER 214 00:12:51,395 --> 00:12:53,522 {\an8}nobody knew any other details, 215 00:12:53,606 --> 00:12:55,357 {\an8}besides she was dead 216 00:12:55,441 --> 00:12:58,778 and that there was lots of marks on the body, basically. 217 00:12:59,862 --> 00:13:01,363 LACERATIONS SURFACE ABRASION 218 00:13:01,447 --> 00:13:02,782 MILD ABRASTIONS, CONTUSION 219 00:13:02,865 --> 00:13:05,910 My first reaction was to speak with her co-workers. 220 00:13:05,993 --> 00:13:07,036 {\an8}POLICE VIDEO 221 00:13:07,119 --> 00:13:10,414 {\an8}A woman who worked that night 222 00:13:10,664 --> 00:13:12,917 {\an8}told me some things, like� 223 00:13:13,626 --> 00:13:15,836 {\an8}Her vehicle was parked on one side, 224 00:13:16,337 --> 00:13:19,256 {\an8}and found the body on the other side of the hospital. 225 00:13:20,633 --> 00:13:21,717 {\an8}1-VICTIM 2-VEHICLE 226 00:13:21,801 --> 00:13:25,179 {\an8}Could it be that they had attacked her in the vehicle, dragged and left there? 227 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:27,097 {\an8}That didn't make much sense. 228 00:13:27,264 --> 00:13:28,724 POLICE CONFUSED BY HOMICIDE 229 00:13:28,849 --> 00:13:32,144 Flagstaff police were appealing to anything. 230 00:13:33,729 --> 00:13:36,273 Although the family was very committed. 231 00:13:40,069 --> 00:13:45,199 In fact, they even took charge to search the place. 232 00:13:46,659 --> 00:13:49,245 They found blood nearby. 233 00:13:50,538 --> 00:13:55,251 They were passing information for researchers. 234 00:13:55,334 --> 00:13:56,961 WE MEET WITH ROSEMARY WILLIAMS 235 00:13:57,044 --> 00:14:01,715 We were trying to clarify what had happened and why. 236 00:14:01,799 --> 00:14:02,842 2:55 pm: ROSEMARY CALLED 237 00:14:02,925 --> 00:14:03,926 "What did they find?" 238 00:14:04,051 --> 00:14:05,094 ROSEMARY CALLED AGAIN 239 00:14:05,177 --> 00:14:06,178 "Try this and that." 240 00:14:06,303 --> 00:14:08,389 "This is the path, where she passes. 241 00:14:08,472 --> 00:14:10,349 That's her profile." 242 00:14:11,475 --> 00:14:13,435 Finally, the police department 243 00:14:13,769 --> 00:14:16,397 found one of the first suspects. 244 00:14:17,982 --> 00:14:20,150 Her ex-partner, Frank. 245 00:14:20,234 --> 00:14:22,111 INDGENOUS, 64KG, 1.75M, BLACK HAIR 246 00:14:22,194 --> 00:14:25,364 The police became interested by Frank Nockideneh, 247 00:14:25,447 --> 00:14:27,449 because we found out that Sarah 248 00:14:27,616 --> 00:14:30,411 I had lived with him in the 1970s. 249 00:14:32,413 --> 00:14:33,914 He was much older. 250 00:14:34,623 --> 00:14:38,711 I was living in a truck and trailer, leading a nomadic life. 251 00:14:39,169 --> 00:14:41,505 He had some run-ins with Sarah 252 00:14:41,714 --> 00:14:43,507 and had already made threats before. 253 00:14:43,632 --> 00:14:44,758 FRANK STARTED 254 00:14:44,842 --> 00:14:45,843 MISTREATING SARAH 255 00:14:45,926 --> 00:14:46,927 They subpoenaed him. 256 00:14:47,469 --> 00:14:49,930 AND AGGREGATE 257 00:14:50,014 --> 00:14:51,140 FINALLY, SARAH MOVED 258 00:14:51,265 --> 00:14:52,725 On the night in question, Frank said 259 00:14:52,933 --> 00:14:56,145 who was in a sweat lodge in north Flagstaff. 260 00:14:57,479 --> 00:14:59,565 And he was released. 261 00:15:01,191 --> 00:15:03,319 Despite the police's interest, 262 00:15:03,402 --> 00:15:06,655 the family didn't think that Frank Nockideneh was someone 263 00:15:06,739 --> 00:15:09,241 that could have killed Sarah. 264 00:15:10,409 --> 00:15:12,453 He was gone a long time ago. 265 00:15:13,787 --> 00:15:14,830 So� 266 00:15:15,664 --> 00:15:18,083 He was not present, as far as I know. 267 00:15:19,251 --> 00:15:21,503 The family thought that he wouldn't be capable of that 268 00:15:21,587 --> 00:15:23,213 at that moment in his life. 269 00:15:23,881 --> 00:15:25,674 There was no need 270 00:15:26,133 --> 00:15:28,844 or reason for him to bother Sarah. 271 00:15:28,928 --> 00:15:30,554 THE SEARCH FOR CLUES CONTINUES 272 00:15:30,638 --> 00:15:33,599 My mother literally defined what they needed to do 273 00:15:33,724 --> 00:15:35,267 1:10 pm: ROSEMARY ARRIVED 274 00:15:35,351 --> 00:15:37,353 It is to conduct a thorough investigation. 275 00:15:38,771 --> 00:15:42,191 The list of people she put together was not questioned. 276 00:15:44,193 --> 00:15:47,363 At that time, the big problem 277 00:15:47,446 --> 00:15:51,116 was that the Flagstaff police he only investigated the Navajo people. 278 00:15:51,241 --> 00:15:52,534 INVESTIGATIVE TRACKS 279 00:15:52,660 --> 00:15:53,911 INDGENOUS MAN, 64KG 280 00:15:54,036 --> 00:15:56,789 {\an8}I think their work was very negligent 281 00:15:56,914 --> 00:15:58,082 INDGENOUS MAN 282 00:15:58,165 --> 00:15:59,792 It's full of racial prejudice. 283 00:16:07,383 --> 00:16:10,928 We keep going to the police, talking to everyone. 284 00:16:11,679 --> 00:16:14,431 It seems like everything they tried to do 285 00:16:14,515 --> 00:16:15,891 nothing came of it. 286 00:16:16,558 --> 00:16:18,936 Or they were lying to us. 287 00:16:20,187 --> 00:16:22,064 They should be investigating. 288 00:16:24,316 --> 00:16:26,777 But Flagstaff is a complicated city. 289 00:16:29,863 --> 00:16:32,533 I worked as a judge here in the city of Flagstaff. 290 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:35,786 And I saw a lot 291 00:16:36,203 --> 00:16:39,164 of terrible things that exist in the system, 292 00:16:39,957 --> 00:16:43,252 mainly in relation to indigenous peoples. 293 00:16:45,337 --> 00:16:48,132 In everyone's history colonial settlements, 294 00:16:49,216 --> 00:16:52,511 There has always been a mentality that there was gold in the mountains. 295 00:16:53,345 --> 00:16:54,513 And we were getting in the way. 296 00:16:55,681 --> 00:16:58,142 This is how Flagstaff was settled. 297 00:17:00,728 --> 00:17:02,396 Flagstaff is a border town. 298 00:17:02,813 --> 00:17:04,857 {\an8}NO NAVAJO 299 00:17:04,940 --> 00:17:08,694 {\an8}The reserve line is 50km from here. 300 00:17:12,948 --> 00:17:14,908 But the relationship is not good. 301 00:17:17,828 --> 00:17:19,288 When we moved here, 302 00:17:19,413 --> 00:17:21,707 I could feel the animosity. 303 00:17:23,500 --> 00:17:25,878 Anglo-Saxons tend to push us away 304 00:17:26,003 --> 00:17:27,546 because we are Navajo. 305 00:17:27,963 --> 00:17:31,300 I've always seen this, 306 00:17:31,425 --> 00:17:33,135 this prejudiced stance. 307 00:17:35,512 --> 00:17:37,514 When we left Navajo land 308 00:17:37,723 --> 00:17:39,600 {\an8}and let's go to the city, it's scary� 309 00:17:39,683 --> 00:17:41,643 {\an8}COORDINATOR OF INDIGENOUS INITIATIVES 310 00:17:41,769 --> 00:17:44,354 {\an8}�because we are afraid of being stopped by the police 311 00:17:44,438 --> 00:17:45,856 or the sheriff's department. 312 00:17:47,232 --> 00:17:48,400 Furthermore, 313 00:17:48,734 --> 00:17:51,737 We all have personal experiences 314 00:17:52,237 --> 00:17:55,240 of acts of violence against our people 315 00:17:55,491 --> 00:17:56,909 in border cities. 316 00:17:58,535 --> 00:17:59,870 You have people who say 317 00:17:59,953 --> 00:18:02,581 not feel safe here in Flagstaff. 318 00:18:05,292 --> 00:18:08,504 One time, Sarah told her family 319 00:18:08,587 --> 00:18:12,299 that someone had stopped her in the hospital corridor 320 00:18:12,925 --> 00:18:16,762 and talked to her in a way that didn't feel right. 321 00:18:17,805 --> 00:18:19,598 She felt threatened by someone. 322 00:18:21,642 --> 00:18:23,227 She definitely felt threatened. 323 00:18:25,646 --> 00:18:27,106 It got to the point where 324 00:18:27,731 --> 00:18:30,776 we started to find tools and objects 325 00:18:30,901 --> 00:18:32,569 in unusual places. 326 00:18:35,364 --> 00:18:37,282 There was a hammer next to the door. 327 00:18:38,575 --> 00:18:41,745 A hammer on both windows from the living room. 328 00:18:42,663 --> 00:18:45,624 Next to the bed was a screwdriver. 329 00:18:47,251 --> 00:18:50,879 Even in the truck, there were scissors in the glove compartment 330 00:18:51,088 --> 00:18:52,464 and a knife. 331 00:18:54,341 --> 00:18:57,094 I think there were about 9 or 11 items 332 00:18:57,219 --> 00:18:58,512 that we could find. 333 00:18:59,221 --> 00:19:01,056 This was not normal for her. 334 00:19:01,515 --> 00:19:02,599 There was something wrong. 335 00:19:05,644 --> 00:19:07,062 She was scared. 336 00:19:08,981 --> 00:19:12,276 We told researchers, but they didn't listen to us. 337 00:19:16,446 --> 00:19:18,949 Sometimes this irritates. 338 00:19:20,617 --> 00:19:22,703 It makes you want to scream and cry, but 339 00:19:34,798 --> 00:19:36,175 I have dreams. 340 00:19:39,052 --> 00:19:41,013 I saw her once. 341 00:19:43,015 --> 00:19:46,643 I started running after her, but she went in another direction. 342 00:19:48,645 --> 00:19:49,730 I couldn't find her. 343 00:19:50,856 --> 00:19:52,524 I tried to scream. 344 00:19:54,902 --> 00:19:57,613 I just wanted to ask who killed her. 345 00:20:05,287 --> 00:20:06,413 POLICE CHAIN 346 00:20:06,496 --> 00:20:08,165 AUGUST 1987 347 00:20:08,248 --> 00:20:09,917 - Al�. - Mr. Abney? 348 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:11,960 - That's it. - This is Jerry Blair from Flagstaff. 349 00:20:12,044 --> 00:20:14,755 My father-in-law told me that you talked about these days. 350 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:18,008 He didn't know what to do and commented to me. 351 00:20:18,091 --> 00:20:22,304 We are currently accepting help from anyone who wants to collaborate. 352 00:20:23,764 --> 00:20:24,848 {\an8}FLAGSTAFF TABERNOCLE 353 00:20:24,973 --> 00:20:28,227 {\an8}The pastor of the church Flagstaff Tabernacle 354 00:20:28,936 --> 00:20:30,520 {\an8}went to the police. 355 00:20:31,772 --> 00:20:34,483 {\an8}He had a suspect, so to speak: 356 00:20:34,733 --> 00:20:35,984 George Abney. 357 00:20:36,652 --> 00:20:40,364 GEORGE ABNEY: What a shame. I didn't think he would call you. 358 00:20:40,781 --> 00:20:44,868 George Abney was a part-time teacher at Northern Arizona University. 359 00:20:45,035 --> 00:20:46,662 {\an8}UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN ARIZONA 360 00:20:46,745 --> 00:20:49,373 {\an8}He was also an active member of his church. 361 00:20:50,582 --> 00:20:52,501 GEORGE ABNEY: I would like to keep 362 00:20:52,584 --> 00:20:54,920 as much distance as possible of these things. 363 00:20:55,629 --> 00:20:59,424 JERRY BLAIR: Afraid of taking the blame If you give us information? 364 00:21:04,846 --> 00:21:08,183 But his pastor told for the Flagstaff Police 365 00:21:08,392 --> 00:21:11,144 that George said he knew 366 00:21:11,311 --> 00:21:14,564 {\an8}that he had done something wrong. 367 00:21:14,648 --> 00:21:16,733 SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR HOMICIDE IN HOSPITAL 368 00:21:16,817 --> 00:21:18,944 So the police questioned the guy. 369 00:21:19,069 --> 00:21:21,863 POLICE OFFICER:George, you are being recorded. 370 00:21:22,030 --> 00:21:25,826 Everything you say can and will be used against you in court. 371 00:21:26,535 --> 00:21:30,289 George, you're here because you wanted to for us to talk to you, correct? 372 00:21:30,372 --> 00:21:32,624 GEORGE ABNEY: I admit that. 373 00:21:32,708 --> 00:21:36,753 You know that incident that happened in Flagstaff a few months ago? 374 00:21:37,045 --> 00:21:40,007 The woman who was killed in the hospital. 375 00:21:40,090 --> 00:21:44,177 It's been a long time I want to talk to someone. 376 00:21:44,386 --> 00:21:47,055 POLICE ARREST SUSPECT FOR THE JUNE HOMICIDE 377 00:21:47,139 --> 00:21:49,099 When Mr. Abney was arrested, 378 00:21:50,017 --> 00:21:53,395 everyone in Flagstaff found it that they had caught the culprit. 379 00:21:55,647 --> 00:21:58,525 But no one knew that the Flagstaff police 380 00:21:58,608 --> 00:22:01,320 had not informed the family what was happening. 381 00:22:03,322 --> 00:22:05,407 I think we found out from the newspapers. 382 00:22:06,491 --> 00:22:07,701 I didn't know the guy. 383 00:22:08,744 --> 00:22:10,120 {\an8}But, from what I saw, 384 00:22:10,287 --> 00:22:11,621 I thought, "That must be him." 385 00:22:11,747 --> 00:22:13,540 FORMER ENGLISH TEACHER ACCUSED 386 00:22:13,665 --> 00:22:16,251 My uncle said that they had found someone. 387 00:22:17,044 --> 00:22:21,548 {\an8}But I only saw his name and photo when it was in the newspaper. 388 00:22:22,883 --> 00:22:24,259 Children are curious. 389 00:22:25,010 --> 00:22:27,804 I know our parents They wanted to protect us from that. 390 00:22:28,930 --> 00:22:30,932 I'm sure they were relieved. 391 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:33,560 They were close to finding answers. 392 00:22:34,686 --> 00:22:39,191 I could feel it was the chance to do justice for our family. 393 00:22:47,783 --> 00:22:50,077 {\an8} JURY SPOKESMAN 394 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:51,620 {\an8}I was summoned to the jury. 395 00:22:52,412 --> 00:22:55,582 That's when I found out of Sarah's case. 396 00:22:55,707 --> 00:22:57,959 SUSPECT GOES TO TRIAL ON NOVEMBER 17 397 00:22:58,043 --> 00:23:01,254 Our task was just to decide 398 00:23:01,463 --> 00:23:02,964 if that guy was guilty. 399 00:23:05,801 --> 00:23:06,802 {\an8} DETENTED 400 00:23:06,885 --> 00:23:09,012 {\an8}The impression I had of George Abney was 401 00:23:09,763 --> 00:23:13,350 that he seemed to be an indifferent teacher. 402 00:23:14,601 --> 00:23:18,063 I thought, "This guy looks like me." 403 00:23:19,022 --> 00:23:22,109 A thin white man that didn't attract attention. 404 00:23:23,402 --> 00:23:27,823 The prosecutor presented the indictment. 405 00:23:29,199 --> 00:23:31,243 The accusation had several pieces of evidence. 406 00:23:31,368 --> 00:23:33,203 ARIZONA, ACCUSER GEORGE ABNEY, ACCUSED 407 00:23:33,328 --> 00:23:34,621 Witnesses said 408 00:23:34,746 --> 00:23:36,832 have seen George at the hospital that night. 409 00:23:36,915 --> 00:23:40,127 HE RECOGNIZED HIM AS THE PERSON WHO HE SAW IN THE CAFETERIA THAT DAY. 410 00:23:40,210 --> 00:23:42,879 Even after the homicide, George was seen 411 00:23:43,046 --> 00:23:47,050 walking around a lot from Flagstaff Medical Center. 412 00:23:49,052 --> 00:23:50,053 And the accusation 413 00:23:50,137 --> 00:23:52,639 5. PHOTOS OF THE TRUCK 6. PHOTOS OF THE BREAST INJURY 414 00:23:52,722 --> 00:23:54,349 7. PHOTOS OF THE VICTIM’S TEETH 415 00:23:54,474 --> 00:23:57,978 I wanted the jury to understand that one of her breasts had been torn off. 416 00:23:58,603 --> 00:23:59,855 They bit and ripped it off. 417 00:23:59,938 --> 00:24:02,357 BITE MARK KEY PART IN THE CASE OF HOMICIDE 418 00:24:02,441 --> 00:24:06,403 {\an8}The prosecution said that Abney had a somewhat irregular dental arch. 419 00:24:06,528 --> 00:24:07,737 {\an8}PROOF OF THE ACCUSATION 420 00:24:07,904 --> 00:24:11,074 {\an8}The probability was greater 421 00:24:11,158 --> 00:24:13,452 than someone with perfect teeth. 422 00:24:13,535 --> 00:24:15,370 BITE MARKS SERVE AS DIGITAL 423 00:24:15,454 --> 00:24:17,122 But, in the end, 424 00:24:17,539 --> 00:24:20,709 George Abney became the main suspect because 425 00:24:21,501 --> 00:24:22,752 he confessed. 426 00:24:23,378 --> 00:24:25,505 The prosecution said which he confessed to the pastor. 427 00:24:25,630 --> 00:24:28,675 HE AGREED WITH THE INFORMATION AND ADMITTED THAT HE CALLED FLOYD 428 00:24:28,925 --> 00:24:32,804 Police said he also told to a restaurant waitress. 429 00:24:32,888 --> 00:24:34,973 He was teaching 430 00:24:35,056 --> 00:24:37,225 at Northern Arizona University 431 00:24:37,309 --> 00:24:41,188 and ended up venting these atrocities to a teacher. 432 00:24:41,897 --> 00:24:43,648 INTERROGATORY BLAIR AND RICK RHAILSON 433 00:24:43,773 --> 00:24:45,317 He reached out to a personal friend. 434 00:24:45,442 --> 00:24:47,444 DID HE MAKE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THE CRIME? 435 00:24:47,527 --> 00:24:49,362 Once again, he confessed. 436 00:24:50,030 --> 00:24:54,367 HE SAID, "I'M ALMOST SURE WHAT WAS ME ABOUT." 437 00:24:54,451 --> 00:24:58,705 The prosecution presented the case bluntly. 438 00:24:59,915 --> 00:25:02,125 "We have concrete evidence. 439 00:25:02,209 --> 00:25:05,045 We got this guy. He already confessed." 440 00:25:05,921 --> 00:25:08,632 And I thought, "Well, then he did it." 441 00:25:09,508 --> 00:25:14,971 And then the defense began to present the reply. 442 00:25:15,430 --> 00:25:17,140 BASO ABNEY GOES TO THE SECOND DAY 443 00:25:17,224 --> 00:25:18,892 When the trial began, 444 00:25:19,059 --> 00:25:21,311 It's clear that the defense attacked 445 00:25:21,394 --> 00:25:23,021 the prosecution's argument. 446 00:25:23,813 --> 00:25:26,733 They said they weren't real confessions. 447 00:25:27,442 --> 00:25:28,985 INTERROGAT�RIO - V�DEO 448 00:25:29,069 --> 00:25:31,780 They showed a video. The defense claimed 449 00:25:31,863 --> 00:25:36,034 that the police tried manipulate George Abney 450 00:25:36,409 --> 00:25:40,080 to force a false confession. 451 00:25:40,789 --> 00:25:43,708 POLICE OFFICER: We don't want to confess something he didn't do. 452 00:25:43,792 --> 00:25:45,377 We understand that, okay? 453 00:25:45,460 --> 00:25:48,588 N�o estamos� That's not what we're asking for. 454 00:25:48,672 --> 00:25:50,966 We know this happened, okay? 455 00:25:51,132 --> 00:25:52,425 As for the details� 456 00:25:52,509 --> 00:25:54,386 GEORGE ABNEY: I don't know any details. 457 00:25:55,053 --> 00:25:56,513 It was clear 458 00:25:56,888 --> 00:25:59,516 that the poor guy wanted to collaborate. 459 00:26:00,684 --> 00:26:03,353 And the defense took the next step. 460 00:26:03,895 --> 00:26:05,814 DEFENSE SPECIALIST IS KEY PIECE 461 00:26:05,897 --> 00:26:09,276 The bite mark was presented, and the defense took a body. 462 00:26:09,901 --> 00:26:13,738 They cut off her breast nipple. 463 00:26:13,822 --> 00:26:15,824 LAWYERS DISCUSS IF IT WAS BITE OR STAB 464 00:26:15,907 --> 00:26:17,951 And it was very similar. 465 00:26:18,827 --> 00:26:22,122 We were sure What was a bite mark from? 466 00:26:22,205 --> 00:26:23,582 We were sure 467 00:26:23,748 --> 00:26:26,251 that someone had used a knife 468 00:26:26,334 --> 00:26:27,502 to cut the breast? 469 00:26:30,380 --> 00:26:34,384 But finally, the defense focused on what he wanted to expose. 470 00:26:35,302 --> 00:26:36,928 They claimed 471 00:26:37,053 --> 00:26:39,723 that she was not murdered by George Abney� 472 00:26:39,848 --> 00:26:41,099 COCONINO COURT 473 00:26:41,224 --> 00:26:42,851 �but for a skinwalker. 474 00:26:42,934 --> 00:26:47,439 "SKINWALKER" YOU CAN TESTIFY ON THE TRIAL OF GEORGE ABNEY 475 00:26:49,274 --> 00:26:52,235 POLICE OFFICER: Tell me your full name and profession. 476 00:26:52,360 --> 00:26:55,405 BARRE TOELKEN:B-A-R-R-E Toelken. 477 00:26:55,905 --> 00:26:57,198 {\an8}I'm a folklorist, that is, 478 00:26:57,282 --> 00:27:00,201 {\an8}I study cultural dimensions of human expressions. 479 00:27:00,327 --> 00:27:02,329 {\an8} ANTHROPOLOGIST, WITNESS FOR THE DEFENSE 480 00:27:03,788 --> 00:27:06,625 For a long time in my life, 481 00:27:06,708 --> 00:27:09,502 I was involved in the study of Navajo traditions. 482 00:27:10,587 --> 00:27:13,548 POLICE OFFICER: Can you tell me first? what photos did you see 483 00:27:13,632 --> 00:27:16,801 and what other evidence did you analyze? 484 00:27:16,885 --> 00:27:20,263 BARREN TOELKEN: I had the opportunity to see the colorful photos. 485 00:27:21,348 --> 00:27:23,725 One thing that caught my attention it was the stick 486 00:27:23,850 --> 00:27:26,478 pierced through the victim's neck, 487 00:27:26,561 --> 00:27:27,896 beside a crescent moon, 488 00:27:27,979 --> 00:27:31,691 which is a very used symbol in Navajo ceremonies. 489 00:27:33,985 --> 00:27:38,865 They found animal hair in the chest wound 490 00:27:38,948 --> 00:27:40,075 and in the mouth, 491 00:27:40,158 --> 00:27:43,078 and it is believed that witches turn into animals. 492 00:27:45,163 --> 00:27:48,625 It is also very common remove the nipple. 493 00:27:49,793 --> 00:27:53,713 It is very prevalent in oral traditions. It's like a witch's trademark. 494 00:27:56,883 --> 00:27:59,427 I think all of us in the press 495 00:27:59,803 --> 00:28:01,596 we were kind of hypnotized. 496 00:28:02,847 --> 00:28:04,474 And the presiding judge 497 00:28:04,849 --> 00:28:09,145 seemed to give a lot of space for the defense to expose cultural aspects. 498 00:28:10,563 --> 00:28:14,651 It seemed like he was too believing that story, you know? 499 00:28:15,652 --> 00:28:18,780 POLICE OFFICER: What else, in the photos in the case, 500 00:28:18,863 --> 00:28:22,534 makes you believe it is a homicide related to witchcraft? 501 00:28:24,077 --> 00:28:26,538 BARRE TOELKEN: I saw several aspects in those photos 502 00:28:26,621 --> 00:28:29,374 which seemed to me to be very strong evidence 503 00:28:29,457 --> 00:28:31,668 of Navajo witchcraft. 504 00:28:32,961 --> 00:28:35,380 And, knowing that the victim was Navajo, 505 00:28:35,547 --> 00:28:38,675 I can't imagine why someone from outside would kill her like that. 506 00:28:38,842 --> 00:28:41,636 FOLKLORE SPECIALIST LEAGUE ALLEGED HOMICIDE AND WITCHCRAFT 507 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:46,683 Skinwalkers and witchcraft became the focus of the newspapers. 508 00:28:46,975 --> 00:28:49,227 POSSIBLE WITCHCRAFT IN MURDER 509 00:28:49,310 --> 00:28:50,645 We didn't know about it. 510 00:28:51,479 --> 00:28:53,106 It was my brother who asked 511 00:28:53,314 --> 00:28:54,691 if I knew. 512 00:28:55,066 --> 00:28:57,318 I said no, and he: "It's in the newspapers." 513 00:28:57,402 --> 00:28:59,154 TEACHER SUGGESTS NAVAJO WITCHCRAFT 514 00:28:59,237 --> 00:29:00,238 WITCHCRAFT INVOLVED 515 00:29:00,363 --> 00:29:01,573 This news generated chaos. 516 00:29:01,656 --> 00:29:03,199 "CONSTELLATION" OF PECULIARITIES 517 00:29:03,283 --> 00:29:05,160 "SPIRITUAL TERRORISM" 518 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:09,456 I've certainly heard stories. 519 00:29:10,081 --> 00:29:12,500 There are certain types of witchcraft. 520 00:29:13,501 --> 00:29:16,588 I believe, yes, that there areskinwalkersout there. 521 00:29:19,549 --> 00:29:22,260 But it usually doesn't result in death. 522 00:29:22,343 --> 00:29:26,264 It does not result in someone being murdered. 523 00:29:29,100 --> 00:29:30,852 They usually just touch us. 524 00:29:33,104 --> 00:29:35,815 The objective is to take away our harmony. 525 00:29:38,485 --> 00:29:40,779 It's never something so 526 00:29:41,321 --> 00:29:44,574 as radical as it hurts us physically and chase us. 527 00:29:47,410 --> 00:29:50,997 In all my limited knowledge, 528 00:29:52,165 --> 00:29:56,044 {\an8}there was never anyone, anywhere, 529 00:29:57,378 --> 00:29:58,505 none Din�, 530 00:29:58,588 --> 00:30:01,174 that said that skinwalkers kill. 531 00:30:02,967 --> 00:30:04,469 They were sent to disturb. 532 00:30:08,306 --> 00:30:10,558 Witchcraft and skinwalkers 533 00:30:11,184 --> 00:30:14,145 They have always been part of our culture. 534 00:30:15,605 --> 00:30:20,026 But to say that these things were used to kill someone, 535 00:30:20,109 --> 00:30:21,694 a Navajo from here? 536 00:30:22,237 --> 00:30:23,696 I don't think so. 537 00:30:26,533 --> 00:30:31,162 Many anthropologists have been coming to our reservation. 538 00:30:31,830 --> 00:30:35,124 They make certain assumptions 539 00:30:35,792 --> 00:30:38,211 without any concrete basis. 540 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:41,214 NAVAJO INDIANS A TEACHING FILM 541 00:30:41,297 --> 00:30:44,342 In a desert region in the southwestern United States 542 00:30:44,676 --> 00:30:48,221 in the Rocky Mountains, live the Navajo Indians. 543 00:30:48,429 --> 00:30:52,058 The Navajo call themselves "Din�". Din�, the people. 544 00:30:52,809 --> 00:30:57,063 is a land where a mountain It is sacred and another is not. 545 00:30:58,106 --> 00:31:01,150 Where the spirit of some animals � revered 546 00:31:01,234 --> 00:31:02,777 and that of others is feared. 547 00:31:03,194 --> 00:31:06,114 Anthropologists and folklorists 548 00:31:06,447 --> 00:31:10,994 want to extract cultural elements of native communities 549 00:31:11,411 --> 00:31:14,581 to transform these stories into something of their own. 550 00:31:15,498 --> 00:31:17,917 Thousands of tourists come to these events, 551 00:31:18,376 --> 00:31:20,587 because these colorful people and their customs 552 00:31:20,712 --> 00:31:23,172 would leave a deep mark in American life. 553 00:31:24,382 --> 00:31:28,678 Here we find the healer busy with the objects of his trade: 554 00:31:28,928 --> 00:31:30,805 the bundle or medicine bag. 555 00:31:32,307 --> 00:31:35,018 I remember an Englishman 556 00:31:35,101 --> 00:31:37,687 who wanted to be recognized as a healer. 557 00:31:39,731 --> 00:31:42,191 We had to laugh about it. 558 00:31:43,067 --> 00:31:44,986 There is always that interest 559 00:31:45,778 --> 00:31:49,324 of wanting to join Navajo society. 560 00:31:49,574 --> 00:31:53,328 {\an8}Witchcraft is one of the most common subjects in conversations among the Navajo. 561 00:31:53,411 --> 00:31:54,621 {\an8}VOICE OF DR. TOELKEN BAR 562 00:31:54,704 --> 00:31:56,289 {\an8}They are not mere acquaintances of mine. 563 00:31:56,372 --> 00:31:58,499 {\an8}I was once married to a Navajo woman 564 00:31:58,625 --> 00:32:01,002 {\an8}and I have Navajo relatives. 565 00:32:01,085 --> 00:32:04,005 {\an8}During the 30s in which I know the Navajo, 566 00:32:04,088 --> 00:32:06,049 {\an8}I was able to talk about these things. 567 00:32:07,175 --> 00:32:11,638 They took someone from outside who had no idea 568 00:32:11,888 --> 00:32:13,431 that we are like Din. 569 00:32:14,724 --> 00:32:15,892 But this is their world. 570 00:32:19,562 --> 00:32:23,316 They took fragments of our culture to say: 571 00:32:23,858 --> 00:32:25,276 "It was one of them." 572 00:32:27,236 --> 00:32:29,364 This generated a lot of frustration and a lot of anger. 573 00:32:29,447 --> 00:32:31,407 DEFENSE ALLEGES WITCHCRAFT IN MURDER 574 00:32:31,491 --> 00:32:32,867 The stick, the animal hair 575 00:32:33,034 --> 00:32:34,369 We're in Flagstaff. 576 00:32:34,452 --> 00:32:36,329 There are all kinds of animals here, 577 00:32:36,996 --> 00:32:38,623 even more so where she was found. 578 00:32:40,208 --> 00:32:43,294 And, you know, this witchcraft nonsense 579 00:32:43,711 --> 00:32:45,004 who claimed here, 580 00:32:45,296 --> 00:32:47,006 we don't know anything about it. 581 00:32:49,175 --> 00:32:50,218 Racism. 582 00:32:52,971 --> 00:32:56,891 I thought the law it should be based on real evidence. 583 00:32:58,476 --> 00:33:01,479 Because when we analyze what happened, 584 00:33:02,146 --> 00:33:04,065 I think there is enough evidence 585 00:33:04,273 --> 00:33:06,442 that that man killed her. 586 00:33:13,366 --> 00:33:17,537 You will see the defense talk about skinwalker it was a desperate attempt. 587 00:33:19,789 --> 00:33:23,126 Blaming a skinwalker is crazy. 588 00:33:23,209 --> 00:33:26,337 I can't even think of a word to describe, but it's crazy. 589 00:33:28,006 --> 00:33:29,382 Beyond the bite mark 590 00:33:30,091 --> 00:33:33,803 and having seen George Abney in the hospital that night, 591 00:33:34,804 --> 00:33:36,931 he also confessed 592 00:33:37,056 --> 00:33:39,392 for the police. 593 00:33:43,896 --> 00:33:45,314 POLICE OFFICER: Right now, 594 00:33:45,398 --> 00:33:47,525 we cannot leave this case unsolved. 595 00:33:47,608 --> 00:33:49,569 We're trying to give you the opportunity� 596 00:33:49,777 --> 00:33:51,738 GEORGE ABNEY: I'm trying to explain. 597 00:33:51,821 --> 00:33:53,448 That's why I came back here. 598 00:33:58,369 --> 00:34:01,706 The first detail I remember It's because you went to the hospital. 599 00:34:01,789 --> 00:34:05,043 I asked to see a doctor because I wasn't feeling well. 600 00:34:05,418 --> 00:34:07,295 She asked if I had a contract. 601 00:34:09,380 --> 00:34:11,299 I said no. 602 00:34:12,133 --> 00:34:15,803 I turned around and left the same way I had entered. 603 00:34:17,472 --> 00:34:19,849 And I think she was leaving. 604 00:34:19,974 --> 00:34:22,018 Maybe he had gone to get something in the truck. 605 00:34:22,435 --> 00:34:23,436 Sarah. 606 00:34:25,438 --> 00:34:27,106 She stopped for a while 607 00:34:27,231 --> 00:34:28,566 and said "hi." 608 00:34:28,691 --> 00:34:31,819 I tried to act normal, polite. 609 00:34:32,862 --> 00:34:35,740 She invited me to sit with her and look at the city. 610 00:34:37,241 --> 00:34:40,745 Maybe I was flattered because a white man was interested in her. 611 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:44,457 She showed me photos of her daughter. 612 00:34:44,582 --> 00:34:47,794 He showed me a knife that her brother had given her. 613 00:34:48,628 --> 00:34:52,632 I felt disoriented take care of me. 614 00:34:52,757 --> 00:34:55,635 I remember turning it off. 615 00:34:55,802 --> 00:34:56,844 E� 616 00:34:57,678 --> 00:35:00,973 When I woke up, she was lying on the floor. 617 00:35:02,767 --> 00:35:05,895 I drifted in and out of consciousness. I don't know how long I stayed there. 618 00:35:06,521 --> 00:35:09,190 And I started thinking 619 00:35:09,273 --> 00:35:10,817 how it all started. 620 00:35:10,983 --> 00:35:14,195 I carry a lot of things inside me since I was a child. 621 00:35:16,572 --> 00:35:19,659 I think this influenced my mental state. 622 00:35:19,784 --> 00:35:21,494 I took a knife 623 00:35:21,702 --> 00:35:23,955 and each� 624 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:26,833 every wound I made on her body, 625 00:35:26,916 --> 00:35:28,668 after she was already dead, 626 00:35:28,751 --> 00:35:30,920 corresponded to what I felt, 627 00:35:31,045 --> 00:35:34,465 to things that happened to me. 628 00:35:34,715 --> 00:35:38,803 When I bit her pubic area, I acted deliberately. 629 00:35:38,886 --> 00:35:42,181 It corresponded to what I felt when I was molested. 630 00:35:43,057 --> 00:35:46,310 I left bite marks because I knew this would be 631 00:35:46,394 --> 00:35:48,187 a kind of subscription. 632 00:35:48,271 --> 00:35:49,438 POLICE OFFICER: Left breast? 633 00:35:49,522 --> 00:35:50,773 ABNEY: I think so. 634 00:35:51,399 --> 00:35:54,569 Because I felt wounded in my heart. 635 00:35:57,029 --> 00:36:00,908 I wanted to leave a message, some kind of message 636 00:36:01,033 --> 00:36:03,661 for someone to help me. 637 00:36:05,705 --> 00:36:08,875 I wanted to get caught. 638 00:36:13,379 --> 00:36:17,133 POLICE OFFICER: You remember better which pieces of clothing did you take from her? 639 00:36:17,216 --> 00:36:19,802 GEORGE ABNEY: I said before it looked like rawhide, 640 00:36:19,886 --> 00:36:21,179 but I'm not sure. 641 00:36:21,345 --> 00:36:22,847 I think it's more likely 642 00:36:22,930 --> 00:36:26,100 that she was dressed appropriately for the job. 643 00:36:26,934 --> 00:36:29,312 She was a good woman. 644 00:36:29,437 --> 00:36:32,899 He didn't always remember of details from that night. 645 00:36:33,441 --> 00:36:35,693 It was said that George Abney 646 00:36:35,776 --> 00:36:37,653 suffered from mental problems. 647 00:36:39,405 --> 00:36:43,492 But in this conversation with the Flagstaff police, 648 00:36:43,659 --> 00:36:45,703 they were very kind to him. 649 00:36:46,746 --> 00:36:48,289 POLICE OFFICER: I apologize. 650 00:36:48,372 --> 00:36:52,710 I really believe you are having difficulty remembering. 651 00:36:52,835 --> 00:36:54,212 ABNEY: I'm trying. 652 00:36:54,295 --> 00:36:57,048 POLICE OFFICER: You're trying help us now, George. 653 00:36:57,423 --> 00:36:58,883 How are you? 654 00:37:02,803 --> 00:37:06,015 I want everyone to know this, George, It's not just Mike and me. 655 00:37:06,098 --> 00:37:10,186 I want everyone to know how you are and who you really are. 656 00:37:11,187 --> 00:37:12,396 George? 657 00:37:14,732 --> 00:37:16,567 I want you to get help, George. 658 00:37:20,238 --> 00:37:24,283 POLICEMAN 2: I think you're a victim as much as anyone else. 659 00:37:26,661 --> 00:37:28,871 The system failed under George Abney. 660 00:37:29,705 --> 00:37:32,875 He did not receive support and the help I needed. 661 00:37:33,834 --> 00:37:35,086 But deep down, 662 00:37:35,503 --> 00:37:37,129 It's a case of homicide. 663 00:37:37,964 --> 00:37:39,882 There was no mention 664 00:37:40,591 --> 00:37:42,510 of compassion for Sarah. 665 00:37:43,219 --> 00:37:44,845 And the documents 666 00:37:45,012 --> 00:37:47,640 had very prejudiced connotations. 667 00:37:47,765 --> 00:37:50,017 - WAS THIS WOMAN'S FAMILY NOTIFIED? - YES. 668 00:37:50,101 --> 00:37:52,645 The police bet that the family would not speak out. 669 00:37:52,728 --> 00:37:54,188 THEY ARE NOT VERY HOSTILE. 670 00:37:54,272 --> 00:37:55,439 FROM MY EXPERIENCE, 671 00:37:55,523 --> 00:37:58,776 NATIVES ARE NOT SO AGGRESSIVE IN THAT SENSE AS WHITE PEOPLE. 672 00:37:58,859 --> 00:38:02,238 When they questioned George Abney, asked questions such as: 673 00:38:02,363 --> 00:38:04,865 "Did she offer you alcohol?" 674 00:38:05,116 --> 00:38:06,117 SHE OFFERED A DRINK 675 00:38:06,200 --> 00:38:08,703 "Did she insinuate herself in a sexual way?" 676 00:38:08,911 --> 00:38:10,371 SHE INSINUED SEXUALLY 677 00:38:10,454 --> 00:38:11,914 They wanted to paint that image. 678 00:38:12,039 --> 00:38:14,792 How could she be responsible by death itself? 679 00:38:16,627 --> 00:38:21,132 However, there was a confession. There was proof. 680 00:38:22,049 --> 00:38:24,969 There were many things that indicated 681 00:38:25,261 --> 00:38:26,637 that he was to blame. 682 00:38:28,222 --> 00:38:29,640 It was simple and direct. 683 00:38:35,313 --> 00:38:36,981 We took an initial vote. 684 00:38:38,316 --> 00:38:41,402 {\an8}Some people said: "Look, he confessed. 685 00:38:41,569 --> 00:38:43,029 {\an8}We will condemn him." 686 00:38:46,574 --> 00:38:51,287 But I don't remember to have the impression that George Abney 687 00:38:51,370 --> 00:38:54,915 he was a murderer. 688 00:38:55,416 --> 00:39:00,588 JURY ACQUITS DEFENDANT IN 1987 HOMICIDE 689 00:39:00,671 --> 00:39:03,966 The jury found George Abney innocent. 690 00:39:05,426 --> 00:39:09,472 A jury made up entirely of white people acquitted a white man 691 00:39:10,306 --> 00:39:12,892 for the murder of Sarah Saganitso. 692 00:39:14,935 --> 00:39:16,771 JURY DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO RELEAS ABNEY 693 00:39:16,854 --> 00:39:19,815 After the verdict, Mr. Abney disappeared. 694 00:39:20,524 --> 00:39:23,235 I don't think anyone in Flagstaff saw him again. 695 00:39:24,779 --> 00:39:26,155 Do you have any regrets? 696 00:39:27,156 --> 00:39:31,535 I have no regrets for finding George Abney innocent. 697 00:39:31,660 --> 00:39:33,204 I don't regret that. 698 00:39:33,329 --> 00:39:36,499 I'm just sorry that it still is 699 00:39:36,874 --> 00:39:38,167 an unsolved case. 700 00:39:39,168 --> 00:39:40,252 Yes, that's it. 701 00:39:40,669 --> 00:39:41,879 That's all I want to say. 702 00:39:44,423 --> 00:39:45,633 Sarah's family 703 00:39:45,966 --> 00:39:49,762 It certainly deserves answers and justice. 704 00:39:50,763 --> 00:39:52,556 And that's not what happened. 705 00:39:53,432 --> 00:39:56,268 The skinwalker defense made it clear 706 00:39:56,352 --> 00:39:59,939 what they think about native people in these cities. 707 00:40:02,650 --> 00:40:05,694 We are a people seen as 708 00:40:06,404 --> 00:40:07,446 insignificant. 709 00:40:08,656 --> 00:40:10,199 We are disposable. 710 00:40:12,201 --> 00:40:15,371 The victim, a Navajo woman, 711 00:40:16,038 --> 00:40:18,707 It has no value in their system. 712 00:40:19,625 --> 00:40:21,585 His life had more value. 713 00:40:22,002 --> 00:40:23,963 White people protect themselves. 714 00:40:24,380 --> 00:40:25,589 That's how I saw it. 715 00:40:34,682 --> 00:40:37,601 After everything, when we returned home� 716 00:40:39,270 --> 00:40:42,982 I just remember a lot of crying. 717 00:40:44,483 --> 00:40:46,944 A lot of anger and frustration. 718 00:40:49,405 --> 00:40:51,907 There was no way to comfort them not to say, you know 719 00:40:54,577 --> 00:40:56,036 There was no way to fix that. 720 00:41:03,335 --> 00:41:05,838 She had so much ahead of her. 721 00:41:14,805 --> 00:41:19,894 YOU ARE LEAVING THE NAVAJO RESERVATION 722 00:41:21,145 --> 00:41:23,147 The questions that remained unanswered 723 00:41:23,856 --> 00:41:26,775 These are things we don't want share with anyone. 724 00:41:26,901 --> 00:41:30,529 But, in a way, This has already become something public. 725 00:41:30,613 --> 00:41:33,574 {\an8}Urban legends from each state. Part one: Arizona. 726 00:41:33,699 --> 00:41:35,326 When a woman was killed, 727 00:41:35,409 --> 00:41:39,997 defense of the accused in court was that he had been a skinwalker. 728 00:41:40,414 --> 00:41:44,251 In that particular situation, It really was a skinwalker. 729 00:41:45,211 --> 00:41:47,880 To this day, the case is romanticized 730 00:41:48,172 --> 00:41:51,884 like the story of a monster who continues to wander around Flagstaff. 731 00:41:51,967 --> 00:41:54,136 SKINWALKER WEREWOLVES, WITCHES 732 00:41:54,261 --> 00:41:57,014 There are no photos of Sarah. 733 00:41:57,139 --> 00:41:58,974 IN 1987, THE SKINWALKERS CAME TO PROMINENCE 734 00:41:59,058 --> 00:42:01,018 WHEN THEY WERE USED HOW TO DEFENSE IN COURT 735 00:42:01,143 --> 00:42:02,478 They're not talking about my aunt. 736 00:42:02,770 --> 00:42:05,314 They're talking about a stranger. 737 00:42:06,106 --> 00:42:08,984 It seems like she no longer exists for no one but us. 738 00:42:13,322 --> 00:42:16,116 Sarah didn't have the chance to tell her story. 739 00:42:16,367 --> 00:42:20,704 She didn't get the chance to say: "I didn't deserve this." 740 00:42:22,748 --> 00:42:26,585 And many of our people have already been through this. 741 00:42:28,879 --> 00:42:33,300 A Navajo woman's family missing for 18 years is asking for help 742 00:42:33,425 --> 00:42:35,553 on the anniversary of her disappearance. 743 00:42:35,678 --> 00:42:38,597 {\an8}35 years ago, a woman of the Navajo Nation disappeared 744 00:42:38,681 --> 00:42:40,933 {\an8}on the way to Flagstaff and was never seen again. 745 00:42:41,016 --> 00:42:42,476 {\an8}MORTAL REMAINS IDENTIFIED 746 00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:46,355 {\an8}Native Americans are at risk disproportionate to disappear, 747 00:42:46,689 --> 00:42:48,524 {\an8}and the Department of Indigenous Affairs estimates 748 00:42:48,607 --> 00:42:52,069 {\an8}that today there are around of 4,200 unsolved cases. 749 00:42:52,152 --> 00:42:53,237 {\an8}it's a crisis. 750 00:42:53,362 --> 00:42:55,823 {\an8}We were made a target, displaced and dehumanized. 751 00:42:55,906 --> 00:42:57,283 {\an8}NAVAJO COUNCIL DELEGATE 752 00:42:58,200 --> 00:43:00,369 {\an8}We want to heal this pain. 753 00:43:00,452 --> 00:43:03,372 {\an8}ANSWERS TO NEPITA REDHAIR JUSTICE BY SHAWNA TOYA 754 00:43:03,455 --> 00:43:06,292 {\an8}In our communities, the MMIW movement� 755 00:43:06,458 --> 00:43:08,127 {\an8}TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY 756 00:43:08,294 --> 00:43:10,379 Fight for justice for the murders. 757 00:43:11,005 --> 00:43:13,090 We can no longer normalize violence. 758 00:43:13,173 --> 00:43:16,218 We can no longer normalize when someone disappears. 759 00:43:16,343 --> 00:43:17,428 We can no longer 760 00:43:17,553 --> 00:43:19,013 stay silent about it. 761 00:43:21,307 --> 00:43:23,100 The change has already begun. 762 00:43:23,225 --> 00:43:24,226 {\an8}TOGETHER, WE HEAL 763 00:43:24,310 --> 00:43:25,769 {\an8}WALK FOR THE MISSING 764 00:43:25,853 --> 00:43:27,229 {\an8}We have a response plan. 765 00:43:27,354 --> 00:43:30,149 {\an8}We have a representative for cases of disappearance. 766 00:43:30,232 --> 00:43:33,861 {\an8}The police are mobilizing more efficiently. 767 00:43:35,821 --> 00:43:38,616 {\an8}And that's because we're talking of cases like Sarah's. 768 00:43:38,699 --> 00:43:40,242 {\an8}NO MORE SISTERS WILL BE STOLEN 769 00:43:41,660 --> 00:43:43,996 That's why Sarah's story It's so important. 770 00:43:45,372 --> 00:43:46,624 Think about the case of Abney. 771 00:43:46,707 --> 00:43:48,292 LAWYER QUESTIONS INTERROGATORY 772 00:43:48,959 --> 00:43:50,461 Police, judges, prosecutors. 773 00:43:50,544 --> 00:43:51,962 INFORMATION LEAKS FROM THE POLICE 774 00:43:52,046 --> 00:43:54,131 DEFENDANT ACQUITTED OF HOMICIDE 775 00:43:54,506 --> 00:43:57,801 One day we will be judged for what we did here on Earth 776 00:43:57,885 --> 00:43:58,927 during these years. 777 00:44:00,554 --> 00:44:02,389 But for me 778 00:44:03,932 --> 00:44:05,059 Sarah went home. 779 00:44:07,770 --> 00:44:09,980 We have to believe, somehow, 780 00:44:10,064 --> 00:44:12,650 in the sacredness of this place 781 00:44:12,775 --> 00:44:15,986 and that definitive justice will come to the family. 782 00:44:19,573 --> 00:44:20,783 We miss her. 783 00:44:23,410 --> 00:44:26,246 It was very difficult to accept that she was gone. 784 00:44:36,340 --> 00:44:39,009 Sister, I love you. Thanks. 785 00:44:42,971 --> 00:44:45,224 George Abney's defense maintained 786 00:44:45,307 --> 00:44:48,310 that the confession was false and coerced by the police. 787 00:44:48,394 --> 00:44:50,521 They also pointed out aspects his testimony 788 00:44:50,604 --> 00:44:52,481 that were inconsistent. 789 00:44:53,524 --> 00:44:57,736 The producers tried contact George Abney, 790 00:44:57,820 --> 00:45:00,489 but they were unable to speak to him. 791 00:45:32,813 --> 00:45:34,815 Caption: Ana Paula Badar�