Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:26,530 --> 00:00:30,720
I'd come to this project with many of
the same assumptions that you have -
2
00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:36,280
concerning the Jersey double murders and
the guilt of Jim Suerd.
3
00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:40,050
His characterization is a troubled young man,
responsible for a spree of horrific,
4
00:00:40,050 --> 00:00:46,410
ritualistic homicides in the Pine
Barrens. The question in my mind was why?
5
00:00:46,410 --> 00:00:52,660
Why would a man commit such crimes? After reviewing hours of archived footage
6
00:00:52,660 --> 00:00:58,870
generated by Steven Avkast and Locus
Wheeler, the hosts of Fact or Fiction,
7
00:00:58,870 --> 00:01:06,100
I've been forced to change my perspective. the question now for me is what?
8
00:01:06,100 --> 00:01:11,900
What really happened that night and is Jim Suerd truly responsible?
9
00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,920
Ironically, in the course of this project,
10
00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:18,860
Jim Suerd has died in prison under mysterious causes.
11
00:01:19,460 --> 00:01:23,760
His death will forever shroud the reconciliation of this case.
12
00:01:25,740 --> 00:01:31,160
As they said on fact or fiction, you decide.
13
00:01:52,620 --> 00:01:55,820
(Operator) Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?
14
00:01:55,820 --> 00:01:57,260
My name is Jim Stewart Suerd.
15
00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,180
I just hitchhiked here
16
00:01:59,180 --> 00:02:02,500
from from the middle of pine barrens and I can't seem to get -
17
00:02:02,509 --> 00:02:05,600
I can't seem to find the people that
I was in the Pine Barrens with -
18
00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:07,620
And I was camping with them last night doing a project
19
00:02:07,620 --> 00:02:09,060
(Operator) Are you lost?
20
00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:14,080
I'm not lost. I'm just trying - I can't find the
people who drove me here and -
21
00:02:15,820 --> 00:02:19,480
I looked around for him and I went back to
the site where we had parked and they're
22
00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,680
not at the van and they're nowhere to be
found like I don't know where they are.
23
00:02:22,920 --> 00:02:24,801
(Operator) Their vehicle is still there?
24
00:02:24,801 --> 00:02:26,540
The vehicle's still there and I had to
25
00:02:26,540 --> 00:02:28,640
hitchhike to this payphone.
26
00:02:28,640 --> 00:02:31,120
(Operator) How far are you from the vehicle right now?
27
00:02:32,420 --> 00:02:36,580
I'm about five five, somewhere you know five-ten miles from it I don't know.
28
00:02:36,940 --> 00:02:39,160
Okay, Jim. We'll send someone out.
29
00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,760
Yeah it would be a good idea I got a really bad feeling about it.
30
00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:48,180
You might want to send somebody
out quickly ever bad feeling...
31
00:02:55,030 --> 00:02:58,990
(radio announcer) WBRK time it is five o'clock. It's time for that afternoon drive that you love so much.
32
00:02:58,990 --> 00:03:03,460
Hey, guess who made missing reports?
It's those hosts from Fact or Fiction.
33
00:03:03,740 --> 00:03:09,400
Missing. Ha. Bob, you know those guys gonna be showing up sometime in the next day saying, "Surprise did you miss us?"
34
00:03:09,660 --> 00:03:12,660
Let's go to the phones and we'll ask you. Do you miss them?
35
00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:21,600
We have found bodies. At this time we don't know who they are,
36
00:03:21,820 --> 00:03:24,380
or how many we have found.
37
00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:28,020
We cannot assume at this time that it is
38
00:03:28,020 --> 00:03:29,620
the Fact or Fiction crew.
39
00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:39,940
At this time, we have arrested Jim Suerd
40
00:03:39,940 --> 00:03:43,420
for the murders of Rein Clackin and Locus Wheeler.
41
00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:46,000
Behind me is a house where Jim Suerd
42
00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,100
resided until his arrest nearly seven
months ago.
43
00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:55,800
Inside, amongst his dirty laundry, blood evidence was found, linking him to the grisly Fact or Fiction murders.
44
00:03:56,180 --> 00:04:01,380
Today, Jim's own life hangs in the balance as jurors decide his fate.
45
00:04:11,740 --> 00:04:14,660
I had heard of the Factor or Fiction murders.
46
00:04:14,660 --> 00:04:17,380
They were big news for a period of one year,
47
00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:20,800
and then like so many things in today's
fast-paced world,
48
00:04:21,180 --> 00:04:23,200
were forgotten.
49
00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:29,080
I was intrigued by how this case, this story,
was so well documented.
50
00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,100
How, in spite of the remote location of the murders,
51
00:04:32,100 --> 00:04:34,600
and the rural nature of the people prosecuting Jim,
52
00:04:34,780 --> 00:04:37,520
that these were murders
of a high tech age.
53
00:04:38,060 --> 00:04:42,980
I was intrigued by the fact that the four individuals were
indeed children of a digital age.
54
00:04:43,940 --> 00:04:49,460
Mostly though, I wondered why the man named Jim Suerd would commit such horrendous acts of violence.
55
00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:20,960
This is Johnny,
56
00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:22,000
and Locus
57
00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,300
and we are live in the Pine Barrens where tonight
58
00:05:24,310 --> 00:05:31,930
we are doing a first-ever, internet
broadcast, cable, ham radio - broadcast
59
00:05:31,930 --> 00:05:34,220
all live, all real
60
00:05:34,220 --> 00:05:37,750
and we are doing it with the help of a psychic and a sound man.
61
00:05:37,750 --> 00:05:42,460
who has the ability to record sounds
from other worlds, otherworldly sounds.
62
00:05:42,980 --> 00:05:47,420
Yeah, that's right, Steven. We're here in
the Pine Barrens southern New Jersey
63
00:05:47,660 --> 00:05:51,600
live and direct, coming right at you in your living room, first-ever web
64
00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:57,280
simulcast cable, cast and everybody is on
the edge of their seat and I know you are,
65
00:05:57,280 --> 00:06:00,820
because I am and I'm sure Steven is
too.
66
00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,200
A little later we're gonna be showing you the campsite,
67
00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:06,060
but right now we're gonna do a little recapping,
68
00:06:06,340 --> 00:06:09,620
and you're gonna see some tape of the
history of the legend -
69
00:06:09,860 --> 00:06:12,900
of the Pine Barrens and the Jersey Devil.
70
00:06:16,840 --> 00:06:21,060
They actually lived their show, Fact or Fiction.
71
00:06:21,060 --> 00:06:24,420
Here's this real eerie circumstances
that come the play
72
00:06:24,900 --> 00:06:26,440
And they were actually the victims of it.
73
00:06:26,740 --> 00:06:28,860
He had the opportunity.
74
00:06:29,140 --> 00:06:32,600
It appears as if he had the motive.
75
00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:37,480
He did lure those people up there in a in a veil of secrecy.
76
00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:41,260
I would say yeah he fits the profile.
77
00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:45,020
Who was Jim Suerd?
78
00:06:45,020 --> 00:06:48,420
The answer proved more difficult than I imagined.
79
00:06:48,420 --> 00:06:50,800
His mother had died four months before the murders,
80
00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:54,330
His father, five years before.
81
00:06:54,330 --> 00:06:58,920
The only two people that I was able to speak
with that knew him personally were his
82
00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:06,650
landlady, Joyce Dryer and a childhood
psychologist named Dr. Dale Orstall.
83
00:07:09,590 --> 00:07:15,770
I was sort of a father figure to him, I feel.
Sort of a surrogate father, if you will.
84
00:07:15,770 --> 00:07:20,340
He didn't talk a whole lot about his family life
85
00:07:20,340 --> 00:07:24,300
but one of the things I know
86
00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:30,340
is that his father left them when he was
very young, ran off with another woman.
87
00:07:32,180 --> 00:07:37,920
He had few friends if any. Very reclusive.
88
00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:41,780
I remember him being quite a loner.
89
00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:46,280
He seemed to stay in his room
quite a bit when he wasn't at work.
90
00:07:47,220 --> 00:07:54,740
And the computer seemed to be a highlight in his in his life.
91
00:07:55,260 --> 00:07:57,560
With the advent of the Internet,
92
00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:01,940
of course he got into that years after I I was seeing him.
93
00:08:02,740 --> 00:08:06,500
It wasn't even available I don't think at the time
94
00:08:08,180 --> 00:08:14,640
It opened up a whole new world for a guy like Jim.
95
00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:21,160
Often he would be on the internet with people
96
00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:27,840
and as we know the horrible situation that has come up because of the internet fiasco,
97
00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:31,400
with him being blamed for these
murders.
98
00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:37,680
The internet was the first interests that would attach him to the Fact or Fiction television show.
99
00:08:37,680 --> 00:08:40,100
The second interest was a bit more obscure.
100
00:08:40,560 --> 00:08:44,040
Jim had this fascination for magic.
101
00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:47,200
I mean a true fascination - I mean he like I told you he was very reclusive
102
00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:51,120
so I believe he must have spent
countless hours in his room alone
103
00:08:51,130 --> 00:08:53,200
working on tricks.
104
00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,510
And he used to come in and start the sessions and he had to
105
00:08:56,510 --> 00:09:03,650
show me a new trick and often was a
simple card trick but very quickly he
106
00:09:03,650 --> 00:09:07,320
built skills and became very proficient
in magic.
107
00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:11,920
The internet and magic - both interests generally considered harmless.
108
00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,480
Both interests that could have a sinister edge to them.
109
00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:22,580
Either way, it was a combination that virtually sealed his fate in meeting Steven Avkast and Locus Wheeler,
110
00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:25,840
The hosts of Fact or Fiction.
111
00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:33,320
Welcome to Fact or Fiction.
112
00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:39,840
Welcome to Fact or Fiction. Yes we are
rolling. We are on we are ready to go.
113
00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:43,320
Locus you joker, you knew it all along that we were on.
114
00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:46,960
Yeah welcome to our new show, well actually it's not a new show, it's got a new name.
115
00:09:46,970 --> 00:09:49,850
Thanks to everybody out there who helped us come up with this great name,
116
00:09:49,850 --> 00:09:51,400
Fact or Fiction
117
00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:52,240
That's right.
118
00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:57,820
Fact or Fiction was one of those fluke successes that no television producer would ever predict.
119
00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,560
Short on production value, talent and execution,
120
00:10:01,820 --> 00:10:07,640
It maintained a following of youth probably more amused by its Kitsch value than anything else.
121
00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:12,760
Steven Avkast, the creator of Fact or
Fiction is remembered.
122
00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:20,150
Steven... I always got bad bad vibes about Steven, you know he always came in here with this you
123
00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:24,960
know attitude that you know he always
doing is making a little cable show.
124
00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:29,600
I mean, nobody ever goes anywhere with this stuff. But he had this idea
125
00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:32,360
he was destined for stardom and
was gonna be rich, you know
126
00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:36,020
millions of dollars and you know he
basically had that that big you know
127
00:10:36,020 --> 00:10:40,490
director stereotype that you think
of you, know, you think of the big
128
00:10:40,490 --> 00:10:44,680
Hollywood directors and I mean he really
just had to put it in perspective.
129
00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:51,080
Steven's longtime friend, Locus Wheeler,
was the co-host of the show.
130
00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:52,640
Their pairing was like oil and water.
131
00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:55,560
Locus, I think,
132
00:10:55,560 --> 00:11:01,100
he and Steven were having problems getting along sometimes but I
think I I think
133
00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:05,320
Locus, he knew what he was doing. I mean with this he knew it was just a little
134
00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:08,280
cable show and I think he was just in it
for the fun.
135
00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:14,460
Somehow, Steven, a misguided egomaniac and Locus, a sardonic slacker,
136
00:11:14,680 --> 00:11:18,500
managed to keep turning out shows for the better part of 1995.
137
00:11:18,500 --> 00:11:20,500
The ideas were slim.
138
00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:24,360
However, they did latch onto one idea that intrigued many.
139
00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:29,720
We're also doing something new. We are on IRC tonight. and we have joined... IRC is in the house.
140
00:11:30,020 --> 00:11:32,540
You can say that, I'm saying it's swingin'
141
00:11:32,780 --> 00:11:34,300
Well I'll have to say one idea they
came up with,
142
00:11:34,300 --> 00:11:39,640
it was actually - well at first it was pretty cool but it got to be pretty freaky too...
143
00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:43,190
They came up with this idea, you know how most TV shows will have like call ins.
144
00:11:43,190 --> 00:11:46,670
where people call in the phone and talk -
well, they tie this into the internet
145
00:11:46,670 --> 00:11:50,750
through IRC chat,
except, so people could like, you know
146
00:11:50,750 --> 00:11:55,840
ask questions on the show - but they rigged up some sort of text-to-speech converter so
147
00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:59,680
like whatever they typed in was actually
set on the show like it was a voice.
148
00:12:00,100 --> 00:12:05,460
It was this idea that provided the impetus for what would ironically give Steven the fame he so craved.
149
00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:10,880
By the fall of 1995, the one joke television show was losing popularity.
150
00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:14,280
By November, the show was about to self-destruct.
151
00:12:15,020 --> 00:12:16,360
Everybody had this sense.
152
00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:21,560
Once again, Steven in his delinquency and procrastination has made it
153
00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:27,680
so we are too late to find the snow angel.
154
00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:33,080
At this desperate time, Steven turned to viewer suggestions,
155
00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:35,680
one of which would take hold in his mind.
156
00:12:36,560 --> 00:12:42,400
It provided the seedling with which Steven hoped to rebuild the show's popularity.
157
00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:47,320
you know we had a call we have an IRC
come in and it's real eerie voice I mean
158
00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:51,490
it drove me nuts. I almost couldn't stand
this after a while because just
159
00:12:51,490 --> 00:12:56,560
hearing this voice like "hello, why don't
you do a piece on..."
160
00:12:56,560 --> 00:13:02,240
(robotic voice) Why don't you do a show about the Jersey Devil?
161
00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:08,000
Steven's idea was to do a first-ever live broadcast of Fact or Fiction.
162
00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:12,360
It would be broadcast simultaneously to cable television and the Internet.
163
00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:14,640
The promotion's began immediately.
164
00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:17,640
And with ratings dropping in
an ever-increasing speed,
165
00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:20,200
The concept was implemented immediately.
166
00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:28,360
This Jersey Devil cablecast, I knew it wasn't gonna work. I mean these guys couldn't even make a halfway decent TV Show.
167
00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:33,240
Suddenly they want to jump into doing you know big time live from the Pine Barrens
168
00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:37,480
and have radio and Internet and this and that and,
169
00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:41,860
I knew it was gonna be fiasco. I didn't really
think was gonna end up like it did but -
170
00:13:41,860 --> 00:13:43,600
I knew it wasn't gonna look pretty.
171
00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:47,660
Since the show was going to air from a remote location,
172
00:13:47,660 --> 00:13:50,440
Steven hastily looked for people who help.
173
00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:54,280
A former employer of his, Sam woods, was approached.
174
00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:59,880
This is the room of Sam woods. I used to cut his grass.
175
00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:02,000
He's a filmmaker
176
00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:05,320
and he used to do soap operas and
177
00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:11,240
we're gonna ask him if he wants to direct the show...
178
00:14:11,980 --> 00:14:17,260
Because I think he'd be perfect and he's a name and that would that good for us.
179
00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,360
So I've had to talk to Locus and try to
180
00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,860
convince him about but he's going for
it... and here they come so, I'm going to turn it down.
181
00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:26,760
Steven... that's right.
182
00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:33,080
And I'm Locus. Nice to meet you.
183
00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:38,560
Well they say that up to up to 50,000 people could possibly be watching at any time,
184
00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:40,360
but they don't know exactly how many but
185
00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:42,880
but we're selling lots of t-shirts.
186
00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:45,520
So that's a good sign I think.
187
00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,920
Anyway we have this idea we want to taking this like direction
188
00:14:49,220 --> 00:14:52,520
where it's gonna become much
bigger and it'll be really cool if you
189
00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:56,120
could you know help us out; if you could
direct the show. I know that you used to
190
00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:57,720
direct soap operas.
191
00:14:57,980 --> 00:14:59,460
Network soaps.
192
00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:08,280
This union of cable access show and former Network soap director never made sense to anyone.
193
00:15:08,740 --> 00:15:13,100
Though it was later discovered that Steven was paying Sam out of his own pocket
194
00:15:13,380 --> 00:15:16,280
in an act of desperation to save Fact or Fiction.
195
00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:26,920
We're in business yeah... yeah this is cool.
196
00:15:30,500 --> 00:15:36,090
Sam Woods, a once successful television soap director
197
00:15:36,090 --> 00:15:39,160
became one of the people I would question about these
events.
198
00:15:39,380 --> 00:15:41,660
In stark contrast to his work,
199
00:15:41,660 --> 00:15:45,560
meeting him was another road sign on my travel into a surreal world.
200
00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:48,320
Well, this devil hunt thing never appealed to me.
201
00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:52,000
We're getting into a pretty flaky area there, you know?
202
00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:57,590
I think the kids were they were asking for it with that one.
203
00:15:57,590 --> 00:16:02,180
Not the kind of not the kind of
work I do, you know what I mean?
204
00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:03,320
Not what I do.
205
00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,440
For the internet end, Jay McDowell
was enlisted.
206
00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:11,640
Well, they came to me with a seedling idea they said you know
207
00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:15,200
we want it we want to use some of this technology you've been using for
teleconferencing
208
00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:20,280
for video conferencing and we want to, you know, we want to turn this into a broadcasting.
209
00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:23,400
They had heard some talk about it they
had seen some sites that were trying to
210
00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:27,880
do some stuff like that, so they wanted
something like that they wanted to do it
211
00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:33,280
a live a live thing rather than like, you
know, streaming canned video.
212
00:16:33,900 --> 00:16:36,840
They wanted to actually broadcast and compress it all live.
213
00:16:36,980 --> 00:16:43,020
So they basically just came to me with that seedling of an idea and I had to figure out, you know,
214
00:16:43,020 --> 00:16:47,260
the technical aspects of how to make it happen, and make it real and
215
00:16:47,540 --> 00:16:51,160
you know, kind of the packaging for it what it was really gonna be in the final product.
216
00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:55,940
Steven and Locus decided that they
needed additional help at the actual location.
217
00:16:56,140 --> 00:16:59,720
They searched vaguely for a
sound man and a guide
218
00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:03,480
and on December 7, 1995, worlds collided.
219
00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:09,200
Okay, we're at Rein's and we've come today to meet him
in hopes that he'll be able to help us
220
00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:13,790
out on our trip to the Pine Barrens.
Basically Rein is an audio whiz and
221
00:17:13,790 --> 00:17:19,400
supposeBly he's been able to document -
supposeDly he's been able to document
222
00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:24,360
you know paranormal occurrences on tape.
So that's what we're gonna see today.
223
00:17:24,360 --> 00:17:28,520
We're also going to be meeting Jim, who
does some psychic things
224
00:17:28,780 --> 00:17:32,540
And we'll see, you know. Hopefully these guys will fit the bill and we'll be able to go down to
225
00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:35,520
the Pine Barrens with them, you know.
Could use the extra help.
226
00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:39,300
Is that good? yeah you got enough?
227
00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:43,740
I hope this damn mic works. You ready?
okay.
228
00:17:47,140 --> 00:17:50,000
Remember, play it cool. Play it cool.
229
00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,120
is this gonna blow us this airplane
sound?
230
00:17:53,120 --> 00:17:54,440
Come one.
231
00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:57,960
Steven, this is Rein.
232
00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:02,800
right yeah I'm, I'm Locus. Locus?
233
00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:07,340
(weird echo sounds)
234
00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:10,640
So you just taped us?
235
00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:12,920
Yeah, I guess so accidentally.
236
00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,080
So do you have a surveillance setup?
237
00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:24,840
Well, for the time being I did. This used to be a sound studio.
238
00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,160
I think maybe Jim has arrived now.
239
00:18:32,120 --> 00:18:36,960
hey man, you seem to have pre-deterrmined that we met.
240
00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:40,640
hold on hey hey yeah Jim what's up?
241
00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:42,160
how are you?
242
00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:42,940
Doing pretty good.
243
00:18:43,100 --> 00:18:43,660
Lotus.
244
00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:46,471
um... Locus.
245
00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:50,720
How are you? I'm Jim.
246
00:18:52,120 --> 00:18:57,600
It was inevitable that this combination of the internet, a television show about paranormal happenings,
247
00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:02,960
and similar ages, would draw Jim Suerd to Fact or Fiction.
248
00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:11,420
so just to give some, a little background, you know basically we're going to be doing this
249
00:19:11,420 --> 00:19:17,420
webcast, cablecast in the in search of
the Jersey Devil, the Leeds devil,
250
00:19:17,429 --> 00:19:21,539
down in the Pine Barrens. And basically why we've gotten you guys together here is
251
00:19:21,539 --> 00:19:27,419
because you have skills regarding audio
and paranormal activity so we're hoping
252
00:19:27,420 --> 00:19:31,440
that you can help us in that way, and you
have these psychic abilities.
253
00:19:31,920 --> 00:19:37,560
Psychic abilities, I feel that I can I can really help out. I understand what you're trying to do and
254
00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:39,580
I really think that I can help out.
255
00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:42,760
You can help us find help us find a location.
256
00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:44,840
you can help us tap into whatever we
need.
257
00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:46,840
I can pinpoint that location.
258
00:19:48,340 --> 00:19:54,560
Jim came to me one day and told me how
excited he was that he had met these
259
00:19:54,560 --> 00:20:00,840
people over the Internet. It was some
show, Fact or Fiction,
260
00:20:01,260 --> 00:20:05,300
and he was to be their guide in the Pine Barrens
261
00:20:05,300 --> 00:20:09,040
and what really amazed me, I just didn't think
262
00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:14,779
he knew or had any knowledge of the Pine
Barrens to be able to even be a guide.
263
00:20:14,779 --> 00:20:18,840
But he seemed so excited about it.
264
00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:21,400
This... is this good?
265
00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:23,400
Do you want to hold them up or do you
266
00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,240
Just like this.
267
00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:32,460
Six Spade.
268
00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:37,400
Seven Spade.
269
00:20:39,020 --> 00:20:40,720
Four Spade.
270
00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:45,840
Five Spade
271
00:20:46,700 --> 00:20:47,760
Eight Club.
272
00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:49,880
Eight Diamond.
273
00:21:07,360 --> 00:21:13,740
I saw him probably about two or three
weeks before the incident.
274
00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,940
I ran into him at a shopping mall.
275
00:21:19,140 --> 00:21:21,820
And he was very excited about his life.
276
00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:25,240
He said he was studying acting.
277
00:21:25,660 --> 00:21:29,900
His magic was coming together. People were appreciating it.
278
00:21:29,919 --> 00:21:34,899
combined with the acting, I guess he did
a few gigs on a small level but it was
279
00:21:34,899 --> 00:21:37,200
it was going very very well.
280
00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:48,480
Give him more ashes. Give him more ashes.
281
00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:50,960
There's something on his arm.
282
00:21:57,520 --> 00:21:59,680
What does this mean?
283
00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:03,160
I don't know
284
00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:10,120
Back off. Back off. Are you recording this?
285
00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:14,320
Was Jim psychic?
286
00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:16,280
It was not likely.
287
00:22:16,740 --> 00:22:17,940
The card demonstration,
288
00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:21,760
and the supposed psychic fit, in which numbers appeared on his arm,
289
00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:23,780
were nothing more than simple tricks.
290
00:22:24,120 --> 00:22:26,100
- Known to any amateur magician.
291
00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:32,780
To Steven and Locus, Rein Clackin and Jim Suerd were perfect for Fact or Fiction.
292
00:22:33,180 --> 00:22:37,240
Youthful, eager and strange.
293
00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:56,000
On December 15th 1995, Steve Avkast, Lous Wheeler, Rein Clackin and Jim Suerd
294
00:22:56,300 --> 00:23:00,200
headed for the Pine Barrens of New Jersey to do a live broadcast
295
00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:02,420
in search of the Jersey Devil.
296
00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:07,220
Jim Suerd would be the only one to return.
297
00:23:09,740 --> 00:23:12,320
nine-one-one what is your emergency?
298
00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:18,320
My name is Jim Suerd and I just hitchhiked here from the middle of Pine Barrens.
299
00:23:18,620 --> 00:23:23,140
and I can't seem to get - I can't seem to find the people that I was in the Pine Barrens with
300
00:23:23,500 --> 00:23:24,340
with an us camping with him last night
doing a project.
301
00:23:24,740 --> 00:23:25,660
(operator) Are you lost?
302
00:23:25,900 --> 00:23:30,560
I'm not I'm not lost I'm just trying to
I can't find the people who drove me here.
303
00:23:30,560 --> 00:23:35,820
and you know I looked around for
them and I went back to the site where we
304
00:23:35,820 --> 00:23:38,730
had parked and they're not at the van
and they're nowhere to be found like I
305
00:23:38,730 --> 00:23:39,700
don't know where they are.
306
00:23:40,260 --> 00:23:42,160
(operator) Their vehicle is still there?
307
00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:43,140
The vehicle is still there.
308
00:23:43,140 --> 00:23:45,120
and I had to hitchhike to this payphone.
309
00:23:45,380 --> 00:23:48,180
(operator) How far are you from the vehicle right now?
310
00:23:48,580 --> 00:23:54,400
I'm about five five, somewhere, you know -
five ten miles from it. I don't know.
311
00:23:54,420 --> 00:23:56,040
(operator) Okay Jim, we'll send someone out.
312
00:23:56,480 --> 00:24:04,300
After mr. Suerd made the call, we went to the area that he specified and did a preliminary look around,
313
00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:08,500
under a missing-persons investigation.
314
00:24:08,820 --> 00:24:14,520
I mean I just figured that was one of the little stints to do just to try to get that extra sensationalism.
315
00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:17,160
so I I didn't think anything of it at first.
316
00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:20,700
You know I kind of expected them to try something like that.
317
00:24:21,060 --> 00:24:24,420
We have a 187. Repeat, we have a 187.
318
00:24:25,020 --> 00:24:27,840
This isn't a missing person's report anymore.
319
00:24:28,740 --> 00:24:29,500
912?
320
00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:33,640
We're clear. Do you need emergency support?
321
00:24:34,460 --> 00:24:35,100
1012
322
00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:38,500
No. This guy's definitely DOA.
323
00:24:39,260 --> 00:24:44,340
One body we found approximately 2.5 miles from the campsite.
324
00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:49,420
The other body, we found approximately three miles from the campsite.
325
00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:52,500
The body of Steven Avkast was never found.
326
00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:59,880
Large amounts of blood in the snow and a hat were all that remained of this third victim.
327
00:25:00,500 --> 00:25:05,160
In any murder investigation, anybody
associated with the victims is a suspect.
328
00:25:05,179 --> 00:25:11,460
our job is to eliminate suspects based
on the evidence that we sift through and
329
00:25:11,460 --> 00:25:16,559
that we gather, and as we sifted through
and gathered this evidence there was
330
00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:21,620
only one suspect left at the end and
that was mr. Jim Suerd.
331
00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:23,620
Who led everybody to the site?
332
00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:24,580
I did.
333
00:25:24,900 --> 00:25:28,100
Did anybody else know where you were going to set up and camp?
334
00:25:28,380 --> 00:25:32,280
Well, I was asked to uh, to find a place to camp.
335
00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:39,440
And I thought that I was doing a good job at
it and Rein continued to provoke me and uh
336
00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:43,840
and then give me a hard time about my
ability to locate the place
337
00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:50,460
that we would camp and ultimately just good led to an
argument and I ran away from the group.
338
00:25:50,460 --> 00:25:52,240
Did you hit him first?
339
00:25:53,220 --> 00:25:55,740
I don't know, I might have pushed him.
340
00:25:56,720 --> 00:26:00,100
Sometimes I can't remember if I, you know.
341
00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:07,180
I ran away from group and I found the spot I thought would be good to locate the Jersey Devil.
342
00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:12,640
After we got the permission from
the state of Pennsylvania to search
343
00:26:12,650 --> 00:26:17,720
Mr. Suerd's residence, we went to his
residence and we did conduct a search
344
00:26:17,720 --> 00:26:23,210
for anything that we felt would help us
in this case and we did find the
345
00:26:23,210 --> 00:26:25,540
garments that mr. Suerd was wearing
that night,
346
00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:27,480
with the blood of the three victims on it.
347
00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:31,920
Interestingly, the garments that mr. Suerd was wearing were merely
348
00:26:32,060 --> 00:26:36,020
lying right on his bedroom floor, along
with the other dirty laundry that was there.
349
00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:46,200
Even as Jim was arrested, the evidence continued to mount against him.
350
00:26:47,580 --> 00:26:53,480
We could tell that the nature of the
blows with the weapons that were used
351
00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:59,720
were consistent with the size and build
of the accused.
352
00:27:00,060 --> 00:27:08,400
In this case it was very clear that the attacker was using both hands with two weapons and was ambidextrous.
353
00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:12,540
And the suspect in this case is ambidextrous, which is quite rare.
354
00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:18,100
He was the only survivor in the place
where nobody else was.
355
00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:20,760
It doesn't look that good for him.
356
00:27:22,100 --> 00:27:23,780
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
357
00:27:24,020 --> 00:27:29,140
we will show that on December 15th 1995, Jim Suerd maliciously and with premeditation
358
00:27:29,140 --> 00:27:32,100
killed Rein Clackin and Locus Wheeler.
359
00:27:32,500 --> 00:27:36,420
We will show, without doubt, how he planned this well in advance of that day.
360
00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:43,580
We will show, with video shot by the deceased, that Jim Suerd was, and is, a devious and cunning person.
361
00:27:43,580 --> 00:27:47,760
using the guise of psychic to perpetrate these horrible acts.
362
00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:52,600
The proceedings that summer turned out to be one of the greatest spectacles of Baroake County history.
363
00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:55,040
The trial attracted a strange assemblage of cult followers,
364
00:27:55,040 --> 00:28:00,320
ritual homicide fanatics and others seeking to satisfy their morbid curiosity.
365
00:28:00,780 --> 00:28:04,300
Eventually, it became a matter of trying to keep the tabloid at bay.
366
00:28:04,740 --> 00:28:06,520
An effort which was not entirely successful .
367
00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:13,480
When the court case came up, the media frenzy was hysterical.
368
00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:17,960
I felt like they were you -- somebody was watching me like every minute.
369
00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:23,960
They were talking to everybody, everybody who had the slightest thing to do with the show.
370
00:28:24,340 --> 00:28:28,920
Who knows, they probably talked to every single viewer that said they watched the show.
371
00:28:30,360 --> 00:28:35,850
Reporters day in and day out and police
here just taking everything they could;
372
00:28:35,850 --> 00:28:41,880
anything it was every videotape every
prop, and I mean it was ridiculous.
373
00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:45,460
I don't know what they were looking for,
all they were getting was a bunch of bad television.
374
00:28:48,660 --> 00:28:54,100
In an election year, what the prosecution was looking for was an open and shut case.
375
00:28:54,340 --> 00:28:59,220
And in the state of New Jersey versus Jim Suerd, they found it.
376
00:28:59,220 --> 00:29:03,810
Not content to leave any stone unturned they decided to utilize the very video that
377
00:29:03,810 --> 00:29:06,860
Steven Avkast and Locus Wheeler had
shot.
378
00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:13,980
The man, who would later by the press come to be known as the killer cutter, was hired to go through this video.
379
00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:18,060
and put together an incriminating image of Jim Suerd.
380
00:29:18,060 --> 00:29:24,580
The prosecution contacted me in early
January 1996.
381
00:29:24,940 --> 00:29:30,640
They had a pretty good case against him, it seemed to me from what I saw.
382
00:29:30,940 --> 00:29:37,260
They had blood evidence, they'd found the blood and you know this was the only guy there.
383
00:29:37,920 --> 00:29:42,180
And he was the only one that knew where it was.
384
00:29:42,540 --> 00:29:45,520
But they wanted to clinch this case.
385
00:29:45,520 --> 00:29:47,540
They didn't want, they really wanted to get him.
386
00:29:47,540 --> 00:29:52,100
They didn't want any there to be any question that he had done it.
387
00:29:53,140 --> 00:29:58,420
So they can't that came to me with all this
videotape, like 15 hours of videotape.
388
00:29:58,420 --> 00:30:04,160
And this was video that these guys who did
this cable show had shot on location.
389
00:30:04,170 --> 00:30:07,680
I'd never really edited anything like I mean I'd never seen
390
00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:11,820
anything like this before, I mean this
was like video from the crime scene.
391
00:30:11,820 --> 00:30:16,590
And normally, you know, I've got, you
know, hours and hours of people
392
00:30:16,590 --> 00:30:21,600
talking heads like, you know in
some room somewhere badly shot.
393
00:30:21,600 --> 00:30:25,280
This was badly shot but at least it
was out in the woods, you know.
394
00:30:25,500 --> 00:30:26,000
It was different.
395
00:30:27,060 --> 00:30:30,400
The prosecution's video was intended to show facts.
396
00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:35,720
Perhaps, not inadvertently, it also created an intimacy with the murdered three,
397
00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:37,300
that the defense was unhappy with.
398
00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:45,220
They protested it, deeming it an unfair swaying towards a guilty verdict.
399
00:30:45,720 --> 00:30:51,980
This was not enough reason for the video to be struck down and so it was used.
400
00:30:52,820 --> 00:30:59,860
The first point demonstrated that Jim was indeed leading the group into very remote regions of the Pine Barrens.
401
00:30:59,860 --> 00:31:04,520
Areas where there was no hope for help or aid from the civilized world.
402
00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:07,300
the following represents excerpts
403
00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:10,527
from the first section of the prosecution video.
404
00:31:10,527 --> 00:31:15,460
Over 54 minutes of video showing the for wandering deeper into the pines was shot.
405
00:31:16,460 --> 00:31:22,960
It is estimated that the four walked for more than two hours before Jim finally decided upon the location of their operations.
406
00:31:23,420 --> 00:31:26,220
Hey guys he's starting to go to go. Let's get the stuff together.
407
00:31:28,460 --> 00:31:29,980
so what's the deal Jim?
408
00:31:31,560 --> 00:31:34,280
Something's come right through here.
409
00:31:36,780 --> 00:31:41,340
When Jim finally found the perfect
location, it was more than three miles
410
00:31:41,340 --> 00:31:45,920
from their van and the nearest access road.
411
00:31:47,460 --> 00:31:52,700
The second point was to make evident a
defendant who had an agenda an agenda.
412
00:31:52,700 --> 00:31:56,480
- An agenda warped enough to commit these murders.
413
00:31:59,920 --> 00:32:06,660
I've been contacting the supernatural world for the last week.
414
00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:13,000
last couple days I've been in contact getting my spiritual self together this journey.
415
00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:18,520
we've we've put put ourselves out on and
416
00:32:18,580 --> 00:32:22,960
we are headed in the right direction, I
can assure you.
417
00:32:24,660 --> 00:32:29,960
I can feel it. It's a gut instinct in my body that -
418
00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:32,880
we're going to find the Leeds devil -
419
00:32:33,040 --> 00:32:39,340
and we're going to settle this case, once and for all.
420
00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:48,820
I feel that know what I'm doing here and for you is perfectly authentic.
421
00:32:49,060 --> 00:32:54,740
I have a feeling inside it's it's a definite feeling -
422
00:32:54,740 --> 00:33:01,220
we are at a place where with the Jersey Devil. We will encounter
423
00:33:01,220 --> 00:33:03,880
The Jersey Devil.
424
00:33:04,460 --> 00:33:05,880
I know we're headed in the right direction.
425
00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:11,820
Repeated phrases such as, "we're
going to settle this thing once and for all"
426
00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:16,600
and "I know we're headed in the right
direction",
427
00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:19,040
seemed to clearly show Jim's agenda.
428
00:33:19,620 --> 00:33:23,920
It didn't take much to read into these phrases,
429
00:33:24,500 --> 00:33:28,320
and see an individual with a plan that was to be carried out in the desolate Pine Barrens.
430
00:33:31,740 --> 00:33:33,500
As the prosecution's video progressed,
431
00:33:33,500 --> 00:33:35,860
Jim's personality changed...
432
00:33:35,860 --> 00:33:38,040
from a quiet and shy person,
433
00:33:38,320 --> 00:33:41,900
to one that presented the prosecution with an opportunity
434
00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:45,440
to show the violent nature just below the surface.
435
00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:49,160
Look man,
436
00:33:50,360 --> 00:33:54,280
I'll see you back at camp, man!
437
00:33:56,640 --> 00:33:59,280
I don't know what Jim's doing.
438
00:33:59,480 --> 00:34:01,320
I think he's talking
about burning something.
439
00:34:01,880 --> 00:34:04,120
An agenda proven, and a potential violent streak proven,
440
00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:11,360
the prosecution solidified their first-degree murder case against Suerd with video taken in the barn.
441
00:34:11,400 --> 00:34:15,120
Video in which the original date of the trip
appeared on Suerd's arm.
442
00:34:15,640 --> 00:34:20,520
The defense attempted to have this also struck from the records,
443
00:34:20,560 --> 00:34:23,280
claiming the video of Suerd to be that of a character he was playing.
444
00:34:23,640 --> 00:34:29,040
The prosecution countered by agreeing fully with this assessment of Suerd and the events in the barn.
445
00:34:29,040 --> 00:34:32,600
events that had taken place a full two
weeks before the trip;
446
00:34:33,280 --> 00:34:36,280
the best argument for premeditated murder.
447
00:35:03,120 --> 00:35:05,680
The trip began at sunrise.
448
00:35:05,680 --> 00:35:08,840
Steven ran a videocamera much of the time,
449
00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:13,440
documenting what should have been
amusing but banal preparation.
450
00:35:17,080 --> 00:35:20,640
Locus, do you wanna do a blurb about?
451
00:35:20,640 --> 00:35:22,640
Yeah, I'll do it.
452
00:35:23,760 --> 00:35:26,600
yeah but I'm getting light... the backlight's killing your face.
453
00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:29,000
What do you mean the backlight's killing my face?
454
00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:33,360
Why don't you adjust it? What do you mean you can't?
455
00:35:33,840 --> 00:35:41,280
okay you ready? Okay, we're here at Rein's barn, and we're getting...
456
00:35:41,920 --> 00:35:46,760
Come on, I'm trying to get at this on camera...
457
00:35:49,480 --> 00:35:56,400
The trip, guided by Jim, took them into
the loneliest of areas on a lonely cold
458
00:35:56,960 --> 00:35:59,360
Here's to you, Steven.
459
00:35:59,360 --> 00:36:01,360
A stop at a gas station was the last obvious landmark,
460
00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:06,320
before they moved into the unidentifiable roads of the Pine Barrens.
461
00:36:06,680 --> 00:36:10,640
at a certain point, at Jim's request,
462
00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:12,960
they stopped, parked and started
463
00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:14,040
walking into the woods.
464
00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:18,640
following the psychic visions of Suerd.
465
00:36:19,040 --> 00:36:23,840
He's gonna do it this is part of the show we gotta do it in a place he thinks is right.
466
00:36:23,840 --> 00:36:26,040
Because if we're gonna find something
467
00:36:26,040 --> 00:36:27,160
yeah we could fake it, but I don't go for that.
468
00:36:27,160 --> 00:36:29,800
I think we should go for real
469
00:36:29,800 --> 00:36:34,960
and he's off doing his thing that's why we got him here.
470
00:36:38,360 --> 00:36:41,120
We knew this would be it. We knew, we all
talked about. We knew we were going to be way out here.
471
00:36:41,120 --> 00:36:44,480
Here he comes. Let's see what he says.
472
00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:50,760
Where did you get this guy from anyway?
473
00:36:51,320 --> 00:36:54,360
Psychics R US?
474
00:36:56,520 --> 00:36:58,960
I think this is a pretty good idea.
475
00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:03,200
Us waiting around and then him finding the spot you know and then taking the stuff over to it.
476
00:37:03,200 --> 00:37:07,840
Yeah we still gonna go back to the car and get stuff, man.
477
00:37:07,840 --> 00:37:12,560
I don't think he even knows that.
Is he volunteering ? I don't think so.
478
00:37:12,560 --> 00:37:15,600
Well, I know he's not carrying too much.
But you know what he said about that...
479
00:37:16,160 --> 00:37:17,640
it's a vibe thing.
480
00:37:18,560 --> 00:37:20,880
[Host] Tensions increases as they work further
481
00:37:21,280 --> 00:37:28,160
into the forsaken Pines. And then a key
point in the prosecution video arrives.
482
00:37:29,520 --> 00:37:35,160
Jim... are you a psychic or a psycho?
483
00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:42,400
Look man! I'll see you back at camp!
484
00:37:43,960 --> 00:37:49,680
Approximately one hour later,
judging from the Sun, a camp is being built.
485
00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:52,520
Discussions are already being had about Suerd.
486
00:37:53,240 --> 00:37:54,520
Suerd is not helping.
487
00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:57,200
He's keeping to himself.
488
00:37:58,240 --> 00:38:02,869
For the next two hours, the video of the
group is a collection of promotions for
489
00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:06,770
future cable shows; the camera frequently
left on between takes.
490
00:38:07,440 --> 00:38:11,080
This is Locus reporting from the Pine
Barrens and I'm with Rein.
491
00:38:11,080 --> 00:38:14,320
our sound man. Gee, Rein I'm pretty parched.
492
00:38:14,700 --> 00:38:15,260
I sure am, too.
493
00:38:15,640 --> 00:38:17,880
- Wow is that is that mulberry
494
00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:19,800
natural spring water?
495
00:38:19,800 --> 00:38:21,151
Yes from Mueller's.
496
00:38:21,160 --> 00:38:23,640
Wow, how about - I wish I could have a
497
00:38:23,640 --> 00:38:26,140
sparkling glass of that.
498
00:38:26,140 --> 00:38:28,780
Boy I'm telling you and in a gallon jar.
499
00:38:28,780 --> 00:38:29,720
Jug
500
00:38:29,720 --> 00:38:30,720
[host] the mood is good.
501
00:38:30,840 --> 00:38:31,920
Let's do that again.
502
00:38:32,160 --> 00:38:37,300
[host] Jim does not join them, instead staying in the tent on IRC.
503
00:38:39,120 --> 00:38:46,640
I don't really feel like I'm being taken
very seriously, by really any of you.
504
00:38:47,100 --> 00:38:51,660
I'm taking you seriously. We set up here you know.
505
00:38:52,980 --> 00:38:56,620
I'm doing what what I do and
506
00:38:56,620 --> 00:38:59,060
I don't appreciate being laughed at.
507
00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:04,340
Well it's just a stress thing.
508
00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:09,800
Look we're gonna be going on in a bit. You gonna come out for the broadcast?
509
00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:17,340
I think that I'll probably stay in here
510
00:39:19,660 --> 00:39:22,080
Stay on IRC
511
00:39:24,380 --> 00:39:28,020
At 10 p.m. in what will be the last broadcast,
512
00:39:28,500 --> 00:39:30,800
Fact or Fiction goes live.
513
00:39:31,460 --> 00:39:33,200
This is Johnny
514
00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:34,260
and Locus
515
00:39:34,560 --> 00:39:43,160
and we are live in the Pine Barrens where tonight we are doing a first ever, internet broadcast, cable...
516
00:39:48,320 --> 00:39:52,920
Jim has been on IRC for two hours and 30
minutes.
517
00:39:52,920 --> 00:39:56,740
A surveillance camera records the camp to VHS tape.
518
00:39:56,740 --> 00:40:00,240
It runs for 2 hours before shutting off.
519
00:40:00,240 --> 00:40:07,000
At 1:00 a.m. the last tape in the series of 22 tapes shot
by Locus Wheeler and Rein Clackin
520
00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:09,200
reaches its end.
521
00:40:13,760 --> 00:40:16,380
- Man, this thing's still on. What the hell's going on?
522
00:40:16,700 --> 00:40:19,420
Oh, I must have left it on. we should change tapes.
523
00:40:19,920 --> 00:40:21,940
Did you change tapes?
Here, I'm gonna change tapes in this.
524
00:40:21,940 --> 00:40:26,260
[host] There is no indication that this is done.
525
00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:29,220
No other footage exists.
526
00:40:48,700 --> 00:40:53,300
The tape show a group of men going
through a wide range of emotions.
527
00:40:53,300 --> 00:40:56,640
seemingly enjoying their jaunt into the
pine barrens.
528
00:40:58,040 --> 00:41:04,620
The tape shows the brooding nature of one man who does not share in the frivolity.
529
00:41:04,980 --> 00:41:10,760
The tapes do make clear the maladjusted nature of Jim Suerd.
530
00:41:12,460 --> 00:41:16,540
Though Suerd maintained his innocence,
the facts were indisputable.
531
00:41:17,820 --> 00:41:21,200
Four people went into the Pine Barrens, only Jim returned .
532
00:41:21,200 --> 00:41:24,360
Blood of all three was found on on Jim's shirt.
533
00:41:24,660 --> 00:41:27,360
Pushing Rein showed a
potential violent streak.
534
00:41:27,720 --> 00:41:32,910
The angle and depth of the cuts and lacerations matched somebody of his height and weight
535
00:41:32,910 --> 00:41:36,239
and more importantly ambidextrous nature.
536
00:41:36,239 --> 00:41:38,660
the number, which closely matched
537
00:41:38,669 --> 00:41:42,119
the date of the murders appearing
through ashes on his arm, was deemed to
538
00:41:42,119 --> 00:41:44,420
be a good case for premeditated murder.
539
00:41:44,420 --> 00:41:48,220
The tape showing the four walking further and further into the woods,
540
00:41:48,560 --> 00:41:51,660
virtually guaranteed a seclusion from civilization;
541
00:41:51,840 --> 00:41:54,559
civilization that would make the killing easier.
542
00:41:54,559 --> 00:41:56,909
the defense's one victory was
543
00:41:56,909 --> 00:42:01,140
getting a third charge of murder, the
murder of Steven Avkast, dropped.
544
00:42:01,920 --> 00:42:05,460
Though a body is not necessarily needed to prove a murder,
545
00:42:05,700 --> 00:42:09,360
the prosecution had more than enough evidence with the two bodies that were found.
546
00:42:10,100 --> 00:42:13,980
on July 16th 1996
547
00:42:13,980 --> 00:42:18,520
Jim Suerd was found guilty on two counts of first degree murder.
548
00:42:18,520 --> 00:42:23,540
He was sentenced to two life terms to be served consecutively.
549
00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:39,440
[guitar and singing] Went out with little Sadie and I shot it down, come back home, crawled into bed with a .44 pistol under my head.
550
00:42:39,720 --> 00:42:45,800
I think the whole trial was a kangaroo court of sorts, a pig circus.
551
00:42:46,460 --> 00:42:50,680
I mean it's there the police obviously didn't do their homework.
552
00:42:51,000 --> 00:42:55,400
They're not investigating to the best of their ability,
553
00:42:55,600 --> 00:42:58,760
because there has to be -
554
00:43:00,480 --> 00:43:07,200
There has to be some evidence indicating somebody else or something else.
555
00:43:07,200 --> 00:43:11,880
[jim singing]
556
00:43:12,560 --> 00:43:16,360
The case they built up against him, it was
all circumstantial.
557
00:43:16,920 --> 00:43:20,960
They didn't have any actual evidence that he did this but I mean he was the only one there.
558
00:43:20,960 --> 00:43:22,998
They really had no one else to go on.
559
00:43:22,998 --> 00:43:24,980
I don't consider having the blood of
560
00:43:24,980 --> 00:43:27,740
victims all over your clothes as circumstantial.
561
00:43:27,740 --> 00:43:30,590
I mean that's pretty hard evidence as
far as I'm concerned. You don't get blood
562
00:43:30,590 --> 00:43:35,990
on your clothes from a murder victim, you know, just out of the air.
563
00:43:35,990 --> 00:43:40,580
I mean, you have to be there conducting
those murders to get that blood on your clothes.
564
00:43:40,580 --> 00:43:45,000
I don't consider that circumstantial in the least.
565
00:43:46,920 --> 00:43:51,120
[Jim] and I can't explain that I can't explain
why
566
00:43:51,160 --> 00:43:53,520
there would be blood on my shirt.
567
00:43:54,360 --> 00:43:55,980
[detective] would you agree that it looks bad?
568
00:43:56,080 --> 00:43:56,780
[Jim] Excuse me?
569
00:43:57,000 --> 00:43:59,560
[detective] Would you agree that things don't look very
good for you right now?
570
00:43:59,920 --> 00:44:05,640
[Jim] I don't, I don't the way that you're telling me it doesn't look that good for me but I
571
00:44:05,640 --> 00:44:08,771
can't understand where this evidence came from.
572
00:44:08,780 --> 00:44:13,420
The evidence of blood on Jim's shirt was a strong point for the prosecution.
573
00:44:14,060 --> 00:44:15,620
DNA tests showed
574
00:44:15,620 --> 00:44:20,500
indisputably that it was the blood of
the three that had gone into the woods with Suerd.
575
00:44:20,960 --> 00:44:25,160
As I look at the images of DNA patterns and pools of blood, I wonder though
576
00:44:25,500 --> 00:44:30,960
if perhaps the jury anxious not to ignore DNA evidence as it happened in other trials.
577
00:44:30,960 --> 00:44:35,080
perhaps looked too closely.
578
00:44:35,080 --> 00:44:40,402
Through the magnifying glass of the prosecution's microscope, the evidence was solid.
579
00:44:40,402 --> 00:44:43,860
However a macroscopic view begged another question.
580
00:44:44,080 --> 00:44:46,980
Could the master of this orgy of violence have walked
581
00:44:46,980 --> 00:44:51,840
away from his work with merely the
equivalent of 17 I drops of blood on his shirt...
582
00:44:52,020 --> 00:44:53,340
and nothing else?
583
00:44:54,060 --> 00:44:56,660
you know, every piece of evidence they would get
584
00:44:56,670 --> 00:45:00,960
they'd try to tie it somehow, instead of thinking
585
00:45:00,960 --> 00:45:05,010
okay well gee, does this have anything to do with something else
586
00:45:05,010 --> 00:45:07,200
would always take a piece of evidence
and go -
587
00:45:07,480 --> 00:45:10,580
well gee how could Jimmy have used this?
588
00:45:10,580 --> 00:45:12,420
and it's kind of like, after a while, it's
589
00:45:12,700 --> 00:45:15,680
like building up a house of cards
590
00:45:15,690 --> 00:45:20,490
they just kept building up building up
and eventually they had enough built up
591
00:45:20,490 --> 00:45:22,600
to get a case against him.
592
00:45:24,120 --> 00:45:27,460
[Jim] I wasn't really monitoring there conduct outside of camp.
593
00:45:28,280 --> 00:45:29,480
I was doing my thing.
594
00:45:29,640 --> 00:45:30,360
[detective] what were you doing?
595
00:45:30,520 --> 00:45:31,680
[Jim] I was on the IRC.
596
00:45:31,880 --> 00:45:32,680
[detective] In the tent?
597
00:45:32,720 --> 00:45:33,300
[Jim] Yeah.
598
00:45:33,480 --> 00:45:34,260
[detective] All night?
599
00:45:34,500 --> 00:45:35,000
[Jim] all night
600
00:45:35,340 --> 00:45:37,640
[detective] About what time did you start on IRC?
601
00:45:40,080 --> 00:45:43,300
[Jim] Probably around that 8:30
602
00:45:43,800 --> 00:45:47,880
When we we've interviewed some of the individuals
603
00:45:48,100 --> 00:45:53,099
that mr. Suerd claimed to have been talking with on IRC that evening,
604
00:45:53,100 --> 00:45:59,280
and we've looked at their logs as well, too - their
605
00:45:59,280 --> 00:46:02,600
their uh their chat logs from their from their computers,
606
00:46:02,920 --> 00:46:05,400
and we have determined
607
00:46:05,400 --> 00:46:12,960
that there was about a 45 minute gap
between when mr. Suerd made one comment
608
00:46:13,480 --> 00:46:14,960
to when he made the next comment.
609
00:46:14,960 --> 00:46:19,100
and 45 minutes is an awfully long time to not
610
00:46:19,109 --> 00:46:22,220
be responding to other people on the Internet.
611
00:46:22,220 --> 00:46:27,780
They say this the the signal signal
dropped out so you know Jim
612
00:46:27,780 --> 00:46:31,340
could have walked away and I guess that
that is possible...
613
00:46:31,640 --> 00:46:33,254
It is possible, yes.
614
00:46:33,254 --> 00:46:38,339
You don't necessarily have to be a world-class sprint runner -
615
00:46:38,340 --> 00:46:42,680
- to cover that that amount of ground in 45 minutes.
616
00:46:47,200 --> 00:46:49,200
[gun shot]
617
00:47:02,440 --> 00:47:04,440
[modem dialing]
618
00:47:14,960 --> 00:47:20,720
In a way I have to raise doubts of this
one guy doing all that to these bodies.
619
00:47:20,760 --> 00:47:30,320
The the murdered pair, they were
darlings of the media.
620
00:47:30,320 --> 00:47:35,400
It was one of the reasons they jumped on this whole thing so quickly and had to come up with
621
00:47:35,400 --> 00:47:41,080
a conclusion of what happened was
just that: it was their very own.
622
00:47:41,480 --> 00:47:47,040
As professionals in law enforcement, we do not feel the pressure from outside sources,
623
00:47:47,040 --> 00:47:51,560
be at the media or otherwise to conduct our investigations.
624
00:47:52,080 --> 00:47:56,080
We conduct them to to the best of our ability at all times.
625
00:47:56,600 --> 00:48:01,880
There were no other suspects to apprehend or to interview or to consider.
626
00:48:02,480 --> 00:48:06,600
All the evidence pointed that Mr. Suerd was the only suspect
627
00:48:06,600 --> 00:48:09,640
and therefore all we had to do was gather
628
00:48:09,640 --> 00:48:18,360
the evidence to prove mr. Suerd's guilt. We did not have to gather evidence to gather other suspects.
629
00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:30,880
On January 2nd, 1997, an event occurred that forced me to rethink the making of this documentary -
630
00:48:31,400 --> 00:48:34,920
- the very thesis with which I had begun the journey.
631
00:48:35,400 --> 00:48:41,400
Jim Suerd was found dead in his jail of undetermined causes.
632
00:48:42,920 --> 00:48:48,480
On January 3rd, a package arrived at my
door which I think in no way was
633
00:48:48,480 --> 00:48:50,640
coincidental with the death of Jim
Suerd.
634
00:49:04,120 --> 00:49:11,240
The acquiring of mysterious video tape has changed the mood behind the making of this documentary.
635
00:49:11,260 --> 00:49:14,480
Gone is the attempt to pure objectivity with which we started.
636
00:49:14,480 --> 00:49:17,200
Now we question, who gave us this tape?
637
00:49:17,520 --> 00:49:21,440
And more importantly, what, if any information, does it hold
638
00:49:21,460 --> 00:49:23,720
that was never brought up in the trial?
639
00:49:23,720 --> 00:49:28,520
Going to the authorities with this new tape is pondered but rejected.
640
00:49:28,520 --> 00:49:33,440
To them the case is closed and with Jim's death, appeals are a moot point.
641
00:49:33,800 --> 00:49:37,280
Nothing is ruled out. The tape could be a hoax.
642
00:49:38,160 --> 00:49:40,880
I am conscious of one thing though.
643
00:49:40,880 --> 00:49:43,600
My search for the truth behind the Fact or
Fiction murders
644
00:49:44,040 --> 00:49:47,360
has in some way become part of the story.
645
00:49:47,960 --> 00:49:51,000
There was this discussion on the last tape that
646
00:49:51,200 --> 00:49:57,080
they were going to change tapes. But whether that ever happened or not...
647
00:49:57,920 --> 00:50:00,640
I don't know.
648
00:50:01,000 --> 00:50:06,280
I didn't see any other tapes and from what I saw of the camera
649
00:50:06,280 --> 00:50:10,800
it was pretty damaged. So if there was
any tape in there...
650
00:50:10,800 --> 00:50:14,840
I doubt that it ever could be played.
651
00:50:20,560 --> 00:50:22,480
My name is Michele Monarch.
652
00:50:22,680 --> 00:50:25,679
I'm a magnetic media data recovery specialist.
653
00:50:25,680 --> 00:50:31,400
The particular videotape that I was given was mangled almost beyond recognition.
654
00:50:32,040 --> 00:50:35,120
I digitized sections of this particular video,
655
00:50:35,120 --> 00:50:42,200
placed it into the computer and am now reconstructing the actual picture frame by frame.
656
00:50:42,680 --> 00:50:46,400
and I have to guide the
computer to complete these pictures
657
00:50:46,400 --> 00:50:50,760
there was some that were easily captured
by the computer.
658
00:50:50,760 --> 00:50:55,560
Others were unrecognizable, and I'm rebuilding them now at this time.
659
00:51:02,120 --> 00:51:04,720
As the tape is reassembled by Shelly,
660
00:51:04,720 --> 00:51:08,880
it becomes apparent that some sections are rather viewable.
661
00:51:23,560 --> 00:51:28,800
And I'll say, yeah I'm here, you know. I'm here while Locus is out hunting for the Jersey Devil.
662
00:51:29,600 --> 00:51:31,680
And I'll be like, "ah, shut up"
663
00:51:32,320 --> 00:51:34,320
Yeah, you can be like, "I don't see him."
664
00:51:34,920 --> 00:51:36,360
No, no, we better not do that because, we've got to deliver on this show.
665
00:51:36,360 --> 00:51:37,960
This is the big one here.
666
00:51:42,520 --> 00:51:44,320
Okay are we ready there, Rein?
667
00:51:44,640 --> 00:51:48,160
Do you want me to still be rolling on
this stuff, Steven?
668
00:51:49,840 --> 00:51:53,360
Do you want to state that that whole thing. I think I kind of could hear you.
669
00:51:54,240 --> 00:51:56,640
I've been rolling the camera just messing around shooting camp stuff but
670
00:51:56,640 --> 00:51:58,200
could you - what was the deal with
671
00:51:58,960 --> 00:52:01,920
I don't care if he hears this or not.
don't I mean this is never gonna make it
672
00:52:02,160 --> 00:52:07,360
anything but the cutting room floor as
they would say film days. From what Sam was saying.
673
00:52:07,520 --> 00:52:09,280
Sam, boy even he was ---
674
00:52:10,240 --> 00:52:13,240
I don't want to be like a bitch all night.
675
00:52:14,600 --> 00:52:19,240
I'm going to take a walk out into the woods and do a scout out of the location.
676
00:52:20,360 --> 00:52:25,280
I also have to go the bathroom.
677
00:52:26,320 --> 00:52:29,760
Get on the trumpet, do that sound.
678
00:52:30,800 --> 00:52:34,960
Newark's doing its thing.
679
00:52:35,000 --> 00:52:36,720
Yeah, I know the airplanes from Newark. but eah we got
680
00:52:36,720 --> 00:52:44,960
we got a little bit from that one machine going, but I want to see you working for the reason you're out here.
681
00:52:44,960 --> 00:52:48,840
And Locus, come on, 1R 144 double X awaits you.
682
00:52:48,840 --> 00:52:50,840
Do some work, man!
683
00:52:51,800 --> 00:52:55,000
Sure Steven, Anything you say, big guy.
684
00:52:56,120 --> 00:53:02,000
I'll be back in about ten minutes.
685
00:53:05,800 --> 00:53:10,160
Hey, do me a favor and switch that machine on.
686
00:53:10,880 --> 00:53:13,160
There goes a little tyrant.
687
00:53:15,280 --> 00:53:19,320
here, come on I got the camera roll and do a Steven imitation for me.
688
00:53:32,880 --> 00:53:38,840
Oh no I'm talking about Steven being a
pussy I'm not talking about Jim being a pussy.
689
00:53:40,200 --> 00:53:43,320
Jim's one psycho mother fuck-kahh..
690
00:53:43,600 --> 00:53:45,600
He's scary, man.
691
00:53:46,120 --> 00:53:48,600
Let me get that on camera.
692
00:53:49,160 --> 00:53:49,787
that thing isn't running, is it?
693
00:53:49,800 --> 00:53:52,800
Of course it's running. We're supposed to record everything.
694
00:53:53,560 --> 00:53:58,000
give me a Jim - why don't you do that line that you said..
695
00:54:00,040 --> 00:54:03,880
What did you think when he pushed you?
696
00:54:04,160 --> 00:54:11,160
[garbled sound]
697
00:54:12,160 --> 00:54:16,320
Iwas a little bit... I don't know was weird and kind of it freaked me out, man.
698
00:54:16,320 --> 00:54:19,400
I didn't really expect him to be violent. I thought it was like
699
00:54:19,520 --> 00:54:23,360
see that's what I don't get, man. He's like
totally like
700
00:54:23,800 --> 00:54:28,120
I thought he was like one of those guys like you know those peace, fucking meditation dudes or something....
701
00:54:31,320 --> 00:54:35,720
[host] Following these recorded moments, a large portion of the tape is smashed.
702
00:54:36,240 --> 00:54:39,760
It is a section that Shelley will attempt to restore.
703
00:54:40,800 --> 00:54:46,640
The next section that is immediately viewable, happens somewhere in the middle of the tape.
704
00:54:51,760 --> 00:54:57,960
The first thing that is apparent is that
this is tape shot by Locus and Rein.
705
00:54:57,960 --> 00:55:02,040
Steven is nowhere to be seen. They are
searching for him.
706
00:55:02,520 --> 00:55:06,840
on her third day of restoration shelley makes another discovery.
707
00:55:07,440 --> 00:55:10,720
The anonymous tape is not from one, but two cameras.
708
00:55:11,200 --> 00:55:14,880
Both Rein and Locus took cameras into the forest.
709
00:55:15,200 --> 00:55:17,560
Let me get the light up here.
710
00:55:17,560 --> 00:55:19,760
This is fact or fiction.
711
00:55:20,120 --> 00:55:21,080
we can't find Steven.
712
00:55:21,080 --> 00:55:24,360
Here we are in the Pine Barrens on a trip that he drug us out here for.
713
00:55:24,360 --> 00:55:30,560
We did a webcast, simulcast, cast cast cable cast that really was pretty poor if you ask me.
714
00:55:30,560 --> 00:55:35,390
But that doesn't matter at this point
because Steven, our main host, is missing.
715
00:55:35,390 --> 00:55:38,028
Johnny. Johnny. Johnny love is gone.
716
00:55:38,028 --> 00:55:40,680
He's gone and we can't find him.
717
00:55:40,680 --> 00:55:44,740
All I want to do is drink some beer.
718
00:55:44,980 --> 00:55:49,160
see this is for you Steven. Even though
we don't know where you are,
719
00:55:49,160 --> 00:55:54,160
we just want you to know that we're being really loyal to this whole "shoot everything".
720
00:56:02,870 --> 00:56:08,940
In the sixth day of her work, Shelly puts
together a stunning piece of tape.
721
00:56:08,940 --> 00:56:12,830
It is a moment in time that proves so much.
722
00:56:16,280 --> 00:56:19,640
Footprint... I think it goes off this way.
723
00:56:22,040 --> 00:56:24,280
Do you see anything over there?
724
00:56:24,280 --> 00:56:25,946
He's been gone for a while.
725
00:56:25,946 --> 00:56:27,920
Do you know what time it is?
726
00:56:27,920 --> 00:56:31,920
It's I think it's late it's like,
727
00:56:32,720 --> 00:56:35,400
Two... Forty Five.
728
00:56:36,440 --> 00:56:38,480
Rein and Locus were alive
729
00:56:38,480 --> 00:56:43,820
and speaking the time to one another and
they were supposed to be being killed
730
00:56:43,820 --> 00:56:47,560
and they're alive and they're saying the time on the video.
731
00:56:47,560 --> 00:56:49,610
To me that proves that
732
00:56:49,610 --> 00:56:52,480
Jim absolutely was not killing them at that time.
733
00:56:52,480 --> 00:56:58,550
Jim is an innocent man and this was not
investigated in any way shape or form.
734
00:56:58,550 --> 00:57:03,840
It was overlooked. So many details were overlooked.
735
00:57:03,840 --> 00:57:06,140
Also if he's an innocent man,
736
00:57:06,140 --> 00:57:09,840
there's a killer on the loose.
737
00:57:09,840 --> 00:57:12,960
Shelly's work slowly gives voices to the dead.
738
00:57:13,440 --> 00:57:16,840
Ghosts caught on video.
739
00:57:17,200 --> 00:57:26,440
[garbled sound]
740
00:57:27,120 --> 00:57:32,320
[garbled sound] why is he acting so weird?
741
00:57:33,240 --> 00:57:38,200
[garbled sound] I feel weird about it.
742
00:57:38,560 --> 00:57:58,800
[garbled] I feel weird about it. why didn't. you try to stop him going into the woods.
743
00:58:01,360 --> 00:58:05,360
The processing of the tape is quickly becoming more difficult for Shelley.
744
00:58:05,800 --> 00:58:10,400
Now only bits and pieces tell the story of what happened in the woods.
745
00:58:11,000 --> 00:58:17,400
On February 5th, Shelley presents a section of videotape that is nothing short of horrifying.
746
00:58:18,040 --> 00:58:21,200
It intensifies the question of who the killer is.
747
00:59:10,400 --> 00:59:17,480
On February 7th Shelley finds what she
thinks is the same moment in time from Locus's camera.
748
00:59:17,960 --> 00:59:20,880
It cannot however be viewed.
749
00:59:20,880 --> 00:59:25,480
She remains hopeful as she begins the process of trying to reconstruct a lost video.
750
00:59:26,280 --> 00:59:31,640
The computer needs me to direct it.
It doesn't know how to reconstruct a circle.
751
00:59:32,040 --> 00:59:37,640
maybe it would have an opening at the side and I have to teach it to continue the circle.
752
00:59:37,920 --> 00:59:40,840
I'm a guiding factor.
753
00:59:41,560 --> 00:59:45,520
While Shelley begins the process of attempting to restore video,
754
00:59:45,560 --> 00:59:50,160
I will attempt to find a truth within the
film I have already shot.
755
00:59:51,640 --> 00:59:57,560
In sitting there waiting for these video
edits to render, I did wonder about
756
00:59:57,560 --> 01:00:02,870
certain aspects of the case...
757
01:00:02,880 --> 01:00:05,452
Sometimes I wonder, am i doing the right thing?
758
01:00:05,452 --> 01:00:07,760
Did this guy do it?
759
01:00:07,760 --> 01:00:13,160
It seemed to me, from all what I
saw, that you know it was pretty likely
760
01:00:13,160 --> 01:00:14,120
that he did it.
761
01:00:14,120 --> 01:00:16,360
I mean you had the blood evidence and stuff like that,
762
01:00:16,760 --> 01:00:20,760
But there was that the one guy that they never found his body.
763
01:00:21,200 --> 01:00:25,560
What happened to him? I mean, could he have done it? I don't know.
764
01:00:26,000 --> 01:00:27,800
It is an obvious question.
765
01:00:27,800 --> 01:00:30,760
A question I had presented to all the people interviewed.
766
01:00:31,080 --> 01:00:36,520
The tape restoration is showing Locus
and Rein searching for Steven,
767
01:00:36,520 --> 01:00:39,120
which only makes the question more relevant.
768
01:00:39,600 --> 01:00:42,400
What happened to Steven Avkast?
769
01:00:42,920 --> 01:00:46,440
By process of elimination, I proceed.
770
01:00:47,000 --> 01:00:54,840
We did find some blood and of course the infamous Johnny hat that was found.
771
01:00:55,160 --> 01:01:00,150
We were never able to find any more remains.
772
01:01:00,160 --> 01:01:02,880
of that person so we don't know if he's
dead or alive.
773
01:01:03,560 --> 01:01:09,640
They never found Steven's body, Johnny - but they found his hat.
774
01:01:10,080 --> 01:01:14,520
So, I mean, I don't know. it's just weird that the only thing left of him is...
775
01:01:14,960 --> 01:01:16,200
a hat?
776
01:01:16,960 --> 01:01:26,320
All right I'll be back in about ten minutes. okay man, I'll be on that before we get back
777
01:01:27,640 --> 01:01:36,480
we don't think that Mr. Avkast would be able to set up mr. Suerd because the amount of blood that we found
778
01:01:36,840 --> 01:01:40,800
Of Mr. Avkast is so great that he would have bled to death trying to set Mr. Suerd up.
779
01:01:42,320 --> 01:01:45,560
There goes the little tyrant.
780
01:01:46,760 --> 01:01:48,800
oh whoa
781
01:01:48,800 --> 01:01:52,480
check it out. Shine that over there.
782
01:01:52,480 --> 01:01:53,533
Oh Wow, what's that?
783
01:01:53,533 --> 01:01:54,480
I don't know, man.
784
01:01:57,400 --> 01:01:59,840
Looks like a light.
785
01:02:02,160 --> 01:02:06,560
Yo, it's Steven's light.
Yo Steve!
786
01:02:06,560 --> 01:02:08,040
Steven!!!
787
01:02:08,560 --> 01:02:12,950
[host] In finding that Jim's alibi holds up, we have to attempt to answer the question raised:
788
01:02:12,960 --> 01:02:15,600
who killed these people?
789
01:02:16,040 --> 01:02:19,200
The likely suspect would appear to be Steven.
790
01:02:19,840 --> 01:02:24,480
As I watch these frames though, I see no
recognition in Locus's face.
791
01:02:25,040 --> 01:02:30,080
I see Locus, a man larger than Steven, turn tail and run.
792
01:02:30,080 --> 01:02:31,960
As does Rein.
793
01:02:32,400 --> 01:02:38,000
Steven Avkast, being the culprit of the horrendous massacre that took place in the minutes that follow this tape
794
01:02:38,480 --> 01:02:40,320
is impossible to believe.
795
01:02:40,840 --> 01:02:44,120
Aong with the amount of blood that belongs to Steve Avkast,
796
01:02:44,120 --> 01:02:48,520
this makes me believe that he also was murdered in the Pine Barrens.
797
01:02:49,160 --> 01:02:51,680
I am now also of the belief
798
01:02:51,680 --> 01:02:57,320
that the killer was somehow something more horrendous than possible to imagine.
799
01:03:01,880 --> 01:03:05,200
what could have killed three healthy men?
800
01:03:05,800 --> 01:03:08,080
What would have left no footprints?
801
01:03:08,520 --> 01:03:14,640
What would have torn the men into forty seven pieces,leaving no evidence of a struggle?
802
01:03:14,640 --> 01:03:18,800
We could tell by what was a left in the infliction of the wound that it was
803
01:03:18,810 --> 01:03:21,400
a serrated type weapon, that much we know.
804
01:03:21,400 --> 01:03:24,600
there were noknife fragments or
805
01:03:24,600 --> 01:03:32,400
any evidence of the actual weapon used
other than the cuts themselves well
806
01:03:38,600 --> 01:03:42,800
We're a rural County, we have people who
are not greatly educated.
807
01:03:43,360 --> 01:03:45,360
Rumors and folklore are common.
808
01:03:45,360 --> 01:03:49,080
I put no credence in anything of that nature.
809
01:03:49,080 --> 01:03:51,440
I just go by the facts that the police are able to ascertain.
810
01:03:51,960 --> 01:03:53,520
A monster?
811
01:03:53,880 --> 01:03:57,680
Yeah, I think this person's a monster. I don't believe
812
01:03:58,120 --> 01:04:02,320
fact or fiction. I don't believe the fiction.
813
01:04:02,600 --> 01:04:06,480
I think this is a person and I'm gonna find out who it is.
814
01:04:06,760 --> 01:04:13,480
I'm gonna reconstruct and do my job to recover what has been lost -- the facts.
815
01:04:14,520 --> 01:04:18,880
it is as though the Jersey Devil is a monster reborn in a digital age.
816
01:04:19,240 --> 01:04:20,880
Reborn on the Internet.
817
01:04:20,880 --> 01:04:27,160
a demon captured on IRC logs, mangled
video, whispers in the dark.
818
01:04:27,520 --> 01:04:29,080
It is to these that I look.
819
01:04:29,600 --> 01:04:32,320
it's totally anonymous I mean you can't trace a call
820
01:04:32,720 --> 01:04:35,440
You don't know if it's man, woman, old, young.
821
01:04:36,480 --> 01:04:38,320
you don't know anything you don't know where it's from.
822
01:04:39,240 --> 01:04:41,920
I mean in one way I don't know
823
01:04:41,929 --> 01:04:45,799
why the cops didn't try to do anything
you know and try to figure out
824
01:04:45,800 --> 01:04:48,560
Well who made that idea?
Who came up with that suggestion?
825
01:04:48,560 --> 01:04:54,240
[robot voice] Why don't you do a show about the Jersey Devil?
826
01:04:55,320 --> 01:04:57,240
we have this show Fact or Fiction.
827
01:04:57,640 --> 01:05:00,079
It's a paranormal variety show.
you know we have guests come on,
828
01:05:00,080 --> 01:05:05,200
That kind of thing. Well, things have kind of been a little slow over at station,
829
01:05:05,560 --> 01:05:09,280
the station so we thought what we would
do is we'd we'd make a little excursion
830
01:05:09,280 --> 01:05:20,640
there was a suggestion, via IRC,.....
831
01:05:21,080 --> 01:05:23,760
and also to the mail bag.
832
01:05:24,280 --> 01:05:24,800
Yeah.
833
01:05:24,880 --> 01:05:26,720
That guy, D something. Whatever his name was.
834
01:05:27,560 --> 01:05:31,040
One thing about IRC really hard is that -
835
01:05:31,480 --> 01:05:35,760
It really is hard to trace it because, I
mean, it's not like like you know
836
01:05:35,779 --> 01:05:37,182
the phone number they're calling from.
837
01:05:37,200 --> 01:05:39,840
I mean this could have been like Shanghai
838
01:05:40,080 --> 01:05:42,640
where they were writing this message from.
839
01:05:43,040 --> 01:05:44,840
You just don't know.
840
01:05:44,840 --> 01:05:47,840
That's part of the beauty and part of the evil of it.
841
01:05:47,840 --> 01:05:54,280
[Modem sounds]
842
01:05:56,440 --> 01:05:59,200
it is amazing to be so near
843
01:05:59,520 --> 01:06:03,080
yet so far from the possibility of knowing who the killer is.
844
01:06:03,360 --> 01:06:04,760
D something.
845
01:06:05,400 --> 01:06:08,160
we thought what we would do
846
01:06:08,560 --> 01:06:14,920
is we'd we'd make a little excursion.
there was a suggestion, via IRC, to -
847
01:06:15,360 --> 01:06:17,440
and also from that mail bag.
848
01:06:17,880 --> 01:06:18,380
yeah
849
01:06:18,380 --> 01:06:20,480
that guy D something whatever his name was.
850
01:06:21,320 --> 01:06:26,200
it's just not practical to keep logs to
that stuff. I get so much email, so much
851
01:06:26,210 --> 01:06:32,080
it would just clog up my system. I erased
it as we went along. I mean, once a job
852
01:06:32,099 --> 01:06:35,385
once a point got finished I killed the email, got rid of it.
853
01:06:35,385 --> 01:06:36,480
it was it was like a to-do list.
854
01:06:36,480 --> 01:06:39,040
I check it off, I get rid of this stuff.
855
01:06:39,520 --> 01:06:42,440
So, once things weren't pertinent anymore, I just get rid of them.
856
01:06:42,880 --> 01:06:44,840
So I don't have anything of it really.
857
01:06:44,849 --> 01:06:49,680
I mean there there were like a couple of
emails that we had at the very end there
858
01:06:49,680 --> 01:06:53,200
But there's nothing illuminating there.
859
01:07:18,760 --> 01:07:28,480
it gets harder and harder to stick with
your original gut feeling.
860
01:07:35,080 --> 01:07:41,550
Because of the media, you know. The attention that the whole case is getting,
861
01:07:41,550 --> 01:07:46,640
how one-sided, lopsided the whole thing is.
and you start to think,
862
01:07:46,640 --> 01:07:49,080
maybe
863
01:07:49,080 --> 01:07:55,960
Maybe he did do it. Maybe there's a side of Jim that I don't know that
864
01:07:56,280 --> 01:07:58,440
that was capable of such atrocity.
865
01:07:58,800 --> 01:08:01,640
As this journey nears its end,
866
01:08:01,640 --> 01:08:05,080
I begin to fully understand the essence of what this is about.
867
01:08:05,080 --> 01:08:08,320
the media upon which these events were recorded.
868
01:08:08,320 --> 01:08:11,070
the media that should have been able to provide a truth
869
01:08:11,080 --> 01:08:15,600
more pure than ever before, has somehow
become the story.
870
01:08:16,240 --> 01:08:21,480
This has become more than a search for the truth behind the Fact or Fiction murders.
871
01:08:21,480 --> 01:08:26,100
it has become an indictment of truth and how it is viewed through the lens of the media.
872
01:08:26,100 --> 01:08:31,589
[Steven] Pretty exciting moment here because the fact or fiction logo is on screen
873
01:08:31,589 --> 01:08:33,520
which means one thing.
874
01:08:33,520 --> 01:08:37,650
that we are now actually getting our
875
01:08:37,650 --> 01:08:42,280
feed live to the cable company
876
01:08:42,280 --> 01:08:45,990
[host] Reality television, the news,
877
01:08:45,990 --> 01:08:50,370
The 60-second clip of truth, have made even the strongest of doubters wonder...
878
01:08:50,370 --> 01:08:53,840
Are you a psychic or a psycho?
879
01:08:54,200 --> 01:09:00,720
Look man I'll see you back at camp.
880
01:09:03,320 --> 01:09:05,920
What did you say to him?
881
01:09:05,920 --> 01:09:09,670
wait what do you mean he's gonna be
where we can't go -- Where the hell is the camp?
882
01:09:09,670 --> 01:09:11,799
this is the whole fucking thing where
the hell is the camp?
883
01:09:11,799 --> 01:09:12,999
We can't lose him.
884
01:09:12,999 --> 01:09:14,205
well, we're losing him.
885
01:09:14,205 --> 01:09:18,480
go find a man I'm not gonna go anywhere near him fucking asshole, man.
886
01:09:20,760 --> 01:09:23,040
just cut the damn camera already.
887
01:09:23,040 --> 01:09:28,760
What is the truth? The editing process -
it's like sifting that stuff out
888
01:09:28,770 --> 01:09:36,720
ultimately, I mean not necessarily with
these legal videos, but with a
889
01:09:36,730 --> 01:09:42,040
documentary film, I mean ultimately it's
what the filmmaker perceives as the truth.
890
01:09:42,040 --> 01:09:45,920
I mean, don't you think - that's what
you're trying to do right?
891
01:09:47,000 --> 01:09:50,484
The mistakes that were discovered on this journey were stunning.
892
01:09:50,484 --> 01:09:52,640
shoddy police work and a judgmental video
893
01:09:52,880 --> 01:09:56,600
presented the world with a person guilty before ever being tried.
894
01:09:57,000 --> 01:09:59,080
I know Jim is not guilty.
895
01:09:59,080 --> 01:10:01,240
I know that the truth is still at large,
896
01:10:01,260 --> 01:10:04,320
potentially closer than anyone can
realize.
897
01:10:04,320 --> 01:10:09,280
it is as though the real killer planned a media event so amazingly cunning
898
01:10:09,440 --> 01:10:12,000
that it could be thought of as scripted.
899
01:10:12,400 --> 01:10:15,510
A kill ready for primetime, so to speak.
900
01:10:15,520 --> 01:10:19,579
Perhaps the demon we call the Jersey
Devil did kill them in the Pine Barrens.
901
01:10:19,920 --> 01:10:23,720
But if so, the Jersey Devil is the
electronic image,
902
01:10:24,040 --> 01:10:25,720
the sound
903
01:10:25,739 --> 01:10:27,680
The communication to the masses,
904
01:10:27,680 --> 01:10:31,200
Somehow twisted into a surrealist electronic world.
905
01:10:31,560 --> 01:10:36,880
I always asked the question last: Do you Jim did it?
906
01:10:37,400 --> 01:10:40,680
And with the exception of authorities directly accountable to the answer,
907
01:10:41,080 --> 01:10:44,560
I have felt that the answer given has been -
it doesn't matter.
908
01:10:45,280 --> 01:10:48,560
The truth is what time has made of this event.
909
01:10:48,840 --> 01:10:52,040
it has been good for business. Often murder is.
910
01:10:52,040 --> 01:10:55,520
so many involved benefited from this
event.
911
01:10:55,560 --> 01:11:00,480
The inevitable book deal is being replaced with a career in the business of image control.
912
01:11:00,680 --> 01:11:04,040
And most of the people interviewed are ready to embrace it.
913
01:11:04,640 --> 01:11:08,960
I guess a grim irony here, as these post-its can attest,
914
01:11:09,440 --> 01:11:17,200
the fact that when we have some real
dead bodies, then the sharks start circling.
915
01:11:17,680 --> 01:11:26,760
Strange that an incident like that would be a prelude
916
01:11:27,080 --> 01:11:30,400
to a new phase in my career.
917
01:11:30,400 --> 01:11:33,240
It's interesting, after the court case was over
918
01:11:33,240 --> 01:11:36,380
with all the publicity and everything
surrounding it, you know, I started
919
01:11:36,380 --> 01:11:42,080
getting the phone calls for a couple job
leads. I mean, you know, so in one way,
920
01:11:42,080 --> 01:11:43,560
This might have helped me out of here.
921
01:11:43,560 --> 01:11:46,560
[host] How long will it take to process the entire tape?
922
01:11:46,960 --> 01:11:49,340
it's not my intention to process the whole tape.
923
01:11:49,340 --> 01:11:50,480
I don't need to do that.
924
01:11:50,500 --> 01:11:54,280
it could take hours, it could take days.
925
01:11:54,280 --> 01:11:57,120
I need to process a particular piece of tape
926
01:11:57,440 --> 01:12:00,120
that could potentially reveal a killer.
927
01:12:00,960 --> 01:12:05,320
Shelley continues to extrapolate
information from a frame
928
01:12:05,320 --> 01:12:10,400
While I will reenact the events of December 15 1995
929
01:12:11,640 --> 01:12:16,440
This is one of the stops that the guys
made on the way to the pine barrens.
930
01:12:16,440 --> 01:12:21,160
I know this because of the extensive
documentary footage that they had taken take of this place.
931
01:12:21,840 --> 01:12:23,320
I don't know what good this will do.
932
01:12:23,920 --> 01:12:26,320
I think it's just to keep myself clear on wha happened.
933
01:12:26,760 --> 01:12:28,720
You know the order of events.
934
01:12:28,800 --> 01:12:32,840
Strangely the weather is almost identical to the way it was that day.
935
01:13:02,840 --> 01:13:07,350
I'm now travelling an access route that
I know Steven and Locus had taken.
936
01:13:07,350 --> 01:13:09,078
for the Jersey Devil Project.
937
01:13:09,080 --> 01:13:13,000
We're in the midst of the Pine Barrens at this point.
938
01:13:13,400 --> 01:13:17,120
and what I'm hoping to do is see if I can't do a recreation of the campsite,
939
01:13:17,130 --> 01:13:20,001
Perhaps the murder scene.
940
01:13:20,001 --> 01:13:23,800
Hopefully traversing this won't be too big of a problem.
941
01:13:24,160 --> 01:13:26,903
I'm using this video camera just as a matter of convenience.
942
01:13:26,903 --> 01:13:31,680
Using film out here with prove to be logistically too difficult.
943
01:13:31,680 --> 01:13:40,040
Hopefully we can get you some good footage and really try demonstrate -
944
01:13:40,040 --> 01:13:44,640
The intrepid nature of Steven and Locus.
945
01:14:13,000 --> 01:14:17,470
I feel with some more work that I will find the killer.
946
01:14:17,480 --> 01:14:20,640
I will see the face of the killer.
947
01:14:21,120 --> 01:14:59,720
[Music]
948
01:15:00,520 --> 01:15:05,840
This site is a very close approximation
of the one used by Steven and Locus on
949
01:15:05,840 --> 01:15:07,840
the night of the Jersey Devil episode.
950
01:15:07,840 --> 01:15:12,160
They'd chosen a clearing similar to this one as base camp for the telecast.
951
01:15:13,680 --> 01:15:16,360
When they ventured onto the Pine Barrens with their cameras,
952
01:15:16,880 --> 01:15:18,480
they would never return alive again.
953
01:15:19,480 --> 01:15:22,960
The documentary footage that generated on that evening proves irrevocably,
954
01:15:23,320 --> 01:15:26,240
that Jim Suerd was not responsible for their murders.
955
01:15:26,240 --> 01:15:30,720
That Locus and Rein Clackin were actually alive at the time they were ostensibly killed.
956
01:15:31,160 --> 01:15:34,080
and that the police case was shoddy at best.
957
01:15:34,520 --> 01:15:36,360
what is the Jersey Devil?
958
01:15:36,920 --> 01:15:39,760
it's a man wandering into the Pine Barrens never to be seen again.
959
01:15:39,760 --> 01:15:43,400
It's a mangled animal found on one of these access roads.
960
01:15:44,120 --> 01:15:48,440
Or perhaps it's something that rests within our psyche and we'll never truly understand.
961
01:15:49,000 --> 01:15:52,120
I've been on this project for months now and haven't come to a clear definition
962
01:15:52,200 --> 01:15:54,960
of what actually happened or who was responsible.
963
01:15:55,240 --> 01:15:59,920
All I know is that it's a mystery and it may permanently remain so.
964
01:16:03,960 --> 01:16:07,600
What is the Jersey Devil?
965
01:16:36,600 --> 01:16:39,520
I'm now outside of Shelley's studio.
966
01:16:40,240 --> 01:16:41,640
All the media.
967
01:16:42,360 --> 01:16:44,320
all the interviews
968
01:16:45,720 --> 01:16:48,040
the truth comes down to this one frame.
969
01:19:00,180 --> 01:19:04,620
I've determined that this is no time to
be distracted or set aside in the course
970
01:19:04,620 --> 01:19:07,660
of the events that I've set into motion.
971
01:19:07,660 --> 01:19:09,540
My next step will be going to the Pine Barrens
972
01:19:09,720 --> 01:19:15,520
for a reenactment of the murders of Steven Avkast and Locus Wheeler and Rein Clackin.
973
01:19:15,720 --> 01:19:19,420
I'm as strong in my resolve as before and improving that Jim Suerd
974
01:19:19,420 --> 01:19:21,080
was not responsible for these murders.
975
01:19:21,320 --> 01:19:25,700
That he had neither the intellect nor the logical capacity to carry them through.
976
01:19:26,080 --> 01:19:31,900
I think that the replayment of our events here will be quite compelling in the demonstration of
977
01:19:32,200 --> 01:19:34,600
Suerd's innocence.
978
01:21:43,460 --> 01:21:47,420
This site is a close approximation of
the one chosen by Steven Locus as the
979
01:21:47,420 --> 01:21:53,540
site of their Fact or Fiction Jersey
Devil broadcast. They'd...
980
01:21:54,260 --> 01:22:01,560
This site is a close approximation of the one chosen by Steven and Locus as the site of their Fact or Fiction Jersey Devil Broadcast.
981
01:22:01,920 --> 01:22:05,260
They'd chosen a clearing similar to this one... as base camp
982
01:22:05,940 --> 01:22:08,840
and ventured into the pine barrens with their cameras... this site....
983
01:22:09,780 --> 01:22:13,530
is a close approximation of the one
chosen by Steven and Locus as the site of
984
01:22:13,530 --> 01:22:18,300
their Fact or Fiction Jersey Devil Broadcast,.. they'c chosen a similar....
985
01:22:18,300 --> 01:22:28,200
[ repeats and repeats]
986
01:22:32,320 --> 01:22:39,100
this site is a close approximation....
987
01:22:40,160 --> 01:22:51,700
[crickets and frogs, forest sounds]
988
01:26:39,220 --> 01:26:41,280
you
88642
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.