Original subtitles

("Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who playing)

NARRATOR: CSI: Miami, the global television phenomenon.

NARRATOR: CSI: Miami, the global television phenomenon.

In this series, we'll explore crime

In this series, we'll explore crime

through an entirely new lens.

DISPATCHER: Marlene Warren was just shot.

NARRATOR: The investigations on this program are true.

NARRATOR: The investigations on this program are true.

Ride along with the real CSI experts.

VINCE WEINER: This was the most brutal homicide in over 25 years.

VINCE WEINER: This was the most brutal homicide in over 25 years.

CRUX CONCEPTION: Forensic science,

it was the key witness.

it was the key witness.

NARRATOR: Talk to the real suspects.

I didn't kill anybody, dude.

NARRATOR: Hear from the real victims.

NARRATOR: Hear from the real victims.

I couldn't believe it. I'm in a state of shock.

NARRATOR: And ultimately solve the case

through the use of forensic science.

through the use of forensic science.

We still have a homicide suspect somewhere out there.

NARRATOR: This is...

WOMAN: A murder...

NARRATOR: This is...

WOMAN: A murder...

REPORTER: A disturbing story has come in...

(overlapping voices)

Where students are used to celebrating championships,

tonight they are wondering who murdered

a member of the football team and a young woman.

a member of the football team and a young woman.

The bloody crime scene is on the third floor

of this dormitory you see behind me.

A murder mystery on

A murder mystery on

the University of Miami campus.

LISETTE CAMPOS: One of the victims has been identified

as a football player, Marlin Barnes.

as a football player, Marlin Barnes.

SMITH: The second victim, 22-year-old Timwanika Lumpkins.

CAMPOS: Police found no evidence

of a break-in and no apparent weapon.

of a break-in and no apparent weapon.

On April 13, 1996, I was requested to respond to

On April 13, 1996, I was requested to respond to

a crime scene involving a double homicide

a crime scene involving a double homicide

on the University of Miami property.

I am a bloodstain pattern analyst.

I am a bloodstain pattern analyst.

My job is to interpret

the characteristics of those bloodstain patterns

to try and tell

the circumstances that may have created them.

This crime scene was

an apartment building that the athletes lived in.

an apartment building that the athletes lived in.

The crime scene was an apartment

on the third floor of the building.

on the third floor of the building.

There was a front door and a back door.

The back door

had to be forced open because it was locked

had to be forced open because it was locked

and chained shut from the inside.

That means that the front door is your entrance/exit area

That means that the front door is your entrance/exit area

for the perpetrator of the crime.

As they walked the apartment,

there was blood all over the floor,

there was blood all over the floor,

which was still wet when I got there.

Which means, when the assailant left,

Which means, when the assailant left,

that blood had to be wet also.

The flooring showed signs of blood dripping into blood.

And there was blood

And there was blood

on the surfaces, all over the floors of the kitchen,

on the surfaces, all over the floors of the kitchen,

the walls and on the surfaces of tables.

MARY'S MARTINEZ: Dealing with a scene

that's as bloody as this

is difficult to see.

It's more of a shell shock.

My name is Mary's Martinez.

I am a crime scene investigator

I am a crime scene investigator

in a police department down here in South Florida.

Inside of the apartment, investigators found two victims.

Inside of the apartment, investigators found two victims.

The first was a female who had been physically assaulted

with a blunt force object.

with a blunt force object.

She was located in the bedroom

and clinging to life.

The second victim was the male victim

The second victim was the male victim

who was badly assaulted behind the door.

He was deceased.

He was deceased.

CRUX CONCEPTION: The male victim

was six foot, 210 pounds,

well built.

well built.

He suffered approximately 22 blows

of blunt force trauma.

of blunt force trauma.

His face was literally caved in.

He also had lacerations to the face.

He also had lacerations to the face.

His hands were

swollen, indicating defensive wounds.

I'm Crux Conception.

I'm Crux Conception.

I'm a retired homicide detective

and criminal profiler.

MARTINEZ: The female victim was transported

MARTINEZ: The female victim was transported

to the hospital in hopes of saving her life.

But unfortunately, in transit, the female victim passed away.

But unfortunately, in transit, the female victim passed away.

CONCEPTION: Once the male victim's body was removed

from the scene, crime scene investigators

from the scene, crime scene investigators

then process the area.

They photograph it.

Dust for fingerprints.

Blood's collected for DNA sampling to see if there's

Blood's collected for DNA sampling to see if there's

any other blood besides the two victims

left at the scene.

There were a couple different pieces of evidence

that were found on the ground,

one of which appeared to be wood.

one of which appeared to be wood.

As well as two individual pieces

of curved metal.

Investigators also found

a 12-gauge shotgun shell.

a 12-gauge shotgun shell.

Finding a 12-gauge shotgun shell

Finding a 12-gauge shotgun shell

does raise some flags.

Especially when there isn't

a victim

that has a gunshot wound.

You start to wonder

You start to wonder

why is this here?

But because we don't know,

we're going to treat it as evidence.

So a 12-gauge shotgun shell,

So a 12-gauge shotgun shell,

the pieces of metal and wood

were submitted for lab analysis.

Police released the name of the first victim,

22-year-old Timwanika Lumpkins of South Miami,

22-year-old Timwanika Lumpkins of South Miami,

and 22-year-old Marlin Barnes,

a University of Miami football player.

a University of Miami football player.

REPORTER: Timwanika's relatives say

they last saw her Friday evening.

they last saw her Friday evening.

The next time they heard from her

was through detectives.

When he came up, I said, "No."

When he came up, I said, "No."

I said, "No, y'all got the wrong person."

It is so shocking, you know.

Something like this? I never would,

Something like this? I never would,

under the sun, believe.

I'm Flora Seff.

I was a major crimes attorney.

I was assigned to handle

the case of the murders of Marlin and Timwanika.

the case of the murders of Marlin and Timwanika.

I got to know the whole family,

and this was just horrifying to their families.

and this was just horrifying to their families.

Timwanika was raised primarily by her grandmother.

Timwanika was raised primarily by her grandmother.

Her grandmother lived in

a really nice area in South Miami.

She went to good schools.

She went to good schools.

She was well liked by everybody,

had a lot of friends.

She was a cheerleader for the football team.

She was a cheerleader for the football team.

She was a basketball player in high school.

But I think what she liked the most

But I think what she liked the most

was her little daughter.

She was a very good mother.

CONCEPTION: Instead of going to college, she dedicated her life to

CONCEPTION: Instead of going to college, she dedicated her life to

her three-year-old daughter.

And Marlin and Timwanika

were in the beginning phases of

were in the beginning phases of

a romantic relationship.

BUTCH DAVIS: Your heart almost stops.

BUTCH DAVIS: Your heart almost stops.

I mean, it's like, "Am I hearing exactly right?

He's dead?"

He's dead?"

I was the head coach at the University of Miami.

Marlin, the guys on the team,

Marlin, the guys on the team,

they loved him.

He was funny,

he had a great attitude.

When he walked out on the field

When he walked out on the field

for practice, guys were hugging him, high-fiving him.

I mean, he was a really, really

good kid.

good kid.

We were fired up about this year.

You know, we always talking trash to each other

about what we gonna do and so forth,

so we were looking forward to this day.

so we were looking forward to this day.

NATE BROOKS: I found out that Marlin died

when my mom told me.

when my mom told me.

She like, "Marlin had got murdered."

She like, "Marlin had got murdered."

And I said, "What? What?"

I said, "What you talking about?"

(sighs)

(sighs)

(cries)

On a football field,

Marlin was unbelievable, unstoppable.

Marlin was unbelievable, unstoppable.

It was, like, um,

glad to be on his team, you know what I mean?

glad to be on his team, you know what I mean?

Because he was just a train wreck.

Like, the leader was gone. You know what I'm saying?

Like, the leader was gone. You know what I'm saying?

The leader is gone.

Now what are we going to do?

Marlin came up in the projects, and he was able to

defeat the odds.

Marlin was the inspiration

Marlin was the inspiration

for so many people because

he formed The Right Track program.

It was formed to help inner-city youth

It was formed to help inner-city youth

stay out of trouble,

and understand that life is about

decisions and consequences.

decisions and consequences.

He was special, man. Unbelievably special.

Just the way he would challenge different kids.

Just the way he would challenge different kids.

And when Marlin died,

it was a different level of sadness.

That was so heartbreaking because

That was so heartbreaking because

he started something that the kids was waiting on

and community's waiting on.

Everything we do in life is a habit,

Everything we do in life is a habit,

as Marlin would say.

So, if he would have kept up those habits,

how many other people's lives he would have changed?

how many other people's lives he would have changed?

CHARLIE MAE POSTELL: My son had a bright future ahead of him.

CHARLIE MAE POSTELL: My son had a bright future ahead of him.

He was very intelligent.

He loved life.

He loved life.

He cared about people.

He never did anything to hurt anybody.

He never did anything to hurt anybody.

This shouldn't have happened to him.

Without question, there's no way that words can express,

Without question, there's no way that words can express,

uh, the emotion and the tragedy

that's felt throughout the athletic department.

that's felt throughout the athletic department.

DAVIS: It was a horrible, horrible night.

I mean, it hit everybody in that locker room.

I mean, it hit everybody in that locker room.

Those kids, they were crying.

Those kids, they were crying.

And you got some guys scream a little bit,

and guys just totally quiet

and guys just totally quiet

because they were shocked.

And it just, uh, it breaks your heart.

One of the reasons that I've loved coaching

is I love the kids.

It's not about the money.

It's not about the money.

It's not about being on TV and all that kind of stuff.

Those kids, I love 'em.

As a football coach of any level,

As a football coach of any level,

you don't want anything like that to ever happen

to one of the kids that's on your team.

to one of the kids that's on your team.

Losing a member of the football team,

it's like losing a member of your own family,

and time will be the only thing

and time will be the only thing

that will attempt to try to heal any of it.

NEWSCASTER: Detectives spent the evening on campus

NEWSCASTER: Detectives spent the evening on campus

combing over the crime scene,

which may help them solve a murder mystery.

WOLSON: This was an extremely bloody crime scene,

WOLSON: This was an extremely bloody crime scene,

one of the bloodiest I've ever been to.

So, my reaction was,

So, my reaction was,

"Wow, there's a lot of work to be done here."

The bloodstains in the living room area, the carpeted area,

The bloodstains in the living room area, the carpeted area,

were all consistent with some type of active event

were all consistent with some type of active event

where blood is being splashed and thrown about.

Whereas the blood in the tiled kitchen area

was swipes and wipes.

A swipe being, let's say you have blood on your hand

A swipe being, let's say you have blood on your hand

and it's wet, and you rub your hand

against another surface, you would leave behind

against another surface, you would leave behind

a wipe pattern.

Whereas a wipe is the blood's already on that surface,

and while it's still not entirely dry,

and while it's still not entirely dry,

something pushes through it and-and alters it.

It looked like there was a big fight that took place.

It looked like there was a big fight that took place.

Yet, there were no foot tracks

Yet, there were no foot tracks

leading away from the apartment.

As they walked out the apartment and went down the stairs,

they should have left some type of foot impression trail,

they should have left some type of foot impression trail,

but there was no blood on any of the steps.

The biggest question that came to mind is,

how did they leave?

How did they walk through the blood

How did they walk through the blood

without leaving any footprints?

It didn't make sense.

♪ ♪

Good evening, everyone. I'm Anita Smith.

It is probably safe to say the University of Miami

has been forever changed.

has been forever changed.

Everyone here is baffled.

How could this happen? Why did this happen?

I was just worried that it-it happened over here,

I was just worried that it-it happened over here,

so close to my apartment.

What happened is very scary.

So, I guess I'm not staying there anymore alone.

So, I guess I'm not staying there anymore alone.

REPORTER: These family and friends showed up, they say,

in sorrow and with concern Marlin Barnes' murder be solved.

in sorrow and with concern Marlin Barnes' murder be solved.

Come out here to see what's going on,

and if we gonna be justified in this matter,

and if we gonna be justified in this matter,

and if we gonna be satisfied with how the police

gonna handle this or if not,

you know, we got to handle it.

you know, we got to handle it.

On this particular crime scene,

it was obvious that he fought.

The front door was the only way

that the assailant could leave the apartment.

But there were no footprints.

But there were no footprints.

Maybe the assailant never left the apartment.

Investigators need to find out who had access to the apartment.

Marlin had an on-campus apartment

with two other football players,

Earl Little and Ray Lewis.

Earl Little and Ray Lewis.

But when the murders occurred,

Ray Lewis had been drafted

and was already an NFL player,

and was already an NFL player,

so he didn't live on campus anymore.

CONCEPTION: Earl called 911.

CONCEPTION: Earl called 911.

It's not uncommon for a, uh, person

who commits the crime to call 911

who commits the crime to call 911

and stay around to throw the scent off him or herself.

MARTINEZ: Earl Little tells investigators

that the night before,

that the night before,

our victim Marlin borrowed Earl Little's

black Ford Explorer

because Timwanika needed help moving

because Timwanika needed help moving

from the home that she shared with her child's father

to her grandmother's home.

At approximately 7:30 a.m.,

Earl Little arrives at the apartment.

He sees in the parking lot

that the tires of his vehicle have been slashed.

that the tires of his vehicle have been slashed.

He attempted to open his front door

He attempted to open his front door

and was faced with some resistance.

Once he managed to open the door,

Once he managed to open the door,

he realizes that his roommate

was slumped behind the door, badly beaten.

He runs down the hall to call the police for help.

There was no forced entry.

There was no forced entry.

Earl knew both of the victims.

There was nothing missing from the home.

And given the brutality of the wounds on both victims,

And given the brutality of the wounds on both victims,

this murder seems personal.

First theory, Earl and Marlin got into it

because his tires were slashed.

because his tires were slashed.

An argument ensues, possibly a shoving match.

The shoving match becomes a physical altercation.

The shoving match becomes a physical altercation.

Earl grabs a bat or some other heavy weapon

and then continued to strike.

and then continued to strike.

Timwanika surprised him.

Earl chased after her and beat her

Earl chased after her and beat her

until he believes she is dead.

He gets rid of all the evidence, gathers his composure

He gets rid of all the evidence, gathers his composure

and places the call to 911.

Detectives asked Earl what his whereabouts were.

Detectives asked Earl what his whereabouts were.

He stated that he spent the night somewhere else,

and what he told them was validated,

and what he told them was validated,

and so he was eliminated as a suspect.

Now that the victim's roommate is cleared,

Now that the victim's roommate is cleared,

the question remains, who did this?

What kind of weapon was used? Who had opportunity?

What kind of weapon was used? Who had opportunity?

Who had motive?

And most importantly, who could have left that crime scene

And most importantly, who could have left that crime scene

without leaving a bloody shoe print?

NEWSCASTER: Police called to the scene,

NEWSCASTER: Police called to the scene,

bodies brought out of a campus apartment.

While detectives look for a killer,

students wait and worry, wondering what happened.

students wait and worry, wondering what happened.

As investigators sifted for more clues,

campus security was out in full force,

campus security was out in full force,

many students clearly worried.

students getting killed, that's...

students getting killed, that's...

I mean, I never would've thought I would hear about

something like this on campus.

BROOKS: I was trying to go back to the scene, you know?

BROOKS: I was trying to go back to the scene, you know?

We got up there.

I remember the officer told me that, you know, um,

I remember the officer told me that, you know, um,

he said, now, you don't want to see-see that.

You don't want to see the-the scene or none of that.

You don't want to see the-the scene or none of that.

You know, you don't want to.

I felt comfort knowing that the officer,

he say, "Nate, your boy put up a hell of a fight."

he say, "Nate, your boy put up a hell of a fight."

CONCEPTION: According to friends, the night before the murders,

CONCEPTION: According to friends, the night before the murders,

Marlin Barnes got club access

to a very extravagant club called Club Salvation.

to a very extravagant club called Club Salvation.

♪ It's a block party in Manila... ♪

♪ It's a block party in Manila... ♪

MARTINEZ: The party was being hosted by the Miami Dolphins

and the Dallas Cowboys football teams.

Marlin had two tickets to go to the event,

Marlin had two tickets to go to the event,

and Timwanika wanted to go.

So, after they had moved some of her stuff,

So, after they had moved some of her stuff,

they ended up in the club.

CONCEPTION: When they're at the club,

it was confirmed through other witnesses

that Timwanika and Marlin

that Timwanika and Marlin

were kissing on the dance floor, having a good time.

Timwanika and Marlin leave together around 4:30 a.m.

Timwanika and Marlin leave together around 4:30 a.m.

As they approach the borrowed Ford Explorer,

As they approach the borrowed Ford Explorer,

they see that two tires were slashed.

Marlin calls for a tow truck.

Tow truck escorts Timwanika and Marlin,

along with the vehicle, back to Marlin's place,

dropping off the couple at approximately 6:30 a.m.

dropping off the couple at approximately 6:30 a.m.

And unbeknownst to this tow truck driver,

he becomes the last individual

he becomes the last individual

to see both Timwanika and Marlin Barnes alive.

Then, at approximately 7:30 a.m.,

Then, at approximately 7:30 a.m.,

Earl little discovers the body.

Earl little discovers the body.

So, between the time that the tow truck driver

dropped off the couple, which was 6:30 a.m.,

dropped off the couple, which was 6:30 a.m.,

and from the time that Earl Little

discovered the murders,

it gives us a window

it gives us a window

of when the murders actually occurred.

WOLSON: While I'm doing my documentation process,

WOLSON: While I'm doing my documentation process,

the question that was continually coming in my mind

was how the assailant could leave the apartment

was how the assailant could leave the apartment

with all that blood in place

and not leave any indication

that they had left the apartment.

that they had left the apartment.

That was the question that I was trying to answer.

Once I'd started the reset, which meant

I basically cleared my head of everything

I basically cleared my head of everything

I had looked at and seen

and started over mentally.

Light that goes on in my head is:

Light that goes on in my head is:

The reason the two bloody areas in the front area

of the apartment look so different

of the apartment look so different

is because they didn't occur at the same time.

The area in the kitchen, on the flooring,

The area in the kitchen, on the flooring,

and the smears and wipes and everything on the walls

occurred after the assault was over.

occurred after the assault was over.

The body's behind the door

that the assailant has to leave through--

how did they walk through the blood

without leaving any traces of it?

without leaving any traces of it?

The body wasn't there when the assailant left,

and neither was the blood.

Marlin Barnes apparently was not dead

Marlin Barnes apparently was not dead

when the assailant left.

This is my opinion on what happened.

This is my opinion on what happened.

♪ ♪

The attack starts in the door.

The attack starts in the door.

The assumption is he answers the door standing.

He apparently takes a forceful injury there

He apparently takes a forceful injury there

that causes instant bleeding.

He must have to stumble back or get pushed back

and ends up lying on the floor with his head on the carpet,

and ends up lying on the floor with his head on the carpet,

where the majority of the assault takes place.

where the majority of the assault takes place.

Then the assailant or assailants

goes after Timwanika in the bedroom.

goes after Timwanika in the bedroom.

The assailant leaves, and then Marlin got up

and stumbled around the tiled kitchen area of the apartment

and stumbled around the tiled kitchen area of the apartment

before collapsing behind the door and dying.

That scenario is the only one I could come up with

that explains everything in the apartment

that explains everything in the apartment

and the lack of the footprints away from it.

Given Marlin's size

and physique,

six-foot, 210 pounds, a Division 1 linebacker,

six-foot, 210 pounds, a Division 1 linebacker,

the killer had to be somebody

with equal stature

and physical capability.

and physical capability.

He also opened the door,

so Marlin may have known his perpetrator.

Detectives now want to talk to Marlin's teammates.

Detectives now want to talk to Marlin's teammates.

Before the Hurricanes' baseball game tonight,

Before the Hurricanes' baseball game tonight,

a flag at Mark Light Stadium flew at half-staff.

The university president

dedicated the game to those murder victims.

dedicated the game to those murder victims.

PRESIDENT: And so for this day,

we of the family of the University of Miami

we of the family of the University of Miami

have grieved and tried to help each other,

and have tried to reach out and touch the lives

and have tried to reach out and touch the lives

that are left in prayer and in understanding and in sympathy.

REPORTER: His family came together tonight to share the pain

REPORTER: His family came together tonight to share the pain

at the Carol City home of his mother, Charlie Postell,

saying only off-camera that they have no idea

saying only off-camera that they have no idea

why Barnes had to meet such a terrible fate.

I'm gonna miss everything. I'm gonna miss talking

I'm gonna miss everything. I'm gonna miss talking

to my brother. I didn't even get to see him

before all this happened.

We pray for the families of these two loved ones,

We pray for the families of these two loved ones,

these young people whose lives were taken.

DAVIS: At the services in Miami,

you know, everybody, when they go to a funeral,

everybody's hurt.

I mean, the family, crushed. You can only imagine.

I mean, the family, crushed. You can only imagine.

But you saw people that weren't the family that was crushed.

But you saw people that weren't the family that was crushed.

His loss impacted a lot of other people

outside of our locker room. It was terrible.

outside of our locker room. It was terrible.

MARTINEZ: This case seemed personal

on really the way it went down, and the type of injuries.

on really the way it went down, and the type of injuries.

And given that it would take

a pretty strong or heavily armed individual

a pretty strong or heavily armed individual

to take on a linebacker.

Investigators needed to speak to Marlin's teammates.

Investigators needed to speak to Marlin's teammates.

SEFF: And the first question was,

does anybody know why somebody would have done this?

does anybody know why somebody would have done this?

Some of the players come forward and tell the detectives

that Timwanika had an ex-boyfriend.

that Timwanika had an ex-boyfriend.

SEFF: And somebody said he's

SEFF: And somebody said he's

in a band called The Dogs.

MARTINEZ: They made contact

with some of the members of The Dogs,

with some of the members of The Dogs,

who then stated that Timwanika's ex-boyfriend

was called Labrant Dennis.

was called Labrant Dennis.

SEFF: He'd been an athlete in high school.

He wasn't huge-tall, but he was strong.

He wasn't huge-tall, but he was strong.

He also had jobs where he was moving heavy equipment around.

He was pretty built.

He was pretty built.

Initially, based on the attack,

it appeared as if Barnes could have been the primary target.

it appeared as if Barnes could have been the primary target.

But now investigators are starting to wonder,

could it have been Timwanika all along?

could it have been Timwanika all along?

SEFF: When the detective got back to headquarters,

SEFF: When the detective got back to headquarters,

Labrant was already there.

He popped up at the police department

He popped up at the police department

and said he wanted to speak to the detective.

CONCEPTION: He gets in there and he gives the impression

CONCEPTION: He gets in there and he gives the impression

that he's this loving boyfriend that has to work

an extra job, and works hard to provide for Timwanika

an extra job, and works hard to provide for Timwanika

and their daughter, and that he's a caring individual.

That all he does is give, give, give.

That all he does is give, give, give.

He also stated that

he loves his daughter, and he loves Timwanika,

he loves his daughter, and he loves Timwanika,

and that he wants to help

in any way he can.

He said that he and Timwanika had lived together.

They didn't any longer. She had moved out.

They didn't any longer. She had moved out.

She had moved some of her stuff, like, a week earlier.

She moved the rest of the stuff

She moved the rest of the stuff

the night before she was killed.

That's why Marlin had the truck,

so he could come and help her take some of the stuff

so he could come and help her take some of the stuff

back to her grandmother's house.

The detective continued to ask him questions,

and he talked about how

they hadn't had a very good relationship

they hadn't had a very good relationship

towards the end.

Something that people do sometimes

Something that people do sometimes

when they're guilty of a crime,

they try to throw

the police officers off track,

and they want to be cooperative.

and they want to be cooperative.

MARTINEZ: Law enforcement also asked Labrant about

his whereabouts the night before the murder.

his whereabouts the night before the murder.

He states that he was also at

Salvation nightclub, but he also states

that he did not see Marlin or Timwanika

that he did not see Marlin or Timwanika

at the club that night.

Once the party was over, he left to his sister's house,

where he slept on the couch.

where he slept on the couch.

SEFF: They took a picture of him.

He agreed to his fingerprints being taken.

He agreed to his fingerprints being taken.

MARTINEZ: Law enforcement asked Labrant Dennis

if they could have access to his home and his vehicle.

if they could have access to his home and his vehicle.

Labrant willingly and voluntarily provides access.

Labrant willingly and voluntarily provides access.

There was nothing of evidentiary value that was found

that would tie him to the crime scene.

that would tie him to the crime scene.

CONCEPTION: Even though he was there to cooperate,

Labrant Dennis definitely has a motive.

Labrant Dennis definitely has a motive.

He witnessed another man

helping his woman move out of their apartment

helping his woman move out of their apartment

that they share together with their daughter.

Could the evidence link him to this double homicide?

♪ ♪

MARTINEZ: The lab results started to pour back in

from the evidence that was found on the crime scene,

which was a 12-gauge shotgun shell,

which was a 12-gauge shotgun shell,

fragments of wood,

and two individual pieces of curved metal.

and two individual pieces of curved metal.

Unfortunately, there was no

third-party DNA that was identified.

third-party DNA that was identified.

Also, investigators

did not have any positive fingerprint matches.

But investigators weren't at a total dead end.

Trace evidence analysis

and fracture pattern analysis

and fracture pattern analysis

is a very helpful tool that we have in our bag of tricks.

Trace helps tremendously

Trace helps tremendously

with trying to locate

origin, meaning its parent item.

origin, meaning its parent item.

But in this case, you didn't necessarily

have a parent item to compare it to.

have a parent item to compare it to.

So the pieces of evidence that were collected

from the scene, the pieces of wood and the pieces of metal,

were analyzed more in detail in a microscopic sense.

were analyzed more in detail in a microscopic sense.

They can see the different layers of the item

They can see the different layers of the item

and make a plausible theory about our murder weapon.

WOLSON: The blood staining in the apartment,

WOLSON: The blood staining in the apartment,

the distribution of the pattern there is,

how many stains are present in the pattern,

what the size of the stains are.

what the size of the stains are.

Those tell you about

the amount of force used

when the patterns were being created.

when the patterns were being created.

Now, if they used a bat or they used

some type of other club-type item,

they would have created similar-looking patterns.

they would have created similar-looking patterns.

The pieces of wood left behind,

and the pieces of metal left behind

were indicative of it being some type of firearm.

were indicative of it being some type of firearm.

So we had ideas as to what the weapon was.

So we had ideas as to what the weapon was.

And since it was broken, the assumption that gets made

is that that must have been used for the bludgeoning.

is that that must have been used for the bludgeoning.

The nature of the injuries and the potential weapon

The nature of the injuries and the potential weapon

were starting to take form.

This explains the 12-gauge shotgun shell

This explains the 12-gauge shotgun shell

that was located on the scene.

CONCEPTION: Now that the investigators know what the murder weapon was,

their job is to locate that weapon

and connect it with an individual

who's responsible for these crimes.

MARTINEZ: They respond back to Salvation nightclub

MARTINEZ: They respond back to Salvation nightclub

and just canvass the area to see if there's

anything else that they can get from that initial scene.

anything else that they can get from that initial scene.

As the detectives continue their canvass,

they come across

a Chevron gas station across the street,

a Chevron gas station across the street,

and they speak with the attendant,

who just so happens was working that night.

who just so happens was working that night.

MARTINEZ: She was able to attest

to an individual whom she saw

to an individual whom she saw

stalking around the gas station that night,

and dials 911.

CONCEPTION: When the detectives ask the gas station attendant

what she saw that was out of the ordinary,

she stated that he appeared as if

she stated that he appeared as if

he was looking for something

or looking for someone

or looking for someone

in the vicinity of Club Salvation.

She stated this individual got out

of a gray Nissan Sentra.

of a gray Nissan Sentra.

MARTINEZ: At approximately 4:30 in the morning,

Timwanika and Marlin

were said to have left the Club Salvation.

As Marlin and Timwanika approached

the borrowed black Ford Explorer,

the borrowed black Ford Explorer,

they realized that they have flat tires.

Timwanika, Marlin, and some friends that were nearby

Timwanika, Marlin, and some friends that were nearby

helped push the borrowed vehicle

across the street to a Chevron gas station.

across the street to a Chevron gas station.

According to the gas station attendant,

she also witnessed the suspicious male

she also witnessed the suspicious male

observe the tow truck driver

with the vehicle, exit and leave.

with the vehicle, exit and leave.

MARTINEZ: As law enforcement dig a little deeper,

they find out that Labrant Dennis

they find out that Labrant Dennis

has another ex-girlfriend

whose personal vehicle is a silver Nissan.

This ex-girlfriend allows

Labrant to use her vehicle

whenever she's out of town.

whenever she's out of town.

So, now that law enforcement knows that Labrant Dennis

has access to a secondary vehicle,

which is the ex-girlfriend's personal car,

which is the ex-girlfriend's personal car,

they return back to the clerk

and ask her if the vehicle

and ask her if the vehicle

that she's seeing now in photographs

matches the vehicle that she saw that night.

matches the vehicle that she saw that night.

She's able to positively identify

that that was the vehicle

the night before the murder, at her gas station.

the night before the murder, at her gas station.

CONCEPTION: Investigators show her a photo array

that included a picture of Labrant Dennis.

that included a picture of Labrant Dennis.

She positively identified him

as the suspicious person in question.

MARTINEZ: Investigators now have confirmation

MARTINEZ: Investigators now have confirmation

that Labrant was near the victims

just hours before their murder.

But that doesn't mean much

But that doesn't mean much

unless they can find hard evidence, like a murder weapon,

to place him on the scene of the murder.

CONCEPTION: On April 29th,

two weeks after the double homicide,

there's a huge break in the investigation.

there's a huge break in the investigation.

Detectives receive an anonymous tip.

This source states that an individual

This source states that an individual

by the name of Joseph Stewart knows who killed Timwanika

by the name of Joseph Stewart knows who killed Timwanika

and Marlin Barnes.

So now we have a new player in the game.

So now we have a new player in the game.

Who is Joseph Stewart?

What is his connection to our victims,

and what is his connection to Labrant Dennis?

and what is his connection to Labrant Dennis?

According to Joseph Stewart,

Labrant Dennis approached him,

Labrant Dennis approached him,

asking him to borrow a shotgun...

...knowing that Joseph Stewart had

an old shotgun laying around the house.

an old shotgun laying around the house.

Joseph Stewart told the detectives

that he gave Labrant Dennis the shotgun in question,

that he gave Labrant Dennis the shotgun in question,

along with a bag to carry it in.

Stewart continues to tell the detectives

he doesn't hear from Labrant again

he doesn't hear from Labrant again

until April 13th,

the date of the homicide.

And he says Labrant calls him

And he says Labrant calls him

and tells him that he returned the weapon and the bag,

and he placed it near some bushes

and he placed it near some bushes

right by Stewart's mother's house.

Stewart retrieves the bag, and what he finds

Stewart retrieves the bag, and what he finds

isn't what he gave Labrant.

In the bag, he finds the 12-gauge shotgun

In the bag, he finds the 12-gauge shotgun

that he let Labrant borrow, but it's damaged.

He also finds a pair of black pants and a hoodie

He also finds a pair of black pants and a hoodie

that are bloody.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

CONCEPTION: After Stewart gives Labrant the weapon,

CONCEPTION: After Stewart gives Labrant the weapon,

it's out of sight, out of mind,

and he doesn't see it again until April 13th,

and he doesn't see it again until April 13th,

the day of the homicide.

He contacts Labrant,

asks him what he got himself into,

asks him what he got himself into,

and "Don't get me involved."

According to Stewart, Labrant was nonchalant about it

According to Stewart, Labrant was nonchalant about it

and said, "Don't worry-- just get rid of it."

SEFF: Joseph Stewart did not want

SEFF: Joseph Stewart did not want

to have the evidence on his mother's property.

He thought that he would get tied up

He thought that he would get tied up

in this whole thing,

so he threw everything away.

CONCEPTION: According to Stewart, he throws the clothing away in a dumpster

CONCEPTION: According to Stewart, he throws the clothing away in a dumpster

and the shotgun in a drainage ditch.

And so Stewart takes the detectives

to the drainage ditch

to retrieve the shotgun.

to retrieve the shotgun.

SEFF: It appeared from the injuries

that occurred to Timwanika

and Marlin

that they were hit very, very hard.

that they were hit very, very hard.

It's not easy to break bones.

And the medical examiner could tell

And the medical examiner could tell

that there were broken bones.

That, again, is an indication

that it was an item with enough

that it was an item with enough

physical presence to cause severe damage.

There was a lot of evidence they found

that was around the bodies,

the pieces of wood that were on the floor,

the pieces of wood that were on the floor,

enough to compare with the gun

and to see whether or not it matched.

The shotgun is submitted for trace analysis

The shotgun is submitted for trace analysis

and fracture pattern analysis

due to the damage seen on the trigger guard

due to the damage seen on the trigger guard

and the handle.

If the detectives can match

the fragments from the crime scene

to the shotgun that they have in evidence,

to the shotgun that they have in evidence,

they can link Labrant Dennis to the homicides.

Stewart was eliminated as a suspect for many reasons.

Stewart was eliminated as a suspect for many reasons.

One, his cooperation.

He also led detectives

to the murder weapon. That's key.

MARTINEZ: Toolmark analysts were able to compare

MARTINEZ: Toolmark analysts were able to compare

the butt end of the firearm,

which was made of a specific wood,

with the pieces that were found on the crime scene.

with the pieces that were found on the crime scene.

Analysts could compare the two, whether it be the color,

the texture, the grain, um, the pattern.

the texture, the grain, um, the pattern.

SEFF: The investigator was able to prove forensically

SEFF: The investigator was able to prove forensically

that the pieces of wood that were on the floor

matched with the gun that belonged to Joseph Stewart.

matched with the gun that belonged to Joseph Stewart.

CONCEPTION: Forensics also confirms

that the curved metal objects

that the curved metal objects

found at the murder scene

conclusively match the trigger guard

of the shotgun recovered in the drainage ditch.

of the shotgun recovered in the drainage ditch.

The evidence is now indisputable,

and detectives can now prove they have their murder weapon.

SEFF: By getting the gun back,

SEFF: By getting the gun back,

Joseph Stewart really helped the police.

To seal Labrant's fate,

To seal Labrant's fate,

the duffel bag was sent in for DNA analysis,

and there was traces of blood inside.

and there was traces of blood inside.

The blood found in the duffel bag

is confirmed to match that of both victims.

is confirmed to match that of both victims.

Our final theory is...

Our final theory is...

April the 12th, 1996.

Marlin and Timwanika go partying at Club Salvation.

Marlin and Timwanika go partying at Club Salvation.

Labrant, after seeing the two of them together,

Labrant, after seeing the two of them together,

is driven by rage

and slashes both tires of their vehicle.

He then waits for the couple to leave.

He then waits for the couple to leave.

Labrant follows them to their apartment.

Labrant follows them to their apartment.

Marlin opens the door,

and Labrant strikes Marlin in the face.

Marlin falls back,

Marlin falls back,

and Labrant tries to shoot him with the shotgun,

but it jams,

causing a single shotgun shell to fall on the floor.

causing a single shotgun shell to fall on the floor.

So Labrant begins to strike him repeatedly

So Labrant begins to strike him repeatedly

with the butt of the gun.

In the other room, Timwanika hides under the bed.

In the other room, Timwanika hides under the bed.

Labrant enters the bedroom,

grabs Timwanika,

then begins striking her

then begins striking her

with the butt of the shotgun until he believes she's dead,

and he leaves through the front entrance,

and he leaves through the front entrance,

leaving a bloodless trail.

Marlin makes it to the front door

Marlin makes it to the front door

before he falls and collapses against it.

MARTINEZ: Based on fracture pattern analysis,

MARTINEZ: Based on fracture pattern analysis,

bloodstain analysis,

trace evidence and DNA analysis,

trace evidence and DNA analysis,

investigators are now able to connect Labrant

to the crime scene and to the murders.

He's arrested on April 30, 1996,

He's arrested on April 30, 1996,

just over two weeks after the murders were committed.

SEFF: After the police had

SEFF: After the police had

finished their investigation and gone to the grand jury,

it was decided that Labrant Dennis would

stay in jail, and he would be charged.

stay in jail, and he would be charged.

Sir, you're charged with, uh,

two counts of first-degree murder.

two counts of first-degree murder.

No bond.

Labrant Dennis was found guilty on all charges.

SEFF: For the most part, Labrant was

SEFF: For the most part, Labrant was

quiet until...

...he found out he was found guilty--

...he found out he was found guilty--

he went ballistic.

REPORTER: At the end of the U.M. murder trial penalty phase,

REPORTER: At the end of the U.M. murder trial penalty phase,

the defendant faints after the jury recommends

his death in Florida's electric chair.

his death in Florida's electric chair.

The father of Timwanika Lumpkins says

justice was served.

DEWAYNE LEE: Although the justice system

DEWAYNE LEE: Although the justice system

don't work all the time,

-This time it did. -...this time it works.

-This time it did. -That's right.

-This time it works. -It worked this time.

-This time it works. -It worked this time.

SEFF: Once the death penalty verdict came back,

mother of Marlin Barnes, she just collapsed.

mother of Marlin Barnes, she just collapsed.

POSTELL (crying): This family will never,

ever be the same again.

ever be the same again.

SEFF: Marlin's mother, from the beginning,

SEFF: Marlin's mother, from the beginning,

when I first met her,

we became friends and support for each other

we became friends and support for each other

'cause I felt very badly for her

about what she had to go through.

It's hard to be going through this again.

However, I think it's important for communities to know

However, I think it's important for communities to know

what's happened to people

and how hard everybody works

and how hard everybody works

in order to bring justice to families that have suffered.

She was the sweetest, kind, you know...

She was so kind.

I can't tell you how I feel, because...

I can't tell you how I feel, because...

only me would know just how I feel in my heart

and chest and everything.

DAVIS: He always had a smile.

I mean, he was contagious

in that you saw him, he was enthusiastic,

in that you saw him, he was enthusiastic,

and he loved playing.

He loved his teammates,

and, uh, they all really appreciated

and, uh, they all really appreciated

you know, how much he really loved the program

and what he was gonna sacrifice to-to make us win.

("Stay Strong" by Young Charlie playing)

("Stay Strong" by Young Charlie playing)

♪ We were just kids on the run ♪

♪ We had a heart full of dreams... ♪

♪ We had a heart full of dreams... ♪

BROOKS: Marlin, he had a heart of a lion.

And I think "sharing" would be like,

And I think "sharing" would be like,

one of the words I tag to him.

♪ Stay strong for me and I'll stay strong for you... ♪

♪ Stay strong for me and I'll stay strong for you... ♪

BROOKS: I named my son Marlin. I get to say that.

You know, I need to say, "Marlin, Marlin, Marlin, Marlin"

all the time.

all the time.

I get to talk to him all the time because of my son.

♪ Stay strong for me ♪

♪ Stay strong for me ♪

♪ I'll stay strong for you ♪

♪ I know your heart feels tired ♪

♪ I know your heart feels tired ♪

♪ But I know we'll see this through ♪

♪ We'll see this through ♪

♪ We'll see this through ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

♪ ♪

♪ We were just kids on the run ♪

♪ We had a heart full of dreams. ♪

Captioning sponsored by CBS

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org