Author dedicated to seeking justice in "sweetheart murders" case | Forensic Files

okay these are my files on the case and I have them in alphabetical order for the most part the Abundant if somewhat
messy files tell the story we have affidavits of Joel Davis's 12year dedication to this case I've had people
say you're you know you're obsessed you're obsessed with this and I'm like no I'm not obsessed I just did my job
Joel who's Now 50 attended High School in Davis California with John Riggins he decided in the year 2000 to write a book
about the so-called sweetheart murders what was it about this case that captured your imagination well having
grown up here it had just a seismic impact on the community how did the murders change the town of Davis I think
like any small town I know there was a lot of [Music] fear I think it left kind of an
indelible imprint because in my estimation it's probably the the most shocking crime in the history of this
City looking down the road where Joel admits he rattled some cages as he sought answers to why the case hadn't
been closed it just sort of bothered me that it was unresolved after all these years and he persisted even as he
battled a devastating diagnosis at the age of 38 he was told he had Parkinson's disease 48 Hours talked to him about it
back in 2006 when you have Parkinson's you got to say the half the glass is half full that's the way you survive it
it is a disease that uh Michael J Fox likes to say he calls it the gift that always
takes I've had my ability to walk taken away I've had my ability to sign a check
taken away but I can still right thanks to modern medicine Joel can still control his hands enough to use a
computer he's undergone two deep brain stimulation surgeries and though it's tough to walk he made it to through
years of drawn out proceedings he plans to update his book why do you think people were still fascinated with this
case after 32 years I think it's kind of the classic good versus evil story it also plays into that CSI DNA who done it
uh classic sort of mystery but while DNA and an experienced team of investigators
ultimately closed this case the father of murder victim John Riggins believes Joel's efforts also played a role I like
to fight Joel Davis and his book Justice weights he really kept this flame of Justice alive and it was about to go out
when Dr rigin acknowledge you in court it was an emotional moment for you yeah the fact that he was kind enough to
acknowledge me on the witness stand really made me feel good I do think that the pot needed to be stirred and the
case needed to be held up to the light but

To the families of murder victims John Riggins and Sabrina Gonsalves, journalist and author Joel Davis is an unsung hero. They credit his investigative work with putting pressure on the criminal justice system to close this case. "48 Hours"'Troy Roberts reports on a man who dedicated years to this murder mystery despite some overwhelming obstacles.

Brief Summary

Joel Davis discusses the sweetheart murders case and his fight for justice despite battling Parkinson's disease.

Key points

Joel Davis's Dedication. Joel Davis has been dedicated to solving the case for over a decade, despite personal struggles.
The Impact of the Murders. The murders had a seismic impact on the small town of Davis, leaving an indelible imprint.
Living with Parkinson's. Joel shares his experience of living with Parkinson's and how he copes with the disease.
Acknowledgment in Court. An emotional moment for Joel when the father of a victim acknowledges his efforts in court.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

You're obsessed with this and I'm like, no I'm not obsessed.

Joel Davis defending his dedication to the case.

0:19WatchSep 29, 2013

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