Sneak peek: Crime & Punishment | Forensic Files

our mother was feisty incredibly vibrant she was spunky She was fun she was that fun
Mom hey Janette say hi I was 10 hi Tippy I was 14 our grandparents picked us up to
visit for the day and when we returned home from the visit and we walk inside and she's not
there we weren't even fully in the house when Tippy she grabs my hand and she says something's not
right that week that she was missing I don't remember much I don't have any recollection of
anything up until the day we were told that she was found I got a nice bite on my fishing pole I
thought I had a fish but it kept being so heavy that I couldn't bring it in and we came to the surface all I saw
was a long black tail the bag turned over and I saw two big feet sticking me in the face and it scared the Jesus out
of me this body was in a large nylon duffel bag about 5 ft tall it was ponp a and on top of that was large chunks of
concrete when you go to this much trouble to dispose of a body this is somebody known to the
victim if you watch enough crime shows you know the person police usually zero in on when a wife turns up dead is the
husband and this case was no different their Prime Suspect was the victim's husband and stepfather to her two
daughters Dennis a he always brought us gifts he's got me finally he always liked to joke and he
always seemed to be happy and smiled all the time you didn't see the other side till till
later there was one fight but I remember being behind a door I was so scared I remember Mom screaming for
tippy tippy help me and I was frozen in fear I felt like such a coward hiding behind a door but I
couldn't move did you think at that time that Dennis could hurt your mom yes yes we confronted him and he basically
said that you know I've got nothing to say to you guys we took him into custody I remember being outside of the
courtroom for the trial and I remembered hearing the words he was found guilty and just
sobbing and there was no stopping it and here's where tonight's 48 hours is a little different we're going to
show you what happens long after the verdict and why two sisters are still fighting for justice nearly 25 years
after their mother's murder you have a prepaid call from Good Morning J an inmate at the California
State president why do you think you deserve parole I meet all of the criteria for
parole I've been saying for 20 years that I'm not guilty of this crime and I've done everything I can in for to try
to justify my release I don't believe I'll be a danger to society her mother doesn't get a second
chance why should he I'm not that child hiding behind a door anymore and I want him to know that I
will do everything in my power to keep him incarcerated everything for

"48 Hours" Presents: A stepfather sits in prison for killing his wife. Her daughters vow to keep him there. Does he deserve parole? Correspondent Tracy Smith investigates Saturday, July 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

"48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. For 27 seasons, "48 Hours" has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives. Check local listings for "48 Hours" broadcast times.

Brief Summary

Two sisters fight for justice 25 years after their mother's murder by their stepfather, who claims he deserves parole.

Key points

A Mother's Vibrant Spirit. Remembering a feisty and vibrant mother who brought joy to her daughters.
The Discovery. A shocking moment when a body is found in a duffel bag.
The Trial Verdict. The emotional moment when the murderer is found guilty.
Fighting for Justice. Two sisters continue to seek justice nearly 25 years after their mother's murder.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I was so scared I remember Mom screaming for Tippy.

A moment of fear and helplessness during a fight.

2:36WatchJan 5, 2017

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