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the last thirteen years, I've been looking

1:00

for the truth to what happened to

1:03

my daughter. The

1:11

gets easier. Time

1:14

heals, But

1:18

it never goes on. The

1:24

gets easier. Time

1:27

heals, But

1:31

it never goes away. We

1:38

have pictures of her still in diapers, sitting

1:40

right in front of me on a horse,

1:42

and her holding the reins with a big

1:44

grin on her face. She

1:49

just always believed one person could

1:51

make a difference. Tough.

1:54

The scale was so tough.

1:57

Rhonda was the youngest female

1:59

trooper. Ever hired in the

2:01

state? A wash. Rhonda

2:06

was a beautiful lady. I

2:09

loved her alliance with Ryan

2:11

Reynolds. She hadn't sounds a

2:14

lot of her life. That

2:17

she had a lot of things going

2:19

on under the surface so she would

2:22

go into comedy depressive stayed. There were

2:24

some days where I saw her where

2:26

she had a hard time getting out

2:28

of bed number and. Sixteen.

2:34

Nineteen Ninety Eight. My

2:37

life has changed. Its

2:40

forever changed with. One.

2:43

Fleeting moment. One

2:46

guns. Forever

2:50

changed. I

2:52

pushed the door open enough to get

2:54

my arm in his. At that point

2:56

I found her New is just the

2:58

biggest shock of my life. I saw

3:00

that she had shot herself and ahead.

3:05

The official ruling of

3:07

the corner was suicide.

3:13

I have so many

3:15

questions that have remained

3:17

unanswered. The

3:20

first time I heard about Randy

3:22

Reynolds death I sell to tingling

3:24

at the back of my neck.

3:26

Something wasn't right. My

3:28

name is Anne. Rule has written

3:31

over thirty. True Crime Books. Is

3:34

I have often written. there is indeed

3:36

such as seeing as the perfect. Murder.

3:39

She never sardines your

3:41

comments. I

3:44

believe beyond any reasonable doubt. That

3:46

someone in that house killed

3:48

my daughter? I

3:51

loved or right up to the and. I

3:57

won't stop until I know the

3:59

truth. I'm

4:09

Peter Van Sant tonight on

4:11

forty eight hours. Mystery on

4:13

Twin Peaks Draw. This.

4:30

Is forty eight hours. Correspondent Aaron Moriarty.

4:33

My part of my life of

4:35

crime is delving into a new

4:37

season one cases like no other

4:39

for a number of years, so

4:42

thought they had committed the perfect

4:44

crime with seconds of experience as

4:46

a lawyer and reporter involved in

4:49

murder cases. I'm taking on

4:51

the most so investigations This season.

4:53

I'm looking into the labyrinth of

4:55

crime and secret. Within families

4:58

you are under arrest

5:00

for murder. Join

5:05

me in my journey to go beyond the scene

5:07

of east crime. Be in line. For the

5:10

malls and into the killers inner

5:12

thigh. Enjoy my life of. Crime.

5:14

With Aaron Moriarty on the Wonder A app

5:16

or where ever. You get your part as.

5:19

You can listen to my life of crime with.

5:21

Aaron Moriarty ad free I'm

5:23

wondering cause. Get

5:26

started! With your free trial

5:28

at Wonder A.com/plus. Hi

5:32

it's me that grad school

5:34

bob Bob Barr be green

5:36

grub grades from wonder he

5:38

says the bridge holiday is.

5:41

My the people of of else to use

5:43

my has a. Great

5:48

along. With. Cindy Lou every line

5:50

at of course My God man.

5:52

every week for this complete waste

5:54

of time less than as I

5:56

launch a campaign against Christmas Cheer

5:58

Really celebrity death. I'm

6:01

not an open fire try to get my hard

6:03

to grow a few sizes but. It's not

6:05

gonna work on a your family will

6:07

love the show. As you know I'm

6:10

famously greatest is followed his The Grinch

6:12

Holiday Talk Show on the one react

6:14

or wherever you get your podcast you

6:16

can listen to. This is the great

6:19

Holiday talk so early in every right

6:21

now joining requests. For.

6:43

Thompson has lived on this

6:45

form in Spokane, Washington Reading

6:47

Forces for more than thirty

6:49

years. She

6:52

was just nineteen when Rhonda was born.

6:57

Forbes. Husband left three years later,

6:59

leaving the newly single mom with

7:01

an energetic little girl to raise.

7:03

We got her a pony. See

7:05

this just hell on wheels since

7:07

you went to the think of

7:09

horses and. It's

7:15

a place where farbrace strength, But

7:19

once she's had to leave over

7:21

and over as she tries to

7:23

unravel the mystery of her daughter's

7:25

death, December

7:29

Sixteenth, Nineteen Ninety Eight to

7:31

lead Washington Rhonda Rentals Than

7:33

thirty three years old was

7:36

discovered in her home on

7:38

Twin Peaks Drive dead of

7:40

a gunshot wound to the

7:42

head. Her death was ruled

7:45

a suicide, but one person

7:47

wasn't buying it was suicide.

7:49

From the beginning they already

7:51

had labeled. That

7:55

there's something inside of you

7:57

that says something's. Wrong.

8:02

I'm going to find the to. Whatever.

8:04

That shoot was. On

8:07

this particular day in October, Two

8:09

Thousand and Eleven Harvest stopping in

8:12

Seattle to pick up an old

8:14

friend. Here we go again! Isn't

8:17

a times. Best true crime

8:19

writer and rule. There

8:24

and unlikely duo who never would

8:26

have met had it not been

8:28

for run does troubling death I

8:30

remember hearing on the radio that

8:33

December and Ninety Nine he and

8:35

it just hit me learn their

8:37

as it is, this isn't quite

8:39

right and then Barb called me

8:42

in the first year just called

8:44

ya the blue or yeah just.

8:48

Barbed convince the world famous author

8:50

to join her in investigating Rhonda

8:52

Stuff. Like an attorney.

8:55

It took ten years of intense

8:58

legal wrangling. But

9:00

finally in two thousand and eleven a

9:03

coroner's inquest was looks at a blur

9:05

for the please call the nitwits to

9:07

decide once and for all that was

9:09

a know what. If

9:11

Rhonda his death was a suicide

9:14

or a homicide. Forbes

9:23

says the daughter she raised could

9:25

never have taken her own life.

9:27

I know my child. I know

9:30

I know her zest for life.

9:37

Rhonda. Zest for life would end

9:40

up leading her down and unusual

9:42

pass she must have been for

9:44

five years old when I realized

9:46

that her one dream in life

9:48

was law enforcement. Rhonda

9:52

was just twenty two when she

9:54

achieved her Juri becoming a State

9:57

Patrol trooper. Just.

10:00

The year after joining, Rhonda

10:02

married ex marine and fellow

10:04

Trooper Mark Liberty. Mirthless.

10:07

A single parent with three children

10:10

and she fell in love with

10:12

these three children. But

10:17

in Nineteen Eighty Four, Rhonda

10:19

Reynolds life suddenly began to

10:21

unravel. Injured

10:23

on the job, Rhonda was accused

10:25

of taking both disability and for

10:28

regular pay. Rhonda claimed it

10:30

was all an innocent mistake sadly

10:32

at less the black mark on

10:34

her name. She eventually resigned for

10:36

dream job. During

10:41

this time her marriage was

10:43

going downhill with Mark Liberty.

10:46

Rhonda and Marks sought counseling through

10:48

their Jehovah's Witness Church. Where

10:52

the elder was none other than.

10:55

Run rentals, As

10:59

is it true? you are a marriage counselor

11:01

to them at one point? Ah, that that's

11:03

true. Run

11:07

and his own wife Catherine. We're

11:09

splitting up. And. In

11:11

the most unlikely of

11:14

twist, counselor and counselees

11:16

started their own romance.

11:20

Rhonda just call me up one

11:22

day, tell me that she really

11:24

liked me and she wanted to

11:26

see me and so from then

11:28

on we started a relationship. He

11:30

fell in love with her absolutely.

11:34

And in January Nineteen, Ninety Eight.

11:36

Just five weeks after her divorce

11:38

from Mark was finalized. Rhonda

11:41

Enron were married. With

11:45

her new husband came five

11:47

step son's. To

11:52

of runs boys were full blown

11:54

teenagers including sixteen year old Jonathan.

11:56

I mean of is a new

11:58

mom and or how. Everything

12:00

in there wasn't a lot of lovey dovey

12:02

stuff going on, but she was really friendly

12:04

with us. So

12:07

family settled into a new

12:09

home with spectacular views of

12:11

the Twin Peaks, Mount Rainier

12:13

and Mount St. Helens. Run

12:15

was principle of the local

12:17

elementary school. But.

12:20

Just months after marrying, the

12:22

relationship started to strain. She

12:24

was running up a credit

12:26

card bill over twenty thousand

12:28

dollars, probably around twenty five

12:30

Seduced your credit card without

12:32

your knowledge. t took out

12:34

the credit cards in my

12:36

name without my knowledge, so

12:38

it was actually a case

12:40

of forgery. Feeling

12:44

betrayed, run demanded a

12:46

divorce. Foot

12:48

Rhonda told her mom and

12:50

entirely different stores six or

12:52

seven months into the new

12:54

married that he was, that.

12:57

Scene and having an affair with his

12:59

ex. Is

13:03

that true? A about November.

13:05

Wow! I I did see

13:07

Catherine a couple times. By.

13:12

Mid December. Nineteen Ninety Eight

13:14

After just eleven months of

13:16

marriage. Ron. And Rondo were

13:18

through. Rhonda

13:21

packed up her belongings and made

13:23

plans to fly home to Spokane.

13:27

What? Were her last words to you: I

13:30

love you. See,

13:32

it's move. But.

13:36

The next day instead of a visit

13:38

from her daughter. Barbara

13:42

seethed a chilling message to

13:44

call the Louis County Coroner's

13:46

Office see said. I

13:48

need to inform. You that your daughter is

13:50

committed suicide. And sadly,

13:53

You put yourself in a mode of

13:55

was it has to do. Stunned by

13:57

the news far but race to runs

13:59

house. In Toledo is he. Started out

14:01

telling me that Rhonda was a.

14:03

Very a sadistic cool person.

14:05

Four Seasons devastated by Ronaldo.

14:07

Now he's not showing any

14:10

remorse to your there any

14:12

tears snow? And

14:15

then out of the bedroom

14:17

walked bronze ex wife in

14:19

a bathroom. She spent the

14:22

night. Withdrawn does husband enron

14:24

despair twelve feet away from where

14:26

her body and. He

14:30

been told it was a suicide.

14:32

what do you think to yourself

14:34

At that point I knew he

14:36

had killed in which. We.

14:47

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15:08

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15:12

and love your support.

15:15

What? If your daughter disappeared. Your

15:17

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15:19

and your no closer to finding them.

15:23

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15:25

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15:28

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missing. Wherever you listen to podcasts,

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missing were mysteries have a mission.

15:55

Starting. Almost from the moment she

15:58

learned of her daughter's death, Barb Thompson

16:00

said out on a mission. I.

16:02

Had to become. My. Own

16:05

detective. I had to meet with

16:07

attorneys to meet with members of

16:09

the Sheriff's department looking for anything.

16:11

And everything to force them.

16:13

To reopen Rhonda Skase. And

16:17

helping her is an rules who's

16:20

written a best selling book about

16:22

run this case today? There are

16:24

arriving together at the side of

16:26

the inquest. Sure he'll as Washington.

16:28

Related slightly older kidney. And

16:31

lacy Cs I say less

16:33

Css L A C up.

16:36

Was. The suicide or homicide. Samsung.

16:40

Absolutely. Homicides, Given

16:44

runs troubled marriage to Rhonda and

16:46

the cheating he admits to with

16:48

his ex wife this is the

16:50

pissed on the holster then run

16:52

the killed herself with I think

16:54

it's a thirty two caliber. Both

16:58

N and Bar Believe run runnels

17:00

and his son jonathan. Are

17:02

hiding something. Did you

17:04

murdered your wife? Rhonda

17:07

Rentals. Absolutely not to

17:09

put a gun to her head while

17:11

she was sleeping. Pull the trigger. Absolutely

17:14

not. There's. No evidence

17:16

for these wild accusations. I

17:18

want people to know that

17:21

we're innocence. And we've been

17:23

hurt by a suicide in our

17:25

family. Run. Says that

17:27

on the morning Rhonda was due to move

17:29

out for good. He awakened in

17:32

their bed alone. I saw she

17:34

wasn't there beside me. He

17:37

searched the house, making his way to

17:39

a walk in closet off the master

17:41

bathroom and I found her new Was

17:44

just the biggest shock of my life.

17:46

Where did you see? Well I picked

17:48

the pillow up and left and. I.

17:51

Saw that she had shot herself in the

17:53

head. Wrong

17:56

rentals. Had call nine one one that morning

17:59

and advice and. Wife had committed

18:01

suicide. Detective

18:03

Juri Barry of the Louis County Sheriff's

18:05

Departments was one of the first to

18:07

see the usual deaths see she was

18:09

lying are left side with her hands

18:11

kind of pull up like this if

18:13

what appeared to be a natural sleeping

18:15

position. he was So what I call

18:17

a semi field position relates. her knees

18:19

were pool of slightly and she was

18:21

covered with an electric blanket. It

18:24

appeared that at some point during the

18:27

night Rhonda had gone off to sleep

18:29

in the closet. something she would do

18:31

her mother says when she was upset.

18:34

I noticed that the bed appeared to

18:36

have been slept and only on one

18:38

side and I went into the to

18:41

the bathroom have a right to the

18:43

right there was a large mirror and

18:45

I observed or message written and lipstick

18:48

as said that I love you Please

18:50

call me that doesn't sound like a

18:52

note that would be left by someone

18:55

who's about to blow their brain. so

18:57

that's absolutely not a suicide note at

18:59

all. But. Run Rental

19:01

says Rondo was depressed that

19:03

night. He told me that he

19:06

to he stayed awake and he tried to keep

19:08

her awake so she wouldn't commit suicide. Exhausted

19:11

Run Told Detective Barry he fell

19:13

asleep around five in the morning

19:16

and never heard a gunshot. Run.

19:18

You know, a lot of people

19:20

simply do not believe you that

19:23

you didn't hear that gunshots. Well,

19:26

I'm not sure even what time I went

19:29

to sleep, but I annoyed at a very

19:31

long. Trying. Day and when

19:33

I went to sleep, I probably slept

19:35

hard. Detective. Barry

19:37

notice that the gun was positioned

19:40

near Rhonda his left hand. On

19:42

a hunch he had a deputy asked Ron

19:44

he of Rhonda was right or left handed.

19:47

can he came back. He said he got

19:49

really nervous when I asking that question. He

19:51

said he didn't know. In.

19:53

Fact. Rhonda was right

19:55

handed. I never had noticed.

19:58

For. Sure, You understand,

20:00

it's really odd. I understand that saw

20:02

that day two guys afraid to say

20:05

the wrong thing. I was

20:07

being made to feel like I was. A

20:10

big suspect. Jonathan.

20:12

Reynolds was seventeen years old when

20:15

Rhonda died. Barbs. Says

20:17

the to had a stormy

20:19

relationship Run does Caught Jonathan

20:21

coming into the bathroom while

20:23

she was showering. Pulling

20:26

open the curtains to look at her naked

20:28

in the shower. About

20:31

the third time he did that, she just

20:33

came out of the shower. Naked

20:36

took him down and took

20:38

him in front of his

20:40

father and said this has

20:42

got to start. Jonathan was

20:44

extremely angry and threatening and

20:46

threatened to kill her at

20:48

that point have live. Out.

20:51

The. Shower incident never happened. This

20:54

our incident never never happen.

20:58

To details. Jonathan.

21:01

And his two younger brothers lived with

21:03

Ron and Rhonda. They all say they

21:05

learned of Run Does Does. When they

21:07

woke up that morning, police said all

21:09

three to their mother's house or short

21:12

time later. Without. Questioning Know

21:14

how would you describe the investigation

21:16

done? After. Rhonda

21:19

Rentals body was discovered. Probably

21:21

the worst crime scene. Investigation

21:23

I know about that you

21:26

know I really love and

21:28

says was term course I'm

21:30

a. Detective.

21:32

Sergeant Blade Austin was Juri

21:34

Berries boss of the times

21:36

and surprisingly agrees with and

21:38

rules assessment. There was no

21:40

video takeovers. On

21:43

the next step would normally be to

21:45

add to for diagram that wasn't don't.

21:48

Even. Worse, one of the

21:50

first policemen on the scene

21:52

made any nor miss mistake

21:54

moving the gun before any

21:56

photos were taken. Still,

22:01

Very says that doesn't change what

22:03

he observed. Here. Was

22:05

most likely a staged crime

22:07

say. That is he had been.

22:10

Murdered in had been made to look like

22:12

a suicide by someone. As for

22:14

road rentals, throughout the investigation, I never

22:17

saw him display in the emotions. I

22:19

attended the funeral service. Or

22:21

he set with his ex wife. ah

22:24

at the funeral service. No emotions, none

22:26

whatsoever. A

22:29

divide was no growing between Berry,

22:31

who believed it was a murder

22:34

and his boss Blade Austin, who

22:36

says rentals demeanor wasn't strange at

22:38

all. I. Picture that he might

22:41

not been as most me involved in

22:43

this relationship at that point to show

22:45

a lot of reaction. In.

22:48

Spite of the mistakes made during

22:50

the investigation, Austin says the final

22:52

decision to close the case as

22:55

a suicide was correct. I can

22:57

tell you what. My instincts,

22:59

my training, and my years of

23:01

experience. Ten. Know. The

23:04

mystery of Rhonda his death is

23:06

finally going before a jury lab

23:08

called me and said something to

23:10

and Fire Citadel so fond of

23:12

are not. The

23:26

purpose of any hearing sex, finding

23:28

or investigation is one thing and

23:31

that is the truth. In the

23:33

thirteen long years since her daughter's

23:35

death, Barb Thompson had dedicated her

23:37

life for this day. When

23:39

he hopes as this is about

23:41

to be do that during this

23:43

to hear the evidence the South

23:46

horrible deaths or this day. When

23:48

he hopes has this is about to

23:50

begin. That said during this to hear

23:53

the evidence. Is out. There is a

23:55

good to hear everything in the to

23:57

and they can turn on Friday. The

24:01

standard of beyond a reasonable doubt

24:03

that is required and criminal courts

24:06

does not apply here. In the

24:08

same quest, Louis County Coroner warned

24:10

Macleod presides over an inquest to

24:12

determine if possible where the Rhonda

24:15

Rentals death was suicide or homicide.

24:18

There may be testimony that would be considered

24:20

hearsay and a criminal proceedings, but will be

24:22

allowed on a limited basis. In this inquest,

24:25

A coroner's inquest is not

24:27

a trial. There's no judge

24:30

know attorneys. The Corner presents

24:32

evidence and questions the witnesses.

24:35

Or. Five percent Juri then decides

24:37

the manner of death and if

24:39

it's homicide. They. Can name

24:42

who's responsible. And. Arrest warrant

24:44

is then issued. You will hear from

24:46

an array of expert witnesses that examined

24:48

evidence collected from the scene, but there

24:50

are some key witnesses to Juri won't

24:53

be hearing from. Ron.

24:55

And his three younger sons have refused

24:57

to testify. A person has a right

25:00

to invoke their Fifth Amendment rights without

25:02

having the jury see that as a

25:04

sign of guilt. Would.

25:07

Cost considerably about what have plans

25:09

would be and house. Himself or

25:12

testifies that on December Fifteenth, Ninety

25:14

Ninety Eight, the final day of

25:16

her daughter's life. She. Spoke

25:18

with Rhonda just hours after

25:21

Run Rentals had declared that

25:23

their marriage was over. Seems.

25:25

That B C was. Ready to

25:27

go on with our lives. Did

25:29

she had all mention to said

25:32

she was suicidal? Know it's but

25:34

runs Mother Laura disagrees testifying that

25:36

Rhonda was despondent. She called

25:38

me three times that day. Wouldn't you

25:41

tell you When she taught to you

25:43

choose is calm as you could not

25:45

go on living without him. Loose, right

25:48

him? Since testimony about Rhonda state of

25:50

mind goes back and forth. Police

25:54

officer and friend days Bell says

25:56

she did not appear depressed that

25:58

night when he. Helped pack up

26:01

or things but he recalls. Rhonda did

26:03

do one thing that was unusual or

26:05

the handed me a holsters, loose the

26:07

or revolver and said here take this

26:10

When Bell asked why Rhonda to that

26:12

didn't answer what did you do with

26:14

the weapons I removed it from the

26:16

holsters, remove the ammunition was in the

26:19

cylinder and asked her where she wanted

26:21

me to put it. She indicated she

26:23

wanted to put in a drawer are

26:25

placed in a drawer by the been.

26:32

Those who believe a homicide took

26:34

place in the home that night

26:36

look at that passing of the

26:39

gun. Two days fell as runners

26:41

fearing that that gun might be

26:43

used against her. In

26:48

my mind. I think you

26:50

might have been fearing she was going to use

26:52

it on himself. On that

26:54

fatal night, Ron insists he

26:56

spent hours with Rhonda trying

26:58

to calm her shoes, emotional,

27:00

and depress you a san

27:02

she didn't want to. Break

27:05

up the marriage. Run

27:07

did more than console his wife on

27:09

the night they agreed to break up.

27:12

Autopsy testimony revealed. They.

27:15

Made Love. Was. At her

27:17

urging. With this our desperation, Sex

27:19

in it was probably just. you

27:21

know, I don't know. Desperation Not

27:23

the right word. Maybe saying goodbye?

27:25

sex? I don't know. Shortly

27:29

after midnight, Rhonda made one

27:31

last phone call to her

27:33

friend. Dave Bell my Astor verb

27:36

things okay down there were she was suggested

27:38

that something's resolved and was gonna get some

27:40

sleep and and was very happy with what

27:42

was going on. Investigators

27:51

admit they will never know

27:54

who fired disgust. Neither Right

27:56

nor Jonathan was ever given

27:59

a gunshot. Residue test

28:01

was there Gunshot residue? On

28:03

rounders his there was. But.

28:07

There was not enough for the

28:09

test to be conclusive. I received.

28:11

Or thirty two caliber as and of

28:13

you longhand gun. What's more,

28:15

fingerprint expert Jewel Our wine

28:18

testifies see found no prints

28:20

on the gun. But. That

28:22

doesn't necessarily mean that gun was

28:24

wiped clean. His. Com and to said

28:26

something A motley the friends. Well,

28:29

no photos were taken at the

28:32

crime scene before the gun was

28:34

moved. Detective Dave nice or was

28:36

among the first on the scene

28:38

and his recollection is clearly clearly

28:41

visible. There was a gun resting

28:43

on her right temple. But

28:46

that would be impossible says firearms

28:48

expert Morty Hayes. If

28:51

Rhonda shot herself. Case.

28:53

Demonstrates for the jury that the

28:56

recoil from the shots would have

28:58

made that gun land away from

29:00

Broad does have a visitor recoil

29:03

away from the have labor around

29:05

for a forward and that's not

29:07

all their. that's about how the

29:09

shot was fired about. Like that

29:12

pays. believes that given the trajectory

29:14

of the bullet, it would have

29:16

been very difficult for Rhonda to

29:18

have held the gun herself. Okay,

29:21

this is very awkward. Okay, but.

29:23

This is the only plausible way that

29:25

a person to shoot them. so for

29:27

the ride them look His conclusion. This.

29:30

Wound is much more consistent

29:32

with someone committing murder. That

29:34

is someone committing suicide. The

29:38

inquest also focuses on

29:41

Ryan Reynolds behavior. After.

29:43

Rhonda stuff. I asked him if I

29:45

can take a body back to Spokane.

29:49

If I could have prevented him, he

29:51

said he didn't care. As

29:54

long as he didn't have. To pay

29:56

for it. I

29:59

never said that. And I did pay

30:01

for us. But.

30:03

A friend of Rhonda is Laurie

30:06

Whole turns the inquest attention to

30:08

a different suspect. My

30:11

opinion would have been Jonathan he

30:13

wasn't a very nice kid and

30:15

care and sabbath. Barb

30:18

says Rhonda told her about

30:20

another problem with Jonathan. See

30:23

had told me she knew that Jonathan

30:25

had a. Problem with controlled

30:27

substances. And

30:29

Rule believes the incident when

30:32

Rhonda caught Jonathan spine honor

30:34

in the shower truly happened

30:36

humiliating him. And. Giving him

30:38

a motive. She. Told girlfriend

30:41

said he'd send a killer. she told

30:43

him mother he'd send a killer and

30:45

you don't have any doubt that he

30:47

didn't know. And. If today he says

30:49

he never did. I don't believe.

30:54

To walk into that clauses with a gun

30:57

in your hand and your father's gun and

30:59

shoot her in the side of the has

31:01

had his. We

31:06

are inquiring into the death of

31:08

Rhonda Rentals The jury hears from

31:10

Bronze ex wife Catherine pseudo us

31:12

who admitted she did more than

31:15

just comfort her son's after Rhonda

31:17

was discovered know. And if

31:19

today he says he never did. I

31:21

don't believe him. To

31:25

walk into that clauses with a gun

31:27

in your hand and your father's gun

31:29

nuts shooter in the side of the

31:31

have had is. That.

31:36

We. Are you firing into the death

31:38

of Rhonda of the Jury? Hears

31:40

from Bronze ex wife Catherine pseudo

31:42

us who admitted she did more

31:44

than just comfort her son's after

31:46

Rhonda was discovered dead and when

31:48

you're a mouse, where did you

31:50

sleep which room and run through

31:52

with run. The

31:59

night. That Rhonda is over at

32:01

the morgue here in bed. With.

32:04

Your ex wife know. Your

32:06

ex wife. Did say to

32:08

authorities that she had slept in the

32:10

same bed with you that night. We

32:13

susan sleep in the same bed with

32:15

me that my own thing. Is

32:18

if she did. There

32:21

was nothing going on. I

32:24

don't think she did been. Maybe

32:27

she remembers a difference. In

32:33

all, more than forty witnesses take

32:35

the stand. The jury would

32:37

take eleven hours all right before

32:39

announcing it's dramatic decision. We the

32:41

jury find that the manner of

32:43

death of the subject of the

32:46

same quest was homicides. After

32:54

thirteen long years, Barb

32:56

Thompson had her victory.

33:03

But even more drama and up

33:05

is about to unfold. Somebody

33:07

out there is responsible for my

33:10

daughter's tests. As some point they will

33:12

be held accountable. You are now as to

33:14

see if you can determine who was responsible

33:16

for the deaf. This juri name somebody an

33:18

arrest warrant obvious and by the course. That's

33:20

my understand. I

33:38

hope. It

33:43

Is Barb Thompson Now wait to

33:45

see if the jurors take the

33:47

next critical step and name who

33:50

is responsible for her daughter's murder.

33:55

In less than an hour, a

33:58

stunning announcement we the jury. Have

34:00

determined that the decedent died at the

34:02

hand of the following person or persons:

34:04

Ronald A Rentals Jonathan A Rentals. The.

34:09

Jury's decision was representative of the

34:11

citizens They expect me to follow

34:13

through with their decision. Corner War

34:15

and Macleod a key issues and

34:17

arrest warrant for Ron and Jonathan

34:20

Rentals. It's.

34:22

Unbelievable. Has. It's

34:25

overwhelming. But

34:29

Barbs joy is short lived When

34:31

Louis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer of

34:33

hold a sudden news conference he

34:35

announces he will not prosecute the

34:38

rentals met. My decision is to

34:40

not charge either Ron or.of the

34:42

Reynolds with murder at this time.

34:44

Why? Because

34:47

most of the evidence was destroyed

34:50

after Rhonda, his death was first

34:52

ruled a suicide. By that the

34:55

evidence York and some investigators would

34:57

be called to testify still believe

34:59

Rhonda killed herself. But.

35:04

The Coroner issues the arrest warrants

35:06

anywhere. Within

35:11

hours, father and son turn themselves

35:13

in and are brought before a

35:16

judge. Is Ronald A Reynolds your

35:18

Kirkman? Yes, Arts. Is Jonathan A

35:20

Reynolds. You're correct. Answer: Yes. Or.

35:25

That like to be brought into that courthouse

35:27

to work for the television cameras. Is

35:31

the most amazing thing I've ever

35:33

ever experienced. The whole thing was

35:35

unreal to me. The

35:39

prosecutor then makes good on his promise

35:42

your honor the same. We are asking

35:44

the court to sign orders directly the

35:46

release of Johnson Reynolds and Ronald. Ronald.

35:49

Neither. Iran or Jonathan will be

35:51

prosecuted soul with them. My question

35:54

is why did they put us

35:56

through that? Barb Thompson.

36:00

In my estimation as a made a

36:02

Jerry Springer show out of this whole

36:04

thing. I'm

36:07

going to order that both

36:09

of the rentals be released

36:11

in less than three minutes

36:14

and investigation. An inquest which

36:16

spanned thirteen years is over.

36:22

The rentals men are

36:24

released. As

36:26

quickly as they came in they

36:29

last and were free to go.

36:31

Said trouble? You know to zoom.

36:33

Never forget this brief moment. And

36:37

neither will I. Barbara

36:40

Thompson. is

36:42

is disturbed lady. That's all I can

36:44

say. She doesn't know

36:46

me, She doesn't know my boys.

36:48

She doesn't know our motivations, what

36:50

kind of people we are. There's

36:52

no way that any of us

36:54

could ever do anything like were

36:56

accused of. The.

37:00

Case remains an open

37:02

investigation. For

37:05

to barb and and rural. It's

37:07

clear who's responsible. For.

37:09

Who do you say? The target? Canis

37:11

and. Are

37:14

you a killer? Jonas Hassle

37:16

and not as ridiculous that

37:19

there is even been said.

37:22

And why would Jonathan kill Rhonda when

37:25

she was about to walk out of

37:27

his life forever? Jonathan has very deep

37:29

hatred for on. Barb

37:32

and and Rule think they have the

37:35

answer to this was a drug fueled.

37:37

I said it was it is right

37:39

it or I think it was for

37:41

the moment. It was stupid. It was

37:43

cool, but I think that's what happens.

37:46

Barbs says her daughter told her the

37:48

Jonathan was using drugs at the time.

37:50

At that point his draw of choice

37:52

was Smith. Crystal Meth. Crystal

37:55

Meth. a

37:57

highly addictive drugs known to

37:59

fuel your I'm

40:00

an innocent man, because there's always the notion

40:02

that if you are innocent, you want to

40:04

shout that from the mountain top. But the

40:06

problem with that is. Sometimes.

40:09

When I'm first and shell said to

40:11

loud it it gives the impression that

40:13

you're guilty to. Family far

40:15

we just for the sand some ago.

40:17

in fact run says his family is

40:19

the real victim in Rhonda as death.

40:22

Fighting. Accusations in A Media by

40:24

Barbed Thompson and In and Rules

40:27

Book has done nothing but just

40:29

try to hurt us and try

40:31

to put us into jail. Over

40:35

some know we didn't do. Run.

40:38

Sons and his fourth wife

40:40

Linda or combating what they

40:42

say is a smear campaign

40:44

against them. Oldest. Brother

40:46

sigh. The resumes legitimate questions,

40:49

but those questions turned into

40:51

a crusade and a wizard.

40:53

It's all based on hearsay,

40:55

rumors and lies, lies that

40:58

by design make my family

41:00

out to be monsters. Josh

41:02

is the youngest son. Or

41:05

just like to say player named because

41:07

this is really hard to deal with.

41:09

It's been a drives these. Reminds

41:12

me of a good or bad. For

41:16

they try to get back to

41:18

a new version of normal. It's clear

41:20

this ordeal has taken a toll

41:22

on the family. After

41:25

the inquest, Ron resigned from his

41:27

job as elementary school principal in

41:29

exchange for a buyout from the

41:32

Toledo School District. Here

41:35

I am sixty years old and now

41:37

I'm unemployed and with this over my

41:39

head, I don't see how I can

41:42

go back to my profession. Jonathan

41:45

then thirties and living with his

41:47

girlfriend and her son worried he'd

41:49

become an outcast. I can't tell

41:51

you how many times this has

41:53

come up in the middle. did

41:55

our job interview and as oh

41:57

wow will be the cops. Okay.

42:00

Sir. And Rule isn't

42:02

swayed by the families protests. She

42:04

is released a new edition of

42:06

her book that includes the inquest

42:08

Find. It's based on your investigation

42:11

and your beliefs. There's a killer

42:13

out there right now. guess. In

42:15

my mind, with all my experience, there's

42:17

no way. That. Round around

42:19

killed herself so she didn't

42:21

kill themselves to wouldn't down

42:23

with a gun. The dropped

42:25

from heaven. Somebody. Shot. Her

42:28

and nobody's in jail for.

42:31

There. Is no clear ending to this

42:34

story. All. That is

42:36

left or shattered lives

42:38

and the haunting realization

42:40

that perhaps. Justice. Is

42:42

beyond reach. We're here because

42:45

Rhonda, his mother, cannot accept

42:47

the fact that her and

42:49

her daughter saw herself. Is.

42:57

There a possibility. Maybe

43:00

you didn't know her daughter as well as

43:02

you said is or possibility she were to

43:04

some dark place that she couldn't get out.

43:07

There's always that

43:10

possibility anything's. Possible. Is

43:12

it probable? Know. Barb

43:16

is bad, tending to her

43:18

forces. It's been a long,

43:20

painful journey. What he was

43:23

the world to know today

43:25

about the death of Rudderless.

43:28

I want them to know that

43:30

on my daughter was murdered. But.

43:34

I also want them to know that

43:36

our our judicial system is only as.

43:38

Good as we make it, we can

43:40

make a difference. I grew up believing

43:42

in. Law

43:45

and Order and that you're innocent

43:47

until proven guilty. and I've learned

43:49

that's really not the case. You're

43:52

guilty until proven innocent. There.

43:55

Is one certainty after all of

43:58

the confusion in this case. Ronda

44:01

Rentals death certificate no

44:03

reads some. Aside. If

44:17

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