Forensic Files (1996–…): Season 13, Episode 37 - Hundreds of Reasons - full transcript
A manager of a Florida restaurant is stabbed to death and the motive appears to be robbery. Blood drops near the sink and fingerprints on a folder are the clues to solving the crime.
>> Narrator: UP NEXT, A
RESTAURANT ROBBERY GOES WRONG...
>> THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO STEPHEN.
>> THIS WAS A VICIOUS, VICIOUS ATTACK.
>> Narrator: ...AND THE EVIDENCE IS CONTRADICTORY.
>> THERE WAS SOMEBODY ELSE BLEEDING AT THE SCENE OF THE
CRIME.
>> Narrator: THAT BLOOD AND A PARTIAL FINGERPRINT WERE ALL
INVESTIGATORS HAD...
>> I WASN'T HOLDING MY BREATH FOR ANY REAL RESULTS.
>> Narrator: ...UNTIL THE MONEY TRAIL PROVIDES INVESTIGATORS
WITH A VITAL CLUE.
JENNIFER HOLMES REMEMBERS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 2001 FOR ONE
REASON...
IT WAS THE DAY SHE FIRST MET HER HUSBAND.
THEY WERE BOTH AT THE SAME SUPER BOWL PARTY.
>> AND I SAW HIM SITTING THERE WITH THE PERFECT HAIR AND HIS
LEATHER JACKET, PERFECT SMILE.
SO WE STOOD THERE, AND HE'S LIKE, "HI, I'M STEPHEN.
I WAS LIKE, "HI, I'M JEN."
>> Narrator: A YEAR LATER, THE TWO WERE MARRIED.
AND 29-YEAR-OLD STEPHEN BECAME A FATHER TO JENNIFER'S YOUNG SON.
THEY ALSO HAD PLANS TO HAVE CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN.
>> AS FAR AS HIS CAREER, HE WAS -- I NOTICED THIS ABOUT
HIM -- HE WAS ALWAYS HAPPIEST WHEN HE WAS WORKING IN A
RESTAURANT.
>> Narrator: STEPHEN WAS AN ASSISTANT MANAGER OF A
STEAKHOUSE IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA.
HE OFTEN WORKED LONG HOURS, AND SOME NIGHTS WERE LONGER THAN
OTHERS.
>> AND HE CALLED ME AT 10:18 AND SAID, "I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW
I'M GONNA BE LATER TONIGHT BECAUSE WE HAD A LATE PARTY AND
I JUST CLOSED UP.
I JUST LET EVERYONE OUT AND LOCKED THE DOOR."
>> Narrator: AROUND MIDNIGHT, AN EXTERMINATOR ENTERED THE
RESTAURANT WITH HIS OWN KEY.
>> THAT'S WHEN HE SAW THE BLOODY FOOTPRINTS, AND HE SAW AND FOUND
MR. HOLMES' LIFELESS BODY.
>> Narrator: STEPHEN HOLMES HAD BEEN STABBED TO DEATH.
>> I'VE NEVER SEEN A CRIME SCENE THIS HORRIFIC.
IT WAS A PRETTY, PRETTY BAD SCENE.
>> Narrator: IN A CLEAR CASE OF OVERKILL, STEPHEN WAS STABBED
MORE THAN 40 TIMES.
>> WHEN YOU THINK OF A MURDER, YOU SOMETIMES THINK, "OKAY,
SOMEBODY IS SHOT OR MAYBE THEY'RE STABBED."
THIS WAS A VICIOUS, VICIOUS ATTACK.
HE WAS ALMOST DECAPITATED.
>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO OUR SON.
IT'S "WHAT? NO."
YOU CAN'T BELIEVE...
YOU JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S HAPPENING.
>> Narrator: ROBBERY APPEARED TO BE THE MOTIVE -- ABOUT $8,000
WAS MISSING FROM THE SAFE IN THE MANAGER'S OFFICE.
THIS WAS MUCH MORE THAN USUAL BECAUSE THE RESTAURANT HAD BEEN
PROMOTING $100 GIFT CERTIFICATES AS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS THAT
EVENING.
>> IT'S AT A RESTAURANT, YOU'RE IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER --
GENERALLY SPEAKING, A FAIRLY BUSY TIME OF THE YEAR -- SO WE
HAD ALL PIECED TOGETHER THAT THAT'S WHAT THE MOTIVE WAS.
>> Narrator: THE EXTERMINATOR WHO FOUND THE BODY WAS THE FIRST
AND MOST OBVIOUS SUSPECT, BUT WAS QUICKLY WRITTEN OFF.
>> DUE TO HIS DEMEANOR, HOW HE LOOKED, AND NOT HAVING ANY SIGNS
OF VIOLENCE OR BLOOD ON HIS PERSON, THEY COULD SEE THAT HE
WAS NOWHERE NEAR INVOLVED IN THIS CASE.
>> Narrator: FORTUNATELY FOR POLICE, THE RESTAURANT HAD
SEVERAL SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.
>> WHEN WE SAW THE CAMERA WAS PRESENT IN THE HALLWAY, OUR
INITIAL REACTION WAS THAT WE MAY VERY WELL HAVE NOT ONLY THE
ATTACK ON VIDEO, BUT AT LEAST A STARTING POINT OF HOW THE
SUSPECT WAS BUILT AND HIS RACE.
>> Narrator: BUT THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE SETBACK.
ALL THE CAMERAS WERE HOOKED TO A SINGLE VIDEO RECORDER...
AND IT WAS GONE.
>> THE ENTIRE VCR WAS -- THE CORDS WERE ACTUALLY CUT AND
REMOVED FROM THE OFFICE.
>> Narrator: THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF FORCED ENTRY.
WAS IT POSSIBLE THAT A CUSTOMER HID IN THE RESTAURANT UNTIL
CLOSING TIME IN PREPARATION FOR THE ROBBERY?
>> THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE CRIMINAL MIGHT NOT HAVE
GONE BACK TO THE RESTROOM AND HID IN THE BATHROOM UNTIL AFTER
THEY CLOSED -- YOU KNOW, CLOSED THE STALL, HID ON TOP OF THE
TOILET, THAT SORT OF THING.
>> Narrator: IF THE KILLER WAS A CUSTOMER, THAT MEANT DOZENS, IF
NOT HUNDREDS, OF POTENTIAL SUSPECTS.
>> Narrator: FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND CO-WORKERS HAD DIFFICULTY
UNDERSTANDING WHY STEPHEN HOLMES HAD BEEN MURDERED.
THE RESTAURANT HAD NEVER BEEN ROBBED BEFORE AND WAS LOCATED
IN A LOW-CRIME AREA.
>> ROBBERIES USUALLY DON'T RESULT IN THIS TYPE OF REPEATED
VIOLENCE.
VERY RARELY, IN ARMED ROBBERIES, DOES THE VICTIM SUSTAIN THIS
MANY INJURIES.
>> Narrator: STEPHEN'S BEST FRIEND AND CO-WORKER,
WILSON SAINTIL, WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO OFFER HIS CONDOLENCES.
>> I HEARD WAILING.
I CAME INSIDE, AND IT WAS WILSON IN THE LIVING ROOM, CRYING.
MY WIFE CONSOLED HIM AND GRABBED HIS SHOULDERS AND JUST SAID,
"THINK ABOUT STEPHEN'S SMILE," AND "HE WOULD FORGIVE WHOEVER
DID THIS."
AND I THINK HE STARTED WAILING MORE.
>> Narrator: THE DAY AFTER STEPHEN HOLMES' MURDER, A MAN
WORKING ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE CRIME SCENE CONTACTED
POLICE.
>> THIS INDIVIDUAL INDICATED THAT A WHITE PICKUP TRUCK WITH A
HORIZONTAL STRIPE ALONG THE SIDE OF IT RACED OUT OF THE DURANGO'S
PARKING LOT PRIOR TO THE POLICE ARRIVING.
>> Narrator: THE WITNESS SAID THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 11:00,
JUST AFTER THE TIME POLICE BELIEVE STEPHEN WAS KILLED.
>> THE DESCRIPTION WAS SO DETAILED.
I MEAN, A LOUD MUFFLER, STRIPES ON THE SIDE, A SMALL PICKUP,
WHITE -- I MEAN, IT WAS A VERY CLEAR DESCRIPTION OF WHAT TYPE
OF A VEHICLE IT WAS.
>> Narrator: FOR TWO DAYS, POLICE OFFICERS STOPPED DOZENS
OF TRUCKS THAT FIT THE DESCRIPTION, CHECKING THE
INTERIORS FOR BLOOD AND THE DRIVERS FOR ANY FRESH WOUNDS.
THEN THEY GOT A DEVASTATING SETBACK.
THE WITNESS NOW SAID HE MADE THE WHOLE THING UP.
>> HE WAS TRYING TO SCORE POINTS WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND, IS WHAT IT
BASICALLY BOILED DOWN TO.
HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BRICK SHORT, TOO.
THAT'S A WEEK'S WORTH OF WORK, AND IT'S DOWN THE TUBES.
AND IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING.
>> Narrator: AS FAMILY AND FRIENDS MOURNED STEPHEN HOLMES,
POLICE WONDERED WHO WOULD WANT HIM DEAD.
>> NOBODY WHO KNEW HIM, AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED AT THAT TIME,
COULD HAVE HURT HIM -- ESPECIALLY LIKE THAT.
>> WE'D INTERVIEWED A LOT OF HIS FRIENDS, A LOT OF FAMILY
MEMBERS, SOME CO-WORKERS.
YOU COULD NOT FIND A SINGLE PERSON THAT WOULD SAY ANYTHING
BAD ABOUT HIM.
>> Narrator: DEFENSIVE WOUNDS SHOWED STEPHEN FOUGHT HIS
ATTACKER TO THE END.
>> HE HAD OVER 24 DEFENSIVE WOUNDS, I BELIEVE, AND 20 WOUNDS
TO HIS NECK AND HIS FACE.
IT WAS OBVIOUS IT WAS A VERY BIG STRUGGLE.
>> PART OF THE STRUGGLE STARTED INSIDE THE KITCHEN AREA, AND IT
MADE ITS WAY DOWN THAT SMALL HALLWAY INTO THE DOORWAY OF THE
OFFICE.
AND THEN RIGHT THERE IN THE OFFICE IS WHERE THE FINAL
STRUGGLE TOOK PLACE.
>> Narrator: IT APPEARED STEPHEN TRIED TO MAKE IT INTO HIS OFFICE
AND SHUT THE DOOR.
THERE WERE ACTUALLY STAB MARKS ON THE DOOR.
>> THERE WAS A LARGE CONCENTRATION OF BLOOD ON THAT
DOOR.
THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF BLOOD ON THE FLOOR.
THE VICTIM VERY WELL MAY HAVE SLIPPED ON HIS OWN BLOOD.
>> Narrator: THERE WERE DOZENS OF FOOTPRINTS MADE BY THE
KILLER.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CLEAR IMPRESSIONS FOR
COMPARISON.
>> IT WAS SOMEONE THAT MAY HAVE HAD A PAIR OF GALOSHES OR BOOTS,
CLEANUP-TYPE BOOTS, HANDY, OR ACTUALLY HAD THEM ON AT THE TIME
THEY LEFT THE MURDER SCENE.
>> Narrator: BUT IT APPEARED THE KILLER LEFT EVIDENCE AS HE
REMOVED THE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT.
>> THE SUSPECT HAD TO ACTUALLY STEP OVER THE VICTIM THAT HE HAD
JUST KILLED.
THE VCR WAS UP OFF THE COUNTER AREA OF THE DESK.
I BELIEVE THAT THE SUSPECT UTILIZED PART OF THAT DESK TO
REACH UP TO GET THE VCR AND CUT IT -- CUT THE CORD AND TAKE THE
VCR.
>> Narrator: ON THE FLOOR, UNDERNEATH THAT SHELF,
INVESTIGATORS SAW A MANILA FOLDER.
WHEN THEY TURNED IT OVER, THEY FOUND SOMETHING.
>> WE LOOKED AT IT CLOSER, AND WE ACTUALLY NOTICED A
FINGERPRINT IN BLOOD.
MYSELF AND MR. CARLISLE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND SAID, "WE GOT
HIM."
>> Narrator: WAS IT POSSIBLE THE KILLER ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED IT
ONTO THE FLOOR AS HE WAS STEALING THE SECURITY-SYSTEM
VCR?
>> THE FOLDER -- THE FINGERPRINT WASN'T FACEUP, SO THE PERSON
WHO, AS THEY WERE LEAVING, PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN
THAT THEY HAD LEFT THAT ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EVIDENCE.
>> Narrator: BUT IT WAS A PARTIAL PRINT AND BADLY SMUDGED.
>> THE TECHNICIAN AND I WERE GOING BACK AND FORTH, AND I'M
LIKE, "WELL, I THINK I CAN USE IT, BUT LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MAKE
IT JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER," AND HANDED IT BACK TO HIM.
>> Narrator: BUT ENHANCING IT WOULD COME AT A PRICE.
>> THAT WOULD ACTUALLY DESTROY THE DNA PROFILE OF THE BLOOD
THAT THE FINGERPRINT WAS LEFT IN.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS DECIDED THE RISK WAS WORTH IT.
THE PRINT WAS SPRAYED WITH AMIDO BLACK, A CHEMICAL DYE THAT
REACTS WITH THE PROTEINS IN BLOOD.
>> HE WORKED ON IT A LITTLE BIT MORE, AND WE DECIDED THAT WAS AS
GOOD AS THE PRINT WAS GONNA GET.
>> Narrator: THE RESULT WAS THE PARTIAL PRINT OF A FINGERTIP.
INVESTIGATORS ENTERED THE PRINT INTO THE NATIONWIDE FINGERPRINT
DATABASE OF KNOWN CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, AND THE RESULT WAS
BAD NEWS.
>> I DID DO AN A.F.I.S. SEARCH.
I WAS NOT ABLE TO COME UP WITH A MATCH.
>> Narrator: THAT'S BECAUSE THE PRINT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH POINTS
OF COMPARISON FOR THE COMPUTER TO PROCESS.
WITH NO PRINT MATCH AND NOW NO DNA, INVESTIGATORS WERE NO
CLOSER TO SOLVING THIS MURDER.
>> IT'S A SITUATION WHERE YOU BASICALLY TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND
KEEP ON SWIMMING.
>> Narrator: IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND STEPHEN HOLMES' KILLER,
INVESTIGATORS WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY IDENTIFIED EVERY PIECE
OF POTENTIAL EVIDENCE IN THE RESTAURANT.
THE MURDER TOOK PLACE IN STEPHEN'S OFFICE IN THE BACK.
BUT INVESTIGATORS NOTICED SMALL CIRCULAR BLOOD DROPS ON THE
COUNTER NEAR THE SINK IN THE KITCHEN.
>> IT WAS OBVIOUSLY CLOSE TO THE CRIME SCENE, BUT FAR ENOUGH AWAY
THAT WE WERE HOPING THAT THAT WAS, IN FACT, THE SUSPECT'S
BLOOD.
>> Narrator: BLOOD TESTS REVEALED IT DID NOT BELONG TO
THE VICTIM, STEPHEN HOLMES.
>> SOMEBODY HAD TO BE STANDING OVER THE TABLE, AND BLOOD
DRIPPED OFF OF HIM ONTO THE TABLE.
>> Narrator: BUT IF THE BLOOD WAS THE PERPETRATOR'S, WHY WAS
IT THERE AND WHY DIDN'T HE CLEAN IT UP?
THESE ALMOST PERFECTLY ROUND BLOOD DROPS, CALLED PASSIVE
DROPS, WERE MADE BY SOMEONE STANDING STILL, POSSIBLY WHILE
WASHING HIS HANDS AT THE SINK.
>> A LOT OF TIMES IN A KNIFE FIGHT LIKE THAT, THE KNIFE MAY
SLIP OUT OF HIS HAND AND CUT HIS FINGER OR SOMETHING SIMILAR TO
THAT EFFECT.
>> Narrator: THE BLOOD DNA WAS POSSIBLE EVIDENCE, BUT
INVESTIGATORS HAD NO ONE TO COMPARE IT TO.
WITH NO SIGN OF FORCED ENTRY, THE KILLER COULD HAVE BEEN AN
EMPLOYEE.
SO INVESTIGATORS ASKED RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES FOR DNA
SAMPLES AND THEIR FINGERPRINTS.
THEY ALSO WANTED TO SEE IF ANYONE HAD CUTS OR BRUISES ON
THEIR HANDS.
>> THEY SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT?
LET'S BRING ALL THE EMPLOYEES IN AND LET'S FINGERPRINT
EVERYBODY."
AT LEAST IF WE DO THAT, MAYBE WE CAN RULE EVERYBODY OUT WITH THE
FINGERPRINT THAT WE'VE GOT NOW.
>> Narrator: BUT AS POLICE WERE FINGERPRINTING THE EMPLOYEES,
THEY DIDN'T NOTICE ANY WITH VISIBLE INJURIES.
>> AUTHORITIES ARE THINKING, "THE KILLER'S PROBABLY NOT HERE.
HE'S PROBABLY NOT AN EMPLOYEE."
>> IT WAS BASICALLY SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE DONE TO FURTHER
THE INVESTIGATION, BUT I WASN'T HOLDING MY BREATH FOR ANY REAL
RESULTS.
>> Narrator: NEVERTHELESS, EACH EMPLOYEE WAS FINGERPRINTED
CAREFULLY.
>> THIS WOULD BE THE FRONT OF THE FINGER, BUT THE PRINT I HAD
WAS MORE OFF TO THE SIDE.
SO, IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE I GOT THE AREA I NEEDED, I HAD TO
FULLY ROLL EACH AND EVERY FINGER OF EACH AND EVERY EMPLOYEE.
>> Narrator: AND IN A SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT, THE PRINT ON THE
MANILA FOLDER MATCHED THE LAST PERSON ANYONE EXPECTED,
ESPECIALLY STEPHEN HOLMES' FAMILY.
IT BELONGED TO WILSON SAINTIL, STEPHEN'S BEST FRIEND, THE
RESTAURANT'S MAINTENANCE MAN AND PREP COOK.
STEPHEN'S FAMILY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT, SINCE THE TWO OFTEN
WORKED LATE TOGETHER.
>> STEPHEN WOULD BRING IN CDs SPECIFICALLY THAT HE KNEW WAS
THE TYPE OF MUSIC THAT WILSON LIKED SO THAT THEY COULD PUT
THEM IN AND IT WOULD GO THROUGH THE WHOLE STORE AND THEY COULD
BE LISTENING TO THAT MUSIC WHILE THEY WERE WORKING.
>> WILSON SAINTIL WENT TO THE CEREMONIES TO HONOR THE
DECEASED.
HE HUGGED FAMILY MEMBERS, CRIED WHEN IT APPEARED TO BE
APPROPRIATE.
THERE WAS NO FLIGHT ISSUES.
THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS SIGNS THAT WE NEEDED TO SUSPECT HIM OF
ANYTHING.
>> Narrator: BUT INVESTIGATORS NATURALLY WENT FURTHER,
COMPARING SAINTIL'S DNA TO THE BLOOD DROPLETS ON THE KITCHEN
COUNTER AND FAUCET.
>> THOSE SIX FOREIGN MALE DNA PROFILES FOUND AT THE SCENE DID
MATCH THE SUSPECT IN THE CASE.
>> Narrator: THE 51-YEAR-OLD HAITIAN NATIONAL WAS ARRESTED ON
SUSPICION OF MURDER.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY AT ALL?
>> THEY GOT THE WRONG GUY.
>> THEY GOT THE WRONG GUY?
>> YES.
>> YOU DIDN'T KILL STEPHEN HOLMES?
>> I DON'T.
>> YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT?
>> STEPHEN WAS MY GOOD FRIEND.
>> Narrator: ALTHOUGH SAINTIL'S BLOOD AND FINGERPRINT WERE BOTH
AT THE SCENE, POLICE HAD A PROBLEM.
THERE WAS A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR HIS BLOOD TO BE
AT THE SINK IN THE KITCHEN.
>> THE DEFENSE IS PRETTY CLEAR -- HE'S A MAINTENANCE
WORKER, HE'S A PREP COOK.
PEOPLE CUT THEMSELVES ALL THE TIME.
>> Narrator: AND THERE WAS NO PROOF SAINTIL'S FINGERPRINT WAS
IN STEPHEN'S BLOOD.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN THERE PREVIOUSLY.
>> "SO YOU FIND A FINGERPRINT OF MY CLIENT HERE, WILSON SAINTIL,
INSIDE THE RESTAURANT.
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?" >> Narrator: NEEDING MORE,
INVESTIGATORS LOOKED INTO A POSSIBLE MOTIVE.
WHY WOULD WILSON SAINTIL WANT TO KILL A MAN HE CALLED HIS FRIEND?
>> PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT WILSON WAS A HARDWORKING GUY, GOOD
FAMILY MAN, GOOD FATHER.
>> Narrator: UNTIL A BACKGROUND CHECK REVEALED A SECRET PAST.
>> WHY WAS YOUR BLOODY FINGERPRINT AT THE SCENE?
>> IT'S NOT MINE.
I DON'T HAVE NO BLOOD.
>> HE WAS YOUR FRIEND?
>> YES, HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND.
>> Narrator: WILSON SAINTIL INSISTED HE HAD NOTHING TO DO
WITH STEPHEN HOLMES' MURDER.
THE FATHER OF THREE WAS ACTIVE IN HIS CHURCH AND WELL LIKED BY
HIS CO-WORKERS.
HE EVEN CONSIDERED THE VICTIM HIS BEST FRIEND.
BUT A BACKGROUND CHECK REVEALED SAINTIL HAD A VIOLENT PAST.
20 YEARS EARLIER, SAINTIL SERVED FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND CONCEALING A WEAPON.
AND DESPITE WORKING THREE JOBS, HE HAD MONEY PROBLEMS.
>> HE WAS PAYING CHILD SUPPORT, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, FOR TWO
DIFFERENT CHILDREN, AND THE AMOUNT, WHEN I ADD IT UP NOW, IT
PROBABLY AMOUNTS TO LIKE $700 OR $800 A MONTH.
IT WAS QUITE A LARGE SUM OF MONEY.
>> Narrator: THE FORENSIC EVIDENCE CLEARLY POINTED TO
WILSON SAINTIL AS THE MAN WHO KILLED STEPHEN HOLMES INSIDE
THE STEAK RESTAURANT.
BUT INVESTIGATORS WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE $8,000
MISSING FROM THE RESTAURANT'S SAFE.
THAT'S WHEN THEY LEARNED THAT SAINTIL VISITED A LOCAL
FURNITURE STORE THE DAY AFTER THE MURDER.
THE FURNITURE STORE HAD A SECURITY CAMERA IN THE OFFICE
WHICH SHOWED SAINTIL PAYING OFF A $1,200 DEBT IN CASH WITH $100
BILLS.
MUCH OF THE MONEY STOLEN FROM THE RESTAURANT WAS IN $100
BILLS FROM THE GIFT CERTIFICATES THEY'D BEEN SELLING ON THE NIGHT
OF THE MURDER.
>> WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE $100 BILLS THAT ARE STOLEN.
THE FACT THAT HE PAYS OFF THIS DEBT AT THIS FURNITURE-RENTAL
COMPANY SO QUICKLY AFTER THE MURDER IS...
IT'S JUST BIZARRE.
>> Narrator: AND FORENSIC TESTING FOUND A CONNECTION
BETWEEN SAINTIL'S FINGERPRINT IN STEPHEN'S OFFICE AND HIS BLOOD
DROPS NEAR THE SINK.
>> YOU HAD FEET PRINT LEADING TO THE MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND YOU
HAD SHOE PRINTS LEADING FROM THE OFFICE TO THE KITCHEN.
>> NOW THE CASE IS COMING FULL CIRCLE.
>> Narrator: PROSECUTORS BELIEVE WILSON SAINTIL WAS DESPERATE FOR
MONEY AND BELIEVED HIS ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO ROB THE
RESTAURANT WHERE HE WORKED.
AS THE MAINTENANCE MAN, HE STOPPED BY AFTER HOURS, KNOWING
THE CASH RECEIPTS WOULD BE IN THE SAFE.
SAINTIL PROBABLY MADE SOME NOISE IN THE KITCHEN.
STEPHEN WALKED OUT OF HIS OFFICE TO SEE WHO WAS THERE.
>> HELLO?
HELLO?
HELLO?
>> Narrator: THAT'S WHEN STEPHEN SAW THE KNIFE.
STEPHEN RAN TO HIS OFFICE AND TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, BUT
SAINTIL WAS STILL ABLE TO GET INSIDE.
STEPHEN WAS STABBED MORE THAN 40 TIMES AND DIED IN HIS OFFICE.
AS SAINTIL WASHED HIS HANDS AND THE KNIFE, HIS BLOOD, POSSIBLY
FROM A BLOODY NOSE FROM THE FIGHT, DROPPED ONTO THE KITCHEN
COUNTER AND FAUCET.
SAINTIL TOOK THE $8,000 FROM THE SAFE.
SINCE HE KNEW THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS HAD CAPTURED THE FIGHT,
HE CUT THE CABLES AND REMOVED THE VIDEO RECORDER.
BUT AS HE DID, HE LEFT HIS PARTIAL FINGERPRINT ON THE
MANILA FOLDER, WHICH FELL TO THE FLOOR UPSIDE DOWN.
SAINTIL LEFT THE RESTAURANT WITH THE MURDER WEAPON, VIDEO
RECORDER, AND HIS BLOODY CLOTHES.
PROSECUTORS BELIEVE HE RETURNED LATER TO CLEAN UP THE BLOOD.
BUT HIS PLAN FELL APART WHEN HE SAW THE EXTERMINATOR WAS
THERE ON AN UNSCHEDULED VISIT.
>> NOBODY KNEW HE WAS COMING BY THAT NIGHT, EXCEPT FOR STEPHEN.
I FEEL THAT WAS A GODSEND.
>> STEPHEN'S THE ONLY PERSON THAT KNOWS THAT THIS GUY IS
SHOWING UP.
AND AGAIN, THANK GOD THAT HE SHOWS UP ON THAT NIGHT, BECAUSE
THAT NARROWS THE TIMELINE, THAT PRESERVES THE CRIME SCENE AT
THAT POINT, AND THAT PREVENTS WILSON SAINTIL FROM COMING BACK
AND CLEANING UP THE CRIME SCENE.
>> Narrator: WHEN STEPHEN'S FAMILY LEARNED THAT
WILSON SAINTIL MURDERED THEIR SON, THEY WERE SHOCKED AND ANGRY
BECAUSE IT WAS SAINTIL WHO CAME TO THEIR HOME HOURS AFTER
STEPHEN'S MURDER TO OFFER HIS CONDOLENCES.
>> YOU KNOW, TO LISTEN TO ALL THE LIES AND THEN TO KNOW THAT
HE CAME HERE, IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, COMPLETE DISBELIEF.
>> WHEN WE FOUND OUT LATER IT WAS HIM, IT'S A WEIRD FEELING
THAT HE HAD THE NERVE TO COME HERE TO OUR HOME TO SEE...
IT'S STILL HARD TO COMPREHEND THAT.
>> Narrator: WILSON SAINTIL WAS TRIED AND CONVICTED OF
FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.
HE WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY
OF PAROLE.
SAINTIL LEFT EVIDENCE BEHIND.
SOME HE MIGHT HAVE EXPLAINED, HAVING WORKED THERE AS AN
EMPLOYEE, BUT NOT ALL OF IT.
>> I THINK FORENSIC SCIENCE IS AMAZING.
THAT'S WHAT SOLVED THE CASE.
IT JUST PUTS THAT MUCH MORE OF MY FAITH IN THE SYSTEM, AND I'M
JUST GLAD THAT'S IT'S PROGRESSED TO WHERE IT HAS, AND I HOPE IT
CONTINUES TO DO SO.
>> FORENSIC SCIENCE, IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IS 110%.
IT'S THE REASON WILSON SAINTIL IS IN PRISON.
AND WITHOUT IT, HE WOULD BE A FREE MAN TODAY.
>> THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO STEPHEN.
>> THIS WAS A VICIOUS, VICIOUS ATTACK.
>> Narrator: ...AND THE EVIDENCE IS CONTRADICTORY.
>> THERE WAS SOMEBODY ELSE BLEEDING AT THE SCENE OF THE
CRIME.
>> Narrator: THAT BLOOD AND A PARTIAL FINGERPRINT WERE ALL
INVESTIGATORS HAD...
>> I WASN'T HOLDING MY BREATH FOR ANY REAL RESULTS.
>> Narrator: ...UNTIL THE MONEY TRAIL PROVIDES INVESTIGATORS
WITH A VITAL CLUE.
JENNIFER HOLMES REMEMBERS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 2001 FOR ONE
REASON...
IT WAS THE DAY SHE FIRST MET HER HUSBAND.
THEY WERE BOTH AT THE SAME SUPER BOWL PARTY.
>> AND I SAW HIM SITTING THERE WITH THE PERFECT HAIR AND HIS
LEATHER JACKET, PERFECT SMILE.
SO WE STOOD THERE, AND HE'S LIKE, "HI, I'M STEPHEN.
I WAS LIKE, "HI, I'M JEN."
>> Narrator: A YEAR LATER, THE TWO WERE MARRIED.
AND 29-YEAR-OLD STEPHEN BECAME A FATHER TO JENNIFER'S YOUNG SON.
THEY ALSO HAD PLANS TO HAVE CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN.
>> AS FAR AS HIS CAREER, HE WAS -- I NOTICED THIS ABOUT
HIM -- HE WAS ALWAYS HAPPIEST WHEN HE WAS WORKING IN A
RESTAURANT.
>> Narrator: STEPHEN WAS AN ASSISTANT MANAGER OF A
STEAKHOUSE IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA.
HE OFTEN WORKED LONG HOURS, AND SOME NIGHTS WERE LONGER THAN
OTHERS.
>> AND HE CALLED ME AT 10:18 AND SAID, "I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW
I'M GONNA BE LATER TONIGHT BECAUSE WE HAD A LATE PARTY AND
I JUST CLOSED UP.
I JUST LET EVERYONE OUT AND LOCKED THE DOOR."
>> Narrator: AROUND MIDNIGHT, AN EXTERMINATOR ENTERED THE
RESTAURANT WITH HIS OWN KEY.
>> THAT'S WHEN HE SAW THE BLOODY FOOTPRINTS, AND HE SAW AND FOUND
MR. HOLMES' LIFELESS BODY.
>> Narrator: STEPHEN HOLMES HAD BEEN STABBED TO DEATH.
>> I'VE NEVER SEEN A CRIME SCENE THIS HORRIFIC.
IT WAS A PRETTY, PRETTY BAD SCENE.
>> Narrator: IN A CLEAR CASE OF OVERKILL, STEPHEN WAS STABBED
MORE THAN 40 TIMES.
>> WHEN YOU THINK OF A MURDER, YOU SOMETIMES THINK, "OKAY,
SOMEBODY IS SHOT OR MAYBE THEY'RE STABBED."
THIS WAS A VICIOUS, VICIOUS ATTACK.
HE WAS ALMOST DECAPITATED.
>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO OUR SON.
IT'S "WHAT? NO."
YOU CAN'T BELIEVE...
YOU JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S HAPPENING.
>> Narrator: ROBBERY APPEARED TO BE THE MOTIVE -- ABOUT $8,000
WAS MISSING FROM THE SAFE IN THE MANAGER'S OFFICE.
THIS WAS MUCH MORE THAN USUAL BECAUSE THE RESTAURANT HAD BEEN
PROMOTING $100 GIFT CERTIFICATES AS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS THAT
EVENING.
>> IT'S AT A RESTAURANT, YOU'RE IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER --
GENERALLY SPEAKING, A FAIRLY BUSY TIME OF THE YEAR -- SO WE
HAD ALL PIECED TOGETHER THAT THAT'S WHAT THE MOTIVE WAS.
>> Narrator: THE EXTERMINATOR WHO FOUND THE BODY WAS THE FIRST
AND MOST OBVIOUS SUSPECT, BUT WAS QUICKLY WRITTEN OFF.
>> DUE TO HIS DEMEANOR, HOW HE LOOKED, AND NOT HAVING ANY SIGNS
OF VIOLENCE OR BLOOD ON HIS PERSON, THEY COULD SEE THAT HE
WAS NOWHERE NEAR INVOLVED IN THIS CASE.
>> Narrator: FORTUNATELY FOR POLICE, THE RESTAURANT HAD
SEVERAL SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.
>> WHEN WE SAW THE CAMERA WAS PRESENT IN THE HALLWAY, OUR
INITIAL REACTION WAS THAT WE MAY VERY WELL HAVE NOT ONLY THE
ATTACK ON VIDEO, BUT AT LEAST A STARTING POINT OF HOW THE
SUSPECT WAS BUILT AND HIS RACE.
>> Narrator: BUT THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE SETBACK.
ALL THE CAMERAS WERE HOOKED TO A SINGLE VIDEO RECORDER...
AND IT WAS GONE.
>> THE ENTIRE VCR WAS -- THE CORDS WERE ACTUALLY CUT AND
REMOVED FROM THE OFFICE.
>> Narrator: THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF FORCED ENTRY.
WAS IT POSSIBLE THAT A CUSTOMER HID IN THE RESTAURANT UNTIL
CLOSING TIME IN PREPARATION FOR THE ROBBERY?
>> THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE CRIMINAL MIGHT NOT HAVE
GONE BACK TO THE RESTROOM AND HID IN THE BATHROOM UNTIL AFTER
THEY CLOSED -- YOU KNOW, CLOSED THE STALL, HID ON TOP OF THE
TOILET, THAT SORT OF THING.
>> Narrator: IF THE KILLER WAS A CUSTOMER, THAT MEANT DOZENS, IF
NOT HUNDREDS, OF POTENTIAL SUSPECTS.
>> Narrator: FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND CO-WORKERS HAD DIFFICULTY
UNDERSTANDING WHY STEPHEN HOLMES HAD BEEN MURDERED.
THE RESTAURANT HAD NEVER BEEN ROBBED BEFORE AND WAS LOCATED
IN A LOW-CRIME AREA.
>> ROBBERIES USUALLY DON'T RESULT IN THIS TYPE OF REPEATED
VIOLENCE.
VERY RARELY, IN ARMED ROBBERIES, DOES THE VICTIM SUSTAIN THIS
MANY INJURIES.
>> Narrator: STEPHEN'S BEST FRIEND AND CO-WORKER,
WILSON SAINTIL, WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO OFFER HIS CONDOLENCES.
>> I HEARD WAILING.
I CAME INSIDE, AND IT WAS WILSON IN THE LIVING ROOM, CRYING.
MY WIFE CONSOLED HIM AND GRABBED HIS SHOULDERS AND JUST SAID,
"THINK ABOUT STEPHEN'S SMILE," AND "HE WOULD FORGIVE WHOEVER
DID THIS."
AND I THINK HE STARTED WAILING MORE.
>> Narrator: THE DAY AFTER STEPHEN HOLMES' MURDER, A MAN
WORKING ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE CRIME SCENE CONTACTED
POLICE.
>> THIS INDIVIDUAL INDICATED THAT A WHITE PICKUP TRUCK WITH A
HORIZONTAL STRIPE ALONG THE SIDE OF IT RACED OUT OF THE DURANGO'S
PARKING LOT PRIOR TO THE POLICE ARRIVING.
>> Narrator: THE WITNESS SAID THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 11:00,
JUST AFTER THE TIME POLICE BELIEVE STEPHEN WAS KILLED.
>> THE DESCRIPTION WAS SO DETAILED.
I MEAN, A LOUD MUFFLER, STRIPES ON THE SIDE, A SMALL PICKUP,
WHITE -- I MEAN, IT WAS A VERY CLEAR DESCRIPTION OF WHAT TYPE
OF A VEHICLE IT WAS.
>> Narrator: FOR TWO DAYS, POLICE OFFICERS STOPPED DOZENS
OF TRUCKS THAT FIT THE DESCRIPTION, CHECKING THE
INTERIORS FOR BLOOD AND THE DRIVERS FOR ANY FRESH WOUNDS.
THEN THEY GOT A DEVASTATING SETBACK.
THE WITNESS NOW SAID HE MADE THE WHOLE THING UP.
>> HE WAS TRYING TO SCORE POINTS WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND, IS WHAT IT
BASICALLY BOILED DOWN TO.
HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BRICK SHORT, TOO.
THAT'S A WEEK'S WORTH OF WORK, AND IT'S DOWN THE TUBES.
AND IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING.
>> Narrator: AS FAMILY AND FRIENDS MOURNED STEPHEN HOLMES,
POLICE WONDERED WHO WOULD WANT HIM DEAD.
>> NOBODY WHO KNEW HIM, AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED AT THAT TIME,
COULD HAVE HURT HIM -- ESPECIALLY LIKE THAT.
>> WE'D INTERVIEWED A LOT OF HIS FRIENDS, A LOT OF FAMILY
MEMBERS, SOME CO-WORKERS.
YOU COULD NOT FIND A SINGLE PERSON THAT WOULD SAY ANYTHING
BAD ABOUT HIM.
>> Narrator: DEFENSIVE WOUNDS SHOWED STEPHEN FOUGHT HIS
ATTACKER TO THE END.
>> HE HAD OVER 24 DEFENSIVE WOUNDS, I BELIEVE, AND 20 WOUNDS
TO HIS NECK AND HIS FACE.
IT WAS OBVIOUS IT WAS A VERY BIG STRUGGLE.
>> PART OF THE STRUGGLE STARTED INSIDE THE KITCHEN AREA, AND IT
MADE ITS WAY DOWN THAT SMALL HALLWAY INTO THE DOORWAY OF THE
OFFICE.
AND THEN RIGHT THERE IN THE OFFICE IS WHERE THE FINAL
STRUGGLE TOOK PLACE.
>> Narrator: IT APPEARED STEPHEN TRIED TO MAKE IT INTO HIS OFFICE
AND SHUT THE DOOR.
THERE WERE ACTUALLY STAB MARKS ON THE DOOR.
>> THERE WAS A LARGE CONCENTRATION OF BLOOD ON THAT
DOOR.
THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF BLOOD ON THE FLOOR.
THE VICTIM VERY WELL MAY HAVE SLIPPED ON HIS OWN BLOOD.
>> Narrator: THERE WERE DOZENS OF FOOTPRINTS MADE BY THE
KILLER.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CLEAR IMPRESSIONS FOR
COMPARISON.
>> IT WAS SOMEONE THAT MAY HAVE HAD A PAIR OF GALOSHES OR BOOTS,
CLEANUP-TYPE BOOTS, HANDY, OR ACTUALLY HAD THEM ON AT THE TIME
THEY LEFT THE MURDER SCENE.
>> Narrator: BUT IT APPEARED THE KILLER LEFT EVIDENCE AS HE
REMOVED THE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT.
>> THE SUSPECT HAD TO ACTUALLY STEP OVER THE VICTIM THAT HE HAD
JUST KILLED.
THE VCR WAS UP OFF THE COUNTER AREA OF THE DESK.
I BELIEVE THAT THE SUSPECT UTILIZED PART OF THAT DESK TO
REACH UP TO GET THE VCR AND CUT IT -- CUT THE CORD AND TAKE THE
VCR.
>> Narrator: ON THE FLOOR, UNDERNEATH THAT SHELF,
INVESTIGATORS SAW A MANILA FOLDER.
WHEN THEY TURNED IT OVER, THEY FOUND SOMETHING.
>> WE LOOKED AT IT CLOSER, AND WE ACTUALLY NOTICED A
FINGERPRINT IN BLOOD.
MYSELF AND MR. CARLISLE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND SAID, "WE GOT
HIM."
>> Narrator: WAS IT POSSIBLE THE KILLER ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED IT
ONTO THE FLOOR AS HE WAS STEALING THE SECURITY-SYSTEM
VCR?
>> THE FOLDER -- THE FINGERPRINT WASN'T FACEUP, SO THE PERSON
WHO, AS THEY WERE LEAVING, PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN
THAT THEY HAD LEFT THAT ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EVIDENCE.
>> Narrator: BUT IT WAS A PARTIAL PRINT AND BADLY SMUDGED.
>> THE TECHNICIAN AND I WERE GOING BACK AND FORTH, AND I'M
LIKE, "WELL, I THINK I CAN USE IT, BUT LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MAKE
IT JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER," AND HANDED IT BACK TO HIM.
>> Narrator: BUT ENHANCING IT WOULD COME AT A PRICE.
>> THAT WOULD ACTUALLY DESTROY THE DNA PROFILE OF THE BLOOD
THAT THE FINGERPRINT WAS LEFT IN.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS DECIDED THE RISK WAS WORTH IT.
THE PRINT WAS SPRAYED WITH AMIDO BLACK, A CHEMICAL DYE THAT
REACTS WITH THE PROTEINS IN BLOOD.
>> HE WORKED ON IT A LITTLE BIT MORE, AND WE DECIDED THAT WAS AS
GOOD AS THE PRINT WAS GONNA GET.
>> Narrator: THE RESULT WAS THE PARTIAL PRINT OF A FINGERTIP.
INVESTIGATORS ENTERED THE PRINT INTO THE NATIONWIDE FINGERPRINT
DATABASE OF KNOWN CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, AND THE RESULT WAS
BAD NEWS.
>> I DID DO AN A.F.I.S. SEARCH.
I WAS NOT ABLE TO COME UP WITH A MATCH.
>> Narrator: THAT'S BECAUSE THE PRINT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH POINTS
OF COMPARISON FOR THE COMPUTER TO PROCESS.
WITH NO PRINT MATCH AND NOW NO DNA, INVESTIGATORS WERE NO
CLOSER TO SOLVING THIS MURDER.
>> IT'S A SITUATION WHERE YOU BASICALLY TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND
KEEP ON SWIMMING.
>> Narrator: IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND STEPHEN HOLMES' KILLER,
INVESTIGATORS WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY IDENTIFIED EVERY PIECE
OF POTENTIAL EVIDENCE IN THE RESTAURANT.
THE MURDER TOOK PLACE IN STEPHEN'S OFFICE IN THE BACK.
BUT INVESTIGATORS NOTICED SMALL CIRCULAR BLOOD DROPS ON THE
COUNTER NEAR THE SINK IN THE KITCHEN.
>> IT WAS OBVIOUSLY CLOSE TO THE CRIME SCENE, BUT FAR ENOUGH AWAY
THAT WE WERE HOPING THAT THAT WAS, IN FACT, THE SUSPECT'S
BLOOD.
>> Narrator: BLOOD TESTS REVEALED IT DID NOT BELONG TO
THE VICTIM, STEPHEN HOLMES.
>> SOMEBODY HAD TO BE STANDING OVER THE TABLE, AND BLOOD
DRIPPED OFF OF HIM ONTO THE TABLE.
>> Narrator: BUT IF THE BLOOD WAS THE PERPETRATOR'S, WHY WAS
IT THERE AND WHY DIDN'T HE CLEAN IT UP?
THESE ALMOST PERFECTLY ROUND BLOOD DROPS, CALLED PASSIVE
DROPS, WERE MADE BY SOMEONE STANDING STILL, POSSIBLY WHILE
WASHING HIS HANDS AT THE SINK.
>> A LOT OF TIMES IN A KNIFE FIGHT LIKE THAT, THE KNIFE MAY
SLIP OUT OF HIS HAND AND CUT HIS FINGER OR SOMETHING SIMILAR TO
THAT EFFECT.
>> Narrator: THE BLOOD DNA WAS POSSIBLE EVIDENCE, BUT
INVESTIGATORS HAD NO ONE TO COMPARE IT TO.
WITH NO SIGN OF FORCED ENTRY, THE KILLER COULD HAVE BEEN AN
EMPLOYEE.
SO INVESTIGATORS ASKED RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES FOR DNA
SAMPLES AND THEIR FINGERPRINTS.
THEY ALSO WANTED TO SEE IF ANYONE HAD CUTS OR BRUISES ON
THEIR HANDS.
>> THEY SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT?
LET'S BRING ALL THE EMPLOYEES IN AND LET'S FINGERPRINT
EVERYBODY."
AT LEAST IF WE DO THAT, MAYBE WE CAN RULE EVERYBODY OUT WITH THE
FINGERPRINT THAT WE'VE GOT NOW.
>> Narrator: BUT AS POLICE WERE FINGERPRINTING THE EMPLOYEES,
THEY DIDN'T NOTICE ANY WITH VISIBLE INJURIES.
>> AUTHORITIES ARE THINKING, "THE KILLER'S PROBABLY NOT HERE.
HE'S PROBABLY NOT AN EMPLOYEE."
>> IT WAS BASICALLY SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE DONE TO FURTHER
THE INVESTIGATION, BUT I WASN'T HOLDING MY BREATH FOR ANY REAL
RESULTS.
>> Narrator: NEVERTHELESS, EACH EMPLOYEE WAS FINGERPRINTED
CAREFULLY.
>> THIS WOULD BE THE FRONT OF THE FINGER, BUT THE PRINT I HAD
WAS MORE OFF TO THE SIDE.
SO, IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE I GOT THE AREA I NEEDED, I HAD TO
FULLY ROLL EACH AND EVERY FINGER OF EACH AND EVERY EMPLOYEE.
>> Narrator: AND IN A SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT, THE PRINT ON THE
MANILA FOLDER MATCHED THE LAST PERSON ANYONE EXPECTED,
ESPECIALLY STEPHEN HOLMES' FAMILY.
IT BELONGED TO WILSON SAINTIL, STEPHEN'S BEST FRIEND, THE
RESTAURANT'S MAINTENANCE MAN AND PREP COOK.
STEPHEN'S FAMILY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT, SINCE THE TWO OFTEN
WORKED LATE TOGETHER.
>> STEPHEN WOULD BRING IN CDs SPECIFICALLY THAT HE KNEW WAS
THE TYPE OF MUSIC THAT WILSON LIKED SO THAT THEY COULD PUT
THEM IN AND IT WOULD GO THROUGH THE WHOLE STORE AND THEY COULD
BE LISTENING TO THAT MUSIC WHILE THEY WERE WORKING.
>> WILSON SAINTIL WENT TO THE CEREMONIES TO HONOR THE
DECEASED.
HE HUGGED FAMILY MEMBERS, CRIED WHEN IT APPEARED TO BE
APPROPRIATE.
THERE WAS NO FLIGHT ISSUES.
THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS SIGNS THAT WE NEEDED TO SUSPECT HIM OF
ANYTHING.
>> Narrator: BUT INVESTIGATORS NATURALLY WENT FURTHER,
COMPARING SAINTIL'S DNA TO THE BLOOD DROPLETS ON THE KITCHEN
COUNTER AND FAUCET.
>> THOSE SIX FOREIGN MALE DNA PROFILES FOUND AT THE SCENE DID
MATCH THE SUSPECT IN THE CASE.
>> Narrator: THE 51-YEAR-OLD HAITIAN NATIONAL WAS ARRESTED ON
SUSPICION OF MURDER.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY AT ALL?
>> THEY GOT THE WRONG GUY.
>> THEY GOT THE WRONG GUY?
>> YES.
>> YOU DIDN'T KILL STEPHEN HOLMES?
>> I DON'T.
>> YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT?
>> STEPHEN WAS MY GOOD FRIEND.
>> Narrator: ALTHOUGH SAINTIL'S BLOOD AND FINGERPRINT WERE BOTH
AT THE SCENE, POLICE HAD A PROBLEM.
THERE WAS A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR HIS BLOOD TO BE
AT THE SINK IN THE KITCHEN.
>> THE DEFENSE IS PRETTY CLEAR -- HE'S A MAINTENANCE
WORKER, HE'S A PREP COOK.
PEOPLE CUT THEMSELVES ALL THE TIME.
>> Narrator: AND THERE WAS NO PROOF SAINTIL'S FINGERPRINT WAS
IN STEPHEN'S BLOOD.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN THERE PREVIOUSLY.
>> "SO YOU FIND A FINGERPRINT OF MY CLIENT HERE, WILSON SAINTIL,
INSIDE THE RESTAURANT.
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?" >> Narrator: NEEDING MORE,
INVESTIGATORS LOOKED INTO A POSSIBLE MOTIVE.
WHY WOULD WILSON SAINTIL WANT TO KILL A MAN HE CALLED HIS FRIEND?
>> PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT WILSON WAS A HARDWORKING GUY, GOOD
FAMILY MAN, GOOD FATHER.
>> Narrator: UNTIL A BACKGROUND CHECK REVEALED A SECRET PAST.
>> WHY WAS YOUR BLOODY FINGERPRINT AT THE SCENE?
>> IT'S NOT MINE.
I DON'T HAVE NO BLOOD.
>> HE WAS YOUR FRIEND?
>> YES, HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND.
>> Narrator: WILSON SAINTIL INSISTED HE HAD NOTHING TO DO
WITH STEPHEN HOLMES' MURDER.
THE FATHER OF THREE WAS ACTIVE IN HIS CHURCH AND WELL LIKED BY
HIS CO-WORKERS.
HE EVEN CONSIDERED THE VICTIM HIS BEST FRIEND.
BUT A BACKGROUND CHECK REVEALED SAINTIL HAD A VIOLENT PAST.
20 YEARS EARLIER, SAINTIL SERVED FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND CONCEALING A WEAPON.
AND DESPITE WORKING THREE JOBS, HE HAD MONEY PROBLEMS.
>> HE WAS PAYING CHILD SUPPORT, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, FOR TWO
DIFFERENT CHILDREN, AND THE AMOUNT, WHEN I ADD IT UP NOW, IT
PROBABLY AMOUNTS TO LIKE $700 OR $800 A MONTH.
IT WAS QUITE A LARGE SUM OF MONEY.
>> Narrator: THE FORENSIC EVIDENCE CLEARLY POINTED TO
WILSON SAINTIL AS THE MAN WHO KILLED STEPHEN HOLMES INSIDE
THE STEAK RESTAURANT.
BUT INVESTIGATORS WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE $8,000
MISSING FROM THE RESTAURANT'S SAFE.
THAT'S WHEN THEY LEARNED THAT SAINTIL VISITED A LOCAL
FURNITURE STORE THE DAY AFTER THE MURDER.
THE FURNITURE STORE HAD A SECURITY CAMERA IN THE OFFICE
WHICH SHOWED SAINTIL PAYING OFF A $1,200 DEBT IN CASH WITH $100
BILLS.
MUCH OF THE MONEY STOLEN FROM THE RESTAURANT WAS IN $100
BILLS FROM THE GIFT CERTIFICATES THEY'D BEEN SELLING ON THE NIGHT
OF THE MURDER.
>> WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE $100 BILLS THAT ARE STOLEN.
THE FACT THAT HE PAYS OFF THIS DEBT AT THIS FURNITURE-RENTAL
COMPANY SO QUICKLY AFTER THE MURDER IS...
IT'S JUST BIZARRE.
>> Narrator: AND FORENSIC TESTING FOUND A CONNECTION
BETWEEN SAINTIL'S FINGERPRINT IN STEPHEN'S OFFICE AND HIS BLOOD
DROPS NEAR THE SINK.
>> YOU HAD FEET PRINT LEADING TO THE MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND YOU
HAD SHOE PRINTS LEADING FROM THE OFFICE TO THE KITCHEN.
>> NOW THE CASE IS COMING FULL CIRCLE.
>> Narrator: PROSECUTORS BELIEVE WILSON SAINTIL WAS DESPERATE FOR
MONEY AND BELIEVED HIS ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO ROB THE
RESTAURANT WHERE HE WORKED.
AS THE MAINTENANCE MAN, HE STOPPED BY AFTER HOURS, KNOWING
THE CASH RECEIPTS WOULD BE IN THE SAFE.
SAINTIL PROBABLY MADE SOME NOISE IN THE KITCHEN.
STEPHEN WALKED OUT OF HIS OFFICE TO SEE WHO WAS THERE.
>> HELLO?
HELLO?
HELLO?
>> Narrator: THAT'S WHEN STEPHEN SAW THE KNIFE.
STEPHEN RAN TO HIS OFFICE AND TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, BUT
SAINTIL WAS STILL ABLE TO GET INSIDE.
STEPHEN WAS STABBED MORE THAN 40 TIMES AND DIED IN HIS OFFICE.
AS SAINTIL WASHED HIS HANDS AND THE KNIFE, HIS BLOOD, POSSIBLY
FROM A BLOODY NOSE FROM THE FIGHT, DROPPED ONTO THE KITCHEN
COUNTER AND FAUCET.
SAINTIL TOOK THE $8,000 FROM THE SAFE.
SINCE HE KNEW THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS HAD CAPTURED THE FIGHT,
HE CUT THE CABLES AND REMOVED THE VIDEO RECORDER.
BUT AS HE DID, HE LEFT HIS PARTIAL FINGERPRINT ON THE
MANILA FOLDER, WHICH FELL TO THE FLOOR UPSIDE DOWN.
SAINTIL LEFT THE RESTAURANT WITH THE MURDER WEAPON, VIDEO
RECORDER, AND HIS BLOODY CLOTHES.
PROSECUTORS BELIEVE HE RETURNED LATER TO CLEAN UP THE BLOOD.
BUT HIS PLAN FELL APART WHEN HE SAW THE EXTERMINATOR WAS
THERE ON AN UNSCHEDULED VISIT.
>> NOBODY KNEW HE WAS COMING BY THAT NIGHT, EXCEPT FOR STEPHEN.
I FEEL THAT WAS A GODSEND.
>> STEPHEN'S THE ONLY PERSON THAT KNOWS THAT THIS GUY IS
SHOWING UP.
AND AGAIN, THANK GOD THAT HE SHOWS UP ON THAT NIGHT, BECAUSE
THAT NARROWS THE TIMELINE, THAT PRESERVES THE CRIME SCENE AT
THAT POINT, AND THAT PREVENTS WILSON SAINTIL FROM COMING BACK
AND CLEANING UP THE CRIME SCENE.
>> Narrator: WHEN STEPHEN'S FAMILY LEARNED THAT
WILSON SAINTIL MURDERED THEIR SON, THEY WERE SHOCKED AND ANGRY
BECAUSE IT WAS SAINTIL WHO CAME TO THEIR HOME HOURS AFTER
STEPHEN'S MURDER TO OFFER HIS CONDOLENCES.
>> YOU KNOW, TO LISTEN TO ALL THE LIES AND THEN TO KNOW THAT
HE CAME HERE, IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, COMPLETE DISBELIEF.
>> WHEN WE FOUND OUT LATER IT WAS HIM, IT'S A WEIRD FEELING
THAT HE HAD THE NERVE TO COME HERE TO OUR HOME TO SEE...
IT'S STILL HARD TO COMPREHEND THAT.
>> Narrator: WILSON SAINTIL WAS TRIED AND CONVICTED OF
FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.
HE WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY
OF PAROLE.
SAINTIL LEFT EVIDENCE BEHIND.
SOME HE MIGHT HAVE EXPLAINED, HAVING WORKED THERE AS AN
EMPLOYEE, BUT NOT ALL OF IT.
>> I THINK FORENSIC SCIENCE IS AMAZING.
THAT'S WHAT SOLVED THE CASE.
IT JUST PUTS THAT MUCH MORE OF MY FAITH IN THE SYSTEM, AND I'M
JUST GLAD THAT'S IT'S PROGRESSED TO WHERE IT HAS, AND I HOPE IT
CONTINUES TO DO SO.
>> FORENSIC SCIENCE, IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IS 110%.
IT'S THE REASON WILSON SAINTIL IS IN PRISON.
AND WITHOUT IT, HE WOULD BE A FREE MAN TODAY.