I (Almost) Got Away with It (2010–2016): Season 1, Episode 6 - Got the Wrong Four People Killed - full transcript

Narrator: A QUADRUPLE MURDER
SHOCKS A SMALL TOWN IN FLORIDA.

[ SILENCED GUNSHOT ]

THE MASTERMIND
BEHIND THE VIOLENCE --

SCOTT BURNSIDE --
IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

WE LOOKED EVERYWHERE
FOR BURNSIDE.

HE WAS ON THE RUN.
HE WAS GONE.

Narrator: HE FLEES THE COUNTRY
TO A SOUTH-PACIFIC ISLAND...

HE RAN AS FAR
AS HE COULD POSSIBLY RUN.

Narrator: ...AND SENDS THE
POLICE AUDIOTAPES TO TAUNT THEM.

GOOD AFTERNOON, GENTLEMEN.
THIS IS SCOTT BURNSIDE.

I MEAN, LET'S JUST
CUT THE CRAP HERE, GUYS.



POLICE ARE NOW ON A DESPERATE
MANHUNT TO TRACK HIM DOWN.

CRIMINALS SOMETIMES
TRY TO ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE.

THIS IS THE STORY OF HOW ONE MAN
ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH IT.

JULY 1990, A RANCH RIGHT
OUTSIDE GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA.

29-YEAR-OLD SCOTT BURNSIDE
IS IN A WORKSHOP,

BUILDING A HOMEMADE GUN SILENCER
OUT OF PIPE AND STEEL WOOL.

HEY, BUDDY.

WHAT'S UP, HOSS?

HOW YOU DOING?

HIS BEST FRIEND, DORSEY SANDERS,
JOINS HIM.

THEY GO OVER
THE FINAL DETAILS OF A PLAN.

THIS THING
IS PRETTY GOOD, MAN. NICE.

IT'S A PLAN TO KILL DORSEY'S
MOTHER, JoANN SANDERS.

THE PLAN WAS
TO CATCH JoANN SANDERS



WHEN SHE WAS ALONE, KILL HER,

DON'T GET CAUGHT DOING IT,
AND GET PAID.

Narrator:
DORSEY'S FATHER, DOC SANDERS,

IS IN THE MIDST
OF A BITTER DIVORCE.

HE'S BEEN ORDERED
TO GIVE HIS EX-WIFE, JoANN,

ALMOST HALF OF HIS ASSETS.

DORSEY'S NOT ABOUT TO SIT BY AND
WATCH HIS INHERITANCE DISAPPEAR.

THE ASSETS TOTALED
WELL OVER $1 MILLION.

Narrator: FOR BURNSIDE,
IT'S NOT ABOUT CASH OR PROPERTY.

HE SIMPLY WANTS TO IMPRESS
DORSEY AND HIS FATHER.

ANTHONY TATTI IS
THE ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY

WORKING ON THE CASE.

SCOTT BURNSIDE
PERCEIVED DR. SANDERS TO BE,

YOU KNOW, A MONEY PIT,

AND HE HAD INGRATIATED HIMSELF
WITH THE FAMILY

AND CONVINCED THEM
THAT HE WAS THE GUY

THAT COULD MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

SILENCER.

Narrator: DOC'S SON, DORSEY,
IS LIKE A BROTHER TO BURNSIDE.

Scott: DORSEY BECAME
PRETTY MUCH MY BEST FRIEND.

ME AND HIM ACTUALLY DEVELOP

A GOOD BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
AS WELL

AND OPENED
INTERNATIONAL AUTO SALES

JUST OUTSIDE OF GAINESVILLE.

Narrator:
BURNSIDE'S USED-CAR-LOT BUSINESS

ALLOWS HIM TO TAKE CARE
OF HIS FAMILY --

HIS WIFE, TANYA,
WHO HE MARRIED IN 1988,

AND HIS SON, CHARLIE,
FROM HIS FIRST WIFE.

BY MID-JULY 1990,

THE SANDERS' DIVORCE
HAS REACHED A BOILING POINT.

A JUDGE HAS ORDERED DOC

TO PAY JoANN A LARGE PORTION
OF HER SETTLEMENT -- $171,000.

DOC WAS ACTUALLY HAVING TO
WRITE HER A CHECK,

AND THAT'S WHAT MADE THINGS,
I GUESS, EXPLODE.

[ GUN CLICKS ]

Narrator: DORSEY'S DETERMINED
TO PROTECT HIS INHERITANCE.

BURNSIDE HELPS HIM
COME UP WITH A PLAN --

ELIMINATE DORSEY'S MOTHER,
JoANN,

BUT GET SOMEONE ELSE
TO DO THE DIRTY WORK.

BURNSIDE RECRUITS JOHN BARRETT,
A MECHANIC AT THE USED-CAR LOT,

TO COMMIT THE MURDER.

Scott: HE STARTED WORKING FOR US
PART TIME

TO MAKE A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY,

PAY OFF ONE OF HIS CARS
THAT HE WAS SHORT OF PAYING FOR.

HEY, BARRETT,
HOW'S IT GOING, MAN?

Narrator:
BURNSIDE OFFERS BARRETT $20,000
TO KILL JoANN SANDERS.

BY LATE JULY, BURNSIDE IS READY
TO PULL THE TRIGGER ON THE PLOT.

HE SENDS BARRETT TO JoANN'S HOME
IN FLORAL CITY, FLORIDA,

TO DO THE JOB.

Thompson: HE HAD PARKED HIS CAR
OUT ON THE SIDE OF 41,

AND UNDER ROUSE,
WENT UP TO THE HOUSE,

SAYING HIS CAR WAS BROKEN DOWN
AND IT WAS NEEDING WATER.

Narrator: BARRETT
APPROACHES JoANN'S HOUSE.

TO HIS SURPRISE,

HE SEES TWO MEN STANDING OUTSIDE
OF JoANN'S HOME.

HE PRETENDS HIS RADIATOR IS
LEAKING AND ASKS THEM FOR WATER.

Thompson: HE WAS GONNA
COMMIT THE MURDERS THEN,

BUT HE SOMEWHAT BACKED OUT.

HE DIDN'T LIKE SOMETHING
ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING THERE,

SO HE LEFT.

Narrator:
TWO WEEKS LATER, ON AUGUST 3rd,

BURNSIDE SENDS BARRETT
BACK TO JoANN'S HOME.

THIS TIME,
BARRETT'S CARRYING THE GUN

WITH THE HOMEMADE SILENCER
AND A LARGE KNIFE.

HE'S HOPING TO FIND JoANN ALONE.

HEY, LOOK WHO
I FOUND OUTSIDE HERE.

Scott:
HE BROUGHT SOME BEER IN,

STARTED DRINKING BEER WITH HER
AND HER FIANCé, JERRY LEE CLARK,

AND SOME GUY THAT WAS HELPING
REMODEL THE KITCHEN,

AND THEY WERE HANGING OUT.

Narrator:
JoANN IS GROWING SUSPICIOUS
OF BARRETT'S INTENTIONS.

SHE NOTICES A LARGE KNIFE

AND A BULKY OBJECT
TUCKED IN HIS PANTS.

THINKING BACK
TO HER MESSY DIVORCE,

SHE WONDERS IF BARRETT WAS HIRED
BY HER EX-HUSBAND TO SPY ON HER.

[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]

THEN, JoANN RECEIVES
AN EMERGENCY CALL

THAT HER MOTHER IS SICK.

HI.

OH, MY GOD.

OKAY. BYE.

I GOT TO GO.

AROUND 4:00 P.M.,
JoANN LEAVES THE HOUSE.

ON HER WAY OUT,
SHE NOTICES SOMETHING ODD.

BARRETT'S TRUCK
IS PARKED FAR AWAY

INSTEAD OF
IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

Tatti:
IT BOTHERED HER ENOUGH

THAT SHE WROTE DOWN
THE TAG NUMBER ON THE TRUCK

AS SHE WAS LEAVING.

Narrator: WITH JoANN GONE,
HER CARPENTER, ROGER WILSON,

AND FIANCé, JERRY CLARK,
HEAD OUT TO RUN A FEW ERRANDS...

WE GOT TO GO.

...LEAVING BARRETT
ALONE IN THE HOUSE.

BARRETT ANXIOUSLY WAITS
FOR JoANN TO RETURN HOME.

THIS TIME,
HE DECIDES NOTHING WILL STOP HIM

FROM FINISHING THE JOB.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

OH, JOHNNY, GREAT,
YOU'RE STILL HERE.

Narrator: WILSON RETURNS ALONE
AFTER AN HOUR.

WHEN HE TURNS HIS BACK,
BARRETT PULLS THE TRIGGER

AND PUTS A 9-MILLIMETER BULLET
IN HIS HEAD.

[ SILENCED GUNSHOT ]

WITH WILSON OUT OF THE WAY,

BARRETT ONCE AGAIN
WAITS FOR JoANN TO RETURN.

BARRETT CHECKS HIS GUN
AND NOTICES IT'S JAMMED.

HE'S GOING TO NEED
ANOTHER WEAPON.

MEANWHILE, SCOTT BURNSIDE IS AT
THE USED-CAR LOT 80 MILES AWAY.

HE HAS NO IDEA
THAT THE PLOT HE HELPED CREATE

IS SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL.

BACK AT JoANN'S HOUSE,

CLARK RETURNS WITH HIS NEIGHBOR,
ROBERT HEMINGWAY.

HEY!

BARRETT SURPRISES THEM,
BRANDISHING HIS PISTOL.

THEY HAVE NO IDEA IT'S JAMMED.

DOWN ON THE GROUND.
DOWN ON THE GROUND!

HE THEN USES THE HATCHET
TO BASH THEIR HEADS.

HE SLASHES THEIR THROATS
WITH A KNIFE.

BARRETT NOW HAS ANOTHER PROBLEM.

A NEIGHBOR ON THE STREET
STOPS BY THE HOUSE,

LOOKING FOR HEMINGWAY.

BARRETT FEELS HE HAS NO CHOICE
BUT TO BEAT HIM WITH A HATCHET.

HE THEN CUTS HIS THROAT

AND DRAGS HIS BLOODY BODY
TO THE BEDROOM CLOSET.

HE ELIMINATED FOUR PEOPLE,
KILLED THEM,

TO WAIT ON JoANN SANDERS
TO COME BACK HOME.

Narrator:
BACK AT THE USED CAR LOT,

BURNSIDE NERVOUSLY WAITS
FOR NEWS,

HOPING THAT HE
CAN KEEP HIS HANDS CLEAN.

SEVEN HOURS LATER,
AFTER TAKING CARE OF HER MOTHER,

JoANN RETURNS HOME.

SHE SEES ROGER WILSON
SLUMPED IN A CORNER.

HEY, ROGER.

ROGER?

THINKING HE HAD
TOO MUCH TO DRINK,

SHE MOVES ON TO HER BEDROOM.

CONFUSED, SHE LOOKS

AND IS HORRIFIED
AT THE SCENE BEFORE HER.

[ SCREAMS ]

WITHIN MINUTES,

A TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS
RUSHES TO JoANN'S HOME.

CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFF
CHARLES DEAN

HAS WITNESSED
DOZENS OF MURDERS IN FLORIDA,

BUT WHEN HE ARRIVES,
HE'S SHOCKED BY THE CARNAGE.

OH, JOE, LOOK AT THAT.

Dean:
THAT WAS A GORY MURDER.

MAN, WHAT A MESS.

TO DISCOVER
YOU'VE HAD FOUR PEOPLE MURDERED

IN DAYLIGHT AND NOT HAVE
ANY DIRECT EYEWITNESS,

IT'S A PRETTY
TRAUMATIC OCCASION.

Narrator: CAPTAIN JERRY THOMPSON
EXAMINES THE EVIDENCE.

Thompson: I'VE SEEN
GRUESOME SCENES BEFORE,

BUT NOT WITH THE BODY COUNT
THAT THIS ONE PRODUCED.

Narrator:
THE FORENSICS TEAM

CAREFULLY EXAMINES
THE FOOTPRINTS, TIRE TRACKS,

AND BLOOD SPATTER
FROM THE KILLINGS.

AS POLICE WORK THE CRIME SCENE,

BARRETT HEADS TO MELROSE,
FLORIDA,

TO REPORT BACK TO BURNSIDE.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, MAN?

Scott: HE LOOKED LIKE HE
WAS KIND OF DRUNK AND CRAZY.

HIS EYES WERE KIND OF WILD.

HE TOLD ME HE KILLED FOUR MEN.

BURNSIDE'S MURDER PLOT
IS A COMPLETE FIASCO.

FOUR MEN ARE DEAD,

AND THE INTENDED TARGET,
JoANN SANDERS, IS UNHARMED.

BURNSIDE THEN DISCOVERS THAT
BARRETT MADE A HUGE MISTAKE --

A MISTAKE THAT MAY CONNECT HIM
TO THE MURDERS.

Narrator:
AUGUST 1990.

SCOTT BURNSIDE HAS JUST SENT
A HIT MAN TO KILL JoANN SANDERS,

BUT THE PLOT
TAKES AN UNEXPECTED TWIST...

...AND FOUR MEN ARE DEAD.

BURNSIDE'S NOW WORRIED
HE'LL BE CONNECTED TO THE CRIME.

WHY IS THIS TRUCK HERE?

I ASKED HIM, "WERE YOU DRIVING
THAT VEHICLE WHEN YOU DID THIS?"

YEAH, YEAH.
YEAH, YEAH.

I SAID, "WHERE WAS
THIS VEHICLE PARKED

WHEN YOU KILLED THESE FOUR MEN?"

"WELL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS KIND
OF OUT IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE."

THE VEHICLE WAS A VEHICLE THAT
I HAD JUST TAKEN IN ON TRADE

AT THE CAR LOT.

MY IMMEDIATE CONCERN WAS THAT
THE AUTHORITIES ARE GONNA COME.

THEY'RE COMING.
I KNOW THEY'RE COMING.

Narrator: THE INTENDED VICTIM,
JoANN SANDERS,

GIVES POLICE
THE LICENSE-TAG NUMBER

FROM THE SUSPICIOUS TRUCK.

WITHIN HOURS, AUTHORITIES
TRACE THE VEHICLE TAG

TO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SALES,

A USED-CAR LOT
IN MELROSE, FLORIDA.

THE OWNERS ARE DORSEY SANDERS,
JoANN'S SON,

AND HIS BUSINESS PARTNER,
SCOTT BURNSIDE.

Tatti: IMMEDIATELY, THE BELLS
AND WHISTLES STARTED GOING OFF,

'CAUSE MELROSE IS WHERE
THE EX-HUSBAND LIVED.

NOW IT BEGAN TO GENUINELY APPEAR

TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO KILL
JoANN SANDERS THAT HAD GONE BAD.

Narrator:
BACK AT THE STATION,

POLICE LEARN
ABOUT THE MESSY DIVORCE

BETWEEN DOC SANDERS
AND HIS EX-WIFE, JoANN.

THE ALSO LEARN ABOUT JOHN,

THE MYSTERIOUS VISITOR
WHO STOPPED BY JoANN'S HOME

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

ARMED WITH THIS NEW EVIDENCE,

CITRUS COUNTY DETECTIVES
GO TO THE CAR LOT

TO QUESTION BURNSIDE.

YEAH.

THEY DISCOVER
THAT THE LICENSE TAG NUMBER

JoANN GAVE THEM
FROM JOHN'S TRUCK

IS CONNECTED TO AN INDIVIDUAL
NAMED JOHN BARRETT,

A MECHANIC
WHO WORKS FOR BURNSIDE.

POLICE ARREST BARRETT LESS
THAN A WEEK AFTER THE MURDERS.

HE CONFESSES TO POLICE
THAT THE QUADRUPLE MURDER

WAS THE RESULT OF A BOTCHED PLOT
TO KILL JoANN SANDERS,

AND HE TELLS POLICE
IT WAS SCOTT BURNSIDE

WHO HIRED HIM TO DO THE KILLING.

Dean: AND I DON'T BELIEVE THESE
PEOPLE THAT WERE THE VICTIMS

EVER WERE THEY INTENDED
TO BE THE VICTIMS.

THEY JUST INNOCENTLY WALKED IN
ON A TERRIBLE SITUATION,

AND AS A RESULT OF IT,
LOST THEIR LIVES.

Thompson:
THERE IS NO QUESTION IN MY MIND

THAT BURNSIDE
WAS THE CAUSE OF JOHN BARRETT

GOING TO THIS MOBILE HOME
TO KILL THESE PEOPLE.

Narrator: ON AUGUST 11th,
EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE MURDERS,

DORSEY SANDERS
AND SCOTT BURNSIDE

ARE CHARGED WITH
CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER.

AT THIS POINT, THE TWO FUGITIVES
ARE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

Scott:
I DROVE TO ORLANDO.

I'LL GO STAY AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE

AND, HOPEFULLY, THE DUST
WOULD SETTLE IN A FEW DAYS,

AND I'D COME HOME.

THAT'S ACTUALLY
WHAT I BELIEVED I WAS DOING.

Narrator: BURNSIDE AND DORSEY
MEET UP IN A HOTEL ROOM

AND START PLANNING THEIR ESCAPE.

HOW DO YOU THINK WE'RE GONNA
GET ACROSS THE BORDER?

Scott: THE BEST THING FOR US TO
DO WAS GO TO MEXICO.

WE MADE CONNECTIONS THERE --
PEOPLE WE COULD TRUST.

PROBABLY PHONY PASSPORTS
COULD BE ARRANGED FOR,

THAT KIND OF STUFF.

Narrator: BURNSIDE
WANTS ONE LAST MOMENT

TO SAY GOODBYE TO HIS WIFE,
TANYA.

Scott: ME AND MY WIFE
CAN HAVE PROBABLY

THE MOST SERIOUS CONVERSATION
THAT WE'VE EVER HAD IN OUR LIVES

TO SAY THE LEAST.

BASICALLY MADE PLANS
FOR THE FUTURE.

I'LL GO.

"BLUE LAGOON" WAS A MOVIE

THAT WAS REFERRED TO
IN OUR CONVERSATION --

THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO FIND
A DESERTED ISLAND SOMEWHERE

THAT WE COULD LIVE
HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Narrator:
AFTER A TEARFUL FAREWELL,

BURNSIDE'S HIT
WITH ANOTHER SURPRISE.

ON AUGUST 15th, DORSEY DECIDES
TO SURRENDER TO AUTHORITIES.

FACED WITH FOUR COUNTS
OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER,

BURNSIDE MAKES A DECISION THAT
WILL FOREVER CHANGE HIS LIFE.

Scott:
MY WHOLE LIFE IS RUINED.

THE LIFE AS I KNEW IT
WAS GONNA CEASE TO EXIST.

I GOT $2,000 IN MY POCKET,

AND I GOT TO GO START
A NEW LIFE SOMEWHERE.

Narrator: HE CALLS
THE ONE PERSON HE CAN TRUST --

HIS MOTHER,
WHO'S LIVING IN ORLANDO.

MY MOTHER KIND OF TOOK CONTROL,

'CAUSE I WAS PRETTY EMOTIONAL,
STRESSED OUT.

REALLY WASN'T PREPARED
TO DEAL WITH THIS SO QUICKLY.

Narrator:
BURNSIDE'S MOTHER, SUSAN,

IS A RESERVATION CLERK
FOR A MAJOR AIRLINE CARRIER.

SHE USES HER EMPLOYEE PRIVILEGES

TO GET HER SON A FREE TICKET
TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

I FIGURED I WOULD PROBABLY
NEED A CITY

WITH GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION,
AT LEAST,

AND A BIG CITY TO KIND OF
FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING LOST IN,

SO WASHINGTON, D.C.
WAS A PERFECT SPOT FOR THAT.

Narrator:
A WEEK AFTER THE MURDERS,

BURNSIDE FLIES
TO WASHINGTON, D.C.,

UNDER A FAKE NAME AND CHECKS
INTO A RUN-DOWN MOTEL.

TO SAVE MONEY,
HE QUICKLY ADOPTS A DIET

OF PEANUT-BUTTER-AND-JELLY
SANDWICHES.

AT NIGHT, HE GETS DRUNK TO NUMB
HIS FEARS OF BEING CAUGHT.

Scott: I WAS
AN EMOTIONAL WRECK, SO AT NIGHT,

I WOULD GO GET SOME BEER,
A BOTTLE OF BOOZE OR SOMETHING,

AND DRINK ENOUGH
TO GO TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT.

WHEN I TALKED TO MY MOM,

SOMETIMES IT GOT HARD,
AND I STILL MISSED TANYA.

I STILL MISSED MY SON.

Narrator: AFTER A WEEK OF LIVING
IN A RUN-DOWN MOTEL,

BURNSIDE'S ANXIOUS
TO GET SETTLED.

Scott: I NEEDED A PLACE,
A PERMANENT PLACE TO STAY.

I NEEDED A JOB.

I NEEDED I.D., SOME WAY TO GET
AROUND, SO I BOUGHT A BICYCLE.

DURING THE DAYS,
THAT'S WHAT I WAS DOING --

SIGHTSEEING, LEARNING THE TOWN.

Narrator:
BURNSIDE REALIZES HE NEEDS
AN ALIAS TO CONCEAL HIS PAST.

HE TAKES ON A NEW NAME --
SCOTT LAZARUS.

WITH A NEW IDENTITY,

BURNSIDE MOVES INTO AN APARTMENT
AND GETS A JOB FOR $6 AN HOUR.

I GOT A JOB PAINTING,
UNDER THE TABLE, OF COURSE,

AND THAT'S HOW I SURVIVED
THE WHOLE TIME

I WAS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Narrator:
IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE
THE VIOLENT FLORAL CITY MURDERS.

BACK IN FLORIDA,
NUMEROUS TIPS BEGIN TO ROLL IN.

DETECTIVES DECIDE TO ZERO IN
ON BURNSIDE'S MOTHER, SUSAN.

Dean:
WE JUST MADE ONE ASSUMPTION

THERE'S ONE PERSON THAT YOU'LL
ALWAYS CONTACT IN YOUR LIFE

WOULD BE YOUR MOTHER.

Narrator:
IN LATE SEPTEMBER,

CITRUS COUNTY INVESTIGATORS
GET A SOLID TIP.

THEY FIND OUT THAT SUSAN
IS FLYING TO MINNEAPOLIS

TO ATTEND A HOBBY TRADE SHOW.

INVESTIGATORS ARE CERTAIN

THAT SHE'S PLANNING
A SECRET MEETING WITH HER SON.

IT'S THEIR BEST CHANCE
TO FINALLY CAPTURE BURNSIDE.

Tatti:
WE PRETTY QUICKLY DETERMINED
THAT SCOTT BURNSIDE'S MOTHER

WAS GOING TO BE
A RESOURCE FOR HIM.

SHE WORKED FOR AN AIRLINE.
SHE HAD ACCESS TO AIRPLANES.

SHE COULD MOVE HIM AROUND
VERY EASILY.

Narrator:
INVESTIGATORS QUICKLY PULL
TOGETHER A SURVEILLANCE TEAM.

THEY FOLLOW SUSAN TO MINNEAPOLIS
AND CHECK IN TO THE SAME HOTEL.

WE FELT STRONGLY

THAT SHE WAS GOING TO
MAKE CONTACT WITH SCOTT.

Narrator:
THE COPS GET READY TO TRAIL HER.

THEY'RE CONVINCED
THAT THIS COULD BE THE END

OF BURNSIDE'S RUN.

[ SIREN WAILS ]

Narrator:
SEPTEMBER 1990.

MORE THAN 30 DAYS HAVE PASSED

SINCE FOUR MEN WERE BRUTALLY
MURDERED IN FLORIDA.

POLICE BELIEVE
THEY ARE HOT ON THE TRAIL

OF FUGITIVE SCOTT BURNSIDE.

WHEN BURNSIDE'S MOTHER, SUSAN,
MAKES A TRIP TO MINNEAPOLIS,

DETECTIVES SUSPECT SHE'S
PLANNING TO MEET WITH HER SON.

INVESTIGATORS
FOLLOW SUSAN CLOSELY,

BUT THERE'S NO SIGN OF BURNSIDE.

THEY MONITOR HER PHONE CALLS

AND NEVER LET SUSAN
OUT OF THEIR SIGHT.

BUT BY THE FOURTH DAY,

SUSAN STILL MAKES NO ATTEMPT
TO MEET WITH HER SON.

SHE CHECKS OUT OF THE HOTEL AND
GETS BACK ON A PLANE TO ORLANDO.

IT'S A DEAD END
FOR INVESTIGATORS.

Thompson:
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WAS
LEADING US AWAY FROM SOMETHING,

WHICH IS A POSSIBILITY,

BUT SHE DIDN'T REALLY
MAKE CONTACT WITH ANYONE

THAT WE THOUGHT
WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT.

Narrator:
BACK IN WASHINGTON, D.C.,

BURNSIDE FEELS
A RUSH OF LONELINESS.

Scott:
I GOT REALLY HOMESICK.

ANYWAY, I COULDN'T STAND IT
ANY LONGER,

EVEN THOUGH I KNEW I CAN'T
CALL ANYBODY IN MY PAST.

THE HARDEST THING WITHOUT
QUESTION WAS NOT SEEING MY WIFE,

NOT BEING WITH HER.

SO I CALLED UP HER BEST FRIEND.

"HEY, MICHELLE,
WHERE'S TANYA?"

Narrator:
MICHELLE TELLS BURNSIDE

THAT TANYA IS STAYING IN
PHILADELPHIA WITH ANOTHER MAN.

Scott:
AND IT JUST BROKE MY HEART.

GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER.

I HUNG UP, WENT STRAIGHT
TO THE TRAIN STATION.

I WAS ON A MISSION
TO GO TO PHILADELPHIA

AND I DON'T CARE IF POLICE
CAUGHT ME OR NOT AT THAT POINT.

Narrator: AS SOON AS HE ARRIVES
IN PHILADELPHIA,

BURNSIDE CALLS TANYA.

Scott: I TALKED HER INTO COMING
DOWN TO THE TRAIN STATION.

I SAID, "I DON'T CARE
WHAT YOU DO TO GET HERE,

I GOT TO SEE YOU."

Narrator: THREE HOURS GO BY,
AND TANYA STILL HASN'T SHOWN UP.

THEN HE FINALLY SPOTS HER
WALKING TOWARDS HIM.

TANYA!

Scott:
SHE SHOWED UP.

I'M JUST LOOKING AT HER,
YOU KNOW?

I'VE BEEN LETTING MY BEARD GROW,
AND I'VE DYED MY HAIR,

AND I'M WEARING
SECONDHAND CLOTHES,

AND SHE PULLS UP
LOOKING LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS.

WE TALKED.

WE CRIED PROBABLY MORE
THAN WE TALKED,

BUT SHE STILL PROMISED...

I PROMISE.

...SHE'D COME LIVE WITH ME

WHEN I FOUND
THAT LITTLE SPECIAL PLACE.

SO SHE LEFT, AND THAT...

...AND THAT WAS IT.

WE AGREED TO MEET UP
AT SOME FUTURE DATE,

BUT I KNEW IN MY HEART
IT WAS OVER.

Narrator: BURNSIDE CAN'T
GET TANYA OUT OF HIS MIND.

HE'S HEARTBROKEN AND DEPRESSED.

IN ADDITION, HE'S BECOMING MORE
PARANOID AS EACH DAY PASSES.

HE DECIDES
TO CHANGE HIS APPEARANCE.

I GOT SOME FUNNY-LOOKING GLASSES

AND GREW THE BEARD
AND A MOUSTACHE,

LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER
EVERYWHERE I WENT, OF COURSE.

Narrator:
BACK IN FLORIDA,

INVESTIGATORS CONTINUE TO BUILD
THEIR CASE AGAINST BURNSIDE.

THEY ALSO BEGIN COLLECTING
EVIDENCE TO ARREST DOC SANDERS,

SINCE POLICE BELIEVE
HE HAD THE MOST TO GAIN

FROM JoANN'S DEATH.

AS DOC REMAINS FREE, BURNSIDE
CONTINUES TO LIVE IN FEAR.

I'M SITTING HERE
SHAKING IN MY SHOES, YOU KNOW,

KNOWING HOW INTENSE
THE SEARCH IS FOR ME.

Narrator: BURNSIDE'S GREATEST
WEAKNESS ARE HIS EMOTIONS.

THE NEED TO STAY
IN CONTACT WITH FAMILY

IS CONSTANTLY PUTTING HIM
IN DANGER OF CAPTURE.

Scott:
I FIGURED A GOOD TIME TO HAVE MY
MOTHER BRING MY SON TO VISIT ME.

Charlie: WHEN MY DAD
WENT ON THE RUN, YOU KNOW,

I WAS VERY CONFUSED AT THE TIME,
BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE HIM.

I WANTED TO TALK TO HIM.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE
HE WAS OKAY,

AND, YOU KNOW,
I DIDN'T HEAR FROM HIM.

I DIDN'T KNOW --
NO ONE KNEW ANYTHING.

Narrator:
IN JANUARY 1991,

BURNSIDE ASKS HIS MOTHER
TO ARRANGE A MEETING

WITH HIS 11-YEAR-OLD SON,
CHARLIE.

IT'S BEEN FIVE MONTHS SINCE
CHARLIE HAS SEEN HIS FATHER.

Charlie: WHEN WE ARRIVED
AND I SEE MY DAD,

I DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM.

BUT, YEAH, ONCE I GOT UP TO HIM
AND ACTUALLY GAVE HIM A HUG,

I KNEW IT WAS MY DAD, AND IT
WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

ARE YOU BEING GOOD
FOR MOM?

I MISSED MY DAD TERRIBLY
WHILE HE WAS GONE.

I REALLY NEEDED HIM THERE
WITH ME,

BECAUSE HE WAS DEFINITELY
MY HEART.

Narrator: THE VISIT MAKES
BURNSIDE FEEL NORMAL AGAIN.

HE CONTINUES HIS PAINTING JOB
TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

Scott: I WAS ACTUALLY
FEELING HUMAN AGAIN.

I GOT INTO A, I GUESS,

A GROOVE OF DOING
WHAT I NEEDED TO DO

TO KEEP FROM GETTING LOCKED UP.

Narrator: ONE NIGHT,
BURNSIDE DECIDES TO MEET UP

WITH SOME NEW FRIENDS
IN GEORGETOWN.

HOW YOU DOING?

IT WOULD BE A DECISION
THAT HE WOULD SOON REGRET.

YEAH, YOU'RE THE ONE
DRIVING TONIGHT, TOO.

Scott:
GOT PRETTY LOADED.

CLOSED DOWN THE BAR,
WENT TO BIG BOY'S RESTAURANT.

ORDERED A BUNCH OF FOOD.

AND I FELL ASLEEP AT THE TABLE.

Narrator:
THE WAITRESS NOTICES BURNSIDE
SLUMPED OVER IN HIS CHAIR.

Woman:
THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

YOU AND DRUNKY McSLEEPINGTON
ARE OUT OF HERE.

SHE TELLS HIS FRIEND TO GET HIM
OUT OF THE RESTAURANT.

COME ON.

WELL, MY BUDDY, MIKE, HE DOESN'T
KNOW THAT I'M A WANTED FELON.

BYE, GUYS.

SEE YA.

SO HE JUST HELPS ME
OUT TO THE CAR.

SHE GOT YOU. SIT.
ALL RIGHT.

PUTS ME IN THE FRONT SEAT
OF HIS CAR,

AND CONTINUES
EATING HIS BREAKFAST.

WE JUST HAD A COUPLE CUSTOMERS
IN HERE TOTALLY UNRULY.

Scott: WAITRESS, I GUESS,
DIDN'T LIKE THAT TOO MUCH...

SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO COME
CHECK IT OUT.

Scott:
...AND CALLED THE POLICE.

Narrator:
BURNSIDE PASSES OUT COLD

IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE CAR.

[ SIREN WAILS ]

THEN SUDDENLY,
HE'S JOLTED AWAKE

BY A BLARING LIGHT
SHINING IN HIS FACE.

ARE YOU OKAY, SIR?

Scott:
POLICE KNOCKED ON MY WINDOW.

FLASHLIGHT SHINED IN MY FACE.
"STEP OUT OF THE CAR, SIR."

I STEP OUT OF THE CAR.

HANDS ON THE TOP, PLEASE.

RIGHT HAND. THANK YOU.
YOUR LEFT HAND, SIR.

WELL, IT'S FINALLY OVER.

Narrator:
BURNSIDE MUST MAKE SURE THAT
THEY DON'T FIND OUT WHO HE IS.

[ SIREN WAILS ]

Narrator:
JANUARY 1991.

WANTED FELON SCOTT BURNSIDE

IS SITTING IN THE BACK
OF A POLICE CAR.

I'M BRINGING A MALE SUSPECT,
24 YEARS OLD APPROXIMATELY,

AND I'LL SEE YOU
IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

HE'S BEEN ARRESTED
FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION.

THE WASHINGTON, D.C., POLICE

HAVE NO IDEA THEY ARE DEALING
WITH A FUGITIVE.

WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE STATION,
POLICE OFFICERS ARE SWAMPED

BY AN OVERWHELMING
NUMBER OF BOOKINGS.

Scott: I GUESS IT'S
A FRIDAY NIGHT, I THINK.

AND IT WAS SO BUSY THAT

THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME
TO PHOTOGRAPH OR PRINT ME.

THEY JUST LET ME SLEEP IT OFF.

I GAVE THEM SOME PHONY NAME.

THEY KICKED ME OUT THE DOOR
IN THE MORNING.

Narrator:
BURNSIDE'S LUCK IS SHORT-LIVED.

HE LEARNS THAT HE'LL BE FEATURED

ON FLORIDA'S MOST WANTED
FUGITIVE BULLETIN.

BACK IN ORLANDO, BURNSIDE'S
MOTHER HELPS PLAN HIS NEXT MOVE.

SHE OBTAINS A PASSPORT FOR
HER SON USING A DIFFERENT NAME.

I ASSUMED IDENTITY OF MY
MOTHER'S EX-HUSBAND'S SON,

STEVEN RHODES JR.

BURNSIDE RESEARCHES
THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES

THAT DON'T HAVE EXTRADITION
TREATIES WITH THE UNITED STATES.

HE SETTLES ON RAROTONGA,

A TINY SOUTH-PACIFIC ISLAND
NEAR NEW ZEALAND.

Scott:
AND IT'S TRULY A BLUE LAGOON.

I HAD PLANNED THAT WAS MY SPOT
WHERE I COULD CALL TANYA,

MY WIFE,
AND HAVE HER MEET ME THERE.

Narrator:
MEANWHILE, THE INVESTIGATION
IN FLORIDA HEATS UP.

ON JULY 26, 1991,

DORSEY SANDERS,
JoANN SANDERS' SON,

IS FOUND GUILTY
OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.

THAT SAME DAY,
AUTHORITIES ARREST HIS FATHER,

DOC SANDERS, IN KEY WEST.

INVESTIGATORS FINALLY
HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE

TO CHARGE DOC
AS A CO-CONSPIRATOR.

IF YOU ARE AN ACCESSORY,
YOU KNOW,

THEN YOU'RE JUST AS GUILTY
OF MAKING THE PLAN

AS THOSE WHO PULLED THE TRIGGER.

Narrator:
ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1991,

JOHN BARRETT,
THE ACCUSED HIT MAN

OF THE BOTCHED
MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT,

IS SENTENCED TO DEATH.

[ SILENCED GUNSHOT ]

Tatti: THERE IS NO QUESTION
THAT FLORIDA'S DEATH PENALTY

WAS WRITTEN FOR JOHN BARRETT.

I MEAN, YOU CANNOT ENGAGE
IN THE BEHAVIOR HE ENGAGED IN

AND KILL FOUR
COMPLETELY INNOCENT MEN

WITHOUT DESERVING
THE DEATH PENALTY.

Narrator:
THEN THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
RECEIVES A MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE.

IT'S A TAPE RECORDING
FROM SCOTT BURNSIDE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, GENTLEMEN.
THIS IS SCOTT BURNSIDE.

I MEAN, LET'S JUST
CUT THE CRAP HERE, GUYS.

I'M WILLING TO POSSIBLY
SIT DOWN AND TALK TO YOU

AND MAYBE EVEN SAY
ALL THAT I DO KNOW IN COURT

AGAINST THE PEOPLE INVOLVED.

Narrator:
BURNSIDE WANTS LENIENCY

IN EXCHANGE FOR TESTIMONY
AGAINST THE OTHER CONSPIRATORS.

YOU KNOW AND I KNOW I DIDN'T
HAVE THESE FOUR PEOPLE KILLED.

ONCE HE WAS IN A POSITION
WHERE HE WAS COMFORTABLE

THAT WE WEREN'T GONNA FIGURE OUT
WHERE HE WAS,

I MEAN,
HE'S A USED-CAR SALESMAN.

HE'S A LITTLE ARROGANT
BY NATURE.

SO HE TAUNTED US.

WHY DON'T YOU OFFER ME
JUST MY GOD-GIVEN RIGHT

TO NOT ELECTROCUTE ME.

I MEAN, YOU INSULT
MY INTELLIGENCE.

YOU GUYS, YOU'RE NOT MESSING
WITH A DUMMY, OKAY?

I'VE BEEN UNDER YOUR NOSES

AND BETWEEN YOUR EARS
FOR A LONG TIME.

BUT WITHOUT ME, FELLAS,

I GUARANTEE
YOU NEVER HAVE A SHOT.

HE MADE PROPOSALS, AND THEY WERE
HOLLOW, COMPLETELY EMPTY.

WE NEVER PROMISED TO DO ANYTHING
FOR SCOTT BURNSIDE.

I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT
AT THAT POINT.

Narrator: INSTEAD,
DETECTIVES INCREASE SURVEILLANCE

ON BURNSIDE'S FAMILY
AND FRIENDS.

IN AN EVENT LIKE THIS,

EVERYBODY ASSOCIATED
IS A SUSPECT -- EVERYONE.

Narrator: THIS INCLUDES
BURNSIDE'S SISTER, CHERYL,

AND 11-YEAR-OLD CHARLIE,
BURNSIDE'S SON.

Charlie: I REMEMBER WHEN
THIS ALL FIRST HAPPENED,

I PLAYED BASKETBALL A LOT --
EVERY DAY.

AT LEAST FOUR TIMES A DAY.

SO EVERY TIME
I WALK OUT OF THE HOUSE,

I COULD LOOK OVER
TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT

AND SEE AN UNMARKED CAR
WITH COPS SITTING IN IT.

SO I KNEW
THEY WERE FOLLOWING ME.

Narrator: THERE'S ONE PERSON
IN PARTICULAR

THAT AUTHORITIES
RELENTLESSLY TRACKED --

BURNSIDE'S MOTHER, SUSAN.

Tatti:
WE FIRMLY BELIEVED HIS MOTHER
WAS THE KEY TO FINDING HIM,

SO WE STAYED ON HER.

WE FOLLOWED HER.

WE, AS MUCH AS WE LEGALLY COULD,
LISTEN TO HER PHONE CALLS,

CHECKED EVERY PAY PHONE WITHIN
A HALF A MILE OF HER HOUSE,

JUST TRYING TO FIND LINKS
TO WHERE SCOTT MIGHT BE.

Narrator:
IN LATE SEPTEMBER 1991,

BURNSIDE USES HIS FAKE PASSPORT

AND LANDS ON THE TINY ISLAND
OF RAROTONGA.

HE'S BEEN RUNNING
FOR OVER 13 MONTHS NOW.

Scott: WHEN I GOT TO RAROTONGA,
AS I GOT OFF THE AIRPLANE,

THEY PUT FLOWERS ON YOU
LIKE THEY DO IN HAWAII,

AND IT DAWNS ON ME.

I SAID, "WOW,
I MIGHT LIKE IT HERE, YOU KNOW?"

Narrator:
BURNSIDE FINDS A PLACE TO LIVE,

GETS A ROOMMATE,
AND SETTLES INTO ISLAND LIFE.

Scott:
IT'S A TROPICAL PARADISE --

MOUNTAINS, PALM TREES, BEACHES,

GOOD FISHING, SCUBA DIVING,
GREAT PEOPLE.

Charlie: I THINK ONCE HE ARRIVED
IN RAROTONGA THAT HE FELT,

YOU KNOW,
A LITTLE MORE RELIEVED,

A LITTLE MORE RELAXED
THAT HE'S FAR ENOUGH AWAY NOW

WHERE THEY CAN'T GET HIM.

Narrator:
BACK IN FLORIDA,

INVESTIGATORS
ARE MAKING PROGRESS

ON BURNSIDE'S WHEREABOUTS.

AUTHORITIES LEARN ABOUT

HIS MOTHER'S MASSAGE-PARLOR
BUSINESS IN ORLANDO.

THEY DECIDE
TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

Thompson: WE SENT INVESTIGATORS
FROM OUR DEPARTMENT

TO CONDUCT
AN INVESTIGATION ON HER,

AND THEY ENDED UP
OBTAINING EVIDENCE

THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED
IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

OKAY, SO YOU CAN MAKE IT
AT 5:00 A.M.?

Narrator: IT'S A LUCKY BREAK
FOR FLORIDA INVESTIGATORS.

THEY FILE PROSTITUTION
AND RACKETEERING CHARGES.

IN MARCH 1992, NEARLY
20 MONTHS AFTER THE MURDERS,

A S.W.A.T. TEAM STORMS
THE WILD WEST MASSAGE PARLOR.

EVERYBODY OUT. STAY CALM.
YOU STAY RIGHT THERE.

COME ON OUT.

ONCE INSIDE,
THEY ARREST SUSAN.

I'M DOING JUST FINE,
IF YOU WOULD SHOW ME A --

STAY CALM. STAY CALM.

THE ARREST TURNS OUT

TO BE A MAJOR TURNING POINT
IN THE CASE.

TELL DAD TO CALL
THE LAWYER. OUCH!

THERE WE GO.

Tatti: WE DIDN'T CARE
WHAT HAPPENED TO SUSAN.

WE WERE INTERESTED
IN FINDING SCOTT.

IF AGITATING HER HELPED US
FIND SCOTT, WE AGITATED HER.

Narrator:
THE COPS SET SUSAN'S BAIL HIGH.

THEY PRESSURE HER
TO TALK ABOUT HER SON.

SHE REFUSES TO GIVE UP
ANY INFORMATION

ABOUT HER SON'S WHEREABOUTS.

Tatti:
WE KNEW SHE KNEW WHERE HE WAS.

IT WAS OBVIOUS.

I MEAN, WHEN HE DID
WANT TO REACH OUT TO US,

IT WAS THROUGH HER.

Narrator:
THEN SHE SURPRISES AUTHORITIES.

SUSAN COMES UP WITH ENOUGH CASH
TO POST HER BOND

AND GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

Tatti: IT CAUSED HER
TO HAVE TO TAP RESOURCES

OTHER THAN JUST THE CASH
SHE HAD IN HER POCKET,

GIVING HER MOTHER'S RESIDENCE
AS COLLATERAL FOR HER BOND.

FED UP WITH THE CONSTANT
POLICE SURVEILLANCE,

SUSAN AND HER HUSBAND JUMP BAIL.

THEY DECIDE TO JOIN HER SON
IN RAROTONGA.

Scott: THEY CALLED ME
WHEN THEY WERE IN L.A.,

TOLD ME THAT THEY'D BE THERE
THE NEXT DAY.

SHE SHOWS UP.
I MEET THEM AT THE AIRPORT.

HI.

SCOTT!

OH, HONEY!
HOW ARE YOU?

Scott: SHE TELLS ME
ABOUT THE S.W.A.T. TEAM,

AND SHE'S TIRED OF IT.

SHE WAS SO TIRED OF HAVING
TO DEAL WITH THAT SURVEILLANCE.

Narrator:
BURNSIDE'S SISTER, CHERYL,

IS SURPRISED TO LEARN
A BAIL BONDSMAN

IS HOLDING THE DEED
TO HER GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE.

SHE DECIDES TO FINALLY
COOPERATE WITH AUTHORITIES,

TIRED OF THE STRAIN
HER BROTHER'S LIFE ON THE RUN

IS PUTTING ON THE FAMILY.

SHE KNEW WHERE THERE WAS
A SAFE DEPOSIT BOX

THAT THE MOTHER HAD GIVEN HER
A KEY TO,

AND THERE WAS STUFF
IN THE SAFE DEPOSIT BOX

THAT SHE THOUGHT
MIGHT HELP US FIND SCOTT.

THERE WAS A BLANK POSTCARD
FROM THE ISLE OF RAROTONGA

IN THE COOK ISLANDS,

WHICH IS THE TERRITORY
OF NEW ZEALAND.

THERE WAS SOME
NEW ZEALAND CURRENCY.

IT APPEARED VERY CLEARLY
THAT HE WAS IN THE COOK ISLANDS.

Narrator:
AUTHORITIES NOW HAVE THEIR MAN,

AND THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY
TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC.

Narrator:
APRIL 1992,

THE SOUTH PACIFIC ISLAND
OF RAROTONGA.

SCOTT BURNSIDE HAS BEEN LIVING
ON THE LAM FOR NEARLY 20 MONTHS,

BUT HIS RUN FROM THE LAW
MAY SOON COME TO AN END.

AUTHORITIES
HAVE BEEN TIPPED OFF,

AND THEY'RE ON A FLIGHT
TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC.

WITHIN A WEEK
OF BURNSIDE'S MOTHER

AND STEPFATHER'S ARRIVAL
ON THE ISLAND,

THEY ABRUPTLY START PACKING UP.

BURNSIDE'S JUST RECEIVED
AN UNEXPECTED WARNING

FROM AM FRIEND.

ANY PASSPORTS?

HE SAID SOMEBODY HAD JUST CALLED
HIM FROM THE AUTHORITIES.

THEY WERE ASKING QUESTIONS
ABOUT ME -- WHERE I WAS LIVING.

I'M THINKING THAT THE
AUTHORITIES FOLLOWED MY MOM,

SOMEHOW TRACKED HER
TO THE ISLAND.

Narrator: THE THREE OF THEM
DECIDE TO FLEE TO NEW ZEALAND.

AT THE AIRPORT,

BURNSIDE IS ANXIOUS AS OFFICIALS
CHECK THEIR PASSPORTS.

Scott: MY MOTHER AND HER HUSBAND
WERE ABLE TO GO THROUGH.

BUT THEY GOT TO MINE,
AND THEY STOPPED.

Narrator: AS OFFICIALS
SCRUTINIZE BURNSIDE'S PASSPORT,

HE CAN'T ESCAPE THE FEELING
THAT THIS IS THE END.

BUT THIS TIME, IT TURNS OUT
TO BE A FALSE ALARM.

DID YOU GET A STAMP THAT
YOU NEEDED ON YOUR PASSPORT?

BURNSIDE NEEDS
TO GET A DIFFERENT STAMP

FOR HIS PASSPORT.

WELL, JUST TELL ME
WHAT I NEED TO DO.

HE TELLS HIS MOTHER
AND STEPFATHER

TO GET ON THE PLANE WITHOUT HIM.

SINCE IT'S GOOD FRIDAY,

ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES
ARE SHUT DOWN.

BURNSIDE RESCHEDULES HIS FLIGHT
FOR EASTER SUNDAY.

Scott: I GOT TO FIND THIS GUY
THAT STAMPS YOUR PASSPORT

SO I CAN GET THE NEXT PLANE,
WHICH WAS SUNDAY.

Narrator: BURNSIDE
GETS HIS PASSPORT STAMPED

ON SUNDAY MORNING...

...BUT THE DELAY
WILL COST HIM EVERYTHING.

ON EASTER SUNDAY,

BURNSIDE IS FINALLY READY
TO BOARD HIS PLANE.

HE HANDS HIS PASSPORT
TO AIRLINE OFFICIALS.

THEN HE HEARS HIS NAME.

MR. BURNSIDE?

MR. BURNSIDE.

SCOTT ALLEN BURNSIDE?

LET ME SEE
YOUR PASSPORT.

Scott: A COUPLE
OF THE LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS

STEPPED OUT FROM THE CORNER
AND SAID, "MR. BURNSIDE."

OF COURSE,
I'M NOT PAYING THEM NO MIND.

SCOTT BURNSIDE, TURN AROUND.

WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE NO GUNS.
I COULD HAVE RAN FROM THEM.

Narrator: BUT INSTEAD, BURNSIDE
GIVES UP ON APRIL 19, 1992,

AFTER LIVING ON THE RUN
FOR MORE THAN 20 MONTHS.

Scott:
I'M READY TO COME TO TERMS
WITH THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW.

I'M TIRED OF RUNNING,

SO I WAS READY TO GO BACK
AND FACE WHAT I HAD TO FACE.

Narrator: FLORIDA AUTHORITIES
BREATHE A FINAL SIGH OF RELIEF.

THEY CAN'T BELIEVE
THE CHASE IS OVER.

Tatti: HE RAN AS FAR
AS HE COULD POSSIBLY RUN.

I MEAN, THIS PLACE IS LITERALLY

ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE EARTH FROM FLORIDA,

AND WE FOUND HIM.

Narrator:
ON JANUARY 19, 1993,

SCOTT BURNSIDE
IS FOUND GUILTY ON FOUR COUNTS

OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER,
SOLICITATION, CONSPIRACY,

AND ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT.

HE RECEIVES FOUR LIFE SENTENCES.

Scott: I'M GOING TO PRISON
FOR A LONG TIME.

NOW THEY'RE GONNA
TRY TO COOK ME.

[ SIGHS ]

SO, YEAH,
IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

Narrator: 2 1/2 MONTHS LATER,
DOC SANDERS GOES ON TRIAL.

ON APRIL 1, 1993,
THE PUBLIC IS SHOCKED TO HEAR

THAT THE JURY RETURNS
WITH A VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.

TODAY, SCOTT BURNSIDE
IS SERVING FOUR LIFE TERMS

AT HARDEE CORRECTIONAL
IN BOWLING GREEN, FLORIDA.

SCOTT!

AS FOR HIS MOTHER, SUSAN,

SHE WAS BATTLING CANCER WHEN SHE
TRAVELED TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC.

HOW ARE YOU?

SHE PASSED AWAY IN 1993.

FOR CITRUS COUNTY INVESTIGATORS,

IT WAS A CASE FILLED
WITH ENDLESS TWISTS AND TURNS.

A BUNGLED,
ILL-FATED CONSPIRACY

THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATHS
OF FOUR INNOCENT MEN.

QUADRUPLE MURDER IS HUGE IN L.A.

IT'S HUGE IN DALLAS.
IT'S HUGE IN MIAMI.

BUT IT'S REAL BIG
IN A PLACE CALLED CITRUS COUNTY.

Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER BURNSIDE

AS THE FUGITIVE
WHO ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH IT.

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS