Wives with Knives (2012–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Stripped to the Bone - full transcript
Narrator: THIS SEXY STRIPPER
LOVES BEING ONSTAGE.
IT WAS $200 TO $300
IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
Narrator: BUT HER TASTE IN MEN
IS A FORMULA FOR FIREWORKS.
JUST LEAVE! [ SCREAMS ]
SHE'S NEVER HAD A BREAKUP.
SHE'S HAD AN EXPLOSION.
Narrator: WITH ANGER MANAGEMENT
A MAJOR PROBLEM...
CRYSTAL IS A LOOSE CANNON.
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
...DISASTER IS
JUST A MATTER OF TIME.
TELL ME WHY!
I FELT THAT SAME SENSE OF DOOM.
[ SCREAMS ]
Narrator: NOT ALL FAIRY TALES
HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.
[ WOMAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY ]
WHEN LOVE GOES WRONG,
A WOMAN CAN DO THE UNTHINKABLE.
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
HISTORIC DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA,
IS KNOWN FOR ITS TOBACCO ROOTS.
IN 1992, IT'S HOME
TO 14-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL MANGUM,
A LIVELY AND HEADSTRONG GIRL
WHO'S IMPATIENT TO GROW UP.
HER FATHER,
A TRUCK DRIVER AND MECHANIC,
WORKS HARD TO GIVE HIS FAMILY
THE GOOD LIFE.
MY DAD WAS AWESOME.
HE WORKED TWO JOBS,
TOOK CARE OF US.
HEY, MOM.
WE GREW UP
IN A MIDDLE-CLASS HOME.
I NEVER REALLY WANTED ANYTHING
GROWING UP.
Narrator:
STILL, CRYSTAL ISN'T VERY HAPPY.
Mangum: WELL, MY SISTER GOT TREATED
A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN I DID.
THAT CAUSED ME
TO WANT TO LEAVE HOME,
BECAUSE I ALWAYS GOT
THE BLAME FOR EVERYTHING.
Clark: SHE NEVER SEEMED TO FIT
IN, EVEN IN HER OWN HOUSE.
SHE HAD A SISTER
WHO WAS PRETTIER, TALLER,
WHO WAS MORE ATHLETIC,
WHO HAD BETTER GRADES.
CRYSTAL - SHE WAS NEVER
QUITE AS CLOSE TO HER MOM
AS SHE WANTED TO BE.
THEY ALWAYS SEEMED TO
HAVE A DISCONNECT.
Narrator: IN THE END, THAT SENSE
OF REJECTION WILL TRIGGER
CHRONIC BAD JUDGMENT
THROUGHOUT CRYSTAL'S LIFE.
DR. CASEY JORDAN STUDIES
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
IT SEEMS THAT CRYSTAL GOT A LOT
OF MIXED MESSAGES AS A CHILD
THAT ALWAYS LEFT HER
WONDERING, WANTING,
AND CERTAINLY CRAVING AFFECTION.
IT REALLY WOULD BECOME THE THEME
FOR THE REST OF HER ADULTHOOD.
Narrator:
CRYSTAL IS LOOKING FOR LOVE,
AND SHE'S NOT PICKY
ABOUT WHERE SHE FINDS IT.
ONE EARLY AUTUMN DAY,
SHE MEETS STEPHEN ROGERS,
WHO, AT 28, IS TWICE HER AGE.
BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP HIM
FROM HITTING ON HER
AS SHE WALKS HOME FROM SCHOOL.
OH, MAN. I GOT YOU.
THE TEENAGER IS DAZZLED BY
HIS SLY CHARM AND HIS BANKROLL.
ALL RIGHT? LET'S GO.
WITHIN DAYS, THEY ARE DATING.
CLOSE YOUR EYES.
DON'T PEEK.
STEPHEN SHOWERS CRYSTAL
WITH THE ATTENTION
SHE'S BEEN LONGING FOR.
NOW OPEN YOUR EYES.
HE BOUGHT ME
A PAGER, NICE CLOTHES.
HE, AT FIRST, WAS VERY DOTING,
TAKING HER PLACES
AND SHOWING HER THINGS
THAT SHE HADN'T SEEN.
Narrator: THE OLDER MAN IS LIKE
A NEW AND IMPROVED FATHER FIGURE.
Mangum: I FELT LOVED.
I GOT THE ATTENTION
THAT I DIDN'T GET AT HOME.
I FELT MATURE.
HE MADE ME FEEL
LIKE I WAS IN CONTROL.
Narrator: BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE
LONG FOR CRYSTAL TO REALIZE
THAT, IN FACT, HER SUGAR DADDY
IS HOLDING ALL THE CARDS.
Mangum: I REMEMBER THE FIRST
TIME I WAS IN THE CAR WITH HIM.
I PRETENDED
LIKE I WASN'T A VIRGIN,
SO BY THE TIME
WE'D GOTTEN TO SECOND BASE,
THEN IT WAS TOO LATE
FOR ME TO SAY "NO,"
BECAUSE HE WAS ALREADY
PUSHING HIMSELF ON ME,
SO THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME.
WAS IT CONSENSUAL OR NOT?
IT WASN'T.
Narrator:
FROM THAT MOMENT ON,
STEPHEN'S INFLUENCE OVER CRYSTAL
IS COMPLETE.
SHE CUTS CLASSES AND SNEAKS OUT
SO SHE CAN SPEND
HER NIGHTS WITH HIM.
HOW DOES STEPHEN REWARD
HER DEVOTION?
HE LETS HER HELP HIM
WITH HIS "BUSINESS."
Rogers: I GOT MY BOY COMING OVER,
SO TAKE CARE OF HIM, ALL RIGHT?
Mangum: I WILL.
ALL RIGHT.
YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, RIGHT?
YEAH.
OKAY.
Mangum:
HE WAS A DRUG DEALER.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY NEAT,
TOO, AT 14.
HE WOULD LEAVE ME AT HIS HOUSE,
AND HE WOULD GO OUT
AND SELL ON THE BLOCK,
AND I WOULD SELL
OUT OF HIS HOUSE.
WHENEVER SOMEONE WOULD COME BY
THE HOUSE TO PICK UP A PACKAGE,
I WOULD BE THE ONE TO GET THE
MONEY AND GIVE THEM THE PACKAGE.
Narrator: PRETTY SOON,
CRYSTAL FINDS HERSELF
OFFERING MORE THAN DRUGS
TO STEPHEN'S CLIENTS.
Mangum:
WHEN THESE GUYS WOULD COME OVER,
THEY WOULD MAKE SUGGESTIONS
TO ME AND OFFER ME MONEY.
YOU HERE BY YOURSELF
RIGHT NOW?
YOU INTERESTED
IN DOING SOMETHING ELSE?
YEAH, I GUESS.
GO HAVE FUN IN THE BACK.
SO, I GUESS ME BEING YOUNG,
I TOOK THE MONEY,
AND I HAD SEX WITH THEM.
Dr. Jordan:
IN CRYSTAL'S 14-YEAR-OLD MIND,
SHE DOESN'T THINK
SHE'S BEING EXPLOITED
EVEN THOUGH SHE TRULY IS.
THAT REALITY WON'T HIT HER
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
Narrator: FOR MONTHS,
CRYSTAL SERVICES STEPHEN'S CUSTOMERS
IN HOPES OF PLEASING HIM
UNTIL SOMETHING TERRIBLE
HAPPENS -
SOMETHING
THAT WILL FOREVER TAINT
HER RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN.
Clark:
HE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY.
THIS IS A YOUNG GIRL
WHO DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING.
THEN HE EMERGES AS THE DEVIL.
Narrator: ONE NIGHT,
CRYSTAL IS WATCHING TV
WITH STEPHEN
AND TWO OF HIS BUDDIES
WHEN THE MEN BEGIN
WHISPERING AND LEERING AT HER.
[ INDISTINCT WHISPERS ]
Mangum: I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND
THE CONVERSATION.
THEY WERE SPEAKING IN RIDDLES.
COME ON.
AND BEFORE I KNEW IT...
CHECK THIS OUT.
...HE STARTED
TAKING MY CLOTHES OFF.
JUST TAKE IT OFF.
AND HIS FRIENDS WERE WATCHING.
OKAY, THEY'RE COOL.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM.
THEY'RE NOT EVEN LOOKING.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM.
TAKE THIS OFF, TOO.
YEAH, RIGHT THERE.
LAY DOWN.
JUST LAY DOWN.
THEY'RE NOT WATCHING.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
HE HAD SEX WITH ME FIRST.
STOP.
STOP.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
YOU'RE FIGHTING. STOP.
JUST STOP.
STOP FIGHTING.
COME ON.
STOP FIGHTING.
AND THEN HE LET HIS FRIEND
HAVE SEX WITH ME
WHILE HE HELD ME DOWN.
Narrator: CRYSTAL NEVER GETS
OVER THE ALLEGED GANG RAPE.
IT HAUNTS HER STILL TODAY.
I WAS NEVER ABLE
TO GET THAT INNOCENT TRUST BACK
THAT I ONCE HAD.
FROM THAT MOMENT ON,
I NEVER LOOKED FOR LOVE
IN A RELATIONSHIP.
Dr. Jordan: AT THIS POINT,
CRYSTAL'S SELF-ESTEEM
IS ABSOLUTELY IN THE GUTTER.
SHE FEELS LIKE DAMAGED GOODS,
AND NOW SHE SEES MEN
AS SOMETHING THAT SHE SHOULD
BE ABLE TO CONTROL.
IF SHE CONTROLS THE SEXUAL
SITUATIONS FROM NOW ON,
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST
CAN NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
THAT ONE INCIDENT WILL
REALLY PERMEATE
THE CHOICES SHE MAKES
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.
Narrator: THE ONLY WAY CRYSTAL
CAN COPE IS TO TRY AND PRETEND
THE WHOLE THING NEVER HAPPENED.
SHE TELLS NO ONE
ABOUT THE ATTACK.
SOMEHOW, SHE MANAGES
TO MOVE ON WITH HER LIFE.
SHE FINISHES HIGH SCHOOL
AND JOINS THE MILITARY.
AFTER TRAINING,
SHE GETS STATIONED
IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
SHE FELT LIKE DURHAM
WAS GONNA LIMIT HER.
SEEING THE WORLD WOULD BE
THE THING THAT SHE NEEDED TO DO.
EXCUSE ME, MA'AM.
Narrator: WHEN CRYSTAL MEETS
21-YEAR-OLD RYAN MAHONEY,
THINGS REALLY START LOOKING UP.
SHE FALLS HARD
FOR THE CLEAN-CUT OFFICER.
YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM,
DIDN'T YOU?
MM-HMM.
RYAN SWEPT ME OFF MY FEET.
WE HAD TWO CHILDREN.
Narrator: CRYSTAL LEAVES THE
MILITARY TO BE A FULL-TIME MOM,
BUT WHEN RYAN GETS TRANSFERRED
TO WASHINGTON STATE,
CRYSTAL TEMPORARILY MOVES
BACK TO DURHAM WITH THEIR KIDS.
SHE GETS A JOB AT A FACTORY
AND ENROLLS IN COLLEGE.
Mangum: I RAN ACROSS
A PSYCHOLOGY CLASS -
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY -
AND I FELL IN LOVE.
HER ASPIRATION WAS
TO WORK WITH GIRLS
WHO HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED.
Narrator: FINALLY, SEVEN YEARS
AFTER BREAKING UP WITH STEPHEN,
CRYSTAL FEELS
LIKE HER LIFE IS ON TRACK.
BUT ONE DAY, SHE GETS A LETTER
FROM RYAN WITH SHATTERING NEWS.
HE WANTS TO MARRY SOMEONE ELSE.
CRYSTAL IS CRUSHED.
I THINK CRYSTAL'S LIFE
HAS BEEN QUITE TRAGIC.
CRYSTAL HAS HAD A LOT
OF HEARTBREAKS IN HER LIFE.
Narrator: WITHOUT A MAN,
SHE FEELS LOST AND EMPTY.
Dr. Jordan: REMEMBER,
CRYSTAL HAD A MAN IN HER LIFE
FROM THE TIME
SHE WAS 14 YEARS OLD.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW
HOW TO JUST BE ALONE.
SHE ALWAYS NEEDS A MAN
IN HER LIFE TO VALIDATE HER.
Narrator: CRYSTAL WASTES
NO TIME FILLING THE VOID.
A FEW MONTHS LATER, SHE STARTS
DATING HER COWORKER, MATTHEW.
"I'M NOT YOUR TYPE."
I THINK I AM YOUR TYPE.
[ LAUGHS ]
I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW.
I AM.
I'VE GOT MY THINGS TOGETHER.
ALL RIGHT.
7:00?
Mangum: HE WAS FUNNY.
HE MADE ME LAUGH.
IT'S EVERYTHING
THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IN A MAN.
HE WAS A LITTLE PATERNALISTIC,
BUT I THINK SHE DEFERS TO MEN.
THAT VENEER OF THE FATHER FIGURE
IS WHAT SHE'S ATTACHED TO.
Narrator: STILL, NO MATTER
HOW KIND AND UNDERSTANDING
MATTHEW APPEARS TO BE,
CRYSTAL HAS
A HARD TIME GETTING CLOSE.
Mangum: BECAUSE I HAD THESE
ISSUES OF NOT BEING ABLE TO TRUST,
IT ALWAYS PUT A DAMPER
ON MY RELATIONSHIPS.
I WOULD GIVE PHYSICALLY, BUT
INSIDE, I WAS WITHHOLDING A LOT.
Narrator: SHE MIGHT HAVE A NEW
BOYFRIEND, BUT THE HARD TRUTH IS
THAT CRYSTAL IS A 23-YEAR-OLD
STRUGGLING SINGLE MOM.
Mangum: I WAS GETTING FINANCIAL
AID, BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH.
I HAD A FAMILY.
I HAD FOOD TO PUT IN THE HOUSE
AND LIGHT BILLS, WATER BILL.
Narrator: SO WHEN SHE HEARS ABOUT
AMATEUR NIGHT AT A LOCAL STRIP CLUB,
SHE THINKS SHE MIGHT HAVE FOUND
THE ANSWER TO HER PROBLEMS.
Clark: CRYSTAL ALWAYS HAD THIS
NOTION THAT SHE'D BE A DANCER,
AND SHE WOULD TELL STORIES
ABOUT DANCING
IN FRONT OF THE TV
WITH "SOUL TRAIN."
SO, SHE WAS LIKE,
"WELL, IT'S EASY MONEY.
IT'S GONNA PUT FOOD ON THE
TABLE, GET ME THROUGH SCHOOL."
Narrator:
THE NIGHT OF CRYSTAL'S AUDITION,
MATTHEW GOES WITH HER
FOR MORAL SUPPORT.
Mangum:
THE BARTENDER GAVE ME A DRINK,
AND THAT KIND OF RELAXED ME
A LITTLE BIT.
Narrator:
ONCE SHE HITS THE STAGE,
THE ALCOHOL LOOSENS HER UP
EVEN MORE.
IT WAS NOT AS BAD
AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
I KIND OF GO
INTO A DIFFERENT ZONE.
IT CAN BE VALIDATING
AND DEGRADING AT THE SAME TIME.
Narrator:
BUT MATTHEW DOESN'T LIKE SEEING
HIS GIRLFRIEND DANCING FOR CASH.
HE TAKES OFF,
LEAVING CRYSTAL STRANDED.
SO SHE TURNS TO A CAB DRIVER
FOR A RIDE HOME.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT BECOMES
A TALE OF "HE SAID, SHE SAID."
I NEED A RIDE.
SHE CLAIMS
THE CABBY GAVE HER HIS KEYS...
CAB'S IN THE GARAGE.
YOU WAIT FOR ME.
...AND TOLD HER TO WAIT IN THE
CAR WHILE HE FINISHED HIS DRINK.
AND YOU WENT OUT,
AND YOU GOT IN THE CAR.
MM-HMM.
BUT YOU'D HAD
TOO MUCH TO DRINK.
YEAH.
Narrator: BUT CRYSTAL DOESN'T
WAIT IN THE CAB.
SHE GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL.
SHE'S A SMART PERSON,
BUT COMMON SENSE -
SOMETIMES, I THINK
CRYSTAL FORGETS TO USE IT.
Narrator: THE CAB DRIVER HAS
A DIFFERENT STORY.
HE CLAIMS
CRYSTAL RIPPED OFF HIS KEYS.
WHEN SHE TAKES OFF,
HE CALLS THE COPS.
YEAH, I'D LIKE
TO REPORT A STOLEN CAB.
Narrator: MEANWHILE, CRYSTAL HEADS
DOWN A ONE-WAY STREET THE WRONG WAY.
I DON'T THINK
I WAS DRIVING TOO WELL.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
Narrator: COMING UP,
CRYSTAL'S JUDGMENT GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE.
IT WAS $200 TO $300
IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
Narrator: CRYSTAL MANGUM HAS JUST
FINISHED AUDITIONING FOR A JOB
AS AN EXOTIC DANCER AT A DURHAM,
NORTH CAROLINA CLUB.
WHEN HER JEALOUS BOYFRIEND
BAILS ON HER,
SHE TAKES A DRUNKEN JOYRIDE
THROUGH THE CITY
WITH POLICE IN HOT PURSUIT.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
[ ENGINE REVS ]
CRYSTAL LEADS THE COPS
ON A FIVE-MILE HIGH-SPEED CHASE.
Mangum: THE POLICE ENDED UP CATCHING
UP WITH ME, AND THEY CORNERED ME.
GET OUT OF THE CAR!
AND I BACKED UP
AND RAN INTO THE POLICE CAR.
GET OUT OF THE CAR NOW!
GET OUT OF THE CAR!
Narrator: THE COPS CUFF CRYSTAL
AND TAKE HER INTO CUSTODY,
WHERE SHE PASSES OUT COLD.
ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORTS,
SHE'S HAMMERED -
MORE THAN TWICE
OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT OF ALCOHOL.
SHE'S CHARGED WITH D. W. I.,
ASSAULTING AN OFFICER,
STEALING THE CAB, AND SPEEDING.
AFTER A FEW DAYS IN JAIL,
CRYSTAL IS RELEASED
AND ORDERED TO GET TREATMENT
FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
Dr. Jordan: CRYSTAL DOESN'T THINK
THINGS THROUGH VERY CAREFULLY
BEFORE SHE DOES THEM.
THIS EVENT IS REALLY EMBLEMATIC
OF THAT IMPULSIVITY.
CRYSTAL IS A LOOSE CANNON.
Narrator: THE INCIDENT DOESN'T
STOP CRYSTAL
FROM RETURNING
TO THE STRIPPER POLE.
SHE GETS A JOB
AT A DIFFERENT CLUB
AND STARTS WORKING
A FEW NIGHTS A WEEK.
FOR HER, DANCING ONSTAGE IS
A RUSH, AND IT PAYS WELL -
SO WELL THAT HER BOYFRIEND,
MATTHEW, QUITS ARGUING ABOUT IT.
SO, THE STRIPPING WAS
ALMOST LIBERATING.
WELL, YEAH.
I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY
ABOUT PAYING BILLS ANYMORE.
IF MY KIDS NEEDED SOMETHING,
I COULD JUST GO GET IT.
IT BECAME ADDICTIVE.
WERE YOU ADDICTED TO
THE EASY MONEY OR THE ATTENTION?
PROBABLY BOTH.
Narrator: CRYSTAL KEEPS DANCING
FOR THE NEXT YEAR,
AND THEN, ONE DAY,
SHE GETS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO TURN HER EASY MONEY
INTO AN EVEN BIGGER PAYOFF.
HEY, DARLING!
LOOK AT YOU.
YOU ARE GORGEOUS.
ONE DAY, A RECRUITER
FROM AN ESCORT AGENCY
CATCHES CRYSTAL'S ACT
AND MAKES HER A TEMPTING OFFER.
GET OUT OF THIS MESS
AND GET IN...
SHE ASKED IF I WANTED
TO COME WORK FOR HER.
IT WAS $200 TO $300
IN LESS THAN AN HOUR,
PERFORMING FOR INDIVIDUALS.
GONNA LET YOU
THINK ABOUT IT.
Narrator:
THAT'S A LOT BETTER
THAN STRIPPING
FOR A WAD OF CRUMPLED SINGLES.
CRYSTAL NEEDS LITTLE CONVINCING
TO GIVE IT A SHOT.
TALK TO ME ABOUT AN ESCORT
SERVICE - JUST FOR THE RECORD,
BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T
UNDERSTAND THAT.
THEY CONFUSE THE WORDS
"PROSTITUTION"
AND "CALL GIRL" AND "ESCORT,"
BUT THEY'RE VERY DIFFERENT
THINGS IN THE INDUSTRY, CORRECT?
Mangum: AS AN ESCORT,
YOU SET YOUR OWN LIMITS.
I NEVER HAD INTERCOURSE
WITH ANY OF MY CLIENTS,
WHICH WAS ALSO AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN MATTHEW AND I.
OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS,
CRYSTAL STAYS BUSY
WITH PRIVATE ENGAGEMENTS
FROM THE ESCORT AGENCY.
SHE FANTASIZES
ABOUT WHAT HER NEW INCOME CAN DO
FOR HER TWO KIDS AND HER FUTURE.
I WANTED
TO GET MY DOCTORATE'S DEGREE.
THAT WAS MY GOAL.
Narrator:
ON MARCH 13, 2006,
THE ESCORT AGENCY
CALLS CRYSTAL ABOUT A JOB.
IT'S A CALL SHE'LL REGRET TAKING
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.
THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
A BACHELOR PARTY,
AND THERE'S GONNA BE
ANOTHER DANCER THERE.
WHEN YOU GET THERE, YOU'RE GONNA
MEET THE OTHER DANCER.
YOU GUYS PERFORM YOUR ROUTINE,
GET YOUR MONEY,
WHICH WAS $400 EACH.
Narrator:
AT THE END OF THE NIGHT,
CRYSTAL CLAIMS
THE PARTY TURNED UGLY.
SHE SAYS SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN
SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER.
IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING
THE ALLEGED ASSAULT,
THE MEDIA GETS WIND OF THE STORY
AND SIDES WITH CRYSTAL.
BUT OVER THE COURSE
OF THE NEXT YEAR,
ATTORNEY MISCONDUCT,
CREDIBILITY ISSUES,
AND A LACK OF EVIDENCE
BURIES THE CASE.
ONE YEAR LATER,
THE NORTH CAROLINA
ATTORNEY GENERAL
OFFICIALLY DROPS
ALL CHARGES AGAINST THE MEN.
CRYSTAL IS STUNNED BY THE NEWS.
Mangum: TO THIS DAY,
NO ONE'S EVER TOLD ME
WHY MY CHARGES WERE DISMISSED.
FROM MY UNDERSTANDING,
MAYBE THERE WASN'T
ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO MOVE FORWARD,
BUT THAT'S
A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THING
FROM SAYING THAT I'M A LIAR.
THE MAJOR SCANDAL
THAT EMERGED IN 2006
WOULD BE A REAL GAME CHANGER
FOR CRYSTAL.
DO YOU SEE THIS?
IS SHE LYING ABOUT IT?
HOW COULD THEY DO THAT?
OR, IN HER MIND, DID IT HAPPEN
EXACTLY THE WAY SHE SAID,
BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING OF A
PRODUCT OF HER PAST EXPERIENCES
AND HER WARPED OR DISTORTED
SENSE OF THINKING?
WE MAY NEVER KNOW,
BUT WHEN CRYSTAL TELLS
HER VERSION OF EVENTS,
IN HER MIND,
SHE'S TRULY NOT LYING.
Narrator:
CRYSTAL'S REPUTATION IS RUINED.
Mangum:
THE MEDIA COVERAGE WAS
AN ALL-OUT SLANDER CAMPAIGN
AGAINST ME.
Narrator: THE STORY SEEMS TO
FOLLOW HER WHEREVER SHE GOES.
HOW WERE YOU FEELING?
WITHDRAWN.
THAT WAS THE WORST FEELING
IN THE WORLD -
TO BE CALLED A LIAR.
IT ADDED TO THE DISGRACE
AND TO THE HUMILIATION
AND THE ABUSE
THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED
FROM THE PAST.
TO SHIELD HERSELF
FROM THE MEDIA,
SHE BECOMES A VIRTUAL RECLUSE.
SHE PRAYED THAT ONE DAY,
PEOPLE WOULD SEE HER SIDE OF IT.
AND SHE JUST HATED
THAT IT HAPPENED ALTOGETHER.
Narrator: THE FOLLOWING YEAR,
CRYSTAL DECIDES TO BREAK HER SILENCE.
MY NAME IS CRYSTAL GAIL MANGUM.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE TRIED
TO USE MY NAME AND MY PAST
TO INTIMIDATE ME.
Narrator:
SHE TEAMS UP WITH VINCENT CLARK
TO WRITE AND PUBLISH
A MEMOIR ABOUT HER LIFE.
SHE WANTED PEOPLE TO KNOW
THAT SHE WAS NOT A BAD PERSON.
Narrator: CRYSTAL'S BOOK IS
AN ATTEMPT AT SELF-DEFENSE.
SHE CLAIMS SHE'S NOT A LIAR,
JUST A YOUNG WOMAN
WHO MADE SOME BAD DECISIONS.
AND ONCE AGAIN, SHE TRIES
TO MOVE PAST THE TRAUMA.
IN MAY 2008, SHE GRADUATES
FROM NORTH CAROLINA
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY.
Mangum:
NO, YOU'RE PARANOID!
Matthew: I'M PARANOID?
YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!
SO EVERYTHING I FIND OUT
ABOUT YOU IS NOT TRUE?
BUT A MONTH AFTER GRADUATING,
SHE SABOTAGES
HER RELATIONSHIP WITH MATTHEW.
I CHEATED ONE TOO MANY TIMES,
AND HE WAS TIRED OF IT.
I'M GOOD TO YOU!
AND I'M GOOD TO YOU!
NO, YOU'RE NOT!
YES, I AM!
Dr. Jordan: WHY WOULD YOU
GO WITH OTHER GUYS
WHEN YOU HAD MATTHEW
SO IN LOVE WITH YOU?
THAT'S IT! I'M DONE!
I NEVER EXPECTED
A LOT FROM MATTHEW.
I FELT JUSTIFIED
IN HAVING OTHER RELATIONSHIPS.
I THINK
IT WAS ALMOST TOO MUCH FOR HER
THAT HE WAS SUCH A NICE GUY.
Narrator: TO SUPPORT HERSELF AND HER
KIDS, CRYSTAL TAKES A SALES JOB.
[ BOTH LAUGHING ]
AS USUAL,
SHE'S NOT ALONE FOR LONG.
SHE REACHES OUT
TO MILTON WALKER,
AN OLD BOYFRIEND
FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
MILTON WAS UNDERSTANDING
AND A GOOD PERSON TO TALK TO.
HE MADE ME FEEL
NEEDED AND SPECIAL.
HE HAS A CERTAIN INNOCENCE
ABOUT HIM THAT MOST GUYS DON'T.
Walker: WHEN I FIRST MET
CRYSTAL, I WAS MESMERIZED.
I WAS TAKEN BY HER.
IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
Narrator:
BUT JUST LIKE BEFORE,
CRYSTAL'S CHOSEN
A MAN WITH CHALLENGES,
AND THIS TIME,
THEY'RE GIANT ONES.
A FEW YEARS AGO, MILTON WAS
DIAGNOSED WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA.
Walker: I THINK I'M FINE.
THEY ALWAYS SAY
THAT MOST SCHIZOPHRENICS
THINK THAT THEY'RE FINE,
BUT I THINK -
IT NEVER AFFECTED MY LIFE
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP,
YOU KNOW, HEARING VOICES.
I THOUGHT
EVERYBODY THOUGHT LIKE THAT.
Mangum: HE HAD EPISODES.
WHEN SOMETHING'S
REALLY STRESSFUL GOING ON,
HIS SCHIZOPHRENIA BECOMES
A PROBLEM.
IT PRESENTS ITSELF.
Dr. Jordan: MANY TIMES
AFTER A TRAUMATIC EVENT,
PEOPLE WILL RETURN TO THAT
WHICH IS COMFORTING OR FAMILIAR,
SO WHEN SHE FINDS MILTON,
HER LONG-LOST FRIEND
FROM HIGH SCHOOL,
AND HE'S ACCEPTING OF HER,
NONJUDGMENTAL -
HE DOESN'T CARE
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2006.
HE JUST KNOWS
THAT SHE'S A LONG-LOST FRIEND,
AND THEY REKINDLE
THAT RELATIONSHIP.
Narrator: SOON, MILTON MOVES IN
WITH CRYSTAL AND HER KIDS.
IT'S NOT
THAT BIG OF A DEAL.
ALTHOUGH THE TWO ARE DEVOTED TO
EACH OTHER, MILTON WANTS MORE.
...ACTING LIKE THIS BECAUSE
I LOVE YOU - THAT'S WHY.
Walker:
I WANTED CRYSTAL ALL TO MYSELF.
WE WAS GETTING OLDER,
AND I WANTED
TO BE MORE LIKE MY PARENTS.
NO, I DON'T WANT
TO CALM DOWN.
Narrator: ONE DAY, MILTON IS
ABOUT TO DROP CRYSTAL OFF AT WORK.
YOU LOOK GOOD, BABY.
THANK YOU.
I'M ABOUT TO BE DONE.
YOU READY?
PRONE TO SUDDEN WAVES
OF PARANOIA,
HE THINKS CRYSTAL IS USING WORK
AS A COVER FOR CHEATING.
HE DECIDES TO CALL HER BOSS
TO SEE IF SHE'S REALLY SCHEDULED
TO WORK THAT DAY.
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
IS CRYSTAL SUPPOSED TO BE
AT WORK TODAY?
THE PERSON ON THE OTHER LINE
TOLD ME SHE WAS OFF THAT DAY,
SO I THOUGHT MAYBE CRYSTAL
JUST WANTED TO GET DROPPED OFF
AT THE JOB AND HOOK UP WITH
SOMEBODY ELSE DURING HER HOURS.
Narrator: COMING UP,
CRYSTAL PUSHES HER LUCK.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
I MADE AN INSULT THAT HE WAS
LACKING IN A CERTAIN AREA.
Mangum: HOW ARE YOU?
I'M SO FINE.
Narrator: CRYSTAL MANGUM HAS
REKINDLED A ROMANCE
WITH HER HIGH-SCHOOL SWEETHEART,
MILTON WALKER.
IS CRYSTAL SUPPOSED TO BE
AT WORK TODAY?
Narrator:
BUT AFTER SIX MONTHS TOGETHER,
MILTON'S TEMPER BOILS OVER
WHEN HE SUSPECTS SHE'S CHEATING.
HE'S BREATHING HARD,
THEN HE SITS OVER IN THE CORNER,
AND I ASK HIM WHAT'S WRONG.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?
WHERE YOU ABOUT TO GO?
I'M ABOUT TO GO TO WORK.
WHY YOU ACTING LIKE THAT?
WHAT'S WRONG?
WHY ARE YOU LYING?
I'M NOT LYING!
I CALLED YOUR JOB! THEY SAID
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THERE!
I DON'T KNOW
WHY THEY SAID THAT,
BECAUSE I'VE GOT TO
GO TO WORK TODAY!
THE LADY TOLD HIM THAT I WASN'T
WORKING BECAUSE I WAS AT HOME.
I WAS GETTING READY FOR WORK.
SO HE MISUNDERSTOOD.
Narrator:
MILTON'S NOT BUYING IT.
YOU'RE LYING.
I LET MY EMOTIONS
GET THE BEST OF ME,
AND I ACTUALLY
PUT MY HANDS ON HER.
DON'T YOU **** DO THAT.
WHAT YOU DOING?
GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!
I START PUSHING HER.
I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT.
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME
I EVER DONE THAT TO HER,
AND I FELT DEEPLY BAD FOR THAT.
I'M GOING TO WORK!
ALL - ALL - ALL RIGHT.
I'M SORRY, BABY.
I'M SORRY.
SO, ARE YOU GONNA DRIVE ME
TO WORK OR WHAT?
[ SCOFFS ]
Narrator:
THE COUPLE LETS THE ARGUMENT GO,
BUT IT'S JUST A TASTE
OF WHAT'S TO COME.
Dr. Jordan: CRYSTAL'S BACK
IN THE SAME OLD PATTERNS AGAIN,
AND IT REALLY BEGS
THE QUESTION -
CAN CRYSTAL REALLY STOP
THESE PATTERNS
OR IS THIS JUST GOING TO BE
THE WAY THINGS ARE
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE?
Narrator:
NO MATTER HOW OFTEN
CRYSTAL REASSURES MILTON
THAT SHE'S FAITHFUL,
HE CAN'T GET PAST
HIS NAGGING DOUBTS.
Mangum:
I TRIED TO CONSOLE HIM,
LET HIM KNOW
THAT I WAS THERE FOR HIM
AND THAT I WOULDN'T
CHEAT ON HIM.
Walker: CRYSTAL!
CRYSTAL!
Narrator: BUT CRYSTAL'S WORDS
FALL ON DEAF EARS,
AND LIKE SO MANY TIMES BEFORE,
SHE'S SOON FACING
ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP FREE FALL.
ONE DAY,
WHAT STARTS AS A PETTY SPAT
ERUPTS INTO SOMETHING SCARY.
I'M NOT YELLING AT YOU!
Mangum: THE WHOLE DAY,
HE WAS COMPLAINING
THAT I WASN'T HAPPY
WITH WHAT HE WAS DOING.
HE SAID, "I CLEAN UP THE HOUSE,
YOUR KIDS MAKE A MESS,
AND YOU'RE STILL NOT HAPPY."
GO AHEAD AND LEAVE!
GO AHEAD AND LEAVE!
I DON'T CARE.
I TOLD HIM THAT IF HE DIDN'T
LIKE IT, HE COULD GET OUT.
Narrator: AT FIRST,
MILTON CALMLY AGREES TO LEAVE.
WHATEVER. WHATEVER.
WHERE YOU GOING?
I'M GOING.
BUT APPARENTLY, IT'S NOT
THE REACTION SHE'S LOOKING FOR.
CRYSTAL FLIES INTO A RAGE
AND STARTS INSULTING HIM.
THAT'S WHY YOU GOT
THAT SMALL ****
WHAT?!
I MADE AN INSULT THAT HE WAS
LACKING IN A CERTAIN AREA,
AND I PROCEEDED
LIKE I WAS GONNA TAKE A PICTURE.
CRYSTAL, DID YOU TELL HIM
HE HAD A SMALL ****
I DID.
Narrator:
AND SHE DOESN'T STOP THERE.
I'M GONNA
SHOW YOUR FRIENDS, HUH?
Walker: WHEN SHE STARTED
TUGGING ON MY PANTS,
I PUSHED HER OUT THE WAY,
AND WHEN I PUSHED HER
OUT THE WAY,
SHE STARTED ATTACKING ME.
I GRABBED HER BY THE NECK,
AND I HELD HER DOWN BY THE NECK.
SHUT UP!
GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!
SHE WAS LIKE, "LET ME GO.
LET ME GO."
I WAS LIKE,
"NOT UNTIL YOU CALM DOWN."
CRYSTAL, CALM DOWN.
I'M CALM!
I AIN'T LETTING YOU UP
TILL YOU CALM DOWN.
Narrator: CRYSTAL'S 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER,
EMMA, WITNESSES THE UGLY SCENE.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
TERRIFIED,
SHE CALLS 911 FOR HELP
AND TELLS THE OPERATOR
MILTON IS ATTACKING HER MOM.
SHE WAS AFRAID
THAT MILTON WAS GONNA KILL ME.
Narrator:
EVENTUALLY, MILTON BACKS OFF.
CRYSTAL RACES TO THE KITCHEN,
GRABBING THE FIRST WEAPON
SHE CAN FIND.
YOU WANT TO ACT THE FOOL?
YEAH.
Walker: SHE STARTED
HITTING ME WITH THE CHAIR.
I'M NOT PLAYING NOW!
THEN SHE STARTED
JABBING ME WITH THE STEP STOOL.
YOU BETTER
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
AND THEN SHE SAID,
"I GOT SOMETHING BETTER."
YOU'VE GOT TO
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Narrator: MILTON CLAIMS CRYSTAL
COMES AT HIM WITH A KNIFE,
AND SHE'S NOT KIDDING AROUND.
GONNA
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Walker:
SHE NEVER BEEN LIKE THIS BEFORE.
THIS IS SOMETHING BRAND-NEW.
THIS IS LIKE CRAZY CRYSTAL.
I NEVER THOUGHT
CRYSTAL WOULD BE THIS CRAZY,
AND I WAS LIKE, "WOW."
PUT THE KNIFE DOWN!
YOU ACT SCARED NOW!
Walker:
PUT THE KNIFE DOWN.
YOU SCARED? COME HERE!
I GOT YOU.
Narrator: COMING UP,
CRYSTAL'S RAGE IGNITES,
LITERALLY.
FLAMES OF FIRE START
COMING OUT OF THE BATHROOM.
Narrator: CRYSTAL MANGUM IS IN
THE MIDDLE OF A HEATED ARGUMENT...
GO AHEAD AND LEAVE!
...WITH HER LIVE-IN BOYFRIEND,
MILTON WALKER.
THAT'S WHAT
I'VE GOT TO DO!
IT GETS PHYSICAL FAST.
SHUT UP!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
GIVE ME THIS CHAIR!
YOU'VE GOT TO
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
ALL RIGHT.
NOW YOU SCARED, HUH?
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Narrator: WHEN CRYSTAL
THREATENS HIM WITH A KNIFE,
MILTON FLEES THE APARTMENT.
I WAS ACTUALLY RUNNING.
I WAS RUNNING FOR MY LIFE,
ACTUALLY.
Narrator: INCREDIBLY, A FEW HOURS
LATER, MILTON COMES BACK HOME.
Walker: I GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE,
AND THERE'S COP CARS THERE.
BUT BEFORE I WENT IN,
I NOTICED ALL MY TIRES
ON MY CAR WERE SLASHED.
[ AIR HISSING ]
Narrator: MILTON'S GOT A FEELING
HE KNOWS HOW IT HAPPENED.
INSIDE, THE DURHAM COPS
ARE QUESTIONING CRYSTAL.
AS SOON AS MILTON WALKS
THROUGH THE DOOR,
SHE LUNGES AT HIM AGAIN.
WHAT?!
Walker: SHE WAS LIKE,
"I WANT HIM OUT OF HERE.
GET HIM OUT OF MY HOUSE."
AND SHE GRABBED THE KNIFE, AND
SHE SAID, "I'M GONNA KILL YOU.
I'M GONNA KILL YOU."
DID YOU EVER
THREATEN MILTON WITH A KNIFE?
NO.
Narrator: BUT POLICE RECORDS
AND MILTON DISAGREE.
CRYSTAL IS ARRESTED ON THE SPOT.
WHAT IS THAT SMELL?
BEFORE THEY TAKE HER AWAY,
THE COPS SUDDENLY NOTICE
A STRANGE ODOR.
WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING?!
Walker: FLAMES OF FIRE START
COMING OUT OF THE BATHROOM.
I ASKED CRYSTAL,
"WHAT DID YOU DO?"
HIS CLOTHES WERE
SET ON FIRE BY ME.
BUT WHY WERE YOU SETTING
HIS CLOTHES ON FIRE, CRYSTAL?
I GUESS BECAUSE HE HIT ME
IN FRONT OF MY CHILDREN.
I WAS HURT.
WHAT THE HELL?
Walker: SHE KNOWS
THAT'S THE ONLY THING I HAD
WAS MY CAR AND MY CLOTHES,
AND THAT WAS IT.
Clark:
EVERY RELATIONSHIP BUSTED APART.
SHE'S NEVER HAD A BREAKUP.
SHE'S HAD AN EXPLOSION
TO END A RELATIONSHIP.
TAKE ME IN?!
TAKE ME IN FOR WHAT?!
MAN, SHE CRAZY.
SHUT UP!
Dr. Jordan: IT'S UNTHINKABLE THAT
CRYSTAL, WITH HER PAST HISTORY,
IS NOW SETTING MILTON'S CLOTHING
ON FIRE, SLASHING HIS TIRES,
AND THREATENING TO KILL HIM
WITH A KNIFE
IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE.
IT'S AS IF
SHE'S NEVER LEARNED ANYTHING.
IN HER MIND, SHE'S IN A PLACE
WHERE SHE DOESN'T HAVE
THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE.
Narrator: CRYSTAL IS CHARGED
WITH MULTIPLE CRIMES,
INCLUDING ATTEMPTED MURDER
AND ARSON.
THE ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE IS
DROPPED BEFORE TRIAL
AFTER MILTON ADMITS
TO STARTING THE FIGHT.
CRYSTAL SERVES 88 DAYS IN JAIL.
THEN SHE'S RELEASED ON BAIL
TO AWAIT TRIAL.
NO MATTER HOW CRYSTAL SEES IT,
THIS EVENT IS A TURNING POINT.
SHE'S GONE FROM HELPLESS VICTIM
TO AGGRESSOR,
AND SHE NEVER LOOKS BACK.
Dr. Jordan:
CRYSTAL'S THOUGHT PROCESS
CLEARLY WORKS
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.
THE RIDICULOUS THING ABOUT
THAT HUGE BLOWUP WITH MILTON
IS THAT IT STARTED
OVER THE MOST TRIVIAL ARGUMENT.
IT TAKES VERY LITTLE
TO PUSH HER CRYSTAL BUTTON
AND SEND HER INTO THAT PLACE
WHERE SHE JUST CAN'T
THINK STRAIGHT.
Narrator: 10 MONTHS LATER,
CRYSTAL'S CASE GOES TO TRIAL.
A JURY FINDS HER GUILTY
OF CHILD NEGLECT,
INJURY TO PROPERTY,
AND RESISTING ARREST
BUT DEADLOCKS
ON THE ARSON CHARGE.
CRYSTAL IS SENTENCED
TO TIME SERVED.
SHE IS FREE TO GO.
AFTER THE TRIAL,
CRYSTAL AND HER KIDS MOVE IN
TO HER FRIEND PEGGY'S HOUSE.
SHE FELT SECURE THERE.
SHE KNEW THAT THERE WAS
NO VIOLENCE THERE,
THAT SHE COULD
TALK TO ME LIKE A MOM
'CAUSE HER MOM NEVER TALKED TO
HER LIKE I WOULD TALK TO HER.
Narrator:
ONE MORE TIME, CRYSTAL TRIES
TO PUT HER PAST BEHIND HER,
BUT SHE DOESN'T GET FAR.
SHE DECIDES TO RETURN TO
THE BUSINESS SHE KNOWS BEST -
ESCORTING.
Dr. Jordan: SHE HAS GREAT CAPACITY
TO DO SOMETHING WITH HER LIFE,
AND YET WHAT DOES SHE DO?
SHE GOES BACK
TO THE ESCORT BUSINESS.
I WAS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED.
SHE HAD SO MANY POSSIBILITIES
TO LEARN FROM HER MISTAKES,
AND YET SHE GOES BACK
TO THE THING
THAT'S GOTTEN HER IN TROUBLE
HER ENTIRE LIFE.
Narrator:
IT WILL BE A FATEFUL CHOICE
THAT WILL STIR UP EVEN MORE
TROUBLE THAN SHE CAN IMAGINE.
A MONTH AFTER MOVING IN
WITH HER FRIEND PEGGY,
CRYSTAL MEETS REGINALD DAYE, A
48-YEAR-OLD CONSTRUCTION WORKER
PEGGY HIRED TO PAINT HER HOUSE.
Mangum: HE WAS
VERY CONSIDERATE, VERY KIND.
HE THOUGHT A GREAT DEAL OF ME.
Dr. Jordan:
ONCE AGAIN, IT'S A DADDY FIGURE.
IT'S A MAN MUCH OLDER THAN HER.
ONCE AGAIN,
YOU ASK THE QUESTION,
"IS THIS HER CHILDHOOD NEED
TO GET BACK THAT FEELING
OF COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE
BY A FATHER FIGURE?"
HEY, WORKING HARD.
HEY, YEAH.
I GOT YOU A BEER.
OH, THANK YOU.
Narrator:
WHEN CRYSTAL FINDS OUT
THAT REGINALD IS
LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE,
SHE SEES AN OPPORTUNITY
AND TURNS ON THE CHARM.
THAT'S MY NEWEST ONE.
I NEED A ROOMMATE.
THAT'S RIGHT.
YOU KNOW SOMEBODY?
ME, ACTUALLY. YEAH.
YEAH, I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING
FOR A PLACE TO STAY.
Mangum: I WAS THE FLIRTATIOUS
ONE BEFORE WE WERE ROOMMATES.
I SUGGESTED
THAT I MOVE IN WITH HIM,
AND HE SAID,
"I NEED HELP WITH THE RENT,
SO WE'LL GO BY A TRIAL- AND-ERROR
BASIS AND TAKE IT FROM THERE."
GIVE ME A HOLLER.
I WILL.
Narrator: WITHIN WEEKS,
CRYSTAL AND HER KIDS MOVE IN
TO REGINALD'S
TWO-BEDROOM APARTMENT.
ALMOST IMMEDIATELY,
CRYSTAL AND REGINALD BECOME
MORE THAN ROOMMATES.
CRYSTAL IS CONVINCED
SHE'S MET MR. RIGHT YET AGAIN.
Mangum:
WE PLANNED A FUTURE TOGETHER.
WE TALKED ABOUT BUYING A HOUSE.
WE TALKED
ABOUT GETTING MARRIED SOMEDAY.
HE COULDN'T HAVE KIDS,
SO HE JOKED
ABOUT MY CHILDREN BEING HIS.
WE LISTENED TO MUSIC
ALL THE TIME
WHEN THE KIDS WERE AT SCHOOL.
[ LAUGHTER ]
WE MADE LOVE ALMOST EVERY DAY,
A LOT OF TIMES, OUTSIDE.
[ LAUGHS ]
HE WAS JUST MY BEST FRIEND.
Narrator: BUT CRYSTAL'S FRIENDS
HAVE A BAD FEELING
ABOUT THE BUDDING ROMANCE.
Peggy: I DIDN'T LIKE IT
BECAUSE HER CHILDREN
WANTED HER TO BE A MOM
AND DIDN'T WANT
ANOTHER MAN IN THE HOUSE,
AND I WANTED CRYSTAL
TO START OFF
WITH JUST HERSELF
AND HER CHILDREN
AND LET GOD DO THE REST FOR HER.
CRYSTAL WANTS TO BE
A GOOD MOTHER, A GOOD PERSON,
BUT SHE'D JUST GET
WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE,
AND THEY INFLUENCE HER,
AND THEN SHE FORGETS
ABOUT HER PRIORITIES.
I THINK CRYSTAL'S MAIN PROBLEM
IN LIFE IS MEN -
THE WRONG TYPE OF MEN.
Narrator: TURNS OUT HER FRIEND'S
INSTINCTS ARE RIGHT ON TARGET.
LIKE CLOCKWORK, THE SAME OLD
PROBLEMS START TO SURFACE.
WHERE YOU GOING?
I HAVE TO WORK TONIGHT.
TO WORK?
TO WORK.
I'M ABOUT TIRED
OF THIS JOB.
YOU NEED
TO STAY HOME TONIGHT.
REGINALD ISN'T HAPPY ABOUT
CRYSTAL WORKING AS AN ESCORT.
YOU NEED TO STAY HOME.
HE STARTED
KEEPING MY CELLPHONE.
[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]
HE WOULD ANSWER MY PHONE AND ASK
THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END
THEIR NAME, HOW THEY KNOW ME.
WHO IS THIS?
HOW YOU KNOW CRYSTAL?
NO. YOU KNOW WHAT?
I DON'T THINK SO.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S GONNA BE
ANY OF THAT TONIGHT.
WHO WAS THAT?
YOU TELL ME
WHO THAT WAS.
I DON'T KNOW.
I DIDN'T ANSWER IT.
WHO IS THAT CALLING?!
WHO IS THAT?
SOME SPECIAL DUDE?
Mangum: IT'S KIND OF HARD
FOR ME TO DISTINGUISH
BETWEEN INNOCENT JEALOUSY
AND CONTROLLING JEALOUSY.
I'M NOT JEALOUS!
I DON'T LIKE
EVERYBODY CALLING YOUR PHONE!
IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT
THE BOYFRIENDS EVENTUALLY RESENT
THE WORK
THAT SHE DOES AS AN ESCORT.
THEY WANT HER
TO BE EXCLUSIVE TO THEM,
AND CRYSTAL WILL NOT BE
CONTROLLED IN THAT WAY.
SIT DOWN
AND SHUT THE HELL UP.
DON'T ANSWER MY PHONE.
YEAH, YOU GONNA
STAY HERE TONIGHT.
THAT'S ALL I KNOW.
YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE!
CRYSTAL,
I SAID YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE.
SORRY.
THAT WAS, UM, MY FRIEND.
YOU BETTER NOT LEAVE!
YEAH, I'M WEARING
SOMETHING NICE.
OKAY. BYE.
Narrator: COMING UP...
I'M TRYING TO HIDE FROM HIM,
AND HE'S THROWING THESE KNIVES.
I BET
YOU WANT TO STOP NOW!
STOP!
WHAT ABOUT THIS, HUH?
Narrator: WHEN 32-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL
MANGUM MEETS REGINALD DAYE,
SHE THINKS SHE'S FINALLY FOUND
HER SOUL MATE.
WHO IS THAT CALLING?!
WHO IS THAT?
SOME SPECIAL DUDE?
BUT SHE'S WRONG.
APRIL 2, 2011,
CRYSTAL AND REGINALD ARRIVE HOME
AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHY YOU
ALWAYS GOT TO ACT LIKE THAT?
WHY DO YOU GOT TO
WEAR THAT STUFF?
AFTER REGINALD ACCUSES HER
OF FLIRTING WITH OTHER MEN,
ALL BETS ARE OFF.
WHAT'S WRONG?
YOU ALWAYS HAVE
SOMETHING TO SAY -
YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PROBLEM.
CAN I SAY SOMETHING?
YOU ALWAYS YELLING
FOR NO REASON.
YOU KEEP TALKING TO ME
ABOUT NOTHING!
WHY YOU ACTING LIKE THIS?
I'M TIRED OF YOU.
STOP DOING THIS.
I CANNOT TAKE THIS!
HE GRABS ME...
YOU AND YOUR KIDS!
DON'T TALK TO ME
LIKE THAT!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
...STARTS SPITTING IN MY FACE.
DO YOU HEAR ME?
I'M TIRED OF YOU
ACTING LIKE A SLUT!
"BITCH,
I TOLD YOU NOT TO CROSS ME.
I OPENED UP MY HOUSE TO YOU,
AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT ME?"
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
HE FLEW OFF INTO A RAGE.
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Narrator: CRYSTAL SAYS
SHE ESCAPES TO THE BEDROOM
BUT REGINALD COMES AFTER HER.
Mangum: I SAT ON THE BED,
AND HE PUSHED ME DOWN
AND PUT HIS HAND OVER MY FACE
SO I COULDN'T BREATHE.
I'M TIRED OF YOUR MOUTH!
JUST LEAVE!
YOU NEED
TO SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
YOU TALK TOO MUCH!
I TRIED TO PUSH HIM AWAY.
WON'T YOU JUST BE QUIET?
I'M TIRED OF YOUR MOUTH!
I GRABBED HIS WRIST.
SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
I SAID, "STOP!"
AND YOU WON'T DO THIS?
I KEPT SCREAMING, "NO,"
BUT HE WOULDN'T STOP.
THEN HE PULLED ME OFF OF THE BED
AND STARTS HITTING ME
IN MY FACE,
SLAPPING ME,
PULLING MY HAIR OUT.
I GOT SOMETHING
FOR YOU.
Narrator:
ACCORDING TO CRYSTAL,
REGINALD SUDDENLY PULLS BACK
AND HEADS FOR THE KITCHEN.
SEE THESE?
SHE CLAIMS
WHEN HE RETURNS, HE'S ARMED.
YOU WANT TO PLAY NOW?!
I BET
YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY NOW!
I'M TRYING TO HIDE FROM HIM,
AND HE'S THROWING THESE KNIVES.
I BET
YOU WANT TO STOP NOW!
STOP!
WHAT ABOUT THIS, HUH?
I'VE GOT THIS FOR YOU!
YOU WANT TO TALK NOW?
JUST LEAVE! [ SCREAMS ]
NOW YOU WANT TO TALK?
STOP!
HUH? LET'S TALK!
JUST LEAVE! GO!
YOU WANT TO KEEP TALKING?
NO.
Narrator: SHE SAYS
SHE DODGES THE FLYING BLADES,
BUT REGINALD IS
JUST GETTING STARTED.
NO.
Mangum:
HE COMES OVER TO ME.
WHERE YOU GOING NOW,
HUH?
YOU WANT THOSE OTHER DUDES,
YOU CAN HAVE THEM.
I DON'T EVEN WANT YOU!
THOSE OTHER DUDES
CAN HAVE YOU NOW!
HE STARTS CHOKING ME
WHERE I CAN'T BREATHE.
THE MORE I TRY
TO PULL HIS HAND AWAY FROM ME,
THE TIGHTER HE GETS,
AND HE'S CONSTANTLY SAYING...
I WAS GOOD
TO YOU AND YOUR KIDS!
WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?
TALK NOW! TALK NOW!
NOW SAY IT!
I COULDN'T SAY ANYTHING.
HUH?
NOW WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY,
GIRL?
I FELT THAT REGINALD WAS
GONNA KILL ME.
I FELT THAT SAME SENSE OF DOOM
AS SOMETHING
BEYOND MY CONTROL AGAIN.
TALK TO ME!
WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY NOW,
HUH?
NOW WHAT?!
WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY?!
TELL ME WHY!
Narrator:
CRYSTAL GRABS A KNIFE.
WHY DID YOU
DO ME LIKE THAT, HUH?
I WAS GOOD TO YOU!
I WAS -
[ SCREAMS ]
I PLUNGED THE KNIFE
INTO HIS SIDE.
[ GROANS ]
HE GOT OFF OF ME.
[ SCREAMING ]
THE VIOLENT FIGHT
THAT SHE HAS WITH REGINALD
BECOMES A CULMINATION OF EVERY
OTHER ABUSIVE EVENT IN HER LIFE,
STEMMING ALL THE WAY BACK
TO WHERE SHE WAS 14.
IT'S AS IF EVERY FIGHT,
EVERY ENCOUNTER
WHERE A MAN HAS THREATENED HER,
SEXUALLY AGGRESSED AGAINST HER,
DISBELIEVED HER,
ACCUSED HER OF CHEATING,
IT ALL COMES TOGETHER
IN THIS HUGE TORNADO.
IT'S ALMOST AS IF
EVERYTHING WAS A STEPPING STONE
TO THIS ONE HUGE EVENT.
I WAS GOOD TO YOU!
I WAS -
[ SCREAMING ]
[ GROANS ]
[ GROANS ]
Mangum: I WAS AFRAID.
I WAS REALLY NOT THINKING
THAT IT WAS GONNA HURT HIM.
I WAS JUST TRYING
TO GET HIM OFF OF ME.
Narrator: CRYSTAL SAYS SHE
THEN RUNS TO HER AUNT'S HOUSE
SEVERAL BLOCKS AWAY
AND CALLS POLICE.
MEANWHILE,
REGINALD STAGGERS UPSTAIRS
TO HIS NEPHEW'S APARTMENT
TO GET HELP.
[ PANTING ]
REGGIE!
OH, MY GOD.
[ CELLPHONE BEEPING ]
[ SIREN WAILS ]
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
Narrator: WHEN POLICE ARRIVE
AT HER AUNT'S HOUSE,
CRYSTAL IS STUNNED WHEN THEY
HAVE A PAIR OF CUFFS FOR HER
INSTEAD OF REGINALD.
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.
HE'S ALREADY REPORTED
HIS VERSION OF WHAT HAPPENED.
TELL THEM, AUNTIE!
HE TRIED TO KILL ME!
HE CLAIMS
THAT CRYSTAL STABBED HIM,
STOLE HIS MONEY, AND RAN AWAY.
Mangum:
THEY CAME OVER AND HANDCUFFED ME
AND SAID,
"GET UP, CRYSTAL. LET'S GO."
THAT WAS IT.
DID YOU TRY
TO EXPLAIN TO THEM
WHAT REGINALD
HAD DONE TO YOU?
I TOLD THEM
THAT MY FACE WAS BRUISED.
MY FACE WAS BLEEDING
FROM WHERE HE HAD PUNCHED ME.
MY SKIN WAS OPEN.
I HAD SEVERAL KNOTS
ON MY SCALP
FROM WHERE HE HAD
PULLED MY HAIR OUT.
HONESTLY,
I THINK THEY WERE JUST HAPPY
THAT THEY WERE ARRESTING ME.
Narrator: ALMOST TWO WEEKS
AFTER THE STABBING,
REGINALD DIES
FROM COMPLICATIONS.
I CRIED FOR DAYS.
I WAS CONFUSED.
"HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?"
I COULDN'T IMAGINE HIM BEING
THERE ONE DAY AND THEN GONE.
Narrator: NOW PROSECUTORS CHARGE
CRYSTAL WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.
Mangum:
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT
BECAUSE I WAS JUST TRYING
TO GET HIM OFF OF ME.
AT THE TIME, I WAS AFRAID.
I DIDN'T INTEND
TO HURT REGINALD.
[ SCREAMS ]
I DIDN'T INTEND TO KILL HIM.
I NEVER WOULD EVEN CONCEIVE
OF HURTING ANYONE,
LET ALONE THE PERSON
THAT I LOVED AND LIVED WITH.
Narrator: TODAY, CRYSTAL IS
AT THE DURHAM COUNTY JAIL,
AWAITING TRIAL FOR MURDER.
SHE CLAIMS HER BIGGEST FEAR
IS THAT SHE'LL NEVER
ESCAPE HER PAST.
I TRY TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE
AND IGNORE
ALL THE NEGATIVE THINGS
THAT HAVE BEEN SAID
ABOUT ME AND MY CHARACTER,
BUT I KEEP
HITTING THAT SAME WALL,
AND I GOT TO TEAR IT DOWN.
THE OUTCOME
OF THIS INCIDENT WITH REGINALD
IS REALLY GOING TO DETERMINE
WHETHER CRYSTAL IS GOING TO BE
A VICTIM OF HER PAST
OR WHETHER OR NOT
SHE CAN LEARN FROM HER MISTAKES,
AND I THINK
IT'S A CONSTANT REMINDER TO US,
WATCHING FROM THE OUTSIDE,
THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE.
LOVES BEING ONSTAGE.
IT WAS $200 TO $300
IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
Narrator: BUT HER TASTE IN MEN
IS A FORMULA FOR FIREWORKS.
JUST LEAVE! [ SCREAMS ]
SHE'S NEVER HAD A BREAKUP.
SHE'S HAD AN EXPLOSION.
Narrator: WITH ANGER MANAGEMENT
A MAJOR PROBLEM...
CRYSTAL IS A LOOSE CANNON.
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
...DISASTER IS
JUST A MATTER OF TIME.
TELL ME WHY!
I FELT THAT SAME SENSE OF DOOM.
[ SCREAMS ]
Narrator: NOT ALL FAIRY TALES
HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.
[ WOMAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY ]
WHEN LOVE GOES WRONG,
A WOMAN CAN DO THE UNTHINKABLE.
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
HISTORIC DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA,
IS KNOWN FOR ITS TOBACCO ROOTS.
IN 1992, IT'S HOME
TO 14-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL MANGUM,
A LIVELY AND HEADSTRONG GIRL
WHO'S IMPATIENT TO GROW UP.
HER FATHER,
A TRUCK DRIVER AND MECHANIC,
WORKS HARD TO GIVE HIS FAMILY
THE GOOD LIFE.
MY DAD WAS AWESOME.
HE WORKED TWO JOBS,
TOOK CARE OF US.
HEY, MOM.
WE GREW UP
IN A MIDDLE-CLASS HOME.
I NEVER REALLY WANTED ANYTHING
GROWING UP.
Narrator:
STILL, CRYSTAL ISN'T VERY HAPPY.
Mangum: WELL, MY SISTER GOT TREATED
A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN I DID.
THAT CAUSED ME
TO WANT TO LEAVE HOME,
BECAUSE I ALWAYS GOT
THE BLAME FOR EVERYTHING.
Clark: SHE NEVER SEEMED TO FIT
IN, EVEN IN HER OWN HOUSE.
SHE HAD A SISTER
WHO WAS PRETTIER, TALLER,
WHO WAS MORE ATHLETIC,
WHO HAD BETTER GRADES.
CRYSTAL - SHE WAS NEVER
QUITE AS CLOSE TO HER MOM
AS SHE WANTED TO BE.
THEY ALWAYS SEEMED TO
HAVE A DISCONNECT.
Narrator: IN THE END, THAT SENSE
OF REJECTION WILL TRIGGER
CHRONIC BAD JUDGMENT
THROUGHOUT CRYSTAL'S LIFE.
DR. CASEY JORDAN STUDIES
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
IT SEEMS THAT CRYSTAL GOT A LOT
OF MIXED MESSAGES AS A CHILD
THAT ALWAYS LEFT HER
WONDERING, WANTING,
AND CERTAINLY CRAVING AFFECTION.
IT REALLY WOULD BECOME THE THEME
FOR THE REST OF HER ADULTHOOD.
Narrator:
CRYSTAL IS LOOKING FOR LOVE,
AND SHE'S NOT PICKY
ABOUT WHERE SHE FINDS IT.
ONE EARLY AUTUMN DAY,
SHE MEETS STEPHEN ROGERS,
WHO, AT 28, IS TWICE HER AGE.
BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP HIM
FROM HITTING ON HER
AS SHE WALKS HOME FROM SCHOOL.
OH, MAN. I GOT YOU.
THE TEENAGER IS DAZZLED BY
HIS SLY CHARM AND HIS BANKROLL.
ALL RIGHT? LET'S GO.
WITHIN DAYS, THEY ARE DATING.
CLOSE YOUR EYES.
DON'T PEEK.
STEPHEN SHOWERS CRYSTAL
WITH THE ATTENTION
SHE'S BEEN LONGING FOR.
NOW OPEN YOUR EYES.
HE BOUGHT ME
A PAGER, NICE CLOTHES.
HE, AT FIRST, WAS VERY DOTING,
TAKING HER PLACES
AND SHOWING HER THINGS
THAT SHE HADN'T SEEN.
Narrator: THE OLDER MAN IS LIKE
A NEW AND IMPROVED FATHER FIGURE.
Mangum: I FELT LOVED.
I GOT THE ATTENTION
THAT I DIDN'T GET AT HOME.
I FELT MATURE.
HE MADE ME FEEL
LIKE I WAS IN CONTROL.
Narrator: BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE
LONG FOR CRYSTAL TO REALIZE
THAT, IN FACT, HER SUGAR DADDY
IS HOLDING ALL THE CARDS.
Mangum: I REMEMBER THE FIRST
TIME I WAS IN THE CAR WITH HIM.
I PRETENDED
LIKE I WASN'T A VIRGIN,
SO BY THE TIME
WE'D GOTTEN TO SECOND BASE,
THEN IT WAS TOO LATE
FOR ME TO SAY "NO,"
BECAUSE HE WAS ALREADY
PUSHING HIMSELF ON ME,
SO THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME.
WAS IT CONSENSUAL OR NOT?
IT WASN'T.
Narrator:
FROM THAT MOMENT ON,
STEPHEN'S INFLUENCE OVER CRYSTAL
IS COMPLETE.
SHE CUTS CLASSES AND SNEAKS OUT
SO SHE CAN SPEND
HER NIGHTS WITH HIM.
HOW DOES STEPHEN REWARD
HER DEVOTION?
HE LETS HER HELP HIM
WITH HIS "BUSINESS."
Rogers: I GOT MY BOY COMING OVER,
SO TAKE CARE OF HIM, ALL RIGHT?
Mangum: I WILL.
ALL RIGHT.
YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, RIGHT?
YEAH.
OKAY.
Mangum:
HE WAS A DRUG DEALER.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY NEAT,
TOO, AT 14.
HE WOULD LEAVE ME AT HIS HOUSE,
AND HE WOULD GO OUT
AND SELL ON THE BLOCK,
AND I WOULD SELL
OUT OF HIS HOUSE.
WHENEVER SOMEONE WOULD COME BY
THE HOUSE TO PICK UP A PACKAGE,
I WOULD BE THE ONE TO GET THE
MONEY AND GIVE THEM THE PACKAGE.
Narrator: PRETTY SOON,
CRYSTAL FINDS HERSELF
OFFERING MORE THAN DRUGS
TO STEPHEN'S CLIENTS.
Mangum:
WHEN THESE GUYS WOULD COME OVER,
THEY WOULD MAKE SUGGESTIONS
TO ME AND OFFER ME MONEY.
YOU HERE BY YOURSELF
RIGHT NOW?
YOU INTERESTED
IN DOING SOMETHING ELSE?
YEAH, I GUESS.
GO HAVE FUN IN THE BACK.
SO, I GUESS ME BEING YOUNG,
I TOOK THE MONEY,
AND I HAD SEX WITH THEM.
Dr. Jordan:
IN CRYSTAL'S 14-YEAR-OLD MIND,
SHE DOESN'T THINK
SHE'S BEING EXPLOITED
EVEN THOUGH SHE TRULY IS.
THAT REALITY WON'T HIT HER
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
Narrator: FOR MONTHS,
CRYSTAL SERVICES STEPHEN'S CUSTOMERS
IN HOPES OF PLEASING HIM
UNTIL SOMETHING TERRIBLE
HAPPENS -
SOMETHING
THAT WILL FOREVER TAINT
HER RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN.
Clark:
HE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY.
THIS IS A YOUNG GIRL
WHO DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING.
THEN HE EMERGES AS THE DEVIL.
Narrator: ONE NIGHT,
CRYSTAL IS WATCHING TV
WITH STEPHEN
AND TWO OF HIS BUDDIES
WHEN THE MEN BEGIN
WHISPERING AND LEERING AT HER.
[ INDISTINCT WHISPERS ]
Mangum: I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND
THE CONVERSATION.
THEY WERE SPEAKING IN RIDDLES.
COME ON.
AND BEFORE I KNEW IT...
CHECK THIS OUT.
...HE STARTED
TAKING MY CLOTHES OFF.
JUST TAKE IT OFF.
AND HIS FRIENDS WERE WATCHING.
OKAY, THEY'RE COOL.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM.
THEY'RE NOT EVEN LOOKING.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM.
TAKE THIS OFF, TOO.
YEAH, RIGHT THERE.
LAY DOWN.
JUST LAY DOWN.
THEY'RE NOT WATCHING.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
HE HAD SEX WITH ME FIRST.
STOP.
STOP.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
YOU'RE FIGHTING. STOP.
JUST STOP.
STOP FIGHTING.
COME ON.
STOP FIGHTING.
AND THEN HE LET HIS FRIEND
HAVE SEX WITH ME
WHILE HE HELD ME DOWN.
Narrator: CRYSTAL NEVER GETS
OVER THE ALLEGED GANG RAPE.
IT HAUNTS HER STILL TODAY.
I WAS NEVER ABLE
TO GET THAT INNOCENT TRUST BACK
THAT I ONCE HAD.
FROM THAT MOMENT ON,
I NEVER LOOKED FOR LOVE
IN A RELATIONSHIP.
Dr. Jordan: AT THIS POINT,
CRYSTAL'S SELF-ESTEEM
IS ABSOLUTELY IN THE GUTTER.
SHE FEELS LIKE DAMAGED GOODS,
AND NOW SHE SEES MEN
AS SOMETHING THAT SHE SHOULD
BE ABLE TO CONTROL.
IF SHE CONTROLS THE SEXUAL
SITUATIONS FROM NOW ON,
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST
CAN NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
THAT ONE INCIDENT WILL
REALLY PERMEATE
THE CHOICES SHE MAKES
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.
Narrator: THE ONLY WAY CRYSTAL
CAN COPE IS TO TRY AND PRETEND
THE WHOLE THING NEVER HAPPENED.
SHE TELLS NO ONE
ABOUT THE ATTACK.
SOMEHOW, SHE MANAGES
TO MOVE ON WITH HER LIFE.
SHE FINISHES HIGH SCHOOL
AND JOINS THE MILITARY.
AFTER TRAINING,
SHE GETS STATIONED
IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
SHE FELT LIKE DURHAM
WAS GONNA LIMIT HER.
SEEING THE WORLD WOULD BE
THE THING THAT SHE NEEDED TO DO.
EXCUSE ME, MA'AM.
Narrator: WHEN CRYSTAL MEETS
21-YEAR-OLD RYAN MAHONEY,
THINGS REALLY START LOOKING UP.
SHE FALLS HARD
FOR THE CLEAN-CUT OFFICER.
YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM,
DIDN'T YOU?
MM-HMM.
RYAN SWEPT ME OFF MY FEET.
WE HAD TWO CHILDREN.
Narrator: CRYSTAL LEAVES THE
MILITARY TO BE A FULL-TIME MOM,
BUT WHEN RYAN GETS TRANSFERRED
TO WASHINGTON STATE,
CRYSTAL TEMPORARILY MOVES
BACK TO DURHAM WITH THEIR KIDS.
SHE GETS A JOB AT A FACTORY
AND ENROLLS IN COLLEGE.
Mangum: I RAN ACROSS
A PSYCHOLOGY CLASS -
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY -
AND I FELL IN LOVE.
HER ASPIRATION WAS
TO WORK WITH GIRLS
WHO HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED.
Narrator: FINALLY, SEVEN YEARS
AFTER BREAKING UP WITH STEPHEN,
CRYSTAL FEELS
LIKE HER LIFE IS ON TRACK.
BUT ONE DAY, SHE GETS A LETTER
FROM RYAN WITH SHATTERING NEWS.
HE WANTS TO MARRY SOMEONE ELSE.
CRYSTAL IS CRUSHED.
I THINK CRYSTAL'S LIFE
HAS BEEN QUITE TRAGIC.
CRYSTAL HAS HAD A LOT
OF HEARTBREAKS IN HER LIFE.
Narrator: WITHOUT A MAN,
SHE FEELS LOST AND EMPTY.
Dr. Jordan: REMEMBER,
CRYSTAL HAD A MAN IN HER LIFE
FROM THE TIME
SHE WAS 14 YEARS OLD.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW
HOW TO JUST BE ALONE.
SHE ALWAYS NEEDS A MAN
IN HER LIFE TO VALIDATE HER.
Narrator: CRYSTAL WASTES
NO TIME FILLING THE VOID.
A FEW MONTHS LATER, SHE STARTS
DATING HER COWORKER, MATTHEW.
"I'M NOT YOUR TYPE."
I THINK I AM YOUR TYPE.
[ LAUGHS ]
I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW.
I AM.
I'VE GOT MY THINGS TOGETHER.
ALL RIGHT.
7:00?
Mangum: HE WAS FUNNY.
HE MADE ME LAUGH.
IT'S EVERYTHING
THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IN A MAN.
HE WAS A LITTLE PATERNALISTIC,
BUT I THINK SHE DEFERS TO MEN.
THAT VENEER OF THE FATHER FIGURE
IS WHAT SHE'S ATTACHED TO.
Narrator: STILL, NO MATTER
HOW KIND AND UNDERSTANDING
MATTHEW APPEARS TO BE,
CRYSTAL HAS
A HARD TIME GETTING CLOSE.
Mangum: BECAUSE I HAD THESE
ISSUES OF NOT BEING ABLE TO TRUST,
IT ALWAYS PUT A DAMPER
ON MY RELATIONSHIPS.
I WOULD GIVE PHYSICALLY, BUT
INSIDE, I WAS WITHHOLDING A LOT.
Narrator: SHE MIGHT HAVE A NEW
BOYFRIEND, BUT THE HARD TRUTH IS
THAT CRYSTAL IS A 23-YEAR-OLD
STRUGGLING SINGLE MOM.
Mangum: I WAS GETTING FINANCIAL
AID, BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH.
I HAD A FAMILY.
I HAD FOOD TO PUT IN THE HOUSE
AND LIGHT BILLS, WATER BILL.
Narrator: SO WHEN SHE HEARS ABOUT
AMATEUR NIGHT AT A LOCAL STRIP CLUB,
SHE THINKS SHE MIGHT HAVE FOUND
THE ANSWER TO HER PROBLEMS.
Clark: CRYSTAL ALWAYS HAD THIS
NOTION THAT SHE'D BE A DANCER,
AND SHE WOULD TELL STORIES
ABOUT DANCING
IN FRONT OF THE TV
WITH "SOUL TRAIN."
SO, SHE WAS LIKE,
"WELL, IT'S EASY MONEY.
IT'S GONNA PUT FOOD ON THE
TABLE, GET ME THROUGH SCHOOL."
Narrator:
THE NIGHT OF CRYSTAL'S AUDITION,
MATTHEW GOES WITH HER
FOR MORAL SUPPORT.
Mangum:
THE BARTENDER GAVE ME A DRINK,
AND THAT KIND OF RELAXED ME
A LITTLE BIT.
Narrator:
ONCE SHE HITS THE STAGE,
THE ALCOHOL LOOSENS HER UP
EVEN MORE.
IT WAS NOT AS BAD
AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
I KIND OF GO
INTO A DIFFERENT ZONE.
IT CAN BE VALIDATING
AND DEGRADING AT THE SAME TIME.
Narrator:
BUT MATTHEW DOESN'T LIKE SEEING
HIS GIRLFRIEND DANCING FOR CASH.
HE TAKES OFF,
LEAVING CRYSTAL STRANDED.
SO SHE TURNS TO A CAB DRIVER
FOR A RIDE HOME.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT BECOMES
A TALE OF "HE SAID, SHE SAID."
I NEED A RIDE.
SHE CLAIMS
THE CABBY GAVE HER HIS KEYS...
CAB'S IN THE GARAGE.
YOU WAIT FOR ME.
...AND TOLD HER TO WAIT IN THE
CAR WHILE HE FINISHED HIS DRINK.
AND YOU WENT OUT,
AND YOU GOT IN THE CAR.
MM-HMM.
BUT YOU'D HAD
TOO MUCH TO DRINK.
YEAH.
Narrator: BUT CRYSTAL DOESN'T
WAIT IN THE CAB.
SHE GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL.
SHE'S A SMART PERSON,
BUT COMMON SENSE -
SOMETIMES, I THINK
CRYSTAL FORGETS TO USE IT.
Narrator: THE CAB DRIVER HAS
A DIFFERENT STORY.
HE CLAIMS
CRYSTAL RIPPED OFF HIS KEYS.
WHEN SHE TAKES OFF,
HE CALLS THE COPS.
YEAH, I'D LIKE
TO REPORT A STOLEN CAB.
Narrator: MEANWHILE, CRYSTAL HEADS
DOWN A ONE-WAY STREET THE WRONG WAY.
I DON'T THINK
I WAS DRIVING TOO WELL.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
Narrator: COMING UP,
CRYSTAL'S JUDGMENT GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE.
IT WAS $200 TO $300
IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
Narrator: CRYSTAL MANGUM HAS JUST
FINISHED AUDITIONING FOR A JOB
AS AN EXOTIC DANCER AT A DURHAM,
NORTH CAROLINA CLUB.
WHEN HER JEALOUS BOYFRIEND
BAILS ON HER,
SHE TAKES A DRUNKEN JOYRIDE
THROUGH THE CITY
WITH POLICE IN HOT PURSUIT.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
[ ENGINE REVS ]
CRYSTAL LEADS THE COPS
ON A FIVE-MILE HIGH-SPEED CHASE.
Mangum: THE POLICE ENDED UP CATCHING
UP WITH ME, AND THEY CORNERED ME.
GET OUT OF THE CAR!
AND I BACKED UP
AND RAN INTO THE POLICE CAR.
GET OUT OF THE CAR NOW!
GET OUT OF THE CAR!
Narrator: THE COPS CUFF CRYSTAL
AND TAKE HER INTO CUSTODY,
WHERE SHE PASSES OUT COLD.
ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORTS,
SHE'S HAMMERED -
MORE THAN TWICE
OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT OF ALCOHOL.
SHE'S CHARGED WITH D. W. I.,
ASSAULTING AN OFFICER,
STEALING THE CAB, AND SPEEDING.
AFTER A FEW DAYS IN JAIL,
CRYSTAL IS RELEASED
AND ORDERED TO GET TREATMENT
FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
Dr. Jordan: CRYSTAL DOESN'T THINK
THINGS THROUGH VERY CAREFULLY
BEFORE SHE DOES THEM.
THIS EVENT IS REALLY EMBLEMATIC
OF THAT IMPULSIVITY.
CRYSTAL IS A LOOSE CANNON.
Narrator: THE INCIDENT DOESN'T
STOP CRYSTAL
FROM RETURNING
TO THE STRIPPER POLE.
SHE GETS A JOB
AT A DIFFERENT CLUB
AND STARTS WORKING
A FEW NIGHTS A WEEK.
FOR HER, DANCING ONSTAGE IS
A RUSH, AND IT PAYS WELL -
SO WELL THAT HER BOYFRIEND,
MATTHEW, QUITS ARGUING ABOUT IT.
SO, THE STRIPPING WAS
ALMOST LIBERATING.
WELL, YEAH.
I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY
ABOUT PAYING BILLS ANYMORE.
IF MY KIDS NEEDED SOMETHING,
I COULD JUST GO GET IT.
IT BECAME ADDICTIVE.
WERE YOU ADDICTED TO
THE EASY MONEY OR THE ATTENTION?
PROBABLY BOTH.
Narrator: CRYSTAL KEEPS DANCING
FOR THE NEXT YEAR,
AND THEN, ONE DAY,
SHE GETS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO TURN HER EASY MONEY
INTO AN EVEN BIGGER PAYOFF.
HEY, DARLING!
LOOK AT YOU.
YOU ARE GORGEOUS.
ONE DAY, A RECRUITER
FROM AN ESCORT AGENCY
CATCHES CRYSTAL'S ACT
AND MAKES HER A TEMPTING OFFER.
GET OUT OF THIS MESS
AND GET IN...
SHE ASKED IF I WANTED
TO COME WORK FOR HER.
IT WAS $200 TO $300
IN LESS THAN AN HOUR,
PERFORMING FOR INDIVIDUALS.
GONNA LET YOU
THINK ABOUT IT.
Narrator:
THAT'S A LOT BETTER
THAN STRIPPING
FOR A WAD OF CRUMPLED SINGLES.
CRYSTAL NEEDS LITTLE CONVINCING
TO GIVE IT A SHOT.
TALK TO ME ABOUT AN ESCORT
SERVICE - JUST FOR THE RECORD,
BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T
UNDERSTAND THAT.
THEY CONFUSE THE WORDS
"PROSTITUTION"
AND "CALL GIRL" AND "ESCORT,"
BUT THEY'RE VERY DIFFERENT
THINGS IN THE INDUSTRY, CORRECT?
Mangum: AS AN ESCORT,
YOU SET YOUR OWN LIMITS.
I NEVER HAD INTERCOURSE
WITH ANY OF MY CLIENTS,
WHICH WAS ALSO AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN MATTHEW AND I.
OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS,
CRYSTAL STAYS BUSY
WITH PRIVATE ENGAGEMENTS
FROM THE ESCORT AGENCY.
SHE FANTASIZES
ABOUT WHAT HER NEW INCOME CAN DO
FOR HER TWO KIDS AND HER FUTURE.
I WANTED
TO GET MY DOCTORATE'S DEGREE.
THAT WAS MY GOAL.
Narrator:
ON MARCH 13, 2006,
THE ESCORT AGENCY
CALLS CRYSTAL ABOUT A JOB.
IT'S A CALL SHE'LL REGRET TAKING
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.
THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
A BACHELOR PARTY,
AND THERE'S GONNA BE
ANOTHER DANCER THERE.
WHEN YOU GET THERE, YOU'RE GONNA
MEET THE OTHER DANCER.
YOU GUYS PERFORM YOUR ROUTINE,
GET YOUR MONEY,
WHICH WAS $400 EACH.
Narrator:
AT THE END OF THE NIGHT,
CRYSTAL CLAIMS
THE PARTY TURNED UGLY.
SHE SAYS SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN
SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER.
IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING
THE ALLEGED ASSAULT,
THE MEDIA GETS WIND OF THE STORY
AND SIDES WITH CRYSTAL.
BUT OVER THE COURSE
OF THE NEXT YEAR,
ATTORNEY MISCONDUCT,
CREDIBILITY ISSUES,
AND A LACK OF EVIDENCE
BURIES THE CASE.
ONE YEAR LATER,
THE NORTH CAROLINA
ATTORNEY GENERAL
OFFICIALLY DROPS
ALL CHARGES AGAINST THE MEN.
CRYSTAL IS STUNNED BY THE NEWS.
Mangum: TO THIS DAY,
NO ONE'S EVER TOLD ME
WHY MY CHARGES WERE DISMISSED.
FROM MY UNDERSTANDING,
MAYBE THERE WASN'T
ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO MOVE FORWARD,
BUT THAT'S
A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THING
FROM SAYING THAT I'M A LIAR.
THE MAJOR SCANDAL
THAT EMERGED IN 2006
WOULD BE A REAL GAME CHANGER
FOR CRYSTAL.
DO YOU SEE THIS?
IS SHE LYING ABOUT IT?
HOW COULD THEY DO THAT?
OR, IN HER MIND, DID IT HAPPEN
EXACTLY THE WAY SHE SAID,
BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING OF A
PRODUCT OF HER PAST EXPERIENCES
AND HER WARPED OR DISTORTED
SENSE OF THINKING?
WE MAY NEVER KNOW,
BUT WHEN CRYSTAL TELLS
HER VERSION OF EVENTS,
IN HER MIND,
SHE'S TRULY NOT LYING.
Narrator:
CRYSTAL'S REPUTATION IS RUINED.
Mangum:
THE MEDIA COVERAGE WAS
AN ALL-OUT SLANDER CAMPAIGN
AGAINST ME.
Narrator: THE STORY SEEMS TO
FOLLOW HER WHEREVER SHE GOES.
HOW WERE YOU FEELING?
WITHDRAWN.
THAT WAS THE WORST FEELING
IN THE WORLD -
TO BE CALLED A LIAR.
IT ADDED TO THE DISGRACE
AND TO THE HUMILIATION
AND THE ABUSE
THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED
FROM THE PAST.
TO SHIELD HERSELF
FROM THE MEDIA,
SHE BECOMES A VIRTUAL RECLUSE.
SHE PRAYED THAT ONE DAY,
PEOPLE WOULD SEE HER SIDE OF IT.
AND SHE JUST HATED
THAT IT HAPPENED ALTOGETHER.
Narrator: THE FOLLOWING YEAR,
CRYSTAL DECIDES TO BREAK HER SILENCE.
MY NAME IS CRYSTAL GAIL MANGUM.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE TRIED
TO USE MY NAME AND MY PAST
TO INTIMIDATE ME.
Narrator:
SHE TEAMS UP WITH VINCENT CLARK
TO WRITE AND PUBLISH
A MEMOIR ABOUT HER LIFE.
SHE WANTED PEOPLE TO KNOW
THAT SHE WAS NOT A BAD PERSON.
Narrator: CRYSTAL'S BOOK IS
AN ATTEMPT AT SELF-DEFENSE.
SHE CLAIMS SHE'S NOT A LIAR,
JUST A YOUNG WOMAN
WHO MADE SOME BAD DECISIONS.
AND ONCE AGAIN, SHE TRIES
TO MOVE PAST THE TRAUMA.
IN MAY 2008, SHE GRADUATES
FROM NORTH CAROLINA
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY.
Mangum:
NO, YOU'RE PARANOID!
Matthew: I'M PARANOID?
YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!
SO EVERYTHING I FIND OUT
ABOUT YOU IS NOT TRUE?
BUT A MONTH AFTER GRADUATING,
SHE SABOTAGES
HER RELATIONSHIP WITH MATTHEW.
I CHEATED ONE TOO MANY TIMES,
AND HE WAS TIRED OF IT.
I'M GOOD TO YOU!
AND I'M GOOD TO YOU!
NO, YOU'RE NOT!
YES, I AM!
Dr. Jordan: WHY WOULD YOU
GO WITH OTHER GUYS
WHEN YOU HAD MATTHEW
SO IN LOVE WITH YOU?
THAT'S IT! I'M DONE!
I NEVER EXPECTED
A LOT FROM MATTHEW.
I FELT JUSTIFIED
IN HAVING OTHER RELATIONSHIPS.
I THINK
IT WAS ALMOST TOO MUCH FOR HER
THAT HE WAS SUCH A NICE GUY.
Narrator: TO SUPPORT HERSELF AND HER
KIDS, CRYSTAL TAKES A SALES JOB.
[ BOTH LAUGHING ]
AS USUAL,
SHE'S NOT ALONE FOR LONG.
SHE REACHES OUT
TO MILTON WALKER,
AN OLD BOYFRIEND
FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
MILTON WAS UNDERSTANDING
AND A GOOD PERSON TO TALK TO.
HE MADE ME FEEL
NEEDED AND SPECIAL.
HE HAS A CERTAIN INNOCENCE
ABOUT HIM THAT MOST GUYS DON'T.
Walker: WHEN I FIRST MET
CRYSTAL, I WAS MESMERIZED.
I WAS TAKEN BY HER.
IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
Narrator:
BUT JUST LIKE BEFORE,
CRYSTAL'S CHOSEN
A MAN WITH CHALLENGES,
AND THIS TIME,
THEY'RE GIANT ONES.
A FEW YEARS AGO, MILTON WAS
DIAGNOSED WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA.
Walker: I THINK I'M FINE.
THEY ALWAYS SAY
THAT MOST SCHIZOPHRENICS
THINK THAT THEY'RE FINE,
BUT I THINK -
IT NEVER AFFECTED MY LIFE
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP,
YOU KNOW, HEARING VOICES.
I THOUGHT
EVERYBODY THOUGHT LIKE THAT.
Mangum: HE HAD EPISODES.
WHEN SOMETHING'S
REALLY STRESSFUL GOING ON,
HIS SCHIZOPHRENIA BECOMES
A PROBLEM.
IT PRESENTS ITSELF.
Dr. Jordan: MANY TIMES
AFTER A TRAUMATIC EVENT,
PEOPLE WILL RETURN TO THAT
WHICH IS COMFORTING OR FAMILIAR,
SO WHEN SHE FINDS MILTON,
HER LONG-LOST FRIEND
FROM HIGH SCHOOL,
AND HE'S ACCEPTING OF HER,
NONJUDGMENTAL -
HE DOESN'T CARE
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2006.
HE JUST KNOWS
THAT SHE'S A LONG-LOST FRIEND,
AND THEY REKINDLE
THAT RELATIONSHIP.
Narrator: SOON, MILTON MOVES IN
WITH CRYSTAL AND HER KIDS.
IT'S NOT
THAT BIG OF A DEAL.
ALTHOUGH THE TWO ARE DEVOTED TO
EACH OTHER, MILTON WANTS MORE.
...ACTING LIKE THIS BECAUSE
I LOVE YOU - THAT'S WHY.
Walker:
I WANTED CRYSTAL ALL TO MYSELF.
WE WAS GETTING OLDER,
AND I WANTED
TO BE MORE LIKE MY PARENTS.
NO, I DON'T WANT
TO CALM DOWN.
Narrator: ONE DAY, MILTON IS
ABOUT TO DROP CRYSTAL OFF AT WORK.
YOU LOOK GOOD, BABY.
THANK YOU.
I'M ABOUT TO BE DONE.
YOU READY?
PRONE TO SUDDEN WAVES
OF PARANOIA,
HE THINKS CRYSTAL IS USING WORK
AS A COVER FOR CHEATING.
HE DECIDES TO CALL HER BOSS
TO SEE IF SHE'S REALLY SCHEDULED
TO WORK THAT DAY.
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
IS CRYSTAL SUPPOSED TO BE
AT WORK TODAY?
THE PERSON ON THE OTHER LINE
TOLD ME SHE WAS OFF THAT DAY,
SO I THOUGHT MAYBE CRYSTAL
JUST WANTED TO GET DROPPED OFF
AT THE JOB AND HOOK UP WITH
SOMEBODY ELSE DURING HER HOURS.
Narrator: COMING UP,
CRYSTAL PUSHES HER LUCK.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
I MADE AN INSULT THAT HE WAS
LACKING IN A CERTAIN AREA.
Mangum: HOW ARE YOU?
I'M SO FINE.
Narrator: CRYSTAL MANGUM HAS
REKINDLED A ROMANCE
WITH HER HIGH-SCHOOL SWEETHEART,
MILTON WALKER.
IS CRYSTAL SUPPOSED TO BE
AT WORK TODAY?
Narrator:
BUT AFTER SIX MONTHS TOGETHER,
MILTON'S TEMPER BOILS OVER
WHEN HE SUSPECTS SHE'S CHEATING.
HE'S BREATHING HARD,
THEN HE SITS OVER IN THE CORNER,
AND I ASK HIM WHAT'S WRONG.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?
WHERE YOU ABOUT TO GO?
I'M ABOUT TO GO TO WORK.
WHY YOU ACTING LIKE THAT?
WHAT'S WRONG?
WHY ARE YOU LYING?
I'M NOT LYING!
I CALLED YOUR JOB! THEY SAID
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THERE!
I DON'T KNOW
WHY THEY SAID THAT,
BECAUSE I'VE GOT TO
GO TO WORK TODAY!
THE LADY TOLD HIM THAT I WASN'T
WORKING BECAUSE I WAS AT HOME.
I WAS GETTING READY FOR WORK.
SO HE MISUNDERSTOOD.
Narrator:
MILTON'S NOT BUYING IT.
YOU'RE LYING.
I LET MY EMOTIONS
GET THE BEST OF ME,
AND I ACTUALLY
PUT MY HANDS ON HER.
DON'T YOU **** DO THAT.
WHAT YOU DOING?
GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!
I START PUSHING HER.
I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT.
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME
I EVER DONE THAT TO HER,
AND I FELT DEEPLY BAD FOR THAT.
I'M GOING TO WORK!
ALL - ALL - ALL RIGHT.
I'M SORRY, BABY.
I'M SORRY.
SO, ARE YOU GONNA DRIVE ME
TO WORK OR WHAT?
[ SCOFFS ]
Narrator:
THE COUPLE LETS THE ARGUMENT GO,
BUT IT'S JUST A TASTE
OF WHAT'S TO COME.
Dr. Jordan: CRYSTAL'S BACK
IN THE SAME OLD PATTERNS AGAIN,
AND IT REALLY BEGS
THE QUESTION -
CAN CRYSTAL REALLY STOP
THESE PATTERNS
OR IS THIS JUST GOING TO BE
THE WAY THINGS ARE
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE?
Narrator:
NO MATTER HOW OFTEN
CRYSTAL REASSURES MILTON
THAT SHE'S FAITHFUL,
HE CAN'T GET PAST
HIS NAGGING DOUBTS.
Mangum:
I TRIED TO CONSOLE HIM,
LET HIM KNOW
THAT I WAS THERE FOR HIM
AND THAT I WOULDN'T
CHEAT ON HIM.
Walker: CRYSTAL!
CRYSTAL!
Narrator: BUT CRYSTAL'S WORDS
FALL ON DEAF EARS,
AND LIKE SO MANY TIMES BEFORE,
SHE'S SOON FACING
ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP FREE FALL.
ONE DAY,
WHAT STARTS AS A PETTY SPAT
ERUPTS INTO SOMETHING SCARY.
I'M NOT YELLING AT YOU!
Mangum: THE WHOLE DAY,
HE WAS COMPLAINING
THAT I WASN'T HAPPY
WITH WHAT HE WAS DOING.
HE SAID, "I CLEAN UP THE HOUSE,
YOUR KIDS MAKE A MESS,
AND YOU'RE STILL NOT HAPPY."
GO AHEAD AND LEAVE!
GO AHEAD AND LEAVE!
I DON'T CARE.
I TOLD HIM THAT IF HE DIDN'T
LIKE IT, HE COULD GET OUT.
Narrator: AT FIRST,
MILTON CALMLY AGREES TO LEAVE.
WHATEVER. WHATEVER.
WHERE YOU GOING?
I'M GOING.
BUT APPARENTLY, IT'S NOT
THE REACTION SHE'S LOOKING FOR.
CRYSTAL FLIES INTO A RAGE
AND STARTS INSULTING HIM.
THAT'S WHY YOU GOT
THAT SMALL ****
WHAT?!
I MADE AN INSULT THAT HE WAS
LACKING IN A CERTAIN AREA,
AND I PROCEEDED
LIKE I WAS GONNA TAKE A PICTURE.
CRYSTAL, DID YOU TELL HIM
HE HAD A SMALL ****
I DID.
Narrator:
AND SHE DOESN'T STOP THERE.
I'M GONNA
SHOW YOUR FRIENDS, HUH?
Walker: WHEN SHE STARTED
TUGGING ON MY PANTS,
I PUSHED HER OUT THE WAY,
AND WHEN I PUSHED HER
OUT THE WAY,
SHE STARTED ATTACKING ME.
I GRABBED HER BY THE NECK,
AND I HELD HER DOWN BY THE NECK.
SHUT UP!
GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!
SHE WAS LIKE, "LET ME GO.
LET ME GO."
I WAS LIKE,
"NOT UNTIL YOU CALM DOWN."
CRYSTAL, CALM DOWN.
I'M CALM!
I AIN'T LETTING YOU UP
TILL YOU CALM DOWN.
Narrator: CRYSTAL'S 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER,
EMMA, WITNESSES THE UGLY SCENE.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
TERRIFIED,
SHE CALLS 911 FOR HELP
AND TELLS THE OPERATOR
MILTON IS ATTACKING HER MOM.
SHE WAS AFRAID
THAT MILTON WAS GONNA KILL ME.
Narrator:
EVENTUALLY, MILTON BACKS OFF.
CRYSTAL RACES TO THE KITCHEN,
GRABBING THE FIRST WEAPON
SHE CAN FIND.
YOU WANT TO ACT THE FOOL?
YEAH.
Walker: SHE STARTED
HITTING ME WITH THE CHAIR.
I'M NOT PLAYING NOW!
THEN SHE STARTED
JABBING ME WITH THE STEP STOOL.
YOU BETTER
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
AND THEN SHE SAID,
"I GOT SOMETHING BETTER."
YOU'VE GOT TO
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Narrator: MILTON CLAIMS CRYSTAL
COMES AT HIM WITH A KNIFE,
AND SHE'S NOT KIDDING AROUND.
GONNA
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Walker:
SHE NEVER BEEN LIKE THIS BEFORE.
THIS IS SOMETHING BRAND-NEW.
THIS IS LIKE CRAZY CRYSTAL.
I NEVER THOUGHT
CRYSTAL WOULD BE THIS CRAZY,
AND I WAS LIKE, "WOW."
PUT THE KNIFE DOWN!
YOU ACT SCARED NOW!
Walker:
PUT THE KNIFE DOWN.
YOU SCARED? COME HERE!
I GOT YOU.
Narrator: COMING UP,
CRYSTAL'S RAGE IGNITES,
LITERALLY.
FLAMES OF FIRE START
COMING OUT OF THE BATHROOM.
Narrator: CRYSTAL MANGUM IS IN
THE MIDDLE OF A HEATED ARGUMENT...
GO AHEAD AND LEAVE!
...WITH HER LIVE-IN BOYFRIEND,
MILTON WALKER.
THAT'S WHAT
I'VE GOT TO DO!
IT GETS PHYSICAL FAST.
SHUT UP!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
GIVE ME THIS CHAIR!
YOU'VE GOT TO
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
ALL RIGHT.
NOW YOU SCARED, HUH?
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Narrator: WHEN CRYSTAL
THREATENS HIM WITH A KNIFE,
MILTON FLEES THE APARTMENT.
I WAS ACTUALLY RUNNING.
I WAS RUNNING FOR MY LIFE,
ACTUALLY.
Narrator: INCREDIBLY, A FEW HOURS
LATER, MILTON COMES BACK HOME.
Walker: I GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE,
AND THERE'S COP CARS THERE.
BUT BEFORE I WENT IN,
I NOTICED ALL MY TIRES
ON MY CAR WERE SLASHED.
[ AIR HISSING ]
Narrator: MILTON'S GOT A FEELING
HE KNOWS HOW IT HAPPENED.
INSIDE, THE DURHAM COPS
ARE QUESTIONING CRYSTAL.
AS SOON AS MILTON WALKS
THROUGH THE DOOR,
SHE LUNGES AT HIM AGAIN.
WHAT?!
Walker: SHE WAS LIKE,
"I WANT HIM OUT OF HERE.
GET HIM OUT OF MY HOUSE."
AND SHE GRABBED THE KNIFE, AND
SHE SAID, "I'M GONNA KILL YOU.
I'M GONNA KILL YOU."
DID YOU EVER
THREATEN MILTON WITH A KNIFE?
NO.
Narrator: BUT POLICE RECORDS
AND MILTON DISAGREE.
CRYSTAL IS ARRESTED ON THE SPOT.
WHAT IS THAT SMELL?
BEFORE THEY TAKE HER AWAY,
THE COPS SUDDENLY NOTICE
A STRANGE ODOR.
WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING?!
Walker: FLAMES OF FIRE START
COMING OUT OF THE BATHROOM.
I ASKED CRYSTAL,
"WHAT DID YOU DO?"
HIS CLOTHES WERE
SET ON FIRE BY ME.
BUT WHY WERE YOU SETTING
HIS CLOTHES ON FIRE, CRYSTAL?
I GUESS BECAUSE HE HIT ME
IN FRONT OF MY CHILDREN.
I WAS HURT.
WHAT THE HELL?
Walker: SHE KNOWS
THAT'S THE ONLY THING I HAD
WAS MY CAR AND MY CLOTHES,
AND THAT WAS IT.
Clark:
EVERY RELATIONSHIP BUSTED APART.
SHE'S NEVER HAD A BREAKUP.
SHE'S HAD AN EXPLOSION
TO END A RELATIONSHIP.
TAKE ME IN?!
TAKE ME IN FOR WHAT?!
MAN, SHE CRAZY.
SHUT UP!
Dr. Jordan: IT'S UNTHINKABLE THAT
CRYSTAL, WITH HER PAST HISTORY,
IS NOW SETTING MILTON'S CLOTHING
ON FIRE, SLASHING HIS TIRES,
AND THREATENING TO KILL HIM
WITH A KNIFE
IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE.
IT'S AS IF
SHE'S NEVER LEARNED ANYTHING.
IN HER MIND, SHE'S IN A PLACE
WHERE SHE DOESN'T HAVE
THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE.
Narrator: CRYSTAL IS CHARGED
WITH MULTIPLE CRIMES,
INCLUDING ATTEMPTED MURDER
AND ARSON.
THE ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE IS
DROPPED BEFORE TRIAL
AFTER MILTON ADMITS
TO STARTING THE FIGHT.
CRYSTAL SERVES 88 DAYS IN JAIL.
THEN SHE'S RELEASED ON BAIL
TO AWAIT TRIAL.
NO MATTER HOW CRYSTAL SEES IT,
THIS EVENT IS A TURNING POINT.
SHE'S GONE FROM HELPLESS VICTIM
TO AGGRESSOR,
AND SHE NEVER LOOKS BACK.
Dr. Jordan:
CRYSTAL'S THOUGHT PROCESS
CLEARLY WORKS
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.
THE RIDICULOUS THING ABOUT
THAT HUGE BLOWUP WITH MILTON
IS THAT IT STARTED
OVER THE MOST TRIVIAL ARGUMENT.
IT TAKES VERY LITTLE
TO PUSH HER CRYSTAL BUTTON
AND SEND HER INTO THAT PLACE
WHERE SHE JUST CAN'T
THINK STRAIGHT.
Narrator: 10 MONTHS LATER,
CRYSTAL'S CASE GOES TO TRIAL.
A JURY FINDS HER GUILTY
OF CHILD NEGLECT,
INJURY TO PROPERTY,
AND RESISTING ARREST
BUT DEADLOCKS
ON THE ARSON CHARGE.
CRYSTAL IS SENTENCED
TO TIME SERVED.
SHE IS FREE TO GO.
AFTER THE TRIAL,
CRYSTAL AND HER KIDS MOVE IN
TO HER FRIEND PEGGY'S HOUSE.
SHE FELT SECURE THERE.
SHE KNEW THAT THERE WAS
NO VIOLENCE THERE,
THAT SHE COULD
TALK TO ME LIKE A MOM
'CAUSE HER MOM NEVER TALKED TO
HER LIKE I WOULD TALK TO HER.
Narrator:
ONE MORE TIME, CRYSTAL TRIES
TO PUT HER PAST BEHIND HER,
BUT SHE DOESN'T GET FAR.
SHE DECIDES TO RETURN TO
THE BUSINESS SHE KNOWS BEST -
ESCORTING.
Dr. Jordan: SHE HAS GREAT CAPACITY
TO DO SOMETHING WITH HER LIFE,
AND YET WHAT DOES SHE DO?
SHE GOES BACK
TO THE ESCORT BUSINESS.
I WAS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED.
SHE HAD SO MANY POSSIBILITIES
TO LEARN FROM HER MISTAKES,
AND YET SHE GOES BACK
TO THE THING
THAT'S GOTTEN HER IN TROUBLE
HER ENTIRE LIFE.
Narrator:
IT WILL BE A FATEFUL CHOICE
THAT WILL STIR UP EVEN MORE
TROUBLE THAN SHE CAN IMAGINE.
A MONTH AFTER MOVING IN
WITH HER FRIEND PEGGY,
CRYSTAL MEETS REGINALD DAYE, A
48-YEAR-OLD CONSTRUCTION WORKER
PEGGY HIRED TO PAINT HER HOUSE.
Mangum: HE WAS
VERY CONSIDERATE, VERY KIND.
HE THOUGHT A GREAT DEAL OF ME.
Dr. Jordan:
ONCE AGAIN, IT'S A DADDY FIGURE.
IT'S A MAN MUCH OLDER THAN HER.
ONCE AGAIN,
YOU ASK THE QUESTION,
"IS THIS HER CHILDHOOD NEED
TO GET BACK THAT FEELING
OF COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE
BY A FATHER FIGURE?"
HEY, WORKING HARD.
HEY, YEAH.
I GOT YOU A BEER.
OH, THANK YOU.
Narrator:
WHEN CRYSTAL FINDS OUT
THAT REGINALD IS
LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE,
SHE SEES AN OPPORTUNITY
AND TURNS ON THE CHARM.
THAT'S MY NEWEST ONE.
I NEED A ROOMMATE.
THAT'S RIGHT.
YOU KNOW SOMEBODY?
ME, ACTUALLY. YEAH.
YEAH, I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING
FOR A PLACE TO STAY.
Mangum: I WAS THE FLIRTATIOUS
ONE BEFORE WE WERE ROOMMATES.
I SUGGESTED
THAT I MOVE IN WITH HIM,
AND HE SAID,
"I NEED HELP WITH THE RENT,
SO WE'LL GO BY A TRIAL- AND-ERROR
BASIS AND TAKE IT FROM THERE."
GIVE ME A HOLLER.
I WILL.
Narrator: WITHIN WEEKS,
CRYSTAL AND HER KIDS MOVE IN
TO REGINALD'S
TWO-BEDROOM APARTMENT.
ALMOST IMMEDIATELY,
CRYSTAL AND REGINALD BECOME
MORE THAN ROOMMATES.
CRYSTAL IS CONVINCED
SHE'S MET MR. RIGHT YET AGAIN.
Mangum:
WE PLANNED A FUTURE TOGETHER.
WE TALKED ABOUT BUYING A HOUSE.
WE TALKED
ABOUT GETTING MARRIED SOMEDAY.
HE COULDN'T HAVE KIDS,
SO HE JOKED
ABOUT MY CHILDREN BEING HIS.
WE LISTENED TO MUSIC
ALL THE TIME
WHEN THE KIDS WERE AT SCHOOL.
[ LAUGHTER ]
WE MADE LOVE ALMOST EVERY DAY,
A LOT OF TIMES, OUTSIDE.
[ LAUGHS ]
HE WAS JUST MY BEST FRIEND.
Narrator: BUT CRYSTAL'S FRIENDS
HAVE A BAD FEELING
ABOUT THE BUDDING ROMANCE.
Peggy: I DIDN'T LIKE IT
BECAUSE HER CHILDREN
WANTED HER TO BE A MOM
AND DIDN'T WANT
ANOTHER MAN IN THE HOUSE,
AND I WANTED CRYSTAL
TO START OFF
WITH JUST HERSELF
AND HER CHILDREN
AND LET GOD DO THE REST FOR HER.
CRYSTAL WANTS TO BE
A GOOD MOTHER, A GOOD PERSON,
BUT SHE'D JUST GET
WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE,
AND THEY INFLUENCE HER,
AND THEN SHE FORGETS
ABOUT HER PRIORITIES.
I THINK CRYSTAL'S MAIN PROBLEM
IN LIFE IS MEN -
THE WRONG TYPE OF MEN.
Narrator: TURNS OUT HER FRIEND'S
INSTINCTS ARE RIGHT ON TARGET.
LIKE CLOCKWORK, THE SAME OLD
PROBLEMS START TO SURFACE.
WHERE YOU GOING?
I HAVE TO WORK TONIGHT.
TO WORK?
TO WORK.
I'M ABOUT TIRED
OF THIS JOB.
YOU NEED
TO STAY HOME TONIGHT.
REGINALD ISN'T HAPPY ABOUT
CRYSTAL WORKING AS AN ESCORT.
YOU NEED TO STAY HOME.
HE STARTED
KEEPING MY CELLPHONE.
[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]
HE WOULD ANSWER MY PHONE AND ASK
THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END
THEIR NAME, HOW THEY KNOW ME.
WHO IS THIS?
HOW YOU KNOW CRYSTAL?
NO. YOU KNOW WHAT?
I DON'T THINK SO.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S GONNA BE
ANY OF THAT TONIGHT.
WHO WAS THAT?
YOU TELL ME
WHO THAT WAS.
I DON'T KNOW.
I DIDN'T ANSWER IT.
WHO IS THAT CALLING?!
WHO IS THAT?
SOME SPECIAL DUDE?
Mangum: IT'S KIND OF HARD
FOR ME TO DISTINGUISH
BETWEEN INNOCENT JEALOUSY
AND CONTROLLING JEALOUSY.
I'M NOT JEALOUS!
I DON'T LIKE
EVERYBODY CALLING YOUR PHONE!
IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT
THE BOYFRIENDS EVENTUALLY RESENT
THE WORK
THAT SHE DOES AS AN ESCORT.
THEY WANT HER
TO BE EXCLUSIVE TO THEM,
AND CRYSTAL WILL NOT BE
CONTROLLED IN THAT WAY.
SIT DOWN
AND SHUT THE HELL UP.
DON'T ANSWER MY PHONE.
YEAH, YOU GONNA
STAY HERE TONIGHT.
THAT'S ALL I KNOW.
YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE!
CRYSTAL,
I SAID YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE.
SORRY.
THAT WAS, UM, MY FRIEND.
YOU BETTER NOT LEAVE!
YEAH, I'M WEARING
SOMETHING NICE.
OKAY. BYE.
Narrator: COMING UP...
I'M TRYING TO HIDE FROM HIM,
AND HE'S THROWING THESE KNIVES.
I BET
YOU WANT TO STOP NOW!
STOP!
WHAT ABOUT THIS, HUH?
Narrator: WHEN 32-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL
MANGUM MEETS REGINALD DAYE,
SHE THINKS SHE'S FINALLY FOUND
HER SOUL MATE.
WHO IS THAT CALLING?!
WHO IS THAT?
SOME SPECIAL DUDE?
BUT SHE'S WRONG.
APRIL 2, 2011,
CRYSTAL AND REGINALD ARRIVE HOME
AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHY YOU
ALWAYS GOT TO ACT LIKE THAT?
WHY DO YOU GOT TO
WEAR THAT STUFF?
AFTER REGINALD ACCUSES HER
OF FLIRTING WITH OTHER MEN,
ALL BETS ARE OFF.
WHAT'S WRONG?
YOU ALWAYS HAVE
SOMETHING TO SAY -
YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PROBLEM.
CAN I SAY SOMETHING?
YOU ALWAYS YELLING
FOR NO REASON.
YOU KEEP TALKING TO ME
ABOUT NOTHING!
WHY YOU ACTING LIKE THIS?
I'M TIRED OF YOU.
STOP DOING THIS.
I CANNOT TAKE THIS!
HE GRABS ME...
YOU AND YOUR KIDS!
DON'T TALK TO ME
LIKE THAT!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
...STARTS SPITTING IN MY FACE.
DO YOU HEAR ME?
I'M TIRED OF YOU
ACTING LIKE A SLUT!
"BITCH,
I TOLD YOU NOT TO CROSS ME.
I OPENED UP MY HOUSE TO YOU,
AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT ME?"
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
HE FLEW OFF INTO A RAGE.
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Narrator: CRYSTAL SAYS
SHE ESCAPES TO THE BEDROOM
BUT REGINALD COMES AFTER HER.
Mangum: I SAT ON THE BED,
AND HE PUSHED ME DOWN
AND PUT HIS HAND OVER MY FACE
SO I COULDN'T BREATHE.
I'M TIRED OF YOUR MOUTH!
JUST LEAVE!
YOU NEED
TO SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
YOU TALK TOO MUCH!
I TRIED TO PUSH HIM AWAY.
WON'T YOU JUST BE QUIET?
I'M TIRED OF YOUR MOUTH!
I GRABBED HIS WRIST.
SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
I SAID, "STOP!"
AND YOU WON'T DO THIS?
I KEPT SCREAMING, "NO,"
BUT HE WOULDN'T STOP.
THEN HE PULLED ME OFF OF THE BED
AND STARTS HITTING ME
IN MY FACE,
SLAPPING ME,
PULLING MY HAIR OUT.
I GOT SOMETHING
FOR YOU.
Narrator:
ACCORDING TO CRYSTAL,
REGINALD SUDDENLY PULLS BACK
AND HEADS FOR THE KITCHEN.
SEE THESE?
SHE CLAIMS
WHEN HE RETURNS, HE'S ARMED.
YOU WANT TO PLAY NOW?!
I BET
YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY NOW!
I'M TRYING TO HIDE FROM HIM,
AND HE'S THROWING THESE KNIVES.
I BET
YOU WANT TO STOP NOW!
STOP!
WHAT ABOUT THIS, HUH?
I'VE GOT THIS FOR YOU!
YOU WANT TO TALK NOW?
JUST LEAVE! [ SCREAMS ]
NOW YOU WANT TO TALK?
STOP!
HUH? LET'S TALK!
JUST LEAVE! GO!
YOU WANT TO KEEP TALKING?
NO.
Narrator: SHE SAYS
SHE DODGES THE FLYING BLADES,
BUT REGINALD IS
JUST GETTING STARTED.
NO.
Mangum:
HE COMES OVER TO ME.
WHERE YOU GOING NOW,
HUH?
YOU WANT THOSE OTHER DUDES,
YOU CAN HAVE THEM.
I DON'T EVEN WANT YOU!
THOSE OTHER DUDES
CAN HAVE YOU NOW!
HE STARTS CHOKING ME
WHERE I CAN'T BREATHE.
THE MORE I TRY
TO PULL HIS HAND AWAY FROM ME,
THE TIGHTER HE GETS,
AND HE'S CONSTANTLY SAYING...
I WAS GOOD
TO YOU AND YOUR KIDS!
WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?
TALK NOW! TALK NOW!
NOW SAY IT!
I COULDN'T SAY ANYTHING.
HUH?
NOW WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY,
GIRL?
I FELT THAT REGINALD WAS
GONNA KILL ME.
I FELT THAT SAME SENSE OF DOOM
AS SOMETHING
BEYOND MY CONTROL AGAIN.
TALK TO ME!
WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY NOW,
HUH?
NOW WHAT?!
WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY?!
TELL ME WHY!
Narrator:
CRYSTAL GRABS A KNIFE.
WHY DID YOU
DO ME LIKE THAT, HUH?
I WAS GOOD TO YOU!
I WAS -
[ SCREAMS ]
I PLUNGED THE KNIFE
INTO HIS SIDE.
[ GROANS ]
HE GOT OFF OF ME.
[ SCREAMING ]
THE VIOLENT FIGHT
THAT SHE HAS WITH REGINALD
BECOMES A CULMINATION OF EVERY
OTHER ABUSIVE EVENT IN HER LIFE,
STEMMING ALL THE WAY BACK
TO WHERE SHE WAS 14.
IT'S AS IF EVERY FIGHT,
EVERY ENCOUNTER
WHERE A MAN HAS THREATENED HER,
SEXUALLY AGGRESSED AGAINST HER,
DISBELIEVED HER,
ACCUSED HER OF CHEATING,
IT ALL COMES TOGETHER
IN THIS HUGE TORNADO.
IT'S ALMOST AS IF
EVERYTHING WAS A STEPPING STONE
TO THIS ONE HUGE EVENT.
I WAS GOOD TO YOU!
I WAS -
[ SCREAMING ]
[ GROANS ]
[ GROANS ]
Mangum: I WAS AFRAID.
I WAS REALLY NOT THINKING
THAT IT WAS GONNA HURT HIM.
I WAS JUST TRYING
TO GET HIM OFF OF ME.
Narrator: CRYSTAL SAYS SHE
THEN RUNS TO HER AUNT'S HOUSE
SEVERAL BLOCKS AWAY
AND CALLS POLICE.
MEANWHILE,
REGINALD STAGGERS UPSTAIRS
TO HIS NEPHEW'S APARTMENT
TO GET HELP.
[ PANTING ]
REGGIE!
OH, MY GOD.
[ CELLPHONE BEEPING ]
[ SIREN WAILS ]
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
Narrator: WHEN POLICE ARRIVE
AT HER AUNT'S HOUSE,
CRYSTAL IS STUNNED WHEN THEY
HAVE A PAIR OF CUFFS FOR HER
INSTEAD OF REGINALD.
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.
HE'S ALREADY REPORTED
HIS VERSION OF WHAT HAPPENED.
TELL THEM, AUNTIE!
HE TRIED TO KILL ME!
HE CLAIMS
THAT CRYSTAL STABBED HIM,
STOLE HIS MONEY, AND RAN AWAY.
Mangum:
THEY CAME OVER AND HANDCUFFED ME
AND SAID,
"GET UP, CRYSTAL. LET'S GO."
THAT WAS IT.
DID YOU TRY
TO EXPLAIN TO THEM
WHAT REGINALD
HAD DONE TO YOU?
I TOLD THEM
THAT MY FACE WAS BRUISED.
MY FACE WAS BLEEDING
FROM WHERE HE HAD PUNCHED ME.
MY SKIN WAS OPEN.
I HAD SEVERAL KNOTS
ON MY SCALP
FROM WHERE HE HAD
PULLED MY HAIR OUT.
HONESTLY,
I THINK THEY WERE JUST HAPPY
THAT THEY WERE ARRESTING ME.
Narrator: ALMOST TWO WEEKS
AFTER THE STABBING,
REGINALD DIES
FROM COMPLICATIONS.
I CRIED FOR DAYS.
I WAS CONFUSED.
"HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?"
I COULDN'T IMAGINE HIM BEING
THERE ONE DAY AND THEN GONE.
Narrator: NOW PROSECUTORS CHARGE
CRYSTAL WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.
Mangum:
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT
BECAUSE I WAS JUST TRYING
TO GET HIM OFF OF ME.
AT THE TIME, I WAS AFRAID.
I DIDN'T INTEND
TO HURT REGINALD.
[ SCREAMS ]
I DIDN'T INTEND TO KILL HIM.
I NEVER WOULD EVEN CONCEIVE
OF HURTING ANYONE,
LET ALONE THE PERSON
THAT I LOVED AND LIVED WITH.
Narrator: TODAY, CRYSTAL IS
AT THE DURHAM COUNTY JAIL,
AWAITING TRIAL FOR MURDER.
SHE CLAIMS HER BIGGEST FEAR
IS THAT SHE'LL NEVER
ESCAPE HER PAST.
I TRY TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE
AND IGNORE
ALL THE NEGATIVE THINGS
THAT HAVE BEEN SAID
ABOUT ME AND MY CHARACTER,
BUT I KEEP
HITTING THAT SAME WALL,
AND I GOT TO TEAR IT DOWN.
THE OUTCOME
OF THIS INCIDENT WITH REGINALD
IS REALLY GOING TO DETERMINE
WHETHER CRYSTAL IS GOING TO BE
A VICTIM OF HER PAST
OR WHETHER OR NOT
SHE CAN LEARN FROM HER MISTAKES,
AND I THINK
IT'S A CONSTANT REMINDER TO US,
WATCHING FROM THE OUTSIDE,
THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE.