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GO! MOVE!
[ Crying ] PLEASE.
PLEASE.
Kane: HE HAD THEM LAY ON THE FLOOR
AND KILLED THEM BOTH EXECUTION-STYLE.
Narrator: WHO SERVED UP THESE TWO GRISLY MURDERS
AT A RHODE ISLAND BURGER JOINT,
AND WHY?
IT IS ABOUT LOVE AND DIVORCE AND SEX AND YOUNGER WOMEN.
Narrator: ALL FITTING MOTIVES FOR THREE SEEDY SUSPECTS --
A BIGAMIST HUSBAND, A PEEPING TOM,
AND A JAILBIRD JUNKIE.
Youngs: HE WAS DIABOLICAL
AND LIVES IN THIS KIND OF CRAZY FANTASY WORLD.
Narrator: MAYBE SOME POISONED PEN LETTERS FROM PRISON
WILL HELP POLICE END THIS SCANDALOUS STORY.
Olivo: IT'S SO SHOCKING IN SO MANY WAYS
THAT PEOPLE CAN'T STOP READING ABOUT IT.
Narrator: HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS?
WHAT LIES BEHIND THE WHITE PICKET FENCES?
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
JUST A HALF-HOUR NORTH OF PROVIDENCE,
THE SCENIC RIVERSIDE TOWN OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND,
IS NICKNAMED THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
AND IT'S ONCE-THRIVING TEXTILE TRADE
IS STILL WOVEN INTO THE TAPESTRY OF EVERYDAY LIFE.
WOONSOCKET SEEMS TO BE A CITY
THAT REALLY CHERISHES ITS HISTORICAL VALUES.
THERE'S ONE OR TWO MILLS WHERE TEXTILES ARE ACTUALLY SPUN.
Narrator: IN FACT, BORN-AND-BRED LOCALS
HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE SPIN ON JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.
Olivo: PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS MAKING FUN OF THE WAY WE TALK.
RUG-TO-RUG CARPETING IS HOW THEY DESCRIBE WALL-TO-WALL CARPETING.
INSTEAD OF PARKING THEIR CARS NEXT TO EACH OTHER,
THEY'LL SAY THEY PARKED THEIR CARS SIDE BY EACH.
Narrator: BUT NOTHING GETS LOST IN TRANSLATION
FOR WOONSOCKET NATIVES LIKE LIFETIME LOCAL TAMMY PETRIN.
THIS HAPPY-GO-LUCKY 21-YEAR-OLD
LIVES IN THE VERY SAME APARTMENT BUILDING
AS HER PARENTS AND BROTHER, RON PETRIN, JR.
THERE'S NO PLACE ELSE THIS HOMETOWN GIRL WOULD RATHER BE.
SHE WAS A LOVING, CARING SISTER.
WE HAD OUR DISAGREEMENTS FROM TIME TO TIME,
BUT WE HAD A PRETTY HAPPY CHILDHOOD.
Narrator: TAMMY'S FAMILY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR HER,
EVEN WHEN SHE MARRIED LOCAL DELIVERY DRIVER RONALD HARNOIS.
20 YEARS HER SENIOR, RONALD AND TAMMY MARRIED
BEFORE HER HIGH-SCHOOL DIPLOMA WAS EVEN DRY.
SEEMS THE OLDER MAN MADE YOUNG TAMMY FEEL ALL GROWN-UP,
BUT TAMMY'S FAMILY KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT THIS MAY-DECEMBER ROMANCE.
Ron Jr. I'M NOT SURE HOW SHE MET HIM.
WE KNEW NOTHING -- NOTHING ABOUT HIM AT ALL.
Narrator: WHEN HER HUSBAND'S WANDERING EYE CAUSES THEIR MARRIAGE TO FAIL,
TAMMY STRUGGLES TO MAKE ENDS MEET,
TAKING ORDERS AT A LOCAL FAST-FOOD PLACE
TO PAY THE BILLS.
BUT HER SUNNY DISPOSITION GETS HER THROUGH.
Ron Jr.: TAMMY WAS ALWAYS HAPPY WITH WHAT SHE WAS DOING.
SHE DIDN'T HAVE VERY LOFTY CAREER GOALS.
I THINK SHE WAS HAPPY JUST GOING DAY-BY-DAY.
Narrator: BUT IN THE SUMMER OF 1991,
JUST WHEN THE LIVING SEEMS EASY,
TAMMY FINDS HERSELF THROWN FROM THE FRYOLATOR INTO THE FIRE.
[ GUNSHOT ]
SERGEANT KYLE STONE MAY BE THE GREENHORN
ON THE WOONSOCKET POLICE FORCE,
BUT THIS COP WAS BORN WITH BLUE RUNNING THROUGH HIS VEINS.
Stone: MY FATHER WAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE STATE LEVEL.
I WAS STUDYING CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN COLLEGE,
AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT
AND DECIDED I'D LIKE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.
Narrator: AND AT 6:00 TUESDAY MORNING,
JULY 30,
STONE GETS A CHANCE TO STRUT HIS STUFF.
A PANICKED CALL COMES IN
FROM THE MANAGER OF THE LOCAL BURGER JOINT.
HE JUST FOUND TWO EMPLOYEES, TAMMY PETRIN AND JENNER VILLEDA,
SPRAWLED ON THE FLOOR.
WITH THAT, STONE RACES TO THE RESTAURANT.
Stone: I WAS FEELING SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS AT THAT TIME.
SO MANY THINGS WERE ENTERING MY MIND.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE A CEREBRAL OVERLOAD,
NOT HAVING ANY IDEA WHAT I WAS WALKING INTO.
Narrator: WHEN SERGEANT STONE ARRIVES AT THE RESTAURANT,
HE'S GREETED BY THE MANAGER,
WHO'S AS SHAKEN AS A MANGO SMOOTHIE.
Stone: I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE.
THIS WAS NOTHING THAT I'D EVER ENCOUNTERED.
Narrator: AND WHEN THE MANAGER DIRECTS THE OFFICER
BACK BEHIND THE SERVICE COUNTER,
WHAT STONE SEES CONFIRMS HIS WORST FEARS.
AND I SAW MISS PETRIN
LYING IN A POOL OF DEEP-RED, THICK BLOOD.
IT WAS APPARENT TO ME
THAT MISS PETRIN HAD SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY,
POSSIBLY A GUNSHOT.
Narrator: SO THE RESOLUTE RESPONDER TAKES A CLOSER LOOK,
AND THAT'S WHEN HE GETS AN EYEFUL
OF SOMETHING THAT SEEMS DOWNRIGHT MIRACULOUS.
TAMMY PETRIN IS STILL ALIVE.
WHAT STILL STICKS IN MY MIND
IS SHE WAS STILL KIND OF GASPING FOR BREATH.
I STILL HAVE THAT VISION.
Narrator: STONE RADIOS FOR BACKUP
AND AN AMBULANCE THAT WHISKS TAMMY TO THE HOSPITAL.
THEN HE STEELS HIMSELF TO LOOK FOR THE SECOND BODY
AND FINDS JANITOR JENNER VILLEDA JUST AROUND THE CORNER,
SHOT DEAD.
SO, IT'S NOW A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION.
I WAS QUITE OVERWHELMED.
THIS IS NOTHING I HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO.
YOU REALLY CAN'T BE TRAINED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
Narrator: SURE LOOKS LIKE THIS IS ONE WHOPPER OF A CASE.
GOOD THING STONE KNOWS A BROTHER IN BLUE
WHO'LL BE HUNGRY FOR ANSWERS.
SERGEANT BRIAN KANE
HAS SPENT A LIFETIME CALLING WOONSOCKET HOME.
FACT IS, IN HIS 58 YEARS,
THE BIGGEST MOVE HE'S MADE
IS HIS RECENT PROMOTION FROM BEAT COP TO DETECTIVE --
HIS DREAM JOB.
Kane: WHAT I LIKE ABOUT INVESTIGATION WORK
IS YOU PRETTY MUCH HAVE TO USE YOUR BRAIN AND STUFF.
I ENJOY THE MENTAL CHALLENGE OF IT.
Narrator: AND KANE HAS QUITE A LOT TO THINK ABOUT
WHEN BIG, BAD CRIME HITS HIS TINY TOWN.
THE DETERMINED DETECTIVE HIGHTAILS IT
DOWN TO THE GREASY SPOON
FASTER THAN A COUNTER CLERK CAN SAY, "FOR HERE OR TO GO?"
AND WHEN HE STEPS INSIDE, HE SUSSES OUT THE SCENE.
Kane: AT THE TIME WHEN I FIRST GOT IN THERE,
I DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT A MOTIVE WAS
BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY OF THE EVIDENCE.
Narrator: BUT KANE HAS A THEORY.
BOTH VICTIMS WERE KILLED EXECUTION-STYLE
WITH A SINGLE SHOT TO THE HEAD.
SO MAYBE THE TRIGGERMAN HAD THEM IN HIS CROSSHAIRS
BEFORE HE EVEN STEPPED INSIDE.
AND THE SHOOTER'S EVIL INTENT
EXPANDS LIKE SHRAPNEL FROM A BULLET
WHEN SERGEANT KANE GETS WORD THAT TAMMY DIED AT THE HOSPITAL.
Kane: IT EMOTIONALLY TAKES A LITTLE BIT OUT OF YOU.
THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TO PEOPLE WHERE THEY WERE SHOT AND KILLED.
SO, YOU'VE GOT TO THINK OF WHY DID THIS HAPPEN?
Narrator: LOOKING FOR THE REASON WHY
SOMEONE WOULD WANT EITHER OF THEM DEAD,
DETECTIVES BEGIN COMBING THROUGH THE BACKGROUND OF EACH VICTIM.
SOME OF THE JANITOR'S FRIENDS CONFIRM
THE GUNMAN PROBABLY WASN'T AFTER HIM.
THEY DESCRIBE JENNER AS A CLEAN-CUT GUY
WITHOUT AN ENEMY IN THE WORLD.
Kane: JENNER VILLEDA WOULD GO IN OVERNIGHT
AND CLEAN UP THE BURGER KING.
WE COULDN'T FIND ANY EVIDENCE
TO SHOW THAT HE WOULD BE THE TARGET OF THE ***.
Narrator: SO, MAYBE JENNER
WAS JUST IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME...
[ GUNSHOT ]
...AND THE KILLER WAS REALLY GUNNING
FOR CASHIER TAMMY PETRIN.
BUT WHY?
Kane: IF WE COULD TRY TO PIECE TOGETHER
WHAT THE POSSIBLE MOTIVE WAS,
IT'S GONNA BE ONE LITTLE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
THAT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO ATTACH
TO ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
AND JUST KEEP GETTING THAT PUZZLE MADE
AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
Narrator: WHEN NEWS OF TAMMY'S *** REACHES HER BROTHER, RON,
HE HAS A FEELING HE KNOWS
WHO'S HOLDING THE MISSING PIECE TO THIS PUZZLE --
TAMMY'S ESTRANGED HUSBAND, RONALD HARNOIS.
WHEN MY SISTER WAS MURDERED,
WE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A RANDOM ATTACK.
WE SUSPECTED THAT RONALD WAS INVOLVED.
Narrator: SERGEANT KANE ISN'T ALL THAT SURPRISED
TAMMY'S FAMILY WOULD SUSPECT RONALD.
KANE KNOWS
THAT RONALD IS THE KIND OF GUY WHO WANTS IT HIS WAY.
I LOOK AT HIM AS BEING A VERY WARPED INDIVIDUAL.
HE'S GOING TO TRY TO MANIPULATE HIS LIFE HOW HE WANTS IT,
WHETHER IT'S THE RIGHT WAY OR THE WRONG WAY.
Narrator: IN FACT,
RONALD HAS NO QUALMS ABOUT DOUBLE-DIPPING BIG-TIME.
SEEMS OLD RON PUT THE "BIG" IN BIGAMY.
HE'S ALREADY MARRIED TO ANOTHER WOMAN AT THE TIME HE WEDS TAMMY.
RONALD WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A CON ARTIST.
YOU HAD A YOUNG GIRL THAT WAS NAIVE,
REALLY DIDN'T KNOW THE WAYS OF THE WORLD,
AND RONALD HARNOIS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
Narrator: IN FACT, RONALD IS SO CONNIVING
THAT SOON AFTER MARRYING TAMMY,
HE DECIDES TO BLOW UP HIS OLDER BRIDE
AND TRIES TO MAKE TAMMY AN ACCOMPLICE,
SO TAMMY WAS SLATED TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM IN COURT.
Kane: SHE WAS THE WITNESS IN THE ATTEMPTED-*** CASE
THAT WAS ONGOING AND THAT WAS COMING UP FOR TRIAL.
Narrator: MAYBE TAMMY'S SLIPPERY SPOUSE
WAS THINKING "DEAD WIVES TELL NO TALES"
AND DECIDED TO SILENCE WIFE NUMBER TWO FOR GOOD.
[ GUNSHOT ]
Narrator: IN WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND,
LOCALS MAKE THE MOST OF THE SHORT NEW ENGLAND SUMMERS
BY GOING OUT TO DINE ON THE FINEST OF LOCAL DELICACIES --
SOME SCRUMPTIOUS SEAFOOD.
BUT ON THE DAY TAMMY PETRIN AND JENNER VILLEDA ARE SHOT DEAD
AT A DOWNTOWN FAST-FOOD JOINT,
NO ONE HAS MUCH OF AN APPETITE.
Youngs: CERTAINLY, TO HEAR OF ANY *** IN WOONSOCKET,
MUCH LESS A DOUBLE *** OF THIS NATURE,
WOULD BE STARTLING.
THIS WAS A HUGE EVENT IN WOONSOCKET.
Narrator: BUT ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL PATRICK YOUNGS
HAS AN INSIDE TRACK ON THIS CASE.
AND DON'T LET HIS DISHEVELED 'DO FOOL YOU.
THIS GUY IS AS SMOOTH AS SILK
WHEN IT COMES TO LOCKING UP BAD GUYS.
Youngs: MY REPUTATION WITHIN THE OFFICE
IS I'M USUALLY THE ONE WHO'S GOT THE MESSY HAIR
AND THE WRINKLED SUITS AND THE TIE ASKEW
WHEN I GO TO COURT,
BUT I THINK I JUST GIVE THAT APPEARANCE.
Narrator: NOW YOUNGS TEAMS UP WITH WOONSOCKET'S TOP COP,
SERGEANT BRIAN KANE.
AND THIS PAIR HAS SINGLED OUT ONE GUY AS THE LIKELY KILLER --
TAMMY'S BIGAMIST HUSBAND.
CERTAINLY, RONALD HARNOIS BECAME OUR PRIME SUSPECT FROM DAY ONE.
I THOUGHT THAT THIS IS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE
FOR RONALD HARNOIS TO NOT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS.
Narrator: AND YOUNGS SHOULD KNOW.
AFTER ALL, HE WAS ABOUT TO TRY HARNOIS
FOR ATTEMPTING TO KILL HIS OTHER WIFE A YEAR EARLIER,
SO YOUNGS WASN'T EXACTLY SURPRISED
WHEN HE LEARNED TAMMY WAS FOUND SHOT IN THE BURGER JOINT.
Youngs: SO, WHEN I HEARD THE NAME "TAMMY PETRIN,"
I RECOGNIZED THE NAME RIGHT AWAY.
SHE WAS MY STAR WITNESS
IN MY UPCOMING ATTEMPTED-*** TRIAL.
Narrator: BUT IT SEEMS THIS CHEATER'S DOUBLE LIFE
IS DOUBLING BACK TO DO HIM IN.
Youngs: RONALD HARNOIS WAS MARRIED TO TWO WOMEN AT THE SAME TIME.
HE WAS MARRIED TO TAMMY, WHO WAS ABOUT 20 YEARS YOUNGER THAN HIM.
HE WAS MARRIED TO ANOTHER WIFE, WHO WAS ABOUT HIS AGE.
RONALD HARNOIS WANTED TO GET RID OF HIS FIRST WIFE.
Narrator: SINCE RONALD HAD BEEN THROUGH A COSTLY DIVORCE
YEARS BEFORE,
HE HATCHED A PLAN TO KEEP PERKY WIFE TAMMY
AND DITCH THE SENIOR SPOUSE.
Youngs: IN EARLY AUGUST OF 1990, RONALD HARNOIS'S WIFE
WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE CITY OF WOONSOCKET,
AND A PIPE BOMB EXPLODED UNDERNEATH HER CAR,
AND WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED,
THEY FOUND FIVE ADDITIONAL UNEXPLODED PIPE BOMBS.
Narrator: IT SEEMS RONALD'S PIPE-BOMB PLOT BACKFIRED, LITERALLY.
AND WHEN HE TRIED TO USE TAMMY AS HIS ALIBI,
SHE FOILED THAT PLAN, TOO.
TAMMY PETRIN AGREED TO COOPERATE WITH THE POLICE,
AND SHE CLEARLY IMPLICATED RONALD HARNOIS
IN THE ATTEMPTED *** OF HIS OTHER WIFE.
Narrator: SO IT LOOKS LIKE RONALD DECIDED IT WAS BEST
TO KEEP TATTLING TAMMY OFF THE WITNESS STAND.
HE PROBABLY FELT THAT ONCE TAMMY WAS GONE,
HE WAS GONNA BE SCOT-FREE
'CAUSE HE WOULD HAVE NO ONE TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM.
Narrator: BUT AS MUCH AS THIS DOUBLE ***
SEEMS LIKE AN OPEN-AND-SHUT CASE,
THERE'S ONE BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS PICTURE.
Youngs: HE'S GOT A GREAT ALIBI.
HE'S IN JAIL.
CLEARLY, HE'S NOT IN WOONSOCKET AT THE TIME OF THE ***.
HE WAS IN THE ADULT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE
IN CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND.
Narrator: MORE FRUSTRATING STILL,
THERE'S NOTHING TYING RONALD TO THE CRIME,
SO COPS FEEL THEY HAVE NO REASON TO QUESTION HIM ABOUT IT.
WE NEVER INTERVIEWED RONALD ABOUT TAMMY'S ***.
WE KNEW THAT HE WAS NOT OUT OF PRISON
AND COULDN'T DO TAMMY'S ***.
Narrator: SO, WITH THE MOST PROMISING SUSPECT
ALREADY BEHIND BARS,
NO HARD EVIDENCE, AND NO ONE ELSE ON DECK,
THE PROSECUTOR AND THE POLICEMEN
RETURN TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME --
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND THE RESTAURANT.
Kane: WE STARTED TO GET STATEMENTS
FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE AT THE SCENE.
YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO TALK TO.
YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO QUESTION.
Narrator: SO, LIKE A POLITICIAN CAMPAIGNING FOR PRESIDENT,
DETECTIVE KANE PRESSES THE FLESH WITH ANYONE HE CAN FIND.
KANE FINALLY GETS LUCKY
WHEN HE MEETS UP WITH A CALL GIRL NAMED CANDY.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE SPOKE TO WAS A ***,
AND SHE WAS OUT THERE, ACTUALLY WALKING THE STREET,
TRYING TO PICK UP AN EARLY-MORNING TRICK,
AND SHE TOLD US THAT SHE HAD SEEN A BLUE VEHICLE
DRIVING TWO, THREE TIMES AROUND THE RESTAURANT.
Narrator: UNSURE WHETHER THE DRIVER WAS LOOKING FOR SOME ACTION
OR WAITING FOR THE RESTAURANT TO OPEN,
SHE KEPT AN EYE ON THE CAR.
THE WITNESS TOLD US IT WAS A SMALL, BLUE CAR.
UNFORTUNATELY, SHE DIDN'T GET A LICENSE PLATE,
BUT SHE DID SAY THAT SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE CAR
IF SHE SAW IT AGAIN.
Narrator: BUT BEFORE SERGEANT KANE
CAN ISSUE AN A.P.B. FOR THE CAR,
HE GETS A PHONE CALL THAT ALMOST GIVES HIM STICKER SHOCK.
ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE
IS A WOMAN FOLLOWING UP ON A STOLEN CAR REPORT,
AND THE VEHICLE SURE SOUNDS LIKE THEIR MYSTERY MOBILE.
TURNS OUT IT WAS IN THE HANDS OF HER SLACKER SON ALL ALONG --
GARY MAXIE --
AND KANE DOES A DOUBLE TAKE
WHEN HE HEARS THE RABBLE-ROUSER'S NAME.
Kane: GARY HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN OTHER CRIMINAL MATTERS.
HE HAD BEEN IN TROUBLE.
Narrator: SINCE HE DOESN'T HAVE *** ON HIS MENU,
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT GARY WAS JUST OUT THAT MORNING
FOR A SUNRISE SNACK.
OR MAYBE THIS JOYRIDING JOKESTER
HAD A MORE SINISTER SCHEME IN MIND.
Kane: I FELT VERY STRONGLY
THAT HE HAD SOME TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT IN THESE HOMICIDES.
Narrator: SURE SEEMS TO DETECTIVES
THAT THE HOT WHEELS HAVE LED TO A HOT SUSPECT.
QUESTION IS,
CAN WOONSOCKET POLICE GATHER ENOUGH EVIDENCE
TO SERVE THIS KID A DOUBLE *** RAP
WITH A SIDE OF FRIES?
Narrator: THREE DAYS AFTER
EMPLOYEES TAMMY PETRIN AND JANITOR JENNER VILLEDA
ARE GUNNED DOWN INSIDE A LOCAL FAST-FOOD DIVE,
AN ILL WIND BLOWS THROUGH THE TOWN OF WOONSOCKET.
THE FACT THAT IT WAS A SHOOTING AT A RESTAURANT
ADDED A CERTAIN ELEMENT TO IT
THAT ALREADY HEIGHTENED MY CURIOSITY
ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON.
Narrator: GOOD THING THAT WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING THE SCOOP,
REPORTER RUSS OLIVO OF THE WOONSOCKET CALL
IS FASTER THAN THE SERVER AT THE LOCAL DAIRY QUEEN,
AND HE'S GOT PLENTY OF NEWS TO FEED A TOWN HUNGRY FOR UPDATES.
Olivo: IT'S SO SHOCKING IN SO MANY WAYS
THAT PEOPLE CAN'T STOP READING ABOUT IT.
IT IS ABOUT LOVE AND DIVORCE AND SEX AND YOUNGER WOMEN,
AND THERE'S A HORRIFIC VIOLENT ELEMENT TO IT, AS WELL.
Narrator: LUCKILY, SERGEANT BRIAN KANE
IS ON THE TRAIL OF A HOT SUSPECT --
25-YEAR-OLD GARY MAXIE.
SEEMS THE LIVE-AT-HOME LAYABOUT MADE OFF WITH HIS MOM'S CAR
AND MAY HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT AROUND THE RESTAURANT
AT THE TIME OF THE MURDERS.
PLUS, THIS BAD NEWS BEAR
HAS A STRING OF OUTSTANDING WARRANTS TIED TO HIS NAME.
THE CRIMINAL RECORD DID INVOLVE POSSESSION OF DRUGS,
DID INVOLVE THE THEFT OF BLANK CHECKS
AND WRITING OUT BAD CHECKS
AND PASSING THEM IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
Narrator: NOT EXACTLY A KILLER'S RéSUMé,
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN GARY ISN'T UP TO NO GOOD,
ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING HOW FAR GARY HAS FALLEN.
GARY MAXIE WAS A BRIGHT STAR ATHLETE.
HAD A TRYOUT WITH THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.
VERY RESPECTFUL,
BUT JUST WAS BLINDED BY HIS *** FOR ***.
Narrator: INVESTIGATORS WONDER
IF IT WAS HIS NEED TO FEED HIS HABIT
THAT LED THIS COKEHEAD TO TRY AND BURGLE THE BURGER JOINT.
Youngs: HE HAD A CRIMINAL RECORD,
WHICH IS KIND OF COMMON FOR DRUG ABUSERS TO HAVE.
THEY'LL DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY.
Narrator: BUT MAYBE HE BUNGLED THE JOB
AND TOOK OUT TWO EMPLOYEES
WHEN HE GOT CAUGHT WITH HIS HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR.
Kane: THAT DID RAISE FLAGS WITH US.
WE STARTED TO LOOK INTO ALL THIS INFORMATION.
Narrator: POLICE ARE DETERMINED TO TAME THIS TROUBLEMAKER,
AND WITH ARREST WARRANTS IN HAND,
THEY HIGHTAIL IT OVER TO MAMA MAXIE'S NEST.
WHEN THEY GET A GANDER OF GARY, HE KNOWS HIS GOOSE IS COOKED,
SO HE SURRENDERS WITHOUT A FIGHT,
AND POLICE SLAP ON THE CUFFS.
GARY MAXIE WAS UNFAZED, REALLY,
BY THE FACT THAT HE WAS BEING TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.
Narrator: INVESTIGATORS HAUL THIS PUNK AWAY
AND TOW THE CAR IN QUESTION BACK TO THE STATION.
THEN THEY INVITE CANDY,
THE *** WHO SPOTTED THE BLUE CAR,
TO COME DOWN AND SEE IF SHE CAN FIND IT ON THE LOT.
SHE IMMEDIATELY PICKED OUT GARY MAXIE'S MOTHER'S CAR.
NOW, SHE DIDN'T GET THE PLATE,
SO THIS WASN'T, LIKE, A PERFECT MATCH.
NEVER COULD BE WITHOUT THE PLATE.
BUT OF ALL THE CARS IN THAT LOT,
SHE WENT RIGHT TO THE CAR AND SAID, "THAT'S THE CAR."
Narrator: SURE LOOKS LIKE THE CARDS ARE STACKING UP AGAINST GARY,
SO DETECTIVES THROW HIM IN THE HOT SEAT
AND TURN UP THE FLAME,
HOPING A CONFESSION BOILS TO THE SURFACE.
GARY WAS BASICALLY DENYING EVERYTHING.
HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.
HE TOLD ME THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW EITHER ONE OF THE VICTIMS.
Narrator: AND WHEN INVESTIGATORS ASK GARY
WHY A CAR LOOKING LIKE HIS MOM'S
WAS SEEN CIRCLING THE RESTAURANT,
GARY INSISTS HIS WHEELS WERE SOMEWHERE ELSE.
HE CLAIMS HE WAS CRASHING AT A BUDDY'S PAD
AFTER PARTYING ALL NIGHT.
HE SAID THAT HE SPENT THE NIGHT DOING ***
WITH A MAN HE REFERRED TO AS "BOOGIE."
Narrator: BUT AFTER GARY TELLS THEM
HE CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE THE PARTY TOOK PLACE,
POLICE THINK HIS "BOOGIE NIGHTS" STORY IS BOGUS.
Kane: I DIDN'T REALLY FIND HIM CREDIBLE AT ALL.
THE INFORMATION THAT SHOWED HE WAS INVOLVED, OF COURSE,
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE DOUBTS WITH EVERYTHING THAT HE SAYS.
Narrator: SURE SOUNDS LIKE GARY'S STORY
IS ONE FRY SHORT OF A KID'S MEAL,
AND INVESTIGATORS ARE HUNGRY TO FIND THEIR KILLER,
SO THEY ASK THEIR FAVORITE WORKING GIRL
IF GARY LOOKS LIKE THE GUY SHE SAW BEHIND THE WHEEL.
Youngs: THE WOMAN WHO SAW THE CAR CIRCLING THE RESTAURANT
DESCRIBED THE DRIVER,
AND THE DRIVER SHE DESCRIBED DID NOT MATCH GARY MAXIE.
Narrator: SO, WITHOUT A POSITIVE I.D.,
INVESTIGATORS KNOW
THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO KEEP GARY ON THEIR PLATE,
AT LEAST FOR NOW.
Youngs: WE HAD A STRONG SUSPICION,
BUT WITH REGARD TO THE MURDERS,
WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING WE COULD REALLY WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND.
Narrator: AT LEAST THE OLD CHARGES AGAINST GARY MAXIE
WILL KEEP HIM IN THE SLAMMER FOR A SPELL.
BUT LEAVING HIM SIMMERING ON THE BACK BURNER
GETS SERGEANT KANE HOT UNDER THE COLLAR.
Kane: THE WAY I'M FEELING,
IT'S ALMOST LIKE I'M BANGING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE ARREST.
Narrator: BUT EVEN THIS DEDICATED DETECTIVE REALIZES
THAT SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE A CASE
IS TO TAKE A STEP BACK.
AND FOR KANE,
THERE'S NO BETTER WAY TO BRING THINGS BACK INTO LINE
THAN TAKING AIM WITH A POOL CUE.
Kane: ON FRIDAYS, I LIKE TO GO TO A LOCAL BAR AND GRILL,
PLAY A LITTLE POOL, HAVE A FEW DRINKS, TALK,
AND JUST RELAX WITH MY FRIENDS.
Narrator: RACKING THEM UP AND MAKING THE BREAK
TAKES KANE'S MIND OFF CRACKING THE CASE FOR A MOMENT
WITHOUT TAKING HIS EYE OFF THE BALL.
Kane: MEETING WITH FRIENDS HELPS ME TO GET ALL THE TENSIONS OF THE DAY,
JUST LET THEM SLIDE AWAY AND JUST ENJOY MYSELF.
Narrator: BUT KANE KNOWS
IT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE THAN A SHAKE OF THE MAGIC 8 BALL
TO SOLVE THIS CASE.
AND LUCKILY, SOON AFTER THE SHOOTINGS,
A TIP COMES IN TO THE STATION THAT GIVES IT A JUMP-START.
TAMMY'S DOWNSTAIRS NEIGHBOR
REMEMBERS SEEING SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS
AROUND THE TIME OF TAMMY'S ***.
Kane: A NEIGHBOR ON THE SECOND-FLOOR APARTMENT OVER HERE
SAW A MAN GOING UP THE FIRE ESCAPE,
LOOKING IN TO TAMMY'S APARTMENT.
AND THEN WHEN SHE SAW THE MAN, THE MAN SAW HER, HE TOOK OFF.
Narrator: COULD THIS PEEPING TOM SOMEHOW BE INVOLVED IN TAMMY'S ***?
INVESTIGATORS ADMIT THE TIMING IS CERTAINLY SUSPICIOUS.
HE WAS SEEN ON THE FIRE ESCAPE
OUTSIDE OF TAMMY PETRIN'S APARTMENT
JUST A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE MURDERS TOOK PLACE.
THAT DID RAISE FLAGS WITH US.
Narrator: THIS NEIGHBOR HAD ALSO REPORTED
THE UNWANTED VISITOR TO TAMMY'S FAMILY
IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHE SAW HIM FLEE,
BUT THEY DIDN'T GIVE IT MUCH THOUGHT
UNTIL TAMMY'S LIFE WAS CUT SHORT.
Ron Jr.: AT THE TIME,
WE DIDN'T THINK THAT SOMEONE WAS THERE TO TRY TO HURT TAMMY.
WE THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEONE TRYING TO COMMIT A ROBBERY
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
Narrator: BUT INVESTIGATORS
ARE GIVING THIS SUSPICIOUS SIGHTING A SECOND THOUGHT NOW,
ESPECIALLY SINCE THE NEIGHBOR TELLS POLICE
SHE RECOGNIZED THE VANISHING VILLAIN
AS LOCAL BAD BOY STEVEN WILSON.
SHE KNEW STEVEN WILSON
'CAUSE THEY WENT TO JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER.
SHE WAS AFRAID OF STEVEN WILSON.
HE WAS KNOWN TO BE VIOLENT.
HE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE A TEMPER.
Narrator: AND THIS 40-SOMETHING TOUGH GUY
IS NO STRANGER TO POLICE, EITHER.
HE'S A FREQUENT GUEST AT THE COUNTY LOCKUP.
Kane: STEVEN WILSON HAD MULTIPLE ARRESTS
WITH THE WOONSOCKET POLICE DEPARTMENT.
MOST OF HIS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
WAS IN BREAKING AND ENTERING, LARCENIES,
DRUG POSSESSION, DRUG DELIVERIES.
Narrator: PROSECUTOR YOUNGS WONDERS
WHY THIS PETTY THIEF WOULD BE INTERESTED IN TAMMY,
AND HIS BEST GUESS IS TO FOLLOW THE MONEY.
HE LIVED A LIFE OF A DRUG USER,
SOMEBODY THAT LIVED HAND-TO-MOUTH,
SOMEBODY WHO WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR A QUICK BUCK.
Narrator: SINCE NOTHING WAS TAKEN FROM TAMMY'S APARTMENT,
INVESTIGATORS WONDER
IF STEVEN MAY HAVE UPPED THE ANTE
AND TAKEN OUT TAMMY RIGHT BEHIND THE SERVICE COUNTER.
SOMETHING SURE SMELLS FISHY,
AND DETECTIVES ARE BETTING IT ISN'T A FISH SANDWICH.
STEVEN WILSON SEEMED THE TYPE OF MAN
CERTAINLY CAPABLE OF COMMITTING THIS ***.
Narrator: SO INVESTIGATORS SET OUT TO HOOK A SUSPECT,
BUT DO THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO REEL IN THIS SHARK?
Narrator: ONE MONTH AFTER THE SLAYINGS ON SOCIAL STREET,
FOLKS IN WOONSOCKET ARE SWEATING AT THE THOUGHT
THAT A KILLER IS STILL ON THE LOOSE.
BUT AS SUMMER NEARS ITS END,
ALL TAMMY PETRIN'S LOVING BROTHER, RON, CAN WONDER
IS WHEN THIS CASE WILL FINALLY HEAT UP.
I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE INVESTIGATION.
I'M NOT SURE WHY THE POLICE DIDN'T CHARGE ANYONE.
IT WAS AMAZING TO US.
Narrator: DETECTIVE BRIAN KANE OF THE WOONSOCKET POLICE
KNOWS HE NEEDS TO SERVE UP A SOLID SUSPECT FAST,
AND ONE NAME IS LOOKING MIGHTY TEMPTING --
LOCAL TOUGH GUY STEVEN WILSON.
A NEIGHBOR SPOTTED STEVEN PEERING INTO TAMMY'S WINDOW
A WEEK BEFORE HER ***.
Kane: STEVEN WILSON HAD QUITE AN EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
AND HAD BEEN ARRESTED A NUMBER OF TIMES
BY THE WOONSOCKET POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Narrator: SO IT'S NO SURPRISE
THAT INVESTIGATORS FIND STEVEN CHILLING IN STATE PRISON.
THE TWO-BIT CROOK IS ON THE HOOK FOR A NUMBER OF DRUG BUSTS.
STEVEN WILSON HAD BEEN PICKED UP
SHORTLY AFTER THE MURDERS HAD TAKEN PLACE
ON ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED BY THE COURT.
Narrator: STEVEN DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING VIOLENT ON HIS RAP SHEET,
SO INVESTIGATORS WONDER WHETHER HE WAS MEAN ENOUGH
TO WASTE A FAST-FOOD CASHIER AND JANITOR.
BUT HE WAS SEEN HANGING AROUND TAMMY'S DIGS,
SO INVESTIGATORS HEAD OVER TO THE STATE PEN
TO GRILL THIS BAD BOY,
AND PROSECUTOR PATRICK YOUNGS KNOWS
THAT GETTING THE JAILBIRD TO SING WON'T BE EASY.
THE POLICE MET WITH HIM AND SPOKE TO HIM,
AND THEY TRIED TO RATTLE HIS CAGE.
HE'S NOT THE TYPE OF MAN THAT'S EASILY RATTLED.
Narrator: SO INVESTIGATORS THROW STEVEN UNDER THE HEAT LAMP
TO SWEAT OUT SOME ANSWERS
ABOUT WHY HE WAS CASING TAMMY'S PLACE
AND WHETHER THERE'S A POSSIBLE LINK
TO THE SHORT-ORDER SHOOTING.
BUT JUST WHEN THEY THINK THEY'LL GET SOMETHING COOKING,
STEVEN CLAMS UP TIGHTER THAN A NEW ENGLAND OYSTER
AND REFUSES TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS
ABOUT TAMMY PETRIN OR HER ***.
HE WAS VERY CAUTIOUS IN THE WAY THAT HE WAS TALKING TO US.
HE HAD TOLD US THAT IN OUR SHORT CONVERSATION WITH HIM
THAT HE HAD AN ATTORNEY,
AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ATTORNEY'S OKAY
TO QUESTION HIM ON THIS.
Narrator: EVEN WITH STEVEN LAWYERED UP,
INVESTIGATORS ARE POSITIVE
THIS COMMON CRIMINAL IS SOMEHOW INVOLVED WITH THE MURDERS,
AND IT'S MORE THAN HIS SILENCE THAT MAKES HIM SUSPICIOUS.
TURNS OUT THE NEIGHBOR WHO SPOTTED STEVEN
LOOKING INTO TAMMY'S WINDOW
HAD SHARP EYES AND QUICK WITS.
THE LADY THAT SAW HIM GET INTO A CAR,
SHE HAD THE WHEREWITHAL TO WRITE DOWN THE PLATE,
DESCRIBED THE CAR AS A GRAY CAR.
Narrator: AND WHEN INVESTIGATORS RUN THE TAG ON THE GRAY VEHICLE,
THEY'RE AMAZED TO FIND
IT BELONGS TO THE GIRLFRIEND OF EARLIER SUSPECT GARY MAXIE.
Youngs: THE POLICE SPOKE TO GARY MAXIE'S GIRLFRIEND,
AND WE WERE ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT.
GARY MAXIE PARKED THIS CAR ALL THE TIME.
HE WOULD JUST GET SO FRUSTRATED.
HE WOULD TAKE IT
AND NOT COME BACK FOR HOURS OR DAYS AT A TIME.
Narrator: SO THE GRAY CAR CLEARLY LINKS GARY AND STEVEN,
BUT POLICE HAVE AN EVEN MORE TELLING CONNECTION.
A *** ALREADY MATCHED GARY'S MOM'S BLUE CAR
TO THE ONE OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT
ON THE NIGHT OF THE ***,
BUT SHE'S PRETTY SURE GARY WASN'T BEHIND THE WHEEL.
PERHAPS STEVE WAS,
AND WHEN POLICE DIG INTO THE TWO MEN'S PASTS,
THEY UNEARTH A BOND THAT BEGAN BEHIND BARS.
WE KNEW THROUGH PRISON RECORDS
THAT BOTH OF THEM WERE IN PRISON AT THE SAME TIME.
Narrator: BUT AS POLICE PONDER THIS APPARENT CRIMINAL BROMANCE,
IT'S NOT UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER
THAT THEY GET A LEAD THAT COULD GIVE THIS CASE SOME TRACTION.
Kane: WE ACTUALLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM AN INMATE.
WHAT HAPPENS IN CASES LIKE THIS
IS THAT YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN TROUBLE.
THEY WANT HELP IN GETTING RID OF THEIR CHARGES,
AND THEY'LL SAY, "LOOK.
I NEED SOME HELP, BUT I CAN GIVE YOU THIS."
Narrator: SEEMS CONVICTED DRUGGIE JERRY WATTS
IS LOOKING FOR A GET-OUT-OF-JAIL-FREE CARD
TO ESCAPE THE COUNTY LOCKUP.
IN EXCHANGE, HE SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT REALLY HAPPENED
THAT TERRIBLE TUESDAY MORNING.
WATTS TELLS SERGEANT KANE
THAT HE JUST HAPPENED TO BE STROLLING DOWN SOCIAL STREET
WHEN HE STOPPED TO SMOKE A JOINT OUTSIDE THE FAST-FOOD DIVE.
HE WAS ACTUALLY SITTING OUTSIDE BURGER KING
ON THE MORNING OF THE MURDERS
AND TOLD US THAT WHILE HE WAS THERE,
HE HEARD THREE GUNSHOTS.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
Narrator: AND WHAT HE SAYS WENT DOWN AFTER THE SHOTS RANG OUT
THROWS THIS STURDY SERGEANT OFF HIS FEET.
HE GOT UP, RAN AROUND TO THE BACK OF THE BURGER KING
WHERE THE DRIVE-THROUGH LANE IS,
AND SAW STEVEN WILSON
AT ONE OF THE EXIT DOORS TO THE RESTAURANT.
Narrator: JERRY GOES ON TO SAY
THAT HE HAS HISTORY WITH STEVEN WILSON
AND WOULD RECOGNIZE THE LOWLIFE ANYWHERE.
Kane: HE KNEW WILSON
AND HAD BEEN INVOLVED WITH BUYING DRUGS FROM STEVEN WILSON.
SO HE KNEW WILSON VERY WELL.
Narrator: BUT IT SEEMS TO KANE THAT JERRY'S TALE
IS JUST A LITTLE TOO CONVENIENT TO BE TRUE.
MAYBE THIS USER IS SIMPLY TRYING TO SELL HIM A BILL OF GOODS
TO LAND A DEAL,
SO KANE ASKS WHY HE DIDN'T COME FORWARD EARLIER.
JERRY SAYS THAT'S EASY.
IT'S BECAUSE STEVEN RECOGNIZED HIM, TOO.
WHEN HE SAW WILSON, WILSON SAW HIM.
HE BECAME EXTREMELY SCARED AND TOOK OFF RUNNING.
Narrator: KANE'S BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK ENOUGH TIMES
TO SUSPECT JERRY WOULDN'T ADMIT TO BEING AT THE CRIME SCENE
IF HE WAS THE KILLER,
SO IT SEEMS THE FACTS AGAINST STEVEN
ARE PILING UP FASTER THAN BEEF PATTIES
ON A JUICE DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER.
Kane: WE HAVE THE EVIDENCE
THAT HE WAS SEEN OUTSIDE OF TAMMY'S APARTMENT,
SPYING ON HER,
AND RIGHT AFTER THE GUNSHOTS WERE HEARD,
HE WAS SEEN AT AN EXIT DOOR OF THE BURGER KING BY SOMEONE ELSE.
Narrator: BUT PROSECUTOR YOUNGS KNOWS
THEY'RE GOING TO NEED MORE THAN THE WORD OF A JAILED JUNKIE
TO MAKE AN ARREST IN TAMMY'S CASE.
WE STILL HAD THIS STRONG SUSPICION,
BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.
PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT
IS DIFFERENT THAN PROOF ON A TV SHOW.
YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE IT.
AND YOU ONLY GET ONE SHOT,
AND WE WANTED TO HAVE THE BEST SHOT WE COULD.
Narrator: FOR NOW,
DETECTIVES FEEL SURE THEY KNOW THE "WHO" OF THIS WHODUNIT.
ALL THIS EVIDENCE WOULD LEAD ANYBODY TO BELIEVE
THAT STEVEN WILSON AND GARY MAXIE
HAD SOME TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT IN THIS CRIME.
Narrator: BUT WITHOUT THE "WHY" OR "HOW,"
THEY'VE STILL GOT NO CASE,
AND INVESTIGATORS CAN'T FIGURE OUT
WHAT PROMPTED THESE GUYS
TO EIGHTY-SIX TAMMY PETRIN AND JENNER VILLEDA.
SINCE NO MONEY WAS TAKEN,
ROBBERY DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE MOTIVE.
SO, WAS IT A PERSONAL GRUDGE OR PART OF SOME SINISTER PLOT?
AND THAT'S WHEN A SURPRISE VISITOR
WALKS INTO THE WOONSOCKET POLICE STATION
AND DELIVERS A COVERT COMMUNIQUé THAT MAY REVEAL ALL THE ANSWERS.
THESE WERE LETTERS THAT TALKED ABOUT GETTING RID OF TAMMY.
THESE WERE LETTERS THAT TALKED ABOUT
ASKING STEVEN WILSON AND GARY MAXIE TO KILL TAMMY.
Narrator: LOOKS LIKE INVESTIGATORS HAVE JUST BEEN HANDED
A SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED CONFESSION.
BUT WITHOUT A RETURN ADDRESS,
CAN THEY IDENTIFY THE SUSPICIOUS SENDER?
Narrator: SIX YEARS AFTER A DOUBLE DOSE OF ***
ROCKS THE QUIET TOWN OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND,
DETECTIVES HAVE THEIR EYES ON TWO LOCAL BAD BOYS,
STEVEN AND GARY.
Kane: I FELT VERY STRONGLY THAT STEVEN WILSON AND GARY MAXIE
HAD SOME TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT IN THESE HOMICIDES.
THE ONLY MOTIVE THAT I COULD COME UP WITH
WOULD HAVE BEEN A MOTIVE FOR PROFIT.
Narrator: DID THIS DELINQUENT DUO
HATCH A PLAN TO BREAK IN TO THE LOCAL BURGER JOINT
TO SCORE SOME LUNCH MONEY
AND WIND UP BOTCHING THE BURGLARY INSTEAD,
LEAVING BEHIND TWO BODIES?
INVESTIGATORS CAN ONLY GUESS
UNTIL THEY FIND A WAY TO TIE THESE CROOKS TO THE CRIME.
Youngs: IT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING.
WE COULD NEVER GET THAT CLENCHING PIECE OF EVIDENCE
THAT WE ALWAYS WANTED.
Narrator: BUT THEIR FORTUNES SOON CHANGE
WHEN 27-YEAR-OLD BROOKS MEYERS, A LOCAL TRUCKER,
HANDS OVER SOME OLD LETTERS HE FOUND
WHEN HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND MOVED OUT.
SEEMS THEY MENTION THE *** OF TAMMY PETRIN.
Youngs: HE HAD NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE.
HE READ THOSE LETTERS AND DID THE RIGHT THING --
BROUGHT THEM TO THE POLICE STATION.
Narrator: WHEN POLICE READ THESE PAGE-TURNERS,
THEY KNOW SOMEONE THEY HAD THEIR EYE ON SIX YEARS EARLIER
WAS UP TO NO GOOD ALL ALONG.
THE WRITER WAS NONE OTHER THAN RONALD HARNOIS,
TAMMY'S BIGAMIST HUSBAND,
TELLING HIS DAUGHTER
HOW HE PLANNED TO KEEP TAMMY FROM TESTIFYING
AT HIS ATTEMPTED-*** TRIAL.
RONALD HARNOIS HAD ASKED STEVEN WILSON AND GARY MAXIE
TO EITHER HURT OR KILL TAMMY
SO HE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CHARGE.
Narrator: BUT THE PLOT FAILED, AND RONALD WAS CONVICTED ANYWAY,
SO NOW HE'S SITTING IN A CELL FOR LIFE.
THESE LETTERS CERTAINLY CONFIRMED
WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW --
THAT RONALD HARNOIS IS DIABOLICAL
AND LIVES IN THIS KIND OF CRAZY FANTASY WORLD
OF CHEAP DIME-STORE CRIME NOVELS.
Narrator: BUT INVESTIGATORS WONDER HOW EXACTLY
RONALD ROPED STEVEN AND GARY INTO DOING HIS DIRTY WORK.
A LITTLE RESEARCH REVEALS
THE THREE MEN ALL SHARED THE SAME ADDRESS
SHORTLY BEFORE THE MURDERS.
WE KNEW THROUGH PRISON RECORDS THAT BOTH OF THEM WERE IN PRISON
AT THE SAME TIME THAT RONALD HARNOIS WAS THERE.
Narrator: SO IT COULD BE
RONALD APPROACHED THE PAIR ON THE INSIDE
AND OFFERED TO PAY THEM TO KILL TAMMY.
I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT THAT WAS FARFETCHED AT ALL.
WE HAD SO MUCH EVIDENCE ALREADY
ABOUT HOW DECEPTIVE AND MANIPULATIVE HE WAS.
Narrator: BUT IF INVESTIGATORS CONFRONT RONALD
ABOUT HIS PRISON PALS,
HE'LL PROBABLY DENY EVERYTHING.
SO THAT LEAVES STEVEN WILSON AND GARY MAXIE,
AND THAT'S WHEN PROSECUTOR PATRICK YOUNGS
GETS A SHOCKING PHONE CALL.
Youngs: DETECTIVE KANE CALLED ME ONE DAY AND SAID STEVEN WILSON WAS DEAD.
I SAID, "OH, MY GOD. HOW DID HE DIE?"
Narrator: SEEMS THE DRUGGIE WAS NEWLY OUT OF JAIL
WHEN HE WENT BACK TO HIS OLD HABIT AND O.D.'d.
SO, WITH STEVEN WILSON SILENCED FOR GOOD,
POLICE KNOW GARY MAXIE MAY BE THEIR ONLY SHOT
AT FINDING THE TRUTH.
WE ALWAYS VIEWED HIM AS ONE OF THE MAJOR KEYS TO THIS CASE.
HIS MOTHER'S CAR WAS OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT.
HIS GIRLFRIEND'S CAR WAS OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT.
Narrator: IT'S CLEAR GARY'S INVOLVED.
BUT WHAT ROLE DID HE REALLY PLAY IN THE MURDERS?
BACK ON THE STREETS,
DETECTIVES HUNT HIM DOWN AND HAUL HIM BACK TO THE STATION
TO LEARN THE TRUTH ONCE AND FOR ALL.
I REALLY LOST MY TEMPER WITH HIM,
SAID, YOU KNOW, "YOU'RE GONNA GO TO JAIL."
WE WEREN'T PLAYING AROUND ANYMORE,
AND IF YOU'RE GONNA MAINTAIN THIS LIE,
THEN WE'RE GONNA PROSECUTE YOU.
Narrator: REALIZING YOUNGS ISN'T BLUFFING,
GARY DECIDES TO PUT HIS CARDS ON THE TABLE,
AND WHAT HE SAYS
CONFIRMS WHAT INVESTIGATORS SUSPECTED ALL ALONG --
THAT RONALD HARNOIS WAS THE MASTERMIND
BEHIND THIS SINISTER ***-FOR-HIRE PLOT.
GARY TAKES INVESTIGATORS DOWN MEMORY LANE,
BEGINNING WITH THE TIME HE MET RONALD BEHIND BARS.
Kane: RONALD HAD ACTUALLY ASKED HIM TO DO THE ***,
BUT HE TOLD HIM
THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HE COULD NEVER DO.
BUT HE DID AGREE TO ASSIST.
Narrator: IN EXCHANGE FOR HELPING,
RONALD PROMISES TO HOOK GARY UP WITH A JOB AT A LOCAL GYM.
GARY TELLS INVESTIGATORS
RONALD THEN CONVINCED FELLOW INMATE STEVEN WILSON
TO PULL THE TRIGGER.
Youngs: RONALD HARNOIS WAS A GOOD TALKER,
AND I'M SURE HE CONVINCED STEVEN WILSON THAT,
"IF YOU KILL TAMMY, WHEN I GET OUT,
'CAUSE I'LL GET OUT RIGHT AWAY, I'LL PAY YOU."
AND STEVEN WILSON WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A BUCK.
AND HE HAD NO QUALMS ABOUT KILLING TAMMY OR JENNER VILLEDA.
Narrator: STEVEN AGREES TO DO THE DEADLY DEED
FOR DIRT CHEAP -- ONLY A FEW GRAND.
AND WHEN THE PAIR IS RELEASED A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER,
GARY HOOKS STEVEN UP WITH SOME WHEELS.
GARY GIVES HIM HIS GIRLFRIEND'S CAR TO TRACK TAMMY
AND THEN PASSES HIM THE KEYS TO HIS MOTHER'S CAR
ON THE DAY OF THE ***.
WITH GARY'S CONFESSION,
INVESTIGATORS FINALLY FILL IN THE BLANKS
TO THIS PUZZLING CASE.
Youngs: WE'D ALL BEEN DREAMING ABOUT THE DAY
GARY MAXIE FINALLY TELLS US WHAT HAPPENED,
'CAUSE NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE THE CASE BETTER,
IT ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS.
Narrator: YOUNGS AGREES TO LET GARY OFF WITH PROBATION
FOR TESTIMONY THAT NAILS RONALD HARNOIS TO THE CRIME.
ALTHOUGH RONALD MAINTAINS HIS INNOCENCE,
ON NOVEMBER 3, 2000,
NINE YEARS AFTER THE MURDERS OF TAMMY PETRIN AND JENNER VILLEDA,
RONALD HARNOIS IS FOUND GUILTY ON TWO COUNTS OF ***
AND IS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE.
IT GIVES ME SOME SENSE OF SATISFACTION
THAT WE WORKED SO HARD AND GOT THE RESULT WE WANTED,
AND AGAINST SOME PRETTY LONG ODDS.
Narrator: ALTHOUGH STEVEN WILSON,
THE ALLEGED TRIGGERMAN,
DIED BEFORE HE COULD EVER BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE,
SERGEANT KANE KNOWS THEY CAUGHT THE REAL KILLER.
Kane: I REALLY FEEL THAT JUSTICE WAS SERVED.
I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN STEVEN WILSON GO TO JAIL,
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
BUT BEING THE MASTERMIND THAT RONALD HARNOIS WAS
AND THE DECEPTIVE PERSON THAT RONALD HARNOIS WAS,
I ABSOLUTELY FEEL THAT JUSTICE WAS DONE.
Narrator: PIECING TOGETHER GARY MAXIE'S TESTIMONY AND THE EVIDENCE,
POLICE BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED
ON THAT TUESDAY MORNING.
WHEN TAMMY ARRIVES AT WORK AT THE CRACK OF DAWN,
STEVEN IS WAITING IN THE SHADOWS.
I SUSPECT THAT STEVEN HAD BEEN STALKING HER FOR A WHILE.
HE KNEW HER HABITS.
HE WOULD HAVE KNOWN BY THEN
THAT SHE'S OFTEN THE FIRST PERSON TO ARRIVE IN THE MORNING.
Narrator: WHEN STEVEN SEES TAMMY,
HE POUNCES,
DRAGGING HER TO AN EXIT DOOR AT GUNPOINT.
HE FORCES HIS WAY INTO THE BUILDING
AND TOOK BOTH TAMMY PETRIN AND JENNER VILLEDA
INTO AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE KITCHEN.
Narrator: THERE, STEVEN FORCES TAMMY AND JANITOR JENNER
TO LIE DOWN ON THE FLOOR
AND SHOOTS THEM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ GUNSHOT ]
STEVEN DRIVES OFF,
BUT HIS SCREECHING TIRES LEAVE BEHIND A TRAIL OF CLUES
THAT EVENTUALLY LEADS POLICE TO A GANG OF KILLERS.
WE WERE ABLE TO GET JUSTICE FOR TAMMY,
WE WERE ABLE TO GET JUSTICE FOR JENNER,
AND WE WERE ABLE TO PUT AWAY A MONSTER
THAT SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO BE OUT OF PRISON AGAIN.
Narrator: FOR RON PETRIN,
ALTHOUGH HIS LOVING SISTER IS GONE,
HER MEMORY IS STILL ALIVE IN HIS HEART
AND IS ALWAYS ON DISPLAY IN HIS HOME.
[ Voice breaking ] I ACTUALLY HAVE A COLLAGE OF MY SISTER
HANGING IN MY LIVING ROOM
THAT I WALK BY EVERY DAY.
THERE'S A LOT OF PICTURES
OF MY SISTER AND I AS KIDS WITH MY PARENTS,
AND IT'S PROBABLY MY MOST PRIZED KEEPSAKE IN MY HOUSE.
Narrator: FOLKS IN WOONSOCKET BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF
NOW THAT THE MURDEROUS MASTERMIND IS BEHIND BARS,
AND THEY WON'T LET THE MEMORY OF THAT TERRIBLE TUESDAY MORNING
CHANGE THE WAY THEY FEEL ABOUT THEIR QUIET RIVER TOWN.
Olivo: WOONSOCKET HAS A STRONG SMALL-TOWN FEEL,
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT KEEPS A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE.
YOU KNOW, YOU HEAR IT SAID A LOT.
IT'S ALMOST CLICHé.
WOONSOCKET'S A CITY WITH A BIG HEART.