And Mr. Long, if Michelle was just dead, you would know already, wouldn't you? >> I would not do that to my son. >> You're the person that stood to benefit from Michelle dying, didn't you? >> I don't see how. >> All your legal troubles just went away, didn't they? >> This is William Long. He stands accused of murdering his ex-wife. He says that evening he was at home in the upstairs bathroom before going to lie down. >> If you want to give a statement, that's fine. >> I have I have no absolutely nothing about nothing. >> Several people were inside that house for most of the 50 minutes that matter. None remembered seeing him there. >> We're done? >> No. >> But to understand how he ended up on that witness stand, we have to go back to a 911 call from a dark country road in Ohio. >> [music] >> Montgomery County 911, what is your emergency? >> We have an emergency out here on on Curry Road. My girlfriend's sister, it looks like she's been shot. >> It's 2:32 p.m. on November 29th, 2023, Michelle Long, a 50-year-old Latonia teacher, sends her son Brandon off with his dad. She's due to pick him up at 8:00. She never shows. Her sister Sarah and Sarah's boyfriend Robert drive out to check on her. >> The truck's laying in the road and the window's busted out of it. >> Is she breathing? >> I can't get in the truck. The The truck's laying in the road and the >> Yeah, yeah, it's at her property. >> It's at her property. >> As Robert stays on the line, the situation at the truck suddenly changes. >> Yeah. I don't think it's self-inflicted or what. >> Yeah. What is your name? >> Baby, come here. >> What Sir, what is your name? >> My name's Rob Morris. Baby, come here. >> [screaming] >> Is there Is there anything else? >> Shot. It's Michelle Long. >> Michelle Long, what's her relation? Is that your wife's sister? >> That's my girlfriend. It's my girlfriend's sister. >> Okay. So, do Do you know if it's self-inflicted, or she tried to kill herself, or >> No, she's going through a divorce, though. It's got something to do with him, I'm sure. >> Before a single deputy has arrived, Robert has already named someone he suspects, the husband Michelle is divorcing, his own cousin. And as deputies race to Carry Road, dispatch tells them that name isn't new. >> 19, just be advised >> The caller called back with one of the children who was here and shortly I asked him if he'd seen a silver 4Runner. He said he did not see a silver 4Runner there at all. >> 19, copy. >> And just be advised he has a history of domestic violence. And there are 15 year old children between her and her husband. >> 19 copy. >> No gun seen near the truck and a history of disputes between Michelle and William back in September. >> You want me to send them the 29 now? They're right down the road. >> That's affirmative. >> Sergeant Brian Deek is the first deputy to reach the truck at 9:43. And the first thing he notices tells him this didn't just happen. >> Here, let me see what we got. Excuse me, ma'am. She's still breathing? Is she still breathing? Is she still breathing? Here, I'm going to jump out here. Here, hold on a second. If you can't step over here, step over here for a second. Step over here for a second. >> According to Deek's report, the blood on Michelle's face appeared to be dried. The truck is still in reverse as if she'd grabbed her mail and was backing into her driveway. >> equal to the spinal tap film. Uh and it's interesting there are apparently the last Waltz Man. That's kind of one of those I don't know. I'd say something that >> And where did they call anyway? >> You guys uh >> She would have been home. >> No, this is her mom. I'm her sister's boyfriend. >> Okay. >> She should have been home around 4:00. >> Which which exactly house is hers? >> Right there. >> All right. We got the ambulance squad and everybody coming in. You guys You guys want to go wherever. I'll give it to you guys sitting here and kind of talk. >> Okay. >> WELL, WHERE DID ANYBODY CALL? She should have been here about 4:00. The car JUST SITS HERE AND THEY DON'T EVEN >> Michelle's mother is asking the question that hangs over this scene. If her daughter has been here since late afternoon, how many people drove right past her? >> We need your help. >> All right, this is Gary Deek. >> Yeah, if you want to go on in the house. Appears to be good uh it it appears to be yeah. Um Well, we've got a hole right here. >> Or is this something else? >> Yeah, this may be something else, so >> Two damaged windows and no gun in the cab. Deek doesn't believe she did this to herself. >> How's that brick doing back behind there? >> 2144 >> Yeah, I believe she's deceased. >> EMS declares Michelle deceased. Deputies tape off the road. And there's a cinder block wedged behind the rear tire. Someone else has been at this truck. >> So, I was coming down the road. There was another vehicle parked right here. It was one of these cars. >> Okay. >> It was this one, I believe, the first one. >> Okay. >> But it was parked right next to this truck. So, there was barely enough room for me to drive between them. >> Right. >> And she jumped out in front of me and said, "Somebody shot her. I need help." or whatever. So, I pulled over. And she asked if I could open the door. So, I reached through the hole that was on the side. It was only like this big when I reached through and opened it up. >> Okay. >> But >> So, Vuk, his fingerprints may be on there. He's the one who opened the door. >> My fingerprints would be on the lock. I reached in and grabbed the >> Okay. Yeah, I'm just letting him know, you know, this is full-blown investigation here. So, uh You're the one who opened the door. >> That's it. I just opened the door. >> Okay. Written statement from him? >> Got you. >> Thank you, sir. >> The passing driver had reached through the damaged window to unlock the door. He's a witness, [music] not a suspect. Now, deputies knew his fingerprints could be on the vehicle. Sarah walks deputies through how she found her sister, including one detail that starts the clock. >> Okay. So, my mom told you why I came because Brandon >> was in Lisbon. >> was in Lisbon. That's not like my sister not to pick her son up. That's very out of character for her. so I jumped in my car in my slippers and I got here. We pulled up and I saw her truck sitting just as it is >> Has it moved? Okay. >> No. Um and the lights were on. >> It was in reverse. It was in reverse idling. We put the cement block behind the wheel cuz we didn't want it to move, but it it was sitting still sitting there in reverse. The backup lights were on. >> Yeah, the lights were on. We pulled up and I odd because I tried to call her at 6:00. I called her friend. They tried to call her at 5:00. So, nobody's talked to her since then. She didn't answer. >> Since 5:00 >> which when they had called. >> The cinder block is explained, >> [music] >> the phone calls matter more. Nobody has reached Michelle since about 5:00. Then, a neighbor from across the road gives deputies something better than a guess. >> Hey, we have you a timeline. >> What's that? Yeah, that's what I was just understanding. >> So, this gentleman here lives in this house and he What do you say? Quarter to 6:00? >> Between 5:40 and quarter to 6:00, I heard two booms. I was like, "Who would be shooting shotguns at this time?" Then I looked came out and I looked, the lights were blinking and everything and I thought, "What's been the engine blown?" >> Two booms sometime between 5:40 and 5:45. That's nearly 4 hours before the 911 call. Another neighbor drove past the truck that evening and assumed it was waiting on a tow. Detectives now have a time. The question is, who was on Carey Road at 5:45? As deputies piece things together, they learn Michelle's ex-husband is nearby. Notice what he asks about and what he doesn't. >> Uh Brandon? Is he okay? >> William >> Sir, if you don't live here you can't go in the house, okay? This is a crime scene. We're going to have you over here. >> Where's my son? >> Brandon is in the house. He's all right. He's I'll get I'll get him to come out here. Don't worry. >> Yeah, he'll he'll come out here and talk to you. >> Huh? >> What is your relationship to him? >> Hey Vuk. >> Hey. >> Give me them Give me them statements real quick. >> I'll have them. >> So, you're Brandon's father? You're William Long Jr.? >> Yes, sir. >> Are you the second a junior? >> Junior. >> I'm William Long Jr. >> That's what it looks like right now. What uh when's the last time you spoke to her? >> I didn't. I try not to. But week. >> It's been a week since you talked to her? >> Probably. I mean, I texted her earlier asking where she was at. >> About what time was that? >> I don't know. My phone's in the truck. >> Okay. >> First, he tells deputies he tries not to talk to her and hasn't in about a week. Then he says he texted her earlier that day. Two answers to one question. It's a small inconsistency, but it was documented by deputies. Next, Sergeant Deak walks [music] over and Deputy Vukovich brings him up to speed. Watch what William wants to know. >> So, this is William Long Jr.? >> I know certainly. >> They are uh You are going through a divorce, is that correct? >> We are we're divorced. >> You are officially I mean, through court and everything. Done. >> No. Still going through the court process. >> Okay. All right, same thing I did with them. Before we ask any questions. You okay? Where you going? Where you going? Hey. >> We're done? >> Yeah. >> Why? >> He's been here a few minutes and he's already asking to leave. >> I just don't out of respect for you. I don't want to talk in front of other people. I talked to them privately. I'm not I'm not honoring you. I'm honoring you and respecting you the same way. >> That's my other son there. >> I don't want anybody to get upset about me. >> to talk to I'm just trying to be sensitive to detail, do you understand? So just try to be respectful for a moment. Ignore the cop. You guys are cool. You can wait in the car. Ma'am, I'm going to talk to him. You guys have got to go over there. >> Where do I have to go? >> Just go over there, ma'am. You can just go relax inside for a second. Okay. So same thing when I talked to Michelle and them. I'm going to I have to read you your rights cuz I have to ask you some questions, okay? So and this applies to to everybody. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to have an attorney have a present with you during any questioning. This is an official investigation. If you were not able to afford an attorney, one will be provided to you by the court. You can stop answering questions at any time, request the presence of an attorney at any time. Again, these questions are just all they We just got here a little while ago. We're trying to make heads or tails of what's going on. Do you understand these rights as I've read them to you? >> Yeah, but maybe I should get an attorney. >> That's his right and on its own it proves nothing. From here he gives deputies very little. >> I I was just going to ask you like the basic question, when the last time you you saw her, talked to her and >> Yeah, and I picked him up at school and she walked out. I seen her but I didn't say a word to her. >> Okay. So that was earlier today? >> 2:30 I picked him up at school at 2:30. >> Okay. And can what Who called you about uh coming here? Like who notified you? sir? >> Okay. All right. >> Well, if you uh if you want to give a statement, sorry. >> I know absolutely nothing about nothing. >> Remember that line. Two years from now, a prosecutor will read it back to him. >> I mean, you can just you know, put whatever you was told once Sarah called said, "Hey, respond here." and you responded and that's we're just trying to get a baseline of you know You can go you can go back to your truck if you want. Um or have you fill the fill one of these out. >> I don't have to stay here, do I? >> Uh If you If yeah, if you don't mind sticking around for a little while longer until >> You waiting for someone? >> Yeah, I'm waiting for my mom. >> Yeah, here you go. This one. >> Yeah, like I said, that's just >> know anything about Did she have any disturbance with other people? Did you guys have anything like that whatsoever? >> No, we don't get along. >> You and her don't? >> No. >> Okay. Because you're getting divorced, correct? >> What happens next isn't on camera. According to the reports, deputies ask William if there's a gun in his truck. He believes there's a .45 inside and maybe another gun in the red [music] car. Deputies seized William's truck and phone and document that he appears nervous. >> [music] >> They also note that he never once asks about Michelle's condition. His cousin and his girlfriend would later testify he seemed shaken. Detective Lieutenant Caleb Wyckoff arrives. From here on, it's his case. Deputy Vukovich gives him the rundown starting with what worries him most. >> I got two concerns right off the rip. Number one, there's cameras on that house, they upload to a cloud. I don't know who has access. Victim is Michelle Wong. Uh driver seat, at least at least two shots. Um she doesn't pick her son up, Brandon, from her dad's house in Lisbon on time tonight. Brandon calls Michelle's mother, who's inside, says, "Mom didn't pick me up." She goes to get Brandon at his dad's house, who is William Long Jr. They are getting a divorce. William Long Jr., Michelle Long getting a divorce, not a good divorce. >> A woman shot in her driver's seat, an ex-husband [music] on scene, not a good divorce, and cameras on the house that were recording when it all happened. Before he leaves, Wyckoff will see what they saw. Soon after Wyckoff's arrival, agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrived to process the scene. The work stretches past 3:00 a.m. Before he leaves, Wyckoff watches what Michelle's cameras caught. About 50 ft out, [music] at 5:45 p.m., Michelle's truck stops at the mailbox. Within a minute, a second truck pulls up alongside. According to Wyckoff's testimony, there's a flash, then the second truck drives off. The neighbor heard the booms at a quarter to 6:00. Now, there's a picture to go with the sound. >> [music] >> What the camera can't show is who was driving. By morning, [music] Michelle's death had become the story everyone in Lutonia was talking about. >> Classes were held as usual today in the Lutonia schools. Only the door outside Michelle Long's homeroom and nearby hallway have been decorated in her memory. >> Honestly, it's been organic, some of the things that we're seeing from from makeshift memorials to card making >> Thursday morning, students and staff learned the popular math and STEM instructor had been killed. She was found shot to death the night before outside her Carey Road home in nearby Butler Township. >> She was is teachers that had an impact on on everyone, not just our students, but our staff and our community. >> Clergy and counselors have been brought in to help students and staff alike come to terms with this tragedy that the superintendent admits most here have never had to deal with before. >> Some of our kids have had to grow up overnight. Uh some of our students have never dealt with with death and and and grieving. >> Dunham tells me staff have been impacted by the death as well with many being friends of the victim outside of school. For now, administrators are still waiting to hear about memorial services for Long while sheriff's detectives continue their investigation. >> Community members want to know who could do this. Detectives are about to find out who had a reason. On November 30th, the autopsy finds five gunshot wounds. Just hours before she died, Michelle told her divorce attorney she feared William. The court ordered him to pay her $100,000. His latest objection was just denied and a contempt hearing was 2 weeks away. Michelle had been keeping a record. In one note, she wrote of William threatening to kill her and her phone held a video. Listen to where it goes. >> She wants to disappear on our wedding anniversary. That's what you're supposed to be. >> You can push me and punch holes in the wall, that's okay. >> You disappeared >> I'm supposed to forgive you for that. >> Yes. You disappeared >> to forgive you for that. >> anniversary. >> Yeah. >> And I pushed you into the wall? Yes. You deserve it. >> No, I don't. >> She disappeared on our wedding anniversary. 24 years. She deserves her ass kicked. You really want to let me get going? Cuz this is going to get worse. >> According to later testimony from Detective Lieutenant Wyckoff, near the end, William throws a beer on Michelle. This was 21 months before her death. Investigators had another video, this one from William's own phone. On September 12th, 2023, William walks into the former marital home on Carey Road, Michelle's house now by court order, without her permission. >> What? >> It's still my house. >> No, it's not. >> Yeah, it is. >> No, it's not. >> Yeah, it is. >> [snorts] >> My name's still on it. >> No, according to the court, you're supposed to have signed it over to me. >> Go back to court in a couple weeks. >> Get out of my house. >> It's my house right now. >> Get out of my house. >> You better hope something changes in a couple weeks. >> Get out of my house. >> You just better hope something changes. >> A couple of weeks. They were due back in court. 11 weeks later, Michelle is dead. On November 30th, investigators watching Williams home on North Market Street see a young man carry out a long gun and a heavy duffel bag. Is evidence leaving the house? It isn't. [music] It's Randall, the son of Williams girlfriend Leanne, moving his hunting rifle and gear to his dad's. But Randall tells Wyckoff something worth remembering. William keeps a loaded revolver on his nightstand. The sheriff's special response team secures the house for a search warrant. In Williams red Dodge Charger, investigators find a Ruger pistol, a loaded .45 magazine, and in the trunk [music] a single .44 caliber round. For now, it's one item on a long inventory. By the end of the search, William is more focused on getting his truck back than anything else. As officers hand him the paperwork, he says something to the effect of, "Hopefully you catch the one who actually did this." The next day, BCI searches Williams white Silverado and finds the gun he told deputies about, a Springfield 1911 .45 caliber. Is this the murder weapon? That answer is months away. Two years from now, a prosecutor will ask William where his guns went after the divorce. >> Right. Now, the guns that you had when you got divorced, they initially had to stay at Michelle's while the divorce was ongoing, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you actually go while the divorce is pending and remove all of those guns, correct? >> Most of them. >> Okay. And you got in trouble with the court, right? >> Yes. >> And you had to bring the guns back, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, after dragging your feet a little bit, you do return [clears throat] the guns to Michelle's. Is that true? >> Yes. >> Okay. And then after the divorce was over, you were allowed to take those guns again. Correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you did go and collect that gun collection. Is that true? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you've testified that you kept some guns at your brother's house, right? >> That's where I first took them. >> Okay. And you also kept some guns at your dad's house, right? >> No. That That first took them to my brother's, and then I took them all to my dad's. >> Okay. And your dad's, just so that we're clear, that's where the garage is. Correct? We heard about the garage. >> Correct. >> And that's where you kept that blue truck parked, right? >> Correct. >> Okay. >> His father's [music] property, the garage, and a blue truck that, as of December 1st, detectives haven't connected to the case. Not yet. On December 2nd, an old friend of William's told detectives that, while William was intoxicated in July, William said that if he didn't get his way in court, he would shoot Michelle, and the county would have to figure out it was him. Now, detectives turn to William's whereabouts on the afternoon of the shooting. He told Leanne he and Brandon were going to his father's garage a few miles from their North Market Street home. For days, detectives have been checking business cameras for William's white Chevy. Nothing. Then, Detective Jennifer Calco sees Michelle's camera footage for the first time, and notices the second truck's headlights. To her, they [clears throat] look like an older style Chevy. William owns one, an old blue Chevy pickup listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Leanne says he hardly drove it. He had told her it was leaking antifreeze. So, did it leave the garage that afternoon? A camera at D.W. Dickey on State Route 164 catches the blue truck heading north at 5:17 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., the same truck appeared heading south back toward the garage. Two more cameras catch it northbound on State Route 45, a Sunoco at 5:25, Morris Auto Repair at 5:26. The shots were heard around 5:40 to 5:45. But no camera ever puts the truck [music] on Carey Road. Cameras along the likely routes show nothing. At 5:08, William's best friend Richard calls him. Passing the garage, he spots William in the blue truck at the bottom of the driveway. Then detectives open William's phone. For roughly 50 minutes, from 5:22 to 6:12, no one unlocks it and it logs no health data. To investigators, that suggests he wasn't carrying it. The phone stays on. Calls and texts keep coming in, including two unanswered calls from Leanne. She then texts Brandon, who tells her William left for something >> [music] >> and took his phone. At 6:12, the phone unlocks. William calls Leanne back and tells her he's home on North Market making a bowel movement. At trial, William will tell the jury where he says he spent those 50 minutes. >> So, eventually you leave the garage. >> Yes. >> Where'd you go? >> End of North Market Street. >> All right. And that was Leanne top, right? >> Yes. >> And that's where you stayed at the time. >> Yes. >> Okay. You've had the opportunity to look and watch this trial, so I I think you would know how you traveled, but how'd you get back there? Where'd you park? >> I just went straight up 164, up Thomas Road. In the back way to the house. >> When you say the back way and the jury's seen pictures, there's a little alleyway? >> Yes. >> All right, so you drove in through the back and where did you park? >> Parked around front of the house. >> And what were you driving? >> It's a blue truck. >> Okay. Why did you take the blue truck? >> I was working on it, trying to figure out what was wrong with it. >> Okay. And I'm sorry, I I may have not heard your answer. Where did you park at? >> In the front of the house. >> All right. >> [snorts] >> From there, what did you do? >> I just went into the house, went upstairs, went to the bathroom. >> What entrance did you use? >> The front door. >> Was it uncommon for you to use the front door? >> No. >> Have you gone through the front and back of that house? >> Yes. >> All right. Now, >> [snorts] >> tell the jury when you get to the top of the steps, where's the bathroom? >> All right, you make a right and then a right and you're right into it. >> All right. Odd question, but do you know how long you went to the bathroom for? >> 5 10 minutes, maybe. >> And then what did you do? >> And then I went into the bedroom and laid down for a minute. >> Why Why did you do that? >> My back was hurting. >> How long do you think you were there? >> I don't know. It didn't seem like I was there that long. >> Okay. Do you know where your phone was in the room at that time? >> [snorts] >> It should have been right there close to me. >> All right. >> Right there, close to him. Yet for 50 minutes, that phone was never unlocked and recorded no health data at all. And on the night itself, Leanne didn't believe him either. Why would she think he's lying? Because she'd already asked her daughter, Marie, who'd been home until 6:10. Marie told her William wasn't there. Marie's bedroom faces the driveway. >> [music] >> When she left at 6:10, neither he nor his truck was there, and she says she'd have heard anyone come in. Over the following weeks, detectives interviewed everyone who was in that house. Randall and his girlfriend Zoe were home [music] from 4:00 to 6:00. Zoe says no one came in. Randall says he didn't see William again until around 7:00. Leanne's other daughter Kristen stopped by and left at 5:25. She didn't see him either. Until the last of them left at 6:10, no one inside that house saw William. [music] William remembers that afternoon differently. >> When you left the garage the first time and went to Leanne's, did you notice cars in the driveway when you pulled in? >> Yeah, there was a truck in the driveway. >> Who did you initially think that was? >> I thought that was boyfriend. >> Okay. Um when you went in the house, were were there people in the house? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, you heard the kids? >> I heard them. >> All right. >> [music] >> A truck in the driveway, kids he could hear inside. The people in that house say no one came in. And Marie tells detectives one more thing. After Michelle was killed, she checked William's nightstand where he kept that revolver. It was gone. Then, William's 13-year-old nephew, who was at the garage that afternoon, tells detectives he watched Uncle Bill leave in the old blue truck. When the boy's father picked him up after 5:30, William's white Silverado was still in the driveway. Then, a message from Leanne on his phone gets their attention. She wrote, [music] "So, on top of worrying about if you're actually going to shoot Michelle or what stupid blank you're going to do next as I worry about my kids and everything else in my effed up life, [music] I live for everyone else." The report gives it no timestamp. Asked about it, she can't remember why she wrote it, only that William may have said he wanted to. She doesn't recall him saying he would. Others remember more. >> [music] >> One coworker told investigators that William said he'd rather go to prison than pay Michelle. But, none of the coworkers detectives interviewed remembered William ever talking about harming her. On December 11th, the sheriff seizes the blue truck. BCI swabs it for gunshot residue, but the state crime labs won't accept the samples, and neither of William's trucks has any glass. One question is still unanswered. Where did the shots go? >> [music] >> In February 2024, detectives return to Carrie Road with a truck like Michelle's and the measurements from BCI's scene scan. They follow the bullet's path with a green laser. Within a foot of where it lands, a metal [music] detector goes off. A spent bullet is found in the neighbor's yard. The bullets didn't come from William's .45. They came from a .44 magnum like the round in the trunk of his Charger. Wyckoff testified that William owned a Ruger .44 magnum listed in the divorce documents. It's never found. A second truck, >> [music] >> a blue truck, 50 minutes, a missing .44. On May 29th, 2024, William Long Jr. is indicted for aggravated murder and arrested that day at work. >> Nearly 2 years later, the case goes to trial. The prosecution spends days laying out its evidence. Then William Long takes the stand in his own defense. He tells the jury about his marriage to Michelle and the death of their son Jacob in 2016, after which he drank every day until he blacked out. He says he blames himself, not Michelle. As for November 29th, asked if he was concerned about Michelle that night, he says, "A little bit, but mainly Brandon." Testifying was always a risk. Now, the prosecutor gets her turn, and you'll see why. >> Good morning, Mr. Long. >> Good morning. >> As you already know, I am Jennifer Bonham with the prosecutor's office. Um, if I ask you anything that you don't understand my question, please let me know that so that I can ask you a better question, okay? >> Okay. >> All right. So, Mr. Long, you've been sitting here in the courtroom throughout the entire trial, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. You've been able to hear all of the witness testimony, correct? >> Yes. >> You've been able to see all of the evidence that's already been presented, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you've testified just a few moments ago that this is the first opportunity that you've had to tell your story. Is that right? >> Yes. >> And that's not true, is it? >> That's true. >> So, Deputy Deak from the sheriff's department gave you a form to actually write out a statement the very night that Michelle was killed, didn't he? >> Well, they started read read read my Miranda rights and stuff, so I I didn't talk to them. >> Well, and your response to Deputy Deak was that you know nothing about nothing, correct? That's what you told him. >> I don't know if that's what I said. I probably said I know nothing. >> If you want to give a statement, that's fine. >> I have no absolutely nothing about nothing. >> You testified that you had a good relationship with Michelle's sister, Sarah. Did I understand that correctly? >> And we did have a very good relationship. >> Okay. Um and on April 7th of 2023, didn't you message Michelle asking why Sarah was trying to have sex with you? I think the words you used were get me over. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> That was a year before that. >> dating your cousin, right? Ronald Morris, isn't he your cousin? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you saw that video of yourself at the bar, correct? >> I didn't see it, but I heard it. >> You could hear it? Okay. And you heard yourself on that video say that Sarah was a didn't you? >> Oh, yeah. At the end of the relationship, I wasn't happy with Sarah at all. >> Okay. So, maybe you didn't have such a good relationship after all that. >> No, we had a great relationship until the end. >> Okay. We've heard some testimony from you, Mr. Long, that you get mean or mouthy when you're drunk. Is that a true statement? >> Yes. >> Okay. And I assume then you were drunk when on that video you told Michelle that she deserves to get pushed into the wall. Were you drunk when you said that? >> On the video you played? >> Mhm. >> I was very drunk. I don't even remember it. >> Okay. And so, you were drunk when you told her that she deserved to get her ass kicked. >> I don't remember saying that, either. >> Okay. But, you could hear yourself saying that, right? >> I could. >> Okay. And you were drunk when you said, "I will kill you." You were drunk then? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> In a few minutes, the prosecutor takes the defense's portrait of a broken, remorseful father and turns it against him. His first chance to tell his story, >> [music] >> one deputy handed him a statement form the night Michelle died. He told them he knew nothing. His great relationship with Sarah, the jury hears him call her a name we won't [music] repeat. And the restaurant video the defense reframed as grief and alcohol, the prosecutor plays it back line by line. "You deserve to get pushed into the wall. You deserve to get your ass kicked." William's defense to each one is the same. "I was drunk. I don't remember." Then she asks about another line, "I will kill [music] you." He doesn't deny saying it. He says he was drunk. The prosecutor's point is just as simple. [music] Drunk or not, you said it. >> You didn't just call Michelle names on that video, did you? You called her names other times. That's right? >> No. >> You didn't call Michelle nasty names? >> If I was drunk, I might have. >> Well, let's talk about >> did when I was over. >> You never did that when you were sober. >> I don't believe so. >> Okay. So, on October 19th of 2022, you messaged her and called her a dumb ass. Do you remember sending that? >> When? >> It was on October 19th of 2022. >> I don't remember that. >> You don't remember calling her a dumb ass. Do you ever remember calling her a dumb ass? >> I mean, I might have. The divorce was bad. It was a bad divorce. >> Okay. You called her an in a number of text messages, right? >> I don't recall. >> Okay. So, you don't recall saying that on January 20th of 2023? >> No. >> Or on April 9th of 2023? >> No. >> Okay. Or on June 27th of 2023? >> No. >> Okay. Did you review that binder of text messages that was in evidence? >> No. [snorts] >> Okay. Would you, Mr. Long, want to spend your wedding anniversary with somebody that talked to you like this? >> I wasn't like that on our wedding anniversary. >> Just every other day? >> No. These are obviously in the year 2023 you're saying. >> And 2022, we've talked about some of those, right? And that that video was 2022, was it not? >> Yeah, I think that's about when it started. >> Okay. Right. Now, the guns that you had when you got divorced, they initially had to stay at Michelle's while the divorce was ongoing, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you actually go, while the divorce is pending, and remove all of those guns, correct? >> Most of them. >> Okay. And you got in trouble with the court, right? >> Yes. >> And you had to bring the guns back, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, after dragging your feet a little bit, you do return the guns to Michelle's. Is that true? >> Yes. >> Okay. And then, after the divorce was over, you were allowed to take those guns again, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you did go and collect that gun collection. Is that true? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you've testified that you kept some guns at your brother's house, right? >> That's where I first took them. >> Okay. And you also kept some guns at your dad's house, right? >> Well, that that first took them to my brother's, and then I took them all to my dad's. >> Okay. And your dad's, just so that we're clear, that's where the garage is, correct? We heard about the garage. >> Correct. >> And that's where you kept that blue truck parked, right? >> Correct. >> Okay. Now, Mr. Long, you didn't want this divorce, did you? >> No. >> Okay. Leading up to the divorce, you were still asking Michelle to have sex with you, right? >> I don't remember that. >> Okay, you were sending her some text messages saying, "Can we have sex tonight?" Before she filed? >> We were still living together. >> Okay. And you were still living together, right? >> Yes. >> And you were still asking her if maybe you guys could could work out the marriage. Is that right? Do you remember that? >> At the beginning, yeah. >> Okay. And she filed anyway, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you thought throughout the divorce, Mr. Long, that Michelle was asking for too much, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you argued back and forth actually a lot while this divorce was pending, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you didn't think it was fair that you would have to pay her child support, right? >> I didn't I don't believe I ever said that. >> You wanted 50/50 custody and you didn't want to pay her. Is that right? >> I wanted 50/50. >> Okay. And you didn't want to pay her alimony, correct? You thought that was ridiculous. >> That was ridiculous. >> Okay. And you didn't want to give up your property on Carey Road, did you? >> No, the deal was she was getting the property and the house. >> Okay. And the money from your annuity, you didn't think she should get any of that, right? >> No, we made a deal that she gets the property and the 40 acres and I get my annuity and she gets the house in Lisbon. >> But Mr. Long, to be fair, you didn't make a deal because there was no settlement. The case went to trial, right? >> Then she did Then she did >> And while this divorce was pending, you couldn't even go into your own house for a period of time, right? >> It was still mine. I was allowed in there. >> It was still your house, but she had exclusive use of the house, isn't that right? >> I was still allowed in it. >> You were still allowed in there. Okay. And Michelle asked you right not to come in without telling her, not to come in without giving her notice, and you would just come over anyway. >> [clears throat] >> One time. >> One time. Okay. Was that the time that we saw on the video? >> Unfortunately, yes. >> Okay. So, that just happened to be recorded that one time. >> I recorded it. >> Okay. You testified that you didn't hate Michelle after the divorce. Did I hear that right? >> I don't I don't not hate Michelle. >> Okay. Did you resent her? >> I mean, I was angry. I was upset. >> Were you angry that she took all your stuff? >> Well, yeah. >> Okay. And you also, Mr. Long, thought that Michelle was trying to keep Brandon from you. You told her that a number of times, right? >> Well, I wasn't happy with the every other weekend thing cuz it went from seeing him every weekend to every other weekend. >> Okay. And it would make you upset when you would ask Michelle for extra days and she would say no, right? >> Fair to say. >> And it would make you upset if you would say, "Hey, can I take him this weekend, too?" and she would say no, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. And that was an ongoing fight between you and Michelle, correct? >> Yeah, we tit-for-tatted for a while. >> Okay. Michelle wanted to follow the schedule that the court put in place for visitation, right? >> Yes. >> And you wanted more than that. >> Yes. >> Okay. You told Michelle on July 19th of 2023 about Brandon, "Everything you force on him is always more important than what he wants to do. You will get it soon." Do you remember sending her that message? >> No, I don't. >> Okay. And you also told her on July 30th of 2023, you're going to go too far soon. Do you remember telling her that? Okay. >> No. >> No. After the divorce, you were concerned, weren't you, Mr. Wong, that Michelle was going to get you put in jail for not paying her, right? >> Well, I knew that was what was going to happen. >> You knew that's what was going to happen. Okay. And at that point, you owed her a hundred thousand dollars, right? >> Yes. >> In cash. >> Yes. >> And you didn't have it, right? >> No. >> Or at least you told her that you did not have it. >> I didn't have it. >> Okay. And you also told her that if she put you in jail or had you put in jail, you would lose your job, right? So that was also a concern. Correct? >> Well, yes, she wasn't getting nothing then. >> Okay. And you told her, "I'm not going to jail for right?" >> May I have? >> Okay. And you also cautioned her on June 27th of 2023, "Brandon will know and hate you when you take him from me and put me in jail. You can't steal from me if I'm in jail Do you remember sending her that?" >> No. >> Okay. On June 7th of 2023, do you remember telling Michelle, "I worked my whole life and you get everything I worked for and I should be okay with that." Do you remember telling her that? >> I probably did tell her that. >> And you felt that way, right? >> Well, that's what happened. >> Okay. And Mr. Wong, if Michelle was just dead, you wouldn't owe her any money, would you? >> I would not do that to my son. >> Would you? Would you owe her anything? >> I probably still would. I don't know. >> You would not have to come up with that hundred grand, correct? >> Well, the estate would still want it, wouldn't they? I don't know. >> I'm asking you. I'm not here to tell you >> Assume would still have to pay it. >> Okay. She would stop filing contempt for sure, right? And trying to get you sent to jail? >> Yeah. >> That would end that problem. Brandon would be with you full-time if Michelle was dead, right? >> I would not do that to my son. >> Well, in in fact, you actually did get to keep Brandon for a while after Michelle died. Didn't he come to live with you at Leanne's? >> Well, yes, he's my son. >> Okay. So, Michelle dies and and now you're his only living parent, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And Mr. Long, you of all the evidence that we've heard in this case, you're the person that stood to benefit from Michelle dying, didn't you? >> I don't see how. >> All your legal troubles just went away, didn't they? I don't have any more questions. Thank you. >> Any redirect? >> Soon after, William Long steps off the stand. The defense rests. The jury has already spent 3 days with the prosecution's witnesses, from the neighbor who heard the shots to the nephew who watched Uncle Bill drive away in the blue truck. Closing arguments come that same afternoon. By the end of the day, the case is in the jury's hands. >> All right, Mr. Long, please stand. As to count one, aggravated murder, the verdict reads, we the jury find the defendant guilty of aggravated murder in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.01A, being an unclassified felony. All 12 juror's signatures are contained on that verdict form. >> Guilty on every count. The judge doesn't wait. He sentences William Long that same day to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 14 years to be served consecutively. An additional [music] 14 years. On paper, it's more time than any man has. In practice, those additional years serve as a safeguard. If an appeal ever changes the life sentence, the other prison terms could still stand. Michelle Long was a mother, a math teacher, a track coach. In the end, it was her own camera pointed at her own road that helped tell the story she couldn't.