I lost my Ralph. I can't do this. I can't six years of my life. What's even going on in my mind? This is James Clement, the caretaker of 92-year-old Ralph Sherman, currently losing it after finding him dead. But as James tries the killer equivalent of a dog ate my homework. >> What did he hit his head on inside? >> Well, I don't know if he did. He said dog did it to him. >> Detectives will realize that hidden beneath this seemingly kind face is a cruel and twisted old man. one that hides horrifying secrets. >> I'm going to show you something. >> Look at his eye. Look at his face. >> Look at his chin. And you're going to sit here and tell me you think dogs did this to him? >> I don't know how he's black and blue. He must have fallen. >> Why would Ralph call and tell people that you abuse him? I think, and everyone else is going to think, that you did something here. In the early morning hours of September 26th, 2021, police in Iron River, Michigan were contacted by a local hospital regarding a suspicious death. For the death of a 92-year-old man to be considered suspicious, you know, the signs of foul play had to be anything but subtle. Ralph Schumer was an animal lover, musician, and former rodeo clown who had lived with 72-year-old Jim Clement, serving as his caretaker for 6 years. And yes, I did really say former rodeo clown. Jim, who was locally known as Mr. Entertainment for performing at nursing homes, definitely lives up to the name. However, probably not in the way he'd like. After learning the death warranted a homicide investigation, detectives arrived at Jim and Ralph's home to question him about what happened. The following footage was provided to us via foyer request from Iron County Sheriff's Office in Michigan. Oh god. Oh god. This is horrible. >> Yeah. Sorry about that. >> Oh, did you know he died? >> Yeah. >> Very sorry. >> Oh, you know what happened? I figured out what happened. >> What? >> I went out to feed my dogs and he's he went up. I couldn't figure out cuz I found my phone. He broke my phone and he wanted me to feed his cat. They said he had a I I couldn't figure out what he had why he was bruised on his eyes. >> Okay. And I said, "Ral, what happened?" He said, "My dog did it." And he got I think he got up to feed the cat and he and he fell over because he's not supposed to do that. I I I usually watch him 24 hours a day and just that time I didn't do it. And I gave him six years of my life. Well, did you find out that he passed away? >> Yeah. And anytime that someone passes away, we got to be thorough. So, we got to come back, talk to you. And >> yeah, I kind of think that he got up >> and then he said to me, I said, "What happened to your eye, Ralph? You hit your eye." He said, "Oh, the dog jumped on me." >> Okay. >> But that's not what it was. I think he got up because if I if I don't do something for right away, he's kind of bullheaded and he goes up and does this and I'm so sad. What time uh what time did he where was he where was he when he got up in bed? Okay, >> he went back to bed. And I said, "Ralph, you know, I'll cook you dinner." And and he said, "Okay." And then he said, "Well, I I don't get it because I watch over so close. I don't get it. I don't leave. I don't leave the yard. I've been alive for yard for five minutes. I spent six years saving him from everything. It's just terrible. I don't know how he he must have banged his head, but I banged his head when I was trying to get him to charge thing, but he had I I noticed that he had hit his head and I couldn't figure out what that was. But when I found my phone on the floor, my other one, he broke it. >> Can you show me where that was at? >> Where >> where he banged his head? >> Oh, right here. But that has nothing to do with that. He was already right here. >> Oh, >> yeah. I was going in here trying to lift him in there and he fell on the ground and it's just it's just terrible. I I'm so I I saved him for six years for people want to turn the plug on him. I think they could have done something for me and they should have drained that or something. Is there a way to drain something? >> Oh, from over >> I haven't cried and I just started. I don't get what's wrong with me. I just I I so protective. I've lived my life around him. I don't even go out 15 minutes away from him. >> So why were why were you trying to bring him to the hospital? >> Why? Because when he when he hit his head, he said, "Jim, I got a well, I don't know if he hit his head, but he said, I've got a headache." So I gave him I gave him an aspirin. And then he said, "Why don't you give me a nitro? Cuz my arm hurts a little bit." And I said, "Okay." And then I went into the kitchen to he said, "I'm hungry. I'll go get this." And when I came back, he was it was funny. I don't get it. He was breathing and he wasn't he wasn't breathing. It was like was that called in? >> So what did he what did he hit his head on inside? >> Well, I don't know if he did. He said dog did it to him. His dog jumped on his face and that's why the black marks were all over his dogs jump on him. And I said, "Ralph, you can't do that." >> How many dogs do you have? >> We have he has we have five dogs, >> but he though three are his and two are mine. >> Okay. and and but he he turns around and I said, "Ralph, you can't do that. You're on blood thinners. You can't do that. You can't do that, Ralph." And then he gets mad at me. And then he says, "I'll do what I want. I'm 92 years old and you can't tell me what I do." So I I said, "Okay." And then I said, "How come you have that mark on your eye?" And he says to me, "The dog did it, but I think he got up or or I don't know. Maybe he did hit it, but I don't have no idea. But I did when I went to get him in here, I couldn't lift him. You saw how heavy he was. Horrible. Horrible. And I'm just mourning, mourning, mourning, mourning. >> I gave my life for him. I lost my home to save him from everybody that wanted to pull the plug on him. >> Who's that? >> His family. >> Okay. >> But it's over. We got him all back together. They're all cool. >> But it just I'm just It's just hitting me right now. And I'm having a real hard time because I my life is six years. I don't leave. >> Jim, just take a deep breath. Okay, we're here to offer condolences. >> Oh my god. What am I gonna do? >> I'm gonna lose my home. I don't have nothing. I bought this home to give him home because they threw him in I'm going to say this. They threw him in a nursing home and they forgot him and he begged me to take him and I just lost Ron, the gentleman. I raised his family from cancer and and I end up Who's >> Who's Ron? >> Ron was Pelodia. I raised their family. He died of cancer. >> Jim has the right to remain silent. He does not, however, have the ability. In fact, for the next 7 months, the detectives interrogate him. He will reach out to talk to them far more than they ever reach out to him. It's surprising that they didn't want to hire him on the team after he gave them this opening line. >> Oh, you know what happened? I figured out what happened. What? That's the sound of a detective who knows he's about to have to sit through the most bogus story of all time. >> How did you meet Ralph? >> Ralph was in a nursing home and he admired me as a singer in Florence and they were being real mean to you. Terrible. >> Who was Florence Villa? >> Okay. >> And one guy even put his nose and took his money. Horrible. So Ralph begged me and I just lost my family to cancer. And he said he said, "Would you take me here?" He said, "I admire you." So, I made him a singer. We have a we have a show on Wednesday. We were in fact in the morning we were we were singing pocas and uh we were going to start a poker band, but we were we have to be there for Wednesday for um for Northwoods in Eskanaba. So, I said, "Let's in fact the the program is the 70s." So, Ralph and I were practicing in the morning and he was just fine. I don't understand. >> That was Wednesday. >> No, same day. That was the day before he died. What's What Saturday? >> I I don't understand that. I don't understand why God can be so cruel. I'm tired. I I've raised families. I've done everything. And And it's horrible. And I'm almost 70 years old. And I wanted to give Ralph at least six more years. >> He should have died last year. I lost my home fighting for them because they would have pulled a plug in Iron Mountain. And they misdiagnosed for him. He had gallbladder. >> Okay. >> So then when I took him out of there, bought him to Marquette, but I have no rights. I get told, "Where's the where is a button to turn you off?" And you don't know who I am. And my house burns up while I'm trying to save Ralph at the hospital. And I lose everything. And I'm not a bad person. I'm a good person. >> Who did that to you? >> Huh? >> Who did that to you? >> They did that at the hospital. But the family, we're I got them all together now. It's over and done with. I got them all together, but I haven't had a chance to mourn. I'm just like I for six years I've done nothing. But you're not even two feet from me. >> I got called queer for taking care of you. That's terrible how you treat older people like that. You don't. >> Mhm. >> And you know, his dogs were a little rough. Of course, he's on that blood thinner. And I said, Ralph, yesterday, day before yesterday, I said, "You can't let those dogs jump on you >> like that. He's got two West Thailand Terriers. And then I got him a cat. And when I go and I make sure he has all his vitamins and all his fruit. He's mad at me. He doesn't like bananas, but he's got to have that for potassium, >> you know. But but he was a wonderful, wonderful ginganese most precious part of my life. >> I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can achieve this. I don't know what I'm going to do. >> Jim, you said people called you queer. I mean, were you two dating? >> No. No. >> No. We're just best friends. He was gay, though. >> Okay. >> We never had >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, I guess describe your relationship. >> We were the best friends and he bec we became family. >> I was like his son that he never had. >> Their relationship is close, but something tells us it isn't exactly a fatherson type. At least we hope not given what he says in his later ramblings. >> And you know something? I am his I was I was his lover but not lover. Does that make sense? >> I wasn't gay thing. It was I was his lover. He he taught me treated me as if I was his wife actually. And I kept telling him I'm not your wife. But he said I'm not. I just love you Ralph. We're so we came to help each other. I saved you from them leaving you in the nursing home. And he was tried to commit a few times. So I've brought him back to life over probably a hundred times. We'll just let that clip speak for itself. >> Did you find out that he died? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, and like I said, we're just here trying to figure out what what exactly happened. >> Oh, it was just from the beginning. >> I I don't know what happened because he he he didn't seem like he was um was in any problem. I don't get it. I don't get it. And he was mad at me because I didn't feed his cat. I was out with his dog to put it outside and and when I came in he said oh I fed my cat but he didn't tell I said what happened to your eye he said oh the dog did that but I think he got up and he probably bumped his head maybe but I don't know but but on the other hand they said they said he said they dogs jumped on him so I mean running across him he's got a cat that I I got for him a couple weeks ago and he loves that cat. It's horrifying. These animals love him. It's horrifying. How do I >> What What time was this at? >> Yeah, >> this was probably about 10:00 >> in the evening. >> Yes. >> And then I was making his dinner. And then he sent me out to to go here and get get his dogs out. But before I went, he said, "Oh, my cat needs food." And I said, "Well, just be patient. I'll be back in." But you see, he doesn't do that. He doesn't listen. >> Yeah. >> It's horrifying. >> Yeah. And I would do I say, "Ralph, you can't do that." And then he gets nasty and tells me I'm no good and all that. That's what he does. >> Was he pretty grumpy at times? >> He's grumpy all the time. >> Okay. >> He But then he said before he went to bed, he said that happened. I said, "What happened to your eye and over here?" He said, "Oh, the dog did that." And I said, "Ralph, you can't do that." >> What time was this at? >> This was around 9:00. 9 10:00. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I don't know. I didn't look at the time. I couldn't find my my my phone. So, I >> You know what? That's not that big of a deal for me. You know, I'm just just kind of curious to see what >> I do with my with my life. Nothing else. >> What happened to >> fight against these people who who went over there wanted his animals and they made it just miserable up until yesterday. >> Jim, what what happened from like 10:00 till the ambulance? >> I put him to bed and he said, "Jim, I love you. Uh, you are the best thing in the world and I love my home. >> Is there anything special you do putting him into bed or anything? >> I have to lift him. He's like heavy. >> Okay. >> My god, I have I have a I'm not supposed to do that. Then I had accidentally punctured my main artery and I was having and she had a bees and I just got over cellulitis with a beasting almost died a couple a month ago. So, I went up there and she her ladder slipped and I went flying down and I broke my finger here. So, I I I just I I don't have any money. I don't have anything. I can't even go to the hospital because I was 70 years old. >> How did you get money? >> I I I went over there and char I have to pay for $200 for that office. >> Right. How did you How did you guys >> Well, my house burnt down and then for for 40 years I raised these family and they lost their farm. I paid for it. I sold my home. I worked part-time jobs. I sent the kids to college. I did all that. I learned to be a cake decorator. I learned to be a caterer. All so those kids could have something. And you know, because you keep secrets, tell you secrets of they were dope in drugs. This is very important to hear this. Why? I'm the person who I am. Nobody does this to somebody. and and turned around and and they uh the the the wife caught I didn't even know Ron I had a car accident here in 1980 don't remember nothing for 5 years my mother said go up there and help them out horrible drug addicts drunks horrifying people up there they're all related so you can't say even the law is related up there so you don't and and politics you don't say nothing >> and yet here is Jim saying absolutely every thought that pops into his head well every thought that he thinks makes him look like a martyr. At least >> I haven't slept in a bed for 40 years. I sit on a on a chair next to Ralph to see that he's all right. >> What time did Ralph go to bed last night? >> He went to bed about 10:00 >> after >> It was about 10:00, I would think, cuz he said then he said he didn't want to eat cuz he had a headache. >> Okay. >> And that's what he said. >> Okay. >> I didn't. And then I went back and I was cooking his dinner. I said, "Here's your dinner." >> And where was he then? >> He was in bed. >> Okay. But he said he didn't want to eat. >> He didn't want to eat. He said he had a headache. >> Okay. >> Prior before that 9:00, he wanted to eat, but I was taking care of his dogs. I said, "Can you wait a minute? Your cat He said, "This is fine." >> And this happened. I I don't know what he did. He could have climbed back in and hit the back of his head on the on the bed post or something. I don't know. I I don't know if the dog did hit him in the face and it causes that. Does that make sense? I don't know. But they also said that with with his his uh with the blood thinners in a brain of a 92 year old man, Ralph should have been dead six years ago. I brought him back >> and that's brought him back >> because I went up there and took him to the misdiagnos and I took him to Marquette and then I had to do all the medical work with him. I've always done the medical work. I take care of him day, night, >> go to hospitals, they all want to turn the plugs on him. So he had six years of his life that he never had love and care and and el I fight for the elderly. Does that make sense? >> Very good. >> Yes. I worked at Medicare when I was 16 years old and I worked extra shifts for nothing and on holidays I would bring that in. I can't stand that anybody would hurt an elderly person. >> Okay. So >> did you ever put hands on him? >> No. >> No. Okay. >> No. No. I was lifting him but his dogs did that. Never. Never. Never. Never. No. We had a good relationship. Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> He was so black and blue because I was trying to get him here on >> So, how did why why were you bringing him to the hospital then? >> Because he was incoherent. It was nothing. >> Describe what what was he doing? >> I can't remember. I went there and he was >> What time did you go there? >> I went there at I can't remember even the time cuz I couldn't find a phone and my phone was I couldn't find a phone. So then I I was going to call the ambulance and I thought, "Oh my god." And then because I I he must have knocked the phone on my phone on the floor. It's just a little cell phone. That's his phone. Mine's broken. >> Okay. >> And so then I run outside and I tried to get him in here into my car and then he kind of smacked his head, but I was holding on to him and he got his leg caught in the wheels and he was just he weighs about 200 lb. It's like horrifying. I'm a little person. And then of course you're holding on to him like this >> and and then even them when they lift it up they left marks in him you know and it's so sad because he's the most wonderful person in the world. >> Okay. >> And you know it's so hard when you're on blood thinners you can't even touch a person and I I when I was trying to get him in the car his skin ripped. You can't do nothing. It was hard and I I'm a little person. I have a I have a ruptured disc. It was horrible. I' I've done all of it. And today I having a hard time. I get these Charlie horses now because I must have pulled that out. >> But he is a wonderful person >> and and I got all the family together which is a wonderful thing. But I'm the one that ends up the loser. >> I'm all by myself. >> What are you What are you going to do now? >> I don't know. >> Help me out. Where where would his bed be in the house? It's right here >> with his dogs. >> He's got five dogs downstairs. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I I I couldn't put I made a bedroom downstairs. >> Okay. >> And it's just horrible because he runs the whole house, >> TV, everything. I got all that for him and and he runs the whole house. He has to watch his channels. It's fine because I don't watch TV anyway. I don't care, >> you know. But he's always so happy. It's the farm channel >> and and it's just horrible. And I just feel so bad because he kept saying he had a headache. I said, "What happened to your eye?" He said, "Oh, the dog jumped on me." It could have because he's on such extremely blood thinners that you could even touch him. Even the the the the ambulance people said, "Oh my god." I said, "Look at this. He's bleeding. You can't do anything." And you know, it's just horrifying for me that I didn't do I didn't do. And he said, "Well, I'm going to go to bed. I love you, Jim. You're the best thing and I love my home. That's the last words he said. >> Those are some pretty specific last words. And as the autopsy will soon reveal, definitely not even close to what the 92-year-old likely said as he was dying. >> Was that his shoe over there? >> Yeah. I was trying to drag him down and his leg got caught in the wheelchair and I just couldn't do anything. I'm so desperate. >> Where did his leg get caught? Right in that wheelchair. Okay. And then then his dogs jumped on him and of course all of us were pulling on him >> and yanking him up from his rear end and he's on button. >> You said all of us >> the the the um ambulance. >> Oh I helped him and they said oh my god we had a hard time getting him on thing but then his sister said he's 92 years old. What you did for him just called me. >> Mhm. >> You know now there's a difference between me and his wife. She called his wife. He married his wife for conveniences. >> Who's his sister? >> His sister's Barbara. She called me just now and I she didn't even call to tell her her brother died. >> Oh, really? >> Call you on. >> Can I You will repeat this, will you? >> No, >> please. >> This family was so terrible they threw him in the nursing home and forgot it. >> Who would that be? >> Be his wife. He married. Take care. There you go. >> Thank you. his his now I don't want this ever repeated. He married Fran to give her his insurance. >> Okay. >> And when he broke his leg, she threw him in the nursing home and forgot it. Took all his stuff. >> And he said that every day of his life. But I bought them all back together. His son lives in Apple or wherever he lives down by Apple and he turned around and um they just left him. It was so sad. How do you treat your people like that? So he married Fran for insurance, you said? >> Yeah, she wants his insurance. She gets all his beneficial. I get nothing. >> Okay. >> I got all the work. I'm lost. >> Are you talking life insurance? >> Life insurance. Uh his his social security, not social security, but the pension. Okay. >> She gets $250. Ralph said, "Jim, you're not queer, but I am. But I would like to divorce my wife and marry you and give you the right to >> Okay. >> $250 a month. I would never do that because that's not a very I'm not that. So I didn't want that. >> I'll take care of you, Ralph. I do all this. I go without. It's fine. >> So his sister called you today? >> His sister called me. We're already close. I bring them all together. I call everybody every >> She called you on your phone. >> She called me on my phone. Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. She's wonderful, Barbara. >> Okay. >> She said my brother wouldn't even be alive here 6 years ago if it wasn't for you. I'm a good person. >> Mhm. And I feel really bad because I told them >> no for from taking care of >> everybody. Everybody I'm taking care of three two generations of children. >> Mhm. >> And then then they turned around and told the kids that I killed their mother because she caught me in bed with Ron and that's when I had to live and I had to keep my and when his family came over I had to sit in my own house in the kitchen and I had to make their beds and do all that. I even took care of his mother and I left my family and I have to live with that. My mother died when she was supposed to come live with me and died before I could do that. Isn't that nice? It's really nice. >> It's been less than 30 minutes and Jim has mentioned that he doesn't like men four separate times. One of these times includes his long tangent about how he didn't sleep with his old friend Ron's wife. He did however allegedly raise his children with Ron after he and his wife separated for totally unrelated reasons. Something tells me it wasn't quite a full house arrangement going on in that situation. >> He is the most amazing man I ever knew. I really appreciate that you came here. >> Yeah. >> I hope they're not making trouble because I don't want no trouble with you. >> No, nobody's making trouble. We just had to follow up. >> That's what we do. >> What am I going to do with my life? >> I'm 67 years old and I'm crippled. >> Yeah. Any anytime someone dies, Jim, we just have to be thorough. Okay. >> You guys are special. Thank you. So glad we have good cops. Our police officers. I should call you a cop. Are you a cop? >> I know. You're not offended by that, are you? No. >> Okay. And and I just think it's wonderful and I just really have an hard time. I thank you for stopping. >> But he was Anything you touch him. I was trying to touch him. His dogs jumped on him. He said, "That's my dogs. I can do what you want." anything that they I I think he got an over amount of his >> th what is it called that blood thinner or whatever it's called whatever that is >> blood thinner you put them on plavic it's a blood thinner and they I was told that with an older person that when you have that anything >> he was upset because I told them I was going to get rid of his animals and he saw he was mad at these I have to live here. And and he said, "I'm so mad. I could just Why do you like those people? You cook for you, Jim." >> And he said, "I'm I'm mad. I'm going to stick up for you." And when I came in, he was like, "So, it even could have been an emotional situation." They said, "What those that blood thing or whatever it is?" Okay. Yeah. I don't know. >> Yeah. I have no idea. you want to get him to the hospital because he's having some kind of medical episode. >> Well, when I went to go get him after he said he had a headache, okay? >> And I said, "We'll get you in bed, Ralph." So, we put him in bed and he's laying down there and all I look and he's and I said, "Oh, Ralph, I got your dinner ready." And I went back to him and he wouldn't wake up. >> Okay. >> And then I thought, "Oh my god, he took four nitro." >> Okay. >> And that can blow his bread. >> How do you know? because I gave him one and then at 20 minutes later I gave him two or one and then I left two there to go over there. This is like early in the day and he can take his own pills. >> Okay. >> And and last time he did that his blood pressure went so low and I thought that's what it was. So I'll let him sleep. You know, he'll get over it. But he was having sore arm and he was having chest pains and a headache there. So that's what the doctor told me to give him. So they said it wouldn't hurt him. So I thought his blood pressure dropped cuz the last time he did that I had to bring him for blood pressure and I made him take all those blood pressure pills off. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Because they gave him too many plavics and all that. So then that makes him very susceptible to having what they call a brain bleed. I've never heard of it but they told me that. >> So you gave him four nitros? >> No, I gave him one. >> Okay. >> Then he took another one. >> All right. And then I I then I left I left the bottle there and um I left the bottle there and I think he took one and then these people know how I protected him. >> Mhm. >> What's all that blood from? Is that from last night? >> Where? >> Where? >> Right there. >> No, that's me. >> Oh, I had an artery cut. See? Feel that. I want you to feel that. >> You feel that? Look at that. >> Yeah, we can see it. >> I thought I grabbed Ralph. Okay, >> Ralph called me and I was trying to fix the the dishwasher last week and Ralph Ralph said, "Jim, I need you right now." And I thought I grabbed a screwdriver and I grabbed a meat fork and my foot slipped >> that little door off and it went right through here and right out here. >> Jeez. Where's that? How long ago was that? >> He was so worried about so worried about me when I should be worried about him. >> Yeah. >> And I couldn't hold anything. I broke this fingerprint. I I don't think people are very nice anymore. It's I'm I'm an entitled performer that's always given my life to the less fortunate. I go in poverty, take care of people. And yet look at what happened to Felch turned around in these all those dopanics and said that I killed your mother and and the kids turned on and I had nothing after all those years sent to college raised grandchildren as raised the great grandchildren >> and yet I had no rights I sit I sit out in the right >> it's not fair you know >> so sad you know hi Ellis I lost my Ralph. Oh, what am I doing? I can't do this. I'm so sorry. I want you to think of a problem. I always >> I know you did. I know. >> What's going on out of my mind? >> You know, I took care of him. Something special. I got him. I wouldn't let him out of my sight. He used to holler at me. I can do things on my own. No, no, you got to let me help you, Ralph. You fall down, you know what's going to happen, Ralph. You know what your family's like? They'll sue me if you fall down. I'm not a relative. They do that. >> You know, Ellis knows how good I was, too. Ellis was my wife. >> I know. I know. I know. I know. You >> I gave up everything. I live in poverty. >> All these people. >> I don't know. Where am I going to go? What am I going to do? >> You're going to be okay. You're going to >> No, I just I'm going to go in there and I go on the phone just a minute ago when his sister called and I said, "Barbara, I got to my stink was I got I can't talk to you about two minutes. I got to get him with Ralph." It's like functioned. I'm like a robot. What do I do? >> I know. >> I can only imagine the relief these officers feel being able to pawn Jim's storytelling off on someone else. While it is true that Ralph was on several medications, the injuries that the coroner is actively examining as Jim is being interviewed didn't come from a pill, a dog, a door, or stress like Jim is trying to claim. After 40 minutes of rambling, police encouraged Jim to give them a clear timeline. But with Jim, nothing is ever clear. >> So then when But when did you A lot Just a lot of time went by. >> No, then he went to sleep. >> Okay. >> And I was working in the house. >> Mhm. And I went outside with his animals and I came in like normal because I didn't think anything was wrong >> and just that he had a headache and I gave him his pills and I gave him an aspirin >> like a bear like he's supposed to have. >> And cuz he said he was what do you call um have headache. So then I gave him he took his own pills. I just bring them to him and he takes them and we took them with yogurt, peach yogurt. >> Okay. And then when I came back and he was sleeping and then I thought, well, he's just maybe he took too much if sometimes his blood pressure goes low. So he took one my my one and then 20 minutes later we gave him the other nitro and he turned around and and said, "I'm I'm going to go to sleep right now, but thank you for this." And then when I went there, he was he was >> But you have to expect that from an older person. >> Alice is your cousin. Cousin. >> Should we let them? >> Alice, tell him what kind of a person I am. >> We'll let you guys. We'll get out of your hair. >> Jim, are are you you're good though? Is there anything we can do for you? >> No. But >> I wish I was dead. I don't know what to do. >> I guess my question is if we leave, are you going to be good? Are you going to be okay? >> No. Like, do we need to bring you to the hospital? >> No. >> Okay. >> I'm the I'm a musical therapist. So I I put my music on and all of a sudden TV it's his farm channel. All this stuff that I've done >> that I he likes detective movies. I don't watch any TV. So let me pose a question. We leave. Are you going to be okay? Are you going to I mean sad sadness is to be expected. If we leave you're going to be okay. >> Yeah. I told my brother to come. >> You got your cousin? >> Yeah. I told my brother to come get my guns. So I'm all right. I don't even know if I load them. No, it's a joke. It's a joke. I have to make myself laugh. I have I have two guns. I have a pistol. I don't even know how to load them. I'm an animal lover. I don't I don't kill something I don't eat. I'm nonviolent. So, I told my brother you could have I told him you could have them the other day before this happened. Okay. >> But I'm not. >> Okay. >> All right. >> And it's okay to be sad. >> Failure. >> It's okay to be sad. I don't want to do that. What if those 60 are going to be 70 years old and look what I have to show? I brought all the families together and then they go on their own and I'm nothing. I can't even go into a room with him and hold his hand. It's a horrible thing to please people. You don't do that to people, you know. I hope that never happens to you because you're good people. You can't take care of people. >> Yeah. You know, I'm so proud. I hope you keep in touch with you. I need that. >> Yeah. If we have any more questions, mind if you stop by and >> No. Why did they have questions? I don't get it. >> Oh, no. I just if we come back and make sure you're okay. I got my sister calling. >> All right. >> And what they know the family did like the sister. >> Okay. >> All right. Because I feel so failures. >> It's okay to grieve, Jim. >> All right. >> All right. Despite police finally managing to break off the conversation, they find themselves in yet another one just hours later. The next day, Jim voluntarily comes to the station to offer more information. And he starts divulging it well before they even manage to get to an interview room. >> First of all, he says, "Push the lamp back and it's unplugged. Would you put it?" He said, "The office." Well, I couldn't find my phone, but I found it. It's holding your int. I'll tell you now. I know what he meant by that. The the he reaches up. He reaches up to his cat feeds his cat right here. And then the lamp is here and his head is here. So his head's over here, but he reaches up with this hand to turn it on. Well, apparently because I know what those dogs do. They chase each other, but the cat probably thought he was going to give them food. So she ran and that's why he asked me to fix that. The lamp fell over and hit him in the head. That's what happened. >> So the lamp fell over and hit him in the head. >> That's why that was Yeah, that's why that was there. I can't remember what side it was on, but he was apparently trying to get I think it was on this side. >> So what time was that? >> And I said that was about 7:00. And I asked him, "Do you want to go to the doctors?" He said, "No, it's just a little bump." I said, "Well, I don't know." And then then I think that's what caused that brain bleed because it was right in by the temple. You did you see that there? >> Yeah. And lifting him because I have bad hands now from a artery cut and I got cellulitis. I have to pick him up like that to put him in the car. So wherever you touch him, he gets black and blue. His dogs jump on him. He's black and blue. Fact, he laughed about it yesterday. He says, "I look like I went through World War II." We laughed about it last week. But I said, "Oh my god, this is he's a big man." And so that's when I found out his urinal was under the bed and when he told me to fix his lamp. >> Okay, Jim. So just here you're kind of jumping all over. So can you just can you just start at uh whenever this first thing happened >> and then go until all the way until you got to the car. >> We'll spare you from hearing the very disorganized story again. In short, Jim claims that the night before Ralph died, he had bruises from the dogs jumping on him and asked Jim to fix the lamp because it had fallen on him. Then Jim gave him his medication. Ralph slept. Then Jim tried to wake him, but there was no response. Jim tried to take Ralph to the hospital where he hit his head on the edge of the car. After that, Jim called the ambulance for help. Ralph sure did get a lot of separate injuries in a short span of time. According to Jim, they're all accidental. But according to Ralph's ex-wife, Fran, Ralph had confided in her just 3 days before his death that Jim had become violent with him. He made Fran promise not to call the police because he was afraid of what would happen to him if they came. The fact that a 92-year-old man had to live in fear is heartbreaking and truthfully unacceptable. And soon, detectives are going to be able to show how heinous his last few moments of life were. So, it's going to take some time, but the uh the medical examiner is sending Ralph for a post. So, they're going to do an autopsy on him and see if they >> can determine, you know, >> what caused that. >> Yeah, that's what they're going to they're going to try to see. >> Yeah. I didn't know and they could see that that fell on him. >> So, before before uh before they do that though, they just they want to get your side. They want to know what happened. So if you want to take these home, >> this is just a statement form. Um >> and just start at the beginning and and write. Good. >> No, no, >> no. I'm not I'm not seeing that too. >> No, not at all. No, >> they just want to know they want to know the time of events and what happened. So then that helps them better when they're doing the autopsy. >> Okay. >> So should do I bring this right to the hospital? >> Nope. You bring it back to me. >> You would bring it back to me whenever you finish it. I mean, and then I'll get it to the middle. >> So, I have to tell the whole thing of Do I have to tell the whole day? Cuz we were all delivering ducks and stuff. He was fine. We had potato chip. We had a good time. >> Anything you think is pertinent. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I just can't believe um that this even happened, but I know it happened. >> And it's obvious that's what it was. >> It's uh >> it's obvious. And >> so that'll help them and and maybe it'll help you too writing it all down. Yeah, I'd still want to talk to the doctor to tell me if I would have brought him. >> Yeah. >> He refused. >> I can't make him. I'm fine. This is my home. I don't want to leave my dogs. >> Right. >> And I said, "All right, Ralph, but I really wish you should go." It's kind of a nice little bump, but then it got bigger after that. So, >> I mean, it happens. >> Yes. >> Um, so just start at the beginning there. >> Nothing to feel guilty about what happened. >> No. So, just if you can write all that down, uh, just from the time, you know, >> who's making them do the autopsy? just do that. >> Yeah, they do it because they they want to know why. They're going to see if it was the blood thinners, you know. Yeah. And uh and if something, you know, something could have been medically wrong. >> They didn't know that hit him there. >> And it might not take much. >> No. And that's a heavy limp. And if they're running and they hit and it flies >> and and that's why he had uh you know, I I didn't know what it was. He had some scratches. That's from his dogs. Of course, the bruising is from his dog, but it's also from me lifting him every day. I got to lift him and dress. No matter where you touch him, he ends up that way. And I couldn't open up my hands. I have to go like this. So, you're pushing like this on him and he and he bruises on everything. Everything. >> Maybe that's why Francis and him won't talk to me. I hope they don't think that I did something. I don't >> I don't tell me I had to watch. >> I think they're just I think they're just sad, too. >> Everybody's Everybody grieavves differently. So, Oh, I'm so happy I came in. Yeah, me too. >> Were you going to bring this to me anyway? >> Yeah, I was cuz you you called. Um, >> so yeah, just >> you're doing your job. You have to know what happened. >> That's what And I'm sure you want to know what happened, right? >> So, just start at the beginning all the way until you call 911. Okay. >> And then uh you can call and >> Yeah. >> Or bring it or bring it in. And >> thank you so much. >> Yeah. Just bring it into me when you're finished with it. >> Know that it wasn't me. No, we have to check to see if the blood thinner. >> Yeah, we just got to we got to be thorough. That's how we get right here. Follow me. >> Jim's desperation to speak to police to determine if they think he's innocent makes him look anything but just hours later, he has completed the paperwork, returned it, and called the police repeatedly to make sure the paperwork is okay. 3 days later, police arrive, bringing news he isn't going to like hearing. And again, he has a brand new story. >> Hi. >> Hey, Jimmy. >> Yeah. >> Why don't you uh go out in the driveway here? Okay. Is that all the dogs outside? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> What What did I do? >> I didn't do anything. >> Okay. >> I'll explain it to you. Okay. >> Okay. I didn't do anything actually. >> Okay. >> I've been working all day. I've been taking care of everybody. What happened to >> Okay. So, >> I really would like to know. >> Yep. So, we're The reason I'm here today, the reason we're all here today. >> Yeah. >> Is because after his autopsy, some stuff just needs to be answered. Okay. >> Okay. >> So, what I had to do because of that autopsy and and being that >> we don't know what happened to him. >> Yeah. >> We have to investigate that. So, this is this is a search warrant. >> Oh, you can search the house >> to go into your house. >> The upstairs is closed off. So, >> he only stays downstairs. Yeah. >> And and another thing I remember too from that day, I should really tell you this. We were driving to bring the animals to Carney Road and all of a sudden a deer ran out about this far >> and Ralph was going to fly into the the dash cuz I slammed on the brakes and I put my hand up like this to hold them back when he hit he wouldn't hit his face right into the dash. >> So that's what happened. He had a seat belt on, but he went he's so big. He was going right for the right for the dash. >> Okay. >> But he didn't hit the dash cuz I put my hand there. >> Mhm. >> I took very good care of Okay. >> Okay. So, I'm just explaining this to you. You can stay out here with Sergeant Reed and uh >> Okay. >> And we're going to My partner and I are going to go in the house and we'll uh >> Do they think all the dogs? >> Do they think I did something to him? >> Not right now. So, we're >> Oh, good. Because I didn't I I love that man. I I went without life for him. >> Did they find any answer for his autopsy? >> As far as what >> as what happened to him? >> Well, he had a brain bleed. >> Yeah. >> But now we need to find out why he had a brain bleed. >> Oh, okay. And you know, he was taking too much of those nitroes and he was taking aspirins besides his blood thinner and he was taking like six of those a day. Uh, I didn't know he was taking those, but he did take six a day just in the last just that the day before. And now I didn't have any Tylenol. His legs were hurt. So, I just he reached up and took the bare aspirin that was full. >> And his pills are in there, too. >> Yep. I'll be taking those. Okay. I'll be taking all his medicine. >> I'm glad you take it cuz they're they're >> Yeah. >> And if you want to know anybody that anybody that knows me, I'm the kindest person in the world. I help everybody and I help him. I'm the only one that ever ever took care of him. They didn't want him. They put him in nurs and everybody forgot him. >> It's safe to say that Detective Reed pulled the short straw on the way to perform the search warrant. While the others search inside, he has a front row show to Mr. Entertainment's favorite performance, the Wo is Me Show. >> You know what my life's going to be like? My sister said to me, "Please, Jim, don't be so kind and do all this for people." She says, "You we're all so worried about you've done this all your life. Even as a child, you go over there and shovel all the old people's those old people's driveways cuz their families didn't do anything for them. Go bring him food for my mother made. I'd sneak it." >> Mhm. >> You know, I've always done that. >> Mhm. Do you want me to go? Is there a chair like up there I could grab for you to sit on? >> Oh, no. This is fine. >> You sure? >> Yeah. I don't want to sit in this wheelchair. >> No, I I see there's a there's a chair up on the porch, it looks like. Do you want me to go get it? >> No, I'm fine. This is what I give you. >> Okay. I see you're sliding off the hood. It doesn't look very comfortable. >> No, I have bad feet. I'm old. I'm I'm getting arthritis. But this this up until up until this time, I couldn't open this up. It did something to the tendon. So, I was like this. >> Uhhuh. >> And you know, and I don't get it because all I ever heard even from his sister, you know, I wouldn't have my brother right now. They don't all get along. They can say. And she said, "You gave my brother the most wonderful I've never seen him so happy in his life." And many times I said, "Ralph, do you want me I don't have any rights to you, but do you want to go just for no reason at all?" I said, "You can make a choice. If you're not, if you feel that you can get better care from somebody else, I'm very happy to step aside. I'd miss you. That' be horrifying for me. I hope not. >> But if you want to, it's up to you." Never. And I asked them this >> all once. Well, actually once a year. Are you still happy here? Do you want to do something? >> Mhm. >> I love having you. >> You're you're like you're like my best friend and my soulmate. You're like my father, my brother. You're everything. >> He was a wonderful guy. >> Still is. >> So, I have to go make a copy of this and bring it back to you. >> You know, I didn't do anything wrong. >> Yeah. You know, I just This is what we got to do. Okay. >> You got to collect evidence all the eyes and I'm going to be friends with the family. I won't do that because I'm another I I I'm not like that. I'm a different there. His family's different. But there's I They're still really good people. >> So, I'll uh Yeah, I'll um I'll just get a copy of it and I'll I'll come back and I'll just I can throw it in your car if you want. I don't even have to bother you. So, >> Oh, there goes my baby. Come on. Does she come to you? [Music] Pick her up. Oh boy. [Music] >> Even the dog is tired of the lies. Unfortunately, she's not able to commandeer an escape, and neither is Jim. After 4 months of painstaking investigation, police bring him in for questioning regarding Ralph's death. >> Not well. Three days. My heart. >> Your heart? What's wrong with your heart? >> My heart's been bad for two years. >> Oh. That's why when I hit something I can go two minutes and then I have to sit down you know that's why my house come this way you know sick and I had pain so I couldn't do much and then I got that infection I still have it >> okay >> see >> it it just doesn't stop >> okay >> yes >> so that everything's Just a piece to know that he's at rest. >> Go ahead and have a seat. >> Thank you, sir. >> Oh, God. >> So, today, Jim, we're gonna First off, you're free to go at any time. Okay. You're not under arrest. >> Anything I think guilty about. Did my best. >> I'm going to We're not going to get off topic today. I don't want to hear about >> No, I'm not going to say nothing. >> Felt I don't want to hear about anybody else. We're only here to talk about Ralph. >> Yes, ma'am. I miss Ralph. He's my life. So, >> you understand you're free to go though? >> Yes. Because I want to >> I want to I want to do this because I wasn't there to to save him this time. Okay. >> But it's I just I can't live with that. He was my life. I didn't leave him for 2 minutes for two for six years. I stood on his bedside saving him. Nobody wanted to save him. They wanted to let him die. >> So, let you've told me all that. you told me. I have I have >> This is for my own content. >> I have 32 pages of everything you told me. >> Yes, that was for the day coming up. >> So, >> the only thing I didn't put in there is that that morning cuz for a couple days he was saying he's having this terrible pain in his head. We're going to go do this. I And we were planning I was planning to go to the doctors for myself and then he said he wanted to go ahead and I didn't realize what a cat scan was. When he said cat scan, I was thinking his heart because that's what's always been the problem was his heart. >> The fact that Jim claims Ralph had headaches leading up to his death is on several of the 32 pages sitting in front of the detective. And despite the detective's demand that they stay on topic, he's going to be writing another 32 pages after this interview. >> So, I got the medical examiner's report now. Yeah. >> Okay. The autopsy report. It's all right here. >> Yeah. And I did trying to wake him. I did that in front of the ambulance too trying to get them away. >> So hold on now. Just let's just stop. Okay, >> let me let me talk and then >> it's fine. >> I >> you guys have been wondering. >> I'm going to ask you questions and >> Yeah, >> that's where we're going to go with it. Okay. >> Okay. >> Here's what the autopsy they found out in the autopsy. >> Yes. I want to know. >> The dogs had nothing to do with this. >> What did he say that did? >> Did he fall? The docs had nothing to do with it. Okay. >> The lamp. >> You see how high the lamp is? >> Yeah. >> That's about it. That That is a little higher than what it was when it was on his dresser. Okay. >> Yeah. >> And when I was there, you even laid down on the bed and you showed me. >> Yeah. Because he was beside the bed. >> That is not what did it either. >> Was it natural? >> No, it's not natural. Okay. >> Okay. This is It's not from whiplash from slamming on the brakes for the deer because it's not and it's not from his head hitting the dashboard because you said you told Deputy Benson >> Yeah. >> that you both had your seat belts on. >> Yeah. He went forward >> and he never hit. So, >> and I caught him from behind when he came back. >> Okay. So, I'm telling you everything that it's not. >> Okay. >> Okay. I will read to you verbatim what the medical examiner said. Yes. >> Okay. So, just hold on a second. >> You ready? >> Ready. >> The lesions in the brain are indicative of very significant trauma. While the presence of considerable cardiac disease may have contributed to this man's death, believe death is believed most likely to be closed head injury based upon the findings of the autopsy. Now, >> that being said, >> yeah, >> there's no could have, there's no anything. What happened, Jim? >> And I don't know how it happened. >> I'm hoping you're going to tell me because >> I will because outside >> here's >> Yeah. throughout the course of the day somewhere something happened. Now you have noted in your report and in this report many times to me you have told me personally how mean Ralph was to you. >> Well he would get mean when he when he didn't take his pills. No, he wasn't mean to me mean. He would have a panic attack. That's not mean. And I understood that he would he would uh if I went outside uh for any amount of time, you know, if I went out for 15 minutes like to mow the lawn, but I always came right back in. He would go to sleep and then he'd wake up and he think that somebody threw him in a nursing home and that's what he would go for. Yes. >> So going into the house, that's the point that I was so worried about is because see see this hand here. I couldn't use this and this one I had puncture this. I had no hands and I went to go open the door to get him in and you know see how the dogs run. >> Mhm. >> So he was he was I had him backed up. I brought him up onto the deck and and he I was bent over and says, "Hurry up. I've got to go to the I have to agent." So I said, "Okay, we'll get you in." But these docs were trying Let me see if I I was having a hard time getting the key open on the on because I had no power in my hands. And then um I I got the door open and I said, "Well, we're going to have to go in pretty quick." And I didn't know that he went behind me and when I turned around, I bumped him. >> How did How did he get behind you? >> He rolled his wheelchair back up on me. He had a bad habit of doing that. >> So here, have a seat. >> So Ralph Ralph was not a mean person. He had panic attacks and and say, "How could you hold me here?" >> Have a seat. >> Yeah. >> So >> he wasn't a mean. He was the most wonderful person until he got he would he would wake up from nightmares and and thing. I slept in that rocking chair. >> You've told me many times how how nasty he was to you >> sometimes when he was mad at me. No, he was nasty at me for not letting him get a divorce from his wife. >> Well, so but that's not the nasty. It's not nasty. And it was a ver he would say, look at look at this. He says if uh if he woke up from a dead thing, he said, "You know something? Uh you're," how did he put it? One time I couldn't come right. I was doing something for him. And he said, "You know something? You're ugly." And he just said jokes. Then we laughed about it. It was funny. We laughed about it cuz I know he didn't mean it. >> So Jim, I I don't uh >> Yeah. >> Are you a drinker? >> I have a drink once in a while. I make a hotty at night. Rough head of winter. >> Once in a while. >> Well, no, just once. Yeah, once in a while. So, >> and we're not really >> So, listen, I don't I don't care. Okay. But are you a drunk? >> No. No. No. No. No. >> Because every time we've talked to you, somebody throughout this whole thing has always smelled alcohol on you. Always. >> That was because dur after that happened, I felt so bad that I had a drink just to relax me to try to go to sleep. This was after this happened that I had a drink. But otherwise, I don't drink hardly at all >> because I mean I could see I could see Hold on. I could see >> I could see if you were drinking and you don't remember something that happened. >> No, it was only just a shot in in a little in some either in tea or or honey. It was like a hot totty. >> Alcohol was so prevalent on Jim's breath in several of the meetings that all of the detectives noted it in their report as something they noticed upon first speaking with him. While saying he doesn't drink may seem like a small lie, it's ultimately the one that's going to help seal his fate. >> So then, how did this happen to Ralph? You have told me many times in here that you hope we don't think you did it. You hope Fran doesn't think you did. >> I hope that they don't think >> Here's here's the problem we have. >> No, but me bumping him could have done that. >> Here's the problem we have myself. >> It's not a bumping thing, >> isn't it? >> No. in here. They said it would take at least 30 pounds of force. >> Really? When what did he hit? Did he fall on the floor? >> I want you to tell me. >> I don't know. I was outside. >> If he fell on the floor, if he fell on the floor and hit his head like that, >> you would have come in and he would have still been on the floor. There's no way he could have got up. >> He climbed. He was on I I don't understand >> because you tell me all the time how you would have to pick him up and move him all the time because he >> was he could stand up there. He when I went out the door. >> See, that's not what you told me. >> Well, no. When I went out the first time to the door, he asked me to feed the cat. So, I went and got his his cat runs to him and he feeds him by the lamp. By the lamp. And she she came up there and he said, "Would you get me my cat food?" So, I went and got the cat food, put it on there, and when I went out the door, he stood up. He could stand up. >> Why didn't you tell me that before? Why did you never think about that? Because I thought about that afterwards and he got up and I remember thinking, geez, he's got such both legs. He's a >> Because you say you say in here all the time that you wouldn't let him do that. You wouldn't let So why wouldn't you go back and help him sit back down? >> No, it didn't. He got up and I told him not to do that. So he sat back down. He did sit back. >> So the the point >> I thought I put that in there. The No, the point here is >> this isn't this isn't it's getting to the point now we're so far into this where it's not looking good. >> No, >> that's why I asked if you if you were drinking and maybe >> No, we didn't have any anything there after after that. >> Hold on. Hold on. So, >> if you were if you I want you to be quiet for a second. Okay. I will. >> If you were drinking >> Wasn't drinking >> and something happened. >> Yeah. Okay. And maybe you don't remember it. That's that's one thing and that's fine. >> We had a drink together. >> So yeah. >> So Jim, I just want to know, did you do something to him accidentally that you don't know that maybe you don't remember? >> Well, that's what I'm telling you. When I was bringing him through the door, >> that didn't do it. >> That didn't do it. >> That didn't do it. >> Oh. And the only thing that I could think of was that he had when I went out, I did tell him, "Ralph, don't stand up. I'll take care of you when I get in." and he said, "Um, okay." And and then he said that he was I came in, I said hi to Mike outside. It was kind of late and each dog took like probably 15 20 minutes before then. And then those >> But you say that you never left his side. You said right here, I would not let him out of my sight. >> No. Then I But that day I had to. I was out with the dogs. The dogs. >> But why? If if >> they were peeing. Well, he was peeing. But if you didn't want But if you didn't want Ralph up, if you're telling me that Ralph stood up after you were started to go outside, why didn't you? >> He was sitting up when I went out. >> So, okay. So, now you're telling me finish urinating. >> So, now you're telling me he sat up? >> Well, he's sitting up. He always does. We're going to get ready for supper. >> I'm going to make >> You know, you know, here here's where we're at. Okay. >> I know. And I don't >> I know. I know what I believe happened. >> Well, I don't know what happened. I was outside. I came in. When I came in, he was laying on his side like this. >> When I asked you what did this to him, you know what you told me? >> What? >> The lamp. >> I thought No, he was holding the lamp. Okay. And he was laying on the bed. >> Have a seat. >> Wait. Can I show you? >> No. Just have a seat. I can lay on the bed cuz his bed is this way. >> And he was laying on the bed. >> Sit, James. Have a seat. >> Okay. And he had his hand up. Have a seat. >> Okay. He had his hand up and he was holding uh um the the lamp was h like partway off. And I said, "What happened?" And he said, "Oh," he said the dogs were running through the house and they knocked everything over. They pulled the curtains down. >> So that that's not what killed him. >> His clothe his closed head injury is from somebody from Where was it? >> What do you mean where was it? >> Where was Where was the injury on his head? Right by his right by his bruises on his face. >> That's where I caught him when we went in the car. Headache. >> No. No. James, you don't you don't realize what's going on here. You have said so far early in the day that this headache started >> and then then you came in and he's got he's got bruising that you don't you're like where did the bruising come from? So something happened earlier. Something happened earlier in that day. No other time because that brain bleed, it only could go a few hours before it turned into what it did. Not days, nothing. So, >> oh, I don't know, but I might have bumped him going into the car. >> When we went to deliver all the animals, >> you did not bump him with 30 lb or more. >> Why would it be 30 lb? >> That's what they determine. That's how they they get out their calculators and they're they're you know >> No, seriously. I never the only thing that I remember is when he slid o over at that cal road and we both and then I went over there and I I he went flying. In fact, the deer had tanks on. He even said that >> I have I have a report from a trooper who is an accident investigator and he's been all up and down that road. >> He did not see any tire marks after >> I wanted to take him there. I called. I said >> he was he went up and down that road for days and he did not find a single tire mark that would be related to your car. >> Ralph's injuries are even more heinous than the detective is portraying here. A CT scan of his head revealed three distinct brain injuries akin to those from a car crash, a fall from height, or a violent assault. >> I think, and everyone else is going to think, that you did something here. >> Oh, I didn't. >> I'm going to show you something. I would get mad at him when he didn't do things like his life. >> Look at his eye. Look at his face. Look at his chin. >> You think And you're going to sit here and tell me. You think dogs did this to him? Well, how did that end up there? That wasn't I I don't know how he's black and blue. He must have fallen >> when >> when when I was outside. He when I came in was listen, I'll piggyback off that and I'll say, "Okay, he did fall. Let's just say he fell. Ralph at 92 years old and he hits that hard. >> Yeah. >> His is not getting off the ground without someone helping him. >> Well, he had this before. >> Had what before? >> Some of those black and blue marks. >> Why? >> Because the dogs were jumping on him and he had hit his hit. I I had I had him and slapped him. >> Let me show you this. >> To get awake. >> What's that? >> Do you know what that is? >> No. Do you know what the you know what the autopsy is telling me in the medical examiner? There's one uh there's one on each side of his neck and the one >> I was holding him up when it was trying to wake him up. >> Why would you not tell me you grabbed him by the neck? >> I did grab him by the neck. >> You didn't tell me you did that? >> Yes. I had to hold his head up and I was trying to hold him up and I couldn't. I was trying to get him out of bed and I shook his head to wake him up. >> Why would you grab someone like this? Not with two hands. Yeah, >> like this. Why would you grab someone like this? >> Because I had him like this >> by the neck. >> No, hand here. I was trying to pull him up to get him into the wheelchair. >> Jim, we're we're getting off point here. This is on his neck. >> That's where I was holding him. >> Why in the hell would you hold someone by the neck like that when they can't? That's going to make it to where they can't breathe. >> No, I was that might have been even when I was trying to get his jaw open. >> So, listen. You keep changing where you held him. It doesn't matter. I have bruises to show. Where is this from? >> I Oh, that's Oh, there's >> Oh, no. That's from the >> There's many There's many bruises. Listen, I'm inclined to believe where all these bruises came from. When you tell me the dogs jumped on him when >> I'm I'm inclined to believe that. But I'm telling you right now, I don't believe the dogs did this because the medical examiner is telling me they didn't. And I don't believe the dogs did this. >> And I want to know why, Jim. I want to know why. This is your fingerprint. >> Yes. I'm trying to hold him up. I tried to get him out of bed. I'm holding on to him. I got him in the wheelchair. >> Why would you grab someone by the neck like this? This is how you grabbed him. >> No, this is to show you. I had sit down. >> Have a seat. >> Yeah. But I lift. >> This is how you did it. You know why this is how you did it? Because that's what the evidence shows. It shows on this side and that side a perfect measurement of a hand doing this. Nothing else. >> I don't understand that. I don't remember that. Meeting him. >> Okay. So, I remember I remember I remember trying He was already unconscious. This is like 2:30 in the morning. >> So, why would you grab him by the neck? >> Cuz I pulled him up this way. >> I had his head was going back. So, I picked him up. I told you that in there. I picked him up. >> The marks don't show that because there's a finger print on this side and thumb on the other, which would only mean that your right hand grabbed him by the neck. >> No, when he was >> So, if you don't remember doing this, that's fine. But that's what we're trying to get at. >> I was trying to get him and I remember when he was laying in bed. I wake him up and I thought, "Geez, I'm not breathing right." And then I thought he's sleeping because when I woke him up at 1:00, he said he was I don't remember what time this was when all this happened. We came home late. Jim >> and And >> I'm telling you what the evidence is telling me. >> Could that have been when I took him out of the car? Let's not say could have anymore because it doesn't I'm telling you what happened. You grabbed him. Here's the things we do know. You grabbed him by the neck with one hand. >> Could that happened? >> Could I take him out of the I took him out of the car and I have to bend his head. >> That But why why would you grab someone by the This is This is how you did that. >> That was trying to get his teeth out. You grabbed him by the throat. >> No, I had this way and it was going like this trying to get his mouth open. I remember doing that. I said that to you and his lip was bleeding. >> You never said any of this to me. >> Oh, well that's what I told. Oh, at the hospital I told them I tried to get their teeth. That's >> You didn't tell them that either. >> Yeah, I did. >> I have their report, too. >> No, I said she asked me if I got his teeth. I said, "No, >> Jim. They put everything down." Okay. And that never >> I didn't even know it had anything to do with his head. I thought >> So, I'm going to tell you what I think happened. You want to hear what I think happened? >> How do they want to know? I think that Ralph was probably on you about something. >> No, he wasn't. >> Listen, >> you asked what I think now. I want to tell you and I don't want you to say anything until I'm done. >> Okay. Not a word. >> Yes. >> I think you got mad at Ralph for something. >> No, >> you were talking again, Jim. >> Okay, >> listen. I think you got mad at Ralph for something. I don't know that you remember doing it, but I think you grabbed Ralph because this is what the evidence shows me. While Ralph was laying in bed, you grabbed him by the neck. >> No. >> And you took your other hand and you hit him with that lamp in the head. >> I did not. I wasn't even near that lamp. >> That's what I think happened. >> No, it's not. Honest to God, that's not >> because everything that I have, all this paperwork, everything in the report, >> I did not I wasn't even near the lamp. I came in from outside. >> You're lucky that I didn't bring in the picture of when they his open to take his out and you should see the mass amount of that is in his head on the left side. >> Why? >> Why? Because he was hit with something 30 lbs of pressure or more. That's why >> the dogs knocked that. I know the dogs did not do it. >> He did. The dogs. He said the dogs did. Listen, listen. The dogs did not cause this, Jim. >> And I picked him up. >> So, this is your one opportunity. >> No, I did not >> because it's going to go down how either I want to put it or how you want to do it. >> Is this I'm going to tell you something. So, stop. Let's just take a break. >> Why did the lamp come in? Let's just take a break. >> I thought maybe the lamp >> because you said the lamp is what did this? >> I thought it was. I didn't know. It was still on It was still on the thing. It was the edge. Do you think you think dogs did this whole thing right here? You think dogs did that? >> I don't know what that's from. >> You think they did it? >> Yeah. All I know is I was slapping him to wake him up. I did it in front of the ambulance. >> If that happened, if that happened, he'd have marks on the other side, too. And he doesn't. >> I did this. I was here like this. Ralph, wake up. Wake up, Ralph. And I was doing that. And I did it in front of the ambulance people, >> Jim. >> And the cop was there. Who's the cop that was there? >> Jim >> or the policeman? I want you to think about this for a second. >> I did not. This did not >> happen. I have no idea what happened. >> Think about how it looks. >> It does. I had to revive him. I had to revive. And >> so here's how it would go. Here's >> how it would go. That chair. He was dead. Wait. >> Here's how it would go. Okay. >> That cuz exactly what I told you is what I think happened. I think maybe you were >> I was never mad at him. >> Everybody knows that you drink and you told me you don't. >> No. I have a drink once in a I don't drink often. Uh lately after I did it, I got a drink. >> So then the question to me, the question that I want to ask is, >> did you do something to him because you just were sick of taking care of him or did you do something to him and maybe you don't remember doing it? >> No, it wasn't that I didn't remember. >> Did you catch that? Jim has just made a big big mistake and he doesn't even realize it. The detective steps out of the room to consult with other officers who have been watching. When they point out the Freudian slip Jim's made, the detective knows he has a direct plan of attack. >> Listen, Jim Ralph died than I did here because >> the night in question. >> Yes. >> You told me. >> Yes. >> Just now you told me into this conversation today, you told me that >> you guys were having drinks and then you had another one after you did it. >> No, I didn't do it. >> What did you do? >> Huh? >> You said that to me. >> I didn't do it. Let's do it. >> I don't know. I want you to tell me. You said you guys had your hot toddies and then you had one after you did it. >> That was What did you do >> after I got the dogs out? I I did it. What's Did it? >> You didn't mention the dogs anywhere in there. >> The dogs were I brought the dogs back in after What's this? uh went over to Ray and he because Ray told us if my dogs go over there, he would do something to us. So I ran over there. I could hardly walk. I want to know. >> Was having like a heart attack all the way through this. But after Ralph died, >> I'm not I'm not worried about I'm not worried about did have I'm not worried about it. I'm not worried about it. I'm not worried about after. I'm worried about the night of. >> You said we had our hot toddies. We both We both drank. >> Yeah. And then I had I had one after I did it. What did you do is what I'm asking. >> Oh, what did I do? What did what? >> I don't know. You tell me. What did you do when you said that? What do you mean by that? What did you do? What did you do when you said I I had one after I did it? That's what I want to know. So, sit there and think about it. And when you figure it out, >> I didn't say >> I'm all ears. >> I didn't see it. >> I can play it back. >> But I'm telling you, I don't remember see if I knew what it was. I don't know what I was talking about there. >> I don't know what you were talking about either and I and I have to put it in my report and I I'm trying to be on your side here, but you're making it very difficult for me. >> Didn't do anything. >> Backed into a corner, Jim tries to hold on to one more lie that he must have given Ralph the injuries when he hit him opening the door. >> So, listen, I am going to set up a poly for you >> because this got to end. >> Good. I I want I need it to end. I can't spend any more time on this. Even if they make me guilty or whatever they do, it doesn't matter. I gave the most. >> Well, we know we know. Listen, like I said, being guilty or not guilty, we know that you hit him hard enough >> at sometime. And that's the most only one I can really think that it happened there. >> That is something that would cause the brain bleed >> and a mark the marks depending on how could it came from when I slammed on the deer. >> I'm not. >> Does that make sense? There is one time that he got it in the head hard enough >> to cause >> that has to be that >> to cause that. >> Yes, I bet you that was where it was and that's what I'm feeling guilty about. >> Well, >> I should have >> Listen, accidents happen but but now we just got to determine. Did you turn around because he was at you to get in the door and you >> said nothing. We were just very very >> happy. So listen, I'm going to set up a polygraph for you. I'm going to call you and I'm going to tell you a date and time to go up to Marquette, >> okay? >> To the forensic lab. >> They will do it for you. They're really good. It it'll it'll probably be >> I want to work with everybody because >> bring him back. So, I'm not It's not And if they do it, I don't care because I have nothing to live for anyway. He was my life. My life for him. >> This is going to be This is We're trying to figure out what happened to him. >> But we know what it wasn't now. And you know what it wasn't now. It wasn't the dogs. >> It wasn't the dogs. It wasn't the cat. It wasn't them. >> It wasn't the lamb. >> It was you. >> I must have did it when I opened the door. >> It probably was me. >> So now you'll take a you'll take a polygraph and that'll and that'll prove that >> Yeah. Yeah. Jim, you know, he did it, but it was an accident. >> Yes. >> So that's where we're at. Okay. >> Yes. Eventually, based on overwhelming evidence, Jim was taken into custody and charged with seconddegree murder, manslaughter, and two counts of lying to a police officer. He was ultimately convicted on reduced charges of involuntary manslaughter and lying to a law enforcement officer, earning him a minimum of 54 months in prison. Hopefully, whoever his cellmate is has some earplugs because he's going to need them.