I don't know, Mickey, but that's what I want to find out. So, why why was why would that happen to Chad? >> I don't know. >> Nikki, where did you go after after you guys came back from bowling or after you came there when Chad was at bowling? >> We came back to the hotel. Who? Who's we? >> Well, he came over here at 7. >> Huh? >> He over here at 7. >> Who did? [snorts] >> Earl. >> Oh, okay. Um, so you came back to the hotel. >> Okay. What happened then? >> You said >> early January, North Dakota. Nikki had already decided she was leaving Chad. After years of his drinking and abuse, she had started looking for a job and planning a new life with the boys. Then Chad was found dead inside their burned home. Nikki said the fire had killed him, but the autopsy revealed something she could explain. Chad had already been shot before the fire started. And now detectives wanted to know what happened inside that house. >> I'll be okay. >> Okay. Um, tell me a little bit more about u uh Chad's um your relationship with Chad and his relationship with the boys. >> Him and Marcus didn't do a whole lot together. They Marcus is older, you know, when he's a kid. They kind of do their own thing, you know. They don't kind of sit their own schedule and do their own thing. TD and Chad try to do a whole lot, you know, 2D1 to do different things and Chad has his he at least five, if not six nights a week, sometimes more >> and it's nice enough and they go golfing and trip more and all that. And I I was told I said we should do some more stuff, just me and you. So, is he more active with the boys than he was with you? No. No. >> It's about the same. He He left. It was usually just me and my wife. >> Okay. >> Is what it was. And I said, "We should just go do stuff, you know, me and you just like, so, you know, the boys are older and they can stay, you know, by themselves for an hour or two. We could go hang out." And what do you promise this person? he was going to suck for them or he was going to go golfing and do this that and whatever. And I said, "How about we go do something? We go do some stuff together." >> Yeah. >> And I said, "Maybe we can go hang out and some things soon. me just mean >> right drinking. I can't drink with my meds. I hate >> Okay. ice cream. Instead of drinking more mad cool and everything, please we did stuff. He actually come and help me with hearing medicine. We had a really good time and >> so he was he was just different person. >> He's completely different like night and day when you were drinking drink and >> I just told him I said please just I wish you stop like we can I can go to counseling with you like we can go to >> Yeah. And I said it'll get better. >> Yeah. He said, "We just tell everybody better." He told me, he said, "Nothing wrong." Okay. >> Yeah. ser. >> When did you start to notice his drinking increase? Like why the relationship? >> He wanted to believe it was he was half a year. >> When was this? >> 2 years. >> 2 years ago. So that's when this lesson kind of started when you started noticing it. I guess >> he's always during our entire relationship, >> right? But when you said it, you said you saw it increase that about 2 years. >> Okay. So that's 2 years ago. So about 2018 17. >> Okay. I said just stop it really sleep in the cat I tell you because I told you just stop when you bring him out of all just got so bad when you pray. >> Nikki describes a relationship that had changed over time. She talks about Chad's drinking, how different he became when he drank, and how she kept asking him to stop. But as detectives go deeper, the conversation starts moving towards something else. How serious the relationship had become and whether Nikki was already thinking about leaving. Grand had cancer. Grand started 2 years ago. That's how it started. We started like grabbing him. Yeah. >> How much was he drinking? [snorts] >> Casing 12 months. Oh my gosh. Little kiss. I know something. like come home. [snorts] It was way after. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Where was he at? >> Okay. It wasn't like darks or something or anything. I just want to squeeze me so hard. Heard pop. >> Heard what? >> I pop. So, how was he to grab you by the archer? >> Oh, I sorry. I know. I just scream in a bar and you heard a rip. And this this was two years ago. Okay. So, that was or or when what November was? She said it was November. >> Two years ago. >> Two years ago. November. You just need to shut me about it. [snorts] >> Does it ever get worse from there? I think they used to stay in my arms in their doors like >> the door. just a regular coaster. >> I didn't think she was really nice to me. >> Yeah. >> Does she remember breakable or anything? >> My children a couple times. [snorts] Did you ever go to a doctor? >> Yeah. Do they ever get suspicious about it or anything? >> Did you guys see your phone? >> Um, I haven't been able to go through everything. Like I said, it's just has been me. But I I know that you showed me that night a picture of I couldn't tell if it was an arm. What was that? >> Your arm. >> You said I have to report. I have to report. >> Okay. >> Who Who did you go to see? >> Carson. >> Caut is that >> Okay. [snorts] Sorry. So beautiful. [snorts] I need to go to the gym cuz with my conditions where I stay loose. >> Yeah, >> it helps. >> So what what are all your conditions? Sorry about >> I have MSG nerve disease. So I'll make this lettering in my body and then my cancer and I have been needing it really bad and I just ask that it be paused. It's noon and if I'm reading it correctly goes on for a couple hours. >> It does, your honor. >> And so I'm fine with you continuing it if there's a a better place to pause in the next five or 10 minutes. I just don't want to >> assume we're watching the next two hours. >> We can let it stop here, your honor, and take a lunch break. >> After lunch, we'll we'll resume. So, we'll take a break if everyone can be back. So, we're ready to come back into the courtroom at 1:30. Members of the jury, you are admonished and advised that you have a duty not to converse among yourselves or with anyone else on any subject connected with this. I'm right here. My arms feel the gym so I can just walk for a while. I don't know if they do the little dancing they have there. I said I'll be back on the train. I looked up. He was trying to provide me my car. two weeks ago. >> Where do you Where do you Where was this at? >> Verge. Oh, Virgus. Okay. >> So, you saw you're on the treadmill and you see him on the parking lot looking at your car. >> Yeah. And are you home? And I said, "Follow me." He goes, "I don't follow you." Follow me. pregnant. >> Yeah. >> I said, "Why did you follow me?" I said, "You have to stop." Crazy. You have to stop. Go. I don't know why I do the [ __ ] things I do. [ __ ] this. [ __ ] that. And he got >> and came home. >> Nikki now describes what happened as the drinking got worse. She talks about being grabbed and hurt and detectives begin going through the incidents in detail. This gives them more than just picture of the relationship. It gives them the background to why Nikki says she wanted to get away. He sat down and had some drinks and then this would be very quiet. >> Did he just drink his his drink straight? >> Mhm. Yeah. Next. >> You said you'd be really quiet. What? >> I just was quiet. Like I just stay away. Hey, see if he's going to cook something or go to the boys's room and talk to the boys or I have a ton of training stuff to do like with work sit and do a ton of training stuff. I go sit and just >> right space. >> So, >> so that was two weeks ago. And so then like his dreams got really bad last week. >> Like how much would you say it increased? >> That would make you drink a whole bottle of crown. You drink a whole bottle of crown or half a bottle of pepper swole. >> And this is at home. >> Did he go out while he was drinking like that too though? >> He just leave. really nice. Then we had we had two birthday party in October. >> You had two >> birthday party in October. Okay. >> Ready to go. the way I know kind of the story there's a problem experience to be okay I had to do something therapist I don't want that >> yeah for my kids. >> Right. So, you knew you had to do something differently. >> I just think please help me. >> Yeah. >> He just got mad and then ask him. And then the furnace wasn't working. So, he was even better, right? This can alter no more cuz voice. >> Yeah. >> I have to sit to sit in the car. They said I get to the car. The boys [snorts] the boys will sleep in the car with you. That'd be hard to explain to >> Yeah. I mean, uh, so >> did you ever tell anybody about the abuse at all? >> I told a couple friends about it, but for the long scar. >> Yeah. Cuz you told me that they were going to leave me behind me. I said I have to help me. >> But you said that how would you feel? >> Oh gosh. When the kids notice like that, that's I mean if it's not apparent to a 12year-old. >> So what was your plan? I started applying for jobs to different places and I figured if I went back to wild area that would be enough money to support me and the boys if they if I find a job and the boys just go [clears throat] >> just go just >> start new. >> Just start new because go away. Maybe maybe you would change and get better. >> Do you know anything about Do you [clears throat] know anything about Chad's death? >> Okay. Um, like I said, we did find the gun on scene. It's okay. I think we need to finish with this anyway. >> So, is there anybody else who's been in that house? >> I don't know who would come, you know, in another house. I don't know in the house. Was there anybody else besides um was it Earl? >> Mhm. >> With you when you came back? >> No. >> Did you ever see any in the house when you were there when you came back. >> I didn't see you, honey. >> Okay. >> So, how long were you guys in the house? at max meeting the next meeting. I know it was 8:30 something. >> Yeah. >> Nothing happened when you guys were there. When you guys came [clears throat] 8:30 >> when you was chatting bowling then? >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> That was just >> Okay. So, you didn't see anybody there? Nothing seemed out of place. >> I didn't I didn't pay attention. I just went >> and I know >> and that was it. >> I just grabbed my stuff and left. >> Okay. Who Who is real to you? >> I've known him. I said he bought stuff. We became good friends. He just hang out. You know, we all know him. We, you know, joke back and forth. We, you know, >> met back and forth. >> It's okay. >> You can tell me if were were you guys romantically involved or anything? >> No. Okay. So, you weren't boyfriend or girlfriend or anything? >> No. >> Okay. >> I'm I'm married. >> I know, but you know, I just with all that going on. >> Nope. I'm married. He's married. >> Oh, he's married. >> He's married. >> Okay. Okay. He's married. >> All right. >> So, did you did you tell Earl about the abuse or anything like that? >> He saw the bruis marks, you know, a couple times, but he just said, you know, I wish I wish, you know, wish you guys fast. I wish, you know, >> did he ever seem angry by it? >> No, he just he goes, I'm not getting I'm not getting it. By this point, leaving was no longer just something Nikki talked about. She says she had started looking for jobs and thinking about where she could go with the boys. She was already planning a different life, but detectives would later have to examine what happened between that plan and Chad's death. >> You know, figure it out. You know, I told my brother, my brother-in-law, >> yeah, >> about the abuse, and he said if there's anything he can do to help me, you know what? Chad was killed. Chad was murdered. It's not a suicide. There were multiple gunshots. >> Yes. >> Like I said, I know how. I just need to know why. >> No. >> Is there I don't know, Mickey, but that's what I want to find out. So, why why was why would that happened to Chad? >> I don't know. >> Nikki, where did you go after after you guys came back from bowling or after you came there when Chad was at bowling? We went back to the hotel. Who? Who's we? >> Well, he came over here at 7. >> Huh? >> He over here at 7. >> Who did [snorts] >> Oh, okay. Um, so you came back to the hotel. >> Mhm. >> Okay. What happened then? >> You said >> just just you and >> Mhm. for for well I stayed in the room and he went and >> Okay. So you guys had separate rooms. >> I went to sleep. I don't >> after I'm done with work. And pretty much I had my stuff going everywhere and baskets still in that was it. >> Okay. So spent the night in his room, but you didn't know where he was or you didn't know if he left after that or anything like that. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, we also have the ability we have the video from the hotel. >> Mhm. >> Okay. So, I know you came back with Earl, >> right? >> And like I said, I need you to be, you know, honest with me on on what what all goes down cuz I'm trying to figure out I know how. I need to know why I chose I just want him back. >> I just want him back. >> I know, Nick. I I can't change what happened, but I can explain how or why. >> What? So Nikki, you need to be honest with me. Did you and Earl stay in the same room? >> Well, in his room, you know, I was in his bedroom. He was out in the the what for the other other room? >> The other room. I don't know what you mean. >> Like the main room. >> The living room. >> Mhm. >> So you guys have one room? >> My room. But it's like they come in. >> It's a room. Like it's a living room and then it's a bedroom. You have to pull out. >> So we know that Nikki. Um we know when you guys came, when you guys went. So I'm asking cuz I know you're you're you're a good person. I mean just talking with you, you've been through so much. Um, and you know, I just need to to find out why. I know how. I know what when I know where. >> Do that. >> Nikki, did you have anything to do with Chad's death? >> No. That's a terrible thing to do. >> Okay. Do you do you do you know if Earl would have anything to do >> No, he wouldn't. >> With Chad's death? >> No. >> Is there anyone else you could think of? >> I can't think of anybody. I don't even know anybody. [snorts] I don't know. >> Where where is where does Earl live? >> He's back home in Canada. >> He lives in Canada. >> He's a project manager, so he travels around. >> When did when did you when did you guys or when did you guys rent the room? >> On Sunday. >> Sunday he would have rented it. >> Sunday he would have rented it. Nikki, you said you didn't get into a fight till Monday. Mhm. >> Why did you rent a hotel room Sunday? >> Well, I wasn't in town. >> Okay. So, who rented the hotel room? >> Earl did. >> Okay. And so, had you talked to Earl before you? >> Well, I knew he was coming to town. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I knew he was already coming to town. >> Okay. So had when did you talk to him and discuss >> one day and I told him we got into a fight and he said I could he could come there crash for a few days just to say thank you. >> Okay. So Monday night that's the that's the night you got or that's the day you got in the fight. It's the day you went back >> um from when he was at bowling. >> Mhm. You said you were at the house for about 30 minutes, right? >> Maybe 30 minutes. I just I know we carried out different baskets. >> Okay. Um Okay. So, after you left the house with the laundry baskets, >> tell me everything that happened. >> Went back to hotel. We carry on the stuff. We say then and he asked I was really thirsty. He asked he was going to go and I said I couldn't sleep cuz I was really upset. >> I said so we walked around. We just talked for a while >> in the hotel or what? >> In the hotel room. Okay. What? I'm just I'm lost. I don't understand. Just don't understand. >> What? Don't you understand? Nikki, >> I don't understand why I love things. Why? Are you crossing with me? >> Now detectives begin showing Nikki what they say the investigation has uncovered. They explain that phones can be tracked, surveillance can be recovered, and small details can be pulled from digital evidence. Then they reveal the finding that changes the case Chad was already dead before the fire began. Do >> you guys ever leave the room that night? so full of anything right now. She don't remember if you left the room one night. >> There smokes though. I mean if you left went outside mean he smoked. He's I mean he does smoke and he can't smoke in rooms. >> I looked at the video. I know you left that night. >> I want you to to be as honest with me. >> I did. We went to Can Lane. >> Where's that? disab all those um houses at the Holene is full of Christmas lights. >> Okay. What time did you guys go there on? >> I was I couldn't sleep. I have to tell you it was 10. Do you think it was Was it shortly after you talked to Chad? I don't remember and I said I want to see Christmas lights now. I don't get to see them here. >> So Nikki something we commonly do to just track everybody where they're going or if they've been there. We take we get all the video from cameras that are in the area on the routes they would take. >> So I've already pulled some of that video. >> Okay. >> So I know that you guys left the hotel. >> Okay. >> And I know you guys went somewhere. Did you when [clears throat] you went to Candy Can, did you ride with Earl? >> Mhm. >> What did you What did you drive in? Des >> Mickey, this is uh this is Joe Erns. >> Hi. >> He's with uh Bureau of Criminal Investigations. >> Hello. >> And uh >> I have to go soon. >> That's why I wanted to come in and we knew that so we wanted to get me in here as soon as we could then. Sorry, I had some other things going on, too. So, I missed a lot of apparently what you were you've been talking to him for a while now. Okay. So, um I guess at this point, you know, I've reviewed everything. The biggest thing you need to be doing right now is you got to be honest about everything. We have a lot of information. Um I was at the crime scene. Um I helped process the crime scene. That's kind of what my thing is on a lot of this is the processing and analyzing of things and all I do is criminal investigation, >> right? >> So, um I know you've been talking to him and told him some things. Some of that I can tell you right now is not true. Um I know we, you know, we have video like he said. um we have when you're coming and going from that room, but I think that some of it you just need to explain a little bit better maybe. Um like for for me I missed out on some What's your relationship with Earl? >> We know each other like he bought cookies and >> with the fire no longer explaining Chad's death, detectives start looking at who else could have been involved. They ask Nikki about the people around Chad who was inside the house and who came back with her. Earl quickly becomes part of that timeline and detectives want to know exactly where he fits. From >> there we've he's you know when he's came into the area we've I've catered or cooked for him before and we've more so developed a joking relationship. He's hung out with my kids. I've you know I've met his daughter. I've >> you know >> have you met his wife? You said he was married, right? Okay. >> No, I've not met his wife. Nope. Nope. >> So, what was the girl doing in North Dakota? >> He's coming here to he's got a couple project manager jobs that he's coming to scout and all that. So, >> Okay. All right. And Chad knows Earl. >> Okay. Are they friends? >> They've met. They've hung out. they've, you know, said he's >> came over and, >> you know, it I guess it's been I mean, pretty much anybody that comes over, my thing is, you know, you come over, you order from me, you pretty much have free range to come to the house and have a bite to eat and >> order from you? What do you mean order from you? >> I have a I have a catering business. >> Oh, okay. >> So, >> All right. All right. Um, so Chad knows Earl. >> Mhm. >> They get along. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And so then I understand you were staying at the stay bridge. >> Mhm. >> Okay. So you were staying with Earl. >> He was already had already had room there. And I told him I said I was upset Monday and I said you know >> I just need some time. The furnace isn't working. It's a forever ending thing. I said I and I told I said I can't keep doing the furnace working. It's I don't want to be here. I said, "It's been out pretty much since we've been living here." I said, "You know, I don't want to be here." I said, "You know, we had we had an argument. I was drinking, you know, and at that point, I said, I just left. I, you know, I did work. I worked Monday, you know, obviously." And then we came out to the house with me. We grabbed some stuff and we left. >> Mhm. So, >> so what did Chad think of you going and staying in a hotel room with the girl? >> And said nothing different than said we went we went to Texas, you know. I went to >> Who's we? >> When you say we, you said we went to Texas. So, who was we? You and Chad or you and Earl? >> Me and Chad went to Texas, you know. And that's him. But I mean, I went over to the cities and >> shopped. I met his I met, you know, um Earl and his daughter over there and for a weekend and you know every night. >> What did Chad think of you going and staying in a hotel room with Earl? >> Chad doesn't think anything of that. >> Really? >> No. >> I I'm a married man myself. He's married. That would not fly with I don't know any guy that that would fly with that >> stay. What would you have thought if Chad had went and stayed with Earl's wife in a hotel room while you stayed home? >> Come on, let's be realistic here. >> Mine's they said we went to the cities and we hung out, you know, it was me and Earl and I talked to Chad every night. >> Yeah. >> You know, and >> you know, FaceTimed it. I mean, we just have fun, you know, we hung out. I got stuff from him when we were there. We went talked to the boys. We did >> different things. I mean, >> so do you and Earl, it's more than just a friendship. I mean, there's definitely a romantic relationship there, right? Okay. So, if I told you that we had some some information from some of the apps on your phone that says differently, what would you say to that? >> And we can say anything. >> Huh? you know, we can talk back and forth. I mean, we have talked back and forth and said, you know, yeah, I think he's, you know, super nice person. He thinks that, you know, I'm super beautiful and, you know, it's I do I, you know, I like hanging out with him. I, you know, I miss him when he's not around. And I don't have a whole lot of friends to hang out with. I don't, you know, I don't go out. I don't, you know, I don't hang out. Um, I'm not big into the drinking scene. I'm not big into all that, you know. So, when we get together, we, you know, we hang out. We, you know, sit and talk. You know, we do Then detectives move to the hotel. Nikki says she and Earl returned there after leaving the house, but investigators tell her they have the hotel video. Now her account of where she and Earl were and what they did afterward can be checked against footage. >> I I saw the crime scene. Um we have all the evidence to kind of know what happened here and a crime scene like that and what happened to Chad can could have been done by someone that could be construed as a monster or it could be someone that if they had a reason for that, but it would need to be explained otherwise it's going to look like it was done by someone who was a monster. And that's >> that it it was a fairly brutal scene. I mean, Chad, like he explained, had been shot and then the house was on fire and >> I can't I'm sorry. I can't understand. >> Okay. What don't you understand? >> I miss >> I believe that. I have no doubts about that. But I'm going to be straight up with you. I believe that you know what happened and I think it's in your best interest to just be honest with us about what you know. All right. So, um we can tell tell me about then what you did when you showed up around 10 after 1 in the morning. You and Earl? >> Where? >> At your house. Did I forget to tell you that when you tried logging off of the camera system, it didn't actually log you off and put you in that privacy mode and kept recording? >> Yeah, it did. No. So, yeah. So, help me explain this. That's what I'm here to do. Explain. >> I went out. >> You went out where? >> I was wearing to get my meds. >> Mhm. But you said that you keep your meds in your purse. >> Okay. Uh-huh. Okay. So, tell me what happened when you guys were out there cuz it was you and Earl. It's on video, >> I couldn't find it. I had my extra patches in there. >> Patches. >> I can't find it. >> Mhm. Right. >> So, what happened when you guys were in the house? Cuz Chad was there at that point. >> Chad was up. >> Mhm. So, you're thinking to >> Well, here's the here's the only problem with that, Nikki, is you guys were there for an hour and 40 minutes. >> I couldn't find my patches. >> You didn't look for your patches for an hour and 40 minutes while Chad sat there drinking. Look at me, Nikki. You did not look for your patches or your medicine. for an hour and 40 minutes while Chad sat there drinking. >> Did you? >> I couldn't find my pack. >> I I I understand that. I believe that. >> Being care in the kitchen and >> doing what? >> Dishes in the dishwasher. >> Okay. >> And they hit go. >> Mhm. And what was Earl doing during that time? >> Talking to dad and he asked if you bite into the trash can. >> Yeah. >> And load the dishwasher. I went into the pantry. They're gone for some stuff in the pantry. Looked in the doors for my meds and I said, "I'm I'm leaning and I'm out." We left. I can't find my >> Was Chad mad when he left? >> Why was Chad mad? cuz I don't want to stay home. >> Mhm. >> And you were going to stay in a hotel with Earl, right? >> Because I wasn't there. >> Well, no. I'm not I'm not saying that anything to do with that. But I can about imagine if Chad was sitting there drinking, you show up at home with Earl and then you're going to hang out there for an hour and 40 minutes and then go and leave and go back to a hotel room with Earl that Chad's probably quite pissed, right? So, what happened when we were when you guys were there? >> Something happened because >> I said I want to stay cuz my friends didn't work and so I did. >> Mhm. >> And then we left. Did some What else happened there? >> That was it. >> I went up to the car and I didn't with the garage opener because garage open and then we left. >> Did you maybe go out to the vehicle and they're all stayed inside for a little while? >> I went to the vehicle with the garage open and then he put his boots on them and came out and left. >> Questions now become more direct. Detectives ask Nikki to explain her relationship with Earl, then bring the conversation back to the crime scene and what happened after they left. They also tell her the camera system continued recording, giving investigators another way to test her account. Have you asked? I asked you. >> You didn't ask me anything. I don't know. So, what as an investigator should I think when this happened? You and Earl are back and forth from that house and then when I question you on it, you lie to me. If you were in my shoes, what would you think? If you were sitting here and I was sitting there and you were questioning me about it and everything I did was perfectly innocent, but I sat there and lied the whole time, what would you think? >> I don't remember all the time. >> Again, you're not answering my questions. What would you think? But what would you think? >> I don't know what you would think. >> I would think that you know more than you're telling us. >> I don't know what happened. >> And I'm getting to the point where I'm struggling to not think that maybe you were the one who did it. >> Don't know what happened. I don't know. >> I don't know what happened. >> But tell me what you do know about it because you know you do know something about it. You do. >> I don't know what happened. >> I know you don't know what happened cuz I don't believe you were standing there when it did happen. But you do know some. know what happened. >> I I I know you keep saying that you don't know what happened. >> I don't know. I can't answer anything. I don't know. I don't know what happened. That's why I asked you guys. I don't honestly know >> what happened. >> I don't know. >> Should I tell you what I think happened? Do you want to know what I think happened? I think that you and Earl went out there that Chad was probably drinking, being an [ __ ] You've got this history of being abused by Chad. I don't know. Did he Did he assault you that night or was he threatening to >> Was he threatening to assault Earl? >> No. Cuz I can about imagine how a drunk guy who likes to fight and hit someone when they're drunk is going to handle his wife walking in with another guy that she's then going to go stay at the hotel with. I can about imagine how that's going to go. And that's about how it went, didn't it? I mean, I'm sure that did not go well at all, did it? >> We argued about the furnace. I don't know. >> And I'm sure Chad was just ecstatic about the idea of you going and staying in a hotel with another guy, wasn't he? >> Argent there. >> Okay. So what I think happened is that something happened and I'm not going to get into the something happened at that time and whether you stepped out in the garage, stayed out in the kitchen, something happened in that house that led to Chad dying. Do I think you were probably standing there? No. >> I don't know. >> But I think that I think that you were you were there. You were on that property at the time when it happened. >> I don't know what happened at all. I don't know >> at all. What happened? What if I told you that the second time when you went out there with Earl in the morning and you guys were in the house that we believed that Chad was probably already deceased at that time? And at the third time when you said there's this is still up for debate because you've changed your story a few times. When you and Earl were out there that next evening at 10:55 or whatever, Chad was also deceased at that time. >> I don't know what happened. >> So I think you have a little explaining to do as to we believe you were in that house twice after Chad was deceased. No, >> that's not true. Or >> I don't know what happened. >> Okay. That's not what I asked you. So, are you telling me that's not true? >> Not true. >> So, Chad was alive when you were in the house the last two times >> when I went in that morning. You stood there. I slept in and out. >> Okay. >> I didn't I'm okay. Here, let me ask you a question, >> please. Why would I go back to somebody's room? Or why would I wake somebody that's always in a fall mood that I'm trying to get out and get away from? >> Why would you go out there at 1:00 in the morning when he's been drinking and stay there for an hour and 40 minutes? >> They need those patches >> just like you needed the patches at 630. >> Yes, I believe that. >> I get so sick. Okay, I'm not disputing that with you. That's that's one part of this whole your whole statement that you made to me that I actually don't think you're lying on. >> We left kind of left. >> He was mad. >> And then you guys go back out there that night then. >> No, you went out. Then detectives focus on the time inside the house. Nikki says she was looking for her medication, but investigators point out that she and Earl were there for about an hour and 40 minutes while Chad was still inside. That leaves detectives with one basic question. What happened during all that time? >> Okay. >> Back up >> in the morning, right? >> So you got no morning in an argument that morning then? whatever time it was in. >> Okay. >> Uhhuh. Yep. So, you went out there, got some stuff while Chad was bowling. Right. >> Right. >> Then you went back out there in the early morning hours, like 10 after 1, and again, we're looking at it and you had been out. You had been on the camera system switching it to privacy mode, which just didn't for some reason did not work. I I don't know why it didn't work. It didn't work. And then you guys show up out there. You're there for an hour and 40 minutes, >> right? >> I know you said that. >> Then you come back 3 hours later. >> I get that. I know that. >> I get the patches. and >> it doesn't make any sense to me that you were there for an hour and 40 minutes and couldn't figure out where those patches were, but then you can go out at 6:30 in the morning when you have had no sleep at all. >> If somebody's just knew where they were. >> If somebody's they weren't there, >> okay, >> they weren't there. >> I mean, but this house also isn't that big that in an hour and 40 minutes, if you needed these patches so badly, you would have looked for them in all these rooms. But when you don't you don't look for him and you stop and you just start arguing with somebody and it's all you going to do is argue with them because that's okay. So if I'm married to you and we're in an argument and you're trying to look for something and you're going to start arguing with somebody, are you going to keep looking for something or are you going to stop and focus on argue with them? >> Well, if I need some medication, that's the sole purpose that I'm there and I'm going to get violently ill. If I don't, I'm probably going to put some priority on that medication. if that's the whole purpose of me being >> and I'm opening the kitchen drawer tower >> and I'm arguing at the same time I'm ruffling through the stuff I'm trying to look for the stuff and I'm opening the stuff and I am arguing with him >> and finally I'm just you know we stop you actually argue two ways and said done left >> left done and my staying here for doesn't And left and right back there toes. hotel and that's what happened. >> And then you guys went back out there again that night at 11:00. >> Okay. >> I need to back I'm trying to grab what I can grab, you know. >> So, what what did you grab when you were in there then at 11:00 at night when you were getting the backpack? >> Right there. >> Okay, that was it. >> Okay. And do you notice anything unusual about the house or anything like that? No. Or yes. Huh? No. Okay. And where did you grab the backpack from? >> He's in the garage. >> Okay. >> That's where he was at. >> Okay. He just sets it in the garage. Okay. >> And where was Chad? >> I just You just went in the garage. >> That's it. >> And where did Earl go? went in the house though. I think it's in your best interest right now to talk, right? And I don't think at this point you're in a position to bargain with us, are you? >> Okay. So, I think you need to do what's in your best interest. And what's in your best interest right now is not trying to bargain with us. I think at this point we have tried so hard with you. We've tried to help you as much as we can and at this point you know what um you either want to play ball or you don't. >> Okay. >> Okay. One. So tell me what it is you want to say. >> I don't know what happened. I sat in the car. >> Tell me tell me about this. When was this? Went back to >> Uh-huh. So that was like 1:10 in the morning. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Wait. >> Mhm. >> I went back out. We got in the car. I got in the car. I was looking to come out to go in the car. Who's he? No. >> Okay. >> So, you got in where were you at when you got in an argument? >> Okay. Where was it at all? >> Okay. And so, you got an argument and then you walked out. Is that am I understanding right? Okay. >> Yeah. How long were you in the car waiting for Earl? >> 15 minutes. >> Okay. >> Seems like long time ago. >> Okay. >> And then the next morning I needed to come get my patches. Okay. So there ran into the back bedroom right there. I didn't find any pictures. I saw the further island. I didn't go any further back in the house. >> Where was it all? >> In the kitchen. Okay. >> In the kitchen. So I said I can't find anything. I never went any further in the house and I didn't I don't I don't know. This is all the same [ __ ] you told us earlier minus just the fact that you went out to the car before Earl did. It's all the exact same [ __ ] I don't I don't know. >> He told you, Nikki. He told you what happened in there. Now is your time to tell us. >> Is it? >> You know what? Earl would not have let you go back into that house and not have >> At this stage, detectives are trying to put the entire timeline together. They already have Nikki's version, Earl's place in the story, and the evidence they've collected. Now they were going back through the sequence to see where those pieces actually fit and where they don't. >> Not have told you. >> No, cuz what if you went to the back bedroom, went back to the master bedroom and Earl's just standing in the kitchen going, "Huh?" No, >> they argued >> and then what? They argued and then what? >> Okay, >> so that was Earl and Chad, not this mystery guy. Then what? >> I went out into the car and I waited. >> Okay. >> And what's gone? No. >> Why? You asked. What happened? >> This is what happened. >> And what did Earl say? Not >> alive. Earl said he's not alive. And then what? He might not be alive. I don't know for sure. So what? What did I tell you? >> We are on the back and forth. And what happened when the gun went off? >> I didn't hear. >> Okay. But what what did Earl say happened when the gun went off? after that. >> And what happened after that? What a girl think why you had to go back to that house? >> I said my parents, >> right? And you said that when he or I went back to the hotel. >> Okay. So, here's my question for you regarding that. So, Chad's your husband, right? So Earl comes out and says that he shot or that Chad got shot in the house and my nephew. It never occurred to you to want to go check on him. I said what? I don't know if I did him or not or how bad he is. He was so bad. Okay. >> You didn't want to go check on Chad? >> I didn't. I don't. Okay. Who came back to set the fire? How did he do it? >> I don't know. >> What did you see him doing? >> In the house. >> Did he bring anything with him? >> Did he tell you he was going to set a fire? >> He went in the house. >> No, you didn't. You did not go back to that house just for no reason. He had to have told you said what was going to happen. Nikki. We're at this point already. Why? Tell me what Earl said. Why was he doing this? >> And you being his wife, I don't believe that you Oh, I'll just sit in the car and wait. I'm not going to go check on Chad yet. So, it's now been 5 hours since he's been shot, and you don't think at some point you would want to go check on him unless you already knew what his condition was. >> I never seen he was. >> Why not? >> Earl said he wasn't alive anymore. >> Earl said he wasn't alive anymore. >> How did Earl know? in my house >> the second time. >> And then what did Earl do? >> Nikki, what did Earl do? whatever in the background when they went when they were that was early. >> Okay. >> And it said window back in the house here. He said he tipped it over and then it did tip over. He said that it tip over and start a fire in the house. You can't take that home. Thank you. That's all after the fact though. But he came back to start that fire. Who planned that part? Was that you or was that Earl? You didn't plan to come and set the house on fire. No, >> Earl did. How is he going to set that house on fire? >> Nick, you've already told me. Just come free yourself. >> What's going to happen to you? >> We'll talk about that afterwards, but I got to know what the full story is, too. Right now you're still we're having to cut this up every second. What did D Earl come back to do with the propane tank? >> For what reason? >> Said he was scared. >> He said he was scared. Okay, >> we argue. >> Okay, I got that. That's >> dead. >> Did he tell you anything else about the fire? >> No. House on fire. >> Okay. >> That's all I know. >> So, did you guys come back to check? Did Earl want to come back to check if that house had burnt down? When was that? >> 10 minutes. up that morning. >> Okay. And what did he say when that house hadn't burnt down yet? >> Said he just went out to check the house. >> Okay. And when it wasn't burnt down, what did he say? I know what I would think. What did he say? >> He said the house was hot. >> So he went into the house. >> So he couldn't go in the house. So it was too hot. So you Okay, so that happened. You guys came back to the house. Earl went in, moved the propane tank so that it would start the house on fire. And then you guys came back again and checked and the house still hadn't burned down. >> I didn't come back. >> You didn't go back with that time. Okay. And the house still hadn't burned down. >> That's when you Okay. Did he say Did he go back in? >> No, he said he didn't. >> Why? And we just said come back in said the house was hot and they told me >> what did he tell you about the fight? >> They were arguing they were arguing about him always beating on me. >> Mhm. >> He wasn't that it was continuous. He just wanted to stop beating on me. [clears throat] >> That's what we argued about, too. Stop eating on me, >> right? >> You just needed to stop. And Chad was arguing that was drunk. It wasn't making any sense. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> And he said that Chad hit the guy and he had shelves right there. So, they were laying there on the bed. >> Okay. And he said that he took the it back and forth and he said it went off. He said he didn't. >> We didn't real say about how many times it went off. He didn't say how many times. I didn't hear anything in the car. I had to go back in the car. >> So why didn't you go back in and check on him? When he told me that, I didn't know what to think. >> By now, detectives believe there is still a missing part of Nikki's story. They keep returning to the same question. What happened inside the apartment that caused Chadza's injuries? Nikki has explained pieces of the night, but detectives are still waiting for her to explain the moment that connects them all. >> With all you had been through, were you kind of relieved that Chad was gone? >> Kind of. I was the first. >> Yeah. >> I mean so much, you guys. >> I know. >> You've seen the pictures. I've seen the pictures. >> You pray away. >> I know, Mickey. That's all I wanted was the truth. Like I said, >> be away. >> I just wanted you to tell me what happened. >> I pray you and the last time I fed away for journey. So, you were in the house arguing with Chad? >> Yes. >> Did you ever go back in that house until you went back in with him? >> But we know that Earl went back twice. At least twice. Right. So, what what did you guys do in the meantime? So, you get back to the hotel and Earl cuz Earl had already told you that he shot Chad and Chad might not be alive. Um, >> okay. So, when when Chad or when Earl shot Chad, did he tip the propane heater over then or was it when he went back the next morning? I was a little confused on that. >> When he went back, so the house would not start on lit on fire when he shot Chad. That was only when you went back another time. So what did you guys do that night then? So you get home >> and there's about a 3 4 hour gap from when you get back to the hotel till when you guys go back out there. You you cry. What else? >> I said I don't know. I don't know. I said nuts. >> Uhhuh. I don't know. I don't know. Nikki, whose idea was it to call in Chad on Tuesday morning? Really, you told me I was supposed to call, >> right? But this had just happened, though. Chad's not going to go to work. Whose idea was that? The Tuesday. I know, but why would if if Chad is dead and you know that, why would you still call him? Whose idea was that? >> I'm scared. It's the right place in my hand. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, you weren't trying to take time to figure anything out? >> No. >> As a victim, I'm scared. >> What do you see? Look closely at his story. What do you think really happened? Was it truly an accident? Or is he leaving something out? Drop your theory in the comments. And if you want more interrogation breakdowns, hidden details, and psychological analysis, like the video and subscribe to Verdict Interrogation because sometimes the smallest detail changes the entire story.