Rowland Heights Serial Killer Admits Third Slaying and Avoids Death Sentence
The episode details the criminal history and 2009 legal resolution of Wayne Harvey Smith, a serial killer responsible for three murders in California between 1980 and 1985. Through the use of advancing DNA technology, investigators linked Smith to the cold-case killing of Stacy Belcher, leading to a controversial plea bargain that exchanged a death sentence for a confession regarding the disappearance of seven-year-old Donna Fowler. The narrative examines the ethical complexities of such legal deals, emphasizing how prosecutors prioritized providing closure for victims' families over seeking…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.