Ep 9. The Case Against Michael Politte

The Case Against Michael Politte is the ninth episode of season 35 of the popular true crime show, 48 Hours. This episode tells the story of a young man named Michael Politte who has been accused and found guilty of murdering his mother.

The episode begins with the discovery of Cheryl Politte's body in her home in the small town of Park Hills, Missouri. She had been bludgeoned to death with a piece of ceramic. The police immediately began investigating and quickly zeroed in on Cheryl's son, Michael. Michael was living at home with his mother at the time of the murder and was the last person to see her alive.

The prosecution's case against Michael was built on circumstantial evidence. They argued that Michael had motive, opportunity, and the means to commit the murder. They presented evidence that Michael was struggling financially and had a strained relationship with his mother. They also presented evidence that Michael had been verbally abusive towards his mother and had threatened her in the past. The prosecution argued that on the night of the murder, Michael had gotten into an argument with his mother and had killed her in a fit of rage.

Michael's defense team, on the other hand, argued that there was no physical evidence connecting Michael to the crime. They argued that the prosecution's case was built on speculation and that Michael was being unfairly targeted because he was the only suspect. They pointed out that there was no DNA evidence linking Michael to the murder and that the murder weapon had never been found.

As the trial progressed, the prosecution presented a number of witnesses who testified that Michael had made incriminating statements to them. One witness, a former girlfriend of Michael's, testified that he had told her that he had killed his mother. Another witness, a friend of Michael's, testified that Michael had said to him, "I had to take care of business."

Despite the defense's arguments, the jury found Michael guilty of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The episode ends with an update on the case. Michael's lawyers continue to fight for his release, arguing that there was not enough evidence to convict him. They have submitted a PCR motion, requesting that the case be re-examined in light of new evidence. The episode leaves viewers wondering if Michael will ever be released from prison.

Overall, The Case Against Michael Politte is a gripping episode of 48 Hours. It presents a complex case with compelling arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. The episode highlights the challenges of building a case on circumstantial evidence and raises important questions about the fairness of our criminal justice system.