Ep 6. Death Roll

In season 2 episode 6 of American Detective With Lt. Joe Kenda, the episode titled "Death Roll" follows the investigation of a murder in Colorado Springs. The victim, a young woman named Kathleen Garvey, was found dead in her own apartment. The initial evidence at the scene suggested that the killer had entered the apartment through an unlocked door, sexually assaulted the victim, and then beat her to death with a rock.

As Lt. Joe Kenda and his team began to investigate the case, they discovered that Kathleen had a troubled past and had struggled with drug addiction. They also learned that she had recently moved to Colorado Springs and had been working at a local car dealership. Kenda interviewed Kathleen's coworkers and found that she had been dating a man named Jack, who also worked at the dealership. However, Jack had abruptly ended the relationship just a week before Kathleen's death.

As Kenda delved deeper into Jack's background, he learned that he had a criminal record for drug offenses and had a history of violence against women. Kenda began to suspect that Jack may have been involved in Kathleen's murder, particularly since he had not shown up for work on the day of the murder and had been unreachable by phone. However, Kenda and his team could not locate Jack or any other physical evidence that tied him to the crime.

Despite the lack of hard evidence, Kenda and his team continued to investigate the case and explore other possible suspects. They found that Kathleen had been involved in a dispute with a neighbor over a parking spot, and they interviewed other people who had been in contact with her in the days leading up to her death. However, they could not find any other leads that would help them identify a suspect.

As time passed, Kenda began to feel frustrated with the lack of progress in the case. While he was convinced that Jack was responsible for Kathleen's death, he could not prove it, and the case remained unsolved. However, years later, Kenda received a surprise break in the investigation. A man was arrested for a different crime and volunteered information about Kathleen's murder. The man claimed that he had been present when Jack killed Kathleen and had helped him dispose of the body. While the new information was not corroborated by physical evidence, Kenda was able to use it to build a case against Jack, who was ultimately convicted of the murder.

Overall, "Death Roll" provides a compelling look at the challenges of solving a brutal murder case in the face of limited evidence and unreliable witnesses. The episode showcases Kenda's dogged determination and investigative skills as he pursues leads and follows his instincts in pursuit of justice for Kathleen Garvey.