Ep 20. The Perfect Murder: The Shannon Mohr Story

As a warning to sensitive viewers, the episode may contain some graphic depictions of violence.

On American Justice season 1999 episode 20, viewers will witness the tragic and shocking story of Shannon Mohr, a beautiful young woman whose life was cut short in the most gruesome manner. The episode titled "The Perfect Murder: The Shannon Mohr Story" takes a deep dive into the circumstances surrounding her murder, the investigation that followed, and the eventual apprehension of her killer.

Shannon Mohr was a twenty-year-old college student from Missouri who had dreams of one day becoming a writer. In November 1994, she disappeared after finishing her shift at a local convenience store. Her car was found abandoned in a parking lot, but there was no sign of Shannon.

As the investigation got underway, police discovered that Shannon had been having an affair with a married man named Mark Woodworth, who was also her neighbor. Mark was quickly identified as a person of interest, but he denied any involvement in Shannon's disappearance.

Despite Mark's protestations of innocence, the evidence continued to mount against him. His boot prints were found at the scene of the crime, and a bloody fingerprint was discovered on Shannon's car. Additionally, Mark's wife, Cathy, admitted that she had written a letter that had been sent to Shannon's family, supposedly from Shannon herself, in an attempt to mislead them about her whereabouts.

Eventually, Mark was arrested and charged with murder, but his trial was far from open and shut. The defense team argued that the evidence was circumstantial and that there was no clear motive for Mark to kill Shannon. They also pointed out that another man had been seen near the convenience store around the same time that Shannon disappeared.

The prosecution presented a different narrative, suggesting that Mark had been driven to commit murder by a combination of jealousy and anger. According to their theory, Mark became enraged when he found out that Shannon was planning to end their affair. He then killed her in a fit of uncontrolled rage and attempted to cover up his tracks by staging the crime scene.

The trial was eventually appealed, leading to a retrial in 2013 after Mark was released from prison. The episode does not reveal the outcome of the retrial, leaving viewers in suspense until the end.

Throughout the episode, family members and friends speak about Shannon's life and the impact her death had on them. The show portrays Shannon as a bright and promising young woman with a passion for writing and an infectious spirit. The tragedy of her death is compounded by the fact that it was perpetrated by someone she knew and trusted.

The episode also explores the complexities and challenges of bringing a murder case to trial. Prosecutors must navigate a maze of evidence and conflicting accounts, while defense attorneys must work tirelessly to exonerate their clients. In Shannon's case, the prosecution was ultimately successful, but the debate over Mark's guilt or innocence continues to this day.

Overall, "The Perfect Murder: The Shannon Mohr Story" is a chilling and thought-provoking episode that delves into the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly normal lives. It serves as a reminder that justice is never easy or straightforward, and that we must always remain vigilant in the face of evil.