Ep 7. The Excedrin Killings

The American Justice episode titled "The Excedrin Killings," which aired in 2004, examines the case of Stella Nickell, a woman who was convicted of murdering her husband and another woman by tampering with Excedrin bottles. The episode details the investigation that led to Nickell's arrest, the evidence against her, and her eventual conviction.

The episode begins by providing background on the case, which began in 1986 when Bruce Nickell died unexpectedly after taking Excedrin for a headache. Shortly thereafter, Sue Snow, a woman who had also taken Excedrin, became ill and died. It was later discovered that both the Excedrin bottles had been tampered with, and the capsules contained lethal amounts of cyanide.

The investigation began with the Seattle police department, who initially believed that the deaths were random incidents. However, they soon discovered that Stella Nickell, Bruce's wife and Sue Snow's neighbor, had purchased Excedrin on the same day as the deaths. Further investigation revealed that Nickell had a history of financial problems, and that she had taken out a life insurance policy on her husband just two weeks before his death.

The episode details the evidence against Nickell, including testimony from her former friends and acquaintances who claimed that she had spoken about wanting to kill her husband and collect the insurance money. Additionally, police found evidence linking Nickell to the purchase of the Excedrin bottles, including a witness who had seen her at the store and a cash register receipt.

As the trial began, Nickell professed her innocence and claimed that she had been framed. However, the prosecution presented a strong case, including testimony from a chemist who found traces of cyanide in the Excedrin bottles and evidence that Nickell had purchased the bottles at the same store where they were tampered with.

The defense argued that the evidence was circumstantial and that there were other possible explanations for the deaths. However, the jury ultimately found Nickell guilty of murder, and she was sentenced to 90 years in prison.

The episode concludes with interviews from members of the Seattle police department and the prosecution team, who reflect on the case and its impact. They note that the Excedrin killings were one of the first instances of product tampering on a large scale, and that the case had far-reaching effects on how companies package and distribute their products. They also note that the case serves as a reminder of the importance of pursuing justice even in cases where the evidence is circumstantial.

Overall, "The Excedrin Killings" is a compelling episode that provides a detailed look at a high-profile murder case. The episode is well-paced and informative, and it offers insight into both the investigation and the trial. It also raises important questions about the use of circumstantial evidence in criminal cases, as well as the impact that such cases can have on society as a whole.