Ep 3. Mark of a Killer/Dead Ends

Mark of a Killer/Dead Ends is the third episode of the second season of the true crime series Cold Case Files. The episode delves into the 1991 murder of a 25-year-old woman, Angelica Garcia, in Newton, Kansas.

The investigation starts with a 911 call from a neighbor who heard gunshots coming from Angelica's home. When the police arrived at the scene, they found Angelica's naked body lying on her bed. She had been shot multiple times, and her hands were tied behind her back.

The police soon discovered that Angelica was a victim of a vicious assault. They found her attacker's DNA on her body, but they had no match in their system. Despite the evidence, the police hit a dead end in their investigation and eventually had to close the case.

Years later, detectives from the Newton Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation reopened the case. Using new technology and updated forensic techniques, they were able to develop a suspect's profile. The suspect was identified as a man who lived in the area at the time of the murder, and who had a criminal record.

The detectives initially interviewed the suspect twice, but he was uncooperative and refused to provide a DNA sample. However, they did not give up. They eventually obtained a warrant for his DNA, which was found to match the DNA found on Angelica's body.

The suspect, who was now in his late 40s, was arrested and charged with Angelica's murder. He claimed that he did not know Angelica, and that his DNA must have been planted. However, the prosecution presented evidence that showed the suspect had a history of stalking and attacking women.

The episode also features the story of Denise Johnson, who was killed in Pennsylvania. Denise's body was found by a group of hunters in a wooded area. She had been strangled to death, and her body was found covered in leaves.

The case went cold for several years until a DNA match was found using a swab from Denise's boyfriend, who had recently been arrested for a traffic violation. The boyfriend was arrested and charged with Denise's murder.

However, the boyfriend's defense team argued that the DNA evidence was contaminated. They argued that the DNA found on Denise's body could have come from a transfer of DNA from the boyfriend's DNA to the gloves that were used to handle the evidence.

The case went to trial, and the prosecution presented evidence that showed that the boyfriend had a history of violent behavior and was abusive towards Denise. The jury ultimately found the boyfriend guilty of Denise's murder.

Overall, Mark of a Killer/Dead Ends is a gripping episode that highlights the importance of using updated forensic techniques and DNA analysis in solving cold cases. It also shows the tenacity and determination of law enforcement officers who refuse to give up until justice is served.