Ep 7. Pride and the Fall/The Nail File
- TVPG
- February 12, 2000
- 41 min
In the seventh episode of season two of Cold Case Files, titled "Pride and the Fall/The Nail File," viewers are taken on a journey of two separate murder cases that were solved after years of being cold.
In the first case, a woman named Gayle Isleib was found beaten to death inside her Connecticut home in 1981. Despite a thorough investigation, no suspects were identified and the case eventually went cold. However, in 1993, a man named John D'Aquila was arrested for a separate crime and during questioning, he confessed to killing Isleib over a dispute about money. Through the use of DNA evidence and witness testimony, D'Aquila was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison. This case highlights the importance of never giving up on a cold case and the advancements in technology that can lead to new evidence and breakthroughs.
The second case focuses on the murder of a young woman named Peggy Hettrick in Colorado in 1987. Hettrick's body was found in a field with multiple stab wounds and the case went cold for over a decade. However, in the late 1990s, a woman named Catherine Corbett came forward with information about her former boyfriend, Timothy Masters, who had told her details about the murder that only the killer could have known. Masters was arrested and eventually convicted of Hettrick's murder, despite maintaining his innocence. The case raises questions about the reliability of witness testimony and the potential for wrongful convictions.
Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the painstaking work that goes into solving cold cases, including the re-interviewing of witnesses and the use of new forensic techniques. The episode also explores the emotional toll that these cases can take on investigators and the families of the victims.
Overall, "Pride and the Fall/The Nail File" is a compelling and thought-provoking episode that sheds light on the incredible dedication and persistence of those who work to solve cold cases and bring closure to grieving families.
