Ep 6. The Killer's Tattoo

In the episode titled "The Killer's Tattoo" of Cold Case Files season 3, the viewers are introduced to a case that has perplexed the authorities for nearly two decades. The case revolves around the murder of Bonnie Garcia, who was found dead in her apartment on the night of February 2, 1992.

Bonnie was a popular young woman who was loved by everyone who knew her. She worked as a waitress at a local restaurant and was known for her friendly nature and her great sense of humor. When news of her murder broke out, it sent shockwaves through the community, and the authorities launched an intense investigation to bring the killer to justice.

The episode starts with Detective John Kocmond, who was in charge of the investigation, talking about the challenges he faced in this case. He talks about the frustration of not being able to find any leads or witnesses who could shed light on the case. For years, the case remained unsolved, and it seemed like Bonnie's killer would never be caught.

Fast forward to twenty years later, when a dramatic new lead comes to light. Investigators get a tip-off about a tattoo artist who had a strange design on his arm. The design bore a striking resemblance to the crime scene, and the informant claims that the tattooed individual confessed to killing Bonnie Garcia.

Detective Kocmond, who had since retired but continued to work on this case, picks up the thread and begins to investigate the new lead. He finds out that the tattoo artist is a man named David Zaragoza, and he has an extensive criminal record. The detective decides to focus his attention on Zaragoza and goes to great lengths to gather evidence against him.

He quickly discovers that Zaragoza is not an easy man to pin down. He has a history of being confrontational with the authorities, and he refuses to cooperate with the investigation. Nevertheless, Detective Kocmond relentlessly pursues him, and he eventually manages to gather enough evidence to make an arrest.

The second half of the episode focuses on the legal proceedings that follow the arrest. The prosecutor talks about the challenges of presenting a strong case against Zaragoza in court. He talks about the need to establish a motive for the crime and the challenge of presenting the circumstantial evidence to the jury. The defense, on the other hand, argues that the prosecution has no concrete evidence to link Zaragoza with the crime.

The episode takes viewers through the entire trial, from the opening statements to the closing arguments. It shows how the prosecution and defense attorneys use evidence and arguments to convince the jury of their respective positions. The tension in the courtroom is palpable, and the outcome of the trial is far from certain.

Cold Case Files season 3 episode titled "The Killer's Tattoo" presents a riveting account of a crime investigation that spans decades. It is a story of dedicated law enforcement officials who never give up on their quest for justice, even when it seems like all hope is lost. The episode is a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts who are interested in how crimes are investigated, and how the legal system works to bring perpetrators to justice.