Ep 2. Goodfellas

CopyCat Killers is a true-crime series that explores cases where killers emulate famous movie and TV murders. In season 6, episode 2, titled Goodfellas, the show delves into a case where a man committed a murder copying the famous scene from the movie Goodfellas.

The episode starts by providing an introduction to the movie Goodfellas, which is based on the life of Henry Hill, a real-life mobster. The film features a scene where Hill and his accomplices murder a member of their own gang, Billy Bats, in a fit of rage. They beat him to death with a baseball bat and then stab him repeatedly with a knife. This scene gained notoriety for its graphic violence and brutality and became an instant classic.

The show then presents the case of John Estes, a man who was obsessed with the movie Goodfellas. Estes was a truck driver who lived with his girlfriend in a small town in the mid-west. He had always been fascinated by the world of organized crime and had watched Goodfellas countless times. He idolized the character of Henry Hill and wanted to emulate him in every way possible.

In 2003, Estes began to suffer from severe financial problems and became desperate for money. He started to plot a robbery with his friend, Steven Caruso, who shared his obsession with Goodfellas. They decided to rob a drug dealer who was known to have large amounts of cash.

On the night of the robbery, Estes and Caruso drove to the dealer's house armed with a baseball bat and a knife. They burst into the house and confronted the dealer, demanding that he hand over his money. The dealer, however, was not willing to give up without a fight and a scuffle ensued. In a fit of rage, Estes grabbed the baseball bat and started to beat the dealer with it. He then stabbed him repeatedly with a knife, just like in the Goodfellas scene.

The murder shocked the community, and the police immediately launched an extensive investigation. They found evidence linking Estes and Caruso to the crime and arrested them both. During the trial, the prosecution argued that Estes had been motivated by his obsession with Goodfellas and had copied the murder scene from the movie. The defense, however, argued that Estes had acted out of self-defense and that the murder had nothing to do with his fascination with Goodfellas.

In the end, the jury found Estes guilty of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Caruso, who had been charged with aiding and abetting the murder, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The episode concludes by highlighting the impact that the murder had on the victim's family and the community as a whole. It also explores the psychological factors that may have contributed to Estes' obsession with Goodfellas and his eventual decision to commit murder. Throughout the episode, interviews with law enforcement officials, forensic experts, and family members provide a comprehensive overview of the case, allowing viewers to gain a deeper understanding of the crime and its aftermath.