Ep 14. Muffled Cries

In the Forensic Files season 11 episode 14 titled "Muffled Cries," viewers are introduced to the case surrounding the brutal murder of a young mother named Krista Harrison in Athens, Georgia. On the morning of March 22, 2002, Harrison's boyfriend Jake Warrum discovered her lifeless body lying face down on the bathroom floor of their shared apartment. She had been strangled to death with a nylon cord.

Upon further investigation, detectives soon realized that the scene had not been staged to look like a suicide or a break-in gone wrong. Instead, they began to look for clues that would lead them to a potential suspect who may have had motive to commit such a heinous crime.

As the investigation progressed, one of the most valuable pieces of evidence discovered by the police was an audio recording of the murder itself. The recording was made accidentally when a friend called Harrison's phone while she was being attacked. When the friend began speaking, the recording captured the sounds of the struggle that took place in the bathroom, including Harrison's muffled screams and the sound of the nylon cord being tightened around her neck.

Although the recording was difficult to listen to, it helped detectives identify Harrison's killer. They recognized the suspect's voice as a former acquaintance of Harrison's named David Scott Smith, who had previously been accused of stalking her. In addition, DNA evidence found at the crime scene matched Smith's genetic profile.

Despite the concrete evidence against him, Smith maintained his innocence and offered a series of confusing and inconsistent alibis. Eventually, his defense team claimed that he had only meant to scare Harrison and that her death was an accident that occurred during a struggle. However, jurors were unconvinced and sentenced him to life in prison for the murder.

"Muffled Cries" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of forensic analysis in solving violent crimes. Without the audio recording and DNA evidence, it is possible that Harrison's killer may have gone free and continued to terrorize others. The episode also highlights the emotional toll that such crimes take on the families of the victims, as well as the bravery and dedication of the police officers who work tirelessly to bring justice to those affected by them.