Ep 24. Death by a Salesman

In the Forensic Files season 2 episode 24 titled "Death by a Salesman," viewers are taken on a journey of a murder investigation that proved to be one of the most complex cases ever solved by forensic experts. The episode begins by introducing us to a quaint town in New Jersey where a small family-owned business, The Rossi Plumbing Supply Company, operates. On a summer morning, the owner, Len Andolfo, arrives to open his shop and notices an unfamiliar car parked outside. Upon approaching the car, he discovers the body of a man slumped over the wheel.

The investigation team is immediately called in and a sequence of events unfolds. Investigators quickly determine that the victim is Tom Monfils, a traveling salesman from Green Bay, Wisconsin. They discover that Tom had been selling supplies to the Rossi Plumbing Supply Company and had stayed in town for a few weeks to secure a big sale that would have given him a substantial commission. The evidence indicates that Tom was murdered in the Rossi store and that his body was later transported to the parking lot, where he was staged to look as if he had died from natural causes.

As the investigation deepens, it becomes clear that the killer was someone known to the Rossi family and had an axe to grind with Tom. The detectives start to look into the possible motives for the murder and find that the business deal Tom was working on was not the only reason someone would have wanted him dead. They discover that Tom had recently reported a theft of company property to Len that allegedly involved one of his employees, Keith Kutska.

Keith Kutska becomes the prime suspect in the case, and the detectives start to investigate his background. They find that Keith is a known troublemaker with a history of violence, and he has been convicted of theft in the past. Tight-lipped and uncooperative, Keith is interrogated by the detectives but maintains his innocence. His alibi of being at home the night of the murder is supported by his wife, and they are both adamant that he could not have committed the crime.

The investigation stalls until one of Keith's friends comes forward with information that he had seen Keith on the night of the murder. Together with this new evidence plus the physical evidence connecting Keith to the murder, the detectives arrest him. During the trial, the prosecution presents forensic evidence that points decisively to Keith's guilt, including a hair from his head that was found in the victim's hand. However, Keith's defense insists that the evidence is circumstantial and that the forensic team was biased against him.

Despite the compelling evidence against Keith, his trial results in a hung jury. The prosecution team regroups, strengthens their case, and prepares to go to trial again. With new pieces of evidence, they are able to convince the jury that Keith was indeed the one who killed Tom, and he is found guilty of first-degree murder. Keith is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Forensic Files season 2 episode 24 titled "Death by a Salesman" takes viewers on a journey of a complex murder investigation where forensic evidence proves to be the hero in solving the case. The detectives and forensic experts who worked on the case demonstrate how careful analysis of evidence and a relentless pursuit of the truth can eventually lead to justice. The episode highlights the importance of forensic science in modern-day investigations and how it has revolutionized the field of criminology.