Ep 20. Elizabeth Guthrie-Nail
- TV-PG
- June 30, 2013
- 43 min
In season 10, episode 20 of Snapped, viewers follow the case of Elizabeth Guthrie-Nail, a woman from Marvell, Arkansas who stands accused of the murder of her husband, Michael Nail. Guthrie-Nail claims that she acted in self-defense after her husband became violent towards her, but the prosecution believes that she had a motive for killing him.
The episode begins with a reenactment of the night of Michael Nail's death. Guthrie-Nail narrates the events to the camera, describing how she and Michael had argued earlier in the evening. She says that Michael had become increasingly violent towards her in recent months and had even threatened to kill her. On the night in question, Guthrie-Nail claims that Michael attacked her with a hammer and she was forced to defend herself with a gun.
The police arrive on the scene to find Michael Nail dead in the couple's home. Guthrie-Nail is taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder. The episode then takes a closer look at the evidence against her, including her changing stories about what happened that night and incriminating text messages that suggest she planned to kill her husband.
As the case progresses, the defense argues that Guthrie-Nail was suffering from battered spouse syndrome and acted out of fear for her own safety. The prosecution counters that Guthrie-Nail had a financial motive for killing her husband, as he had recently taken out a large life insurance policy with her as the beneficiary.
Throughout the episode, interviews with friends and family members of both Guthrie-Nail and Michael paint a picture of a troubled relationship plagued by infidelity and violence. The defense also calls on an expert witness to explain the effects of domestic abuse on victims and why they might become trapped in abusive relationships.
As the trial comes to a close, the jury must weigh the evidence presented to them and decide whether Guthrie-Nail is guilty of murder or acted in self-defense. The episode ends with a tense, emotional moment as the verdict is read aloud in the courtroom.
Overall, season 10, episode 20 of Snapped offers a carefully crafted and compelling look at a complex murder case. With detailed reenactments, expert analysis, and interviews with those closest to the case, this episode is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.