Ep 4. Alaina Mercer

In season 22 of "Snapped," episode 4 explores the case of Alaina Mercer, a young mother from a small Indiana town who is accused of murdering her husband of 10 years, formerly an Army soldier. Alaina's husband, Travis Mercer, had a rocky marriage with his wife, and seemed to have trouble adjusting to life outside of the military. The couple had two children together and had recently moved into a new home.

Neighbors were stunned to learn of the murder of Travis Mercer. He had been shot several times, and it was Alaina who made the 911 call to report the incident. Alaina claimed that she had been sleeping at the time of the incident, and that her son had heard gunshots and woke her up. She said that she saw a shadowy figure exit the house, but couldn't identify who it was. Alaina was initially cooperative with authorities but as the investigation continued, inconsistencies in her story began to emerge.

When Alaina's financial records showed that she had taken out a $300,000 life insurance policy on Travis shortly before his death, investigators began to dig deeper. Suspicion grew when phone records indicated that Alaina and her husband were having marital problems and Travis was threatening a divorce. Alaina was also seen on security footage purchasing ammunition and rope prior to the murder.

At trial, the prosecution painted a picture of Alaina as a manipulative, self-interested woman who killed her husband for the insurance money and to get out of a failing marriage. The defense argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Alaina was the killer, and that the investigation had been flawed from the start. They suggested that Travis's past military service could have put him in danger and that someone else could have been responsible for his death.

Ultimately, the jury had to weigh the conflicting stories and evidence in the case and reach a verdict. Alaina faced up to 65 years in prison if convicted. The episode explores the harrowing details of the case, including interviews with family members, friends, and attorneys. Through recollections of the various individuals involved and courtroom footage, viewers will be able to follow the twists and turns of this gripping case.

"Snapped" has been on the air since 2004 and focuses on the stories of women who have been accused or convicted of murder. In every episode, the show reconstructs the events leading up to and following each crime, and interviews individuals who have personal ties to the case. With its intense storytelling, "Snapped" has amassed a loyal following of true-crime enthusiasts.