Ep 10. Officer Down, Secret Twin

In episode 10 of season 6 of Cold Case Files, entitled "Officer Down, Secret Twin," investigators revisit a nearly 20-year-old case involving the death of a police officer in Florida. On August 19, 1988, Officer Robert Zorena was fatally shot in his patrol car outside of a convenience store. The suspect, a young man named Benjamin Smiley, was quickly apprehended and sentenced to death for the crime. However, a strange twist in the case leads investigators to question whether Smiley acted alone or had an accomplice.

The episode follows the efforts of lead investigator Glenn Ruszczyk and his team to unravel the mystery surrounding Zorena's murder. Ruszczyk revisits the crime scene and interviews witnesses, including Smiley's former girlfriend, in an attempt to piece together what happened on the fateful night.

The investigation takes a turn when new evidence comes to light suggesting that Smiley may have had an accomplice – his twin brother, James. Ruszczyk and his team begin digging into James' past and uncover a troubling history of drug addiction and criminal behavior. They discover that James may have been present with Benjamin at the time of the shooting and may have even fired some of the fatal shots.

The episode explores the complicated relationship between the two brothers and the impact that their troubled upbringing may have had on their actions. Ruszczyk and his team also delve into the legal challenges surrounding the use of testimony from non-identical twins in court.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a suspenseful journey as Ruszczyk and his team work to uncover the truth behind Zorena's murder. The investigators face numerous challenges, including the fact that key witnesses have died or moved away over the years and that the Smiley brothers' chaotic upbringing makes it difficult to determine their true motivations.

Despite these obstacles, the team perseveres and ultimately uncovers stunning new evidence pointing to James' involvement in the murder. The episode ends with a dramatic courtroom scene in which James Smiley is ultimately convicted of first-degree murder.

Overall, "Officer Down, Secret Twin" is a gripping and compelling installment of Cold Case Files that highlights the skill and persistence of investigators in solving even the most complex cases. Through interviews with law enforcement officials, witnesses, and experts, viewers gain valuable insight into the challenges and complexities of homicide investigations and the lengths that detectives will go to in order to uncover the truth.