Ep 3. If Dogs Could Talk

If Dogs Could Talk is the third episode of the fifth season of the true-crime series Motives and Murder. This episode focuses on the 2016 murder of 52-year-old Kimberly Harvill, whose body was found in a remote location in Southern California. Harvill was a mother of three who had recently become homeless and turned to panhandling to survive. She was known to frequent a popular shopping plaza with her three small dogs, who were often seen accompanying her on the streets.

After her body was discovered, investigators initially had few leads and no suspects. It wasn't until a few weeks later that an anonymous tip led them to arrest a woman named Angelina Wiggins for Harvill's murder. Wiggins was a 40-year-old resident of Los Angeles who had befriended Harvill and her dogs, often giving them money and food.

As detectives worked to build their case against Wiggins, they discovered that the motive for the murder was tied to one of the dogs. In the months leading up to the crime, Harvill had taken in a fourth dog named Buddy, who had been abandoned on the streets. This new addition to her pack had caused tension between Harvill and Wiggins, who wanted one of the other dogs instead. When Harvill refused to give up any of her pets, a violent altercation ensued, resulting in Harvill's death.

Through interviews with investigators and witnesses, including a man who witnessed the altercation, the episode pieces together the events that led to Harvill's murder. It also explores the complex relationship between homeless individuals and their animal companions, highlighting the lengths that many will go to in order to protect and care for their pets.

As the trial for Angelina Wiggins begins, the episode follows the prosecution and defense as they present their cases to the jury, each attempting to convince them of their own version of events. The episode concludes with the verdict and sentencing, leaving viewers to contemplate the devastating consequences that can result from a simple argument over a beloved pet.

Overall, If Dogs Could Talk is a compelling and emotional look at a tragic crime that demonstrates the power of human-animal bonds and the dangerous consequences that can arise when they are tested.