Ep 2. This is for Her

On The Case With Paula Zahn season 9 episode 2, titled "This is for Her," follows the investigation of a double homicide case in Amarillo, Texas. Paula Zahn delves into the details of the crime and the subsequent search for the killer or killers responsible for the deaths of a young couple, called Laura and Jaime, who were found brutally murdered in their home.

The episode begins with the harrowing 911 call made by Laura's mother after discovering the couple's lifeless bodies. The police arrive at the scene to find a gruesome and perplexing crime scene. The young couple's bodies are found in their bedroom, with Jaime lying face down on the floor, and Laura propped up against the bed.

As the investigation proceeds, the detectives find that the couple had no known enemies, and there is no apparent motive for the killings. Close friends and family are interviewed, but it is not until a tip from an anonymous source comes in that the police get their first break in the case. The tip leads investigators to a person of interest, and they soon identify a suspect.

The suspect in question is the estranged husband of a friend of Laura's. Paula Zahn speaks with the detectives who interrogate the suspect and discover that he had been involved in a romantic relationship with Laura, and that he was possessive and jealous of her. The detectives also discover that the suspect had been stalking Laura, and had even made threats against her.

Further investigation reveals that the suspect had a prior record for domestic violence and that he had been arrested before for assaulting his ex-wife. Additionally, the suspect had a history of being abusive towards women, and had even assaulted Laura in the past.

As the detectives build their case against the suspect, they unearth more and more evidence tying him to the murders. However, bringing him to trial proves to be difficult, as he is uncooperative and seemingly unconcerned about the gravity of the charges against him.

Paula Zahn also speaks to Laura's family and friends, who speak of her kindness and dedication to helping others. The family describes the pain and heartbreak they experienced upon hearing of the couple's murders, and the long road to justice they faced in the aftermath.

As the case finally goes to trial, the prosecution presents a strong case against the suspect, with numerous witnesses testifying against him. The defense, however, argues that the evidence is circumstantial and implies that the police are simply trying to pin the crime on the suspect because he has a criminal history.

In the end, the jury delivers a verdict, bringing closure to the family and justice for the victims. The episode concludes with a touching tribute to the young couple, and a reminder of the sorrow and loss that violence and abuse can cause.