Ep 5. Jane Dorotik

Jane Dorotik was a well-liked and respected member of her community in San Marcos, California. She was the owner of a successful skincare business and an active member of the local Rotary Club. She was an accomplished athlete who competed in triathlons and marathons. Jane was also a devoted wife to her husband Robert and a loving mother to their three children. However, in December 2000, her picture-perfect life would come crashing down when her husband was found brutally murdered in their home.

The investigation into Robert's murder quickly focused on Jane as the prime suspect. Initially, she denied any involvement in her husband's death, but as detectives dug deeper, they discovered a web of lies and deception. Jane had been having an affair with a fellow runner, David Herr, and had even gone so far as to ask him to help her kill her husband. Despite David's reluctance, Jane persisted and even gave him a key to her home to make it easier for him to carry out the murder.

On the night of the murder, Jane was out of town visiting her daughter at college, but David was caught on surveillance footage entering the Dorotik's home and leaving a few hours later. His DNA was also found at the crime scene. Jane was ultimately arrested, charged, and put on trial for her husband's murder.

The prosecution presented a compelling case against Jane, including testimony from David Herr, who had agreed to cooperate in exchange for a reduced sentence. However, Jane maintained her innocence and claimed that David had acted alone without her knowledge or involvement. The defense argued that the DNA evidence was circumstantial and that the prosecution's case was built on speculation and assumptions.

The trial was closely watched by the media and the community, with many people divided on Jane's guilt or innocence. In the end, the jury found Jane guilty of first-degree murder, and she was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

The episode of Snapped that profiles Jane Dorotik delves deeper into her life, examining her relationships and the events that led up to her husband's murder. The show features interviews with friends, family members, and law enforcement officials who were involved in the case. It also includes footage from the trial and expert analysis of the evidence presented.

Through interviews with those closest to Jane, viewers gain insight into her personality and the factors that may have contributed to her actions. The episode explores the dynamics of her marriage to Robert and the toll that her affair with David Herr took on her relationship with her husband.

Overall, the episode paints a complex portrait of Jane Dorotik, a woman who appeared to have it all but who ultimately succumbed to temptation, leading to tragic consequences for herself and her family.