Ep 12. Gonzalez; Pulley

In the fifth season of Cold Case Files, episode 12, titled Gonzalez; Pulley, viewers tune in to two separate cases of cold and unsolved murders. Each case stretches back decades, and the police department has exhausted all leads, leaving no evidence or investigative measures unaccounted for.

The first case explores the horrific murder of a 12-year-old girl, Marlene Gonzalez, in Texas in 1994. Her murder case had been dormant for years, but through a stroke of luck and DNA testing, forensic investigators uncover crucial evidence needed to solve the murder case.

Viewers learn about Marlene's family and their long-standing attempt at getting justice for their daughter's death. From service personnel on the Air Force base where Marlene lived, to teachers and neighbors, the investigation leads the police to a pedophile that was hiding in plain sight for years. The arrest and trial of the killer put the family's fears to rest, and brings much-needed closure to a case that was otherwise a dead-end.

In the second case, viewers follow the story of Corey Pulley, who was murdered in 1986. Corey was a charming 23-year-old who grew up in a loving family, but whose life was ended prematurely on the streets of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Pulley was a former drug addict who frequently struggled with life on the streets. Years after Pulley's death, the police department turned to forensic hypnosis in an attempt to solve the case.

Detectives revisit the hypnosis induced memories of a witness who reported seeing Corey Pulley's killing in downtown Bridgeport. From the details provided, the police department begins to suspect that the murder was racially motivated, however, their suspect turns out to be a previously unknown person of interest.

The show documents how through investigative interviewing and evidence reexamination, the police eventually track down the murderer, and also retrieve evidence that had been previously missed. By the end of the episode, viewers come away with a refreshed understanding of forensic science and how through dogged determination, police detectives could find the perfect murderer.

Overall, Cold Case Files season 5 episode 12, Gonzalez; Pulley, is a revealing and thought-provoking installment of the true-crime series. It takes the audience through the grit and difficulties that police departments face when investigating cold and unsolved cases and shows them the new innovations and techniques used to identify perpetrators and bring closure to families that have suffered for years.