Ep 15. Smoking Gun (Cleveland, TN)

In Cold Justice season 3 episode 15, titled "Smoking Gun (Cleveland, TN)," veteran prosecutor Kelly Siegler and her team of investigators head to Tennessee to help solve a 17-year-old cold case. The victim in this case is 41-year-old Rhonda Wicht, who was found dead in her home in 2002. She had been shot twice in the head and her two-year-old son was found unharmed at the scene.

Despite an extensive investigation at the time, there were no viable suspects or leads and the case remained unsolved for years. But with advances in forensic technology, Siegler and her team are determined to uncover new evidence and bring justice for Rhonda and her family.

The team begins by re-interviewing witnesses and searching for new ones. They learn that Rhonda had recently ended a relationship with a man who had a criminal history and was known to be possessive and jealous. They also discover that the day before Rhonda's murder, a neighbor had heard arguing coming from her house.

To gather more information, the team brings in a team of forensic experts to examine the physical evidence from the crime scene. They discover an important piece of evidence: a small piece of paper with a phone number written on it. With the help of phone records, they are able to determine who the number belongs to and track down the person who wrote it.

The investigation leads the team to several suspects, including the ex-boyfriend and the father of Rhonda's child. Through careful analysis of the evidence and interviews with witnesses, the team is able to connect the dots and pinpoint the person they believe is responsible for Rhonda's murder.

But they still need to gather enough evidence to make an arrest and secure a conviction. To do this, they work closely with the local police department and district attorney's office, presenting their findings and helping to build a strong case against the suspect.

In the end, Siegler and her team are able to bring closure for Rhonda's family by solving her murder and sending her killer to prison. The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of forensic science and the dedication of law enforcement officials to solving cold cases and bringing justice for victims and their families.