Ep 11. Billy Goat Hill

Billy Goat Hill is an episode from the fourth season of the hit true crime show, Cold Justice. The episode takes viewers to New Castle, Pennsylvania, where a 23-year-old man named Dwayne Smith was brutally murdered in 1988. Despite the efforts of the local police department, the case remained unsolved for over 30 years until Kelly Siegler and her team of investigators arrived in town to take a closer look.

The episode begins with Siegler and her partner, seasoned investigator Steve Spingola, reviewing the cold case files and familiarizing themselves with the details of the crime. They learn that Dwayne Smith, who was known to be a kind and generous person, was found dead in his apartment on the morning of March 17, 1988. He had been stabbed multiple times, and his body was set on fire in an attempt to destroy any evidence that might lead to the killer.

Interviews with family members, friends, and witnesses reveal that Dwayne was well-liked in the community and had no known enemies. He was a hard worker who was trying to make a better life for himself and his girlfriend, who was pregnant at the time of his death. The investigators also learn that Dwayne was a bit of a transient, moving from place to place and sometimes living in abandoned buildings or in his car.

As Siegler and Spingola delve deeper into the case, they begin to uncover new leads that the local police had never pursued. They speak with a woman who claims to have seen a suspicious vehicle parked near Dwayne's apartment on the night of the murder. They also learn of a man who was seen in the area around the same time, acting strangely and carrying a bag that may have contained a weapon.

Using modern forensic technology, the team is able to re-examine evidence that was collected at the time of the murder and discover new leads that were overlooked by the original investigators. They send items for DNA testing and fingerprint analysis, and gradually piece together a picture of what may have happened on the night of Dwayne's murder.

As the episode unfolds, viewers are taken on a journey through the twists and turns of the investigation. They watch as Siegler and Spingola interview potential suspects and witnesses, retrace Dwayne's steps in the days leading up to his death, and analyze the evidence that could finally lead to his killer.

Throughout the episode, the investigators must navigate the challenges of working with a case that is over three decades old. Witnesses are harder to find, memories are faded, and evidence has been lost or degraded over time. But despite these obstacles, Siegler and Spingola remain determined to bring justice to Dwayne Smith and his family.

In the end, Billy Goat Hill is a story of perseverance, dedication, and the power of modern investigative techniques to solve even the coldest of cases. It is a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit and the unrelenting pursuit of truth and justice. And for fans of Cold Justice, it is a must-watch episode that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.