Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall Season 1 Episode 5 The Unlikeliest Suspect

In season 1 episode 5 of Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall, entitled "The Unlikeliest Suspect," the focus is on the tragic murder of 12-year-old Garrett Phillips in the small town of Potsdam, New York. On October 24, 2011, Garrett was found strangled to death in his own apartment, and the investigation to find his killer quickly became convoluted and controversial.

The episode begins with a recreation of the discovery of Garrett's body, followed by the reactions of his family, friends, and neighbors to the shocking and senseless crime. As Tamron Hall explains, Potsdam is a close-knit community where things like this simply don't happen, and the murder of a child was especially devastating.

The investigation into Garrett's murder was led by the Potsdam Police Department, with assistance from the New York State Police and other agencies. Police collected evidence from the crime scene, conducted interviews with witnesses, and reviewed surveillance footage from nearby businesses. However, months went by without any significant progress in the case.

Soon, the name of a suspect emerged: Oral "Nick" Hillary, a Jamaican immigrant and the ex-boyfriend of Garrett's mother, Tandy Cyrus. Despite having no direct evidence tying him to the crime, Hillary quickly became the focus of the investigation. He was subjected to intense scrutiny from law enforcement and the media, and eventually charged with second-degree murder.

Tamron Hall interviews several people involved in the case, including Hillary himself, as well as his supporters and detractors. She also speaks with Garrett's mother and other members of his family, who are torn between seeking justice for their loved one and the belief that the wrong man has been accused.

The episode explores the various pieces of evidence that were used to build a case against Hillary, including eyewitness testimony placing him near the scene of the crime, DNA found on a sweatshirt at the scene that was allegedly linked to him, and a recorded conversation between Hillary and a friend in which he allegedly makes incriminating statements.

However, defenders of Hillary argue that there are serious flaws in the case against him. They point out that the eyewitness testimony is unreliable and that the DNA evidence is circumstantial at best. They also raise questions about the veracity of the recorded conversation, suggesting that it may have been manipulated or taken out of context.

As the trial of Oral "Nick" Hillary unfolds, the episode explores the complex dynamics at play in the community, as well as the emotional toll that the case takes on those involved. Ultimately, "The Unlikeliest Suspect" leaves viewers with a lingering sense of uncertainty and tragedy, as it becomes impossible to know for certain whether justice has been served in Garrett Phillips' murder.