Ep 3. Fatal Devotion

Final Witness is a documentary series that delves deep into real-life criminal cases and the impact they have on the people involved. In season 1 episode 3, entitled "Fatal Devotion," viewers will follow the case of Arlene and Stephen, a seemingly happily married couple until a shocking crime changes everything.

The episode begins in the quiet, suburban neighborhood of Bettendorf, Iowa, where Arlene and Stephen had made a home for themselves and their two children. On the evening of February 1, 1992, Arlene called the police to report that her husband had been shot in their garage. Responding officers found Stephen lying on the ground, barely conscious and covered in blood. He was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after arriving.

At first, police assumed that Stephen's death was the result of a robbery gone wrong. But as they began to investigate, they realized that something much more sinister was at play. They discovered that Arlene had been having an affair with a man named Robert Trenkamp, and had gone to great lengths to hide her relationship from her husband. Robert, in turn, had harbored a deep obsession with Arlene, which had led him to commit the ultimate act of violence.

Through interviews with friends, family members, and law enforcement officials, "Fatal Devotion" pieces together the events leading up to the murder of Stephen Scarmazzo. Viewers will learn about Arlene and Stephen's marriage, and how the couple's problems grew worse as Arlene continued to see Robert behind her husband's back. Robert's obsession with Arlene will also be explored, as well as his willingness to do whatever it took to win her affection.

As the investigation unfolds, "Fatal Devotion" will also delve into the legal proceedings that followed. Prosecutors pursued the death penalty for Robert, but his defense team argued that his mental state at the time of the murder should mitigate his punishment. Ultimately, Robert was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Throughout the episode, "Fatal Devotion" emphasizes the devastating impact that Stephen's murder had on those closest to him. Interviews with his family members and friends reveal the profound sense of loss that they still feel, nearly three decades later. As one of Stephen's friends puts it, "the world lost a good person" in his passing.

"Fatal Devotion" is a gripping and emotional look at a crime that shattered a community and left a family reeling. Viewers will be moved by the stories of those affected by the murder of Stephen Scarmazzo, and will come away with a greater understanding of the lasting impact of violent crime.