Forensic Files: Collection Season 1 Episode 13 Wheel of Misfortune

In season 1 episode 13 of Forensic Files: Collection, titled "Wheel of Misfortune," viewers are presented with a complex case involving the death of a young woman, Barbara Stoppel, who was brutally murdered while working at a convenience store in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1981.

The episode begins with a description of Barbara, her job, and the events leading up to her murder. We learn that on the night of the crime, Barbara was alone at the store, which was located in a dangerous part of the city. Two men entered the store, robbed it, and then viciously attacked Barbara, leaving her for dead. She was later found by a customer who called the police, but despite their efforts, Barbara did not survive her injuries.

The investigation into Barbara's murder was arduous and complicated. The police had little evidence to go on, and the suspects were difficult to track down. The case went cold for over a year until a man named Mark Stobbe was brought in for questioning. Mark was an advisor to the premier of Manitoba and was married to Barbara's sister, Bev. He had been working at the time of the murder, but the police suspected that he might have been involved in some way.

The episode delves deeper into Mark's past and his relationship with Barbara and Bev. We learn that he had been involved in several extramarital affairs and that his marriage with Bev was strained. The police also discovered that Mark had a fascination with crime and had written a book about a woman being killed in a convenience store. The book had eerie similarities to Barbara's murder, leading investigators to believe that Mark might have been inspired by his own writing.

As the police investigated further, they found new evidence that pointed to Mark's involvement in the crime. They discovered that he had been in the area of the convenience store at the time of the murder and that his car matched the description of the vehicle seen leaving the scene. Additionally, there was evidence that Mark had used a payphone near the store, which he claimed not to remember.

However, this evidence was circumstantial at best, and the case against Mark relied heavily on the testimony of witnesses who claimed to have seen him near the store. His defense attorney argued that the evidence was not enough to convict him, and that the witnesses were unreliable. The trial lasted for several weeks and was highly publicized in Canada.

Ultimately, the jury found Mark guilty of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years. He maintained his innocence throughout the trial and continues to do so to this day.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the impact of Barbara's murder on her family and the community. Her sister Bev speaks candidly about her feelings toward Mark and how the loss of her sister has affected her and her family. The episode also shows how the case has had lasting effects on the justice system in Canada and has led to changes in how eyewitness testimony is used in trials.

Overall, "Wheel of Misfortune" is a gripping episode that highlights both the intricacies of forensic science and the enduring human impacts of violent crime.