Ep 26. Concrete Alibi

Forensic Files season 11 episode 26, titled "Concrete Alibi," is a gripping tale of a murder case that pits the investigative team against a clever killer who has left virtually no evidence behind. The episode follows the story of Tony Harris, a man who was accused of committing a brutal murder in 1976, but who has always maintained his innocence. Despite his claims, however, the police were able to build a strong case against him, in large part because of his supposed alibi.

Tony Harris was a construction worker who, on the night of the murder, claimed to have been laying concrete at a jobsite with several of his coworkers. According to his story, he had been working on the site for several weeks, and had been in the habit of working late into the night. On the night in question, he said that he had been working until around 11 p.m., at which point he had headed to a bar with his coworkers for a few drinks. He then returned home, he said, and went to bed, completely unaware of the murder that had occurred only a few miles away.

Investigators, however, were immediately suspicious of Harris' story. They noted that his coworkers had all given him an alibi, but that none of them had been able to recall any specific details about the night in question. Moreover, they were unable to find any witnesses who could corroborate Harris' claim that he had been working late into the night, or even any evidence that he had ever worked on the jobsite at all.

Despite these suspicions, however, the police were unable to find any direct evidence linking Harris to the murder. There were no fingerprints, no DNA, no eyewitnesses, and no murder weapon. The only real evidence they had was Harris' supposed alibi, which they believed was too convenient to be true.

The case was ultimately closed, and Harris was never charged with the murder. But the incident left him with a permanent stain on his reputation, and he spent the next twenty years trying to clear his name.

In 1996, a new detective took a fresh look at the case. Armed with new forensic technologies and techniques, as well as the benefit of hindsight, he was able to unearth a series of critical pieces of evidence that the investigators had missed the first time around. These included a set of tire tracks that matched Harris' car, as well as some fibers that linked him to the victim.

With this new evidence, the detective was able to build a circumstantial case against Harris that was strong enough to convince a jury. In 1997, Harris was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The episode provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of forensic science, as well as the intricacies of criminal investigations. It also highlights the importance of perseverance and the value of second chances, as the detective's determination to crack the case ultimately yielded justice for the victim and closure for her family. Overall, Forensic Files season 11 episode 26 is a gripping and suspenseful tale that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.