Ep 12. Mary Bruno

Mary Bruno was a happily married mother of three who owned a successful hair salon in a small New Jersey town. But on July 11, 2014, her life took a shocking turn when her husband, Patrick, was found dead in their home. Initially believed to be a suicide, the investigation quickly uncovered a web of lies and deceit that ultimately led to Mary being charged with her husband's murder.

In Snapped season 27 episode 12, viewers are taken on a journey through the investigation into Patrick Bruno's death and the subsequent trial that would ultimately determine Mary's fate. Through interviews with law enforcement officials, friends and family members, and expert witnesses, a picture begins to emerge of a woman whose seemingly perfect life was anything but.

As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Mary's marriage was far from ideal. Her husband struggled with addiction and had been involved in various illegal activities, which put a strain on their relationship. Despite this, Mary remained committed to her marriage, even though she suspected that Patrick was having an affair.

As detectives dug deeper, they discovered that Mary had been engaged in an illicit relationship of her own. She had been having an affair with a local mechanic named Anthony Novellino, who was also her ex-husband. Text messages between the two revealed that Mary was planning to leave Patrick and start a new life with Anthony.

The night of Patrick's death, Mary and Anthony had exchanged an unusually high volume of text messages and phone calls. They discussed their plans to be together and expressed their love for one another. But when police arrived at Mary's home, they found her husband dead from multiple stab wounds.

The evidence against Mary was damning. In addition to the messages and calls with Anthony, forensic evidence showed that she had purchased the murder weapon - a 15-inch kitchen knife - just days before Patrick's death. She also had a history of violent behavior, having been charged with domestic violence against Patrick in the past.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, Mary maintained her innocence throughout the trial. Her defense team argued that the affair with Anthony was irrelevant to the case and that the physical evidence was circumstantial at best. They also suggested that Patrick's death may have been a suicide, as he had a history of depression.

In the end, the jury was not convinced. Mary Bruno was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. The case shook the small New Jersey community and left friends and family members of both Mary and Patrick struggling to make sense of what had happened.

Snapped season 27 episode 12, "Mary Bruno," is a chilling reminder of how quickly a seemingly perfect life can fall apart. It is a cautionary tale about how secrets and lies can lead to tragedy, and serves as a stark warning to those who believe they can get away with murder.