Home Alone

Hello everybody, it's Deborah Roberts. here with some news to share. The first. episode of The Scream Murder, a new. podcast from 2020, is out right now. But. if you wanted to get this early, all you. got to do is subscribe to 2020 True. Crime Plus on Apple. Our subscribers. already listened to that episode weeks. ago, ad-free. And this week they're. going to be able to listen to episodes 1. through 5. As always, our subscribers. have access to hundreds of 2020 episodes. going back years, completely ad-free.

So, if you're interested, subscribe to. 2020 True Crime Plus on Apple now. >> Winds out of the east at 14 mph, it's. currently like 95°.

>> Allison [music] was kind of a character. She grew up in the '80s and the '90s, so. loved '80s and '90s pop. She loved to. have fun and sing along with the radio. >> We went down to Tucson. We threw some music on and I happened to.

catch her belting out Cyndi Lauper's. Girls Just Want to Have Fun. It's just her, that just amazing person. >> She lived [music] in Scottsdale. She. worked out of her home. She had a good relationship with her. family, and that was very, [music] very. important to her. >> We talked almost every day.

>> Allison's mother, Elaine, told people. she [music] would text Allison every. night and Allison, she'd always text her. back. And then, one February afternoon, the. clockwork calls and texts stop. >> I called her when I was leaving my. office [music]. and it went straight to voicemail. >> My wife said, [music]. "It's just not right.". Things were out of normal.

>> One of the [music] neighbors reported. hearing a long, intermittent scream. >> Yes. >> Was it Allison? >> We believe so, yes. >> If it could happen to Allison, it could. have happened to any one [music] of us. >> As it turned out, the critical piece of. evidence ended up being this stain that. just didn't have an explanation. [music]. >> This becomes key to solving this case.

>> [music]. >> In Arizona, Saturday is like the. Sabbath. College football is religion. The marching bands are steel red and. blue. and tens of thousands of Wildcat fans. roaring as one. For Allison Feldman, this was home turf. >> If you take a look at Allison's Facebook.

page, you're going to find pictures of. Allison at U of A sporting events. She. really liked to be a part of the. university. >> And graduated the University of Arizona. >> Yes, yep. She was a huge Wildcat fan. >> [cheering]. >> Allison was from Minneapolis. and [music] when she graduated from. UofA, she moved up here to the Valley, which is what we call the Phoenix. [music] metro area. >> Tucson was too small and the city girl.

in her. >> [music]. >> said, "I'm going to move to Phoenix.". >> By the age of 31, things are going very. well for Allison. [music]. She even buys her own home. >> She loved that house. >> Yes, she had just bought that house less. than a year earlier. >> [music]. >> People generally consider it to be very. safe, especially where Allison was. living. >> Scottsdale rises from the Sonoran Desert. like an oasis [music]. beneath rugged mountains and towering.

saguaros where coyotes and road runners. [music]. still roam. But neighborhoods, restaurants, and resorts have. transformed the desert floor. And in February, when much of the rest. of the country is locked in winter, the. days here are often warm, dry, and. bright. It was here in this corner of the. Arizona desert Allison was building a. life of her own.

>> Allison was really at the top of her. game in early [music] 2015 and for a. 31-year-old, she had her whole life. ahead of her. >> She sold wound care products in. hospitals. >> [music]. >> So, Allison was the burn specialist for. my region. She was somebody who wanted. to succeed. >> [music]. >> When you meet Allison, it's difficult. not to get drawn in. She's kind of like. gravity. >> She was very active in Camp Courage, a. camp in Arizona for kids who've been.

burned. >> [music]. >> That was a really important cause to. Allison. >> She loved working with the kids. >> What was it that that they saw in. [music] Allison? >> Her unconditional acceptance and she. approached to of the children and. everyone, really, in her life equally, [music] the same. Really remarkable. young woman. >> Alex Stone comes into her life. >> Yeah, that was her first really serious.

[music] boyfriend. >> Wanted to marry him? >> Yes, she did. They were really happy. >> [music]. >> And that was the first guy really saw. her just sparkle over. >> On February 17th, it was a pretty normal. day for Allison. She got up, she did work, she had a. performance review, and then later in. the day she had errands to run.

She went to Kohl's. She went to Walmart. And then she came home, and really that. was kind of going to be the end of her. day. >> I tried to text [music] her. Then the text didn't go through. But I didn't think anything of it. But the next morning we tried to call. her. >> The number you have called is not. available. >> And her phone was off. It's never off.

>> So Alex, being her boyfriend, was in. communication with her the previous. evening, Tuesday night. He sent her a. good night message. And then sent her a good morning. message, which went unanswered.

>> Video catches Alex pulling up to. Allison's [music] house to go check on. her. >> [music]. >> So he gets there, and. what does he find? >> At first, when he arrived, he checks the. garage to see if [music] her vehicle's. there. Maybe she's out on a sales call or. something else. He knocks on [music] the door, rings the. doorbell even, uh until he eventually. uses his key to go inside.

>> Later on, you see him come out of the. house, and it's at [music] that time. that he makes the 911 call. >> 911 emergency. Oh my god. Oh my god. >> There's [music] blood everywhere. >> Where is the blood from? >> The blood is on the floor. There's blood everywhere.

>> The next day, the 18th, Alex went to her. house. >> Yes. >> What did he find when he got there? [music]. >> So, he walked in. and saw it was like a little, you know, the house was disheveled a little, and. found her [music]. laying on the floor. So, then he called 911. >> 911 emergency. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh. my girlfriend, she's not breathing.

>> Sir, I'm alive. Let me get you over to. the paramedics. Don't hang up. >> She's dead. >> It was horrible to listen to. I mean, he. was screaming and just raw, really. distraught. >> There's blood everywhere. >> Where is the blood from? >> The blood is on the floor. There's blood everywhere. >> I overheard. the radio dispatch when they said that. the boyfriend had found his girlfriend. [music]. unresponsive.

>> Lieutenant Hugh Lockerby with the. Scottsdale Police Department was one of. the first investigators to arrive on the. scene. >> So, this is the house where Allison. actually lived. This is it. >> Yes. >> [music]. >> That is correct. >> When you arrived here, what do you What's the first thing that. struck you? >> When I got on scene and I'm standing. right where we're at today, the door is. open. All I could smell is overwhelming smell. of bleach. >> All the way out here? >> All the way out here.

>> What did you find when you got. >> inside? So, when we got in the home, there was. blood stains. >> [music]. >> smeared throughout the home. And then when we look down a hallway, >> [music]. >> we see Allison lying on the floor in the. hallway with her dress covering her face. and she was completely naked. >> It looks like it was a blitz attack. Like she [music] wasn't expecting this. attack from this individual. >> She.

>> [music]. >> was very beat up. It It kind of took. your breath away a little bit just the. brutality that she went through. >> And you can tell that there had been a. struggle. >> Oh, for sure. Yes. There was [music] um. broken nails from her fingers in. different places throughout the house. I. [music] think just by her injuries, you. could tell that she was fighting. She. wasn't going down easy. >> I also had the chance to meet with. Detective John Heinzelman, a seasoned. veteran of the Scottsdale [music].

Police Department. He walked me through. the mountain of forensic evidence. recovered from Allison's home. Now, these are the three pictures of her. backyard pool. What did you find [music]. back there? >> Uh we believe that at some point this. assault spilled out into the backyard. In the pool, we found an earring. >> [music]. >> that was that was lying on the bottom of. the pool. The matching earring was still. in her earlobe. The other thing we found. is a a carpet remnant that [music].

Allison used to have on the outside of. her sliding glass door that was in the. bottom of the pool and that was [music]. stained with blood. that we determined to be Allison's. And. what we recovered as well was this clump. of Allison's [music] hair. And this is. And this is ultimately where she ended. up before she was brought back in the. house. >> There was a couch in Allison's home. What did you find underneath it? >> So, [music] after a few days of. processing Allison's home and processing. evidence, we moved this couch and. >> [snorts].

>> as we lifted it up there was. >> [music]. >> a broken beer bottle. >> And that's this picture, right? That's. the beer bottle neck. >> Yes, it was a Leinenkugel's beer bottle. >> Did that suggest that maybe Allison was. drinking [music] with this man who. killed her? >> Initially, we didn't know exactly what. significance that bottle had to the. investigation. >> So, with all the evidence that the. police are uncovering, [music]. what can be of equal importance is what. they're not finding. And in this case, what they're not finding is any sign of. a forced entry. So, what that can mean,

but not always, that the victim [music]. knew her killer and might have let them. in. >> So, we're walking down the the same. alley that runs behind [music] Allison's. home right now. And this alleyway is, you know, significant because we had no evidence. that our killer came through the front. door or through [music] the garage door. >> And that explains why the killer was. never captured on that front yard. security [music] camera. >> So, he had to come this way.

>> He had to come down this alleyway, John. He could have potentially opened the. gate to go in. This dark here, too. [music] You can easily hide. Could have. been here peering through the window, looking over there. >> And with her lights on, he could see. her, but she could not see him. >> Correct. >> That is [music] chilling. To figure out who killed Allison, detectives first have to turn back the. clock and reconstruct the final hours of. her life [music] on February 17th, 2015.

>> So, this is Allison on the 17th. She. went [music] to the Kohl's department. store and she was shopping. So, as a matter of fact, she walks right [music] across the. camera. She's wearing her blue jean. jacket and that black dress that we. found in the house later that evening. after after her murder. This is [music] roughly 6:00, 6:30, 6:45. where she's shopping right before she. returns home. >> Allison was home by 7:15.

that night. Now, detectives began. combining security videos, her alarm. system records, >> [music]. >> and witness accounts to narrow down when. the attack began and how long her killer. remained in the house. >> When do [music] you think she was. killed? >> Based on a witness that heard a scream. [music] sometime around 9:30 that. Tuesday evening is when I believe the. murder occurred. >> And then the [music] killer left at what. time do we think?

>> At 1:04. a.m. the following morning [music] is. the last door activation. There's no. more door activity until the following. day. >> So, you think the killer spent [music]. almost 4 hours in that house? >> That is correct. >> What did [music] you determine was the. cause of death? >> There were uh multiple causes. So, she. had lost a great deal of blood. >> [music]. >> She also had some blood force trauma. injuries to the back of her head and. manual strangulation. So, it was a.

combination of strangulation [music]. and a loss of blood that ultimately was. the cause of her death. >> Allison's autopsy showed that she was. also violently [music] sexually. assaulted. >> I got a phone call from the Scottsdale. detective. and he said, [music] "Are you driving?". And I said, "Yes." And he said, "Pull. twist. And so I knew [music] what was coming. next. >> My dad called me and said she'd been.

killed. I was screaming and. >> [music]. >> I I was just in disbelief. Like this. can't be happening right now. There's no. way. >> [music]. >> She didn't have any enemies. So that. makes it difficult to start. You know, who who would want to do this to her? >> Alex was the first person that. detectives looked at. >> I have a lot. weighing on this too. Asking her. friends, family, whatever it was. >> In the back of my mind I was wondering. if he [music] played a role in her.

death. >> Do you recall about what time you got to. her house? >> You're the fifth person that's asked me. this though. >> Okay. This is getting old. >> [music]. >> Allison's shoes. I need to save. >> There's another one?

>> Yeah, there's another matching Oh, yeah, here's another matching. >> I had the chance to sit down with. Allison's big sister, [music]. Kelly. >> She was on the dance team. She really loved [music] dance. >> Who shared photos and memories. Two. little girls growing up together. >> [music]. >> Once side by side in matching dresses. >> My. >> [music]. >> mom loved the matching outfits for a. long time. >> And years later dressed for [music]. Kelly's wedding day.

>> This is one of my favorite pictures. She. was my maid of honor. I love [music] this picture. It's just. it reminds me of such a happy time in. our life in my life, her life. >> [music]. >> It's a murder case that put the valley. on edge, the death of Allison Feldman. [music]. >> And this is Alex Stone, Allison's boyfriend. He's the first. person you look [music] at, right? >> That's exactly it. There's and there's. already some sort of built-in.

relationship. There's all kinds of. things. >> [music]. >> Detectives immediately focused on Alex. because it not only was Alex dating. Allison, [music]. but he had access to the house as well. and found Allison at the crime scene. >> [music]. >> A neighbor told me that he went he went. in the house and he's he's the one that. >> [music]. >> discovered her. And she told me he came out and sat on. the. sidewalk and just wailed.

>> And this is Alex and he's arriving. [music]. at home at her house. You see actually. him getting out of his car and him using. the keypad on the garage to open [music]. up the door. He also goes to the front. door and he rings the doorbell. before he actually uses his key to go. in. So yeah, as you can see at 4:05 p.m. now, you see Alex has come out of the. house. He's actually on the call with. 911. >> As in all these cases, you got to.

interview him. What did you hope to. learn and what did he say? >> We're trying to get a pattern of life. We're trying to get the [music] last. time someone spoke with Allison. Was. there anybody that she was having issues. with? Was there any issues between them. with their relationship? >> Hours [music] after finding Allison at. the crime scene, investigators sat down. with Alex Stone for an interview. >> Okay, let me explain some things we have. to do first here, okay? We're just doing. some [music] procedural things so we can. investigate what exactly happened. >> We have to look at him as a potential.

[music]. suspect, so we want to get his DNA, anything on him that would lead us to. believe that he might be [music]. involved. >> If someone did something to her, there. might be possible evidence on your. clothing, DNA, or whatnot. So, we want. to We want to make sure we preserve all. that. >> Take my clothes. >> Okay. >> They collected all of his clothes. They. were looking for marks on his body. because she had gotten some good. scratches in.

>> But despite the signs of a struggle. inside Allison's home, investigators say. Alex had no visible marks. >> [music]. >> on his body. >> Do you recall about what time you got to. her house? You said you went to gain. >> I got to her house. 30 seconds before I called the law. >> Okay. And when you got there. >> You're the 13th person that's asking me. this, bro. >> Okay. >> This is getting old. >> They [music] met, um, I believe on a. dating site. They had been dating not. for very long, [music].

um, but she was happy. You just don't. know. You know, they'd been dating for. [music]. some months, and. again, you watch those true crime shows, and it [music] always leads back to the. boyfriend, or the husband, or things. like that. >> Did that thought cross your mind that. Alex might be responsible? [music]. >> I mean, yes. >> Yes. >> It It did. It, you know, you don't want. to think that, but it it I mean, it it did.

>> But while detectives were scrutinizing. Alex Stone, evidence back inside. Allison's house was beginning to point. somewhere else. Did you find something you [music]. referred to as PMH? >> PMH So, PM stands for photo marker. That's how we identify each item. So, PMH was a brown dripped stain on the. dining room floor, literally in the middle of the crime. scene. It was the sore thumb that sticks.

out. amongst everything [music] else. >> What it appeared to be, in my opinion, looked like. someone who was like [music] chewing. tobacco and had spit on the ground. We all knew right away that. PMH was going to be the hot ticket item. in this investigation. It was collected. and taken to the lab. >> The abbreviation PMH,

especially useful in producing another. one, DNA. >> [music]. >> DNA in crime solving is a game changer. >> If there's DNA at a crime scene, it's. probably your fastest [music] way to. solve that case and get to an identity. To help us understand what DNA can. reveal, we turned to forensic experts. David and Kristen Mittelman of Orthram, whose work has previously been featured. on 20/20. >> You're basically building a library. surrounding [music] this this sample of.

DNA. DNA is just like a camera. Instead. of a visual field, [music] it's a. identity feed. It's recording the. identity of people that have been in. that area at that time. [music]. >> Yeah, it's not something you can. conceal. DNA is one of those very honest. biometrics that if it's you, it's you. >> Within [music] a few days, we had a DNA profile of an unknown male. that. quite frankly shouldn't be there. And this wasn't DNA found in just one.

isolated spot. There was also DNA found. on a knob inside the laundry room. >> [music]. >> There was DNA found on the door handle. going out to the patio. And that broken. bottle of Leinenkugel beer found under. the couch. >> So now we've got four locations inside. the house where this unknown suspect's. DNA has been located. >> And sure enough, when investigators. compared the unknown male DNA profile to. Alex Stone, it wasn't a match.

>> He just [music] could not be included. any further and we eliminated him as a. suspect. >> So, investigators entered the unknown. male DNA profile into the national. database called CODIS, hoping it would. lead to the killer's identity, but. there were no hits. What does that tell you? >> Tells us that this person has has never. been arrested, that this person is not. in the system. >> Police insisting they have every. available resource working to [music].

get the case solved, but right now. Allison's killer is still out there. >> Lieutenant, you told me you interviewed. hundreds, hundreds of people. >> Yes. We had a lot of people calling in. Our goal was putting a name [music]. to PMH. Whose DNA does that belong to? >> As the investigation ramped up into. Allison's murder, police cast a wide net. and looked at over 100 potential. suspects. >> Allison's killer could be anyone,

anywhere. >> [music]. [music]. [music]. >> Allison Feldman loved fashion and in. Scottsdale, she had plenty of places to. indulge in. Clothes, shoes, the latest.

styles. And with a work trip to the. Bahamas coming up, Allison was shopping. for the occasion. >> I mean, she was so excited about that. trip. And she was Miss Fashionista, so she was. of course shopping and finding the the. latest and greatest thing that she could. wear out there. >> But what looked like ordinary activities. for Allison now presented detectives. with a daunting question. Had someone.

she encountered at a store, at work, or. simply going about her life taken. >> [music]. >> an interest in her? >> Did she ever tell you that she felt. threatened? >> No. No. >> Watched, afraid of anyone? >> No. >> I get angry this happened. Can't figure. out why it would happen to such a a. wonderful girl. and woman.

>> Allison's [music] family tells us that. she had led a very busy life, very. active, very social. How did that. [music] complicate your investigation? >> It opened the. the area, [music] I guess we'll say, because her sales area included trips to. Albuquerque on a regular basis, her. trips to California [music]. on a regular basis. Could it could it be the the clerk at. the hotel she stayed in Albuquerque. that decided to drive in?

>> This is Arizona Crime Uncovered. I'm. Ashley Holden. So, my name is Ashley Holden and I'm an. investigative reporter [music] here at. ABC 15. I cover a lot of crime. I might actually. be one of the longest reporters [music]. in the market that has covered this. case. >> We're tracking the latest developments. as the battle. >> Allison's case was getting a lot of. coverage. People were terrified. >> It could [music] be somebody that lives. in the neighborhood. It could be a. random act of violence. >> There were community meetings that were. [music] standing room only.

Because people wanted to hear from. police. [music]. >> Neighbors eager for any information. about the recent murder of Allison. Feldman. [music]. >> I didn't want to be home alone. If it was somebody we knew, are they. coming after any of us? >> What was it like thinking that the. killer might be [music] in that. community. >> It was horrible because all I could. think is my sister's [music]. in a coffin and he is out living his.

life. >> As far as who it was, whether it's. somebody she knew or didn't know, it it really doesn't matter to us. We. [music] just want him caught. >> You attended the memorial service here. in Scottsdale. [music]. >> She so much enjoyed helping others, especially children. >> What were you looking for? >> [music]. >> Looking for someone suspicious. A lot of. times what you'll see is someone. involved in these cases will want to. keep tabs on what we're doing. Or are. they any closer to solving this or.

finding me? So [music] we're we're. looking not only at what's going on in. front, but also in the back of the room. and who might be in the shadows. >> With no name for the DNA left inside. Allison's home, detectives began [music]. comparing that unknown male profile. against people across Allison's life and. her community. >> [music]. >> Police interviewed everyone. The pool person who came to Allison's.

home, handyman, transients in the area, uh sex offenders [music]. who lived in the area. >> Investigators relying heavily on. forensics to help them find her. murderer. >> We collected DNA samples from over 130. different individuals. >> [music]. >> They were taking everybody's DNA at that. point. My brother lived right around the. corner, they took his. They took my. fiance's. They took you know, just. anyone and everyone's. >> [music]. >> that they would come across.

>> That became the investigative pattern in. this case. Identify somebody in. Allison's life, collect their DNA and. compare it to the unknown male DNA found. inside her home. >> And among the people investigators. scrutinized was someone especially close. to Allison, her boss and mentor at her. medical supply sales job, Jeff Ciardi. >> Jeff Ciardi was the last person [music]. to actually see her alive on the 17th. They They had their meeting their lunch.

meeting that they went He went over his. his annual review with her. Maybe this. was something. Maybe he could be someone. that that we need to talk to further. >> Allie was like a little sister. [music]. She's. one of my closest friends. >> Because of the amount of text messages, phone calls between us, >> [music]. >> and the fact that I was probably the. last friend or family member to see her. alive that day, that naturally I would. be a person of interest. >> Um [music] I had just sat down with her. Tuesday. afternoon. We just did her performance.

review. Been racking my brain. Was there somebody following her? >> And then. 10-15 minutes into the discussion, they. immediately asked for a DNA sample. because my DNA was in the home as well. I'd been to Allison's house on numerous. occasions both for social and and work. functions, and the DNA that that that's. ultimately what cleared me. >> Back at Allison's home, detectives are. leaving no stone unturned. [music]. And because the DNA didn't lead them to. a suspect, they even started examining.

everyday household items looking for. another trail of evidence. >> And one of the items we processed. [music] was a Swiffer box of mop inserts. that we found in Allison's laundry room. That box contained a fingerprint. >> [music]. >> that was unknown. >> Could be the killer. >> This is exactly what we're concerned. with. >> The blood in the other [music] parts of. the house, you know, had they had used a. Swiffer to kind of try to clean it up.

>> So, in processing that [music]. fingerprint, we identify the person who. left it as this man, Francisco Martinez. He works at the Walmart distribution. center. on the west side of Phoenix. >> But police quickly realize Martinez, like countless others, is a false lead. >> That particular Swiffer box was one of. the items he handled, which was. transported to the Walmart where Allison. purchased it at some point. There's no.

way of knowing when it happened, but. this is the lengths that we went through. to identify people, to rule them in, rule them out, and in this case, uh we. completely ruled him out as this is just. an innocent person. >> In my heart of hearts, I always thought. that. it was going to be somebody that she. knew, someone in her life. >> I couldn't get out of my head of who who. would have done this. >> And then, another person of interest. emerges, someone turned in by his own.

mother. >> And I'm just kind of looking at the. pictures and here he's, you know, apologizing and saying sorry and asking. for forgiveness. >> [music]. [music].

>> When Allison's case [music] was covered. here in the valley in the first few. months, people were were scared and. trying to figure out what happened here. There were so many different stories. [music] on Allison's case. >> Despite the lack of any solid leads. pointing to the killer's identity, 8. weeks after her murder, it's clear. Allison's father, Harley, will not allow her case to go unsolved.

>> She didn't have any enemies, and so that. makes [music] it difficult to start. You. know, who who would want to do this to. her? >> There were no other crimes that we could. put two and two together to say this was. anything similar to anything else we've. investigated or anywhere in the valley. >> Nothing you could connect it to? >> Nothing we could connect [music] it to. >> It's not like watching CSI that in an. hour they solved the crime. They have his the person's [music] DNA. but there's no match. >> That's when police receive an anonymous. tip about a new person [music] of.

interest. It's a man living less than a. mile from Allison's home. So they bring. him in for questioning. His name, Alex. DeLucio. >> Going back to the thought of it though, I do go dogging in the area. So I don't. even know who in that area would even. like. know my name. Like we have this person. here. >> First name and last name. >> So I'm guessing it's just someone like. stirring up trouble. >> So Alex DeLucio lives in the. neighborhood. He was cooperative with. us, but [music] one of those key pieces.

that we were looking for DNA, um, he chose not to share that with us. >> I work at a law firm and my. um, I'm a lawyer but he advised me to. don't do DNA without. court order because even. even later once that's on the record, people mishandle it, people misuse it. and it's not good. >> When he refused to give his DNA, [music]. police basically had to come up with a. plan to get a sample from him. >> One of our surveillance teams, uh,

actually followed him until he went to a. a local coffee shop. He discarded the. cup. One of our agents was able to pick that. up, impound it and bring it to our lab. for testing. >> DeLucio's DNA is then tested and what do. you find? >> Yes, so he did not match our unknown. profile. >> Just another dead end. [music] As weeks. turned to months, hopes of finding the. killer. begin to fade. That's when out of. nowhere, detectives receive [music] a. call in October of 2015.

naming another person of interest. >> Christopher Hat is an Iraqi war veteran. and intermittently he's living [music]. with his mom, Patricia. >> His mother called us and said. Christopher attended a medical. conference or medical training up in. Flagstaff [music]. and he had just called her and said he. has a new girlfriend. >> When he was showing me the phone, I was. saying what is the girl's name and he. said Allison. [music]. He said that she had a boyfriend and I.

said to be careful and he said nothing. to worry about. [music]. >> After seeing the news coverage, she felt. it important to call us and [music] and. at least let us know this information. >> And so Patricia is concerned that he. might be the killer here. >> They live in the foothills of Tucson, so. it's about 100 miles south of here. [music]. So we went down, we spoke with them. >> He's, you know, apologizing and saying. sorry and asking for forgiveness. [music]. >> That has to be a tough call to make. As.

a mom to be so worried that your [music]. son might have committed a horrific. crime that you turn them in? >> Could this finally be the break. detectives were searching for? So. investigators dig deeper. >> Christopher at the at the time of the. murder was determined to be. um somewhere up [music] in Prescott. Valley, somewhere about 120 miles away. from here at the time. >> Hat is eliminated as a suspect. >> Hat is eliminated both in terms of he. was he was not in the valley at the time.

and the DNA did not match our unknown. profile. >> [music]. >> As investigators are going through all. of these DNA samples, they're not. getting a match. They've done this. extensive [music] canvas. They've looked. into pretty much every aspect of. Allison's life and this is when the case. really starts to grow cold. >> And our biggest [music] fear, too, is. will our offender re-offend again? Will. we have another innocent victim out. there. The case was absolutely stalling.

>> What does that leave you? >> Leaves us with, I think the next thing. we were planning on doing is. starting over from scratch. >> This must have been frustrating. >> Absolutely. >> On the steps [music] of the Scottsdale. Justice Center, this group clutching. candles. >> [music]. >> sharing songs, hugs, and memories. >> A huge smile. She was amazingly bubbly and [music]. happy and always, you know, always on. her game.

>> The 31-year-old Allison Feldman was. found murdered inside her Scottsdale. home near the 101 and Pima Road. [music]. >> Allison's file is right there on the on. the corner of my desk. It never moves. >> But Detective John Heinzelman says there. are still no clear suspects in the case. >> We're still investigating [music] this. case. We're hoping that we get that. phone call that gives us the lead we. need. >> The anniversaries, the vigils for. Allison's case, they served as a. reminder to the community that the. killer [music] had still not been. caught. >> Did you ever. fear that this case might never be.

solved? >> There [music] were times. Absolutely, there were times. Um. but I had faith, too. >> Meanwhile, the Feldman family is trapped. in limbo. But then, a development halfway around. the world breathes new life [music] into. this investigation. It still does. >> That was just one of these made-for-TV. [music] stories.

>> [music]. >> 31-year-old Allison Feldman's death is. still a mystery. Her killer is still on. the loose. The investigation showing she was. assaulted and tried to fight off the. attacker who left with only a few of her. belongings. The investigation, though, Harley thinks is making [music]. progress. >> Yeah, there's been some good tips um. leading to some good investigations.

Um not getting to the right person yet, but getting uh much better. um at leading to the right path. [music]. >> Harley worked really hard to keep the. case. in the forefront of people's minds. because he was hoping that that could. help solve the case. [music]. But with so few answers, Allison's case. faded from the headlines. >> The second year anniversary was really. hard cuz. >> [music]. >> you're still unsolved. >> How does the lack of answers affect your. ability to grieve?

>> It's horrible. It It's horrible. >> [music]. >> Did your father ever lose faith. >> No. >> that the killer would be found? >> No, he didn't. I would say my mom and I. definitely did, but he was always. positive it was going to [music] happen. and so it gets solved. >> That's when a chance meeting during a. family trip taken by Allison's mother. and grandfather, Sydney Schaffner, would. finally lead to a major break [music] in. the case. The story goes like this. In 2016, there.

was a mission organized to bring. together the survivors of World War. concentration camps with the troops that. liberated them. [music]. >> So, Elaine Feldman went with her dad who. was a World War vet overseas. He was. [music] getting an award because her. father had actually helped free a. concentration camp and save people. >> So, he was chosen as one of the people. to go on this trip. [music]. My mom went with him and it went to.

Auschwitz and then on to Israel. >> While they're there, [music] they meet. Barbara Leff, a politician here in. Arizona. >> Barbara Leff is right for Arizona. families. >> And really, the Feldman family [music]. bonds with her. They tell her about. their daughter's case and how there's. still no answers. >> And she had said, "Oh, if there's. anything I can do, like I'm a former. state senator [music] in Arizona." And. my mom said, "Well, there is something.

you could do.". >> Eventually, this becomes the spark. [music] for figuring out, can familial. DNA be used here in Arizona? >> Familial DNA allows you to use the same. piece of evidence to expand your search. by one relationship. >> Now, remember, investigators had DNA. from Allison's presumed killer, but it. did not match anyone in the criminal. database system called CODIS. >> So, [music] instead of just the person.

that left the DNA at the crime scene, you're now able to search the person and. their nuclear family that might [music]. have left the DNA at the crime scene. >> While the use of DNA was not uncommon in. police investigations, [music]. familial DNA still was not being widely. used to help unravel cold cases. The hope is that using familial DNA. [music]. might allow detectives to narrow their. search by at least pointing to the.

killer's [music]. family. >> But the question was, was it legal here. in Arizona? Could it be used in Arizona. [music]. in this case? >> Even though there was no law against it, as it turns out, Arizona had never used. familial DNA before in a criminal case. >> [music]. >> So, with urging from former State. Senator Barbara Leff, the Attorney. General gave the green light to use it. for the very first time. >> And Senator Leff. made some phone [music] calls, got that. process rolling, and introduced familial.

DNA into Arizona. >> And that was groundbreaking. >> It was groundbreaking. Allison's [music]. case is the very first case in Arizona. where familial DNA was used. >> In 2018 [music]. that familial DNA. a match was made through it. >> That hit wasn't a direct match. It was. not the dart into the bull's eye, but it. got us really really close. >> After years of dead end, you finally. have a solid lead.

>> We have a solid lead. We have [music] a. name that we can follow up on. >> The close match identifies Mark Mitcham. So, Mark Mitcham's DNA is [music]. already in the system because he was. convicted of child sex crimes. >> How was he eliminated, Mark Mitcham, [music] from the investigation? >> So, well, first off, he was in. Department of Corrections custody at the. time. >> He had an alibi. >> And secondly, we take a look [music] at. the DNA profile and Mark's profile, and. then our lab compares those two and they. rule him out. They say, "This is [music].

not your person." But again, it's a. relative of Mark. >> Someone who's related to him. >> Yep. >> As it turns out, Mark Mitcham has. brothers, three of them. >> So, Yeah, we're investigating [music]. We're investigating a murder. >> Okay. >> Okay. And [music]. >> How do you get to me on. >> murder? Well, that's kind of why we're here.

>> [music]. >> Mark had the ultimate alibi. He was. already behind bars. He had already been. convicted [music] in another crime, and. so he couldn't have killed Alison. Feldman. >> So, once Mark Mitcham is ruled out, who.

do you focus on next? >> So, now we cast our net. And we look at. his relatives. >> So, there are four Mitcham [music]. brothers, Craig, Eric, Mark, and Iyan. Police start looking at the three other. Mitcham brothers, and one [music] is. living out of state, so they don't. really focus on him. But then there are. two Mitcham brothers that live pretty. close to Allison. >> [music]. >> And so, they build a family tree, looked. at the locations of those brothers and. when the crime actually occurred, and.

tried to figure out if one made more. sense [music] than the other. >> So, among those brothers, there's Iyan. Mitcham, who in. >> [music]. >> 2018. becomes someone you start looking at. very closely. >> Yes, but in 2015, he lived in Tempe, just off of Scottsdale Road, probably. less than 2 miles from Allison's house. Let's get his DNA, and let's compare it. to our unknown, and see if they match.

>> That's when investigators make a. startling discovery. They realize that. police had crossed paths with Iyan. Mitcham once before. >> Good evening. Well, like afternoon. >> On the side of a road. >> You got your license? What's your sir? >> As police are looking at the Mitcham. brothers, [music] they realize, wait, we. know Iyan Mitcham. We actually already. have a blood sample of his. >> [music]. >> in our possession. >> How much alcohol have you had to drink. today, sir?

What's that mean? What's that mean? You're shaking your. head no. I'm sorry? >> Iyan had [music] been pulled over for a. DUI. >> You're under arrest for DUI, sir. >> About a month before Allison's [music]. murder. >> You said you'd cooperate, dude. No, you. have not. You've been nothing but. uncooperative, actually. >> And they had taken two blood samples. >> This is where we start doing the the. chemical tests regarding the blood and. breath tests that you consented to. >> One was supposed to be tested for.

alcohol, the other was retained by the. Scottsdale Police Department [music]. in case I and wanted to do his own. testing. >> Time of draw, 18:35. >> It's important to understand that the. blood sample was only tested for [music]. alcohol and it never been subjected to. DNA testing. That's why it wasn't in. CODIS. So, for investigators looking at. that blood sample was a no-brainer next. step in [music] the investigation. >> And finally, 3 years after Allison's. murder, you run this DNA test and it.

points. to this man. >> Yes, it does. This is a 100% match to. our uh PMH, to all the DNA in the. [music] scene. >> So, this unknown DNA stain on the floor. comes back to this man. >> Yes. I admit him absolutely. [music]. >> Now we have a name to that DNA, but he. was also on the beer bottle, he was also. on the laundry room door uh knob, and. then also on the attic exterior door.

So, he's in multiple different places in. Allison's [music] home. >> This was monumental in the. investigation. [music] This moved it. forward in a way that the case had never. been moved forward before. >> So, I got a call and the assistant chief. said to me, "We know who it is. And we're going to arrest him tomorrow.". [music]. >> What was that moment like for you? >> Surreal disbelief. Like, is this real. that we've we've had to wait over 2. years and this is happening? [music].

All of a sudden, is this is this real? Is this really the person that did it? >> Immediately, a million questions start. floating through your mind. Why? What happened? Did they ever. interact? Was there a reason why he was. in the neighborhood? >> We're we're investigating the murder of. Allison Feldman. >> Okay. Okay. >> 3 years after Allison's murder, police. bring him in for questioning.

>> So, do you do you know Allison? >> I don't know who she is. I heard about. her in the news. >> Okay. Never met her. >> I never met her. >> Okay. >> We gave Ian [music] an opportunity to. sit down with both of us and talk about. this evidence. Maybe he had a reasonable explanation. >> She was murdered [music] in. on February 17th, 2015. Okay. And [music and clears throat]. we have evidence from the scene, primarily DNA, of yours.

>> So, how did it get [music] there? >> Well, that's what we're talking about. >> Okay. >> Well, that's why we're here. We know the. what. We have that. That she was murdered in her home. and that and that you were there. >> No, I was not there. >> But [music] your DNA is all over the. apartment all over her house. Okay? >> Okay, this doesn't [music]. This doesn't make sense to me. I don't. know her. >> That's why we're kind of asking a lot of. kind of very general. questions. >> Getting to hear about me being the. suspect for a murder trial.

It's. Yeah. I want to cooperate with you guys. I want to do everything I can. >> Is there something that you did [music]. that town knows to find? Because when we. walk out of that room, we will when we leave you, [music]. that opportunity may not present itself. again. >> I feel like you guys have already made. your decision. of me being guilty. [clears throat]. >> I I can't get past the evidence. >> Despite his repeated denials, on April. 11th, 2018, Ian Mitcham was charged in.

the first-degree murder of Allison. Feldman. >> Ian, why'd you do it? Ian, do you have a comment? >> And the [music] court entered a plea of. not guilty for him. >> Then begins a legal battle that no one. saw coming, derailing [music] an almost. decade-long investigation and breaking. the hearts of the Feldman family all. over again. >> And. >> [music]. >> a county judge throws out the DNA.

It's April in Arizona, sunny, dry, already pushing 90°. Most folks here are. doing their best to stay [music] cool. But inside Scottsdale PD, Ian Mitchum is. beginning to. feel the heat. >> [music]. >> Where does this put me right now? >> Well, right now I'm. >> Am I being arrested for murder? >> You are under arrest for murder.

We know the what. We have that. That she was murdered in her home. and that and that you were there. >> No, I was. >> [music]. >> not there. >> So, who is Ian Mitchum? Police learn. that he lived in the area since 1998, working mostly odd jobs, including at a. local deli. >> To his employer, Ian [music] Mitchum was. a reliable worker. >> He actually helped prepare things. He. did a lot of stuff. He came to work on.

time. No complaint about him at all. >> At the time of his arrest, Mitchum was. supporting a 7-year-old daughter and had. been living with a girlfriend for more. than a decade before a recent breakup. But their investigation revealed nothing. that might otherwise link him to Allison. Feldman. >> We [music] asked him specifically about. the DNA in the home. He did not deny. that DNA being his, >> [music]. >> but he did deny entering in the home.

So, we gave him numerous opportunities. to help explain himself to us and. [music]. he was unable to explain how his DNA. ended up in there. >> I have no answers for you guys. This is my life I didn't do anything. wrong. >> So, he basically said, "That's my DNA. I. just don't know how [music] it got. there.". >> Yes. And his strong denials. he denied [music] ever being in the. house. He denied knowing Allison. >> Despite his denials,

did you think you had the evidence to. get a conviction? >> I firmly believe we had the evidence. >> A stunning turn of events in a valley. murder case. Police were [music] led to. Mitcham 3 years after her death through. the use of familial DNA. It was a first. for Arizona, but many legal challenges. >> So, here's the thing. During Ian's DUI arrest, he voluntarily. provided two samples of his blood. [music]. But, Ian Mitcham also signed a document. which under Arizona law directed. authorities to destroy the blood samples.

after 90 days. But, that never [music]. happened. And in 2018, investigators. used that blood to [music] link his DNA. to Allison's murder. >> So, what the defense's argument then. became was not so much the familial link. [music] that we created with Mark's DNA, but the fact that how did we test the. blood that we [music] had, Ian's DNA, and was that given under consent? >> Should it have been destroyed? [music].

>> Well, this battle over DNA has been. brewing because of how and where police. [music] got the sample. >> So, the defense said this violates his. constitutional rights, his expectation. of privacy, and [music] it should not be. allowed in at trial. >> So, Ian's defense lawyers file a motion. to have the DNA evidence thrown out. And. in 2023, a Maricopa County judge agrees. >> And the judge basically said, [music]. "We can't use this key piece of evidence.

in trial." And that meant prosecutors. really didn't have a case. >> It was kind of stunning cuz we're we're. ready for trial. They had They already. talked about [music] how many jurors. they were going to have to and so forth. Uh and all that stopped. >> It must be hard not to lose hope. >> The only saving grace [music] for me was. that I knew he was sitting in jail on a. very large bail. And then you're like, are we ever going to go to trial? Is he.

going to get off? It's It was It's [music] very grating on. you. >> Then the prosecution immediately. appealed and went to the Arizona Appeals. Court to try to reverse this [music]. this lower court decision. >> Then I learned about the appeal process, and. you know, you start to think, [music] well, maybe. we'll never get there. >> The Appeals Court ruled that it was. admissible. So, then it was brought back. in. Well, then it was defense's turn to. appeal that decision.

>> And it goes all the way to the State. Supreme Court? >> Yes. >> Allison's case happened in 2015. By the. time this goes to the Arizona State. Supreme Court, it's 2024. It's almost. [music] 10 years later. >> Okay, and we're here at court for oral. arguments on. State of Arizona versus Ian Mitcham. >> Prosecutors argue that because Ian. Mitcham had voluntarily provided two. blood samples during his DUI arrest and. was later convicted, that they could in.

fact legally retain it and then retest. it. >> It It is evidence of a crime that will. be stored by the police like any other. evidence, and used at trial for the. purpose of identifying the defendant. >> One of the fundamental pillars of. criminal law is this idea of inevitable. discovery or inevitability. And that. [music] is the idea that. if the police have overstepped some. Fourth [music] Amendment boundary, but. they're going to get it anyway, it. doesn't make any difference. >> Tonight, the [music] State Supreme Court.

says DNA that linked a suspect to a cold. case killing can be used as evidence. >> They ruled, they said, yes, this DNA. evidence can come into trial, and um it. isn't it is not suppressed. >> And finally, you're thinking there might. be justice here. >> That's where we are at now. Now that we. we're back to where we were before. We. have our case ready to go. We have our. prosecutors on board, >> [music]. >> and let's let's get to court. Let's get. this thing started. >> Here's 11 years of bottling [music] up.

all of this and the constant fight back. and forth in court just to get to that. moment. of the opening day. I um. I was anxious. [music]. >> But on the eve of the trial, the. unthinkable. >> As the trial nears, we hear about a. possible confession, but it's not from Ian Mitcham.

>> Long before Ian Mitcham was arrested, [music]. the years-long investigation into. Allison Feldman's murder yielded. hundreds [music]. of clues and almost as many persons of. interest. Among them, a trespasser who broke into. a home nearby, a drifter wanted for another murder who. they tracked all the way to New Mexico,

and then there was an anonymous tip. phoned in about a pharmacist. >> His name is [music] James Katsilometes, seen here in a photo from a nearby. Arizona town newspaper. He was heralded. [music] for helping first responders. provide emergency care. >> This tipster [music] tells police he. lives nearby and he's a pharmacist, and. he ends up being Allison's pharmacist. So, investigators, they go to Walgreens. [music] and they interview James.

Katsouleas. >> Did you know the victim at all? >> I actually she went to my pharmacy. >> Did you guys talk or. >> You know what? It was only like a. transactional thing. Like basically you. know her address, like you know. >> Have you ever been to her house for any. reason or anything? >> No. No. >> But the tipster had told police. differently that Katsouleas supposedly. wandered the back alleys where Allison. lived. >> We were told by a person or two that.

that you're sometimes in that area, you. walk around that area. Do you go for. walks down there? >> I've been down there with my dog and. stuff. >> Did you go for any walks that night on. the 17th? >> I didn't go for a walk that night. >> He was cooperative. He provided a a DNA. sample. >> Was it a match? >> It was not a match. >> So he's cleared, not a suspect. >> He was cleared at that point, yes. >> Ordinarily, like the others cleared by. DNA, that might have been the end of the. story. But more than a year later, police. learned something new about the.

pharmacist. >> And it comes from [music]. neighbors, people that were talking to. him and basically say. I'm concerned about this cuz he kind of. confessed to doing this. >> That sounds significant, an admission. >> It it it does. On its face, it does. >> Those two neighbors telling police what. they claim they heard Katsouleas say. >> And then he started talking to us and.

that's kind of when he just went into. saying like the joke that he said about. how. >> He killed her. >> And he's like, "No, no, I'm just. kidding." And then that's when he went. into say the DNA test part. [music]. He's like, "Oh, I've already been DNA. tested." He's like, "They cleared me.". >> The way he said it, did it seem like he. was kind of joking around? >> He kind of had like this really crazy. look in his eyes. >> sickly creepy. You can't tell if he's. kidding or serious. >> It made best sense to drive over to. James' house and speak with him again.

>> Have you been talking with the neighbors. about this case at all? >> I I mean, I did initially, but okay. It's been. counting since a long time. >> I'll come right out and ask. Any chance. you're involved in anything that. happened to Allison? >> Oh my god, no. >> In this conversation, the police don't. ask him directly whether or not he said. what the neighbor said he did or why he. would joke about it. But Katsilometes. [music] himself brings up to police that. before the murder, he had checked out. Allison on a dating site called Plenty.

of Fish. >> I was playing around on that dating. website, that Plenty of Fish, but I. remember she was in there. >> You saw her on Plenty of Fish? >> Yeah, yeah. I never asked her out cuz. I'm. >> [laughter]. >> But we have no evidence to believe she. was on Plenty of Fish, so I I I'd have. no idea. what the veracity of that statement from. James was. >> And then, something [music] else comes. up about beer.

>> Sorry, I've been having drinking beer. >> He was drinking a beer at the time when. you visited him and you asked him what. other kind of beer he drank? >> Coors Light is good. Blue Moon 11. >> Uh-huh. Which like which one? Who which. which brewery? >> Miller Genuine Draft. >> And he mentions the same brand of beer. that [music] was found at the crime. scene. >> He does. >> So, Leinenkugel's, that was another. thing that that made us look [music] a. little bit further.

>> Look further, even though the police did. not believe that Allison and the killer. actually drank together. >> So, police take another DNA sample from. James, and he's ultimately cleared. again. >> So, Katsilometes is out of the picture. for police until all those years later. when the trial for Ian Mitcham. >> [music]. >> is approaching. >> That's when they find out that despite. those DNA tests, the pharmacist might be. just what the doctor ordered.

for the defense. >> The state charged the wrong guy. >> [music]. >> Now to the start of justice a decade in. the making. >> This is state of Arizona versus Ian L. Mitcham. >> Did you view this trial as finally a.

chance to get justice. >> Yes. >> Yes, definitely. >> Cuz the wait had been so long. >> had been so long. >> [music]. >> For the entire trial, Allison's. 78-year-old father, Harley, [music]. would drive roughly an hour each way to. be seated inside the Maricopa County. Superior Court. >> I would like the judge know who I am. I. want the jury know who I am and I want. the perpetrator know who I am. >> We are here because on February 17th,

2015, the defendant, Ian Mitcham, inflicted. unimaginable violence. upon Allison Feldman, an innocent and unsuspecting victim. >> I honestly didn't know what to think or. what was happening. >> Even though Judge Sunita Cairo honored. his request not to be shown on camera, the [music] anguish in Allison's.

boyfriend's testimony is palpable. >> And then. I'm in my way into into the rest. >> [music]. >> into the rest of the the rest of the. house. It was just so horrible. >> [music]. >> I found Allison on the floor. She did not have any clo- clo- clothes. on. I called 911. >> Oh my god, I just found out what. happened to my girlfriend Allison and. she's not breathing. >> [music]. >> It was really hard. Just the details.

about the brutality. It was emotional to. hear them lay out everything [music]. that Allison had gone through and that. this happened inside her home. >> When you first walk into this home, what. do you initially notice? >> Initially, the you got smacked in the face with a. chemical smell. It was so bad that we. had the doors open trying to air it out. >> We had observed and we had believed in.

our investigation that there was. significant cleanup. [music]. >> Prosecutors told the jury that that. cleanup still left DNA behind. >> [music]. >> and that is the linchpin in the case. against Ian Mitcham. >> So, the police, of course, are focused on DNA, right? Because whoever left this DNA in the. house did it. It's that simple. >> The only unknown at the time was PMH, which we eventually um have [music].

discovered who the contributor of PMH. being um Ian Mitcham. >> Watching him sit there every single day, stone-faced. >> It was just like a kick to the stomach. >> [music]. >> Ian Mitcham is facing a possible death. penalty, but his defense is not going to. go down without a fight. >> Ian. is innocent. The state charged the wrong guy.

>> Accusing the police of a rush to. judgment, claiming that detectives had a. surplus of other people to investigate. >> When they did not match PMH. And that interview was completed, they. were eliminated, correct? [music]. >> That's correct. >> You didn't go down that rabbit hole any. further. >> Not generally, no. >> They said that you took a shortcut, too. focused on DNA. >> Uh they did. >> [music]. >> The DNA. had to be explained. It just couldn't be.

spoken away and say, "Well, there was a. shortcut." [music]. >> DNA is not like a fingerprint. Fingerprints, you have to be present. Put it down. DNA is not like that. It moves freely. Like a cold in the air. Or like dust in the wind. >> My reaction to that was sheer absurdity. and that that could be the most. ridiculous thing I'd ever heard.

>> [music]. >> Despite the defense never explaining how. Mitchum's DNA could have innocently. wound up in the house, the prosecution. doesn't stop there. >> [music]. >> They begin presenting a case over and. above the DNA recovered at the scene. [music]. >> Prosecutors remind the jury that Allison. died in part of asphyxiation. >> And they called two different women to. the stand who testified Mitchum had a.

sexual fetish, choking. >> [music]. >> And then during times you were engaging. in this behavior, did it go too far for. your level of comfort? Yes. >> He would initiate things like choking me. with his hand. And there was another. time that he used his belt, and I was. very uncomfortable with that. >> And so the fact that they've said in. their testimony, "Yes, we engage in this. behavior." again is just another.

similarity with this evidence that we. saw in to house. >> Adding Ion's character to the scientific. evidence. >> [snorts]. >> Yes, absolutely. >> The defense counters that consensual. acts with a partner don't link Ion to. the crime, but prosecutors say there is. more that connects him. So, they ask one of those ex-girlfriends. to establish that Mitchum had [music]. two problems, too much drinking and not.

enough money. >> Can you explain for us the impact of the. continuous [music]. drinking from a financial standpoint to. your daily living? >> It caused a lot of problems. Um almost. losing the house, sometimes not having. stuff we needed in the house for. groceries, [music]. bills, things like that. It It became. quite a strain cuz the money was all. being directed towards that. >> Towards the drinking? >> Towards the drinking and going out. >> Prosecutors tell the jury that a large.

amount of cash was taken from Allison's. home. And shortly after the time frame. of this murder, a large deposit was made. [music] by Ion into his bank account. >> And we're pulling up to the Bank of. America here. >> Now, it turns out that Allison's wallet. had been stolen, you later found out. from her. >> Yes, purse. >> Yes. >> Large amount of money cash deposited. into his own bank account here. >> How much was it? >> Quite a bit, over a thousand dollars.

>> We know that this is an anomaly. He. never makes a deposit like this. >> Ion's brother Craig testifies that he. regularly gave him large amounts of. money. >> Where do you think he got that money? >> Got it from me. >> How do you know that? >> I don't know it for a fact, but I'd bet. my bottom dollar on it. >> But prosecutors argued there's no proof. he did that [music] night, and the. evidence of guilt is overwhelming. >> The facts are hard things to ignore.

>> [music]. >> We told you before this trial even. started that Mitchum's attorneys were. working to point the finger at a former. Valley pharmacist. [music]. >> No one is surprised the defense brought. up the pharmacist as an alternate. suspect. What was surprising was when. they called in his ex-girlfriend. [music]. >> And he came up and grabbed me and. slammed me into the refrigerator.

>> [music]. >> The scene is what it is. The. investigation is what it is. But I didn't kill. Allison. Somebody else did. [music] And. that somebody is James Katsilometes. >> Remember, James Katsilometes was. Allison's pharmacist and he lived. nearby, but police had looked at him and. they had cleared him. >> James Katsilometes is. >> [music]. >> not accused of the crime. He's not on.

trial, but the main part of the defense. case was to make it seem as if he could. have committed this crime. [music]. How do you react to that? >> The defense always has this what we call. the Saudi defense. Some other dude did. it. >> [music]. >> What else could they do? Let's blame someone else that it. couldn't possibly be this [music] guy. >> But the prosecution knows it only takes. one, one juror with reasonable doubt. that maybe I'm Mitchum is not the guy.

>> Do you [music] know someone by the name. of James Katsilometes? >> Yes. >> First, they called several of. Katsilometes' neighbors who were not. shown on camera to testify about what. they saw as suspicious behavior. [music]. >> He was going out the back door walking. in the alleys. It would be dark. I don't. know what time exactly. They're not lit.

[music]. and so it it didn't make a lot of sense. that he would want to travel back there. >> A person be walking in the alleys. James. did that. A person who had a connection to her. He did. A person who is, you know, maybe looking. into the yards. Looking at what his neighbors are doing. >> [music]. >> James did that. >> Next, the key moment for the defense. Testimony that James Katsilometes.

supposedly said he killed Allison. >> Would you please introduce yourself to. the jury? >> Yeah, my name is Logan Lewis. >> The defense team brought up the. neighbors who had talked to James, who. had heard this alleged confession. >> And he said something that I thought was. weird at the time. He said that he had. and killed her. So, he said to me. He. had me all riled up but I thought. that he was joking.

>> [music]. >> Police asked Katsilometes about that in. a phone conversation before the trial. >> I'll just tell you um what she said cuz. what they tell what they told us is that. you said that you raped and killed her. >> What? >> Do you remember telling them that or. anything like that? >> No. >> Okay. >> Oh god, no. No. Absolutely not. >> This case is about who left this DNA. that the police knew of and they knew. that James had been excluded at the time.

that they heard about this joke. >> Gaddis buccal swab that was checked. against unknown male. number one didn't match. Wash your hands of it. They ignored him. They didn't contact [music] his. ex-girlfriend Rachel Mechanic. >> Rachel Mechanic dated Katsilometes. [music] in 2014. >> How long did you date James? >> 2 3 months. >> Now, she finds herself called to the. witness stand by the defense with.

[music]. disturbing testimony for the jury. >> He just started choking me out out of. nowhere. Just literally out of nowhere. >> Describing two times she claims. Katsilometes choked her [music]. and a separate violent attack. >> And he came up and grabbed me and. slammed me into the refrigerator. >> The defense was trying to show how an. angry outburst like [music] that might. have been what happened to Allison, right? >> Yes, that was exactly their their point.

>> Katsilometes denied it and because his. ex-girlfriend [music] never filed a. police report, there was no. investigation and he was never charged. with anything. Prosecutors tell the jury. that [music] neither her testimony nor. any of the other defense witnesses. actually connect him to Allison's. [music] murder. >> Contrary to what the defense wants you. to believe, the state did not charge the. wrong guy. >> 20/20 reached out to Katsilometes and.

his attorney for this broadcast, [music]. but we never heard back. >> Now, only one question remains for the. defense. [music] Will Ian Mitcham take. the stand himself? >> This was a big moment. Will Ian Mitcham. testify in court? So, the judge asked. Ian's attorney. >> Does the defense rest at this time? >> I don't know if the defense rests. >> [music]. >> And that's when we realized we're really. never going to hear from Ian during this. trial. >> Which means all that's left are the.

closing arguments. >> They could not find a connection between. Ian and Allison ever. To this day, 2026, there is no connection between Ian and. Allison. >> The absence of a connection between. Mitchum and Allison does not make it. less likely that he committed these. crimes. Stranger perpetrated crimes happen all.

the time. >> You have heard all about James. James is a real possibility that Ian is. not guilty. If you believe it could be. James, the law requires not guilty. >> The idea that James killed Allison. Feldman in light of all the evidence. pointing to Ian Mitchum is laughable. And the state asks that you return the. only reasonable verdict, and that is.

guilty. >> I feel really good. But, you don't know exactly how the. jury's going to rule. >> I'm always worried. I mean, you just. need reasonable doubt with, you know, by. one juror. >> Now, as deliberations begin, Allison's. family has no idea that just after they. hear from the jury, they will be dealt yet another tragedy.

>> [music]. >> Sitting at 91° at Sky Harbor, dew points. at 29, so it's still very dry. Relative. humidity 11%. >> We were waiting for the verdict. >> I was basically on standby waiting for. the call. >> I've never checked my phone so much in. my life, I don't think. >> I think the jury will come to the right. conclusion, just my guess. >> We do want to start with breaking news. and a verdict in the Ian [music] Mitchum.

trial. >> I remember getting the call from Harley. that the verdict was going to be read. >> When I got that call, I raced down to. the courthouse, and [music] I was. standing in a very packed courtroom. Everyone was. anticipating hearing this [music]. verdict. >> And I will ask that the clerk read and. record the verdicts. >> [snorts]. >> I was having trouble steadying myself. I. think my hands were shaking at the time. >> Do you find the defendant as to count. one, first degree murder, guilty?

>> Iain Mitcham, was the jury [music] found. him guilty in the 2015 murder of Allison. Feldman. >> Iain Mitcham looked down with a blank. stare as the jury found him guilty of. murder, sexual assault, [music]. and burglary. >> Immediately, I heard kind of a gasp from. Harley. I was holding Harley's hand, and. I can still feel his just this huge.

>> [sighs]. >> just release. Just. >> [music]. >> Oh my gosh, we got her justice. >> This lone sound in a very quiet. courtroom. And I think there was just. exhaustion. >> [music]. >> from the years that he had fought to get. to this point. >> It's been a long haul. And I've done this for Allison all the. way. And we.

we won today. >> Following the verdict, the judge allowed. victim impact statements. [music]. The 10-plus years of waiting. were no consolation for a [music] still. wounded family. >> This loss is not something we just move. on from. It's something [music] we carry. with us. every day. for the rest of our lives. >> It was hard. [music]. I did mine virtually. cuz I don't live in Arizona. It was just.

kind of raw for me. >> Losing Allison [music]. didn't just take her from us. It's. changed everything. >> Oh my. dear. I love you so much and I wish you. were here. >> [music]. >> My mom, no, she didn't go to court. It's. just very too difficult for her, so she. >> [music]. >> recorded hers. >> I lost my future when I lost you. You never lived to see your dreams come. true. >> The actions [music]. he took.

that night not only stole Allison from. [music] the world in the most horrific. way. possible, but also completely destroyed. everyone in our family. >> In the end, Harley Feldman's torment. proved. just too much. Just a week after giving. that statement, he passed away. >> It was a shock. It was an absolute shock. We're I mean, we're grateful that he. heard he heard the guilty verdict. Um cuz this was so important to him.

>> Harley had been the voice for the. family, the voice of this case for. Allison. >> [music]. >> And to lose his presence was incredibly. hard. >> [music]. >> The memory of Allison Feldman lives on. at that foundation [music] she gave so. much of herself to. I went there and saw. the plaque they placed in her honor. [music]. >> She has a permanent place here.

>> She does. [music] She was part of the. foundational building blocks for the. work that the Arizona Burn Foundation. does and will continue [music] to do. Her joy filled a room when she would. enter. She loved working with the kids. >> How do you hope people remember Allison. [music] Feldman? >> Uh for her joy, for her uh compassion. [music]. and doing the things that she felt. strongly about. >> [music].

>> So after my dad unexpectedly. died, he's now buried [music]. here next to Allison. It's some comfort. I like to think. they're together. [music] So we have her. name and then her Hebrew name Chaya. Rivka. And then. >> [music]. >> as I mentioned dance was a huge part of. her life, which is why we have the.

ballet the ballet slippers on here. So in the in the Jewish faith. um. you don't like commonly flowers. [music]. Instead you bring a rock. You know, it's. something that's long-lasting. [music]. I come visit when I can and I just like. to come and. come and talk to her. It's peaceful. comforting here. >> How often do you think of your sister? [music]. >> All the time. It'll be silly little. things. My daughter's personality is. [music] just like Allison's.

>> So she lives through on through your. daughter? >> through with my daughter. There's just. so many things and I'm like oh that's. such an Allison thing. And now I think about her and my dad and. that they're hopefully [music] together. >> We should note tonight that the jury was. deadlocked on whether to sentence. Mitcham to death for Allison's murder or. life in prison. A new trial for that.

sentencing phase is now expected in. 2027. >> David I am Mitcham meanwhile has filed. an appeal on all three of his. convictions. That's our program for. tonight. Thanks so much for watching. I'm Deborah Roberts. >> And I'm David Muir from all of us here. at 20/20 and ABC News. Good night.

>> Mhm.