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>> Narrator: A SHOCKING DAYLIGHT
***...
>> TO HAVE SOMEBODY SHOT DOWN,
COLD-BLOODEDLY, IN BROAD
DAYLIGHT IN A PUBLIC PLACE IS
VERY UNUSUAL.
>> Narrator: ...A TANGLED WEB OF
INFIDELITY AND REVENGE...
>> THIS IS A SECRET THAT HE
WOULDN'T WANT TO BE GOTTEN INTO
THE PUBLIC.
>> Narrator: ...AND A MYSTERIOUS
MESSAGE.
WAS IT THE KILLER'S VOICE CAUGHT
ON TAPE?
...AND A BEST-SELLING CRIME
WRITER RIVETED TO THE CASE.
>> SEX, LIES, AND AUDIOTAPE --
THIS STORY HAD IT ALL.
I'M LEE CHILD, AND THIS IS
"*** BY THE BOOK."
>> THESE ARE THE REAL STORIES
THAT HAVE INSPIRED AMERICA'S
BEST-SELLING CRIME WRITERS.
>> Narrator: AKRON, OHIO.
ON A SATURDAY MORNING, THE LOCAL
OUTLET MALL IS BUZZING WITH
SHOPPERS.
SUDDENLY, AT A NEARBY GAS
STATION, GUNFIRE RINGS OUT.
[ GUNSHOT ]
>> WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY?
>> I NEED IMMEDIATE HELP.
WE HAVE GUNSHOTS, WOUNDS, AT
BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB.
HE'S BLEEDING PROFUSELY.
>> IS HE CONSCIOUS?
>> HE'S BARELY.
>> WE'VE GOT AN AMBULANCE.
THEY ARE ON THE WAY.
WHICH WAY DID THE MOTORCYCLE GO?
>> IT WENT OUT OF THE PARKING
LOT.
IT WENT PAST ME, FLYING REAL
FAST.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
>> Narrator: POLICE AND
PARAMEDICS RESPOND TO THE CALL.
>> WHEN I GET THERE, THERE'S
FIRE TRUCKS THERE, AMBULANCES,
TONS OF DETECTIVE CARS.
AND THERE ARE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
QUESTION THE BYSTANDERS AND
PIECE TOGETHER WHAT HAPPENED.
>> WE HAVE GUNSHOTS, WOUNDS, AT
BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB.
>> THE SUSPECT PULLED UP NEXT TO
THE VICTIM, AS SOON AS THE
VICTIM HAD PULLED UP NEXT TO THE
PUMP.
>> A MOTORCYCLE DROVE UP.
>> OKAY.
THE MOTORCYCLE -- WHAT COLOR WAS
IT?
>> Narrator: THE DRIVER SWITCHED
OFF THE ENGINE AND OPENED HIS
WALLET.
>> THE GUNMAN PULLS UP ON A
MOTORCYCLE, GETS OFF OF IT VERY
CALMLY...
HE WALKS OVER TO HIM...
SHOOTS HIM IN THE HEAD, WALKS
BACK, GETS ON THE BIKE, AND
DRIVES OFF VERY NONCHALANT.
>> Narrator: NO ONE GETS A GOOD
LOOK AT THE SHOOTER.
>> THEY ALL SAID THAT THE RIDER,
THE SUSPECT, WAS IN DARK
CLOTHING.
>> THE INDIVIDUAL WAS COVERED.
HE HAD A HELMET ON.
NO ONE COULD DESCRIBE HIS FACE.
>> Narrator: BUT WITNESSES CAN
DESCRIBE THE MOTORCYCLE.
>> THERE WERE A COUPLE PEOPLE
THAT HAD ACTUALLY SEEN THE
MOTORCYCLE LEAVE THE SCENE, AND
THEY WERE ALL DESCRIBING IT AS
LIME GREEN, BLACK, AND WHITE.
SOME CALLED IT A NINJA STYLE.
SOME CALLED IT A CROTCH ROCKET.
>> Narrator: PARAMEDICS CAN DO
LITTLE TO HELP THE VICTIM,
44-YEAR-OLD JEFF ZACK.
HE DIES A SHORT TIME LATER AT A
NEARBY HOSPITAL.
WHEN CRIME NOVELIST LEE CHILD
FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE ZACK
SHOOTING, HE EXPECTED A QUICK
RESOLUTION.
>> I FELT COPS WOULD HAVE THIS
ONE WRAPPED UP BY DINNERTIME.
BUT WHAT SEEMED LIKE A SIMPLE
MANHUNT WOULD SPIRAL INTO AN
INCREDIBLY TANTALIZING MYSTERY,
AND I WAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
>> Narrator: DETECTIVES WONDER
IF THE MOTIVE MIGHT BY ROAD
RAGE.
BUT NO ONE SAW ANY INTERACTION
BETWEEN THE CYCLIST AND THE
DRIVER PRIOR TO THE SHOOTING.
>> IT SEEMED TOO CLEAN FOR ROAD
RAGE -- THE FACT THAT THERE WAS
NO ARGUING, NO YELLING, THAT IT
HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY.
>> Narrator: AS DETECTIVES
CONTINUE QUESTIONING WITNESSES,
THE CRIME-SCENE UNIT ARRIVES.
>> WE PROCESSED THE VEHICLE FOR
FINGERPRINTS.
THERE WERE TWO LATENT PRINTS ON
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR.
BUT THE SHOOTER NEVER APPROACHED
THE VEHICLE, SO THOSE LATENT
PRINTS REALLY DIDN'T HAVE
ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CRIME.
>> Narrator: AMAZINGLY,
INVESTIGATORS RECOVER THE SLUG
FROM THE FATAL GUNSHOT 75 YARDS
BEYOND THE GAS PUMP.
>> WHAT THE CORONER WOULD TELL
US LATER IS THAT JEFF ZACK WAS
LOOKING AT THE SHOOTER.
IT WENT THROUGH HIS EYE AND OUT
HIS NECK.
>> Narrator: THE FORENSIC TEAM
ALSO DISCOVERS A FRESH SKID MARK
FROM A MOTORCYCLE TIRE.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
>> WE THOUGHT MAYBE WE COULD
MATCH UP THE MATERIAL FROM THE
TIRE.
BUT THEN WE WERE TOLD THAT THAT
WOULD BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.
THERE WERE JUST TOO MANY TIRES,
TOO MANY MOTORCYCLE TIRES TO TRY
THAT.
>> Narrator: TO SOME OF THE
INVESTIGATORS, THE SPEED AND
EFFICIENCY OF THE KILLING
SUGGESTS THE WORK OF A
PROFESSIONAL.
>> IT CLEARLY LOOKED LIKE A HIT.
TO HAVE SOMEBODY SHOT DOWN,
COLD-BLOODEDLY, IN BROAD
DAYLIGHT IN A PUBLIC PLACE IS
VERY UNUSUAL.
>> Narrator: BUT OTHERS ARE NOT
SO SURE.
>> IF IT WAS A HIT MAN, HE WOULD
HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN ONE SHOT TO
MAKE SURE HE HAD DONE THE JOB.
>> Narrator: DETECTIVES NEED TO
NOTIFY THE VICTIM'S FAMILY.
THEY DRIVE TO JEFF ZACK'S HOME
AND SPEAK WITH HIS WIFE.
>> WE INFORM HER THAT HE WAS
KILLED, AND SHE LOSES IT,
CRYING.
SHE'S JUST, LIKE, NOT
UNDERSTANDING.
SHE JUST SAW HIM A COUPLE HOURS
AGO.
HOW COULD HE BE KILLED?
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS ASK
JEFF ZACK'S WIFE IF SHE HAS ANY
IDEA WHO WOULD WANT TO KILL HER
HUSBAND.
>> I ASKED HER, DID HE HAVE ANY
ENEMIES?
>> SHE'S LIKE, "NOPE.
NONE, WHATSOEVER."
>> Narrator: THEN ZACK'S WIFE
SUDDENLY REMEMBERS A STRANGE
PHONE MESSAGE LEFT A FEW DAYS
EARLIER WHEN JEFF WAS OUT OF
TOWN.
>> SHE SAID, "YOU KNOW, THERE
WAS A THREATENING PHONE CALL, OR
NOT THREATENING."
SHE GOES, "BUT MAYBE IT IS
THREATENING.
MAYBE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO
WITH IT, I DON'T KNOW."
>> Narrator: THE CALLER DOESN'T
LEAVE HIS NAME OR NUMBER, AND
ZACK'S WIFE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE
THE VOICE.
>> FOR THEM TO LEAVE A
THREATENING MESSAGE THREE DAYS
BEFORE THE HOMICIDE, YOU KNOW,
WAS VERY SUSPICIOUS.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS START
DIGGING INTO JEFF'S BACKGROUND,
LOOKING FOR CLUES TO THE
CALLER'S IDENTITY.
>> JEFFREY WAS QUITE AN
EXTRAORDINARY PERSON.
HE HAD A MIND-BOGGLING
PERSONALITY.
>> Narrator: INSTEAD OF COLLEGE,
JEFF FOLLOWED HIS JEWISH ROOTS
AND JOINED THE ISRAELI MILITARY.
>> HE BECAME A PARATROOPER AND
HE LIVED THERE FOR THREE YEARS
AND THEN HE CAME HOME.
>> Narrator: IN AKRON, JEFF
OWNED AND OPERATED A SMALL
VENDING-MACHINE BUSINESS.
>> HE WENT TO THE WHOLESALE CLUB
TO GET THE PRODUCTS THERE TO
FILL HIS MACHINES, AND HE WOULD
TYPICALLY DO THAT ON SATURDAY
MORNINGS.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
QUESTION JEFF'S FRIENDS AND
BUSINESS ASSOCIATES.
>> WE WERE GETTING TWO DIFFERENT
PICTURES.
SOME PEOPLE WOULD TALK ABOUT
THIS GENIAL, SOCIAL, EASYGOING,
FUN GUY.
AND THEN OTHER PEOPLE WOULD TALK
ABOUT THIS GUY WHO HAD A TEMPER,
WHO YOU COULDN'T TRUST.
>> ZACK HAD A VERY ROUGH
PERSONALITY.
HE WOULD BE YOUR BUDDY ONE
MINUTE, AND THEN HE'D FIGHT WITH
YOU THE NEXT.
>> Narrator: JEFF'S SON SAYS HIS
FATHER OFTEN RAN INTO CONFLICTS
IN HIS VENDING-MACHINE BUSINESS.
>> IT WAS LIKE A CUTTHROAT TYPE
OF BUSINESS, BECAUSE YOU WANTED
YOUR VENDING MACHINES TO BE THE
FIRST ONES THAT PEOPLE SEE.
IF HIS MACHINE GOT MOVED TO THE
BACK, THEN HE WOULD LOOK AT
WHOSE MACHINE IT WAS, AND THEY
WOULD HAVE FIGHTS ABOUT IT AND
ARGUMENTS ABOUT IT.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS ALSO
PROBE JEFF'S INVOLVEMENT IN A
POSSIBLE INSURANCE SCAM.
>> THERE WAS A COUPLE THOUSAND
DOLLARS INVOLVED, THAT THERE HAD
BEEN SOME EXCHANGE OF WORDS AND
AN ARGUMENT OVER THE MONEY.
JEFF ZACK SAID HE WAS OWED MONEY
BY THESE PEOPLE.
>> THEY WERE CALLING EACH OTHER,
THREATENING EACH OTHER OVER THE
PHONE.
>> THEY WERE BROUGHT IN,
QUESTIONED ABOUT IT.
AND, I MEAN, THEY COOPERATED.
THEY CAME IN, THEY TOOK A
POLYGRAPH, AND THEY WERE
TRUTHFUL.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO
WITH IT.
>> Narrator: DESPERATE FOR
LEADS, DETECTIVES WONDER WHETHER
JEFF'S AFFILIATION WITH THE
ISRAELI MILITARY HAS ANYTHING TO
DO WITH HIS DEATH.
>> WE TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE,
BUT NONE OF THEM HAD ANY
ANIMOSITY TOWARDS HIM.
>> Narrator: THEN INVESTIGATORS
SWITCH GEARS AND START DIGGING
INTO JEFF ZACK'S PERSONAL LIFE.
THERE, THEY DISCOVER A
DISTURBING PATTERN.
>> HE WAS WELL-KNOWN FOR MAKING
PASSES AT WOMEN AND, IN SOME
CASES, GOING FARTHER THAN THAT.
SO WE KNEW HE HAD MADE ENEMIES.
>> STOP. STOP. STOP.
>> JEFF ZACK WAS THE KIND OF
COMPLEX, UNPREDICTABLE CHARACTER
I LOVE TO CREATE IN MY NOVELS.
HE'S GOT A SHADOWY PAST, A
COMBUSTIBLE TEMPER, AND HE
NEVER MET A WOMAN HE DIDN'T
LIKE.
SO LOTS OF PEOPLE COULD HAVE HAD
A REASON FOR WANTING HIM GONE.
>> Narrator: JEFF ZACK HAS A
CLOSET FULL OF SKELETONS, BUT
IT'S ONE VERY OPEN SECRET THAT
WILL HOLD THE KEY TO THE CASE.
>> Narrator: 44-YEAR-OLD
JEFF ZACK IS GUNNED DOWN AT AN
AKRON, OHIO, SHOPPING CENTER
WHILE GASSING UP HIS
FORD EXPLORER.
A LONE GUNMAN ON A LIME-GREEN
MOTORCYCLE DISAPPEARS WITHOUT A
TRACE.
>> NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE A
COLD-BLOODED ***, BUT YOU
HAVE IT OCCURRING IN BROAD
DAYLIGHT IN A PUBLIC PLACE,
WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AROUND.
>> IT WAS JUST SO RANDOM.
IT WAS JUST SO BLATANT THAT IT
CERTAINLY CAUGHT THE ATTENTION
OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> Narrator: THE ONLY SOLID LEAD
IS THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE LEFT
ON ZACK'S ANSWERING MACHINE.
REINTERVIEWING THE PEOPLE
CLOSEST TO ZACK, INVESTIGATORS
TURN UP A STUNNING NEW LEAD FROM
THE VICTIM'S SON.
HE RECALLS HIS FATHER SAYING,
"IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME, LOOK
AT THE GEORGES."
IT'S A NAME EVERYONE AROUND TOWN
KNOWS, AND INVESTIGATORS ARE
SHOCKED.
>> ED GEORGE IS ONE OF THE
WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
HE OWNS A BIG RESTAURANT -- A
MULTI-MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR
RESTAURANT IN AKRON.
HE'S VERY, VERY WELL-KNOWN IN
THE COMMUNITY.
HIS FAMILY IS VERY POWERFUL, HAS
A LOT OF CONNECTIONS TO
POLITICIANS, AND A LOT OF
ACCESS TO A LOT OF MONEY.
>> Narrator: TO CRIME WRITER
LEE CHILD, THIS WHODUNIT WAS
STARTING TO READ LIKE PULP
FICTION.
>> SO NOW, YOU'VE GOT A DEAD MAN
POINTING THE FINGER AT THE
RICHEST, MOST INFLUENTIAL GUY IN
TOWN.
IF I WROTE A PLOTLINE THAT
CLICHéD, MY READERS WOULD HEAD
FOR THE HILLS.
AND THE STORY WAS ABOUT TO GET
EVEN MORE OUTRAGEOUS.
>> Narrator: THE NEXT DAY,
INVESTIGATORS PAY A VISIT TO THE
GEORGE FAMILY'S 18-ACRE ESTATE.
>> I'M LIKE, "DAMN!"
YOU KNOW, "THIS IS A NICE-***
PLACE."
THAT'S ALL I COULD THINK OF --
"THIS IS NICE."
WE'RE NOT REALLY SURE WHO THE
LADY IS THAT ANSWERS THE DOOR,
AND WE TELL HER THAT WE'RE FROM
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WE'D
LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE GEORGES.
SO SHE SAYS, "MR. GEORGE IS NOT
HERE."
AND SHE WENT AND GOT
MRS. GEORGE.
>> Narrator: MOMENTS LATER,
DETECTIVES ARE CORDIALLY GREETED
BY 47-YEAR-OLD CINDY GEORGE,
EX-BEAUTY QUEEN AND MOTHER OF
SEVEN.
>> SHE'S A VERY RESERVED,
PETITE KIND OF LADY.
AND SHE MAKES A POINT TO SAY
THAT MR. GEORGE ISN'T THERE.
THEY HAD SOME KIND OF FAMILY
WEDDING THAT WEEKEND, AND ALL
THE MEN ARE OFF SOMEWHERE ELSE.
SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS
ABOUT, AND WE TOLD HER ABOUT
JEFF ZACK.
>> Narrator: MRS. GEORGE
DESCRIBES JEFF AS AN OLD FAMILY
FRIEND, WHO OFTEN PERFORMED
HANDYMAN WORK AROUND THE
PROPERTY.
>> SHE WAS, "WELL, I WOULD FEEL
BETTER IF MY HUSBAND WAS HERE.
COULD YOU COME BACK WHEN MY
HUSBAND IS HERE?"
THE INTERVIEW DIDN'T LAST VERY
LONG.
WE ALL GOT IN OUR CARS AND LEFT.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
IMMEDIATELY TRACK DOWN
ED GEORGE AND SET UP A MEETING
AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> WE WERE EXPECTING THEM TO
COME IN, WE WAITED, AND,
INSTEAD, ED GEORGE'S ATTORNEY
SHOWED UP AND SAID THAT
ED GEORGE WON'T BE TALKING TO
US, NOR WILL CINDY OR ANY OTHER
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.
>> Narrator: CLEARLY, ED AND
CINDY GEORGE ARE HIDING
SOMETHING.
THE QUESTION IS -- WHAT?
AGAIN, IT'S ZACK'S SON WHO HAS
THE ANSWER.
IT SEEMS JEFF ZACK WAS MORE THAN
A HANDYMAN AND THAT JEFF AND
CINDY GEORGE WERE MORE THAN JUST
FRIENDS.
>> JEFF'S SON SAYS, "OH, YEAH,
THEY HAD A PHYSICAL
RELATIONSHIP."
HUH?
HE SAID HE'S SEEN THEM BEFORE.
SHE'S BEEN IN THEIR CAR BEFORE.
SHE'S BEEN AT THEIR HOME BEFORE.
HE'S BEEN TO THEIR HOME BEFORE.
>> Narrator: JEFF'S WIFE
RELUCTANTLY CONFIRMS THE AFFAIR.
>> SHE TOLD US THEY HAD RECENTLY
HAD AN ARGUMENT ABOUT IT.
AND SHE WANTED CINDY OUT OF
THEIR LIFE AND DIDN'T WANT JEFF
TO HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH
HER.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
WONDER -- DID ED GEORGE ALSO
KNOW ABOUT HIS WIFE'S
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?
>> DISCOVERY OF AN AFFAIR IS
OFTENTIMES THE MOTIVE FOR A
*** CASE.
>> WE KNEW IT WASN'T HIM ON THE
MOTORCYCLE.
THE PHYSICAL DIDN'T MATCH OR
COME CLOSE.
WITH HIS POWER AND MONEY AND HIS
CONNECTIONS, WE KNEW THAT IF HE
HAD WANTED TO, HE COULD'VE
HIRED SOMEONE TO DO THE HIT.
>> Narrator: BUT CONSPIRACY
CASES ARE NOTORIOUSLY HARD TO
PROVE.
AND WITH THEIR PRIME SUSPECT
LAWYERED UP, INVESTIGATORS CAN'T
MAKE A MOVE UNTIL THEY'VE GOT
SOME HARD EVIDENCE.
THE GEORGE FAMILY MAY BE SILENT,
BUT THEIR FORMER NANNY IS HAPPY
TO TALK.
SHE TELLS INVESTIGATORS CINDY
AND JEFF HAD BEEN HAVING AN
AFFAIR FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS.
>> EVIDENTLY, CINDY HAS HER OWN
SEPARATE BEDROOM, AND JEFF AND
CINDY WOULD SPEND A LOT OF TIME
THERE.
SO NOW WE HAVE THIS AFFAIR, BUT
IT SEEMS, NOT ONLY DOES
JEFF ZACK'S FAMILY KNOW ABOUT
IT, BUT EVERYBODY IN THE GEORGE
FAMILY EITHER KNOWS ABOUT IT OR
IS SUSPICIOUS OF IT.
>> Narrator: THIS REVELATION
SEEMS TO UNDERMINE THE
"JEALOUS HUSBAND" THEORY.
>> WHY WOULD ED GEORGE, ALL OF A
SUDDEN, WANT JEFF ZACK KILLED?
THIS AFFAIR'S BEEN GOING ON FOR
SO LONG.
>> THE GEORGES WERE LIKE
SOMETHING OUT OF '40s FILM NOIR.
ED MAY HAVE BEEN THE MOST
POWERFUL MAN IN AKRON, BUT
BEHIND THEIR MANSION DOORS, I
IMAGINE THEY WERE BOTH JUST
SUCKING IT UP IN SOME KIND OF
SILENT MISERY.
>> Narrator: WITH GEORGE LOOKING
LESS AND LESS GUILTY, DETECTIVES
ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE.
MONTHS PASS WITHOUT ANY NEW
LEADS.
BUT THEN A PHONE TIP TAKES THE
CASE IN A STARTLING NEW
DIRECTION.
>> WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM
SOMEONE WHO TOLD US THAT HE WAS
DATING A GIRL THAT SAID SHE KNEW
WHO HAD KILLED JEFF ZACK.
>> Narrator: THE WOMAN IS
TERRIFIED AND RELUCTANT TO TALK.
BUT WHEN SHE FINALLY OPENS UP,
SHE'S ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE
MYSTERIOUS VOICE ON THE
ANSWERING MACHINE.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS IN
THE JEFF ZACK *** CASE
FINALLY CATCH A BREAK WHEN A
WOMAN NAMED CHRISTINE TODARO
COMES FORWARD WITH EXPLOSIVE
INFORMATION.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHE
HAD TOLD US WAS THAT HER
EX-HUSBAND, JOHN ZAFFINO, HAD
BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH A
WHITE-HAIRED ISRAELI GENTLEMAN.
>> MY EX-HUSBAND CAME OVER TO MY
HOUSE BECAUSE HE WANTED TO WARN
ME ABOUT THIS GUY.
AND HE DESCRIBED HIM TO ME AS A
WHITE-HAIRED ISRAELI.
>> Narrator: AFTER THE ***,
CHRISTINE REALIZED THAT MAN WAS
JEFF ZACK.
>> WHEN I SAW THE ARTICLE IN THE
NEWSPAPER, I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO
READ IT PAST PROBABLY THE FIRST
PARAGRAPH.
I FINALLY DECIDED, AT 2:30 IN
THE MORNING, I WAS GONNA CALL
HIM AND JUST ASK HIM.
SO I DID.
ALL I SAID TO HIM WAS, "WAS THAT
YOU?"
AND HE SAID, "WELL, LET'S JUST
SAY THE GUY'S GONNA HAVE A HARD
TIME PARTING HIS HAIR FROM NOW
ON."
>> THAT SORT OF STUCK WITH US.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HAD
NEVER RELEASED.
IT WAS RELEASED HE WAS SHOT, BUT
NOT WHERE HE WAS SHOT -- IN THE
HEAD.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS NOW
WONDER -- WAS IT JOHN ZAFFINO
WHO LEFT THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE
ON JEFF ZACK'S ANSWERING
MACHINE?
THEY PLAY THE TAPE FOR
CHRISTINE.
>> FROM THE VERY FIRST WORD THAT
HE SAID, I KNEW IT WAS HIS
VOICE, INSTANTLY.
AND I LOOKED AT THE DETECTIVES
AND I JUST SAID I CANNOT BELIEVE
THAT HE IS THAT STUPID TO LEAVE
A MESSAGE ON THIS GUY'S
ANSWERING MACHINE.
>> Narrator: BUT WHY WOULD
JOHN ZAFFINO WANT JEFF ZACK
DEAD?
INVESTIGATORS IMMEDIATELY RUN A
BACKGROUND CHECK AND FIND A
DUBIOUS PAST.
>> HE WAS A TRUCK DRIVER, REAL
HIGH-STRUNG.
ONE MINUTE HE'S YOUR BUDDY, NEXT
MINUTE HE SNAPS, HE WANTS TO
FIGHT.
HE HAS SEVERAL ARRESTS FOR
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
>> I NEVER KNEW, ON A DAILY
BASIS, WHAT I WAS GOING TO BE
COMING HOME TO, WHAT KIND OF
ATTITUDE HE HAD.
HE WAS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT
COULD GO FROM ZERO TO MACH 10 IN
THREE SECONDS, OVER NOTHING.
HE HAD BROKEN MY ARM.
HE STRANGLED ME IN FRONT OF MY
KIDS, TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS
SEEING LIGHTS POPPING IN MY
EYES.
SO I HAD EVERY REASON TO BE
FEARFUL OF HIM.
>> Narrator: AS INVESTIGATORS
EXAMINE ZAFFINO'S BACKGROUND,
THEY MAKE A STUNNING DISCOVERY.
THERE IS A COSIGNER ON HIS
LEASE -- THE NAME IS
CINDY GEORGE.
>> SHE COSIGNED FOR THE LEASE
OUT THERE.
>> CINDY WAS SUPPORTING JOHN.
HE HAD QUIT HIS JOB RIGHT AFTER
THE HOMICIDE, AND SHE WAS GIVING
HIM FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
>> Narrator: DETECTIVES CONFIRM
THAT THE PAIR WERE DATING.
>> ZAFFINO IS DATING
CINDY GEORGE.
I SAID, "I THOUGHT JEFF ZACK WAS
DATING CINDY GEORGE.
I'M ALL CONFUSED NOW."
SHE SAID SHE WAS DATING BOTH OF
THEM.
I SAID, "WHOO. OKAY."
>> Narrator: AS AUTHOR LEE CHILD
KNOWS WELL, JEALOUSY IS ONE OF
***'S FAVORITE COMPANIONS.
>> IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS LOVE OR
MONEY THAT MOTIVATES ***
PLOTS.
BUT ONE CHEATING BOYFRIEND
KILLING ANOTHER OVER A MOTHER OF
SEVEN?
THIS WHOLE THING WAS GETTING
MORE AND MORE BAROQUE.
>> Narrator: SUSPICION MOUNTS
WHEN A CHECK OF MOTOR-VEHICLE
RECORDS REVEALS ZAFFINO
PURCHASED A MOTORCYCLE JUST
THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE ***.
>> WHEN WE CHECKED THE COLOR
SCHEME OF THE MOTORCYCLE, WE
WERE ABLE TO FIND OUT IT WAS
LIME GREEN, BLACK, AND WHITE,
AND IT WAS A
NINJA/CROTCH-ROCKET-STYLE
MOTORCYCLE.
>> Narrator: AND THERE'S
SOMETHING ELSE.
THE NEIGHBORS RECALL SEEING
ZAFFINO AND CINDY TOGETHER IN
THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE
***.
>> ALL OF THEM REMEMBERED SEEING
CINDY.
THEY DESCRIBED HER TO A "T."
THE THING THAT STUCK OUT WITH
EVERYBODY WAS THAT SHE WOULD NOT
TALK TO ANYBODY.
>> Narrator: THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL
EVIDENCE IS PILING UP, AND IT
SEEMS TO POINT TO JOHN ZAFFINO.
BUT INVESTIGATORS WANT HARD
EVIDENCE.
THEY CONVINCE CHRISTINE TODARO
TO MEET WITH ZAFFINO AND WEAR A
WIRE.
THEIR GOAL -- GET JOHN ZAFFINO
ON TAPE, INCRIMINATING HIMSELF.
>> WE HAD TO GAIN HER TRUST,
BASICALLY, THAT WE WERE GONNA
PROTECT HER AT ALL COSTS.
>> Narrator: SCARED BUT
DETERMINED, CHRISTINE SETS UP
THE MEETING.
>> WE HAD A LOT OF PLAIN-CLOTHES
PEOPLE SPREAD OUT AROUND.
WELL, SHE SHOWED UP IN A PAIR OF
HOT PANTS AND A HALTER TOP.
AND I'M SITTING THERE WITH A
WIRE, LOOKING, "WHAT AM I GONNA
DO WITH THIS?"
>> I HAD ON SHORTS AND JUST A
TANK TOP AND WHATEVER, AND THEY
DIDN'T REALLY TELL ME WHAT I
SHOULD WEAR, BUT THERE REALLY
WASN'T MUCH ROOM TO PUT ANYTHING
ON WITH, YOU KNOW.
>> Narrator: JUST IN TIME,
DETECTIVE HUDNALL ROUNDS UP A
SMALLER DEVICE.
>> YOU GOT TO LOVE
CHRISTINE TODARO.
HERE SHE WAS NOW, ABOUT TO FACE
OFF AGAINST HER ABUSIVE
EX-HUSBAND -- A SUSPECTED
KILLER.
SHE HAD TO BE TERRIFIED, BUT SHE
FORGED AHEAD ANYWAY.
>> I PULLED IN, AND PROBABLY
WITHIN TWO MINUTES, JOHN GOT
THERE.
SO, HE GETS IN MY CAR, AND HE
JUST STARTED SCREAMING.
>> HE STARTED YELLING.
HE WOULD GET REAL ANGRY WITH
HER.
HE WOULD START CUSSING AT HER.
SHE WOULD START CUSSING BACK.
>> HE NEVER REALLY CAME OUT AND
SAID, "I KILLED A GUY."
HE'S NEVER SAID THAT TO ME, BUT
HE MAKES A LOT OF INSINUATIONS
ABOUT IT WITHOUT EVER REALLY
COMING OUT AND SAYING IT.
>> Narrator: DETECTIVES SET UP A
SECOND MEETING.
THEY KNOW THEY'RE PRESSING THEIR
LUCK.
>> I HAD ONE OF MY OTHER SNIPERS
IN A VEHICLE WITH ME, AND WE HAD
TWO LONG GUNS THAT, YOU KNOW, IF
I HAD TO, WE WERE GONNA PROTECT
CHRISTINE AT ALL COSTS -- EVEN
JEOPARDIZING THE CASE.
>> Narrator: THIS TIME, ZAFFINO
IS SUSPICIOUS.
>> HE MUST HAVE HAD AN IDEA
SOMETHING WAS GOING ON, BECAUSE
HE PULLS OUT AN R.F. DETECTOR,
BASICALLY, TO SEE WHETHER SHE'S
GOT A DEVICE ON HER AND THAT.
>> AND HE REACHES UP, AND HE
TURNS IT ON.
I'M THINKING, "OH, MY GOD.
HE'S GONNA KILL ME RIGHT NOW."
>> I'M THINKING, "OH,
[BLEEP]."
[ CHUCKLES ]
"HERE IT GOES."
>> Narrator: SUDDENLY, THE WHOLE
CASE IS ON THE LINE.
WITH JUST SECONDS TO ACT, CAN
THE TERRIFIED EX-WIFE DEFUSE
THIS BOMB BEFORE IT BLOWS?
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
CONVINCE ZAFFINO'S EX-WIFE,
CHRISTINE TODARO, TO MEET WITH
ZAFFINO A SECOND TIME.
THIS TIME, ZAFFINO'S SUSPICIOUS.
HE SHOWS UP WITH AN R.F.
DETECTOR -- A DEVICE THAT WOULD
SHOW IF SHE'S WEARING A WIRE.
INVESTIGATORS MUST MAKE A
CRUCIAL SPLIT-SECOND DECISION.
SUDDENLY, CHRISTINE GRABS THE
R.F. DETECTOR AND STARTS YELLING
AT ZAFFINO.
>> I GRABBED IT WITH MY LEFT
HAND OUT OF HIS HAND, TURNED IT
OFF WITH MY RIGHT HAND, AND
THREW IT IN THE BACKSEAT OF HIS
TRUCK.
>> SHE PLAYED IT OFF GREAT.
SHE GRABBED IT, THREW IT IN THE
BACKSEAT.
"HOW DARE YOU?
YOU DON'T TRUST ME!
WHO IN THE HELL?"
CHRISTINE WAS VERY GOOD.
>> HE NEVER REACHED BACK TO GET
IT TO TURN IT BACK ON.
RIGHT THEN AND THERE, I KNOW HE
KNEW.
HE KNEW, BUT HE DIDN'T DO
ANYTHING.
I WAS SHOCKED.
>> Narrator: SO FAR, ZAFFINO'S
MANAGED TO OUTSMART POLICE, BUT
DETECTIVES REFUSE TO GIVE UP.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED
TO FIND WAS THE GUN.
THERE WAS NO GUN REGISTRATIONS
UNDER JOHN ZAFFINO'S NAME.
>> Narrator: BUT RELENTLESS
INVESTIGATORS MANAGE TO LOCATE A
MAN WHO SAYS HE SOLD THE SUSPECT
NOT ONE, BUT TWO WEAPONS.
>> HE SAID, "WELL, I SOLD HIM
THIS ONE HANDGUN, AND JOHN TOLD
ME HE LOST IT IN THE WOODS AND
THEN CAME BACK AND SAID HE
WANTED TO BUY ANOTHER GUN."
>> Narrator: POLICE ALSO MANAGE
TO TRACK DOWN A MOTORCYCLE FOR
SALE THAT MATCHES THE
DESCRIPTION OF THE KILLER'S
LIME-GREEN BIKE.
>> SO, THE CLERK WENT AND
SEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND THEY
ONLY HAD ONE FOR SALE. AND IT
POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN, AND
CONVENIENTLY ENOUGH, IT WAS THE
MOTORCYCLE.
>> Narrator: AND WHEN
INVESTIGATORS CONTACT THE
SELLER, THEY'RE IN FOR A BIG
SURPRISE -- ANOTHER EX-WIFE OF
JOHN ZAFFINO'S.
SHE ADMITS ZAFFINO DROPPED OFF
THE BIKE JUST TWO NIGHTS AFTER
JEFF ZACK'S ***.
HE CLAIMED IT WAS IN EXCHANGE
FOR BACK CHILD SUPPORT.
>> JOHN ZAFFINO HAD SHOWED UP AT
HER HOME.
HE HAD PLACED DUCT TAPE OVER THE
LIME-GREEN HIGHLIGHTS ON THE
MOTORCYCLE.
HE TOLD HER THAT THE POLICE WERE
LOOKING FOR THE MOTORCYCLE
BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN SPEEDING OR
SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT.
>> Narrator: IN HIS NOVELS,
AUTHOR LEE CHILD CREATES CLEVER
AND CUNNING BAD GUYS.
REAL-LIFE CRIMINALS ARE RARELY
SO SHREWD.
>> ZAFFINO MAY HAVE CONSIDERED
HIMSELF A REAL TOUGH GUY, BUT
KILLING A VENDING-MACHINE DEALER
AT A GAS STATION ISN'T EXACTLY
C.I.A. WET WORK, AND GIVEN HIS
APPARENT LACK OF BRAINPOWER, I
WAS SURE THERE HAD TO BE
SOMEBODY ELSE PULLING THE
STRINGS.
>> Narrator: AND WAS THE MOST
POWERFUL PUPPETEER IN
JOHN ZAFFINO'S LIFE HIS
GIRLFRIEND, CINDY GEORGE?
>> WE DIDN'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT
CINDY GEORGE.
>> I KNEW SHE CAME FROM A
RELATIVELY AVERAGE BACKGROUND
AND THAT SHE WAS QUITE A BIT
YOUNGER THAN ED GEORGE.
>> CYNTHIA GEORGE CAME FROM A
BLUE-COLLAR, SMALL TOWN SOUTH OF
AKRON.
I THINK SHE WAS VERY AMBITIOUS,
WANTED TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR
HERSELF, AND HER DREAMS WERE
ANSWERED WHEN SHE MET ED GEORGE.
>> OTHER THAN THAT, WE DIDN'T
KNOW TOO MUCH.
SHE DIDN'T TAKE PART IN CHARITY
EVENTS OR ANY OF THE OTHER
THINGS THAT PEOPLE ASSUME
WEALTHIER PEOPLE DO.
SHE JUST PRETTY MUCH STAYED TO
HERSELF AND DID WHATEVER SHE
DID.
WE WEREN'T AWARE OF ANYTHING.
>> Narrator: BUT INVESTIGATORS
ARE STILL PUZZLED.
COULD CINDY BE INVOLVED IN
ZACK'S ***, AND IF SO, WHAT'S
THE MOTIVE?
THEN, DETECTIVES MAKE A STUNNING
DISCOVERY -- AN INTERESTING
FAMILY PHOTO OF
ED AND CINDY GEORGE AND THEIR
SEVEN KIDS.
>> OH, LOOK AT THIS LITTLE ONE
AT THE BOTTOM.
IT'S A LITTLE BLOND-HAIRED
GIRL...
WITH BLUE EYES.
WHY DO ALL THE KIDS LOOK LIKE
ONE WAY, BUT THIS LITTLE ONE
LOOKS DIFFERENT?
>> SOMEONE MADE THE COMMENT,
"WELL, MAYBE THAT'S JEFF'S KID."
>> Narrator: IN ADDITION TO THE
PHOTO, INVESTIGATORS ALSO
LEARN THAT ZACK'S WIFE AND OTHER
RELATIVES BELIEVE THAT ONE OF
CINDY'S CHILDREN MAY HAVE BEEN
FATHERED BY JEFF ZACK.
>> I KNEW THAT THEY HAD HAD A
LOVE AFFAIR.
I ALWAYS SUSPECTED THAT THE BABY
WAS JEFFREY'S.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
OBTAIN THE SEARCH WARRANT THEY
NEED TO FORCE A PATERNITY TEST.
CINDY DOES EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO
STOP IT.
>> CINDY WAS SCARING THE CHILD
AND TELLING HER, YOU KNOW,
"DON'T DO IT.
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT."
>> Narrator: BUT DESPITE HER
PROTEST, THE DNA TEST EXPOSES
CINDY'S DARKEST SECRET -- HER
YOUNGEST CHILD WAS FATHERED BY
JEFF ZACK.
>> CINDY GEORGE WAS VERY
CONCERNED THAT JEFF ZACK WAS
GOING TO EXPOSE THE AFFAIR TO
HER HUSBAND, EXPOSE THE FACT
THAT HER YOUNGEST CHILD WAS
FATHERED BY JEFF ZACK, WHICH
WAS, APPARENTLY, A FACT THAT WAS
UNKNOWN TO HER HUSBAND.
MARY ANN BREWER, THE NANNY, KNEW
THAT THEY WERE FIGHTING ALL THE
TIME, THAT HE PERHAPS HAD BEEN
VIOLENT IN SOME RESPECT.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS SAY
ZACK'S THREATS WERE MORE THAN
JUST PHYSICAL.
ACCORDING TO THE NANNY, CINDY
HAD BIGGER WORRIES.
>> CINDY GEORGE INDICATED, "YOU
DON'T UNDERSTAND."
YOU KNOW, "HE'S THREATENED TO
TAKE MY CHILD TO ISRAEL."
>> AND CINDY COULDN'T AFFORD FOR
THAT TO HAPPEN, AND JOHN WAS HER
TICKET TO GET THAT PROBLEM TAKEN
AWAY, AND JOHN IS JUST THE
PERSON THAT CAN DO IT.
>> ONE THING THAT REALLY STRUCK
ME ABOUT THIS STORY WAS THE
CONTRAST BETWEEN
CHRISTINE TODARO AND
CINDY GEORGE.
CHRISTINE WAS THE BAD GIRL WHO
CAME GOOD.
PERFECT LITTLE CINDY, ON THE
OTHER HAND, WAS STARTING TO LOOK
LIKE THE ULTIMATE MANIPULATOR.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS ARE
BUILDING A COMPELLING CASE
AGAINST JOHN ZAFFINO, BUT TIME
MAY BE RUNNING OUT.
THE LONGER ZAFFINO IS ON THE
STREET, THE GREATER THE DANGER
IS TO HIS EX-WIFE, CHRISTINE.
>> ZAFFINO HAD AN IDEA CHRIS WAS
GIVING US INFORMATION.
HE WAS GETTING MORE AND MORE
THREATENING TOWARDS HER IN HIS
PHONE CALLS TO HER AND THAT, AND
WE FELT, FOR SAFETY REASONS,
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO MOVE AND
MOVE NOW.
>> Narrator: ON SEPTEMBER 25,
2002, NEARLY A YEAR AND A HALF
AFTER JEFF ZACK'S ***,
INVESTIGATORS ARREST ZAFFINO.
THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CASE
AGAINST ZAFFINO TAKES AN
INTERESTING TURN.
>> WE GOT A CALL FROM A PARK
RANGER, AND WHAT SHE TOLD US WAS
THAT SHE HAD SPOTTED A CAR, LATE
AT NIGHT, IN ONE OF THE PARKING
LOTS.
SHE WENT OVER TO THE CAR, LOOKED
INSIDE, AND THERE WAS AN EMPTY
GUN CASE.
>> Narrator: THE RANGER CALLED
FOR BACKUP.
>> ALL OF A SUDDEN, OUT OF THE
WOODS APPEARS JOHN ZAFFINO.
>> Narrator: HE QUICKLY EXPLAINS
THE EMPTY GUN CASE.
>> HE SAID HE HAD LEFT THE GUN
AT HOME.
THEY TALKED TO HIM.
HE SAID HE WAS THERE WAITING FOR
HIS GIRLFRIEND, AND THEY DIDN'T
HAVE ANY REASON TO HOLD HIM, SO
THEY LET HIM GO.
>> Narrator: A FEW DAYS LATER, A
HIKER FOUND A LOADED HANDGUN IN
THE WOODS NEAR THE PARKING LOT.
IT MATCHED THE DESCRIPTION OF
ONE OF THE GUNS ZAFFINO
PURCHASED FROM HIS FRIEND.
INVESTIGATORS WONDER -- WAS
ZAFFINO ACTUALLY TALKING WITH
HIS GIRLFRIEND...
OR WAITING FOR JEFF ZACK?
>> WHEN JOHN ZAFFINO WAS SITTING
THERE IN THE PARK WAITING FOR
JEFF ZACK, HE'S ON THE PHONE
WITH CINDY GEORGE FOR AN HOUR
AND A HALF.
HE'S GOT A GUN.
HE'S IN THE PARK.
IT'S LATE AT NIGHT.
HE'S ON THE PHONE WITH
CINDY GEORGE.
SURE ENOUGH, SHE'S ALSO ON THE
PHONE WITH JEFF ZACK.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
WONDER IF CINDY WAS TRYING TO
LURE ZACK TO THE PARK AND IF
ZAFFINO WAS WAITING IN AMBUSH TO
KILL HIM.
WHEN ZAFFINO SAW THE RANGER, HE
QUICKLY DITCHED THE GUN AND HUNG
UP.
ALTHOUGH DETECTIVES FEEL CINDY
IS INVOLVED, THEY DON'T KNOW IF
THEY HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE, AND
THEY SET THEIR SIGHTS ON
JOHN ZAFFINO.
>> CINDY GEORGE PROBABLY COULD
HAVE ALSO BEEN ARRESTED AT THE
SAME TIME AS JOHN ZAFFINO.
HOWEVER, WE FELT THAT WE NEEDED
A LITTLE BIT MORE AGAINST CINDY.
>> WE WEREN'T EXPECTING HIM TO
TALK OR SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.
HE TOLD US THAT HE HARDLY KNEW
CINDY GEORGE, THAT HE HAD DONE A
LITTLE BIT OF WORK ON HER CAR,
THEY HAD GONE BIKE-RIDING ONCE
OR TWICE, HE HADN'T SEEN HER IN
MONTHS.
>> Narrator: ZAFFINO CLAIMS TO
HAVE BEEN WITH TWO FRIENDS AT
THE TIME OF THE HOMICIDE.
DETECTIVES AREN'T BUYING IT.
>> WE KNEW ALL THOSE THINGS WERE
LIES.
WITH THE ALIBI AND THOSE
STATEMENTS, WE FELT GOOD.
>> Narrator: AS PROSECUTORS
PREPARE THEIR CASE AGAINST
JOHN ZAFFINO, IT WILL BE
CINDY GEORGE WHO STEALS THE
SHOW.
>> Narrator: JOHN ZAFFINO'S
*** TRIAL BEGINS ON
FEBRUARY 26, 2003.
THE STATE CLAIMS THAT A
LOVE-STRUCK ZAFFINO KILLED
JEFF ZACK BECAUSE HE WAS
THREATENING CINDY GEORGE.
>> MARY ANN BREWER, THE NANNY,
HAD DISCUSSED WITH CINDY GEORGE,
"WHY WOULD YOU STAY WITH SOMEONE
LIKE THIS?"
SHE KNEW THAT THEY WERE FIGHTING
ALL THE TIME, THAT HE PERHAPS
HAD BEEN VIOLENT IN SOME
RESPECT.
>> Narrator: CRIME WRITER
LEE CHILD HAS WITNESSED A NUMBER
OF *** TRIALS AND KNOWS HOW
UNPREDICTABLE THEY CAN BE.
>> THE PROSECUTION SEEMED TO BE
BUILDING A SLAM-DUNK CASE, BUT
WOULD THIS COURTROOM THRILLER
HAVE A HOLLYWOOD ENDING?
EVERYONE WAS DYING TO FIND OUT.
>> Narrator: THE PROSECUTION
BUILDS A STRONG CASE AGAINST
ZAFFINO, STARTING WITH HIS
ACQUISITION OF THE MOTORCYCLE
AND GUNS.
>> JOHN'S PURCHASE OF THE SECOND
GUN WAS JUST A WEEK OR TWO
BEFORE THE HOMICIDE.
>> Narrator: AND WHILE
CINDY GEORGE IS NOT ON TRIAL,
CELLPHONE RECORDS SHOW AN ALMOST
CONTINUAL CONVERSATION BETWEEN
HER AND ZAFFINO BEFORE AND AFTER
THE SHOOTING.
>> ON THE DAY OF THE ***,
THEY BOTH WERE ON A PHONE FOR
QUITE SOME AMOUNT OF TIME.
THEN DURING THE *** ITSELF,
AND FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER
THE SHOOTING, CINDY GEORGE DID
NOT CALL JOHN ZAFFINO AND HE DID
NOT CALL HER, BUT ONCE THERE WAS
ENOUGH TIME FOR JOHN ZAFFINO TO
GET HOME, HE'S RIGHT BACK ON THE
PHONE WITH CINDY GEORGE.
>> ON DAY 3, THE COURTROOM HELD
ITS BREATH AS THE MILLIONAIRE'S
WIFE WAS CALLED TO THE STAND.
WE WERE EXPECTING A FEMME
FATALE.
WHAT WE GOT WAS A LIBRARIAN.
>> YOU KNOW, IT WAS A GRAND
MOMENT.
HERE'S THIS QUEEN OF AKRON
WALKING THROUGH THE COURTHOUSE,
LOOKING VERY DEMURE WITH HER
HAIR PULLED BACK, EYEGLASSES
ON -- CERTAINLY NOT THE
GLAMOROUS, ATTRACTIVE WOMAN YOU
WERE EXPECTING TO SEE.
>> SHE THEN EXERCISED HER 5th
AMENDMENT PRIVILEGE AGAINST
SELF-INCRIMINATION, AND THE
JUDGE EXCUSED HER.
>> THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF
LETDOWN IN THE COURTROOM AMONG
THE REPORTERS AND, PARTICULARLY,
THE JURORS.
>> Narrator: ZAFFINO'S
ATTORNEYS PRESENT A SIMPLE AND
STRAIGHTFORWARD DEFENSE.
>> JOHN ZAFFINO'S DEFENSE WAS,
HE DIDN'T DO IT, HE WASN'T THE
PERSON WHO SHOT AND KILLED
JEFF ZACK -- PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
THERE WASN'T AN EYEWITNESS AT
THE SCENE THAT COULD IDENTIFY
HIS FACE.
HE JUST PLAIN DIDN'T DO IT.
>> Narrator: AFTER FIVE DAYS OF
TESTIMONY, THE JURY TAKES ONLY
FOUR HOURS TO REACH A GUILTY
VERDICT.
ZAFFINO IS SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS
TO LIFE IN PRISON.
>> WE WERE CERTAINLY VERY
PLEASED WITH HIS CONVICTION.
OUR OFFICE AND THE POLICE
CERTAINLY WANTED TO ARREST
CINDY GEORGE AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
>> THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT TO GO
FIRST, AND THEN WE FELT THAT WE
NEEDED TO DO MORE
INVESTIGATION, FIND OUT MORE
THINGS.
>> Narrator: PROSECUTORS HAVE
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE AGAINST
CINDY GEORGE.
INVESTIGATORS RESORT TO
SURVEILLANCE.
DETECTIVES ARE MONITORING
ZAFFINO'S JAILHOUSE
COMMUNICATIONS, HOPING FOR SOME
INCRIMINATING INFORMATION.
>> WE HAD HOPED WE'D GET PHONE
CALLS FROM JOHN TO CINDY.
WE DIDN'T.
WHAT WE GOT WERE PHONE CALLS
JOHN WAS MAKING TO HIS SISTER,
AND THOSE PHONE CALLS WERE VERY
TELLING.
HE KEPT TELLING HIS SISTER, "IF
THEY DON'T GIVE ME MONEY, I'M
GONNA GO TELL THE PRESS WHAT
HAPPENED," AND SURE ENOUGH, ALL
THOSE THREATS WERE ANSWERED BY
EITHER MONEY OR ATTORNEYS.
>> Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
OBTAIN A WARRANT TO SEARCH
ZAFFINO'S SISTER'S HOUSE.
THERE THEY DISCOVER A LETTER
WRITTEN TO JOHN BY CINDY GEORGE.
>> SHE WRITES HIM THIS LONG LOVE
LETTER, PROFESSING HER UNDYING
AND CONTINUED LOVE FOR HIM, AND
THEN SHE PUTS IN AN INTERESTING
COMMENT -- "WE HAVE TO BE
CAREFUL.
WE CANNOT MAKE ONE MISTAKE."
>> Narrator: AS A NOVELIST,
LEE CHILD KNOWS HOW ONE SLIP-UP
CAN UNRAVEL AN ENTIRE PLOT.
>> AND THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF
ALL HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE.
IT WAS JUST LAYING THERE WAITING
TO BE DISCOVERED, AND IT WAS ALL
ABOUT COLD, HARD CASH.
>> CYNTHIA GEORGE WAS TAKING
MONEY OUT OF THE BANK AT THE
EXACT SAME TIME THAT OTHER
EVENTS WERE HAPPENING -- JUST
MINUTES BEFORE JOHN ZAFFINO
PURCHASED THAT MOTORCYCLE FOR
CASH, ALMOST THE EXACT AMOUNT
BEING TAKEN OUT OF HER BANK
ACCOUNT IN CASH.
>> Narrator: PROSECUTORS ARREST
CINDY IN JANUARY OF 2005.
THE TRIAL WOULD PROVIDE
INCREDIBLE TWISTS AND TURNS
NORMALLY RESERVED FOR A
BEST-SELLING NOVEL.
>> Narrator: AFTER JOHN ZAFFINO
IS CONVICTED OF MURDERING
JEFF ZACK, PROSECUTORS PREPARE
TO TRY CINDY GEORGE FOR THE SAME
CRIME.
>> THERE WAS THIS GREAT SENSE OF
EXCITEMENT, ALMOST, IN THE
COMMUNITY.
IT WAS LIKE, "FINALLY, WE'RE
GOING TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT
HAPPENED, AND FINALLY, THE
SO-CALLED "QUEEN OF AKRON" IS
GONNA BE GOING TO TRIAL.
>> Narrator: ON THE EVE OF THE
TRIAL, CINDY'S ATTORNEYS REQUEST
A TRIAL BEFORE A JUDGE RATHER
THAN A JURY.
THEY ARGUE THAT CINDY'S
TARNISHED REPUTATION MAKES A
FAIR JURY TRIAL IMPOSSIBLE.
THE REQUEST IS GRANTED.
>> HER DEFENSE WAS THE SAME AS
JOHN'S DEFENSE -- THAT THERE'S
NO EVIDENCE AGAINST HER.
AND OF COURSE, JOHN ZAFFINO
WASN'T GOING TO TAKE THE STAND
IN HER TRIAL.
SO, THEIR ATTORNEYS' BASIC LEAD
DEFENSE WAS THAT ALL THE
EVIDENCE WE HAD WAS MEANINGLESS
AND DIDN'T ADD UP TO ANYTHING.
>> Narrator: ED GEORGE TAKES THE
STAND IN HIS WIFE'S DEFENSE.
>> ED GEORGE TESTIFIED THAT HE
WAS NOT AWARE OF JOHN ZAFFINO'S
EXISTENCE, WAS NOT AWARE HIS
WIFE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH
JOHN ZAFFINO.
>> I STRUGGLED WITH THE EVIDENCE
AGAINST CINDY GEORGE.
THE PROSECUTION MADE A BIG DEAL
ABOUT THE PHONE CALLS, THE
TIMING OF THE PHONE CALLS, THE
PURCHASE OF THE MOTORCYCLE, BUT
THEY DON'T SAY WHAT WAS BEING
SAID ON THE PHONE.
THERE WAS NO DIRECT EVIDENCE OF
HER INVOLVEMENT.
>> THE JUDGE DELIBERATED FOR
ABOUT THREE DAYS AFTER THE END
OF THE TRIAL, AND THE JUDGE CAME
BACK WITH A VERDICT.
>> THE COURT FINDS THE DEFENDANT
NOT GUILTY.
>> OH, GOD!
[ LAUGHS ]
>> NOT GUILTY OF THE CONSPIRACY
CHARGE.
>> AND THERE WAS A GREAT
OUTPOURING OF EMOTION, CHEERS.
CINDY WAS ALMOST GIDDY THE WAY
THAT SHE WAS REACTING TO THE
VERDICT, AND THEN THE JUDGE
STEPS IN AND SAYS, "HOLD ON,
FOLKS, WE HAVE ONE MORE
VERDICT."
AND THAT'S WHEN THE TONE
CHANGED.
>> AFTER 30 MINUTES OF GOING
OVER ALL THE EVIDENCE AND
EXPLAINING HOW IT ALL CONNECTED
CINDY GEORGE TO THE HOMICIDE,
SHE THEN PRONOUNCED HER GUILTY.
>> AND CERTAINLY, THE MOOD IN
THE COURTROOM CHANGED FROM
JOYOUS TO SOBBING.
>> THE COURT HEREBY IMPOSING
LIFE SENTENCE.
>> OH, MY GOD!
[ SOBBING ]
>> YOUR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY WILL
BE AT 20 YEARS.
>> I WAS THRILLED 'CAUSE I KNEW
SHE WAS GUILTY.
I WAS ECSTATIC.
>> Narrator: FOR THE
INVESTIGATORS, THE JEFF ZACK
*** TRIALS ARE FINALLY OVER.
>> ANYTIME A VERDICT COMES IN
WHERE SOMEONE'S GUILTY, THERE'S
A SENSE OF RELIEF THAT, YOU
KNOW, YOU'VE DONE YOUR JOB AND
THE PERSON'S GONNA, AT LEAST, GO
TO JAIL.
>> BUT, AMAZINGLY,
CINDY GEORGE'S GUILTY VERDICT IS
NOT THE END OF THE STORY.
IN MARCH OF 2007, AFTER 16
MONTHS IN PRISON, HER CASE WENT
TO THE COURT OF APPEALS.
>> Narrator: THE COURT OF
APPEALS STUNS EVERYONE.
IN A TWO-TO-ONE DECISION, THE
COURT OVERTURNS THE GUILTY
VERDICT ON THE GROUNDS OF
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.
>> TOTAL SHOCK -- WE DIDN'T SEE
THAT COMING.
>> Narrator: THE FORMER BEAUTY
QUEEN WALKS OUT OF COURT A FREE
WOMAN, ABSOLVED OF ALL CHARGES
IN THE DEATH OF JEFF ZACK.
>> [ Sobbing ] I JUST WANT TO
THANK EVERYONE THAT'S HELPED ME
AND PRAYED FOR ME AND WROTE ME.
[ SOBS ]
>> Narrator: FIVE MONTHS LATER,
THE OHIO SUPREME COURT DENIES
THE STATE'S APPEAL.
>> JOHN ZAFFINO SURELY MUST BE
SITTING IN PRISON FEELING LIKE A
REAL CHUMP RIGHT NOW.
>> IT'S THE SYSTEM WE HAVE.
IT'S NOT PERFECT, AND NOBODY
EVER SAID IT WAS, BUT IT'S THE
SYSTEM WE HAVE.
>> WHILE THE ZACK FAMILY GRIEVES
AND ZAFFINO ROTS IN PRISON,
CINDY GEORGE LIVES HAPPILY EVER
AFTER ON HER HUSBAND'S ROLLING
ESTATE.
FOR "*** BY THE BOOK," I'M
LEE CHILD.