August 12, 2023, New Haven, Indiana. Shortly earlier than morning broke within the house he rented together with his spouse Alison, on the base of a steep stairway, Kevin Davis‘ blood seeped onto the ground.
OFFICER GARRETT SHANEBROOK | New Haven Police Division (bodycam video): The place’s that blood coming from?
CORPORAL CADE HETRICK | New Haven Police Division: His face and his nostril.
Det. James Krueger: The quantity of blood, it was alarming. It was — it was in every single place.
Alison Davis had already given lead Detective James Krueger of the New Haven Police Division permission to go looking the home.
DET. JAMES KRUEGER (bodycam video): In case you do conform to that, I want you to signal there saying that you simply perceive …
However she warned them in regards to the bed room, the place their pit bull combine, Willow, would generally growl at strangers who approached.
ALISON DAVIS (bodycam video): She’s up within the bed room, and she or he’s a guard canine.
DET. JAMES KRUEGER: OK.
ALISON DAVIS: And I do not know if she’d do something, and I do not need something to occur to her.
DET. JAMES KRUEGER: Proper now, what I will not do is, I will not go in that room.
ALISON DAVIS: OK.
AN ACCIDENTAL FALL?
Kevin had been rushed to Parkview Regional Medical Middle in vital situation. After talking with first responders and breaking the tragic information to her family members, Alison additionally headed to Parkview.
Peter Van Sant: So that you go to the hospital?
Steve Krause: Sure.
Steve Krause watched his daughter attempt to will Kevin again to consciousness.
Steve Krause: Their favourite phrase for each other was “babe.” … And Alison’s up there, “Hey babe you are gonna be OK. Hey babe, you already know, I am right here with you. Hey babe, I like you.”
Krause Household
Kasey Klemm: She had like blood on her fingernail, cuticles, and on her cellphone. I may inform that she had been crying however she sort of simply seemed like in shock.
Alison’s greatest good friend Kasey Klemm.
Kasey Klemm: They’d her in like a bit of small ready room with a chaplain. And I used to be attempting to calm her all the way down to ask questions, you already know, like what was happening?
Again on the home, Krueger lifted restrictions and cleared the bloody scene. It was horrific. However at this level, he believed it was an accident.
Det. James Krueger: Effectively, possibly he took a head plant down the steps. I do not know. I wasn’t there.
Kasey Klemm: The detective mentioned … I feel we’re performed right here.
Alison stayed on the hospital. However again house, all that blood wanted to be cleaned up.
Kasey Klemm: You do not take into consideration that proper? … Like, who cleans it up?
Steve Krause: I mentioned nicely, I’ll go do it.
Peter Van Sant: You had permission to do that?
Steve Krause: Right.
Peter Van Sant: Permission from the lead detective on this case?
Steve Krause: Right.
Peter Van Sant: How upsetting was this strategy of cleansing?
Steve Krause: Effectively it is very upsetting. … generally I would get — grow to be overwhelmed and want to assemble myself, um, to complete, um, what I would come to do.
Together with tending to Willow, who had been left upstairs of their bed room with the door closed.
Steve Krause: Alison was involved that this canine hadn’t been ignored … They’d no youngsters, so the canine was … like a toddler.
All through that frantic morning, Alison and her household quietly prayed.
Steve Krause: I am praying can we simply, you already know, get up, you already know, get up. You appear like you are sleeping, simply get up.
Kevin and Alison have been part of a good group of pals who have been regulars on the East Haven Tavern the place Jodi Espy and Jessica Eakright care for the gang.
Jessica Eakright: Our clients grow to be our household round right here.
The information that Kevin was in vital situation hit arduous.
Jodi Espy: All people was simply speaking like, “Oh my gosh, he was simply right here. That is so unhappy.”
Kevin and Alison had been on the Tavern simply hours earlier.
Jessica Eakright: It was arduous to not be a good friend of Alison’s as a result of she simply made all people really feel such as you mattered.
Kevin, a talented landscaper, had an enormous persona that matched his huge coronary heart.
Todd Spessert: Kevin Davis was, uh, only a good man … all the time arduous working … prepared to assist anyone out at any time.
Shut pals Todd Spessert and Jason Younger scrambled to see Kevin.
Jason Younger: All of us met on the hospital.
Todd Spessert: Yeah.
Jason Younger: We talked to Alison and her mother and father.
Jason Younger: … undoubtedly she had been crying, however she was holding again.
Todd Spessert: She was — she was a multitude.
Peter Van Sant: She was devastated?
Jason Younger and Todd Spessert: Sure.
The scene was overwhelming.
Todd Spessert: Yeah, he … he is uh mind useless, there’s nothing left in there.
Peter Van Sant: God, just some hours earlier he was sitting proper over right here, proper?
Todd Spessert: Right.
Peter Van Sant: Do you say something to Kevin?
Jason Younger: Oh yeah, yup. … I advised him it is like … I really feel actually dangerous about this. And it should not have occurred, and want you have been nonetheless right here.
Peter Van Sant: And did you have got an opportunity to say goodbye to your good friend?
Jason Younger: Yeah. I mentioned goodbye there. Yep.
Todd Spessert: They have been — yeah, then they have been speaking about, you already know, donating his organs and stuff. And I used to be like — I used to be like, wow.
Peter Van Sant: He was an organ donor?
Kasey Klemm: Sure, sure. She was very pleased with him for that, too.
His life help could be disconnected. Quickly, 40-year-old Kevin Davis was gone. At 33, Alison was a widow.
Kasey Klemm: They have been simply pleased sort of couple that will dance within the kitchen to music collectively, simply the 2 of them. Like that is simply who they have been. They have been nice collectively.
It shook their good friend Deontae Bristol.
Deontae Bristol: I used to be simply holding again tears as a result of we have been simply hanging out. Like I used to be simply hanging out with this man.
Jessica Eakright: It is devastating. Not simply because he is not right here, however as a result of the circumstances surrounding it are traumatic.
Deontae Bristol: It needed to be an accident.
Jodi Espy: No one ever thought it was something however a fall.
New Haven, Indiana, Police Division 
And that is what Krueger concluded, too.
Det. James Krueger: I simply did not see any want in a small division to tie up all our assets and maintain the home for an accident scene.
However the scene did increase questions. Regardless of an enormous quantity of blood, first responders did not see any lacerations on Kevin’s head.
Det. James Krueger: I used to be simply advised that he was bleeding out of his … nostril and mouth … there was no apparent wound on the aspect of his head.
That very same day, a health care provider at Parkview treating Kevin felt compelled to talk up.
Det. James Krueger: One of many docs of the ER workers … had some issues with these accidents.
The CT scans confirmed inner wounds — a number of cranium fractures. She additionally famous bruising to his face and scalp and concluded, “Kevin’s accidents weren’t in keeping with a fall down a stairway.”
Det. James Krueger: That … undoubtedly raised some purple flags in my thoughts.
She alerted the coroner’s workplace, who ordered an post-mortem.
Peter Van Sant: When did this accident scene grow to be a criminal offense scene?
Det. James Krueger: After the post-mortem. … As soon as they advised me that he had a crushed-in cranium … undoubtedly just isn’t in keeping with a fall from the steps. … that is once I began … to dig rather a lot … deeper into this case.
KEVIN DAVIS’ AUTOPSY RESULTS RAISE SUSPICIONS
Three days after Kevin’s dying, the post-mortem was accomplished and the provocative findings have been turned over to police.
Det. James Krueger: I get the post-mortem report … saying that his cranium is crushed in, undoubtedly just isn’t in keeping with a fall from the steps.
However Krueger says it’s in keeping with a violent bodily beating.
Peter Van Sant: And also you now are going … we might have a murder on our fingers.
James Krueger: Proper.
Peter Van Sant: Do you have got a suspect on this case?
James Krueger: Yeah, Alison’s undoubtedly our suspect. … You’ve got two folks in a home. One is murdered.
It appeared a routine step to launch the homicide investigation of Alison Davis. However the New Haven Police Division had an enormous problem — created by its personal determination.
Peter Van Sant: By releasing the scene that meant that relations may –
Det. James Krueger: That meant that anyone —
Peter Van Sant: — reenter the home …
Det. James Krueger: — yeah, the home is again to her.
Peter Van Sant: However when folks apart from regulation enforcement enter a home as soon as it has been launched there’s an issue proper?
Det. James Krueger: There may be.
Peter Van Sant: There could be contamination of a criminal offense scene.
Det. James Krueger: Yeah.
The day after police acquired the post-mortem, 4 days after Kevin’s dying, Krueger acquired a search warrant. That very same day and the subsequent he returned to the home, a bodycam rolling.
DET. JAMES KRUEGER (bodycam video): I’ve a pair extra search warrants right here, OK? First one is I gotta take your cellphone from ya.
ALISON DAVIS: OK.
Police had been on the lookout for extra proof — together with a attainable homicide weapon or traces of blood. However by then, Alison’s dad had already straightened up as greatest he may.
Steve Krause: I principally cleaned up the realm that I may visually see blood. And it was round the place Kevin was on the ground. … It is proper there on the backside of the steps.
DET. JAMES KRUEGER (bodycam video): So if I may collect the cellphone first?
ALISON DAVIS: Sure, let me seize that.
Alison shared with Klemm a rising unease she could not shake.
Kasey Klemm: She was actually upset that they took their telephones …
DET. JAMES KRUEGER (bodycam video): Is that password protected?
ALISON DAVIS: Sure.
Kasey Klemm: … trigger that was lots of their reminiscences. … footage to … look again on.
Alison would say she initially spoke willingly to investigators, doing all police requested of her.
Peter Van Sant: She would speak to whomever needed to talk along with her, is that proper?
Kasey Klemm: Yeah. She had nothing to cover. Why would she?
Steve Krause: There’s … nothing that means there was something apart from a fall down the steps.
Peter Van Sant: And for you this was a tragic accident.
Steve Krause: After all … It was!
And because the highlight turned to Alison Davis, on the East Haven Tavern, there have been lots who voiced their help.
Jodi Espy: There isn’t any manner.
Peter Van Sant: There isn’t any manner what?
Jodi Epsy: That she may’ve performed that, she may’ve killed him. There isn’t any manner.
Jessica Eakright: I couldn’t think about in any world the place she could be needed for homicide.
The tavern crowd tells the story of that night time. Alison was working retail at Victoria’s Secret. When she completed, she headed over. As common, Kevin was ready for her.
Peter Van Sant: On that night time … the place was he sitting?
Jodi Espy: He was sitting over right here on the bar.
Peter Van Sant: And his temper that night time was?
Jodi Espy: Was good, he was pleased, he was pleasant.
Jason Younger: I used to be right here with him.
Peter Van Sant: You have been right here?
Jason Younger: Mm-hmm.
It was round 9 p.m. when Alison walked in.
Jodi Espy: Typical night time.
Jessica Eakright: There was nothing out of the unusual in — within the slightest.
Kevin had a second, then a 3rd beer and a few vodka pictures. Alison sipped on her common — a candy cocktail.
Jessica Eakright: It did not appear that she was ingesting excessively in any respect.
The East Haven Tavern regulars carried on. Kevin may get a bit of loud, his pals say, however they knew, that was simply Kevin being Kevin.
Jodi Espy: I imply, he was — he was simply “rather a lot.”
Peter Van Sant: What does “rather a lot” imply?
Jodi Espy: He was very opinionated.
Jessica Eakright: However she — she beloved him by way of it.
Quickly it was after midnight; time to show in.
Jessica Eakright: They have been calling it an evening, winding down.
Alison left the tavern first, with Kevin following shortly after.
Jessica Eakright: I feel it was about one.
Kevin and his buddy Jason Younger began texting.
Peter Van Sant: Now these texts, do you continue to have them?
Jason Younger: Mm-hmm.
Peter Van Sant: Are you able to present them to me?
Jason Younger: Yeah. … You possibly can simply begin right here. You simply begin scrolling by way of. …
Peter Van Sant: So this begins at 1:11 a.m. …
Younger requested, “You guys make it again?” Kevin responding, “Oh ya sry…. L O L.” A second later Kevin confides, “Ya we’re good bro… I am simply listening to music… L O L.”
Jason Younger: … simply being humorous, you already know … all that was principally happening til … about 2:31.
However Klemm says, Alison advised her it was late, and she or he had advised Kevin to settle down. She was drained, and all she needed was to get some sleep.
Kasey Klemm: She mentioned, Kevin, I’ve to rise up early for work. … I am gonna go downstairs and sleep in case you do not cease. I have to sleep.
Kevin despatched Jason a seemingly harmless textual content.
Jason Younger: He says … “I am placing my cellphone on silent, giggle my ass off, gotta go to mattress. The spouse.“
“The Spouse.” After the post-mortem outcomes got here again, and Krueger acquired Alison and Kevin’s telephones. He studied that textual content and those earlier than it. He thought they did not appear harmless in any respect.
Det. James Krueger: He was clearly irritated at her about one thing.
Bear in mind, Alison had advised first responders that they’d had a combat.
ALISON DAVIS (police bodycam): Simply now, I awoke, I — we acquired in a combat final night time …
Det. James Krueger: Who is aware of what was mentioned. It clearly aggravated her.
Det. James Krueger: This can be a spouse that misplaced it and beat her husband to dying.
Steve Krause: There’s nothing to counsel that Alison did something. … That is simply strictly an accident.
THE INVESTIGATION FOCUSES ON ALISON DAVIS
With proof exhibiting that Kevin Davis’s cranium had a number of fractures, every thing was being reexamined to find out if these accidents have been unintended —or intentional.
911 DISPATCHER: 911. What is the handle of your emergency?
ALISON DAVIS: My husband simply fell down the steps and there is blood in every single place …
ALISON DAVIS: … I do not know if he is alive or useless.
Detective Krueger’s group analyzed that 911 name and concluded Alison was appearing.
Det. James Krueger: … that is rehearsed. … As a result of she needed to hearken to what the 911 dispatcher needed to say after which she went into her complete rehearsal.
911 DISPATCHER: OK, and what occurred to your husband?
ALISON DAVIS: Um, he fell down the steps, simply now. I used to be sleeping downstairs. All I heard — impulsively, I heard a loud noise.
Det. James Krueger: She by no means requested them to rush up. Virtually each 911 name you listened to, hey, hurry up, I want you now, you already know?
Det. James Krueger: This name is about her. It isn’t about Kevin.
And whilst their bodycams rolled, law enforcement officials Hetrick and Shanebrook questioned if Alison was genuinely involved, as Kevin lay dying.
Peter Van Sant: Usually, based mostly in your expertise, how is the partner reacting in a state of affairs like this?
Cpl. Cade Hetrick: Often simply absolute panic.
And when EMT’s lifted Kevin, brain-dead, into an emergency car —
Peter Van Sant: Did she try and get into the ambulance?
Cpl. Cade Hetrick: Not as soon as.
Peter Van Sant: Not as soon as. Was she crying?
Cpl. Cade Hetrick: I — I do not ever recall witnessing her cry.
However they are saying they did hear her laughing.
Officer Garrett Shanebrook: Uh, we each observed it.
Cpl. Cade Hetrick: When she was additionally speaking to the paramedics, my physique digital camera captured her kinda laughing … with the paramedics.
CORPORAL CADE HETRICK (bodycam video): Is there someplace we are able to get garments for ya?
ALISON DAVIS: Um, trigger you may’t. I am unsure.
CORPORAL CADE HETRICK: Yeah. That is the issue proper now, like I mentioned.
ALISON DAVIS: I imply, it’s what it’s at this level.
CORPORAL CADE HETRICK: OK. OK.
Additionally unusual, to those law enforcement officials, is what they noticed on the backside of the steps.
CORPORAL CADE HETRICK (bodycam video): This simply does not appear like a fall to me.
OFFICER GARRETT SHANEBROOK: No.
Officer Garrett Shanebrook: If he fell down the steps why wasn’t he extra both wedged up towards the doorway … not laying completely flat in a horizontal place?
Det. James Krueger: It is nearly like he was laid down at that base of the steps. It did not make sense.
Police would come to assume they knew why.
Cpl. Cade Hetrick: It did not add as much as a tumble down the steps.
Peter Van Sant: What did it add as much as you?
Cpl. Cade Hetrick: Blunt drive trauma …
A beating, police say — a number of extreme blows to the top till Kevin’s cranium caved in.
CORPORAL CADE HETRICK (bodycam video): Proper now, we’re treating this as a criminal offense scene as a consequence of his situation, OK? Alright?
Police uncovered one thing else. Alison advised totally different tales as to the place she and Kevin have been sleeping. Bear in mind, first responders heard this story:
New Haven, Indiana, Police Division 
ALISON DAVIS (bodycam video): We acquired in a combat final night time. And I used to be sleeping on the sofa, and he was sleeping upstairs.
However that is not what investigators say Alison advised Kevin’s mom, Alta Beers.
Det. James Krueger: Alta tells me that, um, Alison advised her that … they have been in mattress collectively … I mentioned, OK, that is attention-grabbing.
Peter Van Sant: However she had advised you she was on a sofa.
Det. James Krueger: Yeah. Fully totally different.
Krueger says Alison did not share with Kevin’s household simply how critically he was harm.
Det. James Krueger: She is minimizing this whole state of affairs, particularly to Kevin’s household.
Peter Van Sant: Why do you suppose Alison minimized his accidents –
Det. James Krueger: As a result of she prompted the accidents. That is why she minimized them. … She’s caught mendacity …
The detective’s theories: the 911 name — faked.
ALISON DAVIS (to 911): My husband simply fell down the steps and there is blood in every single place, and I can not flip him over.
Alison’s habits — unnatural. Kevin’s physique — it had been moved.
Tesa Helge: It appears to me like he is been positioned in a manner that doesn’t in keeping with falling down the steps.
Prosecutor Tesa Helge teamed with Krueger and the docs who had handled and examined Kevin.
Peter Van Sant: So your consultants are taking a look at a person they believed principally was crushed to dying.
Tesa Helge: That is precisely what they imagine.
Peter Van Sant: Overwhelmed by somebody.
Tesa Helge: Proper.
Peter Van Sant: And that somebody you imagine was?
Tesa Helge: Alison Davis.
However the prosecutor sensed the investigation confronted some critical challenges.
Peter Van Sant: The place’s the homicide weapon?
Tesa Helge: It is a fantastic query.
Peter Van Sant: And what triggered this?
Tesa Helge: Between them? I do not know. I want I knew.
However Helge and Krueger grew to become satisfied, they’d realized one thing vital about Alison and Kevin’s marriage that would counsel a motive.
Det. James Krueger: I spoke with Kevin’s mom, Alta, and she or he had knowledgeable me that there have been having some marital points.
Tesa Helge: You realize a home relationship that has gone dangerous … It’s on the rocks.
And keep in mind these texts from the ultimate hours of his life between Kevin and his good friend Jason Younger?
Jason Younger: He mentioned, “I am placing my cellphone on silent, laughin’ my ass off, gotta go to mattress. The spouse.”
Peter Van Sant: Gotta go, the spouse.
Det. James Krueger: The spouse.
Investigators advised that message mirrored tensions within the marriage. Younger believes that is ridiculous.
Peter Van Sant: Did he ever say to you my marriage is in bother.
Jason Younger: No.
Kasey Klemm: She would’ve advised me if there was one thing happening and by no means was that hinted.
Alison’s supporters say she was simply being sincere with investigators when she talked about the argument. However, with detectives bearing down on her, Alison had stopped speaking to them about her marriage or anything.
Det. James Krueger: She went fully silent after that and uh.
Peter Van Sant: The cooperation stopped.
Det. James Krueger: Over with, yep, yep.
On Oct. 17, 2023, after two months of investigation, police declared Kevin’s dying a murder. And two months after that, a warrant was issued for Alison’s arrest for the homicide of her husband.
Steve Krause: I imply that — that is unbelievable … So we get a suggestion for legal protection group in Indianapolis.
Steve Krause: Andrew Baldwin and Max Wiley.
Andrew Baldwin: I spent fairly a little bit of time along with her, and she or he’s only a fantastic particular person …
Three days earlier than Christmas, Alison Davis walked into the Allen County Jail along with her mother and father.
Steve Krause: She mentioned … I am Alison Davis, and I am right here to show myself in.
Peter Van Sant: Did they handcuff her proper in entrance of you?
Steve Krause: Sure.
Peter Van Sant: Do you imagine Alison Davis had something to do along with her husband’s dying?
Max Wiley: No.
Wiley and Baldwin thought they knew precisely why cops hadn’t discovered a homicide weapon: as a result of there was no homicide.
Peter Van Sant: What was the instrument that you simply imagine prompted Kevin’s dying?
Max Wiley: The banister on the backside of the steps.
ALISON DAVIS ARRESTED
Indiana not often permits bail on a homicide cost. Alison Davis was locked up within the Allen County Jail. She pleaded not responsible.
Steve Krause: We all know Alison. … and we all know she is not able to what they accused her of.
Peter Van Sant: Does she have a mood?
Steve Krause: No, she’s by no means has a mood.
Peter Van Sant: Does she have a legal file?
Steve Krause: No, she doesn’t have a legal file.
Her father, Steve, hoped he’d given Alison instruments to outlive behind bars and face the anxious wait till her trial.
Steve Krause: Our household is faith-based, and Alison leaned on that religion.
Kasey Klemm: It was so arduous.
Kasey Klemm searched desperately for a manner to assist her good friend.
Kasey Klemm: It is like there’s nothing I can do for her, besides fake to be sturdy and remind her that I am right here.
Krause Household 
Whereas family members missed Alison, she advised them that she missed Kevin.
Kasey Klemm: You realize she would say, I have not been sleeping as a result of I simply preserve seeing it in my head and … I simply miss him and I need him. … and you already know she would simply discuss how all she desires greater than something on the planet is simply to listen to him name her babe once more and maintain her.
Family and friends have been denied any direct contact.
Steve Krause: No visitation.
Peter Van Sant: Had been you capable of see her on a video, Facetime sort of state of affairs?
Steve Krause: No, we weren’t.
Solely her attorneys, Max Wiley and Andrew Baldwin, may see Alison. By plexiglass, they acquired to know their consumer and developed a way of her relationship with Kevin.
Peter Van Sant: Do you purchase into this notion that it was a troubled marriage, headed towards a cliff?
Max Wiley: Under no circumstances. … Nobody is coming to the detectives, you already know, proper after this occurred and saying there was an issue within the marriage, you must examine this. No one.
However keep in mind, 4 weeks after Kevin died, Krueger spoke with Kevin’s mom, Alta. He says she advised him Kevin and Alison have been having marital issues.
Det. James Krueger: It was trying prefer it was leaning in direction of a separation.
Tesa Helge: I feel it is honest to say that he was involved in regards to the marriage, and that he had shared these issues together with his household.
As Helge ready, she believed she had a compelling story to share with a jury. It wasn’t about love and marriage —
Tesa Helge: This case goes to boil all the way down to lots of science …
Dr. Invoice Smock: I am Dr. Invoice Smock. I am a marketing consultant to the Allen County District Legal professional’s Workplace within the dying of Mister Davis.
Tesa Helge: Once I introduced Dr. Smock in, and I supplied him all our supplies … I didn’t inform him what anybody else thought.
The protection retained a medical professional of its personal: Dr. L. J. Dragovic, a forensic pathologist and neuropathologist.
Max Wiley: He research brains. He research mind accidents. He is keen about it.
The 2 consultants would come to radically totally different conclusions.
Dr. Invoice Smock: Mr. Davis was crushed to dying.
Dr. L.J. Dragovic: Kevin Davis died on account of falling and putting his head … on a backside publish of the stairway banister …
They labored to make sense of a tragedy that began with a cellphone name.
Steve Krause: I’ve not heard the decision.
Peter Van Sant: Would you want to listen to it?
Steve Krause: Positive.
Peter Van Sant: You prepared?
Steve Krause: I am prepared.
ALISON DAVIS (to 911): My husband simply fell down the steps and there is blood in every single place, and I can not flip him over. I do not know if he is alive or useless.
Steve Krause: Take heed to her.
Steve Krause: And I can not imagine they did this to her. It is unbelievable. Such injustice!
On the East Haven Tavern, the regulars have been torn.
Jodi Espy: Lots of people assume she’s responsible. Lots of people assume she’s harmless.
Jessica Eakright: There’s simply not a bone in my physique that thinks she may have performed this.
Jodi Espy: I imagine that she’s not responsible.
Peter Van Sant: What do you imagine occurred that night time?
Todd Spessert: I do not know.
Peter Van Sant: In your thoughts, is Alison Davis a killer?
Todd Spessert: I do not know.
Could 5, 2025. Alison has been locked up for 17 months.
Jessica Eakright: The, um, trial begins tomorrow.
On the morning of Could 6, former Det. James Krueger — now Police Chief Krueger after a promotion — heads to court docket.
Chief James Krueger (driving to court docket): I am anxious. … What’s at stake at present is both Kevin Davis will get justice for what was performed to him, or we let a — a assassin stroll free.
Max Wiley: I simply, you already know, saved pondering … what proof have they got to say that Alison murdered him and there simply … wasn’t something.
Krueger admits the investigation was flawed, however he is not making any excuses.
James Krueger: So, I used to be answerable for gathering the proof, ensuring every thing was accomplished … if one thing acquired tousled or if I missed one thing, that — that falls on my accountability … That is my child.
He is aware of there are challenges — beginning with a most simple difficulty.
Chief James Krueger: He was an enormous man. You realize, the jurors might have a tough time believing that she was even able to inflicting this damage to him.
And if the chief was a betting man?
Chief James Krueger: I give this one a 50-50 … I imagine there’s an excellent risk that this jury will hold and there will not be a verdict.
On the Allen County Courthouse, either side are set to go.
Andrew Baldwin: The prosecution has no homicide weapon. … The prosecution has nowhere to cover from the paltry proof that it is about to current to you.
Tesa Helge: There isn’t any doubt that Kevin was murdered.
And like Krueger, Helge is aware of this case is a tricky one. So many individuals assume Alison Davis merely couldn’t be a killer.
Deontae Bristol: That is not Alison. That is not who she is. … She had no cause … Kevin was her world.
Peter Van Sant: Are you satisfied that Alison Davis murdered her husband?
Chief James Krueger: I am one hundred pc satisfied. Sure.
A DRAMATIC VERDICT
Inside Fort Wayne’s historic courthouse, no cameras are allowed. “48 Hours” is allowed a sketch artist. Investigators, docs and family members testify. However all eyes are on Alison.
CBS Information/Karen Moriarty 
Peter Van Sant: And what do you see on her face?
Steve Krause: I see love.
Nevertheless it is not love, it is forensics that outline this trial. Docs Smock and Dragovic, and their radically opposing theories.
Dr. Invoice Smock: Mr. Davis sustained blows to the top … not simply on one aspect, however on the again and on the left aspect as nicely.
At trial, Smock presents a CT scan highlighting Kevin’s accidents, the a number of fractures to his head.
Dr. Invoice Smock: What that claims is that Mr. Davis sustained a number of blows to a number of areas of his head.
Dr. Invoice Smock: I advised the jury that Mr. Davis was the sufferer of a murder … He didn’t fall down these stairs.
He believes Alison wielded a weapon that was by no means discovered.
Dr. Invoice Smock: For instance, a kettle bell, a weight … It definitely may very well be the top of a baseball bat.
Dr. L.J. Dragovic: Kevin Davis was not killed on account of impacts by baseball bat.
Dr. L.J. Dragovic: He suffered just one — one affect to the top as his head slammed into that — that publish of the banister.
That one affect, Dragovic says, led to a number of fractures. He says the identical affect then prompted Kevin’s mind to ricochet inside his cranium.
The shattered bone fragments acted like shrapnel, tearing Kevin’s mind.
Dr. L.J. Dragovic: They declare that Kevin was crushed. … they acquired it flawed.
Dr. Invoice Smock: I’d say Dr. Dragovic acquired it flawed.
Physician Smock says simply have a look at the police bodycam video. The banister publish seems clear. There isn’t any proof Kevin’s head struck it.
New Haven, Indiana, Police Division 
Dr. Invoice Smock: There was no blood, no tissue, no hair on the highest of that banister.
However keep in mind, Dragovic argues the publish is clear as a result of Kevin’s accidents have been inner.
Dr. L.J. Dragovic: Kevin by no means had any open wound anyplace on his physique.
Blood that was discovered by first responders was on the ground, beneath Kevin’s physique. It got here from his nostril and mouth.
Chief James Krueger (at staircase banister): Based on the protection, his cranium hit this.
Chief Krueger tells “48 Hours” what he believes occurred to Kevin.
Chief. James Krueger: I imagine that he made some feedback to Alison who was laying down right here on the sofa.
Peter Van Sant: And he is strolling away from her?
Chief James Krueger: … he is strolling away from her … and Alison grabs an object … he takes that blow to the again of the top.
Legally intoxicated and immobilized by extra blows –
Chief James Krueger: … and someplace on this space is the place he loses it and falls.
Investigators imagine Alison dragged 219-pound Kevin throughout a portion of the ground.
Chief James Krueger: Mrs. Davis sees these stairs and says, nicely that is my scapegoat. I could make it appear like that is an accident.
Chief James Krueger: And he was pulled simply sufficient to make it appear like he fell down the steps.
And Krueger says there’s extra proof of Alison’s guilt: Kevin’s chilly physique temperature.
Chief James Krueger: Core physique temperature was 91 levels.
Physician Smock says he is aware of why.
DR. BILL SMOCK: Kevin Davis was mendacity there for not less than two hours earlier than 911 was referred to as.
However in his testimony, Dragovic counters Kevin’s low temperature is because of one thing else: the affect with the publish destroyed a key a part of Kevin’s mind referred to as the hypothalamus.
Dr. L.J. Dragovic: … that a part of the mind is the precise thermostat for the physique.
The consequence:
Dr. L.J. Dragovic: Your physique temperature is uncontrolled. … It is, uh, kaput.
Dr. Invoice Smock: There are such a lot of inconsistencies with that concept.
Krause Household 
Krueger took “48 Hours” upstairs to that bed room Willow the pit bull combine shared with Kevin and Alison. Alison had warned Krueger, Willow may assault.
ALISON DAVIS (bodycam video): She’s up within the bed room, and she or he’s a guard canine.
DET. JAMES KRUEGER: Proper now, what I will not do is I will not go in that room.
ALISON DAVIS: OK.
Peter Van Sant: Did you ever get into this room?
Chief James Krueger: I by no means did. Not on that morning. … I one hundred pc want I’d’ve gotten into this room on the morning of the twelfth.
Peter Van Sant: As a result of?
Chief James Krueger: The homicide weapon may have been in there.
Chief Krueger has been on the home a number of occasions. That is the primary time Alison’s legal professionals have been capable of get inside.
Andrew Baldwin: Wow.
Max Wiley: Oh my goodness.
Andrew Baldwin: That is the staircase proper there. … And there is the publish … So, you hit that and also you —you find yourself, yeah your ft over right here.
Max Wiley: Let’s examine how steep these stairs are, they’re actually steep. Aren’t they?
Peter Van Sant: And slender.
Max Wiley: Yeah. And slender.
Andrew Baldwin: It is highly effective to be on this home.
And to image what they imagine have been the ultimate, deadly steps of Kevin Davis.
Andrew Baldwin: … it is an intoxicated man that fell down the steps and hit his head on that publish proper there …
The trial lasts 4 days. Alison doesn’t take the stand.
MARCUS TRUSCIO | WANE Reporter: The jury is now out … they only heard closing arguments for about two hours.
Which story will the jury imagine?
The courthouse is darkish aside from the jury room. Some 21 grueling months have handed for the reason that heartbreaking dying of Kevin Davis. If convicted of his homicide, Alison Davis may spend the remainder of her life in jail. At 11 p.m., phrase comes of a verdict. Alison’s household and attorneys emerge.
Max Wiley: Not responsible.
Meghan Hodge | Member of the family: Oh my God she’s coming house! Oh my God! Oh!
Alison Davis is discovered not responsible.
Simply moments earlier than, Steve had locked eyes together with his daughter as her verdict got here down.
Steve Krause (exterior courthouse): She was crying with pleasure, and it was an exquisite second.
Andrew Baldwin (exterior courthouse): That household over there — that is why we do that work. That is precisely why we do that work.
Kevin’s mom Alta does not need Kevin to be forgotten.
Alta Beers: He is my son. I’ve all the time beloved him and all the time will.
She accepts the decision.
Alta Beers: I am OK. I am coping with it. She’s nonetheless my daughter-in-law, it doesn’t matter what.
However the place is Alison? Again in jail — ready for her launch paperwork. A chilly however joyous crowd stands vigil. Then, at 2:12 a.m., the jailhouse door cracks open.
Steve Krause: Alison comes out and all people simply erupts with pleasure.
CBS Information 
Peter Van Sant: It was the group hug of the ages.
Steve Krause: Sure … tears and saying Alison we missed you a lot. It is so good to have you ever in our arms once more.
Alison Davis: It is lots of feelings, actually.
There isn’t a pleasure for many who imagine the jury acquired it flawed.
Chief James Krueger: I used to be like ugh, unbelievable, unbelievable.
Peter Van Sant: You have been shocked by that?
Chief James Krueger: I used to be, yeah.
“48 Hours” spoke with a juror who requested us to not present her face or use her title.
Juror: Effectively the prosecution did not have a powerful case, like there was no weapon, there was no that is the place she did it, and the way she did it.
Juror: The — the prosecution’s concept had lots of holes.
And the jury believed the theories of Dr. Dragovic.
Juror: He defined every thing in very clear phrases that we may perceive, and it simply made sense. It made sense to the accidents.
Peter Van Sant: And for Kevin’s household, what would you need to say them?
Jodi Espy: Simply that I am so sorry to your loss. It is — it is so devastating.
Peter Van Sant: What do you hope for her?
Jessica Eakright: I hope that she will … discover her place … to get again to that smiling pleased person who she was.
Jessica Eakright: She did not deserve a yr and a half of her life taken away sitting in jail. … So, I used to be actually pleased for her.
Alison Davis has left New Haven and resides along with her mother and father and her canine Willow.
Produced by James Stolz. Kat Teurfs is the sector producer. Rebecca LaFlam is the affiliate producer. Michelle Sigona is the event producer. Richard Barber, Michael Vele and Gregory McLaughlin are the editors. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.
