Lori Ann Slesinski murder: Disappearance of Alabama college grad tied to Rick Ennis, man who killed parents as a boy

Lori Ann Slesinski was a current Auburn University graduate who vanished in 2006 when she was supposed to present up at her finest good friend’s dwelling to watch a film. Her disappearance remained a thriller till this yr, when one other good friend, Rick Ennis, went on trial for her homicide. As “48 Hours” correspondent Peter Van Sant studies, this wasn’t the primary time Ennis was accused of an unspeakable crime.

Lindsay Braun: I can nonetheless see her smile. Her smile is simply etched in my reminiscence. 

To today, Lindsay Braun is haunted by the ultimate name from Lori Slesinski on June 10, 2006, after they had been supposed to get collectively for drinks and a film. 

Peter Van Sant: That final name — Did it point out it was her cellphone? 

Lindsay Braun: Yes …

Peter Van Sant: She calls, and it hangs up?  

Lindsay Braun: Yes. 

Peter Van Sant: And nobody’s there?

Lindsay Braun: Just nobody was there. It was simply useless finish.

Peter Van Sant: Did you name her proper again?

Lindsay Braun: I did. No reply.

Lori Sleskinski and Braun turned quick associates after they met junior yr at Auburn University in 2002. 

Lindsay Braun: I … keep in mind the day I met her.  … we simply variety of instantly clicked … But I might simply inform that she was a heat individual … very pleasant, simply outgoing, loving, all these good issues.  

Lori’s household — her older brother, Paul, and their parents, Arlene and Casey— had been truly from New York State. They headed south to rural Alabama farm nation when Lori was 13 years previous. 

Arlene Slesinski: She beloved animals. We at all times had animals in our home … very studious pupil. She was a good lady. 

When she enrolled in close by Auburn University, her parents purchased Lori a cell dwelling to dwell off-campus, in a manicured trailer park standard with college students.   

Peter Van Sant: So, from valedictorian of her highschool class … was it robust for you … to see your child lady depart the home … and head off to college? 

Arlene Slesinski: Oh yeah, it was very robust … I referred to as her daily. And … she’s like, “mom, this has got to stop.” … and I used to be like, “but you’re my baby and … I worry about you.” “Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.”

Lori majored in psychology and minored in prison justice. She graduated with honors.

Peter Van Sant (taking a look at picture): There she is with mother and pop…she appears to be like so completely satisfied there. 

Arlene Slesinski: She was. … She was over the moon completely satisfied. 

After commencement, Lori and Braun began working collectively at a native psychological well being facility. 

Peter Van Sant: Did you sense… that she had any enemy on this world? 

Lindsay Braun: No.       

Peter Van Sant: … the day that Lori disappeared …  June 10, 2006 … was anybody with Lori that day?

Lindsay Braun: Rick was at her home. 

Rick was Derrill Richard Ennis. 

Lindsay Braun: When I had spoken to her, he was within the background.

Lori obtained to know Ennis again when she was nonetheless a pupil. She frolicked on the native bowling alley the place he labored.

Lindsay Braun: I did not know a lot about him in any respect besides … he was her good friend. 

Arlene says simply earlier than Christmas in 2005, Lori requested if Ennis might be part of them. 

Arlene Slesinski: She requested me, she mentioned, “mom, he has no family. Can I invite him?” She variety of, you already know, felt dangerous that he was going to spend Christmas alone. … He was pleasant, um … He was very well mannered. 

Braun says Lori usually frolicked with Ennis, so she wasn’t shocked that he had been at Lori’s dwelling the day she disappeared. 

Lindsay Braun: They had been associates so. … I wasn’t involved.

Peter Van Sant: But now you are at dwelling —

Lindsay Braun: Yes.

Peter Van Sant: — ready for Lori to come over.

Lindsay Braun: Yes.

Peter Van Sant: And you went to mattress that evening pondering?

Lindsay Braun: You know, I hope she’s OK.

But the following morning, Braun began to fear. 

Lindsay Braun: I referred to as her home a number of instances … left voicemails on her dwelling answering machine. … “Hey Lori, checking on you. Are you OK? Where are you?”

Peter Van Sant: You went to work on that Monday, proper?

Lindsay Braun: Yeah. … She wasn’t there … In my thoughts one thing’s mistaken … I had Rick’s quantity … so I did textual content him, and requested … “have you seen Lori? Where is she? I’m worried about her.” … Um, his dialog again was, “no, I have never. … and I’m apprehensive now, too …

When Lori did not present up at work a second day, that is when Braun headed to Lori’s dwelling.

Lindsay Braun: No one answered.

And discovered her canine Peanut in his crate. 

Lindsay Braun: I’m an animal lover so … the very very first thing I did was let the canine out.

That’s when she seen one thing else unusual. Lori was lacking three days, however the crate was spotless, and Peanut appeared completely satisfied and appeared to be well-fed, as although somebody had taken care of him. And there was extra. 

Lindsay Braun: One factor I keep in mind about Peanut is he would not stroll on tile, so she had these rugs in her kitchen and he would hop on the rugs … and the rugs had been gone. I seen that instantly …  her exterior garbage can was lacking … she had one which she had like yard instruments in …

Lindsay Braun: And … the answering machine had truly been unplugged … so these messages weren’t there.

By this time Lori’s mom heard that she hadn’t been displaying up at work.  

Arlene Slesinski: I’ve obtained to go to Auburn and see what is going on on, the place she is ‘trigger I referred to as her, and he or she did not reply her cellphone. 

She headed off on an agonizing drive, calling her husband, and alerting the police, lastly arriving at her daughter’s dwelling. 

Peter Van Sant: And when the police obtained there … what was their perspective?

Arlene Slesinski: Well, you already know. They’re like she’s obtained to be lacking 48 hours. … And they did not actually suppose a large— make a large deal out of it. 

Lindsay Braun: … they needed to simply suppose she ran away.

Lori’s parents might solely look ahead to Lori to stroll by the door, or name. Finally, the cellphone rang late that afternoon, however Arlene says it wasn’t Lori — it was her good friend, Rick Ennis. 

Arlene Slesinski: … he mentioned that Lori had gone to make a large drug deal.

Peter Van Sant: What?

Arlene Slesinski: Yeah … and I used to be like, there ain’t no means … My daughter wouldn’t do something like that.

Peter Van Sant: Did you inform the police what he informed you?

Arlene Slesinski: I did not. Rick informed them. … And the police got here to the trailer … banging on the door … and so they raided the … cell dwelling and so they discovered nothing. 

Then, simply earlier than daybreak, that is when Lori Slesinski’s lacking automotive instantly exploded into a fireball on a desolate dead-end exterior a building website. 

Arlene Slesinski: The emotions had been simply unbelievable of concern and realizing one thing actually dangerous has occurred. 

Peter Van Sant: Who would set her automotive on fireplace?

Arlene Slesinski: Exactly. 

Peter Van Sant: And why?

Arlene Slesinski: (emotional)

The investigation shifted from a lacking individual to a attainable murder.  Investigators dug into Ennis’ tip about Lori dealing medicine however discovered no proof — none — that he was telling the reality.  

Now investigators began digging deeper into Rick Ennis. They needed to know if he was hiding one thing from them.

Peter Van Sant:  Did you will have any sense as to why Rick Ennis did not have a household?

Arlene Slesinski: No. I had no concept why in any respect.

Peter Van Sant:  Eventually, you discovered.

Arlene Slesinski: I did. … It’s past stunning.

DID RICK ENNIS HAVE A SECRET?

Peter Van Sant (inside Lori Slesinski’s trailer): And do you go into that trailer from time to time simply to join along with her?

Arlene Slesinski: I do. … Just go in there and take into consideration the happier instances.

Peter Van Sant: This room … in addition to the recollections, can be a solemn place since you imagine some horrors went on on this room, appropriate?

Arlene Slesinski: Yes.

In the early days of the investigation again in 2006, Arlene Slesinski says she turned suspicious of Rick Ennis when he informed her that the evening Lori disappeared, she had gone out to make a drug deal.

Peter Van Sant:  And why would he be doing that do you suppose? 

Arlene Slesinski:  I feel to take the warmth off of him. … I used to be pondering, “this guy is lying through his teeth.”

Police suspected the identical. But with out direct proof linking Ennis to Lori’s disappearance, police couldn’t make an arrest, and the case shortly went chilly.

Peter Van Sant: Did Rick Ennis stick round city?

Agent Mark Whitaker | Alabama SBI: He was there for a couple of days. But inside a — a week, after his third interview, he left city; by no means got here again to Auburn once more.

In 2016, 10 years after Lori disappeared, Mark Whitaker, a particular agent with the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, began a chilly case unit. He selected the disappearance of Lori Slesinski as his first case.

Peter Van Sant: Any estimate what number of homicide instances you have been concerned with in your profession?

Mark Whitaker: Probably about a hundred.

Peter Van Sant: Where does this one rank in phrases of fascination for you as an investigator?

Mark Whitaker: It’s primary.

Mark Whitaker: It was a very troublesome case. … as a result of there was no physique. … we do not know precisely what occurred. And — we do not know the place she is.

But it did not take lengthy for Rick Ennis to change into Whitaker’s prime suspect.

Mark Whitaker: We could not remove him. His inconsistencies in his statements made no sense by any means. We knew Lori was not a drug seller. … I imply, she vanished off the face of the Earth when he is the final one to ever see her.

And when police spoke to Ennis hours after Lori was reported lacking, they seen scratches on his fingers and arms. 

Mark Whitaker: (factors at proof pictures of Ennis’ scratches): Right right here, that’s a thumb print the place anyone’s digging in … she’s combating for her life and doing every part she will be able to to get away from him.

In Ennis’ automotive, there have been handcuffs, a knife, and cleansing provides. And they quickly discovered one thing startling about Rick’s previous.

Former Alabama State Trooper John Clark.

John Clark (in automotive with Peter Van Sant): Turned into one of probably the most weird instances I’ve ever been related to.

John Clark: I used to be patrolling this county once I obtained a name.

It was March 5, 1993.  The name from dispatch mentioned a automotive had gone off a freeway and struck a fence.

John Clark:  And as my headlights take within the curve, I see it appears to be like like a younger boy with a backpack.

It’s a 12-year-old Rick Ennis. And he admits he had been driving the automotive.  Clark searches his backpack.

John Clark:  The very first thing I pull out is a kitchen knife …. There’s … some 12-gauge and a few 22-caliber free ammunition within the backside of the bag. 

John Clark:  … he is sittin’ again there in that seat behind you. And I mentioned, “Where are your parents?” … He appears to be like proper again at me and he says, “I killed them both.”

Peter Van Sant: “I killed ’em both.”

John Clark: “I killed ’em both.” No tears, no emotion, nothing.

Clark then radioed for native police to recover from to Ennis’s dwelling.

At the time, a present referred to as “MPD: The Television Series” was following the officers:

COP: State troopers workin’ a wreck involvin’ a 12-year-old —

COP (as officers strategy trailer): The boy’s telling them that they killed his daddy and mama in right here.”

Cameras enter the home of Rick’s mother and stepfather. On the floor of a bedroom are two dead bodies.

COP: There is pieces of a baseball bat in the bedroom that has quite a bit of blood on it.

COP: There’s blood on the walls, blood spatters on the door.

Rick’s own mother, Dolly Flowers, was shot in the face and then beaten to death with a baseball bat. Rick told investigators he covered her face with a velvet blanket, and placed a rose on her chest.

Rick Ennis’ stepfather, Eddie Joe Flowers, was identified as Elvis for his sideburns and colourful character. Rick shot him within the face utilizing a shotgun. Ennis informed cops he was mad that his parents deliberate to transfer.  He mentioned he did not need to depart his faculty. For two days, investigators imagine he lived with their our bodies, whereas persevering with to go to faculty.

Investigators say they discovered what they describe as Ennis’ to-do listing that included killing his three stepsisters.

Peter Van Sant: So, he needed to kill all three of you?

Angela Flowers: Oh, yeah. … I really feel very blessed to be right here, and never to be one of his victims.

Donna Furr. Angela Flowers, and Tina Sexton are all Eddie’s daughters. Tina was 20 when her dad was murdered.

Tina Sexton: This modified every part. My dad was my world. (Crying and a lengthy pause) Never getting to see him once more.

The sisters say Dolly was a candy, outgoing lady who met their father in church. Rick was the polar reverse.

Donna Furr: Every time I’d go and go to my dad and Dolly, they — he would go into his bed room and shut himself off …

Tina Sexton: He’d come out and eat after which he’d return in his room.

Peter Van Sant: What is the longest dialog you ever had with him?

Donna Furr: Five seconds possibly.

Tina Sexton: He did not discuss to no person.

Peter Van Sant: What did your father suppose of Rick?

Donna Furr: He simply mentioned “He’s simply a little completely different than — than y’all had been when y’all had been developing … He simply thought that … they had been in a new relationship, and you already know, that it will — he would outgrow it, and issues would get higher over time.

But simply 10 months after they married, the completely satisfied couple was useless.

Donna Furr: He was 12 years previous and had murdered two individuals … brutally murdered them.

At age 12, Rick Ennis could not be tried as an grownup.  He spent 9 years in juvenile detention in Alabama and was launched after he turned 21. 

It was now up to Agent Whitaker and his workforce to decide whether or not Rick Ennis had murdered once more. 

A NEW LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE

Agent Mark Whitaker knew what Rick Ennis did to his parents, and his instincts informed him Ennis had achieved one thing horrible to Lori, too.  But now he had to show it. 

Mark Whitaker: The burn website was discovered on the 14th.

Mark Whitaker (with Van Sant the place Lori’s automotive was discovered): The automotive was … going through out again towards the bowling alley. … There’s nothing else round right here on the time. There’s no flats. It’s simply a paved highway.

The blaze destroyed no matter proof there was within the automotive, however an investigator reported discovering a tiny merchandise on the bottom close by.

Mark Whitaker: He discovered a hand-rolled cigarette butt about proper right here (factors in the direction of the bottom). And he collected that … It was not examined … Kinda obtained misplaced within the shuffle. The case agent retired.

Whitaker’s workforce now submitted it for testing.

And there was a gasoline can that had been discovered close by.

Mark Whitaker: It was proper on this space proper right here.

It appeared like one which had been lacking from the bowling alley the place Ennis had labored.

Mark Whitaker: And it is proper right here, 1,000 yards from the bowling alley, 30 yards from her automotive.

Whitaker’s accomplice, JW Barnes, confirmed “48 Hours” one thing that for police tied every part collectively: railroad tracks.

Agent JW Barnes | Alabama SBI: These are the identical tracks that go proper by the bowling alley. … They run … proper throughout the road from the place Lori’s automotive was discovered burning.

Mark Whitaker (pointing to areas of a massive map): I’ve at all times thought that is what Ennis used for transportation, was strolling down the railroad tracks. Cause it is a straight shot, you are not gonna be seen except you need to be seen. … And these railroad tracks run by Lori’s home.

And in that home had been indicators of a violent battle, says Whitaker.

Mark Whitaker (inside Lori’s trailer): These areas you see proper right here which have been minimize out, that is the place the scuff marks … had been … They had been black, similar to the underside of her footwear, there was even some up as excessive, right here. So, it is — clearly there was a battle in right here with anyone kickin’ their legs, in all probability up within the air.

Remember, Lori’s canine Peanut appeared completely satisfied, and brought care of.

Mark Whitaker: My idea is that Rick Ennis stayed in the home …

Peter Van Sant: After he had murdered Lori.

Mark Whitaker: I imagine so. … It’s the one means to clarify it.

Mark Whitaker (inside Lori’s trailer): We do not have a trigger of dying, however I’ve at all times thought that he strangled her … the scratches that he had throughout his arm had been simply indicative of protection wounds while you’re fightin’ anyone.

Whitaker says the cellphone within the nook of the bed room was lacking its wire.

Mark Whitaker: … and it was a lengthy wire, and it ran all through the room.

Peter Van Sant: And what do you suppose that wire was used for?

Mark Whitaker: I feel it was used to certain her.

Peter Van Sant: To tie her up?

Mark Whitaker: Yes, sir.

Peter Van Sant: Could it have been used to strangle her?

Mark Whitaker: Sure.

Mark Whitaker: That cellphone wire was lacking.

That’s not the one factor that was lacking. There had been these three rugs within the kitchen.

Mark Whitaker: … they had been kinda strategically put out in order that Peanut, Lori’s canine … might hop by the linoleum and be again on carpet.

The rugs turned up, he says, a few years later.

Mark Whitaker: Ennis had a former roommate who reached out to legislation enforcement … and informed them … “Hey, there’s this guy who left behind three rugs.”

Mark Whitaker: Peter, I need to present you somethin’ else … Lori had a desk arrange about proper right here, and on this desk … days earlier than Lori went missin’, a love letter was left right here for her from Rick.

People who knew Lori mentioned Ennis needed to be extra than simply a good friend. Police say Ennis informed a buddy that Lori rejected him.

Mark Whitaker: And he was devastated by that.

Peter Van Sant: So, do you imagine this rejection could have been a motive for homicide?

Mark Whitaker: I feel that is what despatched him over the sting. I completely do.

Despite the mounting proof, Agent Whitaker nonetheless wanted one thing extra that tied Ennis instantly to the crime scene.

Arlene Slesinski: As far as I’m involved, he’s investigating this case like Lori is his personal daughter.

Arlene Slesinski: I imply he has a image of Lori in his home.

Mark Whitaker: I’ve had it in my closet. It would make me take into consideration her daily once I was preparing for work. When I’d put my ties on, I’d simply keep in mind what I used to be supposed to be doing each single day.

And then …

Mark Whitaker: … it is like, 1:00 within the mornin’, and JW calls me.

JW Barnes discovered precisely what they wanted within the case recordsdata accumulating mud for 10 years.

Mark Whitaker: He goes, “I just found a … report that was in an envelope that hadn’t been opened.”

Whitaker might hardly imagine it. When Lori disappeared in 2006, police collected proof from her trailer, however by the point the outcomes got here in, nobody adopted up. The report contained vital proof: Ennis’ DNA was recognized in semen discovered on Lori’s bedsheet, and in blood on the inside of the entrance door. And, it turned out, his blood was additionally discovered on one of the rugs investigators say had been in Lori’s kitchen.

Mark Whitaker: You’ve obtained his blood on the rug right here. You’ve obtained his semen again there. You’ve obtained his blood on a door … most individuals’s blood shouldn’t be inside anyone else’s dwelling … except somethin’ actually dangerous had occurred.

Twelve years after Lori disappeared, there was now sufficient proof to cost Rick Ennis along with her homicide. But by this time, Ennis was fortunately engaged to faculty librarian Alana Atkinson — and residing 500 miles away in Virginia. He was designing and constructing transportable residing buildings referred to as yurts for Sharon Morley’s firm. Morley favored Ennis from the second they met.

Sharon Morley: He was simply so open and pleasant and had a nice sense of humor.

But on August 6, 2018, Rick’s birthday, Morley noticed a activity power of lawmen arrive.

Sharon Morley: Walking out of the woods, they had been hiding behind timber, they’d the place surrounded.

Mark Whitaker: It was the spotlight of my profession to make the cellphone name to Arlene and Casey Slesinski that morning, to inform them that we simply took Rick Ennis in custody … for Lori’s homicide.

Peter Van Sant: Was this sort of a bittersweet second for you?

Arlene Slesinski: Most positively, sure. … I suppose, psychologically, I by no means accepted the truth that she actually was gone. And I cried large time. Yeah.

Later that month, Ennis appeared earlier than an Alabama choose, with Lori’s parents going through him.

Arlene Slesinski: I suppose he variety of appeared shocked that we had been there.

Peter Van Sant: What did you need him to know?

Arlene Slesinski: That we lastly obtained you. You’re not going to get away with this.

News of Ennis’s arrest shortly unfold.

Terry Booth: I noticed on social media … it is Rick.

Terry Booth says he was associates with Rick Ennis, and instantly remembered a dialog he had with him years earlier at a bar when he requested him why he’d left Alabama.

Peter Van Sant: What did he say?

Terry Booth: He simply primarily mentioned I had to get rid of a b****. … I’m pondering this man is simply messing round with me.

But that modified when he discovered of Rick’s arrest.

Terry Booth: And it was actual … he wasn’t joking. …  I could not sleep the entire evening.

He referred to as Whitaker’s activity power.

Mark Whitaker: And it was simply unbelievable what Ennis had informed him.

But probably the most explosive news of all got here later and, extremely, whereas Whitaker was with Ennis at one other courtroom listening to.

Mark Whitaker: An investigator from Auburn PD comes up to me and tells me “You’re not gonna believe this. That hand-rolled cigarette butt next to the car has his DNA on it.” … I needed to do a somersault within the courtroom, however I could not.

Everyone now was ready to go to trial, however the courts shortly floor to a halt as a result of of the pandemic, and Arlene Slesinski suffered extra losses. First her son to most cancers, after which her husband Casey to Covid.

Arlene Slesinski: And I obtained a name … “I think you’d better come” … once I obtained there, he was gone (crying).

Peter Van Sant: You lose your daughter, you lose your son, and then you definately lose your husband. … How do you go on with all this?

Arlene Slesinski: I suppose my religion, my associates, household.

Arlene Slesinski: … and … I simply didn’t need to die not realizing what occurred to my daughter or seeing justice being achieved.

But Rick Ennis was decided to show police had all of it mistaken. And he wasn’t the one one combating to show his innocence.

Alana Atkinson: They have the mistaken individual. There’s — there is no means.

His fiancé, Alana Atkinson.

Peter Van Sant: Do you imagine Rick had something to do with Lori’s disappearance, along with her dying?

Alana Atkinson: No. I don’t.

Alana Atkinson: … not solely do I imagine Rick is harmless, I imagine that … he would’ve given his life for Lori if he had been there. That’s the sort of individual he’s.

And she believes that — even supposing she is aware of Ennis murdered his mom and stepfather when he was 12. 

Peter Van Sant: People would marvel … why is it exhausting for you to imagine that he might kill once more?

She says Ennis informed her one thing about what occurred together with his mom — one thing that satisfied her he had nothing to do with what occurred to Lori.

RICK ENNIS TALKS TO “48 HOURS”

Alana Atkinson: Rick Ennis is one of probably the most compassionate, beneficiant, variety folks that I’ve ever identified.

Alana Atkinson has been in love with Rick Ennis for 4 years.

Alana Atkinson: I really like his intelligence. I at all times joke with him and inform him I fell in love together with his mind first.

But simply two months into their romance, Atkinson, an novice genealogist, was researching Ennis’ ancestry when she stumbled upon news that he had killed his mom and stepfather. 

Alana Atkinson: My first thought was what on this planet occurred in his dwelling life that pushed him to that time?

Ennis would inform her one thing she did not see in any article.  

Peter Van Sant: Rick, it is Peter Van Sant with “48 Hours.”                                

Rick Ennis: Oh, hello, Mr. Van Sant.

Reached by cellphone, Ennis informed “48 Hours” what he insists occurred.

Rick Ennis: I used to be molested by my mom.

Ennis says his mom sexually abused him and he snapped.

Rick Ennis: I exploded, and the consequence was that I — I took my mom’s life after which I took my stepfather’s life.

But keep in mind, again then he informed authorities he killed his parents as a result of he did not need to transfer.

Rick Ennis: I used to be deeply ashamed about — my mom molesting me, and I had a actually exhausting time speaking about it.

Still, “48 Hours” might discover no proof to corroborate Rick’s abuse allegation.  

Peter Van Sant: You know, I, Rick, I — I’ve to let you know, clearly, I — I don’t know what occurred. A skeptic would say you have conveniently accused the mom that you simply murdered of molesting you and she will be able to’t defend herself. … You perceive how that is troublesome for some to imagine?

Rick Ennis: Well, I imply, it — it is one thing that I labored by with a — a psychiatrist … what I did once I was 12 is the best remorse of my life. 

Rick Ennis insists he is not that indignant 12-year-old.  Now 41, Ennis would stand trial for yet one more homicide. 

Rick Ennis (to Peter Van Sant):  I by no means murdered Lori Slesinski. She was a very shut, expensive good friend of mine. I by no means would have damage her.

Prosecutor Jessica Ventiere is bound that’s a lie.  But at trial, she would not be allowed to inform the jury something about Ennis’ previous.

Jessica Ventiere: This is by far probably the most sophisticated case of my profession.

JESSICA VENTIERE | PROSECUTOR (in courtroom): He turns into obsessed along with her.

Ventiere’s first hurdle was convincing the jury that Lori was, in reality, useless. She referred to as Lori’s mom, Arlene, to the stand.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Did she make contact with you after her brother died?

ARLENE SLESINSKI: No, ma’am.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Have you ever acquired a birthday card?

ARLENE SLESINSKI: No, ma’am.

JESSICA VENTIERE: A Mother’s Day card?

ARLENE SLESINSKI: No.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Have you ever heard out of your daughter in any means since that Thursday earlier than she disappeared?

ARLENE SLESINSKI: No, ma’am

Lindsay Braun was subsequent, seemingly organising a motive, telling the jury that Lori rejected Rick Ennis.

LINDSAY BRAUN: She informed me about a letter that he had written her.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Was it a love letter?

LINDSAY BRAUN: Yes. … She informed me that she wasn’t him — in him … that means.

And Terry Booth would take the stand to recount that worrying comment he mentioned Ennis made.

TERRY BOOTH: … he had to strangle a b****. … that she was a White piece of trailer park trash.

The district lawyer constructed her case with testimony concerning the scuff marks on the wall, and the blood in Lori’s trailer, Rick’s semen on her mattress and the cigarette butt with Ennis’ DNA discovered close to Lori’s scorched automotive.

William Whatley: They’ve obtained issues with this proof.

But protection lawyer William Whatley claimed that hand-rolled cigarette was planted — arguing police might have taken it from Ennis’ dwelling.

WILLIAM WHATLEY | DEFENSE ATTORNEY:  That cigarette butt did not come from the burn scene.

The protection instructed Lori was accountable for her personal disappearance. They portrayed her as a drug seller.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: You knew that Lori had grown marijuana.

LINDSAY BRAUN: Yes.

Lindsay Braun insisted, nonetheless, that it was just for Lori’s private use.  

LINDSAY BRAUN: For herself, for therefore she did not have to buy any.

But to drive dwelling their factors, Whatley referred to as Rick Ennis himself to the stand. 

RICK ENNIS: I spent a lotta time along with her.

Ennis insisted he had no cause to damage Lori.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you write a … letter to Lori?

RICK ENNIS: Yes, sir, I did. … I requested her if she needed to date. … it woulda been a month or two earlier than she went lacking. I’m not sure.

But though she turned him down, Ennis says they had been nonetheless intimate.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Now, did you ever have intercourse with Lori?

RICK ENNIS: Yes, sir.

So, what about what he mentioned to Terry Booth? Ennis says it by no means occurred.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you ever exit ingesting with Terry Booth?

RICK ENNIS: No, sir.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you inform Terry Booth that you simply strangled somebody?

RICK ENNIS: No, sir.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Rick, I need to present you some images right here …

And these rugs given to police by his former roommate?  Rick claims they weren’t from Lori’s trailer.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Where did you get these rugs from, Rick?

RICK ENNIS: Target.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you get any of these from Lori

RICK ENNIS: No, sir. 

Ennis says Lori was high quality when he left her that Saturday. He says he headed off to promote some weed and he claims she was off to do the identical.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: The final time you noticed Lori did you will have any variety of an argument along with her?

ENNIS: No, sir.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you break into Lori’s trailer that Saturday?

RICK ENNIS: I didn’t.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you kidnap Lori?

RICK ENNIS: No, sir.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you kill Lori?

RICK ENNIS: I d — I didn’t.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you burn Lori’s automotive?

RICK ENNIS: No, sir.

So, what concerning the knife, handcuffs and cleansing gadgets in his automotive?  Rick Ennis says it had nothing to do with Lori. He was transferring issues from his residence. And these scratches on him? Back in 2006, police say he had no rationalization, however on the trial he had a solution .

RICK ENNIS:  I obtained them from playin’ with my canine.

Ventiere barely made it to the rostrum to begin her cross-examination.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Is there the rest you need to blame on the canine?

Ventiere questioned Ennis about that blood on Lori’s door.

JESSICA VENTIERE: The blood in Lori’s trailer has your DNA in it. How did that get there?

RICK ENNIS: I don’t know.

And the query Ventiere actually needed a solution for she by no means obtained.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Where did you dump Lori’s physique?

RICK ENNIS: I did not dump Lori’s physique anyplace.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Who did then?

RICK ENNIS: I don’t know.

Both sides had their ultimate probability to persuade the jury. Defense lawyer Whatley informed the jurors there wasn’t any proof that a crime had even been dedicated.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: There’s no proof that Lori was kidnapped. There’s no proof that she was forcibly taken towards her will.

Ventiere attacked Ennis’ protection.

JESSICA VENTIERE: The truth they’ll sit there and say that their shopper informed the reality about something is laughable. … This is about a man who was obsessive about Lori.

Ventiere insisted that the amount of proof towards Rick Ennis was overwhelming even when police nonetheless could not discover Lori’s stays. And she reminded the jury that Lori would by no means simply take off.

JESSICA VENTIERE: She would by no means, ever, ever depart Peanut behind, by no means.

After seven days of testimony, it was now up to the jury to determine.

Jessica Ventiere: I’m terrified. I solely get one shot at this.

Arlene Slesinski: you simply by no means know what a jury’s gonna do.

JUSTICE FOR LORI 

JUDGE: Ladies and gents of the jury, have y’all reached a verdict on this case? OK. Can you hand that to the bailiff please ma’am?

Peter Van Sant: When the jury got here again into the courtroom … did you take a look at their faces?

Arlene Slesinski: Yes, I did. … It was very exhausting to learn their faces. … I nonetheless wasn’t certain what the decision was going to be.

JUDGE: Would the defendant please stand?

Nearly 16 years after Lori Slesinski vanished, the jury reached a verdict throughout their second day of deliberations.

JUDGE: We the jury discover the defendant Derrill Richard Ennis, responsible of the offense of capital homicide.

Guilty of the homicide of Lori Slesinski.

Peter Van Sant: Give me a sense of … what that meant to you.

Arlene Slesinski: Sheer aid, pleasure that he was lastly convicted, and would by no means get to do that to anybody else once more. 

DA JESSICA VENTIERE (press convention):  I’m thrilled that we had been in a position to convey Justice for Lori after such a very long time …

Immediately following the jury’s verdict, DA Ventiere went to Arlene with a proposal. Ennis was now going through a attainable dying sentence, however that will set off years of appeals and authorized wrangling. To spare Arlene all that, Ventiere instructed providing Rick life with out parole. Arlene agreed. 

JUDGE: It is the sentence of the courtroom that you simply be in jail within the penitentiary of the state of Alabama for a time period of life with out the likelihood of parole .. 

Alana Atkinson was surprised.

Alana Atkinson: Just full shock. Disbelief. I used to be devastated.

She was so sure Rick Ennis can be exonerated she’d made plans to rejoice. A celebration, Rick informed “48 Hours,” that he can be half of.

Rick Ennis (to Peter Van Sant on the cellphone): I assumed that we had been gonna go and … have a good dinner and that I used to be gonna get to begin my life over.

Arlene headed dwelling to savor the bittersweet victory. 

Peter Van Sant: After this verdict, did you will have a dialog with Lori?

Arlene Slesinski: I did. … I simply mentioned, “Lori, justice has lastly come. We’ve waited for this for a very long time. And I hope you are all celebrating in heaven with your entire household … And I want you had been all right here to see today (cries).

Peter Van Sant: This tragic homicide, the ripple results throughout your loved ones … is simply unimaginable.

Arlene Slesinski: It has left a very massive void in my life. I used to be preparing to retire. I imply I might have been having fun with my grandchildren probably — simply spending time with my daughter, who I beloved.

Arlene Slesinski: We introduced Peanut dwelling with us and he stayed with us ’til he was, I suppose, about 16 years previous when he died. … each time we talked about Lori’s title, he would — he would — I do not care the place he was in the home, it was like he simply heard her title and he’d run in there, like, “where is she?” … it simply completely amazed me that he — he by no means forgot her. … Never.

Arlene Slesinski (strolling with Mark Whitaker): Did you ever suppose that six years in the past we’d be right here at this time?

With her husband and each her kids gone, this tragic story has introduced new friendships into Arlene’s life.

Arlene Slesinski: Mark Whitaker is my hero … Him and his spouse are like household to me now.

Arlene Slesinski (with Mark Whitaker taking a look at pictures of Lori): This was on her commencement day. Casey, her and me.

Mark Whitaker: That’s a nice picture.

Arlene Slesinski: And this was her a month earlier than she disappeared at her cousin Jennifer’s marriage ceremony along with her cousin Thomas.

Mark Whitaker: Wow. Not a care on this planet.

Arlene Slesinski: Nope.

Mark Whitaker (to Peter Van Sant): She’s one of the bravest ladies that I’ve — I’ve ever met.

Mark Whitaker (to Arlene): You displaying all these to me simply makes every part extra actual for me … stunning lady. Thanks for sharing these with me.

Arlene Slesinski: You’re welcome

Mark Whitaker (to Peter Van Sant): I might inform … She appears to be happier now.

Arlene Slesinski (to Whitaker): I can not thanks sufficient for it. It was simply —

Mark Whitaker: I really like you.

Arlene Slesinski: I really like you, too.

Mark Whitaker: One robust woman. (Hugs Arlene and kisses the highest of her head).

Arlene Slesinski gained a new companion in 2021 — her canine, Daisey.

 

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Produced by Murray Weiss. Richard Barber is producer/editor. Kat Teurfs is the sector producer. Morgan Canty is the affiliate producer. Joan Adelman and Gary Winter are the editors. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.