Summary of “The Black Widow” – 48 Hours Podcast Episode

Introduction In the gripping episode titled “The Black Widow” from CBS News' award-winning podcast series 48 Hours, host Anne-Marie Green delves into one of Knoxville, Tennessee’s most perplexing and controversial criminal cases. This episode meticulously unpacks the mysterious deaths of two of Rainella Leith’s husbands, exploring the intricate web of suspicion, legal battles, and lingering questions that continue to haunt the community.

Background: Rainella Leith’s Life and Losses Rainella Leith, a 68-year-old grandmother and former nurse, found herself at the center of a chilling narrative that earned her the moniker “Black Widow.” Her tumultuous personal life is marked by the tragic deaths of two husbands.

• First Husband: Ed Dossett Rainella’s first husband, Ed Dossett, was a respected figure in Solway, a tight-knit community just outside Knoxville. Together, they raised three children on a 165-acre family farm. Ed, elected as Knox County District Attorney General, and Rainella, director of nursing at Park West Hospital, were once the power couple of the town. However, their happiness was short-lived. At 43, Ed was diagnosed with terminal cancer but died nine months later not from his illness, but in what was reported as a freak farming accident—being trampled by his own cattle. Suspicion lingered locally, with many questioning the plausibility of such an accident, especially considering Ed’s weakened state due to cancer and heavy medications. Diane Fanning, a bestselling author and 48 Hours consultant, suggests a possible motive tied to insurance, hypothesizing that an accident might have provided a more substantial payout for Rainella and the children compared to Ed’s medical benefits.

• Second Husband: David Leith Six months after Ed’s untimely death, Rainella swiftly remarried David Leith, a local barber and Ed’s best friend. The marriage was a whirlwind romance, celebrated by family and friends alike. However, less than two years into their marriage, tragedy struck again when their 11-year-old son was killed in a car crash. Shortly thereafter, David began exhibiting erratic behavior, consulting neurologists for signs of dementia and depression. Concerned, Rainella documented her fears in a private journal, noting David’s increasing volatility.

The Mysterious Deaths and Initial Investigations On March 13, 2003, David Leith was found dead from a gunshot wound to the forehead. Initially reported as a suicide, inconsistencies quickly surfaced. Detective Moyers from the sheriff's department highlighted several anomalies:

• Multiple gunshot wounds inconsistent with a typical suicide scene.
• The positioning of Rainella at the scene with no signs of forced entry or struggle.
• Absence of fingerprints or ballistic evidence linking Rainella to the weapon.

[03:06] Rainella Leith: “Everything good about this woman was twisted. Everything good about this woman was turned around to be evil.”

Legal Proceedings: Trials and Convictions Rainella's case became a focal point of controversy, especially given her late husband's role as a District Attorney General. The prosecution faced significant challenges, including potential conflicts of interest within the office and a lack of clear motive. Nevertheless, Rainella was charged with David Leith’s murder in 2006, bringing her first trial in 2009. The initial trial ended in a mistrial with an 11-1 deadlock favoring conviction. A subsequent trial in 2010 resulted in a unanimous conviction, sentencing Rainella to life in prison.

However, unforeseen circumstances led to the overturning of her conviction. The presiding judge was removed due to a drug addiction, rendering the trial invalid and leading to Rainella’s release after six years behind bars. This revelation further fueled suspicions about her potential involvement in Ed Dossett’s death, which was reclassified from an accident to a morphine overdose—suggesting possible foul play.

[21:19] Rainella Leith: “I felt like justice had been served and I was happy.”

The Third Trial and Overturning Conviction Four years post-conviction, Rainella faced a third trial. Prosecutors presented forensic evidence, including the analysis of a Colt 38 police special revolver, blood spatter patterns, and cartridge traces, to substantiate their claims of premeditated homicide. The prosecution argued that the sequence of shots and blood patterns could only align with Rainella’s direct involvement.

Conversely, Rainella’s defense maintained that David Leith could have inflicted the wounds himself, citing phenomena like cadaveric spasm, where a body's muscles contract after death. Experts on both sides debated the forensic interpretations, leaving room for reasonable doubt.

[32:41] Narrator: “If the record could reflect I’m pointing to the hole in the middle of the headboard.”

Ultimately, after fourteen years embroiled in legal battles, Rainella’s conviction was overturned. The trial judge, recognizing the prosecution’s failure to meet the burden of proof, granted a judgment of acquittal.

[40:38] Narrator: “In short, the state has failed to meet their burden. The defendant’s motion for judgment of acquittal is granted.”

Aftermath and Community Reactions The resolution of Rainella’s case left the community and David Leith’s family grappling with unresolved emotions and unanswered questions.

• Family’s Perspective David’s daughter, Cindy Wilkerson, remains unconvinced by Rainella’s acquittal. She expressed disbelief and frustration over the verdict, feeling that justice was never truly served.

  [44:29] Cindy Wilkerson: “When Joshua Hedrick was sitting on that bed and he was twirling that cylinder on that gun, a burden to my family, it was just so corny. A proud man doesn't want to be a burden. It was fake. He was trying so hard. After that, I was like, all right, they’re trying so hard that it’s so obvious now.”

• Legal and Judicial Reflections Judge Paul Summers, now retired, defended his decision to acquit, citing insufficient evidence to conclusively prove Rainella’s guilt. He emphasized the importance of not passing the burden of proof onto the jury when the prosecution failed to establish key elements such as motive and opportunity.

  [42:21] Judge Summers: “There was no gunshot residue found on her clothes or around her. She had an alibi. That the state could not prove the time of death. The evidence was clearly insufficient to show that she was the perpetrator of the crime.”

Additional Layers: Steve Walker’s Allegations The episode further uncovers allegations against Rainella related to Steve Walker, Ed Dossett’s ex-wife’s secretary. Steve claimed that Rainella attempted to murder him during a heated confrontation about an affair, leading to an attempted shooting for which Rainella pled guilty to a lesser charge of assault. This incident adds another layer to the accusations against her, painting a more complex picture of her character and potential motives.

[37:55] Steve Walker: “But the former marksman missed. Steve started running, but tripped and fell.”

Concluding Insights “The Black Widow” serves as a compelling examination of a case fraught with complexity, where legal maneuvering, forensic debates, and personal vendettas intertwine. It challenges listeners to ponder the nuances of justice, the reliability of evidence, and the profound impact such cases have on all involved parties.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Rainella Leith’s Characterization of Her Trial: [03:06] Rainella Leith: “Everything good about this woman was twisted. Everything good about this woman was turned around to be evil.”

• Judge Summers on His Decision: [42:10] Narrator: “And he agreed, strictly based on the evidence that I heard on both sides, but particularly on the state side.”

• Cindy Wilkerson’s Frustration: [44:29] Cindy Wilkerson: “If you had gotten to vote, how would you have voted guilty? How would you have voted guilty? How would you have voted guilty?”

• Closing Reflections: [46:22] Rainella Leith: “If you like this podcast, you can listen ad free right now by joining Wondery and the Wondery app.”

Conclusion “The Black Widow” is a testament to 48 Hours’ commitment to uncovering the truth behind complex criminal cases. By weaving together investigative journalism, personal narratives, and legal analysis, Anne-Marie Green presents a narrative that is both informative and emotionally resonant. This episode not only sheds light on Rainella Leith’s controversial trials but also invites listeners to reflect on the broader themes of justice, evidence, and the human propensity for doubt.