48 Hours: The Peggy Hettrick Case - Part 2

Episode Overview "48 Hours," hosted by CBS News, delves deep into the gripping and tragic case of Peggy Hettrick's murder in 1987. This two-part episode chronicles the wrongful conviction of Tim Masters, his arduous journey through the justice system, and the eventual exoneration that shed light on systemic flaws within law enforcement and legal proceedings.

I. The Crime and Initial Investigation

February 11, 1987 marked a tragic day in Fort Collins when Peggy Hettrick was found brutally murdered in a field. The discovery was initially met with disbelief by a passerby, who thought the body might be a mannequin played as a "sick joke" ([00:34] Narrator).

Suspect Spotlight: Tim Masters Tim Masters, a 15-year-old neighbor of the crime scene, immediately became a suspect. His introverted nature and peculiar interests—graphic drawings, writings, and a large knife collection—raised red flags with the police. During interrogation, Masters stated:

"Would we bring you in here without some kind of proof? Right away they started saying, I know you did this. She's dead. We thought the right thing to do is to cooperate with the police." ([02:28] Narrator)

Despite the lack of physical evidence, Masters was branded the lead suspect, leading to his conviction for first-degree murder and a life sentence without parole.

Detective Broderick’s Obsession Detective Broderick, the lead investigator, was so fixated on Masters' guilt that he pursued a conviction relentlessly, even when no concrete evidence like fingerprints surfaced. As stated by the narrator:

"He was willing to do anything to get a conviction of Tim Masters." ([01:59] Narrator)

II. Life Behind Bars

Incarcerated at just 15, Tim Masters' life became a series of appeals and legal battles. At his lowest, he contemplated suicide but chose to fight for his innocence:

"I couldn't leave my family like that." ([03:17] Narrator)

His initial appeals were unsuccessful, pushing him to take a final, desperate step by claiming ineffective counsel.

III. A New Hope: Maria Lu's Appointment

In 2003, Maria Lu, a 36-year-old court-appointed attorney, took on Masters' case. Confronted with a massive 10,000-page file, Lu began to unravel inconsistencies and suppressed evidence:

"They knew they existed. Without question, the wounds to her vagina are surgical." ([11:27] Narrator)

Her thorough investigation revealed that crucial evidence, including insights from FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood, was never disclosed to the defense:

"Hazelwood looked at these drawings and said, no, these are just doodles and they don't reflect what happened to Peggy Hetrick." ([10:29] Narrator)

IV. Unveiling Withheld Evidence

Attorney David Wymore joined forces with Lu, delving into decades-old police and court files. Their persistence uncovered significant omissions, such as:

• Dr. Richard Hammond's Testimony: A neighbor and sex offender whose actions post-murder contradicted Masters' portrayal.
• Enhanced Footprint Photographs: Critical evidence suggesting another perpetrator was involved ([17:16] Reporter).

Detective Broderick maintained that all pertinent evidence was shared, but inconsistencies in his statements and newly discovered documents suggested otherwise.

V. Breakthrough Through DNA Evidence

Recognizing the potential of modern DNA technology, Masters' defense team enlisted Dutch forensic experts to analyze preserved clothing from the crime scene. After meticulous examination, DNA from an alternate suspect, Matt Zollner—Peggy's ex-boyfriend—was found on her underpants:

"What you see there is an arterial gush... we're looking for skin cells that are transferred onto clothing when someone uses a lot of force." ([28:23] Reporter)

This revelation not only cleared Masters of the crime but also implicated Zollner, who had an alibi that did not account for the DNA evidence:

"Matt Zollner, who told police that except for that brief encounter in the parking lot, he'd not even seen Peggy Hetrick for a week. Not only was Zollner's DNA on the inside waistband of Peggy's underpants, it also turned up on the cuffs of her blouse." ([33:18] Reporter)

VI. Exoneration and Release

With compelling DNA evidence exculpating him, the state's position crumbled. Prosecutor Don Quick moved to vacate Masters' conviction:

"The court grants the motion to vacate the conviction and sentence and orders the release of the defendant." ([36:26] Narrator)

After more than nine years of wrongful imprisonment, Tim Masters was finally freed, marking a monumental victory against judicial oversight and prosecutorial misconduct.

VII. Aftermath and Reflections

Tim Masters’ New Beginning Upon his release, Masters expressed profound gratitude to his family and supporters:

"I just want to thank my family and my friends who stuck with me all these years." ([37:40] Narrator)

He grappled with the emotional and psychological scars of his imprisonment, reflecting on lost years and the daunting task of rebuilding his life.

Lingering Questions Despite Masters' exoneration, Peggy Hettrick's murder remains officially unsolved. The discovery of Matt Zollner's DNA implicates him, but without his prosecution, the case is shrouded in further mystery.

Accountability and Justice Detective Broderick faced reprimands for his role in the wrongful conviction, though Masters harbored no ill will toward his legal team, emphasizing accountability:

"I wouldn't talk to Jim Broderick. At this point... I want to draw your attention to page 1242 on a police report." ([14:29] Reporter)

VIII. Closing Thoughts

The Peggy Hettrick case underscores the critical importance of thorough and unbiased investigations, the potential dangers of tunnel vision in law enforcement, and the transformative power of DNA evidence in the pursuit of justice. Tim Masters' story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of wrongful convictions and the enduring fight for truth and redemption.

Notable Quotes from the Episode:

• Tim Masters:

  "She's dead. We thought the right thing to do is to cooperate with the police." ([02:28])

  "How could I end up in here for something I didn't even do." ([02:30])

• Maria Lu:

  "Have to work unravel the mystery basically as to whether or not this person deserves a new trial." ([04:14])

• Detective Broderick:

  "It's clearly a concerted effort to hide evidence in order to convict Tim Masters. It's mind boggling." ([07:04])

• Richard Eichlenbaum:

  "I'm accountable to God and I'm accountable to Peggy Hetrick." ([41:34])

Concluding Note This episode of "48 Hours" not only highlights a harrowing miscarriage of justice but also celebrates the resilience and dedication required to overturn such profound errors. Through meticulous reporting and unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth, "48 Hours" continues to shed light on the complexities of crime and justice in society.