Detailed Summary of "Two Wigs and A Gun Pt 2" – 48 Hours Podcast by CBS News

Release Date: January 9, 2025

Introduction to the Case

"Two Wigs and A Gun Pt 2," an episode of CBS News' acclaimed podcast "48 Hours," delves into the perplexing murder of Fred Jablin in Richmond, Virginia. Hosted by Lindsey Graham, the episode unfolds the intricate investigation led by Detective Coby Kelly, revealing the hidden motives and elaborate schemes that culminated in the conviction of Piper Roundtree, Fred's ex-wife.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:16] Fred Jablin: "It was about 6:35 in the morning."
• [00:20] Detective Coby Kelly: "A quiet street in Richmond, Virginia."
• [00:23] Piper Roundtree: "As I was getting dressed, my husband and I heard three loud things."
• [00:31] Detective Coby Kelly: "Not a street where you'd expect a murder."

Discovery of the Crime

Early one morning, the tranquil neighborhood of Richmond is shattered by the discovery of Fred Jablin's lifeless body in his driveway. Fred, a beloved university professor and devoted father, was found dead under baffling circumstances, triggering a thorough investigation into his untimely demise.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:35] Wade Kaiser: "When I arrived on the scene, I could see at the top of the."
• [00:38] Detective Coby Kelly: "Driveway my friend and neighbor, Fred Javelin."
• [00:40] Fred Jablin: "He put both hands on my shoulders."
• [00:43] Fred Jablin: "Lying in his driveway."

Identifying the Suspect: Piper Roundtree

Given the suddenness of the crime, Detective Kelly turns attention to Fred's ex-wife, Piper Roundtree, primarily due to their bitter divorce and ongoing custody battle over their three children. Piper, portrayed as a dedicated single mother, emerges as a person of interest amid mounting evidences and motives.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:51] Lindsey Graham: "You've got a university professor killed in a neighborhood that’s really not the norm."
• [01:01] Piper Roundtree: "Super, super single parent."
• [01:09] Lindsey Graham: "We have three children, had a pretty nasty divorce. Certainly she was a suspect, but a."
• [01:26] Detective Coby Kelly: "Suspect with a seemingly rock solid alibi."

Uncovering the Connection: Jerry Walters

The plot thickens with the introduction of Jerry Walters, Piper's former boyfriend. Walters becomes a critical figure when his bank card is traced to purchases made around the time of Fred's murder. His involvement deepens the mystery, revealing a complex relationship dynamic and potential ulterior motives.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:23] Detective Coby Kelly: "Two wigs, a gun and a murder."
• [02:46] Lindsey Graham: "We had a lot of twists and turns in this one."
• [02:56] Detective Coby Kelly: "A couple of days after Fred Jablin's murder, Detective Coby Kelly learned more about the round trip airline ticket booked under the name Tina Roundtree. The person who paid for the ticket was a guy named Jerry Walters."
• [05:26] Jerry Walters: "I think he asked me how well did I know Fred, and I didn't know Fred at all. I never had any conversation with him in my life."
• [06:00] Jerry Walters: "That's when I started getting a little concerned that Jerry Walters card was floating around a murder scene in Richmond, Virginia."

Piper's Involvement and Evidence Against Her

As the investigation progresses, multiple pieces of evidence point towards Piper's involvement. The purchase of two wigs (one blonde, one auburn), a gun matching the murder weapon, and cell phone records placing her in Richmond at the time of the crime build a compelling case against her.

Notable Quotes:

• [07:15] Lindsey Graham: "We also were able to determine that wigs were purchased during this time with that card from wigs.com. I personally don't wear wigs."
• [07:24] Detective Coby Kelly: "Before the murder, someone had purchased two wigs, one blonde, one auburn."
• [07:30] Lindsey Graham: "We knew that they were sent to a location in Kingwood, Texas, and we had an address. There was a box there rented in the name of Piper Roundtree, which also had Jerry Walters name on that box. And that's where the wigs had been delivered to."
• [09:03] Detective Coby Kelly: "With Fred Jablin dead, Piper Rountree wanted to win back her three kids who were staying With Fred's brother Michael and his family."

Piper's Alibi and Contradictions

Piper presents a strong alibi, asserting she was in Texas during the murder. However, cell phone records and eyewitness testimonies contradict her claims, placing her within proximity to the crime scene in Richmond. The inconsistency raises significant doubts about her innocence.

Notable Quotes:

• [10:00] Detective Coby Kelly: "Nine days after the murder, in a Richmond, Virginia courtroom, a judge made her decision..."
• [17:54] Jerry Walters: "I don't think anyone on the face of the earth was more shocked than myself to find out my card was in Richmond, Virginia."
• [17:54] Detective Coby Kelly: "They can prove she spent the weekend there within miles of the crime scene."

Trial Proceedings and Strategies

The courtroom becomes the battleground where both prosecution and defense lay out their cases. Prosecutor Wade Kaiser emphasizes Piper's financial struggles and custody loss as motives, while defense attorney Murray Janus challenges the prosecution's narrative, introducing alternate suspects and pointing out gaps in the evidence.

Notable Quotes:

• [13:16] Wade Kaiser: "You'd hear evidence that Piper Roundtree had been ordered to pay child support to the victim, Fred Javelin..."
• [14:08] Murray Janus: "The state's explanation of a motive just doesn't add up."
• [15:06] Murray Janus: "I think you'll hear evidence that Tina had certainly at one time, a gun herself. A .38 caliber. You won't hear any evidence that Piper Roundtree owned a gun."

Key Witness Testimonies

Multiple witnesses testify against Piper, including Jerry Walters, who details Piper's actions leading up to the murder, and Tamiko James, a hotel manager who identifies Piper at a Richmond hotel. Additionally, Raymond Seward, an eyewitness, places Piper near the rental car agency shortly after the murder, further undermining her alibi.

Notable Quotes:

• [16:33] Piper Roundtree: "How is this ticket paid for by credit card? Right here."
• [17:54] Jerry Walters: "I don't think anyone on the face of the earth was more shocked than myself to find out my card was in Richmond, Virginia."
• [19:11] Fred Jablin: "Where is she?"

Evidence of Premeditation

Prosecutors present evidence of premeditation, including Piper's visit to a gun range where she rented a .38 caliber revolver—the same type used to kill Fred. Surveillance footage and cell phone data place her in Richmond during the critical time frame, solidifying the prosecution's claims of her deliberate planning.

Notable Quotes:

• [20:02] Fred Jablin: "No, it doesn't look good. I certainly concede that."
• [20:10] Detective Coby Kelly: "Now prosecutors take their case one step further. They set out to show how Piper made sure that when she shot Fred Jablin, she wouldn't miss."
• [21:07] Jerry Walters: "She returned with a .38 caliber revolver."

Defense Counterarguments

Defense attorney Murray Janus highlights the lack of direct evidence placing Piper at the scene and questions the reliability of certain testimonies. He introduces the possibility that Piper's sister, Tina Roundtree, may have been involved, aiming to create reasonable doubt among jurors.

Notable Quotes:

• [25:01] Murray Janus: "Do you love your children?"
• [25:12] Detective Coby Kelly: "Piper tells jurors the last thing she'd do is hurt her kids."
• [26:08] Murray Janus: "What was the gentleman's name that you met up with? If you know?"

Closing Arguments and Final Witnesses

In the final days of the trial, both sides present their closing arguments. Prosecutors restate the motive and the overwhelming circumstantial evidence, while the defense emphasizes the absence of direct witnesses and Piper's alibi. Key witnesses, including Marty McVeigh, provide alibi support for Piper, but the cumulative evidence against her remains substantial.

Notable Quotes:

• [29:58] Murray Janus: "And where is your office at the present time? In Houston, Texas."
• [31:22] Wade Kaiser: "Have you been assigned and have you in fact been covering the case involving Ms. Piper Roundtree?"

Verdict and Sentencing

After a gripping five-day trial filled with nearly 60 witness testimonies and 80 pieces of evidence, the jury swiftly concludes Piper Roundtree is guilty of first-degree murder. She is sentenced to life in prison, marking the culmination of a deeply emotional and complex case that has left lasting scars on all parties involved.

Notable Quotes:

• [36:11] Piper Roundtree: "Yes."
• [37:18] Murray Janus: "Have a seat please, Ms. Jab."
• [37:30] Detective Coby Kelly: "She has now been sentenced to life in prison."

Aftermath and Reflections

The episode concludes with reflections on the devastating impact of the crime on both families. Fred Jablin's family grapples with the loss of their patriarch and the subsequent trial's emotional toll. Piper's family struggles to reconcile her actions with the Piper they once knew, highlighting the profound personal tragedies intertwined with the legal narrative.

Notable Quotes:

• [35:30] Fred Jablin: "Do I think she's guilty? I have no doubt."
• [40:35] Detective Coby Kelly: "I think she is so sick."
• [41:01] Detective Coby Kelly: "With the evidence pinpoints Piper in Richmond near the scene of Fred Jablin's murder."

Conclusion

"Two Wigs and A Gun Pt 2" masterfully unpacks the layers of a murder case marked by deception, meticulous planning, and emotional turmoil. Through compelling storytelling, the podcast underscores the relentless pursuit of truth by law enforcement and the intricate dance between motive and evidence that ultimately brings justice to a harrowing crime.

This structured summary encapsulates the key events, evidence, testimonies, and emotional aspects of the "Two Wigs and A Gun Pt 2" episode, providing a comprehensive overview suitable for listeners unfamiliar with the podcast.