Anatomy of Murder: Episode X2 – The Case of Jenna Pellegrini & Christine Sullivan

Released on December 10, 2024

Hosts: Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi & Scott Weinberger
Produced by: Weinberger Media and Forseti Media

Introduction

In Episode X2 of Anatomy of Murder, hosts Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger delve deep into the harrowing double homicide of Jenna Pellegrini and Christine Sullivan in Farmington, New Hampshire. This episode meticulously unpacks the layers of the crime, exploring the victims' backgrounds, the brutal nature of the murders, the intricate investigation, and the ensuing legal battle that culminated in a controversial verdict.

Victims' Backgrounds

Jenna Pellegrini

Jenna Pellegrini, a vibrant young woman from New Hampshire, was the only daughter of high school sweethearts Amy and Michael Pellegrini. Raised by her grandparents, Jenna's childhood was marked by numerous sailing adventures on the coast of New Hampshire and Maine aboard her grandfather's boat, the Jenna Marie. An exceptional student and a dedicated infielder on her high school softball team, Jenna epitomized the archetype of a spirited and independent teenager.

Michael Pellegrini shares:
"We were both young. Amy was 19. I was 21... Jenna was into sports."
(04:16)

Despite her achievements, Jenna's life took a dark turn as she began experimenting with narcotics in her late teens, a struggle that eventually led to her battling regular substance abuse, joblessness, and homelessness. Her parents, particularly Michael, grappled with the helplessness of seeing their daughter spiral into addiction.

Christine Sullivan

Christine Sullivan, 48, was an amateur photographer with a penchant for restoring antiques from flea markets. Her relationship with her boyfriend, Dean Smorack, was tumultuous, to say the least. Both Christine and Dean were involved in the illegal narcotics trade, a background that would later intertwine disastrously with Jenna's fate.

The Night of the Murders

In the final week of January 2017, Jenna Pellegrini found herself staying at Christine Sullivan's residence on Meadowbrook Road in the rural outskirts of Farmington, New Hampshire. Together, the two women, both struggling with narcotics use, were present on the night of January 27th.

Anasiga Nicolazzi explains:
"This was the last week of January of 2017, and Jenna had been staying on the couches of a string of friends."
(07:15)

The following morning, Christine's boyfriend, Dean Smorack, noticed anomalies at the house — no lights, garage windows obscured with green spray paint, and unsettling stains in the living room and spare bedroom. His suspicions led him to call the authorities, resulting in the discovery of the bodies of both Christine and Jenna wrapped in plastic tarps beneath the porch.

The Investigation

Upon securing the crime scene, detectives faced a bewildering puzzle:

• Christine Sullivan: Suffocated by a massive blow to the head and stabbed eight times, accompanied by defensive wounds on her arms, suggesting a fierce struggle.

• Jenna Pellegrini: Found with a staggering 43 stab wounds to her neck, chest, and back, with no defensive marks, indicating she might have been attacked while asleep or unconscious.

The immediate suspect was Dean Smorack, given his contentious relationship with Christine and their shared narcotics dealings.

Michael Pellegrini reflects:
"Farmington had no relevance to us... We found out that it was two girls."
(09:51)

However, discrepancies arose when autopsy reports placed the time of death in the early hours of January 28th, conflicting with Dean's alibi of being in Florida. Investigators uncovered video surveillance from Dean's residence, revealing the entrance of a third individual, Tim Verrell, a known associate in their narcotics operation.

Key Evidence

1. Video Surveillance: Captured the presence of Tim Verrell at the crime scene, indicating his potential involvement.

2. Fingerprints: Tim's fingerprints found on spray paint cans used to obscure the garage windows and on trash bags containing the victims' bloodstained belongings.

3. Prestone De-Icing Liquid: Evidence suggested an attempt to clean blood stains, with a second bottle found in Tim's car, linking him directly to the crime scene.

Scott Weinberger notes:
"His prints were also pulled from the trash bags found in the laundry room...preston found at the scene in his car."
(21:32)

The Trial and Mistrial

Charged with two counts of first-degree murder, Tim Verrell's trial initially appeared straightforward for the prosecution. They painted Verrell as the primary orchestrator behind the murders, motivated by paranoia over Jenna potentially being a police informant.

Prosecutor states during opening:
"The defendant had started acting strange... The murders were disorganized and hyper."
(23:58)

However, the defense unearthed significant irregularities in the discovery process. Over 500 pages of documents and 39 media discs, including volatile texts between Dean and Christine, were withheld from the defense, violating procedural fairness.

Michael Pellegrini points out:
"One officer in particular did not hand over all of the information..."
(37:43)

These omissions led to a mistrial on October 31, 2019, and subsequent legal maneuvers by the defense to dismiss charges on double jeopardy grounds were denied by the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

Second Trial and Verdict

In the retrial, the prosecution introduced witness testimonies and solidified the physical evidence against Verrell. Crucial was the testimony of a friend who, despite Verrell's involvement in narcotics, described his erratic behavior on the night of the murders, including attempts to hide areas of the house and efforts to disable the security system.

Prosecutor elaborates:
"The defendant arrived back... began taking scattered steps to hide different areas of the house..."
(27:26)

Despite the compelling case, the jury rendered a verdict of second-degree murder on April 9, 2024, citing insufficient proof of premeditation.

Scott Weinberger critiques:
"...premeditation, which essentially involves the planning or deliberate act in advance... I think it's clear that the defendant anticipated some obstacles to commit the crime."
(44:12)

Sentencing and Aftermath

Although found guilty of second-degree murder, Verrell faced a sentence of 90 years to life, the maximum allowable for his charges. Yet, skepticism lingered among the victims' families, notably Jenna's father, Michael Pellegrini, who remained unconvinced of Verrell acting alone.

Michael Pellegrini expresses:
"We believe that Christine was trying to get away from him... and if anyone was going to do it, it's the boyfriend."
(46:37)

Simultaneously, Dean Smorack was sentenced to prison for drug trafficking in September 2019 but was released in 2022. The family channeled their grief into community support, establishing a charity softball tournament to aid individuals battling addiction.

Conclusions and Reflections

Hosts Nicolazzi and Weinberger underscore the complexities and imperfections within the justice system, emphasizing the profound impact such cases have on victims' families and communities. They highlight the often-overlooked intersection of narcotics abuse and violent crime, advocating for heightened awareness and support for those affected by addiction.

Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi remarks:
"Certain things, like narcotics use, abuse, often make people look away... Jenn and Christine deserve to be remembered."
(49:25)

Scott Weinberger adds:
"As a juror... you’re asked to wade through a clouded reality... it’s the duty we're called to ensure that the truth... guides our decision."
(48:08)

The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the multifaceted nature of murder investigations and the enduring quest for justice amidst systemic challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Pellegrini:
  "It still kills me to this day... when we told them, Blake's eyes were kind of wide open, and then he started to bawl."
  (11:02)

• Prosecutor:
  "The defendant arrived back... began taking scattered steps to hide different areas of the house from view."
  (27:26)

• Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi:
  "These two women deserve to be remembered and didn't deserve what happened to them."
  (49:25)

Conclusion

Episode X2 of Anatomy of Murder encapsulates a brutal tale of violence intertwined with the dark underbelly of narcotics trafficking. Through meticulous storytelling and incisive analysis, hosts Nicolazzi and Weinberger honor the memories of Jenna Pellegrini and Christine Sullivan while shedding light on the intricate dance between crime, investigation, and justice.