Cold Case Files: DNA SPEAKS – Killed For The Cash

Hosted by Paula Barros

Introduction

"DNA SPEAKS: Killed For The Cash" is a gripping episode of Cold Case Files, where host Paula Barros delves into the harrowing unsolved murder of Subir Chatterjee, a beloved gas station owner in Oak Ridge North Texas. Released on December 3, 2024, this episode meticulously unpacks the investigation that transformed from a perplexing cold case into a rare triumph of forensic science.

The Crime Scene

On February 15, 2002, Subir Chatterjee, aged 58, was brutally murdered at his gas station in Oak Ridge North Texas. The midday sun cast a deceptive calm over the Houston suburb until a customer discovered Subir's lifeless body.

Sunil Chatterjee (Victim's Nephew) [00:33]: "My uncle was a kind person and a trusting person. His wife called me and said that he has been murdered."

Detective Kent Hubbard, leading the investigation, described the scene:

Kent Hubbard [02:12]: "I saw the body laying there. His head was turned to the side. He was face up, laying on his back."

The victim was found with gunshot wounds to the head and neck, lying in a pool of blood. Notably, Subir's glasses were shattered, and blood was splattered around, indicating a violent struggle.

Charlie Nation (Detective) [02:42]: "He had been shot in the head and also in the neck and it bled everywhere. It was a quite bloody scene."

Initial Investigation and Leads

Subir, known for his generosity, also ran a check-cashing business at his gas station, attracting a clientele with questionable backgrounds.

Sunil Chatterjee [04:12]: "Shubir would let us get whatever we wanted. He was a very generous person, not just with me, but with everyone."

Detectives quickly identified possible motives related to Subir's check-cashing operations. A significant cash flow, sometimes exceeding $100,000, made his business a potential target for criminal activities.

Kent Hubbard [08:25]: "The morning of his homicide, he had a cash delivery of, I think it was $198,000 from an armored car. So that's certainly enough money to pique someone's curiosity."

A key witness described seeing a man fitting Subir's briefcase holder leaving the scene in a white Oldsmobile Alero, sparking the initial suspect hunt.

Charlie Nation [09:05]: "A six-foot-tall, olive-skinned man in a leather jacket and a newsboy hat with a red birthmark, carrying the briefcase under his arm."

Detectives focused on these descriptions but faced a significant hurdle: the suspect's license plate had been removed, complicating identification efforts.

DNA Evidence and Initial Dead Ends

In the early 2000s, DNA testing was emerging but hampered by technological limitations and significant backlogs.

Kent Hubbard [11:25]: "DNA was more or less in its infancy. We knew people that could be identified with greater certainty through DNA than fingerprints."

Blood found at the scene contained DNA from both Subir and an unidentified male. Despite persistent efforts, the DNA did not match any profiles in the existing databases.

Charlie Nation [13:11]: "They didn't get any hits because it was felt that this killer, who was so brazen, had likely done something before."

The investigation initially focused on Terry Edwards, a regular customer whose fraudulent activities and proximity to Subir's business made him a prime suspect. However, after DNA tests excluded him, detectives hit a "brick wall," stalling progress for nearly a decade.

Kent Hubbard [19:38]: "Terry went to state prison. We flew up there, we had a bail bond, but he volunteered to give us DNA. It was not a match. Boom. Hit the brick wall and have to start from scratch all over again."

Cold Case and Renewed Efforts

For years, the case remained unresolved, with Detective Hubbard vowing not to retire until justice was served.

Kent Hubbard [21:54]: "I was really the one that continued to pursue it. I wanted to see justice."

The case remained stagnant until advancements in DNA technology in 2018 provided a new avenue for investigation. Detective Hubbard leveraged innovative forensic techniques pioneered by Parabon Nanolabs to revisit Subir's case.

Breakthrough with Forensic Genealogy

In April 2018, 16 years after the murder, Parabon Nanolabs introduced familial DNA testing, a groundbreaking method that examines DNA to identify potential relatives of the suspect.

Kent Hubbard [23:18]: "We had believed that the person was Middle Eastern. But they discovered that this DNA was Hispanic and the person was from the Nuevo Leon area of Mexico, which borders Texas."

This revelation redirected the investigation towards the Nuevo Leon region, significantly narrowing down the suspect pool.

Parabon's genealogists constructed a detailed family tree, ultimately identifying three brothers as potential suspects. Further scrutiny revealed Martin Telles as the most viable suspect, given his proximity to Oak Ridge North and his unblemished criminal record, which initially excluded him from DNA databases.

Arrest and Confession

Obtaining a DNA sample from Martin Telles proved challenging. Through persistent surveillance and collaboration with the FBI, law enforcement managed to collect DNA from a partially eaten piece of toast Martin had discarded.

Kent Hubbard [26:49]: "I collected the items that Martin had placed in his mouth. A coffee cup, a spot, a fork, and of all things, a partially eaten piece of toast."

The DNA match was unequivocal, leading to Martin's arrest on December 4, 2019.

Kent Hubbard [30:41]: "Not only do you have a match, you have an exact match. Their odds were 10 to the 27th."

During the interrogation, Martin confessed to the robbery that went tragically wrong.

Kent Hubbard [34:16]: "Martin told me he didn't intend on killing him. He produced a gun and said, 'I want all the money.' Sabir hit him over the head with a telephone. We were wrestling. It just wasn't intended. My son shot him in the neck and in the head."

The confession brought closure to Detective Hubbard and the Chatterjee family, though not without lingering emotional scars.

Aftermath and Reflections

Martin Telles was charged with capital murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison after a brief escape attempt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kent Hubbard [40:12]: "That was the basis of the arrest warrant for Martin. Yeah, it was crucial."

Sunil Chatterjee, the victim's nephew, expressed profound relief upon Martin's conviction but struggled with the emotional toll of confronting his uncle's murderer.

Sunil Chatterjee [42:03]: "My family is at peace today because... keeping my home secure is one of the best things I can do to protect them."

Detective Hubbard, fulfilling his promise to the family, finally felt a sense of accomplishment as he prepared for retirement.

Kent Hubbard [37:44]: "I had done my job. When you spend, I guess, your whole life working, you know, it's natural, I think, to look forward to retirement."

Conclusion

"Killed For The Cash" exemplifies the relentless pursuit of justice driven by advancements in forensic science and unwavering dedication. This episode underscores the profound impact of technology in solving cold cases and delivering closure to families long yearning for answers.

Notable Quotes

• Sunil Chatterjee [00:33]: "My uncle was a kind person and a trusting person. His wife called me and said that he has been murdered."

• Kent Hubbard [02:12]: "I saw the body laying there. His head was turned to the side. He was face up, laying on his back."

• Charlie Nation [09:05]: "A six-foot-tall, olive-skinned man in a leather jacket and a newsboy hat with a red birthmark, carrying the briefcase under his arm."

• Kent Hubbard [11:25]: "DNA was more or less in its infancy. We knew people that could be identified with greater certainty through DNA than fingerprints."

• Charlie Nation [13:11]: "They didn't get any hits because it was felt that this killer, who was so brazen, had likely done something before."

• Kent Hubbard [19:38]: "Terry went to state prison. We flew up there, we had a bail bond, but he volunteered to give us DNA. It was not a match. Boom. Hit the brick wall and have to start from scratch all over again."

• Kent Hubbard [23:18]: "We had believed that the person was Middle Eastern. But they discovered that this DNA was Hispanic and the person was from the Nuevo Leon area of Mexico, which borders Texas."

• Kent Hubbard [34:16]: "Martin told me he didn't intend on killing him. He produced a gun and said, 'I want all the money.'"

• Kent Hubbard [37:44]: "I had done my job. When you spend, I guess, your whole life working, you know, it's natural, I think, to look forward to retirement."

• Sunil Chatterjee [42:03]: "My family is at peace today because... keeping my home secure is one of the best things I can do to protect them."

Final Thoughts

This episode not only narrates a tale of crime and investigation but also highlights the resilience and emotional journeys of those involved. Through perseverance and technological breakthroughs, "DNA SPEAKS: Killed For The Cash" embodies the essence of Cold Case Files—shedding light on the darkest corners to bring justice and peace to those left in the shadows.

Produced by Jeff Deray and distributed by PodcastOne.