MURDERED: Deanna Cook from Dallas

Summary

Summary of "MURDERED: Deanna Cook from Dallas" – Crime Junkie

Podcast Information:

• Title: Crime Junkie
• Host: Ashley Flowers
• Co-Host: Brit Prawat
• Episode: MURDERED: Deanna Cook from Dallas
• Description: In this episode, Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat delve deep into the tragic case of Deanna Cook, exploring the systemic failures that led to her untimely death and the subsequent legal battles her family faced. The hosts offer a comprehensive analysis of the events, shedding light on the broader implications for domestic violence prevention and law enforcement protocols.

---

Introduction to Deanna Cook's Case

Timestamp: 02:00

Brit introduces the case of Deanna Cook, a woman from Dallas whose murder in 2012 exposed significant shortcomings in the local justice system’s handling of domestic violence. The tragic circumstances surrounding her death sparked movements aimed at reforming these systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Quote:

Brit [02:00]: "Back in 2023, we told you about a case that sparked some major movement in this city... hoping we're one step closer to no other victim of domestic violence having to suffer from the errors in a faulty system."

The Day Deanna Went Missing

Timestamp: 02:37 – 07:51

Ashley recounts the events of August 19, 2012, when Deanna Cook failed to respond to calls and missed her church service, prompting her mother, Vicki, to investigate. Accompanied by Deanna’s sister Carlitha and her daughters, Vicki discovers troubling signs at Deanna's home, including water leaking from the garage and barking dogs. Attempts to enter the house are initially unsuccessful, leading the family to contact the Dallas police for assistance.

Key Events:

• Discovery of water flow and distressed animals outside [02:37 – 06:12].
• Forced entry reveals Deanna was dead in the bathtub [06:12 – 07:51].

Quote:

Ashley [02:37]: "This is the story of a woman who was failed over and over again by the people and the systems who should have rushed to her side in her time of need."

Initial Police Response and System Failures

Timestamp: 07:51 – 12:00

Vicki identifies Deanna’s ex-husband, Del Vecchio, as the likely suspect due to their history of a tumultuous and abusive relationship. However, the initial police response is grossly inadequate. When Vicki requests a welfare check, the dispatcher improperly instructs her to check jails and hospitals before dispatching officers, leading the family to take matters into their own hands.

Key Points:

• Dispatcher’s inappropriate advice delays police response [04:56 – 07:51].
• Family attempts forced entry without immediate police assistance [07:51 – 12:00].

Quote:

Ashley [07:51]: "The two had what she describes as a 'very rocky up and down relationship.' He was physically abusive."

The 911 Calls and Further Complications

Timestamp: 12:30 – 21:17

Deanna made two 911 calls prior to her death. The first call reported her fears of Del Vecchio breaking into her home, while the second was a desperate plea for help during an attack. Despite the urgency, the responding officers mishandled the situation, taking around 50 minutes to arrive at Deanna’s residence after the second call, only to find no immediate signs of distress.

Key Points:

• First 911 call about Del Vecchio’s presence at a park [12:30 – 15:56].
• Second 911 call during an attack mishandled by police [15:01 – 21:17].

Quotes:

Ashley [14:06]: "She can't just, like, tell the 911 operator where she is. Like, that's gonna give her away, right?"

Brit [15:01]: "How did police not find her that day?"

Legal Battles and Lawsuit

Timestamp: 21:26 – 32:49

Following Deanna’s tragic death, Vicki Cook filed a lawsuit against multiple entities, including the City of Dallas, Dallas Police Department, and telecommunications companies like T-Mobile and Samsung. The lawsuit accused these parties of negligence and failure to protect Deanna, highlighting systemic issues such as understaffed call centers and inadequate technology for locating cell phones during emergencies.

Key Points:

• Allegations of gross negligence and constitutional violations [28:06 – 32:49].
• Inclusion of tech companies for their role in delayed responses [29:35 – 32:49].

Quotes:

Brit [32:49]: "I'm never not surprised at how long it takes for things like this to drag themselves through the system."

Ashley [29:35]: "Vicki alleges that Deanna's volatile and dangerous relationship was known to Dallas PD and therefore they had a responsibility to act."

Del Vecchio's Trial and Conviction

Timestamp: 32:49 – 39:10

Del Vecchio's trial commenced in May 2015 after several delays. The prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, including Deanna’s 911 calls, their history of domestic violence, and DNA evidence linking Del Vecchio to the crime. The defense attempted to shift blame to Deanna’s mental health issues and substance abuse, claiming her death was accidental. However, the jury convicted Del Vecchio, sentencing him to 85 years in prison.

Key Points:

• Prosecution vs. Defense arguments [33:55 – 37:01].
• Conviction and sentencing of Del Vecchio [39:10].

Quotes:

Ashley [35:51]: "It's infuriating... I think this has gotta be up there with, like, the top 10 worst defenses of all time."

Brit [35:32]: "If she's hallucinating, so is the recording of the 911 call."

Aftermath and Continued Struggles for Justice

Timestamp: 39:10 – 41:57

Despite the conviction, Deanna’s family continued their legal battle against the city and other entities, ultimately facing dismissal of their lawsuit. This ongoing struggle underscores the challenges victims' families face in seeking accountability beyond criminal convictions, highlighting persistent systemic issues in handling domestic violence.

Key Points:

• Dismissal of the lawsuit despite Del Vecchio’s conviction [32:49 – 41:57].
• Persistent fight for accountability and systemic reform [39:10 – 41:57].

Quotes:

Ashley [39:10]: "To Deanna's family, it doesn't feel like true justice. Yes, her killer was put away, but what, we're going to just focus on putting away killers instead of preventing the killing?"

Brit [21:49]: "You can’t just filter 'urgent' as they did. It needs a different word."

Call to Action and Support for Domestic Violence Survivors

Timestamp: 39:10 – 41:57

The episode concludes with Ashley and Brit promoting More Than a Phone, a nonprofit organization that provides free smartphones and data to domestic violence survivors. This initiative helps survivors maintain communication and access resources essential for their safety and reintegration.

Key Points:

• Importance of accessible technology for DV survivors [39:10 – 41:57].
• Encouragement for listeners to support relevant organizations [40:05].

Quote:

Ashley [40:05]: "One in three women and one in four men experience physical, intimate partner violence in their lifetime... You are not alone."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Brit [02:00]: "Back in 2023, we told you about a case that sparked some major movement in this city."
2. Ashley [02:37]: "This is the story of a woman who was failed over and over again by the people and the systems who should have rushed to her side in her time of need."
3. Ashley [07:51]: "The two had what she describes as a 'very rocky up and down relationship.' He was physically abusive."
4. Ashley [14:06]: "She can't just, like, tell the 911 operator where she is. Like, that's gonna give her away, right?"
5. Brit [15:01]: "How did police not find her that day?"
6. Brit [32:49]: "I'm never not surprised at how long it takes for things like this to drag themselves through the system."
7. Ashley [29:35]: "Vicki alleges that Deanna's volatile and dangerous relationship was known to Dallas PD and therefore they had a responsibility to act."
8. Ashley [35:51]: "It's infuriating... I think this has gotta be up there with, like, the top 10 worst defenses of all time."
9. Brit [35:32]: "If she's hallucinating, so is the recording of the 911 call."
10. Ashley [39:10]: "To Deanna's family, it doesn't feel like true justice. Yes, her killer was put away, but what, we're going to just focus on putting away killers instead of preventing the killing?"
11. Ashley [40:05]: "One in three women and one in four men experience physical, intimate partner violence in their lifetime... You are not alone."

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Failures: The Deanna Cook case highlights significant flaws in emergency response systems, particularly in handling domestic violence calls with the urgency they deserve.
• Importance of Technology: The lack of advanced cell phone tracking technologies contributed to delayed police responses, underscoring the need for improved technological infrastructure in emergency services.
• Legal Struggles: Vicki Cook’s prolonged legal battle against multiple entities illustrates the immense challenges victims' families face in seeking accountability and systemic change.
• Advocacy and Support: Initiatives like More Than a Phone play a crucial role in supporting domestic violence survivors, emphasizing the importance of accessible communication tools for those escaping abusive situations.

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical aspects of the Crime Junkie episode "MURDERED: Deanna Cook from Dallas," providing a detailed account of the events, systemic issues, legal battles, and the broader implications for domestic violence prevention and law enforcement reforms.

Transcript

[Ashley Flowers]

Hi everyone, it's Ashley Flowers. If you can't get enough true crime, trust me, you're not alone. I recently had a chance to sit down with Anna Kendrick to talk about her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, which is her new movie about the chilling true story of the Dating Game killer. We also go into how Anna went from being a casual true crime fan to someone who loves getting deep into the details and how personal experience experiences can shape our empathy for these real life cases. You can catch our full conversation in the Crime Junkie feed by listening to the episode Anna Kendrick is cjaf. Listen now. Wherever you get your podcasts, Netcredit is.

[Netcredit]

Here to say yes because you're More than a Credit score. Apply in minutes and get a decision as soon as the same day. Loans offered by Netcredit or lending partner banks and service by NetCredit applications subject to review and approval. Learn [e-mail] partners netcredit credit to the.

[Ashley Flowers]

People.

[Amica Insurance]

Every day our world gets a little more connected, but a little further apart. But then there are moments that remind us to be more human.

Thank you for calling Amica Insurance.

[Ashley Flowers]

Hey, I was just in an accident.

[Amica Insurance]

Don't worry, we'll get you taken care of.

At Amika, we understand that looking out for each other isn't new or groundbreaking, it's human. Amica Empathy is our best policy.

[T-Mobile]

T mobile 5G Internet keeps getting better. Boost your connection to harder to reach places with Home Internet plus and get Internet right where you want it with.

[Ashley Flowers]

Wi fi that reaches the attic. I finally have a home office.

[T-Mobile]

Get a free upgrade to T Mobile Home Internet plus while supplies last. Home Internet plus starts at 50 bucks a month with autopay and any voice line. Check availability@t mobile.com home Internet during congestion, customers on this plan may notice speeds lower than other customers and further reduction of using greater than 1.2 terabytes per month due to data prioritization after 20 bill credit plus $5 per month without AUT debit bank account required, regulatory fees included for qualifying accounts. $35 connection charge applies.

[Britt]

Howdy crime junkies. It's me, Brit, and I'm taking us over to our last Texas spot in this eras tour. Dallas. Back in 2023, we told you about a case that sparked some major movement in this city. The unfortunate circumstances surrounding the story led initiatives aimed at making real change in our justice system. And although there's still so much work to be done, hopefully we're one step closer to no other victim of domestic violence having to suffer from the errors in a faulty system and process the way our victim. We're resharing with you today. Did.

[Ashley Flowers]

Hi, crime junkies. I'm your host, Ashley Flowers.

[Britt]

And I'm Britt.

[Ashley Flowers]

And the story I have for you today is about a woman who was failed over and over again by the people and the systems who should have rushed to her side in her time of need. October is domestic violence awareness month, and this year I wanted to tell you about a case that has infuriated me to my core. This is the story of Deanna cook. It's Sunday, August 19, 2012, and Vicki Cook has a bad feeling because she hasn't been able to reach her 32 year old daughter Deanna in two days. Deanna's not answering her phone, she hasn't posted on Facebook, and she didn't come to church this morning. So Vicki's mom senses are telling her that something's wrong. She decides to head over to Deanna's house to check up on her, probably hoping that she's maybe just overreacting. And she doesn't go alone. She takes her other daughter, Carlitha, as well as Deanna's two daughters who don't live with their mom. But any hope she had that she was just overreacting fades as she approaches Deanna's house and sees water flowing from beneath the garage door. Two of her dogs are outside too, and they are barking in the backyard. So the women walk around her house, pulling on the front door and the back gate, trying to get inside, but both are locked and they can't see anything amiss other than this, like, water flowing outside, which is kind of a.

[Britt]

Big thing to be amiss.

[Ashley Flowers]

Right. They know they have to get inside, so they call the Dallas police for some assistance. I mean, they don't just want to like go breaking into her home. But the officer they speak with doesn't give them the help they need. She says that before any officers get sent to the house, they need to check all the local jails and the hospitals, which, like, by the way, isn't a thing for a welfare check.

[Britt]

No. I'm flabbergasted.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah. And I honestly know this because literally just yesterday me and Delia had to like, do a welfare check on someone. So all you need is the address. Yeah, but this dispatcher or whoever they're talking to won't do anything. So Vicky Carleth and the girls are like, forget it. We'll figure this out ourself. Now, I don't know if they end up making calls to the jails and hospitals or whatever, but they decide they're getting into this house one way or another. So Carlitha decides to just kick in the back door. But as soon as she gets inside, Carletha turns and bolts because the smell coming from the house is terrible. Vicki forges ahead, literally wading her way through the water that comes up to her ankles. She's searching for her daughter. But with each step, this pit that has been in her stomach gets heavier and heavier. According to an ABC News article by Alyssa Newcomb, Deanna usually keeps her house pretty well organized. But there are things like, thrown around everywhere. Now, eventually, behind Vicki, the girls go inside too, as does Carlatha. They search each of the rooms. I'm sure hoping to find Deanna, but I mean, almost also while hoping she's not there, right?

[Britt]

Mm.

[Ashley Flowers]

But when they get to her bedroom, their hearts sink because the door has been busted in. And inside her room looks like a tornado went through it. There is stuff everywhere. Lamps are knocked over, the bed's been flipped. Same with the bathroom. That's off the bedroom. Like the toilet seat has literally been ripped off. And when Vicki goes in that bathroom, she sees the source of all of this water. The faucet in the tub is running, but that's not what catches her attention. It is a shadow behind the closed curtain. And when she opens it, she sees something that no mother, no person should ever have to see. Laying in the bathtub, face down, only in her underwear, is Deanna. Vicki screams, Carletha screams. Deanna's daughters scream. And then they have to contact police who now take their call much more seriously. And first responders are dispatched to the house. Now, even before anyone arrives, Vicki already knows who did this to her daughter. According to court documents, there's no doubt in her mind that her killer is Deanna's ex husband, Del Vecchio. And when police arrive, she is quick to tell them this. The two had what she describes as a quote unquote, very rocky up and down relationship. He was physically abusive. And there had been a plethora of times over the last four plus years when she had seen Deanna with bruises or scrapes and scratches. So in Vicky's mind, there is no one else who could have done this.

[Britt]

Does she know where Del Vecchio is now?

[Ashley Flowers]

No, but she had actually talked to him when she was trying to find out where Deanna was. They had talked the night before and even this morning. And Del Vecchio told her two similar stories, although they weren't totally the Same. So last night, he had said that he had last spoken with her on Wednesday, and it's Sunday now. And he had even told her that he sent a few people over to Deanna's to check on her, but when they knocked, no one answered the door. And then this morning, he said that the last time he talked to Deanna was Thursday. And again, he says that he sent some folks to check on her, but she didn't answer.

[Britt]

I mean, that's not a huge difference, but it's also something I'd flag. I'm sure she noticed it.

[Ashley Flowers]

She did, yeah. I mean, and to her, it's more confirmation that he has probably something to do with this. Now, as officers make their way through the house and secure the scene, they think Deanna's likely been there for a few days. But they also take notice of a few more things that her family may have missed. For instance, something that sticks out is the position of the deadbolt on the door to the bedroom. So it had been locked from the inside. But based on the damage to the door itself, it looks like it was locked after the door had already been forced in. So, like, the lock part is sticking out from the door, but the door frame isn't damaged there, if that makes sense.

[Britt]

Okay, so what does that mean?

[Ashley Flowers]

I don't know if it means anything. I think it's just something that stands out to them as they walk through. Something I saw, like, theorized online or even, like, kind of put forward is, was she trying to lock the door as someone was coming through? Right. Again, I don't know if that's a big thing. It's just something that they notice.

[Britt]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Like, I remember being a kid and trying to lock the door behind myself from my siblings and accidentally locking it basically open while I was trying to close it.

[Ashley Flowers]

Right. And that's an option. There's also the option where when the door got busted in, it got jostled and came out, like, again, I don't know if it means anything. Now, based on what Vicki's telling them, their first priority is to track down Del Vecchio. They learn that he is living with his stepfather in the town of Balch Springs, which is about like a 15, 20 minute drive east of Dallas. But there's no guarantee that's where he is right now.

[Britt]

Okay, so I know he's like suspect number one and for good reason. I mean, he'd be the first person I'd look at, too. But is there anything to suggest that he Was there.

[Ashley Flowers]

So, yes, actually. So they had done a canvas of the neighborhood, and investigators find several people who report having seen him in the area recently.

[Britt]

Okay.

[Ashley Flowers]

For instance, a couple mornings prior, this would have been on the 17th. One of Deanna's neighbors noticed him sitting on the back of a car outside of Deanna's house, and he didn't respond when he tried to get his attention. And according to those same court documents I mentioned earlier, Deanna's mail carrier comes forward and says that she saw the two walking down the street towards her house on the morning of the 17th, which.

[Britt]

It's so convenient how he just happened to leave out that he was in the area when he was talking to Vicki. Right, right. Can they tell how long Deanna's been dead?

[Ashley Flowers]

At this point, I think all they know is that she has been deceased for a couple of days. I mean, they'll have to wait for an autopsy to get a better idea of her time of death. But in the meantime, police track down Dolvecchio in Balch Springs, and he is arrested on several active warrants.

[Britt]

And what does he have to say for himself?

[Ashley Flowers]

So I actually couldn't find how he responds. Anything about any questioning they do has never been released, as far as I can tell. I do know he ends up denying any involvement in her death, but that story is real hard to stick to when investigators find that Deanna had called 911 twice in the days leading up to her death. And the contents of those calls pretty much destroy any defense he could have come up with.

[Amica Insurance]

Track your glucose like you track your favorite artist's next album release. Introducing Stello, the powerful glucose biosensor that tracks how food, exercise, and even sleep affect your glucose. Join the personal health revolution [e-mail].

You hear that? That's the sound of instant relief from nasal congestion by the number one best selling nasal strip brand in the world, Breathright. Breath Rite's drug free flexible spring like bands physically open your nose for increased airflow, allowing you to breathe easier one breath at a time. We may not be able to put the feeling of instant relief into words, but believe us, you'll be able to feel it. Try us for free [e-mail] Three days.

[Ashley Flowers]

Before her body was found, Deanna had called 911 to report that Delvecchio was hanging out at the park across the street from her house. She said that she was worried because she was trying to go to work and she didn't want him to break into her house while she Was out.

[Britt]

And this was probably around the time the neighbor saw him, right?

[Ashley Flowers]

Right. Yeah. So she told the 911 operator that they had had multiple incidents where he had to be escorted from her house, but she hasn't been able to get a restraining order.

[Britt]

Geez, why not?

[Ashley Flowers]

I don't know. But in this call, she asks for police to come by the house. Whether they did or not, I don't know. But the next day, at 10:52am she calls 911 again. The morning Dallas news published a partial transcript of the call in an article by Tanya izer On the call, which has been reported as being 11 or 17 minutes long, Deanna can be heard begging for her life among unintelligible screaming and dogs barking in the background. And she's speaking to someone she calls red, saying, stop it, please. I'm not doing anything. And why are you doing this to me? The operator consistently asks for an address, but Deanna had called 911 without her attacker knowing. In fact, the man can be heard asking if she called the police several times, which she denies. So she can't just, like, tell the 911 operator where she is. Like, that's gonna give her away, right?

[Britt]

She can't just shout her address for no reason.

[Ashley Flowers]

Right now, at some point on this call, she stops referring to this person as red, and she calls her attacker by his name, Del vecchio. And delvecchio can be heard saying, I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you.

[Britt]

Oh, my God.

[Ashley Flowers]

Then there's a sound of a struggle. What sounds like maybe water splashing and someone choking. And then about eight and a half minutes in, there's nothing. Just the sound of a dog still barking. The operator sat on the line listening, and I think occasionally calling out to check if anyone was there. Now, she was eventually able to home in on an address. So at that point, she hung up, called back twice, once at 11:10am and then again at 11:12, but no one picked up.

[Britt]

How did police not find her that day?

[Ashley Flowers]

Well, here's the story. So there were police who were dispatched after that call.

[Britt]

Okay?

[Ashley Flowers]

But that's really where things went from bad to just downright neglectful, because the two officers who responded to the call didn't feel the need to rush over to Deanna's house. For whatever reason, they stopped by another house to check out a burglary alarm that had been accidentally tripped. When they saw it was a false alarm, they then decided to swing by 7 11. Then they finish up Some paperwork that was left over from another call that they had responded to.

[Britt]

Why the f. They think they could just take their sweet time getting there?

[Ashley Flowers]

I don't know. Apparently, Eric Nicholson reported for the Dallas observer that the 911 operator had marked the call as urgent, but I guess hadn't communicated that there was an attack literally going on at that very moment.

[Britt]

Okay, but you'd think urgent would be enough to get their butts into gear, to get there quickly before going to.

[Ashley Flowers]

711 before doing paperwork. I don't know. It took them 50 minutes to get to her house, and by the time they did, they didn't see anything suspicious. They said they knocked on the door, they walked around, checked to see if some of the windows were locked or broken, but they didn't see anything. They even called Deanna's phone again, but, of course, she didn't pick up, so they left.

[Britt]

Well, and you said 50 minutes to get to her house from the time the operator told them to leave. At that point, there's already been eight minutes of silence, at least that the operator has just been listening to. It's been over an hour since the call started in the first place. I can't comprehend this breakdown in communication. I mean, the operator hears, I'm gonna kill you. A struggle, and then when they get there, there's no sound inside. No one answers the door. I'm sorry. Break down the door.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, that's like, every reason you need, right?

[Britt]

Yeah.

[Ashley Flowers]

And listen, everyone feels the same. Deanna's family, the broader Dallas public, they all have plenty to say about this. So literally, by the next day, August 20th, the whole city knows about the complete failure on every level to protect Deanna. The department ends up issuing a statement saying that they're doing a quote, unquote, comprehensive review of the whole thing from the operator who took the call to the officers who responded, basically to see if the issue was a communication breakdown or indicative of a larger issue. And it's on that same day they make this statement that Deanna's autopsy is conducted. Based on the state of her body and the evidence from the 911 call, the medical examiner determines she more than likely died on the 17th.

[Britt]

Yeah, when she made the 911 call.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, that was definitely when. And the water splashing that was heard on the call, that was the how Deanna died. Her cause of death was drowning and other homicidal violence. But what's interesting is that the 911 call is really what pushes the Emmy to rule her case as a homicide. Because without the call, there's not much physical evidence to suggest that Deanna was murdered. Like, she didn't look like she'd been beaten. There's no bruising. So without that, he states that her death would have only been a mysterious death. I mean, definitely really suspicious, but not automatically a homicide.

[Britt]

So she basically classified her death as a homicide herself.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah. So that call is even more important because her talk screen shows that she had PCP and alcohol in her system at the time of her death. So, I mean, when you think about it, had that call not been placed, I can totally see a world where her death would have been written off and we'd be doing a mysterious death episode, trying to convince a police department to reopen her case.

[Britt]

Yeah, and I don't have a whole lot of faith that they would have nailed that investigation based on how they've handled things so far.

[Ashley Flowers]

Totally.

[Britt]

And I'm assuming they do, like, fingernail clippings and stuff. I mean, is any of Del Vecchio's DNA found on her body? If she was fighting, I mean, I have to imagine she could have scratched him or something.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, they do it all. Fingernail clippings, sexual assault kit, the works. And they find DNA, actually, from two men from the sexual assault kit. But what's interesting is neither belong to Del Vecchio. And to be honest, they're not sure what the circumstances were when it comes to the encounters with those other two men. But when it comes to the fingernail clippings, at first, those come back clean. There was no one else's DNA but hers present under her nails. But. And this is sort of jumping ahead a little bit, they end up doing another, more sensitive test later on, and they ultimately conclude that there is a DNA sample. And they can't rule out Del Vecchio as a contributor.

[Britt]

Can't rule out. As in.

[Ashley Flowers]

As in it's only, like, a partial sample. But I think when we hear partial, we're like, oh, you know, a lot of people could be ruled in. They do clarify that this partial sample does rule out 99.9% of all other males.

[Britt]

Oh, okay.

[Ashley Flowers]

So, yeah, pretty good.

[Britt]

Yeah. And I mean, let's also not forget that she said his name on the call.

[Ashley Flowers]

I know.

[Britt]

I mean, what else do we need?

[Ashley Flowers]

Not much more, because by Monday, he has been charged with murder. And by Wednesday, the police department announces that they're making some changes to the way 911 calls are handled.

[Britt]

Wonderful.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah. Well, specifically to the way they're classified, an article by the Associated Press for NBC 5 states that with this update, calls that involve things like death or serious bodily injury are classified as highest priority.

[Britt]

Hold up. What were they before if they weren't the highest?

[Ashley Flowers]

I don't know.

[Britt]

I mean, what could be higher than literal death? I don't understand.

[Ashley Flowers]

It's a great question. I tried to find out, but I couldn't find anything about their previous ranking system. So, I mean, I don't know what it would have to be, like a mass shooter or something like that, which.

[Britt]

Terrorism.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, yeah, let's keep something like that high up. But one death should be treated the same as well. Whatever. So at least now they have their priorities straight.

[Britt]

A little too late.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, but, okay, now the operator who took the call is suspended, and that officer who told the family that they had to contact local hospitals in jails first. Remember back when they wanted you? The welfare check?

[Britt]

Mm.

[Ashley Flowers]

That officer is fired because that was apparently the third call that she had mishandled.

[Britt]

Beautiful. So what about the responding officers? The ones that felt the need for a Slurpee or something at a 711 first?

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah. So I can't find anything else about them. So you can take that potentially as an indication that they weren't formally punished.

[Britt]

Okay. To me, they're just as culpable, though they skip the whole urgent part and read it as totally okay to stop by 7:11, do extra paperwork, whatever.

[Ashley Flowers]

I know. Maybe it was gas they needed at 7:11. Again, I think this goes back to. I don't know what the protocol was before, if urgent wasn't really that urgent. You know what I mean? Or if it got lumped in with something else, or if urgent doesn't mean.

[Britt]

Actually urgent, use a different word.

[Ashley Flowers]

I totally agree. Almost overnight, Deanna becomes the name everyone in Dallas associates with. The need for a change in how law enforcement handles calls relating to domestic violence. Specifically, because the more investigators and the public learn about the history of Deanna and Del Vecchio's relationship, the clearer it becomes that something should have been done a long time ago.

[Austin James]

Hey, it's Austin James. If you're like me, trying to live your best life while living with diabetes, you can relate to worrying if you're doing a good job managing your diabetes. I use the freestyle Libre 3 Plus sensor to get real time glucose readings and see the impact of every meal and activity to make better decisions. The Freestyle Libre 3 sensor can help me live life with diabetes on my own terms, and it gives me more time for the things I love, like being a dad and a musician. Now this is progress. Learn more at FreestyleLibre US for prescription.

[T-Mobile]

Only safety info found at FreestyleLibre US.

[Netcredit]

Norwegian Cruise Line's Black Friday preview sale is finally here. Enjoy huge savings with 50% off all cruises and NCL's all new more at Sea package including unlimited open bar, specialty dining and more. Visit ncl.com, call your travel advisor or 1-888-NCL cruise offer ends soon. Norwegian Cruise Line ships registry the Bahamas and USA restrictions apply.

[Ashley Flowers]

Deanna and Del Vecchio's relationship goes back years. They got together in 2008 and eventually got married. But by January 3, 2009, they were already having major troubles. That was when Delvecchio was arrested for assaulting Deanna after she didn't answer her phone. He showed up when she was visiting with a friend, completely in a rage, and he grabbed her by the neck and began choking her in front of her friend. Yeah, her friend left the room for a few minutes, but, like, when she came back, Del Vecchio was already attacking Deanna, and his friend's, like, screaming for him to stop, which he did, but he threatened to do the same to her.

[Britt]

Oh, my God.

[Ashley Flowers]

So eventually the police were called and Delvecchio was arrested, and Deanna requested a protective order, but I'm not sure if it was granted. What I do know is that in October 2009, she filed for divorce. But that divorce was a little messy. She didn't follow through, so the case was dismissed. And then a few months later, Del Vecchio filed for divorce, but that was dismissed again when he didn't follow through.

[Britt]

So it seems like they were both totally okay getting out of the relationship at least, or for a bit at some point in time.

[Ashley Flowers]

And maybe at different times, too. Right? But the violence didn't end in 2009, because in March of 2010, Deanna was arrested for assaulting Del Vecchio. Although, to be honest, this situation wasn't as cut and dry as the last one was. Deanna ran almost naked, save for her bra and underwear, to her neighbors, begging to come in, saying that Del Vecchio was gonna get her. And this neighbor even saw Del Vecchio in the yard behind Deanna. But Delvecchio, like, left when he sees that the neighbor lets her inside.

[Britt]

So everyone knew this was a violent relationship.

[Ashley Flowers]

Right? And that neighbor even later testifies that their relationship was, quote, fearsome and violent. But that time, it wasn't Deanna who called the police or even the neighbor. It was this motel employee a few towns Over. So they'd called to report Del Vecchio, who was sitting in the lobby bloody. And the responding officer noted that he had been stabbed in one of his shoulders and had other scratches on his face, tongue, and arm. And when the officer talked to him, he claimed that Deanna had stabbed him. And when police searched her house, they found a sort of tire tool that matched the type of wound that he had. So they go to Deanna, and she claims that Del Vecchio had attacked her, that she was defending herself, but she was still arrested because he had the injuries and she didn't. Now, according to the court docs I keep mentioning, she did end up being acquitted. But that wasn't the end of their violent scuffles. Not even close. In May of 2011, Del Vecchio was arrested again for assaulting Deanna. An officer who responded to a disturbance found the two arguing. And Deanna had slashes on her hands from where D'Alvecchio had cut her with a knife.

[Britt]

So this was escalating.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah. And he had even threatened her with a knife before. And from what I can tell, this may have been the first time he actually cut her with one. So I know he's arrested that time, but I'm not sure what happens after that arrest, like if he was charged with assault or released or what. But by July 28, 2012, this would have been less than a month before Deanna was killed. He was back at it again. This time, it was Deanna who called 911. Cause Del Vecchio was lurking in her neighborhood, and she wanted someone to come take him away. She actually called a couple of times that day. Del Vecchio just kept showing up, and she asked for police to come. And again, just get him out of here. That second time, she said that he was lurking in a parked car across the street from her house, just watching, I guess, because she was supposed to be leaving for work. And like she was later on, she had this fear that he was going to break in while she was gone. So she wanted an officer to come and remove him, but she asked that they not tell him that she was the one who called because it, quote, unquote, triggers him. Now, in that instance, officers were dispatched, and they found Del Vecchio in the park with two bags of clothing with him. And when they asked him what he was doing, he said that he was waiting for his niece to come get him. But, I mean, obviously that wasn't what was happening. But at the same time, there wasn't necessarily a Crime being committed. So officers drove him back to his stepfather's house.

[Britt]

I always get really upset when I ask this question, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Stalking isn't a crime. I know the laws on it are super weird, and it's like, a very specific definition, but this seems pretty obvious.

[Ashley Flowers]

I agree, But I don't think they were seeing it as stalking or they didn't have enough evidence that it was.

[Britt]

Stalking or didn't take the time to look into it enough.

[Ashley Flowers]

I don't know. Yeah. Now, in September, Deanna's mom, Vicki, sues numerous people who were involved with Deanna's case. In the lawsuit, she alleges that they violated the 14th amendment's due process and equal protection clauses, basically saying that if Deanna was white or lived in a different neighborhood, or the call hadn't been about domestic violence, then maybe things would have turned out differently. She's also claiming they violated Texas negligence, gross negligence, bystander recovery, wrongful death, and survival laws. And she sues a lot of people. We're talking city of Dallas, the Dallas police department, and seven individuals. And I think the easiest thing to do, just kind of go through the list of these people, slash entities one by one, for the sake of clarity, Starting with the city of Dallas. Vicki alleges that they, quote, failed to implement policies, practices, and procedures that respected Deanna Cook's constitutional rights to assistance, protection, medical treatment, and equal treatment under the law. Basically, it's the city's responsibility to make sure that there are some systems put in place to ensure that everyone has equal treatment. And she's saying they failed to do that. The police department is being sued because it took the responding officers 50 minutes to get there. And while this is obviously a problem with those officers themselves, Vicki alleges that Deanna's volatile and dangerous relationship was known to Dallas PD and therefore they had a responsibility to act.

[Britt]

Okay, all of that makes sense.

[Ashley Flowers]

The call taker who answered Deanna's 911 call is listed because she basically failed to respond properly. It took her 10 minutes to contact the police dispatcher and request assistance, even though it was clear there was an assault actively happening. And she didn't note that there was an assault underway in her notes. Now, when it comes to the supervisor, she was supposed to be on the call floor during her whole shift. There's always supposed to be someone there to assist call takers in classifying calls and providing general support. But when Deanna's call came in, the supervisor was in a meeting. And so another call taker had to assist. That call taker is also named in the lawsuit. She was the one who told the original call taker to hang up and call Deanna back. And then when it comes to the police dispatcher, she's named because once she got the information, even after seeing that it was marked as urgent, she allowed officers to volunteer to go to Deanna's house. This is where all of the breakdown is happening.

[Britt]

So when you say volunteer to go to Deanna's house, you mean instead of assigning officers?

[Ashley Flowers]

Right. Which shouldn't have been the case, because that just takes away some of the urgency of the situation. Like, hey, you need to get there right now versus, like, is anyone available? Like, when you have a minute? And the rest of the people, we kind of already know about the two responding officers who took their time getting to the residence and then left when they didn't see anything. And then finally, the former officer who told Vicki to call the hospitals and jails first. So, listen, Deanna's family acknowledges that the problem wasn't just with the individuals who handled the calls. There is a much larger problem going on here. For one, the call center, it's supposed to have 90 positions filled, but at the time of Deanna's death, they only had 64 people working there. But even if they had all 90 positions filled, they didn't have the updated technology to be able to respond to a call like Deanna's quickly. See, Deanna made that call on her cell phone, not a landline. So according to Tristan Hallman's reporting for the Dallas Morning News, it took almost 10 minutes for the call taker to find a location and dispatch someone to check on her. And actually, Samsung and T mobile end up getting added to the suit as well, with Vicki and her family alleging that they didn't implement the technology that was needed to make locating the cell phone happen faster.

[Britt]

So, really, there was only so much that the people at the call center could even do without that technology, timing wise.

[Ashley Flowers]

Again, in just locating. We got 10 minutes. There was a lot more time. But, yes, they weren't able to locate the cell phone right away. But that doesn't excuse literally every other moment where they dropped the ball big time.

[Britt]

Mm.

[Ashley Flowers]

Now, I'm not gonna go into all of the details of the lawsuit, but eventually, everyone who worked at the call call center is dropped from the lawsuit. The original call taker even ends up resigning. The police officers and the Dallas Police Department get dropped from the suit. So by 2014, the updated suit includes T Mobile, MetroPCS, Samsung, the City of Dallas, and the ex officer who refused to send help until the family called hospitals and jails. Geez.

[Britt]

2014. I'm never not surprised at how long it takes for things like this to drag themselves through the system.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, I mean, for Deanna's family, it's years of waiting and fighting and then waiting some more. That was the theme of 2014 for them. But by 2015, they have another battle ahead of them, one that they have to fight at the same time as the lawsuit. That's Del Vecchio's trial. It gets delayed a few times, but on May 18, 2015, it begins and it is a doozy.

[FDA]

This is the sound of your ride home with dad after he caught you vaping. Awkward, isn't it? Most vapes contain seriously addictive levels of nicotine and disappointment. Know the real cost of vapes brought to you by the fda?

[Ashley Flowers]

The prosecution's presentation of the case is no surprise. They go through pretty much everything. I've laid out the 911 call, the way Deanna's body was found, Del Vecchio's history of violence. But the defense tries to pull some real. They claim that Deanna wasn't murdered. Rather, she died from a combination of PCP and stress.

[Britt]

Stress?

[Ashley Flowers]

Stress.

[Britt]

Like stress from being drowned? I don't understand.

[Ashley Flowers]

Well, they basically say that Deanna and Del Vecchio's relationship was stressful.

[Britt]

Understatement of the century.

[Ashley Flowers]

And they say that in combination with the pcp, it caused her heart rate to increase her blood pressure to rise and ultimately cause a release of norepinephrine that caused hallucinations and disorientation.

[Britt]

Wait, are they saying Deanna hallucinated everything?

[Ashley Flowers]

Basically, yeah.

[Britt]

Then how do they explain the drowning?

[Ashley Flowers]

They're saying that it was accidental.

[Britt]

No, no, I know.

[Ashley Flowers]

It's infuriating. And they also, they point to her history of mental health. According to that same court doc, she had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and a mood disorder not otherwise specified, and unspecified psychosis. And she had self diagnosed herself with adhd.

[Britt]

I'm sorry, I threw up a little bit in my mouth when you said that they were blaming this on her mental health. But how does any of this explain the 911 call? It's not just her hallucinating and saying his name. You can literally hear Delvecchio.

[Ashley Flowers]

Thank you.

[Britt]

Saying he's going to kill her.

[Ashley Flowers]

Thank you.

[Britt]

If she's hallucinating, so is the recording of the 911 call.

[Ashley Flowers]

Right. And can I tell you something else that makes this story even more unbelievable? Know what they were never able to find at the scene? Her cell phone. No, the cell phone she called 911 from.

[Britt]

She can't drown in the bathtub and then hide her cell phone or get rid of it.

[Ashley Flowers]

And this next part is infuriating.

[Britt]

Already there, but okay.

[Ashley Flowers]

The defense calls a forensic and clinical psychologist named Dr. Compton to the stand who says she can't hear any water splashing on the call, which she says you'd expect to hear if someone was being pushed underwater. So that, combined with the lack of physical evidence that there was a struggle, makes the defense basically come to the conclusion of. Yeah, she was hallucinating.

[Britt]

Oh, my God. Okay, we know the phone likely wasn't super close because Del Vecchio didn't know that she was even making the call. You said the 911 operator could hear water. Is this even up for debate? I'm confused.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah. I don't know what the 911 operator heard, but, like. Right, that came to light before we're ever at trial making arguments.

[Britt]

Yeah.

[Ashley Flowers]

So I have to imagine that that sound was there.

[Britt]

It's present.

[Ashley Flowers]

I think the only argument is that some people say they're hearing splashing water. Others say, oh, well, I hear that as, like, a faucet running.

[Britt]

I'm sorry. Same difference.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, there's water. And we know the faucet was running. Right. Because all that water, like, came out of the house, filled, whatever.

[Britt]

Right.

[Ashley Flowers]

But with all the screaming and the dog barking, I mean, I think. I don't know. There's so much going on in this call, including.

[Britt]

Let's come back to. You can hear another voice on the call.

[Ashley Flowers]

I know.

[Britt]

That is not a hallucination.

[Ashley Flowers]

I know. I think this has gotta be up there with, like, the top 10 worst defenses of all time. Now, the one thing I can maybe see being a decent argument from the defense is when they bring up the presence of the two unknown male samples found when they did her sexual assault kit. Because to this day, those men have never been identified. And the defense argues that the investigation was incomplete because police didn't try to even track those two other men down.

[Britt]

Okay, but there was only one male voice on the recording, one that I'm assuming sounded a heck of a lot like Del Vecchio.

[Ashley Flowers]

Oh, it totally did.

[Britt]

Right? I mean, she calls him out by.

[Ashley Flowers]

Name, and that voice is saying, I'll kill you.

[Britt]

And she totally could have been with two other Guys consensually before she was killed. That means nothing to me.

[Ashley Flowers]

Exactly. And ultimately, the jury agrees. Del Vecchio ends up being found guilty, and he is sentenced to 85 years in prison. But even though that's done, Vicki and her family still have another battle to fight that lawsuit. And this time, they don't get a win. The judge ultimately dismisses the case. Vicki appeals a few times, but she and her family are up against a city that's not gonna back down. In fact, Robert Wlonski reported for the Dallas Morning News that the city spends over $350,000 fighting them instead of settling. The most recent update I could find was an appeal for March of 2019, but I can't find anything after that. So I don't know what happened. I don't know if it got rejected, if it was swept up in the whirlwind of the pandemic or what. But to Deanna's family, it doesn't feel like true justice. Yes, her killer was put away, but what, we're going to just focus on putting away killers instead of preventing the killing?

[Britt]

Right.

[Ashley Flowers]

Every year, we partner with a nonprofit doing important work with survivors of domestic violence. And this year, we want to feature More Than a Phone. This incredible organization works with domestic violence organizations across the United States to provide free smartphones and four months of cellular data to DV survivors. Because when you think about it, many survivors leave in a hurry, and they don't bring their phone or they don't have one or the one they have can be tracked by their abuser. I don't know that if I had to give up my phone right now that I could function like, I would be kind of lost. I mean, figuratively and literally. I use my maps for everything. I don't know anyone's number anymore. So I think a lot of us would be. That's why having a safe, reliable, un monitored phone is so important. It allows people to contact their loved ones, access online resources, which is everything you need is on the Internet now.

[Britt]

So pivotal.

[Ashley Flowers]

Yeah, it's a fresh start. And a lifeline. More Than a Phone has donated almost 6,000 phones to survivors at the 73 nonprofits they support. And both of those numbers are only going to keep getting bigger. Their biggest fundraiser of the year, More than a tailgate, is actually happening in Indianapolis this fall. So if you're interested in donating, now is the time. We'll have all their information linked in our show notes. And, you know, every month, not just October, almost without fail, we get messages from listeners who say that one of our DV episodes hits home. It was the push they needed to leave. They recognized earlier signs of violence. I mean, there have been so many unbelievable stories. So this month, if you are listening to this and something about this episode hit just a little too close to home. I need you to listen to me. You are not alone. One in three women and one in four men experience physical, intimate partner violence in their lifetime. And every single person, you included, you especially, is worthy of being treated with love and respect. And I know what you're being told by the person who might be abusing you. But hear me right now, you are not being too sensitive. You are not overreacting. If anything I talked about today rings true for you. We will have resources listed in our show notes. We love you. Stay safe. Crime Junkies. You can find all the source material for this episode on our website, crimejunkiepodcast.com.

[Britt]

And follow us on Instagram at Crime Junkie podcast.

[Ashley Flowers]

We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Crime Junkie is an audio Chuck production. So what do you think, Chuck? Do you approve?

[Novo Nordisk]

Sponsored by Novo Nordisk.

[Ashley Flowers]

Hola.

[Novo Nordisk]

Hey, you speak Spanish, but do you speak liver?

[Ashley Flowers]

Okay.

[Novo Nordisk]

People with conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure could be at risk for a potentially life threatening liver disease called mashed or metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis.

[Ashley Flowers]

Whoa. I could be at risk? I'll ask my doctor.

[Novo Nordisk]

You're bilingual?

[Ashley Flowers]

No, I speak liver now.

[Amica Insurance]

I'm trilingual.

[Novo Nordisk]

Ask your doctor about your risk and if you should be screened for mash. Learn [e-mail].

[FDA]

This is the sound of your ride home with dad after he caught you vaping. Awkward, isn't it? Most vapes contain seriously addictive levels of nicotine and disappointment. Know the real cost of vapes brought to you by the fda?