Dateline NBC – The Girl in the Blue Mustang

Ep. 6: Finding John Doe (Released: February 16, 2026)

Host: Keith Morrison, with interviews and insights from key figures involved in the case

Overview

The final episode of "The Girl in the Blue Mustang" brings the dramatic conclusion to the case of Michelle O’Keefe’s murder and the wrongful conviction of Raymond Jennings. The episode chronicles the unprecedented decision by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Conviction Review Unit (CRU) to overturn Jennings’ conviction, explores new suspects and the evidence against them, and reflects on the impact of the case on all involved. At its heart, the episode examines the pursuit of justice, the fallibility of the legal system, and the enduring pain of those left behind.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Raymond Jennings’ Release from Prison

• Setting the Scene: Jennings is introduced as a man serving 40 years to life, having spent 11 years behind bars for a murder he insisted he did not commit.
• Jennings’ Reflections in Prison:
  • "He'd look in that mirror and I'd be like, why me? I'd be in the cell by myself. Why me?" (Raymond Jennings, 01:51)
• Clint Ehrlich’s Empathy for the Victim’s Family:
  • "When the only comfort that you've had for a decade is the belief that the man who killed your daughter is in prison and that man is Ray. I understand why it's hard to let go of that." (Clint Ehrlich, 02:08)

2. The Conviction Review Unit Reopens the Case

• Jeff and Clint Ehrlich’s Advocacy:
  • Jeff Ehrlich recounts being called by Ken Lynch from the CRU, leading to a high-stakes pitch to reinvestigate Jennings’ case.
• A Tense Oral Argument:
  • "They just for 90 minutes grilled me. It was like the most intense oral argument...I’d ever had...” (Jeff Ehrlich, 04:46)
• CRU Prioritizes the Case: Despite 700 cases seeking review, Jennings’ became the CRU’s first major reinvestigation.

3. The Courtroom Reversal ([07:52]–[11:11])

• Hearing and Immediate Aftermath: Jennings is brought before Judge William Ryan, with both sides of the courtroom tense and hopeful.
• Revelatory Quotes:
  • "People now believe that Mr. Jennings may not be guilty...that other people are implicated by new evidence. I think I can believe it." (Judge Ryan, 09:12)
  • "We're prepared to say that the people no longer have confidence in the conviction based upon what we feel is third party culpability evidence." (Deputy DA Robert Grace, 09:36)
• Jennings Set Free:
  • "It was surreal. Did he say it? Is that what he...I'm being released." (Raymond Jennings, 10:28)
  • The exoneration brings contrasting reactions: Joy for Jennings and the Ehrlichs, anger and disbelief for Michelle’s parents.

4. Family Aftermath

• Jennings’ Emotional Reunion ([15:00]):

  • "This was the first time they've been together in over 11 years. They're joyful that their daddy is home. And I'm...I can't, you know...I missed my kids, you know." (Raymond Jennings, 16:06, 16:24)

• Mike and Pat O’Keefe’s Grief and Doubt:

  • "I have nothing they can show me. Prove to me otherwise. At this time, nobody showed me anything otherwise. That he wasn't at least involved. This thing's went through three trials. Over 30 jurors found this guy guilty. And then this little unit...can kind of go in and kind of ad hoc...Hey we want to release him...goes completely against our whole judicial system in the United States, in my opinion. Pretty harsh words and I'm a pretty pissed off dad." (Michael Keefe, 12:06)
  • "We're the parents. We're Michelle's mom and dad. I said, well, if you're going to release them, why, why? And why can't you tell us what the evidence is?...And they said, no, we can't tell you. I go, it doesn't make sense." (Pat O’Keefe, 12:38)

5. Jennings Declared Factually Innocent – and New Suspects Uncovered ([18:58])

• The Question of "Who If Not Him?":

  • Focus shifts to other suspects, specifically Andrew Stewart ("John Doe") and Brian Kellogg, both tied to L.A. gangs.

• Evidence Against Stewart ("John Doe"):

  • Stewart was an 18-year-old gang member with a history of armed carjackings, including Mustangs and 9mm weapons, fitting the murder weapon and M.O.
  • Possessed an earring matching one taken from Michelle O’Keefe.
  • Ballistics evidence linked his gun to other crimes.
  • "The fact that he was found with an earring that matched the description of an earring taken from Michelle o' Keefe...ballistics evidence...matched the shell casings...Connected to John Doe again." (Clint Ehrlich, 21:44–22:11)

• Stewart's Polygraph and Convictions: Stewart denied involvement and passed a polygraph, but was later convicted for a carjacking six months after the murder and remains incarcerated.

• Kellogg – The Drug Dealer:

  • A potential, but weakly linked, alternate suspect—rumored to have boasted about the murder but ultimately denied involvement, with no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.

• Police Focus on Jennings—and Missed Opportunities:

  • Because Victoria Richardson, another gang-involved witness, mentioned a “red hat” suspect, investigators shifted focus away from Stewart and Kellogg.
  • "They would have to acknowledge that they knew that this individual was present at the crime scene and they didn't even interview him. And the degree of embarrassment from that is such that I think they just don't want to touch it." (Clint Ehrlich, 31:39)

6. Ongoing Impact and Reflections

• The Ehrlichs’ and Jennings' Lifelong Bond ([35:12]):

  • "This is a friend for life. He is part of my extended family now...They have...changed my life." (Raymond Jennings, 35:12)
  • Jeff Ehrlich describes freeing Jennings as the proudest achievement of his legal career:
    "It has given me more pleasure as a lawyer than anything I've ever done. And it rates for me with the kind of personal milestones...getting married, having your children born, things like that." (Jeff Ehrlich, 34:15)

• Jennings on Law Enforcement and Lessons Learned:

  • "It never dawned on me to ask for an attorney. It never dawned on me that these people were going to use, you know, things that you have said or helped with against you later on in life...And come to find out...it's not all sugars and cookies." (Raymond Jennings, 35:40)

• The O’Keefes’ Ongoing Grief and Remembrance:

  • Despite the exoneration, Michelle’s parents remain unconvinced of Jennings' innocence, expressing sorrow and confusion, yet continue to honor their daughter's memory.
  • "She's lived with us. She's in our hearts every day." (Pat O'Keefe, 38:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jennings on His Release:
  • "It was surreal. Did he say it? Is that what he...I'm being released." (10:28)
• Michael Keefe’s Frustration:
  • "Pretty harsh words and I'm a pretty pissed off dad." (12:38)
• On Investigative Overlook:
  • "They would have to acknowledge that they knew that this individual was present at the crime scene and they didn't even interview him." (Clint Ehrlich, 31:39)
• On the Purpose of Justice:
  • "The biggest tragedy in all of this is the Death of Michelle O'. Keefe. Ray Jennings lost 11 years of his life. Michelle O' Keefe lost her entire life. And...her father...deserves the solace of knowing who killed his daughter." (Clint Ehrlich, 32:42)
• Jennings on Forgiveness:
  • "There's no place for [anger or bitterness]...If you spend enough time around me, you'll see for yourself that there is none of that." (15:11–15:28)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Jennings' life in prison, and philosophy: 00:32–03:05
• CRU's decision to take the case: 03:41–05:37
• Courtroom decision and Jennings' release: 07:52–11:11
• Jennings recounts his first free days: 13:06–16:35
• Jennings officially declared innocent; new suspects: 18:58–27:03
• Investigation refocuses on Andrew Stewart and Brian Kellogg: 27:03–31:39
• Reflections from all parties, impact moving forward: 31:39–39:08

Concluding Thoughts

The sixth and final episode of "The Girl in the Blue Mustang" delivers a powerful meditation on justice deferred, the pain of wrongful conviction, and the complexity of healing for all those touched by tragedy. While Raymond Jennings walks free and is declared innocent, the murder of Michelle O’Keefe remains officially unsolved. The episode closes with tributes to Michelle and the ongoing hope—tempered by realism—that the true perpetrator may someday be brought to justice.

"Once there was a smart and pretty girl with a shiny blue Mustang and a whole new life ahead of her... And she's still fulfilling some kind of role even 10 years after she died."
(Keith Morrison, 39:08)