Digest

This episode of the podcast delves into the murder of Connie DeBatte in her Ellington, Connecticut home, focusing on the investigation and trial of her husband, Richard. The hosts provide a detailed profile of Ellington, highlighting its unique characteristics and the seemingly ordinary lives of the DeBattes. The episode then focuses on the events leading up to the murder, including Connie's concerns about Richard's financial irresponsibility and his affair. Richard claims a masked intruder attacked him, tied him up, and shot Connie, but the evidence paints a different picture. The hosts meticulously analyze the inconsistencies in Richard's story, highlighting the crucial role of digital evidence, particularly Fitbit data, in exposing his lies. The Fitbit data, along with other digital evidence, including Richard's web searches and phone records, contradicts his alibi and reveals his presence at home during the time he claimed to be at work. The episode culminates in Richard's arrest, trial, and conviction, emphasizing the power of technology in solving complex crimes. The hosts conclude by discussing the impact of the case on Connie's family and community, highlighting the importance of digital evidence in bringing justice to victims of domestic violence.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Murder in Ellington: Introduction and Overview

The episode introduces the case of Connie DeBatte's murder in Ellington, Connecticut, highlighting the unique use of technology in the conviction. The hosts also promote their live shows and Patreon page.

00:05:16

Ellington, Connecticut: A Town Profile

The hosts provide a detailed profile of Ellington, Connecticut, discussing its location, demographics, cost of living, and notable features. They share humorous anecdotes about the town's reputation for being boring and its unique smell.

00:25:24

The DeBatte Home Invasion and Murder

The episode focuses on the murder of Connie DeBatte, detailing the events of the crime, including the 911 call, the discovery of Connie's body, and Richard DeBatte's account of the home invasion. They highlight the unusual details of the crime, such as the use of a blowtorch and the lack of fingerprints on the murder weapon.

00:38:05

The Victims: Richard and Connie DeBatte

The hosts provide background information on the victims, Richard and Connie DeBatte, describing their lives, careers, and relationships. They share anecdotes about Connie's love for cooking and Richard's quirky personality.

00:48:50

The Relationship Between Richard and Connie

The hosts explore the relationship between Richard and Connie, focusing on their marital struggles. They discuss Connie's concerns about Richard's spending habits and his lack of honesty. They also share insights from Connie's friends, who describe Richard as "odd" and "quirky" but not violent.

00:52:02

Connie's "Why I Want a Divorce" Note

The episode reveals the existence of a note titled "Why I Want a Divorce" that Connie created on her iPhone. The hosts discuss the contents of the note, which details Richard's financial irresponsibility, lack of trust, and poor parenting skills. They analyze the significance of the note and its potential implications for the murder investigation.

00:57:45

Richard's Escalating Behavior

The episode details Richard's escalating behavior, including his claim of a vandalized car, his purchase of a gun for protection, and his suggestive text to Connie. These events highlight the tension and potential for conflict in their relationship.

01:00:02

Richard's Story of the Home Invasion

Richard claims a masked intruder attacked him, incapacitated him with pressure points, and shot Connie. He describes a chaotic scene and his own injuries.

01:07:52

The Blowtorch and the Box Cutter

Richard claims the intruder used a blowtorch and a box cutter to torture him. He describes the intruder's actions in detail, painting a picture of a violent and sadistic attack.

01:11:06

The Police Arrive and Suspicious Circumstances

The police arrive at the scene and find Richard injured and tied to a chair. They find no signs of forced entry, no stolen items, and no evidence of an intruder.

01:18:02

Richard's Affair and the Surrogate Arrangement

Richard admits to having an affair with Sarah Ganser, a high school friend. He claims Connie was aware of the affair and agreed to a surrogate arrangement with Sarah.

01:24:39

The Accidental Pregnancy and the Soap Opera

Richard claims the pregnancy was accidental and that he and Connie were working on their marriage. He uses the phrase "fricking soap opera" to describe the situation, raising suspicion.

01:27:34

Richard's Stoic Timeline

Richard tells his family about the home invasion and Connie's death in a stoic and matter-of-fact manner, raising further suspicion.

01:38:10

Richard's Financial Irregularities

The police discover Richard used a credit card without Connie's knowledge to buy flowers for his girlfriend and spend over $1,200 at a strip club.

01:40:19

The DNA Evidence and Gunshot Residue

Richard's DNA is found on the gun, along with an unidentified person's DNA. Gunshot residue tests on Richard's hands are negative, but residue is found on his shirt.

01:42:10

The Digital Evidence and the Tablet

The police examine Richard's iPhone and Connie's iPhone, finding evidence of Connie's desire for a divorce and Richard's affair. They also examine Richard's tablet, finding evidence that he was at home during the time he claimed to be at work.

01:45:54

Richard's Poison Searches

The police find evidence that Richard repeatedly searched for information on poisons, including "deadly over-the-counter pill combinations," "untraceable homemade poisons," and "tasteless poison easily available." They also find searches related to antifreeze and rice.

01:48:03

The YMCA Surveillance and the Long-Lasting Tattoo

Surveillance footage from the YMCA confirms Connie's arrival and departure times. Richard's tablet reveals searches for "long-lasting tattoo ideas" during the time he claimed to be driving to work.

01:51:00

Connie's Fitbit Data and the Contradictions

The podcast discusses the Fitbit data collected by police, showing Connie's movements throughout the day, including her trip to the YMCA and her return home. The data contradicts Richard's account of events, suggesting he was home when he claimed to be at work.

02:01:10

Richard's Arrest and the Role of Digital Evidence

The podcast discusses Richard's arrest in April 2017, five months after the murder. He was arrested for murder and tampering with evidence. The podcast highlights the role of digital evidence in his arrest.

02:12:28

Richard's Trial and Defense Strategy

The podcast discusses the long-delayed trial of Richard. His lawyers plan to challenge the electronic evidence, including the Fitbit data, arguing it's unreliable. They also plan to challenge the hospital interview he gave to police.

02:33:49

Richard's Verdict and Reactions

The podcast discusses the jury's verdict in Richard's trial. He was found guilty on all charges, including murder and tampering with evidence. The podcast discusses the reactions to the verdict, including relief and satisfaction from Connie's loved ones.

02:37:14

Richard's Sentence and Final Statement

The podcast discusses Richard's sentence. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison, including 60 years for murder and five years for tampering with evidence. The podcast also discusses Richard's final statement before sentencing, where he maintains his innocence.

02:41:21

Connie's Legacy and the Murder House

The podcast discusses Connie's legacy, highlighting her impact on her family and community. The podcast also discusses the sale of the couple's home, which was listed as a murder house.

02:42:46

The Importance of Fitbit Data and Conclusion

The podcast concludes by emphasizing the importance of Fitbit data in the case. The data helped to expose Richard's lies and ultimately led to his conviction. The hosts express their gratitude to their listeners and encourage them to follow them on social media.

Keywords

Q&A

• What unusual details about the crime make it stand out?

  The use of a blowtorch and box cutter as weapons, the lack of fingerprints on the murder weapon, and the fact that the intruder didn't bring his own gun but used Richard's 357 revolver, all contribute to the unusual nature of the crime.

• What were Connie DeBatte's concerns about her husband, Richard?

  Connie was concerned about Richard's spending habits, his lack of honesty, and his poor parenting skills. She expressed these concerns in a note titled "Why I Want a Divorce" that she created on her iPhone.

• What is the significance of the "Why I Want a Divorce" note?

  The note provides valuable insight into the couple's relationship dynamics and potential motives for the crime. It suggests that Connie may have been considering divorce, which could have been a factor in the murder.

• What is the connection between the murder case and the town of Ellington?

  The murder of Connie DeBatte took place in her Ellington home, making the town a central location in the investigation. The town's demographics, crime rate, and social dynamics are all relevant to understanding the context of the crime.

• What are some of the inconsistencies in Richard's story about the home invasion?

  There are several inconsistencies, including no signs of forced entry, no stolen items, no evidence of an intruder, and no bruises on Richard despite claiming to have wrestled with the intruder.

• What evidence suggests Richard may have been involved in Connie's death?

  Evidence includes Richard's DNA on the gun, his searches for poisons, his web history showing he was at home during the time he claimed to be at work, and his attempts to cash in on Connie's life insurance policy.

• How did the Fitbit data help to convict Richard?

  The Fitbit data provided a detailed timeline of Connie's movements, contradicting Richard's story and showing he was home when he claimed to be at work. This evidence was crucial in proving his guilt.

• What was Richard's defense strategy in the trial?

  Richard's lawyers attempted to discredit the electronic evidence, including the Fitbit data, arguing it was unreliable. They also tried to suppress the hospital interview he gave to police.

• What was the outcome of the trial?

  Richard was found guilty on all charges, including murder and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison.

Show Notes