"The prosecution admits right in their opening statement that this isn't a case with a lot of direct evidence. You know, even the contact lenses aren't the kind of like slam dunk he definitely did it evidence you'd want if you were in the prosecution's shoes. Instead they say this is all about words and actions. In other words, this is a very circumstantial kind of case." — Britt
"Raven enters an Alfred plea for voluntary manslaughter. Brent, like, can you remind our listeners what that is if they're unclear? For sure. And to be honest, I thought I understood what it was until I listened to your episode of precedent covering this, and I learned so much, but quick answer is an Alfred plea essentially means the defendant is maintaining their innocence, but admits that there is sufficient evidence to convict them of the crime." — Ashley Flowers & Britt
"The fact that it's there is not the weird thing. What's odd to him is that the contact lens case is open, implying that Janet hadn't taken her contact lenses out yet. Which Janet's family confirmed she always did before going to bed. Like this was something she was strict about. So if she hadn't taken them out yet, then she wasn't going to or getting ready to go to bed. Yeah. And suddenly Raven's story doesn't line up with the evidence." — Britt
The episode chronicles the investigation into the 2005 death of Janet Aberroa in Durham, North Carolina. Initially reported as a possible shooting by her husband, Raven Aberroa, the scene revealed multiple stab wounds. Early inconsistencies arose from Raven's immediate suggestion of suicide to Janet's parents, contradicting the police's assessment of the scene. Evidence at the scene included no signs of forced entry, valuable items left out, and the absence of Raven's laptop and a specific knife from his collection. The investigation later revealed Janet was pregnant at the time of her death.
The narrative details Raven's history of infidelity and embezzlement, which had previously strained his marriage with Janet. Following Janet's death, Raven moved with their infant son to Utah. Years later, his second wife, Vanessa Pond, came forward with accounts of Raven's controlling and violent behavior, including physical aggression and attempts to portray her as unstable. Her testimony, coupled with Janet's family's persistent concerns and media involvement, reignited the investigation. A key piece of evidence that emerged later was Janet's contact lens case being left open, indicating she was not preparing for bed as Raven initially stated, a fact later confirmed by the exhumation of Janet's body.
Despite significant circumstantial evidence, including financial motives suggested by life insurance policies and a history of controlling behavior, the case lacked direct evidence. The defense argued that critical forensic evidence, such as a bloody footprint and a fingerprint, was misattributed or not adequately investigated. After a lengthy trial that resulted in a hung jury, Raven Aberroa eventually entered an Alfred plea for voluntary manslaughter. This plea allowed him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging sufficient evidence for a conviction, resulting in a sentence of eight to ten years, including time served, and his release in 2017.