"This is 1,000% staged. It is. And like, no matter any way you cut it, this is staged." — Ashley Flowers
"Well, you know, I once had a very wise person. Tell me that the best way to stay out of prison is to never talk to the police." — John Fini (as recounted by Rita)
"Most of the town jurors included very much think he is guilty AF." — Ashley Flowers
The episode details the horrific discovery of the Fini family—John, Cheryl, and their two young children—murdered in their home. The crime scene presents numerous bizarre and seemingly staged elements, including scattered items, unusual shoe prints in paint, and a cryptic message painted on a wall, all of which baffle investigators. John Fini, the husband and father, quickly becomes a person of interest due to his absence from the home at the time of the murders and a prior interaction with an investigator who suspected him in another case.
The investigation into John Fini's alibi reveals inconsistencies, such as a forgotten McDonald's receipt that contradicts his timeline. However, a detailed mileage log in his car supports his claim of not having made an extra trip home. The prosecution attempts to build a case around John, suggesting motives ranging from financial gain through life insurance policies to a desire to "wipe the slate clean" due to extramarital affairs and potential marital issues. The defense, conversely, points to the lack of physical evidence linking John to the murders and suggests an outside perpetrator, potentially connected to abuse allegations regarding their son Tyler, evidenced by his contracting Hepatitis B.
Ultimately, the case proceeds to trial with a significant lack of concrete forensic evidence, no murder weapon, and a questionable key eyewitness. The prosecution's theories, including an unusual reliance on John's alleged involvement in a role-playing game, fail to convince the jury. The defense highlights investigative oversights and the absence of crucial evidence. In October 1996, John Fini is acquitted of all charges, leaving the true perpetrator of the Fini family murders unknown, with many, including investigators and the local community, still believing John to be guilty.