Disappearance of Alabama college grad tied to man who killed parents as a boy

This story initially aired on Sept. 24, 2022.

Lori Ann Slesinski was a latest Auburn College graduate who vanished in 2006 when she was supposed to point out up at her greatest good friend’s dwelling to observe a film. Her disappearance remained a thriller till 2022, when one other good friend, Rick Ennis, went on trial for her homicide. As “48 Hours” correspondent Peter Van Sant stories, this wasn’t the primary time Ennis was accused of an unspeakable crime.

Lindsay Braun: I can nonetheless see her smile. Her smile is simply etched in my reminiscence. 

To this present day, Lindsay Braun is haunted by the ultimate name from Lori Slesinski on June 10, 2006, after they have been speculated to get collectively for drinks and a film. 

Peter Van Sant: That final name — Did it point out it was her telephone? 

Lindsay Braun: Sure …

Peter Van Sant: She calls, and it hangs up?  

Lindsay Braun: Sure. 

Peter Van Sant: And nobody’s there?

Lindsay Braun: Simply nobody was there. It was simply useless finish.

Peter Van Sant: Did you name her proper again?

Lindsay Braun: I did. No reply.

Lori Sleskinski and Braun grew to become quick pals after they met junior yr at Auburn College in 2002. 

Lindsay Braun: I … keep in mind the day I met her.  … we simply type of instantly clicked … However I might simply inform that she was a heat particular person … very pleasant, simply outgoing, loving, all these good issues.  

Lori’s household — her older brother, Paul, and their dad and mom, Arlene and Casey— have been truly from New York State. They headed south to rural Alabama farm nation when Lori was 13 years previous. 

Arlene Slesinski: She beloved animals. We all the time had animals in our home … very studious scholar. She was a very good woman. 

When she enrolled in close by Auburn College, her dad and mom purchased Lori a cell dwelling to dwell off-campus, in a manicured trailer park in style with college students.   

Peter Van Sant: So, from valedictorian of her highschool class … was it robust for you … to see your child woman depart the home … and head off to college? 

Arlene Slesinski: Oh yeah, it was very robust … I referred to as her daily. And … she’s like, “mother, this has acquired to cease.” … and I used to be like, “however you are my child and … I fear about you.” “Don’t be concerned about me, I am tremendous.”

Lori majored in psychology and minored in felony justice. She graduated with honors.

Peter Van Sant (taking a look at photograph): There she is with mother and pa…she seems to be so completely satisfied there. 

Arlene Slesinski: She was. … She was over the moon completely satisfied. 

After commencement, Lori and Braun began working collectively at a neighborhood psychological well being facility. 

Peter Van Sant: Did you sense… that she had any enemy on this world? 

Lindsay Braun: No.       

Peter Van Sant: … the day that Lori disappeared …  June 10, 2006 … was anybody with Lori that day?

Lindsay Braun: Rick was at her home. 

Rick was Derrill Richard Ennis. 

Lindsay Braun: After I had spoken to her, he was within the background.

Lori acquired to know Ennis again when she was nonetheless a scholar. She frolicked on the native bowling alley the place he labored.

Lindsay Braun: I did not know a lot about him in any respect besides … he was her good friend. 

Arlene says simply earlier than Christmas in 2005, Lori requested if Ennis might be a part of them. 

Arlene Slesinski: She requested me, she mentioned, “mother, he has no household. Can I invite him?” She type of, you recognize, felt dangerous that he was going to spend Christmas alone. … He was pleasant, um … He was very well mannered. 

Braun says Lori typically frolicked with Ennis, so she wasn’t shocked that he had been at Lori’s dwelling the day she disappeared. 

Lindsay Braun: They have been pals so. … I wasn’t involved.

Peter Van Sant: However now you are at dwelling —

Lindsay Braun: Sure.

Peter Van Sant: — ready for Lori to come back over.

Lindsay Braun: Sure.

Peter Van Sant: And also you went to mattress that evening pondering?

Lindsay Braun: You recognize, I hope she’s OK.

However the subsequent morning, Braun began to fret. 

Lindsay Braun: I referred to as her home a number of instances … left voicemails on her dwelling answering machine. … “Hey Lori, checking on you. Are you OK? The place are you?”

Peter Van Sant: You went to work on that Monday, proper?

Lindsay Braun: Yeah. … She wasn’t there … In my thoughts one thing’s mistaken … I had Rick’s quantity … so I did textual content him, and requested … “have you ever seen Lori? The place is she? I am frightened about her.” … Um, his dialog again was, “no, I have not. … and I am frightened now, too …

When Lori did not present up at work a second day, that is when Braun headed to Lori’s dwelling.

Lindsay Braun: Nobody answered.

And located her canine Peanut in his crate. 

Lindsay Braun: I am an animal lover so … the very very first thing I did was let the canine out.

That is when she seen one thing else unusual. Lori was lacking three days, however the crate was spotless, and Peanut appeared completely satisfied and gave the impression to be well-fed, as if somebody had taken care of him. And there was extra. 

Lindsay Braun: One factor I keep in mind about Peanut is he would not stroll on tile, so she had these rugs in her kitchen and he would hop on the rugs … and the rugs have been gone. I seen that instantly …  her exterior garbage can was lacking … she had one which she had like yard instruments in …

Lindsay Braun: And … the answering machine had truly been unplugged … so these messages weren’t there.

By this time Lori’s mom heard that she hadn’t been displaying up at work.  

Arlene Slesinski: I’ve acquired to go to Auburn and see what is going on on, the place she is ‘trigger I referred to as her, and she or he did not reply her telephone. 

She headed off on an agonizing drive, calling her husband, and alerting the police, lastly arriving at her daughter’s dwelling. 

Peter Van Sant: And when the police acquired there … what was their perspective?

Arlene Slesinski: Nicely, you recognize. They’re like she’s acquired to be lacking 48 hours. … And so they did not actually assume an enormous— make an enormous deal out of it. 

Lindsay Braun: … they wished to only assume she ran away.

Lori’s dad and mom might solely look forward to Lori to stroll by way of the door, or name. Lastly, the telephone rang late that afternoon, however Arlene says it wasn’t Lori — it was her good friend, Rick Ennis. 

Arlene Slesinski: … he mentioned that Lori had gone to make an enormous drug deal.

Peter Van Sant: What?

Arlene Slesinski: Yeah … and I used to be like, there ain’t no approach … My daughter wouldn’t do something like that.

Peter Van Sant: Did you inform the police what he instructed you?

Arlene Slesinski: I did not. Rick instructed them. … And the police got here to the trailer … banging on the door … they usually raided the … cell dwelling they usually discovered nothing. 

Then, simply earlier than daybreak, that is when Lori Slesinski’s lacking automotive immediately exploded right into a fireball on a desolate dead-end exterior a building web site. 

Arlene Slesinski: The emotions have been simply unbelievable of concern and realizing one thing actually dangerous has occurred. 

Peter Van Sant: Who would set her automotive on fireplace?

Arlene Slesinski: Precisely. 

Peter Van Sant: And why?

Arlene Slesinski: (emotional)

The investigation shifted from a lacking particular person to a attainable murder.  Investigators dug into Ennis’ tip about Lori dealing medicine however discovered no proof — none — that he was telling the reality.  

Now investigators began digging deeper into Rick Ennis. They wished to know if he was hiding one thing from them.

Peter Van Sant:  Did you’ve got any sense as to why Rick Ennis did not have a household?

Arlene Slesinski: No. I had no concept why in any respect.

Peter Van Sant:  Finally, you realized.

Arlene Slesinski: I did. … It is past surprising.

DID RICK ENNIS HAVE A SECRET?

Peter Van Sant (inside Lori Slesinski’s trailer): And do you go into that trailer on occasion simply to attach along with her?

Arlene Slesinski: I do. … Simply go in there and take into consideration the happier instances.

Peter Van Sant: This room … in addition to the reminiscences, can also be a solemn place since you consider some horrors went on on this room, right?

Arlene Slesinski: Sure.

Within the early days of the investigation again in 2006, Arlene Slesinski says she grew to become suspicious of Rick Ennis when he instructed her that the evening Lori disappeared, she had gone out to make a drug deal.

Peter Van Sant:  And why would he be doing that do you assume? 

Arlene Slesinski:  I believe to take the warmth off of him. … I used to be pondering, “this man is mendacity by way of his tooth.”

Police suspected the identical. However with out direct proof linking Ennis to Lori’s disappearance, police couldn’t make an arrest, and the case rapidly went chilly.

Peter Van Sant: Did Rick Ennis stick round city?

Agent Mark Whitaker | Alabama SBI: He was there for a few days. However inside a — every week, after his third interview, he left city; by no means got here again to Auburn once more.

In 2016, 10 years after Lori disappeared, Mark Whitaker, a particular agent with the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, began a chilly case unit. He selected the disappearance of Lori Slesinski as his first case.

Peter Van Sant: Any estimate what number of homicide circumstances you’ve got been concerned with in your profession?

Mark Whitaker: In all probability a couple of hundred.

Peter Van Sant: The place does this one rank by way of fascination for you as an investigator?

Mark Whitaker: It is primary.

Mark Whitaker: It was a really tough case. … as a result of there was no physique. … we do not know precisely what occurred. And — we do not know the place she is.

However it did not take lengthy for Rick Ennis to change into Whitaker’s prime suspect.

Mark Whitaker: We could not eradicate him. His inconsistencies in his statements made no sense in any way. We knew Lori was not a drug vendor. … I imply, she vanished off the face of the Earth when he is the final one to ever see her.

And when police spoke to Ennis hours after Lori was reported lacking, they seen scratches on his palms and arms. 

Mark Whitaker: (factors at proof photographs of Ennis’ scratches): Proper right here, that may be a thumb print the place any person’s digging in … she’s combating for her life and doing every little thing she will be able to to get away from him.

In Ennis’ automotive, there have been handcuffs, a knife, and cleansing provides. And so they quickly realized one thing startling about Rick’s previous.

Former Alabama State Trooper John Clark.

John Clark (in automotive with Peter Van Sant): Was some of the weird circumstances I’ve ever been related to.

John Clark: I used to be patrolling this county after I acquired a name.

It was March 5, 1993.  The decision from dispatch mentioned a automotive had gone off a freeway and struck a fence.

John Clark:  And as my headlights take within the curve, I see it seems to be like a younger boy with a backpack.

It is a 12-year-old Rick Ennis. And he admits he had been driving the automotive.  Clark searches his backpack.

John Clark:  The very first thing I pull out is a kitchen knife …. There’s … some 12-gauge and a few 22-caliber free ammunition within the backside of the bag. 

John Clark:  … he is sittin’ again there in that seat behind you. And I mentioned, “The place are your dad and mom?” … He seems to be proper again at me and he says, “I killed them each.”

Peter Van Sant: “I killed ’em each.”

John Clark: “I killed ’em each.” No tears, no emotion, nothing.

Clark then radioed for native police to recover from to Ennis’s dwelling.

On the time, a present referred to as “MPD: The Tv Collection” was following the officers:

COP: State troopers workin’ a wreck involvin’ a 12-year-old —

COP (as officers method trailer): The boy’s telling them that they killed his daddy and mama in right here.”

Cameras enter the house of Rick’s mom and stepfather. On the ground of a bed room are two useless our bodies.

COP: There’s items of a baseball bat within the bed room that has fairly a little bit of blood on it.

COP: There’s blood on the partitions, blood spatters on the door.

Rick’s personal mom, Dolly Flowers, was shot within the face after which overwhelmed to dying with a baseball bat. Rick instructed investigators he coated her face with a velvet blanket, and positioned a rose on her chest.

Rick Ennis’ stepfather, Eddie Joe Flowers, was often called Elvis for his sideburns and colourful persona. Rick shot him within the face utilizing a shotgun. Ennis instructed cops he was mad that his dad and mom deliberate to maneuver.  He mentioned he did not wish to depart his college. For 2 days, investigators consider he lived with their our bodies, whereas persevering with to go to highschool.

Investigators say they discovered what they describe as Ennis’ to-do listing that included killing his three stepsisters.

Peter Van Sant: So, he wished to kill all three of you?

Angela Flowers: Oh, yeah. … I really feel very blessed to be right here, and to not be considered one of his victims.

Donna Furr. Angela Flowers, and Tina Sexton are all Eddie’s daughters. Tina was 20 when her dad was murdered.

Tina Sexton: This modified every little thing. My dad was my world. (Crying and an extended pause) By no means attending to see him once more.

The sisters say Dolly was a candy, outgoing lady who met their father in church. Rick was the polar reverse.

Donna Furr: Each time I’d go and go to my dad and Dolly, they — he would go into his bed room and shut himself off …

Tina Sexton: He’d come out and eat after which he’d return in his room.

Peter Van Sant: What’s the longest dialog you ever had with him?

Donna Furr: 5 seconds possibly.

Tina Sexton: He did not speak to no one.

Peter Van Sant: What did your father consider Rick?

Donna Furr: He simply mentioned “He is just a bit totally different than — than y’all have been when y’all have been developing … He simply thought that … they have been in a brand new relationship, and you recognize, that it might — he would outgrow it, and issues would get higher over time.

However simply 10 months after they married, the completely satisfied couple was useless.

Donna Furr: He was 12 years previous and had murdered two individuals … brutally murdered them.

At age 12, Rick Ennis could not be tried as an grownup.  He spent 9 years in juvenile detention in Alabama and was launched after he turned 21. 

It was now as much as Agent Whitaker and his group to find out whether or not Rick Ennis had murdered once more. 

A NEW LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE

Agent Mark Whitaker knew what Rick Ennis did to his dad and mom, and his instincts instructed him Ennis had finished one thing horrible to Lori, too.  However now he needed to show it. 

Mark Whitaker: The burn web site was discovered on the 14th.

Mark Whitaker (with Van Sant the place Lori’s automotive was discovered): The automotive was … dealing with out again towards the bowling alley. … There’s nothing else round right here on the time. There isn’t any residences. It is only a paved street.

The blaze destroyed no matter proof there was within the automotive, however an investigator reported discovering a tiny merchandise on the bottom close by.

Mark Whitaker: He discovered a hand-rolled cigarette butt about proper right here (factors in the direction of the bottom). And he collected that … It was not examined … Kinda acquired misplaced within the shuffle. The case agent retired.

Whitaker’s group now submitted it for testing.

And there was a fuel can that had been discovered close by.

Mark Whitaker: It was proper on this space proper right here.

It appeared like one which had been lacking from the bowling alley the place Ennis had labored.

Mark Whitaker: And it is proper right here, 1,000 yards from the bowling alley, 30 yards from her automotive.

Whitaker’s associate, JW Barnes, confirmed “48 Hours” one thing that for police tied every little thing collectively: railroad tracks.

Agent JW Barnes | Alabama SBI: These are the identical tracks that go proper by the bowling alley. … They run … proper throughout the road from the place Lori’s automotive was discovered burning.

Mark Whitaker (pointing to areas of a big map): I’ve all the time thought that is what Ennis used for transportation, was strolling down the railroad tracks. Trigger it is a straight shot, you are not gonna be seen except you wish to be seen. … And people railroad tracks run by Lori’s home.

And in that home have been indicators of a violent wrestle, says Whitaker.

Mark Whitaker (inside Lori’s trailer): These areas you see proper right here which were lower out, that is the place the scuff marks … have been … They have been black, identical to the underside of her sneakers, there was even some up as excessive, right here. So, it is — clearly there was a wrestle in right here with any person kickin’ their legs, in all probability up within the air.

Keep in mind, Lori’s canine Peanut appeared completely satisfied, and brought care of.

Mark Whitaker: My principle is that Rick Ennis stayed in the home …

Peter Van Sant: After he had murdered Lori.

Mark Whitaker: I consider so. … It is the one strategy to clarify it.

Mark Whitaker (inside Lori’s trailer): We do not have a reason for dying, however I’ve all the time thought that he strangled her … the scratches that he had throughout his arm have been simply indicative of protection wounds if you’re fightin’ any person.

Whitaker says the telephone within the nook of the bed room was lacking its twine.

Mark Whitaker: … and it was an extended twine, and it ran all over the room.

Peter Van Sant: And what do you assume that twine was used for?

Mark Whitaker: I believe it was used to sure her.

Peter Van Sant: To tie her up?

Mark Whitaker: Sure, sir.

Peter Van Sant: Might it have been used to strangle her?

Mark Whitaker: Certain.

Mark Whitaker: That telephone twine was lacking.

That is not the one factor that was lacking. There have been these three rugs within the kitchen.

Mark Whitaker: … they have been kinda strategically put out in order that Peanut, Lori’s canine … might hop by way of the linoleum and be again on carpet.

The rugs turned up, he says, a couple of years later.

Mark Whitaker: Ennis had a former roommate who reached out to legislation enforcement … and instructed them … “Hey, there’s this man who left behind three rugs.”

Mark Whitaker: Peter, I wish to present you somethin’ else … Lori had a desk arrange about proper right here, and on this desk … days earlier than Lori went missin’, a love letter was left right here for her from Rick.

Individuals who knew Lori mentioned Ennis wished to be greater than only a good friend. Police say Ennis instructed a buddy that Lori rejected him.

Mark Whitaker: And he was devastated by that.

Peter Van Sant: So, do you consider this rejection could have been a motive for homicide?

Mark Whitaker: I believe that is what despatched him over the sting. I completely do.

Regardless of the mounting proof, Agent Whitaker nonetheless wanted one thing extra that tied Ennis on to the crime scene.

Arlene Slesinski: So far as I am involved, he’s investigating this case like Lori is his personal daughter.

Arlene Slesinski: I imply he has an image of Lori in his home.

Mark Whitaker: I’ve had it in my closet. It will make me take into consideration her daily after I was preparing for work. After I would put my ties on, I’d simply keep in mind what I used to be speculated to be doing each single day.

After which …

Mark Whitaker: … it is like, 1:00 within the mornin’, and JW calls me.

JW Barnes discovered precisely what they wanted within the case information amassing mud for 10 years.

Mark Whitaker: He goes, “I simply discovered a … report that was in an envelope that hadn’t been opened.”

Whitaker might hardly consider it. When Lori disappeared in 2006, police collected proof from her trailer, however by the point the outcomes got here in, nobody adopted up. The report contained important proof: Ennis’ DNA was recognized in semen discovered on Lori’s bedsheet, and in blood on the inside of the entrance door. And, it turned out, his blood was additionally discovered on one of many rugs investigators say have been in Lori’s kitchen.

Mark Whitaker: You have acquired his blood on the rug right here. You have acquired his semen again there. You have acquired his blood on a door … most individuals’s blood shouldn’t be inside any person else’s dwelling … except somethin’ actually dangerous had occurred.

Twelve years after Lori disappeared, there was now sufficient proof to cost Rick Ennis along with her homicide. However by this time, Ennis was fortunately engaged to highschool librarian Alana Atkinson — and residing 500 miles away in Virginia. He was designing and constructing moveable residing buildings referred to as yurts for Sharon Morley’s firm. Morley preferred Ennis from the second they met.

Sharon Morley: He was simply so open and pleasant and had an incredible humorousness.

However on Aug. 6, 2018, Rick’s birthday, Morley noticed a process power of lawmen arrive.

Sharon Morley: Strolling out of the woods, they have been hiding behind timber, that they had the place surrounded.

Mark Whitaker: It was the spotlight of my profession to make the telephone name to Arlene and Casey Slesinski that morning, to inform them that we simply took Rick Ennis in custody … for Lori’s homicide.

Peter Van Sant: Was this type of a bittersweet second for you?

Arlene Slesinski: Most undoubtedly, sure. … I assume, psychologically, I by no means accepted the truth that she actually was gone. And I cried large time. Yeah.

Later that month, Ennis appeared earlier than an Alabama choose, with Lori’s dad and mom dealing with him.

Arlene Slesinski: I assume he type of appeared shocked that we have been there.

Peter Van Sant: What did you need him to know?

Arlene Slesinski: That we lastly acquired you. You are not going to get away with this.

Information of Ennis’s arrest rapidly unfold.

Terry Sales space: I noticed on social media … it is Rick.

Terry Sales space says he was pals with Rick Ennis, and immediately remembered a dialog he had with him years earlier at a bar when he requested him why he’d left Alabama.

Peter Van Sant: What did he say?

Terry Sales space: He simply primarily mentioned I needed to do away with a b****. … I am pondering this man is simply messing round with me.

However that modified when he realized of Rick’s arrest.

Terry Sales space: And it was actual … he wasn’t joking. …  I could not sleep the entire evening.

He referred to as Whitaker’s process power.

Mark Whitaker: And it was simply unbelievable what Ennis had instructed him.

However essentially the most explosive information of all got here later and, extremely, whereas Whitaker was with Ennis at one other courtroom listening to.

Mark Whitaker: An investigator from Auburn PD comes as much as me and tells me “You are not gonna consider this. That hand-rolled cigarette butt subsequent to the automotive has his DNA on it.” … I wished to do a somersault within the courtroom, however I could not.

Everybody now was ready to go to trial, however the courts rapidly floor to a halt due to the pandemic, and Arlene Slesinski suffered extra losses. First her son to most cancers, after which her husband Casey to Covid.

Arlene Slesinski: And I acquired a name … “I believe you’d higher come” … after I acquired there, he was gone (crying).

Peter Van Sant: You lose your daughter, you lose your son, and then you definately lose your husband. … How do you go on with all this?

Arlene Slesinski: I assume my religion, my pals, household.

Arlene Slesinski: … and … I simply didn’t wish to die not realizing what occurred to my daughter or seeing justice being finished.

However Rick Ennis was decided to show police had all of it mistaken. And he wasn’t the one one combating to show his innocence.

Alana Atkinson: They’ve the mistaken particular person. There’s — there isn’t any approach.

His fiancé, Alana Atkinson.

Peter Van Sant: Do you consider Rick had something to do with Lori’s disappearance, along with her dying?

Alana Atkinson: No. I don’t.

Alana Atkinson: … not solely do I consider Rick is harmless, I consider that … he would’ve given his life for Lori if he had been there. That is the type of particular person he’s.

And he or she believes that — even though she is aware of Ennis murdered his mom and stepfather when he was 12. 

Peter Van Sant: Folks would surprise … why is it exhausting so that you can consider that he might kill once more?

She says Ennis instructed her one thing about what occurred together with his mom — one thing that satisfied her he had nothing to do with what occurred to Lori.

RICK ENNIS TALKS TO “48 HOURS”

Alana Atkinson: Rick Ennis is among the most compassionate, beneficiant, form those who I’ve ever identified.

Alana Atkinson has been in love with Rick Ennis for 4 years.

Alana Atkinson: I like his intelligence. I all the time joke with him and inform him I fell in love together with his mind first.

However simply two months into their romance, Atkinson, an beginner genealogist, was researching Ennis’ ancestry when she stumbled upon information that he had killed his mom and stepfather. 

Alana Atkinson: My first thought was what on the earth occurred in his dwelling life that pushed him to that time?

Ennis would inform her one thing she did not see in any article.  

Peter Van Sant: Rick, it is Peter Van Sant with “48 Hours.”                                

Rick Ennis: Oh, hello, Mr. Van Sant.

Reached by telephone, Ennis instructed “48 Hours” what he insists occurred.

Rick Ennis: I used to be molested by my mom.

Ennis says his mom sexually abused him and he snapped.

Rick Ennis: I exploded, and the outcome was that I — I took my mom’s life after which I took my stepfather’s life.

However keep in mind, again then he instructed authorities he killed his dad and mom as a result of he did not wish to transfer.

Rick Ennis: I used to be deeply ashamed about — my mom molesting me, and I had a extremely exhausting time speaking about it.

Nonetheless, “48 Hours” might discover no proof to corroborate Rick’s abuse allegation.  

Peter Van Sant: You recognize, I, Rick, I — I’ve to inform you, clearly, I — I do not know what occurred. A skeptic would say you’ve got conveniently accused the mom that you simply murdered of molesting you and she will be able to’t defend herself. … You perceive how that is tough for some to consider?

Rick Ennis: Nicely, I imply, it — it is one thing that I labored by way of with a — a psychiatrist … what I did after I was 12 is the best remorse of my life. 

Rick Ennis insists he is now not that indignant 12-year-old.  At 41, Ennis would stand trial for yet one more homicide. 

Rick Ennis (to Peter Van Sant):  I by no means murdered Lori Slesinski. She was a really shut, pricey good friend of mine. I by no means would have damage her.

Prosecutor Jessica Ventiere is bound that may be a lie.  However at trial, she would not be allowed to inform the jury something about Ennis’ previous.

Jessica Ventiere: That is by far essentially the most difficult case of my profession.

JESSICA VENTIERE | PROSECUTOR (in courtroom): He turns into obsessed along with her.

Ventiere’s first hurdle was convincing the jury that Lori was, in reality, useless. She referred to as Lori’s mom, Arlene, to the stand.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Did she make contact with you after her brother died?

ARLENE SLESINSKI: No, ma’am.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Have you ever ever obtained a birthday card?

ARLENE SLESINSKI: No, ma’am.

JESSICA VENTIERE: A Mom’s Day card?

ARLENE SLESINSKI: No.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Have you ever ever heard out of your daughter in any approach since that Thursday earlier than she disappeared?

ARLENE SLESINSKI: No, ma’am

Lindsay Braun was subsequent, seemingly organising a motive, telling the jury that Lori rejected Rick Ennis.

LINDSAY BRAUN: She instructed me a couple of letter that he had written her.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Was it a love letter?

LINDSAY BRAUN: Sure. … She instructed me that she wasn’t him — in him … that approach.

And Terry Sales space would take the stand to recount that worrying comment he mentioned Ennis made.

TERRY BOOTH: … he needed to strangle a b****. … that she was a White piece of trailer park trash.

The district legal professional constructed her case with testimony concerning the scuff marks on the wall, and the blood in Lori’s trailer, Rick’s semen on her mattress and the cigarette butt with Ennis’ DNA discovered close to Lori’s scorched automotive.

William Whatley: They have issues with this proof.

However protection legal professional William Whatley claimed that hand-rolled cigarette was planted — arguing police might have taken it from Ennis’ dwelling.

WILLIAM WHATLEY | DEFENSE ATTORNEY:  That cigarette butt did not come from the burn scene.

The protection steered Lori was chargeable for her personal disappearance. They portrayed her as a drug vendor.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: You knew that Lori had grown marijuana.

LINDSAY BRAUN: Sure.

Lindsay Braun insisted, nonetheless, that it was just for Lori’s private use.  

LINDSAY BRAUN: For herself, for therefore she did not should buy any.

However to drive dwelling their factors, Whatley referred to as Rick Ennis himself to the stand. 

RICK ENNIS: I spent a lotta time along with her.

Ennis insisted he had no motive to harm Lori.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you write a … letter to Lori?

RICK ENNIS: Sure, sir, I did. … I requested her if she wished thus far. … it woulda been a month or two earlier than she went lacking. I am not sure.

However regardless that she turned him down, Ennis says they have been nonetheless intimate.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Now, did you ever have intercourse with Lori?

RICK ENNIS: Sure, sir.

So, what about what he mentioned to Terry Sales space? Ennis says it by no means occurred.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you ever exit ingesting with Terry Sales space?

RICK ENNIS: No, sir.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you inform Terry Sales space that you simply strangled somebody?

RICK ENNIS: No, sir.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Rick, I wish to present you some images right here …

And people rugs given to police by his former roommate?  Rick claims they weren’t from Lori’s trailer.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: The place did you get these rugs from, Rick?

RICK ENNIS: Goal.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you get any of these from Lori

RICK ENNIS: No, sir. 

Ennis says Lori was tremendous when he left her that Saturday. He says he headed off to promote some weed and he claims she was off to do the identical.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: The final time you noticed Lori did you’ve got any type of an argument along with her?

ENNIS: No, sir.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you break into Lori’s trailer that Saturday?

RICK ENNIS: I didn’t.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you kidnap Lori?

RICK ENNIS: No, sir.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you kill Lori?

RICK ENNIS: I d — I didn’t.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: Did you burn Lori’s automotive?

RICK ENNIS: No, sir.

So, what concerning the knife, handcuffs and cleansing gadgets in his automotive?  Rick Ennis says it had nothing to do with Lori. He was transferring issues from his residence. And people scratches on him? Again in 2006, police say he had no clarification, however on the trial he had a solution .

RICK ENNIS:  I acquired them from playin’ with my canine.

Ventiere barely made it to the rostrum to start out her cross-examination.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Is there anything you’d wish to blame on the canine?

Ventiere questioned Ennis about that blood on Lori’s door.

JESSICA VENTIERE: The blood in Lori’s trailer has your DNA in it. How did that get there?

RICK ENNIS: I do not know.

And the query Ventiere actually wished a solution for she by no means acquired.

JESSICA VENTIERE: The place did you dump Lori’s physique?

RICK ENNIS: I did not dump Lori’s physique wherever.

JESSICA VENTIERE: Who did then?

RICK ENNIS: I do not know.

Either side had their remaining probability to influence the jury. Protection legal professional Whatley instructed the jurors there wasn’t any proof {that a} crime had even been dedicated.

WILLIAM WHATLEY: There isn’t any proof that Lori was kidnapped. There isn’t any proof that she was forcibly taken towards her will.

Ventiere attacked Ennis’ protection.

JESSICA VENTIERE: The very fact they will sit there and say that their consumer instructed the reality about something is laughable. … That is a couple of man who was obsessive about Lori.

Ventiere insisted that the amount of proof towards Rick Ennis was overwhelming even when police nonetheless could not discover Lori’s stays. And he or she reminded the jury that Lori would by no means simply take off.

JESSICA VENTIERE: She would by no means, ever, ever depart Peanut behind, by no means.

After seven days of testimony, it was now as much as the jury to determine.

Jessica Ventiere: I am terrified. I solely get one shot at this.

Arlene Slesinski: you simply by no means know what a jury’s gonna do.

JUSTICE FOR LORI 

JUDGE: Girls and gents of the jury, have y’all reached a verdict on this case? OK. Are you able to hand that to the bailiff please ma’am?

Peter Van Sant: When the jury got here again into the courtroom … did you take a look at their faces?

Arlene Slesinski: Sure, I did. … It was very exhausting to learn their faces. … I nonetheless wasn’t certain what the decision was going to be.

JUDGE: Would the defendant please stand?

Almost 16 years after Lori Slesinski vanished, the jury reached a verdict throughout their second day of deliberations.

JUDGE: We the jury discover the defendant Derrill Richard Ennis, responsible of the offense of capital homicide.

Responsible of the homicide of Lori Slesinski.

Peter Van Sant: Give me a way of … what that meant to you.

Arlene Slesinski: Sheer aid, pleasure that he was lastly convicted, and would by no means get to do that to anybody else once more. 

DA JESSICA VENTIERE (press convention):  I am thrilled that we have been capable of convey Justice for Lori after such a very long time …

Instantly following the jury’s verdict, DA Ventiere went to Arlene with a proposal. Ennis was now dealing with a attainable dying sentence, however that may set off years of appeals and authorized wrangling. To spare Arlene all that, Ventiere steered providing Rick life with out parole. Arlene agreed. 

JUDGE: It’s the sentence of the courtroom that you simply be in jail within the penitentiary of the state of Alabama for a time period of life with out the potential for parole .. 

Alana Atkinson was surprised.

Alana Atkinson: Simply full shock. Disbelief. I used to be devastated.

She was so sure Rick Ennis could be exonerated she’d made plans to have a good time. A celebration, Rick instructed “48 Hours,” that he could be a part of.

Rick Ennis (to Peter Van Sant on the telephone): I believed that we have been gonna go and … have a pleasant dinner and that I used to be gonna get to start out my life over.

Arlene headed dwelling to savor the bittersweet victory. 

Peter Van Sant: After this verdict, did you’ve got a dialog with Lori?

Arlene Slesinski: I did. … I simply mentioned, “Lori, justice has lastly come. We have waited for this for a very long time. And I hope you are all celebrating in heaven with the complete household … And I want you have been all right here to see this present day (cries).

Peter Van Sant: This tragic homicide, the ripple results throughout your loved ones … is simply unimaginable.

Arlene Slesinski: It has left a really massive void in my life. I used to be on the point of retire. I imply I might have been having fun with my grandchildren presumably — simply spending time with my daughter, who I beloved.

Arlene Slesinski: We introduced Peanut dwelling with us and he stayed with us ’til he was, I assume, about 16 years previous when he died. … each time we talked about Lori’s title, he would — he would — I do not care the place he was in the home, it was like he simply heard her title and he’d run in there, like, “the place is she?” … it simply completely amazed me that he — he by no means forgot her. … By no means.

Arlene Slesinski (strolling with Mark Whitaker): Did you ever assume that six years in the past we might be right here right now?

Along with her husband and each her youngsters gone, this tragic story has introduced new friendships into Arlene’s life.

Arlene Slesinski: Mark Whitaker is my hero … Him and his spouse are like household to me now.

Arlene Slesinski (with Mark Whitaker taking a look at photographs of Lori): This was on her commencement day. Casey, her and me.

Mark Whitaker: That is an incredible photograph.

Arlene Slesinski: And this was her a month earlier than she disappeared at her cousin Jennifer’s wedding ceremony along with her cousin Thomas.

Mark Whitaker: Wow. Not a care on the earth.

Arlene Slesinski: Nope.

Mark Whitaker (to Peter Van Sant): She’s one of many bravest ladies that I’ve — I’ve ever met.

Mark Whitaker (to Arlene): You displaying all these to me simply makes every little thing extra actual for me … stunning woman. Thanks for sharing these with me.

Arlene Slesinski: You are welcome

Mark Whitaker (to Peter Van Sant): I might inform … She appears to be happier now.

Arlene Slesinski (to Whitaker): I can not thanks sufficient for it. It was simply —

Mark Whitaker: I like you.

Arlene Slesinski: I like you, too.

Mark Whitaker: One robust girl. (Hugs Arlene and kisses the highest of her head).

Arlene Slesinski gained a brand new companion in 2021 — her canine, Daisey.

Produced by Murray Weiss. Richard Barber is producer/editor. Kat Teurfs is the sector producer. Morgan Canty is the affiliate producer. Joan Adelman and Gary Winter are the editors. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.

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