Oct. 8: 'The Mystery of Horseshoe Drive' and revisiting 'The Family on Sorghum Mill Drive'

Coming up this Friday on Dateline NBC at 8pm/7c...

A loving father is shot dead while picking up his daughter for a court-ordered visit. Rob Stafford reports on the deep secrets hidden by the wife's family and the possible motives behind the murder in 'The Mystery on Horseshoe Drive'.

After the recent verdict in the high-profile Cheshire murder trial, Dateline takes a look back at the events that resulted in the murder of three members of the Petit family at their home in July 2007. Dennis Murphy reports on the potential fate of the two attackers and the courage of Dr. Petit in his quest for justice in 'The Family on Sorghum Mill Drive'.

Discuss this post

I just started watching this, missed the first 15 min. So pissed off!!!

For one thing, I am sure the family court system bears some responsibility, as they rarely hold parents accountable for violating the court order.

So far, because I haven't heard yet, why was there no gun residue test done on the people that were in the house? Are the cops not allowed to do that without permission?

It makes me sick that parents and grandparents can't teach their kids and grandkids etc., right from wrong, instead of them just getting their way, AT ALL COSTS.

I already can't wait to hear how they came up with, NOT GUILTY.

    Reply#1 - Fri Oct 8, 2010 11:39 PM EDT

    I am angry too !! Google "Jennifer Watkins" with Orlando and or Court. These people (Strickland Family) are still snubbing the law. They honestly still believe they can do what they want. They are still refusing and making up excuses to not give the Grand parents visitation. Even though a judge has ordered it. In what they believe is a smart move (which turns out it actually is) Jennifer has moved to Orlando, FL as Florida does not reckgnoize grand parent rights. I will say that Jennifer spent 5 months in jail down there in contempt, but a judge revered the ruling !!! RRR I feel so sorry for these grand parents.

      #1.1 - Sat Jun 2, 2012 12:51 PM EDT
      Reply

      Oh sorry. I thought they found her NOT GUILTY. Did I understand this correctly, that the son doesn't think she did it?

      I think everyone that has ever been to family court in the United States, should sue them as soon as they ignore someone who has violated the court order. This happens everyday in this country, and most people get away with the way that they violate the court order and then everyone usually spends years in family court.

      Is it just me, or is anyone else surprised that there aren't more murders between people involved in the family court system?

        Reply#2 - Sat Oct 9, 2010 12:07 AM EDT

        can someone tell me on the Hawk-Pettit horrible story last evening-when she went to the bank to withdraw the 15,000 dollars with out indentification, did they actually give her the money or did they send her away empty handed?

          Reply#3 - Sat Oct 9, 2010 10:05 AM EDT

          @ Motherbug

          No GSR tests were performed because Chief of Police Birdsell didn't think of it. No crime scene photographs were taken by police. Chief Birdsell didn't even call the Coroner - that was left to responding paramedics...they walked in and saw a dead body. The Skinner family was allowed to confer with each other, the rest of Jennifer's family had been marching in and out of the crime scene contaminating everything. No interviews were conducted. The original reports were that Birdsell was treating this as a "simple home invasion" and not a murder.

          The small farm communities surrounding Ashland/Chandlerville IL are torn between the police department being incompetent and covering up for a "prominent, God-fearing family" by making this go away as quickly as possible.

            Reply#4 - Sat Oct 9, 2010 12:52 PM EDT

            This case makes me sick! Jennifer should have been charged right along with her Granny. More often than not the Family Law Courtrooms across this country allow mothers to violate the courts orders, denying well desreving fathers access to their children. I am glad that the media is broadcasting these tragic stories. My husband is engaged in a custody matter over his children which has gone on for years. Numerous allegations of child molestation, habitual missed visits. despite having a 730 custody evualation in dads favor and recommending monitired visitation with mom, the Los Angeles County court system still fails to recognize that the children are in a dire situation and they remian in the mothers "lack of care". My heart goes out to this family, hopefully they will get the visitation with their granddaughter they deserve. These poor suffing people can then share with her what a great father her dad was. We need justice for fathers. Mothers should not be allowed to hide behind high paid attorneys, the family law courts and most importantly their children!

              Reply#5 - Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:45 PM EDT
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