Page 2 - Debbies Dead News Today

Could find my way. >> reporter: and remember, debbie was only about three feet away when lars shot her. prosecutor karl alexander wanted to show the jury just how close that is. >> reporter: what was the experience? >> terrifying. >> reporter: why? >> im a gun owner. one of the absolute cardinal rules of -- of using a firearm is you do not point the barrel at anything you do not intend to destroy. ever. i knew it was unloaded but in that moment, my pulse skyrocketed. >> reporter: he wanted the j...

October 9th, 2015, debbie, recently back from a business trip, went to bed early for a morning tennis game. debbies beloved cody slept on the floor beside her. the shades were down. lars joined them a little past midnight. four hours passed, and then -- >> san antonio 911. >> uh, just -- had a gun shot. >> reporter: what had happened in that texas home? when we return -- >> i thought a heard a burglar in the house. >> reporter: danger in the night. and a confrontation in the dark. >> damn it! oh...

Hard charging, multi-tasking friend debbie found lars a little too laid back. >> there was always a project. and it was taking a long time. >> and who was doing this construction? >> lars. >> so are you trying to say she was frustrated with lars? >> yes, sir. >> reporter: the prosecutors told the jury this marriage of opposites became too lopsided for lars to handle. >> she took time to play tennis. work was very important. she took time out to go have dinner with friends and family. he wasnt a ...

>> at 4:00 in the morning. you dont see anything. its dark. and i dont think size, weight, or complexion matters at 4:00 in the morning, when youre awakened by a noise, and your dogs growling. >> reporter: ken wanted us to experience it with the lights off. >> lets do it. >> so lets shut the light off. okay. >> reporter: at first it was pitch black, but as my eyes adjusted, i could make out something. >> i can see a little bit of a silhouette but i cannot see your face. you wanna turn the light ...

Believed it simply was not as dark that morning as lars claimed and said photos from inside the house proved it. >> this is the big picture windows that are there in the living room. the drapes were never pulled back. >> and just circle where the shooting happened. >> it wouldve -- it wouldve been over here. >> these are the windows the prosecution made such a big deal about even the curtains are exactly the way they were the morning of the incident. they believed ambient light would have had to...

>> who is the check made out to? >> debbie itzo. >> reporter: debbie itzo. proof, the defense argued, that independent debbie sometimes went by her married name. they called larss friends to say the couples marriage was solid. >> how would you describe his relationship with debbie? >> perfect. >> it was very good. >> did you ever notice any, sense any marital conflict? >> no. >> reporter: kristi itzo explained how her normally stoic brother was overcome with profound grief. >> he was crying, he ...

Ugh. oh, man! right in the freaking chest! oh! >> reporter: police raced up to the house, dashcams rolling. the audio kept recording as they entered the house. [ dog barking ] >> door creaking open and the dog is barking. >> help me! >> reporter: they found lars standing over debbies body back by the bedroom. >> lars continues to cry. >> go ahead and back up please. >> reporter: as an officer tended to debbie. lars tried to explain how the shooting happened. >> i thought there was a burglar in m...

Tears, okay, that doesnt jibe with everything else. >> these bits of emotion are only done in front of the -- the detective. theyre not done when hes alone. >> what was he doing when officers were not watching him? >> he sat in this manner. >> sleeping at moments. >> reporter: and sipping his signature drink, dr. pepper. >> reporter: free on bail, lars understood he was still under the microscope. >> it was difficult. >> he didnt sleep much. >> reporter: watching lars suffer was torture for ken ...

Caused tension. liz sevilla volunteered that lars the contractor was slow to finish projects around the house. >> she did send me a picture of what lars did in the bathroom and the measurements were incorrect. and so it ended up making a hole. she goes, "i just want my bathroom fixed." >> she would express frustrations about lars sitting around on the couch all day and watching tv. >> reporter: debbies friend ellen mitchell noticed a change in debbies behavior when she returned home from busines...

And lars were engaged. >> reporter: so baby brother finally settled down. >> he did, and he was happy. never seen him that happy. >> reporter: they married soon after at this chapel in arkansas, near her parents homes. >> reporter: how beautiful did she look on her wedding day? >> oh, she -- the main thing is she just looked so happy. that was really important to me. >> reporter: debbie and lars embraced the contented rhythms of married life, spending weekends with family. enjoying the outdoors ...