Page 2 - James Clanton News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

>> 79, 80. >> that was important, clanton was now on tape saying that he had been in colorado when helene was killed. it was time to change the subject. >> we do care about a young woman and colorado in 1980. we want to show you a picture of her, and see if he recognized her. >> no, sir. and i think i want an attorney now. you're accusing me of something else, i know. >> clanton stopped speaking with investigators. it didn't matter, his dna spoke for itself. >> we do have a warrant for your arrest. >> for what? >> first degree murder and kidnapping? >> you've got the wrong guy. >> we actually ...

>> okay, well that's helpful. when was that, approximately? >> 79, 80. >> that was important, clanton was now on tape saying that he had been in colorado when helene was killed. it was time to change the subject. >> we do care about a young woman and colorado in 1980. we want to show you a picture of her, and see if he recognized her. >> no, sir. and i think i want an attorney now. you're accusing me of something else, i know. >> clanton stopped speaking with investigators. it didn't matter, his dna spoke for itself. >> we do have a warrant for your arrest. >> for what? >> first degree murder ...

Many calls trying to keep the case alive, now received a call herself. >> i couldn't even breathe i wasn't jumping for joy, it wasn't crying, it was just pure shock. i just was paralyzed. >> after 40 years, the end came quickly, there was no trial, james clanton pleaded guilty to helene stop murder, many of her friends and family traveled to colorado in july 2020 to speak remotely at his sentence hearing. >> she was never forgotten, her spirit never died. >> mr. clanton i sentence you to a sentence in the department of correctional for the rest of your natural life. >> and then they had a reun...

>> later that way janet pruszynski looked down and saw a colorado number on her phone. it was sheriff tony spurlock. >> he said we want to tell you that we found the murderer and so i lost it, they were saying -- i really, really freaked out, the realization that after 40 years there would be justice served and it was just hard to comprehend. >> because it's a relief but it's also reliving? >> exactly. >> lieutenant tommy barrella began escorting clanton back to colorado, as they spoke, the detective began gaining his trust. you're building a reporter with this guy. >> kind of, yeah. i'm just ...

Mugs back to colorado. >> do you say to the dna lab, this is it, step on it? >> they knew. colorado bureau of investigations they have been working on this case since 1980. >> everyone waited until finally shannon jensen got the call. >> the lab techs said hey, it's a match. one of them had your suspects dna sample on it, and a match the semen that was left on the coat. >> what is that like? >> i don't even know if i can describe what it is like. it is extremely rewarding. >> and then, the bad news. the statute of limitation had expired on the rape, meaning clinton could admit to that with no ...