A Tragedy Compounded by a Wrongful Conviction

On Sunday, September 17th, 2006, three people were brutally murdered in the remote area of Pinyon Pines, a rural area up in the hills south of Palm Springs, CA. The charred bodies of 53 year old Vicky Friedli and her live-in boyfriend Jon Hayward were found in their fire-devastated home, both having been shot dead before being burned beyond recognition. …

Post-Sentencing Statement

At this time we are restrained in what we can say, for the sake of our appeals efforts. Make no mistake about it, this is a case of wrongful conviction. Clearly, many people want justice for the victims of this crime, as do we, but that vengeance should be directed at the correct people.  Robert Pape and Cristin Smith are …

A Heinous Crime – with No Motive?

It was a brutal murder. Inhuman. Monstrous. Execution at point blank range. Setting three bodies on fire. Raging hatred. Why? There had to be a motive. Why would two young men with bright futures, throw their lives away without a motive?

How the Pinyon Pines Jury made a Horrible Mistake

Our Justice system has many moving parts. There are many technical and ethical standards, and they require strict adherence.  The last line of adherence is the jury. They are given the power to right the wrongs made along the way. But what if they, too, don’t adhere to the standards set out for them…

DIRECT APPEAL IS FILED

As of today, August 30, 2020, all Direct Appeal briefs have been filed. We are waiting for the response from the Appellate Court. Below are the appeal briefs for both Robert and Cristin, as well as the State response to their appeals, and Robert’s and Cristin’s replies to the State response. Robert Pape’s Opening Appeal Brief Cristin Smith’s Opening Appeal …

The Mysterious RSA Pen

You’re at a crime scene. You know that in just the last year, in the same area, another sheriff’s deputy killed his whole family (or so it would seem). You find victims related to a recent co-worker. The victims have powerful friends that you know about…. An incriminating piece of evidence shows up: a pen from the Riverside Sheriff’s Association. …

The Nature of ‘Placation’

Here’s a scenario to think about: Ok, guys.  We’ve all been there.  As a teenager, long before you knew how to say ‘NO’, you know you’ve done it. It is called ‘Placation’. A girl says ‘cmon…pleeeeeze!’, but you really don’t want to agree, so you just pacify, or ‘placate’, her, and say ‘ok, we’ll see’. Later she follows up and …

Phone Calls Tell a Story

Calls Between Becky and Robert Friday, September 15, 2006 11:04 AM Becky calls Robert 112 seconds Saturday, September 16, 2006 12:09 AM Becky calls Robert 289 seconds 05:49 PM Becky calls Robert 28 seconds – No answer? 06:27 PM Robert calls Becky back 29 seconds – No answer? 06:37 PM Robert/Becky connect 215 seconds 07:09 PM Becky calls Robert 88 …

How Many Billion in a Trillion?

“How many billions are in a trillion?” the prosecutor asked a private DNA expert they employed to determine whose DNA was on the business card.  The answer was jaw-dropping… Human Identification Technologies, or ‘HIT’ is a now-defunct testing laboratory that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department contracted to analyze the items found at the scene of the Pinyon Pines murder scene. …

Cristin Smith – Profile

Beloved Son, Husband, Father, and Colleague. Who is Cristin Smith? The prosecutors would have you believe that Cristin Smith is a heinous monster.  Even more outrageous, they would have you believe that, with a past of unblemished good citizenship and strong self-determination, he would suddenly throw it all away and help ruthlessly execute three people because a friend asked him …

Overview of the Evidence

This article is under construction… Here are the primary elements of ‘evidence’ against the defendants Robert Pape and Cristin Smith. The first group of items were specifically enumerated by the trial judge as he justified his opinion on the case, both before and after the trial. Item 1: Fire Timing The first calls to the fire station may have occurred …

Robert Pape – Profile

Who is Robert Pape? Son, Brother, Husband, Nephew, Uncle Born in 1988 in Indio, California, Robert is the third of four children.  His mother is a middle school teacher and father is a cardiologist in Northern California.   Robert is adored by his siblings who are heartbroken by his current situation. Christy attended every hearing without fail and writes a …

Denying Potential 3rd Party Culpability

“The RSD Central Homicide Unit has a reputation for tunnel vision.  Once they settle on a suspect, not even contrary facts will dissuade them”  –  Former Indio Homicide Detective  In a pretrial hearing, a few months before the Pinyon Pines Murders trial was to start, a series of guidelines were being established about how the trial was to be conducted. …