Beth Shelburne

When I go there, the main front door is open, and as I walk closer, I can see Violet Ellison sitting inside, wearing a robe.

She stands up and turns to face me.

Hey.

Are you Miss Violet Ellison?

Miss Ellison, my name is Beth.

I'm a journalist, and I was hoping to talk to you about the Deputy Hardy murder that you were a witness in.

Eventually, she steps out onto the porch where we continue the conversation.

And I don't like that.

Well, I just wanted to ask you about the issue of the rewards.

Is that what is...

I talked to Violet Ellison for 20 minutes, and she tells me no less than a dozen times that she did not know about the reward when she came forward to talk to police, and that she did not know about it when she testified against DeForest at two trials.

Do you think about the fact that he's on death row, though?

I mean, I know you said you don't really support the death penalty.

It's a little surreal for me to be face-to-face with Violet Ellison, this woman who's the linchpin of the entire case against Taforist.

As we say goodbye, she delivers the most ironic thank you I've ever received, telling me she appreciates me talking to her directly instead of relying on someone else's characterization of what she said.

Now we know what the jury didn't know at trial, that she was paid for her testimony and that the state hid this information.

They told the jury that Violet Ellison was credible and believable, and they still say that.

But they weren't truthful about the reward.

So why should we believe how they characterize their key witness?

That's next time.