Chris Walker

And they didn't even know about the strange events surrounding other close members of Robert's family, like the heavy breather who called Robert's mother-in-law every evening, or the incident Norma described where Michael was shot at in his backyard. But the cops did know that they couldn't wait any longer to check him out.

And they didn't even know about the strange events surrounding other close members of Robert's family, like the heavy breather who called Robert's mother-in-law every evening, or the incident Norma described where Michael was shot at in his backyard. But the cops did know that they couldn't wait any longer to check him out.

Because if Robert had killed his father and was now trying to frame his older brother for the murder, what else might he be willing to do? I'm Chris Walker, your guide in this series about the largest grape fraud in U.S.

Because if Robert had killed his father and was now trying to frame his older brother for the murder, what else might he be willing to do? I'm Chris Walker, your guide in this series about the largest grape fraud in U.S.

history, the powerful family at the center of it, and how a stunning sequence of betrayals triggered the fall of a California dynasty and forever changed the way we make wine in America. From Foxopus, Inc., this is Blood Vines. When Jack was murdered, only one person was left in control of the family business. But now that Robert ran the show, what was he up to? Was he pursuing new grape deals?

history, the powerful family at the center of it, and how a stunning sequence of betrayals triggered the fall of a California dynasty and forever changed the way we make wine in America. From Foxopus, Inc., this is Blood Vines. When Jack was murdered, only one person was left in control of the family business. But now that Robert ran the show, what was he up to? Was he pursuing new grape deals?

Was any money coming in? It wasn't clear to the police, nor would it be unless they got access to Robert's finances. So on the morning of March 28, 1991, Williams and Capron showed up at Robert's front door with a search warrant and a squad of officers.

Was any money coming in? It wasn't clear to the police, nor would it be unless they got access to Robert's finances. So on the morning of March 28, 1991, Williams and Capron showed up at Robert's front door with a search warrant and a squad of officers.

They also carried a conditional arrest warrant, which gave them the right to detain both Robert and Annette during the search and put the couple in jail on charges of homicide if they found incriminating evidence. So while officers scoured their home, they stuck Robert and Annette in the back of a police cruiser and secretly recorded them.

They also carried a conditional arrest warrant, which gave them the right to detain both Robert and Annette during the search and put the couple in jail on charges of homicide if they found incriminating evidence. So while officers scoured their home, they stuck Robert and Annette in the back of a police cruiser and secretly recorded them.

I think we're in trouble, Annette says, according to a transcript. Don't worry, Robert tells her. And for the most part, he seems nonplussed. You know what's silly? Robert asks at one point. Quote, all of these guys are going to be surprised when they see all the evidence I have that shows that my dad and I were working together.

I think we're in trouble, Annette says, according to a transcript. Don't worry, Robert tells her. And for the most part, he seems nonplussed. You know what's silly? Robert asks at one point. Quote, all of these guys are going to be surprised when they see all the evidence I have that shows that my dad and I were working together.

But then, seconds later, he mumbles, I'm glad I got it out of there. It's not clear what Robert is referring to. When I asked him about the search, he just remembers feeling broadsided.

But then, seconds later, he mumbles, I'm glad I got it out of there. It's not clear what Robert is referring to. When I asked him about the search, he just remembers feeling broadsided.

Plus, the police had turned his house upside down.

Plus, the police had turned his house upside down.

The officers hadn't found the kind of evidence they needed to arrest Robert and Annette on charges of murder, so they let them go. But they had nabbed every financial document they could get their hands on. Bank statements, tax returns, loan agreements, even grape contracts. The detectives hoped one of those papers would contain the answers to their most pressing question.

The officers hadn't found the kind of evidence they needed to arrest Robert and Annette on charges of murder, so they let them go. But they had nabbed every financial document they could get their hands on. Bank statements, tax returns, loan agreements, even grape contracts. The detectives hoped one of those papers would contain the answers to their most pressing question.

Did Robert have a financial incentive in his father's death? It would take a while to sort everything out, but the bank statements quickly made one thing clear. Under Robert's stewardship, the grape brokerage wasn't pulling in any money. With the grape fraud cases still creating a stir, no farmer winery wanted to be associated with the Lichardi name.

Did Robert have a financial incentive in his father's death? It would take a while to sort everything out, but the bank statements quickly made one thing clear. Under Robert's stewardship, the grape brokerage wasn't pulling in any money. With the grape fraud cases still creating a stir, no farmer winery wanted to be associated with the Lichardi name.