Chris Walker

And how did your dad react?

And how did your dad react?

Jack knew that Michael was suspicious about him testifying in front of the grand jury and angry that he'd created a new company with Robert. But not spending Christmas together? It was unthinkable. The holiday had always been the most joyous time of year in the Lichardi home.

Jack knew that Michael was suspicious about him testifying in front of the grand jury and angry that he'd created a new company with Robert. But not spending Christmas together? It was unthinkable. The holiday had always been the most joyous time of year in the Lichardi home.

Or bringing in fruit and other treats. It was a time when winemakers would come to the house, pop a cork, and show off what they'd made with the grapes Jack had brokered for them. There was a shared pride in those wines. But this year, with the Lichardi name tainted by rumors of grape fraud, no one came bearing presents for the pariah of the wine world.

Or bringing in fruit and other treats. It was a time when winemakers would come to the house, pop a cork, and show off what they'd made with the grapes Jack had brokered for them. There was a shared pride in those wines. But this year, with the Lichardi name tainted by rumors of grape fraud, no one came bearing presents for the pariah of the wine world.

Jack's house felt eerily quiet, especially with the absence of his oldest son. The patriarch had always been the one to hold the family together, but now he could feel it pulling apart at the seams. His children were all fighting, his wife was sadly losing her mind, and his eldest son wouldn't even talk to him. In Jack's mind, this situation could not stand.

Jack's house felt eerily quiet, especially with the absence of his oldest son. The patriarch had always been the one to hold the family together, but now he could feel it pulling apart at the seams. His children were all fighting, his wife was sadly losing her mind, and his eldest son wouldn't even talk to him. In Jack's mind, this situation could not stand.

And it was in the midst of all this turmoil that Jack was forced to make a fateful decision. Right around New Year's, the California Attorney General's office called him and asked if Jack would testify in their civil case against Michael, not in front of a grand jury this time, but in a deposition.

And it was in the midst of all this turmoil that Jack was forced to make a fateful decision. Right around New Year's, the California Attorney General's office called him and asked if Jack would testify in their civil case against Michael, not in front of a grand jury this time, but in a deposition.

Jack knew that this could further incriminate his son and his business, but he also recognized an opportunity to make a moral stand. This was a chance to reestablish trust within the industry. Perhaps he could even knit the family back together stronger in the end. So with a heavy heart, he made a decision.

Jack knew that this could further incriminate his son and his business, but he also recognized an opportunity to make a moral stand. This was a chance to reestablish trust within the industry. Perhaps he could even knit the family back together stronger in the end. So with a heavy heart, he made a decision.

He told the state, yes, I'll testify, and put the deputy AG, a man named Mark Urban, in touch with his lawyer. Urban was thrilled. Jack was the best connected witness they'd have under oath. His testimony might expose wider misdeeds in the industry and bigger players. Because day by day, investigators were learning that more wineries were involved in grape mislabeling than they initially suspected.

He told the state, yes, I'll testify, and put the deputy AG, a man named Mark Urban, in touch with his lawyer. Urban was thrilled. Jack was the best connected witness they'd have under oath. His testimony might expose wider misdeeds in the industry and bigger players. Because day by day, investigators were learning that more wineries were involved in grape mislabeling than they initially suspected.

What did Jack know? Who might he name? The state would find out soon enough, just as soon as they could schedule a day for the deposition. Around 10 a.m. on the morning of January 19, 1991, Robert woke up and walked across the street to his parents' house like he always did.

What did Jack know? Who might he name? The state would find out soon enough, just as soon as they could schedule a day for the deposition. Around 10 a.m. on the morning of January 19, 1991, Robert woke up and walked across the street to his parents' house like he always did.

And after tending to his mom, he entered the living room where his father slept, with a newspaper sprawled out across his chest. As a night owl, it wasn't unusual for Jack to sleep past 10 a.m. But when Jack didn't so much as stir...

And after tending to his mom, he entered the living room where his father slept, with a newspaper sprawled out across his chest. As a night owl, it wasn't unusual for Jack to sleep past 10 a.m. But when Jack didn't so much as stir...

Do these details sound familiar? I'm sure you already know where I'm going with this. Robert says he panicked at the sight of his father, and rather than try to resuscitate him... I'm just not trained in any kind of rescue thing.

Do these details sound familiar? I'm sure you already know where I'm going with this. Robert says he panicked at the sight of his father, and rather than try to resuscitate him... I'm just not trained in any kind of rescue thing.