Elizabeth Vargas
๐ค SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
Nearly a full year passes before Elizabeth Hasem makes her dramatic return to the U.S., landing in the twilight of a May evening in Roanoke, her hair pulled back in a braid, her hands cuffed in front.
Nearly a full year passes before Elizabeth Hasem makes her dramatic return to the U.S., landing in the twilight of a May evening in Roanoke, her hair pulled back in a braid, her hands cuffed in front.
Pam Windsor was a local TV reporter at the time.
Pam Windsor was a local TV reporter at the time.
Elizabeth pleads guilty as an accessory before the fact, admitting she helped plan the murders, but insisting Jens is the one who carried them out. He had a choice.
Elizabeth pleads guilty as an accessory before the fact, admitting she helped plan the murders, but insisting Jens is the one who carried them out. He had a choice.
She is sentenced to 90 years in prison. Meanwhile, back in Britain, Jens is fighting extradition, hoping to be tried in Germany, where he faces a much lighter sentence.
She is sentenced to 90 years in prison. Meanwhile, back in Britain, Jens is fighting extradition, hoping to be tried in Germany, where he faces a much lighter sentence.
But it is a losing battle. In 1990, he is also returned to Virginia.
But it is a losing battle. In 1990, he is also returned to Virginia.
People pack the courtroom expecting drama, and Jens doesn't disappoint. In a stunning turnabout, he takes the stand to now swear he is innocent. Basically, Jens was in the position of saying, believe me now, don't believe that confession I gave a few years ago.
People pack the courtroom expecting drama, and Jens doesn't disappoint. In a stunning turnabout, he takes the stand to now swear he is innocent. Basically, Jens was in the position of saying, believe me now, don't believe that confession I gave a few years ago.
Jens now says Elizabeth is the one who drove down to her parents' house and murdered them while he stayed behind in Washington. He says Elizabeth, who was using heroin and other hard drugs at the time, came back and told him what she'd done.
Jens now says Elizabeth is the one who drove down to her parents' house and murdered them while he stayed behind in Washington. He says Elizabeth, who was using heroin and other hard drugs at the time, came back and told him what she'd done.
He says his false confession in London was an attempt to take the blame for Elizabeth to save her from a death sentence.
He says his false confession in London was an attempt to take the blame for Elizabeth to save her from a death sentence.
Jens' decision to testify, however, opened him up to a ripsaw cross-examination by prosecutor Jim Updike.
Jens' decision to testify, however, opened him up to a ripsaw cross-examination by prosecutor Jim Updike.
The prosecutor trying to turn the jury against Yens produces a letter he wrote to Elizabeth in which he refers to local authorities as yokels.
The prosecutor trying to turn the jury against Yens produces a letter he wrote to Elizabeth in which he refers to local authorities as yokels.