Kevin Pickett

When word got out that Katie had passed, the police investigation at that point had kind of hit a roadblock. They had interviewed several people and gotten some potential suspects, but each of those potential suspects had seemingly been cleared. The day after Katie died, on May 8th, the man who was the alibi for Steven Sewells. He called police back saying that he wanted to talk to them again.

When word got out that Katie had passed, the police investigation at that point had kind of hit a roadblock. They had interviewed several people and gotten some potential suspects, but each of those potential suspects had seemingly been cleared. The day after Katie died, on May 8th, the man who was the alibi for Steven Sewells. He called police back saying that he wanted to talk to them again.

After learning more about Stephen's possible involvement, the police know they need to talk to Stephen again and get some more information from him. So they go to his family's house to try to find him.

After learning more about Stephen's possible involvement, the police know they need to talk to Stephen again and get some more information from him. So they go to his family's house to try to find him.

The West Kentucky University Police, they have no power outside of that university. And so they had to go with us. We were the state police. We have statewide jurisdiction in 120 counties in the state of Kentucky.

The West Kentucky University Police, they have no power outside of that university. And so they had to go with us. We were the state police. We have statewide jurisdiction in 120 counties in the state of Kentucky.

His family says that they haven't seen him all day, and it seems as if he's kind of trying to hide out, you know, lay low.

His family says that they haven't seen him all day, and it seems as if he's kind of trying to hide out, you know, lay low.

Then I have to establish rapport with somebody so I can get a hold of Steven. Older brother, I can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. He's very concerned about Steven. I said, listen, here's the deal. I need to talk to Steven. I don't know what he's into. I don't know what he's doing. but I really, really need to talk to him.

Then I have to establish rapport with somebody so I can get a hold of Steven. Older brother, I can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. He's very concerned about Steven. I said, listen, here's the deal. I need to talk to Steven. I don't know what he's into. I don't know what he's doing. but I really, really need to talk to him.

Next day, at 10 o'clock that night, I'm sitting in my house after a very, very long day, and my phone rings, and he goes, Detective Pickett. I said, yes, this is Stephen Soales.

Next day, at 10 o'clock that night, I'm sitting in my house after a very, very long day, and my phone rings, and he goes, Detective Pickett. I said, yes, this is Stephen Soales.

Stephen was definitely nervous, but he did agree to come in for another interview.

Stephen was definitely nervous, but he did agree to come in for another interview.

I take Steven in. I'm reading his rights. I've got video cameras going. I've got tape recorders going. And so he starts. He said, I didn't do that to that girl.

I take Steven in. I'm reading his rights. I've got video cameras going. I've got tape recorders going. And so he starts. He said, I didn't do that to that girl.

During that interview, he initially told police that he met back up with Katie in the dorm lobby and that he went up to her room with her and they eventually had consensual sex. And Steven said that he didn't know anything about the attack or the fire.

During that interview, he initially told police that he met back up with Katie in the dorm lobby and that he went up to her room with her and they eventually had consensual sex. And Steven said that he didn't know anything about the attack or the fire.

Police said that they didn't really believe this, so they kept pushing Steven for more details, knowing that there was more to the story than what he was sharing with them.

Police said that they didn't really believe this, so they kept pushing Steven for more details, knowing that there was more to the story than what he was sharing with them.