Nikki Battiste

The next day, Morgan, with her friend Nicole by her side, talked to investigators again.

Sergeant Harris told Morgan they'd watch the home security video of Rod arriving at her house after her attack. He rang the front doorbell, but when there was no response, headed around to the back.

Sergeant Harris told Morgan they'd watch the home security video of Rod arriving at her house after her attack. He rang the front doorbell, but when there was no response, headed around to the back.

Sergeant Harris told Morgan they'd watch the home security video of Rod arriving at her house after her attack. He rang the front doorbell, but when there was no response, headed around to the back.

What was your reaction when you learned Rod had been arrested for violently attacking Morgan?

What was your reaction when you learned Rod had been arrested for violently attacking Morgan?

What was your reaction when you learned Rod had been arrested for violently attacking Morgan?

Two days after Rod was charged, he talked to his mom, Kathy, on the phone.

Two days after Rod was charged, he talked to his mom, Kathy, on the phone.

Two days after Rod was charged, he talked to his mom, Kathy, on the phone.

But the evidence kept mounting. When investigators recovered those zip ties from Rod's apartment, the bag they came in was found as well.

But the evidence kept mounting. When investigators recovered those zip ties from Rod's apartment, the bag they came in was found as well.

But the evidence kept mounting. When investigators recovered those zip ties from Rod's apartment, the bag they came in was found as well.

The sheriff's office then went to the two Lowe's that we have here in Cherokee County, and they started searching for transactions.

The sheriff's office then went to the two Lowe's that we have here in Cherokee County, and they started searching for transactions.

The sheriff's office then went to the two Lowe's that we have here in Cherokee County, and they started searching for transactions.

It didn't take long. Rod Metzer had purchased those zip ties on December 30th, about 36 hours before the attack. Easy to find because he paid with his debit card. Investigators obtained the security video from Lowe's, zoomed in here for clarity.

It didn't take long. Rod Metzer had purchased those zip ties on December 30th, about 36 hours before the attack. Easy to find because he paid with his debit card. Investigators obtained the security video from Lowe's, zoomed in here for clarity.

It didn't take long. Rod Metzer had purchased those zip ties on December 30th, about 36 hours before the attack. Easy to find because he paid with his debit card. Investigators obtained the security video from Lowe's, zoomed in here for clarity.

This was during COVID, and this was during a period where everybody was wearing a mask except for Rodney Metzer. So the surveillance images and the videos that were recovered from Lowe's of him purchasing those zip ties, his face is right there in the camera.