Peter Van Sant

But Michael's attorneys alleged just the opposite. They argued Mark threatened and stalked Michael, and that he only killed Mark to defend himself and his family. They insisted Mark and Michael met multiple times. The defense even claimed to have a witness who said Mark mentioned seeing Michael and Linda at a Costco months before the shooting.

But the judge ruled there was no way to verify the witness's story. Soon, Michael would learn his fate.

But the judge ruled there was no way to verify the witness's story. Soon, Michael would learn his fate.

After more than 50 witnesses and more than 700 exhibits, the jury began to deliberate. They took four days before they reached a verdict.

After more than 50 witnesses and more than 700 exhibits, the jury began to deliberate. They took four days before they reached a verdict.

Linda sat next to Michael's mom and tried to comfort Michael's daughters as they all waited. Mark Stover's niece, Julia Simmons, was there to represent his family. Who did this jury believe?

Linda sat next to Michael's mom and tried to comfort Michael's daughters as they all waited. Mark Stover's niece, Julia Simmons, was there to represent his family. Who did this jury believe?

Michael was found guilty of first degree murder. He turned and hugged his daughters. At his sentencing, his mother, Corey Oaks, pleaded with the judge to have mercy. that her son never wanted to hurt Mark.

Michael was found guilty of first degree murder. He turned and hugged his daughters. At his sentencing, his mother, Corey Oaks, pleaded with the judge to have mercy. that her son never wanted to hurt Mark.

Mark's family felt differently. His sister, Victoria Simmons, asked the judge to give Michael the maximum sentence.

Mark's family felt differently. His sister, Victoria Simmons, asked the judge to give Michael the maximum sentence.

There was finally an ending to this emotional saga gone horribly wrong. But there will always be lingering questions about what really happened on October 28, 2009.

There was finally an ending to this emotional saga gone horribly wrong. But there will always be lingering questions about what really happened on October 28, 2009.

This case of Mark Stover has been defined by an infinite loop of suspicion between three people. Linda said she feared Mark. Mark said he feared Linda. And Michael said he too eventually feared Mark. Each person claimed the other was threatening their life until that morning in October proved that one of them was right.

This case of Mark Stover has been defined by an infinite loop of suspicion between three people. Linda said she feared Mark. Mark said he feared Linda. And Michael said he too eventually feared Mark. Each person claimed the other was threatening their life until that morning in October proved that one of them was right.

With no more new information surrounding the crime, law enforcement closed the case in 2012. Linda's father, Wally Updike, died in 2018 at age 81 at his home in Whitefish, Montana. The Chateau San Michel Winery, the largest in Washington, remains open today and thriving. The Updikes sold Kickett Island too. It's now a park that belongs to the Swinomish tribe.

With no more new information surrounding the crime, law enforcement closed the case in 2012. Linda's father, Wally Updike, died in 2018 at age 81 at his home in Whitefish, Montana. The Chateau San Michel Winery, the largest in Washington, remains open today and thriving. The Updikes sold Kickett Island too. It's now a park that belongs to the Swinomish tribe.

It's open to the public for hiking, but there are no dogs allowed. After Michael went to prison, his daughter April Oak said each of her siblings went to stay at a different home. April lived with Linda until she was 17 and said Linda has remained a big part of the family's lives. Linda last sat for an interview in 2011.

It's open to the public for hiking, but there are no dogs allowed. After Michael went to prison, his daughter April Oak said each of her siblings went to stay at a different home. April lived with Linda until she was 17 and said Linda has remained a big part of the family's lives. Linda last sat for an interview in 2011.

Michael's first instinct was to turn to all of you.