Susan Spencer

Adding to their uncertainty was another troublesome question. Who had the rest of the money?

Adding to their uncertainty was another troublesome question. Who had the rest of the money?

Adding to their uncertainty was another troublesome question. Who had the rest of the money?

It was a nerve-wracking year and a half after the kidnapping and robbery before the first two defendants, Chris Butler and Lisa Ramirez, went to trial.

It was a nerve-wracking year and a half after the kidnapping and robbery before the first two defendants, Chris Butler and Lisa Ramirez, went to trial.

It was a nerve-wracking year and a half after the kidnapping and robbery before the first two defendants, Chris Butler and Lisa Ramirez, went to trial.

Michelle was the state's key witness, and she was feeling the pressure. She could no longer bear to work at the bank. She left her dream house, and now she had to face her captors.

Michelle was the state's key witness, and she was feeling the pressure. She could no longer bear to work at the bank. She left her dream house, and now she had to face her captors.

Michelle was the state's key witness, and she was feeling the pressure. She could no longer bear to work at the bank. She left her dream house, and now she had to face her captors.

But at least prosecutor Tom Manning was on her side.

But at least prosecutor Tom Manning was on her side.

But at least prosecutor Tom Manning was on her side.

Early on, Manning felt pretty good about his case. Along with an abundance of evidence, he had Michelle's roommate to back up her story. And better yet, he had a confession from Lisa Ramirez. Even Lisa's own lawyer, Herb Weston, saw this as a long shot for his client.

Early on, Manning felt pretty good about his case. Along with an abundance of evidence, he had Michelle's roommate to back up her story. And better yet, he had a confession from Lisa Ramirez. Even Lisa's own lawyer, Herb Weston, saw this as a long shot for his client.

Early on, Manning felt pretty good about his case. Along with an abundance of evidence, he had Michelle's roommate to back up her story. And better yet, he had a confession from Lisa Ramirez. Even Lisa's own lawyer, Herb Weston, saw this as a long shot for his client.

He wasn't expecting miracles. Things didn't look too bright at the beginning. Things really stunk. But he got a miracle. The judge threw out Lisa Ramirez's confession.

He wasn't expecting miracles. Things didn't look too bright at the beginning. Things really stunk. But he got a miracle. The judge threw out Lisa Ramirez's confession.

He wasn't expecting miracles. Things didn't look too bright at the beginning. Things really stunk. But he got a miracle. The judge threw out Lisa Ramirez's confession.

Ruling it implicated Lisa's co-defendant, Chris Butler, who had never admitted anything to police. By the time of the trial, though, Butler dropped a bombshell. He now claimed the robbery was all Michelle's idea.

Ruling it implicated Lisa's co-defendant, Chris Butler, who had never admitted anything to police. By the time of the trial, though, Butler dropped a bombshell. He now claimed the robbery was all Michelle's idea.