Question I

[Jonetta]

Tracy allows Dan to investigate the Beth Stinson murder and he discovers vital information that not only helps the Cowboy murder cases but exposes serious flaws in that original investigation where a man was wrongly convicted. However, her decision to use Dan was called into question and she came close to losing her job. In retrospect, was it the right or wrong decision? Were there alternative approaches?

[Robin]

I'm not sure what she could have done differently. I guess she could have put the Stinson case on the backburner and re-investigated it after they solved the Cowboy murder. That way they would have more ammunition to get a Wayne Gearhart a retrial. But there was a chance that if was the same killer, they could pick up a clue in the Stinson case and solve the whole thing. That makes me think Tracy did the right thing.

[Jonetta]

Dan was careful in his investigation and it sounded like a good idea at the time. Who knew that witness would take the initiative and call Nolasco!

Tracy didn’t have many options and this should have worked.

[Sharon]

I understand Tracy's decision. If Dan was discovered, she could be fired. However, if Tracy investigated the cold case, Nolasco would fire her for sure. Dan was the only way she could handle checking into the old case.

[Jonetta]

Great point. And no way did she want anyone on her team doing it.

[~Melissa~]

Tracy was taking a risk having Dan investigate. I felt like she knew the risk and figured this was the best way to attempt to get evidence to support her theory that the killer had been out there for a long time. It's just (un)fortunate that it was Nolasco's old case..... I did feel bad that her partner was hurt that she didn't include him but I totally understood why she didn't.

[Charlene]

Yes, Jonetta, I wonder when Nolasko would have discovered the Stinson file if the witness hadn't called him.