Bobby Tarr wanted to talk because he felt he had a story to tell and believed it would exonerate him. He was eager to present his version of events, often reaching out to the producers through texts and video chats from jail.
Leslie Reeves tried to escape by physically overpowering Bobby Tarr when he blocked her exit. She used her self-defense skills to grab her car keys and repeatedly hit the alarm button to attract attention from neighbors, eventually forcing him to let her go.
Tiki, Chris Smith's dog, stayed close to him during the 12 hours he lay injured on the kitchen floor. The dog's presence likely helped keep him warm and provided comfort, potentially contributing to his survival.
The investigation was problematic because Bobby Tarr was arrested quickly based on lies, but crucial forensic evidence was not yet available. This early arrest risked letting a potential killer go free if the evidence did not support the charges.
Chris Smith survived a gunshot to the head but is paralyzed on one side, uses a cane and wheelchair, and has a bullet fragment in his brain that doctors cannot remove. He has lost his home, possessions, and his dog, Tiki, and is now living with his mother.
Bobby Tarr's family testifying against him provided crucial evidence that contradicted his alibi. His daughter, Shelby, revealed that he had left the house multiple times on the night of the shooting, directly contradicting his claim of being home all night.
Chris Smith is determined to regain as much of his former life as possible, including physical fitness and his musical pursuits. He aims to become a motivational speaker to inspire others with his story of survival and resilience.
48 Hours Correspondent Erin Moriarty and Producer Paul La Rosa go behind the scenes of their report on the shooting of Leslie Reeves and Chris Smith, who were attacked while on their first date by Leslie’s jealous ex-lover, Bobby Tarr. Erin and Paul delve into Chris’s journey as a survivor, Leslie’s courageous attempts to escape her relationship from Tarr, and the heroic story of Chris’s dog, Tiki, on the night of the murder.
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