Nicki Lenway survived being shot at point-blank vary. Who wished her lifeless?

This story beforehand aired on Oct. 7, 2023. 

Nicole “Nicki” Lenway, against the law scene investigator for the Minneapolis Police Department, was gunned down in broad daylight — shot twice at point-blank vary in a car parking zone on the night of April 20, 2022.

“Someone wished me lifeless,” Lenway tells “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty in her first tv interview.

Lenway was shot whereas choosing up her little one from a parenting middle. “That’s when my life modified endlessly.”

“I’m midway in between my automobile and the door. And this particular person comes operating up from behind me,” Lenway tells Moriarty. “Shots have been being fired. I fell to the bottom … And the shooter stands over me and continues to attempt to shoot … I felt my neck after which might see the blood.”

The taking pictures was caught on surveillance video. It was additionally witnessed by a girl in her automobile sitting at a pink mild.

“I … was simply drivin’ house … and I noticed an individual run as much as one other particular person,” stated Emilie Clancy, who pulled over to assist till first responders arrived. “I heard two bangs and that different particular person collapsed.” 

Lenway is alive at present. But who wished her lifeless? 

A GOOD SAMARITAN’S QUICK THINKING SAVES SHOOTING VICTIM’S LIFE

As Emilie Clancy later instructed police, she could not fairly imagine what she noticed and heard on that April night as she drove house from having dinner with a good friend.

Emilie Clancy: I used to be arising and I noticed the 2 individuals after which rapidly I heard bang, bang!

Emilie Clancy: Stopped proper right here at this intersection.

As quickly as the sunshine turned inexperienced, Clancy sped via the intersection and pulled up subsequent to the sufferer.

Emilie Clancy: I opened the door. I stated,” are you OK?” And she stated, “No, I’ve been shot.”

Nicole “Nicki” Lenway Ford was shot and bleeding within the car parking zone of Familywise, a parenting middle, the place she had gone to select up her son. The 33-year-old was no stranger to violence. She labored as a forensic scientist for the Minneapolis Police Department. And proper after being shot, she referred to as 911.

DISPATCH: 911, what’s the handle of the emergency?

NICOLE LENWAY: (inaudible, gargling sounds)

Emilie Clancy: She’s barely respiratory … might barely say any phrases apart from her identify … And I stated, “get within the automobile.”

Clancy took over the 911 name and adopted the dispatcher’s directions.

Emilie Clancy: I might see that there was blood popping out of her neck. … they stated … “put a jacket or one thing round her neck.” And I stated, “yeah, I’ve one proper right here.”

Within minutes first responders arrived.

OFFICER (physique cam video): Were you the one which referred to as?

EMILIE CLANCY: Yes

OFFICER: Where’s the sufferer? Who’s shot?

The dramatic scene was captured on police physique cameras.

FRIEND (physique cam video, outdoors automobile): Oh my God! Oh my God!

OFFICER: What’s occurring?

Emilie Clancy: She was scared. … actually scared.

EMILIE CLANCY (physique cam video): I’ve received stress on the neck. She received shot within the arm as nicely.

Emilie Clancy: She was in a number of ache. She was having a tough time respiratory.

Emilie Clancy: I simply appeared her within the eyes … And I stated, “Nicki, we have got this. We’ve received this. … Just stick with me.”

Emilie Clancy: I do not suppose we are able to ever recreate … how highly effective of a second that was. I simply wished her to know that she wasn’t alone on this.

Emilie Clancy: And if that was the one factor I can provide to this poor lady, like that — that will imply one thing to me.

PARAMEDIC (physique cam video | to Nicki): Alright, expensive, Can you stroll?  We’re gonna get outdoors and we’re gonna go into the ambulance—

PARAMEDIC: Gonna carry you to the hospital, alright?

Erin Moriarty: One of probably the most shocking issues concerning the video … is that you just needed to stroll to the ambulance.

Nicole Lenway: Yeah.

Erin Moriarty: I could not imagine it…. Were you conscious of how badly injured you have been?

Nicole Lenway: I do not suppose so. … I believe I used to be in shock possibly. I did not understand how dangerous it was.

PARAMEDIC (physique cam video): Try to not transfer your head left or proper, OK?

Nicole was loaded into the ambulance, and shortly misplaced consciousness. 

The information unfold shortly {that a} Minneapolis police worker had been shot. Nicole’s then-boyfriend, Minneapolis Police officer Donovan Ford, was at house.

Erin Moriarty: What is it wish to get that telephone name that the lady you like has simply been shot?

Donovan Ford: I had no phrases. … I went flying all the way down to the hospital. … I used to be in a panic.

When Ford arrived on the Hennepin County Medical Center, he wasn’t ready for what he noticed.

Donovan Ford: She was principally unconscious … She had tubes down her throat and all that.

Erin Moriarty: When you probably did lastly get to speak to a physician, what did they let you know?

Donovan Ford: She’s in dangerous form. We’re going to do our greatest to, you recognize, save her life, basically.

Nicole had a perforated lung, extreme harm to her vocal cords and a bullet lodged between two of her ribs. She was in crucial situation.

Donovan Ford: I’m in regulation enforcement, so after they say crucial, which means basically they’re near the tip. … and the place she was shot, sometimes, individuals do not survive. … I used to be praying, lots.

As medical doctors rushed to save lots of Nicole, outdoors the HouseholdWise parenting middle her colleagues on the police division started working.

On the bottom they discovered three discharged bullet casings and blood. They shortly discovered Nicole had been at HouseholdWise to select up her son who was on a scheduled go to along with his father, her ex-boyfriend, Tim Amacher.

OFFICER (physique cam video):  Are you Timothy, sir?

TIM AMACHER:  Yes.

Officers caught up with Amacher, as he was ending up his go to with their 5-year-old son Callahan. He had been on the middle for hours.

OFFICER (physique cam video): … and then you definitely’ve been within the again together with your son all the time?

FAMILYWISE WORKER: Yes, he was in …

In the group, Tim Amacher was nicely appreciated, and a revered native taekwondo teacher. Amacher appeared fearful about Nicole.

TIM AMACHER (physique cam video): Is she OK? She going to be tremendous? 

OFFICER: I imply, she’s steady proper now, nevertheless it’s actually critical.

And he had an thought about what might have occurred. He thought it had one thing to do with a case she labored.

TIM AMACHER (to investigator): She was afraid trigger she had thought individuals have been driving by her home.

TIM AMACHER: She modified her final identify to her center identify. … She shut down her social media.

TIM AMACHER: She had drive bys of Minneapolis coming to her home on a regular basis. … She had me carry over my — my shotgun to her home. … She was, she was in concern.

But police did not discover any apparent connections to Nicole’s instances. They searched Tim’s Jeep and requested if he owned another vehicles.

OFFICER: This is your solely automobile?

TIM AMACHER: No, no. I’ve a Challenger, too.

And then let him go.

Police continued to search for proof, canvassing the constructing and surrounding space trying to find safety footage, and found cameras from HouseholdWise, a financial institution throughout the road and an elementary faculty across the nook had captured each second.

The first photographs of Nicole arriving to select up her son. Then somebody dressed all in black operating her down from behind. The second the pictures have been fired. The shooter fleeing on foot after which driving off in a black Dodge Ram truck.

But the truck had no license plates, and police could not inform who was driving. The subsequent day, Nicole regained consciousness, and she or he instructed police that she was certain she knew who was accountable.

Nicole Lenway: I simply knew it had one thing to do with Tim. I simply knew.

TIM AMACHER (to police): Well, after all, I’m gonna be the primary man you, guys, to take a look at.

Nicole Lenway: I did not understand how he was concerned, however he was concerned.

THE TAEKWONDO MASTER AND THE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR

The tenets of the Korean martial artwork taekwondo embody courtesy, self-control, integrity. The most expert, like Tim Amacher, are referred to as “Master.”

Nicki would come to imagine that Amacher was one way or the other concerned in her taking pictures. But on this planet of taekwondo —

Pat Zellmer: He was an excellent teacher.

Pat and Claire Zellmer have been a part of a Amacher’s tight group of pals, and in addition aware of his World Taekwondo Academy.

Claire Zellmer: People would undoubtedly confer with him as Master Amacher inside the — inside his faculty. … But they’d additionally, in the event that they have been nonetheless college students they usually have been pleasant outdoors of the varsity, he was nonetheless Master Amacher..

People gravitated to Amacher — his bodily talent, enterprise savvy and simple confidence. A pacesetter who appeared to have all of it discovered.

Pat Zellmer: He’s charismatic, pushed, intense.

Claire Zellmer: He can draw individuals in and make them really feel this reference to him.

And his fame continued after darkish.

Erin Moriarty: The mayor of the nightlife right here?

Charlie Dettloff: I might say that is a good evaluation, very a lot so, very a lot so.

Charlie Dettloff knew Amacher nicely earlier than he met Nicki, and witnessed firsthand, the facility of Tim’s character. 

Charlie Dettloff: So, I moved again right here in about 2001.

Erin Moriarty: And was Tim Amacher already dwelling subsequent door?

Charlie Dettloff: He was. He was dwelling subsequent door.

Amacher was a useful neighbor, with fashion and attraction you could not miss.

Charlie Dettloff: He liked style. Loved the correct denims, and the correct shirt, and the correct boot. … And all the time needed to be the perfect.

Erin Moriarty: Was he a very good good friend to you?

Charlie Dettloff: Yeah, he was an awesome good friend.

Erin Moriarty: And the place was Tim dwelling?

Charlie Dettloff (pointing at Amacher’s home): Tim’s bed room was within the again nook right here.

And in keeping with Dettloff, there was a ready listing of girls who wished into Amacher’s bed room.

Charlie Dettloff: Coming and going. Yeah, they’d pull up proper right here … the entrance mild right here was um, purple and if that mild was on then the ladies knew they may go in.

Erin Moriarty: Are you critical?

Charlie Dettloff: I’m not kidding. It was nearly just like the, you recognize, the pink mild district.

Erin Moriarty: Juggling a number of girls.

Pat Zellmer: Yes.

Erin Moriarty: At as soon as?

Pat Zellmer: Yes, after all. … It appeared like there was a unique lady each night time.

Erin Moriarty: What did girls see in him?

Claire Zellmer: I do not know as a result of I did not see it.

But many different girls appeared to see a lot in Tim Amacher.

Erin Moriarty: How did you meet Tim?

Nicole Lenway: I met Tim by going to his health club.

Erin Moriarty: And when did you begin relationship?

Nicolei Lenway: Shortly after.

Nicole was accountable and grounded. Amacher’s shut pals shortly understood the attraction.

Charlie Dettloff: There was one thing particular about her. She’s sensible, she’s fairly, she’s outgoing. She’s received all of it.

Nicole Lenway: At first I really wasn’t actually . But he was very persistent. … And uh, he simply sort of wore me down and I sort of — I began having fun with our time collectively.

Erin Moriarty: And he was older.

Nicole Lenway: Right. … He had skilled extra life than me and it was thrilling.

They moved in collectively in early 2014. But pals say Amacher nonetheless wasn’t trustworthy.

Erin Moriarty: Did you attempt to warn her about Tim and his girls?

Claire Zellmer: About his womanizing? Yes, completely.

Nicole Lenway: There have been a number of pink flags.

Erin Moriarty: Loads of jealousy?

Nicole Lenway: Yes.

Pat Zellmer: They fought always. It was nearly like a perpetual argument, verging on a battle.

Erin Moriarty: Did you ever see him violent or hurtful in direction of her?

Pat Zellmer: I didn’t, no.

But Nicole would inform investigators Amacher was violent.

Nicole Lenway: One night time he threw me towards the wall holding my neck.

Erin Moriarty: Why did you keep even so long as you probably did?

Nicki Lenway: I ask myself that on a regular basis. I do not know. I believe I felt trapped.  And you recognize he simply received into my mind so badly.

She says that on a visit to Las Vegas an offended, alcohol fueled Amacher threw a lamp throughout the room.

Nicole Lenway: It was terrifying. I locked myself within the rest room.

In September 2015, Nicole, then 26 years previous, had greater than sufficient. But she says now that breaking away from Amacher was something however straightforward. 

Nicole Lenway: I packed my baggage, and I began strolling out. … And he pulled me again into the home by my ponytail and dragged me into the bed room. And after that I used to be like I’m executed.

Nicole moved out. And an 18-year-old pupil of Amacher’s moved in, renting out one in all his rooms. Her identify: Colleen Larson.

Charlie Dettloff: Seemed completely beautiful, good lady … I believe she’s very sensible. Probably guide sensible, not road sensible.

Larson had begun learning with Amacher when she was barely a youngster. Tim’s pals say she appeared infatuated with him.

Pat Zellmer: He’s her teacher. He’s her Master, you recognize, for 10-plus years at this level.

Claire Zellmer: It simply appeared she was like this little pet canine desirous to impress him.

Pat Zellmer: Like a toddler and an grownup, in that respect.

Claire Zellmer: Yes.

They say Larson appeared delighted to be dwelling with the person she had idolized since she was younger. As for Nicole, she hoped to haven’t any additional contact with Amacher.

But very quickly. all of them received some surprising information.

Nicki Lenway: I discovered then I used to be pregnant. … And he wished me to do away with the infant. And I instructed him I simply could not. … And I used to be in a state of panic.

AT WAR OVER A LITTLE BOY

OFFICER (April 20, 2020 | physique cam video): Are — are you Timothy, sir?

TIM AMACHER: Yes.

OFFICER: OK, proper now, I’m gonna ask you if I can search you for weapons actual fast, OK?                                   

TIM AMACHER: For weapons?

OFFICER: Yeah.

Detectives wanted to know all about Nicki’s relationship along with her son’s father, Tim Amcher.

TIM AMACHER: Why would I’ve weapons right here?

OFFICER: There was a taking pictures that occurred.

TIM AMACHER: OK — Which, that had nothing to do with me.

OFFICER: Right.

The investigation would observe a path that led again to the autumn of 2015, when Nicole first discovered she was pregnant, with the taekwondo Master she alleged had abused her.

Nicole Lenway: It simply received increasingly unstable.

Claire Zellmer: We have been so excited for them to be having a child. That’s a momentous occasion — a contented factor to regular individuals.

But the one factor regular was the irrepressible pleasure of a brand new mom. She named him Callahan.

Nicole Lenway: He was born on June twentieth of 2016. … He was a giant boy. And he was excellent.

Claire Zellmer: And then she gave him the final identify Amacher.

Nicole was the first caregiver. But typically Cal stayed along with his dad.

Erin Moriarty: Did you’re feeling that co-parenting was working?

Nicki Lenway: I felt prefer it might.

But he wasn’t all the time dependable, says Nicole.  When she wanted him most, Amacher was midway all over the world.

Pat Zellmer: Tim went to Thailand and completely bailed on Christmas and New Year’s.

Amacher might not have been a hands-on dad, however another person was able to step in: Colleen Larson, his longtime taekwondo pupil who was renting that room in Tim’s home.

Charlie Dettloff: She was … very type to Callahan, she was a very good caregiver to him.

And with unpredictable hours with the Minneapolis Police Department, the association appeared to work for Nicole.

Nicki Lenway: My son actually appeared to love her.

When the as soon as younger taekwondo pupil turned 18, her relationship with Tim Amacher quietly modified in keeping with Dettloff.

Erin Moriarty: Did you get the sense he was in love with Colleen?

Charlie Dettloff: No. Not in any respect. I believe she was very a lot in love with him.

Dettloff says Amacher referred to as the connection “straightforward.”

Charlie Dettloff:  She would name him “Master.”

Erin Moriarty: At the home?

Charlie Dettloff: Yep, Master Amacher. … And finally kinda turned, you recognize, like a maid or a servant to him.

Then, in the summertime of 2017, Nicole’s life took a dramatic flip.

Erin Moriarty: Do you bear in mind once you first met Nicole?

Donovan Ford: Absolutely.

It was the sort of love at first sight that solely a cop on the beat might have.

Donovan Ford: First time I ever noticed her was on a housebreaking name. … I undoubtedly took discover at that time.

Erin Moriarty: Why?

Donovan Ford: She’s attractive.

And to Donovan Ford, intriguing.

Donovan Ford: She processed the scene.

Erin Moriarty: So, she was a member of the true CSI.

Donovan Ford: Oh, yeah.

Nicole Lenway: He knew that I used to be a single mother. And he was divorced.

Erin Moriarty: When I simply talked about his identify you lit up. Why is that?

Nicole Lenway: He is actually the love of my life. He has been the largest blessing to myself and my son.

Erin Moriarty: And he is been via lots with you, hasn’t he?

Nicole Lenway: He has.

Nicole’s already troublesome relationship with Amacher solely received worse when Tim found she was relationship Donovan Ford, who was quick changing into a part of Callahan’s life.

Erin Moriarty: Did the best way … he handled Cal change after you began relationship Donovan?

Nicole Lenway: It did …  He wished him on a regular basis.

And Amacher did not need Ford round his son. He accused Donovan of claiming destructive issues about Colleen Larson. Then Amacher referred to as Ford and left this offended voice message: “Man up for as soon as in your life and give up hiding behind the badge.”

Donovan Ford: And then I began getting textual content messages.

Like the one the place Amacher claimed Ford was destroying his household.

It ignited what can solely be referred to as a warfare that will develop treacherous. And it would not be a brief one.

Erin Moriarty: How would you describe the final six years?

Nicole Lenway: It has been chaos.

Nicole claims Amacher tried to destroy her.

Nicole Lenway: Like,” I’m going to take every part from you.”

Erin Moriarty: Did you imagine him?

Nicole Lenway: I did.

The black belt’s new weapon of alternative was the authorized system.

Charlie Dettloff: It was the relentless variety of motions earlier than the courtroom.

He reported Nicole to Child Protection Services a number of instances, accusing her and Ford of bodily and sexual abuse.

Erin Moriarty: Children Services present up at your home?

Nicole Lenway: Yes. … I had them out and in of my house for 3 years.

Amacher filed for custody of Cal. And Nicole filed for an order of safety from Amacher.

Not a single one of many allegations towards Nicole or Ford was discovered to have substance.

Erin Moriarty: Did you see something that involved you or made you suppose that Cal had been abused?

Charlie Dettloff: No, nothing.

Claire Zellmer: No.

Pat Zellmer: Not in any respect.

Claire Zellmer: He was a well-loved little one.

But Amacher did not cease there. He additionally filed complaints to the police division about Donovan Ford.

Erin Moriarty: You have been investigated then?

Donovan Ford: Mm hmm.

Erin Moriarty: And what was the discovering?

Donovan Ford: Nothing occurred.

Erin Moriarty: It continued?

Donovan Ford: Yup. Allegation after allegation.

And then in May of 2018, Amacher alleged Nicki ran over his foot along with her automobile.

Nicole Lenway: I used to be charged with home assault.

The proud crime scene investigator was now a humiliated defendant.

Nicole Lenway: I by no means thought I might be on the protection desk.

Erin Moriarty: How lengthy was the jury out on that?

Nicole Lenway:: Less than quarter-hour. … I used to be discovered not responsible.

But the battle for Callahan raged on. And the kid received caught within the center.

Nicole Lenway: You might inform he was very conflicted.

Charlie Dettloff: Callahan was a pawn. It wasn’t about Callahan, or Callahan’s wellbeing. … It was about inflicting the utmost quantity of injury on Nicki.

In the autumn of 2020, the trial for custody of Callahan started. When it was over, the choose awarded Nicole sole authorized and bodily custody. Amacher was allowed only one supervised go to every week. Tim Amacher, as soon as a champion, was now boxed right into a nook. He was allowed no contact alone along with his son. And cops thought that is likely to be a motive for him wanting Nicki lifeless.

Police would hone in on the crime scene. Remember that black Dodge Ram truck that the shooter drove off in? Turns out Amacher had lied to the cops — he owned a truck identical to it.

A DIGITAL TRAIL LEADS COPS TO THE UNLIKELY SHOOTER

Patrick Lofton: A very good murder detective will let you know is it is simply good to know what autos anyone owns, whether or not they’re a witness, whether or not they’re a suspect, whether or not they’re a sufferer, as a result of individuals use their autos. And that is how one can work out issues. That’s how one can pursue leads.

On the night time of Nicole’s taking pictures, Assistant Hennepin County attorneys Patrick Lofton and Jacob Fischmann say that police have been decided to search out out who was driving that black Dodge truck.

Jacob Fischmann: A black Dodge Ram is a really, quite common automobile.

And authorities had requested Tim Amacher what he owned.

OFFICER (physique cam video): This is your solely automobile?

TIM AMACHER: No, no. I’ve a Dodge Challenger, too.

A Dodge Challenger sedan and a Jeep. But it turned out that Amacher did have one other automobile: a black Dodge Ram truck that appeared lots just like the one seen leaving the world after the taking pictures.

Patrick Lofton: That raised the alarm bells for the Minneapolis Police Department.

Police referred to as Amacher in for a second interview. They confirmed him stills of the truck from that video. Seemingly unruffled, he insisted it wasn’t his.

OFFICER: So, it is a image proper right here.

TIM AMACHER: That’s not my truck.

TIM AMACHER: Those photos weren’t photos of my truck.

Amacher claimed his truck, not like the one within the video, had a license plate and Superman decal stickers close to each entrance doorways.

Jacob Fischmann: Where is the Superman brand? Case closed. Superman brand just isn’t on the truck. Couldn’t have been me.

TIM AMACHER (to police at HouseholdWise): I’ve been right here the entire time. I do not know what occurred on the market. I’m not …

What’s extra, he had an alibi: he was contained in the HouseholdWise middle when Nicole was shot. So even when it was his truck, he could not be the driving force.

OFFICER: Who else has entry to the truck?

TIM AMACHER: Uh, Colleen has entry to it.

Colleen Larson, Amacher’s former taekwondo pupil.

OFFICER: Is she the one one?

TIM AMACHER: Um, to my information.

To police, the items of the puzzle have been coming collectively. Nicole had stated she thought the shooter was a girl.

OFFICER: So, let me ask you this. Is there any cause why Colleen would wish to shoot Nicole.

TIM AMACHER: Oh, hell no. She would not damage anyone.

Amacher insisted Larson was incapable of violence. And Larson, who was additionally introduced in for questioning, insisted she was nowhere close to HouseholdWise that night time.

Patrick Lofton: She stated that she got here house from work as standard, went inside, took a bathe, and was there till Tim received house.

But police did not imagine both of them and turned to FBI particular agent Richard Fennern, a know-how specialist. He found that Amacher’s truck had Wi-Fi and, like a cellphone, creates a digital path. 

Richard Fennern: We might observe it very like we might a cellphone.

Fennern wished to know all over the place Amacher and Larson went the day of the taking pictures. Their cellphones and the Black Dodge truck left loads of digital breadcrumbs.

Richard Fennern: With telephones, with vehicles, no matter you will have, they’re gonna let you know the reality. Their data all the time let you know the reality.

On the afternoon of the taking pictures, Amacher and Larson have been each on the taekwondo studio. Around 4 p.m., Amacher left to go to HouseholdWise for the go to along with his son. He was driving the Jeep. Later, Larson left the studio, within the black truck, to go house.

Erin Moriarty: And how will you inform that?

Richard Fennern: That’s from the cellphone data.

Erin Moriarty: So, not solely the truck, however her cellphone?

Richard Fennern: Correct.

Just after 7 p.m., Fennern says, the black truck left the couple’s residence and headed straight to HouseholdWise.

Jacob Fischmann: Now, we see that one that is strolling.

Erin Moriarty: Right right here.

Jacob Fischmann: That is Colleen Larson.

Colleen Larson did go away her home. And detectives positioned her instantly on the scene.

Jacob Fischmann: She seems to be strolling round, basically scoping out the world. …  I imagine she is … planning her subsequent steps.

A raid of the couple’s home yielded extra proof: bullet casings matching those discovered on the crime scene.

Police questioned Larson twice. The first time she denied any involvement, however through the second interview, which was recorded, she broke down and confessed: “I took the truck and I drove over there … after which I shot her.”  Even although Larson admitted to pulling the set off, she stated the entire thing was Amacher’s thought. . She was charged with tried first-degree premeditated homicide. But was Tim Amacher concerned?

Agent Fennern suspected that Amacher had intentionally altered his truck’s look to throw cops off his path. He found that a number of hours earlier than the taking pictures, Amacher had pushed the black truck to a drive-thru at an area Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Richard Fennern: We pull surveillance video, there’s that very same truck with out the decal, with out the license plate. 

For police, it was sufficient. Tim Amacher was arrested and charged with tried first-degree premeditated homicide and aiding an confederate after the actual fact.

Jacob Fischmann: When you do one thing to considerably additional or help in against the law, you’re simply as culpable as the individual that really pulls the set off.

Nicole was not stunned to listen to that Amacher had been arrested, however she was shocked to search out out about Larson. 

Erin Moriarty: Why would she shoot you?

Nicole Lenway: I do not know.

This time, when Larson was questioned by police, she broke down and confessed to taking pictures Nicole.

COLLEEN LARSON (to police): I took the truck and I drove over there… after which I shot her.

And she says Amacher was behind it.

INVESTIGATOR: Whose thought was it to shoot Nicole?

COLLEEN LARSON: Tim’s.

INVESTIGATOR: So, he requested you, when you felt — when you comfy would you shoot Nicole for me?

COLLEEN LARSON: Yeah.

INVESTIGATOR: Yes.

She stated she believed Amacher’s story that Nicole was abusing Callahan.

COLLEEN LARSON: She was doing dangerous issues to her little one… And I wished to assist the little man (cries).

After the taking pictures, she instructed police, Amacher disposed of the gun.

COLLEEN LARSON: He simply stated he would maintain it.

INVESTIGATOR: He simply stated he would maintain it …

INVESTIGATOR: So, you haven’t any thought what he did with the gun?

COLLEEN LARSON: Not precisely, no. (crying)

Still, Amacher continued to disclaim any involvement.

On Nov. 3, 2022, Tim Amacher’s trial started. There have been no cameras within the courtroom. Prosecutors knew they needed to present the jury that Nicole wasn’t abusing her son, and that it was Amacher who had been victimizing her for a very long time.

Jacob Fischmann: What occurred behind the scenes wasn’t simply this couple seconds of horror that Nicole needed to undergo at HouseholdWise. It was 10 years of hell that he put her via.

Amacher and his attorneys refused our request for an interview. But “48 Hours” guide and protection lawyer Matthew Troiano reviewed their case for us.

Matthew Troiano: There’s clearly no direct proof of Tim’s guilt, zero. He has a rock-solid alibi about the place he was on the time that this occurred.

According to Troiano, the prosecutors wanted to construct their case by specializing in Amacher’s lies, and his previous remedy of Nicole, as a result of there was no smoking gun that instantly tied Tim to the taking pictures.

Matthew Troiano: There is circumstantial proof … the truck … the lies … Those are all sort of circumstantial items that tie again to him. … But there isn’t any direct proof of … him particularly shopping for or doing or having one thing that led to this act.

The protection referred to as no witnesses to the stand. Troiano thinks they have been betting the prosecution simply hadn’t made its case.

Matthew Troiano: Where’s the proof? Where’s the proof?

As the jury went out to deliberate, prosecutors have been involved.

Jacob Fischmann: Of course, we have been very fearful.

Erin Moriarty: There is an opportunity this man is gonna stroll.

Jacob Fischmann: Absolutely.

Erin Moriarty: How nervous have been you?

Nicole Lenway: Really nervous.

A CONVICTION, A PLEA, AND A VICTIM TRYING TO MOVE ON

Those sacred tenets of taekwondo — self-control and integrity. Could the Master win this battle? The jury took an hour to determine.

Nicole Lenway: He was discovered responsible.

Donovan Ford: Guilty on all counts.

Tim Amacher is discovered responsible of premeditated tried homicide and aiding his confederate, Colleen Larson.

Erin Moriarty: And how did you each really feel about that?

Claire Zellmer: Relieved. Joyous.

Pat Zellmer: And justice for Nicki.

Nicole Lenway: I nearly did not imagine it. … Finally, we had some sort of closure.

At sentencing, Nicole wished Judge Shereen Askalani to listen to all she endured. To shield her, the choose stored most of Nicole’s assertion off digital camera.

But the reminiscences of that point-blank second will clearly by no means be forgotten.

Nicole Lenway: I can nonetheless really feel the burning sensation and the utter concern of not having the ability to converse or to assist myself. … I really thought I used to be dying that day … Even although I really feel like the reality is beginning to come to mild, I nonetheless reside in concern.

Amacher, who’d refused to testify at his trial, now determined to talk. The courtroom allowed his plea for leniency to be heard and filmed.

TIM AMACHER (addressing the choose): It is not any secret how damaged this method is … The primary message that I felt referred to as right here to say goes as this, for all who’re led by the spirit of God, are sons of god, however with me it’s a very small factor that I ought to be judged by your or by any human courtroom …

Erin Moriarty: How would you describe his assertion?

Nicole Lenway: Erratic:  … blaming all people else. He was the sufferer, and this occurred to him.

Erin Moriarty: Did he present any sort of regret?

Nicole Lenway: No.

Judge Askalani had no persistence for Amacher and his claims that Nicole had been abusive.

JUDGE SHEREEN ASKALANI: It seems that you’ve been selling this false narrative about Ms. Ford for thus lengthy that you could be really imagine it at the moment.

Then she sentenced him to 18 years in jail.

Just 4 days later, Colleen Larson pleaded responsible to aiding and abetting first-degree tried homicide. 

At her sentencing listening to, moderately than converse for herself, Larson had her lawyer learn a press release. She took full duty for all that had occurred:

DANIEL ADKINS (studying): “Your Honor, I stand earlier than you with the utmost respect for the choice to come back. … I settle for all the implications for my actions. I perceive and wish to atone for what I’ve executed. … A easy apology can’t cowl the long-term damages that I’ve induced.”

JUDGE SHEREEN ASKALANI: Anything further from you at the moment?

COLLEEN LARSON: No, Your Honor.

Pat Zellmer: Colleen’s received a killer in her. She did it. There’s no, no query she had the capability.

Larson was sentenced to 16-and-a-half years for doing what prosecutors say was Amacher’s bidding.

Nicole Lenway: I believe she wished his approval and his love so badly that she would do something. … And she was on this delusional fantasyland the place she thinks, you recognize, if I wasn’t round that they may run off into the sundown with Callahan and be a contented little household.

Erin Moriarty: But how does any individual persuade one other one that’s by no means dedicated against the law to shoot somebody?

Pat Zellmer: It’s wild. Cal?

Claire Zellmer: I might love the solutions to that as a result of that is the place we’re caught, too.

Attorney Matthew Troiano wonders if Amacher had been controlling Colleen for years.

Mathew Troiano: Why would she do that? … It’s the truth that she had recognized this particular person since she’s 12 years previous. They had been in this sort of dominant subservient relationship the place he is the grasp, she’s the scholar. He is the boss.

One lady who as soon as dated Amacher, who does not wish to be named or have her face proven, says she is aware of firsthand the highly effective maintain Amacher can have on the ladies in his life.

Jane Doe: Yes, it was a excessive to be round him.

Erin Moriarty: And that you just wished to do no matter you may to hold onto that prime?

Jane Doe: Yes.

She says she was as soon as beneath Amacher’s spell— however is for certain she would by no means kill for him. Still, she sees a few of herself in Larson.

Jane Doe: And I really feel like that was me. Yep, I undoubtedly really feel like I used to be prepared to do no matter I might to make him approve of me and wish to be with me.

With good conduct, Tim Amacher might be out of jail by 2034.

Erin Moriarty: Do you suppose you may ever really feel really protected once more?

Nicole Lenway: No.

Erin Moriarty: You’ll all the time should be trying over your shoulder?

Nicole Lenway: I believe so.

It all nonetheless haunts Donovan Ford — the pictures fired, the lady he loves combating for her life.

Erin Moriarty: Do you continue to see that in your head?

Donovan Ford: Absolutely. Oh, yeah.

Erin Moriarty: Still concern that you may lose her.

Donovan Ford: Yeah, mm hmm. All the time.

Yet alongside the destruction, there are miracles on this story.

Emile Clancy: Hello.

Nicole Lenway: Hello.

Emile Clancy:  Good to see you once more.

Nicole Lenway: Good to see you too. … Almost precisely a yr.

Emile Clancy: I do know.

Emilie Clancy: You appears so nicely!

Nicole Lenway: Thank you!

“48 Hours” requested for this one-of-a-kind reunion with Emilie Clancy, who raced to assist a stranger — saving Nicole’s life.

Nicole Lenway: And we predict a child!

Emilie Clancy: Congratulations!

Nicole Lenway: Thank you.

Emile Clancy:  Oh, I’m so blissful for you.

Nicole Lenway: Thank you.

Ford and Nicole, now husband and spouse, had simply gotten the excellent news.

Donovan Ford: And I used to be like, “are you critical?” And she’s like, “yup.” And then we’re simply hugging and blissful.

As for the kid Nicole had with Tim Amacher —

Erin Moriarty: How previous is Callahan now?

Nicki Lenway: He’s 6.

Erin Moriarty: Does he know that his dad tried to kill you?

Nicki Lenway: He does now.

Erin Moriarty: And how did he take that?

Nicki Lenway: Better than I believed he would.

Donovan Ford: He’s come out superb … That’s a miracle too, simply him having the ability to take care of all of the stuff he is been via and nonetheless be the child he’s.

If you or somebody you recognize is a sufferer of home abuse, name 1-800-799-SAFE or go to thehotline.org.

“48 HOURS” POST MORTEM

What would you do when you noticed somebody shoot a stranger in broad daylight? Correspondent Erin Moriarty and host Anne-Marie Green focus on the case of the crime scene investigator Nicki Lenway on this week’s podcast. 

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Produced by Betsy Shuller and Jamie Stolz. Elena DiFiore is the event producer. Doreen Schechter is the producer/editor. Tamara Weitzman and Michelle Sigona are growth producers. Atticus Brady and Joan Adelman are editors. Shaheen Tokhi is the affiliate producer. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.