In 1992, 19-year-old Mischelle Lawless' bloodied body was found in an abandoned car on a desolate strip of highway in Benton, Missouri. Four months into the investigation, investigators got a break: 17-year-old Joshua Kezer had been held briefly in the county jail on assault charges, where, according to several inmates, he confessed to killing Lawless. Kezer was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison. Sheriff Rick Walter re-opened the case in 2005. Judge Richard Callahan agreed to review the case and, citing prosecutorial misconduct and a lack of evidence, declared Josh Kezer an innocent man. But someone killed Mischelle and high on the list of suspects is a local man, Mark Abbott, who was once a star witness for the prosecution. “48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports. This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 7/21/2012. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays, and stream on demand on Paramount+. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What happened to Mischelle Lawless?
I think after she got back in the car, I think that's when she regained conscious and somebody rushed through the window, shot her point blank in the face, shot in the back of the head, and then one more time in the back. I can't imagine what she went through that night.
At the same time Rick Walter was working the crime scene, a 23-year-old local man walked into the sheriff's office with a surprising story.
It scared me. I'd never really seen anything like that.
Mark Abbott reported that he had also seen the woman in the car.
All I remember is her face was just matted and covered with hair and blood. Did you know who it was?
No. Abbott told the dispatcher he thought the woman had been shot and that he tried to call 911, but a nearby pay phone was out of order.
Pulled out of there as fast as I could and went straight to the county sheriff's department trying to get an ambulance.
As he was leaving, Abbott saw, as he described to investigators, a white car with several dark-skinned Hispanic men driving away from the crime scene.
Well, a man for sure and two or three other people.
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