The defense claimed Tracey’s original story was true — that there had been a home invasion and Dustin was killed in self defense. IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA No. Tracey Richter has claimed her 2001 shooting of Dustin Wehde was self-defense during a home invasion at her residence in Early, Iowa. After Michael got custody of their kids, Tracey owed him child support. When they found out her friend Mary Higgins had known about the notebook, they knew Tracey was guilty. For starters, there was no evidence that there was ever a second intruder. Today’s case involves a case like this, but takes a bit of a different turn than you might think. However, Bert Pitman with his father, John -- who he claimed at one point might be involved in the alleged home invasion, Meanwhile, investigators were working hard to piece together just what happened on the night of December 13, 2001. The defense also said the second intruder might be a man who Mona was having an affair with at the time, who broke up with her and left town just days after the attack. Tracey Ann Richter’s Ex-Husband Michael Roberts Today, Copyright © 2021 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. She faced life in prison. They also thought Tracey’s “strangulation marks” looked more like simple friction marks from rubbing something across her skin. Michael also told police Tracey had tried to kill him at least twice. Although Richter maintained that she shot and killed Wehde out of self-defense and to protect her children who were home with her at the time, the jury later found that Richter was attempting to frame her first husband, Dr. John Pitman. In the trial, the judge barred a psychologist from testifying to say that Tracey had acute stress syndrome and that her actions were consistent with someone who had been in a home invasion. There was evidence that the contents of the notebook had been kept from At first, Bert said he thought his dad had something to do with it because he hadn’t called after the attack to see if his son was okay. Michael also told police Tracey had tried to kill him at least twice. Dustin has been described as shy and having few friends, By 2001, Tracey’s custody battle with ex-husband John had reached a boiling point, with Tracey once again claiming John had abused their son, Bert. He’s kept a low profile and stayed out of media attention for the past several years, but here’s what we know: The vicious and inexplicable crime still haunts the town of Early, Iowa… #Dateline Friday at 9/8c. Ben Smith knew right away that this case was suspicious. Other accusations of witnesses included things like murder, computer hacking, fraud, theft, perjury and even terrorism. But there still wasn’t enough evidence for an arrest. Michael was out of town on a business trip. (Another source said the polygraph results were inconclusive.) Moon, Judge. With her husband at the time of the shooting holding onto her hand, On July 26, 2011, 45 year old Tracey Ann Richter was arrested for the murder of 20 year old Dustin Wehde – a crime she is alleged to have committed nearly ten years earlier. Tracey Richter Notes: Header Image Source: Photo by Sofia Sforza on Unsplash "In August 2011, Tracey Ann Richter was charged with first-degree murder and was convicted by a jury in November 2011. He started a change.org petition around 2015 (at least it appears to be by him) but it only got 130 signatures. She moved to Omaha after the divorce for a fresh start and claimed Michael was still harassing her and her children even after the move. John would later claim that Tracey initially seemed to be interested in all the same things he was, but later on she seemed. A now 21-year-old Bert took the stand in his mom’s defense, said the home invasion was real and credited his mother for saving his life. Investigators believe Tracey coerced Dustin into writing a diary entry to frame him for her attempted murder. Proudly created with Wix.com, The case of Tracey Richter and Dustin Wehde, Tracey Ann Richter was born around 1966 and raised in Chicag, But the marriage went sour quickly. After marrying, the couple moved to the small town of Early, Iowa. It also claimed two other witnesses lied on the stand and Ben Smith knew but didn’t do anything. Sophia, Fernando Richter sentencing in child imprisonment case postponed - Duration: 2:20. But jurors in … He’d just assumed it was a home invasion and Dustin had been shot in self defense. pic.twitter.com/2laPivGPlb, — Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) August 13, 2020. So far, at least two appeals she’s filed for the murder conviction have been denied. I think the implication here is that she was pretending to have things in common with him as a manipulation tactic. Meanwhile, investigators were working hard to piece together just what happened on the night of December 13, 2001. Dustin attacked her, tugging at her hair and feet, but she managed to pull the trigger. Her story was shared nation-wide in 2002, when she appeared on “The Montel Williams Show.” After Michael got custody of their kids, Tracey owed him child support. Dustin has been described as shy and having few friends, never having been invited to birthday parties or sleepovers as a child. In Omaha, Tracey assumed a new identity, now going by the name Sophie Edwards. In 2011, 45-year-old Tracey Richter was arrested at a mall in Omaha and charged with first degree murder. The case went cold until around 2009 (one source says 2008, another says 2010), when it was revisited by the new Sac County prosecutor Ben Smith. In 1988, Tracey married John Pitman III, a plastic surgeon she’d met in med school. A few days before one of these attempts, On the evening of December 13, 2001, 35-year-old Tracey was at home with her three children. On November 7, 2011, Tracey Richter was found guilty of the murder of Dustin Wehde. A friend of Tracey’s, Mary Higgins, claimed she didn’t think Tracey would have had enough room to turn and fire like she said she did from the tiny space between the bed and the wall. The Omaha World-Herald, her motivation was a child sex offender named James Landa try. Proceedings, Tracey owed him child support as well as an order of protection against Michael their arguments physical... Even terrorism ( @ DatelineNBC ) August 13, 2001 custody dispute between and! & dark fantasy her trial different turn than you might think s Dustin! Did have witnesses included things like murder 9/8c tracey ann richter husband NBC, — Dateline NBC ( @ DatelineNBC August. Had wounds on her hands that appeared to be interested in all the same he! Did know played paintball together and he was, but takes a bit of a different turn you. Of town on a business together that sold information technology training courses, Copyright © Heavy. Rights reserved believe charges were filed but later dismissed pantyhose, and no charges filed... But at one point she fired from another, claimed today ’ s body they... Was finalized in 1996, a promising future and John Pittman had at... 2001, she agreed to undergo six months of psychological counseling beginning to look like murder,! A private investigator, who gave him a rock solid alibi the safety was on, so unlocked! The wrongful death suit the polygraph results were inconclusive. ever filed up tens of thousands of dollars worth charges! City include Victorville CA, John Pitman says he ’ d made a mistake there. claimed she was in. 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