When Jocelyn Earnest was found dead on the floor of her Forest, Virginia home on December 20th, 2007, investigators saw what appeared to be a suicide — a typed note, a gun, a woman in the middle of a painful divorce. But the people who knew Jocelyn best refused to accept that explanation. She had just been offered a promotion at work. She was looking forward to the holidays. She was almost through the divorce. She was making plans.

What followed was a years-long legal battle featuring a staged crime scene, forged documents, a critical error in the jury room, and a moment on the witness stand that stopped the courtroom cold — all centered on a single question: did Jocelyn Earnest take her own life, or did someone who knew her well go to great lengths to make it look that way?

Today's snack: Baklava from St. John's Bakery (thanks Jan!)

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Sources:

• Fanning, Diane. Under Cover of the Night: A True Story of Sex, Greed, and Murder. Berkley Books, Penguin Group, 2014.
• Crimesider Staff. "83 words and 20 questions: The mysterious suicide note in the Jocelyn Branham Earnest case." CBS News, 4 Jun. 2012.
• "Earnest trial focuses on frame of mind: During the third day of the murder trial of Wesley Earnest, friends of Jocelyn Earnest described her sunny personality. [The Roanoke Times, Va.]." InsuranceNewsNet, 26 Mar. 2010.
• "Earnest v. Davis et al, No. 7:2018cv00595 - Document 29 (W.D. Va. 2020)." Justia Law.
• "Ex-Chesapeake school official found guilty a second time." 13newsnow.com - WVEC.
• "Landlords: Convicted wife killer violent, vindictive years before murder." 13newsnow.com.
• "Marriage Secrets." 48 Hours, Apple Podcasts, 19 Dec. 2024.
• Spencer, Marcelena. "Murder or suicide: How did Jocelyn Earnest die?" CBS News, 2 Jun. 2012.
• Earnest, Wesley Brian. Petition for Writ of Certiorari. Supreme Court of the United States, 29 Apr. 2021.
• "Testimony continues in Earnest trial: Evidence presented Friday ruled out suicide in the case of Jocelyn Earnest, prosecutors say. [The Roanoke Times, Va.]." InsuranceNewsNet, 27 Mar. 2010.