1 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,620 You are listening to the evidence locker. 2 00:00:09,180 --> 00:00:12,060 Our cases have been researched using open-source and archive materials. 3 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:14,640 It deals with true crimes in real people. 4 00:00:15,420 --> 00:00:18,510 Some parts of graphic in nature and listener discretion is advised. 5 00:00:19,500 --> 00:00:22,110 Each episode is produced with the utmost respect to the victims, 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:24,390 their families, and loved ones. 7 00:00:27,510 --> 00:00:32,040 Love is two people promising to be there for each other for better, or for worse. 8 00:00:33,210 --> 00:00:36,960 When a relationship develops into a lifelong bond, there was nearly nothing. 9 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:38,519 One partner won't do for the other. 10 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:45,000 Eli Weaver was an Amish man devoted to his culture and his wife or so 11 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:50,700 it seemed this shipper sending story shares the tales of a love gone awry. 12 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:55,950 What happens when infidelity penetrates a community builds so strongly on trust and. 13 00:00:57,715 --> 00:01:00,685 This case spreads, emotions of grief and jealousy and most. 14 00:01:02,115 --> 00:01:04,335 The disillusionment of true love. 15 00:01:38,054 --> 00:01:40,455 the Amish migrated as whole communities to the United 16 00:01:40,455 --> 00:01:42,494 States as early as the mid 1700. 17 00:01:44,220 --> 00:01:47,160 They're traditional Christians with origins in Germany who have 18 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:48,930 continued to maintain the same values. 19 00:01:49,260 --> 00:01:53,070 Pretty much since their arrival, the Amish are closely related to the 20 00:01:53,070 --> 00:01:56,760 Mennonite churches who believe in similar principles and ways of living 21 00:01:57,870 --> 00:02:01,260 the Amish strongly believed in plain living, including ordinary clothing, 22 00:02:01,410 --> 00:02:05,310 minimal distractions during family time, slow incorporation of technology 23 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:07,350 and a core view of self-sufficiency. 24 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:09,680 What is not needed is not. 25 00:02:10,845 --> 00:02:13,425 And they truly believed the key to a happy life is to live 26 00:02:13,425 --> 00:02:15,075 off the offerings of the earth. 27 00:02:16,305 --> 00:02:19,965 At the ages of 16, each child is granted permission to leave the Amish 28 00:02:19,965 --> 00:02:23,835 community, to see the outside world or the English world as they call it. 29 00:02:25,305 --> 00:02:28,875 This Rite of passage is known as Rumspringa, literally, 30 00:02:28,875 --> 00:02:31,995 meaning to go jumping outside of their community and its rules. 31 00:02:33,315 --> 00:02:36,165 At this point in their life, the young adults are not yet baptized 32 00:02:36,165 --> 00:02:38,415 by the church and are not held accountable for their actions. 33 00:02:39,735 --> 00:02:43,125 The Rumspringa typically lasts for about two full years when they are 18. 34 00:02:43,995 --> 00:02:46,425 This also means that teens are exposed to way of life. 35 00:02:46,455 --> 00:02:48,375 They had never witnessed inside of the Amish community. 36 00:02:49,035 --> 00:02:53,295 They can drive cars, use electronics and social media, drink alcohol and 37 00:02:53,295 --> 00:02:56,445 even wear clothing that does not conform with their traditional dress code. 38 00:02:57,765 --> 00:03:00,795 After Rumspringa young people are given the option to either stay 39 00:03:00,795 --> 00:03:02,625 with the church or leave for good. 40 00:03:03,285 --> 00:03:07,875 This is a final decision when does not get additional time to decide. 41 00:03:08,655 --> 00:03:11,114 And once you've made your decision, there's no turning back. 42 00:03:11,684 --> 00:03:14,684 If you choose to go, you will never be welcome back home. 43 00:03:15,554 --> 00:03:19,274 If you choose to stay leaving will never be an easy option. 44 00:03:20,505 --> 00:03:23,834 About 90% of Amish youths opt to stay within the community. 45 00:03:24,315 --> 00:03:27,524 And we'll go on to be baptized this their home. 46 00:03:27,945 --> 00:03:28,815 This is what they know. 47 00:03:29,864 --> 00:03:32,834 Most of them don't have many connections outside of their religious community 48 00:03:33,105 --> 00:03:35,565 and cannot bear the thought of walking out on friends and family. 49 00:03:35,565 --> 00:03:36,285 They've known all their life. 50 00:03:37,835 --> 00:03:39,185 Once a person decides to stay. 51 00:03:39,185 --> 00:03:42,335 They are baptized, which allows them to marry someone within the church 52 00:03:43,295 --> 00:03:46,205 should a young Amish person wants to marry someone outside of the community. 53 00:03:46,535 --> 00:03:49,955 They will have to leave as a whole Amish. 54 00:03:49,955 --> 00:03:50,975 People are obedient. 55 00:03:51,215 --> 00:03:53,915 And if members choose to break the rules or straight from their principles, 56 00:03:54,185 --> 00:03:57,185 they are shunned by the entire community, including their families. 57 00:03:58,805 --> 00:04:02,225 Amish individuals also tend to be private people who keep to themselves 58 00:04:02,225 --> 00:04:03,365 and don't venture outside of their. 59 00:04:04,605 --> 00:04:08,114 Little to no information about individuals living in Amish villages 60 00:04:08,144 --> 00:04:12,135 is available to the outside world is they rarely allow personal photographs 61 00:04:12,135 --> 00:04:16,214 to be taken, but times have changed somewhat and communities have been 62 00:04:16,214 --> 00:04:18,855 forced to adapt to the times today. 63 00:04:19,305 --> 00:04:22,455 Amish communities have computers and internet, but access 64 00:04:22,455 --> 00:04:23,685 is limited and regulated. 65 00:04:24,435 --> 00:04:26,445 It is mainly used for business purposes. 66 00:04:26,925 --> 00:04:28,034 More clearly defined. 67 00:04:28,365 --> 00:04:30,555 They can have a website to gather connections outside 68 00:04:30,555 --> 00:04:31,875 of their community and that. 69 00:04:34,085 --> 00:04:36,695 In a community where trust and mutual respect is invaluable. 70 00:04:37,175 --> 00:04:39,935 Business owners who have access to the internet are expected to 71 00:04:39,935 --> 00:04:41,525 operate within safe boundaries. 72 00:04:42,545 --> 00:04:45,094 But what happens when they can't choose between their fostering connections 73 00:04:45,094 --> 00:04:48,695 inside their community and opportunities, learning them just a few steps down 74 00:04:48,695 --> 00:04:53,675 the street in Wayne county, Ohio, there was a strong Amish community that 75 00:04:53,675 --> 00:04:55,474 had been upheld for many generations. 76 00:04:56,585 --> 00:04:59,945 This community was home to a young couple Eli and Barbara. 77 00:05:01,430 --> 00:05:04,849 Barbara was born in Orville on February 2nd, 1979. 78 00:05:05,690 --> 00:05:07,820 She lived most of her life in apple Creek, Ohio. 79 00:05:08,060 --> 00:05:11,570 Uh, she and her family were all members of the old order Amish church. 80 00:05:12,530 --> 00:05:14,180 As Barbara was nearing her late teens. 81 00:05:14,510 --> 00:05:17,930 She always daydreamed about finding her true love and raising a family on a farm. 82 00:05:18,830 --> 00:05:21,830 She knew she was going to stay committed to the Amish life and she 83 00:05:21,830 --> 00:05:23,780 had no desire to live anywhere else. 84 00:05:24,650 --> 00:05:27,830 Barbara was proud to be Amish and upheld her values with respect. 85 00:05:29,685 --> 00:05:32,685 Who was also raised within the Amish community was not quite 86 00:05:32,685 --> 00:05:35,135 as devout as Barbara was there. 87 00:05:35,145 --> 00:05:38,985 Different views were perhaps evident even before their marriage, during her 88 00:05:38,985 --> 00:05:42,195 Rumspringa, Barbara would spend her weekends reading romantic Christian 89 00:05:42,195 --> 00:05:45,585 literature with her friends near a small candlelight until late hours in the night. 90 00:05:46,305 --> 00:05:50,685 She never felt the urge to push too far past her boundaries to go partying Eli. 91 00:05:50,685 --> 00:05:54,195 On the other hand, loved every minute of his Rumspringa and 92 00:05:54,195 --> 00:05:55,515 embraced the new freedoms allowed. 93 00:05:56,310 --> 00:05:58,110 Taking full advantage of everything. 94 00:05:58,140 --> 00:05:59,610 The outside life had offered. 95 00:06:00,570 --> 00:06:03,420 Eli went partying and drinking with his new friends and 96 00:06:03,420 --> 00:06:05,130 experience frat house style fund. 97 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,670 During this time Eli and Barbara met through mutual friends. 98 00:06:09,599 --> 00:06:11,940 They spoke occasionally and harmlessly flirted with each other. 99 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:16,110 And before long, a small spark turned into a serious relationship 100 00:06:16,980 --> 00:06:18,030 after their some Springers. 101 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,150 They both chose to stay within the community and be baptized. 102 00:06:22,565 --> 00:06:25,745 Barbara May have played a role in why Eli chose to stay within the church 103 00:06:25,775 --> 00:06:29,195 after his teenage years, rather than choosing to leave and continue on. 104 00:06:29,195 --> 00:06:32,945 As wild adventures, Barbara had always wanted to raise a traditional 105 00:06:32,945 --> 00:06:34,145 family with her true love. 106 00:06:34,354 --> 00:06:40,474 So to her settling down with Eli was a no brainer on March 27th, 1999, 107 00:06:41,044 --> 00:06:44,284 Eli and Barbara said their vows and promise to love each other till death. 108 00:06:44,284 --> 00:06:47,015 Part of them, the weavers were the poster. 109 00:06:47,015 --> 00:06:49,655 Couple of what an Amish family looks like in modern times. 110 00:06:50,935 --> 00:06:52,495 Eli owned a hunting and fishing store. 111 00:06:52,885 --> 00:06:55,614 And Barbara stayed at home looking after their five children. 112 00:06:56,604 --> 00:06:59,515 They had a big faithful family who was loved by their friends and 113 00:06:59,515 --> 00:07:02,305 neighbors from the outside in Eli. 114 00:07:02,305 --> 00:07:07,224 And Barbara's marriage looked perfect, but behind closed doors, the cracks in 115 00:07:07,224 --> 00:07:12,025 their foundation began to show up like most Amish families, Eli and Barbara 116 00:07:12,054 --> 00:07:16,075 were not immune to the influence of the so-called English or non Amish families 117 00:07:16,075 --> 00:07:18,054 living around them and the criticism. 118 00:07:18,054 --> 00:07:18,505 They often. 119 00:07:20,344 --> 00:07:21,755 Barbara had everything she ever needed. 120 00:07:22,415 --> 00:07:25,375 She lived a humble life as a loving mother to her children and 121 00:07:25,385 --> 00:07:26,705 a devoted wife to her husband. 122 00:07:27,665 --> 00:07:32,195 Eli was not as invested as Barbara was in fact, well, she was 123 00:07:32,195 --> 00:07:33,725 distracted with the small children. 124 00:07:34,145 --> 00:07:36,485 He was testing the boundaries that would soon threaten the 125 00:07:36,485 --> 00:07:37,925 happiness of their family. 126 00:07:38,975 --> 00:07:42,755 Eli gave in to temptations outside of their marriage temptations that were 127 00:07:42,755 --> 00:07:46,115 strong enough to drive him outside of the Amish faith and go against what he had 128 00:07:46,115 --> 00:07:47,885 believed up until this point in his life. 129 00:07:49,450 --> 00:07:50,620 Inside of his own community. 130 00:07:50,979 --> 00:07:53,289 His friend described him as being a charmer and a flirt. 131 00:07:53,710 --> 00:07:56,109 Something, no wife wants to hear her husband being described 132 00:07:56,109 --> 00:07:58,150 as in the Amish community. 133 00:07:58,599 --> 00:08:01,450 This is even worse since it's so strongly contradicts their beliefs 134 00:08:01,479 --> 00:08:05,799 of a single partner in marriage for life is the owner of a fishing and 135 00:08:05,799 --> 00:08:07,210 hunting store within the community. 136 00:08:07,599 --> 00:08:10,180 Eli had a computer with internet access for his business. 137 00:08:10,870 --> 00:08:14,830 It was a window to the outside world and soon he began to 138 00:08:14,830 --> 00:08:16,210 communicate with non Amish. 139 00:08:20,359 --> 00:08:23,539 As time went on, Eli began to spend more and more time at the 140 00:08:23,539 --> 00:08:25,340 store and less time at home. 141 00:08:26,330 --> 00:08:29,719 He said that he had work to do, but he spent most of his time alone in 142 00:08:29,719 --> 00:08:31,580 his store, chatting to women online. 143 00:08:32,390 --> 00:08:36,020 All the while Barbara was home alone with five young children and the 144 00:08:36,020 --> 00:08:37,640 expectation to keep a tidy home. 145 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:41,990 When Eli was home, he was disengaged and withdrawn and took 146 00:08:41,990 --> 00:08:43,189 his frustrations out on his fans. 147 00:08:44,845 --> 00:08:47,635 Barbara noticed that there was no more affection from Eli. 148 00:08:48,235 --> 00:08:49,585 He had changed towards her. 149 00:08:50,245 --> 00:08:52,135 He was no longer the loving, reliable husband. 150 00:08:52,135 --> 00:08:53,125 She thought she'd married. 151 00:08:53,785 --> 00:08:54,295 Instead. 152 00:08:54,835 --> 00:08:59,035 He was only interested in sex and demanded it whenever he was in the mood. 153 00:09:00,505 --> 00:09:04,405 Barbara had never had any sex education in school growing up nor had she been 154 00:09:04,405 --> 00:09:06,025 with anyone other than her husband. 155 00:09:06,385 --> 00:09:08,245 So pleasing him was all she knew. 156 00:09:09,415 --> 00:09:12,205 She felt forced to comply with Eli's needs, regardless of 157 00:09:12,205 --> 00:09:13,015 her own thoughts and feelings. 158 00:09:14,380 --> 00:09:18,010 Arguments over their sex life became more frequent, especially when it began 159 00:09:18,010 --> 00:09:19,540 to challenge their religious beliefs. 160 00:09:20,650 --> 00:09:22,930 Barbara was strong in her faith and was devoted to the 161 00:09:22,930 --> 00:09:25,300 church, but Eli, not so much. 162 00:09:26,140 --> 00:09:29,440 He constantly asked or rather begged Barbara to engage in oral 163 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:33,100 sex activities with him, which was something he first encountered during 164 00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:35,440 his Rumspringa, the Amish church. 165 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:39,040 However, believe sex is only for reproductive purposes, not pleasure. 166 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:41,500 So Barbara never gave into his proposition. 167 00:09:42,675 --> 00:09:46,035 She felt increasingly upset when he kept asking, but stood 168 00:09:46,035 --> 00:09:49,155 her ground as a business owner. 169 00:09:49,365 --> 00:09:52,065 Eli also had a cell phone and was permitted to use the 170 00:09:52,065 --> 00:09:53,385 phone for business purposes. 171 00:09:53,535 --> 00:09:58,995 And during business hours, only whoever Eli overstepped his boundaries by using 172 00:09:58,995 --> 00:10:00,345 the phone for much more than that. 173 00:10:00,915 --> 00:10:04,755 He even used the phone when he was home at work. 174 00:10:05,025 --> 00:10:08,865 He continued secretly searching for sexual partners on dating websites and apps 175 00:10:09,705 --> 00:10:11,355 on top of being unfaithful to his wife. 176 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:16,170 Eli was going against many of the Amish rules and would have been in deep trouble. 177 00:10:16,260 --> 00:10:20,910 If anyone were to find out, he managed to keep a sexual adventures, a secret from 178 00:10:20,910 --> 00:10:27,420 his closest friends, but online, he was shamelessly advertising himself on a site 179 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:33,000 known as MocoSpace Eli referred to himself as an Amish stud and posted prompts to his 180 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:35,280 profile, like who wants to do an Amish. 181 00:10:36,790 --> 00:10:40,660 Dozens of women with usernames, like too much ass and 69 smiley 182 00:10:40,660 --> 00:10:44,950 girl reached out to him asking to meet him in person for awhile. 183 00:10:45,370 --> 00:10:49,690 Eli was able to keep a secret life separate from his supposedly Amish life, 184 00:10:50,140 --> 00:10:54,280 but to their community, it became evident that all was not well in the Weaver home. 185 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:58,960 Barbara sister became aware of the fact that Eli was very stingy with his money, 186 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,700 and oftentimes didn't provide his wife with enough funds to properly support the. 187 00:11:04,110 --> 00:11:06,750 And the Amish community, the wife stays home to raise and 188 00:11:06,750 --> 00:11:07,740 take care of the children. 189 00:11:08,010 --> 00:11:10,319 While the husband is the breadwinner who brings home money. 190 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:14,760 The husband also approves expenditure, although Eli earned 191 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:18,030 a good living from his store, he kept most of the money for himself. 192 00:11:18,689 --> 00:11:21,150 He wanted to control her spending, even if she needed to 193 00:11:21,150 --> 00:11:22,470 buy something for their kids. 194 00:11:23,340 --> 00:11:25,800 When it was Barbara's turn to take part in school activities like bake 195 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,800 sales, she often didn't even have enough money to purchase Greece. 196 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:34,170 For an Amish woman, bake sales or showcases of their talents, not 197 00:11:34,170 --> 00:11:37,860 being able to buy what she needed was humiliating for Barbara Eli. 198 00:11:37,860 --> 00:11:41,520 However, did whatever he pleased, even while watching his family eat 199 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:44,670 little food and struggled to maintain their already meager lifestyle. 200 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:49,110 The Weaver children had also seen Eli become physical with their mother 201 00:11:49,380 --> 00:11:50,910 and Chevron more than one occasion. 202 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:55,080 It was common for him to grab Barbara and push her around when she 203 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:57,030 refused to listen or raised her own. 204 00:11:58,770 --> 00:11:59,940 Whenever Eli was angry. 205 00:12:00,180 --> 00:12:05,340 He let Barbara habit, even if she was compliant in the Amish community, women 206 00:12:05,340 --> 00:12:07,230 are expected to submit to their husbands. 207 00:12:07,830 --> 00:12:10,860 If Barbara had turned to the community, Bishop for comfort, he would have 208 00:12:10,860 --> 00:12:14,460 most likely asked what she did to deserve such a punishment, rather than 209 00:12:14,460 --> 00:12:16,470 receiving help Eli's aggressive actions. 210 00:12:17,550 --> 00:12:19,560 Barbara felt like she had no one to turn to for help. 211 00:12:19,830 --> 00:12:23,250 And she was ashamed, nothing she did could calm Eli down. 212 00:12:23,250 --> 00:12:23,970 Once he had become. 213 00:12:26,025 --> 00:12:29,595 Y then if he hated his wife so much, did Eli stay? 214 00:12:30,465 --> 00:12:33,585 The thing is if he were to choose another woman over his family, 215 00:12:33,825 --> 00:12:35,475 the community would ostracize him. 216 00:12:36,255 --> 00:12:38,895 The Amish community was made up of his family and friends 217 00:12:39,315 --> 00:12:41,115 and ultimately his customers. 218 00:12:41,985 --> 00:12:44,685 If Eli left Barbara, he stood to lose everything. 219 00:12:45,375 --> 00:12:47,235 He was stuck in over time. 220 00:12:47,595 --> 00:12:49,545 His discontent festered as he wanted. 221 00:12:51,780 --> 00:12:54,720 Then Eli met a woman who finally seemed like his perfect match. 222 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:59,370 Barbara Raber, a mother of three and wife to one of Eli's friends. 223 00:12:59,370 --> 00:13:03,660 Ed was an ex Amish member who had left her community to join the Mennonites. 224 00:13:04,530 --> 00:13:07,800 The group had similar values to the Amish, but with fewer restrictions on 225 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:13,050 technology and education for Barbara, it was a step towards freedom, a 226 00:13:13,050 --> 00:13:14,550 decision she made for her family. 227 00:13:15,390 --> 00:13:18,000 This move also made it possible for Barb to drive a car. 228 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:22,950 She started working as a courier and then a taxi driver. 229 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:28,050 Although the Amish are not permitted to drive cars, they are allowed to be inside 230 00:13:28,050 --> 00:13:29,790 when as long as someone else was driving. 231 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:33,450 So Eli would often receive rides from Barb when he needed to go 232 00:13:33,450 --> 00:13:36,660 somewhere far away when he could not go with his horse and cart. 233 00:13:37,950 --> 00:13:41,610 Barbara knew about Barbara Webber, the taxi driver, and felt uneasy 234 00:13:41,610 --> 00:13:45,300 about the relationship between her and Eli, the Amish elders. 235 00:13:45,300 --> 00:13:46,920 However, had more power and wisdom than. 236 00:13:47,670 --> 00:13:50,099 And they sound nothing suspicious about Eli's acquaintance with 237 00:13:50,099 --> 00:13:54,839 Barbara labor after all, she was 10 years older than Eli and judging by 238 00:13:54,839 --> 00:13:58,530 appearances alone did not seem like a siren out hunting for married men. 239 00:13:59,729 --> 00:14:02,849 Even with her senses on high alert, there was nothing Barbara could do 240 00:14:02,849 --> 00:14:06,239 about Barb and accusing her husband of being dishonest would have resulted 241 00:14:06,239 --> 00:14:10,560 in much worse consequences for her, but as it turned out, Barbara 242 00:14:10,560 --> 00:14:12,089 suspicions were right on the money. 243 00:14:12,930 --> 00:14:15,630 From the first time Eli met Barbara Raber, he was obsessed. 244 00:14:16,695 --> 00:14:19,245 Firstly Barb was someone from the outside world. 245 00:14:19,725 --> 00:14:23,085 She gave him the number to her second phone and gifted him a secret cell 246 00:14:23,085 --> 00:14:27,525 phone that he could use to contact her before long Barbara greed to 247 00:14:27,525 --> 00:14:30,705 satisfy the oral sex needs that his wife refused to take part in. 248 00:14:31,425 --> 00:14:34,065 That was all it took for him to become hooked on seeing Barb. 249 00:14:34,425 --> 00:14:40,695 And he found excuses to sneak in a taxi ride whenever he could is he lied, 250 00:14:40,695 --> 00:14:42,135 began spending more time with Barb. 251 00:14:42,435 --> 00:14:43,665 He would leave home for days at a time. 252 00:14:44,370 --> 00:14:46,740 Telling his wife and children, he needed time to himself. 253 00:14:47,550 --> 00:14:51,450 He lied and said he went on hunting or fishing trips before long. 254 00:14:51,750 --> 00:14:53,760 It was the norm for Eli to be away from home. 255 00:14:54,810 --> 00:14:58,170 Barbara was left along with five young children all under the age of eight, 256 00:14:58,710 --> 00:15:01,980 but trusted her husband and tried to crush suspicions of his infidelity. 257 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:06,300 Whenever they arose, she would never have imagined that Eli had left her 258 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:08,220 and the kids to be with another woman. 259 00:15:09,330 --> 00:15:12,990 Barbara looked at life through rose-tinted glasses and firmly believed Eli was. 260 00:15:13,965 --> 00:15:18,345 And that he felt the same about her, but he was often a no show for dinner 261 00:15:18,675 --> 00:15:20,775 or a way on overnight hunting trips. 262 00:15:21,405 --> 00:15:23,895 And Barbara kept notes of his comings and goings in her journal. 263 00:15:24,825 --> 00:15:27,885 One night, Eli came home and shattered Barbara's world. 264 00:15:28,545 --> 00:15:31,185 He told her that his life with her was no longer for him. 265 00:15:32,325 --> 00:15:36,705 He was not in love with her anymore and wanted to end things he was done with the 266 00:15:36,705 --> 00:15:39,015 marriage, with her and with the children. 267 00:15:40,155 --> 00:15:42,105 He liked infested Barbara that he was in love with someone. 268 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:47,010 Someone who had been seeing on the side, Barbara was heartbroken. 269 00:15:47,790 --> 00:15:50,070 Her lifelong dream had crumbled right in front of her eyes. 270 00:15:50,910 --> 00:15:52,410 What was she going to do with her family? 271 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:55,050 How could she raise all of them on her own? 272 00:15:55,860 --> 00:15:57,300 How could she face the community? 273 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:03,030 In April of 2006, Barbara sought out help and opened up to a religious counselor 274 00:16:03,030 --> 00:16:04,800 about the tragic downfall of her marriage. 275 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:09,240 During a session with the community relationship counselor, she hand wrote 276 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:10,710 notes to Eli about her frustration. 277 00:16:11,820 --> 00:16:14,370 The notes, contain comments and documented her thoughts about their 278 00:16:14,370 --> 00:16:16,290 failing marriage and the effects of it. 279 00:16:17,370 --> 00:16:19,560 The intention was not for Eli to read the notes. 280 00:16:19,980 --> 00:16:22,140 It was an exercise to express her feelings. 281 00:16:22,890 --> 00:16:27,180 One of these letters read what did my friend love trustworthy husband? 282 00:16:27,180 --> 00:16:31,800 Go-to divorce is not an option for the Amish and members of 283 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:34,470 the church are expected to remain together no matter what. 284 00:16:35,490 --> 00:16:38,430 Barbara continued visiting the counselor and holding onto hope 285 00:16:38,430 --> 00:16:41,670 that Eli would one day change his mind and return to his family. 286 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:48,120 One night, Barbara returned home to find Eli inside, but this man was not the man. 287 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:48,720 She married. 288 00:16:49,380 --> 00:16:52,290 He had a clean shaven face and was wearing modern clothing. 289 00:16:53,340 --> 00:16:55,350 Eli made it clear that he was there to see his children. 290 00:16:55,530 --> 00:16:56,250 Not Barbara. 291 00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:58,080 Barbara was shocked. 292 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:00,720 She had never seen Eli without facial hair. 293 00:17:01,470 --> 00:17:02,340 And it was like a kick in the. 294 00:17:03,645 --> 00:17:06,704 Beard's for Amish men represent more than just maturity and appearance 295 00:17:07,214 --> 00:17:10,185 and the Amish community, a married man, never shaved his beard. 296 00:17:10,964 --> 00:17:14,625 This acts as a symbol of the relationship and the longer it grows, 297 00:17:14,895 --> 00:17:18,135 the more respect is given to men who have stayed faithful for so long. 298 00:17:19,484 --> 00:17:22,905 When Barbara saw Eli without a beard, it signified to her that 299 00:17:22,905 --> 00:17:26,504 he had been unfaithful and had no intention of salvaging their marriage. 300 00:17:27,825 --> 00:17:30,524 During this time, Eli was living with a non Amish girl. 301 00:17:31,514 --> 00:17:33,675 She was kind enough to offer him a place to stay when he had 302 00:17:33,705 --> 00:17:36,584 almost no money or connections outside of the Amish community. 303 00:17:37,574 --> 00:17:41,205 Even during this time, he like continued to see Barbara neighbor when she was 304 00:17:41,205 --> 00:17:42,705 able to get away from her family. 305 00:17:43,215 --> 00:17:45,314 And they continued to foster their elicit affair. 306 00:17:47,445 --> 00:17:49,905 When Barbara Weaver was invited to a wedding of a close friend 307 00:17:49,905 --> 00:17:52,754 of Eli's, she hoped that he would show up at the ceremony. 308 00:17:53,445 --> 00:17:56,054 Barbara thought that it would be an opportunity to talk to Eli. 309 00:17:56,895 --> 00:17:59,945 She kept her eye on the back of the church and felt her prayers had. 310 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:05,310 When she saw her husband standing there, Eli was forced to remain 311 00:18:05,310 --> 00:18:06,389 at the back of the church. 312 00:18:07,020 --> 00:18:07,800 This is what happens. 313 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:12,510 If you walk out on your wife, family, and church, as soon as she saw an opportunity, 314 00:18:12,870 --> 00:18:14,159 Barbara went over to talk with him. 315 00:18:15,030 --> 00:18:17,970 There was something familiar between them and both Eli and Barbara 316 00:18:18,210 --> 00:18:20,760 fell just a little bit back in love as they reminisced about what 317 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:22,800 they once had in the heat of the. 318 00:18:23,730 --> 00:18:26,970 Eli made a clumsy attempt at apologizing to Barbara for the hurt and pain. 319 00:18:26,970 --> 00:18:30,330 He caused her by chasing his childlike conditions and promise 320 00:18:30,330 --> 00:18:32,820 to return to her and the children to atone for his mistakes. 321 00:18:34,110 --> 00:18:38,399 Barbara, who had been dreaming of this moment for so long for gave Eli with hopes 322 00:18:38,399 --> 00:18:43,889 that this was their chance to fix what had been broken by the end of January, 2007, 323 00:18:44,250 --> 00:18:47,699 Eli was back home with Barbara and making amends to the elders in the community. 324 00:18:48,780 --> 00:18:50,490 As the Amish church made the decision to forgive. 325 00:18:51,405 --> 00:18:54,855 They forced Eli to turn over his electronic devices and swear 326 00:18:54,855 --> 00:18:57,524 to stop his adventures with any women outside of his marriage. 327 00:18:58,095 --> 00:19:01,935 He like gave his word to both his wife and the church, but less than a 328 00:19:01,935 --> 00:19:04,245 year later, Eli gave into temptation. 329 00:19:04,425 --> 00:19:08,685 Once more like some years before he became withdrawn and moody at 330 00:19:08,685 --> 00:19:12,645 home, the only thing Eli Weaver had in his mind was saying. 331 00:19:14,145 --> 00:19:17,115 So even though Eli was back home, he had checked out emotionally. 332 00:19:17,445 --> 00:19:20,805 He was distant from his wife and children often leaving them alone for days at a 333 00:19:20,805 --> 00:19:22,695 time and refuse to connect with them. 334 00:19:23,745 --> 00:19:27,015 Although Eli had left his long-term girlfriend, he was still entangled 335 00:19:27,015 --> 00:19:32,385 with taxi driver, Barbara neighbor by 2009, Barbara and Eli were 336 00:19:32,385 --> 00:19:33,495 back to where they had started. 337 00:19:33,915 --> 00:19:36,675 Their marriage was messy and the two couldn't keep it together 338 00:19:36,675 --> 00:19:39,135 well enough to raise their children and abide by the church. 339 00:19:40,575 --> 00:19:43,845 Eli had his hands on more electronics and messaged women online to 340 00:19:43,845 --> 00:19:45,825 satisfy his uncontrollable urges. 341 00:19:46,695 --> 00:19:50,895 This time around Eli was on a different dating site, exploring all the same 342 00:19:50,955 --> 00:19:54,975 as before he was able to keep this under the radar while sneaking out to 343 00:19:54,975 --> 00:19:58,395 hookup with dozens of women while still remaining a part of the Amish community. 344 00:19:59,595 --> 00:20:03,705 But there was more at play than only cheating behind his contemptuous eyes. 345 00:20:04,004 --> 00:20:05,115 Eli was nurturing. 346 00:20:05,115 --> 00:20:06,225 Thoughts of killing Barbara. 347 00:20:07,125 --> 00:20:08,475 He had been thinking about it for some time. 348 00:20:09,300 --> 00:20:11,280 But the problem was doing it without being caught. 349 00:20:12,270 --> 00:20:15,180 Ideally he wanted to get out of the marriage, but remain in the 350 00:20:15,180 --> 00:20:19,050 community so we could continue to run his hunting store and seeing as 351 00:20:19,050 --> 00:20:23,130 divorce wasn't an option becoming a widower was the best way forward. 352 00:20:24,810 --> 00:20:25,890 One gloomy afternoon. 353 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:29,910 Eli had decided he had yet again, dealt with enough marriage problems and that he 354 00:20:29,910 --> 00:20:32,550 was finally going to leave this afternoon. 355 00:20:33,030 --> 00:20:36,600 He crushed a large amount of sleeping pills and mix it into a can of soda. 356 00:20:37,785 --> 00:20:42,405 He waited patiently for his wife to return from outside, just as he had 357 00:20:42,405 --> 00:20:46,425 planned, when Barbara entered, she asked him for a sip of his nice, cool drink. 358 00:20:47,085 --> 00:20:49,995 He agreed and thought that that would take care of her. 359 00:20:51,165 --> 00:20:54,705 Unfortunately, for him, he had used too many pills and Barbara 360 00:20:54,705 --> 00:20:56,145 noticed that the taste was off. 361 00:20:56,955 --> 00:21:00,825 She realized what was happening and before she could accuse him of anything, 362 00:21:01,095 --> 00:21:02,805 Eli told her he was trying to kill him. 363 00:21:04,649 --> 00:21:05,460 Barbara believed him. 364 00:21:05,639 --> 00:21:08,460 She took pity on him and prayed with him, asking that Eli would 365 00:21:08,460 --> 00:21:10,379 move past his suicidal intentions. 366 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:14,370 During this moment of closeness, he took the opportunity to admit to 367 00:21:14,370 --> 00:21:17,129 Barbara that he had been sleeping with countless outside women. 368 00:21:18,090 --> 00:21:23,220 Barbara did not want to lose them again and decided to forgive him not long 369 00:21:23,220 --> 00:21:24,720 after admitting to his infidelities. 370 00:21:24,990 --> 00:21:29,250 He like continued his correspondence with Barb Raber, Barbara Eli discussed 371 00:21:29,250 --> 00:21:30,570 their family situation for some time. 372 00:21:31,379 --> 00:21:33,389 Unsure of what they could do to be together. 373 00:21:34,350 --> 00:21:37,650 Eli asked Barb if she would do him the favor of killing his wife. 374 00:21:37,710 --> 00:21:39,600 So he could escape from the marriage without losing the 375 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:41,010 support of his Amish community. 376 00:21:41,610 --> 00:21:44,550 He couldn't divorce her, of course, but she was murdered. 377 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:48,930 They would surely support him moving on to find another true love for 378 00:21:48,930 --> 00:21:53,820 May 31st to June 2nd, 2009, Eli and Barb exchanged various text messages 379 00:21:53,910 --> 00:21:56,730 about the best possible way to commit the murder without leaving 380 00:21:56,730 --> 00:21:58,560 evidence behind or raising suspects. 381 00:22:00,584 --> 00:22:03,764 Eli suggested blowing up his own house, shooting his wife, 382 00:22:03,794 --> 00:22:05,385 poisoning her among other things. 383 00:22:06,314 --> 00:22:09,225 Barb pointed out that if you burnt down the family home, his 384 00:22:09,225 --> 00:22:10,455 kids would also end up dead. 385 00:22:11,235 --> 00:22:14,504 Eli didn't seem to care and replied that he believed they would go to 386 00:22:14,504 --> 00:22:16,155 heaven since they were innocent of sin. 387 00:22:16,635 --> 00:22:18,195 So killing them would do them no harm. 388 00:22:19,485 --> 00:22:21,584 He was willing to analyze of his own children. 389 00:22:21,675 --> 00:22:23,294 If that was what it took to kill them. 390 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,700 Barbara thought there were other ways of taking care of Barbara. 391 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:29,520 It took her own time to search for suitable methods on the internet. 392 00:22:30,210 --> 00:22:34,140 She messaged Eli to say that she believed fly poison inside a spiced cupcake 393 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:40,170 would get the job done around 8:00 AM on the morning of June 2nd, 2009, Barbara 394 00:22:40,230 --> 00:22:43,950 and Eli's oldest son, Wayne wandered around the house looking for his mother. 395 00:22:44,820 --> 00:22:48,180 She was usually an early riser and he found it odd that she wasn't. 396 00:22:49,530 --> 00:22:53,790 He found his mother's lifeless body under the comforter in her bed covered in blood 397 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:57,780 Wayne, ran to the neighbors to find help and brought them back home with him. 398 00:22:58,530 --> 00:23:02,370 Eli had left the house earlier that morning at about 3:30 AM for 399 00:23:02,370 --> 00:23:05,580 a fishing trip and was away when his wife's body was discovered. 400 00:23:06,810 --> 00:23:09,660 The neighbor called the police who arrived moments later and 401 00:23:09,660 --> 00:23:13,830 found Barbara with a shotgun wound to her chest, almost immediate. 402 00:23:14,535 --> 00:23:17,595 The police searched for Eli and requested his whereabouts at the time 403 00:23:17,595 --> 00:23:21,435 of death, his friends on the fishing trip served as his collective alibi, 404 00:23:21,855 --> 00:23:24,495 proven that Eli could not have been anywhere near the home that morning. 405 00:23:25,635 --> 00:23:29,445 The Shakti Eli denied any involvement in the crime against his wife, but 406 00:23:29,445 --> 00:23:32,985 even with his friends, vouching for his whereabouts, he remained a prime suspect. 407 00:23:32,985 --> 00:23:37,155 In the case, police interviewed Barbara sister, Kristen, and 408 00:23:37,155 --> 00:23:40,235 she informed investigators about Eli's Rocky past and his. 409 00:23:41,790 --> 00:23:45,300 Kristen was sure that the rumors about Eli seeking out lovers from outside of 410 00:23:45,300 --> 00:23:50,399 the Amish community, once more were true after the murder, you, I received an 411 00:23:50,399 --> 00:23:52,470 anonymous message on his contraband phone. 412 00:23:53,460 --> 00:23:54,810 On the other end of the line was a voice. 413 00:23:54,810 --> 00:23:58,830 He did not recognize telling him he was the intended victim and that they 414 00:23:58,830 --> 00:24:00,689 had made a mistake by finding his wife. 415 00:24:01,139 --> 00:24:02,639 They told him he would be next. 416 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:06,000 Police were concerned for Eli safety and questioned him. 417 00:24:07,170 --> 00:24:09,750 They wanted to know if Isla had any enemies who might have been 418 00:24:09,750 --> 00:24:13,620 interested in harming him or his family almost immediately. 419 00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:15,120 Eli mentioned a girlfriend. 420 00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:18,420 He had recently dated from the English world, a woman named Mary. 421 00:24:19,830 --> 00:24:23,025 He told police that Mary had gone as far as to joke about killing Barbara 422 00:24:23,025 --> 00:24:26,430 Weaver before, and that he suspected she could have gone through with it. 423 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:29,850 Police tracked Mary down and we're not overly surprised to 424 00:24:29,850 --> 00:24:30,960 hear her side of the story. 425 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:34,530 According to Mary Eli had asked her to kill his wife. 426 00:24:35,459 --> 00:24:37,709 And he had even made jokes about running her over in his own 427 00:24:37,709 --> 00:24:41,909 driveway if he ever got the chance, but this would not be enough to 428 00:24:41,909 --> 00:24:43,590 convict Eli for his wife's murder. 429 00:24:43,709 --> 00:24:44,790 And investigators knew it. 430 00:24:45,719 --> 00:24:47,969 Police have limited evidence about Barbara's death. 431 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:51,360 There was no weapon at the scene and no signs of forced entry. 432 00:24:51,990 --> 00:24:54,659 No one had heard a gunshot that morning, not the kids inside the 433 00:24:54,659 --> 00:24:58,770 home, nor the neighbors, the lack of gunshot residue on Barbara's hands was 434 00:24:58,770 --> 00:25:00,480 proved that she did not shoot herself. 435 00:25:01,320 --> 00:25:02,490 The rest of the house was tidy. 436 00:25:03,570 --> 00:25:06,630 Which made it unlikely that the scene was a robbery gone wrong. 437 00:25:07,500 --> 00:25:09,180 There was only one conclusion to be made. 438 00:25:09,780 --> 00:25:11,280 Someone had planned to kill Barbara. 439 00:25:12,030 --> 00:25:15,240 The coroner could only provide a broad timeline and the time of death was 440 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:20,370 ruled as sometime between the hours of midnight and 6:00 AM not long after 441 00:25:20,370 --> 00:25:24,780 the case was turned into public news, other witnesses and contacts of Eli then 442 00:25:24,780 --> 00:25:26,400 came forward and offered more infamous. 443 00:25:27,855 --> 00:25:31,575 A woman by the name of dandy, Heasley reached out to authorities to tell them 444 00:25:31,605 --> 00:25:36,465 she had dated Eli for a brief time, not too long before they had met online. 445 00:25:36,705 --> 00:25:38,775 And he had even reached out to her through a cell phone. 446 00:25:39,705 --> 00:25:43,785 This was the single piece of the story that piqued interest in the police. 447 00:25:44,655 --> 00:25:47,685 If he like had a secret cell phone, there must be more evidence hiding 448 00:25:47,685 --> 00:25:49,725 on it somewhere, or they had to do. 449 00:25:51,615 --> 00:25:54,675 Only one day after Barbara was found dead in her own house. 450 00:25:54,885 --> 00:25:58,575 Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber were both arrested for aggravated murder. 451 00:25:58,995 --> 00:26:03,075 Even with the lack of physical evidence, please still had no 452 00:26:03,075 --> 00:26:06,045 murder weapon in no fingerprints were found inside barber's bedroom. 453 00:26:06,885 --> 00:26:10,095 Barbara Raber was brought in uncontrollably sobbing claiming the 454 00:26:10,095 --> 00:26:14,295 entire incident was an accident while she was going through a mental break. 455 00:26:14,625 --> 00:26:16,004 She told her side of the story. 456 00:26:16,754 --> 00:26:18,765 Barb claimed she had taken a gun from her husband. 457 00:26:19,515 --> 00:26:22,935 But had no memory of loading it with ammunition, she then made her way to 458 00:26:22,935 --> 00:26:26,805 the Weaver's family home, which she believes she entered it around 4:30 AM 459 00:26:27,105 --> 00:26:31,125 and made her way through the basement and up to the master bedroom where she 460 00:26:31,125 --> 00:26:33,075 found Barbara Weaver asleep in bed. 461 00:26:34,215 --> 00:26:37,185 Barb wanted to scare Barbara, just pretend to hold the gun up 462 00:26:37,185 --> 00:26:38,355 at her and give her a fright. 463 00:26:38,955 --> 00:26:42,015 But the gun went off and Barbara was killed instantly. 464 00:26:43,185 --> 00:26:45,165 As both accused individuals went to court. 465 00:26:45,555 --> 00:26:46,845 Barb changed her entire. 466 00:26:48,405 --> 00:26:51,045 She claimed that she had no memory at all of what happened that morning. 467 00:26:51,795 --> 00:26:54,225 She could not even remember being inside the Weaver house at all. 468 00:26:54,885 --> 00:26:58,275 Her attorney went as far as to argue that Eli had shot his wife before he left 469 00:26:58,275 --> 00:26:59,775 for the fishing trip with his friends. 470 00:27:00,975 --> 00:27:04,785 In addition to the fatal gunshot wound, Barbara was found, have multiple 471 00:27:04,815 --> 00:27:08,445 other scratches and bruises across her body that went to prove she 472 00:27:08,445 --> 00:27:10,245 was a victim of domestic violence. 473 00:27:11,175 --> 00:27:14,025 The artifacts were used as evidence to conclude that Eli had 474 00:27:14,025 --> 00:27:16,845 been violent with her before and was likely involved with them. 475 00:27:17,669 --> 00:27:21,960 Even if he didn't pull the trigger during the investigation, police learned that 476 00:27:21,990 --> 00:27:26,520 Eli had in fact reached out to multiple people asking for help to kill his wife. 477 00:27:27,270 --> 00:27:30,929 Most of them laughed it off assuming he can not possibly mean something 478 00:27:30,929 --> 00:27:33,330 so cruel, but Barbara Raber did not. 479 00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:37,620 The evidence pointed to a clearly planned murder with the text messages and 480 00:27:37,620 --> 00:27:39,330 search history from both individuals to. 481 00:27:40,919 --> 00:27:44,159 Text messages between Barb and Eli gave him a common site into 482 00:27:44,159 --> 00:27:47,040 Barbara's murder around 4:30 AM. 483 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:48,030 Barb texted Eli. 484 00:27:48,449 --> 00:27:49,110 I'm so scared. 485 00:27:49,110 --> 00:27:49,949 What if I get caught? 486 00:27:50,250 --> 00:27:55,110 What if someone blames me Eli responds who would see you and who would blame you? 487 00:27:56,070 --> 00:27:57,780 Barb Ben types, Gammy light. 488 00:27:57,929 --> 00:27:58,800 I don't know if I can. 489 00:27:58,800 --> 00:27:59,970 It's too scary. 490 00:28:01,139 --> 00:28:03,090 He liked disregards her concerns and answers. 491 00:28:03,510 --> 00:28:04,590 The bottom door is open. 492 00:28:05,310 --> 00:28:08,669 Then the last desperate texts from Barb just don't want to lose. 493 00:28:10,815 --> 00:28:11,715 To the prosecution. 494 00:28:11,745 --> 00:28:14,925 It was clear that Barb was at the house while Eli was with his friends. 495 00:28:15,705 --> 00:28:18,555 His friends testified that he acted strangely that morning and 496 00:28:18,555 --> 00:28:19,845 kept looking into his pocket. 497 00:28:20,565 --> 00:28:22,455 Of course not having access to cell phones. 498 00:28:22,695 --> 00:28:26,625 No one thought he was communicating with someone, Barbie scared of doing something 499 00:28:26,685 --> 00:28:28,305 in Eli, pushes her to go through with it. 500 00:28:28,875 --> 00:28:31,755 And all of this on the hours before Barbara is found deceased 501 00:28:31,755 --> 00:28:36,555 in her bed during the trial, Eli sat with the community lawyer and. 502 00:28:37,455 --> 00:28:40,935 The lawyer for nearly all the Amish people in the area had quite a say 503 00:28:40,935 --> 00:28:45,315 about the disgruntled couple as Eli's representative, Andy sifted, through 504 00:28:45,315 --> 00:28:48,765 pages of evidence, many of which were the letters written to Eli from 505 00:28:48,765 --> 00:28:53,625 Barbara expressing herself, Andy, a lawyer, nearly 20 years in the making. 506 00:28:53,955 --> 00:28:56,295 Wasn't even able to keep his calm composure. 507 00:28:56,355 --> 00:28:59,895 As he read through the heartfelt letters is one of the only times 508 00:28:59,895 --> 00:29:02,475 in his entire career that a case affected him emotionally. 509 00:29:03,015 --> 00:29:05,075 This was a case he would surely never. 510 00:29:06,615 --> 00:29:08,685 Eli had been the only man Barbara ever loved. 511 00:29:09,435 --> 00:29:13,095 She had no idea of the scope of infidelity that her husband had occupied himself 512 00:29:13,095 --> 00:29:17,715 with over the years, not even Andy was convinced the Vilas innocence, 513 00:29:18,675 --> 00:29:21,885 the trial resulted in Barbara Raber being found guilty of aggravated 514 00:29:21,885 --> 00:29:23,775 murder and sentenced to life in prison. 515 00:29:24,885 --> 00:29:27,435 She will be eligible for parole in 2032. 516 00:29:28,485 --> 00:29:31,395 Eli agreed to take a plea deal where he exchanged a guilty charge 517 00:29:31,395 --> 00:29:34,485 of complicity to commit murder for testifying against Rayburn. 518 00:29:35,220 --> 00:29:40,140 And was only given 15 years, this creme of passion shook the entire community. 519 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:43,350 It even brought forward many issues that are present with the Amish 520 00:29:43,350 --> 00:29:47,280 standards today, but the inability to hold domestic abusers accountable 521 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:51,360 for their actions, cases like the servers of landmark for what could 522 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:55,380 or should be changed in the future to prevent a crime like this taking place. 523 00:29:56,280 --> 00:29:59,370 Eli was clearly torn between a simple Amish life with the support of his 524 00:29:59,370 --> 00:30:01,530 childhood friends and family and a life. 525 00:30:02,534 --> 00:30:03,524 Free from the restraints. 526 00:30:03,524 --> 00:30:07,125 He felt from the church ruling over him in the more than 250 527 00:30:07,125 --> 00:30:10,245 years, the Amish community has been living inside the United States. 528 00:30:10,905 --> 00:30:13,935 This was only the third occurrence of a proven domestic murder. 529 00:30:15,074 --> 00:30:18,495 Although this is true to some extent, the Amish prefer to keep their matters 530 00:30:18,495 --> 00:30:21,524 to themselves and typically were refuse to bring in outside help. 531 00:30:22,125 --> 00:30:25,335 This goes the same for help from psychiatrists and psychologists, 532 00:30:25,725 --> 00:30:28,845 which explains why Barbara Weaver was unable to receive help for 533 00:30:28,845 --> 00:30:31,304 what she was going through when it was early enough to do that. 534 00:30:32,550 --> 00:30:35,070 If she had been able to get help, maybe her fate would 535 00:30:35,070 --> 00:30:36,030 have turned out differently. 536 00:30:36,690 --> 00:30:41,070 Eli has made himself available online again on write a prisoner.com. 537 00:30:41,910 --> 00:30:43,530 He says, he's looking for someone to talk to. 538 00:30:43,920 --> 00:30:45,420 As it gets rather lonely in prison. 539 00:30:46,380 --> 00:30:49,830 He described himself as a small town country, boy, and an avid outdoorsman. 540 00:30:50,850 --> 00:30:55,470 Soon he'll be out of prison in 2024 to be exact and aged 40. 541 00:30:56,970 --> 00:30:59,910 He has yet to show any remorse for taking his children's mother from 542 00:30:59,910 --> 00:31:01,740 them in such an unforgiving manner. 543 00:31:03,210 --> 00:31:06,480 People know him as the Amish stud who convinced his lover to murder 544 00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:10,770 his wife, but let's not tap into the sensation of the unusual story. 545 00:31:11,190 --> 00:31:14,760 And rather remember Barbara, the embodiment of a loving wife and 546 00:31:14,760 --> 00:31:17,160 mother with respect, respect. 547 00:31:17,160 --> 00:31:21,360 She never received from her husband with the temporary beard and roving. 548 00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:30,200 If you'd like to read more about this case, have a look at the resources used 549 00:31:30,200 --> 00:31:31,730 for this episode in the show notes. 550 00:31:32,360 --> 00:31:35,540 Also visit us on social media to see more about today's case we're 551 00:31:35,540 --> 00:31:37,070 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 552 00:31:37,610 --> 00:31:39,290 You can also check out our channel on YouTube. 553 00:31:40,490 --> 00:31:44,270 If you like what we do here at evidence locker, subscribe on apple podcast or 554 00:31:44,270 --> 00:31:47,419 wherever you are listening right now and kindly leave a five-star review. 555 00:31:48,320 --> 00:31:49,070 This was the evidence. 556 00:31:50,145 --> 00:31:50,925 Thank you for listening.