A Family Torn Apart
To many, it seemed to be a perfect life. Jane and Bob Dorotik had been married for 30 years. But then it all turned sour. In February 2000, Bob disappeared. Early the next morning, his body was found by a mountain road near their home. He had been beaten and strangled.
Three days later police arrested Jane for murder. She claimed she was completely innocent, and said that she loved her husband. But police say she had ample motive. The couple, who had separated and reconciled once, were reportedly not getting along.
But the main motive was money. Police said that Jane worried that if the couple divorced, she would have to pay him almost $50,000 a year in alimony. They said that this would put a crimp in plans to expand her own business, raising and grooming horses.
Police also say there was also ample physical evidence against her. The prosecution claimed that Bob was actually killed in the couple's house, and then dumped on the road. Detectives say they found "massive" amounts of blood in the couple's bedroom.
But many people close to Jane, including her daughter Claire, insist Jane is innocent and believe the real killer remains at large. Jane's attorneys came up with an unusual way to defend their client - and their strategy tears the family apart.
After deliberating for four days, the jury found Jane Dorotik guilty of first-degree murder.
As for Jane's daughter – the verdict officially ended speculation that Claire, not her mom, killed Bob Dorotik. But it didn't answer all the questions. Some, including the judge in the case, suggested that Claire may have been involved.
Jane was sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison.
© MMII, CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved. Three days later police arrested Jane for murder. She claimed she was completely innocent, and said that she loved her husband. But police say she had ample motive. The couple, who had separated and reconciled once, were reportedly not getting along.
But the main motive was money. Police said that Jane worried that if the couple divorced, she would have to pay him almost $50,000 a year in alimony. They said that this would put a crimp in plans to expand her own business, raising and grooming horses.
Police also say there was also ample physical evidence against her. The prosecution claimed that Bob was actually killed in the couple's house, and then dumped on the road. Detectives say they found "massive" amounts of blood in the couple's bedroom.
But many people close to Jane, including her daughter Claire, insist Jane is innocent and believe the real killer remains at large. Jane's attorneys came up with an unusual way to defend their client - and their strategy tears the family apart.
After deliberating for four days, the jury found Jane Dorotik guilty of first-degree murder.
As for Jane's daughter – the verdict officially ended speculation that Claire, not her mom, killed Bob Dorotik. But it didn't answer all the questions. Some, including the judge in the case, suggested that Claire may have been involved.
Jane was sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison.
© MMII, CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved
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- I'm definitely convinced she's guilty but It doesn't matter, Jane is right where she belongs since she was INVOLVED in the murder in some way. If the daughter is involved then her mother is as well. Two peas in a disgusting pod. The worst thing is that the daughter isn't also in prison for life.
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- I am not convinced that Jane did this crime. I really believe the daughter had something to do with it. She is obviously a psychopath and has no problem having her mother serving a sentence that should be hers.
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