need to add title here

Ransom

May 12, 2012 7:45 PM

A millionaire's son kidnapped, a ransom note demanding $750,000 and a family on the edge of terror. Peter Van Sant reports.

"We have Robert" warns $750,000 ransom note
Add a Comment See all 161 Comments
by zivia3 May 3, 2013 7:56 PM EDT
I think it's also possible that they got into some sort of argument and Wiles ended up dead. Then he panicked and realized he needed to cover it up in some way and decided to come up with the kidnap story, possibly thinking he could get rich at the same time.
Reply to this comment
by mrgwr39 January 5, 2013 11:46 PM EST
This is a disgusting example of injustice. The family said they are still hoping Robert walks through the door someday which means they are not even sure he is dead or that Toby did this, despite what they said in interviews. They were just looking for closure and didn't give a damn about justice. They just wanted to feel good about somebody being convicted of his killing without any evidence whatsoever that he did anything. How do you convict someone of manslaughter and not kidnapping in a case where there was a ransom demand and a kidnapping supposedly happened. How do you explain this verdict? What is this? Where in the world does this constitute justice in any shape or form. I want to know what world the judge and jury lives in that this makes any sense. This is just making someone a scapegoat to make a family feel good. When he does his appeal and this gets to a higher court I have to wonder how this judge remains a part of the bar. How can you convict someone on pure speculation without any evidence whatsoever. This is really the strangest thing I have ever heard of in the United States justice system. The jury had to say to themselves, "Well he must be guilty because the prosecution says he is even though they produced no evidence." How in the hell did they even get an indictment? I would have liked to hear the judges instructions to the jury before they were sent to deliberate. Something smells here and it will continue to smell from now into eternity or until somehow they come up with something conclusive as to what happened and who did it. If you say he looks guilty or he sounds guilty you are a complete imbecile because trials and convictions are supposed to be based on evidence and there certainly wasn't one shred of evidence of any kind here only pure speculation. I wish I could speculate myself into getting more money since it seems apparent you can speculate someone into being convicted. If this is what our justice system has come to than basically we have eliminated the principles of innocent until proven guilty and changed them to innocent until we can speculate that you are guilty and that is now enough to convict a person. If that is the case it is time to get the hell out of the United States of America.
Reply to this comment
by mrgwr39 January 5, 2013 11:25 PM EST
I find it extemely amazing that they are hoping that Robert would walk through the door and yet they are willing to let someone be convicted of his murder. It sounds like they are not sure if Toby killed him really and they are just seeking closure at Toby's expense. This is not justice. There was no evidence whatsoever.
Reply to this comment
by Justiceseeker72 January 2, 2013 11:28 PM EST
The family all stated that they were hopeful that Robert could somehow, someday "walk through the door " sounds to me like even the family has reasonable doubt that a murder ever occurred. I sincerely hope this defendant is awarded an appeal.
Reply to this comment
by TomOK19993 September 17, 2012 8:21 AM EDT
This ransom episode is one of the most bizarre cases I have ever seen as far as 48 Hours is concerned. Who knows what Toby Holt had to do with the disappearance of Robert Wiles? I don't see it. I wish they stop sending the most suspicious person in the case to jail. It's true that Toby Holt is constantly smiling, which is kind of odd. But I'm not convinced at all that he has something to do with Robert's disappearance.
Reply to this comment
by Viper55555 July 5, 2012 8:09 PM EDT
When a loved one is kidnapped and told not to contact authorities or they will be causing the death of there loved one, the family always contacts authorities then wonder why it all goes wrong.
I know it sucks and calling authorities is first instincts, but all the authorities care about for a fact is to catch the criminals and nothing else. Otherwise they wouldn't choose to do what they do.
I'm calling it from the facts I've seen over and over in cases like this.
Plus, what are the parents thinking about.
They said all they wanted to pay the ransom despite what the cops wanted, but this was only after no one picked up the money (coffee) the planned pay day. Which by then was already too late cause they had already called and told everyone they could. So knowing they screwed up, now they say they only want to pay up to get there son back. But its already too late with everyone they got involved. Plus they had kidnap insurance, so why risk there sons life and with the money being covered, the cops don't care and only care about getting credit for catching the criminals.
Cops say paying ransoms causes the death of the victim always since they've been paid. But the chances are equal to not paying and I even believe there is a better chance of survival.
Only idiots would try to get the money, knowing authorities have been notified.
Sorry to say, but the parents messed it up by calling the authorities and then realizing they should've tried going along with the instructions first, after the cops messed it all up.
Its obvious the authorities wanted a arrest more then getting there son back.
This always happens the same outcome I've noticed.
Reply to this comment
by IdenCruz July 1, 2012 1:19 PM EDT
Toby was all smiles. He looks very creepy to me! An innocent man wouldn't act like that!
Reply to this comment
by nimiru June 21, 2012 10:07 PM EDT
Wow! If this is what passes as justice it is a sad day indeed. Obviously the jury wasn't so sure as it found this fellow guilty of manslaughter. The sentance is ridiculous. That would be more appropriate for a more serious offence. It almost seems as if it's is up to an innocent person to spend the rest of their life sitting in prison trying to prove their innocence. Guilt is a given if charged. Little wonder America has 5% of the worlds population but 25% of the worlds prisoners.
Reply to this comment
by Kukizx3 June 17, 2012 7:38 PM EDT
I feel for the family, but at the same time I am outraged! It seems to me that when you are rich, you get a special treatment! This is a good example what's wrong with America.. FBI is kissing ass, local Police kissing ass, judge kissing ass. How can you convict a man for manslaughter without a body? If that was an average Joe or black they would not bother to go out of their way trying to find poor persons son. I see corruption in this somewhere.
Reply to this comment
by l64 June 14, 2012 2:39 PM EDT
Wow... the lessons here are: Always drive with your hands on 10 & 2... Don't EVER have problems with your co-workers... this is truly a sad case. Although I can't say I would ever want this guy as a friend, but I certainly couldn't convict him with the evidence or lack there of.
Reply to this comment
See all 161 Comments
Recent Shows

  • 48 Hours iPad App

    Big changes for the 2012-2013 season! Watch the current week's episode for FREE up to a week after it airs or subscribe for access to all shows, classic episodes and more!