'Dateline: The Man Who Knew Too Much' chronicles the horrific death of 20-year-old Michelle O'Keefe in Palmdale, California, and police soon learned that she was on her way back home after appearing in a music video in Los Angeles. The investigation quickly led to Ray Jennings, the security guard who claimed to have discovered the body.
Ray Jennings: Who Is He?
Ray, a father of five who was employed as a security guard, decided California was the ideal location for him to work. He soon adapted to an active lifestyle. Moreover, people who knew him said he was quite friendly.
Ray was also quite a hard worker, and his acquaintances were unable to believe that the authorities suspected him of sexual abuse and murder. On February 22, 2000, he was driving a blue mustang between a van and a second car in Palmdale, California, when he noticed something strange. The security guard immediately recognized Michelle inside.
Ray later said that despite the victim's condition, he noticed that Michelle was still breathing. Therefore, he decided not to administer CPR due to his desire to avoid disturbing the crime scene. They studied the vehicle together before calling the cops.
An initial medical examination revealed several bullet wounds, and an autopsy determined that Michelle was shot to death. Despite Michelle's friend, Jennifer Peterson, some claimed she had no immediate enemies.
Victoria mentioned that she saw Ray pass by before hearing a scream, which appeared to be gunshots. Nevertheless, when Ray was interrogated, police issued an arrest warrant for him, only to realize that he was returning to US soil.
What Has Happened to Ray Jennings?
Ray Jennings insists on his innocence and pleads not guilty in his first and second trials. Victoria Richardson testified she was under the influence of marijuana and had lost track of time. This time, the jury convicted Ray of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison in 2009.
According to reports, Ray spent ten years in jail before his case was discovered by Jeffrey and Clinton Ehrlich. The Ehrlich's believed in Ray's innocence and quickly presented new evidence which suggested that two unidentified individuals, supposedly gang members, might have been to blame for Michelle's death. So, in 2016, Ray was freed from prison before a judge overturned his conviction and acquitted him of all charges the following year.
Ray embraced privacy and prefers to keep his personal life under wraps following his acquittal. He currently lives in North Carolina and has a warm bond with his children. He is also gradually overcoming the obstacles of his past with the help of his loved ones.
