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48 HOURS MYSTERY
Air Date: Saturday, June 18, 2011
Time Slot: 10:00 PM-11:00 PM EST on CBS
Episode Title: "A Killer Defense" (Repeat)
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

A SCORNED WIFE SUES HER HUSBAND'S LOVER...THEN SOMEONE ENDS UP DEAD - CBS NEWS' "48 HOURS MYSTERY," ON SATURDAY, JUNE 18

PLUS: DEBATE THE CASE, LIVE ON FACEBOOK, WITH CORRESPONDENT PETER VAN SANT

Two years after his wife's death, Dr. Kirk Turner sat in a North Carolina courtroom, watching prosecutors lay out their murder case against him. He does admit killing his wife, but claims it was self defense. This story unfolds in Correspondent Peter Van Sant's report on 48 HOURS MYSTERY: "A Killer Defense," airing Saturday, June 18 (10:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Click here to watch a sneak peek of this week's show.

Kirk Turner and his wife, Jennifer, appeared to be a perfect match, until their 23-year marriage came to an abrupt end when Kirk announced that he was leaving her. While Kirk denied that his decision was the result of an affair, Jennifer learned that he was indeed cheating on her - with the family's personal banker. The Turners had seen incredible professional success, and with serious money on the line the split quickly became nasty. In addition to filing for divorce, Jennifer, determined to go after Kirk's girlfriend, filed an Alienation of Affection lawsuit against her.

The family was splintered; their children, Wendy and Richie, picked sides - she with her mother and he with his father. On Sept. 12, 2007, after Kirk showed Jennifer two legal documents that devastated her, Jennifer became so enraged that she grabbed a seven-foot long decorative spear and plunged it into his leg repeatedly. He insists he was defending himself when he slit her throat with his pocket knife, and nearly decapitated her.

While Kirk is adamant that it was self defense, investigators and prosecutors say the evidence showed otherwise. They believe that Kirk planned to kill his wife that day, and that he even went so far as to cover it up by stabbing himself with the spear. But what would a jury think? Was Kirk Turner protecting himself, or was his wife's death premeditated?

The 48 HOURS MYSTERY team wants to hear from viewers and fans online: If you were on the jury of the Turner case, how would you vote? Debate on Facebook here with Van Sant beginning at 10:00 PM ET/PT on Saturday, June 18.

48 HOURS MYSTERY: "A Killer Defense," is produced by Paul LaRosa, Chuck Stevenson and Susan Mallie. Kristin Whiting is the field producer. Doreen Schechter, Grayce Arlotta-Berner and Kevin Dean are the editors. Al Briganti is the executive editor. Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.

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