The People's Court Mystery: Michelle Parker's Case Reopened

On November 17, 2011, Orlando Basepartender Michelle Parker and her ex-Fiancé Dale Smith Jr. appeared on an episode of The People's Court. It's a reality show that first aired back in 1981 and ran for 26 seasons. Their dispute, a $5,000 engagement ring allegedly lost in a 10-six change. Dale Smith, you are suing your former fiancé, Michelle Parker, for $5,000 a statutory maximum for an engagement ring that according to you, she has not returned to you despite the fact that you two broke up. And then he said that he wanted his ring. So I took it off and I threw it out of him. Well, she threw the ring in a bounce over the railing and down nine floors. So the episode ended with a judge ordering both Smith and Parker to pay $2,500 towards the ring. The couple had twins together, a three-year-old boy and a girl. The day this episode aired back in 2011, Michelle dropped the kids off at Smith's home before planning to head to work. He was the last person to see Michelle that day before she seemingly vanished. Fifteen years later now, Dale Smith Jr. has been arrested by the Orlando Police Department and charged with killing Michelle Parker. We re-examine testimony and conflicting statements made by the suspect and used advanced indigital forensics to uncover and analyze additional evidence. This case never stopped being a priority. Our detectives kept working. They kept asking questions. They kept examining the evidence. Smith has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder and his attorney states that Smith maintains his innocence and said we're going to go forward with defending him. Smith is currently being held without bond at the Orange County Jail. I'm CBS News correspondent Chanel Call and this is Case by Case. Joining us today to break down developments in this cold case is CBS News correspondent Christian Benevedes. Christian, thanks so much for being with us. There's so much that's so fascinating about this case. Absolutely, Chanel. Thank you for having me. So I want to start with the timing of this, right? I know you've been covering this case since Smith was arrested last week. So even sat down with Michelle's brother and mother. And so how are they reacting to this huge new development 15 years later? Right. Chanel, well, there are a lot of emotions. The family has been waiting for this moment for 15 years. Michelle's mom told me that she had essentially no advanced notice and found out just hours before the announcement. She said that police called her in and there was a large group of detectives that told her the news. She knew something was going on when she saw the large group of detectives. I asked her if she felt that this was justice. And she said it is the beginning of justice. And what they really want is to find her remains. They believe that Dale Smith Jr. knows where Michelle's remains are and they're hopeful that he will tell authorities. So the people's court episode that we were talking about, right? That was centered on the couple's missing ring. That seemed to have revealed some of the dynamics in their relationship. I want to play a bit of that sound here. I'm actually met Michelle, probably 2006 and we were dating on and off about four years. And we had our breakups here and there and we had good times and bad times. We decided to finally get back together again and I went out and purchased an engagement ring. And that sort of married me at the beach on the pier down in Cocoa, Florida. And she said yes and she moved back in with me. He gets pretty malicious and vindictive and he's a mean person, especially when he's been drinking. Any of the problems that we've ever had, it's always been alcohol related. So Christian, do we know anything about what Michelle and Dale's relationship was actually like? I mean, what led up to that moment? Well, look, it had always been this sort of explosive relationship. Now Michelle's mom has said in prior interviews that Michelle didn't actually want to watch the episode because she felt that it was a humiliating day. Remember her relationship had been put on display for the entire country to see the show at the time was popular and it was something that Michelle evidently was embarrassed about. In the episode, there are also these ominous comments made hinting at their tumultuous relationship. So looking back, it just sort of, you know, gives you chills almost listening to it. It's said that they had been together on and off since 2006. There are also claims of infidelity on both sides. Michelle spoke to Smith's alleged behavior when he was under the influence of alcohol. It's quite extraordinary looking back and just wondering where their missed signs. And Christian, we were talking about just how massive this show was, right? Like it went on for 26 seasons. A lot of people watched this was super popular. Do you think the actual episode might be used as evidence in this trial? >> Yeah, certainly. I can see the episode being used to establish a timeline, potentially uncover a motive. But investigators haven't publicly stated what the motive could be. The judge from the People's Court, Marilyn Million, actually spoke out shortly after Smith's arrest saying that she was devastated and wondered if there was anything more than she could have done. The judge had expressed regret for joking and making light of the situation in that People's Court episode, something that didn't make it into the episode in 2003. The ultimate junior was this charge from the Marine Corps due to drug-related and domestic battery charges. So there was a criminal history there. >> So do we know of those domestic battery charges involved, Michelle? >> That's unclear. Michelle did file a restraining order against Smith in 2009, but this was ultimately denied due to insufficient evidence. >> So let's talk about the timeline and what we know about how this all played out, right? We're talking about something that happened November 17th, 2011. And as we talked about off the top, Christian, Smith was a last person really to see her after she dropped off the kids, the twins at his house that day. So how did Michelle's family actually find out or discover that she was missing? >> Right. The family first became suspicious when Michelle didn't pick up her 11 year old son from school. This is the child that she had before meeting Dale Smith, junior. The urgency only grew when Michelle failed to show up for work. When Michelle's mom got a hold of Smith, he said that he thought she was going to Waterford. This is an area east of Orlando. So this was odd because when a family member had texted Michelle about where she was, she had replied Waterford, but didn't give any context as to why she would be in that area. They had a lot of questions about who was actually sending that text message. >> So we know some things about what happened right after, right? The day after she went missing, investigators say that they found Michelle Parker's Hummer in a parking lot. And apparently that Christian led to the family believing that she was car jacked after that big appearance on the People's Court show. And what's interesting here is they had actually put out money hoping that they would find some information. They put out like $63,000 of a reward for anyone that could help find Michelle. They also had a nonprofit anonymous tip line that was offering an additional $5,000 reward. And then now, weeks after Michelle's disappearance, we know CBS News had actually reported that while the couple's relationship was rocky and you'd mention that, police said that Smith wasn't a suspect at that time. But then by December 8th, your Smith had eventually been identified as a suspect by Orlando police. What changed here? >> Right, look, yes, but he had no charges filed against him and had not been arrested seemingly due to insufficient evidence. Orlando police released red light camera footage of Michelle's car. And I mean, the investigator at that time said that it did not appear that anyone was following Michelle's vehicle or that she was following anyone. >> So there was actually no arrest or charges against Dale Smith Jr. until this year, right, 15 years later. What changed? >> Chanel, I think what's so difficult in this case is that they haven't been able to find Michelle Parker's remains. It's essentially a nobody case, although investigators say that they are continuing to search. Now, back in 2011, Michelle's phone was recovered from an Orlando area lake. And since then, according to their Orlando police chief, Eric Smith, they reexamine testimony from Smith. There have been advances in digital forensics that allowed investigators to analyze additional evidence. They looked into vehicles, phones, and computers. And so really these advancements in technology have led to this arrest. But I mean, for so many years, without being able to find the body, it's been difficult to bring up charges clearly, whatever this new evidence is, it's something that got them and prosecutors comfortable enough to bring forth these charges and make that arrest. >> So I guess the big question is, why do investigators have any sense or idea of a possible motive here? >> Right. I mean, that's the big question. They haven't publicly stated a motive. It seems like prosecutors are really playing this close to the chest. detectives have confirmed that there has been new evidence, but have given few details on what that might be, the judge sealed a 46-page arrest affidavit, which shows how police tied Dale Smith Jr. to Parker's killing. On Friday, October 16, prosecutors put forth an unopposed motion to modify the seal so that both sides would have access to the affidavit. A protective order would stipulate that they safeguard their report. This defense attorney does not believe that the affidavit has enough proof of guilt. We should note that Smith, Jr. through this entire time, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in this case. >> Let's talk about the charges here, right? Smith was arrested, Christian, on charges of second-degree murder. That, of course, means that it was intentional without premeditation. Talk about the decision behind that charge. What does that tell us? >> Right. >> Police have said that they could upgrade those charges to first-degree murder if they're able to get more evidence. Now, I spoke to a former prosecutor about this, a former Florida prosecutor, and he said that he was wondering if this could potentially be a way of getting Smith to reveal more about where Michelle's remains could potentially be. So, again, during the press conference, officials made it clear that they felt that the charges could be upgraded, and the question that this former prosecutor had, well, is this a way of getting him to tell detectives more about the case, perhaps bring closure to this family? >> Yeah, and this is a family that hasn't had closure for what, 15 years now, right? How have they been spending the last 15 years? >> Well, look, so in 2013, Michelle's family had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Smith when he became the prime suspect in her disappearance. The lawsuit stated that no other suspects have been identified in the criminal investigation other than Smith. However, Smith has not been charged with a crime related to the disappearance of Michelle Parker. In 2020, the family withdrew the lawsuit in what's called a voluntary dismissal. After Michelle's disappearance, Smith gained full custody of the twins. He and Michelle shared. Now, in 2015, Rick Scott, the Florida governor at the time, signed a bill into law that expands grandparents' visitation rights for minor children under certain circumstances. One of these circumstances is if a parent is dead and the other is a convicted felon. But three years later, Michelle's parents were denied visitation to their twin grandchildren since Smith had not been convicted. >> Wow. This must have been so painful. I mean, I just can't imagine, Christian, what this would have been like for a family to be kept away from basically their last living reminder of their lost child, lost sister. >> I know they use that down with Michelle's mother, Yvonne and brother Dustin. Let's listen to part of that conversation. >> I have to commend Orlando Police Department and the team of people that really rallied to help find justice for Michelle. They're my heroes. And we didn't know until early this morning that I needed to go down to headquarters and they came and picked me up. So when I got there, the thief within the room and about, I would say 15 other detectives. And I was like, this is going to be big. Maybe they found Michelle, maybe they arrested Dale. >> You guys have a message for Dale? >> No. >> Absolutely not. I'm glad he's worried about it. >> I got a message and it's now that it's out in the open, it's time to do the right thing. I want to bury my sister. >> I just have goosebumps hearing that, you know, obviously this has been so incredibly difficult for this family who's been waiting for answers. You know, all of the answers are not there yet, but we do have this arrest now. Are they relieved about that? >> And Chanel, I just want to note that, I mean, this is a family that's been fighting for this for so long. This is a case that if 15 years ago you turned on the news, national news or local news, you could not escape it. And they had released a voicemail at the time and then there was video released and throughout the years they continue to do these TV interviews and your heart just broke for them year after year after year. And as we noted at the top, Michelle's mother said this was just the beginning of justice. It's something that they've wanted for a long time, but what they really want is to find Michelle's body and they feel that Smith may hold those answers. So again, they're grateful, obviously, for the police work that has been done to get them to where they're at, but for them, there's also a long road ahead. I mean, that includes potentially a trial. Their focus is on potentially being able to find Michelle Parker's body. And if Smith has that information, you know, they're hopeful that he'll share that with authorities. >> There were so many really powerful moments from that interview with Yvonne and Dustin. I want to play one more. Tell, was mischievous, she was fun, she was super motivated and responsible, she was excellent mommy, she was a great daughter, she was a great friend and she has deeply missed every single day. >> So, Christian, you know, those twins are probably like 18 now. Those are children that have lived most of their lives without their mother, Michelle. How are they doing? Do we know anything about them? >> Well, what's interesting here is, yes, the twins are 18 now, and I mean, they've been living with Smith. He's had custody of them. And so at this point, in essence, they've lost to both of their parents. It's not easy on the entire family for Michelle Parker's side to be clear. This arrest has not brought closure, but rather a step towards what they think could be justice. You can only imagine what the twins are feeling at this moment, certainly having been raised by their father and having him arrested now. I mean, they're 18. They're still so young. So it's just the family feels such a mix of emotions. But at the end of the day, there is an arrest. It's something that for so many years, they had asked for, and they for so many years gave, as I said, these sort of emotional interviews, just this emotional testimony of trying to bring closure to this case. And this is one step towards that. >> Yeah, it sounds like it's been a really, really painful 15 years for them. And they are certainly looking for answers. Kristian, thank you so much for joining us today and for all of your reporting on this. >> Thank you, Chanel. >> And we'll be back next week with another episode of Case by Case. For our continuing coverage, you can check the Case by Case feed wherever you find your podcast. You can also watch episodes of Case by Case on the 48 hours YouTube channel or by searching Case by Case on Paramount Plus. Be sure to rate, review, and let us know which cases you're following and which cases you'd like us to follow. A mystery woman found dead in the woods murdered, but who was she? And how did she die not once, but twice? Follow and listen to The Woman in the Woods wherever you get your podcast.