I just got done watching the story the small minded comunity police really baffles me how can a police force that has no homicides not ask for help I know they want to be the big boys in the yard and prove it themselves but come on they didnt fingerprint anything but the murder wepon and then they didnt follow the evedince of the fingerprints that were CLEARLY not the bf's Also what was up with the condom wrapper first the police say it was planted by the bf then they say he came to the apt and saw the condom wrapper on the counter and flew into a rage GET THE STORY RIGHT this story kinda remindes me of anouther Arkansas case in West Memphis of the West Memphis Three Damian Echols Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelly Jr. who were tried and convicted of mudering 3 children all because the police wanted to quickly solve the case it is sad that small town police SCREW UP the case by not looking for other suspects or just ignoring them as in this case when there was a rumor of a man seen leaving his gf's house ohh well Im glad he was found innocent as well he should have just reminde me NEVER to visit Arkansas  

I am a watcher of true crime shows and never before have I had chills run over me like they did when the 911 tape played. I heard raw emotion. I, too, wonder why the mother of the victim  seemed cheerfully self-conscious, but wonder if other footage of her exists. But, whoa! Why indeed did the stepfather erase the cell phone messages? Frugality? Cell phones are virtually free. As the mother of a teenage girl I know that if I lost her I would preserve the last messages of her life until I died. Fishy.  

I've just watched this episode a few minutes ago, and I must say, it was rather surprising that anyone at all bought the prosecution's arguments.

I may just be a junior in highschool, but for someone who's currently studying law, has a family member that has worked for the government, is aspiring a career in forensics, and underwent hours trying to figure out how to write a debate, I foresaw the jury's decision... and I am very glad that they saw what I have seen.

I wasn't surprised when the PD decided to interrogate Kevin first.  After all, he was the one who found her.  However, when they kept him in the room for hours, I became skeptical.  I'm pretty sure that wasn't suppose to happen.

And then, there came the evidence.  There wasn't much blood outside the immediate crime scene, I believe, but that does not mean there are no prints all over the place.  I was waiting for evidence stating that they printed the sliding doors, that they searched the place for footprints, that they searched the apartment top to bottom, and so on.  But I only heard about the evidence near Nona's body.

Prosecution says that they've found Kevin's prints near her.  No, duh.  He found her, he tried to revive her, he was trying to figure out what happend; I would be surprised if he has no prints there.  But what about the sink?  I'm sure he wouldn't wash his hands if he's frantic seeing Nona's body lying in a pool of blood.  But the killer would have to clean himself up.  How about footprints from the victim's body to the bathroom? There's an empty pack of condom, after all.  How about Nona's cellphone? If the battery was missing, the inside of the cover should have prints.

It became evident to me that the PD didn't look at the situation objectively.  They acted upon emotion.  They've already formed conclusions even before they looked for evidence.  It seems that they just wanted to finish the case so they could go home already.

It's pure BS.

My suspicions became even stronger when the memory of Nona's cellphone was completely erased.  No offense to anyone, but when your family member is killed and you find their cellphone lying around, I don't think you should use it.  I mean, I would rather keep it as a memoir.  My own cellphone issues wouldn't matter.  But that's just me.

There was also the incident with the polygraph.  Even if the investigator said he hasn't seen anyone fail that bad, I would ask for the hard copy of the polygraph data.  The credibility of the one who took the polygraph test was also befuddling.  Why would anyone let him take it if he's not authorized to take it in the first place?

And then they questioned grandma's credibility.  Yes, it is possible for any family member to lie so they could save a kin.  But it is highly unlikely that she would lie.  It's this thing called "aging out," and it says that as someone gets older, it's unlikely for them to commit a crime.  I'm sure it's the same for lying.  If they really do doubt her, why don't they check the store's surveillance? Or maybe ask other witnesses.

Most of all, why was Kevin the only one interrogated? They said that the others had alibis, and they didn't question them.  So why were they questioning grandma's credibility? And even if the others DID have an alibi, I would still prefer if they were interrogated and make sure that they are not lying.

I do hope that the Dirksmeyers and the Joneses wouldn't have a feud over this.  Yes, she was murdered.  Yes, he is a suspect.  But the novice method that the investigators took shouldn't fool them.  Anyone, regardless of their experience, should be able to point out what the investigators did not do.  If they're scared of another OJ Simpson case, then they should get an equally competitive prosecution team and at least make a more decent investigation.

As for Nona, I hope her true killer would be found so her soul may be put to rest.  And as for her mother Carol, I do hope she gets an answer and a closure.

I am pleased that Kevin was set free, this young man did not do it.  I see other's have noted the Step Father, I agree something is messed up here.  However, did anyone else see that the Mother showed no emotion at all!!!  I have two daughters and if something like this ever transpired, I do not think I could talk about it without breaking down.
This woman never batted an eye, showed no sense of suffering a loss.  She seemed Hard...

My take is the Mother, blamed Nona for both men molesting her!!!  I think she is the one that needs to be investigated.

I think the not guilty verdict was correct.  I fell
Nonas Mother and setpfather should be investigated.
Her Mother did not show any sorrow and her setpfathers
getting possesion of her cell phone sounds strange.

I think the not guilty verdict was correct.  I feel
Nonas Mother and setpfather should be investigated.
Her Mother did not show any sorrow and her setpfathers
getting possesion of her cell phone sounds strange.

I just can't believe the way this investigation was conducted. If the police were going to "start ruling out suspects", why not begin with the family.  There's something odd about the smiling mother, and way to casual step father.  They need to start there for answers.

Poor Nona. She was molested as a child; her mother remarried a man she didn't get along with so she moved out of her home; she was brutally murdered; her boyfriend was accused of her murder then acquitted; her murderer has not been found. Meanwhile, her stepfather's possession of the cell phone is suspect. Bet we'll find out something's wrong with him before Dateline wraps this story up. With Nona's history of abuse perhaps there was a reason for her to leave home. And what mother could be smiling when talking about the details surrounding her daughter's death? I found this both disturbing and bizarre. Between the mother,Carol, and her new husband, something isn't right. Add to the mix the inept investigator who had never conducted a homocide investigation before and it all added up to disaster for Kevin. Thank God the jury was made up of people who listened carefully to the facts and weighed what evidence there was.

I trust the jury. I'm sure there were things that the episode didn't present that cast additional suspicion on Kevin, but the jury had to live through that trial moment-by-moment, and I believe they're good people and made the right decision. Justice doesn't mean somebody gets punished for the crime; justice is when the criminal gets punished.

But what I really want to say is that I'm a little shocked at how quickly people can jump to the conclusion that the stepfather did it, or that Nona's mother was involved, etc., just based on the way they look or their mannerisms or because "you can see it in their eyes."

The two big tragedies of this story were the murder itself and the apparently wrongful prosecution of Nona's boyfriend, the latter arguably the more tragic of the two because the suspicions cast on Kevin continue to this day. Nona's family still proclaims that they "know" he did it, just the way some comments here claim to "know" that some other suspicious-looking person did it.

It's like all of us who watched the show are on a witch hunt seeking vengeance for the injustice done to Kevin. The thing is, we're falling into exactly the same mentality that caused that injustice in the first place!

If we convict people in our hearts based only on their quirks and mannerisms and a few threads of circumstantial evidence, we're no better than the detectives and prosecutors who railroaded Kevin.

I grew up in Dardanelle, a small town right across the rive from Russellville, and I can't believe even in a small town like Russellville, in this day and age, that the local Law Enforcement would be so inadequate in their persuit of a suspect. Their handling of the evidence and lack of evidence gathering is outright shameful. Especially when they were so focused on condemming an innocent young man. It was obvious what was happening. I have a problem understanding how the Judge in this case would allow the Russellville Newpaper place a newspaper dispenser in front of the courthouse while the trial was in session. Doesn't that negate the very reason the trial was moved to Ozark for trial! I think the Russellville Police Department needs to be investigated for their criminal handling of the entire case.

The local law enforcement should stick to what they do best...write traffic tickets for revenue.  Gross and horrific incompetence from the local police.  Sad and disappointing but quite common.  All should be fired and not allowed in public service in the state of Arkansas.

I agree with so many of these comments, but have some major questions...what is this talk of the mayor's son and Nona's finances?  Do tell!  And why  hasn't anyone mentioned the family spokesperson who was apparently related to the father that molested her.  What is his story?  Poor Nona.  What a sad story for both her and the boyfriend.  I'm a new parent and I could never imagine being so cold in discussing my only child's murder.  Although, I can't imagine how anyone could possible not know their husband is molesting their child either.  HELLO!  I know it happens, but I'll never understand it.

It seems strange that no mention was made of Nona's phone records (unless I missed it).  My montly cell phone statement shows every call I make and receive and I'm sure text messages could be tracked the same way even if they were erased from the phone.

I agree that Nona's parents didn't behave as I expected during the interview.  It reminds me of that case about 10 years ago where the mother drove her car into a lake with her two kids inside and then said they were kidnapped.

This truly is a tragic story and I hope the real killer is found quickly.

I was disturbed by Nona's sudden decision to move out soon after her mother married.  Her step-father's statements regarding his parental relationship with her were troubling which led me to believe that they did not have a good relationship. Furthermore, the revealation that he waisted no time in deleting Nona's text message responses from her cell phone after the police returned it him, sent up an instant red flag. I felt that he was a suspect that needed to be thoroughly investigated.  I also feel that Nona's mother is too close to him to see things from an objective point of veiw. This could be very dangerous for her if he is the murder and she came across evidence that linked him to the murder. Additionally, his frugal excuse for taking her cell phone to use as his own was extremely unconvincing. I feel that he intercepted the phone to destroy self incriminating evidence. Although he says he just happened to be out Christmas shopping when she was being murdered and he has receipts to prove it, does not prove that he was the person who actually made the purchases. Early in the interview, he revealed his need for control when  he stated that no one should be out of the house past 10:00 and he locks the doors by 9:00.  I feel that the boyfriend was setup by the step-father who was actually the jealous, controlling and violent one.  

Maybe there is more to the story of why Nona left her mom and step father's home.

I am glad others see what I see.  The mother and step father both are haunting me tonite.  I have never seen such a happy "mother" and her miserable husband.
He was being frugal by taking her cell phone.....I think he did it and the mother knows it.

whats the new evidence the defense attys presented? and
yes often the mother knows whats going on and just as often blames the girl and sides with the man (father, step, boyfriend) so sorry for nona.

Commenters on this page and the comments page of the article from Russellville both mention something about the mayor's son.  Can someone from the town please go more into details.  Also, what was wrong with Nona's family.  I must say, I never rarely ever watch any crime shows but I am convinced that this is a big cover-up by someone with enough power and connections to do it.

I would hope the State Police pickup on the new investigation with the Special Prosecutor and new evidence mentioned at the end of the program. Was the bar used to hold the sliding doors in the apartment? Were neighbors checked out? Did Nona work or go to college? Cell calls stepdad make to mom are suspect.

It doesn't take Columbo to figure out that this kid is innocent and that the investigation was blotched from the beginning. The police already had there killer named before even processing the evidence. I found it interesting that the mother showed no grief during her interview and it seemed as though she rushed to judgement in accusing the young man. Was there a reason for this? Perhaps she is protecting someone.Her husband seems like a cold hearted bastard. The only person who showed any emotion during the interview was Kevin. Even the uncle from Texas seemed cold and heartless.Is the uncle the brother of the accused molester father? Did they ever consider that the uncle had any involvement? Was there any motive in suspecting Kevin? Had the couple been fighting prior to the killing?It saddens me to see such a beautiful girl with such amazing talents to have such a tragic life, from the molestation she suffered at the hands of her father to her brutal murder. it saddens me to know that police, the ones who are suppose to "protect and serve" the community had to resort to such low standards while undergoing their "so called" investigation. I hope that this girl's killer is found and justice is served not only for her but for Kevin also. Lastly, shame on all of the people who are so quick to judge and convict.  

Well it seems pretty much a given that most folks think the stepfather is guilty.  He certainly has a creepiness to him that I found unsettling as it appears so did several of the viewers.  I would hope the police try investigating him instead of Nona's boyfriend.  There were so many clues dropped during this show about the stepfather's bizarre behavior, that it certainly would make him my prime suspect if I was the DA investigating this case.  

I donot understand such poor investigating,there is a ruthless killer out there somewhere! Would things have been handled differently if it had been an officers daughter or the investigaters sister.somene should be heald  accountable.thanks to dateline maybe someone will! my heart is broken for all those that truly lovethat precious child.















                   

Look at the Stepfather, he ignored the evidence and his shouting out after the verdict was read " Look's like you got away with it Kevin " just doesn't fit the behavior of a normal person, it's more the behavior of a guilty person wanting to throw the blame back on an innocent young man. I would not be suprised to find out that the stepfather was the guilty one.

Cell phone of a dead young beautiful girl erased and handled by creepy step father = guilty creepy step father with lame excuse.  THE END

The jury should be applauded for the job they did and for the decision they set forth. The evil step-father and the smiling emotion-less mother should be investigated to the end. The botched crime scene investigation (if you can call it that) is at best..shameful. We can all only hope and pray that this stellar defense team is on the road to finding Nona's killer. And they won't have to look very far either......

Very strange. I am so sad for both Kevin and Nona. The mother and the stepfather look pretty suspicious. Mom's affect is so flat, as though she does not even acknowledge the very tragic death of her daughter. So sad that Nona may have been in a very dysfunctional place, and it seems like for the majority of her life. Cutting, or self injurious behavior is a real sign of deep suffering and pain. The mother and step dad seemed to have inappropriate body language or something. I agree with an earlier comment in that maybe a behavioralist needs to look closer at the dynamics of the mom and stepdad and the relationship they may have had with Nona. It was obvious that Nona had a sad and short life with probably more dysfunction than we may ever know. So glad Kevin was found innocent, and I hope he can move on with his life.

Look at the Stepfather, he ignored the evidence and his shouting out after the verdict was read " Look's like you got away with it Kevin " just doesn't fit the behavior of a normal person, it's more the behavior of a guilty person wanting to throw the blame back on an innocent young man. I would not be suprised to find out that the stepfather was the guilty one.

You can find more information on the Nona Dirksmeyer Murder at helpfindthemissing.org
http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=55

I am so glad that the verdict for Kevin was not guilty. In regards to Nona's mother and step-father, they are very weird. No emotion. No sense of loss was expressed at all. Certainly the family has had issues from day one. The mother "not knowing" her daughter was being molested by her father. This is hard to believe. The mother is in DENIAL. Then, how convenient that Kevin be pulled in and interrogated for three hours, not anyone else. The step father and mother need to be polygraphed, cross-examined AND finger printed. I would not put it past either of them. How come Nona moved out when the stepfather moved in? There was some conflict of interest there. And then the erased cell phone. You take your stepdaughter's cell phone that had her blood on it and decide to use it because you're "frugal". Furthermore, how come the only ones who did speak of Nona fondly were NOT her parents but her boyfriend, her boyfriend's parents and her friend's mother. This is a very sad case. This poor girl was brutally murdered and she doesn't even have decent enough parents who can show emotion over it. Something was very wrong here from day one.

Ya, I really thought it was weird that the mother didn't seem to be upset at all....she grinned!?!? MY mother would be histerical. It seems like the new homicide investigation guy just wanted to prove he could convict someone so he picked Kevin. I think he is innocent and the jury made the right decision. Maybe Russellville should think about investing in some training for their investigation crews.

I saw this when it aired a few months ago, and I immediately thought it was the creepy stepfather. Nona's mother didn't protect her from her first abuser, her first husband, and didn't protect her from her current husband.  How convenient for this guy that the police blamed poor Kevin.  He must think he's the luckiest guy on earth huh?  

I too agree that the mother & stepfather are the ones that should be investigated.

Also, It is rather odd that her Stepfather wanted the cell phone. Thats a little selfish if you ask me, considering the fact that hmm...I dont know...YOUR STEPDAUGHTER JUST DIED!!! I know that if I passed away...my parents would be mourning my loss,concerned about funeral arrangements..etc.. and not thinking of getting things for themselves for their own personal convenience, much less use.

Also, I dont know why Police didnt try contacting the cell phone service provider to get the phone numbers of all the incoming and outgoing calls. Same goes for the text messages. I know you cant read whats on the actual message, and with the cell phone you cant listen in on the calls, but they CAN provide you with a list of incoming and outgoing phone numbers from your inbox. I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT.

I am convinced that Kevin did not kill Nona. Do I think that Nona's stepfather killed her? I don't know. Is there any more information about the man that was seen around Nona's apartment the day of the murder? Was there a description? Did the police ever get a hit on the finger prints on the murder weapon? Did anyone say if it was a forced entry or not? Would a normal rapist use a condum? Was there any evidence that she might have known her attacker? Was Kevin's grandmother and Nona's stepfather given an opportunity to take a lie detector test? I wonder if they would willing to take one. There are more questions then answers.

I found it odd that the mother said the step dad had called her 8 or 9 times the day of the murder when he usually didn't call at all or maybe once!  The step dad mentioned he had receipts from here or there during the time Nona was murdered. Hmmmm. You can pick up receipts off the ground in parking lots at any store!  Kevin seemed like a sweet boyfriend.  The night they videotaped him hitting the chair and crying "what am I going to do"(?) was the night he found his true love murdered!  I think most people would be distraught!  Shame on the police and prosecutors!  Some day, the mother will be surprised when she finds out who really did it; or will she?

Please, someone from the local Arkansas area tell us what they know about the other guy.  Was it the Mayor's son.  If she was having some type of affair with the Mayor's son it would definitly help explain the cover up investigation and the bias, unsensitive and raunchy newspaper articles.  However, I still lean toward the step-father.  Would he be willing to take a "legit" polygraph test?  Cheap men don't spend all day shopping...by themselves..enough said.  If he was such a cheap man- what else of the deceased did he keep.  Furniture, T.V, stereo, computer, jewerly..etc.  Probably just the damn cell phone.  Now ask yourselves why?  The mother will go to her grave in denial.  I have learned the hard way about not judging a book by its cover.  However,  the mother knows something that we, the audience, do not.  Her fake smiles are a conscience effort to hide her pain, guilt, denial and shame.  

This act of murder happened about two and a half years ago.  If it had happened just two and a half days or even months ago and the audience knew the facts as they do now..... not only would the entire state of Arkansas demand justice... but this would be national and daily news until solved.  With that being said, I personally would ask Dateline to do whatever possible to get more facts. In addition, I believe small town people know everything about everyone.  Please, if you know something have the strength to come forward. Call the FBI, leave your information of evidence on the doorstep of the state prosecutors home, send a letter to the defense team, I don't mind your decision- but do something.  Speak up...tell the truth.  

stepdad deleted the cell phone from the murder scene because hes frugal?  very unusual.   I really hope he is investigated rigorously.

From watching the segment, it seems like the Stepfather did it. No normal person would ever use her cell phone after the murder. Only a guilty person would have erased all of the evidence from the phone. He also came across as strangely distant about the murder and about Nona. For that matter, the Mother seemed to be oddly emotionless as well. I think that they are the ones who should have been investigated or should be questioned further now. Shame on the police for not taking more evidence and fingerprints. Shame on the town for having such tunnel vision on one suspect. I hope that justice is served for the innocent murder victim.

The mom and step dad both creeps.  Mom was smiling, step dad eerily erased phone memory.  I think step father is the one who should "man up" and admit what HE had done.

This disturbed me to no end.. How in that families right mind could they blame Kevin when it was proven he hasn't done a thing.. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE!!! I know they want to blame someone, but how can you so easily turn on someone you came to love??

There is something not right with the step father. I strongly feel he is the one involved with her death. Her mother knows it but she is in denial. She already lost one husband and is terrified of loosing another even though it cost her her daughter. Some women will do anything to keep a man.  I wish I could face him. He is the one that needs to man up. If justice is not served on earth it will be served when he meets his maker.

As soon as you reported that the stepfather just happened to be Christmas shopping and had receipts to prove it the first red flag went up. And he kept calling his wife at work to make sure she was there and not going to show up unexpectedly at her daughter's home. I think he should be a prime suspect.

hey "K, from Russellville", i'm dying to know what you meant in an earlier comment about the mayor's son and nona's finances.  oof...  it's all so shady, so tragic, and so sadly unjust.  

 There is definitely more to this case than meets the eye. Its scary how so many presumably inteligent people start pronouncing "I know he did it." Based on what evidence?
And Nona's stepfather, creepy or what. Definitely should get his collar felt by the powlice.

Something struck me as very strange in this case.  In almost every clip of Nona's mother she seems almost happy not at all like a grieving mother.  I also saw a brief clip where she was talking about how strange it was that her husband called her more than 8 times during the time of the murder, maybe I heard that part wrong but it sounded like she was suspicious of him.  With the history of Nona's mother overlooking her sexual abuse is it possible that she overlooked her new husbands dark side.  I don' want to jump to conclusions but the entire time I watched this investigation unfold something didn't sit right when ever Nona's mother and step father were interviewed.  Even though you are struck with grief how can you possibly say that Kevin was guilty after every piece of evidence played clearly says, he was not guilty.  Kevin's emotion was as real and vivid as emotion can be.  I cried for him because you could feel the pain he was feeling.  He was the only person in the whole show besides his mother that showed emotion.  I hope that an update show will follow and I hope that justice will be served for whom ever committed this horrendous crime. P.s. if kevin would have picked up the light bulb portion of the lamp which is the only portion that has his print (and would imply that he would have had to pick the lamp up from there to use as a weapon) and slammed it into her don't you agree the bulb would have shattered with the force that they say hit Nona, it was in one piece! A light bulb is not strong enough to withstand that kind of force.

After reading the comments, no one mentioned the fact that she had moved out from the family home right after her step father came on the scene. He stated that perhaps she didn't like the cerfew and would lock the door.
My gut is telling me that there is someting more going on with her side of the family that needs to be  looked into more closely. I thought that Keith Morrison did a great job of presenting this story totally unbiased!
I will be watching for further developments regarding this case.

Mr. Morrison--will you please keep all of your loyal viewers updated on this case?  I share the sentiments of just about everyone before me--this is a chilling murder, complete with botched investigation, and yes the mom and stepdad are, well, creepy.  I think we all agree that we are staying tuned for more.  Hopefully young Kevin can move on.

Thank You for showing the "unjustice" system in this country. Thankfully the boyfriend received a fair "juror" trial. The stepfather looks so guilty. He called the wife 6 times that day and she said in all years married he never called her at work before.I believe one text msg to Nona was, "Why do you lead me on"-flashed quickly on the screen-Step Father gets phone and erases everything although he wants to have the boy friend found guilty? Any parent would demand the phone be checked for evidence. Probably took the battery when he had no time or could not figure out how to erase the messages.He conveinently had xmas receipts ready to prove aliby-yet he's a frugal cheapskate?.Based on the text msg,maybe his curfew rules were not why she moved out, and she did not want to tell her mom.Step dad looks pretty Guilty with more evidence then they had on the boyfriend!What happened to no newspaper rule for Jurors-they let the newstand be outside the court house doors the whole time during the trial? Reeks of corruption- check the step dads finger prints and lock him in a room for over 3hrs with fake poly test.
Kudos to the stellar defense team for not just moving on and wanting to bring closure for the boyfriend and justice for Nona.Please update us on outcome of this case.

Who is this half-brother anyway?  Is he the son of her deceased father from an earlier relationship?
Maybe he became incensed that Nona had accused his (their) father of molesting her.  Maybe the family suspects him but is afraid of him.  Nona's Mother and Stepfather definately behaved in a strange fashion given the situation.  Maybe they have to keep up a front because of their fear of the half brother.

I grew up around Kevin and his family. I grew up with the Jones' in church and his mother was my Sunday school teacher. They are truly good people and I think that small town politics are involved but in the fact that this small town wanted a conviction and they didn't care who it had to be and in this case I think that Kevin's family's strong faith in God helped the jury see through all the garbage brought against him. God sees all and knows all and it is He who is the final Judge. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Nona but I am glad to see Kevin found Not Guilty.He is a good person from a good and solid background, Kevin grew up in the same church as I did and we were both taught the same morals and I believe he is incapable of such a horrible crime.

Most of us in Russellville know who murdered Nona.  It was a very prominant local officials son who had been seeing Nona behind Kevins back.  It has been a huge cover up.  Justice will be done but it may take a while.

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