The case of Roberta Samard, an Oregon wife, comes under the spotlight in this episode of Snapped. When Roberta’s suicide attempt goes awry, leading to the death of her husband, Kenneth Arlen Samard, a military veteran and father of three, the cracks in their seemingly perfect marriage are exposed. The investigation looks into whether this tragic incident was an accident or a carefully crafted cover-up.
Initially, Roberta claimed that the gun she was holding accidentally discharged, resulting in Kenneth’s death. However, the prosecution painted a different picture, alleging that Roberta intentionally pulled the trigger. They argued that she had hidden the foreclosure and sale of their home from Kenneth, providing a motive for murder. In contrast, the defense presented a case of severe depression, asserting that Roberta’s actions were the result of a desperate mental state.
The case took a decisive turn, and Roberta was ultimately convicted of Kenneth’s murder, receiving a 25-year prison sentence. The case also captured the attention of another true-crime series, American Monster on ID, which featured the story in an episode titled He Wasn’t Supposed To Be Here.
Snapped: Roberta Samard airs on Oxygen True Crime on Sunday, 13 October 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
