Dr. Phil Visits Rodney Reed in Prison Before His Execution — Is He Innocent After All?
What will happen to Rodney Reed? In an all-new episode of Dr. Phil, which will premiere on Thursday, October 10, Dr. Phil McGraw goes to jail to get more details from the man himself, who is currently on death row but claims he is innocent.
On April 23, 1996, police found Stacey Stites — a 19-year-old who was about to get married — dumped alongside the side of the road in a small Texas town. At the time, DNA from semen found on Stites’ body pointed to Reed, who was arrested and convicted of murder. Rodney has been on death row for 22.5 years and has been denied a DNA test, which could ultimately prove his innocence and break the case. The whole time, Reed has insisted he didn’t commit the crime and that they have the wrong guy locked up. Reed claims he was having an affair with Stites behind her fiancé Jimmy Fennell’s back.
For the first time, Dr. Phil decided to go to death row to visit Reed — who is currently locked up in his cell. While speaking on the phone through glass, Reed and Dr. Phil have a conversation about what really occurred the night of the murder.
“Once they booked me in, it was the next day they asked me about Stacey,” the 52-year-old said. “You denied knowing her?” the 69-year-old psychologist asked.
“Well, yes I did,” Rodney replied. “So, you lied to the police,” Dr. Phil asked. “I did,” Reed replied. Of course, Dr. Phil wanted to know why he chose to do so.
Kevin Gannon — a retired NYPD homicide detective — also made the trip with Dr. Phil, and he finds out something that may change Reed’s case. Right now, Reed’s execution is set for November 20, but will Dr. Phil be able to crack the case? Is Reed innocent? Only time will tell.
Dr. Phil’s Rodney Reed episode airs on CBS on Thursday, October 10, at 3 p.m. ET.
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