The Murder of Karen Tipton

A DOCTOR'S WIFE IS MURDERED, SPELLING TRAGEDY FOR TWO FAMILIES AS A YOUNG MAN’S LIFE HANGS IN THE BALANCE

“48 HOURS MYSTERY” REVEALS NEW DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENTS IN A RIVETING LEGAL BATTLE THAT HAS PUT JUSTICE ON TRIAL

In March 1999, Karen Tipton, a mother of two and the wife of psychiatrist Dr. David Tipton, was found stabbed 28 times in her Decatur, Ala. home. And for the last nine years Daniel Wade Moore, who was convicted of the crime, has been at the center of an unprecedented legal battle, one that has his life hanging in the balance.

Moore, a former drug user, was only 24 when he was arrested for Tipton’s murder after he confessed to his uncle that he had been present at the scene of the crime. While being questioned by police, Moore stabbed himself with a penknife, a move that authorities believe stemmed from his feelings of guilt. Moore, however, says that he is not guilty, explaining that he was getting high on drugs at the time he confessed to his uncle and that he had actually made up the story to get away from his relatives. Dr. Tipton and investigators found Moore's explanation hard to believe. And despite questionable physical evidence, a jury agreed and Moore was sentenced to death for the murder of Karen Tipton. But this case was far from over.

Two years into his death sentence, Moore’s conviction was overturned. While preparing Moore’s appeal, his attorneys discovered an FBI report with stunning information about the Tiptons. The defense accused prosecutors of hiding the file, which speculated that Karen led a secret life that included extra-marital affairs and suggested investigating her husband’s possible involvement in the crime. After years of legal wrangling, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that Moore would be tried a second time. 

In February 2008, Moore returned to court, again facing the death penalty, his fate in the hands of 12 new jurors. Hoping to see justice served, both sides were dealt a shocking blow when the jury couldn’t reach a decision and a mistrial was declared.  But in an ongoing journey of legal limbo, Moore, currently out on bond and relishing time at home with his family, prepares for yet a third death penalty trial.  

Karen Tipton’s tragic murder has left many victims in its wake – two children forced to grow up without their mother, a husband who mourns his wife, a mother who stands by her son in his fight for freedom and Daniel Wade Moore who may be a casualty of the justice system.

Erin Moriarty reports on this controversial legal battle on 48 HOURS MYSTERY: "Truth on Trial," Saturday, Nov. 15 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. This broadcast is produced by Susan Mallie and James Stolz. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer and Al Briganti is the executive editor. Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.

Editors' Note: Click here to watch a preview of the broadcast. Click here for Erin Moriarty’s notebook. CBS News 48 HOURS MYSTERY broadcasts are now available on iTunes.