Westfield murder case to be featured on '48 Hours'

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WESTFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- This weekend, an episode of the crime investigation series '48 Hours' will feature a case we have been following over the years involving a Westfield police detective who was recently sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife of 33 years. We sat down with '48 Hours' correspondent Nikki Battiste for an exclusive preview of the episode.

Brian Fanion, a respected detective, and his wife had spent 33 years together and were planning the next chapter in their life when Amy died from a gunshot wound to the head. The gun that was used was his service weapon.

What happened in their dining room that morning? What other evidence did investigators have that pointed to his guilt?

Battiste: "One of the big pieces of evidence wasn't from that crime scene right in the house. It was actually from a computer. Investigators found searches on a computer that Brian Fanion used 11 days before his wife's death on gunshot residue. They also found that he had watched a news report on YouTube about gunshot residue…also before her death. This really becomes critical in this case. He was a cop, you might wonder why he might have been searching that. At the Westfield Police Department, gunshot residue isn't something that they ever work with and they didn't have experts in the area, but Brian Fanion was a detective who did go to crime scenes and autopsies."

If Fanion did commit murder, what would be his motive?

Battiste: "Prosecutors say, as you mentioned, that Brian was trying to start a new chapter in his life and that he was about to retire. Prosecutors also say he met a woman during a church missionary trip in Mexico and they had some sort of romantic relationship. Prosecutors said he didn't want to divorce Amy because it would've looked bad. This was a well-known family in the community. In Springfield, you've probably heard of this case. One local reporter said they were like the Kennedys of Westfield, so the prosecutors say it would've looked bad for him if he divorced his wife."

Were any fingerprints found on the gun?

Battiste: "The gun was tested and partial fingerprints were found, but investigators weren't able to identify them. However, both Amy and Brian had gunshot residue on their hands. When Brian was first found at the crime scene, he was found holding Amy's hand, so it was possible that gunshot residue may have been transferred then."

What was the most unusual element of this case for you?

Battiste: "I've covered a lot of criminal cases, other cases that involve two spouses as a defendant and victim, but what I've never seen before, is in this case, the victim's family, Amy Fanion's family, the majority of her family supports Brian Fanion. To this day, they believe he is innocent. They wrote a letter to the D.A. saying they support him and they believe Amy took her own life. Even her own mom testified on the stand saying that. I've just never seen that before."

You can watch '48 Hours' Saturday at 10 p.m. on CBS 3

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