The death of Barbara Kendhammer is getting another national airing.
CBS will broadcast “Mystery on County Road M,” on its “48 Hours” program Saturday, Jan. 29 at 9 p.m. It will chronicle the investigation and trial of Todd Kendhammer, a 51-year-old West Salem man who was convicted in the Sept. 16, 2016, death of his wife, Barbara.
La Crosse County prosecutors allege that Kendhammer killed his wife of 25 years and staged a car accident to cover up the crime. He was convicted in December 2017 after a 9-day jury trial. He is serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Kendhammer told investigators his wife was injured when a pipe flew off a truck and pierced the windshield of their car. She later died at the hospital. But the story didn’t make sense to La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke. His office contends investigators were never able to find the truck and that Todd Kendhammer gave police different accounts of where he was going that morning.
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Kendhammer maintains his innocence and still retains support from family members and friends. His lawyers are seeking a new trial, and a three-day hearing before La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Todd Bjerke was held last August. A decision on a new trial is still pending.
The broadcast marks the second time in less than two months that a national broadcaster has documented the case. “Lies, Crimes and Video,” was first aired on Headline News Network Dec. 12.
Photos: Inside the courtroom of the Todd Kendhammer trial
Kendhammer sentencing
Todd Kendhammer, convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara, is escorted out of the courtroom by a sheriff’s deputy Mar. 9 after his sentencing at the La Crosse County Courthouse. Kenhammer was given a life sentence for the crime, with a possibility of parole after 30 years.
Kendhammer sentencing
Todd Kendhammer, convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara, reacts Friday after his sentencing at La Crosse County Courthouse. Kenhammer was given a life sentence for the crime with a possibility of parole after 30 years.
Kendhammer verdict
Todd Kendhammer, convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara, looks toward his children and granddaughter Thursday night after hearing the jury's verdict. He was not allowed to talk to them, as deputies handcuffed him and escorted him out of the courtroom.
Kendhammer verdict
Todd Kendhammer is escorted from the courtroom in handcuffs Thursday night after being convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 9: Todd Kendhammer trial
Defense attorney Stephen Hurley makes his closing arguments during the Todd Kendhammer trial.
Day 9: Todd Kendhammer trial
District Attorney Tim Gruenke makes his rebuttal to the defense's closing arguments during the Todd Kendhammer trial.
Day 8: Todd Kendhammer trial
Prosecution rebuttal witness Justin Heim testifies Wednesday at the La Crosse County Courthouse during the trial of Todd Kendhammer, charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 8: Todd Kendhammer trial
Prosecution rebuttal witness Jared Loging testifies Wednesday at the La Crosse County Courthouse during the trial of Todd Kendhammer, charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 8: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer, found guilty Thursday night of the September 2016 murder of his wife, Barbara, walks out of the courtroom Wednesday during a break in his trial at the La Crosse County Courthouse.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer Trial
Defense attorney Stephen Hurley, left, and District Attorney Tim Gruenke look over questions by the jury during the Todd Kendhammer trial.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer Trial
Todd Kendhammer answers questions from District Attorney Tim Gruenke during the seveth day of his trial.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer Trial
Defense attorney Stephen Hurley, left, and District Attorney Tim Gruenke discuss a piece of evidence during the Todd Kendhammer trial.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer Trial
District Attorney Tim Gruenke cross examines Todd Kendhammer.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer answers questions while on the witness stand Tuesday.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer trial
Defense attorneys Stephen Hurley, left, and Jonas Bednarek and District Attorney Tim Gruenke talk before the trial began on Tuesday.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer trial
District Attorney Tim Gruenke cross examines Dr. Steben Cook.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer trial
Dr. Steven Cook answers questions while on the witness stand at the Todd Kendhammer trial.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer answers questions from his attorney Stephan Hurley during the seventh day of his trial. Kendhammer, 47, of West Salem, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife Barbara.
Day 7: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer demonstrates how he hit the windshield while on the witness stand Tuesday.
Day 6: Todd Kendhammer trial
A photo provided by glass expert Mark Meshulam of the Kendhammer vehicle is used as evidence Monday at the La Crosse County Courthouse. Todd Kendhammer is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 6: Todd Kendhammer trial
Glass expert Mark Meshulam testifies for the defense Monday at the La Crosse County Courthouse during the trial of Todd Kendhammer, charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 5: Todd Kendhammer trial
Flashing a rare smile in the courtroom, Todd Kendhammer, charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, confers with his attorneys Friday during his trial at the La Crosse County Courthouse.
Day 5: Todd Kendhammer trial
La Crosse County Circuit Judge Todd Bjerke listens as Todd Kendhammer's attorney Stephan Hurley questions a witness Friday at the La Crosse County Courthouse. Kendhammer is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife.
Day 5: Todd Kendhammer trial
State Crime Laboratory DNA analyst Kevin Scott testifies Friday at the La Crosse County Courthouse during the trial of Todd Kendhammer, charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara. An autopsy photo of Barbara Kendhammer’s hand is shown as evidence.
autopsy
Day 4: Todd Kendhammer trial
La Crosse County Sheriff's Department investigator Fritz Leinfelder, left, watches the interview of Todd Kendhammer from the witness stand during the fourth day of Kendhammer's homicide trial.
Day 3: Todd Kendhammer trial
La Crosse County Circuit Judge Todd Bjerke listens as Todd Kendhammer's attorney Stephan Hurley asks forensic pathologist Kathleen McCubbin a question during cross examination. McCubbin performed the autopsy on Barbara Kendhammer.
Day 3: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer's attorney Stephan Hurley asks forensic pathologist Kathleen McCubbin a question during cross examination. McCubbin performed the autopsy on Barbara Kendhammer.
Day 3: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer listens to the testimony of forensic pathologist Kathleen McCubbin a question during cross examination. McCubbin performed the autopsy on Barbara Kendhammer.
Day 3: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer's attorney Stephan Hurley asks forensic pathologist Kathleen McCubbin a question during cross examination. McCubbin performed the autopsy on Barbara Kendhammer.
Day 3: Todd Kendhammer trial
Forensic pathologist Kathleen McCubbin testifies during cross examination. McCubbin performed the autopsy on Barbara Kendhammer.
Day 3: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer’s attorney Stephan Hurley asks forensic pathologist Kathleen McCubbin a question during cross examination.
Day 2: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer's attorney Stephen Hurley addresses the jury during his opening statement.
Day 2: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer speaks with his attorney Stephen Hurley before the trial. Kendhammer, 47, of West Salem, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 2: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer's attorney Stephan Hurley addresses the jury during his opening statement. Kendhammer, 47, of West Salem, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 2: Todd Kendhammer trial
La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke shows the jury a photo of Todd Kendhammer's bloody knuckles during his opening statement. Todd Kendhammer, 47, of West Salem, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 2: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer listens during the opening statements. Kendhammer, 47, of West Salem, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 2: Todd Kendhammer trial
La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke speaks to the jury during his opening statement. Todd Kendhammer, 47, of West Salem, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 2: Todd Kendhammer trial
La Crosse County Circuit Judge Todd Bjerke gives instructions to the jury as the trial for Todd Kendhammer began. Todd Kendhammer, 47, of West Salem, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, Barbara.
Day 1: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer of West Salem is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife.
Day 1: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer of West Salem, charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife, is seen in court Monday, the first day of his trial, at the La Crosse County Courthouse.
Day 1: Todd Kendhammer trial
Todd Kendhammer of West Salem is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2016 death of his wife. His defense team will present its case after the prosecution rests its case Monday morning.
