Kathryn Casey
Mysteries and True Crime

SHATTERED:

David Temple's appeal was heard by the appeals court in January 2010. They have yet to rule.

Below is a post from my guestbook page that I didn't want to answer there. Too many spoilers. I thought I'd paste it here, since I couldn't reach the person to respond personally: Hi Kathryn, I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Shattered". I fear an appeal will be successful however. I believe Temple is guilty but, after one reviews the hard evidence against him, there isn't any. Seigler did as many prosecutors do these days, and tried the case on emotion. As for David greeting Belinda at the door with a shotgun, to me that is implausible almost to the point of laughter. If I met my wife at the door like that, she would laugh. I assume that most anyone's wife would not just throw their hands up in the air and march to an isolated upstairs bedroom closet. And as far as the soup that Belinda had brought home being left-out on the counter, I would do the same. It's not about to spoil within a few hours so what's the point of refrigerating soup that will be consumed shortly? Maybe it was in a tupperware bowl and too hot to shove in the fridge? Or, maybe she just had to use the restroom? That would possibly even explain her dropping the keys on the stairwell in her rush to relieve herself... The fact is, I don't believe that David premeditated her murder at all. The scenario I envision is that they got into an argument when she returned home about David not picking-up Evan as they had earlier agreed. Then David may have punched her, knocking her out. Realizing that she would require medical attention and that he'd likely be jailed (not to mention the horrific publicity that comes with Domestic Violence) he then went to his truck and retrieved the 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun he kept behind the seat. He shot her in the face to cover-up the punch he had earlier inflicted upon her. You'll probably read this and say "write your own book", and after re-reading this lengthy comment before I submitted it, I realize I almost did...

KC: We'll have to wait and see about the appeal. I don't have a clue about that. In all honesty, I don't think anyone dared laugh at David, especially not Belinda. She'd been kowtowing to him for a very long time. She was so affected by him, she was actually a different person around him.

I didn't suggest that the soup, which I believe was cold when she picked it up not hot, on its own painted the picture, but certainly when considered with the keys, she still had her driving glasses on, her shoes were on, etc., it suggests what could have happened that day. The truth is that unless David confesses, we'll never truly know exactly what happened in the house that day. I do believe it was premeditated, however, for many reasons, but perhaps the most telling that David wasn't at all upset when Heather told him she couldn't go on as they had been. In my opinion, he wasn't upset, because he had already decided to erase the problem by murdering Belinda. Did he plan to do it that particular afternoon? Probably not, but the opportunity presented itself when he was home alone in the house for hours, which gave him plenty of time to prepare.


A DESCENT INTO HELL:

Colton Pitonyak's appeals have all failed thus far. He's mounted one now claiming that Laura Hall is the true killer. For reasons spelled out in my book, I see this as a desperate lie. I've heard from some of his fellow inmates, and Colton keeps much to himself. He reads a lot, books his parents send.

Laura Hall's convictions stand, but the appeals court overturned the punishment phase of her trial. A new jury was held and her case retried to set punishment. This was a risky maneuver for Hall, who'd already served 22 months of her 5-year sentence and was eligible for parole. New evidence was presented, including jailhouse phone calls in which she threatened the victim's mother, the jury and prosecutors from her first trial, even Allison Wetzel, the prosecutor in her second trial. In the end, the resentencing went against her, and the jury sentenced her to the max, ten years behind bars. Because she has credit for time served, Hall is already up for parole. Here's how to protest:

Snail mail:

TDCJ – Victim Services Division8712 Shoal Creek Blvd, Ste 265Austin, Texas 78757

Or Email: victim.svc@​tdcj.state.tx.usFAX: 512-452-0825

Include this information:

Name: Hall, Laura

State ID: 07572662

TDCJ Number: 01654372

The review process takes about four to six months, but do it now, while you're thinking about it. Laura has threatened violence, and there's no reason to think she's not capable of it if she's released. She's a very disturbed young woman.

A WARRANT TO KILL:

Later editions have an updated author's note at the end. Kent McGowen was tried a second time and this time found guilty and sentenced to 20 years. He's currently still in prison. His parole was denied in early 2008. He'll be eligible again in September 2011.


SHE WANTED IT ALL:

Celeste Beard's appeals have all been denied. Celeste is still working with Clara Harris (the murder by Mercedes case from Houston) typing books into brail.

Tracey Tarlton has been quite ill in prison. She's eligible for parole in 2011.


DIE, MY LOVE:

Piper Rountree's appeals have all failed. Someone who knows her in prison in Virginia tells me she's still protesting her innocence.


EVIL BESIDE HER:

Thank you to everyone who has written the Texas Parole Board to ensure that James Bergstrom remains behind bars. He was refused parole for a second time on June 11, 2010. He's again eligible in June 2013. Although I know that's a while off, I urge you to write to protest. James is a dangerous psychopath, and we're all safer if he remains behind bars. To protest:

Via email to:
victim.svc@​tdcj.state.tx.us

Or snail mail:
TDCJ Victims Services
8712 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Suite 265
Austin, TX 78757

Or Fax: 512-452-0825

In your letter, state why you believe Bergstrom should be denied parole, i.e., that he is a sexual predator and a psychopath who remains a continuing danger on women.

Include the following information:

Name: James Edward Bergstrom
TDCJ Number: 00659297
SID Number: 04408281
Birth date: 4/​6/​1963