Candy Montgomery was a housewife and Sunday School teacher living in Plano, Texas in 1980. What happened next would shock the small town—she committed what was possibly the most famous murder in Plano’s history. Her trial was widely covered, and the case was the envy of true crime fans the world over. What follows is the story of Candy Montgomery, the shocking crime she committed, and the trial that followed.
Who Was Candy Montgomery?
Candy Montgomery was born and raised in the small town of Bonham, Texas. She and her siblings attended the local schools and she was quite close to her parents, who strictly observed Baptist values and taught their children religious faith. After high school, she went on to study journalism and later married her high school sweetheart, Pat Montgomery.
The couple moved to Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. There, Candy worked as a substitute teacher and a secretary while Pat attended to his own career in electronics. They were known to spend time at church hosting events, and the Montgomerys were an upstanding part of their community. At the same time, Candy was growing increasingly frustrated and distressed with the monotony of suburban life and the lack of zeal she needed in her marriage.
The Crime
On June 13, 1980, Candy Montgomery viciously attacked her neighbor, Betty Gore, in her own garage. She allegedly bludgeoned her with an axe twenty-seven times before fleeing the scene.
When the police arrived later that day, neither Candy nor the murder weapon could be found. When the police knocked on Candy’s door, her husband Pat was the one who answered. Patrolman Lawrence Howell noted that Pat had “expressionless black eyes” and asked Pat several questions, including the whereabouts of Candy. Under duress, Pat eventually confessed that his wife was out of town on business and he even showed the officers her itinerary.
Candy Montgomery’s Arrest
Two days after the murder, Candy was arrested for first-degree murder. She confessed to having committed the crime but pleaded not guilty, claiming that she acted in self-defense as Betty had threatened her and her family.
At her trial, Candy’s defense attorney, William Cummings, argued that she was a victim of temporary insanity due to the stress she had been under due to marital problems and the dissatisfaction with her life. He also said that her religious faith had caused her to value the sanctity of life and prevented her from understanding the magnitude of her actions. The jury found her guilty and sentenced her to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 2025.
The Aftermath
Candy Montgomery was released from prison after 12 years and was not allowed back into Plano for the remainder of her life. She moved to the San Antonio suburb of Comal and attended a local church.
In 2005, the NBC television series “Dateline NBC” aired two episodes which explored Candy Montgomery’s case. The series shed a different light on the case, as it reexamined the events that had transpired and the motives behind Betty’s murder.
In addition, a book, “The Savage Murder of Betty Gore: A True Story of Passion Rage, and a Cold-Blooded Killing” was released. The book highlighted the events leading up to the crime, the trial, and its aftermath.
The Impact of the Case
The case of Candy Montgomery has had a lasting impact in Texas and the United States. This case made the headlines of many newspapers across America and highlighted the issue of domestic violence and its dire consequences .
As a result of this case, domestic violence legislation has increased and awareness of the issue has been raised. In addition, many counselors, psychiatrists and therapists began to pay close attention to the signs of domestic violence and take necessary actions.
The case also brought attention to the instability of religious faith and its implications. Many pointed out that Candy Montgomery was influenced by her religious faith, causing her to have a distorted understanding of her situation. It was suggested that religious teachings can be damaging if they are misused and taken out of context.
Candy Montgomery was a housewife and Sunday School teacher who committed a shocking crime in her small Texas town. She brutally killed her neighbor Betty Gore in her own garage and this sparked a lengthy trial that dominated headlines around the world.
Although the crime was a tragedy , it did inspire change and bring awareness to domestic violence as well as the implications of religious faith. The case is an example of how one woman has shaped a nation and the conversations regarding violence and faith that followed.
