Betty Broderick: Murder, Trial and Jail
Key Times articles about the case of La Jolla socialite Betty Broderick, convicted of murdering her ex-husband and his new wife in 1989.
Two months ago, a frightened Linda Broderick confided to a friend that a bad situation was growing worse.
Crime: Charged with the murder of Daniel T. Broderick III and his new wife, Betty Broderick says she was the victim--of “overt emotional terrorism.â€
Elisabeth Anne (Betty) Broderick on Tuesday confessed to killing her ex-husband and his new young wife last November, describing the slayings as a “desperate act of self-defense†against a man who wanted “to control me totally.â€
Courts: Jurors split, 10 to 2, over whether or not the La Jolla socialite meant to kill her ex-husband and his new wife.
Dan and Betty Broderick’s divorce played out over five vicious years, was the talk of La Jolla. Betty finally put an end to it all -- with a .38-caliber revolver.
Trial: Defense had sought a verdict of manslaughter. She faces a sentence of 32 years to life in prison.
Sentencing: Judge gives her the maximum term possible for the slayings of her ex-husband and his wife. She will not be eligible for parole for 18 years.
Crime: She says she feels no remorse over the killing of her ex-husband and his new wife.
Courts: Jailed killer claimed she had suffered embarrassment and emotional distress after the release of a videotape showing her altercation with jail deputies.
Elisabeth “Betty†Broderick will remain in state prison, where she is serving time for the 1989 murders of her ex-husband and his new wife at their San Diego home, California’s parole board ruled late Wednesday.