By Two and Two: The Scandalous Story of Twin Sisters Accused of a Shocking Crime of Passion

by Jim Schutze

In “a solid account of what appears to be a shocking injustice” an award-winning journalist uncovers the bias that led to a woman’s conviction for murder (The New York Times).

When a prominent Alabama doctor is brutally killed, his wife and her twin sister are charged with conspiracy to murder. But while her twin was acquitted of the crime, Betty Wilson was charged with killing her husband. 

Probing into a trial that deliberated on Betty’s promiscuity, her alcoholism and her adulterous affair with a black man rather than any physical evidence against her, critically acclaimed journalist Jim Schutze reveals how sex, politics and corruption could possibly have led to a scandalous miscarriage of justice that kept the real killer from facing full penalty for his cold-blooded deed. A fascinating true crime account, By Two and Two is a page-turning investigation into the harrowing details of a sensational murder case.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1995

Reviews

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author does his research and his attention to detail is amazing. It is a page-
turner and I highly recommend it.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intense and heartbreaking story.

With twins accused of conspiring to murder one of their husbands, an alcoholic and drug-fueled pathological liar at the center of the entire farce, and the weight of racist, Southern, and judgemental jurors, this story winds through the trial and wrongful conviction of one twin and the trial and acquittal - based on the same evidence - of the other.

For followers of the true crime genre, this is a must read. Schutze’s epilogue outlines beautifully his journey from believing in the guilt of the sisters to realizing what a horrible miscarriage of justice this entire case and trial turned out to be for Betty Wilson.

At the heart of the story was the, by all accounts, beautiful soul of Jack Wilson, who was brutally murdered for no reason.

Schutze wove together the stories of these main players - warts and all - deftly and respectfully, making this a well-written and carefully considered account of a truly shocking story.

[Aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why I continue to expect true crime books to be unbiased. Nevertheless a good read and the writing is good.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saga of 1993 Alabama murder-for-hire in which twin sisters were charged with murder of the husband of one of the twins. Author writes the book with his assumption the women were not guilty, though one was found guilty and one wasn’t. On the very last pages, he explains the killer later recanted (and in recent years has recanted his recantation) and provides his theory of why one jury had one finding and one another. His storytelling is fair to good but might have been better if his explanations had been up front.

[Elisabeth Brookshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song, song, song of the South

A beautifully written Southern Gothic book concerning the ugliest parts of life. This book fully covers the lives and supposed crimes of two matrons. The choices they made and how those choices affected their individual trial outcomes. I can see why so many people have rushed to defend Betty Wilson. Even a black filmmaker took the time to tell her story seeing how the media and first jury got this case all wrong. This is an amazing book and I am so glad I found it.

[Cathy Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner! I was shocked and aghast about the travesty the first twin went through. Why should I be surprised with the mindset and racist attitudes of the people in Northern Alabama? Because the crime happened in the 90s! Not the 50s. Great story and I hope there is a silver lining to this story since the book has been completed.

[Melinda Willford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The “Law” is a fool!

I trudged through all the legal rules and proceedings, the lies and changing of the real killer’s statements which were quite confusing. This book makes me lose faith in the legal system. It’s all about persona, race, physical perceptions, money, and prosecutors and defense attorneys playing a role to win.

[Cheryl Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

great but frustrating

Loved this book but was so hoping at the end of it all justice would prevail. I can’t even watch the old movie because I now believe this author and I would be more frustrated.

[LDavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent written book

You are guilty until proven innocent and innocent people go to jail and prison because of bloodthirsty prosecutors and police. God help you in small town political games.

[SB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting Read

Excellent crime reporting but dated. Would be nice to have some type of up to date summary of the ultimate outcome after appeals.

[Elizabeth Cárdenas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Life is too short. Could not finish it. I went to Wikipedia to get the story in less than 20 minutes.

[Rebecca H Newhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing Read

Great book, very absorbing and definitely sad. It makes you stop and think about the justice/injustice system. This woman needs a pardon.

[Sherri Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible recap of true crime story I had not heard of until this book. Another story for the Innocence Project, in a manner I had not thought existed.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story of married twins, both accused of having one of them's husband killed in a murder for hire story. The outcome of two separate trials and the deal made with the perpetrator of the crime is frightening as you imagine the incredulity they feel as the situation plays out....actually, the saga continues to this day...

[Salsadancer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the 1992 murder of a Huntsville, AL optometrist. The story has been covered on almost every 48-Hours-type tv show and will not go away because justice has never been done. Google "Betty Wilson trial" and you will find lots on this murder, trial, and injustice.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting because it is a local story...