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Shattered
Hero, Husband, Father . . . Monster?In Creekstone, Texas, a small, quiet suburb of Houston, football was king . . . and David Temple was a prince. A former high school and college gridiron star-turned-coach, he had a fairy-tale marriage to bright, vivacious Belinda Lucas, a teacher at the local high school who was so warm and popular her colleagues called her "The Sunshine Girl."
The fairy tale ended savagely on January 11, 1999, when Belinda's lifeless body was discovered in a closet. Her skull had been shattered by a shotgun blast at close range. She was eight months pregnant.
There was no damning evidence directly linking the brutal murder to husband David, who stood by emotionless and dry-eyed as police searched the crime scene. But a dogged eight-year investigation would expose a shocking history of cruelty and domination, infidelity and rage—ultimately resulting in an epic courtroom battle for the ages—as the scandalous truth was revealed about love betrayed and innocent lives . . . shattered.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2010
About the author
Kathryn Casey
34 books672 followersAn award-winning journalist and a critically acclaimed bestselling author, Kathryn Casey has written eleven true crime books and is the creator of the Sarah Armstrong and Clara Jefferies mystery series. ANGEL FALLS, her first historical fiction, was inspired by the life of Ruth Robertson, who in 1949 measured the world’s tallest waterfall.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
December 1, 2023
This is a true story.
Belinda was a pretty, athletic, friendly, bubbly, good-natured girl that everyone called Sunshine.
She attended a Texas university where she studied Physical Education as well as Special Education.
On campus she met David Temple.
David was from Katy, Texas, where he was the golden boy as he was a darn good star athlete in football.
He was also known as a short-tempered, condescending, arrogant, grandiose and known to intimidate
other students and sometimes teachers.
On the other hand, he could be charming, charismatic, he was a jokester and very popular.
David was studying Physical Education and was the best and most popular football player on campus.
He was referred to as the Temple of Doom.
David and Belinda became romantically involved, they were in love and David was very attentive and affectionate towards her.
They got married in 1991. They both were 23 years old and both got jobs as High School teachers in his hometown, Katy. They were working at different schools in the area.
They bought a stately house in the upscale part of Katy.
In 1995 they had a little boy, Evan. After Evan's birth, Belinda was no longer stick thin. She was now size 10.
David was verbally aggressive and insulting to her. He was not happy with the weight gain and was calling her fat and ugly (he was calling her fatass) even in front of other people.
He was very controlling, was condescending towards her family, calling them white trash and fat and wanted nothing to do with them. He was even trying to prevent Belinda from seeing them.
In 1998 Belinda was pregnant again, this time with a girl. David showed zero interest towards her pregnancy this time.
Halfway Belinda's pregnancy, David started having an affair.
There was a new teacher at school, Heather, who was flirting with married male teachers and they were hitting on her as well.
The female teachers dubbed her the barbie bitch.
New years eve 1998 was Belinda's 30th birthday. That day, unexpectedly David left on a 3 day "hunting" trip. He never gave her a birthday present or a Christmas one for that matter but he gave Heather a gold necklace.
Eight month pregnant Belinda spent New Years Eve alone.
Instead of going hunting, David spent the next few days at Heather's Town house, having sex.
A week later, January 8th 1999, he told his mistress Heather that he had totally fallen in love with her.
She said she felt the same way towards him.
Three days later, January 11th, Belinda received a call from day care. Evan was running a fever and needed to be picked up. She drove him home and conducted David to come home and care for him as she had to go back to school for a parent-teacher conference.
Belinda returned back home between 3.30pm and 4.pm.
Late afternoon the same day David called 911. Someone broke into the house and his wife was shot.
Police found Belinda in the master bedroom walk-in-closet lying on the floor facedown.
She'd been shot by a shotgun at the back of the head. Her head and face were completely shattered.
This was David's story to the police:
Belinda had returned from work, wanted to have a nap so he took feverish Evan with him to two stores and two parks to play, on that cold late January afternoon.
On his return back home he'd found the back door opened, the glass shattered and Belinda in the closet.
Police noticed that there were opened drawers but nothing was disturbed. Valuable jewellery were in plain sight, as well as Belinda's wallet in her handbag and the gold jewellery Belinda was wearing at the time, were all left behind untouched.
The position of the broken door glass on the floor, showed that it was broken while the door was already opened.
The hyper aggressive dog in the backyard prevented the neighbour from entering and also prevented the police who came close to shooting the dog.
How was it that the burglar got pass the dog unscathed?
A witness saw David driving on the other side of town where David never said he went that afternoon.
Soon police found out about the affair. A month after the murder, David had sent a dozen red roses to Heather for Valentines day.
David and Heather continued their affair. No grieving husband here.
Two years after the fact, they got married at an expensive Country club.
Heather raised Evan.
Years passed. Prosecutors never forgot Belinda and her baby girl.
In 2004 Scott Peterson was convicted of the murder of his 8 month pregnant wife Laci.
Inspired by Peterson's case, Texas Prosecutors decided to give it a shot and pursue charges against David.
He was arrested the same month as Peterson's conviction, 6 years after Belinda's and the baby's murder.
David Temple was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
This is not a romance novel that we get the happy ever after. This is a true crime. Sometimes in real life romance can end in tragedy.
The author did an excellent job with this book. She obviously did an extensive and thural research before writing it and the book gives the reader detailed information.
Belinda was a pretty, athletic, friendly, bubbly, good-natured girl that everyone called Sunshine.
She attended a Texas university where she studied Physical Education as well as Special Education.
On campus she met David Temple.
David was from Katy, Texas, where he was the golden boy as he was a darn good star athlete in football.
He was also known as a short-tempered, condescending, arrogant, grandiose and known to intimidate
other students and sometimes teachers.
On the other hand, he could be charming, charismatic, he was a jokester and very popular.
David was studying Physical Education and was the best and most popular football player on campus.
He was referred to as the Temple of Doom.
David and Belinda became romantically involved, they were in love and David was very attentive and affectionate towards her.
They got married in 1991. They both were 23 years old and both got jobs as High School teachers in his hometown, Katy. They were working at different schools in the area.
They bought a stately house in the upscale part of Katy.
In 1995 they had a little boy, Evan. After Evan's birth, Belinda was no longer stick thin. She was now size 10.
David was verbally aggressive and insulting to her. He was not happy with the weight gain and was calling her fat and ugly (he was calling her fatass) even in front of other people.
He was very controlling, was condescending towards her family, calling them white trash and fat and wanted nothing to do with them. He was even trying to prevent Belinda from seeing them.
In 1998 Belinda was pregnant again, this time with a girl. David showed zero interest towards her pregnancy this time.
Halfway Belinda's pregnancy, David started having an affair.
There was a new teacher at school, Heather, who was flirting with married male teachers and they were hitting on her as well.
The female teachers dubbed her the barbie bitch.
New years eve 1998 was Belinda's 30th birthday. That day, unexpectedly David left on a 3 day "hunting" trip. He never gave her a birthday present or a Christmas one for that matter but he gave Heather a gold necklace.
Eight month pregnant Belinda spent New Years Eve alone.
Instead of going hunting, David spent the next few days at Heather's Town house, having sex.
A week later, January 8th 1999, he told his mistress Heather that he had totally fallen in love with her.
She said she felt the same way towards him.
Three days later, January 11th, Belinda received a call from day care. Evan was running a fever and needed to be picked up. She drove him home and conducted David to come home and care for him as she had to go back to school for a parent-teacher conference.
Belinda returned back home between 3.30pm and 4.pm.
Late afternoon the same day David called 911. Someone broke into the house and his wife was shot.
Police found Belinda in the master bedroom walk-in-closet lying on the floor facedown.
She'd been shot by a shotgun at the back of the head. Her head and face were completely shattered.
This was David's story to the police:
Belinda had returned from work, wanted to have a nap so he took feverish Evan with him to two stores and two parks to play, on that cold late January afternoon.
On his return back home he'd found the back door opened, the glass shattered and Belinda in the closet.
Police noticed that there were opened drawers but nothing was disturbed. Valuable jewellery were in plain sight, as well as Belinda's wallet in her handbag and the gold jewellery Belinda was wearing at the time, were all left behind untouched.
The position of the broken door glass on the floor, showed that it was broken while the door was already opened.
The hyper aggressive dog in the backyard prevented the neighbour from entering and also prevented the police who came close to shooting the dog.
How was it that the burglar got pass the dog unscathed?
A witness saw David driving on the other side of town where David never said he went that afternoon.
Soon police found out about the affair. A month after the murder, David had sent a dozen red roses to Heather for Valentines day.
David and Heather continued their affair. No grieving husband here.
Two years after the fact, they got married at an expensive Country club.
Heather raised Evan.
Years passed. Prosecutors never forgot Belinda and her baby girl.
In 2004 Scott Peterson was convicted of the murder of his 8 month pregnant wife Laci.
Inspired by Peterson's case, Texas Prosecutors decided to give it a shot and pursue charges against David.
He was arrested the same month as Peterson's conviction, 6 years after Belinda's and the baby's murder.
David Temple was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
This is not a romance novel that we get the happy ever after. This is a true crime. Sometimes in real life romance can end in tragedy.
The author did an excellent job with this book. She obviously did an extensive and thural research before writing it and the book gives the reader detailed information.
November 24, 2010
Finished this book yesterday. read it in 2 days. I did get annoyed again because Kathryn does something Ann Rule also does and that is telling us constantly that the victim acted as (and was) an angel, not a human being with faults. Okay I know we should say nothing bad about the dead but this is true crime.
Belinda did abandon her parents, her family only to please her husband. She even told her twin sister not to come on their birthday because his majesty did not want it. The twins did not celebrate their birthday at their parents but at the house of Belinda's parents in law. So Belinda was indeed a normal human being and there was no need to keep on writing how sweet and innocent she was.
Then back to the story and the book. I liked it a lot. One of the better books by Mrs Casey. I liked the second part most. Wanted to find out how they would get him, how the trial would go. Nomally that is not the case. so I will give this book 4 stars cause at the end I could not put it down..
Belinda did abandon her parents, her family only to please her husband. She even told her twin sister not to come on their birthday because his majesty did not want it. The twins did not celebrate their birthday at their parents but at the house of Belinda's parents in law. So Belinda was indeed a normal human being and there was no need to keep on writing how sweet and innocent she was.
Then back to the story and the book. I liked it a lot. One of the better books by Mrs Casey. I liked the second part most. Wanted to find out how they would get him, how the trial would go. Nomally that is not the case. so I will give this book 4 stars cause at the end I could not put it down..
March 30, 2015
This true crime case happened January 11, 1999 but the person believed (and I believe he is)guilty was not convicted until 2007. David Temple, football coach, beloved pillar of his community (for the most part), husband to Belinda Lucas Temple, and father of Evan Temple, who was a toddler at the time of the crime, was finally convicted of murdering his 8 and 1/2 month pregnant wife execution style with a shotgun. The case is very similar to the Scott Peterson case in Modesto, CA, but since Texas law at the time of the crime did not recognize a viable fetus as a person, Mr. Temple was not eligible for the death penalty. His reason? He wanted to marry another woman, and felt he could not divorce his wife because his family loved her as much as her own. He later married the woman with whom he had been having the affair. This man was spoiled rotten, in my opinion, by his parents because of his prowess at football, so that when he got into trouble for bullying, or worse, his parents did not punish him, but just basically said not to do it again. Of all their children, he is the only one who had any kind of juvenile record. The man's father was a pastor!!!
One surprising statistic I learned of in this book is that the leading cause of death among pregnant women, for whatever reason, is homicide. Even the Center for Disease Control backs that up. It is also the third leading cause of death for women in general. In the 21st century, our so-called advanced society should not have these things going on at all, to anyone. One must question why so many human beings are still acting like it is the Dark Ages and why violence is so prevalent.
One surprising statistic I learned of in this book is that the leading cause of death among pregnant women, for whatever reason, is homicide. Even the Center for Disease Control backs that up. It is also the third leading cause of death for women in general. In the 21st century, our so-called advanced society should not have these things going on at all, to anyone. One must question why so many human beings are still acting like it is the Dark Ages and why violence is so prevalent.
June 21, 2010
Not as bad as Kathryn Casey's other books. I do realize this is setting the bar a bit low, but I have to give Casey some credit: Shattered isn't quite as boring as her usual work, and the first half is actually pretty interesting. Since I'm usually bored by page five of Casey's books, I can only assume she's improved (either that, or my standards are getting lower -- not a totally unlikely scenario at my age). Also, the solecisms and poor diction aren't quite as egregious as usual; the only serious error I noted, apart from the usual poor copy editing, was "bantered" instead of "bandied." Ok, she actually makes that error more than once, but again, I'd say that's a triumph for this author.
If someone can explain to me why I keep reading this woman's books, I'd be grateful. Thank you.
If someone can explain to me why I keep reading this woman's books, I'd be grateful. Thank you.
January 16, 2024
4.5 stars
A thoroughly detailed examination of the cold blooded murder of Belinda Temple and her unborn child Erin. Gruesome and brutal, this account highlighted the events leading up to her death and the trial of her husband David Temple. Lost half a star because there were so many names that it was confusing at times. Overall though, a gripping and heartbreaking read.
A thoroughly detailed examination of the cold blooded murder of Belinda Temple and her unborn child Erin. Gruesome and brutal, this account highlighted the events leading up to her death and the trial of her husband David Temple. Lost half a star because there were so many names that it was confusing at times. Overall though, a gripping and heartbreaking read.
February 1, 2015
I just gave Shattered another star than I had originally because I figure anything that's stayed on my mind like this book has, deserves it. This really was a compulsive read for me, which was a surprise because I've never read much true crime and was never particularly attracted to this flavor of nonfiction.
Really got me thinking about constructions of victimhood and who "deserves" our compassion—and justice. In the book, so much is invested in portraying Belinda Temple as Pure and Good (and she really does sound like a delightful human being; I'm not really questioning the sunniness of her disposition or her hard work as a teacher or her qualities as a friend, parent, sister, etc). Kind of makes you wonder how many women who aren't as pretty/middle-class/educated/bubbly/white have been murdered under similar circumstances without the benefit of the tenacity of the investigators who eventually saw her husband indicted and brought to trial. I dunno. I mean, if Belinda had been any one or more of the following: ugly/poor/uneducated/disagreeable/not-white...would there have been a book about her murder? Would a high-profile prosecuting attorney have taken up her cause? Would her dad's repeated engagement with the cops have been taken seriously? Maybe! I have no idea. But it makes me think. Why do we always need victims to be perfect to be sympathetic? (Because we're terrible, I know, but it's been on my mind lately. Why are we terrible in this specific way?) (And why does being poor, uneducated, or not-white often = "not 'perfect'" in many folks' eyes?)
Anyway, this was a really readable and compelling book and I totally went to Fred Meyer and bought two more Kathryn Casey true-crime books this afternoon, so. There you have it.
Really got me thinking about constructions of victimhood and who "deserves" our compassion—and justice. In the book, so much is invested in portraying Belinda Temple as Pure and Good (and she really does sound like a delightful human being; I'm not really questioning the sunniness of her disposition or her hard work as a teacher or her qualities as a friend, parent, sister, etc). Kind of makes you wonder how many women who aren't as pretty/middle-class/educated/bubbly/white have been murdered under similar circumstances without the benefit of the tenacity of the investigators who eventually saw her husband indicted and brought to trial. I dunno. I mean, if Belinda had been any one or more of the following: ugly/poor/uneducated/disagreeable/not-white...would there have been a book about her murder? Would a high-profile prosecuting attorney have taken up her cause? Would her dad's repeated engagement with the cops have been taken seriously? Maybe! I have no idea. But it makes me think. Why do we always need victims to be perfect to be sympathetic? (Because we're terrible, I know, but it's been on my mind lately. Why are we terrible in this specific way?) (And why does being poor, uneducated, or not-white often = "not 'perfect'" in many folks' eyes?)
Anyway, this was a really readable and compelling book and I totally went to Fred Meyer and bought two more Kathryn Casey true-crime books this afternoon, so. There you have it.
April 5, 2012
I had to skip through a lot of the book--and sure enough, the last twenty (or so) pages contained it all in a nutshell. Good ending, good synopsis of closing arguments but it didn't need almost 400 pages to explain; could have been done (just as well) in about a hundred.
November 25, 2024
Listen to on audio, narration was good.
This was my 2nd Kathryn Casey book.
She does a great job going into the victim’s and perpetrator’s background so you get a sense of really knowing the key players, becoming invested in the story. But the story doesn’t drag with too many details like Ann Rule’s books tend to.
I’m on a True Crime roll right now (comes and goes).
Going to check out her other books too.
Recommended.
This was my 2nd Kathryn Casey book.
She does a great job going into the victim’s and perpetrator’s background so you get a sense of really knowing the key players, becoming invested in the story. But the story doesn’t drag with too many details like Ann Rule’s books tend to.
I’m on a True Crime roll right now (comes and goes).
Going to check out her other books too.
Recommended.
August 1, 2022
David Temple is a monster. Before he ever murdered his pregnant wife, he was a monster. The whole Temple family are horrible people- it is easy to see how David turned out the way he did with an awful, controlling father. It makes me furious that the woman who was the motive for the murder ended up marrying David and raising Belinda’s son. Belinda deserved better than for the woman who knowingly entered a relationship with her husband; knowing he had a son and a daughter on the way; raising her son. And her family never had access to Evan, the son, again. Absolutely disgusting. I hope he never gets out of prison.
July 28, 2022
Such a horrible horrible death.
A teacher is shot in the face with a shotgun while pregnant. Both her and the baby lost their lives that day. The suspect, the husband. He is currently having an affair when the wife was murdered. Even though he told the mistress that he loves her, he tells everyone else that he loved his wife.
His whole life is that of a bully, as well as a star athlete.
A teacher is shot in the face with a shotgun while pregnant. Both her and the baby lost their lives that day. The suspect, the husband. He is currently having an affair when the wife was murdered. Even though he told the mistress that he loves her, he tells everyone else that he loved his wife.
His whole life is that of a bully, as well as a star athlete.
September 12, 2017
What a terrible tragedy :(
I'm really into my true crime podcasts and these types of books. This was an interesting story. The author had a bias towards the husband being guilty (which, IMHO was correct) and I wish this bias hadn't played into the story so much. But it was an easy read even if the details weren't easy.
I'm really into my true crime podcasts and these types of books. This was an interesting story. The author had a bias towards the husband being guilty (which, IMHO was correct) and I wish this bias hadn't played into the story so much. But it was an easy read even if the details weren't easy.
December 29, 2014
Narcissism cultivated by the cult of high school football and misguided parenting
Excellent telling of a tale too tragic and pathetically senseless to comprehend. I had to wait awhile to write this review because I was truly too stupefied to comment. David Temple, future football god, was a time bomb ticking away since childhood. Physically powerful and built for football, selfish, egotistical, bull-headed, aggressive to the point of reckless, yet recognizably very talented on the field; David was a rising football star in Katy, Texas who was pampered, coddled, and protected by his parents, most of the local folks, his HS coaches and school administrators to the point that he did what he pleased regardless of how it affected others. A self-serving bully by nature, he seems to change when he falls in love with and marries sweet, kind, beautiful inside-and-out Belinda Lucas in college. Everybody loves her, especially his parents and family who think she's tamed the wild, destructive beast in their pampered son. David and Belinda become respected teachers and move to his hometown so he can coach at a nearby high school. They have a son who is adored by both. However, David starts running around, treating his wife like dirt, and the marriage sours. Despite her fears that her over-bearing husband no longer loves her, Belinda gets pregnant. Thrilled to be having a baby girl, she tries to make the marriage work. David has other plans. By this time he's having an affair with Heather Scott, a sexy, flirty fellow teacher at his school. Heather knows he's married but that didn't seem to make much difference. Three months after the torrid affair begins, Belinda, who is eight months pregnant, is shot in the back of the head execution style with a 12 gauge shotgun. Everyone seems to know David killed his wife but the family rallies around David to once again protect him from reaping the consequences of his own horrific actions. He and Heather continued on with their affair, the rest of the Temples looked the other way, both David and Heather kept their jobs, and life seemed to move along just fine for David for six years. In fact, Heather and David married two years after Belinda's murder. However, the hard working detectives who were assigned to bring Belinda's killer to justice kept plodding along behind the scenes collecting evidence until finally they had enough proof to bring a killer husband to trial. The evidence was circumstantial but highly compelling and prosecutor Kelly Ziegler took it to trial. David's lawyer was high profile Texas defense attorney Dick DeGuerin who made a great, flamboyant show ahead of time of how he was going to trample the prosecution. Throughout the trial he whined, sulked and complained about Seigler who had already beaten him 3 previous times in the courtroom. But IMHO, DeGuerin's behavior in the courtroom was buffoonish and disrespectful. His massive ego was way out of control and his open contempt for the prosecutors and their witnesses was disrespectful and unacceptable in a court of law. That's saying a lot for me because I tend to give defense attorneys more leeway than prosecutors since so much is at stake. But this guy's behavior was and still is embarrassing-- totally out of place in the justice system. He hurt his client by his absurd behavior and totally lost his professional judgement as a lawyer with his overt, vindictive hatred for the prosecutors in this case. It was obvious that he was on a revenge trip -- maybe even more so than just representing his client. I'm shocked that he wasn't held in contempt of court during this trial. He pulled shenanigans that were shockingly out of control. Regardless, Seigler and her fellow prosecutor put on a very compelling case of first degree murder and David Temple was convicted. Heather Scott and the Temple family did their part in getting the guy convicted,too, because their testimonies were so convoluted and obviously false. DeGuerin should never have put those people on the stand. His whole defense was strange and lacking in real substance. But to this very day -- despite endless rejected appeals-- he is still whining and carrying on about how horrible Kelly Ziegler is and how she put his innocent client in jail. The evidence was clear as day. David Temple executed his wife and unborn child because he decided he didn't want to be married to Belinda anymore. A selfish, deplorable act of a sociopath who thought his life and well-being more important than his devoted wife's life. Or his unborn little baby girl's life. Simple as that. Why should Mr. Big Shot have to bother with a divorce? It just wasn't his style. As for the childish Dick DeGuerin, he's still jumping around like Rumpelstiltskin blaming the prosecutor and pointing fingers at shadows. As of December 15, 2014, DeGuerin and Temple were filing away again on another appeal--they were robbed, they say, Temple should have gotten away with murder! So far the state of Texas says NOT! Texas says Belinda Lucas Temple and her unborn child Erin Temple MATTERED.
Excellent telling of a tale too tragic and pathetically senseless to comprehend. I had to wait awhile to write this review because I was truly too stupefied to comment. David Temple, future football god, was a time bomb ticking away since childhood. Physically powerful and built for football, selfish, egotistical, bull-headed, aggressive to the point of reckless, yet recognizably very talented on the field; David was a rising football star in Katy, Texas who was pampered, coddled, and protected by his parents, most of the local folks, his HS coaches and school administrators to the point that he did what he pleased regardless of how it affected others. A self-serving bully by nature, he seems to change when he falls in love with and marries sweet, kind, beautiful inside-and-out Belinda Lucas in college. Everybody loves her, especially his parents and family who think she's tamed the wild, destructive beast in their pampered son. David and Belinda become respected teachers and move to his hometown so he can coach at a nearby high school. They have a son who is adored by both. However, David starts running around, treating his wife like dirt, and the marriage sours. Despite her fears that her over-bearing husband no longer loves her, Belinda gets pregnant. Thrilled to be having a baby girl, she tries to make the marriage work. David has other plans. By this time he's having an affair with Heather Scott, a sexy, flirty fellow teacher at his school. Heather knows he's married but that didn't seem to make much difference. Three months after the torrid affair begins, Belinda, who is eight months pregnant, is shot in the back of the head execution style with a 12 gauge shotgun. Everyone seems to know David killed his wife but the family rallies around David to once again protect him from reaping the consequences of his own horrific actions. He and Heather continued on with their affair, the rest of the Temples looked the other way, both David and Heather kept their jobs, and life seemed to move along just fine for David for six years. In fact, Heather and David married two years after Belinda's murder. However, the hard working detectives who were assigned to bring Belinda's killer to justice kept plodding along behind the scenes collecting evidence until finally they had enough proof to bring a killer husband to trial. The evidence was circumstantial but highly compelling and prosecutor Kelly Ziegler took it to trial. David's lawyer was high profile Texas defense attorney Dick DeGuerin who made a great, flamboyant show ahead of time of how he was going to trample the prosecution. Throughout the trial he whined, sulked and complained about Seigler who had already beaten him 3 previous times in the courtroom. But IMHO, DeGuerin's behavior in the courtroom was buffoonish and disrespectful. His massive ego was way out of control and his open contempt for the prosecutors and their witnesses was disrespectful and unacceptable in a court of law. That's saying a lot for me because I tend to give defense attorneys more leeway than prosecutors since so much is at stake. But this guy's behavior was and still is embarrassing-- totally out of place in the justice system. He hurt his client by his absurd behavior and totally lost his professional judgement as a lawyer with his overt, vindictive hatred for the prosecutors in this case. It was obvious that he was on a revenge trip -- maybe even more so than just representing his client. I'm shocked that he wasn't held in contempt of court during this trial. He pulled shenanigans that were shockingly out of control. Regardless, Seigler and her fellow prosecutor put on a very compelling case of first degree murder and David Temple was convicted. Heather Scott and the Temple family did their part in getting the guy convicted,too, because their testimonies were so convoluted and obviously false. DeGuerin should never have put those people on the stand. His whole defense was strange and lacking in real substance. But to this very day -- despite endless rejected appeals-- he is still whining and carrying on about how horrible Kelly Ziegler is and how she put his innocent client in jail. The evidence was clear as day. David Temple executed his wife and unborn child because he decided he didn't want to be married to Belinda anymore. A selfish, deplorable act of a sociopath who thought his life and well-being more important than his devoted wife's life. Or his unborn little baby girl's life. Simple as that. Why should Mr. Big Shot have to bother with a divorce? It just wasn't his style. As for the childish Dick DeGuerin, he's still jumping around like Rumpelstiltskin blaming the prosecutor and pointing fingers at shadows. As of December 15, 2014, DeGuerin and Temple were filing away again on another appeal--they were robbed, they say, Temple should have gotten away with murder! So far the state of Texas says NOT! Texas says Belinda Lucas Temple and her unborn child Erin Temple MATTERED.
February 3, 2020
nice title :/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2017
I thought I wrote this review already - I've never read a true crime book before, this one is interesting because I live in Katy.
The audio book was a little rough, the narrator didn't know how to pronounce Alief, Brazos, and aficionado. It make me wan to yell everytime Alief was mispronounced. Also there were times she said Brenda instead of Belinda (which may be in the book wrong, or may be here.)
This is no indication of the writer, but of the Temple family - the child is now calling the mistress "Mom." That's some bullshit right there. He was only 3 when his mom died and even if he started doing that on his own, someone should have explained to him that that woman is NOT his mom. And keeping him away from his mother's family? He's not doing himself any favors.
Anyway, I will read another one of her books.
The audio book was a little rough, the narrator didn't know how to pronounce Alief, Brazos, and aficionado. It make me wan to yell everytime Alief was mispronounced. Also there were times she said Brenda instead of Belinda (which may be in the book wrong, or may be here.)
This is no indication of the writer, but of the Temple family - the child is now calling the mistress "Mom." That's some bullshit right there. He was only 3 when his mom died and even if he started doing that on his own, someone should have explained to him that that woman is NOT his mom. And keeping him away from his mother's family? He's not doing himself any favors.
Anyway, I will read another one of her books.
September 5, 2010
Spoiler alert: the husband did it. I reread this after seeing the 48 Hours hatchet job on Kelly Siegler called The Alternate Suspects. If you don't believe me, read it and decide for yourself.
October 29, 2010
Really hard to put down! The author told this horrifying story well. What a sad, sad story, and a warning to women not to tolerate controlling spouses or boyfriends. Some just think they're gods.
March 28, 2015
Review to come. I hope.
November 26, 2024
I didn’t realize how tangled and twisted this story would be…after the murder I thought it’s a matter of months until David gets arrested…I was soo wrong. Insane. I feel so bad for Belinda and her family. I read online that Evan has testified on behalf of his twice convicted father. How wrong for Belinda’s child to be raised by her killer and NEVER given an opportunity to connect with her side of the family. Like I said, fuck David, heather the whore, Texas, and misogyny…also adding in fuck child custody laws there should be special circumstances when a parent is MURDERED to ensure the grandparents have opportunities to meet their only remaining link to their lost family member. Fuck!!!!
December 19, 2023
It’s difficult to say I’ve enjoyed a book when the story is true and horrific although if you like reading true crime I recommend this book. After reading true crime I always look up the real people. I wish the author could add an addendum because there is more to this story. It’s easy for me to say that because I have no idea how easy or difficult it is to add another couple of chapters. This story will stick with me for a long time and I will always feel sadness for Belinda, her baby girl Erin, and her family. I hope they are able to find peace even though they have suffered through an unimaginable tragedy.
December 9, 2019
Not a groundbreaking true-crime book, but a well-structured and compelling one. The author takes a side early and does not attempt to be evenhanded. The audiobook reader is good but mispronounces some words. There are still new developments ongoing in this case, even though the crime happened in 1999.
May 1, 2023
Again I ask for half star rankings- this is a 3.5. Good detailed reporting, great timeline context, but not exactly the deep retelling of the victims life in a way that made her real to me. She was still a story and not brought to “life”.
August 26, 2024
I love that this author covers cases in Texas. Her books are so well researched and put together. This case is insane to me and the fact that it took 24 years to get a conviction just makes me angry.
October 29, 2024
Shattered by Kathryn Casey
Audio Version
Overall Grade: B+
Information/True Crime: B
Writing/Organization: B+
Narration: B+
Best Aspect: All new to me since I didn’t know this case at all.
Worst Aspect: A little boring and lacking in story overall.
Recommend: Yes.
Free with Audible
Audio Version
Overall Grade: B+
Information/True Crime: B
Writing/Organization: B+
Narration: B+
Best Aspect: All new to me since I didn’t know this case at all.
Worst Aspect: A little boring and lacking in story overall.
Recommend: Yes.
Free with Audible
June 27, 2026
Well written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2024
I was a little surprised by the ending of this book
November 8, 2024
Such a sad story but I thought the author did a really good job reporting the facts and covering it in such great detail. I look forward to reading more from this author!
March 27, 2026
Shattered details a true crime murder which occurred in Texas and involved schoolteachers; definitely kept my interest despite the fact that it read like a long People magazine story.
February 20, 2017
I really enjoyed reading true crime books. I am glad that David Templeton was found guilty. Even if it did take nine years to get him. Convicted.
September 30, 2012
I chose this book because I remember when Belinda Temple, a popular teacher at Katy High School in TX, was found murdered in the master bedroom of her home. She was 8 months pregnant. I remember the signs plastered in every store window asking who killed her. Her husband was a coach at a different high school, and later it was revealed he was having an affair at the time his wife and unborn daughter were murdered. And I remember, nine years later, when David Temple was convicted of her murder and sent to prison.
Admittedly, the book weighs heavily against David Temple. The author admits that after all her research, interviews with people who knew the couple, detectives and others, she firmly believes he killed his wife because he'd fallen in love with someone else. A divorce would be perceived as a failure, something David Temple apparently wasn't accustomed to. His history of violent behavior and the family's odd reaction in not pursuing the investigation into their daughter-in-law's murder spoke volumes, even though no weapon was ever recovered.
If you like true crime books, Kathryn Casey has written a riveting tale of a horrible murder and its consequences.
Admittedly, the book weighs heavily against David Temple. The author admits that after all her research, interviews with people who knew the couple, detectives and others, she firmly believes he killed his wife because he'd fallen in love with someone else. A divorce would be perceived as a failure, something David Temple apparently wasn't accustomed to. His history of violent behavior and the family's odd reaction in not pursuing the investigation into their daughter-in-law's murder spoke volumes, even though no weapon was ever recovered.
If you like true crime books, Kathryn Casey has written a riveting tale of a horrible murder and its consequences.
July 15, 2018
It's clear from the first page what the author thinks of the accused and his guilt. This is definitely not a whodunit and, even though I think it's most likely that Temple killed his wife, there's no presumption of neutrality or attempt to address any factors that may indicate he didn't. The author also makes a point to repeatedly disparage the appearance of Heather Scott - and I'm not going to defend Scott's affair/flirtations with married men to boost her own ego, but the author's insistence that Scott is not attractive (including having women in the book disagree with men that think she is) just comes across as petty.
Overall, this is not the best true crime I've read, and I wouldn't seek out another of the author's books based on the writing. This case is a tragedy for Belinda Lucas's family and her children.
David Temple's conviction was also recently overturned on the basis that the prosecutor withheld evidence from the defense, and the state of Texas is trying to decide whether or not to retry him.
Overall, this is not the best true crime I've read, and I wouldn't seek out another of the author's books based on the writing. This case is a tragedy for Belinda Lucas's family and her children.
David Temple's conviction was also recently overturned on the basis that the prosecutor withheld evidence from the defense, and the state of Texas is trying to decide whether or not to retry him.
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