The reason Betty Broderick famously smiled during her murder trial
Dirty John is back, and this time around, the Netflix series focuses on 'The Betty Broderick Story'. The eight episodes tell the shocking true story of seemingly perfect Californian suburban housewife Betty, whose gritty divorce ends up leading to a double murder.
Betty and Dan Broderick's divorce was one of the most messy and drawn-out separations in US history, with financial disagreements and claims of mental abuse on both sides. But when Dan Broderick and his new wife Linda Kolkena were shot by Betty in November 1989, the divorce took on new levels notoriety and controversy.
In 1990, Betty stood trial for the double murder, with the world's gaze watching as it played out in San Diego County Courthouse. But on one particular day of the trial, onlookers were surprised to see the defendant beam with a smile during the cross-examination of a witness. After all, you wouldn't think anyone would want to be smiling if they were facing prison for murder.
It was during the third week of her trial, in October 1990, that the brief smile traced across Betty Broderick's face, but there's apparently a reason why it happened.
One of Betty's friends had taken to the stand as a witness, and told the court: "She and Dan looked like they belonged on top of a wedding cake." It was this flattering comment about the former couple’s appearance that made Betty smile, as she perhaps thought back to happier times.
It took more than two years after the murders and two trials for Betty Broderick to be convicted; reports describe her as "remaining composed" as the jurors announced they had found her guilty of two counts of second-degree murder in December 1991.
Betty was sentenced to a minimum of 32 years in prison and now, despite three failed appeals, she's still serving her time. Now aged 72, Betty won't be allowed to put her case before a judge again until the year 2032, when she'll be 84.
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