The first major blow to my defense came at my hearing. Although Peggy was allowed out on bond, the prosecution argued that I was a wealthy woman and might flee if I was released. The judge denied my bond and I was returned to jail where I was placed in a solitary confinement cell. I was to remain there for almost nine and a half months.
Ironically, though the court had cited my wealth as an excuse to deny my bond, a short time later the courts froze my assets. I had to almost laugh when I learned of it. All the news media were talking constantly about how rich I was and speculating on “money getting me off,” but now I didn’t even have the money to pay a lawyer. In the end my attorney worked for almost nothing.
I was in a solitary confinement cell that was so small the bed took up two-thirds of the space. At one end was a toilet and at the other end was a door with a small window in it. The only person I was allowed contact with was my attorney and my immediate family who could visit me for a few minutes on Sundays. The noise was so loud, however, that we couldn’t really talk. They had to shout at me through the window and even it was hard to understand what they were saying.
I learned later that a rumor went around town that I was going mad. Maybe I was but it was with anger. One time I looked up to see a man staring at me through the window. When I asked him what he wanted, he replied, “I just wanted to see what a rich bitch that would sleep with a black looks like!”
More from Betty Wilson on next page.
Murder of Dr. Wilson
BettyWilson--My Story Part 1
BettyWilson--My Story Part 2
The Confession of James Dennison White
Poll: Who Plotted to Kill Dr. Jack Wilson?
More Huntsville Articles
Free Huntsville Newsletter
Huntsville Events Calendar
