Officials later explained the clothes not being found during the initial search by saying the police dog had an "allergy."
Although the clothes and bag were found exactly where White said they would be, the forensic people were never able to establish if they had been bloodstained, or if they actually belonged to White.
The clothes were to become one of the biggest mysteries of the case. No one seriously believed the clothes had been missed during the initial search. Privately, even members of the Huntsville Police expressed skepticism. Many people believed that White had gotten someone to place the clothes there in an attempt to bolster his credibility and escape the electric chair.
By this time the case of the "Evil Twins" had captured national attention. The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Times and People Magazine ran lengthy articles and television tabloid shows such as Hard Copy and Inside Edition ran features stories. When two national television networks expressed an interest in making a movie, agents descended on Huntsville buying the movie rights from most of the people involved.
As summer wore on, even the most impartial observers began to take sides. Never in the history of Huntsville had a case generated so much controversy and news coverage. Because of the publicity the judge ordered the trial moved to Tuscaloosa.
When the trial finally began, the case boiled down to one simple question. Who was telling the truth?
- Prosecution argues it was a murder for hire. Defense claimed the fact that White did not carry a weapon with him made the story unbelievable.
- Prosecution argued White's testimony was credible. Defense argued he had changed his confessions so many times it was unbelievable and he had fitted his testimony to fit the prosecution's case in order to escape a possible death sentence.
- Prosecution argued White's testimony was collaborated by records of phone calls and the library. Defense argued there was another explanation.
- Prosecution argued the gun was given to White by Betty Wilson and Peggy Lowe. Defense claimed he stole the gun and offered the fact that the empty box the gun came in, along with shells, was found in the home afterwards.
- Prosecution offered a witness who claimed to have seen "James White and Betty Wilson near the murder scene within thirty minutes of one another. Defense argued the witness was not credible because she had been unable to pick White out of a lineup.
- Prosecution claimed the time line proved their case. Defense argued the time line did not fit.
- Prosecution offered a witness who claimed Mrs. Wilson had talked about wanting to kill her husband. Defense argued the story was not credible because it had happened almost 6 years earlier and the woman had continued to be friends with Mrs. Wilson.
- Defense offered a witness who stated she had received a message from Dr. Wilson on her answering machine after the alleged time of death. Prosecution argued the call could have been made earlier.
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?
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