Perhaps the most dramatic part of the trial came when a black former city employee took the stand and told of having relations with Mrs. Wilson. Although the prosecution denied playing the racism card, observers of the trial all agreed it had the same effect.
The case went to the jury at 12:28 on Tuesday, March 2, 1993. After deliberating the rest of the day and much of the following day the jury returned with a guilty verdict. Jurors later revealed that the deciding factor in their decision was the telephone records. Betty Wilson was sentenced to life imprisonment, without parole.
Six months later, Peggy Lowe stood trial for her alleged part in the murder for hire. Much of the evidence was almost a repeat of her sister’s trial, with the same witnesses and the same testimony. New to the case, however, was testimony by expert witnesses who stated that two people may have been involved in the murder. Citing the lack of blood splatters on the walls, the experts theorized the murder probably occurred some other place than the hallway and was caused by something other than a baseball bat.
For the defense, the most crucial moment probably occurred when White testified that Betty Wilson picked him up at the murder scene between 6 and 6:30 p.m. on the day in question. This was an hour later than he had previously testified. If the jurors believed White’s story, it would have been impossible for Mrs. Wilson to have participated.
The biggest difference in the trials, however, were the people being tried. While Mrs. Wilson seemed to be the reincarnate of everything evil, her sister portrayed the image of a virtuous and compassionate church going woman who was constantly helping people less fortunate. Though it had been difficult to get people to testify in Betty Wilson’s behalf, Mrs. Lowe’s jurors heard a steady parade of witnesses extolling her virtues.
The jury deliberated for only two hours and eleven minutes before finding Peggy Lowe not guilty. The jurors cited James White’s lack o credibility as the major factor. The prosecutor explained the verdict by saving he was “fighting God.”
Although Peggy Lowe can never be tried again, the fact remains that it is impossible for one sister to be innocent and the other guilty.
Betty Wilson is serving life without parole at the Julia Tutwiler prison in Wetumpka, Alabama. She works in the sewing department and spends her free time writing her supporters. Her case is being appealed.
James White is serving a life sentence at an institution in Springville, Alabama, where he is attending trade school and receiving counseling for drug and alcohol abuse. In 1994, he recanted his story of the twins’ involvement but later took the Fifth Amendment when questioned about it in court. He will be eligible for parole in the year 2000.
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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