'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Belinda Temple's murder in 1999 has been one of Texas's complicated cases, which will be revisited in the very first episode of season 2 of Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler. For the first time, the whole story, including the investigation and the trials of the husband, David Temple, is looked at.
Belinda was eight months pregnant at the time of her murder when a husband shot her in the head and cradled the body inside their own house. The case is marked by a succession of legal battles that are going to take years.
The case highlights the personal tragedy of the challenge that the prosecutors face in seeking justice. Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler premieres January 25, 2025, on Oxygen.
Background of Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler
Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler is a true crime series that brings to light the experiences of Siegler as a prosecutor. The show attempts to give the viewer an insider's look into the legal system and how it affects people emotionally.
Trending
Different from many other actual crime shows that focus on the sensationalism of the crimes rather than in detail, Prosecuting Evil emphasizes the details of the prosecution process. In its second season, it continues to cover important cases in Texas's history with a commitment to factual narratives and insight into the judicial process.
The first episode of Prosecuting Evil season 2 deals with the case of Belinda Temple, which Siegler states is one of her most challenging cases.
About the crime
According to Oxygen, Belinda Temple was a special education teacher who lived in Katy, Texas. She was shot once in the back of the head with a 12-gauge shotgun while in her master bedroom closet on January 11, 1999. Her husband and their young son were away from home at the time of the incident.
Investigators first suspected it was a burglary, but subsequent evidence proved otherwise. Expensive items were left undisturbed around the house despite signs of forced entry, raising suspicions about a staged crime scene. Belinda was also eight months pregnant with a daughter they planned to name Erin at the time of her death.
Investigation
According to Oxygen, the investigation into Belinda's murder quickly focused on David Temple after authorities discovered he was having an affair with Heather Scott, a colleague at his school. This revelation provided a potential motive for murder as it suggested David might have wanted to eliminate his wife to pursue a relationship with Scott.
Despite extensive searches for evidence linking David to the crime—such as finding the murder weapon—law enforcement faced challenges due to a lack of physical evidence directly connecting him to Belinda’s death. Ultimately, investigators concluded that David likely disposed of the shotgun used in the crime.
Resolution
According to Oxygen, David Temple was arrested and charged with murder. He was first tried in 2007 based on the prosecution's argument that his affair had given him motive. The jury sentenced him to life imprisonment. However, in 2016, the conviction was overturned on prosecutorial grounds, mainly due to withheld evidence that could have influenced the trial's outcome.
When the decision was announced, David was yet again subjected to a judicial trial in 2019 and later in 2023, where he found himself with another life imprisonment sentence.
Aftermath
According to Oxygen, the impact of Belinda Temple's murder has been profound for her family and community. Evan Temple, her son, was merely three years old at the time of his mother's death and had to come of age under circumstances quite challenging.
David Temple continues to experience legal battles as he tries to appeal his conviction to the appeals courts yet again. He is currently serving his sentence and might be eligible for parole in 2040. The case has elicited debate about domestic violence and justice for its victims in Texas law enforcement circles and far beyond.
Kelly Siegler's work in Prosecuting Evil not only highlights legal approaches but also the emotional impact on families of victims and prosecutors. Prosecuting Evil reveals how personal relationships can sometimes make it complicated for the investigators and prosecutors to reach the final verdict, as well as emphasizing the need for evidence collection and ethical prosecution practices.
