Marcia Kelly

Marcia Gayle Kelly (born December 21, 1970) is a convicted American female [...] serving life without parole for allegedly orchestrating the [...] of her husband James. She is incarcerated at the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, Texas. Her inmate number is #1381826. Her case is viewed by many as an example of how prosecutors, law enforcement, and judges are willing to violate ethics to get a conviction.

Crime

On October 23, 2005, truck driver James Kelly is shot to death in his Cushing, Texas home. Initially, his stepdaughter Shaina Sepulvado and her friends Dallas Christian and Colton Weir are the prime suspects. All three are later charged in James' death. When interviewed however, James' WIDOW, Marcia, is implicated in his death. The State of Texas alleges that Colton claimed Shaina and Marcia had orchestrated the plot to have James murdered, and was promised a vehicle in return for committing the crime. In a police statement, Marcia admitted that she overheard some of the juveniles make a statement AbOUT wanting to kill her husband, but did not admit to offering them anything to kill her husband. On October 26, 2005, Marcia is charged with capital [...].

Trial

On July 31, 2006, Marcia Kelly's [...] trial began. At the trial, prosecutors presented the jury with what they believed to be the motive. Marcia had a $100,000 life insurance policy on James. Prosecutors also stated that Marcia and James argued on how to punish Marcia's unruly daughter Shaina. Other testimony was presented at the trial from men who claimed Marcia had also solicited them to kill her husband, along with that of Colton Weir.

Marcia did not testify in her own defense, but her daughter Shaina did take the stand to defend her mother. On the stand, Shaina testified that she was responsible for the [...] and that her mother was not involved. Shaina had also revealed that James had been beating and molesting her. Jurors did not believe her, and convicted Marcia of capital [...]. Since the death penalty had not been sought against her, Marcia received an automatic sentence of life without parole.

Aftermath

Colton Weir in November 2006, and Shaina Sepulvado in April 2007, were each convicted of capital [...] at separate subsequent trials in Nacogdoches County, Texas. They are each serving life without parole.

Dallas Christian pled guilty to [...] and was sentenced to 40 years in 2008.

Two other males, Billy Loftin and Gary Batchelor, were convicted of lesser charges of tampering with evidence, in connection with James Kelly's death.

Marcia Kelly's conviction was affirmed by the Twelfth District Court of Appeals on January 23, 2008.

Marcia's case was profiled on Snapped on March 20, 2011. During the program, Marcia and Shaina discuss elements of the case.

Marcia still maintains her innocence, and is seeking assistance in overturning her conviction.

References

http://www.freemarciakelly.com (where you will find Marcia's side of the story). http://www.marciakelly.net (more information about Marcia's story).