A Kiss Before Dying: Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Source: Texas Monthly
• Date: February 1, 2006
• Main Topic: A true crime story from Odessa, Texas, involving a murder known as the "Kiss and Kill Murder."

The Legend of Betty

• Local Legend: Betty, a ghost said to haunt Odessa High School's auditorium.
• Origin Story: Various apocryphal tales about her death, including falling off a ladder, hanging, or being shot by a boyfriend.
• High School Response: Windows painted over to prevent ghost sightings; Betty's presence is linked to unexplained events.

Betty Williams

• Background:
  • Lived in a modest house near oil fields.
  • Parents struggled financially; her father was a strict Baptist.
  • Seen as a nonconformist, intellectual, and attention-seeker.
  • Wrote candid letters expressing her opinions on various topics.
  • Felt like an outsider at school but desired acceptance.
  • Dreamed of becoming an actress.

Social Context

• Odessa High Social Hierarchy:
  • "Cashmere girls" were popular and represented the top social tier.
  • Betty, being nonconformist, was at the bottom of this hierarchy.
  • Despite her disdain for conformity, she was hurt by her outsider status.

Mack Herring

• Profile:
  • A football player at Odessa High, considered average.
  • Lived in a middle-class neighborhood.
  • Described as quiet, self-contained, and a responsible hunter.

The Relationship

• Betty and Mack:
  • Began dating in the summer of 1960.
  • Mack did not publicly acknowledge the relationship.
  • Betty's attempts to make Mack jealous led to their breakup.
  • Betty was deeply affected and expressed a desire to die.

Betty's Mental State

• Expressions of Distress:
  • Talked about death openly and asked peers to kill her.
  • Erratic behavior during play rehearsals.
  • Affected by family issues, especially with her father's disapproval.

The Murder

• Circumstances:
  • Betty convinced Mack to kill her.
  • Mack shot Betty with a shotgun by a stock tank, weighted her body, and submerged it.
  • Mack showed no emotion during the retrieval of Betty's body.

Legal Proceedings

• Trial:
  • Mack confessed and was charged with first-degree murder.
  • Defense attorney Warren Burnett argued Mack was temporarily insane.
  • Macks was acquitted of murder by reason of temporary insanity in two trials.

Aftermath

• Mack's Life:
  • Lived a quiet life post-trial, worked as an electrician.
  • Community support prevented him from being ostracized.

Continuing Legacy

• Impact on Community:
  • Betty's murder remains a sensitive topic in Odessa.
  • Odessa High School students continue to share ghost stories about Betty.

Conclusion

• Reflection:
  • The case remains a poignant part of Odessa's history.
  • Highlights themes of societal norms, mental health, and justice.

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Additional Information

• Contact: Texas Monthly
• Digital Access: Subscribers can listen to the article online.