The Tragic Story of Betty Williams

Jan 20, 2025

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.

Additional Information

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