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Barbara Terry Ford Stager can take care of herself. When her first husband, Larry Ford, and father of her two sons, Bryan and Jason, got int he way of her affairs and manic spending, she shot him the chest as he slept. The end result: she was able to claim insurance funds when political disputes resulted in Ford's death being declared "an accident." Forward a few husband-hunting months later, Barbara marries Russ Stager. It doesn't take long for her adultry and spending habits to surface. While a spender himself, Russ Stager has enough sense to realize when he's in over his head and attempts to, with the help of his parents, curtail their financially frivilous lifestyle; but, as is expected, this doesn't stop Barbara from spending freely and living the high life. But when Russ discovers that his wife is even willing to steal from his personal accounts, something has to be done. And once again Barbara is widowed from an "accidental shooting" that she claims occured when she accidentally fired a pistol under Russ' pillow, shooting him in the back of the head while he slept. I don't believe in coincidences and neither did the Durham County law enforcement officials who investigated this case. At first response, they believed Barbara's story but when Russ Stager's ex wife, JoAnn Snow, brings to light the circumstances surrounding the death of Barbara's first husband, the Stagers' financial dillema, and conversations between her and Russ, detectives derive a new theory on why Russ Stager died. Barbara is arrested this time for murdering her husband, much to the relief of Stagers' parents and Larry Ford's parents, who have longed for justice for their slain son. In true sociopathic form, however, Barbara truly believes that a jury will not find her guilty of murdering Russ because , she just isn't capable of such an act. Yet the jury does believe she is indeed capable and finds her guilty of First Degree Murder; a capital offense. Subsequently, they declare the penalty of death. With a bit of legal wrangling this sentence is converted to life in prison on appeal. As we all know, however, life in prison does not necessarily mean "life" and Barbara is eligible for parole in 2006. I found this book to be extremely well written and thoroughly researched. Unfortunately, I had watched the Lifetime television movie about this story before reading this book. The book greatly outdoes the movie. The movie freely used creative licensing to fictionalize a lot of details. So be sure to read the book first!Read full review
A really interesting book so glad to read it
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Jerry Bledsoe is one of my favorite true crime writers. He gives such vivid descriptions and adds so much detail, that the reader feels like a real witness to the entire story. You almost feel as if you've known the people he writes about all of your life. He carries his readers through the whole recreation of events with a wonderful momentum and glend of emotions. If you have never read any of his books, you're missing out!
I purchased this book to replace one of the books I lost in a house fire. It was one of my favorites and I was very glad to find it again. If you like this kind of story you will enjoy reading this one. It is well written and will be one of those books you just can't put down.I read a lot of books and this one is in my top ten.
I don't believe my comments are needed. I like non-fiction mysteries, I like the price on e-bay, the service is always good. Whether or not I like the story is not important. This isn't like buying a refrigerator. That why I selected average.
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