The True Story Behind ‘Love and Death’: Who Is the Real Candy Montgomery?

The year 2022 witnessed a surge in true crime dramas, with titles like Dahmer, The Girl from Plainville, The Dropout, and The Staircase captivating audiences worldwide. While some may argue that the genre has reached a saturation point and concerns have arisen regarding the portrayal of criminals and the impact on victims and their families, there’s no sign of the true crime trend slowing down. Looking ahead to 2023, the television lineup promises a continuation of this fascination, with a plethora of true crime stories hitting our screens, ranging from chilling murders to enigmatic sex cults. Among the most highly anticipated releases is HBO Max’s “Love and Death,” slated to premiere on April 27, featuring Elizabeth Olsen as the notorious murderer Candy Montgomery.

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Candy Montgomery, a seemingly ordinary housewife hailing from Fairview, Texas, became infamous when she was accused of brutally murdering her friend, Betty Gore, using a horrifying 41 ax blows. The shocking twist? Candy confessed to the crime. However, by the end of her trial, Montgomery was shockingly found not guilty, despite compelling evidence that seemed to point directly at her guilt. This baffling turn of events begs the question: Who is the real Candy Montgomery, and what influence has her story had on the ever-evolving landscape of true crime?

Who Were Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore?

In 1978, Candace Lynn Montgomery, known as Candy to her friends, was a 29-year-old housewife in Fairview, Texas. Her life took a dark turn when she initiated a secret affair with Allan Gore, the husband of one of her closest friends, Betty. At the time, Candy was living with her husband and two children, while Betty was pregnant with her and Allan’s second child. After the birth of the baby in 1979, Allan decided it was time to end the illicit relationship. Candy was heartbroken but did not resort to extreme measures. Betty remained blissfully unaware of her husband’s infidelity, and as far as anyone knew, the affair remained Candy and Allan’s closely guarded secret. However, the calm facade shattered about a year later.

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The Dallas Morning News reported that the turning point occurred on a fateful Friday the 13th in June 1980 when Betty Gore confronted her dear friend Candy about the affair. Candy had stopped by Betty’s house to retrieve a bathing suit for the Gores’ eldest daughter, Alisa, who had spent the night at Candy’s place. During their conversation, Betty broached the topic, seeking the truth about Candy’s involvement with Allan. While there remains some debate about the exact sequence of events, it is a grim fact that Montgomery seized an ax and unleashed a horrifying assault on Betty. Betty sustained a total of 41 blows, most of them inflicted after she had already lost consciousness. Astonishingly, her heart continued to beat during 40 of these savage strikes.

In a chilling admission, Candy proceeded to take a shower in Betty’s bathroom after the brutal murder and then went about her day as if nothing had happened. She even joined friends for lunch and later picked up her children, along with Alisa, from church. Meanwhile, Allan, who was away on a business trip, grew increasingly concerned when he couldn’t reach his wife. He made numerous phone calls, but there was no response. Sensing something was amiss, he contacted a few neighbors, urging them to check on Betty. Three neighbors entered the house and discovered Betty’s lifeless body in the utility room. Upstairs, the couple’s one-year-old daughter lay alone in her crib.

Suspicion quickly turned toward Candy as the prime suspect, especially after she confessed to her affair with Allan. Candy admitted to killing Betty but contended that it was an act of self-defense. According to her version of events, Betty confronted her about the affair and then attacked her with the ax. In the ensuing struggle, Candy managed to disarm Betty and, in a state of fear, struck her repeatedly until she was lifeless.

What Happened During Candy Montgomery’s Trial?

Candy Montgomery’s claim of self-defense became the focal point of her trial. In an attempt to rationalize how a person could deliver 41 ax blows in self-defense, her defense attorney, Don Crowder, enlisted the expertise of a psychiatrist who testified that Candy had experienced a dissociative episode during her confrontation with Betty. Apparently, something Betty said, possibly just a simple “shush,” triggered a deep emotional reaction in Montgomery, unearthing a buried childhood trauma. Under hypnosis, Candy recounted the tragic events of that ill-fated Friday the 13th and confessed that she had lost count of the blows she had inflicted. She further asserted that she never intended to kill her friend and refused to gaze upon the ax when it was presented as evidence in the courtroom.

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On October 29, 1980, a jury comprised of three men and nine women delivered a shocking verdict: Candy Montgomery was acquitted of the murder of Betty Gore. While one juror claimed that the prosecution never had a strong case against Candy, another juror revealed that it took six secret ballots to reach a final decision. As Montgomery walked out of the courtroom as a free woman, many in the courtroom were left in disbelief. Some spectators even shouted “Murderer!” as she departed. Allan Gore expressed his sadness with a somber shake of his head but declined to provide a statement to the press. In contrast, Betty’s father, Bob Pomeroy, asserted that justice would eventually prevail, stating, “We don’t know what happened. Yes, I was very surprised.”

Following the trial, Candy Montgomery relocated to Georgia with her husband and children. Unfortunately, the couple’s marriage dissolved four years later. Today, she works as a mental health counselor and continues to reside in Georgia, adopting her maiden name, Wheeler.

Candy Montgomery Has Been the Subject of Not Just One, But Three True Crime Adaptations

The captivating and bewildering story of Candy Montgomery has not been confined to one true crime adaptation. Based on the book “Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs” by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson, HBO Max’s “Love and Death” is the latest entry into this dark saga. However, it’s not the first time Candy’s story has been brought to the screen. In 2022, Hulu released its own interpretation of the case with the series “Candy,” spanning five gripping episodes. This adaptation stars Jessica Biel as Candy Montgomery and Melanie Lynskey as her ill-fated friend and victim, Betty Gore.

Interestingly, decades before these modern adaptations, Atkinson and Bloom’s book inspired a TV movie titled “A Killing in a Small Town.” Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, this 1990 film depicted Candy’s story with some variations in names. Barbara Hershey played the role of Candy Morrison, a Texas housewife accused of murdering her close friend Peggy Blankenship, portrayed by Lee Garlington. Hershey’s performance earned her a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.

In conclusion, the enduring fascination with the enigmatic Candy Montgomery, her shocking crime, and her astonishing acquittal continue to captivate audiences and inspire true crime adaptations that shed new light on a perplexing chapter in criminal history. The true story behind “Love and Death” remains a haunting and complex tale that challenges our understanding of justice and human behavior.

Source: https://dominioncinemas.net
Category: TV FEATURES