Catherine Shelton has been dogged by questions surrounding the deaths of varied males in her life. She has by no means been charged with homicide. The previous protection lawyer has been trailed by allegations and headlines for many years. She's been known as a assassin, a stalker, and a loopy lawyer.
"Individuals that basically know me know that I am not that manner … who might be and reside so lengthy?" Shelton tells "48 Hours" contributor Jenna Jackson. "I've by no means killed anyone."
The interview is the fruits of a decades-long recreation of cat and mouse between Jackson and Shelton.
In 2003, Jackson co-produced an version of "48 Hours" on Catherine Shelton. Jackson and a staff of authorized consultants reinvestigate most of the allegations in opposition to Shelton. And there are various. Beginning within the Nineteen Seventies, considered one of Shelton's former boyfriends was bludgeoned to loss of life, and one other ex-boyfriend's condo was allegedly set on fireplace. A former shopper who authorities mentioned unintentionally hanged himself was discovered useless and bare in a house Shelton owned. She says she had nothing to do with any of those incidents. She shot one other boyfriend within the again. She admits to that however says it was self-defense. And there is extra.
"If I had accomplished a tenth of what has been mentioned about me, I would be useless, all proper?" Shelton says.
"Homicide accusations?" Shelton says later. "It is merely been individuals throwing mud on the wall and hoping a few of it can stick."
Shelton's story has change into Jackson's obsession to seek out the reality.
"I imply, do I seem like I am telling a giant, fats whopper?" Shelton says with fun.
THE CATHERINE SHELTON CONNECTION
After years of enjoying a recreation of cat and mouse with Catherine Shelton, I've determined to satisfy up together with her once more and see if she's been holding onto any secrets and techniques.
However earlier than I do this, I obtained some helpfrom a pair consultants. They're each "48 Hours" consultants.
Lisa Andrews was a longtime prosecutor. She's now a protection lawyer.
Lisa Andrews: To carry any individual criminally liable for one thing, you could have to have the ability to show it. And up to now nobody metropolis, nobody company, nobody has been capable of even sufficient nearly for an arrest.
And Brian Benken, a trial lawyer and personal investigator.
Brian Benken: There is not any query, from what we find out about her previous previous to this, that she's succesful. You realize, the query is, , what is the proof?
The controversy surrounding Catherine Shelton began within the late 70s.
Jenna Jackson: OK, so let's recap what we all know thus far … she comes on the scene as a — as a Houston legal protection lawyer. She's already obtained a repute. She's related to … her ex-boyfriend, who she had filed a typical legislation marriage swimsuit in opposition to.
Brian Benken: The one who didn't present up for the court docket look for the lawsuit that she filed. Who was discovered —
Jenna Jackson: Precisely—
Brian Benken: — overwhelmed to loss of life in his storage.
Jenna Jackson: And that's nonetheless unsolved. And we really feel like there are such a lot of unanswered questions there.
Jenna Jackson: All of them sorta go in a circle right here. After which she is charged with capturing one other ex-boyfriend, Gary Taylor, a reporter right here in Houston.
Brian Benken: Who she truly obtained convicted for.
Jenna Jackson: And that is the one factor she's ever been convicted of, proper?
Brian Benken: Proper.
Lisa Andrews: … and solely obtained probation.
Brian Benken: Proper.
And, in fact, there was a second loss of life we talked about. It was Tommy Bell. He was named with Catherine in a wrongful loss of life lawsuit and was later discovered with a bullet in his head. Investigators say Bell shot himself enjoying Russian roulette.
Catherine was by no means implicated in Bell's loss of life, however it added to her repute as a lady with a previous. And there have been different outdated allegations of harassment, burglaries, and so forth that by no means obtained to court docket.
However now, Let's transfer to the subsequent chapter in Catherine's life.
In 1981 Catherine left Houston and married a small-town Texas boy named Clint Shelton.
His household owned a gun store and he occurred to be an knowledgeable marksman. Catherine advised us what had attracted her to him after I began overlaying Catherine in 2003.
CATHERINE SHELTON: He simply appeared like a sort of a person of the West-type individual.
Clint's dad Richard did not take care of Catherine.
RICHARD SHELTON (2003): She's clever. Do not assume she's not clever. And he or she's imply to go together with it. … She's a bitch—18 karat.
Catherine and Clint would later transfer as much as Dallas.
She ultimately satisfied a decide to "put aside" her conviction for capturing Gary Taylor.
After her probation was lifted in 1988, she obtained her legislation license again and opened a follow.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003) : What I attempt to do is get justice for the individuals who come to me.
Issues had been comparatively quiet for a few decade till a 3rd man's loss of life had a hyperlink to Catherine in June 1999.
Lisa Andrews: So, let's speak in regards to the subsequent case. ... Chris Hansen.
Brian Benken: This— that is the place the case kinda goes from unhealthy to bizarre.
Chris Hansen was performing some contracting work for Catherine in her new residence. He was right here within the states from Canada.
Brian Benken: It is our understanding that, , she was performing some immigration work for him.
Lisa Andrews: Mr. Hansen was present in a house that she had but to maneuver into, however it belonged to her. … discovered … by her husband, Clint Shelton.
Hansen was discovered hanging in a closet space of the house. He was bare. Based on newspaper reviews on the time …
Lisa Andrews: It was dominated an accident once more. This time, as an alternative of by Russian roulette, it was dominated accident by autoerotic asphyxiation.
Jenna Jackson: In her home?
Lisa Andrews: In her home.
Brian Benken: In her home.
Jenna Jackson: So, have you ever guys seen these kinda instances earlier than
Brian Benken: Not in—
Lisa Andrews: They don't seem to be—
Brian Benken: — any individual else's home.
Lisa Andrews: Proper. I imply, they occur, however that is fairly uncommon.
Hansen's loss of life could have been uncommon, however the subsequent one with a hyperlink to Catherine was proper out of a film.
THE HIERRO CASE
Jenna Jackson: So, we're again in Dallas, she's working as a protection lawyer. … a number of months after Chris Hansen's physique is present in her home.
Lisa Andrews: And it is a actually large one. Sensational, newsworthy. A lot of media protection, and a giant deal in Dallas.
Brian Benken: So, this occurred in Rowlett, Texas. And on December the twentieth, 1999, there is a 911 name:
CALLER: Good day.
911 OPERATOR: Good day.
CALLER: There is a girl laying on my entrance porch that is been shot twice.
911 OPERATOR: Are you aware who shot her?
CALLER: No, ma'am.
CALLER: She's saying, "Please assist me, please assist me they're nonetheless chasing me." She's saying that someplace down the way in which her husband's been shot .
The 911 caller did not know who had shot Marisa Hierro, however Marisa says she knew instantly who was concerned: her outdated boss Catherine Shelton.
Marisa had just lately stop working for Catherine and had opened her personal immigration consulting enterprise. Catherine, she says, went ballistic. The 2 ladies quickly started accusing one another of scamming their purchasers.
MARISA HIERRO:She was threatening me, she was screaming at me.
"48 Hours" spoke with Marisa in 2003.
MARISA HIERRO: She's screaming, "You will not reside to see Christmas." I imply, she mentioned it precisely like that.
Catherine denies that she ever threatened Marisa. However Marisa says she was nervous — she knew what occurred to Chris Hansen, the person that had been discovered hanging in a house Catherine owned. Marisa says she knew him and claims he had a beef with Catherine.
MARISA HIERRO: He known as my workplace — about 30 days earlier than he had handed. He had advised me that … she was taking, like, cash from him. … I advised him to go to the police. He advised me he was afraid to go to the police, as a result of, , he wasn't a citizen. He had Canadian citizenship or one thing.
Marisa says Hansen had wound up useless not lengthy after. His loss of life dominated an accident. Then, that December night, all hell broke unfastened for Marisa and her husband Michael outdoors their residence.
MARISA HIERRO: We pulled round to the again …
MARISA HIERRO: Mike's about to get out. … unexpectedly, he simply snapped over. And he grabbed my arm. And he simply mentioned "Oh no." … So, I look to see what he is . And he is telling me, "Simply run," … don't be concerned what you hear. Simply — simply go. Run."
MARISA HIERRO: And — I might simply see from, like, the neck down. I could not see any face. … And I might see somebody simply cocking, holding one thing like this. And I do know now after I'm wanting, it is — it is confirming in my head that that is somebody holding a gun.
MARISA HIERRO: It was the loudest sound I would ever heard, as a result of it was so shut.
MARISA HIERRO: I imply, you consider it now and also you assume he ought to've ran him over, he ought to've — he ought to've accomplished somethin' completely different. He shoulda pulled ahead and slammed into the storage. He ought to've lifted up the storage. He ought to've accomplished one thing aside from get out.
Marisa says she might see two masked figures: one individual with a gun, a person; the opposite a lady, petite with blonde hair.
MARISA HIERRO: I am working … I am not even pondering that I may even get quick sufficient away. So, I stood and I simply — I always remember, as a result of I noticed — it is like a fireplace leaving a gun. … And the one factor I might consider to do, I suppose, was carry up my hand.
MARISA HIERRO: I do know after I was shot and I landed ahead, I landed face down.
Marisa says as the 2 masked figures stood over her, the lady was giving the shooter orders. She says she acknowledged Catherine by her voice.
MARISA HIERRO: She mentioned, "Do not be a [expletive]," to him. She mentioned, "I mentioned do it." … And he advised her, "I — I did. I shot her." And now she mentioned, "Do it once more."
MARISA HIERRO: When he argued and mentioned, "I did it," I simply heard them, like, depart.
Marisa had been hit — buckshot from the blast tore into her arm and she or he was critically wounded. Her husband Michael lay useless within the driveway.
MARISA HIERRO: When the police get on the scene the primary issues I say … I say, "Catherine. Catherine Shelton."
Despite Marisa's witness account, Catherine was by no means arrested. She had an alibi. Her lawyer says cellphone data present that Catherine was speaking on her mobile phone after which her residence cellphone with a good friend and her mom on the time of the capturing.
However her husband Clint was arrested and charged with homicide and aggravated assault.
Police had discovered two latex gloves and a masks made out of pantyhose in a Porta Potty on a development web site close to the homicide scene. Clint's DNA was on the masks.
Brian Benken: So many individuals have mentioned, , Catherine has this potential to drag individuals in and to assist her. So, Clint's been married to her for a number of years, , he is simply sucked into this. And, "Positive — positive, child. I will go together with you and shoot your paralegal and her husband. Why not?" I imply —
Lisa Andrews: That is simply unbelievable to me.
Brian Benken: That is kinda the way in which it appears although.
And that is the way in which it appeared to the prosecutors as nicely.
Jenna Jackson: I sat by it 20 years in the past. Sat by that complete homicide trial. The prosecutor's case was, "Clint did this, and whether or not Catherine was on the scene or not, she orchestrated it." He mentioned that. That was his case.
Brian Benken: It needed to be his case 'trigger Clint had no motive on his personal to do that —
Lisa Andrews: Proper, Catherine had the —
Jenna Jackson: I agree —
Brian Benken: Catherine had the motive.
In 2000, Clint Shelton was discovered responsible and sentenced to life in jail for gunning down the Hierros. We spoke to him a number of years into his sentence.
CLINT SHELTON: I didn't homicide or try and homicide anybody. And I used to be not there that evening.
Catherine insisted neither of them had something to do with it.
CATHERINE SHELTON [2003]: I do not know something about it.
Marisa would later sue Catherine for wrongful loss of life. The case was ultimately dropped.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): This began out to be a wrongful loss of life lawsuit filed by Marisa in opposition to me for killing her husband. It has changed into one thing else.
That is as a result of Catherine would then countersue, saying Marisa had falsely blamed her and her husband Clint for the crime and that every one of her claims had been unfaithful.
The trial was uncommon. Marisa and her lawyer did not present up. So, Catherine gained by default.
The ruling? Marisa libeled Catherine by accusing her of homicide. However Catherine was nonetheless able to combat for damages.
CATHERINE SHELTON [testifying in court]: And the more serious factor she says in right here, this factor says, I am a coward. … My father wasn't a coward. My mom wasn't a coward.
The decide appeared impressed.
JUDGE: I feel it was a really well-tried case. Very nicely defined. Your arguments are nicely supported.
Guess what? The decide awarded Catherine hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): She must discover a job. And we hope she'll keep at it for at the least 30 or 40 years as a result of that is how lengthy it will take to pay for all this.
Catherine was offended at Marisa. And as I am about to inform you, she would additionally change into livid with me. I obtained a bodyguard.
CATHERINE STANDS BY HER MAN
In November 2003 I used to be slightly involved. Catherine Shelton was offended with me — very offended. Catherine's saga hit nationwide airwaves with our "48 Hours" report:
RICHARD SCHLESINGER | "48 Hours" correspondent: Do you harm different individuals?
CATHERINE SHELTON: Properly, I do not intend to.
Jenna Jackson: I believed … she mentioned all this on digicam, she needed to know what the present was going to seem like. There's all these our bodies ... On the time, my boss at CBS was actually nervous that Catherine would attempt to kill me.
So, my boss employed a bodyguard to observe me round.
Jenna Jackson: Three months after the present airs, Catherine calls my mobile phone, says, "Hey that is Catherine." I am like, "Hey Catherine …" I get little butterflies in my abdomen at that time. And he or she's like, "I simply wished to let I critically thought of killing you, however I made a decision to not. … And I used to be like, "OK, thanks …" Click on!
Round 2012, I left the enterprise, however because it seems, it hadn't left me. Catherine Shelton was at all times there at the back of my thoughts. I came upon she had been disbarred for the reason that final time I noticed her, however what else had she been as much as? I wished to speak to her once more. So, in 2016 I known as her.
Not solely did she take my name, however she agreed to satisfy with me once more.
CATHERINE SHELTON: What time is it? It is 11 o'clock. Too early for mimosas.
It was the beginning of a years-long, difficult relationship.
CATHERINE SHELTON: … who am I to evaluate somebody's soul?
I've blended emotions about her.
I discover her sensible, wily and at instances…even humorous.
However she will get very critical when one explicit topic comes up.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2016): There is a man in jail who would not need to be there. His identify is Clint Shelton.
All these years later, Catherine continues to be standing by her man, whilst Clint Shelton was serving out his life sentence for the homicide of Michael Hierro.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2016): And all people who is aware of him … is aware of that it is not him 'trigger it is not possible.
Catherine was decided to exonerate Clint. My curiosity was piqued. I used to be capable of get my arms on lots of of pages of police reviews that we did not have entry to once we initially lined this story. Over the subsequent few years, I went by them each time I had the possibility to see if there was one thing that had been missed. The staff additionally took a glance.
Lisa Andrews: I feel everybody would agree he didn't have a motive.
Ultimately, it appeared that one of the best likelihood Clint Shelton had to assist himself was Catherine.
Jenna Jackson: Inform me out of your expertise … in the event you're defending him, what's our greatest case to say, "Clint did not do that, it is mindless?"
Lisa Andrews: You make this case about Catherine Shelton…
Lisa says the simplest technique to get Clint off the hook can be for him accountable Catherine.
Lisa Andrews: You discuss all of the loopy deaths … earlier than he ever met her. … And then you definitely paint her as this psycho who will get mad and lashes out in anger.
However that hasn't occurred. Clint has by no means even instructed Catherine had something to do with the capturing.
Catherine Shelton (2016): He is been within the penitentiary … with out something … as a result of he would not do what they wished him to do, the prosecutor and the — and the state.
Jenna Jackson: Which was?
Catherine Shelton (2016): Which was, uh, give me up.
And Catherine nonetheless swears she wasn't liable for the capturing both. However for the primary time she shared that she had doubts.
Catherine Shelton (2016): At one level I believed, nicely, possibly I did do it. Possibly I blacked out and did it … And I talked to the psychologist who labored with my purchasers, and I mentioned, "Look … I maintain feeling like so many individuals cannot be improper," and he mentioned, " It is not possible. I used to be speaking to you, like, when it was taking place on the cellphone."
So, who does Catherine imagine was behind the ambush plot? Marisa Hierro.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2016): She was instantly accountable. Even when she didn't herself pull the set off. … she made it occur.
It is an accusation she's made earlier than. Catherine says Marisa had been working an immigration rip-off – mainly taking cash from immigrants who wished inexperienced playing cards. Attorneys who represented a few of Marisa's former purchasers advised us she did little or nothing for the cash they paid her. Catherine says Marisa's husband was about to rat her out.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2016): I do know Michael was inconvenient to her … possibly she thought if she removed him, that she was actually simply going locations and he knew an excessive amount of.
We could not discover Marisa immediately, however on the time once we requested her about these allegations she denied them. And he or she additionally denied Catherine's accusation that she was the one who arrange her husband's homicide.
MARISA HIERRO (2003): Have I at all times accomplished one of the best factor in life, mentioned the fitting factor, made one of the best decisions? No. However have I ever harm anybody? No. Would I ever harm Michael? By no means. [cries] By no means.
However Catherine says she's obtained another reason Clint could not have been the shooter: the gun.
Jenna Jackson: That could be a fairly highly effective weapon.
Tony Leal: It's. It is a scary weapon. It isn't a secure weapon.
Tony Leal: The weapon that was used on the crime scene on that evening was a sawed-off shotgun, 12-gauge. They use buckshot.
Tony Leal is a former chief of the Texas Rangers. He is aware of weapons.
Tony Leal: A shotgun is made to unfold a number of projectiles in order that when it shoots, it goes out the entrance of that barrel and steadily will increase its width.
Tony Leal: So, if you're not skilled in weapons, a shotgun is an excellent weapon … You do not have to know tips on how to actually shoot a gun.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2016): He had most likely, at one level, 200 weapons. … and he was only a very, excellent shot.
Catherine says her husband was a marksman and a gun knowledgeable. He would by no means use a crude weapon like that.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2016): The weapon … was nothing like what Mr. Shelton would have used if he was going to shoot something.
However Leal says Catherine's argument cuts each methods.
Tony Leal: But when I used to be planning a homicide that I wished to get away with … we have to make this seem like we did not do it. … to throw off investigators. It isn't a foul plan.
We spoke to the previous prosecutor on the case, Toby Shook, who's now a protection lawyer. He says Clint Shelton is precisely the place he belongs, and that Catherine continues to be thought of an individual of curiosity within the shootings. He additionally says he would not imagine Marisa Hierro had something to do together with her husband's homicide.
Catherine's efforts to free Clint seem to be a protracted shot however since she is speaking to me once more, I'm wondering, will she discuss different instances?
Jenna Jackson (studying to Catherine): We have arson accusations, homicide accusations, beating, capturing, theft. And who is aware of what else?
What about Gary Taylor? The ex-boyfriend she shot within the again.
Catherine Shelton: He mentioned, "You realize, you and I'd each be higher off useless." And I believed, "nicely possibly you," , "however not me."
HE SAID, SHE SAID
Jenna Jackson [driving]: Right here we go. On our technique to decide up Catherine for an interview. … We are going to see the way it goes. You by no means can inform. It is at all times an journey.
After our reunion in 2016, I met up with Catherine a number of extra instances and she or he advised me bits and items in regards to the allegations in opposition to her, however I felt like she was holding again.
CATHERINE SHELTON: You realize, I imply how might I do know that?
However now, in 2022, she advised me she has extra to say.
Cameraman: What do you assume she's prepared to speak about?
Jenna Jackson: I feel she desires to set the report straight … And proper some issues that've been mentioned about her for, god, 30 plus years now.
And after reexamining this case so fastidiously, I feel I am able to face her once more too. I believed I would begin by asking her a few man she's by no means wished to speak a lot about — a person she as soon as cuttingly described as an "oyster."
Jenna Jackson:I do know you bear in mind this 'trigger you needed to hear about it for years and years.
Catherine Shelton: Sure.
Jenna Jackson: Bear in mind the evening that all the things went down with Gary Taylor? I wanna stroll you thru what he says occurred, and I would like you to inform me what occurred. OK?
Catherine Shelton: All proper.
Gary Taylor is that newspaper reporter who advised us about his torrid relationship with Catherine that led to an unsightly breakup. Amongst different issues, Taylor accused Catherine of burglarizing his condo. Catherine didn't admit duty for the housebreaking however in response to Taylor she did supply to assist get his belongings again. When Taylor went to her residence what he obtained as an alternative was a bullet in his again.
In 2003, Taylor walked us by what he says occurred that evening with Catherine.
GARY TAYLOR: She insisted that I come over to her place and that she would have the stolen items delivered over there.
After he obtained there, he says Catherine advised him there was one thing for him in her bed room closet.
GARY TAYLOR: I appeared within the closet and it was empty. I went in to verify.
GARY TAYLOR: As quickly as I obtained within the closet, the lights went out. … And I heard a gun click on.
GARY TAYLOR: I knew she was on the market.
Taylor says he appeared by the crack the place the door hinges had been, and there was Catherine.
GARY TAYLOR: And he or she stepped into the bed room, and she or he backed up in opposition to a wall and she or he took a policeman's place, like this (demonstrates), with the pistol, pointed on the closet. Now I had the door between us.
GARY TAYLOR: Now she appeared completely different than I would ever seen her. … this was a brand new Catherine. … and she or he began— talkin' to me …
GARY TAYLOR: She mentioned … "Don't be concerned in regards to the subsequent life as a result of there is not one."
GARY TAYLOR: And he or she appeared down on the gun … and that is after I … made my transfer. And I kicked open the door, I grabbed the chair. I went straight at her with the chair like a lion tamer or somethin'.
GARY TAYLOR: She fired off a spherical … the bullet got here by the chair, and … nicked me proper above the ear, proper right here. And I threw the chair at her.
GARY TAYLOR: I ran down the hallway …
Catherine Shelton: OK, nicely his model of what occurred is bull----.
Catherine denies even relationship Taylor and claims he was solely round as a result of he was writing a narrative about her hoping to revive his profession.
Catherine Shelton: I had information for that boy. I did have some passionate ideas about somebody, however it positive wasn't him.
What Catherine advised me was that after an evening out consuming, Taylor went to her residence for a nightcap. She says Taylor made himself a drink within the kitchen after which got here again into the lounge holding considered one of her weapons.
Catherine Shelton: I mentioned, "that is not loaded." And he says, "it's now."
Catherine says she tried to divert Taylor towards her bed room closet.
Catherine Shelton: I mentioned, "these issues that you really want … they're within the closet up on the highest shelf." … I believed I might sort of go round him, however no. He has me go in entrance of him again to the room.
Catherine Shelton And he reaches for this picket chair to drag it over to rise up, , it was 9 ft. … and I believed, "Now could be your solely likelihood."
Catherine Shelton: And I knew I had one other gun beneath the mattress … I simply began saying, "Oh please Gary, do not kill me." And I went down on my knees, , like this [bends her knees]. It was taking place contemporaneous with him transferring the chair. I reached beneath, pulled it out, stood up, turned and shot him. Like this. With one hand as a result of that is how I shoot. With one hand (laughs). Not like this, however flip your physique to the facet and shoot. As shut as you possibly can.
Jenna Jackson: What occurred then?
Catherine Shelton: He lifted the chair on the similar time … The chair is then rocketed out throughout the room … as a result of I shot by the chair. And the bullet bounced off his head … And he yelled, turned and ran … And I saved capturing … I shot him out the door!
Jenna Jackson: You chased him out the door?
Catherine Shelton: Yeah. … And the second shot hit him within the again.
GARY TAYLOR (2003): She blew me out by the door and— I used to be layin' face-down on the grass outdoors of her place. … And I used to be so pissed off.
Jenna Jackson: He says that got here two centimeters near his coronary heart. He practically died –
Catherine Shelton: It did not even penetrate the physique cavity all proper? … It was within the gentle tissue of his again. The fats muscle. … He was handled and launched rapidly from Ben Taub Hospital that evening.
Catherine insists that she shot him in self-defense. By the way in which, her declare that Gary pointed a gun at her was one she had made earlier than at trial.
We spoke to Taylor just lately and he denies that he held a gun on Catherine and says he is positive Catherine meant to kill him that evening.
So, Catherine has advised us her facet of what occurred with Gary Taylor that evening, however what about all the opposite rumors and accusations in her life?
Jenna Jackson: I've identified a number of legal protection attorneys and never all of them have this path … of of their wake that they have been accused of, proper?
And he or she'll even have to clarify the latest loss of life she has a hyperlink to … a fifth one.
Catherine Shelton: Why would I've killed him?
ADDRESSING THE ALLEGATIONS
It is so laborious to drag Catherine into focus. Is she uninterested in the accusations which have swirledaround her for many years?
Catherine Shelton: Individuals who actually know me know me, they know I am not that manner. I imply, who might be and — and reside so lengthy?
Or is a part of her amused by all the eye?
Jenna Jackson (listening to sirens outdoors): Yup, I hear 'em. The sirens within the background.
Catherine Shelton: They're right here for me.
Jenna Jackson: (laughs) They discovered you.
Catherine Shelton: They lastly positioned me. It is taken them 40 years.
Jenna Jackson: So, for 40 years, there have been some fairly loopy accusations thrown at you. Some—
Catherine Shelton: Sure — a number of.
Jenna Jackson: — instances linked to you. Homicide—
Catherine Shelton: You imply that I knew the individuals? Sure.
Jenna Jackson: Arson, homicide, fraud.
Catherine Shelton: Burning, theft, basic mayhem.
Jenna Jackson: So why? Why are all these items being mentioned about you each which manner you go? I imply, have you ever accomplished all these items?
Catherine Shelton: If I had accomplished a tenth of what I — has been mentioned about me, I would be useless, all proper?
Jenna Jackson: Have you ever ever murdered anybody?
Catherine Shelton: I — homicide accusations? … It is merely been individuals throwing mud on the wall and hoping a few of it can stick.
Bear in mind, Catherine was by no means charged with homicide however she has hyperlinks to 2 males who met a violent finish. The primary man was that ex-boyfriend, Dr. George Tedesco, discovered bludgeoned to loss of life in his storage on the day he was purported to go to court docket in a dispute with Catherine.
The opposite man was Michael Hierro, shot to loss of life in his driveway. His spouse, who was additionally shot and survived, had been in a dispute with Catherine as nicely.
Catherine Shelton: Myself, I've by no means killed any human being … I've by no means — paid anybody to kill any human being, promised anybody that I'd pay them to kill one other human being, supplied anybody something of worth.
As for these different mysterious deaths, there was Tommy Bell, the person who was named together with her in a wrongful loss of life swimsuit.
Catherine Shelton: He had killed himself— or shot himself whereas enjoying Russian roulette, watching a Clint Eastwood film.
She nonetheless denies that she had something to do with it, however she did appear skeptical in regards to the Russian roulette story.
Catherine Shelton: Be kinda laborious to check any individual … harming themself, that took care of their physique, , and their diet.
And he or she additionally advised us she would not know something about Chris Hansen's loss of life. He was the contractor who turned up useless and bare in a home she owned.
However why do these rumors observe her round? Catherine thinks the explanation could also be as a result of she was at all times identified for being a pressure to be reckoned with.
Catherine Shelton: I had considerably of a monitor report of "For those who hit me as soon as, I will hit you twice." You realize. I used to be taught to take up for myself. And I did.
However that repute, she says, took on a lifetime of its personal after the Tedesco homicide. Catherine says she used it to construct her legend.
Catherine Shelton: I performed off a number of that. And — after the primary incidence — of the outrage of, like — George Tedesco — individuals would, , generally have a look at me. And I believed, "Properly, I will simply use this to my benefit," ? And so, if I would, like, , have a look at them or one thing like that or — , I would see that they'd go loopy, , or one thing.
Jenna Jackson: So, you performed it up?
Catherine Shelton: Yeah, I did.
Though Catherine insists she by no means murdered anybody, she does admit to some violence when she wanted to defend herself.
Jenna Jackson: However you could have accomplished some — some violent issues.
Catherine Shelton: Oh sure. And I — I'd — if somebody put their arms on me.
Catherine, nevertheless, says that she's softened with age … at the least slightly.
Catherine Shelton: It was once you will solely do that when. (sighs) Now — I am attempting to be — , observe Jesus and all the things slightly higher. I am a Catholic. And so now the rule is, all proper, it's a must to do it twice, however then I will beat the crap out of you.
Catherine says she desires to place her previous behind her. However there's now a brand new loss of life with a hyperlink to her.
The newest case was that of a 70-year-old man named Sam Shelton—no relation to Catherine.
He was in poor health, she says, and in 2017 he was residing in her home.
Catherine Shelton: … he was in fairly unhealthy form. He was on oxygen, ? You realize, I imply— a number of oxygen. Loads of oxygen. He could not even transfer and not using a tank, a giant tank with him.
Catherine says she took him as a result of he was a veteran and had no household round. He did not final lengthy.
Catherine Shelton: He lived for — let's have a look at. After I met him in — in March or April, let's have a look at. I've to depend on my fingers immediately. Could, June, July, August, September— August. He died in August. He solely lived 5 months. And he may've lived slightly longer, besides the storm.
That storm was Hurricane Harvey. It got here blasting by Houston that August. Catherine says Sam died of pure causes in the course of the storm. There was nowhere to take him.
Catherine Shelton: And I attempted to wrap him up in blankets. … And I believed at the least right here it is chilly, ? And – and — he could have to remain right here with me in the home, , until they will come and get him. So, I did not know what else to do.
However it's what Catherine did subsequent that obtained her in hassle. She signed his identify on a lease utility after he was useless to attempt to lease a home. She obtained caught.
Catherine Shelton: The DA's Workplace did not wanna take it at first. After which they mentioned, "Properly, it is solely a misdemeanor."
Catherine Shelton: And um —
Jenna Jackson: (studying) Fraudulent use of figuring out info. Felony.
FRAUD DOC SCREENGRAB – credit score wanted
Backside line: Catherine is at present charged with a felony and she or he's dealing with trial. She might even go jail for as much as 10 years.
Catherine Shelton: I am not going to jail. I have never accomplished something improper.
Jenna Jackson: However how are you so positive? You are dealing with this case proper now. It is pending —
Catherine Shelton: Properly, I am unable to —
Jenna Jackson: — as we sit right here —
Catherine Shelton: — give away my — my protection. … I imply, it is not a very good case for a prosecutor. It is — it is fairly—it — it is not a skinny case. It is a case that may't be confirmed.
Catherine says she has a motive for signing the useless man's identify on that doc. She says she was simply attempting to get a brand new residence for the aged man's nurse and her household. Based on Catherine, they'd misplaced their residence within the storm.
It is so laborious to type this all out. And in any case this, I nonetheless cannot make up my thoughts about her.
Jenna Jackson: How would you … describe your life?
Catherine Shelton: Properly, I definitely by no means anticipated it to be the way it was. … truly, I want to have been a librarian. That — that was what I actually wished to do.
Jenna Jackson: Has your life turned out such as you thought it could.
Catherine Shelton: Properly, no. I have never been a librarian. So, it did not work out.
Catherine Shelton: I am who I'm, interval. … And that is simply how the playing cards are dealt. … you have to … play the hand you are dealt. And with a number of moans and groans and, , m — missed strikes, I've performed the hand I used to be dealt.
Jenna Jackson: Do you could have something to admit? Have you ever advised us the reality about all the things?
Catherine Shelton: Something that I've needed to confess, I've confessed up to now. It is accomplished. The confession is finished.
Jenna Jackson: However no homicide?
Catherine Shelton: I have never — not but, I have never (laughs). So anyway, you by no means know.
Catherine's fraud trial is at present scheduled for this summer season.
Produced by Chuck Stevenson and Gabriella Demirdjian. Emma Steele is the affiliate producer. Mead Stone is the producer-editor. Ken Blum, George Baluzy, Gary Winter and Diana Modica are the editors. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard and Jenna Jackson are the chief producers.