"48 Hours" has been protecting the controversy surrounding a former Texas protection lawyer for twenty years. Say the title Catherine Shelton and you're assured to get loads of tales and opinions from many individuals in Houston and in Dallas. That is as a result of unusual issues have occurred to the boys in Shelton's life. Some have suffered weird mishaps and misfortune and 5 males have died. She says she's by no means killed anybody, however questions stay. "48 Hours" contributor Jenna Jackson went searching for the reality.
IN SEARCH OF ANSWERS
I've heard plenty of outrageous crime tales in my life. However nothing comes near what's in these containers: assaults, arrests, trials, disbarments — information and paperwork from years of Catherine Mehaffey Shelton's wild and mysterious life.
However that is additionally actually the story of my obsession with Catherine.
It began greater than 20 years in the past. I first met Catherine for a present I used to be producing for "48 Hours" on the controversy that had surrounded the protection lawyer for many years.
Within the years since, I've met her a couple of extra instances and it is at all times been the identical — she's coy, even playful. However usually, I depart feeling confused. I ponder if she's not the cat and I am the mouse she's simply batting round.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2016): I've performed a couple of issues. Sure. I do admit that I've — properly, I've by no means stabbed anybody. All proper? … And I've by no means shot anybody with a shotgun.
Is she responsible of something? Some issues? Or is that this all a coincidence? I've determined I'll look into all of it once more and see if I can dig up any new data. The purpose? To fulfill along with her one final time and see if I can get some solutions.
From the beginning, I knew I used to be going to want assist sorting by means of the allegations.
Jenna Jackson: We now have—fraud … elder abuse, assaults, theft, tax evasion, fraud once more, legal mischief, shootings …
Brian Benken: It is not black and white. However as you may inform from all these footage and totally different circumstances in your desk, that is plenty of coincidences.
That is Brian Benken, a non-public investigator and now a protection lawyer.
Brian Benken: We're gonna hold an open thoughts. You realize, no tunnel imaginative and prescient right here.
And Lisa Andrews, a former prosecutor. They used to name her "the ice queen."
Lisa Andrews: However let's be actual right here. … there are plenty of coincidences.
Each Brian and Lisa are consultants for "48 Hours." Like nearly everybody in Houston, they've heard lots about Catherine Shelton.
Brian Benken: She's a legend round Harris County … 'Trigger I nearly return 40 years down on the courthouse. And for those who speak to any of the outdated prosecutors and protection attorneys from again within the day, they know all about Catherine.
Jenna Jackson: All of them know her title.
Brian Benken: They usually can let you know loads of tales.
Catherine Mehaffey Shelton started practising legislation within the Seventies.
GARY TAYLOR (2003):She was— clever. She was very witty.
That is Gary Taylor. He was a newspaper reporter in Houston protecting the courthouse. He obtained to know her fairly properly.
GARY TAYLOR:She was well-known across the courthouse due to the fame she had.… she thought she was smarter than everybody else in the remainder of the world.
GARY TAYLOR: I knew that — she was a tricky— powerful gal.
GARY TAYLOR:She adorned her house with — with stills from outdated Humphrey Bogart gangster films.
He is gonna be a a lot larger a part of this story in a while. However take heed to another recollections of Catherine.
LLOYD OLIVER (2003): I dare say in all probability the prettiest legal protection lawyer within the Harris County courts. … She simply had a vivacious persona, simply charmed everybody.
Lloyd Oliver is a longtime lawyer and a widely known determine across the Harris County Courthouse. I hadn't spoken to him in years, however we caught up with him not too long ago and he nonetheless had some crystal-clear recollections.
Lloyd Oliver: She had lovely blonde hair. She was shapely. And — she attracted males.
Lloyd and Catherine have been buddies.
Lisa Andrews: How did you not fall prey to her charms?
Lloyd Oliver: We weren't concerned— romantically or bodily. … the place you may inform that's I am nonetheless right here. I am nonetheless round. (Laughs) We're having this dialog proper now.
Lloyd Oliver: A few of her relationships turned — fairly ugly. And … after they mentioned it was over, sh — I keep in mind her saying as soon as, "It ain't over until I say it is over." So, for those who have been her boyfriend, you needed to wait until she obtained able to step away apparently.
Lloyd Oliver: Generally she would simply come un— unglued.
And as I used to be about to listen to, some say you did not essentially should be romantically concerned with Catherine to see that facet of her.
Robert Pelton (telephone name): Whats up?
Jenna Jackson: Hello, is that this Robert Pelton?
Robert Pelton: Yeah. Sure, ma'am.
Jenna Jackson: I am right here with Lisa Andrews and Brian Benken.
Robert Pelton: I do know 'em each very properly. (laughs) They're each fantastic, fantastic attorneys.
Jenna Jackson: They're. Effectively, they're serving to me on a mission—about Catherine Mehaffey Shelton.
Robert Pelton: Oh, my God. Oh.
Jenna Jackson: You keep in mind her?
Robert Pelton: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I believe so. Yeah, I am afraid I do. She — she tried to kill me when she was on trial, in trial.
Jenna Jackson: Wait.
Brian Benken: Which trial was she in?
Jenna Jackson: Wait. What?
I knew I needed to meet with him in particular person, so I tracked him down.
Robert Pelton: I keep in mind Catherine Mehaffey properly.
Robert Pelton is a protection lawyer. He says he was within the courthouse again in 1980 when Catherine apparently had a really dangerous day. A fellow lawyer took Pelton apart.
Robert Pelton: He mentioned, "Catherine mentioned she's simply taken sleeping drugs or Valium. She's gonna commit suicide. Will you're taking her within the hallway?" I mentioned, "OK."
Robert Pelton: The hallway was — I imply, the door was proper there. There was a really small courtroom. … And impulsively, Catherine grabs my tie, and pulls me in, and opens the door— opens the door, and the choose has obtained a pistol laying on his desk. … And the window's open on the fourth story of the courthouse constructing. She says, "You are gonna die with me." And he or she grabbed me, and I believe, "OK" — In my thoughts, I believe, "I am both gonna get shot or fall lifeless from the fourth story of the courthouse constructing."
Jenna Jackson: Oh, my gosh.
Robert Pelton: And naturally, I used to be hollering. And he or she was hollering. The bailiffs obtained the door open. I do not keep in mind how, and obtained her, and naturally I used to be scared to loss of life, and strapped Catherine down as I keep in mind it, took her to the hospital … on a stretcher, and — come to search out that she had not taken sleeping drugs.
Jenna Jackson: Do you assume she was severe that day? Was she attempting to kill you?
Robert Pelton: I do not — I might hate to assume so. … I believe she was — had quickly overpassed her colleges. … I believe she was simply scared and performing out. I — I might hate to assume she was attempting to actually do one thing dangerous to me. However I do not know. I imply, thank God nothing — I did not — I by no means needed to discover out.
Catherine admits she went to the hospital that day and had her abdomen pumped however denies the remainder of Pelton's account and says she by no means tried to harm him. However that story was simply one of many many swirling round her. And there have been darker tales. Maybe one of many darkest would contain an ex-boyfriend of Catherine's.
He had been discovered murdered in his storage.
THE MURDER OF GEORGE TEDESCO
Brian Benken (with Jenna Jackson at crime scene): This one was a fairly brutal one… Proper up right here by this gate. That is what we imagine to be the primary case … linked to Catherine.
Jenna Jackson: Oh wow.
Brian Benken: They discover him crushed to loss of life in that storage proper there.
Jenna Jackson: In that storage …
Brian Benken: I imply severely crushed to loss of life.
The sufferer was a health care provider; an anesthesiologist named George Tedesco. He and Catherine had as soon as dated.
Jenna Jackson (at crime scene): It is a loopy, loopy homicide … and it is nonetheless unsolved.
Brian Benken: Right … and there is no statute of limitations.
Brian Benken: His Corvette was lacking … however … It did not appear to be an everyday theft. … the murder detectives thought it regarded like one thing fairly private.
Jenna Jackson: Private?
Brian Benken: There was truly — a tire iron there, much like this (holds up tire iron), that they imagine was in all probability the weapon that was used. … he suffered main — a number of cranium fractures and hematoma. You realize, he bled out from the — the beating that he took.
Brian Benken (pointing to pictures on wall): These are a few of the crime scene pictures from that location.
Wanting on the crime scene pictures I perceive why it regarded private, however why could not it's only a theft that will have turned violent? In any case his automobile was lacking.
Brian Benken: He nonetheless had jewellery on him. His pockets was nonetheless on him. You realize, issues of that nature that an individual who's robbing you'd in all probability take.
And the opposite factor attention-grabbing about his scene, when individuals usually— oftentimes, after they're discovered lifeless of their storage, it is as a result of it is any individual that is aware of that they are gonna be there at a specific time.
The timing of Tedesco's homicide was additionally curious.
Lisa Andrews: Wasn't he supposed to point out up in court docket for the lawsuit that —
Brian Benken: Sure —
Lisa Andrews: — Catherine filed in opposition to him claiming —
Brian Benken: — precisely.
Lisa Andrews: — they have been married? After which he was a no-show on the day of trial?
Brian Benken: Yeah.
Tedesco was found murdered the day he was purported to go to court docket in a dispute with Catherine. Detectives found that Catherine and Dr. Tedesco had been preventing for months. Catherine sued him for half his property, claiming they have been "frequent legislation" married. She mentioned they'd been collectively for a little bit over a yr, however an investigator for Tedesco's household says they'd solely dated three or 4 months. The entire thing turned very ugly, with Tedesco alleging that Catherine made threatening telephone calls, stalked him and even dedicated housebreaking.
Lisa Andrews: There appears to be a lotta rage on this crime. And, so, you may marvel, OK. Was she sturdy sufficient to do that? Was she nonetheless offended sufficient at him to do that?
Good questions, and we'll come again to this case in a second.
However first it is price speaking concerning the type of hassle Catherine had with one other boyfriend as soon as they broke up.
FERRIS BOND (2003): It was god-awful. It was god-awful. It is the worst factor I've ever been by means of.
It is a lawyer named Ferris Bond. We talked with him after I was first reporting this story.
FERRIS BOND: I would not want that on the worst enemy. I would not even want it on her.
They dated within the 70s and he says issues began out fantastic.
FERRIS BOND: She was a really fairly, petite little blonde lady … and he or she was accessible. … we truly dated in all probability a interval of months.
However Bond says after he noticed her get right into a combat along with her roommate, he determined to get out.
FERRIS BOND: It grew to become clear to me that she had some violent tendencies and— I ought to attempt to get away from her.
However he mentioned with Catherine, breaking apart was laborious to do.
FERRIS BOND: Most likely the worst factor was burning my condominium and all of my possessions. … stole my car, shot at me with a shotgun.
No costs have been ever filed in opposition to Catherine. After we spoke to her again then, she denied these allegations and did not actually need to discuss Ferris Bond. However she did admit she could also be an excessive amount of for some males to deal with.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): There are some kinds of males who're actually, actually offended by me. … I believe it is my propensity to in all probability say precisely what I believe to them at a sure level when — when I simply cannot maintain it in any longer.
To get away from her, Ferris Bond informed us he joined the Marines.
FERRIS BOND (2003): Frankly, I did not assume that there was any approach she'd observe me into the Marine Corps.
With that story in thoughts, we took a more in-depth have a look at that Tedesco homicide case and began digging a little bit deeper. We came upon that after Dr. Tedesco was murdered, issues obtained stranger quick. For starters, Catherine broke into the crime scene claiming that she was retrieving some property that belonged to her.
Brian Benken: … after they discovered Tedesco's physique, Catherine and an lawyer that was representing her on the time … they really get a locksmith. They go into his townhouse.
Lisa Andrews: An lawyer went along with her to do to that?
Brian Benken: An lawyer went along with her.
That lawyer was Lloyd Oliver.
Lloyd Oliver: — she has an uncanny approach of … getting folks — speaking folks into doing her bidding for her. And I am no exception to the rule. … she talked, "OK, let's go do it." So, we went over there, and I walked — you could not get in. So known as the locksmith. He lets us in.
Brian Benken: I imply, what— that did not elevate any flags to you?
Lloyd Oliver: I do not know —
In a deposition later, Catherine admitted she took, amongst different issues, a TV, pottery, $140 in money, her driver's license and an vintage sword.
Brian Benken: And what would ever make her assume that that was a sensible factor to do —
Jenna Jackson: Proper.
Brian Benken: — to go in there and take away property when a lotta individuals have been gonna assume that fin — it is a monetary motive to start with. She's already … attempting to say that she's the frequent legislation spouse when all people apparently in his household … mentioned no, they don't seem to be even shut.
Jenna Jackson: He was simply crushed to loss of life—
Brian Benken: Yeah, he is simply crushed to loss of life—
Lisa Andrews: She simply—
Jenna Jackson: —"it was my stuff. I am taking it."
Lisa Andrews: She simply does what she needs to do, proper—
Jenna Jackson: (Laughs) She would not care—
Lisa Andrews: She does what she needs to do. And would not — rattling the results.
In that very same deposition, Catherine claimed that Tedesco was concerned in some criminal activity and was allegedly violent along with her. However when "48 Hours" requested her about Tedesco again then, she did not need to discuss him.
Brian Benken: All proper. So … I've to query, if — if she's upset about him being killed …
Lloyd Oliver: She wasn't in blubbering tears. I imply, she wasn't that upset.
Brian Benken: OK.
Lloyd Oliver: She nonetheless had her wits about her.
Brian Benken: All proper.
Lloyd Oliver: And Catherine's wits are — she's fairly — fairly sharp.
There have been many lingering questions concerning the case and for some, crimson flags. The DA's Workplace apparently thought there have been crimson flags, too. So, they determined to secretly document a few of Catherine's telephone calls. Her anger at one more ex-boyfriend was captured on tape:
MAN: Simply relax.
CATHERINE SHELTON (screaming): He is obtained to beg for my mercy. He is hurting me. I've performed nothing. I am simply attempting to get away.
MAN: Effectively, depart him alone.
CATHERINE SHELTON: Beg me for mercy.
"BREAKING UP WAS HARD TO DO"
So, I promised we might get again to Gary Taylor. Bear in mind him? He was the Houston newspaper reporter who lined the courthouse and Catherine. He first met her in 1979 after her ex-boyfriend Dr. Tedesco was murdered.
GARY TAYLOR (2003): She was a sizzling merchandise on the courthouse. She was intriguing due to the thriller of her previous and the hazard—the hazard that appeared to be lurking beneath.
Taylor says he was intrigued, and that intrigue changed into one thing else.
Jenna Jackson: His relationship along with her began as a result of he was protecting the Tedesco case, attempting to get a narrative. … So, like most of the males in her life again at the moment, they began relationship and having an affair, and, you understand, strains have been blurred, I believe, a little bit bit.
Jenna Jackson: It does look like it was, like, occasion on a regular basis again then. I imply, not that it is tame now on the Harris County Courthouse, however within the '70s, it is, like, all these wild events.
Brian Benken: It was a distinct ambiance again then.
Jenna Jackson: Yeah —
Lisa Andrews: Completely totally different.
Taylor was not shy concerning the particulars of this torrid affair.
Jenna Jackson (studying from ebook): He says, "Our roadmap to the bed room was marked in scarlet letters from the second (laughs) we met."
Taylor even wrote a ebook about that point in his life.
Jenna Jackson (studying from ebook): "She additionally had the laborious look of a foul lady, and that performed to my weak point. A menace? She simply regarded like enjoyable to me."
GARY TAYLOR (2003): I used to be searching for a little bit pleasure in my life. And he or she definitely delivered in that class …
I talked with Gary Taylor about this years in the past.
GARY TAYLOR: We had a sexual relationship that went on for … about 4 weeks. … And — then I spent about three months attempting to disengage from that relationship—
Catherine, by the best way, disagrees with all of that. She would not even admit that they dated.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): I do not contemplate him a relationship or something. He is nothing.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): … for a few months, he adopted me round … and— went to court docket, adopted me there.
Taylor informed me Catherine got here with some very sharp edges.
GARY TAYLOR (2003): She's— very abrasive, very aggressive. And she will— she will stroll right into a room and have individuals— arguing along with her in a matter of minutes. … She has a — she has a mood that — that comes out. And she will't — at all times management it.
GARY TAYLOR: You realize, Tedesco's title was at all times arising … I heard her say this to a number of individuals: "You higher do what I say. You realize what occurred to George. You realize about George."
However Taylor says he actually noticed a scary facet of her when he informed her it was over.
GARY TAYLOR: It was one evening we have been — after I informed her we have been gonna have to interrupt up. I noticed her — tear up a — a suitcase … And he or she tore all of it to smithereens.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): The affiliation, such because it was — was damaged off with some verbal acrimony.
Taylor says she as soon as even put a pistol on her bedside desk, he thinks, simply to remind him of who was boss.
With hassle now brewing between Taylor and Catherine, Taylor went to his buddies within the DA's Workplace. They have been nonetheless investigating Tedesco's unsolved homicide. It was steered that Gary and his roommate may secretly document Catherine on the phone.
However when Catherine came upon that Taylor was working with the DA, let's simply say she wasn't happy. Taylor's roommate known as her and obtained her response on tape.
Jenna Jackson: And — and also you guys have not heard this?
Lisa Andrews: No, and—
Brian Benken: We now have not heard this.
Lisa Andrews: we have been dying to listen to this —
Brian Benken: Sure.
Jenna Jackson: So, I am going to simply play a pair seconds of this for you.
CATHERINE SHELTON AUDIO RECORDING (screaming):
He would not must make a idiot of me.
God's sake I by no means killed anyone in my life. I've by no means actually needed to.
However he is doing a lot to me. He higher cease! He higher cease!
Now! He is obtained to beg for my mercy.
Jenna Jackson: That stresses me out.
Jenna Jackson: And my understanding is again then, the good friend of — Gary's who recorded this then performed it — or certainly one of them performed it within the press room for all of the reporters, and he or she came upon. So, her — her anger at Gary was escalating.
GARY TAYLOR (2003): And I did not understand how a lot violence would come down on me, however … she had informed me that I had entered — she was very dramatic, overly dramatic. … she favored to inform me that I had entered the "enviornment of loss of life."
Brian Benken: I believe it made her offended, so mad, as a result of in early January of 1980, she truly reveals up on the press room the place Gary works with different reporters. And my understanding, simply went loopy there —
Jenna Jackson: Ballistic. Uh-huh (affirms).
Brian Benken: — and began throwin' stuff round.
Taylor says Catherine began stalking him: following him on a date with one other lady, approaching and scaring off one other. Catherine, nonetheless, says that is not true and he was the one pursuing her.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): I do not assume something about him in any respect, besides, "Why would not he get a life?
However then Taylor says there was a housebreaking at his house, and that will result in what he mentioned was tried homicide.
GARY TAYLOR (2003): (standing in doorway) She was holding the gun on me in a police place with each palms. I simply threw the door open … I got here at her with the chair. She fired one spherical.
"THAT BITCH SHOT ME"
The subsequent drama linked to Catherine Shelton occurred on a leafy road close to downtown Houston.
Jenna Jackson: You guys know, we have — Gary Taylor is without doubt one of the — the boys in Catherine's life over the — you understand, through the years.
Brian Benken: So, it is my understanding — so at some half, you understand, Gary and her relationship begin going south.
Gary Taylor says after he and Catherine ended issues, somebody broke into his condominium and stole a few of his stuff.
Catherine didn't admit accountability for the housebreaking, however Taylor says she did supply to assist get his belongings again. A number of years in the past, Taylor informed "48 Hours" about that evening.
GARY TAYLOR (2003): She insisted that I come over to her place and that she would have the stolen items delivered over there.
When he obtained there, he says Catherine informed him there was one thing for him within the bed room closet. Taylor walked us by means of what he says occurred subsequent.
GARY TAYLOR (2003): She had informed me there was one thing for me within the closet, so I went again (Taylor opens the door) … I regarded 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.
GARY TAYLOR: … heard her coming down the corridor and I heard a gun cock.
GARY TAYLOR: And he or she stepped into the bed room, and he or she backed up in opposition to a wall and he or she took a policeman's place, like this (demonstrates with each palms), with the pistol, pointed on the closet. It regarded like she was gonna use it.
GARY TAYLOR: She took a place throughout from me the place I may use the door as a protect. And I may nonetheless peek out by means of the jamb right here and watch her …
GARY TAYLOR: Now she regarded totally different than I might ever seen her. … This was a brand new Catherine. She had a— there was like a hazy look in her eye, like she was in a far-off place.
GARY TAYLOR: I had the door between us. … and he or she began— talkin' to me,
GARY TAYLOR: And I keep in mind she mentioned and— you understand, "Don't fret concerning the subsequent life as a result of there is not one."
GARY TAYLOR: Yeah, after which I believed— yeah, she's for actual.
GARY TAYLOR: And I attempted to formulate a plan in my thoughts easy methods to get out of right here.
GARY TAYLOR: There was a chair by the door.
GARY TAYLOR: She regarded down on the gun or one thing, and that is after I— after I made my transfer. … I simply threw the door open. I got here at her with the chair like a lion tamer or somethin'.
GARY TAYLOR: She fired one spherical by means of the chair.
GARY TAYLOR: I used to be … vaguely conscious of a bullet coming by means of the chair. And what I came upon later is she fired off a spherical, a bullet got here by means of the chair, and— nicked me proper above the ear, proper right here. And I threw the chair at her. … I ran down the hallway…
GARY TAYLOR: Once I obtained to the door I finished, I clicked the deadbolt, I opened the door. And that is after I felt— the shot within the again. I used to be layin' facedown on the grass outdoors of her place. … "That bitch shot me. She actually— she shot me."
Taylor says he went to a close-by retailer, and somebody there known as 911.
GARY TAYLOR: They usually loaded me within the ambulance and … I assume they figured I used to be gettin' able to die or somethin' 'trigger they mentioned, "Inform us who shot you. Inform us who shot you." And I mentioned, "Catherine Mehaffey … Catherine Mehaffey …"
Taylor says he nearly died that evening. That the bullet got here inside a centimeter of his coronary heart.
GARY TAYLOR: If she needed me outta there, I used to be operating— down (laughs) a hallway on my approach out. She shoulda mentioned, "Adios." You realize, however as a substitute she shot me within the again. So, I've— I've obtained to— I've obtained to imagine that one and one equals two.
The cops arrested Catherine. She informed police that evening that she was simply defending herself —that it was all self-defense.
Lisa Andrews: There have been plenty of information that weren't favorable to her, like, he was shot within the again.
Lisa Andrews: They've to clarify, you understand, why this was self-defense, however but the sufferer is shot within the again, that will get type of tough to clarify, and it will get laborious to clarify very credibly.
Though Catherine would not share the specifics about what occurred that evening with "48 Hours" again then, she did appear to place the blame squarely on Gary Taylor.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): I imply, if any individual had shot at me in their very own house, which is mostly a — a violation of hospitality, I might marvel what sort of a visitor I used to be to benefit that type of conduct.
For the primary time, Catherine was going through a severe cost: tried homicide.
After which issues in Catherine's life obtained extra sophisticated. As if the Gary Taylor taking pictures wasn't sufficient, a couple of months later, one other man linked to Catherine turns up lifeless. His title was Tommy Bell.
Jenna Jackson: So many connections. That is loopy —
Lisa Andrews: The Tedesco, Gary Taylor, Tommy Bell, all of these circumstances are very intertwined. You actually have to tug the threads on all of these circumstances to make all of them make sense.
Jenna Jackson: Yeah. For certain.
Tommy Bell. It was a reputation I might come throughout earlier than, however I had no concept I used to be about uncover some new clues about his very unusual loss of life.
ANOTHER CURIOUS CONNECTION
In early 1980, again on the courthouse in Houston, Catherine Shelton went on trial.
Jenna Jackson: OK, so she goes to trial fairly rapidly on the Gary Taylor taking pictures, proper?
Brian Benken: Yeah … the taking pictures occurs in January, and so they go to the primary trial in April of that very same yr, which is fairly fast.
She admitted she shot Gary Taylor however maintained that it was self-defense.
Jenna Jackson: And what occurred? How'd that go?
Lisa Andrews: Good for Catherine, 'trigger it was a hung jury.
Seven to 5. Seven for responsible. 5 for not responsible. And I am informed that it was break up alongside gender strains. The boys went with Gary Taylor, and the ladies went with Catherine.
At her second trial, she claimed Taylor had confronted her with a gun. She was discovered responsible and sentenced to 10 years. However she by no means served someday. Her conviction was overturned on attraction and somewhat than undergo a 3rd trial, she agreed to plead responsible to aggravated assault and obtained probation. Catherine was quickly barred from practising legislation. Taylor says it did not matter to him that she did not go to jail.
GARY TAYLOR (2003): I truly thought she can be in additional agony if she could not follow legislation as a result of she reveled on this.
Catherine did not care to elaborate on any of it.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): I simply cannot consider something so as to add to it that will make it (exhales) something greater than it's, which is— it was an unlucky incident, definitely. And I am glad nobody was killed, together with me. So, I am going to depart it at that.
However she did share one other opinion on Gary Taylor.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): I consider an oyster. Only a— grey, formless substance, shiny however not with what— with polish.
After we requested Catherine why she at all times appeared to a be in the midst of a brewing storm, she had this to say:
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): I am in the midst of life, and I am purported to work by means of this and work this stuff out and do one of the best I can. It is not for me to purpose why.
However I might marvel why after I discovered about one other loss of life—the second that had a hyperlink to Catherine.
Bear in mind Dr. Tedesco? He is the ex-boyfriend who turned up crushed to loss of life in his storage.
A yr earlier than his homicide somebody broke into his home. They stole some weapons and artwork. A short while later, a person named Tommy Bell was arrested.
KENT FERGUSON (2003): Tom Bell was arrested in New Jersey…. in possession of quite a lot of these things, together with some firearms that had serial numbers.
Kent Ferguson is a former FBI agent turned non-public investigator.
KENT FERGUSON: They usually belonged to George Tedesco.
Then, after Tedesco was discovered murdered, Tommy Bell got here into the image once more. This time, police needed to speak with him as a result of they thought he could be linked with the crime. Ferguson says Bell truly knew Tedesco. And because it seems, Bell was as soon as a consumer of Catherine's.
KENT FERGUSON: When the police needed to speak to Tom Bell concerning the homicide of George Tedesco, she mentioned that he could not— she was not gonna enable her consumer to talk.
Catherine denies that Bell was a consumer of hers at the moment. Tedesco's household, nonetheless, did not await the legal investigation to be over. They filed a wrongful loss of life go well with in opposition to each Catherine and Tommy Bell. They accused each of them of conspiring to kill the physician.
However the lawsuit by no means made it to trial, and neither did Tommy Bell.
Jenna Jackson: So quick ahead a really brief period of time, Tom Bell is discovered lifeless.…the roommate mentioned he was in there in his room by himself taking part in Russian roulette.
Brian Benken: You do not—
Jenna Jackson: Shot himself within the head.
Brian Benken: You do not play Russian roulette by your self.
Jenna Jackson: That was my first thought.
Brian Benken: No. No.
Jenna Jackson: Precisely.
However whereas I used to be trying by means of the police recordsdata on the case, I found one thing new.
Jenna Jackson: So … there are some investigator's notes that say the roommate, the one witness within the condominium to Bell's Russian roulette loss of life, his fingerprints have been truly on the gun that killed Bell.
Brian Benken: Oh, wow —
Lisa Andrews: Wow.
Jenna Jackson: Proper? So, we tracked down this investigator. He confirmed all of this. He remembers all of it.
Brian Benken: So, after they discovered the roommate's fingerprints on the gun— what— was he questioned I assume?
Jenna Jackson: Sure. And he mentioned, you understand, when he heard the shot, he bumped into the room, Tom Bell, his roommate, is on the bottom. And he moved the gun out of the best way in order that's why his fingerprints have been on there.
And wait. There was extra in response to the investigator I spoke to. He claims the roommate had been relationship Catherine. He informed me how he came upon about it.
Jenna Jackson: … he requested the roommate if he knew Catherine. And the man goes, "It is the weirdest story."
Jenna Jackson: "There's this — you understand, one evening I am on my approach house f— you understand, a number of months again and there is this little Mercedes by the facet of the street, flat tire. So, I cease to assist her. And her title was Catherine. And we began relationship. We — you understand, hit it off that evening and we began relationship." And I am like, "What?" (laughs) I imply —
Brian Benken: That is — that is nuts —
Lisa Andrews: One other coincidence.
Jenna Jackson: That none of us knew till proper now. I imply, this investigator knew it. He mentioned sadly whereas they thought that was a fairly clear connection to all this craziness, they'd no actual proof to go ahead with.
Catherine informed me she did not even know the roommate.
Neither of them have been implicated in Bell's loss of life.
Ultimately it was simply one other curious, unsettling state of affairs.
It has been a wild journey — a beating loss of life, a taking pictures, a tape that some say appears like "The Exorcist,"an odd Russian roulette loss of life. And one lady with hyperlinks to all of it. A lady who appears to benefit from the intrigue surrounding her and baiting me specifically.
She as soon as even supplied me a pattern of her hair for DNA in case I needed to check it to one thing.
Lisa Andrews: What?
Jenna Jackson (holds uplock of hair in a plastic bag): Catherine Shelton hair.
CATHERINE SHELTON: Once you get to know me, you understand I haven't got any attention-grabbing — weird, glittering life. Nothing. Nothing. Right here it's. That is it. Imagine you me, if there was something occurring, I might find out about it. (Sighs) I imply, my greatest factor round right here is that I've obtained this dangerous cat.
Jenna Jackson: I imply— and I am simply gonna say — however perhaps she did not do any of it … However the purpose we — we and legislation enforcement officers in Houston and Dallas over 40 years cannot hook up with her is, perhaps she did not do it …
Brian Benken: Possibly it is —
Lisa Andrews: It is attainable.
Within the years to return, Catherine's conviction for taking pictures Gary Taylor can be put aside, however she can be linked to 3 extra deaths: A younger man found lifeless and bare in certainly one of her properties, one other man shot lifeless in his driveway. His spouse, a witness, claims Catherine was concerned.
MARISA HIERRO (2003) (crying): And I knew it was her. I do know it was her! … Catherine Shelton.
CATHERINE SHELTON (2003): Not me. I wasn't there.
And one more man died whereas he was staying along with her.
Include me as I meet up with Catherine once more after a few years. Why am I doing this? Catherine as soon as admitted she thought of killing me. Was she joking? Did she imply it?
Jenna Jackson (driving to Shelton's home): We'll see how she is at the moment. I am a little bit nervous. I'll throw up. Do not get that on digital camera.
Will she lastly put to relaxation all of the questions on her?
To be continued Saturday, Could 7 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Produced by Chuck Stevenson and Gabriella Demirdjian. Emma Steele is the affiliate producer. Mead Stone is the producer-editor. Greg Kaplan, Wini Dini and Grayce Arlotta-Berner are the editors. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard and Jenna Jackson are the manager producers.