A HUSBAND’S homicide plot was uncovered when police discovered evidence that linked him to the scene of the crime.
Although David Temple was convicted of his wife Belinda Lucas’ murder, it took years for the investigation to be closed.
Who is David Temple and where is he now?
David Temple is a former high school teacher, football coach, and convicted murderer who taught at Alief Hastings High School in Houston, Texas.
Temple remains incarcerated at the Alfred D. Hughes Unit in Gatesville of the abovementioned state.
Despite his twice guilty verdict, Temple insists he was innocent of his late wife Belinda Lucas’ murder.
“I wouldn’t wish a trial on my worst enemy,” the prisoner told CBS News.
“And I believe it’s been unfair from day one.
“For anybody to have to go through that, and until you’ve been through something of that magnitude, I don’t think anybody or any family could even begin to understand.”
Similar to himself, his wife was also a high school teacher.
On January 11, 1999, 30-year-old Belinda was fatally shot at her and Temple’s home in Katy, Texas.
At the time, she was eight months pregnant with her and Temple’s second child.
Initially, police thought the crime scene was a home invasion.
Following Belinda’s death, Temple married his second wife Heather Scott.
During his first trial, it was revealed that he had an affair with Heather during his marriage to Belinda.
On November 30, 2004, he was arrested for Belinda’s homicide.
Investigators made the arrest when they discovered the firearm residue from the crime scene matched the gun residue found on Temple’s clothes from that same night.
This also led to the police’s discovery that Temple staged the burglary to make it appear an intruder gunned down Belinda.
On November 15, 2007, he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Prosecutors argued that Temple’s affair with Heather was enough motive to plot Belinda’s murder.
Why was Temple’s guilty verdict overturned?
After serving nine years of his life sentence, Temple’s guilty verdict was overturned on December 28, 2016.
According to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the prosecution withheld evidence during the trial; which resulted in Temple’s release from prison.
“It’s been nine years…it’s been a long journey and we’re waiting for justice to be served once and for all…” the prisoner insisted to CBS 48 Hours.
“…And for the people that put me there, and lied, and cheated to be held accountable.
“There is no evidence that points toward me because I did not kill my wife, plain and simple.”
What was Temple’s second trial verdict?
On August 6, 2019, Temple was found guilty of Belinda’s homicide for the second time.
On April 21, 2023, he was sentenced to life in prison again.
On February 26, 2024, ABC’s 20/20 revisits Belinda’s death in an episode titled Bad Romance: Shattered Love.
With reporting by Ryan Smith, Bad Romance: Shattered Love is scheduled to air at 10 pm EST via ABC.
After its cable premiere, the episode is available to stream on Hulu.