41 Axe Blows And A Shocking Acquittal: The 5 Enduring Mysteries Of The Betty Gore Murder Case

The brutal 1980 axe murder of Betty Gore remains one of American true crime’s most compelling and controversial cases, continuing to generate debate and media interest well into 2024. The narrative of a seemingly normal suburban housewife, Candace "Candy" Montgomery, killing her friend and fellow churchgoer with 41 axe blows, only to be acquitted on grounds of self-defense, has captivated audiences for decades. With the recent high-profile miniseries *Love & Death* and *Candy* bringing the story to a new generation, the legal and psychological complexities of the case—and the question of whether justice was truly served—are once again under intense scrutiny.

The details are gruesome, the trial was sensational, and the verdict was a shock to the quiet community of Wylie, Texas. This article delves into the updated profile of the key figures, the controversial self-defense strategy, and the enduring mysteries that keep the Betty Gore case alive in the public consciousness today.

The Victims and the Accused: A Complete Profile

The story centers on two women whose lives were intertwined by friendship, church, and eventually, a clandestine affair that led to a violent confrontation on Friday, June 13, 1980.

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Betty Gore (Victim)

• Full Name: Betty Mae Pomeroy Gore
• Born: 1950, in Norwich, Kansas
• Died: June 13, 1980 (Age 30)
• Spouse: Allan Gore (married 1970)
• Children: Two daughters, Alisa and Bethany
• Occupation: Fifth-grade teacher at R.C. Dodd Elementary School in Wylie, Texas
• Background: Described as a conventional woman, she struggled with feelings of isolation and postpartum depression following the birth of her second daughter, Bethany. Her husband, Allan, began an affair with Candy Montgomery in 1978.

Candace "Candy" Montgomery (The Accused)

• Full Name: Candace Lynn Wheeler Montgomery
• Born: November 15, 1949 (Currently 75 years old as of 2024)
• Marital Status: Married to Pat Montgomery (divorced 1986)
• Children: Two children (a son and a daughter)
• Occupation: Suburban housewife, active in the Methodist Church community in Wylie, Texas
• Current Status: Following her acquittal, Candy and Pat Montgomery moved to Georgia, but later divorced. She has since lived a quiet, private life, reportedly working as a mental health counselor or therapist. Her current appearance and location are closely guarded secrets.

The Anatomy of a Suburban Tragedy: The Day of the Murder

The events of June 13, 1980, began with a seemingly innocuous trip. Candy Montgomery went to the Gore home to pick up Alisa, Betty and Allan’s eldest daughter, who had stayed over at the Montgomerys' house. Allan Gore was away on a business trip.

During the visit, Betty Gore confronted Candy about the affair she had been having with Allan. Candy initially denied it, but then admitted the relationship had ended months earlier. The confrontation escalated when Betty allegedly retrieved a three-foot axe from the utility room and threatened Candy. According to Candy’s later testimony, a struggle over the weapon ensued.

The defense argued that Betty had shushed Candy during the fight, triggering a traumatic, repressed childhood memory of her mother demanding silence. This triggered a dissociative state, leading Candy to strike Betty repeatedly in a frenzied, uncontrollable rage. The medical examiner testified that Betty was struck 41 times with the axe, with 28 of those blows hitting her head. The sheer number of blows made the self-defense claim extremely difficult for the defense team, led by Don Crowder and Robert Udashen, to sell to the jury.

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5 Enduring Controversies and Unanswered Questions

The jury’s verdict of "not guilty" on October 29, 1980, stunned the nation and left a permanent scar on the community of Collin County, Texas. The acquittal was based on the legal argument of self-defense, but the circumstances surrounding the death of Betty Gore raise five key questions that continue to spark debate.

1. How Can 41 Axe Blows Be Self-Defense?

The core of the controversy lies in the disparity between the initial threat and the final act. Self-defense typically allows for the use of necessary force to stop a threat. The defense successfully introduced psychiatric testimony from Dr. Fred Fason, who argued that Betty’s action of shushing Candy triggered a psychological break—a "dissociative reaction" related to childhood trauma. Under this psychological duress, Candy was allegedly unable to control her actions, transforming the initial act of self-preservation into a prolonged, frenzied, and uncontrollable attack. Critics argue this was a legal loophole used to excuse an act of overkill and rage.

2. Was the Hypnosis Testimony Ethical or Reliable?

A crucial element of the defense strategy involved placing Candy Montgomery under hypnosis. During these sessions, she was able to "recall" the repressed memory and the trauma-induced trigger. The defense team, including Don Crowder, used this testimony to explain the dissociative state. The use of hypnosis to retrieve memories in a criminal trial is highly controversial, as it can lead to confabulation (the creation of false memories) and is generally viewed with skepticism by legal experts and the scientific community. The jury, however, accepted the psychological explanation.

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3. What Happened to the Gore Family After the Trial?

While Candy Montgomery was acquitted and moved on, the Gore family was left devastated. Allan Gore remarried three months after the trial and later divorced. The two daughters, Alisa and Bethany, were largely raised by their maternal grandparents, Bob and Bertha Pomeroy. The family had to cope not only with the loss of Betty but also with the public spectacle of the trial and the controversial verdict. Betty’s father, Bob Pomeroy, was famously quoted as saying, "As far as I’m concerned, justice will be served. She has to live with it."

4. Did Candy Montgomery Truly Show Remorse?

During the investigation and trial, Candy’s demeanor was often described as calm and composed, which some interpreted as a lack of true remorse. She initially lied to police about the encounter, only confessing to the killing after being confronted with evidence. Her defense focused heavily on the psychological and technical aspects of self-defense, rather than a plea for mercy based on overwhelming guilt. While her legal team successfully argued the killing was not murder, the public perception often remains that of a cold-blooded act by a woman who managed to escape accountability.

5. Where is Candy Montgomery Now?

The immense public fascination with the case, fueled by the recent miniseries, often circles back to the killer’s fate. After her acquittal, Candy and Pat Montgomery attempted to resume a normal life in Wylie, but the community ostracized them. They moved to Georgia, where they divorced in 1986. Today, Candy Montgomery, now in her mid-70s, lives under a different name and has maintained a rigorous effort to stay out of the public eye. Reports suggest she may be involved in counseling, a career choice that adds a chilling layer of irony to her history given the psychological defense used in her trial. The fact that she was able to completely disappear and rebuild a life while the victim’s family was left to pick up the pieces remains one of the most unsettling aspects of the entire saga.

The Legacy of the Wylie Axe Murder

The murder of Betty Gore is more than just a sensational true crime story; it is a profound examination of the dark undercurrents beneath the facade of 1970s and 1980s suburban life. The case brought to light themes of infidelity, repressed rage, and the highly subjective nature of self-defense law.

The story's enduring appeal is evident in the multiple adaptations, including the 1984 book *Evidence of Love* and the recent television series. These modern interpretations ensure that the questions surrounding the 41 axe blows, the controversial acquittal, and the fate of Candy Montgomery will continue to be debated for years to come. For many, the case will forever be a stark reminder that even in the quietest corners of suburbia, unimaginable violence can erupt, and the legal definition of justice does not always align with the public's sense of moral right and wrong.