This Murder’s Friend Contacted Me

I had an interesting response to the review of this book, Out Of Control. On Thursday, January 29, I received an email response from Amy Redus. Amy stated that she and Clara Harris were best friends. Needless to say, I was shocked. I always look forward to comments on my posts, but to have someone respond that is connected to the murder was totally unexpected.

I’ve asked myself if it would be unethical to share my conversation with Amy with my readers, and I’ve concluded that it is not. I have removed her email address. My blog and the comments made are open to everyone. Also, Ms. Redus stated that her intentions was to post a comment on the blog as you will see below.

Here’s Ms. Redus comment:

—– Original Message —–
From: Amy Redus
To: rhonda@gigglesnsugarkisses.com
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 12:56 PM
Subject: Out of Control

Hi Rhonda,
I enjoyed your blog and tried to post on it but am not sure if I was successful or not. I saw that you had read Out of control by Steven Long. I am just wondering what you though of Clara Harris before and after reading his book? I read the book also and thought he did a pretty good job.
Thanks,
Amy

Here’s my response:

—– Original Message —–
From: Rhonda Gales
To: Amy Redus
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 7:34 PM
Subject: Re: Out of Control

Hi Amy,

Thanks for stopping by. I really didn’t know Clara Harris before reading the book except what I had heard on Oprah, so I hadn’t formed an opinion. After reading the book, I believed she was a scorned woman who lost sight of what was really important. God, herself, and her children. If a man chooses to stray, there’s nothing you can do to stop him. You can loose weight, color your hair, buy new clothes, but that won’t change his direction if he decides that’s how it’s going to be.

I can understand her anger and frustration. She built a million dollar business with this man, helped raise his daughter, gave him twins and maintained his home. It had to be difficult to face the fact that he was willing to throw it away for the Office Assistant. I would have fought back in the court room, but it wouldn’t have been for murder. He would have been facing adultery charges.

We as women forget, that a man can’t make us or break us unless we allow him. She could have moved on with the business, home, children and someone who really appreciated her. Now she has nothing, but a life behind bars. Such a sad situation for the children.

Amy’s Response:

From: Amy Redus
To: Rhonda Gales
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 7:58 AM
Subject: Re: Out of Control

You are right, only one thing she didn’t mean to kill him. She wanted to stop him from leaving with her. She knew Gail or had heard Gail was lesbian and knew that she was just after David’s money. She meant to run into gails car and just lost it. She was just at her breaking point. She happens to be my best friend and I know that in her right mind she would never in her right mind even hurt David. You were right again and she says her priorities were out of line. To her David was her King/God she thought he was everything so when he betrayed her like that it was very emotional. Even David’s mother who is like a moo to me says Clara loved David too much. I was just curious about what you though. Oprah went to Mountain view to interview Clara not really liking Clara but mainly going for the story. She left the interview with a better understanding of her emotional state.
Yes things would have been so much easier if she would have just left that night but she did Allow David to break her and something in her snapped and she lost control of the situation. She has lost everything but she has gained a deeper relationship with God, her friends and many people He has sent to help her through this time. She has served 6 years and we are in the beginning stages of looking for a parole attorney for her.
Amy

I sent another response to Amy. I didn’t agree with everything she stated in her response, so I had to voice my opinion on several of her statements. I’m currently waiting for her comment.

While waiting for Ms. Redus response, I decided to check her out. I probably shoud have done that before my initial response, lol. Anyway, I googled Ms. Redus and she is truly connected to Clara Harris. According to the transcripts on CNN Connie Chung interviewed Ms. Redus on January 23, 2003. According to Connie Chung, Amy stated that she just knew Clara Harris through church. From reading the transcript, it doesn’t appear that Amy knew Clara Harris very well.

My search on Yahoo turned up additional information. From that search, it would appear that Ms Redus and Clara Harris have established a closer relationship. Amy Redus speaks of Clara Harris at Friends For Clara Harris and another site also entitled Friends For Clara Harris.

I’m unsure if I will hear from Amy Redus again, but I welcome her comments and I’m striving for an interview with her regarding her friendship with Clara Harris and the site The Friends Of Clara Harris and their cause. Inspite of our different view points of Clara Harris’ actions, I believe that we have connected for a reason. I will keep each of you in the loop, and I welcome your comments on this post.

Die, My Love

I finished my first book for 2009, Die, My Love. For those who missed my initial post, one of my goals for 2009 was to read more. This was the first book that I’ve read by Kathryn Casey. I found her book well written and engaging. Usually if a book doesn’t get my attention by Chapter 2, it becomes difficult for me to continue reading. I had no problem finishing this one. I polished it off at the doctor’s office yesterday.

If you are a true crime reader, you won’t want to miss this baby. It’s about a renowned Richmond, VA college professor who marries a pretty, but dysfunctional Texas attorney who can’t pass the bar or hold a job. After 3 children and a lot of drama, the marriage eventually unravels. They go through a bitter divorce. The professor’s ex-wife and sister in law work to make his life a living hell. They send emails and make phone calls to his neighbors and colleagues to tarnish his reputation.  They take it to another level and accuse him of emotional abuse and work to have him jailed.  Calling these women wicked would be an understatement. 

The professor fights back and wins custody of his three children after convincing the court that his wife is unstable, lazy, manipulative, untruthful, and wastes money. His bitter ex-wife moves back to Houston, TX with her sister and a court order to pay the professor child support for the three children. The professor moves on with his life. He starts dating after finding someone on match.com and works to get his life back on track.

Things appeared to be going well, but unfortunately his nightmare was not over. On the day before Halloween in 2004 he is gunned down in his driveway while retrieving his morning paper, and left to die in a pool of blood. Who would murder a man in his driveway while his children sleep in the house?  His ex-wife or his ex-wife’s sister. He was hated equally by both.

There are no eye witnesses to his murder, and his ex-wife and her sister live a thousand miles away in Houston. They both claim to have been in Houston the time of the murder. To complicate matters, the sisters look alike and would do anything for each other. They use each others cell phones, cars, cloths, homes, money, and the list goes on. They weave a tangled web. So who’s the murder? Now that I won’t reveal, but I would recommend that you read the book to find the answer to that question.

I don’t remember this murder in 2004, but I googled it after I completed the book and was surprised to find that the murder was covered nationally and on Court TV. It was interesting to see the characters in the book up close.

I would be willing to exchange books with other true crime readers. If interested please leave a comment. Also, we want everyone to let us know what you’re reading, we would love to hear about the books that interest you too.

Die, My Love

One of my goals for 2009 is to read more books. I’m a fan of true crime stories. Anything by Ann Rule is a must, I love her. I decided to pick up a few books by Kathryn Casey to add to my reading arsenial as well. I’m starting 2009 with Die, My Love. This book caught my attention because Ann Rule stated it was “One of the best in the true crime genre”. Also, because the murder took place two hours from me, in Richmond, Va. A murder in a familiar place is always intriguing.

You ask what is this book about? The murder of a Virginia college professor and two look alike sisters. One is his ex-wife, a pretty, little petite number from Texas. Did I mention she was an attorney?

I read Chapter 1 and it has my attention. I can’t wait to curl up in front of the fireplace with my blankie and a nice, hot, cup of tea with this one. What’s on your reading list for 2009? Leave us a comment and let us know what book you’re reading or you intend to read.