These are the words of Betty Broderick, born November 7th, 1947 in Eastchester, NY, upon being asked why she brought a handgun into the home of her ex-husband, Dan Broderick, on the evening of November 5, 1989.
On this evening, Betty Broderick shot the gun several times while Dan Broderick and his newly- wed wife Linda Kolkina were sleeping. Leaving both of them in a blood soaken bed to die, she removed the telephone from the room and left.
....how is he supposed to listen to you now, Betty? ...how is anyone supposed to listen? You deafened us all with the shot.
Betty Broderick initially met Dan Broderick at a football game and fell in love. She wanted a big, catholic family and so, she believed, did Dan as well. Betty charmed Dan's family with her beauty, sophistication and manners, and the two were married on April 12, 1969 in Eastchester.
While Honeymooning on a carribean cruise, the first doubts about the marriage arose. Betty often complained that their first sexual experiences were inadequate for both, and besides other problems the pair seemed to be disgruntled upon return. None the less, Betty returned from her Honeymoon pregnant with her first child, Kim. After quitting her job and committing herself to homemaking and motherhood, four children would follow. Lee, Daniel, Rhett and a baby boy who remained unnamed until passing, four days after birth.
Betty's dream of the big family had come true.
Dan Broderick had, at this point, had completed a medical degree and decided to combine this with a further degree in law, instead of further pursueing medical training. After enrolling at Harvard Law School, Dan completed his studies (all the while with Betty in the background holding down jobs to support the family) and together they relocated to San Diego where he found success as a medical malpractice attorney. The marriage, at this point, had almost fully deteriorated.
Enter the other woman.
Dan hired Linda Kolkina, a former airline attendant, as his assistant and began an affair with her. Although Betty initially suspected the affair, Dan denied it on numerous occasions. After finally moving out of the family home and taking custody of the children (which Betty demanded he so do) a lengthy and complication divorce settlement ensued in which Betty Broderick extensively complained of unfair treatment, due to Dan's legal background.
Why is that not surprising to me?
Anger, desperation, betrayal and obsession all manifested well inside Betty, as she made constant threats toward, and harrassed, her ex husband and his new wife to the point where she was served with a letter from Dan's lawyer containing threats of legal retaliation.
On the evening of November 5, 1989 Betty Broderick entered the home of Dan Broderick by means of a stolen key (out of the purse of her daughter) and made her way into the master bedroom. Here she shot both Linda and Dan Broderick to death and removed the phone, eliminating any chance of a still-surviving Dan Broderick to call for help.
"...because I wanted them to listen to me."
She has shown little to no remorse for her crime. I
In a highly publisized interview with Oprah Winfrey, Broderick claims she was "sorry that (he) decided to live a lifestyle that was so far away from the truth" and that people claimed he was "the american joke." Her demeanor as the betrayed wife who took matters into her own hands was further cemented by her general inacceptance of her actions resulting not only in a crime, but also in the deaths of two human beings.
He had it coming.
Broderick is currently serving a two-term of 15-years-to-life sentence at the California Institute for Women in Corona, California. She was eligible for parole in January of 2010. It was denied for lack of remorse or acknowledgment of wrongdoing. She may apply again in three years time.
*****
So, did anyone "get away with murder?" Betty Broderick has fascinated me for some time. Her inabiltiy to own up, her calm and yes, almost self-assured demeanor. Her ability to polarize the country. Sure, she was sentenced. She is paying for it. But was her sentence justified? Is she a hero? Or a villain? What about Dan? Let me know what you guys think. -T.
