Tracy Rhode's husband, Scott, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in 2003. Initially, it was believed to be a suicide, but further investigation led to Tracy's arrest and eventual trial for murder. The prosecution's case centered around Tracy's relationship with a coworker, Shawn, who she had an emotional affair with. Tracy maintained her innocence, claiming Scott was abusive and controlling. Despite inconsistencies in her story and suspicious behavior, Tracy was found guilty but received a surprisingly lenient sentence of 10 years' probation due to the jurors' sympathies for her and her children. The case raises questions about the justice system and potential biases.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The narrator, Bailey Sarian, is discussing a crime story about a woman named Traci Rhode.
2. Traci Rhode met her husband, Scott, in high school, and they got married in 1990.
3. Traci and Scott had three sons together.
4. Traci was a nurse, and Scott was an engineer.
5. Traci said that Scott was controlling and jealous, and their marriage was troubled.
6. Traci met a man named Shawn Michaels at her workplace, and they started flirting with each other.
7. Traci and Shawn kissed in a parking lot, but Traci claims they didn't have an affair.
8. Scott confronted Traci about the affair, and Traci admitted to it in the heat of the moment.
9. Scott threatened to take the kids away from Traci and use Shawn against her in a custody battle.
10. The next morning, Scott was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head.
11. The police initially thought it was a suicide, but later suspected foul play.
12. Traci was arrested for Scott's murder on August 11, 2005.
13. The prosecution's case centered around Traci's relationship with Shawn and her motive to kill Scott.
14. Traci was found guilty of murdering her husband, but the jury gave her a lenient sentence of 10 years' probation.
15. Traci's nursing license was revoked, and she lost her job.
16. Traci maintains that she did not kill her husband and is now living freely in Texas with her sons.