This is a true story about identical twin sisters, Jennifer and Christina, who were separated at a young age due to their parents' divorce. The twins eventually reunited as teenagers and moved in with their mother, Celeste, and her new husband, Steve Beard, in Austin, Texas.
However, their lives took a dark turn when Steve was shot and killed in 1999. Initially, the police suspected Tracy Tarleton, a woman who had been friends with Celeste, of the crime. But as the investigation continued, the twins began to suspect that their mother was involved in the murder.
The twins discovered that Celeste had been manipulating Tracy, who was in a psychiatric facility, into committing the crime. Celeste had been having an affair with Tracy and had convinced her that Steve was abusive.
As the investigation unfolded, the twins learned that Celeste had been planning to kill Steve for years and had even bought pink caskets for her daughters, implying that they would be next. The twins went into hiding, and with the help of investigators, they gathered evidence against their mother.
The trial of Celeste Beard began in 2003, and the twins testified against her. Tracy Tarleton also testified, revealing that Celeste had manipulated her into committing the crime. The jury found Celeste guilty of capital murder, and she was sentenced to two consecutive 40-year prison terms.
The twins eventually forgave Tracy, who apologized for her role in their father's death. The sisters have since healed and moved on with their lives, crediting their strong bond for helping them overcome the trauma they experienced.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Celeste Beard and her husband Steven Beard were married, and Steven adopted Celeste's twin daughters, Jennifer and Christina.
2. Tracy Tarleton, a friend of Celeste's, was involved in a plot to kill Steven.
3. Steven was shot and killed on October 2, 1999, and Tracy was arrested and charged with attempted murder.
4. Celeste was acting strangely after Steven's death and was eventually arrested and charged with capital murder.
5. The trial of Celeste Beard began on February 3, 2003, and the twins, Jennifer and Christina, testified against their mother.
6. Tracy Tarleton testified that Celeste had planned the murder and had manipulated her into carrying it out.
7. The twins revealed that their mother had a history of mental health problems and had been violent towards them and their father.
8. Celeste was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to two consecutive 40-year prison terms.
9. Tracy Tarleton apologized to the twins for her role in their father's death and they forgave her.
10. The twins, Jennifer and Christina, have since moved on with their lives, and their sisterly bond has become stronger.