After a dark season debut on Bravo, Dirty John he made his return on the USA Network on Monday, this time the adaptation of the true story of Dan and Betty Broderick’s bitter marriage which ended in a double homicide. The installation of the anthology series stars Christian Slater and Amanda Peet as the ill-fated couple, whose crumbling relationship implied civil secrets, bitter divorce, and a multitude of capers before the two deaths. Here is what you need to know about this whirlwind of history.
The Early Marriage
Betty and Dan were once a happy young couple, tie the knot in 1969. Working as a teacher, Betty paid the bills and raised their four children as we studied through Cornell Medical School and the Harvard Law School. Dan finally found a job in a San Diego law firm and studying for a lucrative career in the medical malpractice.
In 1983 he was hired Of 22 years, Linda Kolkena as your assistant. Betty became suspicious of an affair. Her husband flatly refused the allegations, calling it “crazy”, as well as “old, fat, ugly, boring and stupid.” That year, Betty survived a suicide attempt. Shortly after, she discovered that her husband the photo of Linda in the office and went home and burned his clothes.
In a 1992 interview with Oprah Winfrey (see below), Betty surmised that he was going through a midlife crisis, “a red Corvette” and “leather jacket.” In 1985, Dan moved, getting his own house, where his wife fell to their children one by one on your doors, make you want to get involved in your family.
The Divorce
After 16 years of marriage, the couple were their separate waysbut their breakup, like Oprah, was “vicious.” In the year in which they moved, Dan served her with legal papersand Betty was anxious that no one was going to represent her because her husband was well connected among local lawyers. Frustrated, Betty, once that is rubbed with a cake made by Kolkena on her bed. Dan later had a court-ordered sale of your home without your signature. When she confronted him, he had his place in a community mental health center — a stay that she received the bill. During this time, Dan also received a profane voice mail messages from your separated from your wife.
The messy divorce process dragged on for years. Initially, Betty had representation but I would say that your case itself after his lawyers finished their services. The marriage was officially dissolved in 1986, but the former couple fought to establish maintenance, alimony, and child custody agreements. Dan filed contempts without the planning of his ex-wife of the convicted, to the judge’s chagrin. Eventually, she received $16,000 per month (most of that went to taxes and house payments), and that would have sole custody of their children.
The Murders
During the divorce, Dan admitted to having an affair with Linda, since 1983. He would later marry his secretary in April 1989. Betty bought a gun a month before your wedding and, according to reports, she told her children that she was going to kill his father with it. Linda was so afraid of Betty that she insisted on wearing bullet-proof vests for your wedding. (No, but it does increase security.) Nothing happened in your ceremony, but Linda worries soon became reality.
Seven months after the marriage, Betty broke into her house using a key that she stole from her daughter and shot them both in his bedroom. According to Bettyshe had wanted to talk with him, but every time she came, he said that he was going to call the police. When they tried to call the police, this time, the gun went off. At the time of his death, Dan was 44, and Linda was 28.
The Aftermath
Betty’s first trial ended with a hung jury. After the second test, that she was guilty of two charges of second-degree murdersentenced to 32 years to life in prison. She was denied parole in 2010 and 2017. She will not be eligible for parole again until 2032.
