Don Crowder was a prominent lawyer who gained notoriety for his participation in Candy Montgomery’s high-profile legal case. Montgomery was a Texas housewife who was charged with killing her friend Betty Gore in 1980. As Montgomery’s defence lawyer during the trial, he was well-received for his contributions. He also exposed the affair that Montgomery had with Gore’s husband, Allan and suggested that Betty was mentally unstable and jealous.
Who Was Don Crowder?
Don Crowder was born on 25th October, 1942 in Dallas County, Texas, USA. He went to Highland Park High School and was raised in a middle-class family. He took part in debate and mock trial competitions and showed an early interest in politics and the law. After completing his high school education in 1958, he enrolled in Southern Methodist University to pursue a political science degree.
Don Crowder was raised by a kind and helpful family. He was influenced greatly by his mother, Tynie Eudauxie Greer Crowder, and father, Alton Dowe Crowder Sr., until their deaths in 2005 and 1999, respectively. He shared a close bond with his siblings, including his brother Berry Crowder. Don’s brother’s death in 1997 was clearly a very painful experience for him and his remaining family members.
Don Crowder’s Career
Don Crowder attended SMU Law School after receiving his degree from SMU in 1962. He began working as a prosecutor for the Dallas County District Attorney’s office in 1965 after earning his Juris Doctor. He spent six years working there, handling a number of well-known cases, such as the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby.
He began his own private practice in 1971 after leaving the DA’s office. His areas of expertise were civil litigation and criminal defence. He gained recognition for skillfully and tenaciously defending his clients. In addition, he was a board member of the Dallas Bar Association and taught law classes at SMU.
Don Crowder made a name for himself as a lawyer by getting involved in Candy Montgomery’s infamous criminal case. Candy, a Wylie, Texas housewife, was charged in 1980 for mercilessly killing Betty Gore, the wife of her lover. Candy Montgomery was well-represented by Crowder, who also presented a strong defence during the trial. Crowder was an important part of Candy Montgomery’s legal team.
In court, Crowder made a strong case for Montgomery’s innocence by offering arguments and supporting documentation. There were tense moments during the trial, such as when it was discovered that Montgomery’s spectacles had a lens in Betty Gore’s garage, raising concerns about the defence. Crowder’s influence went beyond the courtroom when he asked psychologist and hypnotist Dr. Fred Fason to speak on Montgomery’s behalf. While Montgomery didn’t win the bid for governor in 1986, Crowder’s efforts in the courtroom resulted in a respectable showing for his client.
Don Crowder’s Death
Candy Montgomery’s attorney, Don Crowder, took his own life as a result of a string of difficult events that had a profound impact on him. His mental health worsened after his brother Barry’s unfortunate accident. To cope, he used cocaine and alcohol, which made matters worse. He was even more mortified after receiving a DWI. He tried suicide on his 56th birthday after receiving a gunshot wound, but he lived. He expressed conflicting emotions over the Montgomery trial in an interview with the McKinney Courier-Gazette, not sure if it was the pinnacle of his career or the reason for his demise. He carried additional emotional weight due to the haunting of Betty Gore’s family’s sadness.
Unfortunately, Crowder committed suicide at his home on November 10, 1998. He made a decision that was probably complicated and related to the difficulties that he was going through on both a personal and professional level at the time. His decision was undoubtedly influenced by the strain and emotional toll of defending Candy Montgomery in the well-publicised Betty Gore murder trial.
Don Crowder’s Show
The true story of Candy Montgomery’s defence lawyer in the Betty Gore murder trial, Don Crowder, is depicted in the HBO Max series Love & Death. Don Crowder is expertly portrayed by Tom Pelphrey. The show demonstrates how fearlessly he handled the case in spite of criticism from the community.
