FOX News: Clara Harris murder trial sentence - 20 years in prison, $10,000 fine

FOX News Channel ^ | February 14, 2003 | Fox News Channel Staff

[churchillbuff]

I would love to hear David's side of the story.

If you're not divorced, I'll eat my shorts. and I'm not a "madam" --- I'm just a married guy who believes, "one life, one wife."

[mdittmar]

Liberal?,where in my comments did you see that I thought it was O.K.?

It happens,not good,not right,but it happens.

[MeekOneGOP]

I think it's a fair sentence...

I think that's right. I would have been terribly upset if she'd received 10 or less and walked home after this sentence.

By giving 20 years, she must serve 10 before she can be considered for probation. Given this is Texas, she could have received more. But the jury went with the 'sudden passion' and gave her the max under that. Yes. I'd say fair.

[Senator Pardek]

If you really believe that, please respond to my comments in #137.

[dennisw]

No way. I just took exception to your dismissive attitude toward the adultery that started this terrible episode going.

I am sorry to give that impression. Adultery is serious but not worthy of the death penalty inflicted by the crazy wife. Do I think Clara is crazy? Yes and  not due just to her husband's in-your-face cheating. There's a history with her I would like to know more about.

Is this true? I honestly don't know -->

The Bible only considers the extramarital affair of a married woman as
adultery (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22, Proverbs 6:20-7:27). ...

[CharacterCounts]

One of the reasons I've resisted the temptation -- and I've definitely been in some situations where I've been tempted -- is because I know it can lead to violence; I don't want a bullet in my back, or anyone else's

Do you mean the fact that it is a sin isn't enough of a reason for you?

[dennisw]

Sorry about the madam stuff :)

[MeekOneGOP]

Looks like she will be doing fillings on other inmates now for the next twenty years.

LOL !

Unfortunately (for her), she will lose her license now. They can pile on practicing without a license if she does...

[isthisnickcool]

I think Clara in a way sacraficed herself rather than bring more pain to Lindsay.

I understand that she would not let her lawyer drag David through the mud either. The woman was crazy about David. That's a fact. Just too many people have said that.

As far as David's family supporting Clara. I'm not real sure why that's the case except they knew the same things that other people knew about David. Maybe it was because David's dad was personally familiar with "other women" in his own younger days? And got "religion" afterwards.

Clara Harris lost her mind for a few minutes. She did not set out that night to kill her husband. But she did and for that she will pay. Along with her children and others.

Next, watch for David's ex-wife to sue the detective agency along with Gail Bridges and anyone else they can think of.

[churchillbuff]

If you really believe that, please respond to my comments in #137.

Look, I don't excuse murder, even by wronged wives or husbands. I just say it's one of the reasons to steer clear of adulterous activities - because violence can be one of the side effects. This Dr. Harris didn't think about that, apparently. That doesn't mean he deserved to be murdered(he didn't) - or that his wife should get off (she shouldn't)- - - but it does mean that he was being more than immoral, he was being stupid.

I learned this lesson as a kid. One of the family members was an emergency room doctor. He remarked how many if not most of the violence victims brought had been involved in marital disputes where somebody'd been jealous of the other. We deny the potentially fiery consequences of jealousy and betrayal at our peril. That's not a "moralistic" statement, it's just an observation about human nature.

[MeekOneGOP]

That's not a legal opinion, btw. I read that in one of the articles I posted on this case.

Whew ! I'm off the hook, now, lol !...

[churchillbuff]

Sorry about the madam stuff :)

I apologize for getting personal, too.

[scouse]

Today is Valentine's day and her 11th wedding anniversary. I don't know whether that's funny or just ironic.

[txradioguy]

No I don't need to change it. I AM happily re-married. I have my two wonderful daughters and a step-dughter and a step-son. No reason to change my profile. For it speaks the truth.

[dennisw]

I apologize for getting personal, too ....

No way did you overdo it.

[churchillbuff]

Do you mean the fact that it is a sin isn't enough of a reason for you?

Intellectually and theologically, clearly it's enough. But in the hour of temptation, it is also helpful to fortify oneself by reminding oneself of the harmful, dangerous practical consequences that could follow from disobeying God's command. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Canadian Outrage]

In this instance, I agree with you. I did feel very sorry for Mrs. Harris. I believe she was basically a really good person, wanted to make her marriage work, was literally tortured by this cruel, disgusting man and was snapped. The two little twins need their mother. In most murder cases, I think swift justice is usually called for but I just cannot apply that to this for some reason. I somehow feel she has served "a sentence" already. No winners here. In this Country we had a man that had a history of beating his wife, she flipped out and "insulted his manhood" according to him and then he stabbed her 47 times and was given 4 years in prison. After he took a 3 month trip to Hawaii and then came back and turned himself in. Everybody was OUTRAGED AND wanted the Judge removed. He's back in business in this area and already in legal trouble again. That is what I call perverted Justice. But then again, I was SICK when OJ Simpson walked. That was a bloody, brutal crime with all the evidence of pre-meditation and attempt to escape. That Black Jury had decided they were NOT going to convict him and would not have convicted him even if they had a video of the crime. Ms. Harris is a whole other ballgame. I genuinely feel sorry for her and wish that her sentence had been much less. She should not be able to profit from his estate but then she can earn big money herself. Sad.

[Rockiesrider]

"I think it's a fair sentence."

I agree. Clara was a bi-ch. part of the testamony told of her penchent for physical retaliation and urge for humiliation when angered. It was "sudden passion" but to commit murder? Take her to the slammer! She'll have twenty years to work on that anger management.

[Senator Pardek]

No one here has said adultery is OK - yet you keep bringing it up.

Why?

She had the financial means to leave, hire a good lawyer, and bankrupt the bastard, yet she did not.

[Canadian Outrage]

You know what horsey, I might have killed this guy too. When the guys parents stand by the woman who killed their son, their is something pretty outstandingly wrong. That is very unusual indeed. She shouldn't have gotten this much time.