The Case of Betty Broderick

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. On the early morning of November 5, 1989, 41 year-old Betty Broderick entered the home of her ex-husband, Dan Broderick, and his new wife, Linda. After firing five shots, three of which hit Dan and Linda, Betty ran out of the house, but before she left she did one thing that would come back to haunt her. What was that one thing? Ripped the telephone, that was near the bed, out of the wall Went to Dan's medical bag and got a scapel, and castrated Dan Went to the bathroom to get scissors, and cut off Linda's hair Reloaded her gun with hollow point bullets, and pumped all the rounds into the mortally wounded bodies of Dan and Linda

2. Elisabeth Anne Bisceglia met her future husband, Dan Broderick, at a Notre Dame football game when she was 17 years-old. Elisabeth was taken with the handsome, dark haired, young man. After three years of courtship, the couple were married. When were they married? May 1, 1968 August 21, 1969 April 12, 1969 July 15, 1968

3. In 1973, Dan, Betty, and their two little girls moved to California, so Dan could complete a summer clerkship in Los Angeles. After finishing his clerkship, the Brodericks moved to San Diego, where Dan applied for, and received, a position in a prominent law firm. What was the name of this law firm? McMahon and Tate Morgan, Lewis, and Smith Murphy, Parnell Gray, Cary

4. In early 1983, while at a social function for attorneys, Dan Broderick saw Linda Kolkena for the first time. Although he was at the function with Betty, he seemed to forget that she was there. Dan made a remark that seemed to trigger Betty's suspicion. What was the remark that Dan made? "She's the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen!" "Isn't she beautiful?" "She's the sexiest woman alive!" "Isn't she sexy and beautiful?"

5. In the summer of 1983, Betty took her children on a five week camping trip throughout the Northwest. When she came back, she and Dan attended a wedding in Newport Beach. On the drive to Newport, Dan told Betty that he wasn't happy with his life, and that he wasn't happy with her. What did Dan tell Betty that made her believe that he was seeing the "office girl"? He said that although she was beautiful, he wanted someone with the same educational background that he had He told her that he was having an affair Linda He said she was old, fat, ugly, and boring He told her he wanted to change his life, and that that change didn't include her

6. November 22, 1983, was Dan's 38th birthday. To celebrate her husband's birthday, Betty decided to go to his office, with gifts and champagne in hand, to surprise him. Instead, she learned that Dan was not there, as was his assistant, Ms. Kolkena. Betty waited for Dan into the early evening hours. She drove home in anger, feeling very betrayed. That night, she tried to get even with Dan. What did Betty do in an attempt to quell her feelings of betrayal? Set his clothes on fire in the yard Rammed her car into the front door Blew up his brand new Corvette Called the police and had him arrested for adultery

7. In October of 1985, Dan was living at the Coral Reef house, and being visited every night by Linda. One day, while both he and Linda were at the office, Betty went to the Coral Reef house. On the counter was Dan's favorite dessert. Betty grabbed it and went upstairs. There, she smashed it all over Dan's clothes and bedroom. What kind of dessert was it? Chocolate Mousse Strawberry Shortcake Vanilla pudding Boston cream pie

8. Betty once drove her suburban through Dan's front door. True False

9. In 1986, Dan thought of a new way to try to control his wife. Fed up with what he called her 'wanton' destruction, Dan sought a new and legal way to tame Betty, a judicial procedure that would supposedly make her accountable for her actions. What was the name of this judical procedure? Answer: (Four Words.)

10. Betty left foul and obscene messages, directed at her children, on Dan's answering machine. True False

11. In 1989, a few weeks prior to Dan's and Linda's wedding, what was Betty accused of stealing that belonged to Linda? Wedding lingerie Wedding list Wedding ring Wedding invitations

12. The first trial of Betty Broderick began on Monday, November 22, 1991, with the prosecution claiming that Betty had acted with malice in the murders of Dan and Linda. True False

13. The first trial ended with a hung jury. One juror told reporters that as he listened to the court's description of Dan Broderick's infidelity and psychological brutality, he only had one thought throughout much of the proceedings. What did the juror tell reporters and what was the juror's name? "Shooting him was too easy!" - Rhyne Taylor "What took her so long?" - Walter Polk "I can't understand why she did it?" - Almira Buzniak "She should have left well enough alone." - Judith Berg

14. In October of 1991, the second trial of Betty Broderick began. During the trial, her defense attorney, Jack Early, dropped a bombshell. What was the surprise that Early delivered? He had evidence that Dan had shot Linda and was about to shoot Betty, and that Betty acted in self defense. He had evidence that Betty was framed for the murders of Dan and Linda by her brother-in-law. He had eyewitnesses to the fact that Betty couldn't have killed Dan and Linda. He had evidence that Dan had tried to hire someone to kill Betty.

15. What was the sentencing of Betty, after she was found guilty of second degree murder? Two consecutive fifteen-years-to-life sentences One consecutive life sentence, without the possibility of parole The death penalty Two consecutive life sentence, without the possibility of parole