Heather Scott, the ex-wife of David Temple, quietly recalled Monday how her relationship...
www.houstonchronicle.com
4/17/23
Scott struggled to remember dates in the months leading up to Belinda Temple's death, 24 years ago, or after. She testified, however, that the two never discussed the killing, even during their 18 years of marriage. Scott married Temple, an Alief Hastings High colleague, in 2001 — two years after his wife was killed.
Scott and other state witnesses have testified in the 178th District Court for the past week about Temple’s role in his wife’s death in order for a third set of jurors to finalize his punishment.
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Jurors convicted Temple again in 2019, but
a mistrial was declared as a punishment could not be agreed upon. The pandemic delayed the latest proceedings.
Testimony by Scott and others since opening statements April 10 has mirrored testimony made during the past trials.
Scott divorced Temple amid the second trial, citing a “conflict of personalities,” and returned to her maiden name, Fort Bend County court records show.
The couple met at work, where Temple was a football coach and Scott a teacher. Their affair started about three months before Belinda’s death and while she knew about his marriage to her, it was rarely discussed.
“He never talked about his wife,” Scott said.
Temple gifted her a gold necklace for Christmas and stayed the night on New Year’s Eve, telling his wife that he went hunting instead. He remained at her townhome until Jan. 2.
She told Temple on Jan. 5 that their affair needed to stop because it was inappropriate, but Temple continued to pursue her. He professed his feelings Jan. 8, and she reciprocated.
Police were called to Temple’s home Jan. 11 to investigate Belinda Temple's death. He called 911 in an emotional state after running errands with their 3-year-old son to say he found their home burglarized and her body with a gunshot wound to the head in their bedroom closet.
Temple was not charged at the time of the initial investigation.
In the month following Belinda Temple’s death, he sent Scott roses for Valentine’s Day.
During Scott’s latest testimony, she described Temple as a doting father who took his son to visit Belinda Temple’s grave. She helped raise his son, but the two did not have children of their own, she said.
Temple’s sister-in-law, Rebecca Temple, was called after Scott to testify for the defense because of a later scheduling conflict. Prosecutors from the Texas Attorney General's Office have not rested their side of the trial.
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She learned of Temple’s affair and expressed disappointment to her brother-in-law. That feeling continued as she learned of his continued relationship with Scott after Belinda’s death. At one point, her husband, Temple’s brother, had a heart attack in the same room where Belinda Temple was killed, she continued.
Rebecca Temple wanted nothing to with her brother-in-law and his new bride but soon embraced the couple, she testified. Their relationship appeared to have changed him.
“I saw a man that was softer and very caring and considerate,” she said.
And she soon recognized Scott as a mother to Temple’s child, who is now in his late 20s.
“She became an amazing mom to him,” she continued.
