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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It is impossible to tell a true story that took place over seventeen years without the help of a great many people. At the same time, people prefer anonymity when they relate a story as sensitive as this one. For those who helped but did not want their names published, I give my sincerest thanks. I could not have written this book without you.

Thank you to District Attorney Bill Hill, who encouraged me to tell this story. State Congressman Toby Goodman wrote the new Texas law on unsupervised visits by abusive spouses and walked me through the process. Defense attorney Paul Johnson worked harder than any defense attorney I have ever witnessed. Judge Harold Entz was the only jurist who stood up to John Battaglia before the murders. Thank you to Assistant District Attorney Megan Miller for her firsthand information, and to Michelle’s attorney in her protective order battles, Leota Alexander. Prosecutor Keith Robinson helpfully answered my questions.

Kudos to the staff of The Dallas Morning News. Steve McGonigle, a tenacious investigative reporter, generously shared his information; David Woo, photo editor, was patient with my many requests; and photographer Richard Michael Pruitt took excellent photos. Thanks also to fellow journalists Lance Brennan with The Turtle Creek News and Denise McVea with the Dallas Observer.

Dedicated police officers Dane Thornton and Zane Murray helped explain the frenzied night of the murders. Gigi Ray, death investigator for the Dallas County Medical Examiner, is a woman of great integrity. She guided me to tell the story accurately.

I appreciated the hospitality of Judge Janice Warder’s court, including court reporter Judy Belton, and bailiffs Gary Detrick, Cindy Pollard, and Joe Collard.

Thanks to Karen Haas, who knows the magic of New York City. Others who deserve my appreciation are Anthony Steele, Linda Murphy, Lucinda Monett, Mary Catherine Smith, Lisa and Mike Kittrell, Cassidy Murphy, Mike Glassco, Tami Thomsen, Mike Lester, Margaret and Howard Neff, Cindy Joungwaard, John Grimes, Ed Buford, and Gloria Somerville Wagner.

Dan Hurwitz, a fellow writer, is a most conscientious editor and a very good friend.

I was fortunate to have the gracious advice and encouragement of Kensington’s Editor-in-Chief, Michaela Hamilton, and her editorial assistant, Miles Lott.