Suzy Spencer - The Fortune Hunter

On March 23, 2006, Celeste Beard Johnsons appeal was denied by the Texas Court of Appealsher life sentences for capital murder and injury to an elderly individual were upheld. That did not mean that Celeste went quietly to her cell.

In 2009, her mother, Nancy Hall, self-published a book called Wounded Bird, which essentially was written by Celeste in that it consisted of her letters from prison, as well as trial testimony, both of which purportedly prove Celestes innocence.

Perhaps in a bit of not-so-tasteful irony, in 2010, Celeste and five of her fellow inmates published a cookbook, From the Big House to Your House: Cooking in Prison. With that book, Celeste once again made the pages of the Austin American-Statesman, as humor columnist John Kelso interviewed Celeste and wrote about her.

Her favorite recipe: The death by chocolate cake, she told Kelso. Then added, I probably shouldnt have said that. Kelso agreed. And he pointed out that the book contains a recipe for chili dogs.

In 2013, Nancy with Celeste wrote Trial by Perjury: Millionaire, Mania & Misinformation. Steve Beards crypt is pictured on the book cover, as well as on a promotional postcard for the e-book. That postcard states that the book has obscure facts not told in the high-profile murder. It also contains the plea, Please read and write me, and provides Celestes prison address.

But Celestes books arent the only way to locate her. At various times, shes posted profiles on prisoner dating and pen pal websites. And her mother has created several websites proclaiming Celestes innocence.

In 2011, Celeste made the pages of the Ventura County Star newspaper as Alfred and Nancy Hall proudly announced that Celeste had graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelors degree in business administration. Celeste is employed as a certified Braille Transcriber by the state [sic] of Texas, the announcement said, beneath a photo of a smiling Celeste, clad in black graduation robe and mortarboard, while standing before books in what appeared to be the prison library.

Tracey Tarlton was released on parole in 2011. I dont wake up one single day without feeling shamed still held for what I did, she told KENS5 Eyewitness News in San Antonio, Texas. Her release, she said, has been exciting and hopeful, but it has also been difficult because you don't have any easy access to getting a job. You dont have any easy access to renting an apartment because you have that felony status strapped on you. As such, friends of hers held a fundraiser for Tracey. For $20 a donation, supporters heard readings from Traceys letters from prison.

The following year, Jeremy Ellis, Traceys former co-worker at BookPeople, saw Tracey as she shopped in a Houston bookstore. They exchanged hellos. Occasionally, he spots her in the aisles of a Houston grocery store, but he doesnt speak to her, as she seems to want to quietly move on with her life.

Kristina and Jennifer Beard also wanted to move on with their lives.

Kristina and Justin Grimm eventually divorced, and she later married a handsome, blond-haired, blue-eyed young man. In January 2013, she announced on Facebook that they were definitely going to have babies soon. I just want to wait till after our honeymoon. So maybe this summer we will start trying. The following September, she gave birth. A year later, Kristina posted, Im one lucky girl to have my baby.

Jennifer found love too. In 2014, she got engaged and married. While Jen had been reserved about her sexuality during her mothers trial, she now is open about her homosexuality.

That openness caused a bit of a rift between Jennifer and Becky Beard, and the rift hurt Becky. Indeed, she rarely resented the fact that her father had adopted his killers teenaged daughters and made those teens equal heirs to his riches. Instead, she expressed gratitude that her father had provided her with sisters. At one point, she even included the killers daughters in her own will. Unfortunately, the twins eventually moved on from Becky, too.

Once the estate was settled, Steves only natural-born daughter bought a gold-toned Ford Thunderbird convertible. It was an indulgence for a woman who worked as a math teacher and moonlighted as a bookkeeper. After she retired, she enjoyed her days playing golf, traveling to Destin, Florida, and gambling. In October 2010, 11 years and 18 days after her father had been shot while he slept, Becky Beard died from a heart attack. It was as though the month of October, which was also the anniversary of her mothers death, had been too emotionally tough for Beckys kind and gracious heart.

One monthto the dayafter Becky died, her older brother Steven passed away, too.

For the natural-born Beards, that left only Paul. He and his wife Kim built a dream home, which, based on Celeste Beards overblown standards, could be described simply as a comfortable middle-class to upper-middle-class home. They spend their time enjoying their dogs and an occasional gambling trip.

Allison Wetzel and Gary Cobb are still working for the Travis County District Attorneys Office. And Dick DeGuerin is still being Dick DeGuerin, while continuing to represent millionaire Robert Durst, who was found not guilty of murder in Galveston, Texas, but is again charged with murderthis time in Los Angeles.

Diversion Books
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Copyright 2004, 2015 by Suzy Spencer
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

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First Diversion Books edition October 2015
ISBN: 978-1-68230-818-7

I thought I would never write another book as emotionally wearing as Breaking Point, the story of Andrea Yates. But The Fortune Hunter drained me even more.

Perhaps it was because Id been following the case since November 1999, started pitching it in the spring of 2000, began covering it non-stop in the summer of 2002, and then spent well more than two years living with it every day, including traveling from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Ocean and battling the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in order to do my research.

More likely, its because I got to know, like, and truly care about the people on both sides of the case. Alas, those relationships will be tested with the publication of this book because I tried my darnedest to tell the whole truth, not just one sides truth. I hope that doesnt destroy some cherished friendships.

Simply because the State won their case, I will start my thank yous with them, namely Allison Wetzel. As she knows, I could not have written this book without her help, encouragement, introductions to the Beard family and their friends, and willingness to show me her soul. I utterly admire her integrity.

Thanks also to Becky Beard, who got me through the trial with her humor, kindness, honesty, openness, and love. I miss our dinners at Rays. You are my friend.

Thanks to Paul and Kim Beard for including me in their family, sharing their tears, and bringing me peanut butter fudge.

Ellen Halbert, Anita Ashton, and Jerry Inglis filled me in on background and set me up with the kids. Thank you. I was privileged to be around Jennifer and Kristina Beard and Justin Grimm almost every day for two months. I cannot express how much I loved that time. Yall were a joy to be around. I miss your smiles, our shared meals, and the late night phone calls and emails.

Christopher Doose and Amy Cozart, I think you two know how much I like you. Thank you for being kids of your word and for sharing so many, many hours with me. Im speechless in how to express my gratitude and admiration. I know you make your parents proud. I wish you both great success and happiness.