Three Decades Later: Will Betty Broderick Ever Feel Remorse For Killing Dan And Linda Broderick?

Elizabeth "Betty" Broderick killed her ex-husband, Dan Broderick III, and his wife, Linda. She confessed to the crime the same day she broke into Dan's home, fatally shooting him and his new wife.

Broderick has never denied her involvement in the crime, but contended it was in self defense. In legal terms, she claimed she plead not guilty by imperfect self defense. That means, whether it is rational to the common person, she felt her life was in danger if she didn't kill Dan and Linda.

The Trials Were A Media Circus

Her first trial resulted in a hung jury. They couldn't come to an agreement if she meant to kill her ex and his wife, or if she felt threatened by him, killing them in self defense.

Betty's second trial was a success. The jury found her guilty of second-degree murder and she received 32 years to life sentence.

Broderick seemed to enjoy the media attention, often bragged about the letters she received from her supporters and members of the media. In one of the interviews in 1992, she told the press she felt more free in prison than she ever felt with Dan alive and free to torment her any way he pleased.

Parole Isn't Currently An Option For Her

In 2010, Betty appeared in front of the parole board. They felt she didn't display an appropriate amount of remorse and failed to take responsibility for her role in the crime. They especially didn't like the fact she said if she could do it all over again, she isn't sure she wouldn't change anything. That alone told the board she wasn't rehabilitated and may be a risk to society.

Broderick had a similar experience in 2017 with the parole board. This time, she went in and showed some signs of remorse. The trouble was, it seemed fake and rehearsed, so they didn't approve her parole request. She won't be eligible for another hearing until 2032 -- she will be 84-years-old.

The biggest problem for Betty is she isn't remorseful. She believes they deserved to die because how poorly they treated her. Even after decades of therapy, the 74-year-old cannot muster up any feelings of remorse. And chances are, she will never feel any regret for he crime.

Betty's friends and family expressed concern for her in 2010, when she still would talk obsessively about Dan and Linda. They wanted her to move forward and work on her issues so she could get out of prison. As the years pass, it is looking unlikely she will ever move forward. She is still hung up on the abuse she suffered and cannot let it go.

Dan Did Abuse Her, But Is It Time To Let Go?

The part of her case that still captivates the true crime fanatics is the level Dan went to abuse her. During their divorce, he made sure she couldn't find legal representation, forcing her to accept whatever deal his attorney gave her. It wasn't fair, and she got the raw end of the deal.

When that didn't work, and she continued to push back, he allegedly had his then girlfriend, Linda, send her weight loss shakes to her, with a note that she should lose weight. That hit her on a personal level, as she had gained quite a bit of weight dealing with the stress of the divorce and fight over custody.

According to Betty, the last straw was a legal motion to take her visitation away, citing sexual abuse. She said she would never sexually abuse her children, so that pushed her over the edge and she snapped.

Several hours after she killed Dan and Linda, she turned herself in to the police, and they arrested her. She expressed some remorse to the police, but later told the detective they deserved it for abusing her for so long.

Many people felt for Betty, because she was clearly not well mentally. But when you do the crime, you must do the time. It's clear Broderick will never be ready to accept her responsibility for the crime, and express real remorse.

Do you think Betty Broderick should get out of prison? Do you think she is a risk to society? Follow me to read more of my stories.