How Did Don Crowder Die? The Tragic Fate of Candy Montgomerys Lawyer

Don Crowder was a successful lawyer who defended Candy Montgomery, a woman who killed her friend Betty Gore with an ax in 1980. He managed to get her acquitted by arguing that she acted in self-defense, but his career and life took a downward turn after the controversial case.

The Rise and Fall of Don Crowder

Don Crowder was a former football player who became a lawyer in 1970. He established a law firm with his classmates Jim Mattox and John Allen Curtis, and handled mostly personal injury cases. He was known for his passion, humor, and tenacity in the courtroom, as well as his generosity and faith outside of it. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Lucas, where he met Candy Montgomery, who approached him for help when she was accused of murdering Betty Gore, a fellow churchgoer and friend.

Crowder had no experience in criminal law, but he took on the case as a challenge and a favor. He hired psychiatrists, put Candy on the stand, and used his theatrics to convince the jury that she was a victim of a violent attack by Betty, who had discovered her affair with her husband. He also clashed with the judge and the prosecution, and was jailed for four days for contempt of court. His strategy worked, and Candy was found not guilty, shocking the public and the media.

Crowder’s reputation was tarnished by the case, as many people blamed him for defending a “brazen hussy” who got away with murder. He also faced financial difficulties, as he had spent a lot of money on the case and did not receive much compensation from Candy. He tried to run for governor in 1986, but failed to win the nomination. He continued to practice law, and became the city attorney for Allen, Texas, for 22 years. He also opened a sports bar called Gameday in Plano, Texas, in 1991, hoping to revive his fortunes.

The Suicide of Don Crowder

However, Crowder’s life spiraled out of control in the late 1990s. His sports bar closed down in 1997, leaving him on the verge of bankruptcy. His mental health deteriorated, as he suffered from depression, alcoholism, and possibly bipolar disorder. He also lost his brother Barry in a tragic accident in 1997, when he accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun. Crowder was devastated by his brother’s death, and felt guilty for not being there for him.

On November 10, 1998, Crowder took his own life by shooting himself in the head. He was 56 years old. He left behind his second wife, his four children, and his grandchildren. He was buried at the Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. His obituary described him as a “loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend” who had a “zest for life” and a “heart of gold”.

Crowder’s suicide was a tragic end to a life that had been marked by success and failure, fame and infamy, joy and sorrow. He was a complex and controversial figure, who had played a pivotal role in one of the most sensational murder cases in Texas history. His legacy remains a subject of interest and debate, as his role in Candy Montgomery’s case is revisited by various media outlets and adaptations.

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