Sorta OT: Priscilla Davis Dies
Maggie
Priscilla Davis:
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Priscilla Davis, linked to one of the most notorious
murder cases in Texas history, died Monday of breast cancer. She was 59.
She was one of four people attacked during a shooting rampage at ex-husband
Cullen Davis' mansion in August 1976. She was critically wounded, as was a
visitor to the mansion. Her boyfriend and 12-year-old daughter were killed.
Cullen Davis was later acquitted of murder in the death of his stepdaughter,
Andrea Wilborn.
The case was the subject of an ABC miniseries, ''Texas Justice,'' and numerous
books.
Maggie
"When we got into office, the thing that surprised me the most was that things
were as bad as we'd been saying they were."--John F. Kennedy
Lynn Smith
and no one ended up with any....-Lynn
Rags01
>>>She was one of four people attacked during a shooting rampage at ex-husband
Cullen Davis' mansion in August 1976. She was critically wounded, as was a
visitor to the mansion. Her boyfriend and 12-year-old daughter were killed.
Cullen Davis was later acquitted of murder in the death of his stepdaughter,
Andrea Wilborn.<<<
I always thought Cullen did the deed, but I'm curious about what the rest of
you think (being I wasn't anywhere near a true crime newsgroup in those days
LOL). So what about it folks: Do you put Cullen in the Guily or Innocent
column?
Rags
ChevreTroi
(Rags01) writes:
>Do you put Cullen in the Guily or Innocent
>column?
Guilty
Maggie
>
>>>>She was one of four people attacked during a shooting rampage at ex-husband
>Cullen Davis' mansion in August 1976. She was critically wounded, as was
>a
>visitor to the mansion. Her boyfriend and 12-year-old daughter were killed.
>
>Cullen Davis was later acquitted of murder in the death of his stepdaughter,
>Andrea Wilborn.<<<
>
>I always thought Cullen did the deed, but I'm curious about what the rest
>of
>you think (being I wasn't anywhere near a true crime newsgroup in those
>days
>LOL). So what about it folks: Do you put Cullen in the Guily or Innocent
>column?
***I don't remember any of the details of the case, just that at the time I
thought Cullen Davis was guilty as hell.
Cliff or Linda Griffith
> I always thought Cullen did the deed, but I'm curious about what the rest of
> you think (being I wasn't anywhere near a true crime newsgroup in those days
> LOL). So what about it folks: Do you put Cullen in the Guily or Innocent
> column?
>
> Rags
I live in Fort Worth (if that matters), and I vote "Guilty".
Linda
Cliff or Linda Griffith
>
> From the AP:
>
> Priscilla Davis:
>
> FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Priscilla Davis, linked to one of the most notorious
> murder cases in Texas history, died Monday of breast cancer. She was 59.
>
> She was one of four people attacked during a shooting rampage at ex-husband
> Cullen Davis' mansion in August 1976. She was critically wounded, as was a
> visitor to the mansion. Her boyfriend and 12-year-old daughter were killed.
>
> Cullen Davis was later acquitted of murder in the death of his stepdaughter,
> Andrea Wilborn.
>
> The case was the subject of an ABC miniseries, ''Texas Justice,'' and numerous
> books.
>
> Maggie
I don't know anything about breast cancer, so I'm wondering: Could the
fact that Priscilla was shot in the chest have at least *exascerbated*
her tendency to get breast cancer?
I don't know if y'all can find it or not (I always have to go through
hoops to locate a story that I've read in the *real* paper), but
Priscilla's story was in today's paper. http://www.star-telegram.com
This is on the heels of a story about Cullen Davis in the Sunday,
February 11th Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "They" may go back and
investigate the case, because supposedly, an investigator was feeding
info to Cullen's lawyers through Cullen's future father-in-law.
Today's paper said that Priscilla Davis lived on her divorce settlement
from Cullen until it all ran dry; then she worked at the Dallas Flower
Market. Friends are taking up a collection to pay for her funeral.
According to the paper, Priscilla offended the conservative Fort Worth
bunch back in the '80s because, among other things, she had a necklace
that said, "Rich Bitch". (I remember that, about that same time, my
father wanted to buy a necklace like that for my step-monster[R.I.P.])
A distant relative of mine worked at Chicotsky's[sp?] Deli, and he said
that Priscilla came in wearing her skimpy outfits and leaned over the
deli case, and all the workers stared. She may have been crass, but she
didn't deserve to have her child murdered...and the child didn't deserve
it. I think Cullen was solely responsible for the carnage. (But now
he's been "saved". Uh-huh, Uh-huh.)
Linda
Maggie
>Today's paper said that Priscilla Davis lived on her divorce settlement
>from Cullen until it all ran dry; then she worked at the Dallas Flower
>Market. Friends are taking up a collection to pay for her funeral.
>According to the paper, Priscilla offended the conservative Fort Worth
>bunch back in the '80s because, among other things, she had a necklace
>that said, "Rich Bitch". (I remember that, about that same time, my
>father wanted to buy a necklace like that for my step-monster[R.I.P.])
>
>A distant relative of mine worked at Chicotsky's[sp?] Deli, and he said
>that Priscilla came in wearing her skimpy outfits and leaned over the
>deli case, and all the workers stared. She may have been crass, but she
>didn't deserve to have her child murdered...and the child didn't deserve
>it. I think Cullen was solely responsible for the carnage. (But now
>he's been "saved". Uh-huh, Uh-huh.)
***I didn't realize he was born again, or saved, or whatever. Did that
conversion inspire him to unburden his soul of anything that has been troubling
him for, oh, say, the last 25 years?
Dog3
"Maggie" <maggi...@aol.comSPAMBLOC> wrote in message
news:20010220101709...@ng-md1.aol.com...
I remember this. Quite the scandal back then. Poor woman, she's
been through a lot. I can't remember how Davis got off or did he?
My memory isn't clear on what became of him.
Michel
Dog3
"Rags01" <rag...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20010220151150...@ng-md1.aol.com...
If I recall, I thought he was guilty as hell. Did he do any time?
Michael
Roger Redding
I went to school with Dee Davis, their adopted daughter, and heard
strange stories even before the murders took place. I don't think
there's any doubt among anybody who knew that family that he did it.
Roger
Roger Redding
>> Maggie
>
>I don't know anything about breast cancer, so I'm wondering: Could the
>fact that Priscilla was shot in the chest have at least *exascerbated*
>her tendency to get breast cancer?
>
When I heard that Priscilla had died I **knew** that it had to be
from breast cancer. I wasn't even thinking about the wound.
>According to the paper, Priscilla offended the conservative Fort Worth
>bunch back in the '80s because, among other things, she had a necklace
>that said, "Rich Bitch". (I remember that, about that same time, my
>father wanted to buy a necklace like that for my step-monster[R.I.P.])
>
She would wear that back in the 70's before the murders (the
StartleGram reported that it said "Rich Witch" back then) when she
would go to the Colonial golf tournament with Stan Farr (you know,
the guy she wasn't married to). Stan was a former TCU basketball
player, younger that Prissy, not particularly handsome as I recall,
but six feet nine inches, which brings to mind the old Mae West
line...
>A distant relative of mine worked at Chicotsky's[sp?] Deli, and he said
>that Priscilla came in wearing her skimpy outfits and leaned over the
>deli case, and all the workers stared.
Yep, sounds like Priscilla.
Roger
Roger Redding
>***I didn't realize he was born again, or saved, or whatever. Did that
>conversion inspire him to unburden his soul of anything that has been troubling
>him for, oh, say, the last 25 years?
>
It inspired him to unburden his soul of several hundred thousand $$
of one the world's great jade collections, which he and his
spiritual guide smashed to bits and, IIRC, dumped in the
Trinity River.
His mansion, last time I went by there, had become a
Mexican restaurant.
Roger
ChevreTroi
(Roger Redding) writes:
I'm pretty sure that the book I read that was the best on this case was
Blood Will Tell: The Murder Trials of T. Cullen Davis, by Gary Cartwright.
I always found it interesting the link between this case and the Jim Hill case
in Thompson's Blood and Money...Richard "Racehorse" Haynes.
Is "Racehorse" still alive?
Chev.
Maggie
> Blood Will Tell: The Murder Trials of T. Cullen Davis, by Gary Cartwright.
>I always found it interesting the link between this case and the Jim Hill
***Dr. John Hill
>case
>in Thompson's Blood and Money...Richard "Racehorse" Haynes.
>
>Is "Racehorse" still alive?
***He was as of around a year ago.
Gayle
Dog3 wrote:
I believe his defense was that an interrupted intruder shot Priscilla in
the chest, Stan in the back, and the daughter. As the intruder ran off,
the injured parties got together and conspired to blame Cullen since he
had money and it would end a messy divorce proceeding. Then Priscilla
(with a bullet near her heart) ran out the back door to a neighbor's 1/4
mile away and told them Cullen did it. A friend of the daughter ran out
the front door, flagged down a passing police cruiser and told them
Cullen was shooting everyone at the house. Apparently the jury believed
this was possible, and IIRC, Priscilla was charged and tried for
perjury.
Gayle
Rags01
>>>I remember this. Quite the scandal back then. Poor woman, she's
been through a lot. I can't remember how Davis got off or did he?
My memory isn't clear on what became of him<<<
AOL is giving me fits lately by constantly showing posts I have already read or
marked read. Therefore I am having difficulty keeping up with new posts
because I have to wade through hundreds of old ones I have already read.
Now that my vent is over, IIRC, Cullen didn't serve time at all. I do remember
him being *saved*, but apparently this didn't require Cullen to admit the
truth about murdering a couple of people and wanting to bump off a few more.
RIP, Priscilla.
Rags
ChevreTroi
maggi...@aol.comSPAMBLOC (Maggie) writes:
>>I'm pretty sure that the book I read that was the best on this case was
>> Blood Will Tell: The Murder Trials of T. Cullen Davis, by Gary Cartwright.
>>I always found it interesting the link between this case and the Jim Hill
>
>***Dr. John Hill
Thank you so much for pointing out my error Maggie. I'm sure it gave you great
pleasure.
Lynn Smith
Maggie
>>>I'm pretty sure that the book I read that was the best on this case was
>>> Blood Will Tell: The Murder Trials of T. Cullen Davis, by Gary Cartwright.
>>>I always found it interesting the link between this case and the Jim Hill
>>
>>***Dr. John Hill
>
chev said:
>Thank you so much for pointing out my error Maggie. I'm sure it gave you
>great
>pleasure.
***Blood and Money is my favorite true crime book of all time--I've written
about it here a number of times. I suspect that my impulse to correct you is
the same sort of impulse you had when you corrected misunderstandings you
perceived in the midst of that ballet thread. I certainly didn't take offense
when you set me straight about what a ballerina is. I'm surprised you're so
sensitive about Dr. Hill's name.
Lynn Smith
Is "Blood & Money" the story of the Dr. who's wife was the rich, horse riding
daughter of a wealthy Texan? -Lynn
Maggie
>Is "Blood & Money" the story of the Dr. who's wife was the rich, horse riding
>daughter of a wealthy Texan? -Lynn
***Yes. Mrs. Hill was Joan Robinson Hill, only child of Ash Robinson.
Rags01
>>>***Yes. Mrs. Hill was Joan Robinson Hill, only child of Ash Robinson.<<<
I read Blood & Money years ago and enjoyed it. However, being reminded of it
brings me to ask ANOTHER question LOL. How many of you believe John Hill
bumped off his wife and Ash in return killed Dr. Hill? I confess while I
always believed Ash had put a contract on the doctor, I never could make up my
mind if the Dr. had indeed bumped off his wife.
Also, what happened to the Hill's son; I thought I read somewhere that the son
broke all ties with his grandfather because sonny believed gramps had indeed
had his father killed. Am I right in remembering this? I suppose ole Ash
Robinson has long gone to his grave. What about Dr. Hill's second wife - you
know, the one who claimed Dr. Hill tried to kill her by ramming the passenger
side of the car while the two were taking a drive.
I Am a Curious - Rags
Faye
and 'big money' got him off....so what else is new?......Faye
Maggie
>
>>>>***Yes. Mrs. Hill was Joan Robinson Hill, only child of Ash Robinson.<<<
>
>I read Blood & Money years ago and enjoyed it. However, being reminded
>of it
>brings me to ask ANOTHER question LOL. How many of you believe John Hill
>bumped off his wife and Ash in return killed Dr. Hill? I confess while
>I
>always believed Ash had put a contract on the doctor, I never could make
>up my
>mind if the Dr. had indeed bumped off his wife.
***I'm not sure either, but I tend to think he didn't. There were a number of
stories several years ago about the possibility of Joan's having died of toxic
shock syndrome (which was unknown at the time of her death). I remember that
at least one of the articles mentioned that Joan was having her period when she
got sick and her symptoms were consistent with toxic shock.
>
>Also, what happened to the Hill's son; I thought I read somewhere that the
>son
>broke all ties with his grandfather because sonny believed gramps had indeed
>had his father killed. Am I right in remembering this? I suppose ole Ash
>Robinson has long gone to his grave. What about Dr. Hill's second wife
>- you
>know, the one who claimed Dr. Hill tried to kill her by ramming the passenger
>side of the car while the two were taking a drive.
***I don't know but when I get a chance I'll see if I can find out anything.
Rags01
>>>***I'm not sure either, but I tend to think he didn't.<<<
Oh good! That means I stand in good company!
>>> There were a number of
stories several years ago about the possibility of Joan's having died of toxic
shock syndrome (which was unknown at the time of her death). I remember that
at least one of the articles mentioned that Joan was having her period when she
got sick and her symptoms were consistent with toxic shock<<<
It's been awhile since I read Blood and Money, but Joan having her period seems
to ring a bell. I also recall having the feeling there *did* seem to be
enough evidence Joan Hill really did die of natural causes, even without toxic
shock being known in those days.
>>>I don't know but when I get a chance I'll see if I can find out anything.<<<
Could you, Maggie? Thanks so much!
Think I'll try to find Blood and Money as well as Blood Will Tell the next time
I hit the library.
Rags
Faye
was another man and that Hill fled to Mexico. Fascinating case, but
think Hill was responsbile for wife's death......Faye