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Crime & Justice • Murder Case

Candy Montgomery

Candace Lynn Montgomery (née Wheeler; born November 15, 1949) is an American woman best known for being accused of killing Betty Gore in Wylie, Texas, in 1980.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Candy Montgomery is an American woman best known for being accused of killing Betty Gore in Wylie, Texas, in 1980. She admitted striking Gore with an axe but was acquitted after claiming self-defense. The case later inspired television dramatizations including 'Candy' and 'Love & Death'.

Background

Candace Lynn Montgomery (née Wheeler) was born on November 15, 1949. She became nationally known because of her involvement in the Betty Gore murder case in Texas.

The Betty Gore killing

On June 13, 1980, Betty Gore was killed in Wylie, Texas. Montgomery was accused of the killing after admitting she had struck Gore with an axe during the incident. Gore was struck 41 times with a wood-splitting axe.

Trial and verdict

Montgomery pleaded not guilty and argued self-defense. A jury acquitted her on October 30, 1980, after deliberating for just over three hours.

Later coverage and portrayals

The case continued to attract public interest and was later dramatized in television miniseries. It remains a prominent example of a high-profile U.S. murder trial. Later reports say Montgomery used the name Candace Wheeler and worked in counseling in Georgia.

Key facts

  • Montgomery was accused of murdering Betty Gore, the wife of her lover Allan Gore, on June 13, 1980.
  • The killing took place in Wylie, Texas, and Gore was struck 41 times with a wood-splitting axe.
  • Montgomery argued that she acted in self-defense after an alleged confrontation.
  • A jury acquitted her on October 30, 1980, after deliberating for just over three hours.
  • The case became widely known in U.S. true crime reporting and was later adapted into television dramas.
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Canadian context

The case is widely known to Canadian readers through international true-crime coverage and television adaptations that were distributed in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Candy Montgomery?
Candy Montgomery is an American woman who was accused of killing Betty Gore in 1980 and was later acquitted.
What was Candy Montgomery accused of doing?
She was accused of murdering Betty Gore with an axe in Wylie, Texas, on June 13, 1980.
What was Candy Montgomery’s defence?
Montgomery said she acted in self-defense after Gore confronted her about an affair with Gore’s husband.
Was Candy Montgomery convicted?
No. She was found not guilty by a jury on October 30, 1980.
What happened after the trial?
Later reporting says she moved out of Texas, used the name Candace Wheeler, and worked in counseling in Georgia.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_Montgomery
    Supports: Birth name, date of birth, case details, location, verdict, and date of acquittal.
  2. People — https://people.com/where-is-candy-montgomery-now-after-betty-gores-death-11996047
    Supports: Later-life reporting, name used later, divorce reporting, and counseling work.
  3. A&E — https://www.aetv.com/articles/betty-gore-murder
    Supports: Case summary, self-defense claim, and not guilty verdict.
  4. El País — https://english.elpais.com/society/2023-04-01/she-killed-her-lovers-wife-with-41-axe-blows-and-was-acquitted-candy-montgomerys-story-returns-to-television.html
    Supports: Fact pattern of the killing, affair context, and acquittal.