5. Robert Udashen
Robert Udashen served as an assistant defense attorney working alongside Don Crowder.
Robert Udashen was a key figure in the 1980 Candy Montgomery trial, serving as an assistant defense attorney alongside lead counsel Don Crowder. At 27, with only three years of legal experience, Udashen helped craft a self-defense strategy that led to Montgomery’s acquittal for the ax murder of Betty Gore. His contributions were pivotal in navigating the emotionally charged, high-profile case. After the trial, Udashen built a distinguished career in criminal defense, eventually opening his own practice in Dallas, where he remains semi-retired but respected. The Montgomery case set precedents in self-defense law, showcasing Udashen’s skill in leveraging psychological arguments.
What was the outcome of Candy Montgomery’s trial?
Candy Montgomery was acquitted of Betty Gore’s murder in 1980, despite striking her 41 times with an axe. Udashen and Crowder argued self-defense, claiming Montgomery acted out of fear during a confrontation over her affair with Gore’s husband. The jury, comprising nine women and three men, voted for acquittal, sparking debates about women’s rights and self-defense laws. The controversial verdict shocked many, and Montgomery withdrew from public life afterward. Udashen’s role in securing this outcome remains a defining moment in this notable true crime case.
What role did Don Crowder play in the defense of Candy Montgomery?
Don Crowder, as lead counsel, spearheaded Candy Montgomery’s defense, with Robert Udashen as his assistant. Crowder’s bold courtroom presence and strategic vision drove the self-defense argument, portraying Montgomery as acting out of fear during a confrontation with Betty Gore. Udashen supported by handling procedural aspects and refining the narrative to humanize Montgomery. Their teamwork countered public outrage and the crime’s graphic nature, securing an acquittal. Crowder’s leadership, complemented by Udashen’s legal expertise, was crucial to the defense’s success.
What legal strategies were employed by Robert Udashen in Candy Montgomery’s defense?
Udashen, alongside Crowder, employed a self-defense strategy emphasizing Candy Montgomery’s psychological state. A key tactic involved hypnosis to recover memories supporting her claim of acting out of fear during a confrontation with Betty Gore. Udashen argued Montgomery was cornered and assaulted, justifying her lethal response. Despite criticism of hypnosis as “junk science,” this approach persuaded the jury, leading to her acquittal. Udashen’s innovative use of psychological evidence highlighted his skill, later evident in his teaching at Southern Methodist University and work on wrongful convictions.
What impact did the Candy Montgomery case have on the public’s perception of self-defense laws?
The Montgomery trial, with Udashen’s contributions, sparked significant debate about self-defense laws, particularly in cases involving women. The defense portrayed Montgomery as a victim of emotional trauma, driven to violence by a threatening confrontation. Her acquittal, despite the crime’s brutality, shocked the public and fueled discussions on domestic violence, mental health, and the legal boundaries of self-defense in Texas. The case challenged societal views on female perpetrators, influencing legal discourse and perceptions of women’s roles in violent incidents.
How did Robert Udashen’s career progress after the Candy Montgomery case?
After the Montgomery trial, Robert Udashen’s career flourished, establishing him as a skilled criminal defense attorney. A University of Texas School of Law graduate and recipient of the Perry Jones Award, he focused on appellate and post-conviction cases, earning respect in the legal community. Udashen opened his own practice in Dallas, where he remains semi-retired but active. His role in the Montgomery case, highlighted in HBO’s “Love & Death,” cemented his reputation as a key figure in one of Texas’s most infamous trials, with a lasting impact on his career.
