Dance of Death (43 page)

In less than two years, the Pooles' marriage was in serious trouble. They hoped a June 1998 vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina would help salvage it.

Brent Poole loved his daughter, Katie, more than anything in the world. While she slept in an oceanfront hotel only a few hundred yards away, he was gunned down on the beach.
(Renee Poole)

Myrtle Beach Captain of Investigations Sam Hendrick led a multi-department investigation into the murder of Brent Poole. Renee Poole and her lover, John Boyd Frazier, were arrested for the crime four days later.
(Dale Hudson)

Chief Homicide Detective Terry Altman sought justice for Brent's murder.
(Dale Hudson)

Homicide Detective John King was Altman's partner. Renee was no match for these two skilled interviewers.
(Dale Hudson)

In 1998, Ralph Wilson was the Horry County Solicitor who decided Renee Poole would face the death penalty for her part in her husband's murder.
(Dale Hudson)

When Wilson lost the general election to Greg Hembree
(left)
, Renee's lawyers then had to face him and Deputy Solicitor Fran Humphries
(right)
.
(Dale Hudson)

On trial for conspiracy to murder her husband, Renee Poole looked nothing like “Carlee,” the stage name she used as an exotic dancer.
(Dale Hudson)

Renee had a very capable defense team in William Isaac Diggs and Orrie West, but they could not overcome Renee's confession and her shady past.
(Dale Hudson)

Renee showed little emotion while seated at the defense table. However, she was brought to tears when she talked with family and friends.
(Dale Hudson)

Renee was convicted of conspiracy to murder her husband and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
(Dale Hudson)

Renee's lover, John Boyd Frazier, also stood trial for Brent's murder. His mother, Jane Lovett, said she knew her son didn't kill Brent, especially for “that” woman.
(Dale Hudson)