Deadly Blessing

This story can be read on several levels. On its face, it is a top-notch example of the true-crime genre, from an era when true crime was still king in nonfiction. But it also has its points to make about men, ambition, and the singular Texas mindset. I wanted more in spots (more context, it sometimes had a bit of a condensed feel to it) but even as it is, I can certainly see how this got made into a TV movie: 1992's Deadly Blessing. Just a classic story line. Highly recommended to anyone who likes a great read!

I vaguely remember hearing of the junior Price Daniel (son of former Texas Governor Price Daniel Sr.) being shot and killed by his wife in 1981. I live a couple of hundred miles north of Liberty, but I am in East Texas nonetheless. A TV movie about Price and Vickie Daniel prompted me to read this book and I found it to be an easy, interesting read. I'm glad that Vickie Daniel had secret sympathizers who wanted to help her beat the "good ole boy" system that was firmly behind the prominent Daniel family. Price, Jr., was obviously a spoiled, abusive jerk who would have been painted as a saint if his sister, father et al had had their way. Thankfully, Houston big shot attorney Racehorse Haynes was brought in to level the karma. I'm not saying Price Daniel, Jr. deserved to be shot and killed. But Vickie Daniel did not deserve to be railroaded if the shooting was truly an accident. And how stupid was it of the Daniel family to try and get custody of Vickie's kids before she had even been tried for murder? Maybe the words for that is stupid arrogance.

I personally found this book to be a good documentation of the death of Price Daniel Jr. and the subsequent events that followed. Vickie Daniel,the wife of Price Daniel Jr. was charged with murdering her husband Price Daniel Jr. Ganiel had been a State Representative and had also served as the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He was defeated by Mark White in a race for Attorney General. His father had served as Governor of Texas. Vickie was put on trial for the murder of her husband. She was represented by the Haines firm. This was a spectacular trial that eventually wound up with Vickie's acquittal. She was next taken to court by the Daniels family over her children.She was once again represented by the Haines fir, The Daniels family were represented by J.K. Zeke Zbranek(who now serves as a District Judge in Liberty County). Once again Vickie Daniels emerged victorious. This is a very interesting book that you can really get into. Read it.