Death Trap

The author takes us through a myriad of scenarios where Jessica manipulates everyone. Lives are destroyed. It isn't just Alan and Terra. The Bate's family suffers. And don't forget the five children Jessica bore. They are forever torn apart. Since the children are protected in identity in this murderous tale, just remember, they are still God's children and exist on this earth....split up and damaged goods. They were confused and frightened when their parents died or were incarcerated.....and live in various parts of the United States. This makes Jessica's manipulation even more heinious! Jeff turned state's evidence to save his life and perhaps, as an old man, one day be free. But can he ever be free? Beguiled to commit murder for the woman he loved shows he was manipulated by Jessica from day one. The author never interviews jessica, though he makes multiple attempts. Jessica thwarts even the most persuasive attempts to get her to talk, refusing all under a guise of her own sorry excuses. Mr. Phelps' insight to Jessica is uncanny. His writing, the comments, the truth he shares comes across as if he were in the room as it happened. A note to readers: For those who have no idea about the human condition for this muderess' post-conviction: KNOW Jessica suffers everyday for her criminal behavior. Tutwiler Prison for Women, Wetumpka, AL is tantamount to living in hell EVERYDAY. There is not one day she is not miserable. Her manipulations continue from inside the walls, but her successes are few and far between and short-lived.

Jessica McCord was a woman who got what she wanted, when she wanted it. Even if it was having someone murdered. Following four years of a marriage and two children, Alan Bates knew he could no longer make a life with Jessica. She was emotionally unstable, prone to temper tantrums, and having an affair; the latter being what gave Alan the courage to finally file for divorce. What seemed to be an amicable divorce turned into a bitter, nasty child custody dispute. At least from Jessica's point of view. And there was only one way to guarantee she wouldn't lose her children or that monthly child support check: Murder. Death Trap is a 400+ page true crime that's emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. While I have enjoyed all of M. William Phelps' books, I personally believe this is his best one yet. This story will hit home for most everyone, as there is a Jessica McCord in all of our lives. And for those who have ever been involved in any type of child custody, you'll walk away chilled to the bone.

I just finished reading this book and I must say it was fascinating. The author tells a very sad and heartbreaking story in such a readable way. Jessica McCord is truly an evil woman with a reserved space in hell. It is astonishing to me how she was able to maniupulate so many people into doing what she wanted over and over again. Jeff McCord does not even deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Alan and Terra. It's good to know that Jeff and Jessica will be locked away from humanity for a very long time.

There are some crimes that you hear about and they are so evil and disturbing that you can't stop thinking about them. What happened to Tera and Allan is one of those crimes. I found myself wishing I could go back in time and change what happened. M. William Phelps is one of my favorite true crime authors and as usual he did a super job with this one. It was hard to put down and hard to read(because it was so sad) at the same time. I have read a lot of true crime books, but never have I thought of writing a "hate letter" to the killer. Jessica is the most heartless cruel person that there could possibly be. She probably will never understand that though. She is probably sitting in prison right now, fuming over how it is someone else's fault that she is there. I don't know how someone could like with themselves after doing what she and Jeff did. My heart goes out to the Bates family and to tera's family. I am so sorry this terrible thing happened to them. They both sound like they were beautiful people.

I read a lot of books, including true crime, but I have never read a book that gave me the chills the way this did. This book is about good versus evil. Alan Bates loved his children, and they were his first priority. Jessica Mc Cord, willingly and knowingly used her children as pawns. Terra Bates was willing to stand behind her husband, as he attempted to do what was in the best interest of his children. I am left with a feeling that our court system played a large role in the deaths of 2 wonderful people, Alan and Terra Bates. The courts gave Jessica too many chances to right wrongs, and by doing so, she continually was in the driver's seat. Jeff Mc Cord was a man who had sworn to protect and defend, yet he failed. Jeff's stupidity is astonishing. Jessica used everyone in her life. Some people are incapable of love, and I fully believe Jessica Mc Cord is one such person. This is a very interesting book, yet one of the saddest book's I have ever read.