A Wifes Revenge: The True Story of Susan Wright and a Marriage that Ended in Murder by Eric Francis (June 2005)

She’d worked two months as a topless dancer, tried her hand at nursing school, and was now trying to figure out what to do with her life while working as a waitress. Susan Wyche was on a path to, well, no where.

Then she met Jeffrey Wright, a 29 year old man with the mindset of a teenage boy. Although he held a steady job, his nights were filled with getting drunk and cocaine binges. But as his 30th birthday approached, Jeff began thinking more seriously about settling down and starting a family.

A few months after he began dating Susan, she announced she was pregnant and it seemed to be a sign from above. So they wed in a quickie ceremony and thus began their life together.

Till death they did part.

The prosecution believes Susan seduced her husband with the idea of kinky sex, tied him to the headboard of their marital bed and then, when he was properly restrained and defenseless, proceeded to inflict her rage via a hunting knife repeatedly – 193 times!

However, Susan’s defense said she was a battered wife who had grown tired of her husband’s cocaine-fueled rages that often led to physical violence toward her and killing Jeff was the only way she knew to escape.

Author Eric Francis recounts the murder of Jeff Wright by his wife as he lay spread-eagle and tied to the bedposts in his 2005 true crime A Wife’s Revenge.

Francis’ moment by moment replay of the actual crime is extremely vivid and recreated from forensic evidence and Susan’s own testimony. It is spine-shivering reading that’ll leave readers taking a harder look at their spouse – especially the guys!

While the information provided in the book is most definitely captivating, it’s from the view point of the prosecution and background information on Jeff and Susan is much too limited. If you’re looking for what made Susan Wright decide to murder rather than divorce, it’s going to be difficult to find it here.

On the other hand, if you a case that makes for a good debate, A Wife’s Revenge just might be one for you.

Have you read it? What’s your thoughts? Did Susan Wright murder in cold-blood or do you believe it was self-defense? As always, I’m anxious to read your thoughts!

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UPDATES FROM THIS BOOK:

In an unprecedented move, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals agreed to a new punishment phase trial for Susan Wright on October 15, 2010. It was a somewhat risky move on Wright’s part, as she could be sentenced to less time than the original 25 years to life she received or could be handed the maximum sentence (life without parole). However, she and her attorneys felt it was a chance worth taking, especially in light of new witness, Misty McMichael. McMichael, a former fiance of Jeff Wright, claims that she was repeatedly, violently abused by Jeff. The gamble was worth it because on November 10, 2010, five years was taken off Susan’s sentence, making her eligible for parole on February 28, 2014. As of this writing, Susan is incarcerated at the Hobby Unit in Marlin, Texas.

Bradley and Kailey have been adopted by Jeff’s brother, Ronald Wright, Jr. Susan, at her re- sentencing hearing, said she hopes to be released from prison and get her children back.