If Looks Could Kill: The Murder-For-Hire Case of Tara Lambert
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Tara Lambert, a seemingly successful and attractive woman, secretly harbored intense hatred for her husband's ex-wife, Kelly, due to an ongoing custody dispute.
- ❖She attempted to hire a hitman through a high school acquaintance, Jenny Chidel, offering $1,000 for the murder.
- ❖Jenny immediately reported Tara to the police, leading to an undercover operation where Tara was recorded discussing the murder plot, including details about Kelly's home and a desired alibi.
- ❖During interrogation, Tara displayed 'weaponized incompetence,' feigning ignorance of terms like 'bust a cap' and trying to reframe her intentions as only wanting Kelly beaten, not killed.
- ❖Tara's trial gained significant media attention, with fascination surrounding her appearance and her apparent lack of remorse.
- ❖Initially convicted and sentenced to 7 years, Tara's conviction was overturned on a technicality, leading to a re-indictment and a plea deal that resulted in her serving only about four years in prison.
- ❖Kelly and her family continue to live with fear, highlighting the long-term psychological impact on victims when perpetrators receive lenient sentences.
Insights
1Tara's Calculated Manipulation and Deceptive Persona
Tara Lambert meticulously crafted a public image of a loving stepmother and successful professional, while privately engaging in years of manipulative behavior towards her stepdaughters and harboring extreme animosity towards their biological mother, Kelly. This duality allowed her to conceal her true intentions and escalate her hatred to a murder-for-hire plot.
Her stepdaughters described Tara twisting their words to their father and creating uncomfortable situations (). Tara's calm demeanor during her arrest and her 'too calm' reaction to the charges () contrasted sharply with the severity of her actions.
2The Unlikely Informant: Jenny Chidel's Crucial Role
Tara's misjudgment of Jenny Chidel, based on a high school 'tough girl' reputation and perceived socioeconomic status, proved to be her undoing. Jenny, rather than participating, immediately reported Tara's solicitations to the police, enabling the entire undercover operation.
Tara chose Jenny based on a high school reputation (). Jenny later explained she believed Tara saw her as 'someone who must not have morals' (), but Jenny went straight to the police ().
3Weaponized Incompetence During Interrogation
During her police interrogation, Tara attempted to feign ignorance and incompetence regarding common street slang related to violence, despite her clear understanding during the recorded interaction with the undercover officer. This tactic aimed to downplay her intent and shift blame.
Tara claimed she didn't know what 'bust a cap' meant () and insisted she only wanted Kelly 'beat up' (), despite earlier joking about a 'lumberjack chopper' ().
4Media Fascination with Appearance Over Crime
Tara's trial garnered significant public and media attention, not primarily for the gravity of her crime, but for her physical appearance and stylish courtroom attire. This phenomenon highlighted how superficial aspects can overshadow the serious nature of criminal proceedings in public perception.
Headlines used phrases like 'dress to kill' and 'femme fatale' (). A specific black and white dress she wore sold out online (). Tara herself complained about being portrayed as a 'brainless, heartless ex-model' rather than the charges ().
5Justice System Vulnerabilities and Victim Impact
Despite overwhelming evidence and an initial conviction, Tara's sentence was drastically reduced due to a legal technicality and subsequent plea deal. This outcome left the victims, Kelly and her family, with a lingering sense of insecurity and fear, illustrating how legal processes can sometimes fail to provide full closure or perceived justice.
The jury deliberated for only 42 minutes, finding her guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder (). Her conviction was overturned on appeal due to a 'fatally flawed' indictment (). She ultimately served about four years of an original 22-year potential sentence (). Kelly and Shawn expressed ongoing fear and the need for an 'action plan' for safety ().
Lessons
- Cultivate strong communication and trust within blended families to prevent manipulative individuals from creating division and exploiting vulnerabilities.
- Report any threats or suspicious solicitations for illegal activities to law enforcement immediately, as demonstrated by Jenny Chidel, to potentially save lives and prevent serious crimes.
- Be vigilant about personal safety and develop an 'action plan' for potential threats, especially if you have been targeted, as the justice system's outcomes may not always provide complete security.
Quotes
"I've been wanting this for a while. I need her away. Gone."
"Oh my god. Just put her in a chopper like like one of those lumberjack chopper things."
"Am I really like arrested? Yes, you're under arrest. Oh my god."
"We grew up trusting her with our personal problems because we thought that she was being supportive by wanting to listen to them. In reality, she wanted to use our problems against us..."
"She never did fool me. She tried to manipulate me. It didn't work. I just hope that her current family and everyone involved with her are really careful being around her because she will pull them in and do the same thing to them."
Q&A
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