Former coach David Temple sentenced to life for wife's murder

Monday, November 19, 2007

(11/19/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Finally, some closure for a heartbroken family. A former high school coach has been sent to prison for the rest of his life for the murder of his pregnant wife.

It did not take jury members very long to decide David Temple must spend life in prison; an end to a nightmare family members of Belinda Temple say they've been living with for nearly a decade.

David Temple didn't show any emotion when the sentence was read Monday in the courtroom, but outside the courthouse, Belinda Temple's family spoke out.

"Any man who could kill his own wife with his own baby alive inside her womb only deserves one punishment," said Kelly Siegler to jurors during the punishment phase.

And that punishment, decided the jury, was life in prison.

"We're very pleased with the sentence," said Brian Lucas, Belinda's brother. "We couldn't ask for anything more."

With a single shotgun blast nine years ago, David Temple destroyed his family. He murdered his wife, Belinda Temple. He ended his baby daughter's life before it began. He took away his son's mother.

"I knew ten minutes to nine that night when I got off the phone with Belinda when she called me to let me know what happened, I knew he did it then," said Lucas. "I didn't know anything about the case, didn't know how she was killed, where she was killed, but I knew exactly where it was the SOB killed her."

From the beginning, David Temple has maintained his innocence. He says burglars killed his wife.

"No one wins when an innocent man is convicted and sentenced," said Dick DeGuerin, David Temple's attorney. "David Temple did not kill Belinda Temple."

Although nothing can bring Belinda Temple back, for her family, the resolution of the case allows them to move on.

"I just want to say I love you, Belinda and Erin," said Belinda's sister, Brenda Lucas.

According to Lucas, the family hasn't seen the couple's son in seven years, but they didn't say whether or not they'd seek custody.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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