237. The Pom Pom Killer

Summary

Murder With My Husband: Episode 237 - The Pom Pom Killer

Release Date: October 7, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 237 of "Murder With My Husband," titled "The Pom Pom Killer," hosts Peyton and Garrett Moreland delve into a chilling true crime story from the suburbs of Houston, Texas. This episode explores the dark lengths a mother, Wanda Holloway, went to ensure her daughter's success in the competitive world of high school cheerleading, ultimately leading her down a path of conspiracy and murder.

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1. Wanda Holloway’s Background and Upbringing

The story begins in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Channel View, Texas—a town deeply entrenched in high school football culture. Wanda Holloway, originally Wanda Webb, grew up in a blue-collar family. Her father worked at a concrete plant, and her mother at the local high school cafeteria. This environment fostered Wanda's striving nature, as she continuously sought acceptance and recognition.

Notable Quote:

Peyton Moreland [05:57]: "Wanda was an overachiever. She was bubbly, outgoing, the kind of person who went out of her way to make sure that everyone in the room liked her."

Despite her efforts, Wanda faced limitations. Her father’s strict religious beliefs prevented her from joining cheerleading or the drill team, labeling the attire as too revealing. This restriction planted the seeds of Wanda’s later obsession to secure a successful future for her daughter, Shauna.

2. The Competitive Environment of Channel View

Channel View's high school scene was reminiscent of the intense atmosphere depicted in "Friday Night Lights." High school football wasn't just a game; it was a community event where players and cheerleaders were local celebrities. Wanda saw this as the pinnacle of social acceptance, driving her to ensure her daughter would thrive in this competitive setting.

Notable Quote:

Garrett Moreland [05:36]: "Have you ever seen on TikTok or social media the high school football games in Texas? They have full-on arenas—it’s insane."

3. Ruler Gate and Escalating Tensions

Shauna Holloway, Wanda's daughter, became a standout student dedicated to gymnastics with the hope of making the cheerleading squad. Her best friend, Amber Heath, was also vying for a spot. When Amber secured a position over Shauna, Wanda's frustration grew.

Notable Quote:

Garrett Moreland [19:48]: "Don’t be that parent."

Wanda initiated a campaign, dubbed "Ruler Gate," where she distributed rulers marked with "Vote for Shauna Harper for Cheerleader" to influence her daughter’s chances. This blatant attempt at manipulation led to Shauna’s disqualification from the tryouts after school authorities deemed the rulers as inappropriate campaign materials.

4. Wanda’s Descent into Conspiracy

Determined to restore her daughter's standing, Wanda sought ways to eliminate Amber and her mother, Verna Heath. She approached her ex-brother-in-law, Terry Harper, known for his troubled past and criminal tendencies, hoping he would carry out the murders.

Notable Quote:

Peyton Moreland [26:23]: "Wanda pulled up to Terry's home and asked him to kill Amber and Verna Heath."

Terry, however, refused Wanda's request, leading him to inform their shared brother, Tony Harper, about Wanda's intentions. Tony advised Terry to involve the police, recognizing the severity of Wanda’s plan.

5. Police Intervention and Wanda’s Arrest

Terry's decision to report Wanda resulted in a police investigation. Under surveillance, Wanda met with Terry to discuss the payment for the murders. Her overt determination to eliminate Amber and Verna Craig suspicion, leading to her arrest.

Notable Quote:

Peyton Moreland [32:44]: "Wanda makes plans to meet him in person... she tells Terry, 'I couldn't pull the trigger myself, but I can sure do it this way.'"

The authorities acted swiftly, arresting Wanda and subsequently releasing her on bail. The town of Channel View erupted in shock as the news of Wanda’s conspiracy spread, deeply affecting Shauna’s personal and social life.

6. The Trial and Conviction

Wanda’s trial initially culminated in a guilty verdict for solicitation of capital murder. However, the verdict was overturned due to a juror’s ineligibility, leading to a retrial in 1996. This time, Wanda pleaded no contest and was sentenced to ten years, serving six months before being released. Her actions not only shattered her family's stability but also left lasting emotional scars on Shauna.

Notable Quote:

Garrett Moreland [40:20]: "Wanda was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but it was overturned due to a technicality."

7. Aftermath and Shauna’s Reflection

Years later, in 2012, Shauna Holloway reflected on the traumatic events and how they shaped her approach to parenting. She emphasized the importance of allowing her children to pursue their passions without undue pressure, directly contrasting Wanda’s overbearing methods.

Notable Quote:

Shauna Holloway [42:25]: "I never push my two sons to pursue things they don't feel passionate about. I've learned from my mother's mistakes."

8. Conclusion

"The Pom Pom Killer" serves as a haunting exploration of how parental obsession can lead to devastating consequences. Wanda Holloway's desperate attempts to secure her daughter's social standing not only led to criminal actions but also irreparably damaged her family's lives. This episode underscores the fine line between supportive parenting and destructive obsession.

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Key Takeaways:

• Parental Pressure: Wanda's extreme measures highlight the potential dangers of excessive parental pressure on children’s extracurricular activities.

• Community Influence: The competitive environment of Channel View’s high school scene significantly influenced Wanda’s actions.

• Legal Implications: Terry Harper's involvement showcases the complexities and responsibilities when approached to partake in criminal activities.

Reflections:

The hosts, Peyton and Garrett, use this case to discuss broader themes of parenting, competition, and the consequences of obsessive behavior. They emphasize the importance of supporting children's interests without imposing unrealistic expectations, drawing lessons from Wanda Holloway’s tragic story.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Peyton Moreland [05:57]: "Wanda was an overachiever. She was bubbly, outgoing, the kind of person who went out of her way to make sure that everyone in the room liked her."

• Garrett Moreland [05:36]: "Have you ever seen on TikTok or social media the high school football games in Texas? They have full-on arenas—it’s insane."

• Garrett Moreland [19:48]: "Don’t be that parent."

• Peyton Moreland [26:23]: "Wanda pulled up to Terry's home and asked him to kill Amber and Verna Heath."

• Garrett Moreland [40:20]: "Wanda was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but it was overturned due to a technicality."

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Final Thoughts

Episode 237 of "Murder With My Husband" offers a profound look into the consequences of unchecked ambition and the dark paths that obsession can lead to. Through the tragic story of Wanda Holloway, listeners are reminded of the importance of balanced parenting and the profound impact it has on children's lives.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Garrett Moreland]

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[Narrator]

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[Progressive Insurance]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.

[Peyton Moreland]

You're listening to an Ono Media podcast. Hey everyone. Welcome back to the podcast. This is Murder with My Husband. I'm Peyton Moreland.

[Garrett Moreland]

And I'm Garrett Moreland.

[Peyton Moreland]

And he's the husband.

[Garrett Moreland]

And I'm the husband.

[Peyton Moreland]

It's October.

[Garrett Moreland]

Spooky season, everybody. Spooky season. October. We're getting way spooky over here. If you're watching on YouTube, my feet are up on the table. They're going to remain here for the remainder of the episode. Legs are a little tired today.

[Peyton Moreland]

So happens when you squat 800 pounds at the gym.

[Garrett Moreland]

So happened when I ice. Yeah, I squatted 475 today and I'm feeling it. So my legs are up here.

[Peyton Moreland]

You haven't even gone to the gym today.

[Garrett Moreland]

Was that necessary? Like, let's. Let's just think for a second. How is that necessary?

[Peyton Moreland]

What am I just saying? Are you gonna lie to all our listeners?

[Garrett Moreland]

I thought we were on the same team. We're not on the same team.

[Peyton Moreland]

Don't worry, listeners. I got your back. I'll never let him lie to you.

[Garrett Moreland]

We're on different teams. It's okay.

[Peyton Moreland]

Well, you guys know the drill. Subscribe, Share, Leave a review. Go check out our Patreon Apple subscriptions. Get bonus episodes. Go watch our Twitch on Thursdays, Sundays, Tuesdays. Yeah, Gary, you got your 10 seconds for this week?

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah, I think for my 10 seconds, we're gonna talk about donuts for a second. I don't know how controversial this is. I think Krispy Kreme and Dunkin donuts, as far as donuts, not talking about their other stuff. I mean, I don't even really drink or eat their other stuff, but as far as donuts go, I think that their donuts are the bottom of the tier. List. Like, not very good. Like their donuts are. Eh. I think that there's so many local and just better donut shops. I think that their glazed donuts are, like, too airy. You know what I'm saying?

[Peyton Moreland]

Like airy.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah. So I said airy.

[Peyton Moreland]

Fluffy.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah. Like fluffy. Yeah.

[Peyton Moreland]

But not. No. No bread in there. Just air.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah. It is just straight air.

[Peyton Moreland]

They're a lay's potato chip bag, but a donut.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah. It's just. They're just not that great. I think that it's as far as donuts go. Again, just kind of.

[Peyton Moreland]

They're stale.

[Garrett Moreland]

Maybe C tier. Not. Not B tier, Not A tier, not A. Like, just not very good. I just thought. I don't know. I guess that's my 10 seconds this week. And I just say that because the other night Peyton wanted donuts and the only thing open was Krispy Kreme because It was like 10:00 at night. So I grabbed some Krispy Kreme donuts, came home, I ate one on the way home, regretted it when I got home because it wasn't that good. And I don't know, I think it kind of honestly upset me a little bit. But I won't knock Dunkin because I haven't had Dunkin donuts in a long time. So maybe I'll try Dunkin and then compare to local donut shops. That's what I got for my 10 seconds. Hot take. I don't know. 10 seconds. However you want to take it. Let's hop into today's case.

[Peyton Moreland]

Our sources for this episode are texas monthly.com greensboro.com we got this covered.com Chicago Tribune, Daily Mail, cron.com hubpages.com mental floss.com, new York Times, and houstonianmag.com okay, so Garrett and I, well, we might not be parents, at least to a human being just yet, but there is one thing I definitely understand about parenting, and that's that you always want the very best for your kid. I mean, I know, like, I would literally go to the ends of the world for Daisy, so I can only imagine what I would do for an actual tiny little person. Because the hope is that your kids will always do a little better at life than you did. Right. That you'll be able to learn from your own past and your own mistakes and then put that wisdom onto them, that they'll be a little smarter, a little kinder, maybe even a little more successful than you are. I mean, that is the best case scenario. But today's Story will have you questioning how far is too far when it comes to a mother wanting the best for her child.

[Garrett Moreland]

Okay.

[Peyton Moreland]

Because the subject of today's case wasn't only willing to conspire, manipulate and lie to help her daughter achieve her goals. She was actually willing to murder to help her daughter achieve her goals.

[Garrett Moreland]

Okay. I would. That's a little too far.

[Peyton Moreland]

So for today's story, we're actually traveling to the suburbs of Houston to a little place called Channel View, Texas. Now, if you've ever watched the show Friday Night Lights, this is the sort of setting that I imagined this story taking place in. Because Channel View, especially back in the 90s when our story begins, was all about high school football. And Garrett and I were actually just talking about this the other day how high school football, it seems, in different regions of the United States is a really big deal.

[Garrett Moreland]

Have you ever seen on TikTok or social media the high school football games in Texas?

[Peyton Moreland]

Well, that's where we are.

[Garrett Moreland]

Oh, yeah, I knew that. But they have full on arenas.

[Peyton Moreland]

Yeah.

[Garrett Moreland]

Like actual. It's insane.

[Peyton Moreland]

I just have a question.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yes.

[Peyton Moreland]

Were you paying attention to any of the beginning of the story?

[Garrett Moreland]

I was paying attention to enough.

[Peyton Moreland]

Okay. Well, we're in Texas and we're talking about high school football games. I think you are too, but I just don't think you knew we were in the same place on the same page.

[Garrett Moreland]

I'm. I'm aware.

[Peyton Moreland]

Okay. But it is true. Like we were talking about this. It is such a big deal. Whereas like the high school football games in my high school were literally in like a potato field.

[Garrett Moreland]

Potato. Yeah. Okay.

[Peyton Moreland]

So basically showing up to those bleachers on a Friday night was practically church for the people in Channel View. It was a place where football players were worshipped like gods and cheerleaders were their goddesses. Not just the most popular kids among the halls of their high school, but really the most well known people in town. The star football players and cheerleaders were little celebrities in their own right. And this was the place that Wanda Holloway came to know and love. The place that she actually called home for her whole life, where she chose to stay and then settle down and then raise her family and make sure that they found their place in this little Friday Night Lights scene. And to Wanda Holloway, that was the ultimate form of acceptance. But growing up, Wanda Holloway, who was initially known as Wanda Webb, which, I mean, hey, Wanda Webb. It's kind of cool. It sounds like a literal Marvel superhero. So Wanda Webb, as she was known then, lived on the south side of the i10 in Channel View. And this was actually considered the rougher part of town. Her parents were blue collar workers. Her father had a job at a concrete plant. While her mother worked at the high school cafeteria. And this was something Wanda was always self conscious of. Something that she felt made the other kids look down on her. Which is probably why Wanda worked overtime to fit in While simultaneously standing out. From an early age, Wanda was what some described as an overachiever. She was bubbly, outgoing. She was the kind of person who went out of her way. To make sure that everyone in the room liked her. But still, there was something about Wanda. That kind of gave a lot of kids, I guess, the ick. Like, if you will. Maybe it was her try hard nature. Or her deeply religious upbringing. The family actually went to a very conservative baptist church every week without fail. But regardless, Wanda always fell short. Of falling in the popular crowd at school, no matter how hard she tried. And it definitely didn't help that her father. Would not allow her. To try out for the cheerleading squad or the drill team. He said it went against all of their religious beliefs, Claiming the skirts were too short and the blouses were cuts.

[Garrett Moreland]

I feel like it's like foot loose, lowkey, in a sense.

[Peyton Moreland]

You know what I'm saying?

[Garrett Moreland]

Yes.

[Peyton Moreland]

So it was a ground rule that devastated Wanda. She felt like it was the one thing holding her back. From really making something of herself and becoming important at school, from becoming the person that she felt she was destined to be. And she probably vowed to herself early on. That she would never be as strict with her own children. As her father was with her. So Wanda's father couldn't have been happy. When Wanda, at only 16 years old and in high school, Got pregnant with her boyfriend, Tony Harper.

[Garrett Moreland]

There we go, Wanda.

[Peyton Moreland]

So the two got married in a shotgun wedding in 1972. And in 1973, Wanda and Tony had their first child together. And it was a little boy named Shane. Now, at this point, Wanda abandoned her dreams of pursuing a degree. And one day starting her own business. And instead, she became a stay at home mother. While Tony, her young husband, went to work. And they lived comfortably for a bit, Seeing as Tony's parents owned three gas stations in town. And his mother had a little lingerie gift shop. So perhaps as a way of getting out of the house every now and again, Wanda actually stuck with the church. This was probably because this was the one community. That she actually had her entire life. And felt like she could rely on. She really belonged there. And at Church. She was actually the popular kid. See, most people knew Wanda as the pretty, pretty young woman who played the piano beautifully during the services. And those at church said they always believed she was a kind, lovely person. She was refined, well spoken, and always the best dressed. So Wanda must have been ecstatic when then in 1977, she found out she was pregnant with her own little girl. Someone she could project all of her unachieved hopes and dreams on in the same town.

[Garrett Moreland]

Not sure about that one.

[Peyton Moreland]

It was a little girl she named Shauna. But as some teenage marriages do, Wanda and Tony actually grew apart over the years as they matured. And then in 1980, when Shawna was just three, the couple decided to get a divorce. Now, luckily for Wanda, she got to keep the house. And at this point, Wanda focused all of her energy on her little girl, Shauna. It was clear to almost anyone who knew them that Wanda was obsessed with her daughter.

[Garrett Moreland]

You keep saying Wanda, and you're probably not gonna know what this is, but if you watch Marvel, all I can think of is WandaVision every single time you say Wanda. A lot of you guys aren't gonna know that, so ignore me. But just throwing it out there for those who do know it, I. I.

[Peyton Moreland]

Could think of his fairly odd parents.

[Garrett Moreland]

That's a good one, too. That's a good one, too. Yeah.

[Peyton Moreland]

So Wanda dressed Shauna in outfits that matched her own. She paraded her around town like a mini version of herself. But Wanda couldn't provide the life that she wanted for her kids. She felt like she needed a new person who could front the bills for the finer things in life. Which is when she decided to marry an older man living in the town of Beaumont, Texas, about an hour away.

[Garrett Moreland]

Wait, Beaumont? Isn't that where Footloose is?

[Peyton Moreland]

Yeah, Beaumont.

[Garrett Moreland]

That's hilarious.

[Peyton Moreland]

It was a brief relationship which caused her to actually run back to Tony temporarily after it ended. But after running it back with her ex husband, and that not really working out, Wanda was introduced to another wealthy bachelor through her church. And it was man 20 years her senior named C.D. holloway. Now, C.D. had owned a series of oil fields. He had his own private plane.

[Garrett Moreland]

Oh, my.

[Peyton Moreland]

I mean, you can imagine how wealthy he must have been at this Baptist church and Tawanda. I mean, this was striking gold. The two married. It gave Shane and Shauna a brand new stepdad and Wanda more money to spend on her kids. She got to move to the nice part of town, and she felt like she now could provide Shawna the life at school that she never Had. Now, at this point, Wanda could throw Shawna the lavish birthday parties she always dreamed of. She could invite all the neighbors. It was a surefire way to make sure Shawna was one of the most popular kids on the block. She also bought her expensive clothes. She got her dance lessons, pretty much anything she asked for. But I don't want anything. Shawna was just a little spoiled girl. She, you know, she was a good kid. And as many said, none of this really seemed to get to her head. She was an excellent student. She was polite and kind. And she didn't seem to complain about the fact that her mother had enrolled her in rigorous gymnastics classes despite not really taking an interest in the sport. But for Wanda, this was the path that her daughter needed in order to make the middle school cheerleading squad that was coming up. And this was something that Shauna wanted more for her mother than for herself. But Shauna bit the bullet and hopped in the car early every weekend to make her own way down to Alpha Gymnastics Studio. And there she trained with the best of the best teachers who were certified with the National Cheerleading association, who could teach them in everything from tumbling to form to dance. But over time, Wanda pushed Shauna further and further, encouraging her to practice despite an ugly cold or a twisted ankle. And suddenly Shawna started to feel like, this isn't very fun anymore, mom. And the more that Wanda pushed, the less Shauna wanted it for herself. And the one saving grace was that Shawna's good friend was there with her through it all. And it was her friend named Amber Heath. Now, Amber and Shawna were actually neighbors. So they had known each other since elementary school. They were basically growing up together. They were literally a 1 minute walk from each other's homes.

[Garrett Moreland]

I was just talking this morning to somebody about how sports these days are so much different. I mean, I guess this is back then, but like these days, there's like so many club teams and thousands and thousands of dollars and year round. It's just crazy. The level people are at in sports these days, with how many extras there is in sports, is kind of mind blowing.

[Peyton Moreland]

I know.

[Quince]

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[Garrett Moreland]

Starting to get cold, the great food.

[Quince]

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[Peyton Moreland]

I love it.

[Garrett Moreland]

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[Quince]

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[Garrett Moreland]

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[Peyton Moreland]

It's a great price.

[Garrett Moreland]

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[Quince]

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[Garrett Moreland]

At mintmobile.commwmh 45 upfront payment required equivalent to 15amonth. New customers on first 3 month plan only speed slower above 40 gigabyte on a limited plan. Additional taxes, fees and restrictions apply. See Mint Mobile for details.

[Peyton Moreland]

So Shauna and Amber would have sleepovers at each other's homes. They would attend gymnastics together. Wanda and Amber's mom Verna were even a lot alike. I mean you basically have two daughters and two moms who are very similar. But I think it's important to note that in many ways Verna was the woman that Wanda always wanted to be. So Back in her day or in their day. Verna was a twirling champion back in high school.

[Garrett Moreland]

What was that like, color guard?

[Peyton Moreland]

Yes.

[Garrett Moreland]

Okay.

[Peyton Moreland]

While Wanda, you know, sat on the bleachers, as we know. And I'm not sure whether they were in high school together at the same time or place. But just knowing that Verna had this history and also had an extremely competitive nature when it came to her. Her daughter, it rubbed Wanda the wrong way. I mean, it felt very competitive, and it was everything that Wanda had made up in her head her entire life.

[Garrett Moreland]

I don't know what's going to happen right now, but no way she kills her best friend or her best friend's daughter. That will be if that's where we're going. That's. It's nuts. This is nuts.

[Peyton Moreland]

So in Wanda's mind, there was an instant rivalry between her and Verna. Even though their daughters are best friends and having sleepovers and they're faking. Nice.

[Garrett Moreland]

Oh, great.

[Peyton Moreland]

But it wasn't just Wanda. I mean, Verna was also very competitive and saw this mom and daughter as competition for her and her daughter. And this was something that Amber and Shawna actually refused to acknowledge. Or if they did, they didn't take it too seriously. So the girls were like, our moms are just.

[Garrett Moreland]

You know, our moms are moms.

[Peyton Moreland]

But it wasn't just Verna that Wanda was annoyed with. It was Verna's daughter, Amber, her daughter's best friend as well. Wanda hadn't been crazy about Amber ever since a recent event. So when it came time to choose seventh graders for the cheerleading squad, Amber had beaten Shawna out of a spot. And the worst part is, she didn't even go to Shawna's school yet. Amber was still transitioning from her old school into Alice Johnson Junior High. This is where Shauna went. So this made Wanda furious over the situation. And she ended up going to the school board and complaining.

[Garrett Moreland]

Oh, no.

[Peyton Moreland]

She bothered other parents about it.

[Garrett Moreland]

Don't. If you're that parent, message me. Don't be that parent.

[Peyton Moreland]

I mean, she's literally going to parents in the school and saying, this isn't fair. My daughter actually goes to this school. This girl's just transitioning here. And this is her daughter's best friend.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah.

[Peyton Moreland]

She felt like if it weren't for Amber, Shawna definitely would have had a spot on the team. But it only caused her to push Shawna harder. There was no way her daughter was not going to make the cheer team next year. Not if Wanda had anything to do with it. But shauna didn't share the same resentment for her best friend amber. In a way, she might have even felt like she'd done her a favor. It actually seemed to make the two girls even closer. When amber finally made the full transition to Alice johnson junior high, Both girls were in honor classes. Shauna became vice president of her class, and Amber became president. This was also something that probably bothered Wanda to no end, Was that amber was president and her daughter was vice president. And on top of that, Amber was actually voted most spirited and friendly for the yearbook at the end of the year. But when the summer came and went and it was time for eighth grade to start, Wanda saw it as a fresh, new opportunity for shauna to get a leg up on amber. Wanda even started volunteering at shauna's school, Hoping she might find new opportunities and ways for shauna to become the most popular girl at school.

[Garrett Moreland]

Oh, dude, she needs to chill the f out.

[Peyton Moreland]

But what she didn't realize was her close involvement Was going to be detrimental to shauna's cheerleading career. So in order to understand what happened next, I actually have to explain how cheerleading went at this school back in the 90s in Texas. Okay. Because apparently cheerleading, at channel view, at least, Was not totally a matter of skill. It really began as a popularity contest. From what I can tell, this is how it happened. Kids were elected to try out for the cheerleading squad by other students who voted. So you would vote who you wanted to be on the cheerleading squad, and then there would be tryouts.

[Garrett Moreland]

That's interesting.

[Peyton Moreland]

And this is probably where, like, cheerleaders being the most popular in school comes from, because, like, back then, it actually was a thing, right?

[Quince]

It's.

[Peyton Moreland]

It was a. The popularity contest. I mean, obviously, cheerleading has probably come a long way since then. So here's where Wanda saw an opportunity to sort of control the narrative. She figured maybe shauna could campaign a little harder this year to get her fellow students to vote for her, and wanda could help with that. So wanda called her ex husband, Tony, and said, hey, could you help us get some rulers made up that say, vote for shauna Harper for cheerleader? And her dad Tony, was like, yeah, that's a great idea. And this is how, literally what it's called, ruler gate began.

[Garrett Moreland]

What does that even mean?

[Peyton Moreland]

Ruler gate. Okay. So the rulers come in. Shauna starts passing them around to kids at school, says, vote for me to try out for cheerleading. And then she gets pulled into the principal's office, and those rulers apparently go against the school election code. Probably because they are seen as gifts or briberies. So Shawna stops. She doesn't want to get in any more trouble. But when she tells her mom, Wanda's like, absolutely not. Like I said, she's now volunteering at the school.

[Garrett Moreland]

Gosh, I just know. And this is going to piss so many. I just know that I can't say it. Never mind.

[Peyton Moreland]

Okay, so Shawna stops handing the rulers out, right? Remember, Wanda's volunteering at school. When Wanda goes to her daughter's school to volunteer, she starts handing the rulers out after her daughter got pulled into the principal's office, and they said, absolutely not.

[Garrett Moreland]

Okay, I have to say, I just know one of you out there is like this, and you need to stop it. You need to stop it right now. I'm not mad at you yet. Just stop it. Don't be. Do not be like this.

[Peyton Moreland]

Wanda is like, my daughter is gonna get this cheerleading spot, and I'm gonna hand out these rulers. So she starts handing out the rulers to the kids, thinking it'll change. Obviously, it makes it worse. Wanda is now called into a meeting at the school with some of the other cheerleaders. Moms.

[Garrett Moreland]

Gosh. PTA to the max.

[Peyton Moreland]

Okay? So all the moms. All the cheerleader moms come in, and they have a council with some of the school representatives, and they bring Wanda in, and they're like, listen. Here, Sit down, Wanda. And guess what? They decide at this little meeting that the rulers are.

[Garrett Moreland]

Okay, no.

[Peyton Moreland]

That Wanda's daughter Shauna, because Wanda went and handed out the rulers, is disqualified from running to try out for the cheerleading squad.

[Garrett Moreland]

Oh, shoot.

[Peyton Moreland]

So most moms would probably just tuck their tail between their legs, buy their kids some ice cream, apologize, say, sorry.

[Garrett Moreland]

I ruined your chance, every single one of them.

[Peyton Moreland]

Wanda reaches out to the school board and says, please reconsider.

[Garrett Moreland]

This is nuts.

[Peyton Moreland]

Now, by this point, everyone at school knows what's going on. So Shauna is embarrassed. She's in 8th grade. Ruler Gate has happened every. All the other. All the other cheerleaders know because their moms knew, and they were at the council meeting. So Shauna goes to her mom, and she's like, mom, please, I don't want to be a cheerleader anymore. I don't care. Like, please, can we stop? I don't even want to try out. But Juana's like, no, Shauna, you are gonna be a cheerleader. And it really pours salt in the wound when she learns that, yet again, Amber had made it to tryouts, but Shauna hadn't And this is when Wanda Holloway snaps. Now Wanda's gut reaction is that Amber is the crux of her problem. If it weren't for Amber, there would have been that one remaining spot on the team back in seventh grade. And the only natural fit would have been for her daughter. And then now it's led to all of this and Ruler gate and the meeting and Shauna at school. And so Wanda starts wondering, Wanda, you're the frickin problem. How can I get Amber off the team? This eighth grader, this mom is wondering how can I get this other 8th grade girl kicked off the cheer team. So she starts poking around for ways to get Amber disqualified. There's nothing on Amber, or her mother, Verna for that matter, that is controversial enough to get her removed. I mean Amber is a model student. And that is when Wanda comes up with an idea. She needs to pay a visit to her ex brother in law. So this is Tony's, Shawna's father, 36 year old brother Terry. Now this is sketchy for a few reasons.

[Quince]

Mainly because Terry has a bit of.

[Peyton Moreland]

A reputation around town for being an alcoholic with a violent streak. He's had several run ins with the law, mostly minor charges like drunk driving. So Wanda thinks, okay, my ex husband's brother Terry probably needs my money. And since he's the closest thing I know to a criminal, he's the perfect guy for the job. So one night around December 1990, Wanda pulls up to Terry's home. She knocks on the door and he answers. And she says, I need to talk to you about something. But not here. Meet me at Bows. This is a little convenience store that was around the corner in Texas.

[Garrett Moreland]

Bows man.

[Peyton Moreland]

Minutes later, I imagine Terry climbing into the passenger seat of Wanda's car. And she starts asking him, how much do you love your niece, Shauna? He's like I love her. She's like, what would you do for her? Terry's like I'd do anything for her. Why? And that's when Wanda breaks the news. She needs Shawna's rival and her mother killed.

[Garrett Moreland]

This is like I just. What? What? Like what is freaking up.

[Peyton Moreland]

Wanda says to Terry, can you please take a hit out on Amber and Verna Heath? Terry's like whoa, Wanda, I don't kill people. I'm just a drunk driver. Yeah, I don't kill people. Let alone 13 year old little girls for that matter. And he goes, and I don't know anyone who would. Especially after he hears Wanda's reasoning. He's like well why do you need Them dead. And she's like, my daughter needs to be on the cheer team. Terry. Not only was Terry insulted that Wanda thought he could be capable of something like that, he had actually been working pretty hard to turn his life around. Recently he had stopped drinking, going to clubs. Instead he had been working on strengthening his connection to his faith. So after Terry turned Wanda away that night, he laid in bed wondering, should I go to someone with this information that like, my sister in law just came to me and asked me to do this.

[Garrett Moreland]

It's a good point. I think I'd be offended too if someone came up to me and said, hey man, can you kill someone for me?

[Peyton Moreland]

But he decides in Betty's like, dude, okay, she's just being crazy. She's just obsessed. She's just taking it a little too far. Nothing's gonna happen. Like certainly Juan is not serious about killing a 13 year old girl and her mother. So he kind of brushes it off and he forgets about it until he saw Shauna on Christmas Eve that year. So Shauna was over at Terry and Tony's parents house opening presents, Grandma and grandpa celebrating that night. When later in the even, she goes over to her uncle Terry and she slips him a piece of paper. And on that paper it says, mom wants you to call her at this number. So Terry calls it thinking, okay, maybe Wanda's like going to apologize for asking me to kill those people. But when he calls her, he finds out the opposite is true. Wanda is on the phone asking if he has reconsidered her offer. Now Terry is baffled by this. If he doesn't do something about this, who knows what. But that means Wanda will go to in order to get the job done, Will she find another hired hitman? Will she be as desperate to do it herself? Terry knows something's probably got to be done to stop her if she is now doubled down. But how? Well, Terry goes to his brother Tony, her ex husband tells him the whole situation. He's like, listen, your ex wife came to me, is asking me to kill a 13 year old and her mother so your daughter can get on the cheer team. And Tony offers some really sound advice here. He says, I'm not going to confront Wanda, my ex wife, myself. Instead he says, terry, I think this is serious enough that you should just go to the police and tell them what she said. Which is smart because here's something else that Terry needs to consider. If Wanda does do something and he doesn't mention to police that she had came to him twice asking him to do it.

[Garrett Moreland]

He could be liable.

[Peyton Moreland]

Yeah. Could he be considered an accessory to murder? At the very least, have their blood on his hands. So Terry at this point, heads down to the Harris County Sheriff's Department. And shockingly, he's a pretty hard time trying to convince authorities that this isn't a prank. I mean, think about it. You have this middle class town in Texas where football is life, sure. But a woman trying to take a hit out on her daughter's cheerleading rival in middle school? I mean, it sounds like something out of like a just cheesy crime novel.

[Garrett Moreland]

I would be so pissed if I'm like, all right, I'm gonna tell the police and their ladies laugh at me.

[Peyton Moreland]

Right?

[Garrett Moreland]

That sucks.

[Peyton Moreland]

Not to mention the last and maybe only hit these detectives had investigated in this town was a man trying to kill his wife for insurance money. Which seems a lot more real and probable. Yeah. So it takes some time, but eventually police find Terry's claims legitimate enough to at least act on them, and they start coaching him. If they are going to catch the 36 year old Wanda in act, like, prove that this is real, bust her for this hit for hire plan, they need Terry to play along. So over the next few weeks, Terry pretends to change his tune to Wanda. And with every conversation they had, it was being recorded by the police. So he tells Wanda, okay, look, I can get this done, what you wanted, I can do it. But here's what's gonna take. 2, 500 to kill Verna, but 5k to kill Amber, since she's a minor. This was something Wanda hemmed and hot on for a number of days. Amber was certainly the immediate problem. With her gone, there would definitely be a spot open on the team that Shawna could step into. But this is expensive. I mean, $7,500 in 1990 just lying around for both of these hits. However, if she just got rid of Verna, the mother, maybe Amber would be so distraught that she would just drop out of cheerleading. So she calls Terry back and says, listen, okay, let's just go with Verna since that's all I can afford. But the one thing he can't get her to say out loud is that she explicitly wants him to kill Verna. He has to sort of lead her to the water, saying like, you want her dead dead, right? To which, during one phone conversation, Wanda says, I don't care what you do with her. You can keep her in Cuba for 15 years. I just want her gone. Terry's like, okay, I. I hear you, but I need the down payment before I can complete the job, obviously, because in order for this to stand, they need money in the hands.

[Garrett Moreland]

Wanda not realize at this point she's being set up, man.

[Peyton Moreland]

And so this is when Wanda makes plans to meet him in person. And on January 28, 1991, Wanda drops Shauna off at the church and then heads over to a motel a few miles away. And Terry is waiting there, miked up there. She sits down with Terry and removes her 1 1/2 carat diamond earrings and hands them over to him as down payment. And during the conversation, she's overheard saying, I couldn't pull the trigger myself, but I can sure do it this way.

[Quince]

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[Peyton Moreland]

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[Quince]

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[Peyton Moreland]

And the reason they're able to do.

[Quince]

That is because they partner directly with top factories that cut out the cost of the middleman, which passes the savings on to you. I have told you guys a thousand times that their silk skirts, the long version and the short version, are my favorite black skirts. And I wear them at least once a week. Quince is on the nice list. They only work with factories that use safe, ethical and responsible manufacturing practices. Gift luxury this holiday season without the luxury price tag, go to quince.com husband for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order. That's Q U I n c e.com husband to get free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Garrett Moreland]

Quince.com husband this show is sponsored by BetterHelp. It's sometimes hard to remind ourselves that we are trying our best to make sense of everything. And in this crazy world, that isn't easy. Here's a reminder to send some thanks to the people in your life, including yourself. Not up until recently. I mean, Peyton's always been a big advocate of therapy. And honestly, you think therapy up until, I guess a few months ago, it's super important. Something Peyton and I both do is something Peyton and I both love sometimes. But it's honestly, it's good to talk about your feelings. It is good to talk about what's going on inside your head. So don't forget that. And if you feel like you want to do therapy, give BetterHelp a try and see if it's for you. Therapy in general is just important.

[Peyton Moreland]

BetterHelp is entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule.

[Quince]

You just fill out a brief questionnaire.

[Peyton Moreland]

To get matched with a licensed therapist, and you can actually, actually switch therapists at any time for no additional charge.

[Quince]

So let the gratitude flow with BetterHelp.

[Peyton Moreland]

Visit betterhelp.com husband today to get 10 off your first month.

[Quince]

That's BetterHelp.

[Peyton Moreland]

H E L p.com/husband now. The following day, Shawna was in the garage practicing her gymnastics when police showed up, surrounded the family home with a warrant for her mother Wanda's arrest. And as officers swarmed the house, Shauna watched Wanda remove all of her jewelry and calmly place it on the kitchen counter. As she looked at her daughter and said, grandma's coming over, and I'll be back. Shawna had no idea why her mother was being handcuffed and placed into the back of a police cruiser.

[Garrett Moreland]

Not gonna lie. Kind of badass. Insane. Absolutely insane. But. But, you know, kind of bad.

[Peyton Moreland]

So by the following day, Wanda was released on bail, and she was sent home to face her daughter with an explanation. I mean, Shawna's like, yo, mom, like, why were you arrested?

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah.

[Peyton Moreland]

And Shauna is horrified to learn that her mother had been conspiring to kill her best friend and her best friend's mother.

[Garrett Moreland]

Crazy.

[Peyton Moreland]

Had Wanda gone to someone other than Terry Harper, someone with. With a little less of a conscience, who knows what would have happened to Amber and Verna. But at this point, they're alive. And they were just as stunned to hear about Wanda's plan as Shawna was. And as you can imagine, so was the entire town. Now, poor Shawna was the one who really suffered in all of this. As the story hit the media, Shawna's entire world seemed to crumble. I mean, obviously, like, how do you go to school? And every. Everyone's parents are talking about how your mom was trying to kill another mom and daughter so you can make the cheerleading team. I mean, school becomes a walking nightmare for Shauna. Ironically, the social life that Wanda wanted for her daughter all along was decimated in seconds. After the release of those headlines, Shauna was never invited to parties. She dropped out of dance and gymnastics. She avoided any place where someone might be whispering about her and her mother. Shauna became riddled with depression and anxiety and even began blaming the circumstances on God, turning her back on the church. At home, things were just as bad. As Wanda awaited her trial, her ex husband Tony, sued Wanda for custody of the kids, saying, obviously, they're not safe in your custody and all of the money. Shawna's brother Shane, had set aside for college, Instead went to Wanda's defense. Wanda's trial began in August of 1991, where she pled not guilty to the charges against her. In fact, during her trial, her defense team took an interesting stance. They suggested that Wanda was framed by her ex husband and ex brother in law as an attempt to just gain custody over her children.

[Garrett Moreland]

Holy crap.

[Peyton Moreland]

So they're like, all of this was a setup. It was a custody battle.

[Garrett Moreland]

I think it's just. I don't understand how. I don't understand this part of the justice system. Because you're not supposed to lie in court. Obviously, everyone does. But the attorneys are deliberately making up a story and lying. Like, how is that legal? How is that allowed? How is an attorney. Like, I just don't understand how that is allowed in the legal system. And I mean, that continues to happen. They continue to make up stories, lie to defend people. I just don't understand why we're allowed to do that. And there's no punishment for it.

[Peyton Moreland]

I mean, if anyone's pleading innocent and they're guilty, essentially any defense is a lie. Now, some are more outrageous, like this one.

[Garrett Moreland]

That's what I mean.

[Peyton Moreland]

Like, right, but there are other ones that, I mean, convince people.

[Garrett Moreland]

I just don't understand. We go in the court and they say, okay, no lying. We're telling the truth. But.

[Peyton Moreland]

Yeah, but as an attorney, the whole.

[Garrett Moreland]

Defense is a complete lie. Like, why?

[Peyton Moreland]

Yeah, but as an attorney, it's your job.

[Garrett Moreland]

I get it. But it's. It seems so hypocritical that the. It just seems so hypocritical. I don't understand it.

[Peyton Moreland]

I get it. So obviously this defense doesn't actually really work well when it comes to those tapes. The conversations between Terry and Wanda. I mean, between her saying, send her to Cuba and I'd pull the trigger myself. Wanda looked pretty darn complicit in the entire thing. And Verna Heath might have been the deciding factor in her fate. When Verna took the stand, she told the jury that she'd been having nightmares ever since she found out about the murder. Murder for higher plot. She was afraid to get in and start her car out of fear it might blow up. I mean, imagine how scary it would be to think that someone was like, actually taking a hit out on you. Someone that you weren't even suspecting. That the anxieties around the entire scheme was more than she could bear. And on September 3, 1991, the jury returned with a verdict for Wanda. And after two hours of deliberation they decided she was guilty of solicitation of capital murder.

[Garrett Moreland]

Whoa.

[Peyton Moreland]

So she was sentenced to 15 years in prison. But that sentence didn't last. And it was because of a technicality. It turns out one of the jurors in this case was on probation for a drug related charge and should have never been placed in the jury box to begin with. Which meant that Wanda's entire trial was thrown out.

[Garrett Moreland]

A mistrial, right?

[Peyton Moreland]

Yep. Her sentence was overturned. And when it came time for a redo in 1996, Wanda's defense smartened up. This time she pleaded no contest and ended up with a 10 year sentence.

[Garrett Moreland]

Okay.

[Peyton Moreland]

The Heath family then sued her for $150,000, which she had to pay. But I mean, still, Wanda got off pretty easy. She only served six months of that ten year sentence.

[Garrett Moreland]

Oh, really?

[Peyton Moreland]

During which C.D. holloway, her husband, who had been unusually quiet throughout this case, just quietly divorced her. But aside from Verna and Amber, I mean, the real victim in this case is Shauna.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah.

[Peyton Moreland]

So in 2012, the then 34 year old Shawna broke her silence about the case to the media for the first time. Shawna said her relationship with her mother was rocky after her release from prison. But since getting married and having her own kids, it has led them to reconnect. Shawna says the whole thing also taught her a big lesson on and how to. And how not to parent. She says she never pushes her two sons to pursue things they don't feel passionately about. And she's learned from her mother's mistakes. And that she sees the irony in the situation, which is pretty profound if you think about it. Had Wanda not pushed so hard to control the situation, you have to wonder if things just would have worked out for Shawna on her own. Perhaps Shawna's shining personality would have won her the campaign to try out anyways. And her talents very likely would have shown through at these tryouts that year, especially after so many hours at the gymnastics school. But instead, by pushing Shauna, Wanda lost it all. In wanting the world for her, Wanda had effectively stolen it from her daughter.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah.

[Peyton Moreland]

And that is the story about Wanda Holloway.

[Garrett Moreland]

It is sad because you think the M.O. i mean, I mean, Sean is the victim in all this. Right. I mean, I get Amber in them, but they were never physically harmed or anything. Obviously emotionally harmed. But Shauna definitely, I think, got the blunt of it 100. Because, I mean, she lost her childhood, she lost her mom. She lost a lot. I don't want to speak for her, obviously, and. But even her step trauma or anything, but yeah. I mean, there's just so much.

[Peyton Moreland]

Her best friend.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah. It's just that that's effed up and it's not okay.

[Peyton Moreland]

It is pretty crazy though, the lengths that parents will go to. Yeah, I mean, you see it all the time. I mean, Chili, I felt we have joked about making a YouTube channel for parents at little kids games who are just like, screaming at the refs and like screaming at their children. And the kids are literally seven years old.

[Garrett Moreland]

Yeah.

[Peyton Moreland]

It's like what?

[Garrett Moreland]

I know.

[Peyton Moreland]

But that is our story for this week. We really hope you guys enjoyed it and we will see you next time with another episode. I love it.

[Garrett Moreland]

I hate it.

[Peyton Moreland]

Goodbye.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Peyton Moreland]

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