Wendi Davidson had only been married five short months when her husband, Michael Severance, was murdered.
Right before his body was discovered in a stock tank on Terrell Sheen’s 7777 Ranch, Wendi confessed to her brother Marshall that she had found Michael already dead and moved his body in a state of panic.
Why was she panicked?
She thought a member of her close family had killed him and she was trying to protect him/her.
Military investigators and San Angelo, Texas law enforcement disagreed.
In Diane Fanning’s lastest release A Poisoned Passion, readers are taken down the chaotic and disturbing path that led Wendi Davidson to become a killer; from her secluded childhood, to her promiscuous young adulthood, and up until just before Michael took his last breath.
A Poisoned Passion invites readers into the lives of Wendi’s parents, Judy and Lloyd; a couple who defines the word “insanity.”
Even as a seasoned true crime reader, Fanning’s writing of this case evoked emotions toward the Davidsons that teettered on the edge of rage, while eliciting the sympathy for Les Severance (Michael’s father) that he was much denied in West Texas.
A Poisedon Passion is a definite must reader for true crime genre fans. If you skip this one, you’ll miss out on one of the best books of 2009.
More Resources:
Warning! The Following May Contain Spoilers!
In rural America, you spend your life hearing about the “good ol’ boy network,” an alleged system that allows a small town’s influential residents to control the decisions of officials by instilling the fear of being outcast should they go against them.
Yet, never have I seen that network presented so obviously as it was in the case of child custody between Les Severance and Judy and Lloyd Davidson.
Texas has seven factors used for determing custody, which includes:
- Whether the physical, psychological, or emotional needs and development of the child will benefit from joint custody;
- The ability of the parents to give first priority to the welfare of the child and reach shared decisions in the child’s best interest;
- Whether each parent can encourage and accept a positive relationship between the child and the other parent.
One must remember that where it says “parent” it must apply to “grandparent” as in this case the father is deceased and the mother is incarcerated for murder; in this case, the parties to which these factors apply are Lloyd and Judy Davidson and Les Severance.
- Physical, Psychological and Emotional needs of the child: First, Judy Davidson was long ago diagnosed with Lupus, which is severe enough to allow her to receive disability. Lupus can be a dibilitating disease, especially when it comes to energy and memory; not exactly conducive to raising a young child.
Toss in the crazy rantings of a verbally abusive old geezer (Wendi’s father) as retold in pages 198-202 of this book, and it would take a drunken idiot not to see the psychological and emotional harm done to children residing with Lloyd Davidson.
- The ability of the parents to give first priority to the welfare of the child: When Les attempted to visit with his grandson on several occasions following his son’s death, Judy Davidson insisted that they be done on her terms or else. This attitude is exhibitive of someone who places their own priorities (hatred, in this case) above the child’s, as Les Severance never posed any harm to the child.
- Whether each parent can encourage and accept a positive relationship between the child and the other parent: Repeatedly Judy Davidson expressed to the Court her hatred for Michael Severance, which was entinsified with his family upon Michael’s death. There is no way in hell that Judy Davidson, nor Lloyd will encourage Shane’s relationship with his biological grandparents.
And again, Lloyd’s psychotic songs and chants must be included in this factor. If you taunt your daughter by singing children’s songs about her having an affair with her former father-in-law, it’s a pretty good indication that you have NO respect for him or his family. (Especially when your daughter murdered their son!)
Fortunately, Texas allows children who are 12 years or older express their preference. Although their preference is not a guaranteed change of custody, it is given much weight.
I can only hope that Shane Severance will someday wish to reside with his paternal grandfather; if the Davidson’s have not successfully turned him against the Severances.
There is a special place in hell for people like the Davidsons.
Seldom do I wish to blame a parent(s) for the actions of their children. As a parent myself, I’ve learned that, once they reach a certain age, children have a thought process all their own; sometimes straying from the teachings of their childhood.
Yet in the case of Wendi Davidson, I digress. The obvious controlling, manipulation, and downright abuse going on in that home undoubtedly led to her murderous actions.
While Wendi is responsible for what she did and must pay the price, Lloyd and Judy need to take ownership for the installation of such a psychosis in their daughter.
But they never will.
And I’m hoping and praying they don’t screw up two innocent little boys.
If that happens, I’ll come calling on the State of Texas to admit the err in judgment of a child custody case long ago.
Pingback: Remembering Murdered Soldiers on Memorial Day | True Crime Book Reviews