To Hatred Turned: A True Story of Love and Death in Texas

Englade ( Beyond Reason ) here treats a complex Dallas murder case with a master's touch. In 1983, Rozanne Gailiunas, mistress of contractor Larry Aylor, was found murdered in her home. No killer was identified and Aylor and Joy, his wife of 15 years, were reconciled. In 1986, as the couple was again considering divorcing, Larry was ambushed near his remote ranch, but managed to escape. No one was charged. Then in 1988, Joy's sister Carol, claiming that her own life was in danger, gave the police information that brought about the arrests of Joy and Carol's estranged husband Bill for Rozanne's murder and the attempt on Larry's life. The investigation also led to an ex-ministerial student, Andy Hopper, who confessed that Joy hired him to kill Rozanne. Much of the book is devoted to Hopper's trial, in which he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Two brothers confessed to the attempted murder of Larry, also financed by Joy, and they are now in prison. Joy, out on bail, fled to France, where she is being held pending extradition. Another five people--including Carol and her husband--have been charged with related crimes in this web of blackmail and hired killers, though they have yet to be tried. Photos not seen by PW . (Nov.)