One Minute Remaining - Stories from the inmates

Well, it's that time again! We've just wrapped up what is arguably the case that has caused the most division among our jury members—the story of Mary Rice. Accomplice or Victim? That’s the question on everyone’s mind.

So, what does a professional think? Enter the man they call the Voice of Reason, Michael Leonard. With over 30 years of trial experience as a defence attorney, he's a man who's heard it all. Does Michael believe Mary was a victim? And how would he have handled her case differently? Let’s find out.

On 31 January 2017, Mary Rice claimed that a man named William Boyette broke into her trailer and woke her at gunpoint. She said she had previously had little to do with Boyette, who was now, according to her, forcing her to leave with him in the middle of the night. Just hours earlier, Billy Boyette had murdered two women in a motel room, fatally shooting them both.

What followed was a week-long manhunt and killing spree that left four women dead, Billy Boyette committing suicide, and Mary Rice arrested as his accomplice. Mary has always maintained that she was just another of Billy's victims—kidnapped and forced to accompany him on his crime spree.

The police, however, told a different story. Authorities believed Mary was a willing participant in Boyette’s crimes and subsequently charged her with murder and accessory after the fact. She was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.

This is her story, as told by her from her prison cell.

On 31 January 2017, Mary Rice claimed that a man named William Boyette broke into her trailer and woke her at gunpoint. She said she had previously had little to do with Boyette, who was now, according to her, forcing her to leave with him in the middle of the night. Just hours earlier, Billy Boyette had murdered two women in a motel room, fatally shooting them both.

What followed was a week-long manhunt and killing spree that left four women dead, Billy Boyette committing suicide, and Mary Rice arrested as his accomplice. Mary has always maintained that she was just another of Billy's victims—kidnapped and forced to accompany him on his crime spree.

The police, however, told a different story. Authorities believed Mary was a willing participant in Boyette’s crimes and subsequently charged her with murder and accessory after the fact. She was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.

This is her story, as told by her from her prison cell.

On 31 January 2017, Mary Rice claimed that a man named William Boyette broke into her trailer and woke her at gunpoint. She said she had previously had little to do with Boyette, who was now, according to her, forcing her to leave with him in the middle of the night. Just hours earlier, Billy Boyette had murdered two women in a motel room, fatally shooting them both.

What followed was a week-long manhunt and killing spree that left four women dead, Billy Boyette committing suicide, and Mary Rice arrested as his accomplice. Mary has always maintained that she was just another of Billy's victims—kidnapped and forced to accompany him on his crime spree.

The police, however, told a different story. Authorities believed Mary was a willing participant in Boyette’s crimes and subsequently charged her with murder and accessory after the fact. She was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.

This is her story, as told by her from her prison cell.

On 31 January 2017, Mary Rice claimed that a man named William Boyette broke into her trailer and woke her at gunpoint. She said she had previously had little to do with Boyette, who was now, according to her, forcing her to leave with him in the middle of the night. Just hours earlier, Billy Boyette had murdered two women in a motel room, fatally shooting them both.

What followed was a week-long manhunt and killing spree that left four women dead, Billy Boyette committing suicide, and Mary Rice arrested as his accomplice. Mary has always maintained that she was just another of Billy's victims—kidnapped and forced to accompany him on his crime spree.

The police, however, told a different story. Authorities believed Mary was a willing participant in Boyette’s crimes and subsequently charged her with murder and accessory after the fact. She was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.

This is her story, as told by her from her prison cell.