Ep 2. Celeste Beard Johnson

In Snapped's season 1 episode 2, titled "Celeste Beard Johnson", the docuseries dives into the story of a wealthy Austin-area socialite, Celeste Beard Johnson, who was accused of hiring hitmen to kill her second husband, Steven Beard, in 1999. The episode takes viewers through the events leading up to the murder and the subsequent investigation and trial.

Celeste Beard Johnson was known for her extravagant lifestyle, which included a $1.9 million mansion and high-end cars. She became involved with real estate developer, Steven Beard, and they were married in 1992. However, their marriage quickly turned sour as Beard became abusive towards Johnson. In 1995, Johnson filed for divorce, which was finalized in 1997.

Following her divorce from Steven Beard, Johnson met a woman named Tracy Tarlton, with whom she began a romantic relationship. Tarlton introduced Johnson to a man named Tracey Tarlton, her brother, who was struggling financially and who Johnson hired to help her with odd jobs around her home. However, Johnson soon began an affair with Tracey and eventually convinced him to help her in her plan to murder Steven Beard.

On August 17, 1999, Steven Beard was shot and killed in his home by two men disguised as ninjas. The police investigation quickly focused on Johnson as a suspect due to their tumultuous history and her financial situation. It was discovered that Johnson had taken out a life insurance policy on Steven Beard and that she stood to gain over $1 million from his death. Furthermore, Tracey Tarlton's fingerprints and DNA were found at the scene of the crime, implicating Johnson in the murder.

Throughout the episode, interviews with Johnson's friends, family, and lawyers shed light on her character and motivations. Her ex-husband, Jay Johnson, describes her as manipulative and controlling, able to convince people to do things they never thought they would do. Her defense lawyer, Gerry Morris, argues that Johnson was not involved in the murder and that she was being unfairly targeted due to her wealth and status.

The trial itself is shown through news footage and interviews with those involved. Johnson was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Tarlton, who had confessed to his involvement in the murder and testified against Johnson, was also sentenced to life in prison. Johnson's daughter, Erica, who had been caught up in her mother's web, was sentenced to 20 years after she was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.

Overall, Snapped's season 1 episode 2 provides a detailed look into the complex and unsettling case of Celeste Beard Johnson and the events that led to her downfall. Through interviews with those involved and news footage from the trial, viewers are able to gain insight into the motivations and personalities of the people involved in the murder and the subsequent investigation.