For the new sentencing trial, he was replaced by two prosecutors determined to put Bernie Tiede back behind bars. "This is all public record," said Van Sant. So it wasn't long after 27-year-old Bernie Tiede arrived in Carthage back in 1985, that everyone seemed to know him. "I saw her to the gravesite. 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Bernhardt Tiede II (/tid/; born August 2, 1958) is an American mortician who was convicted of the November 19, 1996 murder of his companion, wealthy 81-year-old widow Marjorie "Marge" Nugent, in Carthage, Texas. I always loved her as a sister, actually, even when she did ugly things, and she did.[29] Merrel's son, Joe Rhodes, attested to the movie's accurate portrayal of his aunt. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Man convicted of murdering companion, stuffing body in freezer", 'mean-bernie-film-features-cooper-grads-unlikely', "Judge Agrees to Release Murderer "Bernie" Backed by Austin Filmmaker", "History of Bernie's secret: Facts of sexual abuse could have been key to defense". "He could do everything?" When Marjorie Nugent's husband dies, he is the angel at her shoulder, creating the impression that no client has ever touched him quite so much as she has. The 81-year-old widow had a reputation . What's going through your mind?" The body of Ms Nugent, who disappeared in 1996, was found in a freezer at her Carthage home, wrapped in a sheet and surrounded by packs of frozen corn and pecans. But whatever Marjorie's affection for her granddaughters, the stakes were about to change. Killer Who Froze Body Living With Film Director - Sky News Bernie Tiede, who was first convicted for the 1996 murder in 1999, was later granted an appeal based on the theory that he was in a dissociative state at the time of the killing due to abuse hed suffered earlier in life. "Well, no, 'cause that's not how I conduct funerals," Tiede explained. He further alleged in the writ that the 81-year-old Nugent was controlling and emotionally abusive toward him, and that he had murdered her in a dissociative state resulting from years of sexual abuse as a child by an uncle. In his confession, Nugent says, Tiede wrote that he went to Marjories home that day at 8 a.m. He moved the rifle, cleared out the freezer and made her coffee, she says. "Almost, people really saw him like that," added Lisa Cockrell. Davidson says if he had to do it all over again he would have sought a much lighter sentence. "He was definitely feeling the ecstasy of freedom," said Black. / CBS News, Produced by Jamie Stolz and Marc Goldbaum, [This story first aired on Oct. 1, 2016. And it wasn't long before Nugent wanted more than a part-time dinner date -- and Tiede complied. Cf. HENDERSON Convicted murderer Bernie Tiede is a calculating, money-hungry, cold-blooded killer who set his sights on elderly women, including Marjorie Nugent who he killed in 1996. And I feel pretty good about it," said Davidson. By then (according to Bernie's account), Marge had grown demanding and controlling, making him check in regularly by phone, and growing angry if he was late to their lunch meetups. Van Sant asked Davidson. "If I had gone to the police and then been proven wrong, I would have been laughed out of Carthage because people thought so much of Bernie," said Ruth Cockrell. "Yeah, held a special place in the hearts of many people in Carthage, Texas," said Jack Black. Ex-Mortician Whose Killing of Widow Inspired Movie Freed Early - NBC News "Yes, and Jodi Cole did a lot of work towards that miracle happening," Tiede replied. The Nugent family thought it was beyond offensive. She recalls spending a week and a half with her grandparents on their farm every year. Bernie Tiede had preached and comforted and sang his way into this proud small town's everyday life. Marjorie Nugent [ edit] Tiede met the wealthy widow, Marjorie Nugent, in March 1990 at her husband's funeral, which Tiede had helped arrange as assistant director at Hawthorn Funeral Home. On April 22, 2016, following Tiedes re-sentencing trial, the jury imposed a new sentence of 99 years or life for Tiede. "Very much so. I mean they took the most awful part of our lives and just laughed about it and joked about it," said Susan Jenull. No one had anything bad to say about Bernie. Instead, they eventually learned of the chilling events that led to her death. "We had lost contact with her. Van Sant asked Linklater. Marjorie Nugent had earned a reputation of being a cold, vile and antisocial woman whom not one person enjoyed being around. Bernie Tiede is the son of Bernhardt Tiede (19121973), a native of Olegnow, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine. " and all I wanted at that moment was my mom.". It is unknown what came first, her horrible attitude or her husband dying. At one point he imagined hitting her over the head with a baseball bat, but couldnt bear the thought of her suffering. The two would grow close, taking trips around the world, and. Bernhardt Tiede II was born on August 2, 1958, in Abilene, Texas. Jack Black as Bernie Tiede in Richard Linklaters 2011 film. She is appeals lawyer Jodi Cole. During the resentencing trial, Marjorie's granddaughter, Shanna Nugent, spoke directly to Bernie, and stated, You are nothing to me.[27] Shanna and her father, Rod Nugent, both asserted that Marjorie was a kind woman on good terms with her family (in contrast to the portrayal in the film), whom Tiede conned in order to spend her fortune without her knowledge. Never. According to Rod, Tiede had alienated Nugent from her family, friends, and business associates of her late husband. Hes presently incarcerated in Huntsville Texas, and not eligible for parole until August 3, 2029, the day after his 71st birthday. Snapping. Bernie Tiede Re-Sentenced To Life, Family of Murder Victim - People Marjorie Nugent met Bernhardt Tiede when her husband died in March 1990. He told the Globe-News: It appears this Bernie Tiede kind of systematically estranged my mother from all these people one at a time At some point, they became angry with my mother.[11], When interviewed, Panola County District Attorney Danny "Buck" Davidson said that the town of Carthage was split up in regards to their opinion of Tiede. Bernie had embalmed Marge's husband and sang at his memorial service. Youngest granddaughter of Bernie Tiede's murder victim speaks out "Did Marjorie know you were gay?" Everybody knew," said Shanna Nugent. Within months of meeting at her husband's funeral, Tiede was full time at Marjorie Nugent's eye-popping home. It's a murder story based on what happened in the small town of Carthage in East Texas in 1997. And then, there's a group that wants no mercy.[11], At the resentencing trial, Tiede was sentenced to life in prison. Family member testifies She was alright.". 'Have at it,'" said Linklater. In 1963, Tiede's father married Clara Kathryn Wiley (b. "What do you conclude in terms of why this murder occurred?" "This is a real case, with a real murderer. The motion filed by Cole earlier in the week claims Marjorie Nugent's son, Rod Nugent, Jr., and an original administrator of Marjorie Nugent's estate were involved in a "scheme" to steal or embezzle money from the estate. Write An Essay On The Movie Bernie - 726 Words | Bartleby Tiede had known Nugent for years and became her caretaker and travel companion after her husband died in 1990. And at least according to Bernie, feeling like Marjorie Nugent's prisoner reminded him of the abuse he says he suffered as a boy. No way out. Van Sant asked. "They are overwhelmed with stress and emotion. "In '93, we went there and she opened the door and she hugged me and kissed me like eight times," said Shanna Nugent. The movie, "Bernie," also featured Matthew McConaughey as Danny Buck Davidson. said Susan Jenull. This is the worst kind of criminal, she says of Tiede. She did not deserve to die. "You just have never seen a story like this come across your desk ever. Bernie Tiede, pictured with Marjorie Nugent, not long before her 1996 murder. Bernie Tiede wasn't about to. "I know how lost and lonely you are, and I know that the one person she trusted took. [11] By 1993, Bernie left his job to work for Nugent full time as her business manager and travel companion. In April 2016, after two years of freedom, Bernie Tiede's new sentencing trial began. After going home to shower, he returned to Marjories house. "He provided money. Van Sant asked Danny Buck Davidson. "In some ways did you feel trapped in this relationship, just as you had been trapped with your uncle?" New Sentencing Trial for Bernie Starts Wednesday [14][15] The Texas Criminal Courts of Appeal approved the writ. "They loved each other?" When the family got suspicious and told her he was scamming her, "she got really angry. Marjorie Nugent met Bernie Tiede when her husband died in 1990. [28], Other witnesses' testimonies differed. Ms . Marjorie Nugent And Bernie Tiede were inseparable right up until her 1996 demise. "He's got a warmth. He was temporarily released on bail in 2014, pending a resentencing hearing. "I looked at my dad and I said, 'They found her.' Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. In March of 1990, while working at the funeral of a man who had passed on, 32-year-old Bernie met the deceased's 81-year-old widow, Marjorie "Marge" Nugent. John served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves from 1973 - 1978. 9 of 12 10 of 12 ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY JUNE 28--FILE--This is a 1996 file photo provided by the Panola County Sheriff's Department of Marjorie Nugent, right, and her former escort Bernie Tiede. What made this God-fearing, likable man, take the life of an 81-year old widow that he befriended at her husband's funeral. "I want the world to know that Bernie Tiede is a good person and that this outcome is unacceptable," she said. also. "It happened so often," Hollandsworth said, "he asked for a change of venue.". "I said, 'Look at that. She knew that if her grandmother had left the house, she would have put everything she kept in the refrigerator in her freezer, located inside the pantry. Marge was born on June 14, 1925 in. Just loving him," said Hall. Washington, Baltimore, and then took a cruise down the East coast," Tiede reminisced. He could connect, yeah, exactly," Shamburger agreed. And I have to stay here unless something changes. While articles and the movie portrayed Marjorie as a domineering, mean person, her granddaughter describes her as a really loving and touchy-feely person. Van Sant asked. Marjorie Nugent filed a new will leaving everything to Tiede and nothing to her family. "That's enough of that. On April 2, 2016, some 26 years after he met Marjorie Nugent, the jury once again sentenced Bernie Tiede to 99 years in prison. Marjorie Nugent was a longstanding member of the richest family in Carthage after her husband had made his fortune as an oilman. "She would kinda be called a blue blood," said Davidson. While Tiede's guilt is not in doubt, his life sentence for killing 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent in 1996 has since been dismissed. Full Description. People Are Still Willing to Believe the Con, Young Nev. Man Found Guilty of Raping, Murdering Teen Family Friend: 'She Called Him Her Big Brother', 'Truly Evil': Mich. Man Convicted of Murdering 3, Including Boy, 6, Who Was Excited to Lose First Tooth, 5 Years After Wash. Bernie Tiedes trial was moved 60 miles away because of the overwhelming support for him in Carthage. "I don't like the things that she did. "We got pretty close," Ruth Cockrell replied. "Make her coffee. Marjorie Nugent would one day be portrayed by Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine. "And I said, 'He's an angel all right, he's an angel of death," said D.A. "Twenty years would have been the maximum sentence. Murder in Carthage - (Marjorie Nugent & Bernie Tiede) Midnight in the Garden of East Texas - Texas Monthly "So week after week, month after month passes, Marjorie's nowhere to be seen," said Van Sant. [36] He currently resides at the Estelle Unit. It's just one of the rules of the game," said Black of the prison visit. Cole asked Richard Linklater if he had the transcripts from Tiede's 1999 murder trial. Those are images that stay with you," said Linklater. probably never would, because there was something about Bernie that made folks wonder back then. "Bernie" Back in Court Tuesday for Murder - The Texas Tribune "And the thing that disturbed me was that all of the pictures of my grandfather were gone.". And I think he's the one person in the world in that era who could feel that for Marg, when no one else could," he replied. Thats when Marjorie met Tiede, who was working at the funeral home which made the arrangements. "He was there. "Mr. Linklater. A man grabs a .22 rifle and shoots an elderly widow in the back four times, killing her. [34], Tiede resided in the Telford Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for at least 15 years. Bernie in Hell - Texas Monthly "In small towns anywhere, your reputation is not often defined by who you are, it's by what people think of you," Hollandsworth explained, "and so the reputation did get around town that Mrs. Nugent could be cantankerous.". "I'm thinkin' you're lying. Nugent says he eventually stole $3.8 million of her money, which Marjorie was oblivious to at the time. Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction In 'Bernie' - NPR He stands 5'6." Yet the word for Bernie Tiede is "hovering." He seems to hover above even those taller than him. ", "We went to . Bernie is an assistant funeral director in East Texas who bonds with Marjorie after hosting the funeral of her late husband. It's very discouraging," said Black. Van Sant asked. Asked if he is a danger to society, Tiede told Van Sant, "No sir, not at all.". In all, he was widely regarded as the nicest man in town. "We'd go to the Cherokee Club, we would go to the Jalapeno Tree here in Carthage," Tiede recalled. My husband died this year, she says. "The first bullet in her back makes her paralyzed, so she falls straight down onto the concrete. Tonight, CBS's 48 Hours will re-examine the case in their episode "The Mortician, The Murder, The Movie. Bernie Tiede, a beloved funeral director in Carthage, Texas, was friendly, well-liked, considerate, and helpful. They traveled the world. He was sentenced to life in prison, but that sentence was overturned in 2014. Almost immediately, Tiede admitted to murdering Nugent but the locals in Carthage didnt seem to hold it against him. "She was kind and she loved telling stories.". "I think it's the perfect example of a sweetheart scam that I have ever seen," Shanna Nugent said. Van Sant asked. Just two hours up the road in Dallas, three proud granddaughters have a very different take on just why Bernie Tiede was befriending Marjorie Nugent. Nugent family shares what happened before Bernie Tiede killed - KLTV The majestic gates swung open to a kingdom of riches, and Bernie Tiede rolled right in. . He was just a loveable guy," Black said. John was the son of the late Harold James Nugent and Phyllis Marjorie Nugent. And people are still mystified about what really happened on that November afternoon that led Bernie to shoot her four times," said reporter Skip Hollandsworth. Teen Appeals Prison Sentence for Murdering Friend and Taking a Smiling Selfie with His Body. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "We went to Germany England Scotland and Wales. It was on one of the next family visits to Carthage that the Nugent women got a hint of how deeply Tiede had moved into their grandmother's life. " On the show, CBS's 48 Hours viewers will learn how the relationship developed between Bernie Tiede and Marjorie Nugent, and how that . She could be very vindictive. "People get trapped," Van Sant commented. They took lavish vacations abroad, and Tiede became known around town for the. "And Mama would tell us what he'd been saying. bernie-tiedes-freedom-was-more-than-a-feel-good-se "Man gets life sentence for killing Nugent", "Witness says sexual abuse triggered Tiede's "dissociative episode", "Ex-Mortician Whose Killing of Widow Inspired Movie Freed Early", ex-texas-mortician-being-freed-from-prison-early, "As 'Bernie' Goes Free, Victim's Granddaughter Says Hollywood Has Wrought an Injustice", "Richard Linklater on Living With Bernie Tiede", Shanna Nugent Delivers the Victim Impact Statement at Bernie Tiede Resentencing, "New Sentencing Trial for Bernie Starts Wednesday", "Bernie Tiede trial: Victim's sister says she was afraid of Marjorie", "How My Aunt Marge Ended Up in the Deep Freeze . DALLAS (Reuters) - A jury on Friday sentenced a former mortician to return to prison for 99 years to life for murdering a wealthy East Texas widow and hiding her body in a freezer in a case that . At first glance, the tale appears to be one of a cold-blooded killer and a helpless victim, but the real story of Bernie and Marjorie (Marge) Nugent is much more complicated. Marge, meanwhile, was often perceived as haughty and crotchety, per Texas Monthly, so the friendship that sprung up between the two may have been a surprise to some. In the film, Bernie was portrayed as a sweet man who was beloved in the small Texas town of Carthage, while Marjorie was depicted as an abusive villain. They took longer trips together, to Dallas, New York, and elsewhere along the East Coast, and before long it seemed, they were going everywhere together.