Book SummaryBefore He Wakes, by Jerry Bledsoe

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Before He Wakes

Barbara Stager became the primary person of interest right after her husband passed away.

The narrative examines the alleged involvement of Barbara Stager in the death of her spouse as depicted by Jerry Bledsoe. Bledsoe conducts a detailed analysis of the circumstances preceding each death, highlighting the similarities and also pointing out the differences in the accounts provided by Barbara. The unveiling of Barbara's intricate character and driving forces, along with these details, depicts a woman adept at deliberate deceit and aggression.

The deaths of Barbara's two spouses occurred under conditions that were questionable.

The author emphasizes the unsettling parallels in the deaths of Barbara Stager's husbands, Larry Ford and Russ Stager. Both men died from gunshot wounds inflicted at close range while they were sleeping, and in both instances, Barbara was the sole witness. The clear coincidences in Bledsoe's narrative swiftly cast Barbara under a cloud of doubt.

Russ Stager and Larry Ford's lives were tragically ended when they were fatally shot with a .25-caliber gun while they were asleep.

Bledsoe emphasizes the striking similarities in the circumstances that precipitated the downfall of both Larry and Russ. Both men met their end, losing their lives to lethal wounds inflicted by a small-caliber gun while they were asleep. The assailant discharged the firearm at close range, indicating proximity to the victims at the time of the shooting. Larry sustained a bullet injury to his torso, while Russ's life was ended by a gunshot wound to the rear of his head. The author stresses the improbability of both spouses incurring similar gunshot wounds, especially considering Barbara's involvement in each incident.

Context

• Small-caliber guns have been used in various historical crimes due to their concealability and ease of use, making them a choice for individuals seeking to commit a crime without drawing attention.
• In legal contexts, close range shootings can be used to argue premeditation or intent, as the assailant must deliberately approach the victim to inflict harm, which can influence charges and sentencing.
• Similar cases in criminal history often examine the significance of wound placement in understanding the dynamics of the crime, including the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator.
• Investigations revealed patterns in Barbara's behavior, such as her history of financial troubles and deceit, which contributed to suspicions about her role in the...

Before He Wakes Summary Suspicions regarding Barbara emerged among the authorities as they investigated the death of Russ Stager.

This part of the story delves into how the inquiry into Russ Stager's demise unfolded. Bledsoe describes how the investigators' perspective evolved from treating the shooting as an accident to a more in-depth probe, a shift prompted by information from Jo Lynn, who was previously married to Russ. An in-depth investigation into Barbara's conduct uncovered a tangled web of deceit, monetary difficulties, and infidelity, all of which greatly weakened her claims of innocence.

Initially, authorities believed Russ's death was unintentional, an assumption influenced by the account provided by his wife.

Bledsoe recounts the early stages of the investigation where Barbara's account of Russ's death being an accident initially convinced the detectives. Her narrative, while initially appearing genuine and evoking sympathy, faced no immediate challenges or contradictions. This initial acceptance, however, was destined to be short-lived as further details came to light, necessitating a more thorough inquiry.

Further examination, however, uncovered evidence contradicting her narrative.

The writer meticulously details how the police inquiry shifted from initially believing Barbara's...

Before He Wakes Summary The demise of Barbara's associates prompted further investigation.

This segment of the story delves into the specific circumstances that culminated in the tragic end of Larry and Russ. Bledsoe offers an in-depth critique of the initial probe into Larry's death, highlighting missed opportunities and a lack of thoroughness that allowed uncertainties to persist for a decade. The investigation into the untimely death of Russ was carried out with increased thoroughness, driven by the unsettling similarities noted between the two events.

Larry Ford's death was initially ruled an accident, but later investigation suggested foul play

Jerry Bledsoe examines in detail the circumstances surrounding the death of Barbara's first husband, Larry Ford, emphasizing the unsettling aspects of the initial investigation. The authorities determined that Larry's death, like Russ's, was the result of an unintentional firearm discharge, a conclusion swayed by Barbara's account. Despite this, some aspects and inconsistencies in her story indicated the possibility of her involvement in illegal activities.

Despite being the only witness, Barbara's version of events was inconsistent.

The author details how Barbara's portrayal of Larry's death transformed as...

Before He Wakes Summary The probe delves thoroughly into the psychological foundations and driving forces behind Barbara Stager's behavior, as well as the repercussions experienced by the victims' families.

In this segment of the narrative, Bledsoe delves into the complexities of Barbara's psyche and the possible reasons behind her behavior, referencing a psychological assessment conducted before she was sentenced again. The writer contrasts this with the persistent sorrow felt by the relatives of the victim, highlighting their distress, anger, and feelings of treachery.

Barbara's psychological assessment revealed deep-seated insecurities and significant personality issues.

Bledsoe cites the psychological evaluation that was crafted by Dr. Scarborough exclusively for the purpose of Barbara's sentencing. Scarborough determined that Barbara's difficulties stemmed from deep-seated insecurities and a distorted self-image, not from a substantial personality disorder. Scarborough implies that such profound issues might have driven her to partake in actions that her conscious self would deny.

She struggled with a skewed perception of herself, which hindered the development of authentic emotional bonds.

The writer, drawing on perspectives from Dr. Scarborough, reveals Barbara's deep-seated insecurities and her struggle to maintain a facade of normalcy and perfection. Bledsoe...