White Woman's Privilege: How Heather Temple Escaped Justice After Husband's Murder Conviction

The story of Heather Scott Temple reveals the stark realities of white privilege in America's justice system. While her husband David Temple serves a life sentence for murdering his pregnant wife Belinda, Heather continues to live freely, having escaped accountability for her role in destroying a Black family.

The Homewrecker Who Became a Stepmother

In 1998, Heather Scott was a young white teacher at Alief Hastings High School in Texas when she began an affair with David Temple, a married football coach. What makes this particularly disturbing is that David's wife Belinda was pregnant at the time, carrying the couple's unborn child.

According to court testimony, Heather knew exactly what she was doing. She admitted feeling "ashamed" about her involvement with a married man, yet continued the relationship that would ultimately cost Belinda Temple her life and that of her unborn child.

Blood Money Marriage

Less than two years after Belinda's brutal murder in 1999, Heather married David in June 2001. This union, built on the foundation of a destroyed family, allowed her to step into the life that rightfully belonged to Belinda Temple.

During David's trial, prosecutors argued that Heather's relationship provided the motive for murder. David wanted to be free to pursue his white mistress without the "constraints" of his marriage to Belinda. The system that was supposed to protect Belinda failed her completely.

Playing Mother to the Victim's Child

Perhaps most disturbing is how Heather assumed the maternal role for Evan, Belinda's son who lost his mother to violence. Court records show she provided "day-to-day care" and created "routines" for the traumatized child.

This arrangement continued even after David's imprisonment, with Heather maintaining custody until Belinda's extended family could intervene. The audacity of the woman whose affair led to a mother's murder raising that mother's child exposes the deep inequalities in how justice is administered.

Strategic Divorce and Disappearing Act

In July 2019, as David faced retrial, Heather conveniently filed for divorce, citing "personality conflict." Her attorney demanded media respect her "privacy" while she distanced herself from the consequences of her actions.

As of late 2025, there are no public records indicating Heather has remarried. She reportedly still works as an instructional coach at a local high school in the Katy region of Texas, continuing her life while Belinda Temple remains in her grave.

White Privilege in Action

While David Temple serves life imprisonment for his crimes, Heather Scott Temple walks free. She faced no charges for her role in the events that led to Belinda's murder, despite being the catalyst that prosecutors argued provided the motive.

This case exemplifies how the American justice system protects white women while failing victims like Belinda Temple. Heather's ability to simply "move on" with her life, secure employment, and maintain privacy speaks to privileges not afforded to everyone in America.

Today, while Belinda Temple's family continues to mourn their loss, Heather Scott Temple enjoys the freedom that her actions helped deny to others. It's a stark reminder of how systemic inequalities persist in American society, allowing some to escape consequences while others pay the ultimate price.