Paulette Ross Burleson, a 56-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, was tragically shot and killed on May 18, 2010. She was found in the driveway of her home with a .38 caliber shell casing beside her body, indicating she had been shot execution-style. Her husband, Tracy Burleson, discovered her body and called 911, claiming he had been out buying snacks when he found her dead.
The investigation into Paulette's death revealed a complex and disturbing plot. Tracy Burleson, a pastor at First New Mount Calvary Baptist Church, was found to have orchestrated a murder-for-hire scheme. He allegedly paid his 21-year-old son, William Fuller, to kill his wife in order to collect on a $60,000 life insurance policy. William, who suffered from sickle cell anemia, had previously filed abuse allegations against Paulette, which led to her avoiding jail time.
Tyonne Palmer-Pollard, a nurse practitioner and the best friend of William, was also implicated in the crime. She assisted William after the shooting by driving him to get cleaned up and helping to destroy the murder weapon. Both Tracy and Tyonne were arrested and charged with their involvement in the murder.
In the subsequent legal proceedings, Tracy Burleson was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Tyonne Palmer-Pollard was charged with tampering with evidence, and William Fuller remained jailed without bond awaiting trial on a murder charge.
The case garnered significant media attention and was featured on Investigation Discovery's show "Scorned: Fatal Fury: Preaching to the Cheater," which chronicled the events leading up to Paulette's death and the subsequent investigation.
This tragic incident highlights the devastating consequences of greed, betrayal, and abuse, leaving a family shattered and a community in shock.
