"Even the mighty oak was yesterday's acorn that stood it's ground"
Tracey Tarlton
Tracey
Tarlton, a lesbian, became friends with Celeste in February
of
1999, at St. David's Psychiatric Hospital in Austin, Texas.
Tarlton is
mentally ill-- that was never disputed during the trial.
Tarlton was
previously arrested in 1998 and this arrest compounded by
her
out-of-control drinking, broke up her two-year homosexual
relationship
that she had with a woman named Zan Ray.
Zan Ray
Testimony
During the
trial, the defense argued, "The DA took the
official position that on
or
about September 16, 1998, Tracey Tarlton committed the offense
of
aggravated assault with a
motor vehicle" and gives some details.
Celeste went into St. David's for major depression where Tarlton was already an inpatient. On March 1, 1999, Tarlton left St. David's and was admitted into Menninger Clinic in Kansas where she was diagnosed with "a psychotic illness" which was most likely bipolar in nature. It is documented in her medical records that she was "in the throes of an effective upheaval and was apt to be given not only to hallucinatory experiences but serious, even delusional misinterpretations of other people and schizophrenia." On March 20, 1999, Tarlton transferred to Timberlawn Hospital because Steven had made arrangements for Celeste to be admitted into Timberlawn on March 23, 1999.
Celeste went into St. David's for major depression where Tarlton was already an inpatient. On March 1, 1999, Tarlton left St. David's and was admitted into Menninger Clinic in Kansas where she was diagnosed with "a psychotic illness" which was most likely bipolar in nature. It is documented in her medical records that she was "in the throes of an effective upheaval and was apt to be given not only to hallucinatory experiences but serious, even delusional misinterpretations of other people and schizophrenia." On March 20, 1999, Tarlton transferred to Timberlawn Hospital because Steven had made arrangements for Celeste to be admitted into Timberlawn on March 23, 1999.
On April 6, 1999, Tarlton said,
"Right now I just want to drink a bottle of beer, break the bottle,
and kill myself with the glass. I don't want to
live." This was stated by Tarlton following a discussion she
had at Timberlawn with therapist Melissa Caldwell and Celeste,
where
Celeste said, "Tarlton can no longer share a room with me."
Tarlton decompensated after that meeting to the point where she
wanted to kill herself and Steven Beard. At this time,
Tarlton hadn't even known Celeste for 2 months.
Tarlton felt that Steven had influence on
getting her moved off of the trauma unit where Celeste was, to the
adult psyche unit that was next door. For Tarlton to fall to
pieces so quickly and so extremely by not being able to share a
room with someone, shows how intertwined Tarlton was in her mind
with Celeste. Tarlton said, "This would be solved if
certain people met with untimely deaths," and Susan Milholland, her
therapist was sure she was talking about Steven Beard. These
facts were annotated in Tarlton's medical files at Timberlawn and
in Tarlton's personal journal which was admitted into evidence
during Celeste's trial. At no time was either Steven or
Celeste informed about Tarlton's threat. April 21,
1999, was Tarlton's last day at Timberlawn.
Celeste
and Tarlton bonded because they
experienced similar childhood trauma.
Celeste repeatedly told Tarlton that
she just wanted to be friends.
This is also documented
in Tarlton's
Personal Journal.
Celeste remained at Timberlawn until June 30,
1999. Celeste had three outpatient appointments with Dr.
Bernard Gotway in July, and left Dallas after that to permanently
return to Steven in Austin. While Celeste was at Timberlawn,
she was admitted both as an inpatient and
outpatient. When an outpatient, Celeste went to Austin
for the weekends
to see her family and friends. Tarlton and Celeste's
daughter, Kristina, did things together during this time such as
homework, watching movies, and eating meals together.
Kristina also had a key to Tarlton's house to take care of her
pets. At one point, Kristina retrieved a handgun from Tarlton
and turned it over to the Austin Police when Tarlton was
threatening suicide, while Celeste was with Steven in
Dallas.
The
twins graduated from high school in August 1999. On August
28, 1999, Tarlton was asked to leave the graduation party which was
held at the home of Jimmy Martinez (Celeste's ex-husband).
Jimmy had found Tarlton on top of Celeste, trying to kiss her face
and fool with her hair. Jimmy said, "Tracey, what the hell are you
doing in here? Get out of here!"
Celeste was sick from drinking too much and had passed out
on Jimmy's bed. Celeste mumbled, "Tell her I'm not a
lesbian. Tell her to leave me alone." After she
left, Tarlton was arrested for drunk driving and taken to
jail. From jail, Tarlton repeatedly called for Celeste at the
Toro Canyon house waking up Steven. On August 29th, the day
following the graduation party, Steven told Celeste to get Tarlton
released. Celeste promised Steven to distance herself
from Tarlton. Every person testified (for both
the prosecution and defense) that
Tarlton was not seen with Celeste again after she and Kristina
picked her up from jail.
