For the first time since she married convicted killer Oscar Ray Bolin, Rosalie Bolin met face to face with the half sister of one of her husband's victims - in front of a national television audience.
Mrs. Bolin, formerly Martinez, appeared on the Montel Williams show Wednesday (WFTS-Ch. 28), along with Kellie Katz, the half sister of Teri Lynn Matthews.
Bolin, convicted twice in Matthews' 1986 murder, also appeared on the show via video from the state prison in Starke, where he is serving a death sentence.
In a quivering voice, Katz asked Mrs. Bolin how she could allow a convicted rapist and murderer to become stepfather to her four children. Mrs. Bolin drew national attention and harsh criticism when she divorced a wealthy Tampa lawyer to devote herself to Bolin's case.
Saying she got to know Bolin "as a person," she defended her marriage to the serial killing suspect and her crusade to prove his innocence.
"I love him," she said softly. "It's my life, and I'll have to suffer the consequences. . . . I will go to the ends of this Earth, to Mars, to prove his innocence."
Katz shot back: "If you want to prove his innocence, do it in a court of law, not on a daytime talk show."
Mrs. Bolin has described herself as Bolin's guardian angel. The couple were wed in a telephone ceremony in October.
Also on the show were several women who fell in love with other inmates, including one whose mother, father and sister had been murdered by her inmate-husband.
Harold Schecter, author of a book on serial killers, described the fascination with convicted killers as a "dark and dangerous fantasy."
Audience members asked Mrs. Bolin how she would feel if it were one of her daughters who had been raped and murdered.
Williams joined the barrage of criticism, too, telling Mrs. Bolin: "You better hope he doesn't get out of jail. You better pray your four daughters aren't walking down the street when he's looking for somebody to rape."
