Vanessa Richardson

Snatch someone important, demand a ransom, and collect your cash. The more Catherine thought about it, the better of an idea it seemed like. Bank robbing was dangerous because there were so many variables. With kidnapping, she'd have more control. They could even name their price. It sounded like the perfect move. Though to be fair, it's possible Catherine was just eager to try something new.

Snatch someone important, demand a ransom, and collect your cash. The more Catherine thought about it, the better of an idea it seemed like. Bank robbing was dangerous because there were so many variables. With kidnapping, she'd have more control. They could even name their price. It sounded like the perfect move. Though to be fair, it's possible Catherine was just eager to try something new.

A 2013 study titled The Phenomenology of Specialization of Criminal Suspects found that age can play a critical role in a criminal's pattern of specialization. According to researchers, younger criminals tend to be generalists, while the older generation is made up of specialists. Specialists explore only one specific group of types of crime.

A 2013 study titled The Phenomenology of Specialization of Criminal Suspects found that age can play a critical role in a criminal's pattern of specialization. According to researchers, younger criminals tend to be generalists, while the older generation is made up of specialists. Specialists explore only one specific group of types of crime.

Generalists, on the other hand, partake in more than one type of group. At 28, Catherine was still pretty young in her criminal career. As such, it makes sense that she was open to new schemes. She had no problem escalating her crimes or jumping around while looking for a specialization. George, however, was in his late 30s.

Generalists, on the other hand, partake in more than one type of group. At 28, Catherine was still pretty young in her criminal career. As such, it makes sense that she was open to new schemes. She had no problem escalating her crimes or jumping around while looking for a specialization. George, however, was in his late 30s.

He'd been bank robbing for long enough that jobs tended to run like clockwork. Switching this late in the game might have felt like courting disaster. especially since he'd helped out on a kidnapping a couple of years earlier. The job had gone wrong, and his partner at the time killed one of the victims. It had left a bad taste in George's mouth.

He'd been bank robbing for long enough that jobs tended to run like clockwork. Switching this late in the game might have felt like courting disaster. especially since he'd helped out on a kidnapping a couple of years earlier. The job had gone wrong, and his partner at the time killed one of the victims. It had left a bad taste in George's mouth.

Despite that, in January of 1932, George attempted his second kidnapping, likely at Catherine's insistence. He and an old bootlegging pal nabbed a banker on his way home from work. They left a note for his wife demanding $50,000 for her husband's safe return. Then, George held the man for two days, but the money never came.

Despite that, in January of 1932, George attempted his second kidnapping, likely at Catherine's insistence. He and an old bootlegging pal nabbed a banker on his way home from work. They left a note for his wife demanding $50,000 for her husband's safe return. Then, George held the man for two days, but the money never came.

Eventually, the victim convinced him there was no way his wife could come up with the cash. So, feeling like he had no other option, George let the man go in exchange for a promise that he'd raise the money himself. Obviously, that didn't happen. George wrote the man plenty of threatening letters, but they were all ignored. However, he didn't report George to the cops, so that was a plus.

Eventually, the victim convinced him there was no way his wife could come up with the cash. So, feeling like he had no other option, George let the man go in exchange for a promise that he'd raise the money himself. Obviously, that didn't happen. George wrote the man plenty of threatening letters, but they were all ignored. However, he didn't report George to the cops, so that was a plus.

But ultimately, the whole thing was a waste of time. Catherine couldn't possibly have been pleased with the bungle, so she decided to take the reins and started studying the society pages of various newspapers. They read like a who's who of targets that would actually pay.

But ultimately, the whole thing was a waste of time. Catherine couldn't possibly have been pleased with the bungle, so she decided to take the reins and started studying the society pages of various newspapers. They read like a who's who of targets that would actually pay.

The articles held everything she needed to know, from names and relations to a general idea of potential Mark's routines and schedules. Armed with an actual plan this time, Katherine set her sights on the son of a Fort Worth oilman. She got to work setting all her ducks in a row. which included reaching out to a crooked detective she'd been cultivating a professional relationship with.

The articles held everything she needed to know, from names and relations to a general idea of potential Mark's routines and schedules. Armed with an actual plan this time, Katherine set her sights on the son of a Fort Worth oilman. She got to work setting all her ducks in a row. which included reaching out to a crooked detective she'd been cultivating a professional relationship with.

At least, that's what she thought was happening. In reality, Detective Ed Weatherford had been monitoring the Kellys for years. He had hopes of turning Katherine into a valuable informant. Thinking they were on the same side, Catherine told Weatherford about her plan to kidnap the oilman's son. He gave his word that she could count on his help if things went sideways. And then he called the FBI.

At least, that's what she thought was happening. In reality, Detective Ed Weatherford had been monitoring the Kellys for years. He had hopes of turning Katherine into a valuable informant. Thinking they were on the same side, Catherine told Weatherford about her plan to kidnap the oilman's son. He gave his word that she could count on his help if things went sideways. And then he called the FBI.

Thanks to the tip, the Dallas Bureau assigned a security detail to the intended target and his family, and the extra men were impossible to miss. The heat was so intense that Catherine called the whole thing off. As frustrating as these early attempts were, Catherine pushed on. She'd become accustomed to her lavish lifestyle and had decided that this was the way to keep a hold of it.

Thanks to the tip, the Dallas Bureau assigned a security detail to the intended target and his family, and the extra men were impossible to miss. The heat was so intense that Catherine called the whole thing off. As frustrating as these early attempts were, Catherine pushed on. She'd become accustomed to her lavish lifestyle and had decided that this was the way to keep a hold of it.