Dalia Dippolito: The Story of a Florida "Black Widow" and Her Murder-for-Hire Plot Which Was Caught on Camera
Dippolito, a young wife, found herself in the spotlight, after being accused of plotting to kill her husband.
Over the course of several trials, her defense team would claim she was misunderstood.
However prosecutors disagreed.
They argued that she was a manipulative woman who sought to benefit from her husband's death.
This is the chilling story of Dalia Dippolito.
A Shocking Plot Unfolds
In 2009, Dalia Dippolito was a 26-year-old woman married to Michael Dippolito.
Micheal was a businessman living in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Their marriage took a dark just six months in.
This was when Dalia was accused of hiring a hitman to murder her husband.
The shocking allegations immediately led to a dramatic sting operation set up by local police.
Dippolito was arrested after being caught on camera discussing her plans to hire a hitman to carry out the murder.
An Elaborate Setup?
Dalia Dippolito confided in her ex-boyfriend that she wanted to kill her husband, though her exact motives remained unclear.
Her ex-boyfriend reported her plan to the police.
They then set up a meeting with a fake hitman, who was actually an undercover cop, to catch her red-handed.
In a video that would later be played at her trial, Dalia was seen discussing the murder with the "hitman".
She casually talked about paying him $7,000 to kill Michael.
She insisted that she was "5,000 percent sure" she wanted him dead.
You can watch the chilling moment when she discussed her plans with the fake hitman below.
On August 5, 2009, Boynton Beach police officers staged a fake crime scene outside the Dippolito home.
After the setup, they called Dalia back home.
They filmed her as she arrived home, where she was told that her husband, Michael, had been murdered.
She cried and appeared distraught as officers consoled her.
What Dalia didn’t know at the time was that Michael was alive and well.
He was hidden away by police as part of their sting operation.
After the fake crime scene, police confronted Dalia with the undercover recordings.
She was informed that Michael was alive, and it was revealed that the police had recorded everything on camera.
Dalia's reaction was one of shock.
However, it wasn't enough to keep her from being arrested for solicitation of murder.
Dalia Dippolito cried after she was told her husband was dead |
Twists, Trials, and Appeals: The Fight for Justice
Dalia Dippolito's case gained even more attention when it was revealed that the entire sting operation was filmed for the TV show "COPS."
At her first trial in 2011, Prosecutors accused Dalia of wanting her husband dead so she could inherit his assets, rekindle a relationship with an ex-boyfriend, and live a new life.
However, Dalia's defense took an unexpected turn.
Her lawyers claimed that the entire situation was a setup planned by Michael Dippolito as part of a scheme to gain fame through reality TV.
In the end, Dalia Dippolito was convicted of solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
The judge labeled her actions "pure evil" and sentenced her to 20 years in prison.
But Dippolito's legal saga was far from over.
Her defense team immediately launched an appeal.
They argued that the extensive media coverage and involvement of the "COPS" crew, made it impossible for her to receive a fair trial.
In 2014, an appeals court agreed.
It ruled that the jury had been improperly selected and that Dalia Dippolito deserved a new trial.
Her second trial, which took place in 2016, ended in a hung jury.
However, the case was retried for a third and final time in 2017.
At this point, Dalia's defense team had abandoned the reality TV defense.
Instead, they accused the Boynton Beach Police Department of misconduct, claiming the police had exaggerated the situation for television.
Despite these arguments, the third trial moved quickly.
Within just 90 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned with a guilty verdict.
Dalia was once again convicted of solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
However this time, her sentence was reduced to 16 years in prison.
The Florida Supreme Court later rejected her appeal, leaving her with little hope of overturning the conviction.
The Aftermath: Life Behind Bars
Today, Dalia Dippolito remains incarcerated at the Lowell Correctional Facility in Florida, where she has been serving her 16-year sentence.
While in prison, Dalia has reportedly turned to faith, leading a Bible study group and earning respect from other inmates.
Her attorney, Brian Claypool, continues to fight for her release, hoping for one last chance to secure a new trial.
According to Claypool, Dalia is a misunderstood woman, and he remains hopeful that her case can still be brought before a federal judge.
Dalia's young son, whom she gave birth to while under house arrest awaiting her third trial, is being raised by her mother.
Claypool has spoken about the pain Dalia feels at being separated from her son, saying that it breaks her heart to be away from him.
Dalia Dippolito's case remains one of the most infamous criminal trials in recent history.
Despite multiple trials and convictions, Dalia Dippolito continues to maintain her innocence.
Her defense team argued that she was the victim of an overzealous police department and a thirst for television ratings.
While Dalia's chances of receiving a new trial grow slimmer by the day, her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, and manipulation.
In another case, a babysitter was sentenced to life in prison after he killed a 2-year-old under his care.
Click here for more details on that case.
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