Kelly Siegler wiki, bio, net worth, controversies, husband & kids.

Kelly Siegler serves justice, even if it’s cold. The veteran prosecutor is known for her tenacity and toughness in the courtroom. The star of the reality TV show Cold Justice, Kelly has been in the eye of the media even before her time in the series. During her time as a prosecutor, Siegler has made waves after drawing a capital punishment in 19 of 20 trials. While Kelly’s success is undoubted in the media, many people doubt her methods. In this article, we will take a closer look at the wiki-bio of Kelly Siegler.

List of Contents

Family & Upbringing

Kelly Siegler was born on the 12th of October 1962, in Blessing, Texas. Kelly’s parents are Billy and Evelyn Jalufka, a hard-working and respected couple from Blessing, Texas. Billy was a barbershop owner and a liquor store owner, as well as a Justice of the Peace for his precinct. He was a man of integrity, justice and service. Evelyn was a hotel restaurant manager, who was a woman of hospitality.

Cold Justice star Kelly Siegler.
Cold Justice star Kelly Siegler.

Kelly grew up in a close-knit family with her elder brother Billy Jr. and her younger sister Lea. She was a bright and ambitious girl who excelled in her studies and participated in various extracurricular activities. She was also fond of nature and enjoyed spending time outdoors.

When Kelly was thirteen years old, her parents divorced, which was a difficult time for her and her siblings. She had to cope with the changes in her family and adjust to a new reality. She found solace in her friends and her faith. She also developed a strong sense of justice and a desire to help others.

Kelly attended Tidehaven High School, where she graduated as the valedictorian of her class. She then pursued higher education at the University of Texas in Austin, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Business in 1984. She continued her studies at the South Texas College of Law, where she obtained her law degree in 1987.

Professional Career

Kelly’s passion for law and justice was evident from an early age. She was inspired by her father’s role in justice and by the stories of famous prosecutors and trials. She decided to become a prosecutor herself and joined the Harris County District Attorney’s Office right after law school. She quickly rose through the ranks and became a Bureau Chief of Special Crimes, overseeing divisions such as Major Offenders, Identity Theft, Major Fraud and Consumer Fraud.

Kelly’s career as a prosecutor was marked by her dedication, skill and success. She handled over 150 jury trials, including 68 murder cases and 20 death penalty cases. She never lost a murder case and secured death sentences in 19 out of 20 cases. She was known for her aggressive and theatrical style in the courtroom, often using props, demonstrations and dramatic statements to persuade the jury. She earned the nickname “The Giant Killer” for taking down notorious criminals and corrupt officials. Here is a brief timeline of Kelly Siegler’s professional career before her retirement:

  • 1984: Graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business.
  • 1987: Graduated from the South Texas College of Law with a law degree.
  • 1987-2008: Worked as a prosecutor at Harris County, Texas, where she was a bureau chief for Special Crimes Bureau and handled cases involving major offenders, identity theft, consumer fraud, and major fraud.
  • 2005: Made her TV debut on an episode of American Justice.
  • 2008: Retired from her prosecutor career and started working as a TV personality and consultant for various true crime shows.
  • 2013-present: Starred in the TV series Cold Justice, where she and her team reinvestigate cold cases and try to solve them.

Television

After resigning from the Harris County District Attorney’s office in 2008, she embarked on a new mission: to help solve cold cases across the country. She joined the investigative series Cold Justice as an executive producer and on-camera investigator, bringing her expertise and passion to the small towns that often lack the resources and attention to crack their unsolved murders.

Since joining Cold Justice in 2013, Kelly has helped local law enforcement agencies make arrests and secure convictions in some of the most challenging and baffling cases. She has also brought closure and hopes to the families of the victims, who have waited for years or even decades for answers. Kelly and her team of rotating experts and investigators have tackled cases without DNA evidence, with aging witnesses, and with circumstantial evidence, relying on new interviews, forensic testing, and meticulous analysis to point to a suspect.

Kelly has also appeared on other shows related to her work on Cold Justice, such as the Martinis & Murder podcast, where she discussed some of the cases she solved and shared her insights on circumstantial evidence and jury presentation. She has also been on Forensic Files (2010), a documentary series where she appears as a prosecutor in one episode.

Controversies

Former Harris County prosecutor Kelly Siegler is popular as a “giant killer” for securing 19 death sentences in 20 capital cases. She later became the host of a crime-solving reality show called “Cold Justice”. However, behind her glamorous image lies a legacy of misconduct that has tainted the Texas criminal justice system and jeopardized the lives of innocent people.

Siegler has been accused of withholding evidence, coercing witnesses, violating defendants’ rights, and engaging in unethical tactics to secure convictions at any cost. She has faced multiple lawsuits, reversals, and rebukes from judges and defense attorneys for her behavior. Some of the cases that have exposed her misconduct are:

  • The case of David Temple, an Alief football coach convicted of killing his wife in 1999. Siegler was found to have hidden 36 pieces of evidence that could have helped Temple’s defense. His conviction was overturned in 2016. He was found guilty for a second time in 2019, but the jury could not decide on a sentence. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2023 after a resentencing trial.
  • The case of Ronald Prible, a death row inmate convicted of killing a family of five in 2002. Siegler was found to have used jailhouse informants to fabricate confessions from Prible and to have given them undisclosed favors in exchange. She also violated Prible’s right to counsel by using informants as agents of the prosecution to interrogate him. His conviction and sentence were overturned in 2020 by a federal judge who called Siegler’s conduct “egregious”.
  • The case of Linda Carty, a British woman sentenced to death for kidnapping and killing a young mother in 2001. Siegler was accused of withholding evidence that Carty was framed by drug dealers who were her co-defendants. She also allegedly threatened and intimidated witnesses to testify against Carty. Carty’s case is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Net Worth

Kelly Siegler has an estimated net worth of $2 million. Her source of income is mainly from her appearances in TV series and documentaries, such as American Justice, Forensic Files, 48 Hours, Cold Justice, and Cold Justice: Sex Crimes. She is also a producer of Cold Justice, a show that centers around her and Yolanda McClary solving cold cases across America. Moreover, she also earns through her career as a lawyer and a public speaker.

Personal Life-Husband & Kids

Kelley Siegler is also a loving wife and mother who balances her passion for work with her devotion to her family. Kelly has been married to Dr. Samuel Lewis Siegler II since July 9th, 1988. She has two daughters with her husband: Kelsey and Samantha. Kelly continues to reside in her home state of Texas, where she enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, as well as working on her TV shows, Cold Justice and Texas Justice.

Kelly is proud of her daughters, who have grown up to be independent and successful young women. Kelsey graduated from the University of South Sewanee in 2018, while Samantha celebrated her 21st birthday in 2014 with her family and boyfriend. Kelsey has followed in her footsteps and graduated from Tulane Law in 2022 where she also served as class president.

Kelly’s husband, Samuel, is a primary care physician who supports his wife’s career and shares her values. Kelly and Samuel have been married for over three decades, and they have a strong and happy relationship based on mutual respect and love.

Physical Traits

Kelly Siegler is a woman of medium height and slender build. She has dark brown hair that falls just below her shoulders, framing her oval face. Her eyes are hazel and expressive, often conveying her emotions and thoughts. She dresses in a professional and elegant manner, favoring suits, blouses and skirts in neutral colors. She accessorizes with simple jewelry and a watch. She carries herself with confidence and grace, reflecting her experience and expertise as a former prosecutor and a cold case investigator.

Personality Traits

Kelly Siegler is a woman of many talents and passions. She is a lawyer, a TV personality, a mother, and a lover of nature. She has dedicated her life to pursuing justice and solving cold cases that have haunted families for years. She is not afraid to face challenges and confront criminals with her sharp wit and persuasive skills. She is also compassionate and empathetic, caring deeply for the victims and their loved ones.

Some of Kelly Siegler’s personality traits are:

  • Determined: Kelly Siegler has always been ambitious and driven to achieve her goals. She grew up in a small town in Texas, but she did not let that limit her dreams. She studied hard and earned degrees in international business and law. She became a successful prosecutor who never lost a murder case in her 21-year career. She also pursued her passion for TV and became the star of Cold Justice, a show that reinvestigates unsolved homicides.
  • Courageous: Kelly Siegler is not intimidated by anyone or anything. She has faced some of the most notorious and dangerous criminals in the country and has brought them to justice. She has also traveled to different states and counties to help local law enforcement agencies crack cold cases that have been neglected or forgotten. She does not shy away from difficult or controversial cases, even if they put her reputation or safety at risk.
  • Creative: Kelly Siegler has a flair for storytelling and drama. She is known for her theatrical presentations and demonstrations in court, where she uses props, costumes, and reenactments to illustrate the facts and evidence of the case. She also uses her imagination and intuition to find new angles and leads in cold cases that have stumped other investigators. She is always looking for innovative ways to solve problems and communicate with audiences.
  • Loyal: Kelly Siegler values her relationships and commitments. She has been married to her husband, Dr. Samuel Lewis Siegler II, since 1998 and they have two daughters together. She is devoted to her family and friends and enjoys spending time with them outdoors. She is also faithful to her profession and her mission. She respects the law and the victims’ rights and does not compromise on her ethics or principles.
  • Adventurous: Kelly Siegler loves exploring new places and experiences. She has traveled to many different locations across the country to work on cold cases, often staying in rural areas or small towns where she interacts with the locals and learns about their culture and history. She also enjoys being out in nature, relaxing by the water, walking on trails, or sitting by the fire. She is always open to new challenges and opportunities that enrich her life.

Wiki/Bio Facts

FactDescription
Full nameKelly Renee Siegler
NicknameThe Giant Killer
Date of birthOctober 12, 1962
Place of birthBlessing, Texas, USA
Zodiac signLibra
HeightN/A
ParentsBilly Jalufka (father) and Evelyn Jalufka (mother)
SiblingsNone
SpouseDr. Sam Siegler (m. 1990)
ChildrenTwo daughters: Samantha and Kelsey
EducationTidehaven High School (valedictorian), University of Texas (BBA in International Business), South Texas College of Law (JD)
OccupationFormer prosecutor, TV personality, public speaker, producer
Years active1987-present
Notable casesDavid Temple, Susan Wright, Angel Maturino Resendiz, Clara Harris, Robert Durst
Death penalty record19 out of 20 convictions
Murder trial record68 out of 68 convictions
TV showsAmerican Justice, Forensic Files, 48 Hours, Cold Justice, Cold Justice: Sex Crimes, Home & Family
Hobbies and interestsCooking, gardening, traveling, reading, watching movies

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