Ashley Boyson

I just remember thinking, like, there's no way this is my one answer. I said, I just needed something to fix, not break my entire life and break my family and leave these kids fatherless.

I just remember thinking, like, there's no way this is my one answer. I said, I just needed something to fix, not break my entire life and break my family and leave these kids fatherless.

It was sparks right away with Emmett and I. We both just connected on so many levels and similarities, and we were kind of inseparable.

It was sparks right away with Emmett and I. We both just connected on so many levels and similarities, and we were kind of inseparable.

They had met with an attorney that day to file papers for Candy to get a divorce.

They had met with an attorney that day to file papers for Candy to get a divorce.

On the video footage at Walgreens, you see Rob, his truck pulls up in just like a normal stall. You can see his whole truck. And in the video, you see him get out of his truck with his hands in his pocket. And as he's walking inside Walgreens, his hands don't leave his pocket.

On the video footage at Walgreens, you see Rob, his truck pulls up in just like a normal stall. You can see his whole truck. And in the video, you see him get out of his truck with his hands in his pocket. And as he's walking inside Walgreens, his hands don't leave his pocket.

He's like frantically looking through Walgreens and you can see through the Walgreens cameras, him going up and down every single aisle.

He's like frantically looking through Walgreens and you can see through the Walgreens cameras, him going up and down every single aisle.

I wasn't surprised at all. Like six weeks in, we just started talking about our future and it wasn't like an option to not have a future together.

I wasn't surprised at all. Like six weeks in, we just started talking about our future and it wasn't like an option to not have a future together.

So it's not just the incident of your husband was cheating on you and now he's dead and this guy killed him. It's like every insecurity just grows inside of you. And so the disassociation and the fog isn't just you went through this moment. It's what did that moment tell you about yourself and what do you think everybody else thinks about you now?

So it's not just the incident of your husband was cheating on you and now he's dead and this guy killed him. It's like every insecurity just grows inside of you. And so the disassociation and the fog isn't just you went through this moment. It's what did that moment tell you about yourself and what do you think everybody else thinks about you now?

And I think that was the biggest trap that I was stuck in for so long. I'm living in this fishbowl. Everybody knows I wasn't enough. Every time I go anywhere and they see me, they feel sorry for me, but they're also like, oh my gosh. In your head, this is what I'm thinking. Oh my gosh, of course, look at her. She's this and this and this.

And I think that was the biggest trap that I was stuck in for so long. I'm living in this fishbowl. Everybody knows I wasn't enough. Every time I go anywhere and they see me, they feel sorry for me, but they're also like, oh my gosh. In your head, this is what I'm thinking. Oh my gosh, of course, look at her. She's this and this and this.

And I just felt like everything I had ever appreciated about myself, everything I ever thought I did well, it was all stripped. I was just nothing and broken, and that was my destiny.

And I just felt like everything I had ever appreciated about myself, everything I ever thought I did well, it was all stripped. I was just nothing and broken, and that was my destiny.

I honestly only met her a few times. Like I would go to an appointment for my pregnancy down by the office and I would stop by. And some of the other paralegals and secretaries were like, you should just walk in. He's in there with candy and said just weird stuff. And so I did. I just walked in and then Emmett looked at me like I was a ghost. Like, oh, hey, what are you doing here?

I honestly only met her a few times. Like I would go to an appointment for my pregnancy down by the office and I would stop by. And some of the other paralegals and secretaries were like, you should just walk in. He's in there with candy and said just weird stuff. And so I did. I just walked in and then Emmett looked at me like I was a ghost. Like, oh, hey, what are you doing here?

I remember getting there and the first thing I was afraid of, and this became the first thing I was afraid of everywhere I went for a very long time, is what if she shows up? I mean, she's claiming she was his lover. What if she shows up? So a lot of the funeral, I was on like high alert, just watching for Candy.

I remember getting there and the first thing I was afraid of, and this became the first thing I was afraid of everywhere I went for a very long time, is what if she shows up? I mean, she's claiming she was his lover. What if she shows up? So a lot of the funeral, I was on like high alert, just watching for Candy.

A traveling judge offered bail and his mom paid it and he ended up getting out of jail like 28 days later. And when I called frantic about that, they're like, oh, don't worry. He wasn't mad at you. He even had a letter on his seat that was addressed to you that was going to tell you everything that he was going to mail to you. And they thought that would make me feel better.

A traveling judge offered bail and his mom paid it and he ended up getting out of jail like 28 days later. And when I called frantic about that, they're like, oh, don't worry. He wasn't mad at you. He even had a letter on his seat that was addressed to you that was going to tell you everything that he was going to mail to you. And they thought that would make me feel better.

I remember during law school just almost feeling this, we gotta make this work. I mean, he was busy most of the time, and I was in the depths of motherhood, but I never saw it as a burden. I was just like, this is what we're doing, and we're just gonna get through this, and then life together will start, really.

I remember during law school just almost feeling this, we gotta make this work. I mean, he was busy most of the time, and I was in the depths of motherhood, but I never saw it as a burden. I was just like, this is what we're doing, and we're just gonna get through this, and then life together will start, really.

But in that moment, I'm like, well, why the hell didn't he just mail the letter? We could have worked together and figured this out and not had someone die.

But in that moment, I'm like, well, why the hell didn't he just mail the letter? We could have worked together and figured this out and not had someone die.

I, for a long time, was like, I'm not going to be part of this murder trial. I'm just, I got to put it in the past. I got to march. And then as it got closer, I just couldn't not. I had to have the rest of the puzzle pieces.

I, for a long time, was like, I'm not going to be part of this murder trial. I'm just, I got to put it in the past. I got to march. And then as it got closer, I just couldn't not. I had to have the rest of the puzzle pieces.

Rob's claim during court was he had to defend himself. At one point, Emmett had the gun, and then he handed it over to Rob, and then Rob shoots.

Rob's claim during court was he had to defend himself. At one point, Emmett had the gun, and then he handed it over to Rob, and then Rob shoots.

The DNA and all the gunpowder tests and everything, nothing was on Emmett's hand. It was all on Rob's and Candy's because she ended up picking up the gun and throwing it later. So his self-defense story didn't really add up.

The DNA and all the gunpowder tests and everything, nothing was on Emmett's hand. It was all on Rob's and Candy's because she ended up picking up the gun and throwing it later. So his self-defense story didn't really add up.

It was kind of a, we have to push through this school time, and then it's all gonna be amazing.

It was kind of a, we have to push through this school time, and then it's all gonna be amazing.

He was talking to someone in jail with him that he had, like, practiced to know exactly how to get a graze wound, so it looked like self-defense.

He was talking to someone in jail with him that he had, like, practiced to know exactly how to get a graze wound, so it looked like self-defense.

And he always wanted to have friends over and parties and cook food for everybody. And he'd even invite like everyone from our church over and we'd have this huge pig roast. He just was a connector and never wanted anyone to feel alone. He was an only child. and just always wanted to be surrounded by people. And he just loved people, and people loved him.

And he always wanted to have friends over and parties and cook food for everybody. And he'd even invite like everyone from our church over and we'd have this huge pig roast. He just was a connector and never wanted anyone to feel alone. He was an only child. and just always wanted to be surrounded by people. And he just loved people, and people loved him.

He was trying to have it just be self-defense. And yet the gun that he brought, it was a present that Candy gave him that he kept at his parents' house that was his only gun that had a laser pointer. So it was one of those, like, a lot of people said, no, this is first degree. You went to your parents' house, got a specific gun, had it in your hoodie pocket.

He was trying to have it just be self-defense. And yet the gun that he brought, it was a present that Candy gave him that he kept at his parents' house that was his only gun that had a laser pointer. So it was one of those, like, a lot of people said, no, this is first degree. You went to your parents' house, got a specific gun, had it in your hoodie pocket.

So when Candy was on the stand, my stomach was just in knots and I just had to pinch myself. It was very, very triggering, but I couldn't look away. Like I just had to watch it.

So when Candy was on the stand, my stomach was just in knots and I just had to pinch myself. It was very, very triggering, but I couldn't look away. Like I just had to watch it.

And her story is they went and had sex in some new neighborhood. She's talking about their relationship. She's talking about that night. The person dead, everything can be brought up about them, every weakness they've ever had, every struggle they've had. So she got to talk about whatever she wanted about Emmett.

And her story is they went and had sex in some new neighborhood. She's talking about their relationship. She's talking about that night. The person dead, everything can be brought up about them, every weakness they've ever had, every struggle they've had. So she got to talk about whatever she wanted about Emmett.

They stayed together. Even in the middle of court, they'd be like, I love you and like whisper to each other.

They stayed together. Even in the middle of court, they'd be like, I love you and like whisper to each other.

Luckily they took an interview with her the night it happened. She told all of what happened exactly. She said there was a pop, pop, pause, pop, and everything's on video. And then he got out 28 days later, went home to her for a full week without any stipulations. And so what the theory is, is they had time to kind of plan out a new story of what happened.

Luckily they took an interview with her the night it happened. She told all of what happened exactly. She said there was a pop, pop, pause, pop, and everything's on video. And then he got out 28 days later, went home to her for a full week without any stipulations. And so what the theory is, is they had time to kind of plan out a new story of what happened.

And that's kind of the story she brought to court. The new story was, oh, I actually heard a pop, pop, pop.

And that's kind of the story she brought to court. The new story was, oh, I actually heard a pop, pop, pop.

She was up there for two days because her story didn't match what she had said the night of, and they just kept asking her questions over and over and over. And the judge at the end was like, jury, anything she said here, I just want you to discredit everything she said. We'll just show you the video footage of the night.

She was up there for two days because her story didn't match what she had said the night of, and they just kept asking her questions over and over and over. And the judge at the end was like, jury, anything she said here, I just want you to discredit everything she said. We'll just show you the video footage of the night.

The judge said she is the most discreditable witness he's ever called to his stand ever.

The judge said she is the most discreditable witness he's ever called to his stand ever.

I actually requested probably nine times to be able to talk to him. but they never approved it because anything I would have said could have been used against me in court. I wanted to tell him how it felt to have a four-year-old who didn't sleep for a year and to have little children that would come and say, mom, what if the bad guy comes in and takes it?

I actually requested probably nine times to be able to talk to him. but they never approved it because anything I would have said could have been used against me in court. I wanted to tell him how it felt to have a four-year-old who didn't sleep for a year and to have little children that would come and say, mom, what if the bad guy comes in and takes it?

Like I wanted him to know what his choice had done to me and my kids.

Like I wanted him to know what his choice had done to me and my kids.

I ran into Candy once at a restaurant. When I saw her, I ran into the bathroom and was just like, okay, this is it. I get to talk to her. I get to tell her how it felt. I went up to her table and And I didn't say a word. I just like my body was shaking and I just stared at her. I just had this like feeling washed over me. She doesn't care how it felt for you.

I ran into Candy once at a restaurant. When I saw her, I ran into the bathroom and was just like, okay, this is it. I get to talk to her. I get to tell her how it felt. I went up to her table and And I didn't say a word. I just like my body was shaking and I just stared at her. I just had this like feeling washed over me. She doesn't care how it felt for you.

They're doing amazing. They're successful. They're just out living life. And that was the goal. And I mean, they have fears come up and we have to work through trust issues sometimes. And just like everybody else, you know, the world is sometimes kind of hard to live in. But I see them showing up anyway. And I am just so proud to be their mom. I'm proud of the people they're becoming.

They're doing amazing. They're successful. They're just out living life. And that was the goal. And I mean, they have fears come up and we have to work through trust issues sometimes. And just like everybody else, you know, the world is sometimes kind of hard to live in. But I see them showing up anyway. And I am just so proud to be their mom. I'm proud of the people they're becoming.

And when I turned it into a book, it was mainly because my grandma was printing off every story that I wrote and sending it to all of her friends. And I was like, OK, there's got to be an easier way, Grandma.

And when I turned it into a book, it was mainly because my grandma was printing off every story that I wrote and sending it to all of her friends. And I was like, OK, there's got to be an easier way, Grandma.

When he said, I've got a job in Boise, let's move to Boise, I had some doubts. And I'll tell you the main reason why is he grew up here and knew a lot of people and also during his high school years made a lot of really bad choices. And I was like, I don't know if I want to move to the place where you had rough patches in your life. I kind of want to get a fresh start somewhere else.

When he said, I've got a job in Boise, let's move to Boise, I had some doubts. And I'll tell you the main reason why is he grew up here and knew a lot of people and also during his high school years made a lot of really bad choices. And I was like, I don't know if I want to move to the place where you had rough patches in your life. I kind of want to get a fresh start somewhere else.

I wanted to hug every single person who had sent me their story because I would sit on my bed at night and just ball and just read their stories. And like, how are people so strong? How is the human spirit still alive? Like, how are we still functioning? Because everybody's got a hard, hard story and I don't want them to be alone in theirs. So here we go.

I wanted to hug every single person who had sent me their story because I would sit on my bed at night and just ball and just read their stories. And like, how are people so strong? How is the human spirit still alive? Like, how are we still functioning? Because everybody's got a hard, hard story and I don't want them to be alone in theirs. So here we go.

And we just kind of like throw up events and meet together and cry together and learn from each other.

And we just kind of like throw up events and meet together and cry together and learn from each other.

The nonprofit is called A Reason to Stand. The purpose of it was just to help anyone who's ever felt broken not feel alone.

The nonprofit is called A Reason to Stand. The purpose of it was just to help anyone who's ever felt broken not feel alone.

I literally had a man in chains in front of me. And I didn't realize I also was just bound by the fears of what this experience told me I could live in. And letting go of... the wrongs that people have done to you. I know sometimes like you want justice, but mercy is also part of healing and just letting go and knowing that you're going to be watched over.

I literally had a man in chains in front of me. And I didn't realize I also was just bound by the fears of what this experience told me I could live in. And letting go of... the wrongs that people have done to you. I know sometimes like you want justice, but mercy is also part of healing and just letting go and knowing that you're going to be watched over.

And in the end, you're going to understand some of the things you went through.

And in the end, you're going to understand some of the things you went through.

But this literally was the only option and we ended up moving here.

But this literally was the only option and we ended up moving here.

It was kind of one of those, like, you drew up your life when you were a kid and now you have it. You're pregnant with your second boy. You have the white picket fence. Your husband has this amazing job, this amazing career. And yet I just kept feeling this like, is something not right? So it was a very torn time. Like I was living my dreams and internally something fell off a lot.

It was kind of one of those, like, you drew up your life when you were a kid and now you have it. You're pregnant with your second boy. You have the white picket fence. Your husband has this amazing job, this amazing career. And yet I just kept feeling this like, is something not right? So it was a very torn time. Like I was living my dreams and internally something fell off a lot.

It had gotten to the point where he hardly was home. He was always running to the jail. He was always meeting with clients. Or he wasn't coming home, and I didn't know why a lot. And I wanted my family. I wanted my marriage. I wanted back the man who I fell in love with and who I loved. And whatever it was, we were going to face it together, and that was kind of my mindset.

It had gotten to the point where he hardly was home. He was always running to the jail. He was always meeting with clients. Or he wasn't coming home, and I didn't know why a lot. And I wanted my family. I wanted my marriage. I wanted back the man who I fell in love with and who I loved. And whatever it was, we were going to face it together, and that was kind of my mindset.

He would come home sometimes and I could smell it. And that was some of the demons that I was afraid to move back to Boise because he had struggled with that when he lived here before.

He would come home sometimes and I could smell it. And that was some of the demons that I was afraid to move back to Boise because he had struggled with that when he lived here before.

I don't know if I didn't want to face the truth or if I just felt safer living in cognitive dissonance. I don't know, but there was always something inside of me pointing me in the direction that I knew something was wrong. I tried to find evidence of something wrong or some other woman or something. It was always a dead end, except for the pit in my stomach. It just wouldn't stop.

I don't know if I didn't want to face the truth or if I just felt safer living in cognitive dissonance. I don't know, but there was always something inside of me pointing me in the direction that I knew something was wrong. I tried to find evidence of something wrong or some other woman or something. It was always a dead end, except for the pit in my stomach. It just wouldn't stop.

I remember that morning waking up and it had been months of me starting to dig like in a way that a full-time mom with five little kids can. I remember waking up though and I'm like, I'm not going to go through his truck while he's in the shower. I'm not going to try to get in his phone. That has proved to not work. I'm going to find an answer and I don't care what it is.

I remember that morning waking up and it had been months of me starting to dig like in a way that a full-time mom with five little kids can. I remember waking up though and I'm like, I'm not going to go through his truck while he's in the shower. I'm not going to try to get in his phone. That has proved to not work. I'm going to find an answer and I don't care what it is.

I'd gone to like a marriage therapist and asked him for help. I'd gone to someone at church and asked him for help. And I'm like, I got this. And I remember kneeling down by my bed going, Heavenly Father, I just need one answer. Tell me what's going on and I will fix it. I'm a woman. I'm strong. I can face it. I'm ready. Just help me figure out what it is.

I'd gone to like a marriage therapist and asked him for help. I'd gone to someone at church and asked him for help. And I'm like, I got this. And I remember kneeling down by my bed going, Heavenly Father, I just need one answer. Tell me what's going on and I will fix it. I'm a woman. I'm strong. I can face it. I'm ready. Just help me figure out what it is.

At one point, I said, you know, lately, when you don't want to be intimate with me, I feel like either I'm not doing it for you or someone else is. And he was silent.

At one point, I said, you know, lately, when you don't want to be intimate with me, I feel like either I'm not doing it for you or someone else is. And he was silent.

As a lawyer, Emmett was really good at his words. And so when his actions didn't match the words, I doubted me before I doubted his words. It was just like, I have anxiety because I'm not trusting. Like my parents got divorced. Maybe I'm not a trusting person because of this or this or my past. And I would just always turn it inward.

As a lawyer, Emmett was really good at his words. And so when his actions didn't match the words, I doubted me before I doubted his words. It was just like, I have anxiety because I'm not trusting. Like my parents got divorced. Maybe I'm not a trusting person because of this or this or my past. And I would just always turn it inward.

But the fear sometimes of knowing the truth keeps you from even wanting to look at it.

But the fear sometimes of knowing the truth keeps you from even wanting to look at it.

By the time he got off the phone, I had put the babies to bed and just kind of was waiting for him to come out. And I was hoping we were going to have this night where we just fought for each other. You know, you get those images of what this night could be. I had this grand idea that he was going to talk to him and his heart was going to be softened and he was going to come and open up to me.

By the time he got off the phone, I had put the babies to bed and just kind of was waiting for him to come out. And I was hoping we were going to have this night where we just fought for each other. You know, you get those images of what this night could be. I had this grand idea that he was going to talk to him and his heart was going to be softened and he was going to come and open up to me.

and we were gonna face it head on together.

and we were gonna face it head on together.

He looks at me and he goes, I'm gonna run to Walgreens real quick. I haven't been feeling really good. I have scratchy throat. I need to get some medicine. And like that feeling of anxiety and chaos that I felt, it was like 400 times stronger. And I just got this like pit in my stomach. I'm like, Emmett, please don't go.

He looks at me and he goes, I'm gonna run to Walgreens real quick. I haven't been feeling really good. I have scratchy throat. I need to get some medicine. And like that feeling of anxiety and chaos that I felt, it was like 400 times stronger. And I just got this like pit in my stomach. I'm like, Emmett, please don't go.

10, 15, I called Emmett's phone like four times in a row and just text him like, are you okay? What's going on? I knew something was wrong. And you know what? I pictured for a moment, I'm like, maybe he wrecked his brand new truck. He's going to need me. We're going to go to this hospital. I'm going to take all five of these babies.

10, 15, I called Emmett's phone like four times in a row and just text him like, are you okay? What's going on? I knew something was wrong. And you know what? I pictured for a moment, I'm like, maybe he wrecked his brand new truck. He's going to need me. We're going to go to this hospital. I'm going to take all five of these babies.

And for the first time in a long time, he's going to be sitting there humbled and actually need and want his family. And we're going to be there. And this is what's going to heal us.

And for the first time in a long time, he's going to be sitting there humbled and actually need and want his family. And we're going to be there. And this is what's going to heal us.

I don't even know how long I was asleep when I heard the pounding on my door. So I slowly walked myself to my door, and I remember opening it, and I'm like, it's going to be cops, and they're going to be like, come with us. We have him. Instead, it was three detectives who were all in street clothes.

I don't even know how long I was asleep when I heard the pounding on my door. So I slowly walked myself to my door, and I remember opening it, and I'm like, it's going to be cops, and they're going to be like, come with us. We have him. Instead, it was three detectives who were all in street clothes.

And they're like, we just really need you to sit down. And we all walked in and sat around this giant leather couch that Emmett and I had saved forever for and finally had this dream couch on our dream house.

And they're like, we just really need you to sit down. And we all walked in and sat around this giant leather couch that Emmett and I had saved forever for and finally had this dream couch on our dream house.

For the first second, I'm like, okay, he's shot, he's at the hospital, they're going to take me there. And I think the detective knew. He was like, Ashley, he was shot in the heart and in the forehead.

For the first second, I'm like, okay, he's shot, he's at the hospital, they're going to take me there. And I think the detective knew. He was like, Ashley, he was shot in the heart and in the forehead.

And I just remember thinking, like, there's no way this is my one answer. I said, I just needed something to fix, not break my entire life and break my family and leave these kids fatherless and leave me broken for the rest of my life is what I thought in that moment.

And I just remember thinking, like, there's no way this is my one answer. I said, I just needed something to fix, not break my entire life and break my family and leave these kids fatherless and leave me broken for the rest of my life is what I thought in that moment.