Killer in “Bernie” Movie Could Still Face Scrutiny

CARTHAGE (AP) – The district attorney who agreed to release a convicted East Texas killer whose story inspired the dark comedy “Bernie” said he’s not ruling out a future prosecution of the man. Panola County prosecutor Danny Buck Davidson said Friday that he met Friday with the family of Marjorie Nugent, the wealthy widow killed in 1996 by Bernie Tiede, an East Texas mortician’s assistant. The incident inspired the 2011 movie “Bernie,” which led to successful efforts to have Tiede released early from a life sentence. Out on bond, Tiede was in court Friday and due back in March. Davidson eventually agreed that Tiede was wrongly sentenced for first-degree murder when he deserved a lesser sentence. But Davidson said Friday that he wouldn’t rule out prosecuting Tiede for spending Nugent’s money after her death.