1946 - Brockton, Massachusetts. On the morning of December 28, 1946, the Brockton, Massachusetts police arrived at a crime scene that would soon captivate the region. The press called it the Christmas Tree Murder-the brutal killing of 35-year-old Rene Cote. Rene had no shortage of enemies. Among them was a so-called friend now sitting in jail, charged with his murder. Yet, investigators felt they were missing key pieces of the story. Rene's wife, Bertha Surprise Cote, whose beauty had captured the attention of the public, kept changing her account of what happened that night. Was she protecting a man she secretly loved from the death penalty? Or was she hiding something far more sinister? This is part two of the “Christmas Tree” murder of Rene Cote, a case that led to one of the most sensational trials in Massachusetts history. Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/bertha-cote-2 Support the show: https://www.murdershetold.com/support Instagram: @murdershetoldpodcast TikTok: @murdershetold Facebook: /mstpodcast Website: murdershetold.com ----- Sponsors: Masterclass: Get up to 50% off at masterclass.com/SHETOLD One Skin: Get 15% off your order at https://www.oneskin.co with the code SHETOLD  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices