The Texas Cadet Murder Case

"There aren't too many accomplished people able to hide such dark sides."        

(Rep. Pete Geren nominated D. Zamora. He said this after their arrests.)

As David's belongings are packed in preparation for his military assignment, he and Diane are all smiles for the camera and newspaper reporters. Movies, books, and other items are being stored away in boxes, because, according to David, "you're only supposed to take the clothes on your back."

"Couple to march to military drums, then wedding bells," the headline of their story, published on June 28th, 1996, in the Fort Worth Star Telegram. It was with a mother's pride that Gloria Zamora suggested the story to the newspaper. The photo shows the smiling couple.

David left for his appointment on June 30th, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Col.; Diane left only a few days later for the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.

They both signed up for four-year stints at military academies, prestigious positions that required congressional recommendations. Rep. Pete Geren nominated Diane and Rep. Martin Frost nominated David. David also received a nomination from Vice President Al Gore to West Point but turned it down because he did not want to be in the Army; however, this does show that David was a highly decorated cadet.  David was one of about 1,000 students accepted that year into the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

They also set their wedding day for August 13th, 2000, the year that they would each graduate. Diane then planned on transferring to the Air Force. Anticipating the long stretches apart in the next four years, they planned to meet on holidays and spring breaks and stay in constant touch with free e-mail.