Jurors to Read Love Letters of Dally, Haun

Amid the reams of evidence compiled for the murder trial of Michael Dally, jurors last week received a simple black binder filled with 59 photocopied court documents.

They weren’t legal filings but love letters--a torrid correspondence between Dally and Diana Haun, the woman convicted of killing his wife.

Seized from their jail cells and taken from their homes, the letters are at once syrupy and sincere, serious and steamy. They give voice to defendants who have sat in silence as prosecutors tried to prove the two conspired to kill Sherri Dally.

Prosecutors hope the correspondence, which they have called “damning beyond belief,” will show Dally’s involvement in the 1996 kidnapping and murder of his wife.

Jurors will have a chance to study the letters Tuesday during a time set aside to review exhibits.

At the very least, the letters shed light on Dally’s love affair with Haun. The correspondence began after Sherri Dally was abducted in June 1996 and continued to April 1997.

That was when Haun found out that Michael Dally had been having sex with prostitutes while she was in jail. At that point, she refused to answer any more of his letters, according to trial testimony.

Among the earliest letters is one written by Dally to Haun, postmarked June 4, 1996--just three days after Sherri Dally’s stabbed and bludgeoned remains were found in a steep ravine outside Ventura.

The letter is addressed to “Alex”--Dally’s secret name for Haun. It was seized by police during a search of her Port Hueneme home.

. . . Soon this will be over. I miss you more than you will ever know . . .

In the letter, Dally, 37, talked about his two boys, 9-year-old Devon and 8-year-old Max, and his plans for the future.

. . . The Boys said you make them feel good. And they would like you to spend the night with me in my room. As far as I’m conserned the sooner the better . . . Thank you for paging me and writting. For one moment I thought you were going to leave me with two children (AGAIN) to raise by myself. “You Know” Now think about that . . .

Haun was arrested and charged with murder in August. Dally sent her a letter days later that ended with a postscript.

. . . Remember Me First Ok-Ok. That’s the right answer. Love You.

Over the next three months, Haun sat in jail while her lover walked free. Although prosecutors had sought indictments against both, the Ventura County Grand Jury only indicted Haun.

In September, Haun wrote Dally a letter that rambled from questions about his trip to Sea World with his sons to her pending trial. She ended with a pledge of love, using Dally’s nickname, a Japanese term meaning “wonderful king.”

. . . Ookami-san, I miss you verrrry much too.

At the same time, Haun wrote to Dally’s two boys, who sued her in December 1997 for killing their mother. The children were awarded $6.4 million last week after Haun failed to respond to their lawsuit. But it is doubtful the boys will ever see anything close to that amount.

Hi Hi Devon and Max, How are you guys doing? How’s school? . . . Devon, your Dad tells me your getting to become a pro with your snake-board. How do you like it? I’ve never ridden one. Maybe you could teach me how to ride one when I get out . . . Love You Both, Diana.

By October 1996, Haun was complaining about being in jail.

. . . I want to go home so badly. I don’t know how much more captivity I can take . . . I miss you. I want to go home. Mow, right mow! Stop playing around and get me out of here. This will be a very cold winter without you . . .

Dally’s freedom ended Nov. 15, 1996, when he was arrested on charges of murder, kidnapping and conspiracy. Prosecutors had returned to the grand jury, and Haun was reindicted on the same charges.

During a search of Dally’s home that day, authorities found an unmailed letter written to Haun.

Your mate and cubs are waiting for you to come home . . . I LOVE YOU DI-DI. (Beware of wolves in sheeps clothing) Do Not Trust anyone in there . . . Oh Di-Di (Please Don’t Loose it) Please-Please stay strong. I want more than anything for you to come home . . .

Dally and Haun were arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court on Nov. 18, 1996. Except for a few jail visits, it was the first time the two lovers had seen each other since her arrest three months earlier.

A week later, Dally told Haun in a letter how excited he was to see her in person and not through a plexiglass barrier.

. . . By the way, you weren’t supposed to (Look at Me) In-court. Bad Kitty. As the Chesa Kat smiled and gleamed. “Don’t Even.” I was not told that I couldn’t look so I peacked a little. Ok-OK I stared a lot. Alrighty then, wink-wink nudge-nudge, say no more . . .

In December 1996, Dally sent Haun a flurry of letters and Christmas cards proclaiming his love for her.

. . . My little “Kitty” . . . How much I miss thy, How much I love thy.

In other letters he bemoaned his treatment in jail, calling his arrest a “bad nightmare” he couldn’t wake up from. And he talked hopefully about their court appearances together.

. . . When we were sitting at the table in the Courthouse, after they were done. And there was just the two of us. And the Guards, right behind you and me. I wanted to say how Beautiful you looked. But I was told not to talk to you.

By January 1997, Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury had announced he would seek the death penalty against both Dally and Haun, pushing their joint trial date back several months. Eventually, the case was split into separate proceedings, with Haun’s trial set for June.

In a January 1997 letter, Dally urged his lover to remain strong.

. . . The Body may be held for a little while longer. But the mined is free--Free as our spirits have always been. Bathe in my Faith and Love. M.

About two weeks before Haun’s 36th birthday in April, Dally sent her a card in a bright pink envelope.

Di Di, may we share the rest of them together.

And he enclosed a poem.

Without you

I can’t live another day

Without your lovely face

I can’t live another hour

Without your warm embrace

I can’t live another minute

Without your fiery kiss

I can’t live another second

Without the one I miss

But Dally received no response. Haun had learned in jail that Dally had been unfaithful. From her neighboring cell, prostitute Tracy Bixler told her Dally had given her about $40 for sex. She said Dally had done business with a number of other prostitutes while Haun and Dally were involved.

In an April 23 letter, Dally asked Haun why she had not responded to his last half-dozen letters.

“Hellooooa.” “Out There.” Do you read me? Come in “Please.” I keep writting sending “My Message” But no reply . . . .

In closing, Dally told Haun she taught him how to love, how to be happy. He called her his “girl.” And he told Haun he missed her.

. . . We are two halfs of One Heart. When this is Done, “God Willing,” we will be One again . . .