Complex sentence: The Gonzales family appeared to be close-knit, the parents being strict and devout and having high hopes for their children; and later court evidence suggested that the Gonzales enforced harsh discipline on their children had they not met their parents' high expectations.
Split into simpler sentences: The Gonzales family appeared to be close-knit, the parents being strict and devout and having high hopes for their children. Later court evidence suggested that the Gonzales enforced harsh discipline on their children had they not met their parents' high expectations.