We need more like you! But from the outside, his home life and social life seemed near perfect. Over here in the UK, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives, and seem to show the same ones quite regularly. Marcus I totally agree. On Tuesday, Murdaugh's former law partner Ronnie Crosby had a testy exchange with defense attorney Dick Harpootlian as prosecutors got a chance to reply to the defense's case, including by rebutting their experts who suggested two different shooters killed Murdaugh's wife and son with two different weapons. Unsolved murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. I knew about death row on TV whilst watching the mind of a murderer by Dr Michelle Ward. He hired two men to shoot and kill his mother, Tricia, younger brother, Kevin, and father, Kent. Red herring. I cannot comment upon the quantitative status in evaluating his crime that his not being the actual perpetrator should have. WebThe Whitaker family from Odd, West Virginia, is arguably the most famous inbred family in the United States. Kent had expressed how excited he and Trish were to attend Barts graduation that next Saturday, and how proud they were of their son. He should have gotten the death penalty and let it fold out as planned. Would-be Waco whackers. Patricia was then also shot in the chest, also falling to the floor. The intellectual capacity to succeed in academics, as Mr Whitaker apparently has, is neither here nor there morally, so would be a quite improper citation to mitigation. He described her as just a very, very sweet person.. Police believe that while the Whitakers were out celebrating, Brashear entered the house, pried open the safe, and made an attempt at giving the master bedroom a ransacked look. WebMurder in the Family: 'I Wanted Them Dead' Investigators Question Burglary Theory. Cliff knew he needed to get assistance for Kent and Tricia. No, it wasnt on this TV, Cliff replied. Brashear shot Kent, Patricia, and Kevin as they entered the house and then gave Bart his courtesy wound in the arm. Download Savage Son now. By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies and other technologies. Someone had pried open his gun safe. Then, Brashear entered a getaway car driven by Champagne, and they dumped the bag with the murder items in the water. Cliff would later describe it as a death rattle. It was marked by very ragged moaning. Cliff knew that the boy, whom he could finally make out as Kevin, was breathing his final breaths. We can agree. [4][11], Chris Brashear received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years for his role in the murders, in a plea bargain worked out with prosecutors; Steven Champagne received 15 years after serving as the main witness for the prosecution. [citation needed] They drove to the nearby Pappadeaux restaurant in Stafford for a celebratory dinner. Rebecca I couldnt find it, but it would be great if you reviewed it! [38][13], Whitaker earned an undergraduate degree from Adams State University,[39] and a Master's degree in Humanities from California State University, Dominguez Hills. In this book, Kent Whitaker describes the true story of the murder of his wife and younger son, a trail of events which had been arranged by his older son. Cliff and Darlene looked at one another quizzically. v. Oliver J. He said testimony from psychiatrists and the familys investigators who [had stated that] Bart was manipulative was disregarded. Thats all for this post. Then, a buddy of Barts named Adam Hipp came forward five days after the murders and told police that Bart had tried to enlist him to shoot Barts parents two years earlier. During Wednesday's visit, at least one juror was spotted by a pool reporter closely examining the door frame of the storage closet or feed room where Paul was standing when he was killed, the Associated Press reported. Partners in crime. Please enter valid email address to continue. Abbott added that Bart Whitaker's father, who "passionately opposes" the execution of his son, would be "victimized again" if the state sentenced his last surviving immediate family member to death. "Any punishment that I would have or will receive is just, but my dad did nothing wrong. Divers recovered it. Her legs and lower body were pointed outward toward the street. Tanya also accompanied Kent for court proceedings related to Barts fate. [citation needed][43], Whitaker won prizes in PEN America's Prison Writing Program for his essay "Hell's Kitchen",[44][d] (Sorry if you already have! He had a good start better than most prisoners. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. described a first Whitaker plan to set a lake house owned by his grandmother on fire "to kill his parents, brother and other relatives", a plan that never went beyond discussions, but one that included a ruse as an element the defendant's "com[ing] out of the blaze with burns so that it would appear he had narrowly escaped". The laudable desire to hear the victim must not become a means of outcome determination of the magnitude of life and death. Nice letter I think Laci Petersons husband is also a good candidate for carrying out the sentence. He was convicted and eventually committed suicide in prison. True Crime. They went out to lunch together, had dinner a few times, and even made it out to the theater once on a double date. At least citizens should expect and demand consistency within the same state (cf Jeffrey Dillingham in my below post). He went to get his shotgun. Police first checked out Adam Hipp himself as a suspect, but he had an alibi for the night of the shooting. Cliff Stanley worked out of his home, so he became closer to Tricia, who was a stay-at-home mother at the time. WebIn the weeks following the murder, the police learned that the attack had been orchestrated by the son who survivedMr. Prosecutors have pounded Murdaugh for various inconsistencies and lies, including not saying he was at the kennels the night of the killing when he could be heard heard on video recorded by his son. Okay, buddy. [35], Thomas Whitaker and other inmates initiated an unsuccessful class action against the State of Texas, addressing the conditions on its death row,[36][non-primary source needed] where inmates are kept in solitary confinement for 23hours a day. He attempted to murder them several times before. The story takes you through the sequence of events from the moment the family return home from a celebratory meal, through the shooting and the eventual trial of his one remaining son. After a tip came in from Barts high school friend claiming that Bart had plotted to kill his family a few years before, the police zeroed in on him as the mastermind behind the attack. Anyway greetings from the UK. Texasll probably be the last to lose it if it does! I consider it profoundly wrong that the victim may determine the difference between life (imprisonment) and death, as if the law is not a public entity, answerable to the many, as consistent, proportionate and impartial, not an indirect instrument for the vagaries of passions: anger, revenge, mercy, forgiveness, etc. Instead of thanking his lucky stars that his parents bought his story, Bart decided to push his luck again. Before the sentencing phase, both Kent Whitaker and Tricia Whitakers brother asked that Bart be spared the death penalty. Try Sundance Now free for 30 days by going to SundanceNow.com and use promo code killerListen to The Generation Why Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or you can listen ad-free by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app!If you have any thoughts on this case or any other case, or just want to get in touch with Savannah about the show, email her at killerinstinctpodcast@gmail.com. He began to load the shotgun with bullets when his wife stepped in front of him. He helped himself to $7,000 to $10,000 of his dads cash and fled to Mexico with the help of his friend Rudy Rios. [citation needed], On Friday, March 2, 2007, the State of Texas[who?] Then, things took a horrifying turn for Kent. According to his statements and the evidence gathered, Bart Whitaker intended to murder his parents and younger brother in order to keep the family estate. I understand theres a steady drift away from the DP in the US. [7] In that same time frame,[when?] [citation needed] The trial began in March 2007, led by prosecutor Fred Felcman. I just fixed it thx for the heads-up! Police initially thought they had a suspect in an armed robber who struck a different house soon after the Whitaker attack, but bloodhounds didnt pick up his scent at the Whitakers. He ripped off his T-shirt and placed it on Kents left shoulder. Tricia and Kevin sustained fatal chest wounds from the Glock pistol. Bart opening up his graduation gift from his parents on the night of the murders. Champagne explained that he staked out the Whitakers at the graduation dinner at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen where Bart enjoyed bread pudding with Congratulations spelled out in chocolate sauce and called Brashear to let him know when the group left the restaurant. Many thanks, Helen so glad youre enjoying the site! Whitaker's parents had bought him several luxury vehicles. Austin, Texas 78711-3401 https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/severs-roger.htm, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7geqiz8wb7I, The Lindbergh Kidnapping: Forensic Files Lost Episode, Dawn Fehring: A Missionary Dies Too Young, Ron Gillette: An Air Force Man Who Didnt Exactly Aim High. His mother Tricia and brother Kevin both died. Still, in an effort to unnerve the young men, police continually made it clear that they were watching them. Thank you for such an excellent letter with such thoughtfulness. Compare his with another Texas case that ended in death one in which the perp was encouraged by another to kill her parents (no excuse, but not under his OWN initiative, unlike Whitaker), in which there was no significant, repeated premeditation, unlike of Whitaker, where the initiator the daughter didnt get the death penalty, and where this offender is widely considered to have exhibited genuine remorse: https://murderpedia.org/male.D/d1/dillingham-jeffrey.htm, One lives; one dies. Bart Whitaker is currently on death row in the Polunsky Unit, a notorious prison in Texas for the murders. Another case of perverse justice we could name many is Rae Carruth, whom youve covered. *This particularly an awful crime. WebJurors in the trial of accused killer Alex Murdaughs toured Moselle, the family property where prosecutors say the 54-year-old former lawyer gunned down his wife and son in 2021. Bart would later tell ABCs 20/20 that he never felt as though he fit in. Alex Murdaugh discovered the bodies of wife Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22, on June 7 near the dog kennels at their sprawling, 1,700-acre home. Bring me something so we can bandage Kent up! He waited as long as he could, but his son never came out with anything to staunch the flow of blood. In 2007, Whitaker founded an inmate blog, originally created with the assistance of his father, now maintained by volunteers, entitled Minutes Before Six; it has published his work and trial records, and articles, poetry, and art from inmates held in prisons in the United States. Your objectivity impartiality nor fear no favour is applausable. You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/KillerInstinctPodcastFollow Savannah on IG: @savannahbrymer Cliff made his way toward Kent. After the dinner ended, the family returned to their home in a wealthy Houston suburb to continue th He banned drones from flying over. (Photo: Inside Story) On December 10, 2003 the entire Whitaker family Kent, his wife Tricia, and sons Bart and Kevin were gunned down inside their home in Sugarland, Texas, by a masked man who had been waiting inside for them. He has pleaded not guilty. Im bleeding, Kent Whitaker pitifully mewled. As if, for me, the death penalty isnt capricious enough, cases like this make an utter tragic farce of it. After deliberation the Fort Bend County jury convicted Whitaker of capital murder,[11] under the Texas law of parties. Incredibly, Kent has since forgiven his son for orchestrating the killing of his son Kevin Whitaker and wife Patricia Whitaker, and has even visited him regularly while he was on death row. The system worked for him today. Its telling that Bart offered no real excuse for arranging the murder of his family. [26][non-primary source needed] Board Chairman, David G. Gutirrez,[27] also met with Kent Whitaker for a half hour. He blatantly planned out his parents murder then he ran away in hiding. I understand that Mr Whitakers father is requesting your clemency. In a statement, Abbott said that this is the first time he has granted commutation of a death sentence in the three years since he took up the role, allowing 30 executions to occur during the same period. Kinsey testified his opinion was also based on being certain the fatal shotgun wound to Paul Murdaugh was fired from down low and headed up through the head instead of downward with the gun pressed against his head. He fled to Mexico after learning that he was a suspect, assumed a new identity, and lived under the radar for over a year before he was caught and was extradited back to the United States. Finally, a year and a half after the shootings, Champagne admitted that Bart hired him to help kill his family. Brandon walked down the steps and insisted, Then its outside. Hello Helen: Thanks so for your kind remarks and I wholly agree re Rebeccas posts! The Stanleys and Whitakers developed a quick, pleasant friendship. This week, Savannah details how Bart hired a hitman to kill his family as soon as they set foot inside, how he was found out, and the miraculous survival of his father, Kent Whitaker. The unfurling of this sons web of lies led him to hatch a devious murder plot. I think he was probably too calculating to admit that he was a lazy, work-shy neer do well who wanted the good life his parents had already been providing for him without the hard work they put in to give it to him. If it is so considered, my question would be: insofar as there are similar crimes, has this fact materially distinguished execution from life imprisonment in some of those cases? I swear I heard a shooting outside.. Thomas Bartlett Whitaker (born December 31, 1979) is an American man convicted under the Texas Law of Parties of murdering two family members as a 24-year-old. WebThe tour of the crime scene happened before jurors were to head back to court in Walterboro to hear closing arguments in the closely watched murder trial. WebThomas Bartlett Whitaker (born December 31, 1979) is an American man convicted under the Texas Law of Parties of murdering two family members as a 24-year-old. I hope so. He went inside, determined to find his weapon, which he did. [11], Whitaker left for Mexico in June2004, using $3000 to persuade an acquaintance to assist him; he assumed the name "Rudy Rios", found work in a furniture shop in Cerralvo, Mexico, developed a relationship with a woman, and concocted a story of service in Afghanistan to explain his gunshot wound. Jail records indicate that Buzzard was arrested on Aug. 25, 2021. Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Thank you for supporting our partners, who make it possible for The Lineup to continue publishing the horror stories you love. First published on February 28, 2023 / 5:23 PM. Bart didnt specifically refer to any plot, but a phone call recording caught him trying to bribe Adam to keep quiet in return for $20,000. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Mr. Popular. [12][third-party source needed] Bart then ran inside and staged a struggle with Brashear, getting shot in his left arm to divert suspicion. Cops secretly tapped Brashears and Champagnes phones, but they never picked up any incriminating conversations. Does a low-achieving prisoner deserve less consideration over a matter he has no control over (intellectual capacity)? The story takes you [16] Evidence was presented that Whitaker had recruited two individuals, Steve Champagne and Chris Brashear, ages24 and 25 at the time of the 2007 trial, respectively,[16][11] Champagne to be the getaway car driver and Brashear to carry out the shootings in Whitaker's plan to murder his immediate family. Bart also reportedly told them his mother was a prostitute and he was essentially an orphan. RR, Watch the Forensic Files episode on YouTube. WebThe Whitaker Family Murders True Crime Creepers. Thats privileged white Justice. This site uses cookies to improve user experience. He also paid someone to drive the getaway car for the assailant, while Bart would stay on the scene and pretend as though he had fought the intruder off himself. Famously, Norman Mailer corresponded with Abbott, praised his writing talent, helped him snag a book deal, and lobbied for his early release. Gullible is what I think you could call him. Was he a born a sociopath or did some kind of abuse taint and mold him? Cliff hustled back to his house, stormed inside, and began yelling to Brandon, I need something to stop the bleeding! It doesnt change what they did and what they have been judged on. It sounds like his parents were wonderful and he had all the trappings of a nice life. So the couple believed Barts explanation that it was all a joke or misunderstanding when a college friend tipped off police about a murder plot. You missed something. Write all you want, Bart, but youre a true sociopath just playing all the angles, and youre never, ever getting out. And I will do my best to uphold my role in the system. Other technologies me, the police learned that the attack had been orchestrated by son... 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