Thomas Whitaker and Christopher Wilkins, et al. The judge agreed with a defense request to let jurors ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling Colleton County property where the Murdaughs lived. On December 10, 2003, the Whitaker family was celebrating the college graduation of their eldest son, Thomas Bartlettknown as Bart, with dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Finally, a year and a half after the shootings, Champagne admitted that Bart hired him to help kill his family. Judge Clifton Newman ruled earlier this week that the jury would be allowed to visit the scene of the June 2021 killings after Alex's defense team requested that jurors have an opportunity to tour the Moselle Road home so they could get an understanding of spatial relationships as to where the two bodies were found. There appears little or no question, then, that this was not a fully-considered crime, and, moreover, one that seems to require a peculiar callousness given his relation to the victims. 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. Only a month after his release, Abbott stabbed and killed a restaurant waiter over a trivial bathroom dispute. A neighbor named Cliff Stanley raced onto the scene and used his own T-shirt to stanch Kents bleeding bullet wound. WebThe Whitaker family from Odd, West Virginia, is arguably the most famous inbred family in the United States. 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. 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. Bart's brother Kevin died within minutes of being shot; his mother Patricia died shortly after the start of her airlift by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Last-minute reprieve. [16] Randy McDonald, attorney for the defense, rested their case on the same day, without calling witnesses, and the judge[who?] It seemed as if there was nothing he could do for his friends. He and Brandon headed for the front door to see if something was going on. It was difficult to tell if it was actually Kevin or Bart, since it was dark inside the house. Texasll probably be the last to lose it if it does! Cliff edged forward, closer to Tricia. Thomas Bartlett Whitaker was born on Dec. 31, 1979, to Kent Whitaker, a comptroller for a family-owned construction business, and Patricia, known as Tricia, who gave up a career as an elementary school teacher to stay at home with Bart and his younger brother, Kevin. Bart. Thanks, Rebecca. [22][non-primary source needed][21] The appeal was certiorari denied. 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". Texas halted Barts execution within hours of his date with a gurney and syringe. But how could parents believe such a thing? Past posts on this blog have briefly touched on the Whitaker murders and their aftermath, but a deeper dive seems in order. Money tangled. WebTricia Whitaker, a retired teacher, and her 19-year-old son, Kevin, died from their injuries. [11], Whitaker appealed his death sentence, suggesting nine points of error. A series of school robberies got him kicked out of high school, and after that a psychiatrist diagnosed him with delusional paranoid disorder. Abbott ruled that Bart Whitaker will now spend the rest of his life in jail for the "heinous crime". You can help by adding to it. Bart told first responders that he thought the gunman was black, in order to divert suspicion away from Brashear. This seems to me the only potential mitigation against execution. "I have had anger with him, extreme anger, Mr. Harpootlian, because what he did with my law firm, my partners, his clients, our clients what he did to his family. Abbott accepted the state parole boards rare clemency recommendation. Before the sentencing phase, both Kent Whitaker and Tricia Whitakers brother asked that Bart be spared the death penalty. [citation needed] He was named a 2018-2019 PEN America Writing for Justice Fellow,[45] a program that aims to support creation of "written works of lasting merit that illuminate critical issues related to mass incarceration and catalyze public debate". [12][third-party source needed] Bart then ran inside and staged a struggle with Brashear, getting shot in his left arm to divert suspicion. He had also just finished his last exam, or so he said. Cops secretly tapped Brashears and Champagnes phones, but they never picked up any incriminating conversations. Along with his second wife, Tanya Youngling, Kent Whitaker visits Bart regularly, speaking to him from behind a glass partition. Web(Mark Sims for Fox News Digital) Prosecutors have argued that Alex Murdaugh used a shotgun to kill his son, Paul, 22, and a rifle to execute his wife, Maggie, 52, near the property's dog Mailer regretted the whole affair. Brashear shot Kent, Patricia, and Kevin as they entered the house and then gave Bart his courtesy wound in the arm. Your objectivity impartiality nor fear no favour is applausable. and a Fort Bend County jury. The whole scenario took less than ten minutes. He argues that he is to be re-made a victim if his son is executed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Tricia and Kevin died from their gunshot wounds, but Kent survived. He couldnt tell whether he was dead or alive. Brashear was the shooter, he said, and Bart had promised to cut both of his buddies in on a $1 million life insurance payout he would receive after his familys death. Sign up for The Lineup's newsletter and get our recommended reads delivered straight to your inbox. Judge Clifton Newman is allowing only the jury, attorneys from both sides, security and police, and a court reporter to come. I see theres some pressure in South Africa for its return; thankfully there has never been here since Britain abolished it in the 60s. Cliff knew he needed to get assistance for Kent and Tricia. He had a good start better than most prisoners. In a jailhouse interview with Lisa Ling in 2014, Bart said he committed the murders because he felt inadequate and thought his parents didnt love him. 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. Additional factors make the decision more complex.". Whatever awful things weve done, kindness and mercy in the form of showing this man that he isnt forgotten while he contemplates that most terrible of punishments, is always right. [31][non-primary source needed][32][non-primary source needed], Whitaker responded to the commutation of his sentence by saying, "I am thankful for this decision, not for me but for my dad. 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. Police first checked out Adam Hipp himself as a suspect, but he had an alibi for the night of the shooting. He said testimony from psychiatrists and the familys investigators who [had stated that] Bart was manipulative was disregarded. But he arrived to find a real firearm, not a paintball gun, on the scene and four people with one bullet wound each. [citation needed] Whitaker had enlisted an individual named Chris Brashear to carry out the shootings, and a Steven Champagne to be the getaway driver for Brashear. The prosecution also called back cellphone expert Paul McManigal, a sergeant with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. Her legs and lower body were pointed outward toward the street. Your article highlights just what a piece of work Whitaker is. WebHey there freaky fam! I don't have the benefit of the materials you have," Crosby said. Related: Guilt or Innocence: The Shocking Twists of the Sam Sheppard Case. Yes; perps have been executed for less egregious murder. I dont know how much MORE evil you can get (except by torturing them first, maybe?) [37][verification needed][bettersourceneeded], Kent Whitaker, his father and a surviving victim of the crime, wrote the book, Murder by Family: The incredible true story of a son's treachery and a father's forgiveness, which as described by Barry Leibowitz for CBS News is about his "heart-wrenching journey to forgive the nameless stranger" responsible for his wounding, and the "brutal murder of his wife and son", a journey that included his realizing that the murder "had been orchestrated by [his] oldest son Bart". Little did Kent, Patricia, and Kevin Whitaker know that their life together was just a house of cards. Kent came out with his own book about the shootings and their aftermath, and he travels around the country to speak about forgiveness. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Okay, buddy. [38][c] Just how he thought hed get away with it I think underlines his feelings of superiority. 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. No, it wasnt on this TV, Cliff replied. Police attempted to arrest her wife, Naria Jenna Whitaker, 33, later that the same day at the couple's home in Marion, Indiana, but Whitaker died by suicide, shooting herself shortly after police arrived, the Outlook reported. "[16] The trial judge's[who?] Cliff Stanley had not cared about the possibility of a shooter or shooters still hiding out inside the Whitaker home. Also wounded, Bart made a Sugar Land 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. On February 22, 2018, about 40minutes before his scheduled 6:00P.M. execution, Whitaker had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment without parole by Governor Greg Abbott, the first such commutation by Abbott and the first in the state since 2007. I argue, therefore, for an objective determination as to punishment that disregards the view of family, friends and even victim(s). Their son had been upstairs in his room when he peeked in on his parents in the living room. WebBartlett Whitakers trial began in March 2007. Maggie Murdaugh Facebook. He should have gotten the death penalty and let it fold out as planned. All to cover up another web of lies.Love Killer Instincts but hate the ads? Hipp said that Kent and Tricia had heard about the plot, but didnt take it seriously. From how the plan was hatched to Barts trial, sentence, and the stunning new development in the case, this book provides all the details. [8]:ch.50[pageneeded], On December 10, 2003, Thomas Bartlett "Bart" Whitaker falsely told his family that he had just taken his final university exams and would soon be graduating from SHSU. WebMurder by Family chronicles Thomas Bartlett Whitaker 's attempts to have a hitman murder his parents and brother. E: governor@state.tx.us, Pending Execution of Offender Thomas Whitaker, TDJC Number: 999522, date of birth: 12/31/1979. After the dinner ended, the family returned to their home in a wealthy Houston suburb to continue th Would-be Waco whackers. Forensic Files didnt mention it, but Bart had a prior arrest record for breaking into his high school and stealing computers after which his parents sent him to a private Christian academy, according to the LA Times. A Texas inmate who was due to be executed for masterminding the murder of his family has been granted commutation shortly before he was due to be put to death. [26][non-primary source needed] Board Chairman, David G. Gutirrez,[27] also met with Kent Whitaker for a half hour. Bart's brother Kevin entered the family home first and reportedly smiled when he saw the masked Brashear. Kent rushed in and was shot in the shoulder with the bullet shattering his humerus. Prosecutors have argued that Alex killed his wife and son to deflect attention and engender sympathy as a series of legal and financial troubles were about to explode. That Mr Whitaker snr was himself an intended victim makes no material difference in my view: he is simply expressing what many parents in his situation would do, albeit that he has had to overcome the greatest of losses and provocation. [citation needed][clarification needed], Kent Whitaker had already forgiven his son and his co-conspirators for their parts in the murders (reported on as early as 2007),[20] and had tried at the time of his son's trial, years earlier, to persuade the jury not to deliver a death sentence. [7] In that same time frame,[when?] That factor alone may not warrant commutation for someone like Mr. Whitaker who recruited others to commit murder. The killers might still be inside their house! She was frightened to tears and was determined that her husband not join the list of fatalities. WebThe Whitaker Family Murders True Crime Creepers. (Murderers like to tell war stories, whether they happened or not Michael Peterson and John Boyle.). (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool), Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect. Of course, someone rich enough to post $3m bail can afford good representation, buying relative lenience. When asked about the race of the assailant he said, Maybe black I dont know.. Please enter valid email address to continue. handling of the prosecution's use of a phone recording between Hipp and Whitaker would become an element of the defense's later appeal of the verdict. But instead of fleeing, Cliff decided he needed some protection of his own. Gunman Brashear pleaded guilty to murder in 2007 to murder and is currently serving life in prison. House of horror. Office of the Governor WebThe Murders: On December 10th, 2003, the Whitakers were out celebrating their son Barts graduation at Sam Houston State. Sugar Land had a practically nonexistent murder rate and Kent would later recall that, when he saw the armed intruder, he figured it was one of his kids friends playing a prank with a paintball gun. Murdaugh, who has been disbarred, admitted to the thefts, which could carry decades in prison,on the stand last week. v. Oliver J. RR, Watch the Forensic Files episode on YouTube. Whitaker provides an account from his perspective as father, "behind-the-scenes", focusing on the time frame from the crime through his son's sentencing, addressing motive, and including portions of his correspondence with his son. [40][non-primary source needed] The masters thesis has been subject of some controversy, as someone appears to have offered it as a book for sale (see also below). Want more true crime books? During her teaching days, Tricia was known for her kind and fun-loving approach to her job, according to friends who appeared on 20/20. ", "The Governor, the father, and the murderer", "Gov. I do not support the death penalty but given that it exists in the State, that due process appears to have been followed, and that the offence is in my view and that of the jury egregious, it seems to me gravely important that this punishment execution is applied consistently if it must be applied at all. And in another twist, mere minutes before Bart was set to executed, he got a call from the governor commuting his sentence instead to life in prison. The hangar and dog kennels where the bodies of Paul and Maggie were found, pictured on March 1, 2023, A hose in the dog kennels at the Murdaugh family property, March 1, 2023, The dog kennels at the Murdaugh property in Islandton, March 1, 2023. The thought that a man with a gun might still be on the premises did not enter into his consciousness. Nor am I moved by a persons progress in prison. They all went to dinner at Pappadeaux's restaurant near Sugar Land, Texas to celebrate, but when they got back home from dinner, their night turned into a horror show. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McGreavy. Cliff was unable to get to Kevin because Tricia was blocking the entrance to the front door. The dad, Kent, survived as did their son, Bart. 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. Help!. [citation needed] In addition, they purchased a lakeside townhouse in Willis, Texas, for his use, and a $4,000 Rolex watch was given to him as a college graduation present hours before the murders. He could tell by the looks of Tricia that she needed his help much more than Kent. With that penalty at stake, we must be concerned that justice really is so as much as reasonably possible. Thank you for supporting our partners, who make it possible for The Lineup to continue publishing the horror stories you love. Crime time with Tone 192 subscribers Subscribe 88 Share 10K views 1 year ago I visit the resting place and home (I live nr-ish Rutland ). Bart Whitaker was found guilty of capital murder that occurred on Dec. 10, 2003, when an assailant entered the Whitaker home in the Sugar Lakes subdivision and killed Barts mother, Trisha, 56 years old, and his brother, Kevin, 19. Investigators found out that in addition to Barts 2001 and 2003 attempts to eliminate his family, there was at least one prior plot: In 2000, Bart had a couple of his Baylor acquaintances break into the Whitakers home to kill them, but the henchmen fled when an alarm went off, according to an AP account. of Texas but thanks all the same! Defense attorneys asked that the jury be able to visit the scene of the killings to help them understand how small the storage room is where Paul Murdaugh was killed and the distance between the two bodies. [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. [Thomas Bartlett Whitaker, February 17, 2012][34], Whitaker had earlier stated, when his execution was still expected, that he felt that his father would be further victimized by the execution. On March 8, 2007, after deliberating for two hours, a jury found Bart Whitaker guilty of murder. [16] Prosecutors presented evidence that although it wasn't Whitaker who shot his family members, he was responsible for the murders because he played the leading part in the conspiracy to commit the murders[19][bettersourceneeded], The prosecution's theory of motive focused on financial gain, with evidence variously described as pointing to Whitaker standing to inherit "about $1.5million" after the death of his parents and brother,[4] or that he had wanted to capitalize on a million-dollar life insurance payout. He is to be admired. The laudable desire to hear the victim must not become a means of outcome determination of the magnitude of life and death. [4] He lived there under the false name for over a year. [16][18] At the trial, Hipp stated that he had contacted the SugarLand Police Department with information about previous plots after he heard about the Whitaker family murders 2003; he was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying for the prosecution against Whitaker. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, SpaceX launches new crew on flight to space station, Prosecution wraps case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, FDA authorizes first at-home test for both COVID and flu, Couple accuses fertility clinic of implanting embryo with cancer genes, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Arguments conclude in Alex Murdaugh's murder trial, Evidence shown in Alex Murdaugh's trial for murder shows the Colleton County property where the Murdaughs lived, at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C. on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Maybe black I dont know how much more evil you can get ( except by torturing them first,?. 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