The defense also used their experts to suggest there were two shooters, based in part on common sense that the victims stopped using their cellphones within seconds of each other. But what the Whitakers didnt know was that Bart wasnt going to graduate at all. In 2007, he admitted he was "100 percent guilty" and that he hated his parents and brother at the time. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As the family started filing into their home, a masked intruder inside began shooting them one by one.This podcast is sponsored by BETTER HELP! And you are quite right Whitaker had at least two (that we know of) tries; so how doing well in prison makes people seem better is unbelievable. Thats privileged white Justice. Many thanks, Helen so glad youre enjoying the site! I think this needs to change because in matters of life and death the public has a right to know why, when X has been adjudged by a jury as deserving of death, a panel not unanswerable to the public makes a private decision to overturn. [11] Brashear, dressed in black (including a ski mask), entered the Whitaker family home, took Kevin's gun and ammunition from a locked box in his room, staged a burglary, and then waited near the front door for the Whitaker family to return home. He had also just finished his last exam, or so he said. He always thought a lot of the youngest son who had returned from his first semester in college at Texas A&M University. Today, Bart resides in the William G. McConnell Unit, or McConnell for short, in Beeville, Texas. I wasnt aware of Runnels until a few days ago, when I saw a news item, looking his case up. Kent rushed in and was shot in the shoulder with the bullet shattering his humerus. Both victims appeared to be surprised with their hands down. Stephanie Baer is a reporter with BuzzFeed News and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. WebThe Murders: On December 10th, 2003, the Whitakers were out celebrating their son Barts graduation at Sam Houston State. Re my letter reproduced, at the time of the clemency hearing I was moved to write cos its so unfair that because an offender did well in prison and his (living) victim (father) forgave him and lobbied for him, he gets to live when many others whose instant crime in my book was less evil die. Brandon walked down the steps and insisted, Then its outside. Cliff hustled back to his house, stormed inside, and began yelling to Brandon, I need something to stop the bleeding! The authorities also directed Adam Tripp to try to get Bart to admit he planned his familys murder. The field trip came as prosecutors made their closing arguments in the weekslong trial where Alex Murdaugh stands accused of murdering his wife, Maggie, and son Paul. WebA Father's Life 10 Years After An Unspeakable Tragedy. They went out to lunch together, had dinner a few times, and even made it out to the theater once on a double date. Waking nightmare. Little did Kent, Patricia, and Kevin Whitaker know that their life together was just a house of cards. While out having a celebratory dinner, no one in his family She had previously taught at nearby Lakeview Elementary School and was acting as a volunteer there on occasion. Cliff edged forward, closer to Tricia. Whitaker had unknowingly forgiven his own son for 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. Thanks Rebecca I love the way you write, and its great that you can follow-up on some of the information that we cant access in the UK (I always try to google what happened to people in the programme). The story takes you Bell, Members of the Tx. Yes! Until next time, cheers. The nineteen-year-old son of Tricia and Kent Whitaker stopped breathing. Champagne led police to the spot where he and Brashear threw a bag with the murder evidence into Lake Conroe. Kenneth Kinsey said a defense expert who measured the angles of the shots and concluded they were fired closer to the ground or by someone well shorter than the 6-foot-4 (1.93-meter) Murdaugh didn't take into account the shooter and Maggie Murdaugh were both moving and the gun could have been fired from different positions. The laudable desire to hear the victim must not become a means of outcome determination of the magnitude of life and death. A six-day trial ended Although Texas very rarely commutes to life-imprisonment for capital sentences there are surely more meritorious than his case. WebEvidence shown in Alex Murdaugh's trial for murder shows the Colleton County, South Carolina, property, known as Moselle. At least citizens should expect and demand consistency within the same state (cf Jeffrey Dillingham in my below post). Testimony ended Tuesday in the South Carolina double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, as the court prepared to bring jurors on Wednesday to the scene where Murdaugh's wife and son were fatally shot in 2021. Once the jury leaves, one reporter, photographer and videographer will be able to see the property. He argues that he is to be re-made a victim if his son is executed. Murdaugh is charged with killing 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh and 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh near kennels on the property on June 7, 2021. Gullible is what I think you could call him. [16][17][b] 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. But how could parents believe such a thing? In this case the Texas parole board can make inconsistent decisions and swerve criticism by never giving their reasoning. The overwhelming forgiveness offered by one victim is not of the order of distinctness necessary. I too am writing from UK (maybe you gathered). The Associated Press contributed to this report. Nor am I moved by a persons progress in prison. [49][bettersourceneeded][6], As of 2019, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice was investigating a report that Whitaker's masters thesis was being offered for sale, online. His lawyer Keith Hampton urged the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to remember the Old Testament story of Cain, who killed his brother but was himself spared by God. Its a very interesting case. Cliff spotted Kent Whitaker sprawled out on the concrete front porch next door. "[16] The trial judge's[who?] The prosecution also called back cellphone expert Paul McManigal, a sergeant with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. Gunman Brashear pleaded guilty to murder in 2007 to murder and is currently serving life in prison. 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 described her as just a very, very sweet person.. Related: Guilt or Innocence: The Shocking Twists of the Sam Sheppard Case. Bart was close to 19-year-old Kevin, a college sophomore who looked up to him. I dont want you getting shot.. of Criminal Justice, John Whitmire, David J. Callender, M.D., Governor Rick Perry, et al. Whitaker's father, Kent, was also injured in the attack by the actual gunman, Chris Brashear. He blatantly planned out his parents murder then he ran away in hiding. (I live nr-ish Rutland ). He had transferred from Baylor University in Waco where an informant tipped off police about Barts aborted plan to kill his family in 2001 to Sam Houston State University. [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. The murders were arranged by Bart Whitaker in an attempt to inherit the family's estate. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Anyway greetings from the UK. WebIn the weeks following the murder, the police learned that the attack had been orchestrated by the son who survivedMr. Bart Whitaker was eventually arrested in Mexico and accused of arranging the plot to inherite the family estate, which he estimated to be worth more than $1 million. Along with his second wife, Tanya Youngling, Kent Whitaker visits Bart regularly, speaking to him from behind a glass partition. 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. Cliff was unable to get to Kevin because Tricia was blocking the entrance to the front door. She was moaning in pain, but still conscious. Only a month after his release, Abbott stabbed and killed a restaurant waiter over a trivial bathroom dispute. Crime time with Tone 192 subscribers Subscribe 88 Share 10K views 1 year ago I visit the resting place and home I also want to get Early Bird Books newsletter featuring book deals, recommendations, and giveaways. 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. Murdaugh, who has been disbarred, admitted to the thefts, which could carry decades in prison,on the stand last week. On March 8, 2007, after deliberating for two hours, a jury found Bart Whitaker guilty of murder. Tricia Whitaker continued to moan in agony. But Kent didnt die. After deliberation the Fort Bend County jury convicted Whitaker of capital murder,[11] under the Texas law of parties. When Cliff witnessed the carnage before him, he yelled back at his son, Go back inside and call 911! 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. [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. They were also excited to have their eldest son, Brandon, home from college for the holidays. Maggie Murdaugh's iPhone was found on the side of the road outside of the property, and the backlight came on nearly two minutes before GPS data showed Alex Murdaugh's SUV pass by. Bart had admitted his guilt and expressed remorse for the murders and for roping his friends into the plans, they stressed. Can it be fair and reasonable that one persons execution is applied because he happens not to have family/friends to lobby for him, a victim not ideologically opposed to execution and/or forgiving, etc but another is spared because he does have such representation and a victim differently-minded? [1] He spent years on death row at the Polunsky Unit near Livingston, Texas, before the commutation of his sentence. [16] Hipp, who admitted on cross-examination that his participation in Whitaker's schemes had been "motivated by money" police testified that Whitaker stood to inherit the family estate, valued at $1million further testified that in December2000, prior to the murders of which he stood accused, Whitaker had made another preempted plan, this time to "ambush his parents and brother as they entered their home after a dinner outing", a plan noted by the Houston Chronicle to be "virtually identical to the one [Champagne would soon testify] was actually carried out three years later. It also held a glove that matched one left at the murder scene and a water bottle with Chris Brashears DNA sealed on the inside of the cap. The defense expert suggested a blast with the weapon's barrel would have stunned the shooter with bone fragments, blood and other gore, delaying the time the shooter could have gone after Maggie Murdaugh. Divers recovered it. Homicide detective Marshall Slot, who appeared on both Forensic Files and the 20/20 episode about the murders, recalled that he thought the operator was joking when she said a shooting of four people had taken place in Sugar Land. WebBart Whitaker, arranged the murder of his family. in return for his admission of guilt, and was instead tried for capital murder. Whitakers father, Kent, also was shot in the 2003 plot at the familys suburban Houston home but survived and led the effort to save his son from execution. Bart is definitely a bad seed. Related: Claus Von Blow: The Danish-British Socialite Who Was Convicted and then Cleared of Trying to Murder His Wife. Testimony ended Tuesday in the South Carolina double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, as the court prepared to bring jurors on (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Jurors on Wednesday visited the family hunting lodge where Alex Murdaugh's wife, Maggie, and son Paul were killed as prosecutors made their closing arguments in the weekslong murder trial against the South Carolina lawyer.. Judge Clifton Newman ruled earlier this week that the jury would be allowed to visit the scene of the June 2021 killings after WebIn 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. It was natural instinct. In 2003, Thomas Bart Whitaker plotted the murder of his family. He heard Tricias last, wet coughs as Kent himself lay dying from his own gunshot wound. Suddenly Cliff saw his friend lurch sideways and mutter something. Whitaker was convicted for the December 10, 2003, murders of his mother and 19-year-old brother; he was sentenced to death in March2007. Dirty Deeds Hes no longer listed with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. and a Fort Bend County jury. Brashear shot Kent, Patricia, and Kevin as they entered the house and then gave Bart his courtesy wound in the arm. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Alex Murdaughs Ego Pushed Him To Kill His Family Rather Than Lose His Good Reputation, Prosecutors Said During Closing Arguments, I Knew Something Bad Was Going On: Alex Murdaughs Brother Described The Phone Call He Got On The Night Of The Murders, Alex Murdaugh Was Days Away From Unraveling Because Of A Boat Crash Lawsuit, But The Killings Of His Wife And Son Changed Everything, Alex Murdaugh Sobbed As Jurors Saw A Snapchat Video From His Son Allegedly Placing Him At The Scene Of The Murders. Item, looking his case up than his case in Alex Murdaugh 's trial for murder shows Colleton... By a persons progress in prison out on the property wound in the attack by the actual gunman, Brashear. 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