I think you are spot on; especially with the letter you wrote that you posted above. [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. Corrections officers pet. He could still be here. She began to moan againonly this time, it seemed more drawn out and painful than before. / CBS/AP. Thats all for this post. But how could parents believe such a thing? In 2003, Thomas Bart Whitaker plotted the murder of his family. But from the outside, his home life and social life seemed near perfect. Your article highlights just what a piece of work Whitaker is. Does a low-achieving prisoner deserve less consideration over a matter he has no control over (intellectual capacity)? Waking nightmare. Sack of evidence. scheduled closing arguments for the morning of March 5. [46] Scholarly attention has been directed toward this PEN program, noting that while PEN was an esteemed human rights organization known for the defense of free speech rights, in particular of persecuted writers, the Prison Writing Program presented a distinct agenda, namely in a "[belief] in the restorative and rehabilitative power of writing." Hipp said that Kent and Tricia had heard about the plot, but didnt take it seriously. Trial The trial against Bart Whitaker began in March 2007 and was held in Fort Bend County. The recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and my action on it, ensures Mr. Whitaker will never be released from prison. So, lets get going on the recap of Family Interrupted along with extra information drawn from internet research: Gathering place. Adam had replicated a diagram of the houses layout and where the triggerman was to lie in wait. Cliff was unsure how that person was doing; that is, until he heard a pitiful sound emanating from the victim. Its a very interesting case. 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. He and Bart enjoyed biking long distances together. Newman cautioned jurors that the property, which no one has lived at in over a year, would look different today than it did at the time of the killings. Thomas Whitaker and Christopher Wilkins, et al. The main house at the Murdaugh family's Moselle Road property in Islandton, South Carolina, on March 1, 2023. And, of course, Mr Whitaker snr cannot properly speak for the three dead victims, only himself. It was conducted before a judge[who?] Brashear and Champagne were arrested almost two years after murders. Bart, then a wholesome-looking 22-year-old with a Princess Diana complexion, came up with a new plot to wipe out his mother, father, and brother, and get his hands on all of the familys assets, worth $1 million to $1.5 million. Want more true crime books? Unfortunately, everything was far from fine at the Whitaker household. Examples of the prison writing of the title subject, with dates of their first publication, include: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. WebTricia Whitaker, a retired teacher, and her 19-year-old son, Kevin, died from their injuries. The judge has agreed with a defense request to let jurors ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling property. Kent was also hit in the upper body but survived, and Bart escaped with a wound to his upper arm. [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". 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. 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. He decided it was best to put down his own weapon; however, he knew he had to do something. 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. Want to keep reading? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. to "help convicted criminals become writers", an aim which raises questions about the nature and residence of the power inmates are given, and about its impact on prisoners and on society. In this case the Texas parole board can make inconsistent decisions and swerve criticism by never giving their reasoning. 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. He is to be admired. Required fields are marked *. He always thought a lot of the youngest son who had returned from his first semester in college at Texas A&M University. Just hang in there. Its telling that Bart offered no real excuse for arranging the murder of his family. Over here in the UK, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives, and seem to show the same ones quite regularly. 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. Decisions, as in US, were private, but limited information about decisions will be made public. Cliff hustled back to his house, stormed inside, and began yelling to Brandon, I need something to stop the bleeding! I also want to get Early Bird Books newsletter featuring book deals, recommendations, and giveaways. Last-minute reprieve. Cliff and Darlene sat downstairs in the back of their comfortable home, on this particular night. I feel for him, as I am sure very many do. 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. Instead of thanking his lucky stars that his parents bought his story, Bart decided to push his luck again. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool), Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect. Dirty Deeds The dog kennels and hangar at the Murdaugh family property on March 1, 2023, The entrance to the kennels at the Murdaugh family property on March 1, 2023, A bullet hole in the glass of a window at the Murdaugh family property in Islandton on March 1, 2023, The entrance to the house at the Murdaugh family's property in Islandton, March 1, 2023. This section needs expansion with: a relatively complete list, in chronological order, of all important works by the title subject, especially those referenced herein, for each giving their complete publication details, including date and publisher of its first appearance. Let me see what I can do, Cliff attempted to calm his neighbor. WebMurder in the Family: 'I Wanted Them Dead' Investigators Question Burglary Theory. While out having a celebratory dinner, no one in his family 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. 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. [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. (Sorry if you already have! 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. He told the hitman where Kevin kept his gun and asked him to stage a robbery. He succeeded in annihilating two-thirds of the other Whitakers but, instead of an office visit with an estate attorney, Bart got himself a trial with a judge and jury. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices. In return, Bart agreed to give up any rights to parole. That is, if it is a scandal that anyone is judicially executed, it is so if some are and some are not merely given the contingency of special pleading. He looked up from Tricia into the house, where he spotted someone who he thought was Kevin Whitaker. Do the undoubted many prisoners facing execution who have personality disorders in some cases substance-induced; in others endogenous, so no fault of their own deserve less because they are (inevitably) non-compliant with prison life? Cliff then heard the screech of police sirens. Until. I am writing as a member of the public with no connection to the above, his relatives, or his crime. They might think you are the one who shot the Whitakers.. [9][4] He had lied to his parents about his continued status in college; varying reports had him dropping out of SHSU months before,[10] or being present there as a freshman on academic probation. I see theres some pressure in South Africa for its return; thankfully there has never been here since Britain abolished it in the 60s. It doesnt change what they did and what they have been judged on. WebThe Murders: On December 10th, 2003, the Whitakers were out celebrating their son Barts graduation at Sam Houston State. I don't have the benefit of the materials you have," Crosby said. Then, Brashear entered a getaway car driven by Champagne, and they dumped the bag with the murder items in the water. Quite the opposite, his parents were kind and generous by all accounts. Prosecutors also called back to the stand the pathologist who did the autopsies on the victims and their expert who studied the crime scene. I dont know how much MORE evil you can get (except by torturing them first, maybe?) [18][non-primary source needed], In other early testimony, Steve Champagne described Whitaker recruiting him to be the getaway driver for Whitaker's eventual 2003 plan to murder his immediate family,[11] and his testimony included the detail that Whitaker's gunshot wound was a ploy to make it look like he was a victim, too. 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. Bart. Cliff spotted Kent Whitaker sprawled out on the concrete front porch next door. (I live nr-ish Rutland ). 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. [44], 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. Little did Kent, Patricia, and Kevin Whitaker know that their life together was just a house of cards. WebBart Whitaker, arranged the murder of his family. I agree with every sentiment, especially family members having the deciding vote as to the Death Penalty or not. Murdaugh is awaiting trial on about 100 other charges including financial crimes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McGreavy. Phones bugged. He went to get his shotgun. His voice was barely audible. RR, Watch the Forensic Files episode on YouTube. 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. So he hired a hitman to kill his parents and brother, and to non-fatally injure him. While testifying on the stand last week, Alex admitted to lying repeatedly to investigators, family, and law partners about his whereabouts the night of the killings, but denied ever harming Maggie and Paul. Their son had been upstairs in his room when he peeked in on his parents in the living room. 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. I knew about death row on TV whilst watching the mind of a murderer by Dr Michelle Ward. He argues that he is to be re-made a victim if his son is executed. 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). We can agree. Thomas Bartlett \"Bart\" Whitaker had a loving family that he threw away the night he plotted to have them murdered. Kent spent lots of time with his sons. So why did Bart kill the people he supposedly loved? At night, when Kent would return home from his job at the Bartlett Construction Company, the couples would congregate out in the front yard and catch up on the days events. Was that on the TV? Brandon asked his parents. He couldnt tell whether he was dead or alive. Champagne also drove the getaway car although, he claimed, he really didnt want to get involved with the homicide plot but felt trapped. True Crime. WebAlex Murdaughs son Buster describes family relationship at fathers double-murder trial February 21, 2023 12:51 PM Day 21: Murdaughs defense revives two-shooter theory as As far as an epilogue on Barts accomplices, Chris Alan Brashear occupies a cell in the Eastham Unit and will reach parole eligibility in 2035, when hes 53. Definitely, the guy needs to stay where he is. Visit BetterHelp.com/CREEPERS today to get 10% off your first month.Sources:ArticlesTexas District & County Attorney's Association | A Most Unusual Suspect (Jeff Strange) CBS News | Texas Man Targeted by a Hitman Fights for the Life of the Person Who Ordered the Murder His Son (Peter Van Sant)ABC News | Murder in the Family: 'I Wanted Them Dead' (Harry Phillips & Elissa Stohler)Forensic Files Now | Bart Whitaker: Relative TragedyABC News | 'Murder by Family': Read Shocking ExcerptThe Houston Chronicle | Whitaker Lawyer Attacks Credibility of Witness (Eric Hansen)ABC News | 'Sugar Land' Culprit Made New Life in Mexico (Denise Martinez-Ramundo & Harry Phillips)Wikipedia | Thomas Bartlett WhitakerMedium | The Whitaker Family Murders of Sugar Land, TexasVideoYouTube | 911: The Sugar Land ConspiracyLearn more about your ad choices. Box 13401 Before the sentencing phase, both Kent Whitaker and Tricia Whitakers brother asked that Bart be spared the death penalty. [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. I just fixed it thx for the heads-up! Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/KillerInstinctYTDont forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: http://bit.ly/KillerInstinctPodcastIf you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! She was moaning in pain, but still conscious. Austin, Texas 78711-3401 The nineteen-year-old son of Tricia and Kent Whitaker stopped breathing. 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. At least citizens should expect and demand consistency within the same state (cf Jeffrey Dillingham in my below post). 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