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. Once the jury leaves, one reporter, photographer and videographer will be able to see the property. Corrections officers pet. Chris Brashear and Steven Champagne denied any involvement in the homicides and provided DNA samples and scent-test specimens. Cliff immediately headed in the direction of Kent Whitaker, his own safety not crossing his mind. [1] He spent years on death row at the Polunsky Unit near Livingston, Texas, before the commutation of his sentence. Would a poor unknown with a public defender have fared so well? Bart is definitely a bad seed. 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. His mother and brother were murdered, and his father was seriously hurt. But what the Whitakers didnt know was that Bart wasnt going to graduate at all. 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. His mother and She had previously taught at nearby Lakeview Elementary School and was acting as a volunteer there on occasion. 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. I think his father was partly responsible for the death of his wife and son by buying Barts story the first time and not protecting them from him. It sounds like his parents were wonderful and he had all the trappings of a nice life. They bought him a townhouse to live in while he was supposed to be attending college and gave him a Rolex for his faux graduation. WebWhitaker family murders: Crime scene location and resting place. As an NBC account later quoted a Whitaker lawyer: He watched his son Kevin walk into the house, heard the first and fatal shot, and saw his sons fallen body in their darkened home. Cliff thought Kevin was a special kid.. 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. 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. Thank you for such an excellent letter with such thoughtfulness. Bart opening up his graduation gift from his parents on the night of the murders. Im bleeding, Kent Whitaker pitifully mewled. He and Bart enjoyed biking long distances together. Partners in crime. Well known that the USs neighbour, Canada, has a much lower rate 1.6 raising the question why. [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. But Rudy Rios couldnt resist a $10,000 reward offered for information on Barts whereabouts. Only two of the Whitakers would surviveand one was responsible for the shooting. (a common Forensic Files pathology see Barbara Stager and Mark Winger.). (Kent also said he forgave shooter Chris Brashear.). E: governor@state.tx.us, Pending Execution of Offender Thomas Whitaker, TDJC Number: 999522, date of birth: 12/31/1979. [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. of Texas but thanks all the same! Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP Randolph Murdaugh III, 81, died just three days after the family tragedy, the law firm said. Kent had expressed how excited he and Trish were to attend Barts graduation that next Saturday, and how proud they were of their son. Her legs and lower body were pointed outward toward the street. Past posts on this blog have briefly touched on the Whitaker murders and their aftermath, but a deeper dive seems in order. remaining immediate family member. (Murderers like to tell war stories, whether they happened or not Michael Peterson and John Boyle.). As if, for me, the death penalty isnt capricious enough, cases like this make an utter tragic farce of it. Marcus I totally agree. He is to be admired. [16] Randy McDonald, attorney for the defense, rested their case on the same day, without calling witnesses, and the judge[who?] Cliff rose up to take a look. I see theres some pressure in South Africa for its return; thankfully there has never been here since Britain abolished it in the 60s. Brd. 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. As he came upon him, Cliff looked up and saw Tricia directly in front of the entryway to the house, about six feet away from Kent. So, lets get going on the recap of Family Interrupted along with extra information drawn from internet research: Gathering place. Im no race or class warrior just concerned. The murders were arranged by Bart Whitaker in an attempt to inherit the family's estate. On June 7, 2021, "[16] The trial judge's[who?] Cliff hustled back to his house, stormed inside, and began yelling to Brandon, I need something to stop the bleeding! [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. The thought that a man with a gun might still be on the premises did not enter into his consciousness. [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". Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. Besides, he could tell that Kevin was very close to dead. He had been the last one to walk into the house; he lagged behind while checking his phone messages. Tanya also accompanied Kent for court proceedings related to Barts fate. [11] Early evidence was presented that Whitaker had previously recruited others in abortive plots to murder his family, plots involving a co-conspirator named Adam Hipp, who had attended Clements High School with Whitaker. He felt so frustrated. Whitaker's parents had bought him several luxury vehicles. [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 had also just finished his last exam, or so he said. 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. Cliff was very fond of his new neighbors. It was conducted before a judge[who?] Bart had admitted his guilt and expressed remorse for the murders and for roping his friends into the plans, they stressed. Barnhill also noted that Kevins friends considered Bart cool.. "I don't always take X-rays of every organ.". Texasll probably be the last to lose it if it does! [4], Cooperating with US authorities, Mexican authorities arrested Whitaker without incident under immigration charges. He hired two men to shoot and kill his mother, Tricia, younger brother, Kevin, and father, Kent. [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. Something like FF/MD based on UK cases would be very good here (a few of the FF/MD cases have been) but its a sad fact (for the US) that the murder rate is much higher than UK so we might be a bit short of subjects! Box 12428 Bart was close to 19-year-old Kevin, a college sophomore who looked up to him. Austin, Texas 78711-3401 Does a low-achieving prisoner deserve less consideration over a matter he has no control over (intellectual capacity)? With that penalty at stake, we must be concerned that justice really is so as much as reasonably possible. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Marcus, I have never seen such objective view wow. 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. Just how he thought hed get away with it I think underlines his feelings of superiority. 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. Cliff knew he needed to get assistance for Kent and Tricia. It seemed as if there was nothing he could do for his friends. Whitaker's father, Kent, was also injured in the attack by the actual gunman, Chris Brashear. But that is not the question. 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. 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. [44] Ira Wells, in particular, points to Whitaker's participation in the program to exemplify the questions, declaring Whitaker's prison writing powerful in its ability to "shock readers into a sensory appreciation of the radical strangeness of [his] life lived". Okay, buddy. He couldnt tell whether he was dead or alive. It was difficult to tell if it was actually Kevin or Bart, since it was dark inside the house. [2][3] As of September 2021, Whitaker resided in the McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas. [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. Patricia was then also shot in the chest, also falling to the floor. You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/KillerInstinctPodcastFollow Savannah on IG: @savannahbrymer Murdaugh is awaiting trial on about 100 other charges including financial crimes. The Whitaker family was in celebration mode - their oldest son, Thomas "Bart" Whitaker, had just finished his final 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. Bart's brother Kevin entered the family home first and reportedly smiled when he saw the masked Brashear. Fred Felcman, the original prosecutor in the case, said the board made its decision purely because of the fathers forgiveness, and disregarded the large number of others affected by the murders. I hope so. Cliff met Tricia the day he and his wife had moved in. Cliff Stanley worked out of his home, so he became closer to Tricia, who was a stay-at-home mother at the time. E: bpp_pio@tdcj.texas.gov. Over here in the UK, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives, and seem to show the same ones quite regularly. Chris Brashear pleaded guilty in 2007 and received life with the possibility of parole after 30 years. Cliff and Darlene sat downstairs in the back of their comfortable home, on this particular night. [28][full citation needed], On February 20, 2018, in a rare decision, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended that the death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment,[29] The seven-member Board unanimously recommended clemency to Republican Governor Greg Abbott,[30][29] the first time it had done so unanimously since 2009. The shooter, Brashear, also was convicted and received life prison sentence. WebBartlett Whitakers trial began in March 2007. Cliff Stanley had not cared about the possibility of a shooter or shooters still hiding out inside the Whitaker home. Texas halted Barts execution within hours of his date with a gurney and syringe. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The I understand theres a steady drift away from the DP in the US. The main house at the Murdaugh family's Moselle Road property in Islandton, South Carolina, on March 1, 2023. [18][non-primary source needed] [18], After losing a separate appeal in the federal courts early in 2017,[21] Whitaker's legal team appealed his claims to the U.S. Supreme Court. "I think his intentions were well, but his methods were flawed," Kinsey said. A six-day trial ended Good for you for writing to a condemned prisoner. Their oldest son, Bart, whom he had never met, since Bart lived up north in Willis, Texas, was about to graduate on Saturday. 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 popular new guy in town explained to his south of the border friends that he sustained the bullet wound to his arm while fighting in Afghanistan. Next up, they focused on two of Barts co-workers from the Bentwater Yacht & Country Club near Lake Conroe. [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". Whitaker is an eloquent, erudite writer, as his essay Hells Kitchen demonstrates, spiced up with smart literary references and quotes. In December 2003, Whitaker's mother Tricia Whitaker, brother Kevin Whitaker, and father Kent Whitaker were ambushed by a masked gunman as they walked in the front door of their Sugar Land home after a night out. 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