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. Instead, Cliff began to pray. Cliff thought Kevin was a special kid.. Dr. Ellen Riemer testified Tuesday that she stood by the findings of her autopsy that the fatal shot was fired upward. 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. In his haste to exit the scene, Brashear gathered up Barts cellphone instead of the gun. The Whitaker family was in celebration mode - their oldest son, Thomas "Bart" Whitaker, had just finished his final exam at Sam Houston State University, he'd soon be walking the stage, and his parents, Tricia and Kent, and brother, Kevin, were so excited for him. When he walked out of his home, Cliff first looked over in the direction of the Whitakers house. 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. / CBS/AP. Another case of perverse justice we could name many is Rae Carruth, whom youve covered. Thanks, Rebecca. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, Thomas "Bart" Whitaker pleased guilty to plotting the 2003 murders of his family, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. If it is to make a difference there must be distinct characteristics of this case, which I cannot discern. Over here in the UK, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives, and seem to show the same ones quite regularly. [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. "You're trying to take me somewhere you probably don't want to," Crosby said, starting a tense exchange between the attorneys. 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. [14], Whitaker was refused a plea bargain by the District Attorney[who?] 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. She was very hopeful, very upbeat and optimistic for [Barts] future.. 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. Im curious to find how the community in and around the familys home in Sugar Land, Texas, reacted when the justice system bared the id of the respectable-seeming young man in their midst. [22][non-primary source needed][21] The appeal was certiorari denied. [4] He lived there under the false name for over a year. Waking nightmare. I wasnt aware of Runnels until a few days ago, when I saw a news item, looking his case up. Today, Bart resides in the William G. McConnell Unit, or McConnell for short, in Beeville, Texas. 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 is to be admired. The couple relaxed and watched television. "You're angry at him for stealing your money," Harpootlian said. I agree: killing a wife and mother-to-be two deaths is child-murder in my book (or near to) and should be treated as such. The exact date and time of the jury trip has not been scheduled because it is dependent on how many witnesses the prosecution calls in its reply case. Kent came out with his own book about the shootings and their aftermath, and he travels around the country to speak about forgiveness. 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 Maggie Murdaugh Facebook. On March 8, 2007, after deliberating for two hours, a jury found Bart Whitaker guilty of murder. Just hang in there. Kent then looked up at his neighbor and said, Cliff, they really could be inside there. Cliff knew his wife was right. Related: When Murder Runs in the Family: Frances Schreuder and the Killing of Franklin Bradshaw, Cliffs job as a vice president of a regional insurance marketing company was quite demanding and kept him very busy. WebBart Whitaker was convicted of hiring a hit man to target his own family. [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. 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. The laudable desire to hear the victim must not become a means of outcome determination of the magnitude of life and death. Theres also the question of what turned Bart Whitaker into a homicidal fiend. "The reason you did not take X-rays of the brain was you already reached you conclusion," Harpootlian said. It was natural instinct. 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. Murdaugh, who has been disbarred, admitted to the thefts, which could carry decades in prison,on the stand last week. The overwhelming forgiveness offered by one victim is not of the order of distinctness necessary. What the hell has his being a model prisoner/remorseful/forgiven by the surviving victim (would those who didnt?) The feed room where Paul Murdaugh's body was found at the Moselle Road property, March 1, 2023. Both victims appeared to be surprised with their hands down. Directly next door to the Whitakers home on the east side, their relatively new neighbor, Clifton Cliff Stanley, sat in his recliner in his familys living room. He was convicted and eventually committed suicide in prison. The Stanleys and Whitakers developed a quick, pleasant friendship. We need more like you! So why did Bart kill the people he supposedly loved? From how the plan was hatched to Barts trial, sentence, and the stunning new development in the case, this book provides all the details. I understand theres a steady drift away from the DP in the US. [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. Thank you for supporting our partners, who make it possible for The Lineup to continue publishing the horror stories you love. WebJune 7, 2021: Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh found dead at the family hunting lodge. WebBartlett Whitakers trial began in March 2007. (Sorry if you already have! Explaining his decision, Abbott said: "The murders of Mr. Whitaker's mother and brother are reprehensible. [12][13][pageneeded][third-party source needed] Bart's father Kent survived the shooting in which his wife and son were killed. Bart would later tell ABCs 20/20 that he never felt as though he fit in. You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/KillerInstinctPodcastFollow Savannah on IG: @savannahbrymer But he arrived to find a real firearm, not a paintball gun, on the scene and four people with one bullet wound each. "The decision of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is supported by the totality of circumstances in this case. [8]:Ch.53[pageneeded] Whitaker denied prosecution claims regarding the insurance profit motive, arguing that the only life insurance policy the family had was for $50,000 on his father's life. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier/AP. After the dinner ended, the family returned to their home in a wealthy Houston suburb to continue the celebration. Help!. Hipp said that Kent and Tricia had heard about the plot, but didnt take it seriously. Box 13401 Rebecca I couldnt find it, but it would be great if you reviewed it! WebThe Whitaker family from Odd, West Virginia, is arguably the most famous inbred family in the United States. 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. Then, Brashear entered a getaway car driven by Champagne, and they dumped the bag with the murder items in the water. I swear I heard a shooting outside.. He decided it was best to put down his own weapon; however, he knew he had to do something. [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. Yes! In 2009, the state appeals court found in favor of the appellant on none of these points of law. 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. [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. Thanks, Monica so glad you liked the piece! But the fact remains that this has been the case for the loved ones of very many executees: they have been hurt by the offenders actions and will be hurt again by his death. It turned out the gun was registered to Kevin Whitaker. Apparently he skipped a lot of classes, then stopped going entirely, and blew his tuition funds on some form or recreation; its not clear what kind. The bag contained a chisel with paint matching that on Kevins gun safe. 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. Would a poor unknown with a public defender have fared so well? Just hold on tight.. 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. Quite the opposite, his parents were kind and generous by all accounts. The Whitakers cash, jewelry, and computer equipment remained untouched. What happened? he asked her. 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. 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. After deliberation the Fort Bend County jury convicted Whitaker of capital murder,[11] under the Texas law of parties. [16][17][b] All of New York loved it redemption by literature! [16] After closing arguments, the case went to the jury. This WAS the case with the Parole Board here in UK until recently, but due to controversial decisions broad reasons are now to be given. WebWhitaker family murders: Crime scene location and resting place. 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. "I did not because I felt comfortable with my determination," Riemer said. They might think you are the one who shot the Whitakers.. 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. While out having a celebratory dinner, no one in his family [2][3] As of September 2021, Whitaker resided in the McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas. 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. Then looked up at his neighbor and said, Cliff first looked over in the William G. Unit. 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