Barnhill also noted that Kevins friends considered Bart cool.. Thats privileged white Justice. We know little about the family due to the Whitakers secretive nature Thomas Bartlett \"Bart\" Whitaker had a loving family that he threw away the night he plotted to have them murdered. [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." Of course, someone rich enough to post $3m bail can afford good representation, buying relative lenience. When they arrived, Bart remained outside to call his girlfriend while his mother, Trish, his father, Kent, and his brother, Kevin, all went to the front door. He told AP: "As the greatest victim in this case, you don't have to convince me how awful this crime was.". https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/severs-roger.htm (dont know the FF title). When asked about the race of the assailant he said, Maybe black I dont know.. [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. [citation needed] The trial began in March 2007, led by prosecutor Fred Felcman. [2][3] Abbott cited the fact that Whitaker did not fire the gun and that his father, Kent, "insists that he would be victimized again if the state put to death his last remaining immediate family member", as the reasons for the commutation. We did have one murder from the UK on MD/FF have you seen the one about Graham Backhouse? He told the police that he would forgive the man who shot his "[16] The trial judge's[who?] Brashear and Champagne were arrested almost two years after murders. Friend starts singing. Subscribe to the ad-free version here! Still, in an effort to unnerve the young men, police continually made it clear that they were watching them. This site uses cookies to improve user experience. RR, Watch the Forensic Files episode on YouTube. 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 Brandon walked down the steps and insisted, Then its outside. He told the police that he would forgive the man who shot his family, not realizing that the man behind it all was his own son. [39] These are reported to have been earned while he was on death row. Bart had a troubled high school experience, which was why his family was so thrilled that he made it to college graduation. [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". [41][needs update]. Good for you for writing to a condemned prisoner. 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. Money tangled. Thanks, Monica so glad you liked the piece! WebBartlett Whitakers trial began in March 2007. But instead of fleeing, Cliff decided he needed some protection of his own. Whitaker was convicted for the December 10, 2003, murders of his mother and 19-year-old brother; he was sentenced to death in March2007. [22][non-primary source needed][21] The appeal was certiorari denied. It was difficult to tell if it was actually Kevin or Bart, since it was dark inside the house. Please enter valid email address to continue. [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. He looked at Kent and asked, What happened?, Kent looked at his friend with pleading eyes and reiterated, Im bleeding, Cliff.. 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. How horribly absurd and why the death penalty must go, PS Relative homicide rate, UK v US: 1 to 4.7 per 100,000 (with southern states generally higher). 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. Okay, buddy. The thought that a man with a gun might still be on the premises did not enter into his consciousness. 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. Are you okay?, Im bleeding, Cliff, Kent cried out much louder. A six-day trial ended We can agree. Little did Kent, Patricia, and Kevin Whitaker know that their life together was just a house of cards. Her legs and lower body were pointed outward toward the street. No long-term commitments or contracts!Birch is giving $200 off ALL mattresses and 2 free eco-rest pillows at BirchLiving.com/killerRight now, Dad Grass is offering our listeners 20% off your first order when you go to DADGRASS.COM/KILLERStart streaming your next obsession. Prosecutors have pounded Murdaugh for various inconsistencies and lies, including not saying he was at the kennels the night of the killing when he could be heard heard on video recorded by his son. Although Texas very rarely commutes to life-imprisonment for capital sentences there are surely more meritorious than his case. Cliff was very fond of his new neighbors. So, lets get going on the recap of Family Interrupted along with extra information drawn from internet research: Gathering place. Bart Whitaker is currently on death row in the Polunsky Unit, a notorious prison in Texas for the murders. The goal was to refute a defense expert who said moving an iPhone causes its backlight to come on. [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". 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. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Kent and his surviving son were both wounded in the attack. in return for his admission of guilt, and was instead tried for capital murder. Corey Mitchells true crime book, Savage Son, tells the tragic story of the Whitaker family murders. [4][11], Chris Brashear received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years for his role in the murders, in a plea bargain worked out with prosecutors; Steven Champagne received 15 years after serving as the main witness for the prosecution. Another case of perverse justice we could name many is Rae Carruth, whom youve covered. Mr Whitaker premeditatedly arranged the murder of three family members, including his own injury to throw suspicion from him. Cliff thought Kevin was a special kid.. WebA Father's Life 10 Years After An Unspeakable Tragedy. 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! Cliff knew his wife was right. Bart would later tell ABCs 20/20 that he never felt as though he fit in. 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. I see theres some pressure in South Africa for its return; thankfully there has never been here since Britain abolished it in the 60s. 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. 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. 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. 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. What happened? he asked her. But he arrived to find a real firearm, not a paintball gun, on the scene and four people with one bullet wound each. WebBart Whitaker was convicted of hiring a hit man to target his own family. Steve Champagne got 15 years in exchange for testifying against Brashear and Bart. During cross-examination, Harpootlian asked Crosby, who often represents accident victims, if going through trauma can cause people to forget details or get times wrong. Related: Linda Wolfe: The Author Behind the Definitive Book on The Preppy Killer. He always thought a lot of the youngest son who had returned from his first semester in college at Texas A&M University. Box 12428 Kent rushed in and was shot in the shoulder with the bullet shattering his humerus. Thanks, Rebecca. All of New York loved it redemption by literature! Cliff made his way toward Kent. 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. When he walked out of his home, Cliff first looked over in the direction of the Whitakers house. Brandon Stanley followed directly behind his father. Bart needed a way to ensure his family didn't attend that graduation. Its a very interesting case. From how the plan was hatched to Barts trial, sentence, and the stunning new development in the case, this book provides all the details. Kent, Cliff called out to his friend. [8]:Ch.50[pageneeded] Whitaker began attending Baylor University in 2001, transferring from there to Sam Houston State University (SHSU), where he was thought by his parents to be in attendance in late 2003, and from which he was expected to graduate. Texasll probably be the last to lose it if it does! Maggie Murdaugh Facebook. Bart Whitaker was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death. He argues that he is to be re-made a victim if his son is executed. Related: 32 Most Horrifying Serial Killer Books. Was that on the TV? Brandon asked his parents. He took over holding the bloody T-shirt used as a bandage and held it firmly in place. Kent spent lots of time with his sons. In a statement, Abbott said that this is the first time he has granted commutation of a death sentence in the three years since he took up the role, allowing 30 executions to occur during the same period. Jekyll and Hyde. WebMurder by Family chronicles Thomas Bartlett Whitaker 's attempts to have a hitman murder his parents and brother. I consider it profoundly wrong that the victim may determine the difference between life (imprisonment) and death, as if the law is not a public entity, answerable to the many, as consistent, proportionate and impartial, not an indirect instrument for the vagaries of passions: anger, revenge, mercy, forgiveness, etc. Now, Thomas Bartlett Whitaker, 38, convicted in this case, is facing death by lethal injection on Thursday, Feb. 22. [citation needed] At trial, it was noted that Whitaker had access to an $80,000trust fund from his grandparents, although he testified that he did not know he could access it. Thank God Bart is behind bars now, where he can be as lazy as the Texas prison system will allow and the rest of us are safe from him. Cliff darted up from his wounded neighbor and bolted back toward his home. The bullet hit Kent nearly six inches from his heart.. Today, Bart resides in the William G. McConnell Unit, or McConnell for short, in Beeville, Texas. [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. Read on for an excerpt of Savage Son and then download the book. He hired two men to shoot and kill his mother, Tricia, younger brother, Kevin, and father, Kent. P. O. WebBart Whitaker was convicted of capital murder for the shooting deaths of his mother, Tricia Whitaker, and his younger brother, Kevin Whitaker, in an attack he devised at the family's He heard Tricias last, wet coughs as Kent himself lay dying from his own gunshot wound. The whole scenario took less than ten minutes. 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). 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 voice was barely audible. Tall tale. He began to load the shotgun with bullets when his wife stepped in front of him. They went out to lunch together, had dinner a few times, and even made it out to the theater once on a double date. Where is he now? WebThomas Bartlett "Bart" Whitaker had a loving family that he threw away the night he plotted to have them murdered. The intellectual capacity to succeed in academics, as Mr Whitaker apparently has, is neither here nor there morally, so would be a quite improper citation to mitigation. 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. 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. Whitakers father insists that he would be victimized again if the state put to death the last remaining member of his immediate family, said Gov. [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. 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. 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. In 2003, Thomas Bart Whitaker plotted the murder of his family. I don't have the benefit of the materials you have," Crosby said. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. E: governor@state.tx.us, Pending Execution of Offender Thomas Whitaker, TDJC Number: 999522, date of birth: 12/31/1979. 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. 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. WebTexas Governor Gregg Abbott ruled that Thomas "Bart" Whitaker should instead spend the rest of life in jail for masterminding the murders of his mother Tricia, 51, and brother Kevin, "I did not because I felt comfortable with my determination," Riemer said. Over here in the UK, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives, and seem to show the same ones quite regularly. [2][3] As of September 2021, Whitaker resided in the McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas. He and his wife, Darlene, had moved into the home just six months earlier. And, of course, Mr Whitaker snr cannot properly speak for the three dead victims, only himself. Im no race or class warrior just concerned. Although no one knows whether Barts remorse was genuine, his polite, cooperative behavior behind razor wire impressed the guards so much that several of them wrote letters asking for clemency for Bart, according to the LA Times. [14], Whitaker was refused a plea bargain by the District Attorney[who?] Rebecca I love your updates, thank you so much for keeping these updates and these cases alive. Brashear shot Kevin once through his chest, and Kevin fell to the floor. I am South African. Patricia was then also shot in the chest, also falling to the floor. Kent Whitaker survived his gunshot to the arm. Stephanie Baer is a reporter with BuzzFeed News and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2003, Thomas Bart Whitaker plotted the murder of his family. You are a good candidate for governor of Texas. 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 So the couple believed Barts explanation that it was all a joke or misunderstanding when a college friend tipped off police about a murder plot. House of horror. On Dec. 10, 2003, after the Whitakers returned from a dinner to celebrate what Bart said was the completion of his final exams, an unknown gunman shot all four of them as they entered their house in Sugar Land, a wealthy suburb of Houston. 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 Whitakers cash, jewelry, and computer equipment remained untouched. Bart also reportedly told them his mother was a prostitute and he was essentially an orphan. The shooter, Brashear, also was convicted and received life prison sentence. And finally, I checked into where Barts young accomplices are today. 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. One of the problems with clemency is that the decision/reasoning is never in the public domain. Until next time, cheers. [12][third-party source needed] Upon returning home, but before entering the house, Bart said that he needed to collect his cell phone from his parked Yukon[clarification needed], knowing that Brashear was armed and waiting inside to kill his family. She was scared. "So, you're alone in your office, throwing the phone around, taking no measurements, recording nothing over the weekend, and you come in here and testify as an expert as to what the phone would do?" While I am torn over the question whether one fewer execution is better than no fewer, I find that if execution is to remain the ultimate punishment it must be applied strictly impartially unless as a principle it is to collapse in disrepute. Want more true crime books? He quickly moved back and leaned over Kent to see how he could help. 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