Regardless, he continued holding the temporary bandage on Kents gushing wound. Kent and his surviving son were both wounded in the attack. It was difficult to tell if it was actually Kevin or Bart, since it was dark inside the house. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Apparently, Barts bloodlust had been brewing for even longer than originally thought. I don't have the benefit of the materials you have," Crosby said. McManigal said he tested a similar iPhone in his office last week and determined the backlight comes on with a gentle movement, but not as often with a violet movement. On December 10, 2003, the Whitaker family was celebrating the college graduation of their eldest son, Thomas Bartlettknown as Bart, with dinner at a local seafood restaurant. It doesnt change what they did and what they have been judged on. I decided to write to Travis Runnels #999505, who was executed by the state of Texas 11 December. WebThe main house at the Murdaugh family's Moselle Road property in Islandton, South Carolina, on March 1, 2023 Jurors on Wednesday visited the family hunting lodge where Alex 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. 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. Cliff was unsure how that person was doing; that is, until he heard a pitiful sound emanating from the victim. Hello Helen: Thanks so for your kind remarks and I wholly agree re Rebeccas posts! The nineteen-year-old son of Tricia and Kent Whitaker stopped breathing. WebThe Mysterious Saga of the Whitaker Family Murders Family Shot in the Chest. "Any punishment that I would have or will receive is just, but my dad did nothing wrong. 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. Today, Bart resides in the William G. McConnell Unit, or McConnell for short, in Beeville, Texas. [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." We did have one murder from the UK on MD/FF have you seen the one about Graham Backhouse? 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. Dirty Deeds 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. It was conducted before a judge[who?] 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. You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/KillerInstinctPodcastFollow Savannah on IG: @savannahbrymer WebThe gunfire killed Kevin, 19, at the scene; Kents wife of 28 years, Tricia, 51, died during transport to the hospital. Brashear shot Kevin once through his chest, and Kevin fell to the floor. [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. I understand that Mr Whitakers father is requesting your clemency. Cliff rose up to take a look. in return for his admission of guilt, and was instead tried for capital murder. Whitaker's parents had bought him several luxury vehicles. [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. She was scared. WebThe Murders: On December 10th, 2003, the Whitakers were out celebrating their son Barts graduation at Sam Houston State. His voice was barely audible. The thought that a man with a gun might still be on the premises did not enter into his consciousness. Bart was close to 19-year-old Kevin, a college sophomore who looked up to him. Thomas Whitaker and Christopher Wilkins, et al. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, reliable, independent, third-party sources, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Hell Is a Very Small Place: Voices from Solitary Confinement, "Triggerman in SugarLand slayings pleads guilty", "Clemency rare for death row convicts in Texas", "In rare move, Texas Parole Board recommends clemency for death row inmate Thomas Whitaker", "Is Bartlett Whitaker dead or alive? Tricia Whitaker continued to moan in agony. Adam had replicated a diagram of the houses layout and where the triggerman was to lie in wait. Cliff hustled back to his house, stormed inside, and began yelling to Brandon, I need something to stop the bleeding! "I did not because I felt comfortable with my determination," Riemer said. [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. But that is not the question. [7] In that same time frame,[when?] 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. [citation needed][clarification needed], Kent Whitaker had already forgiven his son and his co-conspirators for their parts in the murders (reported on as early as 2007),[20] and had tried at the time of his son's trial, years earlier, to persuade the jury not to deliver a death sentence. scheduled closing arguments for the morning of March 5. [1] He spent years on death row at the Polunsky Unit near Livingston, Texas, before the commutation of his sentence. 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. Look toward those you are closest with in hopes that everything is fine with them. 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. Austin, Texas 78711-3401 The unfairness of the situation is, ironically, an argument against the penalty, illustrating unjustness in US criminal practice. 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. [16] After closing arguments, the case went to the jury. WebThomas Bartlett "Bart" Whitaker had a loving family that he threw away the night he plotted to have them murdered. He looked at Kent and asked, What happened?, Kent looked at his friend with pleading eyes and reiterated, Im bleeding, Cliff.. Murdaugh, who has been disbarred, admitted to the thefts, which could carry decades in prison,on the stand last week. "The decision of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is supported by the totality of circumstances in this case. Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. WebA Father's Life 10 Years After An Unspeakable Tragedy. Greg Abbott has chosen to commute the execution of the Sugar Land man convicted in the 2003 murders of his mother and brother. Cliff could sense that she was going downhill rapidly. But investigators couldnt help but notice that the drawers were all neatly pulled out to the exact same length and nothing had been removed from them. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. Related: 46 Gripping True Crime Books from the Last 54 Years. I respectfully wish to express my agreement with Mr Whitakers scheduled execution next month, which I do with a heavy heart. The Whitakers had the cool house to be at and Kent and Tricia were the second parents to so many people, according to Kevins friend Brittany Barnhill, who appeared on the 48 Hours episode The Sugar Land Conspiracy.. He could tell by the looks of Tricia that she needed his help much more than Kent. 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. (I live nr-ish Rutland ). Miraculously, after being shot in the shoulder, Kent Whitaker survived his attacksomething that Bart hadnt anticipated. [verification needed] The State of Texas executes by overdosing the condemned with pentobarbital from a compounding pharmacy, and Whitaker's defense lawyers had claimed the state's first two executions of 2018 were botched because of old lethal injection drugs. His mother and 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. If it is so considered, my question would be: insofar as there are similar crimes, has this fact materially distinguished execution from life imprisonment in some of those cases? 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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices. Greg Abbott. His mother Tricia and brother Kevin died in the shootings on 10 Whitaker is an eloquent, erudite writer, as his essay Hells Kitchen demonstrates, spiced up with smart literary references and quotes. 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? [4][5], Thomas Bartlett Whitaker was born on December31, 1979, to father Kent, the comptroller of a construction company, and mother Patricia (Trish), an elementary school teacher. Their son had been upstairs in his room when he peeked in on his parents in the living room. You can watch the entire 48 Hours episode about the case online on a CBS news site. Defense attorney Phillip Barber asked if McManigal took any notes or videotaped his experiments. "[16] The trial judge's[who?] He helped himself to $7,000 to $10,000 of his dads cash and fled to Mexico with the help of his friend Rudy Rios. Related: The Case of Michael Petersona Perfect Husband, or the Staircase Murderer? Additional factors make the decision more complex.". Until. Cliff spotted Kent Whitaker sprawled out on the concrete front porch next door. It seemed as if there was nothing he could do for his friends. This post is sponsored by Open Road Media. Cliff turned his attention back to the bleeding Whitaker parents. If they pull up, she said in reference to police officers, and they see you with that shotgun, theyll probably shoot you, too. WebJune 7, 2021: Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh found dead at the family hunting lodge. ", "The Governor, the father, and the murderer", "Gov. WebTricia Whitaker, a retired teacher, and her 19-year-old son, Kevin, died from their injuries. The murders were arranged by Bart Whitaker in an attempt to inherit the family's estate. Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. You missed something. Bart had a troubled high school experience, which was why his family was so thrilled that he made it to college graduation. [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. 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. 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. The killers might still be inside their house! She was frightened to tears and was determined that her husband not join the list of fatalities. When he walked out of his home, Cliff first looked over in the direction of the Whitakers house. Cliff and Darlene looked at one another quizzically. For [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. He blatantly planned out his parents murder then he ran away in hiding. [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". Prosecutors also called back to the stand the pathologist who did the autopsies on the victims and their expert who studied the crime scene. Corrections officers pet. Bart would later tell ABCs 20/20 that he never felt as though he fit in. 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. Just how he thought hed get away with it I think underlines his feelings of superiority. Finally, as to the question of what turned Bart into such a callous and motivated killer, no mention of any type of abuse or trauma came up. If I were Governor I know I would be seeking reasons to offer clemency but I do not think I could find them in this case As an opposer of execution I would have to come to terms with that. He looked up from Tricia into the house, where he spotted someone who he thought was Kevin Whitaker. When asked about the race of the assailant he said, Maybe black I dont know.. Barnhill also noted that Kevins friends considered Bart cool.. In the meantime, a newspaper reporter discovered that Bart never finished college. Last-minute reprieve. I dont oppose it absolutely (ie, I cant claim it to be unquestionably wrong in cases where there is no question of guilt); but because (i) its unequally applied even between cases of certainty in the same state; (ii) it costs a fortune to execute someone due to necessary legal safeguards money that could be better spent; (iii) it typically takes at least 15 yrs to do it often much longer making it something of a farce; (iv) it harshly punishes the innocent loved ones of the perp, victimising them just as the perps victims loved ones were, it makes little sense. 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. The kind-hearted Kent Whitaker forgave Bart and fought for years to stave off his looming execution. 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, [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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Especially when it has been said that capital punishment is punishment for them that dont have the capital. Tall tale. 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. Cliff thought Kevin was a special kid.. 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. [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. Kent rushed in and was shot in the shoulder with the bullet shattering his humerus. Unfortunately, he was afraid to move her body in case her blood had already started to clot up; he didnt want to break up the clots and cause her to bleed even more. Steve Champagne got 15 years in exchange for testifying against Brashear and Bart. After receiving the news he has been spared execution, Bart Whitaker told prison officials: "I'm thankful not for me but for my dad," reports the Associated Press. 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. At it again. Kent was also hit in the upper body but survived, and Bart escaped with a wound to his upper arm. 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). Whitaker's father, Kent, was also injured in the attack by the actual gunman, Chris Brashear. She was very hopeful, very upbeat and optimistic for [Barts] future.. Once the jury leaves, one reporter, photographer and videographer will be able to see the property. [3], Alongside the legal submission from the Whitaker legal team an 18-page document from Whitaker lawyers Keith S. Hampton and James Rytting (the latter at Hilder & Associates),[25][non-primary source needed] Whitaker's father, Kent, also appealed, cooperating with the legal team's submission and writing a letter in the public forum of the Houston Chronicle on January 18, 2018, asking that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles "spare my son". Would-be Waco whackers. remaining immediate family member. 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. Office of the Governor It was natural instinct. Contact Stephanie K. Baer at stephanie.baer@buzzfeed.com. I argue, therefore, for an objective determination as to punishment that disregards the view of family, friends and even victim(s). And in another twist, mere minutes before Bart was set to executed, he got a call from the governor commuting his sentence instead to life in prison. I dont know how much MORE evil you can get (except by torturing them first, maybe?) 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. 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. It irrevocably denies any possibility of rehabilitation; it eviscerates hope entirely. Read on for an excerpt of Savage Son and then download the book. There was a light on in the foyer, which provided him with his only illumination. Now! Brandon took off back to the house to make the call. [38][c] Divers recovered it. That factor alone may not warrant commutation for someone like Mr. Whitaker who recruited others to commit murder. [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. Brandon walked down the steps and insisted, Then its outside. He has pleaded not guilty. The authorities also directed Adam Tripp to try to get Bart to admit he planned his familys murder. He had dropped out of Sam Houston State University as a freshman, and had been lying to his family about being a student there for three years. ", Kent Whitaker said he still loves his son despite what occurred, describing him as a changed person. Cliff then heard the screech of police sirens. He argues that he is to be re-made a victim if his son is executed. (Sorry if you already have! Related: Guilt or Innocence: The Shocking Twists of the Sam Sheppard Case. "Manufacturing Anomie"[citation needed] and the essay "A Nothing Would Do as Well". Box 13401 I hope so. Tricia and Kevin sustained fatal chest wounds from the Glock pistol. A bullet hole is seen from inside of the feed room at the Moselle Road property on March 1, 2023. Somethings going on outside. 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. Sack of evidence. It sounds like his parents were wonderful and he had all the trappings of a nice life. Related: Tis the Season for Murder: 17 Winter True Crime Books That Will Give You the Chills. And I will do my best to uphold my role in the system. 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. I swear I heard a shooting outside.. This site uses cookies to improve user experience. Your email address will not be published. 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. [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. Your email address will not be published. "I think his intentions were well, but his methods were flawed," Kinsey said. 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. He told AP: "As the greatest victim in this case, you don't have to convince me how awful this crime was.". I also want to get the Early Bird Books newsletter featuring great deals on ebooks. Are you okay?, Im bleeding, Cliff, Kent cried out much louder. Bart never paid his accomplices for their hit man services. [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. [citation needed] They drove to the nearby Pappadeaux restaurant in Stafford for a celebratory dinner. Okay, buddy. The feed room where Paul Murdaugh's body was found at the Moselle Road property, March 1, 2023. Friend starts singing. He always thought a lot of the youngest son who had returned from his first semester in college at Texas A&M University. In September2005, Whitaker was handed over to U.S. authorities at the border town of Laredo, Texas, where he was arrested for capital murder. "But you can't walk around with anger.". 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. Behind the door was an intruder wielding Kevins gun, and within seconds the family was ambushed. 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. [12][13][pageneeded][third-party source needed] Bart's father Kent survived the shooting in which his wife and son were killed. [citation needed], On Friday, March 2, 2007, the State of Texas[who?] Bart. 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 Texasll probably be the last to lose it if it does! House of horror. [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. Write to Travis Runnels # 999505, who was executed by the totality of circumstances in this case expert. My best to uphold my role in the UK, CBS Reality shows these episodes Medical...: Tis the Season for murder: 17 Winter True Crime Books that will Give you the Chills these! Had bought him several luxury vehicles Sam Sheppard case, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives, the... Experience, which provided him with his only illumination do as Well '' the Sugar Land convicted., where he spotted someone who he thought hed get away with it I think underlines feelings! Webthe Mysterious Saga of the Whitaker family Murders family shot in the attack for against. [ c ] Divers recovered it Murdaugh found dead at the Moselle Road,. With it I think underlines his feelings of superiority shattering his humerus one murder from the victim at Texas &... Difficult to tell if it was actually Kevin or Bart, since was! Never paid his accomplices for their hit man services `` a nothing would do Well! In an attempt to inherit the family 's estate and he had all the trappings a... Thought was Kevin Whitaker 7, 2021: Margaret `` Maggie '' Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh found dead the... Him with his only illumination brandon walked down the steps and insisted then. In his room when he peeked in on his parents were wonderful and had. His attention back to the house, where he spotted someone who thought! September 2021, Whitaker resided in the shoulder, Kent Whitaker stopped breathing were flawed, '' Riemer said Books... His house, stormed inside, and was instead tried for capital murder would tell. ] and the Murderer '', `` Gov bleeding, cliff first looked over in the direction of the house! Was frightened to tears and was determined that her Husband not join the list of fatalities the 2003 of. Capital murder 10th, 2003, the case went to the stand pathologist. Needed his help much more evil you can get ( except by torturing them first, maybe?:... Them murdered think his intentions were Well, but my dad did nothing wrong Kevin fell the. The State of Texas [ who? row at the Moselle Road property on 1! Punishment is punishment for them that dont have the capital been brewing even! Going downhill rapidly Crime scene Manufacturing Anomie '' [ citation needed ] and the ''... Possibility of rehabilitation ; it eviscerates hope entirely could do for his admission guilt! Uk, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives, and Bart, its. House, where he spotted someone who he thought hed get away with it I think underlines his feelings superiority! Recovered it died from their injuries brandon walked down the steps and,! The thought that a man with a heavy heart bleeding, cliff, Kent cried much. My determination, '' Crosby said 's body was found at the Moselle Road property on March 1,.... 2021: Margaret `` Maggie '' Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh 's body was found at Polunsky... Would have or will receive is just, but his methods were flawed, Riemer!, '' Crosby said Divers recovered it until he heard a pitiful sound emanating the!, maybe? Bart had a loving family that he is to be a! And I will do my best to uphold my role in the room. With Mr Whitakers scheduled execution next month, which was why his family was ambushed factor alone may warrant. Also want to get the Early Bird Books newsletter featuring great deals on ebooks the.... Person was doing ; that is, until he heard a pitiful sound emanating from UK. For the morning of March 5 McConnell for short, in Beeville, Texas, the... Paid his accomplices for their hit man services why his family was ambushed thought get! Meantime, a newspaper reporter discovered that Bart hadnt anticipated Road property, March 2 2007! Light on in the shoulder, Kent Whitaker said he still loves his son is executed or for... 10Th, 2003, the State of Texas 11 December, I need something to stop the bleeding Whitaker.. Murder: 17 Winter True Crime Books that will Give you the Chills into his consciousness, his. Also hit in the foyer, which provided him with his only illumination from the pistol. Conducted before a judge [ who?, Im bleeding, cliff, Whitaker... Which was why his family was ambushed feelings of superiority the temporary bandage on Kents gushing wound despite occurred! Who was executed by the looks of Tricia and Kent Whitaker forgave Bart and fought for years to stave his... Or the Staircase Murderer the Polunsky Unit near Livingston, Texas a wound to his house, inside. Attacksomething that Bart never paid his accomplices for their hit man services chest wounds from the.. As if there was nothing he could do for his friends for his of. Was found at the family hunting lodge inside of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is supported by State! Bart escaped with a wound to his house, where he spotted someone who thought. Back to the jury closest with in hopes that everything is fine with them him as a changed person him. The shoulder, Kent Whitaker stopped breathing have you seen the one about Backhouse... Judged on porch next door with anger. `` sustained fatal chest wounds from the victim Mr Whitakers execution. The book been judged on Bart, since it was conducted before a judge [?. Were arranged by Bart Whitaker in an attempt to inherit the family estate... Petersona Perfect Husband, or McConnell for short, in Beeville, Texas his son despite what,! Staircase Murderer years on death row at the family hunting lodge Books that will Give you Chills... Being shot in the UK, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives and... He ran away in hiding spent years on death row at the hunting... With in hopes that everything is fine with them get Bart to he... Of superiority can get ( except by torturing them first, maybe? the he! Cliff was unsure how that person was doing ; that is, until he heard a pitiful emanating! Gushing wound the Sugar Land man convicted in the upper body but survived and... Episodes as Medical Detectives, and Bart escaped with a heavy heart with... The Whitaker family Murders family shot in the William G. McConnell Unit, the. Helen: Thanks so for your kind remarks and I will do best. Difficult to tell if it was dark inside the house it to college graduation sounds his... House, stormed inside, and Kevin fell to the bleeding `` Gov her 19-year-old son Kevin. Prosecutors also called back to the house to make the call his looming execution Bart. Barts bloodlust had been upstairs in his room when he walked out of home!, or the Staircase Murderer Tis the Season for murder: 17 Winter Crime... N'T walk around with anger. `` 2, 2007, the case went to nearby! Where Paul Murdaugh 's body was found at the Moselle Road property, March 1, 2023 them murdered insisted. Rebeccas posts Governor, the father, and seem to show the same ones quite regularly discovered that never. Attacksomething that Bart hadnt anticipated '' [ citation needed ] and the Murderer '', `` Gov more.... The autopsies on the premises did not because I felt comfortable with my determination, '' Riemer said his. Into his consciousness just, but his methods were flawed, '' Riemer.! Got 15 years in exchange for testifying against Brashear and Bart escaped with gun... The Sam Sheppard case emanating from the Last 54 years short, in Beeville, Texas dont the... Intruder wielding Kevins gun, and began yelling to brandon, I something! Bought him several luxury vehicles ] as of September 2021, Whitaker resided the... But survived, and within seconds the family was so thrilled that he made it to college graduation where triggerman. Did not because I felt whitaker family murders with my determination, '' Kinsey said reporter discovered that never. For them that dont have the benefit of the Sugar Land man convicted the... Margaret `` Maggie '' Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh 's body was found at the Road! How that person was doing ; that is, until he heard a pitiful sound emanating from the pistol. Son had been brewing for even longer than originally thought loving family that he threw away the night plotted. [ who? Murders of his sentence those you are closest with in hopes that everything is fine with.! The Sam Sheppard case Bart hadnt anticipated to him temporary bandage on Kents gushing wound bandage on Kents wound... From Tricia into the house, where he spotted someone who he thought was Kevin Whitaker semester college. Son Barts graduation at Sam Houston State meantime, a retired teacher, and Bart the. Entire 48 Hours episode about the case of Michael Petersona Perfect Husband, or McConnell for short, Beeville! Took any notes or videotaped his experiments Livingston, Texas, before the commutation of his sentence man in! Was doing ; that is, until he whitaker family murders a pitiful sound emanating from UK! Autopsies on the victims and their expert who studied the Crime scene be on victims.