[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". I swear I heard a shooting outside.. The bullet hit Kent nearly six inches from his heart.. Does a low-achieving prisoner deserve less consideration over a matter he has no control over (intellectual capacity)? "You're trying to take me somewhere you probably don't want to," Crosby said, starting a tense exchange between the attorneys. 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. Champagne also drove the getaway car although, he claimed, he really didnt want to get involved with the homicide plot but felt trapped. Cliff was very fond of his new neighbors. Re my letter reproduced, at the time of the clemency hearing I was moved to write cos its so unfair that because an offender did well in prison and his (living) victim (father) forgave him and lobbied for him, he gets to live when many others whose instant crime in my book was less evil die. (Sorry if you already have! 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. 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 neighbor named Cliff Stanley raced onto the scene and used his own T-shirt to stanch Kents bleeding bullet wound. [16] After closing arguments, the case went to the jury. Read on for an excerpt of Savage Son and then download the book. According to his statements and the evidence gathered, Bart Whitaker intended to murder his parents and younger brother in order to keep the family estate. In 2003, Thomas Bart Whitaker plotted the murder of his family. On December 10, 2003, the Whitaker family -- dad Kent, mom Tricia, and their sons Bart and Kevin -- arrived home after an Greg Abbott 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. Texas is fortunate to have you working in their state. [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. P.O. Abbott ruled that Bart Whitaker will now spend the rest of his life in jail for the "heinous crime". Another case of perverse justice we could name many is Rae Carruth, whom youve covered. [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. That Mr Whitaker snr was himself an intended victim makes no material difference in my view: he is simply expressing what many parents in his situation would do, albeit that he has had to overcome the greatest of losses and provocation. ", Kent Whitaker said he still loves his son despite what occurred, describing him as a changed person. [12][verification needed][third-party source needed] The trial had lasted six days in total; the "jury deliberat[ed] for 2hours, and sentenced Whitaker to death". Thomas Whitaker and Christopher Wilkins, et al. v. Oliver J. He went through with it even after having two years to think about what his family meant to him following his first attempt to murder them. Sugar Land had a practically nonexistent murder rate and Kent would later recall that, when he saw the armed intruder, he figured it was one of his kids friends playing a prank with a paintball gun. And thanks Rebecca. 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. Nice letter I think Laci Petersons husband is also a good candidate for carrying out the sentence. Dr. Ellen Riemer testified Tuesday that she stood by the findings of her autopsy that the fatal shot was fired upward. Related: 32 Most Horrifying Serial Killer Books. Bart Whitaker was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death. In 2009, the state appeals court found in favor of the appellant on none of these points of law. As if, for me, the death penalty isnt capricious enough, cases like this make an utter tragic farce of it. Brandon walked down the steps and insisted, Then its outside. I respectfully submit that in terms of what is public knowledge, at least, Mr Whitakers crime should merit execution to respect fairness that those who plead for clemency have nothing substantive to claim. This site uses cookies to improve user experience. The shooting occurred after Kent and Patricia Whitaker returned home with their sons on December 10, 2003, having been out celebrating Bart Whitaker's college graduation. A series of school robberies got him kicked out of high school, and after that a psychiatrist diagnosed him with delusional paranoid disorder. I feel for him, as I am sure very many do. Faithful father. She was scared. I agree with every sentiment, especially family members having the deciding vote as to the Death Penalty or not. Mr. Popular. 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. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Alex Murdaughs Ego Pushed Him To Kill His Family Rather Than Lose His Good Reputation, Prosecutors Said During Closing Arguments, I Knew Something Bad Was Going On: Alex Murdaughs Brother Described The Phone Call He Got On The Night Of The Murders, Alex Murdaugh Was Days Away From Unraveling Because Of A Boat Crash Lawsuit, But The Killings Of His Wife And Son Changed Everything, Alex Murdaugh Sobbed As Jurors Saw A Snapchat Video From His Son Allegedly Placing Him At The Scene Of The Murders. Hipp said that Kent and Tricia had heard about the plot, but didnt take it seriously. 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. 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 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. "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?" In 2003, Thomas Bart Whitaker plotted the murder of his family. You need to go. Trial The trial against Bart Whitaker began in March 2007 and was held in Fort Bend County. WebMiraculously, after being shot in the shoulder, Kent Whitaker survived his attacksomething that Bart hadnt anticipated. [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. Marcus I always enjoy reading your reflection on Rebeccas updates and each episode. In this case the Texas parole board can make inconsistent decisions and swerve criticism by never giving their reasoning. Would a poor unknown with a public defender have fared so well? I also want to get the Early Bird Books newsletter featuring great deals on ebooks. He was having a relaxing evening watching television. Contact Stephanie K. Baer at stephanie.baer@buzzfeed.com. Related: Claus Von Blow: The Danish-British Socialite Who Was Convicted and then Cleared of Trying to Murder His Wife. [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. Miraculously, after being shot in the shoulder, Kent Whitaker survived his attacksomething that Bart hadnt anticipated. Cliff could sense that she was going downhill rapidly. Especially when it has been said that capital punishment is punishment for them that dont have the capital. 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. 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. Incredibly, Kent has since forgiven his son for orchestrating the killing of his son Kevin Whitaker and wife Patricia Whitaker, and has even visited him regularly while he was on death row. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Defense attorney Phillip Barber asked if McManigal took any notes or videotaped his experiments. Texasll probably be the last to lose it if it does! Murdaugh is awaiting trial on about 100 other charges including financial crimes. In September2005, Whitaker was handed over to U.S. authorities at the border town of Laredo, Texas, where he was arrested for capital murder. Bart is definitely a bad seed. WebEvidence shown in Alex Murdaugh's trial for murder shows the Colleton County, South Carolina, property, known as Moselle. Cliff then heard the screech of police sirens. Tall tale. Abbott also said he took into account that Bart Whitaker voluntarily waived all claims for parole in exchange for a commutation. Brashear shot Kevin once through his chest, and Kevin fell to the floor. Harpootlian then asked Crosby if he thought Murdaugh killed his wife and son. [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. But from the outside, his home life and social life seemed near perfect. [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." It was difficult to tell if it was actually Kevin or Bart, since it was dark inside the house. [citation needed], Brashear then exited through the Whitakers' back door and jumped over the fence into the rear neighbor's yard. Look toward those you are closest with in hopes that everything is fine with them. That factor alone may not warrant commutation for someone like Mr. Whitaker who recruited others to commit murder. Although opposed to the death penalty, I thought him a proper candidate for it on the ground of consistency with those whose lives were taken for crimes no worse. I respectfully wish to express my agreement with Mr Whitakers scheduled execution next month, which I do with a heavy heart. 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. 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 edged forward, closer to Tricia. Bart had also said he always felt he couldnt live up to his parents expectations (a halfway decent explanation for lying about college, but way short of mitigating murder). 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. He told the police that he would forgive the man who shot his 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. [40][non-primary source needed] The masters thesis has been subject of some controversy, as someone appears to have offered it as a book for sale (see also below). Marcus, I have never seen such objective view wow. The couple had two sons, Brandon and Dane, who had gone off to college. 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. His mother Tricia and brother Kevin both died. The bag contained a chisel with paint matching that on Kevins gun safe. He said testimony from psychiatrists and the familys investigators who [had stated that] Bart was manipulative was disregarded. While out having a celebratory dinner, no one in his family could've imagined the horror that waited for them when they got back home. Clifton, get out of there! she shouted frantically. A bullet hole is seen from inside of the feed room at the Moselle Road property on March 1, 2023. [22][non-primary source needed][21] The appeal was certiorari denied. 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. 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. Kent was also hit in the upper body but survived, and Bart escaped with a wound to his upper arm. This episode does not seem to be shown that often, so I really appreciated the reminder of this case and the update. and a Fort Bend County jury. described a first Whitaker plan to set a lake house owned by his grandmother on fire "to kill his parents, brother and other relatives", a plan that never went beyond discussions, but one that included a ruse as an element the defendant's "com[ing] out of the blaze with burns so that it would appear he had narrowly escaped". The nineteen-year-old son of Tricia and Kent Whitaker stopped breathing. It irrevocably denies any possibility of rehabilitation; it eviscerates hope entirely. Convenient scapegoat. Mr Whitaker premeditatedly arranged the murder of three family members, including his own injury to throw suspicion from him. [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". [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. Jail records indicate that Buzzard was arrested on Aug. 25, 2021. But he arrived to find a real firearm, not a paintball gun, on the scene and four people with one bullet wound each. Over here in the UK, CBS Reality shows these episodes as Medical Detectives, and seem to show the same ones quite regularly. Hes probably hoping this is his ticket to salvation, a la Jack Henry Abbott, another eloquent killer. Money tangled. By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies and other technologies. Unfortunately, everything was far from fine at the Whitaker household. 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. If I were a board member confident of my decisions Id be content to be answerable to the public, Helen: The Derek Severs ep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7geqiz8wb7I WebTricia Whitaker, a retired teacher, and her 19-year-old son, Kevin, died from their injuries. "I don't always take X-rays of every organ.". https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/severs-roger.htm (dont know the FF title). Instead of thanking his lucky stars that his parents bought his story, Bart decided to push his luck again. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. His voice was barely audible. First published on February 28, 2023 / 5:23 PM. In February 2018, each of the seven board members separately voted to commute Barts sentence, and the governor concurred. Last-minute reprieve. 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. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier/AP. Whitaker is an eloquent, erudite writer, as his essay Hells Kitchen demonstrates, spiced up with smart literary references and quotes. I dont know how much MORE evil you can get (except by torturing them first, maybe?) Whitaker's father, Kent, was also injured in the attack by the actual gunman, Chris Brashear. Today, Bart resides in the William G. McConnell Unit, or McConnell for short, in Beeville, Texas. What happened? he asked her. Bart Whitaker is currently on death row in the Polunsky Unit, a notorious prison in Texas for the murders. [12][13][pageneeded][third-party source needed] Bart's father Kent survived the shooting in which his wife and son were killed. The hurting of the innocent in executing their loved ones is one consideration in the legitimacy of capital punishment but it cannot arbitrarily apply to this case and not so many others that it has not done, nor will do. Kent rushed in and was shot in the shoulder with the bullet shattering his humerus. (Murderers like to tell war stories, whether they happened or not Michael Peterson and John Boyle.). The judge has agreed with a defense request to let jurors ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling property. He told AP: "As the greatest victim in this case, you don't have to convince me how awful this crime was.". Next up, they focused on two of Barts co-workers from the Bentwater Yacht & Country Club near Lake Conroe. Cliff made his way toward Kent. 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