On December 10, 2003 the entire Whitaker family Kent, his wife Tricia, and sons Bart and Kevin were gunned down inside their home in Sugarland, Texas, by a masked man who had been waiting for them inside. 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. After deliberation the Fort Bend County jury convicted Whitaker of capital murder,[11] under the Texas law of parties. Prosecutors were against the visit, saying the scene looks different than it did in June 2021 as trees and vegetation has grown and no one has lived on the property since the killings. Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles E: governor@state.tx.us, Pending Execution of Offender Thomas Whitaker, TDJC Number: 999522, date of birth: 12/31/1979. Faithful father. You can watch the entire 48 Hours episode about the case online on a CBS news site. He couldnt tell whether he was dead or alive. 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. I hope so. True Crime. It was natural instinct. 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. 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. The bag contained a chisel with paint matching that on Kevins gun safe. WebMurder by Family chronicles Thomas Bartlett Whitaker 's attempts to have a hitman murder his parents and brother. 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. [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. Especially when it has been said that capital punishment is punishment for them that dont have the capital. 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. For In 2007, he admitted he was "100 percent guilty" and that he hated his parents and brother at the time. But from the outside, his home life and social life seemed near perfect. Kent came out with his own book about the shootings and their aftermath, and he travels around the country to speak about forgiveness. I wasnt aware of Runnels until a few days ago, when I saw a news item, looking his case up. Brandon Stanley followed directly behind his father. [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". WebTricia Whitaker, a retired teacher, and her 19-year-old son, Kevin, died from their injuries. Whitaker is an eloquent, erudite writer, as his essay Hells Kitchen demonstrates, spiced up with smart literary references and quotes. I don't have the benefit of the materials you have," Crosby said. Along with his second wife, Tanya Youngling, Kent Whitaker visits Bart regularly, speaking to him from behind a glass partition. 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. They were also excited to have their eldest son, Brandon, home from college for the holidays. [citation needed][43], Whitaker won prizes in PEN America's Prison Writing Program for his essay "Hell's Kitchen",[44][d] Bart is definitely a bad seed. Bart told first responders that he thought the gunman was black, in order to divert suspicion away from Brashear. Before the sentencing phase, both Kent Whitaker and Tricia Whitakers brother asked that Bart be spared the death penalty. [41][needs update]. Forensic Files didnt mention it, but Bart had a prior arrest record for breaking into his high school and stealing computers after which his parents sent him to a private Christian academy, according to the LA Times. Im bleeding, Kent Whitaker pitifully mewled. [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". E: bpp_pio@tdcj.texas.gov. I respectfully wish to express my agreement with Mr Whitakers scheduled execution next month, which I do with a heavy heart. Cliff hustled back to his house, stormed inside, and began yelling to Brandon, I need something to stop the bleeding! On June 7, 2021, It turned out the gun was registered to Kevin Whitaker. [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. Hipp said that Kent and Tricia had heard about the plot, but didnt take it seriously. If the answer is wholly or mainly in the negative, that potential mitigation is removed. He looked up from Tricia into the house, where he spotted someone who he thought was Kevin Whitaker. Bart is still one very lucky man. I sent this regarding his clemency plea: Gov. (Photo: Inside Story) On December 10, 2003 the entire Whitaker family Kent, his wife Tricia, and sons Bart and Kevin were gunned down inside their home in Sugarland, Texas, by a masked man who had been waiting inside for them. She had previously taught at nearby Lakeview Elementary School and was acting as a volunteer there on occasion. Read on for an excerpt of Savage Son and then download the book. The whole scenario took less than ten minutes. Related: Claus Von Blow: The Danish-British Socialite Who Was Convicted and then Cleared of Trying to Murder His Wife. Would-be Waco whackers. WebBart Whitaker: Relative Tragedy A Young Heir Tries to Hasten His Fortune (Family Interrupted, Forensic Files) Two years before a masked assailant shot them in their own Until next time, cheers. [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. It was difficult to tell if it was actually Kevin or Bart, since it was dark inside the house. ", "The Governor, the father, and the murderer", "Gov. Waking nightmare. [11], Whitaker appealed his death sentence, suggesting nine points of error. He was convicted and eventually committed suicide in prison. And, of course, Mr Whitaker snr cannot properly speak for the three dead victims, only himself. He has pleaded not guilty. Cliff met Tricia the day he and his wife had moved in. Cliff could sense that she was going downhill rapidly. 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. Cliff rose up to take a look. When Cliff witnessed the carnage before him, he yelled back at his son, Go back inside and call 911! *This particularly an awful crime. All of New York loved it redemption by literature! 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. Murdaugh is awaiting trial on about 100 other charges including financial crimes. The shooter, Brashear, also was convicted and received life prison sentence. Texas is fortunate to have you working in their state. Kent spent lots of time with his sons. Explaining his decision, Abbott said: "The murders of Mr. Whitaker's mother and brother are reprehensible. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. He had also just finished his last exam, or so he said. The dad, Kent, survived as did their son, Bart. Abbott accepted the state parole boards rare clemency recommendation. Where is he now? [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. 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 Related: Guilt or Innocence: The Shocking Twists of the Sam Sheppard Case. [16][17][b] WebThomas Bartlett Whitaker (born December 31, 1979) is an American man convicted under the Texas Law of Parties of murdering two family members as a 24-year-old. [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. After all, Bart was graduating from Sam Houston State University with honors. 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. [12][third-party source needed] Bart then ran inside and staged a struggle with Brashear, getting shot in his left arm to divert suspicion. [7] In that same time frame,[when?] 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! Related: Linda Wolfe: The Author Behind the Definitive Book on The Preppy Killer. Testimony ended Tuesday in the South Carolina double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, as the court prepared to bring jurors on Cliff snapped to and realized that both his wife and Kent were right. The murders were arranged by Bart Whitaker in an attempt to inherit the family's estate. What happened? he asked her. Still, in an effort to unnerve the young men, police continually made it clear that they were watching them. He went inside, determined to find his weapon, which he did. If it is to make a difference there must be distinct characteristics of this case, which I cannot discern. [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. The Whitaker family was in celebration mode - their oldest son, Thomas "Bart" Whitaker, had just finished his final It was conducted before a judge[who?] Would a poor unknown with a public defender have fared so well? I heard yelling and shooting, Brandon stated. The judge agreed with a defense request to let jurors ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling Colleton County property where the Murdaughs lived. Chris Brashear and Steven Champagne denied any involvement in the homicides and provided DNA samples and scent-test specimens. Famously, Norman Mailer corresponded with Abbott, praised his writing talent, helped him snag a book deal, and lobbied for his early release. Her legs and lower body were pointed outward toward the street. Your email address will not be published. Jekyll and Hyde. It irrevocably denies any possibility of rehabilitation; it eviscerates hope entirely. Tricia Whitaker continued to moan in agony. 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. Your objectivity impartiality nor fear no favour is applausable. 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 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. Ive been troubled for many years by the death penalty, in a country (US) in which justice (equality before the law) sometimes appears to be bought, or which otherwise privileges the white middle-class. [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. "You're trying to take me somewhere you probably don't want to," Crosby said, starting a tense exchange between the attorneys. WebThe Whitaker family from Odd, West Virginia, is arguably the most famous inbred family in the United States. You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/KillerInstinctPodcastFollow Savannah on IG: @savannahbrymer She was moaning in pain, but still conscious. 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. 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. No, it wasnt on this TV, Cliff replied. Kent, hold on to this. The Stanleys were watching a family show. I knew about death row on TV whilst watching the mind of a murderer by Dr Michelle Ward. And you are quite right Whitaker had at least two (that we know of) tries; so how doing well in prison makes people seem better is unbelievable. Somethings going on outside. He banned drones from flying over. Greg Abbott has chosen to commute the execution of the Sugar Land man convicted in the 2003 murders of his mother and brother. Thanks, Rebecca. 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. :https://killerinstinct.supercast.tech/Get 10% Off by visitingBetterHelp.com/instinct!Go stamps.com, click the microphone at the top of the page, and enter code KILLER for a special offer that includes a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale. They went out to lunch together, had dinner a few times, and even made it out to the theater once on a double date. Thank you for such an excellent letter with such thoughtfulness. Sack of evidence. We did have one murder from the UK on MD/FF have you seen the one about Graham Backhouse? Yes; perps have been executed for less egregious murder. 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. Kent, Cliff called out to his friend. WebThe tour of the crime scene happened before jurors were to head back to court in Walterboro to hear closing arguments in the closely watched murder trial. The main house at the Murdaugh family's Moselle Road property in Islandton, South Carolina, on March 1, 2023. Abbott also said he took into account that Bart Whitaker voluntarily waived all claims for parole in exchange for a commutation. Partners in crime. 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. His mother Tricia and brother Kevin died in the shootings on 10 Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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). Cliff spotted Kent Whitaker sprawled out on the concrete front porch next door. He should have gotten the death penalty and let it fold out as planned. Little did Kent, Patricia, and Kevin Whitaker know that their life together was just a house of cards. "[33] Whitaker had previously stated his strong opposition to the idea of life without the possibility for parole, and wrote in his blog from prison:.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, [Life without parole], however, offends and assaults everything I believe in. I dont want you getting shot.. 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". I just fixed it thx for the heads-up! 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. v. Oliver J. 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. Adam had replicated a diagram of the houses layout and where the triggerman was to lie in wait. Another case of perverse justice we could name many is Rae Carruth, whom youve covered. But Rudy Rios couldnt resist a $10,000 reward offered for information on Barts whereabouts. The feed room where Paul Murdaugh's body was found at the Moselle Road property, March 1, 2023. Thanking you for your kind attention and with all good wishes for your work and the difficult and sometimes painful decisions you have to make, The Chairman Thats all for this post. Abbott added that Bart Whitaker's father, who "passionately opposes" the execution of his son, would be "victimized again" if the state sentenced his last surviving immediate family member to death. [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. 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. 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 and his surviving son were both wounded in the attack. "I don't have an opinion. 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. [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. So, lets get going on the recap of Family Interrupted along with extra information drawn from internet research: Gathering place. Tanya also accompanied Kent for court proceedings related to Barts fate. On March 8, 2007, after deliberating for two hours, a jury found Bart Whitaker guilty of murder. She was in a kneeling position with her head on the front porch, near the slight step leading into the house. Cliff thought Kevin was a special kid.. He hired two men to shoot and kill his mother, Tricia, younger brother, Kevin, and father, Kent. Said that Kent and Tricia had heard about the plot, but didnt it. Until a few days ago, when i saw a news item, looking his up. Into account that Bart be spared the death penalty 10,000 reward offered for information on whereabouts. Behind a glass partition downhill rapidly dead or alive, Whitaker appealed death. Ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling Colleton County property where the triggerman was to lie in.... 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Both Kent Whitaker visits Bart regularly, speaking to him from behind a glass partition a heavy heart punishment!