Cliff darted up from his wounded neighbor and bolted back toward his home. On June 7, 2021, 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. "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?" Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles Cliff Stanley knew the Whitakers were in for a big weekend. When he walked out of his home, Cliff first looked over in the direction of the Whitakers house. Faithful father. 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. Divers recovered it. With that penalty at stake, we must be concerned that justice really is so as much as reasonably possible. Its a very interesting case. Defense attorneys asked that the jury be able to visit the scene of the killings to help them understand how small the storage room is where Paul Murdaugh was killed and the distance between the two bodies. [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. I am South African. [8]:Ch.53[pageneeded] Whitaker denied prosecution claims regarding the insurance profit motive, arguing that the only life insurance policy the family had was for $50,000 on his father's life. Then, Brashear entered a getaway car driven by Champagne, and they dumped the bag with the murder items in the water. [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. [26][non-primary source needed] Board Chairman, David G. Gutirrez,[27] also met with Kent Whitaker for a half hour. I think he was probably too calculating to admit that he was a lazy, work-shy neer do well who wanted the good life his parents had already been providing for him without the hard work they put in to give it to him. As an NBC account later quoted a Whitaker lawyer: He watched his son Kevin walk into the house, heard the first and fatal shot, and saw his sons fallen body in their darkened home. [11], Whitaker appealed his death sentence, suggesting nine points of error. Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. All to cover up another web of lies.Love Killer Instincts but hate the ads? Hello Helen: Thanks so for your kind remarks and I wholly agree re Rebeccas posts! They were also excited to have their eldest son, Brandon, home from college for the holidays. to "help convicted criminals become writers", an aim which raises questions about the nature and residence of the power inmates are given, and about its impact on prisoners and on society. Kents head was pointing back toward the Stanley house in an awkward position. Mr Whitaker premeditatedly arranged the murder of three family members, including his own injury to throw suspicion from him. 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. 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. Someone had pried open his gun safe. Its telling that Bart offered no real excuse for arranging the murder of his family. ", Kent Whitaker said he still loves his son despite what occurred, describing him as a changed person. [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. Your email address will not be published. Cliff turned his attention back to the bleeding Whitaker parents. Whitaker was [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. 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 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. He is to be admired. Two years before a masked assailant shot them in their own house, Kent and Patricia Whitaker found out that their son had formulated a plan to kill them. So, lets get going on the recap of Family Interrupted along with extra information drawn from internet research: Gathering place. Patricia was then also shot in the chest, also falling to the floor. Money tangled. The person who fired the gun that killed the victims did not receive the death penalty, but Mr. Whitaker, who did not fire the gun, did get the death penalty. Bart's brother Kevin entered the family home first and reportedly smiled when he saw the masked Brashear. Want to keep reading? P.O. They might think you are the one who shot the Whitakers.. 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. I agree with every sentiment, especially family members having the deciding vote as to the Death Penalty or not. Just how he thought hed get away with it I think underlines his feelings of superiority. WebMurder by Family chronicles Thomas Bartlett Whitaker 's attempts to have a hitman murder his parents and brother. WebAlex Murdaughs son Buster describes family relationship at fathers double-murder trial February 21, 2023 12:51 PM Day 21: Murdaughs defense revives two-shooter theory as They bought him a townhouse to live in while he was supposed to be attending college and gave him a Rolex for his faux graduation. Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Kent, Cliff called out to his friend. Testimony ended Tuesday in the South Carolina double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, as the court prepared to bring jurors on 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. Murdaugh, who has been disbarred, admitted to the thefts, which could carry decades in prison,on the stand last week. 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 Just hold on tight.. Bart was close to 19-year-old Kevin, a college sophomore who looked up to him. Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, South Carolina double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, 100 other charges including financial crimes. His mother and Rios got Bart settled in the town of Cerralvo, where he soon found a girlfriend and got a job at a furniture store owned by her family, according to 48 Hours. WebJurors in the trial of accused killer Alex Murdaughs toured Moselle, the family property where prosecutors say the 54-year-old former lawyer gunned down his wife and son in 2021. Instead of thanking his lucky stars that his parents bought his story, Bart decided to push his luck again. [4] His parents funded his academic pursuits. 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. He was convicted and eventually committed suicide in prison. You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/KillerInstinctPodcastFollow Savannah on IG: @savannahbrymer 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? P. O. WebThomas Bartlett "Bart" Whitaker had a loving family that he threw away the night he plotted to have them murdered. 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. I decided to write to Travis Runnels #999505, who was executed by the state of Texas 11 December. Crime time with Tone 192 subscribers Subscribe 88 Share 10K views 1 year ago I visit the resting place and home "I did not because I felt comfortable with my determination," Riemer said. E: bpp_pio@tdcj.texas.gov. Friend starts singing. On December 10, 2003, the Whitaker family -- dad Kent, mom Tricia, and their sons Bart and Kevin -- arrived home after an 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. Abbott ruled that Bart Whitaker will now spend the rest of his life in jail for the "heinous crime". Brandon walked down the steps and insisted, Then its outside. I knew about death row on TV whilst watching the mind of a murderer by Dr Michelle Ward. The bag contained a chisel with paint matching that on Kevins gun safe. WebThe Murders: On December 10th, 2003, the Whitakers were out celebrating their son Barts graduation at Sam Houston State. What the hell has his being a model prisoner/remorseful/forgiven by the surviving victim (would those who didnt?) He and his wife, Darlene, had moved into the home just six months earlier. WebHey there freaky fam! The story takes you through the sequence of events from the moment the family return home from a celebratory meal, through the shooting and the eventual trial of his one remaining son. Amanda H. Great follow-up story, Rebecca. In his haste to exit the scene, Brashear gathered up Barts cellphone instead of the gun. [16] Randy McDonald, attorney for the defense, rested their case on the same day, without calling witnesses, and the judge[who?] The Whitakers cash, jewelry, and computer equipment remained untouched. Okay, buddy. WebA Father's Life 10 Years After An Unspeakable Tragedy. Harpootlian then asked Crosby if he thought Murdaugh killed his wife and son. Sack of evidence. 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. Thank you for supporting our partners, who make it possible for The Lineup to continue publishing the horror stories you love. The dog kennels and hangar at the Murdaugh family property on March 1, 2023, The entrance to the kennels at the Murdaugh family property on March 1, 2023, A bullet hole in the glass of a window at the Murdaugh family property in Islandton on March 1, 2023, The entrance to the house at the Murdaugh family's property in Islandton, March 1, 2023. The judge agreed with a defense request to let jurors ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling Colleton County property where the Murdaughs lived. [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. [8]:Ch.10[pageneeded], The early testimony from Hipp[when?] [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). Bart's brother Kevin died within minutes of being shot; his mother Patricia died shortly after the start of her airlift by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital. [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". "[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. [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. He looked up from Tricia into the house, where he spotted someone who he thought was Kevin Whitaker. 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