But from the outside, his home life and social life seemed near perfect. [41][needs update]. As Rebecca describes, heres a privileged man who plotted a number of times to murder at least his parents, eventually achieving death for some of his apparently loving family, for money. Homicide detective Marshall Slot, who appeared on both Forensic Files and the 20/20 episode about the murders, recalled that he thought the operator was joking when she said a shooting of four people had taken place in Sugar Land. Their son had been upstairs in his room when he peeked in on his parents in the living room. Brandon walked down the steps and insisted, Then its outside. I swear I heard a shooting outside.. 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. He was convicted and eventually committed suicide in prison. He needed to get the hell out of there. [16] After closing arguments, the case went to the jury. 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. remaining immediate family member. He and Brandon headed for the front door to see if something was going on. Part of the problem is parole boards dont justify their reasoning/decisions to the public (knowing theyd be controversial) but its the public they are answerable to, just as justice in general is, as all such agencies operate with the permission of the public, ultimately (who pay for it all). I think you are spot on; especially with the letter you wrote that you posted above. Bart is definitely a bad seed. I understand theres a steady drift away from the DP in the US. 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. On Tuesday, Murdaugh's former law partner Ronnie Crosby had a testy exchange with defense attorney Dick Harpootlian as prosecutors got a chance to reply to the defense's case, including by rebutting their experts who suggested two different shooters killed Murdaugh's wife and son with two different weapons. [16][17][b] Would a poor unknown with a public defender have fared so well? A six-day trial ended 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. The prosecution also called back cellphone expert Paul McManigal, a sergeant with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. 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. The hangar and dog kennels where the bodies of Paul and Maggie were found, pictured on March 1, 2023, A hose in the dog kennels at the Murdaugh family property, March 1, 2023, The dog kennels at the Murdaugh property in Islandton, March 1, 2023. He was having a relaxing evening watching television. On December 10, 2003, the Whitaker family -- dad Kent, mom Tricia, and their sons Bart and Kevin -- arrived home after an 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. With that penalty at stake, we must be concerned that justice really is so as much as reasonably possible. The lack of consistency in sentencing is puzzling. The couple relaxed and watched television. 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. Your article highlights just what a piece of work Whitaker is. P. O. Texas Gov. Im no race or class warrior just concerned. In 2007, he admitted he was "100 percent guilty" and that he hated his parents and brother at the time. Unsolved murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. [12][13][pageneeded][third-party source needed] Bart's father Kent survived the shooting in which his wife and son were killed. He always thought a lot of the youngest son who had returned from his first semester in college at Texas A&M University. Cliff thought Kevin was a special kid.. He heard Tricias last, wet coughs as Kent himself lay dying from his own gunshot wound. Cliff could sense that she was going downhill rapidly. Does a low-achieving prisoner deserve less consideration over a matter he has no control over (intellectual capacity)? Kent, hold on to this. Prosecutors have argued that Alex killed his wife and son to deflect attention and engender sympathy as a series of legal and financial troubles were about to explode. And finally, I checked into where Barts young accomplices are today. Cliff was very fond of his new neighbors. WebUpdated on: February 28, 2023 / 7:05 PM / CBS/AP. 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. Serious needling. Dr. Ellen Riemer testified Tuesday that she stood by the findings of her autopsy that the fatal shot was fired upward. His mother Tricia and brother Kevin died in the shootings on 10 According to a Houston Chronicle account, after an emotional, contentious 12 hours during which some jurors at first disagreed about whether Bart constituted a continuing threat to society, Bart got a sentence of death by lethal injection. 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. 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. According to evidence presented at trial, the mother and son were fatally shot at the dog kennels on the property, and a Snapchat video Paul recorded at the kennels placed Alex at the scene shortly before the killings. 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. Okay, buddy. Cliff was unsure how that person was doing; that is, until he heard a pitiful sound emanating from the victim. They went out to lunch together, had dinner a few times, and even made it out to the theater once on a double date. Cliff turned his attention back to the bleeding Whitaker parents. Kent and his surviving son were both wounded in the attack. Little did Kent, Patricia, and Kevin Whitaker know that their life together was just a house of cards. Perhaps it should, and has. But what the Whitakers didnt know was that Bart wasnt going to graduate at all. Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/KillerInstinctYTDont forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: http://bit.ly/KillerInstinctPodcastIf you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! Judge Clifton Newman is allowing only the jury, attorneys from both sides, security and police, and a court reporter to come. Can it be fair and reasonable that one persons execution is applied because he happens not to have family/friends to lobby for him, a victim not ideologically opposed to execution and/or forgiving, etc but another is spared because he does have such representation and a victim differently-minded? 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 (I live nr-ish Rutland ). Finally, a year and a half after the shootings, Champagne admitted that Bart hired him to help kill his family. He felt so frustrated. Thats privileged white Justice. Bart's brother Kevin entered the family home first and reportedly smiled when he saw the masked Brashear. 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. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The judge has agreed with a defense request to let jurors ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling property. WebHey there freaky fam! WebThe Whitaker family from Odd, West Virginia, is arguably the most famous inbred family in the United States. 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. Was that on the TV? Brandon asked his parents. [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. After a tip came in from Barts high school friend claiming that Bart had plotted to kill his family a few years before, the police zeroed in on him as the mastermind behind the attack. WebBartlett Whitakers trial began in March 2007. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. 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. Cliff hustled back to his house, stormed inside, and began yelling to Brandon, I need something to stop the bleeding! [11], Whitaker left for Mexico in June2004, using $3000 to persuade an acquaintance to assist him; he assumed the name "Rudy Rios", found work in a furniture shop in Cerralvo, Mexico, developed a relationship with a woman, and concocted a story of service in Afghanistan to explain his gunshot wound. 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? He could tell by the looks of Tricia that she needed his help much more than Kent. "But you can't walk around with anger.". [11], Whitaker appealed his death sentence, suggesting nine points of error. If the answer is wholly or mainly in the negative, that potential mitigation is removed. Cliff snapped to and realized that both his wife and Kent were right. In 2003, Thomas Bart Whitaker plotted the murder of his family. 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. It will keep the blood from rushing out too fast, he ordered. But he arrived to find a real firearm, not a paintball gun, on the scene and four people with one bullet wound each. Their mental highlight reel was probably playing footage of an 8-year-old Bart teaching his little brother how to ride a bike. Greg Abbott Brandon Stanley followed directly behind his father. The state reduced his sentence to life. Whitaker was Cliff and Darlene sat downstairs in the back of their comfortable home, on this particular night. 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. Gullible is what I think you could call him. She had previously taught at nearby Lakeview Elementary School and was acting as a volunteer there on occasion. 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. 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. Tanya also accompanied Kent for court proceedings related to Barts fate. Now, Thomas Bartlett Whitaker, 38, convicted in this case, is facing death by lethal injection on Thursday, Feb. 22. [26][non-primary source needed] Board Chairman, David G. Gutirrez,[27] also met with Kent Whitaker for a half hour. [citation needed], On Friday, March 2, 2007, the State of Texas[who?] On June 7, 2021, RR, Watch the Forensic Files episode on YouTube. It was natural instinct. 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. In the meantime, a newspaper reporter discovered that Bart never finished college. 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. Behind the door was an intruder wielding Kevins gun, and within seconds the family was ambushed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "Manufacturing Anomie"[citation needed] and the essay "A Nothing Would Do as Well". 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. 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. Kent was also hit in the upper body but survived, and Bart escaped with a wound to his upper arm. The kind-hearted Kent Whitaker forgave Bart and fought for years to stave off his looming execution. 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