[citation needed] The trial began in March 2007, led by prosecutor Fred Felcman. Whitaker had unknowingly forgiven his own son for The Stanleys were watching a family show. Good for you for writing to a condemned prisoner. Trial The trial against Bart Whitaker began in March 2007 and was held in Fort Bend County. He hired two men to shoot and kill his mother, Tricia, younger brother, Kevin, and father, Kent. E: governor@state.tx.us, Pending Execution of Offender Thomas Whitaker, TDJC Number: 999522, date of birth: 12/31/1979. Finally, a year and a half after the shootings, Champagne admitted that Bart hired him to help kill his family. 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. Bart Whitaker is currently on death row in the Polunsky Unit, a notorious prison in Texas for the murders. But his state, California,has an unofficial moratorium on execution which is absurd when the State still sentences to death. 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. Are you okay?, Im bleeding, Cliff, Kent cried out much louder. Let me see what I can do, Cliff attempted to calm his neighbor. [14][15][verification needed] The acquaintance who had assisted Whitaker to flee became aware of reward money that had been offered for his arrest,[clarification needed] and communicated Whitaker's whereabouts to the police. Tanya also accompanied Kent for court proceedings related to Barts fate. It is for this reason that I would never sign for it, even if that were the only way to evade a return to death row. Cliff was unable to get to Kevin because Tricia was blocking the entrance to the front door. Brandon walked down the steps and insisted, Then its outside. Miraculously, after being shot in the shoulder, Kent Whitaker survived his attacksomething that Bart hadnt anticipated. "I have had anger with him, extreme anger, Mr. Harpootlian, because what he did with my law firm, my partners, his clients, our clients what he did to his family. Adam had replicated a diagram of the houses layout and where the triggerman was to lie in wait. 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? That factor alone may not warrant commutation for someone like Mr. Whitaker who recruited others to commit murder. I feel for him, as I am sure very many do. 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. Thomas Bartlett \"Bart\" Whitaker had a loving family that he threw away the night he plotted to have them murdered. He could still be here. She began to moan againonly this time, it seemed more drawn out and painful than before. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool), Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect. [4], Cooperating with US authorities, Mexican authorities arrested Whitaker without incident under immigration charges. Behind the door was an intruder wielding Kevins gun, and within seconds the family was ambushed. [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. 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. Somethings going on outside. [49][bettersourceneeded][6], As of 2019, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice was investigating a report that Whitaker's masters thesis was being offered for sale, online. He always thought a lot of the youngest son who had returned from his first semester in college at Texas A&M University. Murdaugh, who has been disbarred, admitted to the thefts, which could carry decades in prison,on the stand last week. Why? 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. Cliff Stanley worked out of his home, so he became closer to Tricia, who was a stay-at-home mother at the time. P.O. He quickly moved back and leaned over Kent to see how he could help. [1] He spent years on death row at the Polunsky Unit near Livingston, Texas, before the commutation of his sentence. WebThe Murders: On December 10th, 2003, the Whitakers were out celebrating their son Barts graduation at Sam Houston State. I don't have the benefit of the materials you have," Crosby said. They handed him a death sentence. Marcus I always enjoy reading your reflection on Rebeccas updates and each episode. Brd. I think you are spot on; especially with the letter you wrote that you posted above. He shouldve got life for murder and causing severe, permanent harm to his unborn child but served just 18 years. [41][needs update], Whitaker has contributed to Solitary Watch, where he wrote about the effects of solitary confinement on himself and other death row inmates. He looked at Kent and asked, What happened?, Kent looked at his friend with pleading eyes and reiterated, Im bleeding, Cliff.. [16][17][b] Rebecca I couldnt find it, but it would be great if you reviewed it! Both victims appeared to be surprised with their hands down. Bart would later tell ABCs 20/20 that he never felt as though he fit in. He was convicted and eventually committed suicide in prison. Mr. It irrevocably denies any possibility of rehabilitation; it eviscerates hope entirely. 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. So why did Bart kill the people he supposedly loved? 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. 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. [citation needed][24] Whitaker withdrew his appeal pertaining to the purity of the drug used, pending at the Supreme Court of the United States, just before a decision by the Texas Governor to grant clemency and commute his sentence. Well known that the USs neighbour, Canada, has a much lower rate 1.6 raising the question why. But instead of fleeing, Cliff decided he needed some protection of his own. They might think you are the one who shot the Whitakers.. Dirty Deeds 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! The couple had two sons, Brandon and Dane, who had gone off to college. [18][non-primary source needed], In other early testimony, Steve Champagne described Whitaker recruiting him to be the getaway driver for Whitaker's eventual 2003 plan to murder his immediate family,[11] and his testimony included the detail that Whitaker's gunshot wound was a ploy to make it look like he was a victim, too. Greg Abbott. WebIn 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. In 2009, the state appeals court found in favor of the appellant on none of these points of law. Kent, Cliff called out to his friend. [41][needs update]. Prosecutors brought Crosby back to the stand to talk more aboutMurdaugh stealing millions of dollarsfrom his clients and the firm the Murdaugh family founded more than a century ago. Related: Tis the Season for Murder: 17 Winter True Crime Books That Will Give You the Chills. 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. 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. He needed to get the hell out of there. 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. Theres also the question of what turned Bart Whitaker into a homicidal fiend. WebBart Whitaker, arranged the murder of his family. Cliff hustled back to his house, stormed inside, and began yelling to Brandon, I need something to stop the bleeding! Only two of the Whitakers would surviveand one was responsible for the shooting. The overwhelming forgiveness offered by one victim is not of the order of distinctness necessary. ", Kent Whitaker said he still loves his son despite what occurred, describing him as a changed person. Bart. Bart needed a way to ensure his family didn't attend that graduation. You can watch the entire 48 Hours episode about the case online on a CBS news site. He looked up from Tricia into the house, where he spotted someone who he thought was Kevin Whitaker. Explaining his decision, Abbott said: "The murders of Mr. Whitaker's mother and brother are reprehensible. Their son had been upstairs in his room when he peeked in on his parents in the living room. Then, Brashear entered a getaway car driven by Champagne, and they dumped the bag with the murder items in the water. On February 22, 2018, about 40minutes before his scheduled 6:00P.M. execution, Whitaker had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment without parole by Governor Greg Abbott, the first such commutation by Abbott and the first in the state since 2007. They went out to lunch together, had dinner a few times, and even made it out to the theater once on a double date. Thomas Whitaker and Christopher Wilkins, et al. He went inside, determined to find his weapon, which he did. Prosecutors also called back to the stand the pathologist who did the autopsies on the victims and their expert who studied the crime scene. [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. All of New York loved it redemption by literature! Please enter valid email address to continue. Its telling that Bart offered no real excuse for arranging the murder of his family. The prosecution also called back cellphone expert Paul McManigal, a sergeant with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. [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. No long-term commitments or contracts!Birch is giving $200 off ALL mattresses and 2 free eco-rest pillows at BirchLiving.com/killerRight now, Dad Grass is offering our listeners 20% off your first order when you go to DADGRASS.COM/KILLERStart streaming your next obsession. What the hell has his being a model prisoner/remorseful/forgiven by the surviving victim (would those who didnt?) Related: Murder in Little Egypt: John Cavaness, the Small-Town Doctor Who Killed His Son in Cold Blood. 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. Past posts on this blog have briefly touched on the Whitaker murders and their aftermath, but a deeper dive seems in order. 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. So, lets get going on the recap of Family Interrupted along with extra information drawn from internet research: Gathering place. Serious needling. 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. 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. Anyway greetings from the UK. The authorities also directed Adam Tripp to try to get Bart to admit he planned his familys murder. Money tangled. Thus, he enjoyed the little time he was able to spend with Kent and Tricia Whitaker. Tricia and Kevin sustained fatal chest wounds from the Glock pistol. Yes; perps have been executed for less egregious murder. Corey Mitchells true crime book, Savage Son, tells the tragic story of the Whitaker family murders. Does a low-achieving prisoner deserve less consideration over a matter he has no control over (intellectual capacity)? Kent was also hit in the upper body but survived, and Bart escaped with a wound to his upper arm. The Associated Press contributed to this report. On March 8, 2007, after deliberating for two hours, a jury found Bart Whitaker guilty of murder. "The reason you did not take X-rays of the brain was you already reached you conclusion," Harpootlian said. Marcus, I have never seen such objective view wow. 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. A grand jury indicted Bart, then 25, and Steve Champagne and Chris Brashear, both 23, in October 2005. When asked about the race of the assailant he said, Maybe black I dont know.. 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 This site uses cookies to improve user experience. 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. 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). Related: 46 Gripping True Crime Books from the Last 54 Years. [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. Their mental highlight reel was probably playing footage of an 8-year-old Bart teaching his little brother how to ride a bike. Cliff Stanley had not cared about the possibility of a shooter or shooters still hiding out inside the Whitaker home. 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. WebWhitaker family murders: Crime scene location and resting place. Mailer regretted the whole affair. "[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. Parents provided. 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 The laudable desire to hear the victim must not become a means of outcome determination of the magnitude of life and death. When he walked out of his home, Cliff first looked over in the direction of the Whitakers house. He could tell by the looks of Tricia that she needed his help much more than Kent. The bag contained a chisel with paint matching that on Kevins gun safe. [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. 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. Phones bugged. He attempted to murder them several times before. 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. [42] He also contributed[clarification needed] to Hell Is a Very Small Place: Voices from Solitary Confinement. On June 7, 2021, What happened? he asked her. Contact Stephanie K. Baer at stephanie.baer@buzzfeed.com. Decisions, as in US, were private, but limited information about decisions will be made public. I heard yelling and shooting, Brandon stated. 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 It is about to here in UK, as theres been public outcry as some parole decisions* releasing vicious murderers. 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 unfairness of the situation is, ironically, an argument against the penalty, illustrating unjustness in US criminal practice. At it again. Bart is still one very lucky man. 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. 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. Testimony ended Tuesday in the South Carolina double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, as the court prepared to bring jurors on Cliff darted up from his wounded neighbor and bolted back toward his home. Brandon Stanley followed directly behind his father. Although Texas very rarely commutes to life-imprisonment for capital sentences there are surely more meritorious than his case. 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