If they pull up, she said in reference to police officers, and they see you with that shotgun, theyll probably shoot you, too. Sign up for The Lineup's newsletter and get our recommended reads delivered straight to your inbox. Then, Brashear entered a getaway car driven by Champagne, and they dumped the bag with the murder items in the water. 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. 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. Bart opening up his graduation gift from his parents on the night of the murders. "I don't always take X-rays of every organ.". [12][13][pageneeded][third-party source needed] Bart's father Kent survived the shooting in which his wife and son were killed. In a statement, Abbott said that this is the first time he has granted commutation of a death sentence in the three years since he took up the role, allowing 30 executions to occur during the same period. Divers recovered it. WebMiraculously, after being shot in the shoulder, Kent Whitaker survived his attacksomething that Bart hadnt anticipated. First published on February 28, 2023 / 5:23 PM. Somethings going on outside. But Kent didnt die. [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. Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. [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. 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. Well known that the USs neighbour, Canada, has a much lower rate 1.6 raising the question why. When asked about the race of the assailant he said, Maybe black I dont know.. Still, in an effort to unnerve the young men, police continually made it clear that they were watching them. While out having a celebratory dinner, no one in his family The story takes you True Crime. Cliff was unsure how that person was doing; that is, until he heard a pitiful sound emanating from the victim. The kind-hearted Kent Whitaker forgave Bart and fought for years to stave off his looming execution. McManigal said he tested a similar iPhone in his office last week and determined the backlight comes on with a gentle movement, but not as often with a violet movement. Before the sentencing phase, both Kent Whitaker and Tricia Whitakers brother asked that Bart be spared the death penalty. In a jailhouse interview with Lisa Ling in 2014, Bart said he committed the murders because he felt inadequate and thought his parents didnt love him. [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. The murders were arranged by Bart Whitaker in an attempt to inherit the family's estate. Okay, buddy. "I did not because I felt comfortable with my determination," Riemer said. 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. 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? Box 13401 I see theres some pressure in South Africa for its return; thankfully there has never been here since Britain abolished it in the 60s. Bart had admitted his guilt and expressed remorse for the murders and for roping his friends into the plans, they stressed. The judge has agreed with a defense request to let jurors ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling property. 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. In this case the Texas parole board can make inconsistent decisions and swerve criticism by never giving their reasoning. The field trip came as prosecutors made their closing arguments in the weekslong trial where Alex Murdaugh stands accused of murdering his wife, Maggie, and son Paul. rested the case for the prosecution in the capital murder trial for Thomas Bartlett Whitaker's role in the deaths of his brother and mother. I dont want you getting shot.. In September2005, Whitaker was handed over to U.S. authorities at the border town of Laredo, Texas, where he was arrested for capital murder. 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. Next up, they focused on two of Barts co-workers from the Bentwater Yacht & Country Club near Lake Conroe. [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. Theres also the question of what turned Bart Whitaker into a homicidal fiend. Bart Whitaker, it seems, was born rather than made a sociopath. 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. WebMurder in the Family: 'I Wanted Them Dead' Investigators Question Burglary Theory. In 2003, Thomas Bart Whitaker plotted the murder of his family. 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. Try Sundance Now free for 30 days by going to SundanceNow.com and use promo code killerListen to The Generation Why Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or you can listen ad-free by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app!If you have any thoughts on this case or any other case, or just want to get in touch with Savannah about the show, email her at killerinstinctpodcast@gmail.com. The judge agreed with a defense request to let jurors ride 40 minutes to see the sprawling Colleton County property where the Murdaughs lived. From how the plan was hatched to Barts trial, sentence, and the stunning new development in the case, this book provides all the details. The recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and my action on it, ensures Mr. Whitaker will never be released from prison. 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 You need to go. Related: 46 Gripping True Crime Books from the Last 54 Years. [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. It is about to here in UK, as theres been public outcry as some parole decisions* releasing vicious murderers. But from the outside, his home life and social life seemed near perfect. She was scared. He had been the last one to walk into the house; he lagged behind while checking his phone messages. Tricia and Kevin sustained fatal chest wounds from the Glock pistol. [42] He also contributed[clarification needed] to Hell Is a Very Small Place: Voices from Solitary Confinement. 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. I sent this regarding his clemency plea: Gov. Defense attorney Phillip Barber asked if McManigal took any notes or videotaped his experiments. The defense also used their experts to suggest there were two shooters, based in part on common sense that the victims stopped using their cellphones within seconds of each other. Cliff could sense that she was going downhill rapidly. 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. What he did to so many people," Crosby said, bristling. 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. "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?" Hipp said that Kent and Tricia had heard about the plot, but didnt take it seriously. Required fields are marked *. Champagne led police to the spot where he and Brashear threw a bag with the murder evidence into Lake Conroe. In 2007, he admitted he was "100 percent guilty" and that he hated his parents and brother at the time. Cliff Stanley knew the Whitakers were in for a big weekend. Your objectivity impartiality nor fear no favour is applausable. He hired two men to shoot and kill his mother, Tricia, younger brother, Kevin, and father, Kent. Mailer regretted the whole affair. Chris Brashear pleaded guilty in 2007 and received life with the possibility of parole after 30 years. 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. After all, Bart was graduating from Sam Houston State University with honors. He couldnt tell whether he was dead or alive. Cliff met Tricia the day he and his wife had moved in. [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. Chris Brashear and Steven Champagne denied any involvement in the homicides and provided DNA samples and scent-test specimens. Does a low-achieving prisoner deserve less consideration over a matter he has no control over (intellectual capacity)? He had also just finished his last exam, or so he said. Cliff immediately headed in the direction of Kent Whitaker, his own safety not crossing his mind. The unfairness of the situation is, ironically, an argument against the penalty, illustrating unjustness in US criminal practice. I respectfully wish to express my agreement with Mr Whitakers scheduled execution next month, which I do with a heavy heart. P. O. 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. I heard yelling and shooting, Brandon stated. Instead, he returned back to the Whitakers front porch and attempted to comfort Kent. WebUpdated on: February 28, 2023 / 7:05 PM / CBS/AP. He and Bart enjoyed biking long distances together. We can agree. 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. At least citizens should expect and demand consistency within the same state (cf Jeffrey Dillingham in my below post). [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. 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. Bart was close to 19-year-old Kevin, a college sophomore who looked up to him. Tanya also accompanied Kent for court proceedings related to Barts fate. He said testimony from psychiatrists and the familys investigators who [had stated that] Bart was manipulative was disregarded. Tall tale. Im bleeding, Kent Whitaker pitifully mewled. 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. The goal was to refute a defense expert who said moving an iPhone causes its backlight to come on. Texasll probably be the last to lose it if it does! Your article highlights just what a piece of work Whitaker is. 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. Testimony ended Tuesday in the South Carolina double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, as the court prepared to bring jurors on Wednesday to the scene where Murdaugh's wife and son were fatally shot in 2021. 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. Thus, he enjoyed the little time he was able to spend with Kent and Tricia Whitaker. The whole scenario took less than ten minutes. He blatantly planned out his parents murder then he ran away in hiding. 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