Im thankful not for me but for my dad, Bart Whitaker told prison officials after getting the word in a tiny holding cell a few feet from the death chamber. "Jury recommends death for the man who abducted, raped and killed Alianna DeFreeze", "Video shows murder suspect meeting Alianna DeFreeze, investigators say", "Man charged in Alianna DeFreeze murder case", "Christopher Whitaker convicted of killing Cleveland teen Alianna DeFreeze in death penalty case", "Alianna DeFreeze died of stab wounds, blunt force trauma", "Alianna DeFreeze's classmates plant garden in her memory", "Man accused of killing 14-year-old goes to trial", "Jurors see tools used in slaying of Alianna DeFreeze", "Alianna Selena DeFreeze (2002-2017) - Find a", "Alianna DeFreeze's killer, Christopher Whitaker, sentenced to death", "Jury recommends death penalty for Christopher Whitaker in murder of Alianna DeFreeze: video", "Man who killed Alianna DeFreeze was high on cocaine, unable to follow laws, according to psychologist", "Ohio Man Who Raped and Murdered 14-Year-Old Girl Gets Death Penalty: 'My Baby Didn't Have a Chance', "Sex offender sentenced to death in rape, murder of Ohio girl", "Parents of Alianna DeFreeze file wrongful death lawsuit", "Cleveland parents of Alianna DeFreeze, 14, receive $1M settlement after her 2017 murder", "Slain girl's family says Cleveland school should've notified them sooner of her absence", "Powerful message: Alianna DeFreeze's mother opens up about daughter's murder", "Alianna DeFreeze's grandfather was part of the militia that kidnapped Patty Hearst", "Accused of killing teen sexually assaulted, stabbed woman in 2005", "Witness describes seeing abduction of 14-year-old Alianna DeFreeze", "Disturbing details revealed in kidnapping and murder of Cleveland teen", "Disturbing details revealed during Alianna DeFreeze trial", "Christopher Whitaker is sentenced to death in murder of Alianna DeFreeze", "Alianna DeFreeze trial: Christopher Whitaker confession video", "L.A. councilman proposes ban to prevent adults with no kids from being in play areas", "Awful Details About The Man Sentenced To Death For The Rape And Murder Of A 14-Year-Old He Lured From A Bus Stop", "Ohio Supreme Court upholds death penalty for man guilty of raping, torturing, killing 14-year-old girl", "Hundreds come out to remember Alianna DeFreeze as she is laid to rest", "Death sentence for Alianna DeFreeze's killer", "Welcome to the Alianna Defreeze Let's Make a Change Foundation #ali", "Ohio Girl, 14, Abducted, Killed on the way to School and Her Parents Sue School for Not Reporting Her Absent", "Ohio school wins lawsuit over abduction, murder of Alianna DeFreeze", "Alianna's Alert: Ohio law will go into effect Friday after teen's tragic murder", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Alianna_DeFreeze&oldid=1151447966, Pages using infobox person with multiple parents, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Being the inspiration and namesake of Alianna Alert Being kidnapped, raped, tortured and murdered. As of Tuesday evening, it has raised over half of its $10,000 goal. It was overpowering, he said of the governors decision, which he learned in a phone call from Keith Hampton, one of his sons lawyers. There must be punishment. Officers noted that she was a passenger in Pierson's vehicle and did not seem to be in distress at the time. [8] Her body was discovered three days later. She was naked except for her socks and had wounds to her head. Based on the original screenplay by John Gatins, the idea for the film first developed while Gatins was on a flight. Carmen Verdecia said. An airline pilot saves almost all his passengers on his malfunctioning airliner which eventually crashed, but an investigation into the accident reveals something troubling. On the next morning, he assumes the Flight 227 to Atlanta and he faces turbulence at the take-off. Out of the blue, the plane has a mechanical problem and the skilled Whip crashes the plane in an empty field and saves the lives of ninety-six persons on board; however, four passengers and two crew members are killed. No control at all sir. Whip Whitaker is a commuter airline pilot. Unlike Whip Whitaker in the film, they did not succeed, and the plane crashed in the Pacific, leading to the death of every person on board. Hed dropped out of school months earlier. Kent has also remarried. [16], Hundreds of people attended DeFreezes funeral on February 11. ': Ohio Man Sentenced for Murdering Family of 8, Calif. Woman Pardoned 27 Years After Killing the Man Who Trafficked Her as a Teen, Charles Manson Follower Patricia Krenwinkel's Parole Blocked by California Gov. Although the prosecutor from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office, Anthony Pierson, requested a 13-year sentence, Common Pleas Judge John Wallace gave her nine years in prison. And I will do my best to uphold my role in the system.. Then, in a remarkable and improbable sequence of events, he was able to return to the cockpit on his 60th But Kent, who calls himself the greatest victim in this case, told CBS News, You dont have to convince me how awful this crime was., He adds, Ive lived it for 14 years now. It went into effect in April 2019. In sparing the life of Thomas Bart Whitaker about an hour before he was scheduled for lethal injection, Abbott accepted the state parole boards rare clemency recommendation. I know they would not want Barts life taken for this. Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said Bart Whitaker placed his arm through the bars of the holding cell after he was finished speaking with prison officials and asked to shake his hand. E Prep argued that it is immune from liability due to its status as a political subdivision. The filmmakers brought in real pilots and experts to discuss the technicalities of the situation, hoping to keep things as realistic as possible. Believe me, Im aware of what his choices have cost me.. Taking this serious incident as its catalyst, the film drives its plot based completely on the complex nature of its protagonist. [25] Surveillance video then shows Whitaker leading DeFreeze through a field to Fuller Avenue. "Why is this guy in the streets? By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Then, in a remarkable and improbable sequence of events, he was able to return to the cockpit on his 60th birthday and retire The lawsuit alleges that the school was aware of DeFreezes absence but did not contact her parents. Governor to Stay Julius Jones' Execution, Sirhan Sirhan 'in Disbelief' Over Being Granted Parole 53 Years After RFK Assassination, Says Lawyer, Oklahoma Man Gets Life in Prison for Murders, Including Cutting Out and Cooking Woman's Heart, Calif. Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for 1983 Murder Declared Innocent: 'I Just Want to Enjoy My Life', Texas Mom Who Drowned Children, 5 and 7, in Bathtub Gets 40 Years: 'Knew What She Was Doing', Texas Woman Accused of Strangling Best Friend, Then Stealing Her Newborn Girl Expected to Plead Guilty, Texas Woman Sentenced to 55 Years for Strangling Best Friend Then Stealing Her Newborn Girl, Oregon Gov. WebDid whip whitaker go to jail? [21] She would take the RTA bus to school, which her mother and grandmother did not like, though the fact that one stop was in front of a police station made them feel better about her means of transportation. WebNEWARK, NJThree alleged members of a violent Newark street gang were indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges that include murder, racketeering, kidnapping, In 2012 he was charged with aggravated theft. Alex Murdaugh, the former South Carolina lawyer who is in jail for life for the killing of his wife and son in 2021, was charged with two counts of tax evasion by a state grand jury. [17] The lawsuit also alleges that the school lied when they said they tried to send an alert but failed and that they should have been immediately concerned about DeFreeze's absence because of her developmental disability and because it was uncharacteristic of her to miss school. With just 30 minutes until he was due to die via lethal injection, Thomas Bart Whitakers life was spared on Thursday. A jury on June 30 Because many of the wounds showed signs that they had started healing, they were inflicted on her several hours before she died. At one time, TBW was one of the largest privately held mortgage lending companies in the United States. Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said Bart Whitaker placed his arm through the bars of the holding cell after he was finished speaking with prison officials and asked to shake his hand. In a clemency petition, Barts attorneys said his deeply religious father begged the district attorneys office with biblical quotations to seek life in prison for his son and was denied. Fasten your seatbelts securely now! Whitaker was being held in the Denver City Jail without bond for investigation of first-degree murder. A criminal complaint is merely an [5] Later, the jury recommended that Whitaker receive the death penalty and the judge upheld it. The Court dismissed Whitakers conviction and death sentence based on aggravated burglary. Verdecia's family has established a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses and other general costs in the wake of her death. Gov. In 2020, he received an early release after serving 27 years of a 40-year sentence for brutally beating and strangling Kristina Whitaker, 17, to death in 1993. In 1998, he was charged with grand theft and burglary. Kent has always believed that Whitakers sentence wasnt justified because no one in his family or his late wifes advocated for his execution. Police in South Florida charged a man on Saturday for the murder of a single mother, about a year after he was released from prison early. He trained with real pilots to get a better sense of how they behave and take control of a slippery situation. One of the other results of Whitaker's murder was the end of parole for prisoners in Florida. A jury found Julius Whitaker, Jr., guilty of felony murder while in the commission of aggravated assault, aggravated assault with the intent to murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft by taking a motor vehicle, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime in connection with the fatal stabbing of Larry Copeland. He is appealing the convictions. The gunman, Chris Brashear, pleaded guilty in 2007 to a murder charge and is serving life in prison. [39] In January 2022, DeFreezes family received a $1 million settlement in connection with the lawsuit filed against her school and the city. What if that person was your only remaining child? the lawyers wrote as reported by NBC News. It was the second time Superior Court Judge Linda Krese sentenced Whitaker to life without the possibility of release for the killing. DeFreeze took a step back from Whitaker, who followed her. Whitaker also told investigators that he did not want his face in the news. Kent Whitaker said he was humbled and looked forward to hugging and touching his son. Whitakers father, who survived the attempt on his life, passionately opposes the execution of his son. She had two nonviolent drug convictions, for possessing Abbott commuted the sentence to life without parole. Murdaugh, 54, was found guilty in the shooting death of his son and wife after a high-profile trial concluded last month. [14], On August 22, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected Whitaker's appeal and upheld his death sentence. Abbotts decision followed a unanimous decision for commutation by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. He struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction which has completely disrupted his relationship with his ex-wife and his son. And while there's certainly hint of trouble to come -- post-crash drug testing reveals that Whip was drunk during the entire incident, which, in theory, could earn him a Mr. Whitakers father insists that he would be victimized again if the state put to death his last remaining immediate family member, he said in his proclamation. WebCameron was serving a five year sentence for various drug related charge and is an admitted addict of intravenous cocaine and heroin. Rick Perry, also a Republican, accepted the boards decision in one case and rejected the other two, who subsequently were put to death in the nations most active capital punishment state. [16], In 2019 DeFreezes parents filed a lawsuit against several people and entities arguing that the school's failure to notify them about DeFreezes absence and the failure to monitor abandoned properties led to her death. While on a flight from Orlando to Atlanta something goes wrong and the plane starts to fly erratically. FILE Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison after conviction in double murder trial during his sentencing at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., on Friday, March 3, 2023 after he was found guilty on all four counts. The charges range from claims of more tax evasion, accusations he stole money from clients as a lawyer, and ran a drug and money laundering operation. Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman/AP, The True Story Behind the Broadway Musical 'Parade', Starring Ben Platt, Texas Gov. Plane crash in 'Flight' inspired by real-life disaster - CP24 Whitakers father said he loves and has forgiven his son, calling him a changed person. When he wakes up in the hospital, his friend from the airline union introduces him to a lawyer who tells him there's a chance he could face criminal charges because his blood test reveals that he was intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine. "He's going to pay this time. I didnt know who was telling the truth. [9] The officers entered the house after noticing that the back door was open[2] and found a trail of blood leading from the dining room into a room behind a closed door. He was also charged with aggravated robbery and felonious assault, though the case was dismissed. Apart from the plane crash, an important element in Whitakers life is his struggle with alcoholism. Greg Abbott on Thursday spared the life of a convicted killer shortly before the mans scheduled execution for masterminding the fatal shootings of his mother and brother. Having said that, certain aspects of the film are inspired by true events. In 2020, he received an early release after serving 27 years of a 40-year sentence for brutally beating and strangling Kristina Whitaker, 17, to death in 1993. "[11], DeFreeze's mother told the court that death is too good for him, and I wont believe he has any remorse until he suffers like my daughter suffered. DeFreezes father told Whitaker when you get where youre going, youre going to get what you got coming, before you get to the gas, lethal injection chamber, and that my baby didnt have a chance.[14] The woman Whitaker had attacked in 2005 supported his death sentence. The foundation works to address the issues of abandoned homes, help children obtain safe routes to school,[36] and address domestic violence, homelessness, and police-community relations. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. He and supporters were nearby the prison in a home used by inmate visitors and were standing and praying, Whitaker said. Im 100 percent guilty, Whitaker testified at his trial in 2007. Kent and Patricia Whitaker and their two boys had returned home the night of Dec. 10, 2003, following a restaurant dinner to celebrate Bart Whitakers college graduation when they were confronted by a gunman wearing dark clothes and a ski mask. As the greatest victim in this case, you dont have to convince me how awful this crime was, Kent Whitaker said. Greg Abbott Seeks to 'Swiftly' Pardon Man Found Guilty of Murdering BLM Protester, Kim Kardashian, Kerry Washington & Others Helped Convince Okla. The Washington Post reports that the prosecutors of the case Fort Bend County District Attorney John F. Healey, Jr., and first Assistant District Attorney Fred Felcman believe Whitakers sentence is appropriate for the crime. Why?" Read More: Best Airplane Movies of All Time. Hampton said he was very relieved (Abbott) did the right thing.. The pastor described Whitaker's demeanor as calm. He continued to deny it, and the police continued to say he was their suspect, Kent told The Washington Post. Parallel to Whitakers effort to battle his addiction, we also see Nicole (played by Kelly Reilly) trying to leave drugs in the past, which further leads to a great contrast in the way they cope with their problems. Pierson also served time for murder several years prior to killing Whitaker. [9], The boxcutter was used to slash DeFreeze's neck, while the drill had been used to put four puncture wounds into her cheek and a wound on her forehead that dislodged her right eyeball from the socket. On February 23, the jury recommended that he be put to death[12] and Judge Carolyn Friedland agreed and formally sentenced him on March 26,[32] saying that the mitigating circumstances "pale in comparison to the barbarity of the evidence. [2] The tools were laid out on a built-in bench in the dining room, which prosecutors described as a makeshift workstation. In just over three years as Governor, I have allowed 30 executions. The recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and my action on it, ensures Mr. Whitaker will never be released from prison.. Whitaker has four daughters, and the murder of Patricia Whitaker and her 19-year-old son, Kevin, were killed. But Whip is an alcoholic and struggles to control his addiction. Co-pilot Ken Evans takes over while Whip discreetly mixes vodka in his orange juice and takes a nap. The Texas man was to be executed for trying to kill his entire family. Unknown to his parents, the dinner celebration marking his graduation was a fraud. Steven Champagne was sentenced to 15 years. Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh on Thursday, March 6, 2023, filed a notice to appeal his convictions for the murder of his wife and son along with his life sentence. The owner of the shop told the family that the man was Pierson. Despite its fictional nature, it tries to stay as close to the truth as possible and succeeds, for the most part. Whitaker was eventually arrested in Mexico after investigators discovered he plotted the murders in the hopes of collecting the familys estate, which was worth more than $1 million. The charges range from claims of more tax evasion, accusations he stole money from clients as a lawyer, and ran a drug and money laundering operation. Ken Evans : I have no control on my side. [34], Whitaker is currently imprisoned on death row at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution in Chillicothe, Ohio for aggravated burglary, kidnapping, rape, aggravated murder, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse. Kate Brown Commutes All Death Sentences in State to Life Without Parole, West Virginia Teenager Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of 4 Family Members. Nicoles comes from AA meeting and finds Whip drunk in front of WebMargaret Thomason : Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts now! Still trying to rouse himself from his hangover, his phone rings, and he answers a call from his ex-wife Deana (Garcelle Beauvais). Marshalls. WebAlong with his death sentence, Whitaker was sentenced to forty-eight years in prison for aggravated burglary, felonious assault, rape, obstruction of justice, and gross abuse of a corpse. [35], Shortly after the murder, DeFreeze's mother became homeless. Alex Murdaugh, the former South Carolina lawyer who is in jail for life for the killing of his wife and son in 2021, was charged with two counts of tax evasion by a state grand jury. On April 8, 2005, he committed sexual battery and felonious assault against a woman in his home after letting her in so she could use the bathroom. [14][29] After murdering DeFreeze, in the late morning hours, Whitaker assisted a pastor at the Golgatha Missionary Baptist Church to unload food pantry items from a truck. [11] Whitaker's defense attorneys acknowledged his crimes but said that his drug use made him less able to control his impulses and follow the law. Whitaker, who had left the home after saying he was going to get his cell phone, returned and then pretended to try to confront the shooter and shot himself in his arm, he told ABC. [18] In 2019 Governor John Kasich signed a law named after DeFreeze which requires schools to notify parents of unexcused absences within two hours. His other friend, Steve Champagne, who drove Brashear from the house the night of the shootings, took the plea deal with a 15-year prison sentence in exchange for his testimony against Whitaker.
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whip whitaker jail sentence