''Murder by Family'' a non-fiction true crime book written by Kent Whitaker. The book was released on September 23, 2008, by Howard Books.

Synopsis

''Murder by Family'' chronicles

Thomas Bartlett Whitaker Thomas 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. Whitaker was convicted for the December 10, 2003, murders of his mother and 19 ...

's attempts to have a hitman murder his parents and brother. His mother Tricia and brother Kevin died in the shootings on 10 December 2003, but his father Kent, though shot, survived. The book follows Kent Whitaker's spiritual journey of healing and forgiveness for his son. Kent tells of also forgiving his son's two accomplices: Chris Brashear, the hitman and Steve Champagne, his getaway driver.

Aftermath

Kent now has a Christian ministry with his wife Tanya Youngling and speaks to organizations about forgiveness and healing. Thomas Bartlett Whitaker was refused a plea bargain by the District Attorney in return for his admission of guilt and was sentenced to death in 2007. Kent pleaded in vain with the jury to spare Bart's life. In February 2018, his death sentence was overturned one hour before his scheduled execution and he is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.

References

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External links

Excerpt
from ''Murder by Family'' from The Oprah Winfrey Show
Kent Whitaker: 10 Years After An Unspeakable Tragedy
from The Oprah Winfrey Show American biographies Non-fiction crime books