This undated file photo provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows death row inmate Thomas Whitaker
The heartsick father of a Texas man who slaughtered his younger brother and mother in hopes to obtain a hefty inheritance payout is pleading state officials to halt his son’s execution.
Dad Kent Whitaker is the sole survivor of the 2003 deadly incident that took the lives of his college-aged son, Kevin, and wife, Tricia inside their Sugar Land home fifteen years ago.
Now, Kent’s eldest son, Thomas, now 38, sits on death row following his conviction with an execution date set for February 22 for the ambush attack he put one of his buddies up for.
In a shocking clemency letter first seen on the American-Statesman, Kent, 69, revealed he can’t bear to see one more of his loved ones be killed.
‘I have seen too much killing already… I don’t want to see him executed right there in front of my eyes,’ the lone father said, who is left with the horrific memory of his family who fell dead in his home.
‘I know Tricia and Kevin would not want him to be executed. I can’t imagine seeing the last living part of my family executed by the state, especially since all the victims didn’t want that to happen in the first place,’ he said solemnly.
Thomas set up the ambush that killed his mom, brother. His father survived the shooting and, after learning to forgive his son, is asking state officials for mercy
He is scheduled to be executed for the crime on Feb. 22, but his father is making a last-ditch plea to spare his son’s life
In the online clemency plea on behalf of Kent, the board to Governor Greg Abbott details the request for lesser penalty of a lifelong sentence.
‘This case in unique. Kent Whitaker was almost murdered during the same ambush that took the life of Kent’s wife, Patricia, and son, Kevin.’
‘There is only one person on Earth who is intimate with the murderous attack, the lives and deaths of the other victims, and the life of Thomas Whitaker – Mr. Whitaker’s father, Kent.’
Only hours after this happy family photo was taken, the man on the left Thomas Whitaker had his brother Kevin (pictured on the right) murdered by one of his friends
The last sounds of mom Tricia (shown left with Kent) were a series of weak, wet coughs as blood filled her lungs
‘He speaks to clemency with a moral force and detail of experience that no district attorney or judge or anyone can possess,’ the powerful, 19 page letter reads.
Kent suggests that his son – who he visited in prison – has turned his life around since the horrific murder nearly two decades ago
In the letter, Kent makes a point to suggest that his son – who he visited in prison – has turned his life around since the horrific murder nearly two decades ago.
The plea includes backup letters from fellow inmates to Thomas, who said he cares about the well-being of others.
Inmate Keith Milam said Thomas has a ‘special affinity of helping guys with mental illness,’ according to the clemency letter. His father believes he also has a mental illness.
Faryion Wardrip added that Thomas is one of the most liked inmates, who has worked hard to better himself and others.
‘Thomas provides care packages to newly arrived inmates — a toothbrush, razor, coffee packets, chips — because commissary privileges take a while to set up,’ Kent said, according to the Statesman.
‘He encouraged at least two inmates to get their high school GED certificates,’ he added.
Dad Kent, who published the book ‘Murder by Family’, credits his Christian faith for the forgiveness of his son
Thomas, who holds a bachelor’s degree and is working toward a master’s, promotes the importance of education.
Dad Kent, who published the book ‘Murder by Family’, credits his Christian faith for the forgiveness of his son, and is asking the court to do so as well.
‘Kent looked to God… He found the answer early in his tragedy, as he can explain to each member of this Board,’ the letter goes on to say.
‘While laying in his hospital bed, Kent considered whether he should slip into bitterness and despair. His faith rescued him from that fate.’
‘I know Tricia and Kevin would not want him to be executed,’ Kent said in the clemency letter