BLOG; CATEGORIES. I mean, there has to be a part of you that was heartbroken over this," said Spencer. A motion to move the trial due to publicity was denied by the judge in the case, F. Gates Peed. But now prosecutors had their motive: Craig wanted not just his brother's wife, but his brother's life and had killed to get it. "It's the worst news you could get." Prosecutor Michael Muldrew said the brother-in-law, who moved in with Robin four months after the murders, had a sure motive for the killings. ", "No question you'd be bruised," Spencer noted. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. In the early hours of August 25, 2008, they were shot to death in their beds, whereas Philips wife, Linda Heidt, was injured but survived. The prosecutor thinks Craig smashed the pane of glass to fake a burglary when, in reality, he simply opened the door with that spare key. "This one right hereis about 48-to-50 pounds of pressure on your shoulder of recoil. 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Contact Us Sheriff's Office Email the Office Physical Address View Map 130 W First Street Extension Springfield, GA 31329 Directions Phone: : 912-754-3449 Emergency Phone: : 911 Hours Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. And in his haste, Muldrew continues, he forgot to take the key out of the door, where the cops later found it. Craig Heidt was convicted two years and four months after the crime by a jury of four men and eight women. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took the lead in investigating at the request of Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, who knew Philip Heidt well. More than 40 shots were fired during the attack, he said. There's no DNA. Spencer asked Linda. And then, four months after the murders, Craig Heidt moved in with his brother's widow and their three kids. "The scene was staged to look like it was a burglary," said Agent Howard. Spencer asked Linda. Linda Heidt survived her injuries and managed that morning to call 911 for help. "Well, I'm not rejoicing," Robin said. "I know I didn't do anything. Then one day, an officer guarding Linda saw something that set off alarm bells. This is not a time to take leaps of faith on another man's life here.". With Sager are Detective Aaron Lange, left, and Police Chief Mike Schutzbach, right. Investigator: Why are we getting indications that you had sexual relations with Robin? Sager said a rifle and a handgun were recovered at the scene. The Heidt family was widely respected in Effingham and the murders shocked not just the community but the entire nation. Darnell loved his family and especially loved watching his . "you know there is this chance that he could have done this.". Sunday evening, the former Mason resident carried out his threat, fatally shooting both his estranged wife and mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself. Chris says a shotgun would have to be held at a ridiculous angle to get those bruises and Craig knew betterbut in the heat of murder? On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot and killed in their beds. The motive, according to the prosecutor, was ''lust and greed.'' Spencer asked Chris Heidt. 0. But the killer never set the gas ablaze, perhaps panicking when he heard Linda's desperate call to 911. "He pointed out to the officer that was present, that was doin' security, that his shotgun was missin'," Agent Howard told Spencer. He was also charged with numerous other crimes including aggravated battery, aggravated assault, attempted arson, burglary, and three counts of possession of a firearm while committing a felony. In the request, Sharon reported numerous calls from her estranged husband from Aug. 15 through 17 in which Jerry allegedly threatened her, stating he will get even with me.. "Craig had entered the room-- put his hand on his mother's and said, 'Momthis is Craig.'" Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Your login session has expired. He has become, for all practical purposes, Carey Heidt. It was updated on July 14.]. . "Typically that type of ammo shot from that weapon will leave a bruise.". "But I feel like they have the right person.". The relationship got more intense, with Robin and Craig often sneaking off to an isolated hunting cabin. Asked if he sees much of Robin these days, Sheriff Jimmie McDuffie told Spencer, "Seems like we run into her quite often around the county. Her eyes got really wide. "If I had been representing him at that time, I would have said'You know, don't. 'It just took off from there.'. And we commonly call that in law enforcement just the wrong answer.". "Investigator John Bradley with the sheriff's department mentioned, 'I wonder how his arm looks,'" Howard said. On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot to death in their beds. Though improving in a Savannah hospital, she was still unable to talk. Matt Sager, center, speaks at a press conference Monday related to the Sunday shootings in Effingham. Effingham County Courthouse 120 West Jefferson Avenue Suite 101 P.O. A salary of $50,000 in Effingham, Illinois should increase to $50,315 in Carterville, Illinois . "Each of us had our own personalities.". But nothing had been stolen - including money left on table tops - and a key was found in the outside of the door. Effingham City Police Department Cpl. And his father, Philip, told Craig flat out: Knock it off with your brother's wife or lose your entire inheritance. His wife, Linda Heidt, was also targeted, but she managed to survive her injuries and dial 911 for help. "There was a lot of tension very heated conversations, several very heated conversations," Robin told Spencer. Violent Crime Rates. "When you sit down and dispassionately look at the evidence, it couldn't be anybody but him," said District Attorney Michael Muldrew. "As many fights as they'd had and as much bad blood as there was at this point? However, he said, police had supervised a child exchange at a neutral location. The married pair then got into an argument, and he left to spend the night at his parents. "It was somethin' to the effect of. Based on those injuries and the pellets found at the scene, the medical examiner says the shooter used a 12-gauge shotgun; up close and personal. Heidt was a successful real estate developer who'd made millions in this sprawling county about an hour north of Savannah. She was missing her head, hands and feet. Asked if she could you identify the person, Linda told Spencer, "I didn't see a face or anything. Juror #11: It was his gun missing and to me that was the hardest evidence. Philip Martin Heidt was a prominent businessman in Effingham. Days later, while the couple was in Craigs cabin, they heard a low-flying helicopter, which Carey confirmed to his wife was to get proof of the liaison. They resumed their involvement in December, and Craig had moved in by January. Shooting spree: The gunman also killed his father Philip, left, and shot his mother Linda, right, in the face, Crime scene: Officers arrived at a scene that had been staged to look like a robbery - but found keys in the door. Advertisements Never mind that brother-in-law thing and never mind her three children who at that time were 10, 7 and 3 years old. Bonds also contended that more than one shooter was involved. It was case that pitted father against son, husband against wife and brother against brother. or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Savannah . . "At some point, and I don't remember where that was atit was like 'Oh my God, that's gotta be Philip's house.'". And one day, peace," she replied. Craig, who had failed to convince Robin to leave her husband, went on to murder his brother Carey and their father - while attempting to kill their mother - in an early morning shooting spree in 2008. Photo: Effingham County Sheriff's Office. The upcoming episode of Oxygen's Dateline: Secrets Uncovered delves deep into the shocking deaths of a father and son from a prominent business family in Effingham County in 2008. But prosecutors think a jury will decide that's exactly what he is. Inside the forest palace 'Putin shares with his gymnast lover and their secret children': Luxury estate My nightmare neighbours kept throwing condoms and rubbish in our garden - I took epic revenge and they never Seat swapping on planes is a hot topic - but what ARE the do's and don'ts? She told her husband about the affair two weeks after it began. From just after 10 a.m. until close to 6 p.m., defense attorneys were working hard to pick apart the original grand jury indictment. He is currently serving two life sentences in prison along with an additional 85 years for numerous other crimes, including aggravated battery, burglary, and attempted arson. Linda was the mothershe's comin' outta the bathroom to see what's going on because she doesn't have a clue the left side of her face was extensively damaged and then the shot continued through her right shoulder. The mother-of-three was having an affair with her husband's older brother Craig, the self-proclaimed 'black sheep' of the family. Robin has now turned against her former lover - even testifying against him in court. "It was very much a mess.". Craig Heidt: I know that it looks bad but I'm gonna tell you something, I couldn't do that to my brother. ", Asked what he believes Craig Heidt did that night, Muldrew told Spencer, "It's not really a matter of what I believe he did. During the trial, it was revealed that Craig had an affair with his brother Carey's wife, Robin, and was planning to purchase land after he'd made some money. I know the heart he has. "Yeah, well, I was sitting on the floor so I knew they were wet.". While Robin spent two days in jail for the latter, she was granted a $15,000 bond in the former, with the stipulation that she had to relocate. July 14, 2012 / 10:55 PM "I definitely wasn't thinking about my children when I did it, how it would affect them," said Robin. EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. Disturbing details surrounding the death of two young siblings, possibly at the hands of their own family, are emerging. "He lied about things he didn't even need to lie about. On that summer morning a prominent family lost a father and a son to violence by the hand of a family member. Her husband was distraught, but he was no fool. Spencer asked Carey's wife, Robin Heidt. An arraignment hearing . "Everyone was very upset, very on pins and needles, not knowin' what to say or what to do or how they could help," Linda Heidt told Spencer. They had three sons, Craig, Chris, and Carey. Robin found him irresistible. Once inside, according to this scenario, Craig methodically went room to room shooting his brother, his father and his mother all for the love of Robin. Juror #9: I was leaning toward a guilty vote, but you know I guess I wanted to make sure that we looked at everything as closely as we possibly could. The project will happen east of the interchange with I-57 and extend to the Cumberland and Effingham County line, located east of Montrose. Ultimately, though, it came to light that their other son, Philip Craig Heidt, was the assailant. You don't really need to aim. Linda Heidt's injuries were such that it took six minutes for 911 operators to understand where help was needed. A reenactment is not a good idea' But if you look at what Craig was thinking at the time he did that, he was trying to assist them in their investigationhe was cooperating with them," said Bonds. First published on July 14, 2012 / 10:55 PM. "It was not smart. Each episode focuses on a different case, delving deep into the police investigation, along with interviews from the victim's family members, friends, colleagues and others connected to the case. The Effingham Police Department and Effingham County Sheriff's Office, with help from the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force, Illinois State Police, U.S. "I wasn't comfortable with the relationship anymore," Robin testified. Robin and Craig got a rude awakening the next morning. "Not really sure. A second man, Aaron M. Kaiser, 37, of Beecher City, was arrested and has been charged with concealing a homicidal death. Robin admits she made the first move on her brother-in-law, Craig. Things took a turn when the family learned about the affair and Philip confronted his daughter-in-law. it was silly.". "The position of the bruises on Craig's body were actually impossible to make from a shotgun," said Chris. He had intended to light their home on fire as well but fled upon hearing the call. Effingham police Cpl. "Craig doesn't just instantly occur to you?" Asked about the sentence, she told Spencer. That was precisely the message defense attorney Dow Bonds wanted to get across. Soon, the investigation began whilst wild rumors and theories about the killer kept floating around the community. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Websites CRASH as hundreds of thousands of families find out today Who said black and white pics were flattering! NBC's 'Dateline: Mystery in Effingham County' is an episode that explores a case of lust and greed that shook the state of Georgia to its core. Yet, things changed in April 2008, when Craig began an affair with the mother of Careys three children, Robin Heidt. iPhone users claim Apple is trying to TRICK them into Are YOU at risk of being cancelled? "Every time Philip had had an argument with somebody, you know, we had to go and investigate and talk to those folkssee what was going on with it," said McDuffie. I know the heart he has. "Exactly," Myrick said. But investigators zeroed in on Craig Heidt early on and their case got stronger when Agent Howard followed up on a colleague's hunch. Philip's wife Linda Heidt was. Craig Heidt had also looked at land with a Realtor, saying he expected to have some money soon. "It took a coward to walk in at three in the morning into a dark home and do what they did to our family," he said. His attorney said that no physical evidence was presented at the trial that directly connected Craig to the crime scene. "Had the officer asked about his shotgun? The patriarch of the Heidt family, Philip Heidt, 59, and his son Carey Heidt, 32, were shot to death in their homes in the wee hours of August 25, 2008. The violent murders, in which the men were shot from just two feet away, sent waves of fear around the close-knit community, where the Heidt family was well-known for their successful real estate business. According to the Illinois State Police, Christopher E . A Georgia father, stepmother, and grandmother were arrested . Nora Wilfred. Rape. "I felt like it was fair.". He said Smiths current residence in Salem was being searched for more clues. The killer had cut the phones lines and smashed a pane of glass in a door. I did not know who it was. . Robin, of course, called Craig to vent not long after, only for Philip, Carey, and Linda to be shot the following morning. There are no confessions". Effingham County had 486 arrests for the last 3 years, in 2017 the arrest rate was 412.96 per 100.000 population which is by 44.12% lower than the National average of 739.02 per 100.000 inhabitants. Mary and Elwyn Crocker Jr. were found buried. Despite being labeled as the black sheep of the Heidt family who enjoyed an out-of-bounds lifestyle, Philip Craig Heidt had supposedly managed to build a stable life for himself while living in a cozy cabin on a hunting club near Oliver. And many believe Robin is responsible for the deaths. Detectives charged Richard Allen Knaust, Jr. and Dusty Dan Hamilton in November with murder stemming from a trailer fire in which a body was discovered beaten and bloodied. Currently in his mid-50s, Craig has always maintained his innocence. Craig Heidt was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison plus 85 years in Effingham County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon. Pattison is a cousin of the kids' father, Elwyn. 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