The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. And like that, poof. He’s gone.
—Verbal Kint (The Usual Suspects)
In Memoriam
Donald Mitchell
February 16, 1940–December 18, 2009
Acknowledgments
Savage Son is the first true crime book I have written where I wanted to leave the genre afterward. Bart Whitaker’s cold, callous disregard for human life made it difficult for me to plant my butt in the chair and tell a compelling story that readers would want to spend time delving into.
I began researching this case just days before Thanksgiving 2007. Little did I know, my cozy little world in the field of true crime would soon be shaken up. It all started when I posted a humorous horror video on my own website, In Cold Blog. The Eli Roth-directed fake movie trailer upset a few of my contributors and a campaign to undermine my writing career, led by two people within my industry (later joined by a third non-blog member), was underway. I was stunned to witness the vitriol with which people, whom I considered to be my peers as well as my friends, went after me over a disagreement about the First Amendment.
I assumed that submersing myself into research for the Bart Whitaker story would shield me from the irrationality; however, I was in for another surprise. As soon as I was heavy-duty into my new book, one of my worst fears was realized: I received word that another person was writing a book on the case. I am not a fan multiple book releases on a fairly recent true crime story, so I proceeded with caution. To make matters worse, I assumed I was in big trouble when I learned who the author would be—Kent Whitaker. I later discovered that Mr. Whitaker would release his book through a religious based publishing house. I was relieved, as I believed his book would be a story more of redemption and forgiveness, whereas my version would be a thorough dissection of an amazing true crime story. I decided to continue on with the book, but also suggested to my publisher that I postpone the release of Savage Son so as to allow Mr. Whitaker’s book more uninterrupted time on the shelves.
That winter, the fight between me and my former true crime genre friends reached a peak as one disgruntled former contributor (encouraged by her minions) attempted to smear my name among several victims’ rights groups’ charities even after I offered up a public apology. She was so obsessed with trying to make me look bad that she even publicly questioned the veracity of the rape of my late first wife, Lisa, and went so far as to stalk our friends through Lisa’s online memorial website so she could question them as to whether or not she had been raped. This from an alleged supporter of victims’ rights. Alas, her attempts failed, but I was flabbergasted that such venom could be spewed by a person whom I believed to be a purveyor of the most sacrosanct of American tenets—freedom of speech.
My disillusionment with true crime continued the following spring when a Houston television news reporter piggybacked on the upcoming release of my last true crime book, Pure Murder, in yet another attempt to smear my name. The reporter, possibly incensed that she would not be able to finagle her own book deal with a key participant featured in my book, used the power of the media to make me look bad. Her interview, with a parent of one of the victims, was to focus on a legal matter in the case, yet suddenly veered to the release of my book and led the parent to talk about the old anti-true crime saw, “blood money.” I mistakenly assumed a television reporter, who had reported on murder cases for years, would understand that writing a book on a true crime case is not about making “blood money,” but rather an attempt at finding the truth behind the headlines and sharing that information with a discerning public that deserves to know what goes on around them. Fortunately, the reporter’s hatchet job was seen for what it really was, so I simply brushed it aside. Pure Murder was released months later and went on to become one of my most successful books. I later found out through a third party that the parent who decried my book actually read it and declared it to be excellent. Had that reporter not pressed her own agenda, I probably would have been able to include that family member into my book and made it even better.
After my Pure Murder book tour, I jumped back into the Bart Whitaker story. Meanwhile, the disgruntled former In Cold Blog contributors had moved on. Once they understood that I had already experienced the most horrendous day in my life with the death of Lisa and that nothing could ever make me feel any worse, they redirected their attacks on my editor at In Cold Blog. She had made the innocent mistake of defending me. Knowing full well that she had previously been a victim of violent crime, these people found it acceptable to make false accusations about her and proceeded to unearth her personal information, including outing her once private persona, with the sole purpose of trying to break her down mentally, simply because she disagreed with them.
Needless to say, stepping out of a realm where people who disagree with you decide it is acceptable behavior to go after another person with the intent to shatter their life, into a different world where an egotistical, maniacal, control freak literally shattered other people’s lives was not my idea of fun.
The more I learned about Bart Whitaker, the more I became repulsed by who he was as a person, by what he had become, and by the actions he had taken to solve his own imaginary problems. I have written about some of the most violent people in the world: Coral Watts, a serial killer who may have killed as many as one hundred innocent women; Anthony Allen Shore, a brilliant individual who raped his own daughters and strangled little girls; and Rex Krebs, a paroled rapist turned serial killer of college girls. Miraculously, I was actually able to find one redeeming trait within these wretched souls’ lives. With Bart Whitaker though, I could not find it within my heart to locate a single iota of decency.
But that’s when I remembered that true crime books are about so much more than just a killer and his gruesome crimes. They are about victims and their families, law enforcement officers who go above and beyond to catch these bad people, and the citizens who are adversely affected by murder and violent crime. These stories are the ultimate parables of good versus evil.
It was then that I remembered why I enjoy not only writing true crime books, but also reading them. No matter how tragic the circumstances surrounding the murder of a loved one, someone, somehow, always manages to rise to the occasion. In the Bart Whitaker story, that someone was Kent Whitaker. While I seriously doubt I could ever forgive someone who murdered my spouse and my child, I admire his ability to stick to his beliefs and stand behind his son.
Kent Whitaker has taken a lot of criticism for supporting Bart. He has been ripped to shreds online for his decision and called every name in the book, but he seems unfazed by the barbs. I’m sure they sting at times, but he has a higher purpose to serve. I truly admire him for that.
After watching the attempted evisceration of Kent Whitaker, it made me want to do two things: 1) detail his argument to free his son in this book at length; and 2) forget and forgive the people who have attempted to smear my name in this business.
For the former, I narrowed the trial information down to three people: Bo Bartlett, Kent Whitaker, and Bart. I wanted to show that no matter how horrible a person Bart Whitaker might truly be, there were still people out in the world that cared enough about him to argue on his behalf. I believe Bart’s true, combative, egotistical nature comes out fully in his testimony, yet I believe I was more than fair in presenting his uncle and father’s arguments for keeping him alive. It was the least I could do for Mr. Whitaker.
For the latter, it reminded me that nothing is more devastating than losing a loved one. Also, I have long accepted the reality that people will do whatever they feel is necessary to tear down others to make themselves feel better about themselves, regardless of the consequences. Mere words and intentional disinformation, however, pale in comparison to murder—obviously. So, if Kent Whitaker could forgive his son for murdering Tricia and Kevin Whitaker, it was pretty apparent that my complaints were trivial in comparison.
/> Besides, life is far too short to concern yourself with spiteful individuals who seek to destroy others and refuse to build bridges for greater, more positive opportunities.
Again, I do not believe I could have done what Kent Whitaker did, but his actions are to be admired, not chastised.
I will continue to write true crime books as long as people continue to murder one another. These stories need to be told, examined, and shared. They need to be discussed at length, argued about, and held up as warning signs. Hopefully, I will continue to do justice to all parties involved in these devastating tales.
Thank you to Samantha Buxton, aka “Lady Long Legs,” for providing the winning entry in my MySpace contest to name this book. You came up with the perfect title.
Thank you to everyone involved in the Whitaker case, especially Kent Whitaker, Fred Felcman, Judge Clifford Vacek, and Marshall Slot. This was a difficult book for me to get cooperation on, so to those several dozen people who had the courage to step forward, I truly appreciate your help and guidance.
Thank you, Karen Rothman. You are a sweetheart and one hell of a representative for all that is right in the justice system.
As always, Andy Kahan, you are an inspiration and a much-needed voice for crime victims across the globe. I am proud to call you my friend. Also, thank you to Wanda Greenbaugh. May you also succeed in assisting crime victims.
Thank you to Michaela Hamilton, Mike Shohl, Richard Ember, and everyone at Kensington for their continued support of me, even when I miss those pesky deadlines.
Thank you to Michelle McKee for running In Cold Blog and for being a fighter for what is right and just. Never give up.
Thank you to my mentor, friend, and fellow television mogul Dennis McDougal. Your friendship is invaluable. Putz!
Thank you to all of the wonderful contributors at In Cold Blog. It is my privilege to be able to work with so many talented and kind writers. You all are what make our blog one of the best.
Thanks to Vince Neilstein and Axl Rose at MetalSucks. It’s nice to step away from true crime and talk about something fun like heavy metal! Also, thanks to Ben, Matt, and Gary Suarez.
Thanks to all of my friends, especially Peter Soria and Ray Seggern. It’s nice to know you both always have my back.
Thank you to my good friend and attorney, David Schafer. More work coming your way.
Thanks to Brian and Amy Ditzel and the girls. It’s always special to welcome wonderful new people into my life.
Thank you to Dennis and Margaret Burke. We could not do this without your help and support. Much love from your son-in-law.
Thank you to Kyle and Ramona Mitchell, Darrin Mitchell, and Denise Burke. I am lucky to have such incredible siblings. I love you all, as well as my nieces and nephews Julie, Kaylee, Ronnie, Madison, Blake, and Leah.
Thank you to my mom, Carol Mitchell, for holding strong and staying tough all these years. I do not know how you did it, but you have kept this family together during twenty-eight very difficult years and somehow managed to keep your spirits up. You have made life fun for all of us around you. You are an incredible woman who I am constantly in awe of every day. I love you very much.
As always, thank you to my late wife, Lisa Mitchell. It is hard to imagine that you have been gone for more than eight years. I miss you every day and hope you are proud of what I have accomplished.
Thank you to my wonderful daughter, Emma. You are so brilliant it’s scary. I have so enjoyed every minute I have been blessed to spend with you. I cannot wait to see you grow and blossom into the beautiful, funny, sensitive, and intelligent young lady I know you will become. But, no hurry. I love you, sweetheart.
Thank you to the newest addition to our family, Sabrina. Your mother and I are so thrilled to welcome you into this world. Don’t let the subject matter of daddy’s books scare you. It is a wonderful world out there and there is no need to be afraid of it. Aware, yes. Afraid, no. I love you, Sweet Bear.
Thank you to my incredible wife, Audra. It looks like our hard work is finally going to pay off. Either way, I am the happiest man alive simply because I get to spend the rest of my life with you. You are something to behold and I still don’t understand how I was lucky enough to come into your life. Let’s enjoy the fruits of our labor and laugh more and more together each day. Thank you for your intense support, devotion, and tolerance. I am madly in love with you.
My final thank you goes out to my dad, Don Mitchell. He passed away on December 18, 2009, at the age of sixty-nine, from dementia. Twenty-eight years earlier, he was diagnosed with an egg-sized malignant tumor in the frontal lobe of his brain. He was given anywhere from six months to two years to live after surgery, but he defied all odds and stuck around for twenty-eight more. He was a lover and a fighter, a jock and a sensitive man, an entrepreneur and a family guy, a frustration and an inspiration. He was everything that a young man would want as a role model, whether it came to his work ethic, how he respectfully treated women, how he fully enjoyed himself and his family, and how he had an incomparable lust for life. I could not have been luckier.
Thank you, Dad, for everything you taught me, showed me, argued about with me, revealed to me, and inspired in me. It is because of you that I am in any way, shape, or form a relatively decent human being. I will miss you more than you could ever imagine.
I love you, Dad.
Your son
Corey Mitchell, J.D., is the author of the best-sellers Dead and Buried and Pure Murder, as well as Murdered Innocents, Evil Eyes, Strangler, and the underground true crime classic, Hollywood Death Scenes. He is also the founder and executive editor of In Cold Blog, a collective of over twenty true crime authors and professionals, often regarded as the preeminent true crime blog.
Mitchell is a former contributor for the Discovery Channel and his work has appeared in Reuters, USA Today, UPI, AP, Examiner.com, Austin Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Chicago Sun-Times, MetalSucks, Bloody Disgusting, and many more. He has also appeared as an expert on numerous national news broadcasts and featured on several television shows including E!’s 20 Most Horrifying Hollywood Murders and TV Land’s Myths and Legends.
Mitchell has also worked with several charitable organizations to help assist victims of crime. He had the honor of introducing his book Strangler, at the twenty-first annual Parents of Murdered Children conference in Houston, Texas, as a Guest Speaker and workshop host. Mitchell is the only other true crime author, besides Ann Rule, to have ever been bestowed this honor.
Corey is surrounded by estrogen in the form of his lovely wife, Audra, and his two beautiful daughters, Emma and Sabrina, deep in the heart of Texas.
Follow Corey Mitchell on his website: www.coreymitchellauthor.com
In Cold Blog: http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?ref=profile&id=660352330
Twitter: http://twitter.com/corey_mitchell
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/coreymitchell
Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals connected to this story.
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Copyright © 2010 by Corey Mitchell
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