Be the first one to comment on this story. Finally, in May 2009, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation made its move, arresting Craig Heidt for the murder of his brother. Philip was known to be a very private man who loved his family. "it just took off from there". Over the next few days when talking with police at the crime scene, Craig made several more startling statements. Your login session has expired. Over the last 1 1/2 years, Jerry has been told to stop with the abuse or I would file for divorce, Sharon Smith wrote. Craig allegedly enjoyed a more unconventional lifestyle. I didn't wish any harm on Carey or Mr. Philip or Miss Linda," she said. 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. She then went home, where she and husband Carey had a nasty argument. Watch The Mystery of Effingham County (Season 10, Episode 56) of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered or get episode details on NBC.com. ", "It did not," she replied. Widow: Robin Heidt has spoken out for the first time since her lover - also her brother-in-law - shot dead her husband. "Craig had entered the room-- put his hand on his mother's and said, 'Momthis is Craig.'" Investigators weren't so sure. According to an order of protection filed last month by his estranged wife Sharon, Jerry W. Smith had threatened to harm her on several recent occasions. He has become, for all practical purposes, Carey Heidt. His attorney said that no physical evidence was presented at the trial that directly connected Craig to the crime scene. "Not really sure. "Investigator John Bradley with the sheriff's department mentioned, 'I wonder how his arm looks,'" Howard said. IDOT said the 7-mile project costs $50 million and is [] Juror #2: Once I seen the bruises that was, like, yeah, he's guilty. Crocker was sentenced to life without parole, narrowly escaping the death penalty. "What questions did he fail?" "This is a court of law. Juror #11: The way she threw him under the bus just, I mean, that told you right there, she just used him. On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot to death in their beds. I went to the jail and saw him.". Spencer asked Robin. Crocker Timeline: Family members could be put to death for murders, burial of Effingham County kids It began with a welfare check in Guyton. But Linda is convinced that her oldest son is innocent, denying suspicions that she secretly knows otherwise. Craig is currently serving two consecutive life sentences along with an additional 85 years on all 11 counts at the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. "I looked at Craig and I said, 'That helicopter is here watching us,'" Robin told Spencer. In December of the following year, she was taken into custody again after failing to hand over her childrens Social Security amount to Linda, their maternal grandmother, who had temporary custody. The affair became known to the family and caused great tension, "reaching a peak," in the days leading up to the murders, Muldrew said. The protection request also reports Sharons swimming pool had been slashed with a knife. She was missing her head, hands and feet. EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Nearly a year since they were last in court, three of the defendants in the Crocker case were back before a judge. McDuffie was taken to task by some for not providing much in the way of information to calm those fears. So I did. This is not a time to take leaps of faith on another man's life here.". The Effingham County Jail reported the following bookings: Effingham Police arrested Joshua Lester, 42, Wheeler, on Feb. 23 on charges of criminal sexual assault and violation of an . Craig Heidt is serving two life sentences plus 85 years on all 11 counts. When quizzed by officers, Robin admitted she was having an affair with her brother-in-law. A judge sentenced him to two life terms in prison, along with an added 85 years. "Philip wanted the family to be perfect good Christian family, good folksand Philip was just - he was the man of the house," said McDuffie. Craig Heidt's lawyer, Dow Bonds, says the public perception that Craig somehow was trying to "become" his brother is completely distorted. And one day, peace," she replied. "You were gonna get married to Craig. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Robin says a friend told her about the verdict. EFFINGHAM COUNTY, IL 3 DAYS AGO "No," she said. Robin Heidt's "mistake" was having an affair. Craig Heidt's appeal of his conviction will be heard by the Georgia Supreme Court in September. On Dec. 1, 2010, the murder trial of Craig Heidt begins in the Effingham County Courthouse. Juror #11: It was his gun missing and to me that was the hardest evidence. Feb 24, 2023. If Carey was livin' happily at his house, he'd have never been at my mother and father's that night," he replied. ", "It was very complicated, because Carey was very dead set against a divorce," Robin said. Spencer asked. There was no fingerprints. "he told me when we were married that we were gonna be married for life.". Philip and Carey Heidt were well-known, well-respected, well-liked. The family soon learned about this liaison, leading to domestic disputes. But investigators zeroed in on Craig Heidt early on and their case got stronger when Agent Howard followed up on a colleague's hunch. What do you think was going on?" Nothing was rummaged through. However, he said, police had supervised a child exchange at a neutral location. "Not only was it laughable, it was scientifically and physically impossible.". Advertisements The relationship got more intense, with Robin and Craig often sneaking off to an isolated hunting cabin. "So I had a few drinks there and ended up staying that night," she explained. And his father, Philip, told Craig flat out: Knock it off with your brother's wife or lose your entire inheritance. Effingham City Police Department Cpl. TV shows like "CSI" were cited as giving the public an unrealistic view of crime solving. "The only things coming out of Carey's mouth about Craig were negative," Robin testified. The intruder doused the house in gasoline, but hearing Linda call 911, decided to flee. Authorities say. Effingham County Crime Breakdown. John L.. ", "We got along well. . "How long does it take for a bruise like this to show up?" And we commonly call that in law enforcement just the wrong answer.". 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. Spencer asked Chris Heidt. Maybe it was from hearing talk that was going on around me," she said. That was precisely the message defense attorney Dow Bonds wanted to get across. 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. ', Happier times: Robin said the affair drove a wedge through the Heidt family, pictured, Brothers: From left to right, Carey, Craig and Chris Heidt. More than 40 shots were fired during the attack, he said. As investigations proceeded, though, it came to light that Careys wife, Robin, unwittingly played a role as well. However, by that time, Craig had already insisted that one of his shotguns, boots, and gas cans were missing and even denied his affair with Robin, which she confirmed. "I took [it] that -- she-- she's scared for a reason," he replied. Detectives arrived at a scene staged to look like a robbery, with smashed windows and strewn clothes. At first, investigators questioned Philip's real estate business partners, wondering if any animosity might have provided a motive for the deadly rampage - but they found none. Spencer commented to Robin. If Carey was livin' happily at his house, he'd have never been at my mother and father's that night,' Craig and Carey's brother Chris told the CBS show. Craig Heidt was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison plus 85 years in Effingham County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon. He has threatened to take our daughter and stated you will never see her again. Hes threatened to burn my house and hes threatened me with a gun.. "I said we have to go by the evidence.". Titled The Mystery of Effingham County, the episode examines the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the subsequent investigation that garnered national media coverage. Police would not identify the three children at the home other than to say two were boys aged 12 and 13 and the third was a 5-year-old girl. 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. Firearms expert Ed Myrick thinks a shotgun easily could slip. So Howard asked Craig to take off his shirt. Your login session has expired. Craig Heidt: I know that it looks bad but I'm gonna tell you something, I couldn't do that to my brother. He had said 'that Carey and Philip had better watch out or he was going to play 'old school' on them.'. The blast was what I saw. But prosecutors think a jury will decide that's exactly what he is. Rape. This can't be happening. Guyton - Rev. Unlike his father and younger brother, he hadnt settled down and was an avid hunter instead of working as a realtor and developer. "And based upon her testimony that she gave against himit did not appear at the time that she was participating in any plan. He said Smiths current residence in Salem was being searched for more clues. "Well, I'm not rejoicing," Robin said. The couple fell in love and got married soon after. it was silly.". EVANSVILLE The field for the Ohio Valley Conference Women's Basketball Championship has been set, with second-seeded Eastern Illinois earning a bye to Friday's . Perhaps the prosecution's strongest physical evidence are the bruises on Craig's arms. According to Robin, theyd also talked about getting married, but she started having second thoughts just before he was arrested. He does not have a cold blooded heart. The widow of an Effingham County man shot and killed along with his father in his father's home testified Friday to having an affair with her late husband's brother and said he denied having . "Carey and I met in high school our senior year in English class," said Robin. Soon, the investigation began whilst wild rumors and theories about the killer kept floating around the community. Later on, Robin called her lover to tell him what had happened, to which he only said that if his father and brother were not careful and minding their own business, hed go old school on them. It's evidence, Bonds says, that father and son actually were making peace. The shock of a double murder in Effingham of two prominent businessmen caused great distress in the community and became the basis of rumor and gossip that ran through the county like wildfire. "His father and grandfather used to . We are no longer accepting comments on this article. To the close-knit community of Effingham County, Georgia, childhood sweethearts Carey and Robin Heidt had the perfect lives - successful careers, a doting family and three blond-haired children . So those bruises were significant," said Howard. "I wasn't sure; I wasn't sure what that meant.". On May 22, 2009 nine months later Philip Craig Heidt, 41, son of Philip and Linda Heidt, brother of Carey Heidt, was arrested for the attack. The Heidt family was widely respected in their community and the murders shocked townsfolk. "Yes, I have," Linda said. Effingham police soon linked the evidence at the Mills home and John's murder to a stolen 1985 Mercury Cougar they had impounded on November 5, the day after the shooting. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. We were family, nobody was perfectbut we grew up very close together," Chris explained. 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