IDOT said the 7-mile project costs $50 million and is [] ", "It did not," she replied. And in his haste, Muldrew continues, he forgot to take the key out of the door, where the cops later found it. "He later said that his boots were missin'. We were family, nobody was perfectbut we grew up very close together," Chris explained. 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. The tiny Logan County community of Beason lost five of its residents when Raymond "Rick" and Ruth Gee and three of their children, Justina Constant, 16, Dillen Constant, 14, and . ", "No question you'd be bruised," Spencer noted. Craig had an eye on his share of his father's estate and a $3.5 million life insurance policy on Carey Heidt's life. "When you look at the future now, and I assume you're doing your best to look ahead -what do you see for the Heidt family?" 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. Linda was also shot, but she managed to survive, later making the 911 call for help. An arraignment hearing . 'The community still wants to know when we're going to arrest her,' Sheriff McDuffie added. "Carey and I met in high school our senior year in English class," said Robin. ", "The Heidt family?" In the early hours of August 25, 2008, leading real estate developer Philip Heidt and his son, Carey Heidt, were shot to death in their beds. Mrs. Smiths mother, 71-year-old Dorothy McClelland of rural Effingham, was pronounced dead that evening at St. Anthonys Memorial Hospital in Effingham. "To have happened like that is truly impossible," Muldrew said. 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. 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. "In every single critical bit of evidence, they want you to make a leap of faith," Bonds told the court in his closing argument. He wanted the kids that adored him. Over the next few days when talking with police at the crime scene, Craig made several more startling statements. "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. He wanted to drive around in the nice truck and the life of leisure of a southern gentleman so to speak.'. 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. The comments below have not been moderated. "His father and grandfather used to . Philip's wife Linda Heidt was also shot, but she managed to survive and made the 911 phone call. During Philip Craig Heidts two-week trial for the charges against him, the prosecutors argued that he killed his father and brother and shot his mother because he wanted the life Carey had with Robin. ", "No," Howard replied. He braced himself for what lay ahead. In her request for the protection order, Sharon Smith outlined a pattern of alleged abuse that had been, she said, occurring for an extended period of time. He claimed he had fallen out of the shower and fallen over a toilet. Though improving in a Savannah hospital, she was still unable to talk. In the request, she added Jerry Smith had been drinking heavily for the last six months and had been verbally and physically abusive. US States (36975K) Current Events (51K) Celebrity (272) Exonerated . "It was very much a mess.". I didn't conspire with Craig. I know the heart he has. It was definitely not smart," Robin said. " Spencer asked Linda. I know the man he is. Spencer asked Ed Myrick, the sheriff's firearms instructor. "At some point, and I don't remember where that was atit was like 'Oh my God, that's gotta be Philip's house.'". 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. Firearms expert Ed Myrick thinks a shotgun easily could slip. 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. ", Robin told Spencer, "I walked right up to him and I said, 'Did you do this?' McDuffie did, however, within three days of the deaths let the public know it was believed they had no reason to be afraid -- in other words, the Heidts were the target. Later that Sunday, Robin called her lover, Craig. The couple. The call came in about 8:45 p.m. City police were joined by Effingham County sheriffs deputies and Illinois state troopers at the scene, where they were met by numerous witnesses who had either heard or seen shots fired. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. . Craig Heidt was arrested last May and charged with murder. Thus, today, in her 40s, Robin seemingly resides in Charleston, South Carolina. "Yeah, well, I was sitting on the floor so I knew they were wet.". Effingham County Sheriff's Office arrested 25 year old Chyenne N. Norsic of Shelbyville for an Effingham County mittimus to jail and a Shelby County FTA warrant for driving while license suspended. "I've been doing this 41 years, and a while ago I almost broke down in tears. Deputies were called to a residence at 229 Holly Lane on Tuesday for a welfare check.. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 1.448. Nine months after the Heidt family murders came bombshell news: Craig Heidt was about to marry Robin, his dead brother's wife. Sep 23, 2020. NBC's 'Dateline: Mystery in Effingham County' is an episode that explores the double homicide of prominent Georgian real estate developers and father and son, Philip Martin Heidt and Carey Albert Heidt, along with its baffling aftermath. Things took a turn when the family learned about the affair and Philip confronted his daughter-in-law. To get an idea of the damage a 12-gauge shotgun does at such close range, "48 Hours" asked the sheriff's firearms instructor, Ed Myrick, to demonstrate using the same model shotgun, the same type of buckshot and the same three-inch shell used by the killer. "'The only way I'm gonna have Robin Heidt and have peace is Momma, Daddy, and Carey have to be eliminated from the equation.' I see hope. ", "Can you be absolutely certain that it was not Craig? "It was definitely meant to be, yes," said Robin. His attorney for the case, Dow Bonds of Savannah, said at trial that there was no physical evidence tying Craig Heidt to the murder scene. Beason murders. 'He knew that his wife was runnin' around on him,' Sheriff Jimmie McDuffie told 48 Hours. or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Savannah . "How did you expect this was going to be resolved?". "Had the officer asked about his shotgun? Craig Heidt's appeal of his conviction will be heard by the Georgia Supreme Court in September. Effingham County Courthouse 120 West Jefferson Avenue Suite 101 P.O. Lee County police asked if the burnt car had a bullet hole in the door. 0.2362. It used to be a popular spot for teens to get together to drink. Effingham Police Chief Mike Schutzbach said it was unclear whether the fatal shots were fired from outside or inside the home. "They both like to hunt, outdoors things like that And Carey was the baby of the family.". Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the best local news, sports and entertainment coverage. Linda Heidt, Philip's wife, was the third person shot that morning. 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. It did; in fact, it had three of them. The call came in about 8:45 p.m. City police were joined by Effingham County sheriff's deputies and Illinois state troopers at the scene, where they were . He wanted the kids that adored him. When Craig Heidt stood trial for all the charges against him, Robin took to the stands and detailed her relationship with the entire family. "It was," the sheriff replied, "'cause every time you saw them together it was just like the perfect family.". Sharon reported on Aug. 16, Jerry threatened to burn her truck. "So I had a few drinks there and ended up staying that night," she explained. Christopher Buckner, 20, of Guyton, and her brother, Timothy Savoy, 25, of Jackson, were stopped by cops around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday walking down Highway 30 in Effingham County after a resident . A garbled phone call to Effingham County 911 about 3 a.m. a decade ago began the unwinding of what the world would eventually learn was a twisted tale of murder and lust. For Muldrew, the key to the case against Craig is, quite literally, a key. Effingham County had 1,480 arrests for the last 3 years, in 2017 the arrest rate was 849.91 per 100.000 population which is by 15.01% higher than the National average of 739.02 per 100.000 inhabitants. iPhone users claim Apple is trying to TRICK them into Are YOU at risk of being cancelled? Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot and killed in their beds. NBCs 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. I went to the jail and saw him.". According to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, a majority of Effingham county court records are open and accessible to the general public. Fires. "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. Despite those assurances the community remained on edge and the rumors started to flow. He was a savvy businessman and very community-focused." The Heidt clan was turning out just as its patriarch had hoped. JOSEPH RESSLER, JG-TC. Take the kids. 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. "Craig doesn't just instantly occur to you?" Carey, like his father, also went on to become a respected businessman in the community; while Craig, an avid hunter, lived in a secluded cabin in a hunting club near Oliver. Philip Heidt, 59, and his son, Carey Heidt, 32, were shot to death in their beds. There were no eyewitnesses. Juror #9: Robin Heidt was a manipulative person who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted. A passionate hunter, he lived in a secluded cabin in a hunting club near Oliver. 'I'm definitely a woman in the center of a storm,' said Robin of the revelations. The Mystery of Effingham County Publicly they were a prominent family highly respected for their success. Robbery. Mary and Elwyn Crocker Jr. were found buried. Cardiff. "I remember smelling the gas". Spencer asked, pointing to the middle of her upper arm. The Effingham County native was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Blitchton. There are no confessions". A Georgia father, stepmother, and grandmother were arrested . The case was prosecuted by the Assistant District Attorney Michael Muldrew, who now serves as a Superior Court Judge for the Ogeechee Circuit. "It's amazing that she did survive because, basically, it looks like she was left for dead," said Downs. Craig Heidt had also looked at land with a Realtor, saying he expected to have some money soon. I wasn't comfortable with the relationship anymore. TV shows like "CSI" were cited as giving the public an unrealistic view of crime solving. Furious motorist is fined 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked car. Philip's wife Linda Heidt was. He had said 'that Carey and Philip had better watch out or he was going to play 'old school' on them.'. "That was the plan, the future plans," she replied. I believe that he's innocent.". I didn't wish any harm on Carey or Mr. Philip or Miss Linda," she said. Craig also was charged with killing his father, Philip, and attempting to kill his mother, Linda. Asked if suspects often say this, Howard said, "No. McDuffie was taken to task by some for not providing much in the way of information to calm those fears. 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. The motive, according to the prosecutor, was ''lust and greed.'' "I felt like it was fair.". Feb 24, 2023. Chris and Craig are the most alike," she replied. Then one day, an officer guarding Linda saw something that set off alarm bells. Read further ahead to find out who Philip Martin Heidt and Carey Albert Heidt were. asked Spencer. As investigations proceeded, though, it came to light that Careys wife, Robin, unwittingly played a role as well. A judge sentenced him to two life terms in prison, along with an added 85 years. Some said the murders were Mafia related, some said it was a real estate deal gone bad, and others said the murderers were meth dealers that lived not far from the Heidts. The married pair then got into an argument, and he left to spend the night at his parents. Craig Heidt: I know that it looks bad but I'm gonna tell you something, I couldn't do that to my brother. . 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. There was money left out," Howard explained. He does not have a cold blooded heart," she replied. Evidence at the two-week trial showed Craig Heidt was having an affair with Carey Heidt's wife, Robin. Soon, the investigation began whilst wild rumors and theories about the killer kept floating around the community. Scott Conway Pinholster, 46, was an inmate at Hays State Prison in northwest Georgia at the time of his death. It focuses on unveiling the mystery behind the death(s), the impact the case had on the community and the kind of media attention it generated. 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. And we commonly call that in law enforcement just the wrong answer.". "I see life. Among the 2017 arrests 49 were made for violent crime charges. First published on July 14, 2012 / 10:55 PM. 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. Crime-focused news impacting Effingham County, Georgia and the surrounding area. It's evidence, Bonds says, that father and son actually were making peace. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Craigs motive, in simple words, was to secure a future with Robin, attain the $3.5 million from Careys life insurance policies, and gain back his share of his fathers estate. In his opening statement, Bonds told the court, "What shocked me was just the clear lack of physical evidence linking him to the murders. Don't miss Dateline: Secrets Uncovered - The Mystery of Effingham County on June 1, 2022, on Oxygen. "It was, 'cause I had never seen Mr. Philip that angry," she said. There's no DNA. The Sheriff's Office and GBI investigators worked around the clock in those first days, with long days for months thereafter. "I just, I was just in shock". But prosecutors think a jury will decide that's exactly what he is. 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