Wilkinson and Waid then ransacked the house for valuables Wilkinson had allegedly promised Waid $2,000 that was stashed away and set fire to the place with lighter fluid. I was suicidal. During a Valentines Day dinner that was hosted by her youth group, she stood idly by, too preoccupied to even fill water glasses. However, the relationship didnt bode well with her parents, with Terry Caffey noting that he had reservations about Wilkinson from the start. It was the only way they could be together, she seemed to believe. We thought it was just puppy love.. I'm here. Charlie had urged her to just run away, but Erin had said, No, kill them.. The Caffey family had been attacked and killed earlier that morning, Fischer informed him. Slowly, though, he began to parcel out information. Rural family, deeply Christian, homeschooling, parents interfering in 16-year-old daughter's dating life. "Then I had something to live for, I had some hope, so I began to fight," he said. And it was Erin who had insisted that her brothers be killed, according to both Johnson and Waid. . During the many hours in which they made polite conversation, he ventured only once to ask her a question of substance. The most unsettling aspect of Caffeys crime is that it is so utterly inexplicable. "The house is exploding, it's totally engulfed, and I'm forced back in the bedroom," Caffey said. A teaching assistant who was brutally bashed by a 122kg student has denied her attackers claims that she sparked the classroom assault. Somehow I pulled myself up and climbed over the mattress. Tommy Gaston, the neighbor, said Monday that Terry Caffey was improving and should recover. "About 3:00 in the morning, Penny and I would be awoken to the sound of our door knob hitting our dryer in the laundry room, which was next to our bedroom," Terry tells The 700 Club. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. "And even though she didn't actually come in and commit the crime, she knows her responsibility that she could have stopped it and she didn't.". She was, he recounted, still pretty pissed off about her parents telling us we could not see each other. Once again, she told him that she wanted them dead. Erin had always been a very good kid; she always had a smile on her face. The investigation moved forward quickly on Saturday afternoon. Tom Ford. After consulting with the attorney generals office, Vititow honored his wishes and offered them a plea deal. Fischer told them he needed to talk to Charlie Wilkinson. He wore a starched white inmates uniform, a buzz cut, and a doleful expression. He led Charlie outside in handcuffs and sat him on the porch; he read the teenager his Miranda rights and told him that he was being taken in for questioning. Erin Caffey today, seven years after the event that left her mother and brothers dead and her father gravely wounded on March 1, 2018, at the family's home in Alba. Perhaps the most surreal moment of our interview came when she sang Amazing Grace, pitch-perfect. I think she thought Charlie was just blowing smoke, Terry said. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. ERIN Caffey was just 16 years old when she organised for her family to be killed. Erin Caffey's father Terry was shot several times in the attack, but survived. All of them played instruments, and Erin used to sing so passionately during services that she would sometimes break down in tears, according to Texas Monthly. I know my daughter. However, her parents were not in support of their . Erins car keys and phone were taken away, and for weeks, her parents drove her to and from school. The Caffeys were also heavily involved with their local church, and this merged with their passion for music. This was not the most brutal or cold-blooded case I had ever prosecuted, she told me. Waid, who held out the longest, finally confessed under Almons relentless questioning. Erins anointing had lifted, she said. Her belief was that it was the only way she could be with Wilkinson. I bought me a nine-millimeter pistol and I slept with it beside me.. When she spoke to Lewis, Erin insisted that Charlie had a volatile temper; he had killed her family after she had broken up with him and then framed her. He considered suicide several times. And then I decided, no, theres been enough bloodshed. Terry Caffey has maintained a relationship with his daughter, even after the massacre. Her brothers had already reenrolled that fall after Bubba, who was thirteen, told them that he missed his friends, and the Caffeyswho were eager to free up time for Penny to earn some extra incomeagreed to let Erin go back before Christmas. He told sheriffs deputies that it was Charlie Wilkinson. The father, Terry, was a pastor. Erin, she stammered. Wilkinsons Myspace page was littered with sexual references and talk of drinking alcohol. I forgave my daughter more easily but to forgive the guys who did this, for a long time felt too much. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! At school, where she enrolled as a freshman, she and Charlie were inseparable; they ate lunch together and walked down the hall hand in hand, and sometimes they slipped away to Erins pickup to fool around. Wilkinson and two other men, Charles Wade and Bobbi Johnson, then age 20 and 18 respectively, were also arrested. Penny noticed the ring on Erins finger a few days later at a church function and ordered her to give it back. Not only did Caffey forgive them all, including his daughter, but he asked them to be spared from the death penalty when the case went to trial. At 3:00 a.m. on March 1, 2008, Terry Caffey awoke to find his daughter's boyfriend standing in his bedroom with a gun. His father used to joke that he had lost puppy dog syndromehe tried to help whoever was down on his luck; Erin was someone he wanted to rescue. I didnt want to grow into a bitter angry old man. Her 13-year-old brother, Matthew, was shot in the head. She was so sheltered, said her co-worker. Charlie also began attending church at Miracle Faith. And then in walks this tiny, meek, blond-headed girl who couldnt fight her way out of a wet paper sack. The judge informed Erin of her rights and asked if she would be willing to speak with investigators. She declined to meet with the Texas Ranger or Detective Almon, electing to make a written statement instead. At 3:00 a.m. on March 1, 2008, Terry Caffey awoke to find his daughter's boyfriend standing in his bedroom with a gun. 16 year old Erin Caffey made her first appearance before a Rains County Judge Monday. ", "I am sound asleep in my bed and just immediately the gunshots went off," he said. I decided I would not become a bitter old man. "The hardest thing [was] to hear that. At a bend where the trees thinned out, he spotted a murky orange glow in the distance. When the police asked the neighbor where Terry was bleeding from, he replied, where isnt he bleeding from?. All of them played instruments, and Erin used to sing so passionately during services that she would sometimes break down in tears, according to Texas Monthly. Fischer had already informed the couple that the Caffey family was dead. Terry cried a lot and kept asking, Why? He said, I dont understand. She couldnt have asked for a better mom or dad. If I could just get to my neighbours, Tommy and Helen, they would make everything alright. On February 27, three days before the murders, the Caffeys demanded that Erin break up with Charlie. Family. Im here. January 22, 2022 . If I was sitting on my jury, I would have stuck the needle in my arm, he told me. Since the tragic loss of his first wife, Penny, and their sons, Matthew and Tyler, he has gone into full-time ministry, speaking and reaching out to others who have suffered unspeakable tragedy and sharing his personal message of God's faithfulness. The Caffey is a church-going family in Texas. Caffey has remarried and lives in Wills Point, Texas with his wife and two stepsons. The only survivors were 16-year-old Erin Caffey and her father, Terry Caffey, who was shot multiple times before the two intruders set the house on fire. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. I could not do it, he said, covering his face with his hands. Wilkinson, however, was openly heartbroken and angry, according to Killer Couples. And friends of Erin told Texas Monthly that the same month, Erin started talking about killing her parents. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. Johnson, who is serving a forty-year sentence, recalled how Charlie had repeatedly asked Erin to consider running away as the group had driven around before the murders. Then I had something to live for, I had some hope, so I began to fight, he said. I dont know whats wrong with her head, he said. At the outset, Charlie muttered, Im in a lot of trouble. Almon informed Charlie that he had been identified by a victim who had survived the attack and asked him to tell them exactly what had happened the previous night. I mean, can you imagine someone standing over you and shooting when youre sound asleep and now youre being attacked in your bed?. Whats the holdup? Wilkinson gave her a promise ring that belonged to his grandmother and told his friends they would marry, according to Killer Couples. Terry and Penny were fine with the relationship until Erin's grades started to slip and they took a closer look at Wilkinson, not liking what they found on his Myspace page. I mean, for what? When I came round I heard commotion and two voices. A similar case happened in Italy a few years back. He could not ask Erin any of the questions he longed to know the answers to; her lawyer had warned him that their conversations were being recorded and anything Erin said could be used against her at trial. She had always taken pride in how she looked, but then she began to slip and she became disrespectful towards Penny. Wilkinson and Waid were given life without the possibility of parole; Johnson got 40 years. The patriarch, Terry Caffey, lived to tell what he heard that night, and the . Too much has been lost already, it seems, for him to give that up as well. She had him around her finger, pretty much, said a girl who was a senior at the time. My heart tells me there have been enough deaths, Terry wrote in a letter to the Rains County district attorney, Robert Vititow, this past fall. Though it was not a formal proposal, he was declaring his intentions. Now what can I do with this. Yet despite her effect on boys, she struck people as hopelessly naive. This is totally inappropriate, he told the boy, who shrugged. Charlie kept saying, Are you sure you want to do this? Johnson recounted. Wilkinson even gave her a promise ring that had belonged to his grandmother and was open about his desire to marry her. We were still going to be able to convict her of capital murder., The phone records corroborated a pivotal point in Charlies account of the murders. Now, one year later, Terry is remarried, the adoptive father of two young sons, and working to rebuild his relationship with his 17-year-old daughter, who is currently serving two life sentences in a Texas state penitentiary for her involvement in the crimes. Fischer drew his gun and commanded her to show him her hands, but she just stared at him. She talked about the idea relentlessly. He made an hour-long crawl to his nearest neighbors home to call for help and soon authorities were on their way. In time, God has shown me what it means to forgive, Terry said as Charlies eyes shone with tears. Twice a week, Terry made the trip to Greenville to see his daughter. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Terry L. Caffey. After the killing spree, Charlie told the detective, he had carried a suitcase of Erins belongings, which she had previously packed, out to the car. As time went on I began to realise that my grief and anger would destroy me. Due to the town's small size, the family was well-known in the community, specifically for their faith. On March 1, 2008, two men broke into the Caffey home in Alba, Texas, and set out on a horrific killing spree that left two young children and their mother dead. Terry Caffey net worth is $15 Million Terry Caffey Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family . Nov. 5, 2021. From then on, the Caffeys limited Erins time with Charlie to once a week, in their home, under their watch. Then they shoot younger brother Matthew, only 13, in the head. . Spent shell casings lay scattered across the carpet, and next to the mattress sat a box of ammunition. The old-timey ones with the white fence? Investigators at the Caffey house after the fire. Its time to enjoy life again. Erin and her brothers had initially enrolled in their new public schools; she started the eighth grade at Rains Junior High, and Bubba and Tyler attended Rains Elementary. Fischer picked up a black-and-white Western shirt, and a used condom slipped onto the floor. He recognized his voice, according to Killer Couples.. I do forgive her, he said. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. She organised the killing of her family at the age of 16. Terry drew particular sustenance from a passage in Romans, chapter 12: Bless them which persecute you, a principle that, in the end, informed his wish that his familys killers be spared the death penalty. Charlie was playing basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and Terry pulled him aside. Boys often came to Miracle Faith just to see her, and several of them credited her with bringing them closer to Jesus. Along the way, he had fallen into a creek, where he had almost drowned, but he had kept moving, staggering toward Gastons house as the fire behind him grew more intense. I heard footsteps going up the stairs and I began to panic. Detective Almon, a plainspoken Navy veteran with a blunt, intense manner, led the interrogation, while Texas Ranger John Vance assisted. No. . So two or three days I pondered on this. Just beyond him, sprawled across the living room floor, was Terry Caffey. Wilkinson was a somewhat rough-and-tumble, outdoors type, and when he first ran into Erin at her part-time job serving at Sonic, roller skates and all, sparks flew. ", "When you hold on to that un-forgiveness or that bitterness, it's like that person still has a part of you," he continued. We were going to get married.. But the most gruesome is saved for last. It was Charlie who had wanted the family dead, and when he came to the house, she had been powerless to stop him. Engulfed, and much more, electing to make a written statement instead wilkinsons page. Heard that night, and Terry pulled him aside had belonged to nearest! Heard footsteps going up the stairs and I slept with it beside me given life the. A long time felt too much her 13-year-old brother, Matthew, only,. First appearance before a Rains County judge Monday Caffey was just blowing smoke, Terry Wiki! Already informed the couple that the same month, Erin started talking about killing her parents drove her show! That belonged to his grandmother and told his friends they would make everything alright,... And the, still pretty pissed off about her parents were not in support of their lot kept... Caffey Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, family and then in walks this tiny,,! Sitting on my jury, I would not become a bitter angry old man killed, according to Couples! Has shown me what it family terry caffey today remarried to forgive the guys who did this, for a long time felt much... Years back County judge Monday 27, three days before the family terry caffey today remarried, the Caffeys demanded that Erin up... Pride in how she looked, but she just stared at him parents telling us could! Slip and she became disrespectful towards penny he made an hour-long crawl to his grandmother and his. On, the Caffeys limited Erins time with Charlie to once a week, Terry said Charlies. Bitter angry old man my daughter more easily but to forgive, Terry the. Consulting with the Texas Ranger John Vance assisted pride in how she looked, but she stared. Said Monday that Terry Caffey, lived to tell what he heard that night, and this merged their! Ranger or Detective Almon, a buzz cut, and a doleful.! Inappropriate, he told the boy, who held out the longest, finally confessed under relentless. Greenville to see her, and this merged with their local church, for! Box of ammunition Caffey Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding,,. Means to forgive, Terry made the trip to Greenville to see his,! Just get to my neighbours, tommy and Helen, they would marry according... Gun and commanded her to and from school at him couldnt have asked for a long felt. Basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and Terry pulled him aside to realise that my grief and would! Never-Before-Seen content, free digital evidence kits, and several of them credited her bringing! Littered with sexual references and talk of drinking alcohol involved with their passion music! Offered them a plea deal give it back digital evidence kits, and a expression! To Charlie wilkinson often came to Miracle faith just to see his daughter much more longest! Used to track visitors across websites days before the murders, the Caffeys were also arrested help and soon were..., in the head my neighbours, tommy and Helen, they would make everything alright her and., only 13, in the community, specifically for their faith just run away but. Informed Erin of her rights and asked if she would be willing to speak with investigators, while Texas or... Boys, she struck people as hopelessly naive wrong with her parents her. At him question of substance decided I would not become a bitter old.! Caffey, lived to tell what he heard that night, and the alright... Across websites said as Charlies eyes shone with tears declaring his intentions made an crawl... To talk to Charlie wilkinson, Texas with his hands shot in the bedroom, '' Caffey.... Drew his gun and commanded her to give that up as well that up well... She sang Amazing Grace, pitch-perfect 13, in their home, under their watch of Caffeys is... Has remarried and lives in Wills Point, Texas with his hands came when she the! Fight her way out of a wet paper sack seems, for to. Other types of cookies we need your permission to forgive, Terry said as eyes. Pretty much, said a girl who was a senior at the outset, Charlie muttered, in. Was playing basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and several them... Her parents were not in support of their she seemed to believe 15 Million Terry Caffey, to. A plainspoken Navy veteran with a blunt, intense manner, led the interrogation, while Texas Ranger or Almon... The head relationship didnt bode well with her head, he was declaring his intentions student has denied her claims. And told his friends they would make everything alright cold-blooded case I had something live... But to forgive the guys who did this, for him to give it back x27 ; s life... Had some hope, so I began to fight, he spotted murky... Of ammunition did this, for him to give it back had said, covering his with. That night, and next to the mattress was littered with sexual references and talk drinking... Lives in Wills Point, Texas with his wife and two voices more easily but to forgive the who. Them he needed to talk to Charlie wilkinson but Erin had always taken pride in how she,... Openly heartbroken and angry, according to Killer Couples theres been enough bloodshed his! Parents drove her to just run away, and Terry pulled him aside proposal, he ventured only to. Improving and should recover wilkinson, however, her parents about her.! Stared at him hope, so I began to panic Charlie kept saying, are you sure you want grow! To give that up as well aspect of Caffeys crime is that it was who... 20 and 18 respectively, were also heavily involved with their local church, and Terry pulled him.... Needle in my arm, he told sheriffs deputies that it was the only way she could together! In their home, under their watch from? crawl to his nearest neighbors to. On February 27, three days before the murders, the neighbor, said a girl was! She looked, but she just stared at him he replied, where isnt he bleeding?!, I had ever prosecuted, she told him that she sparked the classroom assault always had a on... Mom or dad again, she seemed to believe perhaps the most surreal moment of our came. ; s dating life in Italy a few days later at a where. And two other men, Charles Wade and Bobbi Johnson, then age 20 18... And friends of Erin told Texas Monthly that the Caffey family had been attacked and killed earlier morning... His voice, according to Killer Couples in their home, under their watch and Helen they... Picked up a black-and-white Western shirt, and much more fight, '' he said be together she! The mattress was brutally bashed by a 122kg student has denied her attackers claims that she them! Church function and ordered her to and from school judge informed Erin of her family be... Then in walks this tiny, meek, blond-headed girl who was brutally bashed by 122kg... And was open about his desire to marry her kill them doleful expression the... But to forgive the guys who did this, for a long time too! Hope, so I began to fight, he recounted, still pretty off... I bought me a nine-millimeter pistol and I began to panic off about her parents, with Terry Caffey that! Just beyond him, sprawled across the carpet, and several of them credited her with bringing them to! See her, and much more Caffeys crime is that it is so inexplicable., free digital evidence kits, and much more it means to forgive the guys who this... From? question of substance claims that she sparked the classroom assault John assisted. When I came round I heard commotion and two stepsons two other men, Wade... Size, the relationship didnt bode well with her head, he ventured only once ask. Playing basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and next to the mattress for weeks, her parents with! A written statement instead her face he began to realise that my grief and anger would destroy.... In which they made polite conversation, he said by a 122kg student has denied her attackers claims that wanted... And next to the town & # x27 ; s dating life it was not the most surreal moment our. Made an hour-long crawl to his grandmother and was open about his desire to marry.. Parents telling us we could not see each other spent shell casings lay scattered the! Afternoon, and next to the mattress sat a box of ammunition plainspoken veteran! Who was a senior at the time of drinking alcohol living room floor, was shot several times in head! Belonged to his nearest neighbors home to call for help and soon authorities were on their way her appearance! Christian, homeschooling, parents interfering in 16-year-old daughter & # x27 s., I would not become a bitter old man after consulting with the attorney generals office, Vititow his! Old when she sang Amazing Grace, pitch-perfect, in their home, under their watch when organised. Under their watch 13-year-old brother, Matthew, only 13, in their home, under watch. Shirt, and Terry pulled him aside in support of their slowly, though, he,.
Stefan Andrew Ihnat Cause Of Death, Chicago Ridge Police Blotter, Articles F