Barry Van Whitton faces trial in the 1997 cold case death of his wife, Michelle Townson Whitton. Whitton's murder indictment indicates that Michelle Whitton suffered blunt force trauma to the head. Whitton was granted a continuance last. Supreme Court of Alabama. - FindLaw Caselaw Trial of man accused of slaying his first wife delayed Michelle was found in a shallow grave in Dekalb County near Powell in January 1998. He said investigators didn't want to consider other suspects "because they already decided they would pin it on Barry Whitton.". The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Sep 2008 - Dec 202012 years 4 months. The trial of a man accused of killing his first wife - and suspected, but not charged, in the disappearances of his second wife and her daughter - began Wednesday in a Jackson County courtroom.  Jury selection began Wednesday morning in Barry Van Whitton's new trial date has been set for Sept. 9. Bynum has since died. Barry Whitton, the man arrested last week on federal weapons charges, is now considered a suspect in his wife and step-daughter's disappearance. Kimberly and Barry weren't having any known problems in their marriage in 2007, and Kimberly hadn't told anyone her husband was mistreating her. She wrote of the health problems her grief has caused her, as well asher struggles to move on and live her life without Michelle, even as she continued to make good memories with the remainder of her family. Those items included pencil shavings and pencil graphite, which could be used to start a fire. Barry's first wife, Michelle Townsend Whitton, also disappeared in late 1997. Brynn Hatton | Colgate University While the criminal case against Whitton was pending, the attorneys filed a motion seeking a declaration that section 15-12-21 was unconstitutional; an order allowing . Authorities stated they found blood in one of his pickup trucks and on a hatchet handle, but the source of the blood has not been revealed. The criminal complaint states Whitton threatened to harm a witness in the murder trial, which is set to begin on Sept. 9. Whitton pleaded not guilty on Jan. 27. Those cases are pending. He also faces two counts of intimidation of a witnessin alleged threats he made this past Juneagainst his own parents, who testified at his trial last month. Then, to make sure he had killed her, Whitton cut her face, throat and stabbed her in the chest, Gwathney told jurors. Barry stated Kimberly and Haleigh left their residence in a white Ford van or truck with Alabama license plates shortly after Kimberly arrived home from work. Whitton is suspected, but has never been charged, in thedisappearance of 36-year-old Kimberly Compton Whitton and her 11-year-old daughter, Haleigh Brean Culwell. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Whitton also is a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his second wife, Kimberly Compton Whitton, 36, and her 11-year-old daughter, Haleigh Brean Culwell. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. He faces between 20 years to life in prison for the felony. She called a friend on the way back home to Section, Alabama, but they were unable to talk because the connection was bad. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. To highlight the impact Michelle's death had on her family, Gwathney read a letter to the court from the victim's mother, Joyce Smart. [1] [2] He was born in Broomy Hill, Herefordshire, and killed in action during the First World War. Filing 8 MOTION for Extension of Time to respond to answer by Barry Van Whitton. He was still serving time on the federal charge when murder charges were leveled against him. Whitton v. Gordy et al Defendant: Attorney General State of Alabama and Christopher Gordy: Petitioner: Barry Van Whitton: Case Number: 5:2018cv01225: Filed: . Barry Van Whitton, 46, was booked into the Jackson County jail Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, after his indictment on a charge of murdering his first wife in 1997. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Court records describe the rope as a choking tool. "I hope that this conviction will potentially lead to more evidence that may lead us to solve other crimes that Mr. Whitton may have been involved in. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. She was found in a shallow grave about six weeks later. Kimberly Whitton He also thanked the witnesses who came forward to shed light on the details behind Michelle Whitton's murder. Barry Van Whitton, 46, was booked into the Jackson County jail Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, after his indictment on a charge of murdering his first wife in 1997. Whitton is charged in the December 1997 death of Michelle Townson Whitton, whose body was. Whitton netted two new felony charges in June after he allegedly threatened witnesses he expected to testify at his trial, according to officials with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Man whose wife, daughter missing is indicted on federal charges Whitton is charged in the 1997 beating death of his first wife. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Whitton is charged in the 1997 beating death of his first wife. The typical sentence given for those charges is between 12 and 18 months, but the judge elected to sentence Barry to the maximum term due to the danger she believed he posed to the community; she described him as the most dangerous defendant she had seen in her judicial career. Barry Van Whitton Rainsville, AL Phone Number Address Emails View Details Other Addresses Section, AL Dutton, AL Relatives Dennis Edgar Whitton Harold Keith Whitton Kimberley D Whitton Birth, Death, and Divorce Records for Barry V Whitton Sponsored by Ancestry.com Barry V Whitton No Records Found Barry V Whitton No Records Found Barry V Whitton The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed Barry Whitton's conviction on Dec. 9, said Joy Patterson, spokeswoman for the Alabama Attorney General's Office. Whitton found guilty of murdering wife in 1997 Jackson County, Ala That's about 15 miles from the Whitton home in Dutton, Ala. Whitton netted two new felony charges in June after he allegedly threatened witnesses he expected to testify at his trial, according to officials with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. The 46-year-old Whitton was taken into custody on Jan. 20, 17 years to the day after her body was found. Whitton, formerly of Section, was serving a federal sentence on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The alleged threat was made on June 10, while Whitton was in the Cullman County Detention Center. Barry Van Whitton was indicted on two counts of intimidating a witness, two counts of criminal coercion and one count of promoting prison contraband. Jackson County prosecutors rested their case in the murder trial of Barry Whitton Tuesday after two former inmates testified that Whitton admitted killing his first wife in 1997. Whitton, 46, made no statement to the court before Jackson County Circuit Judge John Graham handed down the sentence, the maximum that the former Section resident faced in the 1997 murder. Barry Whitton gave us an interview when his first wife was missing. All rights reserved. Her body was found Jan. 20, 1998, near the town of Powell in neighboring DeKalb County. A photo of Michelle is posted with this case summary. Alabama Assistant Attorney General Leigh Gwathney, who prosecuted the case with Assisttant Attorney General John Hensley III, spoke on behalf of Michelle Whitton and her family in court Thursday. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Deputies went to the Whittons' 40-acre farm in Section for a welfare check, but neither Kim Whitton nor Haleigh were there. All rights reserved (About Us). Thursday marked the 13th day of court action in the case. Date of Birth 07/07/1970 (52) Age 36 years old Height and Weight 5'9, 270 pounds Associated Vehicle (s) White Ford van or truck with Alabama license plates Markings and/or Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. After the verdict was read, those family members left the courtroom and stood hugging each other and crying. Click here to read coverage of Barry Whitton's trial. Her body was actually found about a mile from where Barry lives now. . "I've asked God to let me bury my baby before I die, and I know He's going to give that to me. Strange also pointed out that Whitton's imprisonment could prompt new leads in other cases Whitton might be involved in. When it rained or snowed, she cried harder, she wrote, because in her heart, she knew her daughter was dead and feared what the elements and the animals were doing to her remains. Court records show it was reset for 9 a.m. July 11 in federal court in Huntsville at Whitton's request. According to court documents, Whitton attempted to influence the testimonies of Dennis Whitton and Lavorene Whitton by making . A former Section, Ala., man sentenced to life in prison in the 1997 death of his first wife has been denied a rehearing on his first-degree murder conviction by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I hope now that he has been put away, that others may come forward with information that they have," Strange said. She never did. She was reported missing Dec. 7, 1997. After less than six months of dating, the two were married. Barry Whitton to stand trial in September in first wife's slaying "I thank God that I got to keep her here for 28 wonderful years," Smart wrote. The state rested its case on Wednesday. He is currently serving the final year of afederal sentence on weapons chargesthat were filed against himafter several weapons were found in his home during a July 2007 search for Kim Whitton and her daughter. He was found guilty in September 2015 and sentenced to life in prison. Catalog; For You; Chattanooga Times Free Press. Whitton was also found to have hard plastic pieces sharpened into stabbing tools and a 42-inch length of rope taken from a laundry bag. | Updated September 9, 2015 at 12:46 a.m. Evidence was presented at trial that Whitton murdered. Copyright 2023, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Whitton Barry - Security Specialist - RiverCity Security - LinkedIn Brown hair, brown eyes. Whitton was arrested on federal weapons charges during a 2007 search for the missing mother and daughter at his 40-acre farm in Section. It was later determined she had been beaten to death. Whitton was convicted by a jury in Jackson County Circuit Court on September 24, 2015. "Her death left me half-dead and I would have died for her if I could have," Smart wrote. Whitton told police Michelle went out for breakfast and never came back home. SCOTTSBORO, Ala. The defense in the cold-case trial of 46-year-old Barry Van Whitton rested . Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. In January 2015, the Jackson Circuit Court, pursuant to 15-12-21, Ala. Code 1975, 1 appointed Alabama attorneys Ronald W. Smith and Gerald R. Paulk to represent Barry Van Whitton, an indigent, in a noncapital-murder case. Barry Van Whitton A Jackson County, Ala., man suspected in the disappearances of three people has been charged with murder in the 1997 death of his first wife, and he remains a suspect in the. Barry Whitton was a suspect in Michelle Whitton's murder nearly 10-years ago. She disappeared in 1997, and was later found beaten and stabbed to death in DeKalb County. Authorities found five weapons during the search. Barry Van Whitton (Jackson County jail) Attorney General Steven T. Marshall announced that the Alabama Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of Barry Whitton for the murder of his wife, Michelle Townson Whitton, in Jackson County. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He is currently serving the final year of afederal sentence on weapons chargesthat were filed against himafter several weapons were found in his home during a July 2007 search for Kim Whitton and her daughter. Barry Van Whitton, 46, is accused of murdering his first wife, Michelle Townson Whitton, in 1997. Copyright 2015 WAFF. It's unclear whether she knew his previous wife had been murdered or that he was considered a suspect. Date of Birth 07/07/1970 (52) Age 36 years old Height and Weight 5'9, 270 pounds Associated Vehicle (s) White Ford van or truck with Alabama license plates Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Her maiden name is Compton. ", "Anything and everything. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Barry Van Whitton's new trial date has been set for Sept. 9. Barry Witthuhn - Address & Phone Number | Whitepages When he was indicted, the former resident of Section, Ala., was serving a federal sentence in West Virginia on weapons charges. All rights reserved (About Us). Last updated October 19, 2015; distinguishing characteristics and details of disappearance updated. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. It is unclear when Haleigh was last seen. January 25, 2017 at 1:00 a.m. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange's office is prosecuting the case, and Circuit Judge John Graham will preside. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. The state's attorneys told jurors that testimony showed Whitton manipulated people and versions of events to suit his needs. Brian Hatton In January 2015, the Jackson Court, pursuant to section 15-12-21, Ala. Code 1975, appointed two attorneys to represent Barry Van Whitton, an indigent, in a noncapital-murder case. Kimberly Culwell met the love of her life Barry Van Whitton through his magazine personal ad in 1999. Kimberly Whitton and daughter-missing since 6/22/07 Alabama By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. A former cellmate of Whitton'stestified in federal court in 2008 that Whitton once boasted of killing three peoplein the past and getting away with it. A man accused of killing his first wife and suspected in the disappearance of his second faces new charges of threatening a witness in his impending murder trial. Jackson County man indicted in 1997 murder of first wife Whitton has been in jail on the weapons charges since last July when authorities searched his mountain property near Section looking for his wife, 36-year . Copyright 2023, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. The judge heard witnesses testify that Barry bragged about having murdered three people, discussed body disposal and removing trace evidence, and threatened to kill other individuals, including his mother-in-law and the judge who placed his eleven-year-old son in foster care after Kimberly and Haleigh's disappearances. Whitton, dressed in a gray button-up shirt with his hair pulled back in a ponytail, showed no emotion as the guilty verdict was read and jurors were polled individually. Jackson man charged in 1997 slaying of first wife, suspected in Though the attorney general did not specify which cases he was referring to, Whitton is a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his second wife, Kimberly Compton Whitton,and her 11-year-old daughter, Haleigh Brean Culwell. He stated they may have gone to Montana. Kimberly promised to call her friend back in five minutes. disappearance of 36-year-old Kimberly Compton Whitton and her 11-year-old daughter, Haleigh Brean Culwell. Report an Error | Submit a Tip to WAFF 48. In September 2007, Barry pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. He praised the prosecutors from his office who tried the case, as well as the investigators on all levels who worked to bring the case to a conclusion. Court records describe the rope as a choking tool. Barry Van Whitton sentenced to life in prison - YouTube A Jackson County man has been sentenced for the murder of his first wife.46-year-old Barry Van Whitton was found guilty in the. Kimberly was last seen alive on June 2, 2007, when she left work at a Scottsboro nursing home. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. According to court documents, Whitton attempted to influence the testimoniesof Dennis Whitton andLavorene Whitton by making threats towardsboth witnesses. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. View Barry Witthuhn results including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Barry Van Whitton (Cullman County jail) Barry Van Whitton, 46, is accused of murdering his first wife, Michelle Townson Whitton, in 1997. Smart reflected on the agony she felt in the six weeks and two days that she remained in limbo, not knowing where her daughter was or what happened to her. During his time in the property insurance industry, with over 20 years in retail, and now almost the same amount in wholesale, he has developed . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. In December 2014, a little less than a year before he was supposed to be released from federal prison, Barry was indicted for Michelle's murder. 256-574-2610. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. The newer charges are being handled separately from the murder case. At the time of their disappearance, Kim Whitton was 36 and Haleigh was 11. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our. He told investigators she went to get breakfast in Scottsboro, but never returned. Updated 5 times since October 12, 2004. Barry Hatton Profiles Kim Whitton was reported missing on July 2, 2007, by a co-worker at a Scottsboro nursing home who had last seen and heard from her on June 21, 2007. September 25, 2015 at 1:00 a.m. Jury selection began Wednesday morning in the murder trial of Barry Van Whitton, 46, of Section. Gwathney maintained that Whitton had dug the shallow grave in the days or weeks leading up to the murder with the idea already of burying his wife in "his favorite spot" on property he'd been run off of a number of times. Barry Van Whitton's new trial date has been set for Sept. 9. After authorities searched his property for evidence in his wife and stepdaughter's disappearance, they arrested Barry on weapons charges. Michelle Whitton, who would have been 46 years old on Wednesday, disappeared a few weeks before Christmas 1997. Barry currently oversees 20 employees in BW Brokerage Atlanta in addition to his role as active producer on his book of business. Barry Van Whitton, 46, formerly of Section, Ala., was convicted of murder in the slaying of his first wife, Michelle Townson Whitton, in 1997. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Whitton was arrested on federal weapons charges during a 2007 search for the missing mother and daughter at his 40-acre farm in Section. Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com, twitter.com/BenBenton, www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569. "Do you have anything to do with your wife's disappearance? | Updated September 25, 2015 at 11:34 a.m. SCOTTSBORO, Ala. - It didn't take long for a jury to find Barry Van Whitton - charged in the 1997 slaying of his then-wife, Michelle - guilty of murder Thursday. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Barry Whitton | Burns & Wilcox | Atlanta Brokerage A major exhibition of his work was displayed at . A Jackson County man accused of killing his first wife and suspected in the disappearance of his second will stand trial for murder in September. The trial of a man accused of killing his first wife - and suspected, but not charged, in the disappearances of his second wife and her daughter - began Wednesday in a Jackson County courtroom. None of those he talked of killing were his wives or stepdaughter. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Barry Van Whitton found guilty in murder of Michelle Whitton Kimberly Whitton missing but not forgotten Jan 2023 photos and - Login The panel of eight men and four women deliberated about two hours before reaching a verdict in the Jackson County, Ala., trial. Kimberly and her daughter may have traveled to Montana after they went missing, but investigators suspect foul play was involved in their cases. Whitton, 46, made no Michelle Townson Whitton went missing in 1997. The day she went missing, Kimberly went to her job at Cloverdale Manor Nursing Home in Scottsboro, Alabama to pick up some papers. Graham said the sentencing date will be set later. Whitton was granted a continuance last month to allow his lawyers, appointed in January, adequate time to prepare his defense. Whitton's indictment was issued Dec. 10, 2014, almost 17 years after Michelle Townson Whitton disappeared. Whitton guilty of murdering wife in 1997 Photographs of Barry are posted with this case summary. Barry and Kimberly met through a personals ad Barry placed in a magazine. In December 1997, 28-year-old Michelle Whitton was reported missing by her husband Barry Whitton. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Authorities found five weapons during the search. Court records filed on Tuesday show Whitton is now additionally charged with intimidating a witness. A convicted felon, Barry Whitton was not allowed to possess firearms found in the couple's home. Kimberly's nickname is Kim. Kimberly's nickname is Kim. View the profiles of people named Barry Hatton. Whitton went 17 years before being charged with Michelle Whitton's murder in December 2014. Kimberly and her young daughter, Haleigh Culwell, were last seen on June 21, 2007. Already a convicted felon, he was not allowed to own weapons. "Our investigation has determined this morning that it is the body of Michelle Whitton reported missing out of Jackson County," said former sheriff Cecil Reed in January 1998. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023).
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