Episode 3-MURDER (x’s 3): Is it possible to go from acquittal to Army retirement to military death row for the same crime?
In 1985, the family of Air Force Captain Gary Eastburn (his wife and two daughters) were found brutally murdered in their home in Fayetteville, NC. The young 21 month old daughter was spared her young life. After an eye witness pointed at Sergeant Timothy Hennis, active duty Army, as a suspect, he was quickly brought to justice by the state of North Carolina. But the Eastburn Family Murders (Kathryn, Kara, and Erin) case would be riddled with various errors that would ultimately lead to Tim’s acquittal. Tim returned to the Army to finish off his military career, and in 2004, he retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. The Eastburn case went cold, until 2005, when the case was reinvigorated by the cold case team. A DNA hit was made, but who was the perpetrator? This case will have you on the edge of your seat. Dig in with Margot as she discusses the case against Master Sergeant Timothy Hennis.
In 2019, this case is still relevant, as the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces recently heard an appeal on October 22, 2019 (listen until the end of this episode for a quick update). Read more about this hearing at the CAAF log website: https://www.caaflog.com/category/october-2019-term/united-states-v-hennis-october-2019-term/
Beautiful Katie, with her husband, Air Force Captain Gary Eastburn
Kara Eastburn, 5 years old – adorable
Erin Eastburn, 3 years old – look at that smile!
This is where Jana was found.
John – Timothy Hennis’ Lookalike During the Second Trial
Suspect Sketch provided days after murder.
Timothy Hennis’ Mug Shot
Timothy Hennis during his 2010 court-martial.
Sample Black Member’s Only Jacket
Episode 3 Resources:
- Whisnant, Scott, “Innocent Victims: The True Story of The Eastburn Family Murders.” 21 February 2017.
- State v. Hennis, North Carolina Supreme Court, 323 N.C. 279 (1988), https://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/supreme-court/1988/499a86-0.html (last accessed on 15 August 2019).
- US v. MSgt Hennis, US Army Court of Criminal Appeals, 6 October 2016, https://www.courtlistener.com/pdf/2016/10/06/united_states_v._master_sergeant_timothy_b._hennis.pdf (last accessed on 15 August 2019).
- US v. MSgt Hennis, US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 20 November 2017, https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/caaf/17-0263-AR/17-0263-AR-2017-11-20.html (last accessed on 15 August 2019)
- Patterson, Thom, CNN, “Triple Murder Suspect Goes From Guilty to Innocent and Back to Guilty.” 18 July 2018, https://www.cnn.com/2014/07/18/us/death-row-stories-hennis/index.html (last accessed on 15 August 2019).
- Schmidle, Nicholas, “Three Trials for Murder.” The New Yorker, 6 November 2011, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/11/14/three-trials-for-murder (last accessed on 15 August 2019).
- News Interviews (WTVD TV), 1985 Eastburn Murders, January 18, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEfKbip_R0E (last viewed on 22 Sep 19). (interviews from the time of the murders)
- Best Documentary Films Life on Death Row-Tim Hennis-Double Jeopardy, April 6, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiOvjAt0YSE (last viewed on 22 Sep 19).