The Sugar Land Conspiracy

An All-American Family Is Gunned Down In A Bizarre Plot

(CBS)  One night, seven months after the shootings, Bart told his dad he was heading out to a club. "Bart told me he would see me the next day. Well, that was the last I saw him. He disappeared," Kent remembers.

Bart's disappearance was a setback. But Det. Slot pressed on, focusing on the suspects still in Sugar Land, especially Steven Champagne.

Eventually Champagne cracked. "He informed me that he participated in the crime and that Chris Brashear killed the family," Slot says.

Champagne confessed that he was the getaway driver, Brashear was the shooter, and that Bart was the mastermind behind the plan.

Champagne led Slot to a treasure trove of physical evidence. "He led me to the place on the bridge over Lake Conroe where he and Chris Brashear had thrown items of evidence," Slot explains.

The items included a chisel, which Slot says Brashear had used to break into the gun safe, ammunition that Slot says was the same as in the gun, and two cell phones.

"Bart Whitaker had provided those to them to use during the course of carrying out the plot," Slot says.

In Sept. 2005, Sugar Land police arrested both Champagne and Brashear for the murders of Trisha and Kevin Whitaker. But they still didn't know where to find Bart.

When Bart fled Sugar Land seven months after the shootings, he left behind a community -- and a father -- in disbelief. Like many a desperado before him, Bart headed south into Mexico, where he ended up in a tiny village called Cerralvo, about 40 miles from the Texas border.

Bart started his new life in Cerralvo with about $7,000 in cash, money he had stolen from his father's house. He could speak a little Spanish and soon had a small apartment and a job at a local furniture store. He also had something else: a new identity.

Gabriella Gutierrez remembers her American friend named "Rudy Rios."

She remembers him as a friendly person. "He was very charming. He had a way with the ladies," Gabriella says.

Cindy Lou Salinas first saw Bart in church, of all places. "I don’t know, I found him very interesting. The guys that I've known…I don't know, he just had something nobody had," she says.

After Bart and Cindy Lou began dating, her father, Omero, gave Bart a job at the family's furniture store. Omero says Bart was a good and very obedient worker. "I really liked him and held him in high esteem," he recalls.

Cindy Lou's brother, Ubaldo, befriended Bart and was impressed with his stories of adventure, like the one explaining his bullet wound. "He said he got the scar in the Afghanistan war. He said there was a surprise attack on his group by the Afghanis. Most of those in his group were killed. He shot at one with his rifle, but there was another one that got him in the shoulder," Ubaldo explains.

The entire Salinas family took Bart in as one of their own, and Bart told them they were the family he never had. "He used to tell me that he was an only child, that he never loved his mother because his mother never loved him either. And that his mother was a prostitute, he used to say that. His family never gave him the love he wanted. They only gave him money…they ignored him," Cindy Lou says.

For 14 months, Bart lived a care free new life as Rudy Rios, but it was all about to an end. Back in Sugar Land, Det. Slot got a phone call from the real Rudy Rios. "He called me, anonymously one day at my office and said, 'I know where Bart Whitaker is. I helped him get there,'" Slot recalls.

The real Rudy and Bart had worked together at a Houston restaurant.

"Bart explained to him that there was pressure on him from law enforcement. Rudy said, 'Well if you ever need any help, let me know. I’ve got family in Mexico that can help you out,'" Det. Slot says.

According to Rios, Bart paid him $3,000 to escort him to Cerralvo. But when word spread of a reward for Bart's capture, the real Rudy looked to get paid again.

Det. Slot was there waiting when Mexican authorities dumped Bart back across the border. "He glanced at me and then just down to the floor. I don't know if it was a, 'You got me' look, but it was very satisfying to walk into that jail," Slot remembers.

"I walk in and we're separated by the bulletproof glass. I said, 'Well, you look like you’re okay.' And he says, 'Yes, I am.' And he says, 'Dad, I'm just so sorry. I’m so sorry for all of it. It's all my fault,'" Kent remembers.

What was the "it" Bart was referring to?

"The murders. That he’s responsible for the murders," Kent says.

[wyo-kid]

This scumbag Bart Whitaker, doesn't need to be breathing the same air as decent people. It is also scary to think other college friends failed to notify the cops of Bart's murderous plans.

[carolcape]

I heard this story before, but am so glad that Bart W. was convicted and given the death penalty. I mean he had been planning this for a number of years and had asked other college student to take part.I just wonder now how parents want to send the kids to college. Not one of those people came forward to give the information to police.Also it was noted at one time that the father did hear of a plot to kill him and he wouldn't believe it. Well let me tell anyone out there that has kids, if they hear of anything like this, believe it, because there are a lot of weird goings on out there. Bart is evil and he looks evil. I definitely believe he would kill again. OMG, his mom and his brother and also would have killed his dad if he had not survived. Hard to wrap your mind around it. He is evil and the death penalty was the right sentence. A sociopath of the worst kind. Of course, his chin was trembling and he was crying, for himself is who the tears were for. This time the jury got it right. I have no pity for him and I do not know how his father could ever forgive him for what he did.

[hercule1122]

This story also reminded me of a time when my family was threatened by a young killer. Our neighbor's son shot his adopted father, and the daughter called my father for help. He called the police and went to help...and the son shot at him trying to kill him. He escaped unharmed, and the police arrested the devil son, Damon. When he was sentenced to life in prison, he looked at my father and said he was going to kill him if he ever was released. My father had testified against him in court. In 1984, someone called my mother and told her Damon had been released from prison. She then kept a gun by her bedside, but the creep was restricted to an area about 200 miles from our home. We never heard from this evil person again and hope he died a horrific death.

[paint951]

I would like to say that this story has helped me in my time of need. My son tryed to kill my husband and me in 12-8-06. Befor I saw this show I was in get torment,but the story of Mr. Whitaker and his son has given me peace and the courage to go on. I know that Mr. Whitaker didn't want to do this show because I have read he's book, but I am so grateful that he did. To Mr. Witaker his son and his friend. Thank You so much.

[cayenne1050]

Two things:

This story, and others of its genre, cause me to long for good old-fashion entertainment. The only reason I tuned in to this show, to be honest, was the title - The Sugar Land Conspiracy. I live 10 miles from Sugar Land and it, the title, piqued my interest. It was NOT entertaining. That which spawns from the core of sick minds and malice deed should not be aired for general consumption.

Finally, I wish to comment on the vile words flowing effortlessly past the mustache-hidden mouth of Prosecutor Fred (Buffalo Bill-wannabe) Felcman. This man does NOT represent Texas or the demeanor of most Texans. No, Mr. Felcman, we in Texas DO NOT refer to people as SOBs. You, sir, didn't even flinch when using those four disgusting words and the family of the victims deserve an apology. Why? When referring to the slain woman's son as an SOB, guess what you called her? You, Mr. Attorney, are a buffoon.

Somewhere near the story's beginning, the narrator refers to you in complimentary fashion, using words like ...Famed Texas lawyer...or something similar. I disagree. In fact, you represent the very reason so many people feel the way they do about lawyers . Anyone, and I mean anyone, who can stand before a national broadcast television camera and refer to a defendant as an SOB while calling his very mother (the deceased victim for whom he is seeking justice) 'a *****', and get away with it, should NOT BE PRACTICING LAW!!

You embarrass me sir.

[rondivoo]

Correction. Texans DO refer to those who deserve it as SOB's. And, their language is very colorful about a host of things. I love to hear them talk. They have an analogy for almost everything. Down-to-earth and honest is what I call it. If you don't like it take your pious, pie-in-the-sky ears elsewhere.

[TheFed41]

LET US ALL NOT FORGET THAT ALL LAW'S ARE GOD'S LAW'S!!!!!!!

[Reasontruth]

People do things that are cruel and horrible. These things will never be understood. Bart has been punished for his crimes. He is awaiting lethal injection. His father is being punished for the sins of his son. Listening to others condemn and wish more cruelty don't help this painful situation. If anyone should hunger for revenge against Bart, it should be his father who lost everything in the blink of an eye. It shouldn't be outsiders who should be offering support to a man that loves his son unconditionally.

[hercule1122]

This tale is so needless. If parents don't have a clue if their son is a freshman in college or graduating, that rings alarm bells for me as a parent. Then earlier they were warned that he planned to kill them and they disregarded the warning. I knew at each stage how my kids were doing in school, and find these people so detached and plain stupid! They did not deserve to die, but they certainly could have prevented it. I find this religious aspect rather creepy. I hope the evil son dies for his deeds. He is not fit to live among civilized people.

[Reasontruth]

To an extent, I agree with you. My son is only 5 so it is pretty easy to keep up with his accomplishments. One reason I don't agree is that if you got a phone call saying your child was trying to have you killed, would you honestly believe it?? The part of knowing your child was in school or not, children are great at hiding things. Not only children but people in general. Lori Hacking was murdered by her husband, and he had her, her family, and his family convinced that he was in med school. People can be good at hiding things when need be.

[Bible-Prophecy]

THE FULFILLMENT OF BIBLE PROPHECY

Jesus Christ said, "A man's enemies will be the members of his own household."
(Matthew 10:36).

Jesus Christ said, "Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death."
(Matthew 10:21).

[dugudr]

Bart should be forgiven in hell that is. I have no relation what so ever to the lead dectective in this case.

[dugudr]

I knew first hand with a socialpath, they just never going to get it. Why don''t the police do a sting which set things straight. but I''m pretty sure it still wouldn''t make a diff to the father and one thing for sure is he going to stupidven. Even w a sting this is bound to happen. Family are just almost impossible to think one of their owns can turn on them. But the father is just and impossible man. I bet if the guy gets out the father is a dead man.

[dugudr]

I knew first hand with a socialpath, they just never going to get it. Why don''t the police do a sting which set things straight. but I''m pretty sure it still wouldn''t make a diff to the father and one thing for sure is he going to stupidven. Even w a sting this is bound to happen. Family are just almost impossible to think one of their owns can turn on them. But the father is just and impossible man. I bet if the guy gets out the father is a dead man.

[newsreader57]

I havae to agree with some of the other comments that this article was written horribly. I had to reread the beginning several times. Then I decided to read some of the comments to see if anyone else had a problem understading who got shot, and who was telling what.

[mambisa-2009]

This was the most remarkable story I''ve seen on "48 Hours." It''s not often that a show like this spends so much time talking about forgiveness and Christian faith. Mr. Whitaker is a shining example of how every Christian should live his life. Shame on those bloodthirsty prosecutors who could only see notches on their guns for having wrangled a death penalty for Bart Whitaker.

[roscoezzz]

This young man is going to be put to death. He is an evil, manipulative, hateful sociopath. If he was a good and decent kid, then when did he turn into the Omen? That''s the question that I have. Also, What did he do all those 4 years when he wasn''t in college? I''m sure hating and planning Death!
Forgiveness is the most powerful weapon against Evil because it''s Love. I applaud this father for trying to reach his son who really is on the dark side. I can''t imagine how this father feels. He has lost everything in this life. But, through it all is his forgiveness. Good for him.

[tngreen]

"This was an amazingly badly written article."
------Posted by ammie119 at 04:20 PM : Oct 22, 2007

I totally agree. I had to read the first page twice to figure out that half of the family survived the shooting. I couldn''t figure out they had managed to get an interview with the dead father! And other items were a jumble as well. I think our schools of journalism are not doing such a great job--I see lots of problems with CBS'' online news articles, from grammatical errors to badly written pieces that make it hard to extract the information.

[gypsylady7]

I did see the video of him on the stand, texas_tech09. He didn''t seem to really show remorse. He seemed cold. I doubt he''ll think about what he did. He''ll probably spend more time thinking what he should have done better, to get away with the crime!

[gypsylady7]

Wish I hadn''t fallen asleep during the show!

[patriot12436]

zootallures2
And where did you take your forensic classes at ?

[patriot12436]

drew30319
I have to disagree. The jury listened to what the father felt and made their decision. Someone this sick should never be returned to society. With the flukes in our judicial system i think this is possible. My parents always favored my sister. I didn''t care. I grew up without supervision, came and went as i wanted, never got into trouble, joined the military the day after graduation from high school, made a career in the military and law enforcement, graudated from college. At 55 i realized if i didn''t get away from my parents it was going to kill me . I walked away and had a heart attack two months later. I have no relationship with my mother. I went to my fathers funeral because my daughter wanted to go. I had no feelings for a man i never knew. After all of this i can honestly say the thought of killing my parents never entered my mind once.