What happened to Zachary Witman?
Jul 17, 2021 · It had also come to light that Zach's former defense attorney had neglected to tell the Witman family about a possible plea offer he could have taken before the murder case first went to trial, according to People. As a result, Zach's conviction and sentencing were thrown out, and he became eligible for resentencing in 2018.
Why did Zach Witman take the plea deal?
Mar 31, 2013 · Attorney David McGlaughlin, who represented Zachary Witman at trial, says it's about time that a new, private investigation be done in the murder of 13-year-old Gregory Witman.
Was there a relationship between Zach and Ron Witman's sons?
Dec 01, 2020 · Subsequently, Zach's new attorney discovered that a prior defense attorney had failed to tell Zach about a plea offer made by prosecutors before the first trial began. The revelation led a judge ...
When will Zachary Witman be eligible for parole?
Nov 04, 2015 · The Witmans hired the attorney Cristina Gutierrez ( the same defense lawyer for Adnan Syed, whose story was the focus of Serial ). Five years later, after many appeals and botched trials, the ...
Where does the Zachary Witman case stand now?
Zachary Witman was originally convicted as an adult in 2003 and sentenced to life without parole in the brutal murder of his 13-year-old brother. However, after his conviction and sentencing were tossed out by a judge Feb.
The murder
Zachary was 15 in 1998 when he slashed and cut Gregory Witman more than 100 times -- 65 times to the neck -- nearly decapitating him with a penknife.
Zachary's arrest
Police, finding no other suspects, arrested Zachary and charged him with murder eight days later.
The trial
Because of a number of pretrial motions, most concerning the admissibility of evidence, Zachary's trial was delayed 4 ½ years. By then, Zachary was 20.
After the conviction
Numerous unsuccessful defense appeals followed the conviction. In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Zachary's appeal.
Now
Zachary and his parents, Ron and Sue Witman, who still live in the New Freedom home where Greg was killed, have maintained that Zachary had no reason or motive to murder Greg. However, on Feb. 8, 2018, Zachary admitted guilt in his plea to third-degree murder. He will be eligible for parole as early as January 2019.
More coverage
Here are some selected stories in chronological order from the Daily Record archives about the Witman case:
Who sued Gutierrez?
As Koenig discussed in Thursdays episode, the Whitmans were among the former clients who ultimately sued Gutierrez for misplaced funds. Ron and Sue Whitman hired Gutierrez to defend their son in 2000, in a horrifically tragic case; their older of their two boys, Zach, was charged with killing his 13-year-old brother Greg, by stabbing him 65 times in the neck with a pen knife. Halfway through the trial, Ron and Sue fired Cristina. In 2003, Whitman was convicted to life in prison. The latest of his numerous appeals throughout the years took place in January of this year, which he lost.
Who was Sandra Craig?
Back in 1986, Gutierrez defended Sandra Craig, owner and operator a Clarksville pre-school, was charged with 53 counts of child abuse, molestation and child pornography. Her 16-year-old son Jamal, who worked at the school, was charged with 8 counts of molestation, including the rape of a 6-year-old girl, according to the National Registry ...
Who was Walter Price?
The hysteria she's referring to is the case of Walter Price, a 49-year-old Social Studies teacher who was convicted of sexually abusing a student at the very same school just a few months earlier. Cook was ultimately acquitted, but subsequently lost her job in 1995.
Who represented Laurie Susanne Cook?
In 1993, Gutierrez represented Laurie Susanne Cook, Anne Arundel, Maryland school teacher who was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old male student. Cook was 33 at the time. "We're vehemently denying the charges," Gutierrez told the Baltimore Sun. "It's not unusual... in the context of the hysteria at Northeast, to have created an accusation out of nothing." The hysteria she's referring to is the case of Walter Price, a 49-year-old Social Studies teacher who was convicted of sexually abusing a student at the very same school just a few months earlier. Cook was ultimately acquitted, but subsequently lost her job in 1995.
What does the blood on Zachary's sweatshirt mean?
According to forensic scientist Deborah Calhoun, the bloodstain pattern in Zachary’s sweatshirt means that he was in close proximity of Gregory when the wounds were inflicted, and that the victim was alive at this point (Zachary’s defense claims he got the blood on him when he rolled over Gregory’s body, as instructed by the 911 operator). You can see a picture of the sweatshirt above. She also testified that in her opinion, the blood spots on Zachary’s socks meant that Gregory was standing when they fell on him. Her expertise was questioned by the defense.
Who was Gregory's friend?
The Phone Call. The friend of Gregory who called was Eryn Jeffery. She knew that Gregory usually arrived home at around 3:07, and she initially called at 3:09. She says someone picked up the phone downstairs (she could tell because it was a flip phone and it made a distinctive sound) and hung up quickly.
What is the problem with Zachary's case?
The main problem with the case against Zachary is the lack of motive. His parents say the brothers had a close relationship and, as far as I know, no one testified something different on the trial (Of course, we know that parents not always know what’s really going on with their kids).
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About Zachary
RHINO Lawyers’ Criminal Division defends those accused of breaking the law. As a former Prosecutor, we will leverage our inside knowledge to achieve the absolute best results for you.
Traffic case
I highly recommend Zach Armocida services. He represented me in a highly professional manner regarding a traffic case with potentially serious consequences, and he was able to persuade the Court to reduce my charges. He represented me and I did not have to appear in Court.
Expectacular
I hired Zachary to defend me in traffic court for an unwinnable case. He found the right evidence to have the judge dismiss the charges
Where Does The Zachary Witman Case Stand Now?
Zachary Witman was originally convicted as an adult in 2003 and sentenced to life without parole in the brutal murder of his 13-year-old brother. However, after his conviction and sentencing were tossed out by a judge Feb. 8, 2018, Witman, now 34, admitted to killing his brother and accepted a plea dealthat would have him eli…
The Murder
- Zachary was 15 in 1998 when he slashed and cut Gregory Witman more than 100 times -- 65 times to the neck -- nearly decapitating him with a penknife. More:Zach Witman still insists he didn't kill brother Gregory in 1998 Greg was attacked inside the front door of their New Freedom home after returning from school on Oct. 2, 1998. Investigators found a pool of blood in the foye…
Zachary's Arrest
- Police, finding no other suspects, arrested Zachary and charged him with murder eight days later. Murder is one of the charges under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code that allows for a juvenile to be arrested, charged and tried as an adult. Zachary's attorney filed a motion to have the case de-certified – moved from adult court to juvenile court where the court system, if it determined Zac…
The Trial
- Because of a number of pretrial motions, most concerning the admissibility of evidence, Zachary's trial was delayed 4 ½ years. By then, Zachary was 20. A jury convicted Zachary of first-degree murder on May 21, 2003. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, the only penalty in the law books for first-degree murder.
After The Conviction
- Numerous unsuccessful defense appeals followed the conviction. In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Zachary's appeal.
Now
- Zachary and his parents, Ron and Sue Witman, who still live in the New Freedom home where Greg was killed, have maintained that Zachary had no reason or motive to murder Greg. However, on Feb. 8, 2018, Zachary admitted guilt in his plea to third-degree murder. He will be eligible for parole as early as January 2019.
More Video Coverage
- Ron Witman speaks after Zachary's guilty plea in 2018: Sue Witman speaks in 2013: Ron Witman reads a letter from Zachary in 2013: Examining the murder weapon:
Did Zachary Witman Murder His Brother?
If you’ve listened to season 1 of Serial, you might remember that in Episode 10 they mention the controversial case of Zachary Witman, currently imprisoned for killing his brother. Here, I’ll attempt to lay down a general view of it.
The Crime
- On October 2, 1998, Gregory Witman (13) arrived at his house in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, at around 3:10 pm. He was attacked pretty much as soon as he opened the door, in the entrance foyer, and a scuffle ensued, ending in the house’s laundry room where the worst of the attack happened. Gregory was stabbed over 100 times, at least 65 of those in the area around the neck…
Zachary’s Version
- Zachary’s initial statements to police are a little confusing. He says that he left the keys in the lock of the front door for his brother to enter, and that he was sleeping in his parents’ bedroom upstairs when he heard the front door open and close, and assumed his brother had arrived. But at 3:15 pm, a friend of Gregory called the house asking for him, and Zachary told her he wasn’t home yet…
The Phone Call
- The friend of Gregory who called was Eryn Jeffery. She knew that Gregory usually arrived home at around 3:07, and she initially called at 3:09. She says someone picked up the phone downstairs (she could tell because it was a flip phone and it made a distinctive sound) and hung up quickly. When she called again, Zachary answered after three rings. She stated he was talking from the p…
The Evidence Against Zachary
- According to forensic scientist Deborah Calhoun, the bloodstain pattern in Zachary’s sweatshirt means that he was in close proximity of Gregory when the wounds were inflicted, and that the victim was alive at this point(Zachary’s defense claims he got the blood on him when he rolled over Gregory’s body, as instructed by the 911 operator). You can see a picture of the sweatshirt …
The Defense’S Position
- The main problem with the case against Zachary is the lack of motive. His parents say the brothers had a close relationship and, as far as I know, no one testified something different on the trial (Of course, we know that parents not always know what’s really going on with their kids). Only one witness appears in the police reports saying that Gregory was scared because Zachary was …
Conclusion
- This case reminds me a little of the JonBenet Ramsey case, because while it’s hard to understand why he would have killed his brother, there’s also no evidence that supports an intruder theory. If it was a third person, why would they target a 13 year old? This is no random murder, the rage of the stabbing points to a personal reason. The way the attack went, it would have to mean that the kil…
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