Robert Breininger was shot dead at his home in 2003 in Defiance, Ohio, in what first appeared to be a tragic accident. Ten years later, Robert’s son Corey told a former teacher that his stepmother, Judith Hawkey, had persuaded him to shoot his father and make it look like an accident. Corey was only 10-years-old at the time.
In a case that remains controversial, it is still unclear precisely what happened in the autumn of 2003. However, it is clear that Corey fired the shot that killed his father, but he claims Hawkey coerced him. Corey says that Hawkey told him his father had a brain tumor and wanted to die.
Hawkey maintained that Corey shot his father after learning that he was to be sent to a tough military school. Investigators concluded that Hawkey wanted her husband dead so she could collect a life insurance payout of $500,000; she had already begun the paperwork the day after the shooting.
In 2013, a jury sided with Corey’s version of events, and Hawkey was sentenced to life in prison for the murder. However, three years later, another court deemed that certain testimony from three witnesses should have been admitted and ordered a second trial.
A new trial was planned for the spring of 2019; however, before going into the dock, Hawkey made a deal by pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangering charges. This meant that she avoided admitting to murder but acknowledged that prosecutors had enough to charge her with the crime.
Corey Breininger has never been charged in the case.
In 2013 Hawkey said of Corey: “He made up the whole story. I will be back for another time because I did not do this.”
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelMeanwhile, Corey posted on Facebook that, “I already made the promise that as long as I had a breath, I would fight to keep her behind bars.”
Catch the details of the case on Evil Lives Here at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery.
He should be right with her!
Evil b***h. She’ll get hers.
Why didn’t he tell a teacher or grandparents? Why didn’t anyone see the bruises? I want to believe him~ but I need more proof.
She had tried to drown him in the bathtub a few times. He was so full of fear and that’s a powerful thing. She threatened to kill him if he didn’t do what she said. He was a child in fear of his life being manipulated by an evil step mother. Why would a child lie about all of this?
Why do they play music at the end it’s frustrating. I want to here him talk to the end
I truly hate this woman
This was one of the most disturbing episodes of any show of this type I’ve ever seen. How a witch stepmother could inflict this much damage on a child is way beyond all comprehension. I hope she never gets out, she is a vicious heathen. It was very clear for me to see the total pain and horror this creep inflicted on this poor child simply by experiencing his recollection of all the events that led to this horrendous tragedy. I feel for this poor soul. I certainly wish you all the best, and sincerely hope you can find the strength you need in order to live out your full life and the fortitude to overcome this tragedy that was very obviously no fault of your own.