Innocent Victims

The True Story of the Eastburn Family Murders

By: Scott Whisnant

Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla

On Mother's Day, 1985, the bodies of Kathryn Eastburn and her two young daughters were found in their Fayetteville, North Carolina, home. Katie, an air force captain's wife, had been raped and stabbed to death. Kara and Erin's throats had been slit. Their toddler sister, Jana, was the only survivor of a bloody killing spree that terrified a community still reeling from the conviction, six years prior, of Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald for the savage slayings of his pregnant wife and two daughters.

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Department soon focused its investigation on US Army soldier Tim Hennis. Detectives and local prosecutors built their case on circumstantial evidence and a jury convicted Hennis and sentenced him to death. But his defense team refused to give up. Piece by piece, they discredited the state's case, exposing false testimony, concealed evidence, and prosecutorial misconduct. At a second trial, Hennis was found not guilty and released from death row.

But an even more stunning turn of events was yet to come. Twenty-five years after the murders, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation tested a crucial piece of DNA evidence from the crime scene. The shocking results led to an unprecedented third trial to determine Tim Hennis's guilt or innocence.

©1993 Scott Whisnant (P)2019 Tantor

Excellent

This true story explains both sides so well and will make me continue to watch this in the news.

Boring Court Case book

Interesting story, but the back and forth explanations of the prosecution and defense during the court cases were so tediously monotonous. It went on an on! Snore fest! The story has such potential!

Long

To much of this story is tided up in the courtroom. I would liked to have known more about the Eastburns.

Great read and we'll written!!!!

If you know nothing about this case I recommend not to Google. This was well written even though initially you may think "ok get to the point" but then it all falls into place and why all this information is necessary. Talk about a RIDE!!!! Surprises around every corner. Great read and recommend it.

Interesting story

But did not finish. Could not tolerate the high pitched whining voice he uses for women and young males.

Really good story

I don’t think it’s the murders first time killing. Someone builds up to that level of murder.

Twist at the end

I rushed through this as it was a little wordy at times. Then I listened to the epilogue with the “twist” and went back and listened more thoughtfully to the story

A good one

I've been a true crime listener for years. this is one of my favorites. I'll listen again

The mystery continues

Possibly the most intriguing true crime story ever written. Be prepared if you’re unlucky enough to be caught up in the snares of a bumbling, patently dishonest criminal justice system - your guilt or innocence may have little to do with the outcome.

I pray Whisnant writes again!

Fantastic Book. So well researched and written by Scott Whisnant. I am listening a second time!