Episode 425: The Clutter Family Murders

<p>In 1959 the state of Kansas was absolutely shocked to find that one of its most prominent and well-liked families, The Clutters, had been murdered. Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, two convicts that had recently been released from prison were the ones responsible. Both had been told by a fellow inmate while incarcerated that the Clutter family had a large amount of cash stashed in a safe on their property. The two broke into the family home and searched for the safe, they then woke up the family when they couldn't find it, tortured and murdered them one by one.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>thank you to exquisite David White for research assistance&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>References</p><p>Capital Wire Service. 1959. "Two Itinerant Laborers Held for Murder Quiz." <em>Topeka Daily Capital</em>, November 20.</p><p>Capote, Truman. 1965. "In Cold Blood." <em>The New Yorker</em>, September 25.</p><p>Cowan, Carole. 2005. "Persons Unknown." <em>New York Times</em>, Jan 23: F6.</p><p>Garden City Telegram. 1965. "Last Words Attack Capital Punishment." <em>Garden City Telegram</em>, April 14: 1.</p><p>Gonsalves, Antone. 1984. "25 years later, 'In Cold Blood' murders still haunt." <em>United Press International</em>, November 11.</p><p>Greer, Bob. 1959. "Clutter Family Murders." <em>Garden City Telegram</em>, November 16: 1.</p><p>Hegeman, Roxana. 2009. "The Stains of In Cold Blood Still Fresh 50 Years Later." <em>Guelph Mercury</em>, November 10.</p><p>Hickock, Richard. 1960. "Spectre of Noose Haunts Prisoner." <em>Topeka Daily Capital</em>, March 25.</p><p>Kalbfleisch, Gay. 1959. "Empty Shell Cases, Fatal Shot Found." <em>Topeka Daily Capital</em>, November 19: 1.</p><p>Keglovitts, Sally J. 2004. "In Cold Blood Revisited: A Look Back at an American." <em>Federal Probation: A Journal of Correctional Philosophy and Practice</em> 68 (1).</p><p>Kull, Ron. 1960. "Crime Plans Listed." <em>Topeka Daily Capital</em>, 03 24: 1.</p><p>—. 1960. "'They'll Both Get the Rope'." <em>Topeka State Journal</em>, March 23: 1.<