Tennessee Brothers Sentenced to Life for Killing Father Over Family Inheritance Dispute

Tennessee Brothers Sentenced to Life for Killing Father Over Family Inheritance Dispute

Elizabethton, TN – Two Tennessee brothers have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of their father, stemming from a dispute over the sale of family property. The convictions follow a seven-day trial in Carter County, where the defendants were found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Fatal Shooting Stemming from Inheritance Dispute

The crime occurred in April 2023 when William “Bill” Hitchcock, Jr., 63, was found dead in the driveway of his home on Old Stoney Creek Road in Elizabethton, about 15 minutes east of Johnson City. Fishermen working on the Watauga River discovered the scene and called 911 after receiving no response from the residence. Deputies found evidence of a gunshot at the location, according to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office.

Trial and Evidence Against the Brothers

During the trial, prosecutors argued that 33-year-old Jacob Alexander Hitchcock and 27-year-old Joshua Elliott Hitchcock conspired to prevent their father from selling property they were due to inherit. Joshua admitted to shooting his father but claimed he acted in self-defense after a confrontation.

According to WJHL, Joshua testified, “After I had seen him laying on the ground, I went over to him and got on my knees, and I started to cry and asked him why. I was terrified and couldn’t believe the actions that had just taken place.”

Jacob Hitchcock did not testify, but prosecutors presented text messages and vehicle location evidence showing he had communicated with his brother and monitored their father’s movements, framing him as the mastermind behind the murder conspiracy.

Motive: Property and Family Obsession

Prosecutors emphasized that Jacob was obsessed with the family property inherited from a recently deceased relative. Closing arguments highlighted his repeated attempts to ensure the property stayed in the family, which escalated into a deadly plan.

“The obsession about Jacob Hitchcock over that property, the sick mind, the depravity, the greed, that then germinates into an obsession,” prosecutor Dennis Brooks told the jury, according to WJHL.

The brothers allegedly discussed using a motorcycle for a drive-by shooting, and Joshua indeed arrived on a motorcycle the night of the murder.

Sentencing and Parole Eligibility

On Wednesday, the brothers were sentenced to life in prison for the murder conviction, with an additional 15 years for conspiracy to commit murder, and three years for tampering with evidence. The sentences will run concurrently, and both brothers are eligible for parole.

The court concluded that the tragic killings were the result of greed and obsession over family inheritance, leading to the death of their father.

Do you think the sentences are sufficient for such a premeditated crime within a family? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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