Casefile True Crime - Case 170: The Caffey Family

Episode Date: March 27, 2021

On February 29 2008, members of the Caffey Family were sleeping soundly in their Texas home when intruders suddenly stormed in and launched a brutal attack. After setting the house on fire, the intruders fled, unaware that one family member was still alive. Patriarch Terry Caffey emerged from the burning building barely clinging to life, his body riddled with bullet wounds. --- Narration – Anonymous Host Research and writing – Jessica Forsayeth Creative direction – Milly Raso Production and music – Mike Migas Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn For all credits and sources please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-170-the-caffey-family

Add a pop of culture to every room in your house with SiriusXM. Stream over 425 channels of ad-free music, plus exclusive talk, world-class news, live play-by-play sports, comedy, and popular podcasts with the SXM app. Subscribe to the streaming platinum plan and get your first three months for free. Visit SiriusXM.ca for details.

SiriusXM, everything you want to hear lives here. MUSIC Our episodes deal with SiriusXM and often distressing incidents. If you feel at any time you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. For suggested phone numbers for confidential support, please see the show notes for this episode on your app or on our website.

This episode involves a crime against children. It may not be suitable for all listeners. MUSIC If you travel down Rains County Road 2370 in Texas, just outside the city of Emory, you will eventually come across a narrow gravel road. Following the private road is a bumpy and somewhat lonely journey that's surrounded by dense woodland

and tall pine trees hang overhead, forming a canopy above you. The graveled Ring Road has two properties situated 400 yards apart from one another. Aside from that, there is nothing but thick forest and the sound of birdsong to welcome a weary driver. It's peaceful. At the entry to one property, Max, a black Labrador, waits patiently.

He's a loyal dog who takes it upon himself to protect his family at all costs. Max sits next to the remains of what was once a beloved family home. There is rubble everywhere, and some members are still hot on his pawpads as he walks through the ashes. A sign, one of the few things that wasn't destroyed in the blaze, is visible amongst the debris.

Engraved on split cedar wood, the sign announces the family that resided in the home, reading The Cafes in large letters. Besided is engraved Joshua chapter 24 verse 15, a scripture from the Bible which in part reads, If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose ye this day whom you will serve. But, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Well-wishers concerned about Max's welfare sneak under the police tape to bring him food and water, but Max isn't interested. It's Monday, March 3, 2008, two days since the fire that destroyed the cafe house, and Max is still waiting. He's waiting for his family. Two years earlier, Terry and Penny Caffee proudly displayed

the sign that says, If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose ye this day whom you will serve. But, as for me and my house, it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord. Well-wishers concerned about Max's welfare, it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord. Well-wishers concerned about Max's welfare,

Penny Caffee proudly displayed the split Cedarwood sign at the entrance to their new home. Made for them by their good friend and only neighbour, Tommy Gaston, the sign, complete with a meaningful bible quote, was a fitting gift for the religious family. Their 20-acre property was situated approximately 60 miles north of Dallas,

in the tiny town of Alba. It offered the cafe family ample room to play and explore. When Terry Caffee heard from his friend Tommy that the house had become available, he jumped at the chance to purchase it. Now, as he watched his youngest son Tyler play on a rope swing in their front yard, he knew he had made the right decision.

The cafe family quickly settled in. The move placed them even closer to their family church, the Miracle Faith Baptist Church, and Penny homeschooled their three children, Erin, Matthew and Tyler. The layout of the two-story cabin-style home meant that Terry and Penny could sleep downstairs while the children had the upstairs largely to themselves,

offering everyone space and privacy. Terry worked long hours delivering medical equipment to people who required it at their homes. Although he enjoyed his job, he felt he could relax when he took the turnoff to the private road he shared with Tommy Gaston and his wife Helen. Terry's 14-year-old daughter Erin

often ran out the front door to welcome him home, give him a hug, and inquire about his day. His wife Penny met him at the door each night with a smile and a kiss. Terry Caffee was living his dream. Terry met Penny in 1989 at a church service. They went on their first date a week later, and in eight months, the two were married.

Terry and Penny wanted nothing more than to start a family. Their wish was fulfilled in July 1991 when they welcomed their daughter Erin into the world. In June 1994, the family of three expanded with the birth of son Matthew. Five years later, in April 1999, another son, Tyler, came along. Deeply religious, the Caffee family were described

by Alba locals as good Christians who embodied the All-American family. Prior to the birth of his children, Terry had spent time working with youth in his church when he felt a higher calling from God. He began studying to become a minister with his goal to become a pastor or evangelist and spread the word of God.

Penny, on the other hand, devoted her time to playing in the church gospel band. A gifted pianist who played every day, Penny also performed at other area churches and recorded albums with family friend Tommy Gaston. When she wasn't practicing piano, doing household chores or homeschooling the children, Penny volunteered her time delivering meals

to the sick and elderly. The three Caffee children were vastly different from one another. The youngest child, Tyler, was a shy boy with an adventurous streak. He loved nothing more than jumping into the pond on the Caffee property, much to the concern of his careful mother.

Middle child Matthew was affectionately known as Bubba due to his size and stature. Although large, Matthew was a kind and gentle boy who loved playing the harmonica and guitar, as well as journaling. Oldest sibling, Aaron, inherited her mother's long-blonde hair and sparkling eyes. At 4 foot 11, Aaron made her presence known

with her loud but angelic voice that echoed around the church walls. According to the Texas Monthly, Aaron's pastor joked that if he had five Aaron Caffees, he would fill his church on Sundays. Boys followed the teen wherever she went and attended Miracle Faith Baptist Church just to see her. Her father, Terry, would lovingly tell her

that her voice was so beautiful, he wanted her to sing at his funeral. The Caffee family finished 2007 excited for the future. In April 2008, Terry was due to finish his studies and fulfill his dream of being ordained in the ministry. The children were doing well in their studies. Now, 16-year-old Aaron had attended a youth camp where she was voted most likely to succeed

and most fun-loving person. Then, Charlie Wilkinson entered the picture. 18-year-old Charlie entered the Sonic Fast Food Restaurant in Emory. He noticed Aaron Caffee working as a waitress and was immediately attracted to her. She had just started working there part-time to gain some independence and earn a small amount of money. Charlie caught her eye also and the pair began to talk.

Charlie began dropping by on Aaron's work breaks to see her. A few weeks later, he worked up the courage to ask her out. Aaron, whom friends described as naive and sheltered, happily gave Charlie her number. They soon began dating. Aaron had casually dated before, but this was her first serious relationship. Aaron and Charlie's romance started with long phone calls to one another.

Then, Charlie would come to the cafe home after school. He draped himself across their furniture and made a nuisance of himself when the cafes were doing household chores. From the book, Terror by Night, his constant presence in the house irritated Terry. He found Charlie to be disrespectful and a know-it-all. He swore around Terry's children and didn't have a job, although he did intend on joining the army when he finished his schooling.

Penny tried to reassure her husband that Charlie seemed nice and was probably harmless. However, agreed that they should keep a close eye on the young couple. In mid-January 2008, Aaron came to her parents with a request. She asked if she could transfer from homeschooling to a high school so she could be with other peers her own age and make friends. Terry and Penny agreed, hoping that the move would distance her from Charlie, who seemed to spend all his spare time with Aaron.

She enrolled in Reigns High School. Terry and Penny were dismayed to learn that Charlie also attended the school as a senior. Aaron and Charlie stopped socializing with other students and became inseparable at school, sometimes going to Aaron's old Chevy pickup truck to fool around over the lunch break. Charlie also began attending the Miracle Faith Baptist Church with Aaron. The pair were always seen holding hands throughout the services. Parishioners commented to Terry and Penny that their daughter had a bad case of puppy love.

Terry was concerned. Charlie's friends also noticed how much his relationship with Aaron had changed him. He talked about her non-stop. Gushing about his love for her. Aaron couldn't understand why her parents didn't approve of their relationship. Charlie was known to be a bit of a hothead, but was generally well behaved. He didn't cause any trouble at school, aside from the odd occasion where he was asked to remove his cowboy hat for class.

One day in January 2008, Charlie and Aaron went out for an early dinner. As mentioned in the Texas Monthly, on the way home, Charlie pulled over his run down Ford Explorer and asked Aaron to hop out of the car. On a deserted road, he bent down on one knee and presented Aaron with an expensive and intricate ring. Once his grandmother's engagement ring, Charlie offered the ring to Aaron as a sign of their friendship and his promise to always be hers. It wasn't a formal proposal, but by giving her the ring, Charlie made it clear that he wanted to propose when the time was right. Aaron accepted and later spent the night at church proudly showing the ring to her friends

in the congregation. Terry found out about the ring from a fellow parishioner and was furious with Charlie, confronting him about it after church. Charlie agreed to go to the cafe home the following night. Terry wanted to lay down some ground rules. Terry, Penny, Charlie and Aaron sat around the dining table. Both teams listened intently as Terry told Charlie that he was no longer permitted to come around to see Aaron every night. Instead, he could visit one night a week and had to leave by 9pm. Given that the pair saw each other every weekday at school, Aaron's parents saw this as a fair and reasonable request. Although not thrilled with the decision, the young couple agreed.

For a while, things at the cafe home went back to normal. Charlie continued to see Aaron at church, the pair even singing solo parts one night. However, Terry and Penny noticed a difference in their daughter. She seemed withdrawn and the happy go lucky friendly Aaron began snapping back at them in conversations. She lost interest in her appearance, leaving the house without doing her hair and makeup, completely out of character. When Charlie visited, he regarded the cafe family coolly. There was tension in the cafe household when he was around. On February 27, 2008, Penny Cafe sat nervously at the public library. The cafe family did not have a computer at home, so relied on public or family members'

computers every time they needed to access the internet. Penny searched for Charlie Wilkinson's MySpace page, and what she saw horrified her. She called Terry in tears, explaining that her sister had told her that Aaron had been on Charlie's MySpace at her house and forgotten to log out of her account. According to Tara by night, Terry dropped what he was doing to join his wife at the library. The two read posts on Charlie's page, including one comment telling Charlie to bring his bitch of a girlfriend over for the weekend so they could get drunk and have sex. Terry and Penny confronted Aaron about the MySpace page later that night. She bowed her head and stared at the floor, as Terry told Aaron she was not allowed to see Charlie

again. Deeply concerned, he told Aaron that when she was 18 she was free to make her own decisions, but in the meantime he was looking out for her and doing what he thought was right. Aaron burst into tears, but her response surprised him. She told her father, I've wanted to break up with the Charlie for a while, but I just don't know how to do it. Aaron broke it off with the Charlie later that night after a church service. At the behest of her father, Aaron chose a public place where she would be safe in case Charlie lost his temper. Parishioners watched on as Charlie slammed his car door and sped out of the church car park, tyres squealing. On Friday, February 29, two days after Aaron had called things off

with Charlie, Terry drove down the graveled road to home. From terror by night, it was pitch black and Terry was exhausted from working a 14 and a half hour day. He reheated some dinner and his sons Matthew and Tyler giggled as Terry accidentally spilled some on the floor and fell in it. Terry cleaned up the mess and tickled the boys as they wrestled. Aaron, who had been happy and content since the breakup, joined in and a pillow fight ensued. Afterwards, Terry kissed all his children goodnight and went to bed. At around 5am the next morning, Terry's neighbour Tommy Gaston awoke to a strange banging coming from the front door. It started as a soft thud but became louder and more insistent

as Tommy rose to investigate. Aside from what Tommy and his wife Helen assumed was an early morning storm with thunder rolling in the distance, the two had slept peacefully through the night. Tommy opened his front door. Lying on the ground of the porch was Terry Caffey who had used his forearm to bang on the door. Although it was a freezing cold night, Terry was only wearing a t-shirt, pajama pants and one wet sock. He was covered in blood and dirt so much so that it was impossible to tell where the bleeding was coming from. Spluttering, he told Tommy that he and his family had been shot at and the house set a light. He was the only one to make it out alive. Tommy and Helen assisted Terry and called 911.

Once inside, the warmth of the home brought Terry to his senses and the pain from his injuries kicked in. Paramedics arrived and as Terry was loaded into the ambulance, he was met with Detective Richard Elman from the Rains County Sheriff's Department. He gasped to the detective, I don't think I'm going to make it. Meanwhile, firefighters arrived at the Caffey house and were confronted by a blaze that had engulfed the entire building. Once they had contained the fire, investigators combed through the ashes and rubble. They soon located who they believed to be Penny, Erin, Matthew and Tyler and sent their bones away for examination. The family dog, Max, could not be coaxed from the

area, instead standing sentry to the property. Members of the Miracle Faith Baptist Church wept for the Caffey family during the sermon that Sunday morning of March 2. The family's longtime pastor, Todd McGay, he struggled to maintain his composure. He affectionately remembered the Caffey's, who were like family to those in the congregation. Quote, I don't even think I would have crawled out of the house, but God had a purpose for Terry's life. God has a reason. God gave him the strength to get out. The parishioners mourned the loss of the Caffey family, but there was also a lingering question in their minds. What had gone on that night?

Terry Caffey was admitted to the East Texas Medical Center Intensive Care Unit. He had been shot five times, but none of the bullets had penetrated major organs. Several of the wounds had clear entry and exit points, and two bullets were lodged in his right arm. The most severe injury was from a bullet that entered Terry's right cheek, passing through his sinus cavities before exiting out his left ear canal. Drifting in and out of consciousness due to shock and painkillers, surgeons waited until Terry was stable enough to undergo surgery. When safe to do so, Terry successfully underwent surgery to remove the bullets lodged in his upper body. He regained consciousness, and it became more lucid the following day.

Terry's miraculous survival enabled police to understand what exactly had taken place at the Caffey home on Friday, February 29. That night, each family member retired to bed one by one. The house was in total darkness when Terry was roused from his deep sleep by Max, who was barking at the front of the house. He glanced at his alarm clock. It was just past midnight. Assuming Max was hunting a wild animal that had strayed into the yard, Terry rolled over and went back to sleep. A few hours later, a loud noise jolted Terry wide awake. It was the sound of the bedroom door knob hitting the dryer that was located just behind the door. Terry initially thought

son Tyler had suffered a nightmare and was coming in to sleep in their bed. He sat up to reassure him when the sound of gunfire rang out. Penny screamed. A black silhouette of a man appeared in their bedroom doorway, highlighted by the kitchen nightlight beyond. Terry could not recognize his features, but did see the gun he held pointed at Penny. He reached out his arm to shield his wife from the gunfire and was struck five times. The final shot hit Terry in the face and he was thrown into the space between the bed and the wall. He lay motionless, facedown on the floor as the gunman approached. He felt someone kick his feet to see if he was dead. Terry squeezed his eyes shut and kept as still as he could.

The gunman made his way out of the bedroom and into the lounge. He was not alone. The intruders began rummaging through the cafe's belongings, taking all the jewelry and cash they could find. They overturned furniture and pulled items from the top of the piano. One slammed his fists on the piano keys. Then they stopped. They could hear screaming coming from upstairs. Terry woke to the taste of blood and gunpowder and realized he had momentarily passed out. He couldn't feel the right side of his body, but knew he had to get up. Using all the strength he could master, Terry lifted his body with his left arm up onto the bed. Penny lay slumped over at the head of the bed in a large pool of blood.

His thoughts immediately turned to Matthew, Tyler and Aaron. Terry could hear screaming and then a further round of gunshots coming from upstairs. The house became silent and Terry passed out again. The smell of smoke roused Terry once more. Blood ran into his eyes, making it difficult to see. He tried to make it to the stairs leading to the top floor where his children were located. But by this stage, a fire had well and truly taken hold and the flames made it impossible to progress. Realizing he would never make it upstairs from the inside of the house, Terry escaped through the bathroom window that joined his bedroom.

The injured Terry fell five feet to the ground below and took cover behind the property's propane tank. He knew he had to reach his three children. Moving to the front of the house, he tried to find an entry point, but the house was engulfed in flames. Terry felt weak and lightheaded. He crawled into the dense forest at the rear of his house and waited for emergency services to respond. Certain that someone would have noticed the blaze from the road or the deafening explosions that rocked the early morning air. As minutes ticked by, Terry realized that nobody was coming. Their house was so remote that even their closest neighbors mistook the sounds for distant thunder.

Terry didn't care if he died as well. He wanted to be reunited with his family in heaven. But he had one more mission to complete. He knew who was responsible for the attack and had to tell someone. Terry began the long trek to his neighbor Tommy's house 400 yards away. Unable to walk for any longer than a few yards at a time, he began crawling through the dense forest, leaving a trail of blood behind him. Every so often, he had to rest, laying his head on logs while he mustered the strength to continue on. Terry fell into an ice-cold creek and struggled to crawl up the bank to get out. Still, he continued, eventually making it to Tommy's porch.

Detective Almond rode in the ambulance that escorted Terry to the hospital. He quickly asked Terry questions in case he were to suddenly lose consciousness or pass away. With much difficulty, Terry recounted a critical moment in the attack. He heard screaming coming from the upper level of his home as he lay motionless beside the bed. The voices weren't from the attackers, but were from his son Matthew screaming. Charlie, why are you doing this? No, Charlie, no. It then went silent. Detectives theorized that Charlie Wilkinson had killed the Caffe family in retaliation for Aaron breaking up with him.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Kurt Fischer Deputy Sheriff Kurt Fischer already knew where Charlie was staying. Being a small town where everyone knew one another, he had seen Charlie's car parked outside his friend Charles Wade's trailer that morning. He returned to the blue trailer with Deputy Sheriff Ed Emig and knocked on the door. Charles Wade's brother answered. He was unsure if Charlie Wilkinson had spent the night in his trailer but let the officers in to have a look around. The trailer was in disarray with clothes and beer cans strewn about. Deputy Sheriff Fischer came across Charles Wade and his girlfriend

Bobby Johnson sleeping in one room. According to the Texas Monthly, he continued down the hallway of the trailer when he came across a room with a blanket hanging on the door. Pulling it aside, he shone his flashlight into the room and found Charlie Wilkinson lying awake on his bed. He was wearing blue jeans with no shirt. A semi-automatic handgun lay on the floor beside him. Deputy Sheriff Fischer handcuffed Charlie to take him in for questioning. He denied being anywhere near the cafe property the night before, explaining he had gotten drunk and passed out in the trailer. Deputy Sheriff Emig went back into the trailer to retrieve some clothes for him to put on. When he picked up his cowboy boots, they were covered in blood spatter.

While holding Charlie at the county jail for questioning, Deputy Sheriff Fischer obtained a search warrant and went back to the trailer. In the living room, he found a purse. The driver's license inside belonged to Aaron Caffey. He returned to the bedroom Charlie Wilkinson had been sleeping in and began searching for more evidence to tie him to the attack. He picked up a long-slaved button-up shirt from the floor and a used condom fell out. Fischer moved the blanket that was lying on the floor near the closet. As he did, he saw a wave of long-blonde hair. Thinking it was a wig, he pulled it aside. He got a shock when he realized it wasn't a wig at all. The hair was attached to a person.

It was Aaron Caffey. Fischer studied Aaron as she opened her eyes and scanned the trailer. He brought her into the lounge room, still dressed in the pajamas she was wearing the night before. Aaron was dazed and confused. Fischer asked Aaron how she got to the trailer. She looked around her and asked, where am I? She groggily explained how she had been kidnapped and drugged. The last thing she recalled was two men entering her room in the middle of the night. She smelled smoke and knew the house was on fire. The two men were brandishing swords and ordered Aaron to get out of her bed

and to lay face down on the floor. That was the last thing she remembered before being roused by Deputy Sheriff Fischer. Aaron's pupils were dilated and she appeared to be suffering from shock, so Fischer organized for her to be transferred to hospital for assessment. She recalled further details of the night before. She had tried to call Charlie after the fire, but had been unable to reach him. She also recalled drinking something at the trailer, but then passing out. In a frightened voice, Aaron whispered, they're coming to get me. Meanwhile, Terry's sister Mary visited Terry in the ICU to tell him the fantastic news that

Aaron had been found alive with only minimal injuries. Terry was overjoyed. Charlie Wilkinson was questioned and he soon broke down. He openly acknowledged his role in the fire and the murders of Penny, Matthew and Tyler and the attempted murder of Terry, telling detectives, I'm in a lot of trouble. As suspected, Charlie didn't act alone. He named two others, friends Charles Wade and Bobby Johnson as accomplices. However, Charlie was adamant about one aspect of the attack on the Caffe family that detectives had wrong. He did not kidnap Aaron Caffe. She was a willing participant.

Charlie Wilkinson's version of events on the night of the attack varied significantly to the details provided by Aaron. According to Charlie, the pair had been plotting the night's events for over a month. They even had a codename for the plan, FUBAR, standing for fucked up beyond all recognition. Together, they planned to FUBAR the Caffe family so they could be together. Charlie offered his friends 20-year-old Charles Wade and his girlfriend 18-year-old Bobby Johnson who attended the same high school as Charlie and Aaron $2,000 for their help. Aaron explained that the cache was in a lockbox that they would find inside the house. She would help them open it after the attack. On the night of the murders, Aaron joined in

a pillow fight with her father and brothers. As detailed in the documentary by journalist and television personality Piers Morgan, just before midnight, Charles Wade, Bobby Johnson, and Charlie Wilkinson travelled to the Caffe residence. The men tried to gain entrance to the property while Bobby stayed in the car, but Max the Black Labrador spotted them and became agitated, barking and scaring them off. Aaron moved Max to the back of the house and when the coast was clear, they returned to pick her up. Sitting in the car at a nearby cemetery, Charlie, Aaron, Charles and Bobby discussed the plan for just over an hour. At approximately 4am, they drove back to the Caffe residence

and parked on the main road. The girls stayed in the backseat of Charles Wade's car as Charlie and Charles wandered down the gravel road and entered through the front door that Aaron had left unlocked for them. They made a beeline for Terry and Penny's bedroom. Charlie shot Terry five times and turned the gun on Penny. He fired a few shots, but the pistol then jammed. Charlie had bought another weapon with him in case of emergency, a long samurai-type sword that he used to cut Penny's throat as she sat in bed. Confident that Aaron's parents were dead, the pair ransacked the lounge area and made their way upstairs to the boys' rooms. Charles Wade led the way. He found 13-year-old Matthew first,

who pleaded with Charlie to stop what he was doing. Charlie told detectives, they were scared and I could not stand to look at their faces. Matthew tried to kick Charlie in self-defense. In response, Charles Wade shot him multiple times. They found eight-year-old Tyler hiding in the back of Aaron's closet. Charles and Charlie then stabbed Tyler to death. The pair then used lighters to set furniture in the house on fire and made a hasty getaway out the front door. On the way, Charlie grabbed a travel bag that Aaron had packed with her belongings. They joined the girls in the car. Charlie told detectives that Aaron smiled at him and said,

I'm glad that's over. Charles Wade drove them back to his brother's trailer. Inside, Charlie and Aaron had sex and then went to sleep. Charles Wade and Bobby Johnson were quickly apprehended. They confessed to their involvement in the murders and their stories closely matched the version of events given by Charlie Wilkinson. Charles Wade added that as they drove away from the cafe house, Aaron exclaimed, holy shit, that was awesome. Bobby told detectives that on the night of the attack, Charlie Wilkinson repeatedly asked Aaron to run away with him instead, asking, are you sure you want to do this? Aaron replied, why are you asking me this? If you love me,

you'll do it. As her alleged accomplices were being questioned, Aaron Caffey was assessed in hospital. She stuck to her original story that she had been kidnapped and drugged. According to the documentary, Killer Women with Piers Morgan, Detective Richard Almond spoke to one of the officers waiting with Aaron. He ordered a toxicology screen to check the presence of any drugs in her system that might have been used to sedate or incapacitate her. He also asked the officer to smell the clothes that Aaron had been wearing when apprehended. Had she been in the house at the time of the fire as she maintained, he reasoned that her clothes would smell heavily of smoke.

The officer soon reported back. The toxic screen was clear of any drugs. As for her clothes, they smelled of nothing. She showed no signs of smoke inhalation either. Aaron was discharged from hospital as the interrogations continued with Charlie, Charles and Bobby. Aaron left with Penny's mother, Virginia, who was still dealing with the shock of losing her daughter and grandsons. Their destination was to the East Texas Medical Center to visit Terry. As a likely suspect in a murder investigation, their car was tailed by police. Nearing the hospital, Virginia's car was pulled over. Aaron Caffey was arrested and charged on three counts of capital murder

after Charlie, Charles and Bobby signed statements implicating her in the attack. Aaron was held at a juvenile detention center on a $1.5 million bond. The other three teens were charged with the same counts and held at the Reigns County Jail. As he recovered in hospital, Terry Caffey noticed the staff around the ward acting strangely. Nurses spoke to him without making eye contact and others tried to avoid him altogether. As soon as he thought about it, the pain medication would kick back in and he drift off to sleep. On Monday, March 3, Terry pleaded with his sister to tell him what was wrong. She eventually conceded, telling Terry that Aaron had been arrested and why.

Deputy Sheriff Kurt Fischer visited Terry in hospital to tell him the news. Terry asked how his daughter was, explaining that no one would tell him a whole lot and he wasn't allowed to watch the news. Deputy Sheriff Fischer reassured Terry that she was doing fine. Terry then said he didn't want to know a whole lot of details but asked what her level of involvement was. The deputy sheriff paused before responding. Her involvement is great. Terry sobbed as Fischer explained that Aaron was believed to be the mastermind behind the attack on his family. Reigns High School was also feeling the emotional impact of the crime, with word quickly spreading that three of their fellow students had been arrested. Of particular shock was the alleged

involvement of Bobby Johnson, the friendly teen who was well known for her involvement in the school theatre. As reported in the Associated Press, the Reigns High School superintendent said, these were students who had not been in trouble a great deal, maybe some tardies and absences, but that's it. State prosecutor Lisa Tanner continued to gather evidence to prove the extent of Aaron's involvement in the murders. Phone records revealed that Aaron had called Charlie's cell phone repeatedly in a short burst in the early hours of Saturday morning. This corresponded with Charlie's version of events that after Aaron restrained Max for them, she then called Charlie many times, asking where they were and when they were coming back.

Aaron was at a loss to explain the records, given that she maintained she was in bed asleep. Additionally, both Charles Wade and Bobby Johnson admitted that Aaron was the one responsible for the murders. From the book Terror by Night by Terry Caffey, Aaron had spoken to them for a month about the killings, saying she wanted her parents dead because she was so angry at them for not condoning her relationship with Charlie. As for her siblings, she told the pair that she wanted Matthew killed because he would talk and Tyler killed because she just didn't like him. Charlie, Charles and Bobby all maintained that they had tried to talk Aaron out of the murders in the lead-up, suggesting that she ran away with Charlie instead, that Aaron insisted she

wanted them dead. She told them that her parents repeatedly punched and slapped her. However, all teens admitted that they had never seen any markings on Aaron to prove her allegations. The most startling revelation came from Michael Washburn, an ex-boyfriend Aaron had been seeing very casually prior to meeting Charlie. Aaron had also called this relationship off at the behest of her parents who didn't approve. When questioned by detectives, Michael said Aaron had confided in him that she was going to hire someone to go to her house and kill her parents. Aaron told him it was because every time she got a boyfriend that she really liked, her mum and dad tried to break them up.

In a decision that stunned many people, Terry chose to visit Aaron. As soon as he was well enough, he drove the 40-minute journey from where he was residing at his sister's house to the detention centre where she was being held. Separated by a thick piece of plexiglass, the father and daughter saw each other for the first time since the attack. Terry was concerned by Aaron's appearance, she looked pale and exhausted. He asked if she was being looked after, to which Aaron responded, yes. Forbidden to talk about the case before it went to trial, the two made small talk and tearily reminisced about old times. When nobody could overhear, Aaron told Terry she had tried to

stop the attack, but it had gotten out of hand. Terry believed her. From terror by night, Terry wrote the following entry in his journal. I never thought that I would lose my entire family in one night and be all alone at the age of 41. Aaron is all that I have left and I will stand by her side no matter what. I know she needs me and I need her. I believe God saved my life that night for a reason and one of those reasons is to be here for her. I couldn't imagine her going through this without anyone, so I stand by her side and pray every day. There are a lot of questions that I have about that night and some of those questions may never be answered in this lifetime.

One thing that I do believe is that Aaron loved her family and wouldn't want us dead. I believe they came that night and things went bad very fast and she had no control in it. So I keep trusting God to see us through and that in the end he will get the victory and that his will be done. The callousness of the attack stunned state prosecutor Lisa Turner. On Killer Women with Piers Morgan, she discussed how horrified she was that the four of them sat together for over an hour prior to the murders and not one of them brought up that perhaps they shouldn't follow through. She was flummoxed that they thought they would get away with it and there would be no repercussions

for their actions. The prosecution sought the death penalty for both Charlie Wilkinson and Charles Wade. Because Aaron was a minor, she escaped a possible death penalty. Still, the prosecution wanted Aaron tried as an adult. This meant that she could still face a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Terry Caffey was for the death penalty for both Charles and Charlie, looking Lisa Tanner dead in the eyes and saying, Charlie ate at my table. As for Aaron, Terry hoped she would be tried as a minor instead of an adult as he didn't want her in an adult prison. In the juvenile detention center, Aaron met with Israel Lewis

and experienced mental health counsellor hired to evaluate her for the defense. She told Lewis that she had been framed by Charlie who had a volatile temper. With tears in her eyes, she told Lewis many times, I'm innocent, God will save me. As Lewis became familiar with the intricacies of the crime, he realized he had been played by Aaron. He told the Texas Monthly, I have worked with some good liars that Aaron Caffey was one of the best. She seemed totally sincere and genuine and I would have put my license on the line to say that she was telling me the truth. I cried every time I left her jail cell.

Father's Day in June 2008 marked three months since the murders. It was an extremely difficult time of year for Terry Caffey. On that day, he received a letter from his only living child, it read, Dear Daddy, let me start by saying Happy Father's Day. I hope you get this before then, but I don't need a date to tell you that you have been an awesome dad. You have done a great job and not for one second do I think different. None of this was your fault. If anything, it was mine. I feel like I don't deserve your love and that I let you and mama down. But in this family, we stick together and I have always loved you, mama and the boys very, very much.

I never wanted any of this to happen. I was just going with what he was telling me. He was feeding me all these lies. I got caught up in him and I feel so guilty. I'm glad that you're here with me now. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened to me. I love you. Even though this has happened, I still feel sad, but at the same time glad that I'm free from the pressure that was being put on me. I miss mama and the boys, but I know where they are. I know they would be proud of you. I am too. No matter what anyone says, you have been a great dad and did a great job of raising me. No matter where I go or who I'm around, I will never forget where I came from. And I dream one day of walking together in our property hand in hand. I do believe that

will happen. Anyway, I love you and happy Father's Day. Keep the faith. God's about to show us his mercy. Love, Aaron. Terry's eyes filled with tears as he read the letter. It reaffirmed his decision to always be around for his daughter. On June 26, 2008, there was a very brief certification hearing to determine whether Aaron would be tried as an adult. The district attorney argued that Aaron should stand trial as an adult and was a danger to both herself and the community. The judge agreed, and both Terry and Aaron cried as she was led away and transferred to Hopkins County Jail, where, due to her age, she was placed in protective custody to await trial. In October that year, Terry Caffey had a change of heart. He wrote a letter to the

Attorney General's office to request that the death penalty be taken off the table for Charlie Wilkinson and Charles Wade. Terry reasoned that there had been enough deaths already, and rather a life sentence without parole would give them a chance to show remorse and repentance. In meeting with Lisa Tanner the following day, Terry said to her, When it comes time for them to die, I want that to be in God's hands, not mine. Three months later, on January 2, 2009, Bobby Johnson and Aaron Caffey were sentenced for their roles in the murders after both pleaded guilty to three counts of capital murder. As an accomplice to murder who did not use a weapon, Bobby accepted a plea deal in exchange

for a trial and received a 40-year sentence with the possibility of parole in 20. Prosecutor Lisa Tanner requested that Aaron serve three life sentences with an additional 50 years, meaning she would never see the world outside of a prison. After some negotiation with Terry, Aaron signed a plea bargain for a sentence of two life sentences and an additional 25 years with the possibility of parole. Four days later, Charlie Wilkinson and Charles Wade faced sentencing. Both teens also avoided a trial because they had already pleaded guilty. A trial would have only been conducted to ascertain whether they were to receive the

death penalty or life imprisonment because the death penalty had been taken off the table that rendered a trial unnecessary. Before the formal sentencing, Terry met with both Charlie and Charles separately. Charles Wade expressed remorse for what he had done, saying he only agreed to the plan because he needed the money promised to him by Aaron and Charlie to pay for court fees. He was trying to gain custody of his children. As mentioned in Terror by Night, Terry Caffey asked him, So you were willing to kill children to get children? Where's the logic in that? Charles Wade shook his head and said, I really don't know. I can't answer that. I have kids of my own.

When Terry spoke with Charlie, he also expressed remorse for his actions. His eyes whirled with tears and he hung his head, refusing to make eye contact. He told Terry he did it out of love for Aaron. In the courtroom, Terry read a victim impact statement to Charlie and Charles. excerpts read, At first I had so much anger, so much bitterness towards you, but in time, God has shown me what it means to forgive. So I want to say to you today, I forgive you, not so much for your sake, but for my own. I refuse to grow into a bitter old man. If I am going to heal and move on,

I must find forgiveness in my heart. That has been the hardest thing that I've ever had to do, because you have taken so much away from me. You took my wife of 18 years, whom I'll never be able to see or talk to again. You took my boys away from me. Matthew, only 13 years old. Tyler, only eight years old. Because of you, I'll never be able to see my boys grow up. Then, after you took my family away, you didn't stop there. You burned our house down, taking from me all my family photos, all the little special gifts and cards, all the things that were so precious to me. But, in spite of your hatred and evil efforts, I'll carry on with all the wonderful memories

that will forever be ingrained in my heart. And that is something you will never be able to take from me. Both Charlie Wilkinson and Charles Wade were sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. In April 2009, Terry Caffey became an ordained minister. He has spent countless hours telling his story in churches, schools and prisons to encourage people to make good choices and forgive others. Following the murders, Terry found Max a new and loving home, unable to care for his family dog due to his state of health. Once a month, Terry makes the six-hour round trip from his new home to visit Aaron at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Women's Prison at Gatesville. Whilst Terry believes that Aaron must have had some degree of participation in the murders,

he doesn't believe that she was the ringleader, nor that she wanted her family dead. I think she thought Charlie was just blowing smoke. I don't think she actually thought he would go through with it. I know my daughter. She cried one time when we were in my truck and I ran over a squirrel. She's tender-hearted. No kids and angel, but I know what she is capable of, and I know she's not capable of murder. I don't know if she is capable of murder, but I don't know if she is capable of, and I know she's not capable of murder. Aaron also still denies being the mastermind behind the attack, alleging that she wanted to run away, but the others forced her to stay in the car while they carried out the murders. She has even appeared on the Doctor Phil show via

prison to defend herself. On Killer Women with Piers Morgan, Aaron said she's no longer in love with Charli Wilkinson, whom she has not seen or spoken to since their arrest. With good behavior, Aaron could be out on parole at 59 years of age. Aaron says the first thing she will do when she gets out of prison is go to the gravesites of her mother Penny and brothers Matthew and Tyler to pay her respects. Charli Wilkinson was incarcerated in the Polanski unit in Livingston. He questioned whether Aaron ever loved him or if he was just a pawn she could order about. He told the Texas Monthly that I would have done anything for her. She was very smart, very caring. I don't know why she wanted it done, why it had to be done like that,

but she was a very nice person. When asked if he still loved Aaron, Charli responded, once you love somebody, you can't quit. You always will. In the aftermath of the murders, Terry Caffey considered taking his life, unable to deal with the despair of losing his family. He desperately searched for a sign from God for any kind of guidance to help him move forward. Six weeks after the attack, he found it. Terry stood amongst the rubble where his house used to be. Bulldozers had cleared most of the debris and leveled out the block. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a piece of paper that had blown against the trunk of a nearby pine tree. The paper, burnt black around the edges,

had survived the fire and the subsequent clearing of the land. It was from a book owned by his wife. The first few lines of the page were of one of the book's characters talking to God. It read, I couldn't understand why you would take my family and leave me to struggle along without them. And I guess I still totally don't understand that part of it. But I do believe that you're sovereign. You're in control.