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John and Joyce Sheridan
May 13, 2024
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In 2014, a prominent couple from New Jersey was found brutally killed inside their home. They each suffered multiple stab
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Jeffrey MacDonald was a decorated U.S. Army Officer and Physician who spent his teenage years as Senior Class President and captain of the football team. By all accounts, he was living the All-American Dream. After being accepted to Princeton University, he married his high school sweetheart, Colette, and welcomed their first baby girl, Kimberely, on April 18, 1964. The couple gave birth to a second daughter, Kristen, on May 8, 1967.
Photo Source: People Magazine (website)
After finishing medical school, Jeffrey joined the U.S. Army on July 1, 1969. Jeffrey and his small family were stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Photo Source: Military.com
At 3:42 a.m. on February 17, 1970, 911 dispatchers on Fort Braggs military base received an emergency call from Jeffrey MacDonald. Once military police arrived on scene, they discovered the lifeless bodies of Jeffrey’s wife Colette, and two daughters Kimberely and Kristen. Jeffrey survived the attack. Police discovered the word “PIG” written in blood above the bed in the master bedroom.
Photo Source: The Jeffrey MacDonald Case (website)
Jeffrey told police that 4 intruders entered his house, three men and a woman, and attacked the entire family. He also told police he was able to fight the intruders off by using his pajama top and wrapping it around over his head. But police weren’t buying Jeffrey’s story.
On May 1, 1970, the Army formally charged Jeffrey MacDonald with the murder of his entire family. Because the murders occurred on a military base and Jeffrey was an active U.S. Army officer, Jeffrey was entitled to an Article 32 hearing. On October 13, 1970, Colonel Rock formally issued a report that recommended the charges be formally dismissed against Jeffrey.
Jeffrey MacDonald began making contradictory and even outlandish claims about the crimes while making several TV and media appearances. Colette’s family no longer believed their son-in-law was innocent of the crimes and filed a citizen’s complaint through the U.S. Justice Department.
On January 24, 1975, a grand jury voted to indict Jeffrey MacDonald for the triple homicide. The forensic evidence leading towards Jeffrey’s guilt was too overwhelming. Forensic experts were able to show that the stab wounds found on Colette’s bodies were consistent with the holes discovered on Jeffrey’s pajama top. Jeffrey placed his pajama top over Colette’s chest and stabbed her 48 times. Finally, on August 29, 1979, Jeffrey was convicted of one count of first-degree murder in the death of his daughter, Kristen, and two counts of second-degree in the deaths of Colette and Kimberely.
He was sentenced to life in prison for each murder.
Photo Source: Murderpedia.com
Episode Sources:
Jeffrey Robert MacDonald Murderpedia
Jeffrey MacDonald Wikipedia
Military.com
People.com
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