Wood Chipper Murder Research Paper

One late night on November 19, 1986 there was an intense blizzard casting its cold winter snow over Newtown, Connecticut, but that wasn't the only thing cold brewing In Newtown that night. 'Twas the night that the famous “wood chipper murder” came to be. Richard Craft, an airplane pilot, was married to Helle Craft, a stewardess. They were married for many years, and had 3 children. Helle suspected Richard was being unfaithful so she hired someone to investigate her husband. Sure enough the private investigator was able to capture photographic evidence of richards infidelity. Helle demanded a divorce, divorces cost a pretty penny and Richard did not want to lose a cent, so that’s when he decided to kill his wife. He beat Helle with blunt object to her death, froze her, then cut her
Well turns out Richard didn't clean up his tracks very well. In the Housatonic River investigators found pieces of nail fibers and hair and tested them, they turned out to be Helle’s. They also found a Chainsaw in the lake with its serial number scratched off, as if someone did not wanted to be traceable. The wood chipper manufacturer testified against Richard's behalf as well. The police also found a receipt on Richard for a rental truck they infer was used to dispose of the body. Blood stains were also located on Richards bed side and their maid stated she saw blood on their bedroom carpet, before it vanished. Here comes the real sinker, During the snowstorm present on November 19 a snow plower for the town of Southbury, Connecticut spotted someone operating a wood chipper on the seashore of Lake Zoar during the dead of night. Richard had a trial during 1987, but it turned out to as a mistrial do to a stubborn juror who would not convict him. After Richard's second trial he was convicted of murder of the beloved Helle Craft. Richard Craft was sentenced to 50 years in prison on the day of January 9,