Sean Hurtt

Name: Sean Hurtt, aka Sean Hairston.
Died: June 13, 2001.
Age at death: 14.
Cause of death: Homicide (Bludgeoned).
Location: Garfield, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Other victim: Kathy Hairston, 43 (Mother).

Details:
Sean Hurtt was in the eighth grade. Every morning he would get up and go downstairs to the couch, where he would watch TV before school.

His stepfather was being prosecuted for the repeated rape of Sean’s sister and was going to trial for the rape. At the time of the killings, he was out on bail. Claiming he intended to “spare” the family the shame of the rape trial, Sean’s father bludgeoned Sean and Sean’s mother with a sledgehammer. Then he injured Sean’s grandmother, stabbed himself superficially, and set the house on fire. Sean’s mother was dead at the scene. Sean’s grandmother was rescued from the house and eventually recovered.

Sean, who doctors knew could not survive his massive injuries, stayed on life support in the hospital for two days before his killer–the only living person with parental rights–could give permission to disconnect life support.

Sean’s stepfather claimed that he had committed the double murder because with him in prison for the rape, no one else could take care of his family the way he could. He was convicted and sentenced to death, and is currently on death row.

References:
Husband killed wife, son to spare them ordeal of his trial for rape, detective says
Garfield violence claims 2nd victim
Woman testifies about threats in homicide case
Grisly account of killings, Continued
Death Warrant Signed For Pittsburgh Family Killer
Kenneth Hairston Pennsylvania Death Row | My Crime Library
COMMONWEALTH v. HAIRSTON