Robert White (Serial Killer)
Connecticut Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Hartford, Connecticut
TIME PERIOD
1997-2013
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Robert Jimmy White Jr. is an American serial killer who murdered three women in Hartford, Connecticut, between 1997 and 2013 while on parole for a previous manslaughter conviction. He was apprehended on March 18, 2013, and subsequently confessed to the crimes after DNA evidence linked him to the murders, resulting in two 50-year sentences. The case is considered solved.
The community theories surrounding Robert White's case speculate on the potential for a pattern in his violent behavior and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in managing repeat offenders. Some community members question how White was able to commit multiple murders while on parole for a previous conviction, suggesting systemic failures in monitoring and rehabilitation. Additionally, there is speculation about the psychological factors that may have contributed to his violent tendencies, including the role of substance abuse in his criminal actions.
Robert White (Serial Killer)
Robert Jimmy White Jr. (born August 9, 1960) is an American serial killer whose heinous crimes left a trail of devastation in Hartford, Connecticut, spanning from 1997 to 2013. What makes this case particularly chilling is that White committed these brutal attacks while he was out on parole for a manslaughter conviction from 1980. After his eventual arrest, the evidence against him was overwhelming, and he confessed when confronted with DNA proof, resulting in two consecutive 50-year sentences.
Quick Facts
- Born: Robert Jimmy White Jr. (August 9, 1960, age 64)
- Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
- Convictions:
- Manslaughter (1980)
- Murder (2014)
- Murder (2 counts) (2018)
- Criminal Penalty:
- 10 to 20 years (1980)
- 50 years (2014)
- 50 years (2018)
- Victims: 4 confirmed
- Span of Crimes: 1980–2013
- Country: United States
- State: Connecticut
- Date Apprehended: March 18, 2013
Crimes
Death of Betty Jo Robertson
The horror began on April 23, 1980, when a 19-year-old Robert White walked into a bar on Albany Avenue, searching for a woman to assault. He soon spotted 46-year-old Betty Jo Robertson, who sat alone. White charmed her into letting him walk her home, but once they were in a secluded area, his true intentions were revealed. He attempted to rape her, and when she resisted, he unleashed a violent attack.
Witnesses reported seeing White biting, scratching, and ultimately throwing Robertson to the ground, where she struck her head on the concrete sidewalk. After the assault, White fled the scene. Emergency responders rushed Robertson to the hospital, but tragically, she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
The investigation took a turn when law enforcement, aided by witness accounts and a hat found at the crime scene, zeroed in on White. By late June, he was detained on suspicion of murder. During interrogation, he confessed, claiming he had only intended to rape Robertson and never meant to kill her. However, his defense team managed to persuade a judge to reduce the charge from felony murder to first-degree manslaughter, citing his intoxication at the time. On November 24, 1980, White pled guilty and received a sentence of 10 to 20 years. At sentencing, he infamously remarked, "I have no explanation for my actions."
Serial Murders
Fast forward to July 1989: after serving just 8½ years of his manslaughter sentence, White was paroled. The next several years of his life remain murky, but on August 10, 1997, he encountered Shiraleen Crawford, a 30-year-old prostitute, on Martin Street. They spent a few hours together drinking and engaging in sexual acts before White turned violent. In a horrific escalation, he brandished a knife, slitting Crawford's throat, and proceeded to stab her multiple times until the blade broke. In a final act of brutality, he grabbed a hammer and bludgeoned her to death, even going so far as to remove her clothing and sexually assault her corpse.
Crawford's decomposing body was discovered five days later by a friend, leaving investigators with a daunting task ahead. The following year, White was convicted of first-degree sexual assault in an unrelated case, leading to a 14-year prison sentence, from which he was released in 2011.
After his release, White formed a relationship with Sawarai Krichindath, a 60-year-old woman, and they eventually moved in together. However, his violent tendencies resurfaced. On September 27, 2012, he brutally attacked Sonia Rivera, a 48-year-old mother of five, in an alley. He raped her and left her for dead, but she managed to survive long enough to receive medical care, only to die five days later from her injuries.
The final nail in White's coffin came in February 2013, when he and Krichindath had a violent argument that escalated into him choking and stabbing her to death. Afterward, he brazenly stole her apartment key card to access secure areas of the building. He was arrested on March 18, 2013, and confessed to Krichindath's murder. In a shocking twist, he received a 50-year sentence in 2014, the maximum allowed, with the judge emphasizing that White was a danger to society.
Exposure
Following his sentencing, White was required to submit his DNA to the state database. In April 2016, a match was found connecting him to the murder of Shiraleen Crawford. When detectives confronted him, he initially denied knowing her, but when faced with the DNA evidence, he confessed to her murder. This interrogation led to him revealing his involvement in Sonia Rivera's murder, a case that had previously implicated another man, Denzil Nurse, who had been arrested in 2014 and was awaiting trial until DNA evidence exonerated him.
In 2018, White entered an Alford plea regarding the murders of both women and received another 50-year prison sentence, cementing his status as a serial killer and ensuring he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.
See Also
- List of serial killers in the United States
Sources
- Rondinone, Nicholas (August 3, 2018). "50-Year Sentence For Four-Time Convicted Hartford Killer Ends 'Lifetime of Terror'." Hartford Courant.
- "City Man Sentenced To Prison In Fatal Beating of Woman." Hartford Courant. November 25, 1980.
- "Grand Jury Indicts City Man on Charge Of Felony Murder." Hartford Courant. July 3, 1980.
- Munoz, Hilda (March 19, 2013). "Arrest Made After Body Found." Hartford Courant.
- "Serial Sex Offender Indicted For Two Murders." Hartford Courant. September 20, 2016.
- Bernstein, Maxine (August 15, 1997). "City woman found dead in apartment." Hartford Courant.
- "Activists to Rally For Woman Beaten To Death." Hartford Courant. October 11, 2012.
- Owens, David (February 28, 2014). "Man Sentenced To 50 Years For Murder." Hartford Courant.
- Owens, David (May 7, 2016). "Murder Suspect Cleared By DNA." Hartford Courant.
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Murder of Betty Robertson
Robert White attacks and kills Betty Robertson in Hartford.
Guilty Plea for Manslaughter
White pleads guilty to manslaughter and is sentenced to 10-20 years.
Paroled from Manslaughter
White is released on parole after serving 8½ years for manslaughter.
Murder of Shiraleen Crawford
White kills prostitute Shiraleen Crawford in his apartment.
Murder of Sonia Rivera
White rapes and beats Sonia Rivera, who later dies from injuries.
Murder of Sawarie Krichindath
White kills his girlfriend Sawarie Krichindath during an argument.
Arrest of Robert White
White is arrested for the murder of Krichindath and confesses.
Sentenced for Krichindath's Murder
White receives a 50-year sentence for the murder of Krichindath.
DNA Links to Crawford's Murder
White's DNA matches evidence from the murder of Shiraleen Crawford.
Alford Plea for Additional Murders
White enters an Alford plea for the murders of Crawford and Rivera, receiving another 50-year sentence.
Robert Jimmy White Jr. is an American serial killer who murdered three women in Hartford, Connecticut, between 1997 and 2013 while on parole for a previous manslaughter conviction. He was apprehended on March 18, 2013, and subsequently confessed to the crimes after DNA evidence linked him to the murders, resulting in two 50-year sentences. The case is considered solved.
The community theories surrounding Robert White's case speculate on the potential for a pattern in his violent behavior and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in managing repeat offenders. Some community members question how White was able to commit multiple murders while on parole for a previous conviction, suggesting systemic failures in monitoring and rehabilitation. Additionally, there is speculation about the psychological factors that may have contributed to his violent tendencies, including the role of substance abuse in his criminal actions.
Robert White (Serial Killer)
Robert Jimmy White Jr. (born August 9, 1960) is an American serial killer whose heinous crimes left a trail of devastation in Hartford, Connecticut, spanning from 1997 to 2013. What makes this case particularly chilling is that White committed these brutal attacks while he was out on parole for a manslaughter conviction from 1980. After his eventual arrest, the evidence against him was overwhelming, and he confessed when confronted with DNA proof, resulting in two consecutive 50-year sentences.
Quick Facts
- Born: Robert Jimmy White Jr. (August 9, 1960, age 64)
- Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
- Convictions:
- Manslaughter (1980)
- Murder (2014)
- Murder (2 counts) (2018)
- Criminal Penalty:
- 10 to 20 years (1980)
- 50 years (2014)
- 50 years (2018)
- Victims: 4 confirmed
- Span of Crimes: 1980–2013
- Country: United States
- State: Connecticut
- Date Apprehended: March 18, 2013
Crimes
Death of Betty Jo Robertson
The horror began on April 23, 1980, when a 19-year-old Robert White walked into a bar on Albany Avenue, searching for a woman to assault. He soon spotted 46-year-old Betty Jo Robertson, who sat alone. White charmed her into letting him walk her home, but once they were in a secluded area, his true intentions were revealed. He attempted to rape her, and when she resisted, he unleashed a violent attack.
Witnesses reported seeing White biting, scratching, and ultimately throwing Robertson to the ground, where she struck her head on the concrete sidewalk. After the assault, White fled the scene. Emergency responders rushed Robertson to the hospital, but tragically, she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
The investigation took a turn when law enforcement, aided by witness accounts and a hat found at the crime scene, zeroed in on White. By late June, he was detained on suspicion of murder. During interrogation, he confessed, claiming he had only intended to rape Robertson and never meant to kill her. However, his defense team managed to persuade a judge to reduce the charge from felony murder to first-degree manslaughter, citing his intoxication at the time. On November 24, 1980, White pled guilty and received a sentence of 10 to 20 years. At sentencing, he infamously remarked, "I have no explanation for my actions."
Serial Murders
Fast forward to July 1989: after serving just 8½ years of his manslaughter sentence, White was paroled. The next several years of his life remain murky, but on August 10, 1997, he encountered Shiraleen Crawford, a 30-year-old prostitute, on Martin Street. They spent a few hours together drinking and engaging in sexual acts before White turned violent. In a horrific escalation, he brandished a knife, slitting Crawford's throat, and proceeded to stab her multiple times until the blade broke. In a final act of brutality, he grabbed a hammer and bludgeoned her to death, even going so far as to remove her clothing and sexually assault her corpse.
Crawford's decomposing body was discovered five days later by a friend, leaving investigators with a daunting task ahead. The following year, White was convicted of first-degree sexual assault in an unrelated case, leading to a 14-year prison sentence, from which he was released in 2011.
After his release, White formed a relationship with Sawarai Krichindath, a 60-year-old woman, and they eventually moved in together. However, his violent tendencies resurfaced. On September 27, 2012, he brutally attacked Sonia Rivera, a 48-year-old mother of five, in an alley. He raped her and left her for dead, but she managed to survive long enough to receive medical care, only to die five days later from her injuries.
The final nail in White's coffin came in February 2013, when he and Krichindath had a violent argument that escalated into him choking and stabbing her to death. Afterward, he brazenly stole her apartment key card to access secure areas of the building. He was arrested on March 18, 2013, and confessed to Krichindath's murder. In a shocking twist, he received a 50-year sentence in 2014, the maximum allowed, with the judge emphasizing that White was a danger to society.
Exposure
Following his sentencing, White was required to submit his DNA to the state database. In April 2016, a match was found connecting him to the murder of Shiraleen Crawford. When detectives confronted him, he initially denied knowing her, but when faced with the DNA evidence, he confessed to her murder. This interrogation led to him revealing his involvement in Sonia Rivera's murder, a case that had previously implicated another man, Denzil Nurse, who had been arrested in 2014 and was awaiting trial until DNA evidence exonerated him.
In 2018, White entered an Alford plea regarding the murders of both women and received another 50-year prison sentence, cementing his status as a serial killer and ensuring he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.
See Also
- List of serial killers in the United States
Sources
- Rondinone, Nicholas (August 3, 2018). "50-Year Sentence For Four-Time Convicted Hartford Killer Ends 'Lifetime of Terror'." Hartford Courant.
- "City Man Sentenced To Prison In Fatal Beating of Woman." Hartford Courant. November 25, 1980.
- "Grand Jury Indicts City Man on Charge Of Felony Murder." Hartford Courant. July 3, 1980.
- Munoz, Hilda (March 19, 2013). "Arrest Made After Body Found." Hartford Courant.
- "Serial Sex Offender Indicted For Two Murders." Hartford Courant. September 20, 2016.
- Bernstein, Maxine (August 15, 1997). "City woman found dead in apartment." Hartford Courant.
- "Activists to Rally For Woman Beaten To Death." Hartford Courant. October 11, 2012.
- Owens, David (February 28, 2014). "Man Sentenced To 50 Years For Murder." Hartford Courant.
- Owens, David (May 7, 2016). "Murder Suspect Cleared By DNA." Hartford Courant.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Murder of Betty Robertson
Robert White attacks and kills Betty Robertson in Hartford.
Guilty Plea for Manslaughter
White pleads guilty to manslaughter and is sentenced to 10-20 years.
Paroled from Manslaughter
White is released on parole after serving 8½ years for manslaughter.
Murder of Shiraleen Crawford
White kills prostitute Shiraleen Crawford in his apartment.
Murder of Sonia Rivera
White rapes and beats Sonia Rivera, who later dies from injuries.
Murder of Sawarie Krichindath
White kills his girlfriend Sawarie Krichindath during an argument.
Arrest of Robert White
White is arrested for the murder of Krichindath and confesses.
Sentenced for Krichindath's Murder
White receives a 50-year sentence for the murder of Krichindath.
DNA Links to Crawford's Murder
White's DNA matches evidence from the murder of Shiraleen Crawford.
Alford Plea for Additional Murders
White enters an Alford plea for the murders of Crawford and Rivera, receiving another 50-year sentence.