While They Slept An Inquiry into the Murder of a Family

Title: While They Slept An Inquiry into the Murder of a Family

Author: Kathryn Harrison

Summary: Nature or nurture? While They Slept An Inquiry into the Murder of a Family is Kathryn Harrison's look into the brutal slaying of three members of the Gilley family in the early hours of Friday, April 27, 1984. Billy Gilley Sr. his wife, Linda and their youngest daughter Becky (were found in their in their blood spattered home. Both parents were dead. Becky, who was in fifth grade, was barely alive and would succumb to her injuries within hours. Even more horrific was the revelation that oldest child; Billy Gilley, Jr. was the assailant. The third daughter, Jody had managed to escape assault and had called the police from a friend's home. What led to this horrific act of patricide? Why would a son murder both parents and his youngest sibling? How could Jody not have been involved? The subsequent trial painted a picture of children trapped in a brutal family. Billy Jr. had suffered physical and mental abuse from his father Jody told of fearing physical, verbal and sexual abuse at Billy Sr.'s hand. Linda was portrayed as ridged, narrow minded mother incapable of protecting her children, and worse, one who urged on the violence and turned a blind eye to her children's suffering. The few known attempts the siblings made to get help from outside sources were met by indifference and even reported back to the parents. Billy claimed he murdered his parents to protect Jody. Some claimed Billy wanted to free Jody and somehow run off with her. Jody denied though and described a brother who was already enmeshed in antisocial behavior. Jody claimed Billy Jr. was sexually terrorizing her and that she has tried to get help from their parents to get him out of the house. Their younger sister, Becky, was collateral damage, killed because she screamed. Jody was suspected
and some didn't see how she could not have been involved. Billy was sentenced to prison and Jody moved away to escape the stares and whispers and to move beyond being a Gilley. The resulting story has holes and leaves many questions unanswered.

Recommendation: I wouldn't recommend this. Harrison has published memoirs based on her relationship with her own father and I found her psycho babble annoying. Too much Harrison and huge holes.

Hearts: 1