Corey Breininger was involved in a murder plot at the age of 10, where he was coerced by his stepmother, Judith Hawkey, to shoot his father, Robert Breininger, in 2003. In 2013, Judith Hawkey was convicted of aggravated murder, influencing the testimony of a witness, and child endangering.
Corey Breininger’s case is a tragic one that began on November 3, 2003, in Mark Center, Ohio. At the young age of 10, Corey was manipulated by his stepmother, Judith Hawkey, into killing his own father. The incident was initially reported as an accidental shooting, with Corey claiming that he had been handling a gun that accidentally discharged, killing his father, Robert Breininger.
For years, the case was considered a tragic accident until new evidence emerged that led to a re-examination of the circumstances surrounding Robert Breininger’s death. It was revealed that Judith Hawkey had subjected Corey to severe physical and psychological abuse and had coerced him into committing the murder. She had manipulated the young boy into believing that the only way to protect himself and his stepmother from his allegedly abusive father was to kill him.
The case took a significant turn in 2013 when Judith Hawkey was brought to trial. During the trial, Corey, then 20 years old, testified against his stepmother, detailing the abuse he suffered and the manipulation he experienced at her hands. The jury found Judith Hawkey guilty of several charges, including aggravated murder, and she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The aftermath of the trial left Corey Breininger with the difficult task of rebuilding his life after enduring such a traumatic childhood experience. The case highlighted the severe impact of psychological manipulation and abuse on children and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from such harm.
