Judith Hawkey was convicted of manipulating her 10-year-old stepson to kill his father in 2003. She was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 after new evidence emerged.
Judith Hawkey’s case is a complex and tragic one, involving manipulation, murder, and a delayed pursuit of justice. In 2003, Robert Breininger was found dead in his home in Defiance County, Ohio. Initially, his death was ruled accidental, believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. At the time, authorities did not suspect foul play, and the case was closed.
However, the case took a dramatic turn years later when new evidence came to light. In 2013, Hawkey’s stepson, Corey Breininger, who was 10 years old at the time of the shooting, came forward with a shocking revelation. He claimed that Judith Hawkey had coerced him into shooting his father, Robert. Corey stated that Judith had subjected him to physical and psychological abuse and manipulated him into committing the murder, making it look like an accident.
The authorities reopened the case, and after a thorough investigation, Judith Hawkey was arrested and charged with aggravated murder. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of the abuse and manipulation Corey endured, as well as financial motives that may have influenced Hawkey’s actions. Witnesses, including Corey himself, testified about the abuse and the events leading up to Robert Breininger’s death.
In November 2013, a jury found Judith Hawkey guilty of aggravated murder, and she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case highlighted the potential for manipulation by adults over children and the importance of re-examining closed cases when new evidence emerges. Corey Breininger’s courage to come forward and speak the truth was a pivotal factor in securing justice for his father.