East Texas

By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer

EMORY—The final hearing in the Caffey murders concluded Tuesday in the Rains County courtroom when co-defendants Charles Allen Waid, 20, and Charlie James Wilkinson, 19, were each sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The two, along with Erin Caffey, 17, and Bobbie Johnson all pleaded guilty to the murders of Ms. Caffey’s mother and two brothers.

Ms. Caffey, 17, received two life sentences and an additional 25 years Friday for her role in the murders. She may be eligible for parole at age 59. Ms. Johnson was sentenced to 40 years in prison and may be eligible for parole in 20 years.

Penny Caffey, 37, a church pianist, and sons Mathew, 13, and Tyler, 8, were shot and stabbed to death before their home was burned down.

Ms. Caffey's father, Terry Caffey, 41, was shot five times but got out of the burning house and reached his neighbors. Still conscious, he told them he recognized Wilkinson shooting him and his wife in their bed, sheriff's officials said. He has since recovered from his gunshot wounds.

Officials believe the murders occurred because, the night before the incident, Wilkinson was forbidden to date the then-16-year-old Caffey.

Charles Allen Waid and Charlie James Wilkinson
(File photos)