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Charles Stuart (murderer)
Encyclopedia
Charles "Chuck" Stuart (December 18, 1959 – January 4, 1990) was a man from Reading, Massachusetts
who murdered his pregnant wife and inflamed racial tensions in the Boston area by concocting a fictitious African-American assailant.
. According to Stuart's subsequent statement, a black gunman with a raspy voice forced his way into their car at a stoplight, ordered them to drive to nearby Mission Hill
, robbed them, then opened fire, shooting Charles in the stomach and Carol in the head. Stuart then drove away, despite his wound, calling 911 on his car phone.
A film crew for the CBS
Reality television
series Rescue 911
happened to be riding with Boston Emergency Medical Services
personnel and was able to capture the scene as police and paramedics assisted Stuart.
Carol Stuart died that night, after her son, Christopher, was delivered two months early by caesarean section
. The infant suffered seizures due to oxygen deprivation and died 17 days later after his father authorized discontinuing life support.
Boston police searched for suspects matching Stuart's description of the assailant. Police suspected a man named Willie Bennett and on December 28, Stuart picked him out of a lineup. Though investigating officers asked doctors whether Stuart's wounds could have been self-inflicted, they were told that this was very unlikely, given the severity of the injuries.
The case against Bennett abruptly collapsed on January 3, when Charles Stuart's brother, Matthew, identified Charles as the killer. Matthew admitted that he had driven to meet Stuart that night to help him commit what he'd been told was to be an insurance fraud.
Upon arrival, Matthew said that he had seen that Carol had been shot, and that his brother, also wounded, had apparently shot himself to support his story. Matthew took the gun and a bag of valuables, including Carol's wedding rings, and threw them off the Pines River Bridge in Revere
. The items were later recovered.
Police later learned that Stuart had been upset at the prospect of becoming a father, particularly worried that his wife would not go back to work and their financial status would be diminished. Moreover, Stuart had been interested in (but allegedly not involved with) an intern
at the fur salon. An article in The Boston Globe
alleged that a $480,000 check was issued to Charles Stuart in payment for a life insurance policy on his wife, but this was later found to be false, as no such check was ever found. However on the popular television cable show, Cold Blood, it was noted and investigated by producers that Charles did receive a $100,000 life insurance money check to which he cashed just had released from the hospital. He was also noted buying a Nissan Maxima
in cash for $16,000.
by leaping to his death from the Tobin Bridge
, in Chelsea
. A note was found in Stuart's car, stating that he could not deal with the allegations against him.
in the 1990 CBS
TV movie Good Night Sweet Wife: A Murder in Boston. Talk show host Tom Leykis
provided the voice of a generic talk radio host.
Mark Wahlberg
and his former group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
referred to this story in their song "Wildside."
Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs
refer to this story in the song "Speak Upon It" from the album Life of a Kid in the Ghetto
.
The Law & Order
episode "Happily Ever After
" appears to be based on the Charles Stuart case.
The plot of Robert B. Parker
's Spenser novel Small Vices revolves around a case where a black man is framed for the murder of white woman. The Stuart case is also referred to by name during the novel as example of how effective blaming a non-existent minority perpetrator can be in distracting the police.
The case, which gained international headlines, was also shown on
the A&E Channel's
City Confidential
documentary series program in a 2000 episode titled "Boston: Betrayal in Beantown, Episode #99".
The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
episode "Tangled" is based on the Charles Stuart case.
The 2006 novel "White Guys", by Anthony Giardina (published by Picador), was based on the Charles Stuart murders.
The Michael Moore
documentary "Bowling for Columbine
" references the murder in a discussion about suburban fears regarding cities.
Reading, Massachusetts
Reading is an affluent town situated in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, some north of central Boston. The population was 24,747 at the 2010 census.-Settlement and Independence:...
who murdered his pregnant wife and inflamed racial tensions in the Boston area by concocting a fictitious African-American assailant.
Murders
On October 23, 1989 Stuart, manager of the upscale Kakas Furs on Newbury Street, and his pregnant wife, the former Carol DiMaiti (born March 26, 1959, in Boston), a lawyer, got into their car after attending childbirth classes at Brigham and Women's HospitalBrigham and Women's Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital is the largest hospital of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Boston, Massachusetts. It is directly adjacent to Harvard Medical School of which it is the second largest teaching affiliate with 793 beds...
. According to Stuart's subsequent statement, a black gunman with a raspy voice forced his way into their car at a stoplight, ordered them to drive to nearby Mission Hill
Mission Hill, Boston, Massachusetts
Mission Hill is a 3/4 square mile neighborhood of Boston, with the population of approximately 18,000 people.The neighborhood is roughly bounded by Columbus Avenue and the Boston neighborhood of Roxbury to the east, Longwood Avenue to the northeast and the Olmsted designed Riverway/Jamaicaway and...
, robbed them, then opened fire, shooting Charles in the stomach and Carol in the head. Stuart then drove away, despite his wound, calling 911 on his car phone.
A film crew for the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
Reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series Rescue 911
Rescue 911
Rescue 911 is an informational reality-based television series, hosted by William Shatner. Originally intended to be only a set of three TV specials, Rescue 911 was picked up by CBS for the 1989 fall season after two specials aired on April 18, 1989 and May 9, 1989...
happened to be riding with Boston Emergency Medical Services
Boston Emergency Medical Services
Boston Emergency Medical Services provides basic life support and advanced life support units throughout the neighborhoods in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Boston EMS is a public safety agency responding to 911 calls alone or with the Boston Police and/or Boston Fire Departments...
personnel and was able to capture the scene as police and paramedics assisted Stuart.
Carol Stuart died that night, after her son, Christopher, was delivered two months early by caesarean section
Caesarean section
A Caesarean section, is a surgical procedure in which one or more incisions are made through a mother's abdomen and uterus to deliver one or more babies, or, rarely, to remove a dead fetus...
. The infant suffered seizures due to oxygen deprivation and died 17 days later after his father authorized discontinuing life support.
Boston police searched for suspects matching Stuart's description of the assailant. Police suspected a man named Willie Bennett and on December 28, Stuart picked him out of a lineup. Though investigating officers asked doctors whether Stuart's wounds could have been self-inflicted, they were told that this was very unlikely, given the severity of the injuries.
The case against Bennett abruptly collapsed on January 3, when Charles Stuart's brother, Matthew, identified Charles as the killer. Matthew admitted that he had driven to meet Stuart that night to help him commit what he'd been told was to be an insurance fraud.
Upon arrival, Matthew said that he had seen that Carol had been shot, and that his brother, also wounded, had apparently shot himself to support his story. Matthew took the gun and a bag of valuables, including Carol's wedding rings, and threw them off the Pines River Bridge in Revere
Revere, Massachusetts
Revere is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, and located approximately from downtown Boston. It is named after the American patriot Paul Revere. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 51,755.- History :...
. The items were later recovered.
Police later learned that Stuart had been upset at the prospect of becoming a father, particularly worried that his wife would not go back to work and their financial status would be diminished. Moreover, Stuart had been interested in (but allegedly not involved with) an intern
Intern
Internship is a system of onthejob training for white-collar jobs, similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. They may also be as young as middle school or in...
at the fur salon. An article in The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
alleged that a $480,000 check was issued to Charles Stuart in payment for a life insurance policy on his wife, but this was later found to be false, as no such check was ever found. However on the popular television cable show, Cold Blood, it was noted and investigated by producers that Charles did receive a $100,000 life insurance money check to which he cashed just had released from the hospital. He was also noted buying a Nissan Maxima
Nissan Maxima
The first car to wear the Maxima name was introduced in 1981. It was essentially a Japanese-market Bluebird 910 with a longer nose. The car was offered as the 810 Deluxe or 810 Maxima that first year, and all 810s became Maximas for 1982...
in cash for $16,000.
Suicide
On January 4, 1990, hours after his brother Matthew went to police and Charles became aware that he was a suspect, he committed suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
by leaping to his death from the Tobin Bridge
Tobin Bridge
The Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge is a cantilever truss bridge that spans more than two miles from Charlestown to Chelsea over the Mystic River in Massachusetts. The bridge is the largest in New England...
, in Chelsea
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. It is the smallest city in Massachusetts in land area, and the 26th most densely populated incorporated place in the country.-History:...
. A note was found in Stuart's car, stating that he could not deal with the allegations against him.
Carol Stuart Memorial Scholarship
In Carol Stuart's memory, her family established the Carol DiMaiti Stuart Foundation to provide scholarship aid to Mission Hill residents. By early 2006, the foundation had awarded $1.2 million to 220 students.Brother Matthew Found Dead
Charles Stuart's brother Matthew was found dead in a homeless shelter in Cambridge, Massachusetts on September 3, 2011. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/09/04/brother_of_charles_stuart_found_dead_at_cambridge_homeless_shelter/?p1=News_linksCultural references
Stuart was portrayed by Thirtysomething star Ken OlinKen Olin
Kenneth Edward "Ken" Olin is an American actor, director and producer. He is known for his starring role on the television series Thirtysomething, and most recently as Executive Producer, director, and recurring guest star of the television series Brothers & Sisters .-Career:As an actor, Olin...
in the 1990 CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
TV movie Good Night Sweet Wife: A Murder in Boston. Talk show host Tom Leykis
Tom Leykis
Thomas Joseph Leykis is an American radio personality. He currently hosts The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis, a weekly lifestyle program dealing with fine food and drink, airing weekends mainly in West Coast markets...
provided the voice of a generic talk radio host.
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, film and television producer, and former rapper. He was known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, and became famous for his 1991 debut as a musician with the band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. He was named No. 1 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of...
and his former group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch was a hip-hop group led by Mark Wahlberg. The Funky Bunch consisted of Wahlberg , Scott Ross , Hector Barros , Terry Yancey and Anthony Thomas...
referred to this story in their song "Wildside."
Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs
Da Bulldogs
Da Bulldogs, formerly united as Ed O.G. and Da Bulldogs, is a hip-hop group from Boston, Massachusetts. Its members have included Ed O.G., T-Nyne, Game , DJ Cruz, Black, Bulletproof Brett, Mr. Muff, Slim Dog, Shawn Booker, Lorenzo, Bruzer, Mo, Tyrone, Money 1, K. Diamond, Dream Nefra, and Joe...
refer to this story in the song "Speak Upon It" from the album Life of a Kid in the Ghetto
Life of a Kid in the Ghetto
Life of a Kid in the Ghetto is the debut album from Boston emcee Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs, released in 1991.-Track listing:# "I'm Different" – 4:15# "Speak upon It" – 5:00# "Feel Like a Nut" – 3:29...
.
The Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
episode "Happily Ever After
Happily Ever After (Law & Order episode)
"Happily Ever After" is the fifth episode of NBC's legal drama Law & Order. It originally aired on October 23, 1990.-Plot:A millionaire and his wife are attacked in their parking garage. The husband dies and his wife is wounded...
" appears to be based on the Charles Stuart case.
The plot of Robert B. Parker
Robert B. Parker
Robert Brown Parker was an American crime writer. His most famous works were the novels about the private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the late 1980s; a series of TV movies based on the character were also...
's Spenser novel Small Vices revolves around a case where a black man is framed for the murder of white woman. The Stuart case is also referred to by name during the novel as example of how effective blaming a non-existent minority perpetrator can be in distracting the police.
The case, which gained international headlines, was also shown on
the A&E Channel's
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
City Confidential
City Confidential
City Confidential is an American documentary television show, transmitted on the A&E Network, which singled out a community during each episode and investigated a crime that had occurred there. Rather than being a straighforward procedural, the installments began by focusing on the history and...
documentary series program in a 2000 episode titled "Boston: Betrayal in Beantown, Episode #99".
The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
episode "Tangled" is based on the Charles Stuart case.
The 2006 novel "White Guys", by Anthony Giardina (published by Picador), was based on the Charles Stuart murders.
The Michael Moore
Michael Moore
Michael Francis Moore is an American filmmaker, author, social critic and activist. He is the director and producer of Fahrenheit 9/11, which is the highest-grossing documentary of all time. His films Bowling for Columbine and Sicko also place in the top ten highest-grossing documentaries...
documentary "Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine is a 2002 documentary film written, directed, produced, and narrated by Michael Moore. The film explores what Michael Moore suggests are the causes for the Columbine High School massacre and other acts of violence with guns...
" references the murder in a discussion about suburban fears regarding cities.
External links
- The forgotten victim
- Bizarro Boston
- Illusion and tragedy coexist after a couple dies, New York Times, January 7, 1990
- Charles Stuart at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...
Select bibliography
- Sharkey, Joe (1991). Deadly Greed: The Riveting True Story of the Stuart Murder Case That Rocked Boston and Shocked the Nation. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-13-584178-X.