The Murder of Gilbert ‘Gib’ Hart
For this case, I watched an episode of I’d Kill For You. It’s season 3 episode 4, titled 'Hart of Darkness.’
A former Army recruiter is killed in his small town home.
Background
Gilbert ‘Gib’ Hart was born on April 16, 1959. He was only 50-years-old at the time of his death. Gib based his life around family, work, and God.
Gib was a former Army recruiter. After he met and married his wife, Rebecca, he went into the real estate business, and learned everything from Rebecca’s father. At the time of his death, Gib owned about 20 rental properties around Clarksville, Tennessee.
Gib was described as strict and outspoken. He wanted order and respect in every aspect of his life.
Gilbert ‘Gib’ Hart
A Dysfunctional Household
Gib had three sons from a previous marriage. Gib and Rebecca had two children together, Becca and Alex. Becca and Alex had their own cars, and went to one of the nicer schools in the area. Rebecca was known for spoiling their kids, where as Gib wanted them to work hard for everything they had.
When Becca and Alex’s grades began to go down, Gib put more restrictions on them. However, Rebecca was always able to talk Gib down. Rebecca began spending more time outside of the home, as well. Her mother was ill, and lived in a assisted living home, where Rebecca would spend time if she wasn’t out with friends.
Gib struggled to connect with his kids, but Rebecca was always in constant contact with them. By spring 2009, Gib and Rebecca’s fighting escalated, especially after they had to remodel the home due to a flood. Gib didn’t agree with how much money they were going to have to spend, and Rebecca was getting tired of how much control he had over them.
The Murder
On June 2, 2009, Rebecca left the home earlier in the day to spend the night with her mom. Becca and Alex had been planning to go to a party, but Gib said no. Rebecca contacted him, and he eventually agreed to let them go. They left around 9pm.
A few hours later, around midnight, Rebecca called the Clarksville police. She told them that she had been calling the home to say goodnight to Gib, but became worried when there was no answer. Rebecca said she drove home, and saw that the front lights were on, which was unusual. Rebecca also mentioned that Gib kept a lot of money in their home from his rental property tenants, and she thought it could have been a robbery.
An officer looked inside the home, and saw a person slumped in a chair. The homicide detectives were called to enter the home.
Gilbert Hart was found dead from a single shot wound to the head. There was no gun near the body, so suicide was immediately ruled out. Robbery was also ruled out, as all of the money that was kept in the safe in the basement, was still there.
The Unusual Suspects
Rebecca was interviewed at the police station. Rebecca said that Becca and Alex had been out with their friends that night. Rebecca let on that everything in the marriage was great.
The next morning, Becca and Alex were interviewed. Alex said that Gib was alone in the house when they left for the party. Alex said that they had stayed the night at their friends house, and didn’t return home until their mom picked them up.
Becca appeared “flighty,” and told the same story as her brother. Becca claimed that she and Gib were super close, and that they got along so well.
Rebecca, Becca and Alex all told the police that the person responsible for killing Gib was either their handyman, or a disgruntled tenant. These suspects were all looked into, but eventually ruled out.
The Tip
A female that had attended the party that Alex and Becca had been at called the police. She told the police that another friend of hers said that she knew who had killed Gib.
A 15-year-old friend of Alex and Becca’s, named John Patrick (J.P.) George had walked into the police station with his mom, Catherine. Catherine believed that J.P. had somehow gotten involved in drugs, but told her son to tell the police the truth.
J.P. admitted that he had been the one who shot Gib in the head. J.P. then said he was driven to Savannah Lake, where he tossed the gun.
The police asked J.P. why he killed Gib. J.P. said Gib was terrible to his family, and that they had asked him to.
The Confessions
After J.P.’s confession, Becca and Alex were again brought in for questioning. They were confronted by the police, who told them that J.P., had confessed. Alex and Becca both blamed each other for egging J.P. on.
On June 2, 2009, Becca said she had made her father dinner, and that they left around 9pm for the party.
At the party, there were phone calls between Alex and J.P. Becca and Alex left the party to pick up J.P. to bring him to kill their dad. Becca spoke to her dad, while Alex snuck J.P. inside, and grabbed the gun from the basement safe.
J.P. then snuck up behind Gib as he drank his wine, and shot him in the head. Becca then drove to the lake, where J.P. discarded the gun. After the murder, Becca and Alex went back to the party, and actually told some of their friends what had happened.
The lake was searched by a dive team. The murder weapon was recovered within minutes.
The Mastermind
On June 4, 2009, Alex, Becca, and J.P. were all arrested and charged with first degree murder.
Rebecca stood by her children. She was able to bail them out of jail, and pay for their attorneys, while J.P. sat in jail.
While he was out awaiting trial, Alex confessed to his girlfriend, and eventually the police, that his mom was the true mastermind.
Rebecca had started planning the murder of her husband several months before. Rebecca told her kids that they should find someone, and pay them to kill Gib.
Becca and Alex spoke about it at school. Before J.P. agreed to do it, they had asked another friend, who said no.
On the night of the murder, Rebecca was in constant contact with Becca and Alex. Alex had called his mom from the basement to get the combination for the safe. Alex also called her after it was done. Rebecca then returned home, and called the police.
The Plea Deals
J.P. pled guilty to second degree murder, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Alex, Becca and Rebecca Hart all pled guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree murder. They were all sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Many believe that Rebecca’s true motive was money. Rebecca grew up in a wealthy family, but with Gib dead, she would have received his life insurance and Army death benefits.
Alex and Becca both made claims that Gib was physically and verbally abusive. There was no evidence of any kind that this was true.
Matt, Gib’s son from a previous marriage, said that his father had never laid a hand on him, and that the allegations were false. Matt described Gib as his best friend and hero.
J.P., Becca and Alex
Rebecca Hart
FINAL THOUGHTS
While Rebecca is extremely manipulative, it seems as if Alex and Becca were too. I believe Rebecca manipulated her kids, but they manipulated a lot of people too. They tried to tarnish their father’s name. Gib might have been strict, but there’s just no proof that he ever abused his wife or children.
J.P. chose to murder Gib, but he was only 15, and was manipulated as well. In my opinion, they all deserve longer sentences, especially Rebecca.
Sources
https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/06/04/arrests-made-in-homicide-of-gilbert-r-hart/
https://www.wkms.org/news-archive/2011-08-23/clarksville-murderer-for-hire-sentenced
