Read Philip Jett's interesting guest post about his family's experiences with murder, then make sure you're signed in and comment below for a chance to win Jett's true crime novel, The Death of an Heir: Adolph Coors III and the Murder That Rocked an American Brewing Dynasty!
Scientists around the world have been researching whether there is a link between a person’s genetic makeup and the commission of crime. The so-called “warrior gene,” first identified in 1993, is a variant of the X chromosome that supposedly interferes with the inhibition of impulsive aggressive behavior. The theory has gained so much attention that a murderer’s defense attorneys in Tennessee sent his blood sample to Vanderbilt University for analysis. The presence of the gene saved the convicted man from the death penalty.
Interestingly, I had the opportunity to consider an inherited murder gene when I was only 12 years old, long before recent scientific study. For on Friday afternoon, June 1, 1973, the body of Patricia Williams was tragically discovered lying in a pool of blood on her family’s living room floor. The coroner determined that she had been stabbed 51 times. She was only 13; a year older than me. She rode my school bus. The last day of school had only been days earlier.
My mother made us stay inside that weekend. She then participated in a telephone marathon with family and neighbors to discuss who could have done such a horrible thing. The investigative eye quickly focused on Patricia’s household and her 19-year-old brother-in-law, James Daniel “Danny” Bramlett. He had attended school with my sister. Danny initially denied being at the home until a witness came forward and placed him nearby.
If the frenzied stabbing of a 13-year-old schoolmate wasn’t enough to scare me stupid, my mother felt compelled to share another vicious murder with me that occurred when she was a little girl: a stabbing murder committed by Danny’s great-uncle.
On December 19, 1940, Cecil Jourdan had gone into town with my great-grand uncle and others to do some Christmas shopping for his wife and three young sons. On the return trip, the driver dropped Jourdan at a side road with fellow traveler, Paul Bramlett, who offered to help Jourdan carry his packages. Fewer than 500 yards from Jourdan’s home, Bramlett and Jourdan got into a drunken argument. Bramlett slit Jourdan’s throat “from ear to ear” four times and stabbed him repeatedly until his clothes were nearly ripped away. He then dragged Jourdan’s blood-drenched body into a ditch.
After brutally slaying Jourdan, the 25-year-old Bramlett washed his bloody hands in a neighbor’s sink before having dinner with them. He visited other neighbors that same night, including my great-aunt and uncle, before confessing his terrible crime to a brother-in-law three hours later. “I did it with my knife,” he said. Paul Bramlett received 99 years in a Nashville prison for first-degree murder. Both men’s children attended school with my mother.
Bookended between the Paul and Danny Bramlett murders were two other slayings involving their kinfolk—not so frequently recounted or as horrific perhaps, but murders nonetheless. On August 7, 1956, Paul Bramlett’s nephew, Robert, shot a man and then turned the gun on himself after his wife narrowly escaped through an open window. Five days later, in an unrelated incident, Paul’s brother, C. L. Bramlett, was the murder victim when his father-in-law delivered a shotgun blast during an argument between the two men.
The Bramlett murders frightened several generations of my family and others in the community. We still talk about the grisly murders, often focusing on the kinship of the perpetrators. At age 12, I may have considered a mean gene or an FU chromosome to explain such horrible crimes. Today, however, I realize that’s it not that simple, particularly when you consider that one-third of the world’s population is said to possess the warrior gene. I think violent crime has more to do with a combination of maltreatment, circumstance, and emotion—particularly when alcohol or drugs act as a catalyst—than the presence of a warrior gene. But then again, I’m not a scientist; perhaps continued research may shed more light on this dark subject one day.
Are you aware of any murders committed by related individuals? Are there any murders that frightened you as a child that you’d like to share? If so, I’d be very interested to read your comments.
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Philip Jett is a former corporate attorney who has represented multinational corporations, CEOs, and celebrities from the music, television, and sports industries. He is the author of The Death of an Heir: Adolph Coors III and the Murder that Rocked an American Brewing Dynasty. Jett now lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
No to both questions. Interesting post.
If this were England, these crimes would be fodder for that old “History’s Crimes” show, with its quaint and horrific old-time murders. Very interesting! I’ll have to keep a look out on the Coors book.
Fascinating topic. My brother told me the Texas Chainsaw guy was never caught, on the loose and whereabouts unknown. Spooked me considering I lived on a farm with big cornfields in my back yard! (I peeked around the corner, was not supposed to be watching the movie…egads!!!)
I can’t wait to read Philip’s book. Interesting topic.
Terrific read!! This really makes one wonder if violent behavior can be linked genetically. It will be interesting to see what scientific studies come out regarding this topic in the future.
I really like the writers style and will be anxious to get his new book.
Can’t wait to read this book, the article sucked me in!!
scary
Thought Provoking! Looking forward to reading the book!
Thought Provoking! Looking forward to reading the book!
During my career as a probation officer I woked on several pre-sentnence investigations dealing with similar murders.
I’ve been looking through family history records for “interesting” characters because I want to learn their stories. Never thought that some of their behaviours could be genetically driven. Interesting thought to ponder on.
I’ve been looking through family history records for “interesting” characters because I want to learn their stories. Never thought that some of their behaviours could be genetically driven. Interesting thought to ponder on.
Very interesting read and well written. I don’t believe people’s behavior is genetically driven, at least not in the sense of commiting crimes or murder. I am so opposite of what my father was like, thank G-d. Can’t wait to read Mr. Jets book regarding Adolph Coors. Should be very interesting.
Fascinating topic and well written! Looking forward to reading “Death of an Heir”. Well done, Philip!
No murder in my family tree that I’m aware of, nor do I personally feel a Killer instinct (except when it comes to insects in the house!) I enjoyed reading this article and pondering the possibility of a genetic predisposition to violence and murderous acts. hum….very interesting read, Philip.
Love the cover!
I am not violent! But only if I win! Yes!
Love the cover on this!
No murders committed by relatives that I am aware of…although I had an Aunt that disappeared and my mother (her sister) always said that her husband killed her. I don’t recall any murders that frightened me as a child
fascinating
I would like this.
Fascinating, dark topic. The first true crime book I read was In Cold Blood, and it completely creeped me out. Well, wish me luck!
No to both. Wow, just wow!
this sounds really interesting!
Would love to win!
Kind of chilling to think there might be a genetic connection. Hopefully there are things to overcome such predispositions. Thanks for the interesting discussion. Can’t wait to read your book. thanks
No to both quesrions that were aksed.
Enjoyed reading the comments. Am looking forward to reading this one.
Thank heavens I know no one who has murdered – yet. Or at least that I know of. Sounds like a fascinating book.
The Zodiac murders still frighten my, because they never caught him & at least one survivor knew the killer. Manson & his band also frightened me, it was just so random.
The Zodiac murders still frighten my, because they never caught him & at least one survivor knew the killer. Manson & his band also frightened me, it was just so random.
No I do not know any related individuals. The scariest was the Manson murders. Your book sounds very interesting.
no to both but I remember the murder of a young high school girl close to where I lived and eventually went to high school. Creeped me out. The murderer was never caught. Creepy.
I’d love to win this.
Yes, please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks!
Not aware of any murders. Ted Bundy was from the town that I live in now.
This sounds like an interesting concept. I would love to learn more. Thank you for the chance to win this book.
Interesting! Something to think about and would love to read all about it!
My answer is no to the first question. To the second question – I was in third or fourth grade when the assination attempt against President Ford occurred by one of Charles Manson’s followers – Squeaky Fromme. There was a big write-up in Time Magazine on the assination attempt and Squeaky Fromme and then another large write-up on the murders by Manson’s followers that occurred in the 1960s. I read all that and woke up with nightmares for weeks.
Sure, there are plenty of murders within families. I think of the Menendez brothers for example. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
I’ve aut have not always wondered about this but have not explored. Wasn’t to far in our past that we believed forehead measurements ment damage and danger, later disproved. looking forward to your take
No to question #1 and Ye to #2, Sharon Tate’s murder. Charles Manson plagued my dreams as a child.
Interesting concept!
I have to say no to both of your questions. I don’t believe there is a mystery gene that makes some people more likely to commit murder. If one mistreats a good dog bad enough, one should not be surprised if it turns and bites one. Greed and booze account for more murders than any other reasons.
I have to consider myself fortunate that nothing like this has ever intersected in any way with my life, but it’s all infinitely interesting to read about nonetheless.
sounds great sign me up
No to both questions!
No to both questions!
Nature or nurture? We will most likely never know the answer to the question of what makes a psychopath — but oh, it’s so much fun to ponder! Hope to win this book, which, with its author’s comments on genetics, evidently leans toward “nature” and is sure to offer some interesting points for that side of the argument.
Sounds fascinating.
interesting concept …right up there with nature versus nurture
interesting concept …right up there with nature versus nurture
no and no
Interesting comment> would be interesting to see if it was proved.
I’d love to read this.
Another Winner. I want this.
Interesting and thought provoking article. I’d like to read the Coors book.
Not to the point of murder but my mother believed that in every family with more than two children that there was a “Black Sheep” and it was generally the middle child. Thinking back over the history of my family and that of mother’s family I can see the pattern.
I would like to read “The Death Of an Heir”.
I really want to read this book. I love anything true crime.
I firmly believe that suseptbility to addiction is inherited. Thus the “sins of the father” or mother or whomever, can be visited on the offspring. I cannot wait to read this!
I firmly believe that susceptibility to addiction is inherited. Thus the “sins of the father” or mother or whomever, can be visited on the offspring. I cannot wait to read this!
I would like to know more about the death in the Coors family.
Great conversation, and captures my interest. A co-worker years ago was one of 6 siblings of a single mother who was murdered and remained unsolved who dunnit.
An interesting question which will probably never be answered to everyone’s satisfaction!
Thank you for this opportunity.
Would love to read this!!~
Would love to read this!!~
No unsolved murders in my family. Would enjoy reading more about this case
Looks extremely interesting and scary to say the least. Hope I win!
Nature vs Nurture
This looks like a fascinating post. I enjoy reading about true crime. Nothing to add. We had the peeping Tom who would roam the neighborhood (naked) while his wife was working the midnight shift at the phone company, but otherwise my childhood was fairly quiet.
I hope crime isn’t genetic…..that’s a terrible burden for a person to carry… Thanks for the sweeps.
Excellent article. I would love to read this book.
I hope I win!
[b]Sounds like a great read! Makes me wonder about my famil![/b]
sounds like a fun read
You know, I’ve often wondered the same thing. I’d love to read his book!
You know, I’ve often wondered the same thing. I’d love to read his book!
great review would love to read this, thanks
Very well written! Definitely an interesting read from Jett and one that brings up some fascinating questions worth pondering. Makes me excited to read The Death of an Heir later this month!
no to those questions, the book sounds so interesting
Seems like it would be an interesting read
this sounds really interesting. i do not know of any personally.
I am fascinated by this particular topic. Is the inclination towards violence ‘nature’ or ‘nurture’? Maybe neither? People with temporal and frontal lobe brain injuries may sometimes become violent….My ex husband, out of fear late one night, killed a man who silently entered his property and would not answer him when he asked who was there. He is still in jail awaiting trial, although this is going on the fourth year now. My ex does have a history of violence, but he also has a steel plate in the front of his skull. Interesting question!!!!
My grandfather shot a man in the back of the head. The man he shot had a child held hostage with a knife to his neck. He had let my grandfather enter the backseat of the car to talk but with the condition, he could see all weapons put on the ground. What the man did not know was that my grandfather had a small gun around his ankle. To save the child’s life he had no choice. Both my Grandfathers were Peace Officers. But on that side of my bloodline, there have been multiple unexplained deaths a long time ago. So I think it is possible it runs in the bloodline (Genetics).
What an interesting premise. Sounds like a great read. Is there such a thing as a “bad seed”?
Hmmmm…..very interesting. Can’t wait to read!
Would love to add to my collection!
I remember reading about a dad who was a murderer while his family and children had no idea….how can anyone lead a life like that?
Sounds interesting I would love to read this.
The answer is no. Sounds fasinating
Are you aware of any murders committed by related individuals? No. Are there any murders that frightened you as a child that you’d like to share?Yes, I grew up on Long Island in New York and the murders that spawned the Amityville Horror books/movies were just a few miles away from where I lived. The murders scared me way before there was any talk about a haunted house.
Looks so goos I can barely wait to read it. I would like to thank you so much for your involvement in this fine giveaway. Thanks for giving a chance for us to win.
I think some members of my family have violent tendencies and addictions, but not murder. I remember when i was little, tehre were two girls down the road that I was not allowed to play with because my mom told me their dad had murdered his parents. I remember being outside and shaking my head when they asked if i wanted to play. The older of the two girls leaned forward and said, “Is it because my dad killed my grandparents?” I wish i knew why he was not in jail or what had happened exactly. Kind of haunts me knowing he lived just down the street.
Answer to both is “NO”.
Eager to read this book.
My grandfather was a mean scoundrel and a thief. That’s the best I can do. I sure would like to win.
My answer is no to both questions but it is an interesting topic.
I’m not aware of any murders committed by related individuals.
A sub teacher set fire that killed parents.
I say no to the questions also. Please include me in the drawing.
[b]I remember the first time I murdered someone. Dad was so proud.[/b]
Genetic or inherited makes no difference since either way it is wrong.
I am not aware of any murderers or murders that are any way related to anyone I know.
I find this kind of stuff fascinating