CHARLES EDWARD WOOTEN | Patricidal Serial Killer Convicted of 2 Murders in '69 and the Murder of His Father in '93 | Hacked Into at Least 4 Pieces and Scattered in a Patch of Mesquite, Scrub Oak and Briar | ALS

Charles Wooten. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Dallas, TX. May 1, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.

Charles Edward Wooten, born in 1950 in Hurst, Texas, is a convicted serial killer whose criminal activities spanned over two decades. Initially sentenced to life imprisonment for two murders committed in 1969, Wooten was controversially paroled in 1992. However, his release culminated in the brutal murder of his own father in 1993, leading to another life sentence. His case underscores the complexities of the parole system and the challenges in assessing rehabilitation.

The Unrepentant: The Life and Crimes of Charles Edward Wooten

Basic Information

Charles Edward Wooten was born in 1950 in Hurst, Texas. As of June 2023, he remains incarcerated at the J. Dale Wainwright Unit in Lovelady, Texas, serving multiple life sentences for a series of murders committed between 1969 and 1993.

Background

Details about Wooten's early life, including his family background and education, are sparse. However, by the age of 19, he had already embarked on a criminal path, indicating a troubled youth. His associations during his early criminal activities included individuals like Michael Wayne Bush and Gerald Ross Weatherly, suggesting he was part of a network involved in violent crimes.

Criminal Activity

Wooten's criminal trajectory began with a five-year sentence for armed robbery. Paroled after serving only 18 months, he quickly escalated to more violent crimes. On September 1, 1969, Wooten and a 16-year-old accomplice abducted and murdered 58-year-old gas station attendant Loyd Dewey Choat in Fort Worth, Texas. Choat's body was later discovered in a creekbed near Watauga.

On November 6, 1969, the night of his bachelor party, Wooten, along with Bush and Weatherly, planned another robbery. The following day, they executed their plan, resulting in the brutal stabbing of 26-year-old gas station attendant David Daniels, who suffered 36 stab wounds.

Wooten's arrest on December 20, 1969, came after an attempted robbery at a grocery store where his father worked. Subsequent investigations linked him to the earlier murders, leading to charges of capital murder.

While awaiting trial, Wooten claimed responsibility for another murder involving a young blonde woman. However, authorities found no evidence to support this confession, considering it a possible fabrication.

In May 1970, Wooten pleaded guilty to the murders of Choat and Daniels, as well as the grocery store robbery, receiving three consecutive life sentences.

Legal Proceedings

After serving over two decades, Wooten was paroled in May 1992, largely due to persistent efforts by his father, Arlis "Edward" Wooten, who believed in his son's rehabilitation. Charles moved in with his father in Azle, Texas, and appeared to reintegrate into society, securing employment as a carpet cleaner and leather craftsman.

However, on July 29, 1993, following an argument, Charles murdered his father, shooting him in the head, dismembering the body, and attempting to burn the remains in a field. The crime was discovered days later, leading to Charles's arrest on August 3, 1993.

During his 1995 trial, prosecutors suggested a motive related to life insurance, though this was not conclusively proven. Charles pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, receiving another life sentence with the possibility of parole after 35 years.

Impact on Victims and Society

Wooten's crimes resulted in the deaths of three individuals: Loyd Dewey Choat, David Daniels, and Arlis Wooten. The brutality of these murders had profound effects on the victims' families and communities. Public reaction to his parole and subsequent patricide was one of outrage, leading to scrutiny of the parole system and discussions about the criteria for releasing violent offenders.

Current Status

As of June 2023, Charles Edward Wooten remains incarcerated at the J. Dale Wainwright Unit in Lovelady, Texas. His projected parole date is in 2028, though given his history, the likelihood of release is minimal.

Conclusion

The case of Charles Edward Wooten serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of premature parole decisions, especially concerning violent offenders. It underscores the importance of thorough risk assessments and the need for stringent criteria in parole evaluations to prevent recidivism and protect society.

Additional Note

Given the notoriety of Charles Edward Wooten's case and the rarity of his autographed items, such memorabilia could be considered valuable to collectors specializing in true crime artifacts. However, ethical considerations regarding the commercialization of items related to violent crimes should be taken into account.

VIDEO: Charles Wooten: The Chilling Story of a Patricidal Serial Killer | https://youtu.be/L_3xDJHPvqk

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