March 17, 2025

Episode 161 Murder in Sebring - The William Carver Murder Trials

26 minutes

The Carver Murder Trial of 1930 drew national attention for its brutality and mystery. Ruth Carver, her two-year-old son Lee, and family employee Ben Whitehead were all found dead in their Florida home. Ruth’s husband, William Carver, claimed he killed Whitehead in defense of his family, but shifting testimony and new evidence led to multiple murder trials. Nearly a century later, the true story remains a haunting mystery.

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Episode Sources

Carver v. State, 101 Fla. 1421, 134 So. 62 (Fla. 1931)

Criminal Genealogy. (2020, November). William Raymond Carver Murder. Retrieved from Criminal Genealogy Blog

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, April 4). 1st Degree Murder Warrant for Carver. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, April 5). More About Wife. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, April 6). Cleared by Grand Jury but Being Appealed. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, April 7). Life Insurance Policy. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, April 15). Defense Obtains 30 Day Delay in Case. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, May 12). Carver Placed on Trial - Court Packed. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Evening Star. (1930, May 14). Jury Tours Crime Scene. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, May 18). Defense Fights for Carver’s Life…He Testifies at Trial. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, May 19). Hatchet Shown in Court. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, May 21). Found Guilty - Motive Was $1000 Life Insurance Policy. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, May 24). Carver Asks for 2nd Trial. Retrieved from Newspapers.com

The Orlando Sentinel. (1930, June). Last Chance Plea for New Trial (Details of Juror Who Was in Carver Home on Afternoon of Murders!) Retrieved from Newspapers.com

Find A Grave. Frances Louise Van Midde. Retrieved from Find A Grave

Find A Grave. Lee Townsend Carver. Retrieved from Find A Grave

Find A Grave. Ruth Emilie Carver. Retrieved from Find A Grave

Episode Music

Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

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By Shannon Ballard

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