reasonable doubt in each of the charges. As we look at the evidence that Eric's murder was committed in an especially cruel manner because it was part of a course of conduct intended to inflict mental anguish upon Eric, we find evidence that Eric was confronted a month earlier with a plan to kill the family by carbon monoxide poisoning. Although that plan was not carried out, the awareness that such a plan had been considered illuminated the scene on the morning of the murders when Eric, hearing his sister's screams, ran into the room to witness his father's attack upon his sister Ruby and his brother Jonathan.
Appellant's defense that he didn't intend to inflict mental anguish upon Eric, he only intended to kill him, is demonstrative ofWillett intended to inflict "serious physical abuse" on his brother Roger prior to his death and that Roger actually suffered such abuse before he died.
Even if it could be conceded that Eric was uncertain "as to his ultimate fate" in the last moments of his life and that Roger suffered "serious physical abuse" before he died, there is absolutely no evidence to show that Mr. Willett intended to inflict such forms of "cruelty" on his two victims.
The record leaves no doubt that Mr. Willett murdered his son and brother, and attempted to kill himself and his other children, because he feared that the Department of Human Services, which had been investigating his family, was engaged in a "conspiracy" to "take away" custody of Mr. Willett's children and brother.