Dad found guilty of murdering mom, 5-year-old daughter, father-in-law (Fort Worth, Texas)

Fathers wiping out their entire families--especially in the state of Texas--seem to be as common as dirt these days. But of course the only Texas killer parent that anybody remembers is from a decade ago. And that was mom Andrea Yates. Killer dads have a way of drifting off into the collective amnesia....

The latest guilty daddy? JOHN "JOHNNY" HUMMEL. Next week, nobody will even remember this case. Except here at Dastardly and a few other places.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/06/22/3171280/hummel-jury-to-hear-closing-arguments.html#0_undefined,0

Kennedale father found guilty of killing his family, faces death penalty

Posted Wednesday, Jun. 22, 2011
By Melody McDonald

mjmcdonald@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH -- John "Johnny" Hummel was found guilty this afternoon of killing his wife, daughter and father-in-law so he could pursue a romantic relationship with a woman he had met at a convenience store.

The jury in state District Judge Judge Ruben Gonzalez's courtroom returned the verdict about 4 p.m.

The punishment phase of the trial is next and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Hummel, 35.

Hummel fatally stabbed and beat his pregnant wife, Joy, 34; then fatally beat his father-in-law, Eddie Bedford, 57; and his daughter, Jodi, 5; before setting fire to the family's house at 600 Little School Road in Kennedale on Dec. 17, 2009.

Before making closing arguments this afternoon, prosecutors Bob Gill and Miles Brissette rested their case after calling two friends of the victims.

Beverly Taylor, a former co-worker of Bedford, testified that he was a hard-working man who spent more than a decade working at a Fort Worth plumbing supply house before retiring after developing rheumatoid arthritis. Over the years, Taylor testified, she got to know Bedford, his daughter, Joy, and his granddaughter, Jodi.

Bedford was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and NASCAR, Taylor said, and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Joy, she said, was always happy and laughing, fun to be around.

"She was a very good mother and worked very hard for her family," Taylor said.

She described little Jodi as "precious -- the prettiest little girl I have ever seen."

Trish Murphy, a longtime friend of Joy Hummel, also shared a bit about the Hummel family.

She said Bedford had become crippled from his arthritis and she rarely saw him out of his scooter or recliner. Joy Hummel, a licensed massage therapist, would often give her dad therapeutic massages on his hands to help relieve his pain, she said.

"Joy is one of the most amazing people I have ever known," Murphy told the jury, crying. "She was loving, compassionate, caring. She was a dedicated wife and friend. ... She was an excellent mother."

The defense team of Larry Moore, Fred Cummings and Pam Fernandez did not ask Taylor or Murphy any questions and rested their case shortly after prosecutors rested theirs.

State District Judge Ruben Gonzalez then recessed until 1:30 p.m. so that he and the attorneys could prepare instructions for the jury before jurors began deliberations.