Cullen Davis is an American former oil tycoon who is best known for being acquitted of murder and attempted murder in two high-profile trials during the 1970s. At the time of his first trial, Davis was believed to be the wealthiest man to have stood trial for murder in the United States. As of December 2023, the net worth of Cullen Davis is estimated to be around $100 million, according to Wealthy Persons. How did he manage to escape conviction and preserve his wealth? Here is a brief overview of his life and trials.
Early Life and Family Background
Cullen Davis was born on September 22, 1933, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the middle of three sons born to legendary oilman Kenneth W. Davis, who founded KenDavis Industries International, Inc., which manufactured goods used in the petroleum industry. Cullen and his brothers inherited equal shares of their father’s estate upon his death in 1968, and all three were described as possessing keen business instincts, according to Wikipedia.
Cullen Davis had a reputation in Fort Worth society circles for displays of bad temper and general “creepiness”, according to female associates. He was married three times, but his second marriage to Priscilla Lee Childers was the most tumultuous and controversial. They were married on August 29, 1968, only hours after the death of his father. Priscilla had one daughter from her first marriage, and two children from her second marriage, including Andrea Wilborn.
In 1972, Davis spent $6 million ($42 million today) to build Stonegate Mansion, a five-bedroom, 11-bath mansion with an indoor pool and a 2,000-square-foot master bedroom. The luxurious home was decorated with more than 100 oil paintings. Davis and Childers separated in 1974 and both began dating other people openly. A judge granted Priscilla the right to live in the Stonegate property during the divorce proceedings and further authorized substantial spousal and child support payments from Davis to Childers. Her live-in boyfriend was Stan Farr, a former basketball star at nearby Texas Christian University.
The Stonegate Mansion Murders
On August 2, 1976, an intruder entered Stonegate Mansion and killed 12-year-old Andrea Wilborn, who was home alone after returning from a Bible study. The body of Andrea would later be found in the basement, apparently shot execution-style. The intruder then ambushed Priscilla, Stan, and Priscilla’s friend Gus Gavrel, who had arrived at the mansion. Stan and Gus were shot and killed, while Priscilla was wounded in the chest. Priscilla managed to escape and call for help. She identified the intruder as Cullen Davis, wearing a wig and carrying a gun with a silencer.
Cullen Davis was arrested and charged with four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He was represented by a famous defense attorney, Richard “Racehorse” Haynes, who argued that Priscilla had set up the murders to frame Cullen and get his money. Haynes also cast doubt on the physical evidence and the eyewitness testimony of Priscilla and other survivors. The jury found Cullen Davis not guilty on all charges on February 9, 1977, making him the wealthiest person to be acquitted of murder in America.
The Murder-for-Hire Plot
Two years later, Cullen Davis was in trouble again. He was accused of hiring a hitman to kill Priscilla and the judge overseeing his divorce from Priscilla. The hitman, however, was actually an undercover FBI agent named David Bernal, who recorded his conversations with Davis. Bernal testified that Davis offered him $25,000 to kill Priscilla and $50,000 to kill the judge. Bernal also said that Davis gave him a map of the judge’s home and a photo of Priscilla.
Cullen Davis was tried for solicitation of capital murder in 1979. His defense team, led by Haynes, claimed that Davis was entrapped by Bernal, who had initiated the murder plot and pressured Davis into agreeing. Haynes also suggested that Bernal had tampered with the tapes and that Davis was only playing along to gather evidence against Bernal. The jury was deadlocked, and a mistrial was declared on June 29, 1979. The prosecution decided not to retry the case, and Davis was freed.
Later Life and Current Status
After his legal troubles, Cullen Davis became a born-again Christian and married his third wife, Karen Master, in 1979. They remained married until her death in 2016. Davis also sold his oil company and invested in real estate and other ventures. He moved to a ranch near Fort Worth and lived a low-profile life.
As of 2021, Cullen Davis has an estimated net worth of $100 million, according to Pinoria and Healthyton. He is still one of the richest people in Texas, but his fortune has declined from its peak of $450 million in today’s money. He is also one of the most notorious figures in American crime history, having been involved in two sensational trials that captivated the nation. He has always maintained his innocence and claimed that he was the victim of a conspiracy by his ex-wife and the authorities.
Cullen Davis is now 90 years old and still lives in Texas. He has rarely given interviews or public appearances, and has avoided the media spotlight. He has also faced several lawsuits and legal disputes over the years, mostly related to his business dealings and family matters. He has two sons from his first marriage, Cullen Jr. and Brian Davis, who are also involved in the oil industry.
Cullen Davis is a living example of how money and power can influence the justice system and the public opinion. His story is a fascinating and controversial one, that raises many questions about the nature of crime, guilt, and innocence. He is a man who escaped murder charges and kept his net worth, but also a man who lost his reputation and his peace of mind.