On the quiet farm lands of Motley, Minnesota, the night of April 4, 1973, was shattered by the sound of gunfire, forever altering the lives of one family. Henry John Hittle, a 46-year-old Caucasian male, and his wife Margaret, 45, were shot and killed in their home. The tranquility of their rural life was brought to a brutal end between the hours of 11 p.m. and midnight, a tragedy that would unfold to reveal a troubled family history.
Alarmed neighbors, hearing the gunshots, promptly alerted the authorities. Upon their arrival at the Hittle farmhouse, law enforcement discovered a grim scene. Just inside the front door lay the bodies of Henry and Margaret. The investigation into their deaths swiftly focused on their adoptive son, Daniel Joe Hittle. Daniel, who had a history of substance abuse and violent behavior, was immediately identified as the perpetrator and arrested at the scene.
The motive for the double homicide appeared to stem from a heated argument over the family dog. Daniel believed the dog had scratched his truck, sparking a confrontation with his adoptive mother. Margaret allegedly challenged her son, suggesting he wouldn't dare to shoot her. In a tragic turn of events, Daniel retrieved his shotgun and fatally shot her. When Henry attempted to reach for his own firearm, he too was shot and killed. This violent outburst was reportedly fueled by deep-seated resentment Daniel held towards his stepmother, whom he considered to be overly strict and controlling. His anger was further intensified by his struggles with drug addiction and a propensity for violence, especially when under the influence.
Following his arrest, Daniel Joe Hittle was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. However, his story did not end there. After serving a portion of his sentence in Minnesota, he was paroled. He eventually moved to Texas, where his propensity for violence would resurface with devastating consequences. In 1989, he embarked on a killing spree that resulted in the deaths of five people, including a police officer. For these crimes, he was sentenced to death and was executed by lethal injection in 2000.
