Clutter Family Murders In Cold Blood By Truman Capote

Perry Smith “I didn’t want to harm the man. I thought he was a very nice gentleman. Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat.”

Epigraph Brothers, men who live after us, Let not your hearts be hardened against us, Because, if you have pity for us poor men, God will have more mercy for you. — Francois Villon “Ballad for Hanged Men”

Truman Capote (Sep 30, 1924 - Aug 25, 1984)

Truman Capote Early career; toward the end of his career (after a life of dissipation)

Known for Novella published in 1958; Movie released 1961 Capote was looking for something new. He went on to write the first nonfiction novel, or new journalism. This genre later morphed into true crime novels.

Mini Bio Click movie to start. Click escape to return to PowerPoint.

The Author The author around the time he was writing the novel *In Cold Blood. * In 1959, Capote set about creating a new literary genre — the non-fiction novel. In Cold Blood (1966), the book that most consider his masterpiece, is the story of the 1959 murder of the four members of a Kansas farming family, the Clutters.

New York Times 16 November 1959 Skimming through the Monday edition of the New York Times, Capote found his inspiration for his new literary form.

Harper Lee Childhood friend research assistant. Harper Lee accompanied Capote to Holcomb, Kansas, to help interview residents and witnesses.

Kansas Holcomb is about 7 miles west of Garden City

Holcomb, Kansas Capote stood out in Kansas. Harper Lee served as a buffer between Capote and the locals.

Herbert and Bonnie Clutter Herbert, 48, self-made, wealthy businessman and local leader; well-respected Bonnie, 45, homemaker, depressed, fragile

Nancy Clutter Nancy, 16, smart, beautiful, involved

Kenyon Clutter Kenyon, 15, loner, intelligent, electronics nerd

Bobby Rupp Nancy Clutter's long-time boyfriend, he is the very last person, except for the killers, to see the Clutter's alive. Bobby becomes the main person of interest following the killings.

Richard “Dick” Hickock Dick is motivated by carnal impulses: lust, greed, vanity, and indulgence of any kind. He is the mastermind and instigator of the murders.

Richard Hickock He is further motivated by the fact that there is a teenage girl in the house; Dick intends to rape her.

Perry Smith  He was abandoned by his family and severely abused by nuns. He has a reoccurring dream about a large bird that saves him from bullies, abusers, and anyone who might cause him harm. 

Perry Smith Perry is described as a small man, but very muscular in his upper arms and chest. His feet and legs, however, are small and delicate. He never passed the third grade, but as an adult he has an incredible thirst for knowledge, vocabulary, and literature.  Perry also appears to have homosexual tendencies, which are revealed via his affections for both Dick and a former cell mate by the name of Willie-Jay.

The Accused

Hickock’s Father

Hickock’s Mother

Detective Rich Rohleder

Judge Roland Tate

Prosecutor Duane West

Special Prosecutor Logan Green

Defense Attorney Arthur Flemming

Defense Attorney Harrison Smith

William Floyd Wells

Members of the Jury

Clutter Driveway Today

The Clutter House Today

The Clutter House

Body Being Removed from House

Rear of the Clutter House

Unlocked Door

The Clutter Study

The Clutter Study

The Clutter Study

The Clutter Kitchen

Unknown Location

Upstairs

Probably Upstairs

Clutter Basement

Location of Herb’s Murder

Bloody Boot Print

Hickock’s Boot

Hickock’s Boot

Unburied Leftover Rope

Rope Evidence

The Murder Knife

West with Murder Weapons

Knife and Shotgun

The Killers’ Car

Hickock’s Signature

Perry’s Signature and Fingerprint

Clutter Family Marker

Yearbook Spread

Capote *Capote* (2005) starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener. Click to start; escape to return to PowerPoint.

Infamous *Infamous* (2006) starring Sandra Bullock and Toby Jones Click to start; escape to return to PowerPoint.

Sources Barks, Cathy W. “Novel Module 7: In Cold Blood.” English 441: The Novel in America since 1914. 2003. 21 Apr. 08 <http://www.wam.umd.edu/~cwbarks/incoldblood. html>. “In Cold Blood: A Legacy, In Photos.” Lawrence Journal-World & News. 3 Apr. 05. 19 Apr. 08 <http://www2.ljworld.com/photos/galleries/2005/apr/03/in_cold_blood_a_legacy_in_photos/>. Turner, Mark. “Clutter Family Murders: ‘In Cold Blood.’” Charles Manson and the Family. 2007. 19 Apr. 08 <http://www. charliemanson.com/crime/clutter/clutter _photos.htm>.