An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to murdering his pregnant wife and their unborn child in cold blood while she begged for her life, AL.com reports.
This week, Hunter James Tatum agreed to serve 198 years in prison – effectively a life sentence – for the 2021 murder of Summer Tatum and their unborn son, Everett Tatum. Hunter agreed to the deal as prosecutors had intended to seek the death penalty, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
The 26-year-old father-to-be shot his wife, also 26, twice in the head while she pleaded with him to spare her life and the life of their child. Investigators alleged that Hunter became enraged after Summer learned that he was having an online affair and sexting with a woman in England.
Hunter claimed that Summer threatened to kill him and that he shot her in self-defense while trying to wrestle a gun away from her. But police later found an audio recording of the confrontation in which Summer could be heard in distress.
“I’ll stay, I’ll stay. I’ll do anything you want,” Summer reportedly said, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. “Don’t hurt me, please, don’t hurt our baby. Please don’t hurt our baby.”
Hunter reportedly could be heard saying “No, get away from me,” before two gunshots are heard.
A security camera outside the couple’s home allegedly showed Hunter dragging Summer’s body across the floor. Hunter then called 911 and Summer and the baby survived initially, but both later died in the hospital.
The plea deal was reached amid Hunter’s trial this week.
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[Feature Photo: Family Handout/Ellison Funeral Home]
