EP220: The Pastor's Wife
Crimes and Consequences
Crimes and Consequences
4.6 • 859 Ratings
🗓️ 4 March 2024
⏱️ 36 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Elizabeth ("Liz") and Charles Sennett had a beautiful marriage and two amazing sons. Charles became a pastor at the age of 24 and Liz was a cherished member of their small community in Alabama. In March of 1988, Liz was brutally beaten, stabbed and eventually died. Within one week, Charles was also dead. What happened to the Sennett family and who would want to kill them? Listen to this episode to learn more about this tragic story.
Join us on Facebook and IG: @HARDCORETRUECRIME Web: www.crimesandconsequences.com--------------->Get ad-free early releases of each episode, plus over 170 exclusive Members Only episodes by going to Patreon.com/tntcrimes or joining our Apple Channel on the Apple Podcast App.
Sources:
- West Cromer, Marie. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795081065/ Birmingham Post-Herald. 19 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/570786597/?terms=charles%20sennett&match=1 The Selma Times-Journal. 20 Mar 1988.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795081411/?terms=charles%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 21 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795082186/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 22 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795083745/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 24 Mar 1988.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795083745/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 26 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258232173/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 27 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795088052/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 29 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258502310/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 02 Apr 1988.
- Whitaker, Al. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795084127/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 02 Apr 1988.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795085322/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 04 Apr 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/455563766/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Alabama Journal. 04 Apr 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258506584/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 04 Apr 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795097629/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 19 May 1988.
- Staff Writer. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795084663/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 30 Jan 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/456417994/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Alabama Journal. 31 Jan 1989.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795064400/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 02 Feb 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795080764/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 23 Feb 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795090188/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 01 Mar 1989.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795108498/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 23 Mar 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258130448/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 04 Jun 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/106733395/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Anniston Star. 04 Jun 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795082784/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 08 Jun 1989.
- Staff Writer. https://www.newspapers.com/image/456383769/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Alabama Journal. 22 Jun 1989.
- Hicks, Roderick. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795095182/?terms=charles%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 02 Nov 1989.
- Cullen, Susan. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795096927/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 04 Nov 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258227032/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 17 Mar 1990.
- Newberry, Paul. https://www.newspapers.com/image/106612142/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Anniston Star. 10 Oct 1992.
- Poovey, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/796583223/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 23 Dec 2000.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/262307015/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 22 Apr 2009.
- Rawls, Phillip. https://www.newspapers.com/image/262263063/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 28 Apr 2010.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/983547392/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Opelika-Auburn News. 08 Jun 2010.
- Johnson, Bob. https://www.newspapers.com/image/262450895/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 10 Jun 2010.
- Associated Press. https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2010/06/10/alabama-man-executed-in-1988-contract-killing/ The Andalusia Star News. 10 Jun 2010.
- Shoalanda. http://shoalandaspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/06/charles-sennett-husband-father-preacher.html Shoalanda Speaks. 11 Jun 2010.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/107516701/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Anniston Star. 19 Dec 2010.
- Hrynkiw, Ivana. https://www.corrections1.com/capital-punishment/articles/alabama-sets-execution-in-murder-for-hire-of-pastors-wife-despite-jurys-recommendation-1wXdcAcgNgWnQPRN/ Capital Punishment. 30 Sept 2022.
- Chandler, Kim. https://mynbc15.com/news/local/alabama-sets-execution-date-1988-contract-killing-kenneth-eugene-smith-elizabeth-dorlene-sennett-rev-charles-sennett-suicide-debt-supreme-court-lethal-injection NBC15 News. 03 Oct 2022.
- Mealins, Evan. https://www.newspapers.com/image/898391120/?terms=charles%20sennett The Montgomery Advertiser. 15 Nov 2022.
- Faulk, Kent. https://www.al.com/news/2022/11/former-sheriff-recalls-womans-horrific-murder-for-hire-by-pastor-as-alabama-prepares-execution.html AL.com News. 17 Nov 2022.
- Chandler, Kim. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/national/2022/11/17/alabama-execution-set-in-murder-for-hire-of-preachers-wife/ ClickOrlando.com. 17 Nov 2022.
- Harry, Brittany. https://www.waaytv.com/news/family-of-woman-killed-in-1988-frustrated-with-gov-kay-iveys-temporary-pause-on-executions/article_205bf148-6a2d-11ed-ae06-afb62d24b1c9.html WAAY31 ABC. 22 Nov 2022.
- https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/al-court-of-criminal-appeals/1609772.html
Join us on Facebook and IG: @HARDCORETRUECRIME Web: www.crimesandconsequences.com--------------->Get ad-free early releases of each episode, plus over 170 exclusive Members Only episodes by going to Patreon.com/tntcrimes or joining our Apple Channel on the Apple Podcast App.
Sources:
- West Cromer, Marie. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795081065/ Birmingham Post-Herald. 19 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/570786597/?terms=charles%20sennett&match=1 The Selma Times-Journal. 20 Mar 1988.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795081411/?terms=charles%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 21 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795082186/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 22 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795083745/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 24 Mar 1988.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795083745/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 26 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258232173/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 27 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795088052/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 29 Mar 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258502310/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 02 Apr 1988.
- Whitaker, Al. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795084127/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 02 Apr 1988.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795085322/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 04 Apr 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/455563766/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Alabama Journal. 04 Apr 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258506584/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 04 Apr 1988.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795097629/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 19 May 1988.
- Staff Writer. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795084663/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 30 Jan 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/456417994/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Alabama Journal. 31 Jan 1989.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795064400/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 02 Feb 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795080764/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 23 Feb 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795090188/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 01 Mar 1989.
- Erwin, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795108498/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 23 Mar 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258130448/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 04 Jun 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/106733395/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Anniston Star. 04 Jun 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795082784/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 08 Jun 1989.
- Staff Writer. https://www.newspapers.com/image/456383769/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Alabama Journal. 22 Jun 1989.
- Hicks, Roderick. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795095182/?terms=charles%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 02 Nov 1989.
- Cullen, Susan. https://www.newspapers.com/image/795096927/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 04 Nov 1989.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/258227032/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 17 Mar 1990.
- Newberry, Paul. https://www.newspapers.com/image/106612142/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Anniston Star. 10 Oct 1992.
- Poovey, Bill. https://www.newspapers.com/image/796583223/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 Birmingham Post-Herald. 23 Dec 2000.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/262307015/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 22 Apr 2009.
- Rawls, Phillip. https://www.newspapers.com/image/262263063/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 28 Apr 2010.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/983547392/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Opelika-Auburn News. 08 Jun 2010.
- Johnson, Bob. https://www.newspapers.com/image/262450895/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Montgomery Advertiser. 10 Jun 2010.
- Associated Press. https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2010/06/10/alabama-man-executed-in-1988-contract-killing/ The Andalusia Star News. 10 Jun 2010.
- Shoalanda. http://shoalandaspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/06/charles-sennett-husband-father-preacher.html Shoalanda Speaks. 11 Jun 2010.
- Associated Press. https://www.newspapers.com/image/107516701/?terms=elizabeth%20sennett&match=1 The Anniston Star. 19 Dec 2010.
- Hrynkiw, Ivana. https://www.corrections1.com/capital-punishment/articles/alabama-sets-execution-in-murder-for-hire-of-pastors-wife-despite-jurys-recommendation-1wXdcAcgNgWnQPRN/ Capital Punishment. 30 Sept 2022.
- Chandler, Kim. https://mynbc15.com/news/local/alabama-sets-execution-date-1988-contract-killing-kenneth-eugene-smith-elizabeth-dorlene-sennett-rev-charles-sennett-suicide-debt-supreme-court-lethal-injection NBC15 News. 03 Oct 2022.
- Mealins, Evan. https://www.newspapers.com/image/898391120/?terms=charles%20sennett The Montgomery Advertiser. 15 Nov 2022.
- Faulk, Kent. https://www.al.com/news/2022/11/former-sheriff-recalls-womans-horrific-murder-for-hire-by-pastor-as-alabama-prepares-execution.html AL.com News. 17 Nov 2022.
- Chandler, Kim. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/national/2022/11/17/alabama-execution-set-in-murder-for-hire-of-preachers-wife/ ClickOrlando.com. 17 Nov 2022.
- Harry, Brittany. https://www.waaytv.com/news/family-of-woman-killed-in-1988-frustrated-with-gov-kay-iveys-temporary-pause-on-executions/article_205bf148-6a2d-11ed-ae06-afb62d24b1c9.html WAAY31 ABC. 22 Nov 2022.
- https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/al-court-of-criminal-appeals/1609772.html
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode may contain content of a graphic nature, |
| 0:03.0 | including descriptions of physical and sexual violence |
| 0:06.0 | against adults, children, and animals. |
| 0:09.0 | Listener discretion is advised. |
| 0:12.0 | Hi everyone, I'm Tlaia and I'm Tanya and together we are crimes and consequences a true crime |
| 0:19.3 | podcast. cast. Hi Tanya, hi Tanya, |
| 0:39.2 | Hi to Leah. |
| 0:40.0 | Welcome back everyone to this week's episode of crimes and consequences. |
| 0:44.5 | This is a story, Tanya, I've never heard before and it's pretty brutal, |
| 0:51.1 | the actual crime, and very interesting. |
| 0:55.8 | So before I start though, |
| 0:57.6 | I'd like to ask everybody to hit the subscribe, |
| 1:00.0 | follow, like button. |
| 1:02.3 | And with that, are you ready I am this is a story of Charles and Elizabeth |
| 1:07.6 | Senate they were living in 1983 in Sheffield, Alabama and they had a really good life just to give you a |
| 1:17.8 | little background Charles was a pastor he worked at the Westside Church of Christ. |
| 1:24.2 | Sheffield was a very tight community, |
| 1:26.2 | and they were very well respected. |
| 1:28.2 | Liz was a really good mom to their two children. |
| 1:32.0 | They had two children children Chuck and Mike. He's |
| 1:35.5 | really Charles Jr. Elizabeth and Charles met when they were in their teens and |
| 1:40.5 | just to give you a little background they met in Ohio both very |
... |
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