Jason Burket's "Open Letter"

At times I felt like I could have shown you videotape of me on the MOON, date-stamped as the day of these murders. I feel like you would have said that I edited a film, done all sorts of things, to produce that film. I feel like there is absolutely no way to prove my innocence when someone's mind is already made up. I do not understand everything, but I know that I am innocent, and that if someone does not have an open-mind to look at all sides, then I could never benefit from any attempts at "convincing" people of my innocence, if you will listen I will tell you what I remember from 2001.

I was 19 years old, I was working building fences trying to save money for my daughter; I did not have much success because I was stuck in a depression, which kept me at the local bar getting drunk. I spent a lot of time up there and was attempting to "drink myself from depression", as we all know that does not work.

I had dated a girl named Kristin Willis in high school, and had remained friends with her. I was "separated" from my daughter's mother, my wife "Shawnna", due to my living situation. I wanted to rekindle some of our relationship so I called Kristin on the phone, deciding to meet up with her. That was the weekend of September 6, 2001.

For the next few weeks I was always with Kristin hanging out, and just enjoying each others company. I decided to get into a committed relationship, and that Kristin and I would marry. My mother really liked her, and my entire family thought she was a wonderful person. So I bought her a ring asking her to marry me.

When Shawnna noticed that I had been spending so much time with Kristin she started asking questions from me, she did not approve of my relationship, and she voiced her opposition. Shawnna gave me a choice that I could never refuse. She told me to get my life together, quit playing with Kristin, stay away from alcohol, or I would lose my relationship with my daughter.

After discussing my situation with Shawnna we decided that I would "break up" with Kristin and would try to work through my issues with her, my "wife". I was able to explain this to Kristin and she was upset, understandably, but we had been friends for so long that we seemed to be able to get past all of this, just fine. Kristin still came around, and we remained close friends. I took her ring and gave it to Shawnna, for her to put away for my daughter, Shelby. I felt like that was the day where my life had a turn for the worse.

I felt like I could move on with my life. Kristin felt like I was leaving her for Shawnna, so this is when I feel like Kristin started her desires to "get even" with me.

Getting to the murders, I have to be honest, without trying to put any of my "theories" in this. No matter what I say, I could never give details about how these people died; I just do not know; I was not there. I do not have a good calculation of dates; therefore I have difficulty telling exact things that happened on specific dates. But, because I want to be heard, I am going to tell you exactly what I remember. If I leave any detail out that might be helpful, please let me know. Try to ask specific questions, and I will respond further.

The Friday before I was arrested I took a friend Mary Lewandowski to work early in the morning (possibly 9AM). Mary worked at Best Buy in the Woodlands, so while I was there in the area I decided to go visit an old friend Megan Lazrine, who lived.

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