Ervil Le Baron - Aftermath

Aftermath

While in prison, LeBaron wrote a 400-page "bible" known as The Book of the New Covenants, which included a commandment to kill disobedient church members who were included in a hit list written by LeBaron. Some 20 copies were printed and distributed.

Three of the murders were carried out simultaneously on June 27, 1988, at 4.00 p.m. Duane Chynoweth, one of LeBaron's former followers, and his eight year-old daughter were shot and killed while running errands. Eddie Marston, one of LeBaron's stepsons and former thugs, was killed in the same manner, and Mark Chynoweth, a father of six, was shot multiple times in his office in Houston, Texas.

Of the seven killers involved in the infamous "4 o’clock murders", five were found guilty of murder. One, Cynthia LeBaron, testified against her siblings at trial and was granted immunity. The final suspect, Jacqueline LeBaron, was captured by the FBI in May 2010. On June 16, 2011, Jacqueline LeBaron pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct religious beliefs and faces a five year maximum sentence in a future sentencing hearing.

It has been estimated that upwards of 25 people were killed as a result of LeBaron's prison-cell orders. Many of his family members and other ex-members of the group still remain in hiding for fear of retribution from LeBaron's remaining followers.