A shocking new true-crime series that has landed on Netflix was made with the involvement of the killer at the centre of the case. You can see the trailer here:
I Just Killed My Dad tells the story of Anthony Templet, who shot and killed his dad Burt Templet in Louisiana in June 2019.
After shooting him in the head three times, Anthony called 911 and told the dispatcher: “I just killed my dad. I shot him three times.”
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He claimed that his dad had become abusive, waking up the family in the early hours of the morning and acting aggressively.
Anthony, who was just 17 at the time, said he locked himself in Burt’s room, but when his dad managed to get inside he shot him.
At the scene, cops noticed there was no sign of a struggle or a fight breaking out, seemingly ruling out the possibility of self-defence argument.
But at trial, Anthony’s lawyers claimed that the killing had been the culmination of years of abuse at the hands of his father.
An official synopsis reads: "Anthony Templet shot his father and never denied it. But why he did is a complex question with profound implications that go far beyond one family."
In the three-part documentary Anthony speaks openly about the brutal abuse he suffered for almost 10 years.
Alongside physical violence, Anthony says his dad would control him – tracking his movements and even installing cameras around their home to keep watch over him.
Anthony’s step-mum Susan also features in the documentary, telling filmmakers she raised Anthony like her own child after Burt had abducted him from his biological mother aged five.
However, Susan left the home after being assaulted by Burt in March 2019, after which his behaviour came worse – as evidenced by various visits to the family home by police.
Susan, alongside other family members, even took to the stand in court urging the judge not to jail Anthony.
Anthony had been facing a manslaughter charge, but was offered a plea deal and avoided jail time, and was sentenced to five years of supervised probation after explaining his reasons for the crime.
As part of his deal, Anthony was told to finish his high school diploma and to undergo therapy.
Since his release, Anthony has reunited with his birth mother and his repairing his relationship with her and his biological grandmother.
You can stream I Just Killed My Dad on Netflix right now.
Topics: TV and Film, Netflix, True Crime
Claire Reid