Philip Heidt signed a new will just days before his death, witnesses said Monday morning, and Carey Heidt set up a multi-million dollar insurance policy for his children.

 

The double murder trial of Craig Heidt, accused of the August 2008 shotgun slayings of his father, noted developer and real estate broker Philip Heidt, and brother Carey Heidt, will enter its second week today at the Effingham County Judicial Complex. Craig Heidt also is accused of shooting and severely wounding his mother, Linda Heidt.

 

Statesboro attorney Dan Taulbee, who specializes in wills and estate planning, said Philip Heidt had been working on revising his will and signed a new document Aug. 22, just three days before he was killed. The primary reason for changing his will was to protect the future of nearly 300 acres of farmland around his home and that of his parents, Taulbee said.

 

“He loved that land,” Taulbee said.

 

Said longtime friend and accountant Billy Hickman: “He wanted to make sure it lived to future generations.”

 

The new will came in the wake of the revelation of an affair between Craig and Robin Heidt, who was marred to Carey Heidt at the time. Philip

Heidt had expressed concerns about Craig, Hickman said.

 

“He was very mad, very upset,” Hickman told the court. “Philip’s family was very dear to him. He could not stand the thought of his family being torn apart. This affair was driving up him a wall.”

 

Over a glass of tea at McAlister’s in Statesboro, Philip Heidt told Hickman of the relationship between Craig and Robin Heidt. 

 

“He sat there and cried,” Hickman said. “He tried to get into the middle of it and tried to stop it and he couldn’t do it. He told me the boys had had words, that they threatened to kill each other.”

 

In July 2008, Philip Heidt was upset the affair had not ended and told Hickman he was going to take Craig out of his will.

 

For the complete story, see Tuesday's edition of the Effingham Herald.