Bio

James D. "Jimmy" Robertson was born in 1973. He grew up in a suburban neighborhood in Rock Hill, South Carolina. His family seemed typical and well-respected. Both of his parents, Earl and Terry, were 49 years old at the time of their deaths and were known to be law-abiding and church-going individuals.

Jimmy was recognized as a smart student and graduated high school with honors. He was so talented in math that he was considered a math genius. Following high school, he attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta, aiming to earn a degree in engineering. However, things began to change for him. Jimmy faced challenges in college, missing too many classes. This led to his expulsion, which caused serious problems in his relationship with his parents.

After being cut off financially by his father, Jimmy struggled to support himself and took various odd jobs in local restaurants. As he dealt with this sudden shift in his life, he began turning to drug and alcohol abuse. 

In 1997, Jimmy moved back in with his parents. Around this time, concerns grew about his mental health and behavior. He reportedly spoke about wanting to harm his parents, and some of his friends took notice.

Murder Story

On November 25, 1997, James Robertson killed his parents, Earl and Terry Robertson, in their home in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The murders were brutal and shocking. Earl, who was 49 years old, suffered severe injuries from a claw hammer. His skull was crushed, and there were indications of multiple blows. Terry, also 49, was found with a deep gash in her neck and multiple stab wounds across her body. Investigators found blood spatter throughout the house.

After the murders, Robertson attempted to cover his tracks. He called his girlfriend, Meredith Moon, and told her he was going to kill his parents that day. Moon later revealed details during police questioning, leading to a search for the murder weapons.

Authorities arrested James Robertson the day after the murders, along with Moon, who was initially seen as a co-defendant. Evidence suggested that Robertson had planned the attack, motivated by a desire for his parents' inheritance.

During the trial, the defense raised concerns about Robertson's mental health, arguing that he had issues with bipolar disorder and drug abuse. Despite these claims, the jury found him guilty of murder. In June 1999, he was sentenced to death.

Throughout the years on death row, Robertson occasionally changed his mind about appealing his sentence, reflecting on his case. He made statements indicating that he understood the severity of his actions and accepted the consequences.