Jason Whitaker, 44, of Merrillville, is charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, and two counts of battery resulting in serious bodily injury. His mother, who suffered multiple stab wounds, told police that her son started attacking her when she asked him to stop turning the furnace off in the basement. His father, Orell Whitaker was killed at the scene and his death was ruled a homicide. Jason Whitaker claimed his actions were self-defence and claimed his parents confined him in the house, used crack and cocaine, and were sex traffickers.