‘Dateline NBC’: Where are 'The Scream Killers' Torey Adamcik and Brian Draper now? Duo brutally stabbed classmate Cassie Jo Stoddart to death
POCATELO, IDAHO: The killers behind the gruesome murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart, Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik are currently serving their sentences at the Idaho State Correctional Institution near Kuna in unincorporated Ada County, Idaho.
After their conviction in 2007, Adamcik and Draper filed separate appeals at Idaho Supreme Court.
The first appeal in 2010 sought to challenge their sentences. Draper aimed for a vacated conviction or a limited life sentence with parole after thirty years.
While Draper's conspiracy conviction was vacated due to erroneous instructions, his first-degree murder conviction and life sentence without parole were upheld.
In 2015, Adamcik pursued post-conviction relief, claiming that unsubmitted testimony from character witnesses could have affected his sentencing outcome.
His request was denied in 2016, and subsequent appeals, including a federal writ of habeas corpus in 2018, were unsuccessful.
Adamcik's arguments included the denial of his first appeal based on an unsubmitted theory and a request for a new sentencing hearing.
As of March 24, 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had upheld Adamcik's sentence in an unpublished decision, marking the continuation in a correctional institution.
On February 18, Sunday, 'Dateline NBC' will delve again into the case of Cassie Jo Stoddart.
The official synopsis reads, "A series of mysterious events occur while 16-year-old Cassie Jo Stoddart is housesitting, and days later, she's found stabbed to death. When police retrace her final hours, they uncover evidence including a homemade horror film that points to her killers."
Who are Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik?
Brian Lee Draper (born March 21, 1990) and Torey Michael Adamcik (born June 14, 1990) were students at Pocatello High School when they killed their fellow schoolmate and friend, Cassie Jo Stoddart.
Motivated by a fascination with several killer movies, and particularly influenced by the horror film 'Scream', Draper and Adamcik brutally stabbed Cassie to death.
After committing the heinous act, they recorded themselves celebrating their gruesome actions, creating a chilling and disturbing record of the tragic event.
Why did Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik kill Cassie Jo Stoddart?
In a shocking crime revelation during the trial, it was disclosed that Brian Draper, drawing inspiration from the infamous Columbine High School massacre perpetrators Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, and his accomplice Torey Adamcik, who was inspired by the 'Scream' horror film franchise, orchestrated the murder of their fellow student.
This gruesome act earned them the ominous title "The Scream Killers."
In a disturbing video recorded on September 21, 2006, just one day before the heinous crime, Draper and Adamcik callously discussed Cassie as their chosen victim.
In the video, Brian Draper said, "We found our victim, and, sad as it may be, she's our friend. But you know what? We all have to make sacrifices. Our first victim is going to be Cassie Stoddart. She's gonna be alone in a big, dark house out in the middle of nowhere. How perfect can you get!?"
Meanwhile Torey Adamcik said, "I'm h***y just thinking about it."
This chilling conversation shed light on the disturbing mindset and motive behind the meticulously planned and senseless murder of Cassie Stoddart by the duo infamously known as "The Scream Killers."
How was Cassie Jo Stoddart killed?
Cassie Stoddart, while house-sitting with her boyfriend Matt Beckham, unknowingly welcomed classmates Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik, who pretended to be friends.
The group gathered to watch a movie, but Draper and Adamcik abruptly left, claiming they wanted to see a film at the local theater.
Unbeknownst to Cassie, Draper had unlocked the basement door before leaving.
Failing to lure Cassie into the basement with loud noises, Draper and Adamcik shut off the power. Left alone and uneasy, Cassie became the target of a brutal attack.
Later that night, Draper and Adamcik, armed with knives, silently entered the living room.
Despite trying to terrify Cassie with loud noises, they resorted to a vicious attack, stabbing her approximately 30 times in fatal areas like her chest, neck, back, and abdomen.
This tragic incident unfolded while Cassie was alone and unaware of the danger posed by her supposed friends.
Torey Adamcik apologizes to Cassie Jo Stoddart's family
During their trials, Adamcik revealed that he never intended to commit the crime and was influenced by Draper.
According to Adamcik's account, Draper insisted on disposing of the evidence. They drove to Blackrock, where Adamcik dug a hole and buried a video recorded on the night of the killing, along with the knives, masks, gloves, and clothing used to commit the crime.
Subsequently, Draper guided investigators to the buried items.
Adamcik expressed remorse, stating, "I never wanted it to happen, and I want to apologize to Cassie's family."
What sentence did Draper and Adamcik receive?
Brian Draper was convicted on April 17, 2007, while Torey Adamcik's conviction came on June 8, 2007.
On August 21, 2007, both were handed mandatory life sentences without parole for their first-degree murder convictions. Additionally, they received thirty years to life for their conspiracy to commit murder convictions.
Despite their appeals, in November 2019, Adamcik's attempt to challenge his sentence was denied by the Idaho Supreme Court, ensuring the upholding of his life imprisonment.
Even after their persistent efforts, both killers' appeals contesting that their sentences violate laws against cruel and unusual punishment have been consistently denied.
As a result, they remain incarcerated with no possibility of parole for their roles in the tragic murder of Cassie Stoddart.
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