An Arizona family is strongly cautioning against the premature release of their son’s “psychopath” best friend, who was responsible for the tragic murder of their son in a motel room back in 1986. The grieving parents of the late Eric Kane express that the pain of losing their teenage son still feels as fresh as if it happened just yesterday.
Louise Kane expressed her strong opposition to his release, citing his mental history and the potential consequences. She firmly believed that he was likely to have another breakdown, possibly triggered by a bad day or an argument, and feared that another father would have to face a situation similar to hers. Referring to him as a psychopath, she highlighted his severe mental issues and considered the idea of his release from prison to be utterly ludicrous.
During the summer of 1986, tragedy struck when Eric and his then-best friend, Jacob Wideman, were staying in Flagstaff as part of their summer camp trip to the Grand Canyon. As the story goes, the two boys were sharing a room when, out of nowhere, Wideman inexplicably started attacking and stabbing Kane.
During his interview with officers, Wideman admitted that he had a difficult year and felt compelled to take someone’s life. Consequently, he made the decision to plead guilty to first-degree murder and two counts of grand theft as a means to avoid facing the death penalty. Following his sentencing, Wideman disclosed that he had been implicated in the murder of Shelli Wiley a year prior to his involvement in Kane’s killing.
During his time in prison, Wideman sought help from different mental health professionals to cope with his intrusive violent thoughts. The 53-year-old man aimed to demonstrate that he has his issues under control. If released, he plans to live with his wife, Marta DeSoto, who is also his former therapist.
They crossed paths in 2003 when DeSoto was undergoing training to become a psychologist at the same facility where Widerman was living. Throughout that period, DeSoto encountered him both in group sessions and one-on-one therapy. In 2006, Widerman ended his marriage with his previous spouse, whom he had also met under similar circumstances. Meanwhile, DeSoto decided to leave her job at the DOC. Eventually, in 2010, they got engaged and exchanged vows three years following a modest ceremony attended by Widerman’s mother and sister.
The Kane family strongly believes that the relationship between Wideman and the psychologists is further evidence supporting their contention that Wideman should not be released from prison. Kane emphasizes the rarity of a prisoner having not just one, but two relationships with licensed psychologists. He points out that Wideman had previous opportunities for relationships in prison, further strengthening the argument that this situation is not an isolated incident.
According to court records, Wideman spent thirty years behind bars before being granted house arrest in 2016. However, just eight months later, he was sent back to prison for allegedly not attending a scheduled meeting with a psychologist. In a recent filing, Wideman argued that his recall was unjustified and did not follow proper procedures.
According to Kane, he believes that the potential release of Wideman is motivated by political factors. He asserts, “There is undoubtedly a political agenda behind this decision.” Kane further argues that the Governor and Attorney General of Arizona, who lean towards a more liberal stance, are prioritizing reducing the prison population without considering the specific circumstances of cases like Wideman’s.
Despite the ongoing animosity between the two families, Kane emphasizes that his campaign is not driven by personal vendetta. “While it would be natural for me to focus solely on seeking justice for Jacob Wideman, the truth is that imprisoning him won’t bring my son back,” stated Kane. He further explained that the primary motive behind his crusade is to ensure public safety.