thomas cullen davis (born september 22, 1933 in fort worth, texas) is an american oil heir and the wealthiest man to have stood trial for murder.  the prosecution alleged he had forced a 12 year old girl into the basement of her home making her kneel before shooting her dead. a texas jury found him not guilty of the murder. the girl was the daughter of his second wife, who he had been separated from for two years, and was in the process of divorcing. cullen came to a settlement with the family of a man who was shot dead in the same incident, though contrary to what is sometimes said, he was never tried for that murder. ==life and murder trial== thomas cullen davis was born on september 22, 1933, in fort worth, texas. his wealth, which at the time of the trial was estimated at over a hundred million dollars, was inherited from his father who founded kendavis industries international, inc.. davis had a reputation in dallas society circles for displays of bad temper.the spokesman-review - nov 21, 1977, millionaires death case acquittal leaves doubts davis' second marriage was to priscilla lee childers. they were married on august 29, 1968, only hours after the death of his father. from her second marriage, childers had a daughter, andrea wilborn.texas monthly mar 1977 rich man dead man, gary cartright davis and childers separated and both began dating other people (davis later married his girlfriend). on 2 august 1976, shortly after a judge had granted a considerable increase in the support davis had to pay childers, an intruder entered her home and killed her 12 year old daughter andrea wilborn, who had returned from a bible school. when childers and her boyfriend, stan farr came back to the house unaware, both were shot and wounded, farr fatally. childers staggered from the house pursued by the killer as two family friends, drove up; one, gus gavrel jr, was shot by the killer and left paralysed for life. the body of wilborn, who had apparently been forced to her knees before being shot dead, was found in the basement. childers identified davis, saying he had shot her and farr while wearing no disguise except a wig. gavrel said he was shot outside the house after his companion recognised the gunman as davis and called him by name. davis was only tried for one of the murders, that of wilborn. his defence concentrated on the mother of the victim's love life during the 2 years childers had been separated from davis before the murder of her daughter. he was found not guilty by a texas jury. ==other trials== davis also won a civil case against him in relation to the murder of andrea wilborn. the children of stan farr later sued davis for wrongful death and received $250,000 in a settlement.{{cite news|last=maidment|first=paul|title=all the money in the world: criminally rich|url=http://www.forbes.com/2007/09/14/forbes-400-criminals-biz-cx_pm_0914criminals.html
1933_births American_businesspeople_in_the_oil_industry Living_people People_acquitted_of_murder People_from_Fort_Worth,_Texas