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Archived story · published November 9, 2026. Coverage reflects reporting at the time. See today's brief

Business & Finance · November 9, 2026

T. Cullen Davis, a Texas oil tycoon acquitted in a 1970s murder trial, has died at 93

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T. Cullen Davis, a Texas oil tycoon who was the center of two high-profile 1970s legal battles, has died at the age of 93. Davis died Friday at his home in Colleyville, Texas, according to his son. He was famously acquitted in 1977 of the murder of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Andrea Wilborn, and was later acquitted in a separate alleged murder-for-hire plot. At the time of his trials, Davis was considered the wealthiest person to ever stand trial for murder, with an oil fortune estimated at $400 million. Despite being identified by survivors of the 1976 mansion shooting, including his estranged wife Priscilla Davis, he consistently maintained his innocence throughout his life.

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Reported by multiple outlets

  • T. Cullen Davis died at age 93 at his home in Colleyville, Texas
  • Davis was a Texas oil tycoon
  • He was acquitted of murder in a 1970s trial related to a shooting at his Fort Worth mansion
  • He was acquitted in a separate alleged murder-for-hire plot
  • The 1976 shooting occurred during a contentious divorce from his second wife, Priscilla Davis
  • Two people died in the shooting: 12-year-old Andrea Wilborn and 30-year-old Stan Farr
  • Three survivors identified Davis as the gunman
  • Davis's first murder trial ended in a mistrial due to juror misconduct
  • He was defended by attorney Richard 'Racehorse' Haynes
  • His death was confirmed by his son, Trey Davis

Reported by only some outlets

  • The shooting involved a gunman wearing a black wig
  • Davis's empire was valued at $400 million at the time of the trial
  • The second murder trial ended in an acquittal in 1977
  • Davis was arrested for solicitation of capital murder nine months after his acquittal

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