A “One Man Crime Wave” in DC Came to a Shocking End in 1980. Its Impacts Are Still Felt Today.

On December 5, 1980, one of strangest -- and most tragic -- true crime stories in Washington, D.C. history came to an end when cardiologist Dr. Michael Halberstam was shot during a botched burglary at his home. Bleeding heavily, the doctor jumped in his car and ran over his fleeing assailant before dying on the operating table at Sibley Hospital.
When police located the injured gunman, they unraveled a bizarre story. From what he had told his neighbors in upscale Great Falls, Virginia, he was a family man named Norm Heiman. He was in the estate sale business and had with three kids with his common law wife, Linda Hamilton. In reality, he was an escaped convict named Bernard Welch, who was one of the most prolific burglars in American history -- a one man crime wave who lived a double life and ravaged the DC area for years.
In April of 1981, Welch was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 143 years in prison. Following the criminal case Dr. Halberstam's widow filed a civil suit against Welch and Linda Hamilton. The case quickly focused on her role in Welch's criminal enterprise. She admitted to helping him with the sale of property and putting business paperwork in her name but claimed to be in the dark about his true identity or occupation.
Considering the mountain of evidence in their Great Falls home, the court was skeptical. It provided a detailed breakdown of aiding and abetting and found Hamilton liable in Dr. Halberstam's death. The case proved to be a landmark legal precedent in unexpected ways.
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“Boundary Stones” is an animated history series from WETA which brings the rich histories of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia to life. Using historic photos and archival footage, “Boundary Stones” tells the stories of the past: pivotal events, strange-but-true tales, and the myths and legends from the DMV. From Black history to unique D.C. protests, true crime to civil rights, and more - “Boundary Stones” is your home for D.C. history.
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[@user-id9fo6kl1x]

His bigger mistake was to enter his house when he saw that it had been broken into. Time to call the police.

[@Arborist1959]

I just got out of the Navy I lived in Fairfax county Welch lived in Great Falls and he did hundreds of high end burglaries until Dr. Halberstan ran him over with his car after being shot by Whelch!When they searched his house the found millions in bullion and jewels!

[@douglasgoralski1639]

“They say I destroyed [Halberstam’s] life, but he destroyed mine.” -- Bernard Welch Spoken like the true sociopath or psychopath he was.

[@user-fy3qc4dj1d]

Dr. Halberstam, brother of noted Vietnam era author and NYT news reporter David Halberstam, e.g. “The Best and the Brightest”, made a fatal mistake after he was shot. Instead of remaining still and waiting for the ambulance and EMTs, he jumped in his car and tried to drive himself to Sibley Hospital. As a result, he lost a great deal of blood and it was too much for his body. It was ironic that as a result of his actions on the way to the hospital he ran over his assailant and injured him seriously which enabled the police to find him and arrest him hiding in a nearby neighbor’s garden. As a cardiologist Dr. Halberstam should known better. His brother, David, died as the result of an automobile accident in 2007 at age 73.

[@user-pf6ib3ue5s]

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