'Satan's Children' Didn't Inspire Murder: Wiezycki

TAMPA, FLA. – Joe Wiezycki, producer for Sterling International Films, discounts the theory that his motion picture "Satan's Children" in any way "inspired" the murder of 20-year-old Kenneth Robert Houston here March 6, 1975. The R-rated film had been completed a week before the slaying, described as being of a "satanic, occult" nature, on location just a few miles from the scene of the killing.

An 18-year-old girl described as a "witch" and her 19-year-old boyfriend, allegedly a "cult wizard," have been charged with first-degree murder by Tampa authorities.

"We just don't see any connection between this senseless murder and our picture," said Wiezycki, "other than the fact that these satan cults do exist and they worship the devil as opposed to God."

He and Gary Garrett, who wrote the screenplay, agree that "Satan's Children" may be "one of the most gory and frightening films of 1975 and has a storyline even more violent than the recent murder."

"Satan's Children" is being distributed in the U.S. by Rex Hansen Films.

(Boxoffice, 5/26/1975, p.10)