Life Sentence for Triple Murder
A Clermont County judge has sentenced Chad Doerman, 33, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting deaths of his three young sons at their Ohio home last year. On Friday, Doerman received three consecutive life terms after pleading guilty to aggravated murder charges. He was also sentenced to an additional 16 years for injuring his former wife and stepdaughter.
The Tragic Incident
Prosecutor Mark Tekulve initially intended to seek the death penalty for the murders of Clayton Doerman, 7, Hunter Doerman, 4, and Chase Doerman, 3, which occurred on June 15, 2023, in Monroe Township, about 75 miles west of Columbus. However, he reconsidered due to the ongoing trauma experienced by the surviving family members.
“My job, as I saw it this week, was to relieve them of that additional agony,” Tekulve told reporters on Friday.
Details of the Crime
Doerman was taken into custody after being found sitting on a stoop at the home. He confessed to having planned the killings and pursued one of the boys into a field after the child tried to escape. Defense attorneys argued that Doerman was suffering from severe mental illness.
Impact on the Family
Laura Doerman, the children’s mother and Chad Doerman’s ex-wife, wept in court as a prosecutor read her statement describing how her life had been “ripped away” and “destroyed.”
“I would do anything to push them on the swing, cover them up one more time and hear their little ways of saying, ‘I love you,’” she said. “… I have anger, frustration, and so much sadness. Grief will never go away because it is all the love that is left with no place to go.”
In a statement issued through prosecutors after the sentencing, she expressed agreement with the case’s resolution, emphasizing that no punishment could bring her boys back but acknowledging that ensuring Doerman remains behind bars for life is best for her family.
Prosecutor’s Statement and Future Plans
Prosecutor Tekulve plans to reveal more details about the case at a news conference on Monday. He acknowledged the ongoing grief of the surviving family members and the first responders who were involved.
