A father who lined up his three sons and shot them dead will spend the rest of his life in prison after accepting a plea agreement.
Chad Doerman, 33, admitted killing his sons Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3, when he was arrested on June 15, 2023, in Monroe Township, 20 miles east of Cincinnati.
He burst into tears after pleading guilty to three counts of aggravated murder in Clermont County Superior Court on Friday.
Doerman also pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting his then-wife, who tried to stop the killings, and his stepdaughter.
Chad Doerman pleaded guilty in Clermont County Superior Court on Friday to three counts of aggravated murder
He admitted to killing his sons Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3, when he was arrested on June 15, 2023, in Monroe Township, 20 miles east of Cincinnati
Judge Richard Ferenc sentenced Doerman to three life sentences without parole, and a minimum of 16 years for the assault charge.
Doerman was initially charged with 21 counts, including nine for murder. The plea agreement meant that the death penalty was no longer considered.
His then-wife, Laura Doerman, told the court she agreed to the plea deal, which meant she would not have to relive the murders during a trial.
“I completely agree with the manner in which the criminal case was resolved, and the decision to end the criminal case with a plea and multiple life sentences gives finality to the case for my daughter and me,” she told the court through a victim advocate.
“No punishment will ever bring my boys back. The assurance that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars is the best thing for my family.
“Remember them as the three little boys who loved fishing, go-karting and swimming. Remember them as the little boys who were always at the baseball field or running around outside.
Doerman updated his Facebook page to post this photo just six days before the murders
Doerman will serve three life sentences without the possibility of parole, but will not receive the death penalty
Remember them as the fun-loving boys who were inseparable from each other.
“Their lives aren’t just about what happened to them – they’re so much more than that. I love you Clayton, Hunter and Chase.”
Prosecutors say Doerman had been planning the executions for months.
Doerman allegedly lined up the boys and fatally shot them with a rifle. Their mother was also injured when she tried to protect them.
Chief prosecutor David Gast said during Doerman’s arraignment that one of the boys tried to flee to a nearby field, but Doerman “chased him down” and took him to their home, where he killed him.
Officers responded to the Monroe Township home shortly before 4:30 p.m. after receiving two 911 calls, one of which was apparently from the mother screaming that “her babies were shot.”
A child’s bicycle, along with evidence markers, in the front yard of the Monroe Township home
Police bodycam footage shows the arrest of Chad Doerman, who was sitting on the stoop of his home when police arrived after he allegedly shot his three sons, ages 7, 4 and 3.
Another report came from a passing motorist who said a girl was running down the street saying her father was killing people.
Officers found three boys with gunshot wounds outside the house and attempted to save their lives, but the children died at the scene.
Harrowing police bodycam footage shows the moment officers arrive to find Doerman calmly standing next to his gun, moments after he allegedly executed his young sons.
Doerman was arrested without incident after being found on the steps of his Ohio home.
“I’m not going to hurt anyone,” Doerman told the arresting officers, telling them his dog wouldn’t bite them.
“Shut up, man. You have the right to remain silent. Use it, damn it,” a deputy tells him.
A crying Doerman appeared in court on Friday for his summons
According to the sheriff’s office, the 34-year-old mother, who has not been identified, was outside the home and was shot in the hand while trying to protect her sons from their father.
Doerman’s father, Keith Doerman, said he and his wife are “still trying to understand” how their son could have killed his own sons, but added that they have “no answers.”
“He just snapped,” Keith said. “There was something in his life that he couldn’t handle anymore. I can’t talk to him, they won’t let me talk to him, so I don’t have any answers. He’s probably been hiding a lot of things from me.”
Detective Michael Ross said that during an interview, Doerman said, “The Bible says you’re supposed to kill your firstborn, you’re supposed to kill your second child, you’re supposed to kill your third child.
“But first you have to kill your wife. I didn’t kill my wife.”