Dad lined up his 3 sons and executed them in a ‘firing squad’ style in front of their mom

August 4, 2024 Gloria Shaw

In a heart-wrenching case from Ohio, 33-year-old Chad Doerman, will escape the death penalty after pleading guilty to the cold-blooded murder of his three young sons, 7-year-old Clayton, 4-year-old Hunter and 3-year-old Chase.

The horrific crime, which took place in June 2023, shocked the nation.

On June 15, 2023, bodycam footage revealed Doerman’s arrest at the New Richmond home where he had lined up his sons and executed them with a rifle, all in front of their mother, Laura Doerman, who desperately called 911 after being wounded in the hand.

When deputies arrived, they found Doerman calmly waiting on the front step with the rifle beside him. He was quickly taken into custody after a chilling exchange with officers.

Doerman had asked his family to join him for a nap in a bedroom at their home, just days before Father’s Day, only to carry out a meticulously planned massacre.

Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said that before Doerman opened the gun safe, he “read the Bible” to his three sons and told them they were the “best boys in the world.” He then opened the gun safe and grabbed his .22 rifle.

When he started acting erratically, his wife and sons thought he was going to “commit suicide.” They begged him to put down the gun and told him they loved him, not knowing that his intentions were to “kill them,” according to Tekulve.

Doerman told them, “It’s too late now,” before opening fire. He shot Hunter first, then Clayton as he tried to flee, and finally ripped Chase from his mother’s arms before shooting him in the head. He also bit his wife and shot her through the thumb when she tried to pull the rifle away from him to save her sons.

Doerman’s methodical cruelty was underscored by his months of planning and sleepless nights leading up to the murders.

Despite initially facing the death penalty, Doerman’s defense shifted to a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity after a judge ruled that his Miranda rights were violated.

Clermont County Court of Common Pleas Judge Richard P. Ferenc found that a detective failed to properly advise the Doerman of his Miranda rights and continued to question him after he asked for an attorney. He barred the state from using any and “all statements” the suspect made during his interrogation.

Doerman entered the courtroom to changed his plea from not guilty by reason of insanity to plead guilty to three counts of aggravated murder. This strategy change led to a plea deal, sparing him from execution in exchange for life without parole.

Doerman, who is also an abusive husband, acknowledged his actions and the brutal impact on his family. His stepdaughter, Alexis, delivered a powerful victim impact statement, reflecting on the irrevocable changes to her life and family.

The mother, Laura, expressed her profound grief and the perpetual replay of that horrific day in her mind. She emphasized the unforgettable loss and the permanent hole left in her heart.

Chad Doerman’s sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole closes the criminal chapter, but the memory of Clayton, Hunter and Chase lives on. Their family remembers them not for the tragedy but for the joy, love and laughter they brought into the world.

The boys, who loved fishing, go-carting and baseball, are now remembered through community support and heartfelt tributes, ensuring their spirits remain ever-present in the hearts of those who knew and loved them.