An Ohio judge ruled last week that an interrogation video cannot be shown at the trial of a man who allegedly confessed to killing his three sons last year.
Judge Richard Ferenc ruled that Chad Doerman’s rights were violated when Detective Michael Ross failed to read him his Miranda Rights verbatim, according to court documents obtained by The Docket. The judge also determined Doerman’s rights were violated — specifically his right to counsel — when questioning continued even after he said he wanted to speak with a lawyer first.
At last month’s hearing, Detective Ross admitted that he did not read Doerman’s Miranda rights in full — specifically neglecting to say he had a right to a lawyer before questioning, which Doerman’s attorneys said lasted more than three hours.
Ross said he mentioned Doerman’s right to a lawyer only after he started answering questions. At some point, Doerman reportedly told authorities that he wanted to talk to his father and a woman who he claimed was in the CIA, though neither were attorneys.
Ross testified, “He [Doerman] had made a comment that ‘the Bible says you kill your firstborn, you kill your second born, you kill your third born, but first you’re supposed to kill your wife. I didn’t kill my wife.’”
As a result of Judge Ferenc’s ruling, all statements obtained during the custodial interrogation and before the initial questioning are inadmissible in court.
Doerman is set to stand trial in August for fatally shooting his three sons, ages 3, 4, and 7, on June 15, 2023. Doerman allegedly carried out the execution-style murders in front of his wife and stepdaughter. He was also accused of planning his sons’ slayings for months before doing so.
Doerman allegedly shot his 4-year-old son twice in the head in their Monroe Township home before shooting the 7-year-old as he tried to run away. The 7-year-old was wounded from behind when Doerman then shot him twice in the head from close range, according to prosecutors.
After allegedly killing his two sons, Doerman then snatched his 3-year-old son from his mother’s arms and shot him in the head. Doerman reportedly shot his children’s mother in the hand during the triple murder.
The stepdaughter reportedly fled the home on foot and found a neighbor who called the police. Before police responded to the scene, the boys’ mother told a 911 dispatcher her “babies had been shot.”
The three boys were found dead in a yard, while Doerman was found sitting next to the rifle on the porch.
Doerman has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, kidnapping, and felonious assault. Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said he could face the death penalty due to aggravating factors in this case. Prosecutors have not revealed a motive.
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[Featured image: Chad Doerman/Clermont County Sheriff’s Office; Facebook]
