Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty For Florida Man Who Killed His Father, Mother and Brother
By Space Coast Daily // February 19, 2019
Amato accused of shooting his family members 'execution style'
ABOVE VIDEO: Prosecutors announced they intend to seek the death penalty for 29-year-old Grant Tiernan Amato after he is accused of killing his father, mother and older brother.
CHULUOTO, FLORIDA – Prosecutors announced they intend to seek the death penalty for 29-year-old Grant Tiernan Amato after he is accused of killing his father, mother and older brother.
The case qualified for capital punishment after the Seminole County Grand Jury indicted Amato for the First Degree Premeditated Murders of his father Chad Amato, 59; mother, Margaret Ann Amato, 61; and brother Cody Amato, 31.
The decision by prosecutors to seek the death penalty came after careful consideration of the evidence that proves Amato acted in a “cold, calculated and premeditated manner, without any pretense of moral or legal justification.”
A second aggravating factor is listed as a prior conviction for a felony offense that involved the threat or use of violence toward the victim(s).
A conviction for any of the murders charged in this case, qualifies as a prior conviction and can be used as an aggravating factor in a subsequent death penalty sentencing phase, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
The deaths occurred on Jan. 25 inside the Amato’s family home on Sultan Circle in Seminole County, where Amato allegedly gunned down his family in what police say was an “execution style” shooting.
In the arrest warrant, it alleges Grant Amato killed his parents and brother after getting into a fight with his family over an online relationship with a Bulgarian call girl.
Investigators say Grant Amato sent more than $200,000 of his family’s money to the ‘cam girl’.
The warrant says Grant Amato’s family tried to get help for the 29-year-old and sent him to a Fort Lauderdale rehab facility on a voluntary basis for internet and sex addiction in December and early January.
Related Story:Titusville Man Charged With Attempted First-Degree Murder, Numerous Drug Related Charges
When Grant Amato returned home in January, the parents asked him not to contact the woman, according to the warrant.
The arrest warrant says Grant Amato told investigators that his family had been blaming him for “ruining their lives” after he stole from them and disobeyed their rules, so he “might as well be blamed for this, too.”
According to a report from the Washington Post, Amato lifted around $150,000 from his parents, Chad and Margaret. His brother Cody lost $60,000; when that was gone, Amato allegedly stole his brother’s guns and sold them. Amato even allegedly took out a $65,000 loan on the house.
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