Ohio Man’s Confession to Killing Family Cannot Be Used in Court Due to Violation of Constitutional Rights
An Ohio man, Chad Doerman, who confessed to police that he killed his family, will not have his statement used in court following a judge’s ruling that his constitutional rights were violated. Clermont County Common Pleas Judge Richard Ferenc determined that authorities did not properly inform Doerman of his Miranda rights before interrogating him.
Doerman, 33, is on trial for the alleged murder of his three sons: 7-year-old Clayton, 4-year-old Hunter, and 3-year-old Chase. He was arrested on June 15 after using a rifle to kill all three boys, with his wife and daughter witnessing the shootings and flagging down a neighbor for help.
In the ruling made public last week, Ferenc stated that Doerman’s Miranda rights were violated as detectives failed to fully advise him of his rights before the interrogation. As a result, all statements obtained during the interrogation are now suppressed and cannot be used in the case.
During the arrest, Doerman repeatedly confessed to the murders, stating, “I did it. Take me to jail.” Court documents also revealed that he had been thinking about shooting his sons since October.
Doerman faces charges of aggravated murder, kidnapping, and felonious assault. His trial is set to begin in July, with a $20 million cash bond set for his release.
The judge’s ruling highlights the importance of upholding constitutional rights, even in cases as serious as this one. The decision to suppress Doerman’s confession will undoubtedly impact the outcome of the trial as the legal proceedings move forward.
