GUILTY FL – Chad, 59, Margaret, 61, & son, Cody Amato, 31, fatally shot by other son, Chuluota, 25 Jan 2019

[Niner]

Wednesday, June 12th:
*Docket Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) – FL – Chad Amato (59) father, Margaret Ann (61) mother & Cody Winston (31) bro (Jan. 25, 2019, Choluota) - *Grant Tiernan Amato (29) arrested & charged (1/26/19) & arraigned (3/26/19) with 3 counts of 1st degree premeditated murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. $750K bond granted (4/25/19). DA will seek DP.
Trial set for 7/22/19.
1/28/19 1st appearance, arraignment set for 3/12. 3/12/19: Arraignment hearing moved to 3/26. 3/26/19: Not sure “how” he plead (no mention) at arraignment. Motion for an Arthur hearing is on 3/27. (An Arthur Hearing is a bond hearing for very serious felony offenses. Usually, a person is charged with an offense punishable by life in prison. The purpose of the hearing is for the judge to determine whether the person should be released pending trial. An Arthur Hearing is kind of like a mini-trial.). Arraignment hearing moved to 3/27.
3/27/19 Update: Bond denied. 4/25/19: Judge grants $750K bond ($250K for each victim). Next hearing on 5/15. 5/15/19: Defense files motion to suppress evidence-unlawful entry by LE. LE says it was a “well-being” check on Cody. Next Docket hearing on 6/12 & hearing on 6/14. Trial date is 7/22/19.

 

[SeesSeas]

Grant Amato’s lawyers ask judge to sequester jury, toss interrogation video for upcoming murder trial
JUN 11, 2019 | 5:30 AM
Lawyers for the Chuluota man accused of killing his parents and brother are asking a judge to sequester the jury for his upcoming trial, to prevent them from being influenced by news coverage of the slayings.

Jeff Dowdy, one of Grant Amato’s lawyers, made the request to Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler in a court motion filed Monday, saying, “The possibility of exposure to internet or social media by a juror during a trial is a preventable error that can cause years of unnecessary litigation.”
[...]
In a separate court motion filed Monday, another of Amato’s lawyers, Jared Shapiro, asked Recksiedler to prevent the jury in Amato’s trial from seeing an interview he gave detectives the day after his family members’ bodies were discovered.

Amato’s lawyers claim he was “illegally seized” for an interrogation by Sheriff’s Office investigators EvaMarie Multari and Daniel Anderson. His lawyers also claim Amato was not read his Miranda rights.

In the motion, Shapiro argued that the interrogation was “custodial,” meaning Amato was not free to leave. In a police report, Multari indicated the interview was voluntary.

Bob Kealing, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, declined to comment on the motion Monday, citing the open case.

Amato stayed at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office for about seven hours, speaking to Multari and Anderson about his relationship with his family and his whereabouts around the time of their deaths. He repeatedly denied having anything to do with the killings.

After the interview with detectives, Amato asked, “What am I allowed to do?”

“Live your life,” Anderson said.
[...]

 

[SeesSeas]

NOTICE OF HEARING - DATE: 06/14/2019 - TIME: 0900AM - CTRM: 5D
NOTICE OF HEARING - DATE: 06/19/2019 - TIME: 0900AM - CTRM: 5D
Criminal
Case Number:2019CF000337A
Case Style:STATE OF FLORIDA VS AMATO, GRANT TIERNAN
Dockets
DATE DOC# / PG# DOCKET CODE DESCRIPTION PAGES VIEW
06/11/2019 264 / 154 SUBP SUBP STATE ATTY INVESTIGATION RTD (5) 5
06/11/2019 263 / 153 SUBP SUBP STATE ATTY INVESTIGATION RTD (1) 1
06/12/2019 262 / 152 ANTD SECOND AMENDED NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITIONS 6/18/19 2
06/12/2019 261 / 151 ANTD AMENDED NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITIONS 6/18/19 2
06/12/2019 260 / 150 NOHR NOTICE OF HEARING - DATE: 06/14/2019 - TIME: 0900AM - CTRM: 5D 2
06/12/2019 259 / 149 NOHR NOTICE OF HEARING - DATE: 06/19/2019 - TIME: 0900AM - CTRM: 5D 2
06/11/2019 258 / 148 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/11/2019 257 / 147 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/10/2019 256 / 146 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (1) 1
06/10/2019 255 / 145 MOTN DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE 4
06/10/2019 254 / 144 MOTN DEFENDANTS MOTION FOR JURY SEQUESTRATION DURING TRIAL 15
06/10/2019 253 / 143 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/07/2019 252 / 142 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (1) 1
06/07/2019 251 / 141 WTLT DEFENDANTS SUPPLEMENTAL WITNESS LIST 1
06/07/2019 250 / 140 PRAE PRAECIPE WITNESS SUBPOENA ISSUED (1) 1
06/06/2019 249 / 139 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/06/2019 248 / 138 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/06/2019 247 / 137 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (2) 2
06/06/2019 246 / 136 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/06/2019 245 / 135 WTLT DEFENDANT'S SUPPLEMENTAL WITNESS LIST 1
06/06/2019 244 / 134 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/06/2019 243 / 133 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/06/2019 242 / 132 NOHR NOTICE OF HEARING - DATE: 06/19/2019 - TIME: 0900AM - CTRM: 5D 2
06/05/2019 241 / 131 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (4) 4
06/05/2019 240 / 130 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/05/2019 239 / 129 MOTN MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE ANY MENTION OF ANY INSURANCE POLICY OR TRUST ACCOUNT OF WHICH GRANT AMATO IS A BENEFICIARY 2
06/04/2019 238 / 128 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/04/2019 237 / 127 PRAE PRAECIPE WITNESS SUBPOENA ISSUED (1) 1
06/04/2019 236 / 126 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/03/2019 235 / 122.20 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (1) 1
06/03/2019 234 / 122.10 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (1) 3
06/04/2019 233 / 125 NOHR NOTICE OF HEARING - DATE: 06/19/2019 - TIME: 0900AM - CTRM: 5D 2
06/04/2019 232 / 124 MOTN MOTION TO DETERMINE PRETRIAL THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THE DEFENDANTS JAIL EMAIL PASSWORD HINT 9
06/04/2019 231 / 123 PRAE PRAECIPE WITNESS SUBPOENA ISSUED (1) 1
06/03/2019 230 / 122 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/03/2019 229 / 121 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/03/2019 228 / 120 SUPP DEFENDANT'S SUPPLEMENTAL WITNESS LIST 1
05/31/2019 227 / 119 PRAE PRAECIPE STATE INVESTIGATION SUBP (5) 5
05/30/2019 226 / 118 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
05/28/2019 225 / 117 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (2) 2
05/28/2019 224 / 116 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (10) 12
05/28/2019 223 / 115 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
05/28/2019 222 / 114 PRAE PRAECIPE WITNESS SUBPOENA ISSUED (2) 2
05/24/2019 221 / 113 SUBP WITNESS SUBPOENA RETURNED (3) 3
05/24/2019 220 / 112 PRAE PRAECIPE WITNESS SUBPOENA ISSUED (1) 1
05/24/2019 219 / 111 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
05/24/2019 218 / 110 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
05/24/2019 217 / 109 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 2
05/24/2019 216 / 108 PRAE PRAECIPE WITNESS SUBPOENA ISSUED (1) 1
05/24/2019 215 / 107 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
05/24/2019 214 / 106 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
05/24/2019 213 / 105 PRAE PRAECIPE WITNESS SUBPOENA ISSUED (3) 3
05/23/2019 212 / 104 DFMR DEFENDANT'S MAIL RETURNED AND REMAILED OPEN COURT MINUTES 1
05/23/2019 211 / 103 NOHR NOTICE OF HEARING - DATE: 06/19/2019 - TIME: 0900AM - CTRM: 5D 2

 

[Niner]

Friday, June 14th:
*Hearing (@ 9am ET) – FL – Chad Amato (59) father, Margaret Ann (61) mother & Cody Winston (31) bro (Jan. 25, 2019, Choluota) - *Grant Tiernan Amato (29) arrested & charged (1/26/19) & arraigned (3/26/19) with 3 counts of 1st degree premeditated murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. $750K bond granted (4/25/19). DA will seek DP.
Trial set for 7/22/19.
1/28/19 1st appearance, arraignment set for 3/12. 3/12/19: Arraignment hearing moved to 3/26. 3/26/19: Not sure “how” he plead (no mention) at arraignment. Motion for an Arthur hearing is on 3/27. (An Arthur Hearing is a bond hearing for very serious felony offenses. Usually, a person is charged with an offense punishable by life in prison. The purpose of the hearing is for the judge to determine whether the person should be released pending trial. An Arthur Hearing is kind of like a mini-trial.). Arraignment hearing moved to 3/27.
3/27/19 Update: Bond denied. 4/25/19: Judge grants $750K bond ($250K for each victim). Next hearing on 5/15. 5/15/19: Defense files motion to suppress evidence-unlawful entry by LE. LE says it was a “well-being” check on Cody. Next Docket hearing on 6/12 & hearing on 6/14. Trial date is 7/22/19.
6/12/19 Update: Defense files motions to sequester jurors & to suppress interrogation video. Hearing on 6/19 added.

 

[SeesSeas]

Attorneys want MRI, psychiatric evaluation for Seminole County man accused of killing his family
Updated: Jun 13, 2019 - 6:56 PM
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - Attorneys for the man accused of killing his parents and brother wants medical testing on his brain, specifically an MRI, as well as a psychiatric evaluation.

The motion was filed late Thursday afternoon claiming an evaluation is needed for possible defenses in the case of Grant Amato before his trial next month.
[...]
Amato's grandmother Gloria told investigators during an interview shortly after the murders of Chad, Margaret and Cody Amato that she believed Grant murdered his family.

Records also show Grant's aunt Donna stated she was beginning to believe he may have planned the murders for monetary gain.

Prosecutes believe that's exactly what happened, with Grant Amato's desire to be with Silvie, an online call girl, for whom he allegedly stole more than $200,000 from his family to pay for their online encounters.

Both Grant's grandmother and aunt Donna told investigators that Grant stole from them, when he showed up on their door steps in late December to stay with them, after a blowup with his family.

Much later, Donna discovered she had fraudulent activity on her credit card during the time Grant stayed with her for the website Grant used to communicate with the Bulgarian woman.

Chad allowed the line of credit to go through because he did not want Grant to get in trouble for fraud and wished to protect him, reports say.
[...]
Criminal
Case Number:2019CF000337A
Case Style:STATE OF FLORIDA VS AMATO, GRANT TIERNAN

Future Event(s):
TRIAL SCHEDULING CONFERENCE
06/19/2019 / 0130 PM
CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER, SANFORD
Judge: RECKSIEDLER, JESSICA J

Dockets
DATE DOC# / PG# DOCKET CODE DESCRIPTION PAGES VIEW
06/14/2019 285 / 163 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/14/2019 284 / 162 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/14/2019 283 / 161 MNF View Minutes MINUTES FOR MOTION BEFORE JUDGE JESSICA J RECKSIEDLER 2
06/13/2019 282 / 160 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/13/2019 281 / 159 PRAE PRAECIPE WITNESS SUBPOENA ISSUED (1) 1
06/13/2019 280 / 158 PRAE PRAECIPE STATE INVESTIGATION SUBP (1) 1
06/13/2019 279 / 157 MOTN MOTION FOR ORDER TO TRANSPORT THE DEFENDANT FOR MEDICAL TESTING AND MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER 3
06/13/2019 278 / 156 SUDI SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 1
06/12/2019 265 / 155 MNF View Minutes MINUTES FOR DOCKET SOUNDING BEFORE JUDGE JESSICA J RECKSIEDLER 2

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, June 19th:
*Trial Scheduling Conference Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) – FL – Chad Amato (59) father, Margaret Ann (61) mother & Cody Winston (31) bro (Jan. 25, 2019, Choluota) - *Grant Tiernan Amato (29) arrested & charged (1/26/19) & arraigned (3/26/19) with 3 counts of 1st degree premeditated murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. $750K bond granted (4/25/19). DA will seek DP.
Trial set for 7/22/19.
1/28/19 1st appearance, arraignment set for 3/12. 3/12/19: Arraignment hearing moved to 3/26. 3/26/19: Not sure “how” he plead (no mention) at arraignment. Motion for an Arthur hearing is on 3/27. (An Arthur Hearing is a bond hearing for very serious felony offenses. Usually, a person is charged with an offense punishable by life in prison. The purpose of the hearing is for the judge to determine whether the person should be released pending trial. An Arthur Hearing is kind of like a mini-trial.). Arraignment hearing moved to 3/27.
3/27/19 Update: Bond denied. 4/25/19: Judge grants $750K bond ($250K for each victim). Next hearing on 5/15. 5/15/19: Defense files motion to suppress evidence-unlawful entry by LE. LE says it was a “well-being” check on Cody. Next Docket hearing on 6/12 & hearing on 6/14. Trial date is 7/22/19.
6/12/19 Update: Defense files motions to sequester jurors & to suppress interrogation video. Hearing on 6/19 added.
6/14/19 Update: Defense Attorneys want medical testing on his brain, specifically an MRI, as well as a psychiatric evaluation. The motion was filed late Thursday afternoon claiming an evaluation is needed for possible defenses in the case of Amato before his trial next month. Next hearing on 6/19.

 

[SeesSeas]

Judge allows MRI for Seminole County man accused of killing family
Updated: Jun 19, 2019 - 6:19 PM
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - A judge ruled Wednesday that a man accused of killing his mother, father and brother could leave jail so he could undergo a brain scan.

Attorneys for Grant Amato originally asked for the magnetic resonance imaging scan to determine Amato's mental condition after officials said his motive to kill his brother and parents was a woman he met online for whom Amato allegedly stole more than $200,000 from his family.
[...]
Prosecutors and Amato's defense didn't have issue over the judge granting Amato's leave from the jail for one day under guard of Seminole County sheriff's deputies.

The information obtained from the MRI will remain under seal until needed by Amato's attorneys.
[...]

 

[SeesSeas]

Criminal
Case Number:2019CF000337A
Case Style:STATE OF FLORIDA VS AMATO, GRANT TIERNAN

Future Event(s):
JURY SELECTION
07/15/2019 / 0830 AM
CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER, SANFORD
Judge: RECKSIEDLER, JESSICA J

 

[SeesSeas]

Man accused of killing family members takes witness stand during hearing
Updated: 9:02 PM EDT Jun 19, 2019
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. —
A man accused of killing his parents and one of his brothers took the witness stand on Wednesday during a pre-trial hearing.

The state wants Grant Amato's jail email password hint used at his trial, saying it relates to his mindset at the time of the murders.
[...]
The jail password hint is Shinigami -- which, in Japanese culture, relates to a god or spirit of death.

Amato claimed he knew the character from an animated Japanese program, but that he didn't know its meaning.

"I didn't know what the exact definition was until it was presented to me in this case," Amato said.

The judge did not rule on whether the Shinigami reference will be heard by the jury.

 

[SeesSeas]

Grant Amato’s friends say he falsely tied his brother to ‘god of death’ while discussing anime in court
JUN 27, 2019 | 3:47 PM
Two friends of Grant Amato, the Chuluota man accused of killing his parents and brother in January, claim he lied while testifying about anime and Japanese culture during a court hearing last week.

In a joint statement released Thursday by the Seminole-Brevard State Attorney’s Office, Jericho Fine and Blake Turpin said Amato was “intentionally withholding and evading the truth” during the June 19 hearing while talking about “Death Note” and other animated shows.

The pair said they believe Amato is trying to “shift the focus from himself," instead implicating his dead brother, Cody Amato, as somebody who associated himself with Shinigami, a Japanese cultural equivalent to the Grim Reaper.
[...]
Authorities have previously suggested Grant Amato may have tried to implicate his brother in their parents’ killings. A handgun was found feet from Cody Amato’s body, and a Sheriff’s Office spokesman said it was "a reasonable assumption” that Grant tried to frame him.
[...]
His defense team has said they’ve seen no physical evidence tying him to the killings. Asked whether that was still the case Thursday, Jeff Dowdy, one of Amato’s lawyers, declined to comment “because we are so close to trial.” Amato faces the death penalty if convicted. His trial starts July 15.

Records released by the State Attorney’s Office Thursday include transactions from Cody Amato’s credit card in the days before and after his death. Grant Amato told detectives Cody Amato gave him his card the last time he saw his brother, the night before Cody Amato’s body was discovered.

According to the records, somebody purchased $600 worth of tokens on the adult website Grant Amato used to speak with the Bulgarian model the morning the bodies were discovered.

 

[Niner]

Monday, July 15th:
*Jury Selection begins (@ 1:30pm ET) – FL – Chad Amato (59) father, Margaret Ann (61) mother & Cody Winston (31) bro (Jan. 25, 2019, Choluota) - *Grant Tiernan Amato (29) arrested & charged (1/26/19) & arraigned (3/26/19) with 3 counts of 1st degree premeditated murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. $750K bond granted (4/25/19). DA will seek DP.
Trial set for 7/22/19.
1/28/19 1st appearance, arraignment set for 3/12. 3/12/19: Arraignment hearing moved to 3/26. 3/26/19: Not sure “how” he plead (no mention) at arraignment. Motion for an Arthur hearing is on 3/27. (An Arthur Hearing is a bond hearing for very serious felony offenses. Usually, a person is charged with an offense punishable by life in prison. The purpose of the hearing is for the judge to determine whether the person should be released pending trial. An Arthur Hearing is kind of like a mini-trial.). Arraignment hearing moved to 3/27.
3/27/19 Update: Bond denied. 4/25/19: Judge grants $750K bond ($250K for each victim). Next hearing on 5/15. 5/15/19: Defense files motion to suppress evidence-unlawful entry by LE. LE says it was a “well-being” check on Cody. Next Docket hearing on 6/12 & hearing on 6/14. Trial date is 7/22/19.
6/12/19 Update: Defense files motions to sequester jurors & to suppress interrogation video. Hearing on 6/19 added.
6/14/19 Update: Defense Attorneys want medical testing on his brain, specifically an MRI, as well as a psychiatric evaluation. The motion was filed late Thursday afternoon claiming an evaluation is needed for possible defenses in the case of Amato before his trial next month. Next hearing on 6/19.
6/19/19 Update: Amato took the witness stand on Wednesday during a pre-trial hearing. The state wants Amato's jail email password hint used at his trial, saying it relates to his mindset at the time of the murders. The jail password hint is Shinigami -- which, in Japanese culture, relates to a god or spirit of death, but that he didn't know its meaning. "I didn't know what the exact definition was until it was presented to me in this case," Amato said. The judge did not rule on whether the Shinigami reference will be heard by the jury. Judge grants Amato to have a brain scan (MRI). Jury selection begins 7/15.


Yes, I'll be shortening this up a bit.

 

[enelram]

WFTV Orlando reporting on jury selection which began today.

Jury selection underway for Seminole County man accused of killing family

 

[SeesSeas]

WFTV Orlando reporting on jury selection which began today.

Jury selection underway for Seminole County man accused of killing family

I'm impressed that the SPEEDY TRIAL is actually happening! Not often that the trial for a death penalty case starts six months after the murders.
Another article:
Grant Amato trial: Jury selection begins in case against Chuluota man accused of killing his family
JUL 15, 2019 | 9:27 AM
[...]
Recksiedler estimated jury selection could take the rest of this week, with the actual trial taking an additional week. If Amato is convicted, the second phase of the trial — when the jury would determine whether they would recommend the death penalty — would begin Aug. 12.
[...]
Amato claimed innocence in an interview with detectives and in emails he sent from the Seminole County jail. His lawyer, Jeff Dowdy, has said he’s seen no physical evidence tying Amato to the killings.

 

[SeesSeas]

Interesting family dynamics described in this article. [Graphic photo and details!]
Obsession, money, lies tore Grant Amato’s family apart. A jury will decide whether he killed them
JUL 12, 2019 | 5:30 AM
Margaret Amato was known for two things: loving her family and having a soft spot in her heart for horses that were being neglected.
[...]
Seminole County Deputy Todd Moderson arrived to 2112 Sultan Circle in Chuluota about 9 a.m. on Jan. 25 . . . [...]
He found Chad Amato dead in the kitchen, shot twice in the head and wearing a holster with a handgun. Cody Amato was found, shot below the eye, in a doorway between the home’s gym and garage, still wearing his nursing scrubs. Another handgun and Cody Amato’s work bag were lying feet away from his body. Margaret Amato, seated at her desk in her office, was likely shot first, investigators said.
[...]
That’s when Multari opened a folder with crime-scene photos. She placed a picture of Cody’s body in front of Amato. “Did you leave the house with your brother Cody looking like that?” Amato covered his face. Multari pulled out two more photos. “Or did you leave the house with your father looking like that? Or your mother? Is that how you left your family?”

“No,” Amato said, his voice breaking.

“Who did this to your family?” Multari asked. Amato looked at the photo of his mother, at the top of the stack, then covered part of his face again.

“No, I didn’t do any of this,” Amato said.
[...]
Margaret Amato’s death has left a void in her “horse family.”
[...]

 

[SeesSeas]

COURT TV is covering this trial: https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/

NEXT BIG TRIAL: Man Accused of Killing His Family Over His CAM GIRL OBSESSION

COURT TV
NEXT BIG TRIAL: Man Accused of Killing His Family Over His CAM GIRL OBSESSION
NEXT BIG TRIAL: 29-year-old, Grant Amato, is accused of killing his family over his Bulgarian CAM GIRL OBSESSION.
Amato spent nearly $200,000 on his online affair, with money he stole from his family. His mother, father, and brother were found shot to death in their home.

 

[MsArk]

Interesting family dynamics described in this article. [Graphic photo and details!]
Obsession, money, lies tore Grant Amato’s family apart. A jury will decide whether he killed them
JUL 12, 2019 | 5:30 AM
Margaret Amato was known for two things: loving her family and having a soft spot in her heart for horses that were being neglected.
[...]
Seminole County Deputy Todd Moderson arrived to 2112 Sultan Circle in Chuluota about 9 a.m. on Jan. 25 . . . [...]
He found Chad Amato dead in the kitchen, shot twice in the head and wearing a holster with a handgun. Cody Amato was found, shot below the eye, in a doorway between the home’s gym and garage, still wearing his nursing scrubs. Another handgun and Cody Amato’s work bag were lying feet away from his body. Margaret Amato, seated at her desk in her office, was likely shot first, investigators said.
[...]
That’s when Multari opened a folder with crime-scene photos. She placed a picture of Cody’s body in front of Amato. “Did you leave the house with your brother Cody looking like that?” Amato covered his face. Multari pulled out two more photos. “Or did you leave the house with your father looking like that? Or your mother? Is that how you left your family?”

“No,” Amato said, his voice breaking.

“Who did this to your family?” Multari asked. Amato looked at the photo of his mother, at the top of the stack, then covered part of his face again.

“No, I didn’t do any of this,” Amato said.
[...]
Margaret Amato’s death has left a void in her “horse family.”
[...]

BBM- Bizarre family dynamics to say the least. I am not one to pass judgment on how different families handle difficult situations but they did him no favors with the constant bail outs. Consequences are life’s way of teaching hard lessons, but IMO, are necessary to change.

Sad for the surviving brother/grandmother etc...

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, July 16th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 2) (@ 1:30pm ET) – FL – Chad Amato (59) father, Margaret Ann (61) mother & Cody Winston (31) bro (Jan. 25, 2019, Choluota) - *Grant Tiernan Amato (29) arrested & charged (1/26/19) & arraigned (3/26/19) with 3 counts of 1st degree premeditated murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. $750K bond granted (4/25/19). DA will seek DP.
Trial set for 7/22/19. Jury selection started 7/15/19.
Court hearings from 1/28/19 thru 6/19/19 reference post #51 here:
FL – Triple Homicide, 2 men & 1 woman fatally shot, Chuluota, 25 JAN 2019
7/15/19 Day 1: Jury Selection. Judge Recksiedler estimated jury selection could take the rest of this week, with the actual trial taking an additional week. If Amato is convicted, the second phase of the trial — when the jury would determine whether they would recommend the death penalty — would begin Aug. 12. Jury selection continues on 7/16.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Grant Amato trial: Jury selection begins Monday

 

[SeesSeas]

COURT TV
5 hrs ·
"I'm sorry. . . I don't believe you."
WATCH: Jason Amato speaks to his brother, Grant Amato, who is charged with the murder of their mother, father and brother in the *advertiser censored* Obsession Murder Trial

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2393477600939830

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, July 17th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 3) (@ 1:30pm ET) – FL – Chad Amato (59) father, Margaret Ann (61) mother & Cody Winston (31) bro (Jan. 25, 2019, Choluota) - *Grant Tiernan Amato (29) arrested & charged (1/26/19) & arraigned (3/26/19) with 3 counts of 1st degree premeditated murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. $750K bond granted (4/25/19). DA will seek DP.
Trial set for 7/22/19. Jury selection started 7/15/19.
Court hearings from 1/28/19 thru 6/19/19 reference post #51 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...tally-shot-chuluota-25-jan-2019.415402/page-3
7/15/19 Day 1 of Jury Selection. Judge Recksiedler estimated jury selection could take the rest of this week, with the actual trial taking an additional week. If Amato is convicted, the second phase of the trial — when the jury would determine whether they would recommend the death penalty — would begin Aug. 12. Jury selection continues on 7/16.
7/16/19 Day 2 of Jury Selection. Jury selection continues on 7/17.