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

[SeesSeas]

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 5m5 minutes ago
He says he believes the popping sounds he heard were around 9A on the 25th. @MyNews13 #GrantAmato He also said he doesn't know what a gun shot sounds like from inside a home, but says they were loud popping sounds. Also says not unusual to hear those sounds in the area.

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 9m9 minutes ago
Defense now calls their 5th witness of the day to the stand, Rodney Funk. He lives near the Amato home. @MyNews13 #GrantAmato He says he heard popping sounds the morning of the 1/25.

Chanley Shá Painter‏ @ChanleyCourtTV 5m5 minutes ago
Defense Witness #5: A neighbor of the #Amato’s telling the jury he heard “popping sounds” “possible gunshots” around “9-ish” the morning of Jan. 25, 2019. #courttv

 

[SeesSeas]

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 2m2 minutes ago
She says she interviewed #GrantAmato on the morning of 1/25 and that he seemed calm. She says the interview appeared normal. His interview was scheduled for 10, but security notified her he was there nearly an hour early. She also says Grant looked, "creepy," & no job was offered

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 7m7 minutes ago
Defense now calling their 6th witness in the #GrantAmato trial, Erika Johannson, she works for a specialty pharmacy. @MyNews13

 

[SeesSeas]

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 2m2 minutes ago
Coors testifies that on 9/23/18 according to a sale transaction form for #GrantAmato his store purchased a rifle and 9 mm gun for about $600 from the defendant. @MyNews13

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 6m6 minutes ago
Defense now calls their 7th witness of the day, Sam Coors. He is a manager at Florida Pawn & Gun. @MyNews13 #GrantAmato #News13Seminole

 

[SeesSeas]

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 37s37 seconds ago
Judge Recksiedler informs the jury that closing arguments should take place tomorrow and informs the jury tomorrow can be another long day. Court adjourned. Court will resume tomorrow morning at 8:30. @MyNews13 #GrantAmato


Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 2m2 minutes ago
Jury asking Jason Amato if he knew his mother used marijuana. (there was a medicine bottle found in her car with some in it). He says, "No."

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 3m3 minutes ago
Defense asks if Jason Amato knew about marijuana growing at his parents house? He replies, "No." Jury now asking Jason questions. @MyNews13 #GrantAmato

Spectrum News Asher Wildman‏ @AsherWildman13 7m7 minutes ago
Defense now calling their 8th witness to the stand, Jason Amato, #GrantAmato's brother.

 

[Jewels53]

Grant Amato will testify tomorrow Wednesday July 31st. According to Court TV.

https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/

 

[SeesSeas]

Grant Amato trial: Prosecution rests; defense says Chuluota man accused of killing his family will ‘probably’ testify
JUL 30, 2019 | 7:08 PM
Prosecutors rested their case Tuesday afternoon in the trial of Grant Amato, the Chuluota man accused of killing his family in January.

The end of the state’s case comes one week after opening statements began, and after more than 20 witnesses and hundreds of pieces of evidence were presented to the jury. Testimony in the trial is expected to end Wednesday. Amato’s lawyers said he “probably” will testify.
[...]
Amato’s lawyers questioned Rubart about what they described as a central component to their defense during opening statements last week: a “nefarious combination” of drugs, guns and ammunition found inside the home.

Jurors saw pictures of the hydroponic marijuana-growing system found inside a brown, wooden armoire in Chad and Margaret Amato’s bathroom. Nothing was being grown inside of the closet.

Rubart also testified he found three large mason jars filled with marijuana in Chad’s closet, and smaller containers with marijuana in the bathroom and in Margaret Amato’s car. Nothing inside the home indicated the family was selling marijuana, Rubart testified.
[...]

 

[Jewels53]

• 
  
  

BREAKING: Lead defense attorney confirms to #CourtTV that #GrantAmato will testify Wednesday. Tune in at 8 am ET for LIVE trial coverage of FL v. Amato.

 

[SeesSeas]

Grant Amato Trial - YouTube
Grant Amato Trial
27 videos

22
1:06:47NOW PLAYING
Grant Amato Day 6 Witnesses Blake Turpin & Richard Ruth 073019
Law & Crime Network

23
1:23:49NOW PLAYING
Grant Amato Day 6 Witnesses: Richard Ruth, Edgar Perez & Eric Brothers
Law & Crime Network

24
1:18:22NOW PLAYING
Grant Amato Day 6 Witnesses: Jennifer Sawyer & Tera Jones - Forensic Pathologist
Law & Crime Network

25
1:14:05NOW PLAYING
Grant Amato Day 6 Witnesses: Arthur Rubart - CSA, Allison LaNeve Forensic Scientist
Law & Crime Network

26
1:11:10NOW PLAYING
Grant Amato Day 6 Witnesses: Sloan Young, Nicholas Stewart, Arthur Rubart & Rodney Funk
Law & Crime Network

27
17:43NOW PLAYING
Grant Amato Day 6 Witnesses Erica Johansson, Samuel Coors & Jason Amato
Law & Crime Network

 

[SeesSeas]

About the judge in this case. . .. I did some research and found this 2015 FL Supreme Court reprimand:

https://thefloridachannel.org/video...ing-a-judge-no-14-557-re-jessica-recksiedler/
6/3/15 Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments – Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 14-557, Re: Jessica Recksiedler, SC-15-311
Circuit Judge Recksiedler has been summoned before the Court to receive a public reprimand for ethical misconduct.

Florida justices reprimand Judge Jessica Recksiedler
The chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday reprimanded Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler of Sanford, telling her she had violated the public's trust when she failed to disclose a speeding ticket after a question by a judicial panel member.
[...]
She has a long history of speeding and other minor traffic violations.
She has been ticketed at least six times for speeding, several times for very high speeds, including once for driving 87 mph in a 55-mph zone.

VIDEO of 5-minute reprimand:
http://pvp.trb.com/media/3690581442...92001_ReprimandJudgeRecksiedler-060315-DG.mp4

 

[SeesSeas]

Same LIVE links today:

LIVE trial links today:
Watch Live: Grant Amato on Trial for Allegedly Killing Family over His Obsession with Cam Girl
https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/

 

[SeesSeas]

Chanley Shá Painter‏ @ChanleyCourtTV 6m6 minutes ago
#Breaking: Lead Defense Attorney Jeff Dowdy updates @CourtTV that he talked to Grant this morning and he has made the decision NOT TO TESTIFY.

 

[Jewels53]

Grant has decided to not testify after talking to Mark O'Mara (George Zimmerman former attorney).

 

[SeesSeas]

Court TV‏Verified account @CourtTV 2m2 minutes ago
BREAKING: Lead defense attorney, Jeff Dowdy, has confirmed that #GrantAmato will not testify.

Chanley Shá Painter‏ @ChanleyCourtTV 2m2 minutes ago
NOW: #GrantAmato is formally waiving his right to testify in front of judge outside the presence of the jury #courttv

Jeff Levkulich‏ @jlevkulichWFTV 2m2 minutes ago
#Breaking: #GrantAmato will not testify in his trial. #WFTV

1. Chanley Shá Painter‏ @ChanleyCourtTV 21s22 seconds ago
   Lead Defense Attorney Jeffrey Dowdy told #CourtTV this morning that he consulted fellow defense attorney and close friend Mark O’Mara about strategy, and told Court TV: “the decision is a fluid one and will ultimately be decided by Grant this morning.”
2. Chanley Shá Painter‏ @ChanleyCourtTV 2m2 minutes ago
   After confirming that #GrantAmato would take the stand - #CourtTV received word from a source close to the defense that the defendant was wavering in his commitment to testify.

 

[Niner]

I have to say - thanks again SeesSeas for the updates. I'm hopefully will have my laptop by tonight - and will definitely catch up.

 

[SeesSeas]

I have to say - thanks again SeesSeas for the updates. I'm hopefully will have my laptop by tonight - and will definitely catch up.

I'll second that, SeesSeas your coverage has been phenomenal. Many thanks.

Good luck with all of the 'catch up'.
You're welcome! I've enjoyed posting the updates.
I was looking forward to hearing Grant testify this morning. While it would be fascinating to observe, I think it's best that he doesn't testify. Strange case.

 

[enelram]

I'll second that, SeesSeas your coverage has been phenomenal. Many thanks.

 

[SeesSeas]

Chanley Shá Painter‏ @ChanleyCourtTV 10m10 minutes ago
CLOSING ARGUMENTS: in FL v. #GrantAmato will begin about 10:00am ET per Judge. The jury will be sequestered during their deliberations of this #DeathPenalty case.

Jerry Askin‏Verified account @JerryAskinNews6 17m17 minutes ago
Jury will be sequestered in hotel if they don’t reach a verdict today. #GrantAmato Trial

Jeff Levkulich‏ @jlevkulichWFTV 30m30 minutes ago
#BREAKING: Defense is resting their case. Asked for another motion of acquittal. Judge denied it. Jury will be able to go home and get belongings for sequestration. Then closing statements will begin. #GrantAmatoTrial. #WFTV

 

[enelram]

Can someone explain the background on the
family?
I've heard bits and pieces on the msm news.
One son was adopted, right? Jason? who is his mother and father?
Is Chad A. Grant's bio father?
Was Grant's mom married before to someone
else?
Not sleuthing, this has been in the news but
I'm not understanding and I'm just trying to
understand the family dynamics and how or if
this affected suspect's behavior towards other
family members.
thanks in advance

 

[SeesSeas]

Can someone explain the background on the family?
I've heard bits and pieces on the msm news.
One son was adopted, right? Jason? who is his mother and father?
Is Chad A. Grant's bio father?
Was Grant's mom married before to someone else?
Not sleuthing, this has been in the news but I'm not understanding and I'm just trying to understand the family dynamics and how or if this affected suspect's behavior towards other family members.
thanks in advance

I wish the media would get into these nitty-gritty details!
IIRC, Jason testified that Chad adopted him after his mom married Chad when Jason was 3 years old. Jason then testified about when his brother Cody was born and when Grant was born. Jason stated that Chad is the only dad he has known.
I don't recall Jason stating that his mom was previously married or divorced.
I assumed that Margaret gave birth to Cody and Grant and that Chad is their dad.
I was left wondering if Margaret had given birth to Jason as an unwed mother.

Below, I have posted a news article stating that "his mother remarried".
^^ I don't recall the word "remarried" in Jason's trial testimony, although I haven't re-watched the testimony. I could have missed it.

WATCH LIVE: Surviving brother of man accused of killing parents, brother testifying in court
Updated: Jul 26, 2019 - 5:16 PM
[...]
Jason Amato testified about the family dynamic in the Amato household as the three brothers were growing up.
He was overcome with emotion while talking about his late mother, father and brother.
Jason Amato said that when his mother remarried, Chad Amato adopted him as his son.
[...]

 

[SeesSeas]

Can someone explain the background on the family?
I've heard bits and pieces on the msm news.
One son was adopted, right? Jason? who is his mother and father?
Is Chad A. Grant's bio father?
Was Grant's mom married before to someone else?
Not sleuthing, this has been in the news but I'm not understanding and I'm just trying to understand the family dynamics and how or if this affected suspect's behavior towards other family members.
thanks in advance

I wish the media would get into these nitty-gritty details!
IIRC, Jason testified that Chad adopted him after his mom married Chad when Jason was 3 years old. Jason then testified about when his brother Cody was born and when Grant was born. Jason stated that Chad is the only dad he has known.
I don't recall Jason stating that his mom was previously married or divorced.
I assumed that Margaret gave birth to Cody and Grant and that Chad is their dad.
I was left wondering if Margaret had given birth to Jason as an unwed mother.

Below, I have posted a news article stating that "his mother remarried".
^^ I don't recall the word "remarried" in Jason's trial testimony, although I haven't re-watched the testimony. I could have missed it.

WATCH LIVE: Surviving brother of man accused of killing parents, brother testifying in court
Updated: Jul 26, 2019 - 5:16 PM
[...]
Jason Amato testified about the family dynamic in the Amato household as the three brothers were growing up.

He was overcome with emotion while talking about his late mother, father and brother.

Jason Amato said that when his mother remarried, Chad Amato adopted him as his son.
[...]

 

[enelram]

Thanks SS, so Grant was the youngest of the 3 boys?
Wonder if he was coddled, spoiled, allowed more discretion in discipline, etc. in the home?

Still can't get the leap from a seemingly stable
home life and murder looking at the crime from Grant's perspective.
Although it's been alluded to that he stole the
drugs from his past employer (Fl. Hospital),
did he continue on a drug induced spiral so far
down that he murdered his family?
Wonder what others here think?