OH - Spencer and Monique Tepe found shot to death at home 2 children unharmed, Columbus, 30 December 2025 *ex-husband arrested*

[ttjo]

I am not sure what it is. It could be a shaving issue as you stay. But I believe he could be a risk for suicide. If he is a narcissist and bully, they can fall apart when backed into a corner.

Oh for sure but I think they would keep a pretty good eye on him for that reason.

 

[nerosleuth]

Oh for sure but I think they would keep a pretty good eye on him for that reason.

Taking into consideration that he left two small children orphaned, it wouldn't suprise me that he will likely be kept segregated from other prisoners for his own safety.

 

[Seattle1]

Capital Punishment in OHIO

Yes, Ohio legally has the death penalty [for crimes committed in 2025], but executions are effectively on hold due to Governor DeWine's moratorium, citing the state's inability to obtain lethal injection drugs, though efforts to find alternatives or repeal the law continue in the legislature. While the Ohio Supreme Court sets execution dates (like one for July 2025), the Governor postpones them, with some pushed to 2028, and no executions have occurred since 2018.

Key Points for Ohio in 2026:

• Legal Status:
  The death penalty remains a legal punishment in Ohio.
• Moratorium:
  Governor DeWine has halted executions, stating he won't resume them until new execution methods are approved or lethal drugs are available.
• Execution Dates:
  The Ohio Supreme Court still issues execution warrants, but they are postponed.
• Legislative Efforts:
  Bipartisan bills to repeal the death penalty and bills to allow nitrogen gas executions are moving slowly in the legislature.
• No Executions:
  The state hasn't carried out an execution in over six years, with none expected during DeWine's term ending in 2026.
  
  
  
  

 

[kwins]

Taking into consideration that he left two small children orphaned, it wouldn't suprise me that he will likely be kept segregated from other prisoners for his own safety.

I would think they would do this anyway because this case is somewhat high profile.

 

[kwins]

Forensics can determine if a suppressor was used, in a short range shooting anyway. Here is a link to a blog post on Forensic Bites discussing the study. The post links to an open access article in the Journal of Forensic Science. New method reveals if a silencer was used in a shooting

 

[stmichael]

I honestly believe this so how police had strong enough evidence to upgrade the charges to use of a suppressor. I think they likely have recording of muffled shots and prove with decibel recordings. Unless he was so absolutely stupid to leave the silencer on the weapon 11 days later in his home back in IL. Even then, it would be easy for defense to argue this if the suppressor was found in the home or on the weapon. Just MOO, I think they have solid concrete evidence for use of a suppressor to add it to the charges this early.

Does anyone know if ballistics can prove use of a silencer based on specific markings? I don’t know enough about firearms so I have no idea.

They found the murder weapon in his home in IL (that and using his own car with plates was his undoing. Like if you watch CSI on tv you know not to do that).

This was in Cook County IL, where suppressors are strictly prohibited (so are many long guns and high capacity magazines which he may have also possessed for all we know). Being found with one is a Class 3 Felony.

The past states where he lived; VA, NV, and OH (where he had a hunting license) all have the same suppressor friendly laws for NFA firearms (tax stamp for purchase). He probably purchased the suppressor in one of those states (if it was purchased legally through a Federal tax stamp that's easy to confirm) and snuck it into Cook County where it's the same in terms of illegality as having a kilo of coke. If they found it in his home that's a felony charge right there.

I don't know what collaboration or evidence they have in OH that a suppressor was used in the act definitively. We can only speculate. But adding that charge while committing a murder in OH penal code adds more time. It would be interesting what evidence they will put forth to substantiate that.

 

[Cassie P]

Oh for sure but I think they would keep a pretty good eye on him for that reason.

Yes. Any way you look at it, he is at risk.

-If he thought he would never get caught, he is now overwhelmed and in disbelief. And perhaps realty is setting in, and he cannot tolerate the loss of freedom.
-If because of his life setbacks, he checked out and felt his life was over, now that he has acted out some crazy revenge fantasies, he may feel there is nothing more to live for.
-If he was doing drugs, he is now in withdrawal and very uncomfortable. And perhaps more aware of what he has done.

 

[stmichael]

Yes. Any way you look at it, he is at risk.

-If he thought he would never get caught, he is overwhelmed and in disbelief. And perhaps realty is setting in, and he cannot tolerate the loss of freedom.
-If because of his life setbacks, he checked out and felt his life was over, now that he has acted out some crazy revenge fantasies, he may feel there is nothing more to live for.
-If he was doing drugs, he is now in withdrawal and very uncomfortable. And perhaps more aware of what he has done.

I just don't get how he thought this logically, holding onto the matching murder weapon in his home (not even attempting to throw it in a lake or woods in his multi-hour drive home) and being in possession of the car, using his car and plates in a city with cameras on every street (remember the ONLY probably cause in the arrest affidavit was his car, that he was in possession of it, and that it was on camera near the scene of the crime that night). That's basic TV crime drama stuff, and for realistic reasons. Leaving the spent casings sure, maybe he doesn't reload like me and he's not used to picking up his brass, but the two huge things (dispose of murder weapon, don't use own car/plates) could have easily been avoided, even by an amateur. I mean he couldn't have stolen some plates or masked them but he's willing to leave the murder weapon at home and have a class 3 felony suppressor in Cook County, IL?? I am very curious how "sloppy" the rest of the crime scene was and just how there wasn't more definitive surveillance footage (perhaps there was).

These things led me to speculate he was not consistently of sound mind, but just enough "there" in his rage or psychosis for a rushed premeditation (or maybe your point about substance abuse which may very well be a variable). Maybe he was savant smart in medicine, and just common sense dumb. I think he got lucky in many aspects; lax security by my standards, type of neighborhood that wasn't too nosy , city living desensitizes one to noises and activity, residential cameras and alarms that were more style over substance. etc.

 

[nerosleuth]

WTTE-TV in Columbus just reported on their 10:00 PM newscast tonight that MM will appear before a judge by the end of this week and that it will likely be on Friday.

WTTE-TV also had a local criminal defense attorney who is not representing MM talking about the possibility of MM being released on bail while awaiting trial on the charges he's facing.

The criminal defense attorney speculated that should MM be released on bail, he could be allowed to live at his home in Illinois or he could be required to live in Franklin County while awaiting trial.

 

[Knox]

WTTE-TV in Columbus just reported on their 10:00 PM newscast tonight that MM will appear before a judge by the end of this week and that it will likely be on Friday.

WTTE-TV also had a local criminal defense attorney who is not representing MM talking about the possibility of MM being released on bail while awaiting trial on the charges he's facing.

The criminal defense attorney speculated that should MM be released on bail, he could be allowed to live at his home in Illinois or he could be required to live in Franklin County while awaiting trial.

That defense attorney is out of his ever loving mind.

 

[sunspun]

Oh for sure but I think they would keep a pretty good eye on him for that reason.

He hasn't been pictured wearing a uniform given to inmates who are at risk of suicide, as far as I've seen. (What they call a turtle suit, those green uncomfortable blanket looking inmate uniforms)

 

[LetsSolvIt]

What do you make of that area?

Razor burn. OMO.

 

[nerosleuth]

That defense attorney is out of his ever loving mind.

I agree with you about that criminal defense attorney.

As far as bail is concerned, there are two possibilities here. The first one is that bail is denied and he's held without bail. The second one is that a very high bond is set for his bail.

Bail on murder and aggravated murder charges in Franklin County are usually set at one million dollars or more. And it's likely to be an all cash bond.

I'm guessing that a very high bond of a few million dollars or more will likely be set for MM. And that it's very doubtful that MM could even come up with that high bond amount to get out of the county jail.

 

[ssarahbg]

Forensics can determine if a suppressor was used, in a short range shooting anyway. Here is a link to a blog post on Forensic Bites discussing the study. The post links to an open access article in the Journal of Forensic Science. New method reveals if a silencer was used in a shooting

This is the question I had. Apparently GSR is the biggest piece of evidence to determine this based on this article. Ballistics will only help it is a homemade silencer. Homemade silencers will have striating marks that match the inside of the device vs commercial well made ones which leave virtually no marks on a fired round. Sounds like the examination of the wounds and GSR patterns at the crime scene likely gave them what they needed to upgrade the charges. If there were any recording devices (baby monitors/ cameras/ring cameras outside), they will only strengthen the evidence that forensics presents.

 

[Knox]

I agree with you about that criminal defense attorney.

As far as bail is concerned, there are two possibilities here. The first one is that bail is denied and he's held without bail. The second one is that a very high bond is set for his bail.

Bail on murder and aggravated murder charges in Franklin County are usually set at one million dollars or more. And it's likely to be an all cash bond.

I'm guessing that a very high bond of a few million dollars or more will likely be set for MM. And that it's very doubtful that MM could even come up with that high bond amount to get out of the county jail.

The circumstances of this crime completely warrant a no bond ruling - regardless of amount or all cash.

I know you’re only stating facts, not disagreeing. But it’s a horrifying possibility. Who knows what kind of retaliation he’s capable of against those who have spoken out against him.

 

[ttjo]

He hasn't been pictured wearing a uniform given to inmates who are at risk of suicide, as far as I've seen. (What they call a turtle suit, those green uncomfortable blanket looking inmate uniforms)

When do they take your mug shot? Before or after you get your prison issued gear. Looks like after with the black shirts no turtle suit for him.
. Side by sides one from Illinois, one from Ohio. He looks angrier in the newest one( right side)

 

[maamager]

When do they take your mug shot? Before or after you get your prison issued gear. Looks like after with the black shirts no turtle suit for him.
. Side by sides one from Illinois, one from Ohio. He looks angrier in the newest one( right side)

he looks defiant to me in the newer one, defiant rage.

 

[ttjo]

he looks defiant to me in the newer one, defiant rage.

Yes defiant, good description, staring straight into the camera not one hint of remorse on that face.

 

[sunspun]

When do they take your mug shot? Before or after you get your prison issued gear. Looks like after with the black shirts no turtle suit for him.
. Side by sides one from Illinois, one from Ohio. He looks angrier in the newest one( right side)

He would have seen his first mugshot before they took his second one. Maybe he didn't like the way he looked in it and tried for a different look in the second one.

In fact, he may have seen his first mugshot every day, many times throughout the day, because it's often used on the ID they give every inmate, that they keep with them while in jail. Some jails may not do that though.

And I think it varies when they take their mugshots, sometimes it's before they get "dressed in", sometimes after, when they're in inmate uniforms. I know I've seen plenty of mugshots where they're wearing the orange uniform, but also some in the green turtle suit, but then again, plenty in street clothes as well.

 

[ttjo]

The more I think about it, I wonder if they did get the incident time from the smart watches. What would be the odds that both watches recorded an incident at the same time or close? Can police get info off a smart watch the same way they can off a phone?