In a tragic case that shocked the community, Chad Doerman, 33, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting deaths of his three young sons at their Ohio home. The sentencing took place on Friday, where a Clermont County judge handed down three consecutive life terms after Doerman pleaded guilty to aggravated murder charges. He was also sentenced to an additional 16 years on two felonious assault charges for injuring his former wife and stepdaughter.

Prosecutor Mark Tekulve initially sought the death penalty for Doerman in the June 15, 2023, murders of Clayton Doerman, 7, Hunter Doerman, 4, and Chase Doerman, 3, which occurred in Monroe Township. However, he later decided against it, taking into consideration the trauma the surviving family members endure every day. Speaking to reporters, Tekulve expressed the importance of relieving them from further agony.

According to prosecutors, Doerman, who was apprehended sitting on a stoop at the home, admitted to planning the killings and even chasing down one of his sons in a field after the child attempted to escape. Defense attorneys argued that Doerman was grappling with severe mental illness.

During the court proceedings, Laura Doerman, the children's mother and ex-wife of the defendant, tearfully conveyed the devastating impact the tragedy had on her life. She expressed her desire to cherish moments like pushing her boys on the swing, covering them up at night, and hearing their expressions of love. Her statement highlighted the profound grief, anger, and sadness she experiences daily with no outlet for her love.

In a statement issued through prosecutors after the sentencing, Laura Doerman expressed her agreement with the resolution of the case. Though she acknowledged that no punishment could bring back her boys, she insisted that having the guarantee that Chad Doerman would spend his life behind bars was what her family needed.

The prosecutor intends to disclose further details about the case at a news conference scheduled for Monday. In the meantime, Laura Doerman thanked prosecutors and first responders for their support and asked for privacy. She emphasized that her family mourns the loss of their boys each day but also encouraged people to remember them as the carefree, fun-loving children they were, who enjoyed fishing, go-karting, and swimming, and who were inseparable from one another.

The sentencing of Chad Doerman brings a sense of closure to a devastating chapter in the Doerman family's life. The community mourns the loss of three innocent lives and hopes to remember Clayton, Hunter, and Chase as the joyful boys they once were.