Ohio man who executed his three son pleads guilty and avoids death penalty

Ohio Man Who Executed His Three Son Pleads Guilty and Avoids Death Penalty

August 2, 2024

CLERMONT COUNTY, OH — Chad Doerman, a 34-year-old Ohio man, pled guilty to aggravated murder charges on Friday, forgoing a potential death penalty trial. Doerman was accused of the heinous murder of his three sons—Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3—in June 2023 at their New Richmond home.

The tragic incident occurred on June 15, 2023, when Doerman lined up his sons and fatally shot them with a rifle in front of their mother, Laura, who was injured by gunfire during the event. Laura’s desperate 911 call reported that her children had been shot.

Ohio man who executed his three son pleads guilty and avoids death penalty
Photo: ohio man who executed his three son pleads guilty and avoids death penalty

Bodycam footage from the day captured Doerman calmly waiting for Clermont County Sheriff’s deputies on his front porch next to the rifle used in the murders. Upon their arrival, deputies restrained Doerman who was then recorded asking to be allowed to stand, claiming he would not cause further harm.

This plea allows Doerman to avoid the death penalty, which was initially sought by Clermont County prosecutors. He has been incarcerated since his arrest and will remain in custody following his plea.

Shore News Network

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.