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CLEVELAND (AP) — A chef who admitted fatally shooting two housekeepers at an assisted living facility in suburban Cleveland is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty and saying he can't explain a motive for the murders.
A judge in Cleveland sentenced 56-year-old Frank Staton to 66 years to life in prison Tuesday after the Chardon man pleaded guilty to eight counts, including aggravated murder and other charges. His trial had been scheduled for next month.
Staton told the judge he can't explain why he repeatedly shot Terri Treadway and Catherine Sutter, both 58, at Hamlet Village in Chagrin Falls before shooting himself once. Staton was hospitalized for more than a week after the March 24 shootings.
Treadway was Staton's girlfriend at the time, according to the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office.
The women's relatives advocated a harsh sentence.
Sutter's son, Jason Sutter, indicated in court that he doesn't think prison is a sufficient sentence for Staton, cleveland.com reported.
"Today is a day I will remember as well, as the day I lost faith in the justice system," Jason Sutter said. "An animal like you should be destroyed."
Treadway's sister, Sandy Sable, urged the judge to impose a stiff sentence and drew a stark contrast between Treadway and Staton, according to cleveland.com.
"She was the most sharing, most caring person I know," Sable said. "He was a failure as a father, a companion and a man."
Staton's family didn't speak at the sentencing.
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