Grant Amato Trial Prosecution Opening Statement

Grant Amato, 29, stands trial in Seminole County, Florida. He killed his mother Margaret Amato, 61, father Chad Amato, 59, and his brother Cody Amato, 31, after they confronted him for stealing about $200,000 to fund an obsession over a Bulgarian call girl. Charges are three counts of first-degree premeditated murder. If convicted, he faces the death penalty.

The three victims were found dead at home last January 25, according to records obtained by Law&Crime. They’d been having problems with the defendant, investigators said. He previously stole about $50,000 from his brother Cody, and $150,000 from their father. Things became so bad that their dad laid down an ultimatum, authorities said: take a 60-day Internet and sex addiction rehab program, or leave home. He only took just shy of two weeks, but was allowed to stay at the residence anyway. He had to follow certain rules–he had to stop communicating with the call girl, authorities said.

Thing allegedly came to a head when the father kicked Grant Amato out of the residence after learning he was stilling keeping in touch with the call girl.

The defendant did not admit to the crime when speaking to authorities.

Towards the end of the interview, while viewing crime scene photos of his dead family members, GRANT AMATO was asked if he had any remorse for the killings of his mother, father and brother. GRANT AMATO’s response was his family had been blaming him for months for ruining their lives, stealing and not following the rules of the home, so he might as well be blamed for this too.

Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the trial began.
#GrantAmatoTrial

[mrssperry]

Cool alien voice to start us off haha! Unless that was just on MY end lol

[kroonlucas]

"Excuse me M'lady, professional Fortnite gamer here. I drive a BMW. Please respond"

[yvettewilliams]

This has to be one of the saddest stories ever 😭....The Amatos did everything for this guy, even after he'd stolen from them on many occasions, stolen from other family members, refused to work, at almost 30 yrs old wanted to lay around and play video games & be online for hours on end with a girl who was not in any relationship with him, she was simply doing her job and he repays his mom, dad and brother by gunning each of them down???!!! SICKENING

[eternally]

He had a good family that literally set him up for success and he still found a way to be bitter

[antiquemacabre]

Are they short-staffed and the judge is doubling as the court reporter?

[McCookieParty]

I couldn't believe it was true that he actually killed his mother father AND older brother that was also his best friend and biggest supporter through life OVER a woman he had to PAY by the minute to talk to and see on a webcam. What a waste.... Rest in Peace Amato family.

[celestelegare-Breezy]

Killing someone over $ is disgusting in itself. But killing your own family! The other brother better be lucky he wasn't there or he would've been murdered also.

[politelyimpolite]

People are saying that the prosecutor is not lively etc. This is not a TV series - his job is to present facts leading to a conclusion or many conclusions. That is what he is doing.

[mrpopofromdbz]

I remember hearing about this case. Didn't expect a trial so soon. People ruin their lives over the stupidest things.

[craigandroid]

when ever you feel like you failed in life, you may look this

[plixie]

He had no feelings for those around him. but loved a cam girl who collected money from many men the same chatroom.

[rayray]

This is the first time I’ve seen a courtroom where the judge also appears to work as the court reporter.

[SuperZytoon]

How cold and heartless can a person be to annihilate his family. He looks soulless. He lies in wait to carry out his plan and uses the methods of a coward.

[tangie_]

WHY was this judge TYPING through the entire opening statement? So unprofessional and beyond distracting and disrespectful.

[tinafish]

That keyboard clacking from the judge is so disruptive...

[maryannanderson]

It seems to me that this monster is sitting there not regretting a thing he has done except possibly getting caught. In the description of this video, the YouTuber who posted this said, "GRANT AMATO’s response was his family had been blaming him for months for ruining their lives, stealing and not following the rules of the home, so he might as well be blamed for this too". They didn't just BLAME him for ruining their lives, stealing, and not following the rules of the home, it is a FACT that he stole from them and did not follow the rules of the house and if someone stole $200, 000 from me it would pretty much ruin my life, at least temporarily. So yeah, Grant, you were blamed for these things, and you actually committed these things. Also, you didn't deny stealing the money and not following the rules of the house because one of the rules of the house was to stay away from the scammer who found in you a sucker she could use and get a LOT of money from. Thank you for admitting you also murdered three members of your own family. Sometimes when a man looks like a freak, he really is a freak!

[donnacox]

The state attorney, bless him. He is not good as a lead. Pulling teeth to get his opening statement out and read everything.

[madilowe]

Ugggh I pass that house everyday it’s so sad and so creepy

[RoyClendaniel]

This guy is who the death penalty is for

[wigglethemiddle]

This is one of those rare cases where death is the appropriate penalty