John R. Sutton, a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, has practiced law in the Miami area since 1972. John Sutton, son of William and Damaris Sutton, b. Now imagine the year is 1846. Christopher is sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. "How did [Christopher] react when this happened?" He wasn't serious," John replied. Give us feedback, share a story tip or update, or report an error. Its definitely flying some flags, said Roseanne Cordero-Stuts, a former homicide detective in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He said that his parents were - worth about $500,000 to a million dollars and they had life insurance. "I was shocked," he told Dateline of the verdict, "to know you didn't do something and to have people feel you did." Incredibly, it wasn't the first time, prosecutors say, Christopher had tried to execute such a plan. Belyeu says Garrett drew a sketch of how he got into the house. SoJohns will didnt just emancipate Lucy and their children. It's hard to know I'm going to jail for something I didn't do. And because the testators not around anymore to prove to us that he really was acting of his own free will when he disinherited a child, or favored a late-in-life lover, or bequeathed his estate in any other waythats contrary to generally accepted norms, the second-hand hearsay testimony these cases turn on acts as a sort ofRorschach test. Garrett Kopp, 21, was brought in for questioning. We can talk about the facts. Det. Teddy Montoto's gun didn't match the murder weapon. Roberts asked. We can talk about the books. As a teenager, he destroyed his teachers house. The petition went on to say, Your petitioner further showeth unto your Honor that said John Sutton being of sound mind and disposing memory aforesaid was incompetent to make any disposition of the property by will according to the law and that the instrument of writing which he has called his last will is null and void. Similar to the language that wed have today in a will contest, the same allegations, undue influence, fraud, lack of capacity. What Ive learned in this process as I began to dig in further and do my own research and fill out the contours of the novel that Im trying to write is a little bit aboutthe importance of history. Surveillance cameras showed that her boat never left the marina where it was docked. Hopefully that made an impact on the jury.". I know that I stand on the same ark of history with John and Lucy and their children. "There was actually bullet holes through the comforter," Belyeu said. As their night finally winds down however, an armed intruder suddenly enters their bedroom firing reckless gunshots that kill Susan but leave John severely wounded in the head. / CBS News, Produced by Patti Aronofsky[This story previously aired on July 16, 2011. His wifes murder was kept from him while he recovered and stayed in the hospital until mid-September. "What a stupid, criminal, ridiculous thing this all was." But if prosecutors Hoague and Carin Kahgan wanted Garrett to testify, it was going to cost them. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! "I did not at all believe that he was behind this," she said. Ive been practicing law for over 25 years. "The fact that people could even think that I would know something like that. Those sorts of things," said John. I really wasn't doing anything that was horribly wrong.". They even got a retraining order against their 16-year-old son. Surveillance cameras showed their boat never left the dock where it was docked. Your entire world just blew up.". But police were hearing alarming stories about Christopher. She insists, though, that she never knew Christopher would actually try and kill his parents. Christopher: I was what -- what they called in denial. John Sutton described a troubled relationship with his sonwho prosecutors portray as being angry about being sent away to a boarding school in Samoa for children with behavioral problemsas. Juliette told police Christopher was furious. Its the perfect storm for a will contest. I lost my eyesight ". I lost Christopher long before that. According to Terry, at that time in the State of Florida if you had emancipated slaves, you had an obligation to pay a thousand dollar bond for each one of them (I dont know what the bond premium was), lest they become a burden on the people of the State of Florida, and they were required to leave the State within 30 days.. Roberts asked Rogers. "To think that I would let something like that happen to John and Susan!" You know, I was in shock. ", "Uh huh. ", Asked if he thinks about his family, Christopher told Roberts, "All the time, absolutely. John R. Sutton is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer in Florida, has been licensed to practice law in the state since 1972, and has been a board-certified civil trial lawyer continuously since 1985. Police say what happened in Samoa more than 15 years ago, may hold the clue to solving the case. "Susan taught me about like makeup and clothes and all of that stuff," she said, getting emotional. John Sutton. She suspected Montoto was hiding something. In an instant, Bam! I never threatened her with that," said Belyeu. The prosecution said in court filings that Christopher Sutton had been threatening since 1996 to make his parents pay for sending him to the Samoan school, reports the Miami Herald in an article published within a year or so after the killings. (Today) from 7 to 9 pm with funeral services Friday 10:00 AM in . "When you learned about the shooting at the Sutton home what were you thinking?" John R. Sutton Melbourne 84, 26-Nov, Life Event Center of Florida Memorial . Not surprisingly, the will was contested. It was one big mess.". "Yes," Marier replied. A man named Garrett Kopp had been arrested less than 24 hours after the shooting for assaulting someone with a gun in another part of Miami. They have two adopted children. He and his girlfriend were at the movies - and can be seen on the theater's security cameras. He finally owned up to the fact that he and Susan were having an affair. Ralph Yarl replaying the shooting over and over again, mom says, Russian court rejects appeal by U.S. reporter held on spying charges, High-stakes showdown between Dominion and Fox News set to begin in Delaware court, Supreme Court to weigh case of postal worker who refused to work on Sundays, Russia says Putin has paid another visit to occupied ground in Ukraine, U.S. diplomatic convoy fired on in Sudan as intense fighting continues, Mexico president slams U.S. "spying" after 28 cartel members charged, FDA clears second bivalent COVID boosters for some Americans, Renowned climber Noel Hanna dies on Nepal's treacherous Annapurna, Digital evidence leads to clues in deaths of friends dumped outside LA hospitals, Chilling details revealed in JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan deaths, "48 Hours" obtains never-before-seen footage of mysterious killer, Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell case: A timeline of events, NYPD detective worked to change system she says let her down. Bruce Fleisher: You need to tell us something Garrett, because they're going to fry your ass in the electric chair. Belyeu: Did Christopher tell you he left it unlocked? Here's How to Tell, Middle School Teacher Charged After Alleged Inappropriate Behavior With Male Student, I'm Leaving Right Now': Victims of Historic Flooding in Fort Lauderdale Prepare for More Rain, Struggling to Find Gas? Join Facebook to connect with John Sutton and others you may know. Those children were now planning their mother's funeral as police scoured the crime scene. It's now up to the jury. He said, 'absolutely," Det. Aug 1993 - Present29 years 9 months. Want to get better at screening estate cases? Garrett went straight to the bedrooms where he said Christopher told him he'd find the Suttons. Here's a Tracker to Find Fuel Near You, Your $2 Bill Could Actually Be Worth a Whole Lot More. Christopher says he was stunned at the verdict. Show. It showed that his responses to questions concerning his relationship with Susan were deceptive. >> he They paid bills. Investigators asked why he was talking to her on the phone. ", Melissa Sutton was 18, a freshman in college. "I didn't suspect him, and of course, I wouldn't have wanted it to be Christopher. He knew his father had just received a $1 million-plus legal settlement. I wasn't gonna sit around for the rest of my life and get bored. Can your probate judge enforce your settlement agreement or do you have to file a new lawsuit? Not a tear," Prosecutor Kathleen Hoague added. Namely, that upon my death or soon thereafter as practicable, the said William R. Adams shall move the said slaves and the increase thereof to a jurisdiction outside of the State of Florida, either Ohio, Indiana or Illinois where they can enjoy their freedom. . One of the most important elements of any estate plan is deciding who youre going to rely on to carry out your wishes after your dead. Up until that point, John and Montoto had a strong working relationship. ", Melissa describes her mother as "intelligent" and "confident.". "He said, 'Look, you're going to have to protect me. A year into Paradise Cove, Christopher sent an emotional video message home to his parents: John, Susan and Melissa traveled to Samoa to see for themselves what it was like. "I remember asking Melissa, 'How's mom doing?' As police worked the scene, Teddy Montoto, Johns law firm partner who attended the gathering, was back at the house. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. They apparently opted for the latter course of action;William, Lucy, her children and grandchildren were all long gone by the time the will contest was tried. Juliette says she never told anyone because she didn't believe Christopher was serious. Terry also tells his story in a video presentation thats must-see TV for any probate attorney. We were sued," John said of the damage that was "perhaps more" than $50,000. "Garrett Kopp is a drug addict, a little thug," Christopher's attorney, Bruce Fleisher, said. He pointed it at Susan and Melissa and he told them it was loaded and he was going to shoot them," she said. I read it. After graduating from Wellington College, he spent a decade or so working in various British colonies, including several in Africa, as a hunter, rancher and tea plantation manager. While he waits for a breakthrough, John Sutton remarkably continues to practice law. Because we wouldn't have to worry about money.". That everyday we are taking actions and steps that are part of history. Roberts asked. An arrest warrant for Chris Sutton was issued on March 26, 2005. Here's How Flooding Caused Fuel Disruptions in South Florida. As a teenager he had vandalized a teachers home. This means Mr. Sutton has taken and passed additional exams, submitted his cases for review and received positive references from both judges and other attorneys. Garrett told police the plan to kill the Suttons was all Christopher's idea. Employed by the Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting company as the co-host for the 95.3 WLKR Morning Show. "Regardless of the result, this is a bad case," John told the court. "I got a call from one of the detectives," John said. Wasn't it random? Instead, with the boom of a seasoned lawyer, he praised Fleisher's professionalism and hailed the prosecutors for putting. As the trial begins, John Sutton sits far from his son. "I said, 'Don't live with Christopher. "I was just at that point so shell shocked," John said of the news. Kopp, who agreed to testify in return for a 30-year plea deal, was the prosecutions key witness. [citation needed], Sutton was born in Rawalpindi, India (now Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan). Whats it mean to challenge the validity of a will and why does it matter? | Learn more about John Sutton II's work experience, education, connections & more by visiting . Please enter valid email address to continue. Montoto agreed to give a statement at the station and explained that he and Susan worked closely together at the firm but he also told them he was carrying a .9mm handgun. In fact, was raised in a wealthy family. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of John Sutton to show support. Prosecutor: Was he joking or did he seem serious? [2] Upon being naturalized as a U.S. citizen while serving in the U.S. Navy in 1943, he legally changed his name to John Sutton.[3]. After hearing the evidence, he's convinced his son is responsible and he takes the stand. Despite all that has happened, Sutton has a positive outlook and is hoping that one day, he will see . And for the most part, the Suttons did pay. And as fugitive slaves, Lucy and her children would have lived under constant fear of being dragged back to Florida. And Juliette Driscoll tells the jury how angry he was about Samoa. But something caught Cordero's eye. 2012 . John Suttons younger brother, a man named Shadrack, challenged the will on grounds that would be familiar to any of us today: Shadrack alleged that he was informed and believed that Sutton was at the time of the creation of the document very aged, infirm, bodily and mentally, and that he was then and had been for years wandering in his intellect and subject to the most childish and extravagant superstitions, that he was under the influence of ardent spirits, (he had been plied with alcohol) that his credulity and imbecility made him an easy dupe to the artifices of designing persons who represented to him that the families of children heretofore mentioned were not his offspringwere his offspring and when in fact, they were not his offspring. . He was into fights even as a young boy and has committed acts of Vandalism. Lawyer, Mom & 2 Brothers, Removing unvaccinated potential jurors didn't violate defendants' Sixth Amendment rights, 4th Circuit rules, Murder conviction of Adnan Syed of 'Serial' podcast fame is reinstated because of notice issue, Prosecution of environmental lawyer Steven Donziger broke 'basic constitutional promise,' 2 SCOTUS justices say, Lawyer trying to collect cash for defrauded investors hospitalized after beating; brother of target charged, ABA task force issues 14 guiding principles to improve plea bargaining system. Dec 2014 - Aug 20227 years 9 months. Although survived the attack but has remained blind ever since. Investigators tested it to see if there was a link to the Sutton crime. "You must have been wracking your brain thinking, 'Who could have possibly done this?'" He says he got over his anger about being sent to Samoa long ago. Christopher's friend, Eric Polk says the Suttons tended to overreact. He insists its the only thing hes lying about. He insisted that was the only thing he was lying about. Copyright 2023 MRandom News | Powered by NewsRandom, My Hero Academia Uraraka is Himiko Toga if she had adopted the nice facet, This was the tragic manner Onoki died in Boruto: Naruto Subsequent Generations. And at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Dr. Joseph Rizzo is ready to start discussing electronic technology - implanting a device around the back of eye. This is my running list of significant trust, probate and guardianship related appellate opinions since 2005. Asked if it was possible that this was a robbery gone bad, prosecutor Carin Kahgan said, "No, from the crime scene it was an assassination.". Christopher's defense needs to prove Garrett is lying. "That's really weird. [7] He married dancer Anita Rodney-Eden in 1957, but he received an annulment in 1960, when it was shown that she was still legally the ninth wife of oft-married (13 marriages to 11 women) Tommy Manville. [4] In the 1940 federal census, the household included his wife Charlotte and her daughter from a previous marriage. How Did the Killer Get Away in the Susan Sutton Case? Blinded Lawyer Testifies Against His Son. I remember a lot of pain, he told Murdered By Morning, which airs Saturday 8/7c on Oxygen. John Sutton described a troubled relationship with his sonwho prosecutors portray as being angry about being sent away to a boarding school in Samoa for children with behavioral problemsas well as awakening to find an intruder shooting at himself and his wife as they slept, NBC Miami reports. "In fact, John had had death threats against him.". I did it. We can talk about the history. To my surprise, Johns will was upheld. I don't know if he did it or not. "The magnitude of my injury, the facial pain and the loss of the eyesight was just so huge," he told Roberts. "I'm still confused about the whole matter. John Sutton placed a huge amount of trust in his friend and relation William Adams. He says there was one name that kept coming up. But nothing was taken. That's the worst thing," says John. Christopher says he kept drugs boxed up in the closet of his old bedroom where his mother often slept and Garrett knew it. Trusts and estates litigation, probate administration and estate planning is all I do as a lawyer. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. This is the second part of the story that should be of particular interest to practicing probate attorneys. As their night finally winds down however, an armed intruder . Where Is John Sutton Now? The loss of my mom, the blindness of my dad and the loss of my brother. Before sentencing, an emotional John Sutton addresses the court. ", Asked who he though had done it, Christopher told Roberts, "I had no idea.". His foster father John Sutton was a successful lawyer in Florida. Bullet casings recovered at the scene were all from a .9mm gun. She was executed, the doctor said. His final trial happened on July 21, 2010, and was taken to prison on the same day. "Did you ask Garrett Kopp to kill your parents?" It was updated on July 20, 2013.]. An avid wanderlust adventurer in the same vein as Errol Flynn . Garrett Kopp: Somewhat. John Sutton (22 October 1908 10 July 1963) was a British actor with a prolific career in Hollywood of more than 30 years. As new appellate decisions are published I'll add them to the list. When Chris Sutton arrived at his parents home he told police he and his girlfriend had been at the movies the previous night and handed over tickets as proof. For John and Susan Sutton, life in Coral Gables, Florida, an upscale community near Miami, life was filled with blue skies. This person has been thoroughly investigated and removed. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. What do you do? This person had a mission," said Miami-Dade Detective Rosanna Cordero. Randy Rogers' parents sent him to Paradise Cove when he was 17. View the profiles of people named John Sutton. "I was the one who told him that Susan had died and he was very emotional about it," Cordero recalled. The Suttons, she says, treated her like a daughter. But celebration turned into horror hours later. As their night finally winds down however, an armed intruder suddenly enters their bedroom firing reckless gunshots that kill Susan but leave John severely wounded in the head. Christopher paints Garrett Kopp as an insatiable drug fiend. "They only wanted the best for us," Juliette said. . Article Fourth [of the will] said that I will and bequeath unto my trusty friend and relation, William R. Adams, formerly of Ware County, Georgia and now of Duval County, Florida, all of the above-named property, the said slaves, the future increase of the slaves, all the cattle, all the hogs, et cetera, on the following conditions. "I lost Susan. After I returned back to the ACTEC meeting after Jeffrey and I went to see the will, one of our colleagues there, Mike Simon, actually said to me, youve got to get your hands on those files because now theres a rule in the State of Florida that says that once files have been digitized, they can be destroyed. "I recovered the surveillance tape of Christopher walking out of the movie theater," Cordero said. The woman owned a boat, which raised suspicions about the shooter escaping by the waterway the night of the shooting. Detective Roseanna Cordero met Christopher at the crime scene shortly after he'd been told about the shooting. "It was like the boy who cried wolf," she said. His answers to questions about his relationship with Susan proved misleading. He said, "We saw a particular number that came up several times.". I knew he had done this.". 'Absolutely,'" he recalled. On August 22, 2004, there was a lot to celebrate. Keith Morrison reports.Oct. Garrett would get a deal: just 30 years for shooting John and Susan. But Rogers says even worse things went on at Paradise Cove in the early days of the program when Christopher first got there. Of British parentage, John Sutton was born in Rawalpindi, India (now part of Pakistan), on October 22, 1908. Juliette said in tears. I remember all the bad times, too. Wellington College, he spent a decade or so working in various British It was a tense interrogation. They have two adopted children. He finally owned up to the fact that he and Susan were having an affair. Asked if he was an out of control teenager, Christopher told Troy Roberts, "Out of control? "You question yourself as to you're the father of a murderer," an emotional Mitchell told "48 Hours." "Things would be good. In her bookFathers of Conscience: Mixed Race Inheritance in the Antebellum South,law professor Bernie Jones studied antebellum will contests in which Southern white men, typically widowed or single, left wills giving property or freedom to women of color and their mixed-race children.