Connecticut
Connecticut dad told cops he killed family because they needed to ‘pass over’ before apocalypse, jury hears
The Connecticut dad who confessed to murdering his household of their Florida home close to Disney World had needed them to “move over to the opposite aspect collectively” earlier than the apocalypse, his trial heard this week.
Bodily therapist Anthony Todt, 46, had confessed to poisoning and stabbing his spouse, three children and canine after he was present in January 2020 dwelling with their decomposing our bodies of their new house in Celebration.
He later switched the blame to his now-dead spouse, Megan, with jurors on Thursday beginning deliberations on 4 first-degree homicide costs, all of which he now denies, in accordance with the Orlando Sentinel.
Nevertheless, the jury was proven Todt’s videotaped confession on Tuesday, through which he detailed stabbing and smothering sons Alek, 13, and Tyler, 11, after first smothering 4-year-old daughter Zoe, the report stated.
He then “took a pillow and suffocated” his 42-year-old spouse, Megan, after she stabbed herself within the abdomen as a part of their dying pact — one they’d even mentioned earlier with the youngsters, the trial heard.
Todt then instructed detectives that “all people wanted to die to be able to move over to the opposite aspect collectively as a result of the apocalypse was coming,” Assistant State Lawyer Danielle Pinnell instructed Osceola County Courthouse, in accordance with the Sentinel.
He stated he had then tried to kill himself a number of occasions, attempting to overdose on Benadryl and hold himself, although he “chickened out” of stabbing himself to dying, the report famous.
He confessed after being discovered with the decomposing our bodies throughout a Jan. 13 FBI raid to arrest him on federal well being care fraud costs associated to his Connecticut bodily remedy enterprise, the courtroom heard.
Jurors watched bodycam footage that confirmed Todt telling deputies and FBI brokers that his spouse was simply sleeping, even yelling out her identify.
As an alternative, officers discovered the Todt’s spouse, youngsters and canine wrapped in blankets in the master suite, the place they appeared to have been for weeks, the Sentinel report famous.
“The our bodies had been discolored — black and blue,” one of many federal officers, Michael Phelps, instructed the trial. Todt has additionally been charged with one depend of animal cruelty for killing the household canine, Breezy.
Regardless of his detailed confession, Todt later denied any involvement — passing all blame onto his now-dead spouse.
“I got here house and my children had been lifeless,” Todt testified Wednesday, claiming his spouse was nonetheless alive and confessed to killing them with a poisoned pie, in accordance with the Sentinel’s reviews.
“It was essentially the most horrible day of my life. What made it extra horrible was my spouse died in entrance of me additionally,” he stated.
He insisted his spouse had change into turned fixated with reincarnation following a sequence of well being issues, saying she was satisfied they’d be reborn to a greater life in the event that they “burned the household karma.”
Regardless of this, he insisted he had no method of stopping the slaughter.
“Every little thing was good. … I didn’t see this coming,” he insisted, in accordance with the Sentinel.
He instructed the courtroom that he had no reminiscence of constructing the confession that jurors watched for hours on Tuesday.
“I used to be protecting for my spouse … Clearly, unsuccessfully. I had no clue how my children died,” he insisted.
“My testimony in the present day is the truth that Megan killed her children and killed herself … I stated issues which have been confirmed incorrect,” he instructed the courtroom, in accordance with the Sentinel.
The jury was on Thursday deliberating the 4 homicide costs, in addition to
one depend of animal cruelty for allegedly additionally killing the household canine, Breezy.
Connecticut
Gifts of Love provides for Connecticut families in crisis
Connecticut
Connecticut National Guard families come together for annual holiday event
HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) — On Saturday morning, families of the Connecticut National Guard gathered for an annual event designed to provide support and comfort during the holiday season.
Operation Embracing Lonely Families has been a tradition for 23 years, offering much-needed support to military families separated from loved ones who are deployed.
The event focuses on easing some of the financial burden and emotional stress that military families face during deployments, especially during the holidays.
“It’s an enjoyment because it brings everyone closer during the holiday so they can still be around their family too,” said Newton Maldonado, a National Guard soldier.
One of the attendees, Nicole Scalora, whose husband was recently deployed to Africa for a year, shared the challenges of military life.
“It’s tough. We have to take it one day at a time. Doing everything at home by yourself, not having that shoulder to rely on can be difficult. But I have a lot of family and a lot of support, so that helped a lot. Also, the military is constantly reaching out. Making sure that we’re good and that if we need help, they’re there,” she said.
Saturday’s event included treats and toys for the families, as well as a visit from Santa Claus.
The tradition, which began under former Governor Jodi Rell and continued by each subsequent Lieutenant Governor, has become a symbol of appreciation for those who serve and their families.
While this year’s ceremony was smaller in scale, organizers are expecting the event to grow significantly next year, with nearly 800 families anticipated to attend.
These families are affected by the various deployments of National Guard members overseas.
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz expressed her gratitude, noting, “, I’m really glad for the people of Connecticut that our celebration is rather small, because it means our national guard families are here at home celebrating.”
The event remains an important opportunity for the community to come together and honor the sacrifices made by military families throughout Connecticut.
Copyright 2024 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Connecticut
Several vehicles and outdoor furnace destroyed in fire in Woodstock
Several vehicles and an outdoor furnace were destroyed in a fire in Woodstock on Friday night.
Firefighters from Muddy Brook Fire Department responded to Paine District Road around 9 p.m. for a report of a detached garage on fire with exposure.
When fire crews arrived, they said they found a 20′ by 20′ building with fire throughout.
According to fire officials, several vehicles and an outdoor furnace were destroyed in the fire.
The fire did not spread from the building of origin and no injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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