Judge grants bond for Chuluota man accused of killing his family

Grant Amato writes letter to girlfriend of his cellmate

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A judge on Thursday granted bond to a Chuluota man accused of killing his family.

The judge set Grant Amato's bond at $750,000.

If Amato posts bond, the judge said he cannot have access to computers or anything involving data, and he will have to wear a GPS monitor. In addition, Amato would only be able to travel to the following counties: Brevard, Volusia, Orange and Lake, and he cannot make contact with his brother.

Amato's attorney, Jeff Dowdy, said his client has proved that he won't flee.

"He had stayed right after, as we stated. The state's evidence, if it is true, he decided to stay right after the deaths had occurred so that shows in evidence, the lack of fleeing right there," Dowdy said.

He maintains that Amato is innocent.

"From what we have reviewed, there's still no physical forensic evidence linking him to this crime," Dowdy said.

Amato faces three counts of first-degree murder.

Records show that Amato had argued with his family in the days leading up to the triple slaying because he stole $200,000 to wire to a woman in Bulgaria he had met on a porn site. Amato claimed he had a relationship with the woman.

News 6 received a copy of a handwritten letter Amato wrote to the girlfriend of his cellmate. 

In the letter, Amato said he has "become somewhat of a celebrity."

READ LETTER GRANT AMATO WROTE HERE

The state plans to seek the death penalty in this case. 

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.


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