Testimony underway in Grant Amato's triple murder trial

WARNING: Explicit content may be presented in court

SANFORD, Fla. – The murder trial for Grant Amato, who is accused of killing three family members in their Chuluota home, began Tuesday.

The 30-year-old could face the death penalty in the murders of his parents and brother, who were found slain in January.

The first witnesses began testifying Tuesday for the prosecution. When a Seminole County sheriff's deputy described the bloody scene he encountered at the family's Chuluota home Amato became emotional.

[WARNING: Explicit content may be presented in court]

During the trial witnesses may include Amato's family and friends, Seminole County sheriff's deputies and others. 

Amato has been jailed since the deaths after prosecutors said he shot and killed his family over money that he wired to a Bulgarian cam-girl.

On Monday, more than 50 potential jurors were questioned to make sure they could be fair and impartial during the trial if chosen for the jury. This comes after a dozen other potential jurors were questioned last week. 

In court Monday, Amato held his head down and appeared blank-faced at times and somewhat teary-eyed.

On Friday, Seminole County Judge Jessica Reckseidler asked each juror about their views of the death penalty and whether they were in favor, against or undecided on it.

Amato has plead not guilty in the case.

During the trial, Amato’s brain scan results might be discussed and jurors could see body cam video of his arrest, cellphone records and more.

News 6 will be following the trial of Amato and will have updates on ClickOrlando.com.


About the Author

Ezzy Castro is a multimedia journalist on News 6's morning team who has a passion for telling the stories of the people in the Central Florida community. Ezzy worked at WFOR CBS4 in South Florida and KBMT in Beaumont, Texas, where she covered Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Being from Miami, Ezzy loves Cuban coffee and croquetas!

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