Christopher Sutton Murderer: Attempted Murder Of His Family

The incident occurred on August 22, 2004, a day that should have been a joyous celebration for the family, as John’s law firm had just won three significant cases.

Susan had just turned 57. Christopher and his fiancée, Juliette Driscoll, had come to visit for the occasion, but the night ended in tragedy.

John was shot in the head while he was dozing off at home, and Susan was also attacked. Susan was found dead in her bedroom, shot six times, while John was rushed to the hospital.

When police arrived at the scene, they found that all bullet shells came from 9 mm guns. Investigators ruled out a break-in because jewelry and other valuables were still visible.

During the investigation, Teddy Montoto, a member of John’s law firm, claimed that he overheard gunshots while talking to Susan on the phone.

Montoto consented to make a statement at the station and revealed that he was carrying a .9mm weapon. Montoto and Susan worked closely together at the firm, and this raised suspicion about his involvement in the crime.

Christopher Sutton informed the police that he and his girlfriend had seen a movie the night before the incident and provided tickets as identification.

Theatrical security cameras confirmed their whereabouts. However, the evidence against Christopher began to mount, and he was ultimately found guilty of attempted murder of his family.

John was left blind after the incident and was hospitalized until the middle of September. He was kept in the dark about his wife’s murder until he had fully healed. 

The incident devastated the Sutton family, with Christopher’s actions leading to the loss of his mother’s life and causing significant harm to his father.

The case investigation 

After Teddy Montoto consented to a polygraph test, police reinterviewed him about his relationship with Susan.

It was revealed that Montoto had been dishonest in his previous statements, as he had been having an affair with Susan. 

This admission shed new light on the case and led the police to re-examine their investigation.

The investigation then focused on Chris Sutton as evidence against him began to mount. The police discovered that Chris had a problematic past, including legal run-ins and damaging a teacher’s home when he was a teenager. 

Despite their son’s objections, John and Susan sent Chris to Paradise Cove, a highly disciplined boarding school in Samoa, as a last-ditch effort to help him. Chris returned on his 19th birthday, and his parents thought that he was progressing.

However, investigators later found that Chris was still financially dependent on his parents and was resentful about being sent to Paradise Cove. 

In March 2005, a breakthrough occurred when a woman told police that her ex-boyfriend, Garrett Kopp, might be responsible for Susan’s death.

Chris had Kopp’s phone number, and detectives discovered that Kopp was facing a firearm charge related to a Glock.9mm pistol that had been seized.

After analyzing the weapon, investigators confirmed that Susan had been killed with that firearm, and John had also been shot with it. 

When questioned by police, Kopp confessed that Chris had recruited him to kill his parents and that Chris promised to give him a cut of the insurance payout.

Juliette Driscoll confirmed Chris’ resentment about Paradise Cove, according to “Murdered by Morning.”

Chris Sutton arrested 

 The investigation into the attempted murder of John and Susan Sutton was a complex and lengthy process. 

The involvement of Teddy Montoto, the revelation of Chris Sutton’s problematic past and resentment towards his parents, and the connection to Garrett Kopp’s firearm all contributed to the successful prosecution of Chris Sutton.

The case highlights the importance of thorough police investigations and the potential consequences of family tensions and financial dependence.

An arrest warrant for Chris Sutton was issued on March 26, 2005. In July 2010, Christopher Sutton stood a murder trial. Kopp, who agreed to testify in return for a 30-year plea deal, was the prosecution’s key witness, and John Sutton also testified against his son.

On July 21, Christopher Sutton was found guilty of attempted murder and murder in the first degree. He was sentenced to three life terms without a chance of parole. 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7t7XZmpqaZpOkunCvx6ugrKyfpbWmvoysrK2sn6N6rsHRnZyrnaJk