EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio - A father of one of the women killed by Michael Madison attacked the serial killer during sentencing Thursday afternoon.
Madison, the man convicted of killing three women and wrapping their bodies in garbage bags, had just been sentenced to death and victims' family members came up to speak. When Van Terry, father of Shirellda Terry, came up, he said, "I guess we are supposed to find it in our hearts to forgive this clown... who has taken my child," then he turned around, and jumped on Madison. Authorities and other people inside the courtroom grabbed Van Terry and took him out.
Van Terry's sister told WJW reporter Suzanne Stratford that Van just couldn't take it anymore. Family members said Madison was taunting the families and smiling.
The judge followed a jury's recommendation that Madison should be executed for aggravated murder and kidnapping. The judge could have chosen life in prison with no chance of parole.
A jury convicted Madison last month, then deliberated for less than a day before recommending the death penalty.
Madison, who has said he admired serial killer Anthony Sowell, killed Shirellda Terry, Angela Deskins and Shetisha Sheely. Their bodies were found in plastic bags near Madison's East Cleveland home back in 2013.
During his trial, Madison's lawyers did not argue that he didn't kill the women, only that their murders weren't premeditated. They were trying to spare him the death penalty.
