For prosecutors, hired gunman Kopp was the key witness. ", On settling into bed to watch on TV the night of the shooting, when a figure appeared at the bedroom door: "I see a black hat, black shirt and black pants and -- bam! In heartfelt, charming and often chilling words, Sutton testified: That his son Christopher, adopted when he was just days old, enjoyed all the love and support of his well-heeled family through the years -- including many family trips, generous allowances and help finding work. John Sutton thinks otherwise. Christopher Joel Sutton, affectionately known as Chris, was born May 16, 1979 to James E. Sutton, Jr. and Brenda D. Sutton at Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, DC. Published by FloridaToday on Nov. 28, 2018. 10/04/1940 - 02/25/2023. He was preceded in death by his mother Janet (Hedge) Murphy and a brother Tom Sutton. Enter "Those other people that went to Samoa, they didn't kill people," he said. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Stanford Blake immediately sentenced Sutton to three life terms. John Sutton survived the attack but is permanently blind after being shot in the face. One of its projects is the Tampa History Research Automated Index to Library Services, a database that includes death notices, obituaries, and funeral notices from the Tampa Tribune and its predecessors, spanning a period from 1855 to 1983. His radiant sparkle endured even unto his last moments in this life and continues to be cherished by his loved ones. Christopher Sutton said he's devastated over the things his father said against him during the trial, "but my dad turning on me during hard times isn't anything new." Mostly, Sutton recalled, he and his wife butted heads with Christopher about finances and his listless lifestyle after his return from Samoa. He is dearly loved and profoundly missed. At the same time, jailers whisked Christopher Sutton from the courtroom. It was his tears over this experience and lack of them while talking about his parents' death that played into the jury's decision to find Sutton guilty. Christopher Sutton: Murderer Florida. After much research, the Suttons sent two retired police officers to escort Christopher to the airport. "He was most unhappy and upset," Sutton said. After the shooting, Christopher Sutton pressed his recovering father to give him control over the family finances, and to sell the Coral Gables house, he testified. As a prolific artist, avid gardener and fastidious homemaker, Chris filled every space he could with so much color, life and beauty. In Samoa, Sutton said, he believed Christopher was happy and had made friends. Prosecutors claim that revenge would come in. To send flowers Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory. We'd take him to school, and he'd go in the front door and out the back. In 2003, the parents sent their son to a school in Samoa designed for troubled teens against his will. Minutes after John R. Sutton's adopted son was convicted of masterminding the bloody attack that left Sutton blind and his wife dead, a reporter asked if he still considered Christopher Sutton his son. The state's winning theory: that Sutton believed he deserved his father's wealth after his parents shipped him off to the Samoan Paradise Cove program, where he spent 29 months in the mid '90s. Defense attorney Bruce Fleisher cross-examined Sutton cordially, asking about father-son trips to football games and family getaways to the Keys and Bimini. The Dignity Memorial online obituary search tool gives you access to obituaries from thousands of locations across North America. Contact. "Someday I may go see him and confront him and say, 'what were you thinking of?,'" he said. asked prosecutor Carin Kahgan. Christopher Sutton, facing questions from prosecutors, admitted he told his former fiance that he would get revenge for what his parents did to him. Contact // ]]> SUTTON, SUSAN MARIER, age 57, of Coral Gables, passed away Sunday. He loved spending time with his family and especially his children. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Christopher Sutton, 2023 Bradshaw Funeral Home and Cremation Services. He was born on January 6, 1959, to Ezra Nathan Sutton and Janet (Hedge) Murphy in Boussac, France. "Didn't you repeatedly tell Julia Driscol that your parents deserved to pay for taking those years from your life?" View Christopher Jeffrey Sutton's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more. It is considered to be one of the deadliest crimes in the year 2004. "That was the first time I sat there in a long time and been like, wow, what really did happen." Bryan-Lee Funeral Homes - Garner . Mitchell Kopp, his father, who was key in convincing his son to cooperate with prosecutors, stayed for the verdict Wednesday and tearfully shook Melissa Sutton's hand after the verdict. Sutton did not address the court or shed a tear. He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Bonnie Sutton; one son, Christopher Sutton, Jr.; one daughter, Stacey Sutton; two stepsons, Dennis Cheeks and Gabriel Craig; one stepdaughter . Chris passed away Thursday, April 29, 2021. Pastor Casey Mill will officiate. Pastor Casey Mill will officiate. Christopher Sutton, facing questions from prosecutors, admitted he told his former fiance that he would get revenge for what his parents did to him. The Suttons paid rent for Christopher, who was supposed to work or attend college. "That ain't happening, no way. [CDATA[ Leonides X . On August 22, 2004, there was a lot to celebrate. Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. It was his tears over this. He is survived by his dear friend Sree, who was with Chris up until he passed on. TUES-SAT After 10 hours of deliberations over two days, jurors convicted Sutton, 31, on charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder. Born in Anderson, S.C., he was a son of Scott Richard Sutton and Lorie Ann Garrison Sutton. // '); About why he shipped his son, then a teen, to a tough reform school in Samoa: "He wanted to set the rules, to show he was the boss. // ]]> If you are having trouble, click Save Image As and rename the file to meet the character requirement and try again. Fleisher said Christopher Sutton thanked him for his work in representing him. He was 55 years old. Once you find the obituary you are looking for, you can get important information about upcoming services, share . . In 2003, the parents sent their son to school in Samoa designed for troubled teens against his will. Services are planned for a later date. All Things Spiritual and Supernatural-Helping others find Spiritual meaning in their lives and providing shamanistic services to those . [CDATA[ I'm sure I could've been a better guy, but I didn't have anything to do with this." Search Saint Petersburg obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. Searching for Florida obituaries online enables you to delve into history and uncover long lost ancestors. Upgrade now. After a frantic and dazed struggle to call police and blindly escape his house -- his wife lay dead in another bedroom -- Sutton recalled awakening in the hospital, his head throbbing, his mind confused, his body shattered by bullets. Susan Sutton died after being shot six times. In Memory of ChristopherHow does it work? $( ".header-top-line" ).append(''); He had tears in his eyes. Prosecutors claim that revenge would come in the form of a hit ordered on John and Susan Sutton as they lay asleep in bed. Please received our heartfelt condolences. Due to seasonal conditions, the tree planting takes place during the spring and summer. In the hallway afterward, Sutton said he believed the shooting was a "scheme hatched over a long time," and insisted he and his wife did their best to educate their adopted son. Surviving, Husband, John R. Sutton; son, Christopher; daughter, Melissa A.. Testifying in his own defense, Sutton cried when recounting his arrival at Paradise Cove. I think everyone . To follow Christopher's story, enter your email. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter or plant a tree in Chriss name. So did Melissa Sutton, Sutton's sister. I think everyone had tears in their eyes.". An official certificate recognizing your purchase will be included with your email receipt. Christopher J. Sutton, 62, of Joplin, passed November 29, 2021, after a long illness. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, She Was Loved': Family Speaks Out After Driver Arrested in Margate Crash That Killed Mother, Hospitalized Child, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. ELGIN A funeral service for Christopher Richard Sutton, 32, will be held Monday at 1:00 p.m. at Bethel Worship Center with burial to follow in Greenhaven Memorial Gardens. Christopher Sutton Obituary - Death: It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we share the sudden passing of Christopher Sutton of Florida, who reportedly passed away earlier.click to read. Christopher Sutton Death | Obituary | Dead | Died | Funeral Plans - It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Christopher Sutton. Sutton was accused of hiring drug addict Garrett Kopp to kill his parents after they sent him to boarding school in Samoa, where he claimed he was traumatized. Kopp has already been sentenced to 30 years for the shooting, but avoided the death penalty in exchange for his testimony against his former friend. In 2004, Kopp shot Susan Sutton six times and John in the face. Your browser may not work with certain site. He was born on January 6, 1959, to Ezra Nathan Sutton and Janet (Hedge) Murphy in Boussac, France. Chris was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 14, 1966, as the youngest child of the late Maureen and Gerald O. Sutton. They have two adopted children. //