SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Seminole County man accused of killing his parents and brother after getting into a fight with his family over his relationship with an online Bulgarian call girl will remain in jail until his trial, a judge ruled Wednesday.
In February, prosecutors announced their intent to seek the death penalty for Grant Amato, 29, who is facing premeditated murder charges in the deaths of Chad Amato, 59, Margaret Amato, 61, and Cody Amato, 31. All three were found dead Jan. 25 in their family home.
Amato's brother's girlfriend told investigators that Grant Amato was unemployed and stole more than $200,000 from his family over period of three months to contact what deputies call an "online Bulgarian call girl" from the website Cam Girls.
A judge denied Amato bond back in January, but his lawyers asked to have that reversed this week. After hours of testimony on Wednesday, the judge again ruled that Amato should remain behind bars until his trial.
In court on Wednesday, Amato's brother Jason testified that he did not believe his brother's claims that Amato did not kill their parents and sibling.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe you," Jason is heard saying in a recorded meeting between the two siblings.
Amato has been behind bars since his arrest on Jan. 28.