Ohio Father Attacks Serial Killer After He Grins During Victim Impact Statement

There was an emotional and dangerous moment in court last week when Van Terry faced the murderer of his daughter Shirellda Terry. Terry was giving his victim statement when his understandable emotions took over and he leapt over the table to attack Michael Madison, as captured on videotape.

Terry is the father of one of three victims of Madison and attacked the killer who has been sentenced to death.  He told the court: “Right now, I guess we’re supposed to, in our hearts forgive this clown, who has touched our families, taken my child.” He then looked back at Madison who reportedly smirked. Terry then attacked him.

The bodies of 38-year-old Angela Deskins, 28-year-old Shetisha Sheeley and 18-year-old Shirellda Terry were found in July 2013, including one who was wrapped in garbage bags and sealed with tape in a garage.  The scene was near Madison’s East Cleveland apartment building. Madison confessed to strangling two of the women but said that he could not remember the third.  Madison told police he strangled two of the women but couldn’t remember killing the third. Madison was classified as a sex offender in 2002 and sentenced to four years in prison for attempted rape.

Here is the videotape.

It is not clear if Terry will be charged, but it seems likely.  Of course, the court can and should consider the circumstances of such incident for a grieving father, particularly if the court concludes that there was taunting on the part of Madison.