Father Pleads Guilty To Killing Family In Winchester Home In 2010
WOBURN (CBS/AP) — A Winchester man pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing his wife, two young children and mother-in-law more than two years ago.
Thomas Mortimer IV was charged with first degree murder in the June 2010 deaths of 41-year-old Laura Stone Mortimer, her 64-year-old mother, Ellen Stone, and the Mortimers' two children, 4-year-old Thomas "Finn" Mortimer V and 2-year-old Charlotte Mortimer.
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He entered the plea in a brief hearing at Middlesex Superior Court and was sentenced to four life sentences with no chance of parole.
The family was found beaten and stabbed to death in their Winchester home on June 16, 2010. Following the murders, prosecutors say Mortimer wrote a confession letter to his family and friends.
A day later, Mortimer, who grew up in Avon, Conn., was captured in northwestern Massachusetts.
Mortimer told the judge Wednesday that he understands his mental health evaluations and that his guilty plea prevents him from having a defense based on "diminished capacity."
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