The Repository
CANTON – Former Stockdale Family Band fiddler Jacob Stockdale pleaded guilty Wednesday in Stark County Common Pleas Court and was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for murdering his mother and brother.
Stockdale, 28, originally had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Judge Frank Forchione presided over the case that was headed for trial in May.
In a plea agreement, Stockdale pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, while two firearm specifications were dismissed.
The Stockdale family gained national notoriety when it was featured on the television show Wife Swap. Stockdale also was a three-time Ohio youth fiddle champion and former State of Ohio grand fiddle champion.
CANTON A man charged with shooting and killing his mother and brother in 2017 is being moved from a mental health facility to the Stark County Jail following possible escape attempts and other concerns.
Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione made the ruling Thursday after receiving the request from Heartland Behavioral Healthcare, a state mental health hospital in Massillon where Jacob Stockdale has been held for months.
Forchione previously had ordered Stockdale to be placed at Heartland Behavioral so he could be restored to competency, which has occurred. Competency is when the defendant understands court proceedings and is able to assist with his own defense.
A Christian musician whose family appeared on Wife Swap allegedly made two attempts to escape from mental hospital ahead of his trial over the murder of his mother and brother.
Jacob Stockdale, 27, is charged with murder in the fatal shootings of 54-year-old Kathryn Stockdale and 21-year-old James Stockdale.
The Christian musician turned the gun on himself after the killings, but survived.
Christian musician Jacob Stockdale whose family appeared on Wife Swap allegedly made two attempts to escape from mental hospital ahead of his trial over the murder of his mother and brother
Jacob shot dead his 21-year-old brother Jason (left) and his 54-year-old mother Kathryn (right) last June then turned the gun on himself but survived