An Ohio man was sentenced to two life sentences after pleading guilty to the killings of two sisters in a Boyd County domestic violence case in 2022.
Attorney General Russell Coleman and Boyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rhonda Copley announced today that John Tooson, 36, got two life sentences in Boyd Circuit Court for the killings of Selina Easter, 20, and Summer Algarakhuly, 18.
According to court documents, Tooson pleaded guilty to:
- Two counts of Murder
- One count of Robbery, First Degree
- One count of Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon
- One count of Wanton Endangerment
- Persistent Felony Offender
According to authorities, Tooson, who was in a relationship with Selina Easter, tortured the sisters inside Easter’s apartment in June 2022 before fatally shooting both women while Summer’s newborn daughter was in a neighbouring room.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Tooson fled Kentucky following the killings and was apprehended in Ohio.
Both victims were mothers.
Victim impact statements given at sentencing focused on the children left behind by the killings. One family member commented, “I was only supposed to be her aunt,” before detailing the young child she is now rearing and the events she would never share with her mother. Rhonda Copley, Commonwealth’s Attorney, stated that John Tooson’s plea and sentence bring responsibility for the needless and heartbreaking deaths of two young lives, Selina and Summer. “Nothing can bring Selina and Summer back to their young children and family, but our office hopes that this plea and sentencing can bring peace to the family.”
Attorney General Coleman stated, “A mother cannot be replaced. The sentences handed do not fill the void left behind, but we hope they provide justice to everybody who loved these two young women.”
The Ashland Police Department investigated the incident. Copley and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kierston Rosen were helped by Tom Lockridge, the Attorney General’s Office Violent Crime Resource Prosecutor.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Tooson could be eligible for parole after 25 years.
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