Watch: Dad smiles in court while admitting to murdering 11-year-old son and girlfriend with a shotgun

David Huff, the Syracuse father accused of killing his 11-year-old son and girlfriend, smiled and laughed in court as he admitted to the murders during a bizarre moment at his plea hearing. The 43 year old pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his girlfriend, Yeraldith Tschudy, 32, and his son, Jeremiah Huff, 11, with a shotgun at close range inside his stepfather’s home at 128 Roney Road on March 17, 2025.

During the court proceeding, he took it like a joke an unremorseful Huff appeared smug and at times amused during the proceedings, according to reporting by syracuse.com. He was seen smiling and even laughing as Judge Theodore Limpert began formally questioning him.

“Do you find this funny?” the judge asked, as seen in courtroom video released by the outlet. “No, there’s a joke stuck in my head, go on,” Huff replied. “I’m listening.”



As the hearing continued, Judge Limpert asked Huff to confirm details of the killing of his son. “You shot your 11 year son multiple times, including once in the head,” Limpert asked Huff to affirm.

Huff pushed back on that detail, saying Jeremiah was not shot in the head. The judge questioned his hesitation, but Huff ultimately admitted responsibility saying “whatever you guys say I'm guilty of, I'm guilty."

Huff’s defense attorney, Shaun Chase, said Huff had always accepted responsibility for the gruesome shootings.

His legal team had explored a possible mental health-related defense, but their own experts determined Huff was competent to stand trial, according to reporting from Channel 9. They also concluded he likely suffered from voluntary drug intoxication at the time of the murders.

As per the outlet, Huff agreed to serve at least 20 years in prison for each murder count, meaning he faces a minimum of 40 years behind bars. Prosecutors said Huff shot both his girlfriend and his son multiple times inside the home. Jeremiah’s mother, who was not at the house during the shooting, reportedly called 911 after hearing from her dying son.

Huff was also accused of shooting at his stepfather, but he did not admit to that charge during the plea hearing, according to local reports. He is scheduled to be sentenced in May.