Ross convicted for wife's death

pfanner@sanduskyregister.comPORT CLINTON5:45 p.m. story (includes sentencing)Randall Ross was found guilty on seven charges for the murder of his estranged wife Amy.Ross, 49, was convicted on two counts each of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated burglary, and one count of kidnapping, all felonies, for the March 27, 2013, crime.He was sentenced to life without parole plus an additional 25 years by Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Bruce Winters on Thursday. The sentences will be served consecutively. He was also given credit for 982 days already served."The damage done to us can never be undone," Amy's brother Robert Mominee said. "He used to be uncle Randy. He used to be my brother. I loved him as a brother. Now I can't and I don't see him as family anymore."Amy's sister Andrea Swope offered a few words before sentencing on Thursday."Amy and I grew up a sisters and best friends," Swope said. "My best friend is gone for the rest of my life on Earth. No more Christmas. No more birthdays. No more shoulders to help me through like she always did. Randall Ross murdered Amy, my sister."Winters also let Ross make a statement before sentencing."I'm sorry to Andrea and Summer," Ross said. "I never abused Amy or any woman in my life. I loved Amy with all of my heart."The trial is available for on-demand viewing online at sanduskyregister.com. Ottawa County prosecutor Mark Mulligan called 18 witnesses to the stand during the first two days of the trial. The defense didn't call any witnesses and rested its case on Wednesday.Amy was living with her sister and 13-year-old niece after separating from Ross in March 2013. Swope said she was in the room when Ross shot her sister and himself."Randy stormed into the room and grabbed Amy by the hair," Swope testified on Tuesday. "He pushed her down and held a gun to her head. He was yelling things at her and we were screaming."Amy broke free and moved to the other side of the room, according to Swope's testimony. That's when Ross allegedly pointed the gun at Amy."He looked back at her and then us again," Swope said. "Then he took a stronger hold of the gun and he held it at Amy and he yelled at her and said 'You think you can take everything from me?' Then he shot her."Ross then shot himself in the head twice but survived and was subsequently arrested."This was one of the more difficult cases to listen to," Winters said. "I hope for healing on part of the family."*2:40 p.m.The court has taken a brief recess while Judge Bruce Winters and all attorneys review the law. Sentencing will commence at 4 p.m.2:36 p.m.Randall Ross has been found guilty of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of kidnapping. 2:00 p.m.The jury has reached a verdict and it will likely be announced at about 2:30 p.m. The court is giving the families of Amy Ross and Randall Ross time to travel to the courthouse. 11:50 a.m.The jury is still in deliberations.Live updates will now come as posts this story file. 9:35 a.m. ThursdayJury deliberations are still underway in the trial of Randall Ross. Read coverage of the first three days of the trial. Defendant Randall Ross is put into handcuffs by Ottawa County Sheriff Deputies after the jury found guilty on all counts during the fourth day of trials Thursday at the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court in Port Clinton. Randall Ross hides his face as he passes by the public viewing benches after being found guilty on all counts of murder Thursday afternoon at the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court. Defendant Randall Ross wipes away a tear while waiting for the jury's verdict Thursday afternoon during his trial for the 2013 murder of his estranged wife. Ross was found guilty of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of kidnapping. Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Bruce Winters reads off the jury verdicts of guilty on two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of kidnapping during the fourth day of trials Thursday afternoon.