Wellsville Man Gets 8 Years For Killing Wife

A Columbiana County man was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison for killing his wife nearly three years ago.

J.C. Amato pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter with a firearms specification. Investigators said he killed his wife, 25-year-old Tonia Amato, on July 1, 2007, inside their Wellsville home. He was originally charged with murder in February 2008.

Court documents previously disclosed that J.C. Amato told police he did shoot his wife at their home, but he said it was in self-defense.

Kathy Brundage, Tonia Amato's mother, said, "I have no idea what happened on July 1, and I may have to wait to get to heaven to get this question answered. But I do know that Tonia loved you and we welcomed you into our family."

A Wellsville police officer previously said J.C. Amato told him "his wife tried to shoot him with a .22-caliber handgun that belonged to him." J.C. Amato told police he returned fire and shot her between the eyes with a separate handgun.

In court Friday, J.C. Amato, said "I lost my best friend; I lost my wife. … I know 'I'm sorry' doesn't even begin... There was no hate in my heart when that happened. It was a total reflex. If I could take it back, I would."

The victim's parents said they forgive their son-in-law, but her mother said "that doesn't mean my heart has not been torn wide open with the loss of our daughter. "

Rick Brundage, Tonia's father, said his daughter was "killed in anger by a lost and desperate soul. She was a loving, caring beautiful woman. She continues to be dearly missed by many."

While J.C. Amato heads to prison, Kathy Brundage told Amato that her daughter is free.

"J.C., she has won. You've lost. You've lost a woman who loved you and defended you and did everything she could to get you some help. You lost your biggest fan," she said.

The Brundages said they are satisfied with the sentence and added that J.C. Amato has no chance for an early release and he will never be allowed to own a gun again.

They offered Amato a Bible in hopes of a new beginning for their daughter's killer once he's released, and also started a foundation in their daughter's name, as well as a support and prayer group to assist victims' families who go through similar situations.

But, not all of the victim's family members felt the same.

"We were robbed of 40 some years of her life and he gets a measly eight years. How is that justice? It's not," said Lisa Lucas, Tonia Amato's aunt.

Amato also previously pleaded guilty to one a firearms charge. Officials said that charge had to do with Amato having bomb-making materials and firearms at his parents' house.

As part of the plea agreement, one stipulation was that Amato begin serving time immediately.

Previous Stories: January 14, 2010: Columbiana County Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Wife July 29, 2009: Trial May Be Delayed Again For Man Accused Of Killing Wife March 28, 2008: Man Accused Of Killing Wife Says He's Innocent March 28, 2008: Man Charged With Killing Wife In Court Friday February 8, 2008: Months After Woman's Death, Husband Charged With Slaying September 8, 2007: Husband Named Suspect In Wellsville Woman's Homicide