CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The man who murdered three women in North Royalton was sentenced to death on Friday.
George Brinkman was formally sentenced in a Cleveland courtroom at 10 a.m. for killing Suzanne Taylor and her two daughters, Taylor and Kylie Pifer, back in June of 2017. In November, Brinkman pleaded guilty to aggravated murder charges.
Taylor and Kylie's father and Suzanne's mother spoke at the hearing. Brinkman elected not to speak. His attorney argued that the aggravating circumstances did not outweigh the mitigating factors and for a punishment of lifetime imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
A panel of three judges disagreed. Brinkman said he would not appeal the decision.
The execution date was set for January 15, 2020.
In addition to the death sentence, Brinkman was sentenced to 36 more years of prison for the kidnapping and abuse he committed while carrying out the murders.
Court records say Brinkman cut Suzanne's throat, strangled Kylie with a telephone cord and smothered Taylor to death. Their bodies were discovered in their home on June 11, 2017.
Brinkman is also facing murder charges for the deaths of Rogell and Roberta John of Lake Township. Their bodies were discovered shot to death on June 12, 2017.