CLEVELAND — Matthew Ponomarenko pleaded guilty to killing his 5-year-old son in Parma two years ago during an emotional hearing in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court on Thursday.
Ponomarenko was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 45 years.
As part of his agreement with prosecutors, Ponomarenko agreed to plead guilty to one count of aggravated murder. A second count of aggravated murder was amended to felony kidnapping, while one of two counts of endangering children was dropped.
The 34-year-old Ponomarenko could face an additional four years in prison for bad behavior in prison as part of the "Reagan Tokes Act," which extends prison sentences for those who commit crimes while incarcerated. If he is released from prison, Ponomarenko must also register as a violent offender.
You can watch Thursday's hearing in the player below. WARNING, the video contains several instances of graphic language.
Thursday’s hearing was explosive at times. When Ponomarenko was first brought into the court room, he shouted several expletives.
When Judge Timothy McGinty asked Ponomarenko if he was pleading guilty or not guilty, it set off a heated exchange with the defendant firing off several more expletives.
"I don’t care bro, I’m getting 45 years," Ponomarenko said to McGinty when asked to stop swearing.
Following more profanity from the defendant, McGinty ordered, "I want the profanity dropped or we’ll suspend the hearing."
"No, I don’t want to. Let’s get this over with," Ponomarenko said when asked if he needed to take a break and cool off.
But when McGinty invited Jax Ponormarenko's family to speak, his father erupted.
Matthew Ponomarenko was taken out of the courtroom and the hearing went into recess for approximately 25 minutes. After family members spoke for both the prosecution and defense, Ponomarenko was asked if he wanted to make a statement.
"I'd like to say I'm sorry," he said, before breaking down in tears.
Ponomarenko was initially charged with two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of endangering children for the incident that happened on March 25, 2021, in the 4700 block of Russell Avenue. Police released 911 audio in which Ponomareko told dispatchers he beat his autistic son, Jax, to death with a baseball bat. When asked why he did it, Ponomarenko would only say he was "hearing voices."
In April 2021, Ponomarenko pleaded not guilty, leading to a series of motions, hearings and failed plea negotiations. He had also gone through a series of evaluations for serious mental illness.
Records show a prior criminal history for Ponomarenko dating back to 2011, with previous convictions for child endangerment, disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest.
Previous Reporting:
- Parma dad accused of murdering 5-year-old son pleads not guilty
- Parma father indicted on aggravated murder charges in death of 5-year-old son
- Parma dad charged in murder of 5-year-old son wears protective suit to first court appearance, judge continues no bail order
- Vigil held for Jax Ponomarenko, Parma boy allegedly killed by his father
- 5-year-old boy killed in Parma; man who identifies himself as his father in 911 call charged with aggravated murder