A Syracuse man who admitted to killing his 11-year-old son and his girlfriend has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.
David Huff was sentenced Friday in Onondaga County Court for the March 2025 deaths of his son, Jeremiah Huff, and 32-year-old Yeraldith Tschudy of Rochester.
Huff pleaded guilty on April 28 to two counts of murder, admitting that he used a shotgun to kill both victims.
The case drew widespread attention during Huff’s guilty plea hearing when courtroom video captured him smiling and laughing as the charges were read. At the time, Huff told the court he had “a joke” stuck in his head.
Family members of Jeremiah Huff addressed the court during Friday’s sentencing hearing, sharing memories of the 11-year-old and condemning Huff for his actions, according to reports from local media. Huff also apologized for his behavior during the April plea hearing.
In addition to the murder charges, Huff had initially been charged with attempted murder after authorities said he pointed a shotgun at his stepfather during the incident.
With the sentence, Huff will be required to serve at least 40 years before becoming eligible for parole.
