- David Huff was sentenced to 40 years to life for murdering his 11-year-old son and girlfriend in Syracuse.
- The killings occurred on March 17, 2025, using a shotgun inside his stepfather's home.
- Huff's defense claimed he was under the influence of ecstasy during the incident, but he was deemed competent to stand trial.
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK — Weeks after a New York woman was killed in Jamaica during a birthday trip, another New York family tragedy has ended with a long prison sentence. This time, a Syracuse father was sentenced to 40 years to life after killing his 11-year-old son and his girlfriend with a shotgun.
David Huff, 43, was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree murder. The victims were his son, Jeremiah Huff, and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Yeraldith Tschudy.
Shooting Inside Syracuse Home
The killings happened around 9:30 p.m. on March 17, 2025, inside Huff’s stepfather’s home on Roney Road in Syracuse.
Authorities said Huff used a 12-gauge shotgun to kill Tschudy and Jeremiah. He also allegedly shot his stepfather during the same incident.
Jeremiah’s mother, Samantha Gallup-Peltier, had called 911 after receiving a disturbing phone call from her son shortly before the killings.
Huff left the home before police arrived. He was arrested the next morning while walking on West Seneca Turnpike, not far from the scene.
Judge Condemns Huff in Court
Onondaga County Judge Ted Limpert strongly criticized Huff during sentencing.
The judge said Huff’s actions were reprehensible and that even a life sentence was not long enough.
Jeremiah’s mother also spoke in court. She said children should be able to trust their parents to protect them, not fear them.
Huff Laughed During Earlier Hearing
The sentencing came about a month after Huff drew outrage during an April court hearing.
While pleading guilty, Huff smiled and laughed as he admitted to the killings. When the judge asked if he thought it was funny, Huff said he had a “joke stuck” in his head.
He later told the judge he was guilty of whatever the court said he was guilty of.
Defense Cited Drug Use
Huff’s defense attorney said Huff was on the drug ecstasy, also known as Molly, when the killings happened.
However, the defense also acknowledged that experts found any mental incapacity came from Huff’s voluntary use of alcohol or drugs.
The case had been delayed for months while the defense waited for a medical expert to review Huff’s mental health.
Huff was eventually found competent to stand trial. He later chose to plead guilty instead of going through a full trial.
Families Left Grieving
Jeremiah was only 11 years old when he was killed. Tschudy was 23.
Their families are now left to live with the loss while Huff begins his prison sentence.
For the judge and the victims’ families, the punishment was serious, but it could not undo the damage caused inside that Syracuse home.
To view more cases involving family murders, courtroom confessions, and tragic domestic violence cases, check out our video here:
