An Ohio man has been sentenced to two life prison terms after pleading guilty to the murders of two young sisters in a 2022 domestic violence case that devastated a Kentucky family. The sentencing brings an end to a criminal case that began with a violent attack inside an apartment in Boyd County and ended with the suspect’s arrest across state lines.
John Tooson, 36, received two life sentences in Boyd Circuit Court for the killings of 20-year-old Selina Easter and her 18-year-old sister, Summer Algarakhuly. Prosecutors said the case left two young children without their mothers and deeply affected the victims’ family and the surrounding community.
Two Life Sentences Handed Down
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman and Boyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rhonda Copley announced that Tooson was sentenced following his guilty plea in Boyd Circuit Court.
Rather than proceeding to trial, Tooson admitted responsibility for multiple felony charges connected to the June 2022 killings.
The court imposed two life sentences for the murder convictions, reflecting the seriousness of the crimes and the loss of two young lives.
According to state officials, the sentence provides accountability, although they acknowledged it cannot undo the lasting impact on the victims’ loved ones.
Guilty Plea Included Multiple Felony Charges
Court records show that Tooson pleaded guilty to several offenses arising from the investigation.
The charges included:
- Two counts of murder
- One count of first-degree robbery
- One count of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon
- One count of wanton endangerment
- Persistent felony offender status
By entering guilty pleas, Tooson accepted responsibility for the offenses, bringing the criminal prosecution to a close without a jury trial.
Prosecutors Describe Violent Attack
According to investigators, the fatal attack occurred inside Selina Easter’s apartment in Boyd County during June 2022.
Authorities said Tooson, who had been in a relationship with Selina Easter, tortured both sisters before fatally shooting them inside the residence.
Investigators also stated that Summer Algarakhuly’s newborn daughter was in a nearby room during the attack but was not physically harmed.
The details outlined by prosecutors formed the basis of the charges that ultimately resulted in Tooson’s guilty plea.
Suspect Captured After Leaving Kentucky
Following the killings, investigators say Tooson fled Kentucky in an effort to avoid arrest.
Law enforcement agencies worked together to locate him, and authorities ultimately apprehended him in Ohio.
His arrest allowed prosecutors in Kentucky to move forward with the homicide case, which remained active until the recent sentencing.
Officials credited cooperation between law enforcement agencies for bringing the suspect back to Kentucky to face justice.
Two Families Forever Changed
Both Selina Easter and Summer Algarakhuly were mothers, a fact repeatedly highlighted during the sentencing hearing.
Family members described the lasting emotional impact the murders have had on the children left behind.
Victim impact statements focused not only on the loss of two daughters and sisters but also on the difficult responsibility of raising children who will grow up without their mothers.
One family member emotionally explained that she “was only supposed to be her aunt” before describing how she is now raising a child who will never have the opportunity to know her mother firsthand.
Those statements underscored the long-term consequences of violent crime beyond the immediate victims.
Prosecutors Hope Sentence Brings Some Measure of Peace
Following the sentencing, Boyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rhonda Copley acknowledged that no legal outcome could erase the family’s grief.
She said the guilty plea and resulting sentence establish accountability for the deaths of Selina Easter and Summer Algarakhuly while expressing hope that the resolution may provide some measure of peace for their loved ones.
Copley also recognized the devastating loss experienced by the victims’ children, whose lives were permanently altered by the crimes.
The prosecution emphasized that the sentencing was intended to deliver justice while sparing the family from the emotional burden of a lengthy trial.
Attorney General Addresses Family’s Loss
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman also commented on the conclusion of the case.
He noted that no prison sentence can replace the role of a mother or repair the emotional damage caused by the murders.
Coleman said the court’s decision represents an important step toward justice for everyone who loved Selina Easter and Summer Algarakhuly, even though it cannot fill the void left by their deaths.
His remarks reflected the broader impact of domestic violence on families and communities throughout Kentucky.
Investigation Led by Local and State Authorities
The Ashland Police Department conducted the primary investigation into the double homicide.
Throughout the prosecution, Boyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rhonda Copley and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kierston Rosen received support from Tom Lockridge, a Violent Crime Resource Prosecutor with the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.
The coordinated effort between local investigators and state prosecutors helped bring the case to its conclusion through the negotiated guilty plea.
Parole Eligibility Remains Under Kentucky Law
Although Tooson received two life sentences, officials noted that Kentucky law allows for the possibility of parole consideration after a specified period.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Tooson may become eligible for parole after serving 25 years. Parole eligibility does not guarantee release, and any future decision would be made through Kentucky’s parole review process based on applicable legal standards.
For the victims’ family, however, the sentencing marks the conclusion of the criminal case while leaving behind the lasting challenge of rebuilding lives forever changed by the loss of two young mothers. The case stands as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the enduring impact it has on surviving children and loved ones.