CLEVELAND, OH – An Ohio woman was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to the aggravated murder of a local university professor, marking a grim end to their brief acquaintance that began online.
Terreionna Paschal, 32, admitted to fatally shooting 41-year-old Todd A. Morgan, a business professor at Cleveland State University, during their first encounter on April 19, 2023. According to Summit County prosecutors, the sentence includes incarceration with a possibility of parole after 23 years, due to the severity of the crime which involved the use of a firearm.
The courtroom was charged with emotion as Sandy Morgan, the mother of the deceased, delivered a heartfelt statement about the immense loss her family had suffered. “I would like to see Ms. Paschal pay dearly for taking my son’s life,” she stated, fighting back tears. She described her son as a man who died senselessly and underscored the profound grief of losing him.
Adding to the emotional testimony was the impact of Morgan’s death on his two young children. “You took a father from two beautiful children,” Sandy Morgan expressed, highlighting the victim’s deep connection with his family.
In her defense, Paschal expressed remorse before the court and the victim’s family. “I’m very sorry, and I hope that one day you can find it in your hearts to forgive me,” Paschal said, addressing the Morgan family directly.
The incident first came to police attention when they were called to perform a welfare check at Morgan’s residence, alarmed by his failure to collect his 4-year-old daughter from school. Upon arrival, officers discovered Morgan with fatal gunshot wounds to his head and torso. Investigations at the crime scene retrieved vital forensic evidence such as shell casings and a bloody shoe print that linked Paschal to the scene.
Witness accounts and surveillance data suggested that Paschal, recognizable by her long dark hair, was seen leaving Morgan’s home around the time of the murder. The association between Paschal and Morgan was traced back to their recent virtual connection through a mobile app, which quickly escalated into a tragic real-world encounter.
Evidence involving phone records, DNA tests, and ballistic analyses solidified the case against Paschal, leading to her eventual guilty plea.
Morgan’s life and contributions were commemorated in various tributes describing his passion for education and his unwavering commitment to his children. “All who knew Todd Morgan could attest to his fierce love for his family,” read a statement from his obituary. “He cherished his role as a father and was committed to his children’s well-being. He will be deeply missed.”
The case has sparked discussions on the safety of online encounters and the unforeseen dangers that can arise from virtual relationships migrating into the physical world.