GRESHAM, Ore. -- A Gresham man admitted killing his estranged wife in front of their two young daughters during an emotional court hearing in Multnomah County Monday.
Joshua Cavett, 37, admitted shooting Jessie Doyle Cavett in her Gresham apartment.
The killer's confession was part of a plea deal. He got a life sentence that came with the chance of getting out of prison in 25 years. But the judge noted that it was only a possibility, not a guarantee.
The deadly shooting occurred in October of 2013. Cavett also kidnapped the couple's 2-year-old daughter afterward.
He left his 5-year-old daughter behind and she called a family friend for help, describing the horror she had just witnessed. The friend called police and Cavett was captured hours later.
The toddler was found safe around 9 p.m. that evening.
In court Monday, Joshua's attorney said he wanted to avoid a trial to spare his daughters more pain.
Meanwhile, Jessie's family and friends said the confession wasn't enough. They wanted a stiffer sentence.
"Whatever sentence comes down is never enough, the damage is beyond words," said Jessie's father John Doyle.
An autopsy conducted during the investigation showed that Jessie died from a gunshot wound to the head. Friends and neighbors described a violent relationship between her and Joshua.
Jessie had also told friends that she was in the process of getting a divorce and lived in fear of Joshua. According to court records obtained by KGW, Jessie had applied for a restraining order against Joshua on Aug. 5.
Joshua already had a lengthy criminal record in Oregon and was a member of the Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club. In 2007, he was convicted of assault and several subsequent probation violations.
Background on case:
