Connecticut Jury Rules in Favor of Slain Developer’s Widow

A Connecticut Superior Court jury has rejected claims by insurance companies that had sought millions of dollars from the widow of slain Connecticut real estate developer Andrew Kissel, her attorney said.

Kissel was killed at his Greenwich mansion in 2006 just days before he was scheduled to plead guilty to forging documents to obtain more than $16 million in loans from banks and mortgage companies.

Fidelity National Title Insurance and Chicago Title Insurance sought millions of dollars in damages from Hayley Wolff Kissel, alleging she was aware of her husband’s crimes and helped him by not telling anyone. The companies issued title insurance to several banks that gave Andrew Kissel mortgages based on documents that authorities said he had falsified.

David Rubin, Hayley Wolff Kissel’s attorney, said the jury issued a verdict in favor of his client after deliberating less than four hours.

Rubin said the jury “rightfully concluded Hayley Wolff was not unjustly enriched by Andrew Kissel’s fraudulent conduct in which she played absolutely no part.”

An attorney for the insurance companies confirmed the verdict but had no immediate comment.

Superior Court Judge John Blawie earlier threw out claims that Hayley Wolff Kissel aided and abetted her husband’s crimes.

Hayley Wolff Kissel had moved out of their house with their children just before Kissel was found dead.

Greenwich police arrested Carlos Trujillo, the family chauffeur, and his cousin, Leonard Trujillo, in March of this year in connection with the slaying. They maintain their innocence.