Even a backwoods judge in Vermont should realize that you cannot impute negligence to the surviving family of someone who comits a murder and then a suicide. And the issue of “punishing” a dead person is absurd. The concept of “justice” has been prostituted to point it can’t be recognized anymore. This badly flawed ruling needs to be challenged vigorously. (as should the mental capacity of the alleged “judge” who made it.)
This article leaves a bit too much guesswork. It is an absurd ruling. Can they have punitive damages w/o negligence? Good luck trying to collect on this one.
Frankly, I do not see any bad law in allowing the family of the innocent victim to have a right of claim against the perpetrator’s estate. As long as the perpetrator’s family-members are not personally exposed, and that there is no valid claim covered under an insurance policy. Why should the perpetrator’s family benefit from his estate, and the victim’sfamily is left with nothing. regarding “punishing a dead man”, I guess that a judgment capped at the value of the estate, posthumously punishes the perp., as he would not have left his family anything.
This is absurd, I agree. Why do the deceased woman’s parents deserve money from a family who had nothing to do with this? Did the woman support her parents financially? If not, I don’t see how they feel they are owed $1 million, it’s not as if it is a spouse and children. People always turn a tragedy into a way to make money.
NEVER trust people to do the right thing when it comes to making a quick buck !!!!!
The operative paradigm is that something bad happened, so somebody needs to be punished and by the way……….we should at least get some money.
I agree this is a bogus ruling. Even suing the estate is bogus, but far more reasonable than opening up the perps family to liability. It’s not like they pulled the trigger.
I hope the victim’s family wises up before they go after the guy’s family. Otherwise I hope they lose and have to pay court costs. Tragic stuff, but courts aren’t the lotto.
Are you people serious? Her life was cut short by this psycho, and you don’t think his estate should go to her family!? KOB hit the nail on the head – it IS punishment. He knew what he was doing, and he knew he had money to leave to his family. Maybe that was comforting to him. Well, tough. Her family is not looking for retirement money, for Christ’s sake. It’s called justice – however they can get it. How can you know what they plan on doing with the funds? Maybe a foundation in her name? Or, hell – maybe ANYTHING that can bring ANY joy into their lives after what he did. Maybe to her nieces and nephews, or YES – her parents. ANYTHING that would “benefit” her. Stop judging and think before you speak. How would YOU feel?
We have updated our privacy policy to be more clear and meet the new requirements of the GDPR. By continuing to use our site, you accept our revised Privacy Policy.
Even a backwoods judge in Vermont should realize that you cannot impute negligence to the surviving family of someone who comits a murder and then a suicide. And the issue of “punishing” a dead person is absurd. The concept of “justice” has been prostituted to point it can’t be recognized anymore. This badly flawed ruling needs to be challenged vigorously. (as should the mental capacity of the alleged “judge” who made it.)
This article leaves a bit too much guesswork. It is an absurd ruling. Can they have punitive damages w/o negligence? Good luck trying to collect on this one.
What a horrible ruling using terribly flawed reasoning. Hopefully this is appealed to a higher (and smarter) Court.
Frankly, I do not see any bad law in allowing the family of the innocent victim to have a right of claim against the perpetrator’s estate. As long as the perpetrator’s family-members are not personally exposed, and that there is no valid claim covered under an insurance policy. Why should the perpetrator’s family benefit from his estate, and the victim’sfamily is left with nothing. regarding “punishing a dead man”, I guess that a judgment capped at the value of the estate, posthumously punishes the perp., as he would not have left his family anything.
This is absurd, I agree. Why do the deceased woman’s parents deserve money from a family who had nothing to do with this? Did the woman support her parents financially? If not, I don’t see how they feel they are owed $1 million, it’s not as if it is a spouse and children. People always turn a tragedy into a way to make money.
NEVER trust people to do the right thing when it comes to making a quick buck !!!!!
The operative paradigm is that something bad happened, so somebody needs to be punished and by the way……….we should at least get some money.
Not just some money, enough money to retire with.
I agree this is a bogus ruling. Even suing the estate is bogus, but far more reasonable than opening up the perps family to liability. It’s not like they pulled the trigger.
I hope the victim’s family wises up before they go after the guy’s family. Otherwise I hope they lose and have to pay court costs. Tragic stuff, but courts aren’t the lotto.
Are you people serious? Her life was cut short by this psycho, and you don’t think his estate should go to her family!? KOB hit the nail on the head – it IS punishment. He knew what he was doing, and he knew he had money to leave to his family. Maybe that was comforting to him. Well, tough. Her family is not looking for retirement money, for Christ’s sake. It’s called justice – however they can get it. How can you know what they plan on doing with the funds? Maybe a foundation in her name? Or, hell – maybe ANYTHING that can bring ANY joy into their lives after what he did. Maybe to her nieces and nephews, or YES – her parents. ANYTHING that would “benefit” her. Stop judging and think before you speak. How would YOU feel?