Michigan Grandfather Not Liable in Slaying Death of Grandson

An Oakland County judge has ruled a Detroit-area woman is liable for financial damages in the 2012 shooting death of her teenage grandson, but her husband can’t be sued.

The Detroit News reports the judge ruled Wednesday that 76-year-old Sandra Layne of West Bloomfield Township could be forced to pay because she was convicted last year of second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Jonathan Hoffman. She is serving a 20-40 year prison sentence.

Layne’s attorney says the Michigan Court of Appeals will hear her case next month. She claimed self-defense in the shooting.

Hoffman’s estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking at least $1 million against Layne and her 88-year-old husband.

The judge says there is no evidence that the grandfather could have stopped the killing and he isn’t responsible.