Police: Kerrigan 'Agitated' After Dad's Death
WOBURN, Mass. (AP) - A police officer has testified that the brother of Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan said he "grabbed his father by the throat" and pushed him before the elder Kerrigan died last year.
The testimony came Thursday during a hearing on a motion by Kerrigan's lawyers to toss out statements he made to police after his father, 70-year-old Daniel Kerrigan, died following an altercation at the family's Stoneham home. Mark Kerrigan has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
Kerrigan's lawyers say he was too drunk to knowingly waive his right to remain silent when he spoke to police. They also allege police persisted in questioning him after he said he didn't want to talk.
Kerrigan's lawyers and family say his father died from a longstanding heart condition and his son was not responsible.
Kerrigan was re-arrested on Monday after he failed required alcohol screenings before he is set to go on trial.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
