Family Of Doctor Killed By Cyanide Sues Convicted Husband
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The family of Dr. Autumn Klein has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her husband, Dr. Robert Ferrante.
Last week, Ferrante was convicted of using cyanide to kill Klein.
Family members say they filed the suit to protect the interest of the couple's daughter and the rest of the family.
Cianna Ferrante was 6-years-old when her mother died. She's 7 now.
Court records show Ferrante's assets about $2.5 million before his trial started. But that was before he paid for his criminal defense.
"We know had some assets. We don't know what assets he has at this time, but whatever he has should go to the benefit of that, the minor child," said John Gismondi, the family's attorney. "And the primary purpose of the civil claim is to protect her."
The lawsuit's focus is the welfare of the little girl.
"We don't believe we've got to reprove his guilt, because he's already been proven to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and in a civil case, the standard is even lower than a reasonable doubt," said Gismondi. "So, no, we don't believe we need to reprove that he's responsible for her death. We need to prove the damage that the young child has suffered as a result of her mother not being here. We've got to prove that."
The lawsuit points out that under the wrongful death act, the surviving child is entitled to damages based on loss of funds, loss of companionship, loss of upbringing and medical expenses.
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