Couple must pay $572K, plus possible punitives, in 4-year-old son's fatal shooting of playmate
A New Jersey judge hearing a wrongful death case over the accidental slaying of a 6-year-old by his 4-year-old playmate has ordered the parents of the shooter to pay $572,588.26, plus possible punitive damages.
Judge Robert Brenner found Anthony Senatore 90 percent liable and Melissa Senatore 10 percent liable for keeping a loaded rifle under their bed at their Toms River home, New Jersey Advance Media reports.
Brenner also ordered an investigation of the couple’s finances to determine whether they can afford to pay punitive damages in the Ocean County Superior Court case.
The Monday award to Christine and Ronald Holt for the 2013 death of their son, Brandon Holt, followed the criminal conviction of Anthony Senatore on child endangerment charges for failing to secure the loaded .22 caliber rifle at his Toms River home.
Hat tip: Washington Post (reg. req.).
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Man to get 3 years for failing to secure gun used by his son, 4, to fatally shoot playmate”
Asbury Park Press: “Anthony Senatore sentenced in death of Brandon Holt”
