PITTSBURGH (AP) — The family of a neurologist who was fatally poisoned last year has filed a wrongful death suit against her husband, a former University of Pittsburgh researcher convicted last week of first-degree murder in her death.
Attorney John Gismondi says the suit is being filed on behalf of Lois Klein, a Towson, Maryland woman who is the mother of the victim, Dr. Autumn Klein.
An Allegheny County jury convicted 66-year-old researcher, Dr. Robert Ferrante, who faces sentencing Feb. 4. That's a formality since his conviction carries an automatic life prison term.
Gismondi says the lawsuit is being filed so Ferrante's assets -- estimated at trial at $2.5 million -- can be used to compensate Klein's family and the couple's 7-year-old daughter.
Ferrante doesn't have a civil defense attorney. His criminal attorney says the lawsuit was expected.
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