A lawyer for Brian Laundrie and his parents in the Gabby Petito murder case has reportedly made a settlement offer to the slain woman’s parents ahead of a civil trial scheduled for next year.
Court documents obtained by WFLA entertainment attorney Steven Bertolino recently presented the proposal to Joe Petito and Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s parents.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed and an attorney representing Joe Petito and Schmidt declined to comment to the outlet.
Gabby’s grieving parents are suing Brian Laundrie’s parents, Chris and Robert Laundrie, in Florida civil court, claiming they knew about Gabby’s murder but chose to remain silent about the case.
The lawsuit argues that their inaction resulted in their severe emotional distress and that they deserve compensation.
Gabby Petito’s parents are suing Brian Laundrie’s parents.
“Conciliation discussions and proposals are part of the process of every civil litigation,” Bertolino, who was added as a co-defendant in the civil lawsuit, told WFLA. “This case is no different.”
Depositions began last month and a jury trial is scheduled for May 2024.
Petito, 22, was traveling across the country with Laundrie, 23, when he suddenly disappeared in August 2021.
He returned to her Florida home without her, prompting police to name him as a person of interest in the case.
Petito’s strangled body was found in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park the following month.
Gabby Petito was murdered by her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.via REUTERS
Weeks later, Laundrie was found dead in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida.
Investigators determined he committed suicide and said he confessed to the murder of his girlfriend in a letter.
Petito’s parents also sued the Utah City of Moab Police Department, arguing that the agency “deprived Gabby of her safety and, ultimately, her life.”
Moab officers stopped the couple for speeding and found Petito bloodied and crying after a fight. The police separated them at night, but took no further action.
Petito was assassinated days later.
Utah police arrested the couple just days before Petito’s death.AP
His family celebrated the second anniversary of his death earlier this week.
“Please shine a light in the darkness for all those who have been kidnapped by their loved ones and for survivors of domestic violence!” Schmidt published in X.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn