Entertainment
Late model's parents push back on bid to shrink $4 million verdict tied to Shawne Merriman's circle
The parents of Kimberly Fattorini oppose Elias Wehbe's bid to reduce a $4 million wrongful death award tied to Shawne Merriman's circle.
The parents of Kimberly Fattorini are fighting to keep a $4 million wrongful death award in place.
Deann and Ferdinand Fattorini filed court papers opposing a move by Elias Wehbe to reduce the judgment, according to reports. Wehbe is a former nightclub promoter who has been an associate of ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman.
His argument
Wehbe claims the evidence at trial did not justify a verdict that large.
The texts
Court papers include messages the parents say Wehbe sent the night Kimberly died in 2017. One of them, they allege, asked her to come over and do "blow." The family told the jury he would get women intoxicated so they might agree to sex.
They also say Wehbe saw an intoxicated Kimberly climb into an Uber with Merriman. That was after he read her text saying one of his friends had put GHB in her drink, they claim.
Another text allegedly showed the men talking about "whores" at the house as well as drugs. The parents say the trial record more than supports the award. They want the judge to leave it alone.
The verdict
Merriman, Wehbe plus others were ordered to pay Kimberly's parents $4 million. The suit claimed Merriman slipped GHB into her drink. Her death was ruled an accident. Officials found cocaine, alcohol plus GHB in her system.
Merriman has strongly denied doing anything wrong.
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