Stepfather

Gucci Heiress Secures $115 Million Verdict Against Step-Father for Childhood Sexual Abuse, Plans to Channel Funds into Children’s Foundations

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A jury in Los Angeles awarded $115 million to Alexandra Zarini, the heiress of the Gucci fashion dynasty, in a civil case against her former stepfather, Joseph Ruffalo. The decision came after a trial where Zarini accused Ruffalo of persistent sexual abuse beginning in her early childhood. The jury determined that Ruffalo, who produced films in the 1980s including “Purple Rain,” was liable for sexual battery and causing intentional emotional distress. Despite the substantial verdict, Ruffalo’s defense claimed he was unable to pay the awarded damages. During the proceedings, Zarini’s attorney, Gary A. Dordick, pressed … Read more

Baltimore Jury Acquits Man in 2022 Stepfather Murder Case Amid Contested Evidence

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Baltimore, MD — In a surprising conclusion to a high-profile trial, a Baltimore City Circuit Court jury acquitted 36-year-old Samuel Cole of several severe charges including first-degree murder, stemming from the 2022 shooting death of his son’s stepfather, 30-year-old Jonathan Miller. The verdict, delivered on July 3, came after an intense scrutiny of evidence that involved modern technological methods, such as license plate reader data and cell phone location tracking. These technologies placed Cole’s vehicle near the crime scene at the critical time. The defense argued strenuously against the reliability of the circumstantial evidence linking … Read more