Often times, when someone is charged with vehicular manslaughter, the accused faces not only a criminal trial, but a civil trial, especially when the driver who caused the accident is also accused DUI as well. That is exactly what Florida millionaire John Goodman is facing. However, the circumstances surrounding the case are some of the most bizarre we have ever seen.
The fact of the case are as follows. Goodman ran a stop sign and smashed into the car of Scott Patrick Wilson, killing him. Goodman failed to call 911 and fled the scene on foot. When the police finally caught up with him, his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.
Goodman’s criminal trial is on March 6th, and he faces as many as 30 years in prison. It’s the civil trial, set for later in March, where things get weird.
Goodman had set up a trust fund for his two children, and it was determined that the funds in that trust account weren’t subject to punitive damages the Wilson family could collect in their civil trial. His children can’t collect on their trust funds until they reach the age of 35. Following the ruling, Goodman adopted his 42 year old girlfriend, making her an immediate beneficiary of the trust account and giving Goodman access to 1/3 of the funds, which as of now, can’t be touched by the Wilson family.
The courts must decide of the adoption is a “sham” before moving forward with the civil case to determine just how much of Goodman’s assets should be available for punitive damages to the Wilson family.
