The family of Amity R. Kozak and the state of Massachusetts are close to reaching a wrongful death agreement over her brutal slaying at the hands of former MBTA cop Helder “Sonny” Peixoto. Kozak, 29, was fatally beaten with a claw hammer and found in Peixoto’s Florida apartment on May 30, 2007, the same day that the former cop killed himself by jumping off a high-rise condo building. The two of them had recently become romantically involved.
Peixoto, 34, relocated to Florida in March 2004. Earlier that year, he pleaded guilty to motor vehicle homicide in the death of a 79-year-old man. He was sentenced to five years probation. Peixoto’s driver’s license was suspended for 10 years, and he was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
In their Massachusetts wrongful death lawsuit, Kozak’s family is accusing the state of negligence for letting Peixoto move to Florida while he was on probation. They claim probation officials in Massachusetts violated an interstate agreement that required them to obtain the consent of Florida authorities before letting the former Cambridge resident move there. Their complaint contends that by letting Peixoto leave the state, probation officials neglected to follow the law, which required them to get the consent of the Malden District Court.
Massachusetts Wrongful Death
You may be able to hold certain parties that were not directly responsible for causing your loved one’s death liable for Boston, Massachusetts wrongful death if their negligence, carelessness, or recklessness contributed to the fatality. Wrongful death recovery may include compensation for funeral and burial costs, as well as losses of income, care, protection, services, companionship society, comfort, counsel, guidance, advice, and other associated damages.
Family, state near settlement in 2007 slay suit, Boston Herald, January 28, 2010
Before suicide leap, ex-cop left trail of deceit, rage, The Palm Beach Post, June 3, 2007
Former City Council candidate, girlfriend found dead in suspected murder-suicide, Wicked Local, June 2, 2007
Related Web Resource:
Wrongful Death, Nolo
Massachusetts Law About Sentencing, Probation and Parole, Massachusetts Trial Law Library