Lawsuit: Man Allegedly Killed Wife, 'Wreaked Absolute Havoc' on Son

Wrongful death suit follows Johnny Oliphant's felony murder charge
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 2, 2019 8:35 AM CST
Man Is Charged With Killing Wife; Son Is Suing Him
Johnny Oliphant may face two trials.   (Getty Images/Onandter_sean)

A Texas man charged with felony murder in the death of his wife of more than 30 years must also contend with a lawsuit from his son. Johnny Oliphant, out on bond as he awaits trial in the 2016 shooting death of Gina Oliphant of La Marque, is named in a wrongful death suit filed by the younger of his two sons on Dec. 19, report Fox News and the Southeast Texas Record. Dylan Oliphant says his father physically abused his mother—he refers to her as his "best friend"—and says her response to her son's pleas to flee the marriage "came too late."

Per ABC 13, Johnny Oliphant allegedly shot his wife in the head during an argument on Dec. 20, 2016, after he'd taken sleeping pills with alcohol. On a 911 call, he allegedly told dispatchers, "I guess I won that one." "Her loss has wreaked absolute havoc in [Dylan's] life,” reads the suit filed in Galveston County District Court. It describes Gina Oliphant as a rock who provided love, emotional support, advice, and financial assistance to her youngest son, who is seeking damages for financial losses, mental anguish, and emotional pain and suffering. (More wrongful death stories.)

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