Scot’s US in-laws to sue over husband’s death

Published on Wednesday 25 January 2012 00:00

THE family of an American found dead after a row with his Scottish wife plan to launch a private lawsuit to prove she was responsible for his death.

Joanna Findlay, 41, a lecturer originally from Blairgowrie, Perthshire, was convicted of attempted murder and handgun charges in November after a four-day trial, and will be sentenced on 28 February.

The jury found that her husband, Gary Trogdon, shot himself at their home in Maryland.

She told the court he had assaulted her following a row over child pornography found on his computer. However, his family do not believe he shot himself and are planning a “wrongful death” lawsuit.

Mr Trogdon’s brother, Greg, 51, who lives in Missouri, said: “The lawsuit will be aimed to ensure that she does not inherit his estate and that it goes to my nephew, where it belongs.

“It’s heirlooms. It’s his books, pictures and little odds and ends that can’t be replaced.”

Mr Trogdon added: “The lawsuit is also about having the truth come out.

“If we can say that, because of her actions, she is the one who caused this, it would provide closure for my family.”