Monday, December 01, 2008
GREENSBURG, Pa. —
A former state senator's son was "reckless and careless" with his father's handgun, resulting in the shooting death of the boy's friend, according to a wrongful death suit filed Monday by the victim's father.The suit is the first time the family of Louis Farrell has specifically accused the son, Bobby Regola, of being with Louis and handling the gun when the 14-year-old boy died. A coroner had concluded the death was suicide.
In addition to Bobby Regola, the lawsuit names his parents, former Sen. Robert Regola III and his wife, Janette.
Farrell was found shot to death in July 2006 in the woods near the two families' homes with the elder Regola's pistol nearby.
The suit contends that the boys had gone to the woods to smoke a cigar, and that Bobby took along the 9 mm handgun registered to the senator. The Regolas contend Bobby didn't go outside with Farrell.
Bobby Regola handled the firearm in a "reckless and careless manner so as to permit the firearm to discharge," shooting Farrell in the head, the lawsuit says.
"I've said all along I don't believe Louis was in the woods alone when his life ended," Farrell family attorney Jon Perry told The Associated Press.
Neither the Regolas nor their attorney, Arthur Leonard, responded to calls seeking comment Monday.
Bobby Regola has been adjudicated delinquent, the juvenile court equivalent of a conviction, on charges that he illegally possessed the gun as a minor and was sentenced to probation. He has never been charged or directly implicated in Farrell's death.
The Regolas had given Farrell a key to their house so he could tend to their puppies on July 21, 2006. The senator and his wife were traveling to Harrisburg and had agreed to let Bobby spend the night alone.
Bobby said he returned home and found the gun and ammunition missing. He said he called his father, who summoned his brother to search the home for intruders and the weapon.
The lawsuit contends the Regolas were negligent and reckless for not reporting the missing gun to police even though they knew Farrell and Bobby had the run of the house that day.
Robert Regola, 46, was acquitted in July of perjury and weapons charges stemming from Farrell's death and the coroner's inquest into it. A month later, he abandoned his campaign for a second term.
Prosecutors alleged that the former senator lied about whether the gun had been stored in Bobby's room and that he violated weapons laws by allowing Bobby, a minor, to possess the gun without adult supervision.
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