(NECN: Scot Yount) - Daniel Kerrigan thefather of Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan died late last month after whatauthorities said was a struggle with his son Mark.
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Now, the MedicalExaminer has ruled Kerrigan's death a homicide. The elder Kerrigan 70, sufferedfrom a high blood pressure and a heart condition. The report said DanielKerrigan died from "cardiac dysrhythmia" after the struggle with hisson.
Homicide. It means one person causing the death ofanother. But is it murder? District attorney Gerry Leone must now decidewhether to charge Mark Kerrigan with something more serious than the assaultand battery he is already facing.
The DA could, with thesefindings charge Kerrigan with manslaughter or even 2nd degree murder...but theKerrigan family is already pushing back quickly releasing a statement that saidin part: "We believe this finding to be premature and inaccurate. TheKerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of DanKerrigan, who had a pre-existing heart condition."
Kerrigan 45, has alengthy criminal record, with convictions dating to 1991, including drunkendriving, assault and battery, domestic assaults, resisting arrest and violationof a restraining order. His now ex wifein an exclusive interview with NECN last month said that the Kerrigan family inher opinion is blind to the truth.
Janet Kerrigan/Mark'sEx-Wife: "They could only open their eyes to so much, how much could aparent protect a grown man."
Mark Kerrigan's ex saidthe family blamed her for Mark's problems.
Janet Kerrigan/Mark'sEx-Wife: "And they didn't believe one thing that I said they would call mea liar, they would call me other names, but the biggest one was a liar."
The district attorney said in a written statement that the investigationinto the death is ongoing, and that the process of deciding whether to upgradethe charges is ongoing.
