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Combs-LaFleur estate awarded $15 million in wrongful death lawsuit | LoudounTimes.com

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Combs-LaFleur estate awarded $15 million in wrongful death lawsuit

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 by Laura Peters | 4 comments | Email this story

6 The estate of Catherine Cacey Combs-LaFleur, a Leesburg woman killed by her husband in September 2010, received $15 million on Feb. 13 following a daylong wrongful death trial in Loudoun County Circuit Court. The $15 million, which was awarded by a jury, is believed to be the largest ever rendered in Virginia, according to a release from attorney Peter Burnett. Peter Burnett and Jonathan Slater of Burnett & Williams, the attorneys for the estate, asked for $15 million as a reflection of the grief and anguish associated with the horrific nature of the crime, a release stated. Steven Combs-LaFleur was convicted of first-degree murder by a jury on Nov. 18, 2011, in connection with his wifes death. The now 62-year-old husband was convicted of hitting his wife, Catherine Cacey CombsLaFleur, seven times with a sledgehammer on Sept. 18, 2010. His defense attorney, Matt Snow, said her death was a mercy kill. Steven Combs-LaFleur said he was doing repairs on his home in Leesburg on the night of his wifes death when something knocked the ladder over he was standing on. When he became conscious, he saw his wife laying in the fetal position on the deck and stairs. The defendant then admitted to hitting her in the head with the hammer to end her misery. This was a moral victory for the family, said Burnett. The family needed their day in court to talk about Cacey. They were troubled that their loved one, this delightful, lovely and thoughtful person, would be remembered for how she died, not for how she lived. I am honored to represent such a deserving family. Steven Combs-LaFleur, who faces life in prison for killing his wife, will face sentencing on March 9. The wrongful death claim was filed on Jan. 31. Cacey Combs-LaFleurs beneficiaries are her 79-year-old mother and two younger brothers. Cacey Combs-LaFleur was a longtime resident of Leesburg who was active in many local charities, a release said. She worked as a graphic artist for more than 30 years at the engineering firm CH 2 MHill. The company recently established the Cacey Combs-LaFleur Spirit Award, which is intended to perpetuate the extraordinary kindness and character of an employee well known in the company. The Combs family made a gift in their daughters memory to Loudoun Cares, an organization that supports other charities in the area. The family has expressed the desire to have the gift be used to help Cacey be remembered for the person she was during her life, Burnett said. 6 Ask a Lawyer Online Now A Lawyer Will Answer You Now! Questions Answered Every 9 Seconds.
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