911 Tape Played as Trial of Kerrigan's Brother Begins

Olympic skater listens as brother stands trial for death of their father
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 17, 2011 9:47 AM CDT
Manslaughter trial begins for Nancy Kerrigan's brother Mark Kerrigan
Former Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, center, embraces her mother Brenda Kerrigan, left, as her husband Jerry Solomon, right, looks on after the first day of testimony in the manslaughter trial of Nancy's brother Mark Kerrigan.   (Suzanne Kreiter)

The drama surrounding Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan continues to play out as her brother's trial begins today. Mark, 46, is charged with manslaughter; he allegedly triggered the death of 70-year-old Daniel Kerrigan when the two got in an argument over the family telephone in January 2010. Nancy listened from the front row as prosecutors told the jury about Mark's drunkenness during the fight, and how Daniel spent the final moments of his life defending himself from his own son.

"And the final act, which triggered the death of Daniel Kerrigan, is when this defendant grabbed his father around the neck with such force that he fractured cartilage in the left side of his larynx and shoved him to the kitchen floor," said the assistant DA in her opening statement. Kerrigan's attorney, however, told jurors that Daniel died because he had severe blockage of arteries leading to his heart. The former skater comforted her mother as prosecutors played a recording of the 911 call Brenda Kerrigan made to police the night her husband died. It is unclear whether Nancy will be called to testify for either side. (More Nancy Kerrigan stories.)

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