'COLD-HEARTED'
A JUDGE has granted a motion to add former Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino to the lawsuit filed by Gabby Petito's parents.
Joe Petito and Nichole Schmidt are suing Laundrie's parents Chris and Roberta Laundrie, alleging that they knew their son had murdered Petito.
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In September 2021, five days before Petito's body was found in Grand Teton National Park, Bertolino issued a statement on behalf of Laundrie's parents that expressed hope she would be found alive and reunited with her parents.
“It is believed that at the time the September 14, 2021 statement was issued, the Laundries and Steven Bertolino knew that Gabby Petito was deceased and that under those circumstances, the statement was insensitive, cold-hearted, and outrageous,” Pat Reilly, the attorney for Petito and Schmidt, told local NBC affiliate WFLA.
Now that Bertolino has been added to the suit, Gabby's parents "are happy," Reilly said.
“They’ve been through a lot. They’ve had to listen to a lot of statements made by Mr Bertolino on behalf of the family, statements that were sometimes hurtful to them.
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“And so, they believe by bringing Mr Bertolino in, they ultimately will get justice for what has occurred.”
Schmidt told WFLA: “Gabby was there with us. I could feel her.”
Bertolino himself responded to the approval of the motion, telling WFLA: "The decision was not unexpected. This incident, like all others, will work out in the end. One way or the other."
“Once I am [served] I will engage counsel and proceed accordingly.”
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WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT
Gabby's family has already been awarded $3million from Brian Laundrie's estate for a wrongful death lawsuit.
However, Laundrie's parents are still facing legal trouble as the mourning family claims the pair refused to release crucial information that would have implicated their son.
Petito and Schmidt have filed a civil lawsuit against the Laundries, which is set to go to a jury trial in August.
Meanwhile, the Laundries filed a motion earlier this month requesting evidence from Petito and Schmidt.
The request seeks communication that Gabby’s parents had with state and federal agencies, and any contact they had with Gabby, Brian, or the Laundrie family.
The Laundries are also seeking all phone records from Gabby and her parents between July 2, 2021, to September 30, 2021.
Documents and communication relating to compensation or contracts for publishing rights, movie rights, or television rights are also requested.
A total of 21 requests have been filed by the Laundrie family, giving Petito and Schmidt 30 days to produce the evidence, according to the document.