Court Filings Raise Questions About Assets Of Husband Accused In Cyanide Poisoning

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- When Dr. Robert Ferrante's assets were frozen last summer after he was charged in the cyanide poisoning death of his wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, it was estimated the couple's joint accounts totaled about $900,000 and that Ferrante individually has access to about $2.5 million.

But as the defense moves to try to free up more of Ferrante's assets for his defense, the prosecution has raised questions about some of the movement of those assets before the freeze.

Those concerns are reflected in recent court filings.

For example, the prosecution says on May 15 - less than a month after Klein's death - Ferrante transferred $50,000 from their joint account to his individual account.

Earlier transfers include $126,000 from 2011 till April of 2013 transferred to his daughter, the prosecution says. And other transfers from August of 2011 till February of 2013 totaling $130,000 to his son.

Once again in May of 2013, within weeks of Klein's death, Ferrante obtained two safe deposit boxes and put $30,000 in one box; and a few days later, added his daughter as a co-owner of the safe deposit box.

Where the money ends up is relevant to the prosecution because the assets could be used to pay restitution to and treatment for the couple's young daughter if Ferrante is found guilty of murder.

Also, the prosecution could seek the lost wages of Dr. Klein as well, which could total more than the assets of Ferrante.

Those issues and more are expected to be argued at a pre-trial motions hearing scheduled for next week.

RELATED LINKS:
Police Ask To Look Into Doctor's Google Search After Wife's Poisoning Death (1/10/14)
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