Melodie Phelps, News Editor
Monticello — The father of a Wayne County woman who was shot to death while sitting on her porch in September has filed a civil suit against the man accused of the shooting.
Ricky Dobbs, whose daughter Samantha Rigney was shot September 6 while at her home in the Parnell community, filed the suit on December 11 in Wayne Circuit Court against Richard Smith, who has been charged with Rigney's murder. The suit also contains civil actions against two of Smith's family members, who apparently purchased and transferred the title of property from Smith after his incarceration for the crime.
Dobbs, who is executor of Rigney's estate, is represented in the action by attorney Larry Rogers.
"As a result of the wrongful conduct of the defendant, Richard E. Smith, the estate of Samantha Lynn Dobbs Rigney has sustained damages for her funeral expense, medical and ambulance expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, loss of affection and companionship by her husband, loss of affection and companionship by her two minor children, all in the sum in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limit of this court," states the civil suit. The suit also requests that the property that was transferred to Smith's sisters following his arrest be "declared inoperative and void."
Smith was taken into custody early on September 7, several hours after officials allege he rode up to the Rigney house on horseback and fired a single shot that killed Samantha Rigney.
He remains in the Wayne County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash bond.