Man Sues Father For Death Of His 'Best Friend' Mother

A Texas man, who is expected to stand trial for fatally shooting his wife in 2016, was recently sued by his son for the wrongful death of the latter’s mother.

Dylan Oliphant, who now goes by Dylan Riccio, filed a wrongful death suit against his father, Johnny Oliphant, on Dec. 19, for killing Gina Oliphant, 54, whom the accuser considered to be his “best friend.” According to court documents, Riccio claimed that his mother’s death "wreaked absolute havoc in his life” and he held his father responsible for that, ABC13 reported.

Riccio, who is the younger of two siblings, characterized his parents’ marriage as rocky in the lawsuit and that the couple had contemplated divorce at least once, a year before the victim’s death. The lawsuit also alleged Johnny was physically abusive toward his wife and in spite of that the couple chose to reconcile. Johnny was married to his wife for 30 years before ending her life following an argument.

Johnny already faces the charge of felony murder following the incident which took place on Dec. 20, 2016 in the 5100 block of Flemming, La Marque, Texas. He was released on a $100,000 bond.

According to records, Johnny returned from the bar on the fateful day and entered into an argument with his wife. Sometime into the argument, the accused allegedly shot the victim in the head, killing her. After that, he proceeded to consume sleeping pills with alcohol and call 911. He reportedly told the emergency dispatcher: "I guess I won that one."

Riccio said he had tried to get his mother who, according to the lawsuit, used to provide him with emotional support, love, advice and financial assistance, to leave the turbulent marriage with his father. However, his mother’s decision “came too late” as she was killed shortly after making up her mind, The Southeast Texas Record reported.

If convicted in the wrongful death case, Oliphant will be liable to pay his son unspecified amount of damages, including an expected inheritance. Riccio is pushing for a trial by jury.