Matter of Edwards

OPINION OF THE COURT

Haul, J.

It is a well-established equitable principle that a wrongdoer should not benefit from his or her own wrongdoing. On this appeal, this Court is presented with the question of whether a person who unlawfully kills another should be permitted to inherit the victim’s assets indirectly through the estate of the victim’s daughter. Under the particular facts of this case, where there is a clear causal link between the wrongful conduct and the benefits sought, we answer that question in the negative.

Factual and Procedural Background

Deanna Edwards Palladino and Brandon…