Metro Weekly

Wone Widow Files Suit

Recent developments in Robert Wone case include $20 million civil lawsuit

Kathy Wone has spoken publicly only once since her husband, Robert Wone, was murdered in the Dupont Circle-area townhouse of Joseph Price, his partner Victor Zaborsky, and their roommate Dylan Ward, on Aug. 2, 2006.

A year after Robert Wone’s mysterious death, with no arrest, no apparent leads and her husband’s case growing colder, Kathy Wone urged anyone with information about that night to come forward.

”Having a murder on your conscience is no small load to carry as you try to live, I imagine, as normal a life as possible,” she said at an Aug. 6, 2007, press conference. ”Confessing will be the hardest thing that you do in your life, our laws will impose severe consequences, but it will also be the most freeing thing that you can do for yourself.”

While her plea failed to generate any response, recent developments in the case, including a 14-page Metropolitan Police Department affidavit released Oct. 27 alleges that Price, Zaborsky and Ward tampered with the crime scene, along with indictments against the three men on suspicion of obstruction of justice, have prompted new action from Kathy Wone.

Benjamin J. Razi of Covington & Burling LLP, Kathy Wone’s attorney, announced Nov. 25 that the Wone family has filed a $20 million civil lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court against Price, Ward and Zaborsky.

”The complaint, which is based on documents and information disclosed for the first time in recent weeks, asserts claims for wrongful death, negligence, spoliation of evidence and conspiracy against Joseph Price, Dylan Ward and Victor Zaborsky,” Razi stated in a public release.

The suit cites language from the MPD’s affidavit allegations: ”Robert Wone was restrained, incapacitated, sexually assaulted, and murdered…” and that, ”There exists overwhelming evidence far in excess of probable cause, that… Price, Zaborsky, and Ward… obstructed justice by altering and orchestrating the crime scene, planting evidence, delaying the reporting of murder to the authorities, and lying to the police about the true circumstances of the murder when interviewed.”

Added Razi, ”The civil lawsuit filed today is another step in the effort to seek justice for Robert. This effort will not end until all persons responsible for his murder and the cover-up of his murder are held to account. Robert’s widow and his family continue to hope that they will someday obtain a measure of closure to this painful, tragic part of their lives.”

Kathy King, head of public relations at Covington & Burling, said Kathy Wone has nothing to add beyond Razi’s prepared statement at this time.

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