Roommates say they won't testify in Wone wrongful-death lawsuit The Washington Post _wrongful-death lawsu Washington Post Staff Writer By Keith L. Alexander Friday, September 17, 2010 ‘The three roommates named as defendants in the wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the family of Robert E. Wone have invoked their legal rights not to testify and avoid self- incrimination, attomeys told a D.C, Superior Court judge Thursday. Patrick M. Regan, the Wone family attomey, said the men have informed attorneys on both sides that they do not plan to offer any written testimony during the early stages of the lawsuit and likely will not testify during trial, That often is called "pleading the Fifth," a reference to the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, "Defendants don't assert their Fifth Amendment rights if they are not guilty of something," Regan said outside the courtroom after the hearing. At the hearing, the trial was again rescheduled, this time to Oct. 17, 2011, from Sept. 12, 2011. Wone, a lawyer who worked as general counsel for Radio Free Asia, was found stabbed to death in the men's home at 1509 Swann St. NW on Aug, 2, 2006. Roommates Dylan M. Ward, Joseph R. Price and Victor J. Zaborsky said an unknown intruder entered the townhouse and killed Wone. No one has http://www.washingtonpost. com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/16/AR2010091605933.... been charged in the slaying, In June, after a five-week trial, Price, Zaborsky and Ward were acquitted of charges of covering up for the killer and tampering with evidence. Wone's wife, Katherine, and his family filed the lawsuit when the men were arrested and charged with conspiracy in 2008. ‘Thursday's hearing was one of the first in the civil trial. None of the defendants was present. ‘The three men have hired new attorneys for the civil case, and only one of the half-dozen ‘or so attorneys who represented them at the criminal trial was at the hearing. Robert J. Spagnoletti, who represented Ward, informed Judge Brook Hedge that another attorney would assume the lead role. EXHIBIT Page 1 of 2 11/16/2010Roommates say they won't testify in Wone wrongful-death lawsuit Page 2 of 2 wrongful-death lawsu! It is unclear how long the civil trial could last. Regan said he should be able to present his case in about six days, but Spagnoletti said the defense could take as long as three weeks. One challenge, Hedge said, would be picking a jury because of the intense publicity of the case and the previous trial. During the hearing, attorneys said they plan to file a motion to compel the men to testify Hedge acknowledged that the "Fifth Amendment is going to be the biggest issue." Although Hedge spoke as if she plans to oversee the trial, the judge informed court officials that she plans to retire in December. It was unclear whether Hedge plans to leave the bench when she retires or apply for senior status, which would mean she could still preside over the case. ‘Advorserent ‘Order ONLY at roflowers.com/ha| Proto call 877-808 0606 Pint Powered By ‘http:/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/16/AR2010091605933...._ 11/16/2010Roommates say they won't testify in Wone wrongful-death lawsuit Page | of 2 to dasijaumer Sane Sache Habe Mains eleysPopar sing OWLOu Jabs Com Resin Rela lantss Hehe LOCAL Poles —OmMOHS FORTS Gute Av Lng [maternrorme | i AN ivou ps aoa E ay cl ‘Your Comments On ‘ovale Boss Pernt fvenaee st vote “is tho" a cv Tay sr ua npn sma evo ha madras et ols iF ‘hor goeny van ampy oy rhattgs conta, eensery oon ate sc Pal tw Sradeeaceenaanete armen an ‘comand Sega Dust Pas sas se nares sn IEE ac saentsetv det nreerbny sn der Simro see me sea eae? to sco te tog seh el ru eg “Te con altos nig ahve sous od paisa a eee "Ausenendi2} Anat be ston Per abeaunsl wot: TOYOTA eae TOYOTA ‘Somme ‘Bena ua Dawson Paley silted wet: Poors? Heuanate, ayo, manage al cori, Roo? buyatoyota.com 7910 user esmuncy muse. ‘Astor Wo, se may ep an etme southrt hand than she arab “RAW RAL HEEL isons) ‘sa tut ssn Pater Ache wot: eee yD {Tine goy exit. Sapte, ey ge away we cr tion cv Por ced Lancer) asso ang ney curt ae Ye essed an ste scion Pay taht Rasta sane nee ea a sual wot {soars nat on oe oan eo ae oof occa wl ‘Benen ‘Rar ue lsu Pde http://www. washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/16/AR2010091605933_... 11/16/2010Roommates say they won't testify in Wone wrongful-death lawsuit seasons ets ‘Wa ae eae aus ata? ‘ecanmant aotiana wt: "loners dost ser ee Fm Amend gsi toy of ong Ragan ad, ‘santana Dsl Pak tie sabe dare rt dangasoue ons. Cosgeng how romais we reader ts ser Salto al nt aptaes ay psadg nath ‘ang 8 0 ne rosea eon 0 maka cst ua. aso ot ‘SSelitett eae wnaed i wd beth pees heroes omelannpeseaon. ‘aeconmana ‘Reson. ssn Per ‘tonsa we: Prepon se wth be etoiot? dot al nl. ps roning eps, a8 Me Keane agesneito persed oy Boca seen) eno tise DhalanPsice sonoak wot Verizon Ease ta bate tna ayn eye gt iy arena aM Ware iu Des shah ay? Ror moo ge cared a ry ary uaed pa As ssn Pot Pomatontct wet: Hew toma orator shy HOE wares uta weeds eb 00107 Veeinaton Pot Campury Wate owspapee Podteasts ‘abot Us ‘About Tho Post ‘agus ‘Nore tor us ome deer orice Tee Search ‘© t886.2910 The Washington Font Company User Areomont end Privacy Pole | ahs and Pamir http:/Awww.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/16/AR2010091605933_.. FREESHOWTME® and STARZ*FOR 3MCNTHS. Irene ea $84, oe Page 2 of 2 Peat Company wes sts ine rpsper vacate op Conact Us 11/16/2010