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Mass. Family Sues AAA Over Daughter's Death
Aired September 09, 2003 - 15:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A Massachusetts family is suing AAA for what they say is negligence. They accuse the auto club of not responding soon enough to help their stranded daughter, forcing her to wait hours, until she finally accepted health -- help, I should say, from a deadly stranger.
Amalia Barreda of CNN affiliate WCVB has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMALIA BARREDA, WCVB CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Barring a last- minute settlement offer, the parents and stepfather of Melissa Gosule expect their civil action against AAA to take three two four weeks. Not a lot of time when compared to the hell they say they've been through since their 27--year-old daughter was raped and murdered three-and-a-half years ago.
LEE GOSULE, FATHER OF VICTIM: The loss of a child is something you never get over. And this has been really emotional dealing with it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just can't wait to tell my story in front of the jury. That's basically my day in court and that's what I wanted and I've waited three-and-a-half years for it, and it's here.
BARREDA: The family is seeking unspecified damages against AAA for allegedly not doing enough to help Melissa when she broke down in near the Sagamore Bridge in July of 1999. The family says AAA's allegedly stranding of Melissa forced her to accept help from Michael Gentile, now serving a life sentence for her rape and murder.
GOSULE: No other person who loves someone should ever be in the shoes that we were in, that we're in.
BARREDA: While acknowledging the Gosule tragedy, a statement from AAA rejects liability. "We are confident that we can show through the course of this litigation that Miss Gosule had a series of safe options available to her other than accepting a ride from Mr. Gentile. Our attorneys intend to defend the matter vigorously and we believe that the auto club will be completely and properly exonerated."
(on camera): Once the panel is seated, the case will begin with a jury view (ph) in the area where Melissa Gosule's car broke down. Then testimony will begin with her parents taking the stand. Her mother will be first.
In Plymouth, Amalia Barreda, News Center 5.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 9, 2003 - 15:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A Massachusetts family is suing AAA for what they say is negligence. They accuse the auto club of not responding soon enough to help their stranded daughter, forcing her to wait hours, until she finally accepted health -- help, I should say, from a deadly stranger.
Amalia Barreda of CNN affiliate WCVB has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMALIA BARREDA, WCVB CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Barring a last- minute settlement offer, the parents and stepfather of Melissa Gosule expect their civil action against AAA to take three two four weeks. Not a lot of time when compared to the hell they say they've been through since their 27--year-old daughter was raped and murdered three-and-a-half years ago.
LEE GOSULE, FATHER OF VICTIM: The loss of a child is something you never get over. And this has been really emotional dealing with it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just can't wait to tell my story in front of the jury. That's basically my day in court and that's what I wanted and I've waited three-and-a-half years for it, and it's here.
BARREDA: The family is seeking unspecified damages against AAA for allegedly not doing enough to help Melissa when she broke down in near the Sagamore Bridge in July of 1999. The family says AAA's allegedly stranding of Melissa forced her to accept help from Michael Gentile, now serving a life sentence for her rape and murder.
GOSULE: No other person who loves someone should ever be in the shoes that we were in, that we're in.
BARREDA: While acknowledging the Gosule tragedy, a statement from AAA rejects liability. "We are confident that we can show through the course of this litigation that Miss Gosule had a series of safe options available to her other than accepting a ride from Mr. Gentile. Our attorneys intend to defend the matter vigorously and we believe that the auto club will be completely and properly exonerated."
(on camera): Once the panel is seated, the case will begin with a jury view (ph) in the area where Melissa Gosule's car broke down. Then testimony will begin with her parents taking the stand. Her mother will be first.
In Plymouth, Amalia Barreda, News Center 5.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
