Attorneys for a woman accused of killing Rebecca Zahau call a lawsuit against her “baseless and senseless.”
Dina Shacknai’s lawyers released a statement Wednesday to refute the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Zahau family.
The suit gives the family’s account of what happened on July 13, 2011, when Zahau’s nude body was found hanging from the historic Spreckels Mansion in Coronado.
While sheriff’s investigators found Zahau killed herself over the death of her boyfriend Jonah Shacknai’s son, Max, her parents allege she was murdered by Jonah’s relatives.
The $10 million lawsuit claims Adam and Dina Shacknai — Jonah’s brother and ex-wife — and Dina’s twin sister Nina Romano “actively participated in the planning, implementation, execution and subsequent concealment of the scheme to murder (Zahau).”
One week ago, a judge denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the wrongful death complaint, allowing it to move forward.
“The court's ruling is not a statement as to whether or not the allegations are truthful, or proper, or even have any basis in fact,” said Kim Schumann, attorney for Dina Shacknai, in a release. “The complaint only contains allegations, and no evidence has been presented to the court to support these allegations.”
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According to Schumann, the beginning phase of litigation allows plaintiffs to “allege almost whatever they want.”
The amended complaint accepted by the judge on Oct. 15 is the fourth incarnation of the lawsuit. Other versions were rejected because they were not specific enough in their allegations.
The latest lawsuit accuses Dina of striking Zahau in the back of the head four times with a blunt object as she and Nina confronted the alleged victim about Max’s death.
Once Zahau was unconscious, Adam, Dina and Romano had to plan what to do next, the lawsuit says.
The plaintiffs say Adam carried Zahau’s body into the house, where the trio stripped off her clothing, gagged her and tied her up with tape.
According to the lawsuit, Adam allegedly bound Zahau with a rope and choked her to death, later throwing her body over the edge of an adjacent balcony while “either Dina or Nina was sitting on the bed to which the rope was secured,” the court document states.
Zahau’s family accuses Dina of instructing Adam to paint the cryptic message “SHE SAVED HIM. CAN YOU SAVE HER” on the door outside.
Keith Greer, the Zahaus’ attorney, claims Dina thought Zahau was involved in her son’s death and that she stole her husband – the motives for killing her.
“The general public needs to be aware that the court did not determine or substantiate the accuracy of these allegations in making its ruling,” said Dina’s attorney Schumann in a statement. “The Plaintiffs obviously wish to portray their allegations in a light that will support their claims for recovery of money.”
She says when the facts come to light, Dina and Romano will be vindicated in Zahau’s death.
“Let me be perfectly clear. This is a baseless and senseless lawsuit,” said Schumann.
The attorneys say Dina’s reputation has been irreparably damaged by the allegations.
“We intend to swiftly and aggressively put an end to this matter by every legal means necessary, and will be taking appropriate steps to remedy Ms. Shacknai’s reputational damages and the harm done to the judicial process,” Schumann said.
Greer told NBC 7 depositions started this week. He expects the case will not be settled but will instead go to trial.
