$673,000 Recovered for Children in Tennessee Murder Case

Michael J. Hoover
8 hours ago
2 min read

This article details a significant legal victory where the six children of John Paul Wilty, Sr., secured $673,000 in life insurance and accidental death benefits after his murder. Learn how interpleader law was pivotal in this Tennessee federal court case, barring the killer from the proceeds.

Three young boys, viewed from behind, run through a grassy field towards a distant tree line, in a black and white photograph.

Case Overview
Legal Background
Key Ruling Details
Importance of Interpleader Law
Frequently Asked Questions

Case Overview

The six children of John Paul Wilty, Sr., were awarded $673,000 in life insurance and accidental death benefits following his murder in his Mississippi driveway. The case, decided in the Western District of Tennessee, disqualified the widow, Angela Wilty, after her guilty plea for orchestrating the crime.

Case Details

Author: Michael J. Hoover
Date: November 19, 2021
Court: Western District of Tennessee
Case: John Paul Wilty, Jr., et al. v. The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Case No. 2:18-cv-02602-JTF-atc
Summary: John Paul Wilty, Sr., was murdered in his Mississippi driveway, with suspicions pointing to his widow, Angela Wilty. The couple’s six children, five represented by Interpleader Law, sued Prudential to secure $673,000 in life insurance and accidental death benefits. After Angela’s arrest and guilty plea for orchestrating the murder, the court awarded the full amount to the children.

Legal Background

The case relied on interpleader law, which allowed The Prudential Insurance Company of America to deposit the disputed $673,000 with the court for a neutral resolution. Michael J. Hoover’s legal strategy leveraged Tennessee’s slayer statute to disqualify Angela Wilty, ensuring the children’s rights as beneficiaries were protected.

Key Ruling Details

Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr.’s ruling disqualified Angela Wilty from the $673,000 in life insurance and accidental death benefits due to her guilty plea for orchestrating the murder. The full amount was awarded to the six children, reinforcing the slayer statute role in preventing killers from profiting from their crimes.

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Importance of Interpleader Law

Resolves Conflicts: Interpleader law enables courts to fairly settle disputes over life insurance proceeds, as seen in this Prudential case.
Murderer Forfeiture: Tennessee’s slayer statute prevents killers from claiming death benefits, safeguarding rightful beneficiaries like the Wilty children.
Legal Strategy: Expert representation, like Michael J. Hoover’s, is crucial in navigating complex disputes involving criminal acts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does interpleader law affect life insurance disputes?

Interpleader law allows courts to resolve competing claims to life insurance proceeds, ensuring a neutral and fair outcome, as demonstrated in this Tennessee murder case.

Can a murderer claim life insurance benefits?

No, under Tennessee’s slayer statute, a murderer is barred from receiving death benefits, as shown by the award to the Wilty children.