Nancy Kerrigan's brother released on bail

Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan's brother was released on bail Wednesday after being charged with assaulting his father shortly before his death last month.

Mark Kerrigan, 45, posted $10,000 bail and was released after undergoing a psychiatric evaluation. A judge has allowed him to live with his mother in the same Stoneham, Mass., home where the alleged incident took place.

Authorities say Kerrigan admitted to assaulting 70-year-old Daniel Kerrigan shortly before his death. Prosecutors have not said whether they will upgrade the assault charge after a Massachusetts medical examiner ruled Kerrigan's death as a homicide following an autopsy.

The Kerrigan family has disputed the medical examiner's findings, saying they "do not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan."

-- Austin Knoblauch

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Mark Kerrigan at his arraignment on Jan. 25. Credit: Ted Fitzgerald / Associated Press

Nancy Kerrigan's family insists no one to blame for father's death

An autopsy report on the death of Nancy Kerrigan's father was criticized by the Olympic figure skater's family Tuesday, who insisted no one is to blame for his death.

A Massachusetts medical examiner ruled Daniel Kerrigan's death a homicide, finding that he died of a heart rhythm problem after allegedly getting into an argument with his son. The medical examiner also found that Kerrigan suffered injuries to his neck that resulted in a damaged windpipe prior to his death.

"The Kerrigan family is extremely disappointed that the medical examiner would release a cause of death without having all of the relevant facts," said Tracey Miner, the Kerrigan family attorney, in a statement. "The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan, who had a pre-existing heart condition."

Mark Kerrigan pleaded not guilty to a felony assault charge after allegedly telling police that he place his hands on his father's neck during an altercation with him Jan. 24. New charges could be filed against Kerrigan based on the findings.

"As a result of these conclusions of the medical examiner, the investigation into Daniel Kerrigan's death, and whether any charges in connection with his death are appropriate, remains ongoing," Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said in a statement.

Nancy Kerrigan's father suffered neck injury prior to death [Updated]

Authorities announced Tuesday that figure skater Nancy Kerrigan's father died of a heart rhythm problem last month after suffering a severe neck injury.

A medical examiner reported that an autopsy revealed Daniel Kerrigan had a damaged windpipe. [Updated Tuesday 2:30 p.m. It was incorrectly reported earlier by Associated Press that Daniel Kerrigan suffered a damaged voice box. The autopsy report released Tuesday states he suffered a damaged windpipe.] His Jan. 24 death has been ruled a homicide by police. The findings could lead to additional charges for Mark Kerrigan, who has pleaded not guilty to a felony assault charge.

Mark Kerrigan, Nancy's brother, allegedly told police he put his hands on his father's neck after getting into an argument with him.

The Associated Press reported that Daniel Kerrigan's autopsy report showed the 70-year-old had underlying medical conditions before his death.

-- Austin Knoblauch

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

In face of horrible tragedy, strength Kerrigan showed at Olympics may help again

For Nancy Kerrigan, most of the year leading up to the 1994 U.S. championships was a competitive mess.

She utterly bombed at the 1993 world championships, finishing first in the short program but ninth in the free skate and fifth overall.

She fell on three jumps at a pro-am a month after worlds.

Her coach, Evy Scotvold, said the season had gone from "poor to terrible to horrific."

She rebounded five months later with a strong free skate at a pre-Olympic event in Norway but stumbled badly again at a pro-am a month before the nationals, at which results would help determine the two U.S. women on the 1994 Olympic team.

At that point, there was considerable doubt about Kerrigan's chances for a second Olympic medal -- she won bronze in 1992.  She admitted at the second pro-am to fighting serious confidence issues: "In the last few years, I was really scared to put my music on. I used to panic, and I would avoid doing run-throughs of my program.

"Now it doesn't matter what I do, because I'm putting everything into this. I'm proud of myself no matter what happens."

Nancy Kerrigan's brother pleads not guilty to assault charge

Nancy Kerrigan's brother pleaded not guilty today to assaulting his father, who died shortly after the alleged incident took place early Sunday morning.

Mark Kerrigan's lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in Woburn District Court on a charge he assaulted a person over 60 that resulted in injury.

According to a police report, Kerrigan was arrested at his parents' home in Massachusetts after getting into an argument with his father, Daniel Kerrigan, who was found unconscious on the floor when police arrived. Daniel, 70, was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

"[Mark Kerrigan] and his father had a violent argument and struggle at the home, and Daniel Kerrigan either fell or collapsed on the kitchen floor," Elizabeth Keeley, an assistant district attorney for Middlesex County, told the Associated Press.

Daniel Kerrigan's wife, Brenda, told the Boston Herald that her husband died of a heart attack.

-- Austin Knoblauch

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Mark Kerrigan, right, is escorted in handcuffs out of court following his arraignment on Monday. Credit: Greg M. Cooper / Associated Press

Nancy Kerrigan's brother charged with assault after father dies

Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan's brother has been arrested and charged with assaulting their 70-year-old father, who was found dead Sunday at his Massachusetts home.

Mark Kerrigan, 45, is scheduled to be arraigned later today on a charge of a assault and battery on a person over 60 that resulted in injuries, Woburn District Court clerk John Teevan said. Daniel Kerrigan was taken to a hospital early Sunday morning where he was pronounced dead.

According to a police report, officers responding to a 911 call described Mark Kerrigan as "belligerent and combative" when questioning him. They reported they had to use pepper spray to subdue and arrest him.

The report states Mark Kerrigan got into a struggle with his father after the father wouldn't let him use the phone.

Daniel's wife, Brenda, told the Boston Herald that her husband died of a heart attack.

Nancy Kerrigan, a two-time Olympic medalist, is best known for being attacked during the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. U.S. Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding pleaded guilty to charges related to the attack.

-- Austin Knoblauch

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related: Kerrigan's brother pleads not guilty

Photo: Nancy Kerrigan. Credit: Steven Senne / Associated Press