Nancy Kerrigan’s father dies, figure skater’s brother arrested on assault charge
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Violence has again touched the life of Olympics silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan.
Daniel Kerrigan, father of the figure skating star, died early Sunday after an altercation with her brother, who has been arrested on assault charges.
A not guilty plea was entered today on behalf of Mark Kerrigan, who is being held in lieu of $10,000 cash bail. His father’s cause of death had not yet been determined; an autopsy is pending.
No family members were in the courtroom for the plea, but a family friend told the Boston Globe that the death and the arrest have left the family reeling emotionally.
‘It’s a tragedy, a no-win situation, and the family is grieving,’’ James Day said. ‘The family is such a beautiful family. They’ve lost a husband, a father, and brother.’’ The Globe story has plenty of details about Mark Kerrigan’s somewhat turbulent history and is worth a read if you’re curious.
Father and son reportedly argued over whether Mark, who had been living with his parents, could use the kitchen phone. According to the police report, the 45-year-old ‘said that he struggled with his father and put his hands around his father’s neck and his father fell to the floor. He said that his father was faking it.’’
Police said it took four officers to remove a drunk and belligerent Mark Kerrigan from the family home Sunday.
Violence thrust Nancy Kerrigan into a different kind of spotlight back in 1994 when she was whacked in the knee in a plot involving rival Tonya Harding to take her out of competition.
After retiring from skating, Nancy, who lives near her parents, started a foundation to help the visually impaired; mom Brenda is legally blind.
The Ministry wishes it could give someone a hug right now.
-- Christie D’Zurilla
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