Bend-area man sues wife’s alleged killer for $3.5 million
A Bend-area woman facing murder and other charges in last month’s shooting death of a neighbor now faces a $3.5 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by her alleged victim’s husband.
Friday’s filing in Deschutes County Circuit Court also sheds some insight into the events of Jan. 16 and the alleged killing of Valerie Ann Peterson, 58, by Joanna Kasner, 49, a case in which many court documents have been sealed from public view by the judge in the case.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Steven Peterson, the victim’s husband and representative of her estate. It notes she is also survived by her son, sister and brother. And it says she was born in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Jan. 17, 1960, meaning she was killed the day before her 59th birthday.
According to the lawsuit, Peterson was walking her dog, a Labrador named Taggart, and another dog along McGrath Road in the Boonesborough subdivision north of Bend that day, while video chatting with her sister.
It said Kasner was standing at the fence of her property along McGrath Road when “Kasner asked Ms. Peterson if she could see her dogs.”
“Ms. Peterson walked towards defendant Kasner to show her the dogs,” it states. “Then, Kasner discharged a firearm at Ms. Peterson, striking her with multiple bullets.” She died before medics and law enforcement arrived, the complaint says.
Kasner had fled the scene before they arrived, but was soon apprehended and arrested.
The lawsuit seeks damages to be decided at jury trial “but not expected to exceed $3 million” for the family’s losses, including future support and income, as well as $500,000 in non-economic damages. The lawsuit said the woman’s husband also plans to amend the complaint, to seek an award of punitive damages.
Other criminal charges against Kasner include attempted murder, menacing and animal abuse, accused of actions and threats against three other people, trying to stab another woman and shooting Peterson’s dog.
Kasner’s plea hearing is set for March 29.
