By Jesse Liebman --
February 12, 2010
The family of ex-Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan isn't blaming
her brother Mark who is facing charges for the death of his father, instead vowing to "fight" the ruling that determined Daniel Kerrigan's cause of death.
In a letter sent to friends Thursday in which Nancy Kerrigan explained her love for her father, she also defended her brother and called the state medical examiner's ruling on her father's death "unjustified."
The medical examiner determined earlier this week that Daniel Kerrigan, 70, died last month of a heart rhythm problem after a fight with his son that resulted in significant damage to his windpipe. The death was ruled a homicide; Mark Kerrigan, 45, has pleaded not guilty to assault but could face more serious charges.
The medical examiner's findings also revealed that the elder Kerrigan had high blood pressure and clogged heart arteries.
Kerrigan released the letter a day before she was scheduled to start work as a commentator at the Winter Olympics for "Entertainment Tonight" and the "Insider," something she also did during the 2006 games.
Police have said Mark Kerrigan told them he had had an argument with his father over use of the telephone.
Despite Mark Kerrigan's support from his immediate family, his ex-wife Janet Kerrigan told NBC's "Today" Show Wednesday that he is a "very angry man" with a drinking problem.
Mark Kerrigan also has a lengthy criminal record, with convictions dating to 1991, including drunken driving, assault and battery, domestic assaults, resisting arrest and violation of a restraining order.
