Eric Frein's parents settle lawsuit over 2014 sniper attack
Dec. 2—Eight years after Eric Matthew Frein killed one state trooper and seriously injured another in a sniper attack, his parents have settled a lawsuit that accused them of being partly responsible for the crime.
Tiffany Dickson, widow of Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II, and Alex T. Douglass alleged Eugene and Deborah Frein knew their son was mentally unstable and dangerous. Rather than seek help for him, they allowed him access to weapons and "psychologically manipulated" him to develop a hatred for law enforcement that led to the Sept. 12, 2014, ambush outside the Blooming Grove state police barracks.
Frein, 39, of Canadensis, was convicted in 2017 of first-degree murder and other offenses and sentenced to death. Tiffany Dickson and Douglass filed separate lawsuits, which were later consolidated, alleging the Freins were negligent for failing to do more to prevent the attack.
The Freins had vehemently disputed they were responsible. Their attorney, Joseph Mayers, recently filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing Dickson and Douglass failed to present any evidence to show they knew their son was a danger.
Lackawanna County Judge Terrence Nealon was set to hear arguments on the motion Oct. 31 but was advised the case settled, according to court documents.
Reached Friday, Douglass' attorney, Vincent Cimini, declined to reveal details of the settlement, which is confidential. He said Douglass, who has endured multiple surgeries, is relieved the case is over.
"It was a very emotional case," Cimini said. "This completely turned his life upside down."
Attempts to reach Mayers and Marion Munley, Tiffany Dickson's attorney, for comment were unsuccessful.
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tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137;
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