Somerset family files wrongful death action as homicide case progresses
SOMERSET ― The family of Clifton Earl Johnson has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Gregory Mostoller, as the criminal homicide case against the defendant progresses.
The lawsuit, filed in Somerset County Court, seeks justice and compensation for the loss of Johnson following a fatal shooting in Hooversville on June 2, 2023.
More: Mostoller going to trial to face homicide charge in death of Somerset County horse trainer
The wrongful death action alleges Mostoller shot Johnson at least seven times, killing him, and that Mostoller was motivated in the killing by a pending estate dispute filed by Johnson. The family is represented by attornies Richard C. Thiele and George C. Miller, of Goldleaf Law PLLC, a firm with offices in Pittsburgh and Greensburg that handles wrongful death and personal injury cases.
“We are committed to seeking justice for Clifton Johnson and holding those responsible accountable for their actions,” Thiele said. “This lawsuit and the related criminal case are important steps in ensuring that the family receives the justice and compensation they deserve.”
Johnson was 64 at the time. He was from Hooversville, and was a well-known horse trainer and farmer in the area. The barn was on a farm owned by Mostoller's deceased parents.
Attorney Thomas M. Dickey of Altoona is representing Mostoller in his criminal case. The Daily American reached out to him for comment, but had not received a response by press time.
The incident
The homicide case against Mostoller, of Johnstown, moved forward in Somerset County Court after a preliminary hearing in August 2023, as reported in a story by Judy Ellich in the Daily American. A trial date has not yet been set.
More: Hooversville man dies of multiple gunshot wounds, Johnstown man charged with homicide
According to the story from the preliminary hearing, on June 2, Mostoller called state police Somerset barracks from a farm at 837 Charles St., Shade Township, saying, "A guy came at me with a wrench, and I killed him," according to a probable-cause affidavit.
The 67-year-old man was waiting for police at the scene of the shooting. Mostoller told police several times that he had killed a man who charged him with a wrench and that the gun was in the garage on the workbench, according to the affidavit. A .45 caliber pistol was found on the bench, the story said.
Somerset County Coroner Cullen Swank found the manner of death was multiple gunshots and the cause of death was homicide. Courtney Healy, pathologist of DX in Windber, who performed the autopsy, said at the hearing there were eight gunshot wounds, of which, three would have caused death, and another in his spine would have debilitated Johnson so he could not walk run or stand, according to the story. There was a gunshot wound in each of Johnson's arms. One went through his eye and the remainder hit him in his trunk.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset family files wrongful death action; homicide case progresses
