Saturday, December 23, 2006
Donna Moonda is the sole beneficiary of her murdered husband's policies.
STAFF/WIRE REPORT
PITTSBURGH -- The company that holds life insurance policies on a millionaire doctor killed on the Ohio Turnpike has asked a court to take control of the two policies, valued at nearly 700,000.
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. says that Dr. Gulam Moonda's wife, Donna Moonda, who is accused in his death and is the sole beneficiary, would not be entitled to the money under Pennsylvania law if she is convicted.
The company, however, said in court papers filed this week that it fears that multiple claims could be made on the policies. Company officials are asking the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh to accept the money, release it from further liability and determine who would receive it.
Husband killed
Donna Moonda, 47, of Hermitage, is charged with murder for hire and other counts in the death of her husband, who was shot May, 13, 2005, when the couple pulled off the Ohio Turnpike in suburban Cleveland.
A gunman emerged from another vehicle, shot and robbed the doctor and fled. Damian Bradford, Donna Moonda's former lover, pleaded guilty in July to interstate stalking and a gun charge. Donna Moonda was indicted in August.
Prosecutors allege that Donna Moonda promised to pay Bradford, her former lover, if he killed her husband. She has maintained her innocence. Her trial is scheduled for June 4 in federal district court in Akron.
Bradford made a plea deal with prosecutors. He told police he shot Dr. Moonda, but only at the urging of the doctor's wife. Bradford had met her in drug rehabilitation in Beaver County, and he alleged that she asked him to kill the doctor shortly after starting the affair.
Bradford has been offered a 171/2-year prison sentence in exchange for his cooperation.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Donna Moonda.