GALVESTON – The 2016 shooting death of a La Marque woman has resulted in litigation.
Galveston County District Court records show that Dylan Oliphant, also known as Dylan Riccio, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his father, Johnny E. Oliphant, on Dec. 19 in the 10th District Court.
In the 8-page original petition, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant fatally shot Gina Oliphant on Dec. 20, 2016. Gina Oliphant was the complainant’s mother and the defendant’s spouse of more than 30 years, a union that produced two sons.
Johnny and Gina Oliphant reportedly had a turbulent marriage and once considered divorce at one point. Though the couple chose to reconcile, the suit says, Johnny E. Oliphant subjected his wife to physical abuse.
The younger Oliphant says that he attempted to get his mother to leave his father. Gina Oliphant’s decision, however, “came too late” as the respondent shot her in the head after he returned home from a bar, court documents say.
Johnny E. Oliphant was arrested and charged with felony murder.
Referring to his late mother as his “best friend,” the plaintiff asserts “her loss has wreaked absolute havoc in his life.”
Consequently, he seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Dawn R. Meade of The Spencer Law Firm in Houston is representing the complainant.
Galveston County 10th District Court Case No. 18-CV-1749