Novack murders back in the news as widow's trial looms

Narcy Novack's murder and racketeering trial is scheduled to start toward the end of April. She and her brother recently lost motions to suppress statements they made during separate police interviews. The trial should be fascinating, but we are mostly interested in the verdict: If Narcy is found not guilty, she may inherit her husband's estate. Her husband, Florida businessman Ben Novack Jr., was worth about $10 million at his death, though news sources say there could be more -- much more -- in offshore accounts.

Narcy's claim to any part of her husband's fortune depends on more than the verdict of her murder trial. Narcy's daughter (from a previous relationship) is challenging her mother's right to the money. Recently, members of the Novack family filed another challenge, not just to Narcy's claim, but also to any claim her daughter may make.

At the heart of the matter is Florida's slayer statute, which we've talked about before. The law prohibits an individual involved in a person's death from inheriting any of the deceased person's property. So, if Narcy is convicted in the criminal trial, she will not inherit. She could also lose her claim if she is not convicted in criminal court but found liable in a civil wrongful death suit. Think "O.J. Simpson."

Her daughter, May Abad, has asked the court to make sure Narcy does not see a dime from her husband's estate. In fact, Abad is a key witness for the prosecution; she has told the press that she believes her mother killed Ben Jr. And, according to court papers, informants told investigators that Abad and perhaps her sons were next in line to be harmed after Ben Jr.'s death. Reportedly, the original plan was to frame Abad for the murder, then the hit men would assault her.

Apparently Abad is focusing on taking Narcy out of the equation and not necessarily on putting herself into it. The truth of the matter is that Abad is next in line, which would mean that the family of a convicted killer could profit from the killer's actions -- an interesting outcome, perhaps one not contemplated when the statute was drafted.

At any rate, the prospect of having Abad and her boys inherit Ben Jr.'s millions does not sit well with members of his extended family. We will discuss their argument in our next post.

Source: Bellingham Herald, "Cop in Florida millionaire murder case loses job over loan to victim's relative," Julie K. Brown, March 14, 2012