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DURHAM, N.C. — Lawyers for convicted killer Mike Peterson claim their client is out of money, but some attorneys are not buying it. They are headed to court to try to move forward with a civil lawsuit.
Peterson was convicted more than two years ago of killing his wife, Kathleen. A civil trial was supposed to begin last month, but three days before it was about to start, Peterson filed for bankruptcy, putting the proceedings on hold.
Attorney Jay Trehy plans to argue in court Wednesday Peterson did it to avoid his stepdaughter's wrongful death lawsuit. Trehy represents Caitlyn Atwater, Kathleen Peterson's biological daughter.
Atwater wants to make sure her stepfather will not receive any money for writing a book about the incident.
"If he were ever to write a book in prison, he wouldn't make any money off of it. It would go to the victims of his crime," Trehy said.
Peterson, who is currently serving a life sentence, will not be in court Wednesday.
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