Family awarded $6M in Dracut man's murder

Seven years after Marc Beauregard's body was found lying in a pool of blood near the Robinson Middle School, a civil jury has awarded his family $6 million in a wrongful-death lawsuit, saying Steven Knight, Beauregard's former boyfriend, played a "substantial" role in the Dracut man's death.

[Former Lowellian]

I hope the police crack this case and charge those two pieces on junk with murder!

[Lowell]

I am happy with the outcome. I truly believe the jury made the right decision.

[Concerned]

How can a judge rule this person had a substantial role in this mans death and rule $6 mil for the victims family when he hasnt been arrested, convicted etc of murder? It seems that this person was railroaded without his constitutional rights of jury by peers. If he hasnt been convicted of the crime then he shouldnt be held responsible for the crime. Granted, He probably did do the crime but if he isnt convicted I do not think it is fair for a lower court to rule this way.

[Townie]

Different standard, different rules. This was a civil suit, not a criminal case and the judge didn't find anything - the jury did - read the story a little more carefully. A conviction in a criminal case requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt - proof in a civil case is a fair preponderance of the credible evidence, or more probable than not.
Like Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman's family suing O.J. Simpson for wrongful death. He wasn't convicted of the murders, but he was found civilly liable for the deaths and a substantial award of money was made.

[lowell too]

Concerned wrote:

How can a judge rule this person had a substantial role in this mans death and rule $6 mil for the victims family when he hasnt been arrested, convicted etc of murder? It seems that this person was railroaded without his constitutional rights of jury by peers. If he hasnt been convicted of the crime then he shouldnt be held responsible for the crime. Granted, He probably did do the crime but if he isnt convicted I do not think it is fair for a lower court to rule this way.

It is the same way that OJ Simpson was held financially liable for the murders, despite the lack of a criminal conviction. And this is not a lower court - it is the same Superior Court where Knight was previously convicted for stealing from the decedent, and it would be the same court where Knight would be tried for murder, if/when he is eventually indicted.

[Wondering]

Townie wrote:

Different standard, different rules. This was a civil suit, not a criminal case and the judge didn't find anything - the jury did - read the story a little more carefully. A conviction in a criminal case requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt - proof in a civil case is a fair preponderance of the credible evidence, or more probable than not.
Like Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman's family suing O.J. Simpson for wrongful death. He wasn't convicted of the murders, but he was found civilly liable for the deaths and a substantial award of money was made.

The Goldman's probably have a better chance of actually collecting.

[Only in Mass]

No Money to be awared!! Let just tie up the court system to keep the Greed Lawer working.

[lowell too]

Only in Mass wrote:

No Money to be awared!! Let just tie up the court system to keep the Greed Lawer working.

You need to read a little closer. While it will be tough to get 6 million from him, the win prevents Knight from collecting the $700,000 life insurance policy or anything under the will. That now goes to his family.

[Ron]

Only in Mass wrote:

No Money to be awared!! Let just tie up the court system to keep the Greed Lawer working.

Money won't bring the dead back. I would have prefered a guilty verdict in a criminal case and the death penalty.

[Thank GOD]

Thank God this scumbag douche didn't get to collect the $700,000!

[Dracut]

The fact remains a HUMAN BEING WAS KILLED: The fact remains a Person must live with there wrongs and hope it will Haunt them the rest of there pittiful life. Shame on Knight & Dunn who seems to think that life just goes on. WELL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND ONE FORM OR ANOTHER. MY prayers to Marc's Family & Friends all who are missing him.

[Nashua NH]

Dracut
I couldn'g agree with you more. A human being was killed. Very sad.

[Iknewhim]

I agree as well; a human being was killed. For those of us that knew Marc, he was a really great guy, a wonderful human being. I am honored to have known him. I am saddened for the family for their pain and loss but saddened as well for those who never really knew Marc. Their loss can never be filled with the memories of the kind man.

[BlastFromThePast]

I graduated HS with Marc and have found memories of him. When he was cowardly killed in Jan 2003 I was very sadden. When no murderer was found after years I was deeply sadden. No one deserves to die in such a manner. To be taken from their loved ones. And then last week I see this. Some young punk stoked up on greed and sex kills him! WTF... how does this happen. How can someone lack the respect for life over the need for money and take someones life! I hope they find the smoking gun and evidence needed to fry this punk. Oh wait we live in MA, so we can pay $40k a year for the rest of his life in jail instead, feed, cloth, medical and dental... Marc is a prime example why we need capital punishment. I can't wait for payback to get this kid!!! RIP Marc!