Accused murderer Joel Clow faces lawsuit by victim's family

The family of Traci Lynch is suing the man accused of killing her last July in Pleasant Grove, 47-year-old Joel Clow.

The lawsuit,filed in P.E.I. Supreme Court by the uncle of Lynch's 10-year-old son,names the son as the plaintiffand seeks general damages to be paid to Lynch's two dependants:her son and mother.

"As a consequence of the death of Traci Lynch, [her son] has suffered ... damages for loss of care, guidance, and companionship, and [her mother] has suffered a loss of care, guidance, and companionship," the lawsuit reads.

Pleaded not guilty to criminal charges

Clow has 20 days to file a statement of defence in response to the lawsuit, which alleges he "struck and physically assaulted Traci Lynch, with the intention of causing her bodily harm or death ... thereby causing her death."

In his criminal case, Clow pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and indecent interference with a human body.

The civil case against the 47-year-old will proceed separately from his criminal trial, which isn't expected to take place until some time this fall at the earliest.

Clow's trial was scheduled to begin last month, but his defence lawyer at the time resigned unexpectedly at what was to have been the first day of trial. Clow now has a new lawyer,Halifax criminal defence lawyer Joel Pink.

Clow is scheduled to be back in court on Oct. 21, at which time a new date for the trial will be set.

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