Wrongful death lawsuit filed against grandmother

PONTIAC (AP) -- A wrongful death lawsuit seeking at least $1 million has been filed against a 75-year-old Detroit-area woman who was convicted of killing her 17-year-old grandson. The lawsuit was filed recently in Oakland County Circuit Court against Sandra Layne and her husband by a representative of Jonathan Hoffman's estate. Layne's attorney Jerome Sabbota tells the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News that he's not surprised by the lawsuit. Sabbota notes that Layne's husband wasn't charged in the killing. Hoffman was shot six times, including twice in the back, in West Bloomfield Township in 2012. Layne said she shot him out of fear during a physical altercation, but a jury rejected her claim of self-defense and convicted her of second-degree murder. Layne was sentenced to at least 22 years in prison. Published: Thu, Nov 14, 2013