Judge: Mother of Pasquale killer can sue son, ex-husband

The mother of Autumn Pasquale's killer may file a civil complaint against her jailed son and his father seeking to hold them responsible for damages if they lose a suit brought by the victim's father, a judge ruled this week.

Superior Court Judge David W. Morgan in Woodbury allowed Anita Saunders to file the complaint against her ex-husband, Alonzo Robinson, and her son, Justin Robinson.

If they lose a civil suit, Saunders wants her share of damages paid by Justin and his father, according to court papers.

"That's not surprising," said Doug Long, attorney for Autumn Pasquale's father, Anthony, who filed suit against Saunders and the Robinsons last year.

"What's surprising is she's trying to protect herself through indemnification if she ultimately loses."

Pasquale says Justin Robinson's parents should be held accountable for his daughter's 2012 murder. Justin, now 17, pleaded guilty last year to strangling Autumn inside Saunders' Clayton home and dumping her body in a trash can next door.

He was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Pasquale says Justin Robinson's parents should have known their son "posed a risk to third parties" before Autumn's slaying and should have sought treatment for him after the teen allegedly witnessed his father attempting to strangle Saunders.

Autumn's father seeks restitution for pain and suffering and reimbursement of funeral expenses. His suit alleges several counts of negligence against Saunders and Alonzo Robinson and a count of wrongful death against their son.

Neither Saunders' attorney, Alfred J. Quasti, nor Justin Robinson's lawyer, Sharon King, returned calls for comment.

"Keep in mind, while there are other counts, the major count against Justin's mom is negligent supervision," Long said.

"I'm not sure a court would allow her to be indemnified by her son. ... A 16-year-old couldn't be negligent in supervising himself."

Reach Carly Q. Romalino at (856) 486-2476 and cromalino@cpsj.com