Expert says ‘hit list’ was written by Del. court gunman

Documents were written by Thomas Matusiewicz, who killed two women before shooting at police and killing himself

July 02, 2015 01:20 PM

In this Feb. 11, 2013, file photo, law enforcement officials and investigators gather outside the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington, Del.

By Randall Chase
Associated Press

WILMINGTON, Del. — A handwriting expert says a supposed “hit list” and two homemade death certificates found after a shooting at a Delaware courthouse in 2013 were written by the gunman, whose widow and children are being tried on federal conspiracy and cyberstalking charges.

Andrew Sulner testified Thursday that the documents were written by Thomas Matusiewicz, who killed his ex-daughter-in-law, Christine Belford, and another woman before exchanging gunfire with police and killing himself.

Former optometrist David Matusiewicz, his mother, Lenore, and his sister, Amy Gonzalez, are now on trial on charges related to Belford’s death. If convicted, they could face life in prison, a punishment that Justice Department officials believe would be unprecedented for a conviction of cyberstalking resulting in death.

The defendants have denied knowing that Thomas Matusiewicz intended to kill Belford.