For the first time in a 30-year investigation, a civil lawsuit has been filed by the family of a child who died at the hands of who police call the Oakland County Child Killer.
The wrongful death lawsuit names Ted Lamborgine, 65, as one of the group who collectively raped and murdered several children in the '70s and '80s.
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?We believe that it was probably more likely than not, that it was a group of people that worked together and they are collectively are known as The Oakland County Child Killer.? Said Victim Mark Stebbins?s attorney Elizabeth Harvard.
The family of Mark Stebbins, one of the children slain, filed the lawsuit against Lamborgine.
"The police have the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil lawsuit, we don't have that same burden. Ours is more likely than not," said David Brinkley. "Under the circumstances, we believe we can utilize techniques a civil lawsuit permits and we believe we could perhaps push the investigation a little further."
Brinkley said the evidence includes statements made in a separate child molestation case against Lamborgine, where a boy claims he was sexually molested and nearly suffocated to death in Royal Oak.
Lamborgine was charged last year with molesting six children in the Cass Corridor in the 70s and 80s. Police said he would lure boys in with food, soda and drugs for the purpose of sexually assaulting them.
The new suit will give attorneys new subpoena powers against Lamborgine and others that may have information about the case.
The Stebbins family is not seeking monetary damages. They said they are only filing the lawsuit to help in the investigation to get everyone responsible in jail.
He didn?t say ?Not me, I didn?t do that.? He said, ?God will forgive me.? Not me, I won?t,?? said Stebbins? David Binkley.
The family of Timothy King is also expected to join in on the lawsuit.
Prosecutors said Lamborgine and Richard Lawson, who is already serving a life sentence for murder were part of a sex ring.
The two are accused of molesting 12 boys.