A trial in the civil case against a former University of Pennsylvania professor who beat his wife to death in their suburban Philadelphia home is set to begin Monday.
The case seeks compensatory and punitive damages from Rafael Robb, a former Penn economics professor.
Robb, 64, bludgeoned his wife, Ellen Gregory Robb, to death with a metal chin-up bar as she was wrapping Christmas gifts back in December of 2006 inside their King of Prussia home. The couple’s daughter, who was 12-years-old at the time, was also inside the home. Prosecutors said Robb killed his wife in order to avoid a costly divorce.
According to attorney Robert Mongeluzzi, the family is seeking to have Ellen Robb’s estate compensated and money provided for Ellen's daughter in the new civil case.
“Robb still has a hefty pension fund and investments,” Mongeluzzi said.
The couple’s daughter lived with Ellen Robb’s brother, Gary Gregory, after her mother’s death, according to Mongeluzzi. She is currently attending college.
Rafael Robb pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in November of 2007 and was sentenced to five to ten years in prison.
Robb was initially paroled in Nov. 2012. The victim's family publicly protested the decision. Gary Gregory told NBC10's Deanna Durante the family had tried over and over again to protest Robb's release in front of the parole board. Each time, he said, they were denied.
State Representative Mike Vereb stepped in on the family's behalf and convinced the Chairman of the Parole Board, Michael Potteiger, to meet with the family. Vereb, a Republican, said after researching the case, he'd determined that the parole board likely broke the law and violated the family's rights by not allowing them to speak before the board.
Common Pleas Court Judge Paul Tressler, who oversaw the case, called Ellen's murder one of the most horrific in the history of Montgomery County. He also wrote to the parole board to protest Robb's release. His letter included information about Robb's treatment of his daughter:
"Even more telling is his [Robb's] attempt to manipulate his grieving daughter into continuing her relationship with him by threatening to withhold financial support for her future. I fear his prison conduct and your judgment. About him not being a threat to the public is another example of his manipulation, this time to the parole board."
The board denied breaking any laws and said the responsibility of notifying families about appearing before the board belongs to the Office of the Victim Advocate. However, in January of 2013, the board rescinded their decision just four days before Robb was set to walk free and he remained in prison.
Robb’s daughter will testify during the trial with Hon. Thomas M. Del Ricci presiding. Jury selection and opening statements are scheduled for Monday.
"The family of Ellen Gregory Robb has waited eight years to have its day in court," Mongeluzzi said.
Mongeluzzi said he and his co-counsel will illustrate that the death of Ellen Gregory Robb was “so brutal, so heinous, it is beyond human comprehension.” Mongeluzzi also stated Ellen Robb’s family would not be able to find any closure or justice until “the circumstances of the killing and the facts of the case have finally been presented to a jury.”
"We have never lost faith in the American justice system and while we know the trial will be terribly painful, especially for my niece, this is what our beloved Ellen would have wanted,” Gary Gregory said.
Rafael Robb will remain incarcerated locally during the trial. The claims against him were brought under Pennsylvania’s wrongful death and survival acts.