LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The family of a gunman knew of his plan to kill his ex-daughter-in-law and her husband, a prominent Las Vegas lawyer, but did nothing to stop it, according to claims in a wrongful death lawsuit filed Monday in Clark County District Court.
The April 8, 2024, shooting left attorney Dennis Prince, 57, and his wife, Ashley Prince, 30, dead in a law office conference room, where they were in a child custody deposition. The gunman, Joseph Houston, 77, killed himself about 20 minutes after the shooting. Houston’s son, Dylan Houston, was in a contentious custody dispute with Ashley Prince.
Now, the former wife of Dennis Prince has filed a lawsuit against members of the Houston family, including Dylan Houston and his mother, Katherine Houston, alleging that text messages prior to the shooting and actions following the shooting demonstrate their knowledge of Joseph Houston’s plan.
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The lawsuit was filed by Nancy Bernstein, who is currently serving as a Las Vegas Justice of the Peace, Department 8. She was married to Dennis Prince and their son, Jack Parker Prince, lost his father.
“As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ conduct, PARKER lost his father and has been deprived of the love, companionship, comfort, affection, society, solace, moral support, training, guidance, education, and financial support that Dennis would have provided,” the lawsuit states.
Four days before the shooting, Dylan e-mailed Dennis Prince at 1:28 a.m.: “you have no idea what’s coming do you, all your cards are on the table and I haven’t played one.” The lawsuit claims the e-mail demonstrates Dylan’s “foreknowledge of and participation in the plan to kill Dennis Prince and Ashley Prince.”
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The lawsuit also cites three text messages from Dylan to Ashley previously reported by 8 News Now:
- “I don’t want to see you unless you’re in a casket”
- “I will chisel you down to a weaker and worthless sack of bones”
- “I’ll crush you in ways you don’t even comprehend.”
Ashley Prince had inquired about security for the deposition, but canceled it when she learned Dylan would not be there. The deposition was specifically for Katherine Houston. It had been delayed until April 8 after Joseph Houston terminated a May 26, 2023, deposition, objecting to questions she was asked…