Did son forged dad’s will to cut out mistress?

Englishman Jimmy Swanston had a long-term (15 years) relationship with a Pat Powell, a woman about 35 years younger than Jimmy.  When Jimmy died in 2003 with an estate valued at approximately 26 million pounds, Pat found out that she was omitted from his will.

Evidence showed that Jimmy had always told Pat that she would be provided for in his will.  After an investigation, it was discovered the Jimmy’s son, Philip Swanston, may have forged the witnesses’ signatures on the will.  It even appeared that the name of one of the witnesses was misspelled and his address incorrectly stated.  This alleged witness, Peter Coletti, testified that he did not sign Jimmy’s will.  A handwriting expert also testified that it was likely that Jimmy’s signature on the will was also a forgery.

The jury trial continues.

For more information, see Son of multi-millionaire accused of forging his father’s will to leave out his mistress, thislondon.co.uk, June 4, 2008. 

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.