Couple denies liability in son's shootings

PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 13 (UPI) -- A Miami couple at the center of two lawsuits denied they were responsible for their mentally ill son's alleged violent rampage that left four people dead.

In a statement released by their attorney, Michael and Carole Merhige said it is "absurd" to believe they somehow knew their son Paul would harm family members, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported Wednesday.

Paul Merhige opened fire at the home of family friends Jim and Muriel Sitton, killing their 6-year-old daughter Makayla, Muriel Sitton's 76-year-old mother Raymonde Joseph, and the Merhige's two daughters Carla Merhige and Lisa Knight.

The Sittons and Lisa Knight's husband Patrick have filed separate lawsuits against the Merhiges, alleging the couple knew of their mentally disturbed son's propensity for violence.

Both suits claim the Merhiges knew their son was mentally ill and had stopped taking his medications, had threatened family members before and that they knew of his fondness for guns.

Paul Merhige, facing trial on murder charges in January, plans to argue he was insane during the shootings, the Post reported.