Pawn shop, murderer sued over Squirrel Hill man's coins
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The executor of the estate of a Squirrel Hill furrier who was beaten to death last year filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the pawn shop that bought the deceased man's coins from his killer.
The complaint, filed by Cuddy Briskin's son-in-law, Daniel Shapira, names as defendants Jerry's Route 51 Quick Cash Inc., United Precious Metal Refining Inc. and the man convicted of killing Mr. Briskin, Jason Kuhns.
Mr. Kuhns was found guilty of first-degree murder in May of beating his estranged grandfather-in-law to death in April 2011. He will be sentenced Aug. 16.
The day after police believe Mr. Briskin was killed, Mr. Kuhns went to Jerry's, at 3550 Saw Mill Run Blvd., and sold 100 22-karat gold foreign coins, as well as a 14-karat gold necklace to Jerry's for cash.
According to the complaint, United, a metal refining corporation in Alden, N.Y., bought the materials from Jerry's and later melted them down.
"Despite repeated demands, defendants have wrongfully refused to pay the Briskin estate for the coins and necklace," the lawsuit said.
"Defendants had no legal right to sell and/or melt down the coins," the lawsuit said.
Jerry's Quick Cash and United could not be reached for comment.
First Published July 28, 2012 12:00 am
