Missing boy's stepmom seeks delay in divorce proceedings
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A lawyer representing Terri Horman, the stepmother of missing 7-year-old Kyron Horman, has filed a motion to delay divorce proceedings between her and the boy's father, Kaine Horman.
Terri Horman's divorce attorney, Peter Bunch, on Wednesday filed a motion, which claims Terri Horman has been the subject of intense scrutiny as a result of the ongoing investigation into the boy's mysterious disappearance.
"As a result of the intense scrutiny and speculation, it is virtually impossible for me to proceed with divorce-related issues in as I would ordinarily do," Bunch wrote in the motion.
He said the scrutiny comes from relentless media coverage of his client's activities reports that state she is "the center" of the investigation. He added Kaine Horman's recent claim that Terri Horman paid her attorney, Stephen Houze, $350,000 is "grossly misstated."
Bunch also denied his client borrowed money to pay Houze. That money "did not come from her funds, and she's not asserting that her attorney fees with Mr. Houze are any sort of marital debt," he wrote.
Questioned in the motion is Kaine Horman's claim that he is entitled to half of that money as he doesn't have enough to support himself and his family.
"It is my understanding that (Kaine) is employed at Intel and has a good salary, and that (Kaine) had sufficient savings to fund the cost of his divorce as recently as several weeks ago," Bunch wrote in the court filing.
In contrast, Bunch said Terri Horman has no job and can't find employment given the heavy scrutiny she is currently facing. The attorney alleged Kaine Horman has been using the divorce proceedings for purposes other than terminating his marriage.
"It certainly does not serve the interests of either party to have the divorce process complicated by the necessity of dealing with inquiries that would be related to the investigation of (Terri), rather than the divorce," Bunch said.
Kyron Horman, a second-grader, disappeared from Skyline School June 4.
Investigators have not arrested anyone, or named any suspects or persons of interests in the case.
Terri Horman's divorce attorney, Peter Bunch, on Wednesday filed a motion, which claims Terri Horman has been the subject of intense scrutiny as a result of the ongoing investigation into the boy's mysterious disappearance.
"As a result of the intense scrutiny and speculation, it is virtually impossible for me to proceed with divorce-related issues in as I would ordinarily do," Bunch wrote in the motion.
He said the scrutiny comes from relentless media coverage of his client's activities reports that state she is "the center" of the investigation. He added Kaine Horman's recent claim that Terri Horman paid her attorney, Stephen Houze, $350,000 is "grossly misstated."
Bunch also denied his client borrowed money to pay Houze. That money "did not come from her funds, and she's not asserting that her attorney fees with Mr. Houze are any sort of marital debt," he wrote.
Questioned in the motion is Kaine Horman's claim that he is entitled to half of that money as he doesn't have enough to support himself and his family.
"It is my understanding that (Kaine) is employed at Intel and has a good salary, and that (Kaine) had sufficient savings to fund the cost of his divorce as recently as several weeks ago," Bunch wrote in the court filing.
In contrast, Bunch said Terri Horman has no job and can't find employment given the heavy scrutiny she is currently facing. The attorney alleged Kaine Horman has been using the divorce proceedings for purposes other than terminating his marriage.
"It certainly does not serve the interests of either party to have the divorce process complicated by the necessity of dealing with inquiries that would be related to the investigation of (Terri), rather than the divorce," Bunch said.
Kyron Horman, a second-grader, disappeared from Skyline School June 4.
Investigators have not arrested anyone, or named any suspects or persons of interests in the case.