Doctor Files Wrongful Death Suit Against Wife

Dr. Xavier J. Caro has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his wife, who was arrested on suspicion of killing three of their sons, after her lawyers demanded $550,000 for her legal defense.

The brothers, who were 5, 8 and 11, were shot in the head Nov. 22 at the Caros’ Santa Rosa Valley home. Their mother, Socorro “Cora” Caro, was found with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in the head.

Her arraignment is scheduled for Friday in Ventura County Superior Court. She is being held without bail in the medical ward of the Ventura County Jail.

In his lawsuit, Caro says he and his wife “had an argument over a trivial matter” that night while the children slept. He then went to his office, and when he returned he found his wounded wife and dead children, according to the complaint.

Caro is now living in a hotel with his surviving son, 15-month-old Gabriel, and seeking a divorce.

The monetary demands made by his wife’s lawyers stunned Xavier Caro and “brought him a lot of anguish,” said Raul Caro, his brother,

“This is a huge amount of money, even for my brother who is a physician,” Raul Caro said.

But Cora Caro’s divorce attorney, Rand E. Pinsky, said the couple has sufficient assets to pay lawyers. In a letter, Pinsky stated that the legal fees for his client’s criminal attorney Richard Plotin would be $500,000, plus an advance of $50,000.

The letter, addressed to Xavier Caro’s Brentwood divorce attorney Henry Friedman, then asked that the doctor immediately agree to a “community loan” of $550,000 to pay for his wife’s legal defense. The letter lists $600,000 to $800,000 as the equity value of the couple’s Presilla Road home as well as investments and properties they own.

“The normal procedure in a criminal matter is that defense costs are prepaid,” the Agoura Hills attorney said.