In a bizarre legal strategy, a polo-playing billionaire adopted his own girlfriend to perhaps protect himself from a major lawsuit. INSIDE EDITION explains.
John Goodman is the polo-playing billionaire who adopted his own girlfriend as part of a bizarre legal strategy. Now he's on trial for manslaughter.
Prosecutors say Goodman was drunk when he ran a stop sign in his $200,000 Bentley. He crashed into a Hyundai driven by 23-year-old Scott Wilson. The impact hurled Wilson's car into a canal, where he drowned.
Prosecutors say Goodman fled the scene before calling 911.
In the 911 call, the operator said: "They're looking for you. Where's your vehicle?"
Goodman: "At the scene."
Operator: "Is it the Bentley?"
Goodman: "Yes."
Prosecutors also say Goodman called his girlfriend before calling 911.
"He called his girlfriend, told Heather he was in an Earth ending crash. He had been drinking. He told her, 'I am in big trouble,' " said the prosecution.
Goodman caused outrage last month when it was revealed that he had adopted his own girlfriend. Many saw the move as a dodge to protect his millions from a lawsuit by the family of the young man who was killed in the car crash.
Goodman has just settled the suit, reportedly for more than $10 million.
WPEC-CBS reporter Chuck Weber told INSIDE EDITION, "Who would have ever thought of something like this? I mean it was just the last thing anyone would think about."
Much of Tuesday's testimony centered on the drinks Goodman allegedly had at his Polo Club the night of the crash. The court was told he ordered drinks like the "Irish Car Bomb" and "Mind Eraser."
"If he consumed the shots, Grey Goose, an Irish Car Bomb, and a Mind Eraser, that would constitue at least 13 drinks," said the prosecution.
Goodman has pled not guilty and says his Bentley malfunctioned before the deadly crash.
Goodman's 42-year-old girlfriend Heather Hutchins, was not in court Tuesday. They have been been dating since 2009.
Both have two children from previous marriages.
