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The Miami Herald cited the historic ruling yesterday by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ronald Dresnick awarding $86.5 million to Janet Weininger, the daughter of CIA pilot Thomas "Pete" Ray, whose plane was shot down during the April 19, 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. After being shot down, Ray was captured, executed and his body was desecrated while on display for nearly two decades. With the assistance of her attorneys, Leon Patricios, Joseph Zumpano and Spencer Eig, Weininger was able seek justice by filing a wrongful death suit against Cuban President Fidel Castro, his brother Raul, and the Republic of Cuba.
Thomas "Pete" Ray was an Alabama National Guard pilot and flew for the CIA during the Bay of Pigs invasion in an attempt to overthrow Castro's government. Flying over Cuban territory, Ray's B26 was shot down by Cuban forces. However, Ray survived the crash landing and was captured. While being held prisoner, Castro ordered Ray's execution which was carried out by a single shot to his right temple. Upon being executed, his body was frozen in a morgue and put on display. Read More >