Civil lawsuit filed against dentist for wrongful death

The children of a man who was killed are suing Suzanne Mericle, a dentist accused of his murder. Mericle, 61, is the owner of Mericle Dentistry in St. Simon’s Island. She was arrested earlier this month after 68-year-old James Barron was found shot in his home in Gainesville, Georgia. Authorities say Mericle was living with Barron and was present when the police arrived on March 8th. Investigators believe she shot Barron with a handgun during a fight. According to the lawsuit filed by Barron's sons, he locked himself in a bedroom to escape the argument. They claim Mericle then shot through the door, hitting Barron. The lawsuit seeks compensation for “wrongful death”. Barron's sons want damages for lost wages, mental suffering, funeral costs, and legal fees. They say their father suffered for several minutes before he died. Mericle remains in Hall County Jail without bond. She faces several charges, including murder and tampering with evidence. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 28th.