Family Sues After Man's Head Found in Shed

abc ^ | 12/27/03

[knak]

Children Sue Medical Center After Learning Dad's Embalmed Head Was in Tool Shed for 11 Years

The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Dec. 27 — The children of a cancer patient who donated his body for research filed a lawsuit after learning their father's embalmed head was kept in a tool shed for nearly 11 years.

The head of Osie K. Whitten, who died Dec. 24, 1990, of colon cancer, was among 150 pounds of human cadaver parts allegedly removed from the medical center at the University of California, Davis, by a former autopsy assistant.

David Lawrence Beale, who worked for Pathology Support Services Inc., which managed the medical center's morgue and autopsy service, was arrested last summer after the remains were found among his belongings.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of receiving stolen property and possession of methamphetamines. Police say Beale told them he used the remains to hone his dissection skills.

The medical center, Beale and Pathology Support Services were named in the lawsuit filed by Whitten's children.

The medical center said it could not comment; it previously said it had changed the way human remains are handled. Pathology Support Services said Beale's activities were not part of his job.

[ClearCase_guy]

The family may use this lawsuit to get ahead, but it will likely cost them an arm and leg just to start. As for proof of damages, I'd say they don't have a leg to stand on. Aslo, a case like this is easiest to win when the evidence speaks for itself -- and in this case, I'd be surprised if that happens.

I'm done.

[al baby]

Talking heads

[Charles Henrickson]

Dad's Embalmed Head Was in Tool Shed for 11 Years

A lot of dads who are alive have their heads in the tool shed for 11 years.

[Charles Henrickson]

TED WILLIAMS ALERT!

[TASMANIANRED]

They may not have a leg to stand on but the defendant has a few spares hanging around.

[al baby]

[ElkGroveDan]

Tie me kangaroo down, sport!

[Drango]

Tie me kangaroo down, sport!

PETA alert! Free the kangaroo...

[zarf]

THIRD INTERVIEWER: Last week The Royal Festival Hall saw the first performance of a new symphony by one of the world's leading modern composers, Arthur "Two-Sheds" Jackson. Mr. Jackson.
JACKSON : Good evening.
INT: May I just sidetrack you for one moment. Mr. Jackson, this, what should I call it, nickname of yours.
JAC: Oh yes.
INT: "Two-Sheds." How did you come by it?
JAC: Well I don't use it myself, it's just a few of my friends call me "Two-Sheds."
INT: I see, and do you in fact have two sheds?
JAC: No. No, I've only one shed. I've had one for some time, but a few years ago I said I was thinking of getting another one and since then some people have called me "Two-Sheds."
INT: In spite of the fact that you have only one.
JAC: Yes.
INT: I see, and are you thinking of purchasing a second shed?
JAC: No.
INT: To bring you in line with your epithet.
JAC: No.
INT: I see, I see. Well let's return to your symphony. Ah, now then, did you write this symphony... in the shed?
JAC: ... No.
INT: Have you written any of your recent works in this shed of yours?
JAC: No it's just a perfectly ordinary garden shed.

A picture of a shed appears on the screen behind them.

INT: I see. And you're thinking of buying this second shed to write in.
JAC: No, no. Look, this shed business, it doesn't really matter at all, the sheds aren't important. It's just a few friends call me "Two-Sheds," and that's all there is to it. I wish you'd ask me about my music. I'm a composer. People always ask me about the sheds, they've got it out of proportion, I'm fed up with the sheds, I wish I'd never got it in the first place.
INT: I expect you're probably thinking of selling one.
JAC: I will sell one.
INT: Then you'd be Arthur "No-Sheds" Jackson.
JAC: Look forget about the sheds. They don't matter.
INT: Mr. Jackson I think with respect, we ought to talk about your symphony.
JAC: What?
INT: Apparently your symphony was written for organ and tympani.
JAC: (Catches sight of the picture of the shed behind him.) What's that?
INT: What's what?
JAC: It's a shed. Get it off.

He points to BP screen shed. The picture of the shed disappears and is replaced by a picture of Jackson. Jackson looks at it carefully.

JAC: Right.
INT: Now then Mr. Jackson... your symphony.

Caption appears: "ARTHUR "TWO-SHEDS" JACKSON.

The picture of jackson is replaced by a picture of two sheds, one with a question mark over it.

INT: I understand that you used to be interested in train spotting.
JAC: What?
INT: I understand that about thirty years ago you were extremely interested in train spotting.
JAC: What's this got to do with my bloody music?

Enter SECOND INTERVIEWER from earlier sketch.

2INT : Are you having any trouble from him?
INT: Yes, a little.
2INT: Well we interviewers are more than a match for the likes of you, "Two-Sheds."
INT: Yes make yourself scarce "Two-Sheds." This studio isn't big enough for the three of us.

They push him away and propel him out.

JAC: What are you doing? (He is pushed out of vision with a crash.)
2INT: Get your own Arts programme you fairy!
INT: (To camera) Arthur "Two-Sheds" Jackson.

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[ConservativeMan55]

"Did somebody mention head?"

[billorites]

Bill Clinton: "And I thought I caught hell over a little head."

[LisaMalia]

"MEATHEAD"

[ConservativeMan55]

Not only a meathead, but a polish one at that.

[CommandoFrank]

Actually, David was verbally abused as a child and the only thing he could remember was his father telling him over and over again that he'll never get ahead...

So he did!

[Larry Lucido]

Sounds like a job for Damon Wayans' "Head Detective."

[claudiustg]

So, his head was in the head shed. What's the problem?

[bwteim]

Ginsu Haiku
=======
Slicing Frogs when young,
David's been promoted --
to Head of his Class.

[boris]

Heads Will Roll

[HairOfTheDog]

Somehow, this company was supposed to have been omniscient and omnipotent in its control over this particular employee.

I agree with you wholeheartedly.

I would go on to say we are long overdue in re-thinking tort law to eliminate huge money damage awards for problems that money can't solve. Heartbreak is not fixed with money....