Former Menorah Gardens supervisor pleads guilty to moving bodies (Florida)

[Judi Lynn]

Published Thursday, October 30, 2003

Former Menorah Gardens supervisor pleads guilty to moving bodies

The Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
A former supervisor for a cemetery chain accused of digging up old graves and moving remains to make room for new bodies has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the company.

Robert McKay became the first employee of Houston-based Service Corporation International to be held criminally accountable in the South Florida prosecution of the chain. He worked at Menorah Gardens, which is owned by SCI and has locations in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

In a deal with prosecutors, McKay pleaded guilty Wednesday to exhuming two bodies without notifying relatives. The two felonies each were punishable by up to five years in prison, but McKay had no criminal record and was placed on three years probation.

McKay, 47, agreed to testify in criminal and civil actions against the company. He also is barred from working in the funeral or cemetery business for 10 years. (snip/...)

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031030/APN/310300649

[judge_smales]

1. This is actually surprizingly common in older cemetaries

It's a pretty standard and accepted practice in older east coast cities (details upon request bec' I'm lazy)

But I doubt that any cemetary in Fl has gotten to be old enough to require this type of process.

[demdave]

2. In some countries you rent the burial plot.

After so long, you are dug up and burnt. I forget where it was, I saw it on National Geographics. It had a sandy soil, so when they exhumed you, you were dried out.

[bleedingheart]

5. isn't that the case with the Parisian cemetaries or am I wrong

they bury you long enough for your skin and soft tissue to rot away and then your bones are put elsewhere...

[GregW]

3. WHAO!!! "Funeralgate" bursts back into the limelight!

Smirky ain't going to like this!

http://www.hereinreality.com/funeralgate.htm

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol18/issue45/pols.sci.html

http://www.bushwatch.com/gravedigger.htm

[Judi Lynn]

6. So glad to see you made the connection!

Thanks a lot. It was a BIG subject until it got buried by "worser" things.

[Pastiche423]

8. Oh my, Quitmore was involved

The Lone Star Democrat that broke w/his fellow Dems regarding redistricting.

Whistle ass filed a statement, saying he "had no conversations with SCI officials, agents or representatives concerning the investigation or any dispute arising from it."

Is a filed statement the same as a sworn statement?

[tlmorris]

4. That's odd.

SCI's chief executive has affiliations with the Bush Family. I wonder if Jeb will follow in his brother's footsteps to help out an old pal.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/08/09/bush/

[newyawker99]

7. Hi tlmorris!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: