OAKLAND COUNTY JUDGE DISMISSES KEVORKIAN ART LAWSUIT
By Shaun Byron
Royal Oak Daily Tribune
http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2012/01/18/news/doc4f177016e5781520757990.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Jan 18 2012
Dispute moves back east.
PONTIAC - The dispute about who owns the artwork of the late Jack
Kevorkian could be decided in a Massachusetts federal court after an
Oakland County judge dismissed a lawsuit.
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Martha Anderson, who admitted the
matter could come back to Michigan, dismissed the lawsuit, stating
the matter was already being taken up in Massachusetts.
Attorney Mayer Morganroth represents Kevorkian's estate and was suing
the Massachusetts-based Armenian Library and Museum of America in an
attempt to have the artwork returned.
Museum officials took the matter to court, arguing Kevorkian had
donated the pieces to them.
The pieces have been with the museum since 1999. The dispute regarding
ownership sparked after Morganroth attempted to retrieve the paintings
for an auction. The proceeds are to go to his estate.
Kevorkian only named two heirs in his will. One of the heirs has
disclaimed her interest, according to court documents.
Attorney Gerald Gleeson represents the museum and said on two occasions
that statements were made indicating the pieces were donated. The
museum finds it frustrating Kevorkian's wishes are being ignored,
he said.
The artwork was only loaned to the museum and the matter only came
into question when museum officials learned it was to be auctioned
off and all proceeds were to go to Kevorkian's family, Morganroth
said following the hearing. Continued...
12See Full Story The artwork, about 17 paintings, has remained in
storage at the museum for most of the time it has been on loan,
he said, predicting the case in federal court will be dismissed.
Kevorkian, internationally known for his role as a controversial
assisted suicide advocate who spent time in prison for one of the
deaths he helped cause, died in June at age 83.
From: Baghdasarian
By Shaun Byron
Royal Oak Daily Tribune
http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2012/01/18/news/doc4f177016e5781520757990.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Jan 18 2012
Dispute moves back east.
PONTIAC - The dispute about who owns the artwork of the late Jack
Kevorkian could be decided in a Massachusetts federal court after an
Oakland County judge dismissed a lawsuit.
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Martha Anderson, who admitted the
matter could come back to Michigan, dismissed the lawsuit, stating
the matter was already being taken up in Massachusetts.
Attorney Mayer Morganroth represents Kevorkian's estate and was suing
the Massachusetts-based Armenian Library and Museum of America in an
attempt to have the artwork returned.
Museum officials took the matter to court, arguing Kevorkian had
donated the pieces to them.
The pieces have been with the museum since 1999. The dispute regarding
ownership sparked after Morganroth attempted to retrieve the paintings
for an auction. The proceeds are to go to his estate.
Kevorkian only named two heirs in his will. One of the heirs has
disclaimed her interest, according to court documents.
Attorney Gerald Gleeson represents the museum and said on two occasions
that statements were made indicating the pieces were donated. The
museum finds it frustrating Kevorkian's wishes are being ignored,
he said.
The artwork was only loaned to the museum and the matter only came
into question when museum officials learned it was to be auctioned
off and all proceeds were to go to Kevorkian's family, Morganroth
said following the hearing. Continued...
12See Full Story The artwork, about 17 paintings, has remained in
storage at the museum for most of the time it has been on loan,
he said, predicting the case in federal court will be dismissed.
Kevorkian, internationally known for his role as a controversial
assisted suicide advocate who spent time in prison for one of the
deaths he helped cause, died in June at age 83.
From: Baghdasarian