Houston Texas Observer

Service Corporation International Funeral Home In The News for Sexual Abuse of Corpse

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:30:00 +0000

Dignity Memorial, Service Corporation's Brand NYSE:SCI

Lawrence J. Clement arrested for sexually abusing a corpse

Houston, Texas

Service Corporation International, North America’s largest single provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services and often facing negative press, is circling the wagons again. This time, deeply disturbing allegations have surfaced at one of the company's funeral homes in Ohio.

Toledo police have arrested 57-year-old Lawrence J. Clement, an employee of H.H. Birkenkamp Funeral Home. Clement is charged with sexually abusing a corpse. Another employee walked-in on the sexual abuse and threatened to contact police if the family was not notified.

Employees with the H.H. Birkenkamp Funeral Home called the 51-year-old victim's family members to report that one of their staff members had sexually abused her corpse. The funeral home offered to waive the $11,000 funeral bill if they agreed not to call police. The family rejected the offer, contacted police and transferred the victim’s body to another funeral home.

Details on the abuse were not released, but the employee has been fired, said Lisa Marshall, a spokeswoman for Houston-based Service Corporation International.

Clement was booked into the Lucas County Jail and charged with abuse of a corpse.

H.H. Birkenkamp is owned by Houston-based Service Corporation International

Galveston County District Clerk Jason Murray Brings "Punch" To Party: Charged With Assaulting Wife Outside Houston Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:18:00 +0000

Galveston County District Clerk Jason Murray

Houston, Texas

If Jason Murray ever finds himself looking for work, maybe ultimate fighting could be the right fit.

Galveston County District Clerk Jason Murray knows how to get a party started and even brings the punch! He is charged with assault on a family member – his wife, Mekisha Jane Murray, according to HPD.

The family violence “incident” occurred following a Christmas party at Roak, a club in the upper Kirby district of Houston.

According to an incident report, the couple had an argument and Murray allegedly struck his wife with his hand in their vehicle. His wife was taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and treated for a severe laceration, reports state.

The police incident report indicates Murray was charged for an offense defined as “assault and bodily injury by hands, feet and/or fists.”

Witnesses outside the party saw the assault and called police.

Murray and his wife are residents of League City. Mrs. Murray is a criminal defense attorney who practices law in Houston.

Jason Murray has served as Galveston County District Clerk in January 2011.

Roak Houston

Sexual Predator Watch: Cypress Youth Pastor Chad Foster Accused of Sexual Assault of Minor

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Photo-KTRK (ABC 13)

Cypress, Texas

A youth pastor in Cypress has been arrested and is facing three charges of sexual assault of a child. The charges come after a 16-year-old girl told the Harris County Sheriff's office that the two had sex at least half a dozen times between August and October, according to ABC-13.

The girl met Chad Foster, 32, last summer while he was serving as a youth pastor at the Community of Faith Church on Becker Road in Cypress. The relationship turned sexual in July when the girl visited Foster at his home, the girl told a Harris County Sheriff's deputy. Court documents show that the two communicated frequently through texts.

Foster reportedly told the girl several times not to tell anyone about their relationship because he would get in trouble for their age difference, according to court documents.

On Oct. 27, the girl told her Spanish teacher at Cy-Woods High School and an associate pastor at the Community of Faith Church about the relationship. The relationship was then reported to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Foster is in the Harris County Jail being held on $90,000 bond.

Former Funeral Home Director Partners With Media Group

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:26:00 +0000

Former Houston funeral home director, general manager and now consultant James Patton has partnered with Mortuary Media Group, a consulting firm focused on funeral homes and industry companies. Mortuary Media Group has clients all across the country and is developing a territory in Texas as of late.

Mortuary Media Group is dedicated to assisting funeral service firms with maximizing visibility, developing leads, expanding client reach and retention and developing a loyal following beyond the normal borders of business. Mortuary Media Group uses the power of online and mobile social media platforms to aid us in these efforts.

Our team of professionals not only brings years of experience in creatively helping companies build a strong brand, but were the only company that offers licensed funeral directors. Our in-depth knowledge of the funeral industry, combined with the latest innovative social media tools is what sets our media firm apart from the others. As funeral directors, we know the funeral industry specifically.

Paid Newspaper Ad From Funeral Corporation SCI Raising More Than Eyebrows

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 06:47:00 +0000

          A former well-known name in Austin funeral service has stirred up more than just a few Texans with an open-letter many are saying is misleading. Charles Walden, a former funeral home owner, allowed his name to appear in an advertisement (disguised to look like an open-letter) placed by Houston-based funeral corporation, Service Corporation International (NYSE:SCI). The advertisement appeared in the May 26th edition of the Austin American Statesman. In the ad, Walden attempts to convince Austin readers that the local chain of Cook-Walden Funeral Home locations are the same now as they have been for the last 100 years. The advertisement has drawn sharp criticism, as many are claiming to be simply misleading. Cook-Walden originally had just one funeral home 40 years ago. It is now owned by Service Corporation International (SCI)-the largest funeral home and cemetery chain in the world.

          According to the history of Cook-Walden funeral services published at its own website, in the late 1800s a funeral home was opened in downtown Austin by Samuel E. Rosengren. In 1920, Charles B. Cook purchased that business. In 1971, Charles Walden purchased Cook Funeral Home. The name was changed to Cook-Walden. Shortly thereafter, Charles Walden bought two adjacent cemeteries in the Pflugerville area. In 1985, he bought Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown, then Forest Oaks funeral and cemetery in 1992. The two funeral homes at the Pflugerville cemeteries location and on Hwy. 183 at Anderson Mill were built more recently.

          In 1997, Cook-Walden sold all of its operations to SCI. The recent open letter in the Statesman claims that in 1993 the Cook-Walden chain joined the Dignity Memorial(R) network (a registered service mark of SCI). But Cook-Walden could not have joined the Dignity Memorial(R) network until 2004 because that network did not exist until then, and that network is used only by SCI-owned facilities.

          Charles Walden has claimed to provide some consulting services, since the 1997 purchase by the corporation. However, most people are unclear on his exact involvement.

          Another local news column, along with Ryan Thogmartin of Connecting Directors has taken issue with the advertisement and pointed out the historical inaccuracies as well as a growing number of online forums where current and former employees of the company are expressing their opinions. The article states:

          "If, as its ad claims, it can provide “compassionate care” in doing so, that is a benefit to families. "

          As far as the “reputation factor” of the company, there are a number of forums with interesting opinions by employees. Most are accusing the company of being extremely uncompassionate to its employees, even when those employees are trying to provide compassionate service to grieving families. Here are a couple of examples:

          These forums are accusing the company of being extremely uncompassionate to its employees, even when those employees are trying to provide compassionate service to grieving families. In the original article, a number of examples pulled from forums are given. I even kept the spelling errors intact.

          “I am a funeral director and embalmer for SCI. It is a terrible company to work for, and I would discourage anyone from applying with them. The management is terrible, from the top all the way down the the location manager. You have no home life, you are expected to get the work done, but get in trouble for getting overtime hours. There is no such thing as christmas bonuses or raises in this company. You are not respected as a professional in your field. Bottom line, in my opinion, this company cares about nothing but money. I got into this field to help people, not rob them without a gun.”

          “This place is horrible! We got baught by SCI about 3 years ago and its been down hill from there. We’ve had 4 different managers. The average employee leaves within a few years. Im on my fourth year and havent even broke a dollar as far as raises. Micro-management, Micro-management. You work your ass off just to keep your job. They will suck the life out of your ability to care for grieving families. STAY AWAY!”

          A local columnist in the Austin area had this to say:

          Local families who need to plan a funeral would be wise to ignore SCI’s self-promotion and shop around. There are many good and fair-priced funeral services available in the Austin area. Cost comparisons are made simple by the annual survey of funeral costs published by AMBIS-the nonprofit Funeral Consumers Alliance affiliate serving central Texas. The 2011 survey can be found on-line.

          Regardless of your opinion, I think the columnist said it best -- "shop around."

Pastor Sues: In The Name of Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 26 May 2011 22:05:00 +0000

          Following all of the "rapture stories," I have been feeling a bit tired of religion. Flame me if you must, but some folks simply take things too far. I was hoping to get a break from the faithful. However, I should have known, simply picking up a newspaper would stamp that notion out.

          For the past two years, the Rev. Scott Rainey has given the Memorial Day invocation at the Houston National Cemetery, to honor U.S. soldiers who have fought and died. Rainey, by the way, is lead pastor of Living Word Church of the Nazarene.

          This year, however, a dispute broke out over the use of “Jesus Christ” being mentioned in prayer. Houston National Cemetery director Arleen Ocasio asked the pastor to modify the prayer, in an effort to make it “inclusive of all beliefs.”

          According to the Chronicle, Ocasio wrote in an email, “The tone of all messages must be inclusive of all beliefs, need to be general and its fundamental purpose should be specific to those we are honoring, and non-denominational in nature.” Sounds fair to me!

          In typical fashion, the pastor decides to run to court. Because, we should all accept the fact that Jesus Christ is the only true and correct God, right? And of course, anyone who believes otherwise or simply doesn’t share the same view should have no say in the matter, correct? While we’re at it, why not just ban other faiths and even the non-believers?

          I don’t know about you, but I am going to have to side with Ocasio, who also told the Chronicle:

          “Our National Cemeteries are places for all Veterans, of all beliefs. We cannot be exclusive at a ceremony meant to be inclusive for all our Nation’s Veterans.”

Half Deep Thoughts: Post Bin Laden

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:13:00 +0000

I found an interesting post on Houston Attorney Mark W. Bennett's blog, where he shares some thoughts on the killing of Osama Bin Laden. As a lawyer, he touches on some of the legal (and maybe not so legal) aspects. I am not a lawyer, but even as a non-lawyer type, I have my own concerns.

Like many Americans, I watched the official announcement by the President. And like many Americans, human nature provided twinges of excitement. However, those feelings quickly diminished for a number of reasons. Following the news, I was jolted by calls from friends and family, all with the same question, "Hey, did you hear?" In the usual fashion, the next thing was, "They said."

In recent years, I have learned a great deal about the "They said" crowd. In some hot-spots, announcements were made and even that tired Lee Greenwood song was played, with folks singing and chanting. Beyond the Whitehouse gates, scores of people gathered to celebrate "the killing."

I could not bring myself to celebrate the death of any human being. Likewise, I consider myself totally incapable of determining the justification for Bin Laden's death. Like Mark's blog points out, how do I really know that Osama Bin Laden ever existed or is in any way responsible for 9/11? I have seen pictures of a human being, even some video footage showing that same human being walking around or talking to others. I have even seen recent footage of the same human being watching himself on TV. These are the only facts that I know.

Did he want to kill me? I never met him, let alone even talk to him, so how do I know? If you think you know, how do you know? Was he the leader of Al Qaeda? For the same reasons, how do I know? I would have to ask, is there really such a thing as Al-Qaeda? If so, how do you know? Was he armed or unarmed? If you know, based on the conflicting reports, how do you know? Did he have a porn stash? Virility drugs?

I know, I know, I can hear you say, "But Steve, they said."

I rest my case.

Houston Press Stirs Up a Stink, Compiling Texas' 10 Hottest Female Sex Offenders

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:40:00 +0000

Photo: DPS

There is a new stink in town, besides the one floating from nearby Pasadena. The Houston Press has released a list of the “10 Hottest Women on the Texas Sex Offenders List.”

In a nutshell, these “hotties” are accused of assaulting boys and girls ranging from two to 16 years of age. You can see the women’s cities, crime and victim information.

Well, one person has already gotten their bloomers in a wad over this and is speaking out.

“This kind of thinking that female sex offenders are harmless seductresses rather than predators or perpetrators can set us back decades,” said Torie Camp, deputy director the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA). This group is, to my knowledge, larger and probably more important than the Houston Area Association for Decency.

According to TAASA, approximately 25,000 adults and 25,000 children are sexually assaulted in Texas every year. Only 18 percent report the crime to the police.

In a response to those who have been “riled up” by the article, list compiler Richard Connelly added the note:

"I can understand how some people might react to this. On the other hand, it's a way of getting readers to look at the info, maybe get them to realize there are people out there like this and they all don't look like the obvious stereotypical pervert."

Change.org has created a petition asking the Houston Press to apologize for the list.

The Official Apology

By the way, the photo above is my favorite. However, as a member of the male species, it appears that I am not her type.

Source

Study Reveals Houston Police Stop Blacks More Often

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:54:00 +0000

Houston police officers continue to stop black motorists more often than those of any other racial or ethnic group, according to a Police Department study.

About 33 percent of the 494,000 motorists stopped by Houston police in 2010 were black, while the city's overall population is 23 percent black, the department analysis showed. Hispanics made up 32 percent of the traffic stops but 44 percent of the city's population, while whites accounted for 30 percent of the traffic stops.

The Rev. James Nash, pastor of the mostly black congregation at St. Paul Baptist Church, said he has complained to police officials about what seems to be undeserved police stops of black motorists. "I've always questioned why they stop so many

African-Americans, especially the young blacks," he told the Chronicle. "I guet calls all the time where officers stopped them for no apparent reason and questioned them."

City Council member C.O. Bradford, a former Houston police chief who also is black, said the department has done a "pretty good job" of reducing racially motivated stops but that the situation should continue to be monitored closely. JZ7BJ7A8KKP4

Source

Holy Bajeezers! We Haven't Much Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:41:00 +0000

Credit: Lord Jim / Flickr Creative Commons

Ladies and gentlemen, it seems our days are numbered. Have you heard about this? Why the hell am I always the last one God tells anything to?

I will admit, with the tsunami, wildfires, lack of rain in some parts, deadly storms in others, violence in the Middle East, Barack Obama's birth certificate and Bin Laden settling in below sea level, I have been wondering WTF?

I have my answers now, thanks to Family Radio's Harold Camping. He, along with a gang of loons have set out across america to warn fellow believers and heathens alike about end. I am a little pissed off, because here it is already the 10th, without any warning around my house.

Harold Camper

“This degreed engineer, who calls the Bible his ‘university,’ believes the church age ended and the ‘Great Tribulation’ (the years leading up to the end, he says) began on May 21, 1988, when Satan entered the pews,” CNN wrote in its coverage of his followers’ road trip to the end of the world.

“He has dissected scripture and crunched his biblical numbers to come up with the fateful dates. He rattles off mathematical explanations of how he did this work, throwing out Bible verses and calculations that leave an outsider’s head spinning,” the story said.

Fortunately, for the rest of us, I have learned local Athiest groups are planning a party for doomsday. If you would like to join in, free rounds of ice water are on me.

Houston Police Chief: Beating Video Hurt Reputation, You Think?

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 08 May 2011 19:03:00 +0000

Houston, Texas

Well, I guess it is about that time of year, when Charles McClelland must evaluate his first year as Houston Police Chief. So, how did you do Chief?

So far, he is only pointing to the latest crime statistics: Violent crime decreased in all categories in the Bayou City. Of course, that really means violent crime by citizens. But let’s talk about violent crimes committed by the men and women in blue.

I touched on this in a previous post, but indulge me for just a moment please.

In confidence, I am sure the event on everyone’s mind is the videotaped beating of a teen Chad Holley.

"It did hurt the reputation of (the Police Department) and it was an unfortunate and isolated incident," McClelland told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "It certainly in no way went to the heart and soul of the 5,300 police officers and 1,700 civilian support staff that do a very good job every single day."

The “isolated” surveillance video showed several “isolated” officers kicking, punching and stomping on then 15-year-old Chad Holley during his arrest at a self-storage business in southwest Houston. Although “isolated,” Four officers were later fired and indicted on various “isolated” charges.

Webster defines “isolated” as:

Far away from other places, buildings, or people; remote.

I guess this makes sense. The videotape clearly indicates that Chad Holley was only surrounded by police officers who thought their kicks and punches were out of site from citizens.

Having minimal contact or little in common with others.

I guess this makes sense too, as most normal citizens would not behave in such a barbaric fashion.

Wow Chief, maybe you are right. Let’s take a look at the “isolated” incident again just so that we are all clear.

Video Source

Best Wishes for Mother's Day from Chimp and Staff

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 08 May 2011 07:33:00 +0000

Houston’s Lakewood Church Volunteer Accused of Child Molestation

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 06 May 2011 06:50:00 +0000

Lakewood Church, home to Pastor Joel Osteen and what some say is the largest church congregation, is now known as a home for a sex offender.

Police are looking for Alvaro Daniel Guzman, who was a volunteer in Lakewood’s Champions Club for special needs children. He stands accused of indecency with an autistic child. The incident is said to have taken place on February 13. According to another volunteer, they observed Guzman picking up an eight-year-old boy and touching his genitals.

The church issued the following statement:

"Every person who works with children at Lakewood Church undergoes a thorough criminal background check. Mr. Guzman's criminal background check indicated no criminal history. At the time of the alleged incident, Mr. Guzman was immediately removed from interacting with children and CPS was notified. Lakewood will continue cooperating with local authorities on this case."

-- Donald Iloff, Jr., Lakewood Church spokesperson

Source

Brotherhood of Blue Continues As Brotherhood of Bad

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:30:00 +0000

It has been another rough week for the Houston Police Department, following what has actually been a rough year filled with accusations of corruption, abuse and what some even describe as simply evil.

Officer Stephan Riha charged with theft

Officer Demetrie Dixon charged with multiple on-duty rapes

In just the past couple of days, Officer Stephan Riha was accused of theft while on duty. Riha was caught in a sting, after pulling over a driver for a routine traffic stop and demanding money. Earlier in the week,a jury found Officer Demetrie Dixon guilty of sexual assault. The verdict came down following testimony from several women who were raped by the officer while on-duty.

This week only follows previous weeks of problems, like for Sgt. Ruben Trejo, charged with driving to work drunk, hitting a bus and fellow officers accused of a cover-up. And then there was the recently released autopsy report revealing that an unarmed man killed by Houston Police Officer Ryan Gardiner was shot six times in the back.Another officer, Jarrod Johnson, was charged with driving drunk. Oh and, even the HPD property room has not been spared, as employee Edward Mason was charged with bribery.

I am wondering what the mayor, who recently launched her campaign for re-election, is thinking. Following an incident in January, in which Officer Abraham Joseph was charged with multiple rapes while on-duty, along with the Chad Holley beating tape, she called the incidents "isolated." In another report, she said "In a department this size, there will always be a couple of officers not doing what they are supposed to be doing."

In light of the recent incidents, I am left to question "isolated" and "a couple?"

Hey Governor, Where's The Rain?

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:28:00 +0000

This morning, as soon as my eyelids opened, I immediately jumped out of bed, back-handed the curtains aside and noticed something dusturbing. There wasn't a drop of rain in sight.

Last Friday, as you may recall, was the first of three days Texas Governor Rick Perry asked Texans to pray for rain. This tall order was his official executive response to the drought and sweeping wildfires scorching the plains. I took it very seriously. I mean, an executive order from the Governor's mansion is not something to take lightly. And it seems I wasn't alone.

However, stopping to pray as often as possible, between cracking Easter eggs and dinners and masses, has yielded Texans nothing (except a pile of broken egg shells rotting in the bin beside the curb).

So what's next Governor? Maybe a conversation with a burning bush?

Houston's Mayor Annise Parker Launches Bid For Another Term

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 20:07:00 +0000

Mayor Annise Parker and Partner Kathy Hubbard

Houston, Texas

While the majority of Houstonians were focused on the Easter Holiday weekend, Mayor Annise Parker was busy drumming up support for her re-election campaign. And so far, there is no opposition, a far cry from her first campaign in 2009. Back then, while facing stiff competition, Parker surfaced not only as a winner but also the first lesbian mayor of a major American city.

In front of a crowd at Houston's Discovery Green, Parker offered her opinion of the city. "It is better off financially, it is better off economically."

The statement is somewhat surprising, following the recent news of pending layoffs, including as many as 181 Houston police officers and 200 Houston fire fighters. The layoffs are being proposed to offset the 17 million dollar budget problem the city is currently facing under Parker's watch.

Let's take a look back on Mayor Parker's first term. Of course, there was the issue involving red light cameras being voted down and the city's delay in removing them (going against the wishes of the voters).

In February of this year, she was fined over misleading campaign finance reports.

Also, in February, the videotaped beating of teen Chad Holley by Houston police officers surfaced, after months of suppression by the mayor and city officials.

In response, the mayor called the release irresponsible and called for the prosecution of those releasing the tape. She later struggled to rephrase her statements, indicating that she was simply tired and angry.

The Chad Holley incident was only one in a growing number of problems for the Houston Police Department. Additional videotaped beatings surfaced, while another HPD officer was implicated in multiple rapes of women while on-duty and countless stories of police abuse and corruption within the department. This weekend, as a matter of fact, autopsy reports of a man shot by a Houston police officer reveal the victim was shot six times in the back. This has prompted another lawsuit for excessive force.

Parker also told the small group of supporters, "I know there are problems out there; I know times are tough. But the Houston I see has all of you in it, and the Houston that I see has a better, brighter future for each one of us. And if we only keep working and if we only keep helping each other, that future could be, that should be, can be and will be."

Madame Mayor, we will admit that you look pretty cool on a motorcycle, but we are left to wonder, are we seeing the same city?

Where’s The Beef? At Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, Question Is, Where’s The Baby?

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

I realize that Mardi Gras has already passed, but I am not talking about the baby in the cake. The story I am referring to is the mix-up of infant graves over at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. The cemetery and the adjacent funeral home are owned by Houston-based Service Corporation International.

Now, if you have ever been to the cemetery, you can easily understand how the lay person might become confused, given the size. But it appears that even FPL’s highly-trained staff is also confused.

This all came to light because of one Houston-area family. They started asking probing questions about their own loved ones gravesite, which they had been visiting for years. Their plan was to place a headstone on the grave.

Those plans suddenly changed when a cemetery employee told them they’ve been visiting the wrong grave all this time.

"Where I was sitting was someone else's little girl," LeAnne Farrell said.

ABC’s KTRK-TV attempted to ask general manager John Krasnick questions, but he wasn't eager to answer them. Farrell says she was told her son's grave is marked correctly but that several other children's graves may not be.

Source

Community Continues to Protest Houston Police Department Brutality for Seventh Week

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:39:00 +0000

Houston, Texas

Today, a coalition of community organizations continues to protest demanding a citizen’s review board with subpoena power, prosecutorial power, and proper funding. Protests began after the release of a video showing the brutal beating of 15 year old African American Chad Holley.

Several town hall meetings have shown the outrage of the community, along with opinions being continuously expressed on local talk shows. Numerous citizens have come forward with claims of excessive force and brutality, including the death of their loved ones.

In addition, in the past two weeks, two police shootings seen as use of excessive force or outright murder by some witnesses have taken place.

As of the latest scheduled protest, Mayor Annise Parker and the District Attorney have been unresponsive to the righteous demands of the public.

Source

Widow Suing Houston Funeral Corporation SCI for $16M Over Gross Misconduct

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:40:00 +0000

Nashville, Tennessee

Conduct of national company's local workers called 'outrageous, grossly negligent'.

A Nashville woman is seeking $16 million in damages for alleged “outrageous, grossly negligent, indecent, reckless” conduct by a death care services provider.

Sharon McNabb filed suit against SCI Tennessee Funeral Services in Davidson County Circuit Court this week, claiming the company’s local workers botched burial arrangements for her deceased husband and “talked her into” cremating his body.

According to the complaint, Andrew Raymond McNabb had purchased a plot at Woodlawn Memorial Park from Woodlawn Funeral Home in 1989. After his death on Dec. 17, Sharon arranged for a Dec. 20 viewing and Dec. 21 service at Eastland Funeral Home before the interment at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

The arrangements were proceeding according to plan until SCI workers notified the McNabb family — during the funeral service — that they in fact had no burial plot at Woodlawn and said the “best thing” to do was cremate the body. According to the complaint, McNabb consented, though she was “completely distraught” and “heavily sedated” at the time.

Then, more than a week after the cremation, McNabb received a notice from the Tennessee National Guard War Records Section that her husband was a veteran and was eligible for burial at the VA Cemetery — notice that SCI had received the day before the funeral.

“Instead of telling her that he could be buried in a VA Cemetery, SCI staff talked her into letting them cremate him for a fee, when at the time it should have been obvious that she was suffering from great emotional distress,” the complaint reads. “This conduct was outrageous, grossly negligent, indecent, reckless, and willful and the kind that is not tolerated by civilized society.”

Source

Houston's Mayor Fined Over Misleading Campaign Reports

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 07:41:00 +0000

Houston, Texas

The number of Houston elected officials who have been penalized by The Texas Ethics Commission in the past year has risen to eight, with Houston Mayor Annise Parker the latest addition. The Mayor was cited for faulty campaign finance reports during the time she was city controller.

Source

Disturbing: The Video The Mayor and Houston Police Did Not Want You To See of Teen Beating By Houston Police Officers

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:40:00 +0000

Source

Houston Police Officer Charged With Sexual Assault: Authorities Believe More Victims Likely

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:46:00 +0000

HPD Officer Charged with Sexual Assault: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Abraham Joseph, 27, was arrested and charged on Thursday. Prosecutors with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office presented the results of an investigation into Joseph’s actions to a grand jury.

Woman from El Salvador Claims Joseph Handcuffed, Raped Her

HPD Sources Say More Victims Likely

Fox News reports that the female's attorney filed a restraining order against the officer Thursday night. That alleged victim's counsel also tells FOX he believes this officer targeted women who are illegal immigrants. Sources at HPD also say there are more victims likely out there.

He has been with the department since July 2009. He works with the Southwest Patrol Division . We're told Joseph came to Houston from the New York Police Department.

Source

Happy New Year From Houston Observer

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 01:49:00 +0000

Wishing you a very happy new year!

Houston Priest Arrested For Indecent Exposure And Lewdness

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:12:00 +0000

Houston, Texas

A Houston-area priest was arrested after a private viewing room encounter with an undercover vice officer at an adult video store a few miles from his church, police said.

The HPD Vice Squad had undercover officers inside two adult video stores along the Gulf Freeway in southeast Houston when they said they encountered Father Alberto A. Maullon, 52, of Southeast Harris County.

An undercover officer approached and exchanged a nod with him, followed by the locked door being opened for the undercover officer.

One officer involved in the sting said at that point "he whipped his junk out" and started masturbating for the undercover officer.

The priest, who was named head of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Nassau Bay in 1991, was quickly arrested.

Officers said he identified himself as a priest as they were booking him. On his booking paperwork, he listed his address on Point Lookout Drive, the same street where the church is located.

Source

Judge Sanctions Houston-Based Service Corporation International For Evidence Tampering In Case Involving Cemetery

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:35:00 +0000

Los Angeles, California

A Los Angeles judge has sanctioned Houston-based Service Corporation International (NYSE:SCI), owner of Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills, after finding that the cemetery intentionally tampered with and destroyed evidence related to a class action lawsuit alleging that Eden mishandled human remains.

Judge Anthony J. Mohr of the Los Angeles Superior Court ordered that the plaintiff’s attorney will be allowed to present evidence to the jury showing that SCI willfully tampered with evidence, and the judge will inform jurors that they may reasonably conclude that the destroyed evidence could have been damaging.

The allegations include that the cemetery broke concrete vaults to squeeze more graves into small spaces, and that when bones fell out of the broken vaults, groundskeepers were instructed to discard of the remains in the cemetery dump and Eden secretly buried bodies in the wrong plots and misplaced or lost remains.

Source