[theDentist]

Wait'll the libs find out his coffin costs $63,562,389.37

[Paleo Conservative]

Does that reaoning apply for both natural causes and suicide?

[JamesP81]

I think it's a good law overall: it prevents the state from labeling a dead man a criminal so it can get its hands on his assets, which ought to belong to the beneficiaries of his will.

[GSlob]

"An interesting question is whether one can still describe Lay as having been convicted of a crime, at least in a technical sense..."
Easily in the affirmative. Just add the words "during his lifetime".

[MeanWestTexan]

Not insignificant, if there were fines associated with the penalty.

Plus, any civil actions against the estate won't be a slam dunk.

[shield]

All his life proceeds go to his beneficiaries and NO ONE CAN TOUCH THAT MONEY AT ALL....and I bet Ken Lay had some huge life policies.

[Kimberly GG]

"It is well established in this circuit that the death of a CRIMINAL defendant pending an appeal of his or her case abates, ab initio, the entire criminal proceeding."

Note to author: emphasis, mine.