Posted on 05/01/2006 7:26:20 PM PDT by blam
Family Members Object to Rosa Parks' Will
Tuesday May 2, 2006 3:01 AM
DETROIT (AP) - A dozen nieces and nephews of civil rights icon Rosa Parks have filed an objection to her will in hopes of gaining control of the use of her name and image.
The family members, who have been feuding for years with the people Parks appointed to handle her affairs, filed the legal challenge Friday.
``We still are very open to talk settlement in this case, if for no other reason than both sides have a deep respect for Ms. Parks,'' Frederick Toca Jr., an attorney for the family members, said Monday.
A pretrial conference is set for May 9 before a probate judge.
Parks' family members have said they started legal proceedings in December to protect her legacy. They are fighting for control of the rights to Parks' name, photos and other yet-to-be-determined intellectual property.
In the complaint filed Friday, the family members allege that Parks' longtime friend Elaine Steele, who handled her affairs, exerted undue influence over Parks.
Parks was subjected to threats, misrepresentations and coercion, the family members allege in the complaint. Parks was suffering from a mental condition that caused her to not understand her estate and assets at the time the will was dated in 1998, they say.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
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