Posted on 02/21/2003 6:01:08 PM PST by Gorilla44
His son's body still lay on a cold steel table in the morgue when two men approached Donald McClellan bearing condolences--and business cards.
"We're sorry for your loss," they said, standing inside the Cook County medical examiner's building. "If you ever need a lawyer... "
McClellan, who only moments earlier had to say that, yes, the crushed body on the table was his boy, David Jones, turned the lawyers down. He then numbly walked away, wondering how much more anguish he could take after having lost his son in the early Monday stampede at the E2 nightclub.
The family of Nicole Patterson had not even had a chance to identify her body when the calls started coming. Did she need representation? attorneys wanted to know. "I don't even know how they got our number," said Sheretta Patterson-Pennington, Nicole's mother.
Tears still streaked the face of Felesa Melvin-Childs at the hospital where her nephew Kevin Gayden had just been declared dead, when ministers thrust their cards at her. She appreciated the thought, but felt put off. "They were waiting in a little room outside,'' she said. "I had just seen my nephew's body. I wasn't in any condition to talk to anyone. It was like being bum-rushed."
In the aftermath of the tragedy that claimed 21 lives, the families of the victims say they have felt like carrion for a variety of people they liken to vultures--funeral home directors, lawyers and even clergy.
With barely time to absorb the blow of losing family members, they say, they have been pressured to sign contracts for funeral services costing thousands of dollars, have had to endure harassing calls from lawyers and have had to watch ministers they don't know take over the mourning of their own families.
"It's like they're not giving families empathy to mourn and grieve their loved ones," said Patterson-Pennington. "It's very insensitive to our feelings and our concerns about losing our children. It feels like a scam. Everyone's got a gimmick or is somehow trying to capitalize. It's like it's a dog race. We're talking about our babies dying."
McClellan is among the many who have been bombarded with phone calls from people wanting something. "One lawyer already called twice this morning," he said. "I'm not going to go with him. I don't like to go with people who are pressuring me, especially at a time like this. I wonder what kind of person would do that kind of thing."
Lawyers have filed eight suits so far on behalf of victims.
Several families say one lawyer has been offering to pay for funeral expenses if they sign with him. Another firm, Aaron Levin & Associates, ran an ad in Wednesday's Sun-Times that asks, "Were you injured at the E2 and Epitome Club stampede??!! Call for a No-cost consultation NOW!"
And now, singer R. Kelly has weighed in, offering to pay $3,000 to each of the families--money that is welcomed but questioned in light of the damage Kelly's reputation has suffered following his alleged crimes against young girls.
Some have said funeral directors were waiting outside the hospitals where their loved ones were taken, with business cards at the ready. They have also been present at churches, where family members say they have felt pressured to make agonizing choices.
Melvin-Childs said one funeral director offered her free services if she agreed to sign with the attorney he suggested. "I was mad," she said. "I walked out. I said, 'Let's go. This does not seem right.' It feels like the families are being used."
"It seems like they don't want to wait," said McClellan. "They want to get the money as soon as possible. The people who come around bugging you like that, they're going to end up with more money than you. I don't give a damn about money. I want my son back, and that's not possible."
Some pastors have acknowledged showing up at the hospital and handing out cards, but they say they were there only to help. They say they have not pressured anyone to have services at their church or to use a particular funeral home, though they suggested a few they have worked with before.
"I don't get anything out of this," said the Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 1256 N. Waller. "I can understand people being offended that a funeral director was at the morgue with a smile and a contract in his hand. But we are simply trying to provide a community service."
Spencer Leak Sr., of Leak and Sons Funeral Home, said that is why he has offered to pay for burial services for several uninsured E2 victims--"no strings attached." He says he has persuaded casket companies and cemeteries to provide their services for free and offered to pay any remaining costs.
Melvin-Childs says she doesn't know whom to believe. She wants to accept the help--she needs the help, not having insurance. She says she has made funeral arrangements and is happy with the funeral home she has chosen. Still, it's only been 2-1/2 days since her nephew died in the tragedy.
"To me, personally, it feels like everything has escalated when all I want to do is bury my nephew."
The law can't protect anyone. All the law can do is sell you retribution after the fact, at monopolistic prices.
FMCDH
On a side note, my family has instructions to just put me in a simple cedar box, should the Rapture not occur before my time comes. I'm more concerned about being ready to meet the "Upper-taker" than I am the undertaker.
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