DETROIT (AP) — A judge has canceled a Feb. 21 trial for a Detroit-area man charged with supplying diseased body parts for medical training.
The trial is on hold while Arthur Rathburn gets a new lawyer. Federal Judge Paul Borman says Byron Pitts’ work was “significant and impressive,” but he granted Rathburn’s request last week to drop the attorney.
The government says the Grosse Pointe Park man operated International Biological Inc., which rented out body parts for medical or dental training.
The unusual business was legal, but Rathburn is accused of making false statements and transporting hazardous materials. Investigators say some body parts came from people who had HIV or hepatitis B.
Rathburn has turned down plea deals from prosecutors.
His wife pleaded guilty to fraud last March and awaits her sentence.
- Posted February 06, 2017
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
February trial scratched in body parts probe
headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- Bryanna Jenkins advocates for the Black transgender community
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying order; ‘litigants cannot change the plain meaning of words,’ judge says
- Barrister’s new mystery novel offers glimpse inside the Inner Temple
- Disbarment recommended for ex-Trump lawyer Eastman by State Bar Court of California panel
- Retired California justice faces disciplinary charges for allegedly taking too long to decide cases
