Body-part theft trial begins

BRIGHTON, N.Y., April 14 (UPI) -- A human tissue recovery service branch manager charged with illegally harvesting bone and tissue from 29 bodies went on trial in New York Monday.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported that Kirssy Medos signed blank documents indicating that she witnessed Monroe Country residents give their consent to remove bone and other body parts from deceased relatives.

Second Assistant District Attorney Timothy L. Prosperi said in this opening statement that Medos falsified forms so that her employer, Biomedical Tissue Services, could recover the body parts and sell them to companies that prepare them for medical purposes.

Medos' defense attorney, Peter J. Pullano, said that although she signed blank documents, she believed that Michael Mastromarino, Biomedical's founder, would finish them lawfully.

Medos is charged with illegally opening graves, stealing bodies, illegal dissection on human remains, first-degree falsification of records and second-degree forgery.