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Wednesday, March 4, 2009 Bizarre case of conservatorship for the family Crean Johnnie Crean's behavior has ceased to be funny anymore. By BARBARA VENEZIA For The Orange County Register Last week, I wrote about the Crean family and their court battle over conservatorship of their mother Donna who suffers from Alzheimer's and diabetes. Johnnie Crean blogged the column stating it was his siblings who were "delusional," but if you've been reading Frank Mickadeit's account of the trial, you might think otherwise. Presiding Judge Mary Fingal Shulte must ultimately decide two things; if Donna Crean does need a conservator and who that should be. Her options; appoint a family member or a court conservator. Crean kids Andy, Emily and Susie all agree Andy should be conservator. He lives across the street from Village Crean, and he's got his head on straight. Eldest son Johnnie, says he should be conservator though he lives in Hawaii and feels with more social stimulation his mom's Alzheimer's would reverse, and refuses to follow his mother's schedule set by her physicians…He also thinks she should travel to Hawaii, go where ever she likes and stay up as late as she wants. Johnnie testified he might be suffering from early stages of memory loss like his mom…and he might be right. Watching him on the stand this week, he had trouble comprehending opposing counsel Dan Callahan's questions, even simple ones. At times, he seemed not to take these proceedings very seriously. His mood went from flippant to arrogant to confused. It was bizarre to watch. What I found most troubling was a suspicious document that Johnnie typed for his mother to sign stating "I understand there is a disagreement between my children as to who should be my conservator. I don't want Andrew, Emily or Susan to be my conservator. I do want Johnnie and his wife Linda to be my conservator." He had his mom sign three copies while lunching with her at a local Chinese restaurant in Newport Beach. But Donna's signature varies on each version. In one her name is misspelled. All are dated March 19, 2000. (John Crean died Jan 11, 2007). Johnnie claims he typed the wrong date saying he meant to type 2008. He siblings saw the document for the first time in pretrial proceedings. The third day of testimony was devoted to forensic and geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Bennett Blum testifying about his assessment of Donna's condition. He confirmed she has moderate to advanced Alzheimer's, likens her cognitive thinking to that of a 4-or-5-year-old and that her condition is not reversible. He stressed Donna's prone to undue influence and those that care for her should adhere to her doctor's orders. He believes she needs a conservator but doesn't think Johnnie's the guy for the job. Blum referred to several instances in Johnnie's testimony to substantiate this. The saddest example; when Emily's son died suddenly Oct. 2008. Due to the family's tensions, Susie wrote Johnnie asking him not to attend the funeral and add stress to their grieving sister. Johnnie showed up anyway. Dr. Blum told the court this showed Johnnie's disregard for his sister and only self interest. I've known this family almost 19 years. They all love their mother. I've been on many vacations with Johnnie and his wife; trust me when I say he's no stranger to odd behavior. For years, everyone laughed it off as eccentric, now he could be downright dangerous unless his siblings prevail. John often joked "Donna must have dropped Johnnie on his head as a baby." It always got a big laugh…his behavior this week is no laughing matter. The trial continues next week. |
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