Do you think this would have happened if we had gay marriage which allowed inheritance of things like pensions

Question

MEDFORD, Ore. -- A Medford man accused of storing his dead lover's body in a freezer for about a year is expected to plead guilty next month rather than face a trial scheduled for Wednesday.

The body was identified as William B. Richardson, the 77-year-old owner of the home. Richardson died from bladder cancer in January 2006, and prosecutors allege that Mahanna concealed the older man's death so he could collect the pension Richardson earned as a school librarian in California.

Mahanna's mother, Helen, told the Mail Tribune shortly after her son's arrest that Mahanna and Richardson were together for 35 years.

Note: Pensions can't be willed to someone, however they usually continue to be paid to a spouse after the death of a pensioner.

Legal action is very expensive and not usually an option for someone living on a pension. Legal fees would eat up any pension very quickly.

I think what this shows is a very sad story where someone was forced into making a poor decision, a very poor decision, because he didn't have the same rights as a spouse.

Answer 1

This is such a tragic story. It's so sad. I can understand why he did, I don't condone, just understand. If they allowed gay marriage and it had all the rights and privileges of straight marriage,I don't think this would have happened.

Answer 2

That is so absolutely sad and tragic. However, he may have had a better chance of getting his partners pension by just taking it to court in the first place. I mean, no amount of money would be worth it to me to not properly respect my deceased loved one. That is bizarre, gay or straight. That is just not okay.
I do think that pensions should be allowed to be bequeathed to anyone of your choosing, not only spouses- but to a friend or to a children's charity or even to a cat if you really wanted it to- it was your hard earned money and it should go to whomever you want- I don't think it is an issue of marriage.

Answer 3

Jyse - another reason I like you, you watch Desperate Housewives!!

About this case, I don't condone anyone keeping a body in a freezer for ANY reason at all. It's sad that he had too, to get pension, but I mean I don't want a body in my freezer anywhere in my home, even if I did love them for 35 years...that's too weird for me...

Answer 4

Wow, that is pretty close to here, I hadn't heard about it.

One, I don't advocate for "Gay marriage" because it still isn't "equal marriage" and the wording of it makes the connection of "exclusive marriage for THAT group" it is a really big political no-no on how to frame a message. It frames the wrong one...(And that is my shpeel for that one ^_~)

In France, they have family rights, meaning that even if two friends were raising their kids together, their kids would be protected including if one of those friends died.

See, in some places the law isn't about dictating about who has sex, its actually about valuing families ^_~

Answer 5

I doubt it would have happened if Marriages were allowed but that does not excuse what he did. Sorry, keeping a dead body in the freezer is not good no matter what the reason.

Answer 6

That's crazy that this is true, cause this was a story line on Desperate Housewives... If gay marriage was allowed, crazy things like this wouldn't happen. :) I'm not saying I approve of his methods, but I could almost understand his fears, and why he would do it... still crazy!!!

Answer 7

this would happen as often as it does with a hetero marriage. If people are sick, they'll do sick things regardless of sexuality

Answer 8

No, and it's sad that this had to happen.

Answer 9

You are using marriage to defend theft?

There is no problem with any gay person leaving all of their money to anyone in a legal will.

Typical red herring argument.