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Nurse admits taking parts from 244 bodies
By Times Wires
Published January 31, 2008
PHILADELPHIA A nurse admitted Wednesday that he cut body parts from 244 corpses and helped forge paperwork so the parts, some diseased, could be used in unsuspecting patients. Authorities say nurse Lee Cruceta was the lead cutter in a group that trafficked in more than 1,000 stolen body parts. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy, taking part in a corrupt organization, abuse of a corpse and 244 counts each of theft and forgery. Cruceta, 35, also has pleaded guilty to related charges in New York and negotiated pleas to serve concurrent sentences of 6 1/2 to 20 years. He is expected to testify against the other defendants and won't be formally sentenced until those cases are resolved. Several funeral directors have pleaded guilty in New York, and the accused ringleader, Michael Mastromarino, 44, is being held in the case. LOS ANGELES Powder sent to Scientology sites Envelopes containing a white powdery substance were received Wednesday at eight Church of Scientology-affiliated properties around the Los Angeles region, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing anonymous law enforcement sources. Preliminary tests found some of the substances to be harmless, and no was injured. Times wires
[Last modified January 31, 2008, 01:38:40]
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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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