February 12, 2010 in City

Caregiver who tried to steal from dead man gets jail term

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A caregiver who tried to steal money from a dead man will spend a month in jail, a judge ruled Wednesday

Ronald L. Brown, 41, had 10 days from his sentencing to report to the Spokane County Jail to serve a 30-day sentence imposed Wednesday by Superior Court Judge Michael Price.

Police began investigating Brown after he showed up at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in January 2009 with what he told hospital workers was a will written by a client he cared for, James Shelly Gant.

Gant had died the day before, and Brown, Gant’s caregiver through Home Care of Washington, had a note stating he was to receive all Gant’s money – about $7,000.

Police say that note was forged, and a jury convicted Brown of first-degree attempted theft last month.

The trial included testimony from state Rep. Matt Shea, R-Greenacres, who was a character witness for the defense. Shea, who did not return a phone call seeking comment, fought in the Iraq war with Brown.

Gant’s death was ruled accidental after family members initially were told it may have involved suspicious circumstances, which triggered investigations of Brown by police and Adult Protective Services.

Gant, who was paralyzed and in a wheelchair, died suddenly from a fast-spreading bacterial infection.

He had complained to his sister about Brown, who had been his caretaker since November 2008, according to court documents.

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