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  Attorney To Handle Rainbow Estate

Posted by FoM on December 05, 2001 at 21:40:26 PT
By Adam Jackson, Tribune Staff Writer  
Source: South Bend Tribune 

Cass County Probate Court Judge Susan Dobrich ruled that a local attorney appointed by the state will handle an estate left to the son of 28-year-old Rolland Rohm, who was killed along with 46-year-old Grover "Tom" Crosslin at a Vandalia campground over the Labor Day Weekend.Crosslin and Rohm barricaded themselves on Aug. 31 in a house at Rainbow Farm Campground, located at 59896 Pemberton Road, after failing to appear at a court hearing for drug charges issued after a lengthy investigation of activities at the campground, which was owned by Crosslin.
After a standoff, Crosslin was reportedly shot by FBI agents after brandishing a gun at them on Sept. 3. Rohm was shot and killed in a similar manner Sept. 4.The two men had cared for Rohm's 13-year-old son Robert since the child was 4 years old, and they left all they owned to him.Dobrich delivered the ruling to the families of the slain men and their attorneys on Friday, after holding a closed hearing Nov. 26 to hear the case. Rohm's mother, Geri Livermore, and Crosslin's father, Thomas Crosslin, had both petitioned to be appointed to oversee the estate left by both men to Robert.But because Robert is in state foster care, Dobrich ruled that state-appointed attorney Peter Smith of Niles should be in charge of the estate, which is believed to consist of the 43-acre campground, a historical brick home on Michigan 60 in Vandalia, and property in Elkhart County.Smith confirmed his appointment as Robert's guardian ad litem, but said he could not comment further on the case.Dan Wilson, who leads the statewide Parents for Children Advocacy group, has been working closely with the families of both Crosslin and Rohm since their deaths. He said that by the time Robert is able to take possession of the property, there might be nothing left to own due to the creditors who have claims against the estate.The estate decision, Wilson said, is proving unpopular with the friends and family of Crosslin and Rohm, who believe that the property would be better administered by the child's family until he can legally take possession when he turns 18.Wilson is the husband of attorney Janet Frederick-Wilson, who is representing the families of Crosslin and Rohm in legal matters arising from the deaths of the two men. She did not immediately return a call Tuesday seeking comment. But Dan Wilson was willing to offer his opinion."It seems like all too often, it's money that drives these issues and not what is in the child's best interest," he said. "Robert is old enough to remember what is being done to him."The ruling effectively ends any opportunities the families of the two men had to be involved in the process of distributing the estate, unless they mount an expensive legal appeal. But it may not end their involvement in other legal battles surrounding the shootings.Wilson said Dobrich also ruled that Thomas Crosslin, father of Grover "Tom" Crosslin, and Geri Livermore, mother of Rolland Rohm, may oversee any money earmarked for Robert in the event of any monetary settlement from a possible wrongful death lawsuit the families may file against authorities involved in the shooting.Pending the release of a report on the shootings by Cass County Prosecutor Scott Teter, Wilson said that lawsuit is a certainty -- even if the families cannot afford it."That wrongful death suit will happen when we get the information we need," he said. " The case will be done regardless of compensation."Source: South Bend Tribune (IN)Author: Adam Jackson, Tribune Staff Writer Published: December 5, 2001 Copyright: 2001 South Bend TribuneContact: vop sbtinfo.comWebsite: http://www.southbendtribune.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Rainbow Farm Campgroundhttp://www.rainbowfarmcampground.com/Tom Crosslin & Rollie Rohm Memorialhttp://freedomtoexhale.com/rb.htmRainbow Farm: Authorities Must Release Autopsy http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11267.shtmlA Rainbow of Support - South Bend Tribunehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11243.shtml End of the Rainbow - Reason Magazinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10891.shtml

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