By Tanya Terry
The community is waiting to see what will happen next after the March 7 hearing regarding the body of the late Councilman Eric Mays and statements that were allegedly made surrounding him.
The Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Brian Pickell has agreed to adjourn proceedings for a lawsuit between Councilman Mays’ son and his siblings, along with Lawrence E. Moon funeral home until 11 a.m. next Monday, March 11.
Pickell stated his decision after Attorney Loyst Fletcher, who told Pickell he was representing Moon and Councilman Mays’ sister in the courtroom, stated paperwork for the lawsuit was not served in a proper or timely manner. Fletcher also said he received an affidavit of parenthood 10 minutes before the proceeding and that he and his client learned of the hearing through the media.
Although Mays’ body will remain at the Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, Pickell said funeral arrangements planned for this Friday and Saturday must be put on hold.
Additionally, Fletcher said he and his clients had no problem with Eric Hakeem Deontaye Mays seeing his late father’s body. He said Eric Hakeem Deontaye Mays’ attorney and Bishop Patrick Munnerlyn could accompany Mays’ son during the visit. According to a representative of the Lento Law, Mays’ son had previously feared visiting his father at Moon.
Pickell said it was a top priority of the court to move the case forward considering there was a body of the deceased that needed to be taken care of.
“I want to treat this case with dignity and respect here…” said Pickell.
“Mr. Mays’s family is here, and they have the right to the dignity of a proper burial too,” said Fletcher.
Joseph Cannizzo, Jr., attorney for Eric HaKeem Deontaye Mays stated: “We are encouraged by the Honorable Brian S. Pickell’s decision today that the late Councilman’s siblings cannot move forward with their funeral arrangements they previously announced, and that the Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home must grant our client and his legal representatives access to the late Councilman’s body. We are hopeful that when we are before Judge Pickell again this coming Monday, March 11, we will be able to resolve this dispute in favor of our client and begin preparations to lay the late Councilman to rest.”
Eric HaKeem Deontaye Mays said: “Though I am disappointed that this dispute will continue, I believe we are one step closer to giving my father the proper funeral service and burial I know he wanted. I am anxious to see my father’s remains to ensure he was properly cared for by the Moon Funeral Home since the day he passed away. I would like to thank everyone in the Flint community and across the country who has supported me while I’ve been forced to fight the kind of fight no son wants to have to fight after losing his father.”
Attorney Fletcher told reporters after the March 7 proceeding that he and his clients had no further comment.
A representative from Moon Funeral Home told the Courier on March 7 that the funeral arrangements for the late Councilman Mays were “incomplete” and referred anyone seeking information about his funeral to Moon Funeral Home’s website in the near future at https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/michigan/flint/lawrence-e-moon-funeral-home/fh-8173.
