Trial Starts For Former Funeral Home Director
(Rochester, NY) -- Opening arguments have been heard in the trial of a former Hilton funeral home director charged in an illegal tissue harvesting scheme. Defense attorneys for Jason Gano told the jury that he was never aware of any wrongdoing and that the ringleader, Michael Mastromarino had provided forged documents making it all appear legit. Gano is charged with helping procure bone and tissue from 23 bodies. Prosecutors say Gano allowed the illegal harvesting by Mastromarino?s company, Biomedical Tissue Services, without permission from next of kin. The trial is expected to last four weeks. Mastromarino pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 54 years behind bars. |