Judge Rejects Conservatorship For Casey Kasem
(CBS SF/AP) - Casey Kasem is receiving good medical care and a conservatorship is unnecessary for the ailing radio personality, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Superior Court Judge Lesley Green urged lawyers to reach an agreement that would allow three of Kasem's adult children to visit their father, who is suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease.
Kasem's children have said they are being blocked from seeing their father by his wife of more than 30 years, Jean. But her lawyer Marshall Grossman said the children have rejected a proposal to allow them to visit their father each month and on major holidays.
Green acknowledged there is "bad blood" in the family, but noted a doctor who has evaluated Kasem reported he wants to see his children.
Kasem's daughter Julie was seeking a temporary conservatorship for her father, but Green rejected that effort Tuesday. She cited reports by investigators and doctors who said Kasem was receiving by all accounts good medical treatment in his home.
The judge told lawyers to try to work out an agreement for visitation by Kasem's children and set another court hearing for Dec. 20.
Attorneys for both sides planned to try to negotiate a visitation agreement Tuesday.
Julie Kasem's attorney, Andrew Katzenstein, said his clients were pleased to learn that their father was being well cared for and hoped that a visitation arrangement could be worked out. He said the effort to have a conservatorship established was all about making sure Kasem was being properly looked after and to allow his children to see their father.
Grossman said he wants an accord that will end any further court action. "We're looking to bring peace, not piecemeal," he told Green.
Casey Kasem, 81, began his radio career in the Bay Area and gained fame with his music countdown shows, "American Top 40" and "Casey's Top 40," and also was the voice of Shaggy in the cartoon "Scooby Doo."
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