Family: Heart Attack Victim Moved for Michael Jackson
A woman who had suffered a massive heart attack died after hospital personnel moved her out of a trauma room to accommodate a flu-stricken Michael Jackson, the patient’s family said. Jury selection in Jackson’s child molestation child had to be temporarily postponed Feb. 15 when the pop star was taken to Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria, Calif., complaining of flu-like symptoms. Manuela Gomez Ruiz, a 74-year-old grandmother, was moved from the primary trauma room and taken off the machine ventilator, with her breathing instead assisted manually by hand pump, until she was relocated to a smaller room nearby, her family told ABC News. The larger room was kept for Jackson, the family says. Hospital records show Jackson, 46, told emergency room staff he had severe abdominal pain. His body temperature, 96.9 degrees, was below normal and he had tears in his eyes. The initial emergency room report said he could go home anytime. There was no doubt Jackson was sick—as a doctor assured the judge presiding over his trial—but how sick? Ruiz’s daughter-in-law says she watched as Jackson entered the emergency room. Read the story here.
Home Depot Names Tom Ridge to Board
Tom Ridge, the former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and former governor of Pennsylvania, was named to Home Depot Inc.’s board of directors, the home improvement retailer announced on Thursday. “Tom Ridge served his country with great distinction, and we are honored to have him join our board, where we expect that his unique global experience and perspective will make a profound contribution to our company and our shareholders,” said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president and CEO. The appointment of Ridge brings the number of directors on Home Depot’s board to 13. This includes 12 outside directors, 11 of whom are considered independent. Last month, the company reported that Roger Penske would not stand for re-election to the board after his term expires at the company’s next shareholders meeting. Read the story here.
Peterson sentencing delayed briefly
In Scott Peterson’s first public appearance since a jury determined his crimes worthy of the death penalty, a judge delayed his formal sentencing until March 16, 2005. The sentencing, which was originally scheduled for Friday, had already been moved once to March 11. “The 16th is in cement,” Judge Alfred Delucchi sternly informed lawyers. “I am not going to change that date.” The 32-year-old fertilizer salesman, who was convicted of the double murder of his pregnant wife, Laci, and her fetus, looked fit and healthy in a well-tailored black suit and yellow tie. As he walked into court, Peterson smiled at his mother, Jackie, and sister-in-law Janey, sitting in the front row. Read the story here.
